HERFOREI

GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE01

“Can’
tyouseetheweat heri
scoldtodayasy ou
arebusyhavi
ngicecream? ”Sheaskedherboys
wipi
ngthem cl
eanaf t
ertheyhavefini
shedthei
r
i
cecream.Theywer ebackf r
om themall.“
Bhuti
Thokozani
?”shelookedathim.
Thokozani:“
Theywant
edtheicecr
eam
desperat
elyandso,
Iboughti
tfort
hem j
ustone
won’thurtmom.”Hesai
dleavi
ngthel
ounge.
Thembelihl
esi
ghedandl ookedattheboyst hey
werealr
eadyseatednexttothebabiesl
ooking
atthem.Thebabi
eswer eawakeandwer eback
ontheloungewit
hZodwaandThembel ihle.
Mnotho:“
Mama,
wewer
eal
sot
inyl
i
ket
he
babi
es?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
youwer
eandy
ouwer
e
alwayscr y
ing.”Shesmi led,t
hinkingbackwhen
shewasanewmot hershedi dn’twanttoleave
herbabi es’side.MaCebekhul uwouldbegherto
goout sideandhav efreshairbutshewoul d
rathersitbackandl ookedatherbabi es
sleeping.Shewoul dcr yalongwi t
hthem when
theycoul dn’tstopcryi
ng.I twasn’teasybeinga
newmot hertotwol i
tt
lebabi esbut
MaCebekhul uwasgr eathel pt oherandshe
couldn’timagi newhatshewoul d’
vebeen
withouther .
Zodwa:
“Itl
ooksl
i
key
ouar
eindeept
hought
s.”
Thembel
ihle:
“No,Iam justt
hinki
ngabout
Mnothoandhisbrotherasbabies.I
twasn’
t
easytor
aisethem.”
Zodwa:“Iknow,
it’
sbeenawhilesincet
hey’
ve
beenhereandnowIjustst
rugglesometi
mes.
Butmyauntcomesbyher eandt her
etocheck
onus.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sbet
ter
.Youknow,
Zodwa
bei
ngamot heri
snoteasyatall
.Iremember
whent hefamil
ywasagainstmebecauseI
di
dn’twanttosepar
atethetwinsitwasdif
fi
cul
t
becausetheyweresayi
ngIam stubborn.
”
Zodwa:
“Howdi
dyougett
hrought
hat
?”
Thembel i
hle: “
Myhusbandstoodbymeand
thi
ngsgotr eallyt
oughwhenMl amuligotsi
ck.
He’stheonet ogetsi
ckthanhisbrot
herandso,
theelderswoul dsayhewouldn’tbesicki
fI
l
istenedtot hem.Iwouldbev er
yscaredZodwa
thatsomet hingmighthappenbecauseofthei
r
negativ
ity.
”
Zodwa:
“ButGodsawy
out
hrough?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Heal wayshaveandalway
swi
ll
.I
haveful
lfai
thinhim.Andy ou’
l
lseeyour
chi
ldr
enwi l
lbejustfi
ne.Theywil
lgr
owupand
you’
ll
makeagoodmot her
.”
Zodwa:
“Thanky
ou,
skwi
za.
”
“
Thef
oodi
sready
.Wher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ngt
o
eat?”Thokozi
leasked,t
heyhavebought
takeawaysfordi
nner.Shedi
shedthefoodf
or
them.
Zodwa:
“Thembel
i
hle?
”
Thembel i
hle:“No,Iam t
iredZodwaIshouldget
goingnow.”shesai dstandingup.Theboys
weredr awnt othebabi
est heydidn’
theari
twas
ti
met ogo.“ Boys,i
t’
sti
mef orustogonow.”
sheinformedt hem.
Theylookedather.“
Mama, canwesleepover
?”
Mnothorequestedwithasmile.Ml
amulil
ooked
athertooandsmi l
edtoshowhewasappr ovi
ng.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,wewer enotsupposedto
sl
eepbutyouwentoutandcamebackl at
enow
Ican’
tdr
ivel
onghoursbackhome.”
Ml
amul
i
:“So,
wher
ewi
l
lwego?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wewi
l
lsl
eepi
nourbeach
house.
”
Mnot
ho:
“No!l
et’
ssl
eepher
emama.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Theroomsar
eli
mit
edher
eand
wecan’
tsleephere.
”
Zodwa: “
Theycansleepwit
hmei nthe
guestr
oom Iam notshar
ingthesamebedwith
yourbrot
herjusty
etandtheboyshavethei
r
cot.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Andmewi
thmybel
l
y?”
Zodwa:“
You’l
lsl
eepwi t
hyoursi
ster
.Youdon’
t
haveaprobl
em Thokozi
le?
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
No,
Idon’
thav
eapr
obl
em.
”
Thembelihle:“No,weareleavi
ngIdon’twantto
belatei
nt hemor ningandIhaven’
teventold
thei
rfat
hert hatwear enotcomingback
home.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
please.
”
“Whydon’
ttheboy ssleephereandy ougo
sl
eepinyourhouse.Inthemor ningyou’
l
lpass
byandgetthem. ”Thokozanisuggest
ed
standi
ngtheloungeentrance.
Thembeli
hle:
“Tomorrowmorningyouwon’tt
ell
met haty
ouarestay
ing,r
ight
?”shepoi
ntedat
theboys.
“
Yes,
wewon’
t!
”Theybot
hagr
eedandnodded.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ify
oudo?
”
Mnot
ho:“
Wewon’tagr
eebecausedadwi
l
lnot
al
l
owthatwest
ay.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay ,
Iwillseeyoutomorrow
morningandplease,behaveyoursel
fdon’t
misbehave.
”
“WEWON’ T!”Theypromi
seddearl
yandshe
noddedli
ft
ingherbrownleat
herhandbagof
f
thecouch.
Shelookedatherbr
other
.“Iwi
l
l wal
kyouout
.”
Thokozanisai
dandheadedtothedoor
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwillseeyousomeotherti
me
Zodwa.
”Sheturnedtothedoor’
sdi
recti
on.
Zodwa:
“Okay
,by
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“By
e,si
siThokozi
l
e.”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Bye.
”
Thembelihl
ecl
osedt hedoorbehi
ndherand
walkedtohercarwit
hherbr ot
her
.“Idi
dn’
tthink
thatshemeantthatshewascomi ngby.
”
Thembelihl
ecomment edlooki
ngatThokozani.
Thokozani
:“Yes,
Idi
dn’
tthi
nkshewoul
dcome
to.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“How’
sshe?
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whydi
dn’
tyouaskher
?”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam sor
rybutIhav
en’
tfor
got
ten
hal
fofthethingsshedidtomeandsoIjust
di
dn’tseethereasontospeaktoher
.”
Thokozani
:“So,
whyar
eyouaski
ngabouther
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,Iam sor
ryIshoul
dn’thav
e
askedaboutyourt
winsist
er,mybad.”she
openedthecardoor.
Thokozani
:“Don’
tsayi
tli
ket
hatIwasj
ust
aski
ng.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,goodni
ght.
”Shestepped
i
nsidethecarandThokozanihel
dthecar’
sdoor
befor
eshecouldcloseit
.
Thokozani
:“Ar
eyouangr
ynow?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,whywouldIbeangry?Iam
j
usthappyforyouthatatl
eastshest
il
lknows
thaty
ouareherblood.”
Thokozani
:“It
hinky
ouguysshoul
dforgi
ve
eachotherandputt
hepastbehi
ndyou.I
twhat
mamawoul d’v
ewanted.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwil
lseeyoutomorrowmorni
ng.
”
Sheignoredhi
sstatement
.Thokozani
nodded
andclosedhercardoor
.
Mduduzi
:“Wherear
eweheadi
ngwi
thoutt
he
boy
s,ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wear
eheadi
ngt
othebeach
house.
”
Njongo:“
You’veinf
ormedNdabezi
tha?Idon’t
meant oprybutyouknowhowheis, so,i
t’
s
bett
erwet akeyouther
ewit
hhisappr ov
al.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youar etaki
ngmet omyhouse
noti
nabarandso, pl
easejustdri
veIwi
llt
ell
hi
m whenIgett her
e.Iam tir
edtospendtwo
hour
sbackt oNongoma.Cany oubesensi
ti
ve?”
sheaskedirr
it
atedbytheirsudden
i
nvest
igat
ion.
“
NDLOVUKAZI!”Theybothchant
edand
Mduduzi
star
tedthecar.Hedrov
eherst
rai
ght
wher
eshewant edt
ogo…
-
--
--
“Mama, Ihavemadeadeci si
on.
”Sgwi l
i
i
nf ormedhi smother,t
heywereseatedinthe
diningtableinsi
deSgwili
’
shouseonaSat urday
mor ning.Cynthi
ahadgoneouttof etchBr
ian
fr
om hi smot her
’sfl
at.
MaKhoza:
“Whatdeci
sion?
”
Sgwil
i
:“Iwil
lj
usttel
lDal
isuwhathappenedwit
h
Ntombi.Cy
nthiawantsachi
ldandIshouldgi
ve
i
ttoherbydoingwhatIwastoldtodo.”
MaKhoza:
“Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
No,
Iam notbutIhav
etodot
his.
”
MaKhoza:“
No, y
oudon’thavetodoi
tandy
ou
won’
tdoitbecausenowy ouhaveachi
l
dwhat
moredoyouwant ?Youhaveason!”
Sgwil
i
:“I
t’
snotmywi
fe’
schi
l
dmama.Ihav
eto
facet
hatreal
i
ty.
”
MaKhoza:“Soyouwantmetobannedand
shamed?Isthatwhaty
ouwantforyour
mother
?”sheshoutedl
ooki
ngathim.
Sgwil
idroppedhi shead.Hedi dn’
twanthi
s
mothertobet helaughi
ngstockandforpeopl
e
toshameher .HeknewMaCebekhul uwas
goi
ngt obet hef i
rsttocr
uci
fyherandhedidn’
t
wantthat.Shewashi smother!
Sgwi
l
i:“
No,
that
’snotwhatIwantandIwon’
t
t
ell
him whathappened.
”
MaKhoza: “Thankyou,Cy
nthi
awi l
lhaveto
acceptthissit
uat
ion.
”Shesai
d,itwastosav e
herreputati
onandherson’sr
eputati
on.I
tdidn’
t
mattertoherwhohadt osuff
erforthat
.
Sgwil
i:“
Buti
t’
sjustnotgoodt
oseemywi
fe
unhappy.
”
Shegavehim aneyethatwarnedhi
m notto
bri
ngthatupagain.Sgwi
li
readthr
oughitand
sohekeptquiet
…
“Lookwho’
shere!
”MaKhoz aopenedherarms
forBri
anandhewalkedthrought
heloungewit
h
Cynthi
a.Br
ianr
antohisgrandmotherandshe
carr
iedhi
m upshethenplacedhi
m onherlap.
Br
ian:
“Howar
eyou,
gogo?
”
MaKhoza:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou,
Zul
u?”
Br
ian:
“Iam f
ine,
wher
eisdad?
”hel
ooked
ar
ound…
MaKhoza:
“He’
sinhi
sof
fi
ce,
whydon’
tyougo
ther
eIwantt
ospeakwi
thy
ourmot
herher
e.”
Sheputhi
m down.
Cy
nthi
a:“
Takey
ourbag,
Bri
an.
”
HemarchedtoCynt
hiaandt
ookhi
sbackpack
hepl
aceditonhi
sbackandranof
fleav
ingt
he
twol
adies…
MaKhoza:
“Ar
eyoucr
azy
,Cy
nthi
a?”
Cy
nthi
a:“
Iam cr
azy
?”
MaKhoza:“Yes,
youwantmysont
otel
lDali
su
whathappenedwit
hNtombi
?Whywouldyou
wantthat
?”
Cynthi
a:“
Iwantchi
l
drent
hat
’swhyIwanthi
m
tocomeclean.
”
MaKhoza:“
Sgwi
l
ihasachi
l
dandi
sn’
tthat
enough?
”
Cynt
hia:
“It
’shi
schil
dnotmychi
l
dmama,
that
’s
whatyouarenotget
ti
ng.
”
MaKhoza:
“Idon’
tcar
ebuty
oumustknowt
hat
hewil
lnotconf
esstoDali
su.Thatmeansyou’l
l
hav
etoacceptthatwhet
heryouli
keitornot
.”
Cynthi
a:“
Oh,
sot
hismeanst
ohel
lwi
thmy
feel
i
ngs.”
MaKhoza:“Yes,
andasawi f
eyoushoul
ddo
ever
ythi
nginyourpowert
oprot
ectyour
husband’
sdigni
ty.
”
Cynthia:
“Okay,Iwil
ll
ethi
m keepqui
etwith
thi
s.”shecondescendedknowingt
hatshe
woulddev i
seherownplan.Shewasn’
tprepar
ed
toletMaKhozawi n.
MaKhoza:
“Good,t
hat’
swhaty oushoul
dhave
donei
nthefi
rstpl
acenotquesti
onhiminany
way.
”
Cy
nthi
a:“
Arey
oudonemama?
”
Shenodded.“Makemet ea.
”Sheinst
ruct
edher
wit
houtl
ookingather
.Cy nt
hiagotupandwent
tot
hekitchentomaketea…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE02

“Andwho’ scaristhisonmydr i
veway ?
”
Thembelihleaskedst eppingoutofthecar.Both
NjongoandMduduzi steppedoutofthecar
withthei
rgunsof ftheirbacks.“
Hhay bo,why
areyouhav inggunsnow? ”sheaskedlookingat
them.
Njongo:“It
hinky
oushoul
dst
ayback
ndlovukazi
.”
Thembelihl
e:“No, don’tgetallworkedupmay be
i
t’ssomeonewhoj ustparkedthecarher eand
wentaway .Andy oudon’ texpectmet ositin
thecarandwai t
,whati fit’
sreall
yat hug.He’l
l
comeoutandf i
ndmei nthecar.Orhe’llj
ust
takethecaranddr ov eoffwithmei nside.
”
Mduduzi
:“Shehasapoi
nt.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Okay
,st
aybehi
ndme.
”
Thembeli
hlenoddedandstoodbehindNjongo,
theysl
owlywalkedtothehouse…Njongoraised
hisshoul
dersandrel
axedhesighed.
Mduduzi: “
Nqaba,i
t’syou.”hesawt her oyal
guardstandingatthefrontdoor.Njongolooked
backatthecarandhef i
guredwhatwasgoi ng
on.Hedi dn’
tknowwhatt odo, hewas
supposedt ostopThembel i
hlefrom getti
ng
i
nsidethehousebuti twast oolateasshehad
mov edbehindhim.She’dmov edawayt he
minuteshesawNj ongo’sshouldersr el
ax.
Nqaba:
“Eh…Eh…Yes,
ndl
ovukazi
isher
e.”
Thembel i
hle:“Yes,Iam hereandwhatar eyou
doinghere?Getmemyspar ekeyupinthat
fl
owerv ase.”Shepoi ntedthevasethatwas
hangingupont hepor ch.Nqabalookedat
Njongoshowi ngt hefaceoft r
ouble,
theyboth
di
dn’tknowwhatt odo...Nj
ongosawt hatt
his
wasagr eatplan.Hej umpedont hevasehoping
hewasgoi ngt otrickherandsayt hekeywasn’t
t
her
e.
Thembelihl
e: “
Thel i
ghtsareonhere,ismy
husbandinside?”sheaskedt r
yingthedoorand
i
twasn’tlocked.Shel ookedatNqaba.“Why
didn’
tyoutellmet hatthedoorisnotlocked?
”
sheasked.
Nqabacl
earedhi
sthroatandl
ookeddown…
Thembel
i
hleshookherheadashelookeddown
shewal
kedinsi
dethehouse…
Mduduzi:
“Wemadoda, what’
sgoingon?”He
l
ookedatbot
hoft hem seei
ngthattheywer
e
uneasy
.Hedidn’
tknowaboutPr eci
ous.
Nqaba:“
Ndabezi
tha’
spr
egnantmi
str
essi
sin
her
e.”
“WHAT!
”Mduduzi
excl
aimedput
ti
nghi
shands
onhi
shead.
Nj
ongo:
“Wher
e’sndabezi
tha?
”
Nqaba:“Hewenttobuyfoodforherwej
ustgo
backfr
om thehospi
tal
withherandhebrought
herher
e.”
Mduduzi
:“Hehasami
str
ess?
”
Njongo:“Don’tyoucheatonyourwif
e?”he
askedlookingathim andMduduziwastongue
ti
edknowi ngthathewasn’tafai
thf
ulman.
Mduduzi
: “
Well,Idon’
tstaywi
thmywifeful
l
t
imeandndl ov
ukazi i
sadiamondto
Ndabezi
thaIdidn’tt
hinkhewoul
dcheat.
”
Njongo:“
Wel
l
,nowy
ouknowt
hathe’
s
cheati
ng.
”
Nqaba:
“Yoh!Thi
sishor
ri
ble.
”
Mduduzi :
“Let
’shopeshe’snotar
oundthe
obviousviewsofthehouse.She’
l
lfi
gur
eout
thatit
’shiswi
feandshe’l
lstaywher
esheis.
”
NqabaandNj
ongo:
“Yeah.
”
Thethr
eemenshookt hei
rheadshopi
ngt
hat
theni
ghtdoesn’
ttur
noutbad…
Thembel
i
hlesawDal
i
su’
ssui
tbl
azeront
he
couchandsheshookherheadwonder ingwhen
washegoi ngt ot el
lherthathewasi nRi char ds
bay.Shepl acedherbagdownandt ookof fher
shoes.Shef igur
edt herewasnoneedf orhert o
callhi
m nowhewasgoi ngtofindherint he
house…Shemar chedtot hekitchenbaref oot ,
shewentt ogetagl assofwat er…Shemar ched
backt ot
hel oungeandshest oppedatt he
soundoft hebat hroom doorbei ngopened, the
bathroom nex tt
oherbedr oom.Awoman
steppedoutoft hebat hroom shewaswear i
ng
Thembelihle’sbathroom gown.Herhear t
stopped,she’dseent hiswomanbef ore.She’ d
seenher.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Thembel
i
hle?
”
Sheknowsher!“
Whatareyoudoi
ngi nmy
house?
”sheaskedpol
i
tely
,she’
dfiguredthat
shewasthewomaninchargeofthewat er
proj
ect
.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Uhm…I
…”
“NJONGO!”Thembel i
hlescr
eamedhi sname
anddroppedtheglassofwat eronthef
loor.
Preci
ousfli
nchedatthesoundofherscr eam.
Thethreebodyguardswereinsidet
hehouse
withi
nablinkofaney e.
Nj
ongo:
“Ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Thembelihle:
“Whatisthi
swomandoi ngi
nmy
house?”Thet hreemenlookedateachother
.“I
am speaking,answerme!”sheshouted.
Njongo:“
Ithi
nkthatNqabawil
lknowbecauseI
waswi t
hyouthewholeday.
”Hesaidtr
yingto
coverhi
mself.
Nqaba:
“Shemusttel
lyoundl
ovukazi
Iwast
old
t
olookaft
erher
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whot
oldy
out
odot
hat
?”
Preci
ous:
“Thembel
i
hleIt
hinky
ouneedt
ocal
m
down.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
ttel
lmewhatt
odobecause
Ihav
easkedyouwhatarey
oudoi
ngi
nmy
houseandy
oukeptqui
et.Youf
ail
edt
oanswer
me.”
Precious:“Wecant alkpolitel
y…”theyalltur
ned
tothedoorasi twasopened.Dal isustoodstil
l
atthedoorandhi seyeswentst raightto
Thembel ihl
ewhowasl ookingathi m wit
hhur t
,
disappointmentandmost lyanger.Gwabinihad
toldhimt hathemust n’tshowhisf ace.They’
ve
seenThembel ihle’
scarpar kedont hedriveway.
Dalisudidn’tl
istentohi m.Heneededt osee
whatwasgoi ngoni nthehouse.Hewasn’ t
goingtor unaway …
TheminuteThembel i
hlesawt hef oodonhis
handsshefigur
edwhatwasgoi ngon.Thi s
wasn’
taboutbusinessbutitwasabout
somethi
ngmor e.Shedidn’tneedany onetotell
i
ttoher…Shedr oppedherheadshamel essly
andmov edbacklookingatthepi ecesofthe
gl
assshehaddr opped.Sheav oidedstepping
downont hem.
Thembeli
hle:
“TakemybagsandshoesNj ongo.
Let
’sgo,Mduduzi.
”Shesaidmarchingtot
he
door.Nj
ongosenthisey
est othecouchandhe
movedtogetherbagont hecouchandshoes
onthefl
oorwhil
eMduduzi fol
l
owedaf t
erher
.
Dali
suhadputt hetakeawaysont hefloorashe
sawThembel i
hlemovef r
om herpositi
on.He
stoodbyt hedoorandwhensher eachedthe
door.Hehel dherwri
stlooki
ngdownather .
Thembel i
hlerai
sedherheadandl ookedathim.
Hedidn’tknowwhatt osaytoher ,l
ookingint
o
hereyeshesawshe’ dconcludedwhatwas
happeni
ngandev enthoughhedidn’tknow
whathadhappenedbef or
ehegother ehesaw
shehadconcl udedwhatwasgoi ngon.
Thembel i
hle:“Letmego, Ididn’
tknowy ouare
here.
”Herv oicetrembledandhecl osedhi s
eyesatthesoundofherv oice.“Iwast i
redto
dri
vebackhomeandt heboy swant edtospend
thenightattheiruncl
e’shouse.Ileftthem and
cameher et orestbutIspoil
edthepar tysolet
mego.
”Sheexpl
ained.
Dalisulookedateveryoneinthehouseandthey
dissolvedoutofthelounge.Theguardsoutof
thehouseandPr eciousstrai
ghttotheguest
bedr oom.
Dalisu:“Ev er
ythi
ngisnotasi tseemsIhav en’t
beenkeepi ngherher e.Wehadameet i
ngher e
i
nRi char dsbayandshecompl ainedt hatshe’s
ti
redIf iguredshecanuset heguest room. ”He
tri
edt oliebutThembel ihl
edi dn’tbuyhi sstory
.
Shehadanumberofquest i
ons, hisschedul eof
thedaywast heroyal housejustt heroy alhouse,
whendi ditchange?Shewast i
red?Andhewas
j
ustgener ousheof feredt hei
rhouseas
guest houseandev enwentt ogetf oodf orhis
guest ?Hi m?Theki ng?Shewasl ookingathi m
asthequest ionspenet r
atedt hroughhermi nd.
Shewant edt oaskhi m butsheknewl ieswas
whatshewasgoi ngt or eceivefrom hi m.
Thembel
i
hlepr
essedhert
eet
htoget
herand
forcef
ull
yremovedhishandoffherwrist
.She
tri
edtopushhim backbutDali
sustoodstil
l
beforeherasastatue.Hehadblockedallway
s
forhertogetoutofthehouse.
Dali
su: “
Don’
tgoyousai
dy ouar
eti
redIwil
lask
Precioustobookher
sel
fint
oaguesthouse
nearby.”
Shetri
edt or elaxherfaceandst eppedasi de
showinghi mi nsidethehouse.Dal isurammed
hishandsonhi spocketandcamebackwi thhis
keys.Hegav ehert hei
rbedr oom key s.Shetook
thekeysandt riedtowal kbacki nsidethehouse
shefeltthathewasl ookingather .Sheopened
thebedr oom doorandcl osedt hedoorbehi nd
her…Shewai tedf orafewsecondsandshe
exit
edt hebedr oom doorl eavinghi skeysont he
door.Sher ant othef r
ontdoorandopenedt he
doorbutDal isuwasout sidethedoorspeaki ng
toGwabi niandNqaba.Het urnedandl ookedat
herbutt herewasenoughspacef orhert opass
them.Shewal kedbar efoottot hecar …
Dali
su:“
Cany ouexcuseme? ”hesaidandthey
openedthespacef orhim.Hef ol
l
owed
Thembeli
hlewalkingf ast
ertocatchupwit
hher .
Heheldherwr i
st.“Isaiddon’
tgowherearey ou
goi
ng?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam goi
nghome.
”
Dali
su:
“Youar
egoinghomeatt
hishourdi
dn’
t
yousayyouar
eti
red?”
Thembel i
hle:
“Thel
adyinsi
dethehousesai
d
she’st
iredandso,Iwi
ll
letherresti
nmyhouse
becausemyhousei st
heonl yhotel
avai
l
abl
ein
Richar
dsbay .”
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hledon’
tbest
ubbor
ngo
i
nsi
det
hehouseandrest
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Goanddowhaty oucamehereto
dowithyourmistr
essDalisuandstopf
ool
ing
me.”shetoldhi
m withherheartt
huddi
ng,
the
wordscameoutwi ththepainandhert
ear
s
rai
ned.
Dal
i
suraisedhi
shandasmeanst
owi
peher
t
earsbutshehel
dhiswr
ist
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Leavemeal one,
Ihavear i
ghtto
tel
lyout
hatsopleaseleavemealone, Dalisu.
”
Shebeggedpoli
tel
ylet
tinggohiswristbut
Dali
sudi
dn’tl
ist
entoherhewi pedhert ears.
Dal
isu:
“Goinsi
det
hehouseandr
est
.Iam
say
ingthi
sfort
hel
astt
ime.”
Thembel i
hle:“No!”shedef iedhi
m.Dalisu
draggedheri nsidethehouseandshet ri
edto
pushherbodybackt oresistgoi
nginsi
det he
housebutDal i
suwasst r
ongerthanshewas.
Hedr aggedheri nsi
det hehouseignoringthat
shewascr y i
ngandt el
l
inghi mtoleav
eher
al
one.
“Leavemeal one,Dal
isu.Letmego!”Shecried
outsti
llt
ryingtogethisholdof
fherwristbut
Dali
supai dnoattent
iontoherunti
lhewas
i
nsidetheirbedroom wit
hher.Heletherwrist
goandcl osedthedoorbehindhim.
Thembel
ihl
esatonthebedshewaspant
ing
andhadherheadl
ookingonthef
loor
…
Dalisu:“I
t’
snotr i
ghtf oraki ngt odraghi squeen
asIhav edonewi thy oubuty ourbehav iour
forcedmet odoi t.Iam t ell
ingy ousleepher e
andIwi llt
ellPrecioust ogobuty ouar e
stubborn.Idon’ twantt ol ocky ouinher etoget
yout odowhatIsaydo. ”shedi dn’tsayany t
hing
shedi dn’
tev enlookathi m.Sher aisedherhead
onlywhenshehear dt hedoorbei ngclosed.She
stoodupandwentt ot hekey .Shel ockedthe
bedr oom andwentt ot hebal conysl i
dingthe
doorsheunl ockedi tmov ingal ongaf t
erclosing
i
tsheopenedt hebal conygat e…

Meanwhi l
eDalisuopenedtheguestr
oom door
andhef oundPr eci
ousseat
edont hebedshe
wasont henight dr
essshehadbought.Dal
isu
sighed…Sheraisedherheadandlookedathim
thatwasnotenoughshest oodonherf eet
,she
wal
kedcl
osert
ohi
m.Dal
i
sumetherhal
fway
.
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
etobooky
oui
ntoahot
el.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“BecauseThembel
i
hlei
sher
e?”
Dali
su:“
It’
sherhouseandfr
om t
hef i
rstpl
acei
t
wasn’tr
ightofmetobri
ngyouhere.ButIdi
dn’
t
knowshewasgoi ngtocomehere.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Iwil
lsleepher
eandyoucangosl
eep
wi
thheri
nyourroom.Iam t
ir
edtodri
ve
ar
ound.
”
Dal
isu:
“It
’sj
ustashor
tdr
ivei
t’
snotl
i
key
ouar
e
dr
ivi
ngtoNongoma.”
Pr
eci
ous:“I
t’
snotmyfaul
tthatshecamehere
whyshoul
dIbetheonetoleave?
”sheasked
l
ooki
ngint
ohiseyes.
Dal
isu:“
Womanstopar
gui
ngwi
thmeanddo
whatIam t
ell
i
ngy
ou!”
Preci
ousmov edstrai
ghttothedoorhelooked
atherasshewasheadi ngtothedoorshe
openeditandlef
ttheroom.Hecl i
ckedhis
tongueandkickedt
hedr
essingchairoutof
anger.Hefol
l
owedhertothelounge.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Precious:“Iam notgoingt
obetheonet
oleav
e
here.Ididn’tdoanythi
ngwrong.
”
Dali
su:“
Whydoy outhinkIcarei
fyoudi
d
anyt
hingwrongornot?Iam tel
li
ngyout
haty
ou
arel
eavingandyouareleavi
ng.”
Preci
ous:
“ Whyshoul
dIbet
heonet
oleav
e?”
Sheshouted.
Dalisu:“
Don’tyoueverr
aiseyourvoi
ceonme
Precious.Iam noty
ourboyfr
iendandyouwi
l
l
respectmewhenspeaki ngtome.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
isu:
“WhenIsaysomethingmusthappenI
meanthatt
hingmusthappen.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Nowgoandchangebacki
ntoy
our
cl
othes.”Pr
eciousnoddedandl
efthi
m.Dalisu
satdownont hecouchandburi
edhisfaceon
hishands…
-
--
--
Sher oundthehouseandr eachedt hecor ner
shesentherf acefir
st,Dalisuwasn’ tout sidet he
house.Nobodywasont hepor chandsoshe
threwhiskeysont hefrontdoorf rom thedoor
shecoul dhearthesoundst hear gumenti nsi de
thehouse…Shepl oddedt ot hecar, Nj
ongo
steppedoutoft hecarandopenedt hedoorf or
her.Het hensteppedinsidet hecaraf tercl osing
herdoor .Mduduzidrovebutkeptonl ookingat
herthroughthemi rr
orhewaswai t
ingf orher
i
nst r
ucti
onsashewasdr ivingaway .
Thembeli
hle:“Dri
vemet
omybr ot
her’shouseI
wantmysonsandwear edriv
ingstr
aightt
omy
pal
ace.”Hervoicewast
rembl
ingandher
pant
ingquickened.
Nj
ongo:
“Ndl
ovukazi
,what
’swr
ong?
”Hel
ooked
ather,sheheldherchestandhertummy,the
panti
ngdidn’tst
op.“Idon’
tthi
nkweshould
dri
vebackt othebeachhouse.”Hetol
d
Mduduzi whowasf arfr
om thebeachhouse
now.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam…f
ine…”
Njongo:“Stopthecar !
”heexclaimedand
Mduduzi parkedbyt hesideofther oad.Njongo
offthecarandr ushedt otheneighbourhood
house.Mduduzi gotof fthecarandopened
Thembelihle’
sdoor .Sheheldhishandandsat
bytheedgeoft heseatwi t
hherf eetonthe
ground…Nj ongogotbackwi t
htwobot t
lesof
water.
Njongo:
“Iaskedf
ort
wobot
tl
esandt
hisone
havesugar.
”
“Thankyou.”Shet ooktheonewit
hsugarand
drankthewateratonce.Shelefti
thal
fwayand
tookthepurewat ertowashthesugaroff
.
“Let’
sgo.”Sheinstruct
edthem.Hernerv
es
cal
meddown…Theyalldi
ssol
vedt
othei
r
posi
ti
onsaf
tercl
osi
ngherdoor
…

HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE03
“Pl
easegoi nsi
det hehouseandgetmysons.
Wewi l
lthendri
v ehome. ”Sheinstructedthem.
Sheexpectedanyoft hem togoi nsidethe
houseandgett heboy s.Shewant edtobe
homenowandshedi dn’twanttokeept hinki
ng
aboutwhathadj usthappened…Nj ongolooked
backather.
Nj
ongo:“
Ndlovukazi
don’
tyout
hinky
oushoul
d
j
ustsl
eephere?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iwantt
ogohome.
”
Henoddedandsteppedoutofthecar.
Thembel
ihl
elai
dbackandclosedhereyes.She
wascal
m nowbuthermindwast hinki
ngdeepl
y
shecouldn’tst
opthethoughtstheykept
penetr
atingthr
oughhermi nd…Shesnapped
backtoear t
hwhenshehear dthecr yofher
sonssheopenedt hedoorandst eppedoutof
thecar.TheboyswereinsideNjongo’sarms.
Thokozaniwasf ol
l
owinghim behind.Njongo
puttheboy sdownbeforethei
rmot her…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Wedon’
twantt
ogo.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Getinthecarwear egoing
home.”shelookedatt hem withoutasmi le.The
boyslookedathertheycriedwi t
houtdoi ng
whatshewast ell
i
ngt hem todo.“ Yeynina!
Ngithi
ngenaniemotweni ngizonishayake. ”(
I
saidgetint
hecar,Iwillwhipyou. )shewar ned
them.
“What
’swr ong,
Thembel i
hle?
”Thokozaniasked
tyi
nghisgownknothest oodbehindtheboys
andbrushedtheirheads.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam t
aki
ngmysonsandwear
e
dr
ivi
ngbackhome.
”
Thokozani
:“Why,whathappenedbecausey
ou
weregoingtosl
eepinyourhousehere?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tfeel
li
keitanymore,
MnothonoMl amuli
yenzanil
entoengi
yishoyo
ngazengi
nihl
angani
sengamakhandamanj e!
”
Theboysscreamedlouderatherst
atementand
thesoundofhervoi
ce.
Thokozani
:“Thembel
i
hlecal
m downy
ouar
e
scar
ingtheboys.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Idon’thavetime.
”Sher aised
Mnot hooffthegroundandhecr i
edki ckinghis
feetoff
.Thembel i
hledroppedhim andt heboy
heldhisbrother
’shand.“Njongodon’tjuststand
therehelpmegett hem insi
dethecar.”She
i
nstructedhim.
“Iwi
ll
dothatNjongo.
”Thokozani st
oppedhim.
Thembel
i
hlesteppedinsi
det hecar,
heleaned
backont
hecarseatandcl osedhereyes.
Thokozani
:“Lookboy
s,y
oushoul
dgohome
wit
hy ourmother
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Butmal
umewewantt
ost
ay.
”
Thokozani :“Yourfatherwantsy ouhomeandso,
youshoul dgohome. ”hefiguredthatDalisu
disagreedt hattheyspendt henightinRichards
bayt hat’
swhyhi ssi
sterwasupset .“Wewi ll
see
eachot hersomeot herti
meIpr omise.
”Hehel d
theirshouldersandt heboysnodded.Het hen
packedt hem insidethecari nthei
rmot her’
s
seat.Hecl osedt hedoor.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
bye.
”
Thokozani
:“You’
l
lcal
lwheny
ougethome?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lsendat
ext
.”
Henoddedandst eppedback.Mduduzi st
art
ed
thecaranddroveoff…Theboyskeptlookingat
thei
rmotherandshehadherey esclosedher
handonherbabybump.Ml amul
ilai
dhishead
onherlap,Thembeli
hleopenedhereyesand
l
ookeddownathim.Shesighedandpul
l
ed
Mnothocl
osert
ohisbrot
her.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
You’
ll
seeyouruncl
eandt
he
babi
essomeothert
ime,
okay?”
Theboysnodded.“Babawantsusbackhome?”
Mnothoaskedrai
singhisheadt
olookather
.
Thembel i
hle:“No,butther
ewasal otofnoi sein
thebeachhousey ourmothercouldn’tsleep.
Yourfatherisnothome. ”shetol
dt hem the
trutht
oav oidhav i
ngthem askaboutt heir
father
’swher eaboutswhentheyreachhome.
Mnot
ho:
“Okay
,mama.
”
Mlamul
i
:“Dadwi
l
lcomehomet
omor
row,
wil
l
he?”
Thembelihl
e:“Yes.”Shewasn’tsurebutshe
di
dn’twantthem tokeeponaski ngher
questi
ons.Theirfatherwaswithanother
womani ntheirhousehehaddi srespect
edher
andhurther.Hebr okenhisv
owsandherhear t
al
ong,he’
dshar
edabedwit
hanot herwoman.
That’
swhyhegavehert
hewatercontr
act
?
Becausehewassl
eepi
ngwit
hher?
Mlamuli:
“Mama,what ’
swr ong?”herosefr
om
herlapandwaslookingather.At earhadf
ell
offThembel
ihl
e’
sey e,shehadherheadbent
downandhertearhitMl amuli
’scheek.
“Uhm, nothi
ngIam j ustti
redlayyourheadback
ony ourmot her’
slap.”Shesaidholdinghis
shouldershesmi ledandpoi ntedherlap.
Ml amulinoddedandl aiddown.Shewi pedher
tearsthenlookedatMnot ho.Hewasbusy
playi
ngwi thherphone, shelethim beand
closedherey es…
-
--
BythetimePreciousheadedbacktothe
bedroom tochangebackint
oherclothesDali
su
gotoffthecouchandwentt ohisbedroom.He
tri
edthedoorandi twasl
ocked.Heknockedon
thedoorandtherewasnor esponse.
Dali
su:“MaSthol
e,opent hedoorsothatwecan
tal
k.”Hestampedhisf oreheadonthedoornot
knowingthathewast alki
ngalone.
“Iam r
eadyt ogo.
”Preci
oustol
dhim,shewas
onherclothesandhadherhandbagonher
hand.Dali
sulookedatherandgotof
fthedoor
.
Dali
su:“
Please,takey ourfoodandhaveitwhen
yougetaroom eatt heny oucansleep.
”He
l
oweredhisv oi
cemar chi
ngt ot
hecouchhe
t
ookhiswal l
et.Preciousfoll
owedhim behi
nd.
Preci
ous:“Iwil
ldothat.”Shetookthet
akeaway
thatwasnowont het ablenotbythedoor
whereDali
suhadl efti
t.Shetooktheplast
ic
bagwiththejunk.
“Iwi l
lwalky ouout.
”Heinf or
medherl ooki ngat
her .Preci
ousnoddedandt heywal kedt othe
frontdoor ,whentheyreachedthedoor .Dal isu’
s
ey eswer ethefi
rsttoseet hekeysont hef ront
door .Hewentdownandt ookthekey sf rom t he
fl
oor …Pr eci
ous’sguardwasal readywai tingf or
heri
nthecar
.
Dali
su:“
Here’sthemoneyforyourroom.”he
gaveherthemoneyandshet ookitwit
h
sadnesswrit
tenall
overherf
ace.“What’
swr ong
now?”heasked.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong.
”
Dal
i
su:“Iam notafoolIcanseei
nyourey
es
t
hatsomethi
ngi swrong.
”
Preci
ous:“Ijustdidn’tt
hinkt hatthenightwil
l
endli
kethisIjustt hought…”shecoul dn’tsayit
shecouldn’tsaythatshewant edhimt ospend
theni
ghtwi thher.Onet hingshewassur e
aboutwast hathewasgoi ngtot el
lherthatthey
werenotmar r
iedy et
.
Dali
su: “
You’llcal
lmewheny ouaretherejustto
knowt hatyouar esaf
e.”Hedel i
berat
elyignored
herstatement.Hewasn’ tbli
ndthatthewoman
wantedhi m she’dsai
ditbeforeThembel i
hle
camei ntothehouse.He’dconsidered
sati
sfyi
ngherneedsbutt hatwasbef or
ehis
wi
fecamei
ntot
hehouse.
Precious:“Okay ,
goodni ght.
”Shewal kedaway
wishingshecoul djustcal lAlexandtellhimt o
comeov erbutnowshecoul dn’t
.AndAl exknew
wast hatshewaswor ki
ngKwaNongomahe
didn’tknowt hatshe’dfoundahusbandanda
fatherforthechildthathedi dn’tknowabout …
Dalisulookedatt hedr i
vewayandt hekeyst hat
wer einhishands.Thembel ihle’
scarwasgone
andt hekey she’dgivenherwer ewithhim.He
cli
ckedhi stongueandmar chedbackint othe
house…Het ookhisphoneandsatdownont he
couchhecal ledThembel ihl
e.
“Baba?
”Mnot hoansweredthephone,
hehad
seenhisf
ather’
spict
urethatwasthecal
l
erI
D
ofThembeli
hle’
sphone.
Dal
i
su:
“Mageba,
wher
e’sy
ourmot
her
?”
Mnotho:“
She’
sher
ebutshe’
ssleepingand
Mlamuli
isal
sosl
eepi
ngonherlapbaba.Iam
pl
ayi
ngagameonmot her
’sphone.”he
expl
ained.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Mnotho:“Wear einthecargoi
ngbackhome,
babawhenwi ll
y ougethome?Mamasai dyou
arenothomeandshecoul dn’
tsl
eepinthe
beachhousebecauset herewasalotofnoise.
”
Hetoldhim ext
ra.
Dali
su:“Okay
,cany ougiveMduduzithe
phone?”hestoodupandt ookthetakeaway,hi
s
wall
etandsuitblazer
.Hemar chedtothefr
ont
doorandswitchedofftheli
ghts.
Mnotho:“
You’
l
lspeakt
omewheny
ouar
e
done?”
Dal
isu:“
Iwillspeaktoy ouwhenIgethomebut
Iam sur
ey ou’l
lbeasleepbythen.
”Het ol
dhi
m
l
ockingthedoorandmar chi
ngtothecar.
Mnot
ho:
“Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ou.
”
Dali
su:
“No,y
ou’
llnotdothaty
ou’l
lsl
eepand
don’
ttr
oubl
eyourmotheraboutst
ayi
ngup
wai
ti
ngf
orme.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Butbaba-
”
Dali
su:“Mnotho,
Isai
dgi v
eMduduzit
he
phone!”heshout
edandheheardthesudden
shuff
li
ngsound.Heopenedthecarandstepped
i
nsidethecar.Hehootedtwi
ceandGwabini
camet othecarr
unning.
Mduduzi
:“Ndabezi
tha!
”
Dali
su:“Whydidyouleav
ewithmywifewi
thout
tel
li
ngme? ”heaskedthr
oughhi
steet
h.Gwabini
droveoutofthedri
veway.
Mduduzi
:“Shet
oldusi
twast
imet
ogo.
”
Dali
su:“
Timetogo?Didn’
tyouseet hatIwas
agai
nstherl
eavi
ngthi
shouse? ”hecouldhear
Mnothocryi
ngonthebackground.
Mduduzi
: “
IsawthatNdabezit
habutIdidn’
t
knowwhaty ouspokeaboutinthehouse,
maybeyoual l
owedhertoleave.Ij
ustf
oll
owed
heror
ders.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Issher
eal
l
ysl
eepi
ng?
”
Mduduzi
:“Yes,
she’
ssl
eepi
ng,
ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Nikalokhal
ayoifoni
.”(
Giv
ethephone
t
oMnotho.)hei
nstr
uctedhim.
Mduduzi :“
Yebo.”Fr
om theothersideMduduzi
passedt hephonebacktoMnot ho.“Nkosana,
ubabawakhouf unaukukhulumanawe. ”(Pri
nce,
thefatherwantstospeaktoyou.)hegav e
Mnot hothephone.
“
Baba.
”Hi
svoi
cet
rembl
edbecauseofcr
ying.
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yousai
dIshoul
dn’
twai
tfory
ou.
”
Dali
su:“
Thatmeansy oushouldcry
?”heasked
andther
ewasnor esponsefrom Mnotho.“
Iam
speaki
ngtoyouMnot ho.
”Her emi
ndedhim.
Mnot
ho:
“Iwantt
osl
eepwheny
ouar
ehome.
”
Dal
i
su:“Iam f
arf
rom homeandIam tel
l
ingyou
t
hatify
oureachhomey ou’
l
lsl
eepanddon’t
bot
heryourmotherbystay
ingupwai
ti
ngf
orme.
Doyouunderst
andthat?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yebo,
baba.
”
Dal
i
su:“Good,
uyani
thandaubaba,
yezwa
Mageba?”
Mnot
ho:
“Yebo,
ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
isuchuckl
edandhungupthecal
l.Heshook
hi
sheadandwascompel l
edtosmil
e,hi
ssons
werethebestgi
ftgi
vent
ohim…“Manzini
.”
Dal
isucal
ledhim.
Gwabi
ni:
“Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dali
su:
“Iknowthaty
oucanseewhat
’sgoi
ngon
andIwanttoknowwhatar
eyourt
houghts
abouti
t.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Idon’
tknowNdabezi
tha.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iam notaski
ngy
ouasmyser
vantIam
onl
yaskingyouasaman.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Yourwi
fei
shur
tandIdon’
tthi
nky
ou
l
ovet
hisot
herwoman.
”
Dal
isu:“
Idon’
t.”heconf
idedandsi
ghed
dr
oppinghishead.
Gwabini
:“Isuggesty
oul
eav
eherandf
ocuson
yourf
amily.
”
Dal
isu:“
She’spregnant.
”Heinformedhim
wit
houtlookingathim.Gwabinikeptqui
etand
hi
smi ndimaginedahead.“
Andy ouknow
what’
stherightthi
ngformetodo. ”headded.
Gwabini
:“Yes,Iknow.”Dali
susighedoutthe
fr
ust
rati
on.“Itwil
lpassndabezit
ha,ever
ythi
ng
hadcomeandpass. ”Heremindedhim.
Dal
isu:
“Yes,
ever
ythi
nghasbutawi
fedoesn’
t
j
ustpass.
”
Gwabini:
“Ndl
ovukazi,
MaSthol
ewil
laccepther
i
ntime.Iam sur
ey ourmot
hercantel
lyouthe
samet hi
ng.
”
Henoddedbuthewasn’
tsurei
fthatwasgoing
t
ohappen…Hisphonerangandheraisedhi
s
headqui
ckl
y.Cynt
hiawascal
li
nghim?He
fr
ownedbefor
eansweri
ngthecal
l
…
Dal
i
su:
“MaNgcobo.
”
Cynthi
a:“
Sawubona,ndabezi
tha.Iam sorr
yto
cal
lthi
slat
eItr
iedcall
ingyourwifebutshe’
s
notansweri
ng.
”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
Cynthi
a:“Okay
, Iwant
edtorequestameet
ing
withyouMageba.There’
ssomet hi
ngi
mportant
thatIwanttotalkt
oyouabout.”
Dal
i
su:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lcal
lyout
omorr
owandwil
l
l
etyouknowwhenandwher
ewil
lwemeet
.”
Cy
nthi
a:“
Okay
,thanky
ou,
ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sokay
,goodni
ght
.”
Cy
nthi
a:“
Goodni
ght
,ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
isuhungupthecal
landher estedhi
schi
n
onthephone.Hewonderedwhatwasi tt
hat
shewantedtospeakt
ohi m about
…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE04

Thembeli
hleandtheboysgothomebefor
e9pm.
Theywereawakeandsoshegotoffthecar,
theyf
oll
owedafterher
.
Boy
s:“
Goodni
ghtmal
ume!
”
Mduduzi
andNj
ongo:
“Goodni
ghtboy
s.”
Thembeli
hlegavethem bot
hherhandsandshe
wenttothehousewiththem.“Wearesleepi
ng
ri
ghtawayright
?”Thembeli
hleaskedl
ookingat
them bot
h.
Them:
“NO!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whynot
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Wear
ehungr
ymama,
rightMnot
ho?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes.Weshoul
deatandgot
osl
eep.
”
Mlamuli
:“Wewillsl
eepwi t
hyoubecausedadis
nothome,ri
ght?
”hel ookedThembel
ihl
ewitha
smil
e,shenoddedandopenedt hefr
ontdoor.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Andwewil
lal
lmaket
hisf
oodI
won’
tmakeitalone.
”
Them:
“OKAY!
”
Thembel ihlet urnedont heli
ght sandt hey
mar chedt oki tchenshet henputherbagont he
kitchenisland.“ Mnot hogetmysl eeper sand
Ml amulitakeof fmyshoes. ”Shei nstr
ucted
them givingherf ootoutf orMl amul i
.Hewent
downonhi skneeandt ookof fhersandal s…
Mnot holef ttheki tchenandwentt ogether
sleepersint hel oungenextt oherchai rheknew
shel ef
tthem t here…
“Her
emama. ”Hesaidandwentdownonhis
kneepl
acingthesl
eeper
snextt
oherfeet
.
Thembel
ihleworet
hem.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Thankyou,nowf
oldyoursl
eeves
you’
l
lwashyourhandsandwewil
lcook.What
doy ouwant?”sheaskedt aki
ngthebowl and
pouringwarm waterforthem t
owasht heir
hands.Shedidn’thavethestr
engthtoraise
them upforthesink…Theboy slookedateach
foldi
ngthei
rsleeves.
“Whatdoyouwant
?”Mnot
howhi
sper
edt
ohi
s
brot
her.
Mlamul
i:
“Iwantmeatandpot
atof
ri
es,
whatdo
youwant
?”
Mnotho:“Yes,
Iwantthatt
ooandbread.
”they
wer
ewhi speri
ngal
ltheti
mewiththei
rmother
l
ookingdownatthem.Theyrai
sedthei
rheads
uptoher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hav
eyoudeci
dedwhaty
ou
want?
”
Mlamuli:
“Yes,wewantmeat,potat
ofr
iesand
bread.Doyouwantthesamet hi
ngmama? ”he
askedwashinghishandsal
ongwi t
hhi
sbrother
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
lhav
ethesamet
hing.
”
Mnot
ho:
“You’
l
lleav
esomef
ordad?
”
Shet ur
nedandputt hebowl onthesink.“Your
fatheri
seat i
ngwherehei sandsowewi llhav
e
foodandgot obed.
”Sher epl
iedwithoutlooki
ng
atthem, hermindhadtravell
edtothe
takeaway shehadonhishandsbacki nthe
beachhouse. .
.Sheexhaleddeeplyandlooked
backatt hem wit
hasmi l
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Now,
let
’scookmychef
s.”
“YES!”Theychant edandr aisedt heirhandsin
theair.Mlamuliwast heonewhoenj oyed
cookingwi t
hhismot herbutev erytimewhen
thei
rfatherfoundt hem i ntheki tchenhewoul d
takethem sayingt heywer edoinga‘ women
thi
ng.’Theboy swoul dtellhimt hatthey ’
veseen
him cookingforthei rmot herandhewoul dtel
l
them that’
sbecauseshe’ shi swi fe…
Thembel i
hlewentt ot hefri
dgeandgotaf rozen
marinatedpork,alongwi thfrozenpot at
oes.She
thenwentont hest ov eandgav et heboy stheir
duti
es…Theywer ewalki
ngar oundeverywher e
shewant edthem tobe,taki
ngev er
ythi
ngshe
wantedthem tobr i
ngtoher,everyt
hingthat
theycouldreach.Andwher etheycouldn’treach
sheall
owedt hem touset hechairt
ocl i
mbup.
Theyhelpedeachot herandcookedunt ilthey
weredone…
“Hmm! ”Mnothosighedlookingathi
splatewith
asmilehelookedathi sbrot
herandhealsohad
hisey
esont heplate.Thembelihl
ehaddesigned
thepl
ateprofessi
onall
y .
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
sit
?”
Ml
amuli
:“Si
kuhl
i
phi
zemamaukudl
a?”(
Shoul
d
weeatt
hefoodup?
)
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
”
Mnot
ho:
“It
’sbeaut
if
ulmama.
”
Shesmil
edandshookherhead.“You’
ll
haveto
eatt
hatfoodbecauseweall
madet hefoodto
eati
t.
”Sheinst
ructedt
hem t
aki
ngtheknifeand
t
ookMnot
ho’
spl
ate.
Mnotho:“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”heaskedqui
ckl
y
hol
dinghi
spl
ate.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcutt
hemeati
ntopi
ecesf
or
you.
”
Mlamul
i:“
No, mamadon’tdothat
.Wewil
lhol
d
themeatl
ikemen,r
ight
?”helookedatMnot
ho
andhesmiledgi
vi
nghim anod.
Thembelihl
e:“
Okay,
here’
syoursauceforthe
fri
es.
”Sheplacedt
hesaucebowl bet
weent hem
theynoddedandbeganeati
ng.They’
veblessed
thefood…
Thembel i
hle:“Her
ear eyoust r
awberryshakes.
”
Shegav ethem andt heysmiledtaki
ngt he
str
awsandsendt hem ont heirmouths.Shehad
hers.Thethreeofthem burpedatt hesame
ti
meaf terfi
nishi
ngtheirshakes.Theylookedat
eachotherandl aughedholdingtheirmouths…
Mnot
ho:
“Ifdadwasher
e,hewasgoi
ngt
osay
‘
FUSEGANI
!’
”heshout
edl
ouderr
aisi
nghi
shead
up,
Mlamul
iandThembel
i
hlel
aughed.
Thembel ihl
e:“Now.l et
’sgowewon’ tcleanupI
wantt osleepnow. ”Shegotof fherchairand
pull
edt hem offtheirchai
rs.Theboy sleadthe
wayt otheirroom wher etheyhadtheirclot
hes
changedandt heywentt othei
rmot her’s
bedroom…
“Mama? ”Ml
amulicall
edhi smot herhol
dingher
cheek.Hewasnextt ohi smot herandMnot ho
wasaf terhi
m.Mlamul ialwayssleptint
he
middlebecausehef al
lswhenhe’ snoti
nt he
middle.Mnothodoesn’t.Theywer eboth
l
ookingatThembel i
hle,theli
ghtswer eturned
on.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Ml
amuli
:“Whenyouhavey
ourr
est
aur
antwe
wi
l
leatt
here,
always?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ify
ouhav
emoneyt
opayy
ouwi
l
l
eat
.”
“
HAWU!
”Theybot
hchant
ed.
Shelaughed.“
Whati
sit
?”sheaskedbr
ushi
ng
thei
rheads.
Mnot
ho:
“Wear
eyoursonsweshoul
dn’
tpay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
itdoesn’
tgol
i
ket
hat
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Okay
,dadwi
l
lpay
,ri
ghtMnot
ho?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
he’
l
lpay
.”
Thembel i
hle:“ Theny oucaneatany t
imeyou
want ,
myt wobeaut i
fulboys.”Shesmi l
ed
l
ookingatt hem t heywerelookingatherwith
smiles…Shehel daconv er
sat i
onwi t
hthem unt
il
theywer esleepi ng.Shelookedatt hem asthey
weresleepingt hinki
ngifMaCebekhul uwasan
evil
mot herin-lawshewasn’ tgoingtotell
her
aboutherpast .Shewoul dbeont hebedalone
cryi
ngt hi
nkingt hatherhusbandwashav i
ng
chil
drenwhi leshewasal one.Butnow, she
wasn’talone, shewashear tbrokenbutshe
wasn’talone…
Hepassedbyt hediningar ealooki ngatt he
threeplat esandt hreegl asseshef iguredthey
atebef oregoi ngtosl eep.Theyl efttheirpl
ates
ont hedi ningandt heki tchenwasamess.He
shookhi sheadknowi ngshewast ir
edt oleave
herkitchendi rtyaftercooki ng…Hehadt hefood
thattheywer eeat i
ng, Thembel ihlealway shad
foodlef tont hepot sshewast oldbyhermot her
whenshewasy oungt hatsheshoul dal ways
l
eav efoodont hepots…Het henl efttheplate
ont hesi nkwhenhewasdoneandhewentt o
hisroom.
Thet hreeofthem wer esleepingpeacef ul
lyon
theirbed.Thelightswer estil
lonDalisustood
byhi ssideofthebedhel ookedatthet hreeof
them.Hesi ghed, t
hiswasn’ thowhewant ed
thi
ngst oturnout.Hewassupposedt obook
Preciousintoahot elandgot ot hebeachhouse,
therewasnoneedf orhimt otakehert ohis
wife’shouse.Now, her eali
sedwhathewas
supposedtodo…Hetookoffhiscl
othesand
wenttothebathr
oom…Hepl acedhi
skneeon
thebedandplacedhi
shandsunderneat
h
Mnotho.
“Whatar ey oudoi
ng? ”Thembeli
hleasked
Dalisu,shewasn’tsleepi
ngshe’dheardhim
enterthebedr oom andshepretendedthatshe
wassl eeping.Aft
ertheboysfellasl
eepshe
couldn’tsl
eep.Shehadherey esopenedand
hermi ndwasmi l
esawayunt i
lhisret
urn…
Dal
i
su:“It
houghtyouwer
easl
eep.
”hel
i
fted
Mnothoofft
hebed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Leavemysonwher
ehewas.
”
Shetol
dhim abrupt
ly.
Dal
i
su:
“What
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
He’ssl
eepi
ngwi
thmeandso
don’
ttakehim away.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ishoul
dn’
tsl
eepher
enow?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow,
don’
tyouhav
eabed
elsewher e?Imeanwhenev eryouleav
eust o
runy ourerrandsMnothoandMl amulishar
ea
bedwi t
hme, Iam notsur
ei fi
t’
salwayserr
ands
ory ourwomen.Youar enotev enashamedy ou
taket hem inmyhouse.”
Dali
su:“
It
’snotl
iket
hatThembeli
hle,
whenI
l
eavehereIleav
etodowhatIam supposedto
do.Ther
e’snowomenIentert
aini
nanyway .
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Leav
emysonal
one.
”
Dali
su:“Thembel
ihl
eIcanexplai
nwhat
happenedbecausewhaty ousawisnotwhat
youthi
nk.Ifyoucanli
stentome,pl
ease.
”
Shecl osedherey esandi gnoredhim
compl etel
y.Dali
sul ef
tthel i
ghtsonknowing
thattheboy swoul dcryiftheywakeupi nsidea
darkroom.Hesl eptnexttoMnot hoandclosed
hiseyest hi
nki
ngt hiswaswher ehisbeauti
ful
mar r
iagegetsbroken, somet hinghenever
plannedondoi ng…
“Mnotho,goandtellyourfat
hert
hatbreakf
ast
i
sready.”Thembeli
hletoldMnothostandi
ng
behi
ndt hecouchthattheywereseat
edon.
Mnotho:“Dadisr
eady?
”helookedbackathis
motherandtheygotof
fthecouchmakingthei
r
waytoher.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ilefthi
m get
ti
ngdr
essedi
nhi
s
room sogethi
m becauseyouknowwecan’
t
begi
neatingwithouthi
m.”
Mlamul
i
:“Let’
sgo.”Theyl
eftt
hei
rmotherand
rant
oherbedroom…Theyknockedonthe
bedr
oom door.
Dal
i
su:
“Comei
n!”
“BABA!”Theybot
hscreamedhi sname.He
chuckl
edinsi
dethebedroom andmar chedt
o
thedoor.Heopenedt
hedoorf orthem.
Dali
su:“
Whydidn’tyouopenthedoor
your
selv
es?”heteasedthem andl
if
tedt
hem of
f
t
hef l
oor.
Mnot
ho:
“Wear
eshor
tbaba,
youknow.
”
Dali
su:“
Whyareyoushortbecauseyourf
ather
i
stall
?”hepl
acedthem onthebedandwor ehi
s
shoes.
Mlamuli
:“Mamai
sshor
t,t
hat
’swhywear
e
shor
t.
”
Hechuckledandgotup.“Whatdowantf
rom
yourfat
her?”heaskedt
akinghi
sheadbr
ushhe
brushedhishead.
Mnotho:“Mamasaidweshoul
dtel
lyout
hat
br
eakfasti
sready
.”
“Okay,
let’
sgo.”Hesaidandplacedt
hebr
ush
awayhecar r
iedthem onhisar
msandmarched
tothedini
ngroom withthem…
Thembel i
hlewasseateddownwai ti
ngforthem.
Dalisuputtheboy
sdownandhesatdown.He
thenblessedthef
oodandt heybeganeating…
Theboy swerehavingaconversati
onwiththei
r
fatherandThembelihl
ewasquiet.Dali
sukept
steali
ngst aresatherandhewouldaskforher
opinionsintheirconver
sati
onsbutThembeli
hle
woul dgiveshortanswers.Thatwentonunti
l
theywer edoneeat i
ng…Theboy slef
tthehouse
afterbreakfast…
“Cany ouleavethedi shesandhel pme? ”Dali
su
requestedholdingThembel ihl
e’shand.Sheleft
thedishesandf ollowedhimt ot hei
rbedroom…
Dali
susatdownandThembel ihletookhis
cuffl
i
nksshef inishedupdr essinghim.Hewas
l
ookingatherhopi ngthatshewoul dsay
somet hi
ngaboutwhathappenedhewashopi ng
thathewoul daskt hequestionsbutshedi dn’
t.
Dali
su:“Thembel
ihl
ecanwespeakaboutwhat
happenedlastni
ght
.”
Thembelihl
e:“Ithinkyoushouldwearthel
ight
bl
uet i
etodayIdon’ tl
iket
hisone.”Shesai
dand
walkedawayf rom him makingherwaytothe
cl
oset.Shelookedar oundfortheti
eontheir
drawersheheldt hedrawerandclosedhereyes.
Shewentbackt
ohi
m andshehel
pedhi
m wi
th
thet
ie.
Shesmi l
ed.“
Nowy oul
ookgoodandso, you
cango.”Shesaidturni
ngtogethissui tj
acket
andhisbagwhenshet ur
nedDalisuwasonhi s
feetl
ookingather
.Hedi dn’
tunderstandwhy
shewasact i
ngli
keshewas.Whatwasonher
mind?“Here,t
ake.
”Shegav ehim histhingsand
Dali
sutookthem.
Dali
su:“Thankyou.”hebentdownandki
ssher
for
ehead.“Canwet alkwhenIcomeback?”he
askedlookingather.
Thembeli
hle:
“Tal
kaboutwhat
?”sheopened
thedoorandDali
suf
oll
owedher.
Dal
i
su:
“Aboutwhathappenedl
astni
ght
.”
Thembelihl
e:“
HaveagooddayNdabezi
tha.
”
Sheignoredhi
m ast
heywerel
eavi
ngthehouse.
Dali
susighed.
Dal
i
su:
“Cany
oust
opi
gnor
ingme?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam t
alki
ngt
oyouwhatar
eyou
tal
ki
ngabout?
”
Dali
sut auntedhisjawheknewhewaswr ong
butdidn’tdeservethetreatmentshewasgi v
ing
hi
m.Hedi dn’
tdeserv
ei t.Theyneededtot al
k
andgetov ert
heissuet hatwasathandbut
Thembel ihlewasmaki ngt hi
ngsdif
ficul
tfor
hi
m.
Dali
su:“Weneedt otal
kaboutwhathappened
l
astnight.
”Herepeatedhimselfaf
teropeni
ng
thebackdoorofhiscarhewasl ooki
ngather
butThembeli
hlewaswal kingaway…Hecl i
cked
hist
ongueandst eppedinsidet
hecar…

“So,t
ellmewhat ’
sbotheri
ngy ounkosikazi
kamfowethu,”Dal
isuledCynthiaint
ot he
conversat
ionshewant edt
ospeakt ohim about
,
theywereseatedinsi
dehisofficeintheroyal
house.Theyhavebeenser vedteaandbi scui
ts.
Cy
nthi
a:“
Idon’
tknowwher
etost
artMageba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“St
arti
nthebegi
nni
ng.
”
Cynthi
a:“Sgwi l
iandIconsult
edatradit
ional
seertofindoutwhatwashi nderi
ngusf rom
gett
ingachi ld.”shebeganandDal i
sunodded
hisheadl eaningbackont hecouch.“Theseer
tol
dust hathemustf i
ndhischi
l
dandwel lhe
hasfoundt hechi l
d.Sheal
sotol
dust hathe
needstoapol ogisetoyouforwhathehadt ri
ed
todotoy ou.”sheadded.
Dali
su:“
Apol
ogi
setome,whati
sitt
hathehas
donetome,MaNgcobo?
”
Cynt
hia:
“Sgwi
l
ihi
redNt
ombi
tobecl
oset
o
you.
”
Helookedatherwithi
nter
estanddrewhi
s
shoul
dersforwar
d.“Hedidwhat?Andhow?”he
askedputt
ingthecuponthetabl
e.
Cynthi
a:“Ntombiwassupposedtodateyouand
kil
lyou,
thatwaySgwiliwasgoi
ngtotakethe
thr
one.Ireall
ydon’
tknowwhathappened
becauseNt ombiwastheonewhotoldmet hi
s,
shet
houghtt
hatIknewandso,shedi
dn’
ttel
l
meallt
hedet
ail
sNdabezi
tha.
”
Dali
su:“
Yourhusbanddi
dn’
ttel
lyouabout
t
his?”
Cynthia:“
No, her efusedtot el
lmeandhesai d
hewi l
lnotapol ogisetoy ou.Hesaidthathewi l
l
ratherchosehisdi gnityandhismot her’
sdigni
ty
thantoapologiseandgi vemeachi ld.They
bothdon’tcareaboutmyf eeli
ngsalltheycare
aboutistheirreput at
ion.”
Dalisusighed.Hewasangr ybuthedidn’
twant
Cynt hi
atoseet hathewasangr ynowhedidn’
t
needt oshowherhi sanger
.Heneededto
protectherinstead.She’
ddonehim ahuge
favourbyt el
li
nghi mthattr
uth.
Dal
isu:
“Thankyoufortel
li
ngmethisandIwil
l
makesurethatIdon’
trev
ealt
hatyouarethe
onewhotoldme.”
Cynt
hia:
“No,
Iwantt
hem t
oknowt
hatIt
old
you.
”
Dal
isu:“
Oh,”hepl
acedhischi
nonhisf
istand
l
ookedather.“Whatar
eyouupto,
MaNgcobo? ”
heasked.
Cynthi
asmil
edandlookeddown.“Iam upto
nothi
ngNdabezit
ha,Ij
ustwantachil
d.That
’s
al
l.
”Sheli
edstrai
ghttohisf
ace.
Dal
i
sunoddedbuthewasn’
tconv
inced…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE05

Whenshel eftherhusbandbabbl i
ngalone,
Thembelihl
ef ollowedt hesoundsofthel it
tl
e
l
aughterthatshewashear i
ng.Shewal ked
behi
ndherhouseandasshewasatt hebackof
thehouseshesawhersonsj umpingupand
downonhergr ass.Thegar denerhadjust
openedthewat erandt heautomaticsprinkl
er
waswat eri
ngt hegr ass.Theboyswer ejumpi ng
onthewater.Thembeli
hlesighedandfol
ded
herarmsbeforechestshelookedatthem
sensel
essl
yplayingonthewat er
.
“Oh!Nkosi,Iam sorryNdlovukazi,
theytol
dme
thattheywantjuiceIdidn’
tknowt hatthey’
re
tri
cki
ngmet oplayinthewat er
.”Pinky
apologisedputt
ingtheglassesoft hejui
ce
down.Shet ri
edt oruntotheboy s.
Thembelihl
e:“
No!No!j
ustl
etthem pl
ayPinky
.
JustgetmeachairIwi
llsi
thereandwatch
overthem.”
Pinky
:“ Butndlovukazi
theywil
lcat
chthecol
d
andespeci al
ly
, Mlamuli
.Youknowthatheget
s
si
ckfirst.
”
Thembelihle:“Justletthem hav
ef un,pl
ease.”
Pinkynoddedandl efther…Shesmi ledl
ooking
athowhappyt heywer e,theywereholdingeach
other’
shandj umpi ngupanddownwhi l
ethey
sangandl aughed…
Pi
nky
:“Her
e’sy
ourchai
r.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Thankyou.”shesatdownand
l
ookedathersonsplay.Pinkyaskedtogoand
dowhatsheneededtodoi nsi
dethehouse…
Theboy ssawthattheirmotherwasl
ooki
ngat
them andnow,theydidn’
tknowwhethert
ostop
play
ingorgotoher.
Mnot
ho:
“Whatshoul
dwedo?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Shedoesn’
tlookangr
ymf
ethu.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Wewi
l
lbei
ntr
oubl
e,now?
”
Mlamul
i
:“No,dadi
snothomeandmom won’t
scol
dusforpl
ayi
ng.Let
’sgoandaskhert
opl
ay
wit
hus.
”
Mnot
ho:“Shewon’
tagr
eet
opl
ayi
nthewat
er
wi
thus.
”
“Let’
str
y,come!”heexcl
aimedhol
dinghi
shand
andtheywalkeduptotheirmot
her
…Theystood
beforeher
…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
sitnow?
”
Mnot
ho:“
Cany
oucomeandpl
aywi
thus,
mama?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
e,i
nthewat
er?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes,
let
’spl
ayi
nthewat
er.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
No,
Ican’
tpl
ayi
nthewat
erIam
thequeen.”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
buty
ouar
eourmot
her
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Pl
ease,
MaSt
hol
e!”
Thembelihl
esmiled.“
Okay,let
’sgo.”Shesai
d
andstoodupf r
om thechair
.Shewal kedwit
h
them t
othegrass.“Whatarewepl ayi
ng?”She
askedandfli
nchedast hecoldwatermether
clot
hes.Theboyslaughed.
Mnot
ho:“
Touchandr
un.Mom shoul
dst
art
r
unni
ngaft
erus.
”
Thembel
i
hleandMl
amul
i
:“Okay
!”
Thembeli
hlepl
acedherhandsonhereyesand
begancounti
ngwhenshereachedtent
heboys
wer efarf
rom her.Shethenlaughedandr an
aftert
hem wit
ht hewat erspl
ashingall over
them.Sheenjoyedev erymomentofr unning
aroundandlaughingwi thherchi
ldren.Itwas
thebesttimeofherl i
feandshecoul dn’t
i
magi neanybetterthi
ngt odothant his..
.
Shet hensatdownont hegrassasshewas
defeatedthatshewasn’tr
eachinganyoft
hem.
Theboy slaughedandtheyrantothei
rmother
.
Theysatnextt oheronthegrass.
Mlamul
i
:“Youl
ostmamay
oudi
dn’
tcat
chusat
al
l
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yes,
that’
sbecauseyouareli
tt
le
rat
s.”Shelaughedandheldthem bothcl
oserto
her.“Butnowlook,Iam wet
.”Shelookedat
herself
.
Mnotho:
“Wear ewettoo,mama,don’tcompl
ain.
Thebabyisnotcomplaini
ng.
”Heheldher
tummyandThembelihlesmil
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,okay
,Iam sor
ry.NowI
suggestt
hatwegobef
oret
heGar
dnerf
indsus
here.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Hewon’
tdoany
thi
ngt
ousmot
her
.”
Thembel
ihle:“
Butwehavej
ustdisr
espect
edhis
workbysteppingoni
tli
ket
his.I
t’
snotri
ght.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Wedi
dn’
trui
nthegr
ass.
”
Mnot ho:“Andwewi llbuyanewonei fhe
compl ai
ns, r
ightMl amul i
?”helookedatMl amuli
mov i
nghi sfacef orwardastheirmother’s
tummywasabr idgebet ween,theycouldn’
tsee
eachot her.Ml amul inoddedlookingathim.
Thembel ihl
el ookedatMnot hoandsheknew
thathegott hatt alkfrom Dali
su.
Thembeli
hle:
“Justbecauseyourf
atherhas
moneyitdoesn’
tmeany oucanjustrui
nt hi
ngs
asyouwishknowingthathe’
llr
eplacethatthi
ng
easi
ly
.Thatisnotri
ghtMnothonaweMl amuli
,
ni
yezwa?”
Boy
s:“
Yebo.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ButIam notsayi
ngyoushoul
dn’
t
pl
ayinyourhome,playbutdon’
trui
nthi
ngs.
Okay?
”
Boy
s:“
Yes,
mom.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Now,mommyandhi spri
nces
shouldgohav eawarm bathbecausei
fwe
don’t
,wewi l
lcatcht
hecoldandy ourf
atherwi
l
l
beveryfuri
ousifwearesickbecauseof
play
ing.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
yes,
hedoesn’
tunder
stand.
”
“Hedoesn’
tunderstandatal
l mfethu!”Mlamuli
complai
nedafterhi
m andtheygotof fthegr
ass.
Thembeli
hlewaslaughingattheirstatements
asshewast r
yingtogetoffthegrass…
Shesighedlookingatthem sl
eepi
ngontheir
beds.Theywer eti
redandshewast i
redbutshe
knewthatgoingt obedwouldmakeherthink
aboutever
y t
hingthathadhappenedthe
prev
iousnight.
“Ican’tbel
i
evey ourfatherisdoingthistome, ”
shesai dsi
tti
ngdownont heboys’couch.“But
whatdi dIthi
nk?He’sf ait
hfultome?Hel eaves
mef orweeksandal l t
hoseweekshemeet s
diff
erentpeopleallt
het ime.He’dprobablyslept
withanumberofwomen.It r
ustedhim Itrusted
him andhe…he…”herv oi
cebrokeof fasshe
cri
ed...
“Queen!
”Nozibusi
soknockedonceandopened
thedoor.Thembel
ihledroppedherheadqui
ckl
y
andwipedhertear
s.“ What’
swrong?”she
marchedtoherquicklyandsatonherfeet
.
Thembel i
hle:“
Hey ,
youarehere?
”Shehidher
painwithasmi le.“
Look,l
et’
sgotothelongue
theboysar esleepi
nghere.
”Shegotup.
Nozibusisolookedatherandwonderedwhat
waswr ong.
“
Whendi
dyouarr
ive?
”sheaskedwal
ki
ngoutof
t
her
oom wi
thher
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ij
ustgother
efr
om Dur
banI
want
edt
osur
pri
sey
ou.
”
Thembelihle:“
Oh,meory ourfi
ancé?
”shegave
herthemi schi
evoussmile.Nozi
busi
sogi
ggled
andlookeddownast heysatdownonthe
couch.
Nozi
busiso:“
HowcanImi sshi
m becausewe
cal
leachotheral
lthet
imes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,Iseebutcal
l
ingdoesnot
comparetoseei
nghi m.
”
Nozibusi
so: “
Tellme,”shel
ookedar
ound
whisperi
ng.“ther
ear enowomencomingov
er
t
ov isi
thim here,
right?
”
Thembeli
hlelaughed.“
No, Dal
isuf
orbadethat
theybr
ingtheirwomeni nt
omypal ace.I
t’
snot
l
ikeint
hehouse. ”Shereli
evedher
.
Nozi
busi
sosighed.“That
’sbet
tery
oucannev
er
t
rustmen,phel
a.”Shesaid.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yeahyoucan’
t,
”sheagr
eed
knowi
ngexact
lywhatshewastal
ki
ngabout
.
“
So,
wher
e’sGwabi
ni?
”sheasked.
Nozibusiso:“Hewant edtogotoher
grandmot herfi
rstandhisuncl
ewi l
lbri
nghi
m
herelater.Wewi l
lthengotoRichardsbaywhen
hi
sf athergetshere.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,It
houghty
ou’
l
lbesl
eepi
ng
here.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iwoul
dlovetobutIcan’
t.Iwi
l
lbe
her
eallt
het
imethough.Iam onl
eaveatwork.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay
,that
’salovel
ythi
ngIhave
missedyou,sil
lywoman.”Shepushedheroff
andtheylaughed.MaSbiyaser
vedthem f
ood.
Nozibusi
so:
“Nowt
ell
me,
whywer
eyou
cr
ying?”
Dalisuappearedfr
om t hef
rontdoorhall
way
enteri
ngthelounge,hewashomeear ly
becauseheneededt ospeaktoThembel i
hle…
Shesawt hatsomet hingwasn’
trightwit
hhi m.
Hewasangr yshenoticedbuthiseyesrel
axed
whent
heymether
s,Thembel
i
hler
emov
edher
ey
esfr
om hi
s.
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
MamauZungusy
ani
bona.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yebo,
ndabezi
thani
njani
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Sy
aphi
l
ani
njani
nina?
”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Wearef
ine,
king.Ij
ustcamebyt
o
seet
hequeen.”
Dali
su: “
That’
sgoodandIam surey our
husbandwi l
lbehappytoseeyou.”Nozi busi
so
smiledandlookeddown.“AndIthinky oucan
goseehi m becauseIwantt
otal
kt oy our
fr
iend.”Heinfor
medher.
Nozibusi
so:
“Yebo,
ndabezi
tha.Iwi
l
lgo.
”She
gotupandleftt
heroom.
Dali
sul
ookeddownathiswife,
shegotupand
fol
l
owedhimtothei
rroom ashewaswalki
ng
away…
Theywereseat
edonthecouchinthei
rroom
andThembeli
hlehadherey
eslooki
ngdown
wai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtospeak.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
etheboy
s?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“They
’resl
eepi
ng.
”
Dali
su:“Okay,Iwaswi thCynthiai
nt her
oyal
house.
”Thembel i
hlerai
sedherheadandl ooked
athim.Dali
sut ol
dherev ery
thingthatCynt
hia
tol
dhim.Hel ookedatherandThembel i
hlekept
qui
et.“Thembel i
hle?”hecal
ledher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah?
”
Dal
isu:
“ Iam speaki
ngt
oyouandwhyar
eyou
j
ustquiet?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam notqui
et.
”
Hesi ghedandgotuptositnexttoher
.Heheld
herhand.“Iam sor
ry,MaSthol
e.Idi
dn’tmeant
o
hurtyouImadeami st
akeThembelihl
eandI
don’tknowhowt o…”hewascutshor t
.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ithi
nkthatyouneedtogoto
mamaandt el
lherwhathappenedwit
hCynthi
a.
Thenyou’
llsummonSgwi li
,hi
smotherandhis
babymama.Youneedt otalkt othem aboutthis.
Iwon’ttel
l youtof or
giv
ehi m orwhat ,butthat’
s
upt oyou.Youshoul dmakei tcleart
ot hem that
theymustnotev entrythei
rst untstohurtyou
becauset here’
llbethefir
stpeopl etobe
suspects.Mysonsneedaf atherIcan’trai
se
threeboysal one.”
Dali
su:“
Whatabouty
ou,asmywi f
e?Youdon’t
needme?Isti
ll
needyouandIknowthatyou
areangr
ywit
hmebutIloveyou,Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembelihl
e:“I
fyou’
llwantmet obewithyou
wheny ouspeaktothem Idon’tmindIcan
come.”Dali
sunoddedseeingt hatshedi
dn’
t
wanttospeakaboutwhathappened.“ You’
ve
hadyourlunch?”sheaskedstandingup.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Ihav
en’
t.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay
,Iwil
l goandprepar
elunch
foryou.
”shelefthi
minsidetheroom andwhen
she’
dclosedthedoor.Shesighedstampingher
handsont hedoorsheclosedhereyessayi
nga
shor tprayert hatGodkeepshim safe.She
beggedhi mr emi ndi
ngGodt hatshegrewup
withoutaf at hershedidn’
twantt hesamething
forherboy s.Shewant edthem togrowinto
men, st
rongmenwhowoul d’
vebeenr ai
sedby
theirfather…
-
--
--
-
“Cynthi
awhat’
sthis?
”Sgwi l
iasked.Cy
nthi
awas
alr
eadyseatedontheirbedreadi
ngabook.
Sgwiliwasonhispyj
amashesatnextt o
Cynthiaandgavehertheplaneti
ckett
hathe’
d
foundonherpursewhenhewasl ooki
ngfornai
l
cli
pper.
Cynthi
a:“Wher
edidyougett
hist
icket
?”she
askedreadi
ngitandpl
acedi
tonherbook.She
l
ookedathim.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Ifoundtheti
cketinsi
dey
ourbagwhenI
wasl
ookingfornai
lcl
ipper.
”
Cynt
hia:“Theti
cketisminemybossgaveme
thet
icketforaj
obt hat
’staki
ngmetoAust
ral
i
a.
Ihaven’
tagr
eedtoitbecauseIneededt
ospeak
toyouabouti
t,f
ir
st.
”Shet ol
dhim.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Oh,
forhowl
ongwi
l
lyoubegoi
ng?
”
Cynt
hia:“Iwil
lbegoi
ngforthr
eeweeksy
ousee
Iwasn’tsurei
fyou’
ll
approv
eofthi
ssoIjust
-”
Sgwi
li
:“No,
thisi
sagoodopport
uni
tyf
ory
ou
andIt
hinkyoushoul
dtakei
t.
”
Cy nthialookedathi m surpri
sedt hathewas
actual l
yagr eeingtoit.Shelookedi ntohisey es
andsawt hatitwasgui lt
!Hewasl etti
nghergo
becausehewasf eel
inggui l
ty.
..Shesmi l
ed
delightedlyasshehuggedhi m hersmi l
e
disappear ed, herf
acewasn’ tbef orehi m now
andsoshedi dn’tneedt osmi l
ef ornor eason…
Shewasgoi ngt orel
ievehim oft hegui l
tthathe
wasf eel
ingnow.She’ dtoldDalisut het ruthand
nowshewant edtositbackandwai tforthe
messengerwhowasgoi ngtosummont hem to
ther oyalhouse…Sgwi l
iandhisi nsensi ti
ve
mot herwoul dbesensi ti
veoncet heywer e
exposed.Cy nthi
asuspect edthatDal i
suwasn’ t
goingt ogiv ethem ahar shverdicthe’
dseenhi s
faceshedi dn’
tseet heangert hatsheexpect ed.
Thatmadeherwi sht hatifi
twasThembel i
hle
they’vewant edt okillbecausef orsureifitwas
Thembel i
hlehewasgoi ngtobant hem fr
om t he
vil
lage.Itwoul dhav ebeenf untoseeMaKhoza
l
eav ingherbi gbeaut i
fulpal
ace.Butnowshe
woul dn’tseethat, shet houghtandgav eher
husbandt hesmi leasshewasbackonher
position.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Cynt
hia:
“Il
ovey out
oo,
Sthuli
si kaNdaba.
”She
smil
edandkissedhi
m…Sgwi l
i heldherwaist
andputheronhim.Hebroketheki ss.
Sgwil
i
: “
Doest hi
smeany ouunder
standandwe
canputDalisu’
sissuei
nthepast?
”heasked
unf
asteningherpyjamatop.
Cynthi
a:“
Yes,wecandothat
.Idon’
twantmy
husband’
sdigni
tyt
oberui
ned.Yourhonouri
s
i
mpor
tantt
omeandBr
iani
sli
kemysont
oo.
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Thanky
ouf
orunder
standi
ng.
”
Cynthi
a:“Yes,nowcanyoukissme?”sheasked
seduct
ivelyandSgwil
ichuckl
edhol
dingher
cheekhegav eherwhatsheyear
nedfor…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE06

