Mapho and I decided to come stay in South Africa for a while as my family figures out this feud that’s happening between the Mohales. While we are here, we want to put some focus on the hotel that I’m building, on raising Inama as peacefully as possible considering that she is a Mohale, and – by Mapho’s request – me spending time with my twins and reminding them that I love them. I am aware that I am their only surviving parent as it stands. But their mother has shut that parent door on me that gives me access to them, and now it’s difficult for me to remember how to open that door again. Mapho says that now that Rofhiwa has passed away, I should try again. They don’t have a choice but to let me in. I’m their only surviving parent. But I don’t know hey. 

I’ve been delaying meeting up with them since we got here. I met up with everyone else. I’ve even attended some NFR Legends games with Mfundo and Tee-le. But I haven’t seen the twins…

Until…

Now.

I’m at the Ramaru house now, sitting in the dining area and waiting for the twins. I know that they have a full-time nanny. Her name is Tshifiwa. She’s from Venda. I’ve stopped this fight years ago. I accepted that my kids will be more Venda than Sotho. Their mother made sure of it. It pissed my family off everyday, but it is what it is. I’m so glad that I have Inama. Like I said… she’s my real chance at being a parent. I’ve failed incredibly with Mulalo and Mohau.

“Rea, sawubona. How are you?” Kazi greets me as she comes into the TV room where I’m sitting. She’s so happy to see me. Mr R is right here with her.

“Hi Kazi. Mr R”, me, greeting them back while shaking their hands. 

“How’s the baby doing? Uyakhula kodwa?” Kazi.

“She is. Thanks kazi”, I say.

“I’m glad that you are here, Rea. Regardless of what happened between you and Rofhiwa, those twins need you now more than ever”, Mr R says.

“I just feel like I don’t know how to be their father anymore.” I confess.

“Just be you. They are angry. They are acting out… not just with you, but with everyone. Don’t give up on them. They need to know that you love them.” Mr R says.

I hear what he says and I nod my head. But he never gave up on Rofhiwa and she was a piece of shit right up until the end. So when should one give up? Honestly?!

They walk out, walking into where I’m waiting for them. At least my son, Mohau, greets me. He seems happy to see me. He even gives me a hug. Mulalo just walks right past me. She has her mother’s attitude, and hers seems to be on steroids.

“Mulalo, bula baba wako”, the nanny tells Mulalo to greet her father. 

“Aha ha vhuya u itela”, Mulalo basically says that she doesn’t want to. 

“Ndi mubhebhi wako! A ku khou itela u khou sala u humbela. U swika!” The nanny basically tells Mulalo that I’m her parents and she’s not going to tell her to greet me again. She better greet me now. 

Mulalo tries to give the nanny attitude.

“MULALO!” Mr R firmly says. No smile detected on his face at all.

I know enough Venda to get by. Like I said, Rofhiwa made sure that these kids grow up more Venda than Sotho. They don’t even know how to greet in Sotho, but they are fluent in Venda. 

“Hi”, Mulalo says to me.

“How are you doing?” I ask her.

“Fine”, she says. 

Ja neh. 

“Mulalo, offer your father juice”, the nanny says. 

She seems hectic.

“Would you like some juice?” She asks me.

“No, thank you. I was wondering if you guys would like to spend the day with me? Maybe even meet your sibling? You have a baby sister, you know”, I say.

“We wouldn’t want to interfere with your perfect family”, Mulalo. 

“I’d like to go,” Mohau.

“Mohau, he doesn’t want us. He never has wanted us. All he cares about is Maphodile and her baby.” Mulalo says.

“And what gives you that impression, Mulalo?” I ask her.

“Your actions! When last did you spend time with us?! Why did you leave my mom?! You walked out on your marriage! You walked out on our family! And for what?! For some girl who –

“Mulalo… while your mother was telling you all these things, did she tell you that she cheated on me?! That she had an affair with another man?! Our marriage ended because of that. She ended our marriage, not me.” I say.

“That’s not true! Your marriage to my mom ended because you and your entire family are criminals!”

I take a deep breath. 

I’m not going to argue with this girl. And I’m damn sure not about to explain myself to her.

“Mohau, we can go spend the day together, son. Your sister can stay behind”, I say.

I see Mulalo getting hurt. 

She doesn’t want to come mos. 

“Fine, I’ll come with you too. I hope Mapho is not going to be there”, Mulalo says.

“Mapho is my wife. Spending time with me means spending time with her”, I say.

“So I can’t just spend time with my father without her?! And what?! And her daughter has replaced me now?!” 

Yoh, this child is going to make me age before my time.

“Mulalo, if you want to stay, you can stay. I will not force you. But you will not disrespect my wife or child under any circumstances. You are more than welcome to leave with us. But you better behave like you’ve got some sense”, I say.

She pulls a face while rolling her eyes at me.

Lord, please let Inama be a less stressful girl. Please! 

