@Ri

pped_
love

#I
ntr
oduct
ion
#i
nser
t1

Wegr ewupsoni cel

yandIwasj ustlikeanyot her
girlbutmysocal l
edsi sterVivianmadesur eIst ood
outbecausemypar ent slovedher ,notonl your
par entsbutever yonel ovedher .ShewasanA
student , l
ookever ythingaboutmysi st erwasj ust
per fect.Ididn'tcareaboutherr eputation, Ijustkept
tomyl anef etchingwat erfrom t heriverlikenor mal
girls,cookingandal l.ImustsayIl ovedmysi ster
than.Thati swhenImetNkosi ,hemademef eell i
ke
aqueen.Wel ovedeachot herandourl ovemadea
reput ationofitsown.Hewast heonl ysonoft he
chiefandi ntheactofl oveIf ellpregnantf orhi m as
wewer eaboutf inishingmat r
ic.Rightt henhi s
fatherdecl aredt hattheyhadchosenmysi stert obe
hiswi f
e.Thatwasl i
keast abwoundt hatcoul d
neverheal ,IbeggedVi viantodecl inet heof f
erbut
noshewast oobigt odecl i
ne.Iwasf orgott
enand
Nkosit ol
dmet omyf acet hatIshoul djustabort.It
hurtalottoanext entthatIjustt ookof f
.Ihikedto
thecityandjustwant edt ofindmysel f
.WhatI
thoughtwoul dbethewor stninemont hsofmyl i
fe
turnedouttobet hebest ,Igotadmi ssi
onanda
bursary.IgavebirthtoNkanyi so.Mysonf i
ll
edal l
thevoidthatIhadmyent i
rel i
fe.Itwashar dbutt he
bursarypaidandIst udiedhar dwhi leIbreastfed.
Today8year slater,Istandal oneasDoct orEnhle
Hlope.

Nurse:Doc,Iknowyouhavetoheadhomebut
doctorRaj
eshi sr
equest
ingf
oryourpr
esence.

Me:YouknowIcan'
tbelat
e,t
henannywil
lchar
ge
medoubleandNkanyi
so'
sschoolf
eesi
sskyhigh.

Rajesh:[
enterswi
thaboxofPi zza]Iwi
lldef
ini
tel
y
pay,whatisthepr
oblem exact
ly?
Me:LookIhatemen, It
hinkyoupeoplear
e
the.
..
..
..
.[
sheenter
edasIwast al
kingandIjust
wantedtopickupthevasonmyt ableandthrowi
t
butIrememberedmyson]

Nur
se:Canwehel
pyouMa'
am?

Rajesh:[wi
peshertear
swhichareal
ready
str
eami ngdown]Takethi
spati
entt
omyof fi
ce,
she
hastor ushhome.

MrsHlope:i
tsbeen8yearsMbal
enhl
e,wedidn'
t
knowwhereorhowyouwer e,
wedidn'
tknowifyou
weredeadorali
ve.I
sthi
showmuchyouhat eus?

Me:[Idi
dn'
twantt ospeakorbreaththesameair
withher
.Iopenedmypur seandt ookoutR1000,
thenthenurse]Putthi
swomanonabust o
anywhereshewant stogo.[
Itookmyhandbagand
rushedoff,Idrovet
omyhouse.Mysonrant
ome
andIwasal r
eadywetwi
tht
ears,
Iwipedmyface]
HelloBoyza.

Nkanyi
so:Happybi
rt
hdayMamami
.

Me:[Ipickedhi
m upanddroppedever
ythi
ng.Nene
camet ohelpme.Igoti
ntothehouseandstar
ted
cooki
ngwi thmyson.]

Nene:Iam of
fnowMadam.

MrsHlophe:[ent
ersfr
om thedoor
]I'
m sor
ryf
or
ever
ythi
ng,Ishouldhavedonebet
ter.

Nkanyi
so:[
holdi
ngontohismot
her]Mommyt here
i
sast r
angeri
nourhouse,
mymot herdoesn'
thave
j
obforyou,aunt
yNeneisokayf
orme.
Me:whenIam r
eadytotalkt
oyouoranyonei
nmy
past
,Iknowwhereyoul
ive.

MrsHlophe:Yoursi
sterhaswombcancerandit
hasspreadtohervi
talpart
s.Shedoesn'
thavea
l
ongtimeont hi
searth,pl
easegoseeher.

Me:l
ikeIsai
dwhenIam goodandr
eady,
Iknow
wher
eyoul i
ve.

Rajesh:Hhabe!Youhavebr aver
yyazi,
youfol
lowed
herhere?Aftereveryt
hingyoudid,
youhavesome
nerveshameyoh.Comi ngupinhereli
kesomehero!
Todaywecel ebratesopleaseusethedoor
,be
qui
ckabouti t.

Me:[
Ijustlaughedbecausehesaidexact
lywhatI
wasthi
nking,heaccompaniedheroutsi
deand
camebackwi thacakeforme]wellt
hisisni
ce.
Rajesh:Mishmish,[
kissi
ngNkanyi
so]howwas
school?Letsseeyourhomeworkandletmommy
cook.

Me:[Iwillnottalkaboutt herel
ationshi
pbetween
RajeshandI ,wear ejustgreatfri
endswi t
hbenefi
ts
somet i
mesbutheknowsIdon' twantanythi
ng
seri
ousbuthi sbeenher eeversinceNkanyisowas
oneandIhat etoadmi titbuttheyresambleeach
other.Theirbehaviouristhesameandi tget
sonmy
nervesattimesbutIdon' twantmysonhavi nga
voidsoIal l
owi tbecausehi stheonlymanmyson
knowsandl ooksupt o.Icookedanddi shedupfor
thethreeofusasusual ]thankyousomuch.

Nkanyi
so:Papa,
whenar
eyoumovi
ngi
n?

Raj
esh:wespokeaboutt
hisKan,
remember
?

Nkanyi
so:Ot
herki
dssayt
hei
rfat
her
sbr
usht
eet
h
wit
hthem andbat
hwi
tht
hem,howcomeyoudon'
t
dothatwi
thme?Doyoul
ovemepapa?

Raj
esh:[
pickshi
m upqui ckl
y]Il
oveyoumorethanI
l
oveyourmother,
Ididn'tknowthatyouwant
edus
t
obrusht
eethandbat htogether
.Whatel
sedoyou
wantustodotogether?

Nkanyi
so:t
akemet
oschoolandhol
dmybag.

Raj
esh:f
ir
stt
hingt
omor
rowmor
ning.

Nkanyi
so:[
exci
ted]Yeyyyipapai
ssl
eepi
ngover
.

Me:[hewasexci t
edt hatIdidn'twantt
obursthis
bubble]nohisnotsleepingover ,
youtwoaregoing
toDaddy'shouse,ri
ght?[ hi
sexcitementj
ust
i
ncreased]eatupandl etsgetyourbags.[weate
toget
herandbeforeweknewi tNkanyi
sowasf ast
asl
eepandwewer
ewashi
ngdi
shes]

Rajesh:whatdoyouthink?Imeant
heyar
egoi
ngt
o
keepcomingf oryou.

Me:Idon'
tknowbutt
helastt
hingIneedi
sa
cust
odybatt
lef
orNkanyi
so.

Raj
esh:Overmyr
ott
endeadbody,
noonei
staki
ng
myson.

Me:Nkosicanj
ustputusi
nacor
nerorevenki
dnap
hi
m.

Raj
esh:Idon'
twanttohearthatMbal enhle,
noone
i
staki
ngMi shmish,IknowmostAf ri
cansthinkt
hat
wecamef r
om Somal i
aandCol ombia,Russiato
st
ealbutasamanwhoi shalfzuluandhal f
Col
ombian.Iwil
lnotbebull
iedf oranyreason,who
thehelli
sNkosi?Don'
ttel
lmeaboutsomevi
ll
age
boy.Nx!Inf
actHappyBirt
hdayBaby,
mysonandI
areleavi
ng.

Me:HoawBaba!Aski esBaba.[hisfacehadturned
bloodr ed,hewenttoNkanyiso'
sroom, pi
ckedhi s
clothes,thencamebackandpi ckedhim.Theyj ust
l
ef tandIf oundmysel
flaughingtodeathbecause
hisaCol ombi anmanwithaZul uman'satt
it
ude.
After30mi ns,myphonerang]Ididn'tmeanitl
ike
thatbaba, sorry.

Raj
esh:If
orgotmyson'
sschoolshoes,
Iwi
llpi
ck
t
hem upinthemorni
ng.Thanksbye.

Me:Okay.[Ihungupandwentt otakealongf oam

bath.AsIcameout ,
Ihear dsomeonehootingatmy
gateandIsawi tclearl
ylikeit
sabaddr eam.My
dad'svan.Idri
edmyhai randcalmlywentout si
de
wit
ht heremote.Iopenedandt heydr
oveinside.
Nkosi'ssi
stergotoffthebackoft hevanwithVi vi
an
whowasthinnerthanmost
,shesmel
tli
kedeat
h.I
openedmyfrontdoorandwel
l,
mydad,uncl
ewere
l
ookingar
ound]pleaset
akeaseat
.

Heruncl
e:t
hisi
syourhouse?

Me:YeboMal
ume,
justboughti
tlastmont
h.

MrHlophe:whatdoyoudo?Ar
eyouapr
ost
it
ute
l
ikepeopl
esay?

Me:[
Ipoi
ntedatmygraduat
ioncert
if
icate]Iam now
Doct
orEnhl
eHlophe,
Godhasr eal
lyfavouredme.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t2

Theykeptl
ooki
ngatmygr
aduat
ionpi
ctur
esi
n
disbel
ieve,forsomewonder f
ulreasonIwasj ust
calm.Alltheangerj ustdisappeared,li
kei twasal l
gone.Itwasl atesoIshowedt hem t
heguestr ooms
andmadesomef oodt oeat.Iwenttosl eepandt he
nextmor ningIwokeupt oRajesharguingwi th
someonei nt hecor r
idor.Iwentoutofmyr oom and
i
twasNkosi 'ssister
,thankGodNkanyi sowasnot
onsite.Hewenti ntoNkanyiso'sroom andl ocated
theshoes.ThenashegotoutNkosi 'ssisteragai n.

Rajesh:I
tspai
nfultoseeachickenthinkingt
hati
ts
abird,l
ookatthi
sroundthinginmyway.Babeswe
arehereforbr
eakfastasusualbutIthinkyouare
ful
lybooked.

Me:Baba,
Iwokeupl
ate.Wher
eisNkanyi
so?

Rajesh:I
tsf
ine,wewi
llpassMcdonal
ds.Shoul
dI
getyouanythi
ng?
Me:I
'
m goi
ngt
obeokay,
Ihaveani
ghtshi
ftt
oday.

Raj
esh:CooloursonandIwi
llcont
inuet
obond,
cal
lyoulat
er.

Me:[mypar ent
s,uncl
eappearedandthemandidn'
t
care.Hegavemeaki ssofmyl i
feandIdidn'
tbl
ame
him becausewellhewasangry.Helef
tandI
remainedwithangryfaces]Mor
ning.

Heruncle:outofal
lthemenyoucoul
dseeyou
chosethatone?

Me:Wit
hal
lduerespect
,thati
snottheel
ephanti
n
t
heroom.Whatseemstobet hepr
oblem?

Vi
vian:You'
vedonewel
lforyour
self
,thi
sisgreat
er
t
hanme.Youhaveeverythi
ngIdream about
.
Me:LookatGod, whowouldhavethoughttheki
d
whoneverhadchr i
stmasclot
heswouldenduphere?
OnlyGod.I
twasn'teasybutIwouldlovef
oryouto
tr
yandrespectthatmanbecausewhenIhadno
oneanddidnotevenaf f
ordananny,hechi
ppedin.
Hebabysetformeandgavemeachanceat
passi
ngmyexamspr operl
y.

MrsHlophe:don'
tactli
keyouwerenotpayi
nghi
m
wi
thyourbody,al
lthesethi
ngscamewith
pr
ost
it
utionmoneysodon' tbesopr
oudofyour
wi
ngs.

Me:Cal lRaj
eshwhat everyouwant,saywhat ever
youwantabouthi m butyouseet hatman, heis
wor t
hmor etomet hanallofyouputt oget
her.Why
areyouher eexact
ly?IheardthatNkosiisnowt he
chiefandyoupeopl earewildl
yblessed.

Vi
vian:Idon'tknowwhatyouar
edoingwithyour
l
if
ebutIj ustwantedt
osaysorr
yforthehopeIst
ole
f
rom youwit
hmyselfi
shness.Iam sor
ryandIdon'
t
wanttodi
ewitht
hatonmychest .

Me:[Ijustfoundmyselfintear
sbecauseInever
thoughtshewoul deversaythat.Ijusthada
momentofsi l
encewithmyselfthenNkosiappear ed,
thesixpackhadt ur
nedt o28packs, hewas
growingbold,thegl
oryofhim hadgone.Il aughed
atmysel f
,sothisi
swhatIwant edt ohaveat25
yearsofage?Babeyoudi dgoodf oryourself,now
thatIam grownIcouldnoti maginefarml i
f eand
mysongr owingupthere.Il
aughedunt ilIcouldn'
t
breath.Ical
medmysel fdownandNenear rived]
Chocho.

Nene:Chomi
,whendi
dthehousebecauseaf
ull
one?

Me:l
astni
ght
,sor
ryi
tssoci
etyday.
Nene:Ja,
howam Igoi
ngt
ohostt
hosegr
eedy
women?

Me:Idon'
tknowbutNkanyi
soisspendingt
heni
ght
wit
hhisfat
hersoyoumightaswellt
hrowahouse
par
tyaslongasyoudon'
tburnthi
shousedown.

Nene:HoawMadam,
yaziwenaneh.Yourt
hebest
.

Nkosi
:Youdon'
tgi
veser
vant
ssuchpr
ivi
ll
ages,
t
herei
snosuchthi
ng.

Mr sHlophe:Youdon' tt
ellmydaughterwhatt odo.
[openingthefri
dge]Mydaught erhascheeseand
ham, russi
an,polony,vi
enna.Whenam Imovi ngin?
Jakuzzi,fl
atscreentv.I
tsnotabadt hingtotake
yourmot hershoppingjustoncei nt
hisli
fe.Isaw
thiscouches,Icouldseet hem atmyhouse.
Me:Ineedt
ogetsomesl
eep,
Iam onni
ghtshi
ft
.

Raj
esh:[
ir
ri
tat
ed]Yazingi
yam'
ki
phaMamakhe.

Me:Baba,whathappened?Thi
siswhyIdi
dn'
twant
yout
akinghimtoschool.

Rajesh:Noonewi ll
tel
lmysont hathi
sbraini
s
empt y,mysonwi llnotbef
orcedintopl
ayingany
sport.Heisinterestedinbui
ldi
ngt hi
ngs,myson
couldtakethistelevisi
onapartandputitback
togethernoprobl em.

Me:theyar
ejustt
ryi
ngt
ogett
ohi
sst
rengt
hs,
you
needtobese.
..
.

Rajesh:Seri
ousismetaki
nghimtoaschoolt
hat
all
owsmysont opl
ayhocky,
swim anddothi
ngs
thatmotivat
ehim.
Me:It
hinkweneedtochangeourpar
ent
ingpl
an,
weneedtoteachhi
m howtorun.

Rajesh:Hi
sfatherdoesn'trun,whyshouldmyson
beforcedtorun?Andt heirmathsteacher,It
ellyou
thi
s,ifheasmuchasbeat smyson.Iwi llswall
ow
him.Mysoni s8,hisstil
ltryi
ngtofi
gureoutwhohe
i
s.Heneedst obeencour agednotputdown.

Me:Mishmish,
wil
lsur
vive.Letmemakeyou
br
eakf
ast.

Raj
esh:Br
eakf
astwoul
dbegr
eat
.

Me:PapandMas?

Raj
esh:Womanaft
ermyheart,
lastni
ghtFat
her
br
oughtagi
rlt
othehouseandmysondi dnot
di
sappoi
nt,
hebani
shedt
hem f
rom myhouse.

Me:Youar eteachi
ngMi shmi sht
obenaughty,t
he
otherdayIhadaconsultationandthemanwas
abouttobuymel unch.Butyoursonwaslike,
'an
thanwena,areyoulost?
' putsomemannersinhim.

Nkosi
:Soyoujustwal
kedi
nher
eanddi
dn'
teven
gr
eet?Thi
sfor
eigner
.
Raj
esh:Yohbaby,
who'
sthi
sol
dman?

Me:[Ifel
tli
kel
aughing]thi
sischiefNkosi,
my
si
ster'
shusband.Thatismyf at
her,mother,
uncl
e
andhisNkosi'
ssist
er.

Raj
esh:I'
m sorr
ybutIki
ndaexpect
edthesocall
ed
Nkosit
obecompet i
ti
onatl
eastbutcl
earl
yther
eis
not
hinghere.
Nkosi
:WHAT!

Me:[Idon'tknowisyourf i
rstl
ovesupposedt ohave
aholdonyou?Wel lNkosihasahol donme, his
react
iontookmewaybackandmademel ostin
thought
.WhenIcamebackVi vianwasont he
groundvomi tt
ingblood.IwantedtosaydieB* *
**
butshe'smyonl yevilperf
ectsist
er.
]whatexactlyi
s
happeningtoyou, areyoutaki
ngt r
eatmentli
ke
cancertreat
ment ?

MrHlophe:wecan'
taff
ordi
t,wehavetri
edtoget
hersomethi
ngbutal
lamountstonot
hing.

Me:Baba,
canyou?Pl
ease.

Rajesh:[
goesoutandcomesbackwi
thhi
skit
.Then
Nkosistandsi
nhisway]Doyouwantmetohel
p
yourwifeornot
?Sir?
Me:Nkosipl
ease,
Raj eshi
saspeci
ali
st.Heact
ual
ly
knowsmorethanallofusher
eputtogether
.

Rajesh:[
examinesVivi
anandtakessomenotes]
thi
sisverystr
ange,bri
nghertothehospi
tal
becausethisi
snotwhatitseems.

Me:whatdoyoumean?

Raj esh:shedoesn'thavecancer,what evert hisis,

i
t snotcancerbutsomet hingelse.[looksar oundat
thepeopl eintheroom whoar elookingdowni n
shame]Iwi l
lhavemysonunt ilfurthernotice.Lady
youneedahospi talbecauseti
mei snotreal lyon
yoursi de.Thesooneryougett estedt hebet ter.
[stormsout ]

Me:whati
seat
ingyouVi
vian?Mma?Baba?
Mal
ume?
Nkosi
:[t
earsfor
minginhiseyes]
Ineedtogetsome
t
hingsdone,Iwil
lcheckyoul
ater
.[l
eaves]

Nkosi
'
ssi
ster
:IsyourNkanyi
somybr
other
'sson?

Me:[Ichuckl
edandl
aughed]Idonotwantt
otal
k
aboutit
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t3

Idon'tknowwhati sundert hesur facebutIknew

thatsomet hingbiggert hanmehadcomef orVivi
an.
Itwassadt oheart hatshei sact uallybarr
enand
theyhavegonet oandf rolookingf orachi l
dbutto
noavai l
.Somewi tchdoct orgavet hem medsand
she'sbeensi ckeversi nce.Ijustl eftthem t
hereand
wentt osleepinmyr oom.Idon' tknowwhyIhave
suchagoodhear t, thewomanwhot ookeveryt
hing
awayf rom me, If
el tsorryfor.Ilockedmysel fi
na
room andprayedunti
lmyvoicecoul
dnotcomeout
anymore.Isleptonmykneesandwokeupt omy
workalar
m.It ookashowerandprepar
edforwork.
Onmywayoutshecal ledmeandtheroom was
i
ntense.

Me:weshoul
dgetyoutothehospital
,Iwi
llt
ryt
o
f
igur
esomethi
ngouttopaythebil
ls.

Vivi
an:IknowIdon'
thavemuchtimeonthisear
th
andIknowwehaven'tbeenthebestofsi
ster
sbutI
needyout odot
hisonethi
ngforme.

Me:[myhairj
ustst
oodandIhadgoosebumps]
whatisi
t?

Vi
vian:Pl
easehaveachi
ldf
orme.

Me:[
Ichockedandcoughed]what
?
Vi
vian:Iwantyout
omarrymyhusbandandbui
ld
wi
thhim.Pleasegi
vehi
m achance.

Me:yourhusbandal
readyhasachil
dandawi fe
whoneedstreat
ment.Yourgoi
ngtobejustf
ine.

Vi
vian:Pl
easet
akecar
eofNkosif
orme,
please.

Me:ift
hat'
swhatitt
akest
ogetyoutoahospi
tal
,[
I
cal
ledmycoll
eagueswhoarr
ivedt
ofet
chher]get
bet
terpl
ease.

Vi
vian:Pr
omi
semeyouwi
llt
akecar
eofNkosi
?

Me:Promisemeyouwi llgetbett
er?[t
heytookher
andIdrovetowor k.AsIgottowor k,Imisseda
stepandfel
ttheedget ocry.Ijustf
eltsad,my
phonerangfrom emergency]
Nurse:Doct
orEnhl
e,canyour
usht
oemer
gency
pl
ease.

Me:[Ir
ushedoverther
eandmymot herhadfai
nted,
Nkosil
ookedshutt
ered,t
ear
sfor
ming]what'
sgoing
onhere?

Nur
se:Shedi
dn'
tmakeit,t
hemi
nut
eshegotoft
he
ambul
anceshepassed.

Me:[
Isetonthebanchanddidn'tknowwhatt
odo
orwhatt
otouch]Butshepr
omi sed?

Itwasthesaddestnewsever ,Ijustf
eltnumbandI
thinkpassedoutbecauseIwokeupt ot heNene
givingmeaglassofwat erwhi chhadsugar .Iwept
onhershoulder,i
thurtbit
terly.JustwhenIt hought
wewoul dbuil
dar el
ati
onshi p,shepasses.Icalled
HRandgotl eaveimmedi ately.Nenedr oveme
homeandIj ustsetstaringatt het elevisi
onstand.
Everyonehadgonet omyvi llage,herbodywas
goingt obet r
anspor t
edhome.Shehast obebur i
ed
l
ikeaRoyalmember .Icoul dn'tall
owmysonsee
met hatway, sowhenRaj eshcameIdi dn'
tevencry.
Itoldhim aboutgoinghomeandwef oughtinthe
mosti ntenseway.Thenhej ustleft,Itookmyson
andpackedsomecl othes.Isentamessaget ohis
school,Idrove6hour sandmysonwasal readyfast
asleep.Whenwegott othevi ll
aget hehousewas
fi
ll
edwi thpeople,IsawNkosi '
smot herandt hatjust
mademyst omacht oturn.Hi sfathergavemea
smi l
ewhi chIdisr
egar ded.Iwenti ntot hehouseand
setont hecouch.Mysonl aidonmyt highs.

Heraunt
:wenevert
houghtwe'
dseeyouher
eagai
n.
Shereal
lymi
ssedhavi
ngyouaround.

Me:Idon'
tknow,
Iguesst
hisi
sagoodbyeIdi
dn'
t
expect
.
Nkosi
'
saunt
:Thi
sisahugesur
pri
se,
hissogr
own.

Me:whatt
imei
sthef
uner
al?

Herseconduncl
e:Youhat
edhert
hatmuch?

Me:Iwasangr ybutIneverhat
edmysister.Nkosi
madehi schoiceanditwasn'tme.I
thurtthenbutif
thatdi
dn'thappen.Iwouldn'
thavesuchagr eatl
if
e
now.

Nkosi
'saunt:what
'sgreataboutyourli
fe?Youar
e
25andwithoutahusbandoraboyf ri
endatl
east
.

Nkosi:Thi
sisn'
ttheti
me,pl
ease.Mywi f
eisnoti
n
thegroundyetandyoupeopleareattacki
ngher
sist
er.Can'
tyoujustbequi
etjustt
hisonce.
Nkanyi
so:Mommy,
canIcal
ldaddy?

Nkosi:i
fitmakesanydi f
ferenceIam sor
ryf
orwhat
happenedint hepast,
foreveryt
hingt
hatyouwent
thr
oughr ai
singhim al
one.

Me:[
Istoodupwi t
hmysonandwentt othecar.I
vi
deocall
edRaj esh.Hecouldn'tevenfacemeor
sayt
wowor dstome.Igavet hem privacyandwent
i
ntotheyard.TheEl der
swereseat ed,theyasked
metoseat]what sthisabout
?

Elder:asyouknowthatyoursi
sterdi
dnothavea
childforNkosi
,heneedsasuccessor.Yourf
ather
hasgivenusper mi
ssiontocomepayyourbr i
de
price.

Me:[Ij
ustfel
tangryinst
antly]Iam notsomeyo-yo
youcanjusttossaround.Ialreadyhadachi
ldfor
thi
sanimalandwher edidthatleadme?He
di
scardedofmel
ikeIwasnothing.Li
keIwasa
mist
akeandnowhetalksaboutasuccessor
?
Real
ly?

Nkosi
'
sfather
:Thesuccessorofmysonneedsto
comeoutofmarri
agenotwedlock.Wewi
llpayyour
bri
depri
cethi
scomingweekend.

MrHlophe:Youpromi
sedyoursi
steronherdeat
h
bed,
areyougoingtol
etherdown?

Me:hellwi
llhavetofr
eezeoverbef
oreIt
hinkof
anyt
hingli
kemar r
yingNkosi
.

Nkosi:Youaremylasthope,Ibegyou.Ihur
tyou
butIam wil
li
ngtocorr
ectthatplease.

Me:Theansweri
sandwi
llal
waysbeNo.
Thewhol er oom j ustbecamet ense.Ist oodupand
l
eft.Timej ustflewandwebur i
edmysi ster.Itwas
sopeacef ulyetpeopl ehadt oomanyopi nionsof
mysi ster.Whenwecamef r
om t hegr avesidemy
sonwasnoti nsidemycar .Isearchedt hrought he
crowdandcoul dn'tfi
ndhi m.Myhear tj
ustwant ed
toleavemychest ,Isearchedever ywher eanddi dn't
wantt ocal lRaj eshbecausehedi dn'twanthi m
comi ngher eint hef i
rstpl
ace.Af terar eallylong
ti
me, somechi efguar dpersonar r
ivedwi t
hmyson
whowasscr eami ng.Icouldn'tevencal m hi m down,
hewasscr eami ngsol oudpeopl est art
edt ost are.I
couldn'tdoanyt hing.Hecr i
edunt ilhehadhi ccups, I
couldn'tstillcalm hi m down.Ical l
edRaj eshand
all
owedt hem t ot alkalone.Afteragood40mi ns, I
tookt hephoneandhewascur singi nhi slanguage
whilehitt
ingsomet hi
ng.Thenhej usthung, Nkosi
cameovert owher eIwasst anding.

Nkosi
:I'
m sor
rybuti
thadt
obedone.
Me:Hewon'tevent
ellmewhathappened?What
exact
lydi
dyoudotomyson?

Nkosi
:Theywant
edt
obesur
ethathi
sreal
lymi
ne,
t
heytookhimtot
heseer
.

Me:somethingneverchangeandyouexpectmeto
j
ustfal
lint
oyourar msli
kethis?Doyouknowthat
onecal
ltohisfatherandRajeshcoul
dshutdown
thi
senti
rehellwhole.

Nkosi:isthatwhyyounevergavehi m achance?I
s
thatwhyhi sasidepl
atetoyou?Noyouknowwhy
becausemeandyouar ef orever.Thi
sisfate
speakingonourbehalf,youl ovemeandt hesooner
yourealisethatt
hebett
erf orus.Wehaveaf ut
ure
toget
her .

Me:[
ashewastaki
ngallIcoul
dthi
nkaboutwas
howmuchIl
oveRajesh,hehasbecomemysource
ofst
rength.Il
aughedsohardthatpeopl
est
ared
maki
nghi m embarr
assed]Ihavenowordsf
oryour
st
upidi
ty.Longli
veidi
ot.

Nkosi
:Fi
ght
ingonl
ymeanst
hatyoul
oveme.

Me:yousee, youcanputmei nanycageofyour

choicebutmyhear twil
lneverbeyours.Idon'
teat
l
eftovers,
yousi rareabadl ef
tover.Youlookli
ke
mygr anddadol derthanmyf ather
.Iwouldrat
herbe
ti
edt oatreethanbest uckwithsomethingli
keyou.

Nkosi
:Wecl
ear
lyhavet
opol
ishyourmanner
s.

Me:youarefat
,unat
tr
act
iveandar
rogent
,ir
ri
tat
ing.
Looki
ngatyouispai
nful
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t4
Ast hedaypr ogressed,mysondi dn'twantt ol eave
thecarforanyr easonandthewor stpar tishedi dn'
t
tal
khewasj ustterri
fi
edwhil
et hi
sol dmanwas
hit
ti
ngonme.Ar ound8am peoplest artedleavi ng
andIwasr eadytogetoutofthereunt ilthedr ama
queencol l
apsedbecauseofgr ieve.Itookmyki t
andhi tt
hegr oundr unni
ngwhichr oseal otofeyes.
Myauntwassmi li
ngsohard,itwaspai nfulto
watch.Ibroughtherbackandbeggedhert obe
calm.

Me:Pleasesetanalarm,youarecl
earl
ynottaki
ng
yourpil
lsser
iousl
y,t
hatcouldbedangerous.

Nkosi
'
sMot
her
:whendi
dyoubecameadoct
or?

Me:Igotmypaper slastyearandgraduated.Pl
ease
takeyourtr
eatmentserious,
yourBPiswayt oohigh
atthi
srate,ahear
tattackcouldhappenfast.
Nkosi'
sMother
:[li
ghtheaded]whendidyou
becomeamedi caldoct
or?Thisisimpressi
ve,
is
thatwhyIf
eelpainsinmyhear tatt
imes?

Me:thatcouldbesomethingelseli
ket
hewat ert
hat
yourbodyisnotgett
ing,
layoffteaandIassureyou.
Youwi l
lli
vehealt
hyenoughtochaseyour
grandchi
ldren.

Nkosi'
sMot
her:doest
hismeanyouar
eagr
eei
ngt
o
marrymyson?

Me:Yoursonhasnot
hingt
odowi
thmydeci
sion.

Nkosi
:Iam wor
kingoni
t.

Me:[
thi
smanwasjusti
rr
it
ati
ngme, Iheardmyson
l
aughi
ngsol
oudandrushedout
side.Rajeshhad
cometomyver ypoorvil
lagewit
hawhole
l
ambor ghi
ni.Iwantedtohide,
thi
smanmar a.We
madeeyecont actandIcouldtel
lthi
swasnota
fr
iendl
yvisi
t.]Baba.

Rajesh:Hel l
oEnhl e,Icamet ofet
chmysonandI
noti
cedhehasnotbeenbat hed.Whyexactl
ydid
youl eavehim alone?YouknowhowIf eelabout
yourpeopl e,Ij
ustexami nedhim andheis
compet elyterr
if
ied.Youar eareall
ywonderful
mot her,pl
easelett hi
snothappenagaininfuture.

Me:what '
swit
htheLambor
ghi
ni?Theinst
all
ments
wil
lleaveyoui
nashackneart
heriver
.Youknow
r
ight?

Raj
esh:I
fitmakesmysont
hatexci
ted,
Iwi
lldi
eini
t.

Me:I
'
m sor
ryabouthowIspoket
oyou,
I..
..
.
Nkosi
:Ohyourher
e?Iguessshehast
oldyout
he
goodnews.

Me:[helookedatmeandIwhi sper
ednottr
ue.In
the7yearsIhaveknown,JeshIhavenevermade
himthisangryandthi
swasgoi ngtomakeitworse.
]
Thisfooli
stryi
ngtomarrymebyf orce,
whatam I
16?ifyoudon'tmind,
excuseus.

Nkosi:ther
ei snousbet weenyoupeopl
e,youdon't
l
ovehi m.Hei sjustasubsti
tudet
hatisnolonger
needed.Youshoul dgetgoi
ng.Wearegett
ing
marri
ed, sojustjeckoff.

Rajesh:[composedwit
hast r
aightf
ace]You
actuall
ythinkIcar
e?Marryeachotherifyouso
pleasebutkeepmysonoutoft hiswhateverof
yours.Iam sureyouar
enottodumbt ounderst
and
that.Iam taki
ngmyson,Enhle.
Nkosi
:Hei
smysonnotyour
s.

Rajesh:[
chuckles]i
sthi
smanokay?Li keareyou
soundmi nded?OhIf or
gotyouhavereached
menopause.ListenMadala,Iam t
aki
ngmysonand
therei
snothingyoucandot ostopme.

Me:[indeedhecouldnotdi
sgr
acehimselfi
nfr
ontof
hisservant
s.Rajeshl
eftwi
thNkanyi
sonohustles.I
wentbacki nt
othehouseandtookaglassofwater,
i
tbotheredme.Imeanwhatdoeshemeanbyhe
doesn'tcar
e?Ididn'
tknowIwaszonedoutuntil
someonet ouchedme,Iscr
eamedbecauseitgot
meof fguard.
]

Heraunt
:Aski
es,
Ididn'tmeantoscar
eyou.I
tsj
ust
t
hatyou'
vebeenher
ef orever
.

Me:sor
ry.[
Iwashedmyhandsandwentt
osi
ton
t
hegrassoutsi
de]
Nkosi
'
ssist
er:[
sit
sbesideher]youhatemybr
other
t
hatmuch?Yougaveyoursont oget
hert
oa
f
orei
gner
?Isthattheheightofi
t?

Me:lookatyourbr ot
her ,
underhi
m Isuf focate.He
i
sclearlynotwhatIthoughthewast han, hat
ei sa
str
ongt hi
ngbuthedi sgustsme.Looki ngathi m
makesmef eeluncomf ort
abl
e,hi
segocaneatt hi
s
enti
revill
age.Heisthickheaded,insensi
tiveandhis
thebiggestidi
otwhichIcan'tbel
ieveIoncel oved.
That'
sgonenow.

Nkosi
'
ssi
ster
:sot
her
eisnoat
om off
eel
ingf
orhi
m?

Me:No,Ij
ustfeel
sorr
ythatmysi
sterwasst
uck
wi
thhimforsuchalongti
me.

Nkosi
'ssi
ster
:Youknowhecanchange,r
ightnow
heiski
ndoftensebecauseoft
hewhol
echiefthi
ng
buthe.
..
..
.

Me:Iwoul
drat
herbet
iedt
oat
reet
hanbewi
thyour
br
other
.

Nene:[
arr
ives]I
'
m sor
rydear
,thebust
ookf
orever
.

Me:[
tear
sjustfor
med,Ist
oodupf
rom t
hegr
ass]
f
inal
lyafr
iendl
yface.

Nene:what
'st
heset
ear
sIsee?

Me:Hussai
n.

Nene:Idon'tknowwhyyout wocan'tj
ustadmi
t
whateveryonei sseei
ng.Hewillcomearoundf
or
t
hesakeofDi ego.Hewillcomearound.
Me:Nott histime,Nkositoldhi
mt hatwearegett
ing
mar r
ied.Everyonehasagr eedl
ikeIam somebagof
potatoes.Plustheytookhissontosomeseerf or
reasonsbestknownt othem.

Nene:Iguesst
heydon'
tknow,
dot
hey?

Nkosi
:Knowwhat
?

Nene:Nkanyi
soDiegoisnotyoursonsi
r,i
fyoul
ove
yourfr
eedom donotgonearhim.

Nkosi
:youar
etel
li
ngmenonsense.

Nene:Ifyouasmuchast rytodoanythingli
ket
ake
him ortouchhimf or
ceful
ly.Thewholecolombi
an
poli
cewi l
lshutyoudown.Theywi l
llockyouupand
for
getyourexistance.Foryoufamil
ywhodepend
onyoudon' tt
ryit.
Nkosi
:HOW DOYOUGI
VETHATFOREI
GNERSUCH
RI
GHTS!?OVERMYSON!

Me:WELLMRSMARTI EPANTS, WHILEYOUWERE

BUSYONTOPOFMYSI STER,
THATMANWAS
RAISI
NGYOURSONMAKI NGSURETHATWE
HAVEAROOFOVEROURHEADS.YOUHAVENO
RIGHTTOBLAMEMEANDYOUKNOW WHATMY
SONISBETTEROFFWI THOUTYOU.YOUARE
ARROGENT, STUPI
D,THI CKHEADED,FATAND
SLOW.GROW UPNKOSI YETHU!THEWORLD
DOESN'TREVOLVEAROUNDYOU.[ Nenet ri
edto
holdmeoffbutIwasn'
tabouttobebull
ied]IAM
TIREDOFBEI NGBULLIEDBYYOUORMY
PARENTS.UNLIKEYOURFAMI LYORYOU,
EVERYONEHERE.IWENTTOTHEHUSSAI N
HOUSEANDHI SMOTHERGAVEMEASHOULDER
TOCRYON, THEYGAVEMEAWARM WELCOME.
ANDALLTHI STIMEIWASAFRAI D,IWASAFRAI D
THATHEMI GHTLEAVEUSWHI LEHEDI DHI S
BESTTOPROVI DEANDMAKESURETHATWE
NEVERLACKED.SOYOUKNOW WHAT
NKOSIYETHU, GOTOHELLANDBURN![ t
ear
ing]
Nenegetinsi
dethecar
,wear
eleavi
ng.

Nkosi
:[ashamedwi t
hpeoplest
ari
ng]Youshouldn'
t
dr
ivel
ikethis,
pleaseyouneedtoat
leastcal
m down.

Me:Youpeoplenevercar
ed,takeyourcareand
shavei
t!WHERETHESUNNEVERSHI NES![Igot
i
ntomycarwithNene.Wej ustdroveoffandItr
ied
cal
li
ngJesh.Hewashangi nguponme]
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t5

Ther idewasreall
ylonger,
wewer est uckintraf
fi
c
forabout3hour s.Wegothomef i
nallyandIkept
call
inghim.Ipacedar oundtryi
ngtogat her
boldnesstospeakt ohim.Itooksleepingpil
lsand
slept.Thenextday,Iwokeupanddr essedup.I
drovetot heHussainhousebecauset heyhavea
familylunchevery7days.AsIar r
ived,Inot
iced
therewasawomani nsidet
hehouse.Shecame
from Jesh'sroom asifshehadbeent heref
orever
.I
tookdeepbr eathes,
Jesh'smothercalledustothe
l
ivingroom.

MrsHussain:I
ttooksomeconvi ncedmysontoget
marr
ied.Thi
sisJulia,
theladywechoseforhi
m.
Pl
easehelphim underst
and,Iknowhewouldnot
l
oseatti
tudewhenyouar ehear.

Me:[ myheartwasbreakingi
nami ll
ion-
zil
li
on
piecesatthatmoment]wehadaf i
ghtaboutDiego'
s
school,hewasthreat
eningtotakehim out
.

Juli
a:her eall
ylovesyoursonbutIguesswhenI
fi
nall
yfallpregnantforhi
m, i
twil
lallcomet
oget
her
.
Hewi l
lnotf eelt
hatvoidanymore.Hecanfi
nal
ly
havehisownchi l
dyouknow.
MrHussai
n:Youshoul
dhavet
oldmeyouwere
comi
ng,ourf
avour
it
eshowisontv.Come.

Me:[Ij
ustt ookthatt i
cketbutonlythet el
evision
waswat chingme.Af terabouttwohour s,Nkanyi so
rantomeandIpi ckedhim up.Thent heysai dt he
l
unchandIst arteddishingupmyf avourit
et hing,
theminuteIpl aceditinmymout h.Itallwant edto
j
ustcomeback, Irantothebathroom andasIcame
backhest oodi nthecor ri
dorandbl ockedmyway]I
am fi
ne.

Raj
esh:Mma'
wam,I
FYOUEVERDRIVEUNDER
EMOTIONSAGAI
N,IWI
LLCOMPLETELYLOOSEI
T
ONYOU!YOUGETME?

Me:Congrat
ulat
ionsonyourmar
ri
age,
Idon'
tfeel
sogood.Ishoul
dheadhome.
Raj
esh:At
leasthaveluncht
henyoucango
wher
everyouwa...
..

Me:[Irushedbackintot
hebathroom andjust
vomitt
ed.Hegoti nt
othebathr
oom withme, the
angerhaddisappearedfast
,hewascal m,cooland
col
lect
ed.Islowlygotup]I'
mfinereal
ly.

Raj
esh:[t
earsforming]youneedtoseeadoctor
,
i
mmedi at
ely.Iam t
akingyouther
erightnow.

Me:Sheneedsyouher
e,Iwi
llbef
ine.

Raj
esh:ever
ythi
ngIeverwishedfor
,ever
ythingI
wantandneedisri
ghtbeforeme.Thepainfult
hing
i
slovi
ngsomeoneinsilence,i
tshar
derwhent he
per
sonkeepsshutt
ingyoudown.Iwi l
lst
ayandyou
cango.
Me:shei
sverybeautif
ulanddeser
vestohavea
l
oyalman.Youragreatmanandeveryt
hinga
womanwishesfor.Ihadmychanceandblewit
,
nowit
sti
mef oryoutobeloved.

MrsHussai
n:That
'sver
ytr
ue.Someoneseesmy
poi
nt.

Raj
esh:Ican'
tli
stent
othi
sri
ghtnow.

Wewentoutandhadl unch, Iateothert hi

ngs.
Rajeshl ef
tandcamebackdr unk,sodr unkt hatI
haveeverseenhi m.Nkanyi sowassl eeping, Jul
ia
couldnotevenst andt hesi t
eofhi sdr unkness.The
mansatout si
deont hepavement .Itwasver y
brutalthanIhaveeverseenhi m.Igavehi m
sleepingpil
lsandhushedhi m aswegoti ntot he
house.Ihel dhim cl
oseandal lwehadwaseach
other.Ireal
izedthatImessedhi m up.Hewr apped
hisarmsar oundmesot ightlikeheknewIwant ed
toescape.Ij ustf
ellasleepint hatposi t
ion.Iwoke
upthenextdayandhewasstari
ngatme.Idi
dn'
t
knowwhattosayorhowt osayi
t.Ir
emai
nedinhi
s
embraceandsaidnot
hing.

Raj
esh:Ipr
omi
sedt
owai
tandIwi
llwai
teveni
fit
ki
ll
sme.

Me:Iwasaf r
aidofbei nghappy,af
raidthat
someonecouldj ustacceptmeandl ovemet heway
youhave.Iguesswhenyout oldmet hatyoudon'
t
care,
itmademer eal
izejusthowmuchIam i na
cage.ThepainjustcagedmeandIhavi ngbeen
l
ivi
nginthathurt.

Raj
esh:Iboughtyouapregnancyt
est
,let
'sgoi
nto
t
heen-sui
tanddot hi
sthi
ng.

Me:[wegotof ft
hebedandInevouslypeedont
he
st
icks.Theyjustcamebacknegati
ve]t
herei
s
nothi
ngwr ongwithme,Iam f
ine.
Raj
esh:Ineedtoapol
ogi
zetoJuli
a,shemustt
hinkI
am amonsterpl
usthepar
ents.

Me:[Iwaski
ndadi sappoint
edt hathewouldsay
that
.Ibat
hedashel ef
ttheroom andasIf i
nished.I
woremyclothes.IwentoutandJul i
awaswr apped
i
nhisarms,t
hatal onemademyst omachtoturn.I
j
ustputonasmi leasNkanyi soappeared]morning
babes.

Nkanyi
so:GosaysIam get
ti
nganewmot
her
,
daddyi
sgoingtomarr
yauntyJul
ia.

Me:Twomommies?Thatsver
yspeci
albaby.Ineed
t
oheadhomenow,areyoucomingwit
h?

Nkanyi
so:No,
daddysai
dhewi
llbr
ingme.
Mr
sHussai
n:whydon'
tyoust
ayf
orbr
eakf
ast
?

Me:Julianeedstobondwi t
hherf amily,giveher
thatchance,Il
oveyoual l.[
Ilef
tthehouseassoon
aspossible,
Ididn'tevenwantt owast eanytime.I
drovetomyhouseandmypar entshadcomewi th
Nkosi.Idon'
tneedt hisri
ghtnow, Idroveinandt hey
foll
owed.Igotoffthecarandwenti nside.Iam not
i
nt hemoodf orthisman.]shouldn'tyoube
mour ni
ngmysi ster.

MrsHlophe:Thewholeworl
dknowshowyouf eel
aboutusandImustsay,Iwascar
elessbutnowI
seewherethathasl
edus.

Me:t
her
eisnot
hingt
oit
,If
orgi
veyou.Canyougo
now?

MrHlophe:asi
tpl
easesyou.[
theyl
eave,
whi
le
Nkosist
aysbehi
nd]
Nkosi :Iwasaf rai
dofdef yingmypar ent s,Ireal
ly
didloveyouf ordaysIdi dn' tevenknowwhatIwas
doingwi t
hyoursi st
erbutIl earnedt oloveher .I
l
ear nedt hediff
erencebet weent hebot hyou.I thurt
notknowi ngifyoukeptourbabyorabor tedit,
whet heryouat eordi dnoteat .Thatthoughtmade
mewonderi nthedar knessbutIt ri
edmybestt o
giveherl ove.Yoursi stertookmeasaat m,she
becamet hemostexpensi veper soninmyl i
fe.She
didn'twantt ogivemeachi ldunt i
lthever ylastdays
ofherl if
e.Iam nott elli
ngyout hissot hatyouf eel
sorryf orme.Iwaswr ongandyoursi stermademe
pay.
Me:IwishIcoul
dli
stentothi
syourspee..
..
.[
the
manjustki
ssedmeandIsl appedthenonsenseout
ofhi
m]Iam notmysi st
eroryourmanygirl
fr
iends.

Nkosi
:I'
m sorr
yIwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ocheck,
i
fyouf
eel
anyt
hingforme.
Me:Ifeelnot
hingfory.
..
..
.[
Ifel
tli
ghtheadedand
tr
iedtoholdonbutIlandedonmyknees, wit
hhim
besideme]Iam fi
ne.

Nkosi:
Youarenot.[picksherupandpl
acesheron
thecouch]don'
tfor
givemenow, gi
vemeti
met o
showyout hatIam verysorr
y.

Me:i
twoul
dmakemef
eel
goodi
fyoul
eftmyhouse.

Nkosi
:al
ri
ght
,[wal
kst
owar
dst
hedoorandl
eaves]

Me:[Iheardthecarandgat e,t
henclosedmyeyes.
Icompletel
yslept,Iwokeupi nbedbesi deNkosi .I
can'
ttel
lyouhowi thappenedbutIwasj ustir
ri
tated.
Iqui
cklygotoffthebedandr eali
zedthatIwasi n
myunder garments.Ifel
tharassed,Iexami ned
myselfandIhadsl eptwithhim.Idon'tremembera
si
ngledetail
.Hewokeupwi tht hi
sirr
it
atingsmi l
eon
him]howcoul dyoudot histome?
Nkosi:Maki
nglove?Youcamebehindmeand
beggedmet ocomein,youdon'
tremember
?

Me:howdareyoudothi
stome?[Idi
all
edt
hepol
ice
andhetookmyphone]l
eaveme.

Nkosi:Noonei
sgoi
ngt obeli
eveyou,Idi
dn'
trape
you.Youdidt
hiswi
ll
ingl
y,Ihaveproof
.

Me:Yourasnake!

Nkosi
:Ourmarr
iagei
sgoingtobel
ikei
twasal
ways
meanttobe,
wonderf
ulasever.

Me:[Iwentintothebathroom andlockedthedoor
,I
r
eali
zedt hatIjustgotr
aped.AsIwast ryi
ngto
f
igur
ei tout,Iheardaknockont hedoor]
Nkosi:Pleasejustcomeoutoft hebathr
oom, letus
talkaboutthi
s.Themut hithatIi
nsert
edwillkil
lyou
i
fyoueversl eepwi t
hanotherman.Youar emywi fe,
youwon' tbeabletorefuseme.Iloveyou,please
juststopfear
ingme, thesooneryoustop,t
hebet ter
forus.
@Ri
pped_
love

#i
nser
t6

It
sl i
kemyl i
fewassnat chedawayf rom me, Icr i
ed
andcoul dcal lnoonebecauseJeshi sgett
ing
mar ri
ed.Ifeltunwanted,aloneandcaged.Thi s
pri
sonwhi chIhavebeenputi t.Af
tersomet i
mehe
wast hreateningmet hatifItr
yanyt hinghewi l
lkil
l
meandnot hi
ngwi l
lhappen.Myhear twasget ti
ng
darker,Istart
edt ohateforgi
veness.Ihat edf eeli
ng
helpless,Iwentoutoft heroom.Iwor emywor k
cl
ot hesandhedr oppedmeof fatwor k.Iwasof f
butIknewt heycouldalwaysuseanext radoct or.
Allthehatejustgoti
ntomyhead.Iopenedmywor k
cabinetandmadeami xt
ure.AsIfi
nishedand
placedeverythi
nginmywat erbot
tl
ehebur st
edi
nto
myof fi
ce.

Nkosi
:Iknowyournotsupposedt
obeher
e,l
et'
sgo
homerightnow.

Me:Ijustwant
edtopi
ckupmywat
erbot
tl
eand
shoes,l
estt
heygetl
ost
.

Nkosi
:[pi
nshertothecabi
netwi
thhi
shandonher
t
hroat
]Ifyouevert
rytobesmartIwi
llki
llyou.

Me:[
Icoul
dn'
tbr
eath,
everyt
hingi
nmewasjust
l
osi
ngbreat
h]Pl
easebel
ieveme,pl
ease.

Nkosi
:Iseet
hebot
tl
e,wher
ear
etheshoes?
Me:[Ishowedhi m mylockerwhi chhadmycl othes
aswel l.Ipackedthem int
oat ravell
ingbag.Thenhe
escortedmeoutwi thaswollenneck.It houghtwe
wouldgot omyhousebuthedr ovemet omy
parent'
spl ace.Therewasat entandever ythi
ng
preparedf orthesocall
edweddi ng]thi
sisreall
y
nice,t
hef reshflowersandever ythi
ng.

Nkosi
:Her
eismybr
ide,
dressheraccor
dingl
y.

Me:[myphoner
angfrom hi
spocketandhepi
cked
i
t,Iknewi
twasJesh.
]itmi.
..
.

Nkosi
:[answer
s]mywif
eandIareabouttosayour
vows,
letthi
sbethel
astt
imeyoucallt
hisl
ine.

Raj
esh:[
laughi
ng]Yourget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?Towho?
Whoisyourwife?
Nkosi
:Bewar
ned.

Rajesh:Ihopeyouhavereal
lydeeppocket
s
becausewhenIam donewi t
hyouevenyour
servantwon'taf
for
dtohouseyou.

Nkosi
:[hangsup]what
'shet
alki
ngabout
?

Me:accordi
ngtotheparenti
ngagreement,Jeshhas
t
ogiveawr i
ttenconsentt
oanythi
ngmar it
al.
Wit
houtthatwemi ghtbot
hbeimpr i
soned.

Nkosi
:[sl
apshersohar
d,shel
andsonthe
pavement]Howcanyoubethi
sstupi
d?

Nkosi'
smot her:St
opthi
sNkosi ,pl
easethi
sisnot
howyout reatwomen,please.[
takesherbott
le]
dri
nksthi
spl easeandcalm down.Thereareways
aroundit
.
Me:[t
hisdummydrankt
hewholet
hing,myaunt
hel
pedmeup]thi
sisyoupeopl
esi
gningmydeath
warr
ant.

Heraunt
:Youar
egoi
ngt
obehappyher
e.

Me:Okay.[ Iwenti ntothehouseandwat chedthe

fooleati
ngmeat ,i
twasj ustapi
eceofcake.Igot
dressedwi thoutanyhust l
esandthedevilssangfor
me.Myf acewasst il
lburningandmyneckhur talot
.
Icouldhar dlybreathe,thefoolwasalready
sweat i
ngandshaki nglikeadruggie]areyou
okay,Baba?

Nkosi
:I'
m per
fect
lyf
ine.

Me:[hi
ssuitwasriverwetwit
hsweatanditsmelled
l
ikedeadfi
sh]Alri
ght.[
ashispeopl
eenter
edand
setdown,
hej ustl
ostit
.Withthi
ski
ndsofmi xt
ures
anythingcanhappen.At leasthedi dn'
tdieright,I
am notamur der.Thei rmedi ci
nemanandseer s
whower epr esentwer est anned.Bravodoct orEnhle]
Don'tjustwat chhi m, callanambul ance.Itoldyou
nottoi nsertthosest upidher bsbetweenus, I
warnedyou.Cal lanambul ancedammi t![t
heyst ood
i
ngossi psandshock.Themanj ustbecame
ment all
yunst ablerightinfrontofme.Theseer s
tookhimt othebackr oom whi l
eIwenti nsi
det he
houseandseti nmyr oom]

Mr
sHl
ophe:whathappened?

Me:Yousenthi
mtorapeme?Youwi
lldi
eal
one
wi
thnoonebyyoursi
de.

Mr
sHl
ophe:[
looki
ngaway]It
h..
..
.

Me:don'
tst
artwi
thme[myphonerangandi
twas
br
oughttome,i
twasRaj
esh]Hel
lo.
Raj
esh:Tel
lmet
het
rut
h,whathappenedt
oyou?

Me:Her apedmeandbeatmeup, Idon'

tknowhowI
feelr
ightnow.Ever
yoneher
eisokaywithit
,Idon'
t
knowhowIf eel.

Raj
esh:[
cur
singandki
cki
ngsomet
hing]

Me:hebr
oughtmet othevi
ll
age,
Idon'
tknowwhen
orhowIwil
lgetback.

Rajesh:[t
aki
ngdeepbreat
hes]youneedahospi
tal
,I
am call
inganambulancet
ocomef etchyouf
rom
there.

Me:Okay.[
hehungup]pl
easel
eavemeal
one.Shut
t
hedooronyourwayout.
Nkosi
:[ent
ersst
il
lshi
ver
ingandhi
sheadt
wit
chi
ng]
whatdi
dyoudot ome?

Me:Your apedmeandbeatmeup, f
orreasons
knowntoyou.Youbewi tchedmemaybet hisi
s
Karma!Howdoesi tfeel
t onotknowifyouar e
goingt
odi e,today,tomor roworthenextweek?
Wonderful.Ican'thelpyousol eavemeal one.

Nkosi
:Greatsi
nceyourMrssmar
ti
epant
s,youar
e
goi
ngstayhereandatt
endtome.

Me:Youcan'
tdot
hatpl
ease.

Nkosi
:thenwhatt
hehel
lishappeni
ngt
ome?

Me:[Idon'
tknowwhenorhowbutbefor
eIcoul
ddo
anyt
hingweallhear
dacopperl
andi
ng.Thenpol
ice
crowdedt heplace.Theyt urnedthepl aceupsi de
down, t
hecommanderbr oket hedoor .Theypl aced
mei nablanketandf ourarmedmenaccompani ed
met othecopper .Isawt hem arrestNkosiand
throwhim behindt hevan.Ther idewasn' teventwo
hourslong, welandedatahospi talandt he
gynacologistscame.Theypl acedmeont hebed
andr emovedal lt
heevi dence.Iknewt hiswoul dbe
beyondhat emai l
.Afterwhatseemedl ikef or
ever,
Rajeshcameandgavemet hisveryemot ionalhug.
]

Rajesh:Iam r
eall
ysorryforwhathappenedt oyou,
youdidnotdeservetobehur tbythatmonster.I
thi
nkyoushoul dconsi
dergoingtot her
apycamp
forafewweeks.Iwi l
lensurethatyoucanspeakt o
oursonasmuchasyouwant .

Me:t
hankyouver
ymuch.

