“Honestly, finding my family was the best decision of my life.” I tell Tholoana over FaceTime. 

“Having a family should be the best thing to ever happen to a person”, he says.

“Yeah. But, I’ve seen people who have had the worst experience and turn out when it came to a family. It’s not always what it should be”, I say. 

“Yeah. You really hit the jackpot with Aus’Tshepi. How is Italy?” 

“Yoh wena! It’s so much fun! We stayed in Rome for about three days, then went to Florence. After Florence, we came here to Venice. We spent one day in Pompei. It was so funny. There are statues and pictures of penises everywhere. My grandmother’s reaction is the highlight of the trip.” I say and we both laugh. 

“Tomorrow, we leave Venice for Milan. Then we take a train to Switzerland. Chase will meet us in Switzerland. We will spend two days there then fly back to Tholoana Kingdom.” I finish off.

“Why didn’t you pack me in your bags again?” He says.

“Because you had to go see your mom. You said you are spending the holidays with your mom and brothers. How is that going?” Me. 

“It’s okay. My brothers are cool. We all get along great. My mom seems happy that I’m here. She’s going through a divorce with her husband, so she has a hint of depression that she slips into every now and then. But she’s happy that I’m here.” He says. 

“And wena? Are you happy?” I ask him.

“I don’t know, Mo.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” 

“Define happy. What is exactly is that supposed to feel like?”

Wow! I actually am at a loss for words. 

“Well, I think what I feel with mama is happiness.” I say. 

“And how would you describe that feeling?” He asks me. 

“My heart doesn’t feel like it’s about to break anymore. I don’t have this strong feeling in my gut that makes me nervous about the future to the point where I need to throw up. I laugh at stupid things now. I notice the flowers every morning. The air suddenly has a poetic smell, and I smile even when I don’t have a reason to.” I say. 

“I don’t feel any of that. I’m tired all the time. I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to do anything. I feel angry all the time. I feel like crying every minute I’m alive. I think about killing myself.” 

“Tholoana!”

“But, I won’t.” 

We are both quiet. 

“Promise me that you’ll phone me when you feel like killing yourself.” I say.

“I promise.” He says. 

I nod my head. 

“I’m going out with my brothers today. Let’s chat before bedtime?” Him.

“Sure. And Tholoana…”

“Yeah…?”

“I’m your reason to live.” 

He smiles at me. 

We hang up.

Good morning!

…

“Papa”, she says then she mumbles. 

I love being at home with my wife and kids.

Then Mohau comes out of nowhere and pulls her to the floor. They argue in their baby language, then Mulalo starts crying. This is the part that drives me up the wall. I want to ask Mohau about what I saw… like eintlek, why would you randomly pull your sister to the floor? But I know not what they speak. 

So, I pick up my baby girl and I try to calm her down. Now Mohau starts crying. 

Where’s their mother?!

“Baby!” I yell for her. 

“It’s my day off!” She yells back. 

The hell?! 

“I need help! Please!” Me. 

I hear her laughing.

“Papa!” Mohau says, lifting his arms up for me to clearly pick him up. 

“Mulalo! Mohau! Why are you crying?!” Their mother is now downstairs, and she yells at them. They actually stop crying. 

Imagine?! 

That’s all I had to do? Just viciously ask why they are crying? 

Wow! 

“Baby, put Mulalo down”, she says. 

I try to put Mulalo down, but she’s not having it. She grabs onto my shirt. 

“MULALO!” Yoh, Rofhiwa is strict. 

“NO MOMMY!” Mulalo is brave!

“WHAT?!” Okay, this won’t end well. 

I just put her down. 

“Play with your toys and stop crying! It’s almost nap time!” Rofhiwa is hectic! 

But they oblige shame. 

“Now, come give me a kiss before you play”, hawu?! Just like that?

And they sprint to her and give her a kiss. 

“I love you”, she says.

“Love you!”

“Love you!”

They dash back to play. 

So, this is what I miss out on when I’m working and they spend the day together? 

Rofhiwa stopped working. She told me that she wanted to be a full-time mother and wife. I didn’t have a problem. It’s not like we have money issues. I work this hard so that she can make decisions like that just because she feels like it. 

“You good?” She asks me. 

I smile at her.

