Tamia, Khanyisa and myself have been kidnapped. While everyone was running to hide for their lives, they managed to capture us and kidnap us. 

At least they feed us and they bring us dishes with water, soap and a vaslap to clean ourselves. We sleep on mattresses that look like they’ve just been rented out of a prison cell. And they are directly on the floor. I feel like I live under those horrible conditions that I grew up in. Tamia, Khanyisa and I… we don’t cry. We wake up everyday, study the place throughout the day, then whisper at night what our observations were. 

Today, we were taken out for fresh air. We get one hour of sunlight a day. We might as well be in prison. The guards don’t talk to us and we don’t talk to them. It interests me though that we are in one abandoned room… they didn’t separate us. They must really trust their security.

What we did learn is that there are cameras everywhere! Our room is at the Rooftop of this building. So we can’t jump. It’s a suicide mission. 

Our food is brought in. Today it’s chicken, bread and water. But we eat. What else can we do? 

“Excuse me”, Tamia says to the guard.

“Our bucket is full. And we need to pee.” She says to the guard.

“Whose turn is it to take out your piss?” The guard asks us.

“Mine”, Tamia says.

“Come.” The guard. 

Tamia gets up, gets the bucket and follows this dude outside.

Khanyisa and I look at each other.

We will not cry. There is no time for that.

After a few minutes, she’s escorted back into our cell. She sits next me. The guard steps out.

“I saw Rea”, she whispers.

We both look at her.

“They are here. They have come for us”, she says, hopeful.

“Did he see you?” I whisper.

“I don’t know”, she whispers. 

“But it’s about to rain”, she says.

Khanyi and I look at her. 

“Their technology is faulty. In rain, it doesn’t work. So that’s when we can escape. I saw a staircase – it’s a fire escape. We will use it.” She says. 

She gives me her plate of food. 

“You need your strength. Have my chicken. You and this baby are going to be okay”, she says to me. 

I eat like a hungry street kid. 

It seems these people don’t know that I’m pregnant and I’m just happy about that. I’m gaining my weight in my hips and bums. My bump is quite small.

We hear the rain pouring. Tamia – the brave – walks to the door. She listens to something. Khanyisa climbs up on some chair and peeps out the window. 

“There’s Khabane and Ntuthuko… and Rea.” Khanyi says, waving.

“Are the guards there?” Tamia.

“No. They are searching the other cells for us”, Khanyi.

Tamia pushes the door, but it’s locked.

Khanyi knocks on the windows. 

“They can see us!” Khanyi says, excited. 

“Tamia, move away from the door! They are about to shoot the locks”, Khanyi.

Tamia moves away.

We hear gun shots.

The door flies open. 

I’m on my feet. 

“Come on!” Khabane says to us.

We run out.

It is pouring.

“Are you okay?” Rea asks me.

I nod my head.

He puts his jacket over me.

We running and following them.

We use some rope to abseil down the building. We abseil at the same time, me slower than everyone else, but Rea helps me get to the bottom. I’m so tired. I’m so dizzy.

We get into some black Ford car. I think it’s a Ford Tourneo. There are other cars in front of us and behind us. Reahile is holding me. Khabane is holding Khanyisa. Ntuthuko holds Tamia. Someone I’ve never seen before is driving. 

It is very silent here.

“Mapho needs medical attention”, Tamia says.

“It’s sorted and waiting for her at the house”, Rea says.

There’s silence again.

“Did they touch you?” Khabane asks us.

We all shake our heads.

“They said they were raping you every night-

“They didn’t touch us. They didn’t even speak to us”, Khanyisa calms Bane down.

We arrive at some resort in Mpumalanga.

Us ladies look at each other.

“It belongs to Wehweh’s dad. He’s letting us use it until we figure shit out”, Ntuthuko says.

Wehweh and mofomahadi meet me at the door, and we pace ourselves to my designated room. Ruri is here as well. 

Everyone fusses over me as Mofomahadi does a scan on me. My baby’s heartbeat is so strong and, as we’ve just found out, she is growing very well. I see Rea get emotional. We are having a baby girl.