Jul
ia:[
enter
s]Ireal
lyhopedt
hatyou'dbeatour
weddingbutIcompletel
yunder
stand.
Me:[IwasshockedbutIknewIwast oolat
e,hehas
wai
tedf or
everf
orme]Wow, Iam sur
eitsgoingt
o
bequietawedding.

Juli
a:Yeah,
thenwehaveahoneymooni
nCol
ombi
a.
It
sgoingtobewonder
ful
.

Me:[t
hiswomanwasl iket
ryi
ngtomakemej eal
ous
butIwasalr
eadyjeal
ousoflosi
ngmybestf
ri
end.]
YeahIwil
lbeinbookcampr ecover
ing.

Jul
ia:sosor
ry,
IsDi
egoapr
oductofr
apet
oo?

Me:[t
hatquesti
onthrewmeof f
]It
hinkthat'
s
enough,youwil
lhaveyourl
ett
ersoonest.
Congrat
ulat
ionsJeshandJuli
a.

Raj
esh:[
bor
ed]ExcuseusJul
ia.
Juli
a:Youtwohavehadenoughchancestobe
excused.Hei sgoi
ngtobemyhusbandandnot
hing
i
sgoi ngtostopthat
.Wearel
eavi
ngJesh,wehave
acaket ast
ing.

Raj
esh:[
Kissesherfor
ehead]whenIdohavet
ime,
weneedtotalkaboutt
his.

Me:Ther
eisnopr
obl
em,
haveawonder
fulweddi
ng.

#Seey'
al
lnextweek.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t7

Ashor
ri
bleasIf
eltaft
erthevi
sitIwentt
ocampf or
t
henextt
hreeweeks.Thether
apistmademefeela
l
otbet teraboutopeningupaboutwhathappenedt o
me.Butt woweeksi nIstart
edhavi ngver ybad
cramps, myappet it
egrewl i
kea100t imesandmy
boobsj ustgotanenl ar
gement .Att heendofmy
therapycamp, Ipickedmysonf rom t heschooland
hadi cecreanwi t
hhim.Thenwet alkedandIf ound
outsomedet ail
saboutJulia'
sat t
itutet owardsmy
son.Hewasaf f
actedthathedoesn' tspendt i
me
withJeshanymor e.Wecomf ort
edeachot her,then
Iwentt ot hehospit
alwithhim.Thegynacol ogist
exami nedmeandcamebackwi thr esul t
s.

Gynacol
ogist:Thegoodnewsisthatt
hispragnancy
i
snotfrom therape.Youare12weekspregnant.
Shoul
dIgiveyouanul tr
asound?

Me:No,
Ijustwantt
odi
agustt
hisf
ir
st.

Gynacol
ogi
st:Al
ri
ght
,wel
comebackDoc.
Me:Thanksandpl easekeept
hisbet
weenus.[
she
noded.Igotofft
hebedandmetmyson]what
wouldyoul ovet
oeat ?

Nkanyiso:Nenesai
dwearehavi
ngmacar
oniand
cheese.Letsgoeati
tMama.

Me:[
wedr ovetomyhouseandi thadsecuri
ty
gaur
ds,Iguessthi
sisJesh.Iwentint
othehouse
andNenegavemeawar m welcome,t
henlaughed
atme]what'
sthatabout
?

Nene:Doessi
rknow?

Me:hedoesn'
thavetoknow,heneedst
oensur
e
t
hathi
smar r
iagegoessuccessf
ul.

Nene:hewasmi ser
abl
e,t
hesecondtheygot
marri
ed.Thehoneymoonwasactual
lyascam.
Theylost40000andyouknowhowsenset i
veabout
moneyhei s.Butonthereal
sMadam, Idon'tt
hink
thatanywomancanhandl eSi rasgoodasyou,
yourbondissomet hi
ngveryrare.Youjustgeteach
otherwhenthewor l
ddoesn'tunderst
and.
Personal
lyMsJul i
aisonestri
ctwomansoIgi ve
thi
sscam wedding6mont hs.

Me:Don'
tsaysuchthings,
Iam goi
ngbackt
owor
k
t
omorrow.Ican'
twait
.

Nene:Oh, Ithoughtt
heytoldyou.Nkosi yet
huwas
sentencedt o15yearsi
npr i
son,theyf oundsecurit
y
foot
ageofhi m dr
uggi
ngyou, pl
ust heseedst hey
removedf rom you.[
huggingher]itwashor r
ibleto
watch,youf oughtsohard.Hedeser vesmor ethan
j
ust15year s.

Me:Iwouldli
ket
ojustcl
oset
hatchapt
erofmyl
if
e
andfor
getit
.
Nene:Yourfami
lyst
oodbehi
ndhi
m andcl
aimedi
t
wastradi
ti
on.

Me:Iknewt heywoul d.[Iwenttomyr oom and

Nenehadchangedt hear r
angement .Whichmadei t
abiteasi
er.ItookoffmyshoesandasIl ookedout
mywi ndow.MrHussai nwasst andingoutside,
they
all
owedhimi nside.Hecamei nsidethehouseandI
excit
edl
ymethi mi nthecor r
idor]Daddy.

MrHussai
n:[
hugsher
]Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?

Me:t
het
her
apydi
dmesomegood.

MrHussai
n:Yourmotheristryi
ngtoki
llme,
sheis
onsomegreenleafdi
et.Ican'
taff
ordt
obethin.

Me:[
Ifoundmysel
flaughi
ng.Wewentt
othet
abl
e
andstartedeat i
ng.Thenwat chedourf avouri
te
show.Thi sisnice,thenhadpopcor n.Wedr ove
DaddyhomeandJul i
aopenedt hedoor.Nkanyiso
wentbacki ntothecar ,wewenti nsi
detof i
nd
ever
yoneatt hetable.Jeshwassuperdr unkand
angr
yaboutsomet hing.Hewasshout ingabout
something,hismot herhadt he'
savemel ook'butI
i
gnoredit]Daddy, Ineedt ogetgoing.Tuesday,Iwil
l
comet otheshopandassi st
.

MrHussai
n:Okay,
cal
lmewhenyougett
othe
house.

Me:willdo.Hell
oandgoodnightfamil
y.[Ir
ushed
outofthereandJeshclosedthegate,hewantedto
st
artanar gumentbecausehehatesnothavingmy
att
enti
on.Ibrokeoutandlaughed]Baba.

Raj
esh:YOUHAVETHEGUTSTOWALKOUT
WHENIAM TALKI
NG!?
Me:Ihumblyapologi
zebutIam notusedt
oseei
ng
youthi
sangry.I
tterr
if
iesme,Ican'
tst
andit
.

Raj
esh:[
chuckl
es]Yougai
nedwei
ght
.

Me:Campwasmi ser
ablebutthefoodwasgood,I
missedyou,Nkanyi
soandt hefamil
ysomuchIfel
t
l
ikeIwaslosingmymi nd.

Raj
esh:[
looksdownhi
ddi
ngt
hesmi
le]i
sthatso?

Me:I ti
sso, Imi
ssedal
lofyouandthi
smademe
real
izejusthowmuchIlovemyf amil
y.Ihavean
earl
yshi f
ttomorr
ow,pl
easeopenforme?

Rajesh:2weeksinmar r
iageandIam losingmy
mind,shesuff
ocatesmeandever yt
hingar oundme.
Iam inhel
landdrinki
ngmakesmef eelbetter
.I
meani nt
imacyhasbecomeor di
naryandboring,I
missl oudmoansont hekit
chentableandli
ving
room floor.If
eel
li
keI'
mi nacage,wear emakingit
offi
cialinaweekbutIhavenopl ansofthat.

Me:[weshar edahugandhel i
ftedmeof
fthe
ground,hisarmsjustwentt
hroughmybodyandhe
chuckled]Ishoul
dgo.

Raj
esh:12weeks,
2days.Whywer
epl
anni
ngt
o
hi
dethi
s?

Me:Youdeser
vet
ohaveawar
m homenotmoody
swi
ngsandrej
ect
ion.

Rajesh:Ididn'
tevennot i
cethegreyareas,t
hisfeel
s
l
ikedivorce.Iam confusedandsoi stheman
downstairs.Iwasli
steningtomyf ri
endtal
king
abouthismar ri
ageandIr eal
izethatIgotmarri
ed7
yearsago.Idon'tunderstandtakeaways,Iknow
yourcycle.Iknowyourmoodsandhavej ustgr
own
aroundthem.Don' tmindthi
swhateverbutwewi l
l
bounceback, we'vebeenthroughalotof***
*
toget
her.SocanIpl easecomehomewheneverI
l
ike?CanIbuygr ocer
iesasIam usedto?CanIstil
l
comeoverf ordinnerbecauseI'ml
azy?

Me:Yeah,
youar
emostwel
come.
Heopenedt hegat eandwedr oveout .Itfel
tli
keI
wasl eavingapar tofmysel fbehi nd.Whenwegot
home, Itackedi nmysonandcr iedmyl ungsout .I
l
ovehi m butmypasthel dmebackf r
om agood
thing, nowt here'
sJul i
a.Theni ghtf el
tlongbutt he
nextmor ni
ng,Iwokeupandbat hedmyson.Then
bat hedwhi l
eheat ebr eakf
ast .WhenhewasdoneI
madel unchboxesf orus.Thent ookhi mt oschool
andwentt owor k.Ihi tthegr oundr unni ngand
chilledwi ththenur sesunt ilhecamet ostealme.
Wewentt oourspotandat el uncht oget her
.After
l
unchIwentbackt owor kandi twashar dtoseet he
pat i
ent swhot hrewt hemsel vesathi m.I tki
ll
edme
slowl y.Icontinuedwor ki
ngunt ilaround4pm when
Madam Jul
iawal
kedi
ntot
her
oom.

Me:Hel
losi
ster
,thi
sisasur
pri
se.

Jul
ia:Iknowt
hatyouaresl
eepingwi
thmyhusband
andIwantyoutostayt
hehellawayf
rom hi
m.

Me:thi
sisabitext
remedon'
tyout hi
nk?Youjust
gotmarri
ed,
heisyoursi
nallsensesoftheword.

Jul
ia:Yetyouareal
lhetal
ksabout,
eveni
nhi
s
sl
eep.Justleavemyhusbandforme.

Me:Itsfunnyyoushouldaccusemeoft hat,when
youareallhetalksabout
.Hewant stopl easeyou,
heistryi
nghisbestt omakethismarriagewor k.But
Ineverthoughtthatyouwouldaccusemeofsucha
thi
ngbecausei fIwashonestlysl
eepingwi thhim.
Youwoul dn'
tevenbeasubj ectonhismi ndandi f
youwantmet
ost
ayawayf
rom Jesh,
Iwi
llgl
adl
ydo
so.

Jul
ia:[
embar
rassed]Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.

Me:Leavemyof fi
ceJuliaandpl
easedon'
tcome
backher e.[Ishootupandopenedthedoorforher
.I
feltsoguilt
ybutr easonedbysayi
ngwehavenot
slepttogethersinceshecamealongandIcan't
exactlysayIam happyabouti tt
henurser
ushedin]
doyouhaveapat ientf
orme?

Nur
se:DoctorRaj
esh,i
srequest
ingt
hatyoucome
t
ohisoff
icenow.Ithi
nkhecuthimsel
f.

Me:[Itookmyf i
rstaidki
t,Irushedt
ohi soff
iceand
thesecondIsteppedi nt
here.Hejustkissedmeso
hard,mytoesstartedtodance.Ipul
ledbackt o
catchabreat
h]Yourmar ried,wecan'tdothis.
Raj
esh:[
ti
ght
eni
nghi
sgr
ipar
oundher
]Ar
eyousur
e?
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t8

Hewasonf ormeandIhadf leshbacksofourt ime

toget heranditwast oomuchagl ory.Iwasal ready
sweat i
ng.AtthatverymomentIt houghtoft he
wor dshi smot herusedtosayt omeandt earsjust
streameddown.Iwasonceaccusedofsl eeping
withMrHussai nbecauseofourcl oseness.That
openedacanofwor mswhi chl eftabittertastein
mymout h.IknewIdi dn'
twantt ogot hrought hat
agai nfrom themi nut
eheagr eedt obeingwi th
anot herwoman, heceasedt obemi ne.Irushedout
oft hereandr antomyof f
iceandshutt hedoor .I
j
ustcr i
edunt i
lmyeyeswer eswol lenandpuf fy.AsI
wasaboutt oknockof f
,ImetMr sHussai nandJul i
a.
Iknewt hestorm hadcomef orme.
Me:Iunder stand,thereisnoneedt omakeascene
here.Iwil
lstayawayf rom yourfami l
y,Iam sorr
y
forwhateverwaspl antedi
nyourmi ndsaboutme.I
guessnothavi ngamanandbei ngclosetomenyou
arenotrelatedtobybl oodi sreall
yproblematicto
thewomeni nvolved.Youwi llneverseeme
anywherenearyouhusband.

Mr
sHussai
n:Wedi
dn.
..
..
.

Me:Pl easeexcuseme, Ineedtopickupmyson

from school.[Iwalkedtomycarandgoti nside.I
wi pedmyt ears,pickedupmyson.Thent ookhi m
homewher eNenet ookhimin.Iparkedandwent
forar an.Idi
dn'tknowhowt odisatt
achmysel ffrom
him.Ever yt
hingr emindedmeofhi m, Isetundera
treeandcr i
ed.WhenIwasdone, Iwenthomeand
cal l
edtheestateagent .
]Hey,Hell
en.

Est
ateagent
:Heybabe,
Ihear
dwhathappened.I
am r
eal
lysorr
y.
Me:Yeah,
whi
chi
swhyIam cal
li
ngyour
ightnow.

Est
ateagent
:HowcanIhel
pyoubabe?

Me:Placemyhouseonthemar ketandl
et'
sstar
t
sear
chingf
orsomethi
ngelse.Maybeclosert
omy
son'
sschool
.

Estat
eagent :[shocked]Ohokay,Iwil
ldot
hat
i
mmedi at
ely.Theevaluatorswil
lcomeseeit
tomorrowifyouar esur eaboutt
his.

Me:Ij
ustwoul
dlovet
obeoutofher
esoonest
.

Est
ateagent
:LetmeemailyouwhatIhave
cur
rent
lyandyoucant
ellmeifyouli
keany.
Me:Okayt hanksIwillbewai
ti
ng.[weendedthecal
l
andmyphonewasr ingi
ngnon-st
opunti
lIpl
acedit
onf l
ight.Ibondedwi thmysonandwehadahear t
tohear tabouthowhewoul dfeelifwemoved
elsewher e.Heexpressedhowmuchhewoul dlove
toleavet hatschool,
Itol
dhim Iwouldgotot
he
schoolt hathelikest
oaskforspace.Hewas
excit
edandweat e,t
henwenttobed.]

#Hussai
n_Fami
lyhouse

TheHussai nmenar eangr yaboutthecurrenttur

n
ofeventsandMrHussai nisshockedt ohearthat
hiswifeoncesuspect edthathewassl eepingwit
h
Enhle.Thi
sr angonhisner vesthathejustpoursa
glassofwhiskeyont herocks.Rajeshcan'teven
beli
evewhati shappeninganddoesn' tevencare
abouthowJul iafeel
saboutt hi
s.Mr sHussain
keepscall
inganddoesn' thaveananswer .

Mr
sHussai
n:Youwer
ecl
oseandIguessj
eal
ousy
t
ookust
her
e.

Raj
esh:Soyourj
eal
ousJul
ia?I
tsbeenwhat
?2
weeksandyouarej
eal
ous?Wow.

MrHussain:ont
opofeveryt
hingt
hati
shappeni
ng
t
oher,youaddedyoursel
fi
shnesstoi
t.

Mr
sHussai
n:Iwi
llgoovert
her
etomor
rowandf
ixi
t.

Raj
esh:[get
sanot
if
icat
ion]Gr
eatj
ustgr
eat
,just
whatIneeded.

MrHussai
n:whatcoul
dbewor
set
hant
heset
hings
i
nfr
ontofme?

Rajesh:whatexact
lydi
dyousayt
oher
?Whatwer
e
yourexactwords?
Jul
ia:I
'
m sor
ryHussai
n,pl
easef
orgi
veme.

Rajesh:Sheli
stedherhouse,howdidIl
etthingsget
thi
smessedup?Whi l
eyouwer ebusychasingboys,
shewast ut
oringmet ocompletemyhonours.And
youjustthr
ewheroutl i
kethatMum?Youmustbe
veryproudofyoursel
f.

Mr
sHussai
n:wesai
dwewi
llf
ixi
t.

#Mbal
enhl
e

Theevaluatorsarr
ivedbrightandear l
y,Iwas
surpr
isedtogetanof ferwithi
njust16hour sof
l
ist
ing.Theywer egoingtopaymeenought oget
meanot herhouseandhavesavi ngsst il
l.I
twasa
hol
idaysoIt ookmysonandwej ustviewedabout
8housesunt ilwelandedont hi
sver ybeautif
ul
housewhi chwasoverbudget .Iloveditsomuch
andsodi dmyson.Sowemadeanof f
er
i
mmedi ately.Theneighbourswerehor r
ibl
yniceand
mysoncoul dfi
nall
ygetadogwi thout
compl i
cations.IwenthomeandaskedNenet ostar
t
packingwhatshecan.Thenwentt oworkformy
nightshift,myGodIwasdeadt i
red.Ihadcramps
becauseIhadnotsl eptproperl
y.Ididmyf i
rst
roundsandasIwentont omysecondr ound,I
cameacr ossRaj esh.Heknel tbeforememaki ng
thewhol ehospi t
altostandstil
l,
tearscame
fl
oodingdown.

Me:Pl
easegetup.

Rajesh:I
'm stupi
dandveryfool
ish,Ishouldhave
tr
iedhardertomakeyoumi ne.Idon'tcareabout
anythi
ngont hiseart
h,not
hingelsemat t
ers.Il
ove
youandi ti
ssuf f
ocati
ngtopret
endt hatIl
ove
someoneel se.

Me:[
Jul
iaandhi
spar
ent
sappear
edatt
hatmoment
]
Youmadeapr
omi
sekeepi
t.

Raj
esh:Ican'
tdothi
sli
fet
hingwi
thoutpl
ease,
don'
t
doi
tformedoi tf
orthi
sone.

Me:[ hewast ouchi

ngmyst omachandt hatmade
mehavecr amps]thisi scrazy,gohomeandf i
xyour
mar ri
age.Youar eamar r
iedman, pleasetot hi
sfor
me.[ tearswer efor
mi nginhi seyes,hel ai
datmy
feet.Thewhol ecorr
idorst oodstil
l,
Ifelthistears
wet t
ingmysocki ngswhi chwer einmyshoes. ]Jesh
pleasegetupt hisi
sahospi t
al,
thi
sisagai nstpoli
cy.
[
hewasnotsni f
fi
ng,Ibentdownandf orcefull
y
l
iftedhi m up]youcan' tdot hi
stome.

Raj
esh:[
sil
ent
]

Me:[Iheldhi mtomychestandhonest
lyever
ythi
ng
el
sedi dn'tmatt
er.Thi
swasbeyondanythi
ngIhave
everfeltbefor
e.Thisr
emi
ndedmeofwhenhehad
swinef l
uandhewasj ustweak,
couldn'
tdo
anythingforhi
msel
fthensuddenlyIhear
danurse
cal
ling.Iwoketor
eali
zethatIwasdaydreami
ng.]
huh?

Nurse:Youhaven'
tdoneyourf
ir
str
ounds,
canwe
pl
easegodot hatpl
ease?

Me:ThankGodi tsadream.Let '

sgo.[Iwenttodo
myr oundsandt ookmyt imet hroughit.AsIwentto
mysecondr oundofpat ients.IsawRaj eshcoming
towardsme, Idropever ythingandr anasfastasmy
l
egscoul dcarryme.Iwentt otheladi
esbat hr
oom
andstartedtakingdeepbr eathes.Aft
eragood
5mins.Iflushedandwentt ocontinuemyr ounds.
Thenwentt ot hestaff
,Imadet eaandcal l
edNene.]
how'sitgoing?

Nene:Sirwashere,hefoundmebusywi thboxes.
Hewasn' tver
yhappyaboutit,
hedidn'
tlookl
ike
hi
mself.Hewaswi thJuli
aplushi
sparents.
Nkanyi
sor ef
usedtogetoutofhi
sroom.Itwassad
t
obei nthatsit
uat
ion.Ar
eyousureaboutthi
s
Madam?

Me:ifhewasmeantt obewi thus,hewouldn'thave

marri
edsomeoneelse.Thisi
saf reshstart
,youwi l
l
beclosetohomeandNkanyi sotoschool.Iwil
lbea
bi
tfarfr
om workbuti
twillbewor t
hit.

Nene:Asl
ongasyouar
esur
e.

Me:i
fIam meantt
obewi
thanyone,
itwon'
tbe
compl
icat
ed.

Nene:IhearyouMadam.

Me:Godwil
lbl
essmewit
hsomeonewhowi l
lwi
pe
al
lmytear
sandfear
sawaywhenthathappensI
wantt
obeready.
Nene:Ihopeyouar
eri
ght
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t9

Thenextf ewweeksIcompl etel

yavoi dedJeshand
hisentir
ef amily.Ifocusedonbei ngheal thyandmy
sonwasmovedt oanewschoolwher ehequi ckl
y
gainedfriends.Hehasbeendevel opinglikeachi l
d
hisageshoul d.Nenei shappyandwear ej ust
survivi
ng.Asmysonwasatschool ,Ideci dedtogo
toaspawi thNene.Wecheckedi nandIj uststart
ed
feeli
ngundert hewhet her.Iwentt othel adiesand
didmysi t
uati
onandcoul dn'tevenst andup.AsI
wasgat heringst r
engtht ofiguremysel fout ,Iheard
avoicet hatIrecognized.Iwant edt ogr eetbut
somet hi
nghel dmeback.

Jul
ia:Idon'
tknowwhyhei
sdel
ayi
ngwi
tht
his
si
gningthing,healwayshasexcusebutIwon'tst
op
tr
yingunti
lwer eachourgoal.Thosestupi
dpeopl
e
aresotrusty,t
heyjustall
owedmei nli
keIam some
sortoff
ami lymember .

Me:[
Ifel
tangr
yaboutt
heent
ir
ethi
ng,
Icall
edJesh
andi
twenttovoi
cemai
lsoIr
ecor
dedi
tthere]

Juli
a:Iwil
lhi
tthem whereithur
tsmostandl eave
thedrywit
houtapenny.Themot heriswrapped
aroundmyf i
nger.ShedoeswhateverIwant,
wheneverIwant.Thethreati
soutofthewayso
theywil
lnotseeuscomi ng.

Me:[shekepttalki
ngandtalki
ngont hephone.After
30minssheleftandIcleanedup.Iwentt omychai r
andmymi ndwasspi nning.Jeshandhisf amil
y
workedhardforwhatevertheyownandsomeone
j
ustwantstocomeandsnat cheverythi
ngaway.
Wehadourf ullbodymassagewhi chIdidn'tenj
oy
becausemymi ndwasspinning.Idr
oppedof fNene
andwentt othecolombianpremises.Ir
eported
everyt
hingandr et
ract
edmyl et
terofapprovalto
thei
rmar ri
age.Iwenthomeandwi thinminutesmy
phonest ar
tedri
nging]hel
lo.

Raj
esh:whyar
eyoudoingt
his?Youmadei
tcl
ear
t
hatyoudon'
twantussowhythi
s.

Me:pl
easel
ist
ent
oyourvoi
cemai
ls.

Raj
esh:Iam t
ryi
ngt
omakemymar
ri
agewor
kso
pl
easestayi
nyourwhol
e.

Me:nopr
obl
emsbutyouar
enotmar
ryi
ngher
.

Rajesh:st
opbeingselfi
sh.Younevercar
edabout
mesonowt hatsomeoneishereyouarejeal
ous.
Leavemeal one[hangsup]
Nene:sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?

Me:Idon'
tknow, al
lowthem getr
obbedIguess.I
haveabdominalpai
ns,Ineedtonapabit.

Nene:whati
fyouhavecompl
etel
ylosthi
mtoher
.

Me:Iam t
akingt
heraphyam Inot
?Iwi
llgett
hrough
i
tli
keanyothert
hinginmyli
fe.

Nene:Iam af
rai
dMadam,
ver
yaf
rai
d.

Me:onsecondt
hought
sdr
ivemet
othedoct
or.I
'
m
i
npains.

Shet ookherstuf
fandwewentt oadoctort
ogether
.
Isetont hebedandt heyexaminedme.Iwas
diagnosedwithstress,t
heverynicedoct
orasked
meoutonadat e.I
tsbeenawhi l
esinceanyone
askedmef oradate.SoIsaidhellyeah,l
estpeopl
e
star
tthi
nkingthatIam hunguponJesh.We
exchangednumber sandIwenthome.Il ooka
muchneedednapt hanwentformyni ghtshi
ft
.AsI
gottowork,Jeshwaswai ti
nginmyof fi
ce.

Rajesh:whatisyourprobl
em exact
ly?Youareso
sel
fish,youwanttobeyourdoor matal
ltheti
me.
LookIam overyouandguesswhatmymar ri
ageis
goinggreat.Sostayoutofi
t,youhavenorightt
o
ret
ractthatconsentl
ett
er.

Me:Itol
dyoumyconcer
ns,
besobermi
ndedand
t
akethewarni
ng.

Rajesh:i
fyoudon'tret
ractt
hestupidl
ett
er,Iwi
ll
havetodissol
vethiswholeparent
ingnonsense.
Youhave24hour sifnotthen.
Me:[t
hepainsstar
ted,Iwassurel
ygoi
ngtol
ose
t
hisbabyi
fIdidnotremaincal
m]youcannot
t
hreat
enme, doyourworstRaj
esh.

Raj
esh:youar
esel
fi
shwena.[
slamst
hedooronhi
s
wayout]

Thepai nfulthingwast hathedi dn'tseei tcomi ng,

whoam It obespeaki ngr i
ght?Itookmypi ll
sand
calmedmysel fdown.Iwentt odomyr oundsand
wellIf inishedf asterthanusual .Isetwi thmy
favour i
t epatientandl istenedt ohergossi p.Raj esh
l
ocat edmeagai nandj ustaboutshout edmyear s
off.Thatwasanunexpect edhi t,hej ustpl acedmy
dirt
yl aundr yint heknow.Nur sesl ovet ogossi pand
Iwasnowi nthemi ddleofi t.Iall
owedhi m
humi li
at emei nfrontofpr acticall
yever yoneand
wellsai dnot hingabouti t.Itwasj ustal ongl ong
nightf orme, int hemor ning.Irecei vedf lower s
behindt hename.
Him:shouldhavet
oldmet
hatyouradoct
or,
thi
sis
onecutething.

Me:Iam aver
ytir
eddoctor,i
fyouhaveaspaceat
youri
nst
it
uti
on.Pleasehel
pmeappl y.

Hi
m:t
hisi
sthebesti
nst
it
uti
ont
her
eis.

Me:butsti
llIwantt
..
..
..
..[
Jul
i
aappear
edi
namood]
weshouldgo.

Jul
ia:t
heseareni
ce,
areyoualsosomeoneel
se'
s
husband?Sheeat
speopl
e'shusband'
sthi
sone.

Me:[shewant edanargumentbutIdi dn'

thaveit
.
ThemanIwaswi t
hjustt
urnedandl eftmestandi
ng
IknewIwoul dneverseehim agai
n.]whenyouar e
doneshouting,gohome.[Iwenthomeandcr i
edon
Nene'sshoulder]
Nene:Leavet
hisent
ir
ethi
ngspl
easedear
.

Ifeltsobadf ortryi
ngt osavesomeonebutI
withdrewmycaseandf oundoutt hathehad
appl i
edtodi smi ssthepar enti
ngcont ract.Theyt ol
d
met hathi
sor derwouldbegr antedint wot othree
daysi fthejudgeal lowedi t.Wakingupt henext
mor ningwashar dbutIgotof fbed, It
ookashower ,
wor emybr avef ace.Iwentt owor kandhewas
waitinginmyof fi
ce.Ididn'tgoin,Ipassedmy
offi
ceandwentt omyl ocker.Iplacedmybagsi n
thereandwentonwi thmyday.Isi gnedt owor kin
war dswhi chwoul dnotevenal lowmeseehi mf ora
second.Ihi tthegr oundr unningandwor kedmyass
off,Ievenf orgotaboutl unch.Ar ound3pm, Ihad
wrappedupandt henur seshatedmebecausewe
wor kedhar d.
Nur
se:Hell
odoc, yourpr
esencei
srequest
edi
nthe
manager
sof f
ice.
Me:okay.[
Isl
owl
ywalkedoverther
eandwent
i
nsi
det ofi
ndRaj
esht
heretoo.
]greet
ingssi
r.

Manager :itiswithgreatsadnesst hatIhavetogive

youbothver balwarningsbutyoubr okethecodes
ofconduct .Ifthisnonsenserepeatsitsel
fthenIwill
havetol etoneofyougo.Doct orJeshyou
recommendedt hatwehi r
eDoctorEnhl e,
soi t
shard
tobeli
evei tsbecauseyouwer esleepingtogether
butthat
'syourbusi ness.Whatdoyouhavet osay
foryourselves?

Me:Si
r,mayIpl
easebet
ransf
err
edt
oBl
uehi
ll
s?

Manager
:that'
sanewhospi
tal
,ar
eyousur
eyou
wantt
ogot her
e?

Me:Yessi
r,i
tscl
osert
owher
eIr
esi
denow.Pl
ease
si
r.
Manager:Iwil
lcallt
hemanagerthereandtel
lhim.
Ifheagr
eesyou'llhavetol
eaveimmediat
elynext
month.ButIam suretheywouldlovet
ohaveextra
hands.

Me:pl
easet
ryt
hem andgetbackt
omesi
r.

Manager:wil
ldo,wewillmissyourdet
ermi
nat
ion
andpassionhere.Imustsaylosi
ngyouisgoi
ngto
bequi
etahi t
.

Me:itwoul dbetheri
ghtthingtodosir.[
wewer e
dismissedt ogobackt oourdut i
es.Ir
ushedoutand
disappear edinthepat
ients.Iwatchedhi
m
searchingf ormeandi ti
rri
tatedme.Iwentbackto
myst ation.]canyoupleasegetusextragloves?

Nurse:[
leavesandcomesbackwi
thgl
oves]i
sit
t
ruethatyourleavi
ngsusdoc?
Me:wher
edidyouhearthi
sf r
om?Itsj
ustgossi
p.
Besi
desther
ear
eotherdoctorswhocanfi
lli
nmy
posi
ti
on.

Nurse:i
twon'tbethesame,Ihopeyouar enot
l
eavingbecauseofwhatdoct orRaj
eshdid.Hegave
usaverysadst af
fmeeti
ngt hismorni
ng,he
apologi
zedtousforeveryt
hinghesaidaboutyou
andaskedusnott otr
eatyoudi f
fer
ent
ly.

Me:Iam defi
nit
elymovi
ng,
thi
scouldbemyl ast
weekhere.I
tsgoingt
obeamazingl
ygreatt
oj ust
st
artoverel
sewhere.

Nur
se:t
hisi
ssadbutyoul
ookdeci
ded.

Me:Ir
eal
lyam deci
ded.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t10

Iensur edt hatIavoidhim atallcost s,attheendof

theweek.Iwast oldthatBluehi ll
shadacccept ed
me.Thatexci t
edmeal ot,Ipackedupmyof fi
ceand
placedt hingsi ntheboot.Iam sett ostarton
Monday, Iwi shedtopopsomet hingbutIneedt o
notbet akinganyaci d.Irecei
vedacal lthatthe
parentingcont r
acthadbeendi smi ssedandanew
onehadbeenappr ovedwhi chIneededt osi gn.I
declinedandt ookmysel ftoal atenightdi nner,af
ter
watchi ngamovi e.Ienjoyedmysel fandf orgot
aboutst r
essf orawhi l
e.Thendr ovemet othe
houseandpassedoutont hecouch.Thenext
mor ning, Iwokeupt ookal ongbat handwentt o
bed.

Nkanyi
so:MommycanIask?

Me:Yesyoucan.
Nkanyi
so:doesi
tmeant
hatIdon'
thaveadaddy
anymore?

Me:[
Isetupandi
twashar
dtosayi
t]Yes,
meand
youwil
lhavet
osear
chf
oryouanewdaddy.

Nkanyiso:[
giggles]Il
oveyouMama, myteachers
saysthathegrewupwi thoutafat
herandhis
motherwast hebestheeverhad.Hesai d
sometimesthingsdonotwor koutbet
weenpar ent
s
andtheoneyouar elef
twi t
hlovesyoumorethan
anyt
hingont hisplanet
.

Me:[
Ifel
temoti
onal,
hear
ingmysonsayt hat
]Il
ove
youmorethananyt
hingt
hateverexi
sted.

Nkanyi
so:don'
tbest
ressedMommy,
Ilovei
twhen
youarehappy.
Me:[
Ihuggedmysonandwegoti
ntobl
anket
s
t
ogether
.Hesl
eptbesi
deme]
Godyouar
eso
wonderf
ul.

#Raj
esh

From thever yfirstdayIsawher ,

IlovedEnhl e.I
alwaysthoughtshewasbeaut i
fulandt houghtthat
wewoul dsomedayendupt ogetherbutasyear s
progressedIr ealizedthatal lshewant edwasa
weekendspeci alandt hatmyf eel
ingsaboutherdi d
notreall
ymat t
er .AsIfinall
ycamet ot heconclusion
thatIam justanext rainherl ifeIsettledforJuli
a
andwel lshei squi etachar acterasyouwoul d
expect.Iam st i
llcoldfeetaboutmaki ngusl egalbut
IguessIwi llhavet onowt hatEnhl eisoutofmyl ife
perminant l
y.Shesai dsomet hingaboutavoi cemai l
andIneverbot her edtochecki t.Myf atherbroke
i
ntomyphoneandwel i
stenedt oit.Icouldn'
t
beli
evet hatIfoughtwi thheroverascam.It hought
mymar r
iagewasf i
nall
ycomi ngtogetherbutthi
s
rockedmyboot .Enhlehasn'tbeentakingmycalls
andIdon' tbl
ameher ,Mishmi shwantsnot hi
ngto
dowi t
hme.Ij ustaboutruinedagoodt hing.

MrHussai
n:si
tt
ingher
eandfeeli
ngsor
ryf
or
your
sel
fwil
lhel
pyouwithnot
hing.

Me:Ir
uinedagoodt
hing,
shehat
esmygut
s.

Mr
sHussai
n:ourgut
syoumean?

Jul
ia:wel
lthi
siscosy,
babemycar
disdecl
ini
ng.

Me:t
hebankersai
dsomet
hingaboutasecur
it
y
br
each,
itwi
llpr
obabl
ywor
ki nafewdays.

Jul
ia:whatdowedoi
nthemeant
ime?
Me:survi
veonwhatwehave,
what
everyoucoul
d
dosurvi
veonthat
.

MrHussai
n:[
ir
ri
tat
ed,
get
supandl
eaves]

#Pr
ison

Nkosiwakesupt oabedof fpainsyetagain.Since

hewasconvi ctedhehasexper iencedwhatitfeels
l
iket obedi sr
egardedandr apeddayi nanddayout .
Allthear r
ogenceandf atthatheusedt oenjoyas
chiefhasgone.Hi sfami l
yhasnotvi sit
edhiml atel
y
becausehecoul dnotwal koutofthecellforsome
weeksduet othepai n.Hef inal
lygoesoutand
discoversthathismot heri stheretoseehim.The
war deraccompani eshi mt othevisit
inghall
.As
theyar r
ivehismot herbr eaksdownandcr i
es,in
disbeli
eveofwhatshei sseeing.Hiscuffsare
removedandhesi ts.
Nkosi
:Mmadon'
tbel
iket
hispl
ease.

Hismother
:lookatyou,
howcant
hisgi
rldot
hist
o
you?Shewil
lro..
..

Nkosi :foryearsIcausedpeopl epai nespeci all

y
Mbal enhle, Idi
dn'tregardherassomeonewhohas
feel
ingsandcanf eel pai
nsl i
keIdo.Foryear sno
onecar edenought osayt onei tdown, youar e
l
osingt heway.Youal lall
owedmet ot reatpeopl e
badlyl i
ket heydeser vedit.Ir
apedherandIr egretit
.
NowIknowhowi tfeelstobedegr adedt ot hatlevel
,
Iknowhowi tf
eelstobehumi liatedandhaveno
one.Ideser vetobei nhereandIwi llnotbe
applyingf oranypar ole.Iwantt ositinher ewi t
h
peoplewhoar enotaf rai
dt otellmet hetruthandi fI
makei toutal i
ve.Iwi l
lgoapol ogizet othemot herof
myson.Shehasr aisedmeaman, Nkanyi soi s
everythingIam not ,Iwil
lstayi nher eandbet aught
howt obeapr operfathertohi m.
Hi
smot
her
:youcan'
tevenwal
kforanyr
eason.

Nkosi:t
hatisnotmypr obl
em, Iwantyout
ogosee
theHlophesandcommandt hem togoapol
ogi
zeto
themotherofmychi l
d.Youallneedtogother
eand
begforherforgi
veness.

Hismother
:whati
shappeni
ngtoyou?Whendid
youbecomethi
sweak?Youarenotthi
sweak.

Nkosi
:don'
tcomebackher
e.[
standsup]t
akeme
backt
omycel l
.

Warder:[
comesandcuf f
shim]move.[
theyt
akehi
m
backtothecellandhesit
sonthebedwitht
ear
s
fal
li
ngfrom si
det osi
de]

Cel
lmat
e:howwasyourvi
sit
?Wasi
tyourf
ami
ly?
Nkosi
:theonl
yfami
l
yIgotdoesn'
twantanyt
hingt
o
dowit
hme.

Cellmate:wellt
hereconci
ll
iat
ionpeopl
earecoming
tomorr
ow.I fyouar
eser i
ousaboutapol
ogizi
ngto
thepersonyouhurt,t
heycanhel pyouwit
hthat
.

Nkosi
:thanksMan.[
ast
heyar
elyi
ngdownt
hei
rcel
l
opensandanagentwal
ksi
n]

Agent
:Mabeba,wi
llhaveyout
onight
.Takeapr
oper
shower[
thr
owssoapsatNkosi]smell
goodand
don'
tbelat
e.Youhear?[
henods]good.

#Mbal
enhl
e

Wewokeupandwat chedcartoonshalft
heday.I
wasn'
tfeel
ingokay,Iwasjustuncomfort
abl
ewi t
h
pai
nseverysecond.Ical
ledthedoctorandshe
camet oseemeatt hehouse.Wedi scoveredthat
i
tsjustti
redness.SoIt ookt hepi ll
sshegaveme
andjustrelaxed.AsIwasl i
kechi l
ling,somet hingI
didn'
texpecthappened.Ihear dt hesoundofacow
outsi
de,wel ookedoutt hewi ndowandi twasmy
parents,
Nkosi '
sparentsplusel der s.Idi dn'
tknow
howt oreactbutIdon'tkeepunf or givenesssoI
askedNenet oopenthegat ef ort hem andt heysti
ll
didnotcomei nt
omyyar d.Iwal kedoutwi t
h
Nkanyisobehi ndme.

Me:Pl
easecomei
nsi
de,
itshotout
side.

Nkosi'
sfather:Mysonsentust oyou,webrought
youthesethingstoaskf oryourf
orgi
veness.We
didnotregardalotofthi
ngsanditwaswr ongofus.
Wewoul dliketost
artafr
esh.

Me:Youaremypar ent
s,angerdoesn'
tmeanIhate
you.Comeint
ot heyar
d.[Ipr
eparedchai
rsonmy
pati
ofort
hem tosit
.Theywalkedinwit
hgift
sli
kea
cow,asheep,chi
ckenandveggiespl
usmoney.I
wasn'
tsureaboutthi
sbutIwantedtoheart
hem out
.
Theyal
lsetdown.]what
sthisabout?

Nkosi
'
smother
:it
sacommandf
rom t
hechi
ef,
that
wemaket
hingsri
ght
.

Nene:Ohhow,
hopet
hisi
snotsomemar
ri
agest
ant
agai
n.

Me:letmemaket ea.[
Iwenti
nsidewit
hmysonand
wemadet eawi t
hcookies.Weservedthem]Idon'
t
knowwhatt odowi thawholecowandsheep, my
fri
dgeisnotthatbigandmysoni sevenafr
aidof
theanimal
s.

MrHlophe:Yourfatherhasakr
aalf
ulloft
hem,
don'
tfeart
hesethings.
Nkanyi
so:Ihaveadaddymama?

Me:Youdohaveadaddy,
whenhi
sgoodandr
eady
hewil
lcomeseeyou.

Nkosi'
smother
:[humbl
ed]soyouhaven'ttaught
yoursont
ohatemysonaf teral
ltheseyears?

Me:iftheydeci
det
ohat
eeachot
her
,itwon'
tbe
becauseofme.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t11

Forgi
venessisgol den,t
heyspentthewholedayat
myhouseandpr omi sedtovi
situsasoftenas
possi
ble.Idon'tknowwhatNkosidi dbutitkept
them onatightleash.Theycouldn'
tvomit
nonsenseeveni ftheytri
ed.Myproblem wasthey
l
eftthegi f
tsatmyhouse.Idi dn'tknowwhatt odo
withthem, mysonwascur i
ous, wegavet he
animalscabbaget oeat .Ical l
edt hebut cheryand
requestedforthem tocomet aket hem.Theycame
tofetchthem.Thedaywasj ustbl essed, i
tsli
kea
heavyl oadhadbeenl iftedof fmyshoul ders.I
cookedandweat elikeki ngs.Iknowhowi tsounds
butthenextday, Iwokeupandwentt ot hepr i
son.I
askedt oseehim andhecoul dn'tevenwal k.Hehad
l
ostal otofweight,Ijustwant edtodef eatt heanger
andf earwhichwasst i
llthere.Hesetopposi t
eme
andlookeddown.

Me:itwaspainfultober apedbutt hatwasmi l

d
compar edtothepainIfeltwhenyoudi scardedof
us.Wesl epti
nthest r
eetsforsomet imebef or
ethe
varsit
yopeneditsdoors.Ihaver aisedoursonwi th
hel
pbuthehasl otsofquestions.Hewonder swhy
hedoesn'thaveaf at
herwhocanpi ckhim upand
walkhimt oschool.Hehasquest ionswhi chIdon't
knowhowt oanswer.Yourpar entsandmi necame
tovisi
tusyesterday,Nkanyisoisaf rai
dofcows,
sheepandchi
cken.Het
hinkst
heyar
epet
s.

Nkosi
:[chuckl
esandlaughswi
tht
ear
s]I
'
m sor
ry,
I
havebeenhorri
ble.

Me:wellwhil
eyouareinhere,
lear
nhowt ocoach
yoursonint
oamanbecauseIdon' tknowhowt o
expl
ainwhatishappeningt
ohisbodyattimes.Why
doyoupeoplehaveblackspot
sont heri
ght
shoul
der?Isthatabi
rthmarkorsomethi
ng?

Nkosi
:[l
ooksup]i
tsabir
thmark,
Inevert
hought
you'
dextendsuchki
ndnesst
ome.IknowIdon't
deser
veit.

Me:Idon'thaveti
met obeangrywit
hyou, wehave
asont orai
seandyoumi ssedouton8year s
alr
eady.Someoft hethi
ngsIdon'
tknowhowt o
explai
n,Idon'
that
eyoubecausemysoni sanexact
copyofyou.Hisstrongwil
ledandoutspokenli
ke
hisfat
her
.Thanksfort
hegi f
tsbuttheschoolf
ees
areskyhi
gh,hewantstogoonsomeboyscamp
whichist
wicemysalary.Iam bar
elykeepi
ngup.All
Iam aski
ngfori
sthatyoudoyourpar tasafat
her
.

Nkosi
:Okay,Iwil
lworkoni
t.Thankyouforput
ti
ng
meinhere,i
tsreal
lyt
hebestthi
ngever
.

Me:Ican'
tsayi
tsapl
easur
e.

Nkosi:i
tsmakingmeseet hepoint
,Iappr
eci
atei
t.
Don'
twor ryaboutt
heschoolfeesandcamp
whatevers.Iwi
llwor
konit.

Me:thankyou.[ hewascuffedandtakenbackt
othe
cel
l.Sti
lll
aughing,i
tfel
tgoodtoknowt hatt
hebul
l
hasfinall
ybeent amed.Westil
lhavealongwayto
gowi t
hNkanyisoandIt hi
nkhisbeinggroomedin
pri
son.ThankGod.Iwentoutanddr ovetot
he
housetof i
nd.AsIgott ot
hehouse,80khadbeen
depositedintomyaccount,myson'sschoolsent
mewor dthathisschoolf
eesar
epai d,
plusthe
camppeopl ecall
edthatmysonisaddedont heir
l
ist.Isetont hepati
ochair
sandtookar eal
lydeep
breathe.]

Nene:Howwasi
t?Di
dhescar
eyou?

Me:Nope, hewasbetterthanIhaveeverseenhi m.
Prisonhashumbl edhim, hethankedmef orl
ocki
ng
hi
m up.Wehadaconver sati
onandImustsayi t
wassuccessf ul
.Theysayt heblackspot son
Nkanyiso'sshoul
derar ebir
thmar ks.Theyare
dealingwithhiminthere,hecouldn'tevenwalk
properly.

Nene:[
laughs]l
if
ejustgotr
eal
.

Me:hepai
dforcampandNkanyi
so'
sschoolf
ees
t
hengavemeanallowance.
Nene:t
hat
swei
rd,
hedoesn'
thavemoney.

Me:Nkanyisogothisexperimenti
vemindfrom
somewhere.Itwasn'tfr
om me,Hisfat
heri
swal ki
ng
physi
cs.Hehasbr ainsthatman,don'
tbefool
edby
hisat
ti
tude.Thiswil
lgivehimtimetocompletehi
s
educat
ionaldesir
es.Her ef
usedtoappl
yforparol
e.

Nene:Ihopet
hisi
saposi
ti
vet
urnofevent
s.

Nkanyi
so:MommycanIgot
ocampt
hisyear
?

Me:Yes,youar
egoi
ngtocampt hi
syearbaby.I
wantyoutobeonyourbestbehavi
our.

Nkanyi
so:t
hanksMum.[
goesbacki
nsi
det
hehouse
i
nexcit
ement]
Nene:yourmanagercal
ledt
hatyoucometowork
soonest
,ther
earesomepaperswait
ingf
oryou.

Me:alr
ight[Igotupanddroveoutt
othehospi
tal
.
WhenIar r
ivedpeoplewer
estari
ngatme.Iwentto
t
hemanager soff
iceandf
oundRajesh,
thewound
i
ssti
llfr
eshyoh.Isetdown]yessir
.

Manager:wecannotl
etyougo,Ichangemymi
nd.
Thenursesandpati
ent
ssignedapetit
ion.

Me:Iunder
standsi
r.

Manager
:Ibel
ievedoct
orRajeshhassomet
hingso
sayt
oyou.I'
l
lexcuseyou[l
eaves]

Raj
esh:Igaveyou7year
sofmyl i
feandi
tbrought
menothingbutpai
nsofwant
ingsomethi
ngIknow
canneverbemi ne.Mywi f
ei sal otofthingsbutwe
arelearni
ngt oloveeachother .Thereareal otof
i
mper fecti
onsandIwoul dliket hatyougi veherthe
samer espectthatwasaccor dedyou.Fr om her eI
am goingf or
war dinmymar r
iage,pleasest opbeing
asidet oit
.Ican'tpayyourson' sfeesorgr oceri
es
oranythingmoneywi sebecausei twillmakemy
marriagefail
.

Me:[heexpectedmet obeangr yIguess]Don'

t
worry,
hisfat
her'sgoti
t.Thankyouf orbri
ngi
ngus
thi
sfarandsor r
yforwastingyourtime,maki
ngyou
bel
ieveinshadows.From hereIwillhandl
eit
,Iwi
sh
youthebestinyourmar r
iage.

Nurse:[
ent
erswi
thabunchofwhi
teandr
edr
oses]
t
hisjustar
ri
vedf
oryou,
Doc.

Me:[i
tmelt
edmei nt
oamill
ionpieces.Ithadacard
at
tachedwit
hanumberandpl easecallmewr i
tt
en
onit
]NoproblemsDoct
or,
ifwear edoneher eI
woul
dli
ket
omakeacal
l.

Raj
esh:whoar
ethosef
rom?

Me:Mysecr etadmir
erIguess.Thanksf or
everyt
hing,youbroughtust hi
sfarandGodi s
mendingsomebr i
dgeswhi chwer ebrokenand
abandoned.Thanksf oreveryt
hing,saymewel l
to
yourwifeandf amil
y.[Imadethecal l
]whatarethe
rosesfor?

Nkosi
:Iknowit
sabittoosoonbutIneedyouto
pi
ckupmyschoolbooks.Pl ease,
Iwil
lpayf
oryour
pet
rol
.Justdr
opthem offatthepri
son,t
hewarder
wil
lgi
vethem t
ome.

Me:Iwaswonderi
nghowl ongyouweregoi
ngtolet
t
hosefool
splayyou.Iwi
llgett
hem t
oyoufi
rst
t
hingtomor
rowmor ni
ng.Iam goi
ngther
eri
ghtnow.
Nkosi
:sor
ryf
orbot
her
ingyou,
Itwon'
thappen
agai
n.

Me:[Ihungupanddr ovet othebookstore.His

orderwasal readywai ti
ng,hewasgoi ngtofini
sh
hi
svar si
tystudi es.Ithoughthehadgivenupon
beingachemi calmanbutIguessIwaswr ong.I
paidanddr oppedt hem off.Thenwenttomyhouse
andfoundt hatNenehadboughtmysonapuppy. ]
whendi dthisonehappen?

Nkanyiso:Aunt
y'scousi
nwassel l
ingt
hem.Iowe
him 150,It
oldhi
mt hatIwi
llsavemylunchmoney
topay.

Me:[
Iopenedthepur
seandgaveNenet
hemoney]
t
hankyouverymuch.

Nkanyi
so:[
goest
ohi
sroom wi
tht
hepuppy]
Nene:whoar
etheyf
rom?

Me:j ail
bird,am Ibei
ngtoofor
givi
ng?Rajeshthinks
Iwantt obreakhismarri
ageandhekindlytol
dme
tost ayoutofhi sbusi
nessinaniceway.Iagree,I
haveal otgoingformetobechasingshadows.I
i
ncr easedNkanyi so'
seducati
onfundtentimes.I
feelal otli
ght.

Nene:NeverthoughtIcoul
dseethedaywher
e
Rajeshwantsnothi
ngt odowit
hyou.Iki
ndagot
comf or
tabl
eandaskedGodt omakeyouhavea
beautif
ulmarr
iage.

Me:t
woki dsoutofmarr
iageisenoughtostopme
onmytracks.Manarenotont hemenuanymore,I
j
ustwanttoexplor
emyki dsandhavingenough
money,
Icoulduseabettercar.

Nene:sonomor
eJeshoranymen?
Me:thi
sisitf
orme,
let
sjusthavef
unf
rom her
e
onwards.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t12

ThenextweeksIwenti nandoutoft ravel agents.I

vi
sitedasmanyl ovel
ypl acesasmyschadul e
all
owedme.It ookusonashoppi ngspr ee.Ihaven'
t
seenorhear danythingf r
om theJai l
birdapar tf
rom
hisallowancesandgr oceryagents.Raj eshhas
beencal li
ngmel ateatnighttel
li
ngmeabouthow
badhi smar ri
ageisandt hathemi ssesus.Ihaven' t
givenhim suchoppor tunit
ytocomer uinmypeace
ofmi nd.Nkanyisoisatcampandhi shavi nga
wonder fulti
me.IbroughtabucketofKFCandj ust
vi
sitedtheHussai nhouse.Mybabybumpi s
showi ngabi tasIwalkedt hr
ought hei
rf rontdoor.
Alleyeswentonme, Mr sHussaincol lectedthe
bucketf r
om me.
MrsHussai
n:thi
sisnice,
itsbeenawhil
esince
we'
veheardfr
om you.How'sDiego?I
tsbeentoo
l
ong.

Me:Hisatcamp,
howsever
yone?Hel
loJul
ia,
Jesh,
Daddy.

MrHussai
n:youj
ustbl
ockedmef
rom cal
li
ng?

Me:I'
m sor
ryjustwentt
hroughaphase,
sor
ry
daddy.What'
sbeenhappening?

Juli
a:Nothi
ngmuch,
businessisr
eal
lybadduet
o
theeconomytosayt
heleast.

Me:t
hel
east
?Daddy?Mommy?What
shappeni
ng?
MrHussai n:theshopwear erenti
ngnowi stoo
expensive,t
her epai
rstot
heoldshophavesl owed
downbecauseoft heunexpectedbursti
nthewater
pipe.Theplumberi scost
ingusal otandIcan'
t
affor
dtopayhi m atthemoment .

Me:[Isentmydaddy20k]j
ustsor
toutthepl
umbi
ng
t
hingandl et
sgobacktomakingmoney.

MrHussai
n:wher
edi
dthi
smoneycomef
rom?

Me:Pri
sonowesmesomef avour
s,let
seat.[
weal
l
setar
oundthet
abl
eandateasaf amil
y.ThenI
washeddi
sheswit
hJul
ia]

Jul
ia:Am It
her
easonyounol
ongerspeakt
omy
husband?

Me:nowomandeser
vest
ofeelt
hreat
enedi
nher
ownhome.Ididn'
twantyouf
eel
ingoutofpl
ace
becauseofme.

Jul
ia:i
nti
macyf
eel
sli
keapuni
shment
,hej
ustcan'
t
getenough.

Me:[yohIchockedandcoughed.Shegaveme
waterandItookitsl
owly]hewil
lgetusedtoyou,
j
ustcommuni cat
eIguess.ImeanwhatdoIknow
aboutbei
ngmar ri
ed?Itcan'
tbethatbad.

Jul
ia:If
eell
iker
unni
ngawayal
ready,
hisoutofhi
s
mind.

Me:takeiteasy,everyrelat
ionshiphaschall
enges.
Hangint here.[
wefinishedthedishesandIran
awayinmycar .Idr
ovehomeandasIar ri
vedI
foundthattheparentshadcome.Theywer ehopi ng
toseeNkanyi sobuthewasn' tthereunf
ort
unately.]
MrsHl
ophe:haowi
sn'
titabi
ttoosoonf
orhi
mto
begoi
ngtocamps?

Me:t
hechiefgavet
hoseor
der
s,i
tsaboyscamp
wher
etheygroom t
hem.

Nkosi
'
sfat
her
:Youspoket
omyson?Howi
she?

Me:Idon'
tknowbutthel
astti
meIsawhim.Hehad
l
ostabitofwei
ghtandhelaughedatme.

MrHlophe:[
looksathi
speer
sinasmi l
e]Okay,
we
begoingnowbeforeNeneover
feedsus.

Me:al
ri
ghthaveasafedri
vehome,It
hinkassoon
ashei
sbackIwilli
nvi
teyouover
.

Mr
sHl
ophe:al
ri
ght
,takecar
eofyour
sel
f.[
theyal
l
geti
nsi
det
hecarandl
eave]

Me:IneverthoughtIwoul
dseethedaywherewe
j
ustgetalong,i
tsnice,
hopei
tlast
sfor
ever
.

Nene:i
fIdidn'tknowbett
erIwouldsaythatt
he
Chi
efiskeepingthem onati
ghtleash.

Me:Icompletelyunder
standwhy,haowIwentto
vi
sitt
heHussai nsandmyeyessawmyear s.Gi
rlI
hadtorunaway.Nott ospeakbadlybutJul
iai
s
complai
ningandhabour i
ngthethoughtofr
unni
ng
awayfrom Rajesh.

