THEI

RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE01
30thJune, Mnot howal kedt hrought hehallway
ofhi smot her ’
spalace.It’
dbeent hreeday sand
al
l ther i
tualswer easuccessbutMnot hohadn’t
beenr eall
yfreebecausehewasst ressed.He
l
ov edDani el
le,helovedhert oomucht hathe
coul djustlethergo.They ’
vebeensepar ated
befor eandhehadbeent heonet omaket hat
decisiont hathewasl eavingher .He’dbroken
upwi t
hhert wi ceandnow, hewasexpect edt o
breakherhear tonceagai n?Hewasn’ tsureifhe
wasupf orthat.No!Hewasn’ tupforthis.
Dani ell
ewashi sentireexistence,that’
showhe
l
ov edher .Coul dher eall
ylethergof or
Happi ness?
Hewasn’
tforcedt
obr i
ngHappinessbacki
nto
hi
sfami
ly.Buthewantedherbackinhisl
if
e,he
want
edtogiveherever
ythi
ngbuthowcouldhe
ev
endothatattheexpenseofhiswif
e?The
mot
herofhi
sdaught
er?
“Wher eareyouheading?”Thembeli
hleasked
Mnot hoast heymetont hehall
way.She
fol
lowedMnot ho.Shewasmaki ngherwayto
thekitchenbutshewant edtospeaktohim
aboutSi phosami.Theystoodbythebedroom
door,thebedr oom Mnothonormall
yusedwith
Danielle.
Mnot
ho:“
Iam headingtothechi
l
drenIwant
seet
hem bef
oretheyleav
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theywi
l
lleav
etomor
row
morni
ng.
”
Mnotho:“
Iwon’
tbeablet
oseethem becauseI
wi
llbebusyt
omorrow.Si
phosamii
smov ingi
n
wi
thustoday.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iwant
edtospeakaboutthat
.I
don’
tli
kethis.Whyareyoutaki
nghim?
Si
phosami shouldst
ayherewit
hme. ”
Mnot
ho:
“Mywi
fedoesn’
thav
eapr
obl
em wi
th
Si
phosamiandIdon’
tli
kethatmysonshoul
d
st
ayherewhil
eIam adri
veaway.
”
Thembeli
hle:“ButSiphosamineverspoketome
aboutPear
l’smot herandIsti
ll
saythatIdon’t
tr
ustyourwife.Theonlypersonhe’dment i
oned
tome,isNonjabulo,Njabul
oandHappi ness.
”
Mnotho:“
That’
sbecausehe’
susedt othem
morethanPearlandMaNkosi
.Howwashe
goi
ngtogetusedt oMaNkosiwhil
ehismot her
di
dn’
tevenvisi
tthem?Heonlyvisi
tedNjabulo.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yes,andt
hatmeanshemust
n’t
l
ivewi
thyourwif
e.”
Mnotho: “Iam af
rai
dthatwon’
thappen.Iwas
j
usttell
ingy oumom.Iwasn’taski
ngforyour
permission.Mysonwi l
ll
iv
ewithmef r
om today
.
Ihaveaskedt hemaidtopackhisbags.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihopey
ouwon’
tregr
ett
his.
”
Mnothodi
dn’
tsayanot
herwordbuthe
pr
oceededwi
thhisj
ourney
.“You’
l
lsl
eepat
homewithus,dad? ”Njabuloaskedhisfather
whowasf i
xinghisshoel acesbecausethey
weregoi
ngt otheirmothernow.Themai dhad
comebyt otel
lthem thatthei
rmot herwas
cal
li
ngforthem.
Mnotho: “No,Iwon’tsl
eepwithyou.
”her eplied
andli
f t
edNonj abuloofft
hefloor
.Hemov edout
ofther oom withthem af
tert
hey’
vetol
dot her
chi
ldren‘goodby e’
.MnothopushedNjabulo
for
war d.
Nonj
abul
o:“
Whyar
en’
tyousl
eepi
ngwi
thus?
”
Mnotho:“Ihavetogotoworkandt hatmeansI
won’tbesleepi
ngtoni
ghtbutIwil
lbewor ki
ng.
Yourfat
herneedsmoneysot hathecanbuy
ever
ythi
ngy ouwant.Doyouunderstand?
”
Nonj
abulolookeddownatNjabulo,
sheasked
hi
m wit
hherey esi
ftheyunder
stood.And
Nj
abuloshookhishead.“
No!”Sherepli
ed.
Mnot
ho:
“Aw!Youar
ebr
eaki
ngy
ourf
ather
’s
heart
.”Hetol
dherandhepr et
endedtobe
cry
ing.Thechi
ldr
enlaughedandsaid‘
Sor
ry’
“Mama,tel
ldadtocomeandsl eepi
nour
house.
”Njabul
otol
dhismotherwhowas
l
eaningbyhercarwai
ti
ngforthechi
ldr
en.
HappinesslookedatNjabul o.“
No, hecan’
t
comeandsl eepwit
hus.”Shet oldhersonand
openedthebackdoorofhercar .Shestood
asideandMnot hobuckledt hekidswhower e
grumpynowbecauset hei rmot herhadtol
d
them abruptl
ythatt
hei
rf atherwasnotgoingto
sleepwiththem int
hehouse.
“Canwet al
k?”Mnothorequest
edandhepull
ed
Happinessawayfr
om hercar.Hewaspull
ing
herawaybyherhandt hathewashol
ding.
Happiness:“
Whatdoyouwantf rom me
becauseItol
dyouwhatyoucanact ual
l
ydot o
speaktomeandbesomeonewhocandemand
thi
ngsfrom me.Youcan’
tjustpull
melikeIam
y
ourwi
fe.
”
Mnot
ho:“MaMthi
mkhulu,
youcan’tpossibl
yask
metodiv
orcemywife.Whataboutmydaughter?
Youwantmychil
dtoli
veawayfrom me.How
cany
oubesoselfi
shandrequestthi
sfrom
me?”
Happiness: “
Ilearntthatf r
om thet wowivesyou
marri
ed.”Sher epliedandl ookingathim, she
coul
dseet hathet ookherser i
ous.Butshe
di
dn’tseesomet hingt hatsignall
edhewasn’t
fr
eebecausehewasconsi deri
ngdoingthis.
Shesawangerandt hatmeantt oherMnot ho
wasn’tgoingtodot his.
Mnotho:“YouknewIwasgoingtomar r
ymore
wiv
esHappi nessandnow,
whyar eyouact
ing
asifyoudidn’
tknow?Youagreedtoit
.”
Happiness:
“Iagreedbecauseyougavemeno
choi
ce!Didyouact ual
l
ycarewhatIwanted,
Mnotho?Youdi dn’
tevencarebuty
ouf or
ced
ever
ythingonmeandhowaboutIf
orcey
outo
l
eavey ourwi
fet
heni
fyouwantmeback?”
Mnot ho: “AndwhatifIleav
eher.Howsur
ecanI
bet hatyou’ l
lact
ual
lycomebackt ome?Ort
his
i
sy ourplant ogetmetodestr
oymy
relati
onshi pandrej
oicewhenyouseeme
alone? ”
Happi nesslookedathim andsheadmi tt
edshe
nev erthoughtitt
hisway .AndMnothohadhur t
hert hatshecouldactuallyl
ovetoseehim
alone.Itwouldbebesti fshetakesthi
sidea,
thiswashi sideathatshemi ghtpl
ayhimlike
this.
Happi
ness:“
Iam notcruel
li
keyouar
et haty
ou
canki
llt
hefatherofmychil
dandwatchmebe
miser
ableal
one.”
Mnotho:“Hewasneveryourmantobegi
nwith
andifyouhatewhatIdi
d.Whydon’
tyoutel
l
ever
yonethatIhadahandinhi
sdeath?I
actuallyexpectedy out otellevery
onewhy
didn’tyout el
lthem? ”Happi nesskeptquietand
shedi dn’tanswerhi m becauseshef el
tthat
Mnot howasj ustdisrespectingherandt oher,
it
soundedl i
kehewasboast i
ngt hathehad
Lonwaboki ll
ed.“Iam wai t
ingf oraresponse.
”
Hei nsist
ed.
Happiness:“HowwasIsupposedt osayt
hat
whil
ey ouhav el
iedabouthisdeat
h?Arey
ou
act
uallyproudthatyoukil
l
edhim?”
Mnotho: “That’snotsomet hi
ngtobepr oudof.
ButHappi ness, wecanmaket hi
swor k.Ther
e’s
noneedf ormet ol eav
emywi feIloveherandI
wantt olovey ou.Ihaveseeny oureyesbefore
andy ouractions, t
heloveyouhadf ormei snot
theoney oucanj ustburyandforget
.Iwantto
beli
evethat .
”
“Iam notgoi
ngtodothi
swithyou.”Shesaid
andpushedhim awayfr
om her
.Shewasn’ t
abouttostandbef
orehi
m andli
stentohim say
al
lthoset
hingstoher.Sheknewshedidn’
tlove
hi
m…Shedi dn’
tlovehim!Shestampedand
st
eppedinsi
dethecar,herchi
ldr
enweretal
king
al
one…
Mnotholookedathercarasi tdr
ov eaway ,
he
shookhishead.“She’
slyi
ngt ohersel
f.Shesti
l
l
l
ovesme.Whywoul dsher unawaywhenI
speakaboutthat?She’
sgoodatboast ingabout
thi
ngsbutsher anawayjustnow.Shel oves
me!”Heconcludedandnoddedhi shead
bel
ievi
ngthatHappinesslovedhim…
~~~~~~~~
“Iam nottoosureaboutt hi
s.”Simthandet old
Mnt wanaandshel ookedbackathi m.I twasa
Saturday,
6thofJuly.Mnt wanawasl ay
ingon
hisbedwhi l
eSimthandewasget ti
ngdr essed
forgoingout…They ’
vebeenseei ngeachot her
fortwomont hsandt hesetwomont hshad
beenaboutgetti
ngt oknoweachot her,they
kneweachot her,
basi cal
l
ybutt heydidn’tknow
eachot heraspar tners.Theydi dn’
tknoweach
otheront helev elofbei ngi naromant i
c
relati
onshi p…Mnt wanahadseent hat
Simt handewashonestwi t
hhim whenshet old
himt hatshewasi nsecur e.She’dbeent ryingto
hidei tfrom him butMnt wanacoul dseei tev en.
Butal l
thatdidn’ tchanget hewayhef eltabout
herandhewashopi ngthathecoul dbeabl eto
makeherf eellessi nsecur e.Shewasani ce
per sonbutshehadashabbybehav iourthat
wast hesidet hatMnt wanaf el
thest rongly
didn’tlike…
Mntwana:“
She’
syoursi
ster
.Whywoul
dyoube
notsur
e?”
Simthande:“
Isi
teasyt
otr
ustsomeonewho’
d
hurtyou?”
Mntwana:“
Babe,i
t’
snotaboutt
rustbuti
t’
s
aboutmeet
ingyoursi
ster
.”
Si
mthande:
“Ir
eckonedy
ouwoul
dsayt
hat
.”
Shesai dandsprayedt
hest r
aightbackt hatshe
hadonherhead…Shewasnol ongerusi ngt he
guestroom butshewassharingt her oom wi th
Mntwana…Mnt wanawast heonewho
encouragedSimthandetomeetupwi t
hher
sist
er.She’dbeenaski
ngSimt handet hatthey
shouldmeetupbutSi mthandedi dn’twantt o
meetupwi t
hher.She’
ddecli
nedev erychance
forthem tomeetupuntilMntwanaconv i
nced
herthatsheshouldmeetwi t
hherbecauseshe
washersi ster
.
Mntwana:“
She’
syourbl
oodsi
sterandy
oucan’
t
changet
hat.
”
Simthande:“
Andy ou,
whatwill
youbedoingall
dayhere?”sheaskedthequest
iont
hatmov ed
them awayfrom t
hetopi
cabouthersi
ster
.
Mntwana:“Iwil
lbeindoorsallday.Youcan
comebackher ewithyoursi
ster.Iwoul
dliketo
meether.Here,t
ake,mycar.”Hesaidandt hr
ew
thekey
sonherdi rect
ion.Si
mthandecouldn’t
catcht
hekeysbutt
heyfel
lonthef
loor
.She
bentdowntotaket
hecarkey
s.
Si
mthande:
“Whyshoul
dIbr
ingherbackher
e?”
Mnt
wana:
“Iwantt
omeether
.”
Simt
hande:“Reall
y?Ihaven’
tbeenseei
ngheri
n
year
sandal r
eadyyouwanttomeetupwi t
hher.
Iam notbr
ingingherher
e.”
Mnt
wana:
“Go,
then.
”
Simthande:“Whyarechasingmeaway ?I
sther
e
somethingyouareplanningondoingwhileIam
nothere?”sheaskedandt ur
nedtolookathim.
Shewasst andi
ngbyt hedooronherwayoutof
thebedroom butshestoppedwalkingwhenshe
heardMnt wanapressur
inghertoleave.
Mntwana:“Ofcoursenot.Buty
ouwon’
tleavei
f
youkeepdebatingwit
hme.Letmewal kyou
out.
”Heremov edthebedcover
sandgotup
fr
om thebed.
“Youcan’ twalkmeoutwhi l
ey ouareony our
boxer sandy ouar
et opless.That’
s
i
nappr opriat
e.Getdressed.”Simthandemade
him awar easshecoul dseet hatMntwanawas
comi ngherwaywi thoutget t
ingdressed.
Mnt wana: “Wear egoi ngtothebui l
ding’s
parkinglot .Iam notmov ingoutoft hebui l
ding,
Sim.”Het oldherandpoi ntedt hedoorf orthem
toleav ebutSi mt handedi dn’tmov eawayf rom
thedoor .Shekeptherey esst i
llonhi m and
Mnt wanaknewshewasn’ tgoingt omov eaway.
“Goal onet henbecauset hel astthingIwi l
ldois
todoev erythingy ouwant .Iain’taboutt hat
l
ife.
”Hei nformedherandmov edbackt obed.
Heopt edt hatthant odowhatSi mthande
want edhi mt odowhi chwasget t
ingdr essed
becauset heywer eleavi
ngt heapar tmentj ustto
gettot hepar kingl otofthebui ldi
ng…
Simthandewal kedoutoft hedoormut e.She
walkedoutoft heapar tmentf eeli
ngner vous
aboutmeet i
nghersister.Shehadtheunset
tl
ing
feel
ingthatshewasn’tdoi ngwhatwasbestfor
hersel
fbymeet ingupwi thhersi
ster
.But
Mnt wanawasr ight
,Nikhonawasherbloodand
shecouldnev erchangethat…
“Youlookgood.Si s, howar eyou? ”Ni
khona
askedhersi sterwi thabi gsmi leonherf aceas
shelaidherey esonhersi st
erwhowas
standingbef orethet ablethatshewasseat ed
on.She’dbeenwai ti
ngf orherandshewasn’ t
sureifshewoul dcome…Shehadt ocomeback
notjusttobear oundCapeTownbutt hings
werenotr eallygoodandshe’ dremember edher
sist
er’swor ds, t
hewor dsshespoket oher
beforeshel eftCapeTownf orherschol arship.
‘
It’
sdi f
fi
culttobui ldabr andandi tcouldt ake
yearsofhar dwor kforittopayoutbut
destroyi
ngi ttakesj ustseconds. ’I
twas
Simthande’sadv i
cet ohersi sterwhowas
l
eav i
ngt obui l
dabr andnotj ustthebrandofher
cosmet i
clinebutherbr andasthefounderof
theli
ne,ast hehardwor kbehindtheli
ne…I t
wasn’tknownt othepublicyett
hatthings
weren’tsogr eatwiththeli
ne.Andaftertr
ying
sohardt okeept hingsont r
ackNikhona
suspectedt heonlypersonwhocoul dhelpher
washersi ster.
Simt handedi dn’treturnthesmi l
ebutshesat
downwi thouthuggi ngherf ancylooki ngsi ster
.
SeeingNi khonaawakenedol dwounds, she’d
givenupherl if
ef orhersi bli
ngsbutoncet hey
wer eupont heirtwof eett heyturnedt heir
backsonher .Theyl eftherandnev erlooked
back, she’dalway shopedt heywoul dcome
backandt heywoul dmendt hei
rbroken
rel
ationshipbutasy earsranal ong, shel earntto
l
etgooft hehopef orhersi bli
ngstoev er
comi ngback.
Si
mthande:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Ni
khona:
“Iam f
ine.I
twasi
nsensi
ti
veofmet
o
thinkthatyoucansmi lewhenyouseemeaf ter
allthoseyearsofbeingapart
.Howar eyou?”
Shesai dlookingatherhandthathadthecar
key sandherphone.Shewonder edifshewas
doingwel l
,ifshe’
dachievedhergoal
s.She
didn’twanttoaskher …
Simt hande: “Iam fi
ne.”Sher epli
edandlooked
atthewai tr
esswhowasst andingnexttoher
askingi ftheywer ereadyt oorder.Ni
khona
placedheror derandt hewai tr
essbegan
speaki ngtoNi khonaabouthermakeup
product s…Si mthandewasj ustonthetable
l
ooki ngdownast heywer etalki
ngaboutbest
coloursf orherty peofskinandshecoul dfeel
herhear tbeingt ornapart.Andhat ewas
somet hingsher ecognisedshehadf orherli
tt
le
sisterforallthehur tshecausedher .Shewasn’t
readyf orthis!
Waitr
ess:“
Sorr
y,mam,butIhadtoasksome
questi
ons.
”Sheapol
ogi
sedturni
ngto
Si
mthandenowaf t
ershe’
dfini
shedspeaki
ng
wi
thNikhona.Si
mthandenoddedonce.“What
ar
eyougoingtohave?”sheasked.
Si
mthande:
“Not
hing.
”
Ni
khona:“Whyai
n’
tyougoi
ngt
oeat
?Iwi
l
lpay
f
orthefood.
”
Simthandechuckl ed.“ You’
llpay?Didsomeone
tel
lyouIcan’ tpayf ormyf ood,Nikhona?Isthat
whaty ou’
vebeent old?”Sheaskedhersi ster
rai
singherv oiceasshef el
tshewasof f
ended
bywhatshewassay ingtoher.Shewas
anger edbyherwor dsbecauset heyindi
rectl
y
i
mpl iedshecoul dn’taffor
dapl ate.
Ni
khona:
“No,
sis,
that
’snotwhatImeant
.”
Si
mthande:“Idon’tknowwhyMnt wanapushed
metocomeher e.Iam l
eavi
ng,j
ustenj
oyy our
meal
.”Shebr okefreeandst
oodonherf eet,she
di
dn’
tevenst andami nut
etoli
stentohersister
whowast r
yingt oconvi
ncehert
hatshemust
staybecausesheneededt hem t
ot al
k…
Simthandelef
ttherest
aurantenraged.She’
d
thoughtshecoulddothi
sbutshecoul dn’t
standNikhona…
~~~~~
It
’dbeenaweekandMnot hohadn’ tbeenf ree
sinceHappi nessandt hechildrenlef t.Theonl y
thingthatwasonhi smi ndwasHappi ness’ s
requestandhe’ dgonet oLangal ibalelet oask
fortheadv iceandwhatt heancest orswer e
say i
ngaboutt hisbutLangal ibalelegav ehim no
answer sfrom theancest ors.Theonl yt hinghe
assuredhi m aboutt heancest orswast hatt he
angert hatwasuponhi mfrom t hem wasno
mor ebecauset het wof amili
eshadper formed
theseimpor t
antr i
tuals.Hehadnot hingf orhim
regardinghi smar r
iaget oDani ellebr eaki ngof f
j
ustt obr i
ngHappi nessback.Heper sonal l
yt ol
d
him hecoul dn’treall
yadv isehi m onwhatt odo
butheneededt odowhathi smi ndwast el
li
ng
hi
mt odo…Hehadn’ tspokentoHappinessina
weekbutheonlyspoketot hechi
ldr
en
wheneverhecall
ed.Hehadnot hi
ngtosayto
herbecauseshe’
dputhim onat i
ghtsi
tuat
ion…
Mondaybef oregoingt owor kMnot hodecided
thathemustspeakt ohi smot herandmay be
shewasgoi ngt otellhim somet hi
ngsensi ble.
Hewasn’ tev enfreear oundt hehousewi t
hhi s
wifebecausehewasst ressedbyt his.They’ve
beenl iv
ingt ogetherwi thSiphosami andhe
didn’tshowt hathewasn’ thappytol ivewith
them.ButPear lwouldcr yev er
ymor ningwhen
Siphosami l
eav esforschool becauseshe
woul dbel eftbehindal one.Theirpar entshad
explainedt ot hem thatshewasst il
l youngtogo
toschool butshewoul dst i
llcr
y.Mnot hodidn’
t
seeanyr esent mentfr om Dani ell
edi rect
edt o
Siphosami …
“Mnot
ho?Shoul
dn’ty
oubeatwork?”
Thembel
i
hleaskedandshesatonherchai
r
i
nsidethel
ounge.Themai dhadbeentheoneto
cal
lherwhenMnot hoaskedthathewantedt
o
speaktohi
smot her.
Mnot
ho:
“Ishoul
dbeandwher
e’sdad?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Hel eftf
orRichar
ds’baythis
mor ni
ng.Hewi ll
comebackl at
eatnight.I
s
ther
esomet hi
ngwr ong?Ishouldcomeand
takeSiphosami?”
Mnot ho: “
Mama?Whyar ey ousonegative
aboutSi phosami stayi
ngwi thus?
”heasked
feel
ingdi sappoint
edbecausehewasn’ t
expectingt hequestionthathismotherwas
aski
ngandt hi
smadehi m nott ot
rustthathi
s
motherwasgoi ngtogi vehim agenuineadvi
ce.
Thembelihl
e:“Whowoul dt
rustapersonwho
hatet
hechild’
smot herwit
hthatchi
ld?Iwould
haveactedthesamewayi fElenawouldbethe
onewhowoul dsayshewasgoi ngt
olookafter
Pearl
.Idon’tt
rustt
hat.”
Mnot
ho:
“Ther
e’snot
hingwr
onghappeni
ng.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh!Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
ethen,
mychil
d?”
Hel ookedathi smotherhav i
ngaf i
naldebate
whet hert otell
herorjustleave.Heconcluded
thatthiswomanwashi smot her,shewoul d
nev ertellhersomethingthatwoul dhurthimin
future.“Ihav ebeenputinat i
ghtdarkcor nerby
Happi nessandIdon’ tknowwhatt odo.”Het ol
d
hismot her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdi
dshedo?
”
Mnotho:
“Ihavebeenaskingf
orf
orgi
veness
andaski
ngherthatshecomesbackhomeand
gi
veusanotherchance.
”
Thembelihl
esmi l
ed.“
Oh!Shenev ertol
dme
aboutthat.
”Shetoldhersonbutherhear twas
al
readyfeeli
ngli
ghtandj oy
fult
hatMnot howas
tr
ying.“
Butwhat’sthi
stightcor
nerisshe
putti
ngyouin?”sheasked.
Mnot ho: “
Happi
nessgavemeacondi tionthat
shewi l
l onl
ycomebacktomei fIdivorce
Daniell
eandsendherbackt ohermot her’
s
housebecauseshedi sr
espectedheri nthe
begi
nni ngbygett
ingi
ntoarelationshipwith
me.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“She’
sri
ghtaboutt
hel
astpar
t
thaty
ou’
vejusttol
dme.”
Mnotho:
“Howi ssheri
ghtbecausewegot
marr
iedundercustomar
ylawandsheknew
t
hatIwasgoingtomar r
yotherwomen?”
Thembel
i
hle:“Di
dMaNkosi
knewaboutt
his
cust
omarylaw?”
Mnotho:“Yes,Itol
dhert
hatIwasat r
adit
ional
manandIcanmar r
yot
herwi ves.Sheknew
aboutthatwhenwegoti nt
oar el
ati
onship,
mama.Idi dn’
ttell
MaNkosi l
i
esbutIt oldher
thetr
uthbecauseshedidn’tj
ustagr eetobe
withme.”hetoldhismotherthet r
uth.Daniel
le
didn’
tseducehi m buthewast heonewho
madet hef i
rstmov eonherandhesl eptwith
herthatni ghtwhenshewasi ntoxicated.But
event houghshewasi ntoxicated,shedi dn’tj
ust
giveint ohim.Shet riedtor esisthim buthewas
determi nedt ohaveher .Heshout edinsidehim
nowbecausehewasact uallyanger edbyt he
factthatDani ell
ewassai dtodi srespect
Happi nessbysl eepingwi thhim butHappi ness
knewot herwomenwer egoi ngt ocomeby .Ag!
Thembelihl
e:“Okay,wear enottherebutwear e
onHappiness’srequest.Ididn’
texpectthatshe
wouldrequestsuchat hing.Doy outhi
nkt hat
shemeansi t?Ican’taskherbecauseitwoul d
beinappropr
iateifIdo.”
Mnotho:“
Shemeansi t,
mama.Butapar tofme
t
ell
smet hatshejustwant
smet odest
roymy
marri
agesothatIcanbealoneandmiserabl
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ay i
!Don’
tthi
nkl
ikethatabout
Happi
nessbecauseshe’
snotevi
l.Don’ty
ou
thi
nkifshewishesbadthi
ngsonyou,
you
wouldbeherebynow?No, buty
ouwouldbe
behindbar
sforabusingher
.”
Mnot
ho:“Whatshoul
dIdo?IloveMaNkosiwi
th
al
lmyheartandcanIr
eall
ybreakmymarri
age
wi
thherandbewithHappi
ness?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdon’
tlov
eHappi
ness?
”
Mnot ho:“No,Idon’thavethosefeeli
ngsofl ov
e
forherbutIhav egrownt ocareforherev er
sinceIhav ereal
isedmymi st
akes.Idi
dn’tlove
Elenaeitherwhenshecameher ebutIgr ewt o
l
ov eher.Andal lIwantedwasanot herchance
withHappi ness,achancetomakeherhappy
andlearnt oloveher.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Happi
nesswasbr oughttoyou
forar
easonandy oulef
thomebecausey ou
werehear
tbrokenbyyourpr
esentwife.You
mayhavenott ol
dmebutIknewt hatitwas
somethi
ngt odowit
hher.Andshecameback
tostandi
nyourwayofseei
ngt
hewoman
broughtt
oyou.
”
Mnotho:“IsawHappinesswasagoodwoman
andit
’snotmywi veswhostoppedmef r
om
seei
ngthatbecauseIhaveneverdeni
edthat
.”
Thembel ihle:“Whydi dyoubegi nmi streat
ing
herthemi nuteyouhadt hesetwowomeni n
yourlif
et hen, Mnotho?Can’ tyouseet heywere
ablockbet weeny ouandHappi ness? ”she
askedl ooki ngatMnot hobuthedi dn’tanswer
hismot her .Hedidn’tevenl ookather .
“Somet imes, weshoul dmakesacr i
ficesfor
greatergoodandasHappi nessismadef oryou
myson.Whocanmakeherhappyi fnoty ou?”
Sheaskedhi m.
Mnotho:
“Youar
etel
li
ngmemydaught
er
shoul
dgrowawayfr
om me?
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yoursoni
sgr
owi
ngawayf r
om
youandver
yfarcompar
edt
oDurban.Ican’t
reall
yt elly
ouwhatt odobuty ouneedt ofix
yourwr ongsandmay bet hatjoywehav elost
willonlycomebackwhenwehav eourdi amond
backi noury ar ds.Ican’ tev enspeakt oher
aboutf ami l
ymat tersasIwantust orestoret he
peacebecauseshe’ snotpar tofourf ami l
y.
Happi nesswi llnotonl ybej oyi ny ourli
febut
she’ll
bej oyf ort heent i
ref ami ly.Mlamul ihas
hiswi feandy our ememberhowt hef ourofy ou
wentawayt osol v emoneypr oblems?Yout old
usHappi nesswast her easony ouacqui redt he
money .Ibeli
ev et hef ourofy oucant akethis
kingdom t ogr eat erhei ghtsi fHappi nesscan
comebackandt hi sti
meshe’ llbebehi ndy ouas
yourtruewi fe.I ndi anssayi t’
sawi fe’
sdut yt o
protectherhusband’ shonourandpr estige.
Happi nesshaddonet hatmyson, she’sagr eat
wifey oucanev erhav einy ourl ifebecausel ov e
alonedoesn’ tbui l
damanandawar m home. ”
Mnot
hosi
ghedashel
i
stenedt
ohi
smot
her
’s
words.Hecl
osedhiseyesandhepr
ocessed
herwordst
horoughl
y…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE03

Nkosazanagotof fhercarandshemarchedto
thefrontdoorofDaniel
le’
shouse.She’
dbeen
call
i
nghersi ncemorningandshewasn’t
answer i
ngherphone.Shewaswor ri
edthat
somet hi
ngmi ghthavehappenedandshe
decidedthatdri
vingtoherhousewasthebest
thi
ngt odothancalli
ngherhusband.
“Where’
sy ourmother,nkosazanaZulu?”
NkosazanaaskedPear lwhowasseat edquiet
ly
onthecouchandshewaswat chi
ngTVbut
she’
ddirectedherfocustoNkosazanat he
minut
eshesawherwal kthroughthelounge.
Pearl:
“Mamai sinsideherroom.Pleaseswing
me.”sherequestedwi thanhonestsmile.
Nkosazanalaughed, shegavePearlaswing
thatshewantedandshepl acedherbackonthe
couchwithabiggi ggle.
Nkosazana:
“Iwil
lseeyouwhenIam done
speaki
ngtoyourmother.
”Shetol
dherand
walkedawayfr
om thecouch.
Pear
l:“
You’l
lswi
ngme, agai
n?”sher
aisedher
voi
ceandlookedbackather.
Nkosazana:
“Yes,
baby
.”
Nkosazanapushedt hedooraf terDaniel
lehad
tol
dhert ocomei n.Hereyesl aidont he
sui
tcasesthatwer eontopoft hebedand
Daniel
lewaspacki ngherclothes.Shemov ed
hereyesfrom thesuit
caseandshel ookedat
Daniel
le’
sface.Shesawshehadnomakeup
putont ohidethedark–r eddishshadesonher
l
owerey eli
ds.She’dneverbeenwi thouther
makeupbecauseshedidn’twantt
obe
quest
ionedaboutt
hischangeshesuddenl
yhad.
Nkosazana:
“What
’sgoi
ngonNt
andokazi
?”
Danielle: “Iam justpacki ngmycl othes. ”she
repli
edabr uptl
yandshet urnedt ot hewar drobe
totakemor eofhercl othes…I twast he
foll
owi ngmor ningsinceMnot hot ol
dhert hathe
wasdi vor cingherandshehadn’ tcomment ed
aboutwhatMnot hohadsai d.Int hemor ning
shedi dn’ twakeupt opr epar ebr eakf astand
prepar eSi phosami forschool .Mnot hot ried
wakeherupbutshedi dn’twakeup, shesl ept
pretendi ngasi fshewasn’ thearinghi m…She
wokeupaf terhe’dleftthehouseandt hatwas
whenherdaught erwokeherupcr yingbecause
herbr otherhadgonet oschool andshewas
stayingathome…
Nkosazana:
“Packi
ngyourcl
othes?Cany
out
ell
mewhat ’
sgoingon?”
Daniel
le:“
Mnot hoaskedmef oradivor
ce
becausehemustbr i
nghiswif
ehome.Het ol
d
met hatHappinessisawi f
echosenforhi
m and
theyshouldbet oget
her.Hebui
ltthi
shomewith
mewhi leHappinessdidn’
twantthatandt
his
homei sbuil
tinHappiness’
stearsandso,we
shouldgetdivorced.
”
Nkosazana:“
Hhay
bo!Andwhatdi
dyousay
aboutthat
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ngt
ohi
m.”
Nkosazana:
“Whynot?Youar
ejustgoi
ngt
o
l
eaveNtandokazi
?”
Daniell
e:“Yes,Iwasn’tgi
venachoi ceorasked
butIwast oldthatIshouldleav eandthat’
s
whatIwi ll
do.Iheardhim speaki ngwithhis
mot hertheotherday.Iwasi nsidethebedroom
i
nt hepalaceandshewast elli
nghi mthatshe
didn’tt
rustmewi thSiphosami .Sheaskedifshe
cancomet akehim.So, i
tmadesenset ome
t
hati
twaswhathe’ddi
scussedwit
hhismother
t
hatIwasn’
tfi
ttobeSi
phosami’
smother
.”
Nkosazana:“No,don’tthi
nkli
ket hatanddon’
t
t
akethattohear tbecauseitwasexpectedthat
youwon’tbetrustedwithhim becauseofyour
r
elat
ionshi
pwi thhismot her
.It’
sonlynatur
all
y
f
orourmot herin-l
awt ofeell
ikethat.
”
Daniel
l
e:“I
t’
sokay,butIam leavingthen.Ijust
wanttosaythankyouf orever
y t
hingthatyou
di
dforme.Alltheloveandsuppor t-
”shekept
qui
etandclosedherey esfeel
ingthedizziness
andshesatdownont hefreespaceav ai
lable
onthebed.Sheplacedherf i
ngersonher
gl
ands,sheexhal
ed.
Nkosazana: “
Didyoutakeyourmedicat
ionfor
thedizzi
ness?”sheaskedgivi
ngheraglassof
waterthatsherushedtothekit
chentogetfor
her.Sheplacedherhandonhershoulderand
shelookedatherasshedr ankthewater.
Daniel
le:
“Ihaven’
teatensincemorni
ng.Iwi
ll
takethem af
terIhavefi
nishedpacki
ng.Iwi
l
l
driv
ehomet oday.”
Nkosazana:“Don’
tdothi
s,Nt
andokazi.You
can’
tjustt
hrowy ourmar
ri
ageawaylikethi
s.
Forwhat?Ntandokazi
?”
Daniel
le:“
It
’snotinmynat uretoforcethings
Ndlovukaziandnow, Pear
l’
sf at
herdoesn’twant
mebuthewant shisfir
stwife.Iwon’tst
ick
aroundwhileIam notwant edIdon’twantt obe
abusedbecauseIchoset ost i
ckaroundev enif
Iam notwant ed.I
t’
sbestthatIgivehim what
hewant s.
”
Nkosazana:
“Hav
eyoucr
ied?
”
Daniell
e:“No,
Idon’thavetears.It
hinkIhave
cri
edenoughf oroneman.Cany oupleasehelp
mewi thpacking?
”Sher equestedandshegot
upfrom thebed,sheplacedtheglassont he
bedsidedrawer.
Nkosazana:“
No,Iwon’tletthishappen.”She
sai
dtoDaniell
eandshel efttheroom withher
phoneonherhands…Dani elledidn’
ttakenote
ofherbutsheproceededwi t
hpackingher
cl
othes…
“Ndl
ovukazi
?”Mnot
hoaccept
edNkosazana’
s
phonecall
.
Nkosazana:“
Mageba, Iam i
ny ourhouseri
ght
nowandy ourwif
ei stel
li
ngmet hatshe’
s
l
eavi
ngbecauset hetwoofy ouaregetti
ng
di
vorced.I
sthatt
r ue?
”
Mnotho:“
Ihadnochoicebuttoletgoofour
marr
iagebecauseHappinessisformeandshe
madeitcl
earthatshewon’tcomebackinmy
l
if
ewhileIam marri
edtoDaniell
e.”
Nkosazana:“Wow!Men!It houghtIhav
eseenit
all
from y
oumenbutno, Ihaveseennothi
ng
youkeepdishingoutsur
pr i
ses.Andyousawit
wasbestthaty oubr
eaky ourmarri
agebecause
youshouldpl
easeHappi
nessnow?Yehheni
,
youareful
lofsur
pri
sesandwecanneverkeep
up.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Ndl
ovukazi
-”
Nkosazanadroppedthecal lf
eeli
nganger edby
thi
s.Hebrokehismarr i
agebecauseHappi ness
tol
dhimt odoit?Howcoul dhebesochi ldi
sh?
Hewasamanbuthet ookadeci si
onofaboy .
Weren’tt
herewayshecoul dgetHappi nesst o
comebacki nt
ohisli
fe?Whydi dhefailtobea
manaboutt hi
s?Hepr efer
redhurti
nghi swi fe
andbreakinghi
sdaught er
’shomej usttopl ease
theother
?Men!AndHappi ness?
Shesatdownonthestoepoft
hehouseand
shepl
acedherphoneonhereartocal
l
Happi
ness.Shewait
edasherphonerang.
“
Sawubona,Nkosazana.
”Happi
nessgr
eet
ed
Nkosazana.
Nkosazana:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Nkosazana:“Iam f
ine.Howcoul
dy oupossibl
y
requestMnothotobreakhismarr
iageforyouto
comebacki ntohi
slife?Whydi
dyoudot hat?”
Happi
ness:
“Het
oldy
out
hat
?”
Nkosazana:“Iaskedyouaquest i
onandy ou
can’
tpossibl
yansweraquest ionwitha
questi
on.Andwhocanact uallytel
lmeabout
that
?Daniell
eandherdaught ershouldleave
thei
rhomenow.No, they
’releavingthei
rhome
becauseyouwantt ocomebackher e.Whyar e
youbreaki
nganot herwoman’ shouse? ”
Happi
ness:
“Youareaski
ngme, t
hat
?Di
dyou
askNt
andokazi
thatquest
ion?
”
Nkosazana:“DidIaskher?Don’ taskmeabout
t
hatbecauseIaskedy ouifyouknewabout
NtandokaziandMnot ho,youfreelytoldmethat
youknewaboutt hem andhewasgoi ngto
marryher.Iaskedyoui fy
ouwer efi
neaboutit
andyouwer echill
edtell
ingmey ouar
efine
aboutthem beingtogether
.Oryouhave
for
gott
enaboutt hat?Wher ewastheneedfor
met oaskNt andokaziwhyshewashur t
ingyou
i
fyouwer enothur t
?Huh? ”
Happiness:“Ididn’
tmeanwhatIsai dto
Njabul
o’sfatherbutIj
ustwant edhimtost op
bother
ingmeaboutcomi ngback.Iaskedhi m
todothatbecauseIwascer t
ainhewoul dn’tdo
i
tbecausehel oveshi
swife.Ithoughthewoul d
backoffandst opbother
ingme.Idi dn’
tthinkhe
wasgoi ngtodoi t.
”
Nkosazana: “
That’snonsenseandi t’
st hemost
chil
dishthi
ngIhav eeverheardcomi ngf rom an
adult
.Youar eplayi
ngjokeswi thMnot housing
Daniell
eandPear l
’shappiness?Whycan’ ty
ou
fast
eny ourbeltandtel
lMnot hoy oudon’twant
him?Whyar ey ouusingNt andokazitogethim
tobackof f
?”
Happi
ness:
“Ihav
etol
dhi
m Idon’
twanthi
m
backbuthenev
erl
i
stened.
”
Nkosazana:“Howwashegoi ngt oli
steni fyou
arenotfirm?I ndodaumaungay i
funiuy aytshel
a
ukuthiawuyi
f uni i
zeikuzweawucashi ngabanye
abantu.Andt hishusbandofy ourstooky ou
seri
ouswhi l
ey ouareplay ingagame.Hhay i
,
umdalakabi umaumngakaf undaukumel ainto
yakhongaphandl ekokuchashangabany e
abantu.Umdal akabinjef undaukuzi mel a.Gha!
Thiswomani sal r
eadysi ckandy ouar eaddi ng
mor estr
esswi ththesejokes! ”sheclickedher
tongueandshedr oppedt hecal l
.Shemar ched
backinsidethehouse…
“Nt
andokazi
,Ihavetodri
vetomyhusbandIwill
comebackhere.”Nkosazanatol
dDaniell
ewho
wasalmostdonewithpackinghercl
othes.
Daniel
le:
“Idon’tknowify
ou’l
lfi
ndmehere
becauseIdon’twanttostay
.Ihavetogohome
thatwayIwill
freelyt
akemedicati
onfr
om t
he
hospit
al.
”
Nkosazana: “
Butit
’sbeenrejecti
ngyouand
respondingbadly.Whydon’ twechangethe
typeoftreatment?Ordosur ger
ybecauseyou
aresti
llont hegradeIofthet umour
.Don’tyou
thinkt
hat ’
sbest?”
Daniel
le:
“TheDoctortol
dust hi
swouldbe
expect
edandIdon’ twanttokeepchangi
ng
medicati
ons,ndl
ovukazi
.”
Nkosazana: “
Pl ease,don’
tjustleavey our
mar r
iageli
ket his.Thi
sisahomef oryourchi
ld
NtandokaziandwhataboutSi phosami who’l
lbe
hurtthathe’
llbel osi
nganot hermot her?”
Daniell
e:“Li
keIsaid,Idon’
twantt obeabused
forstayi
ngwhi l
eIam notwant ed.That’
swhat
hedidt oherandIwon’ tl
etithappentome.I
rat
herbel abel
ledasweakf ornotfight
ingt
han
tofi
ghtf orsomethingli
kethat.
”
Nkosazana:“
Youknowthathel
ovesyou.
”she
sai
dandt ur
nedbackt
othedoorthatwas
openedandMnot howal kedinsi
dethedoorwith
hisdaughteri
nsidehi sarms…Mnot hodrove
homeaf t
erreceivingNkosazana’scal
l.
Ntandokazihadn’tbeent al
ki
ngt ohi
m andhe
didn’
tknowwhatt hatmeant .Hewantedherto
sayeveryt
hingthatwasi nhermi ndbutshe
wasn’t
.
Mnotho:“What’swrongwithyoureyes,
MaNkosi?”thatwast hefi
rstt
hingheasked
Ntandokazi
ashel aidhiseyesonDaniel
le’
s
ey
es.
Daniell
e:“
Nothi
ng.
”Sherepl
iedandsenther
eyesheaddownt ocl
osehersui
tcasethatshe’
d
fi
nishedpacki
ng.
Nkosazanaplayedwit
hPearl’
scheeksandshe
l
eftt
her oom af
tershehear
dPearlgiggl
eand
hadsaidgoodbyetoDaniel
l
e.
Mnot
ho:“What
’sgoi
ngonNt
andokazi
?What
’s
wr
ong?”
Daniel
le:“Whatareyout alkingabout?”she
l
ookedathi m shortl
yandcl osedt hesecond
suit
caset hathadherdressesandunder wear.
Shef i
guredshecouldn’
tt akeev eryt
hingatonce
andshewasgoi ngtohav et ocomet ogetthe
restoftheclothessomeot herti
me.
Mnot hoheldDaniel
le’
shandandshedidn’t
rai
seherhead.“ Pl
ease,l
ookatme.Yourlower
eyel
idshadnev erbeenli
kethi
sbef
oreandt hi
s
meanssomet hingiswrong.
”Hebeggedbut
Daniell
edidn’
tlookathim.
Dani
ell
e:“
Not
hingi
swrong.Ijustoversl
ept.
”
Shetol
dhimr
emovinghersuitcasefr
om the
bedandsher
emovedtheotherone.
Mnotho:“Canwet
alkaboutwhatIr
equest
ed
l
astnight
?”
Dani
ell
e:“Iwi
ll
divorcey
ou,
Mnot
ho.Ther
e’sno
needforustotal
k.”
Pear
l:“
Mama,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”sheasked
hermotherwhowaspushinghersui
tcaseout
ofherbedroom.Mnot
hofoll
owedafterDani
ell
e.
Dani
ell
e:“
Wear
egoi
ngt
ogr
andma’
shouse,
baby
.”
Pear
l:“
Int
hepal
ace?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
No,
buti
nDur
ban,
Nont
ando.
”
Mnot ho:“
Canyounottalktothechil
dlikethat
becausewehav en’
tspoken,Ntandokazi?
Please,st
opthi
s.”
Dani el
le:“
Hey ,don’tpr etendasi fthere’
s
somet hingwecant alkaboutnowbecause
there’snothingwecant al
kaboutnow.Wewi l
l
j
ustl eavesot hatyou’ llpleaseyourwi feand
youancest orswhobr oughtherher ebecauseI
brokey ourhear t
.”Shei nsist
edandpackedher
suitcaseinsidehercar …Mnot holookedather
asshemov edbacki nt hehouseandhe
sighed…
~~~~
“Youar enott el
li
ngmet rut
h, i
sn’t?That’
snot
thetruth.”Mlamul i
rai
sedhisv oiceandhe
stoodonhi sfeet…Hewasseat edbehindhis
deski nsidetheroyalhousewhenNkosazana
toldhim aboutwhatwasgoi ngonbet ween
Happi ness,Daniell
eandMnot ho.Ml amulifel
t
theangeri nsideofhim ashehear dthisnews.
Hisbr otherhadtakensuchast upiddeci
sion!
Nkosazana:“Yes,
it’
sthetr
uthIf oundher
packingandthepoorwomani ssick,
Ndabezit
ha.Shehasabr ai
nt umourandshe’ d
beenhidingi
tfrom Mnothosot hathewouldn’t
worryaboutherandlosefocusont hechi
ldren.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“What
’swr
ongwi
thhi
m?”
Nkosazana: “
Ithinkweshouldtell
mot herand
fatheraboutthi
sNdabezitha.Yourbrothercan’
t
breakhismar ri
agejustt
opleaseanot herwif
e.
Andwho’ dtoldmet hatshewasn’tserious
aboutwhatshesai d.”
Mlamuli
:“Tsk!Whointhei
rri
ghtmindcould
pl
aywithpeople’
sli
vesli
kethi
s?Andthis
br
otherofminehadtobef ool
ishanddothi
s.”
Nkosazanasi
ghedandlookedatherhusband
ashedissol
vedbackt
ohi sseat.“
Whenarewe
goi
ngtospeaktoourparents?
”Sheasked.
Mlamuli
:“Wewil
lhavetospeakt
ot hem
tomor
rowbecausewehav etodr
ivetoUlundi
by
2pm.Wecan’taf
fordnottogooverther
e.”
Nkosazana:“Yes,
youar eright
.Havey
oueat
en
something?Iwil
lpreparefoodfory
oubef
oreI
l
eave.”Sheaskedst andi
ngup.
Mlamuli
:“What
’stheneedforyout
oleav
e
becausewecanjustdri
venowsothatwedon’
t
havetospeedupontheroad.”
Nkosazana:
“It
houghty
ouar
ewor
king.
”
Mlamuli
:“Iwil
lfi
nishuptomorroworathome
l
ater
.Let’
sgo, wewi l
ldr
iveal
oneinthecar
.Go.
”
Hepoint
edt hewayoutoft heoff
iceand
Nkosazanal
ed…
~~~~~
“Baba,mybr ot
herisbignow?Theot herdayyou
tol
dmet hathe’stoosmal landIwon’tbeable
toholdhim. ”Qalokuhleaskedherfat
her,she
wasseat edont hepassengerseatofher
fat
her ’
scarandt heywer edriv
ingt
ot hehospi
tal
tofetchQhawe.Thenannywhowasgoi ngto
l
ookaf terhim wasseat edatthebackseatof
thecar.Shewasonhermi d-40sandshewas
goingtolivewithDalingcebo.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Yes,he’
sali
tt
lebi
gnowbutyou
sti
l
lcan’thol
dhi
m becausehe’
sst
il
lsmal
lfor
youtoholdhim.
”
Qal
okuhle:“
Hawu!Baba,y
ousaidhe’
sbi
gbut
nowyouaresayi
nghe’ssmal
l.Youarel
yi
ngt
o
me,baba.Youar
elyi
ng.”
Dal
ingcebol
aughed.“
Iam t
ell
ingyouthathe’
s
smallf
oryoubutnotsmal
lforadul
ts.Youdon’t
l
ist
enIwillal
way spully
ourears.
”Hesaidand
pul
ledherear,Qalokuhl
elaughedandr
emov ed
herfat
her’
shand.
Qalokuhl
e:“
Ican’
twai
ttomeetmybr
other
.He’
s
l
ikeme? ”
Dali
ngcebo: “No,heresemblesyourfat
her,
Simil
o’sfather.
”Herepliedandstoppedthecar
onthepar ki
ngl ot
.Thebabyhadgr ownandnow,
i
twascl earthatheresembledNgcebonothi s
fat
her.
Qal
okuhle:“Awu!Baba, whynotme?He’ spi
cky
andIdon’tl
ikehim alr
eady!”shetol
dherfather
andli
ftedherarmsf orherfathert
oli
fther
.
Dal
ingcebolaughedandpi ckedQalokuhl
eup.
Dal
ingcebo:“
HesawthatSimil
o’sfat
herdoesn’
t
hav
eaboybutf iv
egir
lsandhethoughthe
wouldsmilewhenhechoosestolookli
kehim.”
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Oh!Baba?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yeah?
”
Qalokuhl
e:“
Didbabasmil
ebecausemybrot
her
l
ooksl i
kehi
m andhedoesn’
thaveaboybut
fi
venaughtygi
rl
swhobothermewhenthey
vi
sit?
”
Dali
ngcebolaughedandpinchedherplay
full
y,
shegiggl
ed.“Youaretheonewhot eachthem
howt obenaughtybiggi
rl
.Andy es,y
ourfather
gaveyourbrotherabi
gsmi l
eforthat
.Howdo
youli
keyourbr ot
her
?”Heasked.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Ilov
ehi
m bi
gmuch!
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
That’
sdaddy ’sgi
rl
!”hegavehi
s
highfi
veandQalokuhlehitherf
ather
’shi
ghfiv
e.
“You’
llsl
eepwit
hust hisweek,okay?
”Headded.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Yes.
”
“Baba!Baba!Iwanttoseehim.”Qalokuhl
e
pressuredherfat
herpul
li
nghispantsfrom hi
s
l
eg.Dal i
ngcebohadthebabyinhisarmsand
he’dfi
nishedthefor
mali
ti
es.Qalokuhlewas
i
mpat ient
.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Qalokuhl
e!Whereareyour
mannersbecauseIam sti
l
ltal
ki
ngwi t
hadul
ts?
Behave!
”heshoutedatherandlookeddownat
her
.
“Sorry.
”Shesai dtoherf at
herandlooked
down…Theyl eftthehospitalwit
hDalingcebo
l
ecturingQal okuhleaboutr espectwhenhewas
tal
kingwi tholderpeopl e.Helectur
edherabout
theimpor tanceofwai t
inguntil
hefini
shes.
Qalokuhledi dn’tsitwit
hherf at
herwhent hey
weredr iv
ingbackhomebutshesatont he
backseatwi tht henannyandshest ar
edather
brother.Herbr otherwhom shecoul dclearsee
thathewast oodi ffer
entfrom her…
“Baba,mybrot
heri sveryfai
rincompl exi
on.
He’swhit
e?”Qalokuhletoldherf atherwhathad
beenbother
inghert hatherbrotherwasv er
y
fai
rwithhi
sbighazel brownbr i
ght ereyes..
.
Theywerelayi
ngonDal i
ngcebo’sbedwi th
Qalokuhl
eatnight.Qhawewassl eepi
ngwi th
hi
snanny
.
Dal
i
ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Didn’
tyouseehi
sear
s
wer
edarker
?”Heasked.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Whatdoest
hatmean,
dad?
”
Dalingcebo: “
Ift
hebaby’sear
saredarkerthan
hisskint hatmeansthebabywill
growupt obe
dark.Mostbabi esarefai
rincomplexi
onwhen
they’r
ey ounger.
”Hetoldherwhattheybel
ieved
aboutbabi esandwhathadbeenpr ovedtobe
trueforsomebabi es.
Qal
okuhl
e:“Oh!He’
l
lbedar
kli
kehersi
sterand
r
esembleherfat
her
.”
Dali
ngcebo: “
Yes,anddon’
tyouthinkwe’ve
beentalkingtoomuchnow.Weshoul dsleep
now?”heaskedandl ookedatQalokuhl
e.She
wastalkingnonestopandhewassl eepynow.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
No,baba,whyi
smommynot
comi
nghereanymore?”
Dalingcebosighed.“ Wewi l
l nottal
kabouty our
mot hernow, Qalokuhle.Butwewi l
lsl
eep
becausewewi llhavet owor ktomorrow.”He
toldhisdaughter.He’ddeci dedhewasn’ tgoing
totellQalokuhl
ewhatwasgoi ngonbet ween
hermot herandhi m.Itwasbestt hathet alksto
heraf t
erthecour thadmadet hef i
nal
lydeci si
on
onwhowasgoi ngt otakeher .Hedidn’twantt o
tellhi
schildaboutt he‘if
s’andt he‘maybes’ He
didn’twanttoconf useher .
Qalokuhle:
“Hawu,baba,
wewon’tst
aywit
hmy
brother
,tomorrow?Andwhycan’
twespeak
aboutmom? ”
Dalingcebosighed.‘
Lord,helpme,don’
tlet
Qhawet al
kli
kethisone.Amancan’ teven
sleep.’Hemumbl edthewor dstohimself
.“Okay
,
MaZul u,wewi l
lst
aywithy ourbr
other
tomor r
owbutwewi l
lnotst aywi
thhimthe
foll
owingday .Canwesl eepnow?”He
requestedlastl
y.
Qalokuhle:“Yes!Yes!Iam notgoi
ngtoschool
tomor r
ow.Yes, baba,wewi l
lst
aywit
hmy
brother.Il
i
kei t
.Baba?”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Huh?”hesai
dlazi
lyfeel
i
nghighl
y
i
rr
it
at ednowbecausehi
sdaughterdi
dn’
twant
t
ost optal
ki
ngnow.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Wecansl
eepnow.
”
Hesighed.“
Thanky
ou!
”Hesai
dandof
fi
cial
l
y
cl
osedhiseyes…
THERLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE02

“Aw!Congratulat
ions,nt
wana.Youmustbe
happy.
”Nandi phasaidtoDumaandshe
yawned,alongy awn.Shewasl ayi
ngonherbed
onthe3thofJul y.They’
vebeenalonei
nt he
houseforaweek.Ngcebowasn’ thome,hewas
awayf orworkbuthewassai dtocomeback
thepresentday.Theydi dn’
tgodownt oKZNf or
theappeasingrit
ualthatwast aki
ngplace…
Nandiphaov er
sleptbecausethechil
drenhad
gonetot hei
rgrandmot her’
shouse.Theyleft
thetwoday sagoandFai t
hpromisedtobring
them backwhent heywant edtocomeback
homet oNandipha.
Duma:“Iam nothappyIwasn’
treadyt
obea
fat
her
.”
Nandiphalaughedandshegotup,tositup
str
aight
.“Youmustbej oki
ng!Whydidn’ty
ou
abstai
norusepr ot
ect
ion?”Sheasked.
Duma:“I
twasjustthatoneti
me,ntwanabutat
l
easti
twaswithmygi rl
fr
iendnotsomeone-
ni
ghtst
and.Iwouldhavebeendoomed.”
Nandi
pha:“
Sies!Duma,
what
’swr
ongwi
th
bei
ngfai
thf
ul?”
Duma:
“Doy
out
hinkPr
inceTeei
sfai
thf
ult
o
you?Li
ke,forr
eal!He’
sapubl
icfigur
eandhe
hangsaroundanumberofdif
ferentwomen.Do
youhonestl
ythi
nkhe’dnev
ersleptwit
h
someoneelse?”
Nandipha:“Icanneveranswerf orhi
m butwhat
Iknowi sthat,i
n1mili
onmenwemi ghthavein
thecit
ymay behal
fami ll
i
onoft hosemenar ein
rel
ati
onships.Iref
usetobel i
evethatal
lthat
halfami l
l
ionofmenar et hesameandt hey’r
e
all
cheaters.Justbecausey ouareapublic
fi
gurewhocan’ tcommi ttoonewomant hat
doesn’tnecessari
l
ymeanev erypubl
icfi
gure
doesthat.”
Duma:
“Oh!Youar
epr
otect
ingy
ourman.Isee.
”
Nandipha:“No,Iam notbutIam tr
yingtomake
youseet hatmenar enotthesame.Same
appl
iestowomen, wearenotallcheater
s.For
ever
ymaj orit
yther
e’sami nor
it
yntwana.Andif
majori
tyofwomencheatIf al
lunderthe
minori
ty.
”Shet ol
dDumaandshel aughedasif
she’
dshar
edaj oke.Dumaendeduplaughi
ng
aswell
becauseNandiphawaslaughi
ng.
Duma:
“What
’sf
unnynow?
”
Nandi pha:“What ’
sf unnyi st hat,Iam afr ai
dy ou
fal
l underthemaj orityofcheat erst hatmakes
ussayal lmenar echeat ers.
”Shet oldherwhat
wasf unnyandt heyl aughedser iously.
Nandi phawi pedhert ears.“Youneedt ost art
savingmoneyf ory ourchi l
dsot haty ouwon’ t
fal
l underthemaj orityofmenwhoar ef athers,
butj ustabsentfather s.Theseday sit’
s
shocki ngforsomewoment oseemenl oving
andcar i
ngfortheirchi ldren.Andweendup
feeli
ngt heneedt oappl audf atherswhoar e
i
nv olvedjustfordoi ngt heirduties.”
Duma:“Youar
eri
ghtonthatonentwana.I
wasn’
treadyt
obeafatherbutIwon’
tdotomy
chi
ldwhatmyfat
herdi
dt ome.”
Nandi
pha:
“That
’si
t!
”shesai
dandl
i
ftedher
headtothedoorasitwasopened.Ngcebo
walkedt
hroughthedoorwit
houthisbag.
Duma: “AndIknowifIfl
opIhav eyoutoputme
i
nline.Ey,nt
wana,theotherreasonIwas
cal
li
ngwast oaskaboutt hatret
weet.Hav
eyou
seentherepli
es?”
Nandi
pha:
“Ntwanaindoday amiisi
fi
ki
lesobuye
skhul
umengalokho.
”(Ngceboishere,wewill
tal
ksomeotherti
meaboutt hat
.)
Dumalaughed.“
Sur
e.Sur
e.Iwi
l
lhol
dyouf
ori
t.
”
Hesai
d.
“Yeah, Iknow.”Sheadmit t
edandremov edthe
phonef r
om herear.Sheplacedthephoneaway
afterhangingupt hecal
l.Nandiphakneeledon
thebedandshemov edfor war
dasNgcebowas
standingbyt heedgeoft hebed.
Ngcebo:
“Youawake.Icameupher
etowake
you.
”
Nandi
phahel
dhi
m byhi
scol
l
ar.“
Whendi
dyou
comeback?”Sheaskedandsheki ssedhi
m
wit
houtwai
tingforar
esponsefrom Ngcebo.
HeheldNandipha’
swaistt
ight
lyandhepulled
hercl
osert
ohi m…
Ngcebo: “
Icamebackear l
yinthemorni
ngand
youwerepeaceful
l
ysleepinghere.It
ri
ed
wakingyoubutyoudidn’twakeup.Il
eftyout
o
makebr eakf
ast
.Mygirlsarenotbackyet
.They
shouldcomeback.”
Nandi
pha:“Whydon’twef et
chthem t
omorrow?
Wewillhav
ethehouset ooursel
vestodayand
t
hentomorrowwef etchthem.”
Ngcebo:“Ili
ket
hat.Getoffthebed.”hetol
dher
andplacedhiswetlipsonthevisi
blefl
eshof
hershoulder
.Nandiphasmiledandheldthe
backofhishead.
“IwanttoshowerandIam nothungry
.Rast
a,
myf r
iendi
sgoingtobeafatherandthepoor
guyisnoevenreadytobeafather.
”Shetol
d
Ngceboandsatonthebedinst
eadofget
ti
ng
of
fthebed.Helookeddownather
Ngcebo:“Hewasn’ tsupposedt ohav esexi
f
he’
snotr eadytobeaf ather.Andy ouknowI
am notaf anofthisfr
iendofy oursbutIhope
he’
llbehav i
ngjustonebaby .”Nandipha
l
aughedandkneel edont hebed,sheheld
Ngcebo’sarmt ogetoft hebed.Shest oodon
herfeet
.
Nandi
pha:“I
t’
sonebabyandt
her
e’snot
hing
wrongwit
hmor e.
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“That’
snotwhatyousayif
t
heybotheryouti
l
lmi dnight
.Andwhatwould
youdoifyoucanbepr egnantandf
iveboy
s?”
NandiphahitNgcebo’
schest.“Don’tsaythat
andithardl
yhappensli
kethat.Itnormall
y
rot
atesformostwomen.It hi
nkt hatwemust
gotothecli
nicwhenwear ereadyf oranother
chi
ld.Wecanhav emyeggf erti
li
sedbyone
sper
m andpl
anti
tinher
e.”Shesuggest
edand
pl
acedahandonherwomb.
Ngcebol
aughed.“
Youaremaki
ngsuggest
ions
now.Zi
ykuny
isi
lel
ezi
ngane.
”
Nandi
pha:“Ah!Ngcebo,zi
si
nyisasonkemos.
”
Sheadmit
tedandt heyl
aughed.
“Whatwereyoueati
nginy
oursl
eepasy
ou’
re
nothungr
y?”heasked.
NandiphaheldNgcebot i
ghtint
oahug.“Iwas
eat
ingthefatherholyghost!
”Shej
okedand
Ngcebopulledherlocks.Nandi
phascr
eamed.
Ngcebo:
“Youdidn’
ttel
lmey oumi
ssedme.The
gi
rl
swouldhavesaiditf
ir
stl
ywhentheysaw
mebutyoudidn’
t.
”
Nandipha:“
YouknowImi ssedyou!”she
screamedasNgcebowasl if
ti
ngherof ft
he
fl
oor.NandiphaheldontohisneckasNgcebo
walkedwithhertothebathroom.“Don’tf
all
wit
h
me, pl
ease.
”Shet ol
dNgcebo.
Hedi dn’
tbreat
heawor dunt il
theywereinside
thebathroom.Ngcebopi nnedNandipha’
sback
againstt
hewal l
.Hewashol di
ngherbyher
thi
ghs.“Imissedthi
sal ot.
”Het ol
dNandi pha
andhepul l
edherlocks.Theywer en’
tsty
ledor
ti
edupbutt heywereletloose.
Nandipha:
“Ah!Ngcebo!
”shescreamedtheway
Ngcebowantedhertoscream butshewasn’
t
cat
chinguptowhyhewasdoi ngt hat
.
Ngcebo:“
Yeah!
”hesaidhi
sv oi
cesoundi
nga
l
it
tl
elazyandhepul
ledheragai
n.
Nandipha:“Ngcebo!Hmm!Ar eyououtofyour
mind?”shescr eamedandf ai
l
edtoremoveher
handsfrom hisneckbecauseshewasscared
hewasgoi ngtol ethergoandshewoul
dfall
..
.
Hedidn’tanswerherbuthegavehera
mischievoussmil
e,hi
sbodywar medupandhe
f
elthisorganquiv
erasherscreamsweredoi
ng
whathewant ed.“
Itol
dy out
hatImissedy
ou
andIwon’ tstop.”Heinsist
edandkeptpul
li
ng
herlocks,i
rri
tati
ngt heheckoutofNandi
pha
whodi dn’
tstopscr eamingthewayNgcebo
wantedandi tfinal
lygavehim aful
ler
ect
ion.He
thenkissedher…
“You…arenot…ser i
ous…”Nandiphaspokei n
betweenthekissbutNgcebodidn’tstopkissi
ng
her.Hefast
enedhi sl
ipsonhers,i
tdidn’tt
ake
hersecondstoloosenupandt heyshareda
highl
ycovet
edki ss…
MayandJune, t
heyhav ebeenr ecoveringfrom
allt
hehur tthey’
veexper iencedinAprilwhen
Ngcebol eftherandcamebackanangr yman.
Theydidn’tbecomeal r
ightov er
nightbutthey
tri
edbyal lmeanst owor kt ogetheri
ntobeing
betteri
nt i
me…Nandi phahadaposi ti
ve
responsef r
om thepubl icabouthermagazi ne
i
ssue.Itwasn’ tever
yonewhohadposi tive
comment sespecial
lyaboutherbodyi ssuesbut
mostwomenr espondedposi t
ivel
ytoitandt hey
appreciatedherhonesty
.Shewashappyabout
thefeedbackandNgceboencour agedhernot
tomi ndthenegativ
ecomment s.Andhershort
stor
ieswer eputonmar ketforthepubl
ic…
Ngcebobeganwor kingonhislinei
nJunebut
hehadn’ tfi
ndtheri
ghtbalancebetweenhis
musicandt hi
snewdeal thathehadsigned…
“Iam real
l
ynothungr yRast
a.”Nandi
phat ol
d
Ngceboast heysatdownt ohavethebreakfast
thatNgcebohadpr eparedfort
hem.They’ve
takenashoweraftergreeti
ngeachotherthe
wayNgcebowant edandNandi phawasn’ton
hersleepwearnowbutherbl ackl
eggingsanda
yell
owshirt.
Ngcebo:“
Iputmyheartandti
memakingt
his
f
oodf ory
ou.Pl
ease,eatt
hefood.
”Hepl
eaded
wi
thherandlookedather.
Nandiphanoddedandconvi
ncedherselfshe
wasgoingtoeat.Shehadnoproblem wit
h
eat
ingbutbreakf
asthadn’
tbeenthefavouri
te
meal oftheday.Butshedidn’
twantNgceboto
feelhurti
fshedoesn’teathi
sfood.Henever
l
ikeditwhenshewoul dturndownfoodhe’d
preparedforher.
SheoptedtoeatporkRussians.“Howdidi
tgo
then?Youdi
dn’tt
ellme.”Nandiphaasked
Ngceboabouthistr
ip.
Ngcebo:
“Itwentwel
lbutIdon’
tthi
nkIdi
dmy
besti
nallmyperf
ormances.
”
Nandipha:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?Youar
ehav
ing
adif
fi
cultti
me?
”
Ngcebo:
“Notreal
l
ybuty ouknowt
hatf
eel
i
ng
t
hatyoudidn’
tdoyourbest?
”
Nandipha:
“Yes,weal
lfeel
thatsomet
imes.I
wil
lgettowatchyou?
”
Ngcebo:“Youser
iouslydon’
twantmyfood,
neh?”heaskedwithoutanswer
ingt
hequest
ion
thatshe’
daskedl
ast .
Nandipha:
“Hawu,Ngcebo.Iam eati
ngyour
food.Youwantt
omakeabi gdealoutoft
his
nowandal ly
ou’
l
ldoisgivemey ouruglyf
ace
allday
.”
Ngcebounexpect
edlyl
aughed.“Yousur
ely
don’
tknowanuglyface.
”Hesaidandplacedan
eggontopofhertoast
.Helif
teditt
ohermouth.
Nandiphadi dn’tr ef
usehim butshet ookt he
breadf rom hi
m.“ Iam tr
yingt omaintainmy
fi
gurebuthe’ sf eeding-
”Shedi dn’
tgulptheegg
downast hehal fcookedy ol
kgav ehernausea
withoutv omit
ing.Shespatt heegg.“ I
t’
shal f
cookedNgcebo! ”Shelookedathi m, herface
showingt hatshewasn’ tont hemoodf orthi
s
egg.Sher emovedherey esfrom hisfaceand
shegr abbedagl ass,shepour edwaterand
drankt hewater .
Ngcebowasl ooki
ngathertr
yingtor
elaxas
Nandiphahadspattheegg.“
Sincewhendoy ou
spi
tthehalfcookedegg?”Heaskedcalml
y.
Nandi pha:“ItoldyouthatIam nothungr ybut
you’l
lseeby1pm Iwi llbeont hi
sbreakfast.I
wasj usteat i
ngbecausey ou’vemadei tforme
withlov eandIdi dn’
twanty outobegr umpy ”
shetol dhimt ruthf
ull
y.
Ngcebo:“Whydidyouretweetthatwoman’
s
tweetandsai
dthosethingsyousaid?Didy
ou
seewhatpeoplear
esay ingaboutthat
?”
Nandipha:“Idi
dn’tseebutIdon’
tcar
ewhat
theysay.Thatwomanmustnothi debehind
femini
sm.That ’
snotwhatwest andforas
femini
sts.Iwon’tevenexpl
ainmysel
forrepl
y
back.”
Ngcebo: “Youaresayingthatbecausey ou
haven’tseentherepl
ies.Don’tforgetthatyou
havefanst hatmeansy oucan’tcommentabout
peopleany how,Nandipha.Andy ou’l
lseethem
sayi
ng‘ Pri
nceTee’swi f
enotNandi pha.”He
l
ecturedherbutshewasn’ tlookingathi m.
Nandipha:
“Whatarewedoi ngt oday?”she
askedcoveri
ngherplateoffoodaf t
ershe’d
addedfoodonherplate.Shedel i
beratel
y
i
gnoredwhatNgcebowassay ingabouther
ret
weet.
Ngcebo:
“You’
l
lignor
ewhatIj
ustsai
d?”
Nandipha:“Yes,Iwi l
lignoreit.
”Sher epl
i
edand
gotuptoleav ethedi ningtablewit
hherpl ateon
herhands…Shepl acedherpl ateont he
mi cr
owaveandshecl eanedthekit
chenev en
thoughsheknewhercl eanerwasgoi ngto
cleanbutshef eltli
kekeepi ngbusywhi l
e
Ngcebowaseat ing.Whenshewasdonewas
doneshet ook2l it
reofsourcr eam andshepour
them ontheglass.Sheaddedsugar .Andhad
them asherbr eakfast…
Shelookedathi m asNgcebowasl ay
ingback
onthecouchwi thhiseyescl
osed.Musicwas
pl
aying,Nandiphahadjustfi
nishedcl
eaningthe
ki
tchenandt hediningr
oom…Shewasn’ tsur
eif
hewassleepi
ngorjustnappi
ngbutei
therway
shepl
acedherbodyonhi sbody
.
Ngcebo:“
Ah!I
sakael
i
sindakangakal
i
funani
phezukwami?
”
Nandi
pha:“
Ha!Ngcebothat’
ssodi
srespect
ful
.
”
Shesai
dandhithi
sshoulder
.Shedi
dn’tl
augh
asNgcebowaslaughi
ng.
Ngcebo:“Keepquietandcl
oseyourey
es.Iwant
tohavesomer est.
”Herequest
edandNandipha
closedhereyes…
Nandiphawokeupasshehear dNgcebocalli
ng
her‘
MaZondi ’
.Shelookedathim buthehadhis
eyesclosedsignal
l
ingthathewassl eepi
ng.
Nandiphashookhiml i
ghtl
ybuthedi dn’
twake
up.Shelaidbackonhischestthi
nkingshe
mighthaveimaginedhim cal
li
ngher.
“I
nkunzi
isemathol
eni.Ubukhosingaphandl
e
kwabantwanabufi
le,
ubukhosingaphandle
kwabantwanaabunakusasa.”(
Futurel
eaders
areamongstt hechil
dren.Akingdom wi
thout
chil
drenisdead.)Ngcebospokei nhi
ssleep
andNandi phaheardthewordshewassay i
ng.
Sheraisedherheadandl ookedathim.Hewas
sl
eepingandhadst oppedtalking…Nandipha
shookNgcebo.
Ngcebo:
“Mm?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Wakeup,
youar
edr
eami
ng.
”
Ngcebo:“No,Iam not.Let
’sgosl
eepinour
r
oom.Iam sleepy.”Hey awnedandheld
Nandipha’
sshoulderstopushherback.
Nandiphadidn’
tmov e.“No,Ngcebo,youwere
tal
kingaboutchil
dreninyoursleep.Youwere
tal
kingaboutthekingdom bei
ngdeadwi thout
chil
dren.
..
”Sherephrasedandt oldhi
mt he
exactwordshesaid.
Ngcebochuckl
edandgotupwit
hher.“That
mightmeanthatweshoul
dgomakemor e
chi
ldr
en.Iwanttosl
eepbutwecanbeginby
doingt
hat
.”Hesai
dpul
l
ingNandi
phabyher
hand.
Nandipha:“
Youarenottaki
ngmeser
iousl
y.
Whati ft
hatwomanwill
pimpmychil
dren
becauseIretweet
edt
hatonhert
weet.Let
’sgo
takethegir
ls.
”
Ngcebo:“
Nandiphat hatwomanwor kswit
h
pr
ofessi
onalst
rippersandcal
lgir
lsnotli
tt
le
gi
rl
s,not
hingwillhappentoourgi
rls.
”
Nandipha:“Butcanwejustgoandt akethem so
t
hatIcanhav emyheartatrestift
hey ’
rehere.
I
maginei fsomethi
ngcanhappent othem while
t
hey’r
enother eIwil
lbl
amemy sel
f.Please.
”
Ngcebosighed.“Buthowwi l
lIrestthenift
he
chi
ldrenarehere.Wesaidwewi llgotakethem
tomorrowandIsuppor tt
hatidea.Youknow
Nongcebowi l
lnotevenli
stenwhenwet ell
her
nottobotherme. ”
Nandi
pha:
“Wecan’
tjustsl
eep.
”
Ngcebo: “
Okay,howwi l
lyoufeeli
fIcallsome
securi
typersonnelwho’l
lwatchoveryour
mother’shouseforthenightunt
ilwegoget
them t
omor row.Iwil
lcal
l t
wopeopletogoover
ther
e.”
Nandipha:“Notf
ortheni
ghttheyshouldgonow
andIwillcal
lmom totel
lherthatthey
’l
lbe
comingov ert
heret
owat choverthem.”
Ngcebo:
“Al
ri
ghtt
henIwi
l
ltel
lthem t
ogonow.
”
Nandipha:
“That
’sbet
ter.Let’
sgoupt hen
becausemyphoneisthere.”sheencouraged
andtheycli
mbedthestair
st odowhatt hey
’ve
deci
dedon…
~~~~
“Youseem mil
esawayev eryt
imewear e
toget
herandnow;Iam tr
y i
ngtospeaktoyou
butyouarenotbr
eathi
ngawor d.”Dani
ell
e
madeMnot hoawareofhisbehaviourt
hathas
beengoingonnotfordaysbutforweeks…
Dani ell
ehadn’ ttoldMnot hoaboutheri l
lness
andt hemor eshewascl oset ot ell
inghi m was
themor eshef oundr easonsnott otellhim.She
hadt ol ietohi m andt ellhim shewasgoi ng
awayf orwor kbutshehadt ogot ohermot her
’s
house.Shewasn’ tr espondi ngwel ltothe
treatmentandi twasn’ teasyhi dingthatf rom
Mnot ho.Shedeci dedt ogot ohermot her’sand
hav eal lthewor str eact i
onst ot hetreatmenti n
hermot her ’shouse.Shecamebackf eeling
betterandev ent houghshest i
llhadqui teaf ew
sideef fect s,i
twasn’ tasbadasi twasont he
fi
rstsessi onofherchemot herapy …It’dbeen
goodf orhert ohav et wochi l
dreni nt hehouse
andshewat chedasPear lbecamecl osert oher
brotherandev eryt i
mewhenshewoul dcr yf or
himi nt hemor ning.Dani ell
eal way sf oundt hat
socut e.She’ dseenMnot howashappyt hathi s
sonwaswi thhimi nt hesamer oofandt hatwas
allshewant edtosee.Herhusbandhappy
becausewhenhewashappyt hatmeantshe
woul dbehappy .Siphosami wasn’ ta
troublesomechi l
dbutt heynev erpl ayedf air
wi t
hPear l.Atti
mest heywoul dar guewhent hey
playandDani ell
ehadt or epri
mandt hem when
theyfight.Sheknewherdaught ermi ghtbea
shychi l
dbutshewasv erybossy .Shewas
happywi tht hei
rmi nifami l
yandNkosazana’ s
suppor twasev er
y t
hingt oher.Mnot hohad
beenbyhersi def orallthemi sfortunest hathad
happenedi nherlifeandatt imesshef eltthat
hehadnol i
feofhi sownbuthewasl i
vingf or
her.Hewasl i
vi
ngj usttobehersuppor tsystem
andshej ustwant edthem t obeahappyf ami l
y
wi t
houtanybadnews…
Mnothowasseatedaloneinsi
dethelounge
whenDaniell
esatnexttohi
m andaskedhimif
hewascomi ngtobedornot.I
twasaMonday
ni
ght,asecondweeksincehe’
dspokenwi t
hhi
s
mother.“
Youknowt hatIl
oveyou,r
ight
?”
MnothoaskedDaniell
eandhetookherhand
i
ntohi
shands.
Dani
ell
e:“
Alr
ight
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Answermyquest
ion.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
No,what’
sgoingon?Youneverask
methatbutyouj
usttell
met haty
oul
oveme.
What’
sgoingon,
Mnot ho?”
Mnot ho: “
Not hingi sgoingon.”Hesai dandt r
ied
togetupf rom thecouchbutDani ell
est opped
himf rom get t
ingup.Hel ookedather …It’
dbeen
aweeksi ncehi smot herhadgi v
enhi m an
adviceonwhatt odo.I twasdi ff
icultforhimto
reachadeci si
onaboutwhathewant edt o
happen.He’ dconsi deredwhathi smot herhad
saidandhe’ dtriedt opictur
ehisl i
fewi th
Happi nessashi swi fealone.Andheadmi t
tedit
wasgoi ngtobet hatwar ml i
fetheyhadbef or
e.
Buthecoul dn’tbringhi mselftobreakDani ell
e’s
heartagai n.
Dani
ell
e:“
Somet
hingi
sgoi
ngonbecausey
ou
haven’
tbeeny our
sel
fthisweekandit’
snotonl
y
thi
sweek,sincether
itualyouhavebeen
somewhat.Iam notsayingwearenothappy
toget
herbutIknowyou, Mnotho.
”
Mnot ho:
“Il
oveyoubutIdidn’treal
isethatwe
buil
tourhomeinmyf ir
stwife’stears-
”hewas
brokenoffbyDani
ell
e.
Daniel
le:“Don’
tgi
vemespeechesj ustget
str
aighttothepoi
nt.
”Shet ol
dhim abruptl
y
becauseshecouldfeelthatwhatev
erMnot ho
wantedt osaytoher
.Itwasn’tsomethingthat
wasgoi ngtomakeherhappy .
Mnot
ho:
“Nt
andokazi
-”
Daniel
l
e:“No,t
ell
meyourpoi
ntMnot
hodon’
t
beataboutt
hebush.
”
Mnotho:“Ihav
ehur tHappi
nessbymarryi
ngyou
andElena.Shenev erwantedmet omarr
yother
womenbutIf orcedi tdownonher.Our
marr
iagemayhav ebeenar r
angedbuti
twas
thewillofmyancestor
st hatImarryHappiness
aft
ertheheartbreakIgotfrom ourrel
ati
onship.
She’sthewif
echosenf ormeandIwanther
backinmyl i
fe.Ishoul
df i
xmywr ongsby
divor
cingyouandshe’llbemyonl ywif
elikeit
wasmeantt obe.”
Dani ell
el ookedatMnot howi thabl ankf ace.
Shef eltherhear tbeingt ornintoami ll
ion
piecesandi tthrobbed, shewascer tainher
hear twasbl eedi ngasMnot hohadt akent he
knifet hatwasonherhandashi swi fe.Hedr ov
e
i
tdeepi ntoherhear t
.Shecannev ercomeback
humanf rom thi shur t.I
twast helastnai ltoher
al
r eady‘ dying’ cor pse.She’dbeenkeepi ngt he
hopeofsur vival forherdaught erandMnot ho,
nowf ort hesecondchi l
dt hathadbeenpl aced
underhercar e, Siphosami .Butnow, thishadt o
happen…
Mnotho:
“Pl
ease,
saysomethi
ng,
MaNkosi.
”He
pl
eadedwit
hherasDani
ell
ewasblankl
y
l
ookingathim wit
houtraisi
ngacommentor
shoutathim.Heexpectedshewasgoi ngt o
shoutandfight
,hewasr eadytot akeanything
fr
om her.Hewasr eadyforitall
.Butnow, he
waswor r
iedasDaniell
ewasn’ tsayinganything
atal
l.Shewaslookingathim wi t
hawhi teface.
Daniel
ledi
dn’tsayany
thi
ngbutshepull
edher
handfrom hi
shandandshegotupf r
om the
couch.Mnothostoodupimmediat
elyandhe
hel
dherarm beforeDani
ell
ecoul
dmov eaway
fr
om him.
Mnotho:
“Pl
ease,
Ntandokazi
,don’
tjustkeep
qui
et.
”
Shedi dn’tvoi
ceoutheranycommentbutshe
walkedawayf r
om Mnothot ogettothei
rroom
withoutreleasi
ngtear
sf r
om hereyes.All
she
couldhearwashear tthatkepttear
ingapart
,
shecoul dhearthethr
obsandnow, herf
earwas
thatshewasgoi ngt
odiealone.Howcoul dhe
dot hi
st oher?
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE04

“TheywantaTVinterv
ieworradio?
”Ngcebo
askedNandiphawhowasseat edont hebed
withapenandpaper.Shewasbusypol ishi
ng
thesecondsongofthetwosongst hatNgcebo
didn’
tknowshewaswor kingon…Hewas
standi
ngbeforet
hemi r
rorfi
xi
nghimsel ff
orthe
daythathehadahead.
Nandipha:“TheywantaTVi nter
viewnotaradi
o,
Rasta.Where’syourheadatthesedaysyou
haveabr okenheari
ng?”
Ngcebochuckled.“Idi
dn’
theary oubecause
youaretal
ki
ngwhi leconcentr
atedont hat
wri
ti
ngy ouaredoing.Youareonanot herbook
oryouarewrit
ingyourassignment?”Heasked
andlookedbackathershor t
ly…Itwast he10t
h
ofJulyandt
hegir
lswerebackhome.Nothi
ng
badhappenedt
othem andNandiphahad
l
oosenedupontheideaofthem bei
ngin
danger.
Nandipha:“Iam j
ustbeingcreat
ivesi
ncethe
gir
lsarenotinthemoodf ormycompany.And
youareleavingforwork.Youwon’tcomeback
l
ate,ri
ght?”
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcomebackt
omor
rowmor
ning.
”
Nandi
pha:“Oh!Andwhyam It ol
daboutt
his
now?”sheclosedthely
ricsheet
sandshe
pl
aceditbeneathherpi
ll
ow.Shegotofft
hebed
andmarchedt ohi
m.
Ngcebo:“Iwast oldthismor ningaboutitandI
am tel
li
ngy ounow.Pl ease,tiemyl aces.
”He
request
edlookingathi swristwat chthathe
wasput t
ingonhi swr i
st.Nandi phawentdown
totiehi
ssneakerl aces.“Di
dy ouhav eat al
k
withyoursist
eraboutt hisdivorcethingof
t
hei
rst
hatkeepsbei
ngpubl
i
c?”
Nandipha: “
Ishouldcall
hert odaybutIdon’
t
thi
nkthat’
sherwhokeepsl eaki
ngt hepr
ogress
ofherdivorce.Yourbrotherhasn’teven
comment edoni tnotevenonce.Whywoul dshe
keepleakingthestory?”
Ngcebo:“Idon’
tknowandi
t’
sreal
l
yunl
i
keher
unl
essifshe’shur
t.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Well
,yourbrot
herdidhur
therand
t
hat’
snotevenquest
ionabl
e.”
Ngcebo:
“Igotnonet
osayaboutt
hat
.”
Nandipha:“Yeah,yougononetosaytomebut
that
’snotwhaty ousaytoyourbrot
her.Gi
veme
ahandRast a.”ShegaveherhandtoNgcebo
becauseshewasdonewi t
htyinghi
slaces.
Ngcebot ookherhandandpulledherup…
Ngcebo:“
Idon’tevenknowwhyy ouhadtosit
thatwhol
ebodydownbecausei t
’snotheav
y
anymore.
”heteasedherandexpecteda
scr
eam f
rom herbutNandiphal
aughedwit
hout
commenti
nganyf ur
theraboutwhathe’
dsai
d.
“Thegirl
sandIaregoingtoeatoutwi
thmy
brot
hersinceyouwon’tbecomingback.Rast
a!
YouknowIam short.”Shestr
essedasNgcebo
wasn’tbendi
ngdownf orNandi
phatoputhis
browncolouredGUCCIbackpackonhisback.
Ngcebochuckledandwentdownf orhert
o
haveaccesstohisback.“
Iam sorr
ymyshot
baseandpleasebri
ngtakeawaysforme.Iwill
eatthem whenIcomeback.”HetoldNandipha
pushingherfor
wardcli
mbingdownt hest
airs
wit
hheraf t
ershe’
dputthebackpackonhis
back.
Nandipha: “Okay,Iwi
lldothatandpleasedon’t
overwor kyourself
.Yourgi
rlsarenotaroundI
thi
nkt hey’r
eout si
dethehouse.”Shetoldhi
m
passingt heloungetoaccessthefrontdoor.
Ngcebo:
“Iwon’
tseet
hem andy
ouneedt
ogo
styl
eyourlocksotherwi
seIwon’ tst
oppul l
i
ng
them.”hesaidtoherandhepul ledthem ashi
s
eyeshadbeenont hem andherbuttssi
nce
Nandiphawaswal kingonhisfront.
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Ngcebo,
that
’snotsoon.
”
Hechuckl edandplacedhi shandsonher
shoulderstotur
nherar ound.“Havefunwi t
h
yourratstoni
ght.Iwillseey outomorrow
mor ni
ngandont herealsthough.Styleyourhai
r
unlessifyouenjoyitwhenIpul l
you.”Hekissed
hercheeksandpul ledherear s.Nandipha
l
aughedandhel aughedaf terher.
Nandipha:“
Nextthi
ngyou’
ll
tellmetostyl
emy
ear
s.”Sheguessedopeni
ngt hedoorofhis
Maseratif
orhi
m becausehewasst i
lll
aughing.
“Pl
ease,don’
toverwor
kyoursel
fNgcebo.”She
i
nsist
ed.
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
youarer
ightwif
e.Ialr
eadyhav
e
someworkstr
essbutwewill
talkabouti
tsome
ot
hert
ime.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Okay
,hav
eagoodt i
me.
”Sheki
ssed
hi
scheek,
themanchuckl
ed.
Ngcebo:
“Il
ovey
ou,
sdudl
a.”Hehoppedi
nsi
de
hi
scar.
Nandipha: “Ihavemyf i
gurebackIdon’treall
y
qualif
ytobecal l
edsdudlanow.Andpl ease,go
now!Ihav er ubbedoffthetal
ki
ngtoy ou.”she
closedthedoorf orhim andhewasf oldinghis
l
ipsshowi nghewasn’ tgoingtotal
kanyf ur
ther
.
Nandiphal ookedathiscarasitdroveoutoft he
premises.Shet henmov edbacktothehouset o
callNontobeko…
“Howareyou?Ihavebeenmeaningtocally
ou
butIhav
eal otoft
hingsgoi
ngoninsi
demy
head.
”NontobekoaskedNandi
pha’swel
lbei
ng.
Nandi
pha:“
Iam f
ineandhowy
ou?Youar
e
sl
eepi
ng?”
Nont
obeko:
“Yes,
Iam homef
ort
hecasedat
es.
Iam soangrythati
tdoesn’
twanttocomet oan
end.Wecan’tdustthedi
vorcesett
lement
wit
houtknowingaboutthecustodyof
Qalokuhl
e.”
Nandi
pha:
“Wher
ewi
l
lshel
i
ve?
”
Nont
obeko:
“She’
l
lleav
einCapeTownwi
th
me.”
Nandi
pha:
“Hawu,
Nont
obeko,
that
’snotso
gr
eat.
”
Nont
obeko:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Nandipha:“Don’
ttakeQalokuhlebecauseyou
won’tbearoundherthatmuch.Justi magi
ne
howherl i
fewill
be?Fr om bei
ngaroundherbig
famil
y,al
way soccupiedwithcompanyallthe
ti
met owaitingformom tocomehomewhi l
e
shestaysathomewi ththemai d.Doyouthink
that
’sfai
rony ourchi
ld?”
Nont
obeko:“So,youwantthesepeopl
etohave
mydaughteraft
ertheydi
dnot hi
ngaboutt
hei
r
soncheat
ingonme?Ishoul
dpl
easet
hem?
”
Nandipha: “
Whywoul dy oudot hingsf orthem?
It
’snotaboutt hem Nontobekobuti t
’sabout
Qalokuhle’shappiness.Ifyouwer edoinga
careerthatkepty ouhomeev eryni ghtandat
workdur ingt heday,t
henIwoul dhav ebeen
behindy oubutdon’ tt
urny ourdaught erintoa
l
onelychi ld.It
’snotaboutherf ami l
ybecause
beli
evemey oucannev erpleaset hosepeopl e.
”
Nont
obeko:
“Andwhati
fshehat
esme?
”
Nandi pha: “
Whywoul dshe, becausey ou’ l
lcall
herev erychancey ouget ,you’l
lhav ey ourleave
whenshe’ sonschool holi
dayst henshecan
comet oCapeTownt obej oll
yandbondwi t
h
hermot her.OrbackhomeEmpangeni ,you’l
l
alsocomebackf ortheweekendsl ikey oudi d
wheny ouwer ewi t
hherf ather.Your
relat
ionshipwon’ tbreakbuti fshe’l
l be
spendi ngmor eti
mewi t
hast rangery oucan’ t
event rust.Idon’
tknowwhatcant hatdot oher
asachi
l
d.”
Nontobekosi ghed.“Ey,Nandi
pha,Ihavegiv
en
upmyl if
eanddr eamsbef or
eandy ouknow
thatIhavegivenupf orSthembisoandmy
Okuhle.Istoppedper usi
ngmydr eamsjustto
beaf amilywomanandwhathappened? ”
Nandipha:“Youlostt
hem andyouwer
eleft
aloneandshutteredaft
eryouhav
einv
estedal
l
yourloveandli
fei nt
hem.”
Nontobeko:“
Yes,atl
eastyouknowt hatandit’
s
nott
hatIdidn’
tlovemyhusbandanddaught er,I
l
ovedthem dearl
yandIhav edealtwit
hmypast
butt
hatdidn’
tchangethefactthatIdidn’
twant
todowhatIdidbefore.Ij
ustdi
dn’twantto
makeanysacr i
fi
ceswithmycar eer
.”
Nandipha:“Iunder
standbutifIhavecl
ungon
thefactthatIcanneverbeagoodmot her
becauseIabor t
edmyf i
rstchil
d.Doyouthi
nkI
wouldhav ebeendoingmyal latbei
ngamot her
tomychi l
drennow?Inev erthoughtitwast oo
l
ateformet obeacar ingmot herjustbecause
oftheaborti
on.YouknowhowIl i
kedirri
tati
ng
youaboutSt ephenabouthisrelat
ionshipstalks
andhesay sweshoul dn’
tletthepasthur thol
d
usfrom gi
vingourbestforthenextper son.”
Nontobeko:“Youareri
ghtbutnobodywantst
o
keepbeingdisappoi
ntedatsomepointyou
reachyourli
mit.AndIdon’
tthi
nkIcanbeina
rel
ati
onshipagainwhil
eIam sti
ll
doingt
his
j
ob.”
Nandiphalaughed.“ Ha!Never !Don’tsaythat.
Relat
ionshipsaresomehoweasi erwheny ou
fi
ndsomeonewi t
ht hesamepur poseasy ours,
someonewhomat chest herelati
onship
pri
ncipl
est hatyoudesire.Thepr oblem begins
whenwet hinkwecanmakei twithsomeone
wit
hadi ff
er entpurpose.
”
Nont
obeko:“Yeah,
andwewill
spendmostof
ourl
i
vestry
ingtoworkt
hroughthesedi
ff
erent
purposes.Thatwi
l
l onl
ypr
eventusf
rom
growingasacouple.”
Nandipha:“Yes, nextt imey ou’l
lknowwhatt o
l
ookf or.That’swhywheny ouar eaChr istian
personjustgetmar r i
edt oamanwhol i
ves
accordingtoChr istianv alues,
traditi
onal on
tradi
ti
onalv al
ues, femi nistsonot herfemi nists
thatwayy ourliv
eswon’ tbeabat t
lefi
eldabout
thestyl
e/valuesofl i
vingi nyourhome.You’ l
l
knowt hatyouwantacar eerdrivenmanbut
whocanst i
llputy ouasapr i
ori
ty.Somepeopl e
makei tworkwhent hey ’
reopposi tesbutf or
mostpeopl eitdoesn’ twor kbecauset hey
alwaysclatch.”
Nontobekochuckledhavi
ngat hought.“Wear
e
al
way sonsome, Iwantsomeonewho’ l
l
chal
l
engemeandwhenIgetat r
adit
ionalman
asaChr i
sti
anwomanIwi llthi
nkthat’
sa
chal
l
enge.”Shesai dandtheyl
aughed.
Nandi
pha:
“Ha!Youar
eri
ghtandi
tsoundsso
ri
ghtwhenwesayit.‘
he’
schal
l
engi
ng’
buti
t
shoul
dn’
tbeonthatlev
el.
”
Nontobeko:“
Itshoul
dbeont hel
ev elthat
someonechallengesyourt
houghts,your
i
ntel
l
ectuali
ty,t
hewayy ougoonthechoi ces
youmakebutnotent i
rel
yyourpri
nciples,
val
ues
andbeli
efs.
”
Nandipha:“
You’l
lfi
ndamanwhomeet syour
purposeandvisi
on.Dali
ngcebowasagr eat
manweshoul dn’
tli
eaboutt hatj
ustbecausehe
cheatedbuthewasn’tgreatenoughforyou.
”
Nontobeko:“
Youareri
ght
,chi
l
d.Ishoul
dmake
peacewithal
lthi
s.”
“Yeah,ri
ght,becausewedon’twantt
hatir
on
heartedladyback.”Shemumbledthelast
phraseofwor dsandheldhermouth.
Nont
obeko:“IAM SORRYWHATWASTHAT? ”
Shescr
eamedandt heylaughedforqui
tesome
ti
me.Nontobekoexhal
edloudly
.“Youareri
ght
though.Idon’twantthatol
dladybutIshould
l
ookf orwardtowhatl i
fehasinst
oredforme
andt al
kingaboutl
ife.What’
shappeni
ngov er
there?”sheasked.
Nandipha:“Alli
sgoodbesidet
hef actt
hatIam
makingsongswi t
hsomeguyandMrRast a
doesn’tknowaboutit.Ihav
efi
nishedthefi
rst
song.Iwantt otel
lhi
m buthe’
l
lbeangr y
becauseIr ef
usedtodoasongwi thhiminthe
past.
”
Nont
obeko:“
That’sri
dicul
ousNandipha.Why
woul
dyoudot hat?Asongi snotsomethi
ng
t
hatyoucanjusthidefrom hi
m.”
Nandipha:“Idi
dn’
tplanoni tbutther
e’sthi
sgirl
Inormallysendvoicenotesto.Shewoul dask
met osingasongandsendi ttoher.She’s
workingintheentert
ainmentindustr
yaswel l
andthisRapperguyhear dmyv oicenote.Layl
a
tol
dmehewant edt odotwosongswi t
hme.I
j
okedandsai dIdon’tworkwi t
hunpr of
essional
peopl ewhosendWhat sApprequests.Next
mi nute,t
herewasanemai l
,for
mal emai lI
turnedhim downbuthi smanagementi nsi
sted.
Ijustagreed.Iwil
ltel
lhim butIknowhe’ l
lfreak
becausehehadsomebeefwi t
hthisguybef ore
butt hatwasbeforemebei nginhislif
e.”
Nont
obeko:“
Youbet
tert
ell
him Nandi
pha.Don’
t
j
okeli
kethi
s.”
Nandipha:“Butwhati
fhestopsmef rom doi
ng
thi
s.Ireal
lywanttodoitNontobeko.Il
oved
ever
ythingaboutthesongs.
”
Nont
obeko:“
Hashestoppedy
ouf
rom doi
ng
somethi
ngbefor
e?”
Nandiphalaughed.“Yeah,Iwassupposedtobe
adancerforsomeGqom v ideoandtheguyt ol
d
meIai n’
tdoingit
.Itri
edtobest ubborn,
he
l
ockedmeupont hatdayandcal l
edtheart
ist
tel
l
inghim hehassentasubst it
utedancer
becauseIhav earunningstomach.Iwasso
embarrassedandIdon’
twantt
hatt
ohappen
agai
n.”
Nont
obekolaughed.“Ah!Youbett
erfindaway
t
ogethimtoagr eeevenifi
tmeansy oumust
t
werkyourwaythroughhisheartj
ustdoit.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Si
es!Iam chi
l
d!”
Nontobeko:“Voet
sek,
chil
dmyfoot.Star
t
practi
sing,
thankyouf
orthecal
landthattal
kI
real
lyneededtoheari
t.
”
Nandipha:“
Thanky outoo,itwasnicetal
kingt
o
you.”t
heysharedtheirgoodbyesandhangup
thecall
.Nandiphathendecideditwastimeto
crashthegi
rls’par
ty…Sher ushedoutofthe
bedroom t
ogett othem...
~~~~~~
Happinesswaslefti
ndisbeli
efaft
erspeaki
ng
toNkosazanaont hephone.Shecouldn’
t
possibl
ybel
iev
et hatMnothohadasked
Daniell
etol
eavehimjustforher.Shewas
seatedinherroom wi
thabookonherhands
whensher eceiv
edacallf
rom Nkosazana.Her
chil
drenlef
tthehouseinthemorni
ngwi t
hher
fat
her.Theywer egoi
ngtobeoutalldaywith
him.
Shehear dbyhert onet hatNkosazanawas
angryaboutwhatshe’ ddone.Inherey es
Happi nesshadpl ayedwi t
hDani ell
e’
smar ri
age
butshedi dn’tknowMnot howoul dconsi der
doingt hi
s.Butt hisot hersideofheri nner
personconv incedhernott ofeel badaboutt hi
s
because.WhywasNkosazanaexpect inghert o
respectDanielle’smar ri
ageaf t
ershe’df ail
edt o
respecthermar ri
age?Shehadt hener v etobe
seeni npubli
c, KwaNongomawi t hMnot howhi le
sheknewt hatMnot ho’
swi feli
vedi nthatarea.
Couldn’tshehav er espectedherasawoman
andr efusetocomet oNongoma?Shedi dn’
t
oweNt andokazi anydecencybecauseshe’ d
neverdonet hatwi thhermar r
iage.Sheset t
led
tobeMnot ho’
sthi
rdwifeandthismanwho
l
ov edherhadchosentoleaveheronher
command.Shecoul dn’
tbeli
evethatshe’
dsai
d
thewordsandMnot hoobeyedthem.Thatwas
notwhatsheexpected.
Whydi dthesewomencomei ntohermar r
iage
becauseMnot howasherhusband?Hechanged
completelyaftertheret
urnofthesewomeni n
hi
slif
eandt hedeadonecheat edonhim.He
dideveryt
hingt hathedidtoherbecausehe
wasboast fuloflovi
ngthesewomenandnow,
shewasexpect edtorespectthel
astslutthat
Mnothobr oughti nt
otheirl
i
ves?
Happinessexhal
edandremindedhersel
fther
e
wasachi l
dinthi
sandMnot howasn’tt
heman
thatshewantedbacki
nherl i
fe.Shedi
dn’
tneed
tobeangryaboutever
ythi
ngthatNkosazana
saidtoher.Shedi
dn’
tneedthat!
Happinesschuckl
edindi
sbel
iefandsheshook
herheadwithherphonest
il
li
nsideherhands.
Shedeci
dedt
odi
all
edMnot
ho’
snumber
.
“
MaMt hi
mkhul
u?”Mnothoanswer
ed
Happi
ness’
sphonecal
l
,cal
mly.
Happiness: “
Howcouldyoudivorcesomeone
youlovef orme?”Sheaskedthequest i
on
wit
houtgr eeti
ngMnothoandaski nghowhe
wasdoi ng.Sheneededtotel
lthet r
uththatshe
wasjustpushi nghi
m away.
Mnotho:
“Whatcoul
dIhavedonebecause
t
hat’
swhatyouwanted?
”
Happi
ness:“
Ijustwantedyoutostopbotheri
ng
mewithusgetti
ngbackt oget
herMnotho.I
knewyouwouldn’tbr
eakupwi thDani
ell
ejust
formebecauseyouloveher.Iwasn’
tseri
ous.”
Mnotho:
“Youwhat !So,Iwasr i
ghtt
hatyou
want
edmet obreakmymar r
iagesothatyou
canr
ejoi
cewhenIam al one?”heshoutedather
andHappinessfel
tthedisbel
iefandangerthat
wasonhisv oi
cestungonher .
Happi
ness:“No,t
hatnevercrossedmymi nd
butIj
ustknewyouwoul dn’
tdoit.Don’
tforget
howyouwoul dboastaboutl
ov i
ngherandt hat
wastheonlywayIcouldhavegot t
enyouto
l
eavemeal one.
”
Mnot ho:“That’sbull
shitanditstot
alli
es!You
arelyingtome, Happi
ness.Theysayy ouwer e
broughtinmyl i
fetogivemehappi nessand
l
ov ebutt hat’
snotwhaty ouaredoingnow.You
areplayinggameswi thmewhi l
eyou’v
eseen
thatIam nott hemant oplaygamesl i
keachild.
AndIhonest l
ythinkIcoul dmakeyouhappy
andlov ey ouback.Butno, youwanttohur tme.”
Happi
ness:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnow?
”
Mnotho:“Whydidyoudot hisHappiness?Why
di
dy oujokeaboutmyentireli
fel
ikethis?Iwas
wi
ll
ingtogiveupeveryt
hingjustforyoubutyou
wereplayi
ngastupidgamewi thme? ”
Happi
ness:
“Mnot
ho,
eveni
fImeanti
thow
coul
dyoudiv
orceyoursi
ckwif
e?Whywoul
d
youwantt
opleasemewhi l
eshe’
ssi
ck?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Whatdoy
oumean,
she’
ssi
ck?
”
Happiness:“
Hawu! ”shedisappoint
edand
wonderedifNkosazanasai dDaniel
lewassick
j
usttomakeherf eelbad?Whywoul dshelie
aboutthatbecauseit’
simpossiblethathi
swife
coul
dbesi ckwithouthim knowing?
Mnot ho:“
Whatdoyoumean?Justanswerme
orthat’
sanot
herj
oket haty
ouaresogoodat
thesedays?I
t’
sanotheroneofy
ourjokes?
”
Happi
ness:
“Cal
m down.
”
Mnotho: “
Don’ ttel
lmetocalm down!Wouldy ou
comedowni fsomeonesay ssell
thehouseyou
l
ivei
nnowbecausey ou’
llgetthehouseyou’
ve
beenpromi sedwi l
lmakey oufeelathome?
Wouldbecal mifthatwasjustalie?Andnow,
youaretell
ingmeaboutmysi ckwife
somethingt hatIdon’
tknowabout .It
’sy
our
j
oke?
”
Happi
ness:“
No!Iheardfr
om Nkosazanaand
don’
tyoudarebeangrywit
hme, Mnotho.
You’
vehurtmewaymor ethanyoucanimagi
ne
andIcanneverf
orgi
veyouforwhatyoudidt
o
me.Idon’
tget-
”
Mnotho:“
Theny oushouldhavesaidthatver
y
l
oudandcl ear
.Tsk!”hehungupt hecal
lonher
andHappinesslookedatherphonenot
bel
iev
ingthathe’dactual
l
ysaidthattoherand
hehanguponher ?Whocall
edwho?
Shecl i
ckedhert onguet hinkingaboutt hefact
thatMnot hohadj ustclickedhi stongueonher .
Hedeci dedt ocuttheircallshor tand
disrespectedherbycl i
ckedhi stongueonher
whi l
ehewast heonewhowant edf or
giveness
from her?“Iwillneverforgivehim.Nev er!”She
stampedandcl i
ckedhert ongueonceagai n.
Shegotf rom thebedt ohav ear unont he
treadmillbecauseshewasanger edby
Mnotho’sbehavi
ourthathe’
djustgivenher
.She
hadawomen’ seventthatsheneededt oat
tend.
Shedidn’twantt
oattendthi
sev entwit
hso
muchanger …
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE05

“Youcan’tgoandspeakwi thhundredsof
womenonanempt yst omach.”Ngcebotold
Nandipha.Theywer einsi
det hei
rki
tchenona
Tuesdaymor ningtheywer emakingbreakf
ast
fort
heirchil
dren.Thechildrenwerebathi
ng…
Nandipha:
“Iwil
lhav
esomet
hingonmyway
t
here.You’
lldr
iveme?”
Ngcebo:“
Andwho’ll
driv
eyoubackhomei
fI
dri
veyou?Iam meeti
ngupwit
htheguysl
ater
andIcan’
tdri
veyoubackhome.”
Nandipha:
“Wehav ebeenbusyallweekand
weekend.So,please,comebackhomeear l
y.
Wehav en’
tevenspokenabouty ourworkstr
ess.
Andwehav en’tbeenwi t
hthegi
rlsmuchlast
week.
”
Ngcebo:“Wewi l
ltal
kt onightbuti
t’
sjustthe
factt
hatIam str
uggli
ngt ofi
ndbalance
betweenthedealwitht hesneakerli
neandmy
music.Idon’
twanttof allli
kesomear t
istwho
endedtheirmusi
ccar eerbecauseofdeal sl
ike
thi
s.”
Nandipha:“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
mei
fitwoul
dbe
l
ikethis?
”
Ngcebo: “No,Iwantthedeal myloveandIenj oy
wor ki
ngwi ththem.You’
llseethefir
stdesi gn
wewi llcomeupwi th.I
t’
sjustthatit
’sdiffi
cultto
balance.Butcanwespeakabouti ttonight?”
Nandiphal ookedathim andshelookedbackon
thepott hatwasont hestove.“
Nandi pha,Iam
speaking.”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
Ihear
dyou,
husband.
”
Ngcebo:“Now,Iknowyou’
l
l f
eelbadandthi
nk
thaty
ouwer ewrongtodothi
sformewhi l
eI
havetol
dy out
hatyouwerenot.AndIlov
eit.
”
Nandi
pha:
“ButIdon’
twanty
out
obest
ressed.
”
Ngcebo:“Workwon’
tbeworkifitdoesn’
tstr
ess
meandy ouknowhowt hati
sbecausewor k
havestr
essedyoubefor
ewithyourbooks.”
Nandi pha:“
Yes,Iknow.Iwi l
lgocheckonthe
big5.”Shesaidremov i
ngthepotfr
om the
stoveandshewal kedawayt hi
nki
ngabout
Ngcebo’ sworkstress.Sheneededtoknow
whathi smanagementwassay ingandmay be
togethertheywouldbeabl etocomeupwi tha
solut
ion.
Ngcebowal kedinsi
dethebathr
oom casuall
y
dressedinwhi teshort
sshowinghishair
y
bracket
edl egsandabl uevestwit
hflops.He
hadhiswr aparoundtowelonhisshoulderwit
h
hisphoneonhishand.Hewasl ookingonthe
phoneseri
ousl
y.Nandiphawasbr ushi
ngher
teet
hshelookedathim shor
tl
yashewal kedto
hangthetowelonthei
rhooker.
Shehel dontothesquaredwhitebathr
oom si
nk
ti
ghtlyandsherinsedhermouth.Shethrewher
toothbrushoni
tssacredplaceandshequickl
y
turnedtoNgcebowhowasl eav
ingthe
bathroom.
Shehel dhiswri
st.Ngceboturnedhisheadand
l
ookedatherf acewi t
houtrel
axinghisfacefor
herf ace.“Comeher e.Ther
e’ssomethingIwant
tofix.”Shesaidpulli
ngNgcebooutoft he
bathr oom.Shewal kedwithhimt ot
hecl oset
.
Ngcebo:
“What
’st
hat
?”
Nandi
phadidn’tanswerhim butshemadehim
st
andbefor
et heclosetsuedebench.She
l
ookedathi
m andshef el
thercheeksburni
ng.
Shesmil
edshor t
lyseeinghewasst i
l
lkeepi
ng
hi
sseri
ousfacethathegivesstranger
s.She
hel
dhisvestandpull
editoffhisbodyaft
er
she’
dtakenhisphonefr
om hi shandandplaced
i
tonthebenchthatwasbehi ndhim.
Ngcebo:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng,
mamakaBuhl
e?”
Nandipha:“Whyareyougi
vingmeaser i
ous
face?”sheaskedcal
mlyandplacedherhandon
hiswaisttopull
downhisshort
sbutNgcebo
placedhishandsontopofherhands.Nandi
pha
l
ookedathi m.
Ngcebo:
“Di
dIchar
myoumuch?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Isthathowyouchar
m ot
herwomen
whenIam notaroundy
ou?”
Ngcebo:“
Idon’
tknow.Di
dyouf
indme
char
ming?”
“Boylat
ely
, y
oubeenst i
ngywit
hyourti
me…”
Shesangf orhim sof
tl
ywhil
eremovi
ngthe
short
s,shelefthi
shandsholdi
nghi
swai st
.
“
Gotmewonder
ing,
I’
m wonder
ingi
fI’
m ony
our
mind
Boy
,Ij
ustwannabei
nyourpossessi
on
Yousay ,Iam theoneyouwantsocomeand
expressit…”Shebrokeofft hesongaf ter
brushinghercheeksonhi schestsl owlywit
h
hereyescl osedandNgcebohadhi shandson
herscalp.Nandiphamov edherf aceawayf rom
him,shel ookedupathim, shewal kedawayt o
wearheel sjustt
oreachhisl ev
el.
Whenshewasbackbef orehi
m shehel da
handfulofherlockst hatshehadn’tstyl
edeven
now.Shehungt hem onhi sshoulderand
Ngceboclosedhi sey esastheygav ehima
ti
ckl
eonhi sshoul derbackwher etheyreached.
They’
v egrownov erthey ear
s,theywerealmost
onherwai stt
or eachherbumsandcut t
ing
them hadneverbeenonher‘ todol i
st’
Ngcebo:
“Youhav
en’
thadt
imeei
ther
.”he
defendedhimselfaccordingt
ot hely
r i
cthatshe
wassi ngi
ngt ohi
m.“ButIcanbei ny our
possession.”Hetol
dhersof t
lyandhesi ghed
asNandi pha’sl
ocksti
ckledhisskin.
Nandi
pha:“
Laybackt
henIwantt
ogi
vey
ou
whatyoual
wayswant
ed.”
Ngcebo: “Doy ouhav
et i
me?Andwhat ’
sthatI
havealway swanted?”heaskedwalki
ngbackto
reachthedr essi
ngchairar
eabecauseithadt
he
carpetthatwouldbecomf ort
abl
etolayon.
Nandipha: “I
t’
sstil
l10am andIshoul dn’
tbe
hereby1pm. ”Sherepli
edandt ookof fherheels
butherey eslookingathisbodyashewas
l
ay i
ngdown.“ Wewi l
lpl
aywi ththem unti
ly ou
areirr
it
atedbyt hem.Kissmesl ow.”Shesai d
softl
y,takingoffhergown.Shewasnaked
beneatht hegownshet hrewi taway.Shel aid
herli
psonhi sli
ps.Thei
rlipsmov edsof t
lyand
tenderl
y ,
Ngcebomov edhi shandstoherbums.
Hemassagedt hem whil
eNandi phawas
massaginghisear
lobes…Histonguewas
i
nv i
tedi
nsidehermouthbyNandipha’sneedof
i
t.Shemoaneddeeponhert hr
oatandpul led
Ngcebo’shandsfr
om herbumsshepl aced
them onherwaist
.Shepull
edawayf rom the
kissandtheyl
ookedintoeachother
’sey es.
Sheignoredt hatj ustfrom thatkissshewas
al
readythr obbingf orhim.Thi swasnothergoal .
Shewant edt ot orturehim becausehi sacti
ons
hadbeensi gnalli
ngt hatheneededsuch
tr
eatment .Shenegl ectedherlocksonhi sface
andshehear dasi l
entgroan.Nandi phacrept
downt ohi sbodysl owlykissi
nghi smale
ni
pples,hischestensur i
ngshe’sdr aggi
ngdown
herl
ockst ohi sski nasshemov eddownt ohis
l
owerabs.
Ngcebo:“Nana…”hesi ghedandthatwas
foll
owedbyanunpl anneddeepgiggle.Ngcebo
mov edNandipha’
shairfrom hi
sskinandshe
placedt
hem back.
Nandiphaplayedwi t
hhissensit
iveski
nandhe
wouldlaughher eandther
euntilsheplacedhi
s
erect
edorgani nsi
dehermout handpul l
eda
porti
onofherlockssheusedt hem toplaywit
h
Ngceboballs.
Ngcebogr oanedandl aughedatthesamet ime
becausehewasf eel i
ngdiff
erentki
ndsof
emotions,ti
ckl
ishfr om hisball
sbeingti
ckledby
herhairandpleasingatt hesamet i
meashe
wasonherwar m mout h.AndevenifNgcebo
hadcum insideNandi pha’
smout hshedidn’t
stopbecauseshef eltitwasn’
tenough.Hewas
tooquicktocum whenshedi dn’
twanthimt o.
Ngcebo: “
Ag!Nandipha,
Ihavehadit!
”he
admitt
edandpul l
edherhairthewaythatmade
herscream andsheneglect
edhispenisasher
mouthopened.
Nandipha:
“Thenst
opdoi
ngthat!
”she
commandedasNgcebowasst andi
ngup
pul
li
ngherashestoodonhi
sfeet.
Ngcebo:“Don’
tthi
nky oucanbesomehow
great
erthanIam.Wecanbeequal sbutnot
every
wherenotinev er
ythi
ng.
”Hesaidrol
l
ing
theendsofherhaironcearoundhi
shand.He
pull
edherwithhim asheslowlymar
chedtothe
brownsuedebench.
Nandipha:
“Doy oureal
i
sethatyouarepul
li
ng
mel i
keadognow! ”shescr
eamedt el
li
nghi
m
whathewasdoi ngasshewascr awli
ngonher
kneesobeyingNgcebo’
sholdthathehadonher
hair
.
Ngcebo:“Youstart
edthisandy out houghtyou’
ll
haveafinalactonme.Nev er!
”Heexcl aimed
l
etti
nggoofherhai r
.Helaidherf aceont he
suederoundbenchandpl acedherhandsont he
edgeofit.“
Holdont oi
tbecauseIwon’ tkneel
.”
HetoldNandiphastrai
ghtfor
war dly
.
Nandi
pha:“Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
ndIam t
oo
shor
tfort
his.
”
Hedidn’tsayawor dbuthehel
dhert hi
ghsasi f
hewashol dingawheelbar
row.Hemov ed
for
war dtoreachtheendofher‘bet
ween’and
str
etchedhislegforwar
dtosupportherthigh.
Herubbedhi ssti
l
l er
ect
edpenisonNandi pha’
s
wetopeningsandhehear dhermoan…
Nandiphahel dont ightt
othebenchasNgcebo
t
hrustonhersl owly.Theimpossibleshe
t
hought ,seemedt obemor efun.He’dnever
t
urnedhert ohisbar r
owwhi l
estandingonhis
f
eet…Shef eltheremot i
onswer eracingf
aster
t
hanhi s.Andshef elthi
m deepinsideherbuti
t
waspleasi ng…
Heplacedherlegsdownashe’ dcum af
terher
.
Buthedidn’
tremov ehi
mselfinsi
deher.
“St
rai
ghtenyourlegsIam notdone.
”Het ol
dher.
Nandipha:“
Youmustbecrazynow.Ican’
tev
en
f
eelthefucki
nlegsy
ouaretalki
ngabout
Ngcebo.”
Ngcebo:
“Youwant
edt
opl
ayandi
rr
it
ateme,
r
ight
?”
Nandipha:“
Yes, andIhave.Now, i
t’sallcool
.
You’vedoneyourpar tandnowr emov ey our
penisfr
om myv agi
na.Ihaveli
mi t
edspaceher e.
Ican’tf
reemy selff
rom you.
”shet oldhim
gett
ingherfaceupandherar msst ret
ched.
Ngcebosawherdoingwhathewant edasshe
wasget ti
ngupandhedidn’
twastetimebuthe
hel
dherwai st
.Andhebeganthrusti
ngonher
again.Hesmil
edassheautomat i
cal
lybenther
waistinwardf
orhi
mt oaccessherfull
y.
Shewasbusycheer ingNgcebo’ ssl
owt hrustby
hermoansunt ilhechangedt hepace.Thet ime
hedecidedtot hrustonherhar derwaswhenhe
pul
ledherdreadlocks.Hewashav i
ngat i
meof
hi
slif
ehear i
ngNandi phascream.Ngcebof elt
sogreatandf ormidablejustforherint
his
momentj ust!
Nandi
pha:“Ngce…bo…Ngcebo! ”shemoaned
hi
snamemor ethanoncefeeli
ngherwal
ls
shar
plycl
osinginshar
plyaroundhim…
Hegr oaneddeeperast heyr eachedt hei
rcli
max
atthesamet i
meandNgcebopul l
edherhair
ti
ghter.Hehel donunti
l hewasdoner el
easi
ng
i
nsideher .Heexhaledheav i
lyandl etgoofher
l
ocks.Hewaspant i
ngandhef elthisheart
raci
ng.Hepl acedhishandsonhi sfaceand
wipedt hesweatof f
.Hel ookeddownathi s
upperbodyhewaswet .Hel ookedathi swife
l
astshewasseat edont hebencht ryi
ngtogeta
gri
ponherbr eat
hing.Hesmi l
ed.
Nandipha:
“There’
snot
hingy
oushoul
dbe
smil
ingabout.
”
Ngcebo:
“Di
dn’
tyoucum?Idi
d!”
Nandi
pha:
“Idi
dn’
t.
”
Hechuckled.“
Ididn’
tstart‘
sexi
ng’
y ou,
yest
erdayNandipha.Iknowwheny oudidcum
andwheny oudidn’
t.
”Het
oldherandwi
nkedat
heri
rr
it
atedface.
Nandi
pha:
“Getoutofmyf
ace.
”
Ngcebo:“Areyouser
iousl
ygoingtotalkto
hundredsofpeopl
ewiththelocksthatyou’
ve
beenrubbingonmyballs?”heaskedherwitha
sti
l
lface.
“Theydot alkt
ouswi t
hmout hst
hatsuckthei
r
partners’
dicksandvaginas,ri
ght
?”She
ret
ur nedthequest
ionandt heybothl
aughed.
“Whoa!”Ngceboexclai
medandheldNandipha
assheal mostf
ellt
ryi
ngtogetupfrom t
he
bench.“Let
’sgoandshowerquickl
y.”Heli
ft
ed
herupandmar chedtothebat
hroom withheri
n
herarms.
Nandipha:
“Don’tyoumissf
ucki
ngar
ound?
”
Sheaskedhim unexpect
edl
yasshewas
l
ookingathim sti
l
lonhisar
ms.
Ngcebol
ookedatherf
ace.“
Wher
e’st
hat
quest
ioncomi
ngf
rom?
”Heasked.
Nandi
pha:
“It
’saf
oll
owupquest
ion.
”
Ngcebo: “
Afoll
owupquestionaft
ersomany
year
s? ”heaskedput
ti
ngherinsi
dethet
uband
heturnedtogetherheadcover
.
Nandi
phaopenedt
hecol
dwater
.“Yes,
it’
sa
f
oll
owupaftersomanyy
ear
s.”
Ngcebo: “Somet i
mesIdomi ssi twheny ou
i
rri
tatetheshitoutofme. ”her epl i
ed
comf ort
ablyknowi ngthatwasn’ tgoingt o
off
endherbecausesheknewshecoul dbe
i
rri
tati
ng.Heputal l herl
ocksinsi deherwool l
en
Rastafari
ancolouredheadcov er.“ Butyou
wouldn’tbemi neify oudon’
tirri
tat eme, ri
ght?
”
heusedherdef ensivewordspr ettyfastjustas
defenceforhimsel f.Hecoul
dnev ercram her
behav i
our.
Nandiphawashedhi
sf acewhenhewasseat
ed
i
nsidethetubwit
hher.“Andyouf
oll
owyour
pussycrav
ingsbecauseIi
rr
it
atey
ou?
”She
asked.
Ngcebolaughed.“
Areyoutry
ingtoaskmei fI
havesl
eptwithsomeoneelsebesideyou?
”He
askedheraft
ershe’
dwipedhisface.
Nandi
pha:
“No.Iam j
ustaski
nggener
al.
”
Ngcebo:“Oh!Iwon’tansweryourquestionthen
becauseit
’sunnecessaryandIdon’
tev enknow
whereit
’scomingfrom.”Hetoldherand
washedherface.Nandiphakeptquietafterhe’
d
tol
dherthat…
“Don’
tputthatdoekony ourheadIdon’tli
kei
t.
”
NgcebotoldNandiphawhowasdr essedona
caramelandbrownAf r
icanpri
ntedwomensui t
withawhitevestbeneaththeblouse.Shewas
wearingbrownheels.
Nandi
pha:
“Whatshoul
dIdo?I
tgoeswi
tht
he
out
fi
t.
”
Ngcebo:
“Oi
lyourl
ocksandgo,
nana.Ort
ie
them up.”Headvisedandputbacktheclothes
hehadonwhenNandi phadeci
dedtoundress
him.Shel ef
ttheclosettodowhathe’
d
suggested.
“Goodl
uckfortoday
.Youarenotl
ateasyou
thi
nkdon’
tspeedontheroad.
”Hesaidtoheras
shewasstandi
ngbefor
ehim out
sidet
hehouse.
Nandi
pha:“
Okay,Iwil
lseeyout
oni
ght
.”She
sai
dandtheysharedakiss…
They’vegreet
edeachot herwiththewomen
aroundherandnow, shewasseat eddownwi t
h
otherspeakersoft heday .I
twasanev entthat
gatheredwomenonl yandt herewer egoingto
speakaboutdi ff
erentissuestheyf aceas
womeni nsoci
ety.Nandi phawasi nvit
edt o
speakatt heendoft hef unct
iontosum up
everyt
hingont heev ent…
Sheli
ft
edhertabl
etfr
om herbagandshe
marcheduptothepodium.Shewasnerv
ous
thatshewasgoi ngtospeakamongt hese
smar tmouthwomenandshedi dn’tknowi fshe
wasgoi ngtotouchheart
sbecausehert opic
wascr uci
alforeachoneofthem andher sel
f
i
ncluded.Itwasnotsomet hi
ngsheknewshe’ d
mast er
edbecauset hi
ngshadhappenedi n
diff
erentf
orms…
Sheinhal
edandexhal edasshewasbef orethe
mic.Shelookedatthef acesthatwerebefor
e
herandshesmi l
edwi thoutsayinganyt
hing.
“Sani
bona!”Shegreet
edt hewholehouseand
sheheardthegreeti
ngsback.
Nandipha:“Iwon’treall
ygreetusinpositi
on
orderbecausewear eequalsbeforethemercy
ofourcreator.ButIjustwanttosay ,ay
NIBAHLEBAFAZI !
”Shesai dloudlyandthe
wholehousecl apped,cheered.
Nandipha:“
Wear eawholepowerforceandI
hopethatpenet
ratedthr
oughourheart
s
becauseitr
eall
ydidforme.AndIwouldhave
l
ov edt ohighlightonsomepoi nt
st hathadbeen
spokenher ebutIknowt hatIspeakt oomuchI
won’ tfi
nish.”Shesai dpagi ngt hroughhert ablet
andt hewomenl aughedatherwor ds.She
l
ookedupatt hehouse.“ Iwasaskedt ospeak
basedont heshor tstor yIhav ewr i
tten‘chains
aroundmyskul l’It
’sast oryaboutay ounggi r
l
who’ dbeenadumpi ngsi t
enotonl yf orher
fami l
ybutf orsoci etyshewasl i
vingi n.She’sa
girlsuppressedasmostofushav ebeen
suppr essedbyourpar ents,thatgi rl
chi l
dyou
canhav eitallbutnott oomuchofi t.Itmaybe
ambi ti
ons, dreams, younamei tbuti tshouldn’t
bet oomuch.Thi sgirlgr owsupt akingal lhurt
from peopl eunt ilt
hey ’redangert oherl i
fe
becausei t
’sal l
bot tl
edupi nsideint henameof
‘
Shedoesn’ tfor givethem i ftheyaskbecausei f
shedoesn’ tforgivethem she’ schai ningthem’
shewal ksaroundwi tht hatment alit
ynot
knowi ngshe’ sact uallychai ningher self.
”She
tookabr eakanddr ankwat er.
Nandipha:“WhenIwr ot
et hisstoryatt
heback
ofmymi ndIhadmyl i
feinhi ghschoolhow
muchmyf emalefri
endswoul dhurtmeandmy
adoptiv
emot herwouldalway sencouragemet o
forgi
vethem ever
ytimetheydosomet hi
ngto
hurtme.”shekeptquietandl ookedbackas
tearscameoutofherey es.Shel ookedforwar
d
assomeonehel dherarmt ohandheraboxof
ti
ssues.Shesmi l
edandt hankedher .
Nandipha: “Growi ngupi twaseasyf ormet o
forgi
vepeopl ef orthei rwrongsbutasy ougr ew
upy oustarttor ealise‘ no,t
hey’r
epl ay i
ngme
becauseIam t oof or gi
v i
ng’Mymot herwas
alwaysther etor emi ndme‘ That’
snoty ou
Nandipha, holdinggr udgesi snoty ou’ Sheisa
tradi
ti
onal womanbutbei ngabubbl ychil
dI
didn’
thav eprobl emsspeaki ngtoher .Iwrote
thisst
orybecauseIt houghtmay bet here’
sa
younggi r
llikemei nhi ghschool andmay be
she’l
lreachapoi ntt hatIwant edtoputmy self
i
nofnotbei ngaforgiv
ingper son.Thi
sgir
lon
thestorygetshel
pfrom herteacherandshe
teachesherhowf or
givenesswor ks.
Forgivenessi
snotaboutt hepersonwhoasks
forgi
venessbutit
’sabouty ouasaf or
giv
er.”
Nandipha: “Today ,Iwi llt
ellyousomet hingt hat
you’l
lhav et orememberwheni t’
sdi ffi
cul t
forgi
vi
ngsomeone.Iknowwel adiesl i
ket osay
‘
Iwon’ tforgivehim nowhemustsweat ’ Isay
thatdeepdownwhenRast apissesmeof f.I
wouldwal kar oundt hehousewi thmyl ips
poutedf orhi m.”shesai dandmostoft hel adies
l
aughedast heycoul dr elat
e.“Iwast aughtt hat
whensomeoneasksf orforgiv
enessaf ter
they’
vedoney ouwr ong.They ’
recomi ngaty ou
withbasinofhotcoal ,redcoal andt het i
me
theysay‘ pleasef orgiveme’ t
heyt hrowt hat
burni
ngcoal ony ourchest .You’l
lwal kar ound
thestreetst hinki
ngy ouar epunishingt hem by
notforgivingt hem butno, youarepuni shi ng
yoursel fbabe.Youar ecar r
y i
ngallthatanger,
thatangert hat ’
snotheal thy ,
theangert hat
threatensy ourhappi ness.Youar egivi
ngt hem
powerov ery oubecauseev eryti
mewheny ou
seet hem somet hingwillbeact ivat
edi nyou,
angerandhat ebecauset hey’vehurtyou.Let
met el lyou, thei
rlifedoesn’ tbecomemi serabl
e
becausey ouar enotf orgivi
ngt hem.Theyhav e
remov edt hebur ningcoal sf r
om theirhandsbut
now, thecoal sar einyourchestt hr
eatening
yourpr ogressasahumanbei ng.Mymot her
woul dal way ssay‘ Aybo, kumnandi ukuhamba
namal ahlemanj eNandi pha? ”shemi micked
MaNt ombel a’svoiceandsomewomenl aughed.
Shesmi l
ed.
Nandipha:“
Andhack!Iwoul dfeelthem burni
ng
mewhenev erIthi
nkaboutthatper sonwho’d
mademeangr yunt i
lIwoulddecideIcan’thave
someonecontroll
i
ngmel ikethisjustbecause
theyhurtme.‘
Iwanttobreatheagai n!
’Iwould
sayandf or gi
v ethem asdi ffi
cul tasi twoul dbe.
Thenaf tert haty ouf eelthatl ightnessandi t
becomesi ntensewheny oumeett hem, you
greetthem whi l
ey oucoul dn’ tev endot hat
beforebecausey ou’vechai nedy ourskul l
.
Forgivenessdoesn’ tmeany ouar eletti
ng
peoplehav et heirwaywi t
hy ou, thatment ali
ty
shouldend.‘ Uzongi jwayelakabi ngobaazi
ukuthingi zomxol el
a!’No, throwt hatphr aseoff
yourmi nd.For givenessi spar toflivinga
healthyli
fe.I fy oulookbackatt het hingst hat
hadbeendi scussedher e.Hhay i!We’ vebeen
throught hemostbaf azi
.Butl et’slearnt oletgo
andf orgi
v enotf orthosepeopl ebutf or
ourselves.”
Nandipha:“
Onceyouforgivemor eoft
eny ou’
ll
seethechangeinyourl
ife.Let’
slookafter
oursel
vesandstopcarr
yingpeople’snegati
ve
energi
esthi
nki
ngwear epuni shi
ngthem.It’
s
nothealt
hyandhumanly.Ihopeweheal and
standt oget
herforabetterf
utur
e.Lastl
y,don’
t
forgetthoseburni
ngcoal st
heyshouldn’
tbe
wi t
hyou.Thanky ou.”shesai
dlastandmov ed
from thepodium accompaniedbyaloudclapof
hands…
~~~~~~
Simthandewasbef or et hestov ecookingdi nner,
hersisterwascomi ngt ojoint hem fordi nner…
Daysaf terthemeet ingwi thhersi ster,
shewas
grumpyandhav ingadi ffi
culttimewi th
acceptingt hefactt hatsheneededt of aceher
past.Mnt wanast oppedchannel li
ngheri ntothe
ri
ghtdi recti
onandpushi nghert ogetalongwi t
h
hersisteragainandf orgiveher .Henev erspoke
abouti tagainandhedi dt hatonpur pose.And
everytimewhenshewoul dbr inguphersi ster,
showherangert hroughheract ions.Mnt wana
wouldbl unt
lyi
gnor eherunt ilshet ookitupon
herselftomeetupwi thhersi ster.Andt heyhad
thebet termeetingt hatmadeSi mthandei nvit
e
herf ordi
nnerbecauseNikhonawantedtosee
wher eshewasst ayi
ng.Shewantedtogiveher
sisterabenefi
tofthedoubtandmendt heir
relati
onshi
p.Shewant edi
ttowork.
“How’sthecooki
ng?”Mnt
wanaaskedhol
ding
Simthandefr
om behi
nd.
Simt
hande:
“It
’sgoi
ngwellbuty
oudon’
tsmel
l
l
ikeyou’
vet
akenyourbat
h.”
Mntwana:
“Ishoul
dbat
hfory
oursi
ster
’s
ar
ri
val
?”
Simthandelaughed.“
Yes,doy ouwanthert o
thi
nkmyboy f
ri
endisnotclean? ”Sheasked
removingthepotfrom t
hestov e.Sheturnedt
o
faceMntwana.
Mnt
wana:
“Idon’
thav
eabadodour
.”
Si
mthande:
“Youshoul
dsmel
lyourbest
.”
Mntwana:
“Iwon’
tjoi
nyoufordi
nneri
fyoudon’
t
bat
hwithmeforthesecondt
ime.”Het
oldher
andgavehernochancet
opr
otest.Hepul
led
hertot
hebathr
oom wher
eheforcedhert
obath
wit
hhim…
“Youaresuchameanman!”Simthande
excl
aimedandcombedherlongrel
axed
brownishhai
r.Theywer
edr
essingupaft
ert
he
shower.
Mntwana: “Yousur
elydon’
tknowwhatmean
l
ookslike.Iwil
lgogetthedoor.
”helefther
i
nsidetheroom asheheardthebell
r i
ngont he
door.
Heopenedt hedoorforatall
thi
ndar kski
nned
fancydressedwoman.“ Sawubona.”Mnt wana
greetedNikhonaandhedi dn’
twaitforherto
greetbackbuthest oodasideforhertoenter
theapartment.
Nikhonacl
earedhert
hroatandl
ookedatthe
door’
snumberbecauseshewascertai
nthat
shewaslost.Thi
sgentl
emanwho’dopenedthe
doorwasn’
thersi
ster
’sboy f
ri
endthatshe’
d
tol
dherabout
.Shetoldherhewasj ustasi
mple
manbutshewasn’tseeinga‘si
mple’man.
Mntwanawassimplywear i
ngabluelinenl
ong
pantsandamuscleblackteeshi
rt
.
Mnt
wana:
“Youwon’
tcomei
n?”
Nikhona:“
Eh,areyouSimthande’
sboyfri
end?”
sheaskedaftershe’
dseenthatshewasont he
ri
ghtdoorbutshedidn’
twantt osayi
tobviousl
y
thatshedi
dn’tthi
nkshe’
dknockedont heright
door.
Mntwana:“Yeah.
”Herepli
edandmov edback
i
nsidetheapart
mentl
eav i
ngNikhonaatt
he
doorbecauseshewasn’taboutt
oenter
.
Ni
khonafoundhi sacti
onrudebutshefol
l
owed
Mntwanaev en.Shesatonthecouchashe
di
sappearedont othebedr
oom.Shelooked
ar
oundtheapar tmentandshefi
guredher
si
ster
’sboyfri
endwasr i
ch?Huh?
Nikhonaturnedbackandshesmil
edali
tt
leas
shelookedathersist
erl
aughwit
hherboyfr
iend.
Shedidn’tseethi
smanashowhersist
er
descri
bedhi m.
“Hey?”Simthandegreetedhersist
erwith
deli
ghtthanthelastti
meshesawher .She
greetedherwithasmi l
ethatshedidn’
thavet he
secondtimet heymet.Shehuggedhert hi
st i
me
aroundandNi khonaembr acedthehugwhile
thi
nkingabouthowhappyshel ookedwiththi
s
man.
Ni
khona:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Si
mthande:“
Iam f
ineandlet
’sgof
ixt
het
abl
e.
Wewill
leav
eMrZul uher
e.”
Nikhona:“
MrZulu?”shecheckedasshe’
dnot
beenintr
oducedtotheman.
Simt
hande:“Babe,t
hisi
smyf r
iend,Ni
khona
andNikho,t
hisisMntwanaZul
u, myboyfr
iend.
”
Shei
ntroducedthem wi
thasmi l
e.
MntwanagaveNikhonahi
shand.“I
t’
sniceto
meetyou.
”MntwanasaidtoherandNikhona
sai
dthewordsbacktoMntwanawithashort
smil
e.
Shef oll
owedhersi sterfeeli
nguneasybet ween
herlegs.Ni khonawasn’ tatypeofwomanwho
start
sanewr el
ationshi pwithamanbutshe
wasat ypeofwomanwhol ovedt akingmen
from otherwomen.Butno, i
t’
dnev erbeent o
keept hem f orlongr unasshewoul dgetbor ed
easil
y.Shemost lyenv i
edst ronglooki ngmen,
thetypewhoseem t ogeti ttogether .The
arrogantt y
peandev eryt i
meshe’ dbeent urned
onbyt hatmansheal way smadei thermi ssion
totakehi mf orherselfasl ongasshewi shesto
keept hem.‘ Likemot herli
kedaught er’aperson
whoknewhermot herwoul dsaybutshewason
thedifferentl ev
el compar edt ohermot her.
Nikhonawasnot hi nglikeSimt handeandi twas
hernat uretousepeopl eforhergai n…
Si
mthande:
“You’
l
lsl
eepher
efort
heni
ght
,
ri
ght
?”
Ni
khona:
“Whatwi
l
lyourboy
fri
endsay
?”
Simthande:
“Hedoesn’
thav
eapr
obl
em wi
thi
t.I
havespokentohi
m.”
Ni
khona:
“Al
ri
ght.Iam ver
ygr
atef
ult
haty
ou’
ve
gi
venmeanotherchance.
”
Simthande:“Iam gladyoucamebackandI
hopey ouwon’ thur
tmel i
keyoudidbefor
e.I
real
l
ywoul dn’thavespokentoyouifi
twasn’
t
forMnt wana.”
Nikhonasmiled.“
Ishouldt
hankhi
m andImust
say,youareveryl
uckytohaveamanlikehi
m.I
t
seemshel ooksaftery
ouperf
ectl
y.
”She
comment ed.
Simt
handesmi l
ed.“
Yes,andyou,doyouhav
ea
boyf
ri
end?Ididn’
taskyouthatquest
iont
helast
ti
mewemet .”Sheasked.
Nikhonachuckl
ed.“Yes,
andIam hopingyou’l
l
gettomeethim oneday.Buthe’sal
waysgoing
upanddownduet obusi
ness.”Sheli
ed.She
hadn’thadt
imeformenl atel
ybecauseshewas
tr
yingtododamagecont rol.
Simthande:“
Hemustbet hesameasMntwana
theneventhoughhehasn’tt
rav
ell
edmuch
sincewestart
eddati
ng.
”
Nikhona: “Youmusthol dont ohimt i
ght
becausewewantaweddi ng.”Shej okedand
theylaughed…Ni khonat henaskedhersi ster
mor eaboutherr elati
onshipwi t
hMnt wanaand
thebusi nesshewasdoi ng.Simthande
answer edherf r
eely…Byt hetimet heywer e
donet alkingandsettingthetableshe’ d
stampedt hatsheneededapl anthatwasgoi ng
tomakehert omov einwiththem.May behe
wouldn’tmi ndifshecoul dmakei tlooklikeher
l
ifewasi ndanger.Yes,sheneededt odot hat…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE06

“Butbaba, there’sbaba’ omncaneNgceboand

baba’ omncaneBanel e.Theycangowi t
hus
becausey ou’l
lbebusyandmom wi llbebusy .
”
Princeconv incedhi sfather,
hewasf ol
lowing
him behindwi t
hhi sbrotherBongani .Thet wo
boy swer edressedupf orschool andt heywer e
foll
owi ngtheirfatherwhowasal sol eavingt he
house…They ’
veaskedper missi
onf rom t heir
fathertogof oraDi sneyeventthatwasgoi ng
tobei nJohannesbur g.They ’
vemi ssedt heone
theirmot herpromi sedt hem becauseshewas
busywhent hatdaycame.
Mlamuli:
“They’
realwaysbusyandtheywon’
t
havetimeforchi
ldr
en’sevent
s.”Herepl
i
ed
enter
ingtheki
tchenwherehiswifewas.
Bongani
:“Baba,
wecanaskSi
mil
o’smot
hert
o
gowi
thus.
”
Pr
ince:
“Yes,
andauntCandi
ceandt
hegi
rl
s.”
Nkosazana:“
Youarestil
lont
heDisneytopic?”
sheaskedandwipedherhandswithadrydi sh
cl
oth.Shetookherhandbagf
rom herhusband.
Mlamul i
:“Yes,they’
restillonthatandIthink
there’
snobet terwayt hant ocontactNandipha.
Ifshe’snotbusyt hey’
llbedr i
vento
Johannesbur g.Iam ti
redofsay ing‘No’and
hav i
ngthem keept ry
ingt oconv i
nceme. ”He
toldNkosazanaandhel ookedattheboy s,t
hey
wer enotlookingatthem ast heyspeak.They
knewbet terthantolookatt heirparent
swhen
theyspeak.
Nkosazana:
“Al
ri
ght
,Iwi
l
lcal
lNandi
pha
t
onight.
”
Mlamuli
:“I
t’
sst
il
lear
lyt
hatshecanget
t
icket
s?”
Nkosazana:
“Yes,
it’
sst
il
lear
ly,
Wednesdayi
s
notbad.Theti
meisagainstus,Ndabezit
ha.
Let’
sgo.”Shemadehim awareandt heyused
thebackkit
chenexi
ttol
eav ethehouse.
Bongani:
“Mama, wewi
l
ldr
ivewi
thy
ouanddad
toschool
,today
?”
Nkosazana:“No,youwon’
tdr
ivewi
thusbutI
wil
lfet
chy ou,okay?
”
Boy s:
“ Okay,by
e!”t
heywav edforthei
rparents
standingnexttotheircarandNkosazana
wav edback.Nkosazanaandherhusband
steppedi nsi
dethecarwhi l
etheboy swentt o
thecart heywerenor mall
ydriv
enonwhent hey
got oschool…NkosazanaandMl amuliwere
driv
ent oThembel i
hle’spal
ace…
Ml
amul
i
:“Di
dyouspeakt
oMaNkosi
lastni
ght
?”
Nkosazana:
“Yes,
shet
oldmet
hatshel
eftaf
ter
Mnotho.”
Mlamul
i:
“Hewast
her
ewheny
ouwentt
ocheck
onher
?”
Nkosazana:“No,butIcal
ledhimtoaskabout
thi
sdivor
cei ssueandhecamebackt othe
housewhi l
eIwasst i
l
lthere.MaNkosi
leftt
he
houseafterhe’dgonebackt ot
hehospit
al.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“She’
shomenow?
”
Nkosazana:“
She’
sinthehospi
tal
.Ihadmissed
cal
lsfr
om yourbr
othert
hismorni
ngbutIdidn’
t
cal
lhi
m back.”
Mlamuli
:“He’ll
askwhathewant edtoaskin
thi
smeet i
ng.”Hetol
dherandlookedathis
phonethatwasr i
ngi
ng.Heignoredthecal
l
becauseheknewi twasgoi
ngt odiv
erthis
focusfr
om themeeting…
“What’st
hemeet ingabout?”Dalisuasked
l
ookingatNkosazanaandMl amuli,
thenhe
l
ookedatMnot holast
.Thet hreeofthem were
seat
edont hecoucheswhi leThembel ihl
eand
Dali
suwer eseatedont hei
rchairs.Wednesday
morningthatfoll
owedthedaywher eDaniel
le
l
eftherhousef
orDur
ban.
Mlamul
i
:“It
hinkmybr
otherov
ert
her
eknows
whywearehere.
”
Mnot ho: “No,Idon’tknow.”He’daskedMl amuli
thattheydon’ tholdthismeetingwitht hei
r
father.Hewasst il
langrythathe’
dbr okenhi s
mar ri
agewi t
hDani ell
eforHappinesswhowas
j
ustpl ayinggameswi thhim.He’dcalled
Daniellebutshenev eransweredhisphonecal l
.
Hef ellasleepthepr evi
ousnightworried
becausehedi dn’tknowwhatsi cknesswas
Happi nesst al
kingaboutandNkosazanadi dn’
t
answerhi scall
s.Buther emember edt heywere
goingt obebusyal ldaywithherhusband.
Mlamuli
:“Weareadul
tsMnot
holet
’snotdo
thi
ngsli
kechi
l
drenbecausey
ouknowwhywe
areher
e.”
Mnotho:
“Andasweareadul
tst
her
ewasno
r
easonforyout
ocal
lthi
smeeti
ngwit
hour
par
ent
sbecauseIcansolvemypr oblemson
myown.Youwouldn’thavebeenpleasedi
fI
cal
l
edthi
smeetingforyou.”
Ml
amuli
:“Iwoul
dn’
thav
edonewhaty
oudi
d,
Mnot
ho.
”
Dal
isu:
“Di
dyout
wocamei
ntomyhouset
o
ar
gue?”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yes,
youcan’tj
ustar
gueinour
presence.Youhaveyourownhousesthatyou
cangot oifyouwanttohaveanargumentnot
here!
”
Mlamul i
:“Mageba,Mnothodeci
dedt hathe’
s
div
orcingPearl
’smothernotbecausehewant s
todiv
or ceherbutbecauseHappinesstol
dhim
todothat .
”
DalisuwaslookingatMlamuli
asheexplained
whyt heywereinthepal
aceandev enaf
terhe’d
fi
nishedexplai
ningther
easonforthemeeting.
Hekepthisey essti
llwi
thMlamuli
becausehi s
headwassti
lldi
gest
ingwhathe’
djustsai
d.
Dali
suthent
urnedhi
sheadandhel ookedat
Mnotho.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dyoudo,
Mnot
ho?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Idon’
twantt
odi
scusst
his,
baba.
”
Dali
su:“
Youdon’
twanttodi
scussi
tbecause
youknowyouarewrong.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Mnothowasn’ tgoingtodot hi
sif
hedidn’
twantt odoit.There’snobodyinthis
worl
dwhocoul dhav eforcedhimt odot hi
s.
AndIdon’treal
lyseeapr oblem withthat
.”
“HAWU! ”Dal
isuandMlamul i
exclai
med, t
hey
bothlookedatThembeli
hle.Nkosazanawas
l
ookingatheraswellbutshedidn’texcl
aimthe
samewor ds.Butshewassur pr
isedthatsuch
wordswer ecomingfr
om her.
Dali
su:
“Canyouheary
our
sel
f?Andy
ouknew
aboutt
his?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes,Iknewaboutitbecause
Mnothocameheretoaskf oranadvi
ce.Igav
e
hi
m onebutIdi
dn’
ttellhi
m whattodo.”
Dali
su:“I
simangakelesi!Iam pr
ettysur
eyou
aretheonewhoi nf
luencedhimt omakethi
s
deci
sion.Howcany ougi v
ehim suchan
advi
ce?”
Thembelihl
e:“Baba,MnothowantHappi ness
backinhisli
feandweknowt hatHappinessis
meanttobewi thMnotho.Andt hesewives
di
dn’tcomeher etheri
ghtwaybutt heyhurt
Happinessanddidn’tr
especther.”
Mlamuli chuckl
edandst oodup.“ This
unbeli
evablecomi ngf r
om y ou, mom.I t
’sreal
ly
unbeli
evable.Andy out ooky ourmot her’
s
advi
cef orajoket hatthisHappi nessofy ours
wasdishi ngouttoy ou?Youdi dn’
ttrustthatI
wil
ltel
ly ousomet hingthat’ssane?Yout rust
ed
mom’ sjudgement ?Hhay i,don’tcomet omef or
damagecont r
oltheny ourmot herwi ll
dot hat
foryou.”Hesai dlookingathisbrot herlastafter
he’dremov edhisey esf r
om hismot her
.Hel eft
thehousei ndisbeli
eft hathi
smot herwoul dtell
Mnot hotodosuchat hing.Howcoul dshe
encourageMnot hotodosomet hinghewasn’ t
sureabout ?Whydi dn’tsheencour agehi mt o
tryothermeanst owinHappi nessback?Why
didshet el
lhimt obreakanot herwoman’ shear t
j
usttoear nt heotherone?Whi chsanewoman
wouldwantt obewi thamanwhomakesuch
weakdeci sions?
Nkosazana: “Ireall
ydidn’texpectt hatyouwere
behindbhut iMnot hoindoingt hismama.You
gavehi m averywr ongadv iceandt otel
lyouthe
tr
uth.Hebr okehi smar r
iagef oragame.
Happi nessdidn’tmeanwhatshet ol dhi
mt odo.
Shej ustwantedhi mt ostoppr essinghert o
comebackaccor dingtowhatshet oldmewhen
Ical
ledhery esterday.”Sher evealedand
Thembel ihl
eraisedherheadt olookat
Nkosazana.Shewasn’
tlooki
ngatherasshe
wasspeakingbutshewaslooki
ngatherhands.
Shewassur pr
isedbyt
his.
Nkosazana: “
MaNkosi issi ck,shehasbr ain
tumour ,shehadn’ tbeent ell
i
ngMnot hoabouti t
becauseshedi dn’twanthi mt odirecthisfocus
onherandendupnegl ectingtherelati
onshiphe
wast ryi
ngt obui l
dwi thNj abuloandNonj abulo.
Ihav ebeensuppor ti
ngherandgoi ngwi t
hher
totheDoct ors.Iwant edhert otellyoubhut i
Mnot hobutwhenshet oldmet hatshewoul d
fi
ghtwi thElenaabouthowmuchy ougivey our
att
ent i
ont oher .Iunder stoodshedi dn’twantt o
meddl einy ourt i
mewi tht hechi l
dren.But
mama, Ididn’texpectthi s.Ihavetogoaswel l.
”
Shesai dwhatwasi nsi
deherhear tandwhat
hadhappened.Andshel eftthehouseaf ter
Dali
suhadnoddedhi sheadal l
owinghert o
l
eav e…
Dal
i
sul
ookedathi
swi
feandMnot
hol
ast
.
“Mnotho,youarehappynow?You’vepleased
yourfi
rstwif
e.Areyouhappy?”Heaskedona
poli
tetoneful
lofnothi
ngbutdisappoi
ntment.
Hewasdi sappoi
ntedathi
ssont hemost .
Mnot hodidn’tanswerhi sf atherbuthehadhi s
headl ookingdownwi thhisf i
stpainf
ul heart
weepi ng.Daniell
ewassi ck!Shehadsuchan
i
llnessbutshedi dn’
tthinkt hati
twast her i
ght
thingthatshel ethim knowaboutt hi
s?
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou,
Mnot
ho!
”
Thembelihle:“
Please,calm down.He’ sshocked
nowhe’sj ustbeent ol
dthatMaNkosi hasa
brai
ntumourandnowi snott hetimethatyou
canshoutathi m.Lethi m calm down.”Shetold
herhusbandandpl acedherhandonhi sarm.
Shelookedathi m andDal isulookedatherwi t
h
angerwritteni
nhisf ace.“Ididn’
tknow
Happinesscouldjokel i
ket hi
sbuti twasonly
ri
ghtthatMnot hofixeshiswr ongashewant ed
todo.”shet ol
dDalisuwhowast i
llst
ari
ngat
her
.
Dal
i
su:“Tsk!
”hecl
i
ckedhi
stongueandhel
eft
t
heroom…
Thembeli
hlegotupfrom herchairandshesat
nextt
oMnot ho.Sheplacedherlefthandon
Mnotho’
sshoulder.“
Mf anawami,nowi snott
he
ti
meforyout ocrybutyoushouldstandupand
fi
xthi
s.Iwil
lcall
Happinessandt ell
herthat
whatshedidwaswr ongbutIt hi
nky oushoul
d
bewithMaNkosi.”Sheadv i
sed.
Mnot ho: “
Sheleft
.”Thewordscameoutli
kea
darkcl oudbecauseofthelumpthatwasonhi
s
throat.Alumpcausedbyt hepainhewas
feeli
ng.Hewasn’ tangrybuthewasdeepl
y
hurti
ng.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Mnotho:“Shedrovetohermot
her
’shouse
yest
erdaywithPearl
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!
”shedi
sappoi
ntedand
remov edherhandf rom hisshoul der.She
wonder edhowt hesegi r
lswer electuredbef ore
getti
ngmar ried.Mostoft hem, whent hingsgo
wrongt heyleav e, t
heyr untot heirmot hers,they
getdivorced.ItwasNkosazanaandHappi ness
whohadt hespi ritofstay i
ngev enwhent hings
wer eSouthbutt her estofthem, theyj ustrun
awayf rom theirpr oblems.Shecoul dn’tsay
muchaboutCandi cebecauseshewasn’ tawi fe
yet.Butshewonder edwhent heyr unawayt hey
thi
nkwhoshoul df ixtheirproblems?Shel ooked
atMnot ho.“Whatar eyougoi ngt odonow? ”
Mnotho:
“Iwanttobeal
onef
orawhi
l
e.”He
r
epl
iedandstoodup.
Thembel i
hle:
“You’l
lhavetocall
herordrivet
o
hermot her
’shousebecausey oudi
dn’tknow
thatshewassi ck.Iwi
ll
goseehert omorrow.I
willaskauntNomkhosi t
ogowi thme.”
Mnotho:
“Okay.
”Hesai
dlef
tthehousewi
thout
goi
ngtohisfat
her
.
Thembel
ihl
esentherhandonherpocketand
shecamebackwi t
hherphone.Shecal
led
Happi
ness.Shel
aidbackonthecouchand
cl
osedhereyes.
“Mama?
”Happi
nessanswer
edThembel
i
hle’
s
cal
l.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iam f
ine,
Ihav
ejustspokento
Mnothoaboutwhathappenedbet weenthetwo
ofyouandt hathe’
daskedhi
swifef oradi
vorce.
Butyoudidn’tmeanwhatyousaid.”
Happinessexhal
ed.“
Yes,It
houghthewoul dn’
t
l
eaveherforme, mama.Iknowthatheloves
hermor et
hanhecaneverloveme.”Shetold
her.
Thembeli
hle:
“Doyouwanthi mtolov
eyou?
Whyareyousayingthatnowbecauseyousay
youwerejoki
ngoryoulied?
”
Happi
ness:“No,
Iwasseri
ousbutIam say
ing
t
hisbecausehe’
dbeenaski
ngmet ocomeback
t
ohim ashiswif
e.”
Thembelihle:“
Itol
dy oubeforet hatIwouldn’
t
behappyi fyoucandosomet hingwr ongtomy
sonjustl
ikeIwasn’ thappywhenhedi dwhathe
didtoyou.AndIr eall
ydon’tl
ikewhaty oudid
becausehet ooky ouseri
ous.Now, hehas
brokenupwi thhiswifeandhe’ sstressedthat
shehasabr ai
ntumoursomet hingthathedidn’
t
know.Butt hatoneisnotyourf ault
.”
Happiness:“Iam real
lysorrybutIwi l
lcal
lhi
m.I
real
l
yt houghthewoul dn’
tbr eakupwi t
hher.He
wouldboastt omeaboutl ovingherandthat
’s
theonlythi
ngt hatcamei ntomymi ndwhenhe
keptinsi
sti
ngIshoul dcomeback. ”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iunder
stand.Ij
ustwant
edt
oget
thatof
fmyheart.”
Happi
ness:
“Yebo,
mamaandIwi
l
lfi
xit
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatcany
ouf
ix?Lethi
m be.
”
Happiness:“No,trustme.Iwi l
lfi
xit
.Bye.”She
i
nsistedquicklyandshedr oppedthecall
…
Thembelihlelookedatherphoneandsheshook
herheadt hi
nkingaboutwhatHappi nesshad
said.‘
Shewasgoi ngtofixit
!’Shewondered
howshewasgoi ngtofixitandshouldshe
reall
yfi
xitshewasgoi ngtost r
ongl
ybeli
eve
thatHappinesswasmadef orherson…
“Yebo,
mma? ”Nkosazanaanswer
ed
Thembeli
hle’
sphone.
Thembel
ihle:
“Ihavejustgott
enof ft
hephone
wit
hHappinessaboutt hi
smat t
er.AndIhave
deci
dedthatIwil
ldri
vet oDurbantomorr
owt o
seeMaNkosi.Iwil
lgot oauntNomkhosi nowto
askhert
ocomewi t
hme. ”
Nkosazana:
“Oh,t
hat
’sagoodthi
ng.Iam sur
e
hermotherwoul
dappreci
atet
hat.Iwoul
dhave
l
ovedtocomewi t
hyoubutIwil
lbebusy
t
omor
row.
”
Thembel i
hle: “Yes, andIsawy oudidn’tli
ke
whatIadv isedMnot hot odobuty ouhav eto
understandt hatInev erlikedhowhechose
thesetwowi ves.Itwaswr ongandi fitwasy ou
whowasHappi nessIwasgoi ngtopr otectyou
thesameasamot her .Butthatdoesn’ tmeanI
don’tcareaboutMaNkosi .I
nmyey est hey
neverrespect edt hemsel vesenought oset tl
e
forthi
skindofmar ri
age.ButIcanseenowt hat
Ishouldn’thav eencour agedMnot hotodest roy
hismar ri
age.Iam sor rytoy oufornotset ti
nga
ri
ghtexampl easqueenmot herandmot herin-
l
aw.Asot herpeopl etal kyougett orealiseyour
mistakeandIr ealisemi nethroughMl amul i’
s
words.”
Nkosazana:“
Nobodyi sperf
ectmamaandwe
can’
talwaysexpectyouasourmot hert
odo
perf
ectthi
ngsforus.Formot heri
n-l
awstor
iesI
haveheardaroundthevil
l
age.Ihavetosayyou
ar
ethebestmot
heri
n-l
aw.
”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“
Ialwaystoldmymot her
i
n-l
awt hatwhenIwasst i
llqueen.Ey.Kubi
emnyangobutIt hi
nkIunderstandforsome
mothersbecauseasamot heryoualwaysthi
nk
youaredoingwhat’sbestforyoursonandy ou
endupdest r
oying.
”Shecomment ed.
Nkosazana:
“Iwonderwhatki
ndofamot
heri
n-
l
awIwoul dbe.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
l
lbeagoodone.Iwil
ltal
kto
youwhenIcomebacktomorr
ow.Iwill
leavein
themorni
ng.”
Nkosazana:“
Okay
, mama,t
hanky
ou.
”shesai
d
andtheyhungupthecal
l
…
~~~~~~~~
Afterget
tingoffthephonewi
thThembeli
hle,
Happinessmar cheduptoherroom.Shelef
ther
chil
drenint hel
ounge.Whenshegottoher
room shet ookabagandshepackedher
clothes.Shemov edar oundherr oom withher
headbuzzi ngandshewasscar edthatthis
womanmi ghtdieandshewoul dn’
tforgi
ve
herselfifshewer etodi e.Shewasgoi ngt of eel
responsiblef oraddingheartacheinherlife.She
didn’tknowhowexact l
ywasshegoi ngtof ix
thismesst hatshe’dcreatedbutsheknewt hat
thef i
rststepwast ospeakwi thNtandokazi and
apologisef orwhatshe’ ddone.
“Whyareyoufoll
owingme? ”Happi
nessasked
herchi
ldr
enwhower efoll
owingheraround.She
l
astlef
tthem i
ntheloungebutnowt heywere
fol
lowi
ngheraround.
Nonjabulo:
“Youar el
eav
ingmom.Youar e
packingyourcl
othesonl
y.”Shetoldhermot
her
fol
lowingherbehindasHappinesswasheadi
ng
totheirr
oom.
Happi
ness:
“Iaskedwhyar
eyouf
oll
owi
ngme.
”
Nj
abul
o:“
Wear
elooki
ngaf
tery
ou.
”
Happinesslaughedandshelookeddownat
Njabul
o.“Youaregivingmeprotect
ion?
”She
askedbrushinghishead.
Nj
abul
o:“
Yes.
”
Nonj
abul
o:“
No,
buty
ouar
eleav
ingus,
mom!
”
Happiness:
“Iam packi
ngy
ourcl
othesnow
becausewear egoi
ng.”
Ki
ds:
“WHERE?
”
Happiness:
“Yourmotherisgoi
ngt
oseePear
l’
s
motherbecauseshe’
ssick.”
Nonj
abul
o:“
Oh!Wewi
l
lal
sosee,
dad?
”
Njabulo:
“Yes,wewil
lseehim.
”her epl
i
edpret
ty
fastonhismother’
sbehal
f.Hehadasmi l
eon
hisfacewhil
elooki
ngathissi
ster
.
Happi
ness:
“Whosai
dyou’
l
lseey
ourf
ather
?”
Chi
ldr
en: “
Wewi l
lseehim!”theygi
ggledand
Happinessshookherhead,shepackedthe
chi
ldr
en’sclot
hesinonebag…
She’dcalledherf at
herandinformedhi mt hat
shewasdr ivi
ngdownt oKZNwi ththechildren
foraf ewday s.Shemadet hingscleartoher
fatherthatshewasdr ivi
ngforDani el
lebecause
she’ddoneherwr ong.Shedidn’tgointodet ai
l
s
onwhathadhappenedbutshet oldhimt hat
shewassi ck.Shehadt oexplai
nall t
his
becauseherf at
herwasn’tpleasedthatshewas
goingt oKZN.
Now,shewasseatedinsi
dethecarwithher
chi
ldr
enseatedatt
hebackseat.Shehadher
phoneonherhandsandsheopt edshewas
goi
ngtocall
NkosazananotMnot ho.
“
Hel
l
o?”Nkosazanaaccept
edt
hephonecal
l
.
Happi
ness:
“Howar
eyou,
Nkosazana?
”
Nkosazana:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Happiness:“
Iam f
ine.Canyoupleasesendme
theaddressofDaniel
l
e’shouse?Iam dr
ivi
ngt
o
KZNnowIwantt oseeher .
”
Nkosazana:
“She’
sinthehospi
tal
butIwi
l
lsend
t
hehospital
detai
l
s.”
Happi
ness:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Nkosazana:
“Okay
.”
Happinesshungupt hecal
landsheplacedher
phoneinsideherbag.Shesaidashortpray
er
befor
edr i
vingoutofherf
ather’
spremises…
THEI
RLVESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE07