Thembel i
hlehaddirectedMakhosi topossible
cli
entswhowoul dbeinterestedintodoinga
businesswithher.She’dgivenhermoneyand
Makhosi hadboughtal lthecleaningequipment
thatsheneeded.Thembel i
hlesuggest edthat
sheusest het wohutstokeepherequi pment
andshedi dthat.Theot herhuthadasmal l
deskandchai rwheresheputal ltheimportant
document sregardi
nghercl eaningcompany …
Shewasseat edunderthet reelookingather
sonsplayingfootball
.Shewashopi ngthatsoon
shewoul dgetar esponsefrom t
hepeopl eshe’
d
approached.Shehadnof oodinthehouseand
shewasst r
essedshewasgoi ngt ocookt he
samecabbaget hatshe’dcooktheprevious
night
.Herchi l
drenweregoingtocompl ain…It
wasalmostt heendofMar ch.
“SISI
!”Ntut
hukoandPhi lasandescreamedand
rantoAlwandewhowal kedt hr
oughthegat
e
withtwoSPARpl asti
cbagsandoneMRPRI CE
bigplast
icbag.Makhosi stoodupimmediatel
y
seeingherdaughterwit
ht hosebags.She’
dleft
thehousegoingtoherfr i
end.
Alwande:“Hey,guystakethi
sandgoputi ti
n
thekit
chen.”Shegavet hem t
heretai
lshop
plast
icbag.Theboy stookthem andAlwande
l
ookedathermot her
.
Makhosi:“What
’sgoi
ngonAlwandewheredi
d
yougetthemoneytobuytheset
hings?
”she
askedholdi
ngherwri
st.
Al
wande:
“Mama,
Icanexpl
ain.
”
Makhosi:“
Yes, youwill
!”shedraggedherinsi
de
thehouseandmadeherwayt otheirbedr
oom…
Makhosiclosedt hedoorbehindherandlooked
atherdaughter.“Expl
ainitt
ome, didyougoto
yourfat
her?”sheasked.
Alwandesatonthebedandputt hepl
ast
icand
herhandbagdown.Shelookedathermother
whowasst andi
ngbefor
eher .“
No,Idi
dn’
tgoto
dad.Dadli
veswithhi
snewf amilynowhowcan
Igotohim?”sherepl
i
edandl ookeddown.
Makhosisi
ghed.“Whendi
dyoul
ear
nabout
t
hat?”Makhosiasked.
Alwande:“
Kidstal
katschoolaboutme,
they
saythatmyfatherdeser
tedus.
”
Makhosi
:“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meaboutt
his?
”
Alwande:
“ Idi
dn’
twanttohur
tyou,mama
becausetheyspeakbadl
yaboutyou.AndIhat
e
myf at
her
.”
Shesatnextt oherandheldherhand.“
Iam
sorrythaty
ouhav etohearal
lthosethi
ngs.I
didn’
tmeant obr
eakyourhomeguy sIknow
thatit
’smyf aul
t.
”Shehuggedher.
Alwande:
“No,mom,
dadt
hrewy
ououtsoi
t’
s
notyourf
aul
t.
”
Makhosi
:“Doy
ouhav
ear
ichboy
fri
end?
”
“NO!”Sheexclaimedandmov edawayfrom her
mother.Shethent ookherhandbagandgave
hermotherabr ownphar macypaperbag.“I
boughtheadachepi l
lsforyoumom.”Shegav e
herthebagMakhosi tooki
t.She’
dbeenhaving
aheadachef orthepastfewweeks.Itwasn’
t
severebutshekeptcompl aini
ngabouti
t.
Makhosi
:“Now,t
ellmewheredi
dyougett
he
money!
”sheshoutednow.
Alwandegavehert
heNedbankbankcard.The
cardbel
ongedtoMakhosi
.“Iusedy
ourcard,do
yourememberyouusedtogivemethi
scardt o
useitwhenpayi
ngfory
ouraccount
sthose
t
imeswhendadwoul dbeawayf r
om homef or
alongti
mebecauseofwor k.
”Sheexpl
ained,
Makhosisil
ent
lycor
rectedt
hati
twasnev er
workbutitwasMaMt hembuandherbaby .
Makhosi:“
Yes,IrememberbutIhavealmosta
yearnotusi
ngthiscardandIevenchangedthe
phonenumbert hatIhav
eregi
ster
edit,wi
th.I
t
hasnomoney .
”
Alwande: “No,mom t hecardhasmoney .It
ook
i
tthinkingthatmay bey ou’
resav
ingthemoney
youdon’ twanttobuyf ood.Youaresavi
ngt he
moneyf orus.Iwantedt ot
ryandseehowmuch
havey ousav ed.Idi
dn’tknowthatyou’
reno
l
ongerusi ngit.
”
Makhosi :“
No,Ihaveanewaccountandt hat
’s
FNB.Thi saccounthadaboutR100Iam not
usingitanddon’tli
etomeAl wande,
wheredid
yougett hi
smoneyIwi l
lwhipyouifyou’
re
l
ying.”
Shest
oodupi
mmedi
atel
y.“
No!Iam notl
yi
ng
mama,
lookatt
heATM sl
i
p.”Shesaidl
ooki
ng
f
ort
hesli
pshegav
eitt
ohermot her
.
Makhosi t
ookitandr
eadtheavai
l
abl
ebalance
i
twas: R11220,50st
ati
ngthatAl
wandehad
wi
thdrawnR1200.
Makhosi
:“Butwher
e’st
hismoneycomi
ng
f
rom?”
Al
wande:
“Youdon’
tknow?
”
Makhosisatdownnexttoherandshookher
head.“
Andlook,t
hissl
ipst
atesthatther
ewasa
deposi
tofR2500madeont he25thofMarch.
”
Makhosisai
dshowingherdaughter.
Alwande:
“Doyout
hinkt
hatdadi
sgi
vi
ngy
ou
themoney?”
Makhosi
:“Idon’
tknowIwi
llhav
etogotothe
bankonMondayandgetthebankst
atement
.”
Al
wande:
“No!l
et’
swi
thdr
awt
hemoneymama.
”
Makhosi
:“Cal
m down,baby
.”Shesighedtr
ying
t
othinkbuthermindwasblank.“
Whatdidyou
buy
?”sheaskedl
ooki
ngather
.
Alwandesmil
ed:“
Iboughtcl
othesf
ormeand
mybr ot
her
sandIboughtfoodtocookIsaw
thatwesti
l
lhaveri
ceandmeat .
”
Makhosishookherheadandsmi led,
shepul l
ed
herdaught
erforahug.“Wel
l,t
hanky ouf or
sneaki
ngint
omybagandIam gl adyoudi dn’
t
takemybusinesscar
d.”Shesaidlookingather.
Alwande: “
Iam agoodgi rl
.”Shesmi l
edknowing
thatshe’dtakent hebusinesscardjustforback
upt hati
ftheNedbankcar dhadnomoneyshe
wasgoi ngtouset hebusinesscard.Shedidn’
t
evenknowt hatthebusinesscardhadt he
diff
erentpinfrom theNedbankcar d…She
want edtomakesur ethatshereturnsthe
businesscar dbeforehermot herseesthe
card…
-
--
--
-
Thembeli
hleandNozibusi
sowerewalking
aroundThembeli
hle’
sconstr
uct
ionsi
te.She
wast heretocheckont heprogressoft
he
wor kers.Herphonerangwhiletheywer
est i
l
l
discussinghowev er
ythingwasgoingtobe.She
tookt hephoneoutandanswer edthecall
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Makhosi
?”
Makhosi
:“Yebo,
ndlunkuluIt
houghtyou’l
lbe
homeIam heretoseey ouaboutsomething.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,Iam nothomebutIwi llbe
comingbacksoondon’ tl
eavejustwaitf
orme
becauseIwon’tbeabletoseey outomorrowor
anydaysoon.Cany oudot hat
?”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembelihl
e: “
Thanky ou.”shethenhungupthe
cal
l.“Mnothokhandal ayihl
ozokusakaza
ngempamaawuy ekeomuny e!”Sheshout
edat
Mnot ho,
hewasbusybot her
ingMlamuli
.The
boyswer ejustbefor
et hem theywerewit
h
Nozibusi
so’sson.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Hhay
boThembel
i
hledon’
tsay
t
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youdon’tknowhowmuchhe
l
ikestotr
oublehim.”t
heywalkeduptot heboy
s
andtheyallst
opped,f
acingt
heirdi
rect
ion.
Mnot
ho:
“He’
stheonewhost
art
edi
tmama.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hest
art
edwhat
?”
Mlamuli
:“Idi
dn’
tstartany
thi
ngmamahe’sthe
onewhokeptpinchingmyears.
”Heexpl
ained
l
ookingathismom.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mnot
ho?
”
Mnotho:“
Hewast easi
ngmemamaandI
pi
nchedhim becauseItol
dhi
m Idon’
tli
kei
tbut
hekeptondoingit.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whywer
eyout
easi
nghi
m?”
Mlamuli
:“Hest
artedteasi
ngmeandwhenhe
sawthatIwasteasi
nghi mthemosthepi
nched
me.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Zot
hani
,whathappened?
”she
askedherson.
Zothani
:“Wewer eall
teasingeachot herand
Mlamulikeptteasi
ngMnot hountilhetoldhi
m
thathedidn’
tli
keit
.Het henpinchedhim
mama. ”
Thembel
ihl
esighed.“Idon’
tli
kethi
sf i
ght
ing
thaty
ouli
kedoing,youarebrother
sandy ou
shoul
dn’
tfi
ghtthi
smuch! ”sheshoutedatthem.
Boy
s:“
Sor
ry,
mama!
”
Thembeli
hlelookedatNozibusisoshesi ghed
andshookherhead.“Zothanialoneistrouble
andyouhav etodealwi
ththet wooft hem. ”she
commented.
Thembelihl
e:“Angi
thiphelangav
umaukuzal a.
”
Theylaughed.“MysisterwasinRichardsbay
vi
sit
ingmybr other
’stwins.
”Sheinformedher.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Oh,
real
l
y?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
andshekeptonaski
ng
quest
ionsaboutmepret
endi
ngthatshewas
concer
nnow.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Mxm!Butweal
lknowt
hatshe
i
sn’
t.
”
Thembelihl
e: “Tel
lmeaboutit.”Theyboth
cl
ickedtheirtongues,t
heboyst urnedbackand
l
ookedatt hem.“ Mindyourbusinessyouthr
ee.
”
Shesaidwi thasmi l
e.Theygiggled.
Nozibusi
so:“
Ithi
nkweshoul dgetgoingnow
becauseyouneedt oseeyourfr
iend.Ipr
omised
mymot heri
n-l
awt hatIwi
l
l comebackear l
y.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay
,letmegoandi
nfor
mthem
thatweareleavi
ngnow.”
ShenoddedandThembel
ihl
ewalkeduptot
he
constr
uctor
sshet
hentol
dthem shewas
l
eaving…
-
--
--
-
Dal
isuwaswal ki
ngar oundt
hecows’kraalin
hi
slivestockv
all
eys.Hewaswi t
hhismot her
andtheirguar
dswer ewalki
ngbehi
ndthem.Hi s
watchmenhadi nf or
medDal isuofev ery
t hing
thatwashappeni ngwiththelivest
ock.They ’
ve
beenwal ki
ngaroundf orabout15mi nuteshe
wast el
l
ingheraboutwhatCy nthiatoldhi m.
MaCebekhul ustoppedwal ki
ngshel ookedat
Dali
suwi thherhandsonhermout h.
MaCebekhulu:
“ Jehova!Ijustknewthat
MaKhozawant edt hethr
onef orhersonbutI
nev
erthoughttheycant rytokill
you.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwasshockedasy
ouar
emot
her
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youneedt
obant
hem f
rom
t
heselands.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ican’
tdot
hatmama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
!Whynot
?Theyt
ri
edt
oki
l
l
you.
”
Dal
isu:“
IknowbutIcan’
tchaset
hem awayt
hey
wil
lstay
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
ebei
ngsof
tnow,Dal
i
su.
Whati
sit,i
sthi
snewwomanmessi
ngupwith
y
ourmi
nd?
”
Dal
i
su: “
Hawu!No,
whywoul
dyout
hinkabout
t
hat?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Idon’
tknow,butt
her
emustbe
anexpl
anati
onbehi
ndthi
s.”
Dali
su:“I
fIbanMaKhozaIwi l
l bebanningthe
chil
drentoo,myfather’
sgrandchildrenandI
don’twantthat
.Theyshouldn’tsufferfort
hei
r
grandmother’
ssins.Theydeser v
et ogrowupin
thelandsofourforefat
her
s.”
MaCebekhulusighed.“You’
reri
ght,
especi
all
y
thechil
drenofherotherson.He’
stheonewith
twokidsandhe’snotev i
lli
kehi
smot her
.Ij
ust
can’tbel
i
evetheydon’twantCynthi
atohavea
chil
d.”
Dali
su: “
TalkingaboutCynthia,
ther
e’s
somet hi
ngt hatshe’
splanningItol
dherIwon’
t
tel
lthem shet ol
dmebutshesai dshewant
them toknow. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hhay
bo,
Dal
i
sudon’
tdot
hat
,
whati
ftheyki
ll
her?”
Dal
isu:
“Theywon’tki
l
lherbecauseitwoul
dbe
obvi
ousthati
t’
sthem i
ftheyeventr
ytoharm
her
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwonderwhatshe’
suptoandI
hopet
hatwouldbesomethi
ngthatwoul
dhurt
MaKhozasobad.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i,mamaawukwahl
e.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Uyanginy
anyi
saloyamf azi
and
whenIthi
nkaboutherIj
ustt
hinkaboutwhat
youar
eabouttodotomydaught eri
n-l
aw.”
Dal
isu:“
Eish,
mama.SheknowsaboutPr
eci
ous
now.”
“WHAT! ”Sheshout
edandDal i
suclosedhis
eyes.Shelookedar
oundandt henlookedback
atDali
su.“Howdidthathappen?”sheasked.
Dali
sutol
dherhowithappened.MaCebekhul
u
shookherheadasshewasdisappoi
ntedand
hur
tbyherson’
sdoi
ngs.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Wazewangi
phat
hakabi
Dal
i
su.
”
Dali
su:“
Ngiyaxoli
samama.Ijustneedtodo
ri
ghtbythi
schildtoo,
areal
mandoest hat.The
chi
ldismybloodmamaIcan’ tjustdeser
tthe
chi
ld.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
How’
sThembel
i
hle?
”
Dali
su:“
She’snotal
ri
ghtIj
ustdon’
tknow
what’
sgoingoninsi
dehermindbecauseshe
doesn’
tevenwanttotal
kaboutthi
s.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
You’
vehurtherwhywouldshe
t
alkaboutt
hepaint
hatyou’
vebroughti
ntoher
l
if
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
eapol
ogi
sedmama.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Justt
ellhert
hatyoudidn’
t
i
ntendtocheatonhertell
herwhatreal
ly
happenedDali
su.Youoweherthatmuch.”
Dal
i
su: “
Ican’
tdot
hat.Idon’
twantanydr
amai
n
mykingdom mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whydidy
outakePr
eci
ousint
o
yourwi
fe’
shousei
nthef
ir
stpl
aceDal
i
su?”
Dal
i
su:“
Ijustdi
dn’twanttobeseenbookinga
womanintoahotel.Youcanneverknowwho’s
wat
chi
ngbutnowIr eal
i
sethatIwaswrong.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Wher
e’sshel
i
vingnow?
”
Dal
isu:
“She’
ssti
ll
atInnandonthe1stofApr
ilI
wil
lgolookatt
hehouseshe’
ll
rentatRi
char
ds
bay.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whyar
eyout
aki
nghert
hat
f
ar?
”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
twanthernear
erandt
hatwoul
d
hel
pwithhersaf
ety
.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Thembel
i
hlecannev
erki
l
la
humanbeing.”
Dal
i
su:
“Idi
dn’
tsayshewoul
dmama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Wheny
ouar
emar
ri
edshe’
l
lli
ve
i
nRichar
dsbay?”
Dali
su:“
No, Iam st
il
l l
ooki
ngf
orasit
etobuil
da
houseforher.Iwil
lthi
nkofapal
acelat
ernot
thi
syear.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Thembel
i
hleknowsev
ery
thi
ng
abouthernow?”
Dali
su:“
No,Ihaven’
ttoldherever
ythi
ng
becauseshedoesn’twanttotal
kaboutthi
s,I
wil
lhavetotel
lhersoonandgetitoverand
donewith.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
ehappywi
thal
lthi
s,
Dal
i
su?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
mamabutIhav
etodoi
t.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ngazengay
izwel
aingane
yabant
u.”
Dal
isudi
dn’
tsayany
thi
nghedi
dn’
tev
enl
ookat
her
…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
S3,
EPI
SODE07
“What’
sgoingon?”ThembelihleaskedMakhosi
shewassitti
ngonherchairinsideherl
ounge.
Shetookherremoteandturnedt heTVon.
“Whyareyounotevenwatchi ngTV.”Sheasked
andlookedatMakhosi.
Makhosi:
“Iam juststressed.”Sher epl
i
edgiving
her,
thebankstat ement.Thembelihletookthe
bankstat
ementandl ookedatMakhosi .“Idon’t
knowwhatt othinkThembel i
hle,youarenott he
onewho’sbeensendi ngmet hatmoney ,r
ight?”
sheaskedlookingatherwi thworriedeyes.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,Ihav
en’
tbeenbutIt
hinkI
knowwhohasbeensendi
ngit.
”
Makhosi
:“Who?Pl
ease,
tel
lme.
”
Thembelihl
e:“LastyearJul
yItooky ourphoneI
stol
eNkosikhona’snumberandcal l
edhi m.I
waswor ri
edabouty outhatyou’
vegoingon
withthi
saffai
rfortoolongwithoutbeing
caught.
”
Makhosi
:“Thembel
i
hle!
”
Thembelihle:
“No!wait,
It hentol
dhimt o
convi
ncey outhatyoushoul dsavemoneyf or
yourchi
ldrenjustst
ealfrom yourhusbandif
youhavet oandhepr omisedmet hathe’l
ltal
k
toyou.”
Makhosi:“
Heliedt
oy oubecausehenev
er
spoketomeaboutthis,Thembel
ihl
eandthat
doesn’
texplai
nwherethismoneycomesfrom.”
Thembel i
hle:“
Ithi
nkhi m nott al
kingtoyou
aboutitexplai
nsthathe’dbeensendi ngR2500
i
nt oyouraccountmont hlyjustlikethebank
statementshowst hat.Look, all
t hedeposi
tsar
e
madeont he25th,thatmustbehi spayday.
”
Makhosi:“He’
sbeensendi ngmemoney ?Even
l
astmont hhesentitbutwher ei
she
Thembelihl
e?”shelookeddownandbegan
cry
ing.Thembelihl
estoodupandsatnextt o
her.“
Imisshim ThembelihleandIj
ustwishI
canknowwhat ’swrongwi thhi
m.”she
confi
ded.
Thembel
ihl
e:“It
hinky
oushoul
dtr
ycal
l
inghi
m
agai
n,Makhosi.
”
Makhosi
:“Ihavetr
iedwi
tht
hatdi
ff
erent
numberanditsendsmetovoi
cemail
.Ij
ust
don’
tknowwhatt odo.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Howaboutthi
supcomi ng
weekendy oubri
ngyourchil
drenhereandthen
gotoDurban.Youknowwher ehel i
vesin
Durban,
right?
”
Makhosi
:“Yes,Iknowbutwhati
fIfi
nd
somethi
ngthatwouldhurtmeevenmore.What
wil
lIdoThembelihl
e?”
Thembel i
hle:“Thenyou’l
lcomebackandt r
yto
mov eon.It’
sv erymuchbet t
ert
oknowwhat
happeningt hennotknowingatall
.”She
suggestedt aki
ngherringi
ngphonef r
om her
pocket.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yebo,
MaSt
hol
eIwant
edt
oinf
ormy
ou
thatIwon’
tbecomingbackhomet
oni
ghtIam
goingtoEmpangeninow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Uhm,
wher
ear
etheboy
s?”
Thembel i
hle:
“They’
reatmama’spal
acethey
saidtheywanttosleepther
etoni
ghtandsoI
droppedthem ther
eonmywaybackt ot
he
si
te.”
Dali
su:“
Hawu,Iwil
lcal
lmamaandtel
lhert
o
bri
ngthem t
oyou.Sothaty
ouwon’
tsl
eepalone
toni
ght.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
lett
hem bewi
thherIwi
l
lbe
fi
ne.
”
Dal
i
su:
“It
hinkIshoul
dcomebackt
hen.
”
Thembelihl
e:“No,Iam f
inejustgoanddowhat
you’l
lbedoingthere.
”Therewassi l
enceaf t
er
she’dsai
dthat.Sheremovedt hephonef rom
herearseei
ngt hathewasn’tspeaking.She
droppedthecall…Shesentherattenti
ont o
Makhosiandhephonerangagai
n.Shesi
ghed
andansweredt
hecall
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whydi
dyoudr
opt
hecal
l
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwerequi
etandso,
Ifi
gur
edI
shoul
ddr
opthecal
l.
”
Dali
su:
“Youdon’
twantmeneary
ou
Thembeli
hle?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Inev
ersai
dthat
.”
Dali
su:“No,youdon’
thavetosayitIcanseeby
youracti
ons.You’
vechangedtowardsmeandI
haveapologi
sedtoyoubutyouarepushingme
away.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
.”
Dal
i
su: “
Wear
emar
ri
edThembel
i
hle,
wear
est
il
l
marr
ied.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam nott
heonewhof
orgott
hat
buty
oudi
d.”
Dal
i
su:
“Idi
dn’
tfor
gett
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam wit
hmyfri
endher
eandy
ou
aredi
stur
bingmerightnow.
”
Dali
su:“So,Ishouldn’
tspeakt
oyoubecauseof
yourfr
iend,i
st hatwhatyouar
etr
yingt
otellme
MaSthole?”
Thembel ihle:
“No,Iam notsay ingthatbutIjust
don’tseet heimportanceoft hisconversat
ion
wear ehav ingri
ghtnow. ”therewassi l
ence
again.“Ishouldbri
ngcl othesforyouory ou
havethem wher ey ouaregoi ng?”sheasked
poli
tely
.
Dal
i
su:“Ihave…DoIhav
eahouse
Empangeni?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tknowbecausethesedaysI
canneverr
eall
ysayIknowyou.Idon’tknow
you.
”
Dal
i
su:
“You’
resay
ingal
lthati
nthepr
esenceof
y
ourf
ri
end?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Dropt
hecal
lthenIwon’
tsay
anyt
hingt
oy ou.
”
Dali
su:
“Iam comi
nghomeandwewi l
ltalk
aboutt
his…Gwabi
nidr
ivebackt
othepalace.
”
Heinst
ruct
edhim.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Don’twasteyourbreat
honme.I
don’
twanttot
alkIthi
nkyou’veseenthatIdon’
t
wanttot
alksostoppushingme.AndIwoul dn’
t
besl
eepi
ngalone,t
hepalacehasguar dsso
pl
easedon’
tcomeback.”
Hehungupt hecal
lwithoutsayi
ngawordto
her.Thembel
ihl
ecl
ickedhertongueandpl
aced
herphonedown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ewer
ewe?
”
Shelookedatherandsawt hatshewasn’t
alr
ight
.Shecouldn’
taskwhatwaswr ong
becauseshewasnev ergoi
ngt otel
lher.“
Do
youneedsomespaceIcanseet hatyouarenot
f
ine?
”sheaskedhol
dingherhand.
Thembel
ihl
enoddedwit
houtl
ooki
ngather
.
Makhosi
sighedandst
oodup.
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay
,you’
l
lseeaclosebyguar
d
andtel
lthem todri
veyouhome.”shegav
eher
thebankstatementandavoi
dedeyecont
act.
Makhosi
:“Okay
,by
eandt
hanks.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“By
e.”
Makhosi
lef
tthehouseThembel
ihl
estoodup
l
eavi
ngherphoneshewenttoherbedr
oom…
-
--
--
“Idon’
tknowi fyoucanaf fordther entoft he
housebutIlikethi
sone.”Pr eci
oussai dl ooki
ng
atDali
su.Theywer einsi
det hehouset hat
Preci
oushadchosenf orherself.Dalisuwas
goingtorentthehousef orher.He’ dliedt o
Thembelihl
et el
l
ingherhewasgoi ngt o
Empangeni.Hewant edt odrivebackhome
aft
ert heargumenttheyhadbuthearinghow
shedi dn’
twanthim nearherstoppedhimfr
om
dri
vingbackhome.Hepr oceededwithgoi
ngto
Precious.
Dali
su:“Whywouldyousayt
hatbecauseyou’v
e
al
readytol
dthelandl
ordt
hatyouaretaki
ngthe
house?”hel
ookedather.
Precioussmiledandlookedaway.Shewas
sl
owl yli
kingbeingar
oundhim.“Isai
dchances
arehighandt hosechancesar
eonlyify
ou
agreed.”Sherepli
ed.
Dali
su:“Sowhatwasthedeposi
tmoneyt
hat
yourequest
edyest
erday?
”
Shelaughedandpl acedherhandsattheback
ofherneck.“Okay,thisist
hehouseIchoseto
takeki
ng.”Sherephr asedl
ookingathi
m.Dalisu
noddedandmov edf orwar
dlooki
ngattherest
oftherooms.
Dal
i
su:“Thehousei
sbeaut
if
ulandyoudoknow
t
hatyouwon’tst
ayher
efort
herestofy
our
l
if
e?”heaskedopeni
ngt
hemasterbedroom
door
.Thehousewasaful
lyf
urni
shedrental
home.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iwi
l
lst
ayi
nther
ural
areas?
”
Dal
isu:
“Yes.
”Hesatont
hebedandl
ookedat
her
.
Pr
ecious:“
Peoplewon’thateme?Ihav easked
ar
oundandt heyl
ovetheirqueendearl
yIdon’t
wantthem t
ohatemeonherbehal f.”
Dal
isu:
“Whydi
dyouf
eel
theneedt
oask
ar
ound?”
Preci
ous: “Yourwifeisbeautif
ulthat’
sfor
star
tersandIj ustwantedt oknowi fshe’
sreal
l
y
whatt henewspaper spaintshertobe.She’l
lbe
mysi sterandsoIsawi tfitthatIknowabout
her.
”
Dal
isu:“
Oh, Isee,
”hetookoffhisblazer
.“What
doyouthinkaboutyoursel
f,ar
ey oubeauti
ful
?”
heaskedlookingather.
Preci
ouslaughed.“
That
’sanawkwar
d
quest
ion.
”Sher epl
i
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Andaquest
iont
hatneedsananswer
.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes,
Iam t
otal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
Dalisu:“Icansee,comeandsi tnextt
ome
unlessifthere’ssomethi
ngholdingyoui
nthat
door .
”hesai dsoftl
y.Shesmil
edandwalked
cl
osert ohi m,shesatnextt
ohi m.Theyf
aced
eachot her.“Takeoffmyshoes.”Heinst
ruct
ed.
Preci
ouswentdownandt ookoffhisshoes.
Shethentookoffhers.Dali
sumov edupthebed
andreachedthecushionshelai
dhi sheaddown.
Preci
ousfol
lowedafterhim.Theyfacedeach
other
.
Dal
i
su:
“Tel
lmeabouty
ourf
ami
l
y.”
Preci
ous:“Iam theonlychil
dofmymot herand
fat
her,t
heyliveeMl azi
.Iam notf
rom abi
g
famil
y.Ihaven’thaditeasygrowi
ngupandIgot
alotofemot i
onal scar
sbutIam herenow
t
ryi
ngt
ochangeev
ery
thi
ngaboutmypast
.”
Dali
su:
“That
’sagoodt
hing.It
hinky
ouknow
aboutmyfamil
y.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes,
Iknow.
”
Dal
isu:
“Soyouli
kedme?Wearej
ustt
alki
ng
nowandIwouldli
ket
oknowthet
rut
h.Iwon’
t
beangry.
”
Shesighed.“Il
i
kedyouthefi
rstti
meIsawy ou
i
npersonandIhadani ll
usi
onthatmay bey
ou
areaneasymanbecausey ougoar oundpl
aces
seei
ngdiffer
entpeopl
eanddiffer
entwomen.”
Sheconfessed.
Dal
isu:“
That
’swhyy
oushowedmey
our
br
easts?”
Sheremov edherey esfrom hi
m andnodded.
“Butt
hatnightwej ustgotdrunkandthat
happenedIdidn’tdoany thi
ngwrong,whatIdi
d
wrongwasnotcal li
ngy ourwifet
hemi nut
eI
sawthatthedrinkwasheav yonyou.I
fIknew
thatIwouldbepr egnantIwasgoi ngtotel
lher
becausebabi eswerenev eronmyl i
fepl
ans.I
j
ustwant edt obeabusinesswomanandt ravel
theworld.”Sheli
edt ohim, sheknewshe
couldn’
ttellhimthetrut
hatanycost s.
Dalisu:“Isee.Butev enify oudi ddr ugmewe
woul dstil
lbeher eright?Itdoesn’ tchange
any t
hingthaty oudr uggedmeornot .Iam
hav i
ngachi ldIdidn’tplan.”Pr eciouslooked
downashamedt hatshewasl y i
ngt ohim she
wishedshecoul ddosomet hingt omaket he
babyhi s.“Ij
ustnev erimagi nedt hatIwoul ddo
thistomywi feIpromi sedherIwoul dn’
tbut
nowI …”hekeptqui etandcl osedhi seyes.He
didn’tneedt oconfideany thingonher .Shewas
j
ustawomancar ry
inghi schi l
d, awomanhe
woul dmar rybecauseoft hechi ld.Hest opped
himsel f
.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wi
l
lthatchangeev
ery
thi
ng?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“No,
but
-”
“Thendon’ tsayit
.”Hecuthershor tandpul l
ed
herclosertohim.Heki ssedherandPr ecious
heldont ohisarms.Heunf astenedthebel tof
herdressandashewaski ssi
ngherhef eltthat
shewasuneasy .Hestoppedandl ookedather .
“What’swr ongyoudon’twantt hi
s?Icouldn’tbe
withyout henightyouneededmet obe.”He
explai
ned.
Pr
eci
ous:
“No,i
t’
snotthatbutIwoul
dli
ket
hat
weagr
eeonsomethi
ng.”
Dal
i
su:
“What
?”
Preci
ous:“You’
llusepr otecti
onwi t
hme, unless
i
fwedon’ thaveit.Youneedt opr otectus, you
maybesl eepi
ngwi t
husbutt herear ethi
ngs
thathappeninwomenbodi esandi fy ousl eep
withbothofuswi thoutpr ot
ect i
ont hatmi ght
harmt hebabi
essi ncey ourwi feisalso
pregnant.
”Sheact edconcer nf orbothoft hem
butshewasonl ylookingoutf orherselfasher
preci
ousl
i
fewasmor eval
uabl
etoher
.Being
cl
eananddiseasef
reewasmuchimport
antto
her…
Dal
i
su:“
Youar
erightaboutt
hat
,doy
ouhav
e
t
hem wi
thy
ou?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes,
Ido.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Br
ingt
hem ov
er.
”
Shenoddedandmadeherwaytoherbagshe
washappythatt
oni
ghtshewasgoi
ngtohave
hi
m al
lnight
…
“Yes,you’llgotoMaKhoza’spalaceandi nfor
m
herthatIneedt oseeher,
Sgwili
,Cynthiaand
Ntombi .Iwi l
lspeakwit
hthem indad’shouse.”
Dali
sui nformedhi smessengeronthephone.
Theywer edr ivi
ngbacktothehouseaf ter
havingbr eakfasti
nanearbyhotel.He’dtaken
someofhi sclothesint
hebeachhouse.
Messenger:
“Whenwi
l
lyouneedt
hem
Ndabezi
tha?”
Dali
su:“Iwi
l
lneedt
hem onThur
sdayat4pm
sharp.
”
Messenger:
“OkayIwi
l
ldoj
ustt
hat
.
Ndabezi
tha!
”
Dali
suhungupthecal l
.HelookedatPreci
ous
andtappedhert
high.Shelookedathim.“Don’
t
youneedgrocer
ies?”heasked.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Idoneedt
hem.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,you’
l
lgomaket
hem andIwi
l
lgo
t
omyoffi
ce.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Okay
,youar
enotl
eav
ingt
oday
?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iwi
l
lleav
etomor
rowmor
ning.
”
Preci
ousnoddedwithasmile…Dal
i
sutapped
onhisphonewhil
einst
ruct
inghi
sguar
dt odr
ive
hi
mt ohiscompany…
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE08
“WeMl amul i
Zul
u!Ngizokuphoxakhandalakho
el
ikhul
u!”Thembeli
hleshoutedleavi
nghercake
sheranaf t
erMlamuli
.Hehadpr etendedthathe
washelpinghismotherbakebuthehadhi s
eyesont hechocol
atesthatshe’
dbought.
Thembelihlescr
eamedaf t
erhimt ogether
chocol
ates.
“Angi
naloikhandael
i
khulumi na!
”Her epl
ied
l
ouderashewasont hehall
waybi t
ingthe
chocolat
ethathewasn’tsupposedt orunaway
with.
Thembel i
hlewasbusywi pi
ngherhandswi t
h
herapr onswear i
ngquietl
yasshewal kedupto
thekitchenex i
taftershe’
dreal
isedshe
shouldn’trunbecausehewasgoi ngt
omakea
fooloutofher .Shebumpedi nt
oDal i
suonher
wayoutofherki t
chen.“Whoa!”Shescreamed
andDal isuheldherarms.
Dal
i
su:
“Sor
ry.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Whendidyoucomeback? ”she
askedshowingherheadonthehall
way .
Mlamuliwasstandi
ngbyhisroom eat
ingt he
chocol
ate.
Dal
i
su:
“Ij
ustgotback.
”
Heneveri
nformedThembeli
hlet
hathewas
addi
nganotherni
ghtawayfr
om homeandshe
di
dn’
tcall
himt ocheckonhi
m.Shefigur
edhe
waswithPreci
ous.
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
vet
akenashower?”she
l
ookedathim andhewasonhiscasualcl
othes
l
ookinggoodandsmell
ingcl
ean.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,cany
oul
etmegoIam
aft
erMlamuli
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whathashedone?
”
Thembel
ihle:“Theyaskedforachocol
atecake
andIam bakingitnowhe’srunni
ngawaywi t
h
mychocolates.”
Dali
su:“
Butithischocolat
eandyouwoul dn’
t
haveboughtiti
ftheydidn’
twantthecake.Why
don’
tyoulethim havethechocol
ate?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Ineedthechocol
ate..
.Ml
amuli
youwon’teatthecakeifyouarenotbri
ngi
ng
backthatchocolate!
”sheshout
edshowingher
headont hehall
wayandMl amuliwasbusy
hel
pinghimselfwiththechocol
ates.
Ml
amul
i
:“Hawu,
mama!
”
Thembeli
hle:“Hawu,mamai niyona?”she
l
ookedatDalisuirr
it
atednowt hathehadhis
handsonher.Whywasn’ theletti
nghergo?
Didn’
theseethathewasi rr
it
atingher?She
wantedtofacehersonandhewashol dingher
.
Dalisu:“
Bringthechocol
ateMlamuli
.”Hesaid
softlyl
ookingatThembeli
hlewhowasl ooki
ng
athim showingshewasi r
rit
atedbyhim.He
didn’tmissthemeaningofthefaci
al
expression.
“
Okay
!”hesai
dbr
eaki
ngt
hepi
ecesandst
ori
ng
them i
nsi
dehi spocket .Hesmil
edandranupt o
hispar
ents.Hegav ethechocol
atebacktohis
motherwithasmi le.Andonlynow,Dali
suletgo
ofhershoulders.
Shesi
ghedandtookt
hechocolat
e.“Youhav
e
eat
enitt
hismuch!
”sheexcl
aimedlooki
ngat
hi
m.
Mlamul i
:“Butmamai t’
salotoft
hem.Yima
fut
hi,baba!”herai
sedhisarmstohisfat
her.
Dali
susmi ledandpickedhi
m up.Thembeli
hle
walkedbackt oherisl
and.
Dal
i
su:
“Unj
ani
,Mageba?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
ababa,
unj
ani
?”
Dali
su:“
Ngiy
aphil
ankosi encane.”Herepl
ied
andMlamuligi
ggl
edashewascal l
inghi
mt he
youngki
ng.“Where’sy
ourbr ot
her?”hesat
downwithhi
m ont hekit
chent abl
e.
Mlamuli
:“He’
sintheplay
room fi
nishi
nguphi
s
pai
nti
ng.Ihavefi
nishedmine.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,whatdi
dyoupai
nt?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Ipai
ntedat
ree,
abi
ggr
eent
ree.
”
Dali
su: “Okay,Iwillseeyourpai nti
ngswhen
yourbrot heri
sdonewi thhis.Okay ?”heopened
hismout hasMl amul i
wasdi recti
ngt he
chocolatet ohismout hafterhehadnoddedt o
hisstatement .“Youkeptthem hi dden?”he
whisperedandl aughed.Mlamul ilaughedtoo.
Mlamuli
:“Yes,
didy
ouseet
hem?
”heasked
poi
nti
ngtheisl
and.
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu!Umamawakho.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Uy
anci
shana.
”Theyl
aughed.
“Her
e’syourf
ood.
”Thembel
i
hlepl
acedt
het
ray
onthetabl
eforDal
isu.
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Shetur
nedbackt
oheri
sland.Dal
i
suhadhi
s
foodwi
thMlamul
i…
AfterputtingtheboysinbedDali
suwenttohis
bedr oom andf oundhiswif
eonthebedinside
thecov ers.Shewasl ayi
ngonhersi
defacing
theot hersidenothissideoft
hebed…Hesat
ont hebed.
Dali
su: “
Cany ousitupstrai
ghtIneedtotel
lyou
somet hing?”herequest
edandThembel i
hlesat
upst r
aight.Shedidn’
tevenlookathim.“
Iwant
ustospeakaboutPr eci
ousandtonight
,wewi l
l
speakaboutherwi t
houtyoutel
li
ngmey ou
don’twantt otal
kaboutit.
”Hemadei tcl
ear.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatabouther
?”
Dali
su:“Pr
eci
ousi
spregnantandt
hebabyi
s
mine.”Herev
eal
edabrupt
ly.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Thebabyi
sreal
l
yyour
s?”she
askedl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
esur
e?”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tknowwhatki
ndofquest
ioni
s
that.
”Hesai d,Thembel ihlekeptqui etfora
while.Shef oldedherf i
standt ri
edt ocalm
downev ent houghshecoul dfeelherner v es
ri
sing.Shecl osedherey es.Shet henr eleaseda
deepsi ghandsmi led,t
hepai nhidingsmi le.
She’dfel therhear tteari
ngapar tafterhehad
tol
dherabr upt l
ythathismi st
resswaspr egnant
withhischi ldandhekeptr epeati
ngt hebaby
washi s.Butshedi dn’twanthi mt oseet hatshe
washur tbyt his.Shedidn’twantt hatandt o
preventt hatfrom happeni ngshekeptherey es
offofhi m.
Thembeli
hle:“
Congrat
ulat
ionsNdabezitha.”She
managedtosaywi t
houthervoicebreaking.
Dali
suhel
dherhandandThembel ihl
efought
herhandoffhi
s.Shekeptpull
ingitbackunt i
lhe
l
etherbe.
Dal
isu:“
Iknowy oudon’tmeanthat,
”hesaid
l
ookingatherandhesawt hatshewashur t
ing,
shewashidingitwi
thastrongfacethatshe
hadpull
edonhim.Dalisuknewthattherewas
not
hinghecoul
ddochangethi
ngs.“
Ididn’
t
mean-”hecoul
dn’
tfi
nisht
hesent
ence.
Thembelihl
e:“Whatdi
dyoudeci
deaboutthe
baby?”shelookedathi
m wit
hashar
pey e.
Dali
sukeptthegazesti
lll
i
keamanthathe
was.
Dali
su:“Iwil
ltakeherasmysecondwi f
eIdon’t
wantmychi ldgrowupwi t
houtmypresencein
his/
herlif
e.Thechildwil
lhavetogr
owupher e
andknowhi sr oot
sandcultur
e.AndIwil
lneed
yourapprovalandblessi
ngstodothat
.Ineed
youtosuppor tme.”
Thembel i
hle:“
Oh,”sher emovedherey esfrom
him.“Soy ou’
lldi
vorceme? ”sheaskedwi t
hout
l
ookingathi m.Dal i
sukeptquietashedidn’t
expectthatquestionfrom her
.Thembel i
hle
l
ookedathi m ast herewasnor esponsefrom
him.Hewasn’ tlookingather.
Het
urnedt
ohereyes.“
Iknowt
hatwear
e
mar
ri
edunderci
vi
ll
awandIam aski
ngt
haty
ou
all
owust ogetadivorcethengetmarr
iedagai
n
undercustomar
ylaw, thatwayIwi
ll
beableto
takeherasmywi f
el egall
y.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youcant akeherasyourwif
ebut
i
fyoutakemef r
om her
eandgot ocourtwit
h
meforadiv or
ceIwon’tmarryyouback.
”
“WHAT? ”Heshoutedandheldherarmsf orci
ng
hertolookathim.“Whatdidyoujustsay
? ”he
askedagain.I
tdidn’tt
akehi
ml ongtobe
angeredbyherwor ds.Shewantedhimto
div
orceher!
Shesawt heangeronhisfaceandhiseyes
wereball
soffir
e.Shewasn’tscar
edofhis
angersheknewt hathewasn’
tgoingtohur
t
her.
Thembelihl
e:“Isai
dify
ouwantt odowhatyou
aresuggesti
ngIwon’tmarr
yy oubackDal
isu.I
t
wil
lbetheendofourmar r
iage.”
Helookedatherwit
houtsayi
ngawordtoher,
hewaspantingst
il
lhiseyesf
ixedonherand
hi
shandshol
dinghershoul
der
s.
Dali
su:“
Youseeitf
itt
hatyouleavemebecause
ofthi
s?Whatshoul
dIdo?Ishoul dl
etmychild
growupinDurbanandyourchi
ldrenwil
lgrow
upherenextt
othei
rfat
herandf amil
y.I
sthat
whatyouwant?”
Thembeli
hle:“Don’taskmethatquestionDal
isu
becauseIdidn’tsendyoutosleepwiththi
s
woman.Youmadeachoi ceandsoy ouslept
wit
hher.Nowy ouwantmet ot hi
nkaboutyour
chi
ld?No,sorryIwon’t.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iwasj
ustdr
unkIdidn’
tmeant
osl
eep
wit
hher.I
twasamistake.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Idon’
tcar
eitwasy
ourmi
stake
notmymistake.”
Dal
i
su:“
IfIdi
vorceyou,you’
l
lleav
ethi
spl
ace?
”
hel
etgoofhershoulder
s.
Hewasconsi
deri
ngit
!Hedidn’
twanthernow?
Pr
eci
oushadtakenherpl
aceinhi
sheart
?She
si
lent
lypani
ckedasshepr
ocessedhi
s
quest
ion.
“No, IknowthatifIcanl eaveher
eIwon’ tleave
withmysonsandsoIwi llst
ayherewithmy
sons.Ourdi vorcewillbebetweenus.Peopl e
willknowmeasy ourqueenbutbehi ndclosed
door swear ejustparentstothethreeboys
becauset here’l
lbenochi l
drenIwillgi
vey ou
afterthis,
afterwhaty ou’v
edonet ome.Ngeke
minangenzi weuwenai sli
maDalisu.”She
repli
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“IfIdon’
tdi
vor
cey
ou?
”
Thembelihl
e: “Thatmeansy ouwon’tdi
vor
ceme
andyoucant akey ourPreci
ousasyour
tr
adit
ionalwife,raiseyourchil
dwi
thherIdon’
t
mind.”Shelied,shedi dmind!Hewashurt
ing
herandso, shedi dmi nd.
Dal
i
su:
“Wi
l
lyouf
orgi
veme?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ar
ewedonet
alki
ngabout
Preci
ous?
”
Dal
i
su:“Yes,
wear etal
ki
ngaboutusnow.Wil
l
weeverbealr
ight
?Iknowandcanseethatnow
wearenotal
right
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ineedwat
er.
”Shei
gnor
edhi
m
andlef
ttheirr
oom…
Shesatdownonherchai rout sidet hehouse.
Shehadagl assofwat eronherhand.She
drankthewat erandhuggedherar msasi twas
coldout si
de.Shereleasedt hepr essureshehad
bottl
edi nsi
deasshewast al kingt oher
husband.Shet henpl acedherhandsonher
mout handcr i
ed…Shecr i
edt hepai nshewas
feel
ing…Hermar ri
agewasbr eaki ngshe
couldn’tseehersel
fshar i
ngDal isuwi thanother
woman.Shecoul dn’timagi neev enaccept ing
hiswifebutsheknewt hatifsher efusedshe
wasgoi ngt obecall
edacr uel womanf or
want i
ngwhat ’
sbestf orherchi ldrenonl y!What
aboutthechi l
doftheot herwoman?Her
husband’ schi
ld!
“I
’
vebeenlookingfory
ouallaroundthehouse.
”
Dali
susai
dstandingbehi
ndThembel ihl
e.He
movedfor
war dandsatnexttoher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ineededf
reshai
r.
”
Heclosedhi
seyesatthesoundofhervoice,
she’
dbeencryi
ng.Thatwascleart
ohim he
knewthesoundofhervoi
ceaftert
ear
s.
Dal
isu:
“WhatcanIdot
omakeal
lthi
spai
ngo
away?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Cany
ouundowhaty
ou’
vedone?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iknowt
hatIcan’
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thendon’tdoanythi
ngand
pl
ease,l
eavemeal one.Don’
tactasify
oucar
e
aboutmebecausey oudon’t
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Icar
eabouty
ouandIl
ovey
ou.
”
Thembelihl
e:“No,
ifyoucareaboutmey ou
weresupposedcallmewheny ouweredrunkif
thatf
ail
edyouwer esupposedt ousepr
otecti
on
whensleepingwit
hyourgirl
fr
iendandifthat
al
sof aily
ouweresupposedt obuyemergency
pil
l
sforherandseeherdr i
nkt hem.Butwhat
canIsay ?Nothi
ng.So,
pleaseleavemebe.”
Shest ooduptoddl
edbackt othehouse…She
wantedt osl
eep…
-
--
-
“Youcan’tj
ustaccuseuswi thoutproof
Mageba.”MaKhozasai dlookingatDali
su.The
famil
yelderswereseatedint hel
oungewi th
Dali
su,MaCebekhuluandThembel i
hle.
MaKhozawast herewithherson, daughterin-
l
awandNt ombi.Dal
isuwantedt hemat t
ertobe
afamilymatter
.
Dali
su:“Ntombi,cany outel
lmet hetruthabout
thi
s?”Ntombi l
ookedathi m andhesawt hat
shewasscar ed.“Don’tbescaredthere’s
nobodywho’ l
lhurtyoubecauseIt hi
nkmy
brot
herhereknowst hatshoul
dsomet hi
ng
happentoy ouhe’l
lbet hefi
rstsuspectbecause
Iwon’thesit
atetotellthepoli
cewhat
happened.
”Dali
susai
dlooki
ngatSgwi
l
iandhe
wasalsolooki
ngathi
m.
Ntombi:
“ Whaty
ousaidistrue,
Sgwi
l
ihir
edme
andIagreedtodothejob.
”Sheadmit
tedand
ther
ewaschaosi nthehouse.
“ZULU!”Dal
i
sur
oar
edabov
ethem andt
heykept
quiet
.
Man:“Andy
ousleptwit
hhim andgotachi
ld,
MaKhozamovingfr
om thi
smat t
erhowcanyou
all
owourgr
andchi
ldr
entostaywithamother
l
ikeher?
”
MaKhoza:“
Sgwil
i di
dn’
twanttoseparat
ehis
sonf
rom hi
smot herandIcoul
dn’
tstophim
fr
om doi
ngthat
.”
Dali
su:“
AndIdon’tthi
nkwecanj udgesomeone
basedonthei
rpast.Njabul
o(thenameof
Sgwil
i’
ssongivenbySgwi l
i
)loveshi
smother.
”
Woman: “
Buti
tdoesn’
tchangethefactt
hat
whatshedidi
shorr
ibl
e.Sgwil
i
,Dali
suisyour
ownbr
other
.”
Sgwili
:“Iwasconsumedbyjeal
oust henand
now, myeyesarenotsetonthethr
onenowI
am gratef
ulforwhatIhav
e.Ij
ustdidn’thav
e
thecouragetoapologi
se.
”Hetol
dt hem
trut
hful
ly.
MaKhoza:“Iam t
heonewhost
oppedhi mf r
om
conf
essi
ngbecauseIwasscar
edofy ourwrath
Mageba.Iknowy ou’
l
lbanmef
rom here,now.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tyout
hinky
oudeser
vet
hat
MaKhoza?”
MaKhoza:“
IknowIwaswrongMaCebekhul
u
andIwil
ll
eaveift
hat
’smypuni
shment
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”Her
eveal
ed.
“HHE!”Thewhol ehousewasshocked.They
didn’
texpectthatf
rom himtheyexpect
edhi
m
tobanherf r
om thevil
lage.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iam ser
ious.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yourchi
l
drendeserv
et ogrowup
hereandtheyshoul
dn’
tsuff
erforyoursi
ns.But
Iwil
laskonethingf
rom y
ou,Sgwil
i andy
our
mother.
”
MaKhoza:
“What
?”
Thembel ihl
e:“Lookatme, Iam 26y ear
soldand
willhaveanewbor nsoon.I fi
nanywayy ou
wer estil
lnotatrestaboutmyhusbandbei nga
ki
ng, pleasedon’tki
llhim.Canwej ustmake
peacef rom whatevergrudgey ouhav eoverhi
m?
Iwantmyki dstoknowt heirf
ather’
slove
becauset hat’
ssomet hingIdidn’thavefor
my self
.Weshoul dn’tthi
nkofki l
li
ngeach
other.”
Woman:
“MaSt
hol
eisr
ight
.”
Ot
her
s:“
Yes!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thembeli
hleisri
ght,
MaKhozaI
don’
tknowwhatist
hisgrudgethatyouhave
wit
hmeandmychi l
dren.ImeanIshouldbet he
onetohatey
ouandMaMz obebecauseit
’sl
ike
youtookmyhusbandfr
om me.ButIhave
accept
edandwelcomedyouwit
hwar m hands.
WhatdidIdot
oy ou?
”
“MMM!”Thewhol
ehousehummedandl
ooked
atMaKhoza.
MaKhoza:“Youdidnothingwrong
MaCebekhulu.I
t’
sjustenvyandIam sor
ry.
”
Dali
su:“
Iwil
lrequestthaty oudoar i
tuali
nmy
fat
her’
shouse.Youhav et oapologi
set ohi
m
andtheancestorsbecauset ry
ingtokil
lme,
meansthatyouwer edisrespecti
nghiswishes
ofmakingmeki ng.
”
MaKhoza: “
Wewi lldothatandIwill
request
thatIsl
aughteranotheroneinyourwif
e’s
palacet
ocleanset heshameIhav edone.”
Dali
sulookedattheelder
sandt heynodded.“I
wil
l al
l
owt hatandIhopethatwillbea
success.”Dal
isucomment edandt heyal
lmade
agreei
ngsounds.“Thankyouf orcomingwhenI
cal
ledy ou.
”headded.
“NDABEZI
THA!”Theyallchant
ed…Fr om wher
e
hewas,Sgwi
l
iwasl ooki
ngatCy nt
hia…
“Howareyou,MaSthol
e?”MaCebekhul
uasked
Thembeli
hleshewasstandi
ngbythecaraf
ter
speaki
ngtoherbrot
heronthephone.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
inemama,
andhowar
e
you?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Iam f
ine,
andhowar
ey ou
holdi
ngup?Yourhusbandtol
dmeabout
Preci
ous.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Lookatmyf eet
,legsandhands. ”
MaCebekhul ul ookedatherandshepl acedher
handsonherchest .Shehadswol l
enf eet,
ankl
esandl egs,ev enherhandswer eswol lenin
awayt hatshehadr emovedherr i
ngf r
om her
fi
nger.“TheDoct orcall
edandtoldmeImi ssed
myappoi ntment .It’
sfunnymama, yazi.If
or got
aboutit
.”Shechuckl edandshookherhead.
MaCebekhul
uwi pedhertear
safterlooki
ngat
herandshet
riedtosmileforhersake.Butshe
couldn’
tdoit.Sheknewt hi
spainherdaught
er
i
n-lawwasf eeli
ngsheknewi tcl
earl
y.And
must ’
vebeendiffi
cul
tforherasshewas
pregnant
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Canyout
hinkaboutt
hebaby
?”
shemanagedtoask.
Thembel ihl
e:“Iwi
shi twaseasyasgoi ngtot he
toilet,hey.Mamay oursonisapproachingusso
pleasewi peyourtears.”Shetr
iedtowipeher
tear sbutMaCebekhul uremovedherhands
from herandshel eftherasshedidn’twant
Dal isutof i
ndhercr y
ingbeforeThembel i
hle…
Thembel ihl
eopenedt hecarandst eppedinside,
shepr essedherteetht oget
herandclosedher
ey es…

Mar
ch31at7:
12pm ·Publ
i
c
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE09

“Whot ol
dDal i
suaboutt hi
smatter,i
t’
s
Ntombi ?
”MaKhozaaskedSgwi l
i t
heywere
seatedinsideherbedroom onhercouches.She
wasv eryfuri
ousthatshewassummonedand
questi
onedbyt hewhol efami
ly.
Sgwili
:“No,it
’sCynthi
aIknowt hatit
’sherIsaw
i
tinherey es.
”Dalisudidn’
trevealthatitwas
Cynthi
ahe’ dtol
dCy nt
hiathathewasn’ tgoing
totel
lthem becausehedi dn’
ttrustthem notto
kil
lher.Shedidn’
tprotest.
MaKhoza:
“What
?Lomf
azi
wakho?Sgwi
l
i!
”
Sgwil
i
:“Cynt
hiahasdi
srespect
edmemama.
Shewentagainstmyword,mama.Howcanshe
dothi
s?”
MaKhoza:“Youneedtoteachheralesson
t
onightSgwil
i.Shemustfeel
yourhandbecause
i
fyoudon’tdoittoni
ghtyouwil
lnev
erdoit.She
wi
l
lnev
err
especty
ou.
”
Sgwil
i:“
Shedesper
atel
ywantthischi
l
dint
oan
ext
entthatshewoul
djeopar
disemydigni
tyl
i
ke
thi
s!”
MaKhoza:“
Iam soangryandIdon’
tevenwant
toseeherj
usty
et.JustgonowbecauseifIsee
heri
nthemorni
ngIwi l
lsl
apher.
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Bri
ani
sherewi
thhismot
herIt
oldt
hem
wewil
ll
eavei
nthemor
ning.
”
MaKhoza:“Iwi
llsendt
hedr i
verf
orNtombiand
mygrandsonjustgowit
hy ourwif
e.”She
emphasi
zedandSgwi l
istoodup.MaKhoza
wal
kedhim outofthehouse…
“Di
dy our
eall
yhavetopretendt
obeagood
per
sonandsayy ou’
llcl
eanseDali
sui
nhis
wif
e’spal
ace?”Sgwil
iaskedastheywer
e
walki
ngtohishouse.
MaKhoza:
“Iam doi
ngi
tforhi
swi
fenothi
m.”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Hiswi
fe?Youl
i
keher
,now?
”
MaKhoza: “Iwastouchedbywhatshedi dto
welcomeBr iani
ntothefamily
.I twasabeautif
ul
t
hingt odo,somethingthateveny ourol
der
mot herhaveneverdonetowel comey ouint
o
t
hef amily.
”
Sgwili
:“Whatdoessheknowaboutbeaut i
ful
gestur
es?”Theybothcl
ickedthei
rtongues.“
I
supportyouonthatpoi
ntthenMama. ”Hesaid
standi
ngoutsidehi
shouse.
MaKhoza:
“Okay
,uhambekahl
e,Mageba.
”
Sgwil
i:“Usal
ekahl emama.”MaKhozasmi led
andturnedbackt oherhouse…Sgwi l
iopened
thedoortohishouseandCy nt
hiawasseated
onthelounger eadingabook.Sherai
sedher
headandl ookedatSgwili
.
Hewasangr y
,shedidn’tneedt
obetoldthat
andhe’dprobablyf
iguredthati
twasherwho
tol
dDalisu.Thatwaswhatshewant edinthe
fi
rstpl
ace.
“
Whydi
dyoudot
hist
ome,
Cynt
hia?
”Heasked
st
andi
ngbef
oreher
.
Cynt
hia:“
Cany ouunderst
andwhaty ouwere
doi
ngt ome?Iwasgoi ngtospendtherestof
mymar ri
agelif
ewit
hy ou,wi
thoutachil
dthatI
al
wayswant ed?”
Sgwi
li
:“Youshoul
dhav
eabi
dedbymywor
dand
wehaveachil
d!”
Cynthi
a:“
No,
youhav
eachi
l
dIdon’
thav
ea
chi
ld.”
Sgwil
i
:“Andyoustil
lwon’
thaveachil
dIwil
l
makesurethatyoudon’
t.Iam t
eachi
ngyoua
l
essonforgoingagai
nstme.”
Cynthia:“
Youar eri
ghtSgwi l
iIwon’thavea
chi
ldwi t
hy oubecausey oudon’twantthe
chi
ld.”sherevealedherplanont hefi
rstpartof
hersentencebuthi dedwiththelastpartofher
sentence.Sgwil
i wastooangr yt
oquest ionher
.
Sgwil
i:
“Wear eleav
ingIdon’
twantt
ot al
kabout
thi
sfurt
herbecauseIwil
ldothi
ngsthatIwi
ll
r
egr
et.
”
Cynt
hia:“
Ithoughtweareleavi
ngtomorr
owI
wanttogohomeIt oldyouthat
.”Shesai
d
st
andinguponherf eet
.
Sgwil
i:“
Youarenotgoingthereandy
oushoul
d
cal
lyourbossandtel
lhimt haty
ouwon’
tbe
goi
ngtoAustral
iaanymore.”
Cynthi
a:“
No,y
oucan’
tdot
hatt
ome.
”Hehadt
o
bel
ieveher
.
Sgwili
:“Iam,got othecarnow!”hepoint
edthe
door.Cynthi
anoddedwal ki
ngtodoorshe
smil
edbecauseSgwi l
ididn’
tknowsomet hi
ng,
hedidn’tknowt hatt
herewasnobosswhowas
sendinghertoAust r
ali
a…Theydr ov
eto
Mandeni insi
lence…
Itwas5am inthemor ning,
shewasst andi
ng
i
nsideherloungelookingaroundt
hehouse.She
sighedandsatdownt earsrandownhercheeks.
Thiswaswher eherli
feasMr sZuluends…
“Inev erthoughtIwouldleavel ikethis.ButI
can’tt akeitanymoreIwantt obehappy .I
deser vetobehappyIdeser veabet t
erman. ”
Cynt hiasaidlookingatherring.Shet ookitoff
andputi tont opofthetabl
eal ongwi ththe
divorcepaper sshe’dsignedwi thoutanot eor
explanat i
on.Shet henstoodupaf terchecking
herdocument sofhertri
p.Shel eftthehouse
andmadeherwayt ohercar .She’dpackedher
suitcasesi nthemor ni
ngaf t
erSgwi l
ileftfor
wor k.Shet hensteppedinsidet hecar ,start
edit
anddr ovethecaroutoft hepr emises…Shewas
l
eav ingev eryt
hingbehindforachanceatanew
l
ifeinadi f
ferentcountr
y…
-
--
--
-
“Mlamul
i noMnot ho!Idon’thav eall
thet
imein
theworl
dIwantt ogot ot
heDoct or.
”
Thembelihl
esaidput t
ingtheirjungl
eoatsbowl
s
onthedinnertable.Shewal kedthrought
he
hall
wayl
ooki ngforthem.
“MNOTHO!MLAMULI !”Shecal l
edthem out
l
oudlyandt her
ewasnor esponseforthem.She
fol
lowedthesoundoft heirgi
ggles.Shewas
angrynowandt here’snot hi
ngshewant edtodo
tothem t
henscol dthem.Sheopenedt heir
bedroom doorandwentt otheirwardrobe.They
wereseateddownont heshoessi deoft he
wardrobegiggl
ing.
Thembel i
hle: “Di
dn’tIsayt hatyoumustnot
wastemyt ime? ”sheaskedpi nchingboththeir
ears.Theyl aughedi nthebegi nningbuttheir
l
aught ert
ur nedintot earsastheirmot her’
s
fi
ngershur tont heirears.Shepul ledt
hem out
ofthewar dr obe.“Whyar ey ougivingmet roubl
e,
Mnot honoMl amul i
,huh? ”sheaskedl ooki
ngat
them.
Mnot
ho:
“Besi
dlal
amama.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Howcany ouplaywhi
l
eIam
tel
li
ngyounottoplay!
”sheshoutedlooki
ngat
them.Theyheldeachother’
shandsandcried
wi
thoutanswer
ingt
hei
rmot
her
.
“What’
swrong?”Dali
suaskedshowinghishead
onthedoor.Heenteredt
heroom andstood
nextt
oThembel i
hle.
Mlamuli
:“Wewer
ejustpl
ayi
ngwi
thmom,
baba.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Wedi
dn’
tmeant
oupsether
.”
Thembelihl
e: “
IneedtogoandIshoul
df eed
them befor
eIgobecausetheywon’teatwhen
Pinkygiv
est hem f
ood.”
Dali
su:
“Okay,cal
m downIwi
l
lfeedt
hem and
youcango.”
Shesighedandlookedattheboystheywere
qui
etnowl ooki
ngather.Shelef
tthehouse
wit
houtsayinggoodbyetothem orher
husband…
Dali
su:“
Youneedtostopplay
ingwi
thy
our
motherwhenshesaysit
’snotpl
ayi
ngt
ime.Do
youunderst
and?
”
“YEBO,BABA!
”Theyagr eedwithhi
m.Hethen
wenttotheki
tchenwiththem hehadhi
s
breakf
astwhi
lefeedi
ngt hem…
Theboy swer eseatedonthef
loorpl
ay i
ngwi
th
theirt
rucktoys.Therewasnorhythm and
wor dsexchangeont hei
rpl
ayt
ime.Theywere
quietl
yplayi
ng.
Mnot
ho:
“Ml
amul
i
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Hmm?
”
Mnotho:“
Mamascoldedussobadt hi
smorning,
ha!
”heclappedhi
shandsoutoffrustr
ati
on.
Mlamuli
noddedandclappedaf
terhim.
Ml
amul
i
:“Dadst
oppedherf
orus.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Ml
amul
i
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Hmm?
”
Mnotho:“
Mamadoesn’ tplaywit
husthesedays
she’
salwaysaloneinherroom.What’
swrong
wit
hher?”heturnedandlookedathi
m.
Mlamuli
:“Idon’
tknowmay
beshe’
ssaddon’
t
youthi
nk?”
Mnot
ho:
“What
’smaki
nghersad?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Idon’
tknowmf
ethu.
”
Dalisu’shear tti
ghtenedintoapai nfulfi
stashe
wasst andi
ngbyt hedoorl i
steningtohissons’
conv ersati
on.Thesi t
uati
onwasn’ teasyf orhi
m
andhedi dn’tthinkthatasy oungashi ssons
were, theywoul dnot i
cethattheirmot herwas
sad.Hi srelationshipwithThembel ihl
ewas
fal
li
ngapar tandnowhedi dn’tknowwhatt odo
tosav eit…Hesi ghedandwal kedinsi
det hei
r
room hewashomet hatdayanddeci dedhe
shoul dspendt i
mewi t
hboy safterhehad
fi
nishedt hepaper workthathewassi gning.
“Whatar
eyouplay
ing,
her
e?”Dal
i
suasked
si
tt
ingonhi
slegsbehi
ndhi
ssons.
Boys:“BABAUKHONA!
”theyt
urnedt
hei
rheads
tohisdir
ect
ion.
Dal
isu:“
YesandItol
dyouIwi
l
ljoi
nyouonceI
am doneworki
ng.
”
Mlamul
i:“
Yes,
wear
epl
ayi
ngt
rucksmom i
snot
home,y
et?”
Dalisu:“
No,Ihear
dyouarewor r
iedabouther.
”
theynodded.“Mom anddaddidn’tagr
eeon
somet hi
ngandso,she’
supsetbutshe’l
lbe
alr
ightIwil
lmakesurethatshe’
l
l beal
ri
ght.
”
Mlamul
i
:“Yes,wecancookforherl
i
key
ou
al
waysdo.She’
ll
behappy.
”
Dal
isuwasn’
ttoosur
eaboutt
hatbutt
ryi
ng
wasn’
tgoi
ngtohurt.
Dali
su:“Okay,
that
’sagoodi dea,
let
’sgot
othe
ki
tchenandchaseev er
yonewho’sinsi
dethe
house.Iwil
lbeintheki
tchen.”
Theboysgiggledandnodded.Dali
sualway
s
wantedt
obeal onewit
htheboyswhenhewas
cooki
ngforhiswi f
e.Hedidn’
twantanyser
vant
i
nthehouse…
-
--
-
“Takethismntanami.”MaCebekhul
ugave
Thembel i
hleamixt
ureofherbs.Shetookthe
glassandnodded…Thembel i
hlehadjustgot
backf r
om theDoctorandshewaswi t
hher
mot heri
n-l
aw.
Thembelihl
e:“
CanIsl eepheretonight
?Idon’
t
feell
ikegoi
nghome. ”sherequestedputt
ingt
he
glassdown.ShelookedatMaCebekhul uand
thenshetookherhandbag.Sheopenedi tand
showedherpregnancyf i
le.
MaCebekhul
ureadthef
il
e,sheplacedher
handsonhermouthandlookedather.She
di
dn’tknowwhatt
osay.
Thembeli
hle:“ShesaidifIdon’
tchangemy
habi
tandst r
essIwi l
lhaveapremat ur
ebir
th.I
n
j
ustafewweeks, mamaev eryt
hingchanged
andmyheal t
hypr egnancyisnolonger
heal
thy
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Mnt
anami
,cany
out
ryand
mi
nimi
sey
ourst
ress?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“How?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Justl
ookatt
heboy
sandbe
happywhenyouseet
hem.”
Thembel i
hle:“Myheartbreaksevenmor ewhen
Iseet hem becausethei
rfatherwon’tbehome
evenmor eof t
ennowt hathe’sgoingtobe
mar r
iedtosomeoneel se.”Sheopenedherbag
totakeherr i
ngingphone.“Idon’
tknowwhatt o
do.”sheaddedl ooki
ngatt hecall
erID.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Who’
sit
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hel
lo.
”Sher
espondedt
othecal
l
wit
houtansweri
ngMaCebekhul
u.
Dal
i
su:“
MaSthol
e,wher
ear
eyou?Wear
e
wai
ti
ngfory
ou.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam wi
thmamaandIwasgoi ng
tocallj
ustt
otell
youthatIam spendi
ngt
he
nightwit
hher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu!
”hewasext
remel
ydi
sappoi
nted.
“Theboy
sandIcookedforyousopl
ease,can
youcomehome?”hebegged.Thembel
ihl
ekept
quiet
.
Dali
su:“
They ’
llbedi
sappoi
ntedifyoudon’
t
come,please. ”Ther
ewassilencefrom
Thembelihle…Hehungupt hecal l
seeingt
hat
shewasn’ trespondi
ng.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
sit
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hecookeddinnerwi
tht
heboy
s
andtheywantmehome. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Justgomay
bey
ou’
l
lbehappy
t
oni
ght.
”
Shesmiledshort
lyandst
oodup.MaCebekhul
u
sawthatshedidn’
twanttogobutshel
ethergo
hopi
ngthatwhenshegetshomehersonswer e
goi
ngtocheerherup
[
04/
12,
18:
51]Ron:
NDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE10
Shearri
vedhomeandt heywer eal
readyhaving
dinner
,nobodyamongt hem wastalki
ngthey
werequiet.Theboyswereratherl
ookingsad.
Sheclearedherthr
oatandpulledachair,
she
satdown.
“MAMA! ”Theychant
edandthei
rfaces
l
ightenedup.Shesmil
edasshesawt hei
r
beautif
ulf
aces.
Thembel i
hle:“
Sani
bona,”shegreetedsendi
ng
herhandt oMnotho’
spl at
eshet ookapieceof
roastedturkey
.Shelaughedseeingthelookon
hisface.“What’
swrongnow? ”sheaskedeating
themeat .
Dal
isu:
“Youhavey
ourownf
oodwhyar
eyou
eat
inghisf
ood?
”
Thembeli
hlel
ookedathi
m andpouted.“
Ili
ke
hi
sfood,youwantyourmeatbackMnotho?”
sheasked.
MnotholookedatMlamulif
oranapprov
aland
Mlamulit
urnedhisli
psupsi
dedown,hethen
shookhishead.Thembel
ihl
eandDali
suwere
l
ookingatthem.
Mnot
ho:“No,youtaket
hemeatIam gi
vi
ngi
tto
mybabybrot
her.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Dal
isu:“Wedidn’
tdi
shupt
hef
oodf
ory
ou,
you’
l
l
hel
py oursel
f.
”
“Thankyou,nkosi.
”Shesai
dandt
ookt
hepl
ate
shedishedupf orher
sel
f.
Mnot
ho:
“Mama,
whenwi
l
lwehav
epopay
i?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Who’
spopay
i?”
Dali
su:
“Ababysister
,don’
tyouremember ?”he
l
ookedatherwaiti
ngtohearherresponseas
she’
dsaidt
hattheywill
nolongerhaveother
babi
es.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Idon’
tknow,theDoct
orsaidyour
motheri
snotfi
neandso,Idon’
tthi
nkther
e’l
lbe
babypopay
i.
”
“THEDOCTOR! ”Thethreeoft
hem excl
aimed
l
ookingatThembeli
hle.Shefr
ownedandl ooked
atthem.Dal
isuhadhishandonherwr i
st.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Eh,yesItol
dy ouMlamuli
no
Mnothot
hatIam goingtotheDoctor
.Itol
dyou,
ri
ght
?”
Theboy
shadasadf
rownandt
heynodded.
Dali
su: “
Youtol
dt hem andy
ouforgott
otel
lme
thatyouaregoingtotheDoctor
?Howcany ou
dot hatThembeli
hle?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Normall
y,y
ouaretheonewho’d
remindmeofmyappoi nt
mentsbutyoudidn’
t
andso,Iforgott
ogot otheDoct
or.Shecall
ed
melastmi nutet
ell
ingmeaboutthe
appoint
mentImi ssed.
”
Dali
su:“
Ihavebeenbusyandwheny oul
eftI
washeredidn’
tyout
hinkitwasappr
opri
atet
hat
youtel
lmeaboutyourappoint
ment?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkoft
hatandIwant
ed
togoal
one.”
Dal
i
su:
“Ist
hatbabyy
our
sal
one?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No.
”
Dali
su: “
Idi dy ouwr ong,Iknowbutmusa
ukungij
way elakabi,musanj eukungi delela.
Uyangey i
saphel awenamanj euyakubona
l
okho? ”(Stopdi srespectingme.)heasked
l
ookingather .He’dhadi twithhershut t
inghim
outpretendi ngasi fhedidn’texi
sti nherl i
fe.
Shewascar ryi
ngonasi fhewasnol ongerher
husband, nol ongerapar tofherlife.He’d
enoughofi t…Thembel i
hledidn’
tanswerhi m,
shesentherspoont ohermout h.
“NGIKHULUMANAWETHEMBELI HLE! ”He
shoutedbangi ngthet abl
e.Hef ri
ght enedt he
boysandt heycr i
ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Can’
tyouseet
hatt
hechi
l
dren
areher
e?”
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyoui
gnor
ingme?Iam t
alki
ng
t
oyouandy
ouar
equi
et.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Idon’
twanttoar
guewit
hy ouin
thepresenceofmysonsandy ou’
l
lgett
hem to
calm downnowbecausey oumadethem cry
.”
Shegotupwi t
hherplat
eandshewenttoher
bedroom…
Dali
sulookedathissonsastheywerelooki
ng
athim,theywerecryi
nghetookthegl
assof
waterandgulpeditdown.Hestoodupand
l
if
tedthem offthei
rchai
rshewenttothe
bathr
oom withthem…
Dali
su:“Youst i
llwantyourfood?”heasked
openingtheirbathroom door.Theyshookthei
r
heads.Het henputt hem down.“Okay,we’
ll
brushourteethnow. ”Hepulledthei
rbathroom
stepandheputi tbefor
ethesink.Heassisted
them brushtheirteeth…
Thembel
ihl
ewasseat edonthebednow
sear
chi
ngfordesignsofthedressshewant
ed
towearf
orhergraduati
on.Sheonlyhadt
hree
weeksasshewasgr aduat
ingattheendofApr
il
.
Shedidn’tr
aiseherheadatthesoundofthe
doorbeingopened.Shefix
edherheadonher
phone…
Dali
sudidn’taskheranythinghemar chedto
herhandbagt hatwasont hecouch.Hesat
downandopenedt hebag, hetookouther
pregnancyfil
ehereadit.Het auntedhisj aw
seeingwhatwaswr i
tt
enont hef i
l
ehepl acedi
t
backont hebagandwentt othebat hroom…
Hisfacewashothi swholebodywashot
becauseofanger .Hewasangr yandf rust
rated
withhimself.Hewasr esponsibleforthe
conditi
onhiswi f
ewasi n.He’dseenhow
swollenshe’dbecomeandnow, he’dfinal
ly
real
isedthatitwashisfault…Hest eppedinside
theshowerwi thhisclot
heson.Het ur
nedon
thecoldwat erandall
owedi ttof l
owonhi m.He
hadhi shandsont hewall.Hegr oanedt he
angeroutrepeatedlyhit
ti
ngt hewal l…
Thembel i
hleheardthesoundshewasmaki ng
from thebathroom.Shewantedtogetoffthe
bedandcheckonhi m.Whatwaswr ongwith
him?Shewant edtoseethatbutshedeci
ded
againstandt ooksmall
pil
lowshehelditf
acing
theothersideofthebed.Sheclosedhereyes
wi t
houtprayi
ng…
Helookedatherandsawherclosedey el
i
ds
mov i
ngheknewt hatshewasn’
tsleepi
ng.He
thentr
iedt
otaket hepi
ll
owfrom herandshe
openedhereyes.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”shet
urned
herey
etohim.
Dal
isu:“
Mychestisst
il
lyour
stol
ayonandI
wantyou,t
oni
ght.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwantme,
whatway
?”
“Iwantust obetogetherasamar ri
edcouple
withoutfi
ghti
ng.”Hesaidtryi
ngt okissherbut
shestoppedhim byf ol
dingherlips.She
remov edherheadfrom hisface.Dalisuopened
hi
sey
es.“
What ’
swrongnow?
”heasked,
his
ey
eshadr
elaxedonher.
Thembel
ihl
e: “
Iwanttosleepandpl
easedon’
t
touchme.Iam notinthemoodfort
his.
”she
tol
dhimtakingthepil
l
owback.
Dal
isu:“
Youarenotint
hemood?Thembel i
hle
whatdoy ouwantf
rom me,
kanti?Youdon’
t
wanttospeaktomeandnow, youdon’
twantto
havesexwithme.What’
swrong?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Isai
dIam noti
nthemood.
”
Dal
isu:
“Youhaven’
tbeeni
namoodf
ort
he
wholemonth?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihadal
ongdayDal
i
supl
easel
et
mesleep.
”
Dali
su:“Letyousleep?I
fyouarebr
eakingthi
s
marri
agej ustt
ell
met hatyouar
ebreakingi
t
don’
tjusttakemef orari
de.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
IfIam br
eaki
ngi
t?Youaret
he
onewhobrokeitandnowyouexpectmet
o
f
unct
ion,
nor
mal
l
y?”
Dal
i
su:
“Imadeami
stakeIt
oldy
out
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okayf
ine,
ifyoufeell
ikehavi
ng
sexcal
lPreci
ousandtel
lherthaty
ouar ehorny
.
Don’
tbotherme.”
Dal
isu:“
Iam nott
aki
ngt
hisshi
tyouar
emy
wif
e!”
Thembel ihl
e:“Okay,
finerapemet hen,go
againstmywi l
landsleepwi t
hme.Justdoi t!
”
shescr eamedathi mf ort
hef i
rstti
mei ntheir
marriage.Shewasshout i
ngathi m.Shewas
pantinglookingathi
m andhekeptqui et.Hegot
ofthebedandwentt oswi tchofftheli
ghts.He
l
aidbackont hecushionandcl osedhisey es.
Dali
su:“
There’
snothingIcandot omakey ou
happynowIcanseet hat.Iam t
ryingtomake
thi
ngsri
ghtwithyouandy ouarepushingme
away.Iwantyoutohav eahealt
hypr egnancy
butyouaremakingthingsdif
fi
cultforme
becauseIshoul
dbef ixi
ngmywr ongsbyy ou.
Buty
ouj ustdon’
twantt
oletmedot
hat
.”He
complai
nedalone…