I’m given some food and vitamins. I’m also put on a drip. Mofomahadi also tells me that I need to be on bed rest for the next five days. I feel tired anyway. I can see that Wehweh and Ruri want to talk. But the meds put me to sleep instantly.

…

I wake up in a pitch black room. I instantly panic. 

“Hey. Are you okay?” I hear Rea say. 

Only now I realise that I’m cuddled in his arms.

“Where are we?” I ask in panic.

“You are safe. And I’m here with you.” He says.

“Is our baby okay?” 

“You are both perfectly fine”, he says. 

“You’d tell me if something were wrong?” I ask him.

“I would, my love.” He says as he kisses the back of my neck.

I hear him snore, so he’s asleep again. 

I need to pee. 

So I get out of bed and make my way to the toilet. 

I pee, wipe myself and flush.

I hear two people argue.

I look out of the open window just to confirm where I am and I see Khanyi’s mom and Moholo Khotso arguing. 

It’s so dark outside. Why aren’t they arguing indoors? They are in a dodge passage as well. 

I pay close attention and hear what they are saying. The passage that they are hiding at is outside our window.

“Look Fiks, thank you for helping me.” Moholo says, not shouting.

“It’s fine. I know I owed you a favour after you helped me with a particular problem. I just can’t believe that you are pope! Khotso, how are you recognized as the most ruthless bastard on this planet?!” 

“Someone has to do it. I’m the chosen one.” 

“Wow. What else do you need? Because I don’t want anything happening to Khanyi or Rea. Rea is still a son to me, even though he and Fifi are divorced.” She says.

“The cash.” He says.

“I gave it all to Phuthi. And please tell your wife ukuthi angang’jwayeli kabi. It’s not like I still want you.” 

He laughs. 

“I’m glad you think it’s funny”, she says.

“It’s just so cute to see that women still fight over me”, he says.

“Oh please! She’s fighting over you. I’m not. A little respect would be nice considering that I just bailed you out of some serious shit! And you had me lying to my husband. So I don’t need your wife to be a bitch right now.” She says.

“I’ll talk to her. I’m sorry you feel disrespected. And thank you for helping us.” 

“I did this for Khanyisa and Reahile. Not you!” 

“Yes ma’am!”

“Thomas and I need to go back home now. Do you need us to take Sekai, Mohavi and Maboko?” She says.

“It would be best. And I need you to call Rofhiwa to order. We know that she’s the one who started this whole thing. And she did this because we wanted to take the twins.” 

“You can’t hurt Rofhiwa, Khotso.” 

“Fikile, Rofhiwa is a problem. I’m the pope. I eliminate problems. No exceptions. Even my own child – Lefatselabarena – died and I couldn’t do anything about it. I’m not about to be compromised because of Rofhiwa of all people. She’s pain the ass, and that’s me just being kind. I know for a fact that many lives would be easier if she no longer breathed.” 

“Khotso, I’m asking as a favour. Leave Rofhiwa alone. She was upset and –

“So when she’s upset, she becomes stupid? Rofhiwa takes on the church now?” 

“You wanted to take her children”, she says.

“They are Mohale children. And we made it very clear when we gave her those kids that we would take them back once Reahile is married and settled. She agreed. What changed?”

“Khotso, those kids give Rofhiwa a sense of responsibility. They give her purpose. If you take them away from her, she will be a woman who has nothing to lose. She will be reckless. Ngiyakucela, Khotso. Please talk to Rea. Ushadile manje uRea. His wife is expecting a child. We can keep our arrangement going. We’ve never denied him access to see the kids. He has a room in my house! I know he’s bought his own house now, but all I’m saying is that our current arrangement works. Please.”

“The problem here, Fiks, is that Rofhiwa is not okay in that head of hers. Do you have any idea what she teaches these kids? The shit that comes out of their mouths? Rofhiwa is not a good mother. She can’t even teach her kids basic respect. Do you know how those kids treat Reahile’s wife? The things they say to her?! Maphodile is my daughter now. Rofhiwa is nothing to me. This nothing-person is poisoning my grandchildren, pissing off my daughter, making life a living hell for my son, and she’s tempering with my organisation. I don’t see one reason why I should let her live.” 

There’s a brief silence.