“I’m great”, I say.

“It’s so nice to have you home for a full day. We miss you. You work too hard.” She says. 

“Because I love you guys and I want you guys to have everything you need and want.” I say. 

“And you are doing amazing, love. We appreciate you. Genuinely. We just miss you. That’s all.” She says.

“You know that I love you, right?” I remind her. 

She kisses me. 

“When is nap time?” I ask. 

She laughs aloud. 

I get a text message from Tee-le.

“Oh shit!” I exclaim.

“LANGUAGE!” Rofhiwa.

“Sorry.” I say… and I notice my kids looking at me.

“What’s wrong?” She asks me.

“Thuli gave birth to a baby boy last night.” I say.

“Ncaaaaawwww…. we haven’t even had the baby shower. The baby is too early!” She says. 

He sends me a picture. 

I show Fifi. 

“Oh man”, Rofhiwa. 

“His name is Tlotlo Thabiso Serame.” I say.

“That’s so beautiful”, she says.

“Are they making you want another one?” I ask her.

“I do want another one”, she unexpectedly says.

I never saw that one coming.

“Really?” I ask her. 

“I’m doing this full time now. And I love it. Besides, for you, I’d have ten more.” She says.

Okay, maybe she should go back to work.

“Have you thought about what we spoke about?” She asks me.

I look at her. I need more information. We speak about a lot of things. 

“About possibly moving back to Tholoana Kingdom?” She says.

This subject actually pisses me off.

I pull out my phone immediately and dial my dad. 

“Reahile”, she tries. 

“Hello?” My dad answers his phone. Khotso, not Ona. 

“Pa, le kai?” Me.

“Re siame. What’s up?”

“It’s come to my attention that the family has an issue with my marriage and my wife”, I say.

“Reahile, are you bored?” He says. 

“I’m not bored, pa. But I’m concerned that Zari told my wife rubbish in my own home.” 

“So, we are having this conversation because of yours and Mohato’s wives?”

“Zari said some unforgivable things, pa. She further expressed that it was the sentiments of the whole family.” I say.

“This family is not shy when it comes to speaking their minds. You’ll know if we have an issue with Rofhiwa.”

I breathe then say, “I’m not moving back to Tholoana Kingdom. And I don’t appreciate my wife being asked when she’s handing me my balls”. 

“We don’t expect you to come back. And we certainly don’t discuss your balls with Zari.” He says. 

“Good.” I say. 

We hang up. 

She looks upset.

“I like living here. I’m not going back to Tholoana Kingdom”, I tell her. 

She just shrugs her shoulders. 

…

Kunzima! 

I’m not living on the streets anymore, yes. But I live with my mom in the township again. 

Mandisa and Dikwe bought me a car. A white five-door Mini Cooper. It’s nice, but it’s small. It’s probably the smallest car I’ve ever driven. But hey, I’m off the streets. Dikwe stopped Mandisa from helping me with an allowance. He said I have to work and start looking after myself. He even made Mandisa stop looking after my mother, saying that I needed an ounce of responsibility. 

The money that I earn at Leruo’s wife’s offices is not even half of what Tee-Le used to give me as an allowance. I shop for groceries at shops I never thought I’d ever be found dead in. I’m even putting on weight. Suddenly, I have thighs and as ass. 

You know what…

At least I’m not living under a bridge anymore. 

Nomzamo is a nice person. I like her for Leruo better than I liked Paula. I’m not saying this because she’s literally the nicest person to me. But she convinced me to get off social media while I seriously redefine my life. And I won’t lie, it helped. Being disconnected from it all helped me a lot.

It’s just that in the township, everyone knows who I am and it’s just so invasive. Maybe they’ve written about me on social media – took pictures of how hard I’ve fallen and posted it everywhere. I hate it. But, I’m beginning to live with it. I’m going to do my best – that’s all that I can do. And truthfully speaking, when you are this low in life, the only way left to go is up! 

“Good morning”, Nomzamo arrives at the office and greets me. 

She’s so pregnant and beautiful.

“Hey Zamo. How are you feeling today?” I ask her. She’s been through a lot shame. Paula dying didn’t solve any of her problems. In fact, it created more issues for Zamo. 