“Yebo,mamani nj
ani
?”Dali
suaskedhi
smother
ont hephone.Hewasstandingbyt
hecar
dressedupforhertr
ipt
oRi char
dsbay
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ngi
yaphi
l
a,Dal
i
suunj
ani
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam notf
ine.
”Het
oldhert
rut
hful
l
y.
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Dali
su:
“It
’sThembel
ihl
emama, sheisshut
ti
ng
meoutandmaki ngt
hingsdi
ff
icul
tformeto
takePr
eciousasmysecondwife.Canyou
speakt
oher ?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Imustspeakt
oherandsay
what
?”
Dal
isu:“Pl
ease,
conv
incehert
oagr
eeonwhatI
hav
er equest
ed.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
sitt
haty
ouhav
e
r
equest
ed?
”
Dal
isu:“
Iaskedthatwegetadi v
orceandget
marri
edagainundercustomarylaw.Shesay
sif
Idothatshewil
lnotre-
mar r
yme. ”
MaCebekhulu:
“Whatmakesy
out
hinkshe’
l
l
agr
eeifIspeaktoher
?”
Dal
i
su: “
Shel
i
stenst
oyou,
mama.Pl
ease,
mah.”
MaCebekhul
u:“TakePr
eci
oust
radi
ti
onal
l
yshe’
l
l
st
il
lbeyourwif
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwantthem t
ober
ecogni
sedbyt
hel
aw
asmywiv
es.”
MaCebekhulu:“Hhayi
,speakt oy ourwifethenI
am notgetti
nginvol
vedbecausey ouar ethe
onewhoagr eedtothecivilmar r
iageand
promisedheryou’l
lnevertakeanot herwifebut
nowy ouaredoingtheopposi t
e.Don’ texpect
thatIwil
lhel
pyouwi ththat.You’ll
seey oursel
f
through.
”Shehungupt hecal landDal i
su
cli
ckedhist
onguereal
isi
ngt
hatshe’
ddr
opped
thecal
l…Hesteppedinsi
det
hecarandGwabi
ni
droveoff
…
“HWW!”Dal
isusighedandfel
lbackont hebed
pil
l
ows.Pr
eciousgiggl
edandfellbackwithhi
m.
Shepl
acedherlegonhisandheldhistorso.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Thatwasf
un.
”Shecomment
ed
ki
ssi
nghi
sbarearm.
Dali
su:“
Yeah,
”hemanagedtosaybef
ore
rel
easi
ngthel
astwor
ri
edsigh.
Pr
eci
ous:
“What
’sbot
her
ingy
ou?
”
Dali
su:“
Thembelihl
edidn’
tagreetohaveour
weddinglegal
i
sed.Ihavet
riedtospeaktoher
butsheisnotbudgi
ng.”
Precious:“Hawu,i
sn’tthatyoumustmaket hat
decision?Imeanyouar ethemanofhouseI
thoughttradi
ti
onalpeopl earel
i
kethat?”she
askedsi t
ti
ngupstraightandDalisusataft
er
her.
Dali
su:“Yeahbutnotwhenitcomestotaki
nga
secondwi f
e.Thembeli
hleshoul
dagreet
oletus
getmar r
iedandshehasonlyagreedtot
he
tr
adit
ionalweddingnott
helegalone.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Wow!Idon’
tunder
standt
his.
”
Dal
isu:
“Ourmar ri
agelawprohi
bit
spolygamyI
canmarryyoutradit
ional
l
yandthatmeansthe
l
awwi l
lnotrecogni
sey ouasmywi f
e.”
Shekeptquiettr
yingtothi
nk,shewast hinki
ng
ofway stopl
antaseedofdoubtt oDalisu.She
needt omakehim doubtThembeli
hle,all
togethert
hatwayshewoul djustr
emov eher
becauseifDal
isudoubtsherhewoul ddivorce
her.Andshewoul dbethelastwoman
standing.
Dal
i
su:
“Cany
ousaysomet
hing?
”
Preci
ous:“
It’
sbett
erifIj
ustgobackt oDurban
andthatwayIwon’tcausetroubl
eforyou.I
meanit’
scleart
hatshethinksthatIam af
ter
yourmoneyifshedoesn’twantmet obeyour
l
egal
wif
e.”
Dali
su:
“No,Iwon’
tal
l
owthatt
ohappenandI
doubtt
hisi
saboutmoney
.”
Precious:“Whatisitaboutt hen?Orshedoesn’ t
wantmychi ldtober ecognisedcl earl
yshould
youpasshersonswi llr
uleandmychi l
dwi l
lbe
nothing.Mybabywi ll havenot hingfrom his
fatherandsheknowst hatinor dertoachieve
thisIshouldn’tbealegal wif e.Al l
yourthings
willbelongtoherandherl egi t
imat esons.So,
pleaseal l
owmet ogo.Idon’ twantt hatdown
thelineIwi l
lbeawomanf ight ingformychi l
d’s
ri
ght s.
”Shecompl ainedandcr ocodiletears
fl
ewl i
kear i
ver.
Shesucceeded!She’dsucceededasDal i
suheld
herint
ohisarmsandt houghtherpoints
thr
ough…Shewasr i
ght!Dali
suconcluded,t
his
wasaboutmoneyt oThembel ihl
eshejust
wantedevery
thi
ngf orherchil
drenandherself
.
Shewasclearl
ygoingt omakePr eci
ous’sli
fe
miser
ableshouldhepassthrough.Hecli
cked
hi
stonguenotbel i
evi
ngthemot i
vesbehi
nd
Thembeli
hle’
srefusalofhi
ssecondmar r
iage…
Dali
su: “
No, shewon’ thav ethepowert odo
that.
”Hesai dtheopposi tejusttopr otect
Thembel i
hle’sevi
lmot ivestoPr eci
ous.He
knewt hathewasn’ tsupposedt otellhisot her
wifethewr ongsoft heot herwife.Hisf ather
l
ikedtalki
ngabouthowt okeepal lhiswi v
es
happywhenhewasgr oomi ngDal i
su.Hespoke
tohim asheknewt haty oucandeci det hat
you’l
lhaveonewi febutenduphav ingf iveand
youwoul dn’tknowhowdi dthathappen.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Howdoy
ouknow?
”shecr
ied,
sti
l
l.
Dali
su:“Iwi l
lmakesurethatitdoesn’
thappen
j
usttrustme. ”hesai
drunninghisfinger
sonher
scal
p.Pr ecioussmil
e,avict
orysmi l
e,asshe
beli
evedt hatshe’
dsucceeded…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE11

“Where’
syourmother
?”Dali
suaskedtheboy s,
he’
djustgotbackhomeandhadspentt hefew
minutesofhi
stimewit
hhissonsbeforeasking
aboutthei
rmother
’swher
eabouts.
Mnot ho:“Mom i
sinsi
dehersewi
ngr
oom wi
th
auntHl ezi
phi
.Theyar
esewingmom’
s
graduationdr
ess.”
Mlamuli
:“Yes,
mom sai
dweshoul
dn’
tdi
stur
b
herbaba.
”
Dali
su:“Okay ,Iwanttospeakt ohersogoand
cal
lher.Tellhert ocomet oourroom.”he
i
nstruct
edt hem leavingthei
rtoygunhestood
upandt heyst oodupaf t
erhim.Theywalked
outofthepl ayroom andsepar at
elymadethei
r
wayt othei
rdif f
erentdesti
nat
ions…
“Theboyssai
dy ouar
ecall
i
ngmeIshould
prepar
efoodforyou?
”Thembel
i
hleasked
cl
osingthedoorofherbedroom behi
ndher
.
Dal
isuwasseatedont hecouch.Shewent
cl
osertohim.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
seather
e.Iwantust
otal
k.”
Shenoddedandsatdownt akingnot ethatt
hey
aredoingal otoftal
ki
ngtheseday s.Thetal
king
thatshedi dn’
twant,t
hetal
kingthatshewas
avoidi
ngf orthesakeofherbabybecauseshe
knewt hatitupset
sher.
Dal
i
su:
“Di
dmom speakt
oyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,shewassupposedt
ospeak
tomeaboutwhat
?”
Dali
su: “
Nev ermind,becauseshedidn’tspeak
toyou.Thembel ihl
ewhatar eyourmotives
behindy ourref
usalofmyl egalmar
riageto
Precious.”
Shedroppedherheadandsighed,
sheraisedit
agai
n.“Wearegoingtotal
kaboutthat
,again?
”
sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
that
’swhatwewi
l
ltal
kabout
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
thav
eanymot
ives.
”
Dal
i
su:“
So,
whyar
eyour
efusi
ngt
odot
hisf
or
me?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idi
dn’tr
efuseIj
ustsaidy
oucan
di
vorcemeandt akeherasyourwif
e.Iwon’
t
l
eavethi
splacesowhat ’
shardther
e?”
Dali
su:
“Idon’twantourr
elat
ionshi
ptoend
Thembeli
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thenmar
ryhert
radi
ti
onal
l
y.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’smymoneyt
haty
ouwant
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Excuseme?
”
Dal
isu:“
Yourmot i
vesbehindt hi
s,Iwi l
ltel
lyou
whereyourmindis,youwantmet otakeheras
mytradi
ti
onalwifebecausey ouknowt hat
whenIdieyou’l
lhavethelegal r
ighttomy
wealt
handev er
ythi
ngt hatIown, ri
ght?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wow!
”shel
aughedandf
ort
he
fi
rstti
meafterpai
nshelaughedgenuinely
.She
l
aughedsohar dshehadthef aceacheandso
shewouldjustsmil
enowl ookingatDal
isu
wipinghert
ears.
Dal
i
su:
“Thi
sisf
unnyt
oyou?
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Ican’
tbeli
evethisisyou,sayi
ng
thattome? ”shesatbackont hecouchand
l
ookedathi m.“Ihavealiv
estockf ar
mt hatI
wasgi venbyy ouandsoon, Iwill
hav emyown
restaurantandlodge,Ihavemyownmoneyt hat
youar eawar eof.Andyouaccusemeof
want i
ngy ourmoney ?”
Dali
su:“Idon’
tknowy out
ell
me.”hewantedher
tosaythewordshewaswai ti
ngfor
,tof
ulfi
lthe
accusat
ionstobetrue.
Thembel ihl
e:“Wear emarri
edincommunityof
propertyandso, yourwealt
hismywealthand
myweal thi
sy ours.WhywouldIwant
somet hingthat’
salreadymine?
”sheasked
drawinghershoul dersfor
ward.
There!Shesaidit!“
Yeah!That
’sit
,youknow
thati
t’sourmoneyandso, youdon’twantmy
otherchildandhis/
hermothertohavethat
wealth.”Hetoldherandshookhishead
shamel essl
y.
Thembelihle:
“How?Becausey ou’
llhav
eawi l
l
wri
ttenandwhaty ourwil
lsaysiswhatwill
happen?HowcanInotwantt oshareyour
wealthwithyouri
ll
egit
imatechil
dandits
mother?”sheshotapainfulquest
ion.
“Whatdidyouj
ustsay?
”hest
oodonhi
sfeet
andlookeddownather.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youhear
dme.
”sher
epl
i
edwi
th
cour
age.
Dalisulookedatherandtauntedhisjawashe
fel
tt heneedtoslapher
.He’dnev erwishedthi
s
uponherbutt oday,hewishedthathecould
giveheronet i
ghtslapt
ogetherof fherhigh
horse.Shewasdoi ngallt
hisbecausesheknew
thathel ov
edher.Sheknewt hatshewast he
bestt
ohim andnomatterwhatcanhappen
she’
ll
alway
sr emai
nthebest.
Hehel
dhimselfbydrawi
ngairinsi
dehisl
ungs
andherel
easedthewarm angr
yair.He
di
ssol
vedbackintot
hecouch.
Thembel i
hle: “
Iwi l
l maket hingseasyf ory ou,
j
ustchangey ourwi l
landchangeev erythingt hat
wehav ewr it
tent oget her.Remov emeasa
benef i
ciaryandt heni ncludePr eciousandher
child.I fi
twi l
l makey ousl eepbet teratni ghty ou
canr emov emysonst oo.Icannev erfai ltolook
aftert hem andnow, from t hisday ,thishourI
don’ twantt oev erdiscussy ourmar ri
aget o
Preci ous.You’ v emadey ourchoi ceandso,
pleasegi vemepeaceDal isu.Idon’ twantt o
hav eapr emat ur elabour .Ngi khukhumel engat hi
ngiwuf l
ourngenxay ay oyonkel emf ishimf ishi ka
Preci ouswakhooy il
etheempi l
weni yami .
Inhliziyoy ami ibuhlunguangi sakwazi ngisho
nokut hiyiniukujabul aandwenaunesbi ndi
sokhul umay onkel entooy ikhulumay oki mi.
Kul
ungi
le,makey
ourwifehappybutIst
il
lsayi
f
youdi
vorcemeIam notmarry
ingyouback.
”
Dali
su:“
Youaretheonemaki
ngt
hingsdi
ff
icul
t
foral
lofusher
e.”
Shestoodonherf
eet.“
IhopewhatIj
ustsai
d
wil
lmakethi
ngseasi
erforyou.
”Shesai
dand
headedtot
hedoor.
Dal
i
su:“Youar
edoingthi
sbecauseyouknow
t
hatIl
oveyou,r
ight
?Youknowwhaty oumean
t
omeandsot hat’
swhyyouaredoingthi
s?”
Thembel i
hle:“No, Iusedt oknowwhatImeant
toyouandhowmuchIwaswor t
hbutnowI
knowt hatIam wor t
hnot hing.”Shereplied
l
ookingathi m.“ AndIj ustwanty out oknow
thatIam happyf oryou,Dalisu.Anew
rel
ati
onship,newf amilythaty ouhav enow.Iam
happyf oryou.”shel i
edandl eftthedoor.She
wentbackst raighttowhatshewasdoi ng…
-
--
--
It
’dbeenaweek, MaKhozaandSgwi lihad
performedbot htheritualsthatwer eneededf or
them toper f
orm.Peopl ecamet oThembel ihle’
s
palacet oeatanddrink,theywer einv i
ted.The
familythendecidedtol etthepastbebehi ndas
theroy alt
radi
ti
onalheal erassuredt hem that
therit
ualswer easuccess…Dal i
suhadbeen
busyi ntheroyalhousebutt oday,hewasr eady
toinform hiscounci
l abouthi ssecondmar riage
thathewant ed…Ther ewasaknockont hedoor
ashewasbusywor kingi nsi
dehi soffice.
Dal
i
su:
“Comei
n!”
ThedoorwasopenedandSgwili
ent
eredthe
house.Hewassur
pri
sedtorecei
veSgwil
iashi
s
vi
sit
or.Hest
ooduponcehewasbef or
ehim.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Baf
o!”
Dali
su:“
Mageba!
”theysharedahandshakeand
heshowedhimtothecouchhef oll
owedhi
m.
Theysatdown.“
Whatbringsyou,here?
”he
asked.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Eybaf
o,mywi
fei
smi
ssi
ng.
”
Dali
su:“
WHAT! ”Hel
ookedathi
m shocked.“
No,
youareplay
ingme,r
ight
?Whatdidyoudot o
her
?”heaskedkeepi
ngastrai
ghtf
ace.
“Ididnothing.”Hesai dshowi nghi mt hedi vorce
paper sandt her i
ngt hatCy nthiahadl eftbehind.
Sgwi l
ihadwokenupi nthemor ningandwhen
heopenedhi swar drobehesawt hathiswi fe’
s
clotheswer emi ssing.Het henl ookedf orher
andsawt hedi vorcepaper sandt hering.He
wasshocked, angr yandhur tthatshe’dj ustleft
withouttelli
nghi m.Hedi dn’tthinkthatshe
woul ddosuchat hingtohi m…Heexpl ainedal l
thattoDal i
suandDal i
susawt hathewas
speakingt hetruth.
Dali
su:“
Isawthatshewasuptosomet
hingand
askedherbutshedi
dn’
twantt
otell
me.Ijust
di
dn’tt
hinkshewouldl
eav
eyou.”
Sgwil
i
:“Icametoyout
hinki
ngthatmay
beshe
tol
dyouwhereshewasgoing.
”
Dal
isu:“No,shedidn’
ttel
lmeanythi
ngabout
l
eaving.Iwassurpri
sedthatshewasn’
tpr
esent
att
her i
tual
s.”
Sgwili:“
Ihaven’ttoldanyoneaboutthis,
Ijust
tol
dt hem thatshewentt oAustrali
abecauseof
work.Isawt icketsinherbagsomet i
meback.I
thoughtIcanf indherfir
standbringherhome.I
real
isednowt hatitwaswr ongofmet odepri
ve
herachi l
d.”
Dal
i
su:“Don’
tyout
hinkt
hatsher
eal
l
ywent
t
here?
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Yout
hink?
”
Dali
su: “
Yes,andifyou’
rereal
lyseriousabout
fi
ndingherjusthir
eapr i
vatedetectiv
ehe’l
lfi
nd
outallabouthermov esfr
om homet othe
ai
rportandy oucantakeashor t
,flytoAustr
ali
a.
Andbr i
ngherhomebecausei twasr eal
lywrong
ofyout odot hi
stoher.
”
Sgwil
i:“
Youareri
ghtbutIwon’
ttel
lmom
becauseshe’
l
lfr
eakandtrytost
opme.Iwi
l
l
hav
etoconsul
tbef
orel
eav
ing.
”
Dal
isu:“
Yes,youhavetodothatandi
fyouhave
somethi
ngthatyouneed,j
ustcal
lme.Iwi
llhel
p
whereIcan.
”
Sgwil
istoodupandDal i
sustoodupafterhi
m.“
I
wil
ldothat,bafo.
”Hesaidandtheyshareda
manlyhugaf t
erhe’dt
hankedhim…
Theyhavesharedsmall
talksandlaughedwit
h
thekingbefor
eheaskedthem tositbackand
l
istentohim…
Dali
su: “
WhenIwaswor ki
ngi nDurbanI
happenedtoseeaf lower,
”hebeganandt he
otherssmil
edtheylookedatoneanot her
.“AndI
l
ikedt hi
ski
ndofflowerithappenedt hatwe
beganseeingeachot herandnowIwi shto
makehermywi f
e.”Her evealedandthewomen
ulul
atedwhil
ethemenpr aisedtheZuluclan
names.Sbaniwasqui etl
ylookingathis
brother…
Dal
i
su:
“Iwantt
omakesomet
hingcl
ear
t
hough.
”
Counci
l
:“NDABEZI
THA!
”
Dal
isu:
“Youknowt hi
swomanandIdon’ twish
t
hatyouthinkshe’
sworki
ngherebecauseshe’s
i
nfavourofmyhear t
.Weall
decidedtotakeher
wat
erproject
.”
MaDube:
“Oh,
it’
sPr
eci
oust
hewat
ercont
ract
woman?”
Man: “
Awu, uslethel
eumnotho!”hecomment ed
andtheyl aughed.Thewomanul ulated.
Preci
ouswasknownbyt hecouncilasawoman
whowashumbl eandknewwhatshewasdoi ng.
She’dneverdi srespect
edanyonef rom the
council
,thosewhowor kedcloselywi t
hher
knewthat .
Dal
i
su:“Iwantedt
olety
ouknowbef
oreIt
ake
t
hefir
ststeps.
”
Council
:“NDABEZITHA!
”theythendi
scussed
rel
evantthi
ngsconcer
ningtheuni
onbetween
Dali
suandPreci
ous.Bef
oredi
scussi
ngthings
fur
ther
,thewomenhadaskedhimifhiswife
hadagreedandhetol
dthem t
hatsheagreed…
“Youarereal
lygetti
ngmar r
ied?”Sbani
asked
sit
ti
ngont hechairbefor
eDalisu’
sdesk.
They’
vejustfi
nishedthei
rmeet i
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
Sbani
:“Wi
thPr
eci
ous,
baf
o?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
what
’swr
ongwi
thher
?”
Sbani:
“She’
sthewomanyouj
ustmettwo
monthsbackandyouar
emarryi
ngher
al
ready?”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
spr
egnant
.”
Sbani
:“Yoh!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
ttel
lany
one.
”
Sbani
:“Iwon’
tbuthowar
ethi
ngsathome?
”
Dali
su:“
They’
renotgoodatall
bafo.Iam l
osi
ng
herandther
e’snot
hingIcandoaboutit
.Ican
j
usthopethati
nti
meshewi
l
lful
l
yacceptt
his
si
tuat
ion.
”
Sbani:“
Iam innoposit
iont
oadv i
seyou
becauseit’
sapersonalmat
terandther
e’sa
chi
ld.but,
”hesmiledandst
oodup.
Dal
i
suchuckl
edathi
s‘but’
,“Butwhat
,
Mageba?
”heaskedl
ookingathim.
Sbani
:“Youcangi
veMaSt
hol
etomenow.Iwi
l
l
tr
eathergood.
”
Dali
sulaughedhil
ari
ousl
yandleanedhishead
backont hechai
r’
sknee.Sbaniwasstandi
ng
befor
ehim andhewasl aughi
ngalongwith
hi
m.
Sbani
:“Whatdoy
ousay
?”
Dali
su:“
Icanbringyout ogether
,askifshe
wantsyouandifsheagr eesIcanshooty oui
n
theheadandshoothernext .Thenyoucanhave
her,
inheaven.
”Her epl
ied.Theylaughed.
“Wannatakethatchance? ”heasked.
Sbani
: “
Wee!HowcanIl oveherinheav en?We
wil
lbesingingHal
lel
ujahinheaven.There’
sno
l
ove,mar r
iage.
”Herepli
edleavi
ngtheof fi
ce
l
aughing..
.
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE12

“Ihav egoodnews. ”Makhositol

dThembel i
hle,
theywer einsideherkit
chen.Thembeli
hlewas
fi
nishinguppr epari
nglunchforhersons.They
wer eont hei
rbackt oherpal
acewi t
htheir
grandmot her.She’dlef
thomewi tht
hem the
previousdayshewentt ovi
sitherbrot
her’
s
kingdom wi t
ht hem.
Thembel ihl
e:“Tel
lmethegoodnewsandl et
’s
eat.”Shesatdownandgav ehert
heplateof
food.“Oh, maybewecankeepthefoodfor
celebrat
ions?”sheaskedandt
heylaughed.
Makhosi:
“Gi
vemet
hef
oodIhav
eabi
g
appet
it
e.”
Thembeli
hlelaughedandasked,“Bi
gappeti
te,
areyoupregnant?”Makhosist
oppedeati
ngand
l
ookedathert hi
nkingofherst
atement.
Thembeli
hlesawt heworryonherface.“
Tel
lme
youarenot.
”Sheadded.
Makhosi
:“Nowthaty
ou’
vement
ionedi
tIam
j
ustnott
oosure.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Makhosi:“Ihavebeenhav ingaheadachethat
j
ustcouldn’tstopevenaftertaki
ngthetabl
es
theheadachei sst
ill
botheringmeandmy
peri
odshadl it
eral
lystoppedbutIthought
maybeit’
st hepreventi
onIt ooki
nFebruary
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yoh!Makhosi
,tel
lmey
ouar
e
j
oking.
”
Makhosi
:“No,
maybei
t’
sjustmymi
ndpl
ayi
ng
t
ri
ckswit
hme. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Let
’shopeso.
”
Makhosi
:“Yeah,
sot
hegoodnews.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Makhosi
:“Ihav
eacl
i
enteMandeni
!
”
“What
?”Shestoodupandululat
ed,Makhosi
l
aughedl
ookingatherf
ri
endbeinghappyfor
her
.Shefinal
l
ysatdown.“TheLordi
sgreat
Makhosi
.”shecommented.
Makhosi
:“Al
lthet
ime,
ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tel
lmeabouti
t.
”
Makhosi
:“I
t’
sjustasmall
cont r
acttheyneed
f
ivecl
eaner
sf r
om anewcl eani
ngcompany .I
t’
s
aBnB.Iam goi
ngtosignthecontracton
Monday.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
That
’swonder
ful
,hav
eyouf
ound
thecl
eaners?
”
Makhosi:“
Yes,Ihavebeenbusyt
ryi
ngt
ofix
t
hingsforthem Ij
ustwantedt
ocomehereto
tel
lyout
hegoodnewssot
haty
oucanseet
hat
Icandothi
ngsonmyownnow.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam happyandpr
oudofy
ou,
Makhosi
.”
Makhosi
:“Icoul
dn’
tdot
hiswi
thouty
ou.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Don’
tmenti
onit…So,
howwi l
l
theyt
ravelbecauseMandeniisf
arf
rom her
e,
abouttwohour sandmore?”
Makhosi: “
Yeah,Ihaveor gani
sedapl acefor
them torent.Theywil
l payrentthereandwi ll
be
ablet
osendmoneybackhome.Ihav emade
surethatIhirepeopl
ewhoar ef i
ttoleav ehome.
Theolderwomenwi ll
getj obsiny ourlodge.
Thefami li
esaregrat
eful fort
his,Itol
dt hem
thatt
hei deawasy ours.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“You’
vedoneagreatj
ob,Makhosi
.
Andyoudon’thavetot
ell
them t
hat
,thi
s
companyisyours.
”
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou,
Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwonderwhatwi
l
lyourhusband
saywhenhehear
sthat.
”
Makhosi
:“Idon’
tknowanddon’ tcarebutIam
happyt
hatIwill
feedmychi l
drennow.Imetup
wit
htheaccountsladythaty
out ol
dmeabout
andshehelpedmewi thbudgetforfr
ee.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihopey
ou’
l
luseev
ery
thi
ng
wisel
y.
”
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“AndNkosi
khonaandhi
smoney
?”
Makhosi:“
Idon’
tknow,Thembel
ihl
e.Hewil
l
contactmewhenheneedsmef ornow,Iwi
ll
focusonmybusiness.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ili
kethespi
rit
.”Shegaveherthe
hi
ghf i
veandtheysharedi
t,theyl
aughed.“
Well,
speaki
ngofgoodnewsIhav egoodnewst oo.”
Shesaidwithashortsmil
e.
Makhosi
:“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Myhusbandi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
Makhosi
:“HHAYBO!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,
you’
veseent
hewat
er
proj
ectl
ady?”
Makhosi
:“Thatcl
assybeaut
if
ulwoman?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
he’
smar
ryi
ngher
.”
“Thembeli
hle!”Sheexclai
medhol
dingher
hands.Shewasl ooki
ngatherwit
hsadey es.
Shecouldn’tbeli
evethat‘
Dal
i
su’wastaki
nga
secondwife.
Thembeli
hle:“Don’
tlookatmewithsadey
es.I
haveaccepteditandagreedt
hathecanmarr
y
her.
”
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’sf i
neandl ook,l
et’
snottal
k
aboutmysadnews.Iwi llbri
ngyourfavour
it
e
j
uiceandwewi l
l celebr
atesincewear enot
Champaignorwinewomen. ”Makhosil
aughed
anotsogenuinel aughasshel ookedher
standi
ngup.Shewonder edhowshemanaged
toj
ustacceptt
hisandbestr
ongabouti
t…But
shedi
dn’tknowonethi
ng,t
hatbehi
ndclosed
door
sshewasal oneandnotsostr
ong…

Shewasonay ell
owandnav yAfri
canpri
nted
l
ongsl eevedmaterni
tydr
ess.Shehadthesame
coloursdoekonherhead.Shesatdownonher
dressingchai
randlookedathersel
fshe
smi l
ed.
“Il
ookbeauti
ful!
”Shecompl i
mentedhersel
f
andgiggl
ed.Shelookedatherhandsandt hey
weresti
ll
swollen.Shewishedshecouldwear
herweddingri
ngt oni
ghtbutshecoul
dn’t
becauseitdi
dn’tf
ithernow.
Herphonerangwhi l
eshewasst i
l
l l
ooki
ngat
herhands.Shetookitandansweredthecal
l
.
“Mama.”ShegreetedMaCebekhulu.
MaCebekhul
u:“MaSthol
e,whereareyou?
Ev
eryoneisherenowandy ourhusbandsay
s
weshouldwaitfory
ou.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Theni
ghti
snotaboutmewhy
shoul
dyouwaitf
orme?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thembeli
hle,pl
easecomeso
t
hatwecangetthi
soveranddonewi th,
Idon’
t
l
ikei
tasmuchasy oudon’
t.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iam comi
ng.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shehungupt hecall.Thembel i
hlestoodupand
tookherhandbagshewaswear i
ngsl eeperson
herfeet.Hersonswer einRichardsbaywi thher
brother
.Theywer ev isit
ingfort
woni ghts.
Thembel i
hlewasal oneatherpal aceasher
husbandhadn’ tbeenhome…Shel ockedt he
frontdoorofherhouseandbul gersshewal ked
tohercarthatwasal readybythegat e…
Shesteppedi
nsi
dethecar.“Youcan’
twaitto
meetyournewqueen.”Thembeli
hlet
eased
NjongoandMduduziastheywereseatedinsi
de
thecar.
Mduduzi
:“Whydoyousayt
hat
,ndl
ovukazi
?”he
askedst
art
ingt
hecar
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Thecari
sal
readypar
kedher
e
youar
erushing?”
Nj
ongo:
“No,
butndabezi
thacal
l
ed.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,howar eyouanyway,
gent
lemenIhaven’tseenyoutoday.
”
Men:
“Wear
efi
ne,
ndl
unkul
uandy
ou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ine.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Sy
athokozaukuzwal
okho.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Yebo.
”…Sher espondedt
oher
brother
’spict
uremessage.He’dsentapi
ctur
e
ofthemesst heboysdidonhisbedroom.She
l
aughedandsentav oi
cenoteaftert
ypi
ng…
“Wear eher
e.”Njongosaidopeningthedoorfor
Thembelihl
e.Theyhav ear
ri
vedat
MaCebekhulu’spalacewherethewholeZulu
familywasgoingtomeetPr eci
ous.She
steppedoutofthecarandwal keduptothe
ki
tchen’
sent
ranceoft
hemai
nhouse.
“Ndl
unkul
u!”Thewomenintheki
tchengr
eet
ed
herassheenter
edthehouse.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
sani
bona.
”
Mawande:“Si
si!
”sheexcl
aimedandst
oodup
f
rom herchai
r,t
heyhuggedeachot
herwar
mly.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Howar
eyou?Takemet
o
mama.”
Mawande:“
Iam f
ineandhowareyou?
”she
askedl
eadi
nghertoMaCebekhul
u’
sbedr
oom.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam f
ine,
didy
oucomewi
thy
our
daught
er?”
Mawande:“No,
Ilef
therwit
hherf
ather
.Mama
sai
dyoursonswon’tbeher
eandso,If
igur
edI
shoul
dleav
eherbackhome.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,how’
syourfamil
y?”she
l
ookedbackatherasshewasl eavi
ngher
i
nsidehermother’
sroom.
Mawande:
“Theyar
efi
ne,
sisi
,Ican’
tcompl
ain.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay ,Iwi
llseeyoulater
.”She
noddedandleft.Thembelihl
eclosedthedoor.“
I
am her
enow. ”sheinfor
medher .
MaCebekhulu:“
Iwon’
tscol
dyoubecausey
ou
l
ookbeauti
ful.
”
Shegi
ggl
edandlookeddown.“
Wher
ewi
l
lthey
meether
?”sheasked.
MaCebekhul u:“
Wear eallgoingupt ot
hat
empt yhouseIhav esetthechai rsandtables
there.Youdi dn’
tevencomet ohelpme.”She
didn’tsayany t
hingshedidn’tevenwantto
comment .“ButIunderst
andsol et’
sgo.Iwi l
l
tell
them y ouareherefir
st.”Sheaddedst andi
ng
up.
Thembelihl
enoddedandsatdownont hebed…
ThedoorwasopenedandThembel i
hlerai
sed
herhead,Dali
suent
eredthr
oughthedoor.She
sentherheadbacktoherhandst
hatshewas
l
ookingat.
Dal
isuwentdownandsatonhisl
egsheplaced
hi
shandsonherthi
ghs.Shel
ookedathi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Sani
bona,
kwaZul
u.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
unj
ani
?”
Dal
isu:“Ngi
yaphi
la,
ninj
aninina?”heasked
hol
dinghertummyandhef el
tthemov ement
s
ofhisson.“
Thisoneisalwaysactiv
einhere,
ni
yaphil
a?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sy
aphi
l
a.”
Dali
su:“
Howarethi
ngsnowt
hatIhav
egi
ven
youspacet
hey
’rebet
ter
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”Shel
i
edwi
thast
rai
ght
face.
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
etheboy
s?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theyar
efi
ne.
”
Dal
i
su:
“CanIcomehome,
toni
ght
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youshoul
dbewit
hyourwif
eI
meanshe’l
lbehappytobewi
thyou.Toni
ghti
s
yourspeci
aldayshe’
smeet
ingyourf
ami
l
ysoi
t
wil
lbebett
erifyoubewi
thher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youdon’
twantme?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasj
ustshowi
ngy
ouagood
thi
ngt
odo.”
“Canwego?”MaCebekhul
urequest
ed
appear
ingont
hedoor.
Dali
su:“Wearecomi ngmama. ”Shenodded
andclosedthedoor.“Iwanttobewithyou
toni
ght,MaSthol
e.”Hepressed.
Shelookedupandrol
l
edhereyes.Shedi
dn’
t
knowhowt odecl
i
nehim.Shedidn’
twanthi
m
nearhershewasgoodwit
houthim.Orsoshe
thought
?
Dal
isu:“
Iwon’tper
suadeyouint
ohav i
ngsex
wit
hmebutIj ustwantt
obewi t
hy ou,
toni
ght.
TheboysarecomingbacktomorrowandIalso
wanttoseethem whentheycomeback.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,youcancomeandIhav
e
nev
ersai
dyoumustaskper
missi
ontome
whenyouwantt
ocometoyourhouse.
”
Dal
isu:“Iknowbutmypresenceupset
syouI
j
ustdidn’twantt
oupsetyou.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Let’
sgonow.I
t’
snotr
ightt
okeep
theel
der
swaiti
ng.
”
Henoddedandstoodup,
herequestedforher
handbutshedi
dn’
twanttogi
veittohim.She
wasashamedofherswol
lenhands.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thembel
ihle:
“Nothi
ng,
canwego?”shemoved
awayfr
om him butDal
i
suhel
dherhand.He
l
ookedatitandsawitwasst
il
lswol
len.
Dal
isu:
“Whyisi
tsti
ll
li
kethi
s?Ithoughtbei
ng
awayfr
om youwil
lmakeitbet
ter,y
ourBPwill
act
ualgobackt
oitsnormalst
ate.What’
s
bot
heri
ngyounow?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No, i
t’
snot
hingt
heybecome
swol
lenatni
ght.
”Sheli
ed,i
mpati
ent
lylooki
ng
att
hedoor
.“Canwego?
”shepr
essed.
Dal
i
sunoddedandtheylef
t,t
heymarchedto
t
hehousewhereever
yonewas,theywere
wal
kingi
nsi
lence…
Thembeli
hlewenttosi
tonanav ai
labl
echair
thatwasnexttoMaKhoza.Aftershehad
greet
edeveryoneandhandshaketheothers.
“Youlookbeaut
if
ul.
”MaKhozacompl i
mented
Thembelihl
einawhisper
.Thembeli
hlesmil
ed
andlookedather,
shewassurpr
isedthatshe
wascompl i
menti
ngher!
Thembelihl
e:“Ngiyabonga,mama.Kant ike
umuhlenawe. ”Shecompl imentedbackand
MaKhozagi ggled.“Now,let
’sconcentr
ate.”She
addedandshenodded.Theyr ai
sedtheirheads
andlookedupatDal i
su.Hewasst andingonhi s
feetandhebegant el
li
ngthem thathewas
taki
ngasecondwi fe.Whenhewasdone, t
he
womenul ul
atedandt hemenpr ai
sedtheZul u
clannames…MaKhozawasl ooki
ngat
Thembelihlewhohadherey esclosedandher
headlookingdown.Sher emovedherey esf
rom
herasThembel ihl
eopenedherey es…Shehad
hereyeslookingatDal
isunowandhewas
alr
eadylookingather
.Theybot hdidn’
tremove
thei
reyesf r
om eachother…
Mostwomeni nthehousetheywerel
ookingat
Thembeli
hleandthet
raceofhergazeshowed
thati
twasonherhusband…
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
ll
askthatmysist
erNokut
hulaand
Mawandetogofetchhersot
hatyoucanmeet
her
.”
MawandeandNokut hul
alef
tthehouse…
Thembeli
hler
emovedhereyesonDal i
suand
l
ookeddown.Dali
suwasseat eddownnowand
theel
derswerehav
ingaconv er
sati
onwit
h
Dali
su.
Now,Thembelihl
ewasl ookingathi
m,
obser
vinghim…he’dli
edt oherandtol
dherthat
hi
srel
at i
onshi
pwithPreciouswasami st
ake.
Shef el
lpr
egnantbymistake!Theyweredrunk!
Heliedtoher!Shewasseeingthatnowas
Dal
isuwasseat edt
here,smili
ngtal
kingabout
hi
snewwi f
etotheelder
s.Shesighedand
l
ookeddown.
“Hmm! ”Everyonei nt hehousehummedas
Preci
ousent eredt hedoor.Shewaswearinga
l
ongplainblackdr essandhadar edscar
fon
hershoulderswi thar eddoek.Shehadherhead
l
ookingont hef loor…MaCebekhul ust
oodup
andshowedhert hechairwhereshewas
supposedt osit.Dalisuthenstoodupand
l
ookedatt heel ders.
Dali
su:“Thi
si sthewomanIwishtot akeasmy
secondwi f
e, KaMaj
ozi
.Andmywi fe,MaSthol
e
hasagreedt hatwecangetmarr
ied.”He
expl
ained.
Thewomenul
ulat
ed…
Thementhenl
eftthewomenaf
tert
heyhave
sai
dthei
rwel
comingwordst
oPreci
ous…They
werehavi
ngdrinksanddinneraski
ngPr
eci
ous
quest
ionsabouthersel
fandshewasansweri
ng
them.
“Your
eal
lyagreedt
othis?
”MaKhozaasked
Thembel
i
hleinawhisper.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Idi
d.”
Auntel
der
:“I
t’
sgoodt ohearthatMaSthol
e
agr
eedtothi
smar r
iagewit
houtushav i
ngbeing
cal
ledt
oconvincehertodoitjustli
kewedid
wit
hhermotherin-
law.
”Theot hersmumbled
al
one.
MaCebekhul
u:“Awu,auntyt
hat
’st
hepastcan
youf
orgeti
t?”t
heylaughed.
Youngaunt
:“You’
l
lhav
easistert
oshareyour
husbandwi
thMaSthol
e,howdoyoufeel
?”
Preci
ousl
ookedatThembeli
hleandalleyes
wereonThembeli
hle.Sher
aisedherheadand
l
ookedatPreci
ouswhowasal readyl
ooki
ngat
her.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam justhappyf orher
,she’
d
foundher
selfamanandMagebawi l
ltr
eatyou
l
ikequeenthatyou’
llbenow. ”shemanagedt o
saywit
houthervoicebreaking.
Auntel
der
:“Youhear
dthatKaMaj
ozi
?”
Preci
ous:“
Yes,
andIam gr
atef
ult
oyou
MaStholef
oral
lowi
ngmetobehiswif
e.Thank
you.’
”
“Awu,bakithi
!”Theothersexclai
medand
Thembel i
hlenoddedwi thasmi l
e.They
proceededwi t
htheirconversati
onst hemaids
camei nsi
deandt ookt hepl
atest othosewho
weredone…Thembel ihlest
oodupandl ef
tthe
houseaf t
erthem…Shewentt ositdownont he
chair
sundert hetr
ee.Shesi ghedandt ookher
phonef r
om herhandbag.Shecal ledMduduzi .
“
Ndl
ovukazi
?”Heanswer
edhercal
l
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wherear
eyou?Iwantt
ogoand
resti
nmyhouse.
”
Mduduzi
:“Wear
eeat
ingwi
thot
herguar
ds.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay
,wheny
ouar
edone,
please
cal
lme.”
Mduduzi
:“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Shehungupt hecal
landpl
ayedt
hev
oicenot
e
herbr
otherhadsent.
“Mama!Wedi dn’
tplaywithuncl
e’scl
otheswe
sawthem onhi sbedandt ri
edtofixt
hem li
ke
youfixdad’sclot
hes.”thetwoboysexplai
nedto
thei
rmot heronthev oi
cenote.Thembeli
hle
l
aughedl i
steni
ngtot hem.
“Whatdi
dthosetwodo?”MaCebekhul
uasked
si
tti
ngnextt
oThembeli
hle.She’
dbeenst
andi
ng
behi
ndherli
steni
ngt
othev oi
cenot
e.
Thembeli
hle:“
Theytr
iedtofol
dt hei
runcl
e’s
cl
othesbuttheymadeamess. ”MaCebekhulu
l
aughedandshookherhead.“ Shoul
dn’tyoube
i
nsidethehouseget
ti
ngt oknowy ourdaughter
i
n-l
aw?”sheaskedlookingather.
MaCebekhul
u:“HowcanIdot
hatwhent
he
el
der
sarearoundher
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sor
ry.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Isawy
oul
aughi
ngandgi
ggl
i
ng
wi
thMaKhoza.”
Thembeli
hlelookedatherandlaughed.“Ar
e
youjeal
ous?”sheaskedandlaughedev en
harder
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i,kwahl
eukuphapha!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ah, baki
thi
.Mymot heri
n-l
aw
she’
sal
somymot heri
n-l
awnj e.Wewerejust
havi
ngsmallt
alksasmot heranddaught
er.”
MaCebekhulu:
“NgizokuphoxaMaSthole
yezwa?”Thembeli
hlelaughed.“
Iam t
heonl
y
motherin-
lawyouhave.”Sheadded.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,y
es,t
hat’
str
ue.”Herphone
beepedandshelookedatt
hetext.“
Mama, canI
goandsleepnow?”sheaskedstandi
ngup.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whyar
eyoul
eav
ingsoear
ly?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ther
ear
ethi
ngst
obedone?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
buty
ouar
edeser
ti
ngme
now.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwantmetosi
ther
eand
smil
ewit
hmynewsisteri
n-l
aw?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“No,Iam bei
ngsel
fi
shandIwas
t
oldbyyourhusbandthatshe’
l
lsl
eepher
e.”
Thembelihl
e:“Thatwi
ll
giv
eyouenoughtimet
o
bondjustli
keIbondedwit
hMaKhoza.”She
teasedandlaughed.
MaCebekhulu:“
Ifyouwer enotpregnantIwas
goi
ngtotakethisstoneandhi tyourheadwith
i
t.
”Thembelihl
elaughedf urt
herandstoodup.
MaCebekhulustoodupaf terher
.Theybot h
wal
kedtoThembel ihl
e’scar.MaCebekhuluwas
hol
dingherhandtelli
nghert obecareful
.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Youpr et
endasi
fther
ear
eno
l
ight
sint
hispalace.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Theyar
enotasbr
ightas
y
our
s.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Phela,
Iam amoder
ngi
rlIknow
thi
ngs.
”Theylaughed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Uphaphi
ley
azi!Andyou
shoul
dn’
tbebehav
ingli
ket
hiswithy
ourmot
her
i
n-l
aw.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Youarenotamonsteri
n-l
aw.You
aremyf r
iend.
”Shesai
dandquickl
yki
ssedher
cheek.MaCebekhul
ulaughed.
MaCebekhulu:“
Goodnight
,mntanami.
”She
openedherarmsforherandtheyhuggedeach
other
.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Goodni
ghtmama.It
hankt
he
Lordf
oryou.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Ithoughty
ou’
ll
bethefirst
queeninthi
sroyalhousewhowouldn’
tshare
herhusbandwit
hasecondorthir
dwi f
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIwon’
tbe.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Idon’
ttr
ustt
hisgi
rlt
hough.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhayi,hhayi
!Mama, don’
tdothat
j
usttr
eatherr
ightt
oobecausei fy
oudon’t
she’
l
lhatemeandpeopl ewil
lsayyoufavour
me.They’
ll
tal
kbadaboutus.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwon’
tmistr
eatherThembel
i
hle.
Iwasj
ustsayi
ngIdon’
ttr
usther
,nothi
ng
much.
”
Shenoddedandsteppedinsidet
hecar.“
My
graduat
ioni
snextweekWednesdaynjaloandI
am taki
ngyouandmybr otherwi
thme.”she
i
nformedherwit
hasmi l
eonherf ace.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yourhusbandi
snotcomi
ng
wi
thyou?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idon’
tknow.Idon’
tthi
nkheev
en
remembersthatIam gr
aduati
ng.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Youmustremindhimyouknow
thathecanbefor
get
fulbecauseofhowbusy
heis.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
l.Now,
canIgo?
”sheasked
l
ooki
ngatherwi
thwor
ry.
“Uyaphaphawemf azi
!”Sheexcl
aimedand
Thembelihlel
aughed,theguardsevenl
aughed
atherstatement.Shesteppedbackand
Mduduzi drov
eof f
.
Mduduzi:“
Iwishmywif
ecangetal
ongwithmy
motherj
ustli
keyoudowit
hyourmotheri
n-l
aw,
ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hawu,
whydon’
tyoubr
ingt
hem
toget
her
?”
Mduduzi
:“That
’si
mpossi
ble.
”
Njongolaughed.“
Don’tl
aughNjongoandwhen
areyougetti
ngmar r
ied?
”sheaskedlooki
ngat
herphone.
Nj
ongo:“
Hhayi
,ndlov
ukazionceIdecidetoget
marr
iedy
ou’
ll
bet hefi
rstt
oknowt hatgir
l.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Haa!Iwi
l
lbehappy
.”
Mduduzil
aughedandlookedatNjongo.
“
Impohlol
endlovukazi
,ayi
sozeyashada.
”he
sai
dadt
heyal
ll
aughed…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3EPI
SODE13

“Youarestill
sitt
inghere?”MaCebekhul uasked
Thembelihle,shewasseat edonherdr essi
ng
chai
rlookingather sel
font hemirr
or.Shewas
i
nherbeachhousei nRichardsbay.
Thembeli
hle:
“ Ij
ustcan’
tbel
i
evet
hisdayi
sher
e
Iam f
inal
l
ygr aduati
ng.”
MaCebekhul u:
“Youbet
terbel
iev
eitandyou’
l
l
beli
eveitevenmorewheny ouhaveyour
rest
aurantupandrunni
ng.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwonderifmom isproudlooki
ng
atmenow.Shenev erwantedmet ogetmar r
ied,
‘
there’
smor et
oli
fethanhavingahusband
Thembeli
hledon’
tdependonaman. ’
”She
ref
lect
edwithasmileandlookedat
MaCebekhulu.“ Butmay beifIdidn’
tret
urn
homeIwasgoi ngt obesti
llst
uckwithmy
abusi
vesister.Imetmyhusbandandhe
becameev erythingandmor et ome.Ijustf
eel
l
ikemaybebecauseIhav eachievedthi
sIwill
l
osehim butIdon’ twanttolosehim mama.I
l
ovehim Istil
llov ehim.”sheheldherhands.
MaCebekhul
u:“He’
sstil
lyourhusband
Thembel
ihl
e.Youdon’thavetofeell
ikey
ouar
e
l
osinghi
m becauseyouarenot.”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam losi
nghim mom, heno
l
ongercomeshomeev ersi
ncePr eci
oushad
mov edtoNongomaandt oday,he’snother
e
withme.ButIdi dremindhi
mt hatIam
graduat
ingtoday.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwi
l
lspeakt
ohi
m.”
Thembelihl
e: “
No,no,don’
tspeakt ohi
m mama
becauseit’
smyf aul
tthatheisn’tcominghome.
Hethinksthatwhenhedoesn’ tseemeIwi l
lget
bett
erIwillhaveanormalpregnancy,his
presenceupsetsmeandsohe’ sgivi
ngme
space.Ijustwishthathenevermetthiswoman
becausei fhedidn’
t,thi
ngswouldn’
tbeli
kethi
s.
It
’struet
hathispr esenceupset
smebuti tal
so
hurtstoknowt hathe’snotcominghome
becausehe’ swithsomeoneelse.”
MaCebekhulu:“Thembelihl
ejustcalm downand
acceptthi
ssit
uation.Youcan’tchangeitand
thebestyoucandoi sjustacceptit
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Iwil
lbefine,mama.Iam getti
ng
dressednow.”sheignoredherstatementand
stoodup,shewentt oherdress.MaCebekhulu
helpedinthedressthatshe’ddesi
gnedfor
hersel
f,anavytail
oredlongdresswithl
acylong
navysleeves.
MaCebekhul
u:“Thi
sdr
essi
stoot
ightl
ookat
yourpr
egnancybump.
”
Shelaughed.“
Butit
’sbeaut
if
ul,r
ight
?”She
askedlooki
ngatthebackofthedressonthe
mirr
or,openbackbuthadthelacecover
ing
her
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,
it’
sbeaut
if
ulbutt
oot
ight
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Oh,yesyouaremymot heri
n-l
aw
andsoitwill
lookt
ightmama.”Shecomment ed
andMaCebekhulushookherhead.“Iknowwhat
youthi
nki
ngandplease,don’
tsayit
.”She
i
nfor
medher .
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youshoul
dchanget
hedr
ess.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
youneedt
ochange.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
IfIchangewhatwillIwear?
”she
askedlooki
ngatherwi t
hasadf acenow.“I
don’thaveanyt
hingtowear
,pleasedon’tdo
thi
s.”shebegged.
“Iwil
lfi
ndsomet hi
ngappr opri
ateforyouto
wear.”Shetol
dherwal kinguptoherwar dr
obe.
Thembelihl
erushedt othewardrobeand
stoppedherfr
om openi ngit
.Shedi dn’
twant
hertoseeherclothes.
Thembelihl
e:“
Therearenobeauti
ful
clothesin
hereandIlookgoodinthi
smama.Pl ease,j
ust
befaironme.”shebeggedherand
MaCebekhululookedather
,sheshookher
head.
“What’
sgoingon? ”Dali
suaskedcl osingthe
doorbehi
ndhi m.He’dhear dthelastpartof
Thembeli
hle’ssentencewhenshewasbeggi ng
hermotherin-l
aw.Thembel ihl
elookedathi m
andlef
thismot her’
sside.Dalisusmiledlooking
athowbeaut i
fulshewas, she’
dappl i
edmake-
upandherhai r
styl
ewasbeaut if
ul,
herhair
sty
ledonherowndesi r
edst yl
e.
Dal
i
su:
“Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Reall
y?”sheaskedl
ooki
ngback
atMaCebekhulu.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
youl
ookper
fect
.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Youseenot
hingwr
ongwi
tht
his
dress?
”sheaskedwalki
ngcl
osert
o
Thembeli
hleshehel
dherwri
st.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
what
’swr
ongwi
thi
t?”
“I
t’
stoot
ight
,can’
tyousee?”Sheaskedt
urni
ng
Thembel
i
hleforhi
mt osee.
Dal
isu:“
Yes,
it’
stoot
ightont
hebumsand
hi
ps.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’sal
lyousee?
”
Dali
su:“Mama,Iwasjusthi
ghl
i
ght
ingt
he
sensuousbodypart
s.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
isu!
”Thembel
i
hlegi
ggl
ed
andl
ookeddown.
Dali
su:“
Youdon’thavet
oworryaboutthi
s
becausehergr
aduati
ongownwillbecover
ing
al
lthi
sandso,peoplewon’
tnoti
ce.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,Icanl
ety
ouweari
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thanky
ou,mama.”Shegav eher
asmil
eandMaCebekhululef
tthem seei
ngthe
l
ookthatDali
suwasgivi
ngher.
“
Ithoughty
ouwer
enotcomi
ng.
”Thembel
i
hle
comment edandhuggedDal isu.Hesmiledand
closedhi sey eshol di
nghert i
ghtl
y,t
hatwasthe
fi
rstgest urehe’ dgivenhim eversi
nceshe
foundoutaboutPr ecious.Heloveditandhe
appreci at
edi t.Itwasamomentt hathewished
couldl astlongerandt heywoul dbehappyagain.
Ormay bet heywi ll
behappynow?Shewas
showi ngt hatshe’daccept edhissecond
mar r
iage?Dal isuwonder ed.
Dalisu:
“Iwouldn’tmi
ssthisdayeveni
fIwas
sickbecausey ouwouldhavehatedme
forever
.”Heinformedher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Thankyouforcoming.
”Shesaid
movingawayfrom hi
m andshelookedatup
anddown.Shef r
owned.
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Areyoueat ing?”sheaskedtr
ying
totur
nhim andDalisuturnedwi t
hasigh.“
I
askedyouaquestion.”Sher emindedhim,
now
shewaslookingathisfaceandshewasn’ t
pl
eased.
Dali
su:“Yes, Iam eating.”shedidn’tsay
anythi
ngshej ustlookedathi m.“Igotyouagift
andIwanty out oweari ttoday.
”Het oldher
,
openinghissui tjacketandhecamebackwi t
ha
rect
angularsuedebl ackbox.Hegav eitt
oher.
Thembel i
hleopenedi tandsmi l
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
it’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Dali
su: “
It’
sy ourluckycharm Igotallt
he
symbol soft hemosti mportantdaysinourli
fe.
From thisrock, t
hat’
st hedaywef i
rstmet.You
wereseat edont her ockandtodayy ouare
graduating.”Hej umpedt othegraduat
iongown
shapedsi lv
er .
Thembeli
hle:
“Youevenincl
udedt
her
eed!
”she
excl
aimedandlaughed.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
that
’sanot
heri
mpor
tantpar
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ouandnow,
pleaseputi
t
on.
”
Dali
sutookthebracel
etandputi
tonherl
eft
wri
st.Hebentdownandki ssedt
hebackofher
hand.Thembeli
hlesmil
edandheldhi
shands.
Thembelihl
e:“Thanky ouforsuppor
tingmeand
standi
ngbymef rom thefi
rstdayti
l
lnow.You
madet hi
ngspossi bl
ef ormeandlovedmefor
thatIsay
, t
hankyou.”
Dali
su:“I
fyouar
ehappyIam happyandIcan
seethatyouar
enotswol l
ennow.”he
comment edl
ookingatherhandsandshehad
herri
ngonherfinger
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mygr
aduat
ionpr
epar
ati
ons
mademehappy.
”
“Iam happyt
ohearthat.
”Hesaidholdi
ngher
cheeks.“Whyi
syourfacedi
ff
erenttoday?
”he
asked.
Thembel
ihl
egi ggl
ed.“
Ihav eappli
edmake-up
anddon’
truinitasyouhav eyourbighandson
mycheeks.”Shesaidlaughing.
Dal i
suchuckl edandpl acedasof tki
ssonher
l
ipsbutThembel i
hlehel dhisl i
ps, t
urni ngt he
sof tkissi ntoapassi onat eki ss.Ani ntenseki ss
thatt hr ewt hem att hebankoft heirf eel i
ngs
wher et heywer ebot hf or cedt or ememberhow
mucht heyl ov edeachot herbef oreDal isu
broughtat hirdper soni ntot heirl i
ves…He’ d
mi ssedt hef eel ofhert onguei nsidehi smout h
andt oday ,nowt hathewasf eelingithewi shed
hecoul ddoev erythingel sewi thherbuthe
knewt hatwoul dnev erhappen.Andhewasn’ t
goingt oaskf ort hatunl essshewast heone
whoi nitiat edi t…Nowt hathewasher eki ssing
herandhol di
nghert i
ght ly,shel ov edi tandshe
mi ssedhi m, todayherhear twasateaseand
shedi dn’twantt ot hinkaboutev erythingel se
shewant edt obehappy …Aknockont hedoor
distur bedt hem butt heydi dn’tst opr ightaway .
Het henbabyki ssedherandki ssedher
forehead.
“
Wear
esupposedt
obel
eav
ingnow,
Thembeli
hle.
”MaCebekhul
uremi
ndedher
,
wit
houtopeningt
hedoor.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yebo,
mama.
”Shesai
dlooki
ngat
Dali
su.
Dal
i
su:
“Il
ovey
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Letmeputy
ourshoeson.
”
Thembeli
hlesatdownonherdressi
ngchai
rand
Dali
suwentdownt oputherf
eetonhershoes,
navysuedesti
let
tos.
Dal
i
su:
“Youwon’
tfal
lont
heseshoes?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam al
mosty
ourhei
ght
now.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yeah,
right
.”
Theytookther
estofhert
hingsandt
heylef
t,
makingthei
rwaytothegr
aduati
onvenue…
Whent heycal
l
edhernamenextandher
qual
i
ficati
on.“
THEMBELIHLEZULU!”t
hewhol
e
hallofwomenul ulat
edandy oungmenbl ew
whistles.Theol dermenchant ed“BAYEDE!”the
minut eshet ookherf ir
ststeptostandnextto
thepodi um, herhusbandst oodonhi sf
eetand
everyoneel seint hehallst
oodup.Shewast he
queenandpeopl ewer eawareofthat…Shewas
smilingwi t
hherhear tpoundi
ngagainsther
chest .She’
dcomeal ongwayandf i
nal
l
y,she’
d
reachedherdest inat
ion…
Theydi dthenecessit
iesandwhenshehadher
diplomaonherhandsher aiseditupandthe
noisewentupl ouderuntil
shewasonher
chair…She’dfeltsoproudofherselfandshe
washappi erthatfi
nal
lyshe’dachievedwhat
shewant ed,herdream camet r
ueandher
foreigndream gotherwhereshewasnow!
Aft
ertheceremony,t
hejournal
istt
ookpictur
es
ofherandaskedhershortquesti
onsthatshe
answeredbefor
eleavi
ng…
“Manjeyouareleavi
ngmeher eninendoda
yakho?”MaCebekhuluaskedaft
ershewas
donehelpingThembeli
hlei
ntohertradi
ti
onal
gearthatDali
subroughtwit
hhim.
Thembeli
hle:
“Itwasn’
tmypl anmamaIdon’
t
evenknowwher ehe’
staki
ngme.Youcantell
Njongotogogettheboysfrom mybr
other
’s
house.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Okay
,Iwil
ldothat
.Wewere
supposedtocomewithHl
eziphiy
ouknow,
sit
downIwill
helpyouwit
hyourshoes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
houghtIcoul
dmanage.
”
ShesatdownandMaCebekhul uhel
pedherwit
h
hersandals.“Iwantyout
ohavefunwherever
he’
stakingy ou.
”MaCebekhul
usaidfi
xi
ng
Thembelihle’
stradi
ti
onal
hat.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Dal
i
suknockedonceandopenedthedoor.“
You
mustwai
tandbetol
dtocomei n,
Dali
su.”
MaCebekhul
usai
d.
Dal
i
su:
“Awu,
Thembel
i
hlei
smywi
femama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Aysuka!She’
sdoneIknowy
ou
ar
eherefort
hat.
”
“
Yes,l
et’
sgonow.MaSthole.
”Dali
susai
d
l
ooki
ngather
.Thembelihl
etookherpur
seand
l
ookedatMaCebekhul
u.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Thankyou,mama.”Shewentt
o
Dali
suandt heylef
tthehouse.“
Whyam I
weari
ngtraditi
onalcl
othesandyouarewear
ing
asuit
?”Sheaskedst eppingi
nsi
dethecarwi
th
hi
m.
Dal
isu:“
It
’smuchmorebeaut
iful
wheny ouar
e
weari
ngthem whi
l
eyouarepregnant
.”
Thembel
ihl
elaughed.“
Wherear
eyout
aki
ng
me?”sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
aki
ngy
out
oheav
en.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
youar
egoi
ngt
oki
l
lme?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wow,
itwoul
dbebet
teri
fyouki
l
l
al
lofust
hen.”
Dal
isu:“Theboysareal
readywait
ingforus.
”
Shelookedathim,nott
rusti
ngthattobeali
e.“
I
am j
ustjoki
ng.”Headded…Sheshookherhead
andproceededtoanewconv er
sationwit
h
hi
m…
Theyreachedt
heirdestinat
ion,Dali
suhad
bookedthewholerestaurantjusttohav
edinner
wit
hheronhergr aduati
onni ght.
“Ah!Wearehere!
”Sher eal
i
sedandlaughed.
Shesworethere,
thatshewasgoingtobe
happyt
onight.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
justt
het
woofus.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youcoul
d’v
egi
venmet
his
money,y
azi.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
spendi
ngt
imewi
thmei
snot
wort
hit
,youwantthemoneyinst
ead?
”he
l
ookedatherhur
tbyherwords.
Thembeli
hle:“
No,Iwasj ustki
ddi
ng.
”Hepul l
ed
thechai
rforherandshesatdown.“Please,
don’
tbesourIwasj ustkiddi
ng.
”Shepressed.
Dali
su:“Igott
hat.Here’
swhoaty ourser
vice
toni
ght.
”Heshowedherpushi nghisheadt ot
he
dir
ecti
onwher ethefamousChefthat
Thembel i
hlel
ovedwasst andi
ngbehindher.
Thembelihl
e:“JESU!”Shestoodonherf eetnot
knowingwhethertohughi m orgivehima
handshake.Shelostthecontrolandhugged
him,theCheflaughedandhuggedherback.“ I
am sorry
.”Shebackedawaygi ggl
ingshe
l
ookedatherhusbandandqui cklysatdown.
Dali
sushookhi shead.
Dal
i
su:
“Idi
dn’
tsayhugamani
nmypr
esence.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Iam sorr
y.”Sher
epeat
edl
ooki
ng
atDal
i
suandthentheChef.
Chef:“I
t’salri
ghtqueen.Ij
ustwanttosay
congratulat
ions.”Hesaidandturnedt
ot aket
he
parcelfr
om t hewait
resswhowasbehi ndhim.
“Don’topeni therej
ustopenitathome.”he
gavehert hepaperbag.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Thankyou,Iwatchal
lyourTV
showsandIloveyourdishes.
”
Chef
:“Yourhusbandtol
dmethatyouareafan
andso,It
houghtIshoul
dschedul
ethi
stime
andcookforyou.”
Shesmiledandl
ookedatDal
i
sut
henbackat
thechef
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Chef:“
Iheardyou’
llbeopeningy
ourrest
aur
ant
andony ouropeni
ngIwillcometot
asteyour
food.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Ihopeyou’
l
lbr
ingmoneydon’t
comewit
ht hefir
stfi
ft
ywho’
llgetf
reedi
shes.
”
TheChefandDal
i
sul
aughed.“
Shel
ovesmoney
Munayoumustunder
standthat.
”Dal
i
su
i
nfor
medhim.TheCheflaughed.
Chef
:“Iwil
lcomewit
hmoneyf oral
lthedi
shes,
st
art
ers,maindi
shanddesser
t.”
Thembelihle:
“Youhear
dthat,
Mageba?He’l
lbe
bri
ngingmoneybuty ouwanttoeatf
orf
reewit
h
yoursons.”Theyl
aughed.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lhav
etobr
ingt
hemoneyt
hen.
”
Chef
:“Wewillser
veyounow, y
ourhusbandtol
d
meallmydishesyouli
ketr
yingoutandso,Iwi
ll
beser
vingt
hem. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sl
ovel
y,Yoh!
”
Chef :“
Yourhusbandhadal
soassi
gnedmet
o
giveyouoneofmybestChef sf
oryour
restaurantandIwil
ldot
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknowwhatt
osaynow.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tsayany
thi
ng.
”
Chef
:“Wewi
l
lser
vey
ounow.
”
Thembelihl
esmil
edandnodded.TheChefl
eft
them andThembel
ihl
ehadhereyesonDali
su
now.
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
texpectal
lthi
s.”
Dal
isu:“I
twouldhavebeenhor
ri
blei
fIdi
dn’
t
gi
vey ouagraduat
iongi
ft.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thi
sismor
ethanagr
aduat
ion
gi
ft.
”
Dal
i
su:“Okaynextti
mewheny
ouhav
eaDegr
ee
Iwi
llgi
veyoualoll
i
pop.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iwi
l
lhav
eaDegr
ee?
”Sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tyouwanti
t?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“IdobutCol
l
egesdon’
tof
feri
t.
”
Dali
su:
“You’l
lregi
sterthroughUNISAandgeta
ski
ll
spracti
cecentrethatworkshandinhand
wit
hUNI SA.Idi
dn’tdoapr operr
esearchbefor
e
butnowIhav eall
theinformati
on.You’l
lonl
ydo
i
tify
ouwantt
odoi
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:“You’
ll
pay,r
ight
?”Sheasked
si
ppingonthedr i
nkthey
’veserv
edthem,she
wasn’tl
ookingathim.
Dal
i
suchuckled.“
DoIhaveachoi
ce,
MaSthol
e?”heaskedl
ooki
ngather
.
Thembelihl
e:“
Idon’tt
hinky
oudo, inthis
l
ifet
ime.”Shegi
ggled.“
Butforreal
,thankyou
forever
ythi
ng.
”Sheaddeddel i
ghtedly
.
Dal
isu:“Ij
ustwant
edt
or estor
ethehappi
nessI
hav
et akenawayfr
om y
ou. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam happy
.”
Hegotupandgav eherandshorti
ntenseki
ss…
Final
ly,
herdr
eam hadcomet rue…Andher
forei
gndream gothertomakeherorigi
nal
dream cometrue.
..
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE14

Makhosi hadbeenst ressedev ersincet heday

Thembel ihlehadbr oughtupt hewor d‘Pr egnant’
shewassupposedt obehappyt hatshehad
signedagoodpr omi singcont ractbutshewas
stressedinstead.Herchi l
dr enwer ehappyt hat
theirmotherhadsomet hi
ngt odowi thherl if
e…
Shesi ghedasshel ookedatt hem, theywer e
seateddownont helounge’ sf l
oor.Al wande
wascr eatingabeadedbr aceletandbeaded
chestcov erforThembel i
hle.Theboy swer e
l
ooki ngatherwor kandhel pingwi thev erythi
ng
shewant ed.Al wandewasgoodwi thbeadwor k
andshewant edt ocreatethebeadsf or
Thembel ihle,
tothankherf orhelpingt heir
mot herandhel pi
ngt hem, forgi vi
ngt hem a
homewhent heyhadnohome…
Makhosi
:“Youar
emanagi
ngj
ustf
ineAl
wa?
”
Al
wande:
“Yes,
mama.Iknowt
hatt
hequeen
wi
l
llov
ethem.Iam donewi
tht
hebr
acel
et.
”
Makhosi
:“That
’sgood.Letmeleav
ey ouIhav
e
somethi
ngthatIwanttodo.
”shestoodup.
Phil
asande:
“Mama,
whatmustwedof
ort
he
queen?”
Makhosi
:“Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?
”
Boy
s:“
Wedon’
tknow.
”
Makhosi:“
Youar ehel
pingy
oursisterandso,I
wil
ltel
lherthaty
ou’vemadethi
sf orher,
all
of
you.
”
Boy
s:“
Okay
!”
Phi
l
asande:
“Youdon’
thav
eapr
obl
em Al
wa?
”
Al
wande:
“No,
Idon’
t.
”
Makhosi thenl
eftt
hem andwentt oher
bedroom, shegotthepregnancyki
tandwentto
thetoi
letoutsi
dewi t
hit…Shetookthetestand
wait
ed, whil
ewaiti
ngshewasst ampingherfoot
onthef l
oorrepeat
edly.Shefel
tli
kethatwas
thelongestt i
meshehadt owai t
..
.Shegasped
asshesawt hetwol i
nesandshecr i
ed,inst
antl
y.
Shedi dn’tknowwhatt ot hink,whowast he
fatheroft hebaby?Howdi dshef al
lpregnant
becauseshewasv erycaref ul
,shewas
preventinganddi dn’
tmi ssanyi nj
ecti
ons?She
didn’tknowwhatt odoandwhot ocall
.Her
phoner angf rom herpocketshewi pedhert ear
s
andt ookherphoneout .Shet ri
edtosmi l
e.
Makhosi
:“Mama?
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Khosi
,youdon’
tev
encal
l
.”
Makhosi
:“Iwasst
il
lbusy
,mama.
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Busywi
thwhat
?”
Makhosi :
“Doyour ememberthatIt
oldyou
NdlovukaziMaStholei
shelpi
ngmest ar
tmy
business,acl
eaningcompany?”
MrsKhumal o:“Yes,mntanamiandIhavebeen
pr
ayingeversincey outol
dmeaboutit.NowI
am worr
iedthaty ouarenotcal
li
ngtogiveme
f
eedback.
”
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
rymama.
”
MrsKhumalo:
“What
’swrongKhosi
,whydoesi
t
soundl
ikey
ouarecr
ying?
”
Makhosi:“
No,mama.Ihavejustsi
gneda
cont
ractandmystaf
fwil
lstartwor
kingt
his
comingMonday.
”
MrsKhumalo:
“Yehheni
!Jehov
a!Mkhul
u
uJehov
a.Whydidn’
tyoutel
lmeMakhosi
?Why
,
ngampela?
”
Makhosi
:“Iam sorrymama.Iwasgoingtot
ell
youmamaIwasj ustbusyandst
ressed.
”
MrsKhumal
o:“
Hhay
i!What
’sst
ressi
ngy
ou,
now?”
Makhosi
:“Iam pr
egnantmamaandIdon’
t
knowwho’sthefat
herofthebaby
.”
MrsKhumalo:“
Uy ahlanya,
Makhosi
?Youwere
notpr
otect
ingyourselfwit
hthi
sman.Huh?
”
Makhosi:“
Iwasmama, butyouknow
sometimesyouj
ust-Iam notcomfor
tabl
ewi
th
expl
aini
ngthi
stoyou.”
MrsKhumalo:
“Justcal
cul
atet
hen,
dot
hemat
h,
Makhosi
.”
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lmamabut
,ey
.Idon’
tknow.
”
MrsKhumal
o:“Hhay
i,uy
aqhubekauy
angi
phoxa
nj
eMakhosi
.”
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lbeabl
etol
ookaf
tert
hebabyI
wi
llhav
emoneynow.”
MrsKhumalo:“
It
’snotaboutt
hat
!It
’sabouty
ou
bei
ngcar
eless.
”
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
ry,
mama.
”
MrsKhumalo:
“Whatareyourl
ongter
m pl
ans
becausey
oucan’
tstayi
nthathousef
orev
er?
”
Makhosi:“
OnceIhav
eenoughmoneyIwi l
lbuy
asi
teclosert
othequeen’
slodgeandst
art
bui
l
dingahouseformychildr
en.
”
MrsKhumal
o:“
Nowy
ouar
ethi
nki
ngl
i
kea
woman.”
Makhosi
:“Andmama, Iwil
l t
akey
ouandy ou’
l
l
st
ayherewithme.May bethatwi
l
lal
soteach
mysist
erssomelesson.”
MrsKhumalo:“
ThatcanmakemehappyIwant
t
orestMakhosi
.Iam nolongerf i
tforallt
his.
Mydaughter
sshouldbebringingev er
ythi
ngon
myfeetbutt
heydon’thav
et heirl
ivestogether
.
Mywombi scursed.
”
Makhosi
:“Don’
tsayt
hatmama.
”
Shesighed.“Dothethi
nki
ngMakhosiandwe
wil
ltakeitf
rom ther
e.Buti
fyout
hink,
who’st
he
fat
her?”sheasked.
Makhosi
:“Mzwakhe.
”
Mr
sKhumalo:“
Hhayi
,myai
rt
imei
srunni
ngout
.
Wewi
ll
tal
k,okay?
”
Makhosi
:“Okay
, t
hankyou,mamaandfor
ki
cki
ngmeout ,becausei
fyoudi
dn’
tIdon’
t
t
hinkIwasgoi
ngt
obet
hismot
ivat
ed.Thank
y
ou.”
MrsKhumalo:“
Ijustneededtodori
ghtbyyou
andgiveyout
hetoughlovethaty
oureall
y
needed.
”
Makhosi:“
Thankyou.AndIwil
lbuyyourai
rti
me
backbecauseIwassupposedtocal
lyou.”
MrsKhumalolaughedandsaid:“
Iwi l
lwai
tfor
i
t.
”Shehungupt hecall
.Makhosistoodupand
wenttowashherhands.Shethenused
Nedbankaccounttobuyai
rt
imef orhermother
.
“IwonderwhereareyouNkosikhonaandwhat
arey oudoi
ngwithwho?Ijustmissyouand
wishy oucancomebacktome. ”Shewished
outloudleani
ngbythehousewal l
withherey
es
closed…Herphonerangagain.
Makhosi
:“Haa!Youhav
eai
rt
imenow.
”she
t
easedhermot her
.
Mr
sKhumal
olaughed.“
Yey
!You’
vebeenpai
d,
al
ready
?”Sheasked.
Makhosi:“
No,
Ijusthav
esomet
hingonmy
account
.”
MrsKhumal
o:“
Oh,
Iwi
l
lev
encal
lmyf
ri
ends
now.
”
Makhosi l
aughed.“Hawu,mamaIf orgottotel
l
yout hatIhavejustfoundoutt hatMzwakhehas
at wo-year-
olddaughterwit
hhi smistress.He
didn’
tt el
lmeabouti tIj
ustfoundoutwhenI
wasi nhishouset ogetmyt hings.Hel i
veswit
h
hernow. ”sheexplainedtohermot her.
MrsKhumalo:
“Yey
!Lendodai
yey
isa.Inev
er
l
ikedhi
m.”
Makhosi
:“IwishIl
istenedwhenyouanddad
tol
dmet ostudyfi
rstbecauseIwasn’
tgoi
ngt
o
beint
hissit
uati
on.”
MrsKhumalo:
“Regrett
ingwon’thelpnow,what
canhel
pyouisworkingonthef ut
ure,abet
ter
fut
uref
oryouandyourchil
dren.Iwon’tfor
get
t
ocal
lyourhusband.
”
Makhosi
:“Hhay
bo,
mama!
”
MrsKhumalo:“
Ngiyeke!
”shehungupthecall
.
Makhosisi
ghedandwalkedbackinsi
dethe
houset
oherchil
dren…
-
--
--
--
“Mama!Youar ehome. ”Thet winsj umpedat
thesightoft hei
rmot her.Theycamebackhome
withthei rgrandmot herthreeday sbackand
Thembel ihl
ewasl eftbehindwi t
hDal isu.He
wast ryingt orevampt heirrelati
onshipandi t
wasn’ taneasyt askasThembel ihledidn’ twant
tosleepwi thhim, stil
l,butshewasopent o
enjoybei ngwi thhim andhedi dn’tpushheri nt
o
anything.Heunder stoodt hathewast heone
whomessedupandi twasupt ohimt ofixt hei
r
rel
ationshi p.Hisfocuswasset tli
ngbackt ot he
fri
endshi pt hathehadwi t
hher ,thebondt hat
theyhad.Heknewt hatifthatcanbeal r
ight
everythingwasgoi ngt of alli
ntopl ace.They
wer
egoi
ngt
obeal
ri
ghthewasposi
ti
ve.
Thembel i
hle:“Yes,
andIhav emissedyouso
much.”Shesatdownont hecouchandt heysat
nexttoher.Shehel dt
heirfacesandkissed
them,huggi ngthem.Theboy sgi
ggled
deli
ghtedl
y.
Mnotho:“
Mama,how’
sboy
-boy
?”heasked
t
ouchinghert
ummy.
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes,
howi
she?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
He’ sverymuchfineandhappy
thatyouareaski ngabouthim.Doy ouwantt o
feelhi
m, ki
ck?”shel ookedatthem andt hey
bothnodded.“ Yourhandsmustber eadythen.
”
Shesaidandpr essedhertummy ,theboy s’
handswer ealreadyonhert ummy .Thebaby
mov edinsteadandt heboyslaughed.
Ml
amul
i
:“Hemov
ed,
he’
sswi
mmi
ngmama?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Mama,
whathappenedt
ous.Wewer
e
bot
hswi
mmi
ngt
oo?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
youbot
hwer
eher
eand
ki
cki
ngmealways.
”
Theylaughed.“Howdidthebabygetinsi
de?”
Mnothoasked.MaCebekhululaughedsit
ti
ng
downshel ookedatThembeli
hle.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Answert
hem.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama,
baki
thi
howdoIanswer
them?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
That
’swhyweusedtotel
l
chi
l
drenthattheaer
opl
anefr
om abovegaveus
chi
l
dren.
”
Thembel
ihl
elaughedhol
dingtheboy
s’heads.
“MAMA!”Theycall
edherout.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourf
athergav
emebot
hyouand
yougr
ewupinhere.
”
“
OH!
”Theybot
hsai
dlooki
ngather
.
Mnot
ho:
“Youdr
ankus?
”
“Yehheni
,Jehov a!I
mihlol
a.”Shel
aughedand
MaCebekhulul aughedwiththem.“Yourfat
her
will
behomet onightandso,you’
l
laskhim,
okay?”shelookedatt hem wit
hasmi l
e.They
nodded.
Mlamuli
:“Ihavemi
sseddadalothehasbeen
worki
ngev er
ydaywit
houtseei
ngus.
”
Mnotho:
“Yes,
andwewi
l
lsl
eepwi
thy
out
wo,
r
ightmom?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Wewon’
tki
ckboy
-boy
.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,
you’
l
lsl
eepwi
thy
our
parent
s.”
MaCebekhul u:
“Andnowi t
’sti
meforust
ogo.
Youpromi sedugogothatyouaregoi
ngwit
hher
,
toherfr
iend’shouse,
right
?”
Boy
s:“Yes!Asambegogo.”Theyst
oodup
l
eavi
ngtheirmother
’ssi
de.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youar
eleav
ingy
ourmot
her
,
al
one?”
Mnotho:“
WewillcomebackMaSt hole,
mkami
.”
Thetwowomenl aughed.“Whyareyou
l
aughing?
”heaskedlookingconf
used.
MaCebekhul
u:“
MaSt
hol
eisy
ourmot
hernot
yourwi
fe.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Butdadsay
sso.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sbecauseIam hi
swi
fe.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Oh!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Pl
ease,
goandcomebackear
lyI
havemissedyou.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
twor
rywewi
l
lcomeback
ear
ly.
”
“Okay
,Iwil
lgor
estsolong.
”Thembeli
hlesai
d
andstoodupastheyl
eftt
hehouse…
“
Ndlov
ukazi
!”Hl
ezi
phimovedThembel
i
hle,
she
wassl
eepi
ngonherbed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes…”shedi
dn’
topenherey
es.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iam sor
ryt
owakey
oubuty
ouhav
ea
v
isi
tor
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Avi
sit
or?
”sheopenedherey
es
nowandsatupst
rai
ght.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yes,
it’
sNdabezi
tha’
sbr
ide.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ay
!Whatdoesshewanther
e,
now?”
Hlezi
phi
:“Idon’
tknowbutItol
dhert ocome
backsomeot hert
imebutsheinsi
stedthatshe
wantedtospeaktoyou.
”
Thembel
ihle:
“Idon’tknowwhatmakesher
thi
nkwearef r
iendsandshecanj ustcomei
nto
myhouse.”Shegotof fthebed.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Icant
ell
hert
ogo.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iwi
l
lcome.
”
Shenoddedandleft
.Thembeli
hlewenttot he
bathr
oom andwashedhersuddenlyhotface.
Sheheadedbacktothebedr
oom andwor eher
cl
othes.Shet
henwenttoherloungewher e
Preci
ouswasseateddownlookingatthedr i
nk
andcakesbef
oreher
.Shewasr
eluct
antt
oeat
thecakes.
“There’
ssomet hi
ngwr ongwiththecakes?”
Thembel i
hleaskedsi
ttingonherchairwit
hthe
TVr emote,shechangedt hechannel
that
Preciouswaswat chi
ng.Sheloweredthe
volumeandl ookedather.
Pr
eci
ous:
“No.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“So,
whyar
eyounoteat
ing
them?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Idon’
ttr
ustt
hem.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Excuseme?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Whati
fther
e’spoi
soni
nher
e?”
Thembeli
hlel
ookedatherandlaughed.“Who
woul
dwantt opoisony
ou,here?”sheasked
l
ookingatherwi
thherbubbledeyes.
HereyesmadePr eciousuncomf or
tabl
eina
waythatsheshif
teduncomf ort
ably.“
Iwastol
d
nevert
otrustanyone.”Sherepl
ied.
Thembeli
hle:
“That’
snice.”Shesai
dtaki
ngthe
j
uiceandcakesthatwer emeantforher
.She
beguneati
ngthepuref oodMaSbiyagave
Preci
ous.“
Andso, becausewedon’thavetr
ust
i
ssues.Wewi l
lj
usteat.”Shesai
ddr i
nki
ngthe
j
uicenow.
Pr
eci
ous:
“It
’snoteasyf
orme.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“What
’snoteasy
?Eat
ingf
oodi
s
noteasy
?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iwon’
texpecty
out
ounder
stand.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Whyareyoui
nmyhouse
becauseIdidn’
tinv
itey
ou?”
Preci
ous:“
Ijustwant
edt
otal
kyou
Thembeli
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdon’
tgett
ocal
lmebymy
name.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam sor
ryImeanndl
ovukazi
.
”
“Whatdoyouwant?
”Sheaskedtaki
nganother
cake,
Thembel
ihl
ehadboughtthecakes,
they
hadnot
hingwr
ong.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Ij
ustwant
edt
osayIam sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
esor
ry?
”
Preci
ous:“
Yes,f
ort
her
elat
ionshipthat
happenedbet
weenmeandDal i
su.”
Thembel i
hle:“I
fy ouar eheretotal
kaboutt hat,
cany oupleaseleav emyhousenow? ”she
stoodonherf eetaf terputt
ingherutensil
sback
onthet r
ay.Justhear i
nghercallherhusband
“Dali
su”itenragedher .OnlyMaCebekhul uand
Thembel i
hlecalledDal i
subyhi sfi
rstname, and
now, shehadt hatrighttojustcall
him byhis
name.Justt hat,cloudedhermi ndwi thpi
ctures
ofthem together.Dal i
suhadchosenher ,
hehad
broughtherintot heirl
ives.
Pr
eci
ous:“Pl
ease,cal
m down.Ij
ustcamehere
i
npeaceandwant edtoaskyout
oallowour
marr
iaget
obel egal
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dn’
tyouhearwhatIj
ustsai
d?I
sai
dleave!
”Preci
ousstoodonherf eetandtr
ied
toopenhermouth.“
LEAVE! ”Shescreamed
holdi
nghertummyandherwhol ebodywas
shaki
ngbecauseofanger,Hlezi
phiranint
othe
l
ounge.
“JUSTGO,PLEASE!
”Hlezi
phiscreamedand
Preci
ousr
anoffthehouse.“
MASBI YABRING
WATER!”Shehel
dThembel i
hle’
shand.
Thembeli
hle:
“Hl
ezi
phi!Iam wet
!”shewas
pant
ingandsweati
ng.MaSbiyaraninsi
det
he
l
oungewithwater
.
Hlezi
phi
:“Iwi
llj
ustt
akeal ookatyou.”
Thembeli
hlenoddedandHl ezi
phir
aisedher
garment
st ol
ookunderneathher.“
Ndlovukazi
,
youarebl
eeding.
”Sheinformedherand
Thembeli
hlepani
ckedfurther.
Thembel
ihle:
“No!Ican’
tbleedIam onl
ysev
en
months,
pleasedosomet hi
ng.”
MaSbi
ya:
“Iwi
ll
gocal
ltheguar
dssheneedst
o
bet
akentot
heDoct
or.
”
Thembelihle:
“Pl
ease,savemybabyHl ezi
phi
.
”
Sheheldherhandsandl ookedatherwi th
pl
eadingey esastear
sflewof fhereyes.
Hlezi
phididn’
tknowwhatt osayt ohershewas
heart
brokentoseeherlikethat…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE15