“I’m asking for a favour as a woman you used to love”, she says.

A woman he used to what?! 

“I’ll always have a soft spot for you, Fiks. You were a big part of my life for a very long time. But the man I am now has no room to have that kind of weakness. The woman in my life is clear on who I need to be to be a successful pope. I cannot spit on my marriage to owe favours to my ex.” 

How I wish Reahile loved me this much. 

“I love my wife, Fiks. And when it comes to protecting her kids, there’s nothing she will not do. Rofhiwa put everyone in the line of danger. If I don’t kill her, my wife will. As a favour to you, I can make her death quick and pain-less. But if it’s not me, it will be Phuthi. And she will make her suffer.” 

I hear Khanyi’s mom sniffing, as if crying.

“I’m sorry, Fiks. But Rofhiwa knew the risk of what she’s doing. She knows that many people that have tested us and didn’t pass. She still went ahead.” 

“Khotso, I’m asking for another chance at her life. Let me try to manage this and if I fail, I won’t stand in your way. But please, Khotso. Ingane yami le. My husband won’t survive her death. Please.” 

Silence.

“And please let her have the twins. As long as she has the twins, she can be tamed and controlled. I’ll try harder. Ngiyakucela, Khotso. Please show my family mercy.” 

“Only because you gave us a lifeline”, I hear Mme-Moholo say. 

She’s clearly walked in on them.

“Maphuthi”, Khanyi’s mom.

“My love”, Moholo says.

“Fikile, I don’t like your daughter. At all. Uyanyanyisa. She’s reckless and she doesn’t use her brain. Kodwa ke, you’ve really helped us out and we don’t like being indebted to anyone. Asikoloti ngisho ne-bank, so we are not about to owe you. But if that little brat of your continues ukusijwayela kabi, ngizom’ngcwaba and she will die sekase thuneni.” Mme-Moholo says.

“Clear. And the kids? Can she keep them?” Khanyi’s mom asks.

“We want our kids back”, Mme-Moholo. 

Please, Rofhiwa can keep those brats.

“Think of umshado kaReahile. Umkakhe is about to have a child. Everyone needs space right now. Please.” Khanyi’s mom. 

“Those kids right now, bayanyanyisa. Abahloniphi. It’s clear that Rofhiwa cannot be trusted with raising Mohale kids. Uhlulekile.” Mme-Moholo. 

“They are her kids”, Khanyi’s mom.

“Siyambongela. Kodwa ke… izingane zomshado leziya. We owed you nothing by the time those kids were born. The Mohales respected you end to end. It’s not unreasonable of us to expect those kids to grow up with Mohale teachings. And we trusted Rofhiwa because bekawumakoti la ekhaya. That was our mistake.” 

“Asingadelelani Maphuthi. Ngiyakukhuza njalo.” 

“Ngiyakudelela mina?”

“Uyang’delela vele. I could also provide a whole list of why those twins being raised by the Mohales is not what is good for them. But I’m trying to be respectful in my request. I don’t want to get disrespectful because I respect that you are elders to both my daughters.” 

There is silence. 

“Everything okay?” I hear a man say.

“My love, hey”, Khanyi’s mom. I guess Khanyi’s dad has arrived.

“What’s going on?” He asks.

“Nothing. We have just agreed that the twins stay with Fifi. Right?” Khanyi’s mom.

I, for one, am very happy!

“Yeah. But they visit us once a month and their dad visits them as and when he pleases”, Mme-Moholo says.

“We’ve never stopped Rea from seeing the twins”, Khanyi’s dad says.

“Yes. And every December, they spend the month with us. They need to learn about being sotho children.” Mme-Moholo. 

“But we get them for the Christmas and new years eve week. That’s what Fifi would want.” Khanyi’s mom.

No one says anything.

“Okay”, Khanyi’s dad says after a brief silence.

“Yeah. Now, we go home. We take Sekai, Mohavi and Maboko with us”, Khanyi’s mom.

I also head back to bed. 