“I’m tired, girl. If I could just cut this baby out of me, I’d be very happy.” She says things like that. I just laugh. 

“Pregnancy is a trap, I tell you. Don’t do it. Get yourself someone to carry it for you. They are great when they are here. Bringing them here… hai khona!” I’m just laughing. 

I laugh louder when I hear her PA and secretary arrive. I don’t like them. I want them to see that I have my own relationship with our boss. 

“Hey boss”, they greet her. 

“Good morning, ladies. I’m headed into my office to get settled. Leruo will arrive and bring me some breakfast. He’s doing school drop-offs today. When he leaves, I’ll call Busiswe to take me through my day.” She says. Busisiwe is her PA. The secretary is Gomolemo. I’m the admin assist. 

We all agree then she leaves and heads to her office. 

“Good morning, Khosi”, Busisiwe starts. 

I just slide the appointments for the day to her. That’s what she was going to ask me for anyway. We don’t have to be friends for it. We are just doing our jobs. 

“Thanks”, she says. 

Busisiwe and Gomolemo chat away about useless things. Boys of all things. Mina I’m good shame. I’ve been with the best of the best, and I have nothing to show for it. So, I just plug in my earphones and listen to some Jill Scott while I do some work. Nomzamo has started trusting me with bigger tasks and I intend to do them well. 

After an hour or so, RBL walks in: Rude Boy Leruo. I call him that because he always walks in and walks right past us. He doesn’t say hi – basic manners. He doesn’t ask if Dr Tloung is busy or can see him: professional manners. He’s just… himself. Busisiwe, Gomolemo and I don’t like each other, but we always find a way to laugh about how rude RBL is. It’s actually a code name we came up with together. 

I look at them after he has walked right past us and into Zamo’s office. We laugh. Tjo!

The day goes by pretty quickly. It was a busy day. A lot of patients were coming through today. At 4pm, Dr Tloung did her hospital rounds and by 7pm, she was done. She got into her car, told us she’d see us tomorrow, then left. Now we lock up and head home ourselves. 

“Khosi, please give us a lift to the taxi rank.” Gomolemo asks me. 

They always ask me this nonsense. 

But I say yes, because it is late. I’ve lived under a bridge. I know what could happen to them. 

As we drive, we chat a bit. Busisiwe is sitting in the front and Gomolemo is sitting at the back. 

“We are going out tonight. Would you like to come with us? My boyfriend will drive us. He will bring some friends”, Busisiwe tells me the most ghetto thing I’ve heard all my life. 

“No thanks”, I say. 

“Hawu… why?” Gomolemo.

You know, I’m really not trying to be their friend. I’m not. I’m not sure what gives them the idea that I am. 

“I just want to soak myself in a bathtub full of bubbles and bath salts… then drink some bubbles while in the tub, enjoying a fine bottle of champagne.” I say. 

“Woooooooohhhh!” They both say together. Then the three of us laugh. 

“Look, mjolo has been my biggest downfall. I’m very okay in my man diet. I haven’t been with a man in two years now. And I’m proud of myself. Sure, my hand is working overtime, but I like the Khosi I’m getting to know without a man who keeps making my name a headline.” I tell them. 

“That’s because you only date men who will make your relationship news-worthy. Maybe if you date a guy who’s just normal. He wakes up every morning and intends to do his best for that day to make a living. He won’t give you money, cars and houses that Tee-le Serame and Tyson Archibald gave you, but it will have happiness and love. Surely that’s worth something”, Gomolemo says. 

They both have kids from men who have degrees in loxion management. They keep passing from dick to dick, each dick attached to a man who they have to support. I don’t imagine myself being happy or in love with that. 

We finally get to the taxi rank. 

It’s a mess. It’s chaos. Five different men have called me baby. These two are taking their time getting out my car. I really just want to go home. But they get out eventually, and I make my way home. 

I get home and see some white BMW 1-Series. It looks sporty and nice. It’s white with black-on-black rims. Maybe Mandisa has bought me a nice upgrade from the toy that I’m driving. 

I walk into the house and find my mother sitting with some old lady. Really? An old woman drives that car? Hai bo! 

“Sanibonani”, I greet them. 

“Hello, baby girl. This is MaGasela. She lives two townships away from us”, my mom says. 

And she drives a car like that? 