“Awu,MaSbiya,
whereisMaSthol
e?”Dali
su
askedMaSbiyashewaswor ki
ngi
nsidethe
kit
chen.Dal
i
sujustgotbackhomeearlythan
usual
.
MaSbiy
astoppeddoingwhatshewasdoi
ng
andshetur
nedtofaceDal
isuwit
houtl
ooki
ngat
hi
mi nt
heeyes.
MaSbiya:“Ndabezi
tha,y
ourbridewasheret
o
seendlovukaziMaSthol
e.Idon’tknowwhat
theyweretalki
ngaboutbutwehear d
NdlovukaziMaStholeshout i
ngather.Shewas
tel
li
nghertoleaveherhouse.Ndl ovukazibegan
panti
ngandsweat ing,wer ushedwatertoher
andshebegancr yi
ngt el
li
ngust hatshewas
wet.Hlezi
phicheckedherandshewasbl eeding.
Njongothendrovehert othehospitali
nthe
areabecauseherDoct ori
sf ar.
”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
sint
hel
ocal
hospi
tal
now?
”
MaSbiya:“No,Idon’
tknowwhatt heygaveher
i
nt hehospit
alandthentheysenthertoThe
Bayhospital
.NdlunkuluMaCebekhuluwentto
thehospit
alwithher.Shecameintimeaswe
werejustwalki
ngoutwi t
hher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
etheboy
s?”
MaSbiya: “
Ndlunkulutol
dTi mothytodri
vethem
behi
ndt hem, shesaidthey’
llbestayi
ngwit
hher
i
nRichar dsbaywhi l
etheirmotherisint
he
hospi
tal.Hleziphi
andPi nkylef
twithher
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whywasn’
tIt
oldaboutal
lthi
s?”
MaSbi
ya:“Ij
ustt
houghtt
hatNdl
unkul
u
MaCebekhul
uwill
call
you.
”
Henoddedandt urnedleavingMaMt hembu, he
wasv er
yangr y.Hedi dn’twantt oshowt hathe
wasangr yhedi dn’tevenwantt othinkabout
thereasonst hatmadePr eciouscomei nt ohi
s
wife’shouseandupsethert oanext entt hatshe
beganbl eedi
ng.He’ dwor kedv eryhar dto
restoretherelationshiphehadwi t
h
Thembel ihl
eandnowi twashi ghl
yr uined!
“GWABINI!
”Hecal
ledhisnameouthewas
standi
ngoutsi
det
heirhouse.Hewalkedaway
andGwabiniwasf
oll
owi nghim behi
ndrunni
ng.
Gwabi
ni:
“Ndabezi
tha,
youcal
l
edme.
”
Dal
i
su:“Dri
vemetoRichar
dsbay.Mywifeisi
n
t
hehospit
al.
”Heopenedthecaranddi
all
edhi
s
mother
’snumber
.
Gwabi
ni:
“Yourwi
fe?
”hecheckedst
eppi
ng
i
nsi
dethehouse.
Dali
su:“
Ist
her
eanyot
herwi
fet
hatIhav
ethat
youknow?”
Gwabi
ni:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
i
suplacedhi
sphoneonhi searandhe
wai
tedashismother
’sphonerang.
“
Dal
i
su.
”MaCebekhul
ugr
eet
edonal
owv
oice.
Dal
isu:
“Mama, Ij
usthear
dt hatThembel
i
hlei
s
i
nthehospi
tal.Whydidn’
tyoucallme?How’s
sheandhow’sthebaby?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Idi
dn’
tcal
lyoubecauseIdon’
t
wantyouher
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“What
?No!Youcan’
ttel
lmet
hat
.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Thingsar
enotlooki
nggoodin
hereDal
isuandifyoucanshowupy ourf
aceto
heryou’
l
l makethi
ngsworse.
”
Dal
isu:“
Youdon’
tknowt
hatf
orsur
e,mama.I
wanttoseeher
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youwantt
oseeherf
orwhat
!”
sheshoutedathim.“Unganginyanyi
simina,
wenaangikudi
ngila.Tsk!
”sher oar
edandhung
upthecall
…Dalisuhadnev erheardhismot her
shoutathimthewayt hatshedid.Hervoice
showedthatshewasangr yandhur t
,hedi dn’
t
missthepainonherv oi
ce.Hewast oblamef or
thi
s,heknewthatandhehat edhimselfforit.
Dal
i
su:“Gwabinit
urnwhereyoucan.
”Hesai
d
onalowdisappoi
ntedvoi
ce.
Gwabini
:“Yes.”Dal
isuclosedhiseyesashefel
t
l
ikehi
shear twasgoi ngtoexpl
ored.“
Ishoul
d
dri
vebacktot hepalace?”Heasked.
Heknewt hatnow, heneedednottosee
Preciousbecausehewasgoi ngtohur
therand
regretitaf
terwards.Hethoughtofnot
hingel
se
thansquashi ngherasheaskedherwhatwas
shedoi nginsideThembeli
hle’
shouse.
Dal
i
su:“
Yes,
takemebackt
her
e.”hemanaged
t
osay…
Hesatdownont
hef
loori
nsi
dehi
sbedr
oom
andt
ookouthi
sphone.Hedial
l
edHlezi
phi’
s
number
…Sheansweredthecal
limmedi
atel
y.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Wearei
nthehousewi
tht
heboy
s,i
t’
s
meandPinky
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Mamai
sint
hehospi
tal
?”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yes.
”
Dal
isu:
“Youdon’
tknowwhatt
heDoct
ors
sai
d?”
Hleziphi:
“Theywil
l doanemer gencyC-Sect
ion
tomor rowaft
ernoonifIam notmi st
akenand
that’
sifhercondit
iondoesn’tchange
overnight.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thebabyi
sst
il
lal
i
ve?
”
Hlezi
phi
:“TheDoctor
ssaidthebaby’
sheart
beati
snotstrongbuttheywil
ltr
ytohel
pthem
befor
ethi
ngsgosout h.
”
Dali
su: “ Okay ,t
hanky ou.”hehungupt hecal l
andst oodup.Hef elthelplesswi thhi msel f
,not
knowi ngwhatt odo.Hewasusel essandhe
hatedi t.Hesatont heshowerf loorwi t
ht he
coldwat err unningt hroughhi shotbody .Today,
heroar edandcr ied.Hewasamanbuthe
wasn’tmadeofmet al,i
ftearswer enotmeant
forment heywoul dn’thavet hem.Hedi dn’t
knowhowt ost opt hepai nashi spai nful hear
t
fi
stedst ronger.Hewoul droarbl ami nghi mself
forever ythingt hatwashappeni ngt o
Thembel ihle.Hecoul dn’tpossiblyt hinkwhat
hisli
ttlebabywasgoi ngt hrough, hehadal lhis
mot her’sst ressonhi slit
tleshoul dersandhi s
l
itt
lehear tcouldn’ ttakeit.Itwast hestresshe’ d
broughti ntotheirlives…
Hewasseat edonhisbedwithhi
sey esclosed
hewaslisteni
ngtomusiconhisphone.Hewas
tr
yingt
okeepcalm becauseheunderstoodthat
hecoul
dn’tbetheref
orher.Hedidn’
twantt o
makethingsworsehedidn’
tevenwantt ocall
herbecauset hatmighthav emadethings
wor se…Hisphoner angheopenedhi sey esand
l
ookedathi sphone, Preci
ouswascalling.He
didn’tanswerthecallhejustl
ookedati tasi
t
rang…Shekeptcal l
ingbutDal i
sudi
dn’tanswer
thecal l
…
Hetookhisphoneandcalledhismotherbut
MaCebekhuludidn’
tanswerthecal
l
,het hen
cal
l
edHleziphiagai
n.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Theboy
sar
esl
eepi
ng?
”
Hleziphi
:“Yes,
theywer
eupsetandsot
heyf
ell
asleep.”
Dal
i
su:
“Who’
sther
ewi
thy
ou,
Imeant
hemen?
”
Hl
ezi
phi:
“Mduduzi
andTi
mothyarehere.
Nj
ongoandNdongaar
einthehospi
tal
Mageba.
”
Dali
su:“Iwantmysonst
ocomeback.Idon’
t
t
hinkthattheat
mospher
ether
eisr
ightf
or
them,thei
rgrandmotherdi
dn’
tsoundrightand
so,pl
easetellTi
mothytodri
vethem back.I
wantthem here.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
,ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Theli
tt
lepri
nceandndl
ovukazi
MaSt
hol
ewi l
lbealr
ight
.Youdon’
thavetowor
ry
t
oomuch.”
Dal
isu:
“Thankyou.
”hehungupt
hecal
land
pr
oceededwithpl
ayi
ngthemusi
c…
-
--
-
“Thembelihle!”MaCebekhuluhel
d
Thembelihle’shand.I
twast hefol
lowing
mor ni
ng.MaCebekhul uwasbackear lyi
nt he
mor ni
ng.Shedi dn’
twaitforthevi
sit
ors’hours.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sawubona,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Youar
etal
ki
ng,
today
.”She
smi
leddearl
y.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
emysons?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Dal
isucal
ledHleziphiandt
old
hert
otel
lMduduzi t
odriv
et hem backhome,
whenIgotbacktheywerelonggone.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whydidhedot hat,
mama?Who’l
l
l
ookaft
erthem,i
t’
shisbri
de?”shetr
iedt
osi
t
upbutMaCebekhul
uheldherdown.
MaCebekhul u:“
Cal m down,Thembelihl
e.Dalisu
i
st heirf
atherandIam sur ethathe’
ll
notl et
Preciouslookafterthem.Theyhav ethei
rnanny
andhet ookthem becausehedoesn’ tthinkthe
atmospher eherewillbegoodf ort
hem. ”
Thembelihle:
“Ij
ustthoughtIwil
lseethem
beforegoingtotheat
re.Iam afr
aid.Whati
fI
don’tcomebackwhatwi l
lbecomeofmy
chi
ldren?”
MaCebekhulu:“Don’
ttal
kli
kethatThembeli
hle.
Not
hingwillhappentoyoujustr
elaxandknow
t
hatyou’
llbealri
ght.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ididn’tf
eelli
kethat
,lastnight
.I
di
dn’tf
eell
ikethatatallandIhaven’tf
eltmy
babymovesincel astni
ght.
”
MaCebekhulu:“TheDoctor
ssaidy ou’
llbe
alr
ight
.”Shedidn’
twanttotell
herallthe
negati
vesthattheDoctort
oldher.Sheknew
thatwouldtr
oubleherevenfurt
her.TheDoctor
hadgivenherhopethatthebabymi ghtli
ve…
Thembeli
hle:
“Thanky
ouforbei
ngher
e,mama.
Idon’
tknowwhatIwouldbewit
houty
ou.”
MaCebekhulu:“WhatwasIsupposedt
obe
doi
ngnow, sit
ti
ngathomedr i
nki
ngteawhi
l
e
youar
ehere? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Knowi
ngy
ou,
youwoul
dn’
t.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Iwil
lbeherewi t
hy ouever
ystep
oftheway.Ihavecal
ledyourbrotherandhe
sai
dhewi l
lcomeseey ou.Makhosi promi
sedto
come,too.Shewil
lsendthekidstohermot her
andcomeher e.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
MaCebekhul
uhel
dherhandsandt
heybot
h
pr
ayed…
-
--
--
--
“IheardmamasayMaSt hol
eisinthehospital.
”
Sbani commentedlooki
ngatDalisu,hegave
himt hefil
eheneededtosign.Theywer ei
nside
hisofficei
nThembelihl
e’
spalace,inthe
evening.Dali
suwashomewi t
htheboy she
wasn’ tworki
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,andmamast
oppedmef
rom goi
ng
t
oseeher
.”
Sbani
:“IsawPr
eciousi
ntheroy
alhouseearl
ier
andshewasaskingabouty
ourwhereabout
s.”
Dali
su:“
She’st
hereasonwhyMaSthol
eisint
he
hospi
tal
.Idon’
twanttoseehery
etbecausei
fI
do,Iwil
lhur
ther.
”
Sbani
:“Whydoesi
tseemsl
i
key
oudon’
tlov
e
her
?”
Dali
su:“Idon’tloveher .
”hetoldhi mt r
uthful
ly
andclosedt hef i
l
e,Sbani passedhi m another
one.“Iam onlymar ryingherforthechi l
d’ssake.
Idon’
twantmychi l
dt ogrowupt hinki
ngthatI
don’
tlov eher/him becauseofhi s/hermot her
andthenat ureinwhi chthechildwas
conceived.
”Headded.
Sbani
:“Whyar
eyoudoingthi
stoyoursel
f
Mageba?Whyareyoudoingt
hist
oy ourwif
e?”
Dali
su:“IloveThembelihlebutmychi l
drenare
mychildrenandt heyshouldal lgetthesame
tr
eatment .Youmustnev ermakeami stakeof
putt
ingawomanabov ey ourchildr
en.They
changebuty ourchil
drenwi llal
way sneedy ou
nomat terwhat.IknowIam wr ongt odot hi
sto
herbutIam doingwhat ’srightformyki ds.”
Sbani
:“Whati
fyoul
oseherf
orgood?
”
Dal
i
su:“Idon’tevenwantt ot
hinkaboutthat.
”
Herepl
i
edt akinghisri
ngingphone.Heplaced
t
hephoneonhi searaft
eransweringi
t.“
Hello,
mama.
”Hegr
eet
edMaCebekhul
u.
“Dalisu!
”ShecriedandDal
isustoodonhi sfeet
atthesoundofhi smother
’scry.“
Dalisu,
you
hav easonbut …butThembeli
hleisn’
twaking
up.”Shei nf
ormedhim wi
thgreatpainonher
voice.
Dal
isu:
“Whatdoy
oumean,
she’
snotwaki
ng
up?
”
MaCebekhul u: “
I’
vejustl
eftthet heatr
eafterthe
Doctorshadputt hebabyinsideani ncubator
.
Themachi nesbegant oscreechandt he
Doctorssaidt hey’
relosi
ngher .Ijustl
eftthe
room Dali
su, Idon’tknowwhatt odo. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam comi
ng!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Gether
esoon,
Dal
i
su!
”
Dali
su:“
Iwi
ll
.”Hehungupt
hecal
l
,Sbani
was
al
readyonhi
sfeet
.
Sbani
:“What
’swr
ong?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hlei
snotwaki
ngup,
Ihav
eto
r
ushtoRichar
ds’
bay
.”Heexpl
ainedheadi
ngt
o
t
hedoor.
Sbani
:“Iam comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
”
“Okay,cany oucallyourmotherandtellhert
hat
theboysar ecomi ngtoherpalacebecauseI
don’twanttot akethem wi
thme. ”herequested
taki
ngt hecarkeys.
Sbani:“
Iwill
dothat
.”Hesai
dtappi
ngonhis
phoneandDal i
sucal
ledPi
nkytogi
veher
i
nstruct
ions,t
heboyswereal
oneinthei
r
pl
ayroom…
Aft
erev
ery
thi
ngtheymadethei
rwaytoDal
i
su’
s
car
.Gwabi
niwasalr
eadyt
herewai
ti
ng…
Dal
isu:
“Dr
iverf
ast
erGwabi
ni,
twohour
smust
beanhourandhal
f.
”
“
NDABEZI
THA!
”Her
aisedt
hespeed…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE16

Preci ouswasal oneandangr yt hatDal i

su
wasn’ tt
akinghercal ls.He’dbeenawayf rom
herf orov erfourday sandt hatmadeherangr i
er
becauseshewasusedt ohav inghi m ar ound.
Aftershe’ dbeeni ntroducedt ot hefami ly
, Dali
su
request edt hatshest aysi noneofhi sf ather’
s
housewhi l
ehewassor tingoutt heissueof
buildingahousef orher …Ther oy alt
radi ti
onal
healerhadt oldDal i
sut hatbringi ngPr ecious
i
ntohi sfather’scompoundwasn’ tagoodt hi
ng.
ButDal i
sut oldhimt hatitwasn’ tforal ongt i
me.
Theheal erkeptoncomi ngbackt el
li
nghi mt hat
hisf atherwasn’ thappyt hathewasl i
vingi nhis
compoundwi thPrecious.Dal isuwast hen
forcedt omov eher ,heaskedhi sext ended
famil
ynephewt obor
rowhim hi
shousefora
l
itt
lewhil
e.Dal
isu’
snephewboughtDali
su’s
house,t
hemoneyoft hehousewasgivento
Thembeli
hleli
keshe’
dwantedittobegivento
her.
Dali
su’snephewwasn’ tli
vingthere,
fullt
ime
becausehewor kedinJohannesbur gbutwhen
hewasbackhomeheneededahouseofhi s
ownbecausehi spar ents’homewascr owded.
Dali
suwasl i
vi
ngt herewi thPr eci
ousashewas
givi
ngThembel ihlespace. .
.Pr eci
oushad
i
nformedherpar entst hatshewasget ti
ng
mar r
ied.Shewenthomeonaweekendand
gaveherpar entsherl obolarequestlett
er.
Preci
ous’ motherwant edtoknowmor eabout
howt heygott oget herbutPr ecioustol
dal i
e
thatshebelieved.Sheknewt hatDali
sudidn’
t
wantt herealtruthofhowt heygottogetherto
beknown.
Shewassleepingonthebedandmissing
Dal
isu,
she’
df all
eni
nlovewit
hhim anditwas
di
ffi
cultbecausesheknewt hathedi dn’
tlove
herasy et
.Butshe’dpromisedher sel
fthatshe
wasgoi ngtobeabet t
erwomanj ustforhim.
Herphoner ang,shesatupandt ookherphone.
‘
Alex’wascalli
ng.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Hel
l
o.”
Al
ex:
“Hel
l
obabe,
howar
eyou?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam f
ine,
andhowar
eyou?
”
Alex:“Iam fi
ne,IjustgotbackhomecanIsee
you?”helied,theyhav en’
tbeenincontactfora
whil
ebecause‘ Al
ex ’
hadt ol
dherthathewas
awaybecauseofbusi ness.Preci
ousbeliev
ed
him becausehewasal waysbusy.
Preci
ous:
“ButItol
dyout
hatIam worki
ng
KwaNongomaandIam verybusy
,Alex.Ican’
t
seeyouasyet.
”
Al
ex:
“IknowbutImi
ssy
ou,
lov
e.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Imissyout
oobutyouknowthatt
his
i
sthebusi
nesst
hatwe’
veal
wayslooked
for
wardtoandfi
nal
l
y,t
heteam hasf
oundt
he
contr
act
.Canyoubepat
ient
,pl
ease?
”
Hehi ssed.“Now,thatisbul
lshi
t,youleftDur ban
attheendofFebr uar yandnowit’
st he
beginningofMayy ouaretr
yingtotellmet hat
youar enotdone?”heshout ed,i
t’
dbeenl ong
wit
houtseei ngherandev enwhenPr eci
ouswas
i
nDur banfortheweekend.Hecoul dn’tseeher
becausehehadpr isonedhi
mselfwi thli
est hat
hewasn’ tinDurban.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Youar
eshout
ingagai
n,what
’s
wr
ong?”
Al
ex:
“Iam sor
ry,
babebutImi
ssy
ou.
”
Preci
ous:“IknowandImi
ssy
out
oobutcan
youjustbepatient
.”
Al
ex:
“CanIbepat
ient
?Comeon,
Preci
ous!
”
Preci
ous:
“IAM WORKI NGWHICHPARTDI DN’T
YOUUNDERSTANDTHERE! ”Shewassuddenly
i
rr
itat
edbyhim becauseshewishedshewas
tal
ki
ngtoDali
sunothim.WhywasDal isunot
answer
inghercal
l
s?Shedi dn’
tunder
standand
j
ustthi
nki
ngaboutitupsether
.
Alex
:“Iknow,
canIcomet
hatsi
deandsee
you?”
Pr
eci
ous:“
KwaNongoma?Didn’
tyousayy
ou
wer
ebannedf
rom t
hispl
ace?”
Alex:
“Icancomeatnightbecausei
t’
snotl
i
ke
ther
e’ssomewheret
hatcli
ckswhenIcome
nearthevi
ll
age.
”
Preci
ous:“
Weliv
einaki
ng’scompoundandso,
Idon’
tthi
nkseei
ngmewillbewi
se.ButIwi
ll
try
tocomethatsi
dethi
sweekend.
”
Hesi
ghedinr
eli
ef.“
Thankyou,
Ilov
eyou
Pr
eci
ous.
”Hesaidcalml
y.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
Shehungupt hecal
landqui
ckl
ybl
ockedhis
number.Shedidn’
twanthi
minany
waynearher
she’
dfoundthekindofmanshewaslooki
ngfor
andshef
eltt
hat
,hewasenough….
-
--
--
-
Thedriv
ewast helongestdrivet
hatDali
suhad
toendurehismindwasi nthehospi
tal
.He
wishedhewast herei
nt hetheat
rewit
hhiswif
e.
Hedidn’tunder
standthewor ds‘
shewasn’t
wakingup’shewasdy ing?
Dali
su:“
Hernotwakingupdoesn’ tmeant
hat
she’
sdying,Mageba?”helookedatSbani
.They
wereseatedatthebackseatofthecar
.
Sbani:
“Itdoesn’tmeanthatNdabezi
tha,
maybe
herheartj
ustst oppedf
orali
ttl
ewhil
eandthe
Doctorspanicked.You’
l
lnotloseher
.”
Dali
susighedandnodded.Hecoul dn’
timagine
thefut
urewi t
houther,she’
djustgivenbir
thto
thei
rbabyandt heyneededher .Heneededher,
theZul
uki ngdomsneededher .Allhecoulddo
washopet hatthi
ngswer egoingt oworkout,
shewasgoi ngtobealrightf
ort hem…
Dal
isuandSbaniarr
ivedinthehospital
andthey
wereatt
endedimmedi at
ely,
thenursewalked
wit
hthem toThembelihl
e’sroom.Njongowas
j
ustoutsi
detheroom withNdonga.
Men:
“Ndabezi
tha!
”
Dal
i
su:
“They
’rei
nsi
de?
”
Nj
ongo:
“Yes,
Ndl
unkul
uMaCebekhul
uisi
nsi
de
wi
thher
.”
Dal
isusighedanddr
oppedhi
shead,thenews
meantthatThembel
ihl
ewasali
ve.Sbani
held
Dal
isu’
sshoulder
.
Sbani
:“She’
sawake.
”
Dali
sushowedhim withhi
sheadthatthey
shouldtal
kasi
de,
hedi dn’
twantt
otalkinthe
presenceoft
heguards.
Dali
su:“
Yes,Iam notsur
eifIshoul
dgoi
nsi
de
orIshoul
djustst
ayhere.
”
Sbani
:“Iwi
l
lgoandaskmamatocometoyou.I
thi
nkshewil
lknowwhatt
odo.Whatdoy
ou
t
hink?
”
Dali
su:“Okay,Iwil
lwaitov erhere.
”Hepoi nt
ed
thebench,Sbanithenlefthim andDal i
suwent
tositdown.Henev erthoughtt hatonedayhe
wouldneedappr ovalofat hir
dper sonj
ustto
seehiswife.Thatoneni ghthadchangedhi s
l
ife,
thatonenighthadr uinedhi smarri
age…
Sbaniknockedonceandopenedt hedoor.
MaCebekhuluwasonherf eetf
ixi
ng
Thembelihl
e’sbl
ankets.Shewasunconsci
ous
butherheartwasstable,i
twasbeati
ngnormal
agai
n.
Sbani
:“Mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu,
ndodana?Youar
eher
e.”
Sbani:
“Yes,
Iwaswi
thmybr
otherwheny
ou
cal
led.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hesenty
ouher
e?”
Sbani
:“No,
Iam wi
thhim buthewasn’
tsur
eif
hemustcomeinsi
de.It
hinkweneedtogot o
hi
m andyoucant
alkt
ohim.Ihav
enev
erseen
hi
mliket
hatmama,heshut
ter
ed.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Don’tevenfeelsor
ryf
orhi
m
becausehedi
dt hattohimself
.”
Sbani
:“Hawu,
mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,t
hismustbealessonto
youtoo.Justt
ryandhurty
ourwif
elikeyour
brot
herdidwit
hhis.
”
Sbani
:“I
twasami
stakemama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Umbhedolowo!Let
’sgo.
”Sbani
l
eadthewayandMaCebekhul
ufoll
owedaft
er
hi
m…
MaCebekhul u:“
Dali
su!”shecalledhi
m standi
ng
beforehim, hehadhisheadl ookingdownand
hishandsatt hebackofhisneck.Hestoodon
hisfeetandl ookedathismot her.MaCebekhul
u
sawt hathewasshut ter
edasSbani hadsaid.
“Lookaty ou, l
ookatwhaty ou’v
edonet oyour
family,
lookatwhaty ou’
vedonet oyoursel
f
Dal
i
su!
”sheexcl
aimedl
ooki
ngathi
sface.
Dal
i
su:
“How’
sshemama?Whathappened?
”
MaCebekhul u:“TheDoct orshadt operform an
emer gencyC-secti
on.I twasriskyt operform
theoper at
ionbutThembel i
hlesai dtheyshoul d
oper ateherandsav ethebaby .Shei nsi
sted
becauseshedi dn’twantt oloset hebaby .After
theoper at
ionherhear tstopped.Iwasscar ed
Dalisubutt heDoct orsmanagedt osaveher .
She’sunconsci ousf ornowbutt heysaidby
tomor r
owshewi l
lbeawake.Shewi llbe
alr
ight .
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Andmyson?
”Heasked.
MaCebekhulu:“
He’sunderweightandhi
sweak
hear
tbuttheDoctorssai
dt herei
shope.We
cangoandmeethi m.”sheshowedt hem t
he
waytothenursery
.“Comewi thus,Mageba.
You’
llmeetyourson.
”ShelookedatSbani and
henoddedfoll
owingthem.
“
Asambesombonamama,
izonaNdabezi
nhl
e
engizit
holi
lenj
ekuyoyonkel entoeyenzekay
o.”
(Let’
sgoseehi m mama, hi
sbirt
histhe
greatestnewsthatIhav erecei
vedineveryt
hing
that’
shappening.
)Dalisucomment edast hey
enterthenurser
ywitht henurse.
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’shi
sname?
”
Sbani
:“Ndabezi
nhl
e!”
Nur
se:
“Thi
sisy
ourson,
King.
”
Dal
isulookedathismot her.MaCebekhul
usaw
t
hathewaswor riedaboutt hebaby.“
He’sso
t
inymama. ”Hemanagedt osayf i
nal
l
yaftera
l
ongtimeofbeingsilentjustlooki
ngathi
sson
t
inybody.
MaCebekhulu: “Mostprematurebabiesaretiny
butthatdoesn’tmeant heydon’tsurvi
ve.
UNdabezinhleuZulu,hehasy ourbloodrunning
thr
oughhisv ei
nsandso, t
hereisnothingthat
canbringhim down.Hewi llsur
v i
vejustl
ikehis
motherhassur viv
ed.”Shecomf ortedhim
hol
dinghishandt ight
ly.
Sbani
:“Mamai
sri
ghtMageba.He’
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.”
Dali
su:
“Ibel
i
evet
hathewi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.He’
smy
son.
”
Sbani
:“Thel
i
ttl
ePr
ince.
”
Dali
suandSbani hel
dt heincubat or
,theyboth
l
ookedateachot her.“
Ndabezi tha,Zulu
kaMalandelangokul
andelaizinkomozamadoda,
Zuluomny amaondlelazimhlophe, Wena
kaPhunganoMageba, SthulisikaNdaba, St
huli
si
kaNkombane, Ndabezitha!
”t heypraisedthei
r
cl
anname.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ndabezi
tha!
”shebowedher
headdown.
Dal
i
su:
“He’
l
lbeal
ri
ght
!”hepr
ophesi
ed.
Sbani
andMaCebekhul
u:“
Mageba!
”
Theythenl
eftt
henurser
y,Dali
suhadhopethat
ever
ythi
ngwasgoingtobealri
ght.Heknewthat
hi
swi f
eandhissonweregoingtobealri
ght
.
“
Ican’
tseeher
?”Dal
i
suaskedpol
i
tel
ylooki
ng
athi
smother
.Theywer
eappr
oachi
ng
Thembel
i
hle’
sroom.
MaCebekhulu:“
Justdon’
ttal
kbecauseIdon’
t
knowwhatcanhappen.”Shesuggestedseei
ng
thathedesper
atel
ywantedtoseeher.
Dal
i
su:“Okay,
Iwill
findy
ouinthecar
.”Het
old
t
hem ashereachedthedoor
.
MaCebekhulu:
“Ndongawil
ldri
vemeandso,
you’l
lfi
ndmeinthebeachhouse.Youcame
withtheboy
s?”
Dali
su:
“No,
Ilef
tthem,It
oldPinkytogot o
mamaMaMzobe’ spal
acewiththem.Ididn’
t
knowwhatwasgoingtohappensoIleftthem.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Iwi
llhav
etocallherandtel
lher
tobri
ngthem andbringsomewar m cl
othesfor
Thembel
ihle.Idon’
tli
kethecl
othesshehas
here.
”
Dali
suclear
edhist
hroat
.“Youcandot
hat
.”He
suppor
tedher.
MaCebekhul u:“Thembelihl
ewi l
lbeher euntil
Ndabezinhleisfitt
ol eav
et hi
splace.The
Doctorsaidwhenshe’ sf
itenoughshecan
l
eavethehospi talbutNdabezinhlewillst
ill
bei n
thehospit
al andsoshe’ l
lhavetostayint he
beachhousewi ththeboys.Andwhen
Ndabezinhleisfitt
ol eav
et hehospit
al t
hey’l
l
comebackt othepalace.”Sheexplaineditto
him.
Dal
i
su:“Okay
,theymustbri
ngtheboys
t
omorr
owandi ftheyv
isi
thereshe’
l
lbehappy
t
oseethem.”
MaCebekhulu: “
Okay ,wewil
lgo.”Shel efthim
andDali
suent eredThembelihl
e’sr oom…Hesat
downandhel dherhand, hedidn’tbreathea
wordhejustlookedatherasshewas
peacef
ull
ylayingont hebed.Hewasn’ tjust
qui
etbuthishear twasspeaking, hissoulwas
communicatingwi thher…Whenhef el
tthathe
hadenoughtimewi thherhekissedt hebackof
herhandandhest oodonhisfeet .Hekissed
herforeheadandl
eftheraft
erhehadmumbl
ed
that“Il
oveyou,MaSthol
e.”
Outsidet
her oom, Gwabinifol
l
owedhim outsi
de
tohiscartheyleftNjongoonguardof
Thembelihl
e’sroom andt hetr
avel
l
ingguardon
guardofthenur ser
y….
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE17

“TheDoct orsai
dy oucaneatali
ghtmeal.
”
Makhosi saidgiv
ingThembeli
hleayoghur
twit
h
muesli.She’dmixeditfr
om t
hebeachhouse.
Shearrivedinthemor ni
ngwit
htheboysand
Pinky
.
Thembelihl
e:“
Mamawasherei
nthemorni
ng
andIhaveeatent
hebr
eakf
astt
hatshe
brought
.”
Makhosi
:“Andnow,
youshoul
deatl
unchand
t
ell
mehowar
eyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
let
’st
alkabouty
ou.Howar
e
you?
”
Shesmiledandl
ookeddown.“ Iam happyIjust
don’
tknowwhybutIjustfeelsomesenseof
peacesomethi
ngthatIhaven’
thadinal ong
ti
me.”Shetol
dherwithasmi l
eonherf ace.
Thembeli
hle:
“That
’swonder
fulandsoon,we
wil
lbehavi
ngmoney .
”Sheteasedlooki
ngat
herwi
thalaugh.
Makhosi:
“Wesure,wil
lqueen.”Sheagreed
taki
ngherphoneoutofherbag.Shef r
owned
andstoodonherfeetl
eavingtheyoghurtto
Thembeli
hle.“
Iwi
llt
akethis,ndl
ovukazi
.”She
saidandThembel
ihlenodded.
Shestoodbythecor
neroft
hedoor
.“Hel
l
o!”
Makhosiansweredt
hecal
l.
Mzwakhe:“
Yousenty
ourmothert
ocallmeand
t
alkal
lther
ubbi
shshespoketome.Huh?”he
askedont
heot
hersi
deoft
hel
i
ne.
Makhosi
:“Andhowwi
l
lIknowwhatdi
dshesay
t
oyou?”
Mzwakhe:“Don’
tfool
me!Iwasabusingyou
andnow,Iam li
vi
ngwithmymistr
essinour
home.Ourhome?Myhouseisy our
s?”
Makhosi :“I
tseemsl i
key ouforgeteasil
ythat
yearsagoy ouwer enot hingbutapoorman.I
l
ov edy ou,suppor t
edy ou.Yougott hejobyou
hav enowatt heroy alfamil
ybecauseofmy
father.Iwashel pingy ouapplyf orj
obsgi vi
ng
youmymot her’
sf oodwheny ouwer ehungry.I
didallthatbecauseIl ovedyouandnow, y
ou
hav eforgottenallthat.Youhav eev ery
thi
ngt hat
youhav ebecauseofmyl oveandsuppor tbut
youhav eabandonedy ourownchi l
dren.I
t’
sy our
house, ri
ghtsodowhaty ouwanti nyourhouse.
Whyar eyouof fendedt hatmymot hercall
ed
you? ”
Mzwakhe:
“Imadey
ouawi
fe!
”heshout
ed.“
I
madeyouawomanamongwomenIgav ey
oua
newnameandy ouwererespect
edbuty
ou
thr
ewall
thati
nmyf ace.
”Headded.
Makhosi
:“Iwasfol
l
owingy ourf
oot
steps
Mzwakhe.Youstar
tedcheati
ngandIcheat
ed
sowhat’
swr ongwi
ththat
?”
Mzwakhe:“
Where’
syourboy
fri
endnow?Ihav e
MaMthembuandmydaughterbuttel
lmehas
Nkosi
khonacal
l
edyou?Orhe’stoobusytocal
l
youorwhat,
nomaybehe’smutetocall
you.”
Thattr
igger
edangeronMakhosi.“
Don’
tspeak
abouthimli
kethat
.”Shedef
endedhim wi
thout
thi
nki
ng.
Mzwakhe:“
Why?Whathashedonet
opr
ove
hi
mselfasaman?
”
Makhosi
:“That
’snoneofy
ourbusi
ness.
”
Mzwakhe:“Iam sur
ethathedoesn’tev
en
r
emembery ournamewher eheis!Youlef
tme
f
orthatski
nnyboy .
”
Makhosi
:“Whydi
dyoucal
lme?Youcal
l
edme
t
omockme? ”
Mzwakhe:“
Ical
ledy
out otel
lyouthatt
ell
your
mothert
oknowherlane.Idon’
thavetodo
somethi
ngtoshowherIam themanandshe’s
awoman.”
Makhosi
:“Whatdoest
hatsupposedt
omean?
Huh?”
Hecli
ckedhi
stongueandhungupt hecal
l
.
Makhosil
ookedatThembelihl
e,shewasseat
ed
upl
ookingatherdi
rect
ion.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
“I
t’
sthi
spigIwasmar r
iedto.Tsk!
”Shesat
downandtoldheral
laboutwhathewassay i
ng
onthephone.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhaybo!Makhosi
,don’
tyouthi
nk
thatmay
behedidsomethi
ngtoNkosikhona?
”
Makhosi
:“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Imeanmay
behedi
dsomet
hing
tohi
m.Whatdidhemeanbya‘ mut
emancan’
t
cal
l’
?whatdoest
hatsupposedt
omean?
”
Makhosi
:“Howcoul
dhehav
ehur
thi
m orki
l
l
hi
m?”
Thembel i
hle:“He’srut hlessMakhosi st
op
havingthi
sl i
tt
lef ait
honhi m.Hemanagedt o
fi
ndoutaboutt heaf fair.Justt
hinkaboutit,
Nkosikhonanev ercont actedyouaf t
erdroppi
ng
youhome.Whati fafterdr oppi
ngy ouhehad
hir
edgoonst ofollowhi m andkillhim.”
Makhosi
:“Oh!MoyaOngcwele!
”shehel
dher
mouthandhertummy.“Andhecanreal
lydo
t
hatThembeli
hle.
”Shef
iguredshewasri
ght.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Wehavetosendsomeoneto
Nkosi
khona’
saddressi
nDurban,may
bethere’
l
l
beanswerst
here.
”
Makhosi
:“Butwhowi
l
lIsend?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ei
sh,
Iam i
nhereandIcan’
tsee
theguar
dsbutIcanseewhoIcancal
lamong
them.Justwr i
teheraddresshere.OrIwill
sor
t
thisoutwhenIam backinmypal ace.
”Shegave
her,herphone.Makhosilookedfor
Nkosikhona’sDurbanaddress.“Wewillf
ind
yourman. ”Shesaidwit
hasmi l
ebutMakhosi
didn’
tsmile.
Makhosi:“Whatifhe’sdeadandIwil
l
-”Makhosi
tur
nedherheadseei ngthatThembel
ihl
e’sey
es
werenolongeronhernow.Makhosi stoodon
herfeet
.“Ndabezit
ha!”shebowedherhead.
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
eyouMaKhumal
o?”
Makhosi
:“Iam f
ine,
ndabezi
thaandhowar
e
you?
”
Dal
i
su: “
Siy
ancenga,
canIhav
esomet
imewi
th
MaSthol
e?”
“Yebo,
Iwil
l comebackwheny ou’
redone.
”
Makhosipromi sedherandThembeli
hlenodded.
Shelef
tther oom…
Dal
i
susatdownandl
ookedatThembel
i
hle,
she
wasn’tl
ookingathim.“ Youar enoteati
ng?”he
askedtakingthelunchboxofmuesl i
…
Thembelihlekeptquiet,
shedi dn’
twanttosee
him andshedidn’twantt ospeaktohim.She’d
tol
dMaCebekhul uint hemor ningbuthewas
herson,andshewoul ddoany thi
ngforherson!
Dal
i
su:
“You’
l
lnotspeakt
ome?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
enot
hingt
osayt
oyou.
”
Dali
su:“
Ihavethi
ngst
hatIwantt
osayt
oyou,
I
shoul
dn’tsayt
hem?”
Thembel i
hle:“
Idon’tknowDalisubutIknow
onet hi
ngIam her ebecauseofy ouandyour
wife.Yousenthert ospeaktomeabout
l
egalisi
ngy ourmar r
iage,
that
’ssolowofy ou.
Howcany oudot histome?Youwer et
ryi
ngto
sendmet omyear lygrav
esot hatyoucanhave
ahappyl i
fewithherandmysons? ”
Dali
su:
“Howcany
out
hinkl
i
ket
hataboutme,
Thembeli
hle?
”
Thembeli
hle:“HowcanI?Idon’tknowwhat
goodtothinkaboutyouDalisu,
Idon’
tknow
becausethere’
sabsolut
elynogoodIseeinyou
now.”
Dali
su:“Idi
dn’
tsendPreci
oustospeakt oyouI
guessyoudon’tknowmet oowell.Iwoul
dhave
neverdonesomethingl
ikethat
.”
Thembel i
hle:“IusedtoknowyouandIwas
proudt obey ourwife,
suchanhonestmanI
mar r
ied.Iguessy oucan’
tcont
rolPr
eci
ousl
ike
youcont r
ol me.”
Dali
su:
“Thembelihl
e,Ididn’tsendPreciousto
youshewentbehindmybackandv isi
tedyou.
AndIam sti
llgoi
ngtospeakt oheraboutthat.I
wasinarightspacewithy ouIwouldn’thave
j
ustrui
nedit.Pl
ease,tr
ustmeont hat.
”
Sheknewhewast ell
i
ngherthetr
uth,hemight
havehurtherbutsheknewwhathest oodfor
andifhehaddistancehi
mselffr
om herforthe
sakeofherandtheirchi
l
d’sheal
th,howwashe
goingtosendPreci
oust oher?Butknowi ngal
l
thatandtr
usti
nghim didn’
tchangethef actt
hat
shealmostdiedbecauseofhismistress.
Thembel ihle:
“Iwantedtogi veup,Isawt helight
andt hepeaceIwant edtoleavemybodyand
fol
lowt helight.Butmymot hershowedupand
sheshowedmemysons, theyneededme.I
don’tknowwhybutsheal soshowedme, y
ou.
Thensher emindedmei twasn’ tmytimey et.I
wasangr ywhensheshowedmey ourfaceIjust
i
nsistedt hatIwantedtobewi thherbutshe
pushedmeback.Ial mostgav eupmyl if
e
becauseofseei ngyourface.Idon’twanttosee
you,Dalisu.Please,j
ustleave.”
Heswal lowedhardandst oodonhi sfeet.“
Iam
sorr
y ,
Iwi l
ldoanythingjusttokeepy ouheal t
hy
andhappy .ButIjustwantt osay ,thankyouf or
givi
ngmeNdabezi nhle.
”Hesai d,Thembel i
hle
smiledinstantl
yandherhear tmelted.Shel oved
thenamet hathegav ehim,shel ovedi tt
hef i
rst
ti
mewhenMaCebekhul umi mickedhi svoice
tel
li
ngherhowhegav ehi
ssonaname.“Isawi
t
evenwi t
hhi
seyescl
osedthathehasy
our
bubbles.
”Headded.
Thembel
ihl
elaughedoutloud.“
Hetook
somet
hingfr
om hismama. ”Thembel
ihl
e
commentedandraisedherhead.
“Hedi dawonder f
ulthing, t
hanky ou.”Hesai d
putti
ngonherneckadi amondneckl ace.
Thembel i
hletoucheditf eel
ingitcoldness.“I
willl
eav ebutIbegy out oanswermycal lswhen
Ically ouandwhenIcomebyt oseeoursons,
pleasedon’ tpushmeal lthatfar.Istil
lwantto
bear oundy ou.Youar emywi f
e,wehav e
chil
dr entogetherandIl ovey ou.”headded
holdingherhand.Hebenthi sheadandki ssed
herfor ehead.
Hetookthemuesliandthespoonheputi ton
herthi
ghs.“
Andpleaseeatbecauseifyouare
weakthatwil
lhaveanegati
veeffectonthe
boys,t
hreeofthem.
”hebeggedandhet hen
l
eft
…

Makhosiwal
kedbackinsi
detheroom,
Thembel
ihl
ehadtakenofftheneckl
ace.She
waseati
ngthemueslit
hatDali
suhadbegged
hert
oeat.
Makhosi
:“She’
seat
ingnow,
oht
hankt
heLor
d
f
orDali
su!
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam eat
ingbecauseIwanttoeat
notbecausehetol
dmet oeat.”Shedeni
edit
completel
y.
Makhosi
:“Oh,y
es!It
’snotawr
ongt
hingt
o
l
ist
entoyourhusband.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Oh,
please!Let
’st
alkabout
Nkosi
khona.
”
Makhosi
:“Canwetal
kabouthi
m whenwe
knowwhat’swr
ongwithhi
m,mnganiwami
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,
it’
sverynicetohearyoucal
l
mey ourf
ri
endnotqueen.”Theylaughed.“
The
kingdist
urbedourconver
sat
ion.Iwantust
o
talkaboutthethr
eatt
hatMzwakhemadeon
yourmot her.
”Sheadded.
Makhosi
:“Agh,
hewon’
tdoany
thi
ngt
omom.
”
“Ifeell
ike-
”Shestoppedt alkingandraisedher
handonher .Makhosi f
li
nchedandhi dherf ace
from herbutThembelihledidn’tslapher.“You
makemeangr yyoh!What ’swr ongwithy ou?
Whydoy outakethi
ngssol ightl
ywheni tcomes
toMzwakhe?Whatwi l
lyoudoi fhecanr eal
ly
hurtyourmother?”Sheshout edather,angry
thatshewasst i
ll
thinki
ngl owwheni tcamet o
Mzwakhe.
Makhosi
:“Iam sorr
y,y
ouar
eri
ght
.Iwi
l
lcal
lthe
pol
i
ceandr eporthi
m.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Don’
tlethim haveaholdonyou
evenwhenyouarenol ongerli
vingunderhi
s
shadow,pl
ease,man!”
Makhosi
:“Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”
Thembel
ihl
esighedandsatback.“
Hav
eyou
fi
l
edfordiv
orce?”Sheasked.
Makhosi
:“No,
Ihav
en’
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Whatarey ouwaiti
ngf
orbecause
youshouldfi
l
ef ordi
vor
cef i
rst
.Now,youknow
thathehasadaughter.
”
Makhosi
:“Andy
oukeptt
hatsecr
etf
rom me.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Isai
dIam sorryforthat.Butnow,
youhavetof i
l
ef ordi
vorcefi
rstbeforehedoes.
Youdon’thavet oaff
ordagoodl awy ert
ohav e
afai
rdi
vor cesettl
ement.Ify
oudon’ twanthis
money,i
t’sfi
nebutdi vor
cehim.”
Makhosi:“
Iwil
l dothatwhenIgethome.”
Thembeli
hlesighedandnodded.“Ibot
heryou,
doI?”sheasked.
Thembelihl
e:“No,Iwaslikey
ou,year
sagoand
Nozibusi
sowast hereforme.Thedif
fer
encei
s
thatshedidn’
thavethepowertohelpmejust
l
ikeIhave.”
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou.AndIam pr
egnant
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhe!Who’
sthef
ather
?”
Makhosi:“Idon’
tknowbecauseIhadsexwi t
h
Nkosikhonalastandwedidn’
tuseprotect
ion
butthenagainaf ewdaysbackbefor
ethatmy
husbandwasf ri
endlyonme.So,Idon’
tknowI
wil
ljustwaitandseewhenthebabyisborn.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Oh,you’
l
lwaitanddothe‘
black
DNA’”Sheteasedandtheyl
aughed.
Makhosi:“
Yes,Iwill
dojustt
hat.AndIam pr
ett
y
posit
ivet
hatIam havingababygir
l.The
di
ffer
enceistoovisi
ble.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ay
ke!Idon’
tbel
i
evet
hose
thi
ngs.
”
Theyl
aughed.“Thembeli
hle,
Iwantt obuyasit
e
j
ustcl
osertoyourlodgeandIwi l
lbuil
dahouse
formychi
ldrenther
e.Iwil
lal
sohav esome
small
buil
dingtorunmybusiness.Iwillsav
ea
l
otwhenIam closertoyourlodge.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Icoul
dkissyouri
ghtnow,”t
hey
l
augheddearly.“
Iam behi
ndyou,100%,
mf azi
!”
sheadded.
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lusethatmoneyNkosi
khona
gav
emet obuythesit
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
shIcanj
ustsel
lthesi
tet
o
you.
”
Makhosil
aughed.“
Itwoul
dbeR1500r
ight
?”
Sheaskedwit
hasmi l
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
lno!R20000.
”
Makhosi
:“Hhaybo!
”theyl
aughed.“
It
’sgoodt
o
seeyoul
aughing.
”Shesaid.
Thembeli
hle:
“Af
terseei
ngNdabezi
nhlet
oday
,I
j
ustknewthatever
ythi
ngwasgoingtobe
al
ri
ght.
”
Makhosi
:“Ndabezi
nhl
eZul
u.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,t
heboywithmama’seyes.
”
Shesmi l
eddearl
y.“
Hisf
athersai
dhecouldsee
them bubbl
esevenwhenhehadhiseyes
cl
osed.
”Shekeptt
hesmi
l
edandMakhosi
smil
edwit
hher…
Makhosi
:“You’
ll
gety
ourhusbandback,
Thembel
ihl
e.”
Thembeli
hlel
ookedatherandsai
dnot
hingi
n
ret
urn…
-
--
--
“Baba,whenwi l
lyoucomeback? ”Mnotho
asked,looki
ngathisfat
her.Dali
suwasseat ed
withtheboysont hefl
oorofhisloungefeeding
them, t
heirl
unchwhil
ehehadhi slunch.
Dal
i
su:“
Idon’
tknowbutIwi
l
lcomebacksoon
t
ocheckonyou.Okay
?”
Boy
s:“
Yebo!
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
wil
lnotcomebacksoon?
”
Dali
su:“Shesti
l
lhav etostayint
hehospi
tal
withyourbabybrotherbecausehe’
ssi
ckbut
oncethey’r
efi
net heywil
lcomebackhomet o
you.”
Boy
s:“
Oh!
”
MaCebekhulu:“Makhosiisbackfrom t
he
hospit
al,
fini
shupsot hatyou’
ll
leave,Mageba.
”
MaCebekhuluinfor
medhi m si
tti
ngont he
couch.
Dali
su:“Yes,mama.Iwi ll
dothat.
”Hefinished
upfeedinghissonsandhav i
ngaconv ersati
on
wit
ht hem, whenitwastimetosaygoodby e.
Theydidn’tcrytheyhuggedt
heirfat
herand
watchedhi mleave…
Dali
suwasseat edonthecouchwaiti
ngfor
Preci
oustoreturnhome.Shewasnothome
shewasatwor k…Shewal kedt
hroughthe
houseandsmi l
edwhenhesawhi mi nsi
dethe
house.Shesatnexttohi
m.
Preci
ous:
“Youar
ehomeIam happyt
osee
you.”
Dali
su:“
Don’tsi
tnextt
omej ustsi
tther
e.”he
poi
ntedthecouchopposi
tehim.Preci
ous
noddedandgotup.Shesatopposit
ehim.“How
ar
eyou?
”heasked.
Preci
ous:“
Iam fi
neandhowarey
ou?
”shesaw
hewasn’tr
elaxedasal
ways.
Dal
i
su:
“Whosenty
out
oThembel
i
hle’
shouse?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Nobodysentme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“So,
whydi
dyougot
oherhouse?
”
Preci
ous:“
Ijustwant
edtospeakt
oher
becauseIhadhopethatmaybewecanr
each
commongr ound.”
Dalisu:“
Commongr ound?Commongr ound
yani!”Preci
ousclosedhereyesatthesoundof
hisv oi
ce.“Youwenttomywi fe’
shouseand
spoket oheraboutthingst
hatdidn’
tconcern
you!Talkingtoherabouthavingherpermissi
on
tolegali
seourmar ri
ageisnotyourconcernin
anyway !”heinf
ormedher .
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dali
su:“
Youaresorr
y!”Hequi
ckl
ygr
abbedthe
snai
lshapedhandsi
zeddecor
ati
ngvessel
.
Precioussawt hereacti
onfastandshe
screamedcov eri
ngherf aceasDali
suaimed
thesnailather.Herscream st
oppedhim he
i
nsteadt hr
ewt hesnailonthewall
.Preci
ous
slowlyopenedherey es.
Dali
suwasl ookingatherwi
thanangr
yface
feel
i
ngnor egretforwhatheal
mostdi
dtohis
supposedl
ypr egnantwif
etobe.
Dali
su:“Ialmostlostthel oveofmyl i
feandmy
sonbecausey ouwant edt ohav eyourmar ri
age
l
egali
sed.”Hest oodonhi sf eetashefeltthe
rushofangerov erwhelmi nghi m ashethought
ofhowscar edhewaswhenhewast old
Thembel i
hlewasn’twaki ngup.Heknewt hatif
hestayedwi t
hher ,sti
l
l,hewoul ddowhathe
hadthoughtbefore.Hewoul dsquashherso
hardandr egr
etitafterwar ds.
Dali
su:“Youknowt hatIam alway
shere
becauseThembelihleisupsetwit
hmebuty ou
wenttherethi
nki
ngshewasgoi ngtobehappy
t
oseey
ou?
”
Preci
ous:“
No.Ijustdi
dn’
tthi
nkIwoul
dupset
herthatmuch.
”
Dal
isu: “
Itseemst omet hatyou’
reforget
ti
ng
whyy ouar ehere!Youareherebecauseofthat
chi
l
dy ouarecar r
ying.Hur
ti
ngmywi f
ewasn’t
whaty ouwer esupposedtodo. ”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dali
su:“
IsaidIdon’twanttohearit
!Andfor
whatyou’
vedonet oherIwill
notmar r
yyou.
Yourpuni
shmentwi ll
be,you’
llgi
vebir
tht
othat
babyandleaveitbehind.
”
Preci
ous: “
No,youcan’
tdothat
!”shest
oodon
herfeet
.“Thismarr
iagei
saboutgivi
ngourbaby
awar m home,remember?
”sheasked.
Dali
su:“Thebabywill
knowt hatyouaretheone
whor ui
nedhischanceatawar m home.Idon’t
t
olerateshi
tagai
nstmywi f
e,t
oywi t
hmeal l
you
wantbutnotThembel i
hle.Andifyouhur
ther
agai
ninanywayy ou’l
ll
ivetoregretthedayy ou
seducedme.Idon’ tcar
eifit’
sami stakeor
i
ntenti
onall
y.Tsk!
”het ookhiswal l
et,carkey
s
andleftt
hehouse…Hel eftherr
egrettinggoi
ng
toThembelihl
e’spalaceinthefi
rstplace…

Dalisuhadbeenl i
vingaloneinhiswife’
spalace.
MaCebekhul uwasst il
lwithThembelihl
e.It
’d
beent hreeday
ssi ncehegotbackf rom
Richardsbay.Threeday ssincehetoldPreci
ous
hewasn’ tmarry
inghernomor e.He’dbeen
wor ki
ngandcat chingup.Heneededt ooccupy
hi
smi nd…
Today,hewassummonedbyhi scounciland
theel
dersoft hekingdom.MaCebekhul
uwas
amongt hem, shecamebackbecauseoft he
speci
almeet i
ngcal l
edbytheel
ders…They ’
ve
hadsmal lt
alksandnow, i
twasdownt oreal
tal
k.
El
der
1:“
Ndabezi
thawehav
erecei
vedsomenot
sopl
easi
ngnews.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
,Mageba?
”
Elder1:
“MaDubepl
easet
ell
uswhaty
ouar
e
toldus.
”
MaDube: “Forthepastt woday sIhav ebeen
withKaMaj oziasshewasbusymoni tori
ngt he
work.Inot i
cedthatshewasn’ talri
ghtandso, I
gothertoopenupwi thme.Shet oldmet hat
Ndabezithahasendedt heirr
elati
onsandt old
herthatshewi llhavet oleavethebabyaf ter
giv
ingbirth.Allt
hi sisbecauseofa
misunderstandingt hathappenedbet weenher
andMaSt hole.Shedi dn’
twantt orev ealt
ome
whatwast hatmi sunderstanding.Ithent hought
Ishouldtellthecounci l.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Letmetelly
ousomet hing
MaDube, y
oudi dawrongthingbyt el
l
ingthe
counci
lyouwer esupposedtotell
meashi s
mother
.Becausewhaty oujusttoldusaremy
son’
saffai
rs.Iam hi
smot herandIonlyhear
aboutthisnow.I
t’
smey
ouwer
esupposedt
o
tel
lnotthecounci
l.
”
El
deraunt
:“MaCebekhul
uisr
ight
.”
MaDube:
“Youwer
enothomendl
ovukazi
.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Youhav
emynumber
.Whaty
ou
di
disunaccept
able.
”
MaDube:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
isu:“Whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?”heasked
sof
tly.
Elder2:“We’vecal
l
edyouheretoletyouknow
thatyoucan’tdowhatyoutol
dy oursecond
bride.You’
llhavet
omarryherbecausethere’
sa
childinvol
ve.”
Dal
isu:
“Now,Iam for
cedtomar
ryherev
eni
fI
hav
edecidedthatIam not
?”
Elderaunt:
“Yes.Mageba,wher
edoy ouplant
o
keepthischil
dbecausenowiti
sknownt hat
yourbridei
spregnantbef
oremarr
iage?”
Dalisu:“ThehouseIwasbuildi
ngforherthat
’s
wher ethechildwi
lll
i
veandIwi l
lhi
resomeone
tolookaf tert
hebaby.Thatper
sonwillr
aisethe
baby .
”
Elder:“
No, t
hatchildwillnothav eagoodlif
e
he’l
lli
veal i
feofbeinginsultedal way
slabell
ed
asy ourbastardchil
dev eny oursonswilll
ook
downuponhi m.Youcan’ tdot hattoyourchil
d,
j
ustmar ryhismot her.Youcan’ tdothat
especiall
ypunishingherbecauseshewr onged
yourwi f
e?That ’
snothowt hingsaredonewhen
youhav epolygamy .
”
Dal
i
su: “
Idon’
tint
endt
omar
ryherany
mor
e.”he
i
nsi
sted.
Elderaunt:“Weareyoureldersandwet elly
ou
thattheweddingwi l
lgoon.OurZulunamewi ll
notbeshamedbecauseoft hemist
aket hat
Preciousdid.MaStholeisal
iveandwell,asso,
you’l
l hav
etomar r
yPr eci
ous.Amandoesn’ t
j
ustr unawayf r
om hisresponsi
bil
it
ies.
”
Dali
su:“Myr
esponsibi
l
ityi
sthechi
l
dandIam
notrunni
ngawayfrom t
hat.
”
Councilman:“
Bot
hmot
herandchi
l
dar
eyour
responsi
bil
i
ty.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Youcan’
tfor
cemysontomar
ry
hernowifhedoesn’
twanttomar
ryher
anymore.
”
Elderaunt:“MaCebekhul u!Don’tsaythat
becauseweal l
knowt haty ouloveMaSt hole
dearlyyoulovedherbef oreshebecamey our
daughterin-l
awlegally
.Butdon’ tlett
hatlove
youhav eforherblindyouandl ety ou
encouragey oursonindoi ngsomet hingthati
s
shamef ultothekingdom. ”
Theelder
smadeagr eei
ngsounds.“
Ist
hatwhat
youcall
edmeher efor
?Justt
hatandnothi
ng
more?”Dali
suasked.
Them:
“Yebo,
Ndabezi
tha.
”
El
deraunt
:“Onemor
ethi
ngi
s,y
ourf
ir
stwi
fe
shoul
dnotknowaboutt his.Sheshouldnot
knowthatyou’v
edecidednott omarryPreci
ous
andwef or
cedy outomarryhernomat terwhat.
Shemustnotknow, becausewhenamanhas
twowivestheothershoul
dnotknowwhat
happensintheother’
shouse.”Dal
isukeptquiet
hewasjustlookingdown.
El
der
:“Thatwasal
lwecal
l
edy
ouher
efor
.”
“Okay!
”Heexcl
aimedandgotup,
hel
eftwi
thout
sayi
ngaword.
El
der:“
MaCebekhulu,
you’
llhav
etot
alktohim.
Hecan’tdowhathewantstodotot
hischi
ld.
He’
ll
hav etomarr
yhismother.
”
Ot
her
s:“
Yes!
”theyar
guedamongt
hemsel
ves…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE18
TWOMONTHSLATER