Mulalo left with us. But she’s been displaying heavy attitude since we left the house. I promised kazi and Mr R that I’d have them back this afternoon. We left with the nanny as well – for mediation purposes I suppose. Kazi proposed we take her with and I just listened. These kids are eight by the way, but they still have a nanny. I need to go and review the job description of a nanny. Maybe I’m the one who doesn’t understand what a nanny is meant to do. 

We’ve just arrived at my South Africa home in Serengeti. We make our way into the house. 

“Baby!” I shout for Mapho as I enter the house. 

“She’s here?!” Mulalo enquires with attitude. 

“Yes, she is. And I hope you will behave”, I say. 

She rolls her eyes at me. 

I don’t know why this annoys me so much. 

Mapho comes down the stairs. She has Inama strapped to her front with a baby cloth carrier. 

“Dumelang”, Mapho greets. 

“Hi”, Mohau says with a smile. He even hugs her. I smile at them. 

“Is this my baby sister?” Mohau enquires, looking at Inama. 

“She is. Do you want to hold her?” 

Mohau nods his head. 

Mapho leads him to the couch, unwrapping herself.

Mohau, Mapho and Inama have a moment. Mulalo looks both hurt and angry. 

“Are you going to say hello to mme wahao?” I say to Mulalo. 

“She’s not my mother!” Mulalo aggressively says. 

“MULALO!” The nanny. 

“What?! She’s not! Just because my mom is dead, it doesn’t mean Mapho can just replace my mother. Mapho already replaced my mom as my dad’s wife.” 

“Mulalo! I asked you if you wanted to spend the day with me. And I made it clear that you could spend this day with me if you respect my wife. If you can’t do that, I can always take you back home. I don’t mind driving you back.” I say. 

She looks like she wants to cry. 

“Love. It’s okay. Hi Mulalo”, Mapho says. 

I can tell that she’s hurt though. 

“Hi.” Mulalo says.

“Dumela mme”, Mapho greets the nanny. 

“Ahhh! Ba re me ne?” The nanny. 

Mapho is confused. 

“She speaks Venda. She’s asking how you are”, Mulalo says with attitude. 

“I’m well, mme. You are welcome to our home”, Mapho. 

“Thank you”, the nanny. 

“I’ve prepared us some lunch”, Mapho says. 

“I don’t just eat anything. I’m a princess”, Mulalo. 

“I’m a princess too, Mulalo. We are on the same diet”, Mapho says.

“I was born a princess. You are one through marriage. It’s not the same thing”, Mulalo.

“Mulalo! If you –

“It’s okay, mme.” Mapho stops the nanny from reprimanding Mulalo. 

Then she refocuses her attention on Mulalo and says, “Mulalo, I’ve been trained to prep food for your dad and for the king. But you are welcome to have it assessed before you eat”.

Silence.

–

Mulalo decided to eat with us.

Mapho prepared a nice meal for all of us. 

“This is good, baby. Thank you”, I say.

“It’s very nice, Mrs Mapho”, the nanny. 

“Thank you, mme. And you can call me Mapho. Mapho osiame, mme.” 

The nanny smiles at Mapho.

“Dad, how come nanny Tshifiwa is here to help us learn TshiVenda and all about the Venda culture, but we don’t have anyone to teach us about Sotho? Aren’t we Mohales?” Mohau says.

“You are right, son. You are Mohales. You are proud Sotho children. You are of royal blood. Royal Sotho blood. Do you want to learn more about your Basotho people?” I say.

“Yeah. I mean, I’m your eldest and only son. I’m your heir, right?” Mohau says.

“You are”, I say.

“Until Mapho has a son. Then you’ll be replaced, just like that”, Mulalo says.

“No one got replaced, Mulalo. Inama is your sister, not your replacement”, Mapho says.

“I don’t remember asking you for your opinion,” Mulalo says. But it’s the nanny that reacts before I do. She goes off at Mulalo in Venda – saying things that I don’t even know or understand. 

Mapho looks like she wants to cry. 

“I’m sorry, Mapho”, Mulalo says. 

The nanny gives her another tongue lashing. 

“I’m sorry, Mme Mapho”, Mulalo. 

Mapho doesn’t say anything. 

“Dad, what if I lived with you and Mme Mapho?” Mohau says. 

This is a lot to take in at one sitting. 

I look at Mohau. 

“I want to live with you. I want to learn from you. And no offence, but nanny Tshifiwa is a lot. I’m not learning anything about being a proud moSotho royal man”, Mohau says. 

“Mom wouldn’t want us to live with Mapho”, Mulalo says. 

“Mme Mapho didn’t do anything to me. Unless she says she doesn’t want to live with me, I want to live with them”, Mohau. 

“What about mom, Mohau?” Mulalo. 

“My dad is still alive. I don’t want to live like an orphan if I still have a parent”, Mohau. 

“I can’t believe you! You’ve always been weak!” Mulalo. 

