“Unawe, do you have any idea how hard your father and I worked for us to pay off that house and give you a home?”

“I know, mama. I was desperate. You left after dad died-

“I left?” 

“You went to get help, mama. You were not coping. We all know. That’s what Unawe meant to say.” Minenhle intervenes. 

“We were hungry, mah, and I needed to go to school. So I met a person online who offered me work that was paying really well. When I had to go and show up at the interview, the address led me to some vacant building that seemed to have not been used in years. When I came back home, I found my siblings on the pavement with some furniture and they told me that the bank came and threw them out the house. I don’t know how it happened. I went to the bank and they wouldn’t talk to me without you. You were uncontactable. By the time I realized what was going on, I was scammed and the house was used as a payment towards that scam.” 

I feel like I’m listening to someone tell me a story about the most unreal fantasy there is. How does one get scammed an entire house? An entire house?!

“Mama, I didn’t mean to give away our home.” She says. 

We have been in this family meeting since this morning and I just feel like Unawe has done nothing but lie to me this entire time. Her stories don’t make sense. I am just thinking about all the hoops that the bank requires you jump through to just get that house. But they allow you to be scammed out of your house that quickly and easily? It doesn’t add up at all. But it’s done, and I now need to make a plan about what I’m going to do with these kids – especially Unawe. 

“I found a job, mama.” She says. 

That’s a relief. 

“As a receptionist at a hospital. It’s a private hospital. The pay is good and I can get a flat, but I figure we can do with a joint income here at home to make sure everyone goes to school and are in a better position than I am when they matriculate. Mama, I didn’t mean to hurt you. You have to believe me. I was stupid and I’m sorry.” 

I nod my head. 

“Thank you. For the apology and for thinking about us when you got the job.” I tell her. 

She nods her head. 

We spend the night in a sombre mood, but we will wake up feeling a lot better tomorrow. 

Everyone is preparing for the Msomi wedding at work. With all the excitement about the traveling and festivities of this wedding, I wonder how any of us are expected to get work done. We do still gets calls and are expected to work, but yho, this wedding is feeling like Christmas – something we all have to celebrate. 

Zinzi hasn’t been at work in the longest time. I wonder where she is and how she is doing. I can’t help but wonder if she has been fired and how fair that process is. Maybe I should phone her and tell her to also speak to the union. 

Unawe comes into the bedroom as I am about to get into bed and sleep. She brings in hot chocolate with her. She hands me a cup then she gets settled in the bed with me. 

“How are you, mama?” She asks me. 

“I’m doing a lot better, thank you.” 

“You look a lot better. I think the time away did you some good.”

“Stop saying it like that. I was getting help. I wasn’t on holiday.” 

“That’s not what I mean. I’m sorry.” 

We are quiet. 

“How’s work?” I ask her. 

“I only start next week. I’m looking forward to it.”

“That’s good. And when I’ve saved up enough, you will go to medicine school.” 

“Don’t put that pressure on yourself, mama. It’s okay. I may not be where I want to be, but I’m definitely two steps ahead of where I could have been if I let this drive me to hell. I’m good.” She says. 

I nod my head.

“Your boss is hot.” She says.

“And married.” I emphasize. 

“I was just saying.” 

“And I was just informing you. He loves his wife very much and I’d rather not be the employee who has the child that broke his marriage.” 

She rolls her eyes. 

“What did you say his name was?” 

I look at her and say, “Good night, Unawe.” 

“Hawu, mah.” 

I put the cup on my side of the pedestal then cover myself with blankets. What level of whore is this? Nonsense! 

…

Rofhi is excited to be spending time with her grandmother while I go off to be Mthunzi’s best man. As I am dropping her off, there are no tears or anything like that. She is already bouncing about and getting up to her mischievous self. I stay about an hour just chatting about with her grandparents, then I leave to make my way to my house where I will be hosting the groomsmen. To be honest, this is a good distraction. It’s been a heavy three months and I cannot believe that it’s been three months since Lydia died. 

As I’m driving to my house, I get a call from Mthunzi. 

“Hey”

“Hey Ramaru. I just wanted to let you know that my brothers have arrived and are at my place. I’m thinking you can arrive here for now? Then you will all leave a little later when I take the vrou to Mafikeng tomorrow morning.”

“Okay sure. I’m leaving Bassonia now. I just dropped Rofhi off with her grandparents. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay sure. See you soon.” 

I drive for another ten minutes then I receive another call. It’s Thando. 

“Hey”

“Hey Thomas. Are you okay?”

“I’m alright, thanks.” 

“And Rofhi?”

“Rofhi is good. She is with her grandparents.” 

“Okay great. I just wanted to confirm that the club has been booked for the bachelor party. I booked it out as you requested and managed to get the tasteful strippers that you asked for. None of them are escorts, so Mthunzi will still get married.” 

I laugh. She is silent. She almost sounds uncomfortable. It’s a bachelor party and she’s not my wife. She needs to relax. 