“Mom, canIhaveanotherpieceoft
hemeat ?”
Dali
surequestedgi
vingMaCebekhuluhisplat
e.
Theywer ehavi
ngdinnerinsi
deMaCebekhulu’
s
house.ItwasDali
su,MaCebekhulu,Pr
ecious
andNokut hul
a.
Dalisuhadspentf ul
ltwoweeksf ight
ingwith
theel dersaboutmar ryi
ngPr eci
ous.
MaCebekhul uwasencour agi
nghi mt oputhi
s
footdownandhedi dthatunt i
lhewasdef eated.
I
twashi smot herwhosuggest edhemustl eave
thet hronel i
kehewant edtodobef or
ebuthe
didn’twantt oleavehisthrone.Itwashis
ri
ght fulplacetobe,wher ehebel onged.
MaCebekhul uwasdisappointedi nhi
m asshe
hadhopet hathewasr eall
ygettingri
dof
Precious.She’ dbeenangr ywithhi mfora
while.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Tel
lyourbr
idet
omakei
tfory
ou.
Ididn’tleavesomeext r
a.”shel ookedat
Precioust hatwasseat ednextt oNokut hula.
Theseatnextt oDalisuwasempt y,
MaCebekhul uhadtol dPr eciousnott ositthere,
thefirstdayt heycamet oherhousef ordinner.
Shet oldhercl earl
ythatt heseatbel ongedt o
Thembel i
hle…Dal i
suaccept edt oswall
owand
l
ivewi thhismi st
ake, Precious!Shewashi s
mi st
akeandso, hewasgoi ngt odowhatt he
eldershadt oldhimt odo.Het houghthe’d
foundaper fectplant okeept hechi l
dsafeand
behappyagai nwithhi swi febuthewaswr ong.
Hewasf arfrom beinghappy …Far !
Preciousst oodupandt ookDal isu’
splate.By
l
iesshewasf i
vemont hspregnantbutbyt he
tr
uthshewassi xmonthspr egnant.Theyhav e
paidlobolaf orher,
andthet wopr e-wedding
ceremoni eswer edone.Precious’s‘Al
ex’hadto
seeont henewspaperst hatPreciouswas
mar r
y i
ngt heking.Hewasangr ywithherbut
couldn’tseeherbecauseheknewhecoul dn’
t
got
othev
il
lage.
Theweddi ngwasonl yleftanditwasgoi ngto
beont he15t hofSeptember …Preciousknew
thatMaCebekhul uandhersi st
ers’in-l
awdi dn’
t
l
ikeher .Nomalangawast heonlyonewhohad
nopr oblem wit
hher.MaCebekhul ut oler
ated
herandshewoul dremindherev erychanceshe
gotthathersonwasn’ tgoingtomar ryhim no
mor ebuttheeldersforcedhim.Pr eciouswould
behur tbythatbutshewoul dtellherselfhewas
mar r
y i
ngherany way.Nokuthul
adi dn’ttoler
ate
her…
Dali
sulookedatherasshel eftt
hediningroom
hethenlookedathi smot her,MaCebekhulu
wasn’tl
ookingathi m.PrecioushadtoldDali
su
thathi
sfami l
ydidn’twantherbutDalisudidn’
t
commentaboutt hathewant edtoseeitwith
hiseyesbeforesay i
ngany t
hingaboutit.
Nokuthul
a:“
Whilet
hesisteri
n-l
awisgone.I
haveanannouncementtomake.”
Dal
i
suandMaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
sit
?”
Nokuthul
a:“If
inal
l
ygotanoppor
tuni
tyt
hatI
havealwayswanted,
toworki
nNewYor kandI
am taki
ngit
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu,
mnt
anami
ist
hatt
rue?
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Yes,
mama.
”
MaCebekhuluul
ulat
edandNokuthul
asmil
ed
seei
ngthehappylookonhermother
’sf
acewas
thebestt
hingshehadtowit
ness.
Dali
su:“It
houghty
ouhav
egi
venupi
nthat
Thula.
”
Nokuthul
a:“No,bhut
iIdi
dn’tgi
veupIjust
wantedtobehomef orawhi l
ebutnowIam
r
eadyt ogo.It
houghtyou’
ll
behappyforme.”
Dali
su:“Ij
ustwantedt
oknowwhatchanged
yourmindnotthatIam nothappyf
ory
ou,
MaZulu.”
Nokuthul
a:“
Nothingchangedmymi
ndIjust
f
eelthatIam r
eadytogonowandIhav
eseen
Ndabezi
nhl
esoIwantt
ogo.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu,
kant
iar
eyoul
eav
ingr
ight
away
?”
Nokut
hula:
“Iam l
eavi
ngonthe15thofAugust
soasiti
sthe1stofAugustt
odaythatmeansI
havet
woweekswi thyouandso,
aftert
hatIwi
ll
l
eave.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu!Nokut
hul
a,sosudden?
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Yes,
mama.
”
Dal
i
su:
“You’
l
lcomebackf
ormyweddi
ng?
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
No,
Iwon’
tbeher
efort
he
weddi
ng.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hawu!Whatwil
lpeoplesayi
f
t
heking’
syoungersi
steri
snothereforhi
s
weddi
ng?”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Iam nott
heonegett
ingmarr
ied
mama,whyisi
tsoimpor
tantt
hatIcometothe
weddi
ng?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
NOKUTHULA!
”
Nokut
hul
a:“Idon’
thav
etopr
etendasi
fIl
i
kehi
s
wi
feIdon’
tli
keher.
”
Dali
su:“
Nokuthul
a,don’
tspeakasifIam not
hereIam her
eandIam y ourol
derbr
other
.Just
showmesomer espect
.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
isu:
“Cany
ouj ustpost
ponet
hist
ri
pandgo
af
termywedding?”
Nokuthul
a:“Ihaveal
readyconf
ir
medthatIwi
ll
beleavi
ngSout hAfr
icaonthe15t
handso,I
can’
tchange.”
Dal
isu:
“Howcany
ouj
ustdeci
det
hatwi
thout
t
ell
i
ngus?”
Nokuthul
a:“
Itol
dsisiThembeli
hleIwenttov
isi
t
herwhenIhadmyappl i
cati
onandshewas
happyforme.Sheencouragedmet ofol
lowmy
dreams.”
Dal
i
su:
“Shet
oldy
out
oleav
ebef
oremy
weddi
ng?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Dali
sudon’
tputwordsint
oher
mouth.Shedi
dn’tsayt
hatThembeli
hle
encour
agedhernottoatt
endyourwedding.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam j
ustaski
ng.
”
Nokuthul
a:“
No,
Imadet
hedeci
siononmy
own.”
Dali
su:“Youaredoingthi
sbecauseyoudon’
t
l
ikePrecious,
right
?Andso,Ishoul
dalsosuf
fer
fort
hatjustbecauseyoudon’
tli
keher?”
Pr
eci
ousgotbackf
rom t
heki
tchenwi
tht
he
meat
.ShegaveDal
isuhi
spl
ate.
“Thankyou.
”hesai
dandPr
eci
oussatbackon
herchai
r.
Nokut hul
a:“Iam leavingbecauseofthej
ob
offerIgot,nothi
ngelsebutIwi l
lleav
emygift
formynewsi sterin-
law.”
Preci
ous:“
You’l
lleav
ethegi
ft
?Youwon’
tcome
tothewedding?
”
Nokut
hul
a:“No,
Iam l
eav
ingso,
Iwon’
tat
tend
t
hewedding.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“That
’sbecausey
ouhat
eme?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yehheni
!Howcany ouaskhera
questi
onli
kethat?Whathasshedonetoyou
thatshowsshehatesyou?”
Preci
ous: “
Shedoesn’ thi
det hatshehatesme,
mama.Iknowt hatv er
ywell.Ididn’
taskforall
ofthi
s,”Nokuthulalaughedandshookherhead,
Dali
suwasj ustlookingatthel adi
esinthe
house.“Iknowthaty oualll
ov ethefi
rstqueen-
”
shecouldn’tf
ini
sht hesentence.
MaCebekhul
u:“There’
snoneedf oryouto
menti
onmydaught eri
n-lawbecauseshe’
snot
heret
ospeakforherself
.Don’
tment i
onheri
n
thi
sconver
sat
ion.”
Dalisu:
“What’
swrongi
fshement ionsher?
”he
askedcalmly
,hewaslookingathi
smot her.
MaCebekhuluandNokuthulat
urnedthei
rheads
tolookathi
m.
MaCebekhulu:
“There’
ssomethi
ngwr ong
becauseThembeli
hlei
snothere.Shemust
makeherpointwit
houtevenmentioni
ngher
name.”
Nokuthul
a:“Andit
’snosecretthatwelove
Thembeli
hle,t
hisonecameher etowr eck
Thembeli
hle’
smar r
iage.She’
sjusttheshe
devi
l
.”
“NOKUTHULA! ”Dal i
subangedt hetableand
l
ookedather .“Youarethey oungesther eand
Preci
ousismybr ideIdi
dn’
tneedy our
permissi
ontobr ingherhere.There’snohome
thatshehadwr ecked.”Hedef endedherf orthe
fi
rstti
me…Pr eciouslookeddownandsmi l
ed,it
fel
tgoodt obedef endedbyhim.Shef eltgood
abouthersel
f,shef el
tli
kehiswi f
enotj ust‘baby
mama’ !
MaCebekhulu:“
Youareri
ghtaboutthatshe
didn’twr
eckThembel
i
hle’
smar r
iagebuty oudi
d
that.Youdi
dthatf
oryour
self
.Youar eeven
def
endi
ngher
.That
’sshamef
ul!
”
Dali
su: “
Ifi
twasThembel ihl
eIwasgoi ngtodo
thesamet hingsowhat ’
swrongi fIdefendher
?
She’smybr i
de.”MaCebekhululookedathi m
andherhear tpainedasshesawt hatherson
wasbackunderPr eci
ous’
smani pulati
on.She
sawt hathe’
dgi v
enuponev ery
thi ng.He’d
acceptedhispainfulf
ate.
Nokuthula:“Wow!Youknowy ourthi
ng,
woman! ”sheclappedherhandsonceand
Pr
eciousst oodupwi t
hhercrocodi
letear
sshe
l
eftt
hedi ni
ngar ea.
Dali
su:“
Whyareyoudoingthi
stoPr
eci
ous
becauseIbr
oughtherher
e?”
MaCebekhul
u:“Iwasst
andingupformy
daught
eri
n-l
aw’snamesinceshehasnoonet
o
standf
orhernow.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatbadwassai
dagai
nsther
,
mama?”
MaCebekhul u:“
Shewasmaki ngitasi
f
Thembel i
hleist
her easonwhyshei snotl
iked
i
nt hispal
acebutt hat’
snottr
ue.”Sherepl
i
ed
wipinghermout h.“AndIdon’tknowwhyshe
i
sn’tcookingforyouinherhouseasy ouare
bri
ngingherintomyhouse. ”Sheadded.
Dal
i
su:
“Youdon’
twantherher
e?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Shemustcookforyouandnot
youbr
ingi
ngherher
e.She’
syourbr
ide,
right
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Thepr
egnancymakeshert
ir
ed.
”
MaCebekhul u:“Hee!She’
snotthefir
stoneto
bepr egnant
.Angithibynowy ourwi
fe,
Thembel i
hlewassupposedt obecookingfor
youandf eedingyoulikeshe’
dalwaysdidbut
she’snotherebecauseoft hatgi
rly
ou’ve
broughthere.”
Dali
su:“
It
’sfinemama, Iwon’
teatinyourhouse
becauseyoudon’twantmeher e.Iwi
lll
eav e.
”
Hepushedt heplat
eandstoodonhi sfeet.He’d
al
lowedfatetotakeit
scourse.Hewasn’ taman
heusedt
obeandhewasl
i
vingwi
thi
t.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ifyouthi
nkl
eavi
ngmyhousei
s
what’
sbestf
oryou,t
hat’
sal
ri
ght.Leav
e
Dal
isu.
”
Dali
sudidn’
tsayanot
herwor
dhel
eftt
he
house…
Nokut
hul
a:“
Idon’
ttr
ustt
hatwoman.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Idon’
tevent
hinkthatchil
d
she’
scarry
ingbelongstoyourbrotherandI
don’
tunderstandwhyaretheancestorsquiet
aboutt
his.
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Maybethechil
disreal
lyhi
smama.
Whywouldt
heybequieti
fthechil
disnothi
s?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iguessy
ouar
eri
ght
.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Ithi
nkshepl
annedt
hisbecause
shewant
shismoney.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youarer
ightandshe’
s
det
ermi
nedthatthi
smar
riageoft
heir
s,shoul
d
bel
egali
sed.
”
Nokuthula:“
Butmysisterwi
llnotal
lowt hat
.
She’
ssuchahar dcore.Ihat
ePr eci
ous,we
al
mostl ostmynephewandhi smot herbecause
ofher
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Don’
tremindmethatandIwil
l
havetogotoRichar
dsbaythi
sweekendtosee
them.Theboysshouldcomevi
sitmeforali
tt
le
whil
e.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
They
’l
ldr
ivey
oucr
azyagai
n.”
“Wher
ecanIdi sposethem?Nowher e,t
hey’
re
mygrandchi
ldren.
”MaCebekhul usai
dgett
ing
upfr
om herchair,Nokuthul
alaughedandstood
upbehi
ndher .
Nokut
hul
a:“
Thembel
i
hlewi
l
lcomet
othe
weddi
ng?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,she’
ll
havetocometot
he
weddingbecauseit
’sherwhowil
lhavet
o
acceptPr
eciousint
othefamil
y.
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
BySept
ember
,Ndabezi
nhl
ewi
l
l
be?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“He’
l
lbef
ourmonthsbutthe
boyswon’
tatt
endtheweddi
ng.Idon’
twant
them t
ocome.”
Nokuthul
a:“Youthinkbhutiwi
l
l l
etyoudothat
?”
sheaskedtakingtheTVr emote.MaCebekhul
u
satonhercouch.
MaCebekhulu:“
It
’snothiscal
ltomake,what
wil
lMlamuliandMnothodoonhi swedding?I
don’
twantthem togetlosti
nthatmi
st.
”
“Youhaveapoi
nt.
”Shesai
dandt
heybot
h
sighed…
-
--
--
--
--
-
“Mnotho!
”Thembel
i
hlescr
eamedi
nsi
det
he
house.
She’
dbeenlivi
ngi nherbeachhousesincet
he
dayshelef
tthehospi t
al.MaCebekhul
uwas
wit
hherforthefirstdi
ffi
cul
tweekssheonlyl
eft
herwhenhersticheshaddissolv
edandshe
coul ddoev ery
thingfreel
y.Shehadal lthe
traditi
onaloint
ment sanddr i
nkst ohel pherheal.
Ther oyaltradi
tionalheal
erhadpr epar edt hem
forher …Shedi dn’tl
eavewiththeboy sbecause
Thembel i
hleaskedhernott oleavewi tht hem…
Nj ongoandMduduzi wer
ewi t
hherandHl ezi
phi
andPi nky.Sheshar edthehousewi thPi nkyand
Hl ezi
phi.NjongoandMduduzi residedi ntheir
sidet worooms.Theyal l
atethesamef ood,
Hl ezi
phiwast heonecooki ng.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Mnot
hoandMlamul
il
eftwi
th
Pr
eci
ousandMduduzi
.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
edi
dtheyher
dto?
”
Hlezi
phi:
“Theywentt
ot hebeachbecausei
t’
s
sunnytoday.Youwer
easleepwithNdabezi
nhl
e
andso,Iall
owedthem t
oleave.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay ,t
heyhavemessedupmy
bedr
oom balcony .It’
sful
lofsandandmyr oom
wasdir
tywi t
ht heirli
tt
lesandyfootpr
int
s.You
knowIam get t
ingf edupoft hem.”
Hl
ezi
phil
aughed.“
Iwi
l
lcl
eanupf
ory
ou.
”she
of
fer
ed.
Thembel i
hle: “No,don’
tbotheryoursel
ftheywill
cl
eanwhent heycomeback.Iwi llt
eacht hem a
l
essont oday .”Hlezi
phishookherheadand
Thembel i
hlenoddedherheadf oldi
ngherl i
psin
supportofherst at
ement.“TakeNdabezinhle’
s
bottl
esandputt hem onwar m water.That’
smy
breastmilk.”Shegav eherthebot t
les.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lpr
epar
efoodf
ory
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iam nothungr
yandther
e’sacar
pul
li
ngover
,doyouthinki
t’
sthem?
”shelooked
ather
.
Hl
ezi
phi:“
No,theywalked.”Sherepl
i
ed.“Iwi
ll
makefoodforyoubecausey ouhavetoeat
si
nceyouarebreast
feeding.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Hl
ezi
phi
,di
dyouseemywei
ght
?
Youareover
feedi
ngme.”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“ButNdl
ovukazi
,youl
ostwei
ghtaf
ter
gi
vi
ngbi
rt
h.Youshoul
drecov
ert
hatwei
ght
l
oss.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam ov
ermynor
mal
wei
ght
.”
“Okay,Iwil
lfeedy ouany way !”Sheexcl ai
med
andleftherlaughing.Thembel ihl
ewentt oher
room asshehear dNdabezi nhle’scry.
Ndabezinhleleftt
hehospi t
al bymi d-Junebut
Thembel i
hledidn’
tgobackt oNongomawi t
h
them.Shewant edtost ayinthebeachhouse
forawhi l
e,Dali
sudi dn’twantt oletthathappen
butheal l
owedheraf tershet oldhim she
alwayshadt ogot ot hehospi talwithhimfor
check-ups…
Sherai
sedhersonf
rom hi
scot
.Sheshar
edthe
bedwit
htheboysandNdabezi
nhl
esl
eptonhis
cot
.
Thembelihle:“Don’
tcrynowbecauseIam
here.
”Shef ixedhisbl
anketandwenttot
he
doorrockinghi minherarms.
Dal
i
suwasseat
edont
hecouchkneadi
nghi
s
neck.Herai
sedhisheadwhenhehear
dhi
sson
cry
ing.Hestoodup.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu,
Sawubona.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yebo,
ninj
ani
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Siy
aphi
l
a.Iwasn’
texpect
ingt
o
seeyou.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iknow,
bri
nghi
m her
eIwantt
osee
hi
m.”
“Okay,Iwil
lgoapplytheointmentonhi m
beforeyoutakehim.”Shesaidturningback
withhercryi
ngson.“Don’tcrynowboy ,your
fat
herishere.”Shesatdownont hedressi
ng
chairwit
hhim andappliedtheointmentonhis
head…
Thembel
i
hlethengavet
hebabyt
oDali
su.“
Why
i
shecryi
ng?”heaskedl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hejustwokenupandy ou,know
cryi
ngaf
terwaki
ngupisthei
rst
yle.Youcan
removet
hisbl
anketsot
hatyou’
llseehim
perf
ectl
y.
”Shetri
edt
ohelphim andshet
hen
putthebl
anketonhi
sknee.
Dal
isu:
“Hehasgr
ownnow.”Her ockedhi
m
t
ryi
ngtomakehim st
opcr
ying.
Thembel
i
hle:
“If
eedhi
m.”
Dal
i
su:
“Icansee,
wher
ear
ehi
sbr
other
s?”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Theywentt
othebeachwi
th
Pi
nkyandNjongo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu!Youal
l
owedt
hem t
ogo?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Hl
eziphidid,Iwassl eepi
ngwith
thebaby.Iwil
lbeback. ”sheleftandwentt o
theki
tchen.“Canyout akethebaby ’
sbott
leto
hisf
ather?”Thembelihlerequested.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Oh,
itwashi
m whowaspul
l
ingov
er?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Yes,dothatandIwill
prepar
e
foodforhim.”Hlezi
phitookthebott
leandlef
t
her.Thembelihl
epreparedfoodforhim…
“
He’
squi
etnow?
”Thembel
i
hleaskedkneel
i
ng
downwi thatr
ayoff oodbefor
eDal isu:“Yes,he
l
ovesf oodandhewasn’ tgoi
ngt ocryint he
handsofhisfather.Heknowst hatthisi
smy
fat
hertouchi
ngme. ”hesaidplayingwi t
hhis
cheeks.Thembelihl
esatdown.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ar
eyoutr
yingt
osaythatwhen
heisi
nmyhandshecr i
esbecauseIam hi
s
mothernothi
sfat
her
?”
Dalisu:“Ah!Youheart hat
,Mageba?That ’
syour
mot hercompl aini
ng!Shecompl ainsevery
chancesheget s.”Hespoket othebaby
i
gnor ingThembel ihl
e’
squest i
onwhenher ai
sed
hi
sheadshewasst i
lll
ookingathim.“ No,t
hat’
s
notwhatIam t r
y i
ngtosay.”Heexpl ai
ned.She
didn’tret
urnawor dtohim shejustlookedat
hi
m.
Dali
su:“
How’ shenow?It hinki
t’sti
mey ou
comebackhome. ”hest ol
eagl anceatherand
hesawt hatshewasn’thappytoheart henews.
“Youcan’tst
ayhereforeverThembelihle.”He
t
oldher
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iknow,butIt
houghtwewi
l
l
comebackmay benextmonth.
”
Dal
isu:“
Nextmont
h?Nextmont
h?Hhay
bo,
kwahlewena.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ishoul
dbeherejustincaseI
needhi
sDoctor.
”Shedi
dn’
twantt oleav
e,and
shedi
dn’
tknowwhatexcusetosayt ohim,
now.
Dali
su: “
That’sanexcuse,thebabyi sfi
nenow,
j
ustt el
lmeify ouarenotwi l
l
ingtocomeback
homedon’ tjustfoolme.”Thembelihledi
dn’t
breatheawor dDal i
sut
ookt heplatewithone
handandpl acedt hepl
ateont hecouch’sarm,
sti
llhol
dingthebabywi t
hot herhand.
“Bri
nghimtomesot hatyoucaneat.
”
Thembeli
hlesuggest
edgivi
ngoutherhands
standi
ngnexttoDali
su.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lmanagej
ustl
ethi
m be.
”
Thembelihl
esatbackont hecouchwi ththeTV
remote.“Iwasthinki
ngthatIwanttorenovate
thi
shouse, canyougivememoneyf orthat
?”
shelookedathim waiti
ngforaresponse…
Fort hepastt womont hst heirrel
ati
onhadbeen
aboutt heirchildr
en.Dal i
suv isi
tedthem now
andt hen,whenhewaswi t
ht hem hesleptwith
theboy sint heot herguest r
oom.Hl ezi
phi and
Pinkyshar edt hebedr oom.Thembel i
hlewoul d
thensleepal onewi t
ht hebaby .Itwasagainst
theircustomst hatThembel i
hleshareabed
withhim suddenl yaft
ergi vi
ngbi rt
h.Dali
su
showedhergest uresofl ovebutThembel ihle
didn’tret
ur nthem.
Dali
su:“
Youwantmoneyt
orenov
atet
his
house?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,i
t’
soldnowandIwanti tt
o
l
ookbeauti
fulsothatbythet
imeNdabezinhl
e
wil
lbecr
awlingthehousewil
llooknew.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hewi
l
lcr
awl
her
e,ar
eyoupl
anni
ngon
mov
ingi
nher
eforgood,
Thembel
i
hle?
”
Thembelihle:
“No,butbyDecemberhe’
ll
be
crawli
ngrightandwealwayscomeheref orour
holi
days.Iwantthi
shousetoberenovated
befor
eDecember .”
Dal
i
su:
“Howmuchhav
eyoubudget
ed?
”
Thembel
ihle:
“Ihaven’
t,It
houghtmaybeyou’
l
l
fi
ndpeoplewho’l
ldotherenovati
onsandIwi
ll
j
ustcomewi thi
deas.”
“She’l
lcomewi thideas,di
dyouheart hat?Just
i
deas, notevenR10000cont r
ibuti
onsjustideas
andIam sur ethoseideaswilli
ncludejusther
coloursnothi
ngt oaccommodat eus.Nextthing
wewi llbeli
vi
nginacol ourf
ulhouse.”Dalisu
spoket ohisson,theyhadtheey econnect i
on.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iknowwhaty
oul
i
keandIdon’
t
l
ikeacol
ourf
ulhouse.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
l
lmakearr
angement
sandtheywi
l
l
cometoaskfory
ouri
deasbuty
ouar
enot
changi
ngt
hel
ookoft
hehouseout
side.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Awu,
okay
.”
Dali
su:
“Iwil
lbegoi
ngtot heof
fi
cethi
sweek
andso,Iwi
llbeher
eforthewholeweekand
thi
sweekendwearegoingbackhome.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“WE?
”
Dali
su:“
Yes,ev
eryoneinthi
shousei
sgoi
ng
backhome.”heannouncedwit
houtl
ooki
ngat
her.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcomet
oyourweddi
ng
Dali
su.
”
Dali
su:“Thi
sisnotabouttheweddingMaSt hol
e
thi
sisaboutthefactthatt
hedayNdabezinhle
wasdischargedfr
om thehospit
alyouwere
supposedtocomebackhome.Ihav en’
teven
i
ntroducedmysont ohisancest
orsbecause
nowy oudon’twanttocomebackhome. ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ineversai
dIdon’twantt
ocome
backhomeIneededtobeclosertohi
sDoct
or
andItol
dyout
hat
,nowy
ouar
emaki
ngt
hata
bi
gissue?”
Dal
i
su:“Iam notmakingt
hisabi
gissuebuti
t’
s
abi
gissuealready
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ehi
dingi
nher
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam hidi
ngfr
om what
?Hi
ding
fr
om youandy ourskankwi
fe?
”
“Uthi
ni?”(Whatarey ousayi
ng?)Heasked
putti
ngt hepl
atedown.Hemov edforwar dand
l
ookedather .Thembel i
hlewasqui et.“Repeat
whaty oujustthatThembeli
hle,justrepeatit
.”
Hegav eherawar ni
ngeyehet henl ookedatthe
glasstablenexttohim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youhear
dmet
hef
ir
stt
imewhy
shoul
dIr
epeati
t?”
Dali
sustoodupwithNdabezi
nhle,
hewentto
thebedr
oom heuses.Hewasangr yatt
heway
Thembeli
hlespoketohi
m andforasecondhe
al
mostt hr
ewt hedecor
ati
ngbot
tl
ethatwas
nexttohim onthesmallt
abl
ecl
osert
ohis
couch.
Helaidthebabyont
hebedandtookoffhis
shoes,hetookof
fhi
sshi
rtandl
aidnextto
Ndabezinhl
e.
“Sawubonake, Mageba. ”Herubbedhi sthumb
onthebaby ’scheek.Thebabyhadhi seyeson
hiseyes.“Aveubukanangal amabhol aamehlo
kamamawakho.St hul
isikaNdaba.”Heinvaded
hisforef
ingeronhi shandandt hebabyhel di
t
ti
ghtly
.Thebabyy awnedandDal isuheldhis
l
ips.
Dali
su:“You’
l
lsl
eepwit
hyourfat
hert
oni
ghtI
havestori
esIwantt
otel
lyou.
”hesmil
ed
genui
nely…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3EPI
SODE19
Shewasstandi
ngonherf
eetcooki
ng,
when
Dali
suwashomeshewastheonewhocooked
ever
ymealoftheday
.
“Hlezi
phi
!”Shecall
edherout .Shewas
choppingvegetabl
es.Hlezi
phienter
edthe
kit
chenandst oodbehindher.Thembel
ihl
e
tur
nedandl ookedather.
Thembelihl
e:“
It
’sgett
inglat
e, Hl
eziphi.Pl
ease,
goandcheck-”shesighedandcl osedherey es
assheheardthesoundoft heboy slaughi
ng.
“For
getaboutit
,theyarehere.Letmegosee
them.”Shesai
dwal ki
ngaway .
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Youwor
ryt
oomuch.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam amotherIshoul
dworry
.
Theirf
atherissti
l
linhi
sroom with
Ndabezinhl
e?”sheaskedlooki
ngattheboys
aft
erreceiv
ingHlezi
phi
’snod.Theywerewet
andshiveri
ng.
“
MAMA!”Theboy
schant
edandwal
kedcl
oser
t
oher
.
Mnotho:
“Isawdad’
scaront
hedr
ivewayi
she
home?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
he’
shome.
”
Mlamul
i
:“Wher
eishe?Iwantt
ogoandsee
hi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,youwil
ljusthavetogeta
bathf
ir
stbecauseifheseesy outhi
swetand
shi
ver
inghewi l
lbeangr
ywi thyou.”
Mnotho:“
Yes,
yes!Pi
nkycany
oubat
hus
qui
ckly
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Oh,t
odayyoudon’
thav
ea
probl
em withPi
nkybat
hingy
ou?”
Ml
amul
i
:“No.
”
Mnotho:“
Youhaveanapr
ononandt
hatmeans
youarecooki
ngf
ordad.
”
“
Yes,
let
’sgoPi
nky
.”Ml
amul
ihel
dPi
nky
’shand
andt
heywentt
othebat
hroom wi
thher
…
Thembeli
hle:“Chil
drenIgavebir
thto,
they
di
smissever y
thingjustf
orthei
rfat
her.I
t’
sa
Wow!”shet urnedbacktothekit
chen.
Hlezi
phi
:“Iwi
l
lassi
sty
ousot
haty
ou’
l
lfi
nishup
earl
y.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
“
Mamawakhe, heneedsanappychangeandI
t
hinkit
’shisbatht i
menow. ”Dali
susaidhol
ding
Ndabezinhlewithoutt
heblankets.Thembel
ihl
e
t
urnedtof acehim.“Hisbrother
sarenotback
yet
?”heaskedl ookingaround.
Thembel
ihl
e:“They
’rebackandt
heyar
ebat
hing
butnowIam cooki
ngher e.
”
Dal
isu:
“So,
whatmustNdabezi
nhl
edo?He’
l
l
st
ayonadirt
ynappy
?”
‘
Youarehisf
atherjustchangehim andbath
hi
m.’shewantedtosayt hewordstohim but
sheknewbett
er…
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iwil
lbat
hhim, Ndabezit
ha.
”She
wal
kedcl
osertoDali
suandt ookthebabyfrom
hi
m.“Wherearehi
sblankets?”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lgett
hem f
ory
ou.
”
Hl
eziphinoddedandfol
lowedhi
m.Thembel
i
hle
wentbacktoherpots…
HleziphiandPinkywerehavi
ngt hei
rdinner
seatedinsidethei
rbedroom becauseDali
su
washome.Whenhewasn’ thomeThembel ihl
e
hadnopr obl
em wit
hhav i
ngdinneronthesame
tabl
ewi t
ht hem.
Dal
i
su:
“Howwasy
ourdayatt
hebeach?
”
Theboy swer eont heirwar
m py j
amasnowand
seatedont hei
rleftsideofthetablenextt
othei
r
father
.Thembel i
hlewasnextt ohim butonthe
othersideofthetable.ShehadNdabezi nhl
eon
herhandsbr eastf
eedi nghi
m.
Mnotho:“
Itwasfun,mal
umeuNj
ongowas
swi
mmi ngwithus.
”
Mlamuli
:“Wewereinsi
dehi
sarmsandhe
wouldj
umpwhent hewavesreachus.I
twas
ver
yfun,baba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“That
’sgood.
”
Mnot
ho:“Youhavenev
erswam wi
thusi
nsi
de
t
hewaterbaba.
”
Dali
su:“Iam scar
edofthewav e.”Heli
edand
theboyslaughedathim,theylookedateach
otherwiththei
rhandsontheirmouth.“Whyare
youlaughingatyourfat
her?”heasked.
Mlamuli
:“Not
hingscar
esy
ou,
baba,
youar
ea
ki
ng.”
Mnotho:
“Yes,
andt
hatmeansy
ouar
ely
ingt
o
us.
”
Dal
isulookedatThembel i
hleandNdabezi
nhl
e,
hethoughtofallt
hetimeswhenhewasscar ed
tol
oseherandnowhi ssonsweretell
i
nghim,
he’
sthekingnothingscareshim.Thembel
ihl
e
wasn’tl
ookingathim shehadhereyesonthe
babyandshewasn’
tpay
ingat
tent
iont
othei
r
conver
sat
ion.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
butt
hewav
eisgr
eat
er.
”
“HAWU! ”Theychant
edandl
ooked
disappoi
nted.
Dal
isu:“
Iam joki
ng!”heexclai
medandbr ushed
t
heirheads,
theylaughed.“Iam notscar
edof
t
hewav ebuttheseai snotgoodf ormeunless
i
t’
squietandtherearenocr owdsofpeople.”
Mnot
ho:
“Oh!Iknowwhy
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Why
?”
Mnotho:“Youar eakingandpeopl ewil
lmake
youdirt
y.Bazogez ai
nsil
ay abobesei ncolisa
ubabawet hu,uMageba.”Dalisulaughedr esti
ng
hisneckont hekneeofthechai r…Thembel i
hle
rai
sedherheadt olookathi m ashewas
l
aughing,t
heboy swer ealsolaughing.She
stoodonherf eetasNdabezi nhl
ebegancr yi
ng.
Hewaswokenupbyhi sfather’sloudlaughter.
Shethenlef
tir
ri
tat
edt
hattheyhavewokenhim
up…Theyallst
oppedl
aughingasshel
eftthe
di
ningtabl
e.
Ml
amul
i
:“Wedi
dsomet
hingwr
ong?
”
Dal
isu:
“It
hinky
ourbrot
herwasf
all
i
ngasl
eep
andwewokehim up.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Weshoul
dsaysor
ryt
hebabyi
scr
ying
now.
”
Dali
su:“Let’
sgot othem.”hestoodupand
carri
edthem offthetabl
e.Theyfol
lowedeach
othertothebedroom.
“Iam sor
ry,baby.I
t’
syourfatherandhisli
tt
le
ratst
heywer ebusylaughi
ngaboutGodknows
what.Forgi
vemeMageba. ”Sherockedthe
babybuthedi dn’
tstopcry
ing.
Dali
su:“Wedi
dn’
tmeantowakehim cr
y,can
yougivehi
mtome? ”Her
equest
edstanding
befor
eThembeli
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lputhi
mtosl
eep.
”
Boy
s:“
Wear
esor
rymama.
”
Thembelihle:“
Takethenoiseoffmyr oom Il
eft
thedini
ngt abl
ebecauseofy ournoise,
canyou
tel
lthem tobesensit
ive?
”shel ookedatDali
su.
Dal
isu:
“MaSthol
e,wewerejustl
aughi
ngand
wewerenotawarethatNdabezi
nhl
ewasfal
li
ng
asl
eep.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,nowgi
vemespace.
”
Dal
isu:“
Isaidgi
vemysontomeIwi
ll
calm hi
m
downandt oni
ght
,he’
l
lsl
eepwi
thmeandthe
boys.
”
Thembel i
hlegav et hebabyt ohi m wi thout
say i
nganythingt ohim.Shet henl eftthem and
wentbackt oherf ood…Shef inishedupeat ing
aftershe’
dcov eredt hefoodt hatt heyl eft
uncov er
ed…Byt het i
met heywer ebackont he
tableThembel ihl
ewasbusypr eparingf ormula
forNdabezinhlebecausehewasgoi ngt osleep
withhisfather.Hewoul dsl eepwi thhi m oncein
awhi leandwhenhecoul dn’thandl ehi m at
ni
ghthewoul dwakeThembeli
hle…Shethenput
ever
ythinginsidet
hebedroom.Ndabezi
nhle
wasalreadysleepingi
nsi
dehiscot.
Thembel i
hlestoodnextt
othecot.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Goodni
ghtbaby.
”sheki
ssedhi
m
andwenttoherroom t
orest…
“Mama?”MnothoandMlamul ical
led
Thembel
ihl
eout,shewassleepingbutshe
wokeupwhent heboyswokeher .
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Boy
s:“
Wewant
edt
osaygoodni
ght
,mama.
”
“Ah!Mybabies,takey
ourki
sses!”She
excl
aimedwi t
hasmi l
eandkissedthem
goodnight
.“Iwil
lseeyoui
nthemor ning.
”She
added.
Boys:“Yes,mom.”Theyleftherr
oom andshe
fel
lbackonherbed.Shet ookherphoneand
l
oggedi n,onFacebook.Shereadthr
oughnews
feedsandsawoneofherFacebookf r
iends,
she
hadchangedherpr ofilepi cture.Shewasoneof
theyoungwomeni nt hev i
ll
age.Shewas
dressedupni cel yint radi ti
onal gearand
standingwi thPr eci
ous.Sher eadt hrought he
comment sont hepi ctureandshel ear nedthat
thewomanwasPr eci ous’ mai den.Thembel i
hle
sawPr eci
ous’ comment .“Youar ethemost
beautifull
adyIhav eev erseen. ”Shet hen
checkedPr eci ous’ pr ofile.Herpr of
ilepicture
washerandDal isuont heirpre- wedding
ceremonyt hatwashel datMaCebekhul u’s
palace.Sheswal lowedhar dasshel ookedat
howbeaut i
ful theywer e, shescr oll
eddownand
l
ookedatt hePi cturesoft hecer emoni esand
peoplewer ecomment i
ngathowbeaut i
fulshe
was.
Thembeli
hlewipedhertearsthatfel
lof
fasshe
wasbusylooki
ngatthepi ct
ures.Shecoul
dn’
t
bel
ievehowfastever
ythinghadchanged,j
ust
monthsagoshewashappyandnowher
husbandwashav i
nganewwi fe.
“Whyarey oucr
ying?
”Dal
isuaskedstandi
ng
nexttothebedThembeli
hledi
dn’tnot
icehi
m
entert
hebedroom.
Thembeli
hle:
“Eh,nothi
ng.
”Shepressedthe
powerbutt
onofherphoneandwi pedhertear
s
aft
ershehadputthephonedown.Dal i
sutook
thephoneandswipeditunl
ocked.Hesawwhat
shewaslookingat.
Dal
isu:
“Whyareyouchecki
ngt
hesepi
ctur
es
andherpr
ofi
l
e?”
Thembel i
hle:“Ij
ustsawZi ntombi’
sprofi
le
pi
ctureshewasst andingwi t
hyourwifeandI
l
earnedt hatshe’shermai densosinceIwasn’
t
presentaty ourceremoniesIthoughtIcoul
d
haveal ook.Idon’tknowi fIdi
dsomet hi
ng
wrong.”
Dali
su:“No,
youdi
dnothi
ngwrongbutwereyou
goi
ngt ocomeify
ouwerehome?”helookedat
hergiv
inghert
hephoneback.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iwasgoi
ngt
ocomej
ustl
i
ke
Iwil
lcomeforyourwedding.I
t’
syourhappyday
andsojustl
ikeyou’
vebeenpresentonmy
happydaysIwoulddothesamef oryou.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ourweddi
ng-
”
Thembel
ihle:
“Iam t
alki
ngaboutmygraduat
ion
dayandotherdaysnotourweddi
ngday.”
Dal
isu:
“Wil
lweeverbehappyagai
n?Imean
j
ustyouandI,
asamar r
iedcoupl
e.”hepl
aced
hi
shandonherthi
gh.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whyar
eyouaski
ngmet
hat
quest
ion?
”
Dal
isu:
“It
’sbecauseImissyouThembel
ihl
e.I
j
ustwanttoknowi ft
hingswil
lev
ergoback
howtheywerebetweenus.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Athi
rdpersonchanges
every
thinginarel
ati
onshipandso,thingscan
neverbet hesamebetweenus,Idon’tknow
abouty oubutonmysideIdon’tseethem bei
ng
howt heyusedtobe.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatshoul
dIdo?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Don’tmar
ryPreci
ous,marr
iagei
s
nottheonl
ywayy oucantakecareandbea
fat
hertoyourchi
l
d. ”
Dali
su:“
It
’st
oolat
ef orthat
,Ican’
tst
opt he
weddingandyousaidthatyoucanneverlook
aft
ermychil
dfrom anotherwomansoIhav eno
choi
ce.”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’sfi
net hen.Justdon’
tkeep
aski
ngmet hesequest i
onsthey’r
ejust
annoyi
ngandpoi nt
less.”
Dalisu:“Yazi,
Thembel i
hleIam st il
lyour
husbandandunl essyouhav esomeoneel se
youar egivingyourrespectt o,Idemandy ou
respectme.Youar econst antl
ymaki ngmef eel
uselessandIdon’ tknowwhatshoul dIdonow.
Iam get ti
ngannoy edbyy ourbehav iourandso,
Iwillleaveyoualone.Ican’ tbegawomant o
acceptt hefactthatIwantt odor ightbymy
chil
d.Yourl egit
imatechil
dr enarel i
ving
comfortablyandmyill
egit
imat echil
dshoul d
suff
erbecauseIhav etopleasey ou?
Uyangidakelwaphel
amanj e,tsk!”hestoodup
andlefther.Thembeli
hlewasl eftdr
ybyhis
words.Shedi dn’
tcr
yshejustf eelbackasleep…

Monday ,Thembel i
hlewasbackt oherpalace
withherchi l
dren.TheygotbackonaFr iday
ni
ghtandonaSunday ,Dali
suhadar it
ual
performedf orNdabezi nhl
e,thewhol efamily
waspr esentforNdabezi nhle’srit
ual
.They
broughtgi ft
sf orhi
m, theydi dn’tbel
i
evei n
doingbabyshower s,givi
ngt hebabygi f
ts
beforehe/ shewasbor n, i
twasconsi deredas
badl uck,evengi vi
ngt hebabyanamebef ore
he/shewasbor nwasconsi deredasbadl uck.
Theeldersblessedt hechil
d.TheZul uwomen
broughtfrui
tsandv egetabl
esf orThembeli
hle,
encouraginghertoeatheal t
hybecauseshe
wasbr eastf
eeding…Ndabezi nhlehadhis
nurseythatDal isupersonall
ypaintedand
furni
shedwi t
ht hehelpofMawande.
Thembel i
hle’shousehadanumberofempt y
rooms.She’ df urni
shedtheroomsshewant ed
andDal i
sul efttheotherroomsunf urni
shed.
EventhoughNdabezi nhlehadhi snurseryhe
wassl eepingwi thThembel i
hleinherroom,
unwrappingt hebaby ’sgif
tsinsi
dehi snursery.
ThebabywasatMaCebekhul u’
spalace.She
tookhim andt heboysinthemor ni
ng,shewas
goingtor eturnthem intheafternoon.
“Ndlovukazi
,Ndabezi
tha’
sbrideisherewithher
designer.
”Hlezi
phii
nformedThembel i
hle.
Precioushadcall
edThembel i
hleandaskedto
comet oherpalacewithherdesigner
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yazi
njal
olomfaziungi
j
wayel
a
kabi
.Whotol
dherIneedherdesi
gner
?”
Hl
eziphi
laughed.“
Justplayal
ongwedon’
t
wanttogiv
eherar easontocompl
aint
o
Ndabezi
thaaboutyou.”Shesai
d.
Thembelihle:“
Youareright,
howar e
preparat
ionsforGwabini’
sfarewel
lpart
y?I
wantittobet hebestbecausehe’ssuchal
oyal
servantt
omy -t
otheking.Andmyf ri
endwil
l
al
socome. ”
Hlezi
phi
:“Theyar
egoi
ngver
ywel
landt
hey
bothdon’
tknowabouti
t.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“That
’sperf
ect.Youhaveadr
ess
fort
hepart
y?”shelookedatherwit
hasmile.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yes,
andi
t’
sasur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh!HowmuchIl
ovesur
pri
ses.
”
Shegiggledandsaid.“
Iwi
l
llety
ougot
alkt
o
yoursi
sterin-
law.
”
Thembel i
hleshookherheadandmar chedt o
thelounge.Preci
ouswashav ingthef ood
serv
edt oherthistimearound,herdesi gnerand
maidenwer ewi t
hher.Thembelihl
esatonher
chai
rwi t
hherTVr emoteandasal way s,she
changedt hechanneltheywerewat ching.
Preci
ous:
“Iam sor
rybutwhydoy
oul
i
ke
changi
ngtheTVchannel?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
That’sbecausei
t’
smyhouseand
Icandoany t
hingthatIwantdoto.Doy
ouhave
aprobl
em withthat?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“No.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourdesi
gneri
sher
ebecause?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Youdi
dn’
tgr
eetus.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youdi
dn’
tgi
vemethechanceto
greety
ouandso,wepassedt
hatst
age.Just
answermyquesti
on.
”
Precious:“Ihaveseenyourst
ylei
nnewspapers,
thenewssomet imesandevenony our
graduationdayIsawont henewspaperwhat
youwer ewear i
ng.Idon’
tli
keyourstyl
e.I
t’
s
kindaoldfashioned.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Excuseme?
”
Pr
ecious:“
InmyweddingIdon’
twantyout
o
weartheki
ndofcl
othesthaty
ouappearonthe
newspaperswearing.Ihavethi
sdressf
oryou
andIwanty outoweari tonmyweddingday.
It
’st
wodr essesforbothweddings.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Letmegetthi
sstrai
ghtyouwant
metowearsomethi
ngyou’l
lpi
ckoutforme?”
Preci
ous:“
Idon’
tmeani
tinabadway
Thembeli
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Isai
dyoudon’
tgett
ocal
lmeby
mynamewoman! ”
Precious:“Iam sorr
y,buthaveal ookatthe
dresses.”Shegav eherthedressesdesigns.
Theywer et ot
all
ybeautif
ulbutThembel i
hle
knewt hattheywer enotmeantf orher
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theyar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Soy
ou’
l
lweart
hem?
”
Mai
den:
“Theywi
l
llookgoodony
oundl
ovukazi
MaSt
hol
e.”
Desi
gner
:“Yes,
theywi
l
l.
”
Thembeli
hlest
oodupandl
ett
hedesi
gnert
ake
hermeasurement
s.
“What
’sgoi
ngon?”MaCebekhul uaskedsi
tt
ing
downwithNdabezi
nhle.Theyenter
edthehouse
usi
ngtheki
tchenentr
ance.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yourdaughteri
n-l
awtoldmethat
shehatesmystyleandsoshewant smeto
wearwhatshe’dchosenformeonherwedding
day.Iam t
aki
ngthemeasur ementsnow.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“What!Umbhedol
owo!Girl
y,
stopwhatyouaredoingj
ustt
akeyourt
hings
andleav
enow. ”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Butmama-
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Mama, mama, wani?Phuma,
phuma!Takeyourfri
endsandleave.Youar
e
disr
espect
ingher,
whoarey outotell
herwhat
towear?Huh?Whoar eyou?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Idi
dn’
tmeanany
thi
ngbad.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
eDal
i
su’
spr
egnant
mistressandso,youhavenorighttotel
lhi
s
wifewhatt odoandwhattowear .Youmust
respectherasequalasyourespecther
husbandt heonesheall
owedy outogetmarri
ed
to.Now, l
eave!
”
Preci
ousstoodupandleftt
hehousewi
ththe
twogirl
s..
.Shewasangryandwasgoi
ngtotel
l
Dali
suaboutwhathappened…
Thembel
ihl
esatbackonherchai
r.
MaCebekhul
ucli
ckedhert
ongue.
MaCebekhul
u:“Andyouarebusyagr
eei
ngt
o
t
his?Howdoy outhi
nk?”
Thembel i
hle:“
Ijustwanthertodesignthe
dress,payforitandshe’
lldel
i
v eri
there.Iwil
l
burnthedressesandwearwhatIdesi r
et owear
.
She’l
lhavet ol
ookatmewear i
ngthest yl
eshe
hates.
”
MaCebekhul
ulaughedandshookherhead,she
t
oldThembeli
hle.“
Comeandt akeyourson,
he
j
ustdoesn’
twanttosleep.Hekeepsonstar
ing
atmewi
thhi
sbi
gey
es.
”
Thembelihle:
“ Tel
lyourgrandmothert
hatyour
eyeslookbey ondherflesh.Theyseehersoul
.”
Shetookt hebabyf r
om her.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ihavenodemonshi
ddenbehi
nd
mysoul.
”Theyl
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
ehi
sbr
other
s?”
MaCebekhul
u:“They
’rewit
htheirf
ather
.Isaw
Makhosiandsheaskedthatyoutel
lherwhen
youar
efree.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,
yes.Ihav
etomeetherand
getupdat
esofwhat’
sbeenhappeni
ng.
”
MaCebekhul u:
“Akaf
unekinj
aloumfazi
ohl
ebay o.
”Shestoodupandt heyl
aughed.“
I
wil
lhelpyoucookIam sleepi
ngheretoni
ght.
Nokuthulaisnothome.
”sheinformedher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Al
ri
ght
,wheni
sthi
syear
’sr
eed
dance?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Doy
ouwantt
oat
tendi
t?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwantt oat
tenditasav i
rgi
n
maybeIwillbeluckyandgetanotherhusband.
”
Shefol
l
owedhert otheki
tchen.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ify
ouwantDal
i
sut
oki
l
lyouj
ust
goahead.
”
Thembelihl
elaughedandgaveHlezi
phithe
baby.“
Mama, whenisNdabezi
nhl
e’snanny
coming?”Thembelihl
easked.
MaCebekhulu:“
She’
llbeheresoonIhadt osend
herbackbecauseyouwerenother e.Iwi
l
l hav
e
tocal
lmyf r
iendandtel
lherthatshemust
come.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,how’
sshe?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
She’
sani
ceTswanagi
rl
.”
Thembeli
hle:“Tswana?Whywoul
dyouhi
rea
Motswanaf ormyson?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
She’sav
erysweetgi
rl
Ndabezi
nhl
ewil
llov
eher.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ew!Youar
esay
ingi
tli
keshe’
l
l
marr
ymybaby
.”MaCebekhul
uandHl
ezi
phi
l
aughed.
MaCebekhulu:“Maybewecankeepherforhi
m,
soy ouhaveadaughteri
n-l
awal
ready
.”she
teased.Theyl
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo!Mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Iam ki
ddi
ng.Butt
henannyi
s
sweetIam sur
eMnot hoandMlamul
iwil
ll
ove
hert
oo.”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“I
fthoset
wol
oveher
,Iwi
l
ljustgi
vei
t
t
oher.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hhay
bo,t
heylovedtheot
her
nannydon’
tmakethem badki
ds.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i,y
oucandef
endy
ourki
ds
mfazi
!”
Hl
ezi
phi
laughed.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ehe.You’l
ldothesameforyour
chi
ldr
en,eventheking,
givenachanceyou
woulddefendhim andeventakeshot
sfor
hi
m.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
He’
smybaby
.”
Thembelihl
eandHlezi
phil
aughed.“Idon’
tthink
Preci
ouswilll
ovetoheary
ousayt hatbecause
that
’sherhusband.
”Thembel
ihl
ecomment ed.
MaCebekhulu:“I
sitreall
yPreciouswho
wouldn’
tlov
et hatorit’
syou?”shelookedather
andThembelihlesmiledwithoutgiv
ingheran
answer…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE20

Dali
suwasi nt
hecarwithMnot hoandMl amuli
,
theboy sweresleepi
ng.Gwabiniwasdr i
vi
ngto
Thembel i
hle’
spalaceandTimothy,theguard
whowasgoi ngtotakeaft
erhim wasont he
passengerseat.Dali
suwasbusyr eadinghis
emails.Hisphonerang,Pr
eciouswascal l
ing.
Dal
i
su:
“KaMaj
ozi
?”
“
Ndabezi
tha,
whereareyou?”shehadheraf
ter
t
ear
sv oi
ceandsoundedsad.
Dal
isu:“
Iam onmywaytoMaSthol
e’
spalace,
what’
swrong?Youdon’
tsoundt
oogood.Did
somethi
nghappen?
”
Preci
ous:“Ij
ustthoughtyou’
l
lbecomingher
e
toni
ght.Iam j
ustsadthatmamascoldedme
today.
”
Dal
i
su:
“MamauMaCebekhul
u?”
Precious: “Yes,IhaveaskedMaSt hol
e’s
permi ssiont ocomet oherpalacewithmy
designerIwant edhermeasurement sfort
he
beautiful dressIsawont hemagazineIthought
thedr esswoul dlookgoodonherandIasked
hertoweari tonmyweddi ngday.Shemocked
mef irstbef oreagreei
ngtotakethe
measur ement s.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dshesaywhenshewas
mocki
ngy
ou?
”
Precious: “Fi
rstly
, shej usttookherr emot eand
changedt hechannel thatshej oinedme
watchi nginherl ounge.Iaskedwhydi dshedo
thatandshet ol
dmet hatwasherhouseand
shecoul ddowhat evershewanti nherhouse.I t
wasn’ tthef i
rstti
meshedi dt hat,t
hat ’
swhyI
asked.Sheshout edatmet ell
ingmenott ocal l
herbyhername.Shewassay i
ngal lt
hatint he
presenceofmydesi gnerandmymai den.She
fi
nall
yagr eedt otaket hemeasur ement st hen
mamacameandt oldmet ost opdoi ngwhatI
wasdoi ng.Shet oldmeIam j usty ourpregnant
mistressandso, Ishoul djusttakemyt hings
andgo.Shechasedmeoutoft hehouseaf ter
tel
li
ngmet hatIshoul dr espectMaSt hole
equallyasIr especty ou.”sheexpl ainedtohi m
cryi
ng.
Dal
isu:
“Okay
, Iwi
l
lspeaktoMaSt
hol
eand
cometoyou,don’
tsl
eep.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yebo.
”
Dali
suhungupt hecall
…Hegotof fthecar,
GwabiniandTimothyhadtakentheboy si
nside
thehouseleavi
ngDali
suspeakingont hephone.
Hemar chedtothehousereadytotell
Thembelihl
e,t
oremindherthatsheneededt o
getoffherhi
ghhorse.Hehadhadenoughwi th
her.
“I
t’
sgoodt hatbothofy ouarehere.Iwantto
speaktoy ou.”Dal
isusaidsit
ti
ngdownonhi s
chai
rinthedi ni
ngtable.MaCebekhuluand
Thembelihlewerehavingdinner
.Thembelihl
e
wasbreast f
eedingthebabywhileeati
ng.
MaCebekhulu:“
Iwil
ldi
shthef
oodf
ory
ou
becauseyourwif
eisbusy
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam nothungr
y.”
MaCebekhuluwasforcedbyhiswordstosit
down.“Oh,what
’swrong?Whatisitthaty
ou
wanttospeaktousabout?”sheasked.
Dali
su:“Thembel i
hle,
”hecalledherand
Thembel i
hlerai
sedherheadt olookathim.
“Whogav ey outher i
ghttospeakt oPreci
ousas
i
fshe’syourchild?”heasked.Thembel ihl
e
l
ookedatMaCebekhul usur
pr i
sedbyhis
questi
on.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo!
”
Dali
su:
“Lookatmewena, Iam speaki
ngt
o
you.
”hetappedhershoul
der.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whendi
dIspeakt
oherasi
f
she’
smychil
d?”
Dali
su:“Don’
tanswermyquest
ionwi
tha
questi
on.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Idon’
twanttosaynobodygav
e
met hatri
ghtbecauseIdon’
tremember
speakingtoherasifshe’
smychild.
”
Dali
su:“Whydidyouchangethechannelwhen
shewaswat chi
ngtheTVt hatIpayf
or?You
disr
espect
edherinthepresenceoft
hetwo
l
adi
esthatwereher
e,y
ouwant
edt
oshowt
hem
t
hatyouaret
heboss?”
Thembeli
hle:“
No, Idi
dn’twantt
odot hatandI
am sor
ryifIdi
srespectedyourwif
e.Iwon’tdoi
t
agai
n.”
Dali
su:“Iwil
lremindy
ouagai
njustbecauseI
l
ovey ouitdoesn’
tmeanyourul
ehere.You
needtogetof ft
hathi
ghhor
seyouaresitti
ng
onrightnow.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iam sor
ry.
”
MaCebekhuluwaslooki
ngatThembel
ihleas
shehadherheadlooki
ngdown.Herhandwas
shaki
ngasshewashol di
ngherbr
eastforher
son.Shefel
tthepai
nforher,
whatwas
happeni
ngtoherwasn’tr
ight
.
Dali
su:“Mama, y
ouhadnor ightt
ot el
lPreci
ous
torespectThembel
ihl
easequal l
ytome.You
hadnor i
ghttodothatbecausePreciousisnot
herebecauseofThembelihl
e.She’shere
becauseIwanthertobeher e.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ihadnor i
ghtt
odothat
,soyou
meanPreci
oushadarighttot
ell
Thembel
ihl
e
whatsheshoul
dwear?
”
Dal
isu:“
It’
sherweddi
ng,what’
swrongifshe
t
ell
shershesawabeaut i
fuldr
essthatshe
wouldli
kehertowearonherweddingday.
What’swrong,
ther
e?”
MaCebekhul u:“What’swrongist hat,
shedidn’
t
tel
lyout hatshestartedbymocki ngtheway
Thembel ihl
edressesup.Shet oldherit’
sold
fashi
oned, shesaidthatbefor
et ell
ingherabout
thedress.Shedidt hatint
hepr esenceofthe
twoladiesy ouaretalki
ngabout .
”
Dali
su:“
Ishoul
dbeli
evet
hat?Youthi
nkIdon’
t
knowthatyoucandoanyt
hingandsayanyt
hing
j
usttostandupfory
ourf
avouri
tedaught
eri
n-
l
aw? ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy outhet
rut
h,
whet
heryoubel
iev
eitornotIdon’
tcar
e.I
f
Pr
eci
ousmeantwellshewassupposedtotel
l
Thembel i
hlet
hat‘ Isawt hi
sdressandIt hought
i
twi l
lgoodony ou, pleaseweari tonmy
weddingday .
’Iam sur ethatwasn’ tgoingt o
makeherangr y.”Shesai d,Thembel ihlestood
upwi t
hthebabyandl ef
tthem.“ Eveni fshe
doesn’tl
ikeherfashionsenset hatwas
somet hi
ngshewassupposedt okeept ohersel
f.
AndasThembel ihleisyourfi
rstwi fe,shemust
respectherwhet hershel i
kesthatornot .
”She
added.
Dali
su:“Iam pret
tysurethati
fshedidn’
tmock
herfi
rstshewasgoi ngtospeaknicel
ytoher
.
Preci
ousi salady.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Aladydoesn’
tgoaround
seducingot herwomen’shusbands.Alady
respectsherbodyanddoesn’ tgoaround
getti
ngdr unkgetti
ngpregnantononenight
stands.IthoughtIshouldtel
lyouwhataladyis,
beingal adyisnotdressi
ngupperfectl
yas
Preciousdressesup.Don’tbefool
edbyt hat
.”
Dal
isu:“
Oh,Itol
dyouthatandnow,
youar
e
usi
ngitagai
nstme.”
MaCebekhul u: “
Iam r eferencingwhatIknow
abouty ourladyPr ecious.”Shel ookedathi m.“I
wanty out or emembert hesewor dssomeday
whent hisfair y
-taleyouhav ewithPr ecious
trembl es.‘She’ l
lshowy ouhert ruecol oursone
dayandwhenshedoes, you’l
l r
ememberwho
hasbeenar ealwi feforyou.You’ llr
ememberal l
thewor dsy ousai dtohur tThembel ihl
eand
whent hathappensdon’ tcomet omef orhel
p.’
I
won’ tev enliftaf ingertohel pyour estoreyour
mar riagebecauset hisisnothowy oubui l
d
anot herwoman’ shouse.Youdon’ ttakeanother
wi f
ebymi str eatingy ourcurrentwi f
e.”
Dali
su:
“Ihavebeggedanddideveryt
hinginmy
powertogetThembeli
hletoagr
eeandaccept
thi
smarri
age,whatshouldIdomore?She
wantsmet obowdownt oherbecauseIlove
her.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwon’
tanswert
hatbutIt
hought
Ishoul
dlety
ouknowthat
.”
Hest oodupandl ef
tMaCebekhul u…Heopened
hisbedroom andhef oundThembel ihletr
yingto
unti
et hebel
tthatsheusedt oholdhertummy ,
shewasdoi ngt hatwhi l
espeaki ngto
Nozibusisoonthephone.Shehadheron
l
oudspeakerandt heywer etalki
ngabouther
weddi ngday.Shewasst ruggli
ngandsoDal i
su
stoodbehindher .Her emov edherhandsand
thenheunt i
edthebel tforher .
Thembel i
hle:“
Thankyou.
”shesaidputt
ingit
away .Shetooktheol
i
v eoi
landrubbedher
breastswiththeoi
l…Dali
suwenttothecloset
l
eav i
ngher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihavecr
ackedmyheadt ryi
ngt
o
fi
gur
eoutwhatIwil
lwearfort
hisgrand
weddi
ng.
”ShesaidtoNozi
busiso.
Shelaughed.“
Iwantyout
olookbeautif
ulasi
f
youaretheonegett
ingmarr
ied.Pl
ease.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
llookper
fectf
ory
oumy
fr
iend.
”
Nozibusi
so: “
Thankyouandpl
us,Iwi
ll
havea
specialt
ableforyouandt
heki
ng.You’
llbe
si
tti
ngont hetabl
ewi t
hhi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’
tfor
getthatt
heki
nghasa
secondwif
eandsoy ou’
ll
needtoputthr
ee
chai
rs.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Theywon’
tbemar
ri
edbyt
hen.
”
Thembelihl
e:“They
’repract
ical
lymarri
ed
Nozi
busisoandIdon’ twantpeopleto
badmouthme.They ’l
lsayItoldyoutoputtwo
chai
rsonpur posebecauseIdon’tli
kehiswif
e
soplease,j
ustdowhatIsay .”
Nozi
busiso:
“What ’
swr
ongThembel
i
hle?You
don’
tsoundfine.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Nothingi
swrongIam f
ine.Don’
t
for
gett
ocomeher eonthef
ourt
eenofAugust.I
wil
lbesayi
ngf ar
ewellt
omysist
erin-
lawshe’s
l
eav
ingt
hecount
ry.
”
Nozibusi
so:“
Iwi
l
lcomej
ustt
oseey
ouand
yourboys.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,goodni
ghtt
hen,
myf
ri
end.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Shehungupt hecallandwentt othebabyaf ter
weari
ngherni ghtgown.Shesmi l
edseei nghis
eyeswonder i
ngabout .“Hey,l
ookaty our
bubblestheyarewonder ingabout.Iam her e
nowandweshoul dsl eepwhatdoy out hink?”
sheaskedl ooki
ngatt hebaby.Sher ai
sedt he
babywithouthisblanketsshethenputheron
herchest.
Sheclosedherey esandsang:“Singtome, si
ng
tome, babysingtome, Il
oveyou.Ndabezinhle
singtome, Il
ovey ou…Ndabezinhledidyou
knowt hatyouusedt ol
iveinmyt ummy ,
Ndabezinhl
edi dyouknowIam i nlovewith
beingyourmommy .
”Shesangtohi m pol
it
ely
withhereyesclosed.Dali
suwasst andingby
theclosetdoorlookingather.“Iloveyou,sing
tome, Il
ovey ou.Youaremywor l
d,my
favouri
teboy.Youar emywor ld.”Shesang
fur
therandopenedherey estolookathi m.
Ndabezinhlewasf astasl
eep…Shel ai
dhi m
downandl ookedathi m wit
hherbeaut i
fuleyes.
Thembel ihl
e:“Ithoughty ouandy ourbr ot
hers
willgett owitnesst hebeaut if
ullovey our
parent shad, you’l
lgrowupknowi ngt hatyour
fatherl ov esyourmot herdear l
yandy our
mot herr espectsy ourf ather.Andy ou’ l
lwant
thatfory ourselveswheny ouar eol der.Butthat
willbej ustthatadr eam becauseIdon’ tt
hinkI
willev erbeabl etofor givey ourfatherf or
ever y
thi nghe’ dsaidanddi dt ohur tme.Ihope
you’llunder stand.Thel eastIcanassur eisthat
you’llhav etwopar entswhol ovesy ou.You’ll
growupi nt
ost rongboy s.Ilovey ou,myson. ”
Sheki ssedhi slipsandpul ledthecov ersto
cov ert hem bot h.Shecl osedherey es.Shesl ept
witht hel ightsonbecauseoft hebaby …
Dali
sul
eftt
heroom i
mmediatel
yaf
ter
Thembel
ihl
elai
dherheaddown…
“Wherear
eyougoi
ng?”MaCebekhul
uasked
Dal
isuashewasopeni
ngthefr
ontdoor
.
Dali
su:
“Iam goi
ngt
omymi
str
ess,
Ihav
eone,
remember?
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Youmaybeakingher
ebuty
ou
arest
ill
myson, achi
l
dIgavebi
rt
hto,
andso
you’
ll
notspeaktomeanyhow.Doyou
underst
and?
”
Dali
su:“
Yes,
Iam sor
ry.
”Het
henl
eftt
he
house…

Thembeli
hlewasi ntheroyalhousewaiti
ngf or
peoplewhorequestedtospeakt oher.Shewas
busychecki
ngthingsthathav ebeengoingoni n
theki
ngdom whent heservantknockedont he
off
iceandtol
dhert hatthepeoplehadar r
ived.
Shethenlef
ttheof f
iceandwentt othe
consul
tat
ionr
oom.Shefoundthr
eemenand
onewomanseatedonthecoucheswai
ti
ngf
or
her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sani
bona.
”
Them: “
Yebo,ndlovukazi
.”Theyshared
handshakesandt heyint
roducedthemsel
vest
o
Thembelihl
e.Thembel i
hlethensatdown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
Man:“Wegotatendertobuil
dapr
imar
yschool
f
oroneoftherur
alvil
l
agesandweweregi
ven
f
reedom t
ochoosethev i
l
lage.
”
Man2: “
Wet hensatdownandlookedatthe
Zul
ulandv i
l
lages,wechosethi
svi
ll
age.The
i
nspi
rationwasy ou,queen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Me?How?
”
Woman: “
Wel i
kedthenewspaperart
icl
eabout
yourgraduati
onandwesawt hatt
hev i
l
lage
needtheschool.Wet henwanttonamet he
schoolaftery
ou.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thembel
i
hlePr
imar
ySchool
?”
Man3:
“Yes.
”
Thembelihl
e: “
Wow!Okay ,
butyoudoknowt hat
thecouncilandthecommunitydeser
veasayi n
thenameoft heschool.Imean,i
neveryt
hing
thatconcer
nsanypr oj
ectIwon’
ttakethe
decisi
onalone.”
Man: “
Yes,queenweknowt hatbutweneed
yourapproval
first
,inor
dertousey ourname
andtheschool wil
lhavetobeinthev i
l
laget
hat
youresidei
n.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,Idon’thaveaprobl
em y
ou
canusemynamei neverybil
lboar
difyouwant
to.
”Theylaughed.
Man2:“
Thankyou,
queen.Wewereki
ndof
scar
edthaty
ouwouldn’
tagr
ee.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Ilov
egoodt
hings.
”
Man:“
Wewil
ll
eav
ethi
swithyouandyoudon’
t
hav
etowor
ry,
wehaveagoodpresent
ati
onto
gett
hecounci
ltoagr
eetothi
sandespecial
l
y
nowthaty
ouhav egi
venusyourper
missi
on.”
Thembel i
hletookthepaper stheygaveherand
shenodded.“ Iwil
lseey ouinthemeet i
ngI
suppose.”Shestoodupandt heydida
handshake.Shet henwal kedthem outoft
he
royalhouse.Theywer ejusthav i
ngageneral
conversati
onaskingherquest ionsaboutt
he
royal
tyandt heel
dersoft heland.Theyneeded
toknowhowt oimpr essthem…Theyf i
nal
l
ysaid
thei
rgoodby esoncet heyweredone.Shet ook
herphoneandcal ledMakhosi .
Makhosi
:“Queen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
eyou,
madam?
”
Makhosi:“Iam goi
nghomet ogi
vemymom
anothergoodnews.Iwil
ltel
lyouwhenIcome
back.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,okay,
Iwil
lwai
tforyou.And
nowthatIam hereIwil
lsendamant o
Nkosi
khona’sapart
mentjustt
oday
.”
Makhosi:“Okay
,eventhoughIam ner
vous
aboutitsi
nceIdon’tknowwhothefatheroft
he
babyis.”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
houghtt
hatwecalcul
atedand
concl
udedNkosikhonai
sthef
atherofthe
baby.
”
Makhosi
:“Iknowbuty
oucannev
erknow.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay,
finebutst
il
lIam sendi
nga
manoverther
e.”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
ouwhenIgetback.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,by
e.Gomakemommy
proud.
”
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou.
”
Thembeli
hleheadedbacki
nsi
det
her
oyal
house…
-
--
--
--
Makhosihadt heroughestt
womont
hsofher
l
if
e.She’
dr eport
edMzwakhet ot
hepol
i
cethat
het hreat enedhermot her’
slif
e.Makhosi gota
restrainingor deronbehalfofhermot her .She
thenf i
ledf ordi v
orcethatwasdifficultbecause
shehadMaMt hembubadmout hingheri nt he
vil
lage, tell
ingpeoplethatMakhosi want ed
Mzwakhe’ smoney .Herboyfri
endhadr unaway
from herandshewant edtoconeMzwakhe.
Vill
agepeopl eshamedherf orcheat i
ng
becauseshewasawoman.Thenherpr egnancy
showedt hatmadet hi
ngswor sef orherbutshe
tookev erythi
ngi n,
asast r
ongwomant hatshe
was…
Thedivorcewast henpr ocessedincourt,she
wasdi vor
cinghimi nter
msofi nfi
deli
tybut
Mzwakhewasn’ tprepar
edt obackdownand
giv
eev eryt
hingtoMakhosi af
tershehad
cheatedonhi m.Makhosi wasf ighti
ngforaf ai
r
div
orcewher eshecoul dgetMzwakhet olook
aft
erthechi l
dren…ButMzwakhechangedt he
ownerofhi stavernsandhewr otethem under
MaMt hembu’ sname.Hedi dthattheminute
Makhosi serv edherwithdivorcepapers.They
foughtincour tthatMzwakhehadbeenabusi ng
herbutt her ewasnopr oofofthatbecause
Makhosi nev erlodgedapol i
cecompl ai
nt
againstMzwakhe.Thembel i
hlecoul
dn’teven
test
ifytot hatbecausei twasgoi ngtobea
wasteoft imeasMakhosi washerfri
end…
Makhosi thendeci dedtogiveupandl ethim
haveev ery t
hingi nter
msofhav i
ngpeacet hat
hewasn’ tgoi ngt obeinherl i
fenow…
Today,shewasi nsi
deav anwithal
oadof
groceri
esforhermot her.Shehadboughtthe
groceri
esjustt
hankherandshewant edthem
toalsocel
ebratethatshehadanewcont ractat
thehospit
al,i
nchargeofcer tai
ndepart
ment .
Thecarwaspar kedout sideMakhosi
’shome.
“
Iwil
lgoinsi
deandgocal
lmom.”Makhositol
d
t
hedri
ver
.HenoddedandthenMakhosiwent
i
nsi
dethehouse.
Shef
oundal
lhersi
ster
sseat
edont
hel
ounge
wat
chi
ngTVwi
tht
hei
rchi
l
dren.
Makhosi
:“Sani
bona.
”
Ol
dersi
ster
:“Oh,
wow!Thepr
egnantcheat
ing
wi
feishome.”
Makhosi
wassi xmonthspregnantandshewas
t
hehappiestshe’
deverbeen.
Makhosi
:“Wher
eismama?
”
Ni
ece:
“Shei
sinhergar
den.
”
Middl
esist
er:
“Youwon’
tev
enaskhowar
ewe
doi
ng?”
Makhosi:
“Igreetedyouandnobody,gr
eeted
backsopleaseleavemet heheckal
one.Idon’
t
haveti
mef orall
ofyou.”
SecondSist
er:
“Iwonderwhatnewdi
ckar
eyou
ri
dingonnow.”
Makhosi:
“Youaresost
upidandthat
’snota
r
ightt
hingtosayint
hepresenceoft
hechil
dren,
mama.”
Shelef
tthem andwenttohermotheront
he
gar
den…“ Youshoul
dn’tbewor
kingthi
shar
d.”
Shesaidtohermotherwhowaswor ki
ngonher
gar
den.
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Khosi
,youar
eher
e?”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
andIdi
dn’
tknowt
hatmysi
ster
s
ar
ehere.
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
That
’snotabadt
hing.
”
Makhosi
:“I
twoul
dn’tbeabadthi
ngift
heydon’
t
mockmeev er
ychancetheygetmama.”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Theyar
ejustj
eal
ousofy
ou.
”
Makhosi
:“Iam notr
ichsot
her
e’snot
hingt
obe
j
eal
ousaboutmama. ”
“Iknow,whyar
ey ouhereal
onewithoutt
he
chil
dren?
”Sheaskedleavi
ngthehoeonthe
ground.
Makhosi:“
Ididsomegr
ocer
iesf
ory ouandI
coul
dn’tgoaroundt
ownwit
hNtuthukobecause
he’
stroubl
e.”
MrsKhumalo:
“Youboughtgr
ocer
iesf
orme?”
shesmil
edandtheywal
keduptothef
ront
yar
d.
Makhosi
:“Yes,
Iwi
l
lnotst
ay.
”
MrsKhumal o:“
Hhaybo,whynot
?Becauseof
yoursi
ster
sy ouwon’tst
ay?
”
Makhosi :“
No,Ileftt
hekidsal
onemama. ”She
l
ied.Shedi dn’
twanttostayathomebecauseof
hersister
s.“AndthegoodnewsIt ol
dy ou
about.”Shesmi l
edlooki
ngatherdel
ightedl
y.
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Yes.
”
Makhosi:“Ther
e’snewpr ivat
ehospitalopened
attheboarderofRichardsbayandEskhawi ni.I
appli
edthereandIgott hecontract
,themi r
acle
happenedjustafteryoutol
dmet oletMzwakhe
gowithhismoneyandhi sgreed.Ij
ustgota
phonecallandthepeopl eIemployedhav e
begunwor ki
ng.”Sheannounced.
Mr
sKhumal
oul
ulat
edandshedancedar
ound
Makhosi.Makhosiwaslaughinglooki
ngatthe
happyfaceofhermother.Everyoneint
he
housecameoutatt hesoundofMakhosi ’
s
motherulul
ati
ng.
Oldersi
ster
:“What
’shappeni
ngmama,
she’
s
gett
ingmarri
edagain?
”
Thetwosist
erslaughed.Makhosistopped
l
aughingandlookedathersi
sters.
MrsKhumalo:“That ’
sall
youev erthi
nkabout
,
amadoda!
”shecl ickedhertonguelooki
ngat
hert
hreedaughters.“Iam happyforyou,
mntanami.
”Shet henhuggedMakhosi .
Makhosi
:“Ihavet
ogo,
sot
heki
dsshoul
dtake
t
hegrocer
ies.”
MrsKhumal o:“
Letmegoandsee. ”Theywent
tothevanwiththeother
sfol
lowingt hem.The
dri
veropenedthebackofthevanandMr s
Khumalosmi l
edlooki
ngatMakhosi .“Iam
happythatMzwakhechasedy ououtofhi s
house.Hewashol di
ngyouback,lookatt he
thi
ngsy
ouar
edoi
ngnow.
”sheaddedl
ooki
ngat
her.
Makhosi
:“Iam happyt
oo,
mama.
”
“Youdon’
thaveany t
hingtosaynow? ”Mrs
Khumalolookedatherdaughter
s.“She’d
boughtgrocer
iest
haty ouandyourkidswil
lbe
eati
ng,whydon’ty
oucomment ?
”sheadded.
Oldersister
:“Wher edi
dshegett hemoney,
from hernewman?Don’ tyoutellust
hatwe
shouldn’tbri
ngthingsboughtbymenwho
haven’tmar r
iedus?Menwesl eepwit
h,wit
hout
them hav i
ngpaidlobol
af orus?”
SecondSister
:“Yes,
mamaandnowy ouare
happythatshehasboughtgrocer
iesf
oryou
wit
hwhat evermanmoney.”
Mr sKhumalo:“Mygr andchil
drentaket
he
groceri
esinsi
de.”Thechi l
drennoddedandtook
thegroceri
es.“
Ni na,notevery
onedependsona
mant omaket hi
ngshappen.Tsk! ”shecli
cked
hertongue.Thesi st
erslef
t.
Makhosi
:“Takethismoneyandbuysomet
hing
ni
ceforyoursel
f.
”
MrsKhumalo:“
Hhayi
!Youshoul
dbesaving
moneyfory
ourhousenowthatyouhav
e
boughtt
hesit
e.”
Makhosi:
“Don’
tworr
yabouti
tnow.Iwi
l
lcall
youwhenIsaymamacomet omyhouse.”She
giggl
edandMrsKhumalol
aughed.
MrsKhumal
o:“
Cal
lmewheny
ougethome
t
hen.
”
Makhosi
:“Yes.
”
Theyhel
daconv
ersat
ionwhil
etheki
dsf
ini
shed
uptr
anspor
ti
ngt
hegrocer
ies…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE21

“
Idon’
tli
kecer
eal
sforbr
eakf
astInev
ereat
them.”Dal
i
sutol
dPreci
ouswhohadjustgi
ven
himthebowlofcer
eal
sforbr
eakf
ast
.
Preci
ous:“
Okay
,butIt
oldyouthatIam r
ushi
ng
toworknowIhavetoseewhatcri
sisar
ethey
faci
ng.”
Dali
su:“Lastni
ghtwespokeaboutthi
s,It
old
youthatyou’l
lhavetostopwor
kingnow
becausey ouarepregnant
.”
Pr
ecious:“Mageba,Iknowthatwespokeabout
i
tbutIshouldpreparemyselfbef
orel
eavi
ng
work.Idon’
thavetoleaveworkjustl
i
kethat
.”
Dalisu:“
Okay ,Iwillbeintheloungewai t
ingfor
apr operbr eakfastnotthis.”hestoodupand
Preciousnodded.Shesi ghedasshet houghthe
wasgoi ngt olethergowi thoutprepari
ng
breakfast.Bei nginsidethekitchenwasnother
favouri
tet askandshet houghtDal i
suwas
meantt ohav eaChefnothercooki ngforhim
asifshewashi smai d.Butwi thal
lthatthi
nking
shewentt ot hekitchenandpr eparedtheproper
breakf
ast.Sheknewhowtocookandshe
cookedgoodmeal s,
hermot
herhadtaughther
howt ocook..
.
Dali
susatdownaf t
erPreci
ouswasdonewith
breakf
ast.“
No, y
ou’l
lsi
tdownandeat,t
henyou
cangot owork.Youwon’tgowit
hanempty
stomach.”Dal
isusai
dholdingPr
eci
ous’
shand.
Pr
eci
ous:
“But
-”
Dali
su: “Therearenobutsjustsi
tdownand
eat.
”Pr ecioussighedandhadbreakfastwi
th
him.“Lastni ghtyoudi
str
actedmev erywel
land
Icouldn’tevenspeaktoy ou.
”Dali
suadded
l
ookingatherwi thasmil
e.
Preci
ousgiggledlooki
ngathim withseduct
ive
eyes.“
Whatisi tt
hatyouwantedt ospeaktome
about?”sheaskedwi t
hasoftvoice.
Dal
i
su:
“St
opdoingthatorel
sey
ouwon’
tgot
o
wor
katal
ltoday
.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Okay
,okay
,Iam behav
ingnow,
husband.
”
Dali
su: “That’
sgood.”Hesippedhiscof f
eeand
putthecupdown.“ Youhadnor i
ghtt otell
MaSt holethatyoudon’tli
keherfashionsense.
Shelov esthewayshedr essesupandIl oveit
too.Youwer esupposedtoaskhert oweart he
dressy oulikeforherwit
houtcri
ti
cisi
ngt heway
shedr essesup. ”Hetol
dher.
Pr
eci
ous:
“ButIdi
dn’
tsayi
tinabadway
.”
Dal
isu:“
Idon’
tcar
ewhet heri
twasabadwayor
agoodbutthatwaswrongofy ou.You’
l
lhav
eto
cal
lherandapol
ogise.
”
Preci
ous:
“Wil
lsheapol
ogi
set
omef
oral
lthe
thi
ngsshesai
d?”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
tknowandst
opquest
ioni
ngme,
j
ustdowhatItol
dyoutodo.
”
Preci
ous:“Soyouagr
eethatIshoul
drespect
herasifIam r
espect
ingyou?”
Dal
i
su:
“Shedeser
vesy
ourr
espectt
hat
’sal
lI
wi
l
ltel
lyou.
”
Preci
ous:“Iwi
ll
doasy ouhavesai
d.”She
condescendedknowi
ngthatshewasn’tgoi
ng
toapologi
setoThembeli
hle.
Dal
i
su:
“That
’sagoodt
hing.
”
Preci
ous:“
Iwant
edt
oasky
ouabout
somethi
ng.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Wi
l
lwegoonahoney
moon?
”
Dali
sulookedather
,shewaslookingathi
m
withasmile.“
Doyouwantahoney moon,
Preci
ous?”heaskedhol
dingherhand.
Preci
ous:
“Yes,Iwoul
dli
keoneandIwanti
tto
beasurpri
sejustt
oseehowromanti
cyoucan
beasahusband.”
Dal
isuchuckl
ed.“
Nowt
hat
’sachal
l
enge.
”He
commented.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Ar
eyouaccept
ingt
hechal
l
enge?
”
Dali
su:“Whatwi
l
lIgai
nifIper
fectt
he
chal
lenge?
”
Preci
ous:“Somethi
ngthaty
oulikeandIwi l
l
showy ouasideofmeasy ourwife.Ihav
e
neverbeenawifebefor
ebutIwillblessy
ou.”
Dali
su:
“Okay,Iwil
lshowyouhowmuchofa
romant
ichusbandIcanbe.”Pr
eci
oussmiled
andgavehim,herli
ps…Theyshar
edakiss…
Shewasseat edatt hebackseatoft hecar
thinkingofway stowi nDal i
suov er .Shewant ed
Thembel i
hlet obeahor riblewi fewhi leshewas
thebestwi fe.Butsheknewt hatshecoul dn’t
achi evethatunt ilthemakesway st opr otecther
child…Shesi ghedasshet riedtot hinkofa
plan…Shedi dn’tneedt oloseDal isuandasshe
hadmetal l
t heZul uchil
dr enshesawhowt hey
resembl edsomeonei nthef ami l
yandshe
doubt edthatherchi ldwasn’ tgoingt obe
exposedt hati tdidn’
tbelongt oDal isu.Itwas
tool atenowt ot ellt
hemi scar ri
agel ie.She
neededasolidpl
an…Shesmiledasherbr
ains
gottoget
herandshehadi
deas…Shewasgoi ng
tohitt
wobirdswit
honestone…
-
--
--
Thel adi eswer et oget heri nonehouse, itwas
j
ustThembel ihle, Nozi busiso, Makhosi ,
Nokut hulaandMawande.Theywer ehav i
ng
foodt oget heraf terthef ormal i
ti
esoft he
farewel lpar tythatwashel df orGwabi niand
Nokut hulawasf eatur edbecauseshewas
l
eav ing.Theki ngandqueen, sai
dt heirfarewel l
wor dst oGwabi ni andt heyshowedt heir
appr eciationt ohi mf orser vingt hem wi th
l
oy altyev ersi ncehebeganwor kingfort hem.
Theyt hencongr atulatedhi m onhi sweddi ng.
Theygav ehi m agi f
tt hatt heydeci dedt oget her
tobuyf orhi m.Gwabi ni al
soshar edhiswor ds
off arewel l.AndNozi busi sot hankedt hequeen
andki ng, shebel ievedt hem comi ngt oget her
madehermeett hel ov eofherl i
fe…Thembel i
hle
saidf arewel ltohersi st erin-law.Thepar t
ywas
atThembelihle’
spalaceduri
ngthedayand
peopl
eclosert oThembelihl
e’
spalacewer e
i
nvit
edalongwi t
hallther
oyalser
vants.They
wereappreciatedthatdaybythei
rqueen
MaSthol
e…
Thembel
i
hl e:
“ Ihopeyouwon’ tf
orgetuswhen
youar
eov erthereroll
i
ngwi thAmericans.
”She
commentedandt heylaughed.
Nokuthula:“
Icannev
erf
orgety
ou,
Queen
MaSthole.”
Shesmi
led.“
That
’swonder
ful
,yournephews
wil
lmi
ssyoudear
ly.
”Sheadded.
Nokuthul
a:“
Yhu!Iwil
lhav
esomebr
eakf
rom
t
heirnaught
iness.
”
Theylaughed.“
Youar
eleav
ingmamat
othat
now.”Mawandesaid.
Nokut
hul
a:“
Yes,
she’
sthegr
andmot
her
.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Now,tel
lmet her
e’snoboy
fri
end
t
hatyouarel
eav
inghere?
”
Ever
yonelookedatNozibusi
so.“
Whyar
eyou
aski
ng?”Nokuthul
aasked.
Mawande:
“May
beshewant
shi
m.”
Makhosi
:“I
hee!Gwabi
niwi
l
lsquashy
ou.
”they
l
aughed.
Nozibusiso:“
No, no,Iwasaskingbecauseyou
knowhowi nmov ieswheny ouareleav
inga
boyfr
iendandhe’ llf
oll
owyout otheair
portand
stopyouf rom l
eav i
ngthecountr
y.Orhe’l
lsay‘
I
am foll
owingy ou,mylove.
”
“
WEEE!”Thel
adi
esexcl
aimedandt
hey
l
aughed.
Thembeli
hle:“
You’l
lfor
everdr
eam Iam sure
onedayyou’l
lwakeupwi shi
ngthatGwabinican
tur
nint
oIdrisElba.
”
Theyl
aughed.“
Iwoul
dn’
tmi
nd.
”Nozi
busi
so
commented.
Nokut
hula:
“Iam notl
eav
ingaboyfr
iendbut
hopef
ull
yIam goingt
obegett
inganAmer i
can
di
ck.
”
“
HHAYBO!
”Theyal
lchant
ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam t
heQueen,
pleasemi
ndt
he
l
anguage.
”
Theladi
esl
aughed.“
AndIam pregnant
,my
babyshoul
dnothearsucht
hings.
”Makhosi
commentedandtheladi
esl
aughed.
Mawande:“Ihear
daboutyoursuccessMakhosi
aft
erhowbadMzwakhet r
eatedyou,Iam j
ust
happyfory
ou.”
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou.
”
Nozibusi
so:
“Yes,y
oudeser
veal
lthehappi
ness
youkeptmyfri
endsaf
eformewhenshecame
backtothevi
ll
age.
”
“
AH!
”Theywer
esmi
tt
en.
Makhosi:
“Andshef
oundherpr
incechar
ming
whowasr eal
l
yapri
nce,
now,hehasmadehera
queen.
”
Mawande:“
Yeah,
hey
.Youwer
etr
oubl
e
Thembel
ihl
e.”
Theylaughed.“Justgi
vemeabr eak!
”shesai
d
rol
l
ingherey esandtheyl
aughedather.
..