Nene:st
ayoutofi
t,l
ett
hem f
eelt
heheat
.

Me:Iam honestl
ygoingtobeanangelandgivea
gir
lsometipstokeepherman.Imeanitsl
ikeyou
saidIknowRajeshbett
er.
Nene:soyour
eal
lyar
edonedonewi
thmen?

Me:Iam done- donewithmen.Iam headi ngtothe

vil
lagethi
sweekend.Ij ustwanttoreal
lybur yt
he
painandpast .Iwanttodealwithmebef oreIget
i
ntoanyr elat
ionshi
p.Rajeshtaughtmesomet hi
ng,
thenexttimelovecomesmyway.Iwantt o
compl et
elygi
vei nt
oitandfly.

Me:Icompl
etel
yunder
stand.

#Pr
ison

Nkosiisfi
nall
yf i
ndinghisfeetanddignityback,
betweenconti
nui nghisstudi
esandt herapy.Hei s
l
earninghowt ocookanddef yi
ngeverythingthatis
settobemeantf orwomen.Hef inal
lygetstohear
himselft
hinkwithoutbeingoverpowered.He
att
endsmangr oomingwor kshopsandt akesast ep
towar dsbeingchri
sti
an.Ashi sfocusingon
regaininghisstr
ength,hereceivesanunexpected
visi
tor,Vivi
an'
sexboyf ri
end.Thatbringsbackalot
ofsourmemor i
es.Het akesabr eat
handt hey
uncaf fhi
m.

Nkosi
:her
etogl
oat
?Dan.

Dan:No, Ijustwantt ol
ookyouint heface.You
havefailed,foryearsIsl
eptinyourbedandyou
didn'
tevenknow.Howst upi
dareyouexact l
y?You
rapedthemot herofyouronl
ychild?Ont hegood
side,
aswespeakt heyareconsi
der i
ngmeast he
nextchief.SoIwi l
lowneverythi
ngyoueverl oved.

Nkosi:Dowhateveryoufeelmakesyousleepbetter
atnight
.Whatmakesyout hi
nkt
hatIcareabout
chiefst
uff
.Bei
ngi nhereformeisthebestblessi
ng
ever.I
fyouthi
nkyouar efitf
ort
heposit
ion,good.
Dan:sheusedtoscream mynameeacht imeyou
wereawayonyourst upidmeetings.Shet ol
dme
aboutyourl
it
tl
eproblem thatyoucouldn'tgeti
tup.
8yearsofmarri
agenot hi
ng,youcouldn'tshoot
anyt
hing.

Nkosi
:Youneedhel
p,youshoul
dgeti
t.

Dan:Noyouar
etheonewhoneedshel
p,youar
e
weak.

Nkosi
:Ithi
nkIli
kebeingweak,ift
hisisweakthanI
am weakandIlovei
t.Idon'
twantt ochasepower,
i
tsexhusti
ng.Goodl
uckwiththat.

Dan:youwi
llneverbehappyorgett
her
espectf
rom
peopl
e.

Nkosi
:That
'sokay,
Ihaveever
ythi
ngIwantbecause
Iam i
nher
e.Il
ovei
ther
e.

Dan:Youdoknowt
hatshegott
heHI
Vfr
om me
ri
ght?

Nkosi
:Shedidn'
tgivei
ttomesot
hat
'sokay.Letal
l
t
hisangergo,i
tsnotheal
thy.

#Raj
esh

Icompl etelyl
etgoofEnhl ethinkingitstheendof
mysor rowsbuti twast hebegi nning.IthoughtI
coul
dhandl eherthiefingf rom usbutshehasr un
mydaddr yandmypar entsar enotevenf orthe
marriageanymor e.Ir egretnott ryingharderwith
Enhlebutshedoesn' tevengi vemet hetimeofday.
Sheisal waysbusy, toobusyt oseemyugl yface.
AsIcamebackf rom wor ktir
edashel l
,shehasn't
evencooked.Shei ssi tti
ngi nmyhousedoi ngnails.
Me:Wel
lIam hungr
y,what
'sf
ort
heeat
ing?

Jul
ia:Iam busyasyoucansee,
eatbr
eador
something.

Me:youar
esupposedt
obemywi
fe.

Jul
ia:so?
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t13

Ihaveneverlaidmyhandonawomanbef orebutI
fel
tli
kesmacki nghersohar d,shewouldjustfal
lof
f
herchair
.Iwenti nt
ot heroom, tookalongshower
thendressedup.Ipickedupmycarkeysandl eft
becauseIdidn'twantt ofightwithheranymore.
That'st
ir
ing,IdrovetoEnhl e'
shouse.Ijustpushed
thelockandpar kedinside.Thear omapull
edme
from outsi
de, i
tdrawedmei nside.Mystomachwas
j
ustscr eaming'feedme' .Ilovedthesmell
,Iopened
thedoorwi thoutknocking.Shewasal oneinherbra
andboxer s.Shel ookedlikemywi feshoul
dlookli
ke,
shet ur
nedar oundandst oppeddancing.Hersmil
e
disappeared.

Me:Pleasej
ustapl
ateoff
oodandI
'
m outofyour
hai
r.

Enhl
e:Doesyourwi feknowt hatyourhere?I
nfact
l
etmecallherandt ellher
.[r
eachesforthephone
andmakest hecal
lonl oudspeaker.Itr
ingst
wice
andshepicks]Yourhusbandi shere,whyishehere?

Juli
a:[chuckl
es]Mightaswellt
akehi
m,it
snotl
ikeI
am inter
estedinanycase.Hemustbehungr
yas
ever,Iam noti
nthemoodt obecooki
ng.I
tshot
outside.
Enhl
e:Youar
emeantt
ofeedyourhusband.

Jul
ia:Iwasbusydoingsomet
hingveryi
mpor
tant
bef
oreyoucall
ed,excuseme[hangsup]

Enhl
e:what
evert
hisi
s,Ihat
eit
.

Me:[Ir
eachedforapl
ateandsetdown.Ial
lowed
hert
obeupset.Shedishedupformeanditwas
qui
tesomethi
ngasusual.]t
hankst
hisi
snice.

Enhle:Ineedtospeakt
oMmaandweneedt o
speaktoyourwifeinalanguageshewi
ll
understand.

Me:I
'
m si
ckandt
ir
edofbei
ngmar
ri
ed.

Enhl
e:Youmi
ghtnotseei
tnowbutyout
woar
e
goingtobeatt
hischal
lengeandbecomethebest
coupleonthi
ssideofearthi
fnotmo..
..
.

Jul
ia:[ent
ers]cutt
hespeech,
I'
m cer
tai
nlyver
y
hungry.

Me:[Iwassoirr
it
atedtoevensayanything.She
dishedupforusandleftust
oeatalone]Iwantto
underst
andwhatyout hi
nkmarri
ageis,whatisitt
o
you?

Juli
a:Paradi
se,
notyouleavi
ngmeforworkand
expect
ingawholemeal.Iwasbornapri
ncessnot
thi
sdomest i
cyouhaveallt
urnedmei
nto.

Me:Iexpectcert
ainthi
ngsf r
om mywife,thatisone
oft
hem.Isyouneedahel pertocookf
ormet han
whatam Idoingwithyou.Ifyoucan'
tgiveme
i
nti
macyandyourt oobusyt ocookforme, thenthi
s
marr
iageisover.
Jul
ia:farfr
om i
t,whywoul dIset
tleforabr okeman
l
ikeyou?Youar ebrokeandi tsunattracti
ve,you
thi
ngintimacyi
spuni shingsomej ustforyour
sati
sfacti
on.Asforme, Ihavealreadyt ol
dmy
parentshowIfeelaboutt hi
swhol escam.

Ilefthert hereanddr ovet omyhouse.Iwentt obed

andsl ept.Thenextmor ningIwokeupt oanempt y
closet.Shehadgoneandpl acedt heengagement
ri
ngont hebedsi det able.Igotof fbedandwentt o
showert henheadt owor k.AsIar r
ivedIf i
ndaj oll
y
andcheer ful,Ican'tbelieveIgaveuponsucha
womani nt henameofpr essure.Thepai nfulpar tis
thatnow, Idon'tknowwher ewest andbecauseof
whathappened.Af terhumi l
iat
ingheri nfrontof
pat i
entsandwi thdrawi ngt hepar entingcontract .I
accusedherofal otoft hingsandnowIdon' teven
knowwher etost art.Igaveupmyr elat
ionshipwi t
h
Mi shmi sh, Ihavecompl etelyblockedmysel fout .
AsIwentt oMi shmi sh'
sschool ,Idiscoveredt he
schoolf eeshadbeenf ullypaidf orthenext7year s
ofhisli
ke.Thetr
ipshadbeencat eredf
oraswell
.I
wenttoherhouseanddi scoveredadeli
veryvan
outsi
de.Itwasbri
nginggroceri
es,IwentinasNene
si
gnedf ori
t.Idi
scover
edt hatMishmishwasback.

Me:howwascamp?

Nkanyi
so:AuntyNene,
canIgot
omyr
oom and
pl
aywithmyt ool
s?

Nene:Yeahthat
sokay.[
herunsupst
air
s]whathas
broughtyouher
ethi
sveryearl
ymorni
ng,shoul
d
younotbeatwork?

Me:Iam goi
ngonani
ght
shi
ft
.

Nene:
Don'tmi
ndhim, hewil
lcomearound.The
par
entsfr
om bothsidesar
eonthei
rwayher et
osee
Nkanyi
sosoitsbestyoudonotcol
li
de.ImustsayI
wassur pri
sedthatbecauseofawoman, you'djust
throwusundert hebusli
kethat.Imeanf ora
minut ethere,IthoughtIwasgoi ngt obe
unempl oyedbutwet hankGodf orthejail
bir
d.Looks
l
ikeJai lisverygoodf orNkosi,hehasj usttakenup
responsi bi
li
ty.Nkanyisoisentitledtogetany
gadgetofhi schoi ce,mysalaryhasr eceiveda
wonder fulupgradeandwel lMadam onl ypaysr ent
.
Ther esthej usthasourbacksandi tskindastrange
butthemoneyi sgoodIwon' tl
ie.

Me:I
sthatwhyDi
egoi
sbehavi
ngt
hatway?

Nene:Hismot hert
oldhimt
hetruthabout
ever
ything,whohisfat
heri
sandwhyt hehel
lheis
i
nprison.Thatgavethewholehousesomepeaceof
mindbecauset oNkosi,
hecan'
trunawaybecause
Nkanyisoisadupli
catewhi
chcannotevenbe
deni
ed.Ot her
wisewhenistheoff
ici
alweddi
ng?

Me:Ther
ewon'
tbeaweddi
ng.
Nene:I
nter
est
ing,
Ihavetowatchmyfavour
itshow
nowsoyoucanmaket eaifyouwant
.

Me:[shej
ustgavemeacol dshoulderandIjust
t
urnedaround.Idrovet
omypar entshouseandjust
t
hrewmyselfont hecouch,
sigh]

MrHussain:Ihearshel
eftyouf
inal
ly,
youshoul
d
behappy.

Me:Idon'
tknowwhathappi
nesslooksli
ke,
Enhl
eis
car
ryi
ngmychildandshewantsnothi
ngtodowit
h
me.Mishmishhatesmygut
s,hewon'tevengi
ve
methetimeofday.

MrsHussai
n:Areyousayi
ngt
hatyou'
vebeen
seei
ngEnhl
eallt
hiswhil
e?
Me:wehadsomet hi
nggr eatbutduetoherpastshe
neveral
lowedust ohaveapr operrel
ati
onshi
p.
WhenJul i
acameal ong,Ijustgaveuponbeing
pati
entwithherandlookwher ethatl
edme.
MrHussai n:Isuspect
edthatforyears,your
cl
osenessandconver sat
ions.Iknewi twasbeyond
fr
iendshiplongago.Iwaswonder i
ngwhyyou
acceptedtheoffertomar
ryagol ddiggerliket
hat
.

Me:Iwasbl i
ndedbyci rcumstances, mybabyis
coming.Enhleandhersonhat emygut s,Nkosihas
j
ustcoveredallthecorners.Pull
ingoutofthe
parenti
ngcontractgavehimr i
ght stoDi
ego,sohe
paidforcamp,schoolfees,newgadget sandbuys
groceri
es.Asifthat
'snotenough, heupgraded
Nene'ssalar
y.Ireal
lyruinedmyl ife.

MrsHussai
n:Shewil
lnotkeepyouf
rom yourchi
ld,
nomatt
erwhatthi
sis.
#Pr
ison

Progressi stheor deroft heday, hisexamswent

wellandhej ustwant st ocelebr ateit.Ashi slike
sit
ti
ngi nhisnewcel l
,thewar dercomest opickhim
upandt akeshi mt othevi si
tinghal l.Hi sparents
havecomet ogetherwi thsomepaper s.Ashesi ts
downhenot icestheyar epar olepaper s.
Immedi atelyhet hinksofhowgoodt hingsar e
becomi ngi nhi sl
ife,atthisrat ehewi l
lbe
graduatingint hreeyear sandout si
det hepr i
sonhe
won'tbeabl et odot hat.

Nkosi
:what
sthi
sabout
?

Hi
smot
her
:pl
easej
ustsi
gnt
hepar
olepaper
s.

Nkosi:Nocando,Iwi
llnotber
equest
ingf
orany
par
ole.Il
ikei
ther
e.
Hi
sfat
her
:who'
sbr
ainwashi
ngyou?

Nkosi:Youdon'
tgetitbutbeinginhere,al
lowedme
toatl
eastseeandtrytoamendmymi st
akes.I
meanl i
keIknowhavemyf amilyback.Theoneyou
convi
ncedmewasn' tgoodenough, forthefi
rstt
ime
Igettomakemyowndeci sions.Mysonenj oyed
campsomuch, hi
sparentsarefinal
lyatpeacewith
eachother.

Hi
smother
:Ar
eyousayingt
hatweshoul
dn'
tget
t
hedowrywepai
donthatgi
rl
'shead?

Nkosi
:whatis50000?itwasmyhardearnedmoney,
mysweat.Iam notcomplai
ning,
youdon'
tanyr
ight
t
ocomplain.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t14
Thenext13mont hsgotr eallytough, Juli
aensur ed
tomakemyl i
feal i
vinghel l
.Shesuedmef orbreach
ofpromi seandmydi rt
yl aundry, picturesofmeand
Enhlewer eallovert heMedi a.Thatcausedhert o
compl et
elydisconnectf rom mebecauseunl i
keher,
Ihaveanunt ouchabl ereput ati
on.Shel ostherjobin
themi ddleofthisandt hat'sthel astt i
mewewer ein
thesamer oom toget her.Shewar nedmenevert o
comeanywher enearher .SoIhadnochoi cebutt o
winthislawsui t
.Iwonandsuedherf ormor e.
Whicht ookmor et i
met hanIant i
ci patedbutatt he
endIgotmi l
li
onsf r
om herf amily.It hinkmybabyi s
probablyamont holdnow.Iboughtaf ewbaby
clot
hesanddr ovetoherpl acesincei tsbeenover7
mont hssincewe' veseeneachot her .Nenecame
outwi t
haswol l
enf aceandpuf fyeyes.

Nene:whyar
eyouher
e?

Me:Pl
easeIj
ustwantt
oseet
hebaby.
Nene:Youdidn'
thear
?Thebabywasbor nwithlung
probl
ems.Theytri
edtosaveherbutshepassedon
twoweeksago.

Me:[Itookadeepbr eathandtearsstr
eameddown.
Itr
iedtor emai
nstrongbutIgotoutoft hecar
,wet
unti
lIhadasl i
ghtheadache.Enhleappearedatthe
doorandshehadl ostsomuchwei ght
,youcan't
eventellshewaspr egnant
.Iwenttoherandjust
huggedher .Wecri
edt oget
her]I
'm sor
ry.

Enhl
e:[
tear
sstreamingdown]shewassobeaut
if
ul,
shehadyoureyes.I
thurt
ssobad.

Me:Ishoul
dhavebeent
her
e.

Enhl
e:t
hefuner
ali
sthi
sweekend.I
tsj
ustasmal
l
cer
emony.
Me:I'
m sor
ryforeveryt
hingthathappenedwit
hmy
engagementnonsense,allt
hatIputyouthr
ough.

Enhle:It
'sokay,
Iam overitnow.Themi nut
eIheld
herforthefir
stti
me,everyt
hingjustwentoutt
he
window.Shecameher eforareasonandIthank
Godf orher.Thi
shasallowedmet ogrowat hi
ck
ski
n.Ijustwantustobur yherandhaveNkanyiso'
s
bir
thday.

Me:howdoyoudecidetomakeabirt
hdaywhen
we'
vejustl
ostababy?Ther
eisn'
tgoi
ngtobea
bi
rt
hday.

Enhle:Iwi
shIneededyourper mi
ssionbutIact ual
ly
don't
.Mysondeser vestohaveabirthdaywithall
hisfri
endsinit.Acust
om madecakeandpr esents
thatheactual
lywants.Sostopal
lthis,Idon'
tmean
tobeinsensit
ivebutIcan'
tbeint
earsanymor e.Do
whatyouneedt
odoandbeokaybecauseIam.

Me:Ican'tbelieveyourjustgoingtoover
spendon
moneyyoudon' tevenhave.Youar ecurr
entl
y
unemployedt hisisn'
ttheti
mef oryoutobe
spendi
ngal lyoursavingsuntilyougetajobatl
east
.

Enhle:Pl
easegetupandleavemyhouse.[
widens
thedoor]Leavemyhouse.

Me:Youknowt
hatIam r
ight
,don'
tdot
his.

#Mbal
enhl
e

i
tsbeenat oughyearformeandent eri
ngintothe
newyeari sevenmoretough.Idon'
thaveaj ob
anymor eandbasi
call
ywear esurvi
vingonNkosi's
provi
sion.Wehavenothadaconver sati
onsince
thefir
sttimeIwenttoseehim.Hei sjustkeepi
ng
tohislaneandhi spar ent sar ebear lycopi ng
becausehedoesn' tal lowt hem seehi m.Funny
enoughhepai dthemedi calbi ll
sf ormybi rt
hand
thetreat
mentf ort hebaby.I twassosadt olosea
cutebabybutIf eel l
ikeshet riedal lshecoul dto
staybutshej ustcoul dn' tstay.FordaysIj ust
stayedinbedsi ckbutt her aphysetmest rai
ght.I
am planningasmal lfuner alwi t
hj ustmyi mmedi ate
family.Wevi sitedt hevi l
lageaf ewt imesandt he
newChi efhasj ustaboutdepr essedever yone.For
someoddr easonhei smaki ngadvancesatme.I
am notaboutt hatl i
feespeci allyaf terfi
ndingout
thathisbeensl eepingwi thmysi sterfrom dayone
ofhermar riaget oNkosi .Ihavehadenoughdr ama
foroneper son, Raj eshj ustshowedupandj ust
demor al
isedmewi thj obl esst alk.Bet weenmy
all
owanceandever ythi ngel se, Icanaf fordtolive
comf ort
ablywi thoutdebt s.

Nkanyi
so:Hel
loMoms.
Me:Youar
egr
owi
ngupt
oof
ast
.

Nkanyi
so:Gr
andpasaysthatt
heywi
llsl
aught
era
cowformybirt
hdaysother
eispl
ent
yofmeat.

Me:Isomet
imeswonderwhatyoupeopl
etal
kabout
i
nmyabsence.

Nkanyiso:Everyt
hing,Chi
efDantoldmet hatmy
fat
herisamonst erandhi sweak.Thathehurtyou
andnowhi sinpr i
sonbutgrandpahadnot hi
ngto
sayaboutthat.Isitt
ruethatmyfatheri
sahor r
ibl
e
person?

Me:Ithinki
tstimeyouaskhimthatquestion
yoursel
f.It
hinkheisatabett
erposit
iontoexpl
ain
himself
.ButIneedyoutojustgi
vehim achance,do
notbeangryorholdanythi
ngagainsthi
m.
Nkanyi
so:hedi
dn'
twantme,
het
oldyout
oki
llme.
WhywouldInotbeangr
y?

Me:That'
sit,getinsidethecar.[
Itookoffmyapr on
andhegotinsidet hecarwi t
hme.Idr oveustothe
pri
son.ThelastthingIneedi smysonhavi nganger
i
ssues.Wewenti nt othevisi
ti
nghall]Iwantyouto
speaktoyourfather.

Nkanyi
so:MommyIdi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.

Me:Iwantyoutotel
lhi
m howyoufeelaboutthe
t
hingsyouhaveheardabouthi
m,don'
tbeafraid.

Nkosi
:[i
sbroughti
ntot
hehall
,hener
vousl
ysi
ts
down,notknowi
ngwhattosay]

Me:Ithi
nkyoupeopl
eneedtot
alk,I
'l
lexcuseyou.[
I
wentandstoodout
sidet
hehal
l.Idi
dn'tknowwhat
toexpectbutIwon'trai
seanangr yson.Ihear dhim
shouti
ngathim andt el
li
nghim exactl
ywhathe
thi
nksabouthim, Nkosiremai
nedcal m andforthe
fi
rstti
meinal ongti
me, Isawhimt earup.Afterthe
outburstt
heyhadaconver sat
ionwhi chIwas
i
nvitedint
o.Iwentintothehal
landsetdown]ar e
youdone?

Nkosi
:Iwouldreal
lyl
iketoapologi
zeforever
ythi
ng
t
hatIdid,
Irepentf
rom everyt
hingandifi
tsokay
wit
hyou,Iwouldli
ketocallmysonf r
om ti
met o
t
ime.

Me:I
sthatokaywit
hyouNkanyi
so?[
henods]t
hat
won'
tbeaproblem.

Nkosi :sorryaboutyourl ossandyourunempl oyed

status.Iwi l
lsuppor tyouunt i
lyougetbackonyour
feetagai n.Pleasedon' thesit
atetocal
lmeifyou
peopleneedanyt hing.[writesonapaper]t
hisismy
l
egal l
ybi ndinglet
tert hatIwilldomyjobasaf at
her
andwillber
esponsi
blef
oryourwel
lbei
ng,
andt
hat
Iwil
lnotdar
ehurtyouagai
n.

Me:[weallsi
gnedi
t,t
henthewar dermadetwo
copi
es.Wekepttheorgi
nal.Af
terthevi
sitwewent
outandImustsayIdidn'
tseethem shar
ingahug.
Whenwegoti nt
othecar,mysonwascal merthanI
haveeverseenhi
m]areyouokay?

Nkanyi
so:Hel
ooksl
ikeme.

Me:[t
hatal
mostmademel
augh]whatdi
dyou
peopl
etal
kabout
?

Nkanyi
so:Ever
ythi
ng,
hesaysIcanhaveapar tyf
or
mybirt
hdayaslongasIbehave.Hesaidthat
cooki
ngisnotawomanthing,canyouteachme
howtocookandcleanupaftermysel
fmommy?
Me:[shouldhavedonet hisearl
ierwow.Ther ide
homewashumbl ing.Aswear rivedhepi ckeduphi s
gadgetsandplacedt hem wheret heystay.Ididn'
t
havetoevenshoutabouti t.Wehaddi nnerandhe
pl
acedhisplateinthewasher ,brushedhi steeth
andItackedhimin.Wowr ight
?Ir ecei
vedacal l
fr
om aprivat
enumber ]Hell
o.

Nkosi
:Thankyouf
orbr
ingi
nghi
m.

Me:Ij
ustfearr
aisi
nganangryboy,
hisagoodki
d
andIwanthimtoremai
nthatway.

Nkosi:Hisverystr
ongwi ll
edandout spoken,Inever
thoughtsomeonecoul dbemel i
kehei s.I
tsscary,I
thoughtIwasstrongwi l
ledbuthistent i
meswor se.
Thankyouf orkeepinghim, If
eell
ikehistheonly
thi
ngIdidrightinthisworld.

Me:It
hinkIwi
llpr
obabl
yjoi
nyoui
fDankeeps
t
ail
ingme.

Nkosi:[
sigh]hejustwantstospit
eme, aboutthe
jobthi
ng.Pleasedon'tworryaboutit,
Ibelievethat
youwi l
lgetsomethingsoonerratherthanlater
.Ar e
youokayaboutt hepartythi
ng?Het oldmeabout
Jeshandwhathappenedwi ththeparent i
ngthing.I
justwanttosayitsgoingtobebet t
er,night.

Me:Okay.[
hehungupandIj
ustf
eltmi
xed]
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t15

Thenextfewdays, Ihadmot ivat

iontosubmi tmy
cvsatlot
sofsites.ThenIhadasmal lcer
emonyf or
mylatedaughterandt heHussainshadcomewhi ch
wasnicebecauseIhaven' tseent hem inf
orever.
Aft
erthefuner
al, Isetinthepat i
owonder ingwhats
next
.Ihonestl
yf eltdrainedandj ustwenttosleep
withahousef ul
lofpeople.ThenIhear dadel iver
y
tr
uckpar koutside.Igotoffbedandwal kedtomy
gateandt heydeliveredtwolargepizzaspl usice-
cream andagoodi esbusket.Thatmademef eela
l
otbetter.Therewasnonot eonlyoneper son
knowsmel ikethi
s.Isetinthepatiowi t
hmyson
andweat t
ackedt hePizzali
kenot hi
ngishappeni ng.

Mr
sHussai
n:Youor
der
edPi
zza?

Me:Nope.I
tsagi
ftIt
hink.

Nene:[
getsasl
iceofpi
zza]Ohyes,
thi
sis
wonderf
ul.

Raj
esh:whoboughtt
heset
hings?

Nkanyi
so:Mydaddi
d.
ChiefDan:[
arri
vesandpar
ksi
nsi
det
heyar d]
Greeti
ngstothehouse,
howar
eyoufeel
ing?

Me:areyoukiddi
ngme?Yet hui
sspoi
li
ngusr
ott
en.
Jai
lisbenef
ici
alIt
ellyou.

ChiefDan:Hi
sinpri
son,bythet
imehegetsout
youreggswil
lbelonggone.Moveonwhil
eyousti
ll
can,don'
tyouwanttobequeen?

Me:Queenbesideyou?I
sthatwhatyout
oldmyl
ate
si
ster
?Int
erest
ing.

Chi
efDan:Besi
demeyouwil
lbl
ossom,
youwer
e
meantf
orgreat
ert
hings.

Me:[
chuckl
es]not
hanks,
Iam donewi
thmen.Your
t
oolat
esorry.
Chi
efDan:Comeonbabygi
rlwecant
alkaboutt
his.

Me:Whenyouaredoneembar
rassi
ngyour
sel
f,t
he
gat
eisopened.

ChiefDan:Youhaven'tdatedanyonesi nceyou
brokeupwi t
hNkosi,doest hatmeannoone
mat chesup?Thathi
st heonl yonewhocani mpress
you?Whatdoeshehavet hatt herestofusdon'
t?I
meanIknowi t
snotbetweent hesheets.

Nkosi
'
sfat
her
:That
'senoughDan,
pleasel
eaveus
i
npeace.

Nkanyi
so:MommyIam hotcanIt
akeof
fthi
sjacket
now?

Me:Yeah.[het
ookoffhi
sjacketandthesecond
Dansawt hemarkonmyson'sshoulder.Hestar
ted
chocki
ngsobadthatnotevenwatercoul
dhelp.Hi
s
guardstookhi
mtothecarandtheydroveof
f.
]
Manje?

Nkosi
'
sMother
:Letmeseeyourarm Nkanyiso.
[
examingt
hemark]wehavebeenvi
ndicated.

Me:what
'
sthi
sabout
?

MrHlophe:Yoursoni
snexti
nli
ne,
meaningthatt
he
Chi
efti
tl
ewasnotsupposedtobemovedfr
om us.
Doeshisfat
herknow?

Me:Yeah, It
oldhim abouti
tandhejustl
aughed
aboutit
.Hesai dit
sabi r
thmark.[
peopl
ejust
star
tedcelebrat
ingandkissi
ngmyson.Itir
ri
tat
ed
me]what '
sthisabout?

Mr
sHl
ophe:i
fsomeonei
sabor
nChi
ef,
thi
sbi
rt
h
mar
ktur
nsbl
ue.I
tsi
tchyatt
imes.

Me:i
tusedt
obotherhim whenhewasyoungbuti
t
st
oppedwhenIt
oldhisfatherabouti
t.

Nkosi
'
sfat
her
:sohehast
hevi
sions?

Me:Visi
ons?Idon'
tknowaboutt
hat
.Doyouhave
st
rangedreamsbaby?

Nkanyi
so:It
oldPapaabouti
t,hemadethem t
o
st
op.Theystoppedt
hedaywewentt oseehi
m.

Me:whydidn'
tyoutel
lmeaboutt
his?Howl
onghas
t
hisbeenhappeni
ng?

Nkanyi
so:si
nceIwas7, Iusedtoaskyouquest
ions
andyoudidnothaveanswersremember?ButPapa
answeredme,hetol
dmethatwewi
llpr
ayt
oget
her
fort
hesethi
ngsnottot
akeme.

Me:[aswewer et
alki
ng,myphonerangfrom t
he
pr
ison.Ipi
ckedit
]Hell
o.[
hesaidIshoul
dputhim
onspeaker
]theyarel
ist
ening.

Nkosi:Mysonwi l
lnotbeinti
atedintot
hischief
nonsense.Idon'
twantmysonanywher enearthat
evi
lri
ver.YOUHEARMEBABA, STAYTHEHELL
AWAYFROM MYSON, NKANYI SOISTOOYOUNG,
HEDOESN' TKNOW THEDI FFERENCEYET.DO
NOTTOUCHMYSON, ALLOW HI M TOHAVEA
NORMALLI FE.Mbal
icanwet alkinpri
vate?

Me:Okay.[
Iremovedthephonef
rom speakerand
wenti
ntothehouse]youar
escar
ingmeYet hu.

Nkosi
:IgaveNkanyisomybracel
ete,
pleaseensur
e
t
hathewearsitunt
ilIcanf
iguresomethi
ngelse.
Me:Youar
enotmaki
ngsense.

Nkosi:I
foursoni sexposed,hestandstheri
skof
beingki
ll
ed.Al lt
hepeoplewhocoul dnotgettome,
wil
lcomef ormyson, that'
swhyIdi dn'
tsear
chfor
youtwoalltheseyearsbecauseIdi dn'
twantyouto
beindanger.Theywi l
ltryever
ythi
ngt omakeyour
l
ivesmiserable.Iwi
llt
ryeveryt
hinginmypowert o
getyousafety.

Me:whatdoest
hebr
acel
etdo?

Nkosi:Itmakesi timpossibl
ef orthem t
otouchhi
s
spir
it,
theywon' ttakehim spiri
tual
lybutphysi
cal
ly
hisveryfragi
le.Iwillgett
rustedpeopletowatch
overyou.Maybel et'
sgetar eall
ygoodmakeup
arti
sttohidethemar k.

Me:i
fitwi
llhel
pthenyeahbutyouknowhi
sver
y
act
ivesomakeupi
snotr
eal
l
yat
hing.
Nkosi
:itsj
usttil
lIcanfi
guresomet hi
ngout
,Iwil
l
worksomet hi
ngout.It
sgoodt hatmanypeopl
e
thi
nkthatyouhateme.I twi
llconfuset
hem abi
tso
Ifi
ndaper minantsol
uti
on.

Me:maybeweshoul
dremovei
t.

Nkosi
:That'
sextr
emeMamakhe, Idon'
twanthimin
pai
nsbesideshemightneedi
tinfut
ureto
under
standwherehecomesfrom.Iwil
lfi
gure
somethi
ngout,don'
tworr
yorchangehisrout
ine.

Me:Thankyouf
ordoi
ngt
hisf
orus,
Iappr
eci
atei
t.

Nkosi:If
eelli
keIhaven'
tdoneanythi
ngyet,Imean
Icanonlypraythatoursondoesn'
tgowildli
keme
becausethatmightmakemeescapef rom t
his
placetosethi
m strai
ght.
Me:Hisf
ragi
leandsomet
imesi
tshar
dtoget
t
hrought
ohim.

Nkosi:Justr
est
,Iwil
lputmytr
ustedpeoplet
o
watchoveryou24/7.Nothi
ngwil
ltouchyou.

Me:HereisNkanyi
so.[
Igavemysonthephoneand
hewenttohisroom,t
henshutt
hedoor]okay.

Rajesh:Youst
il
lhavefeel
ingfort
hisguydon'
tyou?
That'
swhyyoubel i
evehischangedsomehow.

Me:Idon'
toweyouanyexpl
ainati
ons.Heismy
son'
sfat
her,
Ican'
trunawayfrom t
hatfact
.What
shoul
dIdohatehi
mf ort
herestofmylife?

Raj
esh:Thesear
ethei
rtr
icks.
Me:Youaskedmetostayoutofyourbusi
ness,
why
ar
eyousuddenl
yinmine?

Nkosi
'
sfat
her
:what
'shesayi
ng?

Me:Idon'
tknow,hespeakstohissonmost l
y.We
won'
tbecominghomef orNkanyiso'sbir
thday,
his
f
ri
endsmightgetlostpl
usit
sabi tfar.

Mr
sHl
ophe:That
'sokay,
weunder
standt
hat
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t16

Thedayjustwentfastwhi
chwasgreat,
Rajesh
wantedtosl
eepatmyhouseandwasof f
endedthat
Iof
feredhi
mt heguestbedr
oom.Iam notaboutto
j
umpi ntobedwithhim especiall
yafterever ything
thathappened.Thenextmor ning,Iwal kedmyson
toschoolandwentt osubmi tmyappl i
cat ionsat
diff
erenthospit
als.I
tstought obeunempl oyedf or
over6mont hsbutIhavelearnedmyl esson.AsI
waswal kingaroundafterbeingdeclinedf orthe
180tht i
me.Isetdownandt earsjustst reamed
down, whatishappeningtomywel l
or deredl i
fe?
Myphoner angandIpickedup.

Recept
ioni
st:Hel
locanIspeakt
oDrHl
ophe?

Me:[
sigh]Speaki
ng.

Recept
ioni
st:Mybosswouldli
ketoknowwhyyou
di
dnotshowupf orthemeeti
ngthi
smorni
ng?

Me:Whatwast
hemeet
ingf
or?
Recepti
oni
st:Wesentyouanof
feronyouremai
l
aboutourcurr
entvacancy.

Me:Canwer
eschadul
ethemeet
ingt
otomor
row
morni
ng?

Recept
ioni
st:Yes,
hecanseeyouar
ound7am.

Me:Thanks.[
Iendedthecallandaft
ermut iple
i
ntervi
ewsbutnothi
ng,Iwasn'tconf
identatall.I
walkedbackt
othehouseandNenewasi nsidethe
l
ivi
ngspacewithherhusband.]MrKobe.

MrKobe:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?I
tsbeenawhi
le.

Me:Yes,
ithasbeen.

MrKobe:Icamesowecoul
ddi
scusssomet
hing.
Me:Al
ri
ght
.[It
ookaseat
]what
'sonyourmi
nd?

MrKobe:Mywi f
eandIneedtoreconnect
,sowe
havedeci
dedtogobacktoourvil
lageasour
daught
erhasnowgivenbi
rt
handneedsuscl ose.

Nene:Iknowi
tsshor
tnot
iceMadam butIhave
spokentomycousi
nandshecantakeoverfrom
me.

Me:[Ifel
tli
kecryi
ngatthethoughtofNeneli
vingus
butIcouldnotmakeherstay]Iam homesoIcan
conti
nuefrom her
e.Iwil
lgotothebanktomorrow
andsendyouyourt hr
eesalari
es.Thankyoufor
bei
ngwi t
husf orsuchalongtime.

MrKobe:Hercousi
ncoul
dreal
lyl
ovet
ofi
lli
n.
Me:Iam unemployednow,
Ithi
nki
fIeverr
epl
ace
you.I
twon'tbenow.

Nene:I
tssadbutmydaught
erneedsme.

Me:Icompl etel
ygetit.Thankyouf oral
ltheyear
s.[I
stoodupandwentt omyr oom feeli
ngbeaten.Il
aid
ont hebedandcl osedmyeyes.Ihear dthem
arguingaboutsomet hing.Ijustpassedoutand
wokeupl atertosomeonet ouchingme.Ijumped
andsetup]Jesh?Whendi dyougeti nhere?

Raj
esh:Nenecal
ledmeasshel
eft
.Howar
eyou
doi
ng?

Me:I'
mfi
neandyou?[
Isetup]Ineedt
ogof
etchmy
son.

Raj
esh:Iwashopi
ngt
hatwecoul
dtal
kandf
ix
t
hings.Al
othashappenedbetweenusandIhave
l
earnedal
otabouthowspecialyouar
etome.

Me:I t
sgoingt ohurtyoubutIam donewi t
hmen.
Youhaveshownmet hatlovedoesn'texistinthe
fashionthatIthinkabout,thereisnoprince
charming.Rightnow Ij ustwantt orai
semyson
andyouknowhedoesn' tlikeyouverymuchso
pleasebegoi ng.[Iwentintomyensui tandt ooka
shower ,
thengotdr essed.Idrovet omyson' s
schoolandhej ustcamei ntothecarinaj ol
lymood]
thisisni
ce,what 'swit
hyou?

Nkanyi
so:Ipassedtopofmyclass,
itwasj
ustl
ike
daddyexpl
ainedit
.Iunder
standi
tnow.

Me:whatar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?

Nkanyiso:Mat
hsMama, aunt
yNenesai
dthatshe
di
dn'tknowtheanswer
.Ispoket
oDaddyandhe
expl
ainedi
ttome.Wedi
ditt
oget
herl
astni
ght
.

Me:Okay.Nenesai
dshe'
sbe.
..
..

Nkanyiso:Daddyt oldmet hatMrKobei spartoft

he
vil
lageElder sbehi
ndChi efDan.Sohisafr
aidthat
theymi ghtthinksheiswor ki
ngfortheenemy.He
saidhisbei ngmovedt oanotherpri
sonbecausehe
wasi nvolvedinaf i
ght.Hewillcal
luswhenhecan.

Me:whatwast
hef
ightabout
?

Nkanyi
so:ChiefDansentpeopletoattackDadbut
hebeatthem up,sot
heysayhewast heonewho
waswr ong.Hesaidt
hesethingshappenandal ot
ofpeoplearegoi
ngtotryt
obul lymeabouthim
bei
nginpr i
sonbutIshoul
dn'tfeelbad.

Me:[
thewhol
eri
dehomeYet
huwast
het
opi
c,i
ts
l
ikehehadj ustbuildtsaf
etyconcerns.Ichecked
myemai l
sandi twasanof ferf
rom Bluehill
s,t
he
salar
ywasGREAT.IcookedandasIf ini
shed,then
wehaddi nner.Rajeshjustwalkedinwi t
h
chocolates,onceuponat i
meIusedt oenjoyhis
presencear oundusbutnowIdon' ti
tssoi r
ri
tat
ing.
Mysongr eetedhim andst oodupt oeatinhisroom]
thi
sisnotagoodt i
me, whatbringsyout omy
houset hisevening?

Raj
esh:Iwoul
dreal
lyl
ikeust
ofi
xthi
ngsbet
ween
us.

Me:Thereisnousandt herewasneveranus.Keep
yourchocol
atesbecauseIhonestl
ydonotwant
them.Ihavemoreimportantt
hingstodo,
please
usethedoor.

Jul
ia:[
ent
ersweari
ngnot
hingexpensivewhichi
s
shocki
ng,Jeshi
simmedi
atel
yirr
it
ated]JeshI.
..
.
Raj
esh:St
opf
oll
owi
ngmear
ound,
Ihat
eit
.

Jul
ia:Pl
easeIwoul
dli
keforyourtofor
givemeand
hel
pmegetbackonmyf eetagain.

Raj
esh:whenyouar
edonei
rr
it
ati
ng,
uset
hedoor
.

Me:Noyoutwoshouldactual
lyusethedoorr i
ght
now,myhouseisnotaplaygr
oundfordivorced
coupl
es,
thi
sisnotdoct
orPhil'
soff
ice.Leave.

Rajesh:Pl
easeIwi
lldoanyt
hingt
omendt
he
rel
ati
onshi
pbetweenus.

Me:Canyoumendmynakedpi ctur
esthatInever
newexi
stedbei
ngal
lovert
hemedi a?Canyou
mendthewaypeopl
elookatmei nshoppingmall
s?
Canyoumendmyalreadybrokenreput
ati
on?You
can'
t,leavemyhouseandpl easedon' tevercome
backher ebecauseIwillgetar estr
ainingorder
againstyou.[hewasalreadyi ntearslooki
ngat
Juli
awi thhatef
uleyes,theyl eftthenIshutthedoor .
Thenhear dthegate.AsIwentoutt olockmygat e,
I
fel
tagunonmyear .If
rozeandpeedi nmypant s]
Takeanyt hi
ngpleasedon' thur tus.

Gunman:wher
ear
ethecarkeys?

Me:Insi
dethehouse.[
Iwentintot
hehouseslowly
wit
hthreearmedmen, Nkanyi
sowasinhisroom
andIprayedforhi
m nottocomeoutbutwellhe
cameout]Babygobacki nt
oyourroom andl
ockthe
door.

Nkanyi
so:[
scar
ed]Don'
thur
tmyMom.

Gunman:Youhaveaverybeauti
fulhouse,
flat
scr
eentv.Onsecondt
houghts,
letsemptythis
house.

Me:[ t
heyt i
edmeandmysont oget
her,thentook
everythingIwor khardtoget.Theylef
tmeont he
barefloor .Theyhadtakeneverythi
ngfrom my
eari
ngst omyson' sgadgets.Plusmycarandwal let
.
Theyl eftaroundpre-midni
ght.Idon'
tknowwho
call
edt hepol i
cebuttheyfoundusont hef l
oor]
Helpus.

Pol
iceoffi
cer:Thisthi
ngi
sver
ysimpl e,
stayt
hehel
l
awayfrom Nkosiandnothi
ngbadwi l
lcometoyou
ot
herwise.Iwil
lcomehereandarrestyoufor
murderorsomet hingmor
egri
evous.

Me:[myhopejustturnedtodust .Theycamei nj ust

tol
aughatusandl eft
.Around4am i nthemor ni
ng,
Nkanyiso'
sdogfoundawayt obr eakthechain.It
cameintothehouseandi tbroughtmesomet hing
tounti
emyself.
]I'
m sorr
yf orwhatj usthappened, I
wil
lcal
lyourschoolandtellthem.
Nkanyi
so:I
t'
sfi
neMama.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t17

Wecoul dnotgoanywher ebecausei twasdar k

out sidebutaswest ayedinhi sr oom, weheard
mul tiplegunshot s.Icur i
ouslyl ookedoutoft he
wi ndowandsomeonewasbei ngbeat entothepulp
onmyf rontyar d.Itwassohor ribletol ookatbut
whatsur prisedmei st hatat ruckwaspar kedonmy
frontyar dandmycaraf ewhousesaway.Il ooked
closel yandwat chedatt heyamput atedthepolice
offerIwasspeaki ngto.Ar ound7am, asthesun
cameup.Onl ybloodst ei
nswer el eftandsomeone
wascl eani ngt hem up.Ihear daknockandopened
thedoori nf ear.Itwasar i
dicul ouslyhandsome
dudewear i
nganapr on.Myf urnisherand
ever ythingel sewasbacki nsidet hehouse.We
wal kedouti ndisbeli
eve.
Me:Whoar
eyou?

Him:Aya,
Iam par
toft
heuni
taccqui
redt
oser
ve
you.

Me:[
myhousewascleanandsmel
li
ngl
ikef
ood]
wher
edi
dthosepeopl
ecomefrom?

Aya:I
'
m sorr
ybutdon'teverbeafrai
d.Wear e
al
wayswatching,wewantedtomakesur etherear
e
nowit
nessesbeforewecamei n.Yourphonehas
beenri
ngi
ngnonst op.

Me:God, Iam l
ateformyi nter
view.[
Irushedt othe
showerandpr epared.WhenIwasdone, Iprepared
Myson.Wedr ovetothehospitalinmycarandI
didn'tevenprepareforit
.Igottotherecepti
onand
themanageroft hehospitalwasrest
lesslystanding
there]sorryI
'mlate.
Manager:Ihopethi
sdoesn'
trepeati
tsel
f.Thepanel
hasbeendismissedsogopickupyouruni f
orm and
cont
ractattheHRoffi
ce.Nurseshowherwher eit
i
slocated.

Me:Thankyousomuch.[ If
oll
owedt henurseand
wenttosi
gnmycontract.Aft
erwhichIcameback
t
ofindNkanyi
sosl
eepingont hechairs.AsIwas
l
ookingatmycut
eson, myphoner ang]Hello.

Nkosi
:Sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
,ar
eyoupeopl
ehur
t?

Me:Iam t
err
if
ied,
Yet
hu.Idon'
tknowhowt
oexpl
ain
mysel
f.

Nkosi:I
'm sor
ryIf
ail
edyouagai
n,pl
easef
orgi
veme
i
twillnothappenagai
n.
Me:Asidef r
om thef
earofansweri
ngthedoor,we
arei
nonepi ece.Ayaandtheteam di
dagreatj
ob.
Wear ereal
lyshakenup,Ican'
tsaytwowords
aboutjusthowmuch.

Nkosi
:I'
m sor
ry,
whatcanIdot
omakei
tbet
ter
?

Me:IcanhandlemyselfbutIdon'
tknowhowt
o
speaktooursonaboutit
.

Nkosi
:itwil
lnothappenagai
n,isi
tokayi
fwei
nst
all
t
wopani cbutt
onsinyourhouse?

Me:Itsf
ine,t
hearepoli
ceoff
icerswhocameand
warnedustostayawayf r
om you.Idon'
tknowhow
t
odot hatbecauseyoursoni
ssof ondofyou.

Nkosi
:Iknowtr
ustisexpensi
vebutIwouldli
kethat
youdon'
tgivei
ttoanyone.Notevenourpar
ents,
noteventheguar dsatyourhouse.Pleasedonot
discl
oseanythingaboutyourperson.Lastnightthe
peoplewhobr okeintoyourhousecamef rom the
gardengateandknewyourhousever ywell,t
hey
easil
ybrokeyoursecuritycode.Anewsyst em is
beinginst
all
ed,pleasedonotdiscl
oset hecodewi t
h
anyone.Takecareofyouandourson.Myt i
mei s
up.[cal
lended]

Me:[Ididn'
tknowwhatt osaybutri
ghtnow,hi
sthe
onlychoicewehave.AsIwaschecki ngmy
schedulethatIstar
tworkinaweek'
st i
me.I
recei
vedacal lf
rom Nene]Ohhel
lo.

Nene:Ar
eyoupeopl
eokay?

Me:[t
hatquest
ionmademesuspi
cious]wear
e
per
fect,
whydoyouask?

Nene:Ihear
dpol
iceof
fi
cer
scamet
oyourhouseat
oddhour
s.

Me:Youknowt heneighbour
sar
ealwayssensi
tive
aboutnoi
se.RajeshandIhadafal
lout
.How'sthe
vi
ll
age?How'syourdaughter
?

Nene:[
hesi
tant
]She'
sokay,
itst
ooqui
ether
e.

Me:Alr
ightbabe.Weoversl
eptsoNkanyi
somi
ssed
school
,ift
heycallt
ellt
hem hedi
dn'
twakeupwel
l.

Nene:Al
ri
ght
,goodbyeMadam.[
hangsup]

Nur
se:t
heor
iant
ati
onwi
llbet
omor
rowat6am.

Me:t
hanksverymuch.[IwokeupNkanyisoandwe
br
oughtcakewit
hice-
cream.Wediscussedthe
whol
emat t
eranditwasn'
tasbadasIthought]t
his
i
ce-
cream i
sni
ce.

Nkanyi
so:Mmadoyoul
oveUncl
eRaj
esh?

Me:Il
ikehi
m asahumanbei
ng,
whydoyouask?

Nkanyi
so:Ispoketodadaboutwhathappened
whenhedumpedusandhesai dthatfor
giveness
bri
ngspeace.HesaidthatIshoul
dgi vehima
chancebecauseyoulovehim andhemakesyou
happy.

Me:okay.Iwantyout
oforgi
vehi
mforyounot
becauseofhowIfeel
abouthim.

Nkanyi
so:Al
ri
ght
.

Wehadani
cet
imewi
thmysonandIt
hink,
sleepi ngwassi mplebecauseNkosi '
smanwer e
wat chi ngus.Theyi nstall
edcamer a'sformet o
i
nst allimpor t
antpar t
soft hehouse.Ipr ayedt hat
wecoul dbeatpeacef orever.Thenextf ewdays, I
startedwor kandi t
slikeIhavet oear nmyt rustwith
thenur seswhi chIcompl etel
yunder stand.Iam
settledi nmynewcont ractandi tsjustpeaceful.I
am undert heeyesofonef emaleHeaddoct or,she
i
sver ymeanandIdon' twantt ogetonherwr ong
side.Af t
erareallylongdayatwor k,Iwenthome
andf oundmysoneat ingcor nflakes.Inoti
cedt hat
hehadj ustwalkedhomeandt hatwasscar yyetan
achi evement .Isetdownandat ewithhim.

Me:whatshoul
dIcookt
oni
ght
?

Nkanyi
so:Mydadhasbeenmovedtwoprovinces
awayandtheysayhisnowi
nisol
ati
on.I
sitokayfor
metofastformydad?
Me:YourDadisver
ystr
ong,whateveri
shappening
t
ohim.Hewillcomeoutst
ronger
, j
ustpr
aythatGod
i
ncr
easeshi
swi
sdom.

#Pr
ison

Nkosihasbeenmovedt oapl acehedoesn' tknow

duetoDan' sconnect ion.Thi
si snotsuchagr eat
i
deaf orhisdevelopingr el
ati
onshipwithhi sson.He
i
satbr eakingpointandhasj ustaboutlosthope, he
wonder siftheconver sati
onshehadwi thhi m were
enough.Ashei ssi
ttinginsolitar
yalone,tears
sil
entl
ystream downbecauseatt hi
spoi nthef eel
s
helpl
ess.Whi l
ehei sjustinamomentof
hopelessness.Thedooropensandawar dercomes
thr
ough.

Warder
:Thingsar
egoingtogetwor
sef
oryou,
just
al
lowhertobeDan'squeen.

Nkosi
:Iam notevenherf
avouri
teper
son,
some
Raj
eshguyistheonesheloves.Thesamemanthat
pl
acedmeinher
e,doyouhonest
lyt
hinkIcoul
dbe
anywher
ecl
ose?

Warder:Outofyouri gnor
ance,
youaretheonl
y
per
sont hatdoesn'ti
rri
tat
eher,
shespeaksabout
youli
kesomeher o.Youarenohero,
youare
not
hingbutar apist.

Nkosi
:shet
hinksIam aher
o?

Warder:Het
oldDant
ohisf
acethathedoesn'
t
qaul
if
y.Whatdoyouhavet
hathedoesn'
t?

Nkosi
:Idon'
tknow,
hehasever
ythi
ng.

Warder
:ButnottheheartofMbal
enhl
ewhi
chhe
woulddoanyt
hingfor.
Nkosi:Iwi
shIcoul
dhel
pbutshehatesmyguts.
Thelastti
mewesaweachother
,itwashel
l.

War
der
:canyouj
ustgi
vehert
ohi
m.

Nkosi:Whatmakesyouthinkthatmovi ngme
anyhowi sgoi
ngtochangeanything?Shedoesn't
vi
sitme.Iam sur
eshe'snotevenbot heredthatI
am beingmoved.Shecoul
dcar el
essi fIdi
ed.

War
der
:Youdon'
tmeant
hat
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t18

Inevertookt
hiswholeNkosibei
ngmovedawayas
anythi
ngunti
lhedidn'
tcal
lNkanyiso.Itwashardt
o
encouragemyson.Hekindaloveshisidiotofa
fat
her.Daystur
nedintomonthsandt her
ewas
nothing, nocallnothing.Atsomepoi ntwestarted
tothinkhei sdeadunt i
lDanwoul dcomet otellus
thathei ssuffi
ngforhissi n.Byt hewayhewasst i
ll
i
rrit
at ed,IknewYet hust i
llbreathes.Ihatetoseei t
butont hisoneIpr ayedthatmybabydaddydon' t
die.Ir ecei
vehi sschoolrepor tsoIknowf orsurehe
i
sal ive.Havi ngthereportsencour agesNkositodo
betteratschool .Rajeshisf i
nallyoutofmywi ngs
butNenewant stocomebackt owor kandItoldher
toherf acethatIdon'thavemoneyt opayher
becauseasi ti
sNkosii snowher etobef ound.

Nene:Iwi
llwor
kforR50perday,
Madam l
ikebef
ore.

Me:IwishIcoul
dhireyou,
forrealbutNkanyi
so
hasaft
ernooncl
asses.Heisbr
oughthomewhenI
am t
hereisnoneedforext
rahelp.Iworkfor5days
andtwodaysoffwhichworkswellformywashing
andir
oning.

Nene:Pl
easesl
eeponi
t.
Me:Iwil
lnotbecauseIhonest
lydonothavemoney
r
ightnow.Mydebtsareenoughtoburyme.

Nene:ButMadam.

Me:MrsKobeIam br
okenbeyondbr
oke.Sor
ryj
ust
gohome.

Nene:Youwon'
tevenl
etmei
nsi
det
heyar
d?

Me:Ever
yonewhocomesint omyyar dhastohave
afi
ngerpri
ntandyoudon'
t.Ican'
tletyoui
n,pl
ease
gobackhome.

Nene:HoawMadam,
doest
hismeanyoudon'
ttr
ust
meanymore?
Me:Itmeansyourdesper
ati
oni
smaki
ngme
suspi
cious.

#Dan'
sCounselMeet
ing

Everyoneisstil
ltr
yingtowor kouthowt heyare
goingtowipeoutt heli
nageofNkosi ,I
fDanmar ri
es
EnhlethenNkanyi sowillaut
omatical
lyl
osehi sbirt
h
ri
ght.Hewon' thaveanyaccesst otheChi ef
tency.
HoweverEnhl eisahar dnuttocrack,af
ter
everyt
hingthathehast riednot
hingiswor ki
ngso
hebr i
ngsinEnhle'sgreedyuncletofi
ndoutwhat
couldbethewayout .

Heruncl
e:Iunder
standt
hatyouser
monedmeher
e,
sowhyam Ihere?

Dan:IneedyourNi
ece,
howmuchwi
llt
hatcostme.
Heruncl
e:Moneyf
ir
standt
her
estshal
lfol
low.

Dan:Gaur
ds,
givehi
mthebr
ief
case.
[t
heyhandover
t
hemoney]sospeakup.

Heruncle:Doi
ngeverythi
ngthati
susel ess,Gumede
i
nsert
edachar minsideher.Shewillnotloveor
evenbeinter
estedi
nanyot hermanapar tfrom
Nkosi
.Ifshedoessleepwithanothermanshedi es.
Dan:Howdower
emovet
hechar
mfr
om her
?

Heruncle:asyouknowIam notaseersot hatone

i
sf oryoutof i
ndout.Iknownothi
ngabout
removingit.ButIwouldsayfi
ndtheper
sonthat
gavehimt hecharm.

Dan:Thanksf
ornot
hing.

Heruncl
e:[
standsupandl
eavesasMrKobeent
ers]
Dan:So?Howdi
dyougo?

MrKobe:Shesayst hatshecannotaffordtotake
mywi febacksoshewon' t.Theboysyousentwer e
discoveredontheri
ver si
de.Itl
ooksli
ketheyall
drawned, event
heof f
icerwasf oundther
e.Whichis
verystrange.SoIguesst heydidnotsucceedinthe
mi ssi
on.