“Day two of the bachelor party has been set as well. The go-carting has been booked as well as the lunch. Then the bachelor night will end at a hotel where you will be able to sleep afterwards. I have booked a Mercedes-Benz V250 to take the groomsmen and groom to Mafikeng. I will make sure that all your items are adequately packed for the traditional wedding happening in Mafikeng. I drive down before you, so I will make sure that your hotel rooms are ready for you. I’ll also then go to Koena’s home to help where I can. There is a car ready to take Koena and her family to KZN for the second traditional wedding. The groom and his groomsmen will travel in the V250 again from Mafikeng to KZN. Mthunzi’s PAs are arranging for travels for Mthunzi’s family. Then there will be cars that will take the family and bridal party to the wedding venue is Stellenbosch.”

“I’m glad. You seem to have everything under control. I just need you to please get one more V250 for the wives to the groomsmen. You can travel with them as my plus one.” 

“Thank you, boss.” She says. 

We spend another thirty minutes discussing logistics. I’m grateful for her. She is on top of her game. I don’t know where Zinzi is. She could be fired for all I know and I have no idea. I’m grateful for Thando; Zinzi can be for HR. This best man thing is a lot of work, honestly. 

I arrive at Mthunzi’s house and these men are already drinking with their women. I should have asked to Thando to join us. 

“Hey”, Koena greets me with so much excitement. She’s clearly a happy bride. 

“Hey. You look good.” I tell her.

“Thank you.” Her face then changes to serious all of a sudden. She holds my hand and says, “How are you?” 

I know what she is asking.

“I’m hanging in there.” This is as honest as I can get. 

“It hurts until it doesn’t, you know. But it doesn’t get better. I don’t know how I got over my son’s death. But if you ask me, when you sad, be sad. When you miss her, think about her. When you are feeling emotional, cry. With these feelings, there is no way you can dodge getting through them. Just go through it. But also, when it’s not on your mind, don’t search for it to be. Live and be present. Now that she is not here, it should teach you how to live a lot more.” 

She lost a son. Damn. But she’s also making me emotional now. 

“I’m sorry about your son.” I say. 

She nods her head.

Then we hug. 

After a brief hug, she smiles at me and says, “Please don’t corrupt my husband. He’s not a bachelor anymore. He’s already married.” 

I laugh aloud. 

“Ramaru, how you doing?” Mthunzi comes to us and greets us, giving me a beer. 

“I’m good. Your wife was threatening me.” I say. 

We all laugh. 

Some woman walks up to us. She is wearing one hell of a red dress. She has a nice wig like Koena. And she is WEARING THAT DRESS. She is gorgeous. She has some similarities to Koena, so I can see that they are related. I don’t feel comfortable about commenting on how beautiful Mthunzi’s wife is, but she is. This human is also beautiful. But she is more hot than beautiful. Koena smiles at me and looks at the relative. Damn, Koena is beautiful. 

“Thomas, this is my cousin, Maphito. Maps, this is Thomas, the best man.” Koena introduces us. Mthunzi is all over her, arms around her and kisses all over her. 

“Nice to meet you, Thomas. I’m the maid-of-honour and I look forward to out-doing you with the mother of all Bachelorettes.” Maps says. 

We all laugh. 

“Maybe at some point we can have a collective something before the big day.” I say. 

“You read my mind.” I say. 

The evening is great. People are drinking and we basically have a games night. Maps is cute – very cute. Everyone looks happy with their partners and I just miss my wife. I haven’t had sex in a very long time, but I decide right now that if I’m going to have sex sometime during this wedding, I’d rather tap Maps than Thando. She is not the big-booty girl at all. She is a breast girl – definitely. She is very light-skinned, almost looks mixed race – just like Koena. But Koena is…

Okay, I refrain from talking about Mthunzi’s wife. But the cousin is pretty. She just has a weird body, but she is pretty. I can work with her. 

At 10pm, I catch Mthunzi and Koena having a heated argument with some guy who wasn’t even part of our game night. I walk up to them and I see Maps walking up to them as well.

“Are you sure about this?” Mthunzi asks the guy as he comforts Koena who is balling in tears and crying as if she is in mourning.

“Yes. Look, she didn’t drive the car that hit and killed Mohavi, but she worked with powerful people to make sure that he died, so she could join an organisation that would protect her inside and outside. It’s an organisation run from Tholoana Kingdom and it is referred to as the church. It’s an entire dangerous syndicate that is run by very powerful people. Your son was going to be used for organ trading – 

Koena loses her mind! She actually just walks away from us and throws a file of what I assume to be evidence at this guy telling us all of this. Did he really have to come here and deliver these news right now? Really? 

Maps has run after Koena. I look at Mthunzi. He is focused on what’s being said here. 

“It seems, you and Koena got to Mafikeng and to the hospital before the body could be transported to Tholoana Kingdom. So you were able to just bury the body without his organs being taken out for trading. But that means Keba didn’t achieve the full objective and she is not protected.” This guy continues. 

