Being married to Reahile is not what I thought it would be. I’ve learned, loudly so, that there is a fair share amount of people who do not like me. And it’s people that matter in Rea’s life. He wasn’t happy at all at our reception lunch that was meant for close friends and family. Majority of people’s wives could not make it… well, did not want to make it. So, the guys came around alone. They were even too sacred to bring their side chick’s around because they were in the dog box for supporting Rea in his marriage to me. Obviously, this hurt me too and it just feels as if they are rejecting me. 

I get into the dining area because Rea was not in bed when I woke up this morning. I’m dressed in my hiking gear. I’m going hiking with the twins. It’s a way for me to get to know them, for them to know me, and for me to know this beautiful place a little bit better. 

I find Zari, the mofomahadi and the mme-mofomahadi talking about. 

“Good morning”, I greet them. 

Mofomahadi and mme-mofomahadi greet me back. I can’t make out Zarinah’s energy. 

“Did you sleep well?” Mofomahadi asks me. 

“I did, mme. Thank you.” 

Silence.

“Where are you going? To the gym or?” Mme-mofomahadi asks me. 

“I’m going to pick up the twins from Khanyi then taking them hiking.” I say. 

“Hiking?!” They all collectively say. 

“Yeah. It’s a simple 25km trail.” I say. 

“25km with THOSE kids?” Zari.

“I bought a hiking double pram. So, if they get tired along the way, they can just sit in there and I’ll push them through the hike.” I say. 

Zari looks at me funny. Mofomahadi and mme-mofomahadi smile at me. I guess they acknowledge that I’m trying. 

“At least have some breakfast”, Mofomahadi says. 

I smile and nod my head. 

I quickly eat my cereal. That’s all I decide to have. I really just want to get out of here. The tension is just weird. 

As soon as I’m done, I head out. I breathe the minute I get into my car. I really hope that I haven’t made a mistake by marrying this man. 

As I’m driving to the location that Khanyi sent me, my phone rings. It’s Rea. 

“Hey baby”. Me.

“Hey love. You sound like you are driving.”

“I am. I’m going to get the twins.”

“At 6:30am?” 

“We are going hiking.”

“Hiking?”

Have people in this kingdom never heard of hiking? Why do they all respond like this?

“Rea, it’s a flat 25km hike. I bought a hiking double stroller. So, when they get tired, I will push them through it.” 

He laughs.

I don’t understand. 

“Why were you calling me?” I ask him. 

“I was checking up on you. I miss you. I’m sorry I had to leave while you were fast asleep.” He says.

“I understand. Don’t worry too much, baby. I grew up in a royal family. Granted, it’s not the glam yakini, but I’ve lived with men in our home disappearing sometimes in the middle of the night.” I say. 

“That’s why I love you. I love how you just understand.” He says. 

“Yeah. The money came in this morning as well. I’m thinking of sending it to you so that you and Tee-le can buy those offices you wanted in Tholoana Kingdom.” I say. 

I sold my businesses when I moved here. The sale has finally gone through and my money came in this morning. 

With Reahile moving back to Tholoana Kingdom permanently, he and Tee-le have been talking about and looking around getting their own building because at the moment, they sit with clients. Now that their work with NIR has finally built in and settled, they no longer use their premises. They go in for meetings and maintenance of the deal. 

They both wanted to move location to Tholoana Kingdom because of the benefits of having businesses as a black person here.

“You’d really do that for us, babe?” He asks me. 

“Of course, I would. Kanti ungishadeleni?” 

“I thought you’d want to start your own thing this side.” 

“I will, eventually. But, let’s get you guys started first. How much do you need?” Me. 

“To rent that building we want, we need a down payment of five hundred thousand, then we will pay monthly instalments. But to buy that building we want, in that area – because it’s a business park – it’s about six million. Tee-le and I have come up with four million. So, we just need two.” He explains.

“Well, I received my payment. After tax, I have fifty million. So, you guys can actually get something bigger.” Me. 

“What?! Hang on, let me add Tee-le to this call.”

“Okay.”

He really does put me on hold. 