“Ididn’texpectthaty
ou’l
lbehomebef oreme. ”
Nandi phasaidtoNgceboandpl acedherbagon
topoft hekitchenisl
and.Ngcebowasst andi
ng
behindt hestovemakingsteakforhimselfto
eatandsl eep.Hecamebackear l
iert
hathe’d
planned.Het houghthewasgoi ngtocome
backaf ter10pm buthisti
mewi ththeguywas
shor
tenedbythenewshehear dabouthi
swife.
Hewasangr yandhecouldn’
tstaywit
htheguys,
heli
edtothem aboutanemergencyathome.
Ngcebo:“Yeah.Icamebackear l
y.
”He
murmuredt hewordsandmar chedtot
hefri
dge
formil
k.Hedi dn’
tlookatNandi
phabuthe
coul
dfeelherey e.
Nandipha: “
What ’sgoingon?Youdon’ tl
ookl i
ke
youareint her i
ghtmood.Di dsomethi
ng
happenwher eyouwer e? ”sheaskedandlif
ted
herl
eftleg, sheplacedi tonherkneetotakeof
herheels.Andshedi dt hesameont heother
l
eg.Shehel dt hecount erandlookedatNgcebo
wait
ingf orresponse.
Ngcebo:“Ist
heresomethingyou’
veplannedfor
meov erther
easy ouareaski
ngifsomet hi
ng
happened?”heaskedsarcast
ical
lyandmov ed
backtothesteakthatwassti
llonthestove.
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,he’
shav
inghor
mones.
”She
sarcast
ical
l
yrepli
edtohisquest
ionandshe
bentdownt ogethershoesonthefl
oor.
Ngcebo:
“Whatdi
dyousayIhav
e?”
Nandipharai
sedherheadcomi ngupwithher
shoes.ShelookedatNgcebowhowasst anding
befor
ehernownotbyt hestove.“What’
swr ong
wit
hy ou?Youcan’tj
ustgiv
emet hisatt
it
ude
unl
essy ouhaveaproblem wi
thme, Ngcebo.
What’swrong?Justtel
lme.”Shepressuredhim.
Ngcebo:“Oh,soj ustbecauseMuj ogets
hormonesyout hinkIhavethem aswell?”He
askedlooki
ngi ntoherey esandhefeltthatthi
s
angerhehadf orNandi phawasdeepl yset
withi
nhim.Andt hatwasgeneratedbyhow
muchhet urnedhi mselfint
oaf oolt
odayj ust
forher.“
Youar equi etnow.”
Nandipha:“
Whatareyoutal
ki
ngabout
?”she
askedandwonderedifMujohadt
weeted
somethingandmenti
onher?Whywould
Ngcebobr
inghi
m up?
Ngcebo: “St
opact inginnocentbecauseyou
knowt hatyou’vebeenl yi
ngtome.Youmade
met hinkthatsincelastmont hunti
lnowy ou
hadsomet ypeofj obwiththeDepartmentof
Educat i
onbutno!Youdi dn’
thaveanyjobbut
you’
v ebeenr ubbingshoulderswithmyenemy ,
Nandipha.”
Nandi
pha: “Enemy ?He’syourenemy ?Idi
dn’t
knowthatbutal lIknewisthatthetwoofy ou
hadabeefy ear
sago.Andt hatwasbefor
eI
cameintoy ourli
feNgcebo.Younev ertol
dme
i
t’
sbadt hatmucht hatyoucancallhi
my our
enemy.Ididn’tknowt hat.
”
Ngcebo:“
Youdidn’tknowthenbuty ouknowwe
hadabeefandstil
l,MujoandIdon’tgetalong.
Butyouhadtogoandwor kwi t
hhim,twof ucki
n
songsNandiphayetyourefusedtodoj ustone
songwit
hme!Andy oudidn’thavethedecency
totel
lmethatyouarerubbingshoulderswi t
h
someoneIdon’tgetal ongwith.
”heshoutedat
herandNandiphal ookeddownwi thout
breathi
ngawordt ohim butshekept
massagingherfingers.“Iam t
alki
ngtoyou!
Whyar eyouquietnow, huh?”heshouted
furt
her.
Nandi
pha:
“Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyou,
Ngcebo-
”
Ngcebo:
“When,
huh?
”
Nandipha:“
Iwasgoi ngt otell
youbef or
ethe
songwasr el
eased.Ididn’ttel
ly oubecauseI
knewy ouwouldn’
thav eletmedot hesesongs
wit
hhi mjustl
ikeyoust oppedmef rom dancing.
Youlockedmeupl ikey ourchild.”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“ Hee!That’smeamongstt he
guyswearetalking, havi
ngdr i
nksandeating.
‘
Ee,Pri
nceTee, Ididn’tknowy ourwif
ecansi ng
soperf
ect’
achampwhowor kswithhim says
thi
stomeandIchuckl esinceIam afoolIdon’t
knowwhat’sgoingon.Iaskedwher ehehear d
you.‘
She’
sdoi ngjointswit
hMuj oaker
e?You
knowthat.
’Hesay sandev er
yoneonthesquad
i
sshockedbyt hi
sbutIhav etopret
endIknew
aboutthi
ssot hatIwon’tlookli
keafoolbefor
e
them.ButIam y ourfool
,ri
ght?”Henarr
atedto
herhowhel earntthatNandiphawasworking
withaRappert heydidn’
tgetalongwit
h.
Nandi
pha:“No,Ngcebo,youar
enotafool
but
pl
ease,under
standthatIdi
dn’
twanty
outodo
whatyoudidthelastt
ime-”
Ngcebo:“Thel
astti
me?Youwant
edt
ogo
danceforthewor
ld!
”
Nandi pha:“
Ngcebo,i
twasj ustgqomumusi c
andt here’
snothi
ngseductiveaboutthatdance.
Ievent oldyouIwon’
tdancehal fnaked
becauseIdon’ tl
i
keitbutno,youdidn’tgi
veme
anychancebuty oumadecommandment sfor
me, Ngcebo.‘Whil
emar r
iedtome, youwon’tdo
anyty peofdanceforthewor l
d’Youdidn’
tcare
thatIjustwantedtodothisandhav efunbut
y
oucar
edabouty
ourego.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yey
wena-
”
Nandipha: “Don’ tcallmel ikethatNgcebo.I
havenev eraddr essedy oul i
kethatandy ou
won’tstartt odayspeaki ngmel iket
hatwi t
hme
j
ustbecausey ouar eangr ywi t
hme.Iam y our
wif
enoty oursl utthaty oucancal lmelikethat.”
Shecuthi m shor tquicklybecauseshewasn’ t
abouttol ethim addr essheras‘ Yeywena’Ifhe
begi
nscal l
ingherl ikethatt odayhewasgoi ng
todoitnextt i
meandshewoul dbedammedi f
shecanal l
owhi mt ocal lherli
kethat.
Ngceboclickedhi stongue.“Youaremywife
butyouaregoar oundsingingwit
hothermen
wit
houttell
ingmeabouti t.Andyouexpecta
‘
congrat
ulations,love’fr
om me?Isthatwhat
youexpectsi ncey ourol
lwithMujonow?”
Nandipha:
“It
’snotl
iket
hatandIdon’
texpect
youtounderstandmebecauseyouar
eangr y
butIwasgoi
ngt
otel
l
-”
Ngcebo:
“St
opt
ell
i
ngmet
hat
!”
Nandi
pha:“
Babe-”sheletgoofhershoesand
tr
iedt
otakeastepforwardtohol
dNgcebo’s
armsbuthemov edback.
Ngcebo:
“Babe’
,i
ni?Babe,
amasi
mba!Huh?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Ngcebo-
”
Ngcebo: “
Yazini,
getoutofmyf ace.”Hetol
dher
point
ingthewayoutoft heki tchenbut
Nandiphadidn’ttur
nt ol
eav e.Shemov ed
forward.“
Fucky ou,man, Nandipha.Leav
emy
sight
!”heinsi
stedandNandi phaturnedt
oher
shoes.Shepickedt hem upandgr abbedher
bag.Sheleftt
heki t
chen.
Ngceboinhaleddeepl
yandhedashedt ot
he
f
ri
dget ogetsomecoldwat er
.Heclickedhis
t
onguer epeatedl
yashethoughtofwhat
Nandiphahaddone.Hewasst il
lgoingtobe
f
urtherangeredbyheari
nghervoicesingwit
h
thatman.Andwher edi dhegett hener veand
ballst oaskhi swi fetosi ngwi thhi m?Ngcebo
slammedt hegl assagai nstt hewal lashecoul d
alreadypi cturetheheadl inesaboutNandi pha
singingwi t
hMuj o.Hisbeefwi thMuj owasn’ t
j
ustaboutmusi cbuti twasmor et hant hat,it
wasi ssuest hattheguyhadaboutNgcebo.
ThatmadeNgcebor esenthi sbehav iouraround
him andt hey’vetriedtoset t
leitinanast yway
buti tdi dn’thelpMuj ogetov erthei ssuesbuti t
madei twor se.Muj owast hef i
rsttobechi l
dish
abouti tandhemadei tpubl i
cwi thoutst ati
ngi t
obv i
ousl ywhatwasgoi ngon.Ov ert hey earshe
woul ddi sNgceboandhewoul dpr ofessionally
disbackbecausei thowt hegamewaspl ayed
i
nt hei rmusi c.Thel astf ewy earst hey ’
vebeen
quietbutNgcebohav enev erattendedanev ent
withhi m andhe’ ddonet hesame.Butt oday,
he’dbeensi ngingwi t
hhi swi fe!Peopl ewere
goingt ot hinkhiswi fewasget ti
ngi ntomusi c
andshehadanot herman, theonewhom he
di
dn’
tgetal
ongwi
tht
ohel
phergeti
ntomusi
c.
Ngcebolookedathisphoneashi sbrother
,
Dali
ngcebowascalli
nghi m.Hewasseat ed
downeat i
nghi
sfoodi nsidetheki
tchen.He
di
dn’tanswerDal
ingcebo’sphonecallbuthe
ateasifhewasn’
tseei nghiscal
l…
Nandi phasatont hebedaf tershe’dtakena
shower ,
shewasn’ tt
oosur eifitwassaf ef or
hert ogodownt othekitchen.Orshecoul dsit
ont hebedunt ilNgceboheadsup.She’ deat en
aftertheev entwi t
hhermot herandPal esabut
shewasst il
lhungr yshewant edt oeatbef ore
sleeping.Shecl osedherey esandl ai
dbackon
thepi l
low, herheadt hi
nkingabouthowangr y
Ngcebowas.Sher eall
ythoughtshecoul dtell
him af ewday sbef orether el
easeoft hesong
becauset hen, hewasn’ tgoingtohav epowert o
stopher .Shesawnopr oblem withsingingwi t
h
theguybecausei t
’dbeeny earssincet heylast
diseachot herwi thNgcebo.Andhe’ dnev er
spokenabouthi mt oher .Shenev ert houghti t
wouldbemuchofabi gdeal sheonl yt hought
hewasgoi ngtobeangr ythatsheagr eedt o
singwi thhi m whi leshe’ dturnedhi m down.But
i
tseemedl ikehewasn’ tdwel l
ingmuchont hat
butrat herhersi ngingwi ththeguy .Shesi ghed
asshecoul dhearal lhi
swor dsringi nsi deher
head.Hewasf umingandf rom wher eshewas
standingshedi dn’tknowwher eshewasgoi ng
tobegi njustt oapol ogi
set ohi m.Now, i
tdidn’t
mat t
erhowmuchofagoodt i
meshehad
singi
ngbecauseNgcebowasgoi ngt o
obv i
ousl yhat et hosesongsespeci allyt heone
aboutl ov e.She’ dthoughtaboutt hemedi a,the
managementhav et houghtaboutt hemedi a
andt heysawt hisasaposi t
ivecol labor at
ion.
Butev eni fshecoul dexplainittohi m, she
doubt edhewoul dseei tthatway .Sheopened
herey esasshehear dthedoorbei ngopened.
Herey esl ockedwi t hhis.
“
Didn’
titcr
ossyourmindt
hatthi
sguyisusi
ng
y
ou?”NgceboaskedNandiphaandhestoodby
t
hedoorwithoutmovi
ng.
Nandi
pha:
“No,
butwesawt
hisasposi
ti
ve.
”
Ngcebo:
“Posi
ti
v e?IthoughtImarr
iedasmart
womanbutitseemsl ikeyoucan’
tevent
hink
youarej
ustanidiot
.”
Nandiphatormentedherjawandl ookeddown
asshewasanger edbywhathewassay ing
abouther.Shewasan‘ idi
ot’
Shedi dn’
twantto
fi
ghtthatbecauseshe’dmadehi m angryby
hi
dingthisfr
om him andbeingangr ywi
thhim
becausehe’sangrywasn’tgoingtosolve
anythi
ng.
Nandi
pha:“
Iam sor
rythatIdidn’tt
ellyouabout
t
hisNgcebobutIwasgoingtot ell
youbef or
e
t
hesongcomesout .Thatguywasn’ tsupposed
t
otell
you.”
Ngcebo:
“Wel
l
,whatdi
dyout
ell
Muj
o?Iagr
eed
t
haty
oucansi
ngwi
thhi
m?”
Nandipha:
“Didn’
tyousayitonnati
onalTVthat
youarenotthatguytomaker ul
esforyour
part
neraboutwhatshecanandwhatshe
cannotdo?Theyonlyaskedifyouwerecool
wit
hit.”
Ngcebo: “
Oh!Andy ousaidIam allgood.What
posit
ivi
tycanthi
shav eonmybr and?Huh?You
thi
nky ou’
vedonemeaf avourbysingingwi t
h
thatdog?Gha!Ican’tev
eni maginey oulooki
ng
athim whil
eyousingit’
sli
key ou’vebeen
fucki
ngwi t
hhim,Nandipha.Youdi sgustme.”
Nandipha:“
Ididn’
tknowhatewasseri
ous
bet
weent hetwoofy ou.Youdi
dn’
ttel
lme,
Ngcebo.Younev ert
oldmeabouthim.”
Ngcebo:
“AndIwasgoi
ngtotel
lyoui
fyout
old
meaboutsingi
ngwi
thhi
m.”
Nandi
phaclosedhereyesandsheburped,she
hel
dherchestfeel
i
ngtheheart
burn.Shelooked
atNgcebo.“Iam sorry,Rasta.Pl ease,for
give
me.”Shetol
dNgcebosi ncer elybuthedi dn’
t
sayanyt
hingtoherbesi decl ickinghistongue.
Hewentt ot
hecl oset.Nandiphagotupwi thher
phoneandshel eftt
her oom f ort hekit
chen..
.
Shecouldn’
tpossiblypicturet hev i
deooflast
songhappeningasangr yasNgcebowas.How
coul
dhepossi bl
ymat chsingi ngwi t
hMuj oto
havi
ngsexwi thhim?Andsuddenl yshewasan
i
diot
?
“Mxm! ”Sheexclaimedandt ookoutt he
i
ngredientsthatcompl ement edasandwi chthat
shewant edt ohavebef or
eheadi ngtobed.She
tooksourcr eam al
ongwi ththeingredi ents.“I
don’tevenwantt oaskhi m whatIcandof or
himt oforgi
v emebecausehe’ l
lobviousl ysayI
shouldnotagr eeforthesongst ober eleased.I
havewor kedsohar dforthosesongst obe
whatt hey’
renowandIwi llgetalotofmoney
fort
hat .AndIcan’tbeliev
ehecal ledmeani di
ot!
Tsk!Idareheasksf ormyopi ni
oninany t
hingi
n
fut
ureIwi l
lhithi
m wi t
h‘Iam anidiotIcan’t
thi
nk.’Tsk!Ungij
way elakabiuthingi
yi
sli
ma?
Tsk!”shespokeal onemov ingaroundthe
kit
chenmaki ngher sel
fasandwi ch…Shet ook
hertimeeatingit
…
Shecl imbedt hest airsandmadeherwayt ot he
girls’r
oom.“ Ey ,Similo!Ican’ tbel
iev eThula
allowedhert osl eepl iket his.”Shespoket o
her sel
fandr emov edSi mi lo’sdirt
ycl othesthat
shewaswear ingwhi l
et heot herswer eontheir
py j
amas.Si mi lofellasleepwheni twast i
mef or
them t obathandThul adi dn’ tchangeher .“I
alway saskt hatshemustj ustbat ht hem evenif
they ’
resleepingbutnougal , cha,nje!”Shelef
t
ther oom fort hebat hroom.Shemov edbackt o
thegi r
ls’room wi thSi milo’swetwar mt owel.
Shewi pedherent i
rebodyf rom thef acedown
toherl egsandhands.Sher emov edt hesocks
from herf eetandcheckedhernappy .
Nandi pha:“
Thenappyi sal lgoodbutnott he
clothes.Ah!”shecoveredSi mi l
owi t
hher
blanketswithoutdressingher .Shefixedthe
other swhower en’
tsleepingpr operl
y.Shet hen
l
ef ttheroom forbed…Ngcebowasal ready
sleepingandt heroom wasdar k.Shemar ched
tot hebathroom tohavetabl etsforheartburn…
Nandi phathensleptnextt ohim…
~~~~~
Nikhonaset t
ledintotheguestbedroom, and
shecouldn’tsleepthinkingaboutMntwana.She
l
aidont hecent reofthedoublebednakedwi th
thebedsheetcov er
ingherbody.Sheclosedher
eyesandl etherimagi nati
onrunwil
d.She
wasn’ti
ntendi ngonmast ur
bati
ngusi
ngher
handsbutshewant edtoachieveanorgasm by
usingnothingbuthermi nd…
Shecouldseeher
sel
fstandingbefor
ethestov
e
bar
efootonMntwana’
skitchen.Hersi
sterwas
atworkandshewasint
endingonl et
ti
ng
Mnt
wanadrool
onherlegsandthi
ghs.Shehad
t
hebodysoper
fectandfl
awl
ess.
Shecoul dimagi neMnt wanast andi ngbyt he
entranceoft hekitchenandhi sey eswer e
hungr i
lygazi ngatherl egs…Ont hebed,
Nikhona’ sclitswelledasi nherheadshehad
turnedt oMnt wanawhowasonhi sboxer sand
herey essetonhi speni st hathadspr ungouti n
readiness.Shewassur ei twasseei ngherbody
thatmadehi m hardl i
ket hat .Shet houghthe
woul djustt urnbecauseSi mt handemeant
everythingt ohim buthedi dn’ tturn.Hei nst ead
gav eNikhonat hemi schi ev oussmi le…Ont he
bedNi khonahadherl egst wi rledar oundeach
otherasshef el
tthepr essur ebet weenherl egs.
Shewasn’ tjustfeelingt hepr essur eofcov et
butshewasmoi stfrom pi ctur i
ngMnt wana’ s
penisinherhead.Wi t
ht hest rongar mst hathe
had, t
het hickf i
ngerst hatMnt wanapossessed
shei magi nedhi m asamanwi that hickpeni s.
Shedi dn’twanttobel i
evethiswouldbet he
opposi t
ef orhim asithadbeent heopposit
efor
somemenshe’ dbeenwi t
h.Theywoul dhave
thefi
nger sandr i
ghtf eetsi
zesbutt hey
wouldn’tbecl osetomat chingtheir
…Butnot
Mntwanashe’ dseenhi sdickprintandshe
anti
cipatedi twasn’tajokeofadi ck.
Insideherheadshet r
embledasMnt wana
i
nv adedhishandinsidehershor tpurpl
epy j
ama
withoutanyexchangeofwor dsshehel dhis
wr i
st.Butsheknewshedi dn’
twanthi mtostop
andhedi dn’tst
op.Histhi
ckfingerpenet r
ated
her …Shegaspedont hebedasherbodyf el
tthe
shocksr espondi
ngtotheimagi nati
on.Nikhona
feltshewasdr i
ppingonfrom imagi ni
ngthis
man.
I
nsideherhead,
shedi
dn’
thavehisfi
ngerson
hervagi
nabutnowshewasont heki
tchentabl
e
wit
hhisbigpeni
sburi
eddeepinsi
deherandhe
waspumpingherhar
derasifhewasn’ther
gi
rl
fr
iend’
ssi
ster
…
“Ah….Ah….Ah….
”Shecr i
edont hebedast he
sexualr
ageandhungerwasi ntenseandher
moistwasthi
ckeronlyfr
om i
magi ning
Mntwana…Shedr ovehertwofingersi
nsideher
moistvagi
natowr apupthefeeli
ngnicel
y…
“Haaa!Imusthavethi
sman.Imust!”She
stampedandlookedatthesheetst
hatwere
wetasshewasdonehav i
nghermomentwi th
Mntwanainsi
deherhead.Nikhonaplacedher
handsonherforeheadandshesmiledfeel
ing
l
ightl
y.
Shelookedathi sl
egsandherski ngott hechi l
l
s
ashermi ndtookherbackt othepr eviousnight
whereshecoul dseehim andf eelhimi nsideher
asifhewasr eall
ythere.Buthewasj ustinside
hermind…Thi swast heperfectti
mi ng,itwas
asitwasi nsi
dehermi ndbutonlyt hismor ning,
Mntwanawast heonebef or
et hest ovewear ing
thered,
whi teandbl ackboxerswi t
hawhi te
v
est
.
“Youareawake!Yoursisterhadt orun
somewher eandIam goingouti nasec.ButI
havefi
nishedupmakingbr eakfastIwil
l l
eave
youhere.”MntwanasaidtoNi khonaturni
ngto
herasshewasst andi
ngbyt heki t
chen
entr
anceonhersister
’sbiggown.I twasbi gto
herbecauseshewast hin.
Nikhonarealisedt hedi
ffer
ence,t
hismor ni
nghe
wasn’terectedbuthersi st
erwasn’tinthe
apartment.May bethi
swast heuniversemaki
ng
herthoughts, herimaginat
ionsareali
ty.
Nikhona:“Yes,andwecanhav ebr eakfaston
thetabl
e.Itcanbej ustyouandme, youcan
decidehowwewi llhaveit
.”Shesai donal ow
tonegivi
nghi m aclearseducti
vesmi le.She
sawMnt wanagi vingheraconf usedlookand
shesmi l
edliki
ngt hefactthathewasact ingli
ke
someonewhocoul dn’
tcatchupwi thher .But
nomanwoul dn’tcatchup.
Mnt wana: “You’ l
l havey ourbr eakfastbutIwi l
l
havemi neonmywayt owor k.”Hesai d
avoidingwhathewasseei ng, hedidn’twantto
admi tt hathi sgirlfr
iend’ssi sterwasact uall
y
fl
irt
ingwi thhi m.Whatdi dthiswomant hinkof
him?Hewassomet ypicalboywhowoul dj
ust
fuckt hesi sterofhi sgirlf
ri
end?May beif
Simt handewassomegi r
lhewasn’ trootedto,
hewoul dgof orit.Butagai nnotaf terhis
brotherhadf uckedt heirolderbr ot
her ’
swi f
e
andgotherpr egnant .Hewoul dnev erplay
nastyl iket hat!Nev er !Mntwanaopenedt he
fri
dgeaf terhe’ danswer edNi khona.He
searchedf ormi lkmor ethant woseconds, he
couldn’ tfindt hemi l
kbecausehewassur pri
sed
hewasbei ngt empt edl i
ket his!Thiswoman
wasdi srespect i
nghi m!
Ni
khona:
“You’
l
lpr
etendl
i
key
oucan’
tseet
his?
”
Hetur
nedtoherandhi
seyesweresetonher
br
east
sthatshe’
dpoppedoutf
orhi
mt oprey
on.Mnt wanatauntedhisj awandt ookast ep
forwardt ogettoher.Hesawasmi l
eonher
faceandheguessedwhatmi ghtbeonher
mi ndrightnow.“Easywomenar eav erynice
snackandIam nott hatguywhonor mal l
yt ur
ns
them downbutIgi vethem whatt heywantand
howt heywanti t.But,you,”Hespoket oher
standingbeforeheronal imiteddi st
ance,
Mnt wanashookhi sheadl ookingatherbr easts.
Hepoi ntedhispenis’sdirecti
onandNi khona
l
ookeddownathi m.“Iam notev ener ectedby
thisIam seeing.Don’ttryitagain.”Het ol
dher
calmly.
Ni
khona:“Ow,
notev enthi
s.”sheaskedand
l
if
tedhergownreveali
ngherwellshavedand
cl
eanlooki
ngvagi
na…
Hechuckledandlookeddownathimself
.“Ouch!
Sti
ll
,weareoffl
i
ne.Justgetcov
eredupand
l
eav ewi
thyourli
tt
lepri
de.Ni
cebreast
s
though.
”Hesaidandmov edawayfrom herwit
h
ragebrewingi nsi
dehim.Hewasangr yt
hathe
wast heonewhoencour agedSi mthandeto
bri
ngbackt hissnakeofasi sterint
oherlif
e.
Andhi sworrynowwast hatthiswomanwas
goingtohur tSimthandeonceagai n.He
couldn’tev
eni maginewhatt hatcoulddotoher.
Mnt wanachuckl edandshookhi shead.
“Ngiy al
ingwa!Isawt hewhol evagi
nabei ng
servedt ome, shavedandl ooki
ngpr ett
ybutno
erection!”Hecl i
ckedhi stongueashewas
fasteningt hebut t
onsofhi sshi
rt.Hel i
ked
Simt hande, thei
rrelationshipwascomi ngup
nicelyandhest rongl ycaredforher.Butthis
womancal ledhersi ster,
heneededt ogetr idof
herpr ettysoonbecauseshewasonl ygoingto
hurtSi mthande…
WhenMnt wanalef
ttheki
tchen,Nikhonat
urned
tolookathim ashewalkedawayandshe
smiledtohersel
fasheleft
.“Iam usedtomen
l
ikey ou.Whothi
nkthey’
recrushi
ngmypr i
deby
tur
ningmedown.Iwi l
lbr
ingy ouony ourknees
andy ou’
l
lbegf ori
t.
”Shemadeav owand
marchedt othestovesur
et hatshewasn’t
goi
ngt ogiveup.Shewant edMnt wana!
NikhonarestedhereyesonMnt wana’
swallet
thatwasnextt othestov eandshewondered
whatwashi swalletdoinginthekit
chen.
“Maybehewasgi vi
ngSi mthandemoney.”She
guessedcor r
ectl
yandshel i
ft
edthewall
et,she
openeditjusttotakeal ookofwhatwas
i
nside…
Nikhona: “No,i
tcan’tbe!”sheexclaimed
remov ingMnt wana’sdri
v er’
sli
cense.She
placedherhandonhermout handshepopped
herey es.“ Howcome? ”Sheaskedher selfand
i
mmedi atelypl
acedt hewal l
etbackont he
walletast her
ewasaknockont hedoor …She
placedt hewal letwhereshef oundi tandshe
tookapl ateforherselfwithoutgoingtot he
door .Shewasn’ tgoi
ngt oopent hedoor ,she
wasaguestandi
twoul
dber
udeofhert
oopen
t
hedoor…
“Ihopeyouwon’ tcomebackhere.”Mntwana
saidtoNikhonawhowashav i
ngbreakf
aston
thedinnertabl
e.Mntwana’
sPAhadbeent he
oneont hedoor.Hewasdr essedupandready
toleaveforwork.
Nikhonalaughed.“Iwasj usttesti
ngy oubr other
i
n-law.I
t’swhatweusedt odowi t
hmysi ster
backinthedayev enthoughwewoul dn’tshow
ourbodiesbutIthoughtIshoul dgodeepwi th
youbecausey ouseem v eryseriousandy ou
passedthetestwithfl
yingcol ours.”Sheliedt o
coverupandshehadar elaxedconv i
ncingf ace
asshetol dMntwanathecov erupl i
es.Andshe
washopi ngthatMntwanawasgoi ngtobel ieve
her…
Mntwanalookedatherforaf ewmi nut
esand
heleftt
hehouseaftershakinghishead.He
di
dn’tknowwhethertobelieveherornotbut
shedi dn’tl
ookli
keshewaspretendingnow
afterhav i
ngheregobrui
sed.Maybeshewas
reall
yt esti
nghi
m.Women!Andt heirtypi
cal
tacti
cs!
Nikhonal ookedathi m ashel eftt heki t
chen
andshewashopi ngt hathebel ievedher
becauseshewant edtobl ackmai lhim.“ Ihav
e
neverhadasmal lagedboybef orebutt hi
sone
defini
t el
ydoesn’tlook21y ears.Andt he
bastar dli
edt omysi ster.Soon,he’ l
lbei nmy
palm! ”Shev owedandnoddedherheadasshe
couldpi ctur
eherselfpr essuri
ngMnt wana…And
shesawt het i
ckettohermoneypr oblems.
Mnt wanawast hatticket!Hewasgoi ngt ohel
p
her!Insidehermi ndshedi dn’
tev ent hinkofher
si
sterbutherget t
ingMnt wana…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE08
“MaNkosi ?
”Mnot hocal l
edoutDani elle’
sname,
hewasseat ednex ttothehospi tal
bedand
Daniel
lehadherey escl osedandherl owereye
l
idswer eredandswol lent hanthelastt i
mehe
sawher .Hel ookedatherf aceandi twaspal e
andherl i
pswer edr y.Mnot hosenthi shand
i
nsidehispant s’pocketandhecamebackwi th
‘
Zam- buk’heopenedi tandhemoi stenherlips
wit
hhi sforefingert hathadt heZam- buk.
I
twasaf t
er5pm oft hesamedayt hathelear
nt
thatDaniel
lehadbr aintumour.Helef
t
Siphosami i
nNkosazana’ spal
acebecausehis
mot herhadtoflytoJohannesburgasNgcebo
wasadmi t
tedinthehospital
.Hedrovet o
Durbanandhewast oldbyDaniel
l
e’ssist
er
wher eDaniel
lewas…
Mnot holookedatDaniell
easshewasn’
t
openinghereyesafterhe’dcal
l
edher
repeatedl
y.Hegotupf rom t
hechai
randpl
aced
hi
stwofinger
sonherneckev enthoughhe
coul
dseethemachi nesweresi
gnall
ingshe
wasali
ve.Hejustneededtoconf
irm andwhen
hefel
therpul
sehesi ghed.
Mnot ho: “MaNkosi ,pleasedon’ tdie.Icannev er
l
ivewi thmy selfi
fy oucandi e.Whydi dy ouhide
thisfrom me?Pl ease, wakeup.Iam sor ry.
”he
placedbot hhi shandsonDani ell
e’shandand
heclosedhi sey est oli
stent ohi shear t.He’d
beenbr i
efedbyt heDoct oraboutDani ell
e’s
condi t
ionandi twasst ressinghi m ev enmor e
thatshewasn’ trespondi ngposi t
ivelytot he
chemot herapy.Hewast hewor l
d’sbi ggestidiot
.
Het rustedHappi nessaf terev eryt
hingt hathad
happenedbet weenhi m andHappi ness, he
wasn’ tsupposedt ot r
usther .Hedest roy edhis
l
ifeforagame!Justausel essgame!
Happinessgotofft
hecarbef
oreCityhospi
tal
,
shetookherhandbagandmov edtoopenthe
backdoorofhercar
.Sheunbuckl
edherchil
dren
afterput
ti
ngherhandbagdown.Theywer e
awakeandr umblingal
one,Happinessputt
hem
downandshecl osedhercar.Shethenpushed
them for
wardandkeptherey esonthem as
theywalkedinsi
dethehospit
al…
Happiness’ seyeslaidonMnot ho’sfaceashe
wasseat edont hechairholdingDani ell
e’
shand.
Allshesawi nhisfacewaswor r
yandhur t
,she
di
dn’twantt orejoi
ceont hatanyl onger
becauset hatwasnotwhoshewas.I t’
dhad
penetratedt hr
oughherhear thowbei ngan
unforgiv
ingper soncouldt urnintoasl aveof
hateandanger .AndseeingMnot honowshe
di
dn’tallowher selft
ofeel anyjoybecausehe
wassuf fer i
ng…
“Baba?”Njabulocall
edhi sfatherandhepathis
thi
ghrepeatedly.Nonjabulowasst andi
ng
behindhim,they’v
elefttheirmot her’
ssidet
he
minutetheysawt heirfat
her ’
sface.Happiness
wasst andi
ngopposi teMnot ho.
Mnothoopenedhi seyesquicklyandhel ooked
atNjabuloandNonj abulo,
hesmi ledattheir
faceseventhoughhecoul df eelt
hathedi dn’t
wanttosmi le.Heplacedhishandsont heir
heads.“Sanibona.Idi
dn’texpecttoseey ou
here.
”Hegr eetedthem andst oodonhi sfeetas
thechil
drenwer egreeti
ngback.Hel i
ft
edt hem
upandpl acedthem bothont hechairthathe
wasseat edon.
Nonj
abul
o:“
Howar
eyou,
baba?
”
Njabulo:
“Thi
nasiy
aphi
lakodwawenababa
ukhulumakancanenat
hi.
”
Happi ness:“Njabul
o,no,can’tyouseePearl
’s
mot herisinthehospitalandt hatmeansyour
fatherisnothappynow.Hewon’ tspeak
l
ouder .”Shesai dtoNjabuloseeingthathewas
expect i
ngmor efr
om hisfatherbecausehe
didn’tunderstandthatinthismomenthewasn’ t
alri
ght.
“
Sorr
y,baba.
”Nj
abul
osai
dtohi
sfat
herwi
thout
l
ooki
ngathim.
Mnotho: “Therewasnoneedf oryoutosayt hat
tohim.Iwasgoi ngtoanswerhi m,my self
.”He
tol
dHappi nessabr uptl
yl ookingatherwi t
ha
sharpeye.Happi nessdi dn’tsayanotherwor d
butsher emov edherey esf rom Mnot hoand
sentthem toDani ell
ewhowasont hebed.
“Come, l
et’sgo. ”Mnot hosai dt othechi l
dren
andhel i
ftedt hem of fthechai r.Thei
rf acelitup
whent heirfathert ol
dthem hewast akingt hem
andtheywer egoi ngwi thhim.
Happi
ness:
“Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hem?
”
Mnotho:“Idon’
tasky ouwheny ouleavewith
them,Happiness.
”her epl
iedandhewal ked
awayfrom thebed.Thechi l
drenwav edtheir
handstotheirmotherwithdelightontheirf
aces
andshewav edback.
Happi
nessmov
edt
othechai
r’
ssi
deandshe
satdown.ShelookedatDani
ell
eandshe
l
ookeddown.“Eh,Sawubona,Ntandokazi
?”
Happinessgr
eetedherandshemov edheras
meanst owakeher.Shel
ookedatherandshe
wait
edhopingthatshewasgoingtowakeup.
Ntandokazi
openedhereyes,shewasn’
tdead
sl
eepingandshe’dhear
dherhusbandtalki
ng
butshewast oorel
uct
anttoopenhereyesand
speakwithMnotho.Sheonlyopenedt
hem now
becauseshe’
dheardMnothowasl eav
ing.
Daniel
le:
“Whatdoy ouwanther
e? ”sheasked
wit
hadr yvoiceasherthroatwasdr y.She
l
ookedatHappi nessshortl
yandtriedtositup
str
aightwit
hherey essetonthebot t
leofwater
andglassthatwasont hebedsidedrawers.
Happinessgotupf rom thechai
randpoured
wateronthegl ass,
shegav ethegl
assto
Ntandokazi
.“Iam herebecauseIwanttospeak
t
oy ou.”Happinessrepl
iedandshesatbackon
t
hechai r
.
Daniel
le:
“Ihavelef
tMnot hof
oryouandt her
e’s
noneedf oryoutospeaktomeaboutany thi
ng
becausewear enotfr
iendsorrel
ati
ves.
”
Happi ness: “Iknow, butt hethingis, Iwasv ery
selfi
shwhenIaskedt hatMnot hol eavesy ou
j
ustf orme. ”shesai dandl ookeddown, shehad
decidedt hatshewasn’ tgoingt otellherthat
shewasonl yplay i
ngagamewi thMnot ho
becauset herewasabi gpossi bil
it
yt hatshe
wasgoi ngt orefuset ogobackt ohim.She
didn’tthinkshewasgoi ngt ogobackt oMnot ho
i
fshecoul dheart hatMnot howant edt oleav e
heronl yf orsomet hi
ngt hatHappi nessdi dn’t
evenmean.Shef ear edshewasgoi ngtodo
thatandshedi dn’twantt obet hereasont heir
mar ri
ageended.“ Ireallydidn’tknowwhatIwas
sayingandIj ustsai dt hatoutofhur t,angerand
bitt
ernessofl osingmypar tner.Andt otellyou
thetruthMnot hoandI ,wer einav erygood
statebef orehechoset omar ryy ouandEl ena.
ButIdon’ twantt otalkmuchaboutt hepast .I
am sor ryforhur ti
ngy ou.Ihopet hatyou’l
l fi
ndi t
i
ny ourhear ttoforgiveme.”Shesai dt oher
feeli
ngt heneednott oexpl ai
nf urt
herbecause
shewasgoi ngt oendupadmi tt
ingt hi
ngsshe
didn’twantt oadmi t
.Shewasgoi ngt oendup
admi tt
ingt hatshedi dn’tmeanwhatshesai dt o
Mnot hoandshedi dn’twanthert oknowt hat .
Shedi dn’twanthert oknowt hatMnot howas
playedf oraf ool.Shehear dasshewast alking
thatherwor dswer enotconv incingandt hey
hadl oophol esbutshewashopi ngDani el
le
woul dn’tevent hinkofquest i
oningherf urther.
Daniell
elookedatherandshel ookedathernot
gett
ingwhatshewassay ing.Shesaidthat
becauseshewashur tfrom losi
ngherpar t
ner?
Andso, whatdidshet hink?Shewasgoi ngt o
gobackt oMnot hot or eplaceherlov
erwi t
h
Mnot ho?Orshej ustwant edMnot hot obreak
hi
smar r
iageandbemi serableandhurtli
keshe
washur t
ing?Yes,thatwastheonl
yval
id
expl
anationDaniel
lecouldmakeoutof
Happiness’swords.Thatwaswhatshewas
hopi
ngt oachiev
eandi tmadesensebecause
shewasi npain.
Daniel
l
e:“
It’
sokay, Iam dyi
ngany wayandy ou
don’
thavetofeelthatIam standinginyourway
wit
hMnot ho.Idi
dn’tdeli
berat
elyplanon
marryi
ngMnot hoandhedi dn’tt
ellme-”
Happi
ness:“
Please,don’
tsayt
hatbecauseyou
won’
tdieandIwillt
akeyoubacktoyourhouse.
Iwi
llf
ixmywr ong.
”
Dani
elleshookherhead.“No, Happiness.I
won’tholdagrudgewithyouandIf orgiveyou
asyou’veaskedforf
orgiveness.But,it
’s
Mnothowhoaskedmet oleavehimi t
’snotyou.
Andthere’snoneedforyout ofeelbadabout
i
t.
”
Happi
ness:
“Iknowbutanymanwho’
sfeel
i
ng
guil
tandhurtandwantstocor
recthi
swrong
wouldtakeanymeasurewhendesperat
eand
pressur
ed.Youjusthav
etounderst
andwhere
he’scomingfr
om. ”
Daniell
ekeptqui etandsher emember ed
Mnot ho’
swor dsaboutHappi nessbeing
broughtforhim becauseshehur thi
m.She
l
ov edMnot hoandshewashur twhenheasked
hertoleavehi m.Butshedi dn’ twantt ocry
becauseshe’dcr iedf orMnot hobef orewhenhe
brokeupwi thher .She’dcri
edf orhim andeven
tri
edtokill
her self.She’dcr
iedf orhi
m whenhe
l
eftherinthehospi tal
.Andhe’ ddonei tonce
again.Maybel etti
nggowasappr opri
ate
becauseshedi dn’thavehopet hatshewas
goingliv
east hemedi cati
onwasn’ ttr
eat i
ngher
thewayshet houghti twasgoi ngt otreather.
Daniell
e:“
AndIwanthimtocorr
ectt
hatwrong
hedid.You’l
lhav
etogobackhomewi t
hyour
chi
ldrenandbeinyourhousewi
thMnotho.I
t’
s
whereyoubelong.Idon’twanthimt owastehis
ti
mewor ry
ingaboutmeandwhenIdi ehe’l
l
havenoonebyhi sside.Idon’tt
hinkyou,
yoursel
fwouldlov
et hatforthemany oulove.I
don’
tknowi fyoul
ov ehim orifyou’
velovedhim
butyoucanhav ealif
etogether.He’
llcome
backherebutIdon’twanttot al
ktohim even
aft
erIhavespokent oyou.”
Happi
ness:
“No,
Ican’
tdot
hat
.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Why
?”
Happiness:“Iwill
onlygobacki fyouagr eethat
you’
llcomebackandwewi llli
vetogetherfor
thi
stimethaty ouaresick.Thechi l
dren,Mnotho
andI,wewi l
l l
ookaf t
eryouunt i
lyouaref i
ne.”
Shesaidtoherunexpect edlyandshef elther
heartbeati
ngpr ett
yfastaftershe’
dmadet hat
pactwithher.Daniell
elaughedandshepul l
ed
thewaterbot t
letohersel
f.Shepour edthe
wateronthegl ass.Happinesslookedather .
“Whyar eyoulaughing?”Sheasked.
Dani
ell
e:“
Ihaven’
treall
ylaughedi
nlonghours
andwhatyouaresayingnowmademel augh.
You’
l
llookaf
terme? ”
Happiness:“Yes,yousai
dyouwantMnot hoto
cor
recthiswr ongandIwanttodot hesame.”
Shetoldherandt ookthebott
lef
rom herasshe
washoldingitwithahandthathadadr i
p.And
shedidn’tl
ookstrongertobehol
dingit
.
Daniel
l
e:“It
oldyouthaty oudidn’
tdomewr ong
butMnothoaskedmet oleave.Youmighthave
beentheonewhot ol
dhi m whattodobuty ou
werenevergoingt
of orcehimt odowhathe
doesn’
twanttodo.Mnot hoisnotliket
hatbut
hedoeswhathewant stodoandwhenhe
wants.
”
Happinessadmittedthatshewasr ightandit
real
lyamazedhert hatMnot hodidwhatshe
thoughtshecouldnev erdo.“Yes,y
ouar eri
ght
butifyouwantthemany oul ovet
obeal one
andmi ser
abl
ey ou’l
lstayinDurban.Butifyou
areseri
oust hatyoulovehim asyousayy ou’
l
l
dowhatIam say ing.Wewi ll
li
vetogetherinmy
housebecausei t
’sbiggerallf
ourchil
drenand
Mnotho,thesixofuswi lll
ookafteryou.
MnothoandI ,
wil
l ar
rangethatyouget
tr
eatmentfrom home.Youwon’ tdie.
”
Happinessinsist
ed.
Daniel
le:
“Andi
fIr
ecov
er?You’
l
ltakey
our
husband?”
Happiness:“No, youaremar r
iedtohimlegal
ly
andme, he’smyhusbandbyt radi
ti
on.Whennot
‘
if’
wheny our ecov eryou’
ll
gobackt oyour
houseandIwi l
lremaini nmyhouseandwewi l
l
maket hi
sfami lythingwork.Elenaisnott
here
tobotheryouany mor ebecauseshesur edi
d.”
Daniell
elaughedandsai d.“Youar er i
ghtabout
that.ButwhenIrecoverIwantSi phosami to
staywithmeandPear l
.Iknowy oul ookedafter
him befor
ebutIwoul dlov eforhimt ostaywi t
h
us.”ShetoldHappinesst aki
ngupt heoffer
wit
houtsay
ingi
tobv
ioust
hatshewast
aki
ng
herof
fer
.
Happinesssmi l
edasshef i
gur edt hatshewas
admitt
ingtoit.“
Youhav eagirl andy oudon’t
haveaboy ,so,i
npol y
gamy ,whenahouse
doesn’thav
eaboyt hehusbandgi vestheboy
fr
om theotherwi f
etot hewi f
ewhodoesn’ t
haveaboy .
”Sheagr eedt oitindirectl
yas
Daniel
lewasdoi ng.
Dani
ell
e:“
Real
l
y?Thathappens?
”
Happi
ness:“Yes,r
ealtr
adi
ti
onalpeopl
ewho
don’
trobtr
aditi
ontheydothat
.AndIdohavea
boyandso,wewi l
lbothhaveagir
landaboy.
”
Dani
ell
e: “
No,t
hissoundstoogoodt obetr
ue.”
Shetoldhermindtocomeback, andtol
d
her
selfthi
swasjustafair
y-t
alethatHappi
ness
wassay i
ng.I
tsoundedtooperfectandwhy
wouldshewanttolookafterher?
“
Youcant
rustt
hisone,
MaNkosi
.”Nkosazana
saidt oDani el
le.Shewasst andingbehindthe
curtainsepar atingDaniell
e’
sr oom totheot her
room i nthewar dthatshewason.Shedi dn’t
showherf acet hemi nuteshesawHappi ness’s
seri
ousf aceasshewast alki
ngt oDaniel
le.She
stoodbehi ndthecur t
ainandl ist
enedtothei r
conv ersati
onwhenDani el
lewasconv inci
ng
Happi nesst hatMnot howast heonewho
want edhert ol eave.
Daniell
e:“
Ndlunkulu?”shesmi l
edand
NkosazanahuggedNt andokazi
,shecl
osedher
eyesandsighed.“Ithoughtyousaidyouar
e
busy.”Shesaid.
Nkosazana: “
Yes,Iwasbusybutonmyway
backf r
om Mbumbul oIthoughtIshoul
dpassby
andseey ou.AndIwillconfesst
hatI
eavesdropped.”Shetol
dthem andtheyall
l
aughed.Nkosazanal ookedatHappinesswit
ha
smileandsheshookherhead.Shemov edt
o
herside.
Happiness:
“Iwil
lonl
yhugyouifyoufor
giv
e
me.”shesaidtoherasNkosazanahadher
ar
msopenedupf orHappi
ness.
Nkosazana:
“Ay
i!Don’tbesil
l
ywhowoul
dhol
d
agrudgewit
hyouforever?
”
Happiness:“
Thankyouandforcal
li
ngme. ”she
sai
dandst oodonherfeet
.Shehugged
Nkosazanatight
lywi
thhereyescl
osed.She
smil
ed.
Nkosazana:“Ihopetherewon’
tbeany
unnecessar
ysecr et
s.”
Happi
ness:
“Iwon’
tdoonemi
staket
wice.
”
NkosazananoddedonceandHappi nesssat
down.“Happinesswil
lkeepherword,
Ntandokazi
.Justcomebackhomeand
every
thi
ngwi l
lworkoutforbet
tergood.
”
NkosazanasaidtoDaniel
le.
Dani
ell
elookedatHappi
ness.“Thankyou,
Happi
ness.”Shesai
dtoher.Happinessnodded
oncewit
hashortsmileonherf
ace…Happiness
l
ookedwithi
nhersel
fandshepray
edandhope
Godwouldgiveherst
rengt
htodowhatshe’d
promi
sedshewilldo…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE09

Shecouldhearherphoner i
ngfrom hersleep
butshewast oolazyt oopenherey esand
answerthephonecal l.Butshecouldn’
tignore
thecal
lasitkeptringing.Shefi
nall
yopenedher
eyesandstretchedherhandt oreachherphone.
Sheyawnedandpl acedherphoneonherear .
Nandi
pha:
“Maaamaa”
Fai
th:
“Si
es!I
t’
s10am andy
ouar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
Nandi
pha!
”
Nandi
phasatupst
rai
ghtandsher
ubbedher
eyes,shel
ookedbesi
deherandNgcebowasn’
t
ther
e.“Iwasti
redmama.Wehadal ongday
yester
day.
”
Fai
th:“Butt
hatdoesn’
tmeany
oushoul
dsl
eep
unt
ilnow.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam waki
ngupnow.Howar
eyou?
”
Fai
th:
“Iam goodbabyandhowar
eyou?
”
Nandi
pha:“
Iam notgoodl
i
key
oubecauseI
messedup,mama.”
Fai
th:
“Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Nandipha: “
There’
sthi
sRappercalledMujo…”
shetoldhermot herhonestl
yaboutwhatshe’
d
done,doingasongbehi ndNgcebo’sback.
“Mama, pleasesaysomet hi
ng.
”Shesaidtoher
motheraf t
erafewmi nutesofsi
lence.
Fai
th:
“Whatwer
eyouhopi
ngt
oachi
eve?
”
Nandi
pha:“
Mama,it
’snotl
i
kether
e’s
somet
hingIwashopi
ngtoachi
evebutNgcebo
wasn’
tgoi
ngt
oletmedot
hissong.Hehas
st
oppedmebefor
emama.
”
Fai
th:“
Thatdoesn’tmeananythi
ngbuty ou
weresupposedtotellhi
m.Itwouldhavebeen
bett
eri
fyouarefight
ingfordoi
ngt hesong
whil
ehe’dtol
dyounott odoitbutyouwent
behi
ndhisbackthat’
sadi f
fer
entstory
.And
wit
hhisenemy !
”
Nandipha:“Butmama, Iwasn’
tther
ewhenthey
begant hi
sbeefandhenev ert
oldmethati
twas
moret hanjustabeef
.”
Fait
h:“Don’tyourememberRut hf r
om thebible.
ShesaidtoBoaz, yourGodwillbemyGodand
yourenemi eswil
lbemyenemi es.Iwil
ldie
wherey ouwilldi
e.Andthat’
swhaty ouvowed
wheny ouchoset obecomehi swi f
eNandi pha.
Youinherital
lhisenemiesandacquai ntances
becausey oucannev erl
aughfreelywithpeople
hedoesn’tlaughwith.Thatal
sohappenswi th
someoft heclosestfri
endsandf orfri
endsy ou
woul
dn’
tev
enl
i
keherot
herf
ri
ends.
”
Nandi pha:“Iunderst
andmama.Iam boundby
acont ractIcan’tsayt heyshouldstopr el
easing
thesongswhent hey’
redue.AndIdon’ tknow
howIcanr eallyfi
xthis.Ithi
nkIhav etot el
l
Muj oandhi smanagementt hatIwon’tdot he
video.Theycandoi tbutIwon’ tbeoni t.AndI
won’ tdogigswi thhimf orthesongpr omot ion.I
woul dhav egottenalotofmoneymama.Fr om
asi nglegigthesepeopl emakeaboutR250000
andIwoul dhav egottenashar eofthatmoney .
Ah!ButIwon’ tdoitthen.”
Fai
th:“
Awu, baki
thi
,nawewasubal
i
sakangaka
kwabuhlungunakimikemanj
e.”
Nandiphasmil
ed.“
Don’
tworr
ymama.Iwi l
l
appreci
atet
hemoneyIwil
lgetf
orworki
ngon
thesongs.I
t’
sgoodmoney.
”Shetol
dher
mother.
Fai
th:
“Al
ri
ght
,ift
hat
’swhaty
ouseef
itt
hendo
that.Iwascal l
ingy outotel
lyouthatIwas
buy i
ngmy sel
fadr essandIsawt wodr esses
foryou.Icanseey ourfigur
eiscomingbackby
force.Iboughtt hem butyou’l
lbuyshoesf or
yourself.You’
lllookgoodont hem.Youmust
comet akethem. ”
Nandi
pha:
“Aaaaa!Thanky
ou,
sisNandi
pha!
”
Fai
th:
“Myear
,Nandi
pha!
”sheshout
ed.
Nandiphal
aughed.“Iam sorrybutt
hankyou,
mama.Iwillcomelatert
ot akethem.Ishoul
d
getupnowandseewho’ sr unningt
hehouse.
Ei
sh.”Shesaid.
Fai
thl
aughed.“
InZul
u,wesay‘Wav
umamf
azi
!’
wakeupandrunyourhouse.
”
Nandiphagi
ggledandr emovedtheblankets
fr
om herbody.“Bye,
mama.Iwi llseeyoulater
.”
ShesaidhergoodbyesandFaithsaidthem
back.Nandi
phar emovedherphonef r
om her
earandsherushedtothebathroom totakea
qui
ckshowert
ohav
eherdayst
art
ed…
Sheclosedherey esshor t
lyasthenoi seoft he
chil
drengreet
edher .Theywer erunningar ound
thehouselaughingandscr eaming.“HHAYI !
HHAYI !YI
NI?”Shescr eamedandhel dThando’ s
headasshebumpedi ntoher.Sheheld
Nandipha’
slegwhi l
eshewasbusyl aughing.
Buhl
e:“
Yini
mama?
”(What
’swr
ong?
)
Nandi
pha:
“Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.
”
Si
milo:“
Mama, minanivukeningagcoki
le!
”(I
wokeuphalfnaked)Shet ol
dhermot herl
oudly
wit
hherheadl ookingatherandshewas
pant
ingfrom t
her unni
ngt hattheyweredoing
wit
hhersister
s.
Nandipha:
“Iam theonewhoundressedyou.
Where’sNtokomaloandNongcebo?”Sheasked
asshewasn’ tseei
ngthem.
Buhl
e:“Ntokoyenauhl
eli
kusof
abese
uNongceboyenauhlel
inobabaekhi
shi
ni.
”
(Nt
okomaloisi
ntheloungeandNongceboi s
wit
hdadintheki
tchen)Sherepli
ed.Nandi
pha
noddedandshepushedthem for
ward.
Nandipha: “Yourfatherishereandy ouare
senselesslymaki ngnoise.Didn’tweagreethat
whenhe’ shomehewant stosleepbecausehe
workshar d? ”sheaskedandl if
tedThandoof f
thefl
oorasshewasr equesti
ngi t
.
Si
mi l
o:“Mama,ubabaut
heashambeshodl
ala
nj
e.”(He’
stheonewhosaidweshoul
dgoand
pl
ay,mom)
Buhl
e:“
Ehe,
shenzekabi
?”(
Yes,
wer
ewr
ong?
)
Nandipha:“I
fhesaidplayyoucanpl ayunti
l
yourfeethurt
s.”Shesaidandtickl
edThando’s
feet
.Shelaughedandt herestofhersister
s
l
aughed.“You’vehadyourbreakfast?”she
asked.
Thando:“
Yebo,mama,shi
dli
l
ekakhul
u
shashut
hakakhul
u.”(
Yes)
Simi
lo:
“Ehe,babaushi
niki
leukudl
aokukhul
u
kodwauNtokoudlekancane.
”
Nandipha:“Goandcallyoursist
er,
Simil
o.Don’
t
botherherbutcal
lher-”shewascutshortas
Si
mi lor
anawaywi thoutwait
ingforhert
o
fi
nish…
“Baba.Uzoniyi
shani
niminaeshit
eji
?”(When
wil
lyout akemetothestage?)Nongceboasked
herfather.Shewasseat
edont heki
tchenisl
and
andNgcebowasseat edont hechai
rfaci
ngher.
Ngcebochuckled.“
Iwil
ltakey
ouwheny ouar
e
ol
der.”Herepl
iedandgaveherthepi
eceofa
banana.Ngcebowashav i
ngfr
uitsal
ad.
Nongcebo:“
Baba,mi
nani
funaukuhamba
manje.
”(Iwantt
ogonow)
Ngcebo:
“No,
yourmot
herwon’
tagr
eet
othat
.”
Nongcebo:“Shomcashel
a.”(
Wewi
llhi
defrom
her)Shewhisper
edandNgcebol
aughed.He
shookhishead.
Ngcebo: “
Icanseey ou’retaki
ngf rom herwith
thishidingthings.”Hemumbl edt hewor dsto
himsel f
.“Wewon’ tdot hatNongcebo, she’l
l
cry.”Het oldherandNongcebogi ggled.
Ngcebot urnedhi sheadt olookatt hegirl
sas
hehear dt heirnoiseapproachi ngt hekit
chen
side.Hisey est heirmother’sey es.Hesenthi s
gazebackont hesal adthathewaseat i
ng.
Nandi
pha:“
Sanibona.
”Shegr
eet
edherhusband
anddaught
er.
Nongcebo:
“Yebo,mama.Shuv
uki
le?Ul
ala
kakhul
umanje.
”(Youar
eawake)
Nandipha:“Youtal
ktoomuchumaut handa.
”
Shesaidpulli
nghercheeksandNongcebo
giggl
ed.“Ey,l
engane!”Shelef
tthekit
chenas
sheheardacr yandshesuspectedthatSimi
lo
hadmadeNt okomalocrybutshemetupwi t
h
Simil
ocrying.AndNtokomalowasn’tfol
lowi
ng
her.
Nandipha:“
Whyarey oucryi
ng?”shewentdown
toherlevel
andheldSimil
o’sface.Shewi
ped
hertearswit
hherhands.
Si
mil
o:“
Ntokohi
tme,
mama.
”
Nandi
pha:“Whatdi
dy oudotoher?”sheasked
andsheli
ft
edSimil
ofrom thef
loor
.Shewal ked
tot
heloungetogettoNtokomalo.
Si
mil
o:“
Lut
ho!
”(Idi
dnot
hing)
Nandi phadidn’tsayany t
hingbutsheknewshe
wasgoi ngt ofi
ndt hetruthfr
om Nt okomalo.
“Ntokomal o,whyi syoursist
ercryi
ng?Andwhy
areyoust il
lseatedherebecauseIt ol
dherto
callyou.”Sheaskedherdaught erwhowas
kneelingont hefloorgetti
ngtogetherasix-
piecepuzzle.
Ntokomal
o:“
Mama, uhl
i
phizei
ntoy
ami uMi
mi
nj
enasenamshayekakhul
u.”(
Shemessedmy
puzzl
eandIhi
ther
)
Nandi
pha:
“Si
mil
o?”
Si
mil
o:“
Benafuni
yenaukuzanj
emama.
”(She
di
dn’
twantt
ocome)
Nandipha:
“Iam t
heonewhotol
dyoursi
stert
o
cal
lyou.Whyareyoual
one?
”
Nt
okomal
o:“
Iam pl
ayi
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Come, ever
y oneisi
nthekit
chen.
Hi
tti
ngyoursi
steriswr ongandy ouwerewrong
t
omessherpuzzl e.”Shet ol
dthem bot
h.
Gi
rl
s:“
SHOLI
”(Sor
ry)
Nandi
phagaveherhandtoNtokomal
oandshe
t
ookitl
eavi
ngherpuzzl
e.Nandiphal
eftt
he
l
oungefort
hekit
chenwitht
hem…
Buhle:
“Mamaukudlakwakhokukhona.I dl
a
khonamamanathishidl
il
e.”Shetoldhermother
asshewaspouri
ngsourmi lkinsi
deabowl not
taki
ngherf
oodthatthei
rfatherhadlef
tforher
.
Nandi
pha:“
Iwil
leatt
hefoodlat
erst
handwa
sami.
”Shetol
dherandplacedt
hebott
leback
onthefr
idge.Shepouredsugaronthesour
mil
kthatwasn’tmixedwit
huphuthu.
“
NgizokushayawenaSi mil
oy ekaley
ont o!”
Ngceboshout edatSimilowhowaspl ayingwith
t
hecupboar ds,openingandcl osi
ngthem.
“
Hambani lanomsi ndowenu!Hambani !
”
Ngceboshout edatthegirl
sforSimilo’s
mist
akeandt heyleftthekit
chenont heir
f
ather’
scommandl eav i
ngNongcebobehi nd.
Nandipha:
“Butt
heywer
enotmakingnoisei
t
wasjustSimi
lopl
ayi
ngwit
hthecupboar
ds.
Ther
ewasnoneedt oshoutt
hem al
l.
”
Ngcebo:
“Whydon’
tyouf
oll
owt
hem t
hen?
”
Nandipha: “Youareangrywi t
hmeNgcebonot
ourchildren.They’
vebeenmaki ngnoi
seinthe
housebuty oudidn’
tshout.Andyoucursed
them alloutofthekitchenjustf
orSi
mil
o’s
doing.Ibroughtthem here.”
“
Got
oyoursi
ster
s.”Het
oldNongceboaf
ter
pl
aci
ngherdown.Hethenlef
ttheki
tchenaf
ter
Nongcebohadl
eftt
hekit
chen…
Nandiphasatdownandhadhery oghurt…She
wentupt oherbedr oom aftershe’dseenher
chi
ldrenwer eplay
ingtogethernotsul ki
ng…She
openedt hedoortot hebathroom andshesaw
Ngcebost andingbeforethebat hroom sink.Hi
s
handswer eshaki
ngandhehadt hetablets’
containersonthesink.
Ngcebowasl ookingf orhisant iarr
hythmic
agentandhecoul dn’tfi
ndt hem buthe
rememberedhemi ghthav el eftthem instudi
o.
Hewasnowl ookingf orbetabl ockersbutt he
onehewasf indi
nghadexpi red.Hedi dn’
tuse
them nor
mallybutheusedt hem whenhewas
outofanti
arr
hy t
hmi cagent .Hewasangr yand
strai
ned,
thathadanef fectonhi sheart.
Nandipha:“
What ’
swrongNgcebo?Whatare
youlooki
ngfor?”sheaskedholdi
nghi
shand
andNgcebol ookedather.Nandi
phal
ookedat
hi
schestandsheplacedherhandoni
t.She
l
ookedathim qui
ckl
y.
Ngcebo:
“Cany
ou…pl
easegi
ve…mespace?
”
Nandi pha:“What ’
swrong?Speaktome, whyis
yourhear tbeatsochaotic?
”sheaskedand
pushedhi m backt ostandbef
orehim.Ngcebo
placedhi sforeheadonNandipha’
sshoulder
andpr essedhi sshaki
nghandsonherar ms.
Nandi phapushedNgceboawayf r
om herand
shepl acedherhandar oundhiswaist
.She
swallowedhar danddraggedhimtoexitthe
bedroom.
Hewasn’ thav i
ngdif
fi
culti
eswal ki
ngbut
l
isteni
ngt otherhyt
hm ofhi sheartwasset ti
ng
himt owalkonasl owpacebecausei twasn’t
pleasantsuchadisorganizedhear trhythm…
Nandiphar anbackinsidethehouset ogether
handbagandNgcebo’ smedi calai
dcar dafter
she’dplacedNgceboi nsi
det hecar .The
chil
dren’snoisewascomi ngf rom thelounge
andwhenshewasleavi
ngt
hehousewi
tht
hei
r
fat
hert
heydi
dn’
tseethem.
Shest eppedi
nsi
det hecaranddrov
eoutofthe
premises,shewasleavingwit
houtt
ell
ingher
chil
drenshewasl eavi
ng…Ngcebowasn’ t
speakinginsi
dethecarbuthehadhishandon
hi
schestandhi sheadlaidbackontheseat…
Shet ookherphonef rom herbagandshe
dial
ledDalingcebo’snumber.Ngcebohadbeen
takenbythenur sesandshewaswai t
ing
i
mpat i
ent
lytakingabl ame.Al
lshecouldthi
nk
aboutwashowNgcebowasangr ywithherand
may behewashav i
ngsuchaheartrace
becauseofher .
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Nandi
pha?
”
Nandipha:“
Yebo,Iam call
i
ngtot el
lyouthat
Ngcebohadbeenadmi ttedtothehospital
andI
am waiti
nghere.
”Shetoldhim andplacedher
handonhereyes.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youar
enotmaki
ngsense.
”
Nandipha:“Ihadt obri
nghi mtothehospital
becauseofhi schaoticheartr
hythm.Idon’t
knowwhat ’
sgoi ngonbecauseIhav enev erfel
t
hisheartr
acinglikethat.Iam j
ustwait
ingf or
answers.”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Alri
ght
.Iwil
lcomeupt
her
eIwi
l
l
t
ell
mom.Apl anewil
lbefast
.”
Nandipha:“Okay
.”Sher emov edherphonefrom
herearandshepr essedhert eet
htogether
withoutshadi
nganyt ears.Shelookedatthe
ti
measshehear dhertummymaki ngtheloud
grumble.
“Havesome.”AnIndi
anwomanseatednextto
herhandedheroneofhersandwi
chesasshe’
d
heardherst
omachgrumble.
Nandi
pha:
“No,
please-
”
Indi
anwoman:“Youar
esurel
yhungr
yandI
knowyoumightbeafr
aidt
ostandupasyou’
re
wait
inghere.
”Shesai
dtoherandNandi
pha
noddedherheadonce.Andshet
ookthe
sandwich…
Nandi
pha:
“Thanky
ou.Youar
ewai
ti
ngf
ora
l
ovedone?”
Indi
anwoman:“
Yes,myf
ather
.He’
sjustbeen
admitt
edandy
ou?”
Nandipha:“
Husband.”Sherepli
edandf el
tit
wouldbeinappr
opriatetoaskforanother
sandwichfr
om her.Butshedidn’
thav etoask
becausethewomanof f
eredheranother
sandwichandshet ookit
…
“MrsZulu?
”TheDoct
orcall
edNandiphaoutand
shestoodonherf
eet.TheI
ndianwomanhad
l
eftherawhil
eagotogettoherfat
her…
Nandi
pha:
“What
’swr
ongwi
thhi
m?”
Doctor:
“Let’
stal
kinpriv
ate.
”Heshowedhert o
fol
l
owhi m andNandiphafol
lowedbehi
ndthe
Doctorl
ookingatherphoneforherbr
other
’s
response.He’daskedhimtogotoherhouse
afterhi
sclassesbecauseshedi
dn’
tknowwhen
shewasgoi ngtoretur
nhome.
“Yourhusbandwil
lbealri
ghtwehav esedat
ed
him af
terexamini
nghimjusttogivehi
m arest
butyou’l
lhavetoensuret
hathetakeshis
anti
arr
hythmicagentonti
meanddoesn’ tski
p
anyday.Itseemshe’sunderalotofstr
essand
-”t
heDoct orwasbrokenbyNandipha’
s
questi
on.
Nandi
pha:
“What
’st
haty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
?”
Doct
or:“
Youarenotawar
eofy
ourhusband’
s
hear
tcondi
ti
on?”
Nandi
pha:
“Whathear
tcondi
ti
on?
”
Doctor:“Yourhusbandhasaheartdisorder
call
edarrhy t
hmia.Hist
ypeisoneofahear trate
that’
stoof astandheneedshismedicationto
keephishear tbeat
ingnor
mally–Isev eryt
hing
alr
ight?
”hest oodupf r
om hi
schairandhe
movedtothechai
rNandi
phawasseatedon.
Shewastryi
ngtopourwat
erf
orhersel
fwhen
theDoct
orsawshewaskindofsuf
focati
ng.
“Iwi
ll
go…seehi m!”ShetoldtheDoct ortr
ying
tost
andonherf eetbutshedidn’tgettostand
onherown.Shef ai
ntedontheDoct or’sar
ms
andhehadt omov eNandiphatohis
examinat
iontabl
einsidehi
sof f
ice.
..
“Thankgoodnessyouar eawake!”Faith
exclaimedandshesmi l
edasNandi phahad
openedhereyes.Shewasseat eddownl ooki
ng
atherasshewasst i
llunconsci
ousi nthe
Doct or
’sof
fi
ce.Butt
hedi f
fer
entoffice…
Nandiphar osefr
om thetabl
eandshelookedat
hermot herwithashortweaksmil
e.“
Mama,
whathappened? ”Sheaskedandremovedher
feet
…
Fai
th:“Youadmi
tt
edNgcebohereandy
ou
fai
ntedwhentheDoct
orwasupdati
ngyou
abouthi
sheal
thmychi
l
d.”
Nandipha:“
Ihaven’teat
ensincemorni
ngbutI
hadsomesandwi chesfrom someladyi
nthe
wait
ingarea.Iam hungry.
”
Fait
h: “
It
’sunderstandabl
e.Iwi
l
lgetyouf
ood
andy ou’
lleatbeforeseei
ngNgcebo.Doyou
rememberwhathappened? ”
Nandi
pha:“Yes,
it’
sclearnow.Ngcebohasa
hear
tprobl
em Ididn’
tknowabout.Andthat
’s
ther
easonhe’shere.
”
“Oh!She’
sawake.
”TheDoctorwhoownedthe
off
icesai
dwalki
ngthrought
heoffi
ceandshe
marcheduptoNandiphaandhermother
.
Nandipha:
“Yes,
buty
ouar
enotmyhusband’
s
Doctor.
”
Doctor
:“Don’
tworr
yabouthi m butyouhav
e
ot
herpeopletoworryabout
.Doy ouhav
e
di
ffi
cul
ti
eseatingi
nthemor ning?”
NandiphalookedathermotherandtheDoctor
.
“Yes,Ieatar
ound12:30pm.CanIgoseemy
husband?Mama, he’
sawaker i
ght?”Sheasked
andwor ehershoes.
Fai
th:
“Nandipha,you’
l
lseeNgcebobutyou
needtol
ist
ent otheDoctorandeatt
henyou
cangoseehim. ”
Nandipha:“
Am Isi
ckaswel l
?”Shelookedatt
he
Doctorwit
hanimpatientf
acebecauseher
hear
twasnol ongerwitht
hem butNgcebo.
Doctor:“Youaresev enweekspr egnantand
you’l
lhavetolookaf t
eryourselfNandipha.You
needtokeepy ourbloodpr essurestablebutI
understandthati tmighthavebeent hathigh
becauseofy ourhusbandbei ngadmi ttedt
ot he
hospit
al.You’l
l havetwobabi esandpl ease,
l
ookaf teryourheal t
h.Ihavegiv enyourmot her
aprescripti
onfort ablet
sandshewentt obuy
them.”sheupdat edNandiphaal labouther
pregnancyreadi ngthroughherr eportshewould
l
ookupatNandi
phashor
tl
yunt
ilshewasdone.
Nandiphal ookedathermot herwithablank
emotionlessfaceasshe’ dreceiv
edthenews
shenev erexpectedatthisti
meoft heyear.
“Let
’sgo, mama. ”Nandiphasaidtohermother
andtookherbagt hathermot herhadonher
hands.Faithstoodup.
Fai
th:“
Didy
ouev
enhearwhatt
heDoct
orsai
d
toyou?”
Nandipha:“
Yes,Ihear
dher.Iwil
lpayforyour
ser
vices.
”ShesaidtotheDoctorshort
lyand
shemov edoutoftheoff
ice.Hermother
fol
l
owedherbehi nd.
Fai
th:
“What
’st
hemat
ternow,
Nandi
pha?
”
Nandi
pha:“Not
hingmama.Di
dRandal
lgot
o
t
hegir
ls?”
Fai
th:“
Yes,he’
stherebuty
ou’
llhavetoeat
somethi
ngfir
stthat
’si
fyoudon’twantt
ofaint
agai
n.Seei
ngNgcebocanwai t
.”Shesai
dto
Nandi
phahol
dingherhandandpul
l
edher
away…
“Ithoughtyouleft
.”Ngcebosai dtoNandipha,
hewasseei ngherwalkthr
ought hedooraftera
l
ongt i
meofwai ti
ngforher.He’dbeen
exami nedandhewasst ablenowbutt he
Doct orhadtoldhi
m hewasgoi ngtokeephim
forani ghtortwo…Hewasal oneintheroom
sincehewokeup.
Nandi
pha:
“Youwer
esedat
ed.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
buti
t’
sbeenawhi
l
esi
nceIwoke
up.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Ngcebo: “
Iam feel
ingabitti
redphysi
cal
lybutI
am fi
nenow.Youdon’ thavet owor
ry.
”Hesai d
toherandNandi phadroppedherheadwithout
sayi
ngany thi
ngtohim aboutwhathe’
dsai d.
“Nandipha?”hecall
edhernameandr eached
forherhand.Nandiphalookedathi
m.
Nandi
pha:
“Yeah?
”
Ngcebo:“TheDoctortoldmet hatheinf
or med
youaboutmyhear tdi
sor derandIknowt hat
youarewonder i
ngwhyIdi dn’ttel
lyoubutmy
brot
hersdon’tknoweither.Iam notsayingthat
shoul
dmakey oufeel
anybet t
erbut-”
Nandi
pha:
“Howl
ongy
ou’
vehadi
t?”
Ngcebo:
“Iwasdi
agnosedwhenIwas21y
ear
s
ol
d.”
Nandi
pha:
“Andnobodyknowsabouti
tiny
our
f
amily
?”
Ngcebo:
“Mypar
ent
sknow.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Oh,
Isee.
”
Ngcebo: “
Iwant edtotell
youaboutthisbutI
neverwantedy out oli
veyourl
if
ewor ryi
ng
aboutmei fIhav etakenmymedi cat
ionornot.
IfIam f
ineornot .Ishoul
dhavetoldy ouand
now,theDoctort hi
nksIshouldsettl
ebackto
thepeacemakerdevice-
”hestoppedt alki
ngand
l
ookedatt hedoorasitwasopened.
Thembelihl
ewalkedinsi
dethedoorf ollowedby
Dali
ngcebo.Ngcebosmi l
edashismot her
walkedupt oher
.“Pl
ease,don’
tlectureme. ”He
saidtohi
smot herbefor
eshecoul dev enspeak.
Thembelihle:“
HowcanInotwhileyoubother
mel i
kethis?”Sheaskedandopenedherarms
forNgcebot heyhuggedeachot
her…
Dalingcebo:“
Howareyou?”heaskedNandi pha
standingnexttot
hechairt
hatNandiphawas
seatedon…I twas6pm astheyhav
ear r
ivedin
thehospital
.
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Iam r
eli
evednowt
hatt
hisone
her
eisawake.”
Nandi
pha:
“Yeah,
thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Youdon’
thav
etothankme…You
wantedtovi
sitt
hel
andofthedeadagai
n?
What’
seatingyou?”heaskedNgceboasthei
r
motherhadbackedawayf r
om hi
m andshewas
f
ixi
ngNgcebo’sblanket
sandpill
ows.Hemov ed
f
rom theposit
ionhewasont ostandcl
osert
o
Ngcebo.
Ngcebolaughed.“HowcanIgothereandleave
youhere?”heaskedgiv
ingDal
ingcebohishand
andtheysharedahandshakeandshoulderhug.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iam nott
hedy
ingt
ype.
”
Ngcebo:
“Wedon’
tknowaboutthat
.”He
commentedandt
heycr
acked…
Thembelihl
e:“
Nandi
pha,youhav
etobr
inghi
m
ablanketnott
hesesheet
s.”
Ngcebo:
“Iam st
ayi
ngf
oraf
ewni
ght
s.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Itdoesn’
tmat
terbuty
oucan’
t
usethesesheets.
”
“
Iwil
ldot
hat.Ihav
etotaket
hiscal
l.
”Shesai
d
l
ooki
ngatNgceboandshestoodupwit
hher
phoneinsi deherbagjustpl
ayi
ngherringtone
notthatsomeonewascal li
ngher.She
del
iberatelypl
ayedthesongwhi l
eNgcebowas
busytalkingwithDali
ngceboandhi smother
fi
xi
nghi ssheets…
Ngcebo:
“Don’ttal
konthephonef ortool
ong!”
heshout
edf orherasshewasleavingtheroom
andsheclosedthedoorwi
thoutreplyi
ngtohim.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iwi
l
lcal l
Thulaandshewil
lbring
cl
eansheetsandblanketsbecausey
ourwifeis
sti
l
lher
e.”Shesai
dt aki
ngherphonefrom her
bag.
Ngcebodi dn’
tcommentbutheanswer ed
Dali
ngceboashe’ daskedwhatwaswr ongwi th
him.“ …AndtheDoctorsuggestedt hatIsettl
e
backt othedevicebutIreall
ydon’twantt hat
device.”Heclosedhisexplanat
iont ohis
brother.Hi
smot herwasseat eddownaf terthe
call
listeni
ngtohim speak.
Thembelihl
e:“
YourfatherandIt
oldyouthi
s
medicat
ionthingwasnotagoodi deabuty
ou
don’
tli
sten,Ngcebo.
”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Iactual
lycan’
tbel
i
evey
ou’
vekept
t
hisasecretforsolong.
”
Ngcebo:“
Don’tmakeabigdeal
outt
his
becauseyouarenotaboy.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Stopjoki
ngar
oundNgceboand
beser
ious,pl
ease!”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Yeah,stopitandnow,youshould
real
l
ystoptakingmedicati
onbecauseitseems
t
het woofyouf or
getaboutit
.”
Ngcebo:
“Nandi
phadi
dn’
tknowabouti
ttoo.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Amen!
”
Thembeli
hle:“
AndIhavelongtoldyouthatyou
shoul
dtel
lherbutyouneverli
stened.Butnow,
you’
ll
stoptaki
ngtabl
ets.
”
Ngcebo:
“Whyshoul
dIst
opt
aki
ngt
hem
becausesheknowsnow?
”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Ngcebo,comeon,youhaveabusy
l
if
eandt hi
sthingofr
elyi
ngontablet
sthaty
ou
t
urntoforgeti
snotagoodidea.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“You’
lll
eavethi
shospitalwi
ththat
devi
cenottabl
etsbecausethi
sisnotthefir
st
ti
methatyouhavedonet hi
smistake.”
Ngcebo:
“Ei
sh,
okay
,then,
Iwi
l
lputi
tbackon.
”
Thembeli
hlesi
ghed.“Your
eal
l
ygav
emea
fr
ightNgcebo.
”Shetoldhi
m.
Ngcebo:“Iam sorrybutIam finenow.Andy ou,
di
vorceproceedingsandQal okuhle’
scust ody?”
heaskedDalingcebomov i
ngfrom thetopi c
abouthisheartproblem.Hedidn’twantt odwell
muchoni t…Thembel i
hlel
ookedupat
Dali
ngceboandwai t
edt ohearhim speak…
Dal
ingcebo:“
Iwascal
l
ingy
oul
astni
ghtandy
ou
di
dn’tanswer
.”
Ngcebo:“
Iwasbusyandt
hismorni
ngIwas
occupi
edbef
orebei
ngadmitt
ed.
”
Dali
ngcebo: “Nontobekosur pri
sedme.We
haven’tfi
nali
sedt hedivor
cebutnextmont hon
the9thitwoul dbef i
nal
isedbecauseshe
changedhermi ndandt ol
dherl awyershedidn’
t
wantQal okuhletobesepar atedfrom her
grandmot her
.Butshoul dsher eti
reshewil
l
wanthert oli
v ewithher.Thecour ttookt
hat
i
ntoconsi der
at i
onandwewi l
lfi
nali
se
everyt
hingnextmont h.
”
Ngcebo:“
Ha!Didshetel
lyouwhyshechanged
hermindordi
dshetellt
hecour
twhyshewas
changi
nghermind?”
Dalingcebo:“Shesai dtomeshewasdoi ngit
forQal okuhl
ewhenIwast hankinghertol et
ti
ng
thi
sr estandnott akingthechild.Andtot he
cour tshesaidshe’dseenshewon’ thave
enought i
mef orher.Theythoughtshewas
threatenedintochanginghermi ndbutshe
assur
edshewasn’
t.
”
Ngcebo:“That’
sagoodt hingthenbecausethis
di
vorcehaddr aggedfort
ool ong.Andey,Idon’
t
wanttogetdi v
orcedi
nmyl i
fekuyanyi
wamos. ”
Hecomment edandtheylaughedwi t
hhis
br
other.
Thembel i
hleshookherhead.“ Shedidagood
thi
ngbychangi nghermi nd.Andt hewayt hi
ngs
wer eheadi
ngi nt
hatcour tshewasn’tgoingto
getQalokuhle’
scustody.Shewasr equesti
ng
theimpossiblefr
om thebegi nni
ngbecauset he
courtalwaysputthechil
d’ si
nterestfi
rst
.”She
said.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iam j
ustgl
adi
twi
l
lbeov
ersoon.
”
Thembel
i
hleandNgcebo:
“YEAH!
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youshouldeat
.Where’
syourwif
e?
Ithi
nkwewi l
lhavetotal
ktotheDoct
orfi
rst
befor
eleavi
ng.Iwil
lgobacktoKZNwheny ou
arehome.Yourbrother
’swi
feisi
nthehospi
tal
.
Dal
i
ngcebogol
ookf
orNandi
pha.
”
Ngcebo:
“What
’swr
ong?
”heaskedhi
smot
her
andhefi
ll
edhi
min…
Nandi phawasseat eddownont hewar d
bencheswi thherey esclosedandherhead
stampedont hewal l
.Shewast ryi
ngtodi gest
al
l theev entsofthedayandhowshe’ dbeen
l
ivingwi thamanbutshenev erknewher eli
ed
onmedi cati
ont oliv
eanor mal l
if
ewi t
hanor mal
hear tr
hy thm.Itfel
tlikeshe’dbeenl i
edt othe
entirerelati
onshipandt hatmadeherwonderi f
Ngcebohadot herthingst hathekepthidden
fr
om her .Hedi dn’ttrustherwi t
hhisli
feev en
afterthey ’
vegottenmar r
iedhedi dn’
ttel
l her
any thi
ng.
“Yeah,
neh!Youcannev erbesureabouta
humanbei ng.Youcanthinkyouknowt hi
ngs
aboutthem butno,youknownot hing.Youare
j
ustani di
otthathesaysy ouare.
”She
mumbl edtohersel
fplacingherhandonher
f
ace.Sheexhal
edandst
oodup.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ihav
ebeenl
ooki
ngf
ory
ouar
ound
her
e.”
Nandi
pha:“Iam her
e.It
hinkIwi
l
lgohomet
ake
t
heblanket
s-”
Dal
i
ngcebo:“MamahasaskedThul
atobr
ing
t
hem.It
’sfoodthatheneeds.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwi
l
lgobuyi
t-
”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Yourmotheri
n-l
awwon’tbe
pl
easedifyoubuyfoodbutyoushoul
dgohome
pr
eparesomet hi
ngandcomebackwithi
t.
”
Shenoddedonceandt urnedt
oleavethe
hospi
taltogethome.Herheartwasal
readyon
thebed.Shewantedtosleepaft
ert
hislong
surpr
isi
ngdayshe’dhad.Shewasfeeli
ngnumb
andherbodywasf eel
ingnumb…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE10

“Randall
,canyoudr i
vet ot
hehospital
andgive
Ngcebof ood.Iwill
stayoverhereandwrapup
mycooki ng.Andwat choverthegir
ls.
”
Nandipharequestedt oherbrot
herwhowas
cli
mbingdownt hestair
safterl
eavi
ngthe
chil
drenupstair
swi t
hThulawhowasbat hing
them now.
Randal
l
:“Al
ri
ght
,butar
eyouf
ine?Youdon’
t
soundfi
ne.
”
Nandi phawalkedtotheki tchenandRandal l
fol
lowedherbehi nd.“No,Iam notf inebutdon’t
bothery our
selfaboutme. ”Sher epli
edandgav e
himt hebagwi thNgcebo’sf ood.Randalltook
thebagandt heseparatelunchboxt hat
Nandi phahadmadef orhim.“ Thisoneisyours.
You’l
l tel
lmom thatIwillcomet akethose
dresseswhenIgett i
me.”Sheaddedknowi ng
thathewasn’
tgoi
ngtocomebacktot
hehouse
becauseheknewNgcebo’
sfami
lywasar
ound.
Randal
l:
“Al
ri
ght
.Iwi
l
lcal
lyouwhenIget
home.”
Nandipha: “Okay ,
thanky ouf orcoming.”She
saidwalkingRandal loutoft hehouse…Andhe
hoppedi nsidehismot her
’scar ,hedroveoutof
thepremi ses.Nandiphat henheadedback
i
nsidethehouset ofi
nishupdi nnert
hatshe
waspr eparing.Shepl ayedt hemusi candshe
mov edar oundf orci
ngher selfasshecoul dfeel
thatshewassl eepyandt i
red…
“Mama, ubabay enanj eut heuzolal
anat hi
ebuskul ay i
khaya.
”( Mom, dadsaidhe’llbe
homet onight)Nongcebot oldhermot herwhat
thei
rf atherhadpr omi sed…Theywer eallseated
ont hebl anketont hef l
oorwi t
htheirmot her
feedingt hem thei
rf oodwhi leshewaseat i
ng
hers.Theywer ecleananddr essedupont he
pinkni ghtdressesandt heirmotherhadt akena
showert
oo.
Buhl
e:“
Yes,
mom buthe’
snother
e.”
Nandipha: “Hedi dn’
tknowt hathewasgoi ngt
o
beheldupsomewher ebuthe’l
ldef init
elycome
backhome. ”shet ol
dt hem whatshesawbest
becauseshedi dn’twantt oworr
yt hem by
tel
li
ngthem t heirfatherwasinthehospi t al
.
Theywer egoi ngt osulkorevencr yi ftheycould
hearthat.“Buty ourgrandmaMaSt holeand
Qalokuhle’sfatherwi l
lcomeher e.”Shet old
them whatshewascer t
ainwouldhappen
unlesstheydeci detogot oBanele’splacebut
shedoubt edt heywoul d.Theywer egoi ngt o
comet ot hehouse.
“HAWU!NAMPELA?”(Real
l
y?)Al
lthegir
ls
askeddel
i
ght
edl
yandNandiphanoddedwi t
h
thesamesmi
let
hattheyhadonthei
rfaces.
Thando:
“Uzof
ikaniniphougogowet
hu?
”
(Whenwil
lshearr
ive?
)
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tknowbut
-”
“NANGOKE! ”(That’
sher!)Theyal
lscream and
gotupfrom thefloor
,theygiggl
edandr anoff
l
eavingtheirmotherbehind…Nandiphagotup
fr
om thefloorandshewentt oat
tendthegate.
Herbrotherwast heonedr i
vingthem tot he
house.Dalingceboaskedhedr ivesthem t o
Ngcebo’shousewhenhewasl eavingt he
hospit
albecauset heydi
dn’thavet hei
rcar swit
h
them.Theyl eftNgcebointhehospi t
al…
Nandiphal ookedatherbrotherashewas
comingupt oherwithalunchboxonhi shand.
Herdaught erswerebytheirgrandmot her’
sside.
She’dgottenof ft
hecarandt heywentt oher
sidenotDal i
ngcebobecausehehadbagson
hishands…
Nandi
pha:
“You’
veeat
enev
ery
thi
ng?
”
Randal
l
:“Yes,
itwasj
ustmeatLaur
enIwasn’
t
goi
ngtobecheesyabouti
t.
”
Nandiphal
aughedandshetookt
hel
unchbox.
“Areyougoi
ngtocampustomorr
ow?”She
askedandwalkedbackwi
thhimtot
hecar.
Randall
:“No, t
hesemesterhadjustbegunand
ther
e’snothingusef
ulhappeni
ng.You’ve
regi
ster
edf oryourl
astsemester.
”
Nandipha:“Yes,andnextyearIam def
ini
tel
y
graduat
ing.AndIhopey ouaregraduati
ngtoo
don’tt
ellmey ou’l
lst
udyfurt
herful
lti
me.”
Randall
:“No,Iwil
lwor
kandst
udypar
tti
meand
you’
ll
best udyi
ngaswell
?”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Yeah,y
ouknowthatsi
x
monthsIowey ourmot
her.
”Sherepl
i
edand
cl
osedthedoorofthecar
.
Randall
chuckled.“
Andshewaswonder ingout
l
oudwhi l
eshewasal oneinthekitchenafew
daysago.‘Iwonderwhatexcusesshe’ll
come
upwith.
’”Heimitat
edthei
rmot herandthey
l
aughed.
Nandipha:“Iwillst
udybecauseshe’spay
ingI
am not.Dri
v esafeandgoodnight.
”Shesaid
st
eppingbackandRandal lsai
dthewordsback.
Nandiphamov edbackinsi
dethehouseafter
Randallhaddrivenout…
“Mama, y
oueatfir
storyou’
l
lshower
?Iwil
l dish
thefoodforyou.
”Nandi
phaaskedThembelihle
whowasseat edonthecouchwit
hthechi
ldren
aroundher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
leatf
ir
st.
”
Nandiphat urnedtotheki tchen’
sdi rect
ionand
shepickedupherf eetasshehear dherphone
ri
nginsidet hekit
chen…Lucki l
y,shegott othe
phonebef oreitstoppedr i
nging.“ Yoh!Walking
dead,you’
v ebeenscar ce.”Nandi phagr eet
ed
Palesaandshesuppor tedherphonewi thher
shoulderwhi l
eshewasl ookingf orthetwo
plat
esinsidet hecupboar ds.
Pal
esa:
“No,
you’
vebeenscar
cemam,
aker
e
y
ouar
er ol
l
ingwit
hMuj
onow.Iam nol
onger
i
mpor
tanttoyou.
”
Nandiphalaughed.“
Uy aphapha!Imissyou
though,weshouldmeetupbecauseIam done
withMujonow.Andwhat ’
shappeningthat
side?”Sheaskedandmar chedtot
hedining
areawiththetwoplatesandspoons.
Pal
esa:
“Whenam Ihear
ingt
hesongst
hen?
”
Nandi
pha:“
You’
llheart
hefi
rstoneandMr
Rast
aknowsthatIdidt
hesongswithMuj
obutI
don’
twantust
odwel lt
her
e.”
Palesal
aughed.“Ibety
ouarenott
heonewho
tol
dhim,ri
ght?”Sheasked.
Nandiphamov edbacktotheki
tchen.“No,he
l
earntfrom someguyi nthei
rguys’get-
toget
her
.
Andher oastedmel i
keyoupredictedhe
would.”Shetoldhertaki
ngthefir
stpotaway
fr
om thestov e.
Pal
esa:
“Hewassupposedt
ofor
kyoubuti
t’
s
bett
erthatcatisoutofthebag.AndIam
cal
li
ngy outel
lyouthatIgotsomeonewho’s
wil
li
ngtosellthehousetoyoubutshe’snoti
n
Johannesburg.”
Nandi
pha:
“Tj
o!Wher
e’st
hehousel
ocat
ed?
”
Palesa:
“It
’sl
ocatedsomewhereinPr
etor
iaEast
anddoy ouwanttohearthepri
ceoft
he
house?”Sheaskedandlaughed.
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?I
sita
hundr
edmill
i
on?
”
Palesalaughed.“No,mamabutit’
sa
reasonablepri
cebecauseifyouwerebuyi
ng
from t
heagenty ouwer egoi
ngtobuyformore
thanthat.
”Sher epl
ied.
Nandi
pha:“
It
’showmuch?Andhow’
sshe
wil
l
ingtot
akethemoney?
”
Palesa:“
They’
rel
eav
ingthecountr
ywithher
husbandbutyou’
l
lmeettodiscussal
lthat
.And
you’l
lhavet
oseethehousethat’
sR2000000.”
Nandi
pha:
“Hmm!Shi
t!
”
Pal
esa:“
It
’sr
easonabl
e,Nandi
phacomeon!I
t’
s
abeaut
if
ulhouse.
”
Nandiphaexhal
ed.“
Yes,i
t’
sreasonabl
eandit
wouldbemuchmor eifIcanbeabletopayhal
f
thepri
cebutwherecanIgetsomuchmoney ?”
Sheasked.
Palesa:“
Comeon, y
ou’
vesoldthr
eebooksand
you’l
lst
il
lgetmoneyfr
om theDepart
mentof
Educati
on.You’
l
lgetmoneyfrom t
hesongsand
gigsyou’
lldowi
thMujoforsongpromot
ion.
”
Nandipha:“IhearyoubutIam notsureabout
thegigs.CanwemeetonFr i
dayandthis
weekendIam goi ngtoaDi sneyeventwit
hthe
chil
drenfrom KZNandpl easebringPhemelo
along?Wewi llhavefun.
”
Palesa:
“Shar
p!Let’
smeetonFri
dayandwewi
l
l
tal
kbutthi
nkaboutthi
sdealt
oni
ghtjust
cal
culat
e.Alr
ight
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Al
ri
ght
,chomee.Keal
eboganeh?
”
Palesa:“
Anyti
me.”Shesaidandtheydropped
thecall
.Nandiphathenmarchedtothelounge
thi
nkingabouttheconver
sati
onthatshejust
hadwi t
hPalesa.
“Ihavesetthetabl
ey oucancomeandeat .
”
Nandiphainfor
medThembel i
hleand
Dali
ngcebowhower eseatedtogethernowwit
h
t
hechi l
dren.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wewi
l
lcome.
”
Nandipha: “Buhle,youallcomeandf i
nishyour
food.Youwer estil
leati
ng.”Sheremindedthe
gir
lsandshet ookNt okomalointoherarms.
Shewasseat edont hesingl
ecouchwat chi
ng
theTVasi fev er
yoneelsewasn’twithher.
Nandiphawal kedbackt othekit
chenwi t
hher.
“You’
llfi
nishy ourfood,ri
ght?”Sheaskedher
andwi pedhersweat ynosewi t
hherthumb.
Nt
okomal
o:“
Yebo,
mama.Cel
anobi
simi
naay
i
j
uice.
”
Nandipha:“Butt
hatj
uicei
snotsweatNtoko.
”
Shetoldherandsatbackonthefl
oor.She
pl
acedNt okomalobef
oreherpl
ate.
Nt
okomal
o:“
No,
Idon’
twanti
t.
”
Nandipha:“
Okay,Iwillgotakeyourmi l
k.Eat
yourfood.
”Shest oodupandst oppedwal ki
ng
astheotherswalkedinsidethedini
ngroom.
Nandiphaonlyl
eftthem seatedbeforetheir
plat
es.Andshewentt ogetNt okomalo’smilk…
“Simi l
o!Yournameshoul dal way sbei nmy
mout hbecausey oucan’ tbehav e.Ev erywhere,
i
t’sy ournamet hat ’
sbeingcal l
edf ir
st .Stopit,
man! ”Sheshout edather ,shewasi nsidethe
bathr oom withthem.Theywer eli
nedupt o
havet hei
rteethbr ushedbef oregoi ngt obed
andSi mil
ohadl ef ttheli
net opl aywi ththetap
ofthei rbathroom basi n.Shewast ur ningthe
wat eronandof f.Theycoul dr eacht het ap
exceptf
orNongcebo,
shewasal
i
ttl
eshor
ter
.
Simi
lol
aughedandranbackt
othel
i
nel
eav
ing
thet
apwaterrunni
ng.
Nandi
pha:
“Who’
l
lcl
oset
het
apf
ory
ou?
”
Similo:
“Thando,hamba!”(
Thando,go!)She
saidtoThandoasshewasst andingnexttoher
ont heli
neandpushedherforward.Thando
screamed‘No!’andtr
iedtobal
ancebutshef el
l
ont hefl
oor.
“Hawu!”Theot herthreesistersexcl
aimedand
l
ookedatThandoasshef el
l.Nandiphaclosed
hereyesshortl
yknowi ngthatwhenThandoget
upf r
om thatfl
oorshewasn’ tgoingtoleti
tsli
de
thateasi
ly.NandiphahadNongcebobef oreher
andshehadhert oothbrushi nherhand.
Buhl
e:“
Thani
shol
iMi
mi!
”(Saysor
ry,
Simi
l
o)
Si
miloshookherheadandshelookedat
Thandogetti
ngupfrom t
hef
loor.Thandoranto
Si
milothatshor
tdi
stancewi
thahi ghspeedand
ful
lofangerthatSimi l
ohadhither
.Shesl
apped
Simil
o’schestwithbothherhandsandSimil
o
cri
ed…Nandi phaletgoofNongcebo’s
toot
hbrushandsher ushedt
oThandowhowas
sti
ll
hit
tinghersisterevenwhenshewascryi
ng.
Nandi
phapul
ledThandoawayfrom Si
mil
o.
“
Stophit
ti
ngher!
”Sheexcl
aimed.
Thando:“
UNIPHUSHILENJE!WANASHO
NOKUTHISHOLI!”(
Shepushedmeandshe
di
dn’tev
ensaysorr
y)Sherai
sedherv
oicef
or
hermother.
Nandi pha:“Si
mi l
osaysor r
ytoy oursister.
”She
tol
dherasshewasst il
lcryi
ngwi thhert i
nyf i
sts
rubbingherey es.Simil
oshookherheadas
cryingasshewas.“ Si
milowillgoandl ivealone
withgr andmat henbecauseshedoesn’ tli
sten.
Shewon’ tgotowi t
hust oDisneyl and.
”She
threatenedherandSi milocri
edl ouder,sheran
outoft hebathroom.Nandi phapl acedThando
downandshepr oceededwi t
hbr ushingthe
chi
l
dren’
steet
h…
Nandi phaknockedont heguestroom wit
h
Dalingceboaftershe’dsearchedforSimi
loin
everyr oom t
hatwasupst ai
rs.Shewascer tai
n
thatshewasn’ tgoingtocli
mbdownt hestair
s
alonebecausei twasdar kdownstair
s.
“What
’swr
ong?
”Dal
ingceboaskedNandi
pha
showi
nghi
sheadonthedoor.
Nandipha:
“Iam l
ooki
ngf
orSimi
l
oIcan’
tfi
nd
heranywherear
oundher
e.”
Dali
ngcebo:“Shecameherecryi
ngandshe
askedthatIt
akehertohergrandmother
.Isent
herdownt oher.
”
Nandi pha:“Okay,thankyou.
”shesaidand
wal kedawayaf terDali
ngcebohadnoddedhis
head.Shewal kedtoherbedroom wonder
ing
howshewasgoi ngt ocopebeingpr
egnantwit
h
thesechi l
dren…Whensher eachedt
hebed.She
threwherbodyont hebedandhopedshe
wasn’
tgoi
ngt
oov
ersl
eep…
“Arey ouangr ywi t hme? ”Nandiphaasked
Similowhowasn’ ttalki
ngt oheronaThur sday
mor ningbutshewoul donl ysulkf orherand
poutherl i
ps.Nandi phal ucki
lydidn’toverslept
becauseshe’ dsetanal armtowakeupear l
y.
Shemadebr eakf astbef oreev eryonecoul d
wakeupandThul ahadbat hedt hekids.But
whenshewasf eedingt hem Simi lodidn’
twant
tobef edbyhermot herbuthergr andmother…
Shewaswashi ngt hedi shesnowwhenSi mi lo
walkedi nsidet heki tchenwi thherbowl t
ogi ve
tohermot her.“ Childrenshoul dn’tbeangr yfor
toolong, Mimi .Don’ ty ouknowt hat?”Sheasked
andt ookSi milo’sbowl f
rom herhands.
Simil
o:“
Howu,ut
heminaani
hambi
nawe.
”(You
saidIwon’
tgowi
thy
ou)
Nandi
pha:“Awukazenj
enaweuxol
isekusi
si
wakho.
”(Youdidn’
tsaysor
ryt
oyoursi
ster
)
“Youshouldn’
tshoutatherthatmuch.Icould
hearyoushoutf r
om thebedroom downstai
rs.
She’
sjustachi l
d.”Thembeli
hlej
oinedinonthe
conversat
ionthatNandiphawashav i
ngwi t
h
Simil
o.Sheplacedherplateonthesinkwher e
Nandiphawaswashi ngthedishes.
Nandi
pha:
“Shewasaggr
essiv
ewithThando
andshedi
dn’
twantt
oapologi
se.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Butdidyourepri
mandThandof or
hi
tti
ngher?Ididn’
thearyoushoutatherbutI
heardyoushoutatSimil
o.Shetoldmethat
Thandohitheronthechestrepeat
edl
y.”
Nandipha:“Iwasonlygoingtotell
hershewas
wrongafterMi mihadapologi
sedtoher
becauseshe’stheonewhost artedthefi
ght
.
Simil
odoesn’ tl
ist
enandwhenshet el
l
sthe
stor
yshet ell
shalfofi
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Butshe’sachil
dshout
ingli
ke
thati
sunaccept
able.Let
’sgo,Si
mil
o.”Shegav
e
herhandt
oSi
mil
oandshel
eftt
heki
tchenwi
th
her.
Nandi
phatur
nedt othesi
nkaf t
ert
hey ’
ve
di
sappear
edfrom hersi
ght.Shefi
nishedup
washi
ngthedishes…
“Thatmeanshewon’ tbetakinganyf or
m of
pil
ls?”Nandi
phaaskedtheDoct or.Shewas
i
nsi detheDoct
or’
soffi
ceonaThur sdayni
ght.
She’ dcometothehospi
taltotakeNgcebo
becausehewasbei ngdischarged.
Doctor:“
No,hehasadev i
ceanditwil
ldowhat
thepil
lsweredoi
ng.”Herepl
iedshowi
ng
Nandiphathedoorbecausehewasdone
bri
efi
ngher.
Nandi
phawentt otheDoctor’
sof f
icet
hemi nute
shearr
ivedint hehospi
talandsheaskedthat
theDoctorgivesherafull
br i
efonNgcebo’s
hear
tdisorder.Sheaskedhet el
lsherever
ything
sheneededt oknowandi ftherewereany
habit
sNgceboneededt ochange.TheDoctor
expl
ainedevery
thi
ngt oherandheexplai
ned
aboutthedevi
cethatNgcebohadinstall
ed
back.Andheassuredherthatshegotnothi
ng
toworryaboutbecausehisarr
hyt
hmiawasn’t
dangerousl
iketheother
s.
Nandipha:“Thanky ou,Iunder standnow.”she
saidandgav etheDoct orherhand.Theyshar ed
ahandshake, shethenl ef
tt heDoct orfor
Ngcebo’sroom.Shedi dn’ttrustthatNgcebo
wasgoingt otellhereverythingt hatsheneeded
toknowandso, shesawi tfitthatshegetsall
thetr
uthabouthi scondi t
ionf rom theDoctor.
Andnow, shewasr el
ievedaf t
erspeakingwith
theDoctor.
“Sawubona.
”Nandiphagr eet
edNgcebopl acing
herbagonthehospitalbedshet urnedtothe
besi
decupboardthathadt hedishes.She
bondedthem t
ogetherandpl acedthem i
nside
thebag…Ngcebowasseat edont hebed
f
ast
eni
ngt
hebut
tonsofhi
sshi
rt
.
Ngcebo:
“Yebo,
howar
eyou?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ine.Iwasexpecti
ngt
haty
ou’l
l
comehereint
hemor ningwhenmom andthe
gi
rl
scameherewi t
hmybr other
.”
Nandi
pha:
“Ihadanemer
gencyt
oat
tend-
”
Ngcebo:“Emergency
?Muj
owasy
our
emergency?”
Nandipha:“
Ihadt odri
vetoUNISAandIgot
backabouttwohour sago.Dali
ngcebotol
dme
youarebeingdischar
gedandso, Iam her
e.”
Sherepli
edandpackedt herestofthebl
ankets
andsheetsthatwereont hebed.
Ngcebo:“Si
mil
ot oldmet haty
ousaidyouwon’t
gowithheronSat urdayandshe’
ll
havetogo
l
ivewithhergr
andmot her
.Mamacompl ai
ned
thaty
ouwer eshoutingatherandshecould
heary
ouf
rom t
hebedr
oom downst
air
s.”
Nandi
pha:“Hawu, Ishoutatthem whent heydo
somethi
ngwr ong.Andy oudot hattooIdon’t
thi
nkyoucanact ual
lyaskaboutt hatbecause
youknowhowSi mi l
oi s.
”Sheclosedthebagof
thebl
anketandsheet s.
Ngcebo:“Iknowbutshouti
ngunti
lyouare
heardfr
om downstai
rsthat
’sanot
herlev
elof
shouti
ngNandipha.
”
Nandipha:“Thehousewasquiet-
”shestopped
expl
ainingfurt
herbecauseshesawitwas
unnecessarythatshewasquesti
onedabout
shouti
ngatherdaught er
.AndNgceboknew
howSi mil
owasbutnowhewas…
Ngcebo:
“IthoughtIshoul
dasknott
hatIam
f
ight
ingyou.”
Nandipha:“
Let’
sgo,Iam t
ired.”Shesaidtaki
ng
herbagintohershoul
derandt heblanket
’sbag
al
ongwi ththebagwit
hthedi shes.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
lltakethese.Iam notdy
ing.
”he
sai
dandtooktheblanket’
sbagandabagwi th
afewofhist
hings.Theyleftt
hehospital
…
~~~~~~~~~~
“Alcohol doesn’ tthreateny ourhear t?”
DalingceboaskedNgceboast heygotof f
Ngcebo’ sbl ackPor schet hatDal i
ngcebowas
dri
v ing.He’ dpar kedt hecaratRosebankMal l…
ItwasFr idaymor ni
ngandt hey’v
el eftt
hehouse
tohav ebr eakfast.Theyl eftNandi pha,the
childrenandThembel ihl
ei nsidethehouse.
DalingceboandThembel ihlewer eleaving
Gaut engt onightandt hebr otherspl annedto
spendt hemor ningt ogether .
Ngcebo:“Don’
taskmet hosetypeofquesti
ons
Dali
ngcebo.Andthat
’samocki ngquesti
on
becausewe’vebeendri
nkingsinceIdon’
tknow
when.”Herepli
edandDalingcebochucked,
he
l
ookedaroundandhesawsomeone.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Itseemsl
i
key
ou’
l
leatt
his
br
eakfastal
one.”
Ngcebo:“Whatdoy oumean? ”heaskedand
l
ookedatthedirecti
ont hatDal
ingcebo’shead
wasturnedtoandhesawPal esawal kingaway
fr
om hercarapproachingtheentranceoft he
mallwi
thherhandhol dingPhemel o.“Youcan’t
beseri
ousDalingcebo!”Heexclaimed.
Dali
ngcebo:“Iam seri
ous,Ngcebo.Don’tgo
homebecausemamawi ll
askquestionsabout
mywher eaboutsbutIam fol
lowingher.”he
sai
dwal ki
ngawayf rom Ngcebogivi
nghi m no
chancetorespondt owhathewassay ing.
Ngcebo:
“MYKEYS!
”
Dali
ngcebo:“IAM FAR,UBER!”Heshoutedback
hi
m andher antokeepupbecausePal esahad
al
readywalkedinsidet
hemal l
.Hewalked
ar
oundchecki ngforaheadwithbl
ondebr ai
ds.
Hedidn’twanttolosehersi
ghtandhewas
qui
teworri
edashewasn’tseei
ngheronthe
mallhal
l
way sbuthefi
nal
l
ysawherwalkingout
oft
heshop.Her el
easedashor
trel
i
efsigh.
..
“Doy oureal
isethatyou’
vemademer unaft
er
youlikeaboy .Sawubona,boy!
”Dalingcebosai
d
toPalesaasshe’ dtur
nedtofacehi m now.
Dali
ngcebohadt oholdherar
mf orhert ogi
ve
him heratt
entionbecausehedidn’twantto
shouthernameamongstt hesepeople…He
l
ookedatPhemel owhom he’djustgreetedand
hebentdownt olif
thi
m up.
Phemel
o:“
Hel
l
o,howar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iam f
ine,
boy
,andhowar
eyou?
”
Phemelo:“Iam fi
ne.You’r
eNt okomal o’
suncl
e
andBuhle,andSimilo,
andThando, and
Nongcebo? ”heaskedrecall
i
ngt hatheknew
Dal
ingcebo.
Dali
ngcebochuckl
ed.“Yes,
Iam andI
rememberthatyouarePhemel
o.”Herecal
l
ed
withasmiledir
ect
edtoPhemeloandhesmiled
backlooki
ngathismom.Dali
ngcebosenthi
s
eyestoPalesawhowaswalki
ngbesidehi
m.
Pal
esa:
“Youar
eher
e?Andwhydi
dyour
un?
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“ IhadtorunbecauseIhadt ogett
o
youandPhemel o.Idi
dn’twanttocallouty
our
name.Imagine,me,screaming,
Palesa!”
Palesachuckledandreal
isedshefelt
uncomf ort
ablewalki
ngwithhim si
debyside
l
ikethis.Andhehadhersoni nhisarms.“
Oh!I
getyoubuty ouareherealone?Youarenotwit
h
yourbrother?
”Sheasked.
Dalingcebo:“Thatone, he’
shomesi ck.He’s
beeni nthehospi t
alandIjustcameher e
becauseIwant edsomef r
esh.ButIhave
preciousancest or
s,theyknewIwasgoi ngt o
seey ouifIcomet hi
sway .”Hedidthattr
ick,a
perfectedli
emeantt ogethertosmi l
eor
giggled.
Butshechuckl edandshookherhead.“ Doy ou
reali
sethatNandiphaismyf riendandshe’sa
Zulugirl
.”ShelookedatDalingceboshort
ly
aftershe’daskedthatquesti
on.Shewast aking
Phemel otoPizzanVi noforPizza.
Dal
i
ngcebo:“Yeah,
buthow’
sthatconnect
edt
o
mywords?”
Palesa:“
Weusuall
ytal
kaboutmostoft he
tr
icksyou,Zul
uguysuseorsaytogetladi
est
o
smileandshe’
dtol
dmeaboutt hatone.”
Dalingceboseriouslyl
aughedashewasn’t
expectingwhatPal esawassay i
ngt
ohi mjust
now.Pal esaont heothersi
de,shef
oldedher
l
ipsasDal ingcebowasl aughi
ngshedidn’
twant
tolaughwi thhim.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ay,Nandi
phaislyi
ngtoy ou.Idon’
t
knowwhyshewoul dsaythatbecauseIhav e
neverevenhear
dherhusbandapproacha
womanl iket
hat
.”
Palesa:
“Oh,so,Ngcebosti
ll
approaches
women? ”sheaskedandtheytookat abl
ewi
th
thr
eeseats.ButDali
ngcebodidn’
tputPhemel
o
onhisownseat .
Dali
ngcebochuckled.“
No, no,now, hedoesn’
t
butwhenwewer egrowingupi ntoboysInever
heardandbefor
eNandi phacameal ongandgot
him whi
ppedsobadInev erheardhim.”He
repl
iedl
ooki
ngatherandPal esalaughed.
Dali
ngcebosmiledseeingherdi mplesshow.
“AndIhaveneversaidthattoany onebefore.
”
Headded.
Palesa:“Youdi
dn’tsayittoyourwif
eandI
guessy ouweren’
twhi ppedli
keNgcebo.”She
del
iberatel
yaskedaper sonalquest
ionbecause
she’dreadaboutDalingcebo’
sdivor
ceont he
newsbl ogs.
Dal
ingcebosenthisheaddownshor t
ly.“
Oh,my
marri
ageiscominginnow. ”Hecomment ed
anditmadehimf eelr
atherrel
axedandhopeful
asshewasbr i
ngi
nginhismarri
age.Thatmeant
somethingtohim notsomet
hingthatPalesa
thoughtitwouldmeanwhenshespeaksabout
i
t…
Palesa:“It
’sasensi t
ivet
opic?”sheaskedand
gavePhemel oherphonet oplayagameast hey
werewai ti
ngf orthei
rorder.Shesawherson
wasn’ttalki
ngnowasshewasbusyspeaki ng
wit
hDal ingcebo.Het ookthephonef r
om hi
s
mot herandhebeganpl ayi
ngt hegamewhile
seatedonDal ingcebo.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Notr
eall
ybutIwasact uall
y
whippedver
ybadthatIwantedhertohav eal
l
thehappi
nessint
heworld.Buti
tdidn’twork
out.
”
Pal
esa:
“Itdi
dn’
twor
koutbecauseoft
heot
her
woman?”
Dal
ingcebo:“No,notbecauseofher
.Iam pr
etty
sur
ey ourquesti
onscomef rom t
heart
icl
esthat
hadbeenleakedaboutt
hedi
vor
ce.
”Helooked
atherwit
haf i
rm ey
eandPal
esadi
dn’
tremove
hereyesfr
om him.
Pal
esa:“
Iam thatgi
rlwhor eadsever
ythi
ng.
AndIcanseey ouwon’tsendoutanycomment
tot
hepubli
c.”Sherepl
iedindir
ectl
y.
Dal i
ngcebo:“Icanhandoutmycommentt oyou
nott hepubli
c.”Helookedatherandwaitedfor
ar esponseorar eacti
onbutPalesadi
dn’t
comment .Sheonlypressedhereyesonthe
pizzathatwaspl acedbeforethem.“
You’l
lput
thephonedownnowandeat .
”Hesaidto
Phemel owhowasn’ tt
akingnoteoft
hefood
thathismot herwasgi v
ingtohim.Butonl
ythe
phone.
PalesalookedatPhemeloknowingthathewas
goi
ngt or ef
usetogiv
ethephonetoDalingcebo
buthedi dn’
tref
use.Hegavethephonetohim.
Pal
esa:
“Youar
eal
sopl
ayi
ngt
hegame?
”she
askedasDal
ingcebowastappi
ngonherphone.
Shewasexpecti
ngthathewasgoi
ngtogiveit
toher.
Dali
ngcebo: “
No, Iam justexi
ti
ngthegame. ”He
repl
iedandgav et hephonet oPal
esaafterhe’
d
senta‘pleasecall me’tohisnumber.“
Youar e
notwor ki
ng,today ?”Heaskedtaki
ngabi t
eon
thepizzathatwashi s.
Pal
esa: “
Yeah,Iwassupposedtomeetupwi t
h
Nandiphabutshetoldmeshe’sbusy.ButIwi
ll
seehertomorrow,yourbr
other
’schi
l
drenare
cominghere.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Whichbr
other
?It
’sonl
ytwoof
t
hem whodon’
thavechi
ldr
en.
”
Pal
esa:
“TheMonar
ch.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Oh,Idi
dn’
tknowaboutt
hat
.You
l
ivewithyourfamil
y?”
Pal
esa:
“No,
Ili
vewi
tht
hisoneher
e.”
Hekeptquietandl
ookedathernotreal
l
y
pl
easedthatshewasliv
ingal
one.“Doyouhave
aboyfr
iend?”Heaskedwit
houtl
ookingather
.
Pal
esalaughed.“
Iwon’
tanswert
hatquest
ion.
”
Shesai
d.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
ltakei
tasi
fyouhav
eone
t
hen.”
Pal
esa:
“Ify
ouwantt
obel
i
evet
hat
.”
Dalingcebo:“Iam stil
lgoingtoensurethaty
ou
remai nbymysi det houghasmygi r
lf
ri
endnot
yourboy fr
iend’
sgirlfr
iend.Idon’
tint
endto
respectyourboy f
riendify ouhav
eone. ”
Palesa:“
Andwhatmakesy
out
hinkIwi
l
lal
l
ow
that?’
Dali
ngcebochuckledandhel ookedather .“
Iam
notthi
nkingImeant her
e’snothi
ngt hatmakes
met hi
nklikethat
.ButIknowy ou’
llall
owmet o
beapar tofyourl
ife.
”herepl
iedandPal esa
di
dn’tcomment .Dali
ngcebothenshiftedhis
focusf r
om Pal esaandhehel daconv ersation
wi t
hPhemel owhi chwasqui t
edif
ficultbecause
Phemel oonl yunder st
oodthequintuplets’way
ofspeaki ngnott hisgrownIsi
Zuluthat
Dalingcebowasspeaki ng.ButPalesawoul d
translat
ef orhersonwhenhecoul dn’thearhim.
“Icanseel anguagewi l
lbeaprobl
em whenI
speakwi thPhemelonotwi t
hy oubecausey ou
canspeakqui tewell.Imustsay.
”Dalingcebo
comment edtoPalesaandhel i
ft
edPhemel o
from hischair
.Dali
ngcebohadpai dthebillt
hat
Pal esadi
dn’twanthimt opaybuthe
ov erpoweredher.
Pal
esa:
“Youwer
ejustseei
nghi
mtoday
.”
Dal
ingcebo:
“DoesNandi
phaknowy
our
l
anguage?”
Palesa:“Yes,
shedoes. ”Sher
epli
edandthat
weirdfeeli
nghitheragainastheywal
kedside
tosidewi t
hDalingceboheadi
ngouttothe
parki
nglot
…Andtheyhadsomeonewho’
dseen
them t
ogether
…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE12

Nandiphasqueezedherl owerbodyont othe

bluejeansandshecl osedherey esshortlyaf
ter
she’dfastenedthebutton.Shegr abbedthe
brownl ongsleevebaggyshi r
tandshepl acedit
onherupperbody .Shewor eherslipper
sand
shewal kedoutoft heclosetheading
downst ai
rsbecausePr i
nceandBongani had
arri
vedint hehouse…Ngceboandt hegir
lswere
notbacky et.
“
Sanibona,wehavet
hepr
incesi
nthehouse.
”
Nandiphagreet
edMl
amul
i’
ssonsastheywere
seatedonthehi
ghchai
rshav
ingf
oodpr
epar
ed
bythemaid.
Boy
s:“
Unj
ani
,mamakaSi
mil
o?”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Boy
s:“
Wear
efi
ne.
”
Pr
ince:
“Wher
ear
ethegi
rl
s?”
Bongani:
“Yes,
thehousei
sver
yqui
et.They
’re
sl
eeping?”
Nandiphasmi l
edandopenedt hedeepf r
eezer
.
“Theydrov
et ot heai rportwit
ht hei
rfat
herbutI
thi
nkothersaresl eepi ng.Yourgrandmother
andQalokuhle’
sf at her,theywerehere.
”She
repl
iedandshet ur nedbackt ol ookattheboys
becauseshedi dn’ tknowwhatshewas
supposedtocookf ordinner.
Boy
s:“
Oh!
”
Nandipha:
“Whatwoul
dwantt
ohav
efordi
nner
?
Iwi
llcookwhatyouwant
.”
Pri
ncesmil
edandlookedatBongani
,hejer
ked
hi
sheadforhi
m.Pr i
ncewhisper
edtoBongani
’
s
ear
.AndBonganisentbackthewhi
sper
.
Pr
ince:
“St
eam br
eadandmut
tonst
ew.
”
Bongani
:“Don’
tputv
eget
abl
es,
please.
”
Nandiphalaughed.“
Thandowon’tl
ikethatdi
sh
withoutveget
ablesbutwhenIdi
shf oodforyou,
Iwon’tputthevegetabl
es.How’
sthat?”She
askedBongani.
Bongani
:“Yes,
thanky
ou.
”
Nandiphathenturnedtothefr
eezerf
ormut t
on
andmi xedveget
ables.Shedeci
dedusingself
-
rai
si
ngf orst
eam breadwasgoi ngt
obemuch
easi
er.Shebegancooki ngwhi
leBonganiand
Pri
ncewer eeati
ng…
BonganiandPri
ncelef
tNandiphafort
helounge
whentheyweredonewitheati
ng.Shetookthei
r
di
shesandcleanedaft
erthem…
“Mama,nil
ambil
e.”(Iam hungry
)Thandotol
d
hermotherst
andingbehindher.They
’vej
ust
wokenupwi t
hNtokomal oandThandoheaded
tohermotherwhi
leNt okomalowastakento
thebat
hroom byThulaforabath.
Nandiphaturnedtolookather.“
Youare
weari
ngy ourpanti
esonly.Thando,
youdidn’
t
peeony ourbed?”Sheaskedseeingthat
Thandowasn’ tdr
essedup.Shemar chedcl
oser
toherandtouchedher .
Thando:
“Ani
chamanga,
mama.
”(Idi
dn’
t)
Nandi pha: “
Goodgi r
l.Iam cooki ngIwillgi
ve
youi nstantporri
dgebecausewewi ll
hav e
dinnerv erysoon.Youwer esleepingalone?”
Sheasked, shelookedar oundt hekit
chenand
shesawt henewspaper .Shet ookthe
newspaperandshepl acedt wosheet sont he
ki
t chenisland.Shethenl i
ftedThandoupand
placedheront henewspaperont opofthe
ki
t chenisland.
Thando:“Beni
lel
e,noNt okokodway ena
uyogezamanje.Uphi ubaba,noMimi,no
Buhlezi
,noNongcebo? ”(Iwassleepi
ngwith
Ntokomalobutnow, she’sbathi
ng)Shetookher
milkbott
lefr
om hermot her’
shands.
Nandipha:“Alright.Theywenttot heair
port
.”
Sherepliedtakingherphonet ocheckt heti
me
andithithert hatitwasv er
ylate.Theywere
supposedt obeback.Shedi all
edNgcebo’s
numberandpl acedt hephoneonherear .But
sheremov edt hephonewhenshehear dthe
noisefr
om t heot herside,t
heent r
anceofthe
house.Shef iguredt heywerehome…
“
Iwascal l
i
ngyouj ustnow.
”Nandiphatol
d
Ngceboashewal kedinsi
dethekit
chenwhile
NandiphawasfeedingThandoinst
antporr
idge.
Ngcebo:“
Wedrov
etoNhl
akani
phoandy
ou’
l
l
havetogowi
thhi
mtomorr
ow.”
Nandi
pha:
“Al
ri
ght
,IhopeIwi
l
lfi
ndat
icketf
or
hi
m.Iwassupposedt
othinkofhi
m ear
li
erbut
hedi
dn’
tcr
ossmymi nd.
”
Ngcebo: “Youwer enotgivenenought i
me.”He
sai
dt oherandhel ookedathershor tl
y,
Nandiphamov edt ot hepots.Ngcebot urnedhi
s
headt olookatThando.“ Sawubona, nkosazana
yamiy akwaZul u.Sawubona, nkosazana
emny amakodwaef ananomf aziwami
omhlophe. ”Hepl ayedwi t
hThandot i
ckli
ngher
cheeksandhert ummywi thhi sfi
ngers.Thando
l
aughedl oudl
yandpl acedherhandsonher
tummyt hatherfatherwast i
ckli
ngharder .
Thando:“
Baba!”shecal
ledhim outandgi
ggl
ed
l
oudly,
shelookedathim andNgcebohada
smil
eonhisfacelooki
ngathisdaughter.
Ngcebo:
“Ngi
yakubi
ngel
elanj
e.”(
Iam gr
eet
ing
you)
Thando:
“Uy
ani
ki
taza!
”(Youar
eti
ckl
i
ngme)
Ngcebo:
“No,
Iam gr
eet
ingy
ou.
”
Thando:
“Baba?
”
Ngcebo:
“Hmm?
”
Thando:
“Yi
ni,
umf
azi
?”(
Whati
sumf
azi
?)
Ngcebochuckled.“Umfazi
umamawakho. ”(I
t’
s
yourmother)herepli
edandlookedbackat
Nandipha.NgceboandNandiphalaughed.
Thando:“
Niy
ahl
ekanj
e,baba.
”(Buty
ou’
re
l
aughing)
Ngcebo:
“Yes!
”hesai
dandt
ickl
edThandoonce
agai
n.
Nandipha:“
Thandowaseat i
ng.Thethree
si
stersyouwer ewit
hareallawake?”sheasked
putt
ingthebowl ofpor
ridgeawaybecause
Thandohadl ostal
lconcentr
ati
onont hefood.
Shewasonherf at
her.
Ngcebo:“
Yes,t
hey’r
eall
awakeandIsentthem
tohaveabathbecauseyouwerenotgoi
ngto
behappywheny ouseethem.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Whatdi
dyougi
vet
hem?
”
Ngcebo: “
Not hingi l
legal.
”Her epl
iedandhe
sl
ippedhishandsunderThando’ sarms.He
l
ift
edherof fthei sland.“Let’
sgo, Thando,you
shouldbathanddr essup.Angi f
uniugulengoba
uzokhalaumf aziwami .”(You’
llbesickbecause
mywi fewi l
lcry)Hesai dtohisdaughterandhe
l
eftthekitchent ogi veThandot oThula…
Nandiphaf i
nallyfinishedcookingandshe
preparedthet abl
e…
“Where’
sy ourmind?”NgceboaskedNandipha,
hejoi
nedheri nbedat10pm.Allthechi
l
dren
weresleeping…Nandiphawasmoi st
eni
ngher
handsbutherey eswerenotonthehands.
Nandi
pha:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
”
Ngcebo:
“Icanseet
haty
ouar
edi
str
act
ed.
”
Nandipha:“
It
’snothi
ng.Iwasjustt
hinki
ng
randomly,
nothi
ngv al
uabl
ethatIcanactual
l
y
share.
”Shelookedathim ashelai
dhisheadon
herl
ap.Nandiphapl
acedherhandsonhi
s
for
ehead.Ngcebocl
osedhiseyes.
Ngcebo:“
Howdoy
ouf
eel
abouthav
ingmor
e
babi
es?”
Nandipha:“
Iam notreadyandIam nothappy
.”
Sherepli
edhonestl
ytell
inghi
m whatshewas
thi
nki
ngnow.
Ngcebo: “
Hawu!”hel
ookedatherandgotup
from hert
highshel
ookedatherwit
hhisheart
hav i
ngashortpumpbecausehedidn’
texpect
this.
Nandipha: “Ihavejustgotmyshapebackand
i
t’snotev enf ul
lyback,NgceboandIam
pregnantagai n.Thehousewi llbef ul
lthanit
alr
eadyis.It houghthavinganot herbabymeant
whent hegi rl
sar e5yearsoldmay bethatti
me
theywoul dbei nschool.Iwouldbeabl eto
concentrateont henewbaby .Iwoul dhavehad
ti
met omy selfanddoingthingsIl i
ke.”
Ngcebo:
“Whatdoyouthi
nkweshoulddothen
nowbecauset
hebabiesareher
e?Nandi
pha,
whatdoyouwant
?Huh? ”
Nandipha:“
Iam shari
ngmywor ri
eswi t
hyouI
am notsayi
ngtoy oushoutatmeasy ouare
doi
ngr i
ghtnow.Ifyouwon’thav
eanopenmi nd
andtalktomethenwecanj ustsleep.
”
Ngcebosi ghed.“Iam sorry .Look,myf ohloza,I
knowt hisisnotwhaty ouwant edandIdi dn’t
expectitbecauseIknewy ouwer enotr eadyfor
i
t.Butnow, t
here’
snothingwecandot ochange
i
t.Oncey ougi v
ebi r
th,wewi ll
sendt hegirl
st o
daycarebecausei twillbei mpossi bl
etohav e
somanybabi esundery ourcar efrom mor ning
ti
llni
ght.Wecan’ taskmamat otakesomeof
them becausey ouknowt heycan’ tgothere.”
Ngcebosai d.
Nandipha:“No,
Idon’twantthem t
ogo
anywhere.Iwon’
teventakethem tomama
becauseIwanttorai
set hem mysel
f.
”
Ngcebo:
“Ther
e’snothi
ngwr
ongwi
thaccept
ing
hel
poraski
ngforit
.”
Nandi
pha:“
No,Ngcebo,
Idon’
twantt
hat
.Iwant
t
hem her
ewithus.
”
Ngcebo:“
Alri
ghtt hen,wewi l
lmaket hi
swor k
andwewon’ trepeatthemi st
akeswedi dthe
l
astti
me.Ifsomet hi
ngisbotheri
ngy ou,j
usttel
l
me.Rememberhowhav ingthegirl
salmost
endedourrelat
ionship.
”
Nandipha:“Iwillspeaktoyouanddon’tshutme
outevenify oufeelli
keyouarehavingmoney
str
ains,Iwouldappr eci
ateyoutel
li
ngmet he
ri
ghtway .Iwill
alsowor knexty
earevent hough
Iwil
lbewor kingf r
om homewhi chwon’tbet he
same.ButIr eall
ywantt obehomewi ththem. ”
Ngcebo:“I
t’
sokay
.Idon’twanttohurtyour
f
eeli
ngsli
keIdidbef
ore.Come.”Her emoved
t
hecov er
sandNandiphagotoffthebed.He
l
aiddownandNandiphaj oi
nedhimlayi
ngher
headonhi
schest
.
Nandi
pha:“
Andwor
k,y
ourwor
kst
ress?Let
’s
t
alkaboutt
hat
.”
Ngcebo:“Ispokewi thmymanageronThur sday
andwehav efoundasol uti
on.Hecamet osee
meint hehospit
albecausewehadaschedul e.
Hethinkstheproblem isnotwi thti
mebalance
butit
’showIhav en’twrapar oundthechange.
Mymi ndhasbeenal lovertheplaceabout
work.”
Nandi
pha:
“Buthow’
sitgoi
ngwi
tht
hel
i
ne?
”
Ngcebo:“
It’
sheadi
ngontheri
ghtdi
rect
ion.We
wil
lhavesomegoodmoney .
”Hesai
dpul l
ing
herear
sandNandiphal
aughed.
Nandipha:
“Asifitwil
lbespentonus.When
wasthelastti
mey ouboughtmeagi f
t?”She
askedandlookedathim asNgcebowas
l
aughing.“
Iasked.”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
trememberwhen,
babe.ButI
boughtt
hef
rameIbr
oke.
”
Nandi
pha:
“That
’snotagi
ft
!”
Ngcebo:“Iwi
l
lgetyougif
tsbutIal
sodon’
t
rememberwheny oul
astboughtmeagift
.Let
’s
sleepnowIam sl
eepy.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Ngi
yakut
handaRast
a.”
Ngcebo:“Ngi
yakut
handanamiRast
akazi
.Let
’s
haveaprayer
.”Hesuggest
edandtheysatup
str
aightt
opray…
~~~~~~~
“Iwasn’texpectingyou’
llcome.Ubaba( Dali
su)
andourki ngwer ehereyesterday
.”Dani
elletol
d
Thembel ihlewhowasst andingnexttoher
hospitalbedonaSat urdaymor ni
ng…
Thembel ihleandauntNomkhosi hadj
ustgotto
thehospi talt
ocheckonDani ell
e.They’
ve
greetedeachot herandauntNomkhosi was
seatedont hechai
rnexttothebed.
Thembel i
hle:“
Iwasgoi ngtocomeseey ouon
ThursdaybutIhadt orushtoJohannesbur g.
Havethis,Icookeditforyou.I
t’
sv eryhealthy,i
t
wil
lgiveyouener gy
.Ipassedbyt hehot elto
warmi tupbecausey oushouldhav eithot.”she
pl
acedt hesouponDani el
l
e’shands.
Daniel
letookthesoupthatwasont he
Tupperwar el
unchbox.“
Thankyou,mama.But
whatwashappeni nginJohannesburg?I
s
ever
y t
hingalr
ight
?”Sheaskedandt ookthe
spoont hatwasontheutensi
ls.
AuntNomkhosi:
“Ayi
,MaNkosi
,don’
thavethe
soupusi
ngaspoonbutrat
herdri
nkithot
.You
areanadul
tnotachi
ld.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Awu,
auntl
etherhav
eitt
heway
shewant
s.”
AuntNomkhosi
:“I
twi
l
ltur
ncol
dMaSt
hol
e.”
Dani
ell
esmi l
ed.“I
t’
sokay
,Iwi
l
l hav
eittheway
yousay,aunt
.”Shesai
danddrankthesoupl
ike
auntNomkhosi
hadsuggest
ed.
Thembelihl
e:“Ngcebowasinthehospital
and
thatwastheonlyreasonIhadtogot o
Johannesburg.If
lewwithDal
ingcebo.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Hawu,
how’
shenow?He’
sfi
ne?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,he’sal
ri
ghtandyou,
howar e
you?Whydidyouhi desuchathingf
rom us?
Weareyourfamily
.”
AuntNomkhosi :
“Andeveni
fyoudi
dn’
ttel
lus
butyourhusband,MaNkosi
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Idi
dn’twanthi
mtoi
nvestal
lfocuson
meandneglecttheki
ds.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thatwasgoodofyoubutyou
weresupposedtotel
lhi
m andwhenyousee
he’
slacki
ngfocusonthekidst
hentel
lhi
m.”
Daniel
l
e:“It
’sr
eal
lydi
ff
iculttoconvi
ncePear
l’
s
fat
herotherwi
se,
mama.Henor mal
l
ydoes
t
hingshiswayandwoul dn’tl
ist
enwhenhehas
madeuphi smi
nd.Idi
dn’
twantt
obei
nthat
si
tuat
ion.
”
AuntNomkhosi :“
Ayi,awi
feshouldn’
tholdont
o
thataboutherhusbandbutyoushouldknow
howt omakehi m dother
ightt
hing.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Auntisri
ght
.Thesemenare
stubbor
nbuty oushoul
dknowhowt osof
ten
hi
mj ustli
key oudowi t
hyourPear
lwhenshe’
s
beingstubborn.”
Dani
ell
elookeddownandfol
dedherli
ps.“
Iwi
ll
rememberthatnextt
ime.
”Dani
ell
esai
dtothe
t
wowomenwi thher.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Doest
hatmeany
ou’
l
lcomeback
home?”
“Youdon’
tknow,mama?”Daniel
l
elookedat
Thembeli
hleandshesmi
led.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknowaboutwhat
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Happi
nesscameher
etoseemeon
Wednesday,shewaswithherchi
l
drenandshe
tol
dmet hatshewi
llcomebackhomeifIcome
back.
”
“HHAYBO! ”Thembelihl
esurpr
isedandshe
l
ookedatauntNomkhosi ,
shewasn’ ttol
dabout
thi
s.Andev enwhenshecal l
edMnot hot o
checkonhi m onThursday,
Mnot hodidn’ttell
hert hatHappinesshadsaidthis.Shegothome
Fridaynightandshewaswi t
hhergr andchildr
en,
Qal okuhleandSiphosamiandshespentt he
restoft henightwit
hherhusbandonl ytowake
uponSat urdayanddr i
vet
oDur banwi t
haunt
Nomkhosi .
AuntNomkhosi
:“Wedi
dn’
tknowaboutt
his.
”
Daniell
e:“Yes,shesaidasIam si
ckwewill
li
ve
togetherinherhousewithourf
ourchi
ldr
enand
husband.Theywi ll
lookaft
ermeunti
lIam fi
ne,
thenIwi l
lgobackt omyhouseandshe’l
l
remaintoherhouse. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!Hawu!Hawu!
”
AuntNomkhosi
:“That
’st
hemostpr
eciousand
sel
fl
essthi
ngIhavehear
d,uMaMt
himkhulu,
baki
thi
.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Icoul
dn’
tbel
i
eveher
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tev
enknowwhatt
osay
.
Where’
sshe?”
Dani
ell
e:“Theyhaven’
tcomeher
ethi
smorning
butt
hey’v
ebeenbusywi tht
heDoct
ors.Weare
goi
nghome, today
.”
Thembel ihleclosedherey esshortl
yandhel d
auntNomkhosi ’
shand.Thembel ihl
er equested
thattheypr ay.AuntNomkhosi t
henhel d
Daniell
e’shandandt hethreeofthem pr ayed…
Thembel ihlefeltthejoydeepwi thinherhear t
andshewasi naweofHappi ness’s
self
lessness.Shecoul dn’tbeli
eveshe’ d
promisedDani ell
esuchat hingandt herewas
nodoubti nherhear taboutHappi nessf ul
fil
l
ing
herpromi se.Sheknewt hatshewasgoi ngt odo
whatshe’ dpromised.Shewascer t
ainthat
Happinesswasgoi ngt ostandbyherwor d
withoutgivingup.Shewasawomanunl ike
othersandThembel ihlewascer tai
nthatshe
wasn’tjustablessingt oMnot hobutt othe
entir
efami l
yandt heent ir
eki ngdom…Shewas
goingtoensur ethatshepr ay sf orherbecause
Happinesswasgoi ngt oneedt hestrength.She
wasgoi ngt oneedt hestrengt hbecausel ooki
ng
afterasickpersonhadnev erbeenawal kon
thepark.Shewasgoi ngtopumpherdaught er
i
n-lawwi thprayerandDani ellewasgoi ngt o
beatthistumour …
Shehadherhandbagonhershoul derandboth
herchil
drenwereinMnot ho’
sarms.Theydidn’t
wanttowal konthei
rfeetbuttheywantedtobe
upintheirf
ather
’sarms…I twasaSat ur
dayand
today,
theywereheadingbackhome.They ’
ve
beeninthehotelsi
nceWednesdayandt hey’
ve
fi
nal
i
sedever
ythi
ngi
ntwoday
sforDani
ell
eto
gobackhomeandpr
oceedwi
tht
reat
ment.
Happiness:
“Wewil
lhavetodri
vebackto
Daniell
e’
shome?Pearl
isovert
hereandwe
shouldn’
tst
ayanot
herdayinDurban.
”
Mnotho:
“Hergrandmot
hersai
dtheywi
l
lbe
her
ewhenwel eave.
”
Happiness:
“Wedidn’
ttal
kaboutwho’
lldr
iveher
carbecauseshecan’
tpossi
blydr
ivet
hecaron
herown.She’snott
hatst
ronginmyeyes.”
Mnotho:“Youtoldmet oorgani
sesomeonein
themorning.Don’ty
our emember?
”Helooked
ather
,theywerewal ki
ngtoDaniel
l
e’swar
d.
Happi
ness:
“Idi
d?”
Mnotho:“
Yes,whydoesi
tseemsli
keyouare
al
readyst
ressedandwehaven’
tev
enspenta
monthwithMaNkosiasasi
ckwoman.”
Happi
ness:
“Whatt
heDoct
ort
oldusand
showedusy est
erday,
itr
eal
lygottomeandI
am real
l
yhopi ngthatshewon’
treacht
hose
worststages.”
Mnotho:“
Shewon’tandi
fshewasn’taf
rai
dshe
wasgoingtohavetodosur
gery
.It
’sthebest
t
hingIseefi
t,MaMthi
mkhul
u.”
Happinessf el
therheartjerkasMnot ho
randoml ycall
edherlikethat.Itdugt heold
ti
meswhenhewoul dcallherl i
ket hatandshe
wouldf eell
ikehisrealwifeev ent houghshe
wasn’t.Sheknewshef ellundert hoseZul u
womenwhodi dlovebeingcal l
edbypetnames
bytheirpartnersbutwhent heycal lthem by
thei
rmai dennames.Somet hingdi ff
er ent
awakenedwi t
hinthem.Itt i
ngledt heirheartbut
today,Happiness’sheartonl yjerked, j
ustonce!
Happiness:“
Wecan’tf
orcehert
odot
hatbut
shemustr unwi
thherchoi
ceandwewil
l
supporther.
”
Mnotho:“Youareri
ghtandIam hopingthat
whenitgetstoughyouwon’tkeepquietandbe
someonewhohasi tallpul
l
edt oget
her.
”
Happiness:“
HowcanIpossibl
ybreaki
nfrontof
asickperson?”Shel
ookedathi
m shor
tl
yas
Mnothowassay i
ngt
hesewordstoher
.
Mnotho: “You’l
l canbr eaktome.Iwon’ ttellher
youarebr eaking.”Hesai dtoherandhesent
hiseyesonherdi rectionbutHappi nessdi dn’t
rai
seacomment .Shekeptherey esf orwar d.
“Oryoucanbr eakt oNkosazanaormama
becausey ouar eclosewi ththem.Ireall
ydon’ t
wanty out ocarrybur densandso, y ou’
llhav eto
shareitifyouf eelthem. ”headdedasshe
wasn’traisingacomment i
ngtooffloadingt o
him.
Happiness:“
Iwilldothat
.”Shepromised…They
reachedDaniel
le’shospi
talr
oom andshewas
dressedupwi t
hhermot her,
sibl
i
ngsand
daughteri
nther oom wit
hher.Happi
nessand
Mnot
hogr
eet
edt
hef
ami
l
y.
Nonj
abul
o:“
Baba,
ther
e’sPear
l!Putusdown
now.
”
Nj
abul
o:“
Yes!Yes!
”
Mnotho:“
Youdon’
twanttobei
nmyar
msnow
becauset
her
e’sPear
l?”
Pearl:“DADDY!”Shepat t
edherf at
her’st high
repeatedlyashewasn’ tput t
inghersibli
ngs
down.She’ dlef
thergrandmot her’
ssidet he
minuteshesawNonj abuloandNj abulo…
Mnot hoplacedthechildrendownandt heygot
togreeteachot her
…Mnot hoandHappi ness
greetedDaniell
eandt hef ami l
y.
Sheil
a:“
It
’stimet ogonow?Yourmotherwas
here,
Mnot ho.ButIonlymetheront
hedoor
whenshewasl eavi
ng.Shesai
dshe’
sdriv
ing
backhome. ”
Mnot
ho:“
Shedidn’
ttel
lmethatshe’
l
lbe
comi
ng.
”HelookedatHappi
nessandhi
sey
es
askedherthequesti
onhewashopi
nghe
wouldn’
taskloud.
Happiness:“Shedi
dn’
ttel
lmeshe’l
lbecomi
ng
ei
ther.Andit’
sbeenawhilesi
nceIspokewi
th
her.
”sher epl
iedt
ohisquest
ion.
Dani
ell
e:“
Ihav
esubmit
tedev
ery
thi
ngandwhat
weneedtodoisl
eav
e.”
Juni
or:
“You’l
lcall
uswhenyougethomeand
pl
ease,don’
thidethi
ngs.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Juni
or!
”
Shei
l
aandherchi
l
dren:
“YES!
”
Mnot
ho:“Iwi
l
lensuret
hatwetell
you
ev
ery
thi
ngaboutherpr
ogress.
”
Happi
ness:“
Andyoucancomev isi
ther.Iam
sur
ethat’
ssomet
hingshewi l
lreall
yneed,
somethi
ngwewil
lallneed.
”
Shei
la:“
Youar
eri
ght
,Happi
ness.Wewi
l
ldo
that
.”
Hannah:“Youreall
yhaveagoodheartand
thankyoufordoingthi
sforoursi
ster
.Godwi
l
l
blessy
ou.”
Si
bli
ngs:
“Yes,
thanky
ou.
”
Happi
ness:“
Youdon’
thavet
othankmebut
l
et’
sgetoutoft
hispl
ace.
”
Mnotho: “
Yes!”hetookDaniell
e’sbagthatwas
onthebedandHappi nessplacedDaniel
le’s
handbagonherl apasshewasont he
wheelchair
.Juniort
henpushedt hewheel chai
r
andtheyalllef
tthehospital
wi t
hthenursewho
wasgoi ngtotakethewheelchaironceDani el
l
e
wasint hecar…
“Thehousei scl
ean.Iwasworri
edabout
cleaningi
t.
”Happinesscomment edl ooking
aroundherhouset hatwasshi
ninglyclean.She
hadt wosuit
casesinherhands,shewast he
onewhoopenedt hehouse.Mnothowasst i
ll
outsideunbuckl
i
ngt hechi
ldr
enof ftheirseats.
They
’vej
ustar
ri
vedKwaNongoma.
Happi nessplacedDani el
le’ssui
tcasesinsi
de
theguest r
oom t hatwascl eanedandhada
freshsmel l
.Happi nesswascer tai
nthat
Nkosazanami ghthav ebeent heonewho
organisedsomeonet ocleant hehouse.She
mov edoutoft her oom andshemetupwi t
h
Mnot howhohadNonj abuloandPear linhi
s
arms.Theywer edeadsl eepingandNj abul
o
wasal sosleepingbacki nt hecar.
Mnot
ho:
“They
’l
lsl
eepal
one?
”
Happiness:“
Ithi
nkthethreeofuswil
lhaveto
discusssl
eepingarr
angementsandIwi l
lhav
e
tocallmama, t
otell
herthatwearehere.
Siphosamishouldcomeandbewi thus.”
Mnotho:
“Iwi
ll
putthem inyourr
oom f
ornow
t
hen.YoucantakeNjabul
o.”
Happi
ness:
“No,
you’
l
ltakehi
m.”
Mnot
ho:
“Hawu!Whataboutwor
kingt
oget
her
?”
Happiness:“No,carr
yingheavychildrenisa
man’sjob.”Shesaidandwal kedawayf r
om him
pret
tyfast.Mnothowasl ookingatherasshe
walkedaway ,hechuckledandt ur
nedt o
Happiness’sbedroom toputthechi l
drenonthe
bed…
“Whydon’ty oudecidehowweshoul dsl
eep
becausey ouar etheowneroft hehouseand
youknowi tbet t
er?”Daniell
easkedHappiness,
shewasl ookingather .HappinessandDaniel
le
wer eseat
edi nonecouchandMnot howas
seatedont hesinglecouch.Theywer e
discussi
ngsl eepi
ngarr angements…
Mnotho:“It
houghtIwasthehusbandandI
shoulddeci
de.Whyam Inotgivent
hat
chance?”HelookedatDani
ell
eandshelaughed,
helookedatHappinessadshewasshakingher
headwithoutl
aughing.
Happi
ness:“Thewi
ferunsthehouseandIknow
myhouse.”Shesai
dlooki
ngatMnot howi
tha
fi
rm eye…Mnot hofol dedhisli
psandhedi dn’
t
sayany t
hingbutifitwast hetwoofthem he
wouldhav elongteasedherusi ngherwords.
Butnow, nowwasnott heti
mef ort
hat.“
Iwill
sl
eepwi ththegir
lsandt heboyswil
lshare
Njabul
o’sroom.Andy outwocansharethe
guestr
oom. ”Shesai d.
Daniell
e:“
No, t
hatwouldbeinappr opr
iat
e.Pear
l
wil
lsleepwithmeandt heirf
atherwi l
lsl
eep
al
oneorwi ththeboys.Idon’
tthinkit’
sfai
rthat
hesleepsinmyr oom whil
ewear einour
house.”
Happi nesslookedatMnot hoandhehadhi s
headl aidbackont hecouchwi t
hhiseyes
closed.Happi nessreali
sedshedidn’
tthink
aboutsl eepi
ngar r
angement swhenshedeci ded
thisandmay beshewassupposedt osay
Mnot howasgoi ngtosleepinDaniel
le’
shouse.
But…whathar m wasi tgoi
ngtodo?Sheasked
herselflooki
ngatMnot hoandshewonder ed
whatwasinsi
dehismi
ndnowbecausehe
wasn’
tspeaki
ng.
“Youarecomf or
tabl
ewiththat
,Mnotho?
”
HappinessaskedoutloudandMnothoopened
hisey
es, hel
ookedatthem.
Mnot ho: “ Yes,Iam comf or
tablewithit.Iwill
sl
eepwi tht heboy sint hesecondguest room.”
Her epliedbuthewonder edifthisreall
ymeant
hewasn’ tgoi ngt osl eepwi thanyoft hem until
Danieller ecov ers.Itwasoutofquest i
onf or
Happi nessbecausehest il
lhadt owor ktowi n
herandr eacht hatst ageofshar ingabedwi th
her.ButDani el
le?Theywer en’
tinthatstateof
notshar ingabed.Hey ,
lookathi m now, his
natureisdoi nghi m ot herwise!Thiswasnott he
ti
met ot hinkl i
ket hisbuthewassupposedt o
begr atef ultheywer eallundert hesamer oof…
Happiness:“Al
ri
ght,t
hat
’ssort
ed.Iwil
lgopack
t
hegr oceri
es.It
hinkyouhavetoshowerandI
wil
lcook.”Shesaidandwalkedtothekit
chen
l
eav
ingt
hem…
Mnot
ho:
“Let
’st
akey
out
othebat
hroom.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
No,
hey
,thi
sman!Icanwal
kandy
ou
si
t!
”
Mnot
ho:
“Iam bei
ngdet
ect
edov
erher
e.”
Daniel
le:
“Enjoyi
t.
”Shegi
ggl
edandgotupfrom
t
hecouchonherown.Shesl owl
ywalkedaway
fr
om thelounge…Mnothol
ookedatherasshe
walkedawayandhehopedshewasgoi ngt
o
l
ive.
..
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE11

Shesatdownonherbedwi t
hherbagona
Fri
dayaf
ternoon.She’
djustputt
hegir
lsto
sl
eepforthedaybutThandowasn’tasl
eep.She
wasdownst ai
rswit
hhergrandmother
.
Dal
i
ngceboandNgcebower
enotbacky
et.
Nandi phaopenedherbagandshet ookouther
scanpi ct ure.Shel ookedati tquietly.“Ireally
didn’texpectt hatI’l
lbecar ry
ingy ou, t
wot his
ti
meoft hey ear
.Iknew, t
haty ourfatherwas
goingt owantanot herbabyandIwascer tain
thatwewi llhaveonebabybecausewewer e
goingt ogot othecl i
nicthi
st i
mear ound.But
hey,somet imeswheny ouplanGodwoul dhav e
l
ongpl anned.Iwast oldIhav ethet woofy ou
i
nsideme.Ican’ tsayIwashappybutIwas
wor r
iedIam st i
llworri
ed.Youar eher enowand
asy ourmot herIwi l
lprotectyout wount ilyou
l
andi nt omyhands.You’ l
ljoi
nourmedi um
crazyf ami l
y.”Shespokeonherownspeaki ng
tothebabi esshel aughedwhenshewasdone.
Shesawt heneedt ospeakbecauseshehadn’ t
reall
yshowanyr eactionst oherpr egnancy .And
shedi dn’tknowwhi chemot i
onst or efl
ect ,she
couldn’tst r
onglysayshewashappyandshe
couldn’
tstronglysayshewasangr y
.Butshe
waswor ri
edi fshewasgoi ngtocopewi t
hbeing
pregnantandl ooki
ngafterhergir
ls.Butshe
wascer t
ainaboutonet hing,Ngcebowasgoi ng
tobehappy …Nandi phaplacedthepi ctur
eback
onthebagandshet ookherphonet hatwason
thebed.Sheanswer edthephonecal l.
Nandi
pha:
“Hel
l
o,Pal
.”
Pal
esa:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam exhaust
edandhowar
eyou?
”
Pal
esa:
“Whathav
eyoubeendoi
ng?Iam f
ine.
”
Nandipha: “Ican’teventel
l y
oubutIr eal
lyt
hink
mymot herin-lawhasaser i
ousproblem wit
h
me.She’ sallupi nevery
thingIdoev enthewayI
speakwi thmychi l
drenandNgcebo.Wewer e
tal
kinginsidet hekit
chenwi thNgceboandshe
walksin,wedi dn’
tstoptalki
ng.Shebudgesi n,
ontheconv ersati
onandt ellmeIshouldn’t
speaklikethatwi thmyhusband.Hhay bo!I
don’
tknowwhat
’sherpr
oblem f
orr
eal
.Ihav
e
beengoi
ngupanddown.”
Pal
esa:“
That’
sdisappoint
ing!Buty
ouhada
goodrel
ati
onshi
pbefore.”
Nandi
pha: “
Yes,butshesuddenl
ychangedout
ofnowheresincethatni
ghtyouwerehereand
uptodate.Idon’
tevenwastemyt i
mecalli
ng
her
.”
Pal
esa:“
Whydon’tyouaskherwhat’
swrong?
You’
veneverhadadif
fi
cul
tyspeaki
ngtoher
bef
oreandwhatcanstopyounow?”
Nandipha:“’
Ihav
enev er’
that’
sthepastPal
esa.
Anyway,enough,what’shappeni
ng?Iam sor
ry
thatIdi
tchedyoutoday.”
Pal
esa:
“Youdi
tchedandsenty
ourbr
otheri
n-
l
awupinmyass.”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Wait
,whatdoy
oumeanby
t
hatnow?”sheasked.
Palesa:“PhemeloandI,wentoutforbreakfast
,
j
ustpizzaandhewast her
ebeforeustelli
ngme
he’
sbeenr unni
ngaft
ermebecausehedi dn’t
wantt oscream myname.Iwasso
uncomf ort
ablewalki
ngwithhi
m andhehadmy
soninhi sarms.Andhadbreakfastwit
hus. ”
Nandi
pha:
“Who’
sthatbr
otheri
n-l
aw,
Banel
e?”
Pal
esa:
“Thet
winbr
other
,Dal
i
ngcebo!
”
Nandiphalaughedandpl acedherhandonher
eyes.“Youarekiddingandwherewashistwin
br
ot herbecausetheylef
ttoget
herfor
br
eakf ast
?”
Pal
esal
aughed.“Jesus!Hesai
dNgceboi
s
homesi
ck.Helied!
”
Nandi
pha:“
Andwhatwer
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Is
heint
oyou?”
Palesa:“
Oh!Yes,
andIam tel
li
ngyouthi
s
becauseIcanseethathe’
sactual
l
yseri
ous
aboutthi
s.It
houghthewasjustaguydoing
whatguy
sdo.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Wait,
he’
sbeenappr
oachi
ngy
ou
andyoudi
dn’
ttel
lme?”
Pal esa:“Girl
,please!Iam telli
ngyout hatIdi
dn’t
thinkhewasser ious.Hefirstsawmei nyour
houseandwhent heyweret hereandIwas
ther eforasleepov er
.Andy ourmot herin-
law
sawusandaski fIknewhewasmar ri
edtoy our
sister.SheaskedmewhoIwasandwhatIwas
doingi ny ourhouse.Andheaskedf ormy
numberbutIdi dn’tgivei
ttohi m.Heal sodid
sayaf ewwor dswhenIwasi nyourhousei n
KZN. ”
Nandi
pha:
“Hhay
bo!Dal
i
ngcebo!Doy
oul
i
ke
hi
m? ”
Pal
esa:“
What ?Idon’
tknow,br
ah.Hewas
marr
iedtoy oursist
erandhecheat
ed,
gota
womanpr egnant.”
Nandi
pha:
“Don’
tcountt
hati
n,Iaskeddoy
ou
l
i
kehi
m?”
Palesa:
“DidyouknowlikedNgceboaf
ter
tal
kingtohim onceort
wice?”
Nandi
phalaughed.“Whenhefir
stsaid
‘
Sawubona’Ii
nstantl
yli
kedhim andwhenhe
sai
d‘CanIhugy ouMissZondi’
Iwasdeepi n
l
ove.Awu,whenheaskedt obuymeper f
ume,
weweremar r
ied,gi
rl
.”Shenar
ratedandthey
l
aughedwithPalesa.
Palesa:“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcanev
enl
i
kehi
m gi
rl
.I
don’twanttoeventr
y.”
Nandipha:“Iunder
standreal
lybutdoyouwant
somewar ningorwhatcanIcal l
it,
somethi
ng
that
’l
lyoushouldexpectsinceyouhaveaZulu
guyony ourback?Asy ouaretel
li
ngmey ou
won’tli
kehim.”
Pal
esa:
“Whati
sitnow?
”
Nandi
pha:“I
fhe’
sreal
ly‘t
hat’
Zulumanl
i
ke
mostofthem,he’
l
ltel
lyouthaty
ouwon’
tst
and
i
nhiswayofbei nghi
sgirl
fr
iend.You’l
lfi
nd
your
selfbei
nghisgir
lf
ri
endwi thoutpl
anningi
t
buti
fthere’
sthatsomethi
ngy oulikei
nhim.”
Palesal
aughed.“
Nev
er!Ngcebodi
dthatt
o
you?”
Nandi
pha:“No,hedi
dn’t
.Ah!Whatdidhesay
?
Hesai
dhe’llbuymeperfumeandhewouldli
ke
t
osmellitonmeov erandoveragai
n.”
Pal
esal
aughed.“
That
’st
hesamet
hing,
aker
e?”
Nandi
phati
tt
ered.“
Yeah,
youar
eri
ght
.You’
l
l
seewhatt
odo.”
Pal
esa:
“Ey
.Wewill
seeeachot
hert
omor
row.
Whenaret
heboy
scoming?”
Nandi
pha:
“Thei
rmot
hersai
dthedr
iverl
ongl
eft
KZNwitht
hem.”
Pal
esa:
“Al
ri
ght
,wewi
l
ltal
konWhat
sApp.
”
“
Sharp,
mngani
.”Shesai
dandturnedherhead
t
olookatt
hedoorasitwasopened.Ngcebo
walkedinsi
detheroom andNandi
pharemoved
thephonefrom herear
.Shepl
acedthephone
onthebedandherbagwher eitwas.
Ngcebo:“
Who’sthatonthephonethaty
ou
stoppedt
alki
ngt
oi nmypresence?
”heasked
andwentdowntor emov
ehissneakers…
Nandi
pha:
“Awu.Iwasdonet
alki
ng.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iaskedwhower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
Nandipha:“
Palesa,andwhenDali
ngcebowas
busywithPalesa.Wherewerey
oubecauseI
di
dn’thearyournamebeingmentioned?
”
Ngcebo:
“Me?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
you,
wher
ewer
eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwaseat
ing.
”
Nandipha:“
That’
sincomplete.Wherewer eyou
andwhowaseat i
ngwi t
hyou?”sheasked
l
ookingathim anddidn’
tfeelcompletethathe
wasn’tanswer
ingherstrai
ghtforwardl
yand
complet
ely
.Shegr
abbedherbagwai
ti
ngf
oran
answer.
Ngcebo:“
Iwaseati
ngaloneandcatchi
ngup
wit
hmyphoneuntilDali
ngcebogotbackf
rom
Pal
esa.What’
supwi t
hthequesti
onsandwhere
ar
ey ougoi
ngwit
hy ourbag?”
Nandipha:“Iam goingt omama’ shouse.Iwant
totakethedr essesthatsheboughtf orme.I
wanttowearoneoft hem tomorrow.Ishoul
d
star
twearingt hem now.Thegi rl
saresleepi
ng
nowandwhenPr inceandBongani arri
vehereI
won’tgetti
met oleave.”sherepl
iedandtook
herphonef rom thebed.
Ngcebo:
“Letmedri
veyousot
haty
ouwon’
t
st
ayforl
ongovert
here.
”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
Iwon’
tst
ay.Mom i
satwor
k.”
Ngcebo:
“No,
Iam goi
ngwi
thy
ou.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Iwil
lj
ustaskRandal
ltobri
ngthem
t
omet hen.
”Shechangedhermindbecause
shedidn’twantt odriv
ewi t
hhi m.Itwasbet t
er
todr
iveal onebecauseshewasgoi ngtospend
afewmi nut eswithherbrotherbecausehewas
home.Butwi thNgceboaround, shewasn’ t
goi
ngt ohav et i
met oevendrinkwat eroreat
somef oodf rom thekit
chen…Shepl acedthe
bagdownandshel aidherbodyont hebed.
Ngcebowasl ookingathermov es.
Ngcebo:“You’ vebeenaskingmewei rd
questi
onsl atel
y,l
ike,doImissfucki
ngar ound,
whowasIeat i
ngwi t
h?Whatdidy ouhearabout
me?Orwhopl antedthi
sideainyourhead?It’
s
l
ikeyouwantt oaskmei fIam cheati
ng.”he
askedsit
tingont hebednextt oNandiphaand
heplacedhi shandonherhead.Hemassaged
hisfi
ngersdeepont oherscal
p.
Nandi
pha:
“Ihear
dnot
hingabouty
ou,
Ngcebo.
”
Ngcebo:“Youneveraskmesuchquest
ions,
Nandipha.Whoplantedt
hisi
deai
nyourhead?I
am pr
ettysuresomeonemusthave.
”
Nandipha: “
Iwast al
kingtoDumabutwewer e
tal
kingjustgeneralabouthi
m asapubl
icf
igure
aroundwomenandhequest i
onedmeifIt
hink
youarej ustfai
thf
ultomeandme, al
one?”
Ngcebo:“
Wouldy oufor
givemeifIcancheaton
you?Notj
ustforgiv
eme, butwoul
dy oust
il
lbe
withmeaftert
hat?”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
Iwoul
dn’
t.
”
Ngcebo:“
I’
vehity
ouonceandy ousawmewi th
Mir
andaonce,youlef
tmelikewhatwehadwas
j
ustnothi
ng.AndIhadtoknowhowwasl if
e
wi
thoutyou.Doyouthi
nkIwantthatagai
n?”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
buty
oucanhi
dei
t.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iam apubli
cfi
gure,whatifIsl
eep
wit
hsomeonewho’llmakeitpubli
cthat,her
andIareathi
ng?Ican’
ttakethatr
isk.”
Nandi
pha: “
Please,
don’tdoli
kethel
astti
me
whenthere’
sadowngr adeinoursexl
if
ejustt
ell
me.Don’tgogetdrunkandcomebackt otel
l
meIam col
d.”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’tdothatagai
nandift
here’
sa
needforust oi
ncreasethenumberofsextoy
s
wehav e,
y oucantell
me.Iwouldn’
tmind.”
Nandi
phagi
ggl
ed.“Oh!ButwhenIwasplay
ing
wit
hmydreadl
ocksony ou.Youbecameal
l
def
ensi
veandtol
dmeaboutpowerwhi l
eIwas
j
ustpl
ayi
ng.
”
Ngcebolaughedandpulledherrightear
.
Nandiphasmil
ed.“Icanonlyplaywithyour
l
ocksany howandt hi
sconversat
ionisturni
ng
meon. ”Heconfessed.
Nandipha:
“Don’tevenst
artbecauset
hey
’l
l
dist
urbushalf
waywheny oumustdr i
vet
hem t
o
theair
port
.Idon’twantt
hat.
”
Ngcebo:“Wehav equickiesforar eason.AndI
canseethatyou’r
eshowi ngnocompassi on
aboutmyheartdisorder.IsitbecauseIdidn’
t
tel
lyouaboutitandthat’syourwayofshowi ng
youar
esti
ll
angry?Youwerenotevent
her
e
whenIhadtomakeachoiceofchangi
ngt
he
t
reat
menttype.
”
Nandipha:“
Howcany oudeci
det oshutmeout
fr
om thisandexpectmet ohaveasayi n
somethingthaty
oudi dn’
twantmet ohavea
sayin?Iknewnothingaboutitbecauseyou
didn’
twantmet oknow. ”
Ngcebo:“
So,Idi
dn’tknowaboutt
hesongswi
th
Mujobecauseyoudidn’
twantmetoknow?
That
’swhatyouaresaying?
”
Nandipha: “Whyareyoui nvolvi
ngMuj obecause
wear etalki
ngabouty ourhear tdisorderand
thesearet wodiff
erentthings.Thi swast he
mat t
erofl i
feanddeathf oryou, whatifwewer e
somewher ewherearoundt hewor l
dand
somet hinghappenstoy ou.AndIwon’ tev en
knowwhatt odo.Didy ouev erthinkaboutt hat
oryout houghtitwasgoodt hatyoukeepmei n
thedark? ”
Ngcebo:“Iam sor
ry,
Rastakazi
butunderst
andI
di
dn’twantyoutowor r
yaboutmealltheti
me.
EvenwhenIam nothomeoroutdr i
nking.”
Nandipha: “
IfIdon’twor r
yabouty ou,Ngcebo
whoshoul dwor ryabouty ou?Youshar ey our
l
ifewithmebutIdi dn’tknowaboutt hiseven
afterbei
ngy ourwi f
e.Iwassupposedt obet ol
d
aftergett
ingmar ri
edi fyoudidn’twanttotell
measy ourfiancée.Andy oualway swantmet o
remainthesameev enafteryou’vesai
dt hings
thathurtmeandt hingsthatoffendme.Ev en
whenIam wr ongy oudon’ tt
ellmey ouare
angrywithoutinsulti
ngmeorhur t
ingme. ”
Ngcebo:“Iam sorry.Mama’ Zul
u.It
alkshit
whenIam angr y.
”Hesaidt oherandplacedhi
s
l
egont opofNandi pha’
sleg.Hepulledher
closert
ohim.“ Butdon’
tholdgrudgesforme.
Yoursharpmout hisnotattr
acti
vewheni ti
sn’
t
talki
ngl
ikeitusuall
ydoes.”Headded.
Nandi
phal
aughedandt
ri
edt
oti
ckl
ehi
m ar
ound
hi
searsbutNgcebodi dn’
tgiv
eherachance.
Heheldherleftwristanddeepenedherl
ipsi
nto
herneck.Nandipha’sri
ghthandheldhi
sshir
t.
Hestopped.
Nandi
pha:“Doyoureal
lyt
hinkdoi
ngsongswit
h
Mujowil
lhurty
ourbrand?
”sheaskedlooki
ngat
hi
m st
rai
ghtintheeye.
Ngcebo:“
Idon’
tknowwewi
l
lseewhent
he
songscomeout.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Youar
est
il
langr
ywi
thme.Iam
sor
ry.
”
Ngcebo: “Youfooledmebigti
meanddon’t
expectmet obehappy.I
fIhavetoi
ssuea
stat
ementIwi llobvi
ousl
yli
eandsayIknewjust
toprotectyouandmybr and,soIwoul
dn’
tlook
l
ikeafool .
”
Nandipha:“
Please,
don’
tspeakli
kethatIwon’
t
dothev i
deothenandIwon’tdogi
gswi t
hhim.
I
twill
endont hesongs.
”
Ngcebo:“
Youwant
edt
ohur
tmef
orsomet
hing
t
hatIdid?
”
Nandipha:“
No,butIdidn’
tknowt hebeefwas
deeperthanmusic.AndIsti
lldon’tknowcan
youtell
me? ”
Ngcebo:“No,
there’
snothi
ngt otel
l
.Ifyou
wantedtohurtme,youdidthenNandipha
becauseyouref
usedtosingwi t
hmebutdi d
si
ngwi t
hmyenemy .”
Nandipha:“
InmymindIhadyoulockingmeup
andrefusi
ng.AndNgceboyouneverpressed
meser i
ousl
ywitht
hemat t
erofsi
ngingwi t
h
you.
”
“Let’
sstoptal
kingaboutt
his.Iam notov
erit
yet.Iwanttohavesomegoodsexwi t
hyou.I
hadsomuchf unonTuesday.”Hesaid
unfasteni
ngherdress.
Nandi
pha:
“Theywi
l
ldi
stur
bus.
”
Ngcebo:
“Theywon’
t.Iwi
l
lspoony
ouni
ceand
sl
ow.Iam thehenandy ouar
ethechi
cken.
”He
sai
dremovinghisclot
hesandNandi
pha
l
aughedathim sensel
essl
y.“
What’
sfunny
now?”heasked.
Nandi
pha:“Ican’
tignor
ethistodaybecauseit
’s
nott
hefir
sttimeyou’vesaidthi
sandIdon’t
wantyoutosayitinthepresenceofpeoplebut
Iam t
hehen.”
Ngcebo:
“No,
howcany
oubet
hehen?
”
Nandi
pha:
“You’
ret
her
oost
er/
cockandIam t
he
hen.
”
Ngcebolaughedwi t
hhiseyesclosedandhis
bodyconvulsed.“
Oh!Iqhude!Neskhukhukazi
!
Ah!”Hereci
tedafterher
.
Nandipha:
“Youmustgoandaskf oryour
changeinhighschool
,theyplay
edyouv erybad,
Rasta.
”Shesaidsti
lll
aughingandsheturnedto
giv
eNgceboherbackast heywerebothnaked.
Ngcebo:
“Let
’smakey
oumoanbecausey
ou
won’tkeepquietaboutt his.”hesaidplaci
nghis
handonherbr eastandsheal l
owedherbodyt o
rel
ax…NgcebohadNandi pha’ shandintohis
handashewast hrust
ingonhersl owl
ywhi l
e
theywerediscussi
ngnot hingbutwhatt hey
weredoing.“Youdon’twantmet opumpy ou
harder
?”heaskedbur yinghi sf aceonherneck.
Nandipha:“Hmm…No, Iwantitt
hissl
ow-”she
repli
edandt her
ewasaknockont hedoor.
NgceboandNandi phadidn’
trespondtothe
knockbutt heyproceededwithwhattheywere
doingwithoutNgcebochangi nghispace.
“
Ngcebo- ”Thembel
i
hleknockedagainon
Ngcebo’sdoorandshecouldn’
tspeakany
f
urtherasNgcebospokefrom i
nsideofthe
r
oom.
Ngcebo:“Yes,
mama!Please,don’
tcomein!
”he
stoppedherqui
ckl
ybecausehedidn’
ttr
ustt
hat
shewasn’tgoi
ngtoopenthedoor.
Thembeli
hle:
“Weshoul
dleav
enowandsome
ofthegi
rl
sareawake.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iam coming!
”heraisedhisvoiceand
whenheheardhismother
’sfoot st
epswalki
ng
awayNgcebotight
enedhi
sthr ustsandhegave
them f
ast
.
Nandi
pha:
“Not
…fastl
i
ke…t
his!
”
Ngcebo: “Ishouldfi
nishupandgetupunl essif
youwantmet oleaveyouhangi ng.”He
i
nformedherandl ooseneduphi spaceunt il
theyweredone…“ Please,tel
lThulatowat ch
overthegi r
lsandshecanwakemewhen
Bongani andPr i
ncear ehere.Iwantt osleep.”
Shet ol
dNgceboonherl azyvoicewhi l
eshe
waspul l
ingt hecovers.Shedi dn’
tgetupt oget
dressedbutshewasst i
llnakedwhi l
eNgcebo
wasget t
ingbackonhi sclothesaftercleaning
himselfi
nsi dethebathroom.
Ngcebo:
“You’
renotdr
ivi
ngwi
thust
othe
ai
rpor
t?Wewi l
lgowit
hthegir
lswhoareawake
andit
’sst
il
lear
lyt
hatyoucansleepNandi
pha.
”
Nandipha:“There’
snoneed…f ormetodri
v e…
wit
hy ou.Ihavebeengoi ng…upanddownsi nce
morning…andapr egnantwomanshouldrest.
Yes,Iam pregnant,RastaandIneedt
orest.”
Sheclosedherheav il
ysleepyey
es.
Ngcebo:“Whatdi
dyousay ?
”heaskedand
placedhi
skneesonthebed,heheldNandi
pha’
s
shoulder
sandhereyeswereclosed.“
Youcan’
t
besleepi
nginsuchashortti
me.Wakeup!”He
added.
“Baba!Uthiugogoshi
yhambaishikhathi
!”(
Dad,
grannysays,ti
meisn’
tstandi
ngstil
l)Simil
o
shoutedforherfat
herandshewasknocki ngon
thedoorwhi l
eshewaspassingthemessage.
Ngcebo: “
Iam coming!Thei
rfli
ghti
snotev en
minutesaway.Tellher
,Iam coming!Andstop
knocking.
”heraisedhi
sv oi
ceforhisdaughter
thatwassti
ll
knocki
ngatthedoorevenaf
ter
she’dt
oldherfat
herwhathergr
annysai
d.
Si
mil
o:“
Yebo.
”Herf
oot
stepsr
anaway
…
“Youarereal
lypregnantorit’
soneofy our
j
okes?”NgceboaskedNandi phawhowas
l
ookingathim withsleepyeyes.Hecouldsee
shewasser i
ousl
yt i
redbuthewasn’ taboutt
o
l
eavewithoutknowingi fshewasjokingornot.
Nandipha:“
Yes,Ngcebo,Iam pr
egnant.Iwas
tol
dthedayy ouwereadmi t
tedi
nthehospital
.
Rasta,go,
youarekeepingyourmotherwaiti
ng.”
Ngcebo:“Wai
t,whydidn’
tyoutel
lme?Iam
goingtobeafatheragai
n.Howfararey ou?
Andbabe-”heaskedandcuddledhertightint
o
hisarms.Heki
ssedt hevi
si
blefl
eshofher
cheekandhelaughedasNandiphawast r
ying
tobrokefr
eefr
om him.Shewasi rr
it
atednow
thathewasn’
tleavi
ng…
Nandi
pha:
“Ngcebo!
”
Ngcebo:“
Okay ,
Iwill
gonowbutwhenIcome
backwewi l
ltal
kandwewil
ltel
lthegi
rl
sthat
they
’l
lhav
easi bli
ng.
”
Nandiphastoodupfrom t hebedandshe
grabbedthebedcovert ocov erhernakedbody .
“Wecan’ttel
lthegi
rl
sf ir
stt hatthey’
llhave
sibl
ingsbutwehavet otellLethukuthulabefore
anyoneelseandthatwayhe’ l
lprotecthis
sibl
ingsandwatchov erthem.Mamaknows
becauseshewasi nthehospi t
al.Butnow,
Ngcebogo.Mybi gmout hwasn’ tsupposedt o
tell
younowbutwheny oucomeback. ”Shetold
Ngceboopeningthedoorf orhim.
Ngcebo:
“Si
bli
ngs?Howmanyoft
hem?
”
“HHAYSUKA!NGCEBO,MAN!”Theyhear
d
Thembel
ihl
e’
svoi
ceshoutcomingfr
om
downst
air
s…AndNandiphagaveNgceboa
deadst
are.
Ngcebo:
“Howmany
?Iwon’
tgo.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Two,
Ngcebo,
go,
please!
”
Ngcebosmi l
edandhel dNandi phaintoahug
i
nsteadofl eaving.Helaughedwhi l
ehugging
her.“Sor r
y,man, youplannedwewoul dgoto
theclinicforeggf ert
il
isati
onbutitdidn’
t
happen.Iswearwewon’ thav
eot herbabi
es
aft
ert heset wo.They ’
reenoughnowandwewi ll
got el
l Lethukuthulaf
irst.
”Ngcebospoket o
Nandi phawhi leholdi
ngherasi fhehadal l
the
ti
mei nt hewor ld.
Nandipha:
“Okay !Okay !
”Sher epeat
edpushi ng
hi
m backandher anoutoft hebedroom.
Nandiphasighedandcl osedt hedoor.“Please,
dearGod,l
etBongani andPrincegether eafter
hoursofmysl eep.”Shesaidashor tprayerand
shelai
dherbodyont hebed…
“Icouldsl
apy ouri
ghtnow.Ihavebeenwai
ti
ng
foryou,her
e.”Thembelihl
eshout
edatNgcebo
andshegotupf r
om thecouchashewas
beforeher.
Ngcebo: “Youcan’tslapamani nhi shouse,
mama.Let ’
sgo.Wher e’sDali
ngcebo?Mygi r
ls,
l
et’sfol
low, daddy.”Heannounced, thegir
ls,
Buhle,Simil
oandNongcebogetupf rom t
he
fl
oor.Hewonder edlookingathi
sgi rl
s,ift
hese
twobabi eswoul dbegirl
sorboy s.Oh!God,
wouldn’tdot hattohim!Butthengi r
lsorboys,
theywer efrom God!Thatwasabl essing!
Thembel i
hle:“
Wear eleav
ingwiththem?
Wher e’
stheirmother ?Shewon’tevensay
goodby etous?”sheaskedandgav eherhands
toBuhleandSi milo.Nongcebowasal readyby
herfather
’sside.Theywal kedoutofthehouse.
Ngcebo: “
Ifoundhersl
eeping.Iwasbusyaf t
er
taki
ngashowerwheny oucamei ntoourroom.I
didn’
twanttowakeNandi phafortheairpor
t
driv
e.”Herepli
edandspottedDalingcebo
speakingonthephonebyt hegate.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
houghtyouweregoi
ngtofl
y
downwit
hmet oseeyourbr
other
’swi
fewho’s
i
nthehospi
tal
.”
Ngcebo:“
Ical l
edbhutiMnotholastnightIcan’
t
gotoKZN. ”Hesaidandremov edthebagsf rom
theMaseratiheputthem ontheviano..
.
~~~~~~
Happi nessturnedwi thherbagaf t
ershe’d
excusedher self.Shewant edtocallMnot ho.
Shewaswor r
iednowbecausehewasn’ t
comi ngbackwi tht hechi ldrenandit’dbeen
l
ongsi nceheleft…Nkosazanal eftthehospi t
al
anhouragoandshel ef tDaniell
ewi thher
motherandsi ster s.She’ dspokent oDani el
le’
s
motherandshewasal sodoubt ingwhat
Happi nesshadpr omisedt odobutDani elle
assuredhermot hert hatt hequeengav eher,her
wordt hatshecoul dtrusther .Andshe
ref
erencedt hatt hey’
v ebr oughtfoodf orher
whenshehadawoundf r
om beingshotand
couldn’tdothingsher self…
Happinesssi ghedasshemetupwi t
hMnot ho
attheexitoft hehospi
tal
.Shewascal l
inghim
andhewasn’ tansweri
nghisphone.Shelooked
aroundhim st andi
ngbefor
ehimt ostophim
fr
om passi ngherandshedidn’tseeherchil
dren
withMnot ho.“ Wher
earemychi l
dren?”She
askedMnot ho.
Mnotho: “
They ’
rei
nmycar .Iwil
lgoopenthe
carf
ory ou.”herepli
edandturnedhi
sbackon
Happiness.Hewal kedoutofthehospi
tal
and
Happinessf ol
l
owedMnot hobehind…
“Ihavespokent oNt andokaziandsheagr eed
thatwewi llgobackhome.Andwewi l
l st
ay
togetherinmyhouse.Wewi l
lhavetol ookaf t
er
heralongwi ththechil
drenandshe’ l
lrecov er.
Wewi l
lhavetof i
ndawayf orhertoreceiveher
treatmentwhi l
eshe’sathomeev enifitwi l
lbe
expensive.”HappinesstoldMnot howhohad
turnedfrom putti
ngNonj abul
oonhercarseat
i
nHappi ness’scar.Njabulowasal r
eadyi nside
theseat
.Mnothodi
dn’
thavet
hespacet
oleav
e
becauseHappi
nesswasj
ustst
andi
ngbehi
nd
him.
Mnot holaughedindisbeli
efashisears
accept edthewordsthatHappinesswassay ing
tohim.“ It
’soneofyourjokesagain.You’v
e
seent hatIam hurtanddownHappi nessy ou
don’thav etokeepkicki
ngmewi thplaying
gameswi thmeandsel li
ngmef ai
ry-t
ales.
”
Mnot hosai dtoHappiness.
Happinesssi
ghed.“
Iam notpl ayi
ngagame
herebutIam bei
ngserious.Idon’ twanttokeep
l
ivi
ngi nt
hepastanditshur tandanger .Idon’
t
wanttokeepchaini
ngmy selfwiththi
shat eand
anger.If
orgi
veyouforever ythi
ng.”
MnotholookedatHappi nessandbecauseof
thestr
eetsli
ghtshecouldseeherface.His
gazeconcentrat
edonherandher eall
ycouldn’
t
beli
evethatHappinesswoulddosuchat hi
ng
forhi
m.“ Youarereall
ynotjoki
ng?
”Heasked
andhet ightenedhistwohandsi ntofi
sts
becausehi sheartwasi nactualaweforthis
womanst andingbeforeher.Itwasnotbecause
shewasf or
givinghim butitwasbecauseof
whatshe’ djusttol
dhim aboutlookingaft
er
Daniel
le.Whowoul ddot hataft
erevery
thing
thathe’ddonet oher?
Happiness:“
No, Iam notplayi
ngagamewith
youandy oucangoi nsidethehospi
tal
andask
NtandokaziorcallNkosazana.
”
Mnot ho:“CanIhugy ou?”herequestedona
softmur mur.Hedidn’twanttohugherwi t
hout
askingforherpermission.Hedidn’
tknowand
di
dn’ twanttoseehowshewasgoi ngtor
eacti
f
hecoul djusthugher.
HappinesslookedatMnothoandshenodded
hersoftl
y.“
Yes,youcanhugme.”Shesaidthe
wordsaccompany i
ngthenod.
Mnot
hoopenedhi
sar
msandheembr
aced
Happinessi
ntoahug, shedidn’tholdhi
mf ora
fewsecondsbutMnot hodidn’tletgoeven
thoughhedidn’
tfeel
herar msar oundhim.He
heldontoherunti
lhef el
therarmsar oundhim.
Mnot ho: “Thanky ousomuchandIoweal lmy
l
ifetoy ou.”hesai dtoherbuti nsi dehi shearthe
proceededwi thmaki ngpromi sest hathewas
goingt oensur eshewashappy .Andt histi
me
theywer egoingt obel iv
ingt oget herhewas
goingt oensur et hatshedoesn’ twi shtohead
backi nherf ather’shousebutshewasgoi ngto
l
ivewi thhi mf orever.Het esti
fiedi ttohimself
thathisancest orshadbr oughthi m notjust
Happi nessashernamebutt hey ’
v ebroughthim
greatf ortune.Shehadadi ff
erenthear tfr
om all
thewomenhe’ dmet .
Happiness:“
Iam al
sosorr
ythatyouruncl
edi
ed
andev er
ythi
nghappenedi
nyourwedding
becauseLonwabowasdoingitbecauseofme.”
Mnot
ho:
“Ther
ewasn’
tgoi
ngt
obehi
mifIdi
dn’
t
hur
tyou.Youdon’
thavet
oapol
ogisebecauseI
hav
ehurtyoumorethaty
oudi
d.”
Happinessnoddedshort
ly.“Idon’
tknowi fI
shoul
ddr i
veKwaNongomawi ththechil
dren
noworIshouldstayinDurbanf ortheni
ght.Or
you’
llneedmewheny oudi scussthehome
tr
eatmentplanforNt
andokazi .
”Shewonder ed.
Mnotho:“Don’
tdri
vehomenowbuty oucango
bookint
omama’ shot el
.Ihavealr
eadybooked
aroom formyself
.Wewi llhav
etolistent
othe
Doctort
ogetherbecausewewi ll
bet oget
her
whenlookingaft
erher.”
Happiness:“
Okay,Iam t
ir
edandIwanttogo
r
est.You’l
lmaketheappointmentt
odaysot
hat
wewon’ tbedel
ayedtomorrow.”
Mnot
ho:
“Al
ri
ght
,dr
ivesaf
e.”
Happi
nessnoddedandshemov edtothe
dr
iver
’sseat
,shestar
tedt
heengineofhercar.
Andshedroveoffwit
hhersl
eepingchi
ldr
en..
.
Mnot hojoggedinsi
det
hehospi talwi
tha
peacefulheart
.Itwasl
iketherewasadi f
fer
ent
breezearoundhim,adiffer
entbreezei
nhis
heart.Andhishopewasst rengt
henedthat
Daniell
ewasgoi ngtol
i
v e…
Shelookedathi
m andshedi dn’
tsmil
e,she
l
ookedathermot herandsist
erswhower e
al
readyonthei
rfeetleav
ingherfort
henight.
..
Dani
ell
e:“
Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row?
”
Shei
l
a:“
Howcany ouevenaskmet
hatquest
ion?
Yes,
Iwi
llcomeback.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Please,
bri
ngPear
ltomor
row.
”
Sheil
a:“Iwil
lbri
ngher.”shepromi sedand
l
ookedatMnot howhowasl ookingatDani el
le.
ShecalledhisnameandMnot holookedather .
“Iwon’tshoutatyouforbreakingmydaught er’
s
heartonceagainbecausey ourfirstwifehas
clear
edev er
ythingf
orme.AndIwi l
llethergo
backKwaNongomabecauseshewant stogo
backandi twassaidthatyourwi fecanbe
trusted.
”Shei
lasai
dtoMnot ho.Daniel
lehad
toldhermotherevery
thingthathappenedas
shewasbackhomenow.AndShei l
awasv ery
angrybutshepromisedher selfshewasgoi ng
tospeakt oMnothoinperson.Now, t
herewas
noneedf orhertospeakany thingtoMnotho
becauseshehadhopeev erythi
ngwasgoi ngto
wor kout.
Mnot
ho:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Shei
lanoddedonceandshehuggedDani
ell
e.
Shethenleftt
hehospi
tal
wit
hhertwo
daughter
sleavi
ngDani
ell
ewit
hMnotho…
Mnot
ho:“Pl
ease,
don’
tbeangr
ywi
thme,
MaNkosi
.”
Daniel
le:
“Yousayyoul
ovemebutit’
salways
easyforyoutol
eaveme.I
t’
salwayseasyfor
youtobreakupwit
hmebuty oul
oveme. ”
Mnot
ho:
“MaNkosi
-”
Daniel
l
e: “
Butyoualway stel
lmeaboutl eavi
ng
eachotherwithunfi
nishedfeeli
ngs.Youtel
lme
somethingthatyoudon’tdo.Orwhat ?Youwere
goingtomakemey ourmistressbecause-”
Mnot ho:
“No!Please,
don’tspeakli
kethat.Iwas
underpressuretodori
ghtandIendedup
hurt
ingyou.Iam real
l
ysor r
ysthandwasami but
youknowwhat ?Wewill
fightthi
sasaf amily
andy ou’
l
lrecover.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
IfIdon’
t?
”
Mnotho:“There’
l
lbeno‘i
fs’Nt
andokazi
becauseyou’l
lnotdi
eandleaveushere.But
youwill
li
veandwewi ll
behappy.”
Daniel
l
e:“Idon’tknowi
fIwi
l
lev
erbeabl
eto
repayHappiness.”
Mnothosmi l
edandheheldNt andokazi
’
shands.
“I
t’
sonlyGodwhoact ual
l
yr epaysgoodbygood
notus.Butal
lIwil
lwantisforusalltol
ivei
n
peaceandthatmeansIwi l
lwanthertoremarr
y
me.
”Het
oldher
.
Dani
ell
e:“
Wewi l
ll
iv
ei npeace.Shehasgi
ven
mehopethathaddied.”
MnothoheldNt andokazi
’
sfaceandshesmi l
ed
athi
sey esthatwerestar
ingather.Hegaveher
abri
efkiss.“Don’tyouev
erhidesuchthi
ngs
fr
om mebecausewhenIsai dinsi
cknessandin
heal
th.Imeantit.”Hesai
d.
Dani
ell
e:“
Iwon’t.Anddon’
tleav
eunt
ilIam
asl
eep.
”sheclosedhereyesandmadehersel
f
comfor
tabl
einsidehi
sarms…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE14

“Youar enotworki
ngtoni
ght
?”Mnt wanaasked
Simthandeast heyst
eppedof
ftheshower
together…It
’dbeenafewdayssinceNikhona
camebacki ntoSimthande’
sli
feandMntwana
wasst i
l
l bot
heredbywhatshedid.He’
ddecided
thatbeforegoi
ngoutwi t
htheguyshewas
goingtoaskher .
Si
mthande:
“Iam wor
king.
”
Mntwana:
“You’l
lrequestanUberbecauseI
won’
tbeabletofetchyou.”
Si
mthande:
“Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?”
Mntwana:
“Iam goi
ngoutwi
tht
heguy
sIt
old
you.
”
Si
mthande:
“Youcan’tgot
otheFi
cti
on.Idi
dn’
t
ev
encommentont hat.
”
Mntwana: “Whynot?”heaskedandl if
tedhis
phonef r
om thedressi
ngt ableaft
erhe’
ddried
hiswetbody .Theywereinsidethebedroom.“I
am goingoutwi t
htheguy sandIdon’tsee
anythi
ngwr ongwiththat.
”Headdedandmov ed
tothewar dr
obe.He’dplannedt ohavefunwit
h
theguysonaFr i
daynightbecauseit
’dbeena
whi
l
esi
ncehel
astwentoutwi
tht
hem.
Si
mthande:
“Whywoul
dyougooutwi
thout
me?”
Mntwana: “
Thosearey ourinsecur
it
iest
alki
ng
andplease,don’
teventr ytostopmebecauseI
wil
lbewi t
hmyf ri
ends.”Het ol
dherandhe
chuckl
edlookingathisphone, hewasn’
treal
ly
chuckl
ingbuthewaspr etendi
ngbecausethi
s
wastheonl ywaythathecoul daskherabout
herandNikhona.
Simthande:
“What
’st
her
eony
ourphonet
oti
tt
er
about?”
Mntwanamov edt
oSi mthande’sdir
ect
ionand
helookedather‘f
inebutts’andhewasf orced
tosmile.Si
mthandewasn’ tl
ookingathim but
shewasf ocusedonapply i
nghermakeupf or
herdaywi t
hhersist
er.
Mnt
wanast
oodbehi
ndSimt hande.“
Dosi st
ers
r
eal
l
ydothi
sthi
ngoftest
ingtheirsi
ster
’s
partner
s.Myf ri
endjusttextedmet hathe’d
fail
edat estfr
om hisgirl
fri
end’ssister.He
thoughtthesisterwasreallyi
ntohi m butshe
wasn’tintohim shewasj usttest
inghi m.”He
askedherhol di
ngherwai standher ubbed
himselfonherbut tcheekandhehear dagi ggl
e
from Si
mt hande.
Simthande:“
Yourquest
iongoeswi
thr
ubbi
ng
yourdickonmyass?”
Mnt wana:“
Iam aski
ngaquesti
on.
”He
respondedandlaidhi
sli
psonherneckand
Simthandehel
dt hebackofhi
snecktostop
him.“WhatareyoudoingnowbecauseIam
tryi
ngtopenetr
ateyouremoti
ons?
”Heasked.
Simthande:“
No,Iam goingoutwithmysi ster
andIdon’twanttobelateandy oushouldn’
tbe
l
ateforwork.Andtoanswery ourfi
rstquestion,
mysi st
erandIusetodot hattoourboy f
ri
ends.
Wewoul dtestt
hem justtoseehowst rongand
seri
oustheywere,aboutus.”
Mntwana:“
That’
sri
dicul
ousbutnowcanwe
j
usthavesomesnackoftwomi nut
es?Iwi
l
l
makeitver
yfast
.”
Si
mt hande:“Youknowthaty
oudon’
tlastt
wo
minutesandl astni
ghty
ouwentonandonunt
il
Iwasact ual
l
yt ir
ed.
”
Mntwana:“Thatwasexpectedbecausewehad
qui
teanumberofr oundsbutIcan’tgetenough
ofyou.Canwer eal
l
yhaveaqui cki
e?”
Simthande: “
No, Iam gett
ingdressedandy ou
shoulddot hesame. ”Shesaidandmov edaway
fr
om himt ell
ingherselfshewasn’taboutto
givehim hervaginawhenev erhewant edit
.He
wassupposedt oknowt hatevent houghshe
wasn’tgoingt otel
lhim upfr
ontbuthewas
goingtoknowt hatshecouldsay‘No’ whenever
shewant edtosay‘ No’
Mnt
wana:
“Youarenotbei
ngfai
r.
”Hesaid
f
eel
i
ngrel
i
evedthatNi
khonawasjustpl
ayi
nga
gamewi thhi
m.Hewasr eli
evedt
hatmeant
Nikhonawasn’tgoi
ngtobreakSi
mthande’
s
heartagai
n.Hedidn’
tneedtoworr
y.
Si
mt hande:“
Iam bei
ngf
air
,babe.Whatdi
dyour
fr
iend’
sgirl
fr
ienddo?
”
Mnt wanal aughedandnarrat
edhi
sli
e.“She
forgavehim becauseyouknowasaguy ,he
blackmailedherbysayinghewantedtoteach
hersisteralessonnotthathewasgoi
ngt o
sleepwi t
hher .
”
Simthandel
aughed.“
No,
way
sandshebel
i
eved
that
?”Sheasked.
Mntwana:
“Yes,andthey
’ret
oget
her
.Youwon’t
comebackhere?Icanseethaty
ouarepacki
ng
abag.
”
Simthande:“Iwil
lgotoworkstrai
ghtfr
om my
si
ster.Let’
sgo.”Sheplacedherbagonher
shoulderandshet ookhi
soffi
cebag.Shegav
e
i
ttoMnt wana.“Canwegoonahol iday
begi
nningofDecember?”Sherequestedwhat
hadbeenonherwishes.She’
dwi shedtogoon
ahol
idaywithhi
m.
Mnt wana: “Inormallygohomei nDecemberand
thisy earmybr otherisgett
ingmarr
ied.Iwi
ll
reallyneedt ogohome. ”hetol
dherandthey
steppedi nsidethecar ,
Mnt wanat
akingthe
driverseat.
Si
mthande:
“ThatmeansIwi
l
lbeal
oneher
e.”
Mntwana:“
No,becausey
ouhaveyoursi
ster
nowandyoutwocancomet otheweddi
ng.
You’
ll
bookint
omama’ sl
odgebecauseIdon’t
haveahousebackhome.Itwi
l
lbeveryfun.
”
Si
mt hande:“Butwecangof oraweekona
hol
iday.Iknowt haty
ouwon’ tj
ustgohomeby1
December .Cany out
hinkaboutit
?”
Mnt
wana:
“Wher
edoy
ouwantt
ogo?
”
Si
mthande:
“Zi
mbabwe!
”sher
epl
i
edqui
ckl
y.
Mntwana:“Whoa!Doy ouhav
eanex-
lov
ert
hat
youwanttofoll
owi nZi
mbabwe?Whywoul
d
yourepl
ythatquickl
y?”
Simthandegiggled.“
No,Ihaveal
wayswanted
tovisi
tthecountry.
”Shetol
dhim andl
ookedat
him asthey
’vereachedthehotel
whereher
sist
erwas.
Mntwana:“
Iwill
thinkabouti
tandyouhavea
goodday.
”Hesai dandtheysai
dagoodbye
ki
ss…Simthandesteppedoutofthecar
…
Mnt wanaandhi sf ri
endssteppedi nsidethe
shimmybeachcl ub.Theychangedl astmi nute
withhi sfri
endsthattheywer enol ongergoi ng
tot heclubtheyhav edeci
dedon.Theywer e
planningonhav i
nganabsol ute‘guy s’night’
withnowomenont heVIPsect i
ont hatthey’v
e
plannedonoccupy ing…Theal cohol wasser ved
tot hem thewayt hey’v
eorderedi t.Theywer e
alreadytalki
ngandl aughi
ng, havingagood
ti
met ogetherwhiletheywatchedpeopl edance.
“Wecanhav eagoodti
mebutIwon’ tgohome
al
one.”AvelaaXhosaguy,oneofMnt wana’
s
fr
iendscommentedtohisfri
endsashe’dseen
abeauty.Allt
het
hreefr
iendslookedathim as
hewasdoi ngwhathedi
dbest .
“Butthatwasn’ ttheplan.Whydoy oualways
changeourpl ansbecauseIknowf orsurethat
Mnt wanawi llwantt ofol
lowy ourfootsteps
now? ”Mar k,acolouredguyaskedandt heot her
threelaughed…Theywer ef ourguy snotreally
fri
endslikeclosef r
iendsbutt heywor ked
togetherinthebusi nessindustry.Theyshar ed
thi
ngst ogetherandf unbutMnt wanashar ed
mostofhi sper sonal l
i
fewithhisbr other,
Ngcebo.
“Mntwanaliveswit
hhisgirl
andt hatmeanshe
hasagirlhe’
sgoinghomet o.”BuzweaZul u
guy,
her emindedtheotherthr
eeandt hey
l
aughed.
Mar
k:“
How’
sst
ayi
ngwi
thawomanbecauseal
l
Iknowi
sthatyoudon’
twantt
ogetmar
ri
edbut
nowyouarecohabi
ti
ng.
”
Mntwanachuckl
ed.“I
t’
sfunandgoodbecauseI
don’
thavetoact
uall
ymakeplanstohavesex
wit
hherandIthi
nkIam begi
nningtol
oveher
notj
ustl
ike.
”
Theguyswhistl
ed.“Youarej
uststay
ingwith
herbecauseofsexnotbecauseyouloveher
don’
tconfuseyoursel
f.
”Avel
atol
dMnt wana
whathethought.
Mntwana:
“It
’snotl
ikethatandlook,Ir
eal
l
y
wantaser
iousrel
ati
onshipwithherandshe
l
iv
edwithmebecauseshedi dn’thav
eaplace
t
ostay.
”
Buzwe:“I
fyouwantaseriousrel
ati
onshipwi
th
hergetheraplacewher
eshe’lll
i
vealone
becausecohabit
ingwi
ll
defini
tel
ydestr
oyyour
rel
ati
onshi
p.”
Mnt
wana:
“Howso?
”
Avela:“She’l
lbeallupinyourfacel
i
key ourwife
andy ou’l
lregreti
tbutifyoucanhaveyourown
spaceandgi v
ehert hespaceshedeservesthen
you’
llbegood.Youknowwomencanbet oo
much. ”
Mar k:“Yougott otakethei
radv i
cesbecauseI
agreewi ththem andy ouknowwhenIagr ee
withsomet hing,ital
waysright.Andi
t’
snotl i
ke
youcan’ taff
ordt opayforher.Shealr
eadyhas
fundsf orherstudiesnextyearandasast udent
she’ll
needherspace. ”Hesai dandthey
l
aughed.
Mnt wana:“
Iwi
lltal
ktoherthenbecauseIthink
youhav eapoi
nt.Ican’
tbeli
eveyouaregivi
ng
mesoundadv i
ces!”helookedatthem andthey
cracked.
Buzwe:“
Iam t
aki
ngsomeonehomet
oni
ghtas
well
.Mark?
”
Mar
k:“
Nah,
Iwi
l
lcal
lmygi
rl
.Iam noti
namood
f
orsomeoneel
se.
”
Mntwana: “
Don’tevenaskme. ”hesaidandthey
al
llaughedchanting‘weweren’t
’Theguys
decidedonlesstalki
ngaboutgirl
s…Whatt hey
pl
annedondi dn’thappenbecausetheyhad
somebeaut i
fulwomenoccupy ingthei
rspace.
Andt heywerecompel l
edtosharethei
rspace
wit
ht hem…
“Iwil
l dri
vey out oyourplaceandwe’ l
l hav eyour
carfollowus.Buzwewi l
ldri
vet hecar.”
Mnt wanat oldt hecaramel t
allandthi
nwoman
who’dbeenwi t
ht hem ontheVI Psection.She
wasn’ tenti
relydrunkbutshewashi ghf rom
smoki ngweedwi t
hMnt wanaandBuzwebyt he
beach.Thet hreeofthem lefttheclubf orsome
cool breeze.Mnt wanacameupwi ththei dea
andt hewomanf oll
owedhi m.Buzwet agged
alongbecausehewasr unni
ngawayf rom some
girlt
hathe’ dthoughthewoul dtakehome.
Buzwe:
“Iwi
l
l?”heaskedashewasn’
texpect
ing
whathewassay
ing.
Mntwana:“
Yes,y
ou’l
lbeagent
lemenand
f
oll
owus.Iwil
ldri
veyoubackt
oy ourcar
.”He
r
espondedandpull
edthewomanbyherhand.
Neli
swawashername.“Your eal
l
ydon’thavet
o
dri
vemebecauseIam notdrunkIjustt
hinkmy
headisai
ry.
”Shecommentedasshecoul dhear
thetwomendecidi
ngondriv
inghert oher
house.
Mntwanachuckl
edandopenedt hepassenger
doorf
orher.Nel
iswasteppedinsi
dethecarand
Mntwanatookhercarkeys,hegavet
hem to
Buzwe…
“Youbetternotkeepmewai t
ing.”Buzwesai dto
Mntwanawhowaswal ki
ngNeliswai nsi
deher
cosygreycolouredmansionl
ocat edint he
Norther
nSubur bs.Buzwewaswal kingbackt o
Mntwana’scaraf t
erpacki
ngNel i
swa’ scar
i
nsidethegarageofhermansi on.
Mntwana: “
Iwon’tbelong.”Heshout edf orhi
m
andclosedthemai ndooroft hehouset hat
l
ookedst y
li
shandf amineshowi ngshel ived
al
one.Mnt wanalookedatherasshewas
l
aughinghedecidedthathewasgoi ngtocar ry
hert
oanyr oom thathesawasabedr oom.The
mansionwasn’tadoublest ory.Hecarri
edher
i
ntohisarmsandhewal kedar oundthehouse
aski
ngheraboutt hemast erbedroom andhe
fi
nal
lyfoundit.
“Youhav estrongarms. ”Shecomment edas
Mnt wanawasl ay
ingherdownonherki ngsize
bedcov eredinwhi t
e.Shehel dMntwana’sarms
andl ookedintohiseyes.“Itget
slonel
yher e
andwoul dy ouspendt henightwit
hme? ”she
requestedonapol i
tevoiceandhookedherl eg
onhi swaist.
Mntwana: “
Youarehi
ghandIthinkyouneedto
sl
eep.”Heinfor
medherandtri
edtolether
handsloosebutshedi
dn’
tletgoofhisarms.
Shei nsteadpul l
edMnt wana’sfaceinvi
tingi
t
closert ohers.Mnt wanadidn’tt
oughenupbut
her elaxedandheal l
owedhert okisshim.He
kissedherf ullpi
nkpast edli
psbackwi thout
givi
ngi tathought .Theysharedateasingkiss
thathadanumberofpausi ngandMnt wana
wasconsci ousofwhatwashappeni ng.Neli
swa
wasconsci ousofwhatwashappeni ng.
Neliswa:“
Youdon’
tmind,doy ou?
”sheasked
withoutl
ooki
ngathim butshewashopingthat
hewoul dagr
eebecauseshewashor nyfr
om
thekiss.
Mnt
wana:
“Doy
ouhav
econdoms?
”
Neli
swa: “
Yes,Ihavethem andIdon’tknowi f
youar ecomf ortabl
ewitht
onguekissing?”she
askedl ookingathim nowandMnt wanadi dn’
t
answerherbuthesmashedhi sli
psonherl i
ps.
Heknewhi sfri
endwaswai ti
ngforhim buthe
couldn’tsay‘no’tothi
swomanbecauseshe
l
ookedappet i
sing.
MntwanaunzippedNeliswa’spinkleatherj
acket
andhisey
essetonhersmal lsizedbreastt
hat
wereonablackbra.Hesmi l
edasshewasn’ t
weari
nganyshirtbeneaththejacket.They
undr
essedoneanot herwit
houtanyr ush.
Nel
i
swa:
“Doy
our
emembery
ourf
ri
end?
”
Mntwana: “Yes,
Irememberhi m andhehasmy
carkeys.Ifhe’
scleverhe’l
lfi
gureoutwhat
’s
happening.He’l
lei
therrequestUberordr
ivemy
car.
”
“That’
sfine,
then.
”Shesaidandturnedherhead
tobedsidedrawershestret
chedherarm and
openedittolookforcondoms.“Here.
”Shegave
them tohim andMntwanatookthecondoms
from her
.
Mntwana:“
Younor
mal
l
ydot
his?
”heasked
put
ti
ngiton.
Neli
swa:“
Doyounormal
lyagr
eewhent
heyask
youto?Doyounor
mall
yputwomenonthei
r
beds?
”sheanswer
edhi
m wi
thaquest
ion.
Mnt
wana:
“Yout
empt
edmewi
thy
ourey
es.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“Idi
dn’
tfor
cey
ou.
”
Mnt wanasepar atedherlegsl ooki
ngatherf ace
andher ubbedhi msel fonherent r
ance.He
wasn’taboutt oexer ci
seallhisforeplayonher .
Hecoul dseet hatshewasj ustawomanwho
wasdy ingfrom sal t
.Helookedatherasshe
closedherey esgiv i
nghisear sadifferentkind
ofmoans.I nhi searsitsoundedl i
keshewasn’ t
respondingtoasexpl easurebutsomer hyt
hm.
Mnt wanasmi ledandr ushedt oenterher
becausehewant edt ohearherwhenhewas
i
nsideher .Hel i
ft
edhersi nglelegandhepl aced
i
tonherupperbody .Slowlyandgent lehet hrust
i
nsideherandhel ookedatherhandsast hey
graspedonherbedsheet s.
Mntwanagroanedashewasinsi
deherandhe
f
oldedherl
eglayi
ngitatt
hebackonherthi
gh.
Hisupperbodylai
donher sbuthislef
thand
holdi
ngthefol
dedleg,hebegant hr
usti
ngona
smoothpaceandhi seyeslookedather.
Mnt wana:“Canyouopeny oureyes?
”he
requestedonat hi
ck,heavyvoi
cebutNeli
swa
didn’topenhereyes.Mntwanastopped
thrusti
ngonher.
Sheopenedherey es.“What’
s…wrong?”She
askedpantingshesuckedherlowerl
iplooki
ng
atMnt wana’swetchestbuthewasn’
tgiveher
hardthrust
s.
Mnt
wana:
“Isai
dopeny
ourey
es.
”
Nel
iswa:“
Why?Ar
eyoui
ntendi
ngonf
all
i
ngi
n
l
ovewithme?
”
Mntwanachuckl
ed.“
Theyt
oldy
oul
i
ket
hat
?”He
asked.
Neliswa:
“Don’
tyouknowt hat,
it’
seasi
ertofal
l
i
nl ovewit
hsomeonewheny ougazeint
otheir
eyeswhilehav
ingsexespecial
lyslowmoti
on
sex?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Ithadhappenedt
oyou,
bef
ore?
”
Neli
swa:“Yes,
andal
lowmet oclosemyeyes
becausethi
swill
beaone-ni
ghtthi
ng.Iam sur
e
youwon’tcomebackthenextday.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Andi
fIwantt
ocomeback?
”
Neli
swa:“Iwon’topenmyey essti
ll
.Andplease,
makemef eelgoodli
keyouwer edoi
ng.Il
ove
i
t.
”Sherequest edpul
li
nghisnecktokisshim
buthedidn’tagreet
hatshekisseshi
m.“What ’
s
wrong?
”sheasked.
Mnt wana:“
Iwanttoheary ourvoice.”Hetold
herandproceededwithhisslowt hrust.Neli
swa
beganmoani ngasshef el
tgoodagai n…
Mnt wanapull
edtheotherlegandwi thina
secondhehadbot hherlegsf ol
dedbef oreher
andhet hr
ustontoatightharderandhe
groaneddeeplyf
eeli
ngexci t
edinsideher .
“
EH!EH!EH!EH!
”Nel
i
swar
hyt
hmi
cal
l
ymoaned
l
ouderasshef eltherwal lscloseinaroundhi m
sharplybuthest opped.Sheopenedherey es
andshesawasmi lefrom hisface.Butshe
didn’taskany thingt hi
st i
mear ound.Shedi dn’t
knowwhathewasdoi ngnowandshedi dn’t
wantt okeepaski ng.Shecl osedherey esagai n
ashebegant hrustingoncemor e…Mnt wana
rubbedhi sthumbonNel i
swa’sclit
oriswhi l
ehe
wasbusyt hrustinghar der.Hewant edt ogive
herani ntensecl imaxjustt ohearcum…
Neliswascr eamedl ouderandshel etallthe
pressureofhercl imaxr el
ease.Shev ibratedas
shegav eanexpl osionofasqui r
t.Justlikea
kitt
enshecr i
edl etti
ngheremot i
onsr estand
shehear dMnt wanachuckl eproudly…Shekept
herey esclosed.
Mnt
wana:“Howlonghasitbeen?”heasked
movi
ngawayfrom herandhesearchedfora
t
owelar
oundherroom.
Nel
i
swa:
“Howl
onghasi
tbeen,
what
?”she
askedlookingatherwetbedandshesmi l
edas
shecouldn’trememberwhenl astdidaman
makeherf eel t
hisgood.Shewasl ayingonher
bedstil
lwithherlegsv i
brat
ingandhi m walki
ng
aroundther oom looki
ngforsomet hing.She
admiredhisbody .
Mnt wana:“You,wi
thouthavi
ngsex?Youlooked
sov ul
nerableandthatwasjustmylowest
performance.”Hesaidsit
ti
ngonthebedas
he’dlookedforatowelthatwasn’
taroundt
he
room.
Nel
iswalaughed.“
Youaretr
yingt
omakefunof
mebecausey oucanhavesexwhenev
ery
ou
want?”Sheaskedandsatupnow.
Mnt
wana:
“No,
Iwasaski
ng.
”
Neli
swa:“I
t’
sbeenawhil
e.IthinkIshoul
d
changethebedandyoucangocheckony our
fr
iend.I
fhe’
ssti
ll
her
eIwillexpectthaty
ou
won’tcomeback.
”
Mnt wana:“
Andy ou’l
lexpectmetocomebackif
he’snothere.
”Neli
swanoddedandgotupf rom
thebed.Sheremov edthebedcover
slooki
ngat
him.“IfImayask,though!”Mnt
wanaadded.
Nel
i
swa:
“Yes.
”
Mntwana:“
Howol
dar
eyou?Iknowy
oumi
ght
notl
ike-
”
Nel
i
swa:
“Iam 30y
ear
sol
dandy
ouar
e?”
Mnt wanalaughedanddidn’tanswerher
becausehecoul dn’
tbeli
evethatshewas
actual
ly30y ear
sold.Andhisguesswas, she
wasl yi
ng.“Youarejoki
ng.”
Neli
swamar chedtoherbagandshetookout
herI
D, shet
hrewitathi
m.AndMnt wana
confi
rmedthatthi
swomanbef or
ehim was30
year
s.
Nel
i
swa:
“Howol
dar
eyou?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Whatdoy
out
hink?
”
Neli
swa: “
Ican’tjudgeyoubyy ourl
ooksand
bodystruct
urebecauseev er
yonetel
lsmethatI
am ly
ingifItell
them Iam 30y ear
s.Thepubl
ic
thi
nksIam lyingaswel landthatmeansIcan’
t
tel
lbylooki
ngaty ou.
”
Mntwana:
“Iam 29y
ear
sandbypubl
i
cwhatdo
youmean?”
Neli
swa:“Youalsodon’tl
ook29y ear
sandby
publ
icImeanpeopl e.Iam knownbythe
modell
ingagencythatIrunandIco-owna
numberofhotel
s.”
Mnt
wana:
“Oh!Nowondery
ourbody
-”
Neliswa:“No,don’tsaythatbecauseIam
natural
lysli
m andIdon’ teveneatl
ikemodel s
shouldeat.Andy etIam amodel .Please,
y our
fr
iend.”Sheencour agedandt ooktheIDfrom
hi
m.Mnt wananodded…
Neli
swaplacedherpi
nksi
lkshor
tgownonher
bodyaf
terchangi
ngherbed.Andshewal
ked
aroundther
oom hopi
ngMnt wanawasgoingto
comeback.Shewantedtohaveagoodt i
me
withhi
m andfor
getabouthermother
’scr
ies.
“He’sgone! ”Heli
edtoNeliswaappearingfr
om
herbedr oom.Hef oundBuzwesl eepi
nginsi
de
hiscarandheaskedhi mtodr i
vewithhiscar
andhi sthingstohispl
ace.Hewasgoi ngto
takeitinthemor ni
ng.Heleft…
Neliswasmil
edandsher ushedtoMntwana
remov i
ngthegownfrom herbody.Mntwana
wasl ooki
ngatherbodywithast r
ongprey
ing
eye.Shejumpedonhim andt heyshar
eda
kiss…
“Icancal
lmydri
vertodri
veyoutoy ourplace.
”
ShesaidtoMntwanagivi
nghim ajungleoatbar.
I
twasaSat ur
daymor ni
ng.Mntwanawas
l
eav i
ng.
Mnt
wana:
“Iwanty
ournumbernoty
ourdr
iver
.”
Nel
i
swal
ookedathi
m ashesai
dthatt
oher
.“I
thoughtyourfr
iendl
eftwi
thyourphone.”She
saidtohim wit
houtshowi
ngthatshedidn’t
expectthathewouldaskforhercel
lphone
number .
Mnt wana: “
Ther earepenandpaper s.
”Neli
swa
thent ur
nedt ot hekitchendrawthathadthepen
andt hepaper .Shet henwr ot
ehernumberf or
Mnt wana.“Youcanal sodri
vemet oBuzwe’s
place.Thanky oufort henumber.Iwil
lcall
you
andi fit
’snotwor kingIwi l
ldri
vetoyourhouse
becauseIknowt headdr ess.
”hesaidlooki
ngat
thenumber .
Neliswashookherhead.“Letmedriv
eyou
then.”Shemar chedt
othedoor.Shewason
bluetracksui
ts.AndMntwanawasonhis
clot
hes…
Mntwana’sconsci
ousremindedhimthathehad
agirl
fr
iendandwhowasi nsecur
e.Hewas
remember i
ngthi
snowbecausehewasont he
all
evi
atortaki
nghimtohi
sapar t
ment.He
hopedt
hatmay
beshewassl
eepi
ng…
Heopenedthedoortohisapart
mentandhi s
eyeslai
donNikhonaseatedonthecouchand
foodwasonthecoffeetabl
ewithabottl
eof
wineandgl
asses.Musicwasplayi
nginthe
apart
mentbuthecouldn’
tseeSimthande.
Mnt
wana:
“Hey
,wher
e’smygi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Ni
khona:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Mntwana:“Yes,
yes,
Iam al
i
ve.Wher
e’smy
gi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Nikhona:“
Shewentouttobuysomeweed
becauseherandIdeci
dedwearehavi
ngapart
y
i
ny ourabsence.Wher
edidyousl
eepl
astni
ght
?
Iwashere.”
Mntwana:“Oh!Youar
est
il
lsear
chi
ngmef
or
si
ster
s’r
ules?”
Ni
khonasmi
l
ed.“Ibety
ouwerewi
thay ounger
womanwho’
syourage.Notmysi
sterwho’s
act
ual
l
yfi
veyear
sol
dert
hany
ou.
”Shesai
dwi
th
asmugsmil
e.
Mntwanat or
mentedhisjawandhewonder ed
howdidsheseehi sage.Shecouldn’
thavejust
guessedbecauseaperson’sagewasnot
somethingyoucanguess.Hedidn’tsay
anyt
hingtoherbuthemov edtothebedroom
way.
Nikhona: “Iwantsomet hi
ngthaty ouhav eandif
youdon’ tgiveittome.Iwilldefi
nitelytel
lmy
sisterthatyou21y earsoldandy ou’ v
ebeen
l
y i
ngaboutbei ng27years.Andbel ieveme
she’llbefuri
ouswi t
hy ouandy ou’l
l ki
ssyour
relati
onshipgoodby ebecauseshedoesn’ tl
ike
l
iars.Anddat ingyoungmeni snotsomet hing
thatshel i
kes.”SheblackmailedMnt wanaas
shesawhewaswal ki
ngawayf rom herwi thout
say i
ngawor dnowt hatsheknewhi sage.
Mntwana:“Whatdoy
ouwant?”hel
ookedback
atherandhemaskedhi
sangerwit
hkeepi
ng
hi
sey
esst
il
lonher
.
Ni
khona:
“Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Mntwanat urnedt ohisbedroom asheheard
thefr
ontdoort urning.Heclickedhi
stongue
real
i
singthatNi khonami ghthavemeantit
whenshewant edhi mtosleepwi t
hher.Maybe
shewasn’ttestinghim…
“Mysisterishereandt hatmeansy oucan’
t
l
eav eforthebathroom wi t
hatowel wr
apped
aroundy ourwaistbutweary ourgown.
”
Simthandet ol
dMnt wanaast heymetupont he
door.Mnt wanawasl eavingforthebat
hroom.
Mntwana:“
Yoursi
stersl
epther
e?”heasked
pul
li
nghertobyherhand.Hewasangrythat
thi
swomancamet obet r
oubl
einhisl
if
e.
Si
mt hande:“Yes,shewasi nthecl
ubandwe
drov
eher e.Iexpectedthatyoumightnotcome
backhere.AndwhenIcal l
edinthemorning,
Buzweanswer edy ourphoneandsaidyouwer e
sl
eepi
nghi
shouse.
”
Mntwana:
“Oh.Di
dyoumi ssme?”heasked
ki
ssi
ngherandmovedwithhert
ot hedoor
whil
eki
ssi
ngher.Si
mthandewasholdinghi
s
ar
ms.
Si
mthandegiggledaftert
heki
ss.“No,Iwas
wi
thmysister.Andy ouneedtoshowerIwill
gi
veyoubreakfast.
”Shesaidopeni
ngt hedoor.
Mnt wana: “
Alri
ght
,there’
ssomethi
ngIwantus
totalkabout .
”Hetoldherastheypart
edway s
andSi mthandechanted‘Okay’Mntwanajogged
tothebat hroom f
eeli
nglessworri
edthatshe
didn’
tmisshi m…
~~~~~~
“Sawubona,wentombi.”Thembelihl
egr eet
ed
Happinesswhowasst andingbeforethestove
onaMonday .Shewascooki nglunch.Mnot ho
wasatwor kandthethreeyoungchildrenwere
i
nt hehousewhil
eSiphosami wasatschool .
Happinessl
ookedbackandsmi l
ed.She
marcheduptoThembelihl
e.“Sawubona,
mama
unj
ani?”SheaskedandhuggedThembelihl
e.
Thembel i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandIam happyt
hatyou
arehere.Iam act
uall
yoverwhel
medbyallt
his
andIfeelaweofy ourhear
t.”
Happiness:“
Youaret
alki
ngaboutwhatIhave
deci
dedt odoforMaNkosi
?”sheaskedtur
ning
onthekettl
eandThembeli
hlesatdownonthe
chai
r.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes,Ipassedbytheloungeand
she’
swit
hthechi
ldren.Shedoesn’
tlookver
y
muchhealt
hyandstrong.Ar
ey ousureyoucan
dothi
s?”
Happi
ness:“
Ihav
epr
omi
sedandIcan’
tgoback
onmywor d.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ I
t’
sbeent
womor
ningswi
thher
andhowarethey?”
Happi
ness:
“Thi
sisherf
ir
stcy
cleoft
he
tr
eatmentandt
hesideeff
ect
sarenotreal
l
y
goodmama.Lastni
ghtshesnappedatthe
chi
ldr
enfornor
eason.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
ButdidyouandMnot
hot
ell
the
chi
ldr
enabouthercondi
ti
on?
”
Happi
ness:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Youhavetositthechil
drendown
andmaket hem underst
andt hatshe’
lldothis
andthat’
sbecauseshe’ssick.Ifyoudon’ttel
l
them t
heymi ghtr
esentherandt hat’
snot
wanted.
”
Happi
ness:
“Butwedon’
twantt
ost
resst
hem.
”
Thembel ihle:
“Youwon’ tstr
essthem because
you’l
ltell
t hem thatyouneedtolookafterher,
all
ofy ou.Andev enwithstayi
ngheretogether
thi
sissomet hingthatthey’
renotusedtoand
youwer esupposedt otell
them t
hatit
’s
tempor ar
y .Chil
drenshouldbeinformedof
thi
ngshappeni ngaroundthem sothatifthey
havetodeal
withchangethei
rmemorywil
lpick
upthatt
heywereinfor
med.Theyhav
efeel
ings
tooandyouknowt hat
.”
Happiness:“Yes,youareri
ghtmamaandt hank
youforthat.Iwil
ltal
ktotheirf
atherandwewil
l
havetotell
t hem t
onight
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sgoodandy
ourf
atherwhat
di
dhesay?Shoul
dIworry?
”
Happi
ness:
“Don’
twor
ryabouthi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Wheny ouf
eelthaty
ouareweak
andneedhelp.Don’
thesi
tat
et opi
ckupyour
phoneandcallme.Orcal
lNkosazana,
weare
behi
ndyou.”
Happi
ness:
“Thanky
ou,
mama.Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembel
ihle:
“Godwil
lbl
essy
ouabundantl
y
andyou’
llbehappy
.Igi
vemyblessi
ngst
oy ou
mychil
d.”
Happi
ness:
“Thanky
ou.Ir
ecei
ve.
”shesmi
l
ed
andpl acedt het r
ayoffoodbeforeThembel i
hle
withahear tfull
ofjoyasshe’dreceived
blessingsf rom Thembeli
hle.Shedidn’twantto
gobackherwor dsev enthoughshe’dbeentold
thatitwasgoi ngtobeal ongwayf orherwit
ha
sickper son…
“Ithinkt heytookthatal i
ttl
ewellthanI
thought .”Mnot hosaidtoHappi nessandhe
gav eheracupofcof feethathe’dmade.
Happi nessandhi m hadspokent othechildr
en
tel
lingt hem thatDaniell
ewassi ck.Pear
l cri
ed
whent heywer etoldaboutt hatbutHappiness
hushedherdown.Theyspoket othechi
ldrenas
Thembel ihl
ehadadv i
sedt hem.
Happiness:“
Thanky ou.Yes, t
heypr omi
sedthey
wil
lbeongoodbehav i
ourandIam r eal
l
y
hopi
ngt hatt
heywi l
l under
stand.”Shetookthe
coff
eef r
om him andMnot hosatnextt oheron
thecouch…Daniellewassl eepinginthe
bedroom andPearl wassleepingwithher.
Mnotho:“
Yes.Ihavebeenmeani
ngt
oasky
ou
aboutsomet
hing.”
Happi
ness:
“What
?”
Mnot ho:“WhenMaNkosi recov ers,whatwil
l
happen?Iwi sh,
no, Iwantyout ostayherewi t
h
thechildren.Idon’twantyout ogobackt oy our
father’
shouse.MaMt himkhulu, pl
ease,st
op
pushingmeawaybecauseIwantust obe
together.Iwanty oubackasmywi fe.
”
Happi nesslookedatMnot hoandshe
remember edthatshe’dpromi sedDaniell
eshe
wasgoi ngtostaybutshedi dn’ttel
lthatt
o
Mnot ho.Sher emov edherey esfrom Mnotho
andlookedathercof fee.“Canwet alkabout
thi
saf tershehasr ecovered?I t’
snotr i
ghtto
speakaboutt hiswhi l
eshe’ sst i
ll
sick.Andeven
i
fIsayIwantust ofixwhatweal mosthadI
don’tthinkwecanf i
xitwhi l
eshe’ shereand
she’
ssi ck.”Shesaidt oMnot holookingathim.
Mnothonoddedwi t
hashor tsmil
e.“Iappreci
ate
thatr
esponsebecauseit
’snottel
li
ngmet ogo
tohel
landIam notpreparedtogothere.”He
comment edandhelookedatherasshe
l
aughedathiscomment .
Happiness:
“Iwil
lhavemycof feeinmyr oom.”
shesaidandstoodupt oleav
ehi m becauseshe
wasf eel
i
ngawkwar dnowbecausehewas
l
ookingatherstr
angely.Hewasl ookingather
thewayhe’dneverbefore…
HappinessopenedDaniel
le’sroom t
ocheckif
theyweresleepi
ngwithPear l
.“Hawu,y
ouare
notsleepi
ng?”Happi
nessaskedasshesaw
Daniell
eseatedonherbut
t swithasketchpad
andpencilonherhand.
Dani
elle:“
Yes,Iam designingadressf
or
Nandipha.Sheaskedt hatIdesi
gnthedress
she’
l
lwearont heev entshe’l
lat
tendwit
h
Ngcebo.”
Happiness:“
Youshoul
dberesti
ngnotwor
king.
Doyout hi
nkthati
t’
sagoodideathaty
ouwork
whil
ey ouaresi
ck?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Yes,Iwanttomakethi
sdressf
orher
.
Whatift
hisi
sthelastdr
essIwil
lev
ergetto
desi
gn?Iwanttomakeit.
”
Happi ness:“
Yousee?Youar emaki ngthi
s
dressf orwrongr easons.Therear enumberof
designersinJohannesbur g,whydi dNandi pha
asky out omakeadr essforherwhi leshe
knowsy ouaresick?Youwon’ tfocusony our
healthnowbuty ou’l
lfocusonmaki ngthi
s
dressbecausei tshoul dbeper f
ectasy ou
beli
ev eitwouldbet helastdressy ou’l
lmake.”
Dani
ell
e:“Ihaveal
readyagreedt
omakethe
dr
essforherIcan’
tturnherdownandIwantt
o
makethisdressHappiness.
”
Happiness:
“Iwi
ll
cal
lherandt
ell
hert
haty
ou
can’
tbedoinganywork.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Comeon,
Iam notachi
l
d.”
“TheDoct orsaidit’
simportantt hatyouget
enoughr estandt hat’
swhaty ouneed. ”Shesaid
takingthesket chpadf rom herhandsandshe
placedi tonherwar dr
obe.“Please, getsome
rest.”Shei nsi
sted…Dani el
l
el ai
ddownand
Happi nessl ef
tthebedr oom afterswi t
chingof
f
themai nl i
ghts…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE13

“
Hawu, mama!Mama! ”Simil
oscr
eamedather
motherbecauseshedidn’
twantt
oli
stent
o
whatshewast el
l
inghertodo.
Nandipha:“Cli
mbdownt hest
air
s!Wearegoi
ng
home. ”sheshout
edatherandpoint
edthe
stai
rs.Simil
osqual
ledandtur
nedtocli
mb
downthest ai
rsashermot herhadi nstr
ucted…
I
twasaSundaymor ningandal lthechildr
en
weredressedupandr eadyt odri
v edownt o
KZN.Nhlakaniphohadleftthehouse, hi
s
motherarri
vedearl
yinthemor ni
ngt otakehim.
“Whyisshecryi
ngnow? ”Ngceboaskedplaci
ng
thepil
l
owsont hebed.He’djustf
ini
shed
makingthebed.Hewasdr essedandreadyto
dri
vehome.
Nandipha:“
Shewantstowatchimv el
oandIam
tel
li
ngherthatwecan’
twatchittodaybecause
wear edri
vi
ngdowntoKZN. ”Sherepl
iedand
satonthedressi
ngchai
rtofixherheadforthe
road.
Ngcebo:
“What
’st
hat
?”
Nandipha:“
It
’sashowthatIhaverecentl
y
star
tedmakingthem wat
cheverySundayaf t
er
churchwhenwedi dgotochurch.I
tbroadcasts
at11:30am.”
Ngcebo:
“Whati
sitabout
?”
Nandiphastoodupandshet ookof fhercl othes.
“It
’saboutdiff
erentSouthAfri
cant r
ibes, t
heir
cultur
es,tr
aditi
onsandcustoms.LastSunday
youwer enother eandtheywer etal
kingabout
‘
ingoma’ andSimi l
owentallcrazyov erthat.I
thinkshelovestheshowmor ethant heot her
sister
sandnow, shewantstowat chi t
.Butwe
shouldbeont her oad.
”
Ngcebo:“Butwhati
ftheydon’
ttal
kabout
i
ngomat histi
me?Anddoessheknowt hatt
hey
t
alkaboutothercul
tur
esandcustomsaswell?
”
Nandi
pha:“
Yes,theyknowandtheyalwaysask
whenit
’sadif
fer
enttri
beandIexpl
ainitt
o
t
hem whentheyask.”
Ngcebo:
“It
’sa30mi
nut
esshow?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes.
”
Ngcebo:
“There’
snoprobl
em t
henlet
’sal
low
t
hem towatchitandwewil
lgoaf
tertheshow
hadended.
”
Nandipha:
“Al
rightt
henIwi
l
lgetdr
essedaf
ter
t
ell
ingthem.”
Ngcebo: “Iam alreadygoingdowny oucango
getdr essed. ”Hesai dmar chingtot hedoorand
Nandi phamar chedt otheclosett oget
dressed…Theywer egoingt oKZNf orasole
reasont ospeakt otheirchild’sspiritandinf
orm
himt hatt heywer ehav i
ngt wobabi es.Nandipha
hadhopest hatNgcebowasn’ tgoingt oinsi
st
theyspendmor eday sinKZNbecauseshe
didn’
tl i
kei tther
e.Sheknewherchi ldren
enjoyedi tmor ewhent heywer einthathouse
andt hey ardbutsher eall
ydi dn’t
…
Nandiphawasdr essedupi nalongbl ackand
whitedress.Shemov edt othebedroom toher
phonethatwasr ingi
ng.“I’
mf al
li
nghar der
,
harder
,harder.Harderthanbefore…”Thel i
tt
le
crazywomani nherdancedandsangwi thher
ri
ngtoneinsteadofanswer i
ngthephonecal l.
“Eh!Eh!Eh!Eh!Eh”shedancedwit
hherhands
i
nt heairastheringt
onewenton.Shestopped
andlaughedonlywhenherphonehadst opped
ri
nging.Shesighedandsatonherbed.She
thencall
edDumaback.Shedi dn’
twaitl
onger…
Duma:
“Ar
eyoubusy
?”
Nandiphalaughed.“No,Iwasdanci
ngtothe
ri
ngtone.What’sup?”Sheaskedandmoved
backtotheclosetforhershoesandbag.
Duma:“Youandyourcr
azymi
nd.Icomewi
th
notsogoodnews.”
Nandi
pha:
“Whathappened?
”
Duma: “
Youbet terl
ogonli
neandr eadthe
art
icl
efrom Isol
ezweandI l
angalangesont
o
aboutPalesaandy ourbr
otheri
n-law.And
checkTwittertr
ends.”
Nandi
pha:“Ah!Duma.Iam hav
ingasl
owdown
andIhaven’
treadshi
t.
”
Duma: “
Itsomet
hingyoucan’
tignor
ebecause
yournameandhusband’snamei st
her
eand
especi
all
yonTwittery
oursi
strendi
ng.
”
Nandi phasi
ghedandcomment ed.“
Thanks,bro.
Iwillcheckitout.
”Shepromisedandremov ed
herphoneaf terDumahadsai dgoodbye.She
placedherbagonhershoul derandshemov ed
outoft heclosetpl
anni
ngshewasgoi ngto
readt heart
icl
einthecar…
“Nongcebo,canIsitony ourfat
her’
slap?”
Nandipharequest
edl ookingatNongcebowho
wasseat edonNgcebo’ slapwhil
etheywere
watchingTV.Allt
hef ourgirl
swereseatedon
onecouchandMl amul i’
ssonswer eseated
toget
her.Theywerewat ching‘I
mvelo’
Nongcebolookedathermot herandf aci
al
expr
essionchangedint
oaf rown.“Hmm!Hmm!
Mama.”Sher ef
usedbluntl
yandpl acedher
headonherfather’
schestholdi
nghi sshir
t,
Nongceboclosedhereyes.Theotherchildren
l
aughed.
Nandipha:
“You’
vehady
ourchancel
ety
our
motherhaveher
s.”
Nongcebo:
“No!
”
Nandi
pha:
“Hawu-
”
Similo:
“MAMA, UMSHINDOSHI YABUKA!”(
Stop
makingnoisemom.Wear ewat
ching.
)she
screamedforhermotherandshelookedather
withasulk.
Nandipha:
“Okay,
okay,Iwon’tsi
therewithyou.
Iwil
lbeinthecar
,babe.”Shesai
dl ooki
ngat
Ngceboandsheleftt
hehouseaf terNgcebo
hadnodded…
“Thankyou,Nandipha.Now,Iwon’thavethem
onmybackal l
thetime.”Nkosazanasai
dt o
Nandipha…Itwas8h30atni ghtandNandipha
hadjustdroppedMl amuli
’
sboy sby
Nkosazana’spalace.
Nandipha:
“Itwasfunbei
ngwiththem andhey,
they’
rewel
lmannered.Theywereoutthere
helpi
ngmewi tht
hesefiv
eratsIhave.Ihadfun,
reall
y.
”
Nkosazana:“Thankyou,wet
ryrai
singt
hem
r
ight
.Arey ouhereforl
ongor?”
Nandi
pha:“
No,wewon’tstayl
ongandIam
hopi
nghedoesn’
tchangehismindbecausey
ou
know,weal
lgott
awork.”
Nkosazana:“Yes,y
ouarer i
ght
.Iam noteven
sureifIwi
llseeyouagain.Wehardl
yseey ou
evenwheny ouarehere.Youareli
kethat
dist
antrel
ativ
e.”
Nandiphalaughed.“Lifehappened.Ihavetogo
now,ndlovukazi.Il
eftthem cr
yinginthecar
they
’rerestl
essandhungr y.Ngcebosaidhe’l
l
seehisbrothertomor r
ow.Iam r eal
l
ynotsureif
Iwil
lseey ou.”shetoldherandshehopedshe
wouldn’
tbr i
ngany t
hingaboutthear t
icl
e
becauseshewasi nnomoodt ospeakabouti t.
Shedidn’tev
enwantt ot
hinkaboutiteven
thoughit’
dbeeninsi
deherheadsincesher ead
i
t.Shewasf uri
ousabouti
tbecauset hereport
s
wereli
esandt hepubl
ichadbeli
evedt hem.And
thatBel
indawomanhadt odraghernameon
Twitt
erforshit
!
Nkosazana:“Okay,butdoyouhav
efoodf
or
t
hem ory ousti
llhavetocook?
”
Nandipha:“
Weboughttakeaways.
”Sherepl
i
ed
andshet ur
nedt
oleavethepal
aceafter
Nkosazanahadnoddedherhead.
Shest eppedinsidet hev ianoandt hechildren
werest il
lcr
y i
ng.Thul awasi nsidethevehicle
wit
ht hem.“ Wewi l
l gethomej ustnow.Please,
cal
m down. ”Nandiphat riedt oreasonwi t
hher
chi
ldrenbutt heydidn’tlisten.Shesi ghedand
l
ookedatNgcebo.Hewasqui etasifhe
couldn’thearthechi l
drencr y i
nginsidethe
vi
ano.He’ dbeenqui ett hemi nuteheheard
aboutthearti
cl
eandwhent heytookthei
rbreak
ontheroadhet ookhi sti
met oreaditbecause
hewast heonedr iv
ing.Hewasangr yaboutthe
art
icl
eandhehadn’ tcomment edaboutitto
Nandipha…Nandi phaclosedherey esandtri
ed
tobepatienteventhought henoiseofher
chi
ldr
enwasi rri
tati
nghert othecore…
“
Mama, niyazel
ami na.
”( Mama, Iam sleepy)
Ntokomal otoldhermot herwhowast aking
t
heirdi
shesaf t
erthey’
vehadt heirdi
nner .They
werenol ongercryingandt heystoppedcr yi
ng
t
hemi nutef oodwaspl acedbeforethem.
Nandipha:“IcanseethatbutIneedt obat
hy ou.
Standup.”Shesaidtot hem andtheyal
lst
ood
upfrom theblanket
.Nt okomalobegancry
ing.
“There’
sabsolutel
ynor easonforyoutocry
.”
Shesaidmar chingtothesink.
Ngcebo:
“ Don’tyouthi
nkyoushoul
djustput
t
hem tobed? ”heaskedlooki
ngatNandipha,
he
wasseatedont hetabl
ehav i
nghi
sfoodand
Nandiphahadbeenseatedonthef l
oorwit
hthe
gi
rlsf
eedingthem.They
’vedroppedThulaby
herhomeandbackhomei nSandton,t
hemaid
wasleftbehi
nd.
Nandi pha:“No,they’
l
lwakeupatni
ghtandcry
scratchingtheirbodi
es.Theywi
l
lhavetobat
h.I
can’tletthem sleep.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iam afr
aidIwon’
tbeabl
etohel
pyou
wi
ththatthen.
”Heinfor
medherandl
ookedat
t
hefoodthatwasbeforehi
m.
Nandi phadidn’tsayany t
hingbutshepl acedt he
dishesont hesi nk,shewashedt hem because
shewascer tainhewasn’ tgoingt owasht hem.
“Got ot hebathroom Iwil
l f
indy outhereand
Buhle, hel
py oursister
stakeof ftheircl
othes.
Okay ?”Nandi phatoldherchil
dren, shelooked
atBuhl e.
Buhl
e:“
Yebo,mama.Ashambe.
”(Yes,l
et’
sgo)
shet
oldthem andl
edt
hem f
orward.Theyal
l
f
ollowedherwi
thSi
mil
owal
ki
ngbehi
nd
Ntokomalo.
Simil
o:“Nt
oko,t
hul
anawe!Ushudl
i
lenj
e!”
(Ntokomal
o,st
opcryi
ng!
)
Nt
okomal
o:“
Fun’
ukul
alami
na”(
Iwantt
osl
eep)
Thando:
“Thi
washolal
asheshi
gezi
l
e!”(
Wewi
l
l
sl
eepaft
erbathi
ng)
Nongcebo: “Nami,ni
funaukulal
aehe!Ashambe
shocelaubabay enauzovuma.Nekeanqabe
nj
engomama.AshambeNt oko.”(
Iam al
so
sl
eepy.Let’sgoaskdadhewi ll
agreehewon’
t
disagr
eelikemom. )
Buhle:“E.e!Unayishogeza!Zot het
hakakhulu
umama. ”(No,don’tgobecausewehav etobath
andmom, wil
lshout.)Shesai dpushi
ngt he
bathroom doort hatwasn’tclosedshut .
Nongceboj oi
nedNt okomaloi ncryi
ngbecause
theywer enotget t
ingwhatt heywant ed.Buhl
e,
Simil
oandThandot ookofft hei
rclot
hesand
t
oreoffthediaperstheyhadonwhi
le
NtokomaloandNongcebower ecr
yingwi
thout
t
akingoffthei
rclothes.
Thando:“
Buhl
ezi!Mama,ut
hebakhumul
e!”
(Mom sai
dundressthem)
Simil
o:“Ehe,minanekenjeni
bakhumule
abakhalayo!
”(Yes,
Iwon’tundr
essthosewho
arecryi
ng)shesaidfol
dingherar
msonher
chest.
Buhlesl
owlywalkedt
oNtokomaloandshet r
ied
totakeof
fherblackv
estbutNtokomaloshook
herheadpushi
ngBuhle’
shandsfrom her
.
Simi
l
o:“Huh!Uzongenaumama!
”(Mom,
wil
l
comein)
Buhle:
“ Khumulaphela!
”shetriedt
oconv i
nce
herbutNt okomalokeptshakingherhead.
Buhlel
ookedatSi mil
oandThandowhower e
nothelpingher.“
Abafuni!
”Shesaidquickl
yas
shesawhermot herentert
hroughthedoor.
Nandi phadidn’tsayany thingbutshemar ched
tothet ubandsher anthewat erforthem.“No
splashingwat er.
”Shesai dt oSimil
o,Thando
andBuhl easshepl acedt hem onasi ngl
etub.
Theynoddedandshet urnedtoundress
NongceboandNt okomal o.Sheplacedt hem on
asingl ebi
gbat hplasticbasinandbeganwi t
h
bathingthem becauset heywer eal
ready
sleepy…
Ngcebol ookedathisphoneasi tr
angandhe
l
etitringwi t
houtansweringit .Dal
ingcebowas
call
inghim andhedi dn’
twantt oanswerhi s
phonecal l
.Heknewhewasgoi ngt ospeak
aboutt hearti
cleandhedi dn’twantt hat.He
grabbedhi sphoneandhepl aceditonsi l
ent
mode.Hecl osedhiseyesandpul l
edt hebed
coverst ocoverhisbody.Itwasbestt hathe
sl
eeps…
“
Ngizokushi
yaungal
elekemi
naThando.”(
Iwi
ll
l
eav
ey ouawake.)Nandi
phat
oldThandowho
wasawakeandherf
oursi
ster
swer
esl
eepi
ng.
Thandoshookherhead.“
Nizokhalanj
emina
kakhul
u.”(
Iwil
lcr
ylouder
)shet ol
dhermother
soft
lyandshehel
dherfeetthatwereupi
nt he
air
.
Nandi
pha:“
Iam sl
eepyandt
ir
ed,
Thando.Can
yousl
eep?
”
Thandoshookherhead, Nandiphaclickedher
tongueandshel i
ftedThandoof fhercot .She
sawnot hi
ngbetterthantot akehertot hemain
bedroom becauseshewassl eepy,herheart
wasnol ongerwiththechildrenbutwi t
hher
bedside.Shewantedt ocloseherey esand
sleep.
Thando:
“Shi
yaphi
mama?
”(Wher
ear
ewe
goi
ng?)
Nandi
pha:“You’
l
lsl
eepwithmebecauseyou
arest
ubbornandyouwon’tt
alki
nther
e.You’
l
l
keepqui
et.Doyouunder
stand?”
Thando:
“Shoxoxanobaba.
”(Iwi
l
lspeakt
odad)
Nandipha:“No,you’l
lnotdot hatbutify oudo
thatyou’
llgobackiny ourcotal one.You’ll
cry
andIwon’ tcomet oyou.”shet oldherandshe
openedthedoort othebedr oom.Nandi pha
placedThandoont hebedandshecr awledup
tothepil
lows.Shemov edtot hewar drobeto
changeforbed…
“Baba?”Thandocal l
edherfat
herstandi
ngon
herfeetont hebedsheplacedherhandsonher
father
’sshoulder
.Ngcebowassl eepi
ngfaci
ng
theothersideoftheroom andThandowas
standi
ngbehi ndhisback.
Ngcebo:
“Whyareyounotsl
eepi
ng?What’
sshe
doi
nghere?
”heaskedNandi
phaandtur
nedto
hol
dThandodown.
Nandipha:“
Iam sleepyandIcan’
tstandbyher
cotunti
lshesleeps.”Sher
epli
edandlaiddown
onthebedwi t
hThandol ayi
ngbetweenthem.
Shefi
nal
l
ygott
ocl
oseherey
esandhert
ir
ed
bodywasal
l
owedt
orest
.
Ngcebo: “Ar
ewegoi ngt osleepthough?
Thando, cl
oseyourey es.
”Hesai dandplaced
hishandonThando’ sey es.Thandolaughed
andki ckedherfeet.Ngcebosi ghedasheknew
thatthismeanthewasn’ tgoingtosleep.
Nandiphahadherey esclosedalr
eady.
“Nandi pha?”Hecalledherbuthedi dn’
theara
response.
Thandolookedathermother
.“Mama,ushel
ele
baba.
”(Mom issleepi
ng,
dad)shel
ookedather
fat
herwithcl
eareyes.
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
andl
et’
ssl
eepnow.
”
Thando:
“Cha,
ani
zel
imi
na.
”(Iam notsl
eepy
)
Ngcebo:“Ey
,uzosal
awedwake. ”Hetoldher
andclosedhisey
es.Hewasn’tgoingtostayup
wit
hThando…Heopenedhisey esaf t
erafew
minut
esasThandowascrying.“Whyar eyou
cr
yingnow?
”Hesatupst
rai
ght
.
Thando: “
Uni
shiy
anedwami na!
”she
complainedandcri
ed.Ngcebor
oseupandtr
ied
toshakeNandiphaawakebutshewasdead
sleepi
ng.
Ngcebo:
“Whatdoy
ouwantThando?
”
Thando: “
AshambeshobukaI tv
!Shobuka
opopay i
,baba.Ashambeni shoshiyaumama
el
ele.”sherepli
eddel i
ghtedlyandNgcebo
concludedhewasn’ tgoingt osleep.His
daughter’
sv oi
cedidn’tevensoundl i
keshewas
anyclosetobeingsl eepy.Hehadnoot her
choice.Hegotupwi t hThandoandhel eftt
he
bedroom forthelounget ogethert owatch
cart
oons.
“Ican’tevensleepIwil
lbet heghostofthe
housebecauseIam t hef ather
.Andjustfew
mont hsIwi l
lknownosl eep.Ah!”He
compl ainedaloneandturnedont heTVwi t
h
Thandoinhisar ms.Hesatont hecouchwi t
h
herandplacedt hepacketofchi psonherhands.
Theywatchedt hecartoons,Thando’stalksand
l
oudlaughterkeptNgceboawakeandt alki
ng
wit
hherunt i
ltheywerebot hasleepont he
couchwiththeTVwat chi
ngt hem…
“Wer eall
ydi dn’
tcomeher eforyoutogot oyour
parents’housebutwecameher etodoasmal l
ri
tualtoinfor m Let
hukut hulaandy our
ancestorsthatIam pr egnant .Butnow, t
hat’
s
notapr i
ority.”Nandiphacompl ai
nedtoNgcebo
whowasdr essingupt henextmor ni
ngtogot o
hisparents’ housebecausehe’ dbeencalled
there.Theyhav ehadthei rbreakf
astwiththe
chil
dren.Theywer eout sideplayi
ng.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcomeback,
Nandi
pha.
”
Nandipha:“
Whenar eyougoingtocomeback?
Youshouldhavetoldyourparent
sy ou’
ll
come
tothem dur
ingthedayorintheevening
becauseyoudidn’
tcomeher etodiscussthe
ar
ti
cle.
”
Ngcebo:“
What ’
sthehurr
ynowbecauseIam
t
ell
ingyouthatIwil
lcomeback?Whyareyou
makingabigdealoutthi
s?”
Nandipha:“Iam makingabi gdealoutofi
t
becausewedi dn’tcomeher eforwhatyouar
e
doingnow.Youcan’ tjustmakewhatwecame
hereforyourlastpri
orit
y,Ngcebo.Youcan’
tdo
that.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam notmakingitt
hel
astpr
ior
it
ybut
Iwon’
tbegonef orl
ong.”
“Mxm! ”Shet hr
ewt hetowelthatwasonher
handont hebedandshel eftthebedroom.She
headedt othekitchenforabot t
leofwaterand
shemov edoutoft hehousetowat choverher
chi
ldrenast heyplayedonthey ard…
“
Iheardyou’
resickandIbroughty
ousome
f
rui
ts.Ir
eall
ydidn’
tknowwhatIcanbuyf r
om
t
own.”NandiphasaidtoDaniel
l
eaftert
hey’
ve
greetedeachother.Nandi
phaaskedNkosazana
tosendsomeonewhowasgoi ngt odr
iveher
Daniell
ebecauseshewant edt
oseeher .
Daniell
ewasseat edonthebedwithherphone
onherhandswhensheal l
owedNandiphato
enterherroom.
Dani
ell
e:“
Iwi
l
lhav
ethem.Thanky
ou.Ar
eyou
home?”
Nandipha:“
Yes,buti
t’
sonlyforafewdays.
Howar eyoufeel
ing?WhataretheDoct
ors,
sayi
ng?There’
shope,ri
ght?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Ican’
tsaybett
erbutIam t
ryi
ngand
t
heDoctors…”shebr
ief
edher.
Nandipha:“
Oh!Yougotnot hi
ngtostress
yoursel
faboutthenyou’l
lrecoverandy ou’
l
lbe
onyourtwof eetsoon.Youdon’thavet o
str
ess.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Ican’
tst
opt
hest
ressasIj
ustl
azy
ar
oundallday
.”
Nandi
phasmi
ledshort
ly.“
Ithi
nkIcanact
ual
l
y
hel
pwitht
hat
.”Shesai
d.
Dani
ell
e:“
Youcanhel
pwi
th,
what
?Imean,
how?”
Nandipha:“IneedadressforaneventIwil
l
att
endwi t
hhusband.AndIwoul dl
ikeforyouto
desi
gnt hedressforme.It
’sasimpledress,
well
,i
nmyhead. ”
Daniel
leti
tt
ered.“Iwoul
dlovetodothatbutI
don’tt
rustthatIcanbeabletogi
veaperfect
dressasIam sick.WhatifImessitup
somehow? ”
Nandipha:“ I
twi llkeepy ouoccupiedandhappy .
Youknowhowt hebraincanmakey ouf eell
i
ke
yourwor l
di scr umbl i
ngwhi l
eit’
snot .Butifyou
candosomet hingt odistr
actyouf r
om t he
actuall
ysituationy ouar efaci
ng.Youwon’ tf
eel
thefrustr
ationsandal lthedepressionthat
comeswi t
hbei ngill
.”
Daniel
lesi
gheddigest
ingherwords.“Okay,but
–Iwi l
lmakethedressforyouonlyi
fy ouagree
tohavebackupjustincaseIdon’
tfini
shthe
dressinti
me.”
Nandi
pha:
“That
’snopr
obl
em.
”
Dani el
le:“
Please,
takethatbagthensot hatwe
willdiscussthedress.
”Shesaidpoint
ingt he
blackbagwi t
hhersketchbookanddrawi ng
tools.Nandiphastoodupandshet ookt hebag.
Shepl acedthebagbef or
eher.“Whatkindof
dressdoy ouwant?”sheaskedtaki
ngt he
sketchpad.
Nandipha:“IwantadressIwillwearwith
faminesneakers.Iwantitt
obeal it
tl
edr abso
thati
tcancompl ementNgcebo’ sbr
ightoutfi
t…”
shebegandescr i
bingthedressforDaniell
eand
Daniel
letooknotesuntil
theend…
Daniel
l
e:“Iwil
lmakeitandIwill
makesur eit
wil
lbethehighl
ightoft
hatevening.Youshoul
d
l
ookexquisi
tebesideNgcebobecausehi s
fashi
onsenseisadmi r
ablyonpoint
.Ihaveseen
him wi
thabrownsuitwi t
hpinkscotchl
inesand
thesneaker
searl
ierthi
sy ear
.Thatwas!”
Nandi
phalaughed.“Iwasthemaster
mind
behi
ndthatoutf
it
.”Shesaidandbowedher
headali
tt
le.Theylaughed.
Dani
ell
e:“
Youdohaveat
ast
ethen,
madam and
Iwil
ldr
essyouni
cel
y.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Thanky
ou.Ishoul
dgetgoi
ngnow.
”
Daniel
le:“
Ishouldt
hankyoubecauseIwi ll
be
occupiednow.Letmewal kyouout.Ihaven’
t
seenthelightt
oday.Youdidn’
tev
enhav esome
j
uice.”
Nandipha:“It
oldHappi nessIam good.”She
saidandwai t
edf orhertostandup.Theyexited
theroom togetherwithDaniel
let
elli
ng
Nandiphaaboutt hecustomiseddollthatPearl
possessed.Nandi phawaslaughing.
Nandipha:“I
t’
sgoodthatshelovesit
.Nongcebo
hat
est hatdoll
andshedoesn’tevenplaywit
hit
whil
et heother
slov
eseeingthemselves.”
Dani
ell
e:“Chi
ldr
enhav edi
fferentpr
eferences
hey,
justl
ikeus.Shedoesn’tevendaretohitthe
dol
lbecauseshethinksshe’l
lbehit
tinghersel
f.
”
Nandi
pha:
“That
’ssocut
e.”
“
Youar eleav
ing,mama?”Pearlaskedher
motherwhowasappr oachi
ngthel oungewher
e
t
heywer eseatedwit
hherothersibli
ngs.
Daniel
l
e:“No,Iam wal
ki
ngSi
mil
o’smot
herout
ofthehouse.
”
Nandi
pha:
“By
e,by
e,t
henbabi
es.
”
Chi
l
dren:
“By
e!”
Daniel
l
eandNandi
phawal
kedoutoft
he
house…
~~~~~~~
Thembel
i
hleandDal
i
suwer
eseat
edont
he
di
nnertabl
ewithouteat
ingthei
rbr
eakf
astona
Mondaymor ni
ngbecausetheywerewaiti
ngfor
Dal
ingceboandNgcebot ogettot
hepalace.
Dal i
su: “Ican’tbeli
ev eDal ingcebocoul dbet hat
stupi dtopl ayhappyf ami l
ywi t hanot herwoman
whi lehehast hisdivor cecase. ”Hest amped
andcl i
ckedhi stongue…They ’veal l
readt he
articlethathighlighted‘ THEOTHERWOMAN
BEI NGTHEBESTFRI ENDOFPRI NCETEE’ S
WI FE’ Thear ti
clehadt hepi cturesofDal ingcebo
withPhemel oinhisar msseat edi nsidet he
rest aurantwithPal esa.I thighl i
ghtedt hat
all
egat ionswer ePal esawast he‘otherwoman’
thatDal i
ngcebowascheat ingwi thandhada
childwi thher .I
tdidn’tj ustdwel l
onl yonPal esa
andDal ingcebo’sal l
egedaf fairbuti twentont o
highl i
ghtNandi pha‘ PrinceTee’ swi fe’asa
personwhoknewaboutt heaf fairwhi l
e
Dal i
ngcebowasmar riedt ohercousi n,the
personshegr ewupwi th.Shewaspai ntedas
someonewhowasn’ tloyal
.Ont henewspaper
arti
cleitwaswr it
tennotobv i
ouslybut
professional
lyandont hetabloi
dsi twaswr it
ten
nasty,painti
ngNandiphaassomeonewho
connect edPalesawithhercousi n’shusband.
Andt hewonderquest ionwas, ‘
Di dPrinceTee
knowandhadahandi nthi
saf f
air?’
Thembeli
hle:
“Doyouthi
nkthey’
rer
eall
ydati
ng?
Andwhowoul dhavesol
dthatst
orytothe
j
ournal
i
sts?”
Dal
i
su:“Idon’
tev
enwanttocr
ackmyheadbut
wewil
lhavetowaitf
ort
hem.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Butwewer esupposedtohol
d
thi
smeeti
nginNgcebo’shousewher e
Nandi
phais.Iknowthatsheknewaboutthi
s.”
Dal
i
su:
“Sheknewaboutwhat
?”
Thembelihl
e:“
SheknewaboutDali
ngceboand
thi
sfri
endofhers.Isawt
hisf
ri
endofher swi
th
Dali
ngceboinherhousei
nJohannesburgand
t
heylookedr
athercosy
,shewaslaughi
ngwhi
l
e
Dal
i
ngcebowasspeakingtoher
.”
Dali
su:“
Wewi l
lhavet
ohearf
rom Dali
ngcebo
notNgcebo’
swife.
”hetol
dhi
swi f
eandturned
hi
sheadashehear dt
hefoot
steps…
Dal
ingcebowalkedinsi
det hedi
ningfol
l
owedby
Ngcebo,theyhaven’
tspokenabouttheart
icl
e
asNgcebonev eransweredDali
ngcebo’
scall
s.
Thetwopr i
ncesgreet
edt hei
rpar
entsandthey
set
tl
eddown…
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youcandi
shbr
eakf
astf
or
your
sel
ves.
”
Ngcebo:
“Thanky
ou.Ihav
ehadbr
eakf
ast
.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Ihaven’
thadeaten.
”Hesai
dand
di
shedbreakfastf
orhimsel
f.
Dali
su:“Ngcebo,howar eyouf eel
i
ngnow?You
don’thaveanynegativereact
ionsasyou’
ve
changedthemedi cat
iont y
pe?”heasked,
he
onlyspokewithhim onthephonewhenhewas
i
nthehospi
tal
andoutoft
hehospi
tal
.
Ngcebo:“
No,baba,Idon’
thav
eanynegat
ive
r
eacti
ons.Iam f
ine.
”
Dal
i
su:
“That
’sgood.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Butwhat
’snotgoodi
sus,
seeing
you,Dal
i
ngceboinnewspaperswi
thagi
rlanda
chi
ldwedon’tknow.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Andi
tseemedl
i
key
ouknowt
hem.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Youbeli
evedthearti
cle?
”he
l
ookedatthem notkeepi
nghiseyeswi t
hthem
butheremovedthem wit
hinseconds.
Dali
su:“Tel
luswhatt obeli
eve.Howcany oube
sostupidandbeseeni npublicwit
hanot her
womanwhi l
ey ouar esti
l
lunderdivorcepr ocess.
Andy ouknowt hatyourwif
ewant sev ery
thing
aboutthisdi
v orcepubli
candpeopl ecannev er
l
etanoppor tunitytomakemoneysl i
pt hrough
them.Theymi ghthaverecogniseyouf r
om
ther
e.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Idi
dn’
tknowaper sonin
Johannesbur
gcantakepict
uresofmehav
ing
breakf
astwit
hamot herandachil
d.”
Thembelihle:“
Youdidn’
tknow?Yourbr ot
heris
apublicfi
gureandlookhowt hisar
ti
clehad
beenwr i
tten?Hisnameistherewhil
ey ouare
theonewhowasouthav ingbreakf
astwith
Nandipha’sfri
end.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ist
hatwomany
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“No,
she’
snotmygi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Whatwastheneedf
ory
out
o
havebr
eakfastwi
thhert
hen?”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Il
ikeher,
Idi
daskheroutandIam
notwil
li
ngtoanswermorequesti
onsmom and
dadbecauseIdidn’
tdoanyt
hingwrong.
”
Ngcebo:“Youdidever
ythi
ngwrongDal i
ngcebo.
Itol
dyounottopursuePalesaf
orr easonsItol
d
youaboutbutlook,
somethingl
ikethis
happened.AndNandipha’
snamei sdraggedin
ther
efornor eason.Herfri
endiscal
l
ed
homewr eckeronsocialmediaandyouj
ust
coul
dn’tthi
nkoft hatbef
ore.”
Thembel i
hle:“
Nandiphashouldhavetol
dher
fr
iendtost ayawayfrom Dali
ngcebobecause
he’smarriedtohersist
er.Butit’
scl
eart
hatshe
di
dn’ttel
lherthat.Whywoul dshebe
comfortableeati
ngwi t
hDalingceboi
npublici
f
Nandiphat ol
dhertostayaway ?”
Ngcebo: “
Whoa!Whoa!Mama, youarenot
abouttoblamemywi f
eforDali
ngcebo’smess.
Nandiphaisinnowayresponsi
blef
orot her
people’
sacti
ons.Pal
esamaybeherf ri
endbut
thatdoesn’
tmeanshecontrol
sher.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Iam notsayingshecont r
olsher
butthere’
snowayt hatshedi dn’
tknowt hat
Dali
ngcebohadbeenaski ngherf ri
endout .
That’
swhatf r
iendstal
kaboutandi twouldbe
i
mpossi bl
et hatshedidn’ttel
lher.Andthisgir
l
wasev encosywi t
hDalingceboiny ourhouse.
”
Ngcebo:“Evenifshet ol
dherthatdoesn’tmean
anyt
hing.Whydon’ tyousayDalingcebowas
supposedtostayawayf r
om womenbecause
he’
smar ri
edtoNont obeko?Whatr easonsdo
youhavebringi
ngmywi feint
his?”
Dali
su:“Ngcebo,havesomerespectsnow
becauseyouaret al
ki
ngtoyourmother.Don’
t
for
getthatbecausenowitl
ookslikeyouare
for
getti
ng.”
Ngcebo: “No,baba,outsi
der scanspeakl i
kethi
s
aboutmywi feandIwoul dn’tmindbutnotmy
mot her
.Nandi phashouldn’tbeblamedf ormy
brother
’sactions.Dali
ngcebowast heonewho
wassupposedt ostayawayf r
om Palesanotmy
wifetel
li
ngPal esatostayaway .Nandi
phai s
notagui del
inetolif
e.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ngceboisri
ghtmama.We
shoul
dn’tdr
agNandiphai
nt ot
hisbecausei
t’
s
nousedoingit.Il
i
keherf
riendandthat’
smy
choi
ce.Shehadnohandandshecannev er
hav
eahandi
nit
.”
Ngcebo:
“Andshe’
sbei ngdraggedenoughon
soci
almedi
a.Iwouldreall
yappreciat
eitmama
i
fyouwouldkeepthosecomment stoyour
sel
f.
”
Dalisu: “It
hinkt hat’
senoughnow, Ngcebo.”He
saidcl earlyl
ooki ngathi m ashehadseent hat
hiswi fehadherheadl ookingdownwi thout
sayingawor d.Dal i
sukepthi seyewi thNgcebo
andNgcebodi dn’tsayany thi
ngmor ebuthe
tookt hegl assandpour edwat erforhimself.He
drankt hewat er,hecoul df eelthathewasmor e
anger edbyhi smot hernowmor ethanhewas
anger edbyt hear ti
cle,Belindaandt he
comment sfrom t hepubl icaboutNandi pha’s
rol
ei nt hisallegedaf fairofDal i
ngceboand
Palesa.Hedi dn’texpecthi smot hertoactuall
y
tal
kl i
keshewast alkingaboutNandi pha…
Dali
su:“
Whatshoul
dbedonethennow?You
can’
tkeepqui
etaboutt
his.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Whatcanhesayabouti t
, baba?
He’dbeenqui etaboutev er
ythi
ngthathadbeen
wri
ttenabouthi m andifhecanact uall
ybegint o
commentaboutt his.Hewilldef
ini
telylooklike
someonewho’ sprotect
ingthisall
eged
mistress.
”shelookedatDal isu.
Ngcebo: “
Mom i sr
ight
,baba,hemustj ustkeep
quietbecausetheywil
ltalkt
hathe’srai
singa
commentnowbecauset hey
’vef
iguredthis
otherwoman. ”
Dali
su:“
Itwi
llbewisethatyoustayawayf
rom
thi
swoman, Dal
ingcebo.Iam nott
ell
i
ngyou
howt ol
ivey
ourlif
ebuttoneitdownunti
lyour
div
orce.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No, baba,hemustf orgetabout
havi
ngar el
ati
onshipwithher.Hemust n’
teven
thi
nkofit
.Iwill
notacceptt hatgir
lasmy
possi
bledaughterin-
law.Thereareplentyof
womeni nthi
swor ldbutnotaf r
iendofy our
twi
nbrother’
swife.No!”
Dal
isu:
“MaSthole,thatcanneverbeyourcal
lto
make.Dali
ngceboi sthemanofhisown, wecan
onl
yinf
luencehisdecisionmakingbutnot
makedecisi
onsf orhim.Wecannev erdothat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youhonest
lywantt
hatgi
rlf
or
hi
m? ”
Dalisu:“Idon’tknowbecauseIdon’tknowt
he
gir
l.Icanonl ysayaft
erIhaveheardabouther
char act
er.Butwewi l
lnottel
lanoldmanwhat
todo. ”
Thembelihl
e:“I
tseemsl i
kenoneofmyopi ni
ons
mattersanymore.”shecommentedandstood
upwi t
hherplateandotherdi
shes.Shelef
tthe
di
ningroom feeli
ngthatshewasfuming…
Dali
sushookhi sheadandhegotup…
Dal
ingcebo:“Andwhydi dyouactl
i
keagir
land
i
gnoredmycal ls?”helookedatNgceboasthey
wer
el ef
talonei nthediningr
oom.
Ngcebo:
“Ay
,voet
sek,
Iwasbusyandwasn’
tin
amoodt
odi
scusst
his.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Doesi
taf
fecty
ourbr
and?
”
Ngcebo:“
Notreall
ybutIdon’
tknowifIcansay
muchaboutNandipha’sr
eputat
ionandletal
one,
Pal
esa’sr
eput
ation.Haveyouspokentoher?”
Dal
ingcebosighed.“
She’
signor
ingmycall
sand
sheblueti
cksmeonWhat sApp.Idon’
tknow
whattodotoknowhowshe’ sdoing.
”Herepl
ied.
Ngcebo:
“Your
eal
l
ywantt
odat
eher
?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yes,
Iam ser
ious.
”
Ngcebo:“Goodluckthen.
”Hesaidand
Dali
ngcebolaughed,t
heystoodupfr
om t
he
chai
rsandwal kedoutoft
hedini
ngroom.“Why
areyoulaughi
ng?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Am Ir
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
oneedi
t?”
Ngcebo: “
Idon’tknowbecauseIdon’tknowher
personall
ybutherfri
enddoes.Let’
sgot ot
he
roy
al house.IwanttoseetheKing.
”
Dali
ngcebo: “
Okay,andIwasabouttoaskher
toteachmeat hi
ngortwoaboutPalesa’s
l
anguagebecausespeaki ngtoPhemelois
dif
ficul
t.ButIguessIwon’tdot
hataftert
his
art
icle.
”
Ngcebolaughedst eppinginsideDal
ingcebo’
s
carl
eavingthevianoi nthepalace.“
Anddon’t
eventr
yher.”Hecomment edandDal i
ngcebo
droveoutofthepal aceafterhe’
dsaidhewon’t
tr
yher…Theyt hencat chup…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE15