Koena and Maps are back.

“The church, you said?” Maps.

“Yes.” The guy answers.

“You sure?” Maps. 

Why is she sounding a bit gangster?

The guy nods his head. 

“Is that the evidence that you have gathered?” Maps asks, requesting the file of evidence with her hands.

The guy nods his head handing the file of evidence to Maps. 

“Thanks. That will be all.” Maps. 

Koena and Mthunzi both look at Maps. Maps is beginning to be sexy on top of hot. The guy leaves. Maps looks at the evidence then she looks at Koena and says, “What do you want to do about this?” 

“She must go back to jail and stay out of our lives.” Koena. 

“Just prison?” Maps asks with her eyebrow raised. 

All three of us look at her. 

“I’m just saying… those organs that had to be traded from Mohavi can be extracted from her body – alive even. We don’t have to even kill her. She can be awake and feel it all what she wanted to do to your son.” Is Maps listening to herself right now?

“Maphito, you want me to kill my own sister?” Koena is honestly shocked. Traumatised even. Mthunzi looks cold. I’m concerned about Maps’ state of mind.

“She killed your son. And you want to give her a slap on the wrist for it by sending her back to her natural habitat?” Maps is not real. No ways. 

Koena and Mthunzi look at each other. 

“Leave it to me. The less you know, the better. But Mohavi will get his justice. There’s clearly a reason why I am here. He is fighting from his grave and wena Mme waMohavi, you must open your eyes.” Maps says this then heads outside. 

“What just happened?” Mthunzi.

“She’s harmless. She’d never kill a person. Relax.” Koena defends Maps after what we just saw and heard? Really?

“You sure?” Mthunzi asks and I don’t blame him.

“I don’t know. But I’m going to believe that Keba is going to prison for the rest of her life and that’s the reason why I will never see her again. I’m sticking to that.” Koena says then walks away. 

Mthunzi and I look at each other. 

“Chief, I don’t want to be an accessory to crime.” Mthunzi says. 

“You sound like you married into a family of thugs. At some point, you will be.” I say. 

“Don’t say that. But Maps is a lawyer.” 

“And she did say she is acting alone. So –

“Just like Koena, as far as we know, Keba is going back to prison and she’s dying there and we know nothing.” 

We fist pump then go our separate ways. 

I see Maps by the pool side on her cellphone. I stand a few centimetres away from her and eavesdrop on the call. She pulls me in, but I’m scared that I don’t want to know more about this woman. And I have no intention to because Rofhi made it very clear that she doesn’t want another mommy. So any woman walking this planet just has to meet my smashing criteria. I’m not looking for a wife. 

Maps: “Shaka, get pope in on this if need be. He owes me a favour.” 

…

Maps: “Keba has crossed the line for last fucken time. And take your time with her. We’d rather worry about her burial after the wedding. She’s taken enough from Koena, she’s not taking away her special day too.”

…

Maps: “Good. And Shaka, make sure that she knows that I made the call.” 

What am I hearing?!

At 2am, people are cosy with their partners and I find myself seated next to the pool with Maps. She has her feet in the pool and I am just lying here, balanced on my hands, watching her. 

“Are you also driving down with us to take Koena and I to Mafikeng tomorrow?” 

“I didn’t realise that it was a road trip.” I say. 

We chuckle.

“Well, it’s not. But I’d like it if you did come with us. Imagine being the candle holder for Mthunzi and Koena. Wow.” 

We laugh. I feel her pain. 

“So what do you do, Maps?” I ask her. 

“I’m a corporate attorney.” 

“That sounds fancy.” 

She laughs. 

“It’s more stressful than fancy, honestly. But I’m good at it and I like how highly recommended I come. I have my international experience and I’m comfortable. I’m currently based in the UK, but I am looking to come back now, find something closer to home. My mom is not well. I’m not happy with her living alone. I’m grateful that Koena’s parents now live with her. But I think she needs me, you know.” 

“Well, when you are ready, we can talk. I’d happily hire you at my company.”

“Really?” 

“Yeah, really. Get your brother-in-law to set up a meeting and let’s chat.” 

She smiles. She has a nice smile. She reminds me so much of Lydia. Her body is not as hot as Lydia’s, but her ambition – it’s what I loved about Lydia. Maps has a dangerous streak to her and I have no interest in exploring it further. I like her when I know nothing about the sides she exposed to us earlier this evening.

“Ramaru”, one of the brothers calls out to me. 

I look at him. 

“It’s almost morning and we driving down to the farm together. Let’s crash and head out tomorrow.” He says. 

“Sho.” 

So this is a road trip. 

“A farm? Ey wena, Mafikeng is not a farm.” 

“Ey, that place is a farm. Goodnight.” He says. 

We are left laughing and she is now telling me how they are not from a farm, they just have land and livestock. Listen…