After a few minutes…

“Baby, Tee-le is on the line.” Rea. 

“Hi Tee-le.” 

“Nandi. How are you?” 

“I’m good thanks.”

“I believe you have good news for us.” Tee-le. 

“Yeah. I was just telling Rea that the pay-out from selling my businesses came in this morning. You guys can give me an account to transfer money into then I’ll transfer fifty million for you. That way you can get the building you want, hire staff, and ensure the offices are what you want them to be.” 

“Yoh!” Tee-le.

“My expression exactly. That’s why I needed you on this call’, Rea.

I laugh at them.

“This is huge. Thank you so much, Nandi”, Tee-le. 

“I really don’t mind. You guys can talk about it then let me know, neh.” Me. 

“We will, Sisi. Thanks.” Tee-le. 

“Baby, I’ll call you later. I’m almost at the location that Khanyi sent to me.” Me. 

“Okay love. I love you.” Rea.

“I love you, babe.” 

I hang up. 

Khabane lets me in. His place is so nice. The twins are ready. Khanyi bathed them and has them dressed up in gym gear. 

She’s even amped them up for the day. 

Khabane has taken their bags to my car. After our hike, we are going home. 

“Are you good?” She asks me.

“I’m adjusting. It’s a bit… you know.” Me. 

“Zari?” She says with a raised eyebrow. 

I laugh. 

“She’s like that with everyone. Phuma kuye and save yourself the stress.” She says. 

We both laugh.

“Everyone else will come around. Don’t take this personally. Fifi was around for a while, so it’s a bit personal for them.” 

“You are her sister, but you are the nicest to me.” 

“I love Fifi and Rea. I want them both to be happy. Rea is my brother. And I understand the situation. They don’t have to understand it. It has nothing to do with them. They’ll eventually realise that and either give you a chance or just back off all together”, she says. 

I smile at her. 

She’s such a breath of fresh hair. 

We hug. 

“Can I fetch them when we head home for my umemulo?” She asks me. 

“Of course. Rea did let me know.” I say. 

“Ja, my parents would really love to spend some time with them.” She says. 

“Yeah. They phoned Rea and asked him. I have no issues.” 

She smiles at me. 

I give her the gift I brought for her. 

She smiles at me. As she opens it, I say, “I made that with my mom for my umemulo. When Rea told me you were having umemulo and you’ve been looking forward to it since you were a teenager, I wanted to share it with you. Yinhle kakhulu le nto ‘yenzayo. I wish you all the best and I know you’ll be one hell of a woman!” 

Khabane is looking at us now. 

She gets emotional! 

“Ngiyabonga, Nandi. This is probably the most amazing gift I’ve ever received.” She says. 

“I asked my dad to also send izintombi to usher you into this. These beads symbolise ukuziphatha kwakho nothando lwakho losiko. Bazofika bakuculise bakusize ngobuhlalo bakho… if you don’t mind, of course.” 

She just hugs me. 

I hug her too. Khabane smiles at us. 

…

The hike is actually cool. We are 5km in and the twins are having the time of their lives. 

I have their one big bag in the stroller. They are both drinking juice and are completely fascinated by the animals at this reserve. At first, they kept asking me if the animals will bite them. I had to explain, fifty times, that they wouldn’t allow these animals to roam around like this if they were dangerous. 

I taught them how to use my Samsung Z4 fold, and now they are sharing it as they take photos. I’m impressed at how careful they are with it. When they have to eat a snack or drink juice, they let me hold it. 

But they are entertaining kids shame, I won’t lie. I’ve even been called mommy since the minute we got into the car. I don’t know what Khanyi said to them, but I’m so so grateful. 

After another four kilometers, “Mommy, I’m tired.” Lalo says. 

“Do you guys want to get into the stroller yet?” I ask them.

“Yes please”, Mohau says. 

I park the stroller, allowing people to walk past us, and they jump in. They are three. They manage themselves okay. I strap them in tightly, then I strap their bag in nicely in its compartment. 

“Are you guys tight and comfortable?” Me. 

“Yes.” They both say. 

“I’m going to run now. So, if you need anything, stop me and let me know.” I say. 