Weh! 

“You can go into the TV room uhlalise her child while we talk”, my mom says. 

Okay. Maybe the car belongs to the child. 

I head to the TV room. 

My God! 

What in the hot-ass-men is this gadauve of a man in front of me? 

Ha weh mah!

I haven’t seen a man this good looking since Remoletile Serame. 

“Hi”, he says. 

He’s watching an NFR Legends game. 

“Hello”, I say. 

“The Legends bawile yaz. They actually make me angry because now I cannot even watch soccer. What the hell am I going to watch now? Can you suggest a sport? Maybe netball neh? Plus, those short dresses and all that jumping… ja no. Netball it is.”

I just laugh. Wow, I’m actually laughing… like proper and genuinely laughing. He smiles at me. What a beautiful smile. He wears glasses. But they look nice on him, shame. 

He stands up, walks towards me, extends his hand and says to me, “I’m Msizi.” 

I extend my hand too and say, “Khosi. Nobukhosi, but Khosi for short.” 

He nods his head and says, “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve just always seen you on the media. Your spirit is so much nicer in person.” 

“It happens when life has shown you that you are not above it.” I say. 

“Nah. Life is just a matter of seasons. You’ve had your peak season. Now, you are doing the hard work again, finding your way to your next peak.” He says. 

“That’s one way to look at it.” I say.

He smiles at me. 

“I’m going to change out of these tight clothes and heels. I’m a bit bushed.” I say. 

“Wear something comfortable. I’d like to stretch my legs. These grannies have been making me sit here while they gossip about this entire street for the past two hours”, he says.

“Two hours?” 

“Nje!” 

Wow! 

I just wear something simple… a cute dress and flops. I want to show off my calves. I wear a cap because the sun is blazing out there. I head back to where Msizi is, and we leave for our walk. We obviously tell the oldies that we are stepping out. They are consumed by the gossip that they probably didn’t hear us. 

Now we are walking the township streets of noisy kids running everywhere and everyone going about their lives while minding everyone’s business but their own. I do not like the township! I hate it! I never walk these streets. I drive these streets. Today is the first time that this happening and I’m already annoyed. 

“Yini?” Msizi asks me. 

“I just don’t do well when there are too many people around me.” I say. 

Everyone is staring and I hate it. 

“Is it a new thing? Or is it because your life with the Legends just gave you a new perspective on life?” 

Wow! 

“Both.” I say. 

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” He says. 

I’m just quiet.

“Look, you had quite the ‘out there’ life before. This is a bit expected, surely.” He says. 

“I don’t want to talk about this”, I say. 

He nods his head. 

“Your mother tells me that you work for some doctor now.” He says. 

“I have a job. It pays the bills. It takes care of my mother and me. I have no love for it like that. It’s my way of making a living.” I tell him. 

“So, what job would make you happy?” He asks me.

“I don’t know. I’m still thinking about it.” I say. 

He nods his head. 

I’m actually being cold. Let me try being nice and learn more about him. 

“What do you do for a living?” I ask him. 

“I’m a corporate attorney”, he says. 

That explains the car. 

“You live here with your mother?” I ask him. 

“Yeah. In the back room. She’s getting old and her health is deteriorating. She really struggled with cancer and I was in New York when that happened. So, I came back and I plan to look after her until…” he doesn’t finish his sentence.

“I’m sorry”, I say. 

He shrugs his shoulders. 

“Are you an only child?” I ask him. 

“Now I am. But I used to have a younger brother. He made some questionable decisions, and he was murdered in my mother’s driveway. She still hasn’t recovered from that.” He says. 

Hectic. 

“Look Khosi, you’ve been given a second chance at this life thing. Not everyone makes it out okay. You did. Give yourself a second chance.” He says. 

Before I can even reply, some dirty child runs to us. 

“Sisi, please give me two rand for ice”, he says. 

I give him a ten rand note. I don’t have coins.

“Thank you!” He says, then phooof! He’s gone! 

“He’s probably five.” Msizi says. 

“He will buy five ices.” I say. 

He laughs. 

“I wonder how you would be with my child.” I knew there was something wrong with him. He’s too good to be true. 

“You have children?” I ask him. 

“A child. One child. A daughter.” He says. 