Dan:Dammi
t!What
samant
odonow?

Pr
isonWar
der
:[ent
ers]MyChi
ef,
Igr
eetyou.

Dan:Ihopeyouar
emaki
ngl
if
eal
ivi
nghel
lfort
hat
bust
ard.

Pri
sonWarder
:wearedoi
ngever
ythinginour
powerbutwehavecometot
hereali
sati
onthathe
hasnotspokentoEnhl
esinceshebroughtherson
tohi
m.Theydonotcommuni cat
eatall
,i
tlooksl
ike
hewasrightwhenhesaidthatshedoesn'
tgivea
damn.

Dan:hehast
odie,
thatwayt
hechar
m wi
llbe
br
okenandIcanhavemydeli
ght
.

Guar
d:[
enter
sinar
ush]Excusemyki
ngbut
Mbal
enhl
ehascome,shoul
dweall
owherin?

Enhl
e:I'
m alr
eadyinsi
de.Hel
loDan.Ar en'tyou
goi
ngt ooff
ermeaseat ?MrKobesir.Gr eeti
ngs
el
ders.Ij
ustwanttolookyouinthefaceandask
youwhyt hehel
lyousentpeopletocomehar ass
me.

Dan:Idi
..
..
.
Enhle:Don'tyoudar
edenyi t
,isthishowyoul ur
ed
mysi st
erintobedwithyou?Iam di f
fer
entandasit
standsri
ghtnow.Allthehandsomenessandchar m
thatcamewi thyouhasfadedwi thyouracti
ons.
YouhavebecomeNkosi ,ar
rogentandpr oud.

Dan:WhatcanIdot
omakei
tbet
ter
?

Enhl
e:Getoffmyson'sinher
it
ance, i
fyour eal
lylove
melikeyouclaimthanyouwillnotcompet ewith
mypast.Beamanandst ophiddingbehindyour
mother'
sski
rt.Icanal
lowmysel ftobeattract
edt o
youbutIcan'
tbecauseyouareyourmot her'
sson.
Whatshesaysyoudowi t
houtquestion.

Dan:Idon'
thi
debe.
..
..

Enhl
e:Youdon't?I
sthatwhyyougot oherfor
advi
ce?Isthatwhyeveryt
hingshecommandsyou
do?Faceityouareonl
yont hechi
eflanebecause
shedesir
edtobet heladyofthevi
ll
age.Wel
lyou
shoul
dknowt hatIloveamanwhoi sonhi
sown.I
wil
lneverl
ivehere,t
hevill
ageisnotwhoIam.
Dan:Il
ovebei
ngchi
efandIwoul
dn'
ttr
adei
tfor
not
hing.

Enhl
e:t
hanst
ayoffmylanebecauseyouhave
madeyour
sel
funfi
tforme.Al
lowmet oseeother
menwhoarecapabl
e.Dowehaveanagr eement?

Dan:I
sNkosibet
tert
hanme?

Enhl
e:Iwast
aughtnott
ospeakbadaboutt
hedead.

Dan:[
chocks]Hi
snotdead?Whosai
dhi
sdead?

Enhl
e:Li
keIsai
dbef
oreIdonotspeakoft
hedead.
Dan:Yousoundsosur
ethathi
sdead,
whenIam
ver
ysure.

Enhl
e:I
tsei
theryoukil
lhi
m orIdoi
t,sowhat'
sit
goi
ngtobe?Iwouldlovetoj
ustbur
yhim andhave
hi
mi nt
hedust.

Pr
isonwar
der
:[shocked]Iwoul
dli
ket
otakemy
l
eave.

Enhl
e:Howmuchdoneedt
ogeti
tdone?

Dan:[
coughi
ng]Ididn'
tknowyouhat edhi
mthat
much,Ihat
ehim butwouldneverki
llhi
m.Imeanhe
hasason,whataboutyourson?

Enhl
e:Hewillr
eal
izet
hatIdidhim ahugefavour
.
YouknowhowmuchIwoul dl i
ketosqueezehis
st
upidneckorsmashitonthefloor
,justt
oseethe
poolofhi
sdi
rt
yblood.It
seitheryoutakehi
m orIdo.
Youhaveunt
ilt
onight
.[wri
teshernumberdown]
Callmeandl
etsmakeadeal[ leaves]

Dan:[pacings* ***
!thiswomani smor edanger ous
thanIt hought,ifshegetst ohi
m Iwi l
ltakethefall
becauseever yonewi l
lseemeast hekill
er.Move
him elsewher etonight,
Idon'tcarehowyoudoi t.
Makesur ehei ssafeandnot hingcanhar m hi
m
B****!Bequi ckdammi t!
!!
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t19

Aft
ergi vi
ngDanapi eceofmymi ndIwentst r
aight
home, Imeanmysondeser vestohavea
rel
ati
onshi pwithhisfather
.Hisentirerouti
nehas
changed, hedoesn'tplayandnot hi
ngexci t
eshim.I
meani tfeelsl
ikehislostallhi
steeth.His
confi
dencehast akenamaj orhitandatt hi
spointI
am forcedt
odosomet hing.Ipassedsomeshops
andboughtusdinnerbecausei twasalreadylat
e
whenIgothome.If et
chedhi mf rom hi
sstudyplace
andthesecondIsteppedi nt
ot hehouse,myphone
rang.Icoul
dnotbeli
eveit,Ipi
nchedmysel fafew
ti
mes.Ipickedupandr ecognizedhimf r
om his
snif
fingontheot
herside.

Me:Nkanyi
socomeher
equi
ck.
..

Nkosi:[
emot
ional
]Wai
twhatifhedoesn'
twantt
o
speaktome?Imeanwhatif
..
..

Me:Ihat etoadmi ti
tbutIam tempt edtojustwri
te
alett
erf oryourrelease.Ihaveneverseenourson
thi
slostandnotconf i
dent,hedoesn'tdoanythi
ng
anymor e.Ican'trememberonet hingthathasmade
him happyi nthispastf i
vemont hs.Iknowyouwer e
i
nat ightspotbutasmuchaswear enotbest
buddies, i
tsthecompl eteoppositewithourson.
Youhavebecomest heclosestt
hinghehast oa
rol
emodel.Sowhateveryouar egoi
ngt hr
ough,
put
i
tasideandmakethiscallcountbecausewemight
nothaveanot
heri
nf or
ever.

Nkanyi
so:[
draggi
nghi
sfeet
,moody]Mma.

Me:Itsforyou.[Igavehi
mt hephoneandashe
greet
edhi sson,itwasli
kethemostmagicalthi
ng.
Mysonj ustbecameallj
oll
yandexci
tedwhichI
haven'tseeninawhi l
e.MyworkphonerangandI
pi
cked]youdoknowt hatthi
sismyfamil
yt i
me,Ray.

Ray:Imightnotknowital
lbutyoursecr
etadmir
er
washer eaft
eryoulef
t.Whyareyouavoidi
ngthi
s
ri
dicul
ouslyhandsomeandgorgeousdude?

Me:Iam at
tr
actedt
owomen,
menar
enotr
eal
lymy
t
hinganymore.
Ray:[
chocksandst
art
scoughi
ng]whaaat
!?

Me:thi
sisnotsomet hingIcar
etoexplai
n
ever
ywhereIgobutIl ovewomanbecauseat least
youknowwhatt heyaret hi
nki
ngandtheydon' tj
ust
l
eaveyouhanging.Ifyouwanthim,youcanhave
him.[
mysoncamer unningoutofhi
sr oom and
gavemethephone, IplacedRayonhold]Yethu.

Nkosi:Aboutt hewholeyouwr i
ti
ngal ett
ertoget
meout ,pleasedonotdoi t.I
nexactly15mont hsI
willbegr aduat i
ngwhichissomethingIneverhad
ti
met odo, plusIam notreal
lyi
nthemoodt oface
mypar ents.Att hi
spointIwoul
dliketostayhere
andt rytof i
gur ehowIam goingtosurvivei
fIget
out.Iam notr eadytogotothevil
lage,Iwantto
startafresh.

Me:Iwon'
thavet
oifyoukeepupwi
thyourson.
Nkosi:Idon'tknowwhathappenedbutthewar ders
havemovedmebackt oanor malcel
l.Iwi
llatmy
bestbehaviour.Wearenotfr
iendsoranyt
hingbut
youshouldr eall
ygi
vetheguyachance,hisreall
y
veryharmless.

Me:Iguessyougoogl
edhi
m of
cour
se.

Nkosi:I
'
m sorr
yjustgotabri
efi
ngabouti
t.Hi
s
not
hinglikemesohedeservesashot.

Me:allt
hemenIhavebeeni nvol
vedwit
hhavebeen
mywor stnight
mare.WhywouldItr
ythi
s?Iam
consi
deringbeingl
esbi
an.

Nkosi
:[suddenl
yemoti
onal
]youcan'
tbeser
ious?
Yournotseri
ousri
ght
?

Me:Iam ver
yser
ious,
itst
hebestt
hingyet
.
Nkosi
:Ihavet
ogohavea[
sigh]okaybye.[
hangs
up]

Me:[
Iwentbackt
oRay]Givemeoneverygood
r
easonf
ormet oconsi
dert
hisper
son?

Ray:Hi
smyhal
fbr
otherandhei
sver
yhar
mless.

Me:Onedate,
ift
hisdoesn'
twor
kout.Remember
t
hatIt
oldyouso.What'
syourbr
other'
snameagai
n?

Ray:LwandleWil
li
am Mabuza,
onedat
e.Ipr
omi
se
youwillnotr
egr
etthi
s.

Me:don'
thol
dyourbr
eat
h.[
Ihungupandat
e]

#Nkosi
Mar ryi
ngVi vianwast hewor stmi stakeIevermade,
shemademyl ifeal ivinghel landi nmydar kestI
regrett
edl i
steni ngtomypar ent sthatIcoul dnot
mar ryawomant hatIi mpr egnant ed.I thurtal ot
whenshehadaf ightwi thherpar ent sandj ustt ook
off.Mymot herandsi sterwer ecloset oVi vianand
suppor t
edherever ydeci sion.Ithoughtt hatIwoul d
somehowl ear ntobeat tractedt oherovert imebut
themor esher eveal edherchar act er,themor ehat e
andangergr ewi nsideme.Whenshef inallybecame
sickduet oheraf fairs, shewasi ndeedt hesweet est
.
Shesuddenl ychanged, shewashomemor eand
cookedmor e.Inevert houghtIcoul dsur vi
ve
withoutthesi ghtofi ntimacyf orawhol eyearbutI
foundmysel fin8year s.WhenshepassedandI
metMbal iagai n,itwasl ikeadeadpar tofmej ust
camebackt olivebutoutofsel fishness, Isat i
sfed
mysel fwithoutherper mi ssionandvi olatedher .
From thereImadei tinsi depr i
son, wher eIst arted
toexperiencewhati tmeanst ober aped,
overpower ed, humi liatedbutbei ngt hesweet
heart
edbei ngthatsheis,shef
orgavemei nawayI
di
dn'texpect.Sheintr
oducedmet ooursonwhois
str
ongwi l
ledasIam.I tshowedmej usthowmuchI
had.

Cell
mate:[
uponhear inghisstor
y]You'vebeen
thr
oughhellandbr oughtherint
ohellbutshesti
ll
for
gaveyou.Itsunbelieveabl
ethatyouclai
mtolove
heraft
ereveryt
hing.

Me:Lovingherhasneverl
eftmebutIcal
ledher
t
oday,shespokeofbecomingalesbi
an.[
tear
s
f
orming]Ican'
tbel
ieveIpushedhert
hatf
ar.

Cel
lmat
e:shecan'
tbeser
iousbutIt
hinkt
hepai
ns
oft
hepastaret
heonespushingher
.

Me:shedeservest
obel ovedandgetmarr
iedwi t
h
chi
ldr
en.Shedeservessomeonewhocanj usthold
herupintheskyandneverall
owherhitt
hegr ound.
Sheisanamazi
ngwomanandshedoesn'
teven
knowit
.

Cell
mate2:thi
sisaperf
ectt
imet
ogetpar
oleandgo
handleyourbusi
ness.
Me:Ican'tgetparol
eafterthel
astf
ight,Iwil
lnotbe
consi
deredbesidesthatIfeart
hekindofhomemy
sonisgoingtogrowupi n.Imeanwhati fshefinds
apartnerwhohatesmyson?Whati fshefinds
someonewhoabusesmyson?Nkanyi soisso
bri
ghtandcheerful,
hehasabi gheartl
ikehis
mother.

Cel l
mate:Youneedt ost ayawayf r
om fi
ght
sand
getyourst orystr
aight.Yoursoni swhat?10now?
Youcan' tbeinher efortheremai ni
ng13year s.By
thenhewi llbeaf ul
lygrownmanandyouwi llnot
beabl etoinfl
uenceanyt hi
ngbecauseyouwi llhave
mi ssedoutont hemosti mpor tantmomentsofhi s
l
ife.Makesur et
hatbyt heti
mehet ur
ns15youar e
outofher eandyouhaveacl eanlife.
Me:Iwi
lldomybestt
ogooutt
her
eandbet
her
efor
myson.

Cel
lmat
e2:soyourgi
vingupont
hel
oveofyourl
if
e?

Me:Asl ongasIcan'tt
rustmysel
far
oundherI
shouldkeepmydi st
ance,i
fIrui
nthi
ngsfurt
herwi
th
her,
mysonwi llhatemygutsandIdon'twantt
hat
.

Cell
mate:Gi
vinguponawomanyouhavelovedf
or
over10years?Whatar
eyougoi
ngtodo?Find
someoneelse?Someoneyoupr
obabl
ydon'
teven
l
ove?

Me:Mysoni
smor eimport
antthananydesi
resI
haveandmi
ghthaveint
hefuture.

Cel
lmat
e2:soyouchooset
odi
einsi
lence?
Prisonwarder
:Youranincr
ediblestory,
itsgood
thatyouseeyourmist
akes,thatisthewhole
purposeofbeingi
nhere.Foryout ochangeyour
ways.

Me:asfarasloveisconcerned,Iam done.Sheis
becomingalesbi
anandt hereisnothi
ngIoranyone
candoaboutit.I
tsraret
hatshewi l
lconsidert
he
guyswhicharefl
ockingaroundherbecauseoft he
marefactt
hatIam herwor stni
ghtmare.

Pri
sonwarder
:Inevert
houghtthatl
ovecanexi
sti
n
thewayt
hatyouareexplai
ning.

Me:sheistheairthatIbr
eath,fr
om whenIwas
13yearsol
d.Sherockedmywor ldandevenat28
shesti
llr
ocksmywor l
d.Whenshevoi cemakesme
meltandinherpresence,Igetnervous.Eachti
me
wetouchmyhear tjustwantstojumpoutt oher.I
n
mynextli
feIwon'tr
uinthi
ngs,
Iwon'tbeinfl
uenced
bypowerorfamil
y,Iwil
lst
andstrongandfoll
owmy
hear
tbutfornowIchoosetoacceptwhoandwhatI
am.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t20

#Mbal
enhl
e

IneverthoughtIwoul dbecapt i
vatedbyamanever
againuntilImetLwandl e,hislookswer eamazi ng
butthewhol edat ewasbl i
ssful.Hemadeal lthe
scareslookl i
ketattoos,Ifeltspecialforthefirst
ti
mei nalongt i
meunt ilhismot herappear edwi t
h
hisfourchildren.Theel derestis16,thatonewas
j
ustmeani ntheabsenceofhi sfather.Hismot her
j
uststaredatmeandj ustsai dnot hi
ng.I
remember edt hatlook,thesamel ookt hatNkosi '
s
mothergavemet hedayhebr oughtmet ohis
parent
s.Idi
dn'treal
i
zethatIwaszonedoutuntil
Raysuddenlyappeared,
shecalledmynameandI
cameback.Thechai r
shadmovedf r
om j
usttwoto
8.Thisdat
ewasnowaf amilygather
ing,
Ifel
tso
uncomfort
ableithurt
.

Ray:ar
eyouokay?

Me:Per
fect
.[myphoner
angatt
hatmoment
]Ineed
t
otakethi
s.

Lwandle:[
hol
dsherhandt
othet
abl
e]don'
tbea
st
ranger.

Me:it
smyson'sschool.[
Istoodupfeeli
ngso
uncomfort
abl
e.Ipi
cked,i
rr
it
ated]Iam noti
nagood
pl
aceright
.

Nkosi
:Sor
ry,
thebankerj
ustt
oldmet
hatyour
al
lowancewi l
lbeabitlat
eduetothei
rsyst
emati
c
upgrades.ButIwi
llensur
eitget
stoyou.Sorr
yfor
botheri
ngyoubye.

Me:[
Ireal
lyf
eltbadatt
hatmoment
]Itcameout
wr
ong.

Nkosi
:Ishoul
dn'
tbecal
li
ngyouf
oranyt
hing,
sor
ry.
[
hangsup]

Me:[Ical
medmysel
fdownandwenttoseatdown.I
pl
acedmyphoneonthetabl
e]Youwerest
il
l
i
ntr
oducingus.

Lwandle:ThisismydaughterHlengi
we,besi
deher
i
smydaught erKhayaandmysonJuni orwit
hmy
l
astbornHl el
o.Thisi
smymot herMma'Mabuza
andmysi sterwhichyoual
readynow.Thisis
Mbalenhlefamily.
Hl
engi
we:whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
tht
hiswoman?

Lwandl
e:Wear
efr
iends.

Junior
:Oddchoiceoffr
iends,
didshet
ellyouthat
sheisapornstar?I
sthatwhyyoupeopleare
att
ract
edtoeachother?

Lwandl
e:Juni
or,
don'
tst
artpl
ease.

Ray:That
snotani
cet
hingt
osayt
osomeoneyou
j
ustmet,t
hesamewomanwhosavedyourl
if
e.

Juni
or:It
snotl
ikeshe'
sanangel
,sheget
spai
dto
savel
ives.

Me:[
myphonegotanalert
,85kgotdeposit
edint
o
myaccount
,thewhol
etabl
ewentdeadsilent]
Juni
or'
sri
ght,
itsmyjobtosaveli
ves.Ihavemade
mist
akesinmypast,Iadmiti
tbutIdon'
tall
owthat
topul
lmedown.OtherwiseIwil
lnotbeconti
nui
ng
wit
hmyl i
fef
orthesakeofmyson.

Khaya:Youhaveason?

Me:Yes,
Ido.

Mma'
Mabuza:whathappenedt
othef
ather
?

Me:Chi
efNkosii
sinpr
ison.

RayandLwandle:[
chockandcough]Chi
efNkosii
s
yourbabydaddy?

Juni
or:Wheredoest
hemoneycomef
rom i
fyou
cl
aim youar
enotapornst
ar?
Me:[myphonegotanal er
tof45kagai
n,itchocked
ever
yone]Beingthemotherofachi
efcomeswi th
i
tspri
vil
lagesotherwi
seIworkasyouknow, atthe
hospi
tal
.Iam feeli
ngli
kecake,
don'
tyoupeopl e
wanttoorder?Waiter
?

Wai
ter
:YesMa'
am.

Me:Iwouldli
keachocol
atecakewit
hcuppaci
no,
pl
uspleaseprepar
emyson'sfavour
it
emealtogo.

Wai
ter
:shoul
dIpl
acei
tonyourt
ab?

Me:No,bringmethebalance.Iwanttopayi
toff
.
[
heleaves]enoughaboutme, whatdoyoudo?

Lwandl
e:Iam i
nconst
ruct
ion,
Iam asi
temanager
.
Me:Wow, thatmustbever
ychallenging[myphone
r
angandi twasthebanker
]divi
det heproceedsl
ike
wediscussedpluscont
actt
hedeal ershi
p.

Banker:Idon'
tknowi fyouhavebeent oldbutMr
Gumedeboughtal amborghiniAventador
successorwhichhewant edtopr esentt
oyouasa
weddingpresent.Theweddingneversucceededbut
thecarhasbeenf ull
ypaidfor.

Me:[
tearsst
reameddown]Heboughtmea
Lamborghi
niAS?I
sthi
sajokeorsomethi
ng?

Banker:Noj
oke,
itwascust
omi
zedont
hepl
ates
though.

Me:itsfine,wai
tletmeprocessthis.Iwi
llcal
lyou
back.[Ihungupandcr i
edwhi l
elaughingin
di
sbelieve]Godyoukeepblessingme, wow.
Ray:what
swr
ong?ar
eyouokay?

Me:Ineedt oheadhomeandseemyson.I 'm sorr

y
excuseme.[ Ist
oodupandwenttofetchmyor der
,
thendrovehome.Nkanyisowasplayi
ngtvgames, I
setbesidehim andki
ssedhi
scheek]youarethe
bestthi
ngthathaseverhappenedtome,youknow
that
?

Nkanyi
so:[
giggl
ing]HayiMama.

Me:Yourfat
herboughtusaLamborghini
AS,
the
onethatl
ooksl
iketheonei
nyourposter.

Nkanyi
so:Ser
iousMama?

Me:af
terschoolt
omor
row,
let
sgof
etchi
t.
Nkanyi
so:deal
,thi
ssmel
lsni
ce.[
openst
hedoggy
bags]t
hisforme?

Me:yeah,
itsf
oryou.

Nkanyi
so:howwasyourmeet
ing?

Me:I twasbor ingt hef oodwasni cethough.[weat e

andwentt obedaf terplayinggames.Thenext
mor ningIwokeupandhewasdoneshower ing.
Godmysoni sgr owi ngup, tookashower .Then
prepar edf orwor k.Wehadbr eakf
astandIdr opped
him off .Iwentt owor kandLwandl ewi t
hhisf our
ki
dswer ewaitingf orme.Iwi shedIcouldhide.I
passedmyof ficeandwentt othestuffroom.When
Icamebackt henextdoorhadat t
endedt othem.I
servedt hepatientsl eft
,thenRaywal kedin]ifthi
sis
notaboutwor k,turnar oundandshutt hedooron
yourwayout .
Doct
orRea:oneofyourpatient
sJuniorMabuza,
hascont
actedaninfect
ionwhichIcan'
tunder
stand.
Hiswoundistur
ningblue-
green.CanIbr
inghimin?

Me:Yes.[
Iworemygearandt heywalkedin,j
uni
or
waslimpi
ng.Hisf
atherhel
pedhim ontothebed]
goodmorningMrMabuza,pleaset
ellmehowi t
feel
swhenItouchit
.

Junior
:Yesdoc.[shet
ouchesi
tandsomet
hing
oozesout]i
thurt
s.

Me:t henwehavet ounst i

tchyouandcl eanthe
wound, pleasestayawayf rom thepool.The
chemi calusedi ntherewillharm youifwear enot
careful.Ifyoudon'tli
stent omedicalorder,t
henyou
willbeamput at
ed.[Isedatedhislegandcl eaned
him up, thensti
tchedhi m up.
]passt hepharmacy
foryourmeds, theywillhelpyoucopewi t
hthe
pai
ns.

DoctorRea:Thanksdoc,
Ithi
nkyouar
ethebestt
o
t
reathim.

Me:Iwon'
tbeher
enextweek,
rememberIneedt
o
gohome.

Doct
orRea:Sti
llcan'
tbel
ievet
heygaveyouawhol
e
15acres,
haveyoudecidedonwhattodo?

Me:Iwast hi
nki
ngofbui
ldi
ngashoppi
ngmal
l,j
ob
creati
onandupl
ift
ingmypeopl
ecoul
dworki
nmy
favour.

Doct
orRea:Howdoesonegett
hatl
ucky?

Me:Idon'
tknowal
unat
icf
oranex-
fi
anceandbaby
daddy.If
oundoutt hathegi
ft
edmeal ambor
ghini
l
astnight
.Hiscrazythatman,gl
adIhadhimlocked
up.Sorr
ywast heresomethi
ngelseMrMabuza?We
aredonehere.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t21

Theyst oodi nmyof f

iceandIexcusedmysel f
.I
wentt oemer gencyandhel pedout .WhenIcame
backf orl unch.If oundt helit
tl
eMabuza' sinmy
offi
ce.It urnedar oundandwentout sidetobuyme
somei ce-cream.Ichi ll
edundert het r
eethinki
ng
thatIshoul dn'thavebeenr udet oYet hu.Imean
whati fher elapses?Hehasbeensogoodand
wal ki
ngt her ightpat hagain.IjusthopeIhaven' t
placehi m backi nt hehandsofdar kness.Ishould
beangr ywi thhim butIam notbecausehi shonest l
y
tryi
ngt ot urnhi slifearound.OhGodhel pmet osee
thisonet hr ough.Whenmyl unchended, Iwentt o
myof ficef eelingr eall
ydrained,theywer estil
lthere
wi
thRayt
hist
ime.

Me:what
sthi
sabout
?Ther
eisal
ongl
ineout
side
her
e.

Ray:wecametosayweapol
ogi
zef
orwhat
happenedl
astni
ght
.

Me:Iam honest
lyoveri
t,t
rul
yItol
dyouraunther
e
t
hatthi
swasar eal
lybadideaandIwasright
.

Juni
or:Ourfat
herdeser
vest
obehappyandifyou
makehim happythenwecanli
vewi
ththat
.

Me:that'
sreal
lygreattohearbutIam nott he
womanf oryourfather.Yester
dayisaper fect
r
epresentat
ionofthat.Ihavealreadybeeni na
f
amilythathatesmygut sandpretendstot ol
erat
e
meandIam donewi ththat.Yourfathershould
cont
inuel
ooki
ng.

Ray:I
fwedidn'
tshowupl
astni
ght
,woul
dithave
beendif
fer
ent
?

Me:Maybeyouarehi
sfamilyandheshouldf
ind
someonewhocanhandleallofyou.Asf
orme,Iam
nowher
enearaski
ngforarelat
ionshi
p.

Raj
esh:Tr
ustmeIknow.

Me:Yeahheknows.WhathaveIdonet
ohave
anot
hermisf
itshowup?

Raj
esh:Jul
iaandIhavedeci
dedtof
ixt
hings.We
woul
dliket
oinvi
teyoutoourcer
emony.

Me:Thanks.[
Ilookedatt
hei
nvi
tat
ion]t
hisi
sni
ce,
congr
atul
ati
ons.

Juni
or:I
sn'
tthi
sthemanwhol
eakedyournude
pi
ctur
es?Whyar ey.
..
.

Me:Angerwil
ldest
royyou,
Ithi
nkGoddealswit
h
peopl
ebett
er.Thi
sisni
cebutIwon'tbei
ntown,I
am goi
nghomet oseemyparents.

Raj
esh:al
ri
ghtt
hanks.[
hel
eaves]

Me:[ Ireceivedat extmessage" Iam sorryfor

yesterday, Ishoul dnotcallyouunannouncedl i
ke
that.Pleasef or gi
veme, wearejustco-parenti
ng
andIshoul dr espectt hat
,nevercrossmy
boundar ies.I'
m sor ryMbal enhl
e,itwil
lnever
happenagai n" Itr
iedcalli
ngthenumberbuti twas
blocked, tearsf ormed]Pleasegetupandl eavemy
offi
ce.Al lofyoupl ease.[t
heyallstoodupandl eft
.I
shutt hedoorandcr iedasmuchasIneededt oo.I
don'
tknowwhyithur
tsbutwehaveourdi
ff
erences
andnowthatwearegett
ingal
ong,
Idonotwantto
rui
nit
.Myphonerang]Hell
o.

Nkosi
:ar
eyouokay?

Me:[snif
fi
ng]I'
mf i
ne,
sorr
yaboutyest
erday.I
shouldn'
thavetakeni
toutonyouli
kethat
.

Nkosi
:Ist
hatwhyyouar
ecr
ying?Becauseof
demonoldme?

Me:Mydat elastnightwentmiser
able,t
hemanwas
okaybuthischil
drenandmot heralmostbitmy
headoff.Thi
smor ningtheyshowupatmywor k
placei
nt henameofapol ogybutIcanfeelthehate
thatpr
oceedsfrom them.ImeanIcan'tblamet hem,
mynudepi ctur
esar eal
loverthemedia.no..
..
Nkosi:Notheyar enot,Ihadthem removedthe
secondtheyleaked.What slef
tisthestat
ueswhich
Iphotoshopped?Idi dn'twantNkanyisoorhi
s
fr
iendstoseeit,soIhadt hem removed.

Me:[thatstoppedmeonmyt racks.Hegavemet he
websiteandt hewomanther
edi dn'
tevenl
ookli
ke
me,yetshehadmynameanddet ail
sonther
e.I
chuckled]Ishoul
dhaveknown.

Nkosi:Youarethemot herofmyson, Idon'

twantto
messupwi t
hyou.Notagai n,t
herearenonude
pi
cturesofyououtt her
e.Iplacedavirusonthose
whichwer ealr
eadydownl oadedsotheycould
neverview.Don'tl
etanyonebullyyouaboutnothi
ng.

Me:soyournotangr
ywi
thme?

Nkosi
:Iam angr
ywi
thyoubutonasepar
atemat
ter
.
Me:whi
chi
swhat
?Whyar
eyouangr
ywi
thme?

Nkosi:thisLesbianthi
ngofyour sisgoingtomake
mecommi tsuici
de.I
tschockingme.Idon't
understandhowGodwi llblessyouwithsucha
beauti
fulfigureandsuchabr i
ghtsmil
ewi t
hperf
ect
teet
hf oranotherwoman.I tconfusesmebutwellI
am prayingabouti t
.

Me:Iwasn' tser
ious,
itkeepst
hemenaway.It
sa
defencethi
ng.Itshardnottogi
veupwhenyou
can'tt
rustanyone.

Nkosi:Takeselfdefenceclassesortherapyorgoto
church,f
indsomet hingelse.ThisLesbi
ant hi
ng,
Mamakhe.Pl easedon' tt
ryit,
itsal
readyconfusi
ng
mei magineourson.Youdeser vetobelovedand
adored,t
ohavel otsofkidsandabeaut ifulhome.I
praythatyougetther e.
Me:thankyou,myl
unchiski
ndaover
.Thanks
agai
nf ort
heLambor
ghini
.

Nkosi
:Okay,
Iwasaboutt
otel
lyouthatIam gi
ving
yousi
gningr
ight
stomyestat
e.Soyoucangof etch
i
t.

Me:Thankyou,
Ineedt
hisj
obt
okeepmesane.Bye
Yet
hu.

Nkosi
:ByeEnhl
e.[
hangsup]

Afterspeaki
ngt ohim Ifel
tal otbetter,If
eltli
ghter
.I
foundmysel flaughingathi sconf usion.Iwiped
mysel fandopenedt hedoor .Iservedasmany
patientsasmydayal l
owed, thequickerthebet t
er
youknow.ImetRaywhocl earlyhadsomet hi
ngon
herchestbutIdi dn'thavethet imet olist
en.We
wor kedonacci dentvicti
msandwhenIwasdone.I
boughtmysel fchocol ateandsetdownt oeatit.
Lwandleapproachedme,hesetbesi
demeandI
coul
dt el
lhewasnervous.Ibr
oketheiceby
l
aughing.

Me:what
sonyourmi
nd?

Lwandle:Wewerehavi
ngsuchagreatti
melast
ni
ght,Inormal
lydonotsayIhavef
ourki
dsonthe
fi
rstdat
e.

Me:[l
aughi
ng]t
hatwasn'
tadat
eitwasaf
ami
ly
gat
heri
ng.

Lwandle:Iwoul
dli
ket
ofor
mal
lyt
akeyouona
ser
iousdatethi
sti
me.

Me:Yourwi
femusthavebeenqui
etsomet
hing.
Lwandl
e:[
hisf
aceschanges]myex-
wif
eisnot
hing.

Me:Youspeaksotensel
yIhopeI
'
m saf
e.What
happenedbet
weenyoutwo?

Lwandl
e:shemar
ri
edmyf
ather
,theyhavebeen
secr
etl
overs.

Me:[
Theshockwastoogr
avef
orme]how?Why?
When?Thi
sisdeep.

Lwandl
e:Myf
ir
stsonf
oundt
hem i
nbedt
oget
her
.

Me:Wow,
that
sdeep.

Lwandle:ar
eyour
eal
lyal
apdancemast
erl
ikei
n
thevi
deo?
Me:Thatwasphot oshopped,youknowIhavebeen
l
ivi
ngmyl i
fei
nfeart
hatIam outtherebei
ng
watchedbypeopleallt
histi
me.Butitwasall
photoshoppedwit
hmydet ail
s.Li
feisamazing.
Goodt hi
ngsdohappent ogoodpeople.

Lwandl
e:soser
iousdat
e?

Me:No,
Iam notr
eadyf
oranyr
elat
ionshi
ps.

Lwandl
e:Ifyoudon'
tmindmeaskingwhatmade
youchangeyourmindaboutseei
ngme?

Me:Mylunat
icex-
fi
anceseemst
othi
nkyouar
e
suchagoodfi
t.

Lwandl
e:Yout
oldhi
m aboutus?
Me:Heknowst hingst hatIdon'tevenknowmysel f
,
Iguessbeingchiefcomeswi t
hi t
sbenefi
ts
otherwi
seIthi
nkIl i
keitthatwaybecauseaf ter
beinghi
jackedatmyhousei tmakesmef eelalot
safetoknowIam bei ngwat ched.

Lwandl
e:heknowst
hatIam at
tr
act
edt
oyouand
hi
snotbother
ed?

Me:heistheonewhomadeusbr
eakupnotyouso,
i
tsnot
hingtohim.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t22

DaysjustprogressedandIagr eedt ogiveLwandl

e
anot
hershot .Wear elear
ningeachot heronestep
atati
mebuti t
slikeIam fall
ingbackt omyvomi t
.
Forsomeoddr eason,NkosiandIt alkalotabout
ever
ysinglething.Ihaveconsultedmypar ent
s
aboutt hewholemuthit hi
ngandt heygavemea
detoxbecauseIknewt hatifIeverfal
linl
ovewi t
h
him again,i
tsnotmanipulatedbysomemut hi
.I
spoket ohim aboutt
heMut hithi
ngandwel lit
wasn' tast
ouchyasIt hought ,hewascivi
li
zed
abouti t
.AsIwasont hephonewi thhim,mymot her
enteredtheroom soIendedt hecal
l.

Mr
sHl
ophe:t
hisi
snothappeni
ngagai
n,notagai
n.

Me:whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutMma?

Mr sHlophe:thatlookonyourf
ace,
Irememberit
from t
hef i
rstti
meyout wometandhegaveyou
beads.Yout wot oget
heri
snotagoodidea,
atl
east
forthesakeofyourson.

Me:Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingaboutMma.
Heraunt
:Whoset
hemanbehi
ndt
hegi
ggl
ing?
Whatshi
sname?

Me:t
her
eisnoman.

Heraunt
:Ihopei
tsnott
hechi
eff
oryoursake.

Me:what
sthi
sabout
?Whyisi
tabadt
hingf
orme
andmybabydaddyt
obet
oget
her?

Heraunt:Hisinprisonandyouputhimthere,f
oral
l
weknowt hismi ghtbethei
rthi
ckf
orrevenge.Your
theonlydaughterthisf
amilyhasl
eft
.Alothas
changed,i
ttookbl oodf
oryoupeopletobreakup,
l
etsleepi
ngdogsl i
e.

Me:whatdoyoumeanbybl
ood?
Mr
sHl
ophe:[
looksdown]l
etsj
ustl
eavet
hist
opi
c.

Heraunt :sheneedst oknow, doyouhonest l

ythink
i
twasn' tr ocketsci encef orNkosit ol eaveyou?The
secondhef oundoutyouwer epr egnant ,hejustlost
i
t.Hest artedsayi ngal otofthings, hewaswi l
lingto
giveupt hechi eft
encyandj ustel opewi t
hyoubut
hisfr
iendl eakedt henews.Hi spar entstravell
edt o
the7thmount ainwher etheybr oughti naver y
powerf ulchar m.Themi nutetheygavei ttohim, he
vomittedbl oodandf oramomentwenevert hought
hewoul dsur vive.Inhi smind, Vivianwasyouand
Youwer eVi vian.Af t
eryoul eft,thenextyeardur i
ng
themont hofJune.Thechar mj ustper ished.Hegot
soangr y, real l
yangr yt hatheledhi sfriendt othe
ri
verandf or cedhi mt odrownwhi l
ehi spar ent
s
watched.Someonei sdeadandmanymi ghtdieif
yougetbackt oget her.

Me:Nkanyi
sowast
hereasonthechar
mfail
ed,
dur
ingthemont
hofJune.Mysonwasbornsick,
I
didn'
tevenknowwhatt odo,It
houghthewasgoi
ng
todie.Dur
ingthatti
me,Imetanoldwomanwho
tookhimtotheriverandbat
hedhim.

MrsHl
ophe:i
tdoesn'
tmakei
tri
ght
,yout
woneedt
o
st
ayapar
t.

Me:Sot heyhatedmet hatmuch?Isuf fer

edtoraise
Nkanyi so.Isl
eptont hest r
eetunt i
lRajeshcame
along.Wecoul dbar el
ysur vive.Allyoupeoplear e
wor ri
edaboutar eotherpeopl e.Youknowwhat s
funnyourl ovedidn'
tdie.Ever ymanImetdi dn't
measur eup,i
fitwasn'tforschemes.Wewoul d
haveahomewi thmor ekids.Ri ghtnowhewoul dn't
bei nprisonbeingdemol ishedt onothing,myson
woul dknowhowt ohandl eacow.Hewoul dknow
thedifferencebetweenagoatandasheep, because
hisfatherwouldact ual
lybeher e.[Nkanyi
sowal ked
i
nt other oom,l
ookingdown]what '
swr ong?

Nkanyi
so:Mal
umesayshewi
llt
eachmet
ori
dea
hor
sewhenhehast
ime,
Iwi
shmydadwasher
e.

Me:Iam surewe' llf

indsomeonet oteachyou.
Comel et
'sgo.[Itookhishandandwewentt ohis
fat
her'
shouse.Nkosi '
smot herraninsidethehouse,
Iguesstheyalreadyspoket oeachot her
.Ientered
andwentt othebar n.Ifoundthehor sekeeper]
Nkosisaidyoushoul dt eachoursonhowt oridehis
horse.

Horsekeeper:Hel
loNkanyiso,yourfather
'shorse
hasanatti
tude.Doyouthinkitwillal
lowyour i
deit?

Nkanyi
so:[
exci
ted]Idon'
tknow.

Me:[
myphoner
ang]Sor
ryIj
usthungup.

Nkosi:Toni
ghtgototheguesthouse,don'
tsl
eepat
yourhouse.Donottakeyourcarwit
h,where'
s
Nkanyi
so?

Me:Mal umer efusedtoteachoursonhowt or

idea
horse,[
sigh]t
hi si
stoughYet hu.ButIaskedyour
keepertoteachhi m wi
thyoursbecauseapparentl
y
mysondoesn' thaveanyrightstoanyhorsesinhi
s
fat
her'
skr aal
.

Nkosi:canIspeakt
ohi
m?[
shegi
vesNkanyi
sot
he
phone]

Horsekeeper
:Peopl
eher
ear
enotver
yni
ce
anymore.

Nkanyi
so:[
givest
hephoneback]Okay.Li
ftme.

Me:[hecli
mbedonhisfather
'shorseandthe
keeperhel
peduswalkitafewtimes.Iwasabit
scaredwhenheletgoofthehorse.Mysonhadfun
whil
eIwat chedinfear.Afteragoodthreehour
s.He
tookitbacktothebarn.Mysonwast i
redaswe
wereaboutt owalkoutofhi sgrandf
atherMr
Gumedecal ledusin.AsIwal kedin,mysonknew
nottotouchanything]Greeti
ngssir,
Nkosiwanted
hissontorideh..
.

MrGumede:Bl i
ndedbygr eedwemadeal otof
mi stakesandpeopl edi edinthepr ocess,itbur i
ed
mysont hathehadason.Hecameher eandl ooked
mei nt heface.Thingshaveneverbeent hesame
everagai n.IneverthoughtIwoul denjoybei ng
calledagr andfatherthismuch.ThemomentI
startedt ogett oknowyourson, i
texcitedme.You
arer ightifitwasn'tforourgr eed,Nkosiwoul dbe
her et oattendtohi ssonandt hatssomet hingIst ole
from hi m.I twil
lneverbeokay, soIwantt of ormal l
y
apol ogizet oyouNkanyi sofortakingyourf ather
awayandt oyouMbal enhl ebecauseIknowi fmy
sonhadmar ri
edyoul ikehedesi red.Iwoul dhavea
relationshipwi t
hat l
eastoneofmygr andsons.
Me:Thankyouf oryourapol
ogybutitdoesn'
t
changeanyt
hing.Thedamagei sdonesowej ust
havetol
ivearoundit.

Nkanyi
so:Mommy,
Canwego?

Me:[Istoodup]Ican'
tfi
xthi
sbecauseyourson
hatesyourgutsandhissonisalmostt
here.You
rai
sedaver yst
rongwill
edson.Speakt
oNkosi
maybesomet hingcanhappen.

MrsGumede:wewoul
dlovet
ohaveyouoverf
or
di
nnersometi
me.

Me:Idonot hingonmyown, NkosiisthelawandI

am justt
heenf orcer
.Let'sgoMf ana.[weleftand
theywavedwi thtearsforming.Thewoundwast oo
fresh.Af
terthreehours,wewal kedandt ookat axi
totheguesthouse.Wet reat
edour sel
ftoafully
balancedmealandIpr ayedthenslept.Thenextday
ar
ound6am Lwandl
ecal
ledme]t
hisi
sear
ly,
morni
ng.

Lwandle:Icamet
oyourhousel
astni
ghtandwai
ted
forghosts.

Me:sor
ry,
wej
usthadt
orushsomewher
e.

Lwandle:Wel
lwewouldl
ovet
ohaveyouoverf
or
thebi
rt
hdayspeci
al.

Me:Iwi
llbet
her
einaf
ew,
shoul
dIbr
inganyt
hing?

Lawndl
e:not
hingj
ustyour
sel
ves.

Me:Iwi
llcal
lyouwhenIam cl
ose,
thenyoucan
gi
vemedi r
ecti
ons.
Lawndl
e:no,Iwi
llcomef
etchyouf
rom yourhouse,
noworr
ies.

Me:Gr eat.[
IhungupandNkanyi sowasn'taboutto
getoutofsleep.Iorderbr eakfastt
hatwokehi m up
andweat etogether
.Webat hedandtookat axi
backtot hevil
lage.Everyonehadgat her
edatmy
parentshouse.Weent eredthehouse]Good
mor ni
ng.

Mr
sHl
ophe:wher
edi
dyougo?

Me:Ineededsometimet
othinkthi
ngsthr
ough,
pl
uswecanbar el
yfi
tonthesingl
ebed.Weneeded
agoodnight
'
ssleep.

MrsGumede:[ i
ntears]Somegunmencame
searchi
ngforyoulastnightbutcoul
dnotfi
ndyou.
ThankGodt heydi
dn'tfi
ndyou, t
heMabuza'sare
verydanger
ous.Ourf amil
ieshavebeenenemiesfor
year
s.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t23

Theyst r
essedt heirpointsbutwet ookabat h,then
gotready.Lwandl ecamet ofetchusandt her i
de
wasasi lentoneal mostl ikehewasi ndeep
thoughtsaboutsomet hingbutcoul dnotr eacha
decisi
on.Wear ri
vedinl esst hen30mi nsandhe
parkedout si
det heyard, hecoul dn'
tevenf aceme.
Anywaywegotoutt hecarandt heyjuststaredat
uslikecheesei ntheeyesofr at
s.IlocatedRaywho
waswi thherkidsandhusband.Igr eet
edt hem and
shewasj ustuncomf ortable.Isetdownandt he
placejuststoodst i
ll
.Theyof feredusfoodand
Nkanyisowasn' taboutt hatlife.

Me:hejusthadsomethi
ng,hi
sabi
tful
l.Your
eal
ly
haveanicehouseoverher
e.
Ray:Myparent
sout
didt
hemselves,youcan'
t
bel
ievei
twasoncet
hechief
'shousebutthat
'sal
l
gonenow.

Me:Wow, youdon'
tsay.Soyouwer
eonce
chi
eft
encyholder
s?

Ray:Yep,
myf atherf
eltqui
etst
rongl
yabouti
tunt
il
hewasbetrayed.

Me:Wellper
sonall
yIdon'
twantanyt
hingt
odowith
t
hisvi
ll
age,i
fitwasuptome.Iwouldhavemoved
myparentsl
ongbeforenow.

Lwandl
e:[
signal
li
nghi
ssi
ster
]CanIseat
?

Me:don'
tbesi
ll
ywecameherebecauseofyou,
I
mustsayyouhaveal
ovel
yfami
ly.
Nkanyi
so:[
scr
eamsasheseesagun,
shaki
ng]
Mmat hatmanishol
dingagun.

Me:[IlookedatLwandl ethanRay.Wewer einthe

danofvul tur
es,t
heywer eal lr
agi
ngforourbl
ood.
Overfourpeoplewer eholdingagunagainstmy
son'sheadandt wof orme.Iknewt hatweneededa
miracl
e, shoul
dhavel i
stenedt oMmaGumede, Ifel
t
soangr yyetscared]Youbr oughtusher
etobe
ki
ll
ed?Wowsot hisistr
ust?Ray?Lwandle?Wellgo
aheadputmeoutofmymi sery.

MrMabuza:TheGumede'
stookmychi
ldr
en'
s
l
egacyandthi
sismychance.

Me:Youseesi r,whatyoudon'
tknowisther
eisa
wholearmywai ti
ngtomar chi
nhereandkil
lal
lof
you.Ipersonal
lydon'tknowhowhedoesiteven
fr
om beinginsi
depr i
sonbarsbuthei
sprobablyi
n
hiscellri
ghtnowwat chingthismomentwaiti
ngt o
react
.MrGumedei sdangerousbutyouseeYet hu?
Hisalunatic.[
att
hatpoint,IbankedonNkosi
completel
yandIshi ver
ed]ShootIam re.
..
..

Wehear daspl eshandal oudhelplessscream, t

hey
allrushedt othepoolsideandKhayawasi nsi
dethe
pool ,bl
eeding.Theytookheroutoft hepooland
shout edatthenannywhowasmeantt obe
wat chingthekids.Istoodupandl ift
edmyson.I
wal kedoutoft heyardandwewal kedupt othe
taxi'
s.Igotinsidefeel
inglikeIcan'tt
rustanyonein
myent ir
eli
fe.Ifsomethinghadhappenedt omyson,
howwoul dIhavehandl edi t
.Thepainsofmy
mi scarri
agecamebackt ohuntme.Ihel dhi mtomy
chestandcr i
edmyeyesout .At axij
uststoodand
wegoti nsi
de.Ittookusbackt omypar entshouse,
byt henNkosiwascal li
ngandsendi ngme
concer nedmessages.

Mr
sHl
ophe:whathappened?
Me:weneedt oleaveher e,Iam goinghome.[ Itook
mybagsandpl acedmyson' sseatbelton.Igot
i
nsideourlamborghini.Ireversedoutoftheyar d
andgashedoutoft here.Thegoodt hi
ngabout
goi
ngt omyvil
laget herearenost opsignsorr obot
s
youjustr
ideon.Wewer ehomei nnot i
me]

Nkanyi
so:Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ngMma.

Me:[Icheckedandi
twasconnect
edt
omycar
.SoI
pi
cked]Nkosi.

Nkosi:[chuckles]Onedayyourgoi
ngtogivemea
heartattack,whatwasthat?It
houghtyouhave
grownupf rom makingmestandonmyt oesli
ke
that
.Itsgoodt oknowyouar einonepeace.

Me:[
weallj
ustl
aughedabouti
t,whi
chwas
awkwar
d]Lunat
ic.
Nkosi
:[l
aughing]I
tsnotf
unny,
Iwasgoingt
o
smokethem all
.Godworksinmyst
eri
ousways.

Me:I
tsgoodt
oknowyougotmyback.

Nkosi
:Pl
easedon'
tusemylovef
oryoupeopl
e
agai
nstme.Howareyoubaf
o?Areyouokay?

Nkanyi
so:Gogohasbeenf
eedi
ngusgr
eenl
eaf
s.

Welaughedsobadyou' dthinkwearecr
azy.WhenI
fi
nal
lygotofthecar,mystomachwaspai nf
ul.I
wentinsi
dehouseandor deredusameatypizza.
Whicharri
vedhotforus.Weat easmuchaswe
coul
dandpassedoutont hecoucht
ogether
.

#MabuzaFami
ly
Khaya'sstateofheal t
hhast urnedthef ami l
yupside
down.Theyal lhireapr i
vat ej ettotakeKhayaback
tothecitywher eshewi llseeaspeci alist
.Theyl and
i
nj ust30minsanddoct or s.Theydi scoveredt hat
thereisnodoct orondut yt hatcanexpect l
yl ook
i
ntohermat t
er.Thedoct orinchar gelooksatherf il
e
andaskest hatDoct orEnhl ebecal l
edi nasshe
speciali
sedinchildcare.Af termul ti
plecalls,iti
s
decidedthatshemustbecal ledonherper sonal
phone.Whi chispickedupbyNkanyi so.

Nkanyi
so:Hel
lo,
Mymot
heri
snotar
ound.CanI
t
akeamessage?

Doct
orRea:Areyoupeopl
est
il
latt
hevi
ll
age?Ican
vi
deocal
lher.

Nkanyi
so:She'
shavingasessi
onwi
thhert
her
api
st,
Iwastol
dnottoint
errupt
.
Doct
orRea:t
hisi
simpor
tant
,pl
easet
ryf
orme.

Nkanyi
so:[t
heyhearhi
m wal
kingandspeaki
ngt
o
hi
smot her
]Herei
sshe.

Enhl
e:Rea,
Iam onl
eavewhat
sthi
sabout
?

Doct
orRea:Oneofyourpati
ent
sKhayaMabuza
hasbeenbroughther
e,weneedyourexper
ti
seher
e.

Enhl
e:Iam noti
ntown,
I'
m onl
eave.Pl
easecont
act
doct
orKent.[
hangsup]

Doct
orRea:t
hebestopt
ioni
stoputherinan
i
nducedcomaunti
ldoct
orKentar
ri
vesin12hour
s
fr
om now.
Lwandl
e:shemi
ghtnothavet
hatmucht
ime.

Doct orRea:Thi sisstrange,Iwil

lhaveyouknow
thatDoct orEnhl eistheonl yonewhowor ksharder
thanal lofusher e.Thisisthefir
stti
meshehas
refusedt ocomet hrough.Isther
esomethingIam
missi ng?Shei slit
erall
y5mi nsawayandshei snot
eveni nterest
ed.Thi sisstr
ange.

Lwandl
e:wher
eisshe?

DoctorRea:Herhouse,
whi
chi
stwost
reet
sfr
om
her
e.

MrMabuza:Let
sgot
oherhouseandseei
fwecan
speakt
oher.

MrGumede:Thanyoucl
earlydonotknowmyson,
st
ayawayfr
om myf ami
ly.Idi
dn'
ttakeanyt
hing
fr
om you.Youaretheonewhodeci dedtostealand
werefound.Iwasn'
tthere,
pleasestaycl
earfr
om
mygrandsonandMbal enhleanythi
ngthathas
Gumedei nit
.Leavei
taloneplease.

Ray:soyoustol
e?That
'swhywel
ostever
ythi
ng?
Wowj ustwow.

MrGumede:I fImi ghthavestolenanythingfrom

youIapologizeandwoul drequestwest ayclearof
eachother'
schi ldren.Mbalenhl
eandNkanyi soare
Gumedes.Wal konyourl aneandIwi l
lwalkonmi ne.
Lwandle,Raypl easedon'tmaket hi
sdiff
icul
t.My
daughteri
sapeacef ul
person,please.[t
urnsaround
andleavesthem t here]

Nur
se:[
comesf
rom t
hewar
d]Doct
orpl
easecome.

DoctorRea:[
goesint
othewar
dandcomesback]
I
'm sorr
y,welosther
.
Lwandl
e:[
rushesi
nther
eandl
oudsobsar
ehear
d.]

Ray:Wel
ldoneMabuza.Ni
ceone,
real
lyni
ce.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t24

Thenextf ewdaysIvi si
tedaf ewpl aceswithmy
sonandI .IplacedLwandleonf l
ightmodeand
whenIwentbackt owor k,IavoidedRay.Al lthis
ti
meIusedt othinkweneededat hi
rdmemberi n
ourfamilybutweact uall
ydon' t
.Yet huisi
npr ison
andhecover sallthecornerseveni nhisabsence.
Thathasal l
owedmet obeset tl
edi nmyownski n.
AsIgott owor kformyshi ft
,IdiscoveredthatIwas
schaduledtoseeJuni orMabuzaandIdon' tknow
howIf el
tbutt hi
sismyj ob.IlovewhatIdo, Icalled
them i
n.
Me:pleaseseatonthebedandl if
tyourpant
s.[I
tookouthisfi
leandlookedt
hroughhisprogress.
Then wor emypr ot
ecti
vegear]Iseeyou'
vebeen
withdoctorKent
,howwast hatli
ke?

Junior:Idon'
tknowbuthemakesmedoact
ivi
ti
es
thatleavemeinpainsf
orweeks.

Me:wellitl
ookslikeyouhavebeent aki
ngyour
medsandmyi nstruct
ions.I
tshows,yourwounds
areheal
edpr oper
ly.Youjustneedtotryst
ret
chi t
l
ikedoctorkentsaidandyoubebackonyourt eam
i
nnot i
me.

Juni
or:Di
dn'
tseeyouatKhaya'
sfuner
al.

Me:Iam notpar
tofyourf
ami
ly.

Juni
or:i
ntheshor
tti
meyouspentwi
thus,
Khaya
l
ovedhavingyouar ound.Shel i
kedthewayyou
dressedherandst uff.Iguesswewer eallt
obl
ind
toseeyourintent
ions.Noneoft hi
swouldhave
happened,i
ftheydi dn'tthr
eatenyourl
if
e.

Me:Godhaspl ansandIknowyouwillheal
.Thi
sis
yourlastappoi
ntmentwi
thme,fr
om hereyouwil
l
bereferr
edtorecover
y.Wher
etheywillhel
pyouto
str
etch.

Hl
engi
we:Youhat
eust
hatmuch?

Me:[ Il
ookedatt heirfatherwhost oodinblack]I
don'thateyou, Ij
ustr eali
zedthatIshouldaccept
whatIam andhowIam.Ican' ttruststr
angers,I
real
izedthatIcoul dhavedi edinthenameof
persuinghappi ness.SonowIgett hatmeandmy
sonar eallt
hef ami l
yIneed.Wear edoneher e,f
ix
yourpantsandhaveawonder fulday.[t
heyleftmy
offi
ceandt heirfatherremained,hel i
ter
all
yknelt]
thi
sisnotgoi ngt ochangeanyt hing.
Lwandle:Imessedupbi gtimeandIknowIdon' t
deser
veyourforgivenessorkindnessbutIwould
l
iketoreall
yapologizeforevenmysisterwhois
havi
ngat oughti
mebecauseshel ostafri
endi
nyou.

Me:Youshouldn'
tbehere,ift
heGumede'sheart hat
youareevenkneeli
ngbeforeme.Iwon'thaveany
defencef
oryourhead,getupandleavemyof f
ice.[I
widenthedoor
]Please.

Lwandl
e:Iam r
eal
lysor
ry.