“You are going to run? Like very fast?” Mohau.

“Yep.” Me. 

“That’s so cool.” Mohau. 

“Can we hold your phone for you?” Lalo.

“Okay. But I have a tablet, in case you guys want to watch anything.” Me.

“Yaaaay!!!!” They scream. 

I pull out my Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 ultra. It has a big screen. I brought it for just in case the hiking didn’t work. If they hated me, TV would do the trick. 

The pouch for it has room for hands to be inserted. But it’s big. So, Lalo enters her hand on one side, Mohau enters on the other side. They are so excited. 

“So, you guys can take photos. You can also watch TV. Should I keep your stroller in sitting mode?” Me. 

“Yes please”, they say. 

I’m winning! 

Now, they are watching some programme – it’s appropriate and I checked – and my workout has started. I can’t run with music because my ears are glued to them. But, I’m running. They are so fascinated and excited. 

When I hit 15km of my run, it starts raining. 

I stop running and I look at the kids. 

They are actually sleeping. 

I park the stroller on the side. I put it in sleep mode. So, they lie down. 

I pull two blankets out of the bag and cover them. I put the tablet back into the bag. I pull out a raincoat.

Perfect!

Now, I add another 5km to my run, so I do a 10km run further… in the rain. And it’s AMAZING! 

It is about 3pm when I finish my run. The babies are still asleep. I walk into the restaurant of this place. The babies actually wake up now. It must be the thunder and lightning. 

I’m seated at a table now and I have them sitting in kiddy chairs. 

We order our food. 

As we eat, I check my phone.

I have ten missed calls from Rea.

Yoh.

I call him back. 

“Why aren’t you answering your phone?!” He’s already angry. 

“Sorry, babe. I muted my phone. I was running.” I say. 

“Nandi –

“Baby, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” I say. 

He takes a deep breath. 

“I was worried about you guys”, he says. 

But he sounds like he’s…

“DADDY!” The twins shout. 

I look behind me. He walks in and smiles at the twins. 

“Hello, my babies!” Rea greets them.

He’s still a bit tense. 

“We were hiking today. We took pictures and we saw animals.” Lalo. 

“And then mommy was running. Yoh, mommy is so fast. And then we slept.” Mohau. 

Rea just laughs at how excited they are. 

“And we also watched TV on mommy’s tablet while she was running”, Mohau. 

“So, you guys had fun today?” Rea. 

“A lot!” They both say. 

He looks at me. 

“I’m sorry”, I mime to him.

He kisses me and says, “thank you for spending the day with them today.”

“‘They are such well-behaved angels. I could do this with them every week!” I say. 

And they are so excited. 

“Close your eyes”, Rea. 

They hide their eyes with their hands. Rea kisses me. 

He finally sits down and eats off my plate. As to why he doesn’t order and eat his own food, I also don’t know. 

The kids have the tablet in front of them again now that they are done eating. So, Rea and I talk…

“Are you sure about giving us the money?” He asks me. I nod my head. 

“It’s a gift. I’m happy to declare it if need be – for tax purposes.” I say. 

“We will accept it then. We are really thankful for this, baby. I’ll never forget this.” He says.

“Well, I can think of nice ways you can thank me once the babies go to sleep”, I say seductively.

He runs his hand on my thighs. 

“I aim to please!” Him. 

He tries to kiss my neck, but I give him my lips. My sweat, Hello! 

I pull out my Samsung fold then make the payment into an account number that he gives me. It’s a business account. 

He gets a notification that there is money in their account. I see Tee-le calling too so he must have also seen the notification. 

As he answers the phone, I take off my running shoes. 

My feet are so painful, but they feel relieved. 

The rain is POURING NOW!

Rea pays our bill. 

I tell him the stroller will help the twins because it keeps the rain out. Thina, Kubi!

The twins jump into the stroller themselves. I zip the window thingy of the stroller. They wave at us. Imagine!

Rea pushes the stroller to the car. I follow behind them with my bare feet and running shoes in hand. To think that I still have to drive…

Hai bo! 

This guy will be driving with us? 

