Things went well last weekend with the Ntshangase family. Then my family and I went to the Ramarus to explain that I’d be re-marrying under an arranged marriage. We did apologise if this was coming across as disrespectful in anyway. Kazi hugged me. She actually hugged me. Then she said, “Rofhiwa was very blessed to have you. We understand. We support you.”

Papa also hugged me, then he said, “Thank you for respecting my daughter so much.”

What I wanted, I achieved. There’s no bad blood between the Ramarus and me. 

Mme-Thabi also told them that when Rofhiwa left, she was pregnant by that other guy’s family. Of course, the Ramarus were hurt and disappointed. That’s why I personally didn’t say anything about that child. But Mme-Thabi just wanted them to know that between Rofhiwa and I, Rofhiwa was the trash in this marriage. The Ramarus never disputed it, that’s why I didn’t throw worse news at them. 

Today, we are paying lobola for Nandi and having the first part of our traditional wedding. 

I’m chilling outside with Khabane, Khanyi, Banathi and Ntuthuko. Uncle Maboko is my chief negotiator and he’s in there with Uncle Zithulele, pope and my two dads. Mohato has been released, but he’s not allowed to travel outside of Tholoana Kingdom yet. So, Zari stayed behind with him. 

“Does this mean you are not my brother anymore?” Khanyi says. 

I hug her. 

“You’ll always be my baby sister. Always.” I say. 

“Are you sure?” Khanyi. 

“I’m very sure. No one will ever tell us otherwise. And if this boy fucks with you, I’ll kill him myself”, I say.

They laugh. I’m serious. 

“I know”, Khanyi says. 

She just hugs me too. 

“I’m happy for you, Rea. You deserve to be happy. You are a good man. I’m so sorry that Fifi hurt you”, she says. 

This is why I’ll always love her. 

My twins are playing and getting dirty by the minute. 

“Mohau, the wedding hasn’t even started and you are already so dirty?” Khanyi.

“Even Lalo”, Mohau says. 

We actually laugh. 

“I’m going to change them just now”, Khanyi says. 

“But they’ll get dirty again”, Bane and I say together. 

Banathi and Ntuthuko laugh. 

“But they can’t look like that! Hai bo!” Khanyi. 

“Where are their electrical cars?” Bane asks. 

“You are actually on to something, babe. I’ll change them then make them play in the cars only.” Khanyi.

We finally hear ululating. Uncle Zithulele comes towards us. This guy and his earrings. Even in his old age. It’s weird how even Banathi and Mndeni both have earrings too. And they specialize in top-tier diamond studs. All our mothers go to Uncle Zee for anything diamonds. 

“Umakoti wakho uyabiza, ndoda.” Uncle Zee says. 

We are already laughing. 

“Two hundred thousand yonke? Hai ngeke!” He keeps complaining. 

We all laugh. I told them to give them everything. 

“Khanyisa, kini bayosibulala kangakanani masiyela uKhabane?” He asks.

Can he not let anything slip? Please. I understand the Ntshangases showed them flames, but he mustn’t ruin it for Bane. The world is waiting for this wedding.

“Angazi.” Khanyisa says. She’s even blushing. 

We just laugh. 

Khabane pulls her away and I understand. Uncle Zee might just blow his cover. 

“She still doesn’t know?” Uncle Zee.

“No baba, she doesn’t.” Banathi. 

“But the date yamalobola seyiphumile. We lobola a week after umemulo wakhe.” Ja no, he’s irritated. 

“He will propose at the umemulo”, Banathi says. 

“Iyenziwaphi kodwa leyo nto?” Uncle Zee is deeply disturbed. 

We are in stitches. Yoh!

We are having the wedding. She looks so beautiful. She looks stunning in her Zulu things. There are all sorts of people dancing here. There are drums playing everywhere. Listen, I’m Sotho, we have a different way of traditionally dancing. But this is nice. The Khuzwayos and the Maphumulos are having the time of their lives here. I even spot Khanyi within! 

My family is then gifted with blankets and grass mats. Then I’m also gifted, I’m even whipped by maidens after THEY TOLD ME TO SLEEP ON THE DAMN THING! 

