BANG! 

I jump out of my sleep. Surely, I’m not dreaming. 
I hear some noise. 
“Thabang”, I whisper as I shake him to wake up.
“Hey baby. Keng? You want to give me another round?” He says in his sleep.
“Thabang, stop it! I think someone is breaking into our house.” I whisper.
The alarm goes off. 
Now he’s up!
Thabang and I don’t sleep in pyjamas. We just have this unwritten rule nje that we don’t sleep in pyjamas. I don’t even own a pair. So, we jump out of bed butt naked and immediately find something to wear. I wear an Adidas tracksuit, underwear first. He wears a Nike tracksuit.
We open our door. Meme, Mosetsana and Tshenolo are here. They walk in. Our house is a lot smaller now. It’s a simple four bedroom duplex, not in a gated estate; just in a complex where you also find apartments. 
“Let me go check what’s happening. You phone the police and hide with the kids”, he says to me. 
“Thabang, give them whatever they want! Whatever they want! Do you hear me?!” I say.
He looks at me.
“Please papa. We can’t lose you.” Tshenolo. 
This moves him. 
He kisses me and hugs the kids. 
I walk them into our walk-in closet, taking continental pillows and two blankets. 
We hide in the closet. Our bums are on two pillows. Meme and I lean against a wall cushioned against the wall. We are sitting way back, hiding behind clothes in here. Tshenolo sits on top of me. Mosetsana sits on Meme. We use the two blankets, putting them over the kids. Meme gives them headsets and their iPads. 
“Watch this! And don’t take the headsets off!” Meme. I’m actually so appreciative of her.
She and I now focus on Thabang.
We can actually hear what’s happening from here. There seems to be voices talking already. And it’s voices that I seem to recognise. Oh Lord! 
I phone the police and this place’s security.

Letona: “Where’s your wife?”
Thabang: “She’s not here. She’s visiting her mother. She left with the kids.”
Thabang’s mother: “That’s good. This means that we can talk.”
Thabang: “So, you break into houses now?”
Thabang’s mother: “We’ve become those people now. Desperate times. We are suffering while you landed quite comfortably. We hear that you were even offered your father’s throne.”
Thabang: “Then you must have heard that I declined that offer”.
Thabang’s mother: “We did hear that. You were never considered vele because we always knew that you never had it in you. Morafe definitely knew how to bring out that weak side of you, nurture it, then have it become you.”
Thabang: “Why are you here? You’ve come insult me? Kill me? What do you want?” 
Letona: “We’ve been stripped off everything and banned from a land that we consider to be our home. Your two children wives and my son, Tumelo, are in prison. I have five children wives and over twenty children to look after. Being stripped off the chieftaincy – which also came with businesses that kept us fed – has left us with absolutely nothing. We’ve run off to Lesotho, yes… but we have nothing. We also know that your wife has had a lot to do with it.” 
Thabang chuckles.
Thabang’s mother: “You can laugh all you want. But facts remain: we were better to you and Morafe when we were looking after everyone, including you. But since we’ve now been put in a position where we need you, you’ve now landed yourself in a classic black tax situation and you need to look after us.”
Thabang: “Look after you?”
Letona: “Yes. For starters, you’ll give us R100 000 today that we will leave with. Each wife will be given R20 000 to look after herself and her kids. That’s way less than what you lived on in a month, but it will do for now because we are being reasonable. Then every month, you will send us R50 000 so that each wife has R10 000 to look after herself and her kids.” 
Thabang is quiet. 
Thabang’s mother: “We know you can afford it. And you’ll give to us.”
Thabang: “I’m serving notice at my job. I’ll be unemployed in a few months time. Morafe won’t afford that money after looking after her mother, nieces and all of us.”
I’m glad he hasn’t told them about his plans. 
Thabang’s mother: “Then don’t resign. That’s the only company that hasn’t been taken away from us and you are the only person who can work there because you haven’t been banned from the kingdom.”
Thabang: “I need to talk to my wife about this.”
Letona: “Phone her. We will wait.”
Thabang: “I’ll speak to her when she gets back. You’ll have to wait!” 
Thabang’s mother: “You will help us, Thabang. It’s an order.”
Thabang: “And if I don’t?” 
Letona: “We will be a nightmare that will end your precious marriage that makes you feel as if you are above us.” 
Silence.
Finally! Security and the police walk in.
“Everything okay in here?” A voice.
“No. These people broke into my house. And I believe they have been banned from the kingdom. Arrest them then let the king know that they are in our territory.” Thabang.
“THABANG MOTHIPA!” The mother says in utter shock.
There’s hectic commotion, so I know that they are being taken away. Yerrr! 
Once there is silence, we all jump out of the closet then run to Thabang. He manages to hug us all.
What a morning. 