…

Mapho and I shower together. I missed her. And I felt like shit that I couldn’t protect her from being kidnapped. One thing that stands out about her is her strength and resilience. I see her in her nakedness now and I can see the bump in her tummy, where my baby girl is growing. It’s going to be different with this one. I’ll never give up on my twins, and when they need me, I’ll always be here. But it’s going to be different with this child that Mapho is carrying. She’s my second chance at being the father I’ve always intended to be. I’ll probably never forgive Rofhiwa for taking my chance away with my twins, but I’ll heal because Mapho and my daughter need me to. 

We have lotioned ourselves and are dressed up now. Mapho is in a dress. She’s just made the bed, and she’s now tying her head scarf. 

There’s a knock on our door. 

I wear a t-shirt. It’s probably her friends, Wehweh and Ruri. 

“Come in”, I say. 

The door opens. 

It’s my mom that’s walks in, Phuthi. She’s my mom and no one can tell me anything. 

“Mah?” I say. 

“Hey guys. Do you have a minute? We need to have a quick chat”, she says.

“Sure.” I say. 

“I can give you space”, Mapho says. 

“With both of you, please”, she says. 

We nod our heads. 

“Love, come in. They are decent”, she says. She’s probably with my dad. 

Mapho puts another scarf around her shoulders. 

My dad walks in and we all greet each other. 

Mapho and my mom are sitting on one couch. My dad and I are sitting on a couch opposite to them.

There’s a slight knock on the door then my other dad and mom-Thabz walk in. This must be very serious. 

“We didn’t realise that you guys were in here”, mom-Thabz says.

“We hadn’t started yet”, mom says.

Thabz sits on the other side of Mapho and my dad sits on the other side of me. 

Mapho looks at me as if asking me what’s going on. I shrug my shoulders to indicate that I also don’t know.

“We wanted to talk to you about your position in the family. You are our eldest son and the only son that’s married. You already have twins, but you are expecting another baby.” My dad, Ona, says. 

“We want you to take a more active role on the throne”, he continues. 

“Why? Isn’t Moloko next in line to be king?” I ask.

“He is. But should anything happen to me before he turns eighteen, you would step in as regent until he is of age. And when he is king, you’ll be his most senior advisor”, my dad-Ona says. 

“And as you know, Lefatselabarena has passed. She was going to be the king-maker… the one to groom Moloko and yourself into leadership for this country. Wandi has agreed to help, but as we know, she is married and her family comes first. The daughter we are now looking at to groom the next is you, makoti.” 

Mapho’s eyes!!!!

“Don’t be worried, makoti. We are here and we will guide you”, Thabz says.

“You’ll be working closer to the royal house. You’ll get an assistant who will help you with whatever you need – especially when the baby is here”, Thabz continues.

“Will I be allowed to finish school?” Mapho enquires.

“Yes. But it will most likely be on a part-time basis. You have to learn about the throne, be active in its branding, then the baby is coming and you’ll want to be an active mother.” My dad-Ona says.

“But it’s medicine. It’s not possible to do medicine part-time”, Mapho.

“We will find a way to make it work”, Thabz.

I don’t know how to read Mapho’s energy. 

“Fortunately, your house is close to the palace and you’ll be able to be of service to the Tholoana Kingdom community as a whole”, my dad-Khotso says.

I’m not mad at this. 

I don’t think Mapho is neither.

“So when we get back to the kingdom, you’ll both be part of our team to manage the communication regarding what has just happened. Then Reahile, you’ll be one of my advisors. You’ll now learn the ropes – not just the illegal ones.” My dad-Ona says. 

“Are you okay?” Mom asks Mapho.

Mapho smiles and nods her head. 

“You sure?” Mom insists on this.

“I’m okay, mme-Moholo”, Mapho.

“Please… I’m mom now”, she says.

They smile at each other. 

“Another thing, Reahile”, my dad-Khotso says.

We look at him.

“The Ramarus and our family spoke. We decided that the the twins will stay with their mother, but visit us once a month. You’ll be able to visit them as and when you wish. Then they’ll spend their December holidays with us to learn about being Basotho people”, he says.

“They can actually just stay with their mother forever. I don’t care”, I find myself saying and everyone is shocked. Even Mapho is shocked. 

“Honestly, I’ve done everything that I can to show them that I love them and that my relationship with them is not dependent on my relationship with their mother. I’ve been to them what I’ve always prayed for when I was growing up without a father.” 

