I actually enjoy having Rea and his family around. My kids are happy too. Nandi is very helpful with the kids. She loves the outdoors and there’s always something for them to do over the weekends. Honestly, it makes my life a whole lot better. I get to put in some hours at work as well. Being Ona’s wife and a mom takes up so much of my time that my work does begin to slack… unless you are Thabi and you have no children obligating you to be a mother… and you don’t give a shit about your husband so being a wife is the last thing on your mind even though you wear a ring.

Rea has also moved into a new office. I hear that Nandi gave him a significant amount of money to buy the building and have it running as it is already. Tee-le has moved back up to the kingdom with his family, and they are running that place together. I’m happy for them. I’m proud of them. And clearly, Nandi is going to be a great wife to Tee-le. I love to see it and I do want to see more of it. 

Today, Nandi took all four kids on a game drive. They were very excited to go. She booked the game drive at some resort. Rea has gone into the office, saying that there are some urgent things that he and Tee-le need to look into. I heard them talk that Thuli will be joining Nandi and the kids – so it will be a playdate with Thuli’s kids too. 

I’m at my office. I decided to take advantage. My kids are happily entertained. Ona is somewhere being himself. Let me go through my books and strategies that my teams have put forward for the financial year ahead so I can have cold meetings on Monday with each of my directors. 

I spend about four hours at the office then Ona calls me. I thought he was unavailable today. 

“Hey baby”, me. 

“Where are you?” He sounds quite upset.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask him. 

“Sonia, where are you?!”

“I’m at the office.” I say. 

“It’s a Saturday.” He states the obvious. 

“I’m aware of that.” I say.

“Why are you working? You should be at home… raising my children. Where are my kids while you are at work?” 

What’s wrong with Ona?!

“Nandi took them on a game drive.”

“Why didn’t you go with them?” 

Bathung!

“Because she and Thuli are taking the kids on a playdate. Yini ngawe?” 

He clicks his tongue at me then hangs up. 

What the hell?!

I get back to work. 

After an hour, this dude barges through my door. Does Ona perhaps think that I’ve got a man or something? I mean really!

“Keng?” I ask him. I’m even trying it in Sotho.

“Khotso has been shot”, he says.

I’m instantly on my feet. 

“He’s fine. Remo is a bit of an amateur with a gun.” He says. 

“What?!” Why would Remo shoot Khotso? 

“But Rena threw one of the small statues in the royal house at Remo’s head and now Remo is still concussed. Thabi said we must leave her be for being stupid”, Ona is telling me too many things and none of them are making sense. 

“Ona, I’m confused.” I say. 

He looks at me. 

“Why are you working on a Saturday?” He asks me. 

Why does he work every day? He mustn’t ask me nonsense. 

“Ona, what happened to Khotso and Remo?” I ask him. 

He sits on one of my chairs. 

He takes a deep breath then says, “Remo found out that Khotso is having an affair.” 

“Khotso?!” I’m actually surprised. He’s not exactly Ona. I expect such things from Ona, not Khotso. 

“Yes. Khotso. But thankfully, she doesn’t know who the other woman is. We can’t afford for that to come out. Khotso is serious about protecting her identity.” He says.

“So the slut actually has rights in another woman’s marriage?” I ask.

“You also had rights, didn’t you? I married you when Thabi wanted you murdered.” 

Wow! He went there! And he doesn’t even feel bad for saying that.

“So, Remo shot him. Imagine! Then Rena got mad and threw a statue at her head and called her an ungrateful bitch. Imagine!” He’s in so much disbelief. 

I’m still angry at the comment he made. I’m not over it. 

“Well, where’s Khotso now?” I ask him. I really want to tell him to just fuck off. 

“I just left him, Rena and Moloko at our place.” He says. 

By our place, he means my house. Well, he’s paying for it so I guess he can do what he wants. 

“And if Remo goes there to look for him and her kids?” 

“First of all, those are not her kids. She reminds us every chance she gets. They are only her kids when she’s having a good day. Secondly, every wife married into a royal family has a house assigned to her so that she has no business barging into another wife’s house. Not even Thabi randomly shows up at a house assigned to you. I’d like to see Remo try.” 