Whatever, I’m happy though. I have my wife and all her beauty. 

“Are we driving back?” Nandi asks me. 

“Yep. And we are leaving now”, me. 

“But, don’t you want to sleep? It’s 9pm”, she says.

“Nope. We are leaving now, babe. We have drivers for such reasons. And it’s a security measure.” I say. 

“And my cars?” She asks me. 

She has one car – a black Audi Q5 that she got for herself. Then a I bought her a grey G63 Benz.

“Two of the drivers will bring them. Don’t worry.” I tell her. 

Her bags are brought by some people. I tell them where to put her bags. Then we climb into our V300. We are driving with Khanyi, Khabane and my twins. Mme-Thabi said this is necessary. Nandi must know my kids and my kids must know her. 

The ride started off a bit awkward. Then Khanyi said to Nandi, “I’m Khanyisa. Ngiyajabula ukuk’wazi, sis’ Nandi.” 

Nandi was instantly warm.

“Uwena uKhanyisa? I’ve heard a lot about you. But no one told me that you are this beautiful!” 

They laughed. 

“So how does a Khanyisa end up so within Tholoana Kingdom boys?” Nandi asked. 

Their conversation then popped off! 

After an hour of their conversation, Khanyi introduced my twins to her. 

“Lalo. Hau. This is Mam’Nandi. Remember we spoke about you guys having a new mommy?” Khanyi.

The twins look at Khanyi. 

“Will mama be okay with us calling her mom?” Lalo. 

“Lalo, Remember I told you that mama will be away for some time. But she wants you guys to be good babies. To always stay so beautiful. And to listen to adults around you. Remember that?” 

The twins nod their heads. 

I’m getting emotional here. 

“So, I’ll always be deputy mom. Kazi will always be deputy mom too. But Mam’Nandi is your mommy now and she’s going to live with you and your papa. She’s going to love you. And you guys have to be good for her.” Khanyi. 

“Why can’t you live with us?” Mohau.

“Because I have to live with Uncle Bane.” Khanyi. 

“So will you and Uncle Bane have other babies?” Lalo asks weird questions. 

“We will. But you guys will always be our big babies.” Khanyi. 

“And you know what, babies, we can visit them any time”, Nandi says. 

I’m glad she’s participating. 

The twins look at her. 

“Can I maybe get a tickle hug?” Nandi.

Lalo laughs. 

“A big tickle hug?” 

The twins now laugh together. 

Khanyi is smiling. She also has tears in her eyes. 

“Okay, I’m coming for a GIANT tickle hug”, Nandi says then she grabs the twins, hugging them and tickling them. The twins are in stitches with laughter. Khanyi is laughing too. 

I think we are going to be okay. 

I couldn’t have prayed for a better aunt for my kids. 

I even see Bane pulling Khanyi into a hug. 

We are very proud of her. 

…

My beautiful girlfriend and I are having sex. We’ve been having sex since last night and into the morning. It’s so good. Fuck! I love Khanyisa Mbatha. She’s also getting better and better. Our sex is now a shared experience. It’s not me putting in all the work. She put a pole in my main bedroom. Let’s just start there. So last night, she did a whole pole dance for me and that just set everything alight. Now she even comes on top and she rocks my world. I’m a happy man. I’m a satisfied man. I’m a man in love.

The twins slept over last night, so we slept at my place and not Khanyi’s flat. I bought a duplex, so my house is a bit bigger. Rea and Nandi are preparing for the wedding today that’s here in Tholoana Kingdom, so we offered to take the twins. 

We both moan. I hear Khanyi groaning in a scream, shaking, and I realise we orgasmed together.

She climbs off me and catches her breath, lying next to me. I’m also catching my breath. 

“Do you think we can take a quick nap before the wedding?” Khanyi asks me. 

I laugh at her. Then I say, “we can put in maybe two hours. Then we have to go meet up with my parents first. We will leave from their house.” I say. 

“Okay. Let’s quickly sleep.” She says. 