“Ir
eallydon’
tknowwhenIwi llbecomingback,
Palesa.Iam soangryandit’
snoteven
bearable.
”NandiphatoldPal
esaonthephone.
Shewasl aidbackont hebedat9pm and
Ngcebowasn’ tbackhome.Thegirl
shadlong
f
all
enasl
eep.
Pal
esa:
“Iam sor
ry,
gir
lf
ri
end.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Youar
esor
ryaboutwhat
?”
Pal
esa:
“Thaty
ouar
eangr
yandi
t’
smyf
aul
t.
”
Nandipha:
“No!Iam angr
yatNgcebofornot
bei
nghomebuthet oldmehe’l
lcomeback
ear
ly.Heknowswhatwecameher etodobut
he’
snothere.
”
Pal
esa:“
Oh!So,youdi
dn’
thav
eyourphone
swi
tchedof
fbecauseofme?”
Nandiphasi ghed.“No,‘
Lisa’Ididn’thaveit
switchedof fbecauseofy oubutIswi t
chedit
offbecausei tj
ustcouldn’tstopringing.AndI
fi
guredy oudidn’twanttot al
kbecauseIcal led
Sundayni ghtbutyoudidn’tanswer .”
Palesa:
“IwassoangryandhurtthatIcouldn’
t
evenanswerthatcal
l
.Icri
edmy sel
ftosleep
andmyf at
herandbrother
s,t
hey’r
esoangr y.”
Nandipha:
“No!Don’
ttel
lmet
heybel
i
evedt
hat
ar
ti
cle?”
Palesa:“
Youknowt hatit’
smom whowoul dn’
t
havebeliev
edt hatart
iclebutmyhalfsibl
i
ngs,
no.Butmyf atherdoesn’tbeli
eveit
,he’sj
ust
angrythatIwaswi ththeprinceknowingwhat
hadbeensai dabouthi m.”
Nandipha:“Iam reall
ysorryt
hatIcouldn’
tbe
ther
ef oryoulastnightbutIpromiseyouwhenI
comeback.Thegi rl
sandIwi ll
comef orasl
eep
overandy ou’
llcryaboutitoverwinewhil
eI
dri
nkjuiceandcr ywithyoubecauseapparent
ly
youandIar ebitches.Whosnat chesmen.”
Palesa:
“Canyoubel
i
ev et
hatbit
chBeli
nda?
Howcanshemaket hisaboutherandNgcebo
becausewhenyoudatedNgcebotheyweren’
t
dati
ng?”
Nandipha:“
Apparentl
y,t
heywer
edati
ngandhe
chosetoleaveherforme.Andt
hatmeansI
snat
chedhi
mfr
om herasshe’
ssay
ingon
Twit
ter
.”
Palesalaughed.“ Iquotehertweet‘Bi r
dsofthe
samef eather
sf lockt oget
her.ThisMi ss
NandiphaAut hort ookPr i
nceTeef rom meandI
watchedashel eft.’
Cany oubelieveit?”She
rai
sedherv oi
ceont heli
neandshel aughed.
Nandipha:
“Ei
sh,si
sterfr
iendandsomepeople
areonthesamehy pe,t
heytal
kaboutmebeing
arr
ogantandlooki
ngdownonsomewomen
becauseIam wit
hNgcebonow. ”
Pal
esa:
“Andwher
e’st
hatcomi
ngf
rom?
”
Nandipha:“I
t’
scomingf
rom thatf
eminism
t
weett hatevent
odayent
ertai
nmentnewsst i
l
l
wantsmet ocommentoni tandel
aborate.
”
Palesa:
“Andwhydon’ tyoudoit
?Now, some
peoplearet
hreateni
ngonnotbuy i
ngyourwork
becauseyouthinkhi
ghlyofyour
selfwi
thjust
thr
eebooks.”
Nandipha: “Iwon’texplainmy selfPalesa
becausemostofmyf ansgotmeev enthough
theydidn’tknowwhyIr et weetedthatbutthey
understoodwhyIr eactedt hatway .Ther
e’l
l
alwaysbepeopl ewho’ l
l beagainstyouandas
l
ongasIhav ethosewhoar efor
eme.Iwon’ t
backdown.Youknowy ouar enota
homewr ecker .
”
Palesa:
“Butithur
tsNandi
phaandi
taf
fect
ed
mywor kbecausesomewomenatworknow
theygavemet hatl
ookasifIwi
l
lst
eal
thei
r
husbands.AndIwasgivensometi
meoff
becauseIjust-
”
Nandiphacl osedherey esshor tl
yasshehear d
shewascr yi
ng.“Hey, hey, Li
sa,don’tcryabout
thi
s.Iknowt hati
thurt sbutpl easedon’ tl
eti
t
gettoy ou.YouknowDal ingcebowasj ust
approachingy ou.Iknowi tmaynotease
anythi
ngbuty ouhaveev erythi
ngt hepeople
don’thavebecausey ouhav ethet r
uth.Andyou
shoul dkeepacl earconsci ous.Youdi dn’twreck
anyhome, Dali
ngcebowr eckedhi sownhome
andi ftheywantt onamey out heot herwoman
thenshameont hem.Youknowhowt hepubl ic
l
ikest oacti nnocentwhensucht hingsgopubl ic.
Andwhencel ebrit
iesgot hr oughwhatt heyal so
got hrought heyacthol y.Don’ tt
akei ttoheart
thaty oucancr yaboutittilldawn.Youcanbe
angr ybecausey oushoul dbutdon’ tcry.”She
advisedherf r
iendandl ookedatNgceboashe
walkedt hrought hebedr oom door .Hemar ched
tothewar drobeandgr eet edNandi phabutshe
didn’tgreetback.
Palesa:
“Youareright.Ihavethet
rut
handIwi
ll
tr
ynottoallowthistogetintomyheart
.AndI
am real
lysorr
ythatyournamehadt obe
draggedinthi
s.”
Nandipha:“Iam notthatmuchofacelebr
itybut
t
hey’v
esai dthingsaboutmebef or
ebutli
kethe
r
estoft heothers,i
twill
blowover.
”
Palesaexhaled.“
YeahandIam hopingthat
yoursongswi thMujowi
llhavenot
hingbuta
positi
vepressbecauser
eally
,wedon’twantany
badt hi
ngs.”
Nandipha:
“Real
ly,
whydidyouremindmeabout
that
?”sheaskedandl
aidherheaddown.She
pull
edthecover
stocoverherbody
.
Palesalaughed.“
Sharp,then,Iam not
remindi
ngy ouanddon’tthinkthatbecause
you’vemademel aughy oudon’ towemet hat
sleepov
er.”Shesaid.
Nandi
pha:
“No, Iowei
ttoy
ou,
babe.Iwon’
t
makeamistake.”
Palesa:“
Yoursi
sterdidn’
tcal
lyou?Oh!Lor
d,
pleasedon’
ttel
lmet hatshesawtheart
icl
eand
shebeli
evedeveryt
hing.”
Nandipha:
“Ihaven’tspokent
oherandIdon’t
knowwhatshe’ l
lsay.ButwhatIcantel
lyoui
s
thatmymot hercal
ledmeandshel aughed.
”
Pal
esa:
“What
!”
Nandipha:“Yeah, shesaidcomedianshav er un
outofjokes.”Palesalaughedont hel i
neand
Ngceboi nsidethebedr oom l
aughedoutl oud.
Nandiphar aisedherheadt ol
ookathi m andher
eyesl
andedonhi sbackashewasl eavingthe
room onhi sunder wearwit
hat owel onhis
shoul
der.
Pal
esa:
“Mrhusbandi
shome?
”
Nandipha:“
Yes,
andhe’
slaughi
ngatt
hingst
hat
doesn’ti
ncl
udehim.
”
Pal
esalaughed.“
Yourmotheri
ssomethi
ngelse.
Shehadtocallj
ournal
i
stscomedi
ans,
real
ly
?”
Shemadet hecommentandtheyl
aughed.
Nandipha:
“Iwasn’
texpectingi
tIt
houghtshe
wasgoingtobeallseri
ousabouti
tandshe
wouldshoutandcurse,youknowhowthe
womani s.
”
Pal
esa:
“Wheny
oucal
lherl
i
ket
hatt
hough,
and
Randal
lsuppor
tsy
ou.
”
Nandipha:“
Eh!Myf ri
end,youhaveforgot
ten
howy ouaddressedyourmot her.
”Shereminded
herandtheylaughed,alonglaugh.
Pal
esa:
“Cany
oupl
easesl
eep?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Howi
sitnow?Mi
ssi
ngher
?”
Pal
esa:“
Imissherthemostwhendadgi vesme
cr
apli
kehedidwi t
hthisi
ssue.AndIt
oldhim
mom wouldn’
thavethoughtl
iket
hatbuthis
wif
ewouldhave.”
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Pal
esa!
”
Pal
esa:
“Theymademeangr
yforr
eal
.
”
Nandipha:“
Iam sor
ry,hav
esomesl eepandwe
wil
lseeeachotherwhenIcomeback.Ilove
you.
”shesaidtoPalesaandrai
sedherheadas
thedoorwasbeingopened.Ngcebowalked
backinsi
dethebedroom.
Pal
esa:
“Goodni
ght
,Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
“Ifeelli
keyoutel
lPalesayoulovehermore
thany outel
lme.”Ngcebocomment edand
l
ookedbackatNandi phashortl
y.Hemadet he
commentt osear
chifshewasr eall
ymadwi th
him orshewasn’t.I
twasj ustpr
ocedure
becausehewascer tainthatshewasangryt hat
hej ustgothome…
Nandi
pha:“Gobackt othebathr
oom and
showerandstopmaki ngsi
ll
ycomment s.
”She
mumbledandt appedonherphone.
Ngcebo:“Hawu!Ihavejustgott
enof
fthe
shower.
”Hesentt hecommentbacklooked
backatthebed’sdir
ecti
onandNandiphadi
dn’t
comment .Heconfir
medshewasangr yandthi
s
meanthedi dn’
tneedtoexplai
nandapol
ogise
nowbutjustholdher…Yeah!Thatwaswhathe
neededtodo.
“
Howwasy ourday?
”HeaskedNandipha
j
oini
ngherinbed.Ngcebosl
ippedi
nto
Nandipha’
sbackandheinvi
tedhi
slegbet
ween
herl
egs.Heheldherwar
m bodyintoacuddl
e
buthedidn’
thearacommentfr
om her.“
You
won’tspeakt
omebecauseyouar eangr
ywit
h
me?”Heasked.
Nandi
pha:
“Iwantt
osl
eep.
”
Ngcebo:
“Youwanttosleepnowbecauseyou
shoul
dspeaktomebuty oudidn’
twantt
osleep
whenyouwerespeaki
ngt oyourf
ri
end.
”
Nandi phadi dn’tcommentbecauseshewas
certaint hathewasj usttryi
ngt omakea
conv ersat i
onwi t
hheronl ybecausehecame
backl at e.They ’
vemadepl ansandhedeci ded
hewasgoi ngt or unwi thwhatwasmor e
i
mpor tantt ohi m.Andshewasn’ taboutto
compl ai naboutt hat.Whatwast heusef orher
toremai nthef orev ercompl aini
ngwi feovera
manwhoknewwhatwasr i
ghtandwr ong?She
sawnousef orit
…Nandi phaf el
lasleep
expect ingt hatint hemor ninghewasobv i
ousl
y
goingmakebr eakf astandpl aynice.Ormay be
hewouldn’
tmakebreakf
astbecauseshewasn’
t
goi
ngtoeat…Ngceboacceptedthathewas
bei
ngignor
edbuthedidn’
tlethergo…
Ngcebo:
“Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng.
”
Nandipha:
“Letmegotthen.”Sherequestedand
roseupwhenNgcebohadl ethergo.Shet ook
herphoneandsheansweredHappi ness’
scall
.
Nandi
pha:
“Hel
l
o.”
Happi
ness:
“Howar
eyou,
Nandi
pha?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Happiness:“Iam fi
ne.Iam cal
li
ngtotelly
ou
thatNtandokazican’tmakethedressforyou.
Youjusthavet ofi
ndsomeoneel se.”
Nandi
pha:
“Awu.Why
?”
Happiness:
“She’
ssickandIdon’tunder
stand
howcany ourequestt
hatshemakesadr ess
fory
ou.Sheshouldrestnotst
ressabout
makingdresses.
”
Nandipha:
“Shoul
dn’
tshehav
esomet hi
ngt
o
occupyhermindrat
hert
hanstr
essi
ngabouther
i
ll
ness?”
Happiness:“She’
sal r
eadystressingnowasshe
thi
nksthiswillbethelastdressthatshe’l
lbe
making.Iam theonel ookingafterherandI
can’
tnursehersi cknessandnur sethestr
ess
she’
llgetfr
om maki ngthisdressf ory
ou.”
Nandi
pha:“
Oh.Okay.Sor
ry.
”sheremovedher
phoneasshehear
dthebeepingsound.
Nandi
phachuckl
edandsearchedforDani
ell
e’
s
number.
Ngcebo:
“What
’swr
ongRast
alami
?”
Nandipha:“
Nothi
ngt
oworr
yyour
sel
fabout
.”
Sherepli
edtypi
ngat
ext
.
>>“Hey,
whywer en’
tyout
heonet otel
lmethat
youcan’
tmakethedressforme?Ididn’
tknow
thati
twi
llbest
ressi
ngyou.”<<shesentt
he
text
.
Ngcebo:
“Iwantt
oknow.
”
Nandipha:
“Ut
handai
zi
ndabamanj
eyeka
umfazibo.
”
Ngcebochuckl
edandpul
ledherbackt
ohim.
“Letmehol
dherthen.
”HesaidandNandi
pha
all
owedhi
mt oholdwi
thherphoneonherhand.
>>“Sor
ry,
heyanddon’twor
ryaboutt
hat
.Iwi
ll
makethedressasIpr
omised.
”<<Nandi
pha
readDani
ell
e’
stext
.
>>“ No,i
t’
sfine.Idon’twanttocausetroubl
e.I
willgowithNgcebo’sdesignersincemineis
alreadyoccupied.Thanksthough.”<<She
textedherback.
>>“ You’l
lseethedressdeli
v er
edtoy ou.Iwant
tomakei tandIam notwill
i
ngt olist
en.
Goodni ght.
”<<Daniell
etextedNandiphaback.
Nandi phareadthetextandshesi ghed,she
placedt hephoneaside.Sheclosedherey es.
“
MAMA!
”Si
mil
oscr
eamedwaki
nghermot
her
onaTuesdaymorni
ng.Shejumpedupand
downwit
houtst
oppingtoscream f
orhermom.
Nandi phaopenedhereyesandhereyeslai
don
Simil
owhowasonherdi aperwit
hheraf
roti
ed
togetherneatl
y.Nandi
phay awnedandsatup
strai
ghtup.
Nandi
pha:“You’
vehadyourbath?”sheasked
removi
ngthecover
sfrom herbodyandshelaid
herf
eetdown.
Simil
o:“
Ehe!Uthibaba,
vukamanj
e!”(
Daddy
saidwakeup,now.)
Nandipha:“Ar
eyouallwal
kingaroundwith
di
aper s?
”sheaskedandmar chedtothe
windowst oopenthem.Si
mi l
ofol
lowedher
behind.
Simil
o:“Mama,
ubabay
enauy
ashi
gcoki
sa
thi
na.”
Nandi
pha:“Okay,
goandgetdressedt
hen.
”She
sai
dpoint
ingthedoorandSi
milorant
othe
door.Nandiphay awnedandl ookedatt hebed,
shey ear
nedt osleeponceagai n.Butitwasn’
t
goi
ngt ohelpwi t
hany thi
ng.Shemadet hebed
andremov edherni ghtdressshewr appedher
bodywi t
hthet owel.Shemar chedtot he
bathroom draggi
ngherbody …
Ngcebo: “
Ithi
nky ouhav etolimitoversleeping
i
nt hemor ni
ngs.Ihavebat hedthechi l
dr en
al
oneandmadebr eakfastandfedt hem. ”he
saidtoNandiphaassheent eredtheki t
chen
dressedupinapi nkstraightcutskirtataknee
l
engt handablackshi r
twi t
hshor tsl
eev es.
Nandi pha:“That
’salsothef at
her’sjob.And
oversleepingiswaybet t
ercompar edt oleavi
ng
i
nmor ningandcomebackat10pm. ”She
comment edopeni ngthefri
dgeandi thad
nothingshewi shedt oeat.Thechi l
drenwer e
watchi ngTVandNgcebowasst andingbyt he
si
nkeat i
ngcereals.Shedidn’thearacomment
fr
om Ngcebo.Shesawi twasbet t
ert hatshe
preparesfoodandsnacksfort
heri
tual
.Ngcebo
mov edfrom t
hesinkandhesatdownonthe
chairwhil
eNandiphagotbusy.
“Mama,i
foniyakho!
”(Mom,yourphone!)Buhl
e
gaveNandi
phaherringi
ngphone.Shethenran
backt
othelounge.
Nandi
pha:
“Hel
l
o!”
Nont
obeko:
“Ial
mostgav
eup.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Ilef
tthephoneinthebedroom andI
am i
nsi
dethekit
chen.Buhl
ejustgavethe
phonet
ome. ”
Nont
obeko:
“Okay
,howar
eyou?
”
Nandipha:“
Iam fineandhowar eyou?”she
l
ookedbackatNgcebowi thanaimtoaskhi m
togetherearphonesinthebedroom butshe
sawhi m wi
thhisearphones.Shemarchedto
him andunpluggedtheearphonesfr
om his
phone.
Nont
obeko:“Iam f
ineandIam cal
l
ingabout
t
hearti
cle.
”
“Whyareyoutakingmyear
phones?”Heasked
andlookedatherasshepl
uggedthem onher
phone.Hewatchedassheplacedt
hem int
oher
ears.
Nandipha:“
Youcanusemi ne, Rast
a.Iwantto
tal
kandwor k.
”Sherepl
iedplacingthephoneon
herwaistsuppor
tedbyskir
t.“Iam sorr
yfor
that
.”
Nontobeko:“Youaresobossy .Whydidyou
takehisearphones?”sheaskedandlaughed.
Nandiphalookedbackt ocheckifNgcebowas
sti
llt
here.He’dlef
thisphoneont het
abletoget
theearphones…
Nandipha:“
Iam busyandhe’snotbusy
.How
di
dy oufeelaboutt
heart
icl
e?”
Nont
obeko:
“Iknowt
hat,
Palesai
snotthe
womanhewascheati
ngwit
hbutaretheyreal
l
y
dati
ng?Theyseemedpr ett
ycomfor
tabl
e
aroundeachother.Idon’tknowi
fyou’
llbe
comf ort
abl
espeakingaroundhisbr
otherand
speakingaboutyourfr
iend.”
Nandiphal
ookedbacktocheckf
orNgceboand
hewasn’tback.“
Youwon’
tusewhatev
erIwil
l
tel
lyouinyourdi
vor
ce?
”Sheasked.
Nontobeko:“
No,there’
snothingleftt
odelaythe
div
orceandit’
dbeendr aggedfortoolong.I
wantittoendbutIjustwonderIwi shtoknow.I
thi
nkyou’l
lal
sowantt oknowi fyouwer eme.”
Nandipha:“
Iguessy ouareri
ght.They’
renot
dati
ngbuty oursoontobeex-husbandasked
heroutandshet ol
dmeabouti t.Inevert
hought
thi
nksomeonewoul dt akepi
cturesandhave
them l
eaked.”
Nont
obeko:
“Di
dheknowt
hatshei
syourbest
f
ri
end?”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
heknewandmyf
ri
endwas
real
l
yworri
edlastni
ghtthatyou’
llt
hinkabout
herbadl
ybecauseofthearti
cle.
”
Nontobeko:“
No,Ihavenothingagainstherbut
i
tdidtri
ggersomethi
ngseei nghi
ml ikethat
.But
heisboundtomov eonasIam boundt omove
on.Andhe’ddonethatear
lierbycheatingon
me.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam r
eal
l
ysor
rybutt
her
e’snot
hingI
coul
d-”
Nontobeko: “
No,don’
tfeelbadaboutanything
becausenoneoft hi
sisy ourfaul
t.Andwhat
thatarti
clesai
daboutyoui sj
ustpure
chil
dishness.Ij
ustwantedclari
tyift
hey’
re
real
lydating.
”
Nandi
pha:“I
fthey’
redat
ing?Wer
ey ougoi
ngto
t
hinkIwouldhavehadahandinstoppi
ngthem
f
rom dat
ing?”
Nont
obeko:“
Youhavi
ngacrushonhi
m di
dn’
t
st
opmef r
om dat
inghi
m andhowcanyoust
op
y
ourf
ri
endf
rom dat
inghi
mifshewant
s?”
Nandiphalaughed.“Really
!Thecrush?Youare
unbel
ievablefr
om raisingsuchhorr
ibl
epast
thi
ngs.”Shecomment edandmov edtothesink
towasht hedoughof fherhands.Shelooked
fort
hepot s.
Nontobekochuckl
ed.“
Iam j
ustmaki
ngan
example.
”Shetoldher
.
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,thanky
ouf
ort
hecal
lthen.
”
Nontobeko:
“Al
ri
ght
,sendmyr
egar
dst
othe
gi
rl
s.”
Nandipha: “
Iwill
do.”shesai dandt heyshar ed
goodby es.Nandipharemov edherphonef rom
herwaistandshepl acedt hem onthet able.
Ngcebowasi nsi
det hekit
chenwi thherbuthe
wasonhi sphonewi thear
phonespl uggedon
hi
sear s.Nandiphamar chedt othelounget o
getherchi l
drentohelpher.
“
Haa!Youar
eseat
edsoni
ceandqui
et.
”She
comment edseeingthegirl
sseatedonthefl
oor
watchi
ngTom andJer ry.Theywereal
l
concent
ratedont hescreenandnobody
amongstt hem wasdoinganysideacti
vi
ty.
“
EHE!”Theyal
lchant
edandl
ookedatt
hei
r
mot
hershortl
y.
Nandi pha: “
Youwon’ tcomeandhel pmei nt he
kit
chen?Iam cooki ng.Umamauzohl aba
i
nkukhuf uthiani
funiukumbukaehl abai nkukhu
enizoyidla?”Sheaskedt hem looki
ngatt hem
hopingt heywouldagr eebecauseev enthough
theycausedchaosi nt heki
tchentheydi dhelp
herbygoi ngupanddowndoi ngev erythi
ngshe
woul daskt hem todo.
Simil
o:“Ashambeni
niyabo?”(Let’
sgo, okay?)
Shelookedathersi
stersandshest oodupf i
rst
,
Buhlefol
lowedupandt herestofthesisters
stoodup.Theyledt
heirmot hert
ot hekit
chen
andwhent heygott
heretheygottowor k
turni
ngthekit
cheni
ntoabusyandnoi syr oom.
Thatfor
cedNgcebotol
eavethekit
chen
becausethei
rnoi
sewasdi
sturbi
nghim…
Thecupwi t
hbabymi l
k, sweets,chi
ps,chicken
anddumpl ingwer eplaceddowni nsi
dethehut
andNandi phawaskneel ingbehindNgcebo’ s
sidewhi lehewasseat edonhi slegswi t
ha
brokencl aypott hathadi ncenseinhishands.
Theyl eftthegi r
lsi
nsidet hehousewat ching
cartoonsast heywerei nsidethehut…Ngcebo
thenbeganbur ni
ngthei ncenseanditsmoke
roll
edup.Het hencall
eduponhi sancestors
beforespeaki nganywor ds.Helookedbackat
Nandi phaandshekneel edforwardtobenextt o
him.
Ngcebo: “NgibizaninaboMageba, Sthul
isi
ka
Ndaba, Ndabezi tha,ngiyacelanizi
veze
nendodanay ami uLethukut hula.
”Hepaused
andpr oceededpr ai
singhiscl annamesuntilhe
wasr eadytot alk,until
hef eltitwastheti
me
thathecouldt alk.“nayiingodusoy enu
engumf aziwami ngokomt het ho, umama
wezinganezami , ezinsukwi ni ezidlulesithole
ukuthii
mbewuy ami isit
shal ekeesi belethweni
sakhengakhosi zobanabant wanaababi li
.
Siyani
bikelakuphi ndekubesezi celweni zet
hu
ukuthinibavi
kelekuzozonkei zingozi
nobumny ama…”hecar r
iedonpl eadi ngt hat
theyprotectthet wobabi est hatt heywer e
goingtohav e.Andwhenhewasdone, he
l
ookedatNandi phagi vi
ngheranoppor tunit
yt o
personallyspeakt ot hei
rchi ld’sspi ri
t.Nandi pha
thenspokeaf terNgcebopol itelyunt ilshewas
donespeaki ng…
“Howdi dtherit
ualgo?”Fai
thaskedNandi pha
ont hephone.Shehadherf eetonNgcebo’slap
andhewasr ubbingthem.Theywer eseat
edon
thecouchwat chingTV.Thechildr
enwer e
sleepi
ngaf t
eralongsuccessfulday.
Nandi
pha:“
Itwentwel
l,
mamaandt
omor
row
wearecomingback.
”
Fai
th:
“That
’sgoodt
henandy
oucaneati
nthe
morni
ngnow?”
Nandi
pha:“No,Ican’
tbutIam fi
ne.Iam not
si
ckoranythi
ng.Howar ethi
ngsgoingwiththe
pr
eparat
ionsofthebooklaunch?”
Fait
h:“Weareget
ti
ngt
her
e,babyandIhope
you’
llcome.
”
Nandipha:“Yes,wewi l
lcomewi t
hPalesaand
wewi l
lbuyt hebook.Iwil
lbuyoneformy sel
f
andRastawi l
lbuyone.
”Sheinformedher
motherandf ol
dedherli
pslooki
ngatNgceboas
hewasl ookingatherheari
nghersaywhathe
di
dn’tknow.Shedi dn’
tremov ehi
seyesfrom
herunti
lhedi d.
Fai
thlaughed.“Thatwoul
dbenice.Havea
goodnightthenandsendmyregardstoyour
husband.Iwantmygi r
lst
ovi
sitme.Whenl ast
di
dt hey?”
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Mama,
theywer
ewi
thy
ounot
sol
ongago.
”
Fait
h:“Ey
,don’
tev
encompl
aini
t’
snotabout
you.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwi
l
ltel
lthei
rfat
herandt
ell
them,
t
hen.”
Fai
th:
“Al
ri
ght
.Goodni
ght
.”
Nandi
pha:“Goodnight,
mama. ”Shesaidand
r
emov edherphonef r
om herear.Sheplaced
t
hephoneonherl ap.“You’
ll
buyt hebook,
r
ight
?”sheasked.
Ngcebo:“Youar
eendingwithsomet hi
ngthat
youweresupposedtostar
twith.Ishoul
dsayI
wil
lbuythebook?”
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Youdon’
thav
etobuyi
tthen.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iansweredy
ou.Mamaaskedt
hat
t
hegir
lsvi
sither
.”
Ngcebo:
“Butt
heywer
ewi
thhernotev
en
mont
hsback.
”
Nandipha:“Thankyou,Iwanttogoandsleep
now.”shesaidtohim andNgcebostopped
rubbi
ngher .Nandi
phathengotupwi t
hher
phoneandshemadeherwayt othebedr
oom to
getthesleepthatshedeserv
ed…
“MaZondi ,MaZondi !
”Nandi phawokeupasshe
heardNgcebocal li
ngher .Sheturnedont he
bedsidelambandshel ookedathi m buthewas
sl
eepingf acingher.Nandi phashookhi ml i
ght l
y
buthedi dn’twakeup.Shepl acedherhandon
herchestr ecalli
ngthatNgcebohadoncecal led
herinhissl eep.Buthe’dnev ercall
edheragai n
aft
erthatday .Andnow, hewasdoi ngitagain.
Shedi dn’
tlaybackdownont hepil
lowbutshe
keptherey esonhi m.
“I
nkunzi
isemathol
eni.Ubukhosingaphandle
kwabantwanabufi
le,ubukhosi
ngaphandle
kwabantwanaabunakusasa.Bavikel
e,vul
a
amehloubavi
kele.
”(Futurel
eadersareamongst
thechildren.Akingdom withoutchi
ldrenisdead.
Protectthem, openyoureyesandpr otectthem)
Ngcebospokei nhissleepandNandi phawas
l
ookingathi m ashespoket hesamewor ds
he’dspokenbef orebutthistimethewor ds
wereaddedandshel ookedaroundther oom.
Shepl acedherhandsonherar ms.Sheshook
Ngceboawake.
Nandipha:“
Youaretalki
nginyoursl
eepagai
n.
Youarenotdreaming?”sheaskedhim as
Ngcebo’seyeswerelooki
ngather.
Ngcebo:
“No,
Iam notdr
eami
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:“Areyousure?Iam scar
ednow.Why
doyoukeepingsayi
ngt hesamethingst
ome
andyoustartbycal
l
ingmyname? ”
Ngcebo:
“Whatdi
dIsay
?”
Nandi
pha:“
Yousaidtheexactsamethingabout
chi
ldr
enbei
ngthefutureoft
hekingdom and
youaddedt
hatIshouldopenmyey esand
pr
otectt
hem.
”
Ngcebosatupstrai
ghtanddeepenedhi
s
f
inger
sonhi sscal
p.“Whatdoesthi
smean,
Nandipha?Idon’
tknow.
”Heasked.
Nandi
pha:“
Idon’
tknowbutwhati fthechi
ldr
en
arei
ndanger?Maybeallthechi
ldr
eninthe
fami
lyormychil
dren.Idon’
tknow.”
Ngcebo:“Iwil
lconsul
ttomorrowbeforel
eav
ing
butl
et’sprayf
ornow.”hesuggestedandgave
Nandiphahishands.Shetookthem andt
hey
pray
ed…
~~~~~~~
“You’l
lpassbythepal ace?”Dal
i
ngceboasked
Ngceboandhepl acedQhaweonhi shandsona
Wednesdaymor ni
ng.Ngcebowasi nhishouse
ashewasl eavingwi t
hhi sfami
l
ygoingbackto
Johannesburg.Hel ef
tthem int
hehouse
gett
ingreadyfortheirtr
ipbackhome.
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
lpassby
.Thi
sonewi
l
lbe
darkhey,
hisear
sarepl
ainblack.
”He
comment edl
ooki
ngatthebabyandDal
i
ngcebo
ti
tt
eredandsatdown.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yes,
he’
l
lbedar
kli
kehi
sfat
her
.”
Ngcebo:“
Buthewil
llookli
keme.Youcould
swearIwastheonesleepi
ngwit
hhismother.
Lookathi
m.”heli
ft
edt hebabyf
orDal
ingcebo.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ar
eyousur
ethaty
oudi
dn’
t?”
Ngcebo: “
Tsk!Gwani ,
Dal i
ngcebo.”Heswor eat
him andhisfeetwentforwar dtokickhim and
theylaughed.Ngcebot ookthebaby ’sf
ormula
andhepl aceditonhismout hast hebabywas
cryi
ng.“How’ sl
ivi
ngwithhim ashedoesn’ t
haveamot hert
hatlooksaf t
erhim? ”Heasked
andlookedathi m.
Dali
ngcebo:“Babiesar ehardwor
kbutIdon’t
real
lyfeelt
hediffi
cultybecauseMaNxongo
overtherei
sat radit
ionalwomanandshe
beli
evesIshouldn’tbechanginghi
snappies
andbathi
nghimthat’
snotaman’
sjob.She
doesn’
teventr
ustmeifshehast
oleaveme
wit
hthebaby.Ey,l
omama.”
Ngcebolaughed.“I
fonlysheknewt hatIbath
mygirl
sandchanget hem, dr
essthem, cookfor
t
hem andputt hem t
osleep.Ther
e’snot hi
ng
wrongthere.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Idon’
tseeanythi
ngwrongwith
thatt
oobutdadsharesthesamesenti
ment sas
MaNxongo.Het hi
nksIcanfeedhi
m andput
himtosleepbutnodoallot
herthi
ngsthatare
meantforthemother.
”
Ngcebo:“Dowhatyouarecomfort
abl
ewi
th
becauseyouarethefat
herandyouar
eal
sothe
motherfort
hisone.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youar
eri
ght
.”
Ngcebo:
“You’
vespokent
oPal
esa?
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ey,
ndodaevennowhedoesn’
t
wanttoanswermycall
s.”
Ngcebo:“
Letmecal
lherf
ory
oubuty
ou’
l
l
speak.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ey
,madoda!Youhav
eher
number?”
Ngcebo:“Yes,herfr
iendsavedthenumber .She
usuall
ycall
sherwi t
hmyphonei fshedoesn’t
haveairt
ime.”Herespondedtappingonthe
phonesearchingforPalesa’
snumber .Hegave
thephonetoDal i
ngcebowhent hephonewas
dial
l
ing.
Dal
ingcebo:
“You’l
lchi
llwit
hQhaweov ert
here.I
won’tsi
ther
e.”Hetoldhisbrot
herandwalked
awaytogettohisbedroom.
“Hel
lo?
”Pal
esaanswer
edDal
i
ngcebo’
sphone
cal
lonapol
itet
one.
Dali
ngcebo:“Whyareyoui
gnoringmyphone
cal
ls?Ihavebeencall
i
ngyousinceSundaybut
youdidn’
ttakeanyofmycall
s.”Heaskedfi
rml
y
andexpectedananswerfr
om Palesabutf
ora
f
ewsecondsPalesadi
dn’
trespond.“Youdon’
t
wanttot
alkt
omeev ennowt hatIam tal
ki
ngt
o
you?
”heasked.
Pal
esa:
“Who’
sthi
s?”
Dali
ngcebo:“Pal
esa,Iknowthatyoucanhear
myv oi
ce.You’vebeenspeaki
ngt omeonthe
phoneandy ousuddenlycan’
trecogni
semy
voi
ce.”
Palesa:“Idon’
twanttot
alkt
oyou.Ther
e’sno
needf orustotal
k.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
There’
saneedforustotalk
becauseIknowthatthear
ti
clemighthavehur
t
youanditwasn’
tmyi nt
ent
ionsforsomethi
ng
l
ikethatt
ohappen.”
Pal
esa:
“Ithi
nky
ouhav
etoacceptt
hatwecan’
t
bet
ogether.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Wecan’
tbet
oget
herbecauseof
t
heart
icl
e?”
Palesa:“
Ican’tf
itint
oy ourworl
dandi
t’
sbest
thatyoudon’tevenwast eyourt
imewi
thme.
Let’
sstayawayf rom eachother
.”
Dali
ngcebo: “Ican’tstay–no, Iwon’tstayaway
from you.Idon’ttakeor ders,
Palesaandi fyou
real
lydon’thav ear easonforusnotbei ng
t
oget hertheny oucan’ tst
opusf rom being
t
oget her.
”
Palesalaughed.“Youarenotserious,
right?You
cheatedony ourwifeforgoodnesssakewhat
canmakemet hi
nky ouwon’tdoittome? ”She
asked.
Dalingcebo:“
IknowIdi dthatbutIam reall
ynot
thatkindofaman.Mysi t
uationwith
Nont obekowasdiff
erentbutIlovedher.I
want edhertohaveti
mewi t
hwor kandbe
happyandIt houghtthati
ftimecomest hatI
askhert ocomebackhomeshewoul dn’trefuse.
AllIwantisawomanwhom Iwi l
lsharemyl ife
with,Iwantherherewithmei nahomet hatwi l
l
becomeour s.Iknowt hatthisl
ifewit
hmewon’ t
bef ancyl
iketheoney ouhav einJohannesbur
g.
ButIcanpr omisey oui twil
lbewar m.Iwantto
sharemyl if
eandspacewi thyou.Don’
tbe
botheredbypeopl ecallingyouahomewr ecker
becausey ouknowt hat’snotwhatyouare.And
please,i
fIcallyouagai ndon’tignor
emycal l
s.”
Pal
esa:
“By
e.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Haveagoodday .”Hesaidtoher
andPalesasai
ditbacktohi m.Dali
ngcebot hen
removedthephonefrom hisearandhesi ghed.
“ShewouldbeinsaneifshethinksIwil
ll
ether
gobecauseofanar t
icl
e.”Hespoket ohimself
andhemov edoutofhisbedr oom.
Ngcebo:
“Sheaccept
edt
hecal
l
?”
Dali
ngcebo:“Yes.Thanky ouandyou’
l
lsee
she’
llanswermycal lnextti
me.”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’tseey
ouf oolbecauseIwon’
t
behere.Takethebaby.Ishouldgetgoi
ngnow.”
hesaidgivi
ngQhawet ohisfat
her.Dal
ingcebo
tookthebabyf
rom hisbrother
’sarms.He
walkedawaytoputthebabydown…
“Iam comi ngf
rom Mnotho’
shouseandI
thoughtIshouldcheckmygrandsonbuthe’s
sleeping.
”Thembeli
hlesai
dtoDal i
ngcebo
l
ooki ngatthebabythatwassleepi
ngonhiscot
.
Itwas7pm asshewasi nDal
ingcebo’
shouse.
Dal
ingcebo:“
Hesleepsal
otandhi
snannysay
s
i
t’
sagoodt hing.
”
Thembel i
hleturnedtoleavetheroom and
Dali
ngcebof oll
owedherbehi nd.“
Yes,it
’sa
goodt hi
ngwhent hebabygetsenoughsl eep.
But,howar eyou? ”sheaskedandlookedback
athi
m shor tl
y.
Dali
ngcebo:“Iam f
inemama.Youdon’thavet
o
worryaboutme.You’ll
hav
eteaorj
uice.Ihave
cookeddinner.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Doy
our
eal
l
ywanty
ourf
athert
o
begr
umpy
?”
Dali
ngcebochuckl
ed.“Okay,letmewalky
ou
outthen.
”Hesaidtohismot herandt
hey
walkedoutofthehousetogether.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dNont
obekocal
lyou?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“No,
whywoul
dshe?
”
Thembel i
hle:“Shewoul dcallaboutthearti
cle.
Dali
ngcebo, Ireall
ydon’tthi
nkt hatyoushould
evenstartar elati
onshi
pwi thNandipha’sfr
iend.
Youshoul dlear nfr
om thepastsi t
uati
ons.You
sawhowy ouandy ourbrotherwoul df
ight
becausey ourwi vesweresisters.Anddoy ou
thi
nkthingswi l
lbediff
erentnowi fyoudate
Nandipha’sfriend?”
Dali
ngcebo:“
It
’sdi
ffer
ent,
Palesai
sherf
ri
end
notsist
erandthey
’recl
ose.”
Thembelihle:
“No,nothi
ngwill
bet hesamebut
you’
llf
ightagain.Don’
tbri
ngthisgir
lher
eas
yourgi
rlf
riendanddon’teventhi
nkofmar r
ying
her
.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Mamandlunkulu,youaremy
motherandyoucannevertel
lmewhot odate
andwhonott odat
e.I
fyouwon’ tl
ikeher,
shoul
dshebecomemypar t
nerthenthatwill
be
yourprobl
em,mama.Please,gohomei t
’slate.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam adv
isi
ngy
ou.
”
Dalingceboopenedt hedoorf orhi smother
.
“Yes,andIam nott akingt headv ice.
”Hesaid
givi
ngherhi shandt ohel pherst epinsi
dethe
car.Thembel i
hlesteppedi nsidet hecarand
saidgoodby estoherson…Thecardr oveaway
andshewaswor r
iedt hathersonswi l
lbe
divi
dedagai nshouldDal i
ngcebodat e
Nandi pha’
sfri
endandshedi dn’tknowhowshe
coulddot ostopthatf rom happeni ng.No,
mot herwantsherchi l
dr entor esenteachother
andshewasscar edt hatwoul dhappenagai n…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE16

Mntwanawasseat edbehi ndthedeskinsidehis

offi
ceandhewasl ookingatNel i
swa’
st witter
profi
lewhi l
ehewast al
kingt oNgceboont he
phone.Itwast he15t hofAugustwhi chwast wo
weeksaf terhe’dmetNel i
swa.Theylastsaw
eachot herthemor ningwhenshewasdr opping
him offbyBuzwe’ shouse.Nel iswawasbusy
foraweekandt heycoul dn’tmeet.Whent hey
weresupposedt omeetandt heyhaveplanned
thei
rmeet ing.Shehadt oflyt
oDubai ona
businesstrip,atr
ipthatcameupunexpect edl
y.
“Whatdidshesay ?Shewant ssomethi
ngthat
youcan’tgivet
oher?”NgceboaskedMnt wana
who’dtoldhimthatSimthande’
ssist
eris
blackmail
inghi
m becausesheknewhi sage.
Mnt wanaexhaled.“Shecamebackher e
becauseherbusi nessisfaci
ngfinancial
di
fficul
ti
esandshewashopi ngshewoul dget
helpfrom hersist
er.Andshewoul dmake
amendsbecauset hingsarefal
l
ingapar t
.She
want smet ohelpherwi t
hthatfi
nancial
di
fficul
tybyinvesti
ngi nherl
i
ne.”Het oldhi
s
brotherwhatNikhonawant edfrom him.
Ngcebol
aughed.“
Ithoughtshewouldwanty ou
sl
eepwit
hherasshe’dshowedy ouherbreasts
andvagi
na.
”Ngceboguessedandt heyl
aughed.
Mnt wana:“
She’scrazybecauseshewas
supposedtogivemeaf ormalproposalandask
thatIhel
pher.Iwasgoi ngtohelpherwithout
askinganyt
hingandIt hi
nkthatshe’sly
ingshe’s
sti
llgoi
ngtowantsomet hi
ngfrom me.Ican’t
beli
eveIencouragedhersistertomeetupwi t
h
her.
”
Ngcebo:
“Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
hen?
”
Mnt wana:“Iwil
l f
indsomeonewho’ l
li
nveston
thatbusiness.Iwon’tputmymoneyont hat
thi
ng,make- up.Shetoldmet hatt
hedamagei s
sti
lli
nter
nal andshe’stry
ingbyallmeanst o
stopitfr
om bei ngexter
nal.
”
Ngcebo:“
Buti
sn’
texter
nalnowt
hatshewant
s
moneyfordamagecontr
ol?
”
Mntwana:“
No,itisn’
tbecausetheydon’
ttel
l
peopl
etheyapproachthattheyneedmoneyfor
damagecontr
ol.”
Ngcebo: “
Isitagoodinvest
mentthough?I
t’
s
l
egitorit
’ssomethingthatyoucan’
ttr
ustt
hat
you’
llgetret
urns.
”
Mnt wana:“I
t’
sagoodi nv
est
mentandi t’
s
alway sgoodtoinv
estonaproductthathas
beenr unni
ngforyear
sandthei
rcustomerbase
i
sst rongbecauseyouknowthatyou’l
lget
retur
ns.”
Ngcebo:
“Howdoy
ougetr
etur
nsont
his
i
nvestmentpl
an?I
sity
ear
lyorhal
fay
earor
monthly
?Howdoesitwor
k?”
Mntwana:
“You’l
lgetr
etur
nsquar
ter
lyf
ort
his
i
nvest
mentplan.
”
Ngcebo: “Al
ri
ght,
Iwanty outoensurethatthi
s
i
sl egitbyhav i
ngameet ingwit
ht heboardand
got herightwaybywant i
ngtoinvestontheli
ne.
Andi fpossiblebargai
namont hlyretur
nbutif
theycan’ toff
erit
.Quarterl
yisf
ine.”
Mntwana:
“Al
ri
ght
,whydoy
ouwantmet
odo
t
his?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwantt
oinv
est
.”
Mnt
wana:
“Huh?Onamake-
upl
i
ne?
”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,Iwon’
tbegett
ingt
her
etur
nsbut
Iwanttodothi
sformywife.
”
Mnt
wana:“Butyourwi
fei
ssomeonewhowant
s
t
oworkforhersel
f.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iknowbutev
ersi
ncewehadki
dsshe
hadtoputev eryt
hingonhold.Itwasherchoi ce
butasamot heritwasunder standablethatshe
wouldbescar edtoleavefiv
ebabi eswith
nannies.Shedi dn’
tgetachancet ocompl et
e
herqualifi
cationandbeabl etobeascr eenplay
writ
erandIdoubtshe’ l
leverbet hatbecause
thatcareerisdemandi ngandchi ldr
enar ealso
demandi ng.BeinganAut horisbet t
ercompar ed
toTVcar eers.”
Mntwana:“Won’
tsheworknextyear?Andthe
gi
rl
swi l
lneedt
ostar
tpreschoolpr
ettysoon
andthatmeansshecanwor k.
”
Ngcebo:“She’
ll
wor kbutshe’
llbeworki
ngfrom
home.Andt hemoneywon’ tbethesame
especi
all
ynowt hatshe’
llhav
emor echi
ldr
ento
l
ookafter.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Huh?
”
Ngcebo:“
We’llhav
et woaddi
ti
onalbabies.
She’
spregnantanditwasn’
tonherplansto
hav ebabiesnow.Idi dn’
thav eapr oblem withi
t
buther ,
ont heotherhandshedi dn’twantt obe
pregnantnow.Andbei ngaf ool t
hatIcanbe
somet i
mesIhav esaidsomeof fensivethingst
o
heraboutf i
nancialresponsibil
it
yinourhome.I
wantt omakeani nvestmentf orhersot hatshe
canhav eherownmoney .Ev er
ythingwi l
lbeon
hernamenotmi ne.Wehav emadean
i
nv estmenttogetherbutit’sforthechi l
drenand
i
fwef i
ndour sel
vesinaf inancialcri
sis.So,
woul dyoudot hatforme? ”
Mntwana: “
Yes,i
tgoeswi t
houtquesti
onandif
thi
sinvestmenti
snotpr omisi
ng.Iwi
llmake
surethatIfi
ndanotheroneforyousothatyou’
l
l
compar eandchoosethebestinvest
ment.”
Ngcebo:
“Thanky
ou.Icanr
eal
l
yappr
eci
ate
t
hat.
”
Mntwana:
“Howar eyou?Youarenotinbur
dens
si
nceshe’
spregnantphel
alastti
meshewas
waytoomuchwhenshewaspr egnant
.”
Ngceboti
tt
ered.“
No,she’sactual
lyali
tt
lebi
t
qui
etbuti
nawayIcan’ texplai
ntoyoubecause
youdon’
tknowherli
keIdo. ”Heresponded.
Mnt wana:
“Howf ari
sshe?Maybeit’
sstil
lear
ly
ormay bethi
stimeshedoesn’
twanttobe
aroundyou.”heguessedandt
heylaughed.
Ngcebo:“She’
sthreemont hsandyoumi ghtbe
ri
ghtaboutthatbecauseIaskedBuhleifthei
r
motherdoesplayandl aughwitht
hem andshe
sai
dy es,
theydot hatall
theti
me.”
Mntwanal
aughed.“Youareworri
ed,neh?You
ev
enaskedthechil
d!”heexcl
aimedandshook
hi
sheadashecouldn’tst
oplaughi
ng.
Ngcebo: “
Voetsek,wena!It’
smucheasiert
osee
Nandiphawhensomet hi
ngi sof
fwi
thherandI
am gr
at ef
ul f
orthatbecauseIwoul
dn’
tsurvive
doi
ngt heguessinggamei fshe’
saquietperson.
Andyoumi ghtberighty
azimaybeIam theone
whoupset sher.”
Mntwana:“Butdon’
tguessj
ustaskher
.You
canneverconfi
rm.”
Ngcebo:“Youareri
ght
.Si
mthandeisal
lgood
nowwi t
hhersist
erbei
ngaroundanddi
dshe
takehavi
ngaplaceofherownverywel
l?”
Mnt wana:“Yes,she’
sgoodbei ngwit
hhersister
andshedi dn’twanttomov e.She’
ssti
lli
nmy
placebutlastnightshetol
dmeshe’ l
lmov e
becausesheget smypoi ntthatwewill
ruinour
relat
ionshi
pifwecanl iv
etogethersoearl
y.”
Ngcebo:“Haa!Thatwasunexpect
edandshe
di
dn’taccuseyouofanyt
hing?”
Mnt wanachuckled.“Whywoul dn’
tshebecause
Iwast oldIwantwoment ocomebymypl ace
becauseIhav eseenl i
vingwit
hherisnot
sati
sfying.Tsk!ButItookitasamant hough.I
didn’
tgetal l
wor kedup.”Hetol
dhim.
Ngcebo:“
Andyoubett
ernotbr
ingwomenov
er
t
herebecausey
ou’
lldi
e.”
Mntwana:
“It
houghtDal
ingcebowoul
dhave
sai
dsomethi
ngli
kethat
,aboutme,dy
ingi
fI
bri
ngmorewomen.”
Ngcebochuckl ed.“Itcamef r
om hermouththat
she’sinsecureandi nsecur
it
iescanbedeadly
from somepeopl e.Buty oumustnotgiv
eher
reasonst obeinsecur eandquesti
onyouall
the
ti
me.I twill
getti
ring.”Headv i
sed.
Mnt wana:
“Youar
er i
ghtandgoodnewsis,t
he
otherwomanIfound,shehasaspaceofher
ownandabusyl i
fe.Si
mthandewon’tev
en
noti
ce.”
Ngcebo:“
Doti!Youarealreadycheat
ing,not
eventwominutesinarelati
onshipandthere’
s
someoneelseinyourli
fe?”
Mnt wana:“I
thappenedoncebutIam interesti
n
goingbackf ormore.Il
oveSimthande.Iknow
thatIloveherandsheknowst hatnowbutI
can’tputal
lmyt r
ustinher.Youknowt hose
womeny oul
ovewhilehel
pingthem.When
they
’reupinthei
rfeett
heytendtoseebet
ter
peoplethanyou.
”
Ngcebo:“
Yourmot
herdi
dn’
tdot
hatt
oyour
f
ather.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Mom wasdi
ff
erent
.”
Ngcebo:“No,shecoul
dhavechangedwhenshe
hadmoneyandev eryt
hingt
hatshewant
ed.But
shedidn’
tchange.
”
Mntwana:“ Igetyoubutit
’sbett
erifIleav
ea
room f
ordisappoi nt
ment.AnduntilIcansee
howshe’ll
beaf t
ergett
inghersuccessIwon’t
dateheralone.Ihavemadeupmymi ndabout
that
.”
Ngcebo: “Ay
,boy,i
fyouwantthatroutether
e’s
nothingIcandot ochangeyourmi nd.Butyou
betterbringheronmysneakerl i
nelaunchnot
theot hercabbagethaty
ou’
vef ound.”
Mnt
wanal
aughed.“
Gwani
!She’
snotacabbage
butIwi l
lcomewi thSi mthande.Idon’
teven
thinkNeliswawill
beav ail
abl
e.Iwon’taskher.
Buty oumustt el
lyourcamer amennott otake
picturesofme-”hedi dn’tfi
nishoffhi
ssentence
becauseNgcebol aughedbef orehecouldeven
fi
nish.Mnt wana’
sassi stantenter
edthroughthe
officedoor.“
It’
snotf unny.”
Ngcebo:“
Iti
sfunnyify
ouaskme.Ishoul
dgo
backtoworknow.”
Mnt
wana:
“Sur
e,met
oo.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Ngcebo: “
Sho, nt
wana.Andyoumusttellt
his
Nikhonawomant obehonestwit
hhersist
er
andtellherthatshehaspr
oblems.Sothat
Simthandewon’ tbehur
tagai
n.It
’snotni
ceto
behurtbyy ourownbloodoverandoveragai
n.”
Mntwana:
“Youar
eri
ght
.Iwi
l
ldot
hat
,thank
you.
”
Ngcebo:
“Sho!
”theyhungupthecal
land
Mntwananoddedhisheadi
nsupportofwhat
hi
sbrot
herhadjustt
oldhi
m.Heneededt
otel
l
Ni
khonathatshemustbehonestwi
th
Si
mthande…
“HowaboutIf i
ndaplaceint hatsamebuildi
ng
andIwi l
lhavearoommat ewho’ l
lbemysister?
”
SimthandeaskedMntwanawhowasseat ed
acrossherinsi
dearestaurantbythebeach.
Mnt wanahadtakenheroutonaTuesdayni ght
becauseshewasn’twor ki
ngandhewasi na
moodofgoi ngoutwithher.
Mntwana:“That’
smorelikeli
vingtogether
.Wai
t,
youhaven’
tagreedtotheideaofusl i
ving
separ
atel
y,ri
ght?”heaskedplacinghisfor
k
down.
Si
mthande:
“No,
it’
snotl
i
ket
hat
.”
Mntwana:“Yes,i
t’
sli
kethatandifItel
lyout
he
tr
uthbabe,thet
ruthi
sthatli
vingtoget
herwon’
t
guarant
eethatIwon’
tcheatony oubecauseI
canseethatyouhavetheideaofmecheat i
ngi
f
Il
i
veal
one.
”
Si
mthande:
“Howcany
ousayt
hat
?”
Mnt wana: “Iam notsay i
ngi ttohurtyoubutI
am say ingitsot haty oucanseet hatyoucan’t
stopmef r
om doi ngsomet hing.Butally
oucan
doisr elaxandgi v eourr elationshipachanceto
blossom wi t
houtanyofushol dingtootighton
i
tbecausei tcanbr eak.Ilov ey ouandIwantus
tobet oget her.Please,loosenupanddon’ t
maket hingsdi f
fi
cul tf
orus. ”
Simthandel
ookeddownashi swordshithome.
Shelookedathim.“ Okay,
Iwantt oli
vebyt he
beachandIwi l
lli
vewi t
hmysi sterbecauseshe
l
ivesinahotel.
”Shet ol
dMnt wanaf eel
ingthat
shewasf or
cingthis.Shedidn’twantit
.
Mntwana:
“Yoursi
steri
smov
ingi
nher
e
per
manentl
y?”
Si
mt hande:“
No,
butf
ort
het
imebei
ng.When
wi
llImov e?
”
Mnt wana:“I
twil
ldependonwhenar ewe
getti
ngasui t
abl
epl ace.Idon’
twantyouli
ving
i
nsomeshabbyf latbutIwantasafeplacef or
you.May bebySeptemberwewoul dhav efound
thatplace.
”
Simthandesmi l
edasitwarmedherhear tthat
Mnt wanacar edabouthersafety.Shewasr eal
l
y
hopingthatthistimeshedidn’tgowr ongand
shewasn’ tgoingtodestr
oytheirrelati
onship
withhertrustissues.“
Thatwoul dber eal
lynice
andIreall
yt hinkli
vi
ngseparatel
ywi ll
begood
forus.”Shesai d.
Mnt wana: “Yes,
Ihav ebeenbot heredby
somet hingabouty oursister
.”Heint r
oduced.
Hedi dn’tknowifhewasgambl i
ngbyt el
li
ngher
thi
sbuthesawt hatitwasbestt hathet el
lsher
whatNi khonahaddone.Becausei twascl ear
thatNikhonawasgoi ngt ohurthersisteragai
n
asshe’ drefusedtotellSimthandet hather
businesshadpr oblems.Mnt wanahadcal led
hertotel
lherthathewantedtomeetwiththe
boardandhet ol
dhertotell
Simthandethetr
uth
butsherefused,t
ell
i
nghimt hatSi
mthande
wasn’tgoi
ngt otr
usther
.
Si
mthande:
“Whati
sit
?”
Mntwana:“
Idon’tli
kewhatyoursi
sterdi
dandif
youwerepartofitIdon’
tev
enwanty outopl
ay
suchgameswi t
hme. ”
Si
mthande:
“Whatar
eyouonabout
?”
Mntwana:“
Yoursist
erseducedmeandshowed
meherbreast
sandv agi
na.Iturnedherdown
andshetol
dmet hatshewast esti
ngme.”
Simthandelaughedandcl
appedonce.“
Ican’
t
beli
evethi
s!”Sheexcl
aimed.
Mnt
wana:
“Youcan’
tbel
i
evewhat
?”
Simt
hande:“
Nikhonatol
dmet hatshedoesn’
t
l
iket
hewayy oulookatherbutIj
ustthought
shewasoveract
ingandnow,youarelying
aboutherl
i
ket
his.
”
Mntwana: “
What!Youcan’
tbeseri
ous,
Simthande.Doyouinanywaythi
nkthatIwant
yoursist
er?Ist
hatwhatyout
hink?WhywouldI
l
ie?”
Simt hande:“
Idon’tknowbuty ouwantedt o
meetherasear l
yasf i
rstdayofmymeet i
ng
withherandIdi dn’twantmeet ingupwi t
hher
buty oupushedmet odoit.Andnow, youwant
met omov eout.Youarelyingabouther .Doyou
wanther ?”Mntwanacl i
ckedhi stongueand
rai
sedhi shandf orthewait
r ess.Heopenedhis
walletlooki
ngformoneyt opayt hebil
l
.“ Why
arey ouquietnow? ”Sheasked.
Mnt wana:“
Iam f edupwi t
ht hi
st hi
ngofbeing
accusedoft hi
ngsIknownot hingabout.Iam
tel
li
ngy outhetruthabouty oursist
erbecauseI
actuall
ydon’tt
rustherandIt houghtmay beshe
wast el
li
ngthetruthbutthatmor ningIasked
youaboutthis.Youdidn’ttellmey ou’
vetold
y
oursi
stert
odot
hist
estshi
t.
”
Simt hande: “That’
sbecauseIdi dn’
ttellherand
youar ej ustl yi
ng.HowcanNi khonashowy ou
herbr east -”shepausedast hewaitresswas
befor ethem.Mnt wanapai dthebil
landhegot
upf rom t hechai r
.Simt handetookherbagand
foll
owedMnt wana.“Youcan’ thonestlytel
lme
thatmysi sterhasshowedy ouherbr eastsand
vagina.She’ snotlikethatandifshehaddone
that.Whydi dn’ty
out el
l methesamedayshe
didit?”sheasked.
Theysteppedinsi
dethecar.“
Iwon’tanswer
yourquesti
onbecauseit
’snotli
keyou’l
lbeli
eve
anythi
ngIwill
sayanyway.”Hesaidstart
ingthe
engi
ne.
Simt
hande:“
Yes,youwon’
tansweritbecause
youarel
yi
ng.Ican’
tbel
i
eveyou!”sheshouted
athi
m andcl
appedherhandsonce.
Mnt
wanadi
dn’
trai
seacommentbuthe
wonder edhowcoul dshet r
usthersi st
erafter
ever ythingt hatshe’ddonet oher ?Buthe’d
nev erdonesomet hi
ngf orhert odoubthis
i
nt entions.He’ dj usttol
dhert hetrut
handshe
didn’tev entellhim shewasgoi ngtospeakt o
hersi sterbutshewasqui ckt oconcludethathe
wasl yingt oher !Whywoul dshenott r
usthim
butt rusthersi st er
?Hewonder edast heyhad
ther estoft hei
rdr i
vequi etl
ybecausehedi dn’
t
wantt okeepar guingaboutt his.Butheknew
shewant edtokeept alki
ngabouti t…
~~~~~~~
Nont obekoandDal ingceboexitedthecour tas
adi v
orcedcoupl e.Dalingcebocouldn’tbel i
eve
thataftersuchal ongt i
meofabat tlethathi s
divorcehadbeen.Hewasf i
nal
lyadivor ced
man.Het houghtthatt heywouldhav eal i
fe,a
goodl i
fewithNont obekobutt hatdidn’thappen.
Buthewasgr atefulthattheyhadsomeone, a
beaut i
fulpr
incessthatcamef r
om theirl ove.
Andashewasmovi
ngdownt
ohi
scarhefel
t
l
ikenowhecanr
eal
l
ymoveonwi
thhi
sli
fe.
Nont obekowal kedoutoft hecour tdeci ding
thatallherdedi cat i
onwasgoi ngt obei nv est
ed
i
nhercar eerandherdaught ernownot
forgetti
nghermot her.Shedi dn’thav eaman
shewascommi ttedt oandshoul dshewanta
mansheknewwhatshewasgoi ngt obe
l
ooki ngf or.Shewasn’ tgoingt ol ookf oraman
l
ikeDal ingcebo.He’ dbeenagoodandabad
partofherl ifeandf r
om t oday ,shewasgoi ngto
mov eonf rom t hismar r
iageandst artafresh.
Shedi dn’tf eelli
keshe’ dhur tDal i
ngceboby
maki ngt heirdivor cepubl icbecausehedi dn’
t
evencommentt ot hepubl icbutshe’ dgot
suppor tfrom st ranger s.She’ dcr i
edf ort he
fai
lureofhermar ri
age, she’dcr iedf orlosingthe
manshel ov ed.Andnow, ther ewasnot earslef
t
tocrybutl ookingf orwardt oanewl eaf…
“
Wewi
l
lmeetupatt
her
est
aur
ant
?”Dal
i
ngcebo
askedNont obekoast heyhav ereachedthe
parkinglotofthecour t.Theyhav edeci
ded
beforegoi ngtocour tthati
twasbestt hatt hey
tel
lQal okuhletogetherthattheywerenol onger
together.Nontobekowast heonewhocal led
Dali
ngceboandr equestedthattheydothis
togetherbecauseshedi dn’
twantQal okuhlet o
betol daboutthisdivorcewhi l
eshewasnot
there.
Nontobeko:
“Yes,andIwil
lbegoinghomewi t
h
her.Ihopey
oudidn’tf
orgetaboutt
hat.Iwi
l
l
bri
ngherbackonSunday .
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Ididn’tfor
get.”Hei nfor
medher
andtheysteppedi nsidetheircars.Dali
ngcebo’
s
cardroveoutoft heparkinglotf i
rstand
Nontobeko’
scarf ol
lowedbehi nd.Hewas
dri
vi
nghopingt hatt hei
rdaught erwouldn’
tcry…
“Mama,youaregoinghomewi
thus?You
haven’
tbeencominghomeandIhaveabrot
her
butyouwerenott
herewhenwewenttotake
hi
mf rom thehospi t
al.Whenarey oucoming
home? ”Qalokuhleaskedhermot her.Shewas
si
tti
ngonNont obeko’slapandThembel i
hlewas
onthet abl
ewi t
ht hem.Qalokuhl
ehadbeenwi th
herast heywerewai t
ingforherparents.
Thembelihle:“
Letherfat
heranswerthat
Nontobekobecauset hat
’sabigandhard
questi
ont hatyourchi
ldcanaskyou.Iknow.
”
Shesaidlookingatherson.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Whyshoul
dIanswerbecause
she’
saskinghermot
her
?”
Nont
obeko:“
Yourmotheri
sright,
Dalingcebo.
Youshoul
danswert
hatbecauseev enthatbaby
i
snotminebutt
hatbabyisyours.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Qal
okuhl
e?Yourmot
herwon’
tbe
cominghomewithus.
”
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Why
?”
Dali
ngcebolookedathi
smotherand
Thembelihl
edidn’
tsayawor
dbutshekepther
eyesst i
llonhi
m.Helookedathisdaughternot
knowi nghowhewasgoi ngtotel
lheraboutthi
s
divor
ce.“ Shewon’
tbecominghomebecause
yourfatherandyourmotherar
enol onger
mar r
ied.”Hetol
dher.
Qalokuhl
e:“Why ?Becausegrandpaand
grandmaar eoldandt hey
’rest
il
lmarri
edand
theyli
vetogether.Butyouarenolongermar
ri
ed,
why ?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo: “
Nont
obekothi
swasy ourideathat
weshouldtel
lQal
okuhl
eaboutthediv
or ce
t
ogetherbutnow,
youarequiet
.”
Nontobeko:“Iam qui
etbecausey
oushould
answerher.Iwil
ltal
ktoherwhenshereact
sto
thefactt
hatwear edivor
ced.”
Dali
ngcebo:“Somemar ri
edpeopledon’
tlive
toget
herunti
l they’
reoldli
keyourgr
andpar ent
s.
Buttheyencount erpr
oblemsthatstopthem
from st
ayi
ngt ogetherasamar r
iedcouple.But
t
hatdoesn’
tmeant
heyhat
eeachot
her
.”
Nontobeko: “
Yes, baby,y
ourf atherandI ,don’t
hat
eeachot her.Butwej ustcan’tli
vet ogether
anymor eandy ou’l
lstaywi t
hy ourgranny .
Mommy ,willal
way scomet akeyouandwewi ll
gohomet ogethernotiny ourfather
’shouse.
Andy ou’l
lvi
sitmamawher eshewor ksinthe
ci
ty.
”
Qalokuhl
elookedathergrandmotherandshe
cr
iedplaci
ngherheadonhermot her’
schest
.
Nontobekoheldherdaughterandclosedher
eyes.
Thembel ihl
e:“
Iwonderhowmanychi l
drenhave
togot hroughtheset
ypeofsi
tuati
ons.”She
wonder edoutloudshaki
ngherheadlookingat
them both.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Qalokuhl
ewasn’
tli
vingwi
thus,
vel
e.Shewon’thaveadif
fi
cul
ttimeadj
usting
becauseshealr
eadyknowsthathermotheri
s
notal
wayst
here.Ther
ewasnothi
ngwecoul
d
dotogiv
eheranormalhome.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Thatdoesn’tchangeany thi
ng.
Don’tcryMaZul ubecauset hi
sdoesn’ tmean
thaty ouwon’tseey ourmotherbuty ou’l
lsee
her.”shesaidstandingupandshet ook
Qalokuhlefrom hermot herbecausenow, she
didn’tknowifNont obekowasal socryingorshe
wasj ustemot i
onal…
Qal
okuhle:“
Mama,won’tcomet oourhouse
andseemybr ot
her
.Andt hegi
rlswon’
tvisi
tme
anymoreifmamaisnotthere.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“You’
llv
isi
tthegirl
sandyour
brother
,don’
tworryabouthim.”hesaidt
oher
becauseQalokuhl
ewast ooy oungtobetol
d
thatQhawewasn’thermot her’
sson.Shedidn’
t
evenunderst
andhowt hebabywasmadeand
tel
li
ngherthatNontobekowasn’ tt
hemother
wasoutofquest i
on…
“Ij
ustwantt ot hanky ouf ornottaking
Qalokuhl eandIwon’ treallycommentabout
yourmar ri
age.Andbei ngdi vor
cedt o
Dalingcebodoesn’ tmeany ouareenemi es.You
sti
llhav eachi ldwi thhim andi twoul dbeeasi er
i
fy out wodon’ thav eresent menttowar dseach
otherfory ourdaught er’ssake.AndImustsay
thatIdidn’tlikethef actt hatasQal okuhle’s
mot hery oudi dn’tevencal lwhenIlostmyson.I
don’tev enwantt oment ioncomi ng.Wehada
rel
at i
onship, youwer emydaught erin-l
awbut
youmadei tlookl i
keIam t heonewhosent
Dalingcebot ohur tyou.”Thembel i
hletold
Nont obekowhatwasi nherhear t
.Theywer e
standingbyNont obeko’ scarandQal okuhle
wasi nsidet hecar .
Nontobeko:
“Iam sorr
ybutIwasj
ustangr
ythat
Dal
ingcebocheatedandyoudi
dn’
tevendo
anyt
hingaboutthat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“WhatwasIsupposedt
odo
Nont obeko?Hecheat edandhowdoy ou
repri
mandasonf orthat
?Heknewwhathewas
doingandIcoul dn’thavestoppedit
.Andhow
doy out hinkIf
eltwhenIlearnthecheat
edwith
hisbr other’
swif
e?Igotsickandwhi l
edeal
ing
witht hatmysondi ed.WasIev ercr
uelt
oyou
thaty oucouldn’
tevencallmeandaskhowI
am? ”
Nontobeko:“
Iam sorr
yIcanseenowt hatwas
wrongofmebecausey ou’
veneverbeenbad
towardsme.ButwhenIwasoutl i
neyou
showedmet hewayandy ou’
velookedaftermy
chil
d.Youweren’
tbadtowardsme.Iam sor r
y.
Please,
forgi
veme.”shesai
dtoherreali
singher
wrong.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It
’sal
ri
ght
,let
’sputt
hatbehi
ndus.
Dri
vesaf
ewithher.
”
Nont
obeko:“Thankyou.
”shesai
dopeni
ngher
ar
msandt heysharedahug…
~~~~~~~
Nandi phawasonherf eetonaFr i
daymor ni ng
shewasi roningNgcebo’ scl othesi nsidethe
closet.ItwasaFr i
dayofNgcebo’ ssneakerl ine
l
aunchandhewasn’ thome.Hel eftint he
mor ningwi t
hhi sbr othersandNandi phawas
l
ef tal
onei nt hehouse.Shewast oldMnt wana’ s
girl
fri
endwasgoi ngt obei nt hehousewi t
hher
butshewasn’ ti
nt hehousewi thher .Shel eft
withtheguy s.Thechi l
drenwer einhermot her’
s
housebecauseshewasgoi ngtot hel aunch
withNgcebo…Thef irstsongshedi dwi thMuj o
wasgoi ngt ocomeoutont hepr esentday .And
shecoul dn’twai ttohearwhatpeopl ewer e
goingt osayaboutt hesong.Shewasner vous
abouti tbecauseshedi dn’tknowi ftherewoul d
beanynegat i
ver eportsort herewoul dbeany
positi
v er epor t
s.Shedi dn’
tknowi fNgcebowas
goingt omakepeacewi t
ht hisorhewasgoi ng
tobeev enangr ier…Shesi ghedandt ookher
phonet
hatwasr
ingi
ng.
“Hel
lo?
”Nandi
phaanswer
edThembel
i
hle’
s
phonecal
l
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
unj
ani
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam f
ine.Ihav
ebeencal
li
ngyour
husbandbuthe’
snotansweringhi
sphone.I
s
hebusy?”
Nandi
pha:“
Helefti
nthemor ni
ngwithhi
s
br
other
s.Ther
e’l
lbealaunchtodayandt
hat
’s
whathasbeenkeepi
nghim busy.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Oh!Hementi
onedittome.Ihave
for
gott
enaboutit.Howar
ethegir
ls?Ihaven’
t
spokentothem i
nawhil
e.Wherearethey
? ”
Nandipha:“
They’
ref
inebutnotinthehouse.We
havebeenbusyandwiththelaunchhappeni
ng
toni
ght,wesentt
hem tomama’ shouse.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh.Iunder
standIwi
l
lcal
lthem
whent hey’r
eback.Youdon’ tevencallme
any mor e.Justcall
i
ngorsendi ngatextli
keyou
usedt o.You’ v
ebecomequi etasifweare
stranger sandthisisnotjustarecentthi
ng.You
di
dn’ tev enseetheneedt otellmethatyouare
pregnantIhadt ohearthatfrom Ngcebo.
”
Nandiphapl
acedtheironasideandsheplaced
herhandonherwaist.Shewast ongueti
edbut
shehadtosaysomet hingbecauseitwasgoing
tobeawkward.“Idon’
tknowwhatt osaybutI
havebeenbusy.
”Shesai d.
Thembelihl
e:“
You’v
enev erbeenbusyforme
befor
ebutIunderstandy oumi ghthav
eal oton
yourpl
ate.You’
ll
tel
l yourhusbandIcalled.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m whenhecomes
back.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.By
e.”
Nandi
pha:
“Bye.
”Shesaidbackandr
emov ed
t
hephonefrom herear
.Shepl
acedi
tasi
deand
pr
oceededwi
thi
roni
ngt
hecl
othes…
“Howwoul dy ouli
keitifIcangetatat
too?”
NgceboaskedNandi phawhowasst anding
beforei
nsidet hecl
oset.Theyweregett
ing
dressedforthelaunch.
Nandi
pha:
“Notwhi
l
eyouar
emyhusband.
”
Ngcebolaughed.“
Whydoy ousaythat?I
t’
spar
t
ofart
.”Heaskedandopenedt heboxoft
he
sneaker
swi t
hhisnameont hem.Hesmiled
l
ookingatthem.
Nandipha:“Tat
toosandangergoestoget
her.
I
t’
saspi ri
tualt
hing.
”Shesaidandshewasthe
fi
rstpersontolaughatwhatshewassaying
beforeNgcebo.
Ngcebo:“
Iam pr
ett
ysur
ethaty
ouhear
dthat
f
rom chur
ch.
”
Nandipha:“
Notreal
lybutIam t
ell
i
ngy out
he
t
ruth.
”Sheturnedandlookedathim.Shesaw
Ngcebo’ssmil
eashewasl ooki
ngatthe
sneaker
s.“
Howdoyoufeel
?”Sheasked
walki
ngtowar
dshi
m andhelookedather
.
Ngcebo:“Ihaverecei
vedawar ds,
didmusicand
mynamewoul dbeont heCDs, bi
ll
boar
ds,you
nameit.Butthi
spieceisjustsoamazing.Ifeel
proud.
”
Nandipha:
“Iam happyf
oryou.
”shet
oldhi
m
pl
acingherhandonhisshoul
der.
Ngcebo: “
Cany ouputthem onmyf eet?”he
request
edl ooki
ngatherandNandi phasmi l
ed
withanod.Shekneel eddownandt ookt he
sneakers.Shethenplacedthem onhisfeet…
Ngcebohel dherfacewhenshewasdoneand
heplacedhi sl
ipsonNandipha’
sl i
ps.They
sharedakiss…
“Whenwill
thesetwobev i
sibl
e?Ican’
tbel
iev
ea
si
ckpersonmadet hisdr
essforyou.My
brot
her
’swifeisreal
l
ytal
ented.
”Ngcebo
commentedhol di
ngNandipha’
swaistwi
thhis
ey
esl
ooki
ngather
.
Nandi
pha:“Yes,
she’
samazi
ngandIl
ook
beaut
if
ul.
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Yes,butIwasgoi
ngt otel
l
youthatj
usti
ncaseyouaresayi
ngitbecauseI
haven’
tsai
dit.
”Hetol
dherlooki
ngatherface.
Nandi
pha:
“Itf
eel
sgoodt
oowhenIsayi
tfr
om
mymouth.
”
Ngcebo: “
Oh!Ify
ousayitt
hatwayandy ou
didn’
tanswermeaboutthebabies.Howar e
you?Andhowar ethey
?Ifeell
i
kemay beyou
don’tl
ikemethisti
mearound.
”Het ol
dher
abouthisfeel
i
ngs.
Nandiphal
aughed:
“Wear ef
ine.Andwhywoul
d
youthinkt
hat
?”Sheasked.
Ngcebo:
“Youhaven’
tbeenyoursel
far
oundme
andBuhl
ezit
ell
smet hatyoupl
ayandlaugh
wit
hthem.Don’
tyoulikeme?”
Nandipha:
“No,Ihaven’tfel
tanyreact
ionsabout
anyoneexpectfood.Ihavenoproblem wit
hy ou
butIhavebeennervousaboutthesongt hat’
s
comingouttoday.Idon’twanttorui
ny our
i
mage- ”
Ngcebo:“I
fit
’saboutt
hat.It
’sbett
erwedon’t
tal
kaboutit
.Butlet
’sgo.
”Hesai dtoher
wit
houtall
owinghertofi
nishherstatement
.
Nandiphanoddedandshet urnedtoherpur
se.
Shefoll
owedNgcebo…
“Youcame,lookatyou!Youlookbeauti
ful.
”
Nandiphasaidt
oPalesaandt heyhuggedeach
other
…Thev enuewaspackedandNandi pha
hadmov edawayfrom Ngcebo’ssi
dethe
minuteshesawPalesa.
Palesa:“Andyoulookamazing!Whomadet
his
dressforyou?Idefi
nit
elyl
i
keit.Wow!I
t’
s
beautif
ul.
”Shelookedather.
Nandi
pha:
“Nt
andokazi
,thewi
feofNgcebo’
s
brother.She’sadesi
gner
.Youcameher
eal
one?
Ididn’texpectsomanypeopl
e.”
Palesa:
“Yes,Icamealone,bi
tch!Whowould
havecomeher ewit
hme?Andl ook,y
our
husbandislooki
ngaround.Go!”shepushedher
tohissi
de.
Nandiphanoddedherheadquickl
yandshe
rushedtoNgcebowhowasact uall
ylooki
ngfor
her.“Ar
eyoulookingf
oryourgir
lf
ri
end?”She
askedwithasmile.
Ngcebochuckled.“Yes,whydidy ouleaveme?
Youknowthaty ouhav etobebymysi deand
smil
ewhenIt alkwithpeople.Youaremost l
y
notar
oundmeandso, Ishouldenjoythi
s
moment.”Hesai dholdi
ngherhand.
Nandi phalaughed.“
Whateveryouwant.You’
ll
getittonight.
”Shepromi
sedandt heywalked
togethermi ngl
ingwit
hpeopleasNgcebo
wanted…
Dali
ngcebomov edawayf rom hisposit
ionashe
sawPal esamov ingoutoft hevenuewithher
phoneonherear .He’dbeenwai t
ingfora
momentt ospeakt oherbutshewasar ound
people.Andhedi dn’twanttointr
udeherspace.
“Youarel
eavingal
ready?”Dalingceboasked
Palesawhowassear chi
ngf orhercarkeys
i
nsideherbag.Shewasst andingbeforehercar
.
PalesaheldherbreathasshesawDal ingcebo.
“I
t’
sy ou.Please,
tell
NandiphathatIhaveto
l
eav ebecausePhemel oisgiv
ingmyhel pera
hardtime.”ShetoldDali
ngceboandshef inal
ly
foundherkey s.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Okay,Iwil
ltel
lherbutwi
ll
Isee
youbeforeIl
eave?”heaskedandheldherwr
ist
stoppi
ngherfrom l
eavi
nghissight
.
Pal
esa:“
Ithoughtwespokeonthephonet
hat
weshoul
dn’tseeeachother
.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ther
e’snot
hingy
oushoul
dwor
ry
aboutnowbecauseIam div
orcedandt her
e’s
nobadbloodbetweenex-wi
feandI .She’
snota
personwhocanhateyou.AndIam notsay i
ng
l
et’
sgetmarri
ednowbutIam j ustaskingt
hat
yougivemeachancetobei nyourlif
e.”
Palesa:“Ihaveachi ldandIdon’twantt obr
ing
athirdpersoni ntoourli
ves.I
t’
sbestt hathe
knowst hatit’
sj ustmeandhim, thenhis
grandfather.Ihav emyfocusonhi m andmy
career.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Wewi ll
t r
ynottoincl
udehimf or
nowbutifthingsgetser i
ousbetweenthetwo
ofus.Wewi lldothat.Wewi l
lmakesurehe
doesn’
tseet hatwear etoget
her.Don’
tblock
me.”hesaidhol di
ngbot hherarmsandpulled
herevenclosertohim bumpingherbodyonhi s.
Pal
esa:“
Doyouwantt
hem t
otakeanot
her
pi
ctur
eofus?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ther
e’snobodyi
nthi
spar
kingl
ot
andIreal
l
ydi dn’
tcar
eaboutwhatpeoplesai
d
butIwasjustworri
edabouty
ou.”hesaid
holdi
ngherfacenowandPalesalookedint
ohis
eyes.
Pal
esa:“
You’
ret
aki
ngmyson’
sti
me.Byj
ust
hol
dingme.
”
“Oh, l
etmet akehist imecor r
ectlybyki ssing
yout henbecausey ouarecompl ainingt hatIam
j
usthol dingy ou.”Dal i
ngcebosai dt oherandhe
didn’tal
lowPal esat ospeakbuther elaxedhi s
l
ipsonherl i
psandhedi dn’tr
usht omov i
nghi s
l
ips.Buthepl acedt hem onherl ipswai tingfora
protest,hedi dn’tr
ecei v
ei t
.Hef eltherbodywas
alit
tletenseashi slipswer erestingonher s.
Dalingcebomov edhi sl
ipsonhermout hsof tl
y
andt enderly.Hedi dn’tstopuntilhegota
responsef rom Pal esawhomov edherl ipswi t
h
hismat chingt hesof tmov ementt hatgav e
Dalingceboi ntenseemot i
onsofecst asy.He
smashedherupperl ipandallowedhert of ocus
onhi slowerlipssoftl
y.Dal
ingcebograzedhis
tonguebet weenherl i
psandhehear dasoft
deepmoanf r
om her.Heheldherarmsal it
tle
ti
ghterashef el
thimselfhardenwit
hinseconds.
Hef eltgreataboutthekissbuthehadt ostop
himsel fnow!
Palesawidenedhereyesnowthathe’
dstopped
andshedi dn’
tal
l
owher sel
ftol
ookathim
becauseshecouldn’
tbeli
eveshe’
djustal
l
owed
hi
mt oki
ssher.
Dal
ingcebo:“Youcangonowandbewi t
h
Phemelo.”Hesaidsearchi
ngforherf
acethat
shewashi di
ngawayf r
om him…
Palesadi dn’tsayanythi
ngbutsheopenedher
car.Shest eppedinsidethecarandhear dhim
l
augh.Butshedi dn’tall
owher sel
ftolookathim.
Shedr ovehercaroutoft heparki
nglotandshe
couldn’tbelieveshewasact i
ngasashywoman
who’dnev erbeenkissed.Butwhatcanshesay ?
Shewasnev erasameper sonwithguysaft
er
herbabydaddy
…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE17

“Iam gratefulthatyoual lmanagedt ocomef or

thelaunchl astnight.ItwasasuccessandI
wasn’texpect i
ngsomanypeopl e.”Ngcebosent
histhankst ohisbr otherst hefol
lowingmor ni
ng
theywer ehav i
ngbr eakfast .I
twasDal ingcebo,
Banelewhocamet othel aunchwi thCandice
andMnt wanawhocamewi thSimthande.They
wereal lseatedont hedi ningtableeating
breakfastthatwaspr eparedbyNandi pha,
CandiceandSi mthande.ButNandi phawasn’ t
eati
ngwhatt heywer eeat ing.Shewashav ing
theusual .
Banel
e:“
Whowasgoi
ngt
ocomei
fwedi
dn’
t?”
Ngcebo:“
Hha!Ihav
eawi f
ewenaut hi
ni
manje?”(
Whatareyousayi
ngnow?)heasked
l
ookingathi
m andtheyal
ll
aughed
Simt
hande:“Youhaveapointt
her
ebecauset
he
twoofyouwer ef
oll
owingeachot
herar
ound.
Andnotyourbrot
hers.
”
Dal
ingcebo:“I
maginei
fwewer
efol
l
owi
ngan
ol
dmanar ound?
”
Candice:
“Itwouldn’tbeatt
ract
ive.
”Sheshook
herheadandt heylaughed.
Ngcebo:“Youarer
ightaboutt
hatCandiceandI
hopethatyou’
l
lbeginbuyi
ngthesneakers.You
shoul
dbeginweari
ngmyname.Iam expensi ve
nj
e!”
Thebrother
swhi stl
edanddrummedt hetables
whil
etheladi
eswer el
aughi
ng.Simthandef elt
warm onherseat ,
lovi
ngthebondofsi bl
i
ngs
andtheyremindedherhowt heyusedt obe
cl
osewithhersibli
ngsbeforeevery
thingelse
camebet weent hem.Shedi dn’twantt ocome
tothel aunchbecauseoft hefightshehadwi th
Mnt wanabuthersi sterencour agedhert ogo
withhim.Si mt handeaskedhersi steraboutt he
accusat ionsthatMnt wanawassay ingabout
her.Nikhonadi dn’tdenyt hatshet ested
Mnt wanabutshedeni edt hatsheshowed
Mnt wanaherbodypar ts.Simthandewasangr y
andshewasscar edt hatMnt wanawasl yi
ng.
Shewasangr yt hathewant edhersi sterand
event houghMnt wanahadencour agedhert hat
hedi dn’twanthersi ster.Simthandedi dn’tt
rust
him stil
l butsheal lowedt hemat tert orest
becauseshedi dn’twantt heirrelationshiptobe
all
aboutheri nsecur it
iesandf ight i
ng…
Dali
ngcebo:“Iwi
llbet
hef
ir
stt
obuythem.”he
tol
dhim andNgcebogaveDal
i
ngcebohi
sf i
st.
Theydidafistbump.
Ngcebo:
“Yi
zo,
baf
o!Andy
out
wo!
”
Banel
e:“
Whyar
eyouev
enaski
ngnow?
”
Nandi
pha:“He’
sdoubl
echecki
ngBanel
e.
Pl
easeall
owhimto.”
“
Kodwangingabayi
ningaphandl
ekwakhomy
f
ohloza?
”NgceboaskedNandiphaandhi
sey
es
l
andedonhers.
“Awu!Ngcebo!Phambi kwabant
u!”She
screamedsenselessl
yandevery
oneont he
tablel
aughedgivi
ngMnt wanaachanceto
teaseNandiphabythatname.
Mnt wanastoodupashisphonewasri
ngi
ng.He
l
eftev er
yoneonthetabl
etoanswerhi
sphone
outsidethehouse.
Mntwana:“
Ey,Iam getti
ngacal
lfr
om you.That
meansyou’
renol ongerbusywi
tht
herestofthe
wor
ldandyour emember edme.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“That
’snowayofgr
eet
ingal
ady
.”
Mntwanachuckled.“For
giv
emebutIwasn’t
expect
ingyourcallandt
hehouset
hatIam
comingfrom r
ightnowdoesn’
thav
esome
pol
i
teness.
”
Nel
iswa:“Oh!Ishoul
dcal
lwheny
ouhav
e
pol
i
teness,ri
ght?”
Mntwana: “
No!No!Whywoul ddot hatbecause
Iwanttoseey outomor
row.Iwillbebackf r
om
JohannesburgandIwouldappreciat
ei ti
fyou
dedicat
etheentir
edayforme.Iwi l
lclearmy
schedule.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“You’
l
lcl
eary
ourschedul
ejustf
or
me?”
Mntwana:“
Yes,you’
vebeengonefortool
ong
andIunder
standitwasbusi
ness.AndI
woul
dn’twanttocomebetweenyouand
busi
ness.
”
Neli
swa: “
That
’snicecomingfrom youandto
tel
lyouthetr
uthIwasn’texpecti
ngthatyou’
ll
tel
lmey oudon’
tunderstandbecauseyouarein
businessaswell
.Andy ouknowhowi tworks.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Youar
eri
ghtbutdoest
hatmeanI
wi
l
lhav
eyourt
imet
omor
row?
”
Nel
iswa:“
Yes,
Iwasj
ustcal
l
ingt
otel
lyout
hatI
am fr
ee.
”
Mntwana:
“ That
’samazing.Iwil
lseeyou
t
omorrowt henbecauseIwill
bev er
ytir
edf
rom
t
rav
ell
ingthatIcan’
tseey outoni
ght.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“Iunder
stand.
”
Mntwana:
“You’
l
lhav
eagooddayt
hen,
lady
l
uck.
”
Nel
iswalaughedandhungupthecal
l.Mnt
wana
l
ookedatthephoneandheshookhishead
bef
oreheadingbacki
nsidet
hehouse…
Nandipha:“Thankyouf orcomingandi twas
nicetomeety ouevent houghwedi dn’
thave
thatmucht i
met obet ogether
.”Shesaidto
Simthande.Shewaswal ki
ngheroutoft he
houseast heywereleav i
ngforCapeTownwi th
Mnt wana.BaneleandCandi cehadleftand
Dali
ngcebowasst il
linthehouse.
Si
mt hande:“Yes,
wedi dn’
thavemuchtimebut
i
twasni cebeinghereeventhoughIcoul
dn’
t
meett hosebeauti
ful
girl
sIsawont he
pi
ctures.”
Nandi
phasmi
l
ed.“
You’
l
lmeett
hem nextt
ime.
”
Si
mthande:
“They
’renotscar
edofpeopl
e?”
Nandipha:“Notreal
l
ybutNtokomal oisnot
easil
ydrawnt opeopleshedoesn’tknow.But
theothers,
ifyouhaveagoodv ibe,theyv
ibe
withyou.”
Simthandelaughed.“
Thewayyousayi
t.I
t’
sli
ke
they
’reoldpeople.
”Shesai
d.
Nandi
phagi
ggled.“No,
they’r
elit
tl
etr
oubl
e.
You’
ll
dri
vesaf
et henSi
mt hande.
”
Simthande:
“ Thanky
oufort
hehospi
tal
i
ty.
”She
saidandofferedahug…
“
Imissmygir
lsl
et’
sgotakethem now.
”
Nandi
phat
oldNgceboastheyweremarchi
ng
backi
nsi
det
hehouseaf
terseei
ngMnt
wana
dri
veof
f.
Ngcebo:“No,l
et’
stakethem atni
ght.
Dali
ngceboandIwilldr
ivebyNhlakani
pho’
s
housejustt
ocheckonhi m.”
Nandipha:“Okay,
wewillt
aket hem whenyou
comeback. ”shesai
dandrushedt oherphone
thatwasr i
ngi
nginsi
dethelounge.Butwhen
shehadt hephoneonherhandsi tstopped
ri
nging.Shesatonthecouchandt appedont he
phonet ocheckwhowascal l
ing.I
trangagain.
Nandi
phaexhaledandlookedatthephone
bef
oreansweri
ngit.Sheinhal
eddeepl
y.“Hel
l
o,
MrRapper.
”Sheanswer edMujo’
sphonecall
.
Mujo:“Hey.MrsRast
a!Ar
ey ousleepingont hi
s
day
?Pl ease,usey
ourtwi
tt
erandseet hesong
i
strendingandpeopl
earerespondingt oi
t.
”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Iam scar
ed,
bro.Idi
dn’
t
evenwanttotouchmyphoneinthemorni
ng
andseewhat’
swri
tt
enabouti
t.
”Shetol
dhi m
andstoodupasNgcebowasbefor
ehertaki
ng
herhand.
Ngcebo:“Iam l
eav
ingnowandwe’ l
lgotoy our
mother’
shousewhenIcomeback. ”hetold
Nandiphaandhegav eherashortkissnot
cari
ngaboutthepersonwhowaswi thheron
thephone.“Il
oveyou.”hesai
d.
Nandi
pha:“Il
oveyoutoo.”Shesai
dandlooked
athi
m asheleftt
hehouse.Shethendi
ssolved
backonthecouch.“
Sorryfort
hat.
”Shesaid.
Mujo:“I
t’sokay ,Ican’ tcompet ewithhistime.
Andy oudon’ thav et obescar edaboutany t
hing
regar
dingt hear t
iclesbecauset hey’
rejusta
shocker.Theyhi ghlighthowunexpect edt hi
s
was,notany t
hingbad.Andpeopl elovethe
song.Idon’ tknowwhyIam t elli
ngyout his
becausey oushoul dseei tforyourself
.Icalled
becausey ouhav en’ ttweeteditandsome
wondersi fthat’
sr eallyyouasy ouhav en’tsaid
any
thi
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Alr
ight
.Iwi
l
lbeoni
tnow.Thanky
ou
f
orthecal
l
.”
Muj
o:“
Sur
e!”
Nandi pharemov edt hephonef rom herears.
“Doy ouwantt ohearmamasi nging?Babies?”
Shespoket oherunbor nbabi esandshest ood
upt oplaythesongont hesoundsy stem
connect i
ngitthroughBl uetoot h…Shesatback
ont hecouchandl oggedi nont wit
terwhil
e
l
isteningtotheirfi
rstsongt hatwasar ap
i
nspi rat
ionalsongt alkingaboutnot hingbut
dreamsandambi ti
ons.Nandi phareadt hr
ough
thet weetsaboutthesongandshehel dher
cheeksr edfrom smi lingseei ngt hepositi
ve
responset hatshedi dn’ texpect .
“Lor
d!Onlyi
ftheyknewthathedidn’
tknow
aboutt
his!
”Sheshoutedaloneassheread
moretweetsfr
om peopl
e,mostlyfemales
praisi
ngNgcebof ornotst andingbet ween
Nandi phaandwor kingwi thMuj owhohasa
beefwi thhim.Andsomewer eagai nstthem
wor ki
ngt ogether ,most l
yguy s.‘Muj oisst eali
ng
PrinceTee’ slimel i
ghtusinghi swi fe.Hei s
disrespectful’t
weet sli
ket hatsurfacedas
peopl ecompl ainedaboutnotbei ngabl eto
celebratefreelyt hatNgcebohadl auncheda
sneakerl i
nebecauset hesongwasal lovertheir
TLs.Thesongwast hef i
rstont het rendsand
Ngcebo’ ssneakerl inewassecond.‘ Muj ohas
divertedourat tent i
onf r
om Pr i
nceTee’ s
successusi nghi swi f
e’Nandi phasi ghedand
closedherey esshor t
lystronglyfeel i
ngt hat
Ngcebowasgoi ngt osayt hesamet hing.He
stil
ldidn’
twantt ot alkaboutt hiswi thherand
sheknewt hathewasn’ tgoingt ocomment
abouti t
.Shewant edt ofeelabsol utegoodf or
thepr ai
sesshewasget ti
ngf rom t hepubl i
cand
thecompl i
ment saboutherv oicebutshedi dn’t
all
owher selftoembr aceitfully.Becauseshe
di
dn’tknowwhatNgcebowasgoi
ngt
osay
aboutit
.
Nandi pha: “Ei
therway!Ihadagoodt imeand
theylovedt hesong.Iam gett
ingmoneyand
thatshoul dconsoleme.Weshoul deatnow.
SouthAf ricalovesyourmama’ sv oi
ceandshe’s
sopr oudr ightnow.”shesaidtoherselfandgot
upf r
om t hecoucht ohav ethebreakfastt
hat
shedi dn’
teat …
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Tel
lmeabouty our self
.”Mntwanasaidt o
Neli
swaandhet ookt hepieceofmeatt hatwas
ontheplateonthet able…Neliswaand
Mntwanawer elayingdownont hesponge
i
nsidetheloungewi thasheetcov er
ingtheir
nakedbodies.Mntwanacancel l
edtherestof
hisdayjustt
ospendhi sti
mewi thNeli
swa.
Nel
i
swa:“No,
ther
e’snoneedf
oryoutoknow
mebecauset
hisi
sactual
l
ycasual
sex.I
t’
snota
r
elat
ionshi
p.”
Mnt wanachuckl edandhepul ledNel iswaback
i
nt ohi swetchestwher eshe’dbeenl ay ingon
bef orehegotupt otakesomemeat .“Hav e
some. ”Hepl acedt hemeatonNel i
swa’ smout h
andsheopenedhermout hall
owi nghi mt oput
themeati nsidehermout h.“Iwantt oknowy ou
andIdon’ tcarewhatnamear ey ougi vingt hi
s
relationshipofour sbuty ouknowt her ear e
differentkindsofr elati
onships.Thisisal soone.
AndIdeser v
et oknowt hepersonIam i na
relationshipwi t
hunl essifyoudon’ twantt osee
meev eragain.Iwon’ taskthaty outellme
abouty ourself.
”Mnt wanasai dtoNel iswaand
deepenedhi sf i
nger sonherscal p.Shehada
shor tblackaf rothatshehar dlywentpubl i
cwith.
Shewasacl assywomannotgl amor ousbut
classy .
Nel
i
swa:
“You’
ref
rom KZN,
right
?”
Mnt
wana:
“Yes,
Iam f
rom Nongoma.
”
Nel
iswa:“Oh!Doy
ouknowChi
efBusakonke
Dl
amini?
”
Mntwana:“
Yes,Iknowhim.Ther
e’snochi
efi
n
Zul
ulandt
hatIdon’tknow.
”
Nel
i
swa: “
That’
snice.Iam hi
sfi
rstdaught
er
f
rom hi
sfir
stwif
e.”
Mnt wana:“What!”heexcl
aimedandhegotup
withher.Helookedathercl oselyandheshook
hi
sheadbecausehedi dn’tknowNel i
swaast he
pri
ncessofChi efBusakonkeDl ami ni
.“Andwhy
don’tIknowy oubecauseIknowhi schi l
dren
event heoneswhoar eolderthanme. ”heasked
l
ooki ngatherandhewassur et hatNeliswa
wasj ustl
yingtohim.
Neli
swa:“Howdoyouknowhi schil
dren?And
howdoy ouall
theZululandchi
eftai
ncies?Do
youperhapsst
udyhistory?
”
Mntwanachuckled.“
YouknowIdobusiness
butIam t
helastbornoft
heMonarch.Well
,now,
myol derbrot
heristheMonar chafterourfather
.
Iam PrinceMntwanaZul u.”Hetoldherandhe
l
ookedatherst i
llconf
ir
mi nginhisheadt hathe
didn’
tknowNel i
swaast hepr i
ncess.
Nel
iswa:
“Noways!Wai
t,t
hatmeansy
oul
i
edt
o
me!Howcoul
dyou?”
Mnt
wana:
“Il
i
edaboutwhat
?”
Neli
swa:“Hel
lo!Yourfucki
nage!Iknowt he
for
mermonar ch’sl
astsoni snot29y ear
sol d.I
rememberIwas…Iwas…Iwas9y earsold
whenwewentt oy ourmot her
’spal
acewi thmy
fat
her’
stwowi vesthatt
imehehadt wowi ves.
Wewer ether
et ogivegi
ftsasit’
snormallydone
andthatmeans.Hel l
no!”
Mntwana:“
Wait
,agemeansnothingbutIwant
toknowhowareyoupr
incessbecauseIdon’
t
knowyouasone!”
Neli
swasi
ghedandshookherheadasshe
coul
dn’
tbel
iev
ethatshe’
dsl
eptwit
ha21y ear
s
oldboy!Shewasagrownwomanforgoodness
sakeandshedidn’
tevenf
eel
li
keMntwanawas
young.
Mnt
wana:
“Hey
,Ineedananswerory
ou’
rel
yi
ng
t
ome.”
Neliswa: “Ithinkasapr i
ncey ou’ veseenhowi t
i
sbei ngr oy altyandmyf atherhadpl ansforme
thatIdi dn’ twant .He’dfiguredmyl ifeoutfrom
whowasgoi ngt omar r
yhi sfirstprincessand
howmanycowshewasgoi ngt oget .Hedidn’t
wantmet ohav eambi t
ionsanddr eams, bet hat
womant hatt henewSout hAf ricawas
preachi ngabout .Come, Iwillshowy ou
somet hing. ”Shest oodupwi tht hesheet
l
eav ingMnt wanauncov eredandhegotupf rom
thesponge.Hef oll
owedNel i
swat oher
bedr oom…
“Thisi
sanarti
cleIsawf r
om mymother
’s
thi
ngs.Iwas14y ear
swhenIsawthis.
”She
saidandgavethearti
cletoMnt
wana…
Mntwanatookt
hepieceofpaperandheread
thr
oughit
.Hesmiledashesawi twasanart
icl
e
abouthi
smother
’sgraduat
ion.
Mnt
wana:
“Thi
sismymot
her
.”
Nel
iswa:“
Yes,
it’
syourmom andIhav
ekept
t
hatart
icl
ewit
hmesi ncet
hen.”
Mnt
wana:
“Buty
ourname-
”
Neli
swa:“Ichangedmynameandl astname.I
ranawayfrom homewhenIwas20y earsandI
wasgoingtogetmarri
edat21y ears.Ihave
stol
enenoughmoneyfrom dadandIr anaway,
changedmynameandbui l
tmy self
.”
Mntwana:“
YouareNtombezi
nhl
eDl
ami
ni,
the
pr
incesswhol
efthome-”
Neliswa: “
Theyli
edt hatIwenttostudyabroad
theycov eredupthatIactual
lyranaway .Ij
ust
couldn’tstayathomebecauseIf el
tli
kebeing
royalt
ywasabur denbecauseIhadt olive
accordingt ot
radit
ionsandrules.Icouldn’
t
makemyownrules.Myf at
herissool
d
f
ashi
onedandt
oot radi
ti
onal.
”
Mntwana:“
So,you’v
ebeenl
ivi
nghereandit’
s
i
mpossibl
ethattheyhav
en’
tseenyou.Idon’
t
bel
i
evethi
s.”
Neli
swa:“Mymot herknowsthatIam hereand
wemeetsomet imesbutmyf atherdoesn’t
knowaboutit
.Iam heronlydaughtersinceshe
hassons.Shedidn’tsel
lmetomyf at
her
becauseshedidn’
twantmet ohav ethelif
eshe
had.Shewantedmet ohav
ethel i
feIwanted.
”
Mntwana:“Shehadmymot
her
’sar
ti
cle
because-
”
Neli
swa:“I
t’
ssomet hi
ngthatshewi
shedfor
,to
beaneducatedwomanwhi l
eshehadher
famil
yandli
fethatshehadbutmyf at
herdi
dn’
t
bel
ievei
nthat.
”
Mntwana:“Ican’
tbel
i
eveIhav
esl
eptwi
tht
he
pr
incess.
”
Nel
iswa:
“Oh!Please!Youl
iedtome,Mntwana.
Youareachil
dandIcan’tpossi
blybewi
tha
chi
l
d.No!Ican’tal
lowthat
.”
Mnt wanapl acedthenewspaperpi eceawayand
heshi f
tedclosertoher.“ Comeon, youdi
dn’t
evenseet hatIam youngert hanyou.Andthat’s
becausemyagei sj
ustt wonumber sandit
doesn’tdescr i
bewhereIam i nli
feandwher eI
shouldbei nlif
e.Don’
tt ellmet hatyoudon’tli
ke
this…”Mnt wanaspoket oNel i
swaonal azy
voicewi t
hhi sfi
nger
sal readyinvadingthe
spacei nbetweenhert highst oreachhersacred
place.Neliswaheldhiswr i
st.
Neli
swa:“Wecan’
tproceedwiththis.Iknowi t
’s
j
ustsexbutIcan’
t…”shebrokeof fandclosed
hereyesasMntwana’sfi
ngerhadr eached‘her’
.
Shebeganpanti
ngasheremot ionshad
qui
ckenedwit
hinseconds.“Don’t
-”
Mntwanadidn’
tgiv
eheranymorechancebuthe
ki
ssedherbecausehewasn’
tabouttolether
decideshedidn’twanthim anymorebecauseof
hisage.Heknewwhathewasdoi ngwiththese
twowomenandhecoul dn’
tseehimselftr
ying
togetanewone.Nel i
swabei ng30yearsmeant
nothingtohim becausehe’
dbeenwi thwomen
olderthanher…
Mntwana:“Don’tplaceunnecessar
yblocks
bet
weenus. ”hesai dmovingfr
om herli
psand
heplacedhisli
psonherbr eastswhil
ehesent
hi
shandupt hedrawertosearchforacondom.
Nel
iswa:“
Idon’
twantany
thi
ngt
hatgott
odo
wit
hroyal
ty.
”
Mnt wanast oppedki ssingherandhel ookedat
her.“Any t
hing’Youar er oyalt
yyoursel
fand
sweet yyoucanev enrunt oNiger
ia,Aust
ralia
andev enchangey ournamet oEl
oiseEnglish
thatcannev erchangewhoy ouarebecausey ou
knowy ourselfandahumanbei ngcannev erli
e
toherself/himself.
”Hel ect ur
edherfeeli
ngabi t
otherwiseasshe’ dsai dt hattohi
m…Hel ooked
atherforalongwhi
lewit
houtsay
ingaword
andNel i
swawasn’
ttal
ki
ng.Mntwanadeci
ded
tokissherandhumponherbecauseshe
deservedthat
…
~~~~~~~~~
“Hhey i
!Hhey i
!Hheyi!
”ASangomai nsi
dehi shut
i
naf orestcl
osertothesmal lgravelroadof
KwaMhl ab’
uyali
ngana,hegroaneddeepl yand
groanedl ouderwit
hhi sshouldersconv ulsi
ng.
Her aisedhisheadandl ookedatMaKhumal o
kneelingbeforehim.“Icanseey ou’vebeen
carryi
nghat einsi
dey ourheartandt hi
shat ehad
beenr ooteddeeplywi t
hinyou.Youf eelnowi s
thetimey ouroarit.
”Hepr ophesiedwhathe
sawf rom thewomanseat edbef or
ehi m.
MaKhumalo: “Yes,myf amil
ywaswr ongedand
ki
ll
edinwarf ornor easonbythelat
eMonar ch,
Dal
isu’
sfather.Ihavet r
iedt
orevengemy sel
f
andmyf amil
ywhenDal i
su’
ssonsfoughtwith
mysonandhi sfri
ends.Theybeatthem i
ntoa
pulpandIt houghtt hatwasgoi ngtobean
opportunit
yf ormet ogetmychanceatr evenge.
ButwhenIwant edDal isuandhi swifetogi v
e
memoneyt hatIwasgoi ngtouset odestroy
them.Thei rson,therulingmonar chhest opped
mewi thhiscommandandIhav enevertri
ed
anychancesatr evengeaf tert
hat.Ihaveonl y
savedmoneyf orthepasty ear
ssincethe
i
ncidentofhi ssonsbeat i
ngmyson.Iwantt o
destr
oyt hem. ”
TheSangomagr oanedlouderandhesang
songsthatMaKhumal odi
dn’tknow.Hest ood
upfrom hi
splaceandhet appedhisfeetar ound
MaKhumal oandt hebonest hatwerescat ter
ed
ontheanimal ski
nal ongwithanincenset hat
wasburning.“Hheyi!Hheyi
!”Hegr oanedev en
l
ouderthatgav eMaKhumal o’sskincreepsand
sheheldherarms.“ Ngabemal i
nionay o?”(How
muchdoy ouhave?)heaskedwi thoutsitti
ng
downbutst i
ll
tappinghisfeetaroundher .
MaKhumalo:“Ihav
esav edR240000andIwas
t
oldwhenIcomeher eIcangetanyhel
pthatI
want
.”Sherepli
edlooki
ngdown.
Sangoma:“Hheyi
!You’ vetol
dt hem t
hatyou
wanttodestr
oytheki ngdom andy ou’l
lbe
comingtomef orthat?”heaskedqui ckl
yand
heresol
vedbacktot hef l
oorthathe’dbeen
kneel
ingon.HelookedatMaKhumal o.
MaKhumalo:“No!No!No!Ihav en’
ttol
dt hem
t
hat.Idi
dn’
ttellanyoneaboutt
his.Icannev er
makethatmistake.It
’smyonlysecret.
”
Sangoma:
“Whatdoyouwantt
ohappentothe
for
merMonarchandhi
sfami
ly
?Whatdidyou
haveinmi
nd?
”
MaKhumal o:“Bef
ore,Iwantedthem tobepoor
asIwasgoi ngtotakemoneyf rom t
hem and
bewitchedthem t
hehardway .Iwantedthegli
tz
oftheirki
ngdom toperi
shjustli
kethey’
vetaken
fr
om me- ”
Sangoma:
“WHATDOYOUWANTNOW!NOT
THEPAST!”
MaKhumal o:“Iwantt othreatentheirfuture
existence.Iwantt ot akeawayt hekingdom’ s
pri
cel esspossessi onandbr i
ngmi seryintot hei
r
l
ives.Theysayy oucandowonder sandIwant
yout odot hesewonder sf orme.Iwant edtoki l
l
alltheirchi
ldrenbutt heycaneasi l
ymakemor e
children.Iwant edtoki l
ltheirmonar chbutt he
nextsoncant akeafterhim.Idon’ tknowwhatI
canuset ohitt hem whiletheydon’ tknowt hatI
hav e.Cany ouseewhati sitthatIcanuset o
givet hem sorrowandt hreatentheirfuture?I
wantt hat
-”
TheSangomar ai
sedhishandtostop
MaKhumal ofrom speaki
ngandhet ookt he
brokenplaypot,hemixedafewher bsandhe
request
edadr opofMaKhumal o’
sbl ood.She
gaveitt
ohi m bycutti
ngherf
orefi
nger.He
begantappingintothedar
kwor l
djusttosee
whatheneededtoful
fi
lthi
swoman’
swishes.
TheSangomawasn’tamanwi t
hmercyandhe
wasn’
tjustapur
eSangomabuthealsoused
wit
chcr
aftwhenitwasneeded…
MaKhumal o:“Doyouseeany t
hing?
”sheasked
asshehear dtheSangomagr oanevenlouder
thanbefore.Shechangedtheposit
ionasshe
couldn’
twaittohearwhatsheneededtodot o
destroyDali
suandhisfamily
.
Sangoma: “Lomsebenzi ubucay ingendl el
a
eyisi
mangai ngakhokodi ngeka
singambandakany imunt ukulento.Si ngafa
nokufaumakungav el
aubuqubet hu
ezigamekweni ezizokwenzeka.Kodwa
ngizosi
vi
kela.”(Thisjobiscri
tical andt hat
’s
whywewi l
lhavet odoi tbyour selves.Wecan
bekill
edifi
tcanbeknownt hatwear ebehind
theupcomingev ents.ButIwillcloakus. )
MaKhumal
o:“
Makhosi
!”
Sangoma: “
Hhey i
!Hhey i
!Incanei malionayo
kanti mukhuluumsebenzi .Ekupheleni
kweny angaKaLwezi kodingekaubuy eusunenye
i
mal i.Uy obonakeukut hiuyengezakanj anil
e
mali.Mi nakodi ngekangi zil
ungiselel
e.Kothi
ngalobobusukubomsbenzi minanawekomel e
si
ziqinise.Hhey i!
”(Youdon’ thaveenough
moneyf orthisjobt ocar r
iedout .Attheendof
Nov ember ,you’llneedt ocomebackwi thmore
money .Iwillneedt oprepar emy self
.Thatnight
ofthej obwewi llhavet odoar i
tualfor
ourselves.)
MaKhumalo:“Makhosi
!Ngizozamakonke
okusemandl
eniamikodwaawungi t
shel
iukut
hi
yi
nileedi
ngekay
o.”(Whatshouldwedo?)
Sangoma: “
Uzongilet
hel aumfaziomhlophe,
hheyi
!Uthiakabemf ishane,hheyi
!Wondleki
l
e
ngokomzimba, hheyi
!Unemi yekoekhanda,
hheyi
!Lomf aziuzit
hwel eamakhosana
amabibi
liumasi t
holey enanamadodanaakhe
si
nayoyonkeinto!HHEYI.KuZibandlel
asobe
soqal
aumsebenzi ngalomfazi.Yena!Yena!Nje!
HHEYI!
”(You’l
lbri
ngal i
ghtskinnedwoman,
she’
sshortandhasdr eadl
ocks.She’spregnant
wit
htwopr i
nces.InDecemberwewi ll
begin
worki
ngwithherandherunbor nsons.Wemust
haveherbythen.Her!Justher!)Hegroaned
l
astl
yandwi denedhiseyeslookingat
MaKhumal otocheckifshecoul dhearwhathe
wassayingtoher.
MaKhumal o:“
MAKHOSI !Ngiyamazil
omshoyo!
”
(Iknowher)shesaidclappingherhandsand
shelookedattheSangomaput ti
nghert
rusti
n
him.Shewast rust
ingt
hatheknewwhathe
wasdoing.Allsheneededtodowasacqui re
mor emoney…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE19
Hepar kedhi scaront hepar kinglotout sidethe
buil
dingandhel ookedatNel iswaaf t
erhe’ d
checkedi fherdriverwaspar kingbehindhi m.
“Youreallydidn’
twantmet ol eaveyourhouse.I
can’tbeli
ev eyouopt edtodr i
v ewithmej ustto
spendt hesef ewmi nutestoget her.
”Hesai dto
Neli
swaandhesmi l
ed, i
twasaFr idayni ght.
Mnt wanahadbeeni nherhousesi nce6pm and
hewasn’ tplanningonsl eepingov erev en
thoughNel iswahadaskedhi mt osleepov er.
WhenMnt wanawasl eavi
ngt hehouseshet old
him shewasgoi ngtodr i
vewi thhi
m andher
dri
verfollowedt hem behind.
Neli
swa:“Ienjoyyourcompany .
”Sheadmi t
ted
l
ookingathim.Amont hhadpassedsince
MntwanaandNel iswabeenseei ngeachother.
Theydidn’
tknowi ftheywereinanoffi
cial
rel
ati
onshiportheywer ej
ustsleepi
ngtogether
buttheyappreci
atedeachother’spr
esence.
Theyhav en’
topenedupthatmuchtoeach
otherbutonlyaboutt
hei
rident
it
y.
Mntwana:“
Ienjoyyourcompanyaswel
lbutI
don’
tunder
standwhyar eyousi
ngl
e?Imean
youareabeauti
ful
,smartwomanandyou’
re
nott
oomuch. ”
Neli
swal aughed.“MenIhav ebeenwi ththey
don’twantt osett
leforawomanl ikeme.Idon’t
wantt ogetmar ri
edIdon’twanttohav e
chil
drenIjustwantt ohaveapartnerwho
under st
andsmeandwhol i
kesbeingwi t
hme.
AndIal waysstatethatwhenIgeti nt
oa
rel
ationshi
pbutmenal wayswantt oti
eme
down.Whenev ertheystar
tdoingthatIsend
them packing.
”Shet ol
dhim.
Mnt wanachuckl
ed.“Atthi
spointIcan’t
strongl
ysayIdon’twanttogetmarriedbecause
Iknowmar ri
ageisabeautif
ulthi
ngandwe
alwayschangeourchoicesaswegr ow.ButI
alsodon’twantt
ogetmar ri
edwher eIam
standinginli
feandchil
dren,no.Ionlywanta
l
ov erelat
ionshi
p.”Hesai
dandr emi nded
himselfthathehadalover el
ati
onshipwith
Simthandebutshewasn’ tmakei teasyfor
them asacoupl e.
Nel
iswa:“
You’
l
lgetalov
er el
ati
onshi
pwi
th
someonewho’
syourage.”
Mnt
wana:
“What
’swr
ongi
fshei
sn’
tmyage?
”
Neli
swa: “Thoserelati
onshipsaremost lyl
ikel
y
tofailandt hewomanwi llgethurtbecause‘you
wereol derthanhim heleftyouforay ounger
gir
l’Iwouldn’tputmy sel
finthatkindof
rel
ationship.”
Mnt
wana:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmet
hen?
”
Neli
swal aughed.“Comeon, youandI,weenjoy
eachother’scompanyandwehav egoodsex.
Wear enotinal ov
er el
ati
onshipandIdon’t
wantittobe.”Shet ol
dhimtruthf
ull
ybecause
shecouldn’tseehersel
flovi
ngMnt wana.He
wasy oungandhewasn’tsureaboutwhathe
wanted.Now, hewastel
li
nghimselfhedidn’
t
wantmar r
iagebuthewasst i
llgoi
ngtogrow
andbe25y ear
s,be30years.Andthatmeanthe
mightchangeany t
ime.
Mntwana:“Ihearyoubutwhycan’tyougo
home?Don’ ty
out hi
nkyou’
vebeenawayfrom
homefortoolong?Yourancestor
s,howare
theywat
chingov eryouwhi
leyou’
veranfr
om
home?”
Neliswa:“
Ihaven’
thadbadl uckthatshowed
thatmyancestorsarenotwithmebutIhav e
hustledmywayt othetopstart
ingfrom bei
nga
model andnow,Iam here.Thatmeanst hey’
re
watchingoverme.”
Mntwana:“
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou’
vehur
tyourf
ami
l
y
l
iket
his.
”
Nel
iswa:
“Myfat
herwasgoingtothr
owmeout
any
waybecauseIr
eal
lydi
dn’twantt
hel
i
fet
hat
hewantedforme.Andmymotherhasalway
s
beenther
e.Ihav
en’
tbeenal
one.Ial
wayscal
l
herwhenIneedhel
pandneedtotal
k.”
Mnt
wana:
“Andy
ourbr
other
s?”
Neli
swa:“
Iam notincont
actwi t
hthem andI
don’
teventhi
nkthatmyfatherwouldwelcome
mebackhomebecauseIdi dn’tobeyhi
sword.
”
Mntwana:“
Don’
tyouwantmet
ospeakt
oyour
f
atherj
ustt
ocheck?”
Nel
i
swa:
“No!Don’
t!
”
Mnt
wana:“
Ijustdon’
tli
ket
haty
our
anaway
f
rom y
ourf
ami l
y.
”
Neli
swa:“Iam notal
oneher
e.Ihaveasquadof
fr
iendsandthey’
vebecomemyf amil
y.Iam
happywithmyl i
feIdon’
tmi
sshome.”
Mnt
wana:
“Ify
oui
nsi
stt
hen.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“Whenwi
l
lIseey
ouagai
n?”
Mnt
wana:
“Itwi
l
lbeawhi
l
ebecauseIshoul
d
workandmeetev er
ydeadli
netoensurethatby
Oct
oberIwill
befreebecausewewi l
lhavea
r
it
ualforourl
atebrother
.Themourningperi
od
wouldbeending.
”
Nel
i
swa:
“Al
ri
ght
,Iunder
stand.Iwi
l
lgonow.
”
“Youcan’tgowithoutagoodby ekiss.”
Mnt wanasaidpull
ingherbyherhandandhe
heldthebackofherneck.Theyshar edashor t
i
ntensekiss.“Besafe.”Mnt
wanasai dt oher
andNel i
swanodded.Shest eppedof fthecar…
Mnt wanadrovehiscarinsi
dethepar ki
ngl otof
thebuil
ding…Hel ookedathiswristwat chand
thetimewasmi dnight.
Simthandehadt oldhi
mt hatshewasgoi ngout
withhersist
erandshewasn’ tgoingtocome
back.Butseeinghersleepi
ngont hecouchnow,
Mnt wanawonder edwhatmi ghthavehappened
asshewasher e.Hedidn’
twakeherupbuthe
sl
owl ypassedthecoucht otakeashowerand
changehisclothesbecausehehadt hewoman
scentonhi
m andhecoul
dsmel
li
t…
“
Babe,wakeup.
”Mnt
wanawokeSi
mthandeup
f
rom t
hecouch.
Simthandeopenedherey esandshelookedat
him.Shesatupst r
aightsti
ll
looki
ngat
Mntwanawhowasst andi
ngonhisfeetwear
ing
casualcl
othes.“
Wher ewerey ou?
”
Mnt
wana:“
Iwasoutwi
tht
heguy
sforpool
and
af
ewdri
nks.”
Si
mthande:
“Real
l
yandy
ouonl
ygotbacknow?
”
Mntwana:“Yes.Comet
obedIwantt
osl
eep
hol
dingyou.”
Simt
hande:
“Youwantt
osl
eephol
dingmewhi
l
e
youaref
ool
ingme?”
Mntwana:“Ey
,pl
ease,don’
ttel
lmethatyou
camebackbecausey ouwanttof
ightwi
thme.I
am real
l
ynotint
hemoodf orthat
.”Hesaidand
walkedawaymumblingwordstohimsel
f‘Idon’
t
knowwhyit
’ssodi
ffi
cul
ttof
indapl
acef
ory
ou.
Thispl
acei
sabatt
lef
iel
dnow’
Simt hande: “
Iwon’tkeepquietwhi
leyouar e
fool
ingme. ”Simthandefol
lowedMnt wana
behind.Shehadt ocomebackbecauseshewas
angryt olearnthatMntwanahadbeencal l
i
ng
hersi st
erandwhensheaskedhersi sterabout
thecal ll
ogst hatshesawonherphone.
Nikhonal iedtoherandt ol
dherthatMnt wana
wasappr oachingherbutshedidn’
twantt otel
l
heraboutt hatbecauseshewasgoingt oget
hurt.Andshedi dn’
twanthim.
Simthande:“Youtoldmethatyoudon’
twantmy
si
sterbuttoday,Isawitmysel
f.You’
vebeen
call
i
ngmysi ster.Why?”
Mntwana:“Wheredidyouseethat?
”heasked
andremovedhisclot
hesfrom hi
sbodyaft
er
he’
dclear
edthebedt osl
eep.
Si
mthande:
“Wher
ewasIgoi
ngt
oseet
hat
besi
deherphone?
”
Mnt wana:“Ihavebeencal l
i
ngyoursister
becauseherl i
nehadopenedspacef or
i
nv est
orsandmybr otherwasint
erestedin
i
nv est
ing.Iwascont acti
ngyoursi
sterregar
ding
thatnotany t
hingel
se.”
Simthande:“That
’sal ie!Youarecal l
i
ngher
becausey ouareappr oachingher .Youwantmy
sist
erandy oudon’tknowhowt hathur tsme-”
Mnt wanalookedatherasshecr iedwi t
hout
fi
nishi
nghersentence.Shesatont hedressi
ng
tablebecauseshewashur tt
hatMnt wanawas
approachinghersi
st er.“Youarehur t
ingmeand
youcan’tevenseet hat .
”Shefinished.
Mntwana: “
Youar ehurti
ngy our
selfbybel ievi
ng
yoursi
sterandthere’snothi
ngIcansayt o
makeyoubel iev
emeov eryoursister.Your
sist
eri
sher ebecauseherl i
neishav ing
fi
nanci
aldiff
icul
ti
esandshewant si nvestors.
Sheaskedmet oinvestbutIwasn’tinterested.I
toldmybr other,
Ngceboaboutitandhewas
i
nt erest
edtoinvestf
orhi
swife.AndItol
dyour
sisteraboutthat.
”
Simt
hande:“Youarelyi
ngtome, Mnt
wana.You
aret
aki
ngmef orafool
.”Sheshout
edathi
m
andshestoodupmov i
ngfor
wardtogett
ohim.
Mntwana:“
Yoursist
eri
stheonewho’
sly
ingt
o
youandhurt
ingyou.
”
Si
mthande:“
Whywoul dshewantt
ohurtme?
Huh?Whatisitt
hatshewil
lgai
nfr
om l
yingt
o
me,Mntwana?”
Mntwana:“It
oldyouthatshewant sme.Ican’
t
bel
iev
ehowpoi sonousy oursi
stercanbeand
youarebel
ievi
ngherafterever
ythingshe’
d
donetoyou.”
Si
mthande:
“Don’
tsayt
hataboutmysi
ster
.”
Mntwana:“Icanseethatt
hisr
elat
ionshi
pisfor
t
hreepeoplenotjustt
hetwoofus.Iwill
make
t
hiseasyforus,j
ustchoosebet
weenbei ngi
na
r
elat
ionshipwithmeorbei
ngi
nar
elat
ionshi
p
wi
thy oursist
er.
”
Simt
hande’
stearswentdryandshel ookedat
Mntwanawithherhear
tpumpi ngharder.She
coul
dn’
tbel
ievewhathe’djustsai
dtoher .He
wasmakingherchoose.“Howcany oumake
mechoose?Youdon’twantmeany more? ”
Mntwana: “
Whatdoy ouexpectfrom me
becauseeveryfi
ghti
sabouty oursister
.Iam
thebadguyandy oursi
steri
sagoodguy .I
t’
s
bett
erthatyouchooseandifyouchooseheri t
’s
fi
ne.Andwhensheshowsy ouhert ruecolour
sI
wil
lbethereforyoubecauseIlovey oubutI
can’
tcompet ewithy
oursist
er.There’snosane
manwhocant ol
erat
ethisbehaviour.”
Simthande:“
Howcany oumakemechoose
becauseyouknowthatIloveyou?AndIl
ove
mysi st
erbutyouj
ustdon’twantt
otel
lmethe
tr
uth.”
Mntwana:“Iam t
ell
ingyout het
rut
h.Idon’
t
wantyoursist
erbutshe’stheonewhowant s
me.Herbusinessisincri
sisandthat
’sthe
r
easonshe’sbackbuty oudon’twanttohear
t
hattr
uth.”
Si
mthande:
“That
’snott
het
rut
h.”
Mntwana:“
Okay,justchoosebetweenstandi
ng
wi
thyoursi
ster’
struthandmyt r
uththengo
wi
ththatt
ruth.
”
Simthande:“I
t’
sfi
ne.Iwill
gowithmysi
ster
becauseIcannev ertr
ustyouov
ermyblood.I
wil
lleaveyourapartment
.”
Mnt wana:“
Ididn’
tsayleavebecausewheny ou
l
eav ethi
splacewherewi ll
youstay?Yoursi
ster
doesn’thavemoneytocat erforthet
woofyou.”
hetoldherbuthecouldf eelt
hathishear
twas
breaki
ngapartbecauseSi mthandewas
choosinghersist
eroverhim.Shewaschoosi ng
herafterev
erythi
ngthathadhappenedandhe’ d
nevergivenherar
easonnott
otr
usthi
m.But
hersist
er?
Simthande:“Youarewr ongaboutthat
.Iwil
l
l
eav etomorrowmor ning.”Shesai
dmar chi
ngto
thewar dr
obeandshet ookhergownandni ght
dress.“Iwi
ll
sleepint heguest r
oom and
tomorrowIwi l
l l
eave.”Shesaidandleft
…She
reachedtheguest r
oom.Shet hrewherbodyon
thebedandcr ied…
Mntwanaclickedhi
stongueandtookhisphone
t
ocallNikhona.Hewaitedasthephonerang
wi
thoutbeinganswered.Hecall
edagai
n.
Nikhona:
“So,l
ate!Ar
eyouhav
ingwetdr
eams
aboutme? ”
Mntwana: “Whatdoyouwant,
huh?Ihavegot
aninvestorfory
oubecauset
hat’
swhaty ou
sai
dy ouwantbuty ouar
esti
l
ldestr
oyingmy
rel
ati
onship.Youarehur
ti
ngmygirl
fri
endwho’
s
yoursist
er.”
Nikhona:“
IshowedyouwhatIwantandy
ou
actedli
keasaint
.”
Mntwanachuckled.“
Iwon’
tfucky
ounotev
eni
n
yourwi
ldestdr
eams.”
Nikhona:“
Whyareyoucall
i
ngmet hen?You
thi
nkIcan’tseet
hatyouar
ely
ingtoyoursel
f?
Shouldn’
tyoubeontopofmysist
er?”
Mntwana:“Oh!Youliedtoherandt oldherI
wantyoubecausey ouwant edmet obeont op
ofher
?Wai t
,no,yout houghtIwasgoi ngtobe
onyouifsheleavesmeandl etmet el
l y
ou
somethi
ngshehaschoseny ouoverme. ”
Ni
khona:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Mnt wana: “
Imeant hatandev enthoughshe
haschoseny ouIstil
lwon’tsleepwit
hy ou,
Nikhona.ButIcalledy oubecauseIknowt hat
youwon’ tlookaft
erSi mthande.Theonlythi
ng
you’l
ldonowi sr
unawayf rom herbutIam
beggingy outohav esomehumani t
ybecause
yourli
eshashurther
.Iknowy ougotnomoney
t
ol ookaft
erherandevenify
ouhav emoney
youwouldn’tl
ookaft
erhersi
ncey oul
efthert
he
minuteyourpast
uresweregreen.
”
Nikhona:“
You’l
lmakeherst aywi t
hyou
becauseIwanttomov einwi ththetwoofyou
andifyoudon’tdothatIwil
l t
ellhert
hetr
uth
aboutyourage.AndIdon’thav emoneytostay
withher.
”
Mnt wanachuckl ed.“Youwantt omov einwi t
h
me?Icannev ershar earoom wi t
hyouandI
didn’tcallyout obargainwithy ou.You’lll
i
sten
tome, youandSi mthandewi llfindaf l
atwi t
h
goodsecur i
ty.You’lll
ivetoget herbecauseshe
trustsyouenought ot hi
nkt haty oucanl ook
afterherbutshedoesn’ tknowt hatyoudon’t
careabouther .Youdon’ tcareev enafterIhave
toldhery ourintenti
ons.Iwi llsendmoneyi n
youraccountf orrentandf oodbutj ustknow
thatIam notdoi ngthisfory ou.Iam doi ngitfor
herbecauseIknowy ou’
l
l r
unawayfrom her
andshe’l
lbeshutt
eredsinceshehassomuch
tr
ustinyou.
”
Ni
khona:
“Youl
ovehert
hatmuch?
”
Mnt wana: “You’
l
lcont
actmewheny ou’v
ef ound
thatplace.”Hesaidwit
houtansweri
ngher
questi
onandher emovedthephonefrom his
ear.Hepl acedthephonedownandhecl osed
hiseyesbecausehewasheav i
lysl
eepy…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hel ai
dsleepingNongceboonhercotandhe
l
ookedatt her estofthegirl
s.Theywer e
sleepi
ngpeacef ul
l
yont hei
rpyjamas.Ngcebo
mov edoutoft heroom andhelookedathi s
wr i
stwatch,itwasaf t
er9pm.Heneededt o
showerandsl eepbecausehewast ir
ed.He
openedt hedoorsof tl
y.Hestoodbyt hedoor
andhel ookedatNandi phawhowasl ayingon
thebedacr osswi thherarmsst r
etchedoutand
hereyesclosed.Herfeetwer edangl
i
ngandshe
waswear i
ngherni ghtdress.Shewassingi
ng
alongwit
hherphonet hatwasnexttoherhead.
“…..Nhl
i
ziyoyami ngiy’
bek’ezandl
enizakho
Ngi
fi
s’ukut
handangunaphakade
Oh,
dal
isi
b’amat
henol
i
mi
ngi
cel
awaz’
ukut
hiy
ohngi
yakt
handa.
Nguw’
enqondweni
yami
angi
kwazi
ukucabanga
Mi
hlay
onkeuhl
alausenhl
i
nzweni
I
ndl
elaengi
zi
zwangay
ongawe,
dal
i
,
ngi
cel
awazi
ukut
hingi
yakut
handa.
Maw’
buk’
emehl
weni
ami
,kugcwel
’ut
hando.
Inhl
i
ziyoay
ikwazinokuzi
bambai
ndl
el’
engizi
zwangayo,
ngawe, dal
i
!
Ngicel
awaziukut
hyoh!Ngiyakut
handaX2”She
pl
acedherhandsonherfacefeel
ingfresht
ears
andshecri
ed.Shegotupwhi l
ehereyeswere
cl
osedandherhandsst
il
lonherf
ace.Shecr
ied
wi
thoutst
oppi
ng.
Ngcebomov edfrom hisposi t
ionasNandi pha
wascr y
ing.Hedi dn’texpectsuchacr ybecause
shewasj ustsingingpol i
tely,t
hiscoul
donl y
meansomet hingwasi nherhear tbot
hering
her…Her eachedNandi phahest oodbef oreher
andplacedhi shandsonhershoul der
.
Nandiphaopenedherey esandshedi dn’tstop
cry
ingev enifshewasseei nghim bef
oreher .
Ngcebosawhur tinherey esbuthedidn’t
underst
andwhyi twast her ebecausehedi d
nothi
ngt ohurther .
Ngcebo:“Whyareyoucryi
ng?Come.”Hepull
ed
herup.ShestoodonherfeetandNgcebo
pul
ledhertohischest
.“Whyareyoucryi
ng,
Nandipha?
”
Nandi
pha: “
You’
v ebeenspeakingtomeanyhow
andIdon’tknowhowl ongyouaregoingto
keepthi
sbehaviourbecausethere’
sanot
her
songt hatwill
comeout .Whyar eyouletti
nga
professionalt
hinginfl
uencehowy outreatme
asy ourwi f
e?IknowIwaswr ongandIhav e
apologisedbutIdon’tdeser vethi
str
eat ment
from you.Wer en’
tyougoi ngtoexpectmet o
forgi
v eyouifyoudidsomet hi
ngli
kethis?”she
confidedinhim whileholdinghisshi
rttightl
yas
Ngcebowashuggi ngher .
Ngcebo:
“Iwoul
dn’
thav
edonesomet
hingl
i
ke
t
his.
”
Nandi pha:
“Okay ,t
hen, l
etgoofme. ”shesaid
andmov edhershoul derstobreakf reefr
om
him butNgcebodi dn’tlethergo.“Letmego,
Ngcebo.Youhady ouril
lnesshiddenf rom me
foryearsandy ouwer est i
llhi
dingitfrom me.
ButIhav eletthatgo.It’
sfinethoughkeep
treat
ingmel ikeyourt r
ash.”
Ngcebo:“Don’
ttal
kli
ket
hatbecauset
hat
’snot
howitis.
”
Nandi
pha:“Okay
.Letmego,
phel
a.Whyar
eyou
st
il
lhol
dingme?”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
twanty
out
ocr
y.”
Nandi phamanagedt opushhi m awayf rom her.
“Today , y
out ookourdaught erandl eftwi thher
withoutt ell
ingmewher ey ouar egoingand
whenIcal ledy ou,youdidn’ tev enanswery our
phone.Youj ustgotbackwi t
ht hebabynow.I
don’ tknowwher ey ouwer e, ifsheat ewher e
shewas.Ev erypersonhast heirli
mi tnjalo,don’t
forgett hat.
”Shesai dandl ef ttheroom f ort he
nurser y.Shewi pedhert ear sandi nhaled, she
openedt hedoor …Shest oodbyNongcebo’ scot
andcheckedhercl othes, sher emov edher
clothesandherf ul
lnappy .Shel if
tedheral ong
withhernappyshemar chedt othebat hroom…
Shemi xedt hewat erwhileNongcebowasi nher
armsandwhenshewasdoneshepl acedher
i
nsi dethet ub.Shewashedherbodyand
Nongcebowokeup, shecr ied.
Nandi pha: “Don’tcrybaby .You’ll
gobackt o
sl
eepnowandy ou’l
lsleeppeacef ull
y .Youare
nothungr y,ri
ght?”sheaskedr unningt hewater
onherbodyandshel i
ftedherupt owashher
behind.“ Awul ambanga? ”Sherepeat edher
questionandshet ouchedhert ummy .Sheli
ft
ed
herof fthet ubaf t
erremov i
ngthest opper.She
grabbedt hetowel andwr appedher .She
mar chedwi thhertot heirrom aftermoi st
eni
ng
herbody …Shedr essedt hebabyandputhert o
sl
eepbybr ushingherback.Shel eftthe
nursery…
Nandiphaopenedt hedoorofthebedr oom and
shehoppedont othebednextt oNgcebo.She
si
ghedandgr abbedherphoneshepr oceeded
withreadingthebookt hatshewasr eading
onli
ne.Shepl acedthephonedownandpr essed
hertummy .“
Everyoneisasleep,yoursibl
ings
aresnoringanddr eamingbuty ouarebot her
ing
mewhi leIam t r
yingtoreadani nt
eresti
ngscary
book.Wherear
eyourmanners?”Shespokeout
l
oudf eel
i
nguncomfor
tablewi
ththei
r
movementthatwer
eswi f
t.
Ngcebo:
“Issomet
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hebabi
es?
”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
not
hingi
swr
ong.
”
“What’shappening,then?”Heaskedlaying
cl
osert oherandhesenthi shandt oherbell
y
notont henightdressbutheplacedit
underneaththenightdresstofeelherskin.“
Oh,
i
t’
splayt i
mef orus.”hecomment edand
chuckled.
Ngcebo:“Yourski
ni sdrythoughandy ou
r
ememberf r
om yourlastpregnancyyouwere
t
oldtolookafteryourskin.Di
dy ouapplyany
l
oti
onoroi l
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Idi
d.”
Ngcebo:“
Iwill
gettheoil
foryouandmaybeyou
shoul
dn’
treadanyscarystor
ies.
”Hesai
dtoher
andgotupfrom t
hebedt ogettheoi
l
…knowing
shewon’
tdowhathewoul
dtell
hertodo,
Ngcebopul
l
edNgcebo’
sni
ghtdressup.
Nandi
pha:“
Whathappenedt
oaski
ngf
or
per
missi
onthough?
”
Ngcebo:
“Youwon’
tagr
eei
fIaskbecausey
ou
ar
eangrywit
hme.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam notangr
ywi
thy
ou.Justask.
”
Ngcebo:“Canyoul
iftupy
ournightdr
ess
becauseIwanttomassageyou?Yourski
nis
dryanditshoul
dn’
tbedry
.”
Nandi
pha:“I
t’
sbettert
hatIsl
eepandIt
hinky
ou
shoul
dsleeptoo.
”
Ngcebo:“
Okay,butwheny ou’
retheonewho’ l
l
beinneedofthismassage.Justremembert hi
s
ni
ght.
”Hesaidandpl acedawaytheoil.He
di
ssolv
edbacki nt
ohispill
owandhecl osedhis
eyeswit
houtheari
nghercomment .“
And
NongceboandIspentaf ewminuteswi t
hthe
guysandtherestofourti
me,wespenti twit
h
Banel
einhisplace.”Heinfor
medherseei
ngthe
needbecausehe’dr eal
i
sedhewaswrongto
l
eavewithoutt
elli
ngher .
Nandipha:“I
twouldbebet terifGodgiv
esus
othergi
rlsbecauseclearl
yifthey’r
eboysthey
won’tstayhere.They
’llbeminglingwi
ththe
guystoo.”
Ngcebo:
“Hawu,howcanyousayt
hatbecause
youknowIwantaboy?”
Nandipha:
“Iam j
usthopi
ng.
”Shesai
dand
Ngcebowasmut e…
~~~~Hel ookedaroundhissurr
oundingsand
hereal
isedt hathewasinsidehi
sgr andf
ather
’s
l
ivi
ngroom.Hewasseat edonthecoucht hat
wasnear byhisgrandfat
her’
schairthatwas
l
eopardpr i
ntdesign.Buthewasal one.
“
Ngcebo!”Heheardtheechoofanol
dman’s
v
oice,
thevoicethathe’
dhear
dbefor
eandhe
l
ookedaroundtheroom.Hesawtheoldman,
hi
sgrandfatherwalki
nginsidet
heli
vi
ngroom
weari
nghisf ul
ltr
adit
ional
gearcar
ryi
ngashi el
d
andspearinhishand.Heoccupiedhischai
r.He
l
ookedatNgcebo.
Ngcebo:
“Ndabezi
tha!
”heexcl
aimedandbowed
hi
sheadshort
ly.
“Lalela,laelaulalelisise,sifunaumf aziNgcebo.
Lesi sikhat hisesidekakhul u.Kumel eangene
umf azi bubonakal eubukhonabakhe.Si zokwaz
ukumv ikela.Akungaphol iswamasekokodwa
akangenel omf azi siyamf una.”(Li
stenand
l
istencl ear ly
.Wewantawi fe,Ngcebo.Ithas
beent ool ongandawi f
eshoul dent ert
he
premi sesandherpr esenceshoul dbeseen.We
willbeabl etopr otecther .Don’ twastetime,we
wantawi fe)Ngcebo’ sgr andfathersaidto
Ngceboi nabol dcommandi ngv oi
ce.
Ngcebo:“
Kodwamkhuluukushokanj
anil
okho
ngobangi
naye-
”(Howcanyousaythatbecause
Ihave-
)
“Lokhuakudi ngekudi ngidwanamunt uay i
kho
i
mbuzonezi mpendul o.Si f
unaumf azi ngakho
ml etheekhay a.Akangeneemagcekeni akwa
Zul u.Akangene…Akangene…”Hesai dto
Ngcebol astl
y …~~~~Ngcebowokeupf rom
hissl eeponhi sownandhei nhal edadeep
breat h.Her emov edhi svestf rom hi sbodyand
hewi pedhi ssweat yf aceandhi supperbody .
Hecl osedhi sey esandher eplay edhi sdream
i
nsi dehi shead.Ngceboopenedhi sey esand
l
ookedatNandi phawhowaspeacef ully
sleepi ngnextt ohi m.Hepl acedhi shandon
Nandi pha’scheekandheexhal ed.“Ireall
ydon’ t
knowwhat ’
st hemeani ngoft hisdr eam
becausey ouar emywi fe.Idon’ twantsomeone
elsebutIj ustwanty ouandnobodybuty ou.
Theywantawi fe?Whatdoest hatmakey ou,
then?Tsk!Ican’ tev enspeakt oy ouaboutt hi
s
becausehowcany out aket his?Tsk! ”hespoke
tot hesl eepingNandi phaandhesenthi sf ace
downt okisshercheek.Hedi ssol v
edbacki nt
o
hi
sposi
tionandhecl
osedhi
seyeswit
hhi
s
mindt
hinki
ng.Hewasthi
nki
ngdeepl
y…
“Nit
hathenani fut
hi,baba?”(Whatel seshoul dI
take?)Buhleaskedherf atherandshepl aced
herhandonhert i
nywai standshesi ghedasi f
she’dbeendoi ngadi f
fi
culttask…Ngcebowas
cookingbreakfastforthegi r
ls,hewaswoken
upbyBuhl ewhowascr yi
ngandf rom therehe
decidedhewasgoi ngtomakebr eakfastfor
them.He’df edBuhleinstantpor r
idgeandnow,
shewashel pinghim makebr eakfast.“E.eh!
Phoney akhobaba!Yay izwazoy t
hatha!”She
j
umpedasi fshewoul dcat chit.
Ngcebolaughed.“
Youareshor
t,Buhl
ezi
.
”He
t
oldherandtookhisphone.
Buhle:“
Nenzeni
phomanj
e,baba?
”(What
shouldIdonow?)
Ngcebo:
“Wait
,Iwil
ltel
lyouwhenIam doneon
t
hephone.Haveyourbottl
e.”Hesai
dtoherand
hegaveBuhleherfor
mulabott
lewhil
e
answeri
ngthephone.Buhl
etookthebot
tl
eand
senti
tstr
aightt
ohermouth.
Ngcebo:
“Boy
,zi
thi
ni?
”
Mntwana:“
Ey,
upanddown.Ihav eemailedyou
t
hedocumentsfortheinv
estmentandit
’snot
t
hatofthemake-upli
ne.I
t’
sadiff
erent
i
nvest
mentbutitsti
l
lpaysoutquart
erl
y.
”
Ngcebo:“Alr
ight,Iwi
l
llookt
hrought
hem and
t
hanky ou,boy.”
Mnt
wana:
“Nopr
obl
em.
”
Ngcebo:
“Whatdi
dyoudoabouty
oursi
steri
n-
l
aw?”
Mnt wanachuckl ed.“
Ifoundsomeoneel seto
i
nv estontheline.She’soffmybackwi t
ht hat
butshewant swhatsheal wayswantedfrom
thef i
rstpl
ace.Thatskinnybit
ch.Tsk!Youwon’ t
believehersi
sterchoseherov erme.”
Ngcebo:
“Hhey
i,ndoda,
justbr
eat
heout
!”
Mntwanaexhaledontheli
ne.“Shemakesme
angryt
hatshelist
enstoherfucki
nsist
er’
sli
es.
Thatwomant ol
dherIam approachi
ngherjust
forcal
l
ingaboutthei
nvestment.Imadeher
chooseandshechoseher.”
Ngcebo:“Awu,ntwana,don’tbesadaboutthat
becausebloodisthi
ckerthanwater,
theysay.
Justall
owhertobewi thhersist
erandshe’l
l
l
earnonherownt hatwhatki ndofasist
ershe
i
s.”
Mnt
wana:
“Idon’
twanthert
ohur
ther
.”
Ngcebolaughed.“
Oh,li
tt
leboy,t
hat ’
sagood
thi
ngbutyoucan’tst
opthat.You’l
lhavet
ogive
herti
mewi t
hhersist
er.
”Headv ised.
Mntwana:“Okay,butItol
dherIwill
sendmoney
i
ntoheraccountforSimthande’
srentandfood
becauseIknowshewon’ tlookaf
terher.
Simthandedoesn’tear
nmuchi ntheclubandI
don’
twantherwor
kingt
woj
obsagai
n.”
Ngcebo: “That’sagoodthi
ngthen.Ey,t
here’
sa
callcomingt hroughi
t’
simpor
tant.Letmecall
youaf t
erthis.”hesai
dtoMntwanaashe’ dseen
thatLangalibalel
ewascall
i
nghim.
Mntwana:
“Al
ri
ght
,butIwi
l
lbebusyf
rom 9am.I
wi
ll
hangup.”
Ngcebot henaccept
edLangali
balel
e’
sphone
cal
l.Hepl acedhi
shandonhisdaughter
’shead
asshewasbusysucki ngthemilkfr
om t
he
bott
le.“
Thokozamkhul u.
”Ngcebogreet
ed
Langali
balele.
Langal
ibal
ele:
“Thokoza,
Nkosana,
howar
e
you?”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Langali
bal
ele:
“Iam f
ine.Thi
sisashor
tphone
cal
l.Iwanttoseeyouurgent
ly.
”
Ngcebo:
“Howur
gent
?Ihav
eani
mpor
tantgi
g
t
omor
row.
”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Youcandr
ivedownaf
tert
he
gi
g.”
Ngcebo:
“Thokoza.
”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“You’
l
lhav
eagoodday
,
Nkosana.”
Ngcebo:“You’
ll
haveagoodmkhul u.”Hesai
d
andremov edhi
sphonefrom hisear
.Hehoped
thathewascall
inghimtotalkabouthi
sdream
andevenifhewasn’tcal
li
ngforthat
.Hewas
goingtohavetoaskhim abouti
t.
MaZungu: “Youaremaki ngbreakf
astmor e
oft
entheseday ,nkosana.”Shecomment edas
shesawNgcebost andingbehindthestove.She
wasinsi
det hekitchentotakethecleani
ng
materi
al.She’dgreetedNgcebobef or
e.
Ngcebochuckl
edandlookedbackather
.“Iam
gi
vi
ngtheirmotherabr
eak.”Herepl
i
edand
gaveBuhl
eachoppedVienna.
Buhle:
“Ngiy
abonga,baba.
”Shetookitwi
thboth
herhandsaftershe’
dpl
acedthebott
leofher
mil
kont hefl
oor.Sheatet
heVienna.
MaZungu:“
Icanseebutyouar eherhusband,
youaret
hepri
nceandshe’syourwife.She
shoul
dserv
eyounotyouservingher.”
Ngcebo:
“Whatcangowr
ongi
fIser
veher
?”
MaZungu:“Nothingcanhappenbutdon’tf
orget
whoyou’
re.Andy ourpl
aceasherhusbandis
noti
nthekitchen.”
Ngcebodi dn’
tsayanyt
hingtoherashef el
t
therewasnoneedf orhi
mt oexplainhi
mselft
o
her.Hedidn’twantt
ohav etoputherinher
placebecauseshewasol derandhehad
respectf
orherasawomanf r
om thevi
ll
age.
Nandiphawalkedinsidetheki
tchenwi th
Ntokomaloinherarms.MaZungul eftthe
ki
tchenwi t
hhercleaningmateri
al.“Sanibona,
Buhlezi
,youareeati
ngal r
eady?”sheaskedher
wi
thasmi
l
eonherf
aceandBuhl
enodded.
Ntokomalo:
“Mama, ni
l
ambi
l
emi
na.Shawubona,
baba.”(
Iam hungr
y)
Ngcebo:
“Sawubona,
nkosazana.
”
Nandi
pha:“Buhl
ehaseat
en?Theot
hert
hreei
s
sl
eepi
ng.”
Ngcebo:
“Igav
eherpor
ri
dge.
”
Nandipha:“
Okay,l
etmemakesomepor r
idge
foryounkosazanaemhlophe.
”Shekissedboth
hercheeksandNtokomalogiggl
ed.Nandipha
placedherdownandshemadet hesmal l
porti
onofporri
dgeforher
.
Ngcebo:“Langal
i
balel
ecal
ledmeandheasked
thatIcomehomef orsomethi
ngur
gentt
hathe
didn’
ttel
lmeabout.”
Nandi
pha:
“Oh!Whenwi
l
lyougo?
”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’
tbutwewil
lal
lgoThursday
.We
wi
llspendtheweekendhomebecauseIwon’t
bebusyt
hisweekend.
”
Nandipha:“
Oh!Come, mehlol
et’
sfeedy
ou.”
sheli
ftedNtokomaloofft
hefl
oorandshesat
onthechairwithher
.
“Baba,nicel
aeliny
e.”Buhlerequestedanother
Viennaf r
om herfathershowinghim bothhands
thatwer eempty.Ngcebogav eBuhleanother
piece,shethankedhim andmov edfr
om her
father’
ssideandshest oodbyhermot her
’ssi
de
eatingtheViennawi t
hherbot t
lebyherleg…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE18

“Youareangryovernot
hingbecausethere’
s
nothi
ngbadsaidaboutthesongy et
.You
shouldj
usttel
lusthatyouhavechestpains
becauseshechosetosingwiththeotherguy
notyou.”Dali
ngcebosaidtoNgceboast hey
weredrivi
ngbackt oNgcebo’shouseaft
er
spendi
ngt hei
rdaywithNhlakani
pho…They
wereplayi
ngFM whent hesongwi thNandipha
andMuj owasai r
ed.
Ngcebo:“Youaresayi
ngthatbecausey
ou
haven’
tseenpeoplesayi
ngheusedherjustt
o
di
vertt
heirat
tenti
onfrom myli
ne.”
Dali
ngcebo: “Buthedi dn’tknowt haty ouwere
l
aunchingt heli
ne.What ’
sy ourproblem v el
e
becauset hi
swi l
lnotaf fectyourbrand?But
i
nsteady ou’r
ebei ngpr ai
sedf orbeingt he‘I
T
husband’”hesai dandl aughedshaki nghi shead
hereadoutl oudf orNgceboat weetf rom a
womanwhot weet ed.“PrinceTeeist hat
husbandev erywomanmusthav e.Hemust
defi
nit
elyholdsemi narsandeducat et hesemen
aboutbeingahusbandandboy fri
end. ”He
l
ookedathi m.
Ngcebo:
“Wel
l
,theydon’
tknowt
hatshedi
dn’
t
tel
lmebefor
edoingthi
sandifshet
oldme
abouti
tIwasn’
tgoi
ngtoall
owhertodoit
.”
Dali
ngcebo: “
Youwon’ ttel
lthem thatt
hen
becausey ou’
llhurtherwheny ousaythat.And
l
ist
en‘ West i
l
lwantt oknowwhyshedi dn’t
danceont hatv i
deo.Wewantt oseemor eof
her.
’”hereadandNgcebocl ickedhist
ongue.
Ngcebo:“Ican’tdenyt hatthesongisagood
songandi tdidn’
taffectmybr andli
keIthought
i
twouldbutt hatdidn’tchangethatIdon’
tli
ke
whatshedi d.AndIcan’ tgetoveri
tbecause
theyst
il
lhav easecondsongcomi ngup.”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Lety ourwomanshineandyou
muststopsulki
ngl i
keaboyjustsaya
commentaboutt hesongbecauseitwon’
tbe
goodifyoudon’
t.”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’tcommentshi
taboutit
.”He
saidst
oppinghiscarbef
orehishousebecause
theyweresti
ll
goi ngt
odri
vetohermother’
s
house…Butt
heywerenotgoi
ngtousethiscar
.
Herememberedanddrov
einsi
dethegarage.
Dali
ngcebo:“Mujoisl
ow-keygayandIam sure
hewantedy ou.
”hesaidsomet hi
ngheknew
wasgoingtopumphi m ev enhar
derashewas
remindi
nghim ofthepast.Theywereent
eri
ng
thehousethroughthegaragedoor.
Ngcebo:“Ag!Voet
sek,Dal
ingcebo.Ial
wayst
ell
youthathehadissueswit
hmebecauseIhad
ever
ythi
ngthathedidn’
thave.Notthat
.”
Dali
ngceboandNgcebosatont hesingl
e
couchesinsi
dethelounge.“
Buthewoul dn’
t
havesuggestedyousettl
ethescorebyhavinga
thr
eesomewi t
honegirl
.Hedef i
nit
elywant
ed
totouchyouandkissyou.”heremindedhim.
“Gwani!Mgodoyi
!”HesworeatDali
ngceboand
hethrewacushionathisdi
rect
ionand
Dali
ngceboheldthecushi
onwhilehewas
l
aughingathim.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ishoul
dsellt
hisst
oryt
othepubl
i
c
youknow,it
’sver
yjui
cy.
”
Ngcebo:“Yousoundl
i
keabi
tchr
ightnow
Dal
ingcebo.”
Dal i
ngcebo: “
Voetsek!Ican’
tbel
i
evehalfofthe
thingsy ou’
vedoneNgcebo.Doesy ourwi
fe
knowt hatyouhadaf oursomewithMujoafter
refusingthethreesomebecausehewant edto
sleepwi thyou?”
Ngcebo: “Canyoushutthef uckupbeforeI
remindy ouwhaty ouhavedone?It’
scleart
hat
you’veforgot
tenthatyouoncehadt orunaway
from twogirl
sbecauset heywantedtopanel
beaty ouforfool
i
ngt hem.”
Dal
ingcebolaughed.“
Ever
yguygoesthr
ough
t
hatbuttheydon’tgothr
oughwhatyouwent
t
hroughwithMuj o.
”Heshiel
dedhi
mself
.
Ngcebo:“
Ihaveneverhadwomenwant i
ngt o
beatme.Theyrat
herwanttobeateachother
t
hant
obeatme.Nev
er!
”
“Hmm!Hmm! ”Dal
ingceboclear
edhisthr
oatas
hesawNandiphaentert
helounge.Ngcebo
l
ookedbackatNandiphaandhesenthiseyes
for
ward.
Nandi
pha:
“Canwegonow?
”
Ngcebo:
“Baf
o!Iwi
l
lbeback.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Shar
p!Iwillgogat
hermythings
becauseIwil
lhav
etoleav et
omorrowmor ni
ng.
”
Hesaidstandi
ngupafterNgcebohadstoodup.
“Okay.
”HesaidandlookedatNandipha,he
tookthekey
sf r
om herandtheyf
oll
owedeach
othertot
heviano…Ngcebotookthedriv
er
seat…
Ngcebo:
“Doy
ouwantt
osaysomet
hing?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
”
Ngcebo:“
Youkeepl
ooki
ngatmeandy
ousay
not
hing.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Your
eal
l
yhadaf
our
somewi
th
Mujo?
”
Ngcebolookedathershort
lyandshewas
l
ookingathim.Ngcebolookedfor
wardandhe
di
dn’tsayanyt
hingforawhil
e.“Whyareyou
aski
ng?”
Nandi
pha:“
Ihear
dyourconv
ersat
ionwi
thy
our
br
other
.”
Ngcebo:
“Itwasourconv
ersat
ionandy
ouhad
nori
ghttoeavesdr
op.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Don’
tbemeanaboutt
hisj
ust
answerme.
”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’tanswert
hatquesti
onbecause
youweren’tsupposedtoheart
hat.AndIdon’
t
knowwhat ’
sy ouri
nter
esti
nthat.
”
Nandi
phakepthermouthshutandt ookher
phonefr
om herbag.Sheconcent
ratedonthe
phoneandheldnoconver
sati
onwi t
hNgcebo…
“MAMA!”Simil
owast hefi
rstt
oseeherpar
ents
fol
lowi
ngeachot herwalki
nginsi
dethei
r
grandmot
her’
slounge.Theywer eseat
edonthe
couchwit
htheirgrandmotherseatedwi
tht
hem
i
nt hel
ounge.
Nandi
pha:“Sani
bona!
”shegreetedthegi
rl
swho
hadgott
enoffthecouchandtheywereall
bef
orethei
rparent
s.Theygr
eetedthem back.
Ngcebo:“Howar ey
ou?Wear egoinghome
now.”hetol
dt hem andsatdownont hecouch
aft
erhe’
dgr eetedNandipha’smot her
.Thegir
ls
wereall
beforet hei
rfat
herandt heirmot
her
wasseatednextt ohermot her.
Si
mil
o:“
No,
wear
enotgoi
ng.
”
Buhl
e:“Yes,gogoutheyenathinashodl
aout !
Ani
thi
?”(Grandmasaidwewi l
lgoeatout,
right?
)
sheaskedlookingathersi
sters.
Gi
rl
s:“
EHE!
”
Ngcebo:
“You’
l
lgoeatoutsomeot
hert
ime.
”
Similo:“Hawu!Nekeke!Gogo!Ut hiubaba
ashishahambi kodwat hi
nashif
unaukuhamba.
Mama! ”(Granny,dadsay swearenol onger
goingbutwewantt ogo.)shetoldhergranny
andt appedhert highrepeatedl
y.Shehad
mov edf rom herfather
’ssideandallhersist
ers’
eyeswer eonher .
Fai
th:
“What’
swrongi
fwegoout
,Ngcebo?I
hav
epr omi
sedt
hem.”
Ngcebo:
“Butmama,
wear
eher
etof
etcht
hem
andgohome.”
Fait
h:“Letthem be.Iwi
lldropthem offyour
house.Wewi l
ldr
ivefr
om therestauranttoy
our
house.Don’ttakethem becauseImadea
promise.”
Nandipha:“
Youar ej
ustexcl
udingusl i
kethat
.
Youareindir
ectl
ytel
li
ngust oleavebecause
youaregoingout.Okay,bet
terforthei
rfat
her
becausethere’
shisbrot
herinthehousebutI
wantt
ogotoo.”Shesai
dt ohermotherand
l
ookedatNgceboshort
ly.Sheknewgoingback
t
othehousemeantshewasgoi ngtobealone
i
nbedandNgcebowoul dbewi t
hhisbrot
her.
Fai
th:“Ay,Iam speaki
ngf
ormygr
andchi
l
dren
notyou.”
Ngcebo:“
Okay ,
theycangooutandcomeback
af
terdi
nner.Idon’
thaveapr obl
em wi
tht
hat.
”
Heannouncedandl ookedatthegi
rl
sasthey
j
umpedup.
Nongcebo: “
Ashambeshot shel
amalumeke
ukuthishi
yahamba. ”(
Let’
sgotel
luncl
ethatwe
aregoingout )sheencour
agedhersi
ster
sand
theysupported.
Ngcebo:
“No,
you’
l
ltel
lhi
m af
terwal
ki
ngme
out
.”
Fai
th:
“Takemycarandl eavethevianosothat
wewilldr
ivet
ogether
.Iwil
ltakethecarwhen
wedropthem by.
”Shesuggestedandst oodup
f
rom t
hecouchtogetthecarkey
s.Nandi
pha
r
emainedonthecouch.
Ngcebo:
“ Andyou?Ther
e’snor
easonf
ory
out
o
st
aybehind.”
Nandi
pha:
“Awu, kwahl
e.Youaregoingbackto
t
hehousetolaughwithyourbr
othernotwit
h
meandso,letmestaybehind.
”
“Laureni
shere.Bro!
”Randall
excl
aimedlooki
ng
atNgcebonotNandipha.Hegavehishandto
him andtheyshar
edafistbumpandshoulder
hug.
Ngcebo:
“How’
zi
t?”
Randall
:“Everyt
hingi
sgoodandIam buy i
ngmy
ri
destomor row.They’
resotop-
class.Iwi
l
l
defi
nit
elyspendev er
ypennyonthem. ”
Ngcebochuckled.“Thankyou.Iwasgoingt
o
disowny ouasmybr otheri
n-l
awifyouwere
goingtot el
lmeyou’r
enotbuy i
ng.
”Hesaidand
theylaughed.
Randal
l:“
Ift
heywer
eot
her
wiseIwasn’
tgoi
ng
tobuy.
”
Ngcebo: “That’
sal ie.Yoursi sterwasgoi ngto
forceyout obuyt hem. ”hesai dandt hey
l
aughedandNgcebomov edawayf rom hi m as
hismot herwasbackwi ththekey s.Ngcebo
tookthekey sfrom Fai t
handhet urnedt ohis
gir
ls.“
You’ l
lcomebackhomeaf tereat i
ngout .
Youwon’ tsleepher e,that’sclear?”heasked
them fi
rml ybecausehedi dn’ttrustthem nott o
comebackast heirmot herhadal sodecided
shewasst ayi
ngbehi nd.
Gi
rl
s:“
EHE!
”
Ntokomalo:
“ Mama,awuhambi
nobaba?
”(Mom,
youarenotleavi
ng?
)
Nandi
pha:“
No,
Iam st
ayi
ngbehi
ndIwantt
oeat
outt
oo.”
Thegirl
sgiggl
edandt
heynodded,
theywal
ked
thei
rfat
heroutwi
thRandal
l
…
“Whenar eyoutel
li
ngt hem t
hey’
llhave
sibl
ings?”Fai
thaskedNandipha,theywer e
driv
ingtoNandipha’shousefrom therestaur
ant.
Faithwasseatedont hepassengerseatand
Nandiphawasdr i
vingwi t
hRandallseatedwith
thegirl
s.
Nandi
pha:
“Wewi
l
ltel
lthem soon.
”
Fai
th:
“Ir
eal
l
ylov
ethatsong.I
t’
sabeaut
if
ul
song.
”
Nandi
phalaughed.“Real
l
y?Youli
stenedt
oahip
hopsong?
”Sheaskedandl ookedathermot
her
shor
tl
ywit
hasmi l
eonherface.
Randal
l
:“It
oldhert
o!”
Fai
th:“
Yes,yourbr
othert
oldmet
oli
stenandI
di
dn’tr
egreti
t.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Fai
th:
“Ihopet
hesecondonewill
beasgood.
”
Shecommentedst
eppingoutofthecar
.
Nandiphapromiseditwasgoi
ngtobegood.
RandallandFai
ththenhel
pedNandipha
tr
ansportthechi
ldr
eninsi
dethehouseast
hey
wereasleep…
“Ihopet hey
’l
l behappyandscr eam. ”Ngcebo
saidt oNandiphawhowassi tt
ingnextt ohim
ont helounge…I twasaSundaywhi chwas2nd
ofSept ember.Itwasaweekaf terNgcebo’s
l
aunchandt hesongr elease…Thegi rl
shadj ust
fi
nishedwat chingimveloandtheirparents
want edtospeakwi ththem.Thegi r
lswere
seatedont hef l
oorlookingattheirparent
s.
Nandi
pha:
“Theyshoul
d.”
Ngcebo:
“They
’rel
ooki
ngatusnow.
”
Nandipha:
“Yourmot herandf
atherwantstotel
l
yousomethingthatwill
makeallofyou,
v er
y,
ver
yhappy .
”Sheintr
oducedandlookedat
Ngcebo.
Ngcebol
ookedatt
hegi
rl
sast
heysmi
l
ed.“
God
willgi
vey ourmotherandf athert
wobabiesthat
willbeyoursibli
ngs.Aft
eral ongti
me, y
our
parentswi l
lgotothehospi t
alandtakeyour
sibl
ingsthey’l
ll
ivewithus.”Ngceboannounced
totheirchil
drenandhel ookedatNandipha.
Si
mil
o:“
Howu!Ni
ngay
i!
”(Don’
tgo)
Ot
her
s:“
EHE!NI
NGAYI
!”(
Yes,
don’
tgo!
)
Nandi
pha:
“Weshoul
dn’
tgowher
e?”
Si
milo:“
Ningay
i eshi
bhedl
elaminaani
yif
uni
i
nganeencane.”(Don’
tgotothehospi
tal
.Idon’
t
wantthebaby.
)
Ot
her
s:“
EHE!
”
Nandi
pha:
“Hawu!Buhl
ezi
?”
Buhl
e:“
Hmm!Mama.
”Sheshookherheadand
pout
edherl
i
ps.
Ngcebo:
“Nt
okomalo?Awuzif
unii
zi
ngane
nawe?”(
Youdon’
twantthebabi
es?)
Nt
okomal
o:“
Cha,
sibani
ngi
thi
na.
”(No,
ther
e’s
t
oomanyofus)
Nandipha:
“Nif
unasenzenj
anike?Si
ngaythat
hi
l
ezinganesiy
iphi
weuNkulunkul
unje.Soyshi
ya
kuphi
?”(Whatdoyouwantust odo?We
shoul
dn’tt
akethebabi
esthatwehav ebeen
giv
ingbyGod?)
Thando:“Howu!Shi y eeshibhedl elamama
utshel
euNkulunkul uukut hithinashikhona.
Howu, minaani y
ifuni i
ngane.I zothat
haubaba
wethufuthinomamawet hu. ”(Leavethebaby
i
nt hehospit
al andt ellGodt hatwear eher e.I
don’twantthebaby .I twil
ltakeourf atherand
mama. )sheshookherheadandshecr i
ed, she
stoodonherf eet.AndNgcebogotupt otake
her.Hesatbackont hecouchwi t
hThando.
Nandipha: “Nongcebo,youar equi
etmybaby.”
Nongcebodi dn’
tsayanythingbutshehadher
l
ipspout edandherar msf oldedbefor
eher
chest.“
Ir eall
ydidn’
texpectthisfr
om them.
You’l
lplaywi tht
hebabies.”Shesaid.
Ngcebo:“Ni
zodlal
anazonj eizi
nganey i
ni
nacasukamanje?”(You’
ll
playwi t
hthebabies.
Whyar eyouupsetnow?)hesai dtothem
wipi
ngThando’stearsasshewasser i
ously
cryi
ngandhersisterswerelooki
ngupset .
Nandipha:“Iwillsendy oubackt othehospi t
al
thenandy ou’l
lli
v etherebecausey oudon’ t
wantmybabi es.Iwi l
lsendy outhere.”she
threat
enedt hem feeli
ngi r
rit
atedbyt heir
behaviourthatshedi dn’texpectandt heyall
cri
edwi thi
nsecondsofhear i
ngthat.
Ngcebo:
“Didyouhav
etosayt
hatt
houghand
makemat t
erswor
se?”
Nandi
pha:“
Yes,
bay
angi
cikanj
e.”(
They
’re
i
rr
it
ati
ng)
Ngcebo:
“They
’rej
ustchi
l
dren.
”
Nandipha:
“Talktoyourchi
ldr
enthenandleave
meoutofi t
.”Shesaidandstoodupfrom t
he
couch.Shelef
tNgcebowi t
hthecryi
ngchil
dren.
Shemov edupt hestair
sf eel
ingi rr
it
at edthat
theyhadt ocr
yaboutnot hing, absolutel
y
nothing!‘You’
remakingmat terswor se’ t
heir
fathersaidthattoher.Shecl ickedhert ongue
andl andedherhandsonherphonet hatwas
ri
nging.
“Hey,
girl
y!
”Nandiphagr
eet
edPalesaonthe
phoneandshelai
dbackonbed.Sheexhaled
andclosedherey
es,shepl
acedherfr
eehand
onherbell
y.
Pal
esa:“
Andwhydidyouignor
emyt ext
swhileI
wastal
ki
ngaboutsuchanimport
antthi
ng?Or
youdon’
twantt
obuythehousenow.It’
sall
good.
”
Nandipha:“No,Iam sorryIhadtotellt
hese
chil
drenthatIam pregnantandy ouwon’t
beli
evethattheycri
ed,Palesa.Theytoldme
theydon’twantmybabi esIshouldleavethem
i
nt hehospital
.”
Palesal aughed.“
Youareangry,huh?Eh!You
didn’ttell
mey ouarepregnantandyouare
tell
i
ngmenowbecausey ouareangryatt
he
chil
dr en.Howcouldyou?”Sher ai
sedhervoi
ce
ather .
Nandipha: “
Iwasgoi ngtot elly
oubutyouknow
thi
sthing,youshouldn’ttellpeopl
euntil
you
havepassedt hreemont hs.AndIhadt ogoto
KZNf ir
standr epor
tittot heancestor
sand
Lethukuthul
abef or
eany one. ”
Palesa:“
Lord!Myf ri
end,
congratul
ati
onsand
don’tmindthoseratsbecausethey’
ll
acceptt
he
chi
ldrenoncet hey
’rebor
n.Oh!Jesu!Youare
getti
ngmoret hanonebabyonceagai n?
”
Nandipha:“Rel
ax,it
’sj
usttwo.Canwemeetup
t
omor rowmor ni
ngandwewi l
l gotothebank
t
ogether.Ihavereadthecontractandsigned
t
hepaper s.Ihaven’
tchangedmymi ndabout
t
hehouse. ”
Palesa:
“We’
reont
hengi
rl
.You’
l
lfi
xthehouse
ri
ghtawayor
? ”
Nandi
pha:“
Iwil
lfi
xitnowbutIwon’
tbuybr
and
newfur
nit
ure.
”
Palesa:“
Don’twor
ryaboutthatbutdon’
tyou
thi
nky oumustn’
tbuyfur
nit
ure?Youshouldlet
thetenanthavet
heirownfurni
tur
e.”
Nandipha:“Iwil
l t
hinkaboutthat,babe.Ir
eall
y
want-”Sher ai
sedherheadandl ookedatthe
doorasi twasopened.Ngcebowal kedthrough
thedoor.Shest oppedtal
kingatNgcebo’ s
presence.“Iwil
lseey outomorrow.”Sheadded.
Pal
esa:
“Your
eal
l
ywantwhat
?”
Nandipha:“
Wewi l
ltel
lyouonWhatsApp.Thank
youforthecall
.”Shesaidandremovedt he
phonefrom herafterPal
esahadsaidgoodbye.
Sheplacedthephoneasi deandshelookedat
Ngcebowhowasl ookingather
.
Ngcebo:
“Igett
haty
ouar
epr
egnantandy
ou
canthrowtantrumsbuti twouldbebet t
erifyou
thr
owt hem atmenott hegirl
s.They ’
rej
ust
chi
ldrenandtheydon’tunderstandwhat ’
s
happeningbuty oucoul
dn’tbesensible.
”He
l
ecturedherandNandi phadidn’tsayanythi
ng
toNgcebo.Butshegotup.“ Iam t al
ki
ngtoy ou
andy ouareheadingtothedoor .Wherearey ou
going?”heasked.
Nandipha:
“There’
snoneedtofightaboutt
his
becauseit
’seasyfory
outolect
uremeabout
taki
ngcontrolofmyemoti
ons.”
Ngcebo:“Shoul
dIletyoudoasy oupl
ease
becauseyou’r
epregnant
?It’
snotusalonenow
butther
earechil
drentooandtheyknow
nothi
ngaboutpregnancyhormones.
”
Nandipha:“
Okay ,
tel
lthem aboutthem then.Go
andtellt
hem.”shelefthi
mi nsi
det hebedroom.
Shewasangr ythatNgcebohadbeengi vi
ngher
att
it
udesincethesongwasoutandhe’ dnev er
comment edaboutit
.Hedi dn’
tevensaya
simple‘I
t’
sanicesong’.Sheunderstoodshe
waswr ongnottotell
him butshedidn’texpect
hewoul dn’
tevenshowasi ghtl
essofhappiness
forher.Buthekeptgi
vingheratti
tude.She
cli
ckedhertongueasshecl i
mbeddownt he
stai
rstobewi t
hthegirl
s…
“Youarenotcryi
ngnow? ”Sheaskedandsaton
thecouch.Shelookedatthem astheywer
e
quiet
lyseat
edont hefl
oorwithouteat
ingt
he
chipsbefor
ethem.
Buhlezi
:“Uthemamauzoshi shi
yaesbhedl
ela
thi
na!”(
Yousai dyou’l
ll
eaveusinthehospi
tal
)
shecompl ainedwit
houtlooki
ngathermother.
Nandi
pha:“ButIwasangr
ythaty
oudon’
twant
mybabies.Nongcebo?
”
Nongcebo:“
Minani
funaukuy
akubaba.
”(Iwant
t
ogot odad)
Nandi
pha:
“Hambauyekuye.Mom wil
lgi
vet
he
ot
hersi
cecream.Come.
”Shestoodupandt
he
gi
rl
sgotupf rom t
hefloorwi
ththei
rfaces
l
ooseningup.Nongcebowasn’tsmitt
eneasi
l
y
butshelef
tforherfat
her…
“Ij
ustgotoffthephonewi thmymanagerand
headv i
sesIshouldcommentont hesongthat
youdidwi t
hMuj o.Her e,t
akethephoneand
ri
ghtthatcomment .
”Ngcebosai dtoNandipha
whowaseat i
ngicecr eam withhergi
rl
sseated
ont opofthedini
ngt able.Theywereshari
nga
tub.HehadNongceboi nsi
dehisarmsandshe
wasdr esseddiff
erentlynow.
Nandi
pha:
“What’
stheuseofcomment
ingon
t
hesongafteraweek?
”
Ngcebo:“Ihav
en’
ttweet
edanyt
hingi
naweek
expectt
hesneaker
s.Writ
e.”
Nandipha:
“Youhavenothi
ngtosayabouti
tina
waythatyoucan’
tevenwrit
eyourowntweet
butyouwantmet owri
teit
?”
Ngcebo:
“Ihav
enot
hingt
osayabouti
t.
”
Nandipha:“
Saynot hi
ngt hen.Iwon’
twr i
tea
commentf oryou.It’
sreall
ynotmypr oblem
thatyouhavenothingtosayaboutit.Ifyou’
re
notevenhappyformet henit’
sfi
nebecause
every
oneelseis.”
Ngcebowasfoundmuteafterhear
ingthatf
rom
her
.Hethenlef
tthehousewithNongcebo
wit
houtt
ell
i
ngNandiphawher ehewasgoing.
Si
mil
o:“
Uyahambaubaba?
”(Dadi
sleav
ing?
)
Nandipha:
“He’
ll
comebacksoon.
”Sher
epl
i
ed
l
ookingatherwit
hasmi
le…
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Whydon’tyouweart heshoesIboughtf oryou?
Doy ouremembertheshoes? ”Mnot hoasked
Happinessmov i
nginsidethebedroom.He
didn’
tknockonthebedr oom doorbuthe
openedthedoorbecausei t’
dbeenlongsi nce
sheenteredthebedroom from t
hebathroom.
Happi
nessl
ookedbackathi
m.“
Youdon’
tev
en
knock.Whatdoyouwanttosee,
exact
ly,
Mnotho?”Sheaskedsear
chi
ngforsomethi
ng
towear.
Mnotho: “
Iknewy ouwer
edressedandwehav e
beenli
vingtogetherf
ort
hreemonthsnowsince
youlef
t.Don’tyouthi
nkIhaveseenyounaked?
”
Happiness: “
No, youhaven’t
.Whatshoesare
youtalkingabout? ”sheaskedandmov edf
rom
t
hewar drobe.She’dfoundthedresst
owear.
Mnotho:“Iboughty
oupurpleshoesbef
oreyou
l
efther
ebuty ouneverworethem andy
ouleft
t
hem here.”
Happinesslaughedandshookherheadmov ing
totheir
oningboardthatwasinsidethe
bedroom.“It
’sbreaki
ngyourheartnowthatI
didn’
twearthem? ”shel
ookedathim ashewas
standi
ngbef or
eherwithhi
shandspacked
i
nsidehispockets.Hewaslookingather.
Mnot
ho:
“Idon’
tgethear
tbr
eaks,
MaMt
himkhul
u.”
Happi
ness:“Youcan’tfoolme,Mnotho.Iknow
yougethear
tbrokenandy ouwereheartbr
oken
whenyoulearntthatIf
ooledyou.
”
Mnothochuckled.“Iwasjustangr
ynotthatI
washear t
broken.Iam dr
essedupandy ouar
e
notdressedup.Wear enotgoingtosomegala
di
nner.”
Happi ness:“Youar er i
ghtaboutt hatbuty ou
wantedmet owearhi ghheels.Please,pass
thatphoneov ertome. ”sherequest edpoint
ing
herphone…I t’
dbeenal ongdif
ficultti
mel i
vi
ng
togetherasaf amily.Itwasn’teasyf or
Happi nessbecauseshespental l
hert i
mewi th
sickNt andokazi butshehadNkosazanaasher
suppor tsystem andMnot howast herenotjust
forNtandokazi buthewast hereforher ,
emot i
onal l
yandhewoul dal
way sensur eshe
doesn’ tstr
ess.Happi nesshadencour aged
Mnot hot hathedi dn’tneedt otaket i
meof f
fr
om wor
kbecauseshewasgoingtobehome.
Andhedidn’
twanttol
ist
entoherbuthe
l
ist
enedwhenhisbrot
her,Ml
amulit
oldhi
mto
dowhathewastold.
Mnotho:
“It
’syourfat
her
.”Hehandedthephone
toHappi
nessandhegav eherafacet
hatmeant
shewasintroubl
e.
Happi
ness:
“Whyar
eyougi
vi
ngmet
hatf
ace?
”
Mnot
ho:“
He’
ll
obvi
ousl
yshoutaty
ouandIt
old
yout
haty
oucangohome.”
Happi ness:“Leavetheroom Iwantt otal
ktomy
fatherfreel
y.”Shecommandedhi m wi
thher
eyesshowi ngt hedoorandher ai
sedhishand
toleav eher.Happinesssmi l
ed…He’ dbeenli
ke
herfriendandshewasr el
i
evedt hathe
respect edherenoughnott otalkaboutthem
getti
ngbackt ogether
.Happinesshadt ol
d
Daniellenottot el
lhim whatshe’dpromised.
Sheaskedt hatbecauseshedi dn’twantany
pressure.She’
ddecidedthatshewasgoi ngto
l
etgoandal l
owthepossibil
ityofanewl i
fewith
Mnot hoifitwaspossibl
e.AndMnot hodidn’t
pressureher.Al
lHappinesssawi nhim wasthat
mansheknewbef or
eeveryt
hi ngelse.Hewoul d
teaseherandannoyherf rom dayt onightli
ke
heusedt owheni twasjustthet wooft hem.
Happi
ness:
“Mt
himkhul
u?”
Mthi
mkhulu:
“Mthi
mkhulumyfoot
!You’
ve
marr
iedy
oursel
fther
e,huh?
”
Happiness:
“No,butyouar
etheonewho
marri
edmeher e,baba.
”
Mthimkhulucl
ickedhi
stongue.“Imarr
iedyou!
Happinesswhenar ey
oucomi ngbackhome
wit
ht hechi
ldr
en?Youareanur senow? ”he
shouted.
Happi
ness:
“No,
butIam Mnot
ho’
swi
fe.
”
Mthi
mkhulu:“
Youarewhat
!Overmydeadbody
,
Happi
ness.Doyouhearme?You’
vedi
vor
ced
Mnothoandthatmeansyouarenothiswif
e.
Whathashegivenyouthatmakesyouspeakto
meliket
hat
?Doy ouwantmet oremindyou
whathehasdonetoyou?Doy ouwantthat
?”
Happiness:
“No,baba.Iwon’tcryevenify
ou
canremindmet hatbecausethat’
sthepastand
Iam notdwell
i
ngoni t.Courtmarri
ageisa
Westernthi
ngandbyt radi
ti
onIam stil
lhi
s
wif
e.”
Mt himkhulu: “Thatwi l
lnothappen!You’r
e
tell
ingmet haty ounev erstoppedlovi
ngthis
manev enaf terever y
thingthathedidtoyou.
Howcany ouwantt ogobackt ohim,
Happi ness?”heshout edatherbutHappi ness
didn’tanswerherf ather.Shelookedatthe
dresst hatwasont heironi
ngboar d.“
Iam
talkingtoyou, now!Whyar ey ouquiet
?”he
shout ed.
Happi
ness:
“Iam ol
denoughtomakemyown
choi
ces,
baba.Andyoucannotmakedeci
sions
formel i
keIam achil
d.I
fIam makinga
mistakeit
’smymistakeanddon’tf
orgetyou
aretheonewhomar ri
edmet ohim.Ididn’
t
marrymy sel
ftohi
m andIdidn’
twanttomar r
y
him.
”
Mthimkhul
u:“
AndIam tel
l
ingy
out
haty
ou
shouldcomebackhome.”
Happi ness:“No, baba.Butwewi llcomev isi
t
thisweekend.Il ov eyou.”shesai dtoherf at
her
andr emov edherphonef rom herear .She
placedt hephoneasi deandclosedherey es
shortly.Sheexhal ed.“Mychildrenar esohappy
andev enifithadbeendi ffi
cultlookingafter
MaNkosi .Ihavebeenatpeace.God, pl
easejust
l
etmyf at
herunder standandgi vehi ma
forgi
v i
nghear t.
”Shepl eadedwi thGodbef ore
openingherey es.Shepr oceededwi t
hherdr ess.
“
Please,Ir
eall
ywanty outoweartheshoes.”
MnothorequestedseeingHappi
nesscomi ng
f
rom thehall
waywear i
ngablackstr
aightcut
dr
esswit
hfl
atshoes.Andshehadashor
t
Br
azi
li
anwigonherhead.
Happi
ness:“
Wear egoi
ngtothehospi
talt
o
f
etchMaNkosinottobejol
l
yaroundDurban.
WhyshouldIwearhi
ghshoes?”
Mnotho:
“Doyouwantust
obej
oll
ybef
ore
goi
ngtothehospi
tal
?”
“Iwil
ljustweart
heshoessothatyou’
llstop
naggingmeaboutthem.”Happinesssaidto
Mnot hoandshewalkedbacktothebedroom
withoutansweri
nghi
squesti
onaboutbei ng
j
ollywithhim.
Mnothosmi l
edandshookhi shead.Hedi dn’
t
mov efrom hispositi
onbecausehewant edto
seeherwal ki
ngf rom thehal l
way …Thechi l
dren
wereatThembel i
hle’spalacebecauset hey
weredr i
vi
ngt oDur banf orfet
chNt andokazi.
TheDoct oradvisedt hatshet akesthelast
sessionofherchemot herapyf orhersecond
cycleoft het reatmenti nthehospi t
al.They
advisedi twasbet terthattheyputherunder
theirobser vation.She’dbeeni nt hehospi t
alfor
aweekandShei laf r
eedHappi nesst hatshe
didn’thav etocomet oDur bantobecl osert o
her.Shewasgoi ngt ol
ookaf terher .Mnot ho
andt hechi l
dr enal ongwi thHappi nesshadbeen
i
nt hehousef orweekwi thoutDani ell
e.Pear l
wasal soint hehousewi ththem…Happi ness
andMnot hodi dgot ot hehospital onMonday ,
Thur sdayandSat urdayast heywer efetching
hernowonaTuesdaymor ning.
“Youlookv erybeautifulnowasmywi f
e.”He
comment edli
kethatf orthefirstti
mebecause
hehadn’ tbeenmaki ngsuchcomment sforher
sake.She’dtoldhim cl ear
lythatshedi dn’tneed
pressureandhe’dr espectedt hat.“Whatdi d
yourfathersay?”Heaskedandt ookherhand
withoutaskingpermi ssionasHappi nessdidn’t
commentaboutt hecompl imenthe’dpassed.
Happinessdi
dn’tpr
otest
.“Hewantsmet o
comebackhome.It oldhi
mt hatwewil
lcome
backthisweekend.
”Sherepl
iedastheyl
eftt
he
house.
Mnotho:“
Butyoudi
dn’tt
ellmeaboutt
hatand
you’
l
lleav
eforhowlong?”
Happiness:“Idon’
tknowbutIhavet
ogohome
andyoual sosaidthat
.Idon’
tknowwhyy
ouar
e
aski
ngt hatnow.”
Mnotho:“Iam notagainstyougoingbutyou
didn’
ttel
lmef i
rst.
”Heheldt hedoorf
orherand
shesteppedinsidethecar.Mnothotothedri
ver
seat.
Happiness:“Iwi
lll
eaveforaweekandthatwill
gi
veyout imewithNtandokazi
becauseshe’s
muchbet ternoweventhoughshehadn’
tfini
sh
hert
reatmentcy cl
es.She’
smuchbetter
.”
Mnotho:“Yes,she’
sbett
erandwhenwewere
t
alki
nglastnightshesai
dshethi
nksshecango
backtoherhouse.Butshe’
l
ltel
lyoudon’
ttel
l
herIt
oldyou.
”
Happi
nesslaughed.“
Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?Tel
l
me?”Sheasked.
Mnotho:“I
t’
snicei
fyouheari
tfr
om y
our
husband.Don’
tyouthi
nk?
”
Happinessf
oldedherli
psandshookherhead.
“Shecangobackt oherhousewhenIam gone.
Iwanttoensureshe’
sfit
.Idon’
twanther
sli
ppi
ngaway .
”
Mnotho:“
Ift
hat
’swhaty
ouwanty
ou’
l
lgett
hat
.
Butpl
easedocomeback.”
Happiness:“Let
’spl
aymusicsot hatwewi l
l
haveasmoot hri
de.
”Shesaidwithoutt
ell
ing
himthatshewasgoi ngtocomeback.Mnot ho
supportedthemusicpartandtheyspentthe
restofthei
rdriv
etal
kingaboutrandom t
hings…
“
Youlookmuchbet
ternowandMnothotol
dme
t
haty
ouarereadyt
ogobacktoyourhousebut
you’llgobackt hisweekend.Iwi l
lbegoi ng
home.Ij ustwantt oensuret hatyouaref ine.
”
Happi nesssai dt oDani
ellefoldi
ngt heblankets
whi l
eDani ellewaspacki ngherot herbag.She
wasdr essedup…Theyar r
ivedinthehospi t
al
l
at erthant hey’
v epromisedbecauseMnot ho
drov ethem t oar est
aurantatUmhl angaand
whenHappi nesst ol
dhim aboutbei nglate.He
didn’tli
stent oherbuthet oldherhewant edt o
takeherout …
Shel aughed.“Inevert
houghtyouaresucha
caringperson.Ialwaysthoughtt
hatyoureal
ly
didn’twantmebuty ouwerehidi
ngit
.”Shetol
d
Happi nessasshewasi nsist
ingt
hatshe
doesn’ tgobacktoherhouse.
Happinesssmiled.“Idi
dn’thaveaprobl
em with
anyofy oubutIcan’tli
eandsayIwasn’thurt
whenMnot howant edt omarrythet
woofy ou.I
havesuppressedal otofthi
ngsbutIdon’twant
tovi
sitthepast.
”Shesai d.
Dani
elle:“
Okay ,
Iwillnotgobacktothehouse
mamawasekhay aelikhul
ubecauseIknow
you’
llkeepinsi
sti
ngunt i
lIscr
eam.”Shesaid
andtheylaughed.Mnot howaswiththeDoctor
.
“Di
dy outel
l hi
mt hatyouarecomingback?”
Happi
ness:
“Ihav
en’
ttol
dhi
m anddon’
ttel
l
hi
m.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Happi
ness,
arey
out
ryi
ngt
opl
ayme?
”
Happi
ness:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ngt
hatquest
ion?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Youdon’
twantt
otell
himyouare
comi
ngbackandIdon’
twantyoutopl
aymeby
l
eavi
ngmeashiswifewhi
leyoupromi
sedyou’
l
l
comeback.”
Happi
ness:“
No,
Iwi
l
lcomebackbutIhav
eto
gohome.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Youbett
ercomebackbecausei fyou
don’
tIwil
lcomedragyououtofthathouse.I
won’
tbeplayedminai
nthi
slif
eti
me. ”
Happinesslaughed.“
You’verisenfrom the
almostdeathandy outal
klikethisnow.Don’t
forgetIam ol
der.
”Shesaidclosingt hebag.
Dani
ell
esmi l
ed.“Iwill
def i
nit
elyf
orgetthat
.
You’
vebeenlikeaf r
iendt omeandIknow
shar
ingahusbandsucksbutwewi llmakeit
workbecauseIknowt hatyoulovehim asmuch
asIdo.”Shesaid.
Happi
ness:
“Inev
ersai
dthat
.”
Daniell
e:“Youdon’thavetosayi tmamkhul u.It
showsandev enlooki
ngaftermeev enifit
’sfor
thekidsorhim butthat’
sar ef
lecti
onofy our
l
ov eforhim.”shelookedatherandHappi ness
l
ookeddown.Dani el
lewonderedi fshewas
scaredorshewasn’ tsurethathe’l
ltreather
ri
ght.“Areyouscared?”
Happi
ness:
“Ofwhat
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Thatwhenyoucomebackhe’
l
l
mist
reaty
ouagain?
”
Happiness:“Myfat
her’
snegat
ivet
houghtsand
wordssetsmebackandmakemef eart
hat
maybehe’ l
lgobacktobei
ngthatmonster.
”
Daniel
le:“No, heknowsyouar ehi swi f
enotby
for
ceandIknowhewon’ tmi streatyouagai n.I
thi
nkthatmamanobabawi l
l havet ospeakt o
yourfather.Andy oumusttrusty ourinsti
ncts
notyourf ather’
sfear
.”Happinessi nhaledand
shenoddedherhead.“ Wear ereadyt ogo? ”she
askedMnot howhohadent eredt her oom with
theDoct or.
Mnotho:
“Yes,
wear er
eady.
”Helookedatthe
Doct
orandhebriefedHappi
nessshort
ly,
the
sameashe’dbri
efedMnotho.
Happiness:
“Okay,
thankyouDoct
or.AndIhope
she’
sclosetobeati
ngthi
s.”
Doct
or:“
She’
llbeati
tbecauseshestoodup
agai
nsti
twhil
eitwasont hefi
rstgr
ade.And
she’
sbeenconsist
entwit
htreatment
.She’
ll
be
good.
”
Happi
ness:
“Thanky
ou,
let
’sgot
hen,
mamncane.”
Mnotho:“Mamncane? ”hel
ookedatHappi ness
ashe’dneverhear
dhersayt hatt
oNt andokazi
.
HelookedatDaniel
leandtheyfoll
owedeach
ot
herwithHappiness.Mnotholookedatthe
Doctor
.
Doctor:“
Youar eblessed,hey.Youdidn’t
bewitchthem?Ormay bey ouforcedthem.How
di
dithappenl i
kethi
s?Ithoughtt hefi
rstwi
fe
washersi sterwhenyouf i
rstcameher ewit
h
heraboutt hesecond’swifeil
lness.
”
Mnotholaughedandshookhi shead.“Idon’
t
know.Letmebehi ndthem.”hesaidgi
v i
nghis
handtotheDoct orandt heyshookhands…
Mnothof ol
l
owedbehi ndDani el
leand
Happinessli
steningtothem tal
k…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE20

“It
’ssobeaut ifulandIam hopi ngthatthet enant
won’ tgi v
emet r
oublesbecauseIcan’ tbe
runni ngfrom Sandt ont oPretori
anowand
agai n.”Nandiphasai dt oPalesatheywer e
l
ooki ngar oundNandi pha’shouse.They ’
vej ust
fi
nal isedthedeal wit
ht heowner softhehouse
andt heyleftthem insidethehousewi ththe
keysoft hehouseandt heti
tledeedswi t
h
Nandi pha’sname.I twasaThur sdayofthe1st
ofOct ober,duringtheday .Nandiphaleftthe
childr enwithThul aandMaZungu.Ngcebo
wasn’ thome.
Palesa:
“Youar eri
ghtaboutt
hatandsi
nce
husbanddoesn’tknowaboutit.Howdoyouf
eel
abouthim notknowing?”
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tfeel
badabouti
tbecauseI
haveseenthatIneedt hi
sinsuranceandhe’s
theonewhopushedmet oitveryharshl
y.What
i
fsomedayIf indmy sel
foutofhishouse?I
havemom butIam ol dernowandIwi l
lhave
sevenchil
drenthat’
sjust
-.Ithoughtofaski
ng
himthatwesel lt
hathouseandbuyanewone
toget
her.ButIdroppedtheidea.”
Pal
esa:
“Whydi
dn’
tyougowi
thi
t?”
Nandi pha:“He’llobviouslymakeaf ussov erit
andIst ronglybel i
evethat ,
thisisabet ter
i
nsur ancet hanbuy ingahouset ogetherev en
thoughl egall
yhehaspowerov eritasmuchasI
havepowerov erhispr opertybutit
’smi ne.We
alway sv owforev ermyf ri
endandt hat’
snot
wher eweendup.Andl eavingar oom for
disappoi nt
menthasnev erhurtany one.With
everythingthathashappenedbet weenus.I
shouldr eall
yleav ethatroom. ”
Pal
esa:
“ Gi
venanot
herchancet
ogoback.
Wouldyouchoosehi
m? ”
Nandi pha: “
No, Iwoul dn’
t.Nott hatthere’
sa
perfectmanoutt herebutIdef ini
tel
ywoul dn’
t.”
sher epliedwi t
houtel aborat
ingf urt
herand
withoutgi vi
ngPal esaherey esbutshehad
them lookingar ound.“ Whatt ypeofcl i
entdo
yout hinkIshoul dgof or
?”Sheaskedmov ing
forwar dleavingPal esaaloneint hatspaceof
confusi on,confusedbyherr esponse.
Palesa: “
Wewi l
lhav etofindsomeonewho’ s
oldernotstudent s.Whenwi l
lyoust
ar tl
ooking
forat enant?”sheaskedast heymov edtothe
otherbat hr
oom ofat hreebedroom andtwo-
bathroom house( excl
udingthemast er
bathroom)wi t
hot herroomsandagar age.A
twor oom backr oom withabacky ar
dgar den.
Nandi
pha:“Iwil
ldothatnextyearJanuary
.
Hheyi
,mfaziIgotpai
d.”Shetoldherwithabi
g
smil
eonherf aceandtheylaughedshari
nga
hi
ghfiv
e.
Pal
esa:
“Real
l
y?Whatwast
hedeal
?You’
l
lget
pai
dthr
oughr
oyal
ti
esory
ou’
l
ljustgett
hel
ump
sum?”
Nandipha:
“Iwill
getdif
fer
entki ndsofpackages,
Ihaveadiff
erenttakef
orbei ngf eaturedonthe
songandIwi l
lhaveadiff
erentt akef orwri
ti
ng
thesongwithhim.ButIwillgetmor emoneyf or
thel
astsongbecauseIwr oteital one.”
Pal
esa:
“Youev
enwr
otet
hebar
sforhi
m?”
Nandipha:“Yes,babe.Iwil
lgetaf eeformy
ti
me,Iwillgetmoneyf ortherecordingofthe
songthroughr oyal
ti
esandsy nc.Ididn’
tsign
thedealtogivethem allmyrightsbecauseI
wantedroyalti
es.Ididn’
twantcashupf r
ont.
”
Palesa:“
Now, that
’sni
ce.Whydon’ tyouput
yoursel
font hemarketforsongwriti
ngbecause
you’vewri
ttensongswithPrinceTeeaswel l
?
Andy oumustal sohavethemoneyf rom t
hat.
You’vewrit
tenanumberofsongswi thNgcebo.
Youmusthav emoney.”
Nandi
pha:“Hawu,Ihav
enev
ert
houghtofbei
ng
pai
dforthat
,yazi
.”
Palesa:
“Howbecauseyournamei
sincl
udedas
songwrit
eronsomesongs?”
Nandipha:“
Yeah, butIal
way sdoitwithhim
whenwear ehomeandbecauseheusual ly
comest omewi thmostofhi smusi ctodoubl
e
checkwithme.Andwewi l
lworkont hesong
thenhe’l
li
ncludemynamesot hathewon’t
havethecredit
sforev er
ythi
ng.Therehasnever
beenacont r
actbecauseIal waystakeitas
helpi
ngmypar tner.
”
Pal
esa:“No,youshouldgetmoneyfort
hat.You
mustspeakwi t
hhim andthatmoneycanhelp
youwit
ht hi
shousepay ment.
”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
it’
scool
.Iwon’
taskf
orany
money.
”
Palesa:
“Oh!Butyouhavetothi
nkaboutbei
nga
songwr i
ter
.You’
l
l getmoney
,youdon’
thaveto
pl
ayifyoucandosomet hi
ngjustputyoursel
f
outther
eandmakeasmuchmoneyasy oucan.
DowhatNandi phacandoanddon’tfeelany
sorr
yaboutthatbecauset
hat
’syourwork.”
Nandipha:“
Eish.Iwillhav etothi
nkabouti tbutI
am sohappyaboutt his.IjustlovethatIgota
chancetobemor et hanj ustamot herofPr i
nce
Tee’schi
ldr
enandPr i
nceTee’ swi f
e.Itfel
tso
goodjusttobeNandi phaasi tdoeswhenmy
booksarepraisedandr evi
ewedwi thout
Ngcebo’snamebei ngi ncluded.Yes,theydid
i
ncludehim nowbuti t’
sdi ff
erent.I
treall
yfeels
good.”
Palesa:“
Thiscareeri
sbroadandifyouuse
moneywi sel
yy oucanberichwi
thi
naf ew
years.
”Shesaidtoherastheyweremaking
thei
rwayt othetothebr
ownandcr eam t
hemed
kit
chen.
Nandi
pha:
“ Yes,butsomear
ti
stsar
ebeing
pl
ayedbyrecordlabel
sandi
t’
sreal
lynotf
air
becausetheywor
khardforev
ery
thi
ng…Ithink
thefi
rstt
hingIwi
l
lchangeandworkon,
isthe
kit
chen.I
t’
ssobori
ng.
”
Palesalaughed.“Pl
ease,t
hishouseisjust
i
nsurancef oryouandthechil
dren.It
’snotl
ike
you’l
lbestayingher
ebuty ou’
ll
proceedstaying
i
ny ourhusband’shouse.Youdon’thaveto
i
nvestsomuchi nmakingitbeauti
ful
.”
Nandi
pha:“Yeah,youarerightandIwonder
who’
sthatcalli
ngy oubecauseyoukeep
i
gnori
ngtheircall
.
”
Palesa:“
Myphoneisringing?”sheacted
surpri
sedandopenedherbag.Nandi pha
l
aughedandsheshookherhead.“ Iwil
lanswer
thephonecall
awayfrom y ou.
”sheinformed
herandwalkedawayqui ckl
yleavi
ngher
l
aughing.
“Hel
l
o? ”Pal
esaansweredDal
i
ngcebo’
scal
land
sheleanedonhercar
.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ar
eyoubusy
?Icancal
ll
ater
.”
Palesa:
“No,
Iam wi
thNandi
phabutwecan
tal
k.”
Dalingcebo:“
YouandNandi pha!Areyou
actuall
yfri
endsorlovers?She’
salwaysther
e
aroundy ou.I
smybr othercompeti
ngwithyou?I
am wor ri
ednowbecauseIwoul dn’
twantto
compet ewithNandiphaforaspaceinyourli
fe.
”
Palesalaughedandshookherhead.“No,he’s
notcompet i
ngwithme.Andwear enotalways
togetherbutwejustmaketimeforeachot her
asfriends.Wehavearelati
onshi
pandev ery
rel
ationshi
pneedsnurt
uringfori
tnottodie.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Youar eri
ghtaboutt
hatandthat
’s
whyIalsoli
kecall
ingyoubecauseIam j
ust
nur
turi
ngthi
sr el
ati
onship.
”
Palesagi
ggl
ed.“
Oh!Ididn’tknowwear
e
al
readyinar
elat
ionshi
p.”Shesaid.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ifwecanmeetonceagai
nIcan
showy
ouwear
einone.
”
Pal
esa:
“You’
l
lshowmebyki
ssi
ngme?
”
Dal
ingcebochuckl
ed.“
Didy
ouenj
oyt
hatki
ss?I
di
d.”Heaskedsoftl
y.
Pal
esa:
“Itwasj
ustaki
ssnot
hingamazi
ng.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Oh!Youmeant
her
e’snot
hing
amazi
ngaboutme?”
Pal
esa:“
Idon’
tknowbutdoy out
hinkt
her
e’s
somethi
ngamazingabouty
ou?”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Yes,Idothi
nktherei
sandyour
l
ipswereamazing.Iwoul
dn’tmindki
ssi
ngyou
agai
nifIseeyouonceagain.”
Palesasmiled.“I
t’
sapitythatyouwon’tseeme
againandpet r
olpri
cehasr i
senagainthat
meanswecan’ tbeinalongdistance
rel
ationshi
p.”Shesaid.
Dal
ingcebol
aughedseri
ousl
yandPalesaj
oined
hi
m.“ Youar
eri
ghtaboutpet
rolpr
icebutI
wouldn’
tmi ndspendingmymoneyjustt
ocome
andbewi thyou.Justli
keIwantt
ocomet hi
s
weekend.”Hesaid.
Palesa:“Wher
ewi l
lyousleepbecauseyour
brotherandhi
sfami l
y,t
hey’r
ecomi ngt
oKZN
thi
sweekend.Ithinkthey’
releav
ingtomorr
owi
f
Iremembercorrectl
y.Wherewi l
lyousl
eep
then?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ow!Ngcebodi
dn’
ttel
lmebut
t
herear
ehotel
s,r
ight
?”
Palesa:“
Yes,
woul
dn’
tyoul
i
ket
oseey
our
brother
?”
Dali
ngcebochuckled.“Li
sten,Iwon’tal
lowy ou
totur
nmedownusi ngmybr other
.Iwillsi
mply
comet oJohannesburgbecauseIwantt otake
youonadi nnerdateonSat ur
dayandt henIwill
dri
vebackhome.Iwi llseemybr otheron
Sunday.Cany ounotturnmedownnow? ”
Pal
esasi
ghed.“
Alr
ight
,youcancome.
”She
agreedbecausesheknewhewasn’ tgoi
ngto
stopandt hebestthingwast ojustagr
ee.She
woul dl
ovetoseehi m againbecauseit’
dbeen
nicetospeakt ohim overthephoneashe
woul dcal
lhernowandagai n.Andtheywould
talkaboutnothingandev ery
thi
ng.Hewouldcall
any t
imeofthedayandatni ght…
Dal
ingcebo:
“Hhey
i,madoda!Idi
dn’
ttr
usty
ou’
l
l
agr
ee.”
Pal
esa:
“Youwon’
tst
opcal
l
ingi
fIdon’
tagr
ee.
”
Dal
i
ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Buty
oual
way
sanswer
mycal
lswhenIcal
l.
”Hesai
d.
Palesa:
“Idi
dn’
tknowt
haty
oudi
dn’
twantmet
o
answer.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
No, no,pl
ease,answer.Andletme
notkeepyourfr
iendwaitingbecauseshemi ght
thr
owt ant
rumsaty ousinceshe’spregnant
.”
Pal
esa:
“She’
sonhergoodbehav
iourt
hist
ime.
”
Dali
ngcebochuckl
ed.“Shemustbecar r
ying
boysthenbecausethey’
renotdramati
cbutt hey
knowhowt obehave.”Hesaidtoherandt hey
l
aughed.
Pal
esa:“
That
’snotwhatmyboydi
d.Hav
ea
goodday.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Thanky
ouandy
ouhav
eagood
day
.”
Palesasi
ghedandsheremovedt hephonefrom
herear.“
Andwhyareyoustandingoverther
e?”
Sheaskedwalki
nguptoNandi phawhowas
standi
ngbythemaindoorofthehouselooking
atherdir
ect
ion.
Nandipha:“Iwasj
ustlookingatyouasy ou
weretalki
ngandlaughing.ButIcoul
dn’
tev en
hearwhaty ouweresaying,t
hesmi l
es,
though.”
Pal
esa:
“Iwast
alki
ngt
oaf
ri
end.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Real
l
y?That
’sni
ce,
fri
end.
”
Palesa:“
Canwej ustgoeatanddr i
vebackt o
Johannesbur
g.Thebabi esarebehavingt hi
s
ti
mear oundIhaven’tf
eltt
heheatbuty ouare
approachi
ngyourfif
thmont hofthepr egnancy.
”
Shecomment edasNandi phawasl ockingthe
doorofthehouse.Shewasst andingbehi ndher
.
Nandi
pha:“
They’
reki
l
li
ngmewit
hhear
tbur
n
andbur
pingnowandagai
n.”
Pal
esa:“
Buty
ouhav
en’
tgai
nedt
oomuch
wei
ght.
”
Nandipha:“
Idon’tseei
tthatwayandIhavea
radi
ointer
viewwithMujoonFridaynextweek.I
am hopingthatIwil
lbebackbythen.
”
Palesa:“
Yousaidy ouaregoingt
herefort
he
weekend.”Shestartedt
heengineofhercarand
theydroveoutofthepremises.
Nandipha:“
Yes,hecansaythatbutwe’
ll
find
ourselv
esstayi
ngov ert
her
eforweeksandso,I
don’tknowifIwil
lcomebackinti
me.”
Pal
esa:
“You’
l
lhav
etocomebackf
orwor
k.”
Nandipha:“Enough!Whowasthatonthe
phone?”shelookedatherandshefol
dedher
l
ips.Sheplacedherhandonherbell
y.
Pal
esa:
“Itwasj
ust
-”
Nandipha:
“Don’
tli
etomebecauseIdon’
tli
eto
you.
”
Pal
esa:“
Okay!Okay!I
twasDalingcebo,
hetol
d
methathe’
l
lcomeher et
hisweekendbecause
hewantsustohaveadinnerdate.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Wuuh!Petr
olpr
icehasr
isenupand
he’
sdri
vi
nguphereforadi
nnerdat
e.Hmm!
Hmm!Myf ri
end.
”
Palesalaughed.“Isai
dtheexactsamet hi
ng
thatthepetrol
pr i
cehasjustr
isenandthat
meansl ongdistancerel
ati
onshipsar
e
expensive.
”Shesai d.
Nandi
pha:
“ButIknowt
hati
nnot
imey
ou’
l
lbe
dr
ivi
ngdownt
oKZNt
oo.
”
Pal
esa:
“What
?No!Icannev
erdot
hat
.”
Nandiphalaughed.“
Ithinkweallknowthe
powerofadi ckandthingswehav edonejust
forit
.”ShesaidandPalesalookedather.They
cracked…
Pal
esa:“Wehav
eki
dsi
nher
e.Cany
oupl
ease,
hol
dit!
”
Nandi
pha:“Aw,thesetwoinher
edon’
t
under
standthi
slanguage.
”
Pal
esa:
“Andheki
ssedme,
bit
ch.
”
Nandi
pha:
“What
!Whenandhowdi
dyour
eact
?”
Palesa:“Duh!Iwasast at
ueforafewseconds
butIkissedhim back.I
twasthatti
mewhen
Pri
nceTeehadhi ssneakerl
i
nelaunch.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Wow!Andy
ou’
vekeptt
hatasecr
et!
Doyouli
kehim?
”
Pal
esa:
“It
hinkt
hatIl
i
kehi
m butIam notsur
e.”
Nandipha:
“You’
l
lbesur
einaf
ewmont
hsor
weeks.”
Pal
esa:“IheardPhemelo’
sfatherisget
ti
ng
marr
ied.Iwantedtotel
lyouthatlastni
ghtbutI
di
dn’
thav eair
timeandyouwer enotavail
abl
e
onWhatsApp.”
Nandi
pha:
“You’
rel
yi
ng!
”
Palesa:“Yeah,he’
sgetti
ngmarr
iedbabeandit
seemsl ikeitwil
lbeahugewedding.Ihear
d
thatfr
om oneofhi sfr
iendswhowasatt he
banky ester
day.”
Nandi
pha:
“Howdoy
ouf
eel
aboutt
hat
?”
Palesa:“
Ihavemadepeacewithhi
m, Nandi
pha.
Hedoesn’tseetheneedtobeinhi
sson’sli
fe
andIwon’ tf
orcehi
m.Idon’
tcarewhathe
does.”
Nandi
pha:
“Ey
,someguy
s.They
’reawast
eof
sper
ms”
Palesalaughed:
“Youcanact
ual
l
ysayt
hat
again.
”
Nandipha:“
Iam j
ustscar
edthatmaybeIwill
fai
l
asamot hertosomanychil
dren.Iam r
eal
l
y
scar
ed.”
Pal
esa:“Aw.Myf r
iend,don’tstr
essy our
self
.
Yousawt hatbeingamot hercomesnat ural
ly
andyou’l
ldoagr eatjobwi t
ht hem al
l.Iwas
watchi
ngAmer icanIdols’auditi
onsandsome
gi
rlcamet otheauditionwithherparentsand
si
bli
ngs.She’sthef i
rstchil
doft enchil
dren.
”
Nandi
pha:
“HUH?TEN!
”
Palesa:“Yes,ten.I
t’salotofthem andtheylook
l
it
tle.Thatwomanshame. ”Nandipha:“
No, Iwil
l
ti
emyt ubesaf t
erthis.
”shesaidandPal esa
l
aughedast heysteppedoutoft hecarand
mar chedupt other est
auranttohavetheir
l
unch…
“
Cany
oust
opt
hecar
?”Nandi
phar
equest
edas
shecoul dseeagirlwalkingaloneonthedark
gravelstr
eetsofNongoma.Shel ookedather
wr i
stwatchasshecoul dn’tunderst
andwhya
pregnantgirl
wouldbeont hestreet
sthislat
e.
Theywer edrivi
ngtotheirhouseonaFr iday
ni
ght .Thegir
lswereinsidethecarsleepingand
Thulawaswi ththem,sleeping.Theywerequiet
withNgceboi nthecarandmusi chadstopped
playi
ng…
Ngcebo:
“Why
?”
Nandipha:
“Can’
tyouseeapregnantwomanon
theroad?I
t’
salmostmidni
ghtforgoodness
sake.What’
sshedoingher
e?”
Ngcebo:
“Ey
,Iwon’
tst
opf
orst
ranger
s.”
Nandipha:
“Ngcebo,please,havesome
sympathy.
”Shelookedathi mr ai
singhervoi
ce
asNgcebowasdr ivi
ngpasst hegirl…Ngcebo
hi
ssedandhest oppedt hecar.Nandipha
openedthedooroncet hecarhadst opped.
Ngcebo:
“Iwil
lgotoherandyou’
ll
stayher
e.It
’s
al
mostmi dni
ghtandyouar
epregnant
.Wedon’t
knowwhatspiri
tsar
ether
eandmay beshe’
s
one.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
ttr
ust
-”
Ngcebo:“Ifshe’
sr eal
Iwi l
lbringhertoyou.”he
saidtaki
ngt hetorchthatwaskepti nthe
vehicl
e.Nandiphaclosedt hedoorandNgcebo
steppedoutoft hecar.“Hey,sis!St
op!”Ngcebo
call
edoutt hegirl
whileli
ghtinghisway .
Thegir
lstoppedwal ki
ngandshel ookedback.
Sheheldontighttot hebagwi thherclothes
andshewaspr epar edtot el
ltheguyshehadno
money.Butwhywoul dtheywanthermoney ?
Sheaskedherselfasshedi dn’ttr
ustthisperson
whowasst oppingherbutshewasn’ trunning
awayshewasst anding.
Ngcebo:“
Iam Pri
nceNgceboZul
uyoudon’t
havetobescar
ed.”Hesai
dtothegi
rlandhe
l
ighthi
sf aceshort
lybecausehecouldseeby
herbodylanguagethatshewasn’tf
ree.He
heardthegirl
sighandher emovedt
het or
ch.
Gi
rl
:“Howar
eyou,
Nkosana?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Gi
rl
:“Iam f
ine.HowcanIhel
p?”
Ngcebo:
“Mywifeaskedmet ostopthecarand
Iwouldl
i
ketotakeyoutoherbecauseshe’sthe
onewhohasconcernsaboutyou.”
Gi
rl
:“Okay
.”Shenoddedandf
oll
owedNgcebo
t
ohisvehi
cle…
Ngcebo:“
She’shere.
”HesaidtoNandipha,
he
stoodbyhersideoft
hedoorwi t
hthegir
l
standi
ngnexttohim…Nandiphagreet
edthegi
rl
andshegreetedNandiphaback.
Nandipha:“Youarepregnantandwalki
ngonthe
str
eetsaloneatthi
shour .What’
swrong?”she
askedshowi ngherf
acet hr
oughthewindow
aftershe’dturnedont heli
ghtsi
nsi dethe
vehicle.Thegirldi
dn’tanswerherbutshe
l
ookeddownandpl ayedwit
hherf ingers.“
I
won’ tjudgeyouandi fyou’
rescaredt ospeakin
hispr esenceyoucansayi t.
”Sheaddedl ooki
ng
atNgceboandev enthoughtheli
ght scomi ng
fr
om t hecarwer en’tt
oobringtolightNgcebo
andt hegi r
lcl
early,
NandiphasawNgcebo
wideni nghiseyes.
Heknewthenextt
hinghewasgoi
ngt
obet
old
t
oleave.
Gi
rl
:“No,
butIcomi
ngf
rom home.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
oyourboy
fri
endor
?”
Gi
rl
:“No,butfat
herj
ustgotbackhomefrom
wor
k.Hewor ksinLi
mpopoandhedi dn’
tknowI
waspregnant
.Hesawmeandchasedmeout .”
Nandi
phaandNgcebo:
“HAWU!
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam sor
rytoheart
hatbutwher
eare
yougoi
ngnow?Doy ouhaveanyrel
ati
vest
hat
youcangot
oory
ou’
regoi
ngt
obabydaddy
’s
house?
”
Girl
:“No,Idon’tknowwhereIwasgoingIhav e
beengoingar oundtry
ingtof
indaplacet
ohi de.
IthoughtIcouldhideinsomeoldhousefarup
theroaduntilIknowwhattodo.”
Nandi
pha:
“No,youcan’
tbewal
ki
ngal
onei
nthe
dar
k.I
t’
salmostmidni
ght.
”
Gir
l:“
Ihav
enowher et
ogobecauseourr
elat
ives
don’
tli
vearound.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Who’
sthef
atherofy
ourchi
l
d?We
candr
ivey
outohi
m.”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,
tel
lushisnameandhouse.We
wi
lldri
veyout
ohim.”
Thegirldidn’tevenlookatt
hem af
terthey
’ve
suggestedt hatbutsheshookherheadbecause
shedidn’twantt otellwhowast
hef at
her.
Ngcebo:
“Hawu,
what
’swr
ongnow?
”
Gi
rl
:“Ican’
ttel
lyou.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Why
,wer
eyoumol
est
edt
obe
pr
egnant
?”
Gi
rl
:“No.
”
Nandiphasighedandgrewint
er estwit
hthisgi
rl
whodi dn’
twanttosaythefat
herofherchi l
d.
ShelookedatNgcebo.“Canwet akeherwit
hus?
Wecan’ tpossi
blyl
eav
eherwal kingaround,
al
one.”Sheaskedtohim.
Ngcebof el
tthathewasonat i
ghtspotbecause
Nandiphahadaskedhi mthi
sinthepresenceof
thegir
l.Andthatmeanthecouldn’tr
efuse.How
washesupposedt ot
rustagi
rltheymetont he
str
eetsandshedi dn’
twantt
otellthem about
thefatherofherbaby?
Ngcebo:“Thereisn’tanavai
lablechairi
nher e
butyou’
ll
seehowy ou’
ll
fiti
nsidethecar
becauseunfasteningoneoft hegirl
s’seats
wouldbeapr oblem. ”Hesaidtothegirlopening
t
hedoorf
orher
.
Gir
l:“
Thankyou.
”shesaidsteppi
nginsi
dethe
carandshesatdownont heopenspacethat
wasleftwi
thnoseatbecausethemiddl
eseats
weretwo.
Nandipha: “
What’syournameandsurname?
Youdidn’teventhinkofsl
eepingbehi
ndthe
fenceofy ourf
ather’
spremises.Youj
ustl
eft
.”
Gi
rl
:“Iam Gci
nil
eandIdi
dn’
tthi
nkt
hat
.”
Ngcebo: “
Youweresupposedtoatleastaskto
sl
eepiny ournei
ghbour
’shousenotwal ki
ng
aloneatthi
shour.”Hesai
dtothegirlandshe
keptquiet
…
“You’
lleatnow?Iwillgiv
ethegirlsomefood.
”
NandiphaaskedNgceboast heywereinsi
dethe
kit
chenoft hei
rhouse.Nandiphagavethe
spongeandbl anket
st othegir
landsheopened
thehutforherbecauseNgcebot oldhershe
mustn’tsleepwit
hthem inthehouse.Andshe
t
ookt
hat
.
Ngcebo:“
Youaregi
vi
ngherfoodnow?Howcan
youtr
ustsomeonet
hatyousawont heroad?
Andshedoesn’
twantt
otell
usthefatherofher
baby?”
Nandipha:“
Idon’
tknowbutshe’
spr
egnantshe
needshelp.
”
Ngcebo: “
Youdon’tknowt hatforsure,
Nandiphaandmay beshe’ snotwhaty outhink
sheis,hel
plessandall.Youdon’tknowt hatand
youcan’tgoaroundtrusti
ngev er
yoney oumeet
becausethey’r
ehelpl
ess.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwi
l
lgogi
veherf
ood.
”
Ngcebo: “
No, you’
ll
notgooutatt hishour
.Iwil
l
giveherthatfood.You’
vebroughtast r
anger
here,nearourdaughter
sandt hechildr
enthat
you’r
ecarrying.Youcan’
tbegoingupanddown
outsi
deatt hishour.
”Hesai
dandt ookthefood
thatshehadonherhand.They ’
vebought
t
akeawaysbutt
heydidn’thavet
hem al
l.
Nandi
phahaddishedthatfoodf
orthegi
rl.
Nandi
pha:
“Youdi
dn’
ttel
lmei
fyou’
l
leatornot
.”
Ngcebo: “Iwon’teat.”Het ol
dherwal ki
ng
away …Nandiphacl osedt hetakeaway sandshe
pl
acedt hem ont hemi crowav e.Shethen
mar chedtothebedr oom t hi
nkingaboutthis
pregnantgirl
.Shedi dn’twantt obeli
evethatshe
woul dli
eandbesomeoneont heroadthathour
.
Shewasr eal
lyhelpl
essandsheknewsomeone
whowasgoi ngt ohelpwi t
ht hismatter
…
“Youaresleepingor?”Ngceboaskedtouching
Nandipha’sneck.Nandiphalaughedi
nsteadof
answeringhimt hatshewasn’tsl
eepi
ng.
“What’
sf unny?”
Nandi
pha:“Uyi
gwal
aman! ”(
Youar eacoward)
sheexcl
aimedandtheybothlaughedatwhat
she’
djustsai
daboutNgcebo.
Ngcebo:
“No,
Iam notacowar
dbutIshoul
d
prot
ectyouandyoushouldn’tt
rustev
eryone
becausenotev
eryonehasy ourbesti
nter
estat
heart
.”
Nandipha:“
Butshedoesn’
tlookli
keachancer
andIthinkt
hatther
e’ssomethi
nghiddenabout
thebabydaddy.Whydidsherefusetotel
lus?
”
Ngcebo:
“Ey
,tomor
rowshemustgohome.
”
Nandipha:
“No,Iwanttoknowthefatherofher
chi
ldandIwil
lcallQueenNkosazana.Shewil
l
gettothebot
tom ofthi
s.”
Ngcebo:
“Itwoul
dbebet
teri
fyoudot
hat
.”
Nandi
pha:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Ngcebo:
“Hawu!
”
Nandipha:
“What
?”sheopenedhereyesand
l
ookedathim.Hewasl ay
ingonthebedfaci
ng
herandhisey
eslooki
ngather.
Ngcebo:“
Youcan’
tjustsaysuchadr
y
goodni
ghttoy
ourhusband.”
Nandipha:
“Weshouldpr ayandsl eep,Iam
ti
red.
”Shesaidrecal
li
ngt hatthey’
vejusthada
safedri
vefrom Gaut
engt oKZN.Shesatupand
Ngcebosatupaf t
erher.Nandi phagaveher
handtoNgcebo, t
heypray ed…
“Whathappenedwi t
ht hefat
herofyourchi
ld?
Youdon’twanttotellmeabouthim evennow?”
NandiphaaskedGcinil
eandshepl acedthe
plat
eofbreakfastnexttoherasshewas
seatedonthespongewi thherphone.
Gci
nil
e:“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcant
ell
you.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Isi
tsomeoneIknow?
”
Gci
nil
e:“
Yes.
”
Nandipha:“Oh!Ihaveplacedthebasi
n,soap
andtowel bythedoor.You’l
lbat
h.You’
llknock
bythekitchendoorifyouneedhotwater.”
Gcini
l
e:“Thanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ngt
haty
ou’
ve
doneforme.”
Nandi
pha:
“Wher
ewi
l
lyougo?
”
Gcinil
e:“
Idon’
tknowbutmom sai
dshe’
sst
il
l
t
alkingtodad.
”
Nandipha:“
Okay.
”Shewalkedoutofthehut
andsentherhandinsi
deherapron.Shedi
all
ed
Nkosazana’
snumberandwai t
ed.
Nkosazana:
“Hel
l
o,MaZondi
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Howar
eyou,
ndl
ovukazi
?”
Nkosazana:
“Iam f
ine,
sisandhowar
eyou?
”
Nandi
pha:“Iam f
ine,
Ihav
eagirlher
eand
she’
s…”shetol
dheraboutGci
nil
e.
Nkosazana:“Eh…Eh…Doy ouhavetimeory ou
camebackhomef orsomethi
ngspecif
ic?Iam
verybusytodayanditseemsthatt
hisgir
l
needshelpurgent
.”
Nandipha:
“No, Iam notbusy.Wecameback
becauseNgcebohadt ocomebackfor
Langali
bal
ele.Hedoesn’ttr
ustthi
sgi
rlbutI
can’
thel
pthefeel
ingbecauseIhav
eheardhim
tal
kinhi
ssleepaboutchi
ldr
en.So,ev
ery
thing
wit
hbabiesmakesmewannaconnecthi s
words.
”
Nkosazana:“
Okay,canyout r
ytakingherback
homeandi ft
heydon’twantherback.You’ll
havetogethertotel
lyouthefatherofthebaby
andtakeherther
e.Ireal
l
ycan’thelptoday
becauseIam busyandwear eleavingl
aterwit
h
myhusband.Cany oudot hatf
orme? ”
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Nkosazana:
“Thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ingme.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Ther
ewasnoonet
ocal
l
.Iwi
l
ltel
l
youhowitwent
.”
Nkosazana:
“Al
ri
ght
,hav
eagoodday
.”
Nandiphawishedherbackandshemovedf
rom
herposit
iontogett
oNgcebowhowas
marchingtothevi
ano.“Wai
tforme!
”She
shouted.
Ngcebo:“
WhereareyougoingasIshoul
dwai
t?
Iam goi
ngtoLangal
i
balel
e.”
Nandipha:“
Ijustcal
ledt
hequeenandshe
askedthatItakethi
sgir
ltoherparent
s.Ican’
t
goaloneandIaskt haty
ougowi thme.”
Ngcebo:
“Youandt
hisgi
rl
.”
Nandi
pha:“
Iam beggi
ngyou.Ican’
tjustent
er
peopl
e’
spremiseswit
houtyou.AndIdon’t
knowthi
splaceyouknowthat.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcomeback.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Yoh!Thanky
ou.
”
Ngcebo:
“Hawu,
whyar
eyousay
ingi
tli
ket
hat
?”
Nandi
pha:“
Ididn’tt
hinkyou’
l
lagr
ee.Your
f
amilyi
swhatmat t
erswhenyouareher
enot
whatIr
equestfrom you.
”
Ngcebo:
“Hawu!
”
Nandi
pha:
“I’
l
lwai
tfory
ou.
”shesai
dandturned
t
oleavehi
m…Ngcebowaslooki
ngatherasshe
waswal ki
ngaway .Heonlysteppedi
nsidethe
carwhenNandi phahadenteredthehouse.He
drovethecaroutofthepremisesandhegotof f
thecar.Herushedtoclosethegatebefor
e
gett
ingback…
“…Ireall
ydon’ tknowwhat ’
sthemeaningoft his
dream becauseIhav eawife.Iwouldl
ikethat
youclarifythatify ouknowbef or
ewegetont o
whaty ou’vecal l
edmeher efor.
”Ngcebosaidt o
Langalibalel
eaf terhe’dnarr
atedthedream that
hehadofhi sgr andfathert
ell
inghimthey
neededawi fe.Ngcebowaskneel i
ngbefore
Langalibalel
ei nsidehishut.
Langali
bal
ele:“
Hawu!Youweresupposedtotel
l
meaboutt hi
sdream t
hedayIcall
edyou
becauseIcall
edyouforsomet
hingconnect
ed
tothat
.”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!Yousawt
hedr
eam?
”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“No,
buty
ourgr
andmot
hercame
tomeandt ol
dmet hatyourwife’
str
adit
ional
weddingshoul
dhappensoon.Andt hatway
they’
l
lbeabletopr
otectherandthechil
dren
becauseshe’
ssti
ll
notawi febutabri
det o
them.”
Ngcebo: “Hawu.Howcant hathappenbecause
myf atherdoesn’
twantmywi feinsi
dehi
s
palace?Andt hat
’sbecauseoftheabor
ti
onshe
di
dy earsago.HowcanNandi phagetmar r
ied
tr
aditi
onally
?Wher ewil
lsheenter?”
Langal i
balel
e: “
Yourwif
ewillonlybewel comed
i
ny ourgrandfather
’spr
emises.That’swher e
she’ l
lenterasawi f
eanddoal ltheduti
esofa
wife.Andshoul dsheperfor
m anyr i
tualsin
futureshe’llperf
ormthem i
ny ourgrandfather’
s
premi ses.”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!I
sther
ear
easonf
ort
hat
?”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“That
’sal
lIneedt
ot el
lyou,
Nkosanaregardi
ngherbei
ngwelcomei nt
othe
famil
y.I
fitwasneededf orhertobewel comed
i
ny ourf
ather’
spalaceyourfatherwasgoi ngto
havetoli
stentotheancestors’words.Iam not
sayi
ngthisbecauseshe’snotwel comeiny our
fat
her’
spalacebutIam sayingthisbecausei t
’s
anorder.
”
Ngcebo: “Thokoza!
”heclappedhandsandf elt
thereli
efthattheydi
dn’twanthimt ohave
anotherwi f
ebuttheyneededt heonehealready
has.“Ismywi feindangerasmygr andfat
her
tol
dmet hattheyneedtoprotecther?Andnow,
you’
v ejusttol
dmet hattheweddingmust
happensoon. ”
Langali
balel
e:“Itri
edlooki
ngbey ondbutIsaw
nothi
ngasdangert hatmightbefoll
owingher.
Butwhaty oumustdoi s,t
alktoyourparent
s
andplantheweddi ngr i
ghtaway.You’l
lhave
nothi
ngtowor ryaboutaf t
erthewedding
becauseifthere’sdangerwecan’tbeshown,
she’l
lbeprotected.Andmay betheycan’tshow
usbecauseshe’
snott
hei
rdaught
eri
n-l
aw
ful
l
y.”
Ngcebo:
“Thokozamkhul
u.”
Langali
balel
e:“Iwi
llgiveyousomet hingt hat
you’l
luseathomei nsidethepremisesbef ore
yousleep.Uzochelaigcekelonkengay o.And
withthestat
ethaty ourwifeisi
n,youshoul dn’
t
tel
lherabouttheweddi ngbeingrequestedunt i
l
you’v
espokent oyourpar ent
s.Idon’tthink
you’l
lwanttowor r
yher .
”
Ngcebo:“Makhosi!
”hecl appedhandsandt ook
themuthithatwast hrownont hefloornextto
him.Ngcebot henplacedt hemoneywher ehe
wassupposedt oplacei tandtheywer edone.
Theygotupt oleavethehut …
Langali
balel
e: “
Siyakubongel
angamadodana
akhoozowat hola.Eyuyandaumndeni
nginesi
qini
sekouj abul
euy af
a.”Hesaidto
Ngcebowal kinghim outofthepremisestoget
t
othev
iano.
Ngcebostoppedwalki
ng.“
Hhaybo!Iwil
lhav
e
sons?”Heaskedashewasn’texpect
ingwhat
Langali
bal
elewassayi
ngormay be…
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Hawu,
don’
tdoct
orst
ell
you?
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Theydobutwehaven’t
askedaboutt
hegender.
”Hesai
dandhesmi l
ed
feel
ingt
hatdeepi
nsidehewashappyabout
thi
s.Hewasgoingtohavet
woboy st
o
complet
ethei
rfami
ly.Andwasmorethan
enough.
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Siyakubongel
ake.
”Heextended
hi
shandtohim andtheysharedahandshake
wit
hNgcebowhom hesawhewast otal
lyhappy
.
Ngcebo:
“CanIask?
”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Yes!
”
Ngcebo:“Howwil
lthel
egacycont
inuei
fyou
won’thav
eawife?”
Langal i
bal
elechuckled.“Ialreadyhavechi l
dren
ev enthoughit’
swi t
hawomanmyf atherhad
toldmenott odatebuty ouknowwheny ouare
aboy .Andacer tainwomani sev er
ythingyou
see.Ihav eadaught erandt wosonswi thher.
Theyl i
vewi t
hherandherf ami l
ybuttheydo
visit
.Myst ubbornnesscost edmechancesof
ev erhavi
ngawi fe.”
Ngcebo:
“AY!Whyam Il
ear
ningaboutt
his
now?”
Langali
balel
echuckled.“Whil
eyouwer el
i
ving
yourli
feinJohannesburg,wewerealsoli
ving
beforeourbiggestr
esponsibi
li
ti
es.
”Hesaid
withoutl
ookingathimi ntheeyeandthey
l
aughed.
Ngcebo:
“Ey
,amangott
oli
ve,
mkhul
u.”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“ That’
sri
ght,
Nkosanaandev eni
f
i
t’
snotmychi ldren.Mybrothercanst
il
lhave
chi
ldr
enorhecant akeaft
ermei fhehasthe
cal
l
ing.
”
Ngcebo:“Oh, Iunderstand.Iwilll
eav enow.”he
sai
dt ohim andt heyshar edgoodby esgesture…
Ngcebost eppedi nsi
det hecaranddr ovehome
toNandiphabecauseshe’ dtol
dhim somet hi
ng
hedidn’
tknowshehadi nherhear t.Hedi dn’
t
wanthertokeepcompl ainingabouthi m…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE21

“Shelooksquit
enervous.”Nandipha
comment edaboutGcinil
ewhohadst epped
i
nsidetheViano.Nandiphawaswal ki
ngbeside
Ngcebo,theyweretaki
ngGci ni
l
et oherpar
ents’
house.
Ngcebo:
“Sheshoul
dbener
vous.Woul
dn’
t
you?”
Nandi
pha:
“Wel
l
,Idon’
thav
eaf
ather
.”
Ngcebo:
“No,
Imeani
fyouwer
einher
posi
ti
on.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
Ngcebo:“Hee!Yazi,Ihavenoticedsomet hing
aboutyourbehavi
ourandi treall
ygetst omei n
awayt hatIdon’
tunder st
and.”Hesaidhol ding
Nandipha’
shandt ostopherf rom openingt he
doorbecausehewi shedt oaddressthis.
Nandi
pha:“
Whathaveyounoti
ce?”shel ooked
i
ntohi
seyes.Ngcebodi
dn’
treplybuthespenta
fewminut
eslooki
ngather
.“Ah!Rasta,wer eal
ly
havet
ogetgoingandnow,youarejustlooking
atme.
”sheadded.
Ngcebo:
“Ishoul
dn’
tlookaty
ou,
now?
”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
youshoul
dbutr
ightnowwe
shouldgetgoi
ngsothatwecancomeback
earl
yandthatwayIwil
lcookear
ly.
”
Ngcebo:
“Let
’sgot
hen.
”
Nandipha:“
Youwon’tsaywhatyouwantedt o
sayaboutmybehav i
ournow?”sheaskedwitha
fr
ownandshepl acedherhandonherforehead
asanumbr ell
atothesunthatwast
oohoton
herskin.
Ngcebo:
“No,l
et’
sgetgoi
ng.Iwi
l
ltal
kify
oudo
t
hisagai
n.”
Nandipha:“
Nal
eli
langali
yashisaman.Angizil
a
ngoDecembermi na.
”(I
t’
shot.Iam notcoming
hereinDecember
)Shesaidst eppi
nginsi
dethe
carasNgcebowasmov i
ngtohi ssi
debuthe
heardwhatNandi
phahadsai d.
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknowi
fIhear
dthatwel
l
.”
Nandipha:
“Yes,y
ouhearditwel
l.
”She
confi
rmedandtookoutherphonefr
om her
sl
ingbagthatshehadwit
hher.
Ngcebo:
“Andwhatmakesy
out
hinky
ouwon’
t
come?”
Nandi
pha: “Thesunwi l
laff
ectmybabiesIdon’
t
wanttogiv ebi
rthtoblackbabiesbutt
heymust
l
ookli
ket heirmother.
”Shesai dandNgcebo
l
aughed,Gci ni
legi
ggledafterNgceboasshe
coul
dn’thideitfr
om them.
Ngcebo:“Thei
rfami
lymembersar
ealsodar
k
ski
nnedIdon’tknowwhydoyouthi
nkyou’
ll
giv
ebirt
ht oyel
lowboy
s.”
Nandipha:“Iam noteveny ell
owandwhosai d
i
t’sboys?Youar ereall
ydreami ngaboutboy s
anddon’tdot hatbecausey oumi ghtbev er
y
disappoi
nted.”Shesaidandsmi l
edwi thher
phone.Sheshookherheadandshet ypeda
responsetohernewr eader .
Ngcebot
it
ter
edandasked:
“You’
rebl
ack?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam pineappl
ecol
our
ed.”She
r
epli
edandshelaughedbutnotl
aughi
ngto
whatshe’
dsai
dandwhatt
heywer
etal
ki
ng
about
.
Ngcebo:“
Who’smakingyoulaughont hat
phonebecausey
ouar esurel
ynotl
aughi ngwi
th
me?”heaskedandlookedatNandipha’s
di
rect
ionashecoul
dseet hatshewasl aughi
ng
wit
hherphonenothim.
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tknowhowt
opr
onouncet
hei
r
name.
”
Ngcebo:
“Them?I
t’
sagr
oupormanorf
emal
e?”
Nandi
pha:
“It
’saguy
.”
Ngcebo: “
Youcan’
tpossibl
yhav
eamanmaki
ng
youlaughinmypresence.Howcany
oudot
hat?
Bri
ngy ourphonet
ome. ”
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Cany
oumakemel
aught
hen?
”
Ngcebochuckled.“Eh…Eh…Eh…Ay i
…Idon’
t
havejokesbutbringthephonetome.”he
i
nsist
edandl ookedathershort
ly.
Nandiphalaughed.“Ifyoudon’ thavejokeslet
theothersmakemel aught henbecauset he
babi
eswantt hei
rmot hertolaugh.Theirfat
her
hasrunoutofj okesnjeandIdon’ tev
ent hi
nk
hehadt hem jokes,
int hefi
rstplaceany way.”
Shesaidt ohim andGci ni
l
el aughedloudly
unexpectedl
y.NgceboandNandi phalooked
backather .
Gci
nil
e:“
Eh!Iam sor
ry.
”
Ngcebo:“Youaresupposedt obet hi
nking
aboutanapologyspeechthaty ou’llgi
vetoyour
fat
hernotlaughi
ngatelders.”Nandi pha
l
aughedandshookherhead, shel ookedat
Ngcebowi t
hanamusedexpr essionaf ter
Ngcebohadsai dthat
.“Don’tgivemet hatl
ook
becauseIam tel
li
ngherthet rut
h.”
Nandi
pha:“Don’
tyouthinkyouaretal
kingtoo
much?”shewhisperedmov i
ngherfacecloser
t
oNgcebo’sface.Shefoldedherl
ipsandshe
l
aughedasNgcebowasl ooki
ngatherhead
t
hathadadoek.“
Youdon’
thav
eachance.
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Don’tyoulov
eitwhenI
tal
k?”Heaskedandtookherhandint
ohishand
asNandiphawasmov i
ngawayf r
om hi
m.
Nandi
pha:“
Let
’sst
opt
alki
ngbecausewear
e
notal
one.
”
“Okay ,
butthisshouldcomet ome.”Heagreed
andt ookthephonef rom Nandi
pha’
shand.He
placeditbetweenhist hi
ghsandtheydr
ovein
sil
ence.Ngcebol ookedatNandiphaandshe
wasqui et
…Hewonder ed…
Nandi
pha:“Wecan’tdr
ivei
nthi
stot
alsi
l
ence.
Pl
ease,si
ngforourbabi
es.
”
Ngcebo:
“Ay
iNandi
pha.Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam suret
hey’
l
lbehappyand
Gci
nil
e’
sbabywill
behappy.”
Ngcebo:
“No.Iam shyIwi
l
lsi
ngf
ory
oual
one.
”
Nandi
phal
ookedbackatGci
nil
e.“
Gci
nil
e,si
si.
Don’ty ouwanttohearyourPri
ncesingfory
our
chil
d? ”SheaskedandGcinil
elaughedwitha
nodt hatNgcebosawt hr
ought hemirr
or.
“Pri
nceNgcebo, pl
ease,si
ngforus.”she
request edl
ooki
ngathim.ButNgceboshookhis
head.
Nandi
pha:“Ican’
tbel
ieveyou’
reref
usingy
our
wif
e.Wow!Iwonderwho’ sthaty
ou’r
enotshy
t
osingforsinceyouaresuddenl
yshynow.”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Arey
ouangr
ynow?
”he
asked.
Nandi
pha:
“No,
it’
sfi
nedon’
tsi
ng.
”
Ngcebo:“Doy ouwanttocry?Playthemusi ci
f
youwantsomeonet osi
ngf ory
ou.”helooked
athershort
lybutNandiphawasqui et
lyleani
ng
herheadont hewindowwi t
hherrighthand
tappi
ngherbel l
y.“
Iam tal
ki
ng.”
Nandi
pha:
“Isai
dit’
sfi
ne.Don’
tsi
ng.
”She
r
epeat
edinamur mur…
“Ithi
nkthatyou’
llhavetogobef oreherfat
her
getshere.He’sveryangrythathi sl
astbornis
pregnant.
”Gcini
l
e’smot hertoldNgceboand
Nandiphawhower eseatedinsidet hel
oungeof
herhousewi t
hGci ni
le.
Nandi
pha:
“Butmama, wefoundheront he
st
reet
sbymidni
ght.Shewaswal ki
ngalone.
Maybewecanreasonwit
hy ourhusband.”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,it
’snotrightthatagirl
,Idon’t
wanttocountpregnantgirl
butagi rlwas
r
oamingthestreetsaloneatt hathourtr
yingto
f
indaplacetosleep.”
“There’
snothingIcandoaboutthis.Iam sti
ll
tryi
ngtosoftenherfat
herandIneedt i
me.
Please,Idon’
twantmydaughteront hestreets
butIhav enopowerbecauseshewaswr ongto
getpregnant.
”Shepleadedwit
ht hem.
Nandi
phasawshefear
edherhusband.She
l
ookedatNgcebo.“
Youar
etry
ingtosoftenhi
m.
Andwher eshouldthischi
ldstaywhi l
ey ouar e
sti
l
l tr
ying?Youdi dn’
tevenmakeany
arr
angement sforashermot her
.She’ swr ongto
bepr egnantwhi l
eli
vingunderyourcar eweal l
knowt hatbutt hatdoesn’
tchanget hatshe’s
sti
l
l yourchil
dandneedsy ourprotecti
on.”
Ngcebosai dt othewomanf eeli
ngangr yt hat
shewasn’ tthinki
ngaboutherchild’swellbeing
i
nt histimethatshesay sshewoul dbe
softeningherhusband.
Nandipha: “Andhowwi l
lshelearnt oprotect
thi
schi l
di fyoudon’tshowher .Icanseey ou’r
e
power l
essbutasamot heryoumakemeans
evenifitmeanshi di
ngthatfrom y ourhusband.
Youpr otecty ourownbecausei t’
st hetrut
ht hat
menf ailtothinkstrai
ghtatti
mes.Youshoul d
betheonet ot hi
nkdon’tl
etyourr espectfor
yourhusbandf orceyoutochoosehi m over
yourchildren.Don’tmakeami stakeofput ti
ng
yourselfinthatpositi
onmama. ”Shesai dtoher
andshef eltshewant edtosaymor ebecausei
t
wasbot heringherthatshewouldlether
daughterleaveatnightjustt
opleaseher
husband.Butshef iguredshe’
dsaidenoughshe
di
dn’twantt ooverstepherboundaries.
Gcini
le’smot herlookeddownassheaccept ed
Nandi pha’swor ds.Shel ookedatNandi pha.
“Youar erightmnt anami butnow, myr elat
ives
l
ivever yfar.Idon’ tknowi fyoucanhel pme
keepherunt ilIhav eorgani sedthatshel eaves
thi
spl acet ogot omyr elati
ves.Iwillhaveto
callt
hem andgetsomemoneyf ormydaught er
andshewi llbeabl et ogo.Iwi l
lonlyneedabout
twoday s.
”Sher equest edpol i
tel
ybutspeaki ng
fastbecauseshedi dn’twantherhusbandt o
fi
ndt hem int hehouse.Hewasgoi ngtobe
evenmor eangr ier.Hewasn’ tahusbandwho
abusedherphy sicallybuthewasanupt i
ghtand
toost ri
cthusbandandf ather.Gcini
le’
smot her
wasn’ tj
ustr espect fulbutshewasaweofher
husband.Hehadhisgri
ptootightont
hei
r
chi
ldrenandheexpect
edthem toli
vebyt
he
rul
eshemadewi t
hnor oom ofmaking
mistakes.
Ngcebo:“Canyouatl
eastt
ellusthef
atherof
herchil
d?Shedoesn’
twanttotel
lusandwe
will
beleavi
ngsoon.Wecan’tl
eaveheri
nour
premisesal
one.”
“Pl
ease,thefatherofthebabyissue,l
eaveitt
o
mebutIwoul dl i
ketogivemynumbert oyou.
NkosikaziZul
u.Iwillt
akeyours.”Shesaidto
Nandiphatakingoutherphoneandt hey
exchangednumber s.
Ngcebo, NandiphaandGci nil
estoodupalong
withGcinil
e’
smot her.Nandiphalookedat
Gcini
leandshesawt hef earandshewondered
howt oughherf atherwasbecauseshewas
defi
nitel
yscaredt obei nherownhome.“ Hug
yourmot herIcanseet hatyouverymuchneed
i
t.”Nandiphasai dtoGci nil
eandshelookedat
hermother
,shewastel
l
ingt
hem somet
hing
they
’venev
erdone.
Gcinil
e:“Mama?”sheaskedt ocheckwi thher,
sheknewhermot herwasagoodmot hert o
them andshelovedthem butshewasn’ tan
affect
iousmother.Shedidn’twanttolett hi
s
momentpassher .Gcinil
e’smot hernoddedand
shehuggedherdaught erti
ght l
ytell
i
nghershe
wasgoi ngtospeaktoherf ather.
Gcini
le:“
Thankyou,mamaandIam sor r
yfor
putti
ngyouinthi
sposit
ionwithf
ather
.”She
saidtohertoher
.She’
df or
giv
enherforthe
pregnancy.
Gcinil
e’
smother:
“Gonow.Iwil
lcal
lyou.”she
pressedmovi
ngawayfrom herandGcinil
elef
t
thehousefol
lowi
ngNandi
phaandNgcebo.
“Wereyoucounti
ngmeinwheny ousai
dmen
can’
tthi
nkstr
aight
?”NgceboaskedNandi
pha
astheyfol
l
owedeachothertothevi
ano.
Nandi
phalaughedandhel
dNgcebo’
shandf
or
bal
ance.“
There’
snothi
ngfunny
.”
Nandi
pha:“Youareunbel
i
ev abl
eNgcebo.You
pi
ckedthatupoutofever
ythingthatIhavesai
d
i
nthere,
thatonefoundaplaceiny ourhear
t.
”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,becauseIwantt
oknowi
fyou
t
hinkli
kethataboutmetoo.
”
Nandipha:“Idon’tknow.”Sherepli
edand
steppedinsidethecarandNgcebost epped
i
nsidethecaralongwi thher.Shetookthe
bottl
eofwat eri
nsidethecarandshedr ankthe
waterwhiletheywai t
edforGcini
le.
Ngcebo:“
IhavedonewhatIpromi
sedyouandI
wil
ldropyoubyourhouseandIwi
llgohome.
”
heinf
ormedher.
Nandipha:“
Okay.”ShelookedatGcini
l
easshe
walkedtothevehicl
eandhermot herwas
st
andinginsi
dethepr emisesl
ooki
ngather…
“
Vusuzul
uist
hef
atherofmychi
l
d.Hel
eftt
he
countr yknowi ngt hatIam pr egnant .Hewas
scaredt hathisf atherwasgoi ngt ost ophim
fr
om l eavingandf orcehi mt ost aybecauseI
am pr egnantwi thhi schi l
d.”Gci ni
l
et old
Nandi phaasshewasheadi ngt othedooraf ter
giv
ingherl unchi nsidet hehut .Shef el
titwas
onlyrightthatshet ellsNandi phat het r
uth
becauseshe’ dbeenki ndt oher .Andi twas
unfairthatshewasn’ ttell
inghert het r
uth.
Nandi
pha:“Hawu!That
’st
hetr
uth?Hechose
l
eavi
ng?”sheaskedandtur
nedtoGcinil
eas
shewasbeingtol
dwhatshedidn’
texpect.
Gcinil
e:“
Yes,i
t’
sthetrut
handmamasai dwe
shouldn’
tbot
herthem bytell
ingthem aboutthe
babywhileVusuzul
uwasn’ therebecausethey
weregoingtosayIwasl yi
ng.Ihavebeenwi th
him al
oneandmyf atheri
sal soangrythathe’
s
theonewhomademepr egnant.”
Nandi
pha:
“Heal
sosuppor
tst
haty
oudon’
ttel
l
t
hem?”
Gcini
le:
“Hesaidhedoesn’twanthi
sdaught
er
tobecalledanopport
uni
st.Andhewasgoing
tobehumi l
iat
edbecauseofme.Het hr
ewme
out.
”
Nandipha: “I
fIaskmyhusbandt ogowi thmet o
hisfatheraftergetti
ngpermi ssi
onf rom
Ndlovukazi MaMkhwanazi .Wi ll
youagr eet ogo
there?Wewon’ tbegoingt heretotradi
tionall
y
tel
lhisfathery ou’r
epregnantbutwewi llgo
thereast hei
rfami l
ywithmyhusbandandwe
will
askhi m nott otel
lothers.Will
youagr eei
fI
getthatper mission?”
Gci
nile:“
Yes,Icangowi thyou.Idon’
twantt o
st
opgoi ngtoschoolbecauseIam pregnant.I
am doingmymat ri
candi fIcanmov eto
mama’ srel
ati
vesIwil
l notgotoschool.It
’s
Octobernow,theyearendexamsar ecloser.
”
Nandipha:“Iunder
stand.Iwi
llt
ell
youwhatwi
l
l
happenafterspeaki
ngwi tht
hequeenandmy
husband,okay?”
Gcinil
e:“Yes,t
hankyousomuchsisNandipha.I
don’tknowwhatIwoul dhav
edoneifyoudidn’
t
stopthatnight.Youar
esuchaf
ree-spi
ri
ted
person.”
Nandiphasmil
ed.“Don’tevenmenti
onit.
”She
saidtoherandl
efthertoconv i
nceNgcebothat
theyneededtogowithGcinil
e.Hewasst i
l
l
i
nsidethehousehavinghislunchwi
ththegir
ls…
~~~~~~~~~~
“Idon’tknowwhaty ouwantmet odobecauseI
am tell
ingyout hatwewi l
lcomeback.Wehav e
togoandv isitgrandpa.Youdon’tli
kehi m
now? ”Happi nessaskedherchi l
drenwhower e
cryi
ng.Shewasseat edont hecouchf asteni
ng
thelacesofhershoes.Nonj abuloandNj abulo
werest andi
ngbef oreheronaSat urday
mor ni
ng, t
heywer ebothcryingbecauset hey
wereleav i
ng.
Thet
wochi
l
drendi
dn’
tanswert
hei
rmot
herbut
theycr
ied.“Thesetwoarecrying?Whyareyou
cryi
ng?”Mnot hoaskedthechildr
enwal
king
i
nsidethelounge.Hewascomi ngfr
om
Daniel
l
e’shouset ogetHappinessandtheki
ds.
Nj
abul
o:“
Wedon’
twantt
ogo.
”
Mnot ho:
“Njabul o,stopcry i
ng.Youdon’ twant
togo!Youhav et ogoandv isityourgr
andf ather
.
Howdoy out hinkhewi l
lfeelwheny oudon’ t
wantt ovi
sithim?Huh?Nonj abulo!
”Heshout ed
atthem l
ookingatt hem ast heywer enol onger
cry
ingbuttheywer el ookingatt hei
rmot her.“I
am theonet alking.”
Happi
ness:“
Yourf
atheri
sspeaki
ng.Whyar
e
youqui
etnow?”
Njabul
olookedatNonjabul
o,t
heylookedat
Mnotho.“Wewillcomeback?”Nonjabul
oasked
andshelif
tedherhandsforMnotho.
Mnothobentov
erandhel
if
tedNonjabul
o.“
Yes,
you’
l
lcomebackwithy
ourmother
.Howcan
youleaveyourhome? ”Heaskedwi pi
ngher
face.Happinesspull
edNjabul
ot ohim andshe
wipedhisface.“MaMt hi
mkhulu,Iam heretot
ell
thethreeofyouthatMaNkosi askedthatyou
passbyherhouse. ”Hesaid.
Happinessgotupf r
om thecouchwi t
hNjabul
o.
“What’
swr ong?Ihavepromisedmamat hatI
wil
lpassbyherhousebef oreIleave.
”Shetol
d
hi
m asshef oll
owedhim behindleavi
ngthe
qui
ethousef orthei
rcar
s.
Mnot ho:“Mamacanwai tbutMaNkosi can’
t
wait.You’llseemamaaf t
er.Youcandriv
ewi t
h
NjabuloandIwi ll
drivewithmybabygirl.
”He
saidtoHappi nessmar chi
ngt ohi
scarwhi l
e
Happi nessheadedt ohers.Mnothobuckled
Nonjabul oont hefrontseatandhetookhi s
dri
verseat .Theydr oveout…
“Hhay
bo!Allofthi
s,j
ustf
orme.”Happiness
smil
edlooki
ngatthetabl
ethatwasbeautiful
l
y
decor
atedwithherfav
ouri
tecui
sine.Pear
land
Siphosami wer ealreadyseatedont hetabl
e
waitingfort heirfather,Happinessand
sibl
ings…Nt andokazi l
eftHappiness’
shouse
Thursdaymor ning,shewasl eav i
ngwith
Siphosami andPear l
.Theyinformedt he
chil
dr enthatt heywer eseparatingnowgoing
backt otheirhousesandt heyacceptedwhat
theywer etol d.Mnot howasl eftbehindwit
h
Happi nessandt hechi l
dren.Daniell
espent
Thursdayni ghtwi t
ht hechil
drenandFr i
day,
Mnot howashome.
Dani
ell
e:“
Yes,
Ijustwant
edt
ogi
vey
ouat
reat
bef
oreyougo.
”
Happiness:“
Thankyousomuch.Canwesit
?
Where’sthi
shusband?Hehasn’
tar
ri
vedov
er
her
ebuthewasj ustaft
erme.”
“Iam al
readyher e.
”Mnothosai dsteppi
ng
i
nsidethedi ningsi
deofthekitchenwi t
h
Nonjabuloinsidehisarms.Hepl acedNonj
abul
o
nexttoPear lonthetabl
e.“Iheardy ouwer
e
cryi
ngforme. ”HelookedatHappi nessand
tookhisseatont hetable.Dani
ell
esatonthe
l
eftsideofMnot hoont hetableandHappiness
satonhisrightsideofthet abl
e.
Happiness:“
Yes,Iam alreadystar
vingandI
wanttodugi nhere.I
tlooksy ummyNt andokazi
.
Whohel pedyou?”shelookedatherwi thher
l
ipsfolded.
Daniel
l
e:“
Reall
y?”shesai
dandt
heyl
aughed
wit
hHappiness.
Pear l
:“LET’SEAT!IWANTI CECREAM! ”She
screamedandt heel dersl aughedwhi l
eher
sibl
ingswer esuppor tingherbecauset heywere
notpar toftheadul t
s’ conv ersation…Mnot ho
l
ookedathi sfamilybef oregi vinghi swi v
eshis
handsandhecoul dn’tfindt her easonwhyhe
deservedt hi
s.Hecoul dn’tbel i
ev etheywer e
seatedt ogetherandhi swi v eswer el aughing
witheachot hergenui nely.Andhi shear twasat
rest.Hehadnowor dsofexpr essinghow
grateful
hewasf orhowt hingswer einhi sli
fe
now…Mnot hoblessedt hef oodandt heydug
i
ntot hefoodthatDani el
lehadpr eparedwi t
h
l
ov einherheart.Daniell
enev erimaginedt hat
thi
ngswoul dturnoutt hi
swayandl ifewoul dbe
suchabl essi
ngi nthi
st ypeofmar riage.Af t
er
everythi
ngthatshewentt hroughshewi shed
thatherjoywouldbet heonet hatwasgoi ngto
l
ast…
Nonjabul
o:“
Thefoodisni
ce.”Shesai
dand
noddedandtheother
sagreed.
Happi
ness:
“Your
eal
l
ydi
dn’
tcookal
one.
”
Dani
ell
elaughed.“Icookedal
onewi
thPear
land
Si
phosami hel
pingme. ”
Mnotho:“Idon’
tknowi
fyou’
l
lbeli
evei
twhenI
tel
lyouthatwhenshef
ir
stdatedme.Shedi
dn’
t
evenknowhowt omakeanegg.”
Dani
ell
e:“
HAWU!ZULU?Real
l
y?”
Happi
nessl
aughed.“
Ihl
azoNt
andokazi
!Why
?”
Sheaskedandwipedhert
earst
hathadcome
outofherey
esbecauseofl
aughi
ng.
Ntandokazigi
ggl
ed.“Ihaddreamsofbeinga
personwhodoesn’tdohousechoresandwel l
,
thatchangedwhenImett hedearhusband.
”
Shesaid.
Happi
ness:
“Ican’
tevensayt
haty
oucoul
dn’
t
cooknow.I
t’
sdeli
cious.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Mnotho:“Ipassedbyt heshopaf ewdaysago
andayi
, youshoul ddosomet hingbecauseit
doesn’
tlookl oaded.Isitst
il
lmakingmoney ?”
Thetwol adieslaughedknowi ngtheyhave
negl
ectedt heshop.“Iam asking.”
Happi
ness:“Wewill
revampitwhenIcome
backanditwil
lbeourshopnott
hefamil
yshop.
Idon’
tknowifyouknowwhatthatmeans.
”
Mnot
ho:
“No,
Idon’
t.
”
Dani
ell
elookedatHappinessthenMnotho.“
It
meanstheshopwi l
lgeneratemoneyfort
he
t
woofusnotf orthefamil
y .
”Sheinf
ormedhim.
Mnotho:
“Yehheni
!Andwher
ewi
l
lthemoneyf
or
t
hefamil
ycomef r
om? ”
Wi
ves:
“Husband!
”
Mnothol aughedandshookhi
shead.“Provi
ding
formyf amilycannev
erbeanissuebutyou
won’taskmoneyf orhai
randl
ipsti
ckbecause-”
hewascutof f
.
Happi
ness:
“That
’sreal
l
youtofl
i
ne.Wher
e
shoul
dwegetthatmoney?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Fr
om t
heshop.
”
Nonj
abulo:“
Iwantmoneytoo.Wewantmoney,
r
ight
?”sheaskedhersi
bli
ngsandt
heychant
ed
t
hesamet hi
ngaboutmoney.
Mnot
ho:
“Iwil
lgi
vethemoneytomychi
l
dren.
”
Hepr
omisedl
ooki
ngatthem wi
thasmi
leand
theyscreamedcl
appi
ngt
hei
rhandsoutof
deli
ght…
Mnotho:“
Ireal
lydon’thav
eenoughwor dsof
grat
it
ude.
”Hesaidt ohiswivesandhesenthis
headdown…Happi nessandDaniel
lewere
washingt
hedishes.Theystoppedwashingthe
di
sheswhenMnot hoaskedt ospeaktothem.
Happiness:“Weknowt hatyouaregr at
efulandI
thinkthatal
lofusherearegrateful
.Yes,it
hadn’tbeeneasymont hsforusbutthisill
ness
broughtustogether
.Youknowsomepai nful
situat
ionsarej
ustblessi
ngsindisguiseandt hi
s
i
llnessiswhatbroughtustogether.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Yes,
andmov
ingf
orwar
dwewi
l
lwor
k
t
ogether
.”
Mnotho:“
Iwouldappreciatethatwhenoneof
youseesIam wrong,don’tkeepquietbutspeak.
Youcaneithert
ellt
heotherwi feandcal
lmet o
addr
essthatmatterbecauset al
kingi
swhatwi l
l
t
akeust
ofor
ever
.”
Daniell
elookedatHappi nessandtheynodded.
“Yes,andMaMt hi
mkhul u,
Iwill
star
tdesigning
theweddi ngdressbecauseIwanty oulook
perfectt
hant hefi
rstti
mebecauset hi
st i
me
aroundy ou’
llbegett
ingmar r
iedgenui
nely.”
Daniell
esaidt oHappinesswhowasst anding
nexttoher .
Happi
ness:
“Aweddi
ng?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Yes,
youar
enol
ongermar
ri
ed
l
egal
ly.
”
Mnotho:“MaNkosii
sri
ght.Wemustplant he
weddinganditwi
ll
happennextyearbecause
t
hisyear,
it’
sBanel
ewho’sget
tingmarri
ed.”
Happinesssmi l
edandl ookeddownshortly,
she
l
ookedatDani el
le.“Iwantthedresstobea
surpr
isebutIwillt
ellyouhintsofwhatIl
ike.”
Shesaidt oheragreei
ngt hatshewasgoingto
getmar r
ied.
Dani
ell
e:“Ialway
sdel
i
verandIdon’
t
di
sappoint.
”
Mnot ho:“Okay ,
that’
soutoft heway .
MaMt hi
mkhul uy ou’
l
l dr
ivetomama’ spal ace
becausey ouwer esupposedt ogot here.Ihav e
togot omybr othernow.Andpl ease, cal
l when
yougethome. ”hesai dtoheropeni nghi sar ms
forHappiness.Shemov edfor wardandt hey
sharedat ighthug.“Thanky ousomuchf or
comi ngback.”Hesai dl
astlyandki ssedher
foreheadwhi l
eshewasst i
l
l i
nsidehi sar ms.
Thear mst hatHappi nessfeltwer elov i
ngly
war m.
Happiness:“
Don’
tment i
onit.
”Shesaidand
theybackedawayfrom eachother.Happi
ness
steppedbackaft
ergiv
ingherey estoMnotho.
Mnot hot
henhuggedDaniell
eafterHappiness.
“Thankyoufort
helunch.I
twasdel i
cious.
”He
saidtoherandDani
ell
esighedinhisarms…
Mnot hot
hentur
nedtoleavethem aft
erhe’d
wi
shedHappi
nessasaf
edr
ive…
“It
houghty ouweregoingt ocomeearl
y.
”
Thembel i
hlesaidtoHappinesswhowasseat ed
onthecouchandThembel ihl
esatonherchair.
Thechildr
endi dn’
tsi
twiththem butt
heyrushed
toQalokuhle.
Happi
ness:“Wehadt
ogot
oMaNkosi
’
shouse.
Shewastreati
ngme.
”
Thembeli
hlesmil
ed.“
Haa!That
’sveryniceandI
am happyi
fther
e’sagoodrel
ati
onshipbetween
thetwoofyou.I
twil
lmakethi
ngseasy .
”She
said.
Happiness:“Yes,
butIam afraidthatmyf ather
won’tletmecomeback.It ri
edbei ngstubborn
wit
hhi m buthedidn’
twanttol i
sten.Idon’t
wanttocomebackwi thouthisblessi
ngs.Iwi l
l
needthem. ”sheconf
ided.
Thembeli
hle:“
Mnothotol
dhi
sf at
herandI
abouty
ourf at
herandy
oudon’thavetowor
ry
becauseasyourin-l
aws.Wewi
llgotoyour
fat
herandspeakt ohim.Wewi
llmakehim
underst
andthathemustnotst
andinyourway
.”
Happi
ness:
“You’l
ldothatf
orr
eal
?”sheasked
wit
habeauti
fulsmil
e.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hee!Iam seei
ngasmi
l
ethatI
havenev
erseenbefor
e.”
Happinessgiggledandlookeddown.“Ilovehim,
mama.OnThur sday,westayeduplate
watchingmov i
es,tal
kingandlaughi
ng.He
makesmef eelverydi
ffer
entandevenifwe’re
st
il
ldownt here.Ij
ustlovehim.”Sheconfessed.
Thembeli
hlegiggl ed.“ That’
sagoodt hingandI
am happywheny ou’rehappymychi ld.Godwi l
l
showeryouwi thnot hi
ngbuthappi nessandI
havebeenpr ayingf ory ourmarri
aget hatnoevil
eyeshoul
df allupont he8ofy ou.MaNkosi has
al
sobeent hroughhel lwithlosi
ngherbabyand
herfat
her,
thepr oblemshav ebeenfol l
owing
her.Andyouhavebeenl iv
inginhel
l.Your
husbandhasalsosufferedbutnow, Godhas
tur
nedallyourt
earsintogold.You’
llbehappy
anddon’tbescared.
”Thembel i
hlesaidtoher
.
Happi
ness:“Thankyou,
mama.Thosewor
ds
ar
ecomf or
ttome. ”
Thembelihl
e:“Yes,andy oushouldcomeback
becausethere’l
lbearitualf
ort heendofthe
mourningperiod.Butwewi ll
comet o
Johannesburgbeforeithappens.Iwanty outo
comebackher ewit
hy ourfather’
sblessi
ngs.
”
Happiness:“
Alr
ight,
andtheprobl
em that
Langali
balel
esaidaboutr
estor
ingthepeacein
thefamil
y.Ihavebeenthi
nki
ngandIdon’ teven
knowwher ewecanst ar
tbecausethi
sincludes
theenti
refamil
y.”
Thembeli
hle:
“That’
swhatbother
smebecause
wehav eol
ddiff
icul
tmenandwhatcanbedone
torest
oret
hispeace?Idon’
twantust
otal
kand
enduphat
ingeachot
herwhi
l
etr
yingt
ofi
x
thi
ngs.
”
Happi
ness:“Youar eri
ghtaboutt
hatmamaand
i
twouldhav ebeengoodi fwecanfi
ndthe
sol
uti
onandsol vethisonthedayoft
herit
ual
.If
wedot hatwewillknowthatwearestar
ti
ng
thi
ngsonanewsl ate.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Youareri
ghtaboutthat.Let
’s
prayandhopeGodwi l
lrev
eali
ttoust hathow
canwer est
orethi
speacebecauseit’
sus
womenwhocan. ”
Happi
ness:
“Yes,
wear
ethebackbonesofour
f
amili
es.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“That’
strue.Ey ,
it’
sget
ti
nglatemy
chi
ldandyoushouldgetgoi ng.Wewi l
lspeak
onthephoneandIwi l
ltell
youwhenwi l
lwebe
coming.
”Shesaidstandingupandt heyshared
ahugwithHappiness.“Thanky ousomuchf or
bei
ngtheli
ghtofthisfamily.Weareblessedto
haveyou.
”shesai
dtoherandHappi
ness
cl
osedhereyeswi
thasmileonherf
ace…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE22