Me:Getoutofmyof f
ice,Idon'
twanttoraisemy
voice.[
heleftandIwonder edifhavingagoodhear t
attr
actspainslikethi
s,It
houghtIcouldjustgetout
theretofi
ndsomeonewhoj ustl
ovesmeand
protect
smebuthehasf ourchil
drenandnobr ainof
hisown.Icont inuedmyday, asIwaswor king.I
wascal l
edtor ecepti
on,i
twasbor ingbutIwent
thenboom abiggiftboxandf l
owershadar ri
vedfor
me]whosentt hese?[Iopenedtheboxandgota
brandnewdoct or'
ssetwithanote�Iam gr ateful
forthel
ifewesharetogetherandforal
lowingmebe
partofyourl
ives.Happybirt
hdayMbalienhle�]
Recept
ioni
st:Wel
ldoc?Who'
sar
etheyf
rom?

Me:[Ihadcompet el
yforgott
enmyownbi r
thday,
wowl i
fehappens]Someone.[ Isi
gnedforthem and
setdownfeeli
ngemot ional
,hissounexpected.
Catchesmeof fguard]Lunat
ic!

Recept
ioni
st:Who'
sthat
?

Doct
orRea:[f
indsheratr ecepti
oni
st]f
ir
stthe
Lambor
ghini,
nowanexpensi vesetwit
hflowers.
Tel
lmehowt ogetpr egnantforthi
sman?Icoul d
useabi
rthdaypresentli
ket hi
s.

Me:Hat
eitwhenhecat
chesmeof
fguar
dli
ket
his.
DoctorRea:Pleaset
ellhi
m aboutme,Icoulduse
thespoi
li
ngandIwi l
ldefini
tel
yvisi
thi
ml i
ke
ever
yday.Ili
keexpensivestuf
f.

MrsHlophe:[
appear
swi t
hacake]happybi
rt
hdayt
o
you,
wowsomeone' sfast
ert
hanme?

Me:Yet
hu.

MrsGumede:[l
ooksatt
hefl
owers]Int
erest
ing.I
hopeyoupeopl
earenotgoi
ngagainstouradvice.

Me:I
fhedeci
dest
oaskmeIwi
llnotr
efuse.

Mr
sHl
ophe:Butwhathappenedt
otheMabuzaguy?

Me:I
'
m af
rai
dYet
humi
ghtki
llhi
m af
terwhathedi
d,
somysonneedshi sfat
heroutofpr i
sonsoonest
andIcan'treall
ycoachoursont hewayhi sfather
would.[
Iwipedmyf aceandclosedt hebox]the
cakeisverythoughtfulbutIam inthemiddleofmy
shif
tandNkanyi soisatschool.Isuggestyouhol d
thatt
houghtf orabitmore.Rosyyoumaykeept he
fl
owers,t
heyl oo..
..
.

DoctorRea:Haaano, shei
salwayskeeping.TheseI
takeformyself
.[pi
cksthebunchoffl
ower s]happy
birt
hdayfr
iend.Tel
lthechi
efIam avai
lable.

#Nkosi
yet
hu

Idon'tbutitsl
ikewear etoget herevenbetterthan
before.ImeanIenj oyourconver sati
ons,i
nfectthey
keepmegoi nginthishellhol e.IdecidedthatIwi l
l
notfightDan'speople,Iallowt hem todowhat ever.
Themor etheythi
nkt heyar ebr eakingusapar tthe
mor ewear ejusttogether.Itfeelsgoodt obe
someone' sfather
,Iam looki ngf orwardtoplaying
soccerwithmysonandgoi ngfishi
ngwi t
hhim.For
thatIam onmybestbehavi our,asIwaschill
ing.I
discover
edthatmymot herhadsomet hingplanned
toseparateusagai
n,shewasseencomi ngfr
om
thedarkmountainagain.ImustsayIhavenever
prayedli
kethi
sinmyent ireli
fe.Theyhavealready
taken10yearsofourlove,mor eIcannothandle.I
sleptonmykneescalli
ngGodf rom al
lthepoints.

Cel
lmate:you'
vebeenont
her
eforal
most12hour
s
now,Godhasheardyou.

Me:Youwon'
tunder
stand.Godcan'
tlett
hishappen,
notagai
n.

Cel
lmat
e2:Youseem t
obequi
eti
nter
est
ing,
whati
s
i
tnow,Bi
shop?
Me:Theydon' twantust oget
her,t
heyhavenever
evensupportedtheideaofust ogether
.Ift
heygive
herthatchar
m, Iam fi
nished.Imightaswellf
orget
aboutseeingmysonbecauseshewil
lhatemyguts
foreverandIdon'
tknowhowtotaket
hat,
Iwil
lnot
takeit.

Pr
isonWar
der
:youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.

Me:Onecal
l,
pleasej
ustone.Iwi
lldoanyt
hing?

Pr
isonWar
der
:[Chuckl
es]howbaddoyouwantt
his?

Me:Ineedt hi
s,please.[ heopenedt hecel landt ook
met oMabeba.Ihat et hismanandIhat ebei ngat
hismer cyeacht imeIwantt ojustspeakt omy
family.Wellofcoursehewant sonet hing,Ijust
pleasedhim.I tisalwayst hewor stt
wohour sofmy
l
ife.Afterblowingandgi vi
ngmyasst oanot her
man.Ipr eparedmysel f,heallowedmemakeacal l
.
Itrangtwiceandshepi cked]Hel l
o.[Iheardt he
mot hersspeakingint hebackgr ound]pleasedon' t
eatwhat evertheybr oughtf oryou.
Enhle:Theyboughtmeanut tycakeandyouknow
thatIam al
legic.Iwon'
ttr
yitandyoursoni
snot
eveninter
ested.

Me:[
sighofr
eli
ef]Happybi
rt
hday.

Enhl
e:Youal
wayscatchmeoffguar
d,Ir
eal
ly
appr
eciat
ewhatyoudoforus.

Me:It
sthel
eastIcandoaf
terever
ythi
ng,
canyou
sendmepainmeds?

Enhle:
[heavybr
eat
hing]whatki
ndofpai
nmedici
ne
thi
stime?Theheavyonesorjustt
hemil
dones?

Me:Iam havingtroubl
esl
eeping,
mywhole
downstai
rsisinpainsandIf
indithar
dtogot
othe
bat
hroom attimes.
Enhl
e:CanIpleasegetyouadoct
or'
scheckup?
Thi
smi ghtbeseri
ous.

Me:Comeonpeeingbl
oodandaf ewabdominal
pai
nscan'
tbeser
ious,
Iam st
rongert
hanthat.

Enhl
e:Justt
hisonceall
owmet ot r
eatyousince
youwon'tal
lowmet ocomedoitmysel f
.Iwillsend
yousomeonewhodeal swit
hprisonstocomegi ve
youapropercheckup.Don'
tfi
ghtmeont hi
spl ease.

Me:Yourthedoct
orheresoyoul
eavemenochoi
ce,
don'
tfor
getmypill
splease.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t25
IneverthoughtIwoul df inditthi
sscar y,she
confi
rmedt hatthiscoul dbesi gnsofcanceror
somethingwi thdanger ousimpl i
cat i
ons.I tsfunny
becausesheknewIwasscar ed,shej ustt ookme
thr
ought her emedi esandgavemehope.Att heend
ofourcal l
,Ispoket ooursonwhowasi rri
tatedby
thegrandmot hers.Thenextmor ning, around4am
thewarderwokeusupanddemandedIbet akent o
themedi cal.Somewhi temal edoct orwasal ready
waiti
ngtocheckme.Hesai dhewassentbyEnhl e.
Heexami nedmeandt ookbl oodt estst henmyur i
ne
whichwasj ustbl ood.Iwaitedwhi l
ehedi sappeared
andappear edafteraboutt hreehour s.

Doctor:wellweareseei
ngsignsofPostrat
ecancer
andmal nutri
ti
on.Pl
easetr
ytotakethesepil
lsto
ensurethatthenextt
imewet aket
estsyouar ecl
ear
ofanything.Tryt
otakeyourmealsasgiventoyou.

Me:Pl
easedon'tt
ellEnhl
eaboutthisunl
esswear
e
compl
etel
ysureofwhatishappeningtome.
Doctor:Iwi
llkeept
hisbet
weenusunti
lwear
e
cer
tainaboutyourheal
thcondi
ti
on.

Me:Thankyou.[
thewardertookmebacktot hecel
l
andIcoul
dtel
lwordshadr eachedMabebaabout
mysuddenmedicalcheck-
up.Thewardertookme
tohi
scell
]Morni
ngsir.

Mabeba:[
sighofdi
str
ess]I
sitt
ruet
hatyouar
e
posi
ti
ve?

Me:[
Ilookedi
ntohi
seyeswhichwer
eful
loff
ear
]
t
hedoctorsai
dhewouldtakemoret
est
s.

Mabeba:t
hisi
smessedup,
sowear
egoi
ngt
odi
e?

Me:[t
hecel
lwentdeadsi
lent
,hecheckedthef
ive
packsofmedsi
nmyhandandIdi scover
edthat
thisdudecan'tevenread.Hequicklyplacedthe
pil
lsbackintheplasti
candcommandedt hatIbe
takenbacktomycel l
.Whichthewar derdid.Aswe
gottothecell
, Il
aidonthebedast heshott he
doctorgavemewasmaki ngmedizzy]youmay
stopstar
ingthen.

Cel
lmate2:Soyourjustgoi
ngdownwi t
houtaf i
ght?
Yourgi
vinguponyourwomanandson, justl
ikethi
s?
Youshouldapplyf
ormedi calparol
e.Youneedt obe
homeandput t
ingyourhousei norder
.

Me:mysondoesn' tneedt
oseemedi e,hedoesn'
t
deservetoknowaboutt hi
s.Ineedhimt obea
strongmanandnotsomeonewhol i
ngersi n
thoughtsofwhatcouldhavebeen.Mbal iisgoi
ngto
fi
ndoutaboutt hisandonceagainIwillhave
broughthertears.

Cel
lmat
e:Mabebaget
sawi
njustl
iket
hat
?Wow.
Me:Iam di
zzy,Idon'
thavest
rengt
hforanyt
hing
r
ightnow.Ineedtosl
eep.

#Mabeba'
scel
l

Everythingthatoncebr oughtjoyhast urnedtodust.

Hel ooksaroundhi scellatallhisslavesandthe
pict
ureofl i
ttl
eNkanyi sofl
ashesonhi sphone.Its
thelit
tl
eboy' sreportcard,t
hatal oneweighsonhi m
thatthisli
tt
leboyi sabouttol osehisfatherand
growupwi thoutaf at
herli
kehedi d.Thi
sr emi
ndsof
howhegr ewupandwasabusedbyhi smot her'
s
boyfri
ends.Her est
sbackonhi sbedandshut shis
eyes.

Pr
isonwarder
:HIVisnotadeathsentence,t
here
ar
etreat
mentsthatcanensur
eyoulivelonger.
Mabeba:l
ookaroundyou,
weareinacage.We
don'
thaveanyproperf
oodorpr
opermedicalcar
e.
Outsidethereyoungboysar ebecomi ngaddi cts
becauseoft hel ackofmal efigures,theyar e
pushedbyvoi d,angerandpeerpr essure.That
man'ssonst andst heriskofbeinganaddi ct
becausehewi llwonderwhatt hehellhappenedt o
hisfatherandnoot hermani sgoi ngtof i
llthatvoid.
Hissoni s10year sofage, whatsgoingt ohappen
whenhi s15?t hat'swhenal lthesethingski cki n.
Canassur emet hathisf at
herwi l
lbear ound?
Growingupwi thoutaf atheri
ss* ***andnot hing
canmakei tbetter.

Pr
isonwar
der
:thedamagei
sdone,
whatwecando
i
swatchhowthi
ngsunf
old.

Mabeba:t
hisi
samessman.

#Nkosi
yet
hu

Thenextf
ewdaysmyheal
thj
ustdet
eri
orat
ed,
I
battl
edt ocompl etesimpl etasksbecauseIwasi n
gravepai n.Ilimpedt obedi rect ,Ihaven'tspokent o
EnhlebecauseIhonest lydon' tknowwhatdosayt o
her.IfIam f oundwi t
hcancer ,Iwi lldiebeforeI
accompl i
shanyt hing.SoIhavecal ledmyl awyer
andhadmywi llformal i
sed.Ihavewr i
tt
ent oallthe
peoplet hatIneedt ofor giveandmadepeacet hatI
mightdi e.AsIwasl yingi nmycel lwai ti
ngfordeat h,
Iwast oldt hatIhaveavi sit
or.Thatwasscar ybutI
forcedmysel foffthebedandt hewar dertookmet o
thevisiti
nghal l.WhenIgott her eIf oundEnhl ewi t
h
aswol lenf aceandpuf f
yeyes.It houghtt hatmaybe
myr esultsar eout ,shej ustcameupt omeand
weptsohar dthatevent hewar dersf orgotprotocol.
Heuncuf fedmeandIembr acedher .

Me:what
'shappeni
ng?Pl
easeyouar
enott
hisweak
per
son.

Enhl
e:[
insobs]Nkanyi
soi
sbei
ngbul
li
ed,
Itr
iedt
o..
.
Me:[t
hewor dbull
iedwasenoughtotakeawayall
t
hepainsIwasf eeli
nginmybody,everyt
hingwas
j
ustrepl
acedbyanger ]Cal
m downplease,t
ellme
whathappened?

Enhle:[snif
f i
ng]hej ustkeptitasecr etbuthecame
homewi thouthi sshoes,hecl aimedt hathehadl ost
them whi chisunl i
kehi m,thensuddenl yInoticed
thathewoul dgot oschoolwi tht hi
ngsandwoul d
comebackwi t
houtthem.Il ookedi nt othemat t
er
andnoonegavemeapr operr eport.Yesterdayhe
wasi nvolvedi naf i
ghtwhi cha18yearol dboyandI
gotacal lfrom oneofhi steacher s.WhenIgott here
oursonwasj ustlyi
ngi nthefield.Hisgott wo
brokenr i
bsandhesuf fer
edabl owt ot hehead.I f
blooddr opsi ntohisbrainhemi ghtdi eorhavebr ain
damage.

Me:[thatj
ustmademefuri
ous,Ij
ustwantedto
escapeoutofpri
sonanddealwit
hit.Imeanwhat
thehell
?Thesocall
edschooli
shighly
recommendedandIpayal otofmoney.She
conti
nuedtocr yunti
lhej ustpassedouti nmyar ms.
Thewarderbroughtwat erandt hef i
rstai
dkit,she
wokeupst i
lli
nemot ions.Ipl eadedandbeggedf or
hertocal
m down. ]Youar enoti nt hi
salone,Iam
withyoueverystepoft heway.Oursoni safighter
,
weneedtost aystrongf orhim.Pl easejustall
ow
medealwitht hi
s.

Enhle:I
thurt
stowatchhi minthatstate,Iwi
shhe
canjustwakeupandbef i
ne.SorryIcamewi t
hall
theseprobl
emsbutIf eel
li
keyourt heonlyonewho
getshowIfeelri
ghtnow.Thepol i
cet ooktheboy
fortwohoursandhewasr el
eased.MaybeIwi l
l
havetomoveNkanyi so.

Me:don'
twor
ry,
Iwi
llper
sonal
lydealwi
tht
his.

Enhle:Iam sor
ryf
orshowi
ngupunannouncedl
ike
thi
s,Iknowyouwar nedmenott
ocomehere.
Me:Youseei fsomeonehasadeat hwi sh,t
hey
touchmyf amil
y.Iam notevil,
Idon'tcareabout
charmsbutnoonehast herighttobullymyson.Go
homeandt akecar eofourson,Iwilldealwit
hthi
s.
[weconcludedourmeet i
ngandIwor ri
edifshe
woulddri
vesaf el
y.Iwentbackt othecell
consumedi nanger.Howcansomeonet ouchmy
son?Theonl ychi
ldIhaveont hisearth?Ican'
t
all
owthistohappen.Iwentt oseeMabebawhoset
i
nt heeat
ingsectionwithhispeople]Excuseus.

Mabeba:[
looksathi
m]Excuseus.[
theyal
lleave]
what
'sthi
sabout?

Me:Ineedtomakecal lsri
ghtnow.[hechuckl
ed
andgavemehi sphone.Icalledmyson'sschool
pri
ncipal
]Whatthehellhappenedtomyson
becauseIdon'
tunderstandhowsomeonecan
att
ackmysononschoolgr ounds.
Princi
pal
:MrGumedesir,
li
keIsai
dtohi
smot her
theywereonrecessandt
eacher
swerenotar
ound.

Me:sosomeonej ustbeatupmy10yearoldand
youhavethegutstotellmethatt
eacher
swerenot
around.Gr
eat
,youwi l
lhearfr
om mylawyer
s.

Pr
inci
pal
:Si
r,Iwi
lll
ooki
ntoi
tcompl
etel
y.

Me:Iam donet alki

ngtoyou, i
fyoulovedyourj ob
youwoul dn'
tbevomi tt
ingnonsense[afterspeaki
ng
tohi
m, Ijustfoundacor nerandbrokedown.Thi sis
myonl ysonwear etal
kingabouthere,i
fsomet hi
ng
happenst omyson, Iwon'tbeabletocope.I fi
t
happensIhavePost ratecancer,
Iwillneverhave
anotherchil
dinmyent ireli
fe.
]

Mabeba:Sonot
hingi
sgoi
ngt
obedone?
Me:Pleaset
hisi
snottheti
me, gi
vemespace.[
I
wentoutandaskedthewardertopi
tmei
nacell.I
j
ustwantedtodie.
]

cel
lmate2:Wast
hatyourwoman?S****Shei
son
fi
refordays,
whatwasshecryi
ngabout?

Me:mysonisbei
ngbulli
ed,Idon'
twantmychild
bei
ngwitht
hewrongcrowd.Hisbeenbeatenand
nowhisi
nacoma.Ont opofeveryt
hingt
hatis
goi
ngwronginmyli
fe,
whatam Igoingtodo
wit
houtason?
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t26

Thenexttwoweekswer
esil
ent,noupdatenothing.
Mysonwasi nacomaandEnhl ewasalreadyapart
.
Shecouldn'
tsayt
wowordswithoutcr
ying.The
doct
orcamebackwithmyresultst
hatindeedI
havePost r
atecancerbutatt hisstageweneedt o
treatitsoitdoesn' tdominateme.Thepr ison
doesn' thavether esourcessoIhadt oappl yfor
medi calparole.Ast hedayswentbyIwi shedt ojust
beatt hehospi talwithher,tojusthol dherandt el
l
heri t
'sgoingtobeokay.Ont heot herhandmy
studieshavebeengoi ngokaywhi chi snotwhatI
expectbecauseIam notexact lydoi ngmybest .
Ear l
yint hemor ning,asitstart
sr ainingout si
deand
thecol dsweepsi n.Theprisonwar derbangsont he
cellsbar sandwakesusup.

Pri
sonwar
der
:Nkosi
yet
huGumede,
You'
regoi
ng
home.

Me:[ Ididn'tknowwhet herIwasdreamingornot.

ButIst oodupf r
om thebedandtookmypi ct
ures
plusbooks.Theyt ookmet owhereIdroppedmy
clothest hefir
stti
meandIchangedi nt
othecl
othes
theyar r
estedmei n.ar
ound7am wesi gnedmy
releaseandIwasaskedt ocal
lsomeonewhowoul d
comef et
chmeandIcal l
edacabi nstead.Thecab
cameandIpassedt hebanktopayt hedr i
ver
.I
boughtchocol
atesandwenttoBluehi l
ls.The
recept
ionwasbusy,myhairwasovergr ownsoI
l
ookedl i
keabushman.]CanIpl
easeseeNkanyi so
Hlophe?

Recept
ionist
:whoareyoupl
ease?Wai
tIneedt
o
cal
ldoctorEnhl
efi
rst
.

Me:Al
ri
ght
.[shemadethecal
landaverythi
n,pal
e
l
ooki
ngEnhlecomefr
om oneofther
ooms.Asmi l
e
f
ormedonherfacewhi
chmademener vous]
Mamakhe.

Enhl
e:[
smi
li
ngwi
tht
ear
sfor
ming]Youcamef
orus?

Me:Yourt
heonl
yfami
lyIgot
.
Enhle:Hewokeupt
wodaysagoandwear
ebei
ng
senthomenow.

Me:CanIseehi
m?Thesear
eyour
s.[Iki
ssedher
f
orehead,
wewentt
otheward]
Gumede.

Nkanyi
so:[
exci
ted]Papayourher
e?

Me:Yourmylif
eNkanyi
so,t
her
eisnomewi
thout
you.Yourr
eadytogohome?

Nkanyiso:Canhecomehomewi
thusMommy?He
cansleepinmyroom.

Enhl
e:hopeal
lofyouf
iti
nsi
demycar
.

Welaughed,shedroveust
ohernewhousewhi
ch
wasbeauti
ful.Foramanwhohasoneunder
wear
andnot oil
etr
iest
hiswasjusttri
cky.Idon'
tknow
whenbutshehadcookedexact l
ywhatshehad
promised.Shedi shedupformeandwentoutwi th
hercar .Leavi
ngust oeat
,after
wardsNkanyisofel
l
asleep.Iplacedhiminhisroom andpassedouton
thecouch.Af tert
wohoursshecamei ntot
hehouse
andIj ustaboutgottomyf eet.

Enhle:Ther oom nextdoortoNkanyi soisyours,I

thoughtitwisetobuyyouaf ewt hingsjustf
oryou
togetby.Yourmedswi l
lbeheret omorrowandI
expectyout otakeyourt r
eat
mentver yseri
ously.
Otherwisefeelathome.Iseeyouwasheddi shes?
Wow.[ sit
sbesidehi m]shouldIrunyouabubbl e
bath,i
twi l
lhelpyour el
ax.
Me:I
shegoi
ngt
obeokay?

Enhl
e:Yourbot
hgoi
ngt
obeokay,
Iwi
llmakesur
e
ofi
t.
Me:I
sthatwhyyourst
il
ltear
ingup?

Enhle:[
looksdown]no, it
sjustthatIneverthought
you'dactuallydot hi
sforme.Justshowupatt he
exactti
meIneedyou.Thef ightwasact uall
y
becauset heywantoursont ojointheirr
ebelgroup.
Theman' sf atherhasbeenher etothreatenmef or
putti
nghiski dinpr i
son.Iam sohappyt ohaveyou
here,sowhat 'stheplan?

Me:Ihavenopl
ans,
justwantt
ocompl
etemy
st
udies.

Enhl
e:[standsup]whatshouldIpreparef
ordi
nner
?
Iam goingforni
ghtshi
ft
,soitwil
ljustbethet
woof
you.

Me:Iwi
llcook,
justr
est
.Ni
ght
shi
ftcan'
tbeeasy.
Enhl
e:Nkosi
?

Me:[Ilookedatherandshewaspl
ayi
ngwi
thher
f
ingers]Mbali
.

Enhle:Thankyouf ormakingt hechangesandthe

medicalkitIreal
lyappreciat
eit.I
tmakesmywor ka
l
oteasi er
,Iappreci
atei
t[ t
heyhearabangont he
door,looksatNkosi]t
hismani smakingmyli
fe
miserable.

Me:[Istoodupandopenedthedoortofi
ndanicely
dressedman, whowasreadyt
oshout]Howdare
you?Iwi l
lsl
apyousohardmyman, youwil
lcoll
i
de
withyourstupi
dwif
e.

Hi
m:[
shi
ver
ing,
swal
lowsal
ump]

Enhl
e:Yousai
dmysoni
sabust
ard,
howaboutyou
tel
lhi
sfatherthat
?Huh?[laughi
ng]hecameoutof
pri
sonjustforyou,youwantedt
obeaspecialcase.
Herewear e.

Themanpeedi nhi spant sl

iter
allyandr antohi s
car ,
thendr i
vesof f.Byt henEnhl e'sper f
umewas
dealingwithme, yohGod.Ishutt hedoorandt he
thingssheboughtf orme.Wenti ntot her oom which
hadanen- suit
.Tookani celongshowerandshaved
thenwor et heclotheswhi chmademel ookpr oper.
WhenIcameout ,shewasi nherr oom sl eeping.I
juststarr
edf rom adi st
ance.Thenwentt ocl
eant he
yardandcooked.Thenmadeheral unchbox, her
neighboursj uststar edatmeespeci all
yt hef
emal e
ones.Mr sKobej ustcameovert ot hegat eandshe
didn'texpecttoseemeIguess.

Me:Mbal
iissl
eepi
ng.

MrsKobe:Howlonghast
hisbeenhappeni
ng?Ar
e
youpeopl
etoget
hernow?
Me:I
sthatyourbusi
ness?

Mr
sKobe:whendi
dyouevengetoutofpr
ison?

Me:Igott ir
edofhavi ngpeopl eputthepeopl eIcare
abouti nthecrossfir
e.Youshoul dknowt hatstaying
i
npr isonwasaper sonalchoiceandofcour seyour
goingt otel
ltheentirevil
lageaboutmyr elease.Go
on.[Iwentbacki ntot hehouseandEnhl ewas
nakedi nthekitchen,Imeansi lkshoul
dbe
somet hingforselectedeyesbuti twasapr etty
damngoodvi ew]Ir eall
ycan'tli
vehere.

Enhle:Ireali
zeIam goi
ngt obe30soonand
chancesofget ti
nganotherki
dthenwil
lbenextto
never.SoIam notgoingt opret
endt
hatIam not
att
ractedtoyoubecauseIam andNkanyisowas
suchagoodahi tt
hatIwonderwhatanotherone
wouldbel ike.
Me:[Ij
ustdroppedthetoolsandki ssedhersohar d.
Withi
nsecondswewer einherroom andGodIwas
alr
eadyintear
s.Itsbeensolong, Icoul dn'
tbel
ieve
thi
swashappeni ngtome.WepausedbecauseI
wasinmessysobs.Icr ied]I
'
m sor ry.[shegaveme
afewpill
sandt heygotmet orelax]I'm sorr
y.

Enhl
e:Il
oveyouandIhaveforal
ongtime,
what
everthi
sis.Wear
egoingtogetoveri
t.

Me:Iloveyouandi tfeel
ssogoodthatyoul
oveme,
Ifeell
ikeIhavebeeni nj
ailf
or10year
sandIreal
ly
don'twanttomesst hisup.

Enhle:Youneedtobelieveinyoursel
f,youaregreat
wit
houtallofthem puttoget
her.Iwil
lwaitforyou
unti
lyouarereadytocont i
nuewher eweleftoff
.

Me:[
weshar
edaki
ss]Il
oveyouandIdon'
twantt
o
messthi
supagain.Iwentthroughhelli
npri
son
babyandIunder
standexactl
yhowdehumani zi
ngi
t
i
stoberaped.Iwi
llneverdoitagai
n,yournois
yourno.

Enhl
e:thef
oodt
astesyummy, Iam goi
ngt
oshower
andheadtowor
k.Iloveyou.

Me:Il oveyouloadsmor e.[shewentintothe

showerandIper ceiveditfrom herwalki
ngaway
thatshewasn' tpleased.Iwentt othelaundryr
oom
andst artedonthatbecausepr isonkindataughtme
everything.If
eltthatsomeonewasst aringatmeso
Iturnedt ofi
ndherbl ushing]Readytogo?

Enhl
e:CanIwel
comemysel
ftoyourpot
s?
@Ri
pped_
love

#i
nser
t27
Idr oppedever ythingandwentt odi shupf orthem
becauseNkanyi sowasawake.Weat et ogether
whi chi ssomet hingIam notusedt o,myf amily
nevershar esat ablebecauset heyal wayshave
i
ssues.Thi swasever ythingIeverwi shedf or.Then
shel ef
tforwor k,Iwashedever ythingandpl acedi t
ont hedr yerthenwat chedamovi ewi t
hmyson.We
talkedaboutst uf fandendedupsl eepingont he
couch.Thenextmor ning, Iwokeupt osomeone
knocki ngont hegat e.It ookmysont obedand
cleanedupabi t.AsIwal kedtothegat emysi bli
ngs
hadcome, Ihaven' tseent hem i
n4year s.Evenmy
brot herswantt hechi eftencyti
tle,oneisnoteven
saf er i
ghtinsidet heirhouse.Iopenedf orthem and
thet hreeoft hem dr ovei ntotheyar d.Thenwal ked
throught hedoor ,t
heyl ookedar ound.

Me:it
s6am i
nthemorni
ngandIcan'
tsayt
hisi
sa
goodsur
pri
se.Whyar
eyouhere?
Thobi
le:You'
ver
eal
lydonesomet
hingwi
thyourl
if
e,
whydidyoucomeoutofjai
l?

Me:ifthisi
saboutthechief
tency,
Iam not
i
nterestedi
nt aki
ngi
t.Anyoneofyouwhowant
sto
mightaswel ldoso.

Themba:Soyourj
ustgoi
ngt
ogi
veupj
ustl
iket
hat
?
Why?

Me:Iknowt hatthi
sisnotasoci
alvi
sitandt
his
chief
tencynonsensehasrui
nedmyli
feenough,
ri
ghtnowIj ustwanttol
iveanor
mallife.

Ntando:I
nter
est
ingsoEnhle'
sput t
ingal
lthese
i
deasinyourhead?Yourjustgoingtobeherfool
now?Shedoesn'thavet
hest uf
ftoholdyoudown.

Me:Enhl
eismychoi
ce.[
Iwashedt
hedi
shesand
moppedast heywatchedme.WhenIwasdoneI
dustedtheplaceandopenedthecur
tai
ns]Iam not
aboutchief
tencynonsense.

Themba:Howdi
dyouqual
if
y?

Me:Ididn't,
Iwentintother
iverandst ayed
underwaterforabouttwomont hs.Myadvi ceto
anyonewhowoul dli
ketogothere, t
hewat erwi
ll
swall
owyoui fyouhavedoubtorf ear.Youneedto
beconvictedbeforegoingi
n.

Thobi
le:ar
ewomenal
lowedt
ogo?

Me:AslongasyouraGumede,youcangeti
nsi
de
buti
tdoesn'
tguar
ant
eeyourr
eturn.

Enhle:[
ent
ers]t
hisi
sasur
pri
se,
greet
ings.[
thr
ows
hersel
fonthecouch]
Me:whatshoul
dImakef
oryout
oeat
?

Enhle:Nothing,Ij
ustwantt
opassoutr
ighther
e,my
feetareburning.

Me:[Iwenttot hebathroom andbr

oughtatubwith
warm water,Iknel
tthent ookof
fhershoesand
star
tedwashi ngherfeet]Ift
her
eisnothi
ngelse,
youmayl eave.

Nt
ando:t
hisiswit
chcraf
tati
tsbest
,whatdi
dyou
gi
vemybrotherwena?Thisi
snotnormal
.

Me:don'tcometomyhouseandvomi tnonsense.[
I
massagedherfeetandcar
ri
edhertotheroom]stil
l
here?It
houghtyou'
veseenenough.I
fyoudon't
mindIli
ketojoi
nmywomani nbed.
Thobi
le:Howdi
dourparent
sal
lowt
hist
ohappen?
What?Youarebewi
tchedwena.

Me:Ohsoyourhusbanddoesn'
tdot
hisf
oryou?
That
ssad.

Themba:don'
tgosignl
egalpaper
swi
tht
hiswoman,
yougetme?Don't
.

Me:whenyouar edonelosingyourmi
nds?Usethe
door[Iwentt
oherr oom andshewassl
eepingwit
h
tear
sonherpill
ow]Hayinever,t
hoset
hingsarenot
makingyoucryright?

Enhl
e:t
heyst
il
lhat
emeaf
teral
ltheseyear
s.

Me:wellIl
oveyouevenmorenow,t
histi
metheir
opi
nionsdonotmoveme.Whoeverhatesyouhates
me.Allwehaveiseachot
hert
herestdonotmatter
.
Theywi
lll
ear
ntol
oveyou.

Enhle:Yourmot
hercal
ledt
ocurseatmethrough
thephone,shewant
syoutotakeupthechi
eftency.

Me:Losi
ngyout woagai nisgoingt okillmet
his
ti
me.Iwil
lnottakethatri
skagai n.IloveyouandI
don'
tcar
ewhosayswhat .Ican'
thavemywi fe
worr
iedaboutconfusedpeopl e,
meIl oveyouhere
andnow.Iloveyoubyf orce.

Enhl
e:[
laughi
ngi
ntear
s]You'
real
unat
ic.

Me:I'l
ldieforyouandnot hi
ngwi llhappen.[ we
sharedaki ssandman, everyt
hingl ovej ustcometo
theparty.Imissedhersomuch, Ican' tbeginto
expl
aini ti
nwor ds.Af
terahothour , Iwor eaboxer
andavest .Iwentt ot
helivi
ngroom andpeopl ehad
i
ncreased]t hi
sisawr ongti
met ovi sityazi.Mma,
Pa?Can' tIhavesomepr i
vacywi thmywi fevel
e?
MrsGumede:Youaregoi
nghomewi
thus,
the
el
der
sareexpect
ingyou.

Me:Pl easeseatdown, gr
abaseatandl et'stalk.[I
wentt of etchmymedi calrepor tast heyset ,Iset
opposi t
et hem]Youhaveal waysmadeyour
opi ni
onsknownandIhavel ivedwi t
ht hem f orover
tenyear sbutnowl istentomywi shesj ustt hisonce.
[theyshowedeachot herthel etterandt hewhol e
room wasr eplacedwi thsadness]Il oveMbal enhle
becauseshel ovesmei nmyf aul t
sandput smei n
ther i
ght .Iknowyoual ldonotl ikeheri nf actyou
hat eherbutpl easej ustgiveherachance.Igr ewup
i
nahomeofdyf unct ion,weal lneversetont he
dinnert abletoget her,wehadi ssueswhi chwecoul d
notr esolve.Mysonhasneverknownt hef atherthat
Iam andIhavenotevendi scover edthef atherI
wantt obebef orehi m butIdon' twantmysont o
gr owupwonder ingi fIlovedhi m.Icameher e
becauseIwantt oshowhi m howmuchIl ovehi m, I
wantt ohughi m enough.Iwanthi mt ohavet he
warm homewhi chIneverhad.Al
lIaskisthatyou
t
olerat
emywi feunti
lIam deadatl
eastbecauseit
wil
lhappen,whenitdoeshappenthenyoucando
whateveryoul
ike.

Thobi
le:
[t
ear
sfor
ming]t
hiscanbet
reat
edandyou
canheal
.

Me:Idon'twantt owast emyt imegoi nginandout

ofhospit
als.Iwantt oaccompanymysont oschool
andmakesur eIinstal
ltheri
ghtvaluesi nhim.I
wanttospendever yminuteofmydaywi thhim,I
wanttoknowwhatmakeshi m happyandsad.
Pleaseal
lowme, Iwantt ospendmyl astdayswith
myf amil
y.Iam notgoi ngtot hevil
lage,respectt
hat
pl
ease.Babapl easet r
ytopr otectmysonwhenI ..
..
MrGumede:[
standsupandl
eaves]

Enhl
e:[comesfr
om t
her
oom wit
hNkanyi
sowhois
i
npains]Canyouhol
dhi
m whil
eIsear
chforhi
s
pi
ll
s?Greeti
ngsMma.[opensthedrawerandtakes
outani
njecti
on,
comesback]thi
sisgoingtohurt
buti
twi
llmakeyoufeelalotbet
ter
.

Nkanyi
so:[
cryi
ng]I
thur
tsMama.

Enhl
e:[
giveshi
mt heshotandki
sseshi
sfor
ehead]
Aski
es[goesbacktotheroom]

Me:[
mysonwasinpainsanditfel
thor
ri
blet
o
wat
chit
,Iwi
pedhi
stears]Yourgoi
ngtobeokay.

Mr
sGumede:whathappenedt
omygr
andson?

Me:Thechiefnonsenseyoupeopl ear
echasing,i
f
theycan'
tgett
omet heywil
lalwayscomef or
someoneclosetoyou.Don'tyouknow?[ asIhel
d
him hedosedoffandhewassnor ingbecausehe
wasf aci
ngup,Itookhimtohisroom andwentback
totheli
vingroom f
ullofdef
eat
edf
aces]Maybeyou
shouldleave.

Enhle:[
comesf
rom t
her
oom inhergown]Iwasj
ust
abouttomaket
eaandcooki
es.

Thobi
le:Wehonest
lydonotdeser
veanyki
ndness
fr
om you.Weshoul
dbeleavi
ngmybr ot
her
'sri
ght
.

Nt
ando:Sonot
hingcanbedonet
ohel
pmybr
other
?

Enhl
e:[l
ooksathim]t
herearemanyopt i
onsbut
mostrequir
elot
sofhospit
alti
me.[t
heyalll
eave
andsheshutsthedoor]Wereyouseri
ousaboutthe
dyi
ngthing?

Me:Beingjai
ledandsicki
sthebestt
hingthatever
happenedtome.Dieandleavet
hestuffyoujust
gavemet owho?Itsl
ikeyousadbabynumbert wo
won'tbeabadi
deabutt
hatcan'
thappeni
fthey
keepstr
essi
ngusout
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t28

Asmysongotbet ter,myheal thjustgotwor se.The

medsIf el
tliket heyar emaki ngmewor se.Enhl egot
aspeci ali
sttogi vememyf i
rstshotofcancer
i
nj ecti
ons.Itwassopai nfulandi tleftmyent i
re
bot t
om paral ysedf orsomedays.Enhl eisver y
suppor ti
veandt her eforme.Myf amilyhasbeen
visit
ingmeatt hehouseandt hesi t
eofme, ismor e
thanwhatt heyexpect edtosee.Theycanseemy
deat handf orsomeoddr easoni thasbr oughtus
togetherasaf ami ly.After3weekswedeci dedto
got othevillagebecauseThembai ssett obe
returni
ngf rom t her i
ver.Aswedr ovei ntothevi l
lage,
i
tl ookedwor set hanIhaveeverseeni t.Thepl ants
hadceasedt ogr ow, t
hesmal lbusinessar ound
wer ecloseddown.Thi smademef eelsobad
becausethi
sfel
tli
keweweremovi
ngbackwar
ds.I
showedEnhleandmyhouse.Shel
ookedatmeli
ke
acrazyperson.

Enhl
e:No,
thi
sisnotyourhouse.I
tcan'
tbe.
..
..

Me:Ineverstoppedgoingaft
erourdream even
whenweceasedt obetoget
her.Iboughti
tfrom t
he
previ
ousowner s.[
Ipunchedi
nt hepasswordand
thegateopened]Thi
sisourhouse.

Enhle:[
emotionali
ncompl et
eshock, dri
vesinand
parksoutsi
dethegarage.Ast heystepoffthecar
al
ltogether
.Itsuddenl
ystart
sr ai
ning]openthe
doorforus.Wear eget
tingwet .

Me:[
Iopenedthedoorandwegotinsi
deshockedat
t
heir
onyofheavyr ai
nwit
houtdar
kclouds.
Itj
ust
t
hunder
edandi twassobadthatweli
ter
all
ybegan
t
ogetcold.It
urnedontheheat
erandEnhlecame
downinmyt
racksui
ts]Can'
tbel
ieveIusedt
obe
thatf
at?

Enhle:I
tssounr
eal[
theyheartheshouldofthe
royalhor
nsoundi
ng]looksl
ikeyourbrot
her'
sout.

Me:hecan'
tgetoutwheni
tsrai
ning,
itmi
ghtmean
t
hatheneedstobether
eformoredays.

Nkanyi
so:[
comesfrom t
heki
tchenwi
thapocketof
si
mbas]I'
m hungr
y.

Enhl
e:what
'si
nher
e?Doweevenhavegr
ocer
ies?

Me:Ayaboughtt
hem yest
erday.Thehousekeeper
pr
obabl
yplacedt
hem onkitchensomewhere.

#Gumedehousehol
d
Aspeopl ear egather
edtor eceiveThembaback,
rainjustruinsthewholemood, hiswif
ejuststart
s
cryinguncont r
oll
ablyatthethoughtofmor enights
withoutherhusband.Anel derwhomanyt hought
wasdead, suddenlyappearsatt hehouseandt he
elderspresentareshockedt oseesomeonet hey
havenotseeni nover20year s.Hewal ksi
nbear i
ng
gift
s.

MrGumede:Wher
edoyoucomef
rom?I
tsbeena
whi
le.

Elder
:Mabuzasentpeopl
eaft
ermyhead,Ihadt
o
l
eaveorbekil
led.That
'si
nthepastnow,
wherei
s
theChief
?

Mr
:Gumede:Thembai
snotyetbackf
rom t
her
iver
.

El
der
:Whot
oldyout
hatt
heaut
hor
it
yofki
ngs
moved?Rai nwhichwehavenotexper i
encedintwo
yearshassuddenl ydecidedtoappearfr
om blue
skies?Itmeanst heki
nghasr et
urnedtohisland.
Thesi ghtofar i
ghtki
ngbr i
ngsfor
thblessi
ngsto
theland.Imi ghtaswellgohome.[tur
nsaroundand
l
eaveswi t
hhi sgi
ft
]

MrsGumede:whatdoeshemean?Theaut
hor
it
yof
ki
ngsnevermoved?Doest
hismeanDanhasi
t?

MrGumede:[
Indeept
hought
s]

Ntando:wheni
sNkosicomi
nghome?Canheeven
t
raveli
nhiscondi
ti
on?

Themba'swife:t
henewsjustr epor
tedt
hatwe
mightexperi
enceafl
ood.It
sr aini
ngsoheavi
ly,
our
ri
versaresuddenl
yover
flowing.
#Mbal
enhl
e

Myl i
fei scr azybutIdon' tknowYet hu'sr eturnhas
j
ustl ight enedmeup.If eel l
ikeanewwomanal l
overagai n.Iconvi ncedhi mt otaket reatmentand
unf ortunat elyi thast ogetwor sebef orei tgets
better .Thei njectionofcancercompl et el
yshut down
hisbodywhi chwasver yscar yf ormet owat ch.He
coul dn'tgetof fbedf orthenextt hreedaysandt hen
hecoul dnotwal k.Nowhecanwal kbutcanbar ely
gof ar .Inal ltheset hings,ithasbr oughtust ogether
asaf ami l
y.Goi ngt ot hevill
agewasni ceuntilthe
whol er aint hi ngandhej ustal onei nt her oom wi th
hisheadhi ddeni nhishands.Icamei ntother oom
aftercooki ngandt ear swher ef or mingpaddl eson
thef loor.Iknel tbesi dehi m.

Me:What'
shappeni
ngnow?Babyt
her
ainhas
st
opped.

Nkosi
:Howdi
dmyl
i
fegett
hismessedup?
Me:whati
sgoi
ngon?I
sitaboutus?

Nkosi:Ther ainmeanst heaut hori

tyofKingsnever
movedf r
om myhead, whichmeansThembai s
dead.Theyar egoingtoblamemebecauseIsai d
thatanyGumedecanhavet het hr
one.Iwasnevera
favouri
teinmyent ir
efami l
yf r
om chil
dhood,
accordingtomypar entsThembaandt heothers
deservedever yt
hingbeaut i
ful
.Whenmy
grandfatherchosemeonhi sdeathbed,theylocked
meoutoft hehouse.Isl eptbesidemyhor sefor
days,theyhat eyoubecauseyouar ebeautif
ul,
i
ntell
igentandmybr ot
herscannothaveyoueveni f
theytri
ed.Pr omisenott oleaveme?

Me:Youar escari
ngmeYet hu.Don'tst
artwit
h
thi
..
..
[Ifeltt
heedget ovomitandrushedtothe
ensuit.Everyt
hingIeatfr
om themor ni
ngcameout
l
eavingmehungr y.Herubbedmybackandhel ped
mer i
nsemymout h,t
henkissedmewi thasmilein
t
hemi
stoft
ear
s]Idon'
tfeel
sogood.

Nkosi
:Wewi
llvi
sitt
hedoct
or,
whenwegetbackt
o
t
hecit
y.

Me:Ohokay,
Iam sohungr
y.

Nkosi:[
blushing]Ihonest
lydon'tdeser
vet ohave
youinmymi serabl
elif
e,youralwaysbringinghope
whenIam hopel ess.Mbaliyet
hu,Iappreciateyou
andeverythi
ngyoudof orme.

Me:don'
tbeexci
tedasyet
,Iam st
il
lhavi
ngmy
cycl
e.

Nkosi
:Iam onel
uckypi
eceofwork.[
theyhear
someonetr
yingt
oopenthegat
e]thatmustbeAya.
Heshouldl
earnhowtoknockl
ikevi
sit
orsdo.
Me:[
wewentdownst
air
sandheopenedt
hegat
e.
AyawasupsetbutcooleddownashesawNkosi .
Hisgotawayofinti
midati
ngpeoplebyjusthi
s
faci
alr
eact
ion.
]Thanksforthegr
oceri
es.

Aya:Ndlovukazi
,itwashonestl
yanhonour .Icame
totel
lyouthatIthinkyoursaf
etyi
sthreat
ened.I
suggestweescor tyoubacktotheci
tybefore
peopl
eknowyourher e.

Nkosi
:Rel
ax,Ihavebi
ggerf
ishest
ofr
yforone
Thembaisdead.

Aya:whatthehellwashet hi
nki
nggoingint
ot hat
evi
lri
ver
?Wi thal
lhissins.Heknewthatthethrone
wantsaonemanwoman.Hi swomanisingways
werenotgoingtogethim anywher
e,nocleansing
canwashthatawayt hat.

Nkosi
:hewasst
il
lmybr
other
,respectt
hedead.
Me:[Idi
shedupfort
hem andtheyatewhil
esippi
ng
cof
fee.Myphonerangi
nt hemistofever
ythi
ng]
MmaGumede.

MrsGumede:Hel
lo,
how'
smysont
oday?I
she
get
ti
ngbet
ter
?

Me:Idon'
tknow,wejustent
eredthevi
ll
ageandhe
i
ssickert
hanIhaveeverseenhim.Iam t
hinkingof
makingau-t
urn.Maybeweshouldnotbeher e.

Mr
sGumede:It
hinki
tsbestyoubr
inghi
m home.

Me:Af tert
helastmeeti
ngwehad,Idon'
twantto
disobeyhim.Itmightmakehi
m worsethanhi
s
currentcondi
ti
on.

Thobi
le:Whydowehavet
oaskf
oryourper
missi
on
toseeyourbr
other
?
Nkosi
:Becauseyouspeakt
omywi
fel
ikeacr
azy
per
son.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t29

Wehadaheat edconver sat

ion.Nkosideci dedthat
weshoul dgoovert ohisparent 'shouseandImust
sayIdi dn'thowIfeltaboutthat .Anywaywepassed
Aya'spl aceandNkanyi sodeci dedt hathei sstayi
ng
overther ebecausetheywer epl ayi
ngx- box.We
all
owedhi m andwedr ovetohi spar ent
'shouse
whichwaspackedwi thpeopl e.Ipar kedandasI
wast hinkingaboutgettingout ,heopenedmydoor
thenhel pedmeout .Hisaunt sj ustwenti nsidethe
housei ni r
ri
tat
ion.Wewenti nsidet hehouseand
foundNt ando'
swi f
eplusThemba' swi f
etelli
ng
MmaGumedewher etogetof f.Inmyhear tIwanted
topraiset hem butIam notliket hat.
Me:Whoawant
sthi
sabout
?

Ntando'
swife:Donotgeti
nvol
ved,
Iwi
llneverwash
t
hosedishes.Mynail
sarenew.

Me:Iwi l
ldot hem andcook, youmayr elax.[the
whol eroom shootst i
llandwentsi lent.Ifoldedmy
sleevesandgoti tdone.WhileYet huseti nthel i
ving
room.It henf inishedandwentt othef ir
et ocook.
Ever yonewasj usthumbl ed,whenIf inishedhi s
sisterwhowasneart earsappearedi nanapr on.
Sheassi stedme.WhenIwentt oserveNkosi ,he
wasi npains.Icl ear
edt hecouchandal lowedhi m
l
iedown]Onedayatat i
mepl ease.Assoonaswe
gethome, Iwi l
ltackyoui nneh?

Nkosi
:howdoyoumot
hermel
iket
hat
?

Me:Don'
tst
artwi
thme,
youneedt
ohealper
iod.
Nkosi
:what
'ssogr
eataboutmeheal
ing?

Me:Excuseme?Youoweme10year
swor
thof
deeds.

Nkosi
:[chocks,
thanl
aughswhi
lecoughi
ng]

MrGumede:[
ent
ersthehouseandsi
tsopposi
te
t
hem]What'
ssofunny?

Nkosi
:[st
il
llaughi
ng]Doct
orpat
ientconf
idenci
ali
ty.

Me:[
hecontinuedtolaughunt
ileveryonej
ustgave
usat
tent
ion]Ican'
tbeli
eveyouthinkthisi
sfunny.

Nkosi
:[i
ntearsofl
aught
er]
Ihavei
ntent
ionsof
payi
ng,st
ruuu.
Ntando:i
tsbeenawhi
lesi
nceIhavehear
dyou
l
aughatall.

Nkosi
:[st
opslaughi
ngaftersometi
me]Iwon'teat
i
nthishouse,
mywi feal
readycookedathome.

Thobi
le:sowhatyoucameher
etogl
oataboutyour
per
fectlovel
if
eist
hati
t?

Nkosi
:YethuIt
hinkweneedtoleave,
alertmewhen
t
hekingisback[get
sof
fthecouchslowly]i
tsbest
weleave.

MrsGumede:Hoaw?Youar eleavi
ngsosoon?You
haven'
tbeenher
eforat
least5hours.

Nkosi:Idon'
twanttocollapseatyourhouse,Ibest
beleaving.[
standsup]havealovelyni
ght,seeyou
whenwecan.
Me:[ hismotherwant edt ocr y,
hi sf athercoul dnot
utt
ert wowor ds.EveryoneknowsIdon' tcreate
powerst rugglesinmyr elati
onshi p.Imeannotatal l
.
Iassistedhimt othecarandwedr oveof f.Fet ched
Nkanyi sowhowaswor enoutfr om pl aying.When
wegott othehouset heyj ustattackedt hef oodl eft
i
nt hepot .Iwentupst airsandsl eptbecauset he
dri
vewasget tingmedown.Dur ingt heni ght,Ifelt
him comi nginsideblanket s.Hekeptt ouchi ngmy
handsbutIwast ootiredt opayat t
ent i
on.Thenext
mor ning.Iwokeupt ot hesmel lofbr eakf ast,i
thad
anot e.IduginandasIat e,Inot icedmyhand.I t
hadaver ybri
ghtr ockoni tt
hatst oppedmeonmy
tr
acks.AsIwashavi ngmymoment ,t
hehospi tal
call
ed]Hel l
o.

Doct
orRea:Yourcr
yingwhat
'swr
ongnow?Di
dhe
hur
tyou?

Me:I
sitnor
malf
oraper
sont
obet
hishappy?I
wokeupt
hismor
ningwi
thar
ingonmyf
inger
.

Doct
orRea:YOULI
E!I
SITRI
DICULOUSLY
BEAUTI
FUL!?

Me:whenIf ir
stcamet otheci t
y,Ididn'
tcar eabout
l
osinghim butnowIdo.It hinkthesepeopl edonot
wanthimt ostepasideastheirchief,Ican'ttake
thatawayfrom him.Hewasneart earsatt he
condit
ionthevil
lageisatri
ghtnow, Il
ovemyj ob
andmyl if
eispeacefulthatside,butwhati fIleave
hereandthingsjustfal
lapartduet odistance.

Nkosi
:Thisvil
lagedoesn'
tdohalfwhatyoudofor
me,whereverIyougo,Igo.Imadeachoicelast
ni
ght,
itsyouIwantnot hi
ngmore.

DoctorRea:Fri
endjustgiveyoursel
fti
met o
understandyoursi
tuat
ion.Youlovethismanmor
e
thanallthemenyou'vebeenwi t
hsof ar.Gi
ve
yoursel
fachancetobehappy.Let
swi
pet
hose
tear
sandcelebrat
e.[
ulul
ati
ng]

Me:[shegotcutof
fandYet
husetbesi
deme]Ar
e
yousurethi
siswhatyouwant
?

Nkosi:[goesononeknee]Ihavebeenf ocusingon
otherpeopleandpl easingthem butthist i
meIwant
topleaseyou.Ir eali
zenowt hatyouar etheonl y
persont hatlovesmef orwhoIam, youseet hingsI
don'tevenr eali
zeinmyself.IwanttobeBabaka
Nkanyisoandhusbandt odoctorEnhle.Idon' thave
moneyoranyt hingfancybutIam aski ngf ora
chancet odomybestatl ovingyou.

Me:whathappensi
fIsayyes?

Nkosi
:Igett
ogetupandst
artt
her
estofourl
ives.
Me:Yes,Iwantt ogiveusachance.[ hecarri
edme
andIstartedtowor ryabouthishealt
hsituat
ion.
Aft
eraboutf ourhour sourphonesrangoneaf ter
another
,itwashi sfamily.Weknewexact lywhat
hadhappened.Ipi ckedt hephone]Enhl
e'
sphone.

Thobi
le:[
sni
ff
ing]Canyoupl
easebr
ingmybr
other
over
?

Me:I
sever
ythi
ngokay?

Thobi
le:Pl
easebr
inghi
m her
eit
simpor
tant
.

Me:Okay.[
Ihungupandf
acedhi
m]l
etsgot
hen?
Nkosi
:[wrappi
nghisar
msar oundher]t
hisiswhy
peopl
ehatethevi
ll
age,peoplejustcal
lyouanytime.
Iki
ndaplannedanicedinnerdateforourfamil
ybut
nowwehavet oatt
endtocommoner s.Hayi,mi
naI
am si
ckandIam notmeantt obet r
avell
ing.
Me:[westayedinbed, Iateandweremainedthere.
Hewentdownst air
st oplayx-boxwi
thhissonand
hi
sbr ot
hercal
ledme]Iwasaboutcal li
ngyou,I
don'
tknowwhat 'shappeningbutyourbrot
heris
batt
li
ngtowakeup.Ij ustgavehim ashotofmeds
buthisbar
elyrespondingatthispoi
ntIcal
ledhis
doctort
osendusaj et.

Ntando:[
demorali
sed,si
gh]Youcan'
tbespendi
ng
al
lyourmoneyl i
kethi
s,Imeanyouarealr
eady
tr
yingyourbestt
ogethimt r
eat
ment.Ajetcomi
ng
hereisgoi
ngtobeanar m andaleg.

Me:Hi sthef
atherofmyson,Nkanyi
soneedshi
m.
Debtsmeannot hi
ngcomparedtomyson's
happinessyouknow?

Ntando:whenhisdeadyouwon'tevenrecei
veon
cent,
youwillj
usthaveapi
leofdebts.AnywayI
don'
tknow,hi
sal
readyaccept
edtodi
esoIguess
youshoul
dmakepeacewi t
hthat
.Bye[
hangsup]

Nkosi:Nodon' tbeshocked,Themba'sdeathbi
g
dealbutNkosi'sdeathnevermind.It
salwaysbeen
thatwaywhydoyout hi
nktheydon'tknowabout
mybusi nessesorinvestments?Myf amil
yismade
upofvul t
ures.WhenGodwi l
lsthatIdi
e,makesure
youdon'tgivethem ablackcent.

Me:sowhatsthedealwi
tht
hisAyadudei
shea
gangst
erorsomethi
ng?

Nkosi:Heusedt obeone, wecr ossedpathswhen

hewant edtor obme.Ispoket ohim andfoundout
thathewasdoi ngittof
eedhi sf amil
y,hi
sgotvery
seri
ousdegr eesbutcoul dnotf i
ndaj obfort
he
l
ongestt i
me.Sot henIofferedtoinvesti
nany
businesshewoul dstar
t.ItookthemoneyImade
onmyf i
rstcleani
ngequi pmentcompanywhi chwas
about1mi ll
ion.Igaveeachmemberofhi sganga
shareforthem t
ochangethei
rli
ves.Todaytheyar
e
successfulbusi
nesspeopl
eandwel lt
heproceeds
arebeautif
ul.