Worse! Attitude 101 is studied from girl kids.  

“How old is she?” I ask. 

He smiles. He must think I’m interested. The way I’m not. 

“She’s four.” He says. 

Hmmm…

“Where’s her mother?” I ask. 

“Ukhona”, he says. 

I look at him. 

His tone has changed. 

“We don’t have to talk about it. I understand”, I say. 

“Ngiyabonga.” He says. 

We walk back home. Thankfully, when we arrive, his mother is ready to leave. 

He hands me his cellphone. 

“And then?” I ask him. 

“May I please have your tens.” He says. 

I look at him. 

“Please”, he says. 

I just put my number in. I hand him his phone back. He saves me as “My K”. 

This is how he ended up with a baby-mama he cannot even talk about. Mxm!

They leave. 

Now, I become a slave for my mom. I should have actually bought one of these meals that could be made in the oven. I’m so lazy.

…

Thuli – the mother of my children – has given me a son. I have a beautiful daughter and a handsome son. What more can I ask for? I’m a fulfilled man. I’m happy. From this day forward, I’ll spend my life loving my family and doing everything I can for them just to thank God for having all I’ve ever prayed for. 

We are at the hospital still. Tlotlo was born too early, so he was a premature baby. He was also born with a little jaundice. Thuli’s surgery almost went all the way left. It was an emergency surgery. She just woke up in the middle of the night and threw up so badly. But my son is here. My wife is okay. They are both being kept in hospital longer than usual. Khumo and I miss them, but we are happy they are getting better. 

I’ve just finished helping Thuli bath. I enjoy washing her in the bathtub. Sometimes, I just bath here. Thuli’s mother is staying with us and she has helped us a great deal. I’m so thankful. So so thankful. My mom also arrived last night. She and Thuli’s mom get along so well, I just hope that my mom and Thuli can fix things. Truly. I appreciate that Thuli didn’t tell her mom that she and my mother had a fall out. But if it continues while Thuli’s mom is around, the environment in my house could change.

“You didn’t bring Khumo?” Thuli asks me after she’s bathed and is now dressing up. 

“She was asleep when I left. But Rea said he would fetch her on his way here.” I say. It is 8am.

“Okay. I miss my little diva”, Thuli says.

“She has gone shopping for her baby brother. She and I were sorting out the nursery.” I say. 

And we had so much fun. He came before we could complete the nursery, but Khumo and I made a plan. She’s so excited to be a big sister. 

“You are such an amazing father, Remoletile Serame.” She says. The way she says it… I’m getting emotional. 

“You know, if I died with this childbirth and our son got to live, I’d be at peace because I know that my kids are in goods hands with you.” She says. 

“Thuli, you can’t talk like that. I need you. This is not something I’d be able to do on my own”, I say.

“I get you. It’s just… you’d do better at being a single parent than I would. And it’s okay. You were born to be a father. I’m so blessed to have a parenting partner in you”, she says.

Now I’m getting emotional. Very emotional. 

We step into the ward. 

“SURPRISE!” 

The hell?!

“MOMMY, IT’S A BABY LAUNCH!” Khumo says. 

What does she know about a baby launch? 

But Thuli and I laugh as we go hug all these nice people. There are banners in the ward that read “WELCOMING BABY SERAME“. Then there are blue and white balloons everywhere. 

Reahile comes to give me love first. 

He’s with Mfundo, Mohato, Leruo and Shack. Even Khabane is here. They are here with their wives. Khumo is in the mix because my daughter is just that girl. 

Man, this is nice. 

And Thuli is so happy!

“Nene, wena bazokushiya la. That baby will be born any minute now”, Thuli says to Nene. 

We all laugh. 

Thuli makes Nene sit on some chair here. 

It’s a good morning. 

The gifts are beautiful and thoughtful. The food is nice. Thuli was complaining about hospital food. It’s food. You just eat it. 

Afterwards, we take them to go see Tlotlo. He’s still in an incubator, shame. But he’s growing.

“Tee-le, your genes are very selfish. Why do both your kids look so much like you?” Zari says. 

We laugh.

I’m so proud. I love my kids. Khumo is even in my arms right now as we speak.

“I also had hope that this one would look like Sis’Thuli”, Khanyisa says.