“Mama, celaukucapuzai nganemi naanikhali

.”
Simil
osai dt ohermot her,seeingtheirmother’
s
bell
ywasal way samusi ngforthem andt hey
havegr ownt oloveplay i
ngwi thi
ti nst
eadof
mopi ngar oundaboutt henewbabi es.Andnow,
thefoursi sterswerecr y i
ngbecauset heir
parentswer el eavi
ng.Nandi phahadmanaged
toconv i
nceNgcebot ogowi thhert oSbani’
s
housebef or egoingtohi sparents.She
convincedhi m aftershe’ dcall
edNkosazana
andshegav eherpermi ssiont ogowi thNgcebo
toSbani ’
shouse.
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,getont
hecouchmyl
ove.
”
Shesai dt oSi mi l
owho’ daskedt okissher
mot her’sbel ly.Andassoonasshewasgi ven
thatper mi ssion,ther estofthesi stersstopped
cryingandt heygi ggledl i
ket heywer enotcr yi
ng
j
ustt hen.Theygotupwi t
ht heirgigglestoline
up.Nandi phasmi ledandl ookedatNgcebowho
wasnextt oher .“Kissittwice, phela,ther
ear e
twobabi esi nsideMi mi .
”Sher emi ndedheras
sheki ssedheronce.Si mi l
ogi ggledandl ooked
backathersi sterswhower esmi ttennow.She
kisseditt wiceandNgcebor emov edherf r
om
thecouchgi vingot hersthechance.
Ngcebo:
“Wewi
l
lcomebackt
hen.You’
l
lbehav
e,
r
ight
?”
“
YEBO!BABA!”Theyal
lchantedli
keachoi
rand
t
hei
rparent
slef
taft
erpromisingt
hem t
hey
wer
egoingtocomebackwi t
hsweets…
“Ican’
tbeli
evehal
fofthethi
ngsthaty
ourfather
saidtothepoorgi
rl
.Heinsult
edherNgcebo
andhiswifesuppor
tedhim!”Nandi
phaclapped
herhandsonceandl ookedatNgcebowhowas
standingbesideher.Theywerestandi
ngby
Sbani’shouselooki
ngatGci ni
l
eassher ant
o
thevianocryingaft
erthemeetingtheyhadwi
th
Sbani andhiswife.
Ngcebo: “It
hinkmam’ uSbongil
esaid
ever
y t
hingthatshesaidbecauseVusuzul uisn’
t
herchil
dbuthe’ sachil
dherhusbandgotf rom
anotherwoman. ”Hesaidwithoutlookingather
becausehecoul dn’
tbeli
evethattheyhav e
i
nsultedthegi r
lcal
l
ingheranoppor tunistwho
wantedt hei
rmoney .
Nandipha:“
Hawu!Whydi
dn’
tyoutel
lmethat
t
hen,Ngcebo?Weweresupposedtogot
ohis
motherthen.
”
Ngcebo:“Hismotherdied,Nandipha.Hel
i
ved
her
ewi t
ht hem af
terherdeath.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Wehavet
of i
xthi
sNgcebo
ot
herwi
setheywi
l
lst
artbadmout
hingherand
herfat
herandmot
herwi
l
lbehumi
l
iat
edf
or
real
.”
Ngcebo:
“Howcanwef
ixi
t?”
Nandi
pha:“
Cal
lyourf
atherhe’
l
lspeakt
ohi
s
br
other
.”
Ngcebo:
“Ay
,Iwon’
tcal
lhi
m.Whyi
nvol
vehi
m
now?”
Nandi
pha:
“He’
l
lreasonwi
thhi
sbr
other
.”
Ngcebo:
“Youcan’
ttr
ustt
hatmay
behe’
l
lsay
t
hesamet hi
ng.
”
Nandi
phahissedandopenedherbag…Sbani
andhi
swifewereangryandtheydidn’
teven
wantt
ocallVusuzul
utoaskhim aboutGcini
l
e.
Ngcebo:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Let
’sgo.
”
Nandipha:“
No, Iwi
ll
notletGci
nil
e’
sfatherfi
nd
thereasontoquesti
onouracti
onstohelphis
daughterwhil
ehe’dthr
ewherouttothewol ves.
Don’tfor
getIhavebeendisownedbeforeandI
hadPalesaandDumat ohelpme.Thatgi
rl
shoul
df i
nishhermat r
icandshecan’
tdothati
f
she’
ll
leavet hi
splace.
”Shesaidf
oll
owing
Ngcebowi thherphoneonherear.
Ngcebo: “
Thequeenwi l
lseewhattodo.
”he
saidnotnoti
cingthatNandi
phawascall
inghi
s
fathernowast heywerewalki
ngoutoft
he
premises.
“MaZondi
?”Dal
i
suaccept
edNandi
pha’
sphone
cal
l.
Nandipha:“
Eh,
yebo,baba.Unjani
?”shecl
osed
hereyesasNgcebohadst oppedwalki
ngbuthe
hadturnedtol
ookathernow.
Dal
i
su:
“Si
yaphi
l
ani
njani
?”
Nandipha:“
Siyaphil
aokungat
heni.Ineedy our
hel
p,baba.Idon’tknowifyouar
et oobusy
becauseIwill
crossmyboundariesnowand
askyout omov efr
om whereyouar e.Iam
desperat
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
swr
ong?
”
Nandipha:“
MyhusbandandImet …”she
narr
atedtoDal
i
suev eryt
hingthathadhappened
wit
hGci ni
l
eunt
ilt
her ecentev
entatSbani’
s
house.
Dal
isu:“
Hawu!Hhay
i!Mybr
othersai
dal
lthat
?”
hechecked.
Nandipha:“Yes, andnow, Iam scar
edthatwhat
Gcini
l
e’spar entsdidn’twanttohappenwill
happen.Wedi dn’tt
hinktheywerereal
lygoing
tothi
nkliket hi
s.Wet houghtthathe’
ll
foll
ow
thr
ough.”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tleav
efr
om t
her
e.Iam comi
ng.
”
Nandipha:
“Yebo,baba.Syabonga.
”She
removedthephonefrom herearandonlythen
wassheabl et
oopenherey estolookather
husband.“
Sorry
.”
Ngcebo:
“Ther
ewasnoneedf
ory
out
ocal
l
hi
m.”
Nandi
pha:“It
hinkhe’
stheonlyper
sonwhocan
r
easonwi t
hhisbrot
herandhesaidwecanwai
t
f
orhim herewit
hGcini
le.He’
scoming.
”
Ngcebo:“
Youar
etr
oubl
e,Nandi
pha.Youar
e
t
roubl
e.”
Nandipha:
“Doy ouwantGcini
le’
sbigdarkangry
fat
hertoaxeus? ”Ngcebol
aughedhol di
ngher
handandpul l
edheroutofthepremises.
Nandiphagiggl
ed.“Whyareyoulaughingnow?”
sheasked.
Ngcebo:
“Howdoy
ouknowhe’
sbi
ganddar
k?”
Nandi
pha:
“That
’showIhav
epai
ntedhi
minmy
head.
”
Ngcebochuckled.“Oh!He’
sMbomai nyourfi
rst
book.Youdescribedthatmanashell
auglyand
scar
y.”Heguessedandt heyl
aughed.
Nandipha:“He’
sexactl
ylikehi
m.Keepqui
et
now,Gcinil
eishere.
”Sher emi
ndedhi
m as
they
’vereachedtheViano.Nandi
phal
ookedat
Gci
nil
east heywereinsi
dethevehi
clewi
th
Ngcebo.“Don’tcr
ybecauseNdabezi
thawil
l
comenow. ”shesaidtoGci
nil
ewhowascr yi
ng
i
nsidetheviano.
Gci
nil
e:“
Idon’
twantt
ocauseanymor
e
t
roubl
e.”
Ngcebo: “
Youwon’tbecausingtr
oublej
ust
calm down.”HepressedonNandipha’
swords
andgav eherthebott
leofwatert
hatbel
onged
toNandipha.Gcini
l
et ookt
hebottl
eand
thankedhim…
“Youwer esupposedt osayt othegirl
you’
llget
tothebottom ofthi
sandkeephersomewher e,
whereshe’ll
besaf enott oaccuseherof
decepti
on.Thegirlisfrom thisvi
ll
ageandshe
knowst hatt
here’
llbehel lt
opayi fshecaneven
daretodeceiveus.”Dalisusaidtohisbrot
her
who’daskedhim whatwashesupposedt odo
aboutthismatter
.They ’vearguedabout
Gcini
le’
sissueandt hathedi dn’
teventryt
ocall
Vusuzul
utoensurei
fheknewthepregnancy
.
Dal
isuwasseatedal
onewithhi
sbrother
.
Sbanisi
ghed.“Iam angryt hatshesai
dtous
Vusuzul
uleftknowinghe’ sleavi
ngapregnant
gi
rl
.DidMaZondi tel
lyout hatthegir
lsaidhe
l
eftknowingshewaspr egnant?That’
snotli
ke
hi
m.That’swhyIdon’ tbelievethi
sgir
l.
”He
st
ressed.
Dalisu:
“Thatwassupposedtogiv
ey ouval
id
reasonstoconfrontt
hetr
uth.Wherecansucha
younggi r
lgett
heaudaci
tytofoolus?”
Sbanisighed.“Eybafo.Iwil
lhavetocallmyson
andIwi l
lkeept hi
sgirl
here.Iwil
lhavetosee
herparentsandt al
ktoherfatherbecause
Ngcebot ol
dmehe’ sveryangry
.Andifshe’s
l
ying!Theywi l
lpay.”Heassuredhisbrother
.
Dali
su:“Pl
ease,
getoni tbecauseitwillbe
unfor
tunat
ethatyoukickedy ourgrandchi
ld
fr
om thewomb.That’snotwhatourf at
her
st
oodf
or.
”
Sbani:“
ImpelaMageba.It
ookthisthewrong
way,thankyou.
”hesaidst
andingupt ogi
ve
Dali
suhishandandheacceptedit.Theyshar
ed
abri
efmanlyhug.
Dali
su:“
Howarethingswithhi
m overther
e? ”he
askedabouthi
sbrother
’ssonastheywere
l
eavingt
hehouseheadingtoNgcebo’svehicle.
Sbani:
“Hesoundshappyaboutbei
ngi
nanew
envi
ronment
.”
Dali
su:“
That
’sgoodforhi
m becausehehas
beenthr
oughdif
fi
cul
ttimes.
”
Sbani
:“Yes.I
tgoodf
orhi
m.”
“Phumakewent ombiuzosal
akhonala.”(Get
outyou’l
l st
aybehi
nd)Dali
susaidtoGci
nileand
sheraisedherheadinshockasshedidn’t
expectthatwasgoingtohappen.Shecouldsee
herfut
ur evani
shi
ngbeforehereyesandshe
wouldbest uckwit
hachildwhil
ethefatherof
thechil
dhadleftherf
orgr
eenpast
uresof
anothercount
ry.
Ngcebo:“
Youar
etaki
ngher
,baba?
”hel
ooked
atSbani
.
Sbani
:“Yes,i
twill
begoodt hatwekeepher
her
eunt i
lIhavespokentoVusuzul
uandwewil
l
gotoherparentstotal
k.”
Gcini
l
e:“Thankyou.
”shesai
dtoSbani
wit
hher
handsbondedtoget
her.
Nandipha:“Goandlookaft
eryoursel
fdon’
tever
walkaloneatnightl
iket
hat.Andgoodluckfor
yourmat r
icexams.”
Gci
nil
e:“Iwon’t
.Thankyou,
sis,
Nandi
phaand
Nkosana.”Shesai
dtothem,Nandi
phaand
Ngcebonoddedonceasshegotoffthecar
…
Dal
isu:“
Youdi
dn’
tev
encomehomebuty
ouar
e
her
e.”
Ngcebo:
“Iam st
il
lcomi
ngt
oseey
ouand
mama.Weneedt
otal
k.”
Dal
i
su:“Okay
,youdidagoodt
hingbyhel
ping
t
hatgi
rl
.”Hesaidt
ot hem.
Ngcebo:
“Aywewi
l
lheadhomenow.You’
l
l
dr
ivesaf
e.”
Nandi
pha:
“Yebo,
thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
”
Dali
su:
“It
’sokay
,dr
ivesaf
e.Iwi
l
lseey
ouwhen
youcomeseemeNgcebo. ”
Ngcebo:“Ndabezi
tha.
”HesaidandDali
su
walkedtohiscar…Ngcebothendrov
eawayand
hesighed.“
Ey,yourfr
iendi
ssafenowthat
’s
l
essstressf
ul.
”
Nandiphal
aughed.“
Ey,uyaqinaumauthandi
l
e.”
Shecomment edandtheylaughedwi
th
Ngcebo…Theydrovetotownf i
rst
…
Ngcebosteppedoutofhi
scarandhemar ched
uptohisparent
s’housel
ooki
ngathi
sphone.
Hewasl ooki
ngatthephonewhi
let
hinki
ng
aboutwhathewasgoi
ngt
odi
scusswi
thhi
s
parent
snow…
“Hhhh!”Hegroanedandshookhishead,he
rammedhi sphoneinsi
dethepocketofhis
blackri
ppedjeans.Hi
sfeetl
andedinsi
dethe
l
oungeandhesawhi sfat
herseat
edonhi s
chairr
eadingthepaper
.
Dalisu:“Hawu,Mageba,youarealr
eadyhere!”
Heexcl aimedandgavehishandt oNgcebo
afterfol
dingthenewspaperandalloweditt
o
restonhi skneeforhi
mt ogivehi
sat t
ent
ionto
hisson.Ngcebot ookhisfat
her’
shandandt hey
shar edahandshakethatwasaccompaniedby
abr i
efmanl yhug.
Ngcebo:“Yes,Iam herenow.Howar eyou,
Ndabezi
tha? ”heaskedsitt
ingonthecouchthat
wasbyhisf ather’
ssideofthechai
r…Dali
su
t
ooktheremot eandturnedthevol
umeoft he
r
adiodownwhi letel
l
inghissonabouthi
s
wel
lbei
ng.
Dali
su:“Hheyi
,tellmewhatbringsyouhere
becausewewer eexpecti
ngyoufortheri
tual
anditwill
beheldi nmyf at
her
’spremisesand
yourwifeshoul
dbet here.Iwasn’
teven
expecti
ngacall f
rom yourwif
e.”
Ngcebo:
“Whyshouldshebet
her
e?Iwascal
l
ed
homebyLangal
ibal
ele.
”
Dalisu:“
Oh!Thefamil
yshouldfi
ndawayt o
mov eforwar
dfrom whatLangal
ibalel
ehadsaid
touswhenher etur
ned.Iwantthingstobein
placeforal
lofyouasthey’
reinplacefor
Mnot ho.
”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!Wher
e’smama?
”
Dali
su:“QALOKUHLECALLYOURGRANNY! ”He
shoutedrepeatedlyunti
lQalokuhl
ehear
dhim
andrepli
ed.“How’swor k?Yoursneaker
sare
ver
ycomf ortableandIfeelproudtowearmy
son’
sname. ”hesai d.
Ngcebol
aughed.“
Thanky
ou,
baba.Andwor
kis
hect
icbecauseIwantt
otakemybr
eakthi
s
December.Wewill
haveBanel
e’
sweddi
ng.
”He
sai
d.
Dali
su:“Yes,y
es, i
t’
simport
antthatyoucome
backhome.Andhowar et
heli
tt
lechildr
enthat
you’
llhaveaddit
ionall
y?Thegi
rl
sar ehappy
? ”
Ngcebochuckled.“
Theywerever
yupset
.”He
sai
dandDalisulaughedl
ooki
ngathi
swifewho
wasjoi
ningthem onthel
ounge.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whowasupset
?”
Ngcebo:
“Thegir
ls.Theywer
eupsetabout
havi
ngmoresibl
ings.
”
Thembel
ihlelaughed.“
Aybo!Idi
dn’
texpectt
hat
.
Whatdi
dt heysay?”
Ngcebo:“Theyt ol
dusweshoul dn’
ttakethe
babiesfr
om thehospital.Andwhent heir
mothertoldthem theywi l
lgotothehospital
becausetheydon’twantourbabi es.Thando
cri
edfir
standt heyallf
ollowed.
”
DalisuandThembeli
hlel
aughed.“Hheyi,
you
weresupposedtotel
lthem t
hatyouandy our
brother
swereall
happywheny ourmot herwas
goingtohaveababy.Younevercried.
”Dal i
su
saidtoNgceboandtheysharedlaughter
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
wewereal
way
swai
ti
ngf
or
popay
ithatweneverhad.
”
Dali
suchuckl
ed.“
Youknowt
hegendernow,
do
you?”HeaskedNgcebo.
Ngcebo:
“Langal
i
bal
elei
stheonewhot
oldme
t
hey’r
eboys.
”
Par
ent
s:“
HAWU!SI
YABONGA!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwonderhowheseest
he
gender
.”
Dali
su:“
Ey,wewillnev
erknow.Ngcebo,won’
t
youhavefoodbeforewegettospeakabout
whathasbroughtyouher
e?”
Ngcebo:
“No,
baba,
Iam nothungr
y.”
Thembeli
hle:
“What
’swrong,
then?Iwasn’
t
expect
ingyouhome.”
Ngcebo:“Isawgrandf
atheri
nmysl
eepand
Langal
ibalel
ecal
l
edmehome. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
myf
ather
?Whatdi
dhesay
?”
Ngcebo:
“Het
oldmet
heywantawi
fe-
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hawu, butyouhav eawife.
”She
commentedwithint
erestasshewassur pri
sed
bywhatNgcebowassay ing.Atthebackofher
mindshewasthinki
ngthatmay beNgcebowas
goi
ngtobegivenanotherwife.
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
e,l
ethi
m speak.
”
Ngcebo: “
Thanky ou.Ireceivedacal lf
rom
Langali
balel
einthemor ningfoll
owingtheni ght
Isawgr andpa.Het ol
dmet ocomehomeandI
wenttohi m,hetoldmet hatgrandmat ol
dhi m
thatNandiphaandI ,shouldhav eatradit
ional
wedding.”
Dali
sulookedatThembel ihl
e,shewasl ooki
ng
athi
m wi t
hcl eareyest
hatdidn’tr
ef l
ect
emotions.“ButNandiphaisnotwel comedher e,
Ngcebo.Wher eshoul
dthatweddi ngtakeplace?
Imean, wherewi l
lshebewelcomed? ”
Thembel i
hleaskedNgceboaf tershyingher
eyesawayf rom herhusband.
Dali
su:“
That’
snott hepointy
oucanr ai
se,
MaSthol
e.Ifthesegatesshouldbeopenedfor
herj
ustforherweddingthatwill
happen.
”
Ngcebo: “
Youdon’thavetodot hatbaba
becauseitwasstatedclear
lytomet hat
Nandiphashouldbewelcomedi ngrandfat
her
’s
premisesandshouldsheneedt oper for
m any
ri
tual
s,theyshoul
dhappent here.”
Dali
su:“Hawu,why?Isi
tbecauseofmy
deci
sionnotletheri
nhere?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iaskedf
ort
her
easonbuthedi
dn’
ttel
l
me.”
Thembeli
hle:“
It
’sokay ,t
heweddi ngwillhappen
butshe’
sstil
lpregnantandBanel eistheone
whoshouldgetmar r
iedfi
rstbecausehehas
beenkeptwaiti
ngf ortoolong.Hewi l
lget
marri
edandy ou’l
lfol
low.”
Ngcebo:“Iunder
standbutourcasei s,t
his
weddingisessent
ialbecausetheancestors
needtoreachNandiphatopr ot
ecther.Grandpa
tol
dmet hattheweddingshouldn’tbedelayed
sothatthey’
ll
beabletoprotecther.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Isshei
ndanger
?”
Ngcebo:“Hedidn’
tsaybutbaba,youknowt hey
won’tsaytheyneedtopr
otectherift
here’
s
not
hingfoll
owingher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iunder
stand.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Buttheydi
dn’tsayther
ewas
danger.Ithinktheymighthav ebeeni
mpr essed
thatsheheldont oyouandt heywantherto
havetheweddi ngnotbecauseshe’sindanger.
Andshealsohasi
nqibamasondothatshe
hasn’
tdone.Wecan’
tspeedthi
ngs.”
Dali
su:“
MaSt
hole,wemustnotplayaguessi
ng
gameaboutt
hesafetyofourson’
swif
e.Butwe
needtodowhattheancest
orshadsai
d.”
Thembel i
hle:“Iunderstandt hatweneedt ot ake
theiri
nstructi
onsandwewi lldothatbutwhat
aboutBanel e?Banele’spl answer eputonhol d
becausehi solderbrother’swi f
ewentmi ssing
andt her
ecoul dn’tbeacer emonywhi lewewer e
stressedaboutHappi ness.Happi nesswas
foundandhet houghtthingswer egoingt o
happenf orhim buthisbr ot herdied.Hehadt o
changehi splans.Theycamet ospeakt ome
withhiswi f
eandIhadt ot ellhim he’
llwaitfor
mont hsunt i
lwest ar
tdoi ngt heceremoni es.
Howdoy out hinkhe’l
lfeel whenwecant el
l hi
m
thathe’l
lneedt owaitonceagai n?”
Ngcebo:
“Thi
sisnotaboutj
ustget
ti
ngmarr
ied
f
orus,mamaandespeciall
ysi
nceNandi
phais
pregnant.It
’snotaboutjustgetti
ngmarriedbut
i
t’saboutmywi fe’
ssafetyandthechil
dren
she’scarryi
ng.Iftheancestor
swantt oprotect
them there’
ssurelyaneedf orthat
.Banelewill
understandthat.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yes,hewil
lunderstandbecause
he’sanunderstandi
ngperson.Butwhyar ehis
feel
ingsnotconsider
ed?Hecan’ tevenhave
chil
drenofhisown.Whyshoul dwet reathi
m as
i
fhe’snotimpor t
antandhe’l
lhav etocomelast?
Whyshoul dwedot hat?Wouldy oubehappyif
youwer ehim?”
Ngcebo:“No,
butifi
twasforCandi
ce’
ssaf
etyI
wouldhavegladl
ywait
edbecausewai
ti
nghas
neverki
l
ledanyone.
”
Dal
isu:
“Ngceboi
sri
ght
,MaSthol
e.They
’re
br
other
sandhewill
under
stand.
”
Thembel
ihle:“
Wecan’tdothatt
oourson,
Ndabezi
tha.Banel
edeser
vestobehappyas
wellandhedeser v estobeputf i
rstlike
everyoneelse.Iknowt hatevenifhewon’ tbe
happyifweaskhi mt owaithewon’ tsayi t.But
he’l
lhaveitinhisheartthathe’sbeenkept
waiti
ngandheev enhadt ocancel trav el
li
ng
withCandiceashi swi f
ebecauseofal lt
he
messhi sbigbrotherscreated.He’sy ounger
thanthem andt heyshouldknowhi shappi ness
mat t
erstoo.Anddon’ teventhinkofr unni
ngt o
Banelewi t
hthisbecausehe’ l
lbef orcedt o
understandeveni fhedoesn’tunderst and.”
Dal
isu:“
Whatshouldwedot hen?Huh?What
wil
lyousayifsomethi
nghappenstoMaZondi
andhersons?Whatwilly
ousay ?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Wewi l
lpraythatnothinghappens.
Godwilll
ist
ent ousandwewi llt
ellBanelethat
byendofOct oberhisfi
rstceremonyshoul d
takepl
aceandbegi nni
ngofNov embert he
secondone.Andbyf ir
stweekofDecember ,
theywil
lgetmar r
iedandthen, Nandiphaand
Ngcebowi
l
lhav
ethei
rweddi
ng.
”
Ngcebo:“Nandiphawil
lbesevenmonthsby
Decemberandwi thtwobabi
esinsi
dehershe’
ll
betooheavytoper f
orm aweddi
ng.Shecan’
t
evenstandthehotsunnow.Howmuchmor e
then,
mama? ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youdon’
tcar
eabouty
ourbr
other
,
Ngcebo,
isn’
t?”
Dal
i
su:“Hhayi
,MaSt
hol
e!Howcany
ouaskhi
m
t
hatquest
ion?
”
Ngcebo: “Ey,it
’sfi
net hen.Iwon’ tspeakto
Banel e,
mama.Iwi llgonow.Thanks. ”Hest ood
upbecausehecoul dseet hathewasj ust
wast i
nghist i
me.Theydi dn’
tcar ewhat
happenst oNandi phabecausei fbothoft hem
did,theywer egoingt odowhatwassai d.Hi s
fatherhadnev erlethismot herhav eaf i
nal say
whenhedi dn’tagreewi t
hher .Buttoday ,
he
wasn’ tf
irm aboutthisandt hatwasonl y
becausei
twasNandi
pha.Anon-
fact
oroft
he
famil
y.
Dali
su:“
Ngcebo,
wher
eareyougoingnow?
”he
askedashewasseei
ngNgceboheadout
thr
oughthedoor
.
“Iam goinghome.”herepl
iedanddashedout
ofthehousewi t
houtlooki
ngback.Hecouldn’
t
beli
evethem!Hemar chedtothevianowit
ha
heavypainful
heartandhewascluelessofwhat
wasgoi ngtohappennext…
“What’syourpr
oblem,MaSthole?Banel
ewould
neverhaveaproblem i
fwecant el
lhimthatt
his
needst obedonebecauseourancestor
s
requestedit
.Whatisyourpr
oblem?”Dali
su
askedThembelihl
eafterNgcebohadleft
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idon’
thaveapr obl
em buti
t
seemsasifnobodyseesthi
ngsmyway .Banel
e
hadtost
ophiswi shofbei
ngapol ygamous
manbecausehef oundoutthathewasinfer
ti
le
andhi
sbr
otherwhodi
dn’twantpol
ygamyi
sthe
onewhoi
sapolygami
st.Canweputhimfi
rst
thi
sti
mear
ound?”
Dali
su:“Weshouldputhimf i
rstandriskputt
ing
MaZondi andNgcebo’stwosonsi ndanger?Is
thatwhatyouwant?Baneleshouldbehappyat
apossibi
lit
yoft
heot herson’
sf amil
ybeingin
danger?Whohasdi edinwaiti
ng?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Banel
eisal
soourson-
”
Dali
su: “
Yey wena!MaSthole,itseemsthat
you’v
ef orgottenyourpl
aceandIcanseet hat
youhav eapr oblem wedon’tknowwi th
Ngcebo’swi fe.Whydon’tyouputi touti
nthe
openf orust oknow?IfIresentsomeoneIdon’ t
hideitandImakesur et
hatt heyknow.What ’
s
yourproblem? ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ihav
enopr
obl
em wi
thNandi
pha.
Iwant
-”
Dal
i
sucl
i
ckedhi
stongue.“
Doy
ouwanty
our
rel
ati
onshipwithNgcebot
obedestroy
edas
you’
rejeopardi
singt
hesaf
etyofhi
swifeand
chi
ldr
en? ”heasked.
Thembeli
hle:
“Nothi
ngcancomebetweenme
andNgcebo.He’smyson,Igav
ebir
thtohi
m
andther
e’snobodywhocansepar
ateus.
”
Dalisu:“
Idon’tknowwhathasgot tenov eryou.
Ifyou’r
enotgi v
ingoursonswr ongadvices,you
aredoingthingsyou’v
enev erdone.Andy ou
don’tsaywhat ’
smakingy oulikethisbuty ou
keepchanging.Thisisnott hewomanImar ri
ed.
Idon’tknowt hi
spersony ou’v
ebecome.Tsk! ”
hegotupf rom hischairandhel eftThembel i
hle
aloneinthelounge.Het ookhisphonef rom his
pockettocallNgcebobuthedi dn’
tanswerhi s
phone…
====
Ngcebosteppedinsi
dethesti
l
lqui
ethouse,he
wri
ggledhisheadaroundandhefi
gur
edt hey
wereal readysl eepi
ng…He’ dbeenwi th
Dalingcebo, fr
om hisfather’
shouse, hedi dn’t
feellikedrivi
ngt ohishouse.Hef ound
Dalingceboonhi swayoutt ot heair
por tandhe
optedt odr i
vehi mtotheairpor t
.Hedi dn’ttell
him any thi
ngabouthi sweddi ngwithNandi pha.
Butt heyonl yspokeaboutr andom thingsunt i
l
theyr eachedt heair
port…He’ dbeendi stracted
thewhol et i
mehewaswi thDal i
ngcebobutnow,
thathewashomet hewor r
ycamer ushingashe
recalledwhathadhappenedear li
er…He
neglectedhi sbodyont hecouchwi ththepl ate
offoodt hatbelongedtohim…
Shepushedherlipsfor
wardir
rit
atedthatshe
couldn’
tsl
eepbecauseNgcebowasn’ thome
andhisphonewasonv oi
cemail
.Sheplacedher
feetonthecol
df l
oorandsheplacedherhand
onherbell
yfeel
ingherbabykick.Shehissed.
“
There’snobodywhobother
smel i
key
our
f
ather.Ir
esentthi
spl
acebecausehej
ust
forget saboutusandhedoesn’ tevencar eto
i
nf orm met hathewon’ tbecomi nghome.I
can’ tev enbebl ithewhenIam i nthispl aceIam
most lygr umpy .Lov ecanbeacur sesomet i
mes
mychi l
dren.”Shev entedtot hechi ldrenwhi le
wal tzingbar efoott othedoorasmeanst oget
tot heki tchen.Shef el
therbodywasr estl
ess
andhowcoul di tnotbecauseshewas
compel ledt oplaywi thherchi ldrenont hey ard
unt i
l theyi nf
ormedheri twasenough.She
shookherheadwi thashor tsmi l
easshewas
takenback…Herwor r
iedey esr estedonhi s
backandshepl acedshecuf fedherf ullwaist
andherdi recti
onchanged.I twashi m, t
hatshe
want edt oseenowandal lshewant edt o
i
nqui reof ,waswhywashewasbot her i
ngher
thi
smuch?
“Youarenottir
ed,ar
ey ou?
”Nandiphaasked
placi
ngherhandonNgcebo’ sshoul
derto
balanceherbody.Hergoalwastositonthe
coff
eet abl
e.“Iwantt
osleepandIwantt
osleep
wheny ouarenexttome.”shesai
dpushi
ngthe
pl
ateoff oodthatwasonthetabl
e.Sher
est
ed
herbodyont hetabl
e.
NgceboheardNandiphaspeaki ngbuthedidn’
t
wanttospeakbecausehedi dn’
ttr
usthi
sv oi
ce
wouldn’
tbetr
ayhim andrev ealt
oherthathe
wasshadingaseaoft ears.Buthowwashe
goi
ngt oconceal
thi
sf r
om herbecauseshewas
j
usthereri
ghtherebeforehi m!
Nandipha:“
Rasta?”shecalledhim polit
elyas
shewasn’tpicki
ngupanycommentf rom
Ngcebobuthi sheadwasj ustforceddownwi th
hi
shandspr essedatthebackonhi sneck.A
dropofhistearsfel
lonhiswi f
e’sfeet.“Arey
ou
cryi
ng?”sheaskedpushinghi sshouldersback.
Ngcebo:“Youaresupposedtosleepi
ng.”He
saidbri
efl
yfor
cinghisshi
rtuptohisfaceto
wipetheenti
reface.
Nandipha:“Whyareyoucrying,Ngcebo?”she
str
essedandwi t
hinabli
nkofaney e,hereyes
werewat er
yandherhandswer eonherchest .
Ngceboinhaleddeepl
ywhi l
ehisfacewasst i
l
l
cover
edwi thhi
steeshir
t.“Ngcebo!Ngcebo! ”
shecall
edouthisnamer epeatedlyandher
handsshookhisshoulders.
Ngcebor emov edt heteeshi rtfr
om hi sfaceand
hestaredatNandi pha, bugey edthatshewas
cry
ingandf orwhatr easons?“ Hey ,
andwhyar e
youcryingnow?Comeher e.”Hepul led
Nandiphabyherhand, hi
sey est r
acedher
mov ementst i
l
l surpri
sedunt ilshewasseat ed
onhisleftthi
gh.“ Whyar ey oucr y
ing? ”heasked
onar athersoftvoice.
Nandipha:“Youarecrying!Whywouldy ousit
herealoneandcr y?DidIdosomethingwr ong?
Yousai dsomethingaboutmybehav iourbut
whatisit?Andy oushouldn’
tcry
.”She
respondedgazingintohiseyeswhil
eherseaof
t
ear
sfl
ewof
fherey
eswi
thoutst
oppi
ng.
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“Iwasn’tcry
ingsthandwa
sami.”Het
oldhermopingt hetear
sof fher
cheekswit
hhisteeshi
rtthathe’dtakenoffhi
s
body.
Nandi
pha:
“Iam notaf
ool
,Ngcebo.
”
Ngcebo: “Iwashav i
ngamomentofreflecti
on
andIf oundmy sel
fcryi
ng.Youknow,Rastakazi
totell
y outhetrut
hIdidn’
tmeantocryatall.
ButwhatcanIt el
lyou?It
hinky
ourhormones
brushedonme. ”
Nandipha:“Idon’
tbel
i
eveyou.What’
s
happening?WhatdidLangal
i
balel
esay?You’
ve
nevercri
edbecauseofthepast
.Youdon’tj
ust
cryanyhow.”
Ngcebo:“Yousai
dy ouwanttosleepwi t
hmei n
ourbed.Howaboutwej ustgetupf r
om thi
s
couchandwewi l
lrest?Youwon’tletthi
srest
evenaft
ertel
li
ngyouthatIwasr ef
lecti
ngonthe
past.We’vebeenthr
oughshi
ttogether
.Wipe
yourtearsbecauset
hey’
rest
ubborn.”Hesai
d
throwinghi
steeshir
tonthecouchandhe
l
ookedatherasshegi ggl
edmov i
ngherbutt
s
from him.
Nandipha:
“Youbot hermethough.
”Shenoti
fi
ed
hi
ml i
fti
nghisplateawayfr
om thecoff
eetabl
e
andshedashedawayf r
om hi
m.Ngcebo
l
aughedast heyfoll
owedeachothert
othe
ki
tchen…
Nandi
phalaidherbodyonherbedsi
de.“
When
ar
ewel eav
ing?”Sheasked.
Ngcebo:“Wewilll
eav
et omorr
ow.Idon’
thav
e
foul
smel l
Iam noteventhi
nki
ngoftaki
nga
shower.Howarethegirl
s?”
Nandi
pha: “
They’
redeadsleepi
ng.IthoughtI
wasgoingtotel
lyoutoputmet osleepbutI
can’
thaveyoursweatyuncleanpeni
s
penet
rati
ngmycleanv agi
naasy ouwillsl
eep
wi
thoutbat
hing.
”
Ngcebo: “
HAWU!WAI T,BABE,IWILLGO
SHOWER. ”Likeastr
okeofli
ghti
nghesprung
outofbedl eavi
ngNandi
phalaughi
ngher
pregnantlungsout
.
Nandiphashookherheadandl ai
dherheadon
thepil
lowasshenev erexpectedNgcebowoul d
beasuppr essedspri
ngatthement ionofsex.
“Hewascr yingnosolongagoandmydear
Lord,Iwonderwhywashecr yi
ng.Please,
ifhe
haswor ri
eshecan’tsharewithme, hel
phim
carrythem,dearGod.”Shepleadedwi t
hGod
shortl
yandshel ai
dstil
li
nwai ti
ngforNgcebo’
s
ret
urn…
Nandiphagiggledandwi pedNgcebo’
ssweat y
facesastheywer elayi
ngont hebedparal
lel
to
eachother.“Whyar eyoulooki
ngatmel i
kethat
now?You’v ehady ourbathandyou’
vedrugged
me.Iam sleepy .
”Shesaidtohim,sof
tly.
Ngcebowasl ookingatherwi t
hadiff
erent
emoti
oncloakedbehi
ndhisey
esandNandi
pha
coul
dn’
tputhermindaroundi
t.
Ngcebo:“
Howam Il
ooki
ngaty
ousdudl
a
sami?”
Nandi
pha:
“ Youarel
ookingatmel i
keyou’
ll
wakeupandIwi l
lbegone.”Shesai
dand
l
aughedwipinghi
ssweat ychestwi
thherhand.
Ngcebo:
“Whywoul
dyouwantt
obegonef
rom
me?”
Nandipha:“
Idon’tknowbuty oureyesar
e
l
ookingatmel i
keIam sickorsomet hi
ng.I
r
eall
ycan’tclar
if
yittoyou,Rasta.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iloveyou,
that
’swhyIam looki
ngat
youli
keIam now.Youcan’
tcram howIwill
l
ookatyouandIam hornyagain.Comeont op.
”
Nandiphagi
ggl
ed.“Thi
sbell
yismakingmel azy
thatIcanbeontop.
”Shesaidholdi
ngherbel l
y
andtheybothl
ookedatit
.Whensher aisedher
head,herey
esmetNgcebo’sinnocentsmile.
Ngcebo:
“You’
ll
beal azycowgirl.Youknowhow
Il
oveyouonthereservedposit
ionbuty ou’
l
lli
e
backonmebecausey oufeelsol azynow.
Come,st
handwasami ,Iwantyou. ”
Nandi phagi ggledsensel essl yandsher oseup
tositonNgcebo’ swai stasshef eltthatshe
washeav il
yt hr
obbi ngf rom hear inghi sv oi
ce
conv inceher .“
Ican’ tev enseewher eIam
directingthishumandi l
do. ”Shecomment ed
andNgcebol aughedl oudl y.Nandi phasmi led
withherhandhol ding‘hi m’ andshebegan
rubbingandr ubbi ngandr ubbi nghi sti
ponher
wetent r
ance.Shewast easi ngher selfwith
Ngcebo’ st umescentpeni sandshewasl oving
thef eeli
ngsshewasbl essingher selfwith.
Ngcebowashol dingherf ullwai stwi thhisey es
closedasheal lowedhert ohav et heamountof
funandt easingt hatshewant ed.Hegr oaned
deepl yasifitwasn’ tthesecondt i
mewhen
Nandi phaunexpect edlyshov edhi msel fonto
herwar m openi
ngsandheaccept edherback
thatshewasnegl ecti
ngonhisbody.Slowly
,
shecont r
oll
edallthemov ement
scommandi ng
him nottomov eandalltheecst
asyand
sati
sfacti
onwasonherhands…Shesuddenl y
roseupwi thvit
ali
tyandshecontr
oll
edhimt he
wayt hatsheknewNgcebowoul dappreciat
e
honestly,
fastandnasty…
Ngcebohel dhershoul dersti
ghtl
yf eel
ingher
bodyv ibrateasshe’ dcoll
apseditonhi s,af t
er
they’
ver eachedt hei
rsharpcli
max.“ Don’
tmake
thatmi stakeofj umpingoutofmypeni slikean
ungrateful bratbecauseyou’l
lnev ergeti
t
again.”Hewar nedheraf t
erhearingherrel ease
alongsi ght hathesuspect editwasherf amous
after
-sexpl easedsmi le.
Nandiphalaughed.“Youknowt haty
ou’l
lnever
dothatandIwasn’ tgoingtoj
umpout .Butt
his
snakeinsi
demest i
llf
eelshar
d.”Shesaidand
theyl
aughed.
Ngcebo: “It
’sinheavennoti nthegardenof
Edeneat i
ngf orbi
ddenf rui
tsfrom Eva.
”Hesai d
holdingherast heylaughed.Hecr awledback
sti
l
l holdi
ngherandl ockedinsidehervagina.
Hemanagedt olai
dherdownwi t
houtremov i
ng
hi
msel ffrom herinsides.Nandiphagiggledas
Ngcebobeganmov ingagain…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE23

“Whydoesitsoundli
key ouar
esleeping?”
Dali
ngceboaskedPalesaonthephone.Hewas
i
nsidetheUberthatwastaki
nghimt o‘thegr
il
l
house’
Palesa:
“Yes,
Iam sl
eepi
ng.Ihav
ebeenbusy
thewholeday.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Howcany
out
ell
met
hatbecause
ItoldyouIam comi ngthi
sweekend?Andy ou
aresleepi
ngnow. ”hisvoi
ceroseupsoundi
ng
rathermaddenedt hatPal
esawassleepi
ngbut
theyhadplansandsheknewaboutt heplans.
Hewasn’ tpr
eparedt obetol
dtogobackhome!
Pal
esa:
“No!Youwer
en’
tser
ious,
wer
eyou?
”
Dali
ngcebotor
mentedhisj
awandcl
osedhi
s
eyes.“
DoIlookli
keajoker
?”
Pal
esa: “
Please,
don’tgoal
lhar
donme.You
di
dn’tremindmet hi
smorningt
hatwehavea
dat
ebuty oucall
edtocheckonmei nt
he
morning.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“It
’sSat
urday
.”
Palesa:“WhereshouldImeetyou?Di dy ou
dri
ve?”sheaskedandgotupf rom herbed.She
wasal lal
oneinthehouseshelefthersoni nher
fat
her’shouseasshe’dbeentherefrom
mor ni
ngtil
ll
ate.Whenshewasl eaving
Phemel oaskedtostaybehi
ndandPal esa
all
owedhimt o.Shehadbeensleepi
ngsi
nce
sheretur
ned.Andnow,shefiguredi
twoul
dbe
rudetotel
lDali
ngcebotol
eave…
Dal
ingcebosi
ghed.“
No,Idi
dn’
tdr
ive.It
oldy
ouI
washav i
ngabusymorni
ng.
”
Palesa: “
Ee!That ’
swhaty ousaidt
omeandy ou
di
dn’tment i
onyou’
llsti
ll
comeandI
automat icallyt
houghtyouwerenotcomi ng.
”
Sher ecalledandunf ast
enedtheknotofher
bl
ackshor tgown.Shetappedherfeetonthe
fl
oorf astert ogett
ot hebat
hroom towashup
prett
yf ast.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Andwhydi
dn’
tyouask?
”
Pal
esa:
“Mymindt
oldmet
hatmay
bey
ouwer
e
j
oki
ngabouti
t.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Iwil
lbeatthegr
il
lhousewai
ti
ng
foryouify
oudon’twantmyUbertodri
vet
o
yourhousetogetyou.
”
Pal
esa:
“No,
Iwi
l
lgett
her
eonmyown.Don’
t
wor
ry.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Don’
tbel
ong.Idon’
tli
ket
obe
keptwait
ing.
”
Palesa:
“Ao!Arey ouawoman? ”shestepped
i
nsidehercryst
al whit
een-sui
tbat
hroom wi t
h
greyi
shcryst
alti
ledwal l
s.Shej
oggedtot he
roundcryst
alwhitetubandsheopenedt he
wateraft
erdroppinghergownont hefl
oor .
Dal
ingcebochuckl
ed.“
No,
butIam aman.
”He
t
oldherwhatsheknew.
Palesa:
“Yes,andmenwai tforwomennott
he
otherwayround.Getof
fthephonewithme
nowIshouldt akemybath.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Whydon’ twetal
kwhil
eyouar
e
washingyourbody?”heaskedandhi
svoi
ce
t
urnedcompl et
elycyni
cal
.
Pal
esashookherheadwit
hli
ghtsmil
e.“Emisa
gobuaontshenyet
sanako!
”(St
optal
kingyou
ar
ewasti
ngmyt i
me)sheexclai
medwithout
gi
vi
ngastrai
ghtfor
wardresponseandshe
whol
ehear
tedl
ylaughed.
Dali
ngcebo:“Iam l
uckybecauseIknowwhat
youmeanandIwi l
lhangupj usttogiveyou
ti
me.Ihopey ou’l
lbelooki
ngl ovel
ybutdon’t
taketoolongpreeni
ngy our
sel fi
t’
sjustacasual
date.
”
Palesat i
tteredandsher emovedherphone
from herear .Sheinvi
tedherleginsi
dethetub
ofwar m wat erandherentir
ebodyr el
axed
i
nsidet het ub.Shewonderedi fshehadto
preenher selfjustt
ospitehi
m orshehadt o
takehisadv i
ce?Sherosehersl i
m bodyfr
om
thetubwi thadeci si
on…
Shet i
edthethi
ckyell
owstri
ngofherredflare
highwaistski
rtt
hatwasbeneaththeknee.She
checkedhermakeupandshesmi l
edsati
sfied
thatshe’
dpreenhersel
fperf
ectl
y.Heryel
low
suedestil
ett
oedfeetcrawl
edoutofherhouse
mar chi
ngtoherredRenaul
tArkanathatwas
par
kedinsi
dethegarage.Sheopenedt
hedoor
andshedroveoutofthegarage…
Dalingcebostoodupf r
om hischairashesaw
theladywalkupt oherl ookinggorgeous.He
smiledandr ushedt othechairopposit
ehi m as
Palesawasst andingnextt othechairwithout
pull
ingittositdown.“ Youmaysi t
, mam.”He
saidtoPalesapolitelyandshesatdown.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youl
ookamazi
ng.
”
Pal
esa:
“Idi
dtheopposi
teofwhaty
ousai
d.”
Dal
ingcebo:“Il
i
ket heopposi
teandl
ook,
Ihav
e
or
deredy ourwine.
”
Pal
esa:
“Andwhot
oldy
ouknowIl
i
ket
hisone?
”
Dali
ngcebo: “
Ihavemyway s.Wecanhav ethe
star
tersthatIhavealreadyorder
edwhilewe
waitfortherealorder
.”Hesaidandr ai
sedhis
handf orthewaitr
esst ogi
vethem serv
ice.
Pal
esa:
“Iwasgoi
ngt
ofai
nti
fyouhav
eor
der
ed
t
hemai
ncour
seaswel
l
.”
Dali
ngcebochuckl
ed.“
No,Iam notl
i
ket
hatand
Iknowwhatthatmeans.”
Pal
esa:“
It
’sbet
terifyouknowanddon’tworryI
won’
tkeeppushingaboutthewi
ne.Iwil
ljust
gl
adl
yhavethewi neandthest
art
ers.
”
Dalingcebogaveherasleepysmil
eherwords
awakenedpl easurei
nhim.Hewasn’tr
eall
y
preparedtobei nt
err
ogat
edaboutthewine.
“Wher e’
sthebigguy?”Heaskedaft
ert
hey ’
ve
placedtheiror
der.
Palesa:“HeaskedthatIleavehim withhis
grandfat
herandfamily.
”Shef iguredaft
erher
responsethatshewassel li
ngherselfnow.She
wasn’tsupposedtotellhimthatPhemel o
wasn’tinherhouse.Buthewoul dn’tdareto
requesttogotoherhouseaf t
erthis,
wouldhe?
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Oh!Doy
ouenj
oyl
i
vingal
one?
”
Pal
esa:
“Yes,
don’
tyouenj
oyi
t?”
Dali
ngcebo:“Notreall
y.Ihav
eli
vedalonef
or
toolongbutit
’sbetternowbecauseIgetf
ull
y
companyf r
om myson. ”
Palesa:
“Hisnannyl et
sy oubathhi
m now?”she
askedandl aughed,Dali
ngcebojoi
nedaft
erher
.
Theysmi l
edaf t
erlaughi
ngwi t
hthei
reyes
cravi
ngeachot her.
Dali
ngcebo:
“ Hmm!Hmm!Shedoesn’ tbutshe
doesletmesl eepwi
thhi
mi fIwantt
osleep
wit
hatnight.Ithi
nkshe’
stooupti
ght
.”
Pal
esa:“Shecar
es.AndIr
eal
l
ydi
dn’
tthi
nky
ou’
l
l
come.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Aboyfr
iendgottocheckhis
gi
rl
fri
end.”Hesai
dcreepi
nghislef
thandtotake
aholdofherhandandPalesa’
seyeslookedat
hi
shand.
Pal
esa:
“Yes,
fri
endsneedt
hat
.”
Dal
ingcebolaughed.“
Youcanpl
aythegameI
won’tchasebutIwil
lj
ustf
oll
owthr
oughinmy
ownpace.
”Heinf
ormedherandPal
esa
changedt
hesubj
ect
…
“Ihadagoodt i
mewithyouandIcandri
vey ou
tothehotel
.”Pal
esasai
dtoDali
ngceboasthey
mar chedt
oPalesa’
scaraf
tert
heirf
undinner
date.
Dali
ngcebohadhi sphoneonhi shand.“Youare
notrushi
ngt oyourbed,ar
ey ou?Iwouldn’t
mindifwecanspendaf ewmi nutesi
ny ourcar
.
Iwon’tbegoingtothehotelbutIam goingto
Banele’
splace.Heinvi
tedme. ”
Palesa:“Wecan.”Sheagreedtoitandopened
hercar.Theybothhoppedinatthebackoft he
carasDal i
ngcebohadsuggested.Dalingcebo
pushedt hefr
ontseatsfor
wardtogiv ethem
somer oom inthecarandPalesatookof fher
heels.Shesatcomfortabl
ywithherlegsf ol
ded
ont heseat…
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Idon’
tbi
te.
”Hesai
dshi
ft
ingt
o
givethecarwi ndowhisbackandpulledPal
esa
tohisar ms.Shedi dn’
tprot
estasshewasbei ng
pull
ed.Dal ingceboheldheri
ntohisarmsjustto
feelherpr esenceandsmel l
hersweetscent…
Lazil
y,theyconv er
sedandall
owedthehitof
thei
rbodi est okeepthem warm onthechi
ll
y
Saturdayni ght…
“…But ,it
’snousedwel l
i
ngi nthepast .
”Palesa
saidt oDal i
ngceboandsher ai
sedherheadt o
l
ookathi m asshecoul dfeel t
heheav inessof
hisey es.Thel i
ghtsfrom t heparkinglotwere
gracingt hem insi
dethecarandseei ngherey es,
Dalingcebohel dherchi nandhel aidhisli
psto
restonherl i
ps.Hishandl oosenedupont he
chinandi theldhersmoot hcheekast heirli
ps
exchanged.Herf reehandhel dont ohisbroad
arm ashi sl i
psintoxi
catedherandshe
appr eci
atedal lt
hehei ghtenedemot i
onsand
herhear twoof edandwoof edrepeatedlyas
thei
rt onguesgr azed…
“Thisisnotf ri
endshipbutarelati
onshipandwe
cangl adlytakeitatyourpace.”Dali
ngcebo
whisper edintoherearasshe’dhiddenherf ace
i
ntohi schestaf tershe’
dbrokentheirkisst
hat
shef eltwasgoi ngtoletheremotionsgo
‘
rogue’ andt hatwasnotwhatshewant ed…
Palesadi dn’tcomment …
~~~~~~~
“Wel ovedt hesongandy oursoot hingv oi
ce
Nandi pha, i
tgotpeoplewi shingtohearmor eof
you.Whatcany ousayaboutt hat?I sthere
hope? ”Ther adioDJaskedNandi phawhowas
seatedopposi t
ehim alongwi thMuj oona
Fridayafternoonoftheirradioi nterv i
ew.
They ’
vebeenaskedbasi csoft hei ntervi
ewon
howdi dtheycomeaboutt omaket hesong
together,howwaswor kingt ogether ?Howt hey
tackledpr oblems?Andt het woanswer ed
honest l
yt hattheywerebr oughtt oget herbya
voicenot e…
Nandi
pha:
“Ther
e’sdef
ini
tel
ynohope.
”
“
AWWWW! ”TheDJandMujodisappoi
ntedat
t
her
esponseNandi
phadi
shed.
Nandiphatit
tered.“Iam marri
edtoamusi cian
andIhav eseenhowdemandi nghiscareeris.I
can’ti
maginehowourchi l
drenwouldfeelifwe
canbet hoseparentswhowoul dbeawayas
oft
enashedoes.Bei ngamot hercomesf i
rstto
mebef orebeingawi feandbeforebei
ngan
author.
”Sher epl
ied.
DJ:
“Butsomepeopl
emakei
twor
k.”
Nandiphalaughed.“ Yes,andthey’
redoinga
greatjobbutIcan’t.Thosefiv
ecamei ntomy
l
ifeli
keat ornadoandt heychangedev eryt
hing
i
nmyl if
e.Ialwayshav etoputthem fi
rst.And
i
t’sbettert
hatIsticktowhatIdobestwhi chis
writi
ngbecauseIam notupf oranykindof
foray.
”Sher epl
iedpolit
ely.
DJ:
“It
hinkweal
lcanunder
standt
hatbecause
beingamot heri
sautomatical
l
ytakinganoath
andt hesong!Whatdoesitmeant oyou,
Mujo?
Youhav easonandIt hi
nkweal l
knowy our
storyofhowy ouhaditdi
ffi
cul
tgrowingup.
”
Mujo:“ThissongmeansalottomeandIhave
beenfocusedongivi
ngmysonal if
ethatI
neverhad.Iwanthi
mt oknowthatnot
hingi
s
i
mpossi bl
eintheworl
dofdreamsand
dreamingiswhatkeepsusali
ve.I
t’
swhatkept
meal i
ve.”
DJ:“That
’str
uebecausemostofusar ehere
becauseofdreams.Andthesong,ther
ecomes
thenegati
vi
ty.Howdidyoutakeitwhenyou
weresaidtotakePri
nceTee’
sshine?”heasked
l
ookingatMuj oandNandi
phalast.
Muj o:“Itdidn’
tcomehardbecausewear eboth
i
ndi fferentlanesbuti
nonegenreandIcan’t
reall
yal way sbeworri
edaboutwhatpeoplesay.
I
tdi dn’treall
ygettomebadbecauseIwas
doingmywor k.”
Nandi
pha:“Itkindafeltbadthatt heysaidhe
wasusingmet odivertthei
rattentionbutIj
ust
t
oldmy sel
fthey ’
redif
ferentbrandsandwor king
i
ndependently.Itnocompet i
ti
onbuti t
’swor
k.”
DJ:“Andwecanseet hatyou’
veeat
enr awfl
our
.
What ’
scookingint
here?Iam connecti
ngthi
sto
thesong,whatdoesitmeant oyou?Butlet
’s
star
tabouttherawflour.Arewebakingorwe
arejustgai
ning?
”
Theyal l
laughedinstudi
oandNandi phashook
herhead.“Ididn’
tknowt hatwaspar tofthe
song.”Shecomment edandt heylaughed.They
haven’tannouncedherpr egnancywithNgcebo
andshedi dn’tf
eell
ikeit
.
DJ:
“It
’safol
lowupquest
ionsi
ncewe’
vehad
t
hatcover
.”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Uhm!Wear ejustgai
ning
andnorawfloureat
en.
”Sherepl
iedknowing
shedi
dn’twanttodowhatt
heydidn’tagr
eeon
anddidn’
tevendiscuss…Theyl aughedinstudi
o
asshewasdodgi ngtheobv i
ous.“Butthesong
meansev er
ythi
ngtomeandt hefactt
hatI
cont
ri
butedinwr i
ti
ngit.That
’sjustacherr
yon
topofbei
ngpr oud.
”Sher epl
ied…
TheDJt henmov edwi ththeint
erv
iewandthey
highli
ghtedont henewsong.Andt hehi
ghli
ght
ofNandi phawr i
ti
ngthewhol esecondsonghad
l
istenerskeenandl ongingtohearthesong.
Theysangt hechorusoft heupcomingsong
andi ntheiri
nterv
iewt heydodgethe
compr omi si
ngquestions…
“Thankyousomuch, wor ki
ngwi t
hy ouhave
beenabl essi
ngandi t
’ssadt hatyoudon’twant
peopletohearmor eofy ourvoice.Youdon’t
j
ustsingmusi cbutyoual sowr i
teit.
”Mujosaid
toNandiphaast heywalkedt othepar ki
ngl
ot
aft
ertheirsuccessf
ulradiointervi
ewonaFr i
day
aft
ernoon.
Nandi
pha:
“It
hinkt
heygott
hatbei
ngamot
her
formecomesfi
rstandIr
eal
l
ycan’
taf
for
dto
havesuchacar
eer.
”
Muj o:
“ Yeah.Goodl uckandt hankf orpushing
forthi
si nterview.
”Hesai dandt heyshar eda
bri
efhugast hey’
vereachedt hecars…
Nandiphahoppedi nsideNgcebo’ sPor scheand
shedr ovei toutoftheparkinglot.Shef eltt
he
rel
iefthatshe’ ddonethatintervi
ewandi twas
outofherway …
Shest eppedoutt hecarandshemar ched
i
nsidet hehousewi thherear salr
eadygr aced
bythenoi seofherchi ldr
en.Theirtinysharp
l
aught erfil
l
edt heroom wi t
htheirfather’
sbass
behindt hem andshesuspect edt hatNgcebo
wasr unningaftert hem…Nandi phagi ggl
edas
Ntokomal owashi dingbehindherl ongbl ue
str
etchymat er
nitydr esswithlongsl eeves.
“MAMA!”Thandolaughedassher
antoher
motherandherst
epshadhermotherworr
ied
shewasgoingtofal
lbutshedi
dn’
tfal
lshe
l
andedonherl
egs.
Nandi
pha:
“It
’sapar
tyher
e.”
Ngcebo:
“Wewer
eexer
cisi
ngi
nyourabsent
.”
Buhl
e:“
Thinaf
uthi
beshikul
alel
eukhul
uma
mama.”(Wewereli
steni
ngtoyou)
Ot
her
s:“
EHE!KURADI
O”
Nandiphasmiledandshelookedatthei
rfat
her
shortl
yknowinghewast heonewhocouldhave
tunedinontheradi
o.“Real
ly?YouheardwhatI
wassay i
ng?YourmotherwasspeakingEngli
sh,
phela.
”Sheasked.
Thegi
rl
sgi
ggl
ed.“
EHESHI
ZWI
LE!
”
Ngcebo: “
Ewu, li
es!AndIdidn’
tsayy oushout
tel
lyourmot herthatwelist
enedtoher .You
naughtyrats!
”heexclaimedandt appedhi sf
eet
ontheirdir
ectiontoscarethem.Thegi rl
s
l
aughedandt heypushedeachot hertogetto
thei
rmot her’
sback.“Whydi dyoudodget he
quest
ionabouteat
ingrawf
lour?”Heasked
pul
li
nghersingl
eearandhekissedherbri
efl
y.
Nandi pha:“Wedidn’tagreeonannouncingthe
pregnancy .Whoev erseesitwil
lj
ustseeit.I
t’
s
betterthatwaybecausenotev ery
thi
ngshould
beannounced, r
ight?”sheaskedwi t
hhereyes
l
ooki ngathim ashewaspul li
ngthechil
dren
behindherdr essandt heyweregiggli
ng.
Ngcebo: “Yes.Daddy’spr i
ncesses, goandsi t
down.Iwantt ogowi t
hy ourmot hertoour
room. ”heinstr
uctedthegi rlsshowi ngthem t he
wayt othecouches’ si
deandt heypushedeach
otherforwardwi t
houtanypr otest…Ngcebo
heldNandi pha’
shandaf tercal li
ngoutf orThul a
tocomet othechildr
en.“ Ihavebeent hi
nking
abouty ourmor ni
ngtweett heonet hatsay s
‘
Invit
ingthepowerofy ourpr ofessionintoy our
rel
ati
onshi pistheendofi t
.’
”Hel ookedather
shortl
yast heycli
mbedt hest air
stakingt hem
totheirroom.
Nandi
pha:
“Whataboutt
het
weet
?”
Ngcebo: “
ItgotmethinkingthatImighthave
donet hatev ent
houghi tdi
dn’tfi
ndpowerto
destroyourr el
ati
onshipbutthefactthatmy
careerisabi gcontr
ibutorofourexpendit
ureis
somet hingthatIwaswr ongt obri
ngup.”
Nandipha:“Butwearenolongert
her
eandI
di
dn’thaveusi nmindwhenIwrotet
hat
.Itwas
j
ustsomet hingIhadinmind.
”
Ngcebo: “
Iam notsay i
ngyouwer edir
ectingi
t
tous.”hesaidopeningthedoort otheirroom
andheent er
edtheroom f i
rst.Nandipha
fol
lowedbehind.Theysatont hebed.“Wehav e
uniquerol
esinourlivesit
’sjustthatsomet i
mes
Ican’thel
pbutfeelli
keIam notgi vi
ngy ou
enoughofmy self
.”headded.
Nandipha:
“No,Iappr
eciat
ethatyouarea
part
nerwhodoesn’tt
rytooverpowerme
becauseIam y
ourwife.Wehav eourf
laws,
you
havey oursandIhav eminebutIdon’ tfear
expressingmyf eel
ingstoyoubecauseIknow
youar einclusi
veofmeasy ourwife.There’
sno
‘
Yourwor disfinal’
Iappreciatet
hatIdon’ thav
e
toalway sheart hatyouaret hemani nthis
house.Ibel i
evewear ej
ustt wopeoplei na
rel
ationshipwithnoneedt oexpresspowerand
Iwil
l al
way sneedy ouNgceboast hef atherof
mychi ldren,asmyhusband, andasmy
part
ner .”
Ngcebosmi ledl
ooki ngather.“Iam
appreciativeofy ouandhowy ou’
vebeennot
j
ustmypar tnerbuty ouarebehindmywor k.
Howy oust ayupl atewithmeandwescr ibble
songs,fightaboutwho’ srightandwho’swr ong
andatt heendoft henightwecomeupwi th
greatstuf f
.”Hesai dt oherandpeckedher
smili
ngl ips.Hel ookedatherandhef el
tal i
tt
le
worrycr eepingin, he’
dbeenwor r
iedsi
ncehi s
parentsr efusedt ogetthem mar ri
ed.Hedidn’t
knowwhatthismeantbecauseevenaf
terhe’
d
secr
etl
yconsult
edhesawnot hi
ng.
Nandipha:“
Okay
,youar
edoi
ngi
tagai
n.What
’s
happening?
”
Ngcebo:
“Whatam Idoi
ng?
”
Nandi
pha:
“You’
regi
vi
ngmet
hoseey
es.
”
Ngcebo:
“No,
Igoty
ousomet
hing.
”
Nandipha:“
No, l
etmegof i
rstbecauseIhav e
somethingthatwil
lmakeyouhappy .
”Shesai d
del
ightedl
ybutherheartj
erkedasshef ear
edhe
mightturnthi
sideadownaf t
ereveryt
hingthat
happened.
Ngcebo:
“Okay
,tel
lmewhati
tis.
”
Nandipha:“Iknowt hatthi
syearyouarenot
rel
easinganyal bum butyou’
vebeendoing
moregi gsandt our
ing.AndIam real
lynot
thi
nki
ngofbei ngasi ngerIwasjusttaki
nga
chanceoftestingthewat er
s.Butlet
’shavean
album togetherjustonepieceofof feri
ngfr
om
youandI .”Ngcebol ookedatherandhef ol
ded
hisli
pswi thoutsayinganything.Nandiphakept
herey esfi
xedonhi m wi
thherhear traci
ng
givi
ngherar ushofwar m blood.Shewas
hopinghewasn’ tgoingtobet hatNgcebothat
wasj ustgoingbl ur
tcraptohernow.
Ngcebo:
“Youar
enotser
ious,
right
?”
Nandipha:“Iam seri
ous!Iknowanal bum
toget
herwillbeexpectedt obeal laboutlove
butwewon’ tjustdolovesongsbutwewi l
l
constr
uctthealbum toper f
ectionandi twill
defi
nit
elybeabang!I fIhavet osingwi t
hy ou
thi
sonceIdon’ twantjustamer esong, ortwo
butIwantawhol ebondedcr aft
.Thiswi ll
bemy
wayofsay i
ngIam sor ryforhurti
ngy ou.”
Ngcebohel
dherf aceandhi sli
psencounter
her
sintoar
av enouskiss.Nandiphadidn’
t
wastet
imeandshedi dn’tcareifhewasjust
ki
ssi
ngherrandoml yl
i
keheenj oy eddoi
ngbut
shedi dn’tjustwantar andom kiss.She
discardedhi svestfrom hisbodyandNgcebo
al
lowedhert o.Knowi nghi swaythrought he
dressshewaswear ing,Ngcebosenthi shand
atherbackandheunbut tonedthebut t
onofher
dress…Bot hnakedandr eady,Ngcebol i
ftedher
l
egsandhepl acedthem onhi sshoul ders.He
i
nv adedherpr ivacyandNandi phacl osedher
eyesal lowinghi mt otakef ul
lcontroloftheir
l
ov i
ngmaki ng.Ngcebo’ sheadlookedupashi s
pacet ightened…
Nandi
phasmil
ed.“Thatwasdef i
nit
elynoton
t
heplans.
”Shecomment edlooki
ngathi m as
t
heylai
dparal
l
eltoeachother.
Ngceboexhal ed.“
Iwasjustki
ssi
ngy ouandyou
gotcarri
edaway .AndIli
keyourwayofasking
forfor
giveness.Wewill
wor kt
ogether.
”He
winkedather .
Nandi
phagiggl
ed.“
That’
sawesomeandwhat
doyouhaveforme?”sheasked.
Ngcebo:“
Imadeaninvestmentforyou…”he
tol
dheral
laboutt
heinvestmentandhesawher
pri
cel
esssmil
eshowingonherf ace.
Nandipha:“Ha!Rast
a, Idon’
tknowwhattosay .
Thanky ou…Thanky ou…Thanky ou…”shegave
her‘
thanky ou’i
narowaccompani edbykisses.
Ngcebol aughedandhel dherf
acetostopher
now.“Ah!Yini!
”
Ngcebo:“You’
llgetcar
ri
edawayonceagain.
”
Hesaidandst r
etchedhisarmtotakehi
s
ri
ngi
ngphonet hatwasont hebedsi
dedrawer
.
Hesatupst r
aightandheanswered
Dali
ngcebo’
sphonecal l
.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Howar
eyou,
ndoda?
”
Ngcebo:“Iam al
lgoodandhowareyou?Ahhh!”
hesighedandplacedhi
shandonNandipha’
s
headasshehadhermout hcover
inghi
spenis.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Whatarey oudoi
ngovert
here?We
ar
ecomi ngtoJohannesburgandwewil
l
obviousl
ycometoy
ourhouse.Ar
ey ouhomeso
thatIwil
lmakemyotherpl
ansi
fyou’r
enot
home? ”
Ngcebo:“
Eh…Whyar
eyoucomi
ngt
oJozi
and
who’s‘
we’?”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Wear eheadi
ngtoMthi
mkhulu’
s
house.I
t’
sme, andourpar
entsal
ongwit
haunt
Nomkhosi.Wewi l
lhaveameeti
ngwit
h
Mthimkhulut
omor r
owmor ni
ng.
”
Ngcebo: “
Oh!Ey,
myv r
ouandourgirlswear e
outandaboutinPretori
a.Wearenoti nour
house.”Heli
eddeli
beratel
yandNandi pharose
herheadtolookathim wit
hasurpriselookon
herface.‘
Don’
tstop,babe!
’hewhispered.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
Ngcebo:“No,we’l
lbegonef orthewhole
weekendandIcan’ tcancelbecauseIhaveput
mymoneyi nt
hesepl ans.Butyou’
lldr
ivet
o
Banel
e’splacetotakemyspar ehousekey sand
y
oucanoccupyt
hehouse.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Alr
ightt
hen.IguessIwon’
tbeable
t
ododgethem i
fthegir
lsarenoti
nthehouse.
”
Hesai
dandNgcebolaughed.
Ngcebo:“
Sti
cktothepl anbaf
o.”He
encour
agedandDal i
ngcebosupported,
they
hungupthecall
afterthei
rgoodbye.Ngcebo
thr
ewthephoneont hebedandhel aidbackto
giv
eallhi
satt
enti
ont oNandipha…
“Whydidyoulie?Let
’sgoandshower
.”
NandiphaaskedNgcebowhenshewasdone
servi
ci
nghim andshegotofft
hebedbutt
naked.
Ngcebo: “Ididn’
tli
ebutwearegoingtoPretori
a
j
ustf orfun.”Hesaidtaki
nghisphonetotexthi
s
assistanttomaket hearr
angementsfort
hem
becausehewasi nnomoodt oentert
ainhis
parents.
Nandi
pha:
“Ican’
tsaynot
ofunbutai
n’
tyou
spendingtoomuchnow?Wear esti
llgoi
ngto
havetodrivedowntoKZNfortheri
tualt
hat
costsmoney .
”shel
ookedbacksensinghe
wasn’tfol
l
owingherandhewasbusyonhi s
phone.
Ngcebo:“No,babe.Don’tworryaboutyour
husband’
spocketbutgett othebathroom t
o
runthewaterIwil
ljoinyoushortl
y.Andyou
won’tbegoingwithmeandt hegi r
ls.
”He
repl
iedwi
thoutlookingatherbuthisphone.
Nandi
pha:“Ah!Why?Whowill
lookaft
ermy
babi
esbecauseyou’l
lbewi
thyourf
amily?You
can’
ttel
lmethey’
ll
bealonewit
hThula.
”
Ngcebo: “
Theritualwill
behel di
ngrandpa’s
houseandt hatmeansIwi l
lbegoingtherewith
them.Andy ou’l
lstaybehind.”Hesaidand
threwhisphoneont hebedashisassistanthad
agreedtomakepl ansforthem.Hepushed
Nandiphatothebat hroom.
Nandi
pha:
“Whyam Ist
ayi
ngbehi
nd?
”
Ngcebo: “You’
llstaybehindjusttohav eyour
rest.Yousee,Itoldy ourunthewat erandnow
wesupposedt obei nsidetheshower .
”Hesaid
withoutdwelli
ngonnotgoi ngtoKZNwi t
hher.
Hedi dn’
twantt ogohomewi t
hherbecause
therewasnoneedf orhertogot herei
nhi sey
es
andso, he’ddecidedhewasgoi ngtoleaveher…
Theyst
eppedinsi
det
heshowerandNandi
pha
st
oodbehindhim.
Nandi
pha:
“Don’
tlett
hewat
erbet
oohot
.”
Ngcebo:“
You’l
lst
ay,
right
?”heaskedgi
vi
ngt
he
showergelt
oher.
Nandipha:“
Yes,
Iwill.
”Sherepli
edandthey
showedupmaki ngcrazynoiseofsi
ngi
ngand
senselessf
ununti
ltheyweredoneshowering…
“
There’st
hismovi
eIwaswat chi
nganditgot
methinki
ngaboutt
hefutur
e.”Nandi
phasaidt
o
Ngceboastheyweredr
essingupforther
oad
i
nsi
dethecl
oset.Ngcebowasbusyf
ixi
ngt
he
l
acesofhi
ssneakers.
Ngcebo:“
Whati
saboutandwhatar
eyour
t
houghts?
”
Nandipha: “
It
’sacoupl ewhoputi tinwr it
ing
whowasgoi ngt otakecust odyoft heirchildren
shouldtheydie.Itgotmet hinkingt hatwedon’ t
knowwhatcanhappent omor rowandi twoul d
bebestt hatweaskt hegi rl
swhocant heywi sh
tostaywi t
h,shouldmom anddadgoonal ong
tri
p.Andwecanal sowr i
tetheper sonwepr efer
totakethem intothei rcustody .”sheshar edher
thoughtsbutshedi dn’ thearacommentf rom
Ngceboasshewasseat edont hechai rnow
fi
xingherhead.Shet ur nedbackt ol ookat
Ngcebobecausehewasqui et
.Hewasno
l
ongerconcent rati
ngont helacesbuthewas
l
ookingatherdi rectionf eeli
ngnegat i
vetowhy
wouldshet alkl
iket his?“ Whyar ey ouquietbut
l
ookingatmel i
ket hat ?”sheaskedandst ood
upt
olookf
orhersandal
s.
Ngcebo:
“Whywoul
dyouj
ustt
hinkabout
deat
h?”
Nandipha:“
It’
sthemov i
ethatgotmethi
nking
andthatfoundapl aceinmyhear t
.Wecan’t
contr
ol t
hefuturebutthatdoesn’
tmeanwe
shouldn’
tplanforthefutur
eandit’
simport
ant
thatweplanourbabi es’f
utur
e.”
Ngcebo:“
Iam i
nnomoodt
otal
kaboutdeat
h.
Justf
ixbagsf
orus.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Hawu,
Ngcebo,
it’
snott
alki
ngabout
deat
h-”
Ngcebo:“No,Nandi pha,
Iam notpl
anning
anyt
hingandwr it
inganythi
ngatthi
sstage
aboutdeath.Idon’tknowwhywouldy outal
k
l
ikethi
s.”
Nandi
pha:
“It
’sj
ust
-”
Ngcebo:
“Justpackanddon’
tbr
ingt
hisup
again.Iwi
ll
got el
lThulat
ofixtheluggagefor
thegirl
s.Wewillhavetol
eaverightaway.
”he
saidandlef
ttheclosetwi
thoutwaiti
ngfor
Nandipha’
sresponse.
Nandipha:“Hawu!”shedi
sappoi
ntedasshe
di
dn’texpectthat
…
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hecoul dn’tevencomebackbutheknowst hat
wear einsidehishouse.Pr etor
iaisnotevenfar
.
It
’snotliket hey’
rei
nanot herprovi
nce.”
Thembel ihl
ecompl ainedtoherhusbandona
Saturdaymor ni
ng.Theywer edrivi
ngto
Mt himkhulu’shousef ort
hemeet ing.Dal
isu
wasdr ivi
ngt hecarandThembel i
hlewasseated
ont hepassengerseatwi ththeirguards’
car
dri
v i
ngbef orethem andDal i
ngcebowasdr iv
ing
atthebackwi thauntNomkhosi .
Dali
su:“Hewaswrongt
odothat.Theywere
supposedtocomebackwi
ththechil
drennott
o
st
ayov
ert
her
eli
kewear
enoti
nthehouse.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Andevenaf
terIhavecall
edhim
hetoldmet heywon’
tbecomi ngback.
”She
commentedandcl i
ckedhertongue.Dal
isu
accompaniedherbycli
cki
nghi st
ongueafter
her.
Dal
isu:“
Ukudelelanjelent
oay enzi
leuNgcebo
nomfaziwakhekuy acacaukuthiakazange
amboniseukut
hi kukwey i
salokhu.
”(What
Ngcebodidisdisrespectf
ulandit’
sclearhi
s
wif
edidn’
ttel
lhimt hat)
Thembel ihl
e:“
Ubezobeexakwey i
ni?Bazikahl
e
ukuthiizi
nganeasihlal
inazothi
nanoma
besekhay aazi
ziesgodlwenikodwahhay i
wagol i
z’bhadiuNgceboukuthinjebabuye
sizobonanezingane.”(
Whywoul dshehav e
bothered?Theyknowt hatwedon’ tseethegir
ls
regular
lyandNgcebor efusedbluntl
ytocome
backwi ththechil
drensothatwecanseet hem)
Dali
su:“Nayeumfaziwakhel
oukhulelwe
askazesimboneminangimbonanjengoba
skhulumalendabakaVusuzul
u.”(Andevenhi
s
pregnantwi
fe,wehaven’
tseeher.Ionl
ysaw
herbecauseofVusuzul
u’smatt
er)
Thembeli
hle:
“Nakhoukut
hiaf
onelewena
Ndabezi
thaangafonel
imi
naukut
hathaphi
lokho?
Yi
niley
o?”(Andwhydidshecal
lyounotme? )
Dalisu:“Alikhokeiphuthal aphoangithingi
wu
babezal awakheangi sonai slwane?Umf owet hu
l
oobekumel engikhulumenay e.Akenzanga
phut halaphongobaangi kazingithi
angangi shay el
eucingo.”(Therewasnomi stake
therebecauseIam herf at
heri n-
law.I
t’
smy
brothert hatIwassupposedt ospeakt o.AndI
nev ersaidsheshoul dn’
tcal lme.)Hesai dt
oher
clearly
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tknowi
t’
sdonel
i
ket
hat
.”
Dal
i
sudi
dn’
tcommentf
urt
herbuthest
opped
thecarinsidetheMthimkhulur esi
dencethat
they
’vereached.Theyst eppedoutoft hecar
andfoll
owedeachot hertofrontdoor.Mnotho
wasn’twiththem buttheywer ehereonhis
behalf
.Theydi dn’
tseeitasappr opri
atetobri
ng
him…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE24

“It
hinkwhatwewi l
ltal
kaboutismydaught er
spendingmonthsi
ny ourhomest eadwi
thout
confi
rmingwit
hme. ”Mthimkhulusaidt
oaunt
Nomkhosi asshe’
dsaidthattheywereinhis
homet ospeakaboutHappiness.
Happi
ness:
“Baba,
please,
Itol
dyouaboutt
hat
.”
Mthi
mkhul
u:“Iam nott
alki
ngtoyou,
Happiness
andi
t’
sbet
terthatyoul
eavethi
stabl
ebecause
Iwi
l
lhav
eyoui
nter
fer
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tthi
nkthat
’sagoodidea
becauseweareheretospeakabouther
.And
sheneedstobehere.”
AuntNomkhosi
:“Mama’
ndl
unkul
uisr
ight
.”
Dal
i
su:“No,
Ithi
nkMthimkhul
uisr
ight
.Weneed
t
odiscusst
hisal
one.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Yes,
justasbhut
’uMnot
hoi
snot
her
e.”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Thanky
ou,
Ndabezi
tha.
”
Happiness’saunt:
“Happi nessexcuseus. ”she
i
nstructedandHappi nessgotupf r
om thechair
withwor r
ythatherfatherwasgoi ngtor efuse
them ifshewasnoti nthisdinnertabl
ewi th
them.Hewasangr ywi t
hherwhenshegotback
withthechildr
enandhewasst i
llangr
yev en
now…
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Wecant
alknow.
”
Dali
su:“Mthimkhulu,youknowthatyour
daughterissti
llourdaught
erin-
lawandthese
monthst hatshe’dbeeninherhousegaveher
andherhusbandt i
met omendthingsbet
ween
them-”
Mthi
mkhul
u:“
Hhayi
!Ndabezi
tha!Wasn’
tshe
doi
ngdamagecont
rol
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
shewast
her
efort
hatbut
-”
Mt hi
mkhulu:“
Youareheret
otel
lmethatmy
daughterwantstogobackt
oherabuser
,huh?
Howcany ouevencomeinmyhousetorequest
that?
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Ithi
nkthatyouhear
d
MaMt hi
mkhuluconfi
rmthatbhut
iMnot
ho
wasn’tamonsterbuti
t’
saf or
cedmar
ri
aget
hat
changedbothofthem.”
AuntNomkhosi:“
Andnow, theyhav eseenthat
theyneedeachot
her .Wecan’tstandinthei
r
wayliket
heyareteenager
sbutt hey’
readult
s
whoknowwhatt
heywant
.”Shet
old
Mthi
mkhul
u.
Thembelihl
e:“Andwewi llnotstartt
hi ngs
afreshbecausewehav epaidilobolof or
Happinessbutwej ustneedtogi v
et hem our
blessi
ngsthattheygivethei
rmar ri
ageanot her
chance.Theywi l
lhaveaweddi ngcer emony.”
Happiness’
saunt :“Don’
tbehardheadedabout
thi
sbhuti.Happinessisagrownwomannow
andshehaschi ldrenwit
hthePrince.Shemust
rai
sethesechildreninawarm homeandt he
chi
ldr
enl ovetheirfat
her
.”
Mthimkhul
u:“
HappinessismydaughterandI
wil
lnotagr
eetothi
s.Idon’tt
rustt
hePrincet
o
t
reatmydaughterr
ight.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Whatcanbedonef
ory
out
otr
ust
hi
m? ”
Mthi
mkhulu:
“Icannevert
rusthi
m andt hati
s
whyIdon’
twanthertogobackthere.Iam not
goi
ngt
ogi
vehermybl
essi
ngs.
”
Happi ness’saunt :“Youwi llnotstandi ny our
daught er’
swaybecausey ou’l
lloseherwhen
youdot hat.Andshehasy ourbl essings
becausey ou’v
el onggiv enherout .Thislegal
mar ri
aget hingisanewt hingthatwedo
becauset hingshav echangedbutwhatmat t
ers
themostt ous, i
st hetraditionalweddi ngand
Happi nesshasy ourblessings.Shecangoback
toherhouseandt hatwon’ tbecohabi ting.You
don’twantt hat .
”Shesai damout hfultoher
brotherandi tdidn’tfal
l ondeafear sbut
Mt hi
mkhul udi gestedherwor ds…
Mthi
mkhul u:
“Iwi
llt
hinkaboutit
.”Hesai
dfinal
ly
andeveryonesi
ghedinrel
iefbecauset
hatonly
meanttherewashope…
Happi
nesssatnexttoherf atheraft
erdinneras
Mthi
mkhuluhadcal l
edherasmeanst ospeak
t
oher.He’
dt hi
nkingaboutt hemeetingtheyhad
i
nthemorning.“What’swrong? ”Sheasked.
Mthi
mkhulu:
“Howcany
ouwantt
ogobackt
o
Mnotho?
”
Happi
ness:
“Il
ovehi
m.”Sheanswer
edand
l
ookeddown.
Mthi
mkhulu:“
Hewi
l
lhur
tyouagai
n.Howcan
yout
rusthi
m? ”
Happi
ness:“Hewon’ tdothat
.Baba,pl
ease
t
rustme.”shesaidlookingatherf
atherandshe
wasconfi
dentthatshewasgoi ngtobehappy
wit
hMnot ho.
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Igi
vey
oumybl
essi
ngst
hen.
”
“THANKYOU! ”Sheunexpect
edl
yjumpedt
ohug
herfat
heroutofhappi
ness…
Happinessgr
abbedherphonef r
om thebedsi
de
drawerandshedumpedherbodyonher
cover
edbed.Shecr ossedherl
egsanddial
led
Mnotho’snumber.Sheplacedherphoneonher
earandshewaitedasi tr
ang.
Mnot
ho:
“MaMt
himkhul
u?”
Happi
ness:
“Iwasaboutt
ohungup.
”
Mnot
ho:“Iam comi
ngf
rom t
hebat
hroom.How
ar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Mnotho:
“Iam worri
edaboutyourf
ather
.And
hey
!What’shappeni
ngtoni
ght?Youdon’tcal
l
mebutIam theonewhocallsyou.
”
Happinesssmiledandpushedherheadtothe
pil
low.“WhyshouldIcally
oubecauseIknow
thatyou’
ll
alwayscallme?”Sheaskedwit
ha
smi l
ekeptsti
l
lonherfaceasshel ai
dinwai
ti
ng
tohearhisdeepsoothingvoi
cerespondt
oher.
Mnotho:“Hhayi,
Ishouldcallyoubutyoual
so
needtocallyourhusbandjusttoshowhimthat
hehasapl aceinyourheartunlessi
fhe
doesn’
t.
”
Happi
nessl
aughed.“
Oh!So,
youcal
lme
becauseIhav eaplaceinyourheart
? ”She
askedandr oseherecstati
cbodytosi tbackon
theposit
ionwhereshecr ossedherlegsandher
eyesstar
edatt hewhitecloseddoor.
Mnotho:“
Yes,andifyoudi
dn’
thaveaplacei
n
myheartIwasn’tgoi
ngtocal
lyounowand
agai
n.Imissyou.Whenareyoucomingback?
”
Happinessfel
therhear tj
umptoherthroatnot
negati
v el
ybutdel
ightedly
.“Doyoumissmeor
youmi ssourchil
dren?”Sheaskedfeel
i
ng
wantedandshet esti
fiedtoher
selft
hatitwas
goodtoheart hat
.
Mnotho:“
Imi
ssmywhol efamil
ybutIwi
ll
just
havetoadmi
tthatImi
ssthei
rmothert
hemost.
You’
vegoneformoret
hanaweek.”
Happiness:
“Yes,IknowbutIwaswithmy
fat
hereventhoughhewasangrywithme.I
coul
dn’tact
uall
yleavewhi
lehe’
sangrywi
th
me.”
Mnot ho:“
Myf athertel
lsmet hathesaidhewi l
l
thi
nkabouti t
.Youdon’ tknowhowt hat
responsestressesme.Idon’ twantust o
separateeveragain.Youshoul dcomeback
home, MaMt himkhulu.Andt hechil
drent ol
dme
thattheymisst hei
rfatherandt hei
rsibl
ings.
”
Happiness:“
Iwil
lcomebackhomebecausemy
fat
herhasgivenmehi sblessi
ngsandwewi
l
l
beafami l
yonceagain.”
Mnothot i
tt
eredi
nabsolut
edeli
ghtand
Happinessgiggl
ed.“
Youarenotpl
ay i
ngapr
ank
onme, ri
ght?Hegaveyouhisbl
essings?
”he
asked.
Happiness:
“Yes,hedidandthatmeansthere’
s
nothi
ngstandingi
nourwaynowbecauseIwi l
l
comebackhome.Iwi l
lhav
etocallMaNkosi
aboutthedressbecausewewi l
lgetmar
ried.
”
Mnotho:“Youdon’
tev
enhavetot
ell
her
becauseIsawherbuyweddi
ngmagazi
nes
y
est
erday
.Wewer
einRi
char
ds’
bay
.”
Happi
nessl
aughed.“
Whowoul dhav
eact
ual
l
y
t
hought?
”Sheaskedlaughi
ngl
y.
Mnotho:“Idon’
tthinkwewouldhavethought
.
Whenar eyoucomi ngbackIwil
lbehomeand
cookforyouandt hekidst
hatday.
”
Happi
nesssmi l
ed.“
Please,don’
tcookbur
nt
f
ood.”Shesaidknowingthathe’
dcookedsuch
f
orfoodforthem t
het i
met heywer
etoget
her.
Mnotholaughed.“Canpleasel
etthatgo?Iwi
l
l
per
fectt
hedi nnerbecauseNonj
abulowill
complai
n.”Hesaidandt heyl
aughed.
Happi
ness:“
Ihav
etosl
eepnow,
Mageba.
Goodni
ght.
”
Mnotho:“
Goodnight,mkami
.”Hesaidpoli
tel
y
andHappinessmeltedcomplet
elyasshesai
d
the‘
goodnight
’back…
Sher
emov
edt
hephonef
rom herearandshe
l
aidbackont hepill
ow.“Ican’
tbelievewehave
beengivenanotherchance.Please,Godprot
ect
ourmarriage.Iwantustobehappyt hi
sti
me
around.
”Shespokeal onewithherey escl
osed…
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Befor
ey ougont wana,Iwanttotal
kabout
something.”BuzwesaidtoMnt wanaast hey
weregat her
ingthei
rdocument sandfi
lesaf t
er
thebusinessmeet i
ngthey’v
ehadwi t
hacl ient
theywerewor ki
ngwi t
hjointl
y.
Mntwana:“What’swrong?Wewi l
ltal
kwhi
l
e
headingoutbecauseIhavetocheckon
SimthandebeforeIheadouttoKZN.”
Buzwe:“Youar est
il
lchecki
ngonSimthande?
”
heaskedpl aci
nghisbagonhisshoul
derand
theyheadedoutofMnt wana’
soff
icewhere
thei
rmeetingwas.
Mntwana:
“It
’sbeenawhil
esinceIl
astsawher
.
What’
sup?Wewi ll
nott
alkaboutSi
mthande
butwewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hisi
ssuey
ouhav
e.”
Buzwe:“It
’smymot her
,br
o.Mom isdri
vi
ngme
crazynow.Shewant smysontocomeandlive
withherbutsheknowsthatshe’
soldnowthat
shecanlookafterhi
m.Andhismothercan
neverall
owthat.
”
Mntwana:
“Sheget
slonel
yandmay
bet
hat
’st
he
r
easonshewantshi
m.”
Buzwe: “
Butsheknowsthesit
uati
onbetween
mybabymamaandI .Wear ej
ustwaterand
paraf
fi
nandhowcansheev enthi
nkshe’l
lal
l
ow
met otakemysonf r
om hersothatshecanli
ve
wit
hmymot her
?”
Mntwana:“Haveyout
riedspeakingwithherand
showherthatshe’
saskingfortheimpossibl
e?
Yourbabymamagav ey ouhell
lastyear.
”
Buzwe:“
That
’stheotherreasonshewantsmy
sontocomeli
vewithher.Shesaysshedoesn’
t
tr
usthi
smotherandIdon’ tknowwhatt
odo
becausemamaknowst hatmybabymama
takesgoodcareofoursonbesi detheissues
wehad.It’snotthatshe’sl
onel
y.”Mntwana
l
aughedr eal
isi
ngt hatBuzwewasstuckina
sit
uati
on.“Whyar ey oul
aughi
ng?”heasked.
Mntwanar ammedhi shandsonhi spocketsand
camebackwi t
hhi scarkey s.“Iam l
aughing
becauseyouar emaki ngthisamount ai
n.Your
mothermustknowt haty oursoncanonl yv i
sit
herbutcan’tstaywithher .She’sol
dev enand
sheli
veswi t
hol dergrandchildrenf
orar eason.”
Herepli
edopeni ngthedoor .
Buzwe:“Youar
emaki
ngt
hissoundeasy
becauseyouar
enoti
nmysit
uati
on.
”
Mntwana:“
Justmakey
ourmot
herunder
stand,
nt
wana.”
BuzwesighedandgaveMntwanahishand,t
hey
sharedafi
stbumpandhug.Theywishedeach
otherwel
landsepar
ated…Mntwanastepped
i
nsidehiscarandhi smi ndt houghtofBuzwe
andhisbabymamasi tuation.Hest ampedt hat
heneverwant stohavechi ldrenbecausethey
alwayscompl i
catethi
ngs…Hedr ovethr
ough
thebusystreetsofthecitypl ayi
ngjazzwit
hhi s
headbuil
dinganddest roying, wri
ti
ngand
erasi
nguntilhereachedt hebl ockoffl
ats…
Het ookhi sphoneandcal ledSimthande…He’d
nevercal ledhersinceshel efthi
sapartment
andSi mt handehadal sokeptherdist
ance.He
didn’twantt obotherherandnagherbutt oday
,
hef eltheneededt oseeherbef oredri
vi
ng
home.“ Hello,howar eyou?”Mnt wanagreet
ed
Simt handebackasshe’ daccept edhi
sphone
callthathedi dn’
texpectshewoul d…
Si
mthande:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Iam f
ine.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Si
mthande:
“Iam atourpl
ace.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Cany
oucomeout
?Iwantt
osee
y
ou.
”
Simthande:“Youwantt
oseeme!Forwhat
reasons,exact
ly?
”
Mnt
wana:
“DoIneedr
easonst
oseey
ounow?
”
Si
mt hande:“
Yes,youneedreasonsbecauseI
am nolongeryourgi
rlf
ri
end.Youlostev
eryri
ght
whatsoevert
hedayy oubrokeupwi t
hme.”
Mnt wanachuckled.“What’
swrongwit
hy ou,
Simthande?Whendi dIbr
eakupwithyou
becauseItol
dy out ochooseandyouchose
Nikhona.
”
Simthande:“Thatwasy ourwayofbr eakingup
withme.Doy outhi
nkt hatIam af ool,
Mnt wana?
Iam notaf ool.Youj
ustdi dn’thavetheballsto
tel
lmet haty ouwantust obr eakupbecause
youarehopi ngthatyou’llgetmysister.Butit
’s
toobadf oryoubecauseshedoesn’ twanty ou.”
Mntwana:“
Yes,r
ight
!Ihav
ealwaystr
iedtogiv
e
usachanceandignor
ethefactt
hatyouare
t
hisi
nsecur
epersonbuty
oust
il
ldon’
tseeme
f
orwhoIam. ”
Si
mthande:
“Ihav
eseeny
ouf
orwhoy
ouar
e.”
Mntwana:“Andwhat’sthat?Letmeguess,ali
ar,
acheatwhowant syoursister
?Canyouplease
t
hinkthi
sthrough?Imissy ou.
”
Si
mthande:
“Youmissmeory
ouj
ustwantt
obe
cl
osert
omysister
?”
Mntwana: “
Ey,Iam sorrytobot hery ou,neh?I
j
ustthoughtwecoul dtalkli
keadul t
sbutIwas
cl
earlywr onghey .
”Heremov edt hephonef rom
hisearandhecl ickedhistonguer egrett
ing
call
i
ngherandt hinki
nghewoul dt alk
somet hi
ngsensi blewit
hher .Hecoul dn’
t
understandhowsuchanol dwomanwoul d
behavel i
keshewasbehav ing.Shedi dn’
teven
wanttot akeamomentandt hi
nkabouthowher
si
sterhadhur tbutshesawhi m asthedev il
!
“
Tsk!
”Hecl
i
ckedhi
stonguer
epeat
edl
yashe
drovet ohi sapar tmentnowwi t
hadar kened
heart.Thehat ei nsidehi shear twental loutfor
thi
sNi khona.“ Iwassupposedt omeetNel i
swa
fi
rstandj ustroll withherev enwi t
hnol ov ein
ourr elationship.ButIj usthadt omeet
Simt handeandev enlov edher .Icrossedt he
l
ineIdi dn’tneedt ol oveherwhi lehelpingher .
Gha! ”hecl i
ckedhi st onguer epeatedlyand
bashedhi ssteeringr epeat edlyfeeli
ngt hefury…
Hel ookedathi sphoneasi twasr ingingwhi l
e
hewasi nsidetheal leviatort aki
nghi mt ohis
apartment .Hel ookedathi sphoneasi trang,
Nikhonawascal li
nghi m andhedi dn’tev en
wantt oanswerhercal l becauseheknewwhat
allhewasgoi ngt odowasnaghi m wi th
want ingsomet hinghedi dn’tevendr eam of
givi
ngher …
“
Baba?
”Mnt
wanaanswer
edhi
sfat
her
’scal
l
whi
l
ehewasundr
essi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyoucomi
nghomeory
ouar
enot
?”
Mnt wana:
“Hawu,baba?Whywouldyouaskme
that?Youdidn’
tev
enaskyoursonhowhe’s
doingbutyoujumped-
”
Dali
su:“Iam y
ourf
ather
,Mnt
wananoty
our
fr
iend.
”
Mntwana:
“ButMagebat
hatdoesn’
tmeandon’
t
askmehowIam.”
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyoucomi
nghome?
”
Mntwana:“
Hesurel
ywokeupont hewr ongside
ofthebedandnowhe’staki
ngitalloutonme. ’
(Hemumbledtohimsel
f)Yes,baba,Iwillbe
cominghome.”her
epli
edtohisfatheroutloud.
Dal
isu:
“Wher
ear
ey outhen?Youshoul
dbe
her
ebynowbutyouarenot.”
Mnt
wana:“It
oldmamat hatIwasgoi
ngtohav
e
ameet
ingtodaybutIam pr
epari
ngmysel
fnow
f
ort
heroad.”
Dal
i
su:
“Taket
hepl
anedon’
tdr
ive.Iwi
l
lhav
e
someonefet
chattheai
rporti
nDur
ban.Your
motherdi
dn’
ttel
lmethat.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Youmi
ssme,
baba?
”
Dali
sucl
ickedhi
stonguewit
houtansweri
ng
hi
m buthedroppedthecal
l
.Mntwanalaughed
andshookhisheadwonderi
ngwhatwasgoing
onwithhisol
dmanbecausehewassur el
y
grumpy…
~~~~~
“What’
swr ongnow? ”Ngceboaskedbr ushi
ng
Nandipha’sbacksoftl
y.Shewasstanding
befor
et hebat hr
oom si
nkholdi
ngont oitti
ght
ly
withherlefthandandhereyespressed
toget
herwhi leherr
ighthandwasonherchest.
Nandi
pha:
“It
’st
he…hear
tbur
n…”
Ngcebo:“Whatdoy ouneed?WhatcanIdof or
you?Don’tyouhavethemedicinefori
t?
Where’stheGavscon?”heaskedopeningthe
t
abletcabinetashecouldhearthatNandi
pha
wascryi
ngnow.Hedidn’
tknowift
hishear
tbur
n
washurt
ingorshewasjustbei
nghi
spregnant
cr
yingwif
e.
Nandi
pha:
“Youshoul
dgohome.
”
Ngcebo:“Yes,wewill
leavebutIcan’
tleave
whil
ey ouarenotfi
ne.Where’
sy ourmedici
ne,
Nandipha?Iam aski
ng.”
Nandipha:
“Iwi
l
lbuyi
tonmywayt
omama’
s
house.”
Ngcebo:“You’llbuyit?Ayi,manNandipha.You
knowhear tburnbothersyoubuty oudon’thav
e
themedicinewi thit
.You’ll
havemet hi
nkingyou
areenjoyi
ngi t
.Come. ”Hesaidandhel d
Nandipha’
swr ist.Hedraggedheroutoft he
bathr
oom andshedi dn’tprot
estbutshe
all
owedherbodyt ofoll
owhi m.
Nandi
pha:“
Whataret
hegir
lsgoi
ngt
osayi
fyou
dr
agthei
rmotherl
i
kethi
s?”
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lonl
ytel
lthem t
hatshe’
sact
ing
chi
l
dish.
”
Nandipha:“Iam si
ckandy
ouar
etel
l
ingmet
hat
Iam chil
dish.
”
Ngcebo: “
Youar enotsickbuti t
’syour
carel
essnesst hat
’sbri
ngt hi
shear t
burnt
hat
makesy oucr ybecauseyoudi dn’tt
ell
mey ou’r
e
shortofmedi ci
ne.”HestressedandNandipha
didn’
tbreatheastheyclimbeddownt hest
airs.
“Hawu,baba!Udonsaumamakanj e!
”Thando
excl
aimedseei ngherfatherdr
aggi
ngher
mothertotheki tchent
hatshewasleavi
ng.She
hadherbottleinherhandsandwasl eav
ingto
gettohersisters.
Ngcebo:“Thul
awena.Hambakosi sibakho.”He
sai
dt ohi
sdaughterandhest oodbeforethe
contai
nerofsugar.HelookedbackatThando
andshehadn’tlef
tthekitchenbutshewas
l
ookingclosel
yatherfather.“
Isai
dgot oy our
si
stersThando.Whyarey ouherealone?”He
askedThando.
Thando:“
Ubekhonay enaushi
shiThul
akodwa
uphumil
e.”Sher epl
i
edandr anoutofthe
ki
tchenaftershe’dt
oldherfat
her.
Nandi pha:“
Atti
mesy oubecomedr amaticfor
nor easonatall
.YouchasedThandooutoft he
kit
chenf orwhatexactl
y?”Ngcebol aughedand
shruggedhisshouldersashedi dn’
tknowwhy
hechasedt hei
rdaughterout.Nandiphalaughed.
“Arey ousureyou’
l
lcopeov ertherewithout
me? ”sheasked.
Ngcebo:“Thesefivewon’tgi
vemeahear t
ache.
Don’
ty ouwantthisbreakthatIam giv
ingyou
asyoukeepaskingi fIwi
llbealri
ght?
”heasked
pour
ingsugaront hespoonandhepoi nt
editt
o
Nandipha’
smout h.
Nandi
pha:
“Il
i
kei
t…Whyshoul
dIeatsugar
?”
Ngcebo:“I
twil
lhelpwi
ththehear
tbur
njust
havei
t.”Herepl
iedandNandi
phaopenedher
mout hwidelyall
owinghi mtogivethesugart o
her.“Mygrandmot herdidthatwhenev ershe
hadhear t
burnandt herewasnomedi cinefori
t.
Iam prett
ysur eyou’l
lfeelbet
ter
.Iam sor r
ythat
theboy sarebotheri
ngy ou.Butt
hegir l
s
botheredmet oo.”Headdedandpl acedt he
spoonaway .
Nandi
pha:“
Youwerenotsick.Letmegocheck
thegi
rl
s.Di
dThul
aputthem ont hei
rdi
aper
s?”
sheaskedl
eav
ingt
hekitchenwi t
hhim.
Ngcebo:“
Didn’
tweagreethatwear esavi
ng
moneyforthetwocomingbabiesbyputti
ngthe
gir
lsof
fdiaper
sonlywhentheysleep?AndI
thi
nkweshouldalsocutt
hemi l
kout .
”
Nandipha:“
Youaretrav
elli
nganditwi
llbefor
hoursthatmeanstheywillsl
eepi
nthecar.I
don’
tthinkwewanttheirseatst
obereekingof
thei
ruri
ne.”
Ngcebo:
“Youar
eri
ght
.Wewi
l
lputt
hem on.
”
Nandipha: “Andchi l
drenshoul dn’
tst opdr i
nki
ng
milkbecausei t
’sgoodf ortheirhealth,the
protei
nsandcal cium theyneedi t
.Whatwecan
dois,justgi v
et hem twoort hreeglassesaday .
Butgivingt hem nomi lkisoutofquest ionand
youknowt hattheyneedal l t
hepr oteins
especiallywithconditi
onsy ouknowt heywere
bornwi th.”
Ngcebosighed.“Wewi l
lbebuy i
ngmilkf
or
sevenchi
ldren!Don’ty
outhinkthatweshoul
d
thi
nkofsomeot herwaytogivethem mi
l
k?”He
complai
ned.
Nandiphalookedathim.“Wecanjustgi v
ethem
cowmi lkthennotf
ormula.How’
st hat?”She
askedstil
llooki
ngathim ast
hey
’ver eachedthe
l
ounge.
Ngcebo:“
That
’sbett
erwecanjustbuyiti
nbul
k
notl
ikewebuyoursbecauseNtokomal
oloves
mil
kcomparedtojui
ceandotherli
qui
ds.”
Nandi
pha:“
Yeah,
wewi
l
lchanget
her
out
ine.We
agr
eeonthat?
”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,boo, boo.
”Hesai
dandNandi
pha
l
aughed.Theythenannouncedt
othegi
rl
sthat
t
heyneededtost andup…
“Mama, ungakhalishobuyathi
nayezwa?
”
Nongcebosai dtotheirmotherwhowaslooki
ng
att
hem ast heirfatherwasbuckl
i
ngthem
i
nsidetheirseats.
Ot
her
s:“
EHE!SHOBUYA!
”
Thando:
“Shokuphat
hel
aneny
amaudl
enoboy
,
boy!
”
Nandi phalaughed.“Okay,Iwil
lnotcrymy
angelsandIhopet hatyouwon’tbotheryour
fatherbecauseIwi l
lcallandshoutatyou.”She
saidandt heylaughedlookingateachotheron
theirseats.
Ngcebo:“What
’sf
unnyaboutt
hat
?”t
hey
gi
ggled.
Si
mil
o:“
Shodl
alat
hinanekeshi
hluphe!
”
Nandipha:
“Okay
,Iam happyt
oheart
hat
.By
e,
bye.
”
Gi
rl
s:“
Bye,
byemama.
”
Nandiphat urnedtoNgcebo.“They’
rejusthappy
thatthey
’releavingandthey
’renotevencrying
thatIam stay i
ngbehind.
”Shesaidgivinghi
m
herhandsandNgceboembr acedthem.
Ngcebo:“Theyjustl
ovetheroadandyouknow
that.
”Hesaidandslippedhi
shandsawayf r
om
hers.Heheldherfaceandki
ssedher.“Il
ove
you.”
Nandi
pha:“
Iloveyoutooanddr
ivesaf
ewith
them.
”shesaidwalki
nghimtohi
sseataf
ter
she’
dsai
dgoodbyet oThul
a…
Thebigcousi
ngiggledasNgcebohad
encour
agedhertohugt hel
it
tl
eones.Qal
okuhl
e
beganbyhuggingBuhleanddowntoNongcebo.
Ngcebowasstandingbythei
rsidel
ooki
ngat
them…TheywereinsideNdabezi
tha’
spremises
bythemainhousewher eNgcebohadcall
ed
Qalokuhl
etot
akethegirlsonaFri
daymor ni
ng
whichwasthemorningaf t
ert
hei
rarr
ival
.
Qal
okuhl
e:“Uphi
umamawenupho?
”sheasked
l
ooki
ngatthem.
Si
milo:
“Akekhoyena,ushel
e.Ashambe,bye,
bye,
baba.
”Sherepli
edandsuggestedthatthey
l
eavewhil
eshewaswav i
ngatherfat
her.
Ngcebowaved.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Usel
eyedwaphoumamawenu?
”
Nongcebo:
“Umamauy
eekhakubonay
e.”
Ot
her
s:“
EHE!BYE,
BYE,
BABA!
”
“Bye!
”hesaidbackandwav edast heyfol
lowed
Qalokuhl
ewhowasl eadi
ngt hem attheback
yardwhereotherchi
ldrenwer e…Ngcebosent
hishandinsi
dehisbluejeansandhegotback
withhisphonethatwasr i
nging.
Ngcebo:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong.Wear
efi
ne.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Hawu!That
’snott
hewayt
ogr
eet
.”
Ngcebo:
“Iknowwhyy
ouar
ecal
l
ing.
”
Nandipha:“Iam call
ingtocheckonyou.Ilast
spoketoy oulastnightandyoudidn’
tevencall
me,now, Iam call
ing.”
Ngcebo:“
Idi
dn’tcal
lyoubecauseIknewthat
youwouldbesleepi
ngbythetimeIwasup.
Ntwana!
”herepli
edandgavehishandto
Mntwanawhowasst andi
ngbef or
ehim.And
t
heysharedahug.
Nandi
pha:
“Youar
ecal
l
ingme,
Ntwana?
”
Ngcebo:
“No,
Iam speaki
ngt
oMnt
wana.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Oh!
”
Ngcebor emov edthephonef r
om hisearashe
hear
dt hebeepi ngsoundssignal
li
ngthatshe
hasdroppedt hecall.“
Ey,
incaneintoeci
kalo
muntut heseday s.
”Hespokest i
l
llooki
ngathis
phoneandMnt
wanal
aughed.
Mnt wana:“Cal
lheragai
n.Theysentmet otown,
l
et ’
sgot oget
her.
”Hesaidpoint
ingthedir
ecti
on
tohiscarandNgcebonoddedhi sheadwhi l
ehe
dial
ledNandipha’
snumbertocal l
her.“
Howar e
youany way?”heasked.
Ngcebo:
“St
opt
alki
ngphel
aangi
thi
Iam cal
l
ing
hernow.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Yes!Yes!
”
“Hel
lo?
”Nandi
phaanswer
edNgcebo’
sphone
cal
l.
Ngcebo:
“Whydi
dyoudr
opt
hecal
lnow?
”
Nandi
pha:
“If
igur
edy
ou’
rebusy
.”
Ngcebo:“Iwasn’
tbusybutMntwanawas
greet
ingme.”heinf
ormedherandhetookt he
passengerseati
nsi
deMnt wana’
svehi
cle.
Nandi
pha:
“Oh.
”
Ngcebo:
“Howar
eyou?How’
sthehear
tbur
n?”
Nandi
pha:“
IboughtGav
isconlastnight
.Iam
f
ineandhowareyou?Andt hegir
ls,
howar e
t
hey?”
Ngcebo: “
Wear efi
ne,yougotnothingtoworr
y
your
selfaboutbutjustrel
axoverthereand
don’
tstressaboutus.They’r
ewithQalokuhl
e
andotherchil
dren.Thul
aisalsoaround.”
Nandi
phasighed.“
Okay ,
pleasecal
lmebef
ore
yougotobed.”Sherequested.
Ngcebo:“Iwon’
tfor
get
,hav
eagooddaywi
th
myboy s,
okay?”
Nandipha:
“Thanky
ou,
andy
out
oohav
eagood
day.
”
Ngceboremovedthephonef r
om hisearandhe
pl
aceditbackonhispocket.Hethengaveall
hi
sattent
iontoMntwana,theycatchup…
“Where’syourmind?
”Ml amul
iaskedNgcebo
standingnextt
ohim asNgcebohadhisarms
resti
ngont hewoodsthatmadethekraal
insi
de
theirgrandf
ather
’spr
emi
ses.I
twasi
nthe
afternoonandhesawhim al
one.
NgcebolookedatMlamul
ishor
tl
y.“
Ndabezi
tha,
Iam her
e.”Herepl
i
ed.
Mlamuli:“
Youwer enottal
ki
ngmuchwhenwe
weretogetherwit
hothermen.I
sther
e
somethingbother
ingyouandwhyisyourwi
fe
nothere?”
Ngcebo:“Iam botheredbyher
…”hehonestly
tol
dhim every
thingthatwasbother
inghi
m
aboutNandipha’
ssaf et
yandtheweddingthat
wasrequested.
Mlamul
i:
“Hawu!Baba,
letmamamaket
hat
deci
si
on?”
Ngcebo: “Yes,andit
’scl
earthati
t’
stheirf
inal
decisionbecausetheynevercall
edtotell
me
thattheyhav echangedthei
rmind.”
Mlamul
i:
“Didy
ouspeaktoBanel
eandgethis
say?Weunder
standt
hathehasbeenkept
wait
ingbutt
hisi
saboutt
hesaf
etyoft
hree
people.
”
Ngcebo:“Iwast ol
dnott ospeaktohim andso,
Ifi
guredIshouldn’tspeaktohim becausewhat
canitchange?Iftheydon’twantmyweddi ngto
happenfir
sttheyjustdon’twantit.
”
Mlamuli:
“Letmespeaktothem andseewhat
theywil
lsay.Idon’
tknowhowdadoper at
es
thesedaysbecausemamaj ustdeci
desnj
eand
heletsi
tsli
de.”
Ngcebo:“Hedoesn’tleti
tsl
ideifit
’ssomething
thathedoesn’twant.Hehasnev erdonethat
andso,ifheleti
tsli
desthatsimplemeanshe
doesn’
thaveapr obl
em withthatdecisi
on.”
Mlamuli:
“Youareri
ghtaboutt
hatbutbesi
des
thi
s.How’sever
ythi
ngathome?Thegi r
lsar
e
happythere’
l
lbeaddit
ional
members?”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“Theywereangrybutnow,
t
heyarewelcoming.Idon’
tknowifthey’
l
lbel
ike
t
hatev
enwhent
hebabi
eshav
ear
ri
ved.
”
Mlamulil
aughed.“Pr
incedidn’tevenwantto
seehi
sbr ot
herforawhile.Idon’tknowifhe
wasscaredofhim orwhat .
”Her efl
ect
edand
theyl
aughed.
Ngcebo:“
Iunder
standPrincebecausehhey
i!
Bongani
camev er
yf ast
.”
Theyl
aughed.“Thefunandlevelofenj
oyment
wasonanotherlevel
.”Hecomment edandthey
cr
ackedunti
lsomeonedi st
urbedthem.
“
Baba’omncaneuyakubi
zaumkhuluukuround
l
ophezul
uuthewozakhonamanj e.
”Bongani
t
oldNgcebothatDal
isuwascal
l
inghim.
Ngcebo:
“Okay,Iam comi
ng.Baf
o,Iwi
l
lsee
you.
”helookedatMlamul
i.
Mlamuli
:“Al
ri
ght
.Come,Bongalet’
sgo. ”He
sai
dplaci
nghishandonhisheadandt hey
fol
lowedeachot
hertoMlamuli
’scar…
“
Bonganisai
dyouar
ecall
i
ngme.”Ngcebosai
d
t
ohisfat
herwhowasseatedont
hecouch
i
nsi
dethehutwit
hhi
sphoneonhishandand
f
oodbeforehi
m.
Dali
su:“Yes,
Icall
edy ou.Il
astsawyouwhen
youcamet othepalaceandwhenwewer ei
n
Johannesburgyoudidn’tev
enthinkofcomi
ng
back.
”
Ngcebo:“Ihaveputmymoneyont hatsmal
ltr
ip
baba.Icouldn’
tjustst
opithal
fwayandIwasn’t
goi
ngt ogetanyr ef
unds.
”
Dal
isu:“
Sincewhenhasmoneybeenso
pr
eciousaboveyourf
amil
y?”
Ngcebo:
“Iwaswi
thmyf
ami
l
y.”
Dalisu:“
YouknowwhatImean!Don’ tplay
smar twit
hme. ”heshoutedathi
m andNgcebo
didn’tbr
eatheanotherword.Dal
i
sucl i
ckedhis
tongue.“Where’syourwi
febecauseIsai dyou
mustcomebackwi t
hher?”heasked.
Ngcebo:
“Il
efther
.”
Dali
su: “
Why?Arey oul
ookingforr
easonsto
constantl
yfi
ghtwithmenow, Ngcebo?Ist
hat
whaty ouaretr
yingtodo?
”
Ngcebo:“No.If
igur
edIshouldl
eaveher
becauseshedoesn’
tfeelwel
landit’
snotl
i
ke
ther
e’ssomethi
ngthatneedsherhere.
”
Dal
isu:
“ Ther
e’snothi
ngt hatneedsher!I
sn’
t
shepartofthefamily?It
oldy outhatwewil
l
haveameet ingthatwil
lneedev er
yone.”
Ngcebo:“Shewon’tbecomi ng.Themeeti
ng
canproceedwithouther.AndNandi phagotno
grudgeswithanyone.I
fsomeonehasa
probl
em withher,t
heywi l
ljusthavetosayiti
n
thatmeeti
ngandIwi ll
tellher.”
Dal
isu:
“Hhaybo!Ngcebo!
”heexcl
aimedl
ooki
ng
upathim ashestoodup.
Ngcebo:
“Yeah,shemustbeherewhenther
e
ar
emeetingsbutwhenhersaf
etyshoul
dbe
madeapr iori
tynobodycar esabouther .
Nizomenzani kumaf amilymeetings?
”he
mumbl edunderhi sbreathashewast aki
nghi s
wayoutoft hehutandhi sf at
herheardhim…
Ngceboclickedhi stongueashewasout side
thehut…Hecoul dn’
tshakeof ft
hewor ryhehad
onhisshouldersandhedi dn’
tevenknowi fthis
meanthemustj ustletNandiphastayin
Johannesburgi nDecemberasshe’ dplayfull
y
saidshewasn’ tgoingtocome…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE25