Me:Youl
ikebei
ngi
nfl
uenci
aldon'
tyou.

Nkosi:whenIl ostyou, Iwant edtodigahol eand

die.Itri
edtoloveyoursi sterbutIcouldn'
t.Ibegan
toseepeopl e'
st ruechar actersandregret
ted
everythi
ng.Att heweddi ng, mymot hershowedher
truecolour
swhi chmademer egr
etknowingher .My
familyisgreedy, t
heyt hi
nkf orthemselvesonl y.
Theyar eselfi
sh.Ri ghttheyar eprobablydiscussing
whosegoi ngt otakeyouwhenIdi e.

Me:That
sabi
tst
rongbabyyoh.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t30
Inevert houghtt hatthet hingsIwashear i
ngwoul d
comef rom him, whenImetNkosihewas
convi ncedt hathisfamilywasl ookingoutf orhim
andhowIf eltaboutthem di dnotmat t
ermuch.He
didn'tseet hem forwhot heyreallywer e.Theyused
allowhi m wor kjusttogetschoolst uff
, Ithoughthe
wasn' tevenf rom theGumedehouse.Hewoul deat
att hef eedingschemeandIst olefoodf orhi mt o
copeathome.Mypar entshat edhisgut sbecause
hewasr egardedast hebl acksheep.Wej ustsett he
whol edaybet weenmyzoom consul t
ationsand
food, wechi ll
ed.Twodaysl at
er,wedeci dedt ogot o
hispar ent'shouse.Itslikepeopl ewer ehi redt ocr
y,
thisf uner alwasl i
tpeopl everyl i
t.Wewal kedi nt
o
thehouseandhi sauntappear edwi thanat tit
ude.
Itsliket heywer esur pri
sedt oseeNkosial ive.

Nt
ando:[
bor
ed]soyourr
ecover
ing?

Nkosi
:If
eelal
otbet
tert
hanks,
whati
sgoi
ngon
her
e?
Ntando:[
tear
sfor
ming]Mybr
otherwasr
eject
edby
t
het hr
one,Iwar
nedhim.

Me:[peopl et
hismancr iedi nfr
ontofusand
camerascapt ur
edever ymi nute.Sor
rybutthiswas
j
ustgrandt ome, t
heywer eperformi
ng.Isetwith
Nkanyisowhoj ustdidn'twantt obethere.We
fol
lowedhi sfat
hertowher et hefemaleshadbeen.
Hismot herwasinpai ns, shehadt ur
nedpal e,j
okes
asi
dethi swomanwast r
ul yinpains,Themba'swife
waschat ti
ngonherphonel ikenothi
ngis
happening.]

Hisaunt
:sot
hiswhenyoupeopl
edeci
det
oshow
up?Wherewereyoual
lthi
sti
me?

Nkosi
:Idon'
tseehowpeoplecoul
dappreci
atea
br
okeman'sdeath.Iwasnoti
naverygoodstat
e.
Hi
suncl
e:Iwentt
oyourshack,
thent
heHl
ophe'
s,
wher
edoyoupeoplel
ive?

Nkosi
:Youhonest
lydon'texpectmybeaut
if
ulwi
fe
tobeli
vingi
nacoldshackordoyou?Iboughthera
houseonMamelestreet
.

MrsGumede:soyoui
nsur
edyourbr
other
?You
want
edmysont odi
e?

Nkosi :Webot hknowt hatal lofyouputt ogether

neverdi danythi
ngf orme.Iwasneverpar tofthis
family,i
fitwerepossi blef oryout oabor tmeaf t
er
bir
thIknowyouwoul dhavel ongdonethat.Relax
wear eher etobringourusel esscondolences.I
knowweamountt onot hing.Aunt ywhet heryoulike
orhat emywi feitdoesn' tmat tert
omebecauseyou
don'tsubtractanythingf rom me.Whyshoul d
commoner swor r
yaboutr oyal i
tyr
ight
?
Hi
suncl
e:howdoyouspeakt
omysi
sterl
iket
hat
?

El
der
:[comeswiththegi
ft
s]Babezi
tha,
Baba,
I
humbl
ygreetyou.

Me:[YoohIfeltl
ikeIcoul
ddisappear
.Never
thoughti
nmyent i
rel
if
ethatsomeonewouldbow
downt ol
it
tl
eol dme.Ihidmyf aceonYet
hu'
s
chest]
Hayiyooh.

El
der:Iwantedtocomeoff
ici
all
yseeyousir
,the
l
andisstruggl
ing.Wecanbarel
yfeedt
hreemealsa
day,wewouldlikef
oryout
ocomest eponourland
oncemore.

Nkosi:Ihear
dwhathappenedl astyearwhenhal
fof
yourcropsburnt
,Isentpackagestoyou.

El
derTwo:[
chocksandst
art
scoughi
ng]
Thosewer
e
f
rom you?

Nkosi:thepeopleIsenttocheckyourlandyou
chasedaway, Iwantedthem totellushowt orevive
thesoilagai
nandhaveyour unningagain.Iwillgive
them acallt
onightandtheywi l
lcomeassi styou.

El
der:Baba,sibonge.[put
sthegi
ftandabusketof
fr
uit
sonhi sfeet]Iwil
lbeexpect
ingthem.

Nkosi
:Iwil
ldomybestt
ohaveyoucl
oset
orunni
ng
agai
nbefor
eIleavef
ort
heci
ty.

Str
anger
:Itsbeenawhi
lesear
chi
ngt
oseet
heKi
ng?
YouaretheKing?

Nkosi
:FormerKi
ng,j
ustanor
dinar
ycommonernow.
Idon'
tknowwhosit
saskingnow.
St
ranger
:Yourchi
efNkosi
?Ar
eyounot
?

Nkosi
:CommonerNkosinol
ongerchi
ef.

Stranger
:[chuckl
es]YoumightnotknowmebutI
am thesonoft hewidowyouhelpedpayherson'
s
schoolfeelsabout4year
sago.Ipromisedmysel
f
thatIwouldcomeandper sonal
lythankyou.

Nkosi
:Congr at
ulat
ionshopefull
yyoucannowt ake
goodcareofyourmot her,l
ikeIsai
deducationi
s
ki
ng,i
tcanchangeyoursi tuati
onwithoutaski
ng.
Noneedtot hankme, ensureyourmothergetswhat
shedeserves.

Str
anger:whi
lei
nvarsit
y,Ij
oinedapoli
ti
calpart
y
andnowIam partofthenati
onalassembly.I
t
wouldn'
thavebeenpossibl
eifyouhadnotdug
deepint
oyourpocket
s.
Nkosi:wemakemoneyt ospendi
t.Li
keIsai
d
congratul
ati
ons,
taki
ngcar
eofyourmotheri
sal
lI
am askingfr
om you.

Me:[theyoungmanwant edtoproperl
ycompensat e
Yethubuther ef
usedtotakeanythingfrom him.
Anywhot hecamer acr ewhadtor emovet hatpart
fr
om t hefuneralvi
deo.Wesetther easpeopl egave
ustheevi leye.I
nthisentir
ematter,Nkosiwasj ust
si
lent.Iknewt hataswel eavet
hisvill
agewear enot
comingbackanyt i
mesoon.Af t
ersomet imemy
parentsar r
ived,
Isteppedouttodr i
nkwaterand
metmymot herinamoodIcoul dnotunder stand]
MmaHl ophe.

Hermot
her
:Isi
ttr
uet
hatyouar
epr
act
ical
lyt
he
r
uler
snow?

Me:Peopl
eli
ket
olie,
wheredidyouheart
hatone
f
rom?Whathappenedtochi
efDan?
Hermot
her
:Youhaven'
thear
d?

Me:Hear
dwhat
?

Hermother
:Hecommi t
tedsui
cide,
theyfoundhi
m
i
nat ubofwater
.Appar
entl
yheoverdosedon
sl
eepingpi
ll
s.Thewhol
emat t
erwassuchashame,
hi
sfamilymovedoutofthi
svi
ll
age.

Me:sui
cide?Wowt hat'
sdeep.[asIwasstandi
ngon
t
hetap,Nkosicamef rom thehousewit
hourson,
f
rom hi
sf aci
alexpressi
on.Iknewwewer egett
ing
t
hehelloutofthere]Iwil
lcallyouMma,bye.
Wegoti nsidethecarandsurprisi
nglyhewantedto
dri
ve.Thatscar edmebutwel lIguessexer
cisi
ng
wil
lbegoodf orhim.Wedroveoutoft hevi
ll
ageto
thi
sreal
lylovelyplace,weparkedandapparentl
y
wehadat ablealr
eady.If
eltsounderdressed,
anywhowesetdownandsuddenl ymyfavouri
te
arti
stjustcameuponstage.Thi
swasvery
emot i
onalformebecausehededicat
edmy
favourit
esongtome.

Me:Ourr
enti
snotevenpai
dyet
.

Nkosi:Imissedoutontenyearsofspoi
li
ngyouand
wakingupt oyou.Thi
sisnothingcomparedt
o
ever
ythingIputyouthrough.Dancewit
hme?

Me:[ hehelpedmeupandIhadt woleftfeet,

hesai d
Ishouldputmyf eetontopofhisanditwasqui eta
moment .Ijustclosedmyeyesi nthemi stof
everythi
ngandever ythi
ngjuststoodstil
lfora
moment ,tearsofjoystr
eami ngdown.Coul dIf i
nall
y
say,itwaswor t
htheweight?Notyet.Godi fthisisa
dream Idon'twantt owakeup.Thenwesetdown
andwer eser ved]wearesupposedtobemour ning.

Nkosi
:Idon'
toweThembaanyt
hingandheknows
t
hatbutIoweyoumyl i
fe.JustincaseIdon'tmake
i
toutofmyhealt
hsit
uation.Iwantyoutokeep
t
hesemomentsinyourhear tasareminderofme.

Me:Yet
hu?

Nkosi
:What
'
sonyourmi
nd?

Me:Pleasedon'
tli
veus, Idon'tknowhowtodothi
s
wit
houtyou.Iwantyout ogiveitafi
ght,
donot
sur
rendertothi
sil
lness.Pleasebaby.

Nkosi :Iam grat

efulforwhatGodhasgr ant
edme
al
readyandIacknowl edgethatmyli
fedoesnot
belongt ome.TheGumede' salwaysandwillal
ways
bedr amat i
cbutIknowyoucanhandl ethem.IfIgo,
Iwantyout oebef earl
ess.Whoevercomeswi t
hthe
ri
ghti ntent
ions,donotbeaf rai
dtoembracethem.I
l
oveyoumor ethanmysoulcanexpl aininwords.
Me:Pr
omi
seyouwon'
tgi
veupwi
thoutaf
ight
?

Nkosi:asmuchast
hoseinject
ionswei
ghmedown,
Iwil
ldomybesttof
ightt
his.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t31

Wehadawonder fult
imet hewhol edayIj ustgot
spoil
ed.Whenwegott othehouse, asIsetont he
couchDoct orReacal ledtot ellmet hatther eason
shecal l
edtheothertimewasbecauset hel asttime
wewentt othehospitaltheyt ooksomet estandt he
resul
tsar ehavecomebacknegat ive.Shet ol dme
thattheshotisnothel pingYet huheal ,i
thas
causedi t
sowndamager esultingtomor ecancer
cell
sbeingf or
mul at
ed.Si lenttearsst r
eameddown
andIf el
tcoldallovermybody.Whatusei sbei nga
doctorifIcan'
tsavet hepeopl eIlove.Ist oodup
andmadeacal lwhichi snotusual lyme.
Me:Pleasedonothungup,
Ineedyourmedi
cal
advi
ceonsomething.

Rajesh:aft
eri
gnor
ingmeandtr
eati
ngmelikea
cri
minal,nowyouneedmyadvi
ce.Anywhowhatdo
youwant ?

Me:Howtoresetsomeone'
ssyst
em whent
hey
havet
akent
hewr ongtr
eatment
?

Raj
esh:Iwi
llsendyout
hetoni
c,i
fther
eisnot
hing
el
seIwouldli
ketogobacktosl
eepnextt
omywi fe.

Me:Thankyou.[asIhungup,hesentmet herecipe.
Idroveupt
ot hepharmacyandaf ewherbalpl
aces,
thencamebackattheear l
yhoursoft
hemor ning.
AsIopenedthedoor,Yethuwasbluewithworry
andhadpuffyeyes]Ican'
twatchyoudie.
Nkosi
:[standsupandhugshert
ight
]Idi
dn'
tknow
wherestartl
ooki
ng.

Me:Weneedt ot
rysomet
hingel
se,
medi
calst
uffi
s
notwor
king.

Nkosi:Thismademer eal
izethatIdon'
twantto
acceptdeath,Idon'
twanttowatchyoufrom t
he
gravegoingthroughhel
landnotbeabletodo
anythi
ng.Thewayyouj usttookoff
,scar
edme.

Me:[Iwenttothekitchenandpr
eparedthet
oni
c,we
dranki
ttogether.Thenwentuptoourchamber
s
andpassedout .Thenextmorni
ngIwokeupalone
onthebed,IsetupasIwentt otheensui
thewas
onthetoi
letseat]Howar eyouf
eeli
ng?

Nkosi
:Ihaven'
tfel
tthi
sst
ronginf
orever,
mypeeis
cl
earf
orthefir
stti
meinweeks.If
eelli
kethei
sa
warwi
thi
nme.Myst
omachkeptmeup.

Me:HopeyoucangetupbecauseIhaveadi
etf
or
ustost
arton.

Nkosi
:whenar
ewel
eavi
ngt
hispl
acevel
e?

Me:What
swi
tht
heat
ti
tude?It
houghtyoul
ikedi
t
her
e.

Nkosi:Ihaveani
nter
viewonmonday,
Idon'
twant
t
omi ssit.

Me:int
ervi
ew?Ineverthoughtyouwer
eser
ious
aboutt
hewholestartupthi
ng.

Nkosi
:Pl
easeneverl
eavemel
iket
hat
,itwast he
mosthor
ri
fyi
ngmomentofmyenti
rebeing.Iam
str
ongbutwheni
tcomest
oyou,
youj
ustgetmeal
l
soft
.

Me:Iwi
llf
igur
esomet
hingout
.
Nkosi :tr
uthtot hemat t
eri
sthatIhavehadt his
whol ebloodi nurinet hi
ngforabout5yearsnow.I
don'tknowwhathappenedbutonedayawi seman
toldmet hati
twasbecauseIwasnegl ecti
ngmy
wife.Ididn'tunder standwhatthatmeantbecauseit
didn'tmakesenset henbutnowIgetit.Eacht i
meI
dor i
ghtbyyou, thepai nsdon'
tevenattackmesoI
thinkthisismyper sonalthornwhichhascomeso
thatIt oetheline.

Me:[Isetonhi slapnotknowi nghowt ofeel

becauseIusedt ocursehimi npr ayer
s,never
thoughtthatwoul dmaterial
izeandIwoul df eelthe
pinchli
ket hi
s.Wet ookashowerandaswewent
downstairs,oursonhadr apturedal mostallthe
foodont hetable.Iwasn'teveni nthemoodt oeat,
asIopenedt hecurt
ains.Inoticedpeoplesittingon
t
hegr
oundout
sideourgat
e]Yet
hu?I
sthi
snor
mal
?

Nkosi
:Theycansi
tthereunti
lJesuscomesback,
I
wil
lnotgobackonthatthr
one.Ineedtospend
moreti
mewi t
hmyfami l
y.Mykindnessshould
begi
nathome.

Nkanyi
so:Myteachercal
ledt
hatweshoul
dcome
t
othemeetingofmediati
ononMondayatschool
.

Me:Idon'tmeant
obesomehowbutar
eyousur
e
aboutt
his?

Nkosi
:Heeeyi
!Iam done.[
goesupst
air
sandsl
ams
t
hedoor]

Nkanyi
so:What
everyoudoMma,Il
ikehavi
ngadad
[
standsupandgoestohi
sroom]
Me:[If
eltl
ikeIdon'tneedthi
sdramarightnow.I
woremygym cl othes,It
ookawalk.AsIwasgoing
uptheroad,Ihadacarwasf oll
owingme.Ikept
goi
ngunt i
lIstoppedatacorner
]Pl
easegohome, I'
l
l
beri
ghtback.

Nkosi:[par
ksthecar]Pl
easeIdi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ke
t
hat,pleaselet
'sj
ustgohome.

Me:Ij
ustneedsomet
imeout
,pl
easej
ustgeti
nsi
de
t
hecarandleave.

Nkosi:Pl
easeIdon'
twantt
ofi
ght
,p.
..
..
.[t
heyheara
gunshot]

Me:[
Isuddenl
yfeltheatonmychestandmybody
j
ustshut
down.Ijustfel
tcol
dal
lovermybody]

Nkosi
:DON'
TYOUDARECLOSEYOUREYES!
Me:[Icoul
dn'
tkeepmyeyesopen,
itbecamer
eal
ly
har
d]itsfi
ne.

#Nkosi
yet
hu

Myl i
fewaswonder f
ul,itwasbecomi ngever ythi
ngI
everdreamtofbutt hent hisst upidt hronet hi
ng
happened.I namomentofi rri
tation,Mbal iwentout
forawalkandIr eceivedacal lf r
om Ayat hat
someonehasbeenwat chi ngthehousesoIshoul d
ensurethatwest ayindoor s.It ookoursonandgot
i
nsidether ecar
.Idrovear oundandwhenIf i
nall
y
foundhershegotshot .Idr ovet wovi ll
agesawayt o
ahospital.Theytookheri nt oemer gency, bythen
shehadl ostsomuchbl oodandNkanyi sor esented
me.Hedi dn'twanttobet ouchedorspokent o.After
fourhoursofwai t
ing,MrHl ophecamer ushingin.

MrHl
ophe:Pl
easest
ayawayf
rom mydaught
er,
thi
sishappeni
ngbecauseofyou,
sheist
heonly
oneIhavelef
t.Youal
readyt
ookone,
don'
ttaket
his
onetoo.
Me:Iam sot ir
edofbeingputdownbyyouand
everyoneelse.Il
ovethatwomanint her
eandI
wouldt r
adeplaceswithheranyti
me.Whi chis
mor ethanIcansayforyou?Weknowwher eal
lthe
churchladi
eswentr i
ght.Don'
tcomei nhereacti
ng
allhol
yholyokaybecauseweknowt hatyouarenot.
Youar enot,getof
fyourhighhor.
..
..

Enhl
e:[
comi
ngoutonawheel
chai
r]THAT'
S
ENOUGH!

Nkanyi
so:I
'
m sor
ryMma.

Enhl
e:I
'
m goi
ngtoneedyoutobewi
thyourdad,
Aunt
yReaisexpect
ingme.

Nkanyi
so:No,
mommyIwantt
ogowi
thyou.
Enhl
e:Pl
easest
aywi
thdaddy.

Nkanyi
so:ar
eyoudyi
ngMommy?

Enhle:Ineedtobef l
owntothecit
yf oranoper
ati
on
toremovet hebull
etandsaveyoursibli
ng.Whil
eI
am goneNkosi ,
pleasetr
ytojustkeepthepeace.

Me:[IknewIhaddi sappoi
ntedher
,theyt
ookher
backt ot
hewar dandshewasser i
ouslyi
npai
ns,I
feltl
ikeafoolt
ohaver ai
sedmyvoiceatherf
ather
]
Ijustact
edout.

Enhle:[
tear
sstr
eamingdown]Ineedabl ood
tr
ansplantorel
seIwil
llosethispr
egnancy.The
l
eastyoucandof ormei str
yt omakelessenemies.
Ihaveneverrai
sedmyvoi ceatyourmother,what
givesyoutheri
ght?Anywayt hi
sisnotagoodt i
me.
Doct
orRea:[
rushesi
ntot
hewar
d]Pl
easeexcuseus.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t32

Isetout sideasshewasmovedbackt othe

operat i
ngr oom.Theyst ayedi nthereforaboutt wo
hourst henshecameoutwi thadr i
pofwat erand
blood.Theyt ookhertoint ensivecar eandDoct or
Reaj ustspoket oNkanyi sot ogohomet hatMbal iis
goingt obeokay.Nomat terwhatshesai d, Ididn't
thinkofl i
vingnothingcrossedmymi nd.Ievent ually
wenthomeasIsawAya, Idr ovetothehouseand
thebloodwasont heleat herseat s.WhenIgott o
myhouse, peopl
ewer est illoutsi
demygat e.I
wasn' tinthemood, i
nfactIf el
tsi
ckl i
keIjustwant
tolaydownanddi e.Iwenti nandmadef oodf orour
sonwhopl ayedgamest henwentt osleep.I
cleanedt hecarandasIf inished,Isetdown.Her
phoner angf r
om thechar gerandIpi ckedthecal l
.
Mr sGumede:Howdar eyoudaughterofJezabel
!
Becauseofyoumysonmi ssedtheburi
alofhis
brother
,howlongdoyout hi
nkthischar
m ofyours
willl
ast?Youareevi
landyoudeserveexactl
ywas
youdeservedbecauseyouareawast eofbreat
he.

Me:[ sniffi
ng]Iwi l
lonlysaythisonceyouher eme
SATANDAUGHTEROFTHEDEVI L.Letthisbet he
l
astt imeyoucal lthi
snumber ,youseeifanyt hing
happenst omywi fe.Iwil
ltel
lthewor l
dexact lywho
youar e,doyout hinkIdon'tknowt hefatherofyour
chil
dr en?Doyout hinkyourmar ri
agewillsurviveifI
tel
lyourhusbandt hatyou'vebeenhavi nghis
brother ?Youar eshamel ess,stopcall
ingmywi fe.
Shei snot hingl i
keyouandyouknowwhatIdon' t
needyoui nmyl i
fe.Tomeyouar eawast eof
breathenx.[ Ihungupandbr okedown.Thel andl i
ne
rangandIpi cked]Yes.

Enhl
e:I
tsnotyourf
aul
t,Ij
ustneededsomet
imeout
.
Me:[
myvoi
cehaddi
sappear
edsoIj
ustbr
eat
hed]

Enhle:Youhaveever yri
ghttobeangrywit
hme,I
putmeandourunbor nbabyindangerinmyquest
forrebell
ionbuttheysayIam okay.Icangohome
becauset heydon'texact
lyhaveenoughbedshere.
I'
m sitti
nginthecorri
dornowandIam cold.Can
youpl easecomedi schargeme?

Me:[Idi dn'
tsayanyt hing,Ihungandwentt ofet
ch
Nkanyi sofrom hi ssl
eep.Thishasbeenal ongday.I
tookmyowncarf orachange.Idr ovet othe
hospitalanddi dn'tli
kethecondi t
ionmywi fewas
putin.theyhadl aidherinthecorridorwher eevenI
fel
tcold.Imett hemanagerandhewasbowi nghis
head.Myvoi cewascomi ngbackabi t]Don'tyou
darebowyourheadf orme, whydoIdonat emy
moneyt othishospi t
alexactly?Lookatt he
conditi
onmywi feisin?Youputherr ighti
nfrontof
thedoorwi ththi sthi
ngsofyour s.Infactyouknow
whatIwon' tdealwi t
hyouknow.Di schargemywi f
e.
[Icarri
edmywi f
ewhowasal r
eadyshiver
ing,
Itook
hertot hecar.Andgott omyseat ]Youhavethe
righttotakeyourwal ksandespeciall
ywhenyou
ar et
hequeenoft heplace,nooneshouldbesafer
thanyou.Iam notangr ywithyoubecauseyou
didn'tgothisint
entionall
ybutIam gladwenow
knowt hatyouar ecar r
yingoursecond.

Enhl
e:I
'
m hungr
yandt
hepai
nsar
ejustbor
ing.

Me:whatwoul
dyoul
iket
oeat
?

Enhl
e:Chi
pswi
thbunswi
lldo.

Me:Okay.[ wedrovepassedaj ointandt hesecondI

parkedpeoplejustrushedtowardsus.Ipr oceeded
homeandensur edthatshesettl
edt henmadechi ps
forher.Thenhelpedhergetcomf ortable]seei
ng
yougetshotwast hemostscariestthingever.
Enhl
e:Hopef
ull
ymyphonedi
dn'
tgi
veyoumuch
tr
oubl
e.

Me:Youdon' thavet odealwi t

hmymot her
,Isaw
j
usthowmuchshecal lsyou.Shecal lsyouli
keyou
aresomecal lcenteragentfordebt .Youdon'towe
heranything,Ilovewhatwehaveandsheshoul d
notstr
essyou.Ihaveever yintent
iont oensuret
hat
thi
sone, Idon'tmissanymi nuteofi t.Il
oveyouand
nothi
ngint hi
swoul dwilleversepar ateus.

Enhl
e:[
blushi
ng]Thankyou.

Me:Ili
keoursi
mplel
if
e,i
tsj
ustnotcompl
icat
ed.I
l
oveitwenababy.

#Mabuzahousehol
d

Thei
rskyhast
urnedgr
eyasLwandl
eisbet
ween
l
ifeanddeath, nodoctorhasbeenabl etodiagnose
him.Whent heseerwasconsul tedher evealedthat
MrMabuzashoul dconfesstohisfami l
ymember s
andgof et
chhi slatesonf r
om theriver.Thiswas
fi
rstaparablebutLwandl e'
sex-wifeisal lt
oo
famil
iarwit
ht hetruth,shecornersherlovert o
speakthetruth.Thisdoesnotsi twellwithhim but
Lwandledoesn' thavemucht ime.

Ray:thi
sthingissimpleBaba,weal r
eadyknowthat
yournosaintjustconfessandlet
swor kar
ounditto
savemybr other'
sli
fe.Youhavealreadyt
akenmuch
fr
om mybr other,
hisli
feshouldbeanexception.

MrMabuza:[takesdeepbr
eat
hes]Thembal
ethui
s
yourbr
other
.

MrsMabuza:[
dropsaglass]WELLI'
DBEDAMNED!
WHAT!
?YOUSLEPTWI THTHENJI WE?WOW YOU
AREREALLYSHAMELESS!
Ray:Irestmycase,
wow![
standsup]Woooo,
Ican'
t
behere.

MrsMabuza:[
takesof
fherweddi
ngr
ing]Iam done,
t
hismar
riagei
sover.

Lwandl
e:whatelsear
eyouhi
dingf
rom us?I
sthi
s
al
lyou'
rehi
dding?

MrMabuza:[
looki
ngdown]It
hinkNt
andomi
ghtbe
mi
netoo.

Vi
nol
i
a:Whatt
hehel
l!
!!
!

MrGumede:Andher eIwasabouttoaskforpeace
onbehalfofmyson.Whythendidyouhavemy
daught
erinlawshot?Imeanli
keyousaid,Themba
andNtandoaswellasThenj
iweareyours.Whykil
l
t
heonl
ydr
opIhaveont
hisear
th?

Lwandl
e:[
upset
]Youhadt
hewomanIl
oveshot
?

MrMabuza:Whatusei
sitt
olovesomeonewho
cannothave?

MrGumede:Al l
owmysont ol
ovehiswife.Hisnot
perf
ectbutIknowhel ovesMbal i
.Lovel
ikethat
doesn'texist
.SoIam heretoaskyoutomake
peacewi thyourhear
tthatMbalii
smyson' swif
e.
Theirlovebeganwaybef or
eyouseteyesonher .
What everagendayouhaveisagainstmenotmy
son.
Lwandl
e:How'
sMbal
i?

MrGumede:shewast akentohospi
tal
,theycoul
dn'
t
removethebul
letonherchest.Idon'
twantthenext
bull
ett
ohitmygr andson.[
kneel
sbeforehim]empty
yourbul
let
sonmeunt i
lyouaresati
sfi
ed.
MrsGumede:Don'tt
ouchmyhusband,I
'
m sor
ry
Pi
lani
.Pl
easefor
givemeIhaveputyoudown.

MrGumede:IAM DONEWI
THYOU,
DON'
TMOURN
ME!

Thobi
le:Babapl
easej
ustgobackhomewi
thus.

MrGumede:Youarenotmychi
ld,
sither
eandl
ear
n
t
hewaysofyourfat
her.

Thobi
le:Iknowyourhur
tpl
easecomehomewi
thus.

MrMabuza:Ihavemanysi
nsbutki
ll
ingyouwon't
beoneoft
hem.Getupandgoonwithyourli
fe.

Lwandl
e:Yet
hucanhaveherf
ornowbutwhenhe
messesup,
Iwi
llber
ightt
her
e.

MrGumede:t
hat
'snotwhatIwantf
ormyson.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t33

Itackedi nmysonbesi dehi smot her

,thenwentinto
mypr ayercl
osetbecauset heeventoft helast16
hour shaveshakenmeabi t
.Ikneltdownandno
wor dscouldcomeoutofme.Iwepti nawayIdi dn'
t
evenexpect .I
tsf unnyhowIam j ustacr ybaby
thesedaysbuthonest l
ycryingisveryhealthy.I
don'tknowhowl ongIwasi nt her
ebutassoonas
thesunhi tmyf aceIknewIhadbeent herethe
whol eday.Icall
edadr iverformyywi fe'
scarand
packedourst uff.Iwentintotheroom andt heywere
awake.

Me:Mor
ning,
readyt
ogo?
Enhl
e:Yeah,
weal
lneedt
oseeadoct
or.

Nkanyi
so:CanIgobackt
oschoolnow?

Enhl
e:f
eel
ingbet
terdoesn'
tmeanyouar
e.

Me:[it
sthingsonecanj ustoverl
ookbutmywoman
l
ookssogor geousinthemor ning.Ilovebeingin
bedwi t
hher,sheisverybeautif
ul.Izonedoutf or
someseconds, shealwaysleadsmet ofantasy.I
suddenlyfel
tawetkissonmyshoul der]thatshould
beil
legal.

Enhle:Lovi
ngmyhusbandorpat
ti
nghi
sshoul
der
?
Whichone?

Me:Youdon'thavetol
ookt hi
sbeauti
fuli
nt he
morni
ngyazi.WhenIstartwakingupisgoingtobe
ver
ytrough.Butl
etsal
ltakebathsandlet
sheadout
please.[Ihel
pedMbal ibat
handgetdr essed, then
ourson.Imadet hebr eakf
astandweal lgotintothe
caranddr oveof f.Aswewer edr i
ving,
itstart
ed
raining.Whenwef inallygott
ot hepointwher ewe
entert hemainroad.Thecl oudshadcover edthe
roadandwecoul dnotseet hebackorf ront
.I
par kedonthesi def eeli
ngbored,asIpar kIfelta
trembl i
ngpresencewhi chmademeshake]Not
agai n,No.

Enhle:[
hidesherf
aceassomethi
ngappear
sinsi
de
thecar]
Nkanyisodon'
tlook.

Me:It
oldyouthatIam done,
Iam done.Iwantt
o
bewit
hmyf amil
y.

Oldman:youcan'tranfast
erthanyourshadow,
don'tbestupi
d.Youknowt hi
scankil
lanyone,what
makesyout hi
nkthisfamil
yofyourswil
lsurvi
veifi
t
st
rikesit
.TURNAROUND![ di
sappear
s]
Me:[Mywi feandsonweretr
amatised,
shakingl
ike
aleaf
.]Ican'tl
eavewi
thyouifIl
oveyou.Ineedyou
t
obeal ive.

Nkanyi
so:Pr
omi
set
ovi
sitme?

Enhl
e:[
emot
ional
]Ican'
tdr
ivei
nmycondi
ti
on.

Me:[ Icall
edadriverf
orthem andIknewi tfel
tli
keI
wasl ett
ingthem goyetagain.AsIgotoffthecar,
therainstoppedandt heroadbecamevisible.
]Iwil
l
callyoueveryday.

Enhl
e:[t
ear
sst
reami
ngdown]wheni
sthedr
iver
coming?

Me:Pl
easedon'
tbel
iket
his.
Enhle:Likehow?Youpromiseusthewor l
dand
suddenlyyouareleavi
ngusagain.[
takesoffher
ri
ng]thisisyour
s,keepit
.

Me:[tearsjuststreameddown, Idi dn'

tknowhowt o
evenfixthis.Ispoket oNkanyi sowhodi dn'
teven
understandbutourr el
at i
onshipwasokay.The
dri
verarrivedandt heyl eft
.Ifeltliketeari
ngmyski n
off
.Iwal kedbacki ntothevi l
lageandcont i
nuedt
o
walk.AsIwasgoi ngal onganel derst oppedbesi
de
me]Notnowpl ease.Thi sisnott her i
ghttime.

Elder
:Yourgrandf
atherwokeupf
rom hi
sgr
avej
ust
toguideyou.

Me:Iwoul
dswi
tchpl
aceswi
thhi
m anyt
ime.

El
der:
That
'snothowKing'
sspeak,
ifshereal
ly
l
ovesyoul
ikeyoucl
aimthansheneedstocome
downher
eandset
tl
e.

Me:Mysoni sinthebestschoolandshehasthe
bestjob,movi
ngherewil
lresul
ttonothi
ng.Ist
and
thechanceofmissi
ngoutofmysecondchi ldso
unlessyoucangetmeasol uti
on,st
optal
kingtome.

Elder
:itsnotgoodf
oryouki
ngdom t
oseeyou
shaddingtears.

Me:LETTHEWHOLEWORLDKNOW, IDON'
TCARE.
BEINGAKI NGISWORSETHANBEI NGI NPRISON.
MYWI FECOULDN' TEVENSAYTWOWORDSTO
ME, IAM LETTINGHERDOWNAGAI N!MY
PREGNANTWI FEISOUTTHEREWI THAGUN
WOUNDANDMYSONI SINRECOVERY.AREYOU
KIDDINGME! ?ICOULDN' TCARELESSRIGHTNOW!
I
tsnothar dtounderst
and,yougotobednexttothe
womanyoul oveandwhatdoIhave?Noson, no
wifenothi
ng.
Woman'sEl
der
:Howt
hepeopl
eseeyoui
s
i
mport
ant?

Me:Letthepeopleknowt hatIam abrokeman

wit
houtmyf amily.[
Ifi
nall
ygottomyhouseand
shutt
hegat ebehindme.Iwenti nsi
dethehouse
andsetattheedgeoft hestai
rs.Myphonerang
aft
ert
wohour s]Mmm.

Enhl
e:Opent
hedoor
,Il
eftmykey.

Me:[
Iwenttothedoorandtheyst
oodonthe
ot
her
side]I
'
m sorr
yIdon'tknowhowtofi
xthi
s.

Enhle:I
'm onmedicall
eaveunt
ilat
least3weeks,
Nkanyiso'
sPri
ncipalcal
ledt
hathewoul dl
iket
o
speaktoyouinthezoom meeti
ng.
Me:[
Ijustembracedbothofthem andweshar
eda
ki
ss,Ipl
acedherringbackon]Il
oveyoutwoso
much,youmakemyl i
fewort
hleaving.

#Pal
aceMeet
ing

Theel
der
sgatherwit
hotherl
eader
s.Theyal
lsi
t
downanddi
sbeli
eveofj
usthowhumant heki
ngis.

YouthLeader
:Howdoweregar
dsomeonewhoi
s
thi
sweakaking?Imeant
herearepl
ent
ywomen
outther
e.

WomanEl der
:Mbalenhl
eshoul
dstopbei
ngagirl
andthr
owingtantr
ums,sheshoul
dset
tl
elikea
goodwifedoes.Sheshoul
dcomebackhomeand
att
endtoherhusband'
sneeds.

Yout
hLeader
:what
sspeci
alaboutt
hisMbal
i
person?Thesearethousandsandt
housandsof
l
ives,whendidthekingstar
tbei
ngacrybaby.

MrMabuza:Youal lhavebigmout hssinceyou're

theoneswhothinkyouar efi
tforthethrone,t
ake
thebullbyt
hehorns.Sitonthefli
ppenThr one,i
f
youhavenothi
ngt osaybequi t
ebecauseasi t
standsnow,Nkosidoesn'twantanythi
ngt odowi t
h
thisvi
ll
ageort
histhrone.

El
der
:whendi
dyoust
artbei
ngaf
anoft
heki
ng?

MrMabuza:Iseet hedonat
ionsoft hekingare
getti
ngyoudr unkneh?Thecontractiscomi ngtoan
endt hi
smont hmeaningthatweal lhearwil
lhaveto
doingourdut i
es.Theconti
buti
onsweusedt odo,
needt oresumebecausetherearel i
keyousaid
thousandst ofeed.Di
gdeepandt alkless.

Yout
hLeader
:Youcan'
tbeser
ious.
MrMabuza:t
hisishappeni
ngbecausewewer eall
l
azyandNkosicover
edustothisday.Soexpect
debi
tor
dersf
rom thi
smonth.[
leaves]

YouthLeader :Nkosimustcomebackandsi tont

his
chair,
klaar.Webet t
ergetourbeggi
ngfacesandgo
theretobeg.Ot her
wisefolkswehave25000to
gatherbeforetheendoft hismont
h.

WomanEl
der
:Isn'
tther
ewaysar
oundt
his?

El
der
:Cor
rect
ion,
35000.
Icouldn'tbeli
evetheywer eher e,Imadethem food
toeat.Mbal iwasj ustsil
entattimesanddi dn'
twant
tosayanyt hingaboutnot hing.Shewentt othe
guestroom andsl ept,Iunderstoodthatstai
rswere
abitofachal l
enge.Iwentovert ofindthedoor
l
ocked, Iknewt hatwewer efarfrom okayandshe
probablycamebackbecauseofourson.AsIst ood
byt
hedoor
,Ihear
dheront
hephone.

DoctorRea:Youcan'tjustquityourjobandsettl
e
forwhat?Sobecausehi sbuyingyoust uffand
sayi
ngstuff,
youjustwantt ogiveupyourdr eams?
Trut
hbet ol
d,whatifyougi veyourindependence
awayandhedumpsyoupeopl eagain?Thenwhat
twokidsandunempl oyed.

Enhl
e:Idon'
tknowbutmysonl
ikesi
ther
e.

DoctorRea:wellhecanalwaysmoveschooland
youcouldvisi
thim wheneveryoucansi
ncehis
fat
herisveryi
mpor t
anttohim.

Enhl
e:Iwon'
tresi
gn.

Doct
orRea:youbet
ternotbest
upi
d,howar
ethe
cr
ampsnow?
Enhl
e:I
'
mlyi
ngdownnow.

Doct
orRea:i
fthepai
nsgetworse,
Iam sendi
ngyou
anambul
ancebacktotheci
ty.

Enhl
e:Letmet
akeanap,
bye.

Me:[Ihear
dhergett
ingontothebedandset
tl
ingon
i
t,Iwentbacktotheli
vingr
oom andtheCounci
lof
Eldershadcometomyhouse, Nkanyi
soopenedfor
them]whyareyouhere?

Elder:wewouldl
ikef
oryout
ocomebackt
oyour
royalduti
es.

Me:Iunder
standbutIneedtowedmywifefi
rst
,
canyouatl
eastgi
vemet hr
eemonthsandfr
om
ther
eIwil
lbebackonthechair
.
YouthLeader
:Thekingdom i
salreadysuf
fer
ingso
theyhavetosuf
ferf
oraf ur
thert
hreemonths.

Me:Iwon'tber
enewingthecont
ract
ssoever
yone
shoul
dpickupthei
rduti
es.

WomanEl
der
:wehearyou,
ist
hequeenher
e?

Me:Leavemywi
feoutoft
his.

Nkanyi
so:Mommyar
eyouokay?

Enhl
e:[
walki
ngsl
owlyi
ntot
heroom,
seatsdown]
pl
easebri
ngmewatersoIt
akemypil
ls.

WomanElder
:Iti
smydutietot
ellyout
hatyouhave
bi
gshoestof
il
l,t
hel
atequeendidmuchforthe
womenher eandyouhavenotutteredt
wowordsto
them,thef
ir
stthi
ngtheyexpectwouldbet
hatyou
explai
nwhyyouputtheKinginprison.

Enhle:[
takesherpi
ll
s]Ial
sounderst
andt
hatIhave
thepowert or
emoveyouasanel der
?
WomanElder:whywoul
dyouhavemer
emoved?I
am t
heebestthi
sKi
ngdom'
sgot.

Enhle:Proudnow, arewe.Letmer emindal lofyou

herethatit
ssi ckeningtohaveleaderslikeyou,you
putusunderunnecessar ypressureinfact.Letme
announcedt hatallyourposit
ionsareopenf or
anyonewhoi sinterest
ed.[
thewhol eroom goes
deadsilent]newr eign,
newmanagement .

Yout
hLeader
:ButmyKi
ngy.
..
..

Me:[Iwasshockedathowshemadet hesepeopl
e
sakeinthei
rshoes]what
evermakesyouhappy,I
gi
veyouauthorit
ytomoveanyoneyouf eeldoesn'
t
bri
ngusprogressbutIdopleadt
hatyougivethem
j
usttwomont hstopr
ovethemselvesi
fyouar esti
ll
notpl
easedthanremovethem wi
thimmedi at
e
eff
ect
.

Enhle:60days?I
tsnotal
ongt
ime.Let
sseewhat
theycando.

Elder
:Ihavebeenont hi
sposi
ti
onbef
oreyouwer
e
evenborn,youcan'
tremoveme.

Enhl
e:Youwantt
obetont
hat
?

Me:Haaathatdoesn'
tmat
ter
,ahappywi
femeansa
happyl
if
e.Ideservet
obehappy.

Yout
hLeader
:wewon'tdi
sappoi
nt.[
theyst
andup
andheadf
orthedoor
]
Enhle:Youcometomyhouseanddon' tevendri
nk
water,youwantpeopl
etot
hinkIam anevilper
son.

El
der
:wedi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.

Enhl
e:Thentakeyourseat
,myhusbandhasnot
di
smissedyouyetorhashe?

Asamanwhohasbeengi venauthorit
y,it
sgood
whenpeopl eknowt hatforeveryactionther ei
sa
reacti
on.Theynor mal l
ydon' tr
egardmebutMbal i
placedthem intheirpositi
on.Theywer efi
lledwit
h
compl ainsbutkeptittothemsel ves.Mywi fe
cookedandsett hetable,theninvit
edeveryone.
Peoplemar a,
thefooddi sappearedt othei
r
stomachssof astyou'ddoubtt heywant edt ol
eave.
Theyat e,thenmywi feser veddessert,whichwas
toogoodf ormet oshare.
Me:I
tsbeengreat
,wear
edoneher
e.Gr
eetyour
f
amil
iesforme.

WomanEl
der
:[
slowl
yst
andi
ngup]al
ri
ght
.

Me:[t
heyal
lwalkedtothedoorsopai nful
lythi
nki
ng
t
hatIwasgoingtosayjoinmef ordessert
.Mywi f
e
makesameanchoco- mintdessertt
hatwillhaveme
l
icki
ngmyfinger
s.Il
ockedt hegateaftert
hem and
t
ookawoodenspoon. ]

#Pal
aceMeet
ing

Everyonegatherstomakeast r
ategytoimpressthe
queen.Theylookaroundthepalacewallsand
wonderifsheheardthem whent heywerebad
mout hi
ngtheking.Thethoughtofthatj
ustputs
ever
yoneont heirt
oes.
El
der
:Whatwasi
nthatmealexact
ly?

WomanElder
:Sti
llbat
tl
ingtoputmyf
ingeroni
tbut
whenar
ewevi si
ti
ngagain.

Yout
hLeader:Can'
tbel
ievewewer edeni
eddesser
t,
i
tsmeltl
ikeheavendel
ici
ousness.

Elder:Somemenknowhowt ochosethei
rwives.I
f
shemakesor di
nar
ystewbeefandpaptasteli
ke
that,
Iwonderwhathersevencol
our
stasteli
ke.

WomanEl der:Tothi
nkwewantedtoleave,the
smell
coul dhavemurder
edusaswewal kedbackt
o
thi
splace.ThequeencancookPERIOD!

Yout
hLeader
:Thatmeatjusthassomuchf l
avour
,
weshoul
dspeaktoheraboutthesoupki
tchens.
WomanEl
der
:ther
ear
epeopl
ether
eal
ready.

YouthLeader
:Ineversai
dlet
'sfi
ret
hem,Isai
d
speaktothequeen.Shecanteacht
hem athi
ngor
two.

WomanElder
:Youcl
ear
lydonotknowhowt
hick
headedt
heyare.

El
der
:youmi
ghtaswelltel
lyourfri
endst
hatt
her
e
i
sanewsher
if
fintown,Iam goinghome.
Thenextt hreeweeksIbar el
yhadaconver sati
on
withmywi f
e,theroyalnonsensekepthersobusy
thatIwouldent erassheexists.Ourrelat
ionshipi
s
suffer
ingbecauset hisisnotwhatIhadi nmi ndfor
us.Theyhavehergoi ngonsomanypr oj
ects,I
decidedtoappl yforahospitalorcli
nicpermitand
theywerebot hdenied.Thepeopl ecamet ocheck
thelandanddeci dedt hatwewer enotfit
.Doctor
Reacal l
edtosayt hatmywi feresignedandt hat
j
ustaboutthr
ewmeoff.Itt
ookheragestogetthat
j
ob,thatmademeupset.AsIwasjustl
osingmy
mind,Gumedewal
kedthrought
hedoorlooking
t
roubled.

Me:t
hisi
snotagoodt
ime.

MrGumede:Justneedapl
acet
osl
eepf
oraf
ew
days.

Me:Waitwhat
?What'sr
eal
lyhappeningwi
thyou?I
t
houghtyouandyourwi
fewereallt
hat.

MrGumede:Fi ndingoutthatyouar
etheonlydr
opI
haveonthisearthmakesmet hi
nkofgoi
ngbackto
themines,
Ican'tjustsi
thereanddonothi
ng.

Me:Whatt
hehel
l?Youmeanal
lthi
sti
me?
MrGumede:WhenNal edijustdr
oppedyouoffat
mydoorst
ep,Idi
dn'tknowwhatIwasgoi ngt
odo
wit
habluebaby.Iwasj ustayoungpl
ayboywho
t
houghthehadital
l.

Me:Whoi
sNal
edi
?

Nkanyi
so:[comesfrom hi
sroom]Gr
eet
ings,
Mmai
s
notcomingbacktoday.

Me:What
?Why?

Nkanyi
so:Idon'
tknow.

Me:Notagai
n,t
hisi
snothappeni
ngt
ome.

MrGumede:whi
chr
oom?
Me:Anyroom isokayPa,
chooseonei
nthecor
ri
dor
undert
hestai
rs.[
Icall
edt
heWomanElderandshe
pi
ckedup]WHERETHEHELLI SMYWIFE!?

WomanEl der
:MyKi
ngwear
eatamot
ivat
ion
conf
erence.

Me:sendmeyourl
ocat
ion.

WomanEl
der
:Yessi
r.

Me:[Ihungupast helocati
oncamethrough.Itook
Nkanyisoanddrovedownt her
e.Thehallwas
packedandeveryonewasexcitedtoseeme, Ican't
saythefeeli
ngismutual.Mywifedoesn'
tsleepor
restenough.Iwenti
nt her
eandjustl
ookedather .]

Enhl
e:[
qui
ckl
ypi
cksupherhandbagandr
ushesout
]
Me:[
Itur
nedar
oundandIwenthome.WhenIgott
o
t
hehouseshewasal
readyt
here]Real
ly?
Enhl
e:Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngt
ofi
tthepr
ofi
le.

Me:Thisisexact
lywhyIdon' twantwhatis
happeni
ngnow, youarehar dl
yhome.Whenwer e
youoffi
cial
lygoi
ngt otellmethatyouresi
gned?
Whendidwest artkeepingsecret
sf r
om eachot
her?

Enhle:Youdon'thavearightt
oblamemebecause
youspendmostofyourt i
mewi t
hyourEldersi
n
thatstupi
dpalacewhatwer eyouexpecti
ng?Forme
tositheranddecorateyourhousel
ikefurni
sher
.

Me:Ifyout hinkwhatyouaredoi
ngisr i
ghtthen
conti
nue.[Ijustwenttomyprayerclosetandset
i
nside.Isettl
edbecauseIfel
tli
keIam aboutt ol
ose
i
t.Thenextday, Iwenttoi
ntotheroom tobathand
getdressed]
Enhl
e:Iam t
ryi
ngmybestt
omaket
hisrel
ati
onshi
p
WORK, al
it
tl
eappr
eci
ati
onwoul
dbenice.

Me:whenwereyougoi
ngt
otel
lmet
hatyouar
e
qui
tt
ingyourj
ob?

Enhle:Idon'
tknowwhyt
hatisabi
gdealbecauseI
thoughtyouwantedmeher
e,don'
tyou?

Me:Areyour
eal
lyher
e?[herphoner
ang]goahead
andtaket
hecal
lasusual
.

Enhle:Iam notcutoutf
orhousewifemateri
al,
I
needt obeouttheredoi
ngsomethingtokeepme
sane,notherewaiti
ngtowarm yourbed?

Me:It'
syourl
if
eanditsnotl
ikewearemar r
ied
anyway.Don'
tworryabouti
t.[
Iwenti
ntothe
bathr
oom andtookashower,t
henlot
ionedand
pr
epar
edmyson,
wewentt
oget
her
]

#Mbal
enhl
e

Alothasbeenhappeni ngt omebutt hi

stimeI
decidedt otakear i
sk.It houghtthischief
'swi f
e
thi
ngwoul dbebor ingbuti t
squi etamazing.It
excitesmeandt her espectIam get t
ingallaround
i
st rulyamazi ng.Yethuseemst obeupsett hatIam
l
eavi ngmyj obwhichIdon' tevengetbecauseIam
doingt hisforus.AsIgotdr essedandmadei tout
ofther oom, Imethi sfatheront hedinnertable
eati
ngf at
cakesf r
om downt hest r
eet,j
ustthe
thoughtoft hatwoman' slackofhealthalmostmade
mevomi t
.

Me:Gr
eet
ingsBaba.

MrGumede:Ithoughtyouwoul
dhavegonet
othe
amusementparkwit
hyourson.
Me:Ididn'
tgo,
Ihavealottodo.Woman'smont
his
comingupandwear ebarel
yprepar
ed.

MrGumede:ItsnoneofmybusinessbutIdon'
tsee
youpeopl
etogethergoi
ngf
orwardift
hisconti
nues.

Me:You'
veneverbeenaf
anofussoIam not
sur
pri
sed.

MrGumede:Youdoknowt hat
,Yet
huhasthe
privi
ll
ageofleavi
ngthel
eader
shi
poft
hisenti
re
placetoyou.Whichmeanshecanupandleavethe
countryi
fhesawf it
.

Me:whatar
eyouonabout
?Hewoul
dneverdot
hat
r
ight
?
MrGumede:Forsomeonewho'sonl
ychanceof
get
ti
ngoutofher
ewasprison,
Icanjusti
magi
ne.
Aya:[
entersthr
oughtheopeneddoor]Gr
eet
ings,I
s
Nkosihere?Hewassupposedt omeetusatthe
amusementpar kbuthedi
dn'tshow.

Me:Huh?

MrGumede:whatdoyoumean,
hedi
dn'
tshow?

Aya:t
hat
'swhyIam her
e?

MrGumede:t
hat
sst
rangewher
ecoul
dtheyhave
gone.

Aya:OhDammi t
!Ididn'
tthi
nkhewasgoingtogo?I
meanIt ol
dhimt hatthi
scouldbedanger
ous,he
can'
tleavethi
svill
age.
Me:Wher
ecoul
dhehavegone?

Aya:Theyinvi
tedhimt oagala-
dinneri
nthe
nei
ghbouri
ngcount ry.I
tsabusi
nessawar dwhich
henevercoll
ected,t
heyoffer
edhim ahotel,
pri
vat
e
j
etandeverything.Wheredoesheputhispassport
?

Me:Hi
sonpar
ole,
hei
snotmeantt
obet
ravel
li
ng.

Aya:Youcl
ear
lydon'
tknowthemanyouar
e
marri
edto,
Nkosir
eci
evescall
sfr
om t
hePr
esi
dent
onasunday.

Me:Idon'
tbel
ievehewoul
dleaveme,
woul
dhe?

MrGumede:Youar ehispassport,asl
ongasyou
arei
nthisvi
ll
age.Hecangoanywher eintheworl
d
andnothi
ngwouldhappen.Enj oyyourst
ayKoti
.
[
walkstohisroom andshut
st hedoor]
Me:[itwassopai
nfulthatIli
ter
all
ycr
ied,howcould
heleaveme?Ithoughthelovedmemor ethant
his.
Rightthenmyphonerang,itwastheWomanEl der.
Thatmademecr ylouder]
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t36
Isetont hecouchandAyagott ir
edofpl eadingwi t
h
met ost opcryingsohel eft
.Itwashor ri
blenot
hearingmysonpl ayinghi svideogamesandhi s
fathercompl ainingabouthi smanymeet i
ngs.I
fi
nallypickedupmysel f,gotdressedandwentt o
themeet i
ngwi ththewomen.Ij ustl
ightenedt hem a
bitaboutf emaleheal thandhowi mpor t
antitis.
Aftertheconf erencei twasar ound4pm i nthe
afternoon.Ideci dedtogovi si
tmypar entswhi chI
havenotdonei nawhi l
e.Itsli
kewel iveint wo
compl etelydif
ferentwor lds.IknockedandwhenI
wasaboutgi vingup, myi r
ri
tatedmot hercamet o
thegat e.Sheopenedf ormet ocomei nside.They
wer estil
lintheirsleepwearwhi chisst range.
Me:It
houghti
twoul
dbeni
cet
opassby.

MrsHlophe:Youcoul
dhavecalledMr
sGumede,
it
woul
dhavebeencompl et
elyf
ine.

Me:Yourst
il
linyourpyj
amasi
sever
ythi
ngokay?

MrsHlophe:Troubl
einpar
adi
seIsee,
thi
siswhy
youar
eher e.

Me:That
'snotwhyIam her
e,anywayIwantedto
askwhyyoudon'tat
tendwoman'sconf
erences.

MrsHlophe:MyhusbandandIf i
nall
yhavet he
housetooursel
vesagain,
goodti
met ohoneymoon.
Idon'
thavetimetotal
kaboutdonati
onsandwho' s
goi
ngtodowhatf oraceremonythataddsnothing
tome.Iam amar r
iedandasyoucansee, very
happywoman.

Me:[itfi
nall
ywascl earwhyt heytookti
metoopen
thegate.Istoodupandpi ckedmybag]Doenj oy
yourtime,niceseei ngyou.[Idrovetomyhouseand
i
twasj ustsilent,Iwentinsi
deandMrGumedewas
snackingonchi ps.Igotoft
hest oveandwhipped
him something.AsIwasbusy, MrsMkontoandMr s
Gumedewal kedt hroughthedoorwi t
hsourfaces]
Dojointhetabl e.

Mr sGumede:Ist
hishowyouaregoingt
obehave?
Yourjustgoi
ngtodivor
cebecausewehaveminor
probl
ems?

MrGumede:Youcal
lhaving3chil
drenoutof
mar
ri
ageminor?Unbel
ieveabl
e.

MrsGumede:ExcuseusMbal
iorwhat
everyour
nameiscal
led.
Me:Excuseyou,
thi
sismyhouseandyouhaven'
t
evengreet
edme.

MrsMkonto:YouthinktheKi
ngl eavi
ngyou
i
nchar
gefortwomi nutesisf
oreverneh,
youhave
gr
ownwingst hatar
etobigforyou.

Me:Whathasyourhusbandevergi
vent
oyout
o
t
akecar
eoff?Hiskraal
?

MrsMkont
o:Iwi
llsmackyousohar
d,you'
l
l
r
ememberyouage.