We laugh. 

But they all comment at how cute our baby is. The first day in here, he had so many pipes attached to him. Now, it’s a few. And he’s a lot bigger. He was very small when he was born.

“Congratulations, T”, Rea says as he shakes my hand. 

“Thanks man. I finally caught up with you. You cheated with two at a time!” I say and the guys laugh. 

“Now you need to catch up to Mfundo. Three of the best”, Khabane says. 

“This coming from someone who must still have one?” Mfundo says. 

Shame, it’s a nice morning of laughing and teasing.

Our friends leave after three hours. I also have to take all these gifts to our house. Rea and Khabane help me carry them to the car. Thuli asked me for Spur for when I return. Khumo stayed at the hospital with her. 

I get home and find the mothers watching some soapie. I bring in the gifts and put them in Tlotlo’s room/nursery. 

The people designing the room are busy setting up. I add these items. The part I didn’t tell you earlier on is that Khumo and I may have fucked this room up. So, I’m paying people to finish it before Thuli and Tlotlo come home.

“Remoletile”, my mom calls me. 

I didn’t realise she were here with me.

“Mme. Ushup?” 

She’s been depressed since my sister disappeared. I feel like she disappeared with a new boyfriend. She always does this when she has a new love in her life. I don’t know why we still stress about it. My mom says she has a feeling that something is wrong. She’s been gone for two and a half years. Listen, she was once gone for five years, then came back. She does this! I have a family now. One wife and two kids. I don’t have room to stress about her while she lives it up somewhere out there.

“How are Thuli and Tlotlo?” She asks me.

“They are getting better. Tlotlo is getting stronger. Thuli is also healing quickly.” I say.

“I’d like to see them – meet Tlotlo, you know. Thuli’s mother tells me she’s met him.” She says. 

Is she really about to insinuate that she’s not being treated fairly? She knows what she did!

“I asked you to fix things with Thuli. Did you do that?” I asked her. 

She’s quiet.

“But you are in her house. What are you going to do when she comes home?” I ask her.

“I’m here for my son and my grandchildren.” She says.

“And Thuli is a critical part of your son and your grandchildren. Thuli is your son’s wife and she is your grandchildren’s mother. That means nothing to you?” 

She’s quiet.

“Thuli is my wife, mme. And I need you to apologise for what happened when you drove her out of a home that I bought for her. If you can’t do that, then please make sure you’ve left Thuli’s house by the time she comes back from hospital. Because I’m not losing my wife over this.” 

I leave her to ponder her on her thoughts, rushing back to the hospital.

…

Hospital ward, evening. 

I’m lying next to Thuli in her bed. Khumo has passed out on my chest. 

“You know, I’ve prayed for this moment so much. It feels surreal that you are mine and we have this family together. I don’t even know how to start thanking God.” I tell her. 

“God has been faithful to us. He has blessed us in abundance. He has divinely favoured us. You are my love letter from him, and I truly enjoy waking up each day and reading this love letter.” She says. 

I hold her hand. 

“I love you, Remoletile.” She says. 

“I love you, Thulisile Serame.” I say.

“And we are done having babies.” She says. 

I laugh. 

She giggles.

“My doctor says having more kids is a risk for me. I had both Khumo and Tlotlo via a c-section. Apparently, I can only be cut three times. I had forgot that when I was a teenager, I had my appendix removed. So that’s the third time they are including. There’s no guarantee that a third child would arrive naturally, so – 

“Hey, love… our kids are all we need. I’m perfectly fine with our two. Don’t stress so much about it.” I tell her. I have two kids. I don’t need more. If more came, I’d love them. But two is enough blessings for me. 

“You sure?” She asks me. 

“I’m sure, my love.” I tell her. 

She kisses me. 

“Love”, she starts.

“Yes, love?” 

“Please bring your mom by tomorrow? I’d like to apologise”, she says. 

Whaaaaaaaat?!

She sees the shock on my face.

“My mom told me you guys fought. She obviously doesn’t know what’s going on, but she heard you guys fight about me.” She says. 

So, her mother eavesdropped on a private conversation. 

“I just wanted her to apologise to you”, I say. 