…

I just feel and hear small people jumping on my bed. I open one eye and I see the twins going crazy on my bed. Ja no, this is a brilliant contraceptive for me. 

“Khabane, make them go away”, that’s what their aunt says! Jwang vele?!

“Khabane, I’m tired!” She cries again. 

I’m naked. I can’t even climb out of this bed because they’ll ask questions and it’s a bit too early. 

“Guys, go hide. I’m counting up to twenty then I’m coming to find you! One…”

They have sprinted out of our room! 

I quickly roll out of my bed and get dressed. I give Khanyi clothes too. She must also get dressed. 

“Baby, we need to wake up. It’s 9am. We need to get going”, I tell Khanyi. 

She pulls the blanket over her head. 

Her relationship le boroko is not normal! 

Ntuthuko is here and Khanyi has made breakfast. She and I showered while we made the twins watch something on TV and eat. Now, Ntuthuko and I are eating. Banathi also arrives and digs in. Imagine! Khanyi is bathing the twins. 

“Are you guys going to live here after the… you know”, Banathi. 

One day, Khanyi will walk in on people talking about this. 

Why did I tell anyone?! 

“Nah. Mr R said he’d agree and give me his blessing if we allowed him to buy a house for us. So, he bought it then took me to go see it.” I say. 

“Whaaaaat?!” They both say. 

“Get the fuck out of town!” Banathi.

“Wena uthumele amagundwane ukuthi ayokuhlolela kwaRamaru. How does anyone get this lucky?” Ntuthuko. 

We actually just laugh at that. What the hell?!

“I want in-laws like that”, Banathi says. 

“Yekela ukujolela elokshini. Then you’ll find in-laws like that”, Ntuthuko says and we burst into laughter. Banathi does love his girls from the hood. There’s nothing wrong, but now that Ntuthuko mentions it, I see what he means. 

“She still has no idea vele?” Banathi. 

“No. And stop talking about it. I don’t want her to know.” I say. 

They keep quiet.

“Mohato is out.” Banathi says.

“Yeah. I heard.” Me. 

“Pope says they gave him a business.” Ntuthuko says. 

“Which one?” Me. 

“Construction. Your pops is showing him the ropes. It’s a business that falls under one of the Seete business pillars”, Ntuthuko says to me.

I just shrug my shoulders. 

“Then they have a house just outside of Taung. In the burbs of Tlou. It’s a high-end estate house. They got cars and a pay-out too. Zari was also given money to start an I.T business.” Banathi. 

“Well, I guess that should keep them busy.” I say. 

We finish the food. 

Khanyi comes in. 

Lalo is next to her and Mohau is on her hip, crying. 

“Hey guys”, Khanyi says. Mohau dives to me and I pick him up. 

“Why are you crying?” I ask him. 

“Khanini is being mean!” They call her Khanini. I also don’t know why. But I’m KB. 

“Uyahlanya lo! He didn’t want to bath.” Khanini says.

“Look at how nice you are now”, I say to Mohau. 

He just puts his head on my chest. 

Okay, he’s having a moment. 

“Babe, are we getting ready here or are we doing everything at your parents’ place?” She asks me. 

She’s been speaking to my mom and Ru more. Shouldn’t she know? 

Before I answer, she says, “Mama said glam has arrived and the hair person is on the way. So maybe we can just do everything there. That way, I don’t delay glam.” 

Wow! 

“Okay, let’s go.” Khanini. 

I feel like she had an entire conversation by herself. 

…

This glam thing takes over two hours. Just to paint faces vele? 

My dad and I are eating and drinking together. The twins want to swim. Like… I need these women to finish glam so we can go.

Now, the twins are going crazy in the playroom, so my dad and I are in here watching them. 

“These two are a good contraceptive”, I say. 

My dad laughs. 

“And Khanyi urata boroko. So mornings, they are my problem”, I add. He’s just laughing. 

“Yeah well, you never wanted to sleep without your mom next to you! Do you know how long it took us to get you out of our bed?” He says. 

I’m a little embarrassed. 

“You’ve always been a mommy’s boy”, my dad says, picking on me really. 

“When did you decide that mom was it for you?” I ask him. 