“She’s a scorned woman who just shot her husband, Ona. Do you really think she’s reasoning right now?” 

“She should be! What’s on her mind right now is that we don’t have her arrested. She’s got bigger shit to focus on.” 

I’m just quiet now. 

I want to ask how long Khotso will be at my house, but that might come off a bit insensitive right now. What am I going to do with two Mohale brothers in my house? And what if the side comes to see her man at my house? 

“Now please explain to me why you are working on a weekend?” He asks me. 

“Nandi took the kids on a playdate. So I took advantage and came to catch up with work. I’ve been a bit behind anyway.” 

“You know I want you to sell this place. When is it going? Or we can pay someone to run this place?” 

“Ona, stop this. I told you that I love my business, and – 

“Nandi sold her business for Reahile. She put him first.” He says. 

“I’m not Nandi. And I’m not selling my business or giving up my career for you while Thabi gets to keep everything she ever came with into her marriage.” 

He looks at me. 

“Are you really comparing yourself to Thabi?” He asks me.

“Well how are we different?” Me. 

“You are a mother. And your children are small. They need you at home. Look at the good job that Thabi did with Mohato.” He says sarcastically. 

I look at him. 

“I know she did her best. But she didn’t exactly produce a human being who isn’t a liability. And her idea of a good makoti is Zari.” 

Wow! I didn’t realise he felt this way. 

“You are a mother, Sonia. A good one. Our kids have a chance with you. Look at what you produced in Reahile. If I had it my way, all my kids would just live with you and be raised by you.” 

He must never! 

“Thank God for Nandi. She’s stepping up more than Rofhiwa ever did… more than Zari ever does. The kids actually like her. Even Rena. And Rena doesn’t like anyone. She’s taking them all camping next week. And she seems to not mind to manage them alone. She’s a lot like you. So you see, greatness has great responsibility. You are a great mother. You can never compare yourself to what is expected of Thabi.” 

Okay, he’s making me melt now. 

“Fine.” I say. I continue, “I’ll pack up now, make my way home and prepare a good meal for when all the kids come back from their game drive. You are welcome to invite Mohale and Tholoana too.” 

He smiles. 

“I love you”, he says. 

“I love you too, baby.” I say… even though he compared me to Khotso’s slut. 

…

“Are you sure you are going to be okay?” I ask him for the tenth time as we speak over the phone.

“I’m good, baby. Don’t worry. And I’m temporarily moved into Sonia’s place with Moloko and Rena.” He says. 

“I’m worried, baby.” Me. 

“Don’t be.” 

“I wish I could see you.” I say. 

“Where are the kids?” He asks me. 

“My brother took all the kids on holiday to South Africa. They were very excited. So I’m alone for the week.” I tell him. 

“I can come over.” He says. 

“Khotso, Remo is on to you. You don’t think she’s sitting at a corner somewhere waiting for you to just leave the house then she secretly follows you to wherever you are going?” 

“I have a five-star security team. I pay them a lot of money to be aware of that.” 

“So how did she find out about us? Khotso, I’m a bit scared of her.” 

“She found out because I was sloppy. I bought you a gift and took it to the royal house instead of having it delivered to you first. She asked questions and I didn’t deny that I’m seeing someone else. But she doesn’t know much else. She doesn’t even know about our house in Makhetha.” He says. 

I take a deep breath. 

“I’m coming. Brief your security at the gate that I’m coming. They are always ill-prepared when I show up and you know that my security has to do due diligence.”

“Fine. But Khotso please, be careful.” I say. 

“I’ll be fine, baby. I promise.” He says. 

We hang up. 

I take a deep breath. 

“How could you?” I immediately turn around. Remo is right here? Behind me? In my house? What?! How did she even get in? And she has a gun. 

“Remo –

“I was there for you! I actually liked you. But you just had to fuck my husband, didn’t you?” 

She’s very scary. 

“Remo, I’ll break up with him. You can’t kill me, please. I have children.” I say. 

“So, I deserve to lose my marriage because I don’t have kids?” 

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. And Khotso would never leave you.” I say. 

She stares at me. 