“Mthiyane,Iaskedy outosendt hecarf

orbr ake
servi
cebutt hathasn’tbeendone.Thecar
al
mostki ll
edNj ongoonhi swayt ogetafami l
y
fr
iend.”Dali
suscol dedMthiyane,oneofhis
guards.Hewasst andingwithhim out
sidethe
carthathewassupposedt otakeforaservi
ce.
Mthi
yane:“Ndabezi
tha,
Iam sorr
y,Iwasgoi
ng
t
odot hatbutNdlov
ukazisentmetoDurban.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Shesenty
out
oDur
bant
odowhat
?”
Mt hi
yane:“
There’
sanaddresst
hatshegaveme
andtoldmet ocheckift
hemanthatli
vesi
n
thatfl
atissti
l
lali
ve.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Aman?
”thati
nter
est
edhim andi
t
madehi
smi
ndrunwil
dashe’dal
ready
f
ormul
atedanswer
sforhi
msel
f.
Mt
hiy
ane:
“Yes.
”
Dali
su: “
Mt hiy
ane!Justexpl ain,doIneedt otel
l
youthaty oumustt ellmeev erythi
ngthatshe
tol
dy outodoi nDur ban.?”Heshout edandhe
sawt hatMt hi
y anewasn’ tcomf ort
abletotel
l
him aboutthis, hefiguredThembel i
hlemust’
v e
tol
dhi m nottot ellanyone.“JustspeakIam the
bossher eandIam t heonewhohi redyou,not
mywi fe.
”Her emi ndedhim.
Mthiyane:“Ndlunkulut ol
dmet hatt
hisman’
s
namei sNkosi khona, Ishoul
dgosearchf
orhim
becausehe’ saf r
iendt hathadj
ustwentmute
wit
houtwar ningany one.Shebeggedmet hatit
wasur gentthatIf i
ndoutwhathappenedwi t
h
thi
smanandso, Ilefttodowhatsheaskedof
me.”
Dal
isustampedhisfi
stonthecart
hinki
ngof
whatbusinessThembel
ihl
ehadwit
hamant hat
he’
dneverheardof.Wasshecheat
ingonhim
now?That’
swhyshedidn’
twanttohavesex
wit
hhim any
morethat
’sbecauseshewas
cheat
ing.
Mt
hiy
ane:
“ButIdon’
tthi
nk-
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youdon’
tthi
nkwhatMt
hiy
ane?
”
Mthi
yane:“Idon’
tthi
nkthattherei
ssomet hi
ng
goi
ngonbet weenNdlovukaziandtheman…I t’
s
j
ustthatIcanseethelookony ourface,
Mageba.”
Dal
i
su:“Whatwer
eyourf
indi
ngsaboutt
he
man?”
Mthiyane:“Theysai
dthathewasi
nvol
vedi
na
caraccidentinFebr
uaryandnow,
heis
suff
eringfrom memoryloss.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Howdi
dtheacci
denthappen?
”
Mthiy
ane:“Theydi
dn’
twantt
oexpl
ainmor
e
aboutthat
.”
Dal
i
sunoddedandtur
ned,
hemar chedst
rai
ght
t
othehousewher
eThembeli
hlewasseated
wi
thherf
ri
endsandsi
ster
s’i
n-l
aw….
Theywerestil
ll
aughingandenjoyi
ng
themsel
veswhent heyhear
dDal i
su’
sroar
.
“THEMBELIHLE!”Hewasangr ybeyond
measureatthethoughtofThembelihl
e
cheat
ingonhim.
“
Hhaybo!”Thel
adiesi
nthehousechant
edand
t
heyall
lookedatThembel
ihl
e.
Mawande:
“That
’smybr
other
’sv
oice.
”
Thembelihl
elookedatthedoorandDal i
su
appearedonthedoor.Hef ai
l
edt ohidet
hathe
wasangr y,
hehatedeventhet houghtof
Thembelihl
ewithwhateverman.Shewashi s
wif
e!Noman, wassupposedtohav eaholdon
her.Noman!
Dal
i
su:
“Wozal
awena!
”
Thembeli
hlest
oodupandwenttohim,shewas
conf
used.Whydidhel
ookedthatangr
y,what
di
dshedot ohim?
Thembeli
hle:
“What’
swrong?
”sheasked
pol
it
elyst
andingbef
orehi
m.
Dali
su:“Fol
l
owme. ”heturnedandThembeli
hle
fol
lowedhim.Hewasl eadingheri
nsi
dethei
r
house.Thembel
ihl
ewast ryingt
ocatchupwith
hismoves.
“What
’swrong?”MaCebekhul
uaskedasshe
wasonthehall
waywithNdabezi
nhle’
sbl
anket
s
onherhands.
Dali
sudidn’tanswerherheopenedthe
bedroom doorandproceededinsi
de.
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tknow,
what
’swr
ongmama.
Hejust
-”
“Iam wai
ti
ngforyouhere,Ical
ledyounotyour
mother.
”Heemphasizedinsidethebedroom.
Thembeli
hlel
eftMaCebekhuluandclosedthe
doorbehi
ndher.Shesatont heopposi
tecouch.
Dal
i
su:
“Comesi
tnextt
ome.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ri
ghtnowy
oul
ookl
i
key
ouwant
t
omurdermeandy
ouwantmet
osi
tnextt
o
y
ou?
”
Dali
su:“
Hav eIevertr
iedtoli
ftevenafingerat
you?”heaskedlooki
ngather ,Thembeli
hle
stoodupandsatnextt ohim…Dal i
sufacedher
andheldherwrist
.“Areyoucheat i
ngonme? ”
heaskedstrai
ghtfor
ward.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Answermyquest
ion,
arey
oucheat
ing
onme?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam notcheat
ingony
ou.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Who’
sNkosi
khona?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nkosi
khona?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youhear
dme,
who’
she!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Idon’
tknow,
whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?”
Dali
su:“
Don’
tfool
meThembel i
hley
ouknow
exact
lywhoIam t
alki
ngabout
,Iwantt
oknow
whoi
sheandIwantt
oknowt
hatnow!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
Dali
su:“
YousentMt hi
yanetoDur bantocheck
onamannamedNkosi khona.Yout ol
dhi mthat
thi
smanwasaf ri
end.Whatki ndoff r
iendishe
toyou,
becauseyouhav etwof r
iends,that
’s
MakhosiandNozibusi
so?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“I–I–he’
snotaf
ri
end.
”
Dali
su:
“He’syourl
over
?Huh?”Heshoutedand
Thembeli
hlecl
osedherey
es,
shefli
nchedatthe
soundofhisanger
.
Thembel ihl
e:“Iam sor ry,
nohe’snotmyl over.
Mageba. ”Shedi dn’tknowwhet hertotel
lhi
m
thet r
ut horthet ruthwasonl ygoingtomake
mor ehar m.Butsheknewonet hingshe
couldn’ tl
ietohim becausemay behehadt he
truthalready.Butno, hisangerwasfreshbeing
ev i
dentt hathe’dj ustheardthenewsabout
Nkosi khona.Shedi dn’twanttoli
ebecauseher
l
iesmi ghtmakeherl ookguil
tyandhewouldn’t
thi
nktwicebefor
ethrowi
ngherout.Shewoul
d
neverseeherchi
ldr
enagain.Shecal
cul
atedt
he
ri
sk,l
ookingathi
m.
Dali
su:“
Ishoul
dn’taskagai
nthequest
iony
ou
knowthatIwil
lask.”
Thembel ihle:“
He’st hefatherofMakhosi’s
unbor nbaby .
”hel etgoofherwr i
standhisface
relaxedi nstantl
y.“It
’dbeenal ongt i
mesince
Makhosi complainedabouthi sdisappearance
andso, Ibecamesuspi ciousnowbecauseI
knewt hathel ovedher .Hewoul dn’tj
ust
disappearl i
kethat.IsentMt hiy
anet ohis
addresst ochecki fhe’sstil
lali
veorhewas
dead. ”Sheexpl ained.
Dal
isu:
“Howdi dyouknowhisaddr
ess,
Makhosiaskedyoutodothi
s?”
Thembelihl
e:“No,
shedidn’taskbutIchecked
onMakhosi’sphoneIfoundt headdr
ess.She
didn’
tknowIwasdoi ngthi
sIt ol
dherthe
feedbackaft
erMthiy
anef i
l
ledmeonwhathe
di
scovered.It
hinkMzwakhei
sbehi
ndt
he
acci
dentthatt
hismanhad.”
Dali
susighedi nreliefashef ul
lybelievedher.“
I
don’twanty ouget t
ingi nv
olvedinthisfight
anymore.It’
sbet weenMakhosi andherex-
husband.Please, distanceyourselffrom i
t
becausey ou’l
lgethur tandifIendt he
fri
endshipyouhav ewi t
hMakhosi youwi l
lhat
e
me.So, Iwil
l saythisonce, j
uststopget ti
ngin
themiddleoft hisfight,doyouunder stand?”he
asked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iunder
stand.
”
Dal
isu:
“Mzwakhei
srut
hlessIj
ustcan’
tbel
i
eve
hi
m!”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Youalmostki
l
ledme.
”she
commentedother
wise.
Helookedather.“IwasangryIj
ustcouldn’
t
contr
oltheanger.
”Heconf i
dedplaci
nghis
handsonhisface.Hethenlookedatheragain.
“Andyoushouldknowt hatj
ustbecauseyou
hav
eendedthisr
elat
ionshi
pbet
weenus-
”he
wascutshor
t.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tendi
tbuty
oudi
d.Don’
t
putt
hebl
ameonme. ”
Dali
su: “Okay,f
ine.Butasy ouhav emadeyour
decisionofdistancingyoursel
ffrom meeven
physicall
ydon’tthinkthatyou’
llsl
eepwit
hany
mant haty ouwisht osleepwit
h. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwoul
dn’
t-
”
Dalisu:“Iam notdonet alki
ng.”Hesai dpol i
tel
y.
“Youwi llhav esexwi thnobodybecausey ouare
sti
llmywi fe.It
’seithermeasy ourhusbandor
nobodyel se.Don’tt hinkthati
fy oucheatonme
Iwillsendy oupacki ngandt hreatenyouwi t
h
notseei ngourchi ldr enanymor e.Iwil
l putyou
i
namet al box,buryy ouali
veThembel ihledeep
i
nt her i
verwher enobodywi ll
findyourbodyand
everyy earIwoul dgoswi mint hatri
ver.”He
emphasi zed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
ethr
eat
eni
ngmeDal
i
su.
”
Dali
su:“No,butyoushoul
dknowthe
consequencesofhavinganot
hermanbesides
me.IfIcan’thav
ey ounobodywi
ll
becausey ou
aremine.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Butyouarebusyhav
ing
somebodyelse,
right
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Inev
erpl
annedt
his,
itj
usthappened.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Iguesswewon’ thaveeachot her
becauseIwon’ tsl
eepwithyouwhi l
ey ouare
sl
eepingwi thanotherwoman.Iwon’ t,that
’snot
whaty oupromi sedmef iv
ey earsago.You
promisedmey ouwouldn’
tbringanother
womanbuty oudid.”
Dalisu:“
Itwasami st
akeandIam sor ryabout
i
t.”Shedi dn’tsayanythingshej ustcl
osedher
eyes.Sheonl yopenedt hem whenshef el
this
headonhert hi
ghs.Shel ookedathim andhe
hadhi sey esclosed.“Ialmostdiedofaheart
attackandsopl ease,letmer est.
”Hetoldher
.
Thembel i
hl elookedathi mt hi
nkinghewas
act
ingasi
fhecanli
vewit
houtherjustday
sago
butnowheal
mostdiedbecauseofsomeonehe
hadtol
dhewaslet
ti
ngherbe…Dalisu!
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE22

Njongosawt hemedi um heightedfai

rski
nned
womanst andingbyt hebusst opofthevil
lage.
Thembelihl
ehadsenthi mtogetNdabezinhle’s
nanny.Thewomanwascur vyandbeaut i
ful,
Njongonoticed.Shewaswear ingalongblue
fl
oraldr
esswi thherhairti
edupi nt
oapony t
ail
.
Njongoparkedt hecarjustclosert
oherand
steppedoffthecar.
Njongo:“
Sawubona,
areyouFeli
cit
ySea-”he
brushedhi
sheadfai
li
ngtopronounceher
surname.Hel
ookedatherandshelaughedat
hi
m.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Seane,
that
’showy
oupr
onouncemy
sur
name.”
Njongo:
“Yoh!Iwil
ll
ear
n,ar
eyouf
rom
somewhereelse?
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Iam Tswana.
”
Njongo:
“Tswana, y
ou…”hestoppedhimsel
f
rememberingthatMaSt
holehadtoldhi
mt o
hurr
yup.“Ithi
nkyouknowwhyIam her e.
”He
added.
Feli
ci
ty:
“ Youar
et hequeen’ sguardandyouare
heretotakeme.”shepr edictedcorr
ect
lyand
Njongosmi l
edtakingherluggage.
Njongo: “Yes, l
et’
sgoMi ssFeli
cit
y.”Heshowed
herthecar .Fel
ici
tynoddedandheadedt othe
car,hel ookedatherasshewaswal ki
ngaway.
Heshookhi sheadwi t
ha“ YEY!MADODA! ”
Chant .Feli
citylookedbackathim andhebegan
mov ingf orward.Hepackedherbagsatt he
bootoft hecar.
Nj
ongo:
“No,
comeandsi
tont
hef
rontseatwi
th
me.
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
No,
Ipr
efert
hebackseat
.”
“No,that’
sNdlunkulu’sseatandy oucan’ tuse
i
t.”Heliedshowingheri nsidethefrontseat.
Feli
cit
yobey edthatwor datthement ionof
Ndlovukazi,
shesatont hefrontseat.Njongo
hoppedi natthedri
v er’
ssideandt hen,hedr ov
e
off.
Njongo:“
So,t
ellmeabouty
our
sel
f.
”Het
ooka
shortgl
anceather
.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Iam j
ustFel
i
cit
ySeanewhydoy
ou
wantt
oknow?”
Njongo:“Wewillbewor
kingt
oget
hersi
nceIam
thequeen’sguardandy
ouareherson’
snanny
.
Ishouldknowy ou.
”
Feli
ci
ty:
“Oh,
Ithi
nkthere’
l
lbeenought
imef
or
that
.Wearenotrushi
ng.”
Nj
ongo:
“Iguessy
ouar
eri
ghtnkosazana.But
howdi
dyoul
ear
nIsi
Zul
u?”
Fel
icit
y:“
Ihavebeenaroundal otsoIknowt he
l
anguage.”Henoddedast heywaitforthe
guardstoopenthegate.“Thi
splaceisbeautif
ul
Ial
way sseeitf
rom af
ar.”Shecompl i
mented.
Njongo:“
Yes,
it’
sbeaut
if
ul.Ihopey
ou’l
lhav
ea
goodtimeworki
ngfort
hequeenshe’sagood
woman. ”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Ihav
ehear
dandr
eadal
otabouther
.”
“WeareherenowandIwi l
ltakeyourbags.
You’
llf
oll
owmei nsidethehouse.”Hesaid
get
ti
ngoffthecar .Feli
cit
ygotoffafterhi
m.She
wait
edforhim andt henfoll
owedhim oncehe
hadthebags…
Thembeli
hlewasseatedonthefl
oorofher
l
oungewi t
hNdabezinhl
e.Shewasplay
ingwith
him whi
l
eMnot hoandMl amul
iwerewatchi
ng
cart
oonshavi
ngpopcorns.
“
Sani
bona,
Ndl
ovukazi
.
”Nj
ongogr
eet
edt
hem
andt
heygr
eet
edback.
Thembel
i
hle:
“She’
sfi
nal
l
yher
e,Nj
ongo,
thank
you.
”
Njongo:“
Yebo,
whatshoul
dIdowi
thher
bags?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“LookforHlezi
phiandshewil
l
showhertotheroom shewi l
lbeusi
ng.
”She
i
nstr
uct
edandNj ongoleft.
Mlamul i
:“Sawubona,si
si.
”Hel
ookedupat
Feli
cit
y.Feli
cit
ysmileddownathi
m st
il
l
standi
ngonherf eet.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Pl
ease,
sitdown.
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Thanky
ou…Yebo,
unj
ani
nkosana?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Ngi
yaphi
l
anami
.What
’sy
ourname?
”
Ml
amuli
:“Ml
amul
iandt
hisi
smybr
other
,
Mnot
ho.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yebo,
sawubona.
”Hedi
dn’
tev
enl
ook
atFeli
cit
yhehadhi seyesonthecart
oons.“
And
welcomet omom’ shouse.”Headdedst
il
l
wit
houtlookingather.Thembel
ihl
ewaslooki
ng
athim andthenatFeli
cit
y.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youmustbet
ir
edandhungr
y.”
Feli
ci
ty:
“No,ndl
unkul
uIam f
ineandcanImeet
thebaby?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Eh,youcan’tt
ouchhimjustyetI
havetotakeyoutohisgrandmotheri
nthe
aft
ernoonandthenyoucanholdhim.”
Mnot
ho:
“Mom,
she’
sNdabezi
nhl
e’
snanny
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,
she’
sNdabezi
nhl
e’
snanny
notyournanny.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Iam sur
ehewasj
ustaski
ng.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,reall
y?”t
heydidn’
tanswerher
theyj
ustgi
ggled.“
Hleziphi
!”Thembeli
hlecal
l
ed
heroutandwithi
naf ewmi nut
esshewas
befor
eher.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Please,
takeFel
i
cityandshowher
around.She’
stheonewho’l
lbelookingaf
termy
l
it
tleboyhere.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Okay,pl
easefol
lowme.”Shesai
d
wi
thasmileandFeli
cit
ystoodup,shef
oll
owed
Hl
ezi
phi
outofthelivi
ngroom.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihopeyoutwowon’tt
urnFeli
cit
y
i
ntoyournannybecauseshe’
snotyournanny.
Pi
nkyis.
”
“
HAWU!
”Bot
htheboy
schant
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
don’
tjustsay‘
HAWU!
’
”
Mnot
ho:“Mkami,ngomi
l
e.”Hesai
dri
ghtaf
ter
hi
smother’
ssi
lence.
Thembel i
hle:“
Yey wena!Itol
dyouthatIam not
yourwifeIam y ourfat
her’swif
e.Don’
tyou
l
isten?”shelaughedt r
yingtogettohi
m but
Mnot hoshift
ed.
Mnot
ho:
“Okay
,mamaIam t
hir
sty
.”
“
Come.
”Shest
oodupwi
tht
hebaby
.
Mnot
ho:
“Whyar
eyoul
eav
ingwi
thboy
-boy
?”
Thembeli
hle:“Youthi
nkIdon’
tknowt
hatyou
twoli
keplayingwit
hmyson?Iwon’tl
eavehi
m
herewit
hy ou.”
“
HAWU!”Theychant
edandstoodupf
oll
owi
ng
t
hei
rmothert
othekit
chen…

“Don’
tyoulovemydr ess?”Thembeli
hleasked
Hlezi
phiandshegiggled.Hlezi
phi
shookher
head.“What’
swrong?”sheasked.
Hlezi
phi:“
Youar
eaZul
uqueennotaXhosa
queen.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam goi
ngtoaweddi
ngandIam
weari
ngt
radi
ti
onalcl
othi
ng.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yes,
butaZul
utr
adi
ti
onal
weddi
ng.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It
’smyhusband’
sweddi
ngwi
th
hi
swifenotmyweddi
ng.”
Today
,wast
hebi
gday
,Dal
i
suwast
aki
ng
Preci
ousashi ssecondwi fe.Thepr evi
ousday
theyhadtheirwhi teweddingwhi chwasjusta
formali
tybecausePr eci
ouswant edthewhit
e
wedding.Theydi dn’tregi
stertheirmarri
ageas
Thembel i
hlehadr efusedtodiv orceandre-
mar r
yDalisu.Dalisuhadalsor efusedtodivorce
Thembel i
hlewithoutmar ryi
ngherback.
Thembel i
hleatt
endedt heweddi nganditwasa
beauti
fulwedding, sheadmi tt
ed.
Now, t
heywer
edoi ngt
hei
rof
fi
cial
wedding,
the
onl
yweddingthatwasgoi
ngtomakethem
husbandandwife.
Hlezi
phi
:“Whatwi
lly
ourhusbandsaywhenhe
seesaXhosaqueen?”
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.“He’
l
l bel
ooki
ngatmeor
hi
sbri
de?”sheaskedasHl ezi
phiwastyi
ngher
bl
ackdoekdottedwithwhitel
it
tl
ebeads,she
waspersonal
i
singiti
ntoaXhosawayoft ying.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“He’
l
lal
sol
ookaty
ou,
Iknow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Letmet
ell
youwhat
,”shel
ooked
atherwi thasmi le.“
InthisgearIwi llst
andout .
You’llseewhenIhav efull
ywor ntheat ti
re.Iwil
l
l
ookmor ethanbeaut if
ul.Dalisuhasseenmei n
dif
ferentt r
adi tionalZulugearsandt oday,Iwant
tolookdi fferentamongal lwomenandi nstead
oflookingathi ssecondwi fe.He’l
l belookingat
me.Iam hi sr eal wif
esopl ease,justhelpme
l
ookout standi ng.Istil
lremembert hatblack
andwhi t
eout fi
thel i
kedt oseemewear ing.
Today ,he’l
l notf orget.
”Sheexpl ainedwi tha
smile.
Hlezi
phi
: “
Hhayi,
ndlovukazi
!Iwil
lhelpyoulook
evenmor ethan100%beautiful
.Ij
ustwantt o
seethelookonPr eci
ouswhenshel ear
nst hat
youwon’tbewear i
ngthatdressshedesigned
foryou.
”
Theylaughed.“Andmyfi
gureisherenoweven
thoughit
’snotasperf
ectbutIwil
ll
ookperf
ect
.”
Shewasconf ident
.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iwanty
ourconf
idencewhenIget
mar
ri
ed.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
You’
l
lleav
emeal
one?Phel
a,y
ou
aremarr
iedt
ome.”
Shel
aughed.“
Ihavegot t
enmy sel
famanke.”
Shemumbledandturnedt ogetherear
ri
ngs.
Shet
urnedtoThembelihl
e’ssurpr
isedf
ace.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
ely
ing!
”
Hl
eziphi
:“Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou,
soony
ou’
l
lbesay
ing
f
arewell
tome. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
tbr
eakmyhear
t.
”
Hlezi
phi
:“Iam j
ustki
ddi
ngbutIhav
efound
someone.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whenam Imeet
inghi
m?”
“That’
stoofor
wardNdl ovukazi.”Shesaid
walki
ngawayl eav
ingThembel i
hlelaughing.She
stoodupandcheckedher self,shewast otall
y
beauti
fulwear
ingal ongblacksl eevel
esshigh
neckgarment.Thent hewhiteupperpar tofthe
dresscuppedherfigureperfectl
y ,t
hewhi t
e
upperwast hi
ckstr
apsthathadblackl
i
nes
design,
thatmadeittheful
lXhosadesi
gned
dress.Abeauti
ful
dressthatwasmadef orher
…

Theweddi ngday,wassunnyandpeopl ecame

i
nnumber st owitnessthatZuluMonar cht
ake
hissecondwi f
e…Dal i
suarri
vedwi thSbaniand
Sgwili
,andPreciousarri
vedwi t
hher
bri
desmaids.Itwasabeaut ifuldayandpeople
rej
oicedal
ongwi ththetwor oyalcoupl
e…
Thembeli
hlewasseat ednexttoMaCebekhulu
andthetwoot hermot hers’i
n-l
aw.Atthei
rback
washersisters’i
n-law,Sbongil
eandCy nt
hia.
Sgwil
ihadtakenhi sbrother’
sadviceandwent
toAustr
ali
at ogethi swife.Hemadet hi
ngs
ri
ghtwit
hherandCy nthi
awasbackhome.The
daught
ersandZul uauntswerealsoseatedby
Thembeli
hle’sside.
MaCebekhul
ucoul
dn’tt
akehereyesof
f
Thembel
ihl
e.Theweddi
ngri
tual
sand
procedureshadbeendonei nwhi
chtherewere
redf l
agsthatshowedbadomenbutGobel a
(theroyalhealer
)wasnott her
etocheckthose
things.Hedidn’tat
tendtheweddingri
tualand
hewasn’ tattheweddingnow.
Now, t
hebr
idewasgivi
ngoutgif
tstoherin-
l
aws.Thembeli
hleandhermothers’i
n-l
awwere
seat
eddownwai t
ingf
orthei
rtur
nt obecall
ed
out.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ongmama?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhey
i,y
ouar
emaki
ngme
j
eal
ous.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Why
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhey
i,y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul
mfazi
!”
Thembeli
hle:
“Real
l
y?Yout
hinkt
hatIam
beaut
if
ul?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Lookaty
ourson,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul usentherey estoDal i
su, hewas
farf
rom them seat eddownwi thot hermen.The
mennextt ohi m wer esi ngi
ngandhi sbr other
Sbaniwaswhi sper i
ngsomet hingonhi sear .He
waslist
eningt ohi m buthi sey eswer eon
Thembelihle.Shehadsucceededi ntolur i
nghim.
Dali
suhadbeent racingThembel i
hleev ery
chancehegotwhenhewasn’ tinneedt ol ook
thepart
,smi lethepar tanddancet hepar t.He’
d
seenherbeaut i
fulbutnotasshewast oday,
shewasadi fferentwomant oday .Shel ooked
l
ikeshewasawomanhe’ dnev ermetbef oreit
wasasi fitwashi sfi
r stti
meseei ngher .She
wasthemostbeaut i
ful.
MaCebekhululaughedandlookedather.“You
aresuchacleverwoman.”Sher eal
i
sedherplan
asMaKhozahadaskedMaCebekhul ubefore,
‘
whywasDal isu’
seyeswonderingabout.
’But
MaCebekhuluconcludedt
hathewasl ooking
forPreci
ous.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
now?
”
MaCebekhul u:“Don’
tactsmartwit
hme, youare
wearingli
ket hi
sbecausey ouj
ustwantedto
outshineus.Youwant edhimtoseey ouamong
everyoneelse.Wow!”shemumbl edintoherear
andThembel ihl
egiggled.
Thembeli
hle:“
Idon’tknowwhatyouaretal
ki
ng
about,
mama.Ij ustwantedt
owearsomet hi
ng
di
ffer
entnothi
ngmor eandnothi
ngless.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Hhayi
,Iwi shImetyouearl
ier.I
woul
d’v
elearntsomet r
icksfrom y
ou,mfazi.
”
Thembeli
hlegi
ggled.
“MaCebekhulu,
it’
sourtur
nt orecei
vethegif
ts.
”
MaMzobet oldMaCebekhulu.Theywereon
thei
rfeetwit
hMaKhoza.MaCebekhul ustood
upandl ef
tThembeli
hle…
Thembeli
hlewasseatedonthereedmatnow
asitwashertur
nt or
ecei
vethegift
s.Shesat
ther
ecalmlywai
ting,
shewaslookingat
Preci
ousassheapproachedherwiththegi
ft
s
andgirl
sf ol
l
owingher
.Thembelihl
ehadt o
acceptthegift
sasanothergest
ureofaccept
ing
herint
ot hefamil
y.
Preciouswasangrythef i
rstt
imeshelai
dher
eyesonherfiguri
ngoutt hatThembel
i
hlewas
wearingadif
ferentdress.Somethi
ngthat
wasn’ tev
enclosetowhatshe’dmadeoutf or
her.Shewasangr y!
Thembeli
hlestoodupanddancedaft
er
accept
ingthegift
s.Shet
henhuggedPreci
ous,
womenul ul
atedandther
ewasalotof
drumming.
“Justknowt haty oumi ghtbesl eepingwithhim
anddoi ngev er y
thingy ouaredoi ngashi swif
e
butIwi l
lnev eraccepty ou.Icannev erli
keyou
forhim.Idon’ tl
ikey ouatall.You’ll
walkinthi
s
vil
lageknowi ngt hatIhavenotaccept edy ou.
PreciousMaj ozi.That’
sal lyou’
lleverbet ome.I
willburnthesegi ft
sjustlikeIhav eburnt
everythi
ngt haty ouhav egivenme.Tsk. ”She
whisperedintoherearandPr eciousdi dn’
tmiss
asinglewor d.Thembelihl
ethenmov edaway
from herandshesmi led.“Youhav etheman
thatyouwant ednowPr eciousIhopey ou’
llbe
abletostomachhi m.”sheaddedst i
l
l smil
ing
herandPr eciousheardherperfectl
y!
“Youcansaywhatevery
ouwantbutitsti
ll
doesn’
tchangethatwe’
l
l beshar
ingt
hesame
manandt hesamedick,Thembel
ihl
e.”Pr
ecious
shotback.
Thembeli
hlesmiledandwal kedawayleav
ing
thewoment aki
nghergiftsaway…Shesatback
onherchai
r.MaKhozal ookedather.
MaKhoza:
“Whatwer
eyout
wowhi
sper
ing
about
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwasjustwel
comingher
.”She
smil
edlookingather
.“She’
smysist
ernowand
weshareoneman. ”Sheadded.
MaKhoza:
“That
’sbi
gofy
ou.
”
MaMzobe:
“Yes,
iti
s.”
Thembel
ihl
elookedatMaCebekhul
uandshe
hel
dherhandtight
ly…

Thembelihl
ewasst andingbyt hefir
ewi t
h
Nozibusi
so.Shehadj ustburnttheblanketsand
othergi
ftsthatPreciousgav eherandshe
i
nstruct
edNj ongotogi vethegr oceri
estot he
famil
yhesawneededt hef ood.Therewasa
weddingrecepti
onatMaCebekhul u’
spalace
andThembel ihl
edidn’tattendit.Shewant edto
bealoneandbewi thhersons.Theywer eleftat
homewi thotherguar ds,PinkyandFelici
ty.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ican’
tbel
i
eveher
eal
l
ymar
ri
ed
her
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youbet
terbel
i
evei
tMr
sZungu.
”
Nozi
busisowasnowmarriedandhadmoved
i
ntoherhousewit
hherhusbandandsonin
Ri
chardsbay.“
Youseem t
obet aki
ngt
hisasan
adul
t.
”Shecomment
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam?
”
Nozibusi
so:“Yes,andIcan’
tbel
ievey
our
brot
herreal
lyrefusedt
oat t
endtheweddi
ng.
”
Theymov edbackandwal kedtoNozi
busi
so’
s
car.
Thembel ihl
e:“Yeah,hesaiditcl
eart
hathe
won’tbecomi ngt owitnessDali
suhurt
ingme.I
thoughthewasj ustsayi
ngbecauseofanger
buther eall
ydidn’tcomeev enZodwadidn’
t
come.Ij usthopet her
e’snojour
nali
stwho’
ll
highl
ightthatjusttocausechaos.”
Nozibusi
so:“
Ayilet
’shopesobecausewedon’t
wantanyofthat.
”Sheopenedthedoorofher
car.“
Icandiv
orcemyhusbandifhecantake
anotherwi
fe.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“IfIcoul
dIwasgoi
ngt
odot
hat
too.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youl
ookedbeaut
if
ult
hough.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thankyou,tr
avel
safeIwantt
o
gocheckonmybabi es.Thankyouforcomi
ng.
”
Nozibusi
so:“Wait,di
dn’
tyousaythatMusaand
Thokozil
egotbannedi nthev
il
lageaft
er
Thokozil
edisrespect
edyoureff
ortsonthat
moneynot e?”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yeah,
Dal
i
sut
oldt
hem hedoesn’
t
wantt
hem her
e.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Buthewasher
e,Isawhi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ah!Idon’
tknowwhyhewasher
e
andIdon’
tcare.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,goodni
ghtt
hen.
”
“
Goodnight.
”Shesaidandt
heyshar
edahug…
Nozi
busisothendr
oveoutoft
hepalace…
“Aretheboyssl
eepi
ngnow?”Thembel
ihl
e
askedPinkywhowasseatedonthel
oungewi
th
Feli
ci
ty.Fel
i
cit
yhadNdabezi
nhl
eonherarms.
Pi
nky
:“Yebo,
ndl
ovukazi
theyar
esl
eepi
ngnow.
”
Feli
cit
y:“
AndIwill
goputhim downsi
nce
you’v
ebeenout.Idon’
tthi
nkyou’
ll
wantt
o
touchhimri
ghtaway.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,youareri
ghtIwill
gotomy
room sof
ornowpl easeputhim onhisnur
seryI
will
comeforhim onceIhavebathed.Howwas
he?”shewalkedawayandFelici
tyfol
lowedher.
Fel
ici
ty:
“Hewasr estl
esstodayIthi
nkhe
sensedthatyouwerefarfr
om him.Mymom
usedtotell
met hatbabi
essensesthings.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yeah,andmybreastsdi
dgiveme
tr
oubl
ebutIsuckeditupl
i
kealady.NowIwant
tobat
handpumpt henIwil
lsl
eep.Goodni
ght
.”
Ladi
es:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Hlezi
phi:
“Youwon’
tneedmet
ohel
pyou
undress?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iwi
l
lmanage.
”
Hl
ezi
phinoddedandl
efther
.Thembel
i
hlewent
i
nsi
deherroom…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE23

“
Iwil
lcomehomet oyouver
ysoon.”Dal
isu
i
nfor
medPr ecious.Itwasaf
tert
heweddi ng
r
ecepti
on,
Pr eciouswasinsi
dethecar.
Preci
ous:“
Don’tkeepmewaiti
ngf
ortool
ong
becausei
t’
srudet okeepal
adywai
ti
ngonher
weddingni
ght.
”
Dali
sutol
dher .“
Iwon’tdothat,
queen.
”He
smil
edandcl osedthedoor.Hesawthecar
droveoff
,theyweresti
llr
esidi
nginDal
isu’
s
nephewhouse…
Dali
sul
ookedaroundbefor
eheadi
ngt
ohis
mother
’shouse.Hebumpedint
oMawande.Hi
s
mindwasn’twherehewas.
“Youar
est
il
lher
e?”sheaskedhol
dinghi
s
arms.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
andwher
eismot
her
?”
Mawande: “
Idon’
tknowyoushoul
dn’
tbeher
e.
Youjusthadanewwi f
enowgoandenter
tai
n
her
.”
Dali
su:
“Hhey
i,Voet
sekwena!Whatdoy
ou
knowaboutt
hat?”
Mawande:
“Iam someone’
swi
fej
ustl
etme
go.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ehol
dingmyar
ms.
”
“Ah!”Sheexcl ai
med, letgoofhisarmsandl ef
t
him.Dal i
suwenti nsidethehouseandasked
aroundf orhismot hertheytol
dhi mthatshe
wasi nsideherrestroom…Hewentt her
e,
openedt hedoorandf oundMaCebekhul ucr
y i
ng
withthepi ct
ureofherhusbandonherhands.
Shepl acedthepicturedownandwi pedher
tearsquicklywhensher eal
i
sedt hatshewasn’t
alone.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam sor
ryIdi
dn’
tmeant
odi
stur
byou.
”
hesaidsit
ti
ngnextt
oheronthecouch.Hetook
thepict
ureandl
ookedati
t.“
Youmisshim?”he
asked.
MaCebekhulu:
“Yes,
Ijustwonder
edwhathe
wasgoingtosaywhenseeingyouget
ti
ng
marr
iedagain.
”
Dali
su:“Hewoul dhavel
ecturedmeal ot.”
MaCebekhul urel
easedaweakchuckl e.Dali
su
heldherhand.“Thepastfewmont hshadbeen
rockyforusbutIjustwanttothankyouf or
everyt
hingthatyou’
vedoneforme. ”hesaid.
MaCebekhulu:
“Youaremysony oucanupset
mebutIwillal
waysdoev er
ythi
ngthatmakes
youhappy.
”Hesmi l
edandlookedar ound,
he
t
henclear
edhisthroat
.“Whatisit?
”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
e’sThembel
i
hle?
”
MaCebekhulu:“Shewenttoherhouse,t
here
wasnot hi
ngthereforheratt
hewedding
recepti
onandshewant edtogohomet othe
boys.”Sheexpl
ainedlooki
ngathi
m.Dalisuwas
noddingwi
thhi
seyeslookingdown.Hethen
stoodup.“
Youaregoi
ngt oyourwi
fe,now?”
Sheasked.
Dal
isu:
“Yes,Ij
ustwant
edt
osayt
hanky
ou
bef
oreleav
ing.
”
MaCebekhul
unoddedandst
oodupwi
thhi
m.
Shesawhim of
f…

“Ti
mothy, y
ouaredr i
vi
ngmet oMaSt hol
e’
s
pal
ace.”Dalisui
nformedTimothy.Ti
mothy
noddedanddr ovethecarstr
aightt
o
Thembelihl
e’spal
ace…
Shewasseat eddownwi t
hat owel wrapped
aroundherbody .She’
dj usttakenhershower
andwashedherhai r
.Nowshewasoi lingthe
hairaf
termoisturi
singherbody .Ndabezi nhl
e
wasstil
linsi
dehi snursery,shewasgoi ngto
takehim aft
ergetti
ngdr essedf orbed.Shet hen
ti
edherhairandst oodup, sher emovedher
towelandlookedatherbodyont hemi rror
.
“Mxm! ”Sheexclai
med.“ Thepostpregnancyfat
!
I
t’ssuchahor r
iblethi
ng.Agh!”shesulkedand
turnedt olookatherback.Shehadgai ned
wei ghtbutitdi
dn’tbotherherthatmuch
becausei twasn’tbad.Sheshookherheadsi de
tosi dethenfacedforwar d.
“
YUH!”Shescreamedandwentdownt ogether
t
owel.Shecoveredherbody.“
Dal
isu!Whatare
youdoi
nghere,fri
ght
eningme?”sheaskedwith
asul
k.
Dali
su:“Youdidn’thavetoscream t
hatmuch,
t
here’snobodywhocoul d’
vej
ustentert
his
room withoutknockingbesi
desme.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ijustdi
dn’
texpectyouhere.What
doy ouneed,y
ouneedsomecl othes?
”she
askedlooki
ngaroundforherni
ghtdress.
Dali
sucl
osedthedoorandwalkedcl
osertoher
,
hesawwhatshewasl ooki
ngforandso,he
wenttot
henightdr
essthatwasontopofher
bed.Het
ookitandwenttoherwithi
t.
“Ij
ustwant edtoseeyou,It
houghtIwouldfi
nd
youwear ingthegarment
syouhadon, ear
li
er
today.”Hecomment edputt
inghi
shandsonher
towel.Shelookeddownathishands.“
Iam
helpi
ngy ougetdressed.
”Headded.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwasn’
tgoi
ngt
osl
eepwi
tht
he
garment
s.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youal
way
sdowheny
ouar
eti
red.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwasn’
t-theone-doi
ngthe
danci
ng…”hervoi
cetrail
edoffasthefeelofhi
s
handonherskinshi
veredherwithdesir
e.
Dal
isu:“
Ijustwi
shyoudidbecauseyoulook
gor
geouswheny oudothetradi
ti
onaldance.My
wif
e.”
Thembeli
hle:“Whatyoudoi ngnowi snotr
ight
andyou’
llcausebadbl oodbet weenmeand
yourwi
fe.Whatwi l
lshesaywhensheasksy ou
wherewerey outoni
ght?Pl ease,goi
fyouare
nother
etogety ourclothes.”
Dali
su: “
Thatdoesn’
tconcer nherandshehas
norighttoaskmet hatquestion.Ican’
ttake
thi
sany mor e,
you’
vepunishedmeenough.I
missy ou.”heranhi
sf i
ngersdownherspi ne
andshegaspedhol dingont ohimt i
ght
ly.He
knewt hatmadeherweakt ot heknee.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam st
il
lon…t
hewai
ti
ngper
iod…
youcan’
tsl
eepwit
hme. ”
“Thet hreemont hshav elongpassedandi fyou
tel
lmey oudon’twantmet onightIwi l
lstop
whatIam doi ng.Justsayt hewor ds.”Dalisu
saidf ocusingongi vi
ngherenoughsexual
desire.Heknewt hattonighthewasn’ tgoingto
restunt i
l hehadher.It’
dbeent ool ongf orhim,
i
t’dbeensi xdif
fi
cultmont hslooki ngather
withoutbei ngabletot ouchherandt asteher.
Afterseei ngheront hosegar ment st oday ,he
swor et obringhertoherknees.Shewashi s
andheknewt herightspotst ot ouchonher
bodyt osof tenher.Andnowf eel i
nghercl i
ngon
him encour agedhim mor ehewasn’ tgoingt o
st
op…
Thembel i
hle:“I–I- ”hewasl ookingintoher
eyeswai t
ingforananswer .Shewaspant i
ng
nowandhi sey esalonewer epressuringher.
Dalisutooksilenceasananswerashecov er
ed
herlipswithhis,hedel ightedl
yr ecei
vedher
tongue,he’dlongedf ort hesweet nessofher
kisswithoutget t
ingit.Andt onighthewant edto
maket onightcount .Hewant edt ogiveher
pleasureandnot hingl ess…Herski nwas
smoot handper f
ectitwassof tinawayt hatit
madehi m weaker .
Shedidn’tcar
ewhathappenednext ,
whatwas
goingtohappentomorr
owal lshewantedwas
tohaveherhusband.I
t’
dbeenl ongnowwi thout
havinghim.Hewashers,l
egallyand
tr
aditi
onall
yandshedi
dn’tfeelanyguil
tthathe
waswi thheronhi
sweddingni ght
.
Theywerebot
hcaressi
ngandteasi
ngeach
otherl
ayi
ngonthebednaked…Shehad
tortur
edhi m enoughdepr ivi
nghi m ofthe
beaut i
fulpartofherbody .Hel ovedthat,
that,
hert r
embl i
ngunderhi stouch.Thechemi st
ryin
theirl
ov emaki ngwaspr ecious, i
twas
somet hingthatheknewhewasn’ tgoi
ngtoget
from otherwomen…Hert rembl i
ngwasev i
dent
thatherbodyhadl ongedf orhim asmuchashe
l
ongedf orher…Thembel ihlepushedhi m back
andhel ookedather.“Ii
nitiat
edt hiswhatare
youdoi ngnow? ”heaskedl ookingatherwith
ey esfi
ll
edwi thlove.
Thembeli
hle:“
Justl
etmebe. ”Shesaidl
ayi
ng
herupperbodyonhim andshepoisoned
hersel
fsl
owlyonhim andshescreamedasshe
fi
nall
yachi
evedhavi
nghi minhim.
Dali
su:“Don’
tscr
eam thi
sloudyouwil
lwake
theboysup.”Hecomment edhol
dingherwaist
andlookedint
ohereyesasshebeganmov ing
onhim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theywon’
thearasi
ngl
ethi
ng.
”
Hefel tmightylookingathersexf aceasshe
gri
ndedonhi m, hol
dinghisshoulderand
controll
inghowhar dshegav eittohim, when
shesawt hathewascl osertothepeakpoi nt
shewoul dsl
owdownj usttoshowhi mt hatshe
wasi ncont r
ol.He’dmissedhav i
ngheront op
ofhim showi nghim shewaswomanandshe
wantedhi mt ohearherr oar
.Her eadallher
mov ement sast hatshewasr emindinghim
whathe’ dmi ssedashewasbusywi thPrecious
butThembel i
hlewasn’tther
eshewasj ust
enj
oy ingthemomentwi thherhusband…
Theybot
hlaughedasThembel
ihl
ecollapsedon
hi
schest
.Heheldherheadt
ightl
y.“
Ijust-
”
Dali
suwascutshor
t.
Thembelihl
e:“
Don’tr
uinthi
sbytell
ingmeyou
aresor
ry,bl
ah,bl
ah,j
ustdon’tt
alk.
”Shebegged
massaginghisshoul
ders.
Dal
isu:
“Okay…Hmm!Hmm!Don’ tstop
massagingmyshoul
der
s.Ihav
el oadsof
t
roubl
esi
nther
e.”her
elaxedandhel
dherwai
st.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No!Iam st
oppi
ng.
”
“Oh,yaziwenausuy adel
elaphela!
”He
exclai
medr ai
si
ngherupandhef ellonhisside
ofthebedwi t
hher .Thembelihl
elaughedl oudly
asDal i
sulaidonherback.“ Youst opped
massagi ngme, ri
ght ?I
sitbecausey ouwant
thi
sagai n?”heaskedsoaki nghimsel fdeeply
i
nsideherandt hatmadeThembel ihl
eseekf or
hishand.Shehel dhi mtight
lyandt ri
umphed
thepleasurehewasgi vi
ngher …

Ndabezi nhl
ehadkeptt hem upallnightand
aftereverychancehedi dsleep.Theywould
satisf
yeachot herwit
houtquest i
on.Beingupall
nightresult
edintooversleepi
ngthef ol
lowi
ng
mor ning…Thembelihl
e’sr i
ngingphonewoken
them upandshesatupst rai
ghttoanswerthe
call.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama?
”shel
ookedatDal
i
suas
hekneel
edinbet weenherlegs.Thembel
ihl
e
wasnakedf r
om thelastencountert
heyhadat
dawnafterputt
ingNdabez i
nhl
edowni nhis
nur
sery.
MaCebekhulu:“
MaSt hole,wher
e’syourhusband?
Hissecondwifecal
ledshewascr yi
ngwor r
ied
abouthimthathedidn’tret
urnhomel astni
ght.
Iam gett
ingworr
iedabouthi m nowbecausehis
phoneisoff.
”
“Iam speaki
ngtoy ourmothercanyoustop
that
!”Shewhisperedtryi
ngsohardnottomoan
ashehadbur iedhisfaceonher.Dal
isudidn’
t
ri
seupbuthehear dThembel i
hlespeaki
ngt o
him.
MaCebekhul
u:“Thembel
i
hle!What
’st
hat
whi
speri
ng,Iam tal
ki
ngt
oy ou.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Oh!Yes,
mom Iam sor r
ybuty
our
sonisherewithme.Heslepther
e,Imeanhe
camet ocheckonusandhecouldn’tl
eav
e
becauseNdabezi
nhlej
ustkeptoncryi
ngwhen
het r
iedtoleavethehouse.WhenMageba
reachthedoorhewoul djustcryasifhecould
seehewasl eavi
ng.”sheliedcurvi
ngherwaist
upast hepleasurewasi ntensenowt hatshe
couldn’tr
espondbyhermoans.Dal isuwas
forcedoutofherbyherl ies.Thembelihl
e
l
ookedathi m withfrust
ration.
“Whyareyoulyi
ngandi ncl
udi
ngoursoni
n
thoseli
es?
”Hewhi speredl
ooki
ngatherwi
th
hishandsonherthighs.
Thembeli
hle:“
Awungiyekamina!Justdowhat
youweredoing.”Sheshotback.
MaCebekhul
u:“Hee!Hee!Youdon’thav
etoli
e
tome.Hecameher easkingaboutyouandso,I
guesshefi
nal
lygotyou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hegotme?Whatdoy
oumean
nowIam l
ost?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhaysuka!Voetsek,
nengqondo
engcol
i
le.
”Thembel
i
hlelaughedand
MaCebekhul
uhungupthecall…Shet hen
respondedf
reel
ytot
hepl
easur
ehewasser
ving
her…
Itwasjustaft
erbreakfast
,thebreakfastt
hey
hadatnoon.Itwasl unchfortheboysandt hey
wereawf ul
l
yqui et
.Theyseemedof fthemood
andwhenDal isuaskedwhatwaswr ong,they
neveransweredhim…
Thembel i
hlewasseat edaloneinsideherr
oom
ont opofherbed.Shewasr eplayi
ngthe
wonder f
ulnightshehadwi thhim andnowt hat
he’
dj ustleftthehousemaki nghiswaytohis
wife.I thurther,i
thurtherknowi ngthatno
mat terhowmuchhappyshemadehi m.She
wasnev ergoingtoseei tasenoughbecausehe
wasal way sgoingtoleav ethehousegoingto
anot herwoman…Shecr i
edasshepai nful
ly
accept edhowherl if
ewasgoi ngtobe.She
di
dn’ tneedt hi
slif
e.
“If
orgotmywall
et.
”Dal
i
susai
dopeni
ngthe
doorofthebedr
oom.Hecl
osedt
hedoorsl
owl
y
andlookedatherasshequi
ckl
ywi
pedher
tear
s.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ah!Itmustbeony ourpants.
They’
rei
nt hewashingbasketi
nsidethecloset
.
Iwil
lgolookfori
t.
”Shestoodupqui ckl
y
wit
houtl
ookingathim.Dalisuheldherwri
stbut
sheremovedhishandfrom her.Sheproceeded
tothecl
oset…
“Her
e’sy
ourwal
let
.”Shegaveitt
ohi
m wi
tha
smil
ebuthesawitwasfake.
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hle-
”
Thembelihl
e:“Whathappenedbetweenuslast
ni
ghtshouldn’
thavehappenedbecausey ou
weresupposedtobewi thPreci
ous.She’
s
pregnantandsheshouldn’
tworryaboutyour
whereabouts.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iknowbut
-”
Thembeli
hle:
“ You’
vemadeyourchoi
ceDali
su
andyourchoicewasher.Youhadanaff
airwit
h
herbecausether
ewassomet hi
ngIwasn’
t
gi
vingtoyou.Iwasn’
tenoughandyouwentt
o
hertolookfort
hat…”
Dal
isu:“No,
that
’snothowt
hishappened.Iwas
dr
unkandachi l
dwasconcei
vedinthatfool
ish
ni
ght.”
Thembel i
hle:“
Youkeeponsay ingitwasa
mistakebutev erychancey ougety oustill
go
backt ohertogetwhatshe’ dgi veny oubef ore.I
j
ustwanty outoknowt hat,thismor ningwas
thelastti
mey ou’llsleepwithme.Iwasn’ tgoing
tomar ryyouifIknewdownt heli
ney ouwer e
goingtodot histome.Pr eciousi sy ourchoice
andso, st
icktot hatchoice.Bef orey ou,Iknew
nothingaboutsexbutIwasl i
vingandev en
afterIhavetastedy ouIwi l
l sti
lll
ivewi t
houti t
.I
thoughtIshouldl etyouknowanddon’ tevent ry
tolureme.Iwon’ tgi
v ei
n.”
Dal
isu:
“Thembel
ihl
e,wecanfixt
his.Iam not
hav
inganyfl
eshcontactwi
thher
.Iprotect
mysel
f.Pl
ease,don’
tdot
his,
Ican’
tlosey
ou.
Thembeli
hle.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Mythreemont hs,inj
ect
ionhas
l
ongwei ghedoffinmybl oodso, pl
easegiv
e
Hlezi
phiR200note.Shemustr ushandbuyme
anemergencypillbecauseImeanti twhenI
saidwewi l
lnothaveotherchil
dren.Canyoudo
that?
”sheaskedlookingathim.
Dali
sunoddedhi sheadknowingexactl
ythathe
wasnotgoi ngtodothat…Het hentur
nedwitha
brokenheart.Helef
tthei
rroom asThembeli
hle
hadgonet othebathroom af
terseei
nghim
nod…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE24

Hesati
nsidethecarthinki
ngabout
Thembel
ihl
e’swords.It
’dbeenawhil
esi
nce
Timot
hyhadparkedthecari
nsi
dehisnephew’s
premi
ses.Hesi
ghedandshookhishead.He
thent
ookouthi
sr i
ngi
ngphonefr
om hispocket
.
Dal
i
su:
“Hl
ezi
phi
?”
Hl
eziphi
:“Ndabezi
tha,Ihavefoundsomeone
f
rom thepharmacyandt heyarewil
l
ingt
odo
whatyou’
verequested.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,howmuchar
etheyaski
ngf
or?
”
Hlezi
phi:“
R1500,Iwasthi
nki
ngthatIshoul
d
j
ustwi t
hdrawthemoneyfr
om myaccountand
you’l
lpaymebackbecausetheydon’
twantto
sayanotherpr
icesi
nceIwantthi
sdonetoday.
”
Dali
su:“Okay,dothatandIwi
l
lpayy
ouback
doubledfordoingthi
s.”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yebo,
ndabezi
tha.
”
Dali
su:
“Andremember,don’
ttel
lyourqueen
aboutt
hisdon’
tev
enlooksuspici
ousbecause
Thembeli
hlei
sver
ysmar t
.”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iwon’
tdi
sappoi
nty
ou.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha!
”
TheyhungupthecallandDal
isusi
ghedleani
ng
backonthecarseat
.Heplacedhisfi
ngerson
hi
snose,herubbedi
tsoftl
y.
“Whyareyousi
tt
ingoverher
e?”Preciousasked
Dali
suashewasstil
lseat
edinsi
det hecar.He
openedhi
seyesandlookedather
.
Dali
su:“
Iam j
ustr
est
ingIwi
l
lcomei
nsi
det
he
house.
”
Preci
ous:
“Lastni
ghtyoukeptmewaiti
ngand
now,youarej
ustsit
ti
ngoverher
e.Don’
tyou
wanttobewithme?”sheaskedhol
dingher
babybump.
Dali
sudidn’
tanswerherheopenedt hedoor
andsteppedoutofthecar.Hemar chedtofr
ont
doorandtheangryPreci
ousfoll
owedhi m…He
satdownont hecouchandPrecioussat
opposit
ehim.Shelookedathim,herbreathhad
qui
ckenedbecauseofanger
.
Dali
su:“
Iam i
ncourtv
ele?Icanseethel
ookon
yourey
es.”Hefi
nal
l
ymanagedt obreat
hea
word.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Wher
ewer
eyoul
astni
ght
?”
Dali
su:“Whoa!That’
sabigquesti
onyoucan
askme.Justar edfl
agquest
ion.WherewasI?
”
heshif
tedforward.
Preci
ous:
“Yes,Iwanttoknowbecausei
fIcan
dowhatyoudid,ri
ghtnowwewoul dbe
speaki
ngadiff
erentl
anguage.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youwon’
taskmewher
eIwas.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“Youpromisedmet hatyou’l
lcometo
mesoonandIwasaf oolwai
tingforyouall
ni
ght
.Inthemorningyouwerenother eandI
wasworri
edaboutyoubecausey ourphone
wasoff
.Andnow, Idon’
thavet heri
ghttoknow
wher
ewer eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Inf
utur
ejustt
ell
mey
ouwer
ewor
ri
ed
aboutmewithoutaski
ngmewher eIwas, i
fI
hearyousay
ingyouwer eworr
iedIwil
lthentel
l
youwhereIwasifIwanttotel
lyou.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Ist
hathowi
twi
l
lbe?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
theydi
dn’
ttel
lyouathome?
”
Shekeptqui ett
ryi
ngtoburyandcontr
olher
anger,she’
dconcludedthathewaswith
Thembel i
hle.Howcouldshebesoevilandtake
Dali
suf r
om heronherweddi ngni
ght
,thei
r
weddingnight?
Dal
i
su:
“Youwon’
tanswerme?
”
Preci
ous:“Theytol
dmetorespectyoubutthey
di
dn’ttel
lmet haty
ou’
l
lhur
tmeanddi srespect
mebecauseIam awi f
eandy ouarea
husband.”
Helookedathert hi
nki
ng,ift
hiswas
Thembelihl
eshewasgoi ngtostar
tbymaking
foodforhim andthen,
ifshehadquest
ions.She
wasgoingaskt hem whil
ehewashav i
ngher
food.ButPreciousisnotof fer
inghimfoodnot
evenwater.Nott hathewashungr ybuthej
ust
comparedqui etl
y…Het henstoodupand
Preci
ousstoodupaf terhim.“Wher ear
eyou
goingnowbecauseIam st i
l
l t
alki
ngtoyou?
”
Sheasked.
Dali
suenter
edt hekitchenandwashedhis
handsonthesink, heopenedthefri
dgeand
tookoutaboxoff ruitj
uice.Hepour
edthejui
ce
forhi
mselfandt ooksomecakeshet hensat
down.Hehadt hedr i
nksandcakes.
Preci
ous:“
Youwer esupposedt
otellmewhen
youwantedthatIwasgoingtodothatf
oryou.
”
Dali
su:“
YouthinkIwasn’
tgoingt
otelly
ou
whereIwaslastni
ght?Asthatwasthefi
rst
t
hingyougreetedmewi t
h?”
Preci
ous:
“Iam angr
yaty
oucan’
tyousee
that
?”
Dali
su:“Iwaswi
thmysons.Canyoust
opbei
ng
angrynow?”Heknewt
ell
ingthet
rut
hwasgoi
ng
tocausebadbl oodbet weenherand
Thembelihle.Theydidn’
tgetalongalreadyand
hecouldn’tfurt
herthathate.Buthedidn’tknow
thathewasdoi ngexact l
ywhathet houghthe
wasav oi
ding.
Preci
ous:
“Yoursons?That
’sal
ie.Whydon’
t
youtel
lmethatyouwerewithy
ourwif
e
becauset
here’
snochil
dwhowasst i
ll
upatthat
hour?”
Dal
i
su:
“Youknowwhenev
erychi
l
dsl
eep?
”
Preci
ous:“
Youmarri
edmet ohur
tmeDal i
su?
Youdidthi
stoshowmet haty
ou’
llneverl
ove
me.Thembeli
hlewi
llal
waysbeyournumber
one?”
Dalisudi dn’
tanswerherhelefttheut
ensi
lson
thet ableandwentt othebedroom.Theywere
usingt heguestroom asthei
rroom.Preci
ous
fol
lowedDal i
suintothebedroom.
Dal
isu:“Haveyoupackedourbagssi
nceI
wasn’twit
hy oul
astni
ght?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“HowwasIgoi
ngt
odot
hatbecauseI
wasworr
iedabouty
ou.
”
“Okay,dothatnow.Iwi l
lrestfornowandl aterI
am goingtomybr ot
her’
shouse.Wewi l
lleave
tomorrowmor ni
ngforthehoney moon. ”Hesai d
thr
owinghimsel fonthebed…Pr ecious’
shear t
hardenedast heangerbrewedupev enfurt
her.
Sheneededt oseeThembel ihl
eandspeakt o
her.Andsheneededt odot hatbeforethey
l
eav efort
heirhoneymoon…

Dali
suhadjustl
eftforhisbrother
’shouse.As
soonasheleft,
Preciousjumpedonherphone
andshedial
ledThembel i
hle’
snumber .I
tdidn’
t
takel
ongforthecalltobeanswer ed.
Mnot
ho:
“Hel
l
o?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yebo,
canIspeakt
oyourmot
her
?”
Mnotho:“
Okay,waitf
oraminuteIam taki
ngt
he
phonetoherbuthowarey
ou? ”heasked
r
unni
ngandPr
eci
oushear
dthathewasr
unni
ng.
Shesmiled.“
Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”she
asked.
Mnotho:“Iam f
ine,
too.Her
e’smom…MaSt
hol
e,
her
e’syourphone.”
Ther
ewasshuffl
i
ngsounds.“
Hell
o.”
Thembel
i
hleanswer
edthecal
l.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yebo,
Sawubona,
unj
ani
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,unj
ani
?”
Preci
ous:“Iam notfineandcanIseeyou?Iam
sorry
,Ican’tcomeupt oyourpal
ace.Canyou
comet ome, please?
”
Therewasabsolutesil
entandthenasigh.
“Okay,
Iwi l
lcomebutfornow,Iam busydoing
something.
”Sherepl
ied.
Preci
ous:“I
sthatt
hingur
gent
?Ir
eal
l
yneedt
o
seeyou.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ican’
tjustl
eav
eri
ghtaway
,
Magebaisher
eandIam f i
xi
ngsomethi
ngsf
or
him.He’
snotstay
ingthoughsoIwi
l
lcometo
youwhenIam done.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Okay
,thanky
ou.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Okay.”Precioushungupt hecall
andclickedhert onguet hinki
ngwhatwashe
doinginherhousenowbecausehej ustcame
fr
om herhouse!Shef eltthepr essuret hatshe
neededt odr i
veThembel i
hleoutoft heki ngdom.
Sheknewt hatifshewasgoi ngt oleav eshe
wasn’tgoingt oleavewit hthechi l
dren.Shehad
noproblem wi ththechildrenoft hemanshe
l
ovedbutshehadapr oblem wi t
ht heirmot her
.
Shewasherenemyandsheneededhert oleave
herandDal isuinpeace…
“Queen,t
her e’
samant hat
’sheretoseeyou.
”
Zint
ombi,Pr eci
ous’mai
dentoldPreci
ousshe
waskneelingbef or
eherasPreci
ouswas
seatedont hecushioni
nsi
dethebedroom wi
th
bagsandcl othesnextt
oher…She’dgott
en
usedt othel
i
feofhav i
ngserv
antsandpeople
respecti
ngherbecauseshewasDal i
su’sbr
ide.
Nowshewashi swifeandsheknewl i
fewas
goingtobeev enmuchmor egreatf
orher.
Preci
ous:“Okay,
canyoufini
shupthepacki
ng
formeandhel pmegetup.”Shesaidgi
vi
ngher,
herhand.Shehelpedhergetupandshelef
tthe
room.
Shewaswal ki
ngont hehall
waymumbl
ing
al
oneasshewonder edwhowast hemanwho
hadcomet ovisi
ther.Sheknewnomaninthe
vi
ll
age.Shesighed.
“HHAYBO! ”Shewasshockedandherhands
wentstrai
ghtt ohermout h.Seei
nghimi nsi
de
thehouset hatshesharedwi t
hDalisuscared
herevenmor ethantheli
eshehadt oldhim.
“Youcan’tsittherecomet hi
sside!
”shesai d
walki
ngaway ..
.
‘
Alex’
wasseatedinsi
del
oungeonthecouch.
Hewaspresentontheweddi
ngdaybuthewas
carefulaboutbeingt oocloset ot hepeopl ewho
couldseehi m.Hewasangr ythatPr eci
ouslied
tohim.Hehadt oseeont henewspaper sthat
Preci
ouswasget tingmar ri
edt oDal isu.When
hetri
edt oreachhershehadbl ockedhi s
numberandnev eranswer edpr i
v atenumber s
andwor knumber swhenhet riedt ocal lher.
..
Hest oodupandf ollowedPr eciousasshewas
l
eadinghi mtot hemast erbedr oom sheknew
thatnobodywasgoi ngtolookf orhert here.
Preci
ousst oodbyt hebedand‘ Al ex’ cl
osedthe
door.Hewal kedcl osertoherwi shingt hathe
couldstranglehert odeathforf oolinghim.
Alex:
“Don’
tlookatmeli
kethatyouf
orcedme
tocomehere.Youaremarri
edandpregnantf
or
theki
ng!Howcany oudothi
s?”heshoutedbut
Preci
ouspl
acedherhandsonhismouth.
Preci
ous:
“Babyi
t’
snotl
i
ket
hat
.Iam doi
ngt
his
forus.
”
Al
ex:
“Forus?Don’
tli
etomePr
eci
ousbecause
Icansl
apt
het
rut
houtofy
ou.
”
Preci
ouspanickedatt
hesoundoftheword
‘
slap’
sheknewhowheget swhenhe’
sangry
andallhecouldthi
nkofnowwastocalm hi
m
down…
Precious:“
Yes,
ifyoucanj
ustr
elaxandletme
explain.
”Shesmil
edandtheman’sfacerel
axed
i
nstant l
y…

“Hawu!”Thembelihl
eexclai
medseeingthecar
sheknewexactly.Thatwashersi
ster’
scar,how
didshegetherebecauseshewasbannedf r
om
thevil
l
age.Nozibusisohadtol
dherthatshe
sawMusa, maybei twashim?Shesatont he
carthi
nkingasshel ookedatt
hecar.
Mt
hiy
ane:
“What
’swr
ong,
ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembeli
hle:“Not
hingi
swrongIwill
beback.
”
Shereal
i
sedt hati
fshewaswithNjongoand
Mduduzitheywouldknowearl
ythatwhowas
t
heowneroft
hecar
.
Thembel
i
hlewentt
othemanatt
hegat
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sawubona.
”
Guar
d:“
Yebo,
ndl
ovukazi
unj
ani
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Guar
d:“
Ngi
yaphi
l
anami
.Ngi
ngakusi
za?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourqueeni
sbusyi
nsi
de?
”
Guard:“Yes,she’
swi t
hherbusi
nessassoci
ate
from Durban.Themansaidtheyworktoget
her
forthewat erpr
oject
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Okay,
Iwill
justwaitf
orheri
nsi
de
theloungebecauseIam surethey’
rei
nthe
off
iceiftheyaredi
scussi
ngbusiness.
”
Guard:“
Yebo.Youdon’
twantmetocal
l
Zint
ombi shewi
ll
makesomethi
ngtoeatf
or
you?”
Thembeli
hle:“No,
Iam comi
ngfr
om mypalace.
Iam al
ri
ght.”Heboweddownather
.“Youwork
al
one,here?Ther
eisnoonewor
kingwi
thy
ou?
”
sheasked.
Guar
d:“Yes,
Iwor
kal
one.Iam al
sot
hequeens
guar
d.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Wheny
ouar
enother
ewhoguar
d
thehouse?”
Guar
d:“
Nobody
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!Okay
.Youdon’
tneed
hel
p?”
Guard:“
Ineeditndl
ovukazi
butIt
hink
ndabezi
thathi
nksIcanmanage.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lseewhatIcando.
”
Guar
d:“
Ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Thembel i
hlesmil
edandwalkedaway .Shewas
wonderingwhyshehadoneguar dbecauseshe
hadmor ethanoneandbythattimeshewasn’ t
evenpregnant.Theywer
en’
ttreatedthesame,
shereali
sed…Theguardwast heguar dwho
didn’
tknowt heowneroft
hecar .Hewasnew
anddi
dn’
tknowthatt
heownerwasbanned
fr
om t
hevi
ll
age…
Shewal kedinsi
dethehouseandshehear dthat
amanandawomanwer ear guingsomewher e
i
nsidet hehouse.Shecoul dn’thearwhatthey
wer eargui
ngaboutandso, Thembel i
hlewent
closer.Themaidenhadl ongl eftthehouse.
Preciouswasalonewi th‘Alex.’Thembeli
hlel
aid
herearont hedoortherewasnoneed, nowfor
thatbecausenowt hatshewasatt hedoor,t
he
argumentsoundedcl ear.
“HowcanIt rustasyoudon’twantt otellme
whatisthi
spl anyouhav e?
”Themanasked
soundingangry.“Youdidn’
tev entel
lmet hatI
am thefat
heroft hi
sbabyy ouar ecarr
ying!”t
he
manshout edandThembel ihleheldhermout h
wideni
ngherey es.Dal
isuwasnott hefather?
Herhusbandwasnott hefatherofthebaby ?
How?
Pr
eci
ous:
“IknowbutIwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyout
he
tr
uthIjustmarri
edhi mforthereasonsIcan’t
stat
er i
ghtnow.Ijustwanttosurpri
sey ouand
you’
llbeproudofme.Myl ove.
”Shesounded
poli
teandseductive…Shemusthav eusedthe
samev oicetoherhusbandandDal isusawthe
star
s,Tsk!Thembel i
hler
eali
sed.
Alex
:“ Doyouknowwhatcanhappeni
fthiski
ng
canfindoutthatt
hechi
l
dy ouar
ecarr
yingis
nothis?”
Preci
ous:“
Hewon’ tfi
ndoutaboutthatandI
haveaplanforthat
.Pleasejustt
rustme
becauseattheendoft hedaythi
swill
benefi
t
bothofus.Youneedt ogonowbecausehi s
wifewil
lbehereandIdon’twanthertofi
ndy ou
here.
”
Alex:
“ Hebannedmef rom t
hisvi
ll
agebecauseI
hadami sunderst
andingwit
hhiswifeandIam
sureifhecanf indoutthatt
hisbabyismine.
He’l
lkill
usbot h.”
“
Itwi
l
lnotcomet
othatnowpl
easegobef
ore
hi
sannoy ingwi f
egetsher e.”Pr eci
oussai
d
holdinghishands…Fr om out sidetheroom
Thembel i
hlerushedtothel oungeandshe
decidedtositont heporch.Shedi dn’
twanti
tto
beknownt hatsheheardev er y
t hi
ngthatt
hey
weret al
ki
ngabout .
‘
Alex’walkedoutofthehouseal
onePr eci
ous
wasn’tcompanyinghim.Thembeli
hlestoodon
herandfeetand‘Alex’
wasstart
ledtosee
Thembelihle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,Musa?
”
Musa: “Thembeli
hl e,
pleasef ort hesakeof
peaceIhav eneverabusedy ousopl easedon’t
tell
y ourhusbandt hatIwasher e.Preci
ousis
mybusi nesspartnersoIhadt ospeakt oher.
”
heex pl
ainedlookinginsidethehouse.Hedi dn’t
wantPr eci
oustohearhi m.Pr eciousdidn’
t
knowt hatMusawasmar r
iedt oThembel i
hle’
s
sister,shedidn’
tknowt hathewasmar ri
edat
all
.Yes, Musawasabusi nessmanandhe
wouldappearonthenewspaper
sbutthose
appear
ancesneverfeat
uredhi
spri
vat
elif
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iadv
iset
haty
oul
eav
enow.
”
Musa:“Anddon’
ttellyoursi
ster
,please.
”He
addedandThembel i
hlenodded.“Thankyou!
”
Heexclai
medandl eftthepr
emises
i
mmedi at
ely
.
Thembeli
hlesmil
edandwalkedi
nsidet
he
house.“
Preci
ous!
”Shecal
ledheroutasshe
wasstandi
nginsi
dethel
ounge.
Preci
ousappearedonthehal
l
wayshewascal m
nowandshehadwashedherf acetocooldown.
“Thankyouforcoming,
whendidyouarr
ive?”
sheasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Awhil
eagobutt heytol
dmet hat
youar
ebusywit
hyourbusinessassoci
ate.I
wasseat
edontheporch.
”
Pr
ecious:“
Okay
,It
houghtweshoul
dtal
kabout
l
astnight
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Lastni
ght
?”
Preci
ous:“Youruinedmyweddi ngnight
Thembelihl
eyout rappedDal
isuint
ost ay
ingin
yourhousewithy oursonsandheleftmeher e
waiti
ngforhim becauseofyou.Howcany oudo
thi
s?”
“Mxm!Kantiuzongi
bhedel
ala!
”Thembeli
hle
exclai
medandstoodonherfeet.Pr
eci
ous
stoodupaf
terher.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Thembelihle:
“Itseemsasifyoucall
edmehere
fornonsenseandso, Iwon’
tstayandli
stent
o
you.Iam leavi
ng.”
Pr eci
ous:“Thisisnotnonsenset hisisabout
thef actt
haty oudidthisjusttospit
emej ust
l
ikey oudidn’twearthedr essIhadmadeoutf or
you.Iknowt hatallnighthewasn’ tlookingaft
er
thebabywhi leyouwer esl eepi
ng.Youj ust
trappedhim andy ouenj oyedthi
sbecausey ou
want edtospiteme. ”
Thembel ihl
e: “UDalisuindoday ami Icanev en
keephi mi nmyhousef orf iv
eweeksi fIwantt o
dot hat ,y
oushoul dn’tev enthinkofcompl aini
ng
becausewhenhe’ swi thy ou.That ’
sme
borrowi ngy ou, hi
m.Iknowy ou’l
lrunt ohi m and
tel
l him aboutt hi
sconv ersati
on.Littl
enaï vegirl
.
Tsk! ”shesai dt hatasi fshewasol dert hanher
butPr eciouswast heol dest.Thembel ihleleft
thehousewi thouthear ingwhatshehadt osay.
Shest eppedi nsidet hecarandMt hiyanedr ove
off.Shel ookedatherphonei nsi
det hecarand
pretendedasi fshewast al
kingtosomeonebut
shewast hinking.
Somethingi nherwant edtosav eherhusband
butno!Thebi ggestpar tofherwant edhimt o
fi
ndoutwhenhi s‘chi
ld’ wasbor n.Hedeserved
tobehur tjustl
ikehe’
dhur ther.Shewasn’t
goingt
osav ehim becausehedi dthisby
himsel
f.He’ dtr
eatedherbadl yandshewas
goingt
owat chhim nowpl ayi
nghappyhusband
withPrecious.Shesmi ledt hi
nkingthat
Preci
ouswasn’tgoi
ngtost
ayi
nthei
rli
ves
forev
er…Hersonsweregoi
ngt
ohavetheir
fat
herback…

Shewasinherroom wi thNdabezinhle.The
boysweremoodyandt heydi
dn’twantt ot el
l
herwhatwaswr ong.Theydidn’
twantt obe
wit
hanyonetheywer ealoneintheirplayroom…
Thembeli
hlehadletthem beandshewasbusy
makingNdabezinhl
elaugh.Herphoner angand
shetookthephone.Thokozil
ewascal li
ng.She
wassurpr
isedtoreceiveherphonecal l.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Thokozi
l
e:“Hey
,MrsZul
u.Ij
ustwant
edt
ocal
l
youandcheckony
ou.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Checkonme?
”
Thokozi
le:“
Yes,j
usttochecki
fyouar
ealr
ightI
j
ustreadthenewspaperandsawyour
husband’
sweddingisall
overt
henewspapers.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,butyoumustcal
lhi
m and
congr
atul
atehim becausehewasget
ti
ng
marri
ednotme.”
Thokozi l
e:“No,
Ijustwant
edtorubsomesalt
ont hewoundbecauseIwar nedyou,
Itol
dyou
thathewi ll
marrymorewomenandy ou’l
lwatch
helplessl
y.Whathappened,di
dn’
twhatIsai
d
happen? ”
Thembel i
hle:“
It
’sapitythaty
oucall
edmej ust
tohighl
ightthatbutwhenmygr aduat
ion
pict
ureswer eallov
erthenewspapersyoudidn’
t
call
notev enonce,sisiwami.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Awu,
justadi
ploma?
”
Thembeli
hle:“I
t’
saquali
fi
cat
ion,
abet
terone
thanbei
ngy ourunpai
dmaid.
”
Thokozi
le:“
Oh,
syakubongel
ake.Howdoesi
t
feel
tohaveawomant osharewit
hyour
husband?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“If
eel
awei
ghtof
fmyshoul
der
.”
Shelied,shewasn’ tgoingtotel
lhert
het rue
feel
ings.Itwasn’tthetrut
hbutThokoziledidn’
t
needt oknowt hat.“Andy oushoul
dn’
trejoice
thi
smuchbecausey ouandI ,wearefooledbya
samewoman. ”Sher ev
ealed.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whatdoest
hatsupposedt
o
mean?”
Thembelihl
e:“By
e.Mybabyi scry
ing.
”
Ndabezinhl
ewascr yi
ngnowashi smotherwas
nolongergivi
nghim at
tent
ion…
Shehungupt hecallandThokozi
lecall
edagain,
Thembelihl
ecli
ckedhertongue.Shejust
coul
dn’tbeli
evehowchildi
shhersist
ercouldbe!
Shecall
edagainandThembel i
hledroppedthe
cal
l,
shet henblockedhernumber.Shepicked
Ndabezinhl
eup.
Thembel i
hle:“
Iam sorry,
Geboi t’
sumamdal a
wakho.She’ scrazyandnowIhav eshif
tedmy
focus.Iam withy ounow,though.”Shesaid
l
ookingathi m andhekeptqui etatthesoundof
herv
oice…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE25