He smiles to himself and says, “When she was in grade eight. I was in matric. We had classes until late, and I think on that day, she had a netball meeting, so she finished school late too. She was walking to get taxis and I was in my car, driving behind her. I had noticed her the whole day that day. I’ve seen beautiful women before. But Tebza… she was incredible. Her smile was poetic. Her eyes were so sincere… they promised me they’d take care of me even before she knew who I was. So that afternoon, I offered her a ride to the school her mom taught at – my mom was the principal there – and for the first time in my life, I had no clue what to say to a human being. She initiated the conversation. Her spirit was so free… open… we got to the school and I realized I had forgot to ask her for her name.”

I actually burst into laughter! 

My dad?

A whole gwababa?!

“Thank God Tiisetso was at the school, meeting Tebza at the gate. Then she introduced herself as Teboho’s sister. I knew that day that she would be my wife.” 

I smile at him. 

He’s so in love, it’s ridiculous! He’s too old for such things. 

“We’ve had our shit. But, when I was married to Linda, I knew that I’d rather have bad times with Tebza, than good times with anyone else.” He says.

Wait… what?!

“You were married?!” He sees my shock. 

He takes a deep breath and says, “Yeah. I fucked up and cheated on your mom when we were young. Your mom found out – literally caught me in our bed with Linda – 

“Pa!” 

“I know, son. I regret that day and that relationship every day of my life. It cost me four years of my only son’s life.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Tebza left after catching me with Linda. I ran after her… followed her to LA even… but she just disappeared. Blocked me. And didn’t tell me that she was pregnant. She was gone for years. So, I moved on, thinking I’d lost her forever. Then on my wedding day to Linda, she comes back with my four-year-old son.” 

I have zero recollection of this. 

Zero. 

I mean, I’ve noticed that I don’t have baby photos with my dad like Ru does, but I never cared to ask why. Also, I was born in LA? 

“I almost lost Tebza forever. And that’s something I never want to go through ever again in my life. I missed out on four years of your life. Your mom was even scared when she was expecting Ruri. She thought it would make me love you less because with Ruri, I’d be there from day one. But I’d kill for you guys. All of you. I get to wake up every morning next to a woman who chose me when I didn’t deserve for her to choose me. I’ll love her as a way of saying thank you to her… for our family… my only son… my only daughter… until I take my last breath on this earth.” 

I hug him. 

He looks like he could do with the hug. Clearly, I took him back to a place he probably never wanted to go back to ever again. 

“This step that you are about to take with Khanyi, we support it because we see that she’s the real deal for you. Take care of her, son. I know she will take care of you… of us. Your mom and your sister adore her. And we all know it’s not easy to please Teboho Seete.” He says.

“Yeah. Sometimes, I feel like she’s too good for me. I mean, she spent a good amount of time in the beginning stages of our relationship telling me that I could go sleep with other people because she was saving herself until the time was right.” I say. 

“And did you?” Him. 

I nod my head. 

He looks at me. 

“I wish I didn’t though. One of the girls got pregnant.” 

The shock on his face! 

“Ntuthuko helped me drag her to an abortion clinic. Khanyi was never going to stay with me with that child. She told me to fuck around, but I’m sure she meant that I needed to cover up, you know?” 

“Where’s that girl now? Could she still be a problem?” My dad asks me. 

“She’s married somewhere and has kids with her husband. I don’t think she’d be a problem”, I say.

“And since you and Khanyi started having sex? Have you- 

“No, I haven’t. I don’t ever want to. I’m the only man who has ever touched her, dad. The only man.” 

“I was the only man who had ever touched your mother. Then I fucked up. And – 

He takes a deep breath. 

“It’s not worth it, Bane.” 

“I know, papa. I don’t ever want to compromise her heart or our love like that. Ever.” I say.

“I’ll hold you to that”, he says. 

We hug each other. 

Man, I’m glad I’m close with my parents. 

I took my parents to go see the new house. My parents asked to furnish it for us. I guess they want to be part of it too. 

“Have you decided what you will do with your duplex after you move into that mansion?” My dad asks me. 