“What’
swrong?Youlookupset.
”Thembel
ihle
askedNgceboastheybumpedintoeachother.
Thembeli
hlewasonherwayt oDal
isu.
Ngcebo:“
Not
hingiswrong.
”Her epli
edand
passedhi
smotherwit
houtstopping…
“What’
swrongwithNgcebo?Youhaven’
teaten
evennow.”Thembel
ihl
ecomment edl
ooki
ngat
Dali
suwhowasst i
ll
seatedonthecouchbuthe
wassearchi
ngforanumberonhisphone.
Dali
su: “
Ineedtomakeaphonecal lMaSthole
andIdon’ tt
hinkwewil
lhavethemeeti
ngt hat
will
bringpeaceamongstthi
sf ami
lywhil
esome
ofusar enothere.Wewil
lhavetopostpone
that.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhaybo!Ndabezit
ha,whywould
wedothat?Andwho’snothere.
”sheaskedand
satont
hecouchthatwasnexttoDali
su.
Dali
su: “
Ngcebo’swif
ei snother e.
”Hepl aced
thephoneonhi searashi sphonewasdi all
i
ng
Nandipha’snumber.“Iam maki ngaphonecal l,
takethefoodbecauseIwon’ teatbutyoucan
l
eav ethejui
ce.”Hesaidraisinghishandf or
Thembel i
hlewhowast r
yingt ospeak…
Thembel i
hlegotupfrom thecouch, shetook
thetrayandleftt
hejuicelikehe’dsaid.Shelef
t
t
hehut
…
“Sawubona,baba.
”Nandi
phaaccept
edDal
i
su’
s
phonecall
.
Dalisu:
“Howareyou?Yourhusbandtoldme
t
haty ouarenotf
eeli
ngwellandthati
sthe
reasonthaty
ouarenotherewithus.”
Ontheot hersideoft heli
ne, Nandiphaf r
owned
asshedi dn’tknowaboutt hisandi tmadeher
wonderwhyNgcebowoul dsayt hat.Butshe
wasn’taboutt ogoopposi teherhusband’ s
words.“Yes, Iam notfeel
ingwel landhe
suggestedt hatIstaybehindbecausei twil
lget
busyov erthereandi twouldn’tberightforme
tosi
tdownwhi l
eev ery
onei sbusypr epari
ngf or
theri
tual.ButIam f i
ne,Iam notbedr idden.
”
Shesaidt oDal i
su.
Dali
su:“Oh,
that
’sbett
er.Weweregoi
ngtohave
tosi
tdownasaf amil
yandfi
ndawaytoresolv
e
ourissuest
orestoret
hepeaceagai
n.Andif
there’
ssomeonewhohasagr udgewi ththe
othermay bewewer egoingtotalkitouteven
thoughIam notsureaboutspeaki ngout
becausey ourmotheri
n-l
awandIf earthat
mightmaket hingsworse.ButIfi
gur edthatwe
can’tdothiswhil
eyouarenother e.”
Nandipha:“
No,pleasedon’tst
opt hefamil
y
pl
ansonmyaccountandIdon’ thav eaprobl
em
wit
hany oneinthefamil
y.AndIcanaskmy
husbandtoli
stenonmybehal fifthere’
s
someonewhohasapr oblem withme. ”
Dali
su:“
No, weshoul
dallbepresentandIhave
beenthi
nkingofsol
uti
onstothismatterofus
tal
ki
ngwithoutdamagingthi
ngsbetweenus.”
Nandi
pha:
“Butbaba,i
tissai
dthat‘
Okoni
wa
ngoml
omokul ungi
swangomlomo’whatot
her
waycanbetherebesi
detal
ki
ng?”
Dal
isu:
“Iheary
oubutt
alki
ngcanal
so
damage.”
Nandipha:“Myauntusedt otel
lmet hati
nthe
pastfamili
eswi l
ldo‘Ukut
hel
elanaamanzi’
(Reconci
li
ation)Idon’
tknowwhet hertocal
li
ta
ri
tualor-
”shewasbr okenoffbyDalisu.
Dalisu:“Yes,yes, thefamilywoul dsi
toutside
thegat esoft hepr emises,iftheyhaveat r
ee
outsidetheirresi dencetheywoul dsitunder
thattreeandt heywoul dtalkabouttheir
problems, conf essifsomeonehasaconf essi
on
andr econcil
et hereforpeace’ssake.Andsome
woul dev entalkwi thananimal pr
esentand
slaughterthatani malwhent heyweredone. ”
Nandipha: “
Yes, exactl
ythatandevenifther
e’s
amat tertobeaddr essedbet weentwoormor e
famil
ymember sthatwoul dbedone.Wehav e
elder
si nthefami l
yandt heyknowt hi
stradi
ti
on
andwhenwer econcileweshouldtalkthi
ngs
outwecan’ treconcilewithoutt
alki
ng.Ican’
t
saylet’
sdot histypewher ewewr it
edownon
paperev ery
thingthatbothersusandhav e
someonewhowi ll
r eadoutanddi scusseach
problem wr i
tt
enandbur nthosepapersaf t
er
thatassi gnoflet
tinggobecausemay beold
peoplewon’ tbeupf ori
t.So,It
hinkat radi
ti
onal
wayshoul dbedonebecausewear ea
tradi
tionalfamil
y.Whatcanbemor erightthan
ourtraditi
ons?”
Dali
susighedst r
ongl yfeeli
ngt hatshewasr i
ght
andtherewasnoot herwayt heycoul ddothi
s.
“You’
reright,
MaZondi .Idi
dn’tgowr ongwhenI
thoughtofcalli
ngy ouandwewi lldothi
sbutI
cannotletthi
shappenwi thouty oubecauseI
canseet hatsomet hinghasgonewr ong
betweeny ouandy ourmot herin-l
awandi t
wouldbebet terthaty ou’
ll
bet here.”
Nandi
pha:
“But
,babaIdon’
twantt
ost
and-
”
Dal
isu:“
No, mywor di
sfi
nal
ont
hatone.Look
af
teryoursel
fther
e.”
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
l.Thanky
ou.
”
Dali
sut henr emovedhi sphonef rom hi searand
hemadeadeci si
ont hathewasgoi ngt ohav e
runthisbyt heeldersandi ftheysuppor tit.They
weregoi ngtohav etopost pone‘ ukut helel
ana
amanzi ’Helift
edthej ui
cef r
om t het ableandhe
sentittohismout h.“Mysonf oundawi f
eand
thatdayaf t
erthatrit
ual Iwil
l hav etoal l
owher
backintomypr emises.Herchar act erhas
shownt hatshet ookadeci siont hatwasoutof
herchar act
erwhensheabor tedmygr andson.
What ’
st her
et oreconcilei
fIdon’ tleadby
exampl easaf ami l
yleader?”Hemadea
decisi
onandhest ampedont hedeci sionwi tha
nodsuppor tinghimsel f
…Dal isut henst oodup
from thecouchandhewentt ot heel der l
ymen
ofthehouse…
“Yourmotheraskedmei fyouarealr
ight.Ey
i
sindakakhulukele.
”Dali
ngcebosaidt o
Ngceboast heywereheadi
ngt othevianowith
Dali
ngcebocarryi
ngNtokomaloandNgcebo
hadSi miloandBuhl e.Theot hertwower e
alreadybuckl edupont hei
rseat s.Theywer e
alsosleeping…I twasaSat urdayni ghtaftera
‘
looong’ dayt heblackcl ot
heshav ebeen
discardedoffandt heirmour ni
ngper iodhad
ended…Theel der
shaddeci dedt ostandwi th
Dal i
su’
sdeci siontopost ponet hef amil
y
reconcil
iati
onbecauseofNandi pha’sabsence
andt heyhav edecidedt hattheywer egoingto
dot hetradit
ionalway …
Ngcebochuckl ed.“Sheeatsnowandagai nbut
consumesherf oodinsmallerporti
ons.Ify ou
cannoticet hem,Ntokomaloi schubbierthan
theothers.”NgcebotoldDalingceboashe’ d
comment edaboutNt okomalo’sweight.
Dali
ngcebo:
“ AndNont obekoalwayssaidshe
wasbeingal ady.
”Her ecal
ledandt heyl
aughed
wit
hhisbrother.Dali
ngcebohandedt hebabyto
Thulawhowasal readyinsidethevehicl
e
wait
ingfort
hem…“ Youdidn’tanswerme. ”He
remindedhim af
terhe’
drequest
edt
hatt
hey
standaside…
Ngcebo:“Iam f
inebuttheydon’
twanttoget
memar ri
edformywi fe’
ssafet
y.Butbhuti
Mlamulit
oldmet hathewill
speaktothem…”he
bri
efedhi
m abouthadhappenedbet weenhim
andthei
rparents…
Dali
ngcebo: “
Weeeh!Doy ouev enthi
nkmama
will
li
stentoourbrother?Shewon’ tli
stentohim.
Don’tyouremembert hatshesai dNont obeko
andNandi phawerethebi ggestmistakeofour
l
ives?Andwhatmakesy outhinkthatshecan
dosomet hingtoprot
ectt hebiggestmistakeof
yourli
fe?”
Ngcebo:“
Mychi
l
drent
hen,
Dal
i
ngcebo.What
aboutt
hem?”
Dali
ngcebo:“Idon’tknowbutdon’
tjustwai
tfor
them butwhaty oucandoistakeNandiphaand
gotohermat ernalhome.Shealsohasherown
ancest or
s,y ou’
llneedt otellhermot herwhat’s
goingonandgot her
et opl eadwi t
ht hem t
o
protecther.Andasky our st oprotectyour
chil
dren.Wheny oucomeher ei
nDecember
withy ourfami l
y,wewi llexchangehouses.
You’lloccupymyhouseandIwi lloccupyyours
j
ustt oconf usewhoev ercanhav etheevileye
onherandt hechi ldr
en.Don’ tputy ourtr
ustin
mom anddady ou’l
lbedi sappointed.”
Ngcebosi ghedf eel
i
nghopef ul
.“Thatwi l
lbe
ver
yhel pful bafoandi t
’stotall
ybet t
ert
han
doingnot hingandwor r
y i
ngmy selft
odeat h.But
Iam notsur eaboutchangi nghouses.Iwi llbe
putti
ngy ourl i
feindangerbydoi ngthat.Whati f
thi
sdangeri ssomeonewho’ l
lcomel ookingf or
herinthehouseandt heyf i
ndQhaweandhi s
nannyint hehouset hentheyki ll
them orev en
youaswel l?Ican’tdothat ,Dal
ingcebo.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Okay,youmusthavesomeone
wat
chi
ngoveryourhouset
hen.”
Ngcebopressedhiseyestogethershor
tlywit
h
hi
sheadnoddi ngi
nagreement .Hegavehis
handtoDali
ngceboandt heysharedatight
brot
herl
yhug.“Thankyou,bafo.Iwil
lbeonit
andIwon’tevenwasteti
me. ”Hesaidtohim.
Dalingcebo:“Don’
tmenti
onit
.Don’
tdr
ivet
o
Jozi t
omor r
owwi t
houtseei
ngme.Wedidn’
t
catchupwi ththebusy
nesswe’v
ebeencaught
upin.”
Ngcebo:“Iwon’
tmakethemi stakeandthe
gir
l?”heaskedmovingawayf r
om Dali
ngcebo,
theyheadbacktothevi
ano.ButDalingcebo
washeadingtohiscarthathadhissonand
MaNxongo…
Dali
ngcebo: “She’
sdefini
tel
ymi nethatone!”He
shoutedther esponseashej oggedtohiscar …
Ngcebol aughedandst eppedinsidetheviano.
Hehel dont othesteeri
nganddr oveoutoft he
premisesmaki ngament alnotetocallthewi f
e
befor
et aki
nghi srestofthenight
…
~~~~~~~~~
“Ey,oldpeoplewil
l shockyou!
”Banelesai dand
theycachinnatedsenselessl
yast heywer e
seatedinsidetheloungejustthetwooft hem.
They ’
vejustgott
enbackhomeonaSat ur day
nightandt heywerehav i
ngmeatf rom t
her it
ual
anddr i
nkswhi l
erev oki
ngthefunnyeventsof
theday .
Mnt wana:“
Andourel dersar
er eall
ypassi
ng
withti
meandast heygrowol deri
t’
sli
kethei
r
brai
nsar er
usti
ngof fandtheybecome
comediansonsomeki ndofpr o-
bono.Idon’
t
evenknowi ft
here’ssuchthing.”
“I
sthishowy ouspeakaboutyourelderswhen
youarealone?”Dali
suaskedhissons
appeari
ngfrom themaindoorfol
lowedbyhi s
wif
e.Buthedi dn’
tsi
tonhisseat,heinstead
passedtheseatwhilehi
swifewassi tt
ing.
Mnt
wanaandBanel
e:“
Sawubona,
baba!
”they
chantedinsteadofgivingouttheanswerto
thei
rfather’
squest i
on.Andtheysmi r
kedat
eachot herwithli
tt
lesoundsblocki
ngt hei
r
l
aught erastheirf
athercli
ckedhistongue.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ar
eyout
wodr
unk?
”
Banel
e:“
Hawu,No!Whywoul
dweconsume
al
coholi
nsuchaday?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howshoul
dIknow?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Andwedon’
ttakeal
cohol
.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwil
ltr
ytobel
i
evet
hat
.Banel
e,
where’
sCandice?
”
Banel
e:“
She’
ssl
eepi
ngnow.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Whenar eyout womov inginto
thehousethatyourbrothergaveov ertoyou?”
sheaskedlif
ti
ngherf eetandpointedt hem f
or
Mntwana.Mnt wanamov edfrom hi
sposi t
ionto
removetheshoesf r
om herf eet
.Shewasno
l
ongerwear i
ngblackclothesbutshewas
wearinghercasualclot
hes…Mnothohadgi
ven
hi
st ownhouset hatbel
ongedtoEl
ena.Hegav
e
i
tovertoBaneleandCandi cet
ooccupy
becauseithadnoone…
Dali
susatonhi schai
rwithabot t
leofmineral
water.“Mntwanachangethisthi
ngy ou’
re
watching.”HecommandedMnt wanawhowas
busytakingoffhi
smot her
’sshoeswhi l
etheTV
wasonwi thmusi
cchannel…
Mnt
wana:
“It
hinkIwi
l
lmov
einwi
thy
ou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Canyoul
ethi
m answermy
questi
on?Anddowhatyourf
athersaysyou
mustdo.”shesai
dtohi
m andMnt wana
grabbedther
emote…
Banel
e:“Idon’
tknowwhenbutwewi
l
lmov
ein
befor
ethefir
stceremony
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Shehasagreedthatyou’
ll
have
yourcer
emoniessoonerandshe’l
lhaveto
beginwi
ththeweddingplanni
ngbecauseit
shoul
dhappeninthebegi
nni
ngofDecember
?
Thedatewill
bedeci
dedasiti
sdone
tr
adit
ional
l
y.”
Banele:“
Yes, mama.Sheagr eedtothatand
thatwil
lmeanwewi llbeleavingnextyear
February.Wear ehappythatwewi l
lhaveour
fi
rstChri
stmasasamar r
iedcouple.It
’sbeen
onehellofay ear.
”Her epli
edwi t
hanhonest
smileandt hr
ewt hepieceofmeati nsidehi
s
mout h.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedatDalisuwithtal
kingeyes
andhewasal sol
ookingather.Hesaw
every
thi
ngthatwasrefl
ecti
ngonherf ace.
“That
’sagoodthi
ngifthetwoofy ouar ehappy.
AndIshouldbegi
nbuy i
nggift
sy oumustt el
lher
thatt
heymustcompileali
stwi t
hhermot her.
”
ShesaidtoBanel
e.
Dali
su:“
Shemusthaveaclearpict
ureofhow
thecer
emoniesar
ecarri
edoutandi twil
l be
besti
fyouaskoneofyourolderbr
ot her
’swives
t
obor
rowyout
hei
rcer
emoni
es’
DVDsf
ort
hem
t
owat
ch.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yourfatheri
sright.Ihavethe
DVDshere.Ithi
nkyoushouldal sotaketheone
ofMnothoandElenabecauseshesur pri
sedme
onhowwel lshecar
riedevery
thingout.”
Mntwana:
“Ey,wayebhimbakodwamama. ”He
r
emindedthem andtheyal
lcrackedup,
thei
r
f
atheri
ncl
uded.
Dali
su:“Youar erightaboutthatMntwana.
Angikazengili
bonei bhimbieli
njey
ana
empilweni y
ami .Hheyi!Sikesabuka!
”he
supportedMnt wanawhi l
ehewasst i
lll
aughi
ng
andtheot hershav en’
tcalm down.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shet
ri
edandIgi
vehercr
edi
tsf
or
that
.”
Dali
su:“
Yes,
shetri
edbutst
il
lfai
l
edandIhope
yourbr
idewi
lldobet
ter
.”
Banel
e:“
Itr
usthert
hatshewi
l
ldobet
ter
.”He
sai
dandtheyhopedf
ort
hesamet
hingal
ong
wit
hBanel
e…
“Didyouseet hatBanel eislookingforwardto
hisweddingandt hismeanswecan’ tdisappoint
them onceagai n.
”Thembel i
hlesaidt oDali
su
astheywer einsidet hei
rbedroom pr epar
ing
themselvesforbed.Shel ookedatherhusband
ashewasn’ tanswer i
nghernorl ooki
ngather .
“Ndabezit
ha,cany ouhearme? ”Thembel i
hle
askedandDal isur ai
sedhi shead.
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwastal
ki
ngaboutBanel
eand
howhappyhe’sl
ooki
ngfor
wardfort
his
weddi
ngalongwit
hhiswif
e.”
Dali
su:“
Oh!Yes,y
ouar eri
ght
.”Hesighedand
hoppedinonthebed.Thembeli
hlej
oinedaf
ter
hi
m.“ Wehadalongday .
”Headded.
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,weshoul
dprayandrest.
”
ShesuggestedandDal
isusuppor
tedher.They
j
oinedhandsandpr ayed…“ Iwast hinki
ngthat
HappinessandNkosazanaal ongwi thmyself
weshoul dtakeafewday sfastingjusttopray
forthesafetyofNgcebo’
sf ami l
y.Ican’
tincl
ude
MaNkosi becauseshe’sonmedi cat
ionand
Candiceisleavi
ng.Ngcebol ookedupset .
”She
saidtoDalisuasshewasl ay i
ngonhi schest
andhisarmsar oundheraftertheirprayer
…
Dali
su:“That’
sagoodidea.Let
’ssl
eepnow.We
wil
ltal
kt omorrow.
”Hesaidtoheronalazy
voi
ceashewasheav i
l
ysleepy…Theysl
ept
peacef
ully…
~~~~~~~~
“Gotot hecarSi
phosami, Iam behi
ndy ou.
”
Daniell
esaidtoSiphosami andpushedhim
for
war dsoftl
yasshewasst andi
ngbefore
Mnot howheretheyhadthei rcar
sparkedinsi
de
t
hepr emisesofNdabezitha’shome.
Si
phosami
:“By
e,by
e,baba.
”Hewav
edt
ohi
s
f
atherknowi
ngt
hathi
sfat
herwasn’
tgoi
ngt
o
t
hehousewitht
hem.He’
dtol
dhimthat.
Mnotho:“Bye,boy
,Iwil
lseeyou.
”hewav ed
backlooki
ngatSiphosamiandploddedaway
fr
om them.“Idoubthe’
ll
evenbathwheny ou
gethome.”
Daniell
e:“They’
reallt
ir
edandthisl
adyis
sl
eepingal r
eady.”shesai
dpat
tingPearl
’
sbums,
shewasi nherar msandherheadlaidonher
shoulder.
Mnot hoslippedhishandsintoPearl
’s
underarmst oremov eherfr
om hermot her’
s
arms.“ Theygonut swhenthey’
retogetherand
i
twasev enwor sebecausetheyhadNgcebo’ s
gi
rls.Itwaschaot i
c.”Hecomment ed.
Dani
ell
esmi led.“
Itwasar ealchaos.Happiness
hasl
eft,r
ight?Ididn’
tseeherar oundandI
di
dn’
taskSi phosami aboutherwhereabouts.”
Sheaskedpl aci
nghert wohandsonMnot ho’
s
ar
mthatwashol
dingPear
l.
Mnot ho: “
Shelef
tthesamet i
mewi t
hmom and
dad.Yourhousekeeperandguar darenothome
toni
ght .Areyousurethaty
ou’l
lbegoodalone?
WecangohomenowandIwi l
lgoto
MaMt himkhul
utomorrowbecauseIdidn’
ttel
l
herthatIam comi ngbyherhouse.
”
Daniel
l
e: “
No, Iwil
lbef i
neandi
t’
snotli
keshe
hassomeonewi t
hher .Andyoumustalsogeta
guardforher.Idon’tknowwhyshedidn’thav
e
oneinthefir
stplacebecauseElenaandIhad
them.”
Mnot ho:“Iwil
lhavet ospeaktot heKingand
getonef orhertoensur ehersafety.Howwi l
l
yousl eeptoni
ghtbecausel astnight-
”hepull
ed
hernoseasDani el
legiggl
edr ecall
i
ngt hef
un
nighttheyhadt ogether
.
Daniel
l
e:“
Don’
tspeakaboutl
astni
ghtbecauseI
mightaswel
lki
dnapyounowandthatwouldbe
wrongbecauseIam pr ett
ysureMaMt hi
mkhul u
i
sast ir
ed.”Shesai dandf el
tnor ushofj eal
ous
thatshewassay i
ngt histohim.She’ daccept ed
thi
s,theywer esharingaman, hewassl eeping
withherandhewasgoi ngtosleepwi th
Happiness.Itwaseasi ernowt oacceptt his
becauseshe’dbeencl oset oHappi nessand
she’dwishedt hatshebecamecl osertohert he
minuteshebecameMnot ho’swi fe.Maybeshe
wasnev ergoingt ogot hrought hathor r
ibl
e
phaseshewentt hroughwi t
htheirhusband.
Mnot hochuckl eduncomf ortabl
yasheknew
thathehadn’ tevenkissedHappi nesssi
nceshe
retur
nedi ntohisli
fe.I
twasf ear!Buthewasn’t
aboutt odiscussthemat tersofhi shousewi t
h
Happi nesswithhisotherwi fe.“
Letmeputt hi
s
oneonherseatt henandy ou’l
lgohomet ohav e
awar m bathandr est.Your eall
yneedt orest.
”
Hesuggest edandDani el
l
enoddedi n
agreement .Theycrawledt oDani ell
e’
scar
hav
inga‘
nosoi
mpor
tant
’conv
ersat
ion.
Daniel
le:
“Goodni
ght,
then,
husband.Il
oveyou.
”
shesaidtoMnothoandlai
dherheadonhi s
chestasheembracedherint
oawar m hug.
Mnot ho:“Goodni
ght
,wife.Il
ovey
outooand
textmewheny ougethome.Iwil
ldot
hesame,
alri
ght?”
Daniell
e:“Yes,
Iwi l
l dothat.
”Shepromised
backingawayf rom hi m.Sheopenedthedoorof
hercar…AndMnot hoonlymov edawayfrom
hi
sposi ti
onafterhe’ dseenDaniel
l
e’scar
dri
vi
ngof fthepr emises…
Hechuckl edast hehousehadHappi ness’ s
showerv oiceroami ngever
yroom andt he
wat errunningatt hebackgroundasinstr ument
s
tohersi nging.Hewascer t
ainthechi
ldrenwer e
sleepingbecauset heywerenotinthefr ontof
thehouse.Hekneadedhi sneckafterthr owi
ng
hiscarkey s,
phoneandwal l
etonthebl ack
l
eat hercouchoft helounge.Hi sf eetsenthi m
totheki tchenwher ehedeci dedhewasmaki ng
popcor nbef orethinkingofbedandt heshower
i
fpossi ble…I t’
dbeenaf ewday ssi nce
Happi nessgotbackhomef rom herf ather ’
s
houseandasMnot hohadpr omi sedher .He
cookeddi nnerf orthem ont heirret urnhe’ d
encour agedt hattheyl eaveJohannesbur gearl
y
togethomei ntimef ordi nner.Thedi nner
wasn’ tbur ntbuti twasmout h-wat eringand
l
ov elydi nnerofaf ami l
yoff our.Thatni ghthe
didn’tshar et hebedwi thHappi nessbuthe
shar edt hebedwi ththet wochi l
dr enwho’ d
askedear l
iert hattheywant edt osl eepwi thhim.
Thef ollowi ngdayhecoul dn’tspendani ght
witht hem ast heyspentt hei rnighti nt heir
grandf ather ’
spremi ses…Toni ght, hewas
certaint hati twast her i
ghttimet oi nform her
thathewasmaki nghi swaybackt ohi s, tothei
r
bedr oom.
“WHOA! ”Happi
nessscreamedasshewasn’ t
expecti
ngahumanbei ngt obecrawl
ingi nsi
de
herbedroom.Shewascer tai
nthatMnot ho
wasn’tgoingt
obewitht hem onthepresent
nightbutshewaswrong…
Mnot
ho:
“Iam notaghost
.”
Happiness:
“Knockingi
snotbei ngrude.
”She
tol
dhim andplacedherlegbackonhert hi
ghto
begi
nmassagi ngherupsetfeetasshewas
seatedonherbedwear i
ngherpur pl
esil
kshort
pyj
amas.
Mnotho:
“Amancannev
erknocki
nhi
s
bedr
oom.”
Happiness:
“Andwhyi sthi
smanbr i
nging
popcorninmybed? ”sheaskedasMnot hosat
onthebedwi t
habowl ofpopcornaft
erhe’d
di
scardedhisblackleatherj
acketf
rom hisbody
andhisshoesfrom hisfeet.
Mnot
ho:
“If
eel
li
kei
t.Youar
etr
yingt
omassage
yourfeet
,areyou?”heaskednotseei
ngclear
ly
whatshewast ryi
ngtodo.Hesentthefi
rst
batchofpopcorninsi
dehismouthandthesalt
y
tastepl
easedhistongue.
Happi ness:“Yes,
butIcan’
thelpthesmell
of
thispopcor n.
”Shesaidsendi
ngherhandonthe
bowl butMnothoheldherwri
st.Happi
ness
staredi nt
ohiseyes.“Whatar
ey oudoi
ng?
Shar e.”Sheadded.
Mnotho:“Notunti
lyouwashy ourhands.You’v
e
beentouchi
ngy ourfeetforgoodnesssake
MaMt hi
mkhulu!
”heexcl aimedandHappi ness
l
aughedgetti
ngof ft
hebedt oleavetheroom
becauseherheartwasont hatpopcorn…
“Ihavebeenthinki
ngt hatIshoul dgeta
bodyguardforyou.He’llonlycomeher eatnight
j
ustli
keMaNkosi ’
sguar ddoes. ”Mnothosaidt o
Happinesswithhishandsr ubbingsoftl
yonher
feett
hathe’dtakenthem i ntohisthightogive
heramassageaf t
erthey ’
vef i
nishedoffthe
bowl
ofpopcor
n.
Happi
ness:
“Eh!Iwi
l
lhav
esomeonekeepi
ngan
eyeonme?”
Mnotho:“Hewon’ tbekeepinganey eonyoubut
hewillbehereforyoursafetyandthechil
dren’
s
safet
yespecial
l
ywhenIam nother e.Doyou
haveapr obl
em withtheguard?”helookedat
herandwai t
edfortheanswer .
Happi
ness:
“Idon’
tli
ket
hei
dea.
”
Mnot ho:“I
t’
sreall
ynotaboutli
kingitbuti
t’
s
abouty oursafet
yandi t
’snotl
ikeIwasasking
foryourpermission.Idon’
tgetwhyy ouwould
haveapr oblem.”
Happi
ness:
“Idi
dn’
tsayIhav
eapr
obl
em.
”
Mnotho:
“ You’
l
lhavetheguar
dt henandIam
comi
ngbackt omybedt oni
ght.Iwon’tsl
eep
al
onewhileIhavesuchacomf ort
abl
ebedwho
hasawife.”
Happinessl aughed.“Theguest
room bedisnot
comfortable? ”Sheaskedavoi
dingt
heshocks
thatweresentdownherspi nebyhi
swor dsthat
wereinformi ngherthathewascomingbackt o
hisbed!
Mnotho:“
No, i
t’
snotevenclosetocomf
ortabl
e.
YoumustbegoodnowIhav etogoandtakea
showersothatIwi
llbesleepeasi
ly
.”
Happi
ness:
“YoucangoIwi
l
lpr
oceed.
”
Mnotho:“
You’l
lpr
oceed!Areyoutr
yingtosay
t
hatIhaven’
tdoneasuffi
cientj
obhere?Phel
a,
yourf
eetarenosoftev
en.”Hesaidandthey
l
aughed.
Happiness:
“Usuyangi
phaphelakeyazi
!Justgo
andshowerunukai mbuzivel
e.”Shej
okedas
Mnothowasget t
ingoffthebedandthey
l
aughed.
Mnot
ho:“Mycolognei
stoostr
ongthatyoucan
ev
enpickthatupandwewerenoteveneati
ng
goat.
”Hesaidbef
orecl
osi
ngt
hedoort
ogett
o
thebathr
oom…
Happi nessgotupf rom t hebedandshe
prepar edt hebedf ortheirrest.Shewonder edif
tonightt heywoul dbet hatclosel i
ket hey ’
ve
beenbef ore.Butheonl yspokeaboutr esti
ng
andt hatwouldn’tbesuchani ceexper ience
aftersuchal ongtimeapar tfrom him.She
coul dn’tevenr ememberhowi tfel
thav inghim
i
nsi deher .She’dnev erexperiencedi tgenui nel
y
assheknewt hatallthathedi dwassl eepwi th
herj usttot ameher .Sheshookherheadand
l
aidherbodydownshi ft
ingtheset hought s
away …
“Areyousleeping,alr
eady?”Mnot
hoasked
Happinessholdingherwaistfr
om behindas
shewasl ayi
ngont hebedfaci
ngtheother
side…Herbodyf eltwarmerthanhisandhe
sighedwithhisbreathhit
ti
ngthebackofher
neck.
Happiness: “
Yes,Iam sleepi
ng.”Sher epli
ed
soft
lywi t
hherv oicenotsell
i
ngherof f.Now,
shehadasmi leashisar mswrappedar ound
herwai st
.She’dlovedthismani nav ery
unexpectedwayandi t
’sonlynowt hatshewas
real
isi
ngt hatshe’dnevergott
enov erhim but
sheallowedhat i
nghimt oburythel oveshehad
forhim.Andt hatwaswhyr i
ghtnowshedi dn’
t
feelanybadv ibelayi
ngdownont hisbedwi th
him holdi
ngherl i
kethis.
Mnot hochuckled.“Youcan’tanswermei nyour
sleep.Iam veryti
redandt hatmeanswewi ll
j
ustpr aywit
hourhear ts.Idon’tknowi fy
oust i
l
l
remembert hatIam notamanwhopr aysevery
day .
”Heremi ndedherplacinghischi nonher
backbutatt hebackofhi smi nd,therealt
hing
thathehadwas, hewasn’tsur ei
fheneededt o
makeamov etoinit
iat
eintimacywi thheror
may bejustnot!
Happi
nessbl
ushedbut
…“Ir
emembert
hatand
wecanpr ayoutl
oudwi
thouthav
ingtogetup
becauseIthi
nkGodcanseewear et
ir
ed.”She
suggest
ed.
Mnot ho:
“Hha!Nev
er!Let
’sgetup.Whatcanhe
say?”hesai
dmov i
ngawayf r
om herbodyand
thel
aughingHappi
nessgotupf r
om thebedt
o
pray
…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE26

“Areyousuret
haty ouwantt ogowi t
hher ?
There’
snothi
ngwr onginleavingherbehindand
goingwit
hthegirl
s.Iknowwe’ v
edonet he
ri
tual
sbutIcan’
thel pbutfeeluneasy.
”Faith
askedNgcebowhowasseat edonthesingle
couchinherhouse.Ngcebowasi nherhouseto
takeNandiphaandt hegirl
sforthei
rt r
ipdown
toKZN.They ’
vebeenwi thFait
handRandal lf
or
thethreeweeksofNgcebo’ sabsence.He
wasn’thomewi ththem becauseofwor kand
Nandiphadecidedtogot ohermot her’shouse
withthechil
drengivingherworkersat hree
weeksl eav
e…28t hofNov emberwhi chwasa
Thursdaymor ni
ngt heyweregoingtodr ivet
o
KZNf orBanele’
ssecondcer emony .
Ngcebo:“Idon’
twantt okeepleavi
ngherhere
becauseshe’l
lstartaski
ngmequest i
onsmama.
Ihavetoldhertwicethatshewil
lstaybehi
nd,
theti
mewhent herear i
tual
fort
hemour ni
ng
peri
odendandshedi dn’tgowit
husf or
Banele’
sfir
stceremony .
”
Fai
th:“
Butyougav eheragoodpoi
ntthatshe
wasgoingtoj
ointheceremonyatCandice’
s
homeandweat tendedthecer
emonywi t
h
Ngcebo.”
Ngcebo:
“IknowmamabutNandi
phawi
l
lbegi
n
aski
ngunendi ngquesti
onsi fIt
ellhert
ost ay
behi
nd.Iknowshedoesn’ tl
ikeKZNt hatmuch
butl
eavi
ngherwi llr
aisequest i
onsbecauseI
havenevertoldhertostaywhi l
ewear eleavi
ng.
AndIwast oldnottotellherunti
lIam surethat
theweddingisactuall
yhappening.Shewi l
l
worrymorethanIam. ”
Fai
th: “
Langalibaleleadvi
sedt hatbecausehe
knowspr egnantwomenwor r
yandatt hi
sstage
Idon’tthi
nkkeepi ngheri nthedar ki
sgoodf or
her.Sheaskedquest ionsaboutt herit
ualwe
hadbackhomebef oredoingit.Andhowar e
yougoi ngtotellheraboutherweddi ngthatwill
happent hi
sy earwhi l
eshehadn’ tpl
annotev en
asinglethingfort hatwedding.How’ sallthi
s
fai
rtoher ?
”
Ngceboexhal ed.“Mama,Iunderst
andyour
pointbutbeli
eveme.Wedon’ twanttotel
l
Nandiphaaboutt hi
sbecauseshe’l
lbe–Idon’t
knowhowt odescribet
histoyou.Let
’str
usther
ancestorswil
lpr
otecther.
”hetri
edt oconvince
herbecauseheknewNandi phaknowi ngabout
thi
swasgoi ngtomakehert oli
veint heedge
andshewasgoi ngt ohavethegreatest
paranoiaasshe’
dbeenwor ryi
ngabouthi s
wordsaboutchil
drenandheknewt hedepthof
herwor r
iesandreacti
onstosuchthings…
Thef oll
owi ngweekendaf terNgcebo’ sreturn
from theritual athishomest ead, theydr ov eto
KZN, eMzi ngazi wher eNandi phawasbor n.
MaNt ombel a,Nont obekoandt herestof
Nandi pha’saunt sandFai thwer epresentand
NgcebohadaskedauntNomkhosi to
accompanyhi m alongwi t
hLangal ibalele
becausehedi dn’tseeitasappr opriatethathe
goest hereal one.Dal i
ngcebowast her enotfor
theritualbutj usttosuppor thisbr other …
Ml amulihadf ail
edt oconvincet heirpar ents
thatNgceboneededt ohav ehisweddi ng
sooner .Andt heygav ehi
mr easonst hatBanel e
andCandi cehadbeent ol
dabouthowt heir
ceremoni eswer egoingtotakepl ace.They
gav ehimr easonsthatBanelewasecst at
ic
abouthisweddi ngandtheycoul dn’tstophis
weddi ngbutt heycouldonlyensur ethat
Ngcebowi llgetmarri
edrightawayaf t
er
Banele’sweddi ng.I
twasadeci si
ont hatwas
takennotonl ybyThembel i
hlebutbyDal i
sutoo
afterhe’dseent hatBanel
ewasecst at
icabout
hisweddi ng…
Ngcebot ol
dNandi phathatLangal i
balelesaw
theneedoft heri
tualthatitwasv i
talshe
connectswithherancest orssot hattheycanbe
closertoherandpr ot
ectheri nev eryt
hing.He
wassur pri
sedthatshedi dn’taskmor e
questionsabouttherit
ual butshepar ticipat
ed
aftersheunderst
oodi timpor t
ance.
Fait
hl ookedbackt ocheckifNandi
phawasn’
t
comi ngthei
rway .Shewasi nsi
deherbedr
oom
dressingthegir
lsfortheroad.“Mydaught
eri
s
strongt hany oucani magi neNgceboandt he
onlygoodt hi
ngt hatyoucandoi sjustt ellher
.I
knowy oumi ghtnotwantt ot ellherbecauseof
yourf ami l
ybuty oudon’thav etot ellhert hat
yourpar ent sref usedt odot heweddi ngsooner
asi twassai dbyt hefami l
yheal erandev en
aftert heki nghadspokent ot hem, theydi dn’t
agree.Youdon’ thav etot el
l hert hat.Idon’ t
under st andwhatwashar dt herebecause
Banel ewasgoi ngt ohav eizibizozakhet his
weekendandt henextweekendy ouhav e
i
nqabasondoy enu.But -”Shesentherhead
downf eeli
ngherhear tbreakasshe’ dbeen
stressedsi ncet hedayNgcebot oldherabout
thi
sweddi ngr equest.Shecoul dn’tbelievehow
i
nsensi tiveNgcebo’ spar entswoul dbet owar ds
herdaught erandherchi l
dren.I tclear l
y
reflectedt ohert hatt
heydi dn’ tcar eabouther
safet yast heirdaught erin-law.Shet hought
theywer eatl eastgoi ngt ocar eaboutNgcebo
butshewasdumbf oundedwhent heyshowed
t
heydi
dn’
t.She’
dbeenpr
ayi
ngandpr
ayi
ngf
or
t
hei
rsaf
ety.
Ngcebo:“
Iam sor
rybutwej
usthav
etobe
hopef
ul-
”
“Arey out wobondingher eory ouare
discussingser i
ousmat t
ers?”Nandi phaasked
hermot herandhusbandpushi ngherchi l
dren
forwar dast heywerewalkingsl owlyl
ookingat
themsel vesont hei
rnewcl othes..
.She’d
noticedt hatNgceboandhermot herhadbeen
seriouslytalki
ngwhenev ertheywer etogether
.
Shenev erknewwhatt hattheywer etalki
ng
about …
Faith:“
Hheyi,
onkabibaswenkil
ephelababuke.
”
(Thegirl
sarewelldressed,
lookatthem)She
pointedthegir
lswit
hherey esandNgcebo
l
ookedathi sdaughterswhower esti
l
ladmir
ing
themselves.
Ngcebo:
“Nazenabahl
ewemakhosazana.
”He
compl i
ment edthem andt hegir l
sgi ggled,the
foursatnextt otheirgr andmot herwhi le
Nongcebomar chedst raighttoherf atherwi t
h
herhandspackedont henewbl uejeansshe
waswear ingwi thapi nkBar bi
ev estandwhi te
wool l
encardiganexact lyli
ket heirmot her’
s.
“Nkosazana!Buhl eziisnott heonl yonewho’ s
wear i
ngheel stoday.”Heexcl aimedseei ngthat
theywereal lwear i
ngbl ackbabybl ockheel s.
Ngcebol i
ftedNongcebof rom thef loorandhe
placedheronhi slap.
..Hewonder edwhatwas
goingtohappenwhenNongcebohadt oaccept
thatshewasnol ongert hel i
tt
leonei nt he
presenceoft heirbrother s…
Simi
lo:“
Ehe,
baba.Shibahl
e,gogo?”(
Yes,dad.
Arewebeauti
ful
,grandmother
?)shelookedat
herwit
habigsmileonherface.
Fai
th:
“Yes,
youar
emor
ethanbeaut
if
ul.
”
Gi
rl
s:“
SHI
YABONGA!
”
Ntokomal
o:“
Mama,hambauy
ogcokanawe.
”
(
Mom, goanddr
essup)
Nandi pha:“Iam dr essedNtokoandwear eall
readyf orther oad.”Sherepli
edandchecked
herself.Shedi dn’tseeanythi
ngwr ongabout
hertightor angedr essthatshowedherbody
structureandhersi xmonths’pregnancybump
showedper f
ectlywi t
hhercardi
ganembr acing
thedr ess.Whensher ai
sedherhead, hereyes
metNgcebo’ spr eyingeyesandshel ookedat
hermot hersensi ngNgcebowasj ustlustingher
nownotappr eciati
ngherlook.Sheknewhi s
l
ust f
ul eyesper fectl
yandshehadnev er
mistakent hem.
Fai
thlaughed.“Thewaythegirl
saredressedup
perf
ectl
yIdon’tblameNtokomal of
or
questi
oningyouifyouar
edr essedupornot.”
Shesaid.
Nandi
pha:“
Wewi l
lbedr
ivingforhour
s,mama
andar
riv
einthehousel
ate.”
Ngcebo:“Umuhl
esthandwasami don’tl
et
Ntokomaloandhergrannygett
oy ou.Il
ove
howy ouaredr
essedup.”
Nandiphalookedathermotherwit
hhert ongue
outasNgcebowasopposi ngher.Faithl
aughed
andshookherhead.“ Mama,you’
lltel
lRandal
l
thatIam gone.Ican’
twai
tforhim.”Nandipha
saidtohermot her
.
Ngcebo:“Don’
tyouthinky oushouldst
ay
behi
nd?”heaskedNandi phaf eel
i
ngsomet ype
ofwaynowandconsi deringwhatFaithhadsaid.
Shewast her
einIzi
bizocer emonyandmay be
shedidn’
thavetocomenow…
Nandipha:“
No,IhavetoseeLangali
balel
e.I
real
lyneedtogotoKZN.Andwhatwi llyour
familysaywhenIdon’
tcomeandy ousai dwe
won’tcomebackbecauset hewhit
eweddi ng
will
happenthedayafterI
nqibamasondo.ButI
shouldseeLangal
ibal
ele.
”
Fai
th:
“Issomet
hingwr
ong?
”
Nandipha:
“Notr
eal
l
ybutIhav
etoconsul
twi
th
hi
m, mama.”
Ngcebo:“Ont hatcase,weshouldbeont he
roadthen.Mama, Iwill
callyouandwewi ll
fi
nishupourconv ersat
iononthephone.”he
toldFai
thandhegotupf rom t
hecouchwi t
h
Ngcebost i
ll
inhisarms.Andt hefourgi
rl
sdi dn’
t
battl
eoffthecouchbutt heywait
edtobe
placeddown.
Fai
th:“Alr
ight,mkhwenyana.Iwil
l waitf
oryour
cal
l.
”Shesai dandgotupt oplacet hechil
dren
down.Shet henwalkedthem alloutofthe
house.“Please,l
ookaft
eryourselfoverthere,
Nandipha.”Fait
hsaidtoNandipha.
Nandi
pha:“Yes,
mama.
”Shesai
dandhugged
hermotherti
ght
ly.
Fai
th:
“Il
ovey
ou,
mychubbycheeks.
”
Nandi
phagi
ggl
edashermot
herwaspl
ayi
ng
wit
hhercheeks.“Iloveyoutoo,Nandipha.
”She
sai
dandhel dhermot her
’shandwhowal ked
wit
hhert opassengerseatofthevi
ano.“You
sai
dy ou’
llcomeforthewhitewedding?”
Nandiphaaskedhermot herassheheldont i
ght
toherhand.
Fai
th:
“Yes,
andthetr
adi
ti
onal
weddi
ng.Wewi
l
l
comewithRandal
l
.”
Nandi
pha:“
Alri
ght,Iwi
ll
seey
out
hen.
”Shesai
d
andhermothernodded.
Fai
ththenwav
edherhandt
othem andNgcebo
hoot
edonce…
Ngcebo: “
Whydoy ouwanttoconsul
t
Langal
ibalel
e?Ihavemissedyou.
”heaskedher
andpulledherhandwit
hhisri
ghthandwhil
e
thel
efthandheldontothesteeri
ngoft
hev i
ano.
Helookedathershort
ly.
Nandi
pha:
“Ihavemissedy
outooandIsawyou
gazi
ngatmelikesomemeati
nmymot her
’s
pr
esenceNgcebo.Yougotnoshame.
”
Ngcebol
aughed.“
Shedidn’
tev
ennot
icet
hat
andyou’
remymeat,r
ight?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Hhay
suka!
”
Ngcebo:
“Don’
tfeel
thatwayandpl
ease,
answer
myquesti
on.
”
Nandipha:“Iwanttoaskhim aboutt hesewords
thatyourepeatedbefor
eyoul eftforyourtr
ip.
They’rer
eallybot
heri
ngmebecausehowcanI
betoldtoopenmyey esandpr otectthe
chil
drenwhileIknownothingaboutt hedanger
thatthechi
ldrenmaybepossi blyfacing.
”
Ngcebo:“Di
dn’
tyousayt
omey
ou’
l
ltal
kto
Nkosazana?
”
Nandipha:
“Ididpromiset hatandIdidspeakto
herandshepromi sedthatshewi l
lspeakto
mamaabouti t.Shecalledmeweeksbackand
tol
dmet hatyourmot hersaidLangali
balel
eis
goi
ngt owarnthem iftheyhav et
owor ryabout
thechi
l
dren.Ican’tj
ustfol
dmyar msandwait
formorewarnings.Ihav
esev enchi
ldr
enandI
don’
twanttolosenotev enoneofthem.”
Ngcebosi
ghed.“Al
ri
ght
,you’
l
lgoconsul
t
t
omor r
owmor ni
ng.
”Hesupport
ed.
Nandipha:“Yourdaught
erswill
sleepand
they’
redressedupforsl
eeping.”Shesai
d
l
ookingbackatt hei
rchi
ldr
enwhower emaki
ng
noiseinthei
rseats.
Ngcebo:“Letthem bebuthav
eamomentwith
yourhusband.Didn’
tyoumissme?Imi
ssed
youbigti
meov ert
here.
”
Nandiphagiggled.“ No,Ididn’
tmissyoubad
becausedur i
ngt hedayIwoul dgot othehouse
anduset hestudiogoi ngthroughthesongs
we’vewritt
enfort hepastt womont hsandI
havewr i
tt
enanot herone.”ShetoldNgceboand
l
ookedathi sdirectionwithadelightf
ulf
ace.
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Iwr
oteoneaswel
landwe
shoul
dseewhatwe’
vedonewhenwegethome
andchecki
fwehaveanal
bum ornot
.”Hesai
d.
Nandi
pha:“Wedon’thav
eanal bum y
et,Rast
a.
Wehav en’
tdonemuchandy ouknowt hatwe
can’
tcompileanal
bum i
njusttwomont hs.
”
Ngcebo: “
Yes,Iknowbutt
hatdoesn’
tmeanwe
shouldn’
tcheckwhatwehavenowandwor kon
expandingit
.”
Nandipha:
“Okay
,you’
rer
ight.Idi
dn’tev
enki
ss
youbecausemamawasj ustthereandwhy
didn’
tyoucometakemelastnightwhenyou
arri
ved.
”
Ngcebochuckled.“Idi
dn’tknowwhet hery ou
aresl
eepingorawakeandIdi dn’
twanty our
mothertoseethathe’sobv i
ouslythi
rst
yf or
her.
”hesaidandt heycrackedupwi thNandipha
notmindi
ngthenoi seoftheirgir
ls.
Nandipha:“Shewasn’
tgoi
ngtosayanyt
hing
aboutthatandlooknow,wewil
lwai
tforhours
unt
ilIcanev
enhol
dyourf
ace.
”
Ngcebo:“
Don’
tworr
y,sdudl
asami wewillt
ake
t
hebreaksweusual
lytakeandyou’l
lhol
dmy
f
acethewayyouwantitandyou’l
lki
ssandkiss
me.”
Nandi
phagiggled.“ImissedyousobadandI
j
ustli
edafewmi nutesagothatIdidn’
tmiss
youbadl
y.Ievenspatt hatIhat
ey ourcar
eer
.”
Ngcebo:
“Awu,
lomf
azi
!”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Iwasmi serabl
ephel
a,
Rast
a.”Shetol
dhim honest
ly.
Ngcebo:“Iwil
lgetyouoffyourmiser
yandtell
me,howdi ditgowi t
htheDepart
mentof
Educat
ion?Wear eonnexty ear
?Youdidn’
ttel
l
meaboutt hatthedayIcall
edyou.Youwenton
aboutyourcrazystori
es.
”Heasked.
Nandiphasmi
led.“Yes,babe,weareonnext
yearandIam morethangr at
eful
.Howdidy our
t
ripgo?Iwantdetail
s.”sheaskedandlookedat
hi
sdir
ect
ionknowi
ngthatnow,
hewasgoi
ngt
o
nar
rat
etoheral
labouti
t…
29thofNov ember,Fri
day.“…Andwhatwor r
ies
mei st hatnobodywant stol i
stentomeandi t
happenedl i
ket hi
swhenmyhusbandal most
died.Iknowt hesewor dswon’ tbesaidj ustfor
thef unofi t
.WhatcanIdo? ”Nandiphaasked
Langal i
baleleaftershe’dtoldhim aboutt he
wor dst hatNgcebohadbeensay ingformont hs
andt heydi dn’
tknowwhatt heymeant .Andshe
hadhopet hataf t
erGcinil
ehewasn’ tgoingto
sayt hesewor dsagainbutshewaswr ong
becausehesai dthem again.
Langali
balelenoddedandheal sofeltt
hewor r
y
thatref
lectedthr
oughherey es.Andi tbother
ed
himthatNgcebowasst il
lsayingthesewor ds
becauset hey’
vethoughtthatafterthey’
ve
consult
edwi t
hNandipha’
sancest orsandt he
Zuluancest or
s,t
hedangert hatmi ghtbe
aroundherwasn’ tgoi
ngtof oll
owher .Buthe
neededt
oreadhi
sbones…Nandi phal
ooked
downasshesawhim conv
ulsehisshoul
der
s
andshehear
dhim gr
oandeeply
…
Her ai
sedhisheadandl ookedatherbuthehad
thewondert hatwhywer en’ttheancestors
showinghim whatwaswr ong!“Amessage
meantf oryoui samessagemeantf ory ouand
thepeoplear oundy oumaynotr eacttoitas
youhav ereactedtoi t
.Andt hat
’sonl
ybecause
i
t’snotmeantf ort
hem.Idon’ thaveanswersfor
you,NkosazanaandIhav ebeenbot heredas
youandy ourhusbandhav ebeenbot hered.
”He
saidthewor dst oher…AndNandi phaf el
ther
heartsunkast hiswasnotwhatsheexpect ed.
Thiswasnosol uti
on.
Nandi
pha:
“Iwi
l
ljusthav
etol
eav
ewi
thno
answer
sandcl
ues?”
Langal
ibal
ele:“Let’
shopey ou’
ll
findsomethi
ng
j
ustkeepli
st eni
ngandi fyouri
nstinct
sare
tel
l
ingyousomet hi
ngtalktoyourhusband.I
n
thi
scasewej
usthav
etouset
hathi
dden
sense.
”
Nandi
pha:“Thokoza!
”shesai
donal
ow
di
sappoi
ntedtone.
Langali
bal
ele:“Don’
tbesaddenedt hatpeopl
e
aroundyoumaynotl i
stentoy oubuttherewil
l
bepeoplewhowi l
ll
ist
ent oyou,therewill
be
peoplewhowi l
l l
i
stentoy ourhusband.Iwill
keepconsulti
ngandopeni ngmyey esfor
somethingthatcanshowup. ”Hesaidlastto
herandsheaccept edhiswor ds…
“Didyoucomebackwi thanswers?”Ngcebo
askedNandiphaandhest art
edthev i
anoashe
wasi nsi
dethevehi
clenow.Sheleftthehut
aloneandNgcebowasi nsidethevehicl
e
waiti
ngforher.He’
dbeent heonewhodr ov
e
her.
Nandi
pha:“
No,butheonl
ytol
dmet hatthe
messagewasclear
lymi
neandIshouldn’
tbe
sadt
hatt
heydi
dn’
treactt
oitl
i
keIdi
d.”
Ngcebohitthesteeringonce.“Iam sofuckin
angry!Whycan’
tt heseancestorsj
usttellus
what’sgoi
ngonandst opplayi
ngthesegames
wit
hus? ”heshoutedoutofangerf eeli
ngt hat
worrywasthecent reofthei
rli
vesnow.
Nandi
pha:“
No!Ngcebodon’ tspeakli
kethat
andpl
ease,calm downbecausebeingangry
won’
thel
pus, sthandwasami.”
Heexhaled.“Thishavebeenwor r
yingmeandI
thoughtt
hataftertheri
tualwedidatyour
mat er
nalhomewewon’ tgett
hismessage
again.
”Hesaid.
Nandi
pha:
“It
hinkpr
ayi
ngi
swhatwecando
now.”
Ngcebo:
“Not
hingseemst
owor
kNandi
phabut
l
et’
sbehopef
ul.”
Nandi
pha:“
YeahandIam hopi
ngthati
twon’t
bethi
shottomor
row.Pal
esatol
dmet hatshe
wi
l
lcomef
ort
heweddi
ng.
”
Ngcebochuckled.“Herboyf
ri
endt ol
dmet hat
heinvi
tedherforthewhiteweddingandIdon’t
thi
nkthatyou’
l
l at
tendthetr
adit
ionalwedding.
”
Nandi
pha:“Iwi
llattendi
fit
’snotsunny.Doyou
thi
nkthatwe’
ll
ev erhaveatradi
ti
onalweddi
ng?”
sheaskedandlookedathim.
Ngcebochuckl
eduncomfor
tabl
y.“
Yes,
wewi
l
l
havei
t.Whyareyouaski
ng?”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwasjustaski
ngbecauseIam not
wel
comedinyourfamil
yhome.”
Ngcebo:“Don’
tworryaboutt
hatbecausey ou’
l
l
entermygrandf
ather’
spremi
sesasawi f
eand
you’l
lper
for
my ourduti
esasawifethere.”
Nandi
pha:
“Aw!Andy
ouar
ejustdeci
dingt
hat
Rast
a?”
Ngcebo:
“No,i
t’
showitshoul
dhappen.Wear
e
goi
ngtothepal
acenow,ri
ght
?”heasked
mov
ingawayf
rom t
hei
rweddi
ngt
opi
c.
Nandipha:“Yes,wearegoingther
e.Ourchil
dren
arealsothere.
”sherepl
iedandNgcebot ookthe
roadthatwassendingthem toNkosazana’s
palace…
~~~
30t
hofNov ember,Satur
day.“
Don’tcry
Nandipha.
”Ngcebosai dtohiswifeonaSat
ni
ghtaftershe’
dr ecei
vedaphonecal l
from her
motherthatRandall’
sgrandmotherhaddied
andtheyhadt oflytoLondonearl
yinthe
morning.Nandiphawantedtogowi ththem but
Fai
thtoldherthatshecouldn’
t.
Nandipha:
“Youdi
dn’
thearmybrot
hercr
y,
NgceboandIcan’
tevengowit
hthem.Iwantt
o
betherewit
hhim.
”
Ngcebo:
“Youcan’tgobecauseyou’
l
lbeseven
monthsj
ustinafewday sandyouwon’
tbe
al
lowedtofl
ythen.Idon’
tthi
nkyouwantt
ogive
bi
rthtoourbabiesinLondon.Isthatwhatyou
want?”hel
ookedatherandNandi phashook
herheadwithtearsandmucusr oll
ingoff
.
Ngcebograbbedthet i
ssuethatwasont he
bedsi
dedrawerandshegav ei tt
oher .
Nandi
pha:“
Thanky
ou.
”shet
ooki
tandwi
ped
herf
ace.
Ngcebo: “
Thul
aishereandtoday,y
ouattended
theceremony.Idon’
tthi
nkthaty
oushould
att
endt hewhi
teweddingtomorr
ow.Youcan
j
ustrelaxher
ewi t
hthegir
lsandIwill
att
endthe
wedding.”
Nandipha:“Andy ouwon’tcomeback.Youonl y
camebackt oni
ghtbecauseIcalledyoucryi
ng.I
wanttoat t
endtheweddi ngandseemyf r
iend.
Whydoy oukeepst oppi
ngmef rom doing
thi
ngs,Ngcebo?What ’
shappening?”Shelooked
athim andNgcebohel dherface.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcomebackandy
ouknowt
hat
t
heweddingwon’
thappenher
eandt heysai
dit
won’
ttakel
onger
.Iwi
llcomeback.
”
Nandi pha:“Justgoandshower .
”Shesai dto
him becauseshedi dn’twantt okeeplist
ening
tohim promi seherwhatsheknewhewoul dn’
t
do…Ngcebogotupf rom thebedaf t
er
Nandi phahadl aiddown.Hewast hi
nkingt hat
may begoi ngtot heweddi ngwi t
hherwasway
betterthanleavingherbehi nd.Hewasnot
wor r
iedaboutheratt hecer emonyt oday
becauseshewasbef or ehisey es.Yes!Itwas
betterthatheat tendstheweddi ngwi thher.He
steppedi nsidetheshowerandhi smi ndwent
wildabouthi spar ent
swho’ dshowedhi m no
l
ittl
econcer nabouthi swi fe!Itwashi sbrothers
whom he’ dt ol
daboutt hi
swhoshowedconcer n
aboutherandhi m.Andhewonder edhowhi s
weddi ngwasgoi ngtot akepl acebecause
nothingabouti thadbeensai d.Ormay bea
weekwoul dbeenought opl anthetradit
ional
weddingonlyi
ftheycoul
dhir
epeople.Atthis
st
agehedi dn’
tcarei
fitwasbi
gorsmal las
l
ongasNandi phaandthei
rsonswi
llbesaf e.
Hehissedinsi
detheshowerashefeltt
he
pr
essuregrowingwit
hinhim….
~~~~~
1stofDecember ,Sunday .Shekeptt ossingand
turninginhersl eep.Shecoul dn’
tgowi th
Ngcebot oNkosazana’ spalaceont heirreturn
from Richar ds’bayf orBanel e’swhiteweddi ng.
Shet oldNgcebot hatshewast i
redandshe
neededt ogoandsl eep.Ngceboal l
owedhert o
drivewitht hegi rlsandhepr oceededwi th
Dalingcebot othepal ace.Pal esaleftthe
weddi ngv enueandheadedst r
aighttoDur ban
totheai rportshewasgoi ngt otakeapl ane...I
t
wasabeaut ifulweddi ngandshehadherdown
spiri
tlif
tedal it
tlebecausehermi ndandsoul
waswi t
hherbr ot herandmot her.She
under st
oodt hatf l
yingtoLondonwasgoi ngto
meant hatshewasn’tgoingt
ocomebackunti
l
she’
dgi v
enbirthandshecouldn’
tlett
hat
happen.Shecoul dn’
tgi
vebir
thinaforei
gn
countr
y.Butiftheyknewbetter
…Londonwoul
d
havebeenbet t
er!
Shegaspedshar plyandr oseupf rom herbed
asshewasst art
ledbyt hel oudestr oarofthe
thunder .Shequi cklyt ur
nedherheadt ot he
window’ ssideasshewascer taint hatshe’d
seenasi l
houettebutwhenherey eslandedon
thewi ndowsi dether ewasnosi l
houet te.She
closedherey esf orheraf ewmi nut esasshe
feltherbodyshi ver.Itwast het hunder ,shet r
ied
toconv inceherselfthatshewasn’ tscaredbutit
wasj ustt het
hunderandbei ngal onei nt he
room.Butshecoul dn’ thelpbutf eel t
hisheavy
bur denonhershoul dersasi fsomeonewas
ther ewi thher!Sheopenedherey esagai nand
l
ookedst rai
ghtont hatwi ndowandshegasped,
certaint hatwasasi lhouetteofawomanand
thi
st i
mear ounditdi dn’
tmoveordi sappear
until
shet urnedont hebesidel
ights.She
touchedherwetf acewi thhershakinghands
andshel ookedf orhercel l
phone.Shef ound
herphonewhi leshemov edherfeetfrom the
beddownt ot hefloorasherphonedi al
l
ed
Ngcebo’snumber .Buthedidn’
tanswer .He
searchedf orDalingcebo’snumberandshe
reachedv oicemai l
!
Nandipha:“Yes!Myi nsti
ncts!Ishoul dleave.”
Shesuppor tedremember i
ngt hatLangalibalel
e
hadtoldhert otrustherinsti
ncts.Shemov edt o
thewardrobet ochangeherni ghtgownsand
woreabl acklongst r
etchydr ess.Sheopened
theothersideoft hewardrobesear chi
ngf ora
rai
ncoat.Shewor ebootsonherf eetandmov ed
fast
ertogett othekitchenf orfood…
Nandipha:“Ican’
tjusttakemychildr
enand
l
eave!Whataboutt heotherchi
ldr
en?Iwasn’t
t
oldtopr ot
ectmyownbuti twassai
dchil
dren
aret hefut ureoft heki ngdom andwhatki ndof
aper sonwoul dIbei fIl eaveot herchi ldrenand
twopr i
ncesi nthem ar et hechi l
dr enoft he
king.”Shepl acedherwethandsonher
foreheadt ryi
ngt oherbestt othi nk.Nobody
wasgoi ngt ol i
stentoherandt hist i
mear ound
shedi dn’twantt omakenomi stakeshewas
goingt oactandf eelunapol oget icabouti t.“But
thenagai nThul aisal oneandsl eepi nginher e.I
mustt el
l hert ogohomebecauseIcan’ tpack
heri nthev i
anowi t
hsomanychi ldren, t
he
guar dwi l
l seehi mselft hrough.Butshe’ lljust
standi nmyway !
”Sher emember edand
mar chedt ot hevianot hathadhersl eeping
childreninsi de.Sheknewt hechi ldrenwer eal l
i
nNkosazana’ spalaceandget tingi nt here
wasn’ tgoi ngt obeapr obl em.Sheconv inced
herselfasshehel dthest eeringanddr ov et he
vianobackt oleavet hepr emises…Shegotof f
thecart ocl oset hegat e.Theguar dhadl ocked
himsel finsidet hehutasi twasr ainingand
t
herewast hunder
.Hecoul
dn’
tseeNandi
pha
wasleav
ing.
Shesteppedinsi
dethev i
anoplanningthatshe
wasgoingtoparkitatt hebackgat eandhead
wheresheknewchi l
drennor mallystaytogether
andtakethem.Itwasbet tertoremov ethem
nowbecauseshedi dn’tknowf orhowl ongwas
shesupposedtoopenherey esf ordangershe
didn’
tknow.Andwho’ ssilhouett
ewast hat
?
“Jesus!Thi smani snotanswer inghisphone.
Wher e’sthecable?Idon’ thavebat t
ery.
”She
stressedsear chingforitwhil
eshekeptl ooking
ont heroad…Shecl i
ckedhert ongueast he
cablewasn’ tinsi
det hecar.“Whyme?Why !Iam
pregnantf orgoodnesssakeandIam wor ryi
ng
my selftodeat hnowwi thsomet hingIam not
evensur eabout !Thisfamily-
”shebr okeoffand
wipedherunendi ngtearsasshewasext remely
scaredandt hethunderwasn’ tmakingiteasy
alongwi ththeheav yrain.Sheturnedoffthe
l
ightsinsi
dethevianoaftershe’
dcheckedback
onherchildr
enandl ucki
ly…Thet wopeopl
ein
searchforherpassedherv ehi
clewit
hout
real
i
singthatitwasher …
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE28

WhenNandi phat
ookt hechi l
drenfrom the
palace,ev er
ymemberoft hef amilywasi nside
themai nhouseat tendi ngthemeet i
ngt hat
Langal i
balel
ehadcal led.Shedi dasshe’ d
plannedt hatshewasgoi ngt ouset heback
‘
smal lgat e’
toenterthepr emi ses.Thepal ace
hadbeenbusybecauseoft heweddi ngand
theyobv iouslydi
dn’tkeept hatgat elocked…
Shel uckil
yfoundthechi l
dreni nsi
det hehouse
wher eshehadguessedt heywoul dbe.Itwas
heavilyraini
ngandt her ewasnobodyr oaming
ar
oundt
hey
ard…
Nandiphasi ghedheav i
lyasshe’ dmanagedt o
packthef ri
ghtenedchildreninsidet hevi
ano.
Bongani wasseat edont hef r
ontseatwi th
Nonjabuloseat edonhisl ap.Prince,
NhlakaniphoandQal okuhl ehadt hreesmall
chil
drenont heirl
apsont hethreebackseat s
withalit
tlespacel ef
tforSi mil
o.Nandi pha’
s
othergir
lsoccupi edthetwomi ddleseatswith
Siphosami .
Nandi pha:“Okay,children,Ihadt otakey ou
from thepalacebecauseIwast oldthatt his
l
ighteningdoesn’ twanty outost ayinthe
palace.”Shesaidt othechildrenhopi ngt hat
theywoul dn’tbef urt
herscar edast heywer e
already.Theywer ewetf rom beingkeptwai ti
ng
asshewasaddr essingt hem onhowt heywer e
goingt oseat.Thegi rlshadal readywokenup
andt heywer ecryingbecauseoft hethunder .
Butwhent heirmot herreturnedwi thot her
chil
drentheircur
iouseyesf
orcedthem tokeep
quietbecausetheyneededtoseewhatwas
happening,t
his,t
hathadneverhappened
before…Theirseatshadbeentakenoutand
placedatthebackt oopenspaceintheseats…
Bongani
:“Soy
akuphiphomamakaSi
mil
o?”
(Wherewil
lwego?)
Pear
l:“Mi
nangif
unaumamani manzimanj
e!”(
I
wantmymot her
.Iam wetnow)she
complai
nedseat
edonQal okuhl
e’
slap.
Nandiphasi ghed.“Iwil
lopentheheaterand
you’
llfeel warm andtoansweryourquestion,
Bongani .Iknowwher ewear egoi
ng.”She
repl
iedwi ththeanswershesawsui table
becauseshehadn’ tdeci
dedwheretoheadt o.
She’
dt houghtofdr ivi
ngbacktoGaut engbuti
t
wast oof ar.ShehadMaNt ombela’
shouseor
herbirthhome, eMzingazi.
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Mamncane,
sol
alasi
bambene,
pho?
Ngi
yazelamina.
”(We’
l
lsl
eephol
dingeachot
her
?
Iam sl
eepy.
)
Nandipha:“
Yes,you’
ll
sleepli
ket hatand
remembery ouhavewaistseatbelt
shol i
ngy
ou
andthatmeansy ouwon’tfal
leasily
.”She
assur
edherandshet urnedtoopent heheater
deci
dingthatshewasnev ergoingtofini
shup
answeringthei
rquest
ions.Sheneededt odr
ive!
It
’dbeenawhi l
easshewasdr i
vingonther oad.
Shewasdr iv i
ngt hev i
anot r
yinghar dernott o
speedont hesl i
pper yroadbutshecoul dn’thelp
butkeeplooki ngont her oadf orcarsfoll
owi ng
her.Andshef igur edshewasev enmor escar ed
ofthem becauseshedi dn’
tknowwhomi ghtbe
foll
owingher .Shel ookedbackatt hechildren,
theyweresl eepi ngnoti npleasantposi t
ionsbut
therewasnot hingt hatshecoul ddo.Shel ooked
atBongani andhewasawake.
Nandi
pha:
“It
hinkthatt
heother
sarenot
sl
eepi
ngcomfort
ablyandi
twouldbebet
teri
fI
stopthecarinsidethenearbyi
nlaneofthe
forest
.Whatdoy outhi
nk?”sheaskedhi
m
becausehewasawakeandshedi dn’
twantto
scarehim.She’ddecidedthati
twasbetteri
f
shestopthecart hantokeepthecarmov i
ng
becausemay bet hatmightmeanmor et
roubl
e
forherandallthesechil
dren.
Bongani :
“Thet hunderwon’ thur tus?”hel ooked
atherandNandi phashookherhead, shekept
l
ookingar oundf orcar stogett othelaneshe
knewshecoul dhi dethecart here.Shedi dn’t
wantt oshov ethecarwher eshewasn’ tsure
aboutbecauset hatmi ghthurtthet i
res…She
wasf eeli
ngherpr essurewashi ghbutshe
wasn’tcrying.Shewasf ri
ghtenedandcoul dn’
t
possiblybeli
evet hesi t
uati
onshewasf aced
wit
h.Andshecoul dn’tpossiblyseethewayout
asther ai
nwasn’ tgoingeasy …
“Pl
ease,
sleepbecauseev
ery
oneissleepi
ng
now.Layyourheadonthewindowandclose
yourey es.It’swar mi nher e,nothi
ngwi ll
happen. ”Shesai dt oBongani whowasst i
l
l
awakeev enaf t
ershe’ df oundt heent rancel ane
thatshe’dbeensear chingt ohidethev i
ano
event houghshewasn’ tcer tai
nifitwasenough.
Bongani didasNandi phahadadv isedhi m.She
sighedandhermi ndwentwi ldwithherl ef
t
handonhert ummyandherr i
ghthandhol ding
herbat t
er ylessphone.I thithermi ndt hat
may bet hedangerwasn’ taper sonbutt his
thunder.Butno, thatwasi mpossible.She
closedherey esfeel i
ngf urtherhelplessandher
heartnow, herhear twaswi thherhusbandas
shet houghtt hatshewassupposedt ol eavea
notef orhim.Hewasgoi ngt obesi ckwor r
ied
aboutherandt heirchil
dr en!
“Ican’
tdri
vebacktot hehousemay bet
hat
sil
houett
ewaspr essuri
ngmet oleavet
he
house.Lord!Pl
ease!Protectus.”Shespokeout
l
oudandshehi ssedneglectingherheadon
backont heseat
.Shekeptherey
esclosedand
shelist
enedtothesoundofther
ainand
thunder…
~~~~~~
“Please,calm downbecausewewi llgot o
Langalibaleleinthemor ningandmay behewi l
l
seesomet hingnowast hechi l
dr enar enot
here.”AuntNomkhosi saidt othet hreemot her
s,
Nkosazana, HappinessandNt andokazi ,who
wer ecryi
ngal ongwi t
ht hei rmot herin-law…
They ’
vesear chedallov ert hepal acef orthe
childr
enandt heycouldn’ tfindt hem andnow,
theywer eseat edont hel oungeaswomenwi th
themot her scryingwor ri
edl yfort heirlost
childr
en.Theot herwomenhadt heirheads
forceddownaswor ryhadconsumedt heir
whol ebeing…Themenwer en’
twi tht hem.
Nomalanga:“Youcan’ttel
lamothertocalm
downaboutherchi l
drenwhoarenotwithher,
aunt
y.Please,under
standwhatthey’
refeel
ing.
”
Nkosazana: “Wherecouldt heybe?”sheasked
rai
singherheadasshecoul dn’
tbeliev
ewhat
hadj usthappened.Shecoul dsti
llfeelt
he
coldnessoft heroom wheret her
ewas
supposedt obewar mt hbecauset hechildr
en
wer ethere.Shecoul dsti
llseetheempt i
ness
wher et heeightchil
drenwer esupposedt obe
fi
ll
i
ngt hehouse.Andherheadbuzzedwi th
wor r
y .
Mawande:
“NobodyknowsNdl
ovukazi
butwe
needt
obehopeful
.”
Happiness:“
Hopeful
?Hopefulaboutwhat?Our
chil
drenaremissi
ngandallyouaretel
l
ingus,i
s
thatweneedt obehopef
ul?
”
Auntelder
: “
MaMthi
mkhul
u!Getaholdof
yoursel
fbecausewear
eallworr
iedher
ebut
ther
e’snothi
ngwecandobesidesbei
ng
hopeful
.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Wear
esupposedt
obeoutt
her
e
l
ooki
ngf
orourki
ds.
”
Nomalanga:“Themenaredoingthat.Doyou
wanttogetlostwhil
esear
chi
ngf orthechi
ldr
en?
Ther
e’snothi
ngy oucandooutthere.”
Nokuthula: “Mysi sterisright .Iwillgogetsome
water.”Shesai dlooki ngatThembel i
hlewho
hadherheadl eani ngont hecouchandt ears
fal
li
ngof fhercl osedey es…Thembel ihl
ewas
seatedont hecouchwi thherear spicki
ngup
everyt
hingt hatt heywer et alkingabout .She
couldn’tbelievet hatt heei ghtgr andchildrenof
thekingdom wer emi ssing.Themenhadgone
l
ookingf ort hem butwher ewer et heygoi ngto
begin?Whydi dtheancest orsgiv ethem l ast
minutewar nings?Whydi dt heyhav etoshow
Langalibaleleanenemyont hesameni ghtt hat
thechildrenwer egoi ngt obeadduct ed?
“
Sis’Thembel
ihl
e,havesomewat er
.”Nokut
hul
a
t
oldThembelihl
ehandingovert
heglassof
waterandThembeli
hleopenedhereyes.
Thembel i
hle: “
Thanky ou.”shet ookt heglass
andshedownedt hewat er,shel ookedather
daught ers’i
n- l
aw.Theywer enol ongercry i
ng
buttheywer equi etandnoonei nt helounge
wast alking.Theysati nt ot
alsilence…She
hopedt hattheLor dandancest orswouldbr i
ng
backt hechi ldrent otheirmot hers.Shedidn’t
evenknowi fshewasgoi ngtohav etocall
Naledi andNont obekot ot el
lthem aboutt hisor
shewasgoi ngt ohav etowai t.
Thembel i
hle:“Ithinky oumustgoandsl eep,
aunty.Wewi llwai tforthei
rret
urn.Icansee
thatyoulookr est l
ess.”Shesaidlooki
ngatthe
elderauntsandt heynoddedi nsupportbecause
theyweret i
red.
Auntelder:
“Let’
spr aybef orewego.
”She
suggestedandt heypr ayedtoget
her
,pour
ing
outthei
rwor r
iestot heircreat
or…
“
Doyouwantustogotooneofourhousesor
y
ou’
l
lsleepi
nthepal
ace?
”Mnothoaskedhis
twowiveswhoweret
heonesl efti
nthe
l
ounge…Theyhavedr
ivenaroundthestreet
s
separ
atel
yandt
heydi
dn’tfi
ndt hechi
ldr
en.
Happiness:
“Youaretal
ki
ngaboutsleepi
ng
whil
ewedon’ tknowi
fthechil
drenaresl
eepi
ng
orwhat.Howcany ouaskthat
?”
Mnotho:“MaMthi
mkhulu,
yourbodi
esare
r
estl
essandthatmeansyouneedtosleep.I
t
hinkthatweshoul
dsleepher
e.Youcanshare
t
hebedr oom.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Whatwi
l
lhappennext
?”
Mnotho:“Wewil
ltal
ktomorrowaf
terwe’
ve
consul
tedwit
hLangali
bal
ele.
”
Happi
ness:
“Let
’sgo.
”Shesai
dtaki
ngDani
ell
e’
s
hand.
“You’
llsl
eepanddon’
tworr
yaboutthechi
l
dren
becausewewi l
lfi
ndt
hem.”Mnothosai
dtohis
wifeastheywerebot
hinsi
dehi
sholdhavi
nga
grouphug.
Dani
ell
e:“
Idon’
tthi
nkwewi
l
lsl
eep.
”
Mnot ho:“I
t’ssaidthatumasesi f
iki
l
eisqhwaga
kobesesi f
ikil
e.”Hesai dandheheardweak
l
aught erfr
om t hetwooft hem.Heletthem go
andt heywal kedawayf rom hi
m…Mnot ho
l
ookedatt hem ast heywalkedawayandhe
neglectedhisbodyont hecouchaftert
hey’v
e
disappearedf rom hiseyes…
“Areyougoingtosl eeponthecouch,
bhuti
?”
Mnt wanaaskedMnot howhohadhiseyes
closedseatedont hecouch.Mntwanawas
passingthelounge.Hewasmaki nghiswayout
ofthehouse.
Mnotho:
“No,
Iwi
l
lgoandsl
eep.Ar
eyou
l
eavi
ng?”
Mntwana:“Yes,Iam goi
ngtoNgcebo’shouse.I
j
ustgotoffthephonewithDal
ingceboandhe
sai
dthatNandiphaandthegir
lsarenotther
e.”
Mnot
ho:
“Hawu!What
’shappeni
ng,
kant
i?”
Mntwana: “
Idon’
tknowbutgoandr est
.”He
sai
dandl eftt
heroom asMnothowasn’tsay
ing
anyt
hingbuthewasst ar
ingbl
ankl
yatthe
cof
feetable…
~~~~~~~~~~
Shewokeupi nafri
ghtasi fsomeonehad
tappedhershoul der.Shehuggedherar msand
l
ookedar oundandal lshesawwast hest
il
l
darknessoft heforest.Ithadstoppedrai
ning
andt herewasnot hunder ,thepeaceandthe
soundsdwel l
i
ngont heforestwastheonly
thi
ngt hatshecouldpi ckup.
“Whatt imeis-”sheplacedherphoneback
wher eitwas, r
ecall
ingthatshedi dn’
thavet he
battery…Itwasj ustaft
ermidnightbutshe
didn’tknow,therewassomet hingthatcould
helpherwi ththetimethough.“ Theradio!I
shoul dplaytheradioandleavet hispl
ace
becauseIshoul dn’tbeheretil
ldawn.Ther ain
andt hunderhadst opped,may beIshoul d
move.
”Sheconv i
ncedher
selfthatthi
swasthe
si
gnthatsheneededtomov ewiththechi
ldr
en.
Shehadnoguidetothi
sandt heonlythi
ngshe
hadwasherbrai
n,andherinsti
ncts…
“Mama! ”Nt
okomal owokeupandshecr ied,
Nandiphawasst il
ldri
vingont hemai nroad
aft
ershe’dtakenadeci siont hatshewasgoi ng
toheadt oMaNt ombela’shouseandf r
om t her
e
shewasgoi ngtobeabl et ohi dethechildren,
cal
lNgceboandi nf
orm hi m abouther
whereabouts.Hewassl eepingnow!She’ d
concl
udedt hatshewasgoi ngt obet heone
whowasgoi ngtowakehi m wi t
haphonecal l
assoonassher eachedMaNt ombela’shouse.
Nandipha:“What’swrong,Ntoko?Whyar ey ou
cryi
ng?”sheaskedandl ookedbackather
daughtershort
ly.Butshecouldn’
tseeherf ace
becauseitwasdar k.Shetur
nedont heli
ght s
i
nsidethev ehi
cleandshesliddownt hewi ndow
forfr
eshairasal lt
hewindowsoft hevehicle
werecl
osedanditwashighlywarm.AndBuhle
waswakingupnow,sheandherl ungsweren’
t
goi
ngtosurvi
vebei
nginsidethecarthathadno
oxy
gencomingin.
Ntokomalo:“Iam hungry
.Mama, Thando
uyani
cindezela!
”shecomplainedaboutThando
whowasseat edonSiphosami’sl
apwithher
headlayi
ngonNt okomal
o’sheadgivi
nghera
hardti
me.
Nandipha:“
Buhlezi,hel
pyoursistermove
Thando’shead.
”Shesai dstoppingthevehicl
e
togivefoodtoNtokomal owhowant edf
ood.
Shestoppedthev ehicl
econfi
dent l
ybecause
ther
ewer enocarsont heroad.
Buhl
e:“
Yebo,
mama.Thando!
”
Nandipha:
“Isaidmoveher!Idi
dn’
tsaywake
her
!”sheraisedherv
oiceassheheardBuhl
e
cal
lThando’snametowakeher .
Buhl
e:“
Yebo.Kodwami
nangi
zowamama.
”
Nandipha:
“Youwon’tfal
lthebelti
sholding
you.
”sheassuredherandopenedt hebagt hat
hadfood.Shehadabi gl
unchboxofPol onyand
cheesesandwichesandthelunchboxof
porr
idgewithabottl
eofmi l
kandjuice…
“Doy ouseewhatIam seeing?”MaKhumal o
askedtheSangomat hatwasdr iv
ingthecaron
themai nroad…They’
vepatroll
edasguest sin
Nkosazana’spal
acewhenev er
yonewasst il
l
goingandupdown, theysawt hatNandipha
wasn’tamongstthefamil
ymember s.Andwhen
everyguestwasleavi
ngbecauseoft her ai
n,
theydrovetoherhousetoabducther .
Sangoma: “
Whatarey ouseei
ng?”heasked
l
ookingathershor t
ly…Theywer eangrywhen
theydidn’
tfindNandiphainsi
deherhouseand
theythoughtshemi ghthavegonesomewher e.
Theyhi dthecarbythecorneroftheroad,t
he
routethatwasgoingt omakethingseasyfor
them.Theywer egoingtoseeNandi phaeasil
y
andabductherbecausei twascleartothem
thatshewasn’twi
thherhusband.Butt hey’v
e
seenherhusbanddri
vingdownwi thhisbrother
andNandiphawasst i
l
l nowheretobeseen.
Theyfigur
edtheyhadtomov e.
MaKhumal o: “Thepersonwe’ r
el ooki
ngfor.
”
Sher epli
edpoi nt
ingNandi phathatshe’d
spottedont hev ehi
clethatwasn’ tmov i
ngandit
hadi tli
ghtst urnedon.Andt hewomant hey
werel ooki
ngf or,l
ookedbusy …Theywer e
dri
vingont heopposi t
esi deoft hesamer oad
thatNandi phahadt hevianopar ked.
TheSangomal aughed, t
hedeephoarsev ictor
y
l
aughter.“
Shet houghtshecanoutsmar tus.
Wherehasshebeen? ”Heasked,heprepar ed
thecarforastopandhest oppeditbefore
Nandipha’
sv i
ano.Thiswasthebestwayt oget
heratt
enti
onandwhent heysawherheadr isi
ng
up.Theylaughedinunison…
“
Oh!Jesu!What
’shappeni
ng?
”Nandi
pha
mumbl edunderherbr eat
hseeingthev ehi
cle
stoppedbef orehers.Shelookedbackather
twochi ldrenwhower etheonlytheonesawake.
Shetriedt or el
axandt ri
edt obeopti
mistic
aboutt hissituati
onshewasf aci
ngnow.They
werejustpeopl ewhowant edt oaskwhyshe
hadthev ehicleparkedont heroadatthishour!
Theywer enott hugs!Andtheywer enotinany
wayconnect edt othedangershewasf l
eeing
fr
om…
Nt
okomal
o:“
Mama,
ngi
cel
anobi
si
.”(
CanIhav
e
mi
lk?
)
Buhl e:“Minanicel
aujusi
.”(
Iwanttohav ejui
ce)
Shet ol
dhermot heraft
erhersist
er.Theywere
bothhav i
ngsandwichesthatthei
rmot herhad
givent othem.Theywer enotawareofwhat
theirmot herhadseen…
Nandi
phahear dherchi
ldren’
srequestbutshe
coul
dn’tat
tendtothem becauseshewas
shi
veri
nguncontrol
labl
enow, asshewas
seei
ngt hemanstandi
ngbeforetheli
ghtedup
carandbecauseofthebri
ghtcarli
ghtsshe
coul
dn’tseetheman’sf
acebutshecouldsee
themanpoi nt
ingagunather.
“MAMA! ”Buhlescreamedhear i
ngnor esponse
fr
om hermot her.Shemov edherheadf orward,
butstil
l
,shecouldn’tseewhathermot herwas
seeingandtheli
ght softhevehi
cleinfrontof
herparent’
svehicl
edi dn’
tshar
plyreachtheir
highvehicl
e.
Nandipha’sshakinghandsdidn’
tev enreach
aboveherhead, herbodywascr eepedupas
MaKhumal ohadt hecoldmet al
poi nt
edonher
headthroughthewi ndowthatshe’dopened
earl
i
er.“Whatdoy ouwant?Iam travel
li
ngwi t
h
ki
ds,pleasedon’tharm us.
”shemumbl ed,her
voi
ceshakyasherwhobody .
MaKhumalo:“Wewantyouandi
twi
l
lbeeasi
er
i
fyoujustst
epoutoft
hecar.
”
Nandi phasnappedherheadt olookatheras
shewasst unnedtor eceivethis.“Youwantme!
Andwhataboutmychi l
dren? ”Sheaskedwi t
h
tearsaut omat i
call
yfalli
ngof fherey es,her
hear twaspoundi ngagai nstherchestandher
foreheadhadf ormedt hickersweatbal l
swi thi
n
af ewseconds, herli
ghtski nnedbeaut i
fulface
waswetandwascov eredi nclearerfear.She
l
ookedbackathert wodaught erswhower e
cryingnow.Thet wochi ldrencoul dn’tseewhat
waspoi ntedattheirmot herbutt heycoul dhear
thesecondnegat ivev oi
ce.Andt heirmot her’
s
fearr ubbedof fonthem…
MaKhumal
o:“Yout
houghty
oucoul
dout
smar
t
us.Wesawyouwere-
”
“I
STHATWOMANGETTI NGOFFTHAT
VEHICLEORNOT?WEDON’THAVETIME!
”The
Sangomaroar
edashewasseei
ngnomov
e
happeni
ng.
“
Please!
”Nandi
phabeggedasMaKhumal
ohad
openedthedoorandwaspul l
i
ngherbyherar m
l
ikeanoneper son.“ Cany ouatleastdr ivemy
chil
drentothei rfather?Iam beggi ngy ou.
They’r
ejustchi ldren!Howcany oul eavet hem
cryi
nghere?”t heangert hatwasf uelledupby
thesepeople’scr ueltygaveherar obustv oice
thatcompelledhert oshoutatt hem.Howcoul d
theybecruel andl eav ethechil
dreni nthe
middleoftheni ghtcryinginsi
dethev ehicle?
Shescreamedi nagonyasherchi ldren’
scr y
woundedher .
Sangoma: “Wedon’ thavet i
mef ort
hat ,
gir
l and
youbetterstopcry i
ngbecauseIwi l
ltakethese
ki
dsandmaket hem mysl aves.Iwi
llturnthem
i
ntomyzombi es!
”hethreatenedpull
ing
Nandiphafrom MaKhumal oandhedi dn’thear
anotherscream from Nandiphabutonl yher
heavybreathing.
MaKhumalo:“
Ithi
nkt
hatcanbeav
erygood
i
dea,mkhul
u.”
Sangoma: “Thatwasnotont hepl anandgo
closet hedooroft hatcar
.Weneedt ogetoutof
her e.”Her emi ndedhershov i
ngNandi phaatthe
backoft hebl ueTAZZt hattheywer edri
vi
ng.
Heshov edheri nsi
dethev ehicleasifshe
wasn’ tapr egnantwomanbutj ustsome…
MaKhumal orushedbackt othev i
anotoclose
thedoorasshe’ dbeeninst r
uct ed.Shefel
tno
paint hatt hechi ldr
enwer escr eamingbutshe
rejoicedi nt hat…
“Cany oupl
easegi v
emeachancet ocall
my
husbandsot hathecandriv
etotheroadand
takethechi
ldren?Mama, pl
ease,
Ithi
nkyou’
rea
mot heraswellandyoucannever-
”Shewascut
offbyMaKhumal o.
MaKhumalo:“Don’
tev entrytoguiltt
ri
pme!I
don’
tcarewhathappenst ot hosebrat
sandit
wouldbemuchbet terifbeastsseethem and
ki
llt
hem.”sherepl
iedseat ednexttoNandipha
onthebackseatoftheTAZZt hatwasmov i
ng.
Sangoma:
“Gi
vehert
hephone!
”
MaKKhumal
o:“Hhayi
!Kanjani
?Am Ipayi
ngyou
t
ohavemercyonthesepeople?Ar
ey ouhav
ing
asof
tspotf
orthi
sgirl
,now?”
Sangoma: “ISAIDGI VEHERTHEPHONE! ”He
snappedandt ur
nedhi sheadbackather
dir
ection…MaKhumal oqui cklyopenedherbag
tosear chf
orherphone.“ You’ l
lsaythosefew
wordsanddr opt hecall.Andy ou’l
ltakeof
fyour
sim cardwhenshe’ sdone, destroythatsi
m
card.”Hegav eclearinstr
uctions.
MaKhumal
o:“
Didy
ouheart
hatgi
rl
?”
Nandipha:“Yes,Iheardit.
”Sherepl
iedgi
ving
outhershakyhandst otakethephonebuther
headwasl ookingbackev enthoughshewasn’t
seeingthevianonow.Shel ookedatthephone
asshef el
titbeingplacedonherhands.She
quickl
ydial
ledNgcebo’ snumbertryi
ngharder
tocalm down.Shepl acedthephoneonherear
andshewai tedasthephoner ang.Sheprayed
andhopedt hathewoul danswerthephonet hi
s
ti
mear ound.May behewassl eepi
ngbutshe
washopi ngthathewoul dwakeupwhent he
phonerings…Itdidn’
ttakelongforthephoneto
beanswer edandshecl osedhereyesheari
ng
hisvoi
ce.Shewi shedthatwhenshecal l
edhim
thel
astt i
mehewoul dhav e…
“
Hel
l
o?”Ngceboaccept
edt
hephonecal
l
.
Nandi
pha:“Rast
a-”hershakyvoi
cecal
ledoutt
o
hi
m buthedidn’
tgiveherachancetoeven
const
ructasent
encewi t
hthatshakyv
oice.
Ngcebo:
“Nandi
pha!Babe,
wher
ear
eyou?And
whydoyousound-”
Sangoma:
“ISAI
DBEBRI
EF!
”
Ngcebo:
“WHO’
STHAT?NANDI
PHA!
”
Nandi
pha:“Rast
a,pl
ease…dri
vetothe…main
r
oadof…QueenNkosazana’spal
ace…andt ake
t
hechil
dren…Ineedyoutobefast…because
ourtwogi r
ls…ar
eawake…andcr
ying.Idon’
t
know…i fIwil
l…eversee–y
ou…again–but…I
l
ovey ou-”
Sangoma:
“TAKETHATPHONE!
”
“NANDIPHA!”t
hatwasNgcebo’svoi
cethatshe
heardbefor
eMaKhumalocouldthephone
for
ceful
lyfr
om Nandi
pha’
shand.
Sangoma:“Ishowy oumer
cyandy
oudot
hings
Idi
dn’tt
ell
yout odo!”
Nandi
pha:
“Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
”she
scr
eamedatt
hem.
“Taket hismf aziandblewittoherdi
rect
ionshe
will
sleep! ”heinstruct
edMaKhumal othr
owing
mut hibackatMaKhumal o…AndMaKhumal o
didwhatt heSangomahadi nst
ruct
edafter
she’ddi sposedthesi m car
d…
MaKhumal
o:“Doyouthinkt
hati
t’
swisethat
youal
l
owedhertocall
herhusbandandwhil
e
shewasonthephone,y
ouspoketoher.Iam
pr
ett
ysur
ethathehear
dyourv
oice.
”
Sangoma: “It
oldy
ouIwi l
lcl
oakusandt heywil
l
notfindus.Wewillper
f or
m every
thi
ng,every
ri
tualonTuesdaynightandy ou’
l
lseethe
di
stracti
onthatwi
llfol
lowafterherdeat
hand
herchil
dren.”
MaKhumal o:“
Ihavewait
edf oryearstocri
pple
them asthey
’vedonewithmyl i
fe.Andthetime
i
shere.”Shetesti
fi
edl
ighti
ngNandi phawithher
phone’st
orch.Shesmil
edov erhersleepi
ng
body…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE27

Hewokeupf r
om theni
ght
marepantingandher
screamswerestil
lri
ngi
ngi
nhisears.Heclosed
hiseyesshutandhesawherdrowningashe’d
seenheri nhisdream.Heopenedhi seyesand
gotupf rom hisbed.Hewassoaki ngwetand
thethunderwasdoi ngnoj ust
icebuthecoul dn’
t
j
ustsl eepnow.Hehadt oconsul tmay behe
wasgoi ngtoseesomet hing…Langal i
balel
eleft
hisfourroom housewi thoutanumbr ell
aor
rai
ncoatt oprotecthimfrom ther ain.Hewal ked
barefoottogett ohishut…
“Hawu, mkhulu,
youarehere.You’
redrenchi
ng!
”
Thembel i
hlecommentedlookinghi
m asshe’d
beentheonewhoopenedt hemaindoorin
responseoftheknockinNkosazana’
smai n
houseinthepalace.
Langal i
balel
e:“Mama’ ndlunkulu,Ineedtosee
thefami l
y .
”Hesai dt
oherwi thhisheadlooki
ng
down…Af t
erconsult
inginhishut ,Langal
ibal
ele
didn’theadbackt ohiscomf ort
ablebedbuthe
optedt owal ktothepalaceashecoul dn’
twait
throught henighttoi
nformt hem aboutwhat
he’dseenwhenheconsul ted.Andheneededt o
i
nfor
m Ngceboaboutt
hedream hesaw
r
egardi
nghiswi
fe.Thi
ngswerenotcl
earbuthe
wasgoingt
otel
lthem…
Thembel i
hle:“Alri
ght,please,comei nsi
de.
”She
stoodasideallowi nghimt ocomei nsi
dethe
house.Langalibaleledidn’tmov euntil
Thembel i
hlemov edfrom thedoorandshel ed
himt otheloungewher eshewasseat edwith
herdaughters’in-lawandsi sters’
in-l
awalong
withotheraunt s.“You’r
enotcomi ngfrom my
palace,ar
ey ou?Wear est il
lherebecauseof
thethunder.”Sheaskedhi m andlookedbackat
him short
ly.
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“No,
Icamest
rai
ghther
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youdi
dn’
tev
endr
ive,
mkhul
u
baki
thi
.”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Iwasal
readywet
.”
Allt
heladi
eschantedthesur
pri
se‘HAWU! ’
as
theysawthedrenchi
ngLangal
ibal
ele.He
greet
edthem andtheygreet
edbackwhile
Thembeli
hlelef
tthem t
ocallDal
i
su,thei
rsons
andtheotherel
derswhower eonthehut.
“Ndabezi
tha,Langali
bal
elei
shereandhewant s
toseeeveryone.”Thembeli
hlei
nfor
medt he
housebutherey eswereonherhusband.She
wasstandingbyt hedoorwit
hherhandholding
theumbrell
athatwasdangl i
ngoutofthehut.
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
he’
sher
eint
hisr
ain?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Yes, andweshoul dn’
twastetime
becausehe’ sdrenchingIam afrai
dhewillcatch
thecold.I
twi l
lbebet terthatwedon’
tkeephim
wait
ing.Theguar dwi llhavetodri
vehi
m back
home.”
Dali
su: “
Alri
ght,
let
’sgo,Zul
u.”Hesaidandthe
menst oodupf rom t
hei
rseats.Theywere
conv er
singwhil
ehavingteaandcakesand
otherswer ehavi
ngteaandthemeatpr epar
ed
forthem…
Mnt
wana:
“Mama,
shoul
dIt
aket
hechi
l
dren?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,l
etthem bebecausetheywil
l
di
sturbuswitht
henoise.”Sher
epli
edholding
ontohishandasMntwanawaswal ki
ngbeside
her,
seeki
ngshelt
eront heumbrel
lathat
Thembeli
hlewascarr
ying.
Mnt
wana:
“Al
ri
ght
.”
Thef ami
lydi
ssolveddownont hechai r
sinsi
de
thedini
ngroom whereLangali
balelewas
seateddownhav i
ngteapreparedbyt he
Nkosazana.Hestoppedhavinghi steaand
cakesinthei
rpresenceandhel ookedaroundto
checkifNgcebowasamongstt hefamily
member sandhespor t
edhim.
Dali
su:
“What’
swrong,
mkhul
u?Whatcanbr
ing
youherei
nthi
srai
n?”
Langal
i
balel
e:“
Iwaswokenupbyadr
eam andI
sawtheneedtoconsul
t.
”
Uncl
eel
der
:“Whatwast
hedr
eam about
?”
Langali
bal
ele:“Myconcernisontherevel
ati
onI
sawwhenIconsul tedbecausethedream i
s
somethingthatwil
lbeofconcernonlytoPrince
Ngcebo.”HesaidandNgcebor aisedhishead
tolookathi
m.Thei rey
esmet .
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Langali
balele:“Itdidn’
tappearclearbutit
seemst heroy al f
ami l
yhasacquiredanenemy
becauseIsawaspearpoi ntedatt hethronet
o
thr
eatenitbutIdi dn’tseethefacenort he
fi
gureholdingt hisspear.Andthiscanonl y
meant hatthisper sonhascloak
himself
/herself.”
Thef amilymember sgaspedandlooked
amongstt hemsel ves.Therewastotalsi
l
encein
thehouseandt heonl yl
oudestcommon
scream wast heirwor r
yandfearthatwas
showi ngontheirfaces.“Oh!Nkosiyami,does
thismeanweshoul dbewor r
iedaboutBanele’
s
tradi
tionalweddingt hat
’scomingthi
sweekend?
We’vehadtragicevent
sintradi
ti
onalweddi
ngs
andIam feeli
ngconcernabouthiswedding
now.”AuntNomkhosi askedtherelev
ant
questi
onandherquest i
onwasf ol
lowedby
support
ingmumbl es.
Langali
balel
e:“
No,ift
her
ewasdangeri nthe
upcomingweddingIam sureawar ni
ngwas
goingtobesentouttousjustli
kePri
nce
Ngcebohadseent hedangerinPri
nceMnotho’
s
weddingbutitappear
edasifitwashis
wedding.”
Dal
isu:
“Oh!Thatmeanswedon’
thav
etost
op
hi
swedding?”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“No,Iam conf
identt
haty
oudon’
t
havetodothat.”
Uncleel
der
: “
Whatcanwedot henaboutthi
s
enemy?Doy outhinkit’
stheenemyt hatwe
haveacqui
redjustrecentl
yoranoldenemy ?”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“It
’snotcl
earasy
etbutIbel
i
eve
theancest
orswi l
lreveal t
hingstous.Andwhil
e
we’r
estil
lwaiti
ngIaskt hatwestaywoke,our
eyesshouldbeont hel ookoutaboutever
ythi
ng.
Weneedt obecar eful
.Icoul dn’
tsl
eepwithout
tel
li
ngyouthis.Ihadt o.”
“THOKOZAMKHULU! ”Mostofthem chantedas
Langali
balel
ewasrisi
ngupfrom t
hechairwi t
h
hiseyeslooki
ngatNgcebo…Ngcebogotup
from t
hechairandhefol
lowedLangali
balele.
Mlamuli
:“Don’twalkbackhome,mkhulu.
Ngceboy ou’l
ltel
loneoftheguar
dstodriv
ehim
backhome. ”hesaidtothem ast
heyfol
lowed
eachotherout.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Langali
bal
ele:“
Ngiy
abonga,
Ngony ama.”He
saidsendi
nghisheadbacktohim butwit
hout
l
ookingathim,hebowedhisheadandl ef
taft
er
theyhavewishedhi
m agoodnightandsafe
dri
vebackhome…
“ShouldIbewor r
ied?
”Ngceboasked
Langali
balelewhowaswalkingwit
hhimtot
he
guards,theywereundert
heshelt
eroft
he
umbr el
la.
Langalibalele:“Your eallyneedt owor ry
becauseIsawy ourwi f
escr eami ngr uefull
yas
shedrownedi nt hedarkestl ake.Icoul dn’t
makesenseoft hesur roundingsandIwast oo
fartoreachoutandhel pher .”Ngcebohi ssed
andhepr essedhi steetht oget her.Langal i
balele
l
ookedathi sdirecti
onashewasn’ thear i
nga
commentf rom hi m andt helightgener atedby
theli
ght eningmadehi m seet hest rongj aw
l
inesref l
ect i
nghi semot i
on.“ Itisunf ortunate
thatyou’llhavet owor r
yy oursel fthismuchwi t
h
somet hingt hatwoul dhav ebeenav oidedandI
am afraidt hatyourancest orsmi ghtshowt heir
anger.”
Ngcebo:
“They
’reangr
y?”hel
ookedathi
m.
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Thei
rrequesthasn’
tbeen
ful
fi
ll
edNkosanaanddoy
out
hinkt
hatt
hey
’re
happyaboutt
hat?
”
Ngcebo:“Iam askingtheobvi
ousbutIhope
theydon’trefl
ectt
heirangeri
nmychil
drenor
thei
rmot her.Ihav
edoneev er
ythi
ngi
nmy
power.”
Langali
balel
e:“
Wemusthope.”Hesai
das
they
’vereachedtheguar
ds…
“Myconcer nandwor r
ynowar eont hechildr
en
thatwassai dthattheyshoul dbepr ot
ected.
Whatifthisenemygett othechi l
drenfi
rst?I
knowt heancestorswon’ tjustsaythisthrough
Ngceboj usttopasst i
me. ”Nkosazanav oiced
outherconcer nstothefami lyastheywer e
tal
kingaboutwhatLangal i
balelehadwar ned
them about.
Uncl
eel
der
:“Whatwassai
d?”
Nkosazana:“
Nandiphahadbeenheari
ng
Ngcebotalkaboutprot
ect
ingchi
l
drenbecause
t
heki
ngdom’
sfut
urei
sdeadwi
thoutchi
l
dren.
”
Uncleel
der
:“Hawu,
andwhatdi
dyoudoabout
that
?”
Nkosazanadi dn’
tanswerhi m butshel ookedat
Thembel i
hlehopingt hatshewasgoi ngtogive
them theanswert hatshe’dgiventoher .“She
toldmeabouti tandIt oldherLangal i
balel
ewas
goingtowar nusifwehav etowor ry.AndIwas
ri
ghtbecausehehasdonet hat.”Thembel ihl
e
respondedseeingt hatNkosazanawas
expectinghertorespond.
AuntNomkhosi : “
Ev enifso,MaSthole,y
ouwer e
supposedt oinformt hefamil
yjustlikeyouand
yourhusbandhadr efusedtoletNgcebomar ry
hiswifetradi
tionallyforhersafetyandthe
chil
dren’ssafety.Your efusedanor dert
hatwas
fr
om t heancest orsandev enafterIhave
spokent oyou, Dalisu.Youdidn’tl
istent
ome
butyoui nsi
stedy ourst ubbor
nness.”
“HAWU!”Thosewhodidn’
tknowaboutt
his
chant
edinsurpr
ise.
Dali
su: “
Therewasnodangerthatwassai
d
auntyandBanelehadbeenthefir
stper
sonwho
asgoi ngtogetmar
ri
edbecausehehadt owai
t
before.”
Banele:
“Ngcebowassupposedtogetmar
ri
ed
becausetheancest
orssai
dso?”
heaskedandl
ookedathi
sfat
herbecausehe
di
dn’
tknowaboutthi
s.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Yes,t
hatwassupposedt
ohappen
butmom anddadsaidhewil
lgetmarr
iedaf
ter
youhavegottenmarr
ied.
”
Banel
e:“Andhedi
dn’
tthi
nkofspeaki
ngwi
thme
aboutt
his?”
Mlamuli
:“Don’
tbeangryBanelebecausehe
wastoldnottospeaktoyou.It
hinkyouknow
whathappenswheny ougoagainstthei
rwor
d.”
HesaidtoBaneleashesawt heangeronhis
f
ace.
Dali
su:
“Weareyourpar
ent
sMl
amul
idon’
t
speakl
ikewear
enothere.
”
Mawande:“Kodwa,si
sThembel i
hlehowcan
youpossi
blyref
usethatNgcebogetsmarri
edi
f
t
hiscamefrom theancest
ors-
”
“Dal
ingcebo,
canyoudri
vemet omyhouse?”
Ngcebo’sthi
ckemoti
onalvoi
cesil
encedt
he
houseandhiseyeswereli
ngeri
ngonhist
win
brot
her.
Dal
i
su:
“Issomet
hingwr
ong?
”
Ngcebo:“No.You’l
lhav
eagoodni
ghtbantu
abadala.
”herepl
iedwit
hhi
seyesjustl
urki
ng
aroundthei
rheads.
AuntNomkhosi
:“Whydon’
tyousi
twi
thus,
Ngcebo?Wearesti
l
ltal
ki
ng.
”
Ngcebo:“
Ican’
tsayMaZul
u.Ihav
etogo
home.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdi
dLangal
i
bal
elesayt
o
you?
”
Ngcebo:“
Nothingtoworryyoursel
fabout
mama.Let’sgo.”Hesaidtohisbrot
herwho
wasnexttohim andtheyfol
lowedeachother
.
Nomalanga:“I
nmyseatIcanseeNgceboi
s
worr
iedandhur t
.Howcanyouhur
tyourot
her
sontopleasetheother
?”
Dali
su:“Wewi
l
lnotanswert
oany
oneaboutour
deci
sion.
”
Nokuthula:
“Thedecisi
onthatev
enBaneleis
nothappyabout,Bhuti
.Howcany ousaythat
?
Whaty oudidi
swr ong.
”
Banel
e:“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.Candi
ce,
let
’sgo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wear
est
il
ltal
ki
ng.
”
Banel
e:“
Iam t
ir
ed-
”
Mnotho:“
Banele,
don’
tdot
hisnow.You’
re
bei
ngdisr
espectf
ulf
ornor
easonbecauseyou
aresupposedt osi
tdownunt i
lthemeetingis
over.”Herai
sedhisv oi
ceathim seei
nghewas
beingdisr
espectf
uljustl
ikeNgcebowhoj ust
choset ol
eavewhilehewast ol
dt heyweresti
ll
havingadiscussi
on.
Uncl
eelder
:“Yourbr
otheri
sri
ght
,Banel
e.Don’
t
l
eave.
”
Nomal
anga:“
Hhay
i,kazi
uthi
niumamaekubuka
weMaSthol
e!”
Dali
su:“Nomalanga,
don’
tev
enstar
t!
”he
commandedherbecauseheknewthathi
s
sist
erhadneverli
kedhi
swif
eandsheneverhi
d
that
.
Nomal
anga:“
Iwasj
ustwonder
ingbhut
i.No
har
mint
ended.”
Candice:“
Doesthismeanwear enothavinga
tr
adi
tionalweddingthi
sweekend? ”sheasked
andhereyeslaidonhermot herin-
law,who
di
dn’tkeeptheey econt
actbutshesentittoher
husband.
Dali
su: “Youwi l
l getmar r
iedandNgcebowi ll
havehi sweddi ngt hefoll
owingweekend.And
aboutthechi ldren,shouldwehav etofacewar .
Wewi l
lhav etoputt hem alli
nsi
dethesaf epit
.
There’snoot heropt i
on.Whent heweddingdat e
hasbeenseti tshouldn’tbestoppedfrom
happeni ng.Thet woofy ouwi l
lgetmarri
edt hi
s
weekend. ”Hemadet hedecisi
onast heleader
ofthef amilyandhel ookedattheel
ders
seekingappr oval.
Uncl
eelder:
“Ther
e’snoturni
ngbacknowand
wewilldoasyouhavesaid,Mageba.Idon’
t
knowifsomeonehasadi f
ferentsol
uti
on.
Ngonyama?”
Mlamul
i:“
Thei
nvit
eshav
ebeensentandso,
t
hatshoul
dhappen.
”
Theyal
lagr
eedinonev
oice.“
Sing
MaMthi
mkhuluandwewillpr
ay.Wehav
etogo
andrestt
her
e’salott
obedone.
”Thembel
i
hle
sai
dtoHappiness.
AuntNomkhosi:“
Call t
hechil
dreninandwewil
l
haveapr
ayertogether.All
chil
drenshoul
ddo
whati
sdonebyel ders.”
“Iwil
lgoandcal lthem.”Nokut hul
asaidandshe
stoodupf r
om herchair
.Shel eftt
hem togett
o
thechi l
dren…Andwhenshegott otheone
room housewher et hechi
l
dr ennormallyst
ay
togetherinNkosazana’spalace.Therewasno
chil
di nsi
det her
oom andthedoorwasl eft
opened…
“What’swrong?”Thembeli
hl easkedandstood
uponherf eet,
ev er
yonest
oodupast heywere
l
ookingatNokut hulawho’
dj ustbudgedi
nside
thediningr
oom pant i
ngwithoutanychil
dren
fol
lowingher.Herblueski
rtwasmuddyonher
l
efthipasshe’df el
ldownonherwayt othe
mainhouse.
Happi
ness:“
Tel
luswhat’swrong.Wher
ear
e
t
hechil
dren?
”Sheaskedmov ingfor
war
dto
Nokut
hulawhowasstil
lpant
ing.
Nokuthul
a:“Thechil
drenar
enotther
e.Ifound
thedoorwideopenedandt her
ewasnochi l
d
i
nsidetheroom.”shetoldt
hem andtheysai
d
nootherwordbuttheyalll
eftt
hehouse…
~~~~~~~~
“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthis?
”
Dal
ingceboaskedNgceboast heyweredri
ving
t
oNgcebo’shousewi t
houtspeedingbecause
t
her oadsweresl
ipper
y.
Ngcebo: “
Ithi
nktheonlywayis,getheronthe
plantofoll
owhermot herandbrother
.Iknow
thatwil
lmeanshewoul dn’tbeabl
et ocome
backbutit’
sbett
erthanhav i
ngdangerfoll
owing
her.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Hhayi
!Youdon’twantt
odothat,
Ngcebo.Whataboutt
hegir
ls?Youwill
send
t
hem t
oLondonwi
thher
?”
Ngcebo:“No,t
heydon’thav
epasspor
tsand
evenift
heyhadthem Iwasn’tgoi
ngt
osuggest
thatt
heyleav
ewithher.”
Dal i
ngcebo: “Youarestressedandy ouar enot
thinkingstraight
.Youcan’ tkeepthegirl
saway
from t hei
rmot herf
ormont hs.I
t’
ssomet hing
they’venev erdone.Whydon’ ty
ouletthem go
toJohannesbur gatleast?Theywi l
lgowi ththe
guar dbecauseLondoni snotaf ai
roption.”
Ngcebo:“Dalingcebo,theywi l
lmissherf or
monthsandt hat’sbetterthanmi ssingheron
hergrav
esomet hingthattheydon’ tevenknow
andunderstand.”Hesai dtakinghisphonet hat
hadbeeninsideDal ingcebo’scaralongwi t
hhi s
wall
et.“
Ihav emi ssedcallsfrom her.Shemi ght
havebeenscar ed.Tsk!”hehi ssed.
Dal
i
ngcebosi
ghedf
eel
ingtheamountofst
ress
t
hatNgcebowasdr
owningin.I
nhi
sri
ghtmind,
heknewthathewasnevergoi
ngtosuggest
thi
s…Theyhadther
estofthei
rdr
ivei
nsilence
wit
hthei
rmindsbui
ldi
nganddest
royi
ng…
“Whyisthegateleftopened?”Dali
ngcebo
askedNgcebodr i
vingthroughNgcebo’s
premises.Thegatewasn’tclosedasNandipha
hadclosedit.
Ngcebo:“MaybeNandiphalef
titopened.
”He
repl
i
edandt heygotofft
hecarafterDali
ngcebo
hadparkeditbef
orethehouse.
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Theguar
dmustbei
nsi
det
hehut
.”
Heguessedl
ooki
ngar
ound.
Ngceboclickedhishandont hehandl
e.“There’
s
nosecuri
tyshelteri
nherebutwhywoul dhebe
i
nsidethehutbecausehe’ssupposedtobe
i
nsidethehouseatleast.Thehutsareboth
l
ocatedwher eitwouldbeimpossibl
eforhimt o
seewhathappenst hroughthegate-
”he
stoppedtalki
ngashesawt hemuddyf ootpri
nts.
HelookedbackatDal
i
ngceboandhewasalso
l
ookingatt
hem.“FUCK!”Heswor
eandheran
t
ohisbedroom.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcheckt
hegi
rl
s!”
“NO!NO! ”Ngceborepeatedstressful
l
y,he
placedhishandonhi sforeheadashesawt he
empt ybedandt hemuddyf ootpri
ntswere
i
nsidet hebedroom.“Nandipha!”Heexclai
med
openingt hewardr
obeandi thadjustthei
r
clothes.Ngceborushedoutoft hebedroom and
hebumpedi nt
ohisbrother.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Thegi
rl
sar
enoti
nthei
rcot
s.”
“Fuck!Let’
scheckThul a!
”Heexcl aimedand
Dali
ngcebopr omisedtocheckot herroom…
Ngcebof oundThulacur l
edupi nsidethe
wardrobewi t
hherey esclosedasshe’ dhear
d
t
hedoorandwar drobebei ngopened.“ I
t’
sme.”
Thula:“
Nkosana!
”shecrawl
edoutoft
he
wardrobeandsherel
axed.
Ngcebo:
“Whyar
eyouhi
dingher
e?”
Thula:“
Iwaswokenupbyv oi
cesandfootst
eps
aroundthehouse.Ir
ushedi
ntohi
dingbecauseI
wasscar ed.
”
Ngcebo:
“Di
dyouhearwhatt
heywer
esay
ing?
”
Thul
a:“
Icoul
dn’
tpi
ckat
hingbecauseIwas
scar
ed.
”
Ngcebodi dn’tsayanotherwor dbutheturned
hisworri
edbodywi thhishear traci
ngashe
coul
dn’tmakesenseofwhatmi ghthave
happened.“Wher ear et
hey ?”Hecur sedthe
questi
onint heairleavi
ngt hehouset ogetto
thehut…Hebangedont hedooroft hehutnot
mindingther ainthatwasf al
li
ngonhi sbodyas
hewasn’tunderanyumbr ell
a.Hekeptbangi ng
thedoorunt i
l i
twasopened.“ YOUARE
CHILLINGI NHEREANDMYFAMI LYISNOT
HERE!”Ngcebor oaredhisangerseei ngthatthe
guardwasn’ tevenawar eofwhatwas
happening.Hewasn’tlooki
ngli
kesomeone
who’dbeenont helookoutbutitcl
early
refl
ect
edt hathewasonchi l
lymoodi fnot
sleepy
.Ngcebol ostal
lcontr
olofhisemot i
ons
ashegr abbedtheguardbyhisshirtti
ghtl
yand
hepushedhi minsidethehutunti
lhisbackhit
thewall.
Guar
d:“
Nkosana…t
heweat
her
…”
Ngcebo:
“THEWEATHERWASWHATDAMMI
T!
I
TWASWHAT? ”
Guard:“
Itwasbad…andIcoul
dn’
t…st
ayi
nthe…
rai
n.”
Ngcebo:“ANDYOUSAW I
T’SBETTERTHAT
YOUHI DEINHERE!DI
DN’
TYOUTHI NKOF
BEI
NGI NTHEHOUSEWHEREYOUWERE
GOINGTOSEEEVERYTHING?ORYOUKNOW
WHERETHEYARE! ”
Guar
d:“
No!No!Nkosana,
Idon’
t…Idi
dn’
thear
t
hem…”
Ngcebo:
“HOW ONEARTHWEREYOUGOI
NG-
”
“NGCEBO!”Dali
ngcebopulledNgceboof fthe
guar
dashe’ df
oundhi m corner
ingtheguard.
Hedidn’
tlethi
m go.“Youar eangryandthere’
s
noneedforyoutokillhi
m.”Het ol
dhim.
Ngcebo:
“IHI
REDHIM TOKEEPANEYEON
THEM ANDNOW THEY’REGONE!WHEREWI
LL
ILOOKFORTHEM?”
Dalingcebo:“
Justcalm down!”hepr essedhis
handsar oundhisbrot
her’sshouldersashewas
try
ingt ogetawayfrom him.Hewascer tai
n
thatshouldhelethi
m gohewasgoi ngtoclung
hisclawsont heguardagain.“Youdi dn’
tsee
anythingorheardanythi
ng?”Dalingceboasked
theguar d.
Ngcebo:
“HESAW ANDHEARDSHI
TTHI
S
ONE!”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ngcebo!
”
Guar
d:“
Ngi
fi
kel
wei
sthongwanankosana.
”He
repl
ied…Dali
ngcebot
henpul
l
edhisbrot
herout
ofthehutbefor
ehecoul
dcauseanyharmto
theguard…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE29

Ngcebodidn’tneedt ojumpof fthecouchafter

thecal
lhadbeendr oppedbecausehewas
alr
eadyonhisf eet.Hewasn’ tasleepbuthe
wasseatedont hesinglecouchinsidehis
l
oungewhi l
ehi stwobr other
swer esl
eepi
ngon
thecouches.Butt hey’
vewokenupatt hesound
ofhisl
oudv oice.
Dal
ingcebo:
“What’
shappening?
”heaskedand
st
retchedhi
sar
msy awning.Mntwanast
oodon
hi
sfeetandDal
ingcebostoodaft
erhi
m.
“
Let
’sgo!Thechi
l
drenar
eont
her
oad.
”He
repl
iedrushingt
otheexi
toft
heloungeaf
ter
he’dtakenthecarkey
sofDal
ingcebo’
sHi
lux.
Dali
ngcebo:“Youdon’tlookli
keyoucandr i
ve.
Givethem t
ome. ”hesai dtoNgcebowhowas
headingtothedriver
’ssideandMntwanawas
alr
eadyseatedcomf ort
ablyinsi
dethecaron
thebackseat.Dal
ingcebohoppedinsidethe
dri
ver’
sseatwhi l
eNgcebot ookthepassenger
seat.
Mnt
wana:
“Whathappened,
baf
o?”
Ngcebo:“Igotacal
lfr
om Nandi
phaandshe
t
oldmet hatthechi
l
drenarebyther
oadandthe
t
wogi r
lsareawakeandcryi
ng.”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Wher
e’ssheasshe’
stel
l
ingy
ou
t
his?”
Ngcebo:“Shedidn’
ttel
lmebutj udgingfr
om the
hoar
sev oiceIheardofamanandt hefearon
hervoi
ce.Icanconcludethatshe’sbeen
ki
dnapped. ”Hetol
dthem col
dlyashecoul dsti
l
l
heart heechoofNandi pha’sv oiceandhewas
sti
llpuzzledbyhowj ustoneday ,
oneni ght,
changedwi thi
nabl i
nkofaney e.Whohad
takenhi swife?Whowast hatmanwhohadso
muchaut horit
yabouthowhi swi f
ewas
supposedt ospeakwi thhim?‘ Iam notsur eI
willeverseey ouagai n’ hedidn’twantt obel i
eve
thosewor dsthatNandi phahadsai dt ohi m.
Howcoul dheacceptsuchhar shwor ds?She
hadt or etur
ntohi m!Theyhadt oreturnt ohim!
Hehadn’ tevensetey estohi stwosons.They
haven’ tevenhol dthem i ntheirlovingar ms.
They ’
v eonlyfeltthei
rmov esandki cks; they’
ve
onlyhear dtheirheartbeat sont heirDoct or’
s
appoint ments.Hecoul dnev eracceptt hathe
wasgoi ngtoloset het hreepuzzl epi ecesofhi s
fami l
y.Hecoul dnev eracceptt hathi sbackbone
wasnev ergoingt ocomebackt ohi m!
Thet
wobrot
herswerefoundwithout
comment
sbutsil
ence.“
Dri
vefasterDal
i
ngcebo,
wedon’twantsomeonet ogett
her
ef i
rst
.”
Ngcebosaidtohisbrot
herandDal
ingcebo
speededuphiscar…
Thet iresoft hecarscr eechedasDal ingcebo
stoppedhi scarbef oret hev i
anoandev enwi t
h
thatloudscr eechtheycoul dstil
lheart hel oud
screamsoft hechildren.“They ’
reallther e!”
Dalingcebov oicedoutashesawBongani wit
h
Nonj abuloseat edont hef r
ontseatoft heVi ano
thatst i
llhadt heli
ght soni nside…Nochi ld
i
nsidet hevianowasqui etbuttheyall awake,
terr
ifiedandcr yi
ngast heywer estranded.
Ther ewasnov ehiclethatpassedbysi ncet he
TAZZhaddr ivenof fandt herewer enopeopl e
who’ dpassedby …
Ngcebosl i
dthevi
ano’sdoordown.“Okay,we
ar
eher enow.Stopcryi
ng!”Ngceboannounced
l
ookingatthechil
drentocheckifal
lofthem
werethere.
Buhl
e:“
Baba!Bamt
hat
hil
emama!
”(Theyt
ook
mommy
)
Ntokomalo:“Uhambil
eumamawashi shi y
a!”
(Mommyl eftus)Shescreamedandnoneoft he
chi
ldrenst
oppedcr yi
ngev enintheirpresence.
Ngcebodidn’tsayanythi
ngt othechildrenbut
hesteppedbackont heground.Hecl osedt he
doorandmov edt
othedr i
v erseat
.Dal i
ngcebo
wasont hepassengerside.
Mntwana: “
Whatar ewegoi
ngtonow?”he
askedhisNgcebowhowasopeningthedri
ver
doorandDal i
ngcebomovedfr
om t
he
passengerside…
Dali
ngcebo: “
Let’
sdri
vethem tothepalace
becauseweal lknowthatthey
’reworr
iedabout
thechil
dren.Iam pr
ett
ysur et
hattheyaresti
l
l
ther
e.”
Mnt
wana:
“Yes,
Ilef
tthem al
lther
e.”
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
ldr
ivet
his-
”
Mnt
wana:
“No,
Iwi
l
ldr
ive-
”
Ngcebo: “IAM NOTDI SABLEDANDIAM NOTA
KID!”heshout edathim andst eppedinsi
dethe
vi
anoaf terMnt wanahadr aisedhishandsin
surrender.Heclosedthedoorandt urnedthe
keyoft heviano.Histwobr othersmov edt
ot he
Hilux.Ngcebodr ovebeforeDal i
ngcebowiththe
otherchildr
enst i
ll
cryi
ngwhi l
etheother
childr
enwer equietnow…
“Buhlezi,wher edi
dy ourmotherputyourcar
seats?”NgceboaskedBuhl ewhowasst andi
ng
nexttohi slegsalongwi tht
heothersister
s.
He’djustf i
nishedbucklingal
lthechil
drenoff
theseat sandhe’ dtoldthem t
owal kt
hrough
thegatesoft hepalace.Hedidn’
tparkhis
vehicl
ei nsi
det hepalaceandhedi dn’
twalk
i
nsidet hepr emiseswi t
hthechil
drenbutthe
guardswal kedwi ththem.
Buhle:
“Umamay enauzibekenemuvakhat
hi
efakaabany
e.”Sherepl
iedandNgcebomov ed
tothebackaft
erconfi
rmingthatt
hecardr
iving
f
orwar
dwashisbrot
her
’scar
.Thegi
rl
s
f
oll
owedhi
m behi
ndashewasmov i
ng…
“You’
renotcominginsi
de,ar
eyou?”Dali
ngcebo
askedhisbrot
herwhowasbuckl i
nghischi
ldr
en
ontheseatsaft
erhe’dpl
acedthem i
norder.
Ngcebo: “
No, Iam not
.Qalokuhlei
salsot here
andy ou’
llneedtogo.Iam prett
ysurethatshe’ll
needt oseey ouwhenallt
hechi l
drenseet hei
r
parents.
”Her epl
iedandsli
dt hedoorclosed
whenhewasdone.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Whydon’
tyouandt
hegi
rl
ssl
eep
her
e?”
Ngcebo:“
No,we’
regood.
”Hesai
dopeni
ngt
he
dr
iver
’ssi
de.
Dali
ngcebolookedatMntwanaandMntwana
nodded.“Iam dr
ivi
ngwi
thyouthen.
”Mntwana
sai
dtoNgceboandher ushedtothepassenger
seat
.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”hesai
dtohi
sbr
other
andhedrov
ebackslowlywit
houtwait
ingf
or
whomeverthatwascomingbythegat
e.
Dali
ngcebo:“Alr
ight
,Iwil
lcomet omorr
ow!”he
shoutedandDal i
ngceboheardthehoot.He
si
ghedandt urnedtohisvehi
cletodri
veit
i
nsidethepremises…
“Dal
ingcebo.What
’shappeni
ng?”Dali
suasked
Dali
ngcebowhowasget ti
ngoffthecar.
Thembelihl
eandMlamuliwerestandi
ngbehind
him.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Wef
oundthechi
ldr
en.Nandi
pha
wastheonewhotookt
hem.”
Thembel i
hle:“
Hawu!Howcanshet akethe
chi
ldrenwithoutt
ell
i
ngus!Doessheev enknow
howwor ri
edwewer e?”sheshout
edwal ki
ng
behindthem.
Dal
isu:
“TellusDalingcebo!Andwhydi d
Ngcebojustdri
veawaywi t
houtenter
ingthe
pal
acebecauset heywer esupposedtoexpl
ain
t
ouswhyhiswi
fet
ookt
hechi
l
drenwi
thout
t
ell
i
ngus.
”
Thembelihle:
“Ngceboisbeyondbei
ng
disr
espectfulnowandit’
sli
kehecan’
tevensee
thatwear ehispar
ents.Whathasgot
tenover
him,huh?”
Dal
isu:
“Whydi
dshet
aket
hechi
l
dren?Answer
us!
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
Mlamuli:“
Didn’tyouaskher?
”heasked
steppi
nginsidethehousewithther
estoft
hem
buthelookedbackatDal i
ngcebowait
ingf
ora
response.
Dali
ngcebo:“No.Ngceboi stheonewhospoke
toheront hephone.”Herespondedl ooking
aroundthefull
loungethathadMnot hoand
Banelealongwiththemot hersofthechi l
dren.
Therestofthefami l
ywassl eepi
ngint he
guestr
oomsl ocatedinthepalace.
..Dalingcebo
wassear
chi
ngf
orhi
sdaught
er.
Dal
isu:“
Whydon’ty
outel
l uswhathappened
andstopkeepi
nguswait
ing?”
“Nandiphawasabduct edandt hat
’swhywe
couldn’taskanyquest i
ons.Qalokuhle,come.”
Her epliedi
tchytohisfatherandhel i
ftedhis
daught erupasshewasseat edont hecouch
l
ooki ngupsetandsl eepy.
..Dali
sulookedathis
wifewi thawhitefaceandThembel i
hle’sj
aw
haddr oppeddownt oherfeet.Sheplacedher
handsonhersuddenl ycoldfaceasdi sbel
ief
clungonher …
“Whatdoy oumeanshewasabduct ed?”
Nkosazanaaskedsurpr i
sedandherheadr ose
upquickl
ywhenshehear dthat.Shehadher
att
enti
ononherchildrenasal l
theot her
motherswereembraci ngthechildr
enwhower e
backbutNkosazana’searspickedupwhat
Dali
ngcebowassay i
ng…
Dal
ingcebo:“
Idon’thav
eanyanswer s
ndl
ovukazibecauseshedidn’
tspeaktomebut
sheonlyspokewithherhusband.
”
Mlamul
i:“
ButNgcebomusthav
etol
dyouwhat
shesai
d.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Bhuti
,Itol
dyout hathesai
d
Nandiphatol
dhim wherethechildr
enandwe
dr
ovet her
etogetthechil
dren.”
Happiness:“
Wheredidy oufindthem?Andhow
didsheknowwher ethechildrenwere?”she
askedlooki
ngatDalingcebowi thhert
wo
chil
drennexttoher
.AndDani el
lehad
SiphosamiandPearlnexttoher …Thembeli
hle
wasnowseat eddownwi t
hNhl akani
phoonher
l
ap…
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Thechi
l
drenwer
ewi
thNandi
pha.
”
Dalisu:
“WhathappenedBongani
?”helookedat
hisgrandsonwhowashav i
nghotteali
kethe
restofthechi
l
drenexceptQal
okuhlewhodidn’
t
wanttea…Bonganit
hentoldever
yoneclear
ly
whathadhappenedfrom Poi
ntAtoPointB,l
ast
t
oPointZwheretheywokeupbecauset hegir
ls
werecryi
ngandNandiphawasnotinthecar
wi
ththem.
Mnotho:“
Howcanshet akechil
dreninher
e
wit
houti
nformi
ngus?Couldn’tshehave
i
nformedusthatshet
houghttherewasdanger
fol
l
owingthem?Wewer esickworri
edaboutt
he
chi
ldr
en!
”
Banel
e:“
May
beshedi
dn’
tthi
nkst
rai
ght
.”
Dalisu:“She’satfaulthereBanel e.Andwe’ ve
reportedt hi
smat tertothepol i
cet heyaregoing
toquest ionherloyaltybecausewhocanj ust
enterthepal aceandt akechildrenwi t
hout
i
nfor mingt heeldersormot hersoft hechildr
en
abouti t
?Al lthi
scommot i
ont hatwef ound
ourselvesi nwouldhav ebeenav oidedifshe
tol
dusshewast akingthechildren.”
Happi
ness:“
Whatifsomethi
nghappenedto
t
hem astheywer
eal onei
nthemiddl
eofthe
r
oad?Whatwecoul dhavedone?Agh!
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Wedon’
tknowaboutt
hat
.”
Dalingcebo: “
Ngcebo’ swi feismi ssingandal l
youcar eabouti showwr ongshewast ot ake
thechi l
dren?Thechi ldrent hatarebef orey our
eyesnow.Nobodycar est oaskhowNgceboi s
doingbutal lyoucar eabouti sf i
ndingwr ongi n
whatshedi d.You’ r
et ot al
lyunbelievable!Ghaa! ”
hecur sedandl eftt hel oungewi thouthear i
ng
anycomment sfrom t hem…Hepl aced
Qalokuhl eonthepassengerseatofhi scar
feeli
ngt hathewasmaddenedbyhi sfami ly.
Theywer esoself -r
ight eousev eni nsit
uat i
ons
thatwer eimpossi blynotdeser vi
ngoft heirself-
ri
ght eousness.Andal l i
ttookf orhimt or ealise
thi
swast hedayt heirmot hervomi tedhert rue
feeli
ngsaboutt hei rwi veswi thNgcebo, f
rom
thatdayhe’ dnev erexpect edany thing,he’d
neverexpect
edanygoodwordsandj
udgement
fr
om hismother
,especi
all
y.
Qalokuhle:“Baba,uyekuphi umamncane?
Ubalekil
enomaumt hathil
eumbani ?Uthekit
hi
uyasthathangobaumbani awufuniukuthi
sibe
sesgodlweni .
”(Dad,where’sNandipha?Didshe
runawayort heli
ghtni
ngt ookher?Shesai dto
us,she’stakingusbecauset heli
ghtni
ngdidn’t
needust obei nthepalace. )sheaskedher
fat
herwhowasdr i
vi
nghi scaroutoft hepalace.
Dal
ingcebo:
“No,shedidn’
trunaway,pr
incess.
Wewi l
lgohomet oyourbr
othernowandIwi ll
cal
lyourmothert
ocomeandt akey
ou.”
Qal
okuhl
e:“
Baba,
yousai
dshewon’
ttakeme
now.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Yes,buttheweddinghaspassed
nowandt hatmeansshecancomet akeyou.
Andy ou’
l
lhavey ourbesthol
idayswithher.
”he
tol
dherdecidingthati
twasbestt hat
NontobekotakesQalokuhl
efrom ev er
ything
thatwashappeninginthefamily
.Shewas
goingtobesafewithhermot her…Hel ookedat
Qalokuhl
eandhesawasmi l
eonherf ace.He
stampedshewaspl eased.Butasking…“ You
arehappythatyou’
ll
goear l
ytoy ourmot her
,
ri
ght?”heaskedwhathesawbest .
Qalokuhl
e:“Yebo,baba.Shepr
omisedthat
she’l
lgowit
hmet oseebeauti
ful
placesint
he
bigcit
y.Iam ver
yhappy .
”Shesai
dwi t
ha
pleasi
ngsmi l
e…
Dali
ngcebosi ghedlayingbackonthebedwi t
h
hi
sdaught ernextt ohiminthemor ni
ngwhi ch
wasaMonday .Hewascomi ngfr
om t he
bathroom.Het ookhisphoneandf i
gur editwas
sti
l
l earl
y,6am!Butheneededt ocallPalesa…
“Youdon’
tknowhowmuchofasav i
ouryou’
re
tomerightnow.”Pal
esaaccept
edDali
ngcebo’
s
call
andshey awned.
Dal
ingcebochuckl
ed.“ThatmeansIhav
ejust
pl
ayedar ol
eofanalarm?”Heaskedandsent
hi
sey estohi
ssleepi
ngdaughter
.
Pal
esa: “
Yes,
Iam ti
redf r
om tr
avell
i
ngandwhy
ar
ey ouupbecausey ou’r
esupposedtobe
sl
eeping?Oryou’
reeatingthel
eftover
s?”
Dali
ngcebochuckled.“No, butIam afrai
dthatI
am cal
lingyouwi t
hbadnewsandIam not
i
ntendingtoruinyourdaybyt el
l
ingyoubad
newsthisearly
.It’
sjustthatIwi l
lbusyandI
mightforgett
ot el
lyou.”Her epli
edtoher
questi
ons.
Pal
esa:
“Okay
!What
’swr
ongnow?
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Nandi
phahasbeenki dnapped…”
henarratedwhatheknewandhedi dn’thear
anyresponseorsoundfrom Pal
esa.“ Palesa?
”
hecall
edouthernameandt heresponsewer e
thebeepingsounds.Hetri
edcalli
ngheragai n
butPalesadidn’
tanswerthephonecal l.
Dal
ingcebohissedandclosedhisj
ustt
oget
somer estbef
orethedaybegin…
~~~~~~~~~
“Hhey i
,stopr unningbecausey ou’ llfallandy our
mot herwi llshout!
”Mnot hoshout edatNj abul o
andNonj abulowhower erunningdownt he
hallwayt ogett otheki t
chen.They ’
v eleftthe
kitchenwi thMnot hobecauseHappi nesshad
toldthem t ogoandputont heirjersey sont he
coldMondaymor ning.Mnot hoandHappi ness
didn’tsleepi nNkosazana’ spal aceaf t
ert he
returnoft hechildren.Happi nesst oldhimt hat
shewasl eav i
ngwi ththechi ldr
ent ogot oher
housewhi leDaniellewasst ayi
ngbehi ndwi th
Siphosami andPear l
.Mnot hodi dn’ tall
ow
Happi nesst oleaveal onewi ththechi l
dr enbut
hedr ovewi ththem.They ’
veallshar edthe
samebedandwokeupt ogether...
Nonj
abul
o:“
Let
’sgobackt
othepal
ace,
baba
andeatmor
emeat!
”
Njabulo:“Yes,
weat eandateyest
erday !
”he
suppor t
edhissist
erjumpi
ngjoll
yalongwi thher
sisterasthey’
vestoppedr
unningont heir
father’
scommand.
Mnot ho:“Yes,wewil
lgotothepalacebutnow,
weneedt ohavebreakf
astthaty
ourmot herhas
prepared.”Hetol
dthechil
drenandhepl aced
them ont heseat
sthatwasnexttot hei
r
mot her’
sseat.
Happiness:
“Theywanttogotothepalace,
i
sn’t
?”sheaskedwi t
hasmiledi
rect
edt oher
husbandwho’djustdi
ssol
vedonhisseat.
Mnot ho: “Yes,t
heywantthat.Youknow,
Nonjabul olovesmeatandi t’
sl i
keshedoesn’t
eveneatmeati nherhome. ”Happinesslooked
atNonj abuloandshegi ggledalongwithher
chil
dren.“ Okay,l
et’
seatsot hatwewi l
lgo.”He
saidgivinghi shandtoHappi nessandsheheld
Nonjabul o’shand.Theyprayed…
“Howar eyouf eeli
ngnow?Youwer eso
fri
ghtenedy esterdayandt hechi ldrenwereina
horror.Itwasn’tagoodni ghtforusal l
.”Mnotho
askedhol dingHappi ness’sshoul dersasshe
hadt urnedtof acehi m af
terhear inghisvoi
ce.
Shewasst andingbef orethef r
idge.Their
chil
drenwer ealreadybuckledi nsidethecar,
theywer eall r
eadyt odriv
et othepal aceand
Mnot hohadcomet othekitchent ocall
Happi ness.
Happiness:“
Iam muchmor ereli
evednowt hat
ourchil
drenarebackandIcouldn’
tsleepl
ast
ni
ghtwi t
houtknowingwheret
heywer e.ButI
di
dsleeppeacefull
yastheywerebackandy ou
werewithus.”
Mnot ho:“
Iam gladtohearthat.Butyoulook
l
ikey ouneedsomesl eep.Areyousuret hatyou
don’twantsleep?Yourfacelooksrestl
ess.”He
askedherrunningthebackofhi shandonher
cheekandhisey esscannedhert i
redface.
Happi
ness:
“Iam ti
redbuthowcanIsleep?We
needt
ogobecauseIam pr et
tysuret
here’
sa
l
ottobedonetodayforthewedding.
”
“Yes,butIdon’ twanty out oexhaustyoursel
f.I
canexhausty ouinagoodwayasy ourhusband
notallthatkindofexhaust ingyougetfrom t
he
chores.”Hesai dkissingherf oreheadwithhi
s
handshol dinghercheeksandheki ssedher
nose.Hel ookedatherandshesawasmi leon
herface.Het est i
fi
edt hatthiswomanl ovedhim
anditwasn’ tgoingt obehar dtomakean
i
ntimatemov eonher .Hepl acedhisli
psonher
l
ipsslowl y
,hemov edhi slipsonherlips,
Happinessr espondedt ohissensuousl i
psand
theysharedani nti
mat ekiss…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE30
Mntwanal ookedathi m andhesawhewas
drowninginhissleeping,wakinghi
m upwas
notsomet hinghewant edtodobecausehehad
theroughestnight.Buttherewasnoother
opti
ont hathehadbecauset heywer
enot
copingwi t
hThula.Thegi r
lshadwokenupand
theywer ecryi
ngnonest op.
“Bafo,
wakeup.”MntwanashookNgcebount
il
he’dopenedhi
seyes.
Ngcebo:
“It
’sanewdayor
?”
Mntwana:“
It’
sMondaymor ni
ngandt hegi
rl
s
areal
lawake.They’
reupandcryi
ng,weare
havi
ngadiff
icul
tti
mecalmingthem down.
”
Ngcebosighed.“Okay
,ther
ewasnocal
lthat
camet hr
oughorsomeonewhocamebyt osay
theysawsomet hi
ngaboutthei
rmot
her
?”
Mntwana:“
No,theyhaven’
tbeenbutIdon’t
knowaboutyourphone.Dal
ingceboonlycal
l
ed
toaski
fyou’
reawakeandhesai dhe’l
lcome
backafterNontobekohadcomebyt ot
ake
Qalokuhle.I
fnot,
he’l
lcomeherewit
hher.
”he
repl
iedlooki
ngathisphonethatwasonthe
bedsidedrawer.
Ngcebot ookhisphoneandt heonlymissed
call
shehad, weretheonesthathedidn’tcar
e
about.“Nothi
ng.Iwil
lgetupnow. ”Hesaid
remov i
ngtheblanket
sandMnt wanaturnedto
l
eav e.Ngcebolef
tthephoneont hebedandhe
rushedoutofthebedroom foraquickshower…
“What’
swrong?Whyar eyounoteat i
ng?”
Ngceboaskedt hegirl
swhower eseat edon
thei
rbl
anketswi t
htheirf
oodbef orethem but
theywerecryi
ngnoteat i
ng.Thulawasseat ed
onthechairnexttothegirl
slookingdefeated.
Buhl
e:“
Muphi
umama?
”(Wher
e’smom?
)
Ngcebodroppedhi sheaddownandhecl
osed
hiseyesshort
ly.Howwashegoingtoanswer
thatquest
ion?Wher ewasNandi
pha?Hedidn’
t
know.
Ngcebo:“
Yourmot
herwi
l
lcomebackandy
ou
needtoeat.
”
Ntokomalo:“Bamthat
hil
eumamauzobuy anini
pho?”(Theytookmom.Whenwi llshecome
backthen?)shewipedhermucuswi t
htheback
ofherhand.NgcebolookedatThulaandhe
mumbl ed‘t
issue’
Thulagotup.
Buhle:
“Bamdonsi
l
eyena!
”(Theypul
l
edherof
f
thecar)
Hecoul dn’ti
magi nehowt r
aumat ici
twasfor
them toseet hathappentot hei
rmot her
.But
may betheycoul dhelp.“
Whopul ledyour
mot her
, Buhl
e?”heaskedst il
lseatedonhisl
eg
beforethechildren.
Buhl
eshookherhead.“
Angazi
minababa.
”(I
don’
tknow)
Nongcebo:“
Bamy
isephi
baba?
”(Wher
edi
dthey
t
akeher?)
Thando:
“Bamt
hat
hel
eni
?”(
Whydi
dtheyt
ake
her
?)
Ngcebo: “Buhle,
didyouheart hevoiceoft he
personwhot ookyourmother?Wasi tagirlwit
h
atinyv oi
ce,oraboywi thabigv oi
ce, ora
grannywi t
hanol dvoiceorgrandpawi t
hanol d
voice?”heaskedwi pi
ngNt okomalo’sf acewith
thetissuepaperthatThulahadgi venov erto
him.
Buhl
e:“
Umama,
baba!
”(I
t’
sawoman)
Ntokomalo:“Baba,shimzwil
eumamaekhal
a
kakhulunat
hi shakhal
a.”(
Weheardmama
screamingandwecr i
edtoo)
Mntwana:
“Whocanbesocr uel
though?And
takeamotheri
nthepr
esenceofherchi
ldr
en?
Andit’
sawoman!”
Thula:
“Nkosana.Ther
e’snobodyt
haty
oucan
thi
nkof?”
Ngcebo:
“No,
andhowwi
l
lIev
engot
othe
pol
iceandl
eav
ethem her
ebecauset
hey’
re
cl
earl
yscar
edandtheywantt
hei
rmother
.”
Mntwana:“
Ididn’
tknowchi
l
drencanr
ecal
l
t
hingsl
iket
his.”
Thula:“
Chil
drenhardlyf
orget
,Mntwanaand
may betheycanrememberwhatthatwoman
sai
dwhenshet ookthei
rmother
.Whatdoyou
thi
nk,nkosana?”
Ngcebonodded.“Buhl
e,didyouhearwhatthat
womansai dtoyourmotherwhenshetookher?
Doy ourememberwhatshesaidtoher?”He
askedlooki
ngathernowandBuhl eshookher
head.
Ntokomal
o:“
Baba,
beshi
khal
athi
na.
”(Wewer
e
cr
y i
ng)
NgcebohissedandhelookedatSimil
owho
wasnolongercryi
ngnowbutshehadhi ccups
andNongcebowasstil
lcryi
ng.“Okay
,don’tcr
y
nowbutlet’
seatourf
oodsot hatwecanbebi g
girl
s.Yourfatherwil
lfeedy ouandyou’l
lsi
ton
thetablenotont hefl
oor .
”Hesaidgetti
ngup
andhel i
ftedBuhlefir
st.Mnt wanaandThula
thenassistedhimt r
ansportthechil
drentothe
dini
ngtablealongwi t
ht hei
rdishes.
Mntwana:“
Whydon’tyoutel
lthem t
hatyou’l
lgo
tot
hepoli
ceandtheywil
lhavetostaybehind?
Andthepol
icewi
l
l hel
pfi
ndtheirmother
.”
Ngcebo:
“Wil
lyouevenmanaget
hem?
”he
l
ookedatbot
hofthem.
Thul
a:“
Wewi l
ltr
yorNkosanaMnt
wanay
ou
cangogett
hepolice.
”
Mnt
wana: “
Oh!Yes!That’
sagoodi deabecause
t
heycanspeakwiththechil
drenandtheycan
t
akethatnumberthatcal
l
edt hechi
ldr
en.”
Ngcebo:
“If
orgott
otel
lyounott
ocl
eant
he
f
loor.
”
Mntwana:“Maybet
heycanst
il
lpickupsome
f
inger
pri
nts.Whatwi
ll
youtel
lhermother
?Iam
pr
ett
ysur
eshewi
l
lcal
l
.”
Ngcebo:
“Ey
,Iwon’
ttel
lherwhat
’shappeni
ng.
”
Mnt wana:“
ButNgceboyoucan’tj
ustkeepher
i
nt hedark,t
hat’
swrongandtheelder
swere
wonderingwhyshedidn’
tcomet otheweddi
ng
becauseMaNt ombeladi
dcomet othe
wedding.”
Ngcebo:“
Hermot heri
sinLondonwi
thher
br
otherbecauseRandal
l’
sgrandmot
herdi
ed.
Whydidn’
ttheyaskmet hat
?”
Mnt
wana:
“Hawu!Idi
dn’
tknowaboutt
hat
.”
Ngcebo:“Ithi
nkit
’sDali
ngcebot hatItol
d.I
havehadanumberoft hingsinmyhead
Mntwana, ey,
tsk!
”heclickedhist ongueand
shookhisheadwi t
hhisspoonf ul handcreepi
ng
str
aightt
oNongcebo’smout hbutsheshook
herhead.“Nongcebo,allyoursi
st ersareeati
ng,
eatyourfood.”Herai
sedhi svoice.
Si
mil
o:“
IDLA!
”Shecommandedl
oudl
ytappi
ng
hershoulderandNongceboshookhershoul der
al
ongwi thherhead.Si mil
olookedatherand
shewav edforwar drequest
ingforherfather
’s
ear.“
Baba, mtsheleukuthinekeadlekhekhe
umaengadl iukudlakwakhe.Ushonj alo
umama. ”(Tellhershewon’thavehercakesi f
shedoesn’twantt oeat.Mom say sthat)she
whisper
ed.
Ngcebonoddedhisheadandlookedathis
daught
er.“
Doyouwantt ohav
esomecakes? ”
HeaskedNongceboandshenoddedherhead.
Ngcebothenbl
ackmail
edherusingthecakes
andNongcebohadherfood…
“Sani
bona.
”Thembel i
hlegr
eetedevery
onei
n
thedini
ngroom andnexttoherther
eweret
wo
poli
cemen.AndDalisuwaswiththem.
“YEBO!”Ev
eryonegr eet
edbackandthechil
dren
whohadn’tfull
yloosenedup,t
heyloosenedup
astheysawt hei
rgrandpar
entsint
hehouse…
Thembel i
hle:
“Letmef eedthechildrenand
you’l
lgotalkinthelounge.YourfatherandI
broughtthepoli
ce.”shesuggestedt oNgcebo,
shewasl ookingathim andshesawt he
rest
lessnessshowi ngnotonlyonhi sface.She
wasunabl etosleepthepreviousnightbecause
herheartwaswi thNgceboandwhathewas
thi
nkingashispr egnantwif
ewasmi ssing…
Ngcebo:“Doy ouwanty ourgrandmothert
o
feedyou?”heaskedt hegirl
sandtheyall
noddedtheirheadssupportedby‘YEBO’
Ngcebothenst oodupf r
om thechairandhe
l
ookedatMnt wanatell
i
nghi mtostandup.
Thembeli
hle:“
Howar ey ou,t
houghbef
orey
ou
l
eave?”sheaskedlookingathersonashewas
l
ookingathisyoungerbrother
.
Ngcebo:
“Iam fi
ne,
ma.”Herepl
i
edandlef
tthe
ki
tchenf
oll
owinghi
sfat
herandthepol
i
cemen
al
ongwithMntwana.
Dalisu: “Ngcebo, Dalingcebot ol
dusabouty our
wifeandwet houghtt hatwemustbr ingt he
policeher e.”Het oldNgceboaf terthey’veall
dissol vedont hecouchesi nsidethelounge.He
wasl ookingatNgcebobuthehadhi sey eson
thet able…Thepol icet henbeganaski ng
Ngceboquest i
onsandNgceboanswer edallthe
quest ionswi thoutMnt wanaandDal i
su’ s
presence…I nt hemi ddleoft hequestionand
answersessi onwhi chwasNgcebo’ sst atement.
Dalingceboj oinedthem i nsidethel oungebut
seeingwhatwasgoi ngonhedi dn’tsitwi th
them.Buthewentt otheki tchenwher ehe’dleft
hisdaught er.
“
Qalokuhlei
stel
li
ngmet hatshe’
sleavi
ng
t
oday.”Thembeli
hlei
nfor
medDal i
ngcebowho
wasjoini
ngthem i
nthekit
chen.
Dali
ngcebo:“Yes,
Nont obekoiscomingtotake
herhere.It
oldherthatshemustcomet oday.”
Herepliedandsatdownont hedi
ningchai
r.
Dal
isu:“
Andy
ou’
reonl
ytel
l
ingy
ourmot
her
now!”
Dali
ngcebo: “
It’
sbett
erthatsheleavesbecause
Idon’twantmydaught erbeingcaughtupi nt
his
mess.It’snotli
keIneededpermissiontodo
thatIwasgoi ngtot
ellyouthatshe’
llbeleavi
ng
earl
ier.
”
Dali
suchuckledindisbel
i
ef.“
Thelevelof
di
srespectyouandy ourt
winbrot
herhav ef
or
usisreal
lygett
ingoutofhand.Andifyou
conti
nuebehavingthiswayyou’
ll
hav etomake
adecisi
onwhet herweareyourparentsor
fr
iends.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yourf
atheri
sri
ght
.Qal
okuhl
e
l
iveswithusandyouandNgcebodot
hingsas
youplease.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Wearenotchil
drenanymore.Do
wereall
yhavet
oreportev
erythi
ngthatwedoto
you,mamanobabajustbecauseyou’r
eour
parents?Whi
chmaninthi
sager
epor
ts
everyt
hingt
ohispar
ent
s?”
Thembelihl
e:“I
t’
snotaboutt
hatbuty
ou’
re
di
srespectf
ul.
”
Dali
ngcebodidn’
tsayanythi
ngbuthetookout
hisphonefr
om hispocketasitwasr
ingi
ng.
Nontobekowascalli
ng.“Hel
lo.
”Heaccepted
thecall
.
Nont
obeko:
“You’
ver
eachedNgcebo’
shouse
wi
thher
?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yes,
youwer
eal
readyi
nthear
ea?
”
Nont
obeko:
“No,
Iwasnotv
eryf
ar.Iam dr
ivi
ng
home.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“She’
sthinki
ngyou’
llbetaki
ngher
tothecit
y.”Heremindedherandlookedat
Qalokuhl
ewhowaswi ththegi
rl
sbyt hesink.
Theparentswerehav i
ngaconversat
ionwi t
h
Thulawhil
eDal i
ngcebowasont hephone.
Nontobeko:
“Yes,
IpromisedherthatIwil
lbe
t
akingherwithmeandIwi l
ldef
ini
tel
ytakeher
t
otheci t
yaft
erChri
stmas.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Alr
ight
,Idon’
tthi
nky
ou’
l
lhav
eto
cal
lwheny ougether
e.”
Nont
obeko:
“Iwi
l
lcomei
nandseet
hegi
rl
s.”
Dali
ngcebo:“Al
ri
ght.
”Heremovedthephone
fr
om hisearandheplacedi
tbackinsi
dethe
pocket.“
Nontobekoiscomi
ngtotake
Qalokuhl
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
i!Ngi
yadel
a!”(
Iwonder
)
“
Buhle,noNtokomalocometome.”Ngcebo
t
oldhisdaughter
sstandi
ngbytheent
ranceof
t
hekitchenandthegir
lswentt
othei
rfather
.
Mnt
wana:
“Theysai
dtheywi
l
lquest
iont
hem?
”
Ngcebo:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ist
hatev
enf
airont
hechi
l
dren?
”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknowbutany
thi
ngt
hatcan
helpmefi
ndmywifeIwil
ldoi
t.
”Herepli
ed
taki
ngt
hegir
ls’
handsandhel
eftwi
ththem…
“IDIDNOTHINGWRONGBUTALLTHE
ANSWERSIGETI SNOTHI NG!”Ngcebo
frust
rat
edatLangal
ibalel
ewho’djusttol
dhim
thathewasseeingnothingaboutNandipha’
s
whereabout
s…Hegotupf rom t
hefloor.
Langali
bal
ele:“Nkosana,t
hisisnottheendof
theroadIwill
goatanyl engthstoensuret
hat
wefindher.She’sanimportantpartoft
he
famil
y.”
Ngcebo:
“Whichfamil
y?Whichfamil
y,mkhul
u?
Theonethatdoesn’
tcar
eifshe’
sfoundornot
?
Whenhavetheyevercar
eandsupporther
?”
Langali
balele:“
Don’tlosehope.Iwillt
akethe
king’
sboysandgowi tht
hem wher etheysay
shestoppedt hevehicleinthef
orest.Imight
fi
ndsomet hingorifIcancomet othehouseif
thatdoesn’tworkbutIwi ll
doany t
hingand
everythi
ngt of i
ndherbecauseourf ut ure
dependsonf indingherandbr i
ngi
ngherback
al
ive.”Hepr omi sedherandNgcebodi dn’tsay
anotherwor dbuthel eftthehutfumi ng.Andhe
sawnot hi
ngbet tert
hant odriv
earoundshady
placesunt i
lhewast i
red.Hecouldn’tjustst ay
i
nsidet hehouse…Nont obekohadpr omi sedto
staywi t
ht hem until
Nandi phawasf oundand
hewasgr atefulfort
hatbecauset hegi rl
s
seemeddi str
actedfrom theirmother’s
absence…
“WHEREHAVEYOUBEENBRO! ”Dali
ngcebo
j
umpedasawi f
ewaiti
ngforherhusbandwho’d
goneinwar
.Hewasseatedaloneinthelounge
wait
ingf
orhi
sbrot
her.I
twasafter11pm and
Ngcebowassti
l
loutandhe’
dlefthi
sphone.
Ngcebo:“
Idr
ovearoundl
ooki
ngf
orNandi
pha
andaskedar
ound.
”
Dali
ngcebosi
ghed.“
Didyouf
indany
thi
ng?”He
askedfol
lowi
ngNgceboashewasploddi
ngto
t
heki
tchen.
Ngcebo: “
Idi
dn’tf
indherbutIlearntt
hatthere
wasabl ueTAZZt hatwasparkedupbyt he
cor
neroft hi
sroad.Iwassuspiciousofi
tand
so,Idroveal
ltheshadycornerslooki
ngforit
par
kedsomewher e,any
thi
ng!ButIdidn’
tfind
anythi
ng.”Herepl
iedopeni
ngt hepots.
Dali
ngcebo: “
Yourfoodisont hemicrowav e.
Andaboutt hatTAZZ,Mnt wanaandt heguard,
hadgonet otheneighbouringhousesandone
ofthem saidthatt
herewasabl ueTAZZt hat
drovei
nher e.Buttheydidn’tdwel
lchecki ngout
whatwasi tdoinghere.AndLangalibalelewas
herewithBongani,Pri
nceandBanel e.
Langal
ibalel
ewantedt ospeakt oyou. ”
Ngcebo:
“Di
dhel
eav
ethemessage?
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Yes,hesai
dsomethi
ngwas
rev
ealedtohi
m ashewasi nt
heforestwi
th
BonganiandPri
nce.Nandi
phawastakenbya
womanbuthedi dn’tseethiswoman’sf
ace.But
i
tseemsthatthi
swomani stheenemyt
hathe’d
beent
oldabout.Ithinkthat’
saclue.
”
Ngcebo:“I
t’
sacluethatweal
readyknow
Dal
ingcebo.Buhl
etoldusi
twasawoman. .
.The
gi
rl
s?They ’
rebet
ter
?”
Dali
ngcebo:“They’
redistr
actedbyNont obeko
andQalokuhl
e’spresencebutt heydidask
aboutyou.Ij
usttoldthem youwentoutl ooki
ng
fort
heirmother.Nandipha’
smot hercal
l
edand
-”
Ngcebo:
“Ihopey
oudi
dn’
ttel
lhert
het
rut
h!”
Dali
ngcebo:“
No,Ij
usttol
dherthatthetwoof
yougoneoutandNandiphalostherphoneat
t
heweddi ng.
”Herepl
iedandNgcebosi ghed.
Ngcebo:“
Thankyouforbei
nghere,baf
o.Ireal
l
y
don’
tknowifIwi
l
l f
indherorIwi
l
l j
usthaveto-
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Don’
tbenegat
ive.
”Hest
opped
hi
m andNgcebonodded.
Ngcebo: “
Youcangosleep.Iwil
l dothesame
aftert
his.
”hefr
eedhim andDalingcebolef
thi
m
forbed…Ngcebohadhi sfoodthinki
ngabout
thewomanwho’ dtakenhiswif
eandt hi
nki
ng
abouttheblueTAZZ…
~~~~~~~
Mnot holookedatHappi nesslayingonthebed
withherphoneonherhandsonaMondayni ght
.
He’ djustt akenashowerandwant edtojoin
Happi nessi nbednow.They ’vehadal ongday
att hepal aceandhewasher enowbecause
Dani ellehadt oldhi
mt hatHappi nesslef
twith
thechi l
dren.“Whydidy ouleavewi thout
i
nf ormi ngmet haty
ouar eleaving?”Mnot ho
askedget tingunderthecov erswi t
hher.He
placedhi shandonhershoul der.
Happinesslookedbackathi m andshetur
ned
herbodytof acehisside.Sheremovedher
earphonesthathadst oppedherfr
om hear
ing
hi
m enterther oom.“Ididn’
tseeyouandItol
d
thequeenandMaNkosit
hatwewer el
eavi
ng.
”
Sherepli
edandpl
acedherphoneaway.
Mnot ho:
“Thosetwoar enoty
ourhusbandbutI
am andy oudi
dn’teventel
lmotherabout
l
eaving.Shedidn’
tknowaboutit.
”
Happi ness:“Shewasn’ tar
oundwhenIl eft.Ihad
tocomebackandbat hthesenaught ychil
dr en
becauset heywer emuddyandwet .Idi
dn’twant
them tocat chthecold.Theyfellasleepaft er
theirbath.AndIt houghtthatyou’
regoi ngt o
MaNkosi tonightbecauseyouwer eher elast
night.
”
Mnotho:“
Alr
ight.MaNkosii
satt hepalaceand
whenIam withyou,i
tshouldn’
tbotheryouthat
Ishoul
dbewi t
hMaNkosi .
”
Happiness:
“Iwouldn’
tli
keyout
omakea
mist
akeofgi v
ingoneofustoomuchat
tent
ion
whil
et heot
herfeel
sneglect
ed.
”
Mnot
hochuckl
edl
ooki
ngatherey
esast
hey
werefaci
ngeachot her.“Iwon’tdothatmist
ake
againandtherearesevenday sinaweekand
thatmeansIwi l
ldivi
dethreeday stoeachof
youaweekandi fonehadt heextraday.The
otherwil
lhavetheextraont hefoll
owingweek.
Howdoy ouli
kethat?”
Happinesssmil
ed.“I
t’
sfai
randIthinkthatt
ime
tobreathewi
thoutahusbandaroundiswhat
ever
ywomanneeds. ”Shejokedandthey
l
aughed.
Mnot
ho:
“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou’
vej
ustsai
dthat
!”
Happi
ness:
“It
’st
het
rut
h.”
Mnotho:
“Ihopether
e’l
lbenomanwho’
l
lcome
bet
weenusagain.”
Happi
ness:
“No,
ther
ewoul
dn’
tbe.
”
Mnotho:“
Yes,becauseIwi
l
ltr
eaty
our
ight
becauseyouarequeen.
”
Happi
ness:
“DoIr
eal
l
ydeser
vet
obequeen?
”
Mnotho:
“Yes.You’
rethechiefwi
feoftheki
ng’
s
advi
sort
hatmeansy ouholdthet
itt
let
hatyou
deser
ve.
”
Happiness:
“Iwouldlovetoholdthatt
it
tl
eeven
i
ny ourhear
t.”Shesaidpl
acingherhandonhis
chestandMnot hoheldherwri
st.
Mnotho:“You’renothinglesst hanaqueen.”He
t
oldhersof t
lyandki ssedherbar eshoulder
whi
leholdingont oherhand.Andhehadcol d
f
eetrecal
lingwhathappenedt helastti
methey
werephysical.Hewasf orcefulandhedidn’
t
wanttoraiset hosememor ies.I
twast ooear
ly
maybe,eveni fsheloveshi m, memor i
esare
memor i
esandt heymi ghtbet ri
ggered…
Happinesssmil
edandclosedhereyes.Butshe
openedthem whenMnothodidn’
tgof ur
theras
shewast hi
nki
nghewould.“What’swrong?Are
youscaredofsomethi
ngmay be?”Shefeltt
he
needtoaskthist
oni
ght.
Mnot
ho:
“No,
butar
eyour
eadyf
ort
his?
”
Happi
ness:
“It
’snotourf
ir
stt
ime,
Mnot
ho.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Butt
hel
astt
ime-
”
Shef i
guredhisfearsandshesi
ghed.“
Ihave
dealtwit
ht haty
earsago.”Sher
epli
edrecal
li
ng
howhar ditwasf orhert
obeint
imatewith
Lonwabobecauseofwhathadhappened
betweenherandMnot ho.
Mnot
ho:
“Iam sor
ry.Iwasn’
tgood-
”
Happi
ness:
“Isai
dIdon’
twantt
odwel
ltot
he
past
.”
Hel ookedatherandhedi dn’tunderst
andwas
thisl ovespeakingori twasgoi ngtobedif
ferent
whenhehadt oact.“Okay, l
et’snot.
”Hesaid.
Hehel dhercl osert
ohi sbar echestandkissed
her .Happi nessslowl
yki ssedhi m back.Mnotho
feltherwar m handstouchhi sar m asthey
kissedi ntensely.
Mnothoheldhersl i
m waistandpulledher
cl
osertohim.“Ican’tbeli
evesuchasl im wai
st
hadcarr
iedtwopeopl eandy oudidn’teven
suf
ferf
rom fatafterbir
th.
”Mnot hocomment ed
asheremov edherpy j
amas.
Happi
ness:
“Ihaveagoodbone.
”Shesai
dona
l
owseducti
vetone.
Mnot
ho:
“Doy
ouwantmor
echi
l
dren?
”
Happiness:“
Yes,maybetwomor
eandt
he
f
amilywi l
lbecompl
ete.
”
Mnot honoddedwi t
hasmi le,het
ouchedher
breastssof
tly
,andhehear dhermoanwhi l
e
theywerelockedintoakiss.Hemov edf r
om
thekisstosuckthehardnipplesslowly
.Her
handsheldont ohisarmst i
ghtl
y…Hemov edup
andpackedherbeneat hhim.Her emovedher
bluelacepanti
es.Helookedatherashegoti n
betweenherlegsandkissedherwhi lerubbi
ng
himselfonherwetopenings…Shemoanedas
Mnothoheldherwaistandi
nvi
tedhercl
osert
o
him.Andshelovedbeingsocl
osetohiswarm
skinunderhi
sstrongarms.
“You’
recomfort
ableor?”Heaskedlooki
ngat
herashewasn’tsureofherfaci
alexpr
essi
on
ashewast r
yingtoenterher
.
Happiness:“Yes,Iam comfor
tabl
e.”Sherepli
ed
wit
houtopeni nghereyes.“
Justconti
nue.”She
encouraged.AndMnot hosubmitt
edt oher
command.
Hegroanedashef eltthewar mthofher
…
Happinessmoanedl oudly
,heldontoMnot ho’
s
arms.Shewasenj oy i
ngher sel
fandappreciat
ed
feel
i
nghi sf
ull
nessi nsideher.Itmadeherfeel
wholeandshef el
tdi vi
nepleasure…
Theybot
hexhaledandMnot honegl
ectedhi
s
bodyonherchestdeepeni
nghishandsonher
backi
ntoaheartf
elthug.
Mnot
ho:
“Thatwasamazi
ng!
”hecomment
ed
androsetol
ookather
.Andhesawaclean
smil
eonherface.“
ButIwantt
oseey
out ake
cont
rol.
”
Happi
nessl
aughed:
“Let
’snotpushi
tnow,
can
wenot?”
Mnotho:
“Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
otel
lmet
haty
ouwant
t
osleepnow?”
Happi
ness:
“Yes,
you’
veexhaust
edme.
”
Mnothot it
teredandhemov edfrom her,he
cuddledhernakedwar m bodyaf terthey’
ve
cl
eanedt hemsel ves.AndHappi nesswast he
onewhosuggest edt hattheyshouldcuddle
eachot hernaked.“You’ll
hav eagoodni ghtt
hen
mywi fe.Iwil
l wakey ouupwhenev erIwish
becausey ou’vemademesl eepnaked. ”
Happinessgi
ggled.“Canyoustoptal
ki
ngand
sleep?”Sher
equestedandsmi l
edasMnotho’
s
responsewasaki ssatthebackofher
shoulder…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE31

Hewokeuponanewday ,Tuesday ,het urned

toanempt ysideoft hebedandhef el
thi sheart
beingascol dasicebecauseoft hehur tthathe
wasf eel
ing.Itwasbet terwhenhewassl eepi
ng
becausehef el
tnothingbutt henewdaycame
withnothingbutmor ewor r
yandhear tache.He
grabbedhi sphonet hatwasr ingi
ngandhe
l
ookedati tasi tr
ang.Pal esawascal l
inghi m
buthewasn’ tupf oranswer i
ngt hisphonecal l
…
Het appedonhi sphoneaf t
erhisphonehad
stoppedringing.Het appedonhi sgal l
er yand
browsedt hroughhiscamer aphot oslooki ngat
allt
heselfiesthatNandi phahadt akenwi thhis
phone.Hechuckl edandshookhi shead.
Ngcebo:
“Onecoul
dsweari
t’
sherphoneandi
fI
candeletethem she’l
laskmewhowi l
lfi
ll
her
space.Sill
ywomanIhav e!
”hemumbl edto
himselflookingatthecameraphotosandhe
stoppedatt hephotoshe’dtakenstanding
beforethemi rr
ornakedwithherpregnancy
bump.“ Mysons! ”
Heswi pedpassandtappedplayonthev i
deo
>>“ Hmm!Hmm! ”Nandi
pha’ssl
eepyvoice
criedandshemov edherhandtothephonet o
remov ei
tfr
om herfaceasNgcebowast akinga
videowhil
epokinghernosetowakeher.
Ngcebo:“Youneedtowakeup.
”Hi
smor
ning
l
azyvoicetol
dher.
Nandi
pha:“YouknowIlovet
hecamer abutI
don’
tli
kewhenIam uglyint
hemor ni
ng.Rasta,
removethecamera.Iwi
ll
delet
ethatvi
deo.”
Ngcebo:“
You’l
ldonosucht
hingbecauset
his
phoneisminenotour
s.”
Nandi
pha:
“Thatwon’
tst
opmef
rom del
eti
ng
thevi
deoandhowcany ouwakemeliket
his,
Ngcebo.You’
ret
eachi
ngtheboysbad
behavi
our.
”
Ngcebochucked.“ No,Iam notteachi
ngt hem
badbehaviourbuttheymustknowt hataman
gott
awakeupev erymor ni
ngtohust l
e.”Hesaid
andhishandappear edtoremov ethebl anket
s
showingherbell
y.“Ithi
nky ourbreast
shav e
enl
argedandIcanseet helimbsofourbabi es.”
Hetoldhertouchingher.
Nandiphalaughedlazi
ly.“
They’r
edoi ngthetoy
i
toyi
.‘
Asfuniukuvuka!Hhayi!Hhayi
!”Shesang
showingNgcebohowt hebabieswer e
prot
esti
ngandt heybothlaughedhilari
ously
.
Ngcebo: “
ThatiswhatIwaswait
ingf
orand
nowmycr azysomewifei
sawake.Letmekiss
you.”thevi
deostoppedatNandi
pha’
sloud
giggle.
>>>
Ngcebochuckl
edonhi
sbedaf
tert
hev
ideohad
stoppedandhel aughedpl aci
nghi shandson
hisforehead.“ Dear,Lord.Idon’ twantt olook
forwardt osuchmor nings, wher eIwi llwakeup
toanempt ysideoft hebedwi thoutt hatwoman
youbr oughtinmyl if
e.Whywoul dy oubr i
ng
someonei nmyl i
feonl ytot aket hem f rom me
whilewehav en’treached–Pl ease, Iam not
askingf ormuch, r
eally
, Iam justaski ngt hat
youbr ingthem home.Mygi rl
swantt heir
mot herback, Iwantmywi febackandour
babies.Iam hopi ngt haty ou’l
l l
ooki nt omy
heartandanswermypr ayerbecauseIdon’ t
havemucht osay .Amen! ”Hesai dt hepr ayer
andheonl ysighedaf terhe’ dfinished.He
j
umpedoutoft hebedashecoul dheart he
footstepsandl aught eroft hechi ldren…
“Hel
lo,mama.
”Ngceboanswer
edt
hecal
l
headingt
otheki
tchen.
“
Areyoutwoignor
ingmycal
l
s?”Fai
thasked
Ngceboont
hephone.
Ngcebo:
“No,butwe’
vebeenv
erybusy
.Howar
e
t
hingsovert
here?
”
Fai
th:“
Where’
smydaughterIwanttospeakt
o
her
?Ifyouwantedtoaskaboutt
hingsher
e,y
ou
weregoingt
ocallusbuty
ouignori
ngmycall
s.”
Ngcebo:
“No, mama, i
t’
snotli
kethatbutwegot
backhomev eryl
atelastni
ghtandyouknow
howourgir
lsleepsinthemorning.
”
Fai
thsi
ghed.“Ar
eyouhavi
ngf
lue?Youdon’
t
soundgood.
”Sheasked.
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
itr
ainedheav
il
yonSundayaf
ter
t
heweddingandIhavefl
ue.”
Fait
h:“Mydaughterdoesn’
thavefl
ue?Andhow
arethegir
ls?Canyougivethem t
hephoneso
thatIcanspeaktothem?”
Ngcebo:“Eh!Nandiphadoesn’thavefl
ueand
thechi
ldrenarebathingri
ghtnow.Theywon’ t
speakwhi l
einwater.
”Her epl
iedknowingthat
hecouldn’tpossi
blygivehi
sphonet othegir
ls
becausetheywer egoingt
ot ellherthattheir
mot herwasmi ssi
ngandhedi dn’
tknowhow
worriedshewasgoi ngtobe.Theyhadaf uneral
toface,worr
yingaboutNandi phawasn’ t
somet hi
ngthatNgcebowant edt hem todo.
Fai
th:
“Ever
yonei
sbusybutIunderst
and.You’
ll
cal
lwhenyougett
imeandplease,j
ustbuya
newphoneformydaught
erforgoodnesssake!
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Iwi
l
lbuyt
hephonegogo.
”
Hepromised.
Fai
th:
“Al
ri
ght
.”
Ngcebo:
“How’
smybr
otheri
n-l
aw?
”
Fait
h:“
He’scopi
ngbutwewerewor r
iedsi
nce
wecouldn’
tgethol
dofhissi
ster
.Butyour
brot
hertol
dusshelostt
hephone.”
Ngcebo:
“Al
ri
ght
.Iwi
l
lsendaDM t
ohi
m.”
Fai
th:
“Al
ri
ght
,by
e.”
Ngcebo:
“By
e,mama.
”Her
emov
edt
hephone
fr
om hi
searandhesighed,pl
acingt
hephone
onhispocket
.Andheproceededwit
hhis
j
ourney.
“What’
shappeninginthel
ounge?
”Ngcebo
askedThulaandMnt wanawhowerebusy
rear
rangi
ngthelounge.
Mntwana:“
Mama, cal
l
edandsai
dweshoul
d
makespacebecausetheywi
l
lal
lcomewi
th
somewoment opray.
”
Ngcebo: “
Oh!Iwillproceedwit
hmydr i
vet
oday
.
Dali
ngcebot ol
dyouwher eIwaslastni
ght
,
ri
ght?”Heaskedl ookedbackandhesaw
Banelerunni
ngaf terNtokomalo,
theywere
headi
ngt othelounge.
Mnt
wana:
“Yes,
het
oldme.
”
Ngcebo:
“Boy,you’r
ehere.Dali
ngcebotol
dme
youcameyesterday.
”Hegav ehishandto
Banel
eandtheyshar edabri
efhug.
Banel
e:“
Yes,
IcameandIwasangr
ier
y
est
erdaybutt
hegi
rl
shav
ecal
m me.
”
Ngcebo:“Iwastoldnottotel
lyou,Banel
e.”He
repl
i
edandbentdownt otakeNongcebowho
wasbeforehim nowraisi
ngherarmsf orhim.
Whil
eNt okomalowasget t
ingbusyalongwith
ThulaandMntwana.
Banel
e:“
So,
whatdoest
hatmean?
”
Ngcebo: “Sawubona, pri
ncess.”Hegr eet ed
Nongceboandt i
ckl edhert ummy ,hekissedher
facemaki nghergi ggle.Nongcebogr eetedher
fatherback.“ Youwoul dn’tunderstandIdi dn’t
wantt odowhatIwast ol
dnott odo.Iknewy ou
woul dhav eunder stoodbutaf t
erhowIwast old
nott oev entryyou.Idi dn’twantt ogoagai nst
theirwor dbecausei tdidn’tmattertothem how
i
mpor tantthi
sweddi ngwas. ”Ngcebosai dto
Banel eandhegr eetedNont obekoandt he
childrenwhower ei nsidethekitchenwi thher .
Banel
e:“
Youwer
en’
tsupposedt
ocar
eabout
t
hatNgcebobecauseatt heendoft hedayit
wasmyweddi ngnottheir
sandIknowi f
Nandi
phaknewaboutt hisshewasgoi ngtocal
l
meorCandice.EvenCandiceisdisappoint
edat
youandnow,yourwif
ei smissing.
”
Nontobeko:“
Calm down,Banel
e.Iunderst
and
you’r
eangrybutal
l t
hatwil
lnothel
pnow.Our
focusshoul
dbeonf indi
ngNandiphabecauseI
knowy oual
lwon’tbeful
lyhappytoatt
endt he
weddingwhil
eshehasn’tbeenfound.”
Ngcebo:“
Ey,
thanky
ou,
Nont
obeko.Hewas
f
ini
shingmeoff.
”
Banel
e:“
Youdon’
tunder
stand.
”
Ngcebo:“
IdoandIam sor
ryfornotspeaki
ng
wit
hyou.Howaretheweddingprepar
ati
ons?”
heaskedsit
ti
ngdownforf
ood.
Banele:
“Idon’tknow.ButIwil
lgowi t
hyouin
yourdri
ve.Dali
ngcebotoldmet hatyoudr
ove
aroundandfindsomecl uesabouttheTAZZ.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yes.
”
Nont obeko:“
Andt hepolicewehere,t
heysai
d
thatnumberi snotregist
eredunderaspeci
fi
c
person’sname.It’
sthosecar dsyoubuyonthe
streetalr
eadyregi
stered.Andit’
dbeenusedto
calljustonenumbert hatwasadeadend.”
Ngcebo:
“Ei
sh!Wewi
l
lgowhenIf
ini
shher
e.”
Banel
e:“
Sho.
”
Nont
obeko:
“Youwon’
tst
ayf
orpr
ayer
?”
Ngcebo: “
No. ”herepli
edandNont obeko
nodded.Ngcebol ookedatthethreegirl
swho
werebusyal onewi t
hQalokuhl
ewi thoutgi
v i
ng
him at
tenti
on.Het houghtofcal
li
ngt hem buthe
remember edhewasst i
ll
goingtohav etoleave.
“Bhuti
?”NgceboansweredMlamuli
’
scall
gett
inginsi
deMntwana’svehi
clewi
thBanel
e
taki
ngthepassengerseat
.
Ml
amul
i
:“Howar
eyou?Ical
l
edl
astni
ghtand
t
heysai
dyouwer
enothome.
”
“Yes,Idr
ov earoundsearchingforNandipha
andIdidn’tfi
ndherbutIf oundtheclueabout
thecarthathadbeeni nhere.”Herepli
eddri
ving
out.
Mlamuli:“
Iwasspeakingwit
hLangal i
balelethi
s
mor ni
ngandIcall
edthepoli
cehandl i
ngt he
case.Theleadisv
eryweakbutt heyaretr y
ing
totackl
ethesetsoffi
ngerpr
intsthathave
touchedthehandl
eoft hedr
iver’
sdoor.”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!Ar
etheyget
ti
ngsomewher
e?”
Mlamul i:“
Yes,therewerefoursetsof
fi
nger pri
ntsandtheywi l
lworkont hem.But
Langal i
balel
esuppor t
edmyi deaofsendi ngtwo
groupsofmenwho’ l
lgoaroundnei ghbouri
ng
vi
llagesandt hecluewi l
lbethi
scaranda
woman.Theywi l
laskaround.Andi ftheydon’
t
fi
ndnewcl uesbyt oni
ghttheywil
lmov eto
neighbouringplaces.Langal
ibal
elesai dhe’
s
al
soont
osomet
hinghewon’
tjoi
nthem.
”
Ngcebo:“Thankyou,thatwil
lbeveryhelpful
.
ButIwon’tstopmysear chIaskthatyoucall
Dali
ngcebo,no,Iwil
lcallhi
m andhewi l
lhelp
wit
hstructur
ingthegroupsofmenwho’ l
lgo
sear
ching.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Don’
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
lcal
lhi
m butl
i
sten,
”
Ngcebo:
“Yebo.
”
Mlamuli
:“I
fyouseethatyouar
eheadi
ngt
o
dangerdon’
tevenr
iskit
.”
Ngcebo:
“But
-”
Mlamuli
:“Youdon’
twanttodi
eorgomissi
ng
whil
elooki
ngforher
.Whatwil
lhappent
othe
chi
ldr
enifthet
woofy ougetl
ost
?”
Ngcebo:“
Iknowbutshewon’tbei
ncl
earout
pl
aces.Iwi
lldoany
thi
ngto-
”
Mlamuli
:“Ngcebo!Li
sten,man!Don’tt
hinkwit
h
youremoti
onsbutusey ourbrai
ns.Icouldl
ose
i
ttooifmyqueencangetl ostbutIwouldn’
t
wanttobedieandl eaveourboy swhil
elooking
forher
.Who’stherewi t
hy ou,
givethem the
phonenow.”heinstructedandNgcebogav et he
phonetoBanel
e.
Banel
e:“
Bhut
i?”
Mlamul i
:“Iam tel
li
ngNgcebot haty oushouldn’
t
putyourselvesindangert hatcanev enkill
you.
Ngcebost il
lhaschildrentol i
vef orandy ou
haveawi fe.Ifyouseei t
’sgettingr i
skydon’t
pushit.Hewon’ tthinkbuty oushoul ddothat.
Nandiphawi llbefoundbutIdon’ tthinkshe’l
l
wanttocomebackt of i
ndNgcebodead.Thati s
notsomet hingthatshouldhappen. ”
Banel
e:“
Yebo,
bhut
i.Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Good.
”
Banel
egav ethephonebacktoNgceboand
befor
ehecoul dspeakNgcebost
oppedhim
fr
om speaking.“
Iknowwhathetoldyou.
”
Ngcebosai
d.
Banel
e:“
AndIwil
ldoashesai
d.”Heassur
ed
hi
m andNgcebodi
dn’
tcomment.
~~~~~~~~
“Whydon’tyoul etmewakeherwi t
hcoldwater
j
ustli
keIdidy esterday?”MaKhumaloaskedt he
Sangomawho’ dtoldhertheyweresupposedt o
wakeNandi phaandputhert osleeponceagai n
toensur
et hatshewoul dsleeplongerunt
ilt
hey
werebackf rom theriv
ertoperf
ormt hi
sri
tual.
Sangoma:
“Wher
e’st
hedi
ff
erence?
”
MaKhumal o:“Ij
ustwanttorejoi
cetoev erypai
n
andf earthatshegoest hr
oughasshe’ dunder
myhand.I tgi
vesmepl easurebecausetheir
l
ateki ngdidn’
teventhi
nkt wicebefore
butcheringmyf amil
yandhi sgrandchil
dren
panel beatmysonf orbeingont heroad.”
Sangoma:“
Doy
ouev
enknowhowev
ily
our
fat
herwas?
”
MaKhumal o:“
Whyarey ouaskingmethat
questi
on?Mymot herandsibl
ings,
theydi
dn’t
deserv
et odi
ebecauseofthatandIsurvi
ved
becauseIwaswithmygr andmotherwhenthey
werekil
led.
”
Sangoma: “Theywerekil
ledinwarandt hatwas
startedbyy ourfat
her.
”Her emindedherashe
wasbusyset ti
ngeveryt
hinginorderforthe
ri
tual thathewasgoingtodoatmi dni
ghtwhere
al
l forcesofdarknesswoul dbewi t
hhim.The
3am hourwasn’ ttooconv eni
entforhi
m but
mi dnightwas.
MaKhumalo:“Whydoesi tseem li
keyou’
ve
devel
opedasoftspotforthisgirl
andtheroy
al
famil
y?You’
vedonet hi
sfirstwhenyouall
owed
hertocal
lherhusband.Ihav eputsomuch
moneyinthi
sforyout odoubl ecr
ossme.”
Sangoma:“
Woman!Iam askingyouquesti
onsI
havenobusi
nesscari
ngforanyt
hingint
his
worl
dbutmy sel
fandtheworkIdo.”
MaKhumal odidn’
tsayanythi
ngbutshe
promisedhersel
fthatsheneededt obecar
eful
withthi
sSangoma.Shedi dn’
ttrusthi
m now…
TheSangomawokeNandi phabybur ni
ngmuthi
aroundherfacetoreachhernose.Hedidn’
t
l
istentoMaKhumal owhowant edt owakeher
withcoldwater…
Nandipha’
sheav yey
esopenedandshe
coughedbecauseoft hesmoke.Shepul l
edher
heavyarmsandshescr eamedonceagai nas
shereali
sedthatshewasst il
lti
edupbyat hi
ck
rope.Shewassleepingwhi l
estandingonher
feetandherclot
heshadbeenr i
ppedof fher
body.Shewasonl ywrappedonabl ackworn
outragaroundherwai standshewasn’ t
coveredontop.Herbreastsandpr egnancy
bell
ywerev i
si
bletotheey e…
MaKhumaloandtheSangomalaughedin
uni
sonasNandiphawasdoingwhatthey
’ve
beent
ell
i
nghernottodobecausenobodywas
goingtorescueher
.Andnobodywasgoi
ngt
o
hearscream.Theywerei
nthefor
est
.
Sangoma:
“Youdon’
tli
stenl
i
ttl
egi
rl
.Doy
ou?
”
Nandi
pha:
“LETMEGO!
”
Sangoma:“You’r
eev ery
thi
ngthatweneedand
thatmeans?”helookedatMaKhumal owho
alr
eadyhadthemal i
cioussmilet
hatshe’dbeen
givi
ngNandiphasincethenightt
heyfoundher.
MaKhumal
o:“
Wewon’
tlety
ougo.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Myhusbandwi
l
lfi
ndmeandhi
s
f
amilywi
ll
helphi
m.”
Sangoma: “Oh!Thatpoorman.Yout hi
nkhi ghly
ofhisfamily.
”Her oseupwi that easpoonof
muthitokickNandi phabacki ntosl eepunt i
l
thei
rretur
nt otheriver
.“It’
sapi tythaty ourin-
l
awsdi dn’
treali
sewhatt heyhadi ny ou.Imean
youjustappearedwhenIneededsomeonet o
usetodestroyt hei
rfuturebuty oudon’ thavet o
worrybecauset oni
ght,itallends.Youandy our
sonswil
lmeetyourmakerandthei
rdi
str
act
ion
wil
lbegi
n.”Hethr
eatenedandbl
ewthemuthi
onhercryi
ngfaceasshewasscreami
ngagain.
MaKhumal o:“DoIreal
lyneedtogowi t
hy outo
theri
ver?Icanstaybehindandwat choverher
toensurethatnobodyfindsher.
”sheaskedt he
Sangomat hathadtoldherthati
twast i
mef or
them t
oleave…
Sangoma: “
You’r
et hereasonthisri
tualistaki
ng
placeandwecan’ tper f
ormt hi
srit
ual wi
thout
‘
umsebenzi wokuziqi
nisa’Kuzomelesiziqi
nise.
Doy outhi
nkyouwi ll
stomachev erythi
ngthat
willhappenforthissacri
fi
ce?Iwi l
lbutcherthis
girlali
veandyoumusthav eahear tofakill
erto
seet hathappen.”
MaKhumal onoddedandshef oll
owedhimt o
thedoorl ooki
ngbackatNandiphawhowas
hangi ngovert
herehel
plessl
y.“Iwil
ldanceon
theirsorr
owf r
om toni
ght.
”Shepr omisedbefor
e
closingthedoorofthehut…Theywal ked
t
hrought
hef
orestt
ogett
othei
rdest
inat
ion…
~~~~“ Mama!Mama!Vuka!Vuka! ”thechi l
d’
s
voiceechoedt oNandi phawhowassl eepingon
thefloorinthecent r
eofadar kroom.Thev oice
repeated,again,again,
andagainunt i
l….
~~~~~~~Nandi phaforcedherheavyey es
openedandal lshesawwast heblurvisi
ons.
Shecl osedherey esagainandshef eltbackt o
herheav ysleepwi t
hinaf ewsecondsofcl osing
them.
~~~~“ Mama!Mama!Vuka!Vuka! ”t
hesame
chil
d’svoi
ceechoedt oNandiphawhowas
sleepi
ngont hefloorinthecentr
eofadark
room.Thev oiceforthesecondroundas
Nandiphawassl eeping…~~~~~
Sheopenedhereyesonceagai naftertheend
ofthedream t
hatshewashav ingforasecond
ti
meandt hist
ime,sheclear
lyrecall
edwher e
shewasasshesawt hecandlesinsidethe
scaryhut,
shesawt hemacheteandot her
thi
ngsthatthey’veshownhert heywer egoing
tousetokil
l her,
tosacrif
icehernotj ustherbut
herandherchi l
dren…Shebegancr y
ingand
pul
ledtherobet yi
ngherassher eal
isedthat
shewasalonei nsidethehut.
Nandi pha:“Oh!Jesu!”shecri
edasshesawt hat
shewasf i
ghtingalosingbattl
eherebecause
therewasnowayt hatasweakasshewas, she
couldev entrytobreakfreefrom t
heserobes.
“Please!”Shecriedasshet r
iedagain.
“NGCEBO!NGCEBO!NGCEBO! ”Shesensel essl
y
screamedhisnameabov ehervoice.She’d
beent ol
dshewasi nthemi ddl
eofnowher ebut
shedidn’twanttodi ewithouttr
ying.Maybe
someoneoutt here!May beNgcebowasgoi ng
tohearher.Maybehewasgoi ngt oseeav isi
on
i
fshecant rytoscr eam hisname.Shedi dn’t
knowwhi chwasr ightandwhi chwasgoi ngt o
hel
phernowbutsheknewt hatshehadt odi e
tr
ying!Shehadto…
“Canyouheart hatv oi
ce?”ahit
manseatedon
thedri
verseatofawhi t
edi l
api
datedToy
otav
an
askedhispartnerwhowasseat edonthe
passengerseatoft hevehicl
eastheywere
dri
vingonsmal lroadofthef or
est.
“Yes,Icanhearthatvoicebutwear enotdri
vi
ng
ont hi
sshadyroadtot akenot eofscr
eaming
voices.Wehaveat argettoki l
lsot
hatwecan
getourmoney .Don’tforgetIneedthi
smoney
mor ethanyoudo.”Her emi ndedhi
m.
Hi
tman1:“Youarerightaboutthat.Weshoul d
f
ocusont hetar
get.
”Hesuppor tedandt riedto
i
gnorethi
sscreamingv oi
cethathecoul dhear
wasclear
lycomingfrom theforest.“No!Ican’
t
j
usti
gnorethis.
”headdedandst oppedt hecar
i
mmedi at
elyashisconsciouswasn’ tgiv
inghim
r
est.
..
Hit
man2:“Hhey
i,hheyi
,mthaka!Iwon’
thave
youpul
li
ngGodst unt
sonme!Wehav eajobto
do.Dr
ivenoworIshootyou.Itol
dyouwe
shoul
dn’tuset
hisr
outebuty
ouwerestubbor
n
abouti
t.Youhadyourownagenda,
huh?”
Hit
man1:“Youshootmey oudon’tgetthe
money.Don’
tforgetthatIam t
heonewho
knowsourcli
entandnow, wearef oll
owingthi
s
voi
ce.
”Hemadei tcl
eartohispartnerandhe
gotof
fthecarwithhisgunandv ehiclekeys.
Hitman2: “Fuck!”heswor eangril
yandhehi tthe
cardoorr epeatedlyasheknewhecoul dn’
tdo
whathe’ dthreatenedtodo.Hedashedoutt he
car.“
Hey ,cany ouusey ourbr
ain!Wecan’tgo
playGodwi t
ht hiscarleftontheroadli
kethis.”
Hemadehi m awar eashewasal readymov ing
awayfr om thev ehicl
emaki nghiswayinsi
de
theforestwher et hescream wascomi ngfr
om…
Hit
man1:“Yes!Yes!You’r
erightabout
somet
hingtoday.”Hesuppor t
edandrushed
backt
othecart ohidethecarfrom t
heeye…
“
Weneedt
omov
efast
erbecauseourj
obi
s
i
mpor t
antt hanpl ayingGodr i
ghtnow. ”The
secondhi t
manencour agedt hef i
rstoneand
theylift
edt heirfeet,theirf
eetwer ecov eredin
boot sprotectingt hem from har shst onesand
woodpi ecesoft heforestbutt hebr anchesand
l
eav eswer en’
tgi vi
ngt hem easyt imeasi twas
doinganumberont heirar
msandf acesast hey
ranev enf aster.Theycoul dheart hatt heywere
closertot hev oice…“ Thisper sonbet terbea
ri
chmot her f
uckerwho’ l
lcompensat eus.Ican’t
ber unningl i
ket hisfornothingandhav e
brancheshi t
tingmel i
keaf ool .
”Thesecond
hitmanadded.
Hitman1:“Justfocus!Themooni sbri
ghter
todayatleasttr
yduckf rom t
hebranches.
”He
advisedhim andhedi dashe’dadvi
sed…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE34
“Yinileemenz aukut hi athisi
ngezi ukuzombona?
Uthwel eizinganez ethuuMaZondi yi
nilento
ayishoy ouNgcebo? ”( What ’
smaki nghi m say
wemust n’
tcomet oseehi m?Nandi phais
pregnantwi t
hourgr andchi l
dren.Whati s
Ngcebosay i
ng? )DalisuaskedMl amul iwho’d
j
usti nformedt hem br i
eflyasaf ami l
ythat
Nandi phawasbr oughtbackandshe’ dbeen
admi ttedinthehospi tal.Ngcebohadaskedt hat
theydon’ tcomet oseeher .Theel dersoft he
familywer eall presenti nthemeet ing,Dalisu’
s
sonsandt hewi vesofhi shousewer eal l
presental ongwi thDal isu’sbrothers.
Mlamuli
:“TheDoct
orsai
dshemust
n’tbe
st
ressed.
”
AuntNomkhosi:“
What ’
sthemeaningofthat
,
Ndabezi
tha?Ngceboistryi
ngtosaythatwewil
l
st
resshi
swi f
e?Isthatwhathe’
ssaying?”
Mlamuli:
“No,buthedoesn’twanthertoasked
questi
onsabouttheinci
dentatthi
sstage
becausethatmightr
isememor i
es.”
Uncleelder
:“Wehaveeveryr
ightt
oknowwhat
happenedandshemustt el
luswhyshehadt
o
takethechil
drenwi
thoutt
ell
i
ngus.”
Banel
e:“
Arey
our
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
owaket
hatup?
”
Mnotho:“Whyshoul dwenotbecauseshet ook
thechi
ldrenwithouttel
li
ngus?Doy outhi
nkthat
wasagoodt hingandi fwedon’taskhernow
shewil
l r
epeatthisagainandthesecondti
me
wemaynotbel ucky?”
Uncleel
der:“
Yourbr
otheri
sri
ghtshemust
knowthatshewaswr ongt
odowhatshedid.
Sheputthefutur
eofourKi
ngdom i
ndangerby
heracti
ons.
”
Mlamuli
:“Thi
stalkri
ghthere,
isexactlywhat
Ngcebodoesn’twantaroundhiswife.She
mustn’
tbestressedIam sayi
ngthisclear
ly.
”
Mnotho: “
Whyar eturningabli
ndeyet ohow
muchdi sr
espectfulNgcebohasbecome?Hi m
andhiswi f
ewilldothingsastheypleaseasi f
they’
renotpartofthef ami
lyandthatwil
l belet
tosli
de?Whyshoul dt heybetr
eateddiff
erently
?
Youcan’texpectthatthefamil
ywi l
lj
ustletthis
sli
de.
”
Ml amuli
:“Mnotho!Nobodysaidt heymustn’
t
askNandi phaquest i
onsaboutheracti
onsbut
she’spregnantandshedoesn’ tneedtobe
placedincourtrightnow.Whichpartofthat
didn’ty
ouunder stand?”
Mnotho:
“Idi
dn’
tknowsomeonecoul
ddi
eby
bei
ngaskedquest
ions.
”
Mlamuli
: “
Howcany ouknowbecausenoneof
yourwiveshadtogothroughwhatNgcebo’s
wifewentthr
ough?Howcany ouknowthen?”
heaskedangeredbywhathewassay i
ngandi t
wasaddedupbyhowmuchMnot hohadt old
himthathewasn’tgoi
ngt obeinv
olvedinthi
s
dil
emmat hatNgcebowasfaci
ngbecausehe
wasdi sr
espectful
.Hedi
dn’
tknowanyone
besidehiswife.Hewasspeaki
nganyhowwit
h
thei
rparentsbecauseofhi
swife.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ml
amul
i
,cal
m down.
”
Mlamul i:“
No,don’ttel
lmet ocalm downmama,
hemustanswerme.Whi chwif
eofy our
shadt o
got hroughwhatNgcebo’ swifewentthrough?
Youst udiedmedicineforgoodnesssakeand
youknowmuchst ressandwor dscanstrai
na
person’sbodyandmi nd.What’
swr ongwith
you? ”
Mnot ho:“WhyareyouattackingmebecauseI
am justasangryasNgceboi s?Shoul dIclap
handst hatmyfourchil
drenwer eleftindanger?
ShouldI ?We’
veallbeenthrought hingsbutit’
s
notev enoncethatwehav edisrespect edour
parentsandtheeldersofthef amilyjust
Ngcebohasdone. ”
Dali
su:“
MNOTHO!MLAMULI !STOPIT!”He
rai
sedhisvoi
ceashewasseei ngt
hatthiswas
gett
ingoutofhand.Andasafamil
yleaderhe
hadtostopthem.
Sbani:“
Youneedtogetagri
pony oursel
ves
andwhatNgcebohasaskedshouldhappen
becauseshouldsomet
hinghappentohiswife.I
don’tt
hinkanyofuswouldwanttobeont he
bl
ameend. ”
Dali
su: “
You’resayi
ngwedon’ thavearightt
o
seehiswi f
ewho’ spregnant
?Whycan’ thesee
thathe’sdoingtheexactsamet hi
ngthathis
wifedid?”
Mnotho:
“Yes,
andyou’
ll
letitsl
idebecause
Ngceboshoul
ddoashepl easeandattheend
oft
hedayweshouldapplaudhim.”
Nkosazana:“
Idon’tgetwhat’
stherushin
aski
ngNandiphaaboutthechildr
en.Shejust
gotbackfrom whatwedon’tevenknowandwe
ar
eherefi
ghtingaboutaski
ngherquest
ions.
What
’stherush?”
Happiness:“Ial
sowanttoknowwhyshet ook
ourchil
drenwi t
houtt
ell
i
ngusbutIdon’
tthink
aski
nghert hatnowisawisethi
ng.
”
AuntNomkhosi lookedatDal i
suast hel eader
ofthef amily.(Letmeshedsomel i
ght sfor
someconf usedr eader s)Ml amul ii
st heKI NGof
Zululandaf t
erhi sf ather ,
het akesdeci sionand
maker ul
esf ortheZul uland.Her ul
esZul ul
and
andhecanhav eaf inal word/ sayinthe
KINGDOM ( withsuppor tofhi scounci lofcour se
andsomet imesev enwi thout).Buthisf ather,
Dalisu,he’stheLEADEROFTHEZULUFAMI LY,
meani ngMl amul i doesn’ thav eaf i
nal sayint he
fami l
ymat tersli
kehehasi nt hekingdom.
Dalisuistheonewi t hthatright( wi
tht heel ders’
appr ovalofcour se) .Iam clear i
ngt hi
ssot hat
youst opconf usingMl amul i beingaki ngwho
seem t ohav enosay .Her ulest hekingdom not
thefamil
yli
kehisfat
herhaddoneaf
terhi
s
grandf
ather
’sdeat
h.
Dal
isu:“I
fNgcebodoesn’twantustovisi
thi
s
wif
e.Wewi l
ldothatbutwewi l
lneedtohavea
meetingwit
hhim andhiswifetoaddr
essthi
s
asiti
ssaidtheydothingsastheypl
ease.We
wil
lhavetoaddressthat.
”
Theelderslookedamongstt hemselv esand
theynoddedinsuppor tofwhathewassay ing.
“Canthatmeet i
nghappenaf termyweddi ng? ”
Banelerequestedknowi ngwi thoutaguesst hat
thi
smeet i
ngwasgoi ngt oangerNgcebo
becauseev er
ythingthathe’ddonewasf orhis
famil
yandhe’ dlearntalotfrom that.Heknew
Ngcebowasgoi ngtobeangr yandhedi dn’
t
wanthimt onotat t
endhi sweddi ngpossibl
y
becausehecoul dnotift heypushhim.
Dal
isu:“Al
right
.Itwi
l
lhappenaf
tery
our
wedding.”
Banel
e:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Dalisu:“Okay,It
hinkt hemeetingi sovernow
unlessi fsomeonehassomet hingt oadd.”He
announcedandl ookedaroundt hem,he
stoppedathi swifewhohadn’ tsaymuchont he
meet ing.Thembel i
hleshookherhead…Nobody
wasf oundtohav esomet hi
ngt heywant edto
say .“Wecanpr oceedwi t
houtpl ansaswehav e
putt hem fort
heday .”Hef r
eedt hem andt hey
al
l stoodup…
~~~~~~~~~~
“Andy ou,husband,whenar eyougoingt osee
theDoct or
?”NandiphaaskedNgceboandshe
smoot hedhisfacewi thherhandsasi fhewas
ababy .Ngcebolaughedandheal lowedhert o
touchhimt hewayshewi shedasshewas
seatedont hehospitalbednowwear ingt he
nightdressthatNont obekohadsuggest edshe
mustnotl eavebehindj ustincasetheyadmi t
her.
Ngcebo:“
Ishoul
dalsohav
emypar
toft
he
pr
egnancycheckedup?
”
Nandi
phagiggl
ed,l
ooki
ngathi sf
acenowmade
herf
eelsomuchali
ve.“
No, butyouhavef
lue
andyouneedtogetmedici
ne.”Shetol
dhi
m.
Ngcebo:“
Ay ,Imaybeal it
tl
emoder nbutIam
sti
l
laZulumanandwedon’ tcur
efluewi t
h
modernmedi cati
on.Si
phuzaibozane,sichathe,
sphal
aze,sgqumeuphel enyaumkhuhl ane!”
(Weusetraditi
onalmethods)
Nandiphalaughed.“Okay,
andhowdidyouget
t
hefluethenbecauseIl ef
tyouwit
houtany
f
lue?”Sheaskedpl aci
ngherhandsonherbel
l
y.
Ngcebo: “
Ithi
nkitcamewi t
ht herai
nand
dri
vingar oundatnightl
ookingforyou.Iwas
shutteredandIjustwantedt ofi
ndyou.IknewI
wasl osingitwhenIshoutedatThandof or
cry
ingf oryouandIl ef
theralone.Nontobeko
wast heonewhowokeupandt ookherbutshe
didn’
tcalm downst
il
l.Idi
dn’
twantt
oimagi
ne
howl i
fewasgoingtobeforusi
fyoudi
dn’t
retur
n.”
Nandipha:“Iam backnowandwewi l
lbeal ri
ght.
Iwill
bef i
neandoursonswi llbef ine.Ibelieve
i
t’
sLet hukuthul
awhokeptwaki ngmei nmy
dream whenIwasheav il
ysleepi ngandev ent he
l
asttimewhenIwasi nthehospi talIwas
wokenupbyt hesamev oi
ce.Andaf teraf ew
minutestheycamebyt otakey oubutIr efused.
Ij
ustdon’tknowi fyouwereev engoi ngt of i
nd
usifIwasn’twokenupbyhi m.Idon’ tknow- ”
Ngcebo:“Hey
,it
’sokay,
nowandtomorrow,
we’l
lgohomeandj ustl
ikewet
oldhimto
prot
ecthissi
bli
ngswewi l
ldot
heri
tual
befor
e
youleav
e.”
Nandipha:“Iwil
ll
eave?”shecheckedbecause
shedidn’
texpectthatNgcebowasgoi ngto
supportthatshewil
lleave.
Ngcebo: “Yes,i
fy ouhav ef i
nishedeverything,
you’
llhavet oseeLangal i
baleleandseei fy ou
don’
tneedanycl eansingorwhat everthat’
s
needed.Wewi llhav ethatsmal lr
it
ualandy ou’
ll
l
eavewi ththegi rls.Iwil
lfol
lowy oubehi ndaf t
er
theweddi ngifther ewon’tbeany thi
ngt hatwi l
l
needmear ound.AndIwon’ tleav
ewi t
hout
seei
ngt hoset women. ”
Nandipha:“Okay
,itwouldhavebeenni
cei
fI
cookforthem.Thatsecondguy,Idi
dn’
tev
en
gethi
sname.Yho!Het al
kstoomuchandIam
surehelovesfood.”
Ngcebol
aughed.“
Oh!So,menwhot
alkt
oo
muchlov
efood?”Heasked.
Nandi
pha:
“Yes,
theyl
ovef
ood,
babe.
”
Ngcebo:“Don’
twor r
yiftheycomebef
orethe
weddingIwil
ltel
lthem tosti
ckar
oundandif
t
heycomeaf ter,
Iwillt
akethem t
othelodgef
or
f
oodaswel l.
”
Nandipha:
“Oh!That ’
sniceandi
ftheywanta
car
?Awu, phelatheirvancanbr
eakdown
anyt
ime.Ididn’
ttrusti
ttoo.”
Ngcebo:
“It
’sf
ine,
Iwi
l
lbuyt
hecari
ftheywant
i
t.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Ha!Real
l
y?”
Ngcebo:“Yes,
doy
ouunder
standwhatt
heydi
d,
sdudl
a-”
Nandipha:
“E.
eh!awuyekeukungbizangesdudl
a
yazi
Ngcebo.”(St
opcall
ingl
ikethat)she
r
equestedseri
ousl
yandNgcebol aughed.
Ngcebo:“Il
ikeitbutasIwassay i
ng,ifthey
didn’
tgettoyouev enifwedidfi
ndy ou,what
wewer egoingtofindwereyourcorpseor
ashesIdon’tknowwhatt heyweregoingt odo
toyoubutthere’snothi
ngthatcanamountt o
yourli
febutwhatt heywantIwil
lgi
vei tto
them.”
Nandi
pha:
“Al
ri
ght
,you’
l
ldr
ivehomenow?
”
Ngcebo: “They’
redischar
gingyouIcan’
tleave.I
wil
lleavey outorestnowandIwi l
lgobookf or
thenight.Itol
dthem thegirl
sandI,won’
tleave.
Wewi lll
eav ewit
hy outomorrowbecause
dri
vi
ngbackwi ll
beawast e.”
Nandi
pha:“
Alr
ight
,pl
ease,
bri
ngf
oodf
orme
whenyoucomeback.”
Ngcebostoodonhisfeet
.“Iwi
l
l.
”Hepr
omi
sed
andkissedhergoodby
e…
“Didyout el
l t
hem whytheyshoul dn’tcome
here?”NgceboaskedDal ingcebo, Ngcebowas
standingbyDal i
ngcebo’
scart hatar r
ivedfi
rsti
n
thehospital.Ngceboarr
ivedbackf orthei
r
arri
valfi
rst.Hewasnol ongerint hehospital
whenDal ingcebocall
edhimt ot ell
him hewas
closertothehospital
.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Ical
l
edBhutiMl
amuliand
i
nformedhimthatNandi
phawasback.It
old
hi
m howshecamebackandIt ol
dhimthatyou
sai
dt heyshouldn’tcometothehospit
al
becauset heDoctorsaidshedi
dn’tneedst
ress
andy ouwer eafr
aidtheyweregoi
ngt oask
questionsandheunder st
ood.Hesaidhewill
tel
lthem.”hebr i
efedhim.
Ngcebo:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Theyhav
en’
tcal
l
edy
ou?
”
Ngcebo: “No,t
heyhaven’tbutBanelecall
edme.
Iam askingyoutol
dt hem thereasonthey
shouldn’
tcomebecausehet oldmet hey’
re
angrythatIsaidt
heyshoul dn’
tcomeandev en
aft
erBhut iMl
amuliexplainedi
ttothem.”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Don’
tmi
ndt
hat
.Pal
esai
sal
so
coming.”
Ngcebo:“Hawu,
shewasn’
tdr
ivi
ngwi
tht
het
wo
ofyou?”
Dal
ingcebochuckl
ed.“
No,Ihav
ealr
eady
pr
omi sedQal
okuhl
ethatIwasgoi
ngtodri
ve
wit
hherandshewasgoi ngtot
akethef
ront
seat
.So,Palesasai
dshewasgoi
ngtodri
veher
caraf
tershe’dagr
eedtodr
ivewi
thme.
”
Ngcebolaughed.“Whydoesitseem li
key ou’
ll
havewomenpr oblem?Didtheyevengreeteach
other
?”Heaskedandl ookedatQalokuhlewho
wassleepi
nginsideherfat
her’
scaront hefront
seat.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Idi
dn’
theart
hegr
eet
ings.
”
Ngcebo:“Here’
shercar .
”Heinf ormed
Dali
ngceboashewasseei ngPal esa’
scar.
Dali
ngceboturnedhisheadt olookatthecar.
Hemov edawayf rom hisbrotherasPalesahad
foundaparki
ngspot .“Hholol
o!”hewhi st
led.
“Wherearethegi
rls’vehi
cle?
”Dalingceboasked
Palesaandhetookt heplast
icbagt hatPal
esa
hadonherhandal ongwithherhandbagasshe
wasclosinghervehi
cle.Dali
ngcebowas
standi
ngbehindher.
Pal
esa:
“Idi
dn’
tseet
hem ar
ound.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Where’
sy ourl
uggage?”heasked
ashewasn’tseei
ngitashewaspi cki
ng
thr
oughthewindowsofhercar.Theywalked
away,si
debyside.
Pal
esa: “
Ilef
titatthelodgethat
’swhereIhave
bookedbecauseIdi dn’twantt
osleepin
Nandipha’shousewhi l
eshewasn’tther
e.Ihav
e
pl
annedt hatIwasgoi ngtobearoundfort
he
gi
rl
sdur i
ngt hedayonl y.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“No!Youwon’tsl
eepatthel
odge
butyou’l
lsl
eepinmyhouse.Youarenota
guestthaty
oucanj ustsl
eepatt
helodge.
”
Shelookedathi m ashowhesai dthatt
oher
sti
rr
edsomet hi
nginherbutshet r
iedto
suppressit.“
No, whataboutyourdaughter
?I
don’treal
l
ywanthert oknowwear edati
ngjust
l
ikemysondoesn’ tknow.”Shetur
nedhim
down.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Mydaught
eri
swi
thhermot
her
andIthinkt
hey’
ll
dri
vetohermother’
shouse
aft
erthey’
veseenNandi
pha.Idon’
tknowbutif
she’
sdrivi
ngbackKwaNongomashe’ l
lsl
eepin
Ngcebo’shousewit
hhermother.
”
Palesa: “Okay ,
Iwi l
lsl
eepi ny ourhouseandsee
thelitt
leQhawe. ”Shesai dl ookingatNgcebo
nowwhot heywer eappr oachi ngandhewas
l
ooki ngatt hem.Shef iguredi twasj ustthei
r
thi
ngt ost arewi thint
er estbecausehi syounger
brotherwasj ustthereint heki tchenlookingat
them.Butei t
herwayi tdidn’tmakeherf eel
comf ortable.
Dal
ingcebo:
“That’
sagoodt
hing.Youwer
en’
t
st
ubbornaboutit
.”
Pal
esa:
“Icanst
il
lbe.
”
Dali
ngcebochuckl
edandhegav
eherashor
t
gaze.“
Don’tt
hinkabouti
t.
”
Ngcebo:
“Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouar
ecomi
ng,
howar
e
you?”
Pal
esa:“I
twouldhav
ebeenbadifIdi
dn’
tcome.
Iam f
ineandhowareyou?AndIdon’
teven
havet
oasky ounow,doI?
”
Ngcebo:“
Wel
l,y
ouhav
etoandIst
il
lneeda
f
avourfr
om y
ou.”
Pal
esa:
“Oh!Whati
sit
?”
Ngcebo:“
Iwi
l
ltel
lyouaf
tery
ou’
veseeny
our
f
ri
end.”
Palesa: “
Letmegoi nsi
denowbecauseIknow
i
fthegi rl
scomebyIwon’ tevengett
imetohug
her.”shesaidtaki
ngtheplast
icbagfr
om
DalingceboasNgcebowasbusyl aughi
ngin
suppor tofwhatshewassay i
ngbut…
“Youl ov
ehernow, don’tyou?”Ngceboasked
hisbrotherwhowasl ookingatPalesawhowas
walkingawayaf terNgcebohadt ol
dherhowt o
gettoNandi pha.Theydi dn’
tfol
lowherbutthey
waitedfortheother s.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
”hel
ookedat
hi
m anddi
dn’
tanswerhi
m.
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tneedar
easont
oask.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Don’tactl
i
keawomanandask
suchquesti
ons.
”
Ngcebolaughedashewasobv i
ousl
ydodgi
ng
thequesti
on.“
Idon’
tt hinkshe’
sgoingi
nfir
st
becauseofthegi
rl
st hough.Doesshefeel
thr
eatenedbyex-
wife? ”heaskedandfol
dedhi
s
l
ips.
Dali
ngcebo: “
Ngcebo!Voetsekwit
hy our
questions!
”hesworeandpushedhi sshoulder
back.Ngceboenjoyedthemomentofl aughi
ng
athim, hehadn’
tbeendoingmuchoft hat
l
ately…Theymov edfrom theposi
ti
onsast hey
sawt hev i
anoparki
ng.Dali
ngceboheadedt o
hiscart ot
akehisdaughter…
“Iam happytoseey ouandwherear
eyou
sleepi
ngt oni
ghtbecauseRast
aandthegir
ls
aresti
ckingarounduntil
tomorr
ow?”Nandi
pha
askedPalesawhowasst andi
ngonherf eet
witht
heirhandshol
dingeachother
.Theywer e
happytoseeeachotherandtherel
iefhad
rai
nedinthei
rheart
s.
Palesafol
dedherl i
ps.“
Ihavebookedintoa
l
odge.”Sher epl
iedandshelookedbackatthe
doorasNandi phawasgivi
ngherquestioni
ng
eyesandt hedoorwasbeingopened.Itwas
bestforhertodoso…
Nandipha: “
Myt ornado!”shechant edand
clappedhandsashergi rlsbudgedi nsi
dethe
room runningandl aughing,noneoft hem wer e
sleepi
ng.Nont obekoandt hethreebrother
s
foll
owedt hem behi ndwi thDalingceboholding
sleepi
ngQal okuhleinhisar ms…Nandi phaand
therestoft headul tsi
nt heroom wer elaughing
aseachoft hegi r
lswer etryi
ngt oclimbthebed.
Ngcebo:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Si
mil
o:“
Shi
yagi
bel
ababa!
”(Wear
ecl
i
mbi
ngup,
dad)
Buhl
e:“
Shi
shi
zephel
a!Baba!
”(Hel
pus,
dad)
Others:“BABA!
”theyallscr
eamedbutwithout
st
oppi ngtotr
ythei
rluckofcli
mbingthebed.Al
l
ofthem werelooki
ngforwardtositwi
ththei
r
mot her.
Ngcebo:
“Youcan’
tal
lsi
tint
hisbedbecause
i
t’
stoosmall
.”
Gi
rl
s:“
E.eh!Mama?
”
Nontobeko:“
Letyourbabybr
other
ssitwit
h
yourmotherandyou’l
lst
and.
”Shetri
edto
convi
ncethem asthei
rmotherwasjust
l
aughinghappil
y…
Girl
s:“
E.eh!Mama!”theysul
kednowbecause
theyweredepriv
edwhattheywantedthemost
.
Theyallhadthei
rhandsbefor
ethei
rchest
s.
Nandipha:“
Rasta,
letmesitonthechai
r
becausetheycan’
tsitont
hisbedwithme.I
don’
twantt
hem t
ocrynow.
”Sher
equest
ed
l
ooki
ngatNgcebo.
Ngcebopulledthechairt
hatwasempt yas
every
onewasst anding.“
Please,unhookthe
dri
p,Nontobeko.”Ngceborequestedand
Nontobekoserved.Ngcebothenhel dNandi
pha
helpi
ngheroffthehospit
albed.
Mntwana:“They
’resmil
ingnowliketheywil
lget
candy.
”Hecomment edl ooki
ngatthegir
lsand
theyl
aughedwithDali
ngcebo.
Ngcebo:“Comestandbef
orey ourmotherthen.
”
Hetoldthem andt
heypushedoneanot her
f
orwarduntil
theywerest
andingbefor
et hei
r
mother.
“Mama!”Theycall
edherinuni
sonandthey
giggl
edasshewasplayingwit
hthei
rcheeks
andother
s,thei
rtummies.
Buhl
e:“
Thandoutheyena,uthenekeesabuy
a
l
oyamama.”(Thandosaid,y
ousaidthat
womanwi
l
lnotcomeback)
Similoandt heother
snodded.“ Uthefut
hiyena
ukugadil
et hinashavel
esamcapuzasonke. ”
(Shealsosai d,shewatchedovery ouandweal l
kissedher.
)shenar rat
edandt headults
l
aughed.Nandi phal
ookedatThandol aughing
assher ecalledhowshef el
lasleep…
Nandipha:
“Lety
ourmamakissyounow
becauseIhavemissedy
oualot
.”
Buhle:
“Ubushi
khumbul
ekakhul
u,mama?
”(You
missedusalot?)
Nandi
pha:
“Yes.
”
Nt
okomal
o:“
Kakhul
ukangakanani
pho?
”(How
much?
)
Nandi
pha:
“Li
ket
hesea!
”
“HAAA!ULWANDELASHETHEKWI NI!
”(Wow!
TheDurban’
ssea)Thechantedinsur
pri
seand
theycl
appedhandsdel
i
ghtedly.
Ngcebo:“Iknowwhatwi
l
lfol
l
owt
hat
.”He
guessed.
Si
mil
o:“Baba,
shoyaoLwandl
weangi
thi
?”(
Dad,
wewil
lgotothesea,
right
?)
Ngcebo:“Isai
dit!
”hesaidandtheyl
aughed…
Nandiphaheldherbabi
es’f
acesonebyoneand
shegavethem bigki
sses…
“WhatIwant edtospeakt oyouaboutist hat
tomorroworFr i
day,Nandiphaandthegi rl
swi l
l
l
eav eheadingbackt oourhousei nSandt on.”
Ngceboi ntroducedhisrequesttoPalesa, he
wasst andingwi t
hhernextt ohercar.They
wereal l
leav i
ngNandiphai nthehospit
al.The
gir
lshadbeenbuckl edi nsi
det hevi
anoand
Palesawasl eav
ingalongwi t
hhisbrothersand
NontobekobutNont obekowasst il
li
nsidewi th
Nandipha.
Pal
esa:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lbel
eav
ingt
oot
hen.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iaskt
haty
oust
aywi
tht
hem i
nour
houseandbyt hatImean, sl
eepwi t
hheront he
samebedbecauseoft henight
mar esthatI
don’tknowift
hey ’
llst
oporthey’
llcontinue.I
f
she’shavi
ngthem andy ouwakeher ,she
doesn’twakeupy ou’l
lpourali
tt
lewat eronher
facetowakeher .IknowthatImightbeaski ng
toomuchbuthermot herandbrotherar enot
here-”
Palesa:“Don’
tbesil
lyNgcebo,she’smyfr
iend
andIwi l
ldoanythi
ngforherjustl
ikeshehas
donef orme.Nothi
ngistoomuch. ”
Ngcebo: “Thankyou,pleaseensurethatshe’s
notstressedandunhappy .Iwil
lcal
lhermot her
j
ustnowandt el
lhereverythi
ngthathappened
beforeshecancal lherandshe’ l
lgetasurpri
se.
Iam doingev ery
thingIcant oensurethatour
babies’heart
beatsstablebackt onormal.”
Palesa:“
Alr
ight
,Icandot
hatunt
ily
oucome
back.”
Ngcebo:“Thankyou.Dr i
vesafe.
”Hesai dand
theypart
edway s.Ngcebowentt oNont obeko’
s
carasshewasbuckl i
ngQalokuhle.“Nont
obeko,
thankyouforcomingandev erythingyoudidfor
usforthepastdiff
icul
tdays.”Hesai dtoheras
he’dmanagedtogr aspherattenti
on.
Nont
obeko:“
It
’sbeendi
ff
icul
tbutwe’
regr
atef
ul
f
oronethi
ng,she’
sback.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yes,
Iwil
lcal
lyourmot
herandpl
ease,
cal
lwhenyougethome.”
Nontobeko:“
Iwillandwewi l
lseeyouatthe
weddingbecausewewi l
lbecomingfori
twith
mamaandQal okuhle.
”
Ngcebo:“Al
ri
ght,dr
ivesafe.”Hemovedaway
fr
om heraft
erthey’
vewi shedeachother
goodbye…Whenher eachedhi sbr
othershe
di
dn’tsaymuchbutt heysharedabrother
ly
hug….
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE33