MrGumede:Idon'twanttosayanythi
ngtoyou,
Thenji
we.Asyoucanseemyson' swifehas
prepar
edmeadel i
ciousmealwhichIint
enttoeat.
Inst
eadofcomingherewitht
hispappetofyours,
takecooki
ngl
essons.
MrsGumede:HoawGumedewam?Youwantust
o
f
ightbecauseoft
hist
hing?

Thiswomanwasj ustgettingundermyski n, Iwent

tomyr oom wher eIdiscover edthatmysonsentme
avideo.Iopenedi tandt heywer eont hisreally
breath-
takingplace,wher eIcouldseet heseawat er
behindthem.Theexci t
ementi nmyson' svoi ce, he
couldnotwai ttosharethiswi thhisschoolmat es.
Theywer edoi ngthi
ngs, mysonwor eat ailoredsui t
forthefir
sttimeandhel ookedsocut e.Whatt hr ew
meof fwast hewomanwhosuddenl yappear ed
askingmysont hattheyhavet ogo.Herboobswer e
poppingoutandshewaswear i
ngar eall
yt ightand
shortdresswhi chmademeuncomf ortable.Myson
didnotleaveanumbersoIsenthi sfatheranemai l
,
toaskwhent heywer ecomi ngback.AsIwasi nmy
ownwor l
dofsor rows,Iheardsomeonebangi ngon
mydoor .Iopenedandwasr usheddownst air
s, I
foundMrGumedeont hef l
oorbattli
ngt obr eath.I
helpedsithim up.
Me:Tr
ytor
elaxsi
r,cl
oseyoureyesandr
elax.

Mr
sMkont
o:i
shegoi
ngt
obeokay?

MrsGumede:Idi
dn'
tmeant
osaythat
,Iam sor
ry
pl
easedon'
tdi
eonme.Yoursi
ster
swil
leatmeali
ve.

Me:Leavemyhouse,
youarenothel
ping.[
Ist
ood
upandwidenedt
hedoor
]don'
tcomebackunless
i
nvi
ted.

MrsGumede:[
panicki
ng]I'
m sorr
yGumede,pl
ease
comehome.[l
eavesintear
swi t
hherf
ri
end]

Me:[asIwenttothegat et
oensurethati
tsl
ocked
andIfoundthatMrGumedehadvomi tt
edonmy
fl
oorandwasbr eat
hingagain.Thestr
angethi
ng
wasinhisvomit,i
tlookedli
kecontent
sofateabag.
Thesmellwasi ncredibl
e,Iwasdef i
nit
elynot
cl
eaningthisonewi thoutgl
ovesorsomet hi
ng.I
wentfortwopl asti
csandher efusedmet ouchingi
t.
Hecleanedever yt
hinganddisinfect
edt heplace]
whatwast hat?

MrGumede:Wi
tchcr
aft
.

Me:[
thatj
ustshutmeup,
rightthenIr
ecei
vedacal
l
f
rom anunknownnumber
]Hello.

Nkosi
:sorr
yIcouldnotcal
lear
li
er,
howwasyour
conf
erencemeeti
ngs?Didyoucomeupwi thnew
waystomakemot her
'sdayaneventf
ulday?

Me:Iam notqui
tt
ingmyj
ob,pl
easecomehome.I
don'
tknowwhatcameoverme.

Nkosi
:It
sreal
lyyourchoi
cebabe,
Iam nott
heboss
ofyou.I
fyoul
iket
hevi
ll
aget
heni
tsokay.

Me:Idon'
tknowhowtocomehometoanempt
y
house,
maybeIshoul
dinvesti
nacat
.

Nkosi
:We'
l
lbet
her
etomor
rowar
ound10am.

Me:Iam ser i
ous,Ihear
dwhathappenedwi t
hthe
permitforthehealt
hcentr
e.Ican'
tbeli
eveIwasso
self
ishtothinkgi
vingupmydr eamswouldmake
youhappy.Imi ssyouandIneedt oheadbackto
theCitytomorrowformynightshi
ft
.

Nkosi
:Wewi
llbebackbefor
ethen,t
hanksf
or
al
lowi
ngmet
imet ospendwithourson.

Me:Alr
ight,
shoul
dIpackf
orhi
m oryou'
l
lfi
nda
waytobringhi
m?
Nkosi
:Hi
shadenoughf
reedays,
Idon'
twanthi
m
f
ail
ingt
hisyear
.

Me:Ihearyou,
seeyouwhenyougetback.

Nkosi:Il
oveyousomuch, morethant heseaIam
l
ookingatrightnow.Youar eeverythi
ngtome, the
worldanditspeoplethat
'swhatyoumeant ome.I
wantyout oknowthatnoshortskirtisgoingto
movemebecauseyouar et
hebestt hingthathas
everhappenedtothispoorman.

Me:[
Iwasmel
ti
ngsof
ast
]St
opdoi
ngt
hat
.

Nkosi :Thi
sisthef i
rst5minscal
lIhavehadwi thmy
wifein3weeks.Iwoul dli
ketotakeadvantageofit
hoaw.Il oveyoubaby, somuch.Iwoul dcr
osst he
hottestseaforyou.YouRockmyboat ,world,
sea,
vi
ll
age, mind,everyt
hing.Youarejustever
ythi
ngto
meandyouar ethemostbeaut i
fulwomanIhave
everseen.
Me:Haaa,
yourl
yingmanj
e.

Nkosi
:IwishIcoul
dshowyoumyhear
t.Wi
thout
youIam j
ustparal
ysed.

Me:Howar
ethepai
ns?

Nkosi
:Youhaven'
taskedmet
hat
,whyar
eyou
aski
ngnow?

Me:Youhaven'tbeentaki
ngyourt
reat
ment
,the
packsar
esti
llsil
led.

Nkosi
:It
houghtt
hemedicscal
ledyou,well
the
pri
sondoct
orcal
ledmeandIhadanoper at
iondone.
It
sbeenaweekandIfeelal
otbett
er.
Me:Youwentthr
oughal
lthatwi
thoutme?I
'
ma
hor
ri
blewi
fe.

Nkosi:StopthatrightnowbecauseIwouldn'
thave
evenleftthevil
lageifyouwerenott
here.Youare
thebestinthislif
eandt henext
.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t37

Afteralongcallwi t
hmyhusby, DoctorReaal ert
ed
meaboutmyper son'ssocialmediaaccount .Iwent
onFacebookanddi scoveredthattherewasa
womanwhowascl aimingtohaveachi l
dformy
person.I nt
hisIalsoreali
sedthatthishasbeen
happeni ngformont hsandmont hs.Ididn'tknow
whet hertobeannoyedorwhat .JustasIf el
tokay,
thewomansomehowshoweduponmysoci al
medi a.Thiswomani st
estingmeIt ellyoustrai
ght.
Iignoredherandi mmedi atel
yblockedheraccount .
Therearesomedesper atepeopl
eoutt here.Iwent
tosleepbecauseIwasf eel
ingti
red.Ididn'
treal
isei
t
wast henextdaybecauseIwokeupt okissesall
overmyf ace.

Me:wel
comeback,
wemi
ssedyou.

Nkosi
:Notmor et
hanImissedyou,
howareyoumy
l
ove?Thethoughtofyouget
ti
ngacatgotmeonthe
f
ir
stfl
ighther
e.

Me:[Isetuprubbingmyeyes, Inoti
ceditwas2am
i
nt hemorning.Iopenedtheblanketforhi
m]Idon'
t
needacat ,
youar eenoughforme.

Nkosi
:Howar
eyou?Ar
eyoupeopl
eokay?

Me:Weareokay,youradmi
rermadecont
actonmy
soci
almedi
aplat
form.
Nkosi
:Youdoknowt hatIdeacti
vat
edthatsoci
al
medianonsensewhenIwentt opri
sonri
ght.So
whoeveri
soutther
eisnotevenme.

Me:Makessensebecauset
heyal
wayspostj
ob
adver
tsont
here.

Nkosi
:Igott
ir
edofr
epor
ti
ngpeopl
ewhopr
etendt
o
beme.

Me:Iam ver
yhappytoseeyouandsl
eepbesi
de
you,
whereisourson?

Nkosi:Sl
eepi
ngi
nhi
sroom,
Ijustt
ackedhi
min.Hi
s
pr
ettyexhust
ed.

Hest
eppedinbedandofcoursei
tsbeentoolongso
wehadali
tt
lesomethi
ngbeforesl
eeping.Idon'
t
knowhowIam goi ngt osur vivenothavingtwo
warm sidesoft hebedbuti tswor thit
.Thi swi
ll
probablyconvi ncet heboar dt hatIwillatl
east
monitorthecl i
ni ctheysendt ous.WewokeupandI
prepared,thenhecal ledthedr i
verforus.Itwas
horri
ble,i
tfeltlikeIwasl osinganar m orsomet hi
ng
butyoucant rustYet hut ojustbeover l
ysupporti
ve,
encouragingandst uf
f .Ther i
debackt otheci
ty
wasn'tasbadasIt hought .Pl uswhenwear ri
ved,
thehousewascl eanandnot hingwasovergr own.
Weset tl
edi nnicely.ThencameaknockIdi dn'
t
expect,Iopenedt hedoor .

Me:what
'
sthisaboutMr
sHussai
n,Jul
ia,
OhRaj
esh?
Wow,Imustbefat
.

MrsHussai
n:I
tsbeenawhi
lesi
ncewe'
vespoken,
wehear
dyouwereintownagai
n.

Me:OhOkay,comein.[
theywal
kedinandwere
l
ooki
ngaroundwhichwasweirdforpeopl
ewholi
ve
i
namansi on,thenithitme,theywer eexpecti
ng
Yethutoappear ]Myhusbandi snothereatpr esent
,
youmayt akeaseat .CanIgetyouanyt hi
ng?[ I
openedthef r
idgewhi chshockedme, myf r
idgehad
cheese,ham, polonyetc.Il
aughedi ndisbeli
eve]his
defi
nit
elymovedi n.

Nkanyi
so:Gr
eeti
ngs,
Mmaar
eyougoi
ngt
oschool
wit
hmet omorr
ow?
Me:Iwi
llbeherefi
rstt
hingt omorr
owmorni
ng
ot
herwi
se,yourfat
herwillhavetomakeapl
an.

Nkanyiso:[
giggl
es]HaaaMma,thevi
ll
agecannot
sur
vivethat.Youknowtheyar
eneedy.

Me:don'
tsayt
hataboutpeopl
ewhoar
eol
dert
han
you.

Nkanyi
so:Attheai
rport,
theysurroundedusl
ike
cel
ebri
ti
esjustt
otellusthei
rproblems.Mydadhas
anationtofeedandlot
stodo.Hebarelyhasti
me
toscrat
chhisback.Ihopemynextsibl
ingisaboy
becauseIwon'tbetaki
ngoveraf
terdad.Thestat
us
i
snotwor thitMma.

Jul
ia:sowhenar
eyoupeopl
etyi
ngt
heknot
?

Me:therei
scur
rentl
ymucht odoandthat'
sjustt
he
l
astthi
ngonourmi nds.Thelastt
woyear
shaveleft
thevi
ll
ageinacondit
ionwhichneedsl
otsandlot
s
ofwork.

Juli
a:Howwil
lyoumanageal
ongdi
stance
rel
ati
onshi
p?

Me:noideabut8year
sapart
,ourl
ovedi
dn'
tdi
esoI
don'
tthi
nkitwi
lldi
eanyt
imesoon.

#Nkosi
yet
hu.
Timej ustfl
iest oof astmywi fewentbackt ot hecit
y
whichgavemeal otoft i
met osor toutallthe
corners.Iappeal edf orustohaveaheal t
hcent re
andlaunchedt heideaondi f f
erentplatforms.Then
wentt oseeal lthef amil
iest hatlostt hei
rincomes
duet othelackofr ainandt hosewhol osttheir
businesses.Isetdownwi t
ht hem andwedi scussed
anewbusi nesspl an.Byt heendoft heday, Ihad
revi
vedt enbusi nesseswhi chwaswonder ful
becausei twilleaset hepover t
yar ound.Ist opped
bythest oretogetsomet hi
ngqui cktoeatand
noti
cedt hatawomanwasf oll
owi ngme.Ist opped
bythef ri
dgesandt ookabot t
leofcoke.Thenbr ead
andwentt othequeue.

Stor
eManager
:Yousur
elydonothavet
ost
andon
suchal
ongqueuemyking.

Me:t
herei
sabsol
utel
ynoproblem,
Iwanttofeel
howpeopl
ear
oundmef eel
.Icomplet
elydonot
mi
nd.

St
oreManager
:ExcusemeMa'
am canIhel
pyou?
Doyouknowthi
swomansir
?

Me:[
Itur
nedtol
ook]Idon'
tknowt
hiswoman,
maybeshei
sheretoshop.

St
oreManager
:shehasbeenfol
lowi
ngyouar
ound
si
nceyouent
eredourf
rontdoor
s.

Me:HowcanIhel
pyouMa'
am.

Her:ThenameisThando,
yournextwif
e.Ihave
beenwaiti
ngtohaveaoppor
tuni
tytospeaktoyou
aboutourchi
ld.

Me:Sot
her
eisachi
ld?Wow,
Sirpl
easecal
lthe
pol
ice.

Thando:[
pani
cki
ng]Youar
enott
aki
ngt
hisr
ight
.

Stor
eManager :[
goesandcomesbackwi
thf
emal
e
securi
tyguar
d]herei
sshe.

Securi
tyguar
d:Thando?Doesyourmot herknow
youareherevomitt
ingnonsense?Forgi
vehermy
King,
hermotherhasbeencompl ai
ningaboutthi
s
one.Youdon'twantmetorushyou,move!

Thando:Wewi
llmeetagai
n.

Me:[Iwatchedastheymovedhert
othesecuri
ty
pl
ace,Ipaidformystuf
fandsentmywifethe
messageofwhathappenedsoshedoesn'tst
ress.I
wal
kedoutt omycarandthesecur
it
yguardcalled
me.Shewaswi t
hsomewomanwhof r
ozethe
momentwemadeeyecont
act
.]i
sther
eapr
obl
em?

Securi
tyguar
d:thi
sisThando'
smot
her,Naledi.We
wouldli
ketoassureyout
hatthi
swi
llneverrepeat
i
tsel
f.

Naledi
:Soitsyou?Youdon'
thavether
ightt
oget
yoursi
sterarr
ested,
howdareyou?

Me:ExcusemeMma.Idon'
tevenknowyou.

Nal
edi
:Igavebi
rt
htoyou.

Me:RightandIam t hepresi
dentAmer ica.Iwon't
getyourdaughterarrest
ed.[
Ir ecei
vedacal lf
rom
mywi fe]Babeyouwon' tbel
ievewhatjust
happenedt ome.Ithinkyoushoul dtel
ltheWoman
Elder
.
Enhl
e:Iam sur
pri
sedshehadt
hegut
stof
inal
ly
appr
oachyou.

Me:soyouknowaboutt
hesepeople?Hermot
her
saysshebi
rt
hedmeimagine?Ihavesuf
fer
ed
str
aight
.

Enhl
e:Don'
twor
ryIwi
lldef
ini
tel
ydealwi
thi
t.

Me:Youar ethebestpersont
odealwit
hthi
s,how'
s
work?[Igoti
nsidethecarandthewomanheldthe
door]Excuseme?

Nal
edi
:Ishoul
dhavehadanabor
ti
on.

Me:[
Ipl
acedmywi
feonspeaker
]sor
ry?

Enhl
e:Hayi
bo!Youar
eshamel
ess,
howdar
eyou
speakt
omyhusbandli
keyouaref
all
ingof
fat
ree.
Donotgetonmyner
ves,donotmakemecome
downther
e.

Me:[peopl
eareafr
aidofmywifePERIOD,shewas
shi
everi
ng.Ishutt
hedooranddroveoutofther
e]
Thanksbabe.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t38

Aftertheconver sat
ion,Idroveoutandf rom her
featuresIknewshewast heeggdonorbutIwoul d
bedamnedi fIworr
iedabouther .Iwenthomeand
Gumedemetmeatt hedoorwi thapani ckedl ook,
hissui t
casesont hecor r
idor.Heexpl ai
ned
everythingthathappenedandgavemet he
woman' saddressasi fIam interest
ed.It oldhim
thatIam t oogrownt odealwi thabi t
terol d
woman' sdrama.Iwentt otakesomemuchneeded
sleep.Whi chwashushl ycutshor tt
hreehour slat
er.
Iwentdownandboom, t
heEl derandNal edi.
MrGumede:Youhavesomegut
sshowi
ngupher
e
af
tersomanyyear
s.

Naledi
:It
sti
met
otel
lthi
smant
het
rut
habouthi
s
r
ightmother
.

Me:Oh,it
snotbreaki
ngnews.Iknowthatyou
bir
thedmeandIdon'thavet
imetodisput
ethatwi
th
youoranyone.Whyareyouhere?

Nal
edi
:Tol
ooki
nthef
aceofmywor
stmi
stake.

Me:[IhadsomuchtosaybutIhel
dmysel
f]when
youaredownshout
ingl
ikeyouact
ual
lymatt
erto
someone,l
eavemyhouse.

Elder:
sor
ryt
obot
heryoumyki
ng,
itwi
llnothappen
again.
Me:Iknowi twil
lal
wayshappenagai
nsodonot
apol
ogize.Justgo.

Nal
edi
:soIdon'
tmatterbutThenj
iwedoes?She
di
dn'
tevenwantyou.

Me:sheraisedmet hebestwhysheknewhowt o,
shebroughtmeupunt ilIwasindependentenough
todosomet hi
ngwithmyself.Wherewer eyou?If
thi
sisabouttheQueenmot herstatusandbenefit
s
for
getaboutit
.Youwi l
lbedeadbef oreyoucanever
begiventhatt
itl
e.

El
der
:[movest
hewomanandt
heyl
eave]

MrGumede:Iam sor
ryf
oral
lthi
s.

Me:Youdi
dthebestyoucoul
d,Ihavemyown
ghoststhatIam f
acingwithNkanyi
soand
sometimesIdon'tevenknowwhatIam doi ng.
Thereisnoreci
pef orpar
entingsowelearnasawe
goreall
y.Evengoogledon'thaveal
ltheanswers.

MrGumede:[
chuckl
es]Iknowthatf
eel
ing,
Idi
dn'
t
knowwhatIwasdoi
nghalftheti
me.

Me:Icompl et
elyunder
standandasiti
snow, Iam
gett
ingbabynumbert wowhoIhopewi l
lnotbe
compl i
cat
edtounderstandandrai
se.Mysonputsa
whyi never
ythi
ngyout el
lhi
m andbythatheisnot
disr
especti
ngyou,heisjustbei
nghimsel
f.

MrGumede:Iam sur
eyou'
l
lfi
gur
eitout
.

Me:IpraythatIdobef
orethenextonerocksmy
boatt
oo.[welaughedtoget
herfort
hef i
rstt
imein
year
s.Iwentbacktomyr oom andjustfel
lbacki
nto
mysleep]
#Pal
ace

Naledihasnotleft,sheisst
il
lcomplainingthatshe
deservesapieceoft hecakeintermsoft heking'
s
success.Thi
si smetbyt hefactthattheKingsaid
shedoesn'tmat t
er.Thismakeshert hebiggestfool
amongt heelders.TheWomanEl derenterswitha
verysourmood, shewal ksovertoherseat.

WomanEl
der
:Shoul
dn'
tyoubehomet
ami
ngyour
dog?

Nal
edi
:wi
thal
lduer
espectI
..
..

WomanEl der:Youhavethegut
st ochall
engethe
King?Aswhat ?Tel
lmeaswhat ?Whodoyout hi
nk
youare?Don'tgetonmynerves,getyourdir
ty
behindoutofthi
splace.
Nal
edi
:Iam t
her
ight
fulowneroft
h..
..
..

Mr
sGumede:IDAREYOUTOTRYMENALEDI
!TRY
MYGI
RLY!

Nal
edi
:Ohcomeof
fit
,youknowt
het
rut
h.

MrsGumede:[
laughs]Youdon'
tknowt
hatI
'
ma
l
unat
icwena.

Nal
edi
:Iam j
ustgoi
ngfort
hebenef
it
swhi
chr
ight
ly
bel
ongtomenotyou.

Mr sGumede:[t
akesoutagunfrom herhandbag]I
havebeenimpatient
lywai
ti
ngtosendyout oyour
stupi
dparent
s,TrymepleaseIbegyou,vomit
nonsenseNaledi
.
Nal
edi
:[al
readyont
hef
loor
]Iwi
llnott
ryi
tever
.

Mr
sGumede:Tieyourdogbecausei
fyoudon'
tyou
wi
llbur
yit
.Getout
.

Nal
edi
:[gr
absherbagsandr
ushesout
]

Mr sGumede:Youal lmustnottr
yme, noonewil
l
takemythronefr
om me.Noonebor nofawoman,
youhearnoone.[ putsthegunback]Getup,
your
oldkneesmustbet iredbynow,Iknow.Beonyour
bestbehavi
our.[
leaves]

El
der
:thi
swomani
sgoi
ngt
oki
llusoneday.

WomanElder
:Icompl
etel
yseet
hatt
hought
,when
di
dshegetagun?
Elder
:That'
snotimport
ant
,Nal
edineedst ost
ayin
herhole.TheKi
ngknowsaboutherstoryandisnot
bother
edsoweshoul dnotmakei
tani ssue.

WomanElder
:shewoul
dbeabadexampl
etot
he
womanandgirl
s.

#Backt
oNkosi
yet
hu.

Ienjoyedever ybi tofmysleepandwhenIwokeup,

IfoundMr sGumedei nsi
det hehousewi thmy
fatheruninterested.Shelookedl i
keshe' sbeen
throughhel l
,Ihat etosaythisbutshei sthemother
Iknow.Shet houghtmenevert ocr yaboutanything
andt hatcausedmeangerbutasi defrom myl i
feas
ateenagershewasagoodmot her.Sher ai
sedme
untilIgot15whi chismor ethanIcansayf orNaledi
whowasoutt her edoi
ngwhat ever .Icookedand
thendi shedup, shewassur prisedt hatIcook.
Me:Iknowsomet
hingi
swr
ongMma,
whati
sit
?

Mr
sGumede:i
tsnot
hingIam f
ine.

Me:Iknowthatthi
sisnotyou,youneverleaveyour
beautytr
eat
mentforanyreason,youarenot
weari
ngheelsfort
hefir
stti
mei nyear
s.Imadesur e
yourall
owancewaspaid,soIknowitsnotthat.

MrsGumede:IknowIwasn'tt
hebestmot herand
yourf
atheri
satthever
gueofdivor
cingbutIcan
l
ivewit
hhischoi
cebutnotwit
hyours.

Me:Mmaspeaki nt
helanguageIcanunder
stand,
what
'shappeni
ng?Yourgett
ingmeworri
ed.

MrsGumede:Pl
easedonotgi
vemyt
hronet
o
Nal
edi
,i
twouldburyme.
Me:whothehel
lisNal
ediagai
n?Yourwor
ri
ed
aboutat
otal
str
anger?

MrsGumede:gossipershavest ar
tedt hatyou
peopl
emetandt heelder
sarei nvolved.Ihavenever
hadanythi
ngbeauti
fulal
lmylif e,
youknowIl i
vefor
thi
sthr
one.Itmakesmef eell
ikeImeansomet hi
ng.

Me:[ Thatremi ndedmeofwhenmydadt olduswhy

shedoesn' thaveanyt hingt odowithour
grandpar ents,theyusedt oabuseherphysi cal
ly
andal lsortsofwaysi ncludingrape.Thatj usthit
homeseei ngherl ookingl i
keacommoner ]Youwi ll
neverbeacommonerMma, wehaveour
dif
ferencesbutt hethronei syours.Idon'teverwant
tochanget hatuntilyoui ntenti
onal
lygiveupyour
throne.Thatsi deoft hingsIdonotwantt oevenbe
i
nvol vedinbecauseIdonotevenknowt wowor ds
aboutt hekindofencour agementsyougi vewomen.
Thatof fi
cei syours,ifsomeonet hr
eatenst hatIwill
per
sonal
lydecendont
hem.

MrsGumede:[mel
tsintoasmilewit
htear
sfor
ming]
Thankyouverymuch,Ishoul
dheadbacktomy
housenow.Seey'
all
s.[shel
eaves]

Me:Mymot herdoesn'
tknowhowtobeemot ional
andshowsomeonet hatshecar
esevenifshedoes.
SoIhopeyouhavenopr obl
emswithherstayingon
herposi
ti
on.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t39

Knowingmymot hershames,expect edhertoblow

outonsocialmediabutshedi dn'
tevenshowup.
Herfanpagewascl ean,shesentmeamessage
thatmademeshakei nmyshoes.Shesai dt
hatshe
wasgoingtoseeherpar ents.Iam notreadyto
haveherbrokenagain,t
hisjustgotmewor r
ied.I
foundmyselfsorestl
ess.ItwaslatebutIjust
wantedtodr i
veoutthere.Thenextmorni
ng, around
10am Idrovetothehouseandsear chedforher .
Shewasact uall
yserious.AsIwasaboutlosingmy
mindshedr oveinl
ooki ngemoti
onall
ydrainedwi t
h
apuffyface.Idon'
tknowwhatshewast hinking.

Thobi
le:Wher
ehaveyoubeenMma?

Me:Ar
eyouokay?Howar
ethey?

MrsGumede:Theyar
edying,
thehousecanf
allat
anyt
ime.They'
rei
nahor
ri
blecondi
ti
on.

Me:whatdoyouwantt
odoabouti
t?

Mr sGumede:Theywon'ttakeanyt
hingfr
om me,
youknowhowt heyare.Theyarethi
ckheaded.My
brotheri
sacomplet
edr unkardandmysi st
erhasa
tr
ainofbabi
es.Thehousei sindi
sorder
.
Me:Donotl
etyourhear
tbet
roubl
edaboutt
hem.

Mr sGumede:theyareli
keacrosst
omyl i
fe,
I
boughtthem afewthingswhi
chIknowtheywil
l
probabl
ythrowoutbutIam tr
yingt
ounderst
and
wheretheyarecomingf r
om.

Me:Youar
ebi
ggert
hant
his,
leti
tgoMma.

Nt
ando:whatexact
lyar
eyoupeopl
etal
kingabout
?

Me:Leti
tgoMma, i
nfactyouknowwhat
,Iam
put
ti
ngyouonthenextfli
ghtt
other
esor
t.Gother
e
andcl
earyourmi
nd.

MrsGumede:Hayi
,I
'l
lbefi
ne.[
takesoutagun]I
don'
twantt
obeangryanymore,pl
easetakei
t.
Me:pl
aceitonthef
loor
,Iwi
llcal
lmypol
icef
ri
end
t
ocomet akei
t.

MrsGumede:[put
sitonthefl
oorandgoesi
ntoher
house,
thenpl
aysherfavour
it
etrack]

Thobi
le:Wher
edoest
hist
hingcomef
rom?

Me:[imadet hecal landafterafewmi nutes,they

camet ocol l
ectthegunandt ookast at
ement ,then
l
eft.Imademor ecal l
stof i
ndoutifshehasnot
mur deredmygr andpar ents.Aft
erthecallthatthey
arefine,Igotinsidemycarandj ustwishedIcoul d
gohomet omywi f
e.Idrovetothehouseand
parkedout si
def eeli
ngbor ed.Myphoner ang]Babe.

Enhle:i
tshar
dtomi
ssyoul
iket
his,
howar
eyou
baby?
Me:I'm okay,
findingoutt
hatIam mot
heredbythe
worstwomanont hi
seart
h,If
eelsogr
atefult
hatmy
sentencewasMr sGumede.

Enhl
e:I
sshet
hatbadr
eal
ly?
Me:Heeeeebaby,shehasl i
vedinthi
svil
lagei
nli
ke
f
oreverandInevercrossedhermind.Shedidmea
f
avourwhoknowsmaybenowIwoul dbesome
l
unati
clikeherdaughterst
alki
ngpeopleat25.

Enhle:Youaresolit
eral
,theparent
softheboyt hat
harmedourson.Gaveanapol ogyandt heboywas
gi
venat ransf
er.Butyoursonisnotreall
yexci
tedto
bebackatschool ,
Idon'tknowwhat'swithhi
m.

Me:Iwi
lll
ooki
ntoi
tbutIr
eal
lymi
sshavi
ngyou
ar
ound.
Enhle:Whenwear ri
vedIrecei
vedunexpected
visi
tors,
Rajeshandfamil
ywer ehere.Apparentl
y
theylostever
ythi
ngnow, l
ooksli
ketheirf
inances
didnotrecoveraf
terthewomandr ankthem dry.

Me:Ihat
etosayt
hisaboutsomeonebutyout
old
t
hem.

Enhl
e:Youwer
ewor
ri
edaboutMma,
howi
sshe?

Me:TheNaledit
hingr
eal
lyt
hrewherof
f,sheeven
wentt
oseemygr andpar
ent
s.Can'
tbel
ieveshe
act
ual
lyboughtagun.

Enhl
e:Agunf
orwhat
?Heeeeeyourmot
heri
sspi
cy.

Me:Cur
ryspi
cy!
Enhl
e:butIhavebi
gshoestofi
llbecausewhenshe
wasqueen,sheranast
eelshi
p.

Me:that
'st
hewei r
dt hi
ng,out
sideofthehome
envi
ronment.Shejustcomesalive,
li
kemany
peopl
elookupt oherandsomeofuswonderwhy.

Enhle:shewasnotbor nwit
hemot ions,shedon'
t
knowhowt odot hat.Shei
st hatwomanwhowi l
l
beatyouupf orcrying.Sheraisedverystrong
peopleespecial
lyyou.

Me:Ishoul
dthankherf
orthetoughl
oveot
her
wiseI
woul
dbeabum l i
kemysibli
ngs.

Enhl
e:Idon'tknowbaby,i
t'
snicetotal
ktoyou.
Whenyoucal ledIwasaboutdi
all
ingyournumber
.
Youarejustamazinginal
lsensesoftheword.
Me:Nomount ai
ntohigh,
nor i
vert
ool
owt
okeep
mefrom youbabe.Ipr
ayforyou.

Enhl
e:Pl
easedo,thereissomedudewhoshowed
upinmyoffi
cetodayselli
ngmedreams.Hesai
dhe
i
sthehei
rofMaf oreni
.

Me:Thatj
erkmustj
ustst
ayawayf
rom you,
his
t
ongueissoslyt
hatone.

Enhle:Hi
sliesar
eli
kehi
stel
li
ngthet
rut
hbutI
foundoutthathi
sHIVposi
ti
ve.

Me:It
houghtther
ewoul
dbeconf
idenci
ali
tywi
th
someonest
atus.

Enhle:t
hanheshouldn'
thavetoldhismother
becausethewomanshout edtheentir
ecorr
idori
n
di
sappointment
.Itwasjustembarrassi
ng.
Me:Letnooneheart hi
sfrom you,youar enota
gossi
perandwi l
lneverbe.Pleaset hesearesmall
thi
ngsthatareplantedinyourmi ndandt henext
thi
ngeveryonethinksyouareagossi perwhenit
s
j
ustpubli
cknowl edge.

Enhl
e:I
twi
llneverhappenagai
n,I
'
m sor
ryGumede.

Me:Thi
sisjustawarni
ngbaby,yourreput
ation
her
eispurewhit
e.Idon'
twantgossipstai
ningit
.

Enhle:IhearyouandIam sor
ryIment
ionedi
tint
he
fi
rstplace.Sor
rybaby.

Me:Il
oveyouandneedtol
ookoutforyoumyl
ove.
Thatj
erkmustj
ustst
ayawayfr
om you.

Enhl
e:Maybei
fhehadani
cest
ruct
urel
ikeyouand
abil
li
ondoll
arsmi
lel
ikeyou.Hewoul
dpr
obabl
y
haveachance.

Me:OkaynowIam af
rai
dofgai
ningwei
ght
.

Enhle:Idon'
tneedsui
tcasesbaby,
Iam f
inewi
th
thi
ngsst ayi
ngint
heboot.

Me:[
itj
ustgotmeof
fguar
dandIj
ustl
aughed]

Enhle:[
ser
ioust
one]Iam ver
yser
iousbabymaan,
thi
sisnolaughi
ngmat t
er.

Me:[
Icoul
dn'
tevenst
op,
itj
ustseni
ti
zedmewi
th
l
aught
er]

Enhle:Idi
dn'
tbecomeadoctortodealwit
hf at
,I
becameadoct ort
odealser
iousheal
thissues.
Thi
ngswhi
char
ebenef
ici
al.

Me:[
laughi
ng]PGi
sadvi
sedyoh.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t41

Thef i
rstmont hwi thoutmywi f
eleftmedr ai
nedand
thereisanout breakofsomest r
angei ll
nesssoshe
doesn'thavet i
mef oranything.EverydayIdr eam of
someonesnat chingmywi feandever ydayIj ust
wanttoseet heper son'sface.Iprayagai nstitbut
somehowIknowIcannotpr eventitbecauset he
dream justcontinuesIam shownwher eshehasno
memor yofmeorourki ds.Suddenlyitbecame
cloudl
yout sideandIf el
tnumb.Il eftthehouseand
walkedt othepal ace,Ienteredthethroner oom and
setont hethronebutt henumbnesscont i
nuedl ikeI
wasaboutt obepar al
ysed.Ipickedupt hestuf fof
authorit
yast heel dersgathered.
Me:Protectwhatismine,nothingwillt
ouchmywi f
e.
Hidemyf amil
yf r
om anyevilthatwantstobef al
l
them.Dowhat everyoupleasewi t
hwhoevert hisi
s.
[
Iplacediti
nitsplaceandaskedGodt ofor
giveme
becausedoingthisisl
ikewitchcraf
t.Thenstepped
offt
hethrone]

El
der
:whatseemst
obet
hepr
obl
em?

Me:Iwanttogoseemywi f
e,If
eelt
hatsomethi
ng
wantstoatt
ackherandbei
nghereIcan'
tdo
anyt
hing.

Elder
:Weshoul dtr
ytocallt
heseerandfi
nda
perminantsol
uti
onsinceyouarenotpl
anningt
o
l
eaveyourduties.

Me:t
imeissomethi
ngIdon'
thave,
ifyoucando
somet
hingdoi
t.
#Mbal
enhl
e

Itsbeent oughwi thoutmyhusbandbutoursoni s

doingt hemost ,thepregnancyi sgr owingni cely.I
thinkIam put t
ingonsomewei ghtbecausemy
clothesar eabi ttight,t
hesadt hingi sthereisan
out br
eaksoIdon' thavetwomi nut esf orshoppi ng.I
havebeennot i
cingt hatIam receivinggi ft
st hatmy
husbanddoesn' tknowabout .AsIwasabout
headinghome, Inot i
cedsomeonewasf oll
owi ngme
i
nt hepar kinglot .Iopenedmybagandsear chedf or
myphonebutbef or
eIcouldfindi t
.If eltsomeone
grabme, Ibittheper son'sar
m andscr eamedas
l
oudasIcoul df orthesecuri
tyt ocomehel pme.
Theper sonjustpi ckedmeup.Theypl acedme
i
nsi deadel iveryvan.

Me:What
'st
hisabout
?

Guy:Youthi
nkyouareal
lthatdon'
tyou?Youthi
nk
youcanjustt
hreat
enourmothersl
ikeyouwantto
andnot
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappenr
ight
.

Me:Okay.[
Ikeptsil
entasthevanpassedsecur
it
y
andheadedfort
her oad.Myphonerangfr
om my
handbag.Iknewitwasmyhusband]

Guy2:I
tst
heKi
ng,
whatshoul
dwedo?

Guy:I
gnor
eit
,don'
tpi
cki
t.

Me:[thephonekeptr i
ngingandr i
nging,theni
t
stopped.WhatIsawnextIcoul dnotexpl aini
n
words.Lighteni
ngstrucktheGuywhowashol di
ng
me, t
hent heseatbegantoburn.Thedr iverst
opped.
Irushedoutsidewithmybag.Ir anasf astasmy
l
egscoul dcarryme.Irantowardst heshops,then
setbythesecur i
tyofthecomplextryingtocatch
mybr eath]
Complexsecur
it
y:Gett
hel
adysomewat
er,
areyou
okayMa'am.

Me:Iam adoct
orfrom Bl
uehi
ll
s,t
hosepeopl
e
abduct
edme.[Ical
ledmyhusband]Yet
hu.

Nkosi
:[pani
cked]whati
shappeni
ngovert
her
e?

Me:Someonej ustgr abbedmef rom behi

ndand
suddenl y, theyplacedmeonavanandwer e
compl ainingabouthowIputt heirmother
sinorder
,
theyf eltlikeIdisrespected.Thensuddenly
l
ighteni ngst rucktheguywhohel dmeandcaused
theseatwewer eseat i
ngont oburn.Theyare
comi ngt owardsmenow, Ishoul
dr un.

Nkosi
:St
andi
nyouraut
hor
it
yast
heQueen,
not
hing
i
sgoingt
ohappen.
Me:[Istoodupasfourf
ullf
igur
edmenr untowards
me,Ihungup.ThiswasveryscarybutIbel
ieve
Yet
hu, t
hatgavemeabitofbraver
y]

Guy2:Howdar
eyou?Don'
tmakemegr
abyou.

Compl
exsecur
it
y:[
reachi
ngf
ort
hepani
ckbut
ton]

Guy3:Don'
tyoudar
e!

Me:Iam goi ngnowher ewi t

hyou.[ theywal ked
towardsmeandl ight
eningst r
uckbet weenust oan
extendt hatthepavementsl itintotwopar ts.Oneof
theguy'sphoner angandt heyal lturnedaround,
thenleft.Ithoughtofmysonast hatmoment ,I
call
edt hepr incipaltocheckonmysonandIf ound
thathisinhi sext raclasses.Thatmademeset t
leda
bit
,IcalledReat ocomeandf etchme.Whenshe
arri
vedIwasal readysur r
oundedbyacr owdwhi ch
wasver yi nterestedinthest or
yt heywer ebei ngt ol
d
bythesecur
it
ylady.Igoti
ntot
hecarandwedr
ove
of
f]thanksf
orfet
chingme.

DoctorRea:Howdi
dyouendupher
e?Wher
eis
yourcar?

Me:Someonepaidmeaveryunki
ndvi
sitandoutof
angerjustj
umpedmeher
e.I
tsatt
hehospital
parki
nglot.

DoctorRea:Itsbeenawhi l
esincewe'vehadagi r
ls
nightout,wit
hthisoutbreakwebar el
yhavet i
meto
doanyt hi
ng.AnywayIneverhadt heti
mebutIwas
askedt ogotoMpi ndevill
age,thehospi
talwantsto
educatethepeoplethereaboutt hi
soutbreakand
howt heycanpr ot
ectthemselves,themoneywoul d
begr eatbutIdon'
tknowhowt ospeakzul uandI
am notaboutt oopenabookandl earnaboutit
.

Me:I
nter
est
ingsowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?Your
bossi
snotexact
lyki
ndt
oref
usal
s.

Doct
orRea:Icancoveryourof
fi
cewhi
leyoucover
t
hiswor
kshopt hi
ngforme.

Me:Soundsi
nter
esti
ngbutyouknowmysonhas
school
.Ir
eal
lywishIcoul
dhel
pseri
ousl
y.

DoctorRea:Pleasei
twillbedur
ingtheupcomi
ng
schoolhol
idayswhichbeginonfri
day.Pl
easeIwi
ll
oweyousomet hi
ngnice.

Me:Iwillspeaktomyf ami
lyandgetbackt oyou.
Tomorrowmor ni
ng.[shedrovemet othehospital
andIdrovemysel fhome.WhenIgott othehouse,
Yet
hu'ssisterhadcome.Hewassi t
tingwi t
hmy
sonwhowasdeepi nhomewor ks]Hello,don'
t
meantober udebutdoesmyhusbandknowyour
her
e?
Thobi
le:Iwashopi
ngwecoul
ddi
scusssomet
hing
i
mportantaboutt
hewoman'
smonththi
ng.

Me:Youhonestlyshouldhavecal
led.Yourbrother
i
snotgoingtotakeitl
ight
lyifhef
indsoutthatyou
ar
ehere.Justsendmeandemai l
,thenIwil
llook
i
ntoi
t.

Thobi
le:Youaresouni
nvi
ti
ngf
oraqueen.[
stands
upandleaves]

Me:[Ical
ledYet
hu]Yoursisterwashere,
Idon'
t
knowwhyshesai dsomethingaboutthewomen's
monthevent.

Nkosi
:Iwi
lldealwi
tht
hat
,ar
eyoupeopl
eokay?

Me:weareper
fectmylove.Reaaskedmefora
f
avour
,shehasaworkshopinMpindeVil
lage.She
woul
dli
kemet ogoonherbehal f.Idon'
tknow
wher
ethesocalledVil
lageisandIdon'tt
hinki
ts
somet
hingIshouldconsider
.

Nkosi:[
chuckl
es]I
tstwovill
agesfrom us,
itsaver
y
awfulpl
acebutifyouarethereIcanvisi
tyou
ever
ydaywhi l
eyouarethere.

Me:Whati
ftheKi
ngovert
her
ehasi
ssues?

Nkosi
:Ifyouacceptt
ocome,Iwi
llper
sonal
lygo
overt
hereandlevelt
hegr
ound.

Me:Levelt
hegr
ound?I
nter
est
ing.

Nkosi:thi
swoul dbebenef
icialbecauseInoti
ced
thatoursonhasl ot
sofhomewor ksthatexpl
aini
ng
overvideocall
sseemsf or
eign.What everyou
decide,Iwil
lsupport
.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t42

Wehadal ongtal
kandt het houghtofseei ngmy
personever ydaysoundedj ustamazi ng.Icooked
andweat e,thenIpreparedf orwork.Imadesur e
thatwear elockedupbef oregoi ngtosl eep.The
nextmor ning,Ipreparedmysonanddr oppedhim
offatschoolandpr oceededt owork.Wher eallt
he
doctorswer eont heirti
ptoes.Icoul dtellthe
i
nspect orsorinvestorshadcome.AsIcl ockedin,
mynamewascal l
edt othemanager '
sof fi
ce.Ididn'
t
knowwhatt oexpectbutIwentupt here.Myboss
wassittingwi t
hthei nvestorsandshar eholders.

Me:Yessi
r,youcal
ledf
orme?

Herboss:TakeaseatMsHl
ophe.

Me:[
Itookaseatandcoul
dnotr
elaxbecause
ever
yonewasst
ari
ngatme]

Invest
or:[
tosessomepaper
sather
]doyouknow
anythi
ngaboutthis?

Me:[Il
ookedatthepaper
swhi chwereover7
appl
icat
ionswhichYet
huhadmadef orustohave
ourownhealthcar
ecentr
e]Yes,Ido.TheKingtol
d
meaboutt hi
s.

HerBoss:Youdi
dn'
tbr
ingt
hist
oourat
tent
ionwhy?

Me:I tismyhusband'
sduti
etomaket hese
applicati
on,heist
heheadandIdon'tdoanythi
ng
unlesshegavemesuchor ders.I
ssuesoflandand
tr
ansf ormati
onarewhatheholdsdearandpersues
withhi sheart
.

I
nvest
or2:I
nter
est
ing,
Wewoul
dli
ket
hatyoumake
anapplicationinyourname,thesepastf
our
appli
cationswer edecl
inedbecauseyourKi
nghas
cri
minalr ecordandknowsnot hi
ngaboutmedical
procedure.Sowr it
eusapr oposalandemai
litt
othe
MedicalBoar d.

Sharehol
der
:Wear epersonal
lyinter
estedin
openingacl
ini
candhospi t
ali
nyourvi ll
age.Af
ter
doi
ngsomer esearchwediscoveredthatyour
vi
ll
agehasagr eatacr
eoflandandyourpeopl ecan
aff
ordtohaveapr i
vat
ehospitalaround.

Me:Inot
ethatsi
r,Iwi
llper
sonal
lywr
it
ethe
pr
oposalandemaili
tsoonasIcan.

Shar
eholder2:NotsoonasyoucandoctorEnhle,
Tomorr
owmor ni
ng.Itshoul
dalr
eadybeavai
lable.
Youmaygobackt oyourduti
es.

Me:t
hankyousi
r.[
Ist
oodupnotknowi
nghowIam
evengoingtost
art
.Iwentt
omyof
fi
ceandcal
led
Yethu]Babe.

Nkosi
:What
'
sonyourmi
nd?

Me:Wedon'
tqual
if
yforapubl
icmedi
calcent
rebut
wequal
if
yforapr
ivat
eone.

Nkosi
:Wel
lthat
sgr
eatnewsbabehowdoesone
appl
y?

Me:Myhospi t
almanagementi si
nterested,t
hey
wouldlikeformetomaket heapplicati
oni nmy
name.Theysai dIshouldwri
teapr oposalandI
don'tevenknowwhati sthat
,thedeadlineis
tomorrow.Thiscoul
dbeourbestshotIdon' twant
toruinit
.
Nkosi
:Don'
twor
rybabe,
wewilldraf
titt
oget
her
.I
wil
lfi
ndawaytocomeovert
onight.
Me:[
tear
sst
reameddownatt
het
hought
]your
comi
ng?

Nkosi
:Iwilldomybesttocomether
e,t
hisisver
y
i
mportant.LetmeseewhatIcandoandplease
st
opcrying,Idon'
tli
kei
t.

Me:it
sjustthat
,yourbei
ngsoki
nd.Af
terwhat
happened,Ij
ustneedahug.

Nkosi:Il
oveyoubaby, t
hereisnot
hingIcannotdo
foryou.Imightnotbewithyouphysical
lybutyou
carrymyheart.Whereveryouare,
Iam ri
ghtthere
withyou.

Me:Yourmakingitsoundl
ikeyouaredyi
ng,
anywaycan'
twaittoseeyou.Letmegetwor
king
befor
eIgetf
ir
ed.
Nkosi
:Il
oveyousomuch.

Me:Ireall
yappreci
atet
heriskyouar
egoingtotake
comingtoseeme, Loveyoubye.[
Iendedthecal
l
andattendedt
owor k.
]

#Nkosi
yet
hu

Hear i
ngt hatt heMedi calcentr ecouldjustbe
possiblef el
tlikeIneededt ojustdancebutwel l
l
eavingt hevi llageisanot herissue.Ispoket othe
EldersthatIam goi ngt oseemywi febecausewel l
i
tscol dout sideandamanshoul dbewar med.They
tri
edtoar guebutf ailedbecauseIam notaboutt hat
l
ife.Theysai dal lsortsoft hi
ngs, si
tt
ingont his
throneisal readypai nf ul.Icannotevenst artto
explainhowmuch.Thet houghtofseei ngmywi f
e
tookcent ret oanyt hinganyonecoul dsay.Ipacked
somecl ot hes, thenl eftthebagbecauseIknewI
hadclot
heswhereIam goi
ng.Ist
artedmyengine
anddroveout
.WhenIgottotheboundary,t
he
smokeandnonsensehappened.I
tjustcl
oudedmy
caranddeadpeopl
esetinmycar.

Elderghost
:wherear
eyougoi
ng?Youwer
etol
dnot
toleaveorel
s..
..
.

Me:Hayiyoh!Whatam Iaslave?Youpl acedmeon

ther
uli
ngchairyetyouwanttocalltheshot s,not
anymore.Youtr
ustedmeenought ogi vemet hi
s
posi
ti
onsot r
ustmeenought oguidet hepeopl ei
n
ther
ightways.Pl
easestayinyourgr aves,stop
wonderi
ngaroundtheeart
hf oryourselfishdesir
es.

Hisgr
andf
ather:Thi
swomani
sgi
vingyougut
sto
spi
tonourfaces.

Me:Mywif
eisdoi
ngnot
hing,yout
ookmylif
efrom
mewit
hthi
syourst
upi
dthronewhichyouwon'
t
evenl etmehavepeacef or.Ifyoupeopl ewer enot
sof ocusedonmaki ngmyl ifeal ivinghel lyou'd
actuallyseet hatIam goingbecauseIwantt omake
abet terfut ur
ef orourpeopl e.[Idon' tknowwhenor
howbutwegoti nt
oaphysi calf i
ghtt hatleftmy
facedi sfigured]Takeyourst upidt hroneIdon' tcare.
[myheadwashur t
ingsobad, Inot icedasIwas
passingoutbl ueandr edli
ght swhi chl ookedlike
police.Af teraboutanhourorso, Iwokeupi n
hospi talnextt otheKi ngmaker s]Iam done, thisis
i
t.Iwoul dr at
herbedeadt hanmi serable.Takeyour
stupidt hrone, Idon'tneedit.Iwoul dr atherbei n
prisont hanbeher e.

Elder:
Youdon'tmeanthatmyKi
ng,
Iwar
nedyou
thatyoushoul
dn'tl
eave.
Me:[Itorethedr i
psoff,Ir
eachedformywal let]Iam
notcutoutf orthi
snonsense.[Ili
mpedoutoft here
withmyheadf eeli
ngbanged.Iwal kedtot
her ank
andent eredataxi.Thedri
verdroppedmer ightin
themi ddleofthecityanditwasnowatni ghtso, I
couldn'tgetataxitomywi fe'
splace.Iwal
kedt othe
poli
cest
ati
on,whenIar
ri
vedtheythoughtIwasa
crazyman]Canyoupl
easecontactmywifeto
comeandf et
chme?

Poli
ceof
fi
cer
:Youl
ooklikeamess,
doyoueven
haveawif
e?[t
heyl
augh]what
'st
henumber
?

Me:[Ipunchedinhernumberandshepi
cked]Iam
att
heCBDPol icestat
ion.

Enhl
e:OhmyGod,
areyouokaybaby?I
'
mther
ein
twominut
es.

Pol
iceof
fi
cer:Wellwhatdoyouknow?Heactual
ly
hasawif
e.[cutsthei
rcal
l]mustbesomedr
unkard
wit
hapuzaf aceandredeyes.

Me:I
'
llwai
tout
side.
Poli
ceoffi
cer
:Ohno,seatr
ighther
e.Icer
tai
nlywant
toseewhatkindofawomanwoul dmarryafail
-pop
l
ikeyou.Takeaseat
.

Enhl
e:[
walksi
nfol
lowedbyNkanyi
so,
emot
ional
]
Nkanyi
sogett
hefi
rstai
dki
t.

Me:I
'
mti
red.

Enhl
e:Saynomor
e,i
tsokaybaby.Iam gl
adt
ohave
youhome.

Nkanyi
so:[
comesbackwi
tht
heki
t]whathappened
t
oyoupapa.

Me:Longst
oryson.I
tsbeenawhi
le.Howar
eyou?

Nkanyi
so:I
'
mfi
ne.
Enhle:[
nurseshisfaceandwipest
hedr
iedblood,
thenhelpshim up]Thankyousomuchoff
icers.

Poli
ceoff
icer
:[shocked]howi
sthi
smanyour
husband?

Enhle:[chuckl
es]Ifthereisanypaperwor k,please
emai li
ttomyof fi
ce.Iam doct orEnhlefrom Bl ue
hil
lshospital
.Anothert hi
ng,Idon'tappreciateyou
degradingandmor ckingmyhusband.Forci vil
serventsyoucer t
ainlybehavelikeuntaughtpeopl e.
Nextt i
meconsi deryourage.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t43

Thewhol estati
onstoodsti
llandsorryf
aceswer e
seen.Wedr ovehomei narentalcar
.Sheexplained
thathercarjustref
usedtostartsothedeal
ership
tookiti
n.Thei nsur
ancei
swai tingf
orareport
befor
egi vingheranot herone.Wewor kedt hrough
theproposalbef oreherpai nki ll
ers, mur deredme.I
hadoneamazi ngsleep,whichIhaven' thadi ndays.
Thenextday, Iwokeup.Shehel pedmebat hand
usedsomecr eam onmyf aceandi tmadet hepai ns
tobetolerant .Shei ssetforwor kshopsoIneeded
togolevelt hegr oundf orher .Shemademef our
dif
fer
entl unchboxes, manIsur elyf eltloved.She
accompani edmet otheairpor taf terwedr oppedour
sonatschool .Get t
ingont hef l
ightwaspai nful,
it
fel
tli
keaver yshor ttimetoget her.30mi nslater,
I
l
andedi nt henextvi ll
ageandt ookat axit omy
house.TheEl dershadcome, all4oft hem.Iwent
i
ntothehouseandGumedehel pedmewi t
hmy
bags.Whi chwer ejustfood, Iimmedi atelywar med
somethingandat e.

El
der:Thelat
ekingsarenothappywi
thyou,
what
happenedyester
day.

Me:Ihopet
heyt
oldyout
hatt
heyvi
olat
edmeand
mycar
.

El
der2:Youcan'
tkeepbehavi
ngl
ikeaboyi
fyour
goi
ngtobeking.

Me:Itsnosecrett
hatIwanttostepdown, i
magine
todayIwokeupear l
yjustt
ocomebackt othi
shell
holewhenIshouldhavejustspenttheenti
reday
l
ookingintomywife'
sbeautif
uleyes.Pleasehel
p
mei fyoucan,
Iwouldlovetostepdown.

Elder3:Idon'tunderst
andwhyyouwantt ostep
down, itscl
earthatyoulovethi
svill
ageandyou
tr
eatt hesepeopleli
ketheyareroyali
ty,
youhave
upli
ftedeveryoneinjusttheshortspaceoft
ime.

Me:Inallthi
snoonecaredtoaski
fIam f
ineornot
.
Forthefi
rstti
meIwanttobehappyli
keImakeall
thepeopleyoujustment
ioned.
El
der:Wecannotbr
ingyourwif
ehereagai
nsther
wi
llbesi
desshehasli
vedintheci
tyal
lheradul
tli
fe.

Me:Everconsideredt hatmaybeIdon' twantf orher

tocomeher e?Evert houghtt hatmaybeIwantt o
l
iveinthecityandt eachmysonf ootbal lf
ora
change?[asIwast alking,itwasget t
ingcl oudy
outsi
deandst art
ingt or ainviolently]
Whenyousee
yourself
ishlat
eki ngst ellthem iftheywon' tletme
rul
ethewayIwantt hent heycant aket heirthrone
andkeepi t
.Idon'tneedi t
.

Hi
sgrandf
ather:[
appear
swi
thot
herki
ngsi
nanger
]
Howdareyou!?

MrGumede:Soyoucanj ustki
llmysonbecauseof
yourselfi
shdesire'sBaba?Haveyouconsi der
edhis
pointforonesecond?Hecoul dhavediedwhenyou
ranhim offthebridge.Inf
actyouknowwhatIam
banishingyoufrom anymemberofmyf amil
y,
[t
hrowsawhi t
esubst anceonthefloorandthehi
s
mot
herappear
s]Speakt
ohi
m becauseIam f
ail
ing.

Me:[mygrandmotherneh,themostbeaut i
ful
womaneveni ndeath.Shehadahear tofGol d,
seei
ngherwasabi temotionalf
orme, Idecidedto
notf
aceher]Iam ti
redMma, inf
actIam exhust ed.

Hisgr andmot her:YouknowIwasj ustenj oyingmy

restinthenextwor ldbutnoyouhadt obot herme
Mandl a!Itsnotourf aultt
hatyouwer ear ebel l
ious
kingwhocoul dnotkeephi spant sup, t
hiswhol e
banishmentf r
om goi ngoutoft hisvi l
lagewas
becauseofyou.Nkosihasdonebet terthanal lofus
puttoget her ,t
heseki dsaret r
yingt obal ancei nlif
e,
stopinterr uptingthem.Thepeopl eneedwhathe
goesoutt her etobring.IreleaseyouNkosi yethu,
youmayl eavet hevill
ageatanygi vent imeasl ong
asyoudon' tforgetyourdut i
esasaki ng.Iam done
here,Ineedt or estnow.St opwor ryingaboutt he
baby, shei sgoi ngtohaveasaf edel i
veryandyour
daught erwi llbebor nveryheal t
hy.[ disappear s]
Me:[theelder
swereont
hefloorafr
aidt
of acethe
ghosts.Thelat
eki
ngsdi
sappearedinsi
lence]wel
l
theyaregonenow.Youmayr i
se.