“When have adults ever apologised for anything? They are known to die with their apologies. And Tee-le, what makes you think I’m okay with you fighting with your mother? The two of you love each other so much! I would never forgive myself for coming between the two of you!” She’s getting passionate now. 

“You are something else, you know that?” I say.

“That’s why you married me”, she says. 

True.

“I just don’t want people taking advantage of you”, I tell her. 

“They won’t. I’m tougher than you think. Ngiyakucela myeni wami… ngicela ungivumele ngixolise ku-mah“, she says.

I kiss her. 

She will xolisa, it’s fine. But my mom will hear it and get it from me. I’m not as nice as Thuli. 

“Sanibonani“, a voice says. 

I thought visiting hours were over. What’s going on now? This is how our kids get stolen and loved ones get killed.

“Ndalo?” Thuli is also shocked. We both sit up, Thuli slightly struggling. It must be the stitches.

Ndalo even has flowers and a gift. 

“Hi Thuli. Hi Tee-le”, she says. 

Thuli looks at me. 

Khumo is still asleep on top of me. 

“Congratulations on your baby”, she says. 

“Thank you. Ndalo, why are you here? You’ve driven all the way to Gauteng from Tholoana Kingdom. It must be urgent.” Thuli says. 

“It is. And I’m sorry to bother you so late in the day.” She says. 

I’m still quiet. 

I need to understand why she’s here. 

“Thuli, I need to close the chapter on Yaya”. 

“Fucken hell!” I accidentally say out loud. 

But no man, I’m annoyed! 

“I’m sorry, Tee-le. But I need this.” 

“I’m just tired of you making it your mission to keep bringing Yaya up from the dead. I’m mean really! Even when he died, he wasn’t with Thuli! Why is he still a topic in her life?” I’m really irritated. 

She’s quiet. 

“What do you want this time?” I know I’m being rude, but fuck man!

“There’s a child that I’ve met recently who is claiming to be Uyanda’s child. His name is Lwandile.” Ndalo says. 

“Oh ja, uLwandile. Unjani shame u-boy?” Thuli says so fondly. 

I think she’s missing the part where Ndalo is not exactly happy about this fact.

“He’s fine. Thuli, did Uyanda have more kids that I need to be aware of?” Ndalo says, frustrated with Thuli’s reaction to the Lwandile character.

I think Thuli is beginning to get it now – the spirit in which these questions are being asked is not matching her excitement for hearing about Lwandile. 

“He has three kids. Phendulile was his fourth child.” Thuli says. 

Ndalo looks like she’s about to faint and I’m not about to drop my baby to catch her.

“Thuli, why didn’t he say anything about them to me?” Ndalo. How the hell is Thuli expected to answer that question? 

“He didn’t say anything about them to me too. He didn’t say anything about Phendu neither. You just forced your way to being known”, Thuli says and Ndalo is a bit embarrassed.

“The point is that you don’t date a guy like Uyanda and choose a life of ignorance in your big house and flashy cars. I go to bed every day with a clear conscience because I did my part as Uyanda’s partner when I had to.” 

Ndalo is crying now. 

“Ndalo, Uyanda is gone. What’s left of him is you and his kids. You need to let this anger you have for him go. Wake up tomorrow, go buy some groceries, get your family, go to KZN and tell them to cleanse you bakukhumule le ntambo emnyama. You need to pick up the pieces, move on and live again. Your children need you to do this. Uyanda is not coming back to deal with his shit. And unfortunately, when you became Mrs Uyanda Mbatha, you committed to carrying on with what he should be doing because you are an extension of him. You may not like these kids, but they did nothing wrong to you. I’m not saying spend time with them and all that shit. Just make sure that they are okay. That way, you can look at your kids and not have this thing of wondering if you are indeed a good mother.” 

Ndalo just cries. 

Thuli looks at me. 

I want Ndalo to leave. What she’s doing is inappropriate. 

Thuli climbs off the bed and makes her way to Ndalo. She comforts her and says, “The good news is that he’s dead now.” 

They both laugh. I won’t lie, I also laugh. Uyanda was a problem! 

“Do what you need to do, girl.” Thuli.

“Ngiyabonga Thuli.” Ndalo. 

“And can we please let this guy rest in damn peace. My wife no longer has to answer questions about him. Please!” Me. 

They both just look at me.