“Ngcebo,pleaset akeherbecauseshedoesn’t
wantt osleep.”NontobekosaidtoNgceboas
shewascar ryi
ngcr y
ingThando.Nontobeko
hadwokenupwhenshehear dthebabycr yand
shewaspuzzl edtoseeThandocr yi
ngalone
i
nsideherf ather’
sbedr oom.She’
dlooked
aroundforNgceboandshesawhi m seated
aloneinthedar kloungeandev enwhenshe
wasi nsi
det heloungewi thhi
sdaughter.
Ngcebodi dn’tevenraisehisheadtolookat
her…
Butnow, asNont
obekowasspeaking,herai
sed
hi
sheadandhel ookedback.“
Whydi dyoutake
herbecauseshewasgoingtokeepquiet
eventual
l
y ?
”Hemumbl edt
hequestionandhe
stoodonhi sf
eet
.
Nontobeko:“
Youcan’
tnegl
ectt
hechi
l
dren
becauseyou’
rehur
ti
ng.
”
Ngcebo:“ShewantshermotherandIdon’ thav
e
her.Shewasgoingtofall
asleepeventual
ly.
”He
saidandtookThandofrom Nontobeko,hetook
thecupofmi l
kthatshehadinherhand.Hesat
downwi t
hhiscryi
ngdaughter.
Nontobeko:“Iunder st
and, howy ouar efeel
ing
Ngceboandy ouhav eev eryr i
ghttof eelthi
s
waybuty ou’r
et heliontot hesel i
ttl
ecubsand
yourli
onesshadbeensnat chedf r
om y ou.Don’t
l
etpaincausedamaget oy ourchildr
enbutj ust
l
ookatt hem andseet heirmot her.You’llbe
abletoli
ve.Ialway scriedthati fGodhad
sparedmydaught erIwasgoi ngt obeabl eto
l
ivebecauseIwasgoi ngtoseemyhusbandi n
her.Bepositi
ve, Nandiphawi l
lcomebackt o
youandt hetwoofy ouwi llbehappyagai nwith
yourchil
dren.
”Sheshar edt hewor dst hatshe’d
beenwant i
ngt oshar ewi t
hhi m butshenev er
gotachance.Andnow,t
herewasnobet
ter
chancef
orhertosaythi
s.
Ngcebo:“Thankyou.”hesaidpoli
tel
yand
Nontobekolefthi
m withThando.Ngcebo
l
ookedatThando.“ Whyar eyoucryi
ng?
Seli
shi
lenezwi uy
akhala.Whydon’tyousleep
becauseyoursist
ersaresleepi
ng?”heasked
herwhil
ehewasbusywi pi
ngherfacewit
ht he
pyj
amat opthathe’dtakenoffherbody.
Thando:“
Nif
una,umama!”(Iwant,mom)she
cri
edandneglect
edherheadonherf ather
’s
chest
.Sheheldonti
ghttohisvestthathewas
weari
ng.
Ngcebosighed.“Iwantherbacktoopri
ncess.
”
Hesaidsoftlyandheli
ftedhercupup.“Your
motherwon’tbehappyify oudon’
tdr
inkyour
mil
kandsl eep.”Hetol
dhersendingthemilkt
o
Thando’
smout handshedr anki
t…
“
Oh!Shewi
l
lsl
eepi
nmychestt
oni
ght
,
defi
nitely
!”Ngceboexcl aimedasThandowas
cryi
ngandhol dingont i
ght lytoNgcebowho
wast ryi
ngtoputheronhercotal ongwi thher
sist
erswhower epeacef ull
ysl eeping.“Okay!
You’l
lsleepwithme.Okay !
”Hesai dtoherand
hemov edoutoft her oom wi thher .Ashewas
mov i
ngt ohisbedr oom wi t
hThando, hehear d
thecarhoot i
ngandhewascer t
ainthatthehoot
wasonhi sgate.“Who’ st hat?”Heaskedout
l
oudandhemov edt othewi ndowt ocheckwho
wast here.Hesawamanst andi ngbyt hewhite
vanandhi shandwasi nsidet hev anpr obabl
y
pressingthehoot er.Ngcebowal kedt othe
couchwi thThandoandhef orcedherdownt he
couch.
Ngcebo: “Iwil
lcomebackThando!It’
sdark
outsideanddon’tfoll
owmebecauset heani
mal
wil
l getyou.”hethr
eatenedherpoi
nti
nghis
for
ef i
ngertoherbecauseshehadtogethow
ser
ioushewas.Her ushedtothefr
ontdoor
aft
erhe’dtakenthekeysoft
hegat
east
he
hooterwasn’tst
opping…
Hisheartpumpedhar derandhecl osedhis
eyes,i
tcouldbepossi bleghostsandspi r
it
s
wereplayingtr
ickswithhi m.Whenheopened
hiseyes,hewasst i
llseeinghiswifeholdi
ngon
tothegatewi t
htwomenst andi
ngbehindher.
Hecoul dseeherclearlyast hel
ightofhis
premisesclearl
yreachedt hegate…
“NANDIPHA!”Hecalledouthernamewi tha
thi
ckemot i
onalv
oicet hatwasgenerat
edbythe
heavychestpai
nsthathewasf eeli
ng.Hedidn’
t
openthegatebuthebeganbyt ouchingthe
handsthatwereholdingthegat
e.
Nandipha:
“Iam hal
fnakedNgceboandt
ir
ed.
”
shetoldhi
m weakly
.
“YES!”Heexcl
aimedrecogni
singthatshe
wasn’tdr
essedupfull
yandthatragshehad
aroundherwaistwasnothi
ng.Whocoul dhav
e
donethistoher?I
fitwasreall
ythatwoman.
Whydi dshehavetotakeherclothesof
f?
Nandiphacouldn’
thavel
eftthehousehalf
naked.Hiswif
e!
Hemov edt othegat eandheopenedt he‘ small’
gat eashewascer t
ainthemenwoul dn’
tdr i
v ein.
Butno, hewasn’ t!Hedi dn’teventakehist ime
tolookatt hemenashewasout sidethegat e
buther ushedt ohol dNandi phaawayf r
om t he
gat e.Hi
shandshel dhercol dstickyarmsand
event houghshehadaf etidrustyodourt hat
didn’tstophimf rom pulli
nghercl osertohi m.
Andshehel dont i
ghttohi swaist.“Madoda!
Let’sgoi nsi
de.Idon’ tknowi fyou’l
lwantt o
driveinforshelterory ou’repassing.Iwantt o
knowwhathappenedaswel l
andy oucanhav e
drinkswhi l
ewet al
k.”her ecognisedthetwo
mennowt hathewashol dinghiswi feand
feelingherinflesh.
Nsi
mbi
:“Nkosana,
wear
erushi
ngsomewher
e
andwecan’ tst
aytonarratewhathadhappened
butnow, t
hatwe’veseenwherey ouli
ve.Wewi l
l
comebackandi twon’ttakeeventwoday sfor
ustocomeback. ”heinfor
medNgceboopeni ng
thedoorofthei
rvanashi spart
nerhadalready
mov edtothepassengersideofthevan
encouragi
nghimt hatt
heyneededt oleav
e…
Ngcebo:“
Okay,go,butdon’
tmaket
hemi
stake
ofnotcomingback.”
“
WEWON’ T!
”Thetwomenr epl
i
edi
nunison.
Nsi
mbi dr
ovethei
rshabbyv
anawayfr
om
Ngcebo’
sgates…
“You’r
eback!”Ngceboexclai
medandmov ed
withNandiphawhowasshi veri
ng,shewasst i
ll
holdi
ngont i
ghtl
ytoNgcebo.Hel ockedthegate
whilethewomanwasst il
lholdi
ngont ohim and
thereli
efsmil
ecreptonhisfaceashewas
j
oy f
ulaboutthi
snight
!
Nandi
pha:
“Whyi
ssheawakeandcr
ying?How
canmydaught erseemel ikethi
s?It’
senough
thattwoofthem sawmebei ngtakenaway
from them.Ngcebo.She’
snotev endressed
full
y.
”sheaskedaboutThandowhowas
standingbythedoorthatherfat
herhadleft
opened.Shewasst i
llcr
ying.Buthercry
l
ower ednow…
Ngcebo:“
She’sbeencryi
ngforyouanddon’t
worr
yshewi l
lnotevenmindthatyouarel
i
ke
t
hisbecauseshewillbehappyyouareher
e.”
Nandipha:
“Myfeetar
ehur
ti
ng.Ihav
ecut
sfr
om
walki
ngbaref
oot.
”
Ngcebostoppedwal
kingwi
thherandhel i
fted
herof
ftheground…I
twasn’trai
ningt
hissi
deas
i
t’
dbeenraini
ngwhereNandiphawascomi ng
fr
om.
Thando:“Mama!”sheexcl
aimedseei
ngher
faceeventhoughshewasupinherfat
her
’s
arms.Thandocouldseehermother
’sf
ace
cl
ear
ly.
Ngcebo:
“Di
dn’
tIsaydon’
tcomeout
.”
Thandoshookherhead.“Ani
phumangababa,
buka!Nimiemnyango.”(
Idi
dn’
tgooutofthe
house.Look,
Iam standi
ngatthedoor
.)
Nandipha:
“Thando!Ngcebo,Ican’
tev
enhug
herli
kethi
s.Ist
inkal
lthatcr
eepsandIhaven’
t
bathindays.
”
Ngcebo: “
Yes,Iwil
lputy ouint hebat hroom.
Yourmot herwil
lhavet obathnow. ”het old
Thandowhowasf ollowingthem behi nd.“ Do
youwantt oeat?Iwillmakef oodf ory ouwhi l
e
youbat h.”Heaskedput tingherdown.
Nandiphasatdownont hebat hroom benchand
shelookedatNgceboandherdaught erget ti
ng
busyf i
xingthebathingmat erialsforher .
Thandowasdoi ngev erythi
ngt hatherf ather
wast el
linghertogetanddo.
Nandi
pha:
“Ihav
eeat
ensomet
hingl
i
ghtbutI
am hungr
y.”
Ngcebo: “Alr
ight,y
ou’l
lbathnowandIwi l
l
preparefoodf oryou.Thandocomeandt ake
yourmot her’
sgownandcl eantowels.”He
l
ookedathi sdaught erwhowasl ookingather
mot herwithconcernedey esasNandiphawas
getti
ngupf rom thebench.Thando’sat t
enti
on
mov edtoherf atherandtheylef
t…
“Hah!
”Thandoexcl
aimedatthefoldedgown
andtowell
andedonhertinyhandsandthey
l
aughedwithherf
atherasshealmostdropped
i
t.
Ngcebo:
“Isi
theav
y?”
Thando:“Cha,baba,niy
ahambamanj eneke
ni
buy ekuwekodwa.Mi nani zohlal
anomama
wami manje.
”(Iam leavingnowbutIwon’ t
comebackt oy ou.Iwil
lstaywithmom now. )
shetoldherfatherasshesl owlylefther
parents’
bedroom carefulnottodr opthetowels.
Ngcebochuckl edandshookhi shead.“ Onecan
neversayshe’sbeencl i
ngyjustaf ewmi nut es
agoandnow, shedoesn’twantt of ol
lowme.I
can’tevenbegintosayhowmuchgr atefulIam
thatthei
rmot herisback.
”hespoket ohi msel f
ashewasmov ingtotheki
tchen.Hedi dn’twant
towakehi sbrotherandNont obeko, t
heywer e
goingtoseeheri nthemor ning.Hehadt ot alk
toherf i
rstandseewhatshapewasshei n, he
didn’twanthertobehoundedwi t
hquest ions
beforeshecoul devenrest
.Theywer egoi ngt o
behappyandr eli
evedtoseeherbutt heywer e
alsogoingt owanttoknowwhathappenedas
muchhewant edt oknowev erythi
ngt hat
happened…
“Nana,
goandopent hatcupboar
dandt akemy
shampoo.Iwil
lshowy ou.
”Nandiphasaidt
o
Thandowhowasseat edonthebenchlooking
athermotherwhil
eshewast al
ki
ngt oher
tel
li
ngherhowmucht heycri
edforher.
Thando: “Ni
yayazimina!I
nomy amaino
mhl ophe.”(
Iknowi t
)sheinformedhermot her
quicklyandshet ur
nedtoachi evethemissi
on
ofget t
ingoffthebench.Whenshewasdone,
sher ushedtothecupboardf orhermom’ s
shampoo.Shet ooktheshampooandshe
rushedt ogiv
ei tt
ohermot her.
Nandi
pha:“Whyarey
ouawakebecauseev
ery
chi
ldi
ssleepi
ng?”
Thando:
“Benif
unawenami
na,
mama.
”(I
wantedyou,
mom)
Nandi
pha:
“Sengibuyi
l
ekemanj
euzol
ala?
”(Iam
backnowyou’
ll
sleep?)
Thando:“
Cha,zokugadami naukut
hi
bengakut
hat
hifuthi
.”(Iwi
l
lwatchov ery
ouso
thatt
heywon’
ttakey ouagain)
Nandiphasmiledasthatmadeherf eelwarm,
she’
dbeent hr
oughhellandallshewishedwas
tohearthei
rvoicesandseetheirf
ather
’sface.
Shewasbackhomet othem now.“Theywon’ t
takeyourmotheragai
nbecauseGodt ookthe
badwomanandshewi l
l nev
erreturn.
”She
promisedherl
ookingather,Thandosmi led
warmlywithhereyesl
ayingonhermot her’
s
faceasshewashedherheadwhi l
eshewasst il
l
seatedonthetub…
“Ain’tt
hewat ercoldnow?Lookatt hisone
she’ssleepyov erhere.
”Ngcebolif
tedThando
from thebenchashecoul dseethatshewas
closetof al
l
ing.Ngcebosatdownont hebench
wi t
hThandoandhel ookedatNandipha.“You
scaredme, Nandi pha.Youscaredus,all
.”He
toldherhonestly.
Nandipha:“Doyouthi
nkifyouanswer edyour
phoney ouweregoingtobelessscared?”she
askedandr emovedthestoppertodr
ai nt
he
water
.Shehadhermi ndonrinsi
ngherbody
andhairthenshewoul dbedone.
Ngcebo:
“Idi
dn’
thav
ethephonewi
thme.
”
Nandi pha:“Andy ety ouknewwhatsi tuati
onwe
wer ef acedwi th.Ican’tbeliev
eIal mostdi ed
withmychi ldrenf orthingsIdon’ tknow.We
near l
ydi ed,dyingf oryourfami l
y.”Shel ookedat
him andherl i
pt rembl ed,sheknewt her eason
shewasgoi ngt obesacr i
fi
cedcl earl
y .The
foolishabduct orshadt oldher,threatenedher
andt oldherev erythi
ngt heywer egoi ngt odoto
hert hef i
rstdayt heywokeherupwi thcol d
wat er.Someoft hethingsthattheSangoma
hadsai dtoherdi dn’
tmakesensebutshe
clearlyknewwhysheal mostdi ed.Shej ust
didn’tknowwhyherandhersons!
Ngcebo: “
Sthandwasami ,l
ook,Iknowt hatI
wascar el
essandwr ongbutIt rustedtheguard
thatIhavehired.Idi
dn’
tknowhewoul dseek
shelterwherehecouldn’tevenseet hegate.
AndIdon’ twantustofight,Nandipha.You
shouldeatandhav esomer est
,earlyinthe
mor ningwewi l
ldri
vetot hehospit
al sothat
you’
ll
got hr
oughacheck-
up.”Hesaidtoher
,hi
s
eyeslooki
ngatherski
nasthewaterran
thr
oughherskin.
Nandipha:“
Iwanttogo.Iwanttogobackt o
Sandton.Iwon’
thavemyhol i
dayshereandI
don’twantourchi
l
drentostayherefort
herest
oftheDecemberholi
days.
”
Ngcebo: “Babe,there’
sBanel e’
sweddingthis
weekendandy oust il
lhavetoseeLangalibalel
e
regardingevery
thingt hatyou’vebeenthr
ough.”
Hehandedt hetowel overtoherasshewas
standingup.Hedi dn’thearar esponsefr
om her
butsheconcent ratedondr yingherbody.“Iwil
l
goputThandodown. ”
Nandipha:“She’
ssleepingnowbutjustear
li
er
shewast ell
ingmet hatshewasn’
tgoingto
sl
eepshewasgoi ngtowat chov
ermesot hey
wouldn’
ttakemeagai n.
”Shetol
dhim ashe
wasmov i
ngaway .
Ngcebol aughed.“ShehelpedbecauseIwas
sti
llupbecauseshecoul dn’tsleep.”He
comment edandleftthebathroom f eel
ingthe
dull
nessinNandi phabuthowcoul dheev en
begintobl ameher.Heknewnot hingabout
whathe’dbeent hroughbutal lhecoul ddowas
supportheruntilshecouldgetov erev ery
thing
thathappenedwher eshewas.Hel aidThando
downandshedi dn’tprot
estthistimear ound,
shewasdeadsl eeping…
“Nandipha!
”NgcebocalledoutNandipha’
s
nameashecoul dn’tf
indherinsi
dethe
bathroom andhe’
dcheckedf orheri
nthe
bedroom andshewasn’tthere.
“Iam her
e!”Sher espondedl oudl
yasshehear d
him cal
louthername, shewasseat edonthe
dini
ngtableinsidethekitchenhavingfoodthat
Ngcebopr epared.Thisfoodwaswhatshe
wantedthanot herthi
ngs…
Ngcebo:
“It
houghty
ou’
l
lbemoi
steni
ngy
our
bodyaf
terbat
hing.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam hungr
iert
handr
y.”
Ngcebosi ghedandsatnextt oher ,hegazedat
herasshewasbusyeat ingfasterthanshe
normallyate.Theydi
dn’tgiveherf ood,he
concludedwi t
houtaski
ngherbecauseatt his
stagehedi dn’
twanttoof f
endher .“Iknowand
canseet hatyouarenotf i
nebuthowar ethe
babies?”heasked.
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tknow,
Rast
a.”
Ngcebo:“You’r
esupposedtofeelsomething
Nandipha.You’
retheonecarr
yingthem i
t’
snot
meandIam concer nbecauseyou’vebeen-”
Nandipha:“Idon’
tknow.Wewi l
lknowaft
ert
he
Doctor’
sappointment.”Sherepl
iedandpl
aced
herhandonhermout h,sheburpedwit
hher
eyesclosed.
Ngcebo:
“Mmm.
”
Nandipha:
“ Youburpt
oo, haa!
”shemadehim
awareandpul l
edtheglassofwatercl
osert
o
her
.Shedr ankthewateratonce.
Ngcebo:
“Your
sisov
ert
het
op.
”
Nandi pha:“Iam doingitforthr
eepeople.”She
toldhim andNgcebochuckl ed.Nandiphagot
upf rom thechairwithherempt yplateand
glass.Shel i
mpedt othesi nkwithherthrobbi
ng
feet.Shewashedt heutensil
sandwhenshe
turnedNgcebowasst andingbehindher.“You
don’twantt oleavemysi ght,doy ou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Doy
ouwantmet
oleav
eyoursi
ght
?”
Nandi pha:“No.”sher
epli
edandgav eherhand
tohim, Ngcebot ookherhand.Theywalked
togethertot hei
rbedr
oom insil
ence…“Youwant
toaskmequest i
ons,
aren’
tyou?”sheasked
l
ookingi ntohiseyes,t
heywerefacingeach
otherlayingquietl
yonthei
rbed.
Ngcebo:
“Iwanty
out
otel
lmewhathappened
fr
om thet i
metheytookyouandwhywereyou
onther oadwit
houtseeki
ngshelt
ersomewher
e.
Iunderstandwhyyoutookthechi
ldr
en.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Youdo,
real
l
y?”
Ngcebo: “Yes,theydidn’tl
ist
entoy ouwheny ou
tol
dthem t hechi l
drenwer ei
ndangerandy ou
weret ol
dt hemessagewasf oryou,meaning
youhadt of i
gureoutwhatt odot oprot
ectthe
chil
dren.Ionlywi shthatyoucoul dhavetaken
them anddr iv
et oanei ghbouryouknowor
downt oLangal ibal
elebecausey ouwouldhav e
beensaf erthere.”
Nandipha:“Ididn’
tevent hi
nkofthatbecauseI
di
dn’tknowt hedangerwasat hi
ngorper son
butIstr
onglybel i
eveditwasaper son.I
nmy
mind,Ihadt ogetoutofNongomaassoonasI
coul
dandwhenIr eachmama’ MaNt ombela’
s
houseIwasgoi ngtocallyouagainbecausemy
batt
erydied.Iwast err
if
iedandany t
hing
convi
ncingt hatcameintomymi nd, It
ookitand
act
edoni
t.
”
Ngcebo:
“Andt
heyt
ooky
ou?
”
Nandipha:“Yes,Iwashel dupandt i
edli
ke
somesor tofanimal .Idon’tev enknowwhat
typeofanimal.Thatwomanwokemewi t
hcol d
waterwhenev ershef eltl
i
kei tnotbecauset hey
weregivingmef oodbutbecauset heywanted
toscaremebyt el
lingmewhatt heyweregoi ng
todo.Iwoul dwatcht hem ast heyeatandt alk
tomeaboutwhaty ourgrandf atherdidtothe
woman’ sfamilywhi chwast her easonthat
she’dal
way swant edt opayr ev enge.”
Ngceboswal lowedhar dashel ookedather
tearsfallof
f.“Whydi dtheyt akey oubecause
youknownot hingaboutt his?Whydi dn’tthey
goaf tert
heel dersofthef amilydownt omy
fatherandgr andfather’
schi l
dren?Ofwhi chI
am notev ensur eiftheyknowwhathedi d.Or
theymi ghtknow. ”Heaskedwi thoutwipingher
tears,hejustwant edhertocr y…
Nandi pha:“Theytoldmet hatIappear edwhen
theSangamawaschecki ngwhot heycoul duse
todest r
oytheki ngdom andbr ingsorrowt o
them.Andev enTuesdayni ghtbef oretheyleft
me, thewokemeandt oldmet hat,t
heyputme
backt osleep…”shet oldNgceboev erysingle
detailofwhathappenedf rom howscar ythehut
shewasi nwas, howi tsmel tonhernose, how
ti
redherbodywas, howshewoul dscream and
theywoul djustlaughather .Howshewokeup
tothem Mondaymor ningandl ookedt hem
sleepinginspongesandcov eredi nblankets
whi l
eshewashangi ng, standi ngonherf eet,
feeli
ngt hecoldthatwascomi ngf r
om t he
forest.Howpai nfulitwast olookatt hem eat
andherst omachwoul dscr eam butt hey
woul dn’
tevengi veheronepi eceofchi cken.
Shet oldhim everyt
hi ngdownt ohowshewas
rescued…
“
It
’sokay
!Iam her
enowandt
her
e’snobody
who’llt
akey ouev er
-”Hepr omi sedherbuthe
couldn’
tev enfi
nishuphi swor dstoher .Hewas
seateduponhi slapnowwi t
hNandi phahi dden
underhiswi ngandhewashol dinghertightlyas
Nandiphacr i
ed, v
ulner
ablywi t
houtst oppingand
Ngcebodi dn’ttel
lherthatsheneededt ost op
cryi
ng.Itwast hebestwayi fshedi d…
Ngcebo: “Canyoudosomet hingforme? ”he
requestedsoftl
yasNandi phawasn’ tcryi
ngnow
butshewashav inghi ccups.They ’vesatin
sil
encef orabout15- 30mi nutes,butsti
lli
n
eachot her’
sarms.Ngcebohadbeent hi
nking
deeplyaboutwhatNandi phahadsai dtohim
andhewasmaki ngupcl ues…Nandi pha
noddedi nresponse.“ Ineedy out okeept hi
s
betweenus.Iam t alkingaboutwhatt hi
s
Sangomasai dthattheysawy ouwhent hey
weresear chi
ngf orsomet hingt ousetodest r
oy
thekingdom.You’ ll
tellLangal ibal
eleandy our
mot herbutdon’ttellanyoneel senoteveny our
f
ri
end,
Pal
esa.
”Het
oldher
.
Nandi
pha:
“Why
?”
Ngcebo: “Theremi ghtbear easont hatnobody
knowst owhyt heytooky ou.I tmightbey ou,
personal l
yori tmightbeoursons.Ther e’
san
i
mpor tancet heyhol dt otheki ngdom orev en
you,sthandwasami andf oryoursaf et
yandour
chil
dren’ ssafetybecausel i
keIal waystellyou,
notev eryonehasy ourbesti nterestatheart.
Andt heywi llaskquest ionst owhywer eYOU
takenf ortheki ngdom tobedest royed.Doy ou
underst andthat ?”
Nandipha:“
Yes,
Iunder
standandIwon’
ttel
l
anyone.”
Ngcebo: “Thosepeoplear edeadnowandIam
prett
ysureLangal i
balelewouldwanttogother
e.
Wewi llobv i
ousl
ynott el
lthepoli
cetheywer
e
ki
lledbutt heyfl
edinfearforthei
rli
ves.We
don’thaveanyot herchoicebecausethosemen
whosavedyoumightgot
ojai
lformur
derand
t
hat’
snotwhatIwant.
”
Nandipha:
“Whatwilly
ougiv
etot
hem f
or
savi
ngus?”shelookedathi
m.
Ngcebo:
“What
evert
heydesi
re.
”
Nandi
pha:“
Andiftheywanty
ourwi
feand
chi
ldr
en?Theysawmenaked-”
Ngcebo: “Ay!Tsk!Nandipha,
man! ”Hecursed
ashef eltot
herwiseashepushedbackwhat
she’dsaid.Nandiphalaughedforthefi
rstti
me
afteralongwhi l
e.“That
’soutofthetableand
theyknowt hat.
”Headded.
Nandipha:“
Iam sleepynowbutIwantust otal
k
aboutwhatyouwentt hrough.Iwanttoknow
aboutthegir
lseventhoughThandohadt oldme
that‘
Shakhal
a,shakhala,kakhulu’
.
”She
mimickedherandNgcebol aughed.
Ngcebo:
“Youhaven’
tbeensl
eepi
ngpr
operl
y
andso,l
et’
sgety
outosleepandwewil
ltal
k
aboutme,
tomor
row.
”
Nandipha:“
Thisisnotyourwayoftell
i
ngme
youdon’twanttotal
kaboutit,
now,isn’
t?”she
askedmov i
ngawayf rom hi
m ashewas
encouragi
ngit
.
Ngcebo:
“No,
babebutIwanty
out
orest
.”
Nandipha:
“Youdidn’
ttel
lmeifIshoul
dtell
them whythatwomanwantedrevenge.Shoul
dI
sayit
?”sheaskedlooki
ngathisfaceashe
cover
edher .
Ngcebo: “Yes, you’l
ltel
lthem.Ifitwasf orme,
nobodywasgoi ngt oasky ouanyquest ionsand
Ithinkitwil
l bemuchbet teri
fIwi l
lbet hereif
someonev i
si ts.Icantel
l t
hem andl etitend
there.”Hetol dhim whathewast hinkingabout
sinceNandi phahadr et
urnedbecause
Dalingcebohadt oldhim everythingthatwas
saidaf t
erhel eftwithLangalibaleleandhet ol
d
him whatwassai dwhenchi l
drenwer ebr ought
back.Hetoldhi
m becauseNgcebowastheone
whowant edtoknowwhattheysai
daboutthe
chi
ldren.
Nandipha: “
Okay,whathappenedbet weenyou
andyourf amil
y?”sheaskedcuriouslyasshe
knewt hathewouldn’tt
alkl
ikethisifnot
hing
didn’
thappen.
Ngcebo: “Not hing.Come. ”hepul l
edhercl oser
tocuddl eher ,tofeel herpresencei nhi sarms.
Ngcebohel dherchi nupandhepl acedhi sl
ips
tor estonherl ips.Nandi phaaccept edhisli
ps
andt oget hert heyshar edat enderkiss.Ngcebo
dart edhi slipsapar tgivingNandi pha
unrest r
ictedaccesst oinv i
tehertonguei nside
hismout h,shef ol
lowedt hroughandt heymade
atent ati
vet onguecont act.Theygi ggledattheir
attemptandNgcebof i
rstl
yl ockedhi sli
pswi t
h
Nandi pha’sl owerl i
psi nbet weenhi s.Heswept
thet ipofhi st ongueonherl owerlipandshe
moanedhol dingont ighttohi sarm.Ngcebo
pull
edbackbecausehi sintenti
onswerenotto
makel ovet
oherbuthemi ssedher
.Nandipha
didn’
tall
owhimt opullbackbutshehel dhis
l
ipswithhersforci
ngtheirkisstoprol
ong.She
madeasl ow,cir
cularmot i
onwi t
hhertongue
aroundhist
ongue.Ngceboappr eci
atedthi
s
momentandi twasev erything…
Nandi
pha“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Ngcebo:
“Il
ovey
out
oo,
sdudl
asami
.”
Shegiggledandremindedhi
mt hattheyhav
en’
t
prayedtoget
her.Ngcebogotupwithherand
theyprayedtoget
her…
“Hey!Nandipha!Nandi pha!Wakeup! ”Ngcebo
shookNandi phawhowasscr eamingand
pushingtheblanketsawayf rom her,wit
hher
facelooki
ngashor ri
fi
edasherni ghtmarewas.
Butshewasn’ twaki ngupev enthoughhewas
shakingher.Hel ookedbesidehim andhet ook
theglassofwat erhepour edsomeonhi shand
andhepoureditonherface…Nandiphawoke
upimmediatel
ypanti
ng,sheheldherarmsand
l
ookedatNgcebowhowasbesi deher.She
cri
edall
owinghersweatdrenchi
ngbodyt orest
onhischest.
Ngcebo:“
Itwasj ustabaddream because
you’
vebeenthroughat r
aumaticexperi
ence.
Don’
tcryli
kethis.”het
oldherwit
houtgetti
ng
uptoatt
endtheknockt hatwasont hedoor.
Nandi
pha:“
Iwantt
ogo!
”shecr
iedandNgcebo
hel
dherti
ghter
…
Dal
ingcebo:“
Ngcebo,what’
shappeni
ng?Who’
s
scr
eaming?”heaskedfr
om thedoorand
Mntwanapushedthedooropenedashewas
wit
hhim behi
ndthedoor.Thethr
eeofthem
hadwokenup.
“Nandi
pha!”Nontobekocall
edouthernameand
sherushedtoherstil
lty
ingthebel
tofhergown.
Shesmi l
edali
ttl
easshewasseei ngher.
“Nont
obeko!
”Shemov edawayfr
om Ngcebo
andshehuggedNontobekowhohadseatedon
thel
it
tl
eavai
labl
espaceofherbedsi
de…
Dalingcebo:
“Whendidshecomeback?Why
didn’tyouwakeus?”heaskedhisbrot
herwho
hadhi shandonhisface.Theyweresur
pri
sed
toseeherbackwi t
hNgceboandi tmadesense
thatshewast heonescreaming.
Ngcebogotupf rom thebedandhel eftthe
room wi t
hhi sbrot her
saft
erhe’dcheckedt he
ti
mewasj ustafter5am.“Twomenbr oughther
here…”Ngcebonar rat
edtohisbrotherwhat
Nandi phahadt oldhi m wi
thoutt
ell
ingthem that
shewast heonet heyweregoingtouset o
destroytheki ngdom andt hei
rsons.Het rust
ed
Mnt wanaandDal i
ngcebobuthejustdidn’twant
toriskit.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Thatwoman!
”
Mnt
wana:
“Butwhydi
dshet
akeNandi
phanot
t
heel
der
swhower
ether
e?”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknowaboutt
hat
.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ithi
nki
t’
sbecauseshe’
spr
egnant
.
Whydi
dthey?”
Mnt wana:“Ey, Iguessthatdoesn’tmatt
ernow
butwhatmat tersisthatshe’
sbackandsur ely,
Langali
balelewi llhel
pherwiththenight
mar es.
Shewasscr eami ngli
keitwasr ealandI
thought-
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yeah,
thatwasext
reme.
”
Ngcebo:“
Ithi
nkIshoul
ddr
ivehert
othe
hospi
tal
now.”
Mnt
wana:
“Now?Bhut
i?”
Ngcebo:“Yes,Iam wor
riedaboutt
hebabi
es
becauseshe’sbeenthr
ough–t hebabi
es–I
havetodriv
enowbef oreit
’sevent
oolat
e.”
Dal
ingcebo:
“You’
rer
ightbutwhataboutt
he
gi
rl
s?”
Ngcebo:“Thandosawt hei
rmotherandshe’l
l
tel
lthem,andIwi l
lgetthem tospeaktoher.
Shewon’tforgiveherselfi
fsomethi
ngcan
happentoourbabi esandIwoul dn’
tfor
giv
e
my sel
fei
ther.Ihavetogowi thher.
”He
stampedgettingupf rom t
hecouch…
“Nandipha,getupnow.Weneedt ogotothe
hospit
al.”Ngceboannouncedst
eppingi
nside
thebedroom whereNandiphawascalm now
speakingtoNontobeko…Ngceborushedtothe
wardrobe.
Nandi
pha:
“Whyar
ewegoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
now?”
Ngcebo:“Youneedt
heDoct
or.You’
repr
egnant
andthese-”
Nandipha:“
Ihav
en’
tev
enseent
hegi
rl
s,
Ngcebo.”
Ngcebo:“
You’
vebeenindangerandyoudon’
t
evenknowwhat’
shappeni
ngwi t
hthetwo
babi
esyou’
recarr
ying.You’
llseethegir
lsbut
weneedtheDoctortoensurethatthebabies
arei
nshape.Andyougety ourfeetbandaged
andgetsomeointmentandmedi cati
on.”
Nandi
pha:
“Ngcebo-
”
Nont obeko:
“He’sri
ght ,Nandipha.Justgetup
now.Wewi l
ltal
kwi t
ht hegirl
sandi fthey
happent oadmityou, wewi l
lbringthem.Get
up!”Shegotupf i
rstandshedi dn’
tleave,she
waitedforhertodot hesame.Nandi phagotup
fr
om t hebedfeeli
ngt hetir
ednessofherbody
especiall
yherarmsandf eet…Shel eftt
he
bedroom withNontobekoassheheadedt ot
he
bathroom…
“
How’sshe?Shoul dwewor r
y?”Ngceboasked
t
heDoctoraftershe’
drequestedtospeakwith
Ngcebofi
rstbeforeshecoul
dbr i
efthem
t
ogether
.ShesentNandiphat otheotherDoct
or
f
orherfeetandothercheck-
ups.
TheDoct orsighed.“ Youneedt oensur ethat
nothingwor ri
esy ourwi f egoi ngf orward.Ithink
youknowt hatthebabyf eelst hemot her’s
stressf r
om t hewombandy ourwi fe’
sBPi s
veryhigh.Herpr egnancyatt hisst ageisnot
healthyandIam af raidt hebabi esar eindanger
buty oucanav oidt hingsf rom goi ngwr ongby
ensur i
ngshe’ snotst ressedandsheget s
enoughr est.Shemustbeoutofanydanger s
andany t
hi ngthatcanupsether .Whatweneed
atthisst ageisjustposi tiveener gyar oundher
otherwiseIdon’ tknowwhatcanhappen
becauset hebabi es’ hear t
beat sar enotwhat
theyshoul dbe.”Shebr iefedher .Ngcebohi ssed
andpl acedhi shandsonhi sf ace, heclosedhi s
eyes.“Butdon’ tst r
essy our selfjustsuppor ther
andensur eshe’shappynotsad.Iknowi tcan
bedi ff
icultasy ou’vesai dshe’ sbeenki dnapped
buty ou’l
l havetot ry,prince.”
Ngcebo:
“Wewi
l
ltel
lheral
lthi
s?”
Doctor:
“Wedon’thav etotel
lhereverydetai
l
becauseshe’l
lst
ress,it
’snor
mal formot her
sto
str
essabouttheirunhealt
hypregnanciesbut
shemustknowt hatsheneedst okeepaway
fr
om anystress.
”
Ngcebo:
“Okay
,thanky
ou,
Doct
or.
”
Doct or
: “
Wecangocheckherontheother
side.”Sheshowedhi
mt hewayandtheywalked
togethertogett
oNandi
pha…Thet i
mewasj ust
after8:30am…
“Wewi l
lj
ustkeepherf orthenightandshecan
l
eavet omor r
ow.Ithinkitwil
l bebestthatwe
keepherunderobser vati
ontakinginto
considerati
onherpr egnancyreportthatthe
Doctorgav etome. ”thesecondDoct ortold
Ngcebowhowasi nsidetheDoct or
’soffi
cewit
h
thefi
rstDoct or
.Nandi phawasl ayi
ngont he
exami nati
ontableandt hey’
vebandagedher
feet
.
Nandipha:“Aremybabi esindanger?”she
askedsitti
ngupst r
aight .TheDoctorwho’d
examinedherpr egnancymov edclosertoher
andtheybr i
efedNandi phaast hey’
vedecided
withNgcebo…Nandi phaagr eedtobeing
admitt
edandt heymov edheraccor di
ngt ohow
Ngcebor equested…
~~~~~~~
Palesasighedasshe’dr eachedNgcebo’ s
house.She’daskedfort hreeday s’l
eavefrom
wor kbutshedidn’
tdrivedownwi t
hherson.
Shel ef
thim wi
thherf ather.Shecouldn’tj
ust
stayinJohannesburgbutshewant edtobe
closertoNandipha’
shouseunt i
lshewas
found…Shegotof fhercarandshewal kedback
tothegat et
ocloseit.Sher ammedherkey son
thepocketofherwhi tekneel engthflar
eskirt
thatshehadwi thabluev estandbr own
sandals…Shemar chedbackandshespot t
ed
Dalingcebo’
scarwitht heot hercarshedidn’t
knowandthev
ianoofNgceboandNandi
pha.
Shemovedtot
hekit
chenside.
“
Comei
n.”Nont
obekor
espondedt
otheknock.
Palesaopenedt hedoorandherey esseton
Nontobekot hatshedidn’
texpectwouldbe
i
nsidet hehousebecauseDal i
ngcebonevertold
hershewasar ound.Shecl
osedt hedoorbehind
her.“Sawubona.”Shegreetedher.
Nontobekolookedather,
screeningherandshe
fi
guredwhatshecouldseet hatshewas
Nandipha’
sfri
end,t
heonewho’ dbeenont he
newspaperwithDali
ngcebo.“Yebo,unj
ani?
”She
askedcooll
y.
Pal
esa:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Nont
obeko:
“Iam f
ine.
”
Pal
esa:
“Iam Pal
esa-
”
Nontobeko:
“Iknowwhoy
ouar
eandIknowy
ou
knowwhoIam.Iseenoneedf
ort
he
i
ntroduct
ions.
”Shetol
dherr emov
ingtheapr
on
fr
om herwaistasshe’
dfi
nishedpacki
ngthe
di
shes.Theyweregoingt
ol eavef
orthe
hospit
al.
Pal
esa:“
Oh!I
sNgceboar
oundorNandi
pha’
s
chi
l
dren?”
Nontobeko:“No,he’snotaround.”Sherepl
ied
andmov edoutoft hekitchenwithoutany
underst
andingtowhyshewasf eeli
ngthi
sway
asshewasseei ngPal esabecauseshewas
cert
ainthatshehadnopr obl
em wi t
hher.
Dal
ingcebo:“
Arey oureadyt
hatwecanl
eav
e?
Thegirl
sareall
,ready
.”
Nont obeko:“
Yeah,yourgir
lf
ri
endi si
nt he
ki
tchen.”Shetoldhim wit
houtstandingbutshe
passedhi m wi
thhisyoungerbrotherwhowas
behindhim.
Mnt
wana:
“Gi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Thul
awenaemv
akwami
.
”(Just
shutup!)hesai dandMnt wanal aughedandhe
foll
owedhi m.Dal i
ngcebomar chedt othe
kit
chenwonder i
ngaboutNont obekowho’ d
givenhim anot herwi
seat t
it
ude?“ Hey,over
there.You’vearri
vedandy oudidn’tcal
l meto
tel
l mey ouarecloser.
”Hegr eetedPalesawho
wasst andingbyt hesinkwithherey es
wonder i
ng.Butsher aisedherheadassoonas
shehear dDalingcebo’
sv oi
ce.
Dali
ngcebo:“Youlooklostinyourthought
s.”He
comment edtheobv i
ousandhet ookherright
handwhilelooki
ngatherey esthatwereonhi s.
Hepulledhertohischestintoahugbutshe
di
dn’tholdhimforawhi l
esheonl ydidas
Dali
ngcebowasn’tlett
inghergo.“Youcan’ttalk
now.”
Pal
esa:
“Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ng.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“About
?”hepul
l
edawayandhel
d
herface.
Palesaplacedherhandsonhi
shands.“ Your
brotheri
shere.”Shemadehim awareasshe
suspectedthathewasgoingtokisshernow.
Sheknewhewoul dandshedidn’
twanthimt o
dot hat
.
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Lokshi
onbiskop,v
ele?”heasked
Mntwanawhowasobviouslyl
ookingatthem
whi
leeat
ingt
heapplehetookont hefr
idge.
Mnt
wana:
“No,
butIam washi
ngmyey
es.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Tsk!UyacasulaMnt wana!Let
’sgo,
wearedrivi
ngtothehospitalnowwi t
hthegirl
s
becausethei
rmotheristhere.
”hesaidholding
herhandwhileMntwanawasl aughi
ngathim
forwhathesaidabouthim.
“REALLY!ANDYOUDI DN’
TTELLME! ”She
deli
ghtedl
yaskedandshewasconsumedwi t
h
happinesswi
thinsecondsasshef
eltthepeace.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Lookatyourf
ace,you’
rehappi
er
aboutNandi
phabutyoudidn’
treactl
iket
his
whenyousawmyf ace.”Hesaidpull
i
ngher
awayandtheyusedthekit
chenexitt
oleav
ethe
house.
Pal
esagiggl
edfreely
.“Don’
tbesil
lyIwas
wor
riedaboutmygi r
l.Andwhydidn’ty
outel
l
meyourwifeishere?”Sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m.
“Ex-
wif
eandIwantt
okissyou.”hesai
d,t
aki
ng
herbysur
pri
seheki
ssedher…
“Qalokuhleisnolongerdr ivi
ngwi t
hy ou?”
Nont obekoaskedDal ingcebowhowasheadi ng
tohiscarwi thPalesa.He’dt ol
dherhewas
dri
vingwi t
hhi m…Nont obekowasgoi ngtodriv
e
withMnt wanaandt hegirl
sont hev i
ano.
They ’
vepackedt hegirlsandQal okuhlewas
waiti
ngf orherfather.
Dali
ngcebo:“She’
sdri
v i
ngwit
hme.Come,
Qalokuhl
e.”Hesaidandhisdaught
ermoved
awayf r
om hermother.Nont
obekomovedto
thepassengerseatasMntwanawasseatedon
t
hedr
iverseat
.
Pal
esa:
“Iwi
l
lgot
omycar
.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Isai
dyou’
redr
ivi
ngwi
thme.
”he
sai
dtakinghi
sdaught
er’
shand.
Qal
okuhle:
“Baba,yousai
dIwi
l
lseatwi
thy
ou
ont
hef r
ontseat.
”
Palesa:“Idon’
twantt oint
rudeIknowwhere
TheBayhospi tali
s.”Shesaidandwalkedt
oher
carwithoutwaiti
ngf orDal
ingceboto
comment …
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE32

“I
tdidn’tgowell,r
ight
?”CandiceaskedBanele
who’djustenteredthehousewithNgcebo
l
ookingr at
herpissedoffandhedidn’teven
greetthem astheywereseatedont helounge
with,Dalingcebo,Mnt wana,Nont obekoand
Candice.Candi cedrov etoNgcebo’ shouse
becausesheknewherhusbandwasgoi ngt o
comet ohi shouseandt heyweregoi ngt oleave
togetherf orthei
rhouse.Shewaspr esenton
thepray erthatwasi nNgcebo’shousei nt he
mor ni
ngbutshedi dn’tstaybecauset her ewer e
numberoft hi
ngsthatsheneededt odof orher
weddi ng.Nkosazanawast heonewhost ayed
withNont obekoandt hegirl
safterthepr ay er
…
Banelesi ghedandsatnextt ohi
swi f
e, he
closedhi sey esshort
lybeforeanswer ingt hem.
Dalingcebo:“
Banele,t
elluswhathappened.Do
youknowhowdi ff
icul
titwastogetthegirl
sto
sleeptonight
?Ithi
nkwe’ rer
unni
ngoutoft i
me.”
Nontobeko:
“Theyr
eal
lywantt
hei
rmotherback
andIdidsayadaywasgoingt
obeenoughfor
them t
obedistr
act
ed.
”
Banele:
“Ihadt
ostophi
mf rom dr
ivi
ngfor
war
d
becausewehavebeendri
vi
ngandaskingbut
wewer eget
ti
ngnothi
ng.Bhut
i’Mlamulical
led
andtoldust
hatawomanf rom ournearby
vi
ll
agewasseensteppi
nginsi
det hatTAZZ
we’vebeenl
ooki
ngfor.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Yes,andtherewasnoonether
ein
thatwoman’shouse.Iwaswitht
hesecond
groupofmenwhower esentout
.”
Nont
obeko:
“Ngcebowant
edt
odr
ivewher
e?”
Banel
e:“
Ongoye.ItwastoolateandIdi
dn’
t
wantustodri
vethereatni
ght.Iwasadvi
sedwe
shoul
dn’
tputourli
vesindanger.
”
Candice:
“Youdi
dagoodthing,babe.The
chil
drenwereal
socr
yingf
ortheirf
ather.Your
brot
hermaybeupsetnowbuty oudidagood
thi
ng.”
Dal
ingcebo:“
Candiceisr
ightbecauseNgcebo
wasn’tgoi
ngtostop.”
Nont
obeko:
“Whatshoul
dhappennow?
”
Banel
e:“
Idon’
tknow.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ithi
nkwehav etowaitfort
he
peoplewelef
tinthatwoman’shouse.Theysay
she’sMaKhumaloanditt
urnedoutshe’sthe
samewomanwhom wehav ehadaquar r
elwit
h
whenwef oughtwit
hhersonandt hefri
ends
thathewaswith.Doyouremembert hat
?”
Banel
e:“
Hawu!Thatol
dhag!
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Yes!Wer eal
l
ydon’tknowwhyshe
wouldhavedonet hatandit’
scl
eart hatit
’sher
becauseshe’stheonlypersonwhowassai dto
betakenbyaTAZZi ntheeveni
ngIt hinkwe
werebackfrom theweddingbyt hen.”
Banel
e:“
Didy
out
ell
thepol
i
ce?
”
Dal
ingcebo:“Yes,theypr
omisedtodr i
vetothe
Capetolookf orhersonbecauseitissaidt
hat
heworkstherenowandhi smotherli
veswith
hi
ssonbutt heboywentt ohismot herfort
he
hol
idays.
”
Banele:
“Goandtel
lNgcebot
henbhut
i.Hewi
l
l
feel
ateasemaybe.”
Nontobeko: “
Yourbrot herisri
ght.Mamawas
al
sor el
i
ev edafterIhav etoldheraboutthi
s
i
nformationandt hatwi l
lhappenf orNgcebo.”
Sheencour agedlookingathi m,hewasseat ed
opposit
et hecouchhewason.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Yeah!You’
l
ldr
ivesaf
ehome,
Banele.
”
Banele:“
Sho,
bafo.
”Hesaidst
andi
ngupfrom
thecouchhol
dingCandi
ce’
shandandshegot
upafterhi
m.Theysai
dgoodbyest
oNontobeko.
Nontobeko:“Hey,you’
reheadingoutwithout
taki
ngy ourhusband’
sfood.Ar ey
ougoingt o
cookforhimi nthehouse?”shereminded
Candice.
Candice:“
Heck!Thankyou.
”shepulledBanel
e
tothekit
chen.“
Howt ir
edareyou?Youshould
getabathbeforeheadi
ngtobed.”sheasked
hi
m.
Banele:“
Eish,
Iam t i
redandIknowthatIwi
l
l
col
lapse.Didyoufini
shev er
ythi
ngf
orthe
weddingpreparat
ions?”
Candicetookf oodmeantforBanele.“
Yes,I
havedoneev ery
thi
ngfrom mypartandmama
saidIshouldn’tworr
yabouttherest.
”She
repl
iedandt heyfol
lowedeachothertothe
kit
chendoort ol
eave.
Banele:
“ That
’sagoodt
hingandy
ourmot
her
,
they
’reready?”
Candice:“Yes,
butshedi dn’
tli
kethatthe
weddingwi l
lproceedwhileyourbrot
her’
swi
fe
i
smi ssing.Ial
sodon’tl
ikeit
.”
Banel
e:“Iknowbutstoppi
ngtheweddi
ngis
agai
nstcultur
e.”Heremi
ndedherandhe
al
lowedhert otaket
hedri
ver
’sseat
.
Candi
ce:
“It
oldherthat.
”Sheassur
edhi
m and
shedr
oveoutofthepremises…
“Thando!Hav
ey ourmilk!
”Ngceboshoutedat
Thandowhowasawakeandcr ying.He’
dtaken
herfrom t
hei
rroom becauseshewascry i
ng.
Thando:
“NI
FUNAUMAMA!
”(Iwantmama)
Ngcebo: “
WHERESHOULDIGETYOUR
MOTHERHUH?DOYOUSEEYOURMOTHER
HERE.SHE’ SNOTHERE! ”Hesnappedathi s
daught erwhowascr yi
ngandaski ngforher
mot herthathecoul dn’
tprovide…Thando
screamedl ouderandshenegl ect
edherlit
tl
e
faceonhermot her’
spil
low.Sherubbedher
eyes.Ngcebol ookedatherasshewasst i
ll
cryi
ng.Hecl i
ckedhistongueandgotf rom the
bed, helefthisdaughteralonecryi
ng…
~~~~~~
Theyfi
nal
lyr
eachedthehutwhereNandipha’s
voi
cewascomingfrom butshe’
dstopped
scr
eamingnow.“Hheyi
,hheyi
,mthaka!Iam not
set
ti
ngfooti
nthatshadyhut.Ther
e’switchcr
aft
goingont her
eyoudon’
tevenhavetocrack
yourheadwi t
hthat
.Nsi
mbi l
et’
sleav
ethis
placebeforeweevendi
e.Idon’
tdiebutIonly
ki
ll.
”Thesecondhitmantol
dhispart
nerclearl
y
ashet ookastepbackconvi
nci
nghimselfthat
hewasn’ tget
ti
nganycl
oser.
Nsimbi:“
Cowar d!Iwillgot hereandy ou’l
lstay
herebutdon’ tsl
eep.Beont helookoutfor
someonewhomi ghtcome. ”Hei nstruct
edand
hispart
nernoddedhi shead…Nsi mbi t
hen
mappedhi sgunf orwardwi thhisfingers
rel
axi
ngont hetrigger,
r eadingtocl i
ckoni t
shouldanythinghappen. .
.Hecoul dheart he
womanscr eami ng‘ Ngcebo’ onceagai nbutnow,
shesoundedweaker .
Nsimbi:
“Fool!Thesil
lydoori snotl
ocked.
”He
mockedandki ckedthedooropenedandf rom
outsi
dehehear dthecoldestgaspofthe
woman.“ I
sitsafetocomei nside?Idon’
tmean
toharmy ou.
”Hecheckedf irstashe’
dseenthe
cr
eepinessofthi
shut
.Hi
sbl
oodt
urnedcol
d
wi
thjustonelook.
Nandi pha:“YES!YES!IAM ALONE! ”shesaid
quicklyaftershe’dhesitat
edforawhi l
e…Maybe
i
twast hatuglymanandt hatoldhagplayi
ng
gameswi thher.Shet houghtthi
sasshewasn’t
hearinganywor dfrom themanshehear d
askingandshedi dn’tseethemanst eppi
ng
i
nsidet hehut .Oh!Lord,holl
yghost!Shewasa
fooltoev enfeelhopef ul
.
Nsi mbii
nhal
eddeepl y,asi
fhewasinhal
ing
strengt
handbr aveness.Hebudgedinsi
dethe
hut,hewidenedhisey esseei
ngt
hehalf-
naked
pregnantwoman.Thecandl eswerenottoo
bri
ghtbuthecouldseeher .Andherecogni
sed
shewasnotj ustanywomanbutt hiswas…
Nandi
pha:“
Please,hel
pme.They ’
veadapted
mehereandt heywil
lki
l
lme,they’
veleftt
hehut
andonthei
rreturnt
heywil
lbeginthesacri
fi
ce.
”
Shespokefaster
,pl
eadi
ngwiththemant hat
waslooki ngatherastonished.Shedi
dn’t
underst
andi fhewasast onishedtoseeherhal
f
nakedorhewasast onishedbecausehemi ght
berecogni si
ngherorhewasast oni
shedofthi
s
hutandt hecondit
ionthatshewasf orcedto
remainin.
Nsimbi :“Yes,y es,nkosazana!You’ reour
Prince’swi f
e.Iwi l
l hel
py ou. ”hesai df ast,
forcinghisgunatt hebackofhi spant s.He
l
ookedar oundwi t
hhi shear tr acingandhi s
palmssweat ing.Hecoul dn’tunder st andhow
didthepr ince’swifeendupher e.Buthewas
certainhewasgoi ngtohel pher .Het ookt he
machet eandhesl idcutther opest hatwer e
aroundherwr ists…Nandi phacr i
edi nagonyas
herheav yar mswer efinallyfeelingt hef reedom!
Shewasbr eathingheav i
lyasshel ookedat
Nsimbi whowasl ookingar oundt hehut .
Nsi
mbi
:“Wher
ear
eyourcl
othes?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Theybur
ntt
hem.Pl
ease,
let
’sr
un!I
don’tcar eaboutmynakednessIj ustwantt o
getoutofher e.”shepleadedandNsi mbi
mov edf rom hispositi
ont ogett oNandi pha
whodi dn’tseem st r
ong.Her eall
ywasn’ tsure
howt hepr incewasgoi ngt of eelaboutthem
beingar oundhi snakedwi fe.May behewas
goingt ofeel ashamedt hey’veseenheror
may benot .Buthehadnoot herchoi cebecause
hehadnoj acketonhi sbodyj usthisblack
clothes,pantsand‘ pol
oneck’ thatwer esuit
able
forhisjob…
Nsi
mbi:“Letmehel
pyou.Youdon’
tlook
st
rong.
”
“HHEYI,HHEYI,MTHAKASHESHALAPHO.
ZITHINIKANTI?”Nsimbi
’spart
nershoutedfor
himf r
om theoutsi
de…Hewasn’ tj
ustrel
axi
ng
buthewasl ooki
ngaroundforanythi
ng,any
person.
Nsi
mbi
:“IAM COMING!
”Heshoutedbackand
hemov
edoutofthehutwi
thNandipha.Hi
sar
m
wasunderherwi
ng,
suppor
ti
ngherast
hey
wal
kedout.
“JEHOVA!OLUNGILEYO!”Nsi
mbi ’
spart
ner
stunnedashesawNsimbi st
eppingoutwitha
womanandhe, notl
ikeNsimbi,
hedidn’tknow
thewoman.
Nsimbi:“
Itwouldbebet teri
fyoucanj ustmov e
fr
om thereandhel pmeher ebeforeherkil
lers
comebackt okillusoff.Wecan’tfi
ght
wit
chcraftwithguns.COME! ”Heshout edand
hi
spar t
nerranfrom hisposit
ionafterhe’
dput
hi
sgunonhi sback.Theysuppor t
edNandi pha
andwalkedawaywi t
hher …
====
“Walkfasterweshouldn’tgettothehutbef
ore
ti
me.Todayi st hebi
gnightandnobodywi l
l
stopusnow. ”TheSangomat oldMaKhumalo
astheywer eheadingbackt othehutaft
era
successfulri
tualbyt
her i
ver.
MaKhumal o:“Iam readyf orthis.
”shesaid
boldlyasshef eltmor eangerf uell
edupbyt he
hateshehadf orther oy
al family.Andher
stonedhear tcouldn’twaittopumpsl owerwhen
theirdaughterin-l
awandgr andchildrenwer
e
butcheredandshewoul dscream l ouder
withoutbeinghear d.
Sangoma: “
Andwewi l
lpartwaysaft
erthi
s.You
wil
l notmentionmetoanyone.Andev eni
fyou
witnesstheroyalf
amily
’ssorr
owy ouwon’t
evencal l
met onarr
atetomeaboutit.Iwi
llcut
ti
eswi thyou.”
MaKhumal o:“Yes,Iunderstandthatclearl
y
becauseIdon’twantt obecaught .Mygr andson
andsonstillneedsmei ntheir-
”shest opped
mov i
ngast heSangomahadal sost opped
mov i
ng.Theywer efacingthehutt hatwaswi de
opened,i
twasn’ tcl
osedlikethey’velefti
t
cl
osed.
MaKhumal
o:“
No!
”
Sangoma: “
Don’tpanicitmi ghtbethewi nd.
”He
tri
edt obepositiv
eandhemov edfl
eetl
yt oget
tothehut .MaKhumal of oll
owedbehi ndli
keshe
washi sdisci
ple.“HHAYI !HHAYI !HHAYI!”He
screamedoutoff rustr
ationasNandi phawasn’t
wher ethey’
velefther.Whenhel ookedbackhe
hadagunpoi ntedathim byhi scli
ent.“What
areyoudoi ngnow, woman? ”heaskedwi thout
rai
singhishandsupf orasur render.
MaKhumalo:“
You’veplayedme,mkhulu!Isaw
you’
vegrownasoftspotfort
hisgi
rlandnow,
youhavefr
eedherwithoutmyknowledge.”
Sangoma:“Ar
eyououtofyourmindyou,
i
mbecil
e!Ihavenobusi
nesscar
ingforthatgi
rl
.
Iwantthi
smoney!”
MaKhumal
o:“
No,
youar
ely
ingt
ome.
”
Sangoma: “
Wor ki
ngwithwomenhasnev er
turnedoutgood.Agha!Weshouldberunni
ng
aroundtheforestl
ooki
ngforherbuty
ouhav e
yourgunonmyf ace.”Hesaidandtur
nedfor
themachetebecausethegunwasal r
eadywi
th
him ont
hebagt hathewascarryi
ng.Hewasn’
t
evenscar
edthatMaKhumal owasgoingto
shoothi
m.Hewasn’ tfri
ght
ened.
MaKhumal
o:“
That
’sy
ourwayoff
ool
i
ngme!
”
“Fol
l
owme, woman!”Heshoutedandl
eftt
he
hutwit
houtevengi
vi
nganinchofworr
ythat
shewasgoingtoshoothi
mforreal
…
MaKhumalofoll
owed…
MaKhumal
o:“It
oldy
ouIwassupposedt
ost
ay
wi
ththegi
rl
.”
Sangoma:
“Keepqui
etwoman!
”hecommanded
andMaKhumalol
ist
ened…
===
“Doy ouev enrememberwher ewecamefrom?
Thel adyiswal ki
ngbarefoot,
Nsimbi.
”Nsi
mbi’
s
partneraskedhi m astheyweresti
l
lwalki
ngto
reacht heexitoftheforest
…Nandiphawas
reacti
ngt othestonesandwoodsthatwere
cutti
ngpai nf
ull
yonhersmallfeet
.Shecould
feelthatshewasweakerbutshedi dn’
twantto
slumber ,
shewant edtohol
dont i
ghterunt
il
she’dseenwher etheyweretaki
ngher.There
wasapar tofherthatdi
dn’
twanttotrustt
hem.
Nsi
mbi
:“Wear
eont
her
ightpat
h.”
Nandipha:“Cany ouheart
hat?”sheasked
weaklyasshecoul dhearsoundsthatshe
coul
dn’tconcludewereofpeopleoranimals.
Theforesthadt hesoundofit
sownandi twas
col
der,harshl
ycol donherbareski
n.
Nsimbi :“Fuck!Ithinkwe’ refoll
owed.Let ’
srun!
Please, don’
tcryi fyouf eelpain.Icant el
lwe’r
e
neart otheexi t
.”heencour agedandt heypicked
upt heirpaceaf terNandi phahadpr omi sednot
tocr y
…Nandi phal ookedupasherski nf el
tthe
dropsofwhatshet houghtmayber ain…A
gunshotwasf i
redbutl uckyf orthem they’
ve
reachedt heendoft heforest,t
heyrant othe
v
ehi
cl
ethet
womenhav
ehi
dden…
“Weshouldnotlett
hesegoonsgobutwe
shoul
dkil
lthem.”Nsimbisai
dtohispart
neras
theywer
epackingNandiphaatthebackofthe
van.
“Weshouldri
skourl i
vesnow,shouldwe?”he
askedaft
erthey’
veputNandiphainsideandtol
d
herli
edown.“Thereisamoonandt heskyis
beauti
ful
l
ycloudy.Shouldt
hesecloudsgatheri
t
wil
lpourandbedar ker
.Let’
srun!
”het r
iedt
o
convi
ncehim.
Nsimbi :“
Fool
!Thisisthewifeofthepr i
ncedo
youknowwhatsav inghermeans? ”heasked
takinghisgunhisfrom backwit
houtshading
anycar eabouttheweatherhewast alki
ng
about .“
Anddoy ouknowwhatki l
lingthepeople
who’ dabductedherwouldmeanf orus?That’s
beingdoubleheroes!”
“
Thatmeansmor
emoneyf
orus.Let
’ski
l
lthem
mt haka!
”Heencouragedhispar
tnerandthey
crawledfor
wardwiththei
rheadsforceddown
butnotlooki
ngatthegrass,l
ooki
ngf or
ward.
..
Nsimbi:“
Fool!Moneyforwhat
!Itmeans
hector
soflandandli
vestockt
hatwil
l l
astusf
or
year
s.Notjustmoney!Thinkf
orthefutur
e,
fool
.”
“WATCHOUT! ”Hewar nedashe’dseentwo
peopl
er unningont hesmal lr
oadli
keidi
ots…
Nsimbiconcl udedthatthesetwoknewnot hi
ng
aboutrunningaf t
ertheirt
argetswi
thguns.
Theywer enotev enduckingbuttheywere
runni
nglikeretardswhodi dn’
tknowwhatt hey
weredoing…
Nsi
mbi:“Fi
re!They’
recl
oser!
”hecommanded
andthebeganfir
ingastheywer
ehidi
ngbythe
cl
osestt
rees…
Nandiphashi
veredi
nsi
det
hev anandshedrew
herhandstoget
hert
opray
.“Lord!Pl
ease,
protectt hosemenoutt her e.Don’tl etthem di e
dearGod.Iwantt ogettomyf ami lysaf ebutI
don’twantt hem t odieforme.Idon’ twantt o
dieei ther.Iwantt oseemyhusbandandmy
beaut ifulbabies.Mymom andmybr other,my–
please- ”Shepl eadedandshecr i
edwi thout
fi
nishi ngherpr ayerast hegunshot swent
harderandt heywer eterri
fy i
ngherbecauseshe
didn’tknowwhatwashappeni ng.Shewas
scar edt oev entakeasi nglel ookofwhowas
fall
ingandwhowasn’ tfall
ing…Shecoul d
i
magi nebei ngdr aggedoutoft hev ehicleand
sentbackt othatcreepyhut .Andt heywoul d
butcherher …Shepl acedherhandonherbel l
y
asshef el
ttheslowmov ement sofherbabi es.
Shewonder edhowst rongherchi ldrenwer ein
here, she’dbeenunderal otofst ressandf ear
thathadbeenherbr eathsi nceSunday .She
hadn’ teat ensinceSunday .Herbabi es…She
gaspedasshehear dt hequi etnessast hegun
shot shadst oppedandwhatf oll
owedt hat
quiet
nesswer etheheavyfoot
steps
accompaniedbyt hesoundoftherai
nthat
beganpouring.Thefootst
epsthatcr
eepedher
evenfurt
herbecausetheyweregoingtodeci
de
herfate…
“Poor,t
hing!She’
sshiveri
ng!Goddoesn’tdi
e
nkosazanaandwe’ vejustplayedGod.Weare
theLazarusofthi
sage. ”Thev oi
cethat
Nandiphahadhear djustearli
erpenet
rat
ed
thr
oughherear sandshesi ghed.
Nandipha:“
Wher ear
ethey?Di
dyoukil
lthem?
”
sheaskedsitti
ngupasshewasfeeli
ngthe
pleasi
ngrel
iefnowthati
twasn’
tthatmanand
woman!
Nsimbi
:“Yes,we’
vekil
l
edt hem butwedon’
t
knowwhatt odowitht
heirbodies.Wewoul
d
havebur
ntthem i
fitwasn’trai
ning.
”
Nandi
pha:“Iwantt
oseethei
rdeadbodi
es!
”she
sai
dquickl
yandshenoddedsuppor
ti
nghersel
f
thatitwouldbebestevidencetoseet heir
bodiesbecauseshewasst i
ll
nott r
ustingthese
twof ul
ly…Thet womenhadnopr oblem with
that.Theytookheroutoftheirvanandt hey
tookhert othetwodeadbodi esthatthey’
veput
onthesi deoftheroadwithgrasshidingthem.
Theyal sowenttothei
rbodiesaf t
ertheshoot
becauset heyhadtoensuretheywer edead.
Nsimbi:
“You’
resati
sfied,now, Nkosazana?”he
askedandheshoott hem twiceagainjustf
or
thefunofi
tandNandi phascr eamedcausing
Nsimbi’
spart
nertolaughasNandi phawas
screami
ng.“Manners,fool!
”
“
Womenar ej
ustcowar ds!Whatdowedowith
t
hesebodi
es,nkosazana?”heaskedl
ooki
ngat
Nandi
phawho’drel
axedhershoulder
snow.
Nandi
pha:
“Leavethem t
hereandplease,
take
mehome!Iam beggingyou.Youmightbe
goi
ngsomewhere-
”sher epl
iedandtur
nedaway.
“Wehav eajobt ocarr
youtnkosazana!AndI
am af
r ai
d,t
hisjobwi l
lmeanwear eplayi
ng
devi
lnow.”Nsimbi’spartnersai
dfastbef
ore
Nandiphacouldev enfi
nishwhatshewast r
ying
tosay.Theyploddedt othevan.
Nsimbi:
“Fool!Doy ouhavetotal
kthi
smuch? ”
heaskedhitt
ingthebackofhisheadplayful
l
y
andhispart
nerraisedhishandsinsur
render.
“Don’
tworry,Nkosazana,wewill
takeyouhome
tothepri
nce.Wher edoyouliv
e?”
Nandi
pha:
“Il
i
veEny
okeni
.”
Nsimbi:
“Wewi l
lgetyouhome.Comef ool!
”he
pull
edhispar
tnerawayf r
om thevanandthey
headedtothefr
ont.“Doyouwantt o
compromiseuswi t
htalki
ngthismuch?”He
askedhispar
tner.
“She’
ster
rif
iedandshedoesn’
tknowwhat’s
happeni
ng.Iwouldn’
tmindhel
pingmysel
fget
warm wit
hherinthiscol
drai
n.Westoppedfor
herandwesavedherl
i
fe,
mthaka.
”Hesai
das
Nsimbidr
oveaway.
Nsi
mbi:“
That
’sadeadwishsli
ma.Doy
ouwant
t
helandandl
ivest
ockoryouwantt
odi
e?Whi
ch
i
sit
,youwant
?”
“Awu,Iwasjustj
oking!Myeyesar eont hepr
ice.
Wewi l
lbeimportantmenoft hesoci
et ynow.
Wewi l
lownlandandl i
vest
ock.Ey,sihamba
nedl
oziel
ihl
eman! ”HesaidtoNsi mbiand
Nsimbil
aughedgi v
inghim hi
sfist
.Theyf i
st
bumpedandt heywhistl
einunison…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE35

“Youcan’
ttel
lmethatyou’
l
lsleepinthe
guest
room andIwil
lsl
eepalone.That’
soutof
quest
ion.
”Dali
ngcebosai
dtoPal esaasthey
wereleavingQhawe’
sroom af
terPalesahad
puthim down.They’
vebeenseateddown
havi
ngdi nnerj
ustt
hetwoofthem withPalesa
hol
dingthecute,Qhawe.
Pal
esa:
“Icant
ell
youbecauset
her
e’sanol
d
l
adyher
e.”
Dalingcebo: “
Andso, i
fshe’sher e?Idi dn’
tput
yourbagsi ntheguest room andIt hinkitwould
bebestt hatyoucomet aket hebags. ”Hesaid
holdingherhandandhepul l
edhert ohi s
bedr oom justtotraphert herebecausehe
wasn’ tgoingtohav ehersl eepingi nt he
guest room.Hedi dn’thearar esponseandt hat
sil
encewassomet hingheappr eci
atedbecause
adebat ewasn’tsomet hingthathewasl ooki
ng
forwar dto.Hehadpl ansf orherandt hatwas
j
ust ,sharingabedwi thherbecausehewashi s
gir
lfriend…Dal i
ngcebopushedherf orwar d
softlyandwhenshewasmar chingt oherbags
thatwer eont opoft hebed.Hegott hechance
t
olockt
hedoorandr
emov
edt
hekey
.
Dali
ngcebo:
“Wewillsl
eept
oget
herPal
esa.You
don’
thavetobeashamedthaty
ou’
reshar
inga
bedroom wi
thme.
”
Pal
esa:
“Butt
hatol
dwoman.
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Shelooksaf
termysonshe
doesn’
thaveasaywhocomesher et
ovisi
tme
andwhoshar esabedwit
hme.”
Palesa:“Ow!Doesthatmeany ouhav egi
rl
s
comi ngoverher
eandt heyjustcomebecause
Qhawe’ snannydoesn’
thaveasay ?”sheasked
l
etti
nggoofherl uggagethatwasalreadyi
nher
handasshewasst andi
ngbyt hebed.
Dali
ngcebo:“No,i
tdoesn’
tmeanthatbutIam
j
usttry
ingtomakey ouseethatshe’
sjusta
nannyshe’snotsomeonewhohasasayi n
whatIdo.”
Palesa:“I
t’
sjustt
hatIdon’
twantadul
tst
o
questionme.”
Dalingcebo: “
Pal esa, youar eapar tofmyl if
e
notbecauseIwantt opasst i
mewi thyoubut
becauseIwantt obui l
daf utur
ewi thy ouandI
l
ov ey ou.Il ovet hisef for
tl
ess,free-spiri
ted
womant haty ouar e.Youdon’ thav etotrytoo
hardwi t
hany t
hi ngbuty ou’
rejustPal esaand
that’
senoughf orme. ”Hetoldherhowhesaw
her,standi ngt allbefor eher.Hel ookedather
withasmi leonhi sf acenotbecauseshe’ dsai
d
somet hingbutshej ustgav ehimt hatsmi l
ethat
workedt houghhi shear t
.Shewassmi li
ng
becausesheappr eciatedbeingdescr ibedby
herpar t
nerl i
ket hat .
Palesa:“Iwantt hatt
ooandi t
’sokay ,
ot her
thi
ngswi ll
sor tthemsel
vesout.Iftheydon’ t
wantt o,
wewi llj
ustworkonthem. ”she
acceptedthat, t
hismanmi ghtjustbear eal
one
forherandshedi dn’
thavetoputwor riesbefor
e
herbutappr eciatehowtheirr
elati
onshipgo.
Shest ar
edi nt
ohi seyesashewasl ooking
downather
.“Youmakemef
eel
shor
tbutIam
notev
en.
”Sheadded.
Dali
ngcebochuckled.“
Andit’
sv erylovel
y
l
ookingatyoufrom thi
sangle.Ilovehowy our
l
ipsmov ewheny outal
k.”Heconf essed.
Palesa:
“That
’smai
nlybecausey
ouwantt
oki
ss
them.”
Dalingcebolaughedf eeli
ngnakedasshe’ d
maskedwhathewant edtodo.Hehel dherneck
l
oosel yandheki ssedherl i
psli
kehe’dwished.
Hehel dhercl osert ohim,hersli
m waistcl
oser
tohishar dpack…Pal esa’shandsclungon
Dalingcebo’sbroadar msandshef elthi
s
arousedor ganl i
nger i
ngonhert hi
gh.Just
feeli
ngitgav ehergoosebumpsandshe
throbbedinant icipati
on.
Dalingcebo’
shandst
ookajourneybeneat
ht he
vestthatshewasweari
ngandhepul l
edit
,
withoutanystr
uggl
e,t
hei
rclot
hesflewacross
ther oom astheybothwor kedoneachot her
.
Dalingceboremov edPalesa’stwobagsonhi s
bedandshet urnedtoher,beforeanythinghe
sati
sf i
edhiseyewi t
hherper fectnakedness.He
smiledandPal esadidn’
tremov ehi
sey esonhis
face.
Pal
esa:
“You’
l
ljustst
areatme?
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ili
kehowy oujustr
equestthi
ngs.I
don’thav
econdomst houghbutIwil
ltakeyou
tothecli
nict
omorrow.”
Palesa:“
Suchamany ouareMrZul u!
”she
comment edlookingathi m andshefel
ther
openingsthudding.Sheheldhi swai
stand
ki
ssedhim wi t
houtwai t
ingf orhi
mtofini
sh
whateverpurposehewasser vi
ngwit
h
scr
eeningherbody .
Dali
ngcebolai
dPal esadownandhishandson
herbreast
sher ubbedthem sof
tl
ywhilehewas
ki
ssingthesensit
ivefl
eshofherneck.His
buttocksf el
tPalesa’sleftf ootlingeronhi m and
hef eltl
ikepushingi n,buthewasn’ taboutt o
givehersomet hi
ngsi mpl eont heirfi
rstnight.
Sheneededt ogetsomet hi ngthatshewas
goingt oremember .Hesuppor tedhimsel fby
kissinghiswaydownt oherbel lyuntilhe
reachedhercl eanshav edor gan.Hel i
ftedher
l
egsandbur iedhisf aceonher .Hisear sheard
hergaspashel i
ckedhert easingly…Hewenton
witht heharderli
cksashert oeswer edeepened
onhi sback.Her emov edhi srighthandbeneat h
herbumsandher ubbedhercl itwi t
htheback
ofhi sthumbwhi lehekeptgoi ngwi thhi s
tongue.
“A!Ah!Ah!”PressuredPalesamoanedlouder
asshef el
therwallsshutti
ngandtheextr
eme
pressur
ethatshewasf eel
ingmadeherrelease
anexplosi
on…
“Ar
gha!Pal
esa!
”Dal
ingcebogr
oanedas
Pal
esa’
ssquir
tspl
ashedonhisface.Hej
umped
fr
om herandhecl ickedhistongueasPal esa
l
aughed.“There’snothi
ngf unnyaboutthisyou
know.”Hestressedandheadedt ohiswar dr
obe
wit
hhiseyescl osedbuthismi nddir
ectinghim
tothespacewi thtowels.
Pal
esa:
“Youcan’
tbl
amemef
orany
thi
ng.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Buty
ou’
renotev
enst
andi
ngupt
o
hel
pme. ”
Palesa:“
Myl egsar
etr
embl
i
ngbutIwi
l
lret
urn
thefavour.
”
“No,Iwill
finishwhatIhav estarted.
”Hesai d
mov i
ngbackt oherandwhenher eachedher,
hisstr
onghandshel dont ohert hi
ghsandhe
spreadherl egsfurtherapart.Heposi ti
oned
himselfathert i
pandl ookedatherasshe
moanedwi thherclosedherey esinwai t
ingfor
him…Sl owly,sharply,hegav eittoherandshe
wasaccommodat inghi m underneathwith
whateverpacehewasl eadi
nghert o…
Dali
ngcebof
eltherwal
lscl
osi
ngaroundhi
m
sharpl
yandhegroaneddeepl
ybur
yinghi
sbody
onherbody…
Dal
ingcebo:“
Ngi
yakut
handa.”Het
oldher
l
ookingint
ohergl
eamingeyes.
Pal
esa:
“Keagoratalenna.
”Shesai
dpol
i
tel
y
andDal
ingcebol
aidbackonher.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Whenyousmil
eyoumakef
eel
li
ke
Icancally
ouput
sununu.
”
Pal
esalaughed.“
Thatpetnamesoundsli
keit
’s
gi
ventosomeonewho’ ssmall
.Orsomeone
wholooksyoungert
hanherage.”Shesai
d.
Dal
ingcebo:“
Yousmil
esoinnocent
lyandt
hat
’s
whyIwillcal
lyoul
i
kethat
.”
Palesa:“
Aslongasyouwon’tcallmeliket
hati
n
thepresenceofmygir
l.Imockherv er
ymuch
whenNgcebocal l
shermyfohloza.”
Dal
i
ngcebol
aughed.“
Iwi
l
ldoi
tjustt
ospi
te
you.”hepromisedandtheylaughed…Pal
esa
placedherhandsaroundhisbacktoembrace
him…
~~~~~~~~
Theladi es,daughters’i
n-l
aw,theclosest
mar r
iedwomenwhower efamilyfr
iendstothe
royalfami ly
, t
heywer eabouttenint ot
al.They
wereseat edont hespongesinsideaoner oom
housel ocat edinNkosazana’spalace.They
werehav i
ngsomesnacksanddr i
nkswhi l
eon
thei
rpy jamas.Ther ewasnot hingthattheywere
nottalkingaboutasmar riedwomen.
Daniell
e:“Whydoesi tseem l i
key ou’
rescar
ed
nownewl ywed? ”SheaskedCandi cewhohada
surpri
sef acialexpressi
onasshewashear i
ng
thi
ngst hatshenev erknewt hattheywere
thr
oughwi ththeiri
n-lawsandhusbands.She
knewt hatmar riagehadi t
sownt rail
sand
happinessbutt hi
swasdi fferent
.
Woman1: “Fornow,she’snotanewlywed
becauseshehasn’tdonethetradi
ti
onal
wedding.
”ShecorrectedDaniel
le.
Candice:
“Iam anewlywedaccordingtomy
tradi
ti
onbecauseawhi t
eweddingi sour
tradi
ti
onnotyours.
”Shet ol
dhersmi t
tenthat
theywerefi
nall
ymar r
iedwithBaneleaft
erlong
yearsofdati
ng,t
heywer emarri
ed.
Ladi
es:
“Yeah!
”
Nkosazana:
“Wel
l
,you’
vebl
endedwel
lwi
thusI
havetosay.
”
Happi
ness:
“Yeah!Ihav
eseeny
oudoi
ngt
hings
cl
earl
y.
”
Candi
ce:“
Ihavemysecr et
s.Ijustwant
edto
char
m myin-
lawsandmyhusbandi ncl
uded.
”
Shesai
dandwi nked,
theylaughed.
“Excuseme.
”Happinessexcusedher
sel
fasher
phonewasri
nging.Shepull
edhergownandput
i
tonherbody.Sheleftt
heladi
es…
Happi
ness:
“Hel
l
o?”
Luv
uyo:
“Hey
,Happi
nesshowar
eyou?
”
Happiness:
“Luv
uyo!Iam f
ineandhowar
e
you?
”
Luvuyo:“Iam f
ine,l
ook,Iam SouthAfricafor
somef amilymatter
.Cany ouandt hechil
dren
comev isi
tthi
sweekend?Imi sst hem especi
all
y
Nonjabulo.Iwi
llbeleavi
ngonMondayandIj ust
wanttospendt imewi t
hmybr other’
sdaughter.
Ihavemi ssedthem,both.Pl
ease!”
Happi
ness:
“Eh!Iam act
ual
l
ynotar
oundwi
th
t
hem.”
Luvuyo:“Whereareyou?Icanevencomet o
JohannesburgwhenIam doneher et
hat ’
sifyou
wouldn’twanttocomethissi
de.Iknowt hatthe
memor iesofmybr ot
hermaysti
llbefreshand
beinginhishousecansti
remotionsforyouand
evenforthechil
drenbutIj
ustwanttosee
them.”
Happinesscl osedherey esandpl acedherhand
onherf orehead.“Ihavetakent hem ona
vacati
ont heywant edtogot oSwazi landandI
thoughtitwoul dn’
tbeabadi deaifwego. ”She
l
ied,shewasn’ treadytot el
lherthetruth
becausesheknewt hatLuvuyowasgoi ngto
makeabi gdeal outofev er
ythi
ng.Andshe
wasn’tgoingt ounderstandthatshehasmov ed
onwi t
hherl i
fe.
Luvuy
o:“Ah!They’r
esleepingnow, ar
en’tt
hey
?
Andwhyist her
enoiseov ert
here?”Sheasked
andHappinesslookedaround,thepalacewas
busy.
Happi
ness:
“It
’sDecembert
ime,
Luv
uyo.
”
Luvuyo:“Yes,yes,l
ookatmebei ngold!How
havey oubeent hough?Ihavebeentryi
ngand
taki
ngev erysi
ngledayandmont honestepata
ti
me.Butatt imesIjustmisshim.Ican’t
i
magi nehowi thavebeenf oryoubecausethat
manwasj usteveryt
hingtoyou.”
Happiness:“Thechil
drenmakei teasi
erforme
toli
ve.Andhow’ syourboyfri
end?”Sherepli
ed
andshef el
ttheawkwar dnessofspeakingwith
herbecauseshewasbr i
ngingthingst
hatshe’d
buri
edandf orgott
en.
Luv uyo:“Ah!He’sbeenev erythi
ngthat
compl etedmeandIam pr ett
ysurethatour
relati
onshipiswor kingoutbecausemybr other
didn’twanti t
.”Shesai dconfi
dentl
yandthey
l
aughed.“ Andy ou,anychanceatlovebutwhat
am Iaski ng?Iam bei ngsil
ly
.”Shesaid.
Happi
ness:
“No,
youar
enot
.”
Luvuy
o:“
Iwil
lcall
tomor
rowandt
alkt
othe
chi
l
dren,
okay?”
Happi
ness:
“Okay
,goodni
ghtandt
hanky
ouf
or
t
hecall
.”
Luvuy
o:“Alr
ight
.Goodnight
.”Shesai
dandhung
upthecal
l…Happinessremov edt
hephone
fr
om herearandshesighed…
~~~~~~~
“You’rebackhome, ”Thembel i
hlecomment ed
aboutMnt wanawhowasf oll
owedbyBanel e.
Theywer est eppi
ngi nsi
det heloungeoftheir
mot her’
spalacecomi ngfrom Nkosazana’s
palaceonaThur sdayni ght.Thetwobrothers
wer etal
kingandl aughingwi theachother.
Mnt wana:“Yes,Iam back.Sani
bona.”They
greetedtheirpar
entsalongwithBaneleasthey
satdownont hecouch.
Par
ent
s:“
Yebo!
”
Dali
su:
“Whyar
eyouher
e,Banel
e?Who’
swi
th
yourwi
fe?
”
Banele:“Shesaidshewil
lsl
eepinNkosazana’s
palacetoday.Idon’
tknowwhathappeningbut
there’
ssomet hi
ngthey’
vepl
annedasladies.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thatmeansy
ou’
l
lsl
eepher
ewi
th
us?
”
Banel
e:“
Yes,
tomor
rowi
t’
sget
ti
ngdown.Ican’
t
wait
.”
Theylaughed.“Tradit
ionalweddingsarebest
andthere’
snonel ikethem. ”Mntwana
comment edtakinghisringingphoneoffhis
pocket.Hewidenedhi sey esashewasn’t
expecti
ngthisphonecal lbuthedidn’
ttakeit
.
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
reri
ghtaboutthat.Where’
s
Ngcebo?He’snotbackfr
om Richards’bayeven
now?Iwenttohishouseduri
ngt hedaybutit
wasempty.”
Mntwana:“
Theyweregoingtobebusytoday
wi
thLangali
bal
elesi
ncehe’sbackf
rom
Mhl
abuyal
ingana.
”
Dalisu:
“He’
sback?Whendi dhecomeback
becauseIwasonl yt
oldbyhismotherthathe
l
eftonaquestandhedi dn’
tsaywhenhewas
goingtoret
urn.Iwantedt
ospeakwi t
hhim.”
Mnt
wana:
“Hecamebackt
oday
.”
Dal
isu:“Andhedi dn’
ttel
lmeaboutthis.His
motherdidn’t
.”helookedathiswi
feashewas
sur
prisedthattheydidn’
ttel
lhi
m Langali
balel
e
wasback.
Thembeli
hle:“Takethephoneandcallhi
m,
Ndabezi
tha,may behe’sbusy
.”Shesuggest
ed
andDali
sut ookhisphoneout…
Mntwana: “Let
’sgoeat,
ntwana.”Hesaidtohis
brot
herstandingupwithhisr
ingingphone.He’d
deci
dedt hathetaki
ngthecall
.Heswi pedgreen
andplacedt hephoneonhisear.“Hel
l
o.”He
answeredt hecal
l.
Si
mthande:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Mntwana:“Iam fi
neandhowarey
ou?”he
askedandhesatdown.Banel
emarchedtot
he
potstodi
shf oodfort
hem.
Simt
hande:“
Iam f
ine.Ihav
ebeencal
l
ingy
ou
andyouarei
gnor
ingmycal l
s.”
Mnt
wana:“
Ihavebeenbusyandi
t’
snotl
i
key
ou
t
akemycal
lsanyway.
”
Si
mt hande:
“You’
rehol
dinggr
udgesandpay
ing
back?”
Mntwana:
“Idon’
thaveti
mefort
hat
.Ar
eyou
si
ckyousoundabitdown?”
Si
mthande:“Yes,
Iam si
ckbutIdon’
tknow
what
’sbotheri
ngme.”
Mntwana:“
Youdon’
tknow.Di
dn’
tyougot
othe
cl
i
nicortheDoct
or?
”
Si
mthande:“Iwentt
otheDoctorbuti
t’
snot
cl
earwhat’
swr ongwit
hme.”
Mntwana:
“Sor
ry,
butwhydon’
tyout
ry
t
radi
ti
onalmet
hods?”
“Iwil
lthi
nkabouti
tbutbesi
deIjustwant
edto
call
andaskhowar eyourhol
idays?
”Sheasked
mov i
ngfrom t
hetopi
cabouther.
Mnt
wana:
“They
’regoi
ngsmoot
hly
.Andhow
ar
eyour
s?”
Simthande:
“They’
rej
ustdi
ffer
entt
hist
ime
becausemysisteri
shere.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
Si
mthande:
“Thanky
ou,
bye,
then.
”
Mntwana:“
Bye.”Heremov edthephonef rom
hi
searandheshookhi shead,hepul l
edhis
pl
atecl
osertohim.Banelewasseat edopposit
e
hi
m wit
hhisplate.“
Myf oodlookssmal l
er
comparedt
oy ours.
”Hecomment ed.
Banel
e:“
Iam amar
ri
edmany
oucan’
teatl
i
keI
do.
”
Mntwanalaughed.“Idi
dn’tknowIwi l
lbe
di
scri
minatedforbeingunmar r
iedbutIam not
al
onenow.Dalingceboisunmar ri
ed.
”
Banel
e:“
Youdon’
twanttobemar ri
edandyou’
l
l
al
wayshaveasmallamountoffood.Andwho
wasther
eyouweresocoldtowards?”
Mntwana:“Mykindofagir
lf
ri
endt
hatl
eftme
f
orhersist
erbecauseshewasmadetobeli
eve
t
hatIwanthersist
er.
”
Banel
echuckled.“That’
ssomest r
essful
shit
,
hey!
”HeexclaimedandMnt wanasupport
ed
hi
m withadi
sbelieflaught
er.
Mnt
wana:“
Yeah,
Ilov
eherbutIhav
eapr
incess
ont
hesi
de.”
Banel
e:“
Apr
incess?
”
Mntwana:“
Yes,ntwana.Iam r
oll
i
ngwithav er
y
fi
neZul
uprincessandshe’ssobeaut
if
ul,
classy
andsmartbutwe’r
enot-”
“
You’
redati
ngapri
ncess?
”Thembelihl
easked
Mnt
wanaasshesteppedinsi
dethekit
chento
t
hei
rconver
sat
iont
hatint
erest
edher.
Mnt
wana:
“Mama,
please,
don’
tdot
hat
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam j
ustaski
ngbecauseIwant
toknow.
”Shesai
dandmov edtotheket
tl
e.She
wasinsidetheki
tchent
omakeacupoft
eaf
or
herhusband.
Mnt
wana:
“Idon’
tli
ket
otel
lyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay,butwewouldl
ovetosee
thepri
ncess.Iwil
ltell
yourf
athert
haty
ou’r
e
dati
ngapr i
ncess.”
Mnt
wana:
“Mama,
Iam notdat
ingher
.”
Banele:
“Lethim be,mama.”Hesaidtoher
becausehedi dn’
twanthertopushMntwana.
Hehadani nterestt
oknowaboutthispri
ncess.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ongi
fIaskbecauseI
wantt
oknow?”
Mntwana:“Idon’
twantt
otel
lyou,
MaSt
hol
eand
don’
ttel
ldad.”
Thembeli
hleshookherheadandshelef
tthem
wit
ht het
eathatshe’df
ini
shedmaki
ngfor
Dali
su…Banelelookedathi
sbrot
herf
orhimto
conti
nue.
Mntwana:“Ihav
echangedmymi ndIwon’
ttel
l
you.
”hedecidedremember i
ngthatNel
i
swa
washidi
ngheridenti
ty.Banel
etri
edget
ti
nghim
tospeakaboutthepri
ncessbutMntwanadidn’
t
shareathi
ng…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE39

“Di
dshehav et
heni ght
mares?”Ngceboasked
thenur
sethatwaswat chi
ngov erNandi
pha.
ThenursewastakinghimtoNandi pha’
sroom
aft
erhe’
ddoneal otofconvi
ncingthathejust
neededtoseeherandhewasgoi ngtoleave.
Nurse:
“Yes,It
hinkaround1am buti
twasn’
t
extr
emeasherf ri
endhadexpl
ainitt
ome.I
shookheraboutthreeti
mesandshewokeup.”
Ngcebo:“Okay,t
hat’
sagoodsignandt
he
babi
es.Ididn’
tevenaskaboutt
hat.
”
Nurse:“
TheDoct oraskedt haty
oucomebyi n
themorningandshe’llpersonal
lybr
iefyou
abouthercondit
ionandt hebabies’
conditi
on.”
Sherepl
iedwithouttel
linghimthatthey
’velost
ababy.
Ngcebo:
“Al
ri
ght
.”
Nur
se:
“Justami
nut
e,Pr
inceTee.
”
Ngcebo: “
Yes, mama.”Hesai dandhemar ched
tot hebed,hesatdownl ookingatherf aceand
hesi ghed.Hesenthi shandt ohermout hthat
wassl ightl
yopenedandhecl osedhermout h.
Hehi ssedlookingathersl eepingpeacefully
andheadmi t
tedtohimselfthatt hefi
rst
pregnancywaswaybet t
er.Shewoul dirr
it
ate
him, makehi m angrybuthedi dn’thaveto
stressandwor ryaboutherheal t
hbecauseshe
washeal t
hier
.Buthecoul dn’tsaymuchabout
thi
sone.Shewasn’ tr
eall
yir
ri
tati
nghim andt
oo
demandi ngbutthepr
egnancywasr at
her
str
essful now.Hehadtoworryaboutherand
thebabies.
Ngcebo: “Iwil
l comebacki nthemor ni
ng.I
shouldgetupbef orethenursecomesby .I
thi
nky ou’
r esleepi ngasyourmot her.
”Hespoke
totheunbor n‘ baby ’
,hi
shandswer eon
Nandipha’sbel lyashe’ dhopehewoul dfeel
them mov eorki ck..
.Hestoodupf rom hi
schair
andhepl acedhi slipsonNandipha’sli
psthat
wereslightlyopenedonceagai n.Heheadedout
oftheroom andsear chedforthenursebefor
e
taki
nganUbert ohi shouse…
Whenhegott othehouse, i
twasquiet,f
ood
wasn’ti
nsi
dehismi ndbutwhatwasi nsi
dehis
mindwashisbed.Hecl i
mbedthestair
swith
hi
sbagwhi l
etypingat extmessagetohis
brot
her,Ml
amuliandMnt wanawhom he’d
spokentobefor
el eav
ingNongoma…Af t
er
taki
ngof
fhi
ssneakershethr
ewhisbodyonhi
s
bedandhecl
osedhisheav
yey es…
“What’swr
ong?Areyoucr
ying?”Ngceboasked
Palesawhowasseatedonthehighstool
ofthe
ki
tchenisl
andear
lyi
nthemor ni
ng.
Pal
esar ai
sedherhead.“You’r
ehere.Iam not
cr
ying.”Sherepli
edandwidenedherey esto
st
opt hetear
st hatwer
efall
ingof
fherey es.
Ngcebo: “Iam notbl i
nd, you’r
ecr yi
ng.You’re
cryi
ngf ory ourfriend,isn’t?ButIam askingt he
obv i
ousunl essifyou’remi ssi
ngy our
boy f
ri
end. ”Hecomment edandmov edt othe
fri
dge.Hewokeupear lybecausehehadapl an
thathewasgoi ngt oleav eearli
erbeforethe
gir
lscoul dwakeupandseet hathewashome.
Hedi dn’twantt ogot ot hehospitalwit
ht hem i
n
themor ni ng.Hewant edt oseet hei
rmot her
withoutt heirpresencecr owdingthem.
Pal
esachuckl
edweakl
y.“
Didy
oupassbyt
he
hospi
tal
?Theydi
dbriefyou,r
ight?Andwasshe
awakeorsl
eepi
ng?”Sheaskedl ooki
ngathis
backasNgcebowasst i
l
lstandingbythef
ri
dge.
Ngcebo: “Ididpassbyandshewassl eepi
ng.
Thenur setoldmet hattheDoctorsaidIshoul
d
comef orabr iefbutIknowshet ol
dy ouwhat’
s
wrong.ButIwantt oknowwhathappenedf or
hertolandi nthehospital
.
”Her epl
iedandhe
cl
osedt hef r
idgewithhislef
thandwhi l
ethe
ri
ghthandhadt hemi l
kjug.Hemar chedtothe
cupboar dforthebowl.
Palesasteppedof fthest ool,she’dtakena
showerandwasdr essedupi nbl uejeansanda
whiteloosev estwi thsleeper s.Shemov ed
aroundnowt obegi nmaki ngbr eakfastforthe
sleepi
ngchildr enwhi l
esheopenedhermout h
totell
Ngcebowhathappened.“ Iwasseat edon
theloungewi thherphoneandshe’ dof fer
edto
prepareli
ghtsupperf orus.Anunsav ednumber
call
edandIdi dn’tansweri t,Ijustsendi t
str
aighttoher.Sheansweredthephonecall
whil
eIattendedtoherpot.”Shenarr
atedand
sheplacedtheempt ypotonthestovetocook
porr
idgeforthechil
dren.
Ngcebo:“Shefaintedbecauseoft
hatphone
cal
l?Didyouhearwhatshesai dtothatper
son
becauseobviouslyyouwouldn’
thaveheard
whowast hat?”
Palesa:“Idi
dn’
thearmuchbecausesheonly
spokeaboutnotbl ocki
nghernumberandshe
wasqui etaf
terthatIhear
dherfal
lonthef
loor
.
Iturnedtoherandt henumbercal
l
edonce
again.Iansweredit.
”
Ngcebo:“Didyouhearwhowascall
ingher
?I
haveblockedafewpeopleonherphonebutI
don’
tknowi fy
oudi dr
ecogni
sewhowas
cal
li
ng.”Hemar chedt
otheisl
andwithabowl
ofcerealonhi
shand.
Pal
esa:
“Idi
dandi
t’
syourmot
herwhocal
l
ed
her.”sher epli
edshor tl
ywi thoutl
ookingathi m
butpour i
ngwat eront hepot .Shedidn’twantt o
l
ookathi m becauseshedi dn’tevenknowt hat
shewasdoi ngt her i
ghtthingbyt el
li
nghi m.But
she’ddeci dedonherwayt ot hehospitalwithan
unconsci ousNandi pha.Shedeci dedt hatshe
wasn’ tgoingt ohidethatNgcebo’ smot herwas
theonewhocal ledNandi pha.She’ddeci ded
thatshewasn’ tgoingt ocheckwi thNandi pha
fi
rstifitwasr ightorwr ongf orhertotel l
Ngcebot het r
uthbecausesomet hi
nginher
didn’ttr
ustt hatNandiphawoul dtell
Ngcebot he
trut
h…
Ngcebot auntedhisjawandnegl ectedt hebowl
onthei sl
andandt hemilkwasspl i
toutoft he
bowl.Hecl i
ckedhistongueashef elttheanger
bui
ldingupinside.He’dclear
lyaskedt hem not
tocallherandhismot herhadtocal lher,and
shesur el
ydidn’
tsaysomet hi
ngni cet oher.
Howwasshegoi ngtofai
ntifshehad
somet
hingni
ceandposi
ti
vet
osayt
oNandi
pha?
Why!
Ngcebo:“Di
dyouspeakt
oNandi
phaandask
whatdidshesay
?”
Palesa: “No, Idi
dn’tev enwanttobr
ingitup
becauseIdi dn’tknowhowi twasgoingtomake
herfeel .Iam sor r
yt hatIwasn’
tcar
efulbuti
fI
knewt haty ourmot herwascalli
ngIwasn’t
goingt ol etheranswerbecauseIknowy our
mot herhasapr obl
em t hatwedon’
tknowwi t
h
Nandi pha- ”
Ngcebo:
“Wai
t,whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?”
Palesasighedandrepli
ed.“ Idon’treall
yknow
butsincebeginni
ngoft hey earifIam not
mistakenwhenBuhl ewassi ckandNandi pha
call
edy ourfamil
yaboutwher eyourbr ot
her’
s
wifewas.Iwasher eandNandi phacamet oher
room cryi
ngbecausey ourmot herhadshouted
atherforcalli
ngabouty oursisteri
n-law’s
wher
eabout
s.Shesl
appedherf
or-
”
Ngcebo:
“SHEDI
DWHAT?
”
Pal
esa:
“Uhm-
”
Ngcebo:
“ANDYOURFRI
ENDDI
DN’
TTELLME
ABOUTTHIS!
”
Pal
esa:
“Ngcebo-
”
Ngcebo: “
HHAYI ,MAN!TSK! ”Hepushedt he
bowl outofangerandi tslippedacr osst he
i
slanddownt ot hefloorwher eitbrokeinto
piecesandNgcebof eltt heki t
chen…Pal esa
placedherhandsonf or eheadandshecl osed
herey es.Shecoul dn’tev engetachancet otell
himt hattheylostachi l
d.TheDoct orwasgoi ng
totellhim butitwasn’ tgoingt obeagoodi dea
i
fshedi dn’
ttel
l hi
mf irstbecauseshewast he
onewhowasunderNandi pha’ scare.And
hearingsuchshocki ngnewsf rom theDoct or
fi
rstwasn’ tagoodi dea.Shehadt otell
hi m
whatwashappeni ngitwast her i
ghtthi
ngt o
do…
“Ngcebo!”Sheshoutedhi snameandshe
rushedtohim asshehadhear dhi
sfootsteps
andhersuspicionswer e,hewasleavi
ng…She
reachedhim byt hef
rontexit
.“Ngcebo,Ineedto
tel
lyousomet hingbeforeyouleave.
”
Ngcebo:
“Ineedt
ogett
othehospi
tal
.
”
Palesa:“
You’reupsetrightnow.Ar eyougoing
tothehospitalt
oshoutathernowbecauseshe
didn’
ttel
lyouabouty ourmot her
?Shedi dn’t
wantanyf i
ghtsbetweeny ouandy ourmother
that’
sthereasonshedi dn’tt
elly
oubutIj ust
didn’
twanttokeept histomy selfnow.”
Ngcebo:
“You’
remaki
ngexcusesf
orhernow,
r
ight
?”
Palesa:“No!AndtheDoctorst
ri
ctl
yinst
ruct
ed
thatshemust n’
tbestr
essedandthere’
s
somet hi
ngthatyouneedtoknowaboutt he
babies.”
“Whataboutt
hem?”Heaskedcal
mlyandhe
cl
osedthedoort
hathehadbeenhol
dingas
Pal
esawasspeakingt
ohim.
Pal
esa:
“It
hinky
ouneedt
osi
tdown.
”
Ngcebo:
“Pal
esa!Pl
ease,
Idon’
thav
eti
meon
myside.
”
Palesa:“Eh!TheDoctordiscover
edthat
Nandipha, Imeanthatwhenshegott othe
hospital
oneofy ourbabies’hear
tbeathad
stopped.”
Ngcebo:
“Hadst
opped?
”hecheckedonal
ow
t
one.
Palesa:“Yes,
youtwo,lostoneofthetwi
ns.”
Shet ol
dhim andhesawNgcebo’ schestri
sing
anditstoodstil
lbef
oreher el
easedaheavy
breath.“
Iam sosorry,
NgceboandNandi pha
doesn’tknow,theDoctoradvi
sedthatwedon’t
tel
lherbecauseanynews- ”
Ngcebo:
“Pl
ease,
taket
hechi
l
drenwhent
hey
’re
awakeandgoseeher .
”hesaidwithoutlooki
ng
atherandhewalkedbackinsi
dedecidingthat
hecouldn’
tgot
ot hehospi
talandseehernow.
Hecouldn’
t!
“BABA!”Thethreegi r
lschant
eddelightedl
yas
theysawtheirfathercli
mbingupthest ai
rsthat
theywerecli
mbi ngdownt ogettotheki t
chen.
Phemeloandt heot hertwogir
lswerest i
ll
sleepi
ng.Thulawasbehi ndthechi
ldren.
Thula:“I
sev er
ythi
ngalright
,Nkosana?The
chil
drenaregreeti
ngy ou.”shemadeNgcebo
awar eashewaspassi ngt hegir
lswithout
sayingathingtothem andhedi dn’tevenl
ook
atthem…Ngcebodi dn’tanswerThulabuthe
ranupt ogettohisbedr oom andwhenhegot
there,hesl
ammedt hedoorshut …
Buhl
e:“
Sis,
ubabauyagul
a?”(
Isdad,
alr
ight
?)
shel
ookedatThul
a.
Thul
a:“
Yes,
yourf
atheri
sfi
nebutIt
hinkhe’
s
rushi
ngtohisr
oom t
omakeav er
yimpor
tant
phonecall
.Andhewil
ltal
ktoy
ouwhenhe’s
done.”
Si
mil
o:“
Soy
akumama?
”(Wi
l
lwegot
omama?
)
Thuladidn’tanswerherbutshelookedat
Palesawhowasl eani
ngont hesinkst
ari
ngon
thei
rdirecti
on.“Pal
esa,wil
ltheygoseethei
r
mot her
? ”sheasked.
Palesa:“Yes,gi
rl
s.Wewill
all
goseeyour
mot herbutnow,youhavetoeaty
ourfoodand
you’l
lbaththenwewillgo.
”
Thando:
“Wewi
l
lgowi
thdad,
wil
lwe?
”
Palesa:
“No,yourfat
herwil
lbebusy.”She
repl
iedandshelookedatThul
aast hechil
dren
l
ookedatoneanot herwi
thafrowns…
“Ihavebeenwait
ingforyoutocallmeback.
”
Dali
ngcebotoldNgceboont hephone…Ngcebo
washoldingtherai
lofthebalconyoft
hei
r
bedroom.
Ngcebo:“Iwon’
tgettohol
dmytwoboysand
watchthem gr
owlikeIhav
ebeenmadeto
bel
ievewhenIwast ol
dmywifewaspr
egnant
.”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Ngcebo,Palesawasont hephone
wit
hmewhent heDoctortoldheraboutt
hisand
Ihavebeentr
yingt
ocal l
y ou.
”
Ngcebo: “Yourmotherhascost edmemyson’ s
l
ifewithjustonecallthatIsaidclear
lyt
hatthey
mustn’tdo–Idi devery t
hingIcouldtoprot
ect
them evenaf t
erherreturnIshiel
dedthem away
andev enblockedhernumber -”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ngcebo,don’tdothatt
oyourself
.
Don’tbl
amey our
sel
f.Thi
ssi t
uati
onwasbey ond
yourcontr
olandyouneedt ofast
enyourbelt
forNandi
pha.Shedoesn’tknowaboutthi
s.”
Ngcebo:“
Ihavetogo.Pl
ease,t
ellbhut
iMlamuli
andtheother
s.Idon’
twantt
otalktoanyonefor
now.Iwanttothi
nk.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Don’
tdr
owny
our
sel
finy
our
sor
row,
Ngcebo.
”
Ngcebodidn’
tbreat
heawor dbutheremoved
hisphonefr
om hisear.Heswit
chedofft
he
phoneandstampedhi sfor
eheadontherai
l
.He
remainedi
nthatposit
ionandheall
owedpainto
consumehim…
~~~~~~~
“Unfor
tunatel
y,mybr otherandhiswi f
ehadt o
l
eavef orJohannesburgbuthel eftmeher eto
ensurethatwheny oucomeher ey oufi
nd
someone. ”Mntwanat oldNsimbiandhi s
part
nerashewasl ockingthedoorbehi ndhim…
Mntwanawasal oneint hehouse,duri
ngt heday
whent heyknockedont hedoor .
Nsimbi:
“Doesthatmeanwecameher efor
nothi
ng?”heaskedandlookedathi
spart
ner,
Mbutho.Mbuthobit
ehistongueandheshook
hi
sheadashef eltt
hatt
hey ’
vewast
edthei
r
ti
mebycomi ngtoNgcebo’shouse.
Mntwana:
“No,hesaidIshoul
dtakey
outoour
ki
ngandIwil
ltakeyouther
enowbecausehe
can’
tcomebackforthi
smat t
er.
”
“THEKING!”Thetwomencheckedandl ooked
ateachotherast
heywerenotexpect
ingthat
theyweregoingt
obepassedovertotheking.
Mntwana: “
Yes,Ihavecal
l
edhi m andhesaidI
shouldcomewi t
ht het
woofy ou.Iwil
lleadand
you’l
lfol
lowbehindwit
hyourvan.”Hetoldthe
two,advanci
ngawayf r
om thefrontdoorand
theyfoll
owedhim behi
nd.
Nsi
mbi
:“Wedon’
thav
etobot
hert
heki
ng.
”
Mbutho:“
Yes,wecancomebackwhenPr i
nce
Ngcebohasgottenbackf
rom Gaut
eng.There’
s
Chri
stmascomingupandIam surehe’
llbe
home.”
Mntwana:“No,don’
twor
ryyour
sel
fbecausethe
ki
ngwillgi
veyouwhatyoudesi
reasmybr ot
her
wasgoingtodobecausehe’
sgrat
efulf
orwhat
youhav edoneforhi
m. ”het ol
dthem pushi ng
thegateopenedandhel ookedbackatt het wo
menwhower enotsureaboutmeet ingtheking,
notbecausetherewassomet hi
ngbuti twas
j
ustnotwhatt heywereexpect i
ng.
“Ningaphumakemadoda.Iwi llr
usht omycar .”
Heshowedt hem totheircarandt heynodded
onceandmov edt ot
heircar …Mnt wanaj ogged
tohiscar…
“Wewi l
ltalkanddeci dewhenIcal ly
ouback
herebuty oudon’thav etowor rybecausey ou’l
l
getthel i
vestockandt heland.Whaty ou’v
e
donei shonour ableandwewi llforeverbe
grateful
.”Ml amulipromi sedthet women
walkingwi ththem aroundt hey ardofhi swi f
e’s
palace.He’ ddinedwi ththem andhef reedthem
torequestwhat evertheywant ed.
Nsimbi
:“Hhayi
,Ndabezit
ha.Wewill
comeback
andwe’r
ehonour edt
ohav egot
tenthe
oppor
tuni
tytodinewit
hy ou.
”
Mbut
ho:
“Yes,
itwasanhonour
,Ndabezi
tha.
”
Mlamulichuckled.“
Idon’tknowwho’ sreal
ly
honoured,it
’smeory ou.”hecomment edand
theyl
aughed…Ml amuliandMnt wanawalked
them t
ot hei
rvehicl
eafterthey
’vefi
nished
conver
sing…
Mntwana:“
Ican’
treachNgcebo,bhuti
.Hi
s
phonei
soff.Iwastry
ingt
ocallhim andi
nfor
m
hi
m aboutt
hesemen. ”
Mlamul i
:“Ey
,Mnt wana,let
’sgo.Dal
ingcebowas
herebeforeyoucalled.Het ol
dmet hathewas
dri
vingtoJohannesbur gbecauseNgcebois
drowninghimselfinself-
blameforsomething
thatwasbey ondhiscont r
ol.”
“Whatar
ey out
alki
ngabout,
Ndabezit
ha?
”He
askedwalki
ngbyhisbr
other
’ssi
detogetto
thei
rcar
s.Mntwanahadn’
tbeeninf
ormed…
Mlamul
i:“
Dal
ingcebodidn’
ttel
lyouthatNgcebo
andNandi
phalostthei
rbaby?Shefaint
edafter
ourmot hercall
edher .
”hefil
ledcl ueless
Mntwanai nandMnt wanawasf oundwi thout
anycommentbecausehewasshockedbyt hi
s.
Mlamul i l
ookedathi m andhesawt hathewas
shockedashewaswhenDal ingcebot ol
dhim
aboutt his.Hecoul dn’tbeli
evet heirmot herhad
donet his!Hecoul dn’tbeli
evet hataf terNgcebo
hadpleadedwi ththem…“ Wewi lldri
vehome
andtell them aboutt hisbecauseDal i
ngcebo
sai
dhewon’ tpassbyt hepalace.Ihear dabout
Banele’sst r
okeaswel l.Iwantt oseehi m.”he
l
ookedathi m asthey ’
vereachedt hecar sand
Mntwananoddedhi shead…
“Hell
o?”Mntwanaanswer
edSimthande’
sphone
cal
l.Hewasal onei
nsi
dehi
scardriv
ingbehind
Mlamuli’
scar.Hewascomplet
elyemoti
onless.
Si
mthande:
“Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?Yousounddown.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Iam goodandhowar
eyou?
”
Si
mthande:
“Iam notr
eal
l
yfi
neandIdon’
tev
en
l
ookfine.Ireal
l
ythi
nkt
hatIhav
ebeen
bewi
tched.”Shetol
dhi
m wit
hashakyvoi
ce.
Mnt
wana:
“Bewi
tched?Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Simthande:“
Ikeepdr eaminghor r
ibl
ethi
ngs
thatshows‘bangi
fakeleischi
tho’andIdon’
t
evenknowwhocoul dsuchat hingtome.My
facelookshorr
ibl
e.Idon’tknowwhatt odo,
Mnt wana.
”
Mntwanasighed.“
Look,cal
m down.Iknow
someonewhocanhel pyouthissi
debutfor
now,Ican’
tsaycometoKZNbecauset hi
ngs
areupsi
dedown.Butwhenev eryt
hingi
ssort
ed
Iwil
lcal
lyouandyou’
llcomedownher e.”
Si
mthande:
“Woul
dyour
eal
l
ydot
hatf
orme?
”
Mntwana:“
Didn’
tyoucal
lmebecausey
ou’
re
l
ookingf
orhelp?
”
Si
mthande:
“Idi
dbutIdi
dn’
texpecty
ou’
l
lhel
p
me.”
Mntwana:“
You’
ll
hearf
rom me.”hesaid
st
oppinghi
scari
nsi
dehisparent
s’pal
ace.Hi
s
br
other,
Mlamul
ihadal
readygotofft
hecar.
Simt
hande:
“Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayIshoul
dn’
tcal
l
you?
”
“That’
snotwhatIam say i
ng.Ihav ean
i
ncomi ngcallandIhav ereachedhome. ”He
i
nformedherandopenedt hedoorofhi scar…
Simthandedr oppedthecallwithoutsaying
goodby eandt hatgaveMnt wanat he
opportunit
ytoanswert heincomi ngcall
.
“Pri
ncess,cany oucallt
hePr i
ncel at
erbecause
ri
ghtnowhe’ sv erybusyandhecan’ ttal
k.”He
answer edthephonecal l
polit
ely.
Neli
swagi ggl
ed.“Sharpthen,
Prince,
butyou’
ll
betheonet ocallt
hepr i
ncesswheny ou’
re
donewi t
hwhat ev
ery ou’
redoingbecauseshe
won’tknow.”
Mnt
wanachuckl
ed.“
Yes,
sil
l
yhi
m!Iwi
l
lbet
he
onetocall
you.
”hepr omisedandhedr opped
thecal
laft
erNel
iswahadsai dgoodby e…
Mntwanasatdownaf terhe’
dgr eet
edev eryone
i
nsidethel
ounge.Thembel i
hle’
sdaught er
s’ i
n-
l
awwer eseat
edwi t
hherhav ingsnacksand
dri
nkswhil
etal
king.
Thembel ihl
e:“Ihavebeentr
yingtocally
our
brother,
Ngcebobuthi sphonei soff
.Whenlast
di
dy oucallhi
m? ”sheaskedMnt wana…
Mlamul ihadleftthem t
ocall
Dal i
suwhowas
aroundthepr emisesofthepalacewithBanel
e
andMnot ho.
Mnt
wana:
“Lastni
ghtwhenhewasl
eav
ing.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hewasl
eav
ing?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shoul
dIaskwher
ehewent
?”
Mntwana:“Isn’
tobv
ioust
hathewentt
o
Johannesburg?”
Nkosazana: “
Hawu!Mnt wana,whyarey ou
speaki
ngl i
kethatwithmama? ”shelookedat
hi
m aftershe’dseenthesurpr
iselookon
Thembel i
hle’
sface.ButMntwanadidn’tanswer
her,
hei nst
eadconcentrat
edonhi sphone.
Dani
ell
e:“
Hawu,Mntwana?”shecal
l
edhi
s
nameoutbuthei
gnoredher.
“I
tseemsl i
keMnt wanahasf orgot
tenthatIam
hismother,Ndabezit
ha.”Thembeli
hleinfor
med
Dali
suwhowasst eppinginsi
dethelounge
fol
lowedbyt hei
rthr
eesonswi thMnot ho
pushingBanele’
swheel chai
r…
Dali
su:“
Whatdidhedofory
out osayt
hat
?”he
askedsi
tti
ngnextt
oThembeli
hleandhel
ooked
atMntwana.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam aski
nghi
m aboutNgcebo
andhe’
srespondingtomeasifhe’
stal
kingt
o
hi
smatenothi smother.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whydi
dyoudot
hatMnt
wana?
”
Mntwana:“
MamaaskedaquestionandI
r
esponded.Bhuti
,Mlamul
i,
cany
oupleasesay
whathasbroughtusher
e?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
oyou!
”
Mlamul i
:“Ngcebol osthi sbabyandt hat
happenedaf termamacal ledNandi pha.She
call
edherandwedon’ tknowwhatshesai dto
herbutNgcebo’ swifef ai
nt edandshewas
admi ttedt ot hehospi t
al wher et heDoct or
declaredt heot hertwindead.That ’
sther eason
Mnt wanai supset .”Hei nfor medbr iefl
yandt he
room wasf il
ledwi thtotal,stil
l,
coldsi l
ence.
Mlamul il
ookedathi smot herandshehadher
eyescl osedwi t
hherhandonherchest ,tear
s
fl
oodi ngdownhercheeks.Andhi sfatherwas
stari
ngbl anklyatt hecof feet able.“Tsk!”
Mlamul iclickedhi stongueandhest oodonhi s
feettol eav et hem andt hel astbor nfoll
owed
him, stil
lleav i
ngt hesilencei nt heroom…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE37

Thembelihl
elookedatthephoneafterPalesa
haddroppedthecallonher.Shechuckledin
di
sbeli
efandshookherhead.Shel eftt
he
ki
tchenforherbedroom.Herhusbandwas
al
readyinthebed…
“Hhe!Ndabezi t
ha,youwon’tbelievewhatj ust
happened.”Thembel ihl
esaidtoDal isuandshe
j
oinedhi minbed…Dal i
suwasl aidbackont he
bedwi thhi
sey esclosedandhewast hinki
ng
deeplyaboutthemeet i
ngthattheyhadwi t
h
Ngceboandhowt hemeet i
ngended.I nhi s
headhewasr eplayi
ngev er
ythi
ngt hatwassai d
andhewast ryi
ngt orevi
ewt hi
ngsal one.He
wasal onewithhisthoughtsquest ioni
ng
himselfasaf atherandsome, thingssaidby
Ngcebost i
llmaddenedhi m andot hers,made
hi
mt hinkhowHEasasont ohisl
atefat
herhad
di
srespectedhisorder
.Buthewasint
err
upted
fr
om histhoughtstheminut
eheheard
Thembelihlespeak.
Dal
i
su:
“Whathappened?
”hel
ookedather
.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwasintheki
tchencl
ear
ingup
andIthoughtIshoul
dcal
lNgcebo’
swifebef
ore
Isl
eep.”
Dal
isu:
“Whydidyoudothatbecausehesai
d
shemustn’
tbecal
led?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Hhay bo!Baba,Ihadt ospeakto
herafterever
ythi
ngt hatwassaidi nthat
meeting.Ngcebohashur tmeandhe’ sdoi
ng
thi
sforhiswi f
e.Ididn’tevenfi
nishspeakingto
herbecauseshedr oppedt hecall.Iwasn’t
cal
li
ngherwi thmynumberbutt hemai d’
s
numberbecausei tseemsl i
keshehasbl ocked
mynumberandev enthatspeaksv olumes.”
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
e!Youwer
enotsupposedt
o
cal
lher
!”
Thembel ihl
e:“Ididn’
tcal l
hertoaskquest ions
butIcalledhert otel
lherhowIf eel andaddr ess
thismat t
erthathappenedi nthemeet i
ng.And
shedr oppedthecal lbeforeIcouldf ini
shand
thatfri
endofher s,Irecogniseherbyherv oice
becauseshespeaksI si
Zuludifferently
.She
shoutedatmeandt oldmet oleaveNandi pha
alone.Nandiphagav et hephonet oherf r
iendt o
shouldatme, whatdoy oucallthat,baba, huh?”
Dali
su:“
Youwerenotsupposedt ocallher
!
That’
swhatIcal
litbecauseNgcebostatedit
cl
earl
ythatshemustn’tbecall
edinsecret
s.
Whatifsomethi
nghappenedt oherasher
fr
iendwasshouti
ngaty ou?”
Thembelihl
e:“Oh!You’r
egoingtost
andwit
h
Nandi
phanow, ar
ey ou?Weren’
tyouagr
eei
ng
wit
hust hatsheneededt ocomebacktobe
quest
ioned?”
Dal
isu:
“We’vegott
enallt
heanswer
sMaSt hol
e
andwhatwill
yousayifsomet
hinghappensto
her
?She’l
ltel
lNgceboyoumadeherupset.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihadev
eryr
ightt
o-”
Dal
isu:“STOPIT!MASTHOLE!Iwaswr ongnot
t
olistentomyf ather’
sorderIwaswrongand
t
hatledt odanger.Yes,Iam st
il
langr
ywi t
h
Ngcebo’sbehaviourbutme, asasonIdidn’t
l
ist
ent omyf at
her.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Butwedi
dn’
tknow-
”
Dali
su:“Idon’
twanttoarguewithyouabout
thi
sbutdon’tactli
keyou’v
eneverbeen
pregnantandstr
essed,youevenhadt ogi
ve
bir
thtoNdabezinhl
eearlyaft
erPreci
oushad
comeher etospeaktoyou.Idon’twantto
argueaboutthi
sany more.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“You’
retr
yingtotel
lmeyou’
re
happyt
hatoursonjustlef
tli
kehedi
d,areyou
happywi
ththat?”
Dal i
su:“Iam nothappybutt heancest orswil
l
bringNgcebobackher e.He’ll
suf ferthe
consequencest hesamet hathisol derbrother
did.Iam donespeaki ngaboutt his.”hesaid
l
ast l
yandhenegl ectedhisheaddown, andhe
thenr esumedhisthoughtsashi swi fewas
quietnow…
~~~~~~~~
Ngcebor eachedhi shousewiththegr eatest
angerstil
lcloudinghi sheart
.Hewasdr iven
from Nkosazana’ spalacebytheser vantand
now, whatwasi nsi dehismindwashav inga
drinkbutheneededt ocal
lNandiphaf ir
st.
May behewasgoi ngtobecalm afterthatbut
whenhel if
tedt hephone, hesawt hatitwasl at
e
andshe’dsentamessaget ohi
mt hatshewas
goingtogot obedear l
yaft
ersupperbecause
theyhadal ongday .
“Ishoul
dn’
tdi
stur
bhersleep.She’
sdefi
nit
ely
sleepi
ngnow,i
t’
s10pm.”Hesuppor t
edhimself
andwenttot heki
tchentogethi
mselfaglass
andabot t
leofwhiskey.Hemarchedbackto
thel
oungebutr emember edt
hathewas
supposedtolockthegatebefor
ehecouldeven
getdrunk…
“
Iam herebecauseIwantedt olockt hegate.
”
Hesaidtohisbrot
herwhowaswal kingupto
t
hefrontdoorofthehousewi t
hhi shands
i
nsi
det hebr
ownpant sthathewaswear ing
wi
thay el
lowandblackAf r
icanprintedshir
t.
Mlamuli:
“Youweregoingt
oopenitagai
nfor
me.Weneedt otal
k.”Hesai
dshowinghi
m
backinsi
dethehouseandNgceboledhi
m
i
nside.
Ngcebo:
“Di
dn’
twet
alkenough?
”
Mlamuli:
“Youdi dwit
hthem butnowwithme
andnow, Iam tel
li
ngyouthatyoucannott
urn
yourbackony ourfamil
y.
”
Ngcebo:
“They
’ret
heoneswhodi
dfi
rstandI
am notturni
ngmybackont hem butIam just
l
eav i
ng.Iwil
lcomebacki fanyofyouneedme
becausewear ebr ot
her
swewer et
aughtt o
haveeachot her’
sbackandwe’ v
eseeny oudoi t
forusallourli
vesbutIwon’tcomeheref orno
reason.
”
Mlamuli
: “
Iunderst
andNgcebot hatyou’
reangr
y
andyouhav eeveryri
ghttobeangrybutcoming
toyourfamil
yonlywhent heyneedyou,i
s
i
solat
ingyoursel
ffrom t
hem. ”
Ngcebo: “Ican’
tstandbeingt reatedlikethis
andplease, l
etmedowhatIt hinki sbestfor
my sel
fandmyf amily.”Hesaidandt ookhis
phonet hatwasont hecoff
eet able.Itwas
ri
nging, hewasn’ tpl
anningonanswer ingit
whilespeaki ngwi t
hhi sol
derbr otherbuthe
neededt oseewhowascal ling.“Iam sor r
y
bhutiIhav etotakethiscal
l.Youcanusemy
glassify ou’recravi
ngmyal cohol asy ouhav e
yourey esl ooki
ngati t
.”Hesai dst andingup
wi
thhi
sphoneandMl
amul
il
aughedathi
s
f
unnycomment.
“Justgoanswerthephone!”Heexcl
aimedand
tooktheglassashefel
tthatheneededthi
s
glass,al
lthi
swastoomuch…
Ngcebo:
“MamakaBuhl
e?”
Pal
esa:
“Sor
ry,
Ngcebo,
it’
sme.
”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!Palesa,
isev
ery
thi
ngalr
ightov
er
ther
e?WhyareyouusingNandi
pha’
sphoneto
call
me?Where’sshe?”
Pal
esa:
“Ngcebo,
Iam sor
ry-
”
Ngcebo: “
WHERE’SSHEDAMMI T?WHERE’S
SHE? ”herai
sedhisv oi
ceashecoul
dhear
thr
ought hesoundofherv oi
cet
hatshewasn’
t
herself
.Shesoundedshakenandthatcoul
d
onl
ymeansomet hing…
Palesa:“Nandi
phaisi
nthehospi
tal
Ihavej
ust
beent ol
dthey’
readmi
tti
ngherbutt
heyhav
en’
t
bri
efme.Shef
aint
ed–Ngcebo,
pleaseget
here.
”
Withoutaskingwhathappened, Ngcebo
droppedthecallandher ushedbacktot he
l
oungewher ehi
sbrotherwasl ai
dbackand
havingadrink.“
Bhuti,
Ihav etogotoGaut eng
nowbecausemywi fehasbeenadmi t
tedt ot
he
hospital
.Herfri
endtell
smet hatshefainted.
”
Ngcebot ol
dMl amulifastwhil
ehewasbusy
tappingonhisphonesear chi
ngforMnt wana’s
number .
Ml
amul
i
:“Hhay
bo!Whathappenednow?
”
Ngcebo:
“Idi
dn’
tev
enask.Iwi
l
lcomeback.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“You’
l
ldr
ive,
right
?”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
thav
ethev
ehi
clewi
thme.
”
Mlamuli
:“Wewi l
ldri
vetot hepal
acet
oget
her
andtheservantwil
ldri
vey outot
heai
rpor
t,t
hat
wil
lbefast
.”Hesuggest ed.
Ngcebo:“Thankyou,
bhuti
,thatwil
lbehelpf
ul.
”
Hesaidplaci
nghisphoneonhi searandhe
walkedawayf r
om hi
sbrot
her.“Ntwana,where
ar
ey ou?”
Mnt
wana:
“Iam ont
her
oaddr
ivi
nghome.
”
Ngcebo:“Canyoupl
easemakeaU-
tur
n
becauseIneedyouher
e.”
Mnt
wana:
“What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Ngcebo: “Ineedt ogett oJohannesburgbutI
wasn’tsupposedt oleav ethi
shousewithout
seeingtheguy swhor escuedNandipha.Idon’
t
wantthem t ocomebackher eandfindthe
houseempt y,
so,Iaskt hatyoucomeand
spendther estofthehol i
days,Imeansleep
hereuntiltheygether e.Nandiphaisinthe
hospit
al now. ”
Mnt
wana:
“Hawu!Okay
,ther
e’snopr
obl
em.
”
Ngcebo:“Wai
t,Ihav
erememberedsomet
hing.I
mightgeti
nthewayofyourhol
i
daysIthi
nkI
shouldaskDal
ingceboandQhawe’snanny
becauseeveni
fDalingcebol
eav
esf ort
heday,
MaNxongowi l
lbehere.Doyousee?Justin
casetheycomeher eduri
ngt
hedayandy ou’
ll
beoutandabout.”
Mnt wana:“YouhaveapointbutIwanttosl
eep
theretooandhav esomefreshair
.Iwil
lgot
o
Dalingcebo’
shouset omor
rowbecausehesaid
he’sgoingstrai
ghttobedtheti
mewe
separated.”
Ngcebo:“
Alr
ight
,youcanstayifyouwish.Iwil
l
l
eavethenIwil
lcal
lDal
ingcebointhemor ni
ng
andwhenthesemencomeher e,callme.”
Mntwana:“Alr
ight
,you’
l
lcal
lmeandinfor
m me
aboutNandipha’
sprogr
ess.Anddon’
tstr
ess
they
’l
lbefi
ne.”
Ngcebo:“
Thankyou.
”hesai
dandremovedthe
phonefr
om hi
searaft
ert
hey’
vesai
dgoodbye.
Ngcebodoubl
echeckedi
fhehadever
ythi
ng
withhiminhi
sbagandwhenhe’ dconf
irmed,he
tookhisbagandheadedout…Mlamulist
oodon
hisfeetandt
heymarchedtothefr
ontdoor.
Ml
amul
i
:“You’
renotswi
tchi
ngof
fthel
i
ght
s?”
Ngcebo:“Mnt wanawillcomehere.Iwon’teven
l
ockt hegate.Idon’
tknowwhent hesemenwho
rescuedNandiphawillcomeback.Butt hey
promisedtocomebackandIwantt othank
them wit
hwhat evert
heywant.Iaskedt hat
Mnt wanacall
smei ftheycomeher e.
”
Mlamuli
:“Icanmanagethatforyoubecause
whatcantheywantbesi
de,money ,
land,
l
ivest
ockoracar,orpr
operty
? ”heaskeddriv
ing
hi
scaroutandthecarofhisguar dsthatwas
packedoutsi
dethegat
emov edf orward.
Ngcebo:
“Youcannev
ercr
am men,
bhut
i.
”
Mlamuli
:“Ay,t
hesemenf
rom her
ear
etoo
pr
edict
able.
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Iwi
l
ltr
usty
ouont
hatone.
”
Hesaidandtheyhadtherestofthei
rdri
vewit
h
Mlamuli
tryi
ngtogetNgcebotocool downbut
hehadhismindmadeandhedi dn’
twanttogo
backonhisdeci
sion…
Mlamul igaveNgcebohi shandast hey’v
e
reachedt hepalaceandhewasl eav
inghimi n
thecart hatwasgoingt odri
vehimt othe
airport
.“Callusaboutherprogressandsenta
textifyouarriv
esaf e.
”Hetoldhisbrotherand
theyshar edatightheart
fel
tbrother
lyhug.
Ngcebo:
“Iwil
ldothat
,thanky
ou.
”hesai
dand
st
eppedinsi
dethecar
…
~~~~~~~
“Howdoy oufeelnowt hatev er
ythinghasbeen
done?Wear eoffi
ciall
ymar r
ied,tr
aditi
onall
yand
l
egally?
”Banel
easkedhi swi fewhowasseat ed
onthepassengerseatofhi scar,theywere
dri
vingthr
oughther oadthatwast akingthem
tothei
rhouseafterthemeet i
ng.
Candicesmi l
edandlookedatherhusband
shortl
y.“Iam happyandfr
om now, onwewi l
l
fol
lowourdr eams.Wehav ealotofthings
aheadofus, theworl
diswait
ingf orusto
explor
eit.Iam morethanhappy.”Shet ol
dhi
m
deli
ghtedly.
Banel
e:“WhowouldhavethoughtthatyouandI
wouldgetmarr
ied?Yougavemehel l whenI
wasaskingy
ouout .Damn!Youdidn’twant
me.”
Candicel
aughed.“Ididn’
tevenpi
cturea
rel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hy ouandsomegi r
lslikedyou.
Thatboywithcutebigey esandacleanface
wit
hachar mingsmile.”
Banele:“Whydoesitseem l
i
key oudidsome
researchaboutme?Howwoul dyouhave
knownt hatbecauseyoudi
dn’thavefr
iendsi
n
class.
”
Candi
cel
aughed.“
No,
Idi
dn’
tbutIj
ust
l
istened.
”ShedenieditandBanelel
aughed,
they’
vereachedthei
rhouse.Theyst
eppedoff
thecarthatBanelehadjustpar
kedi
nsidethe
garagenexttohiswife’
scar.
Banele:“
Okay,Iwi
lll
etthatgobutletmedot hi
s
then.”Hesai
dstandi
ngbef oreherandheli
ft
ed
offthefl
oortowalki
nsidethehousewi t
hher,
i
nsidehisarms.Candicescreamedlaughi
ngl
y ,
sheheldthebackofhisneck.
Candi
ce:
“Iwon’
taskwhat
’st
heoccasi
on.
”
Banel
e:“
Whywoul devenaskt hat?Ihopeyou
havepl
ansf orourni
ghtotherwiseifyoudon’tI
wil
ldi
vorcey ou,
tomorrow.”Het hr
eatenedher
ashewast akingheri
nsidetheirbedroom.
Candice:“Youknowt hatyouwoul dn’tdothatto
yourwifeandIwoul dn’
tbey ourCandi ceifI
didn’
tplananythi
ng.”ShesaidasBanel e
enter
edt hebeauti
fuldecoratedbedroom, red
andwhi tewit
hcandleslighti
ngther oom and
pet
als.
Banele:“Andyourcandl
essmel ldivi
ne.”He
admi tt
edandlaidherontopofthebedcar ef
ully
.
“Iknowy oulovetowearli
ngeri
ebutt onight,I
wantt otakeoffthi
sbeauti
ful
traditi
onalatti
re
thatlooksli
keitwastai
lor
edony ou.”
Candice:“Iwanty outodowhaty ouwant,
anythi
ngandhowev eryouwant .”Shesaid
hol
dinghisf aceandBanel ekissedher…Laying
ontheirsi
deswi t
htheirlegst wir
ledandthei
r
handsont heirnakedbodi es,theywer eki
ssi
ng
l
ovinglyappreciati
ngev eryinchoft hei
rwarm
ski
nwi ththeirhands.
“What’
swr ong? ”CandiceaskedBanelewho
wasbackont opofherbutnow, hi
sbodyhad
sti
ff
enedandhehadhi sbigeyeswidenedwhi le
hewast r
yingt ogaspf orai
rthatseemedf arfor
himtoreach.Candi cescreamedasBanel e’s
bodycoll
apsedonher .Shetri
ednottopani c,
tel
l
inghernerv estokeepcal m assheremov ed
Banel
eawayf
rom her
.
Candice:“No!God! ”shepl acedherhandson
hermout handt earsv oluntar
il
ycameoutofher
eyesasBanel e’
sl eftsideofhisbodyl ooked
paraly
sed.Shet ouchedhi stwist
edhandandi t
wasst if
f.“Canyouhearme, babe?”Sheasked
touchinghisfacebuthewashav i
ngadi f
fi
cult
y
tal
kingwi t
hhistwi stedlips.
Candicej
umpedof fthebedandsher antoher
phonetocall
Thembel i
hle.Shewai
ted,paci
ng
upanddownasnakedasshewas, tears
pouri
ngdownhercheeksl ikeawat
erfall
.
Thembeli
hledidn’
tanswerandshetriedagai
n…
Thembel
ihl
e:“Candi
ce?”Thembel
i
hle’
ssl
eepy
voi
ceansweredthephone.
Candi
ce:“Mama,pl
ease,
comeherenow.
Banel
ehasbeenhitbyst
rokeandIdon’
tknow
whattodo,pl
ease!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“St
roke!How?
”shesur
pri
sed.
Candice:“
Ireall
ydon’tknowwhathappened–I
am cl
ueless.”Sherepli
edandtur
nedtolookat
herhusband, hi
sconditi
onwassti
ll
thesame.
Thembelihl
e:“Iam comi
ng!”shepromisedand
droppedthecall…Candi
cethrewherphoneon
thebedandshepi ckedupherclot
hes.She
quickl
ydressedupandwhenshewasdone, she
dressedherchall
engedhusband.
Candice:“Ical
l
edy ourmot herandshe’s
coming.”Shepromi sedhim putt
inghisshi
rt
backonhi sbody,t
heot hersideofhisbodywas
normal andhewasev enabletoholdherwith
theri
ghthand.“Youcan’ tevenspeak!Areyou
feel
i
nganypai n?”sheaskedf asteni
nghispants.
Banel
e:“
Ca…Ca…Ca…”
Candice:“I
t’
sokay,don’
ttr
yt ospeak.
”She
fr
eedhi m andsherushedtoswitchonthe
l
ightsofthebedroom.Shet henmarchedtot
he
candlestoblewtheirl
i
ghtsoffbecausehi
s
mot herwascomi ngandshedi dn’twanttof eel
awkwar d.Itcouldn’tbet hei
rsexbecauset hey
werenotdoi nganyext remeposi ti
onsandt hey
haven’tevenbegunt hei nt
ercourse!She
screamedwi t
hinher sel
fasshet ri
edtofi
gur e
outwhatcoul dhav et ri
ggert hi
s.Butthe
Doct or
swer egoi ngtot ellt
hem whatwas
wrongwi thhim…
“Howdi dt
hishappen?”Dali
suaskedCandi ce
astheywereinsideBanele’
sbedroom along
withThembelihl
e…Candicehadcl eanedthe
room completel
yremovingall
thedecor at
ions
thatwerearoundtheroom.
Candice:“Idon’tknowwhathappenedbecause
wewer elayingher e–and–ehandhej ust
col
lapsedonme. ”shetoldthem wi
thoutgoi
ng
i
ntodet ai
l
s.Shehadherhandhol di
ngBanele’
s
ri
ghthandsi tt
ingont hebednexttohim.
Dali
su:
“Banel
e?Canyouhearme?Areyou
feel
i
ngpains?
”heaskedt
ouchi
nghisparal
ysed
l
efthandandBanel
etr
iedtospeakbuthefai
l
ed
tobri
ngoutwordst
hathi
sparentsandwif
e
coul
dhear.
Thembel ihl
e:“Oh!Jesu!Myson,Ndabezi
tha,I
willcall
theguardsandt heywi
ll
carryhimtothe
car.
”Shesai dtoDal i
suandshewipedhertears
asthecondi ti
onthathersonwasin,itwas
breakingherheart.
Dali
su:“
Banel
ehadnosi ckness,
nobr
ain
damageorwhatsoever
.Whathappened?”he
askedhi
swifeastheyfoll
owedeachothert
o
thedoor
.
Thembel
i
hle:“
WecanneverknowNdabezi
tha
butt
heDoctorwi
l
ltel
lus.
”
Dali
su:“You’
reri
ght.
”Hesuppor t
edandhe
call
edtheguardswhower eparki
ngoutsi
dethe
premises…Hegav ethem i
nst
ructi
onst
ot ake
Banele…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE36

“Ihav enot hi
ngt owor ryaboutnow, mkhul u? ”
Nandi phaaskedLangal i
bal eleleav i
ngt hehut
withhi m andNgceboi nsideNgcebo’ spr emi ses.
Langal i
balelewaswi ththem ast heywer edoi ng
thef i
nalritualthatwasoft hanksasNandi pha
wasbackandsaf e…Thur sday ,
allday ,they’ve
beenwi t
hLangal i
balelewhor equest edt hey
meetatNandi pha’sbirthhomeandf rom
Richards’ bay,Ngceboandhi sf amilydr ovet o
Mzi ngaziwher eLangal i
balel ewasal readyt here
wai t
ingfort hem.Hi squestt ofindNandi pha
hadbegunt hereinNandi pha’ smat ernal home
onTuesdayandt hat’
swher ehef ollowed
throughandonl yfoundt heSangomaand
MaKhumal o’sdeadbodi esl ateonWednesday .
Hewaswi thhisbr otherwhowasdr ivi
ngt hecar
forhim.Andsoonwhenhef oundt heirdead
bodiesbyt hef orest, hecalledNgceboandhe
madet hingscl earforhi mt hatNandi phawas
safe.Langalibalelet hendidapr operr i
tualto
puttheSangoma’ sspi ri
tatr estforitnothaunt
them.Butwi thMaKhumal owho’ sspiri
twasno
harm, t
heyt ranspor tedherbodyupt ot hehutof
theSangomaandt heyl eftherhopi ngsomeone
wasgoi ngt of i
ndher .May besomeonewho’ d
beenacl ienttot heSangomaev ent hought he
Sangomadi dn’tseecl i
entswi thoutknowi ng
theywer ecomi ng…Langal ibalel
ethencl eansed
Nandiphaont her i
v erclosert ohermat ernal
home.Andt heyl aterslaught eragoatf orher
ancestors.MaNt ombel awaspr esentand
Nandipha’saunt swi thhercousi ns,Ngceboand
herchil
dren.Theyheadedbackt oNongomai n
theeveningandhewaswi t
ht hem nowi ntheir
premises.
Langali
balel
e:“
No,nkosazana.Lookafter
yoursel
f,y
ourhusbandandt hechil
dren.The
dangert
hatwasf
oll
owi
ngy
oushoul
dn’
twor
ry
younow.”
Nandipha:
“Thokoza,
mkhul
u!”shecl
appedher
hands.
Langali
balel
enoddedhisheadonce.“ Iwoul
d
l
iketohav eabri
eftal
kwithy ourhusbandnow.
”
HeinformedherandNandi phaleftt
hem aft
er
she’
dwi shedhi
m asafejourneybackt ohi
s
home.
Ngcebo:
“Ist
her
esomet
hingIshoul
dwor
ry
about
?”
Langali
balel
e:“
Don’tthinkt
hatjustbecause
yourwifeisnolongerindangerwithyour
chi
ldr
ent hatmeansy oushouldforgetaboutt
he
wedding.”
Ngcebosi
ghed.“
Butnow,i
t’
snotur
gentasi
t
wasbefor
e.”Heasked.
Langal
ibal
ele:
“Accor
dingtomyunder
standi
ng
andthoughtsit
’snol
ongerur
gentunl
essify
ou
seethedr eam againt hatwil
lmeani t’
surgent
.
Butaftery ourwif
ehasgi v
enbirthand
recoveredf r
om that,
t heweddingshoul d
happenr ightawaybecausey ourancestors
wantt heweddi ngtohappenandi tshouldbeas
allr
oyal weddings,grandwi t
hthewhol e
Zulul
andt owit
nessit.”
Ngcebof eltthereli
efaft
erLangalibalelehad
saidthatbecausenow, t
heywer egoingt obe
abletobr eatheandNandi phawasgoi ngto
havethechancet oplanherweddi ngt heway
shewant ed.“ That’sareli
eftomeandIr eal
ly
hopet hatitshoul dhappenaf t
ershehasgi ven
bir
thbecauseIwantt odancewi thhert hatday
foreveryonet owitness.
”hesaidwi thapr oud
smileandt heylaughedcool l
ywith
Langalibalele.
Langali
bal
ele:
“We’r
ehopingitwil
lhappenas
youwishandnow, youcantel
lheraboutthe
weddingthati
thasbeenrequest
ed.Buttell
i
ng
heryourpar
entsref
usedi
tmaynotbeawi
se
deci
sionbutIdon’
tknowi
t’
suptoyou.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwon’
ttel
lhert
hat
,mkhul
u.”
Langali
bal
ele:“
Hhayi
,Nkosanakuhl
ekelokho.I
wil
lleavenowandIwillseeyouwhenyouhave
totalkt
oy ourf
amil
y.You’l
lbeal
one,i
sn’
t?”
Ngcebo:“Yes,
mywifei
sl eav
ingtoget
herwith
thechi
ldr
enbecauseIt
hinkthat’
sbett
erforher
andIhaveallt
hepossi
bleanswersmyf amil
y
needs.
”
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Iwi
l
lbet
her
etoo.
”Hepr
omi
sed.
Ngcebo: “
Sobonanakhonamkhul uandIwill
see
youbeforeIleavedon’tworryaboutthat
.Iwil
l
sti
llhav
et owaitfort
hesemenwhor escued
her.
”Het oldhi
m andhewal kedhimt ohiscar
thatwasdr i
venbyhisbrother.
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“Theydi
danhonour
abl
ethi
ng.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yes.
”Hesuppor
tedandwi
shedt
hem
goodby easLangal
ibal
ele’
sbrotherdr
ovethe
caroffNgcebo’spremises.Hedidn’
tmarchto
cl
oset hegatebecausePalesawasst i
l
lcoming
by.
“Call
mewheny ougett
hereanddon’ tforgetto
burnthatmuthi bef
oreyousleepbecausei twil
l
helpyouwiththenightmares.Iwantt hem to
stopbecausey oualwayslookfri
ghtened.”
Ngcebolectur
edhi swifewhowasst anding
beforehi
m ont heporchoftheirhouse.
Nandipha:“Yes,Iwon’
tforgetandIwil
lcal
l
you.
”shepr omisedhim andsheacceptedthe
hugthatNgcebowasof f
ering.Nandi
phacl
osed
hereyesinsidehisar
ms.“ Il
oveyousomuch
andIwillt
ryhardnottostressmy sel
f.
”
Ngcebo: “
Ilov
ey outoo,
nana.”Hesaidandhe
kissedherbri
efl
y,t
heysighedinuni
sonast hei
r
foreheadswerenowdoingt heki
ssi
ng.“Iwi
ll
comehomewhenIam donewi thever
ythi
ng
herebutnow, l
etmeseet hosefi
vesothatyou’
ll
beont
heroad.
”Hesai
dtoherandt
heyheaded
tot
hevi
ano…
Ngcebo:“Simil
o,whyar eyouquietbecauseI
am sayi
nggoodby e? ”heaskedhisdaughter
whowasqui etwithherl i
pspouted.Shewasn’t
sayi
ngany t
hingast heirf
atherhadjustwi
shed
them asafedri
veandgoodby e…Palesawas
seatedonthedriverseatandhercarwasgoi ng
tobedrivenbyaroy alservantwit
hThulainsi
de
thecar.
..
Nandi
pha:
“Yourf
atheri
sspeaki
ngt
oyou,
Mimi.
”
Si
mi l
o:“
Mama, nekemi
nani
mkhul
umi
se.Ut
he
ubabaasiy
iebhi
shi.
”
NandiphalaughedandlookedatNgcebowho
waslookingatthei
rdaughter
.“Iwi
l
lnotbring
somesweet sforyouwhenIcomeback. ”He
thr
eatened.
Si
mil
o:“
Iwi
l
laskmama.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwon’
tbuyt
hem f
ory
ou.
”
Nt
okomal
o:“
Thani
byeby
e.”
Si
mi l
o:“
E.eh!Zocel
akugogomi
nauzobuy
ano
malume.”
Ngcebo:“Lenganey akhonamehloamakhulu.
”
Hecomment edlookingatNandiphabutshe
wasn’tl
ookingathi m butSimil
o.Heclosedt
he
doorofthev i
ano.“Youdi dn’
ttel
lmeifyour
mothersaidshewi llcomebackornot .I
coul
dn’tevenfinishspeakingwithher,
shewas
tooangry.
”Her emi ndedNandiphastandi
ngby
hersi
deoft hev ehi
cle.
Nandipha:“
Itoldhershemustnotcomeback
anddon’tworryshewillgetoverthefactthat
youdidn’
ttel
lherbecauseIt r
iedtomakeher
underst
and.Anddon’tforgettosendmy
apologytoyourfamil
yforscar i
ngthem for
taki
ngthechil
dren.YouknowwhyIdi dit.It
mightbeforwardbutplaythatshortcli
p.”
Ngcebo:
“Al
ri
ght
,Pal
esa.Peace.
”
Pal
esa:“Peace,
Rasta.”Shesaidandthey
l
aughed…Ngcebot ookast epbackandlooked
att
hev ehi
cleasitdr
ov eout…
===
“It
’sapi t
yt hatwedi dn’tgetachancet obe
drunkl i
keliter
all
y!”Banel ecomment ed
amongsthi sthreebr otherswhower ewithhim
i
nsi deDalingcebo’sHi lux,Saturdayni ghtthey
wer edrivi
ngt oNkosazana’ spalacef orthe
meet ing.Theywer el aughingand“ reminisci
ng”
ont hepastev entsoft het radit
ional wedding,
thef unnymoment s,thedi sastermoment sand
theycommonl yavoidedal lthesweethear t-
war mingmoment s.Itwasn’ tf
ort hem.
Thethreebr
otherslaughed.“Whatkindofa
groom ar
eyoubecausey ou’
resupposedto
thi
nkaboutwaysofpl easingyourwifeaf
tert
his
meeti
ng.”Dal
ingceboaskedBanel e.Hewas
seat
edont
hedri
verseatandBanel
ewas
seat
edont
hepassengerseatwi
thhi
m.
Theot
her
scracked.“
Idon’
thav
etot
hink.
”He
comment
ed.
Ngcebo:“Ey
, wena!Youhav
etothi
nkand
st
rategi
es,you’
reahusbandnow.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Yes!Tel
lhi
m,baf
o.”
Mntwana: “
Youmustbr
ingdynamics,
Dal
ingceboknowshe’
sbeenwi t
hawhi te
woman, yousee!
”hemockedhim andthey
l
aughed.
Dali
ngcebo:“Gowani,
wena!”hesworeand
stoppedthecarastheyhavereached
Nkosazana’spal
ace.Theyall
steppedoutoft
he
car.
Banel
e:“
Iwi
l
lst
rat
egi
zeont
hemeet
ingt
hen.
”
Mntwana:“Hawu!Whil
eelder
sarediscussi
ng
ser
ioust
hingsyou’
ll
bet hi
nki
ngaboutsex.
What
’st
hat
?”heaskedl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Banele:“Letmebe!Ididn’tsaythemeet i
ng
shouldbet odayIsaidaftermyweddingbut
theyjustthoughtImeant odayIguess.”He
defendedhi mselfandtheywalkedaround
checkingthev enueofthemeet i
ng…
“Ngcebo,where’
sy ourwi
fenow?”Dali
suasked
astheywereallseateddownasaf amil
ywit
h
Langali
bal
elepresentamongstt
hem.
Thembel
i
hle:“Idi
dn’
tev
enseeheront
he
weddi
ngfi
elds.”
Ngcebo:
“Isentherhomewi
tht
hegi
rl
s.”
El
der
s:“
HAWU!
”
Mnotho:
“What’
sthepoi
ntoft
hismeet
ingt
hen
i
fyourwif
eisnother
e?”
Thembeli
hle:“She’
stheonewhot ookthe
chi
ldr
enher eandshe’stheonewhoshould
answerourquestions.Andshe’
stheonewho’
s
supposedt
otel
luswher
ewer
etheykeepi
ng
herandwhy.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lansweral
lthosequest
ions.
”
Uncleelder
:“Whyshouldyoubet heoneto
answerquestionsmeantforher?Don’
tyou
thi
nkweshoul dknowev er
ythi
ngf r
om t
he
horse’
smout h?’
Ngcebo:“Mkhulu,Ididexpl
ainthatNandiphai
s
notfi
ttobehoundedwi t
hquestionsofthat
str
essfulev
entandheract ionsbythewhole
famil
y.Becauseatt hi
sstageIwantabsolutel
y
nothi
ngthatwil
l upsether.
”
Uncl
eel
der
:“Howwi
l
lquest
ionsupsether
?”
Ngcebo:“She’sbeenthroughat r
aumatic
experi
enceandt hepersonwhocant alktoher
aboutthat,
issomeonewhomustunder st
and
thestat
eshe’sin.Anditdoesn’tseem l
ikeany
ofyouunderstandthat.I
fyoudid,youwer e
goingtorespectmyrequest.”
Auntel der
: “
It
’sbeendayssinceshelef
tthe
hospitalandt hi
s,whatyouaredoi
ngnowi s
disrespect.Yousentyourwifeof
fknowingthat
she’sneededher eandwhatwasgoi ngtobe
wr ongifsheat t
endedyourbrot
her’
swedding?”
Ngcebo:“Ididn’
twantheri nthismeeti
ngt hat
’s
whyIsaidshemustl eaveandBaneleknows
aboutthat.I
fyoureallydon’twanttoask
questi
onst ome,you’llhav
et owaitunti
lthe
Doctorconfir
msshe’ shealt
hy .
”Hesaidit
cl
earlyandtheelder
ssi ghedi ndi
sbel
ief
,they
mumbl edamongstt hemsel ves.
Happiness:“Iwantt oknowwhyy ourwifet
ook
ourchil
drenwi thoutinf
ormingus?Howcanshe
j
ustgeti nhereandt akechil
drenthatar
enot
herswithoutinformingus?”sheaskedthe
quest
ionasev eryonewasquiet.
Langal
ibal
ele:“Thatwasaresponsi
bil
i
tyfaci
ng
heraft
ershe’dreveal
edthatther
emightbe
dangerfol
l
owi ngthechi
ldr
enandnobodyt ook
i
tuponthemselvest
obebotheredasshewas
bythi
s.Nobodycametomeexceptherandher
husbandtoaskandconsul
taboutt
hisaf
ter
she’
dsaidit
.”
AuntNomkhosi:“Howwer ewesupposedt obe
bother
edifwedidn’tknowaboutthis?Didall
themothersknowaboutt hi
s?”shelookedat
thethr
eeofthem, Nkosazana,Happinessand
Daniel
l
eandt hel
astt wosaid‘
NO’
Ngcebo: “ Nandiphat ol
dthequeenaboutt hi
s,
whichwast heri
ghtchannel t
ogot hroughwhen
shewant edt hi
st obeknown.Thequeent ol
d
mamaaboutt hi
swhi chwasther ightchannel
becauset hequeenl ooksuptot hequeen
mot herift hi
ngsar eabovehershoul dersbut
whatdi dmamasay ?Mamasai dLangal ibal
ele
will
war nt hem.Asmot hers,
didy oust opand
askt hegr andmot herofthechil
drent hatwhy
didshekeepqui etanddidnothi
ngaboutt hi
s
messaget hatwaspassedout ?Di dyoudot hat
MaMt hi
mkhul
uandMaNkosi?”helookedat
them wi
thser
iousey
esbecauseheneededto
know.
Happiness:
“She’
snott
heonewhot
ookour
chi
ldr
en.”
Ngcebo: “Iaskedifdidyouaskthegrandmother
ofyourchi l
dren.Whydi dshekeepquietanddi
d
nothingafterbeingtoldchi
ldr
enmustbe
protectedbecauset hemessagesignall
edther
e
wasdangerl ur
king?Didyouaskherthat
question?”
“No,wedi
dn’
t.
”Dani
ell
eandHappi
nessr
epl
i
ed
bri
efl
y.
Ngcebo:
“Ndl
unkul
u?”
Nkosazana:
“Ngcebo,
mother’
sresponsewas
wewer egoi
ngtobewarned.
”
Ngcebo:“
Andyousatont
hatbecausea
warni
ngcomingfr
om mymouthinmysleepi
s
t
otall
yusel
ess-
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Don’
tdi
recti
tli
ket
hat
,Mageba.
”
Ngcebo: “
No, Ishouldbhuti
,becausei tseems
thi
ngscomi ngt hroughmear enott akenser ious.
Howcant woleader ssi
tonthisandwhenmy
pregnantwifet r
iedtoactanddosomet hingshe
thoughtwasr ight,youwanttot hrowquest i
ons
atherwhileshe’snotont herightshape?Who
i
nt hi
sroom quest ionedmamaabouther
acti
ons?Di dyouquest i
onher, baba?Ormay be
youalsoknew?Mot her
softhechi ldrenwho
weretakendidn’ tquest
ionher.Butdi dy ou?”he
l
ookedathi sfatherwhowasqui et.
Dalisu:
“Yourgreatauntquest
ionedherandy
ou
hear dt
heresponsethatLangali
bal
elewas
goingtowarnus. ”
Mlamuli
:“Butauntquesti
onedwhyshedi dn’
t
t
ellusandt hatwasbefor
ewel earntchil
dren
weremissing.ThatwasafterLangali
balel
eleft
t
hisroom afterl
earni
ngthechil
drenwer e
missi
ngther ewasnoangerandquest ionsthat
weredirectedtomywi feandmot herwhoknew
aboutthis.Andmywi feknowst hatshewas
wrongt ositont hisItoldher .Let ’
sbehonesti n
thi
s.Mama, asagr andmot hert ot hesechil
dren
shewaswr ongt odonot hing.Shewas
supposedt obringt hem all mot hersandt hey
weresupposedt opl anthatt hey ’
ret aki
ng
chi
ldrent oasafet yhousef orther estofthe
Decemberhol iday sandNgceboandhi swife
weregoi ngtodeci deifNandi phai sgoingalong
wit
ht hem becauseshe’ spr egnantbutno, we
werenotgi venachancet oev env oiceany t
hing
becauseourmot herkeptqui et.”
AuntNomkhosi:“Hmm!Ndabezi
thaisri
ght,
daught
ers’
in-l
awshoul
dcomeaty ourfeetwit
h
thi
ngs,
MaSt hol
eandyoushoul
dact.”
Ngcebo:“Mywi f
et ookyourchil
drenbecause
shewast ol
dtot r
ustherinst
inctsandshedi dn’
t
tr
ustyouweregoi ngtoli
stentoherasshe’ s
neverbeenli
stenedtointhepastandi nthatI
i
ncludemy self
.Whatshewassupposedt odo
wast orunt oLangal i
balele’
shousewi ththem
ortoanynei ghbourshecoul dt r
ust.Buthow
wasshesupposedt odot hatshewasal one
andscar ed,pregnantwi thav anfullofchildren
i
nar ainyday .Blameheri fyouwant ,beangr y,
i
t’syourrightbutnotev enoneofy oushoul d
curseatherbecauseshewasdoi ngwhatshe
wast oldandy ourchi l
dren,now, they’
resaf e
andal i
ve.AndIaskt hatnobodycal l
sheri n
secrettoaskwhatIhav eexplainedher e
becauset here’
snobet t
erexpl anati
ony ou’l
lget
fr
om her .She’l
ltell
y ouwhatLangal i
baleletold
youandwhatIt oldy ou.”hesai dlastl
y,calmly
becausehe’ dpromi sedhi mselfhewasgoi ngt o
handlethismeet ingcalm becausehedi dn’t
wantt olosehisgr i
pont hem.They ’vedonehi m
enoughnow.
Uncl
eelder
:“Weheary
ou,NgceboandIt
hink
onthi
smatterl
i
nesofcommunicat
ionwer
e
shor
tened.
”
Mnotho:“
Andifshesawtheywerenotdoi
ng
anyt
hingshewassupposedtot
ellsomeone
el
seinthefami
ly.
”
Ngcebo: “
Startbysay i
ngthatt oourmot her
bhutiandwecant alkaf t
erthat .Idon’twant
peopleseeingwr ongi nmywi fe’sactionswhi l
e
theydon’tseewr ongsi nthemsel vesfir
st.Iam
real
lynotheref orthat.Andshesentherwor ds
ofanapol ogy.
”Headdedandpl ayedtheshor t
cli
pthatNandi phar ecordedwhensheshor t
ly
tol
dt hem shewassor ryshet ookt hechildren.
Shewasj usttryingt oprotectthem t hebest
wayshesawt hatt i
me…
Langali
baleletight
enedonhi sseatashe’
d
thoughtthathewasgoi ngtobetheonetohave
toanswert heirquest
ionsaboutthesemessage
aboutthechi l
drenofthekingdom butPri
nce
Ngcebohadi tbett
erthanhecouldever.
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
e,y
ouhav
enot
hingt
osay
.”
Thembelihle:“I
t’
snott hatIdidn’
ttrusta
messagef rom you, NgcebobutIt hought
Langal
ibalelewasgoi ngt oseethedangerif
ther
ewas.ButIunder standmywr ongIwas
supposedt oconsultwi t
hhim andpasst he
messaget ot heeldersofthef ami
ly.Iwil
lask
youforgi
vemeont hat.”
Theel dersmumbl edamongstt hemselvesand
accept edherapol ogy.“Pr i
nceNgcebo’ swi f
e
wast akenbecauseoft heol df eudMaKhumal o
hadwi tht hefamily…”Langal ibal el
enar r
atedthe
reasonsNandi phawast akenandhewoul dstop
i
nbet weenast hi
swasshocki ngt hattheywere
l
ivingwi ththi
swomanwhi leshehadagr udge
withthem t hatonlytheel derssawi thappen
andDal i
su,hisbrothersandot her swer etol
d
abouti tashistoryofthei rfather ’
sruli
ngand
howhe’ dcutill
-mannered, ruthlesspeopl ein
thekingdom.Butt hroughal l
thi snarrati
onof
whatNandiphawast akenf
orhedidn’
tinclude
thatwhy‘
her.’
ItwasnotonNgcebo’srequest
thathewashidingt
hisbuti
twashisdut ythat
hehadtohideitbecausehewastheonl yone
andthedeadSangomawhoknew.
Uncleelder:
“Butwhydidtheyt
akeher?She
knowsnot hi
ngaboutthi
sandiftheywanted
revengetheyweregoi
ngtocomeaf terusorour
king.
”
Ot
her
s:“
YEAH!
”
Langali
balele:“Ihav
etri
edtolookforananswer
tothatquest i
onbecauseIhadmy selfbutI
didn’
tfi
ndt heanswernot hi
ngshowed.”
Mntwana: “It
hinkit’
sbecauseshe’spr
egnant.I
f
wethinkabouti t
,thi
smessageaboutchildr
en
i
ssaidf orherearswithnodream att
achedtoit
forNgcebot oseebutjustwords.Andwhatcan
aSangomadowi t
hapr egnantwomanwho’s
carr
yingroyalchil
dren,f
reshbloodwhohaveno
scars?Itei
thermuthitofightagai
nstusor
maket hemselveswealth,weallknowhowt hey
thi
nk.Theyt ar
getedherbecauseshe’spregnant
andit’
sonlyherwho’spr egnantatthi
sti
me.”
“OOOH!”Theyal lchantedinreal
isati
onaswhat
Mntwanawassay i
ngt othem madesenseand
Langali
balel
enoddedev enthoughheknewi t
wasn’tbecauseoft hat.Buthenoddedt o
convi
ncet hem andt heycouldmov efrom t
his.
Dali
su: “Ayi,
thatisoutoft hewayandwear e
grat
eful thatnobodyi sharmed.ButNgcebo, I
don’tknowsi ncey ourwifei snother
eandt hat
wasal sowr ongthaty oujustsentheraway .
Thisalsol i
nkstot heconcer nsofhowmuch
you’vebecomedi srespect
f ulandyoujustal
low
yourwi fetodoasshepl eases.Andt hat
’snot
howt hingsar edoneher e.
”
Ngcebo:“
Hawu,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,
baba?”
Mnot ho: “You’vebeendi sr espect i
ngt heelders
j
ustbecausey ourwi fewasmi ssing.We’ veall
beent hroughal otoft hingsandhur tfult
hings
butt hatdoesn’ tgi veusr i
ghtt odi srespect
elders.I ngicasulil
ekemi nal ey ontoandi ngakho
ngingakazengi zi
hlangani senay oy onkel ento
ebiyenzekangobauv elewey isawashi ntsha
wakhohl waukut hisi ngabanemi zi kodwa
siyi
zinganekubant uabadal aakukho
okoshi ntshalokho. ”( Whaty oudi danger edme
andt hat ’swhyIdi dn’ tinvol vemy selfiny our
dil
emmabecausey ouwer edi srespect f
ul and
youf or gotwecanbemenofourownbutwe
arest illchil
dreni nt hepr esenceoft headul ts.)
hev oi cedoutl ooki ngst r
ai ghti nNgcebo’ sey es,
Ngcebowhowasl ooki ngathi m…Af t
erhe’ d
saidt hatal ltheelder ssuppor tedMnot ho’s
statementandhi spar ents.
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
vecompl
etel
ychanged.You
don’
tknowwhowear etoyouandthi
swi f
eof
yoursdoesn’
tevent
elly
ouwheny ouar
ewrong.
Idoubtyouevendothatwhenshe’
swrong.
”
Ngcebochuckl
edindisbeli
efandt heel
ders
l
ookedatoneanotheraftert
hat.“Andev ent
hat
chuckl
eshowshowmuchdi srespectyouhave.
Yet,y
ouexpectustodot hi
ngsf oryou,marr
y
youwitht
hiswif
e.”Dali
susaidtoNgcebo.
Ngcebo: “You’
veneverbeeninmyshoesbhut i
Mnot hoandi never
ythi
ngy oudo,you’
vebeen
supported.Whenhav eyouev err
equestedan
urgentneedandbet oldthatyou’
llwai
t,ina
mat t
erofl i
feanddeath?When? ”
Mnot
ho:
“Thatdoesn’
tmeanl
oser
espect
.”
Ngcebo:“Iaskedyouwhen!Youcan’ tanswer
me, r
ight
!”herai
sedhisvoicefeel
ingthat
Mnothowascr ossingt
hel i
newithhim now.He
hadthenervetotalkasifheknewwhathewas
facedwithandhe’dneverbeeninhissituat
ion.
Mnot
ho:
“Don’
tspeakwi
thmel
i
ket
hat
!”
Ngcebo: “
Whynot ?Ever
yonewant srespect?
WasIsupposedt oactthesameaf t
eryou’ve
refusedmyweddi ngwhil
eIt ol
dourparents
thattheancestor
srequesteditbecausethey
neededtopr ot
ectmywi f
e-”
Thembelihl
e:“Don’tevenbri
ngthatupbecause
ther
ewasnodangert hatwassaidanddon’ t
evenjust
ifyyouracti
ons.Ungangicasul
iwena!
You’vebeenatitfortoolongandIhav ebeen
tooleni
entwithyou!”
Ngcebo:“Lenientwithmebyr ef
usingtoprot
ect
mywi f
e?Whowasgoi ngtoclaphandsand
smil
ewhi l
ehispar entsshowedtheydon’
tcare
aboutthesafetyofhiswifeandchildr
en.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wenev
ersai
dthat
!”
Ngcebo:“
Youdi dn’
thavetosayitdi
rectl
y,baba.
Youdidn’
t!AndIknowt hati
fIcamewi ththe
messagethatmay beyourweddingwithmama
hadtober enewedsothatshecanbepr otect
ed
byancest
or s.Youweregoingtojumponi tand
Banel
ewasn’ tgoingtobeaskedt owaitbuthe
wasgoingtobet ol
dtowait!Butno,because
i
t’
sNgcebo’ swife,whati
sshet othem?She’ s
nothi
ng,t
heyonl ywantherwhent heymust
havemeetings.”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tspeakl
i
ket
hatwi
thus!
”
Ngcebo: “Iwil
l notkeepqui etaty ourcalltoday
becauseIhav ebeenqui etf ort oolong.You
takepr ideiny ourtradit
ionsandancest orsbut
no, youdon’ tactually
, y
out aket hatpri
dewhen
traditi
onsandancest orsar einy ourfavour.
Tr adi
tionsandancest orsmat t
erwheni tsuits
youandt hishav ebeenpr ov enbyy ourefusi
ng
myweddi ngwhi chwasanor derfrom ancestors.
Whoknowswhatwasgoi ngt ohappent o
Nandi phai fDalingcebodi dn’ ttel
lmet ogoand
doar i
tual i
ntoamat ernal home?Wer ethose
twomengoi ngt ofindheraf terthev oi
ceofour
chi l
dhadwokenherup?I ft heydi edwhatwer e
yougoi ngt osayt ome, babanomama?‘ Sor r
y,
wedi dn’tknowt herewasdanger ’‘
You’llget
throughi t
,li
fewi llcarr
yon’ Youwer egoi ngt o
sayt hatr i
ght ?”heshout eduncontrol
lably
becauseoft heangert hathehadwi t
hinhim
andwhenhewasqui ettherewasnor esponse
from hi spar ents.“Nandi phaismywi feandi f
youhav en’tmadepeacewi ththatyoubet terdo
i
tsoonerbecauseIam notgoi ngtoleaveher
becausey ouhav eapr oblem withher.Iam not
goingt ol eav eherbecausey ouseeherasanon
-factorint hisfami ly
.Youdi dn’tevencarei fmy
childrenl i
veordi e,r
ight?”
Dal
isu:“
YOU’REOUTOFLINENOW!YOU’RE
RAISI
NGYOURVOI CEINTHEELDERS’
PRESENCE!YOU’REOUTOFLI
NE!”
Mnot
ho:
“Andheseesnot
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hat
.”
AuntNomkhosi:
“Lethi
m expr
esshi
msel
f
becausecl
ear
lyhe’
sangry.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Notl
i
ket
his!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
We’r
eyourpar
entsandyou’
re
tel
li
ngwedon’
tcar
eaboutyourchi
l
dren?Wher
e
areyout
aki
ngthat
?”
Ngcebo: “
Yes,youdon’ tcareIwil
lrepeatthat,
mama.I fyoucaredy ouwer egoingtoensur e
theirmotherwaspr otect edbutIknow, Ihave
seeny oudon’tcare.Itwasn’ ty
ouwhowas
supposedt obepr otectedandt hatdidn’tmove
younotev enalitt
lebi tthatchi
ldr
enwer e
i
nv olv
ed.”
Dalisu:“Yey,wena,mfana!That’
syourmother
you’retalki
ngtoandy ou’
llspeaktoherwit
h
respectifyoustil
lwanttobepar toft
his
fami l
y.
”
Mlamuli
:“Don’
tevengot here,
bababecause
youwantedameet ingwithNgcebo.Whatdid
youexpectwasgoingt ohappen?Youwere
goi
ngtosayev er
ythingyouwanttosaywithout
thi
nki
ngabouthisfeeli
ngsandheshoul
dnot
speakabouthowfeels?Whatwasthepointof
thi
smeeting?
”
Dal
i
su:“Hemustnotspeakl
i
kehi
swi
thus.
Havey
oueverdonethi
s?”
Mlamuli
:“He’
sangr
yandwedon’
tbecome
angr
ythesame.”
Dali
su:“Ifhethi
nksafterhehasspokenl
iket
his
wit
husashi sparent
swi l
ll
eadhisweddi
ng
nupti
als.Hemustt hi
nkagain!Uyangi
zwa
ngi
thiniwena!”
Ngcebo:“
Ngiy
akuzwa!
”hesai
dandhepushed
hi
schair
,hestoodonhi
sfeet
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ou’
regoi
ng?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hemustl
eav
eifhewant
stol
eav
e!”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“Don’tl
ethi
ml eav
eNdabezitha.I
t
wil
lnotbegoodi fhel
eavesandhiswedding
musthappen,it
’sanorderf
rom theancest
ors.
Yes,hi
swi
fei
soutofdangernowbuti
t’
san
order
.”
Dal
isu:“
He’
ll
suffert
heconsequencesif
somethi
nghappens.Hemustaskhisbrother,
helef
tli
ket
hisandhisl
iv
estockdiedli
kefli
es.
”
Langal i
bal el
e:“Thi
sisdif
fer
ent;t
heki ngwas
refusingy ourcallt
olead.Hewasr efusinghi
s
ri
ghtful placethatwasthethroneandasa
resultyouwer egoingtoputtheothersoninhis
placewhi lehewaschosenbyy ouandt he
ancest orswer eforhimtorul
e.Don’tletPri
nce
Ngcebol eave.”
Dali
su:“He’
sstil
ldi
sobeyi
ngmyor dersandhe
wil
lsuff
erthoseconsequences.Tsk!
”he
cl
ickedhistongue,
“Let
’sgo,MaSthole!
”andhe
l
eftthem…
Langal
i
bal
ele:
“El
der
syoumustspeakt
ohi
m.”
Uncl
eel
der:“
We’v
eneverbeensodisrespect
ed
byachi
l
d.”hecommentedandtheothermen
suppor
ted…Ml
amul
igotupt
ofol
l
owNgcebo…
~~~~~~
“Isai
di fit
’smymot herin-lawdon’ tbri
ngitto
mesi ster-f
riend.”Nandi phasai dtoPal esawho
wasgi vingher ,herringingphone.Nandi pha
wasonhert wof eetcooki ngl i
ghtsupperf or
them, Saturdayni ght.They ’v
ebeenout .The
chil
drenwer ewat chingTVandPal esawaswi th
them becauseThul ahadgonet osl eep…She
l
eftherphonewi thPal esawhowasusi ngitand
shetoldhernott obr ingthephonet oherif
Thembel i
hlecal l
s.Shehadsuspect edshewas
goingt oheri fthemeet i
ngdi dn’tgowel l
…
Palesa:“
It
’snotherbuti
t’
sanunsavednumber
shedidn’
tevencallyouasIwasseatedwi
tht
he
phone.Shedidn’
t.
”
“Oh!
”Shet ookthephonef r
om herandgaveher
thespoon.Nandiphaplacedthephoneonher
earandshest oodbythestooloftheki
tchen
i
sland.“
Hel
l
o?”Nandi
phaanswer
edt
hephone
call
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocall
youand
i
tseemsy ou’
veblockedmynumber
.Whydi
d
youdothat?”
Nandiphaclosedhereyesshortl
y.“Idi
dn’
tbl
ock
yournumber .
”Shetoldhertr
uthf
ull
yasshe
didn’
tbutherhusbandwast heonewhodi d
withoutt
ell
i
nghert hathehasblockedthe
number .
Thembel i
hle:“Iam toooldthatyoucant ryand
foolme.Oh!That ’
swhaty ou’vebeent ell
i
ngmy
sont hathemustber ebel
li
ousagai nstus
becausenow, he’smarri
edt oyou.Ngcebohas
neverbeendi srespectf
ultousbutev ersi nce
you’
v einhisli
fehest art
eddi sr
espectingus.
You’retryi
ngtodest roymysonbyt urninghim
againstus-”
Nandi
pha’
shear
t,mi
ndandbodydi
dn’
twai
tto
regi
stereveryt
hingbutitshutdowncompl etel
y
andshef ellonthefloorfol
lowingherphone
thatfel
lfi
rstaft
erherf i
ngersautomati
call
y
droppedthecall bef
oreitfell
..
.
Palesa’sheadt ur
nedwi thi
nabl i
nkofaney eas
herearshear dthesoundofherf all
ingdown.
“NANDI PHA! ”Shescreamedandwentdownt o
herlevel.Asshewasf eeli
ngherpul se
Nandipha’ sphonerangagai n.Palesatooki
t
andsheanswer edthephoneasherbr ai
ns
recal
ledt henumberwast hatone.Shewant ed
tohearwhowast hatperson.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam tal
ki
ngt
oyouandy
ou’
re
droppi
ngthecall
-”
Palesa:“Cany oupleaseleav eNandi phaalone!
Please!Leaveher !Agha!”sheshout edonceand
droppedt hephonecal lquickly…Sher ushedout
usingthekitchenexittocal lThulawhowas
goingtohelpherputNandi phai nhercar
becauseshedi dn’
twantt owai tforan
ambul
ance…
Pal
esa:“DearGod,
Ifai
l
ed!
”shest
ressedasshe
wasrunning…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE38