She slightly looks away to wipe her tears. 

I move away from her. 

She notices me. 

She shoots at me but misses. 

I sprint out of the kitchen and lock her in my house as I step outside. She came in through my sliding door that was open. I close it and lock it from outside. 

I sprint to the security house of my complex. 

I phone Khotso. 

“I’m close by –

“Khotso, Remo is at my house! SHE’S INSIDE MY HOUSE AND SHE SHOT AT ME!” 

“Where are you?” He asks me, panicked. 

“I’M PHONING THE POLICE. FUCK THIS!” 

“NDALO!”

I breathe. 

“Where are you?” He asks me again. 

“At my security house. I locked her in my house.” I say.

“Good. I’m coming now. Remember, you want your identity protected for your kids. You call the police, this will be sold to the media. I’ll deal with this. Give me three minutes.” He says.

We hang up. 

The security guards look at me as I pace about. 

This is a long three minutes. 

Long! 

I see cars arriving. 

Khotso’s security does some protocol stuff. 

Then I see Maboko, Ona, Zithulele and Shaka walking towards my house. Maboko comes to me. 

I look at him.

“Keys”, he says. 

“Unless you want us to break into your house”, Zithulele. 

I give Maboko my house keys. 

They are so mean! 

They leave me there then walk towards the house. 

Khotso comes to me. 

“You okay?” He asks me. 

I stare at him. I’m actually angry hey. 

“I’m going to fix this”, he says.

Whatever! 

He also leaves. He heads in with his boys that he brought with him. 

His security takes me then puts me in some car that just drives off. Where the hell are they taking me?!

…

I’m at the Royal Mohale Hotel. It’s a five-star hotel owned by the Mohale grandchildren (Ona’s and Khotso’s children). I’m escorted by Khotso’s security to a penthouse of some sort in this hotel. 

Ndalo, what are you doing? What are you doing?

I keep asking myself. 

I’m inside the room now and I’m just breathing. I’m trying to wrap my head around all of this. 

I miss my kids. 

I miss my simple life in the township with my mother and my children. 

I’m just…

Khotso walks into the room about two hours later. I’ve just finished showering myself. But I don’t have any changing clothes, so I have a towel wrapped around my body and I’m lying on the bed. 

I look at him. 

He walks to the bed and lies on the bed next to me. 

“She won’t bother you ever again”, he says. 

I don’t believe him. 

“We should really think about getting married.” He says. 

“I told you that –

“Yes yes yes, I know. I’m just asking you to think about it. I’m allowed to take a second wife and you would be protected. Your dignity would be protected. Your children will also be protected.” 

“Is she going to hurt my kids?” 

“No. I’m just saying that let me protect you in all my capacity”, he says. 

I’m quiet.

“Do you not love me?” He asks me. 

“I do love you. You know that.” I say. 

“Then speak to your kids and let’s get married”, he says.

I breathe.

“Remo would never –

“She’s already given me her permission. My mom and Thabi have signed the written permission that she gave me. We just need you to say yes.” He says.

“What did you say to Remo to get her to agree?” 

He’s silent. 

“Khotso –

“The important thing is that she agreed. I need you to please just do your part. Please, Ndalo.” 

I’m just silent. 

…

So, I’ve been married for two weeks now. Khabane and I still live with his parents. We have to be here for three months. I have no issues with that. I get along very well with Khabane’s family. Mme-Tebza told me that I don’t have to do the dress and doek thing while I’m here. She said I must feel at home and what’s good for Ruri is also good for me. But kazi told me that when I have nice in-laws, I must do my part to appreciate them. So I cook for them every day. Saturday nights are restaurant nights, so that’s my day off. On Sunday, mme-Tebza cooks with me because Sunday meals are just those meals we all bond over. 

Ruri is in charge of lunch every day. I think she just doesn’t like cooking. But she’s good with making salad and sandwiches. Lol! 

I’m at the house alone right now just doing some research on the business that I want to open. Papa is also helping me with a few things. 

“Dumela“, I hear Bane’s dad say. 

He’s the nicest and the strictest with me. 

“Sawubona“, me.