“Mulalo, you don’t have to live with us. That’s fine. And if you don’t want to be part of our family, I won’t force you. But you will not disrespect my family. You will not disrespect me. And you will not disrespect my home”, I say. I’m firm and frightening. I can see the hint of fear in her eyes. 

“Now, I’m sorry about your mother. But in loving memory of her, you will not piss on my family… my wife and my kids. That will never happen. Let this be the last time that you come into my home and leave my wife in tears. Do you understand me?” 

She’s quiet. 

“Mulalo, I asked you a question”, I say. 

“Yes, dad.” She says. 

“Good. Mohau, let me speak to kazi and papa about this okay? If they say yes, you can come live with us”, I say.

“Is Mme Mapho okay with it?” Mohau is actually very considerate. Rofhiwa didn’t rub off onto him at all. 

“I’m very fine with it, Mohau. We would love to have you stay with us”, Mapho says with a genuine smile. 

I made the perfect choice with her. 

…

I walk into our master bedroom. Mapho is leaning over Inama’s baby co-sleeper. She probably just put her down. Mapho is also dressed in some sexy lacy piece. 

I walk up to my wife and cover her waist with my arm, my entire front becoming one with the back of her body. 

“You are back?” She says, leaning her head against my chest.

“I am”, me.

“How was the drive back?” She asks me. 

“Mohau is quite determined to live with us. I spoke to his grandparents. They are in support. So it’s for us to set up then take him. Mulalo is not ready though. They’ll continue to live with her. They were telling me that she should go to Venda more often over school holidays and get involved in some projects that will bring back some humility in her”, I say.

I don’t know how I feel about that. But like I said, my kids have grown up more Venda than Sotho. I’m glad that my heir is coming back to me though. 

“I’m sorry that Mulalo and I are not in a better position”, she says.

“It’s not your fault, babe. She will hopefully come around at some point. Okay?” 

We kiss. 

“How long are we going to be here? I’m asking so that we can plan for school for Mohau”, she says.

“I think we will head back to the kingdom after the hotel is done. It should give the adults enough time to sort out the royal stuff”, I say. 

“Okay. So maybe, Mohau can continue to go to his normal school. He will just live with us. And maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe, over weekends, Mulalo will want to come as well. Then she will get used to us a bit. Plus, the nanny seems to manage her quite well. Where did you guys even find a nanny for eight year olds?” She says and we actually laugh. 

“I love you”, I tell her.

“I love you too. Thank you for choosing me”, she says.

And now, I more than make love to my wife. 

…

Today is going to be a good day. I’m going to inspect the progress on the hotel. Mapho has been managing everything thus far. She keeps giving me updates and it seems that we should be able to open the hotel in the next eight months. 

The hotel will be a five star hotel. It will also have a clinic and pharmacy on the premises. Mapho insisted on this. 

By the time I get to the kitchen for breakfast, Mapho has Inama strapped on her back and is busy with something. 

We kiss. 

“Wetsang?” I ask her. 

“The colours for the walls of the different rooms. I’ve contracted Zah to help with this. She and Molise are in South Africa, so she will meet us at the hotel and help. I can’t seem to make up my mind. But this is her stuff.” 

I smile at her. 

“Keng?” She asks me. 

“You making me want to open something else and make you run it. You are so good at this”, I say. 

“This is so stressful. I’m lucky to have people around me who have expertise in these fields”, she says. 

“Acknowledging that and using it is what makes you hot at this”, I tell her. 

Now she smiles. 

“Are you on your way to the hotel?” She asks me. 

“Yep”, I say. 

“Okay. I’ll meet Zaza at a coffee shop opposite the place because Inama can’t be on a construction site.” 

“You should really consider getting a nanny.” 

“Rea, we’ve spoken about this. I’d like to raise my own children please.” 

I hang my hands in surrender. I let her be. What other choice do I have? 

“By the way, Tholoana and Alani are coming”, she says. 

“Coming where?” I ask.

“Here”, she says. 

“To do what?” I ask. 

“To visit. Chill with us. I don’t know”, she says. 

She notices my confusion. She laughs at me. 

“I think Alani is just bored. I keep her entertained”, she says, still laughing.

“What’s her plan?” I ask because I’m actually curious. 

“What has Tholoana said to you?” She asks. 

“Tholoana doesn’t say anything to anyone. We are all very confused. But we know it’s serious because this is the first girl that he’s ever formally introduced to us”, I say. 

“That’s nice to hear. Alani told me that they are serious now. And Tholoana asked her to move to the kingdom permanently. Tholoana is even opening a clothing boutique for her. She was a shop assistant in LA. She wanted a job this side as a shop assistant and Tholoana said no, opening a clothing boutique for her instead”. She tells me. 

I give her a look. 

She laughs aloud. 

I find myself laughing too. 

“Well maybe their visit will shed a lot of light on our confusion”, she says.

We kiss then get our day started.