…

After the early hours of this morning, I honestly just want to be at home with my husband and my kids. But I’m here, sipping champagne with Bassie and watching her fit dresses for her wedding. Wandi and Tamia are supposed to be here, but they are MIA. We haven’t been able to reach them in two weeks.
“Hello… earth to Morafe!” 
I look up. 
Bassie has been talking to me all this time. I haven’t heard a word of what she’s said.
“Is anyone happy for me at all?” She says.
“I’m sorry, babe. It’s just a really bad time.” I say.
“You guys are all just selfish.” 
Hai bo!
“Excuse me?” I say.
“Ever since Wandi turned rich, she’s too good to be around us unless she really has to. Tamia has never been around, so whatever, I don’t expect much from her. She’s never been around, she was never going to start now. And then you… it’s always Thabang this and Thabang that. I’m sure if I had to ask you what’s on your mind right now, you’d do the whole Thabang story for me.” 
Heh! Basetsana cannot be serious right now.
“I’m marrying the love of my life! I’m asking you all to put your shit aside for five minutes and just be there for me! Be supportive! You can’t even do that! Agh!”
“You know what, I’m going to go. I am not going to do this with you. Out of respect for our friendship of all these years, I’m just going to walk out of here, not mention this to Wandi or Tamia and I’m going to pretend this conversation never happened.” I say.
“Why?! It’s true! And I’m sick of us acting like we are still there for each other and we are still sisters”, she insists.
“We actually have real shit happening in our lives. I had shit happen just this morning that has me wishing and yearning to be next to my husband and my kids. But I’m here… for you! Supporting you! Unlike you, the worst thing that could happen to us is not Keith cheating or not choosing us or not complicating our lives by getting us pregnant only to leave us pregnant. We have real shit happening in our lives… life-threatening shit. We all wish we had a CEO of a husband who spoils us for a living and makes our dreams come true because he married someone who made our lives hell for five minutes. But we don’t have that. So sorry if we can’t answer all your phone calls every time you call. I’m sorry we can’t sit here and have champagne and celebrate the best thing that has ever happened to you when the worst things that could ever happen to us are happening! Sorry, Basetsana, that we cannot be in a fairytale moment right now.”
“Don’t do that! Don’t make it seem like the shit that I’ve been through is nothing… means nothing. I’ve been through shit too! And you were all there, holding my hand. I guess you all did that thinking that I’m just being a baby… that shit could be worse and I’m just crying over nothing compared to what you have to deal with. I want you all to be part of this journey because y’all are the people who understand where my story with Keith started. At this point, I don’t even know if you guys will make it to the wedding! Let alone be my bridesmaids!” 
“Basetsana, I’ll be at your wedding. But this shit that we are doing here… I’m sorry, I can’t do this with you right now.” I say this then I leave. 

I just drive home. As I drive home, I realise that my hands are shaking. I’m just so jumpy today. I’m not okay. I dial Thabang. 
“Hey baby.” He answers his phone.
“Babe, how are you?” 
“I’m still a bit shaken.”
He takes a deep sigh.
“Where are you, baby?” He asks me.
“I’m driving back home.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there. I’m leaving the office now.”
“Okay. Drive safely, baby. Please.” 
“I will.”
“Make it home, baby. I need you.”
“I need you too, baby. Make it home. I’ll see you just now. I love you.”
“I love you.”