Shekeptt appingherri
ghtsneakeredfooton
thefloorasshesati nwait
ing,
waitingfora
nurse,aDoct orwhoeverwhowasgoi ngt o
comeandbr i
efheraboutwhatwasgoi ngon
withherf r
iend.She’
dbeenwai t
ingfortoolong…
Shesi ghedandopenedherbagasNandi pha’s
phonewasr ingi
ng.
“What’
swr ong?Ar
ethechil
drenawake,sti
ll
?”
Pal
esaaskedThulawhowast heonecall
i
ngon
Nandipha’
sphone…Palesawasseatedont he
wait
ingarea.
Thula:
“Yes,they’
recr
ying,al
lsi
xoft
hem and
MaZunguandI ,
arecl
uelessnow.What
’s
happening,
istherepr
ogress?”
Pal
esa:“
Ihav
en’
tseenany
one.Hav
ethey
eat
en?”
Thul
a:“
Theydon’
twantt
oeat
.”
Palesa:“Pl
ease, forcet hem t
oeat .Iknowmy
sonwi l
leati ftheothersar eeati
ng.Youcan
takethem t othegar denf orf
reshairf eedthem
thereandt ellt
hem t hatIam comi ngback.I
don’tknow, conv i
ncet hem becauset heir
mot herwon’ tbecomi ngback.She’ llbe
admi t
ted.”
Thul
a:“
Alr
ight
,Iwi
l
ltr
ymybest
.”
Palesa:“Okay.”Sheremov edthephonef r
om
herearandpl aceditbackinsideherbag.She
placedherhandsonherf aceandal l
owedher
thoughtstorunev enwilder.Shewasn’tpray
ing,
themi nuteshehadt odriveherfr
iendtothe
hospital
shewasangr ywi t
hGod.Nandi phahad
beeni nt
hehospi t
aljustaf ewday sagoandshe
wasbackt hereonceagai n, whatwasGod
saying?Shelit
erall
ycli
ckedhert onguethinki
ng
aboutwhatwassheact uall
ythinkingaboutGod?
Alotofbadt hi
ngshadbeenhappeni ngand
whatwashi ssay ?Shewasscar edandal lthese
thoughtsweren’tmakingt hingsbet t
er.
“Hell
o?”Dal
ingcebo’
ssl
eepyv
oiceanswer
ed
Palesa’
sphonecall.
Palesa:“Iwant–someonetokeep–me
occupied.Canyoudothat
?”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Hey,hey,
sthandwasami.What
’s
wrong?Whyar eyoucr
ying?”hi
svoi
ceasked
soundi
ngmor econcer
ningthansl
eepi
er.
Pal
esa:“Iam i
nthehospit
al wai
tingonthe
newsaboutNandipha.Yourbrotherdi
dn’tt
ell
youthatshe’
sbeenadmi t
ted?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“No,
hedi
dn’
ttel
lme.What
happened?
”
Palesa:“
Sher ecei
vedacal lfr
om yourmother
andnextmi nuteshewasont hefloor
.Ihadto
rushhertothehospi talandIhavetotel
lyou
thatyourmothercalledagainandIanswer ed
thephone,rai
sedmyv oi
ceoutofanger.Itol
d
hertoleaveheralone.Iknowt hatshe’
ll
obviousl
ysayt hatIshoutedather.”
Dali
ngcebohissed.“Mybr ot
her
.Hesai
dhe’
s
comingthatsidewheny oucall
edhi
m?”He
askedtherel
ev antquest
ion.
Pal
esa:“
Yes.Ishoul
dhavebeenmor
ecar
eful
andanswert
hephonefir
st-
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Hey
,don’
tbl
amey
our
sel
f,okay
?”
Pal
esa:
“Yourbr
otheraskedmet
olookaf
ter
her
.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Yes,hedi
dbutyoucouldn’
thave-
”
hewascutof fbyavoi
ce,t
hatheheardcal
li
ng
outPalesabyherl
astname.
Pal
esa:
“Babe,
Ihav
etogonow.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Keepmeont
hephoneIwantt
o
hearthefeedback.
”
Palesa:“Iwi
ll
dot hat
.”Shepromisedand
remov edherphonefrom herear
,sheplacedi
t
onloudspeakerandst oodonherfeet
.“Yes,
mam. ”
Doct
or:
“Icanseethatyou’
rest
il
lal
one,
wher
e’s
MrsZul
u’shusband?”
Pal
esa:“He’
scomi ngbutIdon’tthi
nkhe’
l
lbe
her
eany t
imesoonbecausehewasi nKZN
whenIcall
edhim abouthiswife.How’
sshe,
Doctor
?CanIseeher ?Ijustwanttoknow
how’
ssheandt hebabies.”
Doctor:“
Alr
ight
,Icantelly
ouabouther
condit
ionbutpl
easeensur et
hatherhusband
getstothehospit
ali
nt hemorni
ng.Myshifti
s
endingnowbutIwi l
lbri
efhimindetai
l
sandwe
wil
lmakeadeci si
onaboutwhattodo.”
Palesa:
“Alri
ght,Iwil
ldot hatbut-
”shepl aced
herhandsbef orehermout hwi t
houtfi
nishing
hersentencebecauseshewasi mpati
entand
theDoctorwast ell
i
nghert hingsthatsheknew
shehadt odo.Ofcour se!Sheknewt hatshe
hadt ot
ellNgcebocomet ot hehospit
al!
Ngceboknewt hat
,himsel f
!
Doctor:“Unfortunately
, onetwin’shearthas
stoppedbeat ingwhenshegother emeaning
shehasl ostthebabybutatt hi
sst age–”She
stoppedt al
kingasPal esasatbackont hechai
r
andshecr i
ed…Shef eltthepainasi fshewas
theonewho’ dlostthebabyandshecoul dn’
t
evenimagi newhatt hi
swasgoi ngt odoto
Nandipha.Andherhusband?Whydi d…“ …Iam
sorryforherlossbutIur gethaty oukeepin
mindt hatit
’snotsaf et oment i
ont hattoher
now.Icangi v eyouaf ewmi nuteswi t
hherbut
you’l
lhavet opul l
yourselftogether.Igavehera
l
ightsedat i
vei fwecangot ohernowy oucan
speakt oherbeforeshefall
sasleep.Shereal
l
y
needst orest
.Pullyour
selftoget
herandbe
strongforher.
”Sheaddedt hewor ds,nowshe’d
wentdownt oreachPalesa’
slevelandshewas
brushingherback.
Palesalookedatherphoneandshedr opped
thecall
wi thoutsayinganythingtoDali
ngcebo.
Sheheldi nherbreathe,ti
ghtlytostopthetear
s
andshei nhaleddeeply.Shewi pedhertear
sand
stoodupwi t
hast onedhear tthatwasonly
goingtohel pherfaceNandi phawi t
hout
breaki
ngapar t.
“Her e’
sy ourfr
iend,mam.”TheDoct or
announcedherar ri
valwi
thPalesatoNandipha
whowasl ayi
ngont hehospi
talbedofher
privateroom.Shehadherey esclosedandher
handt appingonherbel l
y.TheDoct orgr
abbeda
glass.
Nandi
phaopenedherey
esandlookedatPal
esa,
shesmil
edfai
ntl
y.“
Haveyoubeencryi
ng
becauseIf
aint
ed?
”Sheaskedgi
vi
ngherhand
overtoher
.
Pal
esa:“
Youscaredme, y
oul i
tt
lecr
azybitch.
”
Shesai
dwithaforcedsmileandshelaughed
whenshesawNandi phal
aughing.
Doctor:“Havethi
s.Iwillcomebackaf t
ertwo
minutes.That’
senough. ”Shegav et
heglassto
Nandiphaandshet ooki twit
h‘thankyou’The
Doctorleftt
hem aftershe’dkepthereyewith
Palesaasar eminderonwhatt odoandwhat
not.Palesanoddedherheadoncef orheras
Nandiphawashav ingwat er.
Nandipha: “
Ithi
nkIscaredmyselftooandt he
doctortoldmet hatIshoul
dn’
tstressmy sel
f
evenfurtherbecausemyBPl evelisnotsogood.
Iam actuallyi
ndanger.Canyoubel i
evethat?
Theytoldy ou,r
ight
?”
Palesa:“
Yes,
youknowt hati
samustt
hatyou
don’tst
ressy
oursel
f!Don’
tbedr
owsysoearl
y.
”
Sheencouragedholdi
ngNandipha’shand
ti
ght
lyasshesawherey esbecomi ngdrowsy
andshejustwantedtomakeherl aughal i
tt
leor
smil
eevent houghshedi
dn’
thav ethestrength
todothatandNandiphawastheonewhowas
goodatthat.
Nandipha:“
IfIsl
eepIwon’
tstr
ess.Youknow
ther
e’snopainandstr
essindeat
handsleepis
equatedtodeathinaway.
”
Palesa:
“No,
sil
l
y!Sl
eepi
ngi
sequat
edt
o
resti
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:
“MyRast
aman?
”
Palesa:“Ical
l
edhim andy
ouknowt hathe’l
lbe
herebeforeyouevenknowit
.Canyoubel i
eve
thatmanofy our
sshoutedatme?”sheraised
hervoice.
Nandiphal
aughed.“
Whydi
dheshout
?”She
asked.
Pal
esa:
“Iwast
ryi
ngt
otel
lhi
mthaty
ouf
aint
ed
andheroar
ed‘WHERE’SSHE?’Lord!Idi
dn’
t
knowhecouldshoutt
hatmuch.”
Nandiphalaughedfurt
herandPalesalaughed
wit
hher .“
Iam sorry
,babes,andyes,hecan
shoutagreatdeal.Hedidn’
thurtyourear
,
ri
ght?”
Palesalaughed.“Ithi
nkthathedidandhemust
pay!”shesaidtouchingherearandthey
l
aughedwi thherf r
iend.“
Buthe’
llcome.
”She
addedpol i
tel
y.
Nandi
pha:“Tel
l…himto…comesee…us- ”she
sai
dlayi
ngherachingcheekst
orest
,theywere
achi
ngfrom t
helaught
erandshewasf eel
ing
sl
eepy…
Palesa:“
Idon’thavetotel
lthatmanany thing
Nandiphabecausey ouknowt hathe’l
lcome
herestr
aightandIam prett
ysur ehewon’ teven
passbyt hehouse…”shetoldherwhatwas
knownt obeobv i
ousandshedi dn’theara
responsef rom Nandiphabecauseshewas
deadsl eeping.“She’
ssleepi
ng.”Shewhi spered
totheDoct orwho’dshownherheadt hrough
thedoor .Shemov edawayfrom Nandi phaand
shef ol
lowedt heDoctorout
…Shel eftther oom
aftershe’di nf
ormedthenursesthattheyhadt o
wat chov erNandiphaaroundthemi ddleoft he
nightorar ound3am becauseshest il
l hadt he
nightmar es.
Shest ampedherf oreheadont hesteeri
ngof
thecarandsher emember edwhocoul dbe
Nandi pha’
sst r
engthnowbecauseshedi dn’
t
trusther self
.Sheopenedherbagandshecame
backwi thhercellphone.Sheboughtmor e
airt
imet hroughthebank.Shel ookedatthe
ti
meandcheckedont hewor l
dclock,whatti
me
wasi tinLondon.Shewassl eepingnow!The
differencewasonl yaf ewhour s.Shehadtocall
her.Shemadeani nternat
ionalcall
…Shet ri
ed
thet hirdti
measFai t
hwasn’ tansweri
ngher
cal
l
…
“
Pal
esa?
”Fai
th’
ssl
eepyv
oiceanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
Pal
esa:
“Mama,
I-”
Fait
h:“What’
swrong?Yousoundt
roubl
ed?I
s
everyt
hingal
ri
ght
?”
Pal
esa:
“Pl
ease,
comeback.
”
Fai
th:
“Why?Di
dsomet
hinghappent
o
Nandi
pha?
”
Pal
esa:
“Yes.She’
l
lneedy
ou.
”
Fai
th:
“Whathappened?
”
Pal
esa:
“Mama, It
hinkt
hati
t’
sbet
tert
hatIt
ell
youi
nperson.
”
Fait
h:“Pal
esa!Iam notachi
l
dandNandiphais
mydaughter,j
usttel
lmewhathappenedtoher.
Please!
”
Palesa:“Shef
aintedandIrushedhert
othe
hospital
.Ihav
ej ustbeent
oldbytheDoct
orthat
shel
ostonet
win.
”
“Oh!Jesu!
”Thosewer eFai
th’
swor dsthat
Palesahear
df r
om theli
neandt heywere
fol
lowedbymut esignal
l
ingthatshe’
ddr opped
thecall
.Pal
esaplacedherphonebackont he
bagandshel ai
dherhandsont hesteeri
ng…
Shel ookedatt hebabieswhower esleeping
peacef ull
yont hesixcots.Phemel o’scothad
beenaddedbecauset heydi dn’tknowhowl ong
theywer egoingt ospendt oget herandt hem,
sleepingont hespongesf ormor eday swas
goi ngtor esultinconfl
ictsofwhost eppedon
whoandwhosl eptbad…Pal esaf i
xedSi milo’
s
blanket sasshewasn’ tfullycov eredandshe
fi
x edhersonl ast.Shethenl ef tt hechildrenfor
bed, theywer esl eepi
ngint heguest r
oom wi t
h
Nandi pha.Shet hrewherbodyont hebedt hat
sheoccupi ed.Shecl osedherheav yeyes
withoutt akingof fhersneaker sandshef el
t
asleep….
~~~~~~~~
“Theycoul dn’tkeephi mint hehospi t
al because
theysaidhej ustneedst orestandt heydi dn’t
giveuswhatmi ghthav ecausedt hisstrokebut
theyex pl
ainedwhatwasn’ tfoundinhisr esult
s.
Thatonl ymeansweneedt oconsult.
”Dal i
su
conv i
ncedThembel ihleonaSundaymor ning.
Theywer einsidetheirbedr oom dressingupf or
theday …Theyhadt odrivebackwi t
hBanel e
from thehospi talbecauset heDoct orsdidn’t
admi thim.Thembel ihl
etoldCandi cethatshe
didn’tneedt obeal onewi thBanelei ntheir
house.Shesuggest edthatBanel eandher
mov einwi ththem unt ilt
heyf i
ndwhatwas
wr ongwi t
hhi m.
Thembel
i
hle:
“May
bewej
ustneedaspeci
ali
st.
”
Dali
su:“Wewi llf
indthatspeci
ali
stif
Langal
ibal
elet el
l
susnot hingi
swr ongwithhi
m.
Andwewi llneedt ogonow, MaSthole.Goand
tel
lhi
swi f
et hatwe’r
edr i
vingdownt o
Langal
i
bal
elewi
thhi
m.”
Thembel ihle:“Yebo, Ndabezi t
ha.
”Shesai dand
shemov edoutoft heirbedr oom aft
ershe’ d
fi
ni sheddressingup…Shef oundCandi ce
play i
ngwithherf oodinsteadofeat i
ngherf ood.
Shecoul dseet hatshewassmi l
esaway .
Banel ewasi nsidet hebedroom t hatbelonged
tohi m beforehewasmar ried.Hismot herhad
madesoupf orhim andshegav eittoCandi ce
tof eedhim.“ Candi ce?”Thembel i
hlecalledher
nameoutpol i
telyandpl acedherhandonher
shoul der
.Shewasl ookingdownatherwi tha
relaxedface.
Candi
ce:
“Mama?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Wearegoingt odri
vedowntot
he
roy
alheal
erwithBaneleandy ou’
l
lhavet
ocome
wit
hus.Pleaseeatyourfood.
”
Candice:
“Doyout
hinkhe’l
lhel
pus?Whatift
he
Doctorsmadeamistake?Maybethel
abtest
s
di
dn’tshowther
esul
tsaccur
atel
y.Idon’
t
underst
and.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Mychild,wehav etotry
everythi
ngthatwecanandi fhedoesn’thelpus.
Wewi lldefi
nit
elylookf oraspecial
i
stort ake
himt oahospi t
alinDur ban.Butdon’tst
ress
yourselfbecausehe’llbealri
ght.
”Shesaidwhat
sheknewshe, couldn’
tdo.She’dbeenwor ri
ed
sincethepr ev
iousnightandshe’ sbeenpr ayi
ng
forhersont ogetbet t
er .
Candi
ce:
“Wewi
l
lgodownwi
thhi
m,wi
l
lwe?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes,itwil
lbeeasi
erbecauset
hey
gaveusawheelchair
.”
Candi
ce:“Alr
ight.
”Shesaidandgotupfrom the
chai
rwit
hherpl ateoff
oodonherhandbut
Thembel
ihleheldhershouldert
ostopher.She
l
ookedather.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youcan’
tjustbegi
ny ourdaywit
h
anemptystomach.Youneedt oeatCandice,
ev
enyoursi
ckhusbandhadhi
ssoupand
br
ead.
”
Candi
ce:
“Ij
ust
-”
Thembeli
hle:“
Sitwonandeat.
”Shei
nsisted
andCandicesatdownbecauseshedi
dn’twant
tokeepturni
ngherdown…Thembeli
hlelefther
eat
ing…
“Candy,you’
rehere!Shouldn’
tyoubeinyour
house?”MntwanaaskedCandi cewhowas
standi
ngbeforethesinkwashi ngherpl
ate.
Mnt wanahadjustenteredthehousethr
ough
thekit
chenentrance.
“CANDICELET’SGO!”Thembeli
hle’
svoi
ce
comingfrom t
hehal
lwayreachedMntwanaand
Candicewhoweretheonlyonesinsi
dethe
kit
chen.
Candice:“
Weweresupposedt obutyour
brotherwashi
tbystr
okelastnight
.Ihav
et o
go.”Shesaidl
eavi
ngever
y t
hingonthesinkand
l
eavingMntwana’
sjawdr
oppedashewasn’
t
expect
ingsuchnews…
Langali
balel
etouchedBanel e’
shandandhe
fl
ippedhisfi
ngersbefor ehisey es,t
heeyes
mov ed.
..Thefourofthem wer einsi
de
Langali
balel
e’
shutwi thBanel eseatedonhis
wheelchair
…Langal i
balelesighedandshookhis
head,hedidn’
tneedt ocr ackhisheadabout
thisorevenconsultabouti tbecausehecould
clear
lyseewhatwashappeni ngbutitwas
procedure!
Langali
balel
e:“Sincelastnighthe’sbeenlike
thi
s?”heaskedl ookingatCandi ce,aski
ngi na
l
anguaget hatCandicecoul dunderstandashe
satbackonhi spositionthatwasbef orethe
fourofthem.
Candi
ce:
“Yes.
”
Langali
bal
elet
ookthebagofhi
sbonesandhe
request
edtheusual
,‘
blowi
nsi
dethebag’He
begandoi
ngwhatwasneededf
orhi
mtodo…
“Hheyi!Hheyi
!Hheyi!
”Hegr oanedlouderashe
readthebones…Candi celookedatThembel i
hle
asshef el
talitt
lef
reakedoutandov erwhelmed
byjustbeinginsi
dethishutthathadthingsshe
didn’
teventhinkshecouldknow.Thembel ihl
e
heldCandice’
shandasshesawherl ooki
ngat
herwithfear…
Dal
i
su:
“Whatar
eyouseei
ng,
mkhul
u?”
Langal
ibal
ele:“Deepdowni nyourhear
t
Ndabezit
hay ouknowwhat ’shappeni
ng.”He
l
ookedathim wi t
hashar peyeandDalisudidn’
t
breakthecontact.Langal
i
balel
ewaitedforhim
tospeak…
Dal
i
su:
“Iwoul
dn’
tbeher
eifIknow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ify
ouseesomet
hing,
please,
tel
l
us.
”
“
UntilPr
inceNgcebowedshi
swifeasyour
f
atherhadrequest
edandasyourmotherhad
appearedtome, Pr
inceBanele’
scondit
ionwil
l
remainthesame.”Langali
balel
eannounced
whathet houghtwouldbeclearasdayl
ightt
o
them butitseemeditwasn’
tevenclosetothe
dayl
ighttheywereinthedark…
Thembelihl
e:“
Butwasn’
ttheweddi
ng
request
edbecauset
here-
”
Langal
ibalel
e:“Noquest i
onsshouldbeasked
mam’ ndlunkul
u.Youwer egi
venachancet o
askquestionsregardi
ngt hi
srequestandfol
low
i
tbutyoudi dn’
tdothat.Thisisnotagame,
Ndabezit
ha, y
ouknowt hisisnotagamebut
you’
veturnedabl i
ndey e.You’
vedefiedyour
fat
her!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wedi
dn’
tthi
nk-
”
Langali
balel
e:“Thi
sisn’tati
metorai
seexcuses.
Nkosana’Baneleisinthatcondi
ti
onbecauseof
theexcusesyoumadeandexcusesy ouknew
youweren’tevensupposedt omakeinthefi
rst
buty
ouwer
esupposedt
ojumpont
his.
”
Dali
su:“
Wewi l
lensuret
hatt
hewedding
happensassoonaspossibl
e.”Hei
nfor
medhi
m
curt
lywit
haboldvoice.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Butfornow,isn’
tther
esomet
hing
thaty
oucangivet
ohim? ”
Langali
bal
ele:“
No, he’
llr
emai nt
hesameunt i
l
hisbrot
hergetsmar ri
ed.
”Hemadei tclearand
shookhisheadalongwi thhisshoul
dersseeing
thedarkhourthathadbef al
lenNgcebo.“Ineed
tobealone.”Heannouncedandgr oanedl oudl
y
hisbodyautomaticall
ycav i
ngdeepintothe
spir
itworl
d…
CandicepushedBanel
e’
swheelchai
rwhileshe
l
istenedtoThembel
ihl
etr
anslat
ewhat
Langali
balel
ewassayi
ngtothem af
terhe’d
readhisbones.
Candi
ce:“Thi
smean,he’
l
lremainl
iket
hisfor
months.Nandi
phai
spregnantandshecan’t
per
for
m al
ltheweddi
ngpr
ocedur
es.
”
Dali
su:
“Shewasgoi ngt
ohav
eaweddi
ngafter
youaspregnantasshei
snowandt
hatmeans
shecangetmar r
ied.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Ngcebowoul ddoany thi
ngto
ensurehisbrotherisfineandiftheymustcome
backandhav et hiswedding,hewilldothat.
Don’tworryyourselftoomuchbecausemyson
won’tall
owhi sy oungerbrot
hertosuf f
erwhile
heknowswhathecandot ogivebackhi s
physical
abil
ity.
”
Dali
su:“
Wewi llspeaktohi
m andyoutwowill
havetoremainwi t
hussothatyoucanlook
aft
eryourhusbandwi t
hyourmotheri
n-l
aw’
s
hel
p.”
Thembel
i
hle:
Yes,
you’
l
lhav
etost
aywi
thus.
”
Candi
ce:
“Al
ri
ght
,thanky
ou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’
tsayt
hat
.”Shesai
dlooki
ng
atherandCandi
cenoddedoncewit
hashort
smi
l
eonherf
ace…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE40

“Ngcebo!Ngcebo!Opent hedoor .”Fait

hbanged
thedoorofNgcebo’ sbedr oom.She’ djust
l
andedbacki nSouthAf ricaaf ewhour sago,
shewaswi thRandal lwhodi dn’twanttostay
behi ndforawhi l
ebecausei thadn’ tbeenlong
sincet heyburiedhisgr andmot her.Hisfami l
y
under stoodthatheneededt ogobecauseofhi s
sisterandt heydidn’
tseet hereasonf orhimt o
staybehi ndbecausehewasn’ tgoi ngtoenjoy
holidayswhi l
ewor ri
edabouthi ssi st
er…Faith
hadcal ledPalesafirstbef oreshet houghtof
drivi
ngt othehospi t
al andPal esat ol
dhert hat
Ngcebowashomeandhehadt oseet he
Doct or.
Randal
l
:“Butmum,weshoul
dbewi
thLaur
en
maybeTeewantst
obealone.
”
Fait
h:“It
oldyou,heneedstoseeyoursist
er’
s
doctorandmakeadeci si
onaboutwhatwill
happen.Ican’
tseeyoursist
erwhi
leIdon’t
knowwhatwi ll
happen.Ngcebocan’
tlock
himselfi
nherenow.”
Randal
l
:“He’sal
sohumanandhef
eel
spai
nthe
samewayy ouwomen,do.
”
Fait
h: “Iwil
lgi
veat ightbackslap.”Sher aised
herhandatRandal l andhet ookaf ewqui ck
stepsbackt ohideawayf r
om thesl apthathis
mot herwaspr omisinghim now.“Di dIsay
anythingabouthispai nbeingdiff
erenttoour s?
Huh?Di dIsayanything?”sheaskedser iously.
Randal
l
:“No,
butmum,
you’
reangr
ynow.
”
Fai
th:
“WENEEDTOKNOW WHATTODO!
DAMMI T!DON’
TYOUGETI
T?”
Randal
l
:“Mum-
”
Faith:“Run, Randall
, r
unawayf rom myf ace.”
Sheshout edathi m bendi ngdownt otakeof f
thelightbr ownheel t
hatshehadonwi t
h, peach
highwai stpant sandawhi t
elongsl eeveshi rt
…
Randal ldidn’ tevensayanot herwor dbuther an
awayf rom hi smot hert oavoidhav ingtheheel
onhi sbody …Faithclickedhert ongueandshe
threwt heheel t
hatshe’ dtakenof fherfoot
downt ot hef loorandshewor eit.Asshewas
aboutt oknockont hedooragai n, Ngcebo
openedt hedoorf orher .Fait
hsi ghed.
Ngcebo:
“Pal
esa,
cal
l
edy
ou.
”
Fait
h:“Yes,
youwer en’
tgoi
ngtocal lme.It
hink
weknowaboutt hat.Lookatyou!”She
excl
aimedthrowi ngherwhit
ehandbagont he
fl
oorandsheopenedherar msf orNgcebo.
Ngceboneglectedhi str
oubl
edsel f
,insi
de
Fait
h’sarms.
Ngcebo:
“Iam sosor
ry.
”
Faith:“Hey !Whatar ey ousorryfor?You’ velost
yourbabyandashar dasi ti
s, wehav etogo
andseet heDoct or.Iknowhowpai nfulitisto
l
oseachi l
d,Ihadtopasst hrought wo
mi scarr
iagest ohav eRandall andhi sfather
evensuggest edthatIgobackhomet o
Nandi pha.Heunder stoodmycul t
ur eandhow
thingswor kedandhet houghtmay beIwas
l
osi ngbabi esbecauseIhav eleftNandi pha
backhomebuti twasn’ tthat
.I t
’sj
ustwasn’ tour
ti
met ohol dababyi ntoourar msandt hink
aboutt his,you’
llholdthisbabyev ent houghi t
woul dbef orthef i
rstandt helasttimebuty ou’l
l
holdhi m andhe’lll
eav ebuthewon’ tl
eav eyou
alone.He’ l
l l
eaveyouwi t
hhisbr other.”
Ngcebo:
“Inev
erwant
edt
oloseanyoft
hem.
”
Fai
th: “
Iknow!Nopar entwho’
dacceptedand
rej
oicedaboutthepregnancy,
everwishesto
l
oset hatbaby,whet
heradadormot her.But
now, don’
tbreakdownNgcebo, r
emembermy
babydoesn’tknowaboutt hisandIhav ebeen
tel
li
ngRandal lthatal
lweneedt odoisputona
bravestfaceforherunti
ltheti
mei srightforus
tothroughthisgr i
efwi
thher.I
fyoubr eakdown
nowanddon’ tevengoseeher,whatr easonwi l
l
yougivet oher?”sheaskedbackingawayf r
om
him andhel ookedathim ashewi pedhistears.
Heexhal ed.
Ngcebo:“Idon’
thaveone.ButItr
iedallmybest
toprot
ectthem Ievenbl
ockedmymot her
’s
numberbutshemanagedt ocallherandshe
sentmywi fest
rai
ghttothedeep-”
Fai
th:“Yourmot her?”shecheckedbecauseshe
di
dn’tknowt hereasonNandi phal
andedinthe
hospit
al.Shedidn’tgetti
met oaskPalesa.
Ngcebonodded.“Didyouknow, shehada
probl
em wi
thNandiphaandsheev en-”hedi dn’
t
fi
nishhi
ssentencebuthelookedasi de.He’d
neveri
maginedthathewouldonedayf eel
so
muchpainbecauseofhismot her.Hel ookedat
Faithwhowasn’tspeaki
ngbutshehadhereyes
closed.“I
sthatt
hereasonyouwanted
NandiphaandItogetourmarriageannul
l
ed,
thesamedaywegotmar ri
ed?”Heaskedashe
wast ryi
ngtomakesenseofthings.
Fai
th:
“Weneedt
ogot
othehospi
tal
.
”
Ngcebo:“
Mama,
please,
answerme.Di
dyou
know?”
Fait
h: “
Yes,IknewandIdon’ twantt otalkabout
thi
s, becauseitwasNandi pha’sdeci sionnotto
tel
ly ou.Idon’twanttospeakabouty our
mot her .
”Sherepli
edandpr essedhert eeth
together .Nandi
phawasherpr iori
tynowand
thi
swomanwasgoi ngtobet hel astpersonshe
neededt otal
kto.She’
dkeptqui etandi gnored
herint hepastbecauseshedi dn’twantt okeep
wast ingherbreathonherbutnow, shecouldn’t
keepqui et
.She’
dgonet oof arandt hathusband
ofher sneededt ohearwhatshehadt osay!
Ngcebo:
“Iam notr
eadyt
ofaceher
-”
Faith:“
Wear egoingt othehospital,
Ngcebo.
Youcan’ tstayherewhi leyoudon’tknowwhat ’
s
happeningwi thyourwi feandt hechildr
en
i
nsideher .Iam nott heonet osayhowmenand
womenshoul dreactt opainandwhi ch
reacti
onsar enotf ormen.Butnow, asa
husband, i
t’
snoty ourdut ytosithereanddrown
i
npai nwhi l
ey oudon’ tknowwhat ’shappeni
ng.
Youst i
llhaveresponsi bi
li
ti
estowar dsyour
chil
drenandwi f
e.Let ’
sgo, now!”shesaid
clearl
y.
Ngcebo:“Iwil
lbebehi
ndy ou.
”hesaidasher
wordshadpenetrat
edthroughhi
smi nd,
hewas
feel
i
ngpai nandmostl
yhewasangr ybuthe
coul
dn’tl
ettheseemoti
onscontrol
him
enti
rel
y…
====
“
MAMA!
”Thegi
rl
scal
l
edoutt
hei
rsl
eepi
ng
motherinuni
son.Theyhaveeager l
ywait
edfor
thi
smomentt ocomeseeher ,
wher et
heywere
goi
ngtospeaktoher .They’
veplannedonthe
thi
ngstheyweregoingtotel
lher.
Palesa:“
Hey,
slowdown,gi
rl
s.Yourmotheri
s
sleepi
ngandwemustwakeherv er
ynicel
y
becauseshe’
srest
ing,
okay
?”Shelookedat
them.
“YEBO!”Theychant edandstoodbackwi t
ht hei
r
handsbeforetheirbell
i
esandt heother
s,their
handsstrai
ghtenedont hesides.Phemelowas
standi
ngnexttohi smot herhol
dingabagof
food.Pal
esashookNandi phaawake.
Palesa:“Wearehereandyourrat
sare
i
mpat ient.
”Shei
nformedNandiphawi
thasmile
onherf aceasshewasrubbingherey
es.She
yawned.
“
MAMA! ”Theyscr
eamedandgi
ggl
edasshe
wassi
tt
ingup.
Nandi
pha:
“Sani
bona,
sawubona,
Mel
o.”
Chi
l
dren:
“YEBO!
”
Similo:“Mama,yehlaphelanjengakucal
a,
si
y acela.
”(Pl
ease,getoffthebedlikeyoudid
before.Webegy ou.)sheaskedwi thherhead
l
ooki ngupattheirmotherast heywereshort
standingonthatfloor
.
Nandipha:“
Mimi,
yourfatherisnother
etohelp
me.Wher e’
she,
anyway ?
”shel ookedatPal
esa
becauseshewaslooki
ngf orwardtoseei
nghim.
Pal
esa:
“He’
l
lcome.
”
Nandipha:“Hedoesn’
twanttocomeandsee
me, Pal
esa?Thenursetoldmeinthemor ni
ng
thathecameher ewhenIwassleeping…Did
youseey ourfat
hergi
rl
s?Isyourf
atherhome?”
shelookedatherchil
dren.
Gi
rl
s:“
YEBO!
”
Buhl
e:“
Ubaba,
yenasi
mbi
ngel
eli
l
ekodwa
wangav
uma.”(Wegreet
eddadbuthedidn’
t
gr
eetusback)shet
oldhermot
hersadl
y.
Si
milo:
“Ehe,
mama, usi
dlul
i
let
hinawangasho
l
uthosi
mbingel
ela.
”
Thando:“Shishi
,nayewamkhulumi
sakodwa
wathula.
”(Thula,al
sospoket
ohim buthekept
qui
et.)shetesti
fi
edaftert
het
wosisters.
Nandi
phalookedatPal
esa.“
What’
sgoingon
Li
sa?Please,
don’tl
i
etome.Whyisn’
thehere?
Whyisheignori
ngthechi
l
dren?
”Sheasked.
Pal
esa:“
Ithi
nkt
hathe’
sst
il
langr
ywi
thhi
s
mother
.”
Nandi pha:“Iam nothismother.Thisisnothis
mot herbutme, hi
swi f
e.Whyisn’thehere?
Please, gi
vemey ourphone.
”sher equested
gi
v i
ngoutherhandbecauseshecoul dn’
t
understandwhyNgcebowoul dchoosenott o
comeseeher .Hisangerwasimpor tantt
han
her!Shecl i
ckedhert ongueandgav ePalesaher
phonebackbecauseNgcebo’
sphonewason
voi
cemail
.
Palesa:“Youdon’thav
etobeangr
yli
ket
his.
Didn’ty
oul i
sten?
”
Nandi
pha:“Di
dn’theheardthatIshouldn’
tbe
angr
yandheknowst hi
swoulddef i
nit
elymake
meangry.Tsk!I
t’
sfine,
though.It
’sfi
ne!”
Palesa:“Calm down,
wegotchi l
dr enher
eand
theywer elooki
ngfor
wardt oseeingyoubut
now, you’
reangryatthei
rfather
.”
Nandiphadi dn’
tsayany t
hingbutshelookedat
herchildrenwhower elookingatherwith
rel
axedf aces.Shesi ghed.“Ify
ougethomet el
l
yourfatherthathe’supset ti
ngmeandt he
babies.Tellhi
mt hatwe’ reupset,okay
?”she
i
nstructedherchildrenser i
ouslyandthey
nodded.
Si
mil
o:“Somtshel
akakhul
umama.
”(Wewi
l
ltel
l
hi
mloudly.
)
Ntokomal o:“Shomemezashonke,no,Melo
fut
hi,anit
hi?”(Wewi l
lal
lscr
eam andMelo
i
ncluded,right?)shel
ookedathersi
sterand
Phemel o.
Chi
l
dren:
“EHE!
”
Nandiphaopenedthepl ast
icbagthatPal
esa
hadbroughtforher.“Howcanhebeangr ywith
hismotherandforgetaboutme? ”Sheasked
andlookedatherfriendwhil
eshewasgi vi
ng
thepacketofchi
pst othechil
dren.Sheneeded
toaskthisquest
iononceagai nbecauseshe
didn’
tunderst
andNgcebo’ sacti
ons.
Pal
esa:“
Ihappenedt
otel
lhi
m ev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
hasbeenhappeni
ng.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Palesa:“Itol
dhim ever
ythi
ngabouthismother,
Itol
dhi m she’
sthereasony ou’
rei
nthis
hospitalbedandIevent ol
dhim aboutt
heslap.
”
Nandi
pha:
“WHAT!
”
Pal
esa:“
Yes,
Ihadt
otel
lhi
m ev
ery
thi
ngsot
hat
hecanknow.
”
Nandipha: “Andwhatwi l
lhappeni fheknows,
Palesa?He’ l
lfightwithhismot hernowandt hey
willbeonmycaseabouthowIwantNgcebo
andhi smot hertof i
ght.Idon’tneedanyst ress
fr
om t hosepeopl e.She’l
lcomeher ewit
ht he
olderwomenoft hefami l
yandt heywillshout
aboutt hi
swi thoutev enaskinghowam I ?
Wi t
houtev enaski ngaboutmybabi esbecause
noneoft hem r eall
ycareaboutme.They
showedmet hatwhenNgcebowas
unconscious.Idon’ twantt oloseanyofmy
babiesbecauseoft hosepeopl eespeci all
ynot
becauseofNgcebo’ smot her.Shedi dn’
tev en
askhowam Idoi ngwhenshecal ledme, Palesa
butshej ust-”
Palesa:
“Hey!Pl
ease,
calm downbecauseyou’
re
tooangrynowandIunderstandwhyyou’
re
angrybutthi
shadtostop!Ngcebohadtoknow
everyt
hi ngabouthi
smot herbecauseIdi dn’
t
wantt historeachthest
agewher eshewas
goingt ocomebet weenthetwoofy ou.We
don’tunderstandwhat’
sherpr oblem andher
sonshoul dknowshehasapr oblem. ”
Nandi
phadidn’
tcommentf urt
herbutshe
l
ookedatherbabies.“Di
dyoumissyourmother
l
astni
ght?Imissedy ou.
”Shetol
dthem t
ryi
ng
t
okeepcalm.
Gi
rl
s:“
Ehe!
”
Phemelo:“
Thandowantedtosl
eeponyourbed,
auntandshecri
edevenaft
erwe’v
ekeptqui
et
becausemamasaidshe’scomi
ngback.”
Nandipha:“
Hawu, whatdidyoudo,Phemel
o?”
shesmi l
edplacingherhandonThando’
shead
whil
eshewasl ooki
ngatPhemelo.
Phemel
o:“It
oldhertoKEEPQUI
ETNOW!
”He
repl
i
edandtheylaughed.
Nandi
pha:
“Youdi
dagoodt
hingandwhatdi
d
mygir
lsbr
ingf
ormamaandt
hei
rli
tt
lebr
other
s?
Whatdi
dyoubri
ng?
”
Buhle:“
Mama, si
kuphat
hel
eukudl
a.”(
We
broughtfood)
Nongcebo:“I
mi nafut
henit
heashi
thenge
amashiphshishit
hengel
eobhut
i.
”(Iam t
heone
whosaidweshoul dbuychipsf
orourbrot
her
s)
Nandipha:“
Ah!Reall
y?Letmeopenthem and
wewi l
leatt
hem together
.”shet
ookthepacket
ofchipsandsheopenedi t
.Shel
ookedather
fr
iend.
Nandi
pha:“
Where’
syourmi
nd?Iam nol
onger
angr
ywithyou.
”
Palesal
ookedatherqui
ckl
y.“Iknowy ou
wouldn’
tbeangrywit
hmef ortoolong.ButIam
j
ustquietl
i
steni
ngtothechil
drenspeak.”She
repl
ied.
Nandi
phanoddedbutshewasn’tconvi
nced
wit
hthatr
esponsebecauseherfaci
al
expr
essiondidn’tsuppor
tit
…Shet henshared
thepacketofchipswiththechi
ldr
enwhile
havi
ngaconv ersati
onwiththem…
~~~~~~~
“Mama?”Nkosazanacal
l
edoutThembeli
hle,
shewasthefi
rstper
sontotal
kaftert
hel
ong
sti
l
lsi
l
encewithThembeli
hlecr
ying.
Happiness: “
Idon’
tthi
nkshecant al
kri
ght
now.”sher epli
edl
ookingatNkosazanawho
wasseat ednexttoher…Daniel
lestoodupand
sheleftt
hem, f
eel
i
ngaheav yheartasthi
swas
openingupol dwoundsforher.
“Iwil
lgocheckonher .
”Mnot hostoodupand
hewal keduptothedoor,helookedaroundfor
Daniel
leandhef oundherleani
ngbythewall of
themai nhouse.“Hey
,whyar eyoucryi
ng?”He
askedpulli
ngherbyherhand.
Dani
ell
e:“
Irememberasifi
twasy est
erday
whenwelostourbabyandIcan’
tevenimagine
whatNandi phami ghtbefeeli
ngrightnow.”she
cri
edinsideMnot ho’sarms.Hewashol di
ngher
ti
ghtl
y.“Andhowt ryi
ngtomov ei
sdiff
icul
t,we
almostbrokeupandhowdi f
ficul
twoulditbe
fort
hem knowi ngt hatNgcebo’smotherhada
handin-”
Mnotho:
“Don’
tdothi
stoyoursel
fandit
sGod
whohasthepoweroverahumanbeing’
slif
e.
Ngceboandhi
swifewil
lgett
hroughthi
s.”
Daniel
l
e:“How?”shelookedathi
m withtear
s
fl
owingdownhercheeksandMnot howipedthe
tear
swithhishands.Shelai
dbackinsi
dehis
arms.
Mnot
ho:
“Idon’
tknowbutt
heywi
l
l.
”
“Isev
erythingal
ri
ght
?”Happi nessasked
appeari
ngont hei
rsi
ght.She’ dlef
tthehouset o
checkont hem.Thembelihlehadgot t
enupf rom
thechai
randshel ef
tthem f orherbedroom.
“She’
shav i
nga-”shedidn’tfi
nishhersentence
asMnothonoddedhisheadt
oconf
ir
m what
shewasgoingtoask.
Happiness:
“Iwi
ll
gobackinsi
de.”Shesaid
l
ookingatMnothoasDani
ell
ewast alki
ngbut
shewascr yi
ngi
nsidet
hei
rhusband’sarms.
Mnotho: “
Wewi l
lcomewhenshe’ scalm.”He
assuredandHappi nesst
urnedtol eavet
hem…
“Whatisitthatwill
makeyouf eelbett
er?Do
youthinkcall
ingherandspeakingwi t
hherwil
l
makey oufeel bet
ter?
”heasked.
Daniel
l
e:“
Idon’
tthi
nkspeaki
ngont
hephone
wil
lbegood.
”
Mnotho:
“Iam prett
ysuresomeoft hefamily
memberswillgotoJohannesburg.Whydon’t
yougowiththem andmaybey ou’
llf
eelbett
erif
youcantal
ktoherandsharey ourexper
ience?”
Daniel
l
e:“Okay
, Iwil
lgowhent
hefamil
yis
goingovert
here.”sheagr
eedt
oitandshe
backedawayfrom him.Shewi
pedhertear
s.
“
Let’
sgobackandthanky
ou.
”Shesai
dtohi
m
wi
thashor
tsmile.
Mnot
ho:
“Thanksf
orwhat
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Forbei
ngher
e.”
Mnotho:“Iwi
ll
slapyourl
ongnoseforbei
ngtoo
for
ward.Thankyouforwhat
!”Hesaidpul
li
ng
herandDaniel
legi
ggled…
“Hasanythi
ngbeendeci
ded?
”Daniel
l
easked
l
ookingatNkosazanawhowastheonlyone
seat
edont hel
oungewit
hHappi
nessand
Candice.
Nkosazana:“No,not
hinghasbeendeci
dedthey
j
ustlef
twithoutsayi
nganythi
ng.ButIt
hinkt
hat
weshouldcomebacki nt
heafter
noon.
”
Happiness:“
Yes, t
hat’
sbet
terbecausenow
doesn’tseem good.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Alri
ghtbutdoyout
hinkwe’
ll
haveto
gotoJohannesbur
gortheywi
llcomebackher
e.
Ithi
nkther
ewoul dbeaburial
shewasseven
monthsifIam notmist
aken,ri
ght
?”shel
ooked
atNkosazana.
Nkosazana:
“Yes,wewi
llsurel
yhavetogot
o
t
hem andeveryt
hingwi
l
lbedeci dedt
her
eif
t
hey’r
ecomingbackornot.”
Mnotho:
“Theywil
lhavetocomeback.They
can’
tbur
yachil
dinaforeigncit
ybutt
hechi
ld
mustbewithhi
sancestor
s.It
’showthi
ngsare
done.
”
Happi
ness:
“Andi
t’
soutofquest
ionf
orusnot
t
ogo.”
Nkosazana:“You’
rer
ight
.Let
’sgofornowand
wewillcomeback.”shesai
dandlookedat
Candi
ce,shenoddedherheadonce.Theygot
upandleft…
“You’
vebeenquietsi
ncewelear
ntt
hatNgcebo
haslosthi
sson.You’
renotsayi
ngathi
ngto
me.”Thembeli
hlesai
dtoDali
suwhowas
seatedonhischai rinsi
det hedini
ngr oom he
washav i
nghi scof f
eealongwi thbreakfastona
Mondaymor ni
ng…Noneoft hem hadsai dmuch
toeachothersi ncetheylearntthatNgcebohad
l
osthischil
dbuti ntheafternoontheydecided
theywereleaving…
Dali
su:“
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?Thank
you?”
Thembel
ihle:“
Idi
dn’
tknowt
hiswoul
dhappen,
Ndabezi
tha-”
Dali
su:“
IfIwantt
ospeakt
oyouIwil
lspeakto
youbutnow,Idon’
thav
eathi
ngtosaytoyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Howwill
IgotoJohannesburg
whil
eyou’r
enotspeaki
ngtome?IfIknewthis
wouldhappenIwasn’
tgoi
ngtomaket hat
-”
Dal
isu:“MASTHOLE!”heshoutedandbanged
t
het abl
easshewasmaki nghimf ur
therangr
y.
He’
dst at
edclearl
yhedi
dn’twanttotal
kbutshe
waspushing.“Youdon’
tli
stennow!IsaidIwant
tohav emybreakfastaloneandnow, am sayi
ng
Idon’twanttotal
kt oyouandy ou’
ret al
ki
ngand
you’r
ehereafterIhavesaidIdon’twantanyone
here.Getoutofmyf ace,man!”Heshout edhi
s
rageoutandhi swif
edidn’tsayanotherword
butshelefthi
m alone.Dali
suhissedandhe
proceededwithhavinghiscoff
eel i
steni
ngto
hismind…
Nkosazana:“
Baba,wearel eavi
ngnow.Idon’
t
knowifyouhavesomethingy ouwouldli
keus
totel
lNgcebooryou’
l
lcallhim.”shetol
dDali
su
whowasst andi
ngbehi
ndt hemai nhouse
l
ookingfaronthemountains.
Dali
su:“
Whywoul dItellyouwhatIwantt
osay
toNgcebo?Whosenty ouheret
oaskthat?”he
askedwit
houtlooki
ngbackatNkosazanawho
wasstandi
ngjustbehindhim.
Nkosazana:
“AuntNomkhosiandmamasawit
bestIcomeandtel
lyouthatwe’
rel
eav
ingnow.
And-”
Dal
i
su:
“Youcanl
eav
e.”
Nkosazana: “
Ndabezi t
ha!”sheexclaimedand
sheturnedleavinghim standingoverthere.She
marchedbackt othefront…Shest eppedinside
hercarthatshewasdr iv
ingwi t
hHappi nessand
Daniell
e.Candicewasst ay i
ngbehindwi t
h
Banele.Theywer edriv
ingt oJohannesburgas
womenoft hefami l
y,t
hem asdaught ers’in-
law,
twoaunt sandThembel i
hle.
Happiness:“Idi
dn’tt
hinkt hatbabawasgoi ng
toagreethatwedon’ ttel
l t
hewhof amil
ywhat
real
lyhappened.”Shecomment edandturned
onthemusi c.Shewasseat edont hepassenger
seatwhileNkosazanawasdr i
vi
ngandDani el
le
seatedont hebackseat.Theyf oll
owingthe
guards’carandThembel ihle’
scarwasbehi nd
them.
Daniel
l
e:“
Whatwaswr
ongi
fhet
oldt
hem t
he
t
ruth?”
Nkosazana:“Wemi ghtbeaf ami l
ybutthe
eldersandotherfami l
ymember sdon’
thav eto
knowev eryt
hingthathappensi nourfatherin-
l
aw’ shousejustl
ikewedon’ tknoweverything
thathappensinbaba’ uSbani’shouseandt he
others.Theelder
sandot herfamilymember s
areinformedofimpor tantandmeasur ethings.
”
Sher epl
iedtoDaniell
e’squestion.
Happiness:“AndNkosazanaandIdi dn’tseei
t
wasgoi ngtobeagoodi deaf orthewhole
famil
ytoknowhowt heotherchilddied.They
weregoi ngtocr ucif
yherandsayal l
sortof
thi
ngstoher .”sher epl
ied,she’dspokent o
Nkosazanat hatt heyaskDal i
sunott otell
the
famil
ythatThembel ihl
ewast heonewhocal l
ed
Nandiphaandt hatledhertolosingherbaby .
Theythoughti tthroughwi t
hNkosazanaand
sawitwasn’ tgoingt oturnoutgoodi fthewhole
famil
ywoul dbet ol
d.Theydeci dedtoask
Dali
suint heafternoonmeet i
ngandDal isu
supportedt
hem t
hattheywer
enotgoi
ngt
otel
l
therestoft
hefamil
y.
Dani
ell
e:“
Iunderst
and,
especi
all
yhersi
steri
n-
l
awNomal anga.
”
Nkosazana:“I
twasgoingtocr
eat
emor e
pr
oblemst hantheoneswehavenow.Andt
he
el
dersaretoojudgemental
.
”
Happi
ness:“Onecouldswearthey’
resaints.”
Shesai
donal owtoneandt hetwoot hersister
s
l
aughed.Sheshookherheadthinkingabout
howmucht hey’
vejudgedheri
nt hepast.
Dani
ell
e:“
Butdoy
out
hinkNgcebowi
l
lagr
eet
o
comeback?”
Nkosazana:
“Whywoul
dn’
the?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Ihav
enev
erseenhi
mthatangr
y.”
Nkosazana:
“Thi
sisf
orhi
schi
l
dnotf
or
hi
mself.
”
Happi
ness:
“Candi
cewast
ooqui
etandi
tmust
bestressf
ulf
orhernowbecauseIdon’
tthi
nk
ther
e’l
lbeaweddingsoon.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Hhayi
!Shame,t
hingshappen!
”she
sai
dandtheyagr
eedstr
essful
ly
…
“Iam sorr
y,mam butnobodyi sal l
owedt osee
herexpectforherhusband, mother,fr
iendand
brother
.”Thenur setoldNkosazanawhowas
withthei
rmot herin-l
awandot hersist
ers’in-
l
aw…AuntNomkhosi hadsuggested
Thembel i
hleandherdaught er
s’in-
lawdr i
veto
Nandiphafirstandtheyweregoi ngtodr i
ve
strai
ghttoNgcebo’ shouse.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Why
?Whogav
ethoseor
der
s?”
Nurse:“
Idon’
tknowIhav ej
ustbegunmyshift
butit
’scl
ear
lywri
ttenheret
hatnobodybesi
des
thesepeopl
ewrit
tenhereshoul
dseeher.
”
Them:
“HAWU!
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Wemeannohar
m wej
ustwantt
o
seeher
.”
Nurse:“
Icanlosemyj obifIcanletyouseeher
whil
eitwasclearl
ystatedthatnobodyshoul
d
seeher.Iam sor
rybuty oucan’
tseeher.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Let
’sgoseeNgcebot hen.”She
sai
dindefeatandshetur
ned,theyalll
eftthe
hospi
tal
…Nobodyamongstt hem saidawor d…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE41

“Pl
ease,si
t.
”TheDoct orshowedNgceboand
Fait
htheseatsthatwerebef or
eherdesk.She’d
managedtof i
nisheveryt
hingshewasdoi ng
becauseshe’
dbeent oldtheyhav earri
ved…“I
expectedy
ouear l
ier
.”Shet oldthem butl
ooking
atNgceboast heyweresittingdown.
Ngcebo:“
Iwasn’tr
eadytocomeaf
terIhav
e
beentol
dIlostachi
ld.
”
Doctor:“
Iam verysorr
yforyourloss.
”Shesai
d
poli
tel
yandshel ookedatthem bothwit
haface
showingconcern.
Fai
thandNgcebo:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Ngcebo:“It
hinkwecanbegin.Thi
sismywi
fe’
s
motherandIam herhusband.
”
Doctor:“Ofcour se,Iknowhermot herandon
thatnote, wecanbegi n,
”shesaidwi thashor t
smileandshepagedt hroughNandipha’sfi
leto
beginbriefingthem.“ WhenNandiphawas
broughther eandPal esahadfil
l
edusi nquickl
y
aboutwhathappened.Ibeganwor kingonher
andIdidt hef etalhear
tratemonit
oringandi t
seemsshe’ sstrai
nedandherBPi st oohigh,
she’sunderal otofstr
essandthat’snotgood
andf ai
nting!”
Ngcebo:
“She’
sbeenki
dnappedandshe’
sbeen
goi
ngthr
oughpost -
tr
aumaticst
ressandthe
ni
ghtmar
es,ithasn’
tevenbeenaweeksince
shewasfound.”
Doct
or:“Iam sorryfort
hatbutMrsButt
erwort
h
whydidn’tyousuggestsheseesapsychiat
ri
st
oraprofessional
?”sheaskedlooki
ngatFai
th.
Faith:“Doctor
,IhavejustlandedinSouthAf rica
todayandIdi dn’
tknowaboutt hekidnapunt i
l
shewasf oundandherhusbandhadensur edt o
got hroughthiswit
hher .Shewasget ti
ngbet ter
andt hatphonecallchangedev eryt
hing.Ireally
didn’tsuggestaprofessionalbecauseItrusted
him hewoul dhelpher.”
Doctor:“Alr
ight.Idi danon-stresstestt ocount
thenumberoft imest hebabi es’heartbeataft
er
adobblerhadpi ckedupt hehear trates.Andt he
heartbeatswer en’t110–160t i
mesami nute
asmostbabi es, andasther ecordofher
pregnancyont hepr evi
ousmont h.Thel ackofa
normal heartbeatdoesn’talway smean
somet hi
ngiswrongwit
ht hebabybutinthi
s
caseitmeanstheremainingbabyisindanger
whichiswhyIadv i
sedthatthemothermustnot
beinformedshehaslosttheotherbabyfor
now.”
Ngcebo:“
Whatwil
lhappenwi
tht
hedeadbaby?
You’
llr
emovehi
m andleavet
heot
herbabyor
you’
l
lremovet
hem both?”
Doctor:“
Atthisst
ageperf
ormi
ngaC- sect
ion
foryourwif
eisnotwisebuti
fyoufeelwe
shoulddoit.Wecandoitbuti
tcanber i
sky.
”
Fai
th:“
Whati
syourhonestadv
ice?Andi
fthey
don’
twantt
odoit?
”
Doctor:
“Myadv i
ceisthat,whenIdischargeher
,
youtakeherhomeoraf amilyhol
i
dayandmake
herashappyaspossi bl
ebecauset hatwil
l
i
ncreasethehealthofthebabybecausei t
’snot
thenutr
ientst
hatarelackingbut
psychol
ogical
l
y,themot hermustbest abl
eand
heal
thforther
emai
ningbabyt
obest
abl
eand
heal
thy
, f
ull
y.
”
Ngcebo:“
Wouldn’
tthatbeaprobl
em f
orthe
sur
vivi
ngtwi
ntohav ealostt
wini
nsi
dethe
wombwi t
hhim?”
Doctor:“Ther i
sksar emi nimal becauset hey’
re
notidenticaltwinsbutt hemot herwi llneed
carefulmoni t
or i
ngf r
om theDoct orandev enif
youdeci detot akeheronahol idaywhi chwi l
l
obv i
ouslybear oundSout hAf r
ica, you’ l
lneedto
fi
ndaDoct orar oundthatar eaandi nf orm him
ofthissituati
on.TheDoct orwi llmoni torher
whileyoukeepont ryi
ngy ourbestt omakeher
happyt ouplif
tt hehear t
beatoft her emai ning
twin.You’llt
hencomebackandwewi lldoaC-
sectionaftertelli
nghershel ostt hebabyorwe
cant el
lheraftert heC-section.Idon’ tknowbut
thechoicewi llbey ours.
”
Ngcebosighed.“
Wecan’
tsendhert
otheC-
sect
ionandtakeoutt
hedeadbabyt
henleav
e
thesur
viv
ingbaby
?She’
l
lhav
etogi
vebi
rt
htoa
premat
ure?”
Doctor
:“Wecan’tdothat,
Prince,
becauset hat
wil
lmeanweshoul dtel
lherandshe’ l
laskifwe
j
usttakehert
osur ger
yasanemer gencyshe
wil
laskwhyshehasst i
tcheswhileherbabies
ar
enotbeforeheranditwill
bedifficul
tto-
”
Ngcebo:
“Iunder
stand.
”
Doctor:“Iknowi tmaybedi f
fi
cultt
haty ou
shouldbegr ievi
ngbutherontheotherhand
she’
llbet alkingabouttwobabieswhil
ey ou
knowt here’soneal i
ve.Buty
ouhav enochoice,
youjusthav etogoalongwithherandliveasif
ther
ear et wobabi esandwewi l
lhel
py oubothif
youneedsuppor taf
terwe’
vebrokenthenews
toher.”
Fait
h: “
Ijustcan’
timaginethequest
ionthatt
he
gi
rlswillhave.They’
reexpecti
ngtwoli
ttl
e
brothersandhowwi llweexplai
nthat-
”she
cl
osedhereyeswi t
hherheadf or
ceddownand
shecri
ed.Ngcebol ookeddownandhedidn’
t
sayanyt
hingasFait hwascry
ing…TheDoctor
stoodupfrom herseatandshemovedtothei
r
si
de,shepull
edFaithupbyherhandand
huggedher…
Doctor:“
Thi
sisadi ff
icul
tti
mef orthefamil
ybut
Ihaveseenony ourblogyearsagowher eyou
tal
kaboutthelossofachi l
d.Whent hatti
me
comes, y
ou’
llsharethatwit
hy ourdaughter
eventhoughIdon’tknowwhatwi llyouand
NandiphaandPr i
ncesaytot hegir
ls.”
Fait
h: “
Thanky ou.
”shesai dandwipingher
tearsafterbackingawayf r
om theDoctor
.She
resolv
edbackt oherseatandshel ookedat
Ngcebo.“ Youneedt omakeadeci si
onandIwill
supportitifIfeelit
’srightandwecanget
anotheropt i
oni fwef eelwe’r
enotsati
sfi
ed.
”
Shesai dtohim sof t
ly.
Ngcebo:
“Wewi
l
ljusthav
etopr
etendt
he
babi
esarebothal
i
veandwewil
ldoever
ythi
ng
fort
hesurv
ivi
ngbabyandmywi
fetobestabl
e.”
Fai
th:
“It
hinkt
hat
’st
hebestopt
ionf
ornow.
”
Doctor:“
Alr
ight
,Iwil
lkeepherhereforaf ew
daysandplease,whenshe’sout,l
ookaf t
erher
andshemustgetsomer est
.You’lli
nform meif
yougot oaholi
dayornotsot hatIcanknowi f
she’
llbecominginformonitori
ng.Oncet hey
’re
bothstabl
e,wewillt
akeitfr
om there.”
Ngcebo:
“That
’sal
l
,ri
ght
?”
Doctor:“
Andj ustt
oadv i
ceyouthatdon’tbe
str
essedunt i
lshefeelst
hatyou’
restressedout
butfi
ght,that
’sally
oucandonowf oryour
famil
y.”Sheadv i
sedNgcebolookingathim…
AndFai t
hwasal solooki
ngathim wit
hherhead
noddingasshewassuppor ti
ngtheDoct or.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Doct
or:“
They’
llneedsupport
,MrsButter
worth
andpl
ease,pr
ov i
deitf
orthem unt
ilwedeli
ver
t
hebabysafel
ybecausewedon’
twantt
olose
t
hem bot
h.”
Fai
th:“Don’
tworry
,Iwi
l
lbewi
tht
hem unt
ilwe
del
i
v erthebabi
es.
”
Doctor:“That
’sall
.Ithi
nkyoucangoseeher
nowandIwi l
lkeep,keepi
ngy ouinformeduntil
she’sreadytobedischarged.”Shesaid
standingupgivi
ngherhandov ertoFaithfi
rst
ly
andt heyshookhands.Shet hengav eitto
Ngcebo…
“Mama, cany ougoandseeher ?”Ngcebo
requestedt oFaith,hehadhisphoneonhis
handr espondi ngtoDali
ngcebo’
stext
,he’
d
switchedi ton.
Fai
th:“
Areyougoi
ngt
orunawayf
rom my
daught
ernow?”
Ngcebo:
“No,
butIj
ustneedt
ime.
”
Fai
th:
“Andwhatmustshedowhi
leyou’
rest
il
l
‘
needi
ngti
me?’Huh?WhatmustNandi
phathi
nk
exactl
y?”sheaskedandl
ookedathim cl
osel
y
withherfi
stspl
acedonherwaist
.Shewasno
l
ongermov ing.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lcomeandseeher
.”
Fait
hdidn’tsayanyt
hingbutshewalkedaway
fr
om himt ogettoNandipha’
sroom…She
exhaleddeeplyandshesmiledfr
om thedoor,
shecouldhearNandipha’sl
aughterandher
brot
herlaughingwit
hher…
“MAMA!”Nandiphaexcl
aimedwi
thdel
i
ghtas
Fai
thent
eredthedoor.
Randal
l:“
Mm!Onecoul dswearthaty
ou’
rea
thr
ee-y
ear-
oldseei
ngyourmotherwit
hcandy
thewayyou’vej
ustcal
l
edheroutnow.”he
commented.
NandiphaandFai t
hl aughed.“
Cany oupl
ease
shutup, boy
!Myr atsarenothereandIwantto
beachi l
d.”Shetoldherbrotherandshehugged
hermot herwit
hherhear tandsheclosedher
ey
esf
eel
i
ngatease.
Fai
th:
“Mybabygi
rl
!”
Nandipha:“
Iscreamedwhenthi
sonegother
e
becausemysi st
erfr
ienddi
dn’
ttel
lmet
hat
you’
llbecomingback.”
Fait
hl ookedatherwithasmi l
eonherf aceand
shepl acedherhandsonherchubbycheeks,
Nandiphagi ggl
ed.“Youthi
nkwewer egoingto
stayinLondonwhi leyouarelayi
nginhere?We
weren’tgoingtodoandy ouknow, howy our
brother’
skinddot hi
ngs.It
’sunl
ikeus.”Shetol
d
her.
Randall
:“Mum, di
dy oujustsay‘yourbrot
her’
s
ki
nd?’”heaskedloudlyandwi denedhiseyes
l
ookingathismot herbutFaithfol
dedherlips
whil
eNandi phawasl aughingherpregnant
l
ungsout .“
There’
snot hingfunny!
”
Fai
th:
“Yes!Whatki
ndar
eyou,
Randal
l
?”
Randal
l
:“Iam mi
xedr
aceandnobodyi
smi
xed
f
rom myf
ami
l
y.”
Nandipha:“
Comeon!Youknowwhatmama
meansabouty ourkind.
”Shemockedhi
m
f
urtherandtheylaughedwit
hFai
th.
Fai
th:“
Okay,
mybaby
,ift
hatwasof
fensi
ve.I
am sor
ry.
”
Randal
l
:“SHE’
SSORRY!Di
dyouheart
hat
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Ah!Don’
tbeati
t,mamadoessay
sor
ry.
”
Randall
:“Shedidn’
tsayifforattemptingto
pasteherheelonmybody .”Herevealedand
thatgotNandi
phal aughinglouderuntil
her
cheekshadturnedr ed.“
Cany outellhertost
op
l
aughing,mum? ”Her equested.
Fai
th:
“St
opl
aughi
ngaty
ourbr
other
!”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
thi
schi
ld,
henev
erceasest
o
amazeme.Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Randal
l
:“Not
hingof
fensi
ve.
”
Fai
th:
“Howarey
ou,Nandi
pha?
”sheasked
whenNandi
phawascal
m.
Nandipha:
“Iam her
emama.Howdi
dthe
f
uneralgo?”
Randall
:“Youaskedusaboutt
hatwheny
ou
cal
led.Howarey ou?
”
Nandipha:
“Iam int
hehospi t
alIam notreal
l
y
fi
nebutmybabi esarest i
ll
ali
veandt hat’
swhat
mattersev
enthought heirfat
herclearl
ydoesn’
t
wantmenow. ”sherepliedandl ookedather
pal
ms.
Fait
h:“
That
’snonsense!Whywoul
dyousay
that
?”
Nandi
pha:“
Hehasn’tcomet
oseeme,
mama.
Whatdoyoucal
lthat?”
Fait
h:“Hewi
l
lcomeseey
ouandy
ouknow
that
.”
Nandi
pha:
“Mxm!Who’
shi
spr
ior
it
yri
ghtnow
becauseIknowthathe’
sinJohannesbur
g?
Who’shispri
ori
ty,
mama? ”
Fai
th:
“St
opt
hinki
ngl
i
ket
hat
.”
Nandipha:“Morningpassed, middaypassed,
andwear eheadingt oev eningnowandt he
husbandhasn’tcomet oseemebuthe’ sin
Johannesburg.That ’
sv er
yni ceofhim andit’
s
good,Iguess.”Fait
hsi ghedandhel ookedat
Randallbecausenowshedi dn’
tknowwhatshe
wasgoingt osayt oNandi phawhowas
complaini
ng.“Didy oubr i
nganygi ft
sforus? ”
Sheaskedandl ookedatt hem both,asthey
werequietnow.
Fai
th:
“Wel ef
tinahur
ry.Wedi
dn’
tgett
imet
o
buygi
fts.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
.”
Randal
l:
“She’
sspeaki
ngforher
sel
fthough.”He
sai
doutloudbuthecl
ear
lyknewthathedidn’
t
buyanygif
tsbuthewassayi
ngtocheerherup
andhehadapl
anonhowhewasgoi
ngt
ogi
ve
i
ttoher
.
Nandi
pha:
“Real
l
y?”
Randal
l
:“Yes,
butIdi
dn’
tmanaget
obuyf
ort
he
gi
rl
sandtheboys.
”
Nandipha:“Iwon’tt
hem athing.”Shesaidto
herbrotherwithawinkandt heylaughed
shari
ngaf istbump…Fait
hl ookedatt hem
l
aughandhermi ndwaswi t
hNgcebonowwho
hadn’
tcomet oseeherdaught eranditdi
dn’
t
l
ooklikehewasgoi ngtocomeseeherany t
ime
soon…
~~~~~~~
“Where’sever
yone?
”Thembelihl
easkedThula
whowasbusypacki ngthecl
othesoft hegi
rl
s
ontheirdrawer
s…They’
v ej
ustreached
Ngcebo’shouseandthehouseonl yhadThula
andMaZungu.
Thul
a:“
Mama’
ndl
unkul
u,Pr
inceNgcebol
eft
withNandipha’
smot herandbrother
,hehasn’
t
comebackhomeandPal esal
eftinthe
aft
ernoonwi t
hthegirl
sandherson.Ididn’
t
knowi ft
hey’
regoingtothehospital
.Idi
dn’
t
ask.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youdidn’
task!Ai
n’ty
ou
supposedtobelooki
ngaftert
hechil
drenand
whentheyleavethehouseyoudon’
task.”
Thul
a:“
Ithoughtt
hey
’regoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thi
sfr
iendi
sst
ayi
ngher
enow?
”
Thul
a:“
She’
sbeenher
esi
ncePr
inceNgcebo
wasn’
ther
e.”
Thembel
ihle:“Cal
lherandt el
lhertocomeback
wit
hmygr andchil
dren.Idon’tknowwhywould
shebeoutt hi
slat
ewi t
ht hechil
dren.
”
Thul
a:“
Andi
fthey
’rei
nthehospi
tal
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It
’sf
ine,
youwon’
ttel
lthem t
o
comeback.
”shesaidandshel
eftt
heThula
i
nsidetheroom tappingonherphone…She
cli
mbeddownt hest air
sandbef or
eshecould
headtothelounge,Dal i
ngceboappearedfr
om
thefr
ontdoor’
sdi r
ection,hehadthetwogirl
s
i
nsidehisarmsandNgcebowasf oll
owinghim
witht
heothertwo…
Thembeli
hle:“
Sanibona,wherehav eyoubeen?
”
sheaskedlooki
ngatt hem approachi
ngher
cl
osertoher.Dal
ingcebowasl ookingather
wit
hcleareyesandNgcebowasl ookingat
wherehewasheadi ng.
Dali
ngcebo:“Yebo.Wearecomingfrom
Midrandtotakethegi
rl
s.”Herepl
i
edwi t
hout
st
oppingforhismotherwhowasl ooki
ngat
Ngcebo,Ngcebowasn’tevenl
ookingathis
motherbuthewaspassingherby…
“
IwillgotakeBuhle.”Dal
ingceboinf
ormed
Ngceboaf t
erthey’
veplacedthechil
dreni
nsi
de
t
heircots.Theylef
tThulafixi
ngthem…
Ngcebo:“
AndIdon’
twantanyoft
hem i
nmy
house.
”
Dalingcebo:“Ar
ey ousur eaboutthat?”heasked
l
ooki ngathertaki
ngt het ur
ntothel ounge
withoutansweringhimi fhewassur eornot .
Dalingceboonlycamet oJohannesbur g
becausehewasst ubbor nabouti
tbutNgcebo
didn’twantthem t
ocome.Het ol
dMnt wana
clearlyt
hathewant edt obealoneespeci all
y
becauseNandi phadidn’tknowandhel istened
butDal i
ngcebodidn’ttakeanyoft hat.Hedr ove
toGaut enganyway …
“Hawu,sawubona,
Ngcebo.”Thetwoaunt
s
greet
edNgcebowhowasst eppingi
nsi
dethe
l
oungewheretheywereall
seateddown
watchi
ngTVandeat i
ng.
Ngcebo:
“Yebo,
aunt
y,ni
njani
?”
Aunt
s:“
Siy
aphi
l
angobasi
yahamba.Howar
e
you?
”
Ngcebo:“
Iam notfi
neandIam her
et or
equest
somethi
ng.”Heinf
ormedlooki
ngatthem al
lto
checkwhowasinsidet
helounge…
Aunt
s:“
Whati
sit
?”
Ngcebo: “Mywi f
edoesn’tknowshelostababy
andwithr espectIaskt
haty ougobackhome
becauset here’
snoneedf oryoutobehere.
”He
brokeitdownt othem f
ormal l
ybecauseofthe
twoaunt swhower ewiththem.
“
HAWU!
”Theyal
lchant
edi
nsur
pri
se.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Weareheretosuppor
tyouunti
l
i
t’
sti
met otakethechi
l
dbackhomef orbur
ial
.
Andyou’
retel
li
ngusthere’
snoneedforusto
beher
e?”
Ngcebo: “
You’
reheretosupportmef r
om what
?
Ididn’
tsayIneedyoursupport
.Youjustcame
heretoseehowmuchdamagey ou’
vedoneand
evendomor edamageandy oucallthat
support?
”
Aunt
s:“
HHAYBO!NGCEBO!
”
Nkosazana:
“Ngcebo,
don’
tspeakl
i
ket
hat
.
Ngcebo: “Idon’twanty ouinmyhouse, andIwill
saythisonceagai nbecausewhenIsai ditt
he
l
asttimey oudi dn’
theari t
.Pl ease, stopcall
ing
mywi fe,stopcal li
ngNandi phabecauset here’s
nothi
ngv aluabl eyousayt oher .Idon’ twantto
havear estrainingor deragainsty oubecause
yougav ebi r
tht omebuty oudi dn’tgivebirt
hto
Nandipha, stopcal l
ingher.”hesai dcl ear
ly
l
ookingathi smot herwhowasl ookingathi m
withawhi tef ace.Hedi dn’tev enwantt olookat
herandhewast ry
inghi sbestt okeepcal m.He
didn’
twantt osaybi ghost i
lewor dstoherbut
hewant edt omaket hi
ngscl earl astl
y.
Happiness:
“Ngcebo,
don’
tdot
hist
oyour
mother.”
Ngcebo:“
Whyareyousti
llsi
tt
ingdownbecause
Iam t
ell
i
ngyouall
toleav
emyhouse?Idon’ t
wanty
ouherebecauset
her
e’snoneedf
ory
ou
t
obehere.
”
AuntNomkhosi
:“Ngcebo,
thi
ngsar
enotdone
l
ikethi
s.”
Ngcebo:“
Icanli
stentosomeoneelseifthey
cantel
lmethatbutamongstthesefacesIsee
her
e.There’
snotevenasingl
epersonwhohas
ari
ghttotel
lmehowt hi
ngsaredone.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam y
ourmot
her
,Ngcebo.
”
Ngcebo: Youwer esupposedt oremembert hat
whenIwasbeggi ngaty ourfeetbutyouf orgot
thatyou’r
emymot her.Thatdidn’tworkand
now,y ouaremymot her?Wheny ouwere
supposedt odowhatwasr ightformey ou
didn’
tsayy ou’l
ldoitbecausey ou’r
emymot her
.
Youhav en’tbeenacti
ngl i
kemymot herlately
andsopl ease,go.”
AuntNomkhosi
:“Achi
ldmustnott
reathi
s
motherl
i
kethi
sbecauseyou’
l
lneedheroneday
,
Ngcebo.She’
l
lal
way
sbey
ourmot
her
.”
Ngcebo:“Yeah,
Ihaveneededherandshedi
d
nothingt
ohelpme.Please,
leav
ebecauseI
don’twantyouher
e.”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Ngcebo,ourgreataunt
sar eher
e
andwhydon’tyoulett
hem staythenightand
they
’l
lgotomorrowmor ni
ng.”
Ngcebo:“They’
renotdriv
ingalone,twocar
sare
out
sideandso, Iwanteveryoneinthisr
oom t
o
l
eave.Ndlunkul
u,pleasemaket hi
ngseasyfor
mejustleadeveryoneoutofmyhouseasa
l
eader.
”
Nkosazana:
“Ngcebo,
Iunder
standt
haty
ou’
re
angr
y-”
Ngcebo:“Youunderst
andnot hing,
don’tevenlie
becauseyou’
veneverbeent hroughwhatIam
goingthr
oughnow.Idon’ twantanyofy ourli
es
tel
l
ingmey ouunderstand,youunderstand
nothi
ng!AndbhutiMlamul i
knowst hatIdidn’
t
wantanyonecomi
nghereIdidn’
tevenwant
MntwanaandDali
ngcebo,
himself
.Buthecame
f
orcef
ull
y.”
Nkosazana:
“Yourf
ather
-”
Ngcebo:“
He’sequalt
ohi swif
et heydon’
tgivea
damnaboutmeandso, pl
ease,Idon’twantto
car
ryyourbagsoutofthehousej ustl
eave.
”
AuntNomkhosi:“You’
llburyt
hischil
dalone,
Ngcebo?Now, you’
retalki
ngasifyoudon’t
needyourfamil
y.Will
y oubur
ythischil
dalone?
Iam aski
ng!”
Ngcebo:“
Idon’
tknowauntybutIcansee
you’
vecomeheretotal
kaboutburi
alsand
you’
rest
il
laski
ngmeaboutburial
safterIhave
tol
dyouthatNandi
phadoesn’
tknowherchi l
dis
dead.
”
“Howcanyouhurtmel
ikethi
sforami st
akeI
didt
ogetBanel
emarri
edfir
stbefor
eyou?How
canyout
hrowmeoutofy ourhouseatni
ght?
”
Thembel i
hleaskedNgcebocryi
ngaseaof
tearsbecauseofthehurtshewasfeel
i
ng,t
he
painthathersonwascausinginsi
deheral
ready
painful
heart.
Aunt:“
Achildshouldnotmakehi smothercr
y,
Ngcebothat’
snotabl essi
ng.Yourmothermust
nothavetearsbecauseofyout hoset
earswi
ll
tur
nintosorr
owf oryouandy ourfami
ly.
”
Ngcebo:“Ishouldhavet earsbecauseofmy
mother?Whataboutmyt ears?Oryouthi
nkI
don’thav
et earsbecauseIam aman?Myt ears
wil
lturni
ntowhat ?Dust ?”heaskedlooki
ngat
herbutshedi dn’
tanswerhi m…Ngcebodi dn’t
speakfurt
herbuthel eftthem…
Happiness:
“Dal
i
ngcebocany oupl
easespeak
tohi
m becausethi
sisnotr
ight.
”Shesai
d
l
ookingatThembeli
hlewhowascryingi
nsi
de
AuntNomkhosi’
sarms.
Aunt
:“Speakt
oyourbr
other
,Dal
i
ngcebo.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“Ngcebowillnotl
ist
entomebuthe
wil
ljustt
ellmetoleaveaswel li
fIcaneventr
y
t
ot alkhi
m outofhisdecisi
on.Andleavi
nghim
ri
ghtnow, i
snotsomethingthatIam pr
epared
t
odo. ”
Dani
ell
e:“
Ithi
nkt
hatweneedt
orespecthi
s
deci
si
on.”
Thembeli
hle:
“He’
smysonandIwanttobeher
e
forhi
m!”sheshout
edandmovedawayfr
om
Nomkhosi’
sarmsfeel
i
ngfur
therhur
t…
“Herearey ourbags, y
oucangonow.Youhav e
arelat
iveher e,Mthimkhul
uisy ourrelati
ve,you
cangosl eepi nhishouseifyoudon’ twantto
dri
vebackhome. ”Ngcebosaidtot heladies
andhepl acedt hebagshef oundint he
guestr
oom upst ai
rsandThulawal kedinwi t
h
otherbags.
AuntNomkhosi
:“Hhayi
,l
et’
sgo.Iam t
ir
edandI
wanttor
estIdon’
tthi
nkIcanbeabletohandl
e
thedr
ivebackhome.Wewi
l
lhav
etobook
somewhere.”
Happiness:
“It
’sokay
,wewi
l
lgot
omyf
ather
’s
house.”
Aunt
:“Wedon’
twantt
obot
herhi
m att
his
hour
.”
Happiness:“
Hewon’ thaveapr obl
em.”Shesaid
encouragi
ngthem butshedidn’tstandupfi
rst
becauseshewant edtoleavelast…Nkosazana
hel
dThembel ihl
e’sarmsasshewaswai l
ing
now,asshecoul dn’
tbeli
evethatNgcebowas
chasi
ngheroutofhi shouse…
“Ngcebo,Iknowthatmamadi dyouwr ongbut
we’vespokentobabat hatthi
sshoul dbe
betweenourfamilythatmamacal l
edNandipha
andthatledtoherlosingt hebabybecauset he
wholefamilywil
lcrashherandcr uci
fyher-
”
Happinesswascutof ff r
om sayingwhatshe
wast r
yingtosaytoNgcebo.Shewasl eft
behindbecauseshewantedtot el
lNgcebo
aboutwhatwasdeci dedandleavehi
m with
wordsthatwer egoi
ngtomakehi mreconsi
der
hi
sdeci si
onabouthismotherbecauseevery
person,whetherol
doryoung,neededthei
r
mot her
.Butshecouldn’
tevenfini
shherwords.
Ngcebo:“
Youshouldbesear chingforashiel
d
tocovery
oursel
fforwhateverthat’
scomi ng
yourwayandstoptryi
ngtocov erotherpeopl
e.I
don’
thavetoli
stentowhatevery ouhaveto
say.
”
Happi
ness:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Ngcebo: “Leavemyhouse, t
here’sthedoor.”he
point
edt hedirecti
onoft hedoorwi thout
answeringHappi ness.Andwhenshewast ryi
ng
toopenhermout handt alkagain,Ngcebo
stoppedher .“
Isaidleave,every
onehasl eft.
”He
i
nsistedandHappi nesswasf orcedt ol
eave.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Whatwast
hatabout
?”
Ngcebo:
“Notnow,
Dal
i
ngcebo.
”Het
urnedt
o
l
eave.
Dali
ngcebo:“Nandipha’
smot hercal
ledt
otel
l
met hatNandiphaiscomplai
ningaboutyounot
comingt oseeherandshe’supset.Doyouthink
whaty ou’
redoingisagoodthing?”heasked
fol
l
owi nghimt othekit
chen.
Ngcebo:“HowcanIf
aceherandpr
etend,
Dal
ingcebo?”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Idon’tknowbuty ou’
l
lhavet
odoit
.
Howdoy out
hinkshef eel
swhenshe’sal
oneas
you’
renotgoingovertheretoseeher
?”he
askedandNgcebof ail
edtoanswerthe
questi
onbecausehedi dn’
tknow..
.
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE42
“Here’
stea,what’swrong?Youl ookmi l
es
away .
”Dani
ell
egav ethecupoft eat o
Happinesswhowasseat edquietlyonthe
couchofhisfather’
slounge.Theot herl
adies
wereinthebathroomsupst ai
rshav i
ngtheir
bath.Mthi
mkhul uwasn’thome, themaidwas
theonlyoneinthey ar
d.
Happiness:
“Iam j
ustt
hinki
ngaboutwhat
Ngcebosaidtome.”
Daniel
l
esatnextt
oHappinessont
hecouch
wit
hhercupoftea,t
hey
’veall
hadsuppert
hat
t
heyboughtinarest
aur
ant.
Dani
ell
e:“
Whatdi
dhesayt
oyou?
”
Happiness:“
Iwast r
y ingt ospeakt ohim about
mamaandhej usttoldmet hatIshoul
dsear ch
forashiel
dforwhat ev erthat’
scomi ngmyway
andstopprotect
ingmy sel
f.”Shereveal
edand
shelookedatDanielle…
Dani
ell
e:“
Huh?Whatdi
dhesayt
hatmeansand
whywouldhesaythattoyou?Didn’ty
ouask
hi
m asyou’
ret
ryi
ngt ocrackyourheadnow?
”
Happiness:
“Idi
daskhim buthedi
dn’
ttel
lme
whatdoesthatsupposedtomeanandnow,I
am worri
edbecauseIdon’
tknowwhyhesaid
that
.”
Daniel
le:
“Maybethere’ssomethingt
hathesaw
andifhesawsomet hinghemustt el
lyouorour
husbandthathesawsomet hi
ng.Hecan’tkeep
thi
stohimself
.Hedef ini
tel
ysawsomet hing.
”
Happiness:“
Ifhesawsomet hi
ng,whenwashe
goingtosayit?Whydi dn’thesaythatearl
ier
becauseit’
shisresponsibil
ityt
ospeakabouti f
heseessomet hi
ng?Whydi dhekeepquietand
sayitwhenIam bef or
ehi m? ”
Dani
ell
e:“
Ithinkweneedt
otel
lmamaabouti
t
andshewil
lknowwhattodobecausey
oucan’
t
j
ustrel
axwiththi
s.”
Happi
ness:
“Butr
ightnowIdon’
tthi
nki
t’
sthe
ri
ghtt
imetotal
ktoheraboutt
hisbecause
she’
shear
tbr
okenbywhathappened.”
Danielle:“Yes,
she’
sheartbr
okenbutIam j
ust
grat
ef ulthatwedidn’
tgettoseeNandipha
becausei maginewhatwasgoi ngt
ohappenif
wedi d? ”
Happi
ness:
“You’
rer
ightaboutt
hat
.”
“Iam goingtobednowgi r
lsIwil
lsleepwith
mama. ”Nkosazanainf or
medt hetwosister
wives.Shewasst andingbehindtheempty
couchhol di
ngabot t
leofwar m waterand
dressedupi nherni
ght wear.
Happiness:“
Alr
ight
,butwedi
dn’tev
ent
alki
f
we’l
lbegoingstrai
ghthomeorwhatwi
l
l
happennext.
”
Nkosazana:
“It
hinkwewil
lal
ltal
kaboutt
hat
t
omor r
ow.Goodnight
.”
Ladi
es:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Daniel
le:“It
hinkIwi
llal
soneedtoheadtobed
now.”shesai dst
andingupandHappiness
stoodupaf t
erher,t
heyfol
lowedeachotherup
thestair
s…
“Iam soshutteredbhutiandIdon’
tev enknow
whatIwilldofixthi
s.”Thembeli
hletoldher
brot
herthatshewast al
kingt
oont hephone.
Shewasdr essedupi nhernightdressandwas
seatedont hebed.
Thokozani
:“Whydi
dyoucal
lher?Idon’
teven
knowwhattosay.Whati
syourhusbandsayi
ng
aboutthi
s?”
Thembel i
hle:
“He’
snotsayi
ngmuchandhe’
s
nottakingmycall
s.Idon’
tknowwhatt
odoand
Idon’tknowwhatisitt
hathe’
ll
sayt
ome.”
Thokozani:“
There’
snothi
ngyoucandofornow
Ithi
nky ouhavetogobackhomeandt al
k
thi
ngsthroughwithhi
m becauseNgcebois
angryfornow.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Al
ri
ght
,Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thokozani
:“It
houghtyouandNgcebo’
swi
fe
hadagoodst r
ongrelat
ionshi
p.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Shehashurtmeal ot
,bhut
iit
’s
cl
eart
hatshedoesn’
tseethat
.”
Thokozani
:“Youwer
esupposedt
otel
lheri
fit
di
dn’tl
ookli
kesheknows.
”
Thembelihl
esighed.“
Ihaveal
wayssaiditand
sheneverli
stenedtome.Iwantt
or estnow,
please,
sendmyr egardst
omysisterin-
law.
”
Shesaid.
Thokozani
:“Al
ri
ght
,goodni
ght
.”
Thembeli
hleexhaledt
hewor r
yandshepl aced
herphonedown.Shethenlaidherstr
ainedbody
downandshecl osedhereyestorest
…
~~~~~~~~~
16t
hofDecember,
whichwasaTuesday
morni
ng,
apubli
choli
day.Sheputonherbr
own
sandalsthatcompl ementedherkneelength
whiteli
ghtdress.Shegotupt ofixherlong
Brazi
li
anweav eandshet ookheryell
ow
handbag.Sheheadedoutofherbedr oom.She
wasdr essedupf orthehospit
altosee
Nandiphaandshewasgoi ngtodri
vetohome
becauseshewasneededbyherf atherathome.
Phemel owasst i
llsleepi
ng…
“You!”Sheexclaimedanddroppedherbagon
thewoodenf l
oorofherst ai
rsandshecl imbed
thestair
sdownt ohim.Shewasl aughingas
Dali
ngcebowasst andi
ngbyt heendoft he
stai
rcase,he’
dbeenl ooki
ngatherasshewas
cli
mbi ngdownt hestai
rscheckingherselfup.
Dali
ngcebochuckledashewasl ookingather
rundownt oreachhi
m.Pal esa’
smai dhadbeen
theonewhoopenedupt hegateforhim.
“Hmm! ”Hegr
oanedboldlyasPalesawas
thr
owi ngherbodyonhisar msandherlegs
hookinguparoundhiswai st
.Dal
ingcebo
l
aughedandhel dher,i
tpleasedhisheartdeeply
torecei
vesuchar eacti
onf r
om her,
ar eacti
on
thathewasn’texpecti
ng.Hewasn’ttoocl ose
theprevi
ousnightwhenNgceboi nformedhi m
hewasbei ngdri
ventoPal esa’
shouset oget
thechil
dren.
Dal
ingcebo:
“It
’sl
ikeyouhav
en’
tseenmei
n
weeksbutit
’sbeendays.
”
Palesa: “
Thet hreeday shadbeendi f
fi
cul
tand
i
t’sst i
llisdiff
iculttogot hereandt al
kabout
somet hingthaty ouknowi snol ongerthere.I
am happyt oseey oubecausei twi l
lbeli
ghter
forme. ”shet oldhim holdinghisf aceandshe
kissedhi m withoutlett
inghim speakanot her
wor d,wi thoutthinkingaboutt hemai dthatwas
aroundt hehouseandhersonwhocoul dwake
upany time.Shewasseei nghim andt hatwas
allthatmeantev erythi
ngt ohernow.Shewas
appr eciatinghispr esenceandf leshasshewas
kissinghi m wi t
hheremot ionsclingingonhi m
asherbodyy ear
nedformoreofhi
m withi
nthe
minutesofthatki
ss.She’
sbeenst
ressedand
here,
now, shewasresti
ng.
“Let’
snotgetcar r
iedawaybecauseIdon’ twant
totakey ouonher eandnotnowbecausey ou’
re
surel
ygoi ngout.
”Dalingcebosai donalowt one
thatsoundedseduct i
vei nPalesa’
sears.He
l
ookedatherst il
lholdingherasshewasst il
lon
him.“Yousmel lverynice.Wher ear
egoing? ”He
compl i
ment edandkissedherbar eshoulder
thatwasshowi ngont het hi
nst r
apsdress.
Pal
esa:
“Iam goi
ngt
othehospi
tal
becauseI
hav
etodriv
ehome.”
Dali
ngceboputherdownandhehuggedher.
“DoesthatmeanIwon’tgetthechancet
osee
youasy ou’
regoi
nghome? ”Heaskedand
pull
edawayf r
om thehug.Hemov edawayf
rom
hertogetherbagthatshe’
ddropped.
Pal
esa:
“Iam goi
ngf
oroneni
ght
.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Icameher et
obringyousome
breakf
astIwasn’
tgoingtost
aybecauseyou
havePhemelohere.Ngcebot
ol dmehe’swi
th
you.”
Palesasmi ledf eel
ingspeci al.“Yes, he’s
sleepingandwher e’sthatbr eakfast.Ihav en’
t
hadmybr eakfast .
”Sheaskedandf ollowed
Dalingcebowhowasheadi ngt ot heki tchen
wher ehe’dleftherbr eakfast…“ Thanky ou.Can
youdr iv
emet ot hehospi t
al thenbecauseI
won’ tgettospendt i
mewi thy out odayandIwi l
l
hav ethi
sbr eakfastwhi l
ey oudr ive?How’ s
that?”Sher equestedpl acingt hetakeaway s
i
nsidet hemi crowav etowar mt hef ood.
Dal
ingcebo:“
Okay,
Iwil
ldr
iveyoumy
put
sununu.”Hesai
dandhesmi l
edasPal
esa
wasgiggli
ngatt
hesoundofthat
.
Pal
esa: “
Yourbrot
herwenttoseeheryester
day
?
He’snotinthehospi
tal
now,ri
ght?Idon’
twant
todist
urbthem i
fhe’
sther
e.”Sheaskedtaki
ng
t
hefoodofft
hemicr
owaveandshegav
eitt
o
Dal
i
ngcebowhil
eshetookherbag.
Dal
ingcebo:
“No,
he’
sint
hehousewi
tht
he
gi
rl
s.”
Palesa:“
Ao!I
sheevenplanningongoi
ngther
e
toseeher?Howcanhedot hisnowbecause
Nandiphahasbeenwai
ti
ngf orhi
m si
nce
Sunday.”
Dal
ingcebo:“Hekeepssayi
nghe’l
lgoseeher
.”
herepl
iedleavi
ngthehouseforhi
scarand
Pal
esawasf ol
l
owingbehi
ndhim.“How’st
he
bi
gguy ?”
Palesa:“He’
sexci
tedthathe’l
lbegoi
ngt o
Botswanawi t
hhisgrandfat
heranduncles.
That ’
stheonl
ythi
nghespeaksabout .
”She
repl
iedandsteppedinsi
dethecarand
Dalingcebogaveher
,herfood.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Andy
ou’
renotgoi
ngwi
tht
hem?
”
Pal
esa:
“No,
Iwi
l
lst
ayar
ound.
”Sher
epl
i
ed
cl
osi
ngthedoorandDali
ngcebotookhisseat
…
Hedrov
ethecartogethertothehospi
tal
…
~~~~~~~~~
“Idon’tevenknowwhatweshoul ddoabout
thisbutIthinkt hefamil
yshoul dmeetup
tomor r
owandt alkaboutt hi
s.”AuntNomkhosi
saidtot hefacest hatwereseatedar oundthe
diningtableofThembel ihle’
shouse.They ’
ve
j
ustgot tenbackhomeaboutt wohour sagoand
theyhav einformed, Dal
isu,Mlamul i
,Mnotho,
Banele,Mnt wanaandCandi cewi t
houtthe
extendedf ami l
ymember sabouttheirtr
ipto
Ngcebo’ shouset hatturnedoutot herwi
se.
Dalisudidn’treacttowhatt heytol
dhi m Ngcebo
did,chasingthem out …
Mlamul
i:“
Whatshoul
dthef
ami
l
ytal
kabout
,
gr
eataunt
?”
Nomkhosi
:“Aboutt
hissi
tuat
ionwe’
ref
aci
ng
wi
thNgcebo.Wewer ei
nhishouset
osuppor
t
hi
m andhechasedusout
,hi
smot
herl
efthi
s
housecr
ying.
”
Danielle:“Ireallythinkt hatnowi snott hetime
thatwecanpushNgcebobecauset hisisstil
l
newt ohi m andhi swi fedoesn’ tknowaboutt he
babyt hey ’
v elost.Wecan’ tbet alki
ngand
getti
nghi mt ounder standhewaswr ongwhi le
he’shur tandangr y,whi lehiswi fedoesn’ tknow
aboutt his.Wehav et ober eal
ist i
ct haty es,
mamadi dn’tmeanf orababyt obel ostwhen
shecal ledNandi phabutIdon’ tt hi
nkt here’
snot
evenasi ngleper sonamongstuswhowoul dn’t
beangr yiftheyl ostachi l
dthrought hei r
parents’ actions.Weexpecthur tfrom our
partners, wel eaver oom f ordisappoi ntmentf or
ourpar tner sbutweexpectl i
ttleornohur tfrom
ourpar ent s.”Shet oldt hem andsai di t
deli
ber atelyinthepr esenceoft het woaunt s…
Happi nessandNkosazanal ookedatherwi th
surpri
seasshewassay i
ngwhatshewasn’ t
supposedt
o.
Mlamul i
:“MaNkosi i
sabsol
utel
yr i
ghtandI
thi
nkshe’ st
heonl yper
sonherewho
understandthedepthofthepainNgcebois
drowninginrightnow.Youcan’tbedoingthi
s
ri
ghtnow, holdi
ngmeet i
ngsforhim.Givehim
space.”
Aunt:“
Idon’
tunderstandwhatshe’
stal
ki
ng
aboutnow.MaStholecall
edNgcebo’
swife?
That’
snotwhatweknow. ”
Dal i
su:“
Shecal
ledhiswi
febecauseIwant edto
tal
kt oherandthecal
lwascutthat
’swhenshe
faintedandl
ostthebaby
.”hecamei nt
ot he
rescuebecausehedidn’
twantanydisorderand
hedi dn’
twantt
hem onhiswif
e’scase.
Thembeli
hle:
“ButIam t
heonewhomadet he
cal
l.
”Shesaidasshewassur pri
sedthather
husbandwascoveri
ngupf orher.Shewasn’t
expect
ingthi
sfr
om him becausehe’dbeen
qui
et.
Dali
su:
“Butwedon’
twantt
hef
ami
l
ytoknow
aboutt
his.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Iam sor
ryIj
ustbl
urt
ed-
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nobodyi
sthi
nki
ngst
rai
ghtatt
his
poi
nt.
”
Mnot
ho:“
Andweaskt hatyoudon’
ttell
the
f
amil
ybecausethi
swil
lcausemoretroubl
e
t
hanthet
roubl
ewe’redr
owninginnow.”
Aunt
:“Ay
,youwer
ewr
ong,
Dal
i
su.
”
Dali
su:“Iknowandnow,l
et’
sputthi
storest
becauseNgcebo’swif
edoesn’
tknowaboutthe
babytheyhavelost
.”
Mnotho:“It
hinkit
’sagoodthingthat
Dal
ingceboistherewi
thhim andhe’l
lbet
he
onetoinfor
m usaboutthei
rpr ogr
ess.
”
AuntNomkhosi:“
Hhayi,
Ididn’
texpectt
hist
hen
andifIknewaboutt
his,Iwasn’
tgoingt
odri
ve
allt
hewayt oJohannesburgtomakeoff oolof
my sel
f.YousentustoJohannesburgbuty ou
didn’
ttel
lusthatyouhadahandi nthisDal i
su.
Howcany oudothis?
”Sher ai
sedherv oi
ce
becauseshewasupsett hatDali
sudidn’ttel
l
them whatreal
lyhappenedbefor
esendi ng
them t
oNgcebo.
Dal
i
su:
“Reasonshav
ebeenst
atedaunt
y.”
AuntNomkhosi:“Youwer eatleastsupposedto
tel
lthetwoofus.Ngceboi stalki
ngabouttear
s
causedbyhisparent
sIwast her e,t
hinki
nghe’
s
tal
kingabouty
our ef
usinghisweddi ngbuthe’
s
tal
kingabouty
oupur poseful
lylandinghi
swife
i
nt hehospi
tal
!Youpur posef
ullykil
l
edhis
chi
ld.”
Dal
i
su:
“No-
”
AuntNomkhosi
:“Yes!I
twasonpurpose
becausei
twassaidtousaf
terwewantedt
o
speaktohi
swif
e,itwassai
dthatwemustnot
callher.Andonpur pose,knowingwhaty ou’
re
doingy oucall
edherandsai dwhat ev
erthat
l
andedheri nthehospi t
al!Ayi
!Ayi!Asambe.
MaZul u.”shesaidshaki ngherheadandshe
stoodonherf eet
,hersisterstoodupafterher
andev enaf t
erDalisuhadaskedt hem nott o
l
eav e.Theydidn’tl
isten,theyl
eftthehouse…
“Idi
dn’
texpectthatyouwi l
lhi
det hatIam the
onewhomadet hecall
.”Thembel i
hlesaidto
Dali
suwhowasget t
inginsi
det hebedatni ght
.
Thembeli
hlewasal r
eadyseatedonhersi deof
thebedthinki
ng.“Ndabezit
ha,canwepl ease,
tal
k?Don’tshutmeoutl i
kethi
s. ”Shepressed.
Dal
isu:
“Whati
syourpr
obl
em wi
thNgcebo’
s
wif
e?”
Thembeli
hlelookeddown.“Nobodyseemsto
under
standthehurtthatNandi
phahascaused
me.”ShesaidtoDali
suwi t
houtl
ooki
ngather.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatpai
n?”
Thembel ihle:“Il
ov edNandi pha, li
keshewasmy
ownchi l
df r
om t hemi nuteIsawherandhow
theygotal ongwi thmysonandNgcebowho
hasnev erbeenser i
ousaboutawoman.Hehad
aser iousi nterestinherbutt hat’
snott he
reasonIl i
kedher .Inaturall
yl i
kedher
personal ityandi nnocence, wewer ecl osebut
thatchangedwhenshel ostherf ather .
”She
pausedandpl acedherhandonherhot
forehead.She’ dhel dthisinf ortool ongand
may beshewasgoi ngtof eel bett
eraf t
er
speaki ngwi t
hherhusband.“ Itri
edt obet her e
forherandgothert ospeakupbutshedi dn’t.
Knowi nghowmuchshev al
uedhersi ster,Itri
ed
togett hem togot hroughl osst oget herandI
wasr i
ghtt hatshej ustneededher .Butt hat
didn’thappen, shegr ewdi stantf r
om mebi tby
bitandIwast ryingbestt or eachoutbutshe
didn’topenupt ome. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyoubl
ami
ngy
our
sel
fnow?
”
Thembel i
hle:“No, t
hat ’
snotwhatIam say i
ng
butshekeptt hingsf rom me, l
ikeherbei ng
pregnantandev enwhenNgcebo’ snamewas
ont henewspaper sIt r
iedspeaki ngtoherbut
shedi dn’topenupt ome.Shedi dn’
ttellmeshe
waspr egnant,angrywi thNgceboandgoi ng
throughev erythingt hatshewasgoi ngt hrough.
Shel i
edt omeandt ol dmeshewasf ine.AndI
tol
dhershewasdi st ant,shet ol
dmeshewas
goingt ochangebutshedi dn’t.Iwashur tthat
sheabor t
edthebabybutIwasmor eshut ter
ed
thatshedi dn’ttrustmeandcr ytomeasa
mot her.Iwasshut teredbyt hatandcoul dn’t
event alktoherbecauseIr eal
lydidn’tknow
howIwasgoi ngt oexpr essmyangerandhur t.
”
Dal
isu:“MaSthol
e,shedidn’
tevent
ellher
motheraboutthi
sandy ouwereshutter
edthat
shedidn’
ttel
lyou?Youwer ehermotherin-
law.
”
Thembel
ihle:“
Idon’
texpectyout
ounderst
and,
Ndabezi
tha.Butt
hingschangedalotf
rom t
her
e,
shedi dn’ttell met hey’v
ebr okenupwi th
Ngceboandwhenshewasdi sownedand
struggling.Shel i
edt omewhenIaskedwhyshe
waswor ki
ngwhi lest udy i
ng, shekeptt hata
secr etfrom meandsheonl yt oldmebecause
she’df oundherr eal mot her.Nandi phahashur t
meandshehast akenal otf rom me, her
act i
onsr esul ti
ngt omygr anddaught ersnot
visit
ingmeasmuchasIwant .Idon’thav ea
sol i
drelationshi pwi t
hthem l ikehermot herhas
becauset heyv isitherwhenev ershewant s
them.Ev ent hr oughal lthatIhav eforgivenand
tri
edt okeept her elati
onshi pbutIhav eal ways
feltthedi f
fer enceanddi stancecompar edt o
howt hingswer e.AndIf eltlikeshedi dn’ tcare
aboutourr elat ionshi plikeshedi dbef ore.”She
wi pedhert earsasshewasr eflecti
ngbacknow,
shewasf eelinggr eatpain.Dal i
supulledher
i
nt ohi sarmsandhehel dhert ightasshewas
cry i
ng.
Thembel ihle: “Shedidn’tcareandshedi dn’t
evencal lasmuchassheusedt o.AndNgcebo
nev ersawherwr ongsbuthekeptpr otect i
ng
her .Shenev erpushedNgcebot oohar dt hatthe
childrenshoul dcomeher eandt hatshowedme
thatshe’ dchanged.Shehashur tmebutt hat
’s
nott akeni ntoconsi derati
onandnobodysees
howmuchNandi phahast akenfrom me.Yes,
Buhl ewassi ckbutshedi dn’tevenshownot
evenasl ight estcompassi onforHappi ness
whowasr unni ngawayf rom Mnot hoandt hat
wast helastnai lformebecausesheshowed
mehowsel fishshewas.Thi ngswer esupposed
togowel lforherandshewassupposedt o
keepev erythi ngwhi l
eot herpeoplesuf fer.She
didn’tev enwai tadaybutsheact edwi thout
thinkingoft heot herper sonwhohasbeen
abused.Butev enaf terthatItri
edt el
l
inghershe
wasdi stantbecauseIdi dn’twantust ohat e
eachot her,shedi dn’tseem tocar e.Nobody
car esabouthowshe’ shurtmenotev en
Ngcebo.
”
Dal i
su: “Younev ersai dany t
hingandy oumade
ami stakeoft akingherasy ourdaughter.Shei s
yourdaught erin-lawnotdaught eranditcanbe
closet oi mpossi blet ot reatherasy ourchild.
It
’sokay ,youl ov edher ,thatwasnotf orcedbut
i
tcamenat ural andshewast heyoungestof
them al landshe’ sst il
lthey oungestdaught erin
-l
awev ennow.Buty ouwer esupposedt oleav e
ar oom f ordi sappoi ntmentandnow, doy ou
thinky oursonwi llunder standwhaty ouf el
tand
forgivey ou? ”heaskedl ookingatherand
Thembel i
hledi dn’tanswerhi m butsheinst ead
cried.“ Youwer esupposedt ospeakandspeak
nott obot tlet hi
ngsup.You’ reanadultand
whensomet hingi si ny ourchest ,daughters’in-
l
awshoul dknowt hey ’
rehur ti
ngy ou.Look,now,
keepi ngqui etdi dn’ thelpy ou, MaSthole.
”He
added.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Butwhydi
dn’
tshedoany
thi
ng
aboutNgcebo’sbehav i
our?Whatkindofawi fe
i
sshet omysoni fhelet
shim behavetheway
hedoesanddon’ tevenshowhi mt heri
ghtway?
That’sbecauseshedoesn’tcarei
fNgcebohas
arelati
onshipwithusornotandthat’swhatI
wast ry
ingtogetoffmychestwhenIcal ledher.
IfNgceboiswi t
hher,all
isgoodandshe
doesn’tcareaboutwhathedoesf orhisfamil
y.
”
Dali
suexhaledandhedidn’tsayanyt
hing
furt
her,heonl
ywonder
edi ftherewasachance
forthem tof
ixt
his…Alotoft hi
ngshavebeen
messedup…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE45

“Al
ri
ght,Ihavel
ist
enedtot
hecompl ai
ntsf
rom
bothhusbandandwi f
eandIwil
ldi
schargethe
dearwif
et oday
.”TheDoct
orannouncedto
husbandandwif
ewhower
elooki
ngatherwi
th
hopeful
eyes.
Nandiphasmi l
eddearlyandshel ookedather
husbandwhowasst andingnexttoher.She
wasov erwhelmedbyt hefactthatshewas
fi
nall
ygoi nghome.Ithadn’tbeennice,
sleepi
ng
andwaki ngupont hebed,unabletogooutand
seethebeaut i
ful
sunandf eelitwarm,itheat
embracingherskin.
Ngcebo:
“Thosearet
hemostwonderf
ul news
wehaverecei
vedsofar
.”Hecommentedand
l
ookeddownatNandiphawhowassti
llsmili
ng.
Doctor:“Yes,yes,Icanseethatsomeonewas
ti
redofseei ngmyf aceandsi nceit
’sFri
day,
ni
y ogroovaneh? ”shejokedgi vi
ngthe
di
schar gepaperst oNandipha…Ngceboand
Nandiphal aughedatherstatementhilar
iousl
y.
Nandipha:“
Isitpossi
blef
ormet
ogo
‘
ngiy
ogr oov
a’?
”
Ngcebo:
“No,babe,
whyar
eyouev
enaski
ng?
I
t’
snotpossi
ble.
”
Doctor
:“Pr
inceTee,youaretheDoctornow,
huh?”sheaskedlooki
ngatNgcebowhohadhi s
eyesonhiswifebuthelookedattheDoctoras
soonashehear dtheDoctorcal
lhisname.
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“Iam nottheDoctorbutIam
theDoct
orofherheart.
”Hesaidwitha
char
mingsmiledi
rectedtotheDoctor.
TheDoct orshookherhead.“ It
hinkyourwife
hasbeencr yingmor et
hany ou’
vebeencr yi
ng
forhert ogobackhome.I fshewast ogo
‘
ay ogroov a’l
etthewomangoandhav efun.I
willbringthenur set
ohelpremov ethedripand
you’llbeablet ogoandhav efun.”Sheadvised
Ngceboheadi ngoutofther oom andshe
giggledbef oreclosi
ngthedoor…
Nandipha:
“Youheardwhatt
heDoct orsai
d?I
t’s
yourwifet
hathasbeencomplai
ningandcryi
ng
t
ocomehomebutnoty ou!Si
es!Youdidn’
t
missme!”Shetol
dNgceboandmov edherfeet
f
rom thebedwhil
eNgcebowasbusyfil
li
ngin
t
hedischargef
ormsonherbehal
f.
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“Shewoul
dn’
thaveli
stened
toyoui
fIdidn’
ttel
lherf
ir
stt
hatyoushould
comehomet oyourbed.
”Hesaid.
Nandi
pha:“Oh!Ngcebo,youjustmissmei nbed
nj
ewena.”Shelookedathim withacautious
eyeasshewaitedtohearhisresponsebuthe
l
aughed.“
There’snot
hingfunnyhere,youmust
answermyquest i
on.
”Sheadded.
Ngcebo:“
No, butt
hat’
swhereyouareheadi
ng
becauseyouwon’tbeworki
ngyoursel
fwit
h
anythi
ngnotevenbathi
ngthegi
rl
s.”
Nandi
pha:“
Thatcan’
thappenIwil
lbathmy
babi
esandIwon’tsi
tonyourbedall
day.
You’
veshownyourtr
uecolour
s.Ci
.Ci.”
Ngcebol
aughedandl
ookedatherasshe
remov edherpy jamas.“BeforeIev ensay
anythingaboutwhaty ou’v
esai d.Howcany ou
takeof fyoursl eepwearwi t
houtknowi ngwhi ch
nursei scomi ngi nhere?Whati famal enurse
willbet heonewho’ l
lbecomi ngov erher e?”He
askedl ookingatherbel lyandhenot icedthat
thebel l
ywasl opsideddownt otheleft…That
madehi m wonderhowt heotherbabywas
surviv
ingi nther e.Di
dhenot icehewasj umpi ng
alonenow?Di dheseet hathisbr otherwasno
l
ongermov i
ng?
Nandi
pha:“I
t’
sal
right,Rast
a,hecant
akea
cl
oselookIdon’
tmi nd.”
Ngcebo:“That
’sabsur
d!Weary ourgownuntil
a
nursecomesinhereNandipha.It
’senough
thosemensawy ouhalfnakedandnowy ou
wanttoaddat hi
rdmanont hatli
st.Wearyour
gown.”
Nandi
phalaughed.“
Lord!You’
resodramat
ic!
Andyouhavegrudges,
y ousti
l
lremembert
hat
twomensawmehalfnaked?Mm.Mm.”She
sai
dandshegr
abbedthegownt
hathewas
tel
l
inghert
owear
.
Ngcebo:“Yes,thatagoodthi
ng.Let
’swai
tfor
thatnur
seandy ou’
l
lbeablet
ochangeint
oy our
orangedress.Andwhattruecol
oursarey
ou
tal
kingabout?”
Nandipha:“You’
veshownmey ourtruecol
ours
andIwon’ twearthatdress.Usil
e.”Shesai
dand
tur
nedherheadt olookatthedoor ’
swayand
i
ndeedamal enursewal kedinsi
dethedoor.
Shedidn’ttur
ntol ookatNgcebobutshel ooked
atthenursewi t
hherl i
psfolded.
Ngcebo:
“Whydon’tyoulookatmenow?You
canseewhat
’shappening.
”
Nandipha:“It
’sjustacoi
ncidentRasta.
”She
saidlooki
ngathi m nowandt henursegreet
ed
them both,aft
erthey’
vegreetedback.He
mov edtoNandi phaandhedi dwhathe’dcome
i
nsi
det
her
oom t
odo.
Nur
se:
“It
’snotpai
nful
,i
sit
?”
Nandi
pha:“
Iti
sbut,youhavesofthands,
hey.
Whatdoyouuseont hem?”sheaskedtouchi
ng
t
henurse’
shandthatwasn’thol
dingherwri
st.
Thenursechuckl
ed.“
Iusenothi
ng,
mam. ”He
repl
i
edandbandagedNandiphaaft
erhe’
d
removedthedri
ponher…
Nandipha:“I
t’
sli
key
ousoakt
hem onaf
abr
ic
sof
tener.”
Thenurselaughed.“Idon’
tevenuset he
soft
eneronmycl othes.You’
l
l havetotakei
t
easywitht
hishandt henunti
lyou’reheal
ed.
”He
i
nstruct
edwhenhewasdonewi t
hherhand.He
cl
earedthedirt
ycottonwools.
Nandipha:“Iwi
llr
emembert hat
.IthoughtIwi
l
l
knowy oursecr
etsothatIcanuseont he
husbandov ert
here.
”shesaidtothenurseand
helaughedatNgceboonhi swayoutoft he
r
oom.
Ngcebo:“Wer
ey oufl
i
rti
ngwi
tht
henur
se?I
di
dn’tev
ennotice.
”
Nandiphagiggledandt ookoffhergown.“Why
wouldy outhinkIwasflirt
ingwi
thhim becauseI
wasonl ytr
yingtohelpy ouhavesofthands.
You’
lltouchmewhenwegethome, ri
ght?”she
l
oweringhert onetur
ningi tt
oasoothing
cyni
cal andhereyesrelaxedonhim.
Ngcebo:“
You’
refl
ir
ti
ngwit
hmenowandy ou’
re
showingmeyourtr
uecol
oursthaty
ouwer
e
tel
l
ingmeIam showingy
ou.”
Nandiphalaughed.“
Iam downnowRast alami
.
Let’
sgohome.Wewon’ tgogetthegir
lsbutwe
wil
lseethem tomorrow.How’sthat
?”she
asked,dr
essedupont heorangedressthat
Ngcebohadsuggest edshewore.
Ngcebo:
“That
’sabr
il
li
antideabecausey
ou
can’
tbat
hthem asy
etwiththathand.
”He
repl
i
edandt ookthetwobagsofhiswives.
Nandiphat
ookt hei
rphones,
Ngcebo’swall
et
andcarkeys.Theyfol
lowedeachotherout
…
“You’r
edoingbett
ernowandIam pr ett
ysure
thatsoon,
she’l
lbegoodt hatwecant ellher
whathappened.Justkeepbei ngthehusband
sheknows.”TheDoct orencouragedNgceboas
Nandiphawasstandingbyt herecepti
ondesk.
Ngcebo:
“It
’snoteasyasy
ouseei
t.
”
Doctor:
“Iknowbuty ouhav etodoit.Forthe
pastthr
eeday ssi
ncey ou’vebeencomi nghere
toseeher.Ihaveseenpr ogressi
nhercondi t
ion
andIhopet hatwon’
tchangeathome.I tshould
remainthesame.”
Ngcebo: “
Myworryi
st hatifourgi
rl
scomeback,
she’l
lhaveherf
ocusont hem andthatwi
ll
giv
e
memor eti
mebymy selfandIwon’tbeabl
eto
block-
”
Doct
or:
“She’
scomi
ngt
hiswaynow.Buty
ou’
l
l
needtodoy ourbest
.”Shesaidandthey
stoppedt
alkingasNandiphahadreached
them…Theysai dgoodbyesandthecouplel
eft
thehospi
tal
…
“Ithoughty
ourbrot
heri
shome.
”Nandi
pha
comment edastheyweresl
owl
ycl
i
mbingthe
stair
softhei
rqui
ethouse.
Ngcebo: “
Yes,hewasher einthemor ni
ngbut
hehasagi rl
fri
endaroundhere.Doy ou
remembert hat?”heaskedholdi
ngherhand
ti
ghtl
y.“Ungangili
ngiminauwela.Don’trush
thestai
rsbutwal ksl
owlyasIam. ”He
encouraged.
Nandi
pha:“
Yes,
Iam wal
ki
ngsl
owl
y.Ij
ustwant
mybed.”
Ngcebo:
“No,youj
ustwantt
ohav
esexwi
thme
t
hat’
sallt
hat
’siny
ourmind.
”
Nandipha:
“Ngcebo!Howcany ousaythat
becauseIam notevent
hinki
ngthatbutIj
ust
wantt
orest
?”
Ngcebo:“Resthowbecauseyou’
vebeenrest
ing
i
nt hehospi
tal?
”hecheckedandopenedthe
doorofthebedroom.HeletgoofNandi
pha’s
handnow.
Nandipha:“
It
’snott
hesame. ”Shesaidsitt
ing
onthebedandshedi scardedt hedressoffher
bodywhileNgceboheadedi nsidethecloset
wit
hherbags.Shelaidont hebedandshe
rel
easedaheavysigh,searchinghermot her’
s
phoneonNgcebo’sphone.Shepl acedthe
phoneonherear.
Fai
th:
“Ngcebo?
”
Nandi
pha:“
Mama,Iam homenow.Iam no
l
ongeri
nthehospi
tal
.”
Fai
th:“
That’swonderf
ulnews,Ishouldtel
l
Randal
lthatyou’
reoutbecausehe’sprepar
ing
hi
mselfforthevi
sit
.”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
Iam outandIhopet
hegi
rl
sar
e
nothopingtocomet ot
hehospitalwi
thhim
becauseIjustwantt
orestfort
odayand
tomorrowwi t
houtt
hem her
eandr equest
ingf
or
myat t
enti
on.”
Fai
th:
“It
’sal
ri
ght
,nana.
”
Nandipha: “
Wewi lltalklat
erandIwi llt
alkto
them.”shepr omi sedandhungupt hecallaft
er
saying‘goodby e’tohermot her.Sheclosedher
eyesandal lowedt hef reshsmel lofthebed’
s
blankettointoxicateher …Ngcebol ookedather
tochecki fshewasr eal
lysleeping,
shewas
asleep,heleftther oom…
“Sobuyaniniphoekhayamama? ”(Whencanwe
comeback)Buhl easkedNandi phaont he
phone…She’ dwokenupt oahouset hatdidn’
t
haveNgceboorDal i
ngcebo, shewashedher
bodyandmadef oodforherself
.MaZunguwas
theonlyonearoundasThulahadgonewi t
hthe
chil
drentoFaith’
shouse…Nandi phawasnow
readytosleepbutherhusbandwasn’ tback
home.
Nandipha:
“Mamadoesn’tknow,
Buhl
ezi
.Why
ar
ey outwosti
l
lawake?
”
Si
milo:
“Asi
zel
ithi
nasi
hlel
inogogo.
”(We’
renot
sl
eepy)
Nandi
pha:“Yourmot heri
ssleepynowandshe’
l
l
cometogranny’shousetomor r
ow.Iwi
llsee
youal
l.Wouldyoulikethat
?”
Gi
rl
s:“
YEBO!
”
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,goodni
ght
,mybabi
es.
”
Gi
rl
s:“
Goodni
ght
.”
Simi
lo:“
Uphiubaba?Sot
higoodni
ghtnakuy
e!”
(Where’
sdad?)
Nandipha:“Yourfat
heri
ssleepi
ngnow.He’s
snori
nglikeThandoandNongcebo, It
hinkt
hat
youshoulddot hesame.”Shesaidandthegir
ls
giggl
edatthesoundofthat…Nandipha
droppedthecallaft
erwi
shinghermother
‘
goodni ght
’ShetookNgcebo’ sphoneand
wonder edwherehewentwi thouthisphone.
Shepl acedbothphonesawaybecausehi s
brotherwasn’tansweri
nghisphonewhenshe
call
edandPal esawasn’tansweringtoo.That
madeherbel ievethatt
heywer etogether
.And
shedi dn’
tknowwher eNgcebowas…
Sheexhal edandl aidherbodydown.“ He’swi th
hisfriends.”Shest ampedandshecl osedher
eyest ogetsomesl eepfortheni ght
.Butshe
couldn’tsleep,shef eltherbloodget t
ing
war merandshehel dherar ms.Sheexhal ed
try
ingt okeepupwi thherbreathingthatwas
quickeni ngbutshewasget ti
ngwar mer .She
pressedhert hi
ghst ogetherandcr ossedher
l
egsaf tershe’dturnedont hebed.I tdidn’tease
uphowshewasf eeli
ng.Shehadt hegreat est
l
ongi ngandi twasi r
rit
ati
ngt hatwasn’tgoi ngto
bef ulfi
ll
ednow.Shet ur
nedont heothersi deof
thebedandopenedt hef i
rstdrawer,shet ook
thekeyandunl ockedt heseconddr awer .She
pull
edt heboxoft hei rsext oy soutoft he
drawerandpl acedi tont op.Shenegl ectedher
bodybackont hebedandt histimeherhands
remov edherni ghtdr essandt hrewi tont he
fl
oor ,
sheal l
owedherhandsont oherbr easts.
Shemassagedt heni ppl est hathadswel led
becauseoft hedesi re.Shewasy earni ngt obe
touchedbutt herewasnooneher et ot ouchher.
Shewasy earningt of eel thewar mt handst rong
gri
pofherhusband’ shandsbuthewasn’ there
todot hat.Shehadher sel f.Shef el
tt hather
l
onel i
nesswasgr eat ert hant hesexual desire
thatshewasf eeli
ngnowal onei nt hisbed…She
moanedl ightl
ysendi ngherhandont hesi deof
herbellytoreachhert huddi ngwetf lesh.But
beforeshecoul dev ent ouchherwetbody
entrance,shehear dt het wov oicesoft het wo
brothersandt heheav yf oot stepsr ushi ng
towardsthedi rectionoft hebedr oom t hatshe
wasi n.
“Fuck!
”Shesworeandr osehersexual
l
yhungr
y
bodyoffthebedt
oqui ckl
yplacebackthe
boxesbackthedrawerbutNgcebowast oo
close…
“Hawu! ”Hedisappointedlooki
ngathisnaked
pregnantwifelayi
ngont hebedbutshewas
busyont hedrawer s.Hecouldn’
tseeherface
buthesawherni ghtdressonthefloor
,he
mar chedtoitandtooki t
.
Nandiphapl
acedthekeybackwhereitwasand
shelookedar
oundforni
ghtdresswit
hout
l
ookingatNgcebo.
Ngcebo:“
It
’sher
ewi
thme.Coul
dn’
tyouhav
e
wait
edforme?”
Nandi
pha:
“Br
ingi
tbackt
omeIwantt
owear
i
t.
”
Ngcebo:“WhybecauseIfounditont
hefloor
?”
heaskedandthewifedidn’
tanswerhi
m but
shepull
edthecoversofthebedandcovered
herbody.“Eish.
”Hecomplainedandmar
ched
tothebathroom wi
thhernightdr
ess…
“Youwer esl eepingher eandIdi dn’twantt o
wakey oujustt otell
y ouIam goi ngout ,Ihave
spentsomet i
mei nt hehouseandy ouwer en’t
awake.”Ngcebosai dt oNandi phal ay inghis
nakedwashedbodyatt hebackofhernaked
body.Hei nvitedhi skneei nbet weenhert highs.
“Masturbationi sheal t
hybutIam her enow,
ther
e’snoneedf oritunlessi fIwant edt olook
atyoudoi t.It’spleasingtol ookaty oubutnot
now,Iam her e.”hespoket oherpol i
t elywhile
hishandmassagedherbr eastsandhehear d
herbreathingr isi
ng.
Nandipha:“Don’t
-”herbreat
hebrokeasher
vul
nerabil
i
tywashei ghtenedbyhispresence
andhishandst ouchingher,f
ulf
il
ledt
hedesire
andtheneedofhi mt hatshehadwhenhe
wasn’twit
hher .
Ngcebo:
“Ishoul
dn’
twhat
?”
Nandi
pha:
“Ihav
ewai
tedf
ory
ouf
ort
ool
ong.
”
Ngcebo:“
Yes,
andIwanttogi
vey
ouev
erybi
tof
pl
easuret
hatyouwant
.”
Nandipha:“
No,
don’
ttor
tur
emewi
thf
orepl
ay
Ngcebo.”
“
Kissmet hen,youdon’tevenwanttokissme?
”
Herequestedri
singhi
supperbodyandhe
l
ookedatthesideofherf ace,
hesmi l
edasshe
wasfaci
nghi m now.“
Ididsayy ou’
reshowi
ng
yourt
ruecoloursnow.”hecomment ed.
Nandi phagiggledwholeheartedlyashis
presencewashedawayt helonelinessthatshe
hadf eltwi
thouthim.Shepul l
edhi m byhisneck
andki ssedhimi nt
ensely
…Hepul ledherbyher
thi
ghs, hewaskneel i
ngjustdownbyt heedge
ofthebed, Ngcebodi dn’
tli
stentowhatshe’ d
tol
dhi m shewant edbutheact edonbot hthei
r
needst omakeupf orthefactthathe’dlef
ther
withsexual desir
ealone…
Nandi
pha:
“Youdon’
tli
stenNgcebo,
doy
ou?
”
“Thi
sbedhasbeenl onel
ywit
houty ou.You
don’
twantt hi
s,huh?”Heaskedhersof tl
yand
heplacedherbumsonhi st
highswhi l
elooki
ng
athergleamingfaceandhepl acedherlegson
thesidesofhisshoulder
s…
Nandi
pha:
“Iwanti
t.
”
Ngcebo:“
Closeyourey est
hen.”Het oldher
wit
houtacti
ng,sheclosedherey es…Nandipha
gaspedashistonguesweptherout ersensi
ti
ve
fl
eshandtheroughnessofthet onguemade
hermoanthepleasureshewasf eel
ing…
Now, st
andingonhi sfeetaf
tershe’
dachi
eved
herf
irstcum, hepull
edhertotheedgeofthe
bedandst ampedherl egsonhischest
.He
i
nvadedher ,giv
ingherwhatsheactual
ly
wantedear l
i
erandhi sthr
ustsbegansl
owly…
“Ngcebo…Ngcebo…”Sherepeatedl
ycr
iedout
hisnameasthelevel
ofecstasywashi
tti
ngher
l
ikehar
d,consumi
ngherandshel
ovedev
erybi
t
ofit
.
Ngcebo:“
Hmm? ”herespondedt othecalland
hewentonharderfeeli
nghi scl
imaxbui l
dingup,
herememberednott orushitbecausesur el
y
hi
swomanwasgoi ngtocol l
apseaf t
erthi
sand
wakeupthefoll
owingmor ni
ng…Het hrusted
sl
owlyandincir
cularmot i
onsnow, hit
ti
ngt he
ri
ghtcor
ners,
hiddenspot sofherwal l
sanda
smil
ewaswhathewasseei ng.
Nandi
pha:“Il
oveyou.
”shet
oldhi
mfr
om a
happy
,ful
fi
ll
edheart
.
“Il
oveyou,t
oo, nana,l
et’sjogforthelastti
me.”
Hesaidandhel dherthighstightl
y,heincr
eased
thepaceofhistrustsuntil
theirsharpest
cli
max…Ngcebogr oanedlouderandpr essed
ti
ghtonherthighs…
Nandiphacaughtherbr
eatheandshesmil
ed
l
ookinghim wit
heyesful
lofnothi
ngbutl
ove
t
hatherhear
tfel
tforhi
m.“
Whydi
dyoukeep
mewaiti
ng?”
Ngcebo:“Idi
dn’tkeepyouwait
ingsthandwasa
Ngcebo.Youwer esleepi
ngandthatactual
l
y
meansy ou’
retheonewhokeptmewai ti
ng.
”
Nandipha:
“Comecuddl
emeassweat
yas
you’
re.”
Ngcebo:“LetNgcebofini
shbreathi
nginher
e
andIwillcuddl
eyou.”hepromisedherand
gracedherwithalazysmil
e.“You’l
lsl
eepnow.I
know.”
Nandipha:“
No,youknowy ouhavetoputmeto
sleep.Wewerejustj
ogging,
right
?”sher
epl
i
ed
toconfir
m andNgcebolaughed.
Her emovedhimselffr
om herandlookedather
asshel ai
donhersideofthebed.Ngcebo
mov edtohissi
deandhesl i
ppedhisbodyont o
herback.“Iwi
llsaygoodni
ghtbeforeanyt
hing
then,goodni
ghtmyf ohl
oza.
”Hesai dsoft
ly.
Nandi
phasmil
ed.“
Goodnight
,Rastal
ami .
”She
sai
dandall
owedhimi
nsideherforasleeping
soot
hingdr
ug…
~~~~~~~
“Ist
hereanythingthatyou’reseeing,mkhul u?
”
MnothoaskedLangal ibalel
e, hewasseat ed
befor
eLangal i
balel
ewi thHappi nessnextto
him.Langal
ibalel
ehadj ustthr owntheboneson
theanimalskinandhewasr eadingthem, he
wouldgroanher eandt herewi thhi
sshoulders
convul
sing.
Langali
balel
e:“Nkosana,IseePrinceNjabul
o
al
oneandcr ying…”herevealedtothem andhe
groanedlouderrespondi
ngt othespir
it
s.
HappinessandMnot holookedatoneanot her
astheycouldn’tunderstandwast hatmeaning.
Happinessplacedherhandi nMnotho’
shand
andhehel dherhandt ightl
y.“Whyishealone
andcrying,mkhulu?”Mnot hoasked.
Langali
bal
ele:“HHEYI
!He’
salone,al
onewit
hout
hi
ssisterbutIdon’
tseehi
smot herasyou’
ve
descri
bedPrinceNgcebohadseenher.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Whatdoest
hatmean?
”
Langal
ibal
ele:“
Let’
slookatNonjabul
oand
Njabul
o,whateverhi
tsthechi
ldr
enhitshar
der
onthei
rmot herandmyexplanati
onsaysthat
maybewhatPr i
nceNgcebohadbeenshown.”
Happinesscriedinst
antl
y.“
Doest hi
smeanIwi l
l
l
osemydaught er?Whyisherbrotherstandi
ng
al
onewi thoutherbecausethey
’rebothmy
chi
ldr
en? ”HappinessaskedLangali
balele
emoti
onal l
y.
Langalibalel
e:“Let
’shopetheancest
orswil
l
revealittousbutitcanalsohappenthatwe
seeNj abuloalonebecausenonecessaryri
tual
s
wer edonef orNonjabul
otobey our
sfull
yby
tradi
ti
on, Pri
nceMnot ho.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Butshe’
smydaught
er,
hermot
her
wasmar
riedtomewhenshehadher
.Isn’
tshe
aut
omat
ical
lymydaught
er?
”
Langal
ibal
ele:
“Ther
e’snoaut
omat
ici
ntr
adi
ti
on,
Nkosana.”
Happi
ness:
“Whatcanwedonow?
”
Langali
bal
ele:“
Thisshouldbeenoughtohel p
youandshouldt heancestor
srev
ealsomet hi
ng
tome.Iwilli
nformy ou.
”hepromisedthem,
HappinessandMnot hoclappedt
heirhands…
Langali
bal
elethenfreedthem…
“It
hinkIwillhav
etocallmyf at
herandtel
lhim
aboutthisbecauseIreal
lydon’tknowwhat
’s
happening.
”HappinesssaidtoMnot hoast
hey
walkedupt oMnotho’scarthathaddri
venthem
down.
Mnotho:“
Yes,youmusttellhi
m andwewil
l
t
akeitfr
om ther
e.”hesupport
edherandhe
l
ookedatherand,worrywaswr i
tt
enonher
f
ace…
AsHappinessandMnothower
edrivi
ngupf
rom
Langal
i
balel
e,MntwanaandSi
mthandewer
e
dri
vi
ngdownt oconsul
twit
hhi
m.
Si
mthande:“Thi
splaceissogr
eenandqui
et.
Doyouenjoybeinghere?”
Mntwanachuckl
ed.“
Didn’
tyouenj
oybei
ngi
n
yourhome?”
Simthande:
“Idi
dn’
thav
eahomeandy
ouknow
that
.”
Mnt wana: “
Beforey ourmot herr evealedt hat
youwer enott hedaught erofherhusband.
Didn’tyouenjoyit?”hel ookedathershor tl
yand
headmi t
tedthatshel ookeddi sgusting, her
facehadt hepi mplesshe’ dnev erhadbef ore
andt hedarkmar kswer emaki ngitunbear abl
e
forMnt wanat olookather .Shear rivedi nKZN
thepr evi
ousnightandhewasn’ tf
eelinggood
withbeingar oundher .Andt hatconf i
rmedi t,
thatshewasr eal
lybewi tched.Theydi dn’teven
shareabedeventhoughi
twaswi
thi
nhi
s
wishesbef
orehesawher…
Simthandesmiledshort
ly.“
Ienj
oyedit
.Ihave
real
lymissedyouasy ouwerenotaroundthe
cit
y.”Shetol
dhim.
Mnt wana:“Canwet al
kafteryou’v
egot ten
help?”helookedatherashewasn’ tgetti
nga
response,Simthandewasl ooki
ngdown
massagi ngherhands.Mntwanadi dn’tsay
anythingasshewasn’tresponding…
“So, now,youwon’ tsayany thingafter
ever yt
hingthathasbeensai dov erthere?”
Mnt wanal ookedatSi mt handewhohadher
headl eaningont hewi ndowast heywer e
drivi
ngbackt oNgcebo’ shouse…Hecoul dsee
thatshewascr ying, she’sbeencr yingthe
mi nuteLangalibalelerev eal
edt ohert hather
sisterwast heonewhobewi tchedherbecause
ofenv y,envyofherpeaceandenv yofthe
relati
onshipshehadwi t
hMnt wana.
Si
mthande:
“Youdi
dn’
tpayhi
mtosayal
lthat
?”
Mnt
wana:
“WOW!JUSTWOW!
”
Simthande:
“Iam sor
ry,
it’
sjustthat
,she’
smy
si
sterandhowcanshedot hi
stome?Howcan
sheenjoyever
ymomentofhur t
ingme?Why?”
Mnt wana:“Shedoesn’ tcareaboutnobodybut
herselfandy oudi dn’tbelievemebuty ou
beli
ev eherbecauseshe’ syourbl ood.Doy ou
evenknowt hatIam t heonewhopay syourrent
andf oodasy ouli
v etoget her?Shedi dn’
twant
tolookaf t
ery oubuty oudi dn’
tbel i
eveanything
Isaidagainsther .Iwast hebadguyandy our
sist
erwast heangel .”Heshout edoutofanger
nowt hatthet rut
hhadbeenbr oughttoher
eyes…Si mthandedi dn’tsayany t
hingbutallshe
coulddowascr yinshameandhur tasher
sist
erhadhur theragai n…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE
S6==EPI
SODE44