El
der
:whathappened?

Paul
ine:[
comesfrom t
hecorr
idori
nsli
pper
sanda
gown]It
srai
ningbabe,youmustb.
..
.

Me:[ thiswasahugeshock, t
hehousehel perwas
upgr adedtomi st r
ess.Ididn'
tcommentont he
mat ter.Iwarmedmor efoodandat eindisbeli
eve.
Mypoormot hershames, i
tstoosoon]Ihavet o
traveltotheMpi ndeVill
age,t
oaskf ort
hem t o
accommodat emywi f
e.Mycari sawr i
teoff,when
youneedt otravelIwilll
eavet hekeystot he
remai ningcar.[Iwenttomychamber sandsawmy
mot hercomi ngi nfrom thegate.Iexpectedabomb.
Irusheddownt omeetherandf oundhersi tti
ngon
t
hecouchlooki
ngsupergor
geous.
]Mamami
,
what
'sup?

MrsGumede:Ihear
daboutt
heacci
dent,sor
ryman.
ButIcametof
indouti
fwecaninvi
tethedoct
or'
s
workshopwhi
chisgoi
ngtoMpindetocomehere
next
?

Me:Idon'
tknowaboutt
hatbutmywi
fei
sheadi
ng
t
hatworkshop.

MrsGumede:Halal
aaanextqueenongear
,Il
ikei
t.
Soissheconsi
deri
ngbri
ngithere?

Me:No,Ihadtoleaveyester
dayandgot otheCity.
Sheissetonbri
ngusamedi calcent
re,alt
houghi t
s
goi
ngtobeprivate.I
twil
loff
erallsurgeri
esandwi ll
employasmanyofourpeopl easpossi bl
e.Right
nowwear ewaiti
ngfortheapprovalofthefinances.
MrsGumede:I
twoul
dbegr
eatt
ogi
vebi
rt
hathome
f
orachange.

Me:Yeah,Iam surethewomenar egoi

ngtoenj
oyit
much.Sheaskedt hatIgiveasmuchsuppor
twit
h
t
ermsofland.Iwast hinki
ngweshoulduset
heland
i
nthecentreofthevil
lage.

MrsGumede:It
snotbigenough,Ithi
nkyoucanuse
t
helandyougavemef ort
hebeautyspa.Thatway
i
tscl
osertot
heroadforal
ltoreach.

Me:t
hat
sahugepl
edgeMma,
areyousur
e?

Mr sGumede:Itwouldgivemegr eatj
oy,mostof
ourwomancoul dusj obsandthetaxi'
swil
lgetto
expandandlocalbusinessaroundwillr
eall
ybenefi
t.
Plusmynamewi l
lbeont hevoteofthanksboard
foral
ltosee.I
twillbegreat
.
Me:Ihopeyouar
enotgi
vinguponyourdr
eam.

MrsGumede:I'
m 43andpregnant
,Iwantt
omake
thi
ngseasi
erf
ormyself
.Ift
hehospit
ali
sther
e,Iwi
ll
beablet
owalk.

Me:Don'tt
ellmethatyouar
ewal
king,
what
happenedtoyourcar?

MrsGumede:Can'taffordtopayforitso,Iam
sel
li
ngittogetsomethingIcanafford.Plust
he
moneyIgotfrom sel
li
ngt hehousegavemeal otof
change.Thenewhousei slessexpensiveand
comfort
able.

Me:Don'
tsellyourcarMma, youl
ovet
hatcarmor
e
t
hananythi
ng.Iwi l
lspe.
..
..

Mr
sGumede:Leti
tgo,
don'
twor
ryIwi
llbuy
somet
hingf
ormysel
fdon'
twor
ry.

Me:thechangeyouar
emaki
ngisstar
ti
ngt
oscar
e
me,areyouokayMma?Thi
sisnotyou.

MrsGumede:[st
andsupandtakesoffherj
acket,
goest
othefr
idge]somet
hingsmell
sniceinhere,
whati
sit
?

Me:[Icoul
dn'
tbeli
evethatIwasseeingababy
bump, i
tst
oppedmeonmyt racksbutmymot heris
notonewholikestoshareaboutherpri
vateli
fe.
Shemadeacheeseandham sandwi chandatewi t
h
j
uice.
]Youshouldsendmeyournewaddr ess.

MrGumede:Isthiswhyyoujustall
owedmetokeep
al
ltheasset
sinthedi
vorcesett
lement
?Ist
hisbaby
mine?
MrsGumede:Ever yt
hingwasyour sinthefi
rstplace,
Icamei ntoyourhousewi thnothi
ngsoIdeser veto
l
eavewi thnothi
ng.Iwi l
ltextyouwhenIgettomy
house,nana.Letmego.[ wear sherj
acketandt akes
herhandbag, l
eaves]

Pauli
ne:t
hereisnowayt hatthi
soneisyours.I
meanshel ooksli
kesheisfivemont
hsin,you've
notbeensharingthesamebedroom i
nalmostone
year
.

MrGumede:[
sil
ent
lyt
akesaseat
]

Me:Youknowawf ul
lyalotaboutmypar
ent
's
l
ovel
if
e,Iam sonothir
ingahousehel
p.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t44

Thenextf
ewdaysIspentr
ecover
ingduet
oher
cream.Itjustknockedmebackf astert hanI
expected,Paul i
neIt hinkismyf ather'sgi rlfriendbut
mymot her'
spr egnancyhaspl acedever yt hingi na
mot i
onwhi chi sconf usingt hem bot h.Iwentt osee
mymot herandshel iteral
lyboughtat hreebedr oom,
kit
chenandl i
vingspace.I tsaver ysmal lhousef or
themot herIknow.Inot i
cedt hatever ythingt hat
remindedherofmydadwasnotpr esent .Theonl y
thi
ngl ef
twast heringwhi chwasst illonherf inger.
Shehadmadeani cedecor ationofpi ctur esofus
growinguponherwal ls.Mypi cturewast her e,i
t
wassomet hingIam notusedt o.AsIwasl ooki ng
aroundIcameacr ossabi blewhi chf el twei rdand
shewascooki ngf orthef i
r sttimei nyear s.Nor mal
foodnotsomemagezi nest uf
f, di
vorcehast ur ned
thetablestraight.

Me:Icametotellyouthatt
hehospi
talpeopl
ewil
l
beheret
omorrowt oseeus.Theywouldli
keto
meetyouinpersonforsomepaperwork.
Mr
sGumede:f i
nall
ydoi
ngsomet
hingmeani
ngf
ul.I
wi
llber
ightt
here.

Me:I
twi
llbeashor
tmeeti
ngbecausemywifei
s
l
andi
ngheret
omorrow,
togotoMpindeVi
ll
age.

Mr sGumede:[chuckles]It
stheonl yreasonwhyyou
aresocheerful
,mysi stercameher etheotherday
tolaughaboutthedivorcethingandIdi dn'tknow
whatwasmor epainfultobedivorcedwi t
hset t
led
kidsorhavi
ngat rainofkidswhilelivi
nginyour
parent'
shouse.

Me:Iknowi
tsnoneofmybusi
nessbutwho'
sthe
f
ather
?

Mr sGumede:Ihavemademanymi stakesinthe
past,mainl
ybecauseyourfatherwasbarely
presentinourmarr
iage.Therewasalways
somet hi
ngforhi
mt oattendandoutofloneli
nessI
foundmyselfi
nt hear
msofanot hermen.Aft
erthe
birt
hofNtando,yourf
athergotinjuredandcome
home.Thatwast hebestti
mei nmymar ri
age
becauseheactuall
yhadplentyoft i
mef ormeand
thatswhenIgaveupt heaff
air
.IaskedGodt o
forgi
veme.Iknewt hi
swouldcomeoutonewayor
another
.

Me:I
sthatwhyyouj
usthat
edme?

MrsGumede:Youar eanexactr epli

caofyour
fat
her,seeingyoufeltli
kepour i
ngsal tonawound.
It
shardt oloveyourchildr
enwhent heirfat
heris
fai
li
ngtol oveyouatt i
mes.Iam gl adIgaveyou
hatebecauseyout urnedoutt obet hegoldenegg.
Yourbrotherandsisterarejustpushover s,t
heyare
dependantf orever
ythi
ng.Whenyoust art
edbri
ng
usbraaipackat15.youar eabor nhustler
.

Me:Whydi
dn'
tanyoneat
leastwar
nmeabout
Nal
edi
?
MrsGumede:From themomentIhel
dyou,
You
weremybaby.Bloodornot
,youaremygol
denegg.

Me:[
chuckl
es]Sot
hebabyi
sGumede'
s?

Mr sGumede:Idon'twanttoevenment i
ont he
pregnancy,
Iwast oldt
hatIam ahi
ghr iskandatmy
agebonesar enotreal
lyascomfor
table.IfIdiei
n
thereensur
eyoursibli
ngsareinanicechi l
dren'
s
home.

Me:Youar
est
rongert
hanyousound.

MrsGumede:Pl
easedon'tment
ionthi
stoanyone
buti
tsGumede'
s,Idon'
twanthi
mt ost.
..
..
MrGumede:technicall
yyourst
il
lmywi feunt
ilt
he
j
udgegrantst
hedecr eeandIhavearighttoknow
Thenj
iwe.Whydidn'tyoutel
lme?Icouldn'
t
under
standwhyyouwoul
dcheatonmebecauseI
di
deverythi
ngf
oryou.

MrsGumede:Nkosit
akeyourfatherandpl
ease
l
eavemyhouse.Iwouldl
iket
ot akeanapnow.

Me:[Istoodupandgent lypushedmydadoutt he
door,Ishutthedoor]Yournothel
pingmatter
s,she
doesn'tneedtostr
essr i
ghtnow.Sheneedstobe
happy.Nott hi
nki
ngaboutyourdivorce,
givemy
motherabr eaktobounceback.

MrGumede:Butsheshoul
dhavet
oldmesot
hatI
getsomesor
tofclosur
e.

Me:cl
osur e?Whichone?Youspentyouryouthin
theminesandr unningaft
eryourfat
her'
sthr
one,di
d
youoncethinkaboutmymot her
?Whi l
eyouwere
awayhavingfun, shewashomet ryi
ngtoensur
ewe
areal
lfed.Let
'sleaveplease,
wehaveaver y
i
mpor
tantmeet
ingt
omor
rowandIneedherheal
thy.

MrGumede:[t
earsformi
ng,
knocksonthedoor]I
'm
sorr
yThenj
iwe,Ir
eali
zet
hatIcausedt
hiswhole
thi
ng.I
'
m sorr
y,pl
easedon'
tstr
essaboutusel
ess
thi
ngs.

Me:[wegoti
nsidethecarandhelookedoutt
he
windowthewholeway.Whenwegott omyhouse,
Pauli
nehadcooked.]smel
lsgr
eatli
kedesser
t.

Pauli
ne:Youdon'tl
ookokayBaba, youmustbe
ti
red.Anywayyourlawyerwashere,thedivorce
courtdat
eisnextweekmondayf orthefinaldecree.

MrGumede:31year
sofmar
ri
aget
omor
rowa.
..
..

Pauli
ne:t
heset
hingshappenBaba,
itsgoi
ngt
oget
bet
ter.
MrGumede:Pl easegobackt
oyourhouse,
the
queenisar
ri
vingsoonandshoul
dnotmeetyou
here.

Paul
ine:sheshoul
dknowwhohernewmot
heri
n
l
awis,Iwillbemuchni
cert
oher
.

Me:Paisri
ght,theonet hi
ngmywi fehat
esmor e
thati
nfi
del
it
yismi str
esses.Don'
tbetheonlythi
ng
shetal
ksaboutont henextwoman' smeeti
ng.You
canseeyourloveranywherejustnoti
nsi
demy
house.

Paul
ine:Gowi
thme,
itwi
llbeani
cehol
iday.

MrGumede:Ineedtogospeaktomybrother
s
aboutdemandi
ngforThenj
iwe'
sbr
idepr
ice,we
spokeaboutt
hisr
emember?
Paul
ine:Oh,[goestot
heroom andt
akesherbags]
canyouatleastdropmeoff?

MrGumede:Idon'
thaveacarasyouknow,
Ican'
t
dr
iveundert
heemoti
ons.

Paul
ine:Youcomebackbeggi
ngIknownx.[
leaves
i
nanger ]

Me:Youwil
lnotgoandcoll
ectmymother
'sbr
ide
pr
ice,
shegaveyouachil
dwhi chi
sme.Don'
ttr
yit.
Icleanedmyhouseandpl acedt hekitchen
mat erial
sexactl
yhowmywi felikesthem.Ican' t
believePaulinewasamendi ngmyhousel ikethis
andnowIhavet opickupafterher.It
ssobor ing.
WhenIf ini
shed,Iwassotir
edt hatIpassedout
missi ngexactl
y29cal l
sfr
om mywi fe.Thatbroke
myhear t,whenIfi
nall
ywokeup.AsIsetup, Iheard
theshowergoi ngandsomeoner unni
ngar ound.I
wentint
otheshowerandshecameoutwi
tht
his
r
efreshi
ngsmil
e.

Enhle:Youwer esopeacefuli
nyoursleepIhadt
o
checki fyouwer esti
llbr
eathi
ng.Ilef
tmybagsat
theairport.Theyarewayt ooheavy.

Me:Iwi l
lgofetchthem,[
wesharedaki ssandi tfel
t
l
ikethemostwonder f
ult
hingonecouldever
i
magi ne.ThenIpickedupanddrovetot heairpor
t,
fet
chedherst uff
.ThendrovetoMpindeVi l
lage.AsI
approachedthepalaceInoti
cedawomanwhowas
toohappyt oseeme, i
twaspainf
ultowat ch.Then
theKingofMpi ndecamet omeetme.]Hellosir.

KingBhebhe:Gr eet
ings,
Ithoughtmaybeyouhad
forgot
tenthatyoumadear r
angement
stomeet.
Whatbr i
ngsyout omyki ngdom?

Me:Theheal
thwor
kshopwhi
chi
scomi
ngher
e.
KingBhebhe:whyareal
lofyouvultur
es?Youcan't
baretoseeussucceedi
ng.Wear enotshar
ingor
recommendinganyoneespeci
all
ynotyourKingdom.

Me:Idi dn'tcomeher et oaskf oranyt hingbuttotry

mendt hebr i
dgest hatmygr andf atherbr okebutI
seemyvi sitiscertainlynotwel comed.Iwi l
lhave
youknowsi r
,thatmywi f
ewi l
lbeheadi ngyour
wor kshopandIt houghtIcoul daskf oryout o
accommodat eherbutcl ear
lywear enotont he
samepage.Ibestbel eavi
ng,itsbestshecomes
homef rom everywor kshop.Thanksf oreveryt
hing,
enjoyt herestofyourday.[ Igoti nsidemycarand
startedtheengi net hismandoesn' tknowme, not
wheni tcomest omywi fe.I
fahai ronherski nis
touched, t
heywi l
lknowt hatprisoncoul dbemy
secondhome.Idr oveoutashei nstructedthe
guar dtonotl etmebutIwasdonewi tht hi
s
conver sat
ionso, Idr ovebackt omypl ace.The
aromametmeatt hegat e,t
hisi swhyIl ovemywi fe.
Ioffloadedherbagsandwenti nsi dewi ththem]I
mi
ssedt
hissmel
l.

Enhl
e:whoseunder
weari
sonmyl
ine?Car
eto
expl
ain?

Me:Yourf
ather
'sgi
rl
fr
iendwasher
e.

Enhle:Youbet
terbet
ell
ingmethet
rut
hmyki ng
otherwisemeandyouaregoi
ngtohaveser
ious
probl.
..
...

Pauli
ne:[
enterswit
hhersui
tcases]Idon'thavebus
money,Gumede.Wher edi
dyougett hat?[takest
he
underwear
]itsR300.

MrGumede:[
demoral
ised,
takesoutR500and
gi
vesher
]sor
ryIf
orgot.
@Ri
pped_
love
#I
nser
t45

Thenextmor ningcamever ysoon, Ihad

homewor kstogett obutIopt edthatIshoul d
personallygodr opof fmywi fesinceshehasbeen
excusedf rom t hemeet i
ng.Isentmymot herat ext
thatIam t aki
ngmywi fesomewher e.Iwokeupand
enjoyedbat hingwi t
hmywi febecauseitsbeent oo
l
ong.I tdoesn' tleavemymi ndbutIdon' tknowhow
totellherthatIwantust obepr operl
ymar r
ied
l
egal l
y.Aftert helasttimewehadaweddi ng,Iam a
bitscaredt oevengot hereconsideri
ngthatshe
wear sherengagementr i
ngonherneckl ace.Itsa
seriouspinchf orittobet herebutIcomf ortmyself
tosayt hatitsonheratal lt
imessoIshoul dbe
happy.Af terwar dsIdr ovehertoMpi ndeandt he
King,Queen, Pr incessandPr i
ncewer ewai t
ing
patientl
y.

Me:Wecomeacr
ossasvul
tur
est
othi
speopl
eso
pl
easebeext
racar
eful
,Ibegyouonmyknees.

Enhl
e:Youar
etooli
ter
al,
Iwon'
tdisappoi
ntyou.
Nowgivemeakissandletmegettowork.

Me:Don'tdot hat
,yourtoosexy.[weshar edakiss
andIgotof f
,openedthedoorf orherandcarried
herhandbagaswewal kedtowar dsthetentwhich
wasalreadypackedwi t
hpeopl e.
]Greeti
ngs,Royal
famil
y.[theyjustr
emainedsilent]Baby,Iwil
lbe
heretofetchyouaroundfiveisthatokay?

Enhl
e:RoastthebeefthewayIli
keitandpleaseget
methegingersnackpacks,Isur
viveonthose
pl
ease.Around6pm it
sgoingtobeperfect
.

Me:[Iki
ssedherf or
eheadyetagainandgaveher
thebag]Iloveyoumor et
hananything.[
Igoti nsi
de
mycarandwat chedherwal
kingintothetent.I
droveoffanddiscover
edaroadbl ockspeciall
y
madebyt heroyalfamil
y'scar
s.I
tboredme
shames.Thekingwal kedoutofhiscarandhi
s
guardopenedforhimt ocomeinsidemine.
]what'
s
thi
sabout?Ijustcamet odropoffmywifeandIam
outofyourhair
.

KingBhebhe:Ihopesheknowswhatshe'
sdoi
ng
consi
deri
ngthatshedoesn'
thavemuchexper
ience.

Me:Wel lconsi
der
ingthatshei
stheonl
yperson
whoiswi ll
ingt
ocomedownher eandgiveher
preci
oust i
meforfree,
youshoul
dbegratef
uldon'
t
youthink?

KingBhebhe:Gr
atef
ulf
orwhat
?Thatyour
i
nexperi
encedwifei
sheret
oprobabl
yki
llmy
peopl
e.

Me:Excusemebutmywi f
ewentthr
ough7yearsof
educat
ion,
whathasyourwif
edoneapar
tfr
om give
youki
ds?

Ki
ngBhebhe:Idi
dn'
tli
ket
hewayyoul eftyest
erday,
doyoual
waysgoaroundunaccompanied?

Me:Ihaveaguar dwhoi sonwat ch48hour s,

He
knowswher eIam atandwat chesmyent i
re
famil
y'severymove.Evennowasyouar etryi
ngto
pokeaf i
ghtoutofme, heisli
steningandknows
yourdeepestsecr
etswhi chnotevenIcaretoknow
about.Soifyoudon'tmindsir,
mysonhas
homewor ksheneedsmet oassistwit
h.Iwouldl
ike
togettoit.

KingBhebhe:Yourwi
febet
terbecar
efulnott
o
harm mypeople.

Me:Thankyousir
.Pl
easecl
earthewaysoIcan
l
eave.[
hegotoffmycarpi
ssedoffwhil
eIcal
mly
smil
ed.TheymadewayandIproceededtomy
vil
lage.Ifoundmymot heralr
eadypi nchingandjust
joi
nedi n.mymot herisveryeducat ed, somypi t
ch
shecoul dunderstandandpr esentitt entimes
better.Shelookedli
keshewashavi ngf un,t
he
boar dwasnoddi ngheadsi nsmiles.Af ter1hour,
theyjustapprovedusandweaccompani edthem to
wher etheirj
etcouldgetthem.Aswedr oveback,
mymot herwasawf ull
ysilent]what'sonyourmi nd?

MrsGumede:theyoffer
edmeaj obasafinanci
al
advi
cer,i
tssoexci
ti
ngandthesalar
yisquiet
amazing.

Me:But
?

MrsGumede:movingtoanothercount
ryi
sahuge
deci
sion.Doyout
hinkyourf
atherwil
lagr
ee?

Me:Youpeopl
ear
edi
vor
ced,
hedoesn'
thavea
choi
ce.
MrsGumede:Yourr
ight
,it
sjustt
hatIam usedt
o
bei
ngsecondedbyhim.

Me:wellIyourson,
secondyou.Iwil
lmakesur
e
youar
epr operl
yset
tledt
hatsi
deifyoudeci
detogo.

Mr
sGumede:Thanks.

Me:[
Idroveherhomeanddr
oppedherof
f.Then
dr
ovetothehousetof
indmyfat
herdi
sor
ganised.
]
Gumedethesingl
eman.What
'swit
hyou?

MrGumede:Thenj
iewecan'
tjustupandl
eave,
I
meant
oanothercount
ry?

Me:Yougaveupt
hoser
ight
swhenyouaskedf
or
di
vorce.
MrGumede:havi
ngababychangest
hings.

Me:letmymot hergo,
letherspreadherwingsand
fl
y.Sheneedsitconsi
deri
ngever yt
hingt
hatyouput
eachothert
hrough.Stopherandyouwi l
lhaveme
tocontendwit
h.Giveherabreak.

#Mbal
enhl
e

Goingt oMpi ndesoundedl i

keawonder fuli
dea
consideringt heyneedt heworkshopandwel lIwill
beclosert ohomebutassoonasmyhusbandgo
offsi
tet hepeopl ether
ewerejustt r
eatingmel i
ke
anuneducat edper son.Theydidn'tgi
vemeone
secondpr obablybecauseoft heirqueenwho
questionedmyever ymove.Litt
ledot heyknowt hat
Iwasr ecor di
ngt hewhol esession.Theycompl etel
y
misbehavedt alkedduringmypr esentationandI
almostcr iedatt hewayIwasbei ngtreated.Aft
er
thefi
rstpr
esent
ation,
Isentmybossanemailt
hatI
am notdoi
ngthis.Afewmi nut
esi
n,Ij
ustl
ostmy
suit
.

Me:I
FYOUWERENOTSUCHBARBARI CPEOPLE
YOU'
DACTUALLYHAVESOMETHI NGHERE!YOU
DON'TEVENHAVEASHOPPI NGCENTRE,YOU
AREHEREDYINGINPOVERTYBECAUSEOFYOUR
ATTI
TUDETOWARDSPEOPLE.NOBODYWANTS
TOTOUCHYOURVI LLAGE,
EVERYVILLAGEIS
MOVINGUPBUTYOUARESTI LLTHESAME.ARE
YOUNOTTIREDOFTHEPOVERTY,
UNEMPLOYMENTTHATYOUBUSYYOURSELVES
WITHGOSSIPALLDAY.

QueenSombu:Howdar
eyou!I
nexper
iencedt
hing
i
nsultmypeopl
e.

Me:Howdar eyou!Youcallmeinexper
iencedyet
youhaveneveraccompl
ishedanythi
nginyour
ent
ir
elif
e,l
ist
enIwenttoschoolandearnedthi
s
degree.Ineversether ewaiti
ngf orsomeonet o
mar r
ymeandmakemeababymaki ngmachi ne.In
myaut hori
tyast heQueen, Iam ashamedt hatwe
havewomenl ikeyouinsoci ety.Tobegi vent he
sameposi ti
onasyoushoul dbeadi sgrace.So
pleaseli
keaseatandl ist
ent owhat everIam about
toteachyoubecauseyoucanbesur ethatIwi l
l
probablybethel astpersonbet weenyouanddeat h.
[t
her oom wentdeadsi lent
,Icont i
nuedwi thmy
otherpresentati
onsandwhenIwasdone, Igave
them thebooklets.Packedupandcal l
edmy
husbandt ocomef et
chme.Ist oodout si
det hetent]

PrinceKhetha:Nobodyhasevergi
venthem that
viewbefore,wehaveacoffeest
ati
onbehindthe
tentandI'
dliketocomedinewit
husthisevening.

Me:Not
hanks.

Pr
incessLi
nda:sowhenar
eyoupeopleget
ti
ng
marri
edvel
e?Imeanyouareal
readypar
adi
ng
your
sel
fasqueenl
ikehemar
ri
edyou.

Me:Howni ce, i
fyourbr idepricehadbeenpai dli
ke
mi neis,wewoul dn'tbehavi ngt hisconversat i
on
becauseyou' dbei nyourhusband' shouse.Cor rect
mei fIam wr ongbutaccor dingt ocustomsIdon' t
needar i
ngorawhi teweddi ngt obemar r
ied.
Mar ri
ageisnot hingphysi cal,t
houghtyou' dknow
thatconsideringt hatyouar eexact l
ywhat4year s
olderthanme.I fIwer eyou, Iwoul dbet hinking
aboutmybi ologi cal cl
ock, eggsdon' tstayfreshf or
everyouknow.Justf reedoct or
'sadvice.[ina
mat t
erofmi nutes, myhusbandappear edwhi cha
hugebunchofr oses, itjustmeltedmeupl i
kehot
chocol at
e.Hegotof fthecardr essedor dinary,no
crownoranyr oyalat t
irewithhim. ]Thisshoul dbe
i
llegal.

Nkosi:Youaresti
llthemostbeautif
ulwomanI
know, youj
ustkeepmyhear tbeati
ng.[ki
ssesher
cheek]Let'
sgetgoingsoIcanpr epareyouahot
bat
handmassageyourf
eet
.

Me:Iam st
arvi
ngbaby,
haven'
teat
ensi
nce.

Nkosi:Igotyoubaby,Roast
edbeef,veggi
esand
ri
ce.Yourlunchboxisinsi
dethecarandfresh
orangejui
ce.Thenyoucant el
lmeallaboutyour
day.

Me:[heopenedthecarandhel
pedmei
nside.The
foodwaswar m,Ij
ustgott
oiti
mmedi
atel
y]I
appreci
atet
his,
itt
astesamazi
ng.

Nkosi
:IknowtheRoyalf
amilyherei
slit
erall
ystupi
d,
don'
ttakeanyt
hingt
heysayseri
ousjustgivethe
peopl
einfor
mationt
osavethei
rli
ves.Godwi l
l
rewar
dyou.

Me:I
tsl
ikeyouwer
ether
e,t
hesepeopl
ear
e
bar
bar
icst
rai
ght
.

Nkosi:Don'
tlett
hem getunderyourski
n,youar
e
tougherandmoreexperiencedthant
heirsocal
led
champions.Imissedyout hough.
@Ri
pped_
love

#I
nser
t46

Theridewasni ceandi tjustfel

tmesl eepy.Aswe
gottothehousewenot i
cedthatthepalacewas
packedwi t
hpeopl ewhol ookednosohappy.My
husbandcalledt heel dersandwell r
eceivedno
answer.Wedr ovepassedandwentt othehouse
changedintoourr oyalat t
ir
eandwentt othepalace
tohearthecompl ainsofourpeopl e.Assoonaswe
gotoffthecar,theent i
recrowdbowedi nrespect
anditssomet hi
ngt hatisgoingtotakemeawhi l
e
toaccept.Anywho, myhusbandst oodbef orethe
crowd.
Nkosi
:Int
hisourKingdom ther
ehasneverbeena
st
ri
ke,wherehavewef ai
ledyouasl
eaders.Pl
ease
l
etustryt
osettl
eitinanicemanner.

Ol
dman:whenar eyoupeopl
egett
ingwed?Itisnot
pr
operthatt
hisisnotdone.What
everi
tissi
r,
pl
easeshareitwit
husandwewi l
ltryt
oresolvei
t.

Nkosi:[looksathiswipei ncompl et
eshock]Iknow
thatisitnotproperformet oanswerl ikethi
sbutwe
arestil
lsor t
ingoutafewt hingsandpar tofthe
thi
ngsi stheMedi calcentrewhi chwasappr oved
todayandt heproj
ecthast ostar tnextweek.We
understandyourf eel
ingsanddonott akethem for
grantedbuti fwedon'tgivethisouri nvestor
sthe
attent
iont heyrequi
reourvi l
lage'sprogresswillbe
delayed.

Youngwoman:Medi
calcent
re?Whi
chi
sthi
s?Ar
e
wegetti
ngonethati
sasuselessast
heoneinthe
nextvi
ll
age?Gover
nmentt
hingsarenotr
eal
ly
hel
pful
.

Me:[ Isteppedupbesi demyhusband]We' ve

deci dedonapr ivatemedi calcent re,whi chwi l
lbe
ablet odoal lthesur geries.Alltheser viceswi l
lbe
availabl eandwomenwi l
lhavet hepr ivi
llageof
givingbi rt
h her eathome.Abovet hat ,
thishospi t
al
willempl oypeopl ef rom righther e.Iwi llpersonall
y
speakt oyouont hef oll
owi ngast hebui ldingstart
s.
2500cl eanersar eneeded, 500por tersandwel li
f
someoneher ehasadaught erorsonwhoi sa
medi caldoct or.Iencour ageyout ocomef orward
witht heinformat i
on.Onemor ethingi s, wehavea
mal ar iaourbr eaksoi ti
sadvi cedt hatifyout ake
wat erf rom t her i
ver,pouraspoonofbl eachoni t
andl eavet hewat ert orestbef oredr i
nkingor
cooki ngwi thit
.Inal ltheset hings, weacknowl edge
whyyouhavecomeoutt odayandwi llimmedi atel
y
l
ooki nt oit,
pleasedonotwor ry.
Man:Itwouldbenicet
ogetemployedathomebutI
suggestmykingyousupervi
set
heempl oyment
procedur
ebecausemostofusdon'tknowwhatis
requi
redtocl
eanahospit
alorbeporter
s.

Me:whenyouar echosenasacandi date,youwi l

l
gettraini
ngwhi chwi l
lequipeyouandwewi llalso
haveambul anceserviceswhi chwi l
lfetchyouf r
om
yourver yhouse.[ theangerhaddi eddownandno
onef oundi timpor t
antt ostr
ike.Theel dertookover
anddi smi ssedt hecrowdwhi chwasver yhappyat
thethoughtofempl oymentandmedi calservices
closeby.Wedr ovetot hehouseandt ookof four
royalatti
re.Myhusbandr anmeabat hwhi chI
enjoyedt henwentdownst ai
rst oseehi sfatherwi t
h
ourson]howar ethehomewor kscomi ng?

Nkanyi
so:Daddysor
tedmeoutdur
ingt
heday.Iam
done.

Me:That
sver
yni
ce,
whathaveyoubeendoi
ngt
his
ent
ir
eday?

Nkanyi
so:Gr
andmacameovert
osaygoodbye
bef
oreheadi
ngtot
heai
rpor
t.

Me:Baby?Wher
eisyourmot
hergoi
ng?

Nkosi
:shewasoff
eredaj
obati
nter
nat
ional
,sor
ryI
t
houghtIhadt
oldyou.

Me:Oh, i
tsgoingtobehardwi t
houther.The
womanher edependonhersomuchbutI
completel
yunderstandthi
sdivorcethi
nghassank
herdown.Shecalledmesomet imeagoand
practi
cal
lygavemet heropes.ForamomentI
thoughtshewasdyi ngorsomething.I
tlef
tme
scaredabit.

Nkosi
:Nope,
shei
sgoi
ngoutt
her
etoexpl
oreher
educat
ionaldr
eamswhi
chIt
hinki
sgood.

Me:shewi
llbemi
ssed.

Nkosi
:sheisj
ustafl
ightawaybesidesshe
deser
vestobeawayfrom Paul
ine'
sdrama.

Me:Hayilet
snotevengother
ebaby.Idon'
twantt
o
di
srespectmyfat
herher
e.

MrGumede:Afli
ghtaway,
Idon'tevenknowi
fshe
wi
llbeabl
etospeaktousanyt
imesoon.

Nkosi:Don'
tbestressedbecausethi
sisal
lyou,
thi
s
divor
ceofyoursiswhatismaki ngmymother
reval
ueherli
fe.

Thobi
le:st
il
lhowcar
eshej
ustupandl
eavel
ikewe
di
dn'
tmeananyt
hing.

Nkosi
:shehasraisedusthi
sfar,
from her
eweneed
t
oshowhert hatshedidagreatj
ob.

Ntando:i
tdoesn'
tmakeitr
ight,
whataboutourki
ds?
Theyaresousedtothei
rgrandmot
her.

Nkosi:Pl
easefinditinyourselvestostoppul l
ing
herdownandsuppor ther.Sheisourmot herand
hasneverforonesecondgi venupbeingther ef or
us.Nowitsti
mef orustobet hereforher,please
putyoursel
fishdesiresasideandsuppor ther .[asI
wastalki
ngmyl apt
opr ecei
vedavi deocall,Ipicked
andIhaveneverseenhert hathappybefor e.]
Mamami ,howar eyouset tl
ingin?

MrsGumede:[ giggl
ing]theycal
lmeMadam There.
Thisistheli
fe,
Ihavet heemostbeaut
if
ulapar
tment
ever.Thisi
swhatImeantbymaki ngi
tinl
if
ebabies.
Nkosi
:Iguessyouar
eni
cel
yset
tl
edi
n.

MrsGumede:Iwantt ostayhereforkeeps,what!I
ts
sobeaut
if
ulhere.Thepeoplearesof ri
endl
y,haven'
t
beenher
eforfivehoursyetIhavealreadyhad
someoneproposingme.Itsbeenawhi lesi
nce
anyonef
oundmet hatappeal
ing.

Thobi
le:soyournotcomi
ngback?

MrsGumede:Iam l i
vingmybestl if
ehere,vi
ll
ages
arenotforme.Imetbl ue,gr
een,greyeyedmen
here.Atthei
rage,theyl ookunbeli
eveabl
y
handsomeonl evelsyoucan' teverunderst
and.
Thankyouf oryourcont actNkosi,
shemadesur eI
fi
tin.

Nkosi
:it
srefr
eashingt
oseeyouthi
shappy,
how
ar
ethetwinsaretheynott
ir
ed?
Mr sGumede:theseonesaregi
vingmeuseless
crampsbutassoonasIgetoutofmynap, Iwantto
paintt
hiscit
yred.Ihear
dther
eisarest
auranti
nthe
vi
nes,f
irstpl
aceIam goi
ng.
Nkosi
:Isentyourmedical
repor
ttoyouviaemai
l
andmywi f
ewi l
lli
nkyoutother
ightdoct
or.

Me:Shesaidthatyouneedt
ogoforascanandshe
wi
llcont
actyoutomorrowmorni
ng.

Nkosi:Pl
easedonothesi
tat
etocal
lifyouneed
anythi
ng,wewil
lsetyouup.Thi
ngsarenotexact
ly
cheapthatsi
de.

Mr sGumede:Iknow, abananaherei sl
ikeR40
i
magi ne.Iwi
llcallyouwhenIcan,letmet akeanap
Ihavedi nnerplacewithmymyst er
yman.Loveyou
alltakecare,NkosiyouarethebestbabyIgoti n
thisli
fe.Loveyoubyebye.[disconnects]
Nt
ando:she'
snotcomingbackanyt
imesoon.
Whi
chtwinsareyoupeopl
etal
kingabout
?

MrGumede:Yourmot
heri
sheavi
lypr
egnantandi
n
anot
hercount
ry.

Me:t
hedoctorsIsenthertoar
ethebestwor
ldwi
de,
t
heywil
ltakecar
eofher .

MrGumede:doesn'
tlookl
ikeIam goi
ngt
othe
l
abourr
oom.

Me:l
ikemyhusbandsai
d,af
li
ghtaway.

Nkosi:[
wrapshi sarmsaroundhiswi
feandkisses
hershoulder
]Iam neverdivor
cingmi
na,Il
oveyou
tohel
landback.Idon'tcarewhosayswhat,you
rockmyboat ,ship,
worl
deverythi
ngbaby.
Ntando:Yeahr
ight
,nextt
hingshewi
llbe47andher
boobssaggy,f
acewrinkl
yandyouwilldi
vor
ce.

Nkosi:Noways, manypeopl edon' tunderstandme.

Mywi f
eisthemostpr ecioust hingIgot.Wal king
besideherandhol dingheri snotar i
ghtbuta
privi
ll
agewhi chIdon' tevertakef orgranted.She
makesmef eell i
keabi l
liondollarsandt heenvyof
everyman.Wi thherIdon' tneedal termyself
becauseshel ovesmet hroughout.Shei sat rophy
thatIdon'tevenl eaveont hest and, i
tswithmeat
allti
mesbecausei tstoospeci altobekepti nsecr et
.
Thenextmor ningIwokeupandt ookmyt i
me.My
husbandt reatedmet obr
eakfastandast eamy
session.Het hendr ovemet othevill
ageandt omy
surpri
sepeopl ehadcomeouti nt heirnumber s.
Somewer eevensi tti
ngont hegrassout sidethe
tentwhichi sweirdcompar edtothef actthatthey
didn'
tli
kemet obegi nwit
h.Myhusbandl eftand
wellt
het eam, helpedmesetup.Ist artedmy
presentat
ionandendedupsi tt
ingonthechair
becauseIwasf eeli
ngser i
ouscr amps.Ipul
led
throughandfinishedof feveryt
hing.Itookmy
l
unchboxanddr ankmyj ui
ce.Idon'tknowwhatwas
happeningtomebecausei mmedi atel
yIfel
thot
fl
eshesandf eltdizzy.Icall
edmyhusband.

Me:Pl
easecomef
etchme,
IfeelweakIdon'
tknow.

Nkosi
:Ihaven'
tlef
tthevil
lage,
theroyalpeople
havemeinameet ing.Iam comingtofetchyou
ri
ghtnow.

Me:[Withinaf ewmi nutes,hewalkedintothet ent

.
Hedidn'tevenmi ndthePRt hiswouldcause, he
scoopedmeup.Hehel pedmedr i
nkwat erand
atl
eastIfeltbetterasIlai
di nthecar.Hewentback
i
nandpi ckedupmyst uff.Thenwedr ovetowar ds
l
eavingthevi l
lageandt herewasar oadblock.A
hugetreewaspl acedonourpat h.]what'
sthis?
Nkosi
:Ensuret
hatyourseatbelti
st i
ght
,let
sseeif
t
hiscardoeswhattheysay.[putsthecaronrever
se]

Me:Pleasedon'tkil
lus.[
Iti
ghtenedmyseatbeltand
theRangerjustjumpedthetreesonourpath,which
fel
tli
kemi r
aclealt
houghtthecarwasbeing
str
atched.Wegotoutoft her
eandhedr ovemet o
thehospit
al.Wheretheyexaminedmeandsai dI
wasper f
ectl
yfine]whatcausedthi
sreacti
on?

Doct
or:Honest
lymyqueen,
thi
sisspi
ri
tual
.

Me:Okay,t
hankyou.[
myhusbandpickedmeup
andtookmebacktothecar
]thi
sisweird.

Nkosi:Bhebheisupt
osomet hi
ng,t
hisj
obi
snot
wort
hyourl i
feandourchi
ld.Tomor
rowyouar
e
st
ayinghome.
Me:Al
ri
ghtbutwon'
tthatmeant
hatt
heyhavewon?

Nkosi:Att
hispoi
ntIr
eal
lydonotcar
e,t
heycandi
e
f
orallIcar
e.

Heshout edthewhol ewayunt ilwegott ot hehouse.

Heser vedmeandwel ldi
dnotsayt wowor dsf or
therestoftheeveni ng.Hewasoncal lwi thsome
people.Wewentt obedandhej ustcli
ngedont ome
l
ikeIam aboutt odi e.Touchmeandseet hatmy
husbandi salunat ic.Thenextmor ningar ound3am,
myphonest art
edr i
ngingoutofcont rol.Itrangunt il
i
twasputonsi lentbymyhusband.I twasMpi nde
call
ingwithapr ivatenumber ,Icouldn'tbebot hered.
Around10am Iwokeup, tookal ongashowerand
wentdownst air
s.Myhusbandwasi nhi sboxer s
andavest ,Nkanyi sohadf oll
owedsui t.Isetdown
andgotser ved.Myphoner angfrom thechar ger,I
pickedonspeaker .
Me:Goodmor
ning,
sor
ryIwi
llnotbeabl
eint
oday.

Ki
ngBhebhe:we'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
oreachyousi
nce
morni
ng.

Nkosi
:Idon'
tthi
nkamanshouldbecall
ingmywi
fe
at3am,not
hingmakesyouanexcept
ion.

KingBhebhe:Mygranddaught
erur
gent
lyneedsa
shot,
shewen...
..

Nkosi
:Ifmywi
fehaddi
edwhowoul
dyoubeaski
ng?

Ki
ngBhebhe:t
hisi
sal
if
eordeat
hsi
tuat
ion,
pl.
..
..

Nkosi
:Excuseus, we'
dli
ketohavebr
eakfast
.My
wif
eisinexper
iencedremember?[
endsthecall
]
Haveyoueatenenough?
Me:Haaadon'
tover
feedme.[
IclosedmygownasI
hear
dMrGumedecomi ng,
helookeddownandout
]
Goodmorni
ngbabaareyouokay?

MrGumede:Kot
i,I
'
mfi
ne.

Nkosi
:[kneelsdownbef or
ehi swife]t
herewil
lnever
beaperfectmomentoraper fectday.Il
oveyou
Mbali
,Ican'timaginemyselfoutsideyou.Il
ovethe
wayyouj ustmakememel t.Lif
ehasnowar rent
y
butmyloveyoui seternal
.Wi l
lyoumakemet he
happi
estmanont hiseart
h,pleasemar r
yme?

Me:Depends.

Nkosi
:What
evert
hecondi
ti
on,
Iam r
eady.

Me:Ihavenoi
ntent
ionofbi
rt
hingusanot
herchi
ld
outofwedl
ock.Whenar
eyoumar
ryi
ngmeexact
ly?

Nkosi
:Chooseanydayandsoshal
litbe.

Whatdoyouknow?Ineverexpect edt hi stohappen

topoorol dme.Ij ustf oundmysel finanot herlevel
ofexci t
ement .Ast henewsj ustpr ogr essedar ound
wehear dthesoundoft her oyalhor n.Thenwehad
peopl ecelebrating, ululationacr ossourl i
ttl
e
communi ty.Istoodont hebal conywhi l
et earsof
j
oyst r
eameddown.Whowoul dhavet houghtt hat
therejectgi r
lwi thachi ldwoul dendupwi thsucha
fut
ur e.Isawpeopl edanci ngont hest reetandcar s
hooting.Icoul dn'tbel ievet hatIwast heonebei ng
celebratedliket his.Inst antlytherewasat rai
nof
peopl ethatstreamedi ntot hehouse, theyal l
want edtodesi gnmyweddi ngat tir
esf orfree.Any
weddi ngdr essIwant edf orf r
ee.I twassomet hing
outoft hiswor ld.Wel l thisjoyIwi shedt oshar ewith
mymot herevent hough, Iam notevenaf avour i
teto
her.Thewhol edaywasj ustblessed, peopl e
broughtmeseveralgif
ts.Attheendoft heday,my
husbandbroughtspapeopl etopamperme.
Pregnancyisbori
ngstraight,
af t
erbei
ngpamper ed,
Iateandwentstrai
ghttobed.Icompl et
elypassed
outdidn'
tevenhearYethucomi ngint
otheblanket
s.
Iwokeupt henextdaywi thcrampsagai n,I
explai
nedwhatishappeni ngtome.Hemassaged
meandhel pedmet akemypi lls.

Nkosi
:Ifyouarenotget
tingbet
tert
hanIwi
llhavet
o
t
akeyout othehospi
tal
.

Me:Ithi
nkIam over whelmed,[t
earsstreaming
down]Ineverthoughtthatpeoplewoul dgathert
o
cel
ebrateme, i
tsunbeli
eveabl
et hatonedayIwas
homelesswithanewbor n.Sl
eepingunderthe
bri
dgewi t
honedr essandoneshoe.Thi si
sa
completemiraclefeel
sli
keadr eam thatIam yett
o
wakeupf rom.

Nkosi
:wel
lyouar
ewi
deawakeandyourr
eal
ly
beingcelebr
ated.Thesevensurr
oundingKingdoms
arecomi ngtoseeyouwalkdownt heaisl
e.That
suffer
ingproducedglor
yforyou,al
lthepainsyou
wentthrough.Godhaslookeduponitandr ewarded
you.

Me:i
tssoamazi
ng.

Nkosi
:Iwi
llt
ellt
heKinsmentocomet
omor
row
si
nceyouarenotfeel
ingwel
l.

Me:whatar
etheyher
efor
?

Nkosi
:Youneedtobecr
ownedof
fi
cial
lybef
oret
he
endofthi
sweek.

Me:It
houghtt
hecr
ownIhadwasokay.
Nkosi
:Yournol
ongerapr
incess,
Youar
etheQueen.

Me:Iam gettingready,don'
ttel
lthem togo.[Iwent
i
ntot hebat
hroom, bat
hedandpreparedmysel f.I
wentdownst air
sandnewsr eporters,
journal
ist
s,
peoplehadgat hered.MrsGumedear ri
vedr i
ghtat
thatmoment ,shelookedveryfr
esh.Shehadgai ned
abitofweightandheri maginehadchanged.She
tookaseatbesi deMrGumede, Isetont hemat
besideNkosi]

Elder
:Itbr
ingsmegr eatjoytobealivetocrownthe
nextqueenofthisourKingdom, atthi
smomentI
l
iketoaskyout ocomekneel beforeme.[ Mbal
i
goesandKneelsbef or
ehi m]Bythepowerbest ored
onmeast heelderofthisKingdom, Icrowny..
..
..

Mr sGumede:Nowai t,
[st
andsupandt akesof
fthe
crown]Taket hisone.Youhaveproventobethe
bestf orthi
sKi ngdom,therefor
eIwantyoutohave
fullauthori
ty.Ihandoverthisanci
entcr
own,weari
t
i
nyourauthor
it
yandleadthewomenofthis
Ki
ngdom inwaysofourpeopl
e.[
placest
hecrown
onherhead]
Thewhol eKingdom juststoodst il
l,
whenshewas
donegi vingmehercr own.Paul inewassoangr y
thatshest oodupandl eft.Ididn'tknowthe
i
mpl icati
onsofwhathadj usthappenedt omebut
suddenl yevenmenboweddownt ohonourme.
Thisshockedme, MrGumedewassohear t
broken
thathiseyesgotr edwi t
ht earsforming.The
j
our nali
stsleftandpeoplewer emur muri
ngto
themsel ves.Yethukeptsmi li
ngandIcoul dnottell
whet heritwasgeniuneornot .

Paul
ine:Howdar
eyou!Gi
veachi
ldsuchaut
hour
it
y.

Mr sGumede:Shouldhaveaskedyourpar ent
s
aboutthecust
omsr egardi
ngaQueenMot her.Di
d
youhonestlyt
hinkthatIwoul
dhandi ttoyouso
thatyoucanconfusethewomenoft hisKingdom.I
don'tt
hinkso,
you'vegotthemanbehappyand
cont
ent
.

Me:[
Iwasevenaf r
aidt
ot ouchi
tthewaythehouse
wastense,
Ilocat
edYethu]whatdoest
hismean?
Whydidshegivemehercr own?

Nkosi:Shesteppeddownf oryoutositasbot
hthe
Queenandt heMot heroft
hisKingdom.Youarethe
fi
rsti
nt hehi
storyofthi
sKingdom.Itsagreat
posit
ionwithrequi
resmuchbutyou' r
euptoit.

Me:whatabouther
?

MrsGumede:YouareMrsGumedenow,Iam not
.I
t
hinkIam enj
oyi
ngbei
ngacommonerthanI
t
hought.

Nkosi
:Ireal
lydidn'
tthi
nkyouwer
eser
iousMma,
youshockedallofus.
Mr sGumede:Iwon' triskthewomenoft his
kingdom bei nggivenar ott
enmot herandIam not
sayingt hatIam perfecteither.[
takesaseatont he
couchexposi ngherpuf f
yf l
ats]Joythisposit
ion
Mbal i,
nohumanont hisKingdom hast herightt
o
tellyounonsense.Thedoct or
syour ecommended
aresogent l
e,theyalwayscheckuponmeandhel p
met hr
oughever ystage.

Me:Iam f
indi
ngitver
ydif
fi
cul
tthi
sti
me,
thi
s
pr
egnancyishar
derthant
hefi
rst.

MrsGumede:Oneheadandt
woheadscannotbe
t
hesame.

MrGumede:I
st hi
sit
,yourj
ustgoi
ngt
ogi
veupon
year
sofmarr
iage?

Mr
sGumede:Youmadeyourposi
ti
onknown,
soI
havemovedon.Fr
eshst
artf
orme.

MrsHlophe:[
ent
ersdr
essednormal
ly,
looki
ngl
ike
she'
sseenaghost]Gr
eet
ings.

Nkosi
:thi
sisal
atevi
sit
,Hel
loMa'
am.Whatcanwe
doforyou?

MrsGumede:Takeaseat,
bri
ngherwat
er.You
don'
tlookr
ightsweet
s.

MrsHlophe:[
shaki
ngasshehol
dst
hebot
tl
eof
water
]thankyou.

Hergr
andmot
her
:Iam al
ivet
oseeyoushi
nef
inal
ly.

Me:[
Inevert
houghtIwoul
dseeheragai
nbecause
shej
ustwentmissi
ngwhil
eIwasyoung.I
tbrought
metotear
s.SheembracedmeandIfel
tli
kea
mil
li
ondol
lar
s]Imi
ssedyou,Nkanyi
soi
sevenol
d
now.

Hergr
andmot
her
:Looksl
ikehi
sfatheral
otthatone,
Ij
ustwant
edt
oseeyouhappybeforeIdi
e.

Me:Deat
h?Notnowal
lowmet
otr
eatyouj
ustt
his
once.

Hergr
andmother
:Iam sopr
oudofyoumybaby,
youpi
ckedupyourli
feandmadesomet
hingofi
t.

Me:[ Icouldtel
lshewasl eavi
ngear t
h,itwaspainful
.
Hervoi cewasl owandhar dtohear.Ihelpedher
takeaseat .Imadewar m wat erandkneltbefor
eher.
Itookof fhershoesandwashedherf eet.Those
aroundmet houghtIwascr azybutthisistheonly
thingIfeelisri
ghtformet odo.Imassagedherf eet
andgavehermysl eepers]whatwoul dyoul i
keto
eat
?

Hergr
andmot
her
:Dumpl
ingandst
ewbeef
,theway
Il
ikei
t.

Me:[ Ifol
dedmysl eevesandgott oit.Imadet he
doughandpl acedi tdirectl
yi nthesun.It hen
cookedst ewbeefj ustl ikeshel ovesit,t
henplaced
thedoughi nt hepot .Itboiledforabout3hour s,then
Icutt hedumpl i
nganddi shedupf orher,
plusfresh
grapej ui
ce.Shewashedherhandsandst art
ed
eating.Iwentt other oom, tookoutabr andnew
blanketanddr essedheri ni t
]Al othashappened
sinceyoul ef
t.

Hergr
andmother:Iknow,
Ihear
dyouwerethr
own
out
.If
eltbadbecauseyouhadnowher
eelsetogo.

Me:Iwentt
othecit
yandi twashardhavi
ng
Nkanyi
sobutIsur
vived,
evengraduat
edtobei
nga
doct
or.

Hergrandmot
her
:Soundsamazi
ng,
thi
sfoodi
s
r
eall
ynice.

Me:I
'
m gl
adyouar
eenj
oyi
ngi
t.

MrsGumede:[
eat
ing]t
hisi
squi
etsomet
hingr
ight
her
e.

Pauli
ne:[
entersthehouseandslamsthedoor ,
makingeveryonetolookather
.]i
tiswisethatas
thewomenoft hishousehol
dwegetalong, meani
ng
thatyoushouldgivemewhatright
lybelongstome.

MrsGumede:Ibegt
otakemyleavenow, Iwil
lbri
ng
backt
hepl
atetomor
row.Iam notcutoutfordr
ama.
MrGumede:Youshoul
dn'
tbedr
ivi
ngi
nyour
condi
ti
on.

MrsGumede:Munt
uiscomingt
ofet
chme,
don'
t
worr
ysi
r.At
tendt
oyourper
son.

MrGumede:YOUAREPRACTI CALLYSTI
LLMY
WIFE,
WHATISAYGOES.IWASN' TASKI
NGFOR
YOUROPINION.IAM DRI
VINGYOU.

Paul
ine:overmydeadbody,
youcan'
tdot
hat
.

MrGumede:St
artdyi
ng.

MrsGumede:[bor
edsit
sattheedgeofthecouch]
Nkosispeakt
oyourf
athert
u,hi
sinconvi
enci
ngme.
MrsHlophe:soyouar ejustgoingtoleaveyour
f
atherhouseandcomecor rectwrongsofamar ri
ed
woman.Areyour eal
lythatstupid?Yout hi
nkover
20yearsofmarri
ageiswakingupandbathi
ngi
n
theri
verneh?I
ttakesef
for
tsacri
fi
ceand
endurance.

Paul
ine:Thi
smat
terdoesn'
tincl
udeyou.

Nkosi
:Baba,thisi
snotwantmymot herandwif
e
needt
obef acing.Pl
easedealwi
thyourbusi
ness.

MrGumede:Heeyi
,Imar r
iedyourmot
herandno
onehel
pedme.Don'tevengotherewi
thme.

Nkosi
:Iam mar
ryi
ngmywi feandIwouldli
kefor
hert
obeexcusedfrom yoursheetbusi
ness.Orel
se
pl
easepackupandl eavemyhouse.Thisisnot
whatmysonshouldbewi tnessi
ng.

MrGumede:MmaGumede,donotdi
sobeyme.
Paul
inef
orasi
dechi
ckyouar
eaheadache.
Wedi dn'tevengeti nvolvedi nt hemat ter.Itwasj ust
notf orust obeent eringi t
.Thedaysl eadingt ot he
weddi ngwer ej ustbeaut if
ul ,
myf atherinlawspent
thosedayst r yingt ogetanearf r
om Mmawhowas
noteveni nter ested.Mygr andmot herli
vedt osee
themostbeaut ifuldayofmyl i
fe.Paul i
nenever
endedupbei ngaGumedebecauseshewas
dumped.Ther esponsi bil
it
yi sr ealandIneedshar d
wor kwi t
hpat iencet odealwi thpeopl efrom
diff
er entbackgr ounds.Af ewmont hsaf t
ert he
weddi ngoft hecent ury,Igavebi rthtot wins
[Zandi leandZi mel e]whi chIdi dnotevenexpect .
Myhusbandwasj ustover joyedt hathehadt hem
celebr atedf oranent iremont h.Mymot herinl aw
deliver edt wosonswhol ookedexact l
ylikemy
husband, MrGumedewashumbl edinwaysIst il
ldo
nothavewor dst oexpl ain.ButIgott owal kdown
thef oreverofl if
ewi thmyper sonNkosi yethuand
oursonpl ust wodaught ers.Thanksf orbei ngwi th
us,wi thl oveLONGLI VEIQueenDoct orMbal enhle
Gumede.