I get to my house and I actually start cooking. I prepare some lamb stew, basmati rice, and just two side veggies. I receive a text from Thabang telling me that he’s picking up the kids… none of them have extra mural activities today. I text him “okay” then finish up the cooking. 
When I’m done, I put some food in four takeaway cartoons. Then, I head to the security booth so I can give the security men plates of food. 
I walk there. As soon as I get to security…
“Dumelang bo abuti”, I greet them.
“Dumela Mme Mothipa.” 
“Le kai?”
“Re shup, Mme.”
“I thought I’d bring you some dinner, le lona le je ha monate kajeno”, I say.
“Thank you so so much. Ey, it looks delicious”, they say.
“Kea leboha. Bo ntate… this morning, our unit had a break in… unit 1287. I’m trying to understand how these people got past you.” 
They look at each other. 
Then one of them says, “We recognised letona. And when he said that he was here to see his son. We didn’t realise it was a problem.” 
“From what I understand, bo abuti, there is protocol here when people come to visit… especially when they don’t live here. How or why did you think things would be different with letona? I could have you reported for this. The rules are clear… no exceptions for anyone! Ibile letona is not even a letona anymore.”
I see the fear in their eyes.
“Re kopa tswarelo hle, Mme Mothipa.” 
“This better not happen again. You don’t open for anyone without our permission. I don’t care who it is. You phone us! And if you cannot find us, you don’t let the people in. If this happens again, I’ll have you reported! And I’ll make sure that you all get fired and never find work in this kingdom ever again.” I say.
They are scared, but they agree. I leave them with the food then head back into the house. 

… 

I’ve just had explosive sex with Keith at our love nest – an apartment we purchased together to just be together. We are busy cuddling now. We are in the TV room. We had sex on our couch.
“When are you leaving?” I ask him. His wedding is next week.
“I leave tonight. Bassie and I drive back with Risuna.”
“I’m going to miss this penis. With everything that’s happening with my sister, it’s really been my coping mechanism.”
He laughs.
“Babe, I was thinking…” I begin. 
“About?” Him.
“My sister. The lawyer I got for her has been struggling with this case, but he’s getting to a point where he’s beginning to feel a bit more confident about the case. If he manages to get my sister out, maybe she could live here with her kids. She’s lost her house and cars… everything.” 
“But babe, this is our space. I come here for peace – even on days when you can’t join me. If we give this place up, where will be meet up and create what we’ve created here?” 
“I know it’s not ideal, Keith. I know. But come on, baby… this is my sister.” 
“I understand that. House her in your house, you’ve got space. Or, she can go live with your parents.”
I get up from his arms.
He’s still lying down, unmoved.
“Keith –
We are disturbed by someone trying to get into the apartment. I jump off the couch. So does he. We look at each other.
Who must hide? 
Who could it be?
We can’t both be caught here. 
I push him and tell him to hide. Then I quickly put on a gown because I’m butt naked. 
I quickly hide any and every piece of evidence of him in here.
I make my way to the door. 
I unlock it.
It’s Harry. 
Jesus! What is he even doing here?!
“Are you going to say hello?” He says.
“Uhm… yeah. Im just shocked to see you. I didn’t even know that you were in the kingdom. Why didn’t you tell me? And how did you find this place?” 
He pushes me into the apartment so hard that I fall to the ground. I scream. 
“Where is he? WHERE IS HE?! You fucking around behind mg back now, bitch?!” As he yells this, he’s kicking me while I’m on the ground. 
“Harry, please! Stop this! You are hurting me!” I scream through my cries. 
He whips out his penis and starts urinating on me as lie in a pool of my own blood… crying and screaming. 
“I’m going to kill your, Phindi! And because you are such a slut, I am going to claim all your money and I’ll make sure that Julie – the girlfriend who isn’t a slut – enjoys that money with our kids. Your three can go straight back to the homelands with your mother! You and your sister are both sluts!” 
“Stop this!” Keith.
Why did he come out?! Why?! 
“So he’s brave too!” Harry. 
“That’s enough! You’ve said and done more than enough!” Keith.
“Keith, please… just go home.” I manage to say through my mumbles.
“Listen to your slut.” Harry.
Keith tries to hit Harry. I can’t even help or do anything. I’m just in pain… bleeding and smelling of Harry’s urine.
Everything happens so fast. I swear! It’s just too fast. Before I know it, Harry has stabbed Keith and Keith is now lying next to me, bleeding out. 
I somehow find strength to cry.
“Keith”, I say through my sobs.
“Baby, you have to be alive for your wedding. Please baby. Please, don’t die.” I say.
I seem to be losing him.
“Keith, baby…”
“Phindi… my love… I’m sorry. I love you, baby.” Keith says to me. He tries to hold my face…
Harry takes out a gun and pumps three bullets through Keith’s chest.
I just sit here and cry. Harry just walks out.