“Idon’tknowi fIshoul dcal lNgceboandask

him aboutt hisorIshoul dgot oLangal i
balele.
Happi nessiswor riedsick.”Mnot howonder ed
outloudaf t
erhe’dt oldMl amulithatNgcebo
hadsai daf ewwor dsaboutHappi nessbeingi n
danger .Mlamul i
hav en’
tsaidacommentbuthe
wasqui etandthinking…Theywer edri
ving
togetheronThur sdaymor ni
ngwhi chwast he
18thofDecember .Theywer einsideMlamul i
’
s
cartot heirmother ’
spal ace.“Whatar eyou
thi
nking? ”Heaskedandl ookedathi m.
Mlamuli:
“Youcan’ tcal
lNgceboatt hi
sstagehe
hasenoughpr oblemsalready.Ihavej
usttold
himlastnightthatBanel
ehasst rokeandthat’
s
becausetheygothi m marri
edfir
stwhilehewas
theonewhowassupposedt ogetmar ri
ed.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Iwi
l
lbeaski
ngwhathesaw.What
har
m cant
hatdo?
”
Mlamul i
:“I
fhehast ot ellyou,hewillt
ellyou
andwhatmor ecanhesaybecausehehast old
Happinesst hatshe’si ndanger .Ri
ghtnow, we
shouldstoppul l
inghi m sideway sforhimt o
helpus.Ev enwithBanel e’
ssituati
on,Itol
dhi m
cl
ear l
ythatBanel eisnotdy i
ngandso, he
shouldfocusonhi swi fe,t
hewi fethatdoesn’t
knowshe’ scarryingadeadchi l
d.That’
swher e
hisfocusshoul dbenownotany oneelse.Even
Candiceget sthat.Ifthere’saneedf orhimt o
callHappinessandi nform herofsomet hing,he
will
.”
Mnotho:“Butwhenwashegoingt
odothati
f
Happinesswasn’
tinhi
shousewit
hther
estof
l
adies?Whenwashegoi ngt
osaywhathe
sai
d?”
Mlamuli:“
Idon’
tknowbutl
ethi
m beandgosee
Langali
balel
ewit
hyourwi
fe.
”Hegavethe
i
nstruct
ionandadvi
ceandhest
oppedthecar
i
nsidethei
rmot her
’sparking.Theybothgotoff
thecarandtheymar chedupt ot hehouse
whereMntwanawasbyt heflowersofthe
housepacingupanddownwhi lehewast al
ki
ng
towhomev erthatwasont hephonewi t
hhim.
“Who’sthatmakingyoupaceupanddownl ike
that
?”Ml amul
iaskedMntwana,looki
ngathim
short
lyashewaswal ki
ngstrai
ghttothedoor.
Mnt wanachuckled.“Sanibona.
”Hegr eetedhis
brother
sanddi dn’tanswert ot
hequest i
onthat
Mlamul i
wasaski ng…Mnot hoandMlamul i
greetedhim backandt heyheadedinsidethe
house.
“Who’st
hat
?”Si
mthandeaskedMnt
wanaont
he
phone.
Mnt wana:“
It
’smyol derbrother
.Ihavetoldt
he
familyheal
erthatyou’
llbecomi ngandwhat
typeofprobl
em doy ouhav eandhesai dhe’
ll
helpyou.So,please,
beont hepl aneby1pm
andIwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngf
ory
oui
nDur
ban.
”
Si
mthande:“Al
ri
ght ,Iam busypacki
ngnowbut
wherewi
llIbestaying?Youst aywit
hyour
par
entsi
nt hepalace,ri
ght?”
Mntwana:“Yes,
butIam i
nmyot
herbr
other
’s
housefornow.”
Si
mt hande:“Okay
,Iwillpr
oceedwit
hmy
packingthen.Iwi
llcal
lyoubefor
eIgetont
he
pl
ane. ”Shepromi
sed.
Mnt wana:“Sharp!
”her emov edt hephonef rom
hisearandhehungupt hecall.Hemar ched
backtot hehousewonder ingi fhercomi nghere
wasgoi ngtobemor et hanhel pingherort hey
weregoi ngtogettheirrel
ati
onshi pinor der.He
didn’
taskat hingabouthersi sterbecausehe
knewt hatwasgoingt ocausepr oblemsonce
againandwhathedi dwasi gnor eNi khona’
s
call
swhenshecal l
edhi m.Sheev ensenta
messaget ell
inghim‘hersisterwassi ckandhe
hadn’
tevencomet oseeher’
thatmessagelef
t
Mntwanaconfusedbuteveninthatconf
usi
on,
hedidn’
tcal
lNikhona…
“Theelder
shaven’tsai
dany thingaboutcoming
overforameeting?”Mlamuli askedhi
sfather
whowasseat edont helounger eadi
nga
newspaper.Hehasbeenseat edwithMntwana
befor
ehel ef
ttoanswerhi sphone.
Dalisu:“
No,theyhaven’tandthemai
nreason
theyhaven’
t,it
’sbecausetheythi
nki
t’
smewho
actuall
yspoket oNgcebo’swife.
”
Mlamuli:
“You’
reunder
est
imat
ingt
hem nowdad.
Didn’
tyouseehowauntNomkhosiwental
l
angryonyou?”
Dal
isu:
“Ey,
Mnotho,
yourwif
e, shemustknow
whentotal
kandwhennottotalkbecauseshe’
s
t
heonewhocouldn’
tkeepquietaboutthi
s.”
Mnot
ho:“
Awu,baba,
anyonecouldhavesaid
t
hati
nthemi
stofevery
thi
ngthathappened.
Shedidn’
tmeanit.Andi
tshowst hatsheisn’
t
theonewhocameupwi t
hthisidea.Idon’
t
thi
nkshewasgoingt of
orgetsomet hi
ngthat
camef r
om her
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i!Shemustpayat
tent
ion.
”
Mlamulichuckledandstoodup.“Whydoesi t
seem li
keyouar eget
ti
ngscaredofy ourelders
now?AuntNomkhosi wasony ourneck.”He
remindedhim ashesawt hathewasonl y
gett
ingthegri
pnowt hathe’dremindedhim
howNomkhosi wasangrywithhim.
Dalisu:“Leavemewi thmypeaceMl amul i
,
you’redisturbi
ngme. ”hesaidtohim and
Mlamul ilaughed,heshowedMnot hothey
shouldheadt oBaneleastheywer einthe
palacetocheckonBanel e.“
Hhay i
,don’tsither
e
now, gowi thyourotherbrot
hers.They’r
eher e
tocheckonBanel e.
”Hesai dtoMnt wanawho
wassi t
tingbackont hecouchwhi leDalisuwas
searchingf orNgcebo’snumberwi thmeanst o
cal
lhi
m.
Mnt
wana:
“Hawu,IhaveseenBanel
e,baba.And
wewer
esti
ll
tal
ki
ng.”
Dali
su:“
Gonow. ”heencouragedandhelooked
athi
m, Mntwanagotupf r
om thecouchandhe
l
efttheroom mumbli
ngwor dstohimsel
f…
Dali
suplacedhi
sphoneonhi searandhe
wait
edast hephonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”Ngceboanswer
edt
hephonecal
l
.
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
eyou,
Ngcebo?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandy
ou?
”
Dali
su:
“Iam notfineandIdon’tthi
nkthat
you’
refi
ne.Iam yourfatherandyoucan’tl
i
eto
mewhileIam asking‘howar eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ine.
”
Dali
susighed.“
Isaddenedbythelossofmy
grandson’
sli
febefor
ehecouldevenlandint
o
thi
swor l
dforustoseehim andholdhi
m.AndI
am deepl ysor ryson, thaty ourmot herhadt obe
onet ohav eapushi nhi sdeat h.”Hesai dto
Ngceboandhepausedhopi nghewasgoi ngt o
hearhi m breat heawor dbutt her ewassi lence
onNgcebo’ ssi de.Hecoul dhearhi m br eathe
signall
ingt hathewasst i
ll
ont hel i
ne.“ What
yourmot herdi dwaswr ongandt here’snothing
thatcanchangeandmakei tr i
ghtandIhope
you’l
l f
inditi ny ourhear ttof or gi
veherbecause
sher egretsheract ions.You’ reoursonNgcebo
andwel ovey out here’snot hingt hatcan
changet hat .Iknowy ourwi fedoesn’ tknowy ou
l
ostt hechi ldbutIdon’ tthinkt here’llbeharmi fI
callher.”
Ngcebo:
“Don’
tcal
lher
.”
Dalisu:“It
’sonl
yrightt
hatIcal lherandaskhow
shei s.Whatpossiblycant hatdo?AndIwi l
l
havet oapologiseony ourmot her’
sbehalf
.How
doy out hi
nkshef eel
st hatasy ourpar
ent,
I
didn’tcall
?”
Ngcebo:“
Don’tcal
lher.”hesaidl
astl
yandther
e
wastotal
sil
enceafterthatsi
gnal
li
ngthat
Ngcebohaddroppedt hephonecall
.
“Hedoesn’twantyoutocallher
?”Thembelihl
e
askedDalisuaft
erheremovedthephonef r
om
hisear.Hewaslookingatit
.Shewasstanding
bytheentranceofthehousewithatr
ayoff ood
forDali
su.Shestoodther
ewhensher eal
ised
thatDali
suwasont hephonewithNgcebo.
Dali
su:“
Whyar ey oueavesdroppi
ng?Howl ong
haveyoubeenst andi
ngov erther
e?”heasked
l
ookingatherasshekneel edtoputthetr
ayof
foodonthecoffeetable.Andshesatonher
seataf
tert
hat.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ithasn’
tbeenl
ong.Pl
ease,
answerme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hedoesn’
twanti
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Hhay i
!”sheshookherheadand
keptqui
et.ShelookedatDali
suandhewas
al
soquiet
.“If
orgottotel
lyout
hatNgcebosaid
somethi
ngtoHappinesswhenwewer einhi
s
house.
”Shesaid.
Dal
i
su:
“Hesai
dsomet
hing?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yes, hesaidHappinessshoul
d
l
ookf orashieldtocov erhersel
fbecause
ther
e’ssomet hi
ngcomi ngherwaybuthedidn’
t
tel
lherwhatwast hat.Ithi
nkthathemighthav
e
hadadr eam abouther .”
Dali
su:“
Whydidn’
tsheaskwhenshehada
chancetoask?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shedi
daskbutNgcebot
ell
her
.”
Dali
su:“
ShemustcallDal
ingceboandaskhim
toaskNgcebo.Hewil
ltel
lDalingceboi
fheasks
buthemustn’
ttel
lhi
m he’
saski ngonanyone’
s
behal
f.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Okay,l
etmegoandt el
lher.I
don’
tthi
nkwewi ll
haveanyChrist
mas
cel
ebrat
ionsthi
syearbecauseofwhathas
happened.
”
Dali
su:
“Idon’
tknow.You’
l
ldeci
dewi
thy
our
daught
ers’
in-
law.
”
Shenodded, shestoodupandshemar chedto
theki
tchenwher eherdaughters’
in-l
awwere.
Thechildrenwereplayi
ngaroundt heyar
dof
thepalace…Thembel i
hlesatdownont hechai
r
andshet oldHappi
nesswhatDal isuhad
suggestedshemustdo.
Happiness:
“Hha!Mama,
Iam scar
edt
ocal
l
Dal
ingcebo.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whyareyouscar
ed?What
’s
wrongi
fyoucall
him?
”
Daniel
le:“
Hhayi,
Ial
sowouldn’twantt
ocal
l
Dal
ingcebo.”Shemumbledlooki
ngat
HappinessandNkosazanal
aughed.
Nkosazana:
“What
’swr
ongwi
thDal
i
ngcebo?
”
Candi
ce:
“He’
sunpr
edi
ctabl
e.It
hinkt
hat
’swhy
she’
sscar
edtocallhi
m butyoushoul
dn’tbe
scar
edbecauset
hisisyourl
i
f ewearetal
king
about
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yes,getupandcallhim.
”she
encouragedandHappi nessnoddedherhead.
Shestoodonherf eetandshewal kedoutoft
he
house.
“
Hel
l
o?”Dal
i
ngceboanswer
edhi
sphonecal
l
.
Happiness:“
Yebo,
Dal
i
ngcebo,
it’
sHappi
ness
speaking.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Hmm?Hmm?
”
Happi
ness:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:“Iam f
ineIam cal
l
ingbecauseI
needyourhelp.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Wi
th?
”
Happi
ness:
“It
hinky
our
ememberwhatNgcebo
sai
dtomewhenIwasinhi
shouseandIasked
himtocl
ari
fybuthedi
dn’t
.Iam askingt
hatyou
askhimi
fhe’dseensomethingforhimt
osay
whathesai
dandwhatisitthathesaw.Iam
real
l
yworri
edaboutwhathesaidtome.”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
lhi
m andask
hi
m? ”
Happiness:
“Eh,Idon’
tthi
nkt
hathe’
l
ltel
lme
becausehedidn’tt
ell
mewhenIaskedhimthat
ni
ght.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Hewasangr
y,cal
lhi
m now.
”
Happiness:
“Idon’
twanttobeinsensit
ive,
Dali
ngcebo.Pl
ease,Iknowthathe’
llt
ellyoui
f
youaskbecauseyou’rehi
sbrother
.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Hewasgi v
enthegi
ftf
orar
eason
andifyouaskhewil
ltel
lyouwhaty
ouwantto
know.There’
snoneedforyout
oaskme.Cal
l
Ngcebo.”
Happi
ness:“Okay,
thankyou.”shesaidand
r
emovedt hephonefrom herearbutshedi
dn’
t
cal
lNgcebo.Shemov
edbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdi
dhesay
?”
Happi
ness:
“Hesai
dImustcal
lNgcebo.
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Yousai
dit
,Candi
ce!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!What
’swr
ongi
fheasks
hi
m? ”
Happi
ness:“He’
ssaidthere’snoneedf ormet o
askhi
mt otalkt
oNgcebobutIshoul dcallhim.
Andhesaidhewi l
ltel
lmei fIask.Idon’tt
hinkI
cancal
lNgcebo.Iwon’t.
”
Thembeli
hlesi
ghed.Nkosazanatookouther
phonefr
om theapron’
spocketandshecalled
Ngcebo.Shewait
edast hephonerang.
“Ngcebo’
sphonehel
l
o.”Nandi
phaanswer
edt
he
phone.
Nkosazana:
“Hawu,
Nandi
pha,
howar
eyou?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Nkosazana:“
Iam fi
ne.Haveyoubeen
dischar
ged?Wecamet othehospi
talt
ovisi
t
youbutwewer enotall
owedtogoinsi
de.
”
Nandipha:“
No,Iam st
il
li
nthehospi
tal
.Ngcebo
i
sout.Doy ouhaveamessage?Icanpassitor
you’
l
lcallhi
m back.
”
Nkosazana:
“No,
it’
s-”
“
He’shere.Rast
a, t
hequeenisonthephone.
”
Nkosazanahear
dNandi phai
nfor
m Ngceboand
t
herewereshuffl
ingsounds.
Ngcebo:
“Hel
l
o.”
Nkosazana:
“Yebo,
Ngcebo,
howar
eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam goodandy
ou?
”
Nkosazana:“
Iam fine.Iam cal
l
ingbecauseI
haveseenHappinesshasbeenst ressedt
he
pastfewdays,mainlysincewegotbackfrom
yourhouse.
”
Ngcebo:
“And?
”
Nkosazana:“Shet
oldmet haty ousai
d
somet hi
ngtoheraboutprotecti
nghersel
fandI
am askingonherbehal
fifthere’ssomethi
ng
thatyousaw? ”
Ngcebo:
“She’sr
unni
ngwithbloodfl
oodi
ng
downherfaceandshekeepsl
ookingbackfor
someoneorsomethi
ng,Idon’
tknow.That
’sal
lI
saw.”
Nkosazana:“
YohJesu!Doy
ouper
hapsknow
whatdoesthatmean?”
Ngcebo:
“No.
”
Nkosazana:
“Okay,thanky ouandhowar ethe
gir
ls?Wecouldn’
tseet hem thatni
ght?Howar e
theycopi
ngwithouttheirmother’
spresence?
”
Ngcebo:
“They
’rewi
tht
hei
rgr
andmot
her
.Ihav
e
t
ogonow. ”
Nkosazana:“Thankyou.
”sheremov
edthe
phonefrom herearandshel
ookedatt
heeyes
thatwereal
readylooki
ngather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hesai
dhowar
ethegi
rl
s?”
Nkosazana:“
Hesai
dthey
’rewi
tht
hei
r
gr
andmot her
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
AndNandi
pha,
she’
sbeen
di
schar
ged?”
Nkosazana:
“No.
”
Happiness:“
Didhetel
lyouaboutwhathesaw? ”
shelookedatherandNkosazanat oldherwhat
Ngcebohadj ustt
oldher
.Andt herewastotal
si
lenceintheroom.Happinessclosedhereyes
andcried.
Thembelihle:“
Hhayi
,don’
tcr
y.Wewi l
lgot
o
Langal
ibaleleandaskwhati
sthatweneedt o
doforyout obesafe.
”Shecomf or
tedherwhil
e
Nkosazanast oodupfr
om herseat.Andshe
hel
dHappi nessbyherhandtohugher …
“Iwil
ldri
vehomenowandwhaty ouneedt
odo
i
sgot oHappinessbecausesheseemed
dist
urbedaft
ershelear
ntwhatNgcebosaw.”
Dani
ell
esaidt
oMnot howhowasst
andi
ng
bef
oreherbyhercar
.
Mnot hosighed.“Al
ri
ght,
Iwill
dothat.I
t’
sbet
ter
becausePear li
sasleepbecauseIhave
promisedhert odri
vehertoDurban.Andpl
ease,
don’tstayinyourmother’
shouseforweeks.
”
Hesai d.
Dani
ell
e:“
Comeon,
Iwi
l
lst
ayunt
ilChr
ist
mas.
”
Mnot
ho:“That
’saver
ylongt
ime.Youshoul
d
comebackbefor
ethat
.”
Daniel
l
e:“Iwantt
orest.
”Shesaidpull
inghim
i
ntoahugandMnot hogav eheraninti
mate
goodbyekiss…Heheldthedoorforher.“
Ilov
e
you.
”
Mnotho:“Il
oveyoutoo.
”Heclosedthedoorf
or
herandhelookedatthecarasitwasdri
vi
ng
outofthepremises…Hethenjoggedback
i
nsidethehouse…
~~~~~~
“Idi
dn’texpecttoseeyou.
”Mt hi
mkhulusaidt
o
Luvuyoandheshowedhert hecouch.He’d
beeninsidehisoff
icel
ookingandanalysi
s
casesthatwer est
il
lopenforhimtosolvewhen
theholi
daysend.Themai dcall
edhimf or
Luvuyo.
Luvuyo:“Isupposewebot hdidn’texpect
somethingf r
om eachot herbecauseIdi dn’
t
expectwhaty oudi d.”Shesai dandl ookedat
him ashesatont hesi nglecouch…Shehadt o
fl
ybackt oSout hAf ri
caaf tershehear df rom
Lonwabo’ sfr
iendt hatact ual
lyHappi nesswas
backwithMnot ho.Luv uyodi dn’tfind
Happiness’smoodr ightwhenshecal ledher
andsheaskedLonwabo’ sgangst erf r
iendto
fi
ndoutwhathadbeenhappeni ngwi t
hherand
Nonjabulobecauseshecoul df eel that
somethingwasn’ taddi ngupwi thHappi ness.
Shedidn’tevensoundhappyt ospeakt oherbut
shehadawkwar dvibest hatshe’ dnev ergiv
en
herbef
ore.Andshenevercall
edheragainto
al
lowhertospeakwit
ht hechil
dren.Thatwas
enoughforhert
ofeelsomethingwasn’tri
ght
..
.
Lonwabo’ sfr
iendthendidtheresearchandhe
confessedev er
ythi
ngthatactual
lyhappened,
from thePIconfront
inghim andhim, t
ell
i
nghim
thetruthaboutLonwabo.Andhepr omisedto
fi
xhiswr ongs…
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?”
Luvuyo: “
Youaskedtospeakt omeandIcame
here,
y ouaskedforforgi
venessforever
ything
youdidt omybrother.It
oldyouhecanf orgiv
e
youonl yify
oucanensur ethatHappi
nessand
herchildr
enarehappyandpr otect
ed.Iasked
thatyouensureshedoesn’tgobackt othathell
-”
Mt hi
mkhul
u: “
Yes,Iknowbutitwasn’
tbyf
orce
thatshewentback.Itwasherchoi
cetogo
backtohim andIhaverefusedi
tbuti
t’
swhat
shewant
ed.
”
Luvuyo:“Really?It’
swhatshewant ed?Yousent
herbackt here,youwer esupposedt ostand
yourgroundbecausey oupr omisedme.How
canyout rustthatman?Howcany ou?I t
’sus,
whom sheusedt ocryto,notyou.Iknowwhat
thatmandi dt oher.There’snokindofabuse
shedidn’texper i
enceinhishandandy oukindl
y
sentherbackwi thMYBROTHER’ SDAUGHTER!
It
’sfi
netheni fy ouwantedy ourdaughtertogo
backtherebutmybr ot
her’sdaughter
?”
Mt hi
mkhul u:“
Younglady,Iunderst
andyour
frustrat
ionsbutIwasgoingtoloseherifI
refusedt ogi
vehermyblessings.Iwasn’thappy
andIst il
ldon’
ttr
ustherhusbandbutIjust
didn’twanttostandi
nherway .
”
Luvuyo:“Okay,fi
ne,yougambledwit
hyour
daughterbutIwon’tgamblewithmybrot
her’
s
daughter.Iam sorr
ybutIam notastoot
rust
ing
asyouar eandmybr ot
hert
aughtmenotto
tr
ustpeopl
e.Imadeami st
akebyt
rust
ingy
ou
andtr
usti
ngHappiness.
”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Ther
e’snot
hingIcando.
”
Luvuy
o:“Yes,t
here’
ssomethi
ngyoucando.I
wantthebestLawyeri
ntownbecauseIwant
myniece’
scustody-
”
Mthimkhul
u:“
What!Thatwi
l
lhurtmydaught
er.
Youcan’tt
akeherchi
l
dHappinessl
ovesher
daught
er-”
Luvuy
o:“
Iknowbutmybr ot
her
’sdaught
erwil
l
notst
aywit
hhermother’
sabuser
,arapi
standa
manwhokill
edherf
ather
-”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
WHAT!
”
Luvuy
o:“Yes,yourdaughterhi
dthatfr
om me.I
wanttotakemybr other
’schil
d.DoIhavea
caseandwill
youhel pme? ”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Iwi
l
lhel
pyoui
nonecondi
ti
on.
”
Luv
uyo:
“Thati
s?”
Mthimkhulu:
“Letconv
inceHappi
nesst
oleav
e
herhusband.
”
Luv
uyo:
“No,
youf
ail
edt
odot
hat
.”
Mthimkhul
u:“Okay ,
ifHappi
nessdecidesto
l
eaveherhusbandi fyouwantcustody,i
fshe
l
eavesherhusbandy ou’l
ll
etherhaveher
daught
erunlessifyouhaveproofthatMnotho
ki
ll
edyourbrother.Hecangot oj
ail
.”
Luvuyo:“
Idon’tt
hinkIhaveenoughprooffor
thatandevenwithtaki
nghercustody,Idon’
t
thi
nkmyt esti
monyandt hepi
ctureswhereshe
wasbeatenwouldbeenought opr ov
ehewas
anabuser.”
Mthimkhul
u:“Ther
e’ssomeonewhohasasol i
d
evi
denceofthatbutdoyouagreethatifshe
wil
li
ngl
yleaveMnotho,you’
l
lletherr
aiseher
daught
er?”
Luv
uyo:“Yes,
Ijustdon’twanthernextt
ot hat
man.Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion.Do
Ihav
eacase?CanIappl
yforcust
ody
?”
Mthi
mkhulu:“
Yes,youhav
eacaseandy
oucan
appl
yforcust
ody.
”
Luvuyosighedinrel
iefandsheclosedher
eyes…Shedi dn’
twanttotellMthi
mkhulu
every
thingbecauseshedidn’tt
rusthi
m…She
wantedherbr ot
her’
sdaughterawayfrom
Happinessandhersocal l
edhusband…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE43

“Don’
tyouthinkyouneedt ogohomenow? ”
NgceboaskedDal ingcebowasseat ednextto
him,t
heywer ehav i
ngt hei
rsuppersil
ent
ly
i
nsidethedi
ningr oom.Dal i
ngcebohadbeeni n
thehousealonewi ththegirl
s,Ngcebowasn’t
home.WhenDal ingcebogotbackf rom Pal
esa,
hefoundThulaandthegi
rlsal
one,Ngcebo
wasn’thomeandhedidn’
tsaywherehewas
goi
ng…Fai t
handRandall
camebyi nthe
aft
ernoonandFait
htookthechi
ldr
en.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Whyshoul
dIgohome?
”
Ngcebo:“
Idon’tgetwhyy
ou’r
eherebecauseI
am doi
ngfineandwhataboutQhawe?Howdo
youthi
nkhef eel
sasyouarenothome?”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Iam notleavi
nghereunt
ily
our
wif
ecomesbackher eandfory
oursakeIhope
shecomesbackher e.”
Ngcebo:
“Whydoyousayt
hat
?Di
dhermot
her
saysomethi
ng?
”
Dali
ngcebo:
“Nc.Nc.Lookatyou!Wher
ehave
youbeenalldaybecausey
ouclearl
ydi
dn’
tgo
t
ot hehospi
talt
oseeNandipha?”
Ngcebo:“Please,
Dal
i
ngcebodon’
taskme
quest
ions.”
Dali
ngcebo: “
She’l
lnotcomebackhereifyou
actl
ikethis.Idon’
tknowwhoi nthei
rri
ghtmind
canignorehiswifewho’sinthehospi
tal
.Or
maybey ouwantt heremaini
ngchil
dtodieas
you’
reshowi ngheryoudon’tcar
e.”
Ngcebo: “
Howcany ousaythat?”heshout edat
hi
m outofr ageandhisredblazi
ngey esgazed
athim asDalingcebowastalki
ngcraptohi m
now.“Whatshoul dIgoandsayt oNandi pha,
huh?Ishouldsmi leonherf
aceandt ellhert hat
everyt
hingisgoingtobealr
ightwhilenothingi s
al
right
.”
Dalingcebo:“Whoreal l
ycaresaboutt hefact
thatyouhav etopretendt hatev
erythingis
alr
ightwhileit
’snot?”heasked, del
iberately
beingmeant ohi m becausehewaspi ssinghim
offbyact i
ngthisway .Hesawnov alidreason
forNgcebot obehav elikethi
s.Andal lhecould
donowwast opushhi mt otheedgeandl eave
him withguil
tbecausehewasn’ tbeingfair.
“We’l
lbetal
ki
ngadi ff
erentki
ndofgr i
eveifyour
wifedeci
destoleaveyouforbeinginsensi
ti
ve
andnegli
gentofthem becausewhatcany ou
saytoher?What’syourexcusefornotgoingto
thehospi
talt
oseeher ?”heasked.
Ngcebo:“
Itol
dyoubuty
ou’
react
ingasi
fyou
don’
tknow.”
Dal i
ngcebo: “Well,shedoesn’ tknowt haty ou
can’ tfaceherbecausei t’
syourmot herwhohas
ahandi nt hedeat hofy ourchild.Andt hat’snot
somet hingy ou’
lltellher .Iwil
ltellyout his,Iwil
l
l
eav eher ewheny ourwi feisbeingdi schar ged
from t hehospi talwhet hershecomesher eor
not .Andf ory oursake, Ihopeshecomesback
her e,i
fshedoesn’ tIwill l
eavey ouher eal one
stil
l.”Het hreatenedhi m hopingt hatwasgoi ng
tof orcehi mt ogot othehospi tal becausehe
knewonet hing, l
osingNandi phawast hel ast
thinghewoul dwi shf or.Thatwasn’ tsomet hi
ng
heneededt oconf i
rm, heknewi t.“Iwillhav e
thi
sfoodwi
ththeTV.Iwasaloneal
lday
,
anyway.
”Headdedandhestoodup,hel
eft
Ngcebowit
houthear
ingwhathehadtosay
…
Ngcebost oodupf r
om thechairhetookhis
plat
eandmar chedtothemicrowave,heshoved
theplatei
nsidethemicrowave.Hemar chedto
thekeyholdersandhet ookthekeysofhis
Porscheandhegr abbedhiswal l
ett
hatwason
thedinnertabl
ewi t
hhisphone…
===
Shef orkedherf oodwi tht he‘
spoon’ andshe
si
ghed, shewasbor edandal lshewant ednow
wast oatl eastsleepcomf ort
ablywithoutany
dri
ponher .Shewasl ookingatt hefoodt hather
mot herhadl eftforherwhenshewasi nt he
hospitaltov i
sitherwi t
ht hechil
drenaf ew
hoursago.Shewasl i
steningtodeephouse
tr
yingt odistractherself.Shewasmov ingher
headwi tht hemusi candshebeganhi tt
ingthe
di
shwi ththespoont hatwasonherhand.She
st
oppedonlywhenthemusi
cst
oppedbecause
oft
heincomingcal
l
.
“
Sawubona,
mama?”Nandi
phaanswer
ed
MaNt
ombela’
scal
l
.
MaNt
ombel
a:“
Howar
eyou,
Nandi
pha?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
MaNt ombela:“Iam worr
iedabouty ouandmy
kneescan’tevenallowmet otraveljustt
ocome
thatsideandseey ou.Youwereki dnappedand
nowy ouareint hehospi
talbutIcan’tseeyou.
”
Nandi phasmi l
ed.“Mamabakit hi
.You’ regetti
ng
old,no,you’r
enotev engett
ingold, you’reold
nowandt here’
snoneedf oryout ot r
av ellong
distancesjusttoseeme.Iam doi ngf ineandI
willbedischargedsoon.AndIwi llkeepy ou
i
nf ormed,ofmypr ogress.
”Shef reedher
becauseshedi dn’
twanthertravell
ingj ustto
seeher .I
twasbet tert
hatshewasev en
thinki
ngofseei ngherunli
kesomeonewhowas
j
ustadr
iveaway
.
MaNtombel
a:“
It’
snott
hesameont
hephone
aswhenIam t
here.
”
Nandipha:“Oh!Baki t
hi,myol dwoman, havef
un
withQalokuhl ether
ebef oresheleavesy outo
goseet heTabl eMount ain.Lastnightshe
couldn’
tstopt alki
ngabouthowmuchf unshe
wasgoingt ohav ewit
hhermot herandshe
askedifIdidn’twanttocomeandbr ingthe
gi
rls.
”Shesai dandshel aughedalongwi th
MaNt ombel awhowasl aughing,sher ai
sedher
eyesast hedoorwasopenedandNgcebo
walkedinsidet heroom.Nandi phasentherey es
backont hel unchboxoff oodthatwasbef ore
her.
MaNtombela:“
Idon’
tknowhowshe’ l
lbetal
ki
ng
whenshecomesbackf r
om thatTabl
e
Mountai
n.Hheyi
!Shetal
ksalotandshe
r
emindsmeofy ouwheny ouwereachil
djust
l
ikeSi
milo,
thesechi
l
drental
k.”
Nandi
phamov edherfaceawayf r
om Ngcebo
ashewast r
yingtokisshercheek.Shedidn’t
l
ookathim butshehear dhi
m pullthechai
r.“
I
thi
nkSi
miloisextramama.Idi dn’
ttalkt
hat
muchIwaswaybet t
er.”Shedefendedhersel
f.
MaNtombela:“
You’
veneveradmit
tedt
hat.Chi
ld,
youshoul
dgetsomerest
, sl
eepasmuchasy ou
canbecausesoony
ourhandswillbef
ull
.
”
Nandiphasmiled.“
Iwi
l
lgetsomerest
,mama,
thankyou.Andgoodni
ghtnt
ombiendala.
”She
saidpoli
tel
y.
MaNt
ombel
a:“
Goodni
ght
,mnt
anami
.”
Nandi
phar emov edherphonef r
om herearand
shepl
acedt hephonenexttot helunchbox
wit
houtstoppingthemusicthatwasr esuming.
Shepickedupt hespoonthatwasbef oreher
andsheproceeded‘forki
ng’herfood.
Ngcebo:“
Sawubona,Rast
alady
.”Hegr
eet
ed
hercal
mlyandheplacedhi
shandon
Nandipha’swri
stt hatwaspl ayi
ngfood.“Why
ar
ey ounoteat i
ngbecausey ou’
resupposedto
beeating?”Heaskedt alkingthedishfr
om the
overbedt r
aytable.Hepl acedthedishonhis
l
efthandandhel ookedatNandi phawhowas
wasn’tlooki
ngathi m butshe’dtakenherphone.
Ngcebo:
“Nandi
pha,
Iam her
e.Cany
out
ake
not
eofthat
?”
Nandi
pha:“
Oh!Ishoul
dt akenoteofyoubei
ng
her
ebecausenow,you’
vef el
tli
ke,
Ishoul
dgo
seehernowandshe’l
lhavetotakenoteofme.
”
Ngcebo:
“No,
buthav
eyourf
oodpl
ease.
”
Nandipha:“Whyareyouherenow?Yougother
e
onSundayandy ou’r
eheretoni
ght
.Wherehave
youbeenallthi
stime?Youwantedtodo
whateveryouweredoingsothaty
ourwif
ecan
complainbecauseit
’sfuni
fshedoes.
”
Ngceboclosedhi
seyesshort
lyandhedidn’
t
answerherforawhi
l
e,hejustdrov
etothe
hospi tal wi thoutknowi ngwhathewasgoi ngt o
sayt oheraboutnotcomi ngtot hehospi tal t
o
seeher .Hewassupposedt ogett oherwi tha
straightr easont owhyhewasn’ tcomi ngt ov isi
t
her .“Babe, wewi l
ltal
kbutcany oueatt hisf ood
thaty ou’ v etur nedintoamash.Ican’ tev ent ell
whatwasher eandwasnother eont hisdi sh.”
Hesai dl ooki ngatherbutNandi phapushedt he
ov erbedt rayt ableandshef ixedt hebl anket s
thatwer ecov eringher .Shelaidbodydownon
thel eftsi de, thatgav eNgceboherback.
Nandi phacl osedherey es…AndNgceboont he
othersi depul l
edthel eadoft hel unchboxand
hecov eredt hef ood,heputt hef oodaway .He
gotupwi tht hechai randhemov edfrom t he
sidet hechai rwassui ted.Hepl acedt hechai r
ont hesi deshewasf aci ngbecauseheknew
shewasn’ tgoi ngt oturn.Hel ookedather
tummyandwhatheknewt hatNandi phadi dn’t
knowhi thi m.I thithim har dthatonl yonebaby
wasal iv eint her eandhewonder edifshe’ d
r
eal
isedthatorshewasn’ttaki
ngnoteofthe
moves.Ngcebotauntedhisjawandhereali
sed
t
hatthi
swasdi f
fi
cultforhi
mt odo.
Ngcebopul l
edNandipha’shandthatwasvi
sibl
e
tohiseyes.“I
twasn’teasyformetocomeher e
andtalktoyoubecauseIhav ebeenupsetwi
th
mymot herandIdidn’tknowhowIwasgoi ngto
faceyou.”Hesai
dt oNandipha.
Nandiphaopenedherey esandlookedathi
s
face,she’
dheardhim movebutshedidn’tt
urn
becausehe’dmov edtofaceher.“
Youdidn’
t
knowhowy ouweregoingtofaceme?That ’
san
excuse.”Shesai
d.
Ngcebo:“Don’tyoudaretel
lmethati
t’
san
excuseandf or
getthatyou’
ret
heonewhokept
whatwasr eall
ygoingonbetweenmamaand
you.”
Nandipha:
“Oh!So,t
hat
’swhyy ouhaven’tbeen
comingheretoseeme?Isthatreal
l
yy our
excuse?Thefactt
hatIdidn’
ttel
lyouwhatyour
motherhasbeensayingtome?Iam here
becauseofyourmotherandyoudidn’
tcomet o
seeuswhileIam r
ootedheredoingnot
hing
becauseofyourmother.
”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
twantust
ofi
ght
.”
Nandipha:“No,you’r
etheonewhost ar
tedthis
andit’
sclearthatyouwantedtof
ightwithme
becauseIwasn’ tgoi
ngtokeepquietwhil
ey ou
showedmet hatyoudon’tev
encareaboutus.”
Ngcebo: “
That’
soutofl
inenow!Becauseyou
knowt hatIcar
eaboutyouandourchil
drenbut
youjustdon’twantt
ounderst
andme.”
Nandi pha:“Under
standwhatNgcebo?Didyou
evengi vemeachancet ounderst
and?No, y
ou
didn’tbutyoudidn’
tshowyourfacehereand
youhady ourphoneswit
chedoffunti
ll
astnight
,
andy oust i
lldi
dn’
ttakemycall
s.Whydon’tyou
tell
met hatIdon’
twantyouanymore?”
Ngcebo: “Hheyi,
fucky ou, manwena!Why
wouldy oujustthinkl
iket hat?Iam tel
li
ngy ou
howIf eltbutyoudon’twantt ounderstanda
thi
ngaboutt hat.You’retelli
ngmecr apnowI
don’twanty ou?”heshout edatheroutofr age
thathehadbur ningragei nsidehim because
shedidn’twantt ounderst andli
tt
lethathewas
tel
li
ngher .“Whyar eyouqui etnow?”
Nandi
pha:“
WhyshouldIt
alkbecausey
ou’
ve
j
ustswore‘
fucky
ou’atme?”
Ngcebohi ssedandpl acedhishandonhi sface
feeli
ngdeept hathewasn’ ti
nar i
ghtmi ndt obe
talki
ngt oNandi phar ightnowbutwhatot her
opt i
ondi dhehav e?Hecoul dn’tkeephi ding
from her…Hehel dherhandt ightl
yandl ooked
ather .Shewasl ookingdownwi thtearscomi ng
outofherey es.Ngcebost oodonhi sf eetand
hepul ledNandi phaint oahug.“ Iam sor ry,I
didn’tmeant ohur tyoubutIwasst i
llangr yand
allIwasav oi
ding, wast hi
s,fi
ghtingwithy ou
becauseIam angry.Please,for
giv
eme.Iam
herenowandIwon’ tmi ssaday .
”Hepr omi
sed
holdi
ngherfacenowf orcinghertolookathi
m
ashewast alki
ng.He’dwi pedthetear
sonher
face.
Nandi
pha:
“Youwer
esupposedt
oaskmewhyI
di
dwhatIdid.
”
Ngcebo: “
Yourf ri
endt oldmeandev enthat
reasonmademeangr ybecauseIwasl aughi ng
withmymot herwhi l
eshehadapr oblem wi t
h
you.It’
sl i
keshewasmaki ngaf oolofme.I
neverst oppedl aughingwi thmyf athereven
thoughIknewhehadapr oblem wit
hy ou.He
madesur eIknewi tandt hatwashonest yeven
thoughi tmademeangr ythathewashol ding
grudges, Isti
llappreciatedt hathewasn’t
pretending.Wi thmymot her,i
t’
sli
keshewas
busyst abbingmei nthebackwhi lelaughingon
myf ace.You’ r
emybackboneNandi phaandy ou
knowhowi mpor tantthatbonei sinahuman’ s
bone.I
fitcanbedamagedahumanbei ng
spendshisenti
reli
fesitt
ingdown.Andwhoev er
hurt
syou,theystabbingmyback, t
heymust
haveaproblem withyouandensur et
hatIknow
i
t.NottolaughwithmeandwhenIhav eturned
mybackt hey’
rehurti
ngy oubecauseIcan’tsee
nowandy oujustkeepqui et
.Doyouunder stand
that
?”
Nandi
pha: “
Yes,Ido.Ij
ustdidn’
twanty
outo
f
ightwithyourmotherbecauseofme.Idi
dn’
t
wantthat,
Ngcebo.”
Ngcebo: “
Whatdidshesaytoyouwhenshe
cal
ledyou?Anddon’tthi
nkofl
yingtome,
Nandipha.”Heaskedwhil
eNandipha’sface
wasst i
l
lonhishands.Shewasnol ongercryi
ng
now.
Nandipha:“Shewasblamingmeofy our
behaviour
.ShesaidIhavetaughty
out o
di
srespectthem.Idi
dn’tt
akeitwellandwhenI
wakeupIwasscar edthatIwasgoingt obe
tol
dthatIl
ostmybabi es.
”Shewaslooki
ngint
o
hiseyesassherepli
ed.Ngcebot
auntedhi
sjaw
andhedidn’
tbreatheawor d.
Ngcebo: “Di
dsher eall
yslapy ou?”heasked
car essi
nghercheeksandNandi phanodded.He
didn’tsayanythi
ngbutheki ssedherlips
mov i
nghishandatt hebackofherneckand
Nandi phatr
iedtopullhim downbecauseshe
want edhimt obeclosertoher .Ngcebosaton
thespaceoft hebedandt heysharedthei
rkiss
i
nt ensely
.
“We’
rei
nthehospit
al,
remember ?”Nandipha
sai
dtoNgceboinbetweenthekissesandhe
wassendi
nghishandbeneaththeblankets.
Ngcebo: “So?”heaskedandtouchedhersof t
thighsasNandi phawaswearingashor tpyj
ama.
Hechuckl eddeeplyasNandiphawasf asteni
ng
hisbeltwhilethei
rli
pswerestil
ll
ockedi nt
oa
kiss.“Shoul
dIr emovei
thalf
way ?”heasked
kissingherneckandhefeltt
hatNandipha’ s
handwast
rappedi
nsi
dehi
spant
s.
Nandi
pha:
“Someonewi
l
lcomei
nher
e.”
Ngcebo: “Nobodywi l
lcomei nher
e.West i
ll
havetimeandIcanst ayasmuchasIwant .
They’r
et oobusy .
”Hesai dremov i
nghispants
l
eav i
ngt hem half
wayhi slegsandhesatback
onthebed.Nandi phashif
tedal i
tt
letogivehim
mor espacetosi tandtheyr esumedbykissing
eachot herwhileNgcebopul ledherpyj
amas
shortdownwi t
hhi sr
ighthandmassagi ngher
breasts.
Nandipha:“Ngcebo…Iwanty ou…f orreal
…”she
cri
edwhi l
eherleftfi
stwasfullofNgcebo’s
penisthatwaswar m anderect
ed, shebusy
caressi
nghim slowlyandreachingupt othe
sensit
ivepartofhim.
Ngcebo:“
Wecan’ thavesexinher
e,Nandipha.
”
Herepl
iedinshortbreat
hashewasf eel
ingthe
pl
easurebutthatwasnotstoppi
nghimfrom
quest ingheropeni ngswi thhi smi ddlef inger
andhel istenedasshemoanedonal owt one.
Heexpl oredhersl owl ynothar dunt il
hef ound
thesmal l har dnubofpl easur einsideher ,and
hef ocusedoni tcr eati
ngci rclest hatmadeher
facel ookev enmor ebeaut i
ful ashewas
l
ooki ngati twhi lehisemot i
onswer epay i
ng
attentiont owhatshewasdoi ngher self.Thi s
wasmul titaskingandi twashi ghlypleasur able…
Nandi phawasf eeli
nggr eatwav esofpl easur e
becauset hismanwast ouchi ngherwher ehe
knewt hatpl easur ewaskept .Andshekept
mov i
ngcl oserandcl oserbecauseshewas
l
ov ingev er ything…Ngcebosuspect edt hather
cum wascl oserashewoul df eel hertight ening
aroundhi sf inger .Hef astenedhi slipsonher
l
ipst ohushher , shehar dlyembr acedhercum
quietlywhenshe’ dbeenwi t
houthi mf oral ong
whi l
eandhedi dn’twanthert obepossi bly
hear dbyany onecl oser…Hei nv adedhermout h
withhi st ongueandt heybot ht riumphedi nsi de
eachother
’smouthsast heycum…Theysi ghed
andNandipha’
sheadf el
lbackonthepill
ow
Ngcebofoll
owingher,helai
dhisheadonher
chest
.Theyli
stenedtoeachother’
sheartbeats
andthei
rheavybreat
hingwithoutspeaki
ng.
Nandipha:“Thisi
snotfai
r!Iwantt
ogohome! ”
shecompl ainedandpushedNgceboawayfrom
herchest.Sheopenedthedrawerfordr
ytowel
.
Ngcebo: “
Whati snotfairnow?”heaskedt
aki
ng
thetowelfrom herhandandhecl eanedhi
msel
f
careful
l
ywhi l
ewai t
ingforaresponse.“
Iam
asking.
”
Nandi
pha:
“It
hinky
ouneedt
ogonowandIwi
l
l
befi
ne.
”
Ngcebo:“Ican’
thav
esexwi
thy
oui
nher
e,
Nandipha.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Isai
dnot
hingaboutt
hat
.”
Ngcebo:“
Iknowthat
’swhatyou’
recomplaini
ng
aboutandyoushoul
datl
eastbegratef
ulthatI
tri
ed.”Hesai
dremov ingthebl
anketsf
rom her.
“Li
ftyourl
egsphelaunlessifyoudon’
twantme
tocleanyou.
”herequestedandNandiphali
fted
herlegswit
houtsayinganythi
ng…Ngcebo
l
ookedatherstandingonhi sf
eetnowwithhis
handsinsi
dehispocket.
Ngcebo:
“Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Nandipha:
“Iwantt
ogohomeandsl
eepwi
th
youinmybednothere.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thy
ouher
e
t
hough.”
Nandi
pha:
“Mxm!
”
Hefoldedhisl
ipstoavoidlaughi
ngatherand
hegrabbedthechair
.“Iwil
llaymyheadony our
thi
ghsandwewi ll
talkunti
lyoufall
asl
eep,t
hen
Iwil
ll
eaveyou.How’st hat
?”Heaskedlooki
ng
atherbel
ly.
Nandi
pha:
“That
’snotwhatIwant
.”
Ngcebo:
“It
’swhaty
ou’
l
lgett
hough.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Mxm!
”
Ngcebo:“Iwil
l t
alktotheDoctortomor rowand
askwhenshe’ sdischargi
ngyou.Gi vemea
pi
ll
ow.”Her equestedasNandi phawasl ay
ing
onthesidethatshewasonbef ore.Ngcebo
pl
acedthepi l
lowwher ehe’dbeenseat edand
helai
dhisheaddown…Theyhadt heir
conver
sationont hatposi
ti
on…
“Ngcebo!Ngcebo!Wakeup!”Nandi
phashook
Ngceboasshewascer t
aint
hathewashaving
adream becausehi
sheadandshoulderswere
convul
singwhil
ehisfacewasheavil
y
sweati
ng…Sheshookhi m unt
ilhewasawake.
Ngceboinhaleddeepl
y.“Canyougiv
eme
water
?”herequestedtaki
ngthetowelthat
t
hey’v
eusedbef oreandhewipedhisfacewit
h
t
heotherside.
Nandi
pha:
“Her
e.Whatwer
eyoudr
eami
ng
about
?”sheaskedgiv
inghimthegl
assofwat
er
andNgcebotooktheglass.
Ngcebo:
“It
’sHappi
ness.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Whatabouther
?”
Ngcebo:“She’
sr unningaloneonthegravelr
oad
andshehasbl oodr ushi
ngdownherf ace
showingshehasaheadi njury
.She’
scryingand
keepslooki
ngbackasi fsomeoneisrunning
aft
erher.That’
sallIam seeingandit’
sthe
secondtimethatIam hav ingthi
sdream.”He
l
ookedather .
Nandipha:“Oh!”sheexclai
medandl
ookedat
him asheplacedt hegl
assdownandlookedat
hisphone.“Whydon’ ty
ougohomeandy ou’l
l
restinyourbed?”
Ngcebosighed.“
Yeah!Ishouldgonowandyou,
yourheadinj
ury–Tsk!Argh!Imeanthe
night
mares.Areyousti
l
lhavingthem?”he
asked.
Nandi
pha:
“Yes.
”
Ngcebo: “
Eish.Iwil
lbri
ngthatmuthi
Langali
balel
egav eyouandwe’ l
lbur
nitinhere
becausewhatot herchoicedowehav e?”he
suggestedstandingup.Nandiphanodded,
Ngcebot henbenthisheadt oki
ssher
goodbye…

THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE47

“Thi
smesscoul dhavebeenav oi
dedbutnow,
weareher esufferi
ngandwhenIcal cul
ate.How
l
ongwi l
littakeforyouandNandi phatoget
marri
ed?”Dal i
ngceboaskedhisbr ot
herwho
wasseatedont hepassengerseatof
Dali
ngcebo’svehicl
e.Theywer etaki
ngthe
rout
esendingthem t
othei
rpar
ent
s’pal
aceon
the20t
hofDecemberwhi chwasaSunday
,a
sunnySunday.
Ngcebo:“Idon’
tknow,she’l
lgi
vebirt
ht oa
prematurebaby,
she’l
lhavetostayinthe
hospit
al,
wewi l
lhavetoburytheotherchi
ldand
wewi l
lhavetomournt hechi
ldandonlyafter
thatcanwegetmar r
ied.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
That’
sli
kefourmont
hsfrom now
becauseIthi
nkthr
eemont hsf
orali
tt
lebaby
unl
essifshewantstodothewholesi
x
months.”
Ngcebo:“
Yeah,i
t’
sthreemonthsandBanel
e
wil
lbeseatedonthatbedorwheel
chai
rdoi
ng
absol
utel
ynothi
ng.”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Yes,whatcanbedone,ser
iousl
y?
There’
snothi
ngthatwecandotospeedup
thi
ngsnowsincethere’
sachi
ldthathaslef
t
us.
”
Ngcebosi ghedandheshookhi sheadt hi nki
ng
ofthedi ffi
cultti
met hatwasl y
ingahead.He
wonder edhowNandi phawasgoi ngtot akethis
andhecoul dn’tevenguessbutal lhehopedf or
,
wasgr ievenotconsumi ngherlikeithaddone
withherf ather’
sdeat h.Hedi dn’twanttogo
throught hattimewi thheronceagai nbecause
i
t’dbeenmor edif
ficul
tf orhimtowat chhergo
throught hat.Butmay bet histi
mewasgoi ngto
bedi f
ferentbecauset hislosswascut ti
ngon
them bot h.“Iam onlyhopi ngthatshe’ll
notl ose
herself
.”Ngcebosai dt ohisbrotheroutl oud.
Dali
ngcebo: “
No,countyour
selfinther
e
becauseyouhav en’
tgri
evedNgceboandwhen
Nandiphabeginsherstagesofgrieveyour
swil
l
bereacti
vated.Now,youhaven’tbutyou’
veonl
y
buri
editforhersake.
”
Ngcebo:“Dal
ingcebo,Iam bett
er.Nandi
phai
s
j
ustworst.Shejustkeepsquietandwalk
ar
oundlikeashellwithnoemot i
ons.”
Dalingcebo:“Butshemanagest obounceback
totheper sonsheis.You’
llhavetobegratef
ul
forthatandt hi
spartri
ghthereiswhereyouliv
e
throughthickandthin.
”Hesaidandlookedat
him, Ngcebowasnoddi nginsupport
.
Ngcebo:“Withmyf i
rstchildIwasamessbutI
accept
edwhyshedi di tev
enthoughitwas
di
ffi
cult
.Ipartl
ytookt heblamebecauseIknew
howshewaswhenIl eftandIhadtobe
i
nsensit
ive.Butthi
stimear ound,
itj
ustcut
s
deeperandharderbecausei t’
smymot her
.”
Dalingcebo:“Andy ou’
llseeNgcebo, you’l
lcall
meandt ellme‘Yousai dit’you’ll
beexpect edt o
forgivemom becausey oufor gaveNandi pha.
Andt heywi l
lsaythattoy ourf ace.They’
llforget
thatwhenget ti
ngintor el
ationshipsan
expect at
iontobehur torbebr okenisalway s
there,bafoandthatexpect ationev enstopot her
peoplef r
om datingbutwhocanexpectt heir
mot hertodowhatsheknowsexact l
ythatcoul d
endangeryourchi
ld’
sli
fe?Whocanexpectt
hat
,
Ngcebo?”helookedathim.
Ngcebo: “
Idon’tthi
nkt here’
ssomeonewhocan
expectthateveniftheirmot herhat estheirwi
fe
butwheni tcomest oy ourchi l
d,that’
sa
dif
fer
entst or
y.It
’sav erydifferentstor
y .”He
support
edandhedr ov ethrought hepal ace
aft
erthey’veopenedt hegat efort hem.
Dalingcebo:“
Ey,l
et’
sjusthopeallt
hiswill
pass.”HesaidandNgcebosuppor tedhim,they
steppedoutofthecar.Dali
ngcebomar chedup
tothemai ndoorwhil
eNgcebowast aki
ngout
hisphonef r
om hi
spockett ocal
lNandipha
beforehecouldevenforgetabouti
t.
“Ihav
ebeenexpecti
ngy
ourcal
l
.”Nandi
pha
answeredt
hecall
.
Ngcebochuckled.“
IfIcal
ledatnightyouwoul
d
havebeenreadytoscream, i
sn’
t?”heaskedand
senthi
sfreehandinsidehispocket.
Nandipha:
“Yes,
y ouknowthi
swomany
ou
chosetomakey ourwif
e.”
Ngcebolaughed.“Iknowherv erywelland
that’
sthereasonIdeci dedtocallherearl
y
beforeIfor
getandt ellherthatwetravel
ledsaf
e.
We’vereachedourdest i
nati
onnowwi thevery
partofourbodiesintact.”
Nandiphagiggled.“
That
’sagoodt hi
ngbecause
Ican’
tevenimagi nehowitcouldbei
fwecan
l
osesomeofy ourbodyparts,y
ouknowthose
cri
ti
calones.”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Likemyf
eetandl
egs?”he
guessedot
herwi
seashecoul
dhearbythe
soundofherl
azyvoi
cewher
ehermindwas
pl
ayingat
.
Nandipha:“Well
,yesbecauseyoucan’
trun
aroundthegirl
swi thoutt
hoset
wo.”She
support
edi ndefeatandsheheardNgcebo
l
aughwi thoutr
aisingacomment .“
Whyareyou
l
aughi
ng?
”sheasked.
Ngcebo:“
Whydon’
tyoucountyour
selfbecause
Iknowyouli
kei
twhenIrunaft
eryou?Don’tI
runaf
teryouwi
thmyfeetandl
egs?”
Nandi
pha:“Youusedt
o.RunalongNgceboI
canhearchi
ckensmakingnoi
sether
e.”she
sai
dtoNgceboquickl
ywithasuddenrel
axed
voi
ce.
Ngcebo:“Hey,
areyouchasingmeawaynow?
What’swrongwithchi
ckens?AndIcan’
tev
en
hearchi
ckensaroundhere.
”
Nandipha:
“Ihav
etogoRast
a,t
hanky
ouf
or
cal
li
ng.”
Ngcebo:
“Who’
sint
hehousenow?
”
Nandi
pha:
“Nobody
.Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
”
Ngcebo:“
Iwil
lcall
youlater
.”Hepromi sedand
removedthephonefrom hi
searafterhe’d
hear
dacommentf r
om Nandipha.Ngcebo
placedhi sphonei nsidehi spocketandhe
mar chedt othef rontdoorwi thaf r
ownast he
sundi dnoj usticeonhi sskin.Hesi ghedashis
feetst eppedinsidet hel oungewher e
Dalingcebowasseat eddownwi thBanele,
Candi ceandNkosazana…Dal i
ngcebowas
holdingaconv ersationwi ththet woladi
es
askingabouthi sbr other’sprogress.He’df
ound
them seat edalonewi thoutBanel e…
“Sani
bona!”Ngcebogr eetedl ooki
ngatBanel e
andhesatnextt oDal ingceboasCandi cewas
alr
eadyseatednex ttoBanel e’swheelchai
r.
Lookingatthecondi ti
ont hatBanel ewasf orced
toremainin,hecoul dn’ thelpbutf eelhel
pless.
Therewasabsol ut
el ynot hi
ngt hathecoulddo
tohelpBaneleatt hisst age.Ther ewasn’tgoi ng
tobeanyweddi ngf orhi sheal i
ngwi t
hout
Nandipha’
spr esenceandshewasi nnost ateto
haveaweddi ngt hathewast oldi
tneededt obe
grandli
keev eryroyal weddi ng…Ngcebosmi led
ashesawal i
ttl
esmi lefor
cedonBanel e’
s
str
okedmout handhet ri
edtospeakbuthe
couldn’
tform clearwordsashe’dbeen
str
uggli
ng.Candi celookedatherhusbandas
hewast ryi
ngt ospeakt ohi
sbrother
s.She
l
ist
enedt ohim closely.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Cany
ouhearhi
m,Candi
ce?
”
Nkosazana:
“Youcanal
sohearhi
mify
oucan
l
ist
entohim cl
osel
y.
”
Candi
cenoddedherheadaf
tershe’
dpickedup
whatBanelewastr
yingt
osaytohisbr
others.
“He’
str
yingtoaskhowareyou?
”
Ngcebo:“Oh!Iam fi
ne,bafo.Ihadtocomeand
seeyou.Howar eyoufeeli
ng?Doy oufeel
any
pai
n?”heaskedandBanel eshookhi shead
answeri
ngthathewasn’ tf
eelingpain…Ngcebo
l
ookedatDal i
ngceboandhet henlookedat
Candi
ce.“How’she?”heasked.
Candi
ce:
“He’
sthesame,
ever
yday
.”Sher
epl
i
ed
andlookeddown, shecouldn’
tdenyhowher
heartj
umpedwhenshesawNgcebowal king
i
nsidethehouse.Shef el
tthehopet hatshe
di
dn’thav ebutitgottoher…Howcoul dshefeel
hopefulaboutsomet hingthatsheknewwasn’ t
evenclosef r
om happening?She’ dbeen
burdenedbyl ookingatherhusbandl ikethis
andthet houghtofthem, t
hem, thefactthat
‘
they’weresupposedt obeont heirhoneymoon
bynow.I tki
ll
edhersl owly
…
Ngcebo: “Ey,thisisbeyondmycont rol.
”Hesai d
andsighed, hehat edbeingt hebarri
erofbad
newsbuthecoul dn’tj
uststayinGaut eng
withoutcomi ngbyt ocheckonhi sbrother
.Ev en
thoughhedi dn’ tcomewi thhopef orBaneleand
hiswife,heneededt oseehi m.Heneededt o
seehowhi sbr otherwas.“Howar ey oucoping,
Candice?”Heasked.
Candi
ceshookherheadt
hatwasfor
ceddown,
sheshooki
trepeat
edl
yandshecr
iedher
feel
i
ngswithoutbr
eathi
ngthem outt
oNgcebo.
Nkosazanapull
edCandicei
ntoherar
msand
shehuggedherdearl
y.
Ngcebo: “
IwishIcanf astfor war
dthingsbutI
can’t
.Nandiphaisst i
llst
ucki nsi
deabubbl eof
happinessthatshe’sfineandourbabi esar e
fi
neandIknowt het r
uthwi l
lbreakher.And
she’l
lhavetogrieve,aweddi ngissomet hing
thatwil
lcomel ast.Iam reall
ysorry
,baf o.
”He
l
ookedatBanel eandher aisedhisunaffected
hand,hewav edf orhi
mt ost opworrying.
Candice: “
Iunderstand,Ngcebo.Iwil
lwait,
we
wil
lwait.”Shepr omisedlooki
ngafterNgcebo
whil
eshewi pedhert earsandshelookeddown
asshef eltahandhol dingherfr
eehand, i
twas
herhusband’ shandt hatwasholdi
nghert i
ght
ly.
Shesmi ledandl ookedathim.Baneleclosed
hi
sey esshor tl
y.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ti
mewil
lpassandsoon,
Nandipha
wil
lknowwhat’
sgoi
ngonandwewi l
lal
ltakei
t
f
rom t
her
e.”
Nkosazana:
“We’
rehopef
ulandhow’
sshe?
”
Ngcebohissedandshookhi
shead.“
Like,
Isai
d
she’
sstuckinabubbl
e.”
Candice:“
She’snotst
rugglingwi
thwhat
happenedtoher.Iam t
alkingaboutthe
ki
dnapping.She’
snotstruggli
ngwiththat
,is
she?”
Ngcebo:“Thenightmar esbotherherbutduri
ng
theday,she’
sfi
ne, she’swiththechil
drenand
i
t’sal
lgood.We’rejustwai ti
ngforthesecond
babytoimprove.”Her epli
edandt ookouthis
phonefrom hi
spocketasi tkeptbeepi
ngnone
stopandhecoul dn’ti
gnoreit.
Nkosazana:“That
’sbet
ter.Mamanobaba,
they’
renothome,theywillcomebacklat
e.They
allwenttoQueenNomal anga’
spalacewit
hyour
otherbrot
hersandHappinessforarit
ualt
aki
ng
placether
e.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Okay
.”
“We’l
lgopreparesomethi
ngf
ory ou.
”
Nkosazanasaidtothetwobr
othersandshe
pul
ledCandicewithher
.
Candice:“
Banelecant ypeont hephonewi thhi
s
freehandifyouwantt oholdaconv ersati
on
wi t
hhim.Butthephonemust n’tbetoobright
becausethathasanef fectonhi seyes.
”She
toldthet
wobr others,
specifi
callyDali
ngcebo
whowasl ookingatherandNgcebowas
concentr
atedonhi sphone.
Dali
ngcebo:“Okay
.”Hesaidandsuppor tedwi
th
aheadnod… Thel adi
esleft…Dali
ngcebostood
upfrom t
hecouch.“What’spoppingonthat
phonenow? ”heaskedmar chi
ngtothecouch
nexttoBaneleandNgcebost oodupafterhi
m.
Ngcebocl
ickedhist
ongue.“Thesechil
dren
havemessedwithmyclothesandthey’r
etotal
l
y
rui
ned.
”Herepli
edsit
ti
ngnexttoDalingceboon
thecoucht hatwasnexttoBanele,hewassti
l
l
respondingtoNandipha,sendi
ngshotsather
ashewasbl amingherforhiscl
othest
hatwere
ruined.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Theyr
uinedt
hecl
othes,
how?
”
Ngcebo:“Nandi phaleftthebasketont he
bedroom door,shewast aki
ngt hem forawash
andthegirl
sdr aggedt heclothesinsi
det heir
room.Look,theyr emademycl otheswi t
h
paint
.”Hegav et hephonet oDal i
ngcebo
showinghimt hepi ct
uresandDal i
ngcebo
l
aughed,hepassedt hephonet oBaneleas
Ngcebowast ry i
ngt otakethephonef r
om him…
Banele’
sfacegl eamedhi lar
iouslywit
houtt he
soundoflaught ercomi ngoutofhi smout h.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youmustwhi
pthem.
”
Ngcebo:“They’
ret
roubl
eandIalwaysti
ethem
onthecouchwhenIwi l
lbebusyandtel
lthem
nottotel
lthei
rmotherbecausey
ouputthem
onthecouchf orthem towatchcart
oonsand
you’l
lfi
ndNtokomal oaloneonthecouch.The
otherswouldbemessi ngsomething
somewher e.
”Hesai dangri
lywhil
ehewasbusy
repl
yingtoNandipha’stext
.
Dali
ngcebo:“
Banele,
sayst
hat’
schi
ldabuse.
”
HeinformedNgceboreadi
ngonthephonethat
Banelehadpassedtohi
m.He’dwri
tt
ena
comment .
Ngcebo:“Theyfor
cemyhandandnow, Ican’
t
tel
lthi
swomanImar r
iedt
odot hesame
becauseshe’l
lbedramati
caboutit.Ghha!”he
groanedandputhisphoneonsilenttoignore
theupcomingtext
s.
Dali
ngcebo:“
You’
ret
ryi
ngt
osay
,shehasnev
er
caughtyou?
”
Ngcebo:“
No, Ionl
ydoitwhenIam busy…How
didt
hishappen?”heaskedBanel
emov ingf
rom
thet
opicabouthischi
ldr
en…Theywaitedas
Banelewast ypingar eplynarrat
ingt othem how
thi
shappen…Dal ingcebotookt hephonef i
rst
andher eadwhatBanel ehadwr itten.He
pressedhisf aceandpassedi tt
oNgcebo, they
allcoul
dn’thol ditasBanel ehadnot edthey
woul dl
augh…Theybombedoutt helaughteras
theycouldn’tpossi bl
yimagi ne…
“Ay,Ladies,
wewi l
l–Iwi l
ll
eavenow.Idon’t
knowaboutDal i
ngcebo.”Ngcebosaidtothe
l
adies,ti
mehav epassedandi twasgett
ing
darkeroutsi
de.They’
vestayedwithBanele
havingtheconversat
ionwithhim.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iam l
eav
ingaswel
l
.”
Nkosazana:
“Won’
tyouwai
tformamaand
baba?”
Ngcebo:“
Ey,Ihavetogoandr est
,Banel
e.Iwil
l
comeseey oubeforeIdr
ivebackhome.Ithi
nk
tomorr
ow,Iwill
beheadingup.”Hepromised
l
ookingathisbrot
herandhesawanod.They
sharedafistbumpwit
hhisfreehandand
Ngcebohuggedhi m…Theythenlef
tthehouse…
Ngcebotookouthisphoneandopenedthe
passengerseatofDal
i
ngcebo’scar
.
Ngcebo: “
IwanttogoandseeQhawebef ore
youdrivemehome. ”heinfor
medDal i
ngcebo
andplacedhisphoneonhi seardi
all
i
ng
Nandipha’snumberinresponseoft
het en
missedcallsfr
om her.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Al
ri
ght
,myboy
!Ihav
emi
ssed
hi
m.”
Ngcebo:“It
oldyoutocomebackhome.”he
saidandremovedthephonefr
om hi
sear,he
dial
ledt
henumberonceagain.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Wewoul
dbet
alki
ngdi
vor
cei
fI
di
dn’tcomeback.
”
Ngcebo:
“Hhey i
,wena!Di
vor
cefrom who,huh?
”
hegavehimt hesur
pri
sedeyeandDali
ngcebo
l
aughedwithoutansweri
nghi
m.Her emoved
thephonefr
om hi
searandcli
ckedhi
stongue
befor
edial
l
ingf
orthel
astti
me.
Nandi
pha:
“Iam busy
.”
Ngcebo:
“Whatarey
oubusydoi
ngt
haty
oucan
i
gnoremycal
ls?”
Nandipha:“
Iam busy.Icall
edy
ouandy ou
di
dn’tansweraft
eryour eadmytext
sandyou
di
dn’tevenrepl
y.
”
Ngcebo:“Ihadtogiv
emyat t
enti
ontomy
br
otherandany waywhatyoushowedme
pi
ssedmeof f
.Howcany oulett
hishappen?
”
Nandi
pha:“Idi
dn’
tknowt
hegi
rl
swer
ear
oundI
t
oldyouthat.
”
Ngcebo: “
That ’
sanexcuse.Iwantthosecl ot
hes
Nandipha.Doy ouknowhowmuchIspenton
thosejeans?Whatar esci
ssorsfor?Isn’
t
dangerousf orachil
dtocarr
yapai rofscissors?
Andundery ourwatchchi
l
drenarecar r
yinga
pairofscissorscutt
ingmyshir
ts.”hehear da
si
ghf r
om Nandiphanotananswert hathewas
expecti
ng.“Youdon’tsoundbot
heredev en.
You’l
lbuytheseclot
hesNandipha,
isn’t
?”he
asked.
Nandipha:“
No, t
hechildrenweren’
tundermy
watch.You’
llhavetotalktothei
rnannybecause
Iwast ohaveyourclot
heswashed. ”
Ngcebo:“Oh!I
t’
sherwhol
eftt
hebasket
negl
ected,i
sn’
t?”
Nandi
pha:
“No,butatl
eastIdon’
thav
ecl
othes
t
owashandironnow.”
Ngceboremov edthephonef rom hisearandhe
l
ookedatt hephoneaf t
erhearingthatr
esponse
fr
om Nandi pha…Dalingcebolaughedathi m as
heplacedthephonebackonhi searonlyto
cl
ickhistongueandr emov eitonceagain.He
droppedthecal l
andr ammedt hephoneback
onhispocket .
Ngcebo:
“Ther
e’snot
hingf
unnyaboutt
his.
”
Dal
ingcebo:“
It
’sj
ustcl
othesandpai
nt,
chi
l
dren’spai
nt.
”
Ngcebo:
“Yeah,
Ifi
gur
edy
ouwon’
tgeti
t.
”
“Youneedtochil
l.I
t’
sjustf
abri
c.”Dal
i
ngcebo
saidasheparkedhiscarbefor
ehishouseand
hegotofft
hecaraf t
erNgcebo.
“Suchchubbycheeks,
ntwana.Whatis
MaNxongof eedi
ngyou?”Ngceboasked
Dali
ngcebo’
ssevenmont hs’
babyQhawewho’
d
grownchubby.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Tel
lhi
m he’
sfeedi
ngmeamasi
.
”
Ngcebolaughed.“
He’sgett
ingdarkernowand
soon,he’
l
lbeasdar kasyouare.Buthe’snot
shyi
ngawayf r
om resembli
nghisrealfat
her.
”
Dali
ngcebolaughed.“
Areyoutr
yingtotel
lme
t
haty ou’
vechowedhismotherandngibambe
i
jaziminanj
engamanje?”Heaskedgivi
nghim
t
hebaby ’
sfaceclotht
owipethedrippi
ngsal
iva.
Ngcebo:“That ’
sexactl
ywhatIam sayingand
akulonai
jaziifit
’smychild.
”hejokedandthey
l
aughedal ongwi thDali
ngcebo,t
hebaby
screamed.“Yes, yourmotherbutumji
tadoesn’
t
scream l
i
ket his.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ey,v
oet
sekNgcebo,
don’
tpl
ant
i
deasinhishead.
”
Ngcebochuckled.“We’
retomorr
ow,ri
ght?I
don’twantt
ost ayl
onghereIhavetoseethose
chil
drenwhoruinedme.”Helookedathi
s
brot
her.
Dal
i
ngcebo:“
Yeah,
sur
e,butwon’
tyougosee
t
heparent
s?”
Ngcebo:“
Ey,kwahle.Iam goingtohavemyrest
now.Let
’stakeQhawef oradr i
vetomyhouse
befor
eMaNxongocomesbackher eandIwi
ll
havetor
ejectherdrinkbecauseIam f
ull
.
”He
i
nformedhisbrothergett
ingup.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Headt
othecarIwi
l
lgot
aket
he
carseatandinform herIam dr
ivi
ngoutwi
tht
he
baby.”hesaidgiv
ingNgcebohiscarkeys,
he
tookthem andheheadedoutoft hehouse
tal
kingtobabyQhawe…
“Hmm!Hmm!Sawubona. ”Ngcebogreet
ed
Simthandewhostandi
ngbeforet
hestov
e
cooking.Ngcebohadj
ustar
riv
edinhi
shouse.
Simthandel
ookedback.“
Ngcebo,hey,howare
you?”sheaskedwit
hapuresmilethathidher
surpr
iseandshetur
nedbacktoclosethepot.
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandhowarey
ou?
”he
openedt
hefri
dgeforwater
.
Simt
hande:“
Iam fi
ne.Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwer
e
comingbutwher
e’sthenoi
se?”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
Thenoi
se?Whatdoy
ou
mean?”heasked.
Si
mthande:
“Imeant
hechi
l
dren.
”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!They
’rebackhomewi
tht
hei
r
motherIcamebackt ocheckonBanel
e.
Where’
sy ourboy
fri
end?”heaskedandl
ooked
ar
oundasi fhewassearchingf
orMntwanawho
wasclearnotwit
hthem.
Simt
hande:“Heleftt
hismorni
ng,
het ol
dmehe
wasgoingwithhisparent
sandbrot
herstoy
our
aunt
’spal
ace.”
Ngcebo: “
Oh!I’l
lbeinmyr oom then.
”Hesaid
andleftSimthandeaftershe’dr
epli
ed…He
dumpedhi sbodyont hecouchandhephone
l
aidonhi spalmsashebeganchat ti
ng,r
eply
ing
totext
sonWhat sAppignoringt
extsfrom hi
s
wif
e…
“You’r
eawakeher e.Isawt heli
ghts!”Mntwana
confir
medshowi nghisheadonNgcebo
bedroom doorandhest eppedi
nsidethe
bedroom aft
erhe’dseenNgcebost andi
ng
behindthewardrobeslippingavestonhisbody.
Ngcebo:
“Yeah.Iam awake.You’
rebackear
ly
so.
”
Mntwana:“
Iwasn’
twi
ththefami
l
yIwasin
Dur
ban.”Hetol
dhi
m andthr
ewworr
iedbodyon
t
opofthemessybed.
Ngcebo:
“Huh?What
’si
nDur
ban?
”
Mnt wana:
“Thepri
ncessisinDurbanwi t
hher
fr
iendsandsheaskedtoseeme.Idr ovet here
toseeherbutcoul
dn’tspendthenightandl et
Simthandesl
eepaloneinherebutifIknewy ou
werecoming,Iwasn’
tgoingtocomeback. ”
Ngcebochuckledandshookhi shead.“So,
now,
shejustcomestoDur ban.Shedoesn’
tfearthat
somepeoplemi ghtseeshe’sthepri
ncess?”he
asked,Mntwanahadt ol
dhim whoNel i
swawas.
Mntwana:
“Shewasyoungwhenshel
eftand
t
hat’
sgoodenoughf
orhertobel
i
evet
hatthey
won’
tseeher.
”
Ngcebo:“You’
reunbel
ievabl
eMnt wana.Youlef
t
yourgi
rlheret
oattendtheothergir
l,whoinf
act
i
sn’
tyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Mntwana:“Haa!Don’tl
ookatmeli
keyou’
ve
neverdonethatbecauseIknowt
haty
ou’ve
donethataseveralt
imesandmaybeworse.
”
Ngcebo:
“Youwer
eaki
dwhenIwasy
ourage.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Justadmi
tyou’
vedonei
t.
”
Ngcebo:
“Iwon’
tadmi
tshi
t.
”
Mntwana:“
Let
’sgoandhav
edi
nner
,mygi
rl
cooked.
”
Ngcebo:“
Iwil
leatlat
erIwanttoseeifIcan
communicat
ewi t
hancestorsmaybetryto
expl
aint
hesit
uati
on.Baneledoesn’
tdeserve
thi
s.”
Mntwanagotupf rom t
hebedl ookingat
Ngcebo’sphonethatwasringing.Hepassed
t
hephonet ohim butNgcebodi dn’
tanswerit
.
Hethrewitbackonthebed.“ Let’
sgo.Iwil
leat
l
aternotnow.Ihavetodot hi
s.”het ol
dhi
s
br
otherl
eav
ingt
hebedr
oom wi
thhi
m.
Mntwana:“
Eish,youcansaythatagai
n.He’
s
supposedt
obecr uisi
ngwit
hhiswifenotsi
tt
ing
onthewheelchai
rli
kethat
.”
Ngcebo:
“Yeah,goandeatwi
tht
hemadam.
Don’
twaitupforme.”
Mntwana:
“It
hinkwewi
l
lgot
othel
odgewi
th
heri
nthemorning.
”
Ngcebo:
“Forbr
eakf
ast
?”
Mntwana:“No,j
ustincaset
hef amil
ycomes
her
e.Don’tyouthi
nktheywil
lcomehere?I
wouldn’
twantthem tofi
ndherhere.
”
Ngcebo:“No,
don’
tleav
ebecauseIam l
eavi
ng
tomorrow.
”Hewalkedawayaft
erMntwanahad
breat
heacommentt owhatheassayi
ng…
“It
houghtyou’
l
lnevercomeback.
”Mntwana
commentedseeingNgcebopassi
ngbytheexit
ofthel
oungeandhest oppedwal
ki
ng,
Mnt wana
gotupfrom thecouch.Hemar cheduptohi
s
brot
herseeinghewasn’tcomingi nsi
det
he
l
ounge.“You’recomplet
elydamp.”He
comment ed.
Ngcebotookoffhisvest
.“Isai
ddon’twaitup
f
ormebecauseIwasn’ tsurewhenIwasgoi ng
t
ocomeback. ”hesaidwipinghi
sfacewi t
hthe
vestt
hatwascov er
edinasmokesmel l
ofthe
i
ncensehe’dburnt.
Mntwana:
“Idi
dn’
tli
sten.I
shegoi
ngt
obe
al
ri
ght?
”
Ngcebo:
“Not
hingwi
l
lbeal
ri
ghtMnt
wanaand
i
t’
sunfai
r.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Theancest
orsar
eangr
y,ar
en’
t
t
hey
?”
Ngcebo:
“Angryisnotasui
tabl
eword.Letme
goshower,j
ustgotobed,wewill
tal
ktomorr
ow
morni
ng.”
Mnt
wana:
“Al
ri
ght
,ugi
dlegr
and.
”
Ngcebo:“Sho,nt
wana.Nawenomam l apho.”
Hesaidproceedingtohi sroom foratowel he
wasgoingtoneedi nthebat hroom.Hewas
angryathowmucht heancest orswerenever
underst
anding!I
twasj ustridi
culousandhe
hatedwhatwashappeni ngtoBanele!He
headedtothebat hr
oom swear ingall
theway
unti
lhereachedthebat hroom…
~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi
sbrotherswereheretoday.
”Candicetol
d
Dali
suandThembel ihl
ewhower eseatedwith
heronthelounge,t
heywer ehavi
ngteathat
she’
dpreparedforthem…They ’
vejustgott
en
back…
Dal
isu:“
Whichbr
other
s,Dal
ingceboand
Ngcebo?”hel
ookedather
.
Candice:“Yes,t
heyspendal otofthei
rti
me
wit
hhi m here,
communi cat
ingthroughthe
phone.Heseemedabi trel
axed.Hehasn’tbeen
t
ell
i
ngmet
hathewaswor
ri
edaboutNgcebo.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Myson!Hecan’
tev
enexpr
ess
hi
mselfnow.”
Dali
su:“
Don’tworryaboutBanel
e,MaSthol
e.I
t’
s
agoodthingthatNgceboishere.Weshoul
d
seehim.”helookedatThembelihl
e.
Thembel i
hlelookedatDal i
suasshef elthi
s
eyesonher .“Howcany ousayt hatbecause
youknowt hatNgcebodoesn’ twantt osee
me? ”Sheaskedandsher ecogni sedthat,j
ust
sayingt hatwithhermout hwasbr eakingher
bey ond.Shenev erthoughttherewoul deverbe
adaywher eshewoul dsaythisaboutherson, a
chil
dshecar ri
edinsideherwomb, nurt
uredand
l
ov edwi thherwhol ebeing,todayt hatchil
d
didn’twantt oseeher .Thatchil
dhadt hrown
heroutofhi shouseatt hedarkesthouroft he
day …
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oav
oid,
Ngcebonow?
”
Thembel i
hledi
dn’
tanswerherhusbandbutshe
placedthecupofteaonthecoffeetabl
eand
shegotupt oleavet
hem becauseofthefr
esh
tearscomingoutofhereyescausedbypain
thatshewasf eel
i
ng…
Dal
i
su:“Di
dNgcebosaywhenhewasgoi
ngt
o
l
eave?
”
Candi
ce:
“Hesai
dhe’
sleav
ingt
omor
row.
”
Dal
isunoddedandheplacedt
hecoff
eethathe
wasdrinki
ngonthetabl
eandhel
eftCandi
ce,
hefol
lowedhiswif
e…
“Ithasbeendaysnowandwehav en’
tspoken
aboutNgceboandhi swif
e.Ithinkthatnowis
thetimethatwespeakaboutt hismatter.
”
Uncleeldersai
damongstt heeldersofthe
familywhower ehavi
ngbreakfastwithDali
su
andhi swif
e.They’
vecomet othehouset ohave
awor dwiththem.
Dal
i
su:
“Hi
swi
fedoesn’
tknowaboutt
hechi
l
d,
y
et.
”
Auntel
der:“
Whatcameoveryou,Dali
su,
huh?
Whatshouldwedonowasy ou’
vehadahandin
yourgr
andson’
sdeat
h?”sheaskedlooki
ngat
Dali
su.
AuntNomkhosi:
“Andyousentustohishouse
wit
houttel
li
ngusthewhol
etrut
h.Idon’
t
under
standwhatmadeyoudothis.
”
Dali
su:“I
t’
swrongnowthatIhav
ecal
ledherbut
i
twasn’twrongwhenshewassupposedtobe
questi
onedinthatmeet
ingwewant
edwith
her?
”
Aunt
s:“
HHAYBO!
”
Uncl
eel
der
:“Arey
outry i
ngtojusti
fywhatyou
di
dbycompari
ngitt
ot hemeet i
ngthatwe
want
ed?I
sthatwhatyou’ret
ryi
ngt odo?”
Dal
i
su:
“No-
”
Uncl
eel
der
:“Whatar
ewesupposedt
odonow?
MaSthole,whyar
ey ouquietnow?Weweretol
d
yousaidthecal
lwasmadebyy ouandyour
husbanddidthetal
king.Whyareyouqui
et
now?”
Thembeli
hle:“Idon’thavemucht osay.”She
repl
i
edandl ookeddown, shedidn’
tknowwhat
tosaybecausei tdidn’
tsitwellwit
hherthat
Dali
sudecidedtot akethisblamealonewithout
evencheckingwi t
hher ,
first
.
AuntNomkhosi cl
appedhandsonce.“ She
doesn’
thavemucht osay !Whatshouldbedone
now?Wehav en’
tev enheardfr
om MaZondi ’
s
mother.Di
dshecall y
ou,MaSthole?”sheasked
andlookedatThembel i
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:“
No,shedi
dn’
tcal
lmebut
MaNtombeladi
dcall
me.”
Uncl
eelder:
“Hhayi
,hhay
i,weshoul
dbestuck
bet
weent wowomennow?Whobet weent hem
i
ssupposedt obei
ncontactwi
thusconcerni
ng
Ngcebo’
swi
fe?Thathasnev
erbeencl
ari
fi
ed.
”
Auntelder:
“Ngcebopaidthei
lobolocowsto
MaNtombel aandherhusband.They’r
etheones
whoraisedNgcebo’swifeandthatmeans
ever
ythingshouldbecommunicatedwi t
hher
.
Wedon’ tevenknowmuchoft hi
sot her
woman. ”
Sbani
:“Butshe’
shermot
herandi
sn’
tshet
he
oneshe’scl
oseto?”
Dalisusighedast histalkmadeherr eali
set hat
howl i
ttl
edi dt hefami l
yknowaboutNgcebo’ s
wife.Whatwasdi ff
icultfort
hem t of i
gureout
whot heyneededt ocommuni catewi t
hbet ween
MaNt ombel aandNandi pha’
sbi ologicalmot her?
Howcoul dt herebesomuchdi st ancebet ween
them?Butt her ehaven’tbeensi tuationsthat
forcedthem t otal
kaboutt hi
sandNgcebo’ s
wifehav en’tbeent oocl osetothem.Thatwas
theexplanat ionDalisugotonhi sownoutof
thi
ssi t
uationdi scussedont het abl e…
AuntNomkhosi :
“Itl
ooksli
kethere’
snoanswer
tothatandthatmeansweneedt ogot o
Ngcebo’shouse.Wecan’tj
ustsitbackasi
f
not
hinghappened.”
Uncleelder:
“Si
siisri
ght.Wecan’tproceedasif
nothi
nghappenedbuti t
’sbestthatwegot o
Ngcebo’shouseandspeakwi thhim aboutthi
s.
Idon’tknowift
here’ssomeonewi thabetter
suggestion.
”Helookedamongstt hemember s
buttherewasnobodywhohadasuggest i
on…
“You’
renotcomi ngwi t
hus,ar
ey ou?
”Dal i
su
askedThembel ihlewhowasseatedont hebed
i
nsidet heirbedroom.Thefamilywasreadyto
l
eavet hepal aceforNgcebo’
shouseaf t
er
they’
veconf i
rmedwi t
hDali
ngcebothatNgcebo
hadn’tleftthevil
lage…
Thembel
i
hle:
“HowcanIgo?
”
Dal
isu:“
Standupandl
et’
sgo,Ngcebowillnot
t
ell
y outoleav
ehi
shouseinmypresence.AndI
wi
lltel
lhi
m hewaswr ong.Ihavecall
ed
Mlamuli
.”HeheldThembelihl
e’shandandhe
f
orcedhertostandup…Theyl eftt
heroom…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE46

“Whenar eyouactuallycomingbackhome?You
l
iveinNgcebo’shousenow? ”Thembelihl
e
askedMnt wanaont hephone…Mnt wanawas
seatedonthehighst ooloft
heki t
chencounter
whil
ewat chi
ngoverSi mthande’spotsasshe
wasbat hi
ngusingthemut hithatLangali
bal
ele
hadgivenher.
Mntwana:“
Iam watchi
ngov erherebecauseI
wasaskedtodoso.”Hereplied,hedidn’twant
t
ogobackhomeasy et
,hewasst i
llenjoyi
ng
t
hepeaceandquietofli
vi
ngal one.Thepal ace
wasalwaysbusyandBanelewhocoul datleast
enter
tai
nhim asNgcebowasnotaround, he
wasunabletodoat hi
ngandhecouldn’teven
tal
k.Theonlythi
nghedidwasgotot hepalace
tocheckonhim andhewoulddr
ivebackt o
Ngcebo’shouse.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Watchi
ngovert
hehouse?
Ngcebo’
shousei
salway
sempt yunti
lhecomes
home.Whatdoyoumeanbywat chi
ngover?
”
Mnt wana:“
Mama, IwasaskedbyNgcebotobe
here.Whydoy ouwantmet ocomebackhome
becausethere’
snothi
nghappeni
ngther
e?I
t’s
notlikewehaveeventscomingupandwewill
bebusy .
”
Thembelihl
e:“
There’
syourbr
otherher
eand
he’
ssick,youarenother
enowbecauseBanel
e
i
ssickbutifhewasf i
ne,y
ouwouldbef ol
l
owi
ng
eachother.
”
Mnt
wanacl osedhi
seyes.“
Mama,youcan’tt
ell
methatIshouldst
aywit
hBanel
e24hours.I
cometothepalacet
oseehi
m dai
lyandhi
swif
e
i
sther
ewi t
hhim.Whydoyouexpectmetobe
home?”
Thembeli
hle:“It
’sli
kethatnow,huh?Just
becauseyourbr ot
herissickyoucan’tbehere
wit
hhim buty ou’r
ealwaysaftereachother
whenhe’sfine.”
Mntwana:“Icomedail
y,mama.WhatshouldI
donow? ”Heaskedtr
yingtohi
detheirr
it
ati
oni
n
hi
svoicebecausehecouldn’
tunder
standwhy
hi
smot herwascomplaini
ngaboutt
hisnow.He
di
dn’
tunderstand!
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idon’
tseewhyar
eyoust
ayi
ng
ther
eal
one.”
Mnt wana:“Iwasaskedt oandmama, Iam not
comi ngbackhomeany t
imesoon.There’
s
nothingmaj orhappening,pl
ease,l
etmebe.”
Thembel i
hleclickedhertongueandshe
droppedthecal l.Mntwanasighedandlookedat
thephone,
hewonder
edwhywasshet r
yingto
for
cehimtocomehomewhi l
ehedi
dn’twantto
comebackhome.Heproceededwi
thchatt
ing
onhisphone.
“Iam donenowIcantakeov erf
rom herejusti
n
casey ouwanttogoandshower.”Simthande
saidtoMntwanaasshewal kedinsi
dethe
kit
chencleanedupanddressedinalongpi nk
l
ightdress.
Mntwana:“I
t’
sfi
ne.Iwon’
tmov
e.Di
dyoucal
l
yoursi
ster
?”
Simthande:“
No,Idon’tev
enknowwhatwi l
lI
saytoher.Ican’
tbel
ievethatall
alongshehas
beenfooli
ngme.Iwashappywhenour
rel
ati
onshipseemedtobewor ki
ngbutshejust
-”
Mntwana:
“Don’
tkeepwast
ingy
ourt
ear
sonher
now.”
Si
mthande:
“Whatshoul
dIdobecauseIam hur
t?
IhavebeenafoolandIhavehur
tyoui nthat
processofbei
ngafool
.Andlook,you’r
estil
l
herehelpi
ngme.Idon’
tknowifyou’r
efeeli
ng
pit
yforme-”
Mntwana:“Stopi
t!Il
oveyouandy ou’l
lbebetter
aft
eryou’v
ewashedy our
selftheway
Langal
ibal
eleadvi
sedandIthinkit
’sbett
erthat
youremainhereunti
lIam r
eadytogobackt o
CapeTownbecausewhatwi l
lshedothen?”
Simthande:“ButIcan’
tstayhereunti
lthen,y
our
familywi
llsti
llhav
eaf uner
al,r
ight
?Ican’tstay
herebutIalsodon’twanttogobackt here
withoutyou.
”
Mntwana:“You’r
er i
ght,y
ou’l
lstayinmy
apar
tmentuntilIr
eturn.Howi sthat
?It
’snotl
i
ke
she’
l
lbeingseeingy ouaroundifyouar
ethere
andyou’r
eprotectednowev enifshecansee
youaround.
”
Si
mthande:
“Iam sor
ry,
Mnt
wana.Ihav
e
messedupourrelat
ionshipthatwascoming
outbeaut
if
ull
yeventhoughIhadi ssuesbutwe
weregoodtoget
heruntilIal
l
owedmysi st
erto
comebetweenus.”
Mnt wanapul l
edSi mt handebyherhandcl oser
tohim andhel ookedatherf acet hatwas
bearablet olookat ,now.“ Iam t heonewho
encour agedy out of i
xar elat
ionshi pwithher
andt hat’sbecauseIj ustwant edy outohav e
yourf amily.That ’
swhyIsai dweshoul dlookf or
yourf atherbuty oudi dn’
twantt hat.Iknowt hat
you’vebeenal onef ortoolongbutmay bewe
canf i
ndhi m andmay beheal sodoesn’tknow
thathehasadaught er.Weal l needfami l
y,
Simthande. ”Hesai dt oherwhi leplayi
ngwi th
herfinger s.
Si
mthande:
“WhatifIf
indhi
m andheal
sohur
t
meli
kemysi st
er?
”
Mnt
wana: “
You’l
lbehurtbutyou’
l
lbeableto
moveon.Findi
nghim won’tbedi
ff
icul
tbecause
wewi l
ljustl
ookamongstthecir
cleofyour
stepf
ather’
sfri
endandwewi l
lapproachthem
onebyonei fthey
’rest
il
lal
i
ve.
”
Simthandei
nhaledhardandshefeltt
hiswas
makingherscared.“
Canyougivemet imeto
thi
nkaboutthi
sandmakeadeci sion?”She
asked.
Mnt
wana:
“Yes,
ofcour
se.
”
Simthande: “Andcanyoufor
givemef or
doubtingy ouandbeingafool,
forevery
thing
thatIsaidt ohurtyouwhi
l
ey ouweretryi
ngto
showmet hetrut
h.Iwasj
ustbli
ndedbyl ove
andhappi nessoff i
ndi
ngmysister
.”
Mntwanasmi l
edandhemov edhi sfacet oher
l
ips,
hegav eherabriefki
ss.Hedi dn’twantto
saymuchbecausehest i
l
ldidn’tt
rust
Simt
handewi t
hherinsecuri
tiesandi ssuesbut
hestr
onglydi
dn’twanttobreakupwi thher.He
j
ustdidn’
twanttolethergobecauseheknew
t
her
ewasabeaut if
ulwomanj ustburi
edinall
t
hei
ssuesthatshehad.“Mymot herjustcal
l
ed
meandcomplainedthatIam notcominghome.
Doyouwanttomeether ?”heasked.
Si
mthandel
aughedl
ookingint
ohiseyes.“
No!
Howcanyouaskmet hat?Canyouseehow
hor
ri
blemyfacel
ooks?”Sheasked.
Mntwanachuckled.“
Ey ,
itl
ookshorr
ibl
ebabe
butdon’
tworrybecausewest i
l
lgotti
mehere
andwewi l
lgoandv i
sither
.”Hetol
dher.
Si
mt handemov edtothestove.“Andwhatifshe
doesn’tli
keme?Thel astguywhot ookmet o
meethi smot her,
hismotherdidn’tl
ikemebut
hi
ssi sterdi
dl i
kemeandy oudon’ tevenhavea
si
ster.”Sheaskedopeningt hepot.
Mntwanachuckled.“Don’
tworrybecauseshe
wil
ll
ikeyouandev enifshedoesn’
tli
keyouthat
won’tchanget
haty ou’
remygirl
fri
end.
”Hesaid
andopenedNeliswa’sWhatsApptextmessage.
>>“Iam dri
vi
ngdownt oKZN,Durbanfor
Chr
ist
maswi thmyfr
iends.CanIseeyou?”<<
Hereadthetext
.
Simthande: “Ifthat’sthecaset henIwouldl ove
tomeety ourmot her.Thewomanwho’ d
groomedsuchamanf orme. ”shesaidholding
Mnt wanaf rom behi nd…Mnt wanachuckledand
hepr essedt hepowerbut t
ononhi sphone
beforehecoul dev enr espondtoNeliswa’stext
message…
~~~~~~~~~
“What’
swr ong?”Fait
haskedNandi phawho
wasmeet i
ngupwi t
hheront hehall
wayofher
house.Nandi phawasi nt hehousewi t
hNgcebo
Sundayni ght,t
heywer ehomet otakethegi
rl
s
backtot heirhouse…Nandi phahadst opped
walki
ngandshewast ouchingherbell
yasshe
couldfeel herbabykicking.
Nandi
pha:
“Idon’
tknowi
fIam bei
ngawkwar
d
orwhat.Butitdoesn’tfeelli
kemyot herbabyis
ki
cki
ng.Ihavebeenpay ingattent
ionthatal
lthe
movement sandki cksar ecomingfr
om theright
butt
hislopsi
dedl efti
sj ustki
ndofquiet.
”
Faithsmil
edbutherheartwasbeati
ngatight
harder.“
You’
rebeingsi
ll
ynow.Thebabiesare
kicki
ngjustf
ineandit
’sfai
rthaty
ouwon’tfeel
them thesame.”
Nandipha:“
No,mama, Ihavehadf i
vebabi
esin
hereandthey’
vekickedandmov ed.Iwoul
dfeel
them moveandkickIcan’tbeconfusedwi
th
j
usttwobabies.”
Fait
h:“ Yes,youcanbeconf used!You’vebeen
underal otofstressandpl ease, st
opwor r
ying
yourselfaboutsucht hi
ngsbecauset heDoct or
wasgoi ngtotel l
youorusi fsomet hi
ngwas
wrong.Justgot othegir
ls.”Sheencour aged
brushingNandi phaoff,
shedi dn’
tmov eunti
l
Nandiphamov edawayf rom her .Fait
hexhaled
andshemar chedt otheloungewher eNgcebo
waswi
thRandal
l
.
“She’sstar
tingt
ohav equestionsnowaboutt he
babies’mov ements.WhatdidtheDoct orsay
yesterday,
Ngcebo?Idon’ twanttokeept hi
sfor
toolongnow.Mydaught ershouldknowabout
thi
sandgr ieveherbaby.
”Faithinfor
medhi m
andaskedNgceboaboutNandi pha,t
alki
ngona
l
owt oneasshesatnextt oRandall.
Ngcebo:
“Shedi
dn’
taskanyquest
ionst
ome.
”
Fai
th:
“Shej
ustaskedmenow.
”
Ngcebo:“TheDoctorsai
dit’
sstil
lnothealt
hy
becausethebaby’
sheartbeathasn’
treached
thenormalhear
tbeatbutshe’simproving.
”
Randal
l
:“Shei
simpr
ovi
ngsl
owl
y.
”
Ngcebo:
“Itj
usthasbeenday
s.”
Fai
th:
“Yes,
butt
imei
sagai
nstus.
”
Randal
l
:“Whydon’
tyougotoaholi
dayf
ortwo?
CapeTown,Ki
mberl
y,Idon’
tknowwher
ever
she’l
lberel
axi
ngandhav ingeveryfunpossibl
e.
Doy ourememberwhenIt ookhertoaholiday,
shecamebackr ej
uvenated.Ory oucanev engo
aroundGauteng,
dothingsy ouhaven’tdone
before.
”
Fai
th:
“Yes,
thatmi
ghtbeagoodi
dea,
Ngcebo.
”
Ngcebo:
“Andt
hegi
rl
s?”
Fait
h: “Youdon’ thav et owor r
yaboutt hosefive.
Theydon’ tevenwantt ogonow, theyknowr eal
funlieswithgr andmabutt heyalway sasktheir
mother‘ si
buy anini ekhay amama’ ”she
mimi ckedthegi rl
s’ voiceslastandt heyhada
goodl aughabouti t
.“ Andy ou’l
lskypet hem.I
don’twanty out otaket hem with,butIwanty ou
twot ogoanddi stress, you’l
lal
soneedi t
Ngcebobecausedi fficultti
mesar est i
l
l t
ocome
wheny ou’
llhavet ogr ievetogether.Andwe
don’tknowhowNandi phawi l
ltakeit.
”
Randal
l
:“Yeah,
whatdoy
ousay
,br
o?Iam al
so
herewit
hthegir
lsandt
heyrol
lwi
tht
hei
runcl
e.
There’
snothi
ngtoworr
yabout
.”
Ngcebosi ghed.“Alr
ight
,Iwil
ltal
ktoheraboutit
toni
ghtandwewi llmakepreparati
onsbutif
she’sstablebeforewecouldleave.Wewi l
lhav
e
tobreakthenewsdownt oherbecausethi
sis
dif
fi
cultforme.”
Fait
h:“Iunder
stand.Iwi
llj
ustholdthet woof
youinprayerbecauseyou’
llneedit
-”theyall
l
ookedatt hebacksideastheyheardt henoise
ofthegirl
s,l
aughingandtheirf
ootsteps
runni
ng…
“BABA!”Theygiggl
edandr ushedtothei
rfat
her
eventhoughtheirmotherhadstoppedrunni
ng
aft
erthem.Theywer ealldr
essedupt ol
eave.
Ngcebo:
“Hey
,li
tt
ler
ats.Ar
eyoual
lfi
ne?
”
Gi
rl
s:“
YEBO!
”
Nongcebo:“Umamakadeeshihl
ekisha
kakhul
u.”Shetol
dherf
atherandshelookedat
hermot her
,shel
aughedalongwithhersi
ster
.
Nandiphawasstandingatthebackofthe
couchwher eNgcebowasseatedlooki
ngat
them.
Si
mil
o:“
Ehe,
ha!
”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!Doest
hatmeany
ouar
ereadyt
o
gohome?”
Gir
ls:“CHA!ASI
HAMBI
/ASHI
HAMBI
!”(
No,
we’
re
notleavi
ng)
Nandi
pha:
“Now, t
hat’
soutofli
ne.You’r
eall
goi
nghomewi t
husorelseifyoudon’twantto
gohome,you’
l
lnevervi
sitgr
andma.”
Si
milol
ookedbackathergr
andma.“
Gogo?
”
Shecal
l
edherout.
Fait
h:“Yourmot heri
sjoki
ngbutyou’
l
lhaveto
gohomewi t
hy ourparent
sandtheywil
lbr
ing
youbacksoon.I fyoucomebackgrannywill
takeyouout.”
Nt
okomal
o:“
Wit
huncl
e?”
Fai
th:
“Yes,
wit
hhi
m.”
Thando:“
Ashambeoutmanj
enobaumamano
babaabashi
yshi
out
!”
Theadultsl
aughed.“That
’snottrue.
”Ngcebo
sai
dt oThandoandhepul l
edherbyherears
for
cinghertogiggl
eandhersistersal
ongwith
her.Ngcebostoodonhisfeetandhel i
ft
ed
Nongcebooffthefl
oor.“Mama, wewilll
eave
now.”
Fai
th:
“Let’
swalkmymini
onsoutandwheny ou
comeback,wewil
lgooutandwewill
gosleep
i
nhotelbeds.Doy
ouwantthat
?”
Si
mil
o:“
Ha!NjengasePi
tol
igogo,
khat
hi
si
hambenobabanomama? ”
Fait
hlaughed.“
Yes, j
ustl
i
kei nPr
etori
a,Mimi.
”
Sheagreedpushingthem outofthehousewith
thei
rmotherfol
lowingbehindwit
hRandalland
Thula.
Simi
lo:“
Ha!Nizwil
e,yini
?”sheaskedhersist
ers
onalowt oneandtheyallagr
eedthatthey’
ve
hear
dwhatt hei
rgrannypromisedthem…
Randal
lhelpedNgcebobuckledthegir
lsinsi
de
thevi
ano…
“
Lookaft
eryour
sel
fmychild.
”Fai
thsai
dto
Nandi
phaandshehuggedher.
Nandi
pha:“
Iwi
lldothateventhoughIdon’
t
knowwhyIwasn’ti
ncludedt
hatIwill
alsobe
sl
eepi
nginhot
elbeds.”
Fait
hlaughed.“
Justl
etmygir
lshav
ethei
rti
me
yourswil
lcome.”Shesai
d.
Nandi
pha:“
Iwonder!
”shetur
nedtoherbrot
her
andshehuggedhi
m…Shet henst
eppedinsi
de
thevi
anoandNgcebodrov
eout…
“They’
rebusytal
kingabouthotelbeds.Lookat
them.”ShesaidtoNgceboasshel ookedback
atherchil
drenwhower emakingnoisei nsi
de
thecartal
kingaboutgoingoutandhot elsbeds
notl
eav
ingwhatt
heywer
egoi
ngt
owear
.
Ngcebo:“
Don’
tworr
ybecauseIwi
ll
takeyout
o
yourownhot
elbedwhi
letheygowi
ththei
r
grandmot
her
.”
Nandi
pha:
“Ar
eyouser
iousaboutt
hat
?”
Ngcebo:“Yes,don’
tyouwantt
orelaxundert
he
suninCapet ownbeacheswhi
leyousipsome
ni
cedrinksandhavesomeCapeTownf i
sh?”
Nandiphagiggl
ed.“Iwouldreall
ylovet
hat,babe
butIhaveleftt
hegirl
sf ort
oolong.Iwas
ki
dnappedandwhenIgotbackIwas
hospi
tali
sed.Ishoul
dspendt imewiththem.”
Shesaidwhatwasi nsideherheart.
Ngcebo:“Iknowbutwewillbegoi
ngforaf ew
daysjusttopamperyouandthosetwoinsi
de
you.Andy ou’
l
lcomebacktothisfi
vechaos.”
Nandi
pha:“Okay!Okay
!IwouldlovethatCape
Townholi
day.”Sheagreedtoi
tdeli
ghtedl
yand
sheki
ssedhischeekquickl
y.Ngcebolaughed.
..
Nandi
phathenbegangoingonandonabout
whatsheneededtobr
ing…
“Ntwana, Ihavedeci dedwithhermot herand
brotherthatIam t akingheront heholi
day.And
Iwast hinking.”Ngceboi nt
roducedto
Dali
ngceboandhet hr ewhisbodyont heempty
bedoft heguest room.Dal i
ngcebowasbusy
packinghi sclothesashewasl eavi
ngt he
fol
lowingday .
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youwer
ethi
nki
ng,
about
?”
Ngcebo: “
Canweal lgo?Likey ouandherf ri
end.
Likedoacol l
ect
iveholi
daything.Ithi
nkt hatwil
l
upli
ftherevenhi
gher.Whatdoy outhink?I
real
lyneedtogetherinshapesot hatshecan
knowsoonerwhat ’shappening.”
Dal
ingcebo:“Hol
iday?Yeah,now,
Icanuse
someholidayconsider
inghowhecti
cthi
syear
havebeen.Hey!”
Ngcebo:
“Yeah,
youl
osty
ourt
wol
over
sinone
year.
”Hemockedhim andhel
aughedf
ir
st
befor
eDal
ingcebocoul
devenl
augh.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Hhey
i!Gwani
wena!Voet
sek!
”
Ngcebo:
“Iv
ari
mos,
whyar
eyouangr
y?”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lchanget
hisshi
tandl
ety
ou
l
eaveal
one.
”
Ngcebo:“Iwil
lst
il
laskPal
esat ocomealong
andmay beshecanf i
ndanewmani nCape
Town.”Het hr
eat
enedandDalingcebothr
owhis
sneakeronhim.Ngcebogroanedloudl
yasthe
sneakerhithi
m.“Mgodoyi
!”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Mgodoy
i,amasendeakho!
”
Ngcebo:
“Ukubeushay
ewonakeubuzot
hini
?”
Dali
ngcebo:“
Ngekeusawasebenzi
sav
ele
usuzel
ekwanel emanj
e.”Hesai
dandt
heybot
h
l
aughedhilar
iousl
y…
“Hhaybo!What
’swrong?
”Nandiphaasked
appeari
ngonthedoorwithherhead…Shewas
i
nsi
dethegi
rl
s’r
oom whenshehear
dNgcebo’
s
gr
oan.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong,
makot
i.
”
Nandi
pha:“E.eh!Whywashegr oani
ngthen?
”
sheaskedlookingatNgceboshortl
yandshe
madethelongpauseonDal i
ngcebo.
Dal
ingcebo:“
Howdoy
ouknowi
t’
shi
m who
wasgroaningmay
bei
twasme.
”
Nandi
pha:
“Iknowi
twashi
m.Ngcebo?
”
Ngcebo:
“He’
shi
tt
ingme,
wif
ebecauseIam a
chi
ld.
”
Nandiphawidenedhereyesandl ookedat
Dali
ngcebo.“Dali
ngcebo?Whyar eyouhit
ti
ng
him now?Doy ouwantmet otakehim?Iwil
l
takehim.”Sheaskedseriousl
yandt het
wo
brother
slaughed.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“ Don’
ttakehi
m.Iwasput
ti
nghi
m
ont
helaneforyou.
”
Nandiphasighedandshookherhead.“Pl
ease,
nogroaning.Youfr
ight
enedme.Ithoughtyou
werefall
i
ngorsomet hi
ng.”Shesai
dlastl
y
l
ookingatNgcebo.
Ngcebo:“Yes,mam,nogr
oani
ng.
”Hesai
dand
Nandiphaclosedt
hedoor
.
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Ey
,dr
amat
hisone!
”
Ngcebo:“
Tel
lmeabouti t
!Butonthathol i
day,I
wil
lhavet
odriv
edownt omorrowfirsttovisi
t
Banel
ebecauseIhaven’
tseenhi
m si ncethe
st
roke.Myassi
stantwil
lpl
anwiththel adi
es.
”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Yeah,
that
’sagoodi
dea.Iwi
l
lgo
downwi t
hyou.
”
Ngcebo:“Okay,sure,l
etmegot omydrama
queensthen!Iwil
l hav
etotel
lthebi
ggerone
thatIam l
eavi
ngt omorrow.
”hegotupandleft
hisbrot
her…
~~~~~~~~~
Happinesssteppedi
nsidehercarandshedr ov
e
outofherhouse’spr
emi ses.Shewasdri
vingup
toThembelihl
e’spal
ace.Sheconnectedher
phonetothespeakersandshedi al
l
edher
fat
her’
snumber .
“MaMthi
mkhul
u?”Herf
atheranswer
edt
he
phonecal
l.
Happi
ness:
“Mt
himkhul
u,howar
eyou?
”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Iam f
inechi
l
dandhowar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:
“Iam notf
ine-
”
Mthimkhul
u:“
Whathashappened?Di
dyour
husbanddosomet
hing?
”
Happiness:
“Dad,cal
m down!Myhusbanddid
not
hing.Yousti
ll
don’tt
rusthi
m,baba.Doyou?”
Mthimkhulu:
“Yes,
Idon’ttr
usthim andyou’
ve
l
iedtomeabouthim Happi ness.Youmademe
giv
ey ouandmygr anddaughterouttohi
m whi
le
hehadahand, nowhilehewast hewhokill
ed
Lonwabo!
”
Happiness:“
WHAT!”Shescreamedandshe
brakedhercari
nst
antl
y,shedisconnect
edthe
phoneandplacedi
tonherear.“Wher edi
dyou
hearthat?
”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Whydi
dyoul
i
etome?
”
Happi
ness:“Hedidn’tki
ll
him butt
heuncl
eof
hi
swifeistheonewhoki ll
edhim.Mnothodi
dn’
t
ki
ll
Nonjabulo’
sfather.
”
Mthi
mkhulu:“
Thatmeanst
heywer
eint
his
t
ogetherandwher
ewereyou?
”
Happi
ness:
“Dad,
hav
eyoubeendi
ggi
ngt
hings
onme?”
Mthi
mkhulu:
“No,
youdi
dwel
lbycal
l
ingme.
Youshoul
dcomehomeandweneedtot
alk.
”
Happi
ness:“
Baba,Ican’
tcomehome.Ishoul d
beher
ebecauseIthinkthatmychil
dren’
sli
ves
ar
eindanger…”shetol
dhi m ev
ery
thi
ngabout
Ngcebo’
sdream andaboutwhatLangal
i
bal
ele
t
oldthem.
Mthimkhulusighed.“Yousee, thatmeansyou
shouldcomebackhomeandst opthat
nonsensey oucallmarriageifyoudon’twantt
o
l
oseNonj abulo.Ihadheraunther e,shewas
hereangrythatIhav eall
owedy outogobackt o
Mnothowhi leIpromisedt hatIwil
lprot
ectyou
andyourchi l
drenfrom him asthatwaswhat
herbrot
herwoul dhav ewant ed.
”
Happinessheldherchestandshebegan
pant
ingandsheswal lowedhard.“Whatdi
dshe
want?Andwhot ol
dherthatIam backwit
h
Mnotho?I t
’sherwhotoldyouMnot howas
i
nvol
v ed,howdidsheknow?Baba, whenwas
shethereandwhydi dn’
ttel
lme!”sheshouted.
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Iam y
ourf
ather
!”
Happi
ness:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Mt
himkhul
u:“
Shewant
sherbr
other
’schi
l
dbutI
managedt omakeadeal wit
hhert hatifyoucan
l
eav eMnotho.Shewil
lnotfi
ghty ouforcustody
ofthechi
ld.Andsheagreedtot hatcondi t
ion
becauseshedoesn’twanttotakeNonj abulo
fr
om youbutshewant sherawayf rom Mnotho.
Howcany ouletyourchi
ldber aisedbyt heman
whowasanaccompl i
ceinherf ather’
smur der?
”
Happiness:
“No!Shecan’tdothat
,baba!Ilov
e
myhusbandIwon’ tl
eavehim andLuvuyocan’t
havemydaughter.Igav
ebi r
thtothatchi
ld,
she’
smychi l
d!”
Mthimkhulu:“Yes,shecanhav eNonjabulo.
Remember ,fi
rstl
y,sheraisedNonj abul
of rom
bi
rthandy ouwer eli
keapar tti
memot hert oher
.
Now, you’
reli
vingwi t
hanabusert hatisnott he
bi
ologicalf
atherofNonjabul o.Shehasacase
againstyoumychi ldandIst rongl
yadv i
sey ou
l
eaveMnot hoandbewi thy ourchi
ldren.
”
Happiness:
“Thi
swasyourpl
an,
right!Youdi
d
t
his,baba?You’
ret
heonewhocalledLuvuyo
andyoutoldheraboutMnothoandIbecause
youhaveissueswit
hMnot ho?Howcany oudo
thi
stome?Iam y ourdaughter
?”
Mt hi
mkhulu:“Iam nottheonewhot ol
dher
any t
hingbutshecameher ewithi
nformat i
on
andshe’ sangrywit
hy ou.Butbecausey ou’r
e
mychi ldIbeggedhernott otakethechild
providedyouleaveMnot hoandsheagr eedt o
that.
”
Happiness:“
Shewil
lnottakemychi l
d!Her
brot
herwasagangst erandwhichcourtcan
al
lowachi l
dtobetakenbyher?Mychi ldi
s
happyhere!
”sheshoutedatherfatheroutof
fr
ustr
ationandfear
,shecri
edinstantl
y.
Mthimkhul
u:“You’l
lhavetohav eproofthatand
herbrot
herbeinggangsterdoesn’tproveherto
beone.Idon’
twanty outogot ocourtandthe
bestthi
ngyoushoulddoi sleaveMnot ho
becausemychi l
dyou’v
el ostthiscasewhil
e
youhaven’
tevenbeenser ved.Ifshedoesn’tget
thecustody
,thechil
dmayst il
lnotremainwith
you.Icanbethefir
stpersontober evi
ewed
befor
eshe’stakentosocialser
vices.Thebest
wayistoleaveMnotho.”
Happinessdroppedt hecall
andshebur i
edher
faceont hest
eering.Shecri
edasshecoul dfeel
thatnowherwor ldwast ur
ning.Shecoul
dn’t
beli
evethatLuvuyowoul ddothistoher…
Nonjabulowasherdaught er!Whatdi
dshehav e
againstLuvuy
ot ofighther
?
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE48

“Umcabangil
ekodwaubabawakhongenkat hi
uganganosisbakho?”(Didyouthi
nkofyour
fat
herwheny ouwerebeingnaughty
?)Ngcebo
askedNongceboont hephone,Ngcebowas
seatedbackonthecouchwithhisheadl
aid
backandhi seyescl osed.Hehadhi sfeet
placedont hecoffeetable…Hewashav inga
conversati
onwithhi sdaughteront hephonein
themor ni
ng.Mnt wanaandSi mt handehadlong
gonef orRi
chards’ baynotthelodge…
Nongcebo:“Ehe,baba.Nishi
lomi naukuthi
bayagangaakazebelalel
e.”(Yes,daddy.It
old
them t
hey’
rebeingnaught ybuttheydidn’
t
l
isten.
)
Ngcebo: “
Unamangaakazeukushol okhonawe
uvesewapendai zingubozami .Ngi
zokushaya
futhiumangi fi
kaekhay a.Ngizoqal
angawe. ”
(You’relyi
ngy oudi dn’
tsaybutyoualsoruined
mycl othes.IwillwhipyouwhenIgethome.I
willstar
twi t
hy ou.)hepromisedherandhe
wai t
edf oraresponsef rom hi
sdaughter,a
responseheknewwasgoi ngtobeadef ence.
..
Nongcebo:“Howu!Cal
anoBuhlezi
,mina
ni
zocashakumama.Thinashi
mcelil
eugogo
ukut
hiathengefut
hii
zi
ngubozakho.Wathi
akanayoimalikumeleshishebenze.
”(No,
begin
withBuhle.Iwil
lhidetobehindmom.Weasked
grannytobuyy ourclot
hesbutgrannysai
dthat
shedoesn’thavemoney .)
Ngcebolaughed.“
Ukuphiugogowakho?
Umboneni ni
?”(Wher
e’syourgr
andma?Wher
e
di
dy ouseeher?)Heasked.
Nongcebo: “
Shi yekagogonjeebushukuno
mama.Shi kagogomanj enomabesal ele
oBuhlezi,
noMi mi,noThando,noNt oko.Mina
anil
elekodwani khulumanobabawet husonke.”
(Wewentt ogr anny ’
shouseatnightwithmom.
Wear eatgranny ’shousenowandmysi sters
arestil
lsl
eepingbutIam notsl eepi
ng.Iam
tal
kingtoourf ather)
Ngcebochuckled.“
Oh!Phel a,
umamawakho
akangi
tshel
angaukuthi ni
yekagogonaweusho
manjengobasengikubuza.Ubungashongani?
Iminaf
uthiofi
nil
eangithiwenaawakazeutshel
e
umamawakhoukut hiufunaukukhul
umanami .
Awungi khumbul iyini,Nongcebo? ”(Oh!Your
mot herdidn’ttell
met hatyou’regoingto
granny ’
shouseandy oudidn’ttel
l metoo.Why
didn’tyoutellme?AndIam t heonewhocal led
you,y oudidn’ttel
ly ourmot heryouwantt ot
alk
tome.Don’ tyoumi ssme, Nongcebo? )
Nongcebogi ggl eddelightedly.“Baba,
niy
akukhumbul ami na.Mi nakodwabeni zocel
a
kumamaukut hinicel
aukukhul umanaweuma
shenidli
lekodwa, hawu!Mamay enawanika
minai f
oni wathi ‘
Nanguubabawakho. ”(
Daddy,
Imissy ou.AndIwasgoi ngt oaskmom t hatI
wantt otalktoy ouaf t
erIhav eeat enbut
surpri
singlymom gav emet hephoneandsai d
‘
Her e’
sy ourfather)
Ngcebol aughed.“Andwher e’
syourmothernow,
pri
ncess? ”heasked.Nandiphagavethephone
tothei
rdaught erwit
houtspeakingtohi
m as
he’dcall
edheri nthemorning…Heunderstood
thereasonbehi ndheract
ions.
Ngcebo:“Ushekhi
shiniyenababa,nogogo
bayapheka.Nimnikeif
oni?Baba,uzobuyani
ni,
pho?Unashishayiphel
at hi
na.”(
She’si
nthe
ki
tchenwi t
hgranny,t
hey ’
recooki
ng.Shoul
dI
gi
vehert hephone?Whenwi l
lyoucomeback?)
Ngcebo:
“Iam comingbacktoday,getupand
gogivet
hephonetoy ourmother
.Iwillcal
lyou
agai
nwhenyoursister
shavewokenup. ”
Nongcebo:“Yebo,baba.Nizogij
ima!”she
promisedand…WhatNgcebohear dwere
foot
stepsofhisdaughterrunning…“Mama,
nanguubaba.”(he’sdad,
mom)shet ol
dher
motherontheot hersi
deoft heli
ne.
Nandipha:“Okay,Iwi
llcomewi t
hyourporr
idge
soonandy ou’l
leatyourotherbr
eakfastwi
th
yoursist
ers.Doyouwantt osither
ewi t
hus?”
Nongcebo:“
Ubaba!Mama,
uyaf
ona!
”sher
aised
hervoi
ce.
Nandi
pha:
“No,
yourf
atherwant
edt
ospeakt
o
y
ou.
”
Nongcebo:
“E.
e!Ut
heni
kuni
kei
foni
nje!
”
Ngceboremov edthephonef rom hisearashe
coul
dn’thearanywordsex changebet ween
NongceboandNandi pha.Hecl ickedhistongue
andgotupf r
om thecouchr ealisi
ngthat
Nandiphahaddroppedt hecall.Hemar chedto
thefr
ontofthehouset oattendt heknockon
thedoor.
Ngcebo:
“Shoul
dIpayt
ospeakt
oyounow?
”
Nandipha:“ShouldIspeakwi t
hy ouonl
ywhen
youwantt ospeakwi thme?Ical ly
ou,youdon’
t
answerthephone.It extyou,youreadanddon’
t
respond.ButifyoucallIshoul
dj umponthe
phone.”
Ngceboopenedt hedoorandhiseyeslanded
onhisfatherwhowaswi t
hhisbrot
hers,
MlamuliandDali
ngcebo.Hestoodasideand
theyent
eredthehouse.Ngcebofol
lowed
behi
nd.“
Iwi
l
lspeakt
oyouaf
teraf
ewmi
nut
es-
”
Dali
su:“Wewi l
lhaveameeti
nghere.Idon’
t
thi
nkitwill
lastminut
es.
”Hesaidtohissonas
he’
dhear dhim pr
omisewhatheknewwasn’t
goi
ngt ohappen.
Ngcebo:
“Iwi
l
lspeakt
oyou-
”
Nandi
pha:
“Ihear
dthat
.”
Ngceboclickedhistongueonceagai nandhe
mov edoutofthehousewhi lehewasr edial
li
ng
Nandipha’
snumberaf tershe’ddroppedthecall
onceagain.“Iam t
ryingt otal
ktoy ouandy ou’
re
bei
ngcheekyf ornor easonatal l
.”Hedidn’t
waitforNandiphatospeak.
Nandi
pha:
“WhatwasIsupposedt
odobecause
t
here’
sameeti
ng?”
Ngcebo:“Icall
edyouandIshouldbetheonet
o
dropthecallnott
heotherwayaround.And
don’tf
orgetthaty
ou’r
ewr ongher
e.”
Nandipha:
“Whatwer eyoucalli
ngmef or?How
areyouspeakingtomenowwhi lether
e’sa
meetingoverther
e?Ishouldreceiv
eanot her
call
whereIwillbetol
dthatyouar e
disr
espect
fulbecauseofme? ”
Ngcebo:
“WhoknowswhoIam t
alki
ngt
o,huh?
”
“Ngcebo,dadwantstospeaktoyoubef
oret
he
elder
sgethere.
”Dali
ngcebotol
dNgcebowho
wasst andi
ngbytheentr
anceporchoft
he
house.
Ngcebo:“Iam coming.”Hesai dlooki
ngbackat
Dali
ngceboshortl
ywi thoutdroppi
ngthecall
withNandipha.Dal
ingcebolefthim…“ Iwi
ll
tal
k
toyouafterthemeeting.Iam comingback
todayandy ouandthegi r
lsshouldbehome.I
won’thavetimetodrivetoy ourmother’
s
house.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iwi
l
lfol
l
owt
heor
der
.”
Ngcebor
emov
edt
hephonef
rom hi
searandhe
hungupt hecall
,hemar chedbackt othehouse
withthatsuddenangerthather eal
l
ycouldn’t
tel
lwher ei
twascomi ngfrom!Hewasn’ treal
ly
angrywithhiswif
eev enthoughhewasangr y
butthisonewasn’tenti
relygenerat
edbyher .
Butmay beitwasjusthowt hingswere,how,
everyt
hingwas!
“Sanibona.”Ngcebogreetedhi
sfatherand
brothers,
hesatont hecouchafterplaci
nghi
s
phoneont hecof f
eetable…Theygreetedhi
m
back…
Dali
su:“Wewi l
lhaveameeti
ngwit
htheelder
s
butIthoughtIshoul
dcomebyfi
rstbef
orethey
al
lgethere.Howar eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dalisu:
“Nobodyisfi
ne,Ngceboanditwouldbe
bestifyoudon’tl
i
ebecauseIthi
nknobody
amongstusher edoesn’
tknowwhaty ou’
re
goingthrough.
”HelookedatNgceboandhe
wasn’ tl
ooki
ngathi m…Ngcebowasseat edon
thesinglecouch,hewaswaypasst hest
ageof
sharinghisfeeli
ngswithhi
sfatherorhi
s
mot her.Hewasn’ tgoi
ngtobeginnowbecause
he’dlostachild…
Ngcebo:“Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouexpectmet
o
saybaba.Igotnothi
ngt
osay.
”
Dali
su: “
Yourmot herwaswr ongNgcebobutI
thi
nky ouneedt ohearheroutandhearwher e
she’scomi ngfrom.Andwhatr eall
yhappened
betweenherandNandi pha,
Iam notmaki ng
excusesf oryourmotherbutshe’syourmother.
Youknowt hatshelovesall
ofy ou.
”
Ngcebo:“
Ist
hemeet
inggoi
ngt
obeabout
mama? ”
Ml
amul
i
:“No.
”
Dali
su:“
No, butIwantedyoutoknowt hatI
haveseenitfi
tthatthefami
lydoesn’tknowthat
yourmothermadet hatcal
ltoNandipha
because-
”
Ngcebo:“Youcanpr otecty ourownbaba, Idon’
t
mind.Idi
dn’texpectthaty ou’l
ltell
thet r
uth
anywaybecauseany thingandev eryt
hingis
donetoprotectyourwi febutnot hi
ngi sdone
forot
hers.Iwon’tsayany thing.
”
Dalisu:“Ngcebo!Don’ tt
akethislikethatand
don’tforgetthatthi
sisy ourmot herandwhat
youdi d,thr
owingheroutofy ourhouse.That
waswr ong!Mymot herandIwoul dquarr
el
abouty ourmot herbutIhav enev ert
hrownmy
mot heroutofmyhousebecauseofa
disagreement .
”
Dal
ingcebochuckl
edandshookhishead.“
A
di
sagreement,
baba?Youcall
whathappened
bet
weenmama, NgceboandNandipha,
di
sagreement?”
Dal
i
su:
“Ther
e’snoreasonthatcanfor
ceachild
t
odowhatyourbr
otherdidtoyourmother
.It
’s
notright,Dali
ngcebo.Me, asmonarch,
Ididn’
t
haveaf r
iendandit’
smymot herwhoIconfi
ded
i
n.Andwenev ersawey etoeyeeveryt
imebut
nothingchangedt hefactthatshewasmy
mot her.Andy oumustn’tbeangryfort
oolong
wit
hherbecausey ou’l
lalwaysneedher.
”
Ngcebol ookedathi solderbrotherthenhi s
father.“Iam 31y earsofageandt illthisday,I
don’tknowasl apf r
om mymot her.Ihav eonly
got t
enahi dingfrom y ou,babaasachi l
dand
teenagerbutmy25y earsoldwi f
ehadt o
slappedbymymot heronlybecauseshecal l
ed
bhut iMnot hot osav eourdaught er.Mychi l
dis
deadbecauseofmymot herandi t’
senough
thaty ou’r
et ell
ingmeIhav etohidet hatshedid
this.Andnow, you’
recompar i
ngy our
argument swi t
hgr andmat owhatmamahas
donet ome?Hhay i
, It
hinkweshoul dwai tfor
themeet i
ngi fallyouwant edtotalkabouti s
mom.Youj ust
ifytheact i
onsofpeopl ecl
oserto
yourheartbutotherpeople.I
t’
sadi f
ferentstor
y
forthem.Weshoul djustwaitforthemeet i
ng
becauseit’
sclearitwon’tbeaboutmamasi nce
theyknownot hi
ngaboutt hetrut
h-”hesaid
clearl
yandstoppedhi mselff
rom tal
king
becauseitwasn’tgoingtohelp…
Dal
isu:
“Idi
dn’
tknowaboutthatandIam not
t
ryi
ngtomakeanyjust
if
icat
ion-
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Ndabezi
tha,
pleasehol
dit
,baba.
”
Dalisu: “Iam tryingtotalktomyson! ”herai
sed
hisv oicel ookingatMl amuli,hedidn’tcomment
tohi sfat herbuther oseupf r
om thechoucht o
l
eav et hem butl uckil
yt heelderswereal r
eady
walki ngi nsidethehouse.Thembel i
hlehad
drivenwi ththem asDal isuwant edtospeakto
Ngcebof ir
stbef or
ethemeet i
ngcoul deven
begi n…Af tert
hey ’
regreetedeachot her,t
hey
dissol veddown.
“
Wher
e’sMnot
hoandMnt
wana?
”Uncl
eel
der
askedl
ooki
ngatt
hebr
other
swhower
epr
esent
i
nsidet
heroom.
Ml
amuli
:“Mnot
hocoul
dn’
tcomebecauseofhi
s
wi
fe.
”
Dal
isu:“
AndMnt
wana?Wasn’
theher
e
Ngcebo?”
Ngcebo:“
Hewasher
ebuthehadt
ogot
o
Ri
chards’
bay
.”
AuntNomkhosi:“
Awu,Ngcebo, wedon’teven
havewordstodescr
ibethepainwef eelf
or
whathashappenedinthefamily,
forwhathas
happenedtoyouandyourwife.AndIdidn’t
evenknowwhathadhappenedwhenwegoti n
Johannesbur
g.Thewholefamilyishurt
.”
Uncleelder:
“Ey,
impela,whathappenedopened
awoundt ousal
l andi
t’
sanexcruciat
ingwound.
We’vejustendedamour ni
ngperiodforyour
botherandnow, wehavelostagrandchi
ld.
”
Auntel
der
:“Yes,
andweunder
standt
haty
our
wi
fedoesn’tknowabouttheotherchil
dbutwe
ar
ewor r
iedwedon’tknowwhobet weenher
mothershoul
dwecommuni cat
ewi t
h?”
Ngcebo:
“Communi
cat
e?”
Auntel
der:“Yes,yourmothert
ell
susthat
MaNtombelai st
heonewhocal l
edherbutyour
wif
e’sbi
ological
mot herhasn’
tcall
edher
.”
Mlamuli
:“Whyishermot
herexpect
edt
ocal
l
?I
don’
tunderst
and.
”
Uncl
eel
der
:“We’
ref
ami
l
y,Mageba.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
That’
snotevenaquest
iony
ou
canask,Mlamuli
.MaNt ombel
amanagedt
ocal
l
andthatsaysalotabouther
.”
Mlamuli
:“What’
swrongi
foneofthefamil
y
memberscallNandi
pha’
smother?Idon’
tget
t
hisbutmaybeIknownothi
ng.”
AuntNomkhosi
:“Ngcebo,
whatdoy
ousay
?”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
twantt
otal
kaboutany
thi
ng
whileNandiphaknowsnothi
ngaboutourdead
chil
d.Idon’tseethepoi
ntofanydiscussi
ons.
”
Hesai dabruptl
yandther
ewast ot
al si
l
ence
thatfol
lowedasi ghoft
woelders.
AuntNomkhosi
:“It
hinkthatmakessensebut
knowi
ngwhobetweent hei
rmothersshoul
d
communicat
ewithusisimport
ant.
”
Ngcebo:
“Theybot
hsuppor
tNandi
pha.
”
Auntel
der:“
Doesthatmeanst
hey
’l
lbot
hcome
her
eforthefuner
al.
”
Dali
ngcebo:“
TheywereherewhenNgcebowas
unconsci
ous.Whatcanstopthem f
rom comi
ng
now?”heaskedandtheysupport
ed…
AuntNomkhosi:“It
hinkweshoul djoi
nhands
andpraybecausethere’
snot hi
ngtodiscuss.
It
’st
heLordwhocanheal ourbleedi
nghear t
s.”
Shesuggestedandtheyjoinedhandstopr ay…
Dal
isu:“
Beforeweleav
e.Iwouldl
iketosayi
t
cl
earl
ythatIhavemadeadecisi
onthatIwas
goingtoannouncetot hewholefami l
yabout
Ngcebo’swife.
”Hesai dtothefamilyaftert
he
prayerandtheyall
gav ehim at
tent
ion.“Ihave
reachedadecisi
ont hati
twast i
mef ormet o
takemywor dbackaboutNgcebo’ swi f
e.We
didn’
tgettohavethemeet ingbecauseshewas
notamongstusbutIwi l
lsaythi
snow, thatIam
taki
ngmywor dbackandIam openi ngmy
gatesforherbecauseithasbeenlong.The
ti
me- ”
“HHAWU! ”Theelder
ssur pr
isedinuni sonand
theyl
ookedatoneanot herwi thpleasingsmi l
es
astheydidn’
texpectthatDalisuwoul d
announcethis…EvenThembel i
hlewasn’ ttol
d
aboutthi
sandshewassur prised.Shel ookedat
Ngceboandhewasn’ tshowi nganyemot i
ons
buthiseyesweregazingathi shandst hatwere
onthetable.
AuntNomkhosi:
“That
’sagoodthi
ng,
Ndabezi
thaandthi
swill
closet
hegapand
di
stancebet
weent
hef
ami
l
yandNgcebo’
s
wi
fe.”
El
der
s:“
Yes,
that
’sagoodt
hing.
”
Auntel
der:“Apr
operritual
wil
lhavetobedone
andthefamil
ywillhav
et oworkonrest
oringt
he
peacethatwe’
velost.
”shesai
dandt hefamil
y
suppor
tedherstat
ement .
Mlamuli
:“Noneofuswer
eexpect
ingt
his,
baba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“If
igur
edi
twast
imet
omov
eon.
”
“
SIYABONGA!
”Thefami
l
ychant
edi
nsuppor
tof
whatDal
i
suhadsai
d.
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
renotsay
inganythi
ngabout
whatyourfat
herhadsai
d,Ngcebo.Don’ty
ou
haveanyt
hingtosay?
”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay
.”
AuntNomkhosi:“
It
’sunder
standabl
eandthisi
s
somethi
ngthatshoul
dbediscussedaf
terthe
f
uner
albuti
t’
sgoodt
haty
ourf
atherhassai
dit
t
ous.”
Uncl
eelder:
“ Yes,
andit
’sbestt
hatwel
ety
ou
pr
eparefortheroad.
”
Ngcebo:
“Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
”
“Where’
sthi
syoungboy,Mntwana?”Dal
ingcebo
askedNgcebowhowasl ocki
ngthedoorofhis
houseastheywereheadi
ngoutnow.
Ngcebo:“
Hecheckinginandouti
nRi
char
ds’
baywit
hhisgi
rl
fr
iend.”
Dali
ngcebolaughedandopenedt
hedoorofhi
s
car
.“Thisboy,Ihopei
t’
sawomanhisage.Do
yourememberhowhecost eduswhenhegot
l
ost?”
Ngcebolaughed.“ Don’tevenremi ndmeoft hat
shit
tyNewy ear’s.
”hesai dandt heylaughed,
theyspendther estofthedr i
veremi ni
sci
ngas
theydrovetotheirmother ’
spalacetocheckon
Banelebeforeleaving…
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mama, dadwi l
lcomehomet onight ?
”Nj abul
o
askedhismot herwhowasdr essinghi m upfor
bed.Happinesswasal oneinthehousewi tht
he
chil
dren.Nonjabulowasalreadysl eeping…
They’vehadal ongdayatthepal aceandshe
didn’
tgetthechancet otel
lThembel i
hlewhat
wasr eal
lygoi
ngon.Shewasst i
lli
ndi sbeli
ef
thatLuvuyowant edtotakeherdaught eraway
from her.
Happiness:
“Yes,
hewi l
lcomebackhome.He’
l
l
becomi ngwit
hSiphosamibecausetheir
motherisnothome.Shewentt ovi
sither
mother.”
Nj
abul
o:“
Whydi
dn’
tSi
phosami
leav
ewi
th
t
hem?”
Happiness:
“Hesaidhewantstostaybehi
nd
andhe’l
lbestay
ingwithusunti
lPearl
andthei
r
mothercomesbackf r
om Durban.
”
Nj
abulo:
“Wewon’
tgot
ovi
sitgr
andpa?Imi
ss
hi
m now.”
Happiness:“
Wewi l
l gobutwewon’ tgoanytime
soon.Andnow, youshouldsleepyoungman.I
wantt ogoandtakeashowert oo.”Shesaid
placi
ngNjabuloi
nsidehiscotandshecov ered
hi
m.“ You’
regett
ingoldernowf orthi
sbed.We
shouldgetyouanotherbed.Yousee? ”she
smi l
edathi
m.
Njabul
o:“
Yes,
mamabutNonj
anj
aisnotol
dfor
herbed.
”
Happinesslaughed.“Yes,she’sshorterli
keher
fat
her.”Shesaidlookingathersonwi thasmil
e
andshehopedt hatshewasgoi ngt ofinda
str
ongdef enceteam.Shecoul dn’taffordtobe
separ
at edfrom herdaughterandf orher
chi
ldr
ent obesepar atedfr
om eachot her.
Nj
abulogi
ggl
ed.“
Mama?
”Hecal
l
edouthi
s
mother
.
Happi
ness:
“Yes,
Nji
va?
”
Njabul
o: “
Nonj anj
a’sdadiswatchingusf r
om
heaven?”heaskedandpoi nt
edwher eheav en
was.Happi nesssmi l
edandshenoddedher
head,shethenpl ayedwithherson’searsandit
di
dn’ttakelongf orNjabul
otofall
asleep.
Happinessplacedthephoneonherear,she’d
j
ustf i
nisheddressi
ngupforbedandnow, she
thoughtitwasagoodi deathatshecal
l
s
Luvuyo.May beifshecanrequestt
omeetwi th
her,shewasgoi ngtohearherout.
“Whatdoyouwant?”Luvuyoanswer
edt
he
phonecal
lwit
houtgreet
ingher.
Happi
ness:
“Luv
uyo,
howar
eyou?
”
Luv
uyo:“
No,justtel
lmewhatdoy
ouwant
?
Whyareyoucall
ingme?”
Happi
ness:
“Canwemeet
?”
Luv
uyo:
“Meet
?Whyshoul
dwemeetnow
becausey
ou’r
einSwazi
landwi
tht
hechi
l
dren?
Whyshouldwemeet?”
Happinesstur
nedherheadtolookatthedoor
asitwasbeingopened.Mnothowalkedthrough
thedoorlooki
ngti
red.“
Iam sorr
ythatIl
iedto
you.”
Luvuyo:“Okay ,Ihav enothingtosayt oyoubut
j
ustknowt haty oucanst aywi t
hy ourabuser
butmybr other’sdaughterwi l
lnotberaisedby
hiski
ll
ert haty ou’
vebeenhi di
ngawayf rom me.
Iwon’tletthatmanr aisemyni ece.Andev enif
hedidn’tkil
l mybr otherIwasn’tgoingt oal
low
Nonjabulot ober aisedbyt hatfi
lt
hyman.You
mayhav eforgot t
enwhathedi dtoy oubutIwil
l
neverforgett hatandIwi ll
makesur ethecourt
knowsi t.
”
Happiness: “
Luvuyo,Ididn’
tjusthi
dehim but
he’sal
sohi dingthefactthatLonwaboordered
theshoot-”shewascutof fbythesound
signal
li
ngt hatLuvuy
ohaddr oppedthecallon
her.Happi
nessplacedthephoneasideandshe
cl
osedherey esf
eelingthepai
nbeforeshe
couldevenfacet
hecour t.
“
Hey,what’
shappeni
ng?”Mnothoasked
Happi
nessandhepull
edherintohi
sarmsas
Happi
nesswascryi
ngthetearsofpai
nthatshe
wasfeel
i
ng.
Happi ness:“Luv uyo,wantstotakeNonj abulo
from mebecauseIam backwi thy ounowand
sheknowsnowt hatyouandDani ell
e’
suncle
kill
edNonj abulo’sf at
her.Iwast oldbymyf at
her
thatshecamet ohi shouset otalkabout
servingmeanddadbar gainedthatifIcanleave
you, shewon’ ttakeNonj abulo.
”
Mnot ho:“
That’
sbull
shi
t!WhatdoesshethinkI
willdotoNonjabul
o?Itakeherasmydaughter.
She’sinfactmydaughterandhowdidshelear
n
thatThabaniandIwereinvol
vedinLonwabo’
s
death?”
Happiness:“Idon’
tknow!Ican’
tlosemy
daughter,
Mnot hoandIdon’twanttol
osey
ou
eit
her.We’reafamilyandwearehappy
toget
her.”
Mnothocl ickedhi stongueashewasanger ed
bythis.Hedi dn’tl
ikethefactthatHappi ness
wascr yi
ngnowandi nhismi nd,hedidn’tknow
whatisitt hathecoul ddot ohelpher .“Don’t
worry,mkami , wewillfi
ndthebestdef ence
team wheni tcomest ochi l
dren’
scust odies.I
won’tlethert akeourdaughterandt here’s
nobodyt hatwi l
lcomebet weenus.Our
ancestorsbr oughtust oget
herandwewi l
ldie
toget
her ,becausewe’ remadef oreachot her.
”
Happiness:“Andift
hedef enceteam doesn’t
winthecasef orus?Whatwi ll
happen, Mnotho?
Iwilll
osemydaught er?Ihardl
yraised
Nonjabuloandithasn’tevenbeenaf ul
lyear
sinceIhavebeenwi t
hherandnow, she’l
lbe
takenfrom me.Whyi sthi
shappeni ngt ome?
Andwhatwillhappentothefamil
yi fthet r
uth
cancomeoutt hatyouandDaniel
le’suncl e
ki
ll
ingLonwabobecauseheki l
l
edt hef amily
memberandshott womember sforme.AndI
knewaboutthat!Thatwi
llr
uinmyr elationshi
p
wit
ht hef
amily.
”
Mnot ho: “Don’ tstr
essy oursel
fbecausenot hing
l
ikethatwi llhappen.”Hecomf ort
edherandhe
mov edupont hebedwi t
hherstil
linsidehis
armsandi nsidehisheadhewast hinkingabout
thi
s.Hecoul dn’thelpbutwor r
ythatshoul d
ever
y thingcomeoutt hi
ngswer egoingt obad
andr elati
onshi psweregoi ngtober uined.He
fear
edt het ruthcomi ngoutwasnotgoodf or
anyoft hem.Buthedi dn’
tknowwhathecoul d
toprev entt hiscourtcase…
“Iwi
llgohaveaquickshowerandcomeback.I
haveputSiphosamiont hebed.
”Hei nf
ormed
Happinesswho’dcalm downandhecov ered
herbodywiththeli
ghtbedcovertheywere
usi
ngfort
hesummerandhelef
theraf
ter
Happi
nesshadgi
venhi
m agoaheadtoleav
e…
Mnothochuckledashel i
ftedthebedcover
.“I
l
eftyoudressedupiny ournightdr
essandIam
comingbackt oyournakedbody .
”He
commentedseei ngHappinesswasnaked
undert
hecov ers.
Happiness: “
YouknowIdon’ tli
keussleepi
ng
wit
hcl othes.What’stheuseoft hem?Because
weshoul dsleep,skinclosertooneanother
’s
ski
n.”Sher emindedhi m pl
acingherhandonhi s
chestandsher oseupf r
om thebed…Mnot ho
smiledlookingathersmal lbeauti
ful
breasts.
Mnot ho:
“Didthesebreast
shavemil
kthough?
”
heaskedt ouchi
ngthem asHappi
nesswas
si
tti
ngonhi m aft
ershe’dr
emovedhispyj
ama
pants.
“Theydi
dhavemil
k.”Sherepl
i
edmov i
ngher
handssoft
lyonhi
shardbumpylowerabsand
shelaidherbodydownonhi stokisshim
passionat
elyslow.Happinessbr eathedhis
str
ongmascul i
nebodywashandshemoaned
deeponhert hroatasMnot howasmassagi ng
herhardnipples…Shef elthisst
rongpenis
l
eapingagainstherbumsi nresponseofthe
ni
pplekissesHappi nesswasgi vi
ngi nt
enselyt
o
Mnotho…Happi nessheldMnot ho’
shand, her
handt r
avell
i
ngf rom thebackasMnot howas
tr
yingincreephi mselfi
nsideher.
Happi ness:“Whyar ey our ushi ngmebecauseI
am notdone? ”sheaskedsof tlyandl ookedat
him.Shewashopi ngt hattoni ght ,shecould
showhi m howshel ovedpat iencewhenmaki ng
l
ov e.Howshel ovedf orhi mt ot akehi sti
me
beforegi v
inghertheact ualint ercourse.I
t
wasn’ teasyforhert ospeakt ohi m aboutsuch
thi
ngs, shehadn’tr eacht hatlev el i
ntheir
rel
ationshipbutshewashopi ngt hattoni
ght,
shecoul dshowhi m…
Mnot
ho:“
Icanf
eel
thaty
ouar
ereadyandIam
r
eady
.”
Happiness:
“Yes,
butIj
ustwantt
ohav
efunwi
th
you.
”
Mnot hosmi l
edcal mly.“Alright,
hav ef un,
MaMt hi
mkhul u.”Heal lowedherandHappi ness
didn’
thesi t
atebutshet ookt heleadcompl et
ely
nowf orcingMnot hotof ol
lowt oev erytouch
andcar essunt ilshewasr eadyf orhim…She
rammedherbodyont ohi m andMnot ho
groaned, excit
ingt hewi feont op.Andshe
beganmov i
ngupanddownsl owly,lookingat
hisfacethatshowedhowmuchheappr eci
ated
thepleasur ethathi swifewasgi vingout …
“Thatwaspr et
tyawesome!Areyousl
eeping
now? ”MnothoaskedHappinessashecuddled
heraftert
heirpl
easi
ngencounter
.
Happi
ness:
“Yes,
Iam exhaust
ednow.
”she
r
epli
edandshesmil
edasherhusbandki
ssed
hercheekbef
orewi
shi
ngher‘
goodni
ght
.’
“Idi
dsayy oumustnotcomebackaf ter
Christ
mas.”Mnot hosai
dt oDani
ell
eont he
phone.Hewasspeaki ngtoherinthemor ning
ashewasst andi
ngbeforethest
ovepr epari
ng
breakfastf
orhisfamil
ythatwassleeping,sti
l
l.
Dani
ell
e:“Ihav
en’
tbeenwit
hmymother.How
doyouexpectmetocomebackbef
ore
Chri
stmas?Iwanttobehome,
Mnotho.
”
Mnotho:“
Iam notal
l
owingy
ouandt
hatmeans
youshoul
dcomeback.”
Dani
ell
e:“
Iam af
rai
dIam notgoi
ngt
oli
stent
o
t
hat.
”
Mnotho:
“Excuseme!Ar
eyoudef
yingmenow,
huh?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Whyshoul
dIcomebackhome?
”
Mnot
ho:“
Happinessneedsyouher
e,she’
ssad
t
hatNonj
abul
owi l
lbetakenawayf
rom herby
herauntandshecouldusesomeofyour
support
.Buti
t’
sclearthaty
ou’
renotwi
ll
i
ngt
o
giv
eherthat,
right
?”
Daniel
le:“
Whydidn’
tyoujusttel
lmethatfr
om
t
hebegi nni
ngbecauseIdi
dn’tknowthat
Happinessissadaboutt
hat?Shedidn’
ttel
l
me!”sheshouted.
Mnot ho:“
Mindyourtonenow!You’r
enot
speakingtoachil
d.Howmanyt i
mesmustI
remindyouthatyoumustmi ndyourtonewhen
speakingtome?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Mnotho:
“Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ocomebackhomeor
not
?”
Daniell
e:“Iwil
lcomebacki t
’snotl
i
keIhavea
choice,anyway.”Shesaidandhungupthecal
l
withoutwaiti
ngf orMnothotocomment…
Mnot holookedathisphoneandhechuckledi
n
disbeli
ef.Hecalledheragai
n.
Dani
ell
e:“
Hel
l
o?”
Mnot
ho:
“Whyar
eyoubei
ngl
i
ket
his?
”
Dani
ell
e:“
Isai
dIwi
l
lcomeback.
”
Mnot ho:
“It’
snotl
ikeyouhav eachoice,anyway.
Sayitagain.
”HecommandedandDani ell
e
didn’
tsayitonceagain.Shekeptqui
et …
Mnot hocli
ckedhistongueandhedroppedt he
call
…Het henfini
shedupt hecooki
ng…
“Ihavebeenthi
nki
ngt hat, i
st hereawayt hatwe
canproveLuvuyoasinv olvedi ngangst er
acti
vit
iesal
ongwithherbr other?”Mnot ho
askedHappinessgiv
ingherabowl oficecream
andhesatnexttoherout sidethehouseont he
gardenchai
rs.Thechildrenwer eplay
ingont he
yard…
Happiness:
“Thanky ou.Andhowcanwepr ove
that
?Canweev enprovethatLonwabowasa
gangster
?Idon’tthi
nkwecandot hatbecause
hewasn’tdoingpett
ycr i
mesbuthewasi nt
oIT,
somethi
ngthat
’scl
osetoi
mpossibl
etoprove
andIdon’
tevenwanttoment
ionhissi
ster
.”
Mnot ho:
“Wecan’
tbackdownwi t
houtt
ryi
ng.Do
youknowanyofhisenemieswhocanactuall
y
helpusprov
ehewasagangst erandhi
ssist
er,
along?”
Happi
ness:
“IdobutIdon’
tknowi
fthey
’l
lhel
p
us.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Ey
,yabonakodwanawe-
”
Happiness:“
Please,
don’tevenstar
t!”she
stoppedhim bef
orehecoul devenbeginto
proceedwithwhatshe’dguessedhewant edto
saytohernow…Mnot hosighedandhest opped
tal
kingashe’dbeenstopped…
Mnotho: “
Provi
nghersi sterandhim were
gangstersist
heonl ythi
ngt hatcanhel
pusat
thi
sstage.Andmay befindinginf
ormati
on
aboutherboy f
ri
end.”Hei nsist
edandhelooked
ather.Shedidn’tsayany t
hingbutshenodded
herheadi
nsuppor
tofwhathewassay
ing…
Happi
ness:
“Cant
heyal
l
owhert
otaket
hechi
l
d
t
oBotswana.”
Mnotho: “
Idon’tknowbutweshoulddo
everyt
hingandany thi
ngtowin.
”Helookedat
herandshegav ehi
m anod…Theysatin
si
lencewhilethethreechi
ldr
enwereplayi
ng…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE49

“Arey oucall
i
ngmebecausey ou’
redrunk?
”
Mnt wanaaskedNel iswaonthephone,hewas
seatedinsidehiscarthatwasparkedonthe
parkinglotoftheInkwazimall
.Hewaswai ti
ng
onSi mthande.
Neli
swagi ggled.“
Iam notdr
unkbutIam j
ust
t
ipsy.Idon’tknowifyouknowthemeaningof
t
hewor
dti
psy
.”
Mnt wanal aughedandshookhi sheadbut
i
mmedi atelytookacloselookattheladyhe
suspectedt obeSi mthandebut…hef i
gured
quicklythatitwasnother .“
Okay,Pri
ncess
you’renotdr unkbutyou’r
etipsy
.Whatar eyou
doing?”Heaskedr ubbi
nghi sworr
iedeyes,he
wassl eepybuther emov edhisfi
ngersfr
om his
eyest oseeSi mthandecomi ngby.
Neli
swa: “
Iam l
aidbackonmyhot elbedandI
thoughtofcal
l
ingyou.Iwillbegoingbackt o
CapeTowni nafewday sandIf eelthese
holi
dayswouldbeabor e.Ican’
tev enpict
ure
them.”
Mntwana:“Don’ty
outhinkthatyouneedt
ogo
homet hi
syear?Justt
hisyear!Youcannever
beboredathome.Justgohome. ”
Neli
swa:“
Areyououtofy
ourf
ucki
nmymi
nd!
”
sherai
sedhervoi
ce.
Mntwana:“What’
swiththeshout
ingthi
sdays?
Youreall
yneedtogetyourmoodandhor mones
checkedyoucan’
tbesnappinganyhow.”
Nel
iswahissed.“I
t’
sjustworkst
ressnot
hing
much.”Sherepli
edcalmly.
Mnt
wana: “
Iam notconvincedbythatandIam
r
eal
l
yseriousaboutgoinghomet oseey our
f
amil
y.Youcannev erknow, Nel
i
swa.”
Neli
swa:
“Imissyouthough,t
here’
snowayI
canseeyouonceagain.If
eell
ikewedi
dn’
tget
enought
imeyester
day.”
Mntwana:
“Iam busynowandther
e’snowayI
cancometoDurbantoseeyoubutIwil
lcome
backi
nafewweeks. ”
Nel
i
swa:
“That
’sj
ustnotenough.
”
Mntwana:“
Ify oucangohomeandt ryreconci
l
e
wit
hyourparentsIcandefini
tel
yseeyouonce
agai
n.Buti
fy ougobackt oCapeTownwewi l
l
seeeachotherafterweeksandmaybemi d-
Januar
y.”
Nel
i
swa:“
It
’sagoodthi
ngy
ou’
renott
heonl
y
manar
oundthen.By
e.”
Mnt wana: “Oh!By e.
”Hesai dwithoutst
opping
herfrom doi ngwhatshe’ djusttol
dhim.He
didn’
tev enknowi fshewassay ingthattomake
himf eelanyki ndofj eal
ousyorshewast al
ki
ng
thiswaybecauseshewast ipsy
.Buteitherway
hedi dn’
tfeel goodaboutwhatshe’ djustsaid
event houghatt hebackofhi smindhewas
remindedt hatt heywer enotinaromant i
c
relat
ionship,itwasj ustsex!
Hecl i
ckedhistongueandli
ftedhi
sphonet o
callSi
mt handewhowasn’tcomingbackstil
l,
buthedi dn’
thavetocal
lher.He’
dspotted
Simthandewal ki
ngtowar
dst hecarconver
sing
withawoman.
“
Areyoualr
eadymaki
ngf r
iendsnow?
”
MntwanaaskedSi
mthandewhowast aki
ngt
he
passengerseatandcl
i
ckedt
hekeyoft
hecar
.
Simthande:
“No,howcanImakef
ri
ends
becauseIam l
eavingsoon?
”
Mntwana:
“Icannev
erknowhowwoment
hink,
babe.
”
“Sorr
y.”Shesaidt ohim andshetookher
ri
ngingphonef rom herbag.Shecli
ckedher
tongueandt auntedherjawbeforeansweri
ng
thephone.“Whatdoy ouwantfrom me?Why
areyoucall
ingme? ”Sheaskedwithoutgr
eeti
ng.
Nikhona:“Isthathowy ougreetmenow, si
s?
You’vegonef ortoolongandy ouhav en’teven
call
edtot ellmehowar ethi
ngsov erther eand
youhav en’tbeenrespondi
ngt omyt exts.”
Simthandechuckl
ed.“Whyareyoupret
ending
asifyoucareaboutmebecausewebot hknow
thatyoudon’
tgiveafuckaboutwhathappens
tome. ”
Ni
khona:
“Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?Icar
e
abouty
ou.
”
Simthande:“No!Al
lal
ongyouwantedMntwana
andy ou’
vebeenseduci
nghim behi
ndmyback.
Ican’tbel
iev
ehowmuchofahy pocr
it
eyou’
re
Nikhona.”
Nikhonalaughedinbel
ievabl
edisbel
ief
.“That’
s
whathet ol
dy ou?Wow!Thisboy f
ri
endofy our
s.
Idon’tev
enf i
ndhim at
tract
ive.
”Shesaidin
defence.
Simthande:
“Oh,t
hat
’swhyyousawitf
itt
o
bewitchme?Forwhatr
easonsdi
dyoudot hat
,
Nikhona?Whatdi
dIdotoyou?Huh?”
Nikhona:“Ididwhat!Idon’tev
enbeliev
einthat
shitbutyourfucki
nboy f
riendtol
dmet heonly
wayt ogetridofyouisonl yi
fIfol
lowhisor
ders
-”
Simthande:“
Justst
opitwit
hyourli
es!Andyou
knowwhat ?Iwantyoutogett
hehelloutofthat
fl
atandgobackwher eyoucomingfrom.Idon’t
everwanttoseeyouagainbecausey
ouar e
poisoni
nmyl i
fe.Tsk!
”sheremovedthephone
fr
om herearandshedroppedthecal
l.
Mnt
wana:
“Iam-
”
Simt hande:“
Notnowpl ease.”Shepleadedand
closedherey es,sheallowedhertearstobr eak
free.She’dpri
sonedt hem fortoolongandshe
didn’twanttomakeami stakeofsuppressing
thispain,thi
sbetrayalfrom herownsister.A
sisterwho’dhurtheronceagai nhadmadea
returntohurtherevenf urt
her…
Mntwana:“
Don’
tcr
yli
ket
hisf
orNi
khona.She’
s
notwort
hit
.”
Simt
hande:“She’smysister
!AndIdon’
texpect
youtounderstandbecauseyoudon’
teven
knowhowi tfeelst
obeme. ”
Mntwana: “Andt
hat’
swhyIsai dweshoul
dfind
yourfather
.Ifwecanfindyourhi
m maybe,
you’
ll
f eelt
hewholenessinyourl
if
e-”
Simthande: “
Justdr opit
, Mntwana!Dr opit!
”she
shout edlookingathi m withherwetf aceand
shedi dn’twaitforhimt oev enut t
erar esponse
butshecl osedherey eslayingherheadbackon
thecarseat …Theyhadt herestoft heirdriv
ein
sil
ence…AndMnt wanawast hinki
ngabout ,
whati fhecoul djustgetSi mthandet omeethi s
mot hermay beshewasgoi ngt ofeel bett
er.He
didn’tseeabet terwayt oupl i
ftherspi ri
tthan
i
nt r
oduci nghert ohismot herandf orher,to
meett heotherladiesinthef amily.Andmor e
i
mpor tantl
yheneededt oensur ethathef i
nds
herfat herbecausesheneededr eal f
ami l
y…
~~~~~~~~
22ndofDecember,Happi
nesswasdrivingfrom
Dani
ell
e’
shousestrai
ghttoThembeli
hle’s
pal
ace.I
t’
dbeenawhi l
esinceshe’
dbeent ot he
pal
aceasshe’
dbeenbusyt ry
ingtofi
ndway st o
gett
oanyone,oneofLonwabo’senemiesand
al
li
anceswhocouldhelpherwit
hdefeating
Luvuyobutshewasn’ tgetti
nglucky.But
Mnot hohadencouragedt hattheydon’tstop…
Shedr ovet
hroughthepal aceshewasal one
i
nsidehercar.She’dlef
therchi l
drenat
Daniell
e’
shouseast hey’
v erequestedtost ay
behindandsheallowedt hem withan
agreementthatshewasgoi ngtofetchthem
l
ater…
“Hel
lo,Candice.Where’
smama? ”Happi
ness
askedCandi cewhowasseat edont
heporch
chair
sreadingahistorybookonasunny
Tuesday.
Candi
ce:
“Hey
,Happi
ness.Wher
ehav
eyou
been?
”
Happiness:
“Ihavebeenbusy,si
stert
ryi
ngto
getthi
ngstogetherandIt
houghtIshoul
dcome
checkonmamaandhowt hi
ngsareoverher
e.”
Candice:“
Shetol
dmet
hatshe’
sgoi
ngt
oher
sewingroom.”
Happi
ness:
“Okay
,howar
ethi
ngs?How’
s
Banel
e?”
Candi
ce:“I
t’
ssti
ll
thesame,hisbr
other
,Ngcebo
andDali
ngcebowerehereafewdaysago.And
thi
ngsoverher
earesti
ll
thesame.”
Happinesssighedstr
essf
ull
y.“I
t’
sli
kether
e’s
thi
sdarkcloudf ol
l
owingever
yoneofus.Idon’t
evenknowwhatcanbedone. ”Shesai
d.
Candi
ce:
“May
bet
hingswi
l
leaseupaf
tert
he
weddi
ng.
”
Happi
ness:“Doyouthi
nkso?Thatweddi
ngwi
l
l
t
akemont hstocome.”
Candi
ce:“Ther
e’snot
hingwecando.Your
weddi
ngisawhi teweddi
ngandthati
s
somethi
ngunrecogni
sed.You’
l
lal
sohaveto
post
poney our
s,ri
ght
?”
Happiness:
“Yes,
that
’swhatwil
lhappen.Iwi
l
l
comebackt oyouaft
erIhavespokentomama,
okay?
”
Candi
ce:
“Al
ri
ght
.”
Happinessnoddedwi t
hasmi leandshel
eft
Candice.Sheproceededinsidetheawful
l
yquiet
house.Nochi l
dwasar ound!Qalokuhl
ewas
wit
hhermot herandNhlakaniphowaswith
Nkosazana’ssonsinthepalace…
Sheopenedt hedooroft her oom andshe
closedi tquicklyasshesawThembel ihl
e
seat edbef orethechairoft hesewi ngmachine,
crying.Shewascr y i
ngwoef ull
ywi thherhead
forceddownandhershoul dersandbody
conv ulsingrefl
ectingthepai nt hatshewas
feelingdeepi nsideherhear t
.She’ dcomef ar,
she’dnev erhaditeasyi nlifeandDal i
suand
mar riagewasn’ tsomet hingshe’ ddr eamedof
butsheembr acedi t
.Shef oundamanamongst
othermenandsheembr acedhi m, sheall
owed
himi ntoherl if
eandt heybui ltahome.She’ d
foughtandpr ayedf ortheirhappi ness.They
wer ebl essedwi t
hchi l
drenandt hey ’
vedone
everythingint heirpowert orai
set hem right.
Theirfatherwasn’ talway stherebecauseofhi s
responsi bil
i
tyt othet hronebutshehel dher
houset oget herandshecoul dn’tpossibl
y
i
magi nehowi tcoul dhavebeeni fDali
suhad
otherwi ves…I twasbeaut i
ful
,theirhomewas
warmf i
lledwi thlov eandhappi nessunt i
l their
sonsgr ewupandchosepar t
ner s…Now,
everythingwasf alli
ngapar t,whatwasa
beaut i
ful warm homewasnotev encloset o
thatnow.They ’
vel ostagr andchi l
dbecauseof
herangerandt heirsonwasj ustacabbage,
Ngcebowasn’ tev ent al
kingtoher ,hehat edher
andt herewasnot hingshecoul ddot ofi
xt his.
Therewasnohappi nessbet weenherandher
husbandbutj ustdul l
ness.Hewasangr ywi th
herst i
llandshehadt ol i
vewi t
ht hattri
plepai n
eachday …
“Mama,what’
swrong?
”Happi
nessasked
Thembel
ihl
eandshewentdowntoherlev
elt
o
hughert ightl
y…Thembel i
hledi dn’tanswer
Happinessbutshej ustl etital l
outas
Happinesshel dhertightly.“Iam sor r
yfor
every
t hi
ng.”Shesaidf eeli
ngt hepaintimestwo
nowandheri nnerbrokenwomanscr eamedf or
helpandst rengt
hthatshedi dn’tevenknowifit
wast here,ther
e,somewher e.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ngcebohatesme,Happi
ness.My
ownsonhat esmeandIdon’tev
enknowif
ther
e’sawayt of
ixt
his.HowcanI?”
Happi
ness:
“Godwillal
way
spr
ovi
deawayi
fwe
gotohi
m honest
ly.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ihaveprayedandconf essedall
mywr ongstohim.Ihavepouredmyhear tand
mypainbuthedoesn’thearme, Happiness.
Ngcebodoesn’tevenwanttoseeme.And
Banel
e,hecan’tevenfunct
iononhisown.I
don’
tevenwantt omentionthegrandsont hat
wewillbury
-”
Happiness:“
Don’ tbehardony ourselfmama.
There’
snobodywho’ sperfectinthiswor l
dand
youmadeami stake.Youwer eangr ywheny ou
madet hatphonecall andthatmessed
everyt
hingout.Beingamot herdoesn’ tmean
thatyou’r
eperfectandy ou’l
ldoper fectthi
ngs.
Ngceboneedst ounderstandthat.”
Thembelihle:
“Howcanheunder st
andt hat
whil
ehedoesn’ twantt otal
kt ome?Whocan
makehi m understandthatIam notperfect?”
shelookedatherandt ooktheclotheont he
tabl
etowi peherf ace.Happinessgrabbeda
chai
randshesatdownf acingThembel ihl
ewho
wascleaningher self
.
Happi
ness:“There’
snobodywhocanmakehi
m
under
standbesidehiswi
fe.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Idon’
tevenwanttocal
lNandi
pha
becauseIdon’twanttocauseanydamage.And
shewouldn’tevenwanttoli
stent
ome. ”
Happiness:
“ Iwi
lltalkt
oher.Iwon’tsay
anyt
hingaboutthebabybutIwi l
ltal
ktoherand
makeherunder standwherey ou’
recomingfrom
asamot her.She’
ll beamothertoaboysoon
andshe’l
lgot hr
ought hi
soneday .”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youwoul
dn’
thav
eunder
stood
your
sel
f.
”
Happi ness:“Iwouldhav eandNandi phami ght
underst andaswel landIbelieveshe’st
heonl y
personwhocanmakeherhusbandunder stand
wherey oucomef rom.Youdi dn’
tmeanany
harmy oucouldnev ermeanhar mtoanyofy our
familymember smama.Ev eryoneknowst hat.
Andi nt hatwomen’ sevent,Nandiphaspoke
boldl
yaboutf orgi
veness.Idon’tthi
nkshecan
holdagr udgeofwhathappened.Iwi l
ltal
kt o
herasasi ster
.”
Thembeli
hledrewalongsi
ghasshef eltali
tt
le
hopef
ul.SheheldHappi
ness’
shandstightl
y
wit
hherey escl
osed.“
Thankyou.Mnothotold
mewhathasbeenbot
heri
ngyouabout
Nonj
abul
oandwhatyourf
athersai
d.”
Happi
ness:
“Yes,
andIam sost
ressed.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Mychi
ldyoucanlov
eandleada
rel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hMnothowhi
lel
ivi
ngi
nyour
fat
her’
shouseorwhi
leyouli
vesomewherei
n
Durban.
”
Happiness:“
MAMA! ”Sheexcl
aimedand
widenedhereyesasshecouldn’
tbel
i
evewhat
Thembelihl
ewasactuall
ysayi
ngtoher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ar
ey oupreparedtol
osey
our
chi
ldandstaywit
hy ourhusbandandNj
abul
o
wit
houtyourchi
l
d,Happiness?”
Happiness:“
Iam notpr
epar
edbutMnot
hoandI
wil
lfi
ght.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Doy ourememberthosepict
ures
andwhati fNonjabulo’
saunthavemore
evidenceagainstyou?Whatcanbediff
icul
tin
stayingwit
hy ourchil
drenandhavi
ng
rel
ati
onshi
pwit
hMnothowit
houtl
i
vingwi
thhi
m
andall
owingNonj
abul
ocl
osetohi
m? ”
Happiness:“He’smyhusbandandwewer e
broughttogetherf
orar eason.Iwil
lnotlet
Luvuyodestroymyhappi nessandmyhome.I
can’tspendtherestofmyl if
einmyf ather
’s
houseandIcan’ tdancetoLuv uyo’
stune.”
“Igetyoubuti fyoul osethiscaset hatmeans
you’l
llosey ourdaught er
.Andi t
’swaybet terto
l
osey ourhusbandt hany ourchil
d.”Sheadv ised
andHappi nesslookeddownwi thoutbreathing
awor d.Thembel i
hlereal
isedshewasi nno
posit
iont ogivethisadv i
cebecauseshe, hersel
f
shewasl i
v i
ngwi t
hherhusbandandmay be
Happinesswasn’ tgoingtoseet hissit
uationthe
wayshewasv iewingit.I
twasn’ti nherwishes
forHappi nessandMnot hot obeapar tbecause
theywer emadef oreachot her
.Butt he
ancestorsnev ersaiditwasaf or ceforthem to
betoget her.Shewasadi amondbr oughtfor
Mnot ho’shappinessandpeace, shewasa
diamondbr oughtf orthefami ly’
shappinessand
peacebutshedi dn’twishforhert obe
separ at
edfrom herchi l
drenwhi leshewasn’ t
forcedtostaywi thMnot ho.Whi leshecould
choosel ongdistancemar r
iagejusttokeepher
childr
en.Butshewasn’ tgoingt oforceanythi
ng
downonher .I
twasherchoi ce..
.“Canwepr ay
shor t
ly?
”Sher equestedandt heybeganpr ayi
ng
together.Theypour edoutt heirheartst
othe
Lord…
Happiness:“
Please,
don’tworr
y.Itr
ustmy
husbandandwedohav eaplan.”Shesai
dto
Thembelihl
ewhowasj uststar
ingatheraft
er
thei
rprayer
.
Thembeli
hle:“Okay,
Iwill
trustthat
.Now,l
et’
s
goprepar
el unchbecauseNkosazanaand
MaNkosiwi l
lbecomingher e.Weneedtotal
k
aboutChr
istmas.”Sheinformedherandshe
stoodupfrom thechai
r.
Happi
ness:
“Al
ri
ght
,Iwi
l
lgocal
lCandi
ce.
”
Thembelihl
e:“No,l
etherhaveherti
mewithher
book.Sheneedsi t
.”Sheencour
agedand
Happinessli
stenedtothat
…Theyheadedtothe
ki
tchen…
“…Idon’ tknowwhatar ey ourthoughtsbuty our
fatherin-lawsaidwecandeci det ogether.
”
Thembel i
hletoldherdaught ers’in-
lawabout
whatDal i
susaidt oher,thattheywer egoingt o
hav etodeci deaboutwhatwasgoi ngt ohappen
onaChr istmasday …Shewasseat eddownwi th
them hav ingtheirlunchandDal isuwasi nthe
l
oungewi thBanele,MnothoandMl amul i
.
Candi
ce:“
Ireal
l
ydon’
tknowwhat
’st
her
ight
thi
ngtodoaboutChr
ist
mas.
”
Happiness:“Don’
tyouthi
nkwecoul dusesome
goodChr i
stmasspiri
twit
hthepeoplearound
thefamily?
”shelookedatthem asshe
suggested.
Dani
ell
e:“
No,
itwoul
dn’
tber
ight
.”
Happi
ness:
“Whynot
?”
Dani
ell
e:“
Wemustj
usthav
eaf
ami
l
yChr
ist
mas
l
unch.
”
Nkosazana:“
IgetyourpointHappi nessandit’
s
agoodpointbutthere’
sdeat hi
nt hefamil
yand
ahardti
mef orusandt hekingdom knowst hat
al
leventsst
opsiftheroyalfamilyisgri
evingor
goi
ngthroughadar kcl
oud.”
Happi
ness:
“Iunder
stand.
”
Daniel
l
e:“Andtaki
ngfr
om yourpoi
ntHappiness.
Wecanj ustpl
anabigChri
stmasservi
ce,cal
l
uponwoment oprayandhaveafeastaft
er
that
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Ili
ket
hati
deaMaNkosi
.We
coul
dusethat
.”
Nkosazana:“
Yes,andwecani
nvi
tebot
h
Nandipha’
smothers.
”
Happi
ness:“Andher
,don’
tleav
eheroutal
ong
wit
hthekidsandNgcebo.
”
Nkosazana:
“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,wehaveli
tt
let
imet opl
an
thi
s.Let
’sgetonit
.Candicegoandtakeapen
andpaperforus.Wewill
needtoplan.
”
Candi
ce:“Yes.
”Sheneglect
edthefor
kandgot
uptodowhatshe’dbeenasked…Thembeli
hle
andherdaughter
s’i
n-l
awbeganplanni
ng…
~~~~~~
“Youshoul dnevergiveawomanf reedom!”
Dalingceboexclai
medl oudlyandhegr oaned
pressinghardont hejoy st
ickthatwasonhi s
hands, hi
sfeetwer estampedont hekneeofthe
singlecouchandhi sey esconcentr at
edonthe
TVscr eenwhilehismout hwasspeaki ngtohis
brotherastheywer eplay i
ngFIFAi nsi
dethe
guesthousetheywer er entingbythebeachin
CapeTown.
Ngcebolaughed,hi
sbodywasl aidbackont he
doubl
eseatcouchwhi l
epressinghar deronthe
j
oysti
ck.It
’dbeenfewdayssincet hey’vebeen
i
nCapeTownandi t’
dbeenrelaxingforhim and
hi
swife,shewasf l
oati
ngi
necst asy.
Ngcebo:
“We’r
eplay
ingov
erher
eandal
lyou’
re
t
hinki
ngabouti
sawoman!”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ey,t
hiswomandoesn’tl
i
venear
meandIshouldmakeev er
ymomentIspend
wit
hhercount.Butnow,
she’soutt
here
par
tyi
ngmay be.
”
Ngcebo:“That’
sridicul
ouswhi chpart
ycanthey
att
end?Mywi f
eispr egnantforgoodnesssake
andyou,mot herf
ucker!Youpr et
endedlikey
ou
under
standwhent heywant edtogooutand
havefun.
”
Dalingcebo:
“Yes,IunderstoodbecauseI
thoughttheyweregoingt ocomebacksooner
sinceNandiphaispregnant.Howdoesshedoit,
vel
e?I
t’
s11pm nowandshe’soutther
e,
somewher
eandy ou’
renotbot
her
ed.”
Ngcebo:“
She’
shavingfun,l
etherbe!You’
re
j
usthorny
,Iam pr
ettysur
e.”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Voet
sek,
mgodoy
i!
”
Ngcebol aughedandpausedt hegameashi s
wif
e’sphoner angfr
om t hecoffeetable.She
di
dn’ttakeherphonewi thher,shetoldhim
str
aighttohisfacethat‘shewasl eavi
ngt he
phonebecauseofhi m’ “
Yousee, Iam
answeringhercall
snow.Who’ scal li
ngherthis
l
ate?”Heaskedt aki
ngt hephone.
Ngcebo:
“Wi
fe’
sphone,
hel
l
o?”
Happi
ness:
“Eh,
Ngcebo?Howar
eyou?
”
Ngcebo:
“Goodandhowar
eyou?
”
Happi
ness:“
Iam f
ine.Iam sor
ryf
orcall
i
ngthi
s
l
atebutIhav
ebeenbusy .I
sNandiphasl
eepi
ng?
Iwoul
dliket
ospeaktoher.”
Ngcebo:“
She’
sunav
ail
abl
e.Youcanl
eav
ea
message.
”
Happi
ness:“
No,Ij
ustwant
edust
otal
kwoman
t
owoman, assi
ster
s-”
Ngcebo:“Whatisitt
haty ouwanttot
alkt
oher
about?Ihav
enev erheardyoucall
edhert
otal
k
befor
e.What’shappening?”
Happi
ness:
“Hawu!
”
Ngcebo:“Ican’
ttr
ustany
onethesedaysandi
t’
s
agoodthingIansweredthephone.What
’s
t
heretotalkabout?”
Happiness:“Ican’
treal
lydi
scussthi
swithyou
butIhopey ou’l
lbeheretomorrowwithherand
thechil
drenforChrist
masservice.
”
Ngcebo:
“It
oldt
hequeenwewon’
tbecomi
ng.
”
Happi
ness:
“Oh!Eh,now,thatIam onthephone
wit
hyou.It
hinki
t’
sbetterIi
nformy outhatI
t
hinkt
hedream you’
veseenofme, isabout
Nonj
abul
o’sauntwant
ingcust
odyof
Nonj
abul
o.”
Ngcebo:“
How’st
hatr
elat
edt
obl
oodand
r
unningaway
?”
Happiness:“
Ithinki
t’
sjustr
efl
ect
sthepain
she’sbri
ngi
nginmyl if
enowasshewant sto
takemychildfrom meandshewantsmet o
l
eav eMnotho.”
Ngcebo:“Doyouthi
nky oumadeawise
deci
sionbygoingbacktoMnothoand
concerni
ngal
lthesecretsy
outwohave?Wi
l
l
thi
scasedoyougood? ”
Happiness:“
Hawu, whatki
ndofquesti
onisthat
?
Wherewi l
lIgetmyhappinessbecausemylif
e
i
sdest i
nedwithhis?Andeverycoupl
ehave
thei
rownsecr et
sthatever
yoneelsedoesn’
t
havetoknow.”
Ngcebo:“
Oh.Itwasanhonestquest
ion.Good
l
uckwiththecust
odyIsuppose.
”Hesaidlayi
ng
backont
hecouchwi
tht
hephonest
il
lonhi
s
ear.
Happi
ness:
“Thanky
oubutIhav
en’
tbeen
ser
ved.
”
Ngcebo:
“Oh!
”
Happi
ness:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Ngcebo:“
Goodnightanddon’
tcal
lNandi
pha.I
honest
lydon’
ttr
ustyou.
”
Happi
ness:
“Hawu,
thatdi
dn’
tsi
twel
l
.”
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
thav
etol
i
e.”
Happi
ness:
“Okay
.Iwon’
t.
”
Ngcebo:“Sho!”heremov edthephonef rom hi
s
earandhepl acedi
tonhi sstomach.“ Youknow
Ithi
nkthey’veover
stayedtheirwelcome
wherevertheyare.
”Hecomment edtohis
brot
herandt heyproceededwi t
ht hegame.
Dal
i
ngcebochuckl
ed.“It
’sy
ouwhoi
ssay
ing
t
hatnow?”Hesurpr
ised.
Ngcebo:“
Ey,
bra,
cal
lyourwoman.Shehasher
phone-
”
Dal
ingcebo:“
That’
sdefini
tel
yyourengine.
”He
comment edhear
ingthecarpul
li
ngov erandhe
wascertaini
twasthem…
Ngcebo:“
Itbet
terbe…Whocanl aughsoloud
besi
detheoneImademywi fe?”heshookhis
headhear
ingNandipha’
sloudlaughterandhis
brot
herl
aughedalong.“Ar
eyoupausi ngthe
gamenow? ”heaskedlooki
ngathi m.
Dal
i
ngcebo:“Idon’
tknowwanthert
othi
nkI
wai
tedupforher.”
Ngcebolaughed.“
That’
sbit
chyandboy i
shat
thesametime!”Hesai
dloudlyandlaughed
hil
ari
ousl
yashisbrot
herwasr unni
ngaway .He
shookhisheadandcomf or
tabl
yplayedalone…
“Ah!Rastast
ayedupforhiswife.
”Nandi
pha
saidwit
hasmi rkandshemov edovert
o
Ngcebo’scouch.Sher
estedherbumsonhis
t
highs.
Ngcebo:
“Idi
dn’
tst
ayupf oryoubutmybr
other
st
ayedupforhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.”
Pal
esa:“
That’
saj
okeri
ght
,wher
e’shenow?
You’
reouther
eal
one.
”
Ngcebo:“
Lookatthatcouch.
”Hepoi
ntedi
tand
l
ookedupathershor t
ly,
hesawasmil
e
cr
eepingf
rom herface.
Pal
esa:
“Goodni
ghtguy
s.”
Nandi
pha:
“Iam f
oll
owi
ngy
ou-
”
Ngcebo:
“No,
Idi
dn’
tsayy
oucanl
eav
e.”
Nandi
pha:“Ah!Youdi
dn’
tst
ayupf
ormeandso,
Iam l
eavi
ngy ou.
”
“Ey,
Iwasj ustj
oking.Youthi
nkIcanstayup
star
ingatanotherman? ”Hesaidlet
ti
nggoof
thejoyst
ickandhepul l
edherfacetohim.
Nandi
phalaughed.“
You’
resuchal
iar
!Youdo
t
hatandyou’r
eplayi
ngFI
FAhere,i
sn’
t?”She
sai
dpushi
ngherawayf
orhi
m nott
oki
ssher
.
Ngcebochuckled.“
Iwant edtimetopassbybut
nowIdon’tmindwecangot obedandplayjust
thethr
ee–Imeanf ourofus.Givememy
deserv
ingbenefi
tsofbeingy ourhusbandnow
comeon.”Hesai dr
ubbingherear sandthatgot
him aki
ssthathewast ryingtoscore…
THEI
RLI
VESBEFORETHETHRONE

S6==EPI
SODE50

“They’
realreadytalki
ngaboutuscomi ngback
homet othem butIr eall
ythinkthatwe’ vebeen
awayf rom them f
ort oolong.”Nandi phasaidto
Ngcebot yi
ngherl ocksupi nacl eanbunny .She
wasst andi
ngnakedbef orethemi rrorofthe
guest
house.AndNgcebowasst andingbyt he
wardrobedr essi
ngupf ortheirChr i
stmasl unch
thatt
hey ’
vewokenupi nthemor ningtoprepare.
Al
lfouroft
hem…Theywer
eexpect
ingguest
s…
Ngcebo:“
No,wehaven’
tgonefr
om them for
t
oolongandyouheardyourmothersupport
ing
t
hatit
’snotwr
ongforustobehere.”
Nandi
pha:“Yes,
Ididn’
tsayt
hati
t’
swr
ongbutI
missourdaught
ers.”
Ngcebo:
“Real
l
y?Let
’snotforgett
haty
ouand
Pal
esawentouty
est
er dayandcamebackat
ni
ghtwhenweweresleepy.
”
Nandiphal aughed.“Yougav eusagoaheadt o
haveallthef unthatwewant edbutnow, y
ou’ r
e
complaining.Iam prett
ysur et
hatyourbrother
di
dn’tcompl ain.Andwepl ayedonthatbedl ast
ni
ght.Whyar eyoucompl aini
ng?”Sheasked
andturnedt otheol i
vesil
kyshi r
twithlong
baggysleev esandaf ul
l neck.Sheturnedtot he
mirr
orandshesl ippedtheshi r
tontoherbody .
Ngcebochuckl
edandhewentdownt ofast
en
t
helacesofhisbl
ackshoes.“
Ifonl
yyouknew
howmuchhecompl ai
nedandIam pr et
tysur
e
thathedi
dthatt
oyourfr
iendl
astnight.
”He
i
nformedherandheroseupfr
om thebed.
Nandipha:“Pl
easehel pmewiththebut t
onsof
myshi rt
.”Shetol
dr equest
edbendingherhead
downt ogivehim cl
earaccessoftheback
buttonsoftheshirt
.Ngcebowasal ready
standingbehindher.
Ngcebo:“
Andtoni
ght
,itmustbey
ouandI
who’l
lhi
debybeachatni
ght.
”
Nandiphalaughed.“Thankyou,myRast aman
butdon’tmov ebecauseIwillst
ill
needhel p
wit
ht hezipoftheskirt
.”Shetol
dhi mtakingthe
muddybr ownst r
aightcuthi
ghwai stski
rtand
sheey edNgcebowhowasl ookingattheskirt
wit
haf r
own.“Whyar eyoulookingatmyski rt
l
ikethat?”sheasked.
Ngcebo:
“Wi
l
lthatski
rtf
ity
ou?
”
“
NGCEBO!NGCEBO!
”Shescr
eamedwhi
l
eshe
repeat
edl
ysl
ammedt heski
rtonNgcebo’
sbody
andhewasjustl
aughi
ngwhiletr
yingt
ostop
her.
Ngcebo:“Don’
tgetthi
sawr
ongwaybecauseI
wasjustaski
ng,babe.
”
Nandi
pha:“No!Igetwhatyou’
ret
ryi
ngtosay
andwhatyou’r
etryi
ngtosaytomeisjustpur
e
evi
l
!It
’sev
il
!”
Ngcebochuckledandheldherful
lwaist
.“Babe,
Iam j
ustworri
edt hatt
heskir
tmightbetoo
ti
ghtandthatcanhinderourbabi
esfrom
breat
hingfr
eely.
”
Nandipha:
“Li
ar!That’
snotwhatyousaywhenI
am onthatti
ghtorangedr
essbutyoulustov
er
me,you,si
ll
yman!Getawayf r
om me.”she
pushedhimlight
lyandshesul
kedasNgcebo
waslaughi
ng.
Ngcebo:
“It
’snott
hesameandwon’
tyouneed
myhelp?”
Nandi
pha:“
Howcany ouev
enask?Whocan
hel
pmei fy
oudon’
t?
”
Ngcebo:“Nobody ,babe.”Herepl
iedandhe
l
ookedatherasshesl ippedherlowerbodyint
o
theski
rtandhebr eathedseeingthatitwasa
l
itt
lest
retchy.“ShouldIziptheskir
t,now?”he
askedscreeningherbehi nd.
Nandipha: “Iam stil
ltucki
ngt heshir
tinside.I
wanttol ooksmar teventhoughIam pr egnant
becausei t’
sChr i
stmasandt hatcouplelooks
smarter.”Shesai dtuckingtheshirtproperlyas
theskirtreachedt helowerpar tofherbelly.She
didn’
thearar esponsef r
om Ngcebo.“ Am I
speakingal onenow? ”sheasked.
Ngcebo: “
Iam here,sthandwa. ”Herepl
iedand
heldthezipoftheskirt,hezippedtheskir
tand
pull
edNandi phaclosertohim wi t
hhishands
caressi
ngherv ol
uptuouscur ves.“Nopartof
yourskinisshowingont hi
sshi r
t.
”
Nandipha:
“Yes,andt
hatwi
l
lhel
pyougety
our
handsoffme.”
Ngcebo:“Icanhel
pyougetdr
essedi
fIr
emov
e
t
heclothes.”
Nandi
pha:
“No,
Ngcebo!
”
Ngcebo:“Wecanjustremovetheski
rtonl
yand
youcanholdt
hedr essi
ngtabl
eandIpromise
youthatwewil
lhaveasuperbChrist
mas
l
unch.”
Nandipha:“I
t’
sst il
laNO!Hol dyour
selfplease.I
needmyshoes. ”Sher emovedherbodyf rom
Ngcebo’slust
ful holdandshecatwalkedt oher
shoes.Shesmi ledpr oudl
yheari
ngawhi stle
fr
om Ngcebo.“ You’resuchadirtyman!Jesus
wasbor nonthisday , hewasn’
tmade.”Shesai d.
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“
It
’snotl
ikethebi
blesayshe
wasmadet hewayIwanttogiveoursonssome
nutr
ient
snow.”Hecomment edmovingcl
oser
toher.
Nandiphalaughedwear ingtheli
ghtbrown
fr
ingedplatf
orm heels.“Youneedt ostopthis
Ngcebobecausey ou’
llbothermeont hattabl
e.
Let’
sgonowbutt ellmehowdoIl ook?”She
smiledandcheckher selfout.
Ngcebo:“Makeatur
nforRasta.
”Herequested
andhesmi l
edasthegiggl
eofhiswif
ewas
fol
lowedbythet
urnthathe’
drequest
ed.“
Ilove
you,okay
?”
Nandipha:“Il
ovey outoo,myhornyman.Let
mekissy ou.”sheheldhim bythecol
l
arofhis
whit
eshirtandt heysharedateasi
ngkiss…
“Whydidy ouwearsuchat i
ghtskirt
?Youwer e
supposedt owearsomet hi
ngt hatli
ghtand
somethingthatwoul dhavefreedyourthi
ghs.”
Ngcebowhi speredintohi
swi fe’
searwithhis
handonhert highsasshewasseat ednextto
hi
m ont hedinnertableofthebalconyofthe
house,t
heseabr eezewasbr aci
ngthem.
Nandi pha: “Cany oul ookatt heset hr eeguy son
thet ableandy oubr otherincluded?Lookat
them andseeal ltheirhandst heywer egi venby
Godar eont hetablebuty ours,onlyonehandi s
ont het able.”Ngcebol aughedhi lariousl yand
her emov edhishandf rom Nandi pha’ st highs.
“Please, don’tmi ndhi m guy sjusthav ey our
food. ”Nandi phasai dtot hef acest hatwer e
disturbedbyNgcebo’ sl aughter,theywer e
hav i
ngt heirlunchwi t
haneut ralconv ersation
fl
oat ingont het ablepackedofmout h-wat eri
ng
cuisines.
“He’sstut
teri
ngusbecausehe’ ssurel
ynot
l
aughingatt heconversat
ionathand.”The
colouredblondeseatednexttoherboyfri
end
comment edandt herestofthetabl
esupported
herstatement.
Ngcebo:“
Iam sor
ry,
forgi
vetheguy.
”He
pl
eadedandhesenthisri
ghthandtotheglass
ofgrapej
uicet
hatwasbefor
ehim and****the
darknessf il
l
edhi seyes,hi sbodyf eltt
he
suddenexcr uciati
ngcol dandhi sspi ri
tual ey
es
travelledbackt oNongoma, themai nroad
near byNkosazana’ spal acei sdar k,theheav y
raini spour i
ngandhi sbr otherandwi f
ear e
argui nginsidet heRangeRov er ,bothv oices
highpi tchedaseachoft hem f oughtt obehear d.
Ngcebowasn’ tmadet odwel l onthequar relbut
thecar el
essnessoft heKi ngandQueenwho
wer ear guingwi t
houtpay ingat tentiont othe
darkwetr oad.Ml amuli’
shandsar eont he
steer i
ngbuthi sfocusi sf ull
yonhi sangr ywife
asi fhewasn’ tangr yenough.Theygoonunt i
l
terri
bl epotholeont heroaddi sturbsMl amuli’
s
drivingandhel osesthecont roloft hecar …
PHAM!Downt het r
ees…* **
“Ngcebo!”Nandiphatri
estobri
ngNgcebo’ssti
l
l
butshiver
ingbodybackt othetabl
ewi
thher,
backwi t
ht hem buthe’
sspeaki
ngin
complicatedri
ddles.Ev
eryoneonthet
ableis
shockedatt hesuddenchangeofev ent
s.
“Dalingcebo!”Shecri
edt oDal i
ngcebowith
tearsf l
owingoffherey esandDal i
ngcebo
quicklyjumpedof fhi
schai r.Herushedtohis
brotherandpul l
edhim upf rom hisseat
.
Nandi phastoodupaf terhim aspanicki
ngas
shewas, shefoll
owedDal ingcebowhowas
takingNgcebobacki nsi detheguesthouse.
Ngcebowasn’ twalki
ngbuthi sbrotherwas
l
iterall
ydragginghim…
“Iwi
llbewit
hhim her
ey oucangobacktothe
guests.
”Nandi
phasaidtoDali
ngcebosi
tti
ngon
thebedwhereDali
ngcebohadjustl
aidher
husband.
Dal
ingcebo:
“Ar
eyousur
e?Hehasdonet
his
bef
ore?”
Nandi
pha:“
No,butIwi
l
lbeher
eunt
ilhe’
sback
t
ohisnormalst
ate.
”
Dal
i
ngcebo:
“Youdon’
tlookgoody
our
sel
f.I
s
l
eav
ingy
ouwi
thhi
m wi
se?
”
Nandipha:“
Ihavebeenwi
thhimthr
oughthe
worstDali
ngcebo,
whenhewashalfdead.I
havegotthi
s,maybehe’
svisi
ti
ngsomewhere.
”
Dali
ngcebosighedandnodded, helef
t
NandiphawithNgceboev enthoughhewasn’ t
sureift
hatwast hewi
sestchoi cetomake…
NandiphaheldNgcebo’sshakingr i
ghthand
ti
ghtl
yandshekeptwi pinghi
sf acewi t
hher
otherhand.
“NGCEBO!”Sheexclai
medashisbodyrested
normall
yandhiseyesrel
axednotaswidened
astheywerebefor
eandtheshiver
ingstopped.
Ngcebo:
“Babe?
”hecal
l
edhersof
tl
yreal
i
sing
t
heroom hewasin.
Nandipha:“Youfri
ghtenedme.Whatwas
happening?Wait,l
etmegot elly
ourbrotherand
theothersthatyou’
refineunlessifyouwantto
gobackt othetablenow.”shest oppedhersel
f
andl
ookedathi
m.
Ngcebo:
“No,
butgot
ell
them andcomeback.
”
Nandi phanoddedsof tlyandshemov edoutof
ther oom f eel i
ngt hatshewasi nstant l
yf eel
ing
thet ot al
i
tyofr eli
efasNgcebowasbackon
track…Shesmi ledal itt
leasev er yonewasno
l
ongerseat edout si
det het ablebutt heywer eall
gat heredi nsidet heloungeseat edi nst ill
quiet ness.“ Sorryaboutt hatguy s,myhusband
i
ski ndofaspi ri
tualper sonbuthe’ sf i
nenow.
Youdon’ thav etowor ryaboutany thing, pl
ease,
goandpr oceedwi t
ht hel unch.Wewi l
ljoinyou
whenhe’ sr eadyt ocomet othet able.”
Nandi phai nformedt heguest sal lalongwi t
h
Dal i
ngceboandPal esawhower ewi tht hem
seat edoneachot her…Thewor riedf aces
relax edandt heywer efollowedbysi ghsof
reli
ef .
“Iwasscar
edf
oramoment.
”TheMinist
er’
s
daught
ercomment
edandl
ookedather
husbandhol di
nghi shandt ightl
y…Theymett he
twocoupl esonanev entthey ’
veatt
endedon
theirseconddayi nCapeTown.Theyshar edt
he
tablewiththem andt heywer esurpri
singl
y,
neighboursasthet wocoupl eswererenti
ngthe
housecl osert
ot hem forthehol i
days.They’
ve
hookeduponmostoft hefunand
entertai
nment…unt il
now…
Dali
ngcebo:“That’
sgoodthen,gobacktohi
m
now.Please.
”Hepl eadedandtheother
s
supportedDali
ngcebo.Nandi
phanoddedand
sheturnedtoleave…
“You’
rechangi
ngy
ourclot
heswon’ tyoube
goingbacktot
hetabl
e?”Nandiphaasked
Ngcebowhowaschangingintoacasualwear
.
Ngcebo:“
We’l
lbechangi ngcl
othessoonfort
he
beachandso,i
t’
sbetterIdoitnowbecausemy
shi
rtwaswet.Changey ourst
oo.”
Nandi
pha:
“Mycl
othesar
enotwetandIam st
il
l
goingt
oeatmyfood.”Sheinfor
medhim and
satonthebedwhi
leshestaredathi
m change.
Ngcebo:“Iknowyou’
renotwetbutchange
becauseIam changi
ng.
”
Nandiphachuckled.“
No,If
eelwaysexyonthis
outf
itandplease,comeandtel
lmeaboutwhat
j
usthappenedt oyounow.”Sheencour
aged
taki
ngoffherheelsandshemov eduptothe
endofthebed.
“Ij
ustsawourki ngandhi swi feonav eryf atal
caraccidentbyt hemai nroadoft heirvil
l
age.
Theywer ear guingonaheav yr ainandboom,
mybr otherlostcontroloft hecart hatsent
them downt oacarexpl osion.”Ngcebo
narr
atedt oNandi phaseat ednextt oheront he
bednow.Hel ookedatNandi phaandshewas
j
ustquietwi thawhi t
ef acest aringblanklyat
him.“Idon’tknowi fIshoul dcal lt
hem andt ell
them aboutt hisorIshouldcal lLangalibalele.”
Nandipha:“Youcan’
tjustcall
them t
oscare
them offNgcebobutyoumustcal lt
hem wi
tha
solut
ionorsuggesti
onpr ov
ided.
”
Ngcebo:
“Sol
uti
on?Whatsol
uti
on?
”
Nandipha:“
Remembery oudr eamtmybr other
beinginv
olvedinanaccidentandi thappened
exactl
yli
key ousawitbutluckilyhewasn’t
harmed.Ifyoutol
dusabouti t,
wewoul dhav e
tol
dhim nottogetonthatt axi.
”
Ngcebo:“Andwhatcanpossi blybethesolut
ion
fort
hem, t
heydriveont hatr
oaddaily,
Nandipha.
Whatcanwesuggest ?”heaskedstari
nginto
hereyesandshesi ghed,scr
atchi
ngherhead.
Theysatinsi
lence…
Nandipha:“
Theycanopenal anefr
om where
you’
veseent heaccident,waysandmeanscan
bemadef orthem nott ouset hemainr
oadbut,
Idon’
tknow!Butwhat evershouldbedoneto
keepthem safe.Idon’tknow!”sheshoutedi
n
unreasonabl
efr
ust
rat
ionandNgcebohel
dher
hands.
Helookedatherwi thaconf usedey eashe
couldn’tgetwher ethef rust
rati
onwascomi ng
fr
om becauset hiswasn’ tabouther.“What’s
wrongnow?Whyar ey oushout i
ngbecauset hi
s
doesn’ taffectyouort hebabi es?”heasked.
Nandi phasi ghedandl ookedathi m, shekissed
hi
mi nsteadofanswer inghim, sti
llconf
used,
Ngceboaccept edherki ssandhehookedhi s
l
egonher s.“Andwhatwast hatfornow? ”He
askedonceagai n.
Nandipha:
“Iwantedtocalm down.Canyoucal
l
them now?”shepleadedandNgcebojumped
offt
hebedt ogettohisphone.
Ngcebo:
“Idon’
tknowifhe’
l
lanswerbecause
t
heyhaveaservi
ce,r
ight
?”
Nandipha:“
Maybehe’l
lansweri
fyoui
nsi
ston
cal
li
ng.”SheguessedandNgcebocal
l
ed,cal
l
ed,
cal
l
ed,
andcal
l
edunt
ilheanswer
ed.
Ml
amul
i
:“Iam pr
ayi
ngy
ouknow.
”
Ngcebochuckl
ed.“IknowbutIcan’
tdel
ay
t
ell
ingyouthi
sbecauseIwill
bebusyandfor
get
t
omaket hecall
rightaway
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Okay
,whati
sit
?”
“Bhuti
,Ijustsaw…”Ngcebonar ratedtoMl amuli
thevisi
ont hathe’djustseenont hebr oad
dayli
ghtandhedi dn’
tleaveanydet ai
lout,wit
h
thenarrati
onheat t
achedthesuggest ionthat
hiswifehadr aised.Andwhenhewasdone,
ther
ewast otalsil
encefrom hi
sbr other.
“Bhuti
?”hecal ledhim outandlookedathi swife
whowasl ookingathim withwor r
iedey esand
hefrownedatherwor r
y.
Ngcebo:“Don’
tpani
cbutensurethatyouavoi
d
themainroad.
”Hesaidtohisbrotherwhowas
stil
lqui
etandherel
axedwhenhehear dhim
sigh…
Ml
amul
i
:“Wher
ewi
l
lIev
enbegi
n?”
Ngcebo:“You’r
eamany ou’
l
lknowandy our
wifewil
lknow.Youdon’
thavetopani
cabout
thi
sbuttalktothef
amil
ytooanditwi
llbe
alr
ight
.”
Mlamul
i:“
Alr
ight
,Ndabezi
tha,
Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.
Thanky
ou.”
Ngcebo:“Idi
dnot hi
ng.Gobackandpr ay.
”He
sai
dandt heysharedlaught
erbeforehangi
ng
upthephonecal l
.Ngcebolookedathiswife.
“He’
llt
alktothefamily
,youdon’thavetoworry
aboutanythi
ng.”Hesaidpull
ingherneck.
Nandi
pha:
“Okay
,whatar
eyouact
ual
l
ydoi
ng
now?”
Ngcebo:
“Iwantsomeheal
i
ngIwaspar
aly
sed
j
ustafewminutesago.
”
Nandiphalaughed.“
Dali
ngceboandPalesa
can’
thandletheguestsalone.Weshouldj
oin
them backonthetable.
”Shesaidmovingher
f
aceback.
Ngcebo:“ Youshoul dhealmeandt heyare
eati
ng,please, babe.”Hesaidinvadinghishand
beneaththeski rtsendingchi
llsonherandi t
di
dn’tevent akenotev enlongf orNandiphato
havehercl othesdiscardedfrom herbody …
~~~~~~
“Wearedr i
vi
nghome, Bongani !Ishoul
dn’
trun
aft
eryou!”Nkosazanashout edathersonwho
wasrunningawayf rom herbecausehedi dn’
t
wanttoleavehisgrandmot her
’spalace.I
twas
l
ateatnightoftheChristmasday .
Bongani
:“ANGI
HAMBIMI
NA!
”
Nkosazana:“Alr
ight ,
let’
sseeifyou’
llt
ell
your
fat
herthesamet hing!”sheexcl
aimedand
walkedawaywi thoutl ooki
ngbackandshe
smiledreal
i
singt hatBongani wasrunni
ngaft
er
hernownotf rom her …
“
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ng,
Bongani
?Youkeptus
waiti
ng.”Mlamul
iaskedhi
ssonwho’
dgottenat
thebackseatofhi
scarwherehi
sbr
otherwas
sleepi
ng.
Bongani
:“Baba,
Iwassay
inggoodby
eto
gr
andma.”
Nkosazana:“
Real
ly
?”Shelookedbackand
Bonganil
aughedhi
dinghi
sfaceonhishands
ashismotherdi
dn’
tremovehergazeonhim.
Mlamul
i
:“How’sthatpossi
blebecausey
our
gr
andmotherwashere.”
Bongani
:“Yes,
Iwasl
ooki
ngf
orher
.”
Nkosazana:
“Whot
aughty
out
oli
eli
ket
his
Bongani?
”
Bongani
:“Mama!
”
Nkosazana:
“Don’tcal
lmeIam herecloserto
you.
”Bonganididn’
tanswerhi
smot herbuthe
kepthi
sfacehiddenonhishands.
Ml
amul
i
:“Wehav
etot
alkwhenwegethome.
Ngcebocal
l
ed.
”
Nkosazana:“Whati
sit
,di
dNandi
phamade
somepr ogr
ess?”
Mlamul
i:“
No,i
t’
snotaboutt
hatbuti
t’
saboutus.
Wewill
tal
kwhenwegethome.Iam tir
edandI
j
ustwanttor
est.
”
Nkosazana:“
Youar enott i
redasIam andIam
suret
hatIwillberewardedwi thaverymuch
deser
vingmassage.”Shet estedthewatersand
gaveherhandt oMlamuli.Het ookherhandas
hechuckledatherstat
ement .
Mlamuli
:“Wewi l
lseewhenwegethomeandI
wouldappreci
ateabackr
ub.
”
Nkosazana:
“Any
thi
ngfortheki
ng.
”She
pr
omi sedwi
thasmil
eforhim…
Hesmi l
edandwi pedhertears,
hewassmi l
i
ng
forhernotbecausehewant edtosmile.“
Don’t
worrybecausewewi l
lavoidthi
sanditwouldbe
bett
erifever
yonejustchangestheroutewhen
comi ngt oourpal acebecauser ememberhow
Mnot ho’ sweddi ngwasadi sasterbuti t
appear edasNgcebo’ swedding? ”heasked
holdingherhandandhegotupf r
om t he
couch…Theygothomeandwhent heyf i
nished
witht heirbathing, theyhadLangal i
bal el
ewho
hadbeenseat edont hel
oungewai t i
ngf orthem
tofinish.Langal i
bal elecamebear ingt hesame
newsasNgcebohadbuti twasr ev ealedt ohim
dif
ferent l
y,heonl ysawt herewasdangeront he
mai nr oadfort heki ngandqueen.Hedi dn’t
specificall
yseet hecaracci dent…When
Langal ibal
eleleftt hem, Mlamul ithenf il
led
Nkosazanai naboutNgcebo’ sphonecal l.She’d
beencr yi
ngfort hel astf
ewmi nutesasshewas
scaredandherhusbandwascomf ortingher
tel
li
nghernott opani c…
Nkosazana:
“Yes,
Iremember
,Ndabezi
tha.
”
“
Iwi
l
lgi
veyouthi
smassageandwewil
ltal
kto
t
hef
amil
ytomorr
ow.
”Hepromisedl
i
fti
ngher
of
fthefloorandNkosazanalaughedloudl
y.He
l
ookedatherbeautyproudlyashecarri
edher
i
ntohisarmswalkingstr
aightt
ot hei
rbedr
oom..
.
Helaidheronthebedandsatnextt oher
l
ookingdownather .
Nkosazana:
“Iam t
hewi
fey
ouknow,
yazi
.”
Hechuckled.“Whyareyousayi
ngthat
?”He
askedunbuttoni
nghershi
rtt
hatshewore
becausetheyhadtoatt
endtoLangali
bal
ele.
Nkosazana:
“You’
rel
ooki
ngatmel
i
keIam
di
ff
erent.
”
Mlamuli
:“There’
sthi
ssongofmybrother,
he
says‘
whenIl ookatyou,
Ialway
sseeyour
beaut
ydiffer
entl
y’
”hequotedandNkosazana
l
aughed.
Nkosazana:“Doesheev
enknowy
oul
i
stent
o
hi
smusi c?”
Mlamul
ilaughedandhedidn’
tanswerbuthe
gotupandwenttogetthebiooi
l.Hetoddl
ed
backtobedwhereshewasl y
ingflatonher
tummycov er
edontheblacklacepanti
eswith
herri
ghtl
egcrossedontheotherloosel
y.She’
d
removedherclot
hescomplet
elybecauseshe
wantedafull
massage…
Hest r
aight
enedherl
egsashereachedt
hebed.
“ShouldIsi
tonyou?”Heaskedpouri
ngt
heoil
onhispalm.
Nkosana:“Youknowthatyou’
reheavy
sthandwasami.Ican’
thaveyousit
ti
ngonmy
back.”Sherepl
i
edandclosedhereyesashe
beganonhershoulder
s.
“Don’
tmoan,we’r
enothavi
ngsex. ”Hestopped
herandNkosazanal
aughedwithoutsupplyi
nga
comment.Hestoppedtheshouldermassage
andhegotonthebedkneeledhiskneesonher
eit
hersi
des.
Nkosazana:“
Whyhav eyoustop-
”shedi
dn’
t
f
ull
yaskt hequest
ionbutshesmil
edashis
tonguewor kedontheknobsofherbackbone.
Shemoanedsof tl
yasthemassageofhi s
tonguetickl
edherandmadehercompl etel
y
weak.Shehel dont i
ghtl
ytot hebedsheetsas
thethuddinggrewlarger.Shebitherlowerli
p
nowasherhusbandr ubbedhi sfi
ngersonher
wetentrancewi t
houtstoppingwiththetongue
massaget hatwasmaki ngherheadspi n…
Mlamuli:
“Doyouwantmet ost
op?”heasked
soft
lyandhecrepthi
sbodyup.Hegrabbedt
he
pi
ll
owwhi lepl
anti
ngki
ssesonherneck…
Nkosazana:
“No,
whywoul
d…y
ouj
ustl
eav
e…
mehanging?”
Hepackedt hepi
llowonherbel l
yandhe
removedhispantsandshi rt.Helai
dbackdown
onhertolookatherf aceandNkosazana
showedittohim asitwasl aiddownont he
pil
l
ow.Theysharedanuncomf ort
ableki
ssas
Mlamulimassagedhi shardmanhoodonher
for
cinghertomoanbet weent heuncomfor
tabl
y
l
i
pst
hatwer
elockedt
oget
her
.
Shecri
edout.“Ah!
”asherhusbandinv
adedher
pri
vacyandshesmiledlooki
ngathi
sfacet
hat
wasstil
lcl
osertohers.
Ml
amul
i
:“Whati
fIdon’
tmov
e?”
Nkosazanagi
ggl
ed.“
Iwi
l
lmov
efr
om her
e.”She
r
epli
ed.
Mlamuli
:“You’r
elyi
ngony ourtummy .Howcan
youpossi
blymov etosati
sfyyoursel
ffrom t
his
posi
ti
on?”heaskedt hr
usti
ngslowlyandhis
wif
edidn’
tanswerhim butsheclosedherey es.
Hestopped.“Answerme,love.
”
Nkosazana:
“Awomanmakesaway
,myki
ng.
”
Ml amulismi l
edproudlyandhepr oceededwith
thrust
ingonherat ightstr
onger.Hel ov
edhow
shehadnocont r
ol t
ot her
esponseoft he
pleasure.Ml amulihel
dont ightonherwaistand
mov edf asterwit
ht heneedofget t
ingherthi
s
waynott heotherway .Anditwashi ghl
y
pl
easi
ng.Theyracedtothecli
max,gr
oaning
andmoaningthepleasure…Hecol
l
apsedonher
,
andhekissedhercheek.Hesawapleased
smil
ed.
“Il
oveyouandIwill
doany t
hingandever
ythi
ng
toprot
ectyou.
”Mlamulisai
dt ohi
swif
eturni
ng
herbody,
heheldherint
ohisar ms.
Nkosazana:“
Ilov
ey outoomyl ov
e.”Shesai
d
andclosedhereyes,i
tdidn’tt
akeherlongto
fal
lasl
eep.Shewassat i
sfied…
~~~~~~~~~~
“Iam leavingtomor r
owandy ouwon’ tkeepme
hereanyl onger .
”Simt handetoldMnt wanaas
theywer edr i
vinginhi scarstrai
ghtto
Thembel i
hl e’
spal aceont he27thofDecember …
Mnt wanawasqui etthinki
ngaboutt heprogr
ess
he’dmadewi tht hePIt hatwassear chi
ngfor
Simthande’ sfather.Itwasn’tmuchbuthehad
hopet hathemi ghtfindherfather.Hehadn’t
tol
dheraboutthisbecauseSi
mt handedidn’t
wanttolookforherfat
herbutMnt wanaknew
thatwasthebigpartofherl
if
et hatsheneeded
i
nherlif
e…Si mthandewasbusyonherphone
andshe’djustf
ini
shedupandr osethetalk…
Mntwana:“It
houghtweagreedt
haty
ou’l
ll
eave
whenmybr othercomesbackwi
thhi
sfamil
yfor
t
heburial
ofthechi l
d.”
Simthande:
“No,Ishoul
dgoandseei
tthr
ough
thatmysist
erhasleft
.”
Mnt
wana:
“That
’sanexcuseandy
ouknowi
t.
”
“
Who’sPr
incessNell
y?”Sheaskedtaki
ng
Mnt
wana’
sphonet hatwasringi
ngbut
Mnt
wanadidn’tal
l
owhert oanswerthephone.
Het
ookit
…
Mntwana:“It
’saPri
ncessofachieft
aincyin
Empangeni.Wearefriends,
shewasn’tpresent
ontheChrist
masser vi
ceIam sur
eshe’scalli
ng
aboutt
hat.We’real
readyhome.Iwil
lcallher
l
ater
.”
Simthande:“Okay .
”Shesaidbeli
evi
ngwhat
Mntwanawast el
l
ingherandshesighedas
Mntwanapar kedhiscari
nsidethepremi
sesof
thepalace.“Iam quit
enervousnow,meeti
ng
yourmot herisnotasmallthing.
”
Mntwana:“Ther
e’snogoingbacknowbecause
she’
sexpecti
ngyou.”hetol
dherandstepped
outoft
hecar …Simthandest
eppedoutaft
er
her…
Thembeli
hlewasseatedonherchairwat
chi
ng
TVwithDali
suwhowasr eadi
ngthenewspaper
.
Theywerebothwaiti
ngfort
hearri
valof
Mntwana’
sgirl
fr
iend.
Thembel i
hle:
“Ndabezit
ha,Ithi
nkthey
’rehere.
”
Shelookedathi m andDali
sunoddedhishead.
Thembel i
hleheldherhusband’
shand.“Idon’t
knowf orhowl ongIhavetoaskfor
for
giveness.”
Dali
su:“
Ihavehear
dyouanditwoul
dbebestif
youstoppest
eri
ngme.”Hesaidabr
upt
lyandhe
senthi
sheadtothedoor
.
“Sanibona!”Mnt wanaandSimthandegreeted
theparents…Thepar ent
swhohadt hei
rjaws
droppedt otheirsuddenl
ycoldfeet
…Simt hande
l
ookedatMnt wanaasshefeltawkwardthatthe
parentswer en’tsay
ingawordbuttheywer e
l
ookingatherasi ftheywer
eseeingtheghost
oftheirpast.
Mnt
wana:
“Mamanobaba.
”
Thembel ihle:“
Youmustbeoutofy ourmindif
youthinkt hisgir
l i
sagirl t
hatyoucanpl ana
futur
ewi th.You’reintr
oducinghert ousf ort
hat,
ri
ght?”sheshout edathersonwi t
houtev en
greeti
ngt hem.Shecoul dn’t
!Shecoul dn’
t
possiblyopenherdoorf orthiswomanofher
past.Itwasher !Justher !Shedidn’tevenhave
toguesst hat,
thi
s, t
hiswasPr ecious’s
daught er
…Shef eltherheartraci
ngasanger
consumedherandbeadsofsweatformedon
herpal
ms.Shewast akenbackandshe
wonderedwhyhersonwoulddot hi
s!
Mnt
wana:
“Mama,
whatdoy
oumean?
”
Dal
isu:
“Wheredi
dyoumeett
hisgi
rlMnt
wana
andwhere’
shermot
her
?”
Thembelihl
e:“Doyouevenhavet oask
Ndabezit
ha?Iam prett
ysurethathermother
sentherheretodestr
oymyhousesi nceshe
fai
ledthefi
rstti
me.Idon’
tevenwantt oaskyou
questi
onsli
ttl
egirl
getupandl eave!
”
Mnt wanaheldSimt hande’shandst oppingher
from l
eaving,
hecoul dseet hatSi
mt handewas
confusedandf r
ightened.“ Mama, youcan’tj
ust
throwheroutwi t
houtt ell
inguswhy .And
Simthande’smot herislongdead.Doy ouknow
hermot hermaybe? ”Heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Howcany
oudat
esomeonewi
thout
knowingwhotheirmotheris?Huh?”heshouted
l
ookingathim andhedidn’
tgettheresponse.
“Takeyourgi
rl
fri
endMnt wanaandcomeback
alone.
”
Mnt
wana:“No,i
fther
e’sapr
obl
em sayi
ttoher
,
t
obothofus.
”
Thembelihl
e: “Ihavenot
hingtoexplai
ntothi
s
gir
lshemustl eav emyhouse.MNTWANA! ”She
shoutedstandi ngonherfeetandDali
sustood
upquickl
yt ohol dherasshewasext r
emely
angryandhedi dn’
twanthertoloseagripon
herhealt
h.Al othasbeenhappeni ngandshe
hasbeenst ressed…
Dali
su:“
Youneedt ocalm down.Mntwana!
”he
l
ookedathimt i
ghteni
nghiseyesonhisson
andMnt wanagotupwithSimthande…Heleft
thehouse…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howcanhedothi
s?”shelooked
atDal
i
suandhepul
ledheri
ntoawarm hug.
Thembeli
hlecl
osedherey
esandt
ri
edt
orest
herl
ungs.
Dali
su:“
It
’scl
eart
hathedidn’
tknowaboutt
his
andwewi l
lhavet
otel
lheraboutthemot
herof
thi
sgir
l.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Di
dyouseeher?She’
sjusther
motherandhowcanIev enacceptherasa
daught
erin-l
aw?Iwil
lseePreci
ouseveryti
meI
l
ookather.”
Dali
su:“Iam surewhenhecanl earnthe
backgroundt hatwehav ewit
hthegi rl
’
smot her
.
Hewi l
lwantabsol utel
ynothi
ngt odowi t
hher.”
hecomf ortedhiswifeandhecl osedhiseyes
hopingthiswoul dn’
tbeanothertroubl
ewitha
daughterin-l
aw.They ’
vehadenoughoft hat…
They’v
ehadenough…

ENDOFSEASON6!