“Kanti how did you get here?” I ask him as he packs the stroller into my boot. The twins are already strapped in. 

“Khabane dropped me off. Come on, let’s go home.” He says. 

…

Today is my day to have Ona “visit” me. Yep, we take turns. We used to be three wives. But since the third wife passed away, he just has two wives now: myself and Thabi the queen. So now we share him in weeks as opposed to twice a week. So, he spends the whole week with us at a time. This week is my week. And the kids love having him here, especially Atang. He’s my son and he’s colouring out of the lines a bit. I need his strong hand to handle Atang. But Nyakallo is still mommy’s princess. 

We are having dinner right now. Daddy came back from work and dinner is ready for him. Then mommy is giving daddy a lot of sugar after bedtime. 

“Unjani umakoti omusha?” I ask him as we eat. 

“She’s alright. She’s like you! She hasn’t learned seSotho yet”, he says and I just roll my eyes. 

He gives me a weird look. I can hear Sotho very well. I believe I’ve learned enough.

“Apparently she took Mulalo and Mohau hiking. They had fun. But the other kids are feeling a bit left out. I don’t understand why she didn’t take Moloko, Nyakallo and Atang at least. She has a lot to learn. I don’t want her separating these kids.” He says. 

“I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm, Ona.” I say. I feel attacked on her behalf.

“Mulalo and Mohau were separated from everyone when Reahile and Rofhiwa just nonsensically took off. I have my son back. I don’t want to lose him again. I need Nandi to reintegrate Reahile and the twins back. She mustn’t come here with Rofhiwa’s ‘our life’ shit.” Yoh Ona. 

“So why doesn’t Mofomahadi talk to her? Amfundise impatho yakwaMohale? She’s the mother that lives with her.” I say.

“Thabi is obsessed with Mohato and Zari. She sees and hears no one else.” 

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. 

Hence Rea spends a lot of time with me. Sometimes he just shows up here and sleeps over – even before he married Rofhiwa. I also took it personally when he moved because if he felt like the royal house was too big, he could have lived here. I have a mansion to myself and my two kids.

“They can come live here.” I say. 

He looks at me – surprised, but impressed. 

“Why not? I’ll teach her, be closer to her… plus, Rea and I will grow a little closer again. I feel like I lost him when he got married to Fifi.” I say.

He gets up and kisses me. 

I take it he’s happy. 

…

Ona is dressing up now that we’ve just finished showering. I would have loved for him to stay in for today, but ke, he needs to get to work. I’m still in my towel and have just finished lotioning myself. 

I dial Reahile because I don’t have his wife’s number. 

“Hello mommy”, he answers his phone with so much enthusiasm. 

“Mommy? Really? Angimazi ngisho umakoti wami omusha. Kant’ injani le ngane?” Me.

We both laugh. 

Ona laughs too. 

He’s happy. 

“I’m sorry, mommy. I’ll bring her over today for dinner.” He says. 

“How is she adjusting kodwa?” I ask.

“She seems okay. But she’s also a very strong woman – like you. So, she wouldn’t tell me if she wasn’t adjusting. I just think no one has time for her. When the twins are not around, she’s usually bored.” 

“Ngiyakuzwa. And you know your mommy lives all alone in this mansion full of space, right?” Me. 

He laughs then says, “Mommy, what are you saying?”

“I’m not saying anything. I’m asking if you and umakoti would consider coming to stay with me. Bring the twins as well. It will be good for them to get to know Nyakallo and Atang, you know.” 

“Are you sure, mommy? We not crowding your space or anything? I did think about coming to live there with my family when I came back to the kingdom. But I didn’t want to stress you out.” 

“I’m actually offended. I thought you and I were better than that.” I say. 

“I’m sorry, mommy. I really am. Okay, let me talk to Nandi. How soon can we move in?” 

“Today.”

“For real?” 

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Let me talk to Nandi. I’ll call you back. Eish, and I’ll have to chat to pops as well.” 

“I’ll handle Ona, don’t worry.” Me. 

Ona smiles at me. 

“Thanks mommy. Okay, I’ll call you back.” 

We hang up.

Ona is already kissing me and dropping his towel. 