I see this hurting both my dads. I didn’t mean to hurt them, but…

I continue, “they haven’t received me. They receive parts of me, but not all of me. They’ve disrespected my wife from the minute that they met her and they’ve said some unforgivable things towards my family and I. They and their mother got us here. My wife got kidnapped and I almost lost my child – my second chance at this dad thing. I know that there’ll never be a dustbin for children, so I have no where to throw them away. I know that there will never be another man that they can call father. I believe that they know where to find me when they finally decide that they need me. But I’m not going to force myself onto them. They can stay with their mother, it’s fine. There will be things in life that will bring them back to their true identity. I’m not cursing them, but in this lifetime, the road always leads back to home. They’ll find their way back. Maybe even Rofhiwa herself will bring them back. But for now, let them be. I need to focus on all these new responsibilities that you are putting on me and my wife. I also need to make sure that I’m healed and in a position to raise my child. I’ll never be in the right frame of mind for that if I don’t cut these people off.” 

Everyone takes a deep breath after I’ve said this. 

Mapho is quiet. 

My dad-Khotso hugs me. I actually need this hug. 

…

“Moratuwa waka”, I hear Mapho say to me. 

I’m sitting outside having beer. She’s supposed to be on bed rest. 

“Aren’t you supposed to have your legs up on a bed?” I say to her as she wraps herself around me. 

I put my beer down and hug her, kissing her forehead. 

“Ushup?” She asks me. 

I’m sad that I’m here, in this position, with my kids and I tell her. 

“You know, you can still go and see them”, she says. 

“Not without you”, I tell her. 

“But love, it seems like I’m the problem. Maybe without me –

“My baby! No! You are my wife. Culturally, you are their mother too. If they can’t accept that, then they can stay where they are.” I say. 

She’s quiet. 

My phone rings. 

I look at it. Mapho sees it too. It’s Rofhiwa. 

I hang up the call. 

“It could be important”, she says. 

“She wants me out of their lives. She doesn’t get to pick and choose what parts I’m part of. She can sort this out herself – whatever it is.” 

My phone rings again. 

Mapho takes it then answers it, putting it on speaker. 

“Hi Rofhiwa?” Mapho says. 

Rofhiwa is quiet. 

Mapho is quiet. 

“Last I checked, this was Rea’s number”, Rofhiwa says. 

“Well, I’m his wife. What’s his is mine. How can we help you?” 

I smile at Mapho. She’s actually tougher than I thought. 

“I need to talk to him about our kids – mine and his!”  Rofhiwa. 

“Like I said… what’s his is mine. That includes the kids. What do you need?” 

“Bitch, don’t try me!” 

“Bitch?! Girl bye! When you are serious about whatever you need, call again. Otherwise, you can go through lawyers!” Then Mapho hangs up. 

I’m so proud of her. 

I actually kiss her! 

I love my wife! 

She’s hot! 

Now a text message comes into my phone. 

“I need to speak to you! Not your bulldog! Call me when you are serious about being the father of our kids again.” 

Mapho grabs the phone and replies on my behalf saying, “that emotional blackmail no longer works. You can go to hell.” 

I love my wife!

–

We are having dinner in bed. I brought the plates in then I’ll take them back when we are done. 

“Are you excited about our new house?” I ask her. 

“I am. Being with you honestly makes me feel so out of place sometimes.” 

“Why?”

“So much money. Big houses everywhere. Flashy and fancy cars everywhere. It’s honestly – 

“It’s yours now. What is me is you, baby. Please feel right at home”, I say. 

“I just wish I could also do something to contribute so it doesn’t seem like I’m living off you”, she says. 

“I’m your husband, my baby. I’m supposed to provide for you. Let me provide for you.” I say. 

“As long as you promise me that you’ll allow me to do my part in serving you too.” She says. 

We kiss. 

“When are we going back home?” She asks me. 

“We are headed out tonight to find out.” I say.

“Reahile!” 

“Love?” 

“You better come home! Come back home to me and your child!”

I kiss her. 

She gives me a blow job and I almost lose my mind. When did she get this good?! And to think she’s only ever been with me?!