“No, Mrs Seete. You say ahe when I say dumela.” 

I laugh then say, “Ahe.”

“Le kai?” Him. 

“Re teng“, me. 

“Well done!” He says. 

I laugh. 

“What are you up to there?” He asks me. 

“I’m doing some research. Khabane and I want to use the money I got from umemulo to open a business.” I say. 

“You mustn’t allow Khabane to sponge off you. That money is a gift to you”, he says.

I actually laugh. He laughs too. Then I say, “Well papa, we are married. What’s mine is his. So the wealth must grow kwa-Seete.”

“Ha-Seete”, he corrects me. 

“Ha-Seete”, me. 

“Good. You’ll get there, don’t worry.” He says. 

I laugh.

“So what industry were you thinking of going into?” He asks me, sitting down even. By the way, this is a family of business geniuses. 

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Me. 

“Just water please”, he says. 

I get up and get him water out of the fridge. 

I come back to where I was sitting and hand him the bottle of water. 

“Kea leboha“, he says. 

I don’t know what to say so I say nothing. 

He actually laughs at me then shakes his head.

“So we were thinking of going into the alternative energy and power supply business”, I say. 

He seems impressed. 

“Many countries are being affected by the shortage of electricity so we want to sell products that people could use as an alternative power supply. So I’m finding all these opportunities that we could explore, possibly even partner with UNSDGs. But I could only put up four million. Bane can put up six million. The industry is a bit expensive to get into – especially if we want it to hit internationally from the word go. Papa said we could start in South Africa. We will make profits there then those could fund our next moves.” I explain. 

“Dumelang ko hhaye“, mme comes in and says.

“Ahe“, me. 

“Yeeaaahhh!” Bane’s dad says then we all laugh. Even Bane is here. 

Bane’s parents kiss. Bane’s dad grabs Bane’s mom and puts her on his lap. I smile at them. They are so cute. 

Bane kisses me then sits next to me. 

“Khanyi is telling me about the business that she and Bane are going into”, Bane’s dad says then brings Bane’s mom up to speed with what I’ve told him. 

“I’m thinking we could invest in this. It sounds like a money-maker”, the dad says.

“I agree. And we actually have the money for it from the Seete business space – the legal one that’s not cleaning Church money.” The mom. 

“So, you’ve never wanted to give me money for business or invest in my ideas. But now that’s changed?” Bane. 

“We wanted you to work for it, Khabane. Like now… you and Khanyi are putting up ten million, the research and the business plan. So now we can invest.” The mom says. 

This turns into a meeting of like three hours.

It kind of ends when Ruri walks in and says, “Really? Another business opening soon? House of entrepreneurs. We need a reality show.” 

We just laugh and greet her. But it’s also my cue to get dinner started. 

Lamb shank, vegetables and couscous. Today, Mme-Tebza is in the kitchen with me. We are both having some wine. Bane is somewhere in the house with his dad. Ruri is sitting with us. 

“Mama, Rena told me what happened. Helang!” Ruri says. 

“What happened with what?” Mom asks me. I’m cooking and low-key invested in this conversation. 

“When Mme-Remo shot Uncle Khotso”, Ruri says. 

Wow! 

Khabane told me this story, but he’s not an entertaining storyteller like Ruri. Ruri’s storytelling is award-winning shame!

“Mama, Mme-Remo found a necklace or something in Uncle Khotso’s stuff while Uncle Khotso was showering. Girl is chilling there thinking the gift is for her. So she dresses up and waits for Uncle Khotso to complete her look with the necklace. Then, Uncle Khotso puts the box in some paper bag and tells her he’s sleeping out. Ooooohhhh chile! Mme-Remo was on some, “Khotso, you forgot to put something around my neck. And that something is in that paper bag that’s leading you out of this house tonight”. 

Bane’s mom and I are in stitches. We shouldn’t be laughing because Ruri shouldn’t be talking about this. But, it’s Ruri and she’s telling the story. She’s even changing voices and imitating the characters she’s speaking about. 

“Then mama, Uncle Khotso amobollella nine-nine that the gift is not for her. She found a gun but shame, the execution is minus ten marks.” She says. 