“I thought you had a meeting”, I say.

“You are the wife I’ve always dreamed of having. I’ll never choose anything over you.” He says. 

And obviously, I show my happiness and gratitude enkonzweni yasekamelweni. 

Now he’s really dressing up – running late too. I dress up as well because I have to take Atang and Nyakallo to school. 

“Awusho, what’s Nandi’s name lasemshadweni?” I ask him. 

“We didn’t give her one. And we should hey. I’ll speak to my mom to sort that out.” He says as he buttons his white shirt. 

I nod my head.

“Did you have a name in mind?” He asks me. 

“I do. But I’ll confirm when I meet her.” I say. 

He smiles at me. 

“No. Your bodyguards are already here. They’ve been coughing outside of my door for the past thirty minutes.” 

We both laugh. 

As we get the show on the road! 

…

Ntsoaki is growing every day. She’s so beautiful. I am obsessed with my kids shame. Leruo and I made stunning children, hands down! 

Leruo’s mother has also been staying with us for the past four months. Leruo spent the first month trying to kick her out every day. I found myself intervening every day. 

I suspect she’s having financial issues. She continuously asks me for money to walk to the shopping centre in our estate. She will say she needs some sweets. So I give her R200 every time she asks. But when she comes back with the sweets, those sweets are not more than R20. She’s been wearing the same three dresses she came with. I asked my PA, Busisiwe, to go buy her a few things. I gave them R5000 and mama left with Busisiwe to get clothes, nightwear, underwear and cosmetics.

So she and I have a better relationship, definitely. In the last month, I have noticed Leruo at least maintaining some small talk with her. And I encourage it. I’d suggest therapy for them, but I have to respect that it’s not yet time. They’ll get there when they are ready. 

I just finished bathing Ntsoaki.

She’s been screaming her lungs out because she hates bathing. So now, I put her on my boob. She calms down.

“Askies Nana. Mommy doesn’t want you to cry so much. Kumele ugeze.” 

She just sucks her food and looks at me. 

She even had tears. My baby, bandla.

Leruo walks in and says, “Are you done pinching my daughter?” 

I just laugh. 

He smiles at us. 

“You are beautiful”, he tells me. 

I blush a bit. 

Then I notice that he’s all dressed up. 

“And then? Uyaphi? You look so nice.” I say.

“You think so?” He says, checking himself out with a smile.

“Uyaphi, Leruo?” Me. 

“We’ve been invited to the Legends Game today. You know how over the weekend they had a boot camp and the former champions were invited?” Him. 

“Ja…?” Me. 

“Yeah. So we were there working their minds and strengthening their hunger for the game.”

I watch him and his passion for what he’s saying. He misses the game. He really does. And this makes him so happy. 

Ntsoaki stops feeding on my boob. 

I put her over my shoulder so she could burp. 

“So, today, we enter the field first. Then the players will enter after us. We will also have a moment of silence for Uyanda Mbatha. Ndalo and her kids will be there too.” 

“That’s beautiful, baby.”

“So please come with me. The boys are ready. We just need you to look nice then we leave.”

I’m actually keen because I haven’t been out of this house since I came back home with Ntsoaki. 

…

The stadium is FULL! 

I see Thuli struggling with her baby in her arms and Tee-le has their toddler in his arms. 

I have Ntsoaki in my arms and am holding Paula’s youngest in my hand. Leruo has Fenya picked up in his arms and Paula’s eldest holding his other hand.

The Legends prepared a glass tent for us, set up so beautifully. It’s just us, WAGS of the retired Legends. The other WAGs are in the ordinary family suite. 

There is space here for our kids to play and for our babies to be comfortable. 

Thuli and I set up for her son, Tlotlo, and my daughter, Ntsoaki to be comfortable. We set up a playpen and we put them in it. The other kids are playing about. 

I see Reahile walk in. He has one of his twins with him. His new wife is with him and she has the other twin. 

Thuli gets upset. People instantly judge her and put bags on chairs so she doesn’t sit. You know, this is a group of horrible women. They did this to me when I first got here, so I’m not about to do it to someone else. 