Dali
suwasseat edi
nsideSbani ’
sloungehehad
Sbani’
sdaughteronhi
sl applayingwithher.
Theli
ttl
egirl
wasshowi ngDalisuherdoll.Sbani
wasout si
dethehouseat t
endingacall.
Dal
isu:“
WeMaZuluubanikei
gamalanopopay
i
wakho?”(What
’sy
ourdol
l
’sname?
)heasked
hol
dingthedol
l
.
Gi
rl
:“HernameisPrincessNobuhl
eZul
u.She’
s
t
oobeautif
ulbaba.
”
Dal
isu:“
Ha!Thelit
tl
ePri
ncessf
oranother
Pri
ncess.Angi
thi
kumeleabemuhlengoba
naweumuhl e!
”hesaidt
ickl
i
ngherandshe
l
aughed…
“
BABA!”Thel
i
ttl
egi
rlexcl
aimedl
aughi
ng
l
ouder
…
“Youarereal
lygoodwit
hchil
dren,ndabezi
tha.
”
Sbongil
ecomment edgi
vingoutherarmsoutto
takeherdaughter
.
Dalisuchuckl
ed.“It
ryImeanwhat’
stherenot
toloveaboutchil
dren!
”heexcl
aimedgiv
ingher
daughterback.
Sbongi
le:
“Youar
eri
ght
.”Shet
urnedwi
thher
daught
er.
Gi
rl
:“MamawhenwillIv
isi
tMnot
hoand
Ml
amuli?Theydi
dvi
sitme.
”
Sbongi
l
e:“
Wewi l
lcal
lthequeenandask.
”She
repl
i
edwal
kingaway…
Dal
isu:
“Yourdaught
eri
sahappygi
rl
.”He
commentedlooki
ngatSbani
ashewassit
ti
ng
downopposit
ehim.
Sbani
:“Yes,
shei
s.”
Dal
i
su:
“Itseemsl
i
keIwon’
tbeget
ti
ngl
obol
a
cowsbutIwil
lbesendi
ngt
hem out
.”Hesai
d
andtheyl
aughed.
Sbani
:“Maybey
ou’
l
lhav
eagr anddaughterand
besi
des,y
ouhavet
wowivesnowmay beyou’l
l
haveagir
l.
”
Dali
su:“Preci
ousiscarr
yingaboyandso,Iam
st
arti
ngt othi
nkthatIam notboundt
ohavea
pr
incess.Andmydearwi fewantsadaughter
.”
Sbani
:“You’
ll
justhavet
okeepshuf
fl
ingunt
il
yougetthegi
rls.
”Theyl
aughed.
Dali
su:“
Ay ,y
ousai
dyouhav
esomet
hingy
ou
needtodiscusswi
thme.
”
Sbani
:“Yes,
theel
dersareworri
edabout
Gobel
a’sabsenti
nyourweddingandso,they
wanttoknowwhyhedi dn’
tcome.You’
llhaveto
cal
lhi
m andaskhimt ocomebecausethe
el
derswanttospeaktohim.”
Dal
isu:“
Idi
dcal
lhi
m beforecomi
nghereand
hedidn’
tgi
vemestr
aightanswer
sSbani
.He
wasspeaki
ngi
nri
ddl
es.
”
Sbani:“
Itseemsasi fhewasagai
nstt
he
weddingandt heelder
swanttoknowthe
reasonsbehindthat.
”
Dali
su:“
Howwashegoi ngtobeforthe
weddingaf
terthefi
ghtIhadwit
ht heelder
s
aboutmarr
yingPreci
ous.IknowIwant edto
marryheri
nthebeginni
ngbutnotafterwhat
shedidtomywi f
e.”
Sbani:“Idon’
tunderst
andwhyar eyouli
vi
ng
withherbecausey ouclear
lydon’
tlov
eher.Why
aredoingt hi
s?”
Dali
su:“
You’
ll
nev
erunder
standbaf
oand
nobodywil
l
.”
Sbani
:“Nobodywi
l
lbecausey
oudon’
ttel
lus.
”
Dalisu:
“ AndIdon’tthi
nkthatIwi
ll
.”Hesaid
takingthejuicet
hatwasont het
able.“
Iwil
ltel
l
themessengert osummonGobel amay bethe
elderswi l
lunder
standhim.”headded.
Sbani:“
Yes,dothat.
”Hesuppor t
edhi
m and
theyhadthei
rbrothert
alk,
laughi
ngand
refl
ect
ingontheoldtimes…
-
--
“It
houghtwecoul dtalkbef oreyousl eepmy
babies.”Thembeli
hlesaidbr ushingtheboy s’
heads.Theywer einbedwi t
hherand
Ndabezi nhl
ewasfastasl eepinhi scot.The
boyslookedattheirmot her.“Ihavenot i
cedthat
youar eupsetwit
hy ourfather,what’swr ong?
”
sheaskedl ooki
ngatt hem.
Theboyskeptqui
etandsul
ked,theydi
dn’twant
tospeak.“
MnothonoMlamuli
,Iam speakingt
o
youandanswerme.”sheemphasized.
Mnot
ho:
“Mama?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes?
”
Mnotho:“
Ubabaushadil
efuthi
?Usenomuny
e
umakoti
?”(Dadi
smar r
ied,
again?Hehas
anot
herwife.
)heaskedpoli
tel
y.
Thembel i
hlesighed,theboy
swer enevertol
d
thatDali
suwasget t
ingmarri
ed.Theywere
rul
edasy oungt obei nf
ormedabouttheir
father
’smar r
iage.Thembeli
hledi
dn’tevenwant
totell
them too.
Thembel i
hle:“Whotoldyout hat?”Theydidn’
t
answerherbutt heybothkeptqui et
.“Iam
speakingt oy ou.
”sheremi ndedt hem.They
keptqui et.Thembelihl
etookherphoneand
call
edDal isu.Thephoner angwi thoutbeing
answer ed, shecl
ickedhert ongue.Shecalled
him againandhedi dn’
tanswer .
Mnot
ho:“
Dadisnotansweri
ngbecausehe’
s
wi
thhi
swifehe’
snotworki
ng.”
Mlamul
i:“
Yes,andthat
’swhyhedidn’
tmakea
bi
gbir
thdaypart
yforusthi
syear.Maybehi
s
wi
fesaidhemustnotmakeabi gpart
yforus.
”
Mnotho:“
Yes,weare4yearsol
dnowmama
butdaddi
dn’tmakeabigpart
yforus.Hi
swif
e
tol
dhim?Stepmother
sarehorr
ibl
eonTV.”
Thembeli
hlesighed.“
Butyourf
atherspenty
our
bi
rthdaywi
thyout wo.”Sher
emindedthem
l
ookingatthem.
Mnot
ho:
“Buthedi
dn’
tanswert
hephonenow.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whosai
dIam cal
l
ingy
our
fat
her
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Whoar
eyoucal
l
ing,
mom?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’
taskmequestionsbecauseI
askedyouaquesti
onandy oudi
dn’tanswerme.
So,don’
taskmequestions.
”
Theboy
skeptquiet
.Thembel
i
hle’
sphoner
ang
shet
ookthephone.
“
MaSt hol
e,Iwastaki
ngashower
.What
’s
wrong?”Dali
suexpl
ained.
Thembeli
hle:“Ml
amuliandMnot
hohave
somethi
ngt heywantt
oaskyou.Iwi
l
lputt
he
phoneonspeaker.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”
“Okay
,askyourfat
herwhatyouaskedmeand
tel
lhi
m whereyougotwhatyouaskedbecause
youdon’
twanttotellme.
”Thembeli
hlet
oldthe
boysputt
ingherhandwit
hthephonebetween
them.
Dalisu:
“What’swrong,boMageba? ”Theykept
quietandlookedattheirmotherbutshe
showedt hem thephonewithhereyes.“Ml
amuli
noMnot ho?”
Boy
s:“
Baba?
”
Dal
isu:“
What’
swrong,whatdi
dyouaskyour
motherandwhyareangr
ywithme?DidIdo
somethi
ngwrong?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Doy
ouhav
eanot
herwi
fe?
”
Ml amuli
:“Wesawy ouont henewspapert hat
sisiPi
nkywasr eading.Ubuwenzekul oyamama
njengobawenzakumama. ”(
Youwer eki ssi
ng
thatwomanj ustli
key oudot omom. )he
explai
ned.Dali
su’sweddi ngwasal l
ov erthe
newspaper sanditwast he‘tal
k!’
withsome
peoplecommentingthatforakinghet
ooktoo
l
ongt otakeanot
herwife.AsThembeli
hlehad
predi
ctedsomejournal
istdidmenti
onthatt
he
fi
rstQueen’
sbrotherwasn’tatt
hewedding.
Dali
susi
ghed.“
Iwillcomenowandexpl
aint
o
youwhat’
shappeni
ng, okay
?Don’
tsl
eepIam
coming.
”Hepromised.
Boy
s:“
Okay
.”
“WAIT!”Thembel i
hleexcl
aimedandgotoffthe
bed.Shelefttheroom andspoketohim
standi
ngout si
dethedoor .“
Youcan’tt
ell
them
thatPr
eciousi sgoingtohaveyourchi
ld.
”She
toldhi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Whynot
?”
Thembelihl
e: “
Idon’twantt hem toknowt hat
j
ustyet.Youcanj ustsay ,Preci
ousi sa
busi
nessf r
iendandy ouwer en’
tkissingheras
youarekissingme.Idon’ tknowj ustliebut
don’
ttellt
hem thaty ou’
llhav eababywi th
anot
herwoman, please.”Shebegged, knowing
thatsoont hetruthaboutt hisbabywasgoi ngto
comeoutandherchi l
drenweregoi ngtobe
confusediftheycanknowt hatthebabyt hey
weret ol
dbel ongedt otheirfat
herwasn’this?
Theywer echi l
drenandt heydi
dn’tneedtol ose
fai
thont heirfather.Theydidn’tneedtoknow
thathewaseasi lyli
edto.Hewasaher oto
them notsomeonewhocoul dbest upi
denough
tobef ool
edbyawoman.Thembel ihl
eknew
thatandshewant edtomakesur ethatshe
protectshi
shonourasaf at
hertothem.
Dal
i
su:
“Theywi
l
lneedt
oknowsoon.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
butnotnow.Anddon’ tcome
homenowbecausej ustl
astnightyouwere
hereandnow,you’
llcomehere.It
’snotf
airto
yourwif
e.”
Dali
su:“
Iknowthatyouwer ehere,
theguard
tol
dmeandIhav efi
guredonmyownt hat
Preci
ouscal
ledyouhere.Iwil
lcomet omysons
j
ustli
keIhavepromi
sedt hem.Nobodywi l
lstop
f
rom doi
ngt
hat
.”
“Oh, okay.”Shewasdef eat
ed.Dalisuthenhung
upt hecal l
…Thembel i
hlewentbacki nsi
deher
room andt heboyswerestandingbyt hebaby’
s
cot.Theywer ecl
appinghandsf orhimtryi
ngto
makehi m stopcryi
ngbuthedidn’tstop.They
hadnodi ffi
cul
ti
esgetti
ngoffthebednow
becauseThembel i
hlehadboughtabedr oom
stepf orthem tousetogetofherbed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“He’
sawake?
”
Boys:“YES!
”theyanswered,
sti
l
lcl
appi
ngthei
r
hands.Thembeli
hlecar
ri
edthebabyupand
wenttobedwi t
hhim…Shet henbr
east
fed
hi
m…
Dal
isuwalkedi
nsi
dehisbedr oom Thembeli
hle
wasbusyplayi
ngwithNdabezinhleandthe
boy
swer etaki
ngt
urnsonpl ayingonthei
r
mother
’sphone…Hedi dn’
ttell
Preci
ouswhere
hewasheadinghejustlef
tthehouse.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam her
e,now.
”
Boys:“Baba!
”Ml
amuliputthephonedownand
theygotofft
hebed.Dal
isubentdownandl
if
ted
them up.
“Youareget t
ingheavierbytheday.”He
comment edsi t
ti
ngont hebedwi t
ht hem.The
boysgiggled.“Goandt akemypy j
amaswher e
yourmotherput sthem.Youwi l
lstandonher
sofabench.”Hei nst
ructedthem,putti
ngt hem
down.Theboy srantotheirpar
ents’closet.
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
l
lsl
eepher
e?”
Dal
i
su:“
Yes,anddon’
ttel
lmewhatIam doi
ng
i
swrongIdon’
tneedt
hatfrom y
ou.
”hetol
dher
t
aki
ngoffhi
sclot
hes.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasn’
tgoi
ngt
osayt
hat
.”
Ndabezi
nhlescreamedandDal i
suturnedhis
headtolookathim.“Hheyi
,unamehlo
amakhulumfanawami !”Heexclai
medt aki
ng
himfr
om hismot her
’sl
egs.Hesmi l
edand
l
ookedathim.“Butyoudidn’
twantt otakeher
ski
ncolour,
Mageba.Ubani?Babami na,
ngi
bukekenjengentombazanengekeke! ”He
pl
ayedwithhissonmi mickingababy’
svoice
andhelaughed.Thebabyl aughedaf
terhim and
ki
ckedhisti
nyfeetoffasifhecouldhearwhat
hewassay i
ng.
Thembelihl
elaughed.“
Bei
ngl
i
ghtski
nnedi
snot
forgi
rl
s,ke.
”Shet ol
dhim.
Dal
i
su: “
Hhayi,
Ndabezinhl
eknowsthatr
eal
menlookdarkerj
ustl
ikehisf
ather
.Tel
lyour
mom that,
phelawenamamawakhet hakahle,
wat
holaindodaenamandlaemnyamanje.”
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.“
Awuyekeinganeyami
ngendabazamadoda.MNOTHOANDMLAMULI
WHAT’ SKEEPI
NGYOU? ”Sheshouted.
Dalisu:“Theyareprobabl
yhavi
ngadebat e.
”He
saidlif
tingthebabyupandNdabezinhlelooki
ng
downathi m.“Ah!Ndabezi
nhl
eamat he!Yesses!
Got oy ourmothernow.”hegavet
hebabyt o
Thembel i
hleaf
terhi
ssali
vahaddr
oppedonhi s
face.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youaregi
vi
nghi
mtomenow
becauseofsali
va?
”
“Yes!”Herepl
i
edandkissedhercheek.
Thembelihl
esmiledbutherf
ocuswason
wipingNdabezi
nhle’
smouth.
“HERE!”Mnot hogavehisf athert hepy j
amat op
andMl amuligavehimt hepant s.Het henwor e
hispyjamasandputt heboy si nt hemi ddleof
thebed.Het hensatnextt ot hem andexpl ained
whatwasgoi ngonwi thPr eciousj ustlike
Thembel i
hlehadtoldhimt o…Theboy sbelieved
him,hewast heirf
atherandhewoul dnev erlie
tothem.Theybel i
evedt hat…Theyal lslept
togetheronthebedwi t
hNdabezi nhleinsidehi s
cot…
Inthemorning,Dal
isuandThembelihl
ewer e
l
ef tal
onei
nt hebed.Theywerepeacefull
y
sleepi
ngwithThembelihl
elayi
ngonDal i
su’s
chestandDal i
suholdi
ngher.Theboyshadl ef
t
thebedwithoutwakingthem andFeli
cit
yhad
takenNdabezinhleashewascr yi
ng,bothhis
parentsdidn’
thearhim cr
y.Theyweredeeply
sleepi
ngashehaddonewhathedi dbest,
keepingthem upallni
ght.
Dali
su’
sphonerangandhecouldhearitr
ing
buthedidn’
twanttomovebecauseshouldhe
move,Thembeli
hlewasgoi
ngtowakeup.She
must’v
enotseenthatshewassleepi
ngonhim.
Dali
suthought
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Answeryourphone.
”shesaid
wit
hhereyesstil
lcl
osedandherhandtapping
onhisupperabs…Dali
susmi l
edandstr
etched
hi
shand.Hef oundt
hephoneandanswer ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Preci
ous:“
Iam wai
ti
ngf
oryouwear e
supposedtobegoi
ngonourhoney
moon.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Aft
erwhatyoudi
dyest
erdayIam not
t
aki
ngyouany
where.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“What
?Whatdi
dIdo?
”
Dalisu:“Youknowwhatyoudid.Iam t
ryi
ngto
sleeprightnowIwil
lspeaktoyoulat
er.
”He
remov edthephonefr
om hisearanddropped
thecall.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dal
i
su?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yeah.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Canyougotoyourwif
ebecause
she’l
lhatemeify
oukeepdoi
ngthis?Justgo,
please.
”
Dal
isu:“
Ishouldleav
ethishousewi
thouthav
ing
br
eakfastoryoudist
anci
ngy our
sel
ffr
om me
meantyou’l
lnotevencookforme?”
Thembel
ihle:“
Iwil
lmakebreakfastf
oryouand
aft
ert
haty ouneedtogotoher.Takeherwher
e
youpr
omi sedyouaretaki
ngher.”
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
ll
goaft
erbreakf
astbutIam not
goi
nganywherewi
thher.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“HHAYKE!KAMAJOZI,ITRI
EDTO
FI
GHTFORYOU. ”Shechant
edhol
dinghi
m
t
ight
erandcl
osi
ngherey
es.
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
youar
esl
eepi
ng?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
sincey
ouar
enotgoi
ng
anywher
e.”
Dali
su:“
Okay ,
let
’ssleep.
”Hesmi ledholdi
ngher
,
hewashappyt hathewasl ayingthatcl
oseto
herandThembelihlesmiledtoothinki
ng
anyt
hingthatwouldbringhim cl
osertoher
wouldmakehi m happy…
“It
hinkthisweeky oudon’thav
etocomet ous.
”
Thembelihlesaidputt
ingonthecuffl
i
nkson
Dali
su’sshirt
.Shewashel pi
nghim dressupfor
theschool bui
ldi
ngmeet i
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ereal
l
ypushi
ngmeaway
?”
Thembel i
hle:
“No,butbalancethi
ngs.”She
pressedasshewant edhimt obeattachedto
Pr eci
oussothathe’
llf
eel t
hepainwhent he
truthcomesout.ShefeltthatDal
isuneededto
feel t
hesamepainshef elt
…
“Iwillconti
nuedressingmy selfyoucanl eave
me. ”Hesai dpull
inghiswristtohimself.He
hatedwhatshewasdoi ngtohi m andso, he
wasgoi ngtodist
ancehi mselffrom her
.That ’
s
whatsheneededhecoul dclearlyseethat.He
didn’tknowt hathewasf al
lingrighti
ntoher
trapashewaspl anningondi stanci
nghi mself
from her …Thembelihl
elookedathi m andl ef
t
ther oom…
-
--
--
--
--
“Yes, Sir
.”Thembel ihlerepli
edtot hemanshe
wasspeaki ngt oont hephone.Sheopenedt he
doorofDal isu’
sof f
icei ntheroyalhouse.“
No,
wewi ll
bei nDur banwi thhim bytomor r
ow.”
Shei nformedt hemanandherey eswentto
Dali
su’ sdeski nstantly.Hewasseat edont he
chairwor kingandPr eciouswasseat edont he
deskr eadingsomepaper stohi
m…
Dal
isuhadsummonedthemessengert
oget
Gobel
abuthewaslat
easGobelalef
tatni
ght
.
Hiswifetoldthem t
hathewentawayf orawhil
e.
Hewasgoi ngtoaforestandwasn’tgoingto
retur
nwhenhef el
tli
keit…Theguidancefrom
hisancestorswasgoingt obri
nghim back
whenhewasdonewor king…
It
’dbeenthreeweekswithoutThembeli
hle
seeingDali
su.Hehadkepthispromiseand
dist
ancedhimselff
rom Thembelihl
e.Henever
vi
sit
edherandThembel ihl
ewast oobusywith
Ndabezinhl
eandhelpi
ngMakhosi wi
thher
businessasshewasinthehospital…
Thembel i
hlewentt oherdeskli
steni
ngt othe
manwhowasspeaki ngont hephone.“They
don’tt
hinkit’
ssuitabl
etostartbuil
dingthe
bakeryont hatspaceandso, wehopet hatyou’
l
l
helpuswhenwecomet oyouinDurban.”She
explai
nedandt hemanr esponded.Shet hen
sai
dhergoodby esandhungupt hecal l
.Sheput
herphonedown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sani
bona.
”Shegr
eet
edwi
thout
l
ookingatthem,shewassearchi
ngf
orthe
documentsthatsheneededf
orhert
ri
pto
Durbanthefol
lowingday
.
Dal
i
suandPr
eci
ous:
“Yebo!
”
Shegotthedocumentst
oget
herandheadedt
o
thedoorwit
houtsay
ingawordt
ot hem…
Forthepastthr
eeweeksshe’ dtr
iedtobe
str
ongandl i
veherl
i
fewithoutseeingDalisu.
Eventhoughshemissedhim badlyshenev er
l
ift
edherphoneandcall
edhi m.Shedi dn’
teven
thi
nkoftell
i
nghimthetruthjusttogethim back.
Shekeptquietandt
oldherselft
hathisdaywas
coming!
“MASTHOLE! ”Dal
isucall
edaf t
erheras
Thembelihl
ewasmaki ngherwayt othecar.
He’dheardhersaysomet hi
ngaboutgoi ngto
Durbanandheneededt oknowwhatwas
happeni
ng…Thembel ihl
estoppedwal kingand
l
ookedbackathi m,shenoticedthathehadl ost
weight
.Itwasnotnoticeabl
et ootherpeople
buttoher
,itwas,
themanwasherhusbandand
sheknewhisnormalbodyweightcl
ear
ly,
what
shewasseeingwasnothisnormalbody
weight
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“If
ineandy
ou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ine,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam goi
ngt
otheconst
ruct
ion
si
te,
what’
swrong?”
Dal
i
su:“
Not
hing,
Ijusthear
dyout
alki
ngabout
Dur
ban.
”
Thembelihle:“
Oh, Iam goingt
oDurbanfort
he
nextcoupleday swehav esomet hi
ngstodo
thereandfindal andsurveyor
.Theyar
ehavi
ng
problemswi t
hthespacewher et
heywil
lbui
ld
thebakery.They’real
mostdone-”
Dali
su:
“Yeah,Iwasther
eday sagojustto
checkt
heirpr
ogressbuttheydi
dn’ttel
lme
aboutt
hat
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It
’sj
ustsomet
hingt
hey
di
scover
ed.
”
Dal
isu:
“Youwer
en’
tgoingtot
ell
met
haty
ou
ar
egoingtoDur
ban,
right
?”
Thembelihl
e:“Dowet
ell
eachot
heraboutour
whereabouts?
”
Dal
isu:
“Ihav
enev
ergonef
arf
ort
hepastt
hree
weeks.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“It
oldmamathatIam l
eav
ing.I
di
dn’
tthi
nkthatyou’
l
lwantt
oknow.”
Dal
isu:“Youknowt hat
’snott
rue.
”Thembel
i
hle
di
dn’tsayanythi
ng.“Mom cal
ledusfora
meetingat5,you’
llcome?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
out
her
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”Hecompl
i
ment
ed
bef
oreshet
urnedt
oleav
ehi
m.
“
Thanky
ou.
”Shesmi
l
edandl
efthi
m…

“Hawu,i
t’
sjustus?”Thembeli
hleaskedsi
tt
ing
downont hecouchopposit
eDalisu.Hewas
alr
eadyi
nsidehismother’
srestroom.That
’s
whereMaCebekhuluwantedtoseet hem.
Dali
su:
“Iguessso.
”Theysati
nsi
l
encebot
h
busyonthei
rphones…
MaCebekhul uent
eredtheroom andlookedat
them astheywereseatedont heseparate
couches.“Sani
nbona.”Shegreetedstandi
ngby
thedoor.
Them:
“Yebo,
unj
ani
?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Iam fi
ne,Thembelihl
egetup
andgositnexttoyourhusband.
”Shei nst
ruct
ed
showingherthecouch.Thembel
ihleclear
edher
thr
oatandstoodup.ShesatnexttoDal i
su.
MaCebekhulusatwhereThembelihlewas
seat
ed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youmustbewonder
ingwhyI
cal
l
edyouhere?”
Them:
“Yes!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dali
su,
whydoy oucomehere
whenyouwanttoseetheboy
s?”sheasked
l
ooki
ngatDali
su.
Dal
i
su:
“Youbr
oughtmeher
etoquest
ionme,
mama?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Answermyquest
ion.
”
Dali
su:“
MaSthol
edoesn’twantmei
nthehouse,
shepushesmeawayev eryt
imeIam i
nthe
house.
”
“Hhaybo!That’
snott
rue,
Mageba.Ihavenever
tol
dyounott ocome.Youjustst
oppedcoming
tothehousebecauseyoudidn’
twanttocome.
”
Sheremindedhimlooki
ngathim.
Dali
su:“
Idi
dn’
twantt
ocome?Don’
tsaythat
becauseev
eryt
imewhenIwaswi
thyou.You
wouldjustt
ell
met hatIshoul
dn’
tbewi
thy
ou
becausemywi feneedsme.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Whydi
dyousayt
hat
Thembel
ihl
e?”
Thembel i
hle:“Mama, hespentthenightwith
meonhi sweddi ngnightandhi swifecall
edme
thefol
lowingdayt otheirhouse.She
complainedt omeabouthi m spendingthenight
withme.It oldhi
mt hatitwasn’tri
ghtofhimt o
spendtheni ghtwit
hmeont hei
rwedding
night
.”
MaCebekhulu:
“Howwast
hatyourconcer
n
becausehewaswithy
oubecausehewantedt
o
bewithyou.Whydi
dyout
hinkofanot
her
woman? ”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ij
ustdi
dn’
twantt
ocauset
roubl
e
betweent
hem. ”
Dal
isu:
“No,youjustdi
dn’
twantt
obewi
thme
j
usttel
lthet
rut
h.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
That’
snott
rueandthefol
lowing
ni
ghthecamebacktous.Thatwascausing
badbl
oodbetweenus.
”
Dali
su:“MysonsneededmeThembel ihleand
youjustcouldn’
twai
ttogetr
idofme.Ij ust
decidedthatIwil
lgi
veyouwhatyouwantbutI
sti
l
lseemysonsandspendt imewi t
ht hem.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ndabezi
nhlei
snoty
ourson?For
howlongareyougoingtost
ayawayfr
om
hi
m? ”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam notst
ayi
ngawayf
rom hi
m.”
MaCebekhulu:“Youtwoarenol ongermarr
ied?
”
theydidn’
tgi
veherananswer .“
Iaskedyoua
questi
on,Dal
isuthi
sisnotaboutseeingthe
boys.Younolongervisi
tyourwife?Shedoesn’
t
haveneeds,Preci
ousistheonlyonewith
needs?”
Dal
isu:
“Iwon’tf
orcemy sel
fonherbecausei
fI
do,
she’l
lsayIam rapi
ngher.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Whatdoest
hatmean?
Thembel
ihl
e?”
Thembel i
hledi
dn’
tanswerher,
shewasangry
thatshewassummonedandquest i
onedabout
herli
fe.Dali
suwasputt
ingtheblameonher.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youwon’
tanswerme?
”
Dali
su:“Shedoest hi
stomet ooandy ouwant
met okeepv i
sit
ingsomeonewhodoesn’ twant
tospeaktomeandshedoesn’ twantmet o
touchher.Eversinceshel
earnedabout
Preci
ousI’veneverwentasfarasat t
endi
ngher
needsbesidesmyweddi ngnight.Ishoul
dgoto
her,j
ustanswermemom? ”
MaCebekhulul
ookedatThembeli
hleandshe
wasquietl
ooki
ngatherhands.
MaCebekhul
u:“Thembeli
hleyoudon’
twantthi
s
marr
iagenow?”shekeptquiet.“
Thembel
i
hle,I
am t
alki
ngtoyou!”Sheshouted.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ongi
fIdon’
twantt
o
sl
eepwithhim?Hehasawifemamawhycan’t
heatt
endherbecausehewant
edher
.Idon’
t
wanttobeinti
matewit
hhi
m.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hhaybo!Nansi
imihlol
a!Youar
e
hi
swifeandit
’syourdutyt
osatisf
yhisneeds.
He’
syourhusband.”
Thembeli
hlewant
edt ochall
engeMaCebekhul
u
butsheknewherplaceandso, shedi
dn’
twant
toarguewit
hhermot heri
n-l
aw.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
mama.
”
“Iwil
ll
eavey
out wotot alk.
”Shesaidandgot
upfrom t
hecouch.Shel eftt
heroom andthe
sil
encewastheloudestthingshelef
tbetween
them.
Dal
i
su:
“Howhav
eyoubeen?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam notgoi
ngt
osleepwit
hyou.
Justfor
getit.Iknowyouwon’
ttel
lyourmot
her
that
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iknowt
haty
ouwon’
tandIwon’
tfor
ce
y
ou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“So,
ist
her
eaneedf
orust
ohav
e
thi
stal
k?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iguesst
her
eisn’
t.
”
“Ihav
etogoandf
ini
shuppacki
ngandt
aket
he
boys.
”Shesai
dst
andi
ngup.
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
oDur
banwi
tht
hem?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
they
’l
lst
ayher
ewi
thmama.
”
Dal
isu:
“Howmanyday
sar
eyougoi
ngt
obe
away?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nol
ongert
hanaweek.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Pl
ease,
becar
eful
.”
Shenoddedandl eftthehousetr
yingtoav oid
bumpingintoMaCebekhul uonherwayout .She
wantedtositthereandtal
kwithhim, askhim
howhehasbeenbutshecoul dn’
tbringher sel
f
todoit.Shejustcoul
dn’t
…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE26

Makhosi wasbackhomewi thherbaby.She’d

givenbirt
hont he2ndofOct oberaf
terspending
aweeki nthehospitalbecauseofami nor
i
llness.Herchi
ldrenwenttohermot her’
shouse
asshewasn’ thome.Thembel ihl
ehadbeen
takingcareofherbusinesswithhersuperv
isor
whi l
eshewasaway .
Todaywasthe6thofOctoberandshewas
backhomewi t
hherchil
d.Andherchi
ldr
enwer
e
backfr
om hermother
’shouse…
“Here’
syourfood,ndlov
ukazi.
”Al wandekneeled
beforeThembeli
hleandplacedt hetrayoffood
onthecoffeetabl
e.Thembel i
hlehadt hebaby
onherhands.Thembel i
hlewasbackf rom
Durbanandtheyhav esortedoutthepr obl
em
thatwasonhersite.
Thembel i
hle:
“Thankyou,Alwande.Lookatthe
bracel
etIam wearing.
”Thembelihl
egav eher,
herwristandAlwandesmi l
edasshesawt he
bracel
etshehadcr eat
edforThembel i
hleonher
wrist
.
Alwande:
“Iknewi
twoul
dlookbeaut
if
ulon
you.
”
Thembelihl
elaughedandnodded.Al
wandelef
t
her.MakhosisatdownandgaveThembeli
hle
thebaby’
sbot t
lewit
hthefor
mula.
Makhosi
:“Iam r
eal
l
ygr
atef
ulofy
ouf
orhel
ping
meout.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Don’tmenti
onit
…Justlookat
thi
sbeauti
fulbabygir
lyouhav
e,Makhosi.
”She
smil
edlookingatthebaby.
Makhosi
:“She’
sbeaut
if
ulandIj
ustl
oveher
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdoest
hebl
ackDNAsay
s?”
Makhosi
:“I
tsayNkosi
khonaisherf
atherbut
t
henitdoesn’
tmatt
erbecausehedoesn’
t
r
emembermeatal
l
.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Youneedtogot her
eforyour
self
andmay behe’l
lrememberyouwhenhesees
you.She’
ssleepyshedoesn’
twantthebott
le.
”
Makhosi:“
Iwill
gogetherspongeandshe’ l
l
sl
eephere.”Shestoodandwentt ogetthe
baby’
ssleepi
ngt hi
ngs…Thembelihl
efixedthe
babyandputherdown.Shet hensatbackon
hercouchandtookherplat
eoff ood.
Thembeli
hle:
“WhatdidMzwakhesayabout
yourpr
egnancy?Inev
eraskedyouthat
.
Makhosi.
”
Makhosi
:“Whatwashegoingt
osaybesi
des
i
nsul
ti
ngme, Thembel
i
hle?
”
Thembelihl
e: “
Howshamef ul
.
”Shecli
ckedher
tongue.“
Ouch! ”sheexclai
medandswal l
owed
hardasshel ookedatthefall
enspoon.The
spoonwasont hefl
oorandshekeptl
ookingat
i
twi t
houtpickingitup.
Makhosi
:“What
’swr
ong,
Thembel
i
hle?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Myspoonhasj
ustf
all
en,
Makhosi
.”
Makhosi
:“Whydoy
oul
ooksosadt
hen?
”
Thembeli
hle:“I
ndodayamiil
ambi
leshuthil
apho
ekhona.
”(Thismeansmyhusbandi shungr
y
whereheis.)shesai
d,soundi
ngsad.
Makhosi
:“That
’sj
ustamy
th.
”
Sheshookherheadandt
ookherphone.She
cl
osedhereyesshor
tl
yanddial
l
edDali
su’s
number.Hi
sphonerangt
wiceandhe
answer
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mageba,
howar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yousoundl i
key ouhav
efluebut
youaret
ell
i
ngthatyouarefine?Whyareyou
l
ying?
”sheaskedsoft
ly.
Dal
i
su:
“Sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:“Iam int
hehousewor
kingIdi
dn’
tgot
o
t
heroy
al house.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ar
eyouhungr
y?”
Dali
su:
“Yes,Ihaven’teat
ensincemorni
ngbutI
wil
lmakesomet hingtoeatsoon,whyar
eyou
aski
ng?”heaskedcoughi ng.
Thembel i
hle:“Iwi
llsendNj ongotobri
ngy ou
food.Youwi l
leat
?”Shedi dn’tev
en,wantto
knowt hereasonbehi ndhim noteati
ngsince
mor ni
ngbecausesheknewt hathehardly
thoughtoff oodwhenhewaswor ki
ng.That’
s
whysheal way smadesur esheservedhim
whenhewaswor kinghome.Shedi dn’twantto
askwher ewashi swi fe,
may beshewasout
working.Sheconcl uded.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iwi
l
leat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,he’
l
lcome.
”Shest
oodon
herf
eet
.
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Thembelihl
ehungupthecall
.“Newmommy ,we
wil
lcatchuptomorr
owbutnowIhav etogo
homeandmakef oodforhim.”shesai
dtaki
ng
herbag.
Makhosi
:“Hei
sn’
tatt
her
oyal
house?
”she
wal
kedherout
.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
hei
sathi
snewwi
fe’
s
house.
”
Makhosi
:“Hawu!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tev
enwantt
oknow.
”
Makhosi
:“Youdidgreatbycal
l
inghi
m.He’
s
l
uckytohaveyou.”
“IwishIcansaythesame.Iwill
gonow.”She
saidsteppi
nginsi
dethecarandclosedthedoor
.
Makhosi movedbackandwav edather.
Mduduzi dr
oveoutoftheyard…
“Yourphonemama!”Phi
l
asandecameoutof
thephonerunni
ngwit
hhismother
’sphoneon
hishand.
Makhosit
ookthephoneandpl
acedi
tonher
ear
.“Hel
l
o.”Shegreet
ed.
Nkosi khona: “
Makhosi,isthisy ou?”Ther
ewas
tot
al silencefrom Makhosi .Therewas
somet hingabouthisvoicet hatMakhosi
couldn’ tshakeoffhermi nd.“Idon’tknowifthe
numberofMakhosi thatIf oundonmyphone
bookbel ongstoMakhosi thatIkeephaving
fl
ashesofmemor yabout .”Heexpl ai
nedasthe
sil
encewasawkwar d.
Makhosi
:“Nkosi
…Nkosi
khonaisthatyou?”She
pl
acedherhandonhermouth.Shecouldn’
t
bel
iev
eherears.
Nkosikhona:“Yes,Iam Nkosi
khonaMkwanazi.I
hadanacci dentandlostmymemor y,t
hings
haven’tbeenmakingsensesinceIwokeup
fr
om thecoma.ButIr ecentl
ybeenlooki
ngat
mycamer aandt herearepicturesofy ouandI.
Wear ewi t
hmysononot herpi ct
ures.Hetold
meabouty ouandIj ustdon’tremember
everyt
hing.CanImeety ou?Wehav et hi
s
beautif
ulvideowet ookandIj ustwanttomeet
you.Ilookedv er
yhappy .Wel ookedv eryhappy.
Please,may beifIcanmeety ou,thi
ngswi l
l
makesense. ”
Makhosi wasint
earsasNkosikhonawas
expl
aininghi
mselft
oher.“
Oh, Nkosikhonayou
don’tknowhowmuchIhav emi ssedy ou.
”she
cri
edandsatdownont heground.
Nkosi
khona:
“So,
youknowme?
”
Makhosi:“
Yes,youaremyboyfri
endandwe
havedatedforalongti
me.Butyoujust
di
sappearedItri
edtocall
youbutyouhadmy
numberblocked.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Myaunttol
dmethatmybaby
mamacamebackaf t
ermyacci
dentandshe
bl
ockedever
ynumberwithf
emal
enames.That
wasbef
oremyauntcameandchasedherout
asshewasusi
ngmymoney.”
Makhosi
:“Iam sosor
ry.
”
Nkosi
khona:“
Canwemeet ?Icandri
venowand
Icancometoy oui
fyoucansendyouraddr
ess
tome.Ineedtoseeyou.
”
Makhosi
:“Iwil
ldothatandwewi
l
lmeet
.Iam
sohappythatyoucall
ed.
”
Nkosi
khona:“
Iam happythatIhav
efoundyou,
maybeIwil
lhavet
hel i
ghtbackinmyli
fe.
”
Shegiggled.“AndIhav
eav er
yspeci
algi
ftfor
yousoy oubet t
ercomesoon.
”Shesaidwit
ha
del
ightf
ul v
oice.
Nkosikhona:“
Iwil
lmakesuret
hatIcomesoon.
Iwil
lcallyoubef
oreIsl
eep.
”
Makhosi :“
Iwil
lwaitforyourcal
l.
”Theyhungup
thecallandMakhosi pi
nchedher sel
f.She
wasn’tdreaming,shesmi l
eddeli
ghtedlyand
quickl
ytextedhim heraddress…
-
--
--
--
--
--
“Whydon’
tyoutr
yandsitony ourown?”
Thembel
ihl
easkedNdabezi
nhl easifhewas
goi
ngtoanswerher
.Ndabezinhlewasfive
monthsandThembeli
hlewast ry
ingtogethi
m
tosi
tnow.
Mnot
ho:
“Mom,
don’
tmakehi
m si
thewi
l
lfal
l
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whatdoy
ouknowabout
babi
es?”
Ml
amuli:
“Weknowev er
ythi
ng,
mama.Don’
t
makeourbr
othersi
t.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youwanthi
mtost
ayi
nmyhands
forhowl
ong?”
Mnotho:“
Unti
lhecanwalk!
”heclappedhi
s
handsandst
artl
edNdabezinhl
e.Hecri
edaft
er
hi
sbigeyeshadwidened.
Thembeli
hle:
“Seewhaty ouhavedone!”she
excl
aimedrai
singhersonandr ockedhi
mi nher
arms.Mlamulipassedherthephone.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whyi
shecr
ying?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Mnothoclappedhi
shandsand
fr
ightenedhim.”shest
oodupwi t
hthebabyand
walkedaround.
Dal
isu:“
Hewasexpressi
ngwhatashewas
cl
appinghi
shands?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“ThatNdabezi
nhl
ewi
l
lst
ayi
nmy
armsunt
ilhecanwalk.”
Dalisu:“
Hhayi
!”t
herewassil
encebetweenthem.
“Icall
edyoutorequestsomet
hing.
”Hefinal
ly
managedt ospeakfir
st.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
sit
?”
Dal
i
su:
“CanIcomehomet
oni
ght
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam suret
heboyswouldloveto
seeyouhometoni
ghtandIhaveneversaidyou
shoul
dn’
tcomehere.Thi
sisyourhousetoo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou,
Iwi
l
lcomewhenIam
done.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Andpl
ease,
bri
ngmydi
sheswi
th
you.
”
Dal
isuchuckl
edandr
epl
i
ed.“
Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”He
pr
omised.
Thembel i
hle:“
Okay .
”Theyhungupt hecalland
shelookedatNdabezi nhle.“
Daddyi scoming
homet oseey ou.Youhear dthatmybaby ?”she
askedkissingheralloverhisface.Ndabezinhl
e
l
aughed.Thembel ihl
ewentt ot heboys.They
werebusyeat i
ngThembel i
hle’
schipsastheirs
wasf i
nished.
Thembelihl
e:“Nganibamba!
”Theyscreamed
andlaughed,shesmi l
edshaki
ngherhead.“
Go
andcallFel
ici
tyIwanttocooknow.”she
i
nstr
ucted.Theystoodupandr anoff
…
Thembelihl
ewentt otheki
tchenwi
th
Ndabezinhl
e…
“She’
scomi ngmama.
”Ml
amul
itol
d
Thembeli
hle.
Mnotho:“
Shewasseatedonthechai
rsout
side
l
aughingwit
hmalumeuNjongo.
”Heexplai
ned
ext
raandThembeli
hlel
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
taskt
hat
.”
Mnot
ho:
“Hawu!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,hel
pmecookyourfather
’s
fav
our
itemeal.He’scominghomet
onightand
wewil
lhavedinnerwithhi
m.”
“REALLY? ”Theboyschant
edwi
thdeli
ght
ful
smiles.Thembeli
hle’
shear
tmel
tedshesmil
ed
andnodded.
Mnot
ho:
“That
’swonder
ful
.”
Mlamul
i
:“Yes,
let
’sgoandaskPi
nkyt
obat
h
us.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
let
’sgo.
”
“WAIT!”Thembeli
hleexcl
aimedandt hey
stoppedwal ki
ngaway.“Whataboutcooking
withme? ”sheasked.
Mnot
ho:“
Wathi
ubabaukuphekaokwabaf
azi
.
”
(
Dadsai
dcooki
ngisf
orwomen)
Mlamul
i
:“Yes!Let
’sgo.
”Theyl
eftherj
ustl
i
ke
t
hat.
Thembelihl
e:“
Wow!”Feli
cit
ywalkedi
nsidethe
kit
chenandThembeli
hlegaveherthebaby.She
thenbegancooki
ng…
“MaSthol
e!”Dal
isucal l
edThembeli
hleout,she
wasinthedini
ngr oom sett
ingthetabl
e.She
wasdonecookingandhav etakenabath.The
boyswereinthenur serywi
thFeli
cit
y,shewas
bat
hingNdabezinhle.
“Areyouev eneati
ng?”Sheaskedlookingathim
from headtotoe.Dali
sunoddedwi t
hout
supplyingawor dt
osupporthisstatement.“
It
doesn’tlookli
keit
.”Shesai
dwal ki
ngcloserto
him.Sher ai
sedherhandsandt ouchedhis
foreheadalongwithhisf
ace.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youarenotleavi
ngher
e.Didyou
takeanymedici
neforyourfl
ue?Youarehot
.”
Shesaidsendingherhandi
nsidehisshi
rthe
washot.“YouknowIhat ei
twheny ougetsi
ck
andpretendtobesuperman.”Shescol
dedhim
showi
ngf rust
rat
ion.
Dal
i
su:“
Iwasn’
tacti
ngli
keaher
oIam badat
t
aki
ngcareofmysel
f.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youl
ivewi
thyourwi
fe!
”she
excl
aimedtaki
ngherdi
shes.
Dal
isu:
“She’
sheavil
ypr
egnantandso,
she’
s
l
azynowandf eel
i
ngheavy.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Justsitdown.Youarenotgoi
ng
backtoherbecausenowy ouaresickandhave
noonetolookafteryou.Shehashermaidenif
sheneedssomet hi
ng.Youarestay
inghereunti
l
youfeel
better
.”
Dal
i
su:
“I’
l
lhav
etol
eav
ewhenIf
eel
bet
ter
?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam notimply
ingt
hat.
”Shewent
tothekit
chenangr
yt hathewasbackhome,
wit
hf l
uebutmostl
yhehadl ostwei
ght!Hehas
l
ostwei ght
!She’
dbeenpr egnantbef
orebutshe
didn’
trememberneglect
inghim unti
lhelost
weight!Shewassuddenlyangryandsheheld
thesinktodrawener
gyinsideherlungs.She
thensighed…
Sheshowedherfaceonthehal
lway.“
YOUR
FATHERISHOME! ”Sheshout
edandwi t
hina
minut
etheboyscameoutoftheroom runni
ng.
Fel
ici
tyf
oll
owedaftert
hem…
“You’l
lhaveagoodni
ght
,ndl
ovukazi
.”Fel
ici
ty
saidaftergi
vi
ngThembel
ihl
ethebaby.Shehad
bathedhim…
Thembelihl
e:“Goodni ght
,Feli
cit
y.”Shewentto
thedini
ngtableandt heboy swereseatedon
thei
rfat
her’slap.Theysawhi m almostdai
lybut
i
twasdi ff
erenttonightbecausehewashome.
Theywer ewithhim athome…
Thembeli
hle:
“Ndabezi
nhl
eissupposedt
obe
whereyouarenotyoutwo.
”Shecomment ed
andsatonherseat.
Mnot
ho:
“Hi
stur
nwi
l
lcome.
”
Mlamuli
:“Yes,
nowwehav
ethebossest
aki
ng
t
heplace.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ohokay,let
’spr
ayandeat
.
Ndabezi
nhl
eishungr
y.”
Dalisu:“Closeyoureyesandpr ay,Mlamul i
.
”He
i
nst ruct
ed, t
heyclosedthei
reyesandMl amul i
blessedt hefood.Theyhaddinnert ogether…
Theboy swer ethehappiesttonightandbot h
theirparentswerehappyt oseet hem happy…
“
Mama, tellNdabezi
nhl
etokeepquiet.Weare
wat
chingTV. ”Mnothosul
kedlooki
ngathis
mother
.Theywer ebothseatedontheir
mother
’schairnexttot
heirf
ather
.Ndabezi
nhle
wasmaki ngbabyrumbli
ngsounds.
Thembel
ihle:“
He’
ssl
eepyandpl
easedon’
tbe
toof
orward.”
Dal
isu:
“Andyourumbledl
ouderwhenyouwer
e
hi
sage.”Hesai
dtickl
i
nghisear
.Theboys
l
aughed.
Thembelihle:
“Andnowyouar
emakingnoise!
”
sheexclaimedandstoodupl
eav
ingthem al
one
onthelounge…
Thembeli
hlehadputNdabezinhl
eonhi
scot
i
nsideherbedroom.Shewasseatedonherbed
nowchatti
ngt oMakhosi
.Shewastel
li
ngher
aboutNkosikhona’
sphonecall
…
Dali
suenteredthebedroom t
oThembel
ihl
e’s
bestsmil
e.Hewonder edwhowasmakingher
smil
eli
ket hat
.“Who’smakingyousmi
leli
ke
that
?”Heaskedsi t
ti
ngont hebed.
Thembel i
hle:“I
t’
sMakhosi ,
Nkosi
khona
remember shernowandt heywil
lmeet.Oh,I
am justhappyf orher
.She’sget
ti
ngherman
back.”sher epl
i
edbackasi fshewastalki
ngto
hergirl
fr
iend.
Dal
i
su:
“Oh,
youar
ethel
oveDoct
or?
”
Thembel
i
hlegi
ggl
edandr
epl
i
ed.“
No,
he
remember edonhisownandhissonhel pedhim
out.Myf r
iendwil
lfi
nal
lybehappyaf t
er
Mzwakhehadcheat edonherandhadachi l
d
withthatwoman.Tsk!Men!”sheclickedher
tongueandshookherheadnotr eal
isingthat
herwor dsweremakingDali
suguilt
y.“Wher e
aretheboy s?
”sheaskedlooki
ngathi m.
Dali
su: “
They’r
esleepingint heirroom.Ican
takethem ifyouwantt hem her e.”Heof fered
hopingshewoul dreject.Hewant edt o
peacefull
ysleepnextt ohert onight.Hewant ed
toholdherandsmel l herscent .Justthat!
Nothingmor e.Hehadn’ tbeenhappywi t
hout
herandbei ngawayf rom herwast orturebuthe
sawi tbett
erthanbeingwi thherandhav i
ngher
givi
nghi m acoldshoulder.Hewasi nhelland
hecoul dfeelt
hathewasl osingagr i
pon
himself.
Thembel i
hle:“
No,letthem sl
eepi
nthei
rroom.I
wil
l beback.”shestoodupandwenttothe
bathroom…Shecamebackwi thf
luemedici
ne.
Shesatdownnextt ohim andshookt he
medicine.Shewasl ookingathi m andDalisu
alsohadhi sey esonher .Noneoft hem saida
word…Dal i
suwasl ookingathert hinki
ngback
whent hi
swomanbef orehim wasst i
lla
beauti
ful naïvegir
l.Theday swhenhewoul dr
un
aroundbecauseofher .Henev ergott i
redofher
heneverl ostfait
ht hathewasgoi ngt obea
woman, awomanf i
tfort hethrone.Butone
stupi
dni ghthadr uinedt heirl
iv
es.Her ui
ned
thei
rmar riage!
“Dri
nk!
”shecommandedhi m sendingthe
spoononhismout h.Dali
suopenedupand
drankt
hemedicine.Shegav ehim anotherone
andsheputthebot t
lesonthebedsi dedrawer
…
“Tomorrowmorni
ngyou’
ll
takel
axat
ives.
”She
announcedget
ti
ngonthecover
swit
hhi m.
Dali
su:“
Laxat
ives?YoumeanIwi l
lberunni
ng
upanddowngoi ngtobethetoi
l
et?”helooked
atherandshelaughed.Hej
ustwonderedwhat
mighthav
ehappenedasshewast
hisni
cet
o
hi
m.
Thembel i
hle:“Yes,y
ou’l
ldothat.Theboy stook
their
sthef ol
lowingdayIgotbackf r
om Durban.
I
fy ouwantt ogetbetter
,you’
lldothat.Gobela
i
snother et ogiveyouallt
hosehor r
ibl
e
mixturesthaty oucl
aimthey’
rebetterthan
l
axatives.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i!They
’rebet
ter
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
zokuchat
hake.
”
Dali
sulaughedholdinghercl osertohi
m.
Thembelihl
elaughedwi thhimt ryi
ngtopi
cture
whatshe’djustsai
d.Hi m bendingdownforher
andhertryi
ngt o…No!“ Ithi
nkIneedseawat er
andthenIcanusei tinstead.”Hesaid.
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,Iwassupposedtogot o
Richar
dsbaytomorrow.Iwasgoingt
ogeti tf
or
youbutIam nolongergoi
ngsolaxat
ivesiti
s!”
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyounol
ongergoi
ng?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youar
esi
ckandso,
Iwi
l
lhav
eto
nursey
ou.”
Hesmiled.“
Thankyou, MaSthol
e.”Hesai
d
pol
it
ely
.Thembeli
hlelaidonhischestand
cl
osedhereyes,i
t’
dbeenawhi l
eshesil
entl
y
sai
dasDal i
suhel
dher .“Whatwereyougoingt
o
doinRichar
dsbay?”heasked.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam meeti
ngt
hatChef
,that
Munapromisedme.ButIhavei
nfor
medhi m
nott
ocomet omorrow.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,hav
eyoubeent
oyourf
arm?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,someoft
hecowswer
esi
ck
butnowevery
thingiswel
l
.”
Dal
i
su:
“That
’sgood.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,nowl
et’
ssl
eepbecause
you’
l
lwakeupear l
ytomor
rowtohaveyour
l
axati
ves.
”
Dali
su:“
Awukhohl
iwenj
engiy
inganeyakho
yazi
.”Hesai
dplay
ingwi
thherear,
Thembelihl
e
gi
ggl
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
ethef
atherofmybabi
es.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
noty
ourbaby
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ah!Leavemeal
one,
Dal
i
su.Cl
ose
yourey
esandsleep.”
Hechuckled,ki
ssedherf
oreheadandt
hey
cl
osedtheireyes…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE27

Itwasthebeginni
ngoftheweekofherduedate
andshewassupposedt oputherpl
aninacti
on.
Shewaswor ri
edaboutonethi
ngthough,how
wasshegoingt ogetThembel
ihl
etocomet o
thehospi
talt
oseeher ?
Shesawhermar r
iageli
fewithDal
isuasgr eat
ashehadstoppedv i
sit
ingThembeli
hle.She
hadhimt oherself
,andsheenj oyedit
.She
di
dn’tseethatthemanwasn’ thappywithher
buthowcoul d’
vesheseent hatbecauseshe
di
dn’tevenknowhowDal isuis,whenhewas
happy.Shedidn’tknowhowhi sfacel
ooks
whenhegenui nelylaughshislungsout.She
di
dn’t…
Shewasheadsov erhil
lsinlov
ewi t
hhim and
Dalisucouldclearl
yseet hatPreciouslovedhim.
Andhe’ dtri
edtocompensat ethatwi t
hbeing
kindtoher ,
thatkindnessmadePr eciousthi
nk
thathelovedherasmuchasshel ovedhim.But
Dalisudidn’
tloveheratal lhewast ryi
nghardto
closethegapofl osingThembel ihleandthat
gaphadnev erbeenclosed…
AsitwasOct obershewasof f
icial
l
yni ne
mont hspregnantbutfalselyeightmont hs
pregnant.Shewasl azyandf ail
edt olookaft
er
herhusband, Dal
isualway scookedf orhimself
ashenev ertrust
edf oodpr eparedbyt henew
maids.Theywer enewandnott heloyal
servantshewasusedto.Themaidencooked
forPreciousandsomet
imesDal
isuwouldeat
withhismot her
.
Preci
ouswashappyt hatDal i
suwasn’ thome
becausethatmeantherpl anwasgoi ngtogo
accordi
ngly
.Today,shewasgoi ngt oRichar ds
baybecauseshecoul dn’tsleept hepr evi
ous
ni
ghtshehadmi norpai ns.She’ dinformed
Dali
suthatther
ewer efewt hi ngsshewant edt o
buyandhehadnopr oblem wi t
hhergoi ngt here
becauseshewasgoi ngt obewi thhermai den.
Shewast ry
inghardtobur yt hef actthatshe
wasfeeli
ngcontract
ionssl owl y.
Sheopenedherbagandtookoutherr
ingi
ng
phone.Dal
i
suwascalli
ng.Shesmil
edasshe
sawhisname.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Hel
l
o,ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dali
su:“
Iam f
ine,
Iwantedtochecki
fyouhave
enoughmoneyforthet
hingst
hatyouwantedt
o
buy.
”
Pr
ecious:
“Yes,
Ihav
eenoughmoneydon’
t
worr
y.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,besaf
e.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Wewi
l
lbe.Thanky
ouf
ort
hecal
l
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”
Preci
ous: “
Iloveyou!”sheexcl
aimed
unexpectedlyandtherewasawkwar dsil
ence
fr
om Dalisu.Preci
ousf el
tbadfortel
l
inghim
nowt hathewasn’tsay i
nganyt
hing.Hewas
supposedt ocomment .
Dal
i
su:
“Eh…Real
l
y?”
Preci
ous:“
Yes,Ilov
ey ouandIj ustwantyou
knowthatIappreci
ateeveryt
hingthatyou’
ve
doneformeandourbaby .
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
emyf
ami
l
ynow.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Itf
eel
sgoodt
obey
ourf
ami
l
y.”
Hechuckl
edweaklyandsaid:
“Haveagood
t
imeandifitgetsl
atedon’
tdr
ivebackj
ustbook
i
ntoahotelorsomethi
ng.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
,by
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“By
e.”
TheyhungupandPr eci
oussmi
ledal
one.“
You
l
ookhappy,queen.
”Themaidensai
dlooki
ngat
her.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iam happy
.”
Zi
ntombi
:“That
’sagoodt
hing.
”
Preci
oussmi ledandnoddedt hinki
ngthatt
his
wast hebeginni
ngofherl onghappylif
easshe
wasgoi ngtogetridofThembel ihl
eonceand
foral
l…Butshej ustdi
dn’tknowhowshewas
goingtogethertocomet oRichards’
bay…
-
--
-
Dal
i
suwaswel
lnowandhewasbackatwor
k.
Thembel i
hlelookedaf t
erhim unt i
lhewasf ul
ly
well.Hestayedathomeev enaf t
erhewas
al
rightandhiswi fedidn’
ttellhi
mt ol
eave.She
al
lowedhert odowhathewant edandthatwas
beinghomecl osert
oher …He’ dgonet oUlundi
withtheboy sandwasgoi ngtor etur
nlat
er.
Thembel i
hlewasgoi ngt oRichardsbay.
“Idi
dn’texpecttoseeyou,
here.”Thembeli
hle
saidtoNozibusiso,
theywereseatedi
nsidethe
l
oungehav ingtea.
Nozi
busiso:“Yeah,wej
ustgother
ey esterday
.
Myfatherin-
lawisnotwel
landSimonhasl ef
t
wi
thhim.He’st aki
nghi
mt othehospit
al.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
oRi
char
dsbay
?”
Nozibusiso:“
Yes,Iam goi
ngbackt
odayIwas
l
eftbehindbecauseIwantedtoseeyou.Ihope
you’
llsendsomeonet odri
vemebecause
Simondr oppedmeof fher
e.”
Thembeli
hle:“
There’
snoneedf
orthatbecause
Iam goi
ngt oRi
chardsbayt
oo.
”Shesaid
put
ti
ngt
hecof
feecuponherknee.
Nozi
busi
so:
“That
’sgr
eatt
hen.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,weshoul dgetgoingthen
becauseIhaveameet ing.
”Shesai dputt
ingt
he
cupdown.“Butwait,si
ncewewon’ tgeta
chancetobealone.Iwanttotellyou
something.
”Shesaidlooki
ngar oundandshe
sawnobody .
Nozi
busi
so:
“Whati
sit
?”
Thembelihle:“
Whydoy outhinkGobel a,t
he
royalt
radit
ionalhealerwasn’tatmyhusband’ s
wedding?Imeanhewast hereinmyweddi ng
andhim andt heeldersledtheritual
sbutinthi
s
weddinghedi dn’tevenshowup.Theel dersar
e
sti
l
l cr
ackingtheirheadsaboutt hisandhe’snot
heretoanswert hem. ”
Nozi
busi
so:“Doyout
hinkt
heyshoul
dn’
thav
e
got
tenmarr
ied?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
hinkso.Look,
youwer
eri
ght
aboutMusa,
hewasher
e.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Hhay
bo!Real
l
y,howdi
dyouf
ind
out
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ifoundoutbecausehewasher
e
toseehismistr
essgett
ingmar r
iedt
omy
husband.
”
“WHAT!”Sheexcl
aimedput
ti
ngherhandson
herhead.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yebo,
Preci
oushadcall
edme
i
ntoherhousetoscoldmeforspendi
ngthe
ni
ghtwit
hmyhusbandont heirweddi
ngnight
.”
Nozibusi
solaughed.“
No,
Thembel
i
hlear
eyou
ser
ious?”sheasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ser
iousaboutwhat
?”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Youspentt
henightwithhi
m on
hi
sweddingni
ght
?”sheaskedlaughi
ngloudl
y.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,baby
,hejustcouldn’
twaitto
seeme.Iwast ot
all
ybeaut
if
ul phelaandIjust
wantedhi
sey esontheweddingfieldbutIgot
mor
emf
azi
.”
Theylaughed.“Wow!Igi
veyout
hemedal
!”she
gest
uredgivingheramedal
.
Thembelihl
e:“Thankyou,
madam. ”They
l
aughedasshebowedather .“
So,Igotthere
andov er
heardPreci
ousspeaktoamani nsi
de
themasterbedroom.Themanwast ell
i
ngher
abouthowmuchDal i
suwill
beangrywi t
hherif
hecanf i
ndthatPreci
ousisnotcarr
yinghis
chil
d.”
“JEHOVA!”Sheexcl
aimedstandi
ngonher
feet
…Nozibusisowasnottheonlyonewhowas
shockedatthenewsinthehouse.
Thembeli
hle:“
Sitdown, mama,”sheshowedher
downandshesatdown.“ Hetoldhert
hathe
bannedhimfrom thev i
l
lagebecauseoft
he
misunder
standi
ngt hathehadwi t
hme.”she
added.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Thatmani
sMusa?
”
Thembel i
hle:“Yebo,thi
swomanhasbeen
havinganaf fai
rwi t
hmysi st
er’
shusbandand
shef ooledmyhusbandbysay i
ngthatthebaby
i
shi s.Ihav eaf eeli
ngthatDal i
suli
edtome
abouthowt heygottogetherwi t
hPreci
ous.I
j
ustdon’ tknowwhocant ell
met hetr
uthabout
thei
rr ealencount erbecausehet ol
dmehewas
drunk.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“May
behewasr
eal
l
ydr
unk.
”
Thembel i
hle: “No,Idoubt.Nowt hatIhav e
soberedupt heangerIhav ethoughtaboutt hi
s.
Iknowt hatIam notal wayswit hhim butone
thi
ngIknowi sthat,Dali
sunev ergetsdr unkon
businessdiscussi onsorwhat ev ert
hatincludes
businessmeet ing.Hecanhav eonegl assand
onegl assdoesn’ tmakehi m drunk.It’
sei t
her
theyhadanaf f
airwithPreci
ousorPr ecious
devisedapl ant otraphim witht hi
sbaby .ButI
don’tknowwhybecauseMusai sri
ch.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“That
’seasy
,shesawt
hatMusa
wi
ll
nevermarr
yherbutakingcandef
ini
tel
y
marr
yherandwhathappened?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Myf
ool
husbandmar
ri
edher
!”
Nozibusi
so:“
Thembel
ihl
e,you’
l
lhav
eyour
husbandback.Di
dyoutel
lhim?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“No,
Ihaven’tandIwon’ttel
lhim.I
j
ustwanthimtogethurtthesamewayIdi d
whenhelear
nsthatal
lthosethingshedidto
me.Hedidthem f
oraskankl i
kePrecious.
”
Nozibusiso:“Thembel i
hlecomeon, y
oumust
protecthim.Yes, hewaswr ongbuthel oves
youbr ah.Hehasst oodbyy ousincedayone, he
nevergav eupony ouev enwheny ouwer e
tr
ouble.Youwentt hroughhar dti
mest ogether.
Hehassuppor tedy ourdr eams, gotyourmoney
backf rom yoursister.Ther e’snopersonwho
haspr otect
edy oulikeDal isuhas.Howmany
womencansayt heyhav eamanl i
kehim?He
wishesnohar m ony ouandany onewhocast s
anev i
l eyeony outheydon’ tgounpuni shed.I
knowy ouarehurtbuthemadeami
stakej
ust
for
giv
ehi m andsavehim.
”
Thembelihl
ewi pedhertear
s.“Iknowthathe
hasbeenagoodhusbandt omebutNozi busi
so
thi
swasj usttoomuch.Ialmostdiedbecause
ofthi
swomanhebr oughtintoourli
ves.Iwant
thepastbehindusbutIwi l
lnotbetheonet o
tel
lhi
mt hathe’sbeingplay
ed.No.”
Nozibusiso:“Look,Thembel
ihl
e,Iknowthatthe
Thembel i
hleIknowwasgoi ngtoleavebutyou
weregi v
enahear tt
ostaynowjustsaveyour
marriage.”Shebeggedherlooki
ngi nt
ohereyes.
Thembel ihle:
“No,howwasIgoi ngtol eave
wi t
houtmyki ds?Ther emightlawandcour t
s
butt hesamel awdoesn’tturnblindeyet o
traditi
ons.Thecourtwasgoi ngtogi veme
accesst oseemyboy sherebutIwasnev er
goingt oleavewit
ht hem.Ther e’
snopr i
ncein
thiskingdom whogr ewupi nDur banor
somewher eelsel
ivi
ngwi t
hhi smot heraway
from thekingdom.Youhonest l
ythi
nkIwas
goingt otaket hefuturekingsandleavewit
h
them t orai
set hem alonesomewher ewhile
l
eadi ngacar eer?Iknewt hatwasn’tgoingto
happen.Iunder st
andt hatIam nota‘normal
wi f
e’.IacceptedthissoIj usthavetoli
vewith
i
t.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Youareri
ghtandIknowt
haty
ou
st
il
ll
ovehim,r
ight
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Thensav
ehi
mfr
om t
he
humi
li
ati
on.
”
Sheref
usedwit
haheadshake.“
Andyouwon’t
tel
lhi
mt het
rut
h.Youwi
l
lnot!
”shewarnedher
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,Iwon’
tdoi
t.
”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghed.“
Weshoul
dgonow.
”she
st
oodup.
“Comel
etmegi
veyouahugmamawabaf
ana
abamny
ama,
”shesai
dsmil
i
ngather
,
Thembeli
hlelaughedandt heyhuggedeach
other
…“Iguesst hekingwillhav
etofi
ndout
thi
sforhi
msel fbecauseifitwasn’
tmeantto
happenli
kethathewassupposedt ohavel
ong
warnedhim.”sheadded.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yeah,
yousee,
wecannev
ercr
am
howtheancestor
swork.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youar
eri
ght
.”
Therewasanemer gencythatneededHl ezi
phi
homeandshe’ dcomebyt helounget oinform
Thembeli
hlethatsheneededtor ushhome.
Thentheshockingnewshitherear s.She
vowedthatshewasgoi ngtobet heonet osave
thei
rki
ngbecausesheunder stoodt hathiswife
wasjustangryasshewasmaki ngadeci sion
nottosavehim…
“Ndlovukazi
!”Shecal
ledThembel
i
hleasshe
washeadi ngtothedoorwit
hherfr
iend.They
bothturnedback.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
”
Hlezi
phi
:“Ndl
ovukazi
,ther
e’sanemergencyt
hat
needsmeathome.CanIpl easerushther
eIwil
l
comebackonceIhav esortedev
eryt
hingout
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It
’snotamat
terofl
i
feand
deat
h?”
Hlezi
phi
:“They
’rehi
dingi
tfr
om mesoIwantt
o
f
indoutformyself
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,let
’sgo.Mduduzi
wil
ldr
op
you.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Thanky
ou.
”
Thembelihl
enoddedandHl
ezi
phi
fol
l
owed
them outofthehouse…

[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3EPI
SOE28
Makhosi hadMaSbiyalookingaft
erherbabygirl
,
thechi
ldrenwereatschool andNkosikhona
wascomi ngovertomeether .She’
dr equest
ed
thatt
heymeetOl undibecauseshedi dn’
twant
himtobeenseear oundt hequeen’
smai den
home.Peopl eweregoingtogetar easonto
gossi
paboutheranddr agthequeeni nt
othat
gossi
pf ornoreason.
Shewaswear ingabl ackpencildresswiththi
ck
strapsandhadbl acksuedef latshoesonher
feet.Shewasnol ongerwear ingadoekandso,
shehadst rai
ghtuppl aitedonherhai r
.She
addedsi lv
erneckl aceandear ri
ngs.Shewant ed
tolookt otall
ybeaut i
fulforhi
m andshewas
i
ndeedbeaut iful
…Herphoner angandshet ook
i
toutofherbagasshewaswal ki
ngar oundthe
taxisranki ntown.Hewascal li
ngandj ust
l
ooki ngathi snamef or cedasmi l
eoutonher
beaut i
fulf
ace.
Makhosi
:“Hell
o?What’swr
ong?Don’
ttel
lme
youar
ealreadyther
e.”
Nkosikhona:“
No, i
t’
sjustthatIam notfamil
iar
wit
hUl undi
,canyoutakeat axi t
oRichardsbay,
i
nstead?Iwillbecomfortablethereand
hopefull
y,y
ouhav en’
tgotintoat axi
.”
Makhosi
:“Ihav
en’
tgot
teni
ntoat
axi
.Iwi
l
l
cometoRichar
dsbay.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Thanky
ou.Iwi
l
lseey
oui
nhour
s
t
hen.”
Makhosi
:“Yes!
”shedr
oppedt
hecal
l
.
Shet
henchangedther
out
eandt
ookt
her
out
e
toRi
char
dsbay’
staxi
s…
Shecouldn’twaitt
omeethim, i
t’
dbeenlong
ninemont hsandshedi
dn’tknowhowhel ooked
l
ikenow.Thel ongtwohoursinsidet
hetaxi
weretortureasshewasimaginingbei
ngclose
tohim onceagain…
Butshef
inal
l
ygott
oInkwazi
mal
l
.Shesawhi
m
fi
rstleani
ngonthef r
ontofhismar oonMaserati
SUV, hewaslookingupatt heskysil
entl
y.She
smiledandlookeddown, onethingthatdi
dn’t
changewashi ssenseoff ashi
on.Hewas
dressedupperfectl
yandlookinggood.
“
WhatIcansayi sthatyoucannevergai
n
weighteveni
fwecanbesepar at
edf ory
ears
you’
llnev
erchange!”Makhosi
comment ed
l
ookingatNkosikhona.
Helaughedandlookeddown,t
henbackather.
“
It
’syou!”Heexcl
aimedanddidn’
twast
etime.
Hecuppedherwaistint
oabighug.Makhosi
l
aughedloudl
y.
Makhosi:“
Putmedown!Lor d!Youareinvi
ti
ng
people’
seyes.”Sheexcl
aimedst i
l
llaughi
ng.
“Youaresti
llstr
ong,damn!”sheexclai
med
l
ookingathim nowthatshewasdown.
Nkosikhona:“Youst
il
lhavej
okes!
”hepulledher
cl
oset ohim andhuggedhert
ight
ly,
smelli
ng
herexpensiv
escent.Shecoul
daffordbeauti
ful
thi
ngsnowandi twast hegr eatestfeel
i
ngf or
hertoworkf orherownmoney .Shenev er
cal
ledanyonef orf inanci alhel
p, whenshe
neededtobuyt hingsf orher selfandher
chi
ldrensheusedherhar dearnedmoney .That
wasthegr eatestachi ev ement …
Makhosi
:“Thatmeansy
our
ememberme,
now?”
Nkosi
khona: “
Iremembert hatIlov
edyouand
ver
ymuch. ”Hesaidkissi
nghercheekand
Makhosigiggl
ed.“Let
’sgoi nsi
dethemallbuy
somefoodandwewi l
l dr
ivetothebeach.We
havealotofcatchi
ngupt odo.”headded.
Makhosi noddedandheldhishand,
theywal
ked
togetheri
nsidet
hemall.Theywerejoki
ng
aroundatthemallhal
lwayswhensomeone
blockedthei
rway.
“
Nowlookatyoutwo!”Thembeli
hleexcl
aimed
l
ooki
ngatthem wi
thhappyeyes.Herguards
wer
estandi
ngonhersidesbutabitfar.
Makhosismi
ledandlookedatNkosikhona.He
waslooki
ngatThembelihl
econf
used, hethen
l
ookedatMakhosiexpecti
nganint
roduction.
..
Makhosi:“
Thisi
smyf ri
end,thequeen
Thembeli
hleZulu.Idon’
tthinkyouremember
her.Youneverr
eallymet.”
Nkosikhona:“Whenyousayqueenthatmeans
she’
smar ri
edt ot
hekingIt
hinki
tri
ngsabell.
ButIdon’trememberherasyourf
ri
end.”
Thembeli
hle:“Ioncecall
edyouandt ol
dy outo
scol
dthi
sone, t
ellhert
otakemoneyf r
om
Mzwakhe.Moneyf orherchi
l
drenandy oudidn’
t
dothaty
ouj ustsenthermoney .Nc.Nc.”
NkosikhonalaughedatThembelihle’
s
expressi
on.“Ndlunkul
u,wehaven’tspoken
aboutthat!
”Makhosi excl
aimedshakingher
head.
Nkosi
khona:“
Youar
edi
vorcednow,
right
?I
r
emembery ouwer
emarr
iedtoamanandhe
wasabusiv
e.”
Thembel i
hle:
“OH!Her emembersthat
,madam.
Iwil
ljustgoandhopey ou’
l
lenj
oyyourday
l
ovebirds.
”Shegi ggledandwalkedaway
l
eavingthem laughing.
Nkosi
khona:
“Whatar
elaxedqueen!
”he
commented.
Makhosi:“Yes,whatarelaxedqueen.
”They
proceededwiththei
rcuisineshoppi
ng.Makhosi
waschoosi ngevery
thi
ngandNkosi khonawas
paying…
Theysatdowni
ntoabeachpi
cni
c.
Nkosi
khona:“Nowtel
lmehowdi
dwemeet
?”
heaskedlooki
ngather.
“Youwer eworkingforSABdel iveri
ngbeerfor
myhusband’ stavernandy oust ol
emynumber
from myphone. ”shepausedasshel ookedat
him ashewast ryingtothink.Shesmi l
ed
l
ookingathowgoodhel ooked, hewastheman
sheknewandf elli
nlovewi t
hy earsago.He
wasj ustcl
eanandper fectforher.
Nkosikhona:“
Weusedtoquar
relbecauseyou
di
dn’thavethest
rengt
htof
il
efordivor
ce,
ri
ght
? ”
Makhosi:
“Yes,
andy ouli
kedthr
eat
eningme
wi
thleavi
ngme, y
ousill
yman.”Shesaid
t
hrowingchi
ponhi m.Nkosi
khonachuckl
ed.
Nkosi
khona:“Howdi
dyouf
eel
wheny
ou
coul
dn’
treachme?”
Makhosi:“
Ifeltal
lsortofemot i
ons,Iwashur
t,
angryandwoul dwonderev eryni
ghtwherewere
you.Iwaslonelywit
houty ou.Idon’
tknowhow
manyswear sIthr
ewont heairbecauseI
thoughty
ouhadsomeoneandy ou’
vebeen
fooli
ngmeal l
along.”
Nkosikhona:“Iam sor
ry,
thatdayIwast ry
ingto
helpsomel adywhohadapunchedt i
re.Idon’
t
real
lyrememberwhathappenedbutnext
minuteIwasr unni
ngawayf rom mentogett o
mycar .They’
vehitmeandt hatl
adywasj ust
watchingastheybeatmesensel essl
y.I
reachedmycar ,
droveof
fandcoul
dn’
tcont
rol
thecar.Igoti
nvolv
einanacci
dent
.Myhead
wasi nj
uredasyoucanseeIam gr
owi
nghair
now.Ihav esomescars.
”
Makhosi
:“Thatdoesn’tsoundl
i
keanaccident
butasetup.Doyour ememberthosepeopl
eor
thewoman?”
Nkosikhona:“Ir
emembert hewomanper f
ect
ly
andthepolicehav ehersketch.Idon’
thav
eit
wit
hmebutIwi llshowy ou.”
Makhosi
:“Doy
our
emembert
hedat
e?”
Nkosi
khona:
“Febr
uar
y,Iwascomi
ngf
rom my
houseKwaNongoma.
”
Makhosi :
“That
’st hesamedayt hatmyhusband
thr
ewmeoutoft hehouse.”Helookedather
surpri
sedtoheart hat
.Makhosi t
hent ol
dhim
everyt
hingshe’
dbeent hr
oughandt heytri
edto
getthepuzzlepiecestogether
.
Makhosi
:“I
tmustbeMzwakhe.Iam sur
eof
t
hat
.”
Nkosi
khona:
“He’
syourex-
husband?
”
Makhosi:“Yes,
andIwanthiminjai
lfort
his.I
wil
lhelpyougetjust
ice.
”Shepr
omisedcli
cking
hertongue.
Nkosi
khona:“
Icoul
dn’
thav
esur
viv
edwi
thout
myfamil
y.”
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
ry,Iwasn’
tther
e.
Thembeli
hlet
ri
edtohel pmebysending
someonetolookforyouandtheydidn’
tal
l
ow
hi
mt ospeaktoyou.”
Nkosi
khona:“
We’vebothhaddi
ff
icul
tti
mesand
now,Iwantustobehappy.
”
Makhosi:“Wewillbehappypeacefull
yaf
ter
putt
ingMzwakhebehi ndbarsfordoingt
histo
you,tous.Ihav
el ef
thim peacef
ull
ybuthejust
causedmor epaininmylife.
”
Nkosikhona:
“Wewillt
ryanddo,t
hatandnext
yearIwanttotakey
ouandt heki
ds.Iwi
ll
take
y
outoDur
banandwewi
l
lhav
eagoodl
i
fe
t
her
e.”
Makhosi
:“Ihavebusi
nessnowKwaNongoma,
it
woul
dbedi f
ficul
ttol
eavei
tjustl
i
ket
hat
.”
Nkosikhona:
“Ther
e,wegoagain!Youj
ust
alwayshavenewexcusesf
orusnottobe
toget
her.Now,i
t’
sthebusi
nessnotyour
husband.”
Makhosi :“No,youdon’ tunderstandIdon’ twant
toev erdependonaman.Ihav et hisbusi
ness
andIwantt orunit.Mzwakhewasmywakeup
callandIam notsay ingIdon’ ttrustyoubutI
hav etosecuremychi l
dren’sfutur ebecause
truthis,t
heyarenoty our sandt heymusthav e
somet hingthatbelongst othem si ncetheir
fatherdoesn’tlookafterthem. ”
Nkosi
khona:“
Okay,Iunder
stand.Whatki
ndof
busi
nessareyouowning?”
Makhosi
:“I
t’
sacl
eani
ngbusi
ness,
Ihav
ea
cl
eani
ngcompany.
”
Nkosikhona:“
Okay,that’
sgreatwecanfind
someonewhocanr uny ourbusi
nessonthi
s
si
deandt heninDurbanwecanal solookfor
otherbusi
nessoppor t
unityf
oryourcompany.
Thatwayy ouwon’tbeahousewi fe-
”
Makhosi
:“Wi
fe?
”
Nkosikhona:“Justletmef ini
sh.”Her equested
pol
itel
yandMakhosi nodded.“You’l
lwor kand
mostofy ourearningswi ll
befory ourchildr
en’
s
fut
ure.Iwil
llookaf t
ery ou.”
Makhosi:“
Okay ,
Iwi l
lagreetothatnexty
earwe
aremovingtoDur banbutwear enotmar r
ied
andIknowt hatmymot herwon’tal
lowmet o
staywi
thyou.”
Nkosikhona:
“Remember
,Iwaspl
anni
ngon
sel
li
ngmyhousekwaNongoma? ”
Makhosi
:“Yes.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Dadsol
ditf
ormeandwewil
l
havet
obuyanewhouseinDur
banyou’
l
lst
ay
t
her
ewi
tht
heki
dswhi
l
eIwor
konmar
ryi
ng
y
ou.
”
Makhosi: “Ihavebegunbui
ldi
ngahousef ormy
kidsKwaNongoma.Iwantt hem t
ohav eaplace
theywillcallhome.ButIal
sowantt ocont
ri
bute
tothehousewewi llbuy
.Ij
ustdon’tthi
nkwe
willhav
eenoughmoney .”
Nkosikhona:“
No, j
ustf
ocusonbuil
dingthat
houseandIwi l
lfocusonbuyi
ngthehouse.If
wef eell
ikevi
sit
ingNongomawewi l
lstayin
thathouse.How’sthat
?”
Makhosi :
“Okay ,butmymom.Idon’ twanther
tobemysi st
ers’servantanymore.Shemust
haveagoodl i
fewi t
hsomeonel ookingaft
erher.
Ipromisedt otakehert omynewhouseandI
knowt hatshedoesn’ tli
kethecit
yli
fe.Shecan
neveragreet omov ewi t
hme. ”
Hekeptquietandl
ookedather.“
Don’
tsayi
t’
s
anot
herexcuse,pl
ease.
”Shebeggedasshe
di
dn’
tli
kethelookonhisface.
Nkosi
khona:“
Shecanmov eint
oyournew
houseandwewillhir
esomeonewhowi l
ll
ook
aft
erher,
dothechoresandcook.She’
lll
ivea
comfort
ablel
i
fewithoutchaos.
”
Makhosi
:“She’
l
lgetl
onel
y.
”
Nkosi
khona:“
Ah!Nowt hat
’sanexcuseandy
ou
knowwhat,j
uststayhomewithherthen,
Makhosi
.Iwon’tf
orceyou.
”
Makhosi
:“Don’
tbel
i
ket hat
,pl
ease.Wedon’
t
hav
etoreachadeci
sionnow.”
Nkosikhona:“Iwai
tedt
hreeyearsf
orthi
s
momentandnow, youaregi
vingmemor e
excuses.Justtel
lmeyoudon’twantt
omar r
y
me.”
Makhosi
:“Ij
ustgotdi
vor
ced.
”
Nkosi
khona:“
Whydidn’
tyouj
ustt
ell
met
hat
t
hantheseexcuses?
”
Makhosi
:“It
houghtus,beingtogethert
oday
wasn’
tgoi
ngt oi
ncludearguing.Ij
ustgotyou
andIshoul
dbetel
l
ingy
out
hatwehav
eanew
bor
n,daught
er.
”
“Wehaveadaughter?”Heaskedwi t
hagr eat
smil
eholdi
ngher.Makhosigiggl
edandnodded.
“Wow!Ihavealway
swant edapr i
ncess.Canwe
gomeether?”heaskedstandingup.
Makhosi
:“Real
l
y?It
houghtt
odaywasabout
me.”
Nkosikhona:
“Iam sorry.CanIseeherpict
ure?”
hesatbackdown…Makhosi shookherhead
andshowedhi mthebaby ’
spict
ure.“
Dear,God,
shelooksbeauti
fulandy oudon’thavet
o
questi
onwhohi sfatheris.
”Hecomment ed.
Makhosi :“
Iwassoscar edwhenIfindoutIwas
pregnantbecauseIwasn’ tsur
ewhowast he
fatherofthebabybet weenyoutwo.ButI
calculat
edwi t
ht hequeenandconcludedthat
youar ethefather,whenIgavebi
rt
hIj ustknew
thatshe’syou.”
Nkosi
khona:
“Thanky
ou,
what
’shername?
”
Makhosi
:“Ihaven’
tnamedherandhav
en’
t
madeacer t
if
icat
eforher
.”
Nkosikhona:“
Nkosazana,
that
’shername.My
pr
incess,canwereall
ygoandmeether?”
Makhosi
:“WOW!
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Iam sor
ry,
butIj
ust
…”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,okay
,let
’sgobef
orey
oucr
y.”
Hechuckl edandpull
edherup.Hethenbaby
kissedher.“Il
oveyou,Makhosi
andIam happy
tohavey oubackinmyl i
fe.
”
Makhosi
:“Il
ovey
out
ooandIam happy
.”
Theyhuggedeachot
herwar
mly
…
-
--
--
-
“Wher
eareyouThembeli
hle?”Thatwast
hefi
rst
quest
iont
hatMaCebekhul
uaskedThembeli
hle
whensheanswer
edthecall.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam get
ti
ngreadyfort
heroad.
”It
wasinthemor ni
ngThembeli
hlewassti
l
lin
Richar
dsbay.Shehadspenthernightinthe
beachhousebecauseshefi
nishedlatedoing
whatshe’
dcomet oRichar
dsbayt odo.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thankgoodness!
”shesi
ghed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong,
mama?
”
MaCebekhul u:“Yoursi
steri
n-l
awwitnesseda
shockingincidentl
astni
ghtanditsenther
str
aighttolabour.Shehasgivenbi
rthandI
wouldlikeyout ogoandcheckonher .
”
Thembel
ihle:“
Oh,r
eall
y?Isthatev
enpossibl
e
togost
raighttol
abourbecauseofshock,
mama?”
MaCebekhul
u:“Yes,i
t’
spossi
ble.Sometimesi
f
someonehit
sy ouandyouareclosertol
abour
monththeshockcansendyout olabour
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
wher
e’smyhusband?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“They’
reinDur
banwi t
htheboys,
theyl
eftwi
thSbanithi
smorning.He’
snoteven
answeri
nghisphone.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Mybabi
es,
they
’rej
ustgoi
ngup
anddown.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Theyar
ewi
tht
hei
rfat
her
,rel
ax.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay
,Iwil
lgocheckonyour
daught
erin-l
awandy ourgr
andchi
ld.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“How’
smyl
i
ttl
ebaby
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
He’
ssohandf
ul!
”
Thembel
ihlelaughed.“Andyouar
egett
ing
anot
hergrandchil
d.”Shecommentedand
MaCebekhulusighed.“She’
l
lcomebackwith
me?”sheasked.
MaCebekhulu:“
Idon’tknowbutIhav
eto
pr
epareforherret
urn.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,letmegot
hen.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Thembeli
hlesmil
edandshookherhead,
ever
yonewasv er
ytr
usti
ngofPreci
ous.Nobody
wasquest i
oni
ngev ery
thingshedoes.She’
djust
gi
venbi r
thear
li
erthanexpect edbutt
heyare
notevenquesti
oningthat.Itwassonicebei
ng
her,
thingswereeasierforher!Shesi
ghedand
wenttoherbag…
Sheneededtobuysomegi ft
sf orthebaby
befor
egoingtothehospi
tal,
thatwast heri
ght
thi
ngtodo…Af t
erall
itwasherbr otheri
n-l
aw’
s
baby.Theywerefamil
ypract
icall
y!
“Hell
o,newmommy !”Thembel i
hlegr
eeted
Preciouswit
hasmi le.Sheplacedthethi
ngs
she’dboughtforheront hebedsi
decupboard.
Preci
oussmi l
edseeingthatthi
ngswer e
workingi
nherf av
our,Thembelihl
ewasher e!
Thiswasdestinydoingsuchthingsforher.She
wasdestinedtohaveDalisuthat’
swhyt hi
ngs
weregoingthi
sr i
ghtforher…Zintombiwasi n
theroom wit
hher.Shest oodupandl ef
tthem.
Pr
eci
ous:“Idi
dn’
texpectt
oseeyouhere,
MaSt
hole.
”Shefrownedtr
yingt
osi
tproperl
y.
Shehadthenatur
all
abourandther
ewas
di
scomfortbet
weenherlegs,
somethi
ngt
hat
wasnewt oher
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwastheonlyonecl
osertoy
ou.I
gotherey
esterdayIdi
dn’
tknowthatyouar
e
here.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes,
Iam her
eandIal
mostdi
edl
ast
ni
ght
.”
“Owubakit
hi, sorrysisi.
”Shesaidholdingher
shoul
dershowi ngsympat hy.“Youdon’tl
ook
goodandrightnowy oucoulduseahug. ”She
smil
edtryi
ngt ohugherandPr eciousaccept
ed
i
twithasmi le…Pr eciousneededt ogetridof
herandbelef talonei nherroom sothatshe
coul
dopenThembel ihle’
sbag.Sheneeded
somethi
ngt hatbel ongedt oher,j
ewell
erywould
bebest.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“Iam notf
eeli
ngtoowel
lasyou’
ve
pr
edi
cted.Canyoupleasegetmesomewater?
”
Shegaveherapainful
smi
legi
vingherthegl
ass.
Thembeli
hlenoddedandt
ooktheglass.
Shel ef
ttheroom andthatwasPr eci
ous’s
chancet ol
ookforherbelongings.Shelooked
forthem onthesmallcosmet i
csbagsandshe
foundaknobear r
ingshet ooktheearri
ngand
closedherbagquickly
.Sheputt heearr
ing
underherpil
lowandsatst rai
ght…
“Doyoulikethethi
ngsIboughtfory
ourbaby?I
didn’
tknowwhi chcol
ourstobuybecauseI
didn’
tknowthegender.Ij
ustboughtneut
ral.
”
Thembelihl
esaidgivi
ngheraglassofwateras
Preci
ouswasl ooki
ngattheclot
hesshebought.
Precious:“I
t’
saboy.”Sheannouncedwi t
ha
smile.“Thatmeansy oursonswil
lhave
someonet ocompetewi t
hfort
heirfat
her’
s
thr
one. ”Sheadded.
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.“Taki
ngathr
onei
snota
competi
ti
onli
kechil
drenofamancompeti
ngto
takehi
scompany.It
’sabirt
hri
ghtandt
hat
meansonl ymysonscanbechosenasnext
kingaf t
ert heirfather,
specif
icall
yMnot hoand
Ml amuli,oneoft hem canbet heking.Butif
Dal i
sufeel sthatt hey
’renotdeservingther
e’s
Ndabezi nhle,hecanchoosehi m.Yoursoncan
nev erbet heki ngwhi l
eIhavet hr
eesons.So,
that’sadr eam, nana.
”Shesmi led.
ThatmadePreci
ousangr
ybutshet
ri
edto
cont
roli
t.“
ButIhav
easontoo.
”Shesai
dwit
ha
pai
nful
smile.
Thembeli
hle:
“Syakubongel
a,Iwoul
dhav
ecried
i
fyougotadaught ermaybebutnowaboy,
si
yakubongel
a.CanIgoseemyhusband’s
chi
ld?”
Preci
ous:“Yes.”Sheagreedknowingt
hatshe
wasf al
l
ingrighti
ntohertrapasshewas
l
ookingforwardtoseeingt hebaby
.Pr
eci
ous
call
edanur seforherandshesentThembeli
hle
tothenursery…
“
Thi
sist
hequeen’
sear
ri
ng,
Iwanty
out
otake
mysonandgogi v
ehi mt ohisfat
herwhereyou
agreedtomeet .You’l
lthenplantthi
searr
ing
wheremysonwas, whent hepoli
cecomeshere
theywillf
indthi
sear r
ingandt hequeenwill
be
theprimesuspectonmyson’ skidnap.
”She
i
nstructedthenurseshe’dpaid.
Nurse:“
Iwi
l
ldoasy
ouhav
esai
d.”Shet
ookt
he
ear
ring.
Pr
ecious:
“You’
l
lgety
ourf
ull
pay
mentaf
tert
he
j
ob.”
Thenur
sesmi
l
edandnoddedbef
orel
eav
ing
ther
oom
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE29