“Ruri, did Lefatselabarena witness all of this?” Her mom asks her. 

“Yep. And she threw a statue at Mme-Remo. Rena says she would have killed Mme-Remo if Mme-Remo killed her dad. Plus, Rena knows who the other woman is. But apparently it’s a big secret. But I’m sure you also know. I mean dad went with Uncle Khotso to rescue the side chick from Mme-Remo coz Mme-Remo went to the side’s house”, Ruri. 

“Your dad did what?!” 

Eh eh eh!

“MABOKO!” The mom yells and she’s on her feet. 

“Wait… dad didn’t tell you? Do you know the side?” Ruri must stop talking. 

“MABOKO!” Mom yells again. 

“What’s wrong?” Dad and Khabane run into the kitchen super concerned. 

“You went to break up a fight between Ndalo and Remo?!” Mom. 

“Wait a minute! Uncle Khotso’s girlfriend is Nosi’s mother?!” Ruri. 

“RURI!” The mother.

“Babe, we were with Ona when the call came in that Remo shot at Ndalo.” Dad. 

“We agreed that we wouldn’t get involved! We agreed! Now you are breaking up fights and protecting Ndalo from a wife who has been around for years, protecting that family and the damn church! Have you forgot what she did for us when her ex and her father had enough to put all of you behind bars?!” Mom is angry! 

“Keng, Maboko? Lehloka teboho? This is how you thank Remo? I probably have to get used to running this family alone because you are going to jail.” Mom. 

“Why?!” Dad. 

“MABOKO! DID YOU LEARN NOTHING FROM WHAT REGODISE PUT US THROUGH?! REMO HAS HER FATHER, HER EX AND OTHER LAW PEOPLE. SHE WILL EXPOSE THE ENTIRE OPERATION BECAUSE YOU GUYS COULDN’T SHOW THE LOYALTY THAT YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR WIVES! FUCK MAN!” Mom says then charges to the bedroom.

Why am I suddenly feeling scared? 

We hear arguing upstairs. 

Bane has left me in the kitchen with Ruri and he’s on his phone. 

“But Mme-Remo agreed to Uncle Khotso taking the girlfriend to be his second wife”, Ruri tells me. 

She needs to stop talking. 

Next thing, I see Khabane running upstairs. Ruri and I run behind him. 

He barges into his parents’ main bedroom. 

“Papa, twenty-five of our deacons have been arrested”, Bane says. 

Yoh yoh yoh!

Mom just looks at dad and says, “We are fucked! All because of bofebe! We are fucked!” 

“Pack as much as you can. We are out of here in ten minutes”, dad says as he gets on his phone, pulls Bane out with him and they go somewhere. 

I’m in Bane’s room packing as much as I can for both Bane and I. Bane and I have a safe in here. We put money in there for when something bad happens and all our accounts are frozen. We had the money in separate safes at my apartment and at his. When we came here, we took that money and put it in his safe in here. I take that money and put it in my handbag – carry-on luggage. It’s a jumbo handbag. I put the money at the bottom, put a scarf over it then put phones, chargers and power banks. 

I change into an ONomndayi tracksuit and sneakers. I zip the two travel bags. 

“Khanyi, we have to go”, mom says. 

I put my handbag over my shoulder then pull the two travel bags with me to downstairs. 

“RURI!” Mom yells.

Ruri runs down the stairs with a travel bag and a backpack. 

Bane walks in with Ntuthuko, Banathi and Mohato. They take our bags. 

“The money-

“I got it.” 

Brief but necessary exchange between Bane and me.

This is not even a V300 we are being put into. It’s a whole Quantum. Mom is not impressed at all. 

Aunt Fifi, Aunt Sonia, Aunt Tlali, Nandi and Zari are in here. All their kids are in here too. Lalo and Hau see me. They jump towards me and I just hug them! Mohau sits on top of me. Molalo is on Nandi. 

There are two people we don’t know who are occupying the front seats. They drive off with us. Our luggage is another Quantum with the guys. I haven’t seen Uncle Ona, Uncle Khotso, Mme-Thabi and Mme-Remo. 

Oh, the other car also has Ndalo and her kids.