“There’s a seat here”, I say. 

She smiles at me. 

Everyone else looks at me funny. They can go to hell. 

I help her set up the playpen she brought for her twins. Khumo joins the twins in their playpen. Theirs is actually bigger than the one Ntsoaki and Tlotlo are sharing. 

“Nandi”, she introduces herself to me.

“Nomzamo”, me.

“And this is Thuli”, I add. 

Thuli begrudgingly says hi and shakes her hand. 

What’s wrong with her? 

She’s generally the sensible one. 

Nandi and I talk about where she’s from, what she used to do and how she’s finding the kingdom. We even exchange numbers and make plans to do lunch together. I like her energy. She’s really great. Thuli has left me to go talk to Renay. Ai, this mean girl energy is disgusting! Disgusting!

The moment is finally here. The whole stadium is silent and they stand up to welcome the retired Legends of the NFR Legends. Then there is an absolute moment of silence… in loving memory of Uyanda Mbatha – the Captain. 

Ndalo goes out there with her two boys. 

Everyone is in tears! 

Her daughter is here with us. She was not Uyanda’s child. 

This is sad. 

Then, the current players enter the field and there is a handover of some sort of today’s soccer ball – from Uyanda’s first born son to the captain that is leading the team today.

There are cheers in the stadium. We even clap our hands. I’m not a soccer fan, but what just happened sent chills down my spine. Then the weirdest thing happens… all of us women hug each other in here. I guess it’s a way of us realizing that we are closer than we think… through this game. Even Nandi gets hugs. This part of the women… the game… I like it. I love it. It should never be undone. 

The men walk in to sit with us as the game starts. Thuli ends up sitting with us and being a lot nicer to Nandi. I guess when Tee-le decided to sit with our men – who are sitting with us, Thuli realized there’s no point in being a bitch. I’ve never known her to be one anyway, so I’m surprised that she’s being like this towards Nandi. 

Ntsoaki starts crying. She has this thing that she does where if I’m around, she wants my boob. She will only have her bottle if I’m not holding her. So Leruo takes her and I give him her bottle with my pumped milk. She accepts it. 

Tlotlo is passing out like a good boy. As to why Ntsoaki isn’t passing out too like people her age is beyond me.

“Are you going to have at least two more?” I ask Nandi. 

“I’m still managing three-year-olds, thanks.” She says and we laugh – even Thuli. 

“Let them babysit Lalo and Mohau for a weekend. They’ll come back and tell us if they still think we should make more”, Rea says. 

“I have three boys”, Leruo. 

“You win!” Tee-le says to Leruo. 

We all laugh. 

The other guys come and join us. They complain that the game is boring. It’s 35 minutes in and it’s still a goalless game. 

Now they talk about how these players have had their payments cut. 

Good!

They don’t deserve what the previous Legends made. 

Finally! A goal! But for the other team. 

At half time, the guys make their way to the changing rooms. I notice Ntsoaki passing out in Nandi’s arms. I smile at them. Nandi looks so… at peace… she must have one of her own. 

At the second half, our toddlers seem to be passing out. They must be tired. They’ve played, eaten and are moeg! 

But the Legends have a better half. Our men are not back here with us, they are in the stands with the fans… first row!

At 65 minutes, the Legends equalize: 1-1. 

At 85 minutes, the Legends score their second goal. The stadium is roaring now. It’s even beginning to feel unsafe. We hear the security guards saying people are all around the gate and fence, watching and celebrating from there.

At 90 + 2 minutes, the Legends score their third goal and win the game. Then it’s chaos! People sprint from the stands onto the field. The gate of the stadium is broken and people pour in. Some people jump the fence. 

Our door is immediately locked. Our men come in with us and stay here with us. 

It takes an army to arrive to control the situation! 

We are only led out of here – by security – an hour later. When we get to our car, we see twenty-five police and military trucks filled with people who will be going to jail for what just happened. Then, we see body bags being pulled out of the stadium too. 

Yerrr!

Five of the players who were playing today were killed in the stampede and chaos. One of the players is an NFR Legend. The other four are players of the other team. This is bad.