“Ru asked me if she could use it as her design studio. I said it’s fine.” I say.

“She’s getting good at this design thing, hey.” My dad. 

“Yeah. She designed all our outfits today. Mom is marketing her well, too.” Me. 

“The beasts in our family. We have strong women to be proud of! And I’m proud of you, son! I really am”. He says. 

“Baby! We are done!” My mom says. 

My dad and I look at each other. Then we just laugh. 

Glam neh!

…

“Dude, I leave for a few weeks. When I come back, you are divorced and I’m a best man to your next marriage?” I say. 

“I couldn’t exactly phone you and bring you up to date. Thuli was probably sexing you good”, Reahile says. 

We actually laugh. 

“She really put it on me! I might have actually made her pregnant again.” I say. 

“You know what, I’ll work tonight and get Nandi pregnant. Then we can enter the father thing for the third time together”, he says. 

We fist pump each other then burst into laughter.

So, my best friend is getting married. Khabane and Mohato are his groomsmen and I’m the best man. Thuli is still judging me because I knew Nandi. I knew about her and yes, Khabane and I have met her. Thuli didn’t talk to me the whole drive here. And it was a long drive. We had to drop off my kids with her mother in Nelspruit. Then we flew to Tholoana Kingdom, hired a car and drove to the royal house. She hasn’t been talking to me since we left Nelspruit. She didn’t even care when I told her that Rofhiwa cheated and is pregnant from that cheating. Her response was, “Good! Why does Rea have to cheat alone?!” 

It’s bad! 

The things we do for our boys! 

The traditional wedding starts and it’s actually beautiful. It’s the dancing and festivities that has lightened the atmosphere. I literally see my wife shaking her head, getting up from her table and leaving. She’s with Nene. They actually walk out together. 

Khabane and I look at each other. Khabane pulls a face. I shrug my shoulders. 

I pull out my cellphone then text her. 

“What you are doing is unnecessary“, I text her. 

She views my message and doesn’t respond.

“Thulisile!” I text her. 

She views my message and doesn’t respond. 

Yoh! This is going to be a long ass day. 

I text Mfundo. 

“And then? Thuli and Nene?” 

“They shat on me then left. We are in shit! They said they are going back to the hotel. They took my ride. So don’t leave me behind. I’m going to have to get a ride with you.” He texts me back.

My stomach actually turns. 

Rea has us in shit, and he’s getting ass tonight. 

“Yoh! At this point, we won’t even be allowed to stay for the after party“, I text Mfundo.

“We are actually staying just for that! What they are doing is shit and we are not going to reward them by hurrying out of a friend’s wedding. The fuck?!” Mfundo texts me. 

He’s actually right. 

Yes! 

We will get back to the hotel when we get back!

…

Mfundo and I are partying and all, but our hearts are not here. It’s 10pm. I have a million missed calls from Thuli.

“Bozza, we need to go.” I tell Mfundo. 

Rea and Nandi have already left. 

Khanyi and Khabane have also already left. 

We need to go now and face the music. 

Mfundo and I are in the car lying to each other. 

“Mara ntanga, what did we do? Rea is the one who was fucking Nandi and has now married her. I don’t understand why Thuli is so angry.” I say. 

“And now she transferred that energy to Nene. Yoh, uNene ukwatile. Imagine being shat on in siSwati!” Mfundo says. 

I actually laugh because I can relate. Thuli is Swati too. 

“Thuli dabbles with Zulu from time to time, but she can’t let the Swati go. Even Khumo imitates her when Khumo is being shat on by her.” I say. 

We laugh! 

“The beautiful ones just had to have the letter T rolling off their tongues”, he says. 

“The cream of the crop, ntanga.” I say. 

We arrive at the hotel and make our ways to our different rooms. We actually find Nene and Thuli sitting together in Nene’s and Mfundo’s hotel room. So, I just walk in there. 

They are dressed in pyjamas and are talking. RnB is even playing in the background. When we walk in, they stare at us.

Ja no, it’s bad. 

“Sanibonani bomama“, Mfundo. 