—

I wake up in hospital. I’m still crying, mourning my boyfriend. When I was taken to hospital, he was taken to a mortuary. He’s gone. I don’t know where Harry is. I told the police what happened. But apparently, he hasn’t been arrested. He’s probably already back in Manchester. I told my mother to not bring my kids here.
But my door opens…
And someone walks in.
She’s dressed in black mourning clothes.
I just know that it’s his widow.
I don’t want to do this. Not right now.
She looks at me.
I look at her. 

“Did he suffer?” She asks me. 
I look at her. I’m not sure of what she’s asking me.
“When he died, did he suffer?” She asks me.
“A little bit.” I say. 
“Good! The two of you deserve to rot in hell. What kind of people are you? How do you do things like these to people?! Did you ever care about what this would do to me?! My son?! Your husband?! Your kids?!”
I look at her. 
“ANSWER ME!” She yells.
“What exactly do you want? Why are you here?” I ask her.
“I want answers.” 
“And what will those answers do for you?”
“I’ll know once and for all who I was married to.” 
“Will that help you mourn him better? Forget about him perhaps?”
“You don’t get to judge me. And you don’t get to tell me how to mourn my husband. You were nothing more than just a slut fucking a married man – my husband at that. Don’t give yourself more credit than what is due to you.”
“Fine. Ask me your questions.”
“Do you promise to answer me honestly?”
I nod my head.
“How long have the two of you been fucking around behind my back?” She asks me.
“Just over a year.” 
I see it on her face nje… her heart is shattering. 
“How did you manage to hide it?” 
“We promised each other that it’s just sex, so we get rid of all evidence and we never stopped loving and caring about our partners.” 
She chuckles to herself. 
“Did he love you?” She asks me.
“He never told me that he did. So no.”
“That’s not what I’m asking… the way that he held you! The way that he spoke to you! The way that he made love to you! The way that he treated you! Did he put you first? Did he hurt when you were hurting? Did he look at you with eyes only he can give when he’s in absolute love? Was it difficult for him to come back to me after he had been with you?”
A tear slips out of my eye. 
I see tears streaming down her face too.
“Did he love you? I need to know. Please.” She says.
I nod my head. 
She’s so hurt. She even closes her eyes and takes the blow in. 
“Did you love him?” She asks me.
“I did.”
She wipes her face with her hands. 
“What were his last words when he died?” She asks me.
I have hurt her enough. I can’t hurt her anymore. 
“He said… ‘Basetsana, I love you.’ You were the last thought on his mind. Your name was the last name that rolled off his tongue.” 
She seems… comforted by this. 
“I’m sorry, Bassie. To you and Risuna… I’m so sorry.” I say.
“I’m pregnant. He won’t get to meet the second child that he’s always wanted.” 
Sadly… I’m pregnant too. The doctor told me. 
I just look at her. She doesn’t need to know about my pregnancy. 
“You are welcome to come to the funeral. It will be in Sebokeng, our hometown. I’m moving back home. There’s nothing left for me here. It’s only right that he’s close to his mother, myself and his children.” 
“Thank you. If I’m well enough to travel, I’ll be there.” I say. 
She nods her head.
She turns around to leave.
She pauses.
She looks at me again. 
“That child that you are carrying…” 
How the hell does she know?! 
“The lawyer told me”, she says as if she heard my thoughts. 
“It will get its share of Keith’s assets. I just can’t have it be around my kids. It will be too much.”
“I understand.” I say.
I don’t need the money. I’m more than capable of looking after my own kids. But this just tells me that uBassie umuntu. For as long as I’m alive, she will never suffer. I’ll pick up where Keith left off. She and her kids will always be taken care of by me… in loving memory of Keith Nkuna.