“Did you have fun celebrating amanyala wenu?” Nene. 

Swati people don’t give swear words a rest. So, I’ll tell you know, for free, that this is about to be a vulgar scene. 

“We were supporting our friend. My best friend. The decision that was made was his. I don’t understand why we are being punished for it.” I say. 

“Do you also have a concubine on standby? Waiting for me to slip up, so she can step in, enjoy your penis publicly then raise the kids I suffered nine months with?” Thuli. 

“Thuli, I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask me that.” I say. I don’t appreciate this at all.

“Why not? Niyasitana ngokunya, right? If you have onondindwa somewhere, siyati that you are covering it up for each other.” Nene. 

Yerrr! 

I’d honestly rather just talk to my wife without Mfundo’s wife.

“To think uKhanyisa wabantu thinks this is an arranged marriage. I want to tell her how her sister was disrespected! I want to tell Mr R who and what Reahile really is and how all of you helped him cover the kind of husband that he is!” What’s wrong with Thuli?!

“Thuli, you can’t do that!” Me. 

“Why not?! Why not, Remoletile?! Your lies! Your betrayal! What kind of husbands are you?!” Thuli. 

“THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARE INTERNALISING THIS AND MAKING IT ABOUT YOU! IF YOU WANT TO BE UPSET AT REAHILE, FINE! IF YOU WANT TO BE MAD AT US FOR SUPPORTING OUR FRIEND, FINE! BUT YOU DONT GO TO PEOPLE’S FAMILIES AND RUIN THEIR LIVES WITH SOMETHING THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! THERE ARE KIDS INVOLVED IN THIS! DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE IMPACT ON MULALO AND MOHAU IF THEIR FAMILIES DONT GET ALONG BECAUSE OF YOUR MORALS?!” I just lose it! Honestly! 

“I think we all need to calm down, get some sleep and discuss this in the morning. Please guys! We don’t have to get kicked out of a hotel because of this”, Mfundo. 

I honestly just leave this room and go to mine! To be honest, I’m actually worried that Thuli will actually tell Khanyi.

I don’t even remember when I passed out last night. But I’m waking up, my wife is not lying next to me. This is actually getting unnecessarily petty. I get up and go pee. When I come back to the room, I see Thuli sleeping on the couch. 

Yoh! 

My phone rings. 

My battery is even dying. 

It’s Reahile.

“Sho“, me. 

“Sho. Le grand?” 

“We good, man. You?” Me.

“Ke shup. Bane tells me that Thuli and Nene left yesterday?” He says.

“Ey, monna. It’s bad. Thuli really didn’t take this well.” I say. 

“Do you think she will tell Khanyi?” He asks me. And he’s scared. 

“She threatened to. But I’ll deal with her. It doesn’t have to get that far.” I say.

“I need you to pull through for me on that one, man. I cannot lose the Ramarus or Khanyi. Please.”

“I got you. I promise.” Me. 

“What time will you arrive for the lunch?” He asks me. 

“I just woke up. I’ll wake Thuli up, make sure Mfundo and Nene are up. We will shower and come through.” I say. 

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” Him. 

My battery dies so the call ends. 

I put my phone in the charger. 

I wake Thuli up. 

She opens her eyes, begrudgingly so, and looks at me. 

“What?!” 

“Thuli, please. I don’t want to fight.” 

“So why are you waking me up for no reason?” 

“We have to shower and get ready”, I say. 

“For what?” 

Bathung!

“For the reception lunch.” I say.

“Angiyi lapho, mina.” 

I really don’t have time for this. 

“Thuli –

“Remoletile, did you wake me up when you accompanied Rea emanyaleni? You didn’t, right? So why must I be going to celebrate a wedding ekhandwe at the expense of another woman’s humiliation?” 

“Thulisile!“

“Tee-le! Hlukana nami! Just leave me alone! You told me to back off. I’ve backed off. You’ve made it very clear that you don’t respect marriage or vows! You raised your voice at me, protecting ubufebe of a married man! I’ve accepted it. I’ve accepted what my husband thinks of what I’m supposed to be sharing with him. I’ll be lying to Khanyisa for the rest of my life to protect this shit. You’ve made sure of that. So please – hlukana nami! You’ve got what you want. Just let me sleep. Don’t ask me to go smile at that reception because I will not be nice to the bride.” 

I genuinely don’t know what to do. 

I knew she’d be angry, but why is she treating me like I’m the one who cheated on her?

I sit down on this couch she’s sleeping on.

She pulls the blanket over her head. 

“Rea didn’t want to marry Rofhiwa”, I say. 

I see her pushing the blanket off her face. 

She lifts her head and looks at me. 

“They started dating and yes, he loved her at first. But Rofhiwa was troubled… deeply. She lived in her own head… it was as if she’d have conversations with her own thoughts, reach a conclusion then bring it to another person. She was weird man. Maybe her father should have never remarried, I don’t know. Maybe Khanyi should have never been her sister and maybe kazi should have never had more kids. But she always made it seem as if things were fine when it was just her and Mr R. She always made it seem as if kazi coming into their lives and having kids with her dad ruined it all for her. Rea never understood that because, you know, the Mohales are big on family.”

I look at her. 

She’s really intrigued.

“Every time Rea would plan to break up with her, she’d psychologically blackmail him into not seeing it through. Then that whole thing happened with her parents and she chose Rea over the parents. So now he really felt stuck. You know the Mohales place loyalty over everything. Rofhiwa choosing them over her own family was loyalty to the Mohales. So, Rea started seeing that he might have to marry this girl one day. But he was prepared to wait it out a bit. But she got pregnant. And the wedding happened.” 

Now I look at her. 

She sits up and sits next to me. 

“Rea would always tell Bane and I that Rofhiwa can’t help yourself – she sabotages anything that just feels right. He said he knew that their marriage wasn’t forever, but he really liked the family. He had a good relationship with them. They are the ones that made him feel like he could be Rofhiwa’s husband forever – just to be part of them. But she cheated.” 

“So when does Nandi come into the picture?” She asks me. 

“They met in KZN some time ago. Rea loved her vibe and she was a break from Rofhiwa – for him. I also met her and I understood why. Their values were aligned. She’s from a royal family so service is at the centre of her existence. She’s one of the most selfless people he – 

“WHEN DID THEY MEET? I don’t need a PowerPoint presentation on the type of person she is.” 

I clear my throat then say, “a year after the twins were born.”

“So, she didn’t have the context that you have about Rea’s and Rofhiwa’s marriage, right?” 

I shake my head.

“All she saw before her was a man with a wedding band. And that turned her on?” 

Eish. 

These questions.

“Then she has this affair. Learns that he has children and she keeps going for it. And I’m supposed to believe that she respects herself as a woman and that she respects and values and the constitution of marriage? Or what? She thought that Rea would take isithembu?”

Ja no, Thuli doesn’t like Nandi. And she probably never will. 

“Babe, I don’t know. What I know is that I don’t want to fight you about my best friend’s marriage. You and me… we are good. We are happy.” 

“Rofhiwa thought so about her marriage… but look at how Rea had been feeling this whole time? How can I be sure that – 

“Because I loved you even before you had eyes for me. You were my goal from the moment that I laid my eyes on you. Every minute I’m with you, I feel like my life is an answered prayer. And I’m not Rea. I love you, Thulisile Serame. Rea’s situation is not a reflection of our marriage or our love for each other. Baby, you have to believe that. I’ve lived my life in this marriage intending for you to believe that. If you don’t, it means I haven’t done my job as your husband.”

I think I’m winning her back. 

“Remoletile… for as long as I’m your wife, you shall have no other wife and no other children.” 

Why am I feeling threatened? 

“If you ever treat me the way that Rea treated Rofhiwa, I will take my kids and you will never see us again. EVER! If you are unhappy, you tell me. We talk about it. We do what we need to do to get through it. I will not accept responsibility for anything you didn’t bring to my attention. And I’ll never respect a woman who has no consideration for boundaries. So… I forgive you… but I’m not going to that lunch.”

I honestly just scratch my head. What else am I going to do?