“Di
dy out
akethepi
ctur
eofthebaby?
”
MaCebekhul
uaskedThembeli
hleasshewas
sit
ti
ngdownwi t
hNdabezi
nhl
e.
Thembeli
hle:“No,
mamaIdidn’tt
akethepict
ure.
Hismotherdidn’
tsendyout
hepictur
e?”She
l
iedandkissedherson’
sopenedli
ps.
MaCebekhulu:“
No,shedi
dn’
tandIdi
dn’
task
f
orthepict
ure.Thebabyr
esembl
eswho?”
Thembel ihle:“
Iam notgoodatseei ngthe
baby ’
sresembl ancewhent hey’
rethatyoung. ”
Shel i
ed,shesawt hatt
hebabyr esembled
Thokozile’ssonwhenhewasst ill
anewbor n
butshewasn’ tabouttotel
lhermot herin-
law
that.Dali
suhadt ogot othehospitalandsee
thatbaby .“ButIam suremyhusbandwi ll
send
thepicturet oyouwhenheget sthere.”she
addedsmi l
ingwithhersonashewassmi ling
wideninghi seyes.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Mageba,di
dn’
tdr
opMnot hoand
Mlamul
ibefor
eheadi
ngtoRi
chardsbay
? ”she
askedl
ooki
ngather.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hedi
dbutt
hey
’reatMaMzobe’
s
pal
ace.Theywant
edtov
isitSbani
’sdaught
er.
Hesaidhewil
lbri
ngt
hem back.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,let
’sgoout
sidemysonand
havesomef r
eshai
r.
”Shestoodonherf
eetwit
h
thebaby
.
MaCebekhul
u:“Don’tl
eav
ehi
sbl
anketj
usti
n
casey
ou’l
lneedit.
”
Thembeli
hlenoddedandtooktheblanket
,she
l
eftt
hehouse.Shest oodnextt
oNjongoashe
wasstandi
ngbyt hekraal
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’sony
ourmi
nd?
”
Njongolookedather.“Ndlovukazi
, nenkosana.
CanIholdhim? ”herequestedgivinghishands
out.Thembeli
hlenoddedandgav et hebabyto
hi
m.“ Hhe!Timeisleavi
ngmebehi ndIreal
ly
needawi fenow.Idon’tevenhav eachi l
d.”he
comment edlookingatthebaby .
Thembel
i
hle:
“Doy
ouhav
esomeonei
nmi
nd?
”
Hel
ookedar
oundandt
henanswer
ed.“
Yes,
I
havesomeoneinmind.
”Herev
ealedl
ooki
ngat
Thembeli
hlewi
thasmil
ethatr
arel
ycomesby.
Thembeli
hle:
“Shemustbever
yspecial
fory
ou
tosmil
eli
kethis.Whoi
sshe?Justt
ellme
alr
eady
.”
Nj
ongochuckl
ed.“
It
’st
henewl
ady
,ndl
ovukazi
.
”
Hetol
dher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Newl
adyf
rom wher
e?”
Njongo:“
Umzany anakaMagebaomncane,l
o.”
Her ev
ealedsmili
ngatthebaby
.Ndabezi
nhl
e
screamed,thebabyscream.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
etal
ki
ngaboutFel
i
cit
y?”
Nj
ongo:
“Yes,
isn’
tshebeaut
if
ul,
ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,she’stot
all
ybeauti
fuland
thosepr
ett
ysmal l
ey es.She’
sbeauti
ful
,have
youspokentoher?”
Njongo:
“Iam sti
llt
ryi
ngbutshetol
dmeshe
hasaboy f
ri
end.Butthent
hatdoesn’tscar
e.
Phelasi
thiI
sizul
unoseyi
shayi
leakakayosi
.”
Thembelihl
el aughed.“
Awu
nongenabhaski di
uyangenaemaket he,
mshay e
ngal
ezoNj ongo.You’ll
charm herIam tel
li
ng
you,j
ustshowherwhatZul umenar eallabout
.
Uzeukekele.”Sheencouragedhim.
Njongolaughed.“
Nowyouar
ejoki
ngwi
thme
ndlovukazi
.”Hesai
d.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yehheni
!Whywoul
dIj
okeabout
thi
s?”
Njongo:“Your
eal
lyt
hinkIshoul
djustgoal
l
t
radit
ionalonher
?”
Thembeli
hle:“Yes,
justbeyoursel
fNjongo.The
l
adiesnowar eusedtomenwhoaskt hem out
thr
oughtextmessagesbutshowy ouar enot
aboutt
hatlif
e.Showhery ourcult
ure!
”
Nj
ongo:“
Youarer i
ght
,Iwil
lhavetowor khard
t
ogetherandifIcangetherIam ret
ir
ingfrom
wor
kIam bui
ldingahomest r
aight
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!Yehheni
!Youar
eleav
ing
me,
kant
i?”
Njongochuckled.“Cha,ndlovukazi
wecan’tbea
marriedcoupleliv
inginyourpalaceint
he
servants’
rooms.Iwi l
ltakeherhomeandsi ton
myt reebenchasIwat chhersl owl
ywalki
ngin
myf ather
’syard.Yey,madoda!”
Thembel
ihl
elaughed.“Shi
sa,
Njongo!
”she
chant
edandtheylaughed.
Njongo:“Hheyi
,ndlunkul
uletmegobef or
et hey
sayIam toocomf ortabl
ewiththeki
ng’
swi f
e.I
don’twanttobeheadknockedbyNdabezi tha
whent heytel
lhi
m Iwasl aughi
ngwithhis
wife.
”
“Hhay
suka.Aqueencan’tl
aughwit
hher
peopl
e?”Sheaskedt
akingthebabyfr
om hi
m.
Njongo:
“Shecanbutt
heyal
way
swant
somethi
ngtotal
kabout.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay
,you’
l
lseewhenwear
e
l
eavi
ng.”
“NDLOVUKAZI
!”Hechant
edandbowedhi
s
headbef
orel
eavi
nghim…
Thembel i
hl e: “
Uy abona, i
zinkomozi kagogo
wakhol ezi.Ithi umamawakhoakuxoxel e
ngoml andowasebukhosi nibaki
ni,KwaZulu.”
Shespoket ohersonr oundingt hekraalwhil
e
shet ol
dhi m al lshe’dlearntaboutt he
kingdom’shi story.Dalisuli
keddoi ngthat,
roundingt hekr aal withtheboy swhi l
ehet ol
d
them aboutt heirhistoryandThembel i
hlewould
walkbehi ndt hem l i
steningt ohim speaktothe
boy s…
MaCebekhul usmiledasshest oodbyherhouse
l
ookingatherdaught erin-
law.Byher
mov ementssheknewwhatThembel ihl
ewas
doi
ng.Shef eltpr
oudt hatshe’
dfounda
daughteri
n-l
awl i
keher …
MaCebekhulu:“
Yourphonewasr i
ngingandso,
Iansweredi
tforyou.”shet
oldThembeli
hleas
she’
djustputsl
eepingNdabezi
nhleonthebed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
whowascal
l
ingmama?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
TheZondiwomen,t
heysai
d
theywanttomeetwithyouwheny
ouarenot
busy.Theyneedyourhel
pwit
hsome
numbers.”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay
, Iwi
l
l havetocallt
hem
back.
”shesaidsitt
ingdownont hecouch.“I
thi
nkwewi ll
sleepheretonightbecauseIdoubt
Magebawillcomeback.”shesai dtakingher
phone.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,
hewon’
tcomebackIam
sur
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatwerey
ouplanningon
cooki
ngt
oday,Iwi
l
lcookf
ory
ou. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“Canyoubakeforme?Don’t
worr
yaboutcooking,
it’
sbeenmont
hssince
youl
astbakedacakef orme.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,Iwi
ll
seewhati
ngredi
ent
s
youhaveandIwill
beginnowbef
orethetwo
boy
swhoar
eout
,comeback.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Thembeli
hlegotupandmadeherwayt
othe
ki
tchen…
-
--
-
Afterr ecei
v i
nghi smot her’sphonecal l
i
nf ormi nghim abouthi sson’ sbir
th.Dalisu
droppedev erythinganddr ov estr
aightto
Richar dsbay .Hear ri
v edi nthehospi t
al i
nt he
eveni ng…Whenhear rivedint hehospitalthe
papar azziwascampi ngout si
dewai ti
ngf orany
memberoft hef ami l
yt hatwascomi ngby .The
nur sewhohel pedPr eci ouskidnapt hebabyhad
ti
ppedt hejournal i
staboutt he‘Pri
nce’s’
disappear ance.Pr eci
ousi nstruct
edhert odo
thatasshewant edThembel i
hle’
snamet obe
tarnishedasshewasgoi ngt obet hesuspect .
Thehospi taldidn’tal
lowt hejournali
stinside
thehospi tal…
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”Dal
i
suaskedTi
mot
hyas
t
heygotof
fthecar
.
Timothy:“Idon’tknowNdabezi t
ha.LET’SSTOP
THEM! ”Heshout edatt het
ravel
li
ngguar dsand
theytr
iedt ostopthepaparazzifr
om crowding
Dali
su.Timot hyescortedDali
suintothe
hospit
al.Hedi dn’
thearwhattheywer easking
astheywer ealltal
kingatonceasan
unorganisedchoir.
Dali
suclickedhi
stongueashewasi nsi
dethe
hospit
al.Heaskedforhi
swife’
sroom andthey
tookhimt her
ewherethepol
icemanwast al
king
totheguar dwhowasoutsi
detheroom…He
walkedslowlynowwonderi
ngwhatwas
happening…
“Nqaba?What’
sgoi
ngon?”Dal
isuaskedt
he
guardwit
houtgr
eet
ingt
hepoli
cemanwhowas
speaki
ngtohim.
Nqaba:“Ndabezi
tha!”hebowedhi sheadand
keptst
il
l.“
Ndabez i
tha,queenKaMajozii
sinside
cryi
ngbecausethebabyj ustwentmissi
ng.”He
i
nf ormedhi m.Dal
i
sulookedathi
m withouta
wor d, hi
sbabywasmissi
ng?How?Hewas
takenawayorhej ustwentmissi
ngbymi stake?
Het riedtokeephi
scoolandheturnedtothe
policeman.
Poli
ceman:“Si
losamabandla!EyNdabezi
tha,
wearestil
lworki
ngont hi
smat t
erandtr
yingt
o
getstat
ementsbutfornow,youneedtosee
yourwif
e.”
Dali
su’
smindwasstil
ldigest
ingNqaba’swords.
‘
Thebabywasmi ssi
ng!’How?Hekeptasking
hi
mselfashepushedthehospital
room’sdoor
andfoundPr
eci
ouscr y
ingwiththepol
iceman
questi
oni
ngZi
ntombi.
Preci
ous:“MAGEBA!”Shewail
edmov i
ngaway
from Zi
ntombi
’
sarms.Dali
suwenttoher.He
huggedherandlookedatt
hepoli
celady…She
readthemessageonhiseyesandso,shelef
t
theroom al
ongwithZi
ntombi.
Dal
i
su:
“Whathappened?
”
Precious: “
Ifel
lasl eepaft
erhavingameal that
Thembel i
hleboughtf orme.Ithenwokeupand
felttheneedt obr eastf
eedmybaby .Iasked
thatt heybri
ngt hebabyt omebecauseIneeded
tof eedhim…”shet r
ail
edoffandbeganhav ing
hiccups, t
hinki
ngofherpastwast hemot i
v ati
on
ofhav i
ngthegr eattearst
hatshehad.I t’
dbeen
alongt i
mef orhercr yi
ngforababyt hatwasn’ t
l
ost ,ababyt hatlefttheci
tywithhisf at
her.She
want edt ocryuntilDali
sugettot hehospital
andsheachi evedt hat.
Dal
i
su:
“Andt
hen,
whathappened?
”
Preci
ous: “
Theytoldmet hatmybabyisgone,
theydi
dt heinter
nalsecuri
tycheckandt
hey
thencal
ledt hepoli
ce.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dthepol
i
cef
ind?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Thepoli
cefoundawoman’
sear
ri
ng
i
nsi
dethebaby
’scot.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Awoman’
sear
ri
ng?Whov
isi
tedy
ou?
”
Precious:“
Thembeli
hlei
stheonlyonewho
visi
tedmeandshei stheonlyonebesi
desthe
nurseswhowentt oseemybaby .Thepol
ice
hadt akenfi
nger
pri
ntsandtheearr
ingt
hey
found.”
Dali
su:“
Okay,
whodoy
out
hinkwoul
dhav
e
donethi
s?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Whocoul
d’
vedonet
hisbesi
dey
our
wi
fe.
”
Dali
su:
“Who?Pl
ease,
comeagai
nPr
eci
ous?
”he
askedl
ooki
ngdownather
.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yourwi
fe!
”
Dali
su:“No,Ican’
thearyou.Ther
e’salotofai
r
andtensioninthi
sroom.Justtel
lmehername
andsurname?Imeant hewif
eofmi nethat
you’
retalki
ngabout.Tell
me.”
Preci
ous:
“Thembel
i
hleZul
u,she’
stheonewho
tookmychil
d.”
“
Excuseme?
”Her
aisedhi
svoi
ceandbacked
awayf
rom her.Pr
eciousl
ookedathi
m wit
hher
wetpi
nkface.“Whatdidy
oujustsay
?”heasked.
Preci
ous:“Thembel
i
hleistheonl
yonewho
couldhavedonethi
s,Ihav
enoenemieshere
andthere’
snowomanwhowoul dwantt
otake
mychild.”
Dali
su:“Andmywi
fewoul
dwantt
odot
hat
?”he
shouted.
Preci
ous: “Yes,Iam prett
ysuret
hatIhaveseen
thatearr
ingbef ore.Iknowthati
tbel
ongstoher.
Justlook.”Shesai dtappi
ngherphoneshaki
ng
l
ikeahur tmot herwho’ dj
ustl
osthernewborn.
Dali
sutookthephoneandlookedatthepicture
oftheearr
ing.Hesawthatt
heearringbelonged
tohiswif
ebutheknewonet hing,
itdidn’
tprove
thatThembeli
hlet
ookthebaby.
Dali
su:
“Thi
searr
ingprovesnothi
ng,theear
ri
ng
musthavef
all
enwhenshewaspi cki
ngthe
babyupandshedidn’
tfeeli
tfal
l.
”
Preci
ous:“Thati
sev
identt
hatshet
ookmy
chil
d.”shecri
ed.
Dal
isu: “
That
’sbul
lshi
t!IknowthewomanI
marriedandshewouldnev erdosuchathing.
Don’tfal
sel
yaccuseheroft hi
swit
houtproof.
”
Preci
ous:“Iam t
ell
i
ngy out
het
rut
hory
oudon’
t
careaboutourbaby?”
Dali
su:“Don’
tquest
ionmebecauseImar ri
ed
youinthefir
stpl
acebecauseofthatbabyand
nowy ouareaski
ngmebul l
shi
t.
”
Preci
ous:“Youjustdon’twanttoadmi tt
hat
yourwif
et ookmybaby .Shemighthavebeen
j
ealousthatIgav ebi
rthtoasont oo.Shesaw
mysonasat hreatandshet houghtki
dnappi
ng
himisthebestt hi
ng.Ihateher!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yeywena!Shesawy
oursonasat
hreat
t
owhat?”
Preci
ous:“Tohersons?Shet
hinksmysonwi
l
l
takehersons’t
hrone.
”
Dali
suchuckledweakly.“Youseet hekidnapof
thi
sbabyasanoppor tunitytocausear if
t
betweenmeandThembel i
hle,ri
ght
?Doy ou
evencarethatthebabyismi ssingoryouare
happy?Yout hi
nkIwil
ljustbelieveyouril
lwords
againstmywi f
e?”heasked.
Precious:
“Youwon’
tbeli
evethem becauseshe
hadbewi t
chedyou!
”sheshoutedandcried
furt
her.
Dalisu: “
Mi ndhowy ouspeakt ome, woman! ”he
tookast epcl osertoher.Pr eci
ousshi ftedher
headbacki nfear.“Fi
rstl
y,Iwi l
lmaket hi s
straight,yoursoni snot hreattoMaSt hole’s
sonsbecausei t’
soneofhersonswho’ lltake
thet hroneaf termenotanot herwoman’ ssons.
May bey oucameher etot rapmewi ththischild
becausey out houghthe’ l
lruleonedayand
you’llgettobet heking’smot her.Youmi ssed
somet hi
ngt hereandl etmef i
llyouin,itwi l
lnot
happenl i
ket hat.Thechi l
drenoft hewoman, I
l
ov e, myf i
rstwi f
ewi l
lruleaf t
erme.”He
emphasi
zedf
ir
stl
y.
Pr
ecious:
“Butwhyi
sshej
eal
oust
hatshe’
l
l
ki
dnapmychild?
”
Dalisu: “
Secondly,
youarenocompet i
ti
onto
MaSt hol
eshe’snotinti
mi dat
edbyy ou.She
woul dnev ert
akeawoman’ schi
ldawayf r
om
her.Shedoesn’ tpossessanyev i
ltrait
s,her
hear tisgoldandwhaty ouarethinkingabout
hernow, i
sbullshi
tandy ouneedt odropit!
”
Precious:“
Ihavegiv
enmyst atementt othe
poli
ceandoncet heyproveThembel ihl
eguilt
yI
wil
ltakemysonandl eaveyou, alone.Bythen
yourwi f
ewouldberot t
ingi
nj ai
l becauseyou
arejustarr
ogant.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yout
hinky
ou’
l
ldot
hat
?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes,
you’
l
lseet
hatThembel
i
hle-
”
Dali
su:“Justsayanybadthingabouther
,sayit
agai
n.”Hewar nedhernotjustbywordsbutby
faci
alexpressi
on.“I
fyoucangoasf arasli
ft
ing
yourphoneandcal lmywi fet
oaskherabout
thechild’
skidnappingIpr omi
seIwi l
lfistyouso
badyouwon’ tevenfeel y
ourface.You’llr
egret
thedayy oulaidyourey esonme.You’ llnotil
l-
tal
kmywi feandaccuseheroft heshityouar e
accusingherof ,t
henexpectt omebel ieveyou.
Youwantmet ocomf ortyouri
ghtnow?
Udakiwe!Tsk. ”Heturnedt ot
hedoorangr yat
her.
Het urnedandl ookedather.“Iwil
lgosear
chfor
thereal t
ruthandwhenwef indthischi
l
dyou
betterbeint heUnitedSt
ates.Tsk!”he
slammedt hedoorshut…Thepol icewereno
l
ongeratt hedoor .
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
ethepol
i
ce?
”
Nqaba:“They
’rest
il
lar
oundquest
ioni
ngthe
st
affthatwasondutywhentheli
tt
lepri
nce
di
sappeared.
”
Dal
isu:
“Theyaskedy
ouquest
ionsaboutmy
wif
e,MaSthol
e?”
Nqaba: “
Yes,andIt
oldt
hem whatIknowabout
her.There’
snowayshewouldhavetakent
he
baby.YoucancallNj
ongoandMduduzi
Ndabezitha,t
heywer
eherewit
hher.”
Dalisu:
“Iknowthatshedidn’
tdothi
s.Ineedto
gospeakt othepoli
ce.Idon’
twantt
histoeven
reachherears.
”Hewal kedawayandTimothy
foll
owedhim.
Ti
mot hy:“
Doyouthinkitwil
lworkt
hatt
henews
don’treachherasthejournal
ist
sar
ecampi
ng
outside?”
Dal
isu:“
Idon’
tknow,okay?Icanpay
newspaper
sanddowhat everIdon’
tcar
ebut
mywi f
ewil
lnothearthi
s.She’
snocrimi
nal
.
MaStholei
snotcri
minal!
”
Hewal
kedawayi
nsear
choft
hepol
i
ce…
[
04/
12,
18:
55]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE30
NkosikhonaandMakhosi wereinsidethecar
j
ustundert hetreethatwasf arfrom
Thembelihle’
smai denhome.Nkosi khonahad
hisdaughterinhisar ms.Hef el
tthatshewas
themostpr eci
oust hinghe’deverseenandhe
j
ustlovedhert hemi nutehewast oldhehada
daughter,nowseeingherwasj ustabl essed
momentf orhim.
Makhosi
:“I
t’
sver
ylat
enow,
whatar
eyougoi
ng
t
odo?”
Nkosikhona:“Iwi
l
l bookaroom attheInn.Iwi
l
l
l
eavet omorr
owIj ustwishyouhaven’
tjust
gi
venbi r
th.
”Hesai dlooki
ngatherwitha
naughtysmile.
Makhosigi
ggledashiswordsshotaches
bet
weenherlegs.“Don’
thavesuchil
lthought
s,
youhaveourdaughteri
nyourarms,pl
ease.”
Shecommented.
Nkosi
khona:
“Okay
,Iam sor
ry.Iwi
l
lbehav
ein
thepresenceofNkosazana,mybaby.”he
kissedthebabyandsmiledather.“
Let’
sgo
makeherbi r
thcert
if
icat
etomorrowbeforeI
l
eav e.
”Hesuggested.
Makhosi
:“Buty
ouhav
en’
tpai
ddamages.
”
Nkosi
khona:“
Iwil
ldothatbuty
ouneedtogeta
bi
rt
hcerti
fi
catef
orherbefor
eit
’st
oolat
e.Can
wedothat?”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,wewi
l
lgoandmakei
t
t
omorrow.”
Nkosi
khona:“
That’
sgood.Iwil
lhavetocal
lmy
fat
herandtel
lhi
m abouthi
sgranddaught
er.I
am afat
heragai
n.”Makhosismi
led…
She’
djustputthebabydownandherchildr
en
werewatchingTV.MaSbiyahadgonebackto
Thembeli
hle’spal
ace.Makhosi
tookherphone
andcall
edhermot her.
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Yebo,
Khosi
.”
Makhosi
:“Howar
eyou,
mama?
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Makhosi
:“Iam f
ine,
mamaNkosi
khonacal
l
ed
j
ustafewdaysago.”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Who’
sNkosi
khona?
”
Makhosi:“
Mama,t
hef
atherofmybaby,he
cal
ledandtol
dmeher
emember sme.”Shetol
d
herdel
ight
edl
y.
MrsKhumalo:“
Hawu,hewasr
eal
l
yinan
acci
dentori
twasn’
t?
”
Makhosi:“
Itwasn’
tanacci
dentmama,”she
thentol
dherevery
thi
ngthatNkosi
khonatol
d
heraboutthedayoft
heaccident
.
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Mzwakhe!He’
sbehi
ndt
his.
”
Makhosi
:“Andhe’
l
lhavet
opaymama.Wewi
l
l
puthi
minjail
fort
his.
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Yazey
ancol
anansi
indoda!
”
Makhosi
:“He’
sextr
ememamabutIam happy
t
hatNkosi
khonaisbackandhewant
stopay
damagesf
ort
hebaby
.”
MrsKhumalo:
“Ihopeyouwon’
tlosey
ourfocus
nowbecauseyouhaveamanbackinyourl
ife.
”
Makhosi:“Hawu!Mama!”shewasdi sappointed,
shethoughtshewasgoingtobehappyf orher
buthervoiceshowedshewasn’ttoohappy .“I
thoughtyou’
llbehappyt
hatIam happy.”She
added.
MrsKhumal o:“
It
’snotaboutthatbutyourmind
wasfuncti
oningverywellasyouhadnomani n
yourl
if
e.Youhady ourfocusony ourworkand
ki
ds.”
Makhosi
:“Iknow,mamaandIwon’ tdothe
samemistakes.Iwon’
tlethi
m di
str
actme.My
chi
ldr
enaremyf ir
stpr
iori
tymama.”
MrsKhumal o:“
Thatmakesmehappyt hen.
”
Makhosiheardtherel
iefi
nherv oi
ce.Ithurther
f
urtherheari
ngthatshe’
ddisappoint
edher
motherthatmuch.Butshewant edtomakeno
mistakewit
hdependingonamanagai n.She’d
l
earntherlesson.“
He’ll
havetopaythose
damagest oMzwakheandappeaset ohis
ancest
orsbecausei twaswrongofhimt omake
youpregnantandcheatwithyouwhileyouwere
sti
l
lhiswife.”
Makhosi
:“Hawu,
mama,
no!
”
MrsKhumal o:“
Yes,t
hat’
stheri
ghtthingtodo
andifyouwanttohaveagoodf reshstar
twit
h
Nkosikhonayoushoul
ddot hat
.”
Makhosi:
“Ey
,okayIwi
l
ltel
lhi
mthatweneedt
o
dothat
.”
MrsKhumalo:“Okay
,Iwil
lbehappyonceIsee
t
hingsbei
ngdoneaccordi
nglyandyou,not
l
osingf
ocus.”
Makhosi
:“Iwon’
tdi
sappoi
nty
ou,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Mr
sKhumal
o:“
Thanky
ou,
goodni
ght
.”
Makhosi
:“Goodni
ght
,mama.
”
Theyhungupt
hecallandMakhosi
lai
dbackon
thebed,
shecl
osedhereyes…
Makhosihadjustgotbackfrom HomeAf f
air
s
andNkosikhonahaddrivenbacktoDurban.The
chi
ldr
enwer esti
l
lnotbackfrom school
…
Sheputt hebabyonherbedaf t
ershe’dbat hed
her.Shewasf astasl
eep.Shethenli
ft
edher
bathi
ngbasinandl ef
ttheroom todr
aint he
water…Herey esmetthepersonshedi dn’twant
tosee.Sheputt hebasi
ndownandpl acedher
fi
stsonherwai stasshelookedatMzwakhe
walkinguptoher .
Mzwakhe:
“Unj
ani
,MaKhumal
o?”
Makhosi
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Mzwakhe:“
Iam f
ineIcanseey
ouhav
egi
ven
bi
rt
h.”Hecommented.
Makhosi
:“Yes,
Ihav
eso?
”
Mzwakhe:“
Iwantt
oseet
hebabyt
haty
ouhav
e
gi
venbi
rtht
o.”
Makhosi:
“Excuseme?Whyi
smybabyy
our
concer
n?”
Mzwakhe: “Ishoul
dknowifIam thefatherof
thatbabyornotbecauseifIam,Ishouldtake
mychi l
dawayf rom y
ou.Theotherchil
drenlef
t
homewi ll
i
nglyandmynewbor nwil
lhav eto
remainwithme. ”
Makhosi
:“No,
youar
enott
hef
atheroft
he
baby
.”
Mzwakhe:“
What?”her
aisedhi
svoi
ce.Hewas
angr
ytoheart
hosewords.
Makhosi:“
Yes,she’
snoty
ourdaught
erandso,
pl
easeleave.
”
Mzwakhe:
“HowcanIbesur
ethaty
ouar
e
t
ell
i
ngmet het
rut
h.”
“Wai
thereIwil
lcomebackwi t
hherpicture.I
can’
ttr
ustyouaroundmychil
dandIdon’ twant
tobealonei
nthesamehousewi thy
ou. ”She
sai
dbendingandtookthebaby’
sbathing
basi
n.
Mzwakhe:
“Idon’
twantt
hatt
oo,
tobei
nthe
samer
oom wi
thy
ou.
”
Makhosi:
“That’
sgoodthen.
”Shelef
thi
m and
wenttogetherphone…Shefoundhi
m sti
l
l
st
andingoutsi
deshethenshowedhimthe
pi
ctur
eofherbaby.
Mzwakhe’sbloodboil
edashesawt hatthe
babywasnothi s,
thebabycl ear
lyshowedt hat
i
tdidn’
tbelongtohim.Hel ookedaroundashe
wantedtoslapherforbeinganeasywomant o
anextentt
hatshegotpr egnantforanotherman.
Hesawt hathecouldn’
tdoi taspeoplewer e
goi
ngupanddown.
Makhosi:“
Yout houghtyou’l
ltakethi
sbaby
fr
om me, j
usttohurtme, r
ight?”sheasked
putt
ingherphoneonherpocket .“
Butyoudidn’
t
succeedMzwakhe. ”Sheadded.
Mzwakhe:
“Ifeelf
ort
hatbabywho’
l
lgr
owup
wi
thoutaf
ather.
”
Makhosi
:“Mmm, y
ourchi
l
drenaregrowingup
wi
thoutafat
her
,whydon’
tyoufeelsor
ryfor
t
hem?
”
Mzwakhe:
“Theychosey
ou!
”heshout
ed.
Makhosi:
“Please,
leav
ebecauseIdon’
twant
them t
ofi
ndy ouhere.
”shet
oldhi
m showing
himthegate.
Mzwakhe: “
Myancestor
swill
punishy oufor
disrespect
ingthem l
i
kethi
s,Makhosi.Iam
tell
i
ngy outheywil
lpuni
shyou,all
thesethings
youar etry
ingtodotomakeal i
vi
ngt heywill
notsucceed.”
Makhosi
:“Theyshoul
dst
artbypuni
shi
ngyou
f
ormistr
eati
ngmeandplease,j
ustgoandtel
l
t
hem.”
Heclickedhi
stongueandlefther…Makhosi
shookherheadandsmi l
ed,shewasgr atef
ul
thatMzwakhewasnott hefatherofhernew
born…
-
--
--
-
“
Mageba?
”MaCebekhul
uanswer
edDal
i
su’
scal
l
.
Shewasinbedalonetheboyshadpromisedto
sl
eepwit
hherbuttheydidn’
tcomebackhome.
Theywer
ehavingfunwithSbani
’sdaught
er.
Dali
su:“
Hhey i
,mama.IfoundPr
eciouscr
ying
becausethebabyi
smi ssi
ng.
”Heinfor
medher
onasadv oice.
MaCebekhul
u:“
HHAYBO!”Sheexcl
aimedand
tur
nedonthebedsi
del
ight.“
Howdidthi
s
happen,
Dali
su?
”sheasked.
Dali
su:“Shet ol
dmet hatshe’djustwokenup…”
hetoldherev eryt
hingt hatPreci
oustol
dhim
andtherewast ot
al si
lencef r
om MaCebekhul
u.
“Mama, pleasesaysomet hingbecauseIknow
Thembel i
hledidn’tdot hi
s.”headded.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Howdoy
ouknow?
”
Dali
su:“Hawu,mama!”Hewasdi sappointed
thatshewasevenaskinghimthatquestion.He
thoughtshe’
l
lbeli
evet
hesamet hingthatshe
beli
eved,t
hatThembeli
hledi
dn’
ttakethebaby .
MaCebekhul u:“
Iam notsay i
ngshedi ditbut
Dali
suy oucannev ertr
ustawomanespeci all
y
i
npol ygamy.Mawandeoncel efthomeand
sl
eptataf ri
end’splacewithoutinf
orming
anyoneathome.Weal l
thoughtshewas
missi
ngandIwast hefi
rsttothi
nkthat
MaKhozahadt akenherf r
om me.It’
snat ur
alfor
Preci
oust osuspectThembel i
hleespeciall
y
nowt hatshe’stheonlyonewhov i
sit
edthe
baby.
”
Dal
isu:“
Idon’tcar
eaboutheri
nsti
nctsor
whatev
erbutIknowthatmywi f
edidn’tst
eal
anybaby.Shewouldneverdot
hat.”
MaCebekhul u:“
Thembel ihl
ehasbeenangryfor
tool ongDali
suandmay beshe’dbeen
distancingher
sel
ffrom y oubecauseshewas
planningondoingthis.Youneedt ospeakt
o
her.”
Dali
su:
“No, Iwi
l
lnotdot hatIwi
ll
notquest
ion
Thembeli
hleaboutt
his.Shedidn’
tdothi
sand
y
out
oomama,
youwon’
taskheraboutt
his.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Butwewi l
l havetotel
lheras
yousaythatPrecioustol
dt hepoli
ce.Theywi l
l
probabl
ycomeher etoquestionher
.It’
sbetter
thatshehearsthi
sf r
om usandnotheari tfor
thefi
rstt
imef r
om thepolice.”
Dali
su:“
Youcantellhert
hatthebabyi
smi ssi
ng
butdon’
ttel
lhert
hatshe’st
hesuspect.Idon’
t
wantthi
storeachherearsbecausei
twillhur
t
her.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Okay,Iwi
llspeakt
oher
becauseshe’
sstil
lawakeIthi
nk.Ndabezi
nhl
e
di
dn’twanttosl
eep.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhey
i,t
hatonei
stoohandf
ulatni
ght
.”
MaCebekhul
ulaughed.“
Tryandfi
ndthebaby
.I
haven’
tev
enseenhispict
ure.
”Shetol
dhim
shaki
ngherhead.
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
edi
dn’
ttaket
hepi
ctur
e?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
shedi
dn’
t.
”
Dali
su:“
Ididn’
tseehi
mt oobuthopeful
lywewil
l
fi
ndthebabybecausethepoli
cewill
lookont
he
CCTVfootagesofthehospi
talhal
l
way s
tomorr
ow.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,that
’sgoodnews.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Goodni
ght
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Goodni
ght
.”
MaCebekhulugotupandwenttoThembel i
hle’
s
room.Shecouldhearhermaki
ngsoundsinside
thebedr
oom.Sheopenedt hedoorand
Thembeli
hlewasbusyplayi
ngwithherbaby.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu,
mama?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhey
i,nt
ombi
.Icomewi
thbad
news.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Preci
ous’
ssoni
smi
ssi
ng.
”
“WHAT!”Shechanted,
hol
dingherchestasher
hear
tbeatfast
erandhervoicef
ri
ghtened
Ndabezi
nhl
e,hecr
ied.Hewasonherl
egs.
MaCebekhulu:“
Thembelihl
e!Bringhimtome.”
shegaveoutherarmsandThembel ihl
egave
herthebaby.MaCebekhululookedat
Thembeli
hle’
sfaceandshesawt hatsheknew
nothi
ngaboutthebaby’
sdi sappear
ance.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nkosi
yami
!Di
dMagebaseehi
s
son?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
hedi
dn’
t.
”
Thembel i
hle’sfacerel
axednowandshe
becamesuspi ci
ousofthisbaby’
s
disappearance.Howdi dthebabydi
sappeari
n
thehospital?Whowoul dwanttotakethebaby
awayf r
om her ?Unless…
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
’swr
ong?
”sheasked,
r
ocki
ngthebaby.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama,
cany
out
ell
met
he
tr
uth?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thet
rut
haboutwhat
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thet
rut
haboutMagebaand
Preci
ous.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Idon’
tunder
stand.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Iknowt hatmyhusbanddi dn’ttel
l
met het r
uthabouthowPr eciouscameabout
getti
ngpr egnantforhim andt hatf
ast,
hewas
mar r
y i
ngherjustlike.Hetell
sy oumostoft he
thi
ngsbecausey ouar ehismot her
,hecant rust
youandhehasnof ri
endstotalktoabouthis
problems.Iam sur ehet ol
dyout hetr
uth.”She
predi
ct edcorrect
ly.
MaCebekhul usighed.“ Ey
, hetoldmet hat
Preciousof fer
edhi m adr i
nkandt hatdrink
madehi m dr unkf ast.Hewasn’ tthinki
ng
strai
ghtandnextt hinghewokeupi nbedwi t
h
her.”Sher evealed.“Andaf terPrecioussenty ou
toear l
ylabourhehaddeci dedthathewasn’ t
mar ryi
ngPr eciousbutt hecounci landt he
eldersforcedhi mt omar ryherandso, hejust
agreedaf teralotofar gument swi ththem.”she
t
oldher
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“WHAT!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thembel
i
hle!Iam t
ryi
ngt
ocal
m
Ndabezi
nhl
edown.”
Shedidn’
tsayanyt
hingshegotupandtookher
phone.Shewasangry,angr
yatDal
isu.How
coul
dhebesost upi
d!“Wherearey
ougoi ng
now?”sheasked.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ineedt
omakeaphonecal l
mama.”Sheslammedt hedoorshutanddi
all
ed
Dali
su’
snumberonherwayoutoft hehouse.
Dal
i
su:
“MaSt
hol
e?”heanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwantyoutogetupfrom
whereveryouaregeti
nsi
dethecarandt el
l
Ti
mot hytodri
veyouhome,inmypal ace.
”she
i
nstr
uctedpoli
tely
.
Dal
isu:“
Hhaybo!Youaregiv
ingmei nst
ruct
ions
j
ustli
kethat
?Wi t
houtevengreet
ingme
MaSthol
e,what’
sthat?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Weneedtotal
kandyou’
ll
do
whatI
’v
ejusttol
dyoutodo,Mageba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo,
Thembel
i
hle!
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam bei
ngser i
ous,Dal
isu.”She
hungupthecallandcl
ickedhertongue.Things
werenotgoingasshewant edthem t
o, t
hatjust
addedtoheranger…Shewentbacki nsidethe
house.
MaCebekhul uwasst i
l
ltr
yingtocalmthebaby
down.“ Thembeli
hle?What’swrongnow?Do
youknowsomet hi
ngaboutt hebaby’
s
disappearance?
”sheaskedl ooki
ngatheras
shewaschangi nghernightgownsintoher
clothes.
Thembeli
hle:“No,Iknownot hing.
”Sherepl
ied
abrupt
lywit
houtthinkingherquestiont
hrough,
shewast ooangrytocar ethatMaCebekhulu
wassuspectingher.“Ijustneedtogotomy
housenow.”shetoldher .
MaCebekhul
u:“
Why
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ican’tt
ell
y our
ightnowIam
upset
.”Shetookherbagandt henthebaby.
MaCebekhululookedatherconfused,shedi
dn’
t
under
standwhatwaswr ongwithher…
Dali
suwasi nsidehisbeachhousewhen
Thembel i
hlecal l
edher.Heclickedhi stongue
andgotof fthebedaf terThembel ihl
ehad
droppedt hecal l
.Hechangedhi spy jamasinto
hisclothes.Het ookhisthi
ngsandwentt o
Timot hy’sroom.Hewasswear ingal lt
heway
outoft hehouse.She’ djustinst ructedhiml i
ke
hewasachi ld!Heangr i
lyr
ealisedbutdi dn’
t
real
iset hathewasdoi ngexact lywhatshe
want edhi mt odo.Heknockedont hedoor .He
wasont hedoorwi thi
nami nut e.
Ti
mot
hy:
“Ndabezi
tha!
”
Dalisu:
“Dri
vemeKwaNongoma! ”heinstr
uct
ed
him andwalkedawaywithoutl
isteni
ngtohis
response…Dali
susteppedinsi
det hecarand
closedhiseyes
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE31

Thembeli
hlewaswokenupbyherr i
nging
phone,
sher ubbedhereyes,
lookedbesideher
,
Dali
suwasf astasl
eep.Sheansweredher
brot
her
’scall.
“
Jobe?”Shegr
eetedhi
m get
ti
ngof
fthebedand
wentt
othebathr
oom.
Thokozani
:“Wer
eyoust
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,Ndabezi
nhl
ekeepsme
awakeev
erynight
.”
Thokozani
:“Sor
ry,
buthowar
eyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thokozani:“
Zodwai snotwell
andshekeeps
havi
ngnightmaresthatsheremembersnothi
ng
abouti
nt hemorning.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Thokozani
:“Idon’tknow,butpl
easewheny
ou
praydon’
tforgetabouther.
”
“Okay,
Iwi l
ldothatandtrytocomevi
sither
.”
shepromisedsteppinginsi
dethet
ubwi t
hwarm
waterthatshe’
djustmixed.
Thokozani
:“Okay
,thanky
ou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater,
Ifor
gottotel
l
youthatyoursist
ercal
ledmet orubsal
tinmy
wound.”
Thokozani
:“Hhay
i,kanj
ani
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Ican’tt
alkt
hemanoft
hehouse
i
shereIwil
lcallyou.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
.”
Shehungupt
hecal
landwashedherbody
fast
…
Shethentookhersonaft
erdr
essi
ngupand
wenttoputhim onhi
sroom f
orFel
ici
tyt
obat
h
him whenhewakesup.Shecoul
dn’
tbat
hhim
thi
smor ni
ngbecauseshehadpl
answit
h‘her
Dali
su’…
Shestoodonherki
tchenandpr
epar
e
breakf
ast
…
“Wher
e’sMnothoandMlamul
i?”Dal
i
suasked
openi
nghisf
ri
dgeforadri
nk.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theysl
eptatSbani
’
shouse.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Why
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Theywer
espendi
ngti
mewithhi
s
daught
erandlostti
me,
sotheysl
eptt
her
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whosai
dtheyshoul
dsl
eept
her
e?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hawu,Sbanical
l
edusandmama
sai
dther
ewasnoproblem hemustbr
ingt
hem
backi
nthemorni
ng.
”
Dali
su:“Idon’twantthatanditshouldn’t
happenagai n,Idon’
twantthem sleepingouti
n
otherpeople’shouses.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Theysleptatt
hei
rfat
her
’shouse,
what’
swrongwit
hthat?”
Dal
i
su:
“Isai
dIdon’
twanti
t.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay
,itwon’
thappenagai
n.”She
promi
sed.
Dali
su:“Ishouldbeoutther
elookingformyson
andyoucal ledmehere,what’
sgoingon?”hi
s
eyesli
ngeredonherbackasshewasmov i
ng
onthest ove.Shedi
dn’tt
urntolookathim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcomewi
thy
ourbr
eakf
asti
n
ourr
oom.”
Het urnedandlefttheroom…MaSbi y
agreet
ed
Thembel ihl
easshef oundherwrappi
ngupher
breakfast.Theygreet
edeachotherandhad
smal l
t al
ks.
MaSbiya:“
Isawinthenewspapersthatthe
pri
nceismissi
ng.
”Shet ol
dher…The
newspapershadrepor
tedthatt
heprincewas
missi
ngbuttheydidn’
tsuppl
ythenamesoft he
suspectsast
hepolicedi
dn’tt
ellt
hem.And
Preci
ouswasn’tst
upidtotel
lthem t
hatthe
suspectwasThembelihl
e.Thatwasgoingto
backfi
reonher…
Thembel
i
hle:“Yeah,
Ihear
dthatl
astni
ghtandI
hopet
hey’
llf
indthebaby.
”
MaSbi
ya:
“Theywi
l
lfi
ndhi
m ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Thembel i
hlenoddedandsai d:“MaSbiy
a,Iwant
youtot el
levery
onewho’ sinsi
dethehouset o
l
eavet hehouse.Nobodyshoul denterorbe
nearthishouse,alr
ight?
”shelookedatherwi t
h
thetr
ayofbr eakfastinherhands.“
Iwilli
nfor
m
youwheny oucancomebacki nsi
dethehouse.”
Sheadded.
MaSbiy
a:“Yebo,
ndl
ovukaz
i.
”Shet
urnedand
l
eftt
hekit
chen…
Dali
suwasseatedonthecouchinsi
dethei
r
bedroom wi
thhisey
esclosed.Hewaspati
ent
ly
wait
ingforThembel
ihl
e.
“Here’sy
ourbreakfast
.”Thembel
ihl
esai
d,she
kneeleddownandputt hefoodonthecof
fee
tabl
eoft hei
rbedroom.Shesatdownonthe
couchoppositehim.
Dal
isu:
“Thanky ou.
”heclosedhiseyesand
bl
essedthefood.Thembelihl
elookedathi
m as
hewaseating.“Youcanspeakwhydi dyoucal
l
me?”hegav eheragoahead.
Thembelihl
e:“
Ihav
easkedalltheser
vantst
o
l
eavethehouseandthatnobodyshouldbenear
thehouse.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“That’
sbecauseIwanttospeakt o
youthewayIam angrywithyouIdon’
ttrust
myselft
hatIwon’tshoutaty
ou.Idon’
twantt he
serv
antstohearmeshoutaty oui
fthatcan
happen.
”
Dali
su:“Youchasedt
hem outoft
hehouse
becauseyouwanttoshoutatme?Idon’
t
underst
and.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dn’
tyouheart
hatIwasangr
y
l
astni
ght
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Ihear
dthat
.”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Whathappenedbet weenyouand
Precious?Howdi dyougett ogether
?And
please,tell
menot hi
ngandnot hingbutt
he
tr
uth.”Shegav ehim aseriousfaceandDali
su
sawt hatshewasser ious.Therewasnowayhe
wasgoi ngt ol
i
et ohernow.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam wai
tingf
orananswer
Mageba.Theboyswillbehomeanyti
mef r
om
nowandIdon’twantthem i
nthehouse.
”
Dali
su:“IwenttoPreci
ous’sroom togetsome
i
nfopaper sandshejustsenselessl
ytookoff
herblouse.Sheshowedmeherbr eastsj
ustl
ike
that
,shewaswear ingabra.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Dali
su:
“Itookthepapersandl
eftasi
fIdidn’
t
seeanyt
hing,
”heinfor
medandputherplate
down.“ Ithenwenttoherhotelroom afterwe
hav edecidedtogiveherthecontract
.Iaskedto
got herewithSbanibuthehadt ogohomeI
thent ol
dhertobringherco-worker.I
twast he
threeofusandshegav eusdrinksIgulped
minedownf astbecauseIwantedt oleaveaft
er
thediscussion…”hetoldherallt
hedet ai
lsand
l
eftnot hi
ngbehind.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meal
lthi
s
befor
e?”
Dali
su:“
Ijustdi
dn’
twanty
out
oquar
rel
wit
hher
becauseofwhatshedi
d-”
Thembeli
hle: “
Howcany oubesostupidDalisu?
Huh?”sheaskedl ooki
ngathim withnothi
ng
buthur
t.Dalisutauntedhi sj
awasher eceived
theword‘Stupid’shejustcall
edhim st
upid!“Do
youknowhowembar r
assingiti
sformet ohear
whatyoujustt ol
dme? ”sheaskedpoli
tely
.
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hle…”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Myhusbandwasf
ool
edbya
woman,soeasi
lyandhebel
i
evedher
?That’
san
embar
rassmenttome.Howcanyoudothi
s?”
Dali
su:“IknowthatshefooledmeThembel i
hle,
shewant edtobepregnantwithmychil
d
becauseclearl
ysheknewt hatIwoul
dn’
tletmy
chi
ldgrowupel sewhere.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youknewandy ougaveher
exactl
ywhatshewanted!
”sheshout ed
standi
ngonherfeet
.“Yougav eheraspaceint
o
ourli
ves,
aplatf
ormtohur tme,Mageba.Itwas
easyforyoutohur
tme, r
ight?
”sheasked.
Dali
su:
“Thi
swasbeyondmycontrol
.IfIt
hink
abouti
tnowIwascl
earl
ydruggedanddidn’t
knowwhatIwasdoi
ngthatni
ght.
”
Thembel i
hle: “
No!Themi nuteyoufeltthe
woozinessy ouwer esupposedt ol
iftyour
phoneandt ellmethatyouaredrunk
somewher e, evenify
oupassedoutwi thout
tel
li
ngmewher eyouareIwasgoi ngt oknow
thatIshouldcal l
yourguards.Theywer egoing
totell
mewher eyouare,Iwoul
d’
v ecomet oget
youort heywould’
vetakenyoufrom thatr
oom
andbr i
ngy oubackinmyar ms.
”Shesai dwit
h
tearsrunningdownhercheeksnow.Shewas
hurtbyt hi
s.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwasn’
tinmyr
ightmi
nd.
”
Thembeli
hle:“No!Youwer ebecausei
fyou
weren’
tyouwer esupposedtot el
lmewhat
happenedthesameni ghtyougotbacktome
butyoukeptitasecret.It
houghtIam mar
ried
toasmartman. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Imadeami
stakeandIam sor
ry.
”
Thembel ihl
e: “
Evenwhenshet oldyoushe’s
pregnanty out ol
dy ourmot hert hewhol estory
youdi dn’tt
ellmebutIam y ourwi f
e.Sincey ou
fail
edt othinkIwasgoi ngtot hinkforyou,Iwas
goingt oseet hatthisPr eci
ousi stryi
ngt ot
r ap
youwi thachi l
dbutbecauseIdi dn’tknowthe
truthIjustconcludedt hatyoucheat edonme
wi l
l
ingly.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ij
ustt
hought
-”
Thembel i
hle:“Youwant edpeace! ”she
exclaimedwi pinghert earsbutt heydidn’tstop
fal
li
ng.“ Iam y ourwi feandther e’sascr i
pturein
thebi bl
et hatsay s‘I
tisnotgoodf oramant o
l
iveal oneandt hereforeIwillmakeahel per
suit
abl eforhi m.’andt hat
’sawoman, asy our
wifeIam supposedt othi
nkf ory ouwheny ou
can’tthinkfory ourself.Iwasgoi ngtosee
Preciousf orwhoshewasear lierbuty oudidn’
t
tel
lmeDal i
su,y ouchosey ourmom.Howcoul d
you? ”shecr i
edl ookingathi m ashedr opped
hishead.Shewast ooangr yandhur t,
she
decidedt oleav ether oom bef oreshecoul dsay
thi
ngsshewasgoi ngt oregretl ater…Shef el
t
she’dspokenenough.
Shelockedherselfinherguestr
oom, sl
epton
thebedandcr i
edt hehumi l
i
ati
onout.Shewas
fel
thumili
atedandembar r
assedthatDali
su
couldbethatstupid…Herhusbandwhom she
tookgreathonourupon, hewasfooledjustt
hat
easi
l
y.I
twasn’
taneasypi
l
ltoswal
l
owf
orher
.
“MaSthol
e!”Dal
i
sufinal
l
yknockedontheri
ght
dooraft
erhehadlookedforheral
lov
erthe
house.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Justleav
emeal one,pl
ease!I
don’
twanttot
alktoyouri
ghtnow.”she
i
nfor
medhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Ij
ust
-”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justwal
kawayDal
i
su!
”she
scr
eamedandDalisul
efther
…

Hewalkedoutofthehouseandwentt osit
undert
hetr
eechairs.Hetookouthisphoneas
i
trang,t
hedetect
ivewascall
ing.Heanswered
thecal
l
.
Dal
i
su:
“Speakt
ome.
”
Det
ect
ive:
“Ndabezi
tha,
howar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ey
,si
yaphi
l
angobasi
yahamba.Doy
ou
hav
eanyupdat
esonmyson?
”
Detect
ive:
“Ndabezit
ha,wewouldli
ketoi
nfor
m
youthatwewillneedtocomethatsi
de
tomorrowbecauseweneedtoquest i
ony
our
queen.”
Dal
i
su:
“Why
?”
Detecti
ve:“She’st
hepr i
mesuspecti nthiscase
becausewesuspectt hatshepai dt henur set
o
kidnaptheboy .Wehav elookedintothe
footageandshedi denterthenur sery.Shelef
t
withoutthebabybutrightafterherthere’sa
nursethatwehav efai
ledt odetectherf ace.
Shel ef
tthenurser
ywitht hebaby .”
Dal
i
su:
“Thatdoesn’
tpr
ovemywi
fepai
dher
.”
Detecti
ve:“
Iknowbutweneedt oquesti
onyour
wif
e.Ijustwantedt
orespecty
ouandt el
lyou
bef
or ecomingbutyoucan’
tst
opusf rom
coming.”
Hesi
ghedandl
ookedupatHl
ezi
phi
.“Okay
,
thankyouf orinf
ormingmebutdon’ ttel
lthatto
thejournali
sts.
”HesaidshowingHl ezi
phia
seat.She’dwentthroughThembelihle’
sgaller
y
onherphoneandf oundthepict
ureofanew
bornbabyont hecamerafol
der.Shesentt he
pict
uret oherphoneandwant edtoshowDal i
su
thepictureofthebabythathadnoZul u
resembl ance.
Det
ect
ive:
“Wewill
notdot
hat
,Ndabezi
tha!
”
t
heyhungupthecall
.
Dal
i
su:
“Awu,
sawubona.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Yebo,
ndabezi
thaunj
ani
?”
Dali
su:“
EyHl
ezi
phi
mynewbor
nsonj
ustwent
missi
ng.”
Hlezi
phi
:“Hhay
bo!Ndabezi
nhl
e?Wher
emy
queen?”
Dali
su:
“No!No!Iam t
alki
ngaboutPr
eci
ous’
s
son.
”
“
Oh!
”Sher
elaxedandl
ookedar
oundt
oseei
f
therewasn’tany
onelookingatthem.“ Mageba,
therei
ssomet hi
ngimportantthatweneedt o
tal
kaboutandIwoul dli
kethatwel eavethe
palacebecauseyouneverknowwho’ sli
steni
ng
asIheardthisnewsbyeav esdroppi
ng.”She
saidwhisperi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo,
what
’swr
ong?
”
Hlezi
phi:
“Ican’
ttalkher
eIdon’
twantanyoneto
hearus.ThequeenshouldnotknowthatIam
theonewhot ol
dy ousuchnews.”
Dal
isu:“
Okay,
let
’sgototheroyalhouse.”He
sai
dandstoodup.Hlezi
phist
oodupaf terhi
m
andtheymadethei
rwaytoDalisu’
scar…

Meanwhi l
einRichardsbayPreciouswasangr y
thatDalisuwasnotwi t
hher.Shedi dn’tknow
whetherhewasl ookingfor‘
theirbaby ’orhe
j
ustdi dn’tcareabouthernowt hatthebabywas
missing.Thi swasnothowshepi cturedt he
outcomeofherpl an.Shethoughthewasgoi ng
t
obebyhersidecomf
ort
ingher
.Butmay
behe
wasbusyl
ookingf
ort
hebaby.
Zintombi:“Queen,
youneedtoeaty ouneedthe
strength.
”Sheencouragedhergiv
ingherfood
butPr eci
ousdidn’
twantfood.Shewanted
Dalisu’sat
tenti
onandsheneededt oknowthat
hecar esabouther.
Precious:“HowcanIeatwhi l
eIdon’tknowmy
baby ’
swher eabouts?Isheev eneati
ngwher e
hei s?Whati fthepersonwhost oleherar e
thosewhobel i
evetheycancr eatestrongmut hi
withbodypar t
sofar oy alpri
nce?”sheasked
fakingwor r
yandbei ngcr azy.Shelookeda
messanddi dn’teventookamor ningbat h.She
thoughtDal i
suwasgoi ngt ocomebackt o
checkonherandf i
ndherl ookingmessyas
evidentthatshewaswor r
iedaboutt hebaby .
Butshedi dn’tknowt hatDal i
suwassummoned
backhomebyhi swife.
Zi
ntombi
:“Don’
tthi
nkt
hatnegat
ivel
y,t
hepol
i
ce
wil
lgotoMaSthol
e’
spal
acet
omor
rowand
quest
ionher
.”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Whati
ftheydon’
tfi
ndmychi
l
d?”
Zint
ombi:“Theywi
llf
indhi
mt heki
ngwon’tr
est
unti
lyourchi
ldisf
ound.Don’
tworr
yjustt
ryt
o
eat.
”
Shenoddedandat
ebecauseshewasact
ual
l
y
hungr
y…

2hr
sago
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE32

Shewokeupwhenshehear dtheloudvoices
i
nsidethehouse.Shefi
gur
edtheboyswer e
back.Shegotupfrom t
hebedandwentt oher
bedroom.Dali
suwasnotther
ebutthedishes
he’dusedforhi
sbr eakfastwer
estil
lontopof
thetabl
e…Shef i
gur edhewasnothome.She
wenttothebathroom andwashedherf ace.She
thenheadedtothedi shesshetookthem and
onherwayoutofherr oom.Theboyswer e
runni
ngaroundthehal lway.
Thembel
i
hle:
“St
opr
unni
ng!
”
“MAMA! ”Theychant edandrantoher,laughing
deli
ghtedl
yast heysawher .I
t’
dbeent woni ght
s
withoutseei
ngher .Theybothhuggedherl egs
andshesmi led.“Howar eyou,mybabies?”she
askedbrushingtheirheads.Shewalkedtot he
ki
tchenwi t
ht hem.
Boy
s:“
Wear
efi
nemama,
howar
eyou?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam f
ine,whobroughtyouback?
”
sheaskedtaki
ngherplateofbreakf
astsheput
i
tonthetable.
Boy
s:“
BabauSbani
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
you’
vehady
ourbr
eakf
ast
?”
Boy
s:“
Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdon’
twantany
thi
ng?
”
Boy
s:“
No.
”
Thembel ihle:“Okay,si
twithmeandt el
lme
aboutev erythingthatyou’v
ebeenupwhi l
eI
wasgone. ”Sher equestedputt
ingt
hem onthe
chai
rs.Shet hensatdownandat eherbr
eakfast
whil
elisteni ngtoherboy stal
ki
ngabout
ever
ythingt heydi d…
“Ndlovukazi,t
heZondi womenarehere.
”
MaSbiy ainfor
medThembel i
hle,
theywere
i
nsidet heboys’play
room wi
thThembelihl
e
seatedont hefloorwit
hNdabezinhl
ewhilethe
boysplay edaroundher.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay
,Iam coming,
pleaset
ake
hi
m andgiv
ehimtoFel
ici
ty.
”
MaSbi
ya:
“Shel
eftt
hepal
acewi
thNj
ongo.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Oh,okay
.”Shesmi
ledandgave
hert
hebaby.“
Justgi
vehertoPi
nkythenIwi
l
l
t
akehi
m whenIam done.
”Sheadded.
MaSbi
ya:“
Ndl
ovukazi
”shel
eftt
her
oom wi
th
t
hebaby.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lbebackmyboy
s,okay
?”
Boy
s:“
Yes,
mom.
”
Shewentst
rai
ghtt
oherl
ounge…
-
--
--
“Whatisitthatyouwanttotel
lme,Hlezi
phi
?”
Dali
suaskedHl ezi
phi
,theywereseat
edinsi
de
hi
sof f
iceintheroyal
house.Hehadlockedthe
off
ice.
Hlezi
phi
:“Ndabezit
ha,y
oudon’thav
etowor
ry
aboutfi
ndi
ngPr eci
ous’chi
l
d.”
Dali
sulookedathersurpr
isedbyherwor ds,hi
s
mindquicklyt
houghtaboutThembel i
hle.Why
didshetell
himthathedidn’tneedtowor ry?Did
Thembelihl
ereal
lyki
dnapt hebabyandHl ezi
phi
knowsaboutit?No,butshewoul dn’
tdot hat.
Hesnappedoutofhisthought sandreali
sed
t
hatt
heanswer
swer
eri
ghti
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Why
?Doy
ouknowwher
ehei
s?”
Hleziphi:“ThedayNdl ovukaziMaStholel
eftfor
Richar dsbayIov erhear
dherspeakt oherfri
end
Nozi busiso,”shebeganandDal i
suclosedhis
eyest hinkingthatitwasexactl
ywhathewas
thinkingabout .“
Shewast ell
ingherthat
Nozi busisowasr ightaboutseei
ngMusaat
yourweddi ng-”
Dali
su:“
What?Musawasher eandThembeli
hle
di
dn’tt
ellme?”heshout
edandclappedhi
s
handsshut.
Hl
eziphi:“
Yes,
andhedi
dn’
tjustcometothe
weddinghewenttot
hehousethatyoul
iv
ein
wi
thPr eci
ous.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo,
hewentt
her
etodowhat
?”
Hlezi
phi
:“TospeaktoPreci
ous,t
hat’
swheremy
queenheardthem ar
gui
ng.Musawast el
l
ing
Preci
ousthatyouwil
lki
l
l t
hem bot
hifyoucan
f
indoutt
hatthechi
l
dthatPr
eci
ousi
scar
ryi
ng
i
snotyour
s.”
Dal
isust
oodonhisfeet.“
Whatdidyoujustsay
t
ome? ”heaskedashisbloodbeganboil
i
ng.
Di
dhehearthatri
ght
?
Hlezi
phi:“Pr
eci
oushasbeenl yi
ngtoyou
Ndabezit
ha.”Shegavehim herphone.“
That’
s
thepict
ureofthebabyIfounditinndl
ovukazi
’
s
phone.Ijustmatchedthedat
esandconf i
rmed
thatshetookthepict
ure.
”Sheexplai
ned.
Dalisu:“Butmamasai dmywi fet ol
dhershe
didn’ttaket hepicture.”Hesai dl ookingatt he
l
ightski nnedbabyt hathadnor esembl anceof
hisfami lyfeatur
es.Hedi dn’tneedt heeldersto
bet oldthatt hebabywasn’ this.Hedi dn’
tneed
thatthebabyt urnsmont hsol dt oseet hatit
wasn’ this.He’dt hr
eesons, thisonwasn’ this!
Nott hatt heskincol ourwast hemostf actoras
Sgwi l
i wasl i
ghtskinnedbutheshowedt hathe
wast hel ateking’sson.Andt hisbabyt hat
Dal
i
suwasl
ooki
ngat
.Itwasn’
thi
s!
Hlezi
phi:
“No,shedid.Isear
chedherphonewi
th
hopethatshedid.Iknowpeoplel
ovetaki
ng
pi
cturesofthebabies.
”
Dalisu:“Andmywi f
eknewaboutt his?”he
askedt hequest i
onandhef elthishear t
painfull
ybr eaking.Thembel i
hleknewandshe
didn’ttel
l hi
m?Whydi dshedot hat?Thehur t
thathewasf eeli
ngmadehi m angryhewasn’ t
hurtthatt hechi l
dwasn’thisbuthur tthathis
wifeknewandshedi dn’
ttellhim…Her epeat
ed
thequest iont oHlezi
phi,thequest ionthathe
hadt heanswerf orbuthej ustwant edto
conf i
rmi fwhathewashear ingwasr i
ght .
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha,shewasangryshej
ust
want
edtohurtyoujustl
ikeyou’
vehur
ther
.She
di
dn’
tmeananythingbad.”
Dal
i
su:
“Cany
ouheary
our
sel
f,Hl
ezi
phi
!”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha-
”
Dali
su:“
Don’tev
ent hi
nkaboutsay
ingaword!
Let’
sgo!”hewalkeduptothedoor.Hl
ezi
phi
stoodup.
Hlezi
phi:
“It
hinkIshoul
dn’
tusethesamecar
withyoutogethome.Idon’
twantndlov
ukaz
ito
suspectme.”
“Okay,tellt
hem todriv
ey ouhome. ”hesai
d
l
eavet heroy al
housest r
aighttohiscar
…He
couldn’tbeli
evethatThembel i
hleknewsucha
thi
ngbutshenev ertol
dhim abouti t
…
-
--
“Okay ,Ihearthatyouwantt obuyt ract
orbut
whatdoesy ourbudgetsay sanddoy ouneeda
neworsecondhandt ractor
?”Thembel i
hle
askedt het wowomenseat edont hecouch
i
nsi deherlounge.They ’
vecomet oherbecause
theyneededherhel past heywant edt obuya
tractortomaket heirsugarplantati
oneasi er.
Thei reducatedchildrenwer efarfrom them and
Thembel i
hlewast heonl ypersontheyt rusted.
MaNcube:
“Whatdoy
out
hinksi
si?
”
MaMkhi ze:“You’l
l t
akealookatourbank
statementandt elluswhatisbet
ter,
ndlovukazi .
”Theygav eThembeli
hlegavethei
r
bankst atement .Shetookitandreadthr
ough
shet hent ookherphoneandgoogl ed
affordabletract
or s.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Ithi
nkwhatwecanaf for
dwit
h
thi
smoneyisasecondhandtract
or.Wecango
toDur
banorEmpangenistat
ion.
”
Thet
wowomensi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef…
“MaSt hol
e,whaty ouaredoingcanwai twe
needt otalknow.”Dali
susaidashi sfeetwer
e
standinginsidethehouse.He’dseent he
womeni nsidethehousebuthedi dn’
tcarehe
want edtospeakt oThembel i
hleandspeakto
her,now!
Women:“
Ndabezi
tha!
”theybowedt
hei
rheads
andst
oodup.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwi
llcal
lyouagai
nandwewi
l
l
tal
kandplan.Iwi
l
lgot hr
oughthewhol
e
processwi
thyou.
”
Women: “
Sy abonga.
”Oneoft
hem t
ookt
he
paperandtheyleft
…
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Dal
isu:
“Wearegoi
ngtomyof fi
ce.”Heledt
he
wayandThembeli
hlef
oll
owedafterhi
m
wonderi
ngwhatwashappeni
ng.
Thembeli
hlesatdownonthechai
randDali
su
l
eanedbythedesk.Hespentminut
eslooki
ngat
herwi
thoutsayi
ngawordtoher.Hejustl
ooked
ather
.
Thembelihl
e:“
What’swrong,
ar eyouangr
y
becauseIshoutedatyouear
lier?Iwas
expressi
ngmyangerIwasdi sappoint
edi
n
you.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Who’
sthef
atherofPr
eci
ous’
baby
?”
“
Huh?
”Shewi
denedherbi
gey
esandact
edasi
f
shedidn’
tknow.Dali
sul
ookedatherhopi
ng
thatshewouldt
ell
himthetrut
h.Hewashoping
thatshewouldmakethi
ngseasyfort
hem and
tel
lthetr
uth.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam wai
ti
ngf
orananswer
.”
Shelookedathim wonder
ingifheknewthe
tr
uth.Ormaybethebabyhadbeenf oundand
hesawt hatt
hebabywasn’this?Now,whywas
heaskingherbecauseshedidn’
tknow
accordi
ngtohim.
Thembeli
hle:“
Yousai
dyouar
ethefat
herbutI
don’
treal
lybel
iev
ethaty
ouar
ethefat
heraft
er
hear
ingthetr
uestor
yofhowyoutwomet.”
Dali
su:“Stoply
ingtome,Thembeli
hle!
”he
shoutedstampinghisf
istonthedesk.
Thembel i
hlecl
osedhereyes.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Dal
isu:
“Youknewthatyoursi
ster’
shusband
wasthefat
heroft
hisbabyandy oudi
dn’tev
en
t
ell
me.Howcoul
dyoudot
hist
ome?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whot
oldy
out
hat
?It
’s
Nozi
busi
so?”
Dal
isu:“
Itdoesn’tmatterwhotoldmejusttel
l
mewhydi dn’tyoutell
me?Iwasn’ tenj
oyi
ng
whatwashappeni ngIwashur t
ingbecauseof
pai
n,thepainthatIwasl osi
ngyoubutyoujust
enj
oyedwat chi
ngt hat
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’ timplythatbecauseyouare
theonewhost artedhurtingme.Ifyou’v
etold
met het
ruthnoneoft hi
swoul d’
vehappened.I
wasgoingtosav ey oufrom thebeginni
ngbut
no,youchosey ourmot heroverme.”
Dali
su:“
Thisisnotaboutt
hat!”heexclaimed
l
ookingather.“
Howl onghavey ouknownabout
thi
s?”heasked.Thembeli
hlekeptquiet.He
l
ookedatherandt r
iedtothi
nk,heremember ed
somethi
ng.
Dal
i
su: “
Whentheboysaskedaboutmy
marr
iagetoPr
eciousy
outoldmet hatI
shouldn’
ttel
lthem shewasmar r
iedt
ome.You
sai
dt heyshouldn’
tknow,didy
ouknowthatshe
wasn’twit
hmychi ldthen,
shewaswithMusa’s
chi
ld.Didyouknow? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iknew.
”Sheadmi
tt
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“ANDYOUKEPTQUEI
T!”
Thembelihle:“If
el tbetrayedbyy ouandy
ou
haveaccept edPr ecioust hatyouwereev
en
defendi
ngher .Youwer espeakingtomeina
mannerthaty ou’venev erspokentomebefor
e.
Iwantedy outof eel thesamehur t
.”
Dal
i
su:“
Youwantedt
ohurtme?Don’tyouknow
t
hatmyhumi
li
ati
onisyourhumi
l
iat
ion?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youwerealreadymarr
iedwhat
wasgoingtochange?It
’snotli
keIheardt
his
befor
eyourwedding.
”
Dali
sulookedatherandshookhishead,he
coul
dn’tbel
iev
ethatshereall
ykeptqui
etwit
h
thetr
uth.Hemov edawayfrom t
hedeskand
Thembel
ihl
est
oodf r
om herchai
r.Shef
oll
owed
hi
m outoft
heoff
ice.
“Whyareyoufol
l
owi
ngme?”Heaskedturni
ng
toherashehear
dherf
oot
stepsst
il
lfol
l
owing
him.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Dal
i
su:“Youhaveabsol
utel
ynor
ightt
oaskme
t
hatquesti
on.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam yourwifeandso,Ihave
ever
yrighttoasky
out hat.
”Hedidn’
tsay
anyt
hingtoherhejustproceededwalki
ng.
Dali
su:“
Stopfoll
owi ngme! ”heshoutedlooki
ng
backatheri
nt heey e.“Iam leav
ingthehouse
andasIwalkawayIwi lll
ookbackt ocheckif
youarenotfol
lowingme.Youbet t
erbenot
fol
lowi
ngme, MaSt hole,syezwana?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yebo,ngiy
ezwa.”She
condescendedknowingthathewasgoi
ngtodo
somethinghedidn’
twanthertoknowabout
.
Shewasgoi
ngtofol
lowhi
m,shepr
omi
sed
her
sel
fasshet
urned…
Dal i
sul eftt
hehouseandwentt othemen’s
house.Ashe’ dsaid,hekeptl ooki
ngbackto
checki fThembel i
hlewasn’ tfoll
owinghi
m.He
didn’tseeanysi gnsofherbutshewas
followinghim…Henowf iguredwhyGobel a
didn’tat t
endtheweddi ng,hemi ghthaveseen
this.Butwhydi dn’thetellhim?Whydi dn’
the
war nhim?
Hethencall
edNjongoandher equestedt
hey
speakoutsi
deatthebackofthehouse.He
di
dn’twantany
onet oheart
hem, speak.
Dali
su:
“Ihav
esomet
hingt
hatIwanty
out
odo
forme.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Whati
sit
?”
Dalisu:“
Ihaveani ndi
vi
dual whohasbeen
foolingmeandIwantt hem rubbedof
fthef ace
oftheear t
h.IknowIsai dIam notaboutthat
rul
ingbutmywi f
ehascr iedbecauseofthet r
ap
thatIfel
li
nt o.Idon’twantt
ogot ohermysel
fI
don’tevenwantt oseeherbecauseifIcanbein
thesamer oom withherIwil
lst
rangl
eherto
death.”Het ol
dhimf eel
i
ngthehumil
iat
ionof
beingfooledbyawoman.
Njongo:“
Who’sthat
,Ndabezi
thaandhow
shouldIor
dertheer
aser?
”
Dali
su:“
Mysecondwi f
e.”Nj
ongowidenedhi
s
eyesandlookedathi
m.“Thewomanf ool
edme
andthatchi
ldisnotmi
ne.”Heel
aborat
ed.
“
Youwill
notdothat
!”Thembel
i
hleexcl
aimed
r
eveal
i
nghersel
fbehindt
hem.
Dali
su:“
Didn’
tIsaydon’tfoll
owme? ”heasked
hol
dingherwristandpull
edherclosert
ohim.
Thembeli
hleheldhisshi
rtforbal
ance.
Thembeli
hle:“
Yousai
dso,butIj
ustknewthat
youweregoingtodosomethi
ngthatIwi
ll
go
agai
nst
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Thi
sisnoty
ourcal
ltomake.Nj
ongo
go.
”
“No!St op,
now! ”Shecommandedandhe
stoppedwal ki
ng.Thembel ihl
elookedather
husband.“ Youwantt oleavemeandt heboys?
Youwantt ogot ojai
lbecauseifyoucankil
lher
thepol i
cewi lli
nvesti
gateandt hemurdercan
bepi nnedony ou,no,that’
sawr ongwordyou’
ll
bef oundgui lt
y.”Shemadehi m awarewith
pleadingey es.
Njongo:“Thatcanbeavoidedifwecanmakei
t
l
ookl i
kesuici
desinceherchil
dismissi
ng.
”He
suggested.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ican’tbel
iev
eyouar
eev
en
suppl
yi
ngsuggest
ions.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sagoodsuggest
ion.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Thefatherofherbabywi ll
sur
faceandt ell
thepolicethetruththatthe
chi
ldisn’tyoursandy ou’l
lbethef i
rstsuspect
.
‘
Theki ngfoundoutt hatthechildwasn’thisand
ki
ll
edhi ssecondwi femaki ngitlookli
ke
sui
cide.’
Justpict
urethosenewspaper
headli
nes.‘
Theking’swifei
saloneandhurt
al
ongwi thsons.Thekingdom i
swithnokingas
hi
ssonsar esti
llyoung.
’Canyoupictur
ethat?
”
sheasked.
Nj
ongo:
“Ey,
Ndabezi
thashe’
sri
ghtabout
ev
ery
thi
ng.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ican’
tlethergoj
ustl
i
ket
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
youhav
efal
l
eni
nlov
ewi
th
her?
”
Dali
su:“What
?Howcany
ouaskmet
hat
questi
on?”
Nj
ongoleftt
hem ashesawthatapersonal
ar
gumentwasstarti
ngupbetweenthem.It
wasn’
tri
ghtofhi
mt ost
andthereandli
stento
i
t.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justanswerme.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iam noti
nlov
ewi
thherandIdon’
tlov
e
her
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Pr
ovei
ttome.
”
Dal
i
su:
“How?
”
Thembel ihle: “
Justtel
lNjongot otellhert o
l
eaveandnev ercomeback.Don’ thurtherordo
anyt
hingt oherj ustl
ethergo.Unl essify oulove
heryou’l
l feel theneedforrevengebecauseof
thel
ov ey ouhadf orher.You’l
lfeelbetrayedby
thewomany ouloveandkillhersot hatnobody
canhav eher .That’
swhaty ousaidt omer ight
?”
shelookedi ntohiseyes.“You’l
lputmei nside
thecoffi
nandbur ymei ntheriverthenswi m
ever
yy eari nt hatri
ver
.Whatar ey ougoi ngt o
dowitht hel ov eofyourli
fePrecious-”?
Dal
isu:
“Don’
tsayt
hat
,she’
snott
hel
oveofmy
l
if
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“You’
l
lbur
yhersomewhereand
growpot
atoesther
eandeatthem?I
sthatwhat
you’
ll
do?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ify
oudon’tl
oveherIwon’
tread
aboutherdeat
hinnewspapersIwon’
teven
readaboutaninj
uryt
hathappenedt
oher,i
fyou
don’tl
oveher.
”
Dal
isu:“
Fine,Iwi
l
lprov
emy
sel
ftoy
ouandwi
l
l
donothi
ngt oher
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sgood.
”
Dal
isu:
“Nowgetoutofmysi
ghtIam st
il
lmad
aty
ou.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sf
ine,
Iam st
il
lmadeaty
ou
too.
”
Dalisu:“Thatmeanswear eevensol etmego, ”
hesai dmov ingawayf rom her.“Andi fyou
foll
owmenow.Iwi l
l cuty ourhairbecause
there’snothi
ngwr ongt hatIwi l
ltel
lNjongo.”He
added.Asmuchashewasangr ythathe’dbeen
fooledhewasr el
ievedt hathewassl owl ygoi
ng
togethi sli
feback.Hewasgoi ngtof i
nd
himsel fagai
nbecausePr ecioushadmessed
notj usthi
sfami l
ybutshe’ dmessedhi m and
hi
sreasoni
ng…
Sheinhaledai rdeeplyt
hinkingshemustf oll
ow
him againbutshedeci dedagai nstitandwent
backinsideherhouse.Shehat edthefactthat
thi
ngsdi dn’
tgoasshewant edthem to,she
sawnohur tinDalisu’
sey es.Hewasonl yhurt
byherkeepi ngthesecr etfrom him notPreci
ous
fool
inghi m.Thatwasunf air!Shedidn’twant
thi
ngst oturnoutl i
kethis…
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE33

Dali
suwasseat edaloneint hel ounger efl
ecti
ng
tothetimewhenPr eciouscamei nt
ohi sli
fe.
Everyt
hingjusthappenedqui ckly!Thembel i
hle
wasr i
ght!Hewasaf oolt
obel ievePr ecious
thateasil
y.Buthehadgoodr easons, ‘Preci
ous
j
usttrappedhiml i
keanyot herdesper at
e
womanwoul d.Shewant edtogetpregnantf or
him becausesheknewt hathewasaki ngand
hav inganill
egiti
matechi ldwasoutofquest i
on.
’
Hebel i
evedthat,henev erthoughtthatshe
coul dbesost upidtotraphi m withachil
dt hat
wasn’ this…Hewashor ribletohiswifefora
tramp!Her eal
isedthatifhet ol
dhert hetr
ut h
noneoft hi
swoul d’
vehappened.Thembel ihle
wasgoi ngtounmaskPr ecious.Hesighed
thinkingthatthedignit
yt hathewast hinki
ngof
wasgoi ngtobet ar
nished.Hi sdigni
tyandhi s
kingdom.Theancest orshadl ethim down!He
blamed!Het ookouthisphoneandcal l
edthe
det ecti
ve.
Det
ect
ive:
“Ndabezi
tha!
”
Dal
isu:
“Ij
ustcal
l
edtoi
nfor
my out
hatt
her
e’s
noneedforyout
ocomehere.
”
Det
ect
ive:
“Why
?”
Dal
isu:“I
thasbeenr ev
eal
edtomethatt
he
chi
l
dt hatissupposedl
ymissi
ngi
snotmine.
”
Det
ecti
ve:“
Hhaybo!How?No,pl
easedon’
tli
eto
ust
osav eyourf
ir
stwif
e.We’
veheardt
hatyou
l
oveherthemost.
”
Dali
su:“No,Imean, yesIlovemydearwi f
ebutI
cannev erl
ieaboutt his.I
fthechildwasmi ne,I
wasn’tgoingtost andi nyourwayoff i
ndinghi m.
Buthe’snotmi ne.Ihav ereasonstobelievet hat
ri
ghtnowhemi ghtbesaf ewithhisfat
herand
mysecondwi f
ej ustwant edtoframemyf irst
wif
et ocausear iftbetweenus. ”heexplained
cal
mly .
Detecti
ve:“Thankyoufori
nformingusandI
hopey ouknowt haty
oursecondwi f
eshouldn’
t
harmedi nanywaybecauseshoul dt
hathappen
you’l
lhaveusony ourback.Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lnothur
tthewoman.
”
Det
ecti
ve:“
Iam sor
ryf
orthe
di
sappoi
ntment
,Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
don’
tbesor
ry.
”
Detecti
ve:“
Wewi llhavetovi
sityoursecond
wifeinthehospi
tal.Shemustbechar gedwi t
h
fal
seaccusati
onsasi tseemst hatshefal
sely
accusedthequeen.Shecanspendl i
keay earin
pri
sonespecial
lyifwecanf i
ndt hechi
ldandhi s
fat
her.”
Dali
su:“Okay,
dothatbutdon’
tgointhe
morningmypeoplewi l
lhaveatal
kwithher
giv
ingherinst
ruct
ionsconcer
ningheract
ions,
l
iesanddeceit.
”
Detect
ive:“
Wewi
l
ldot
hat
.Goodni
ght
ndabezi
tha.”
Dal
isu:“Goodni
ght
.”Theyhungupt
hecal
land
hesighed…
Dali
suandThembel ihl
ewerehav i
ngdinner
al
one.Theywerebot hquiet
lythi
nking,
thi
nki
ng
abouthowtheot herhadhurttheother
.
Thembeli
hlekeptsteali
ngglancesatDali
su.
Shedidn’
tunderstandwhyhewasangr y
becauseshewast heonewhowassupposedt o
beangr
ywi
thhi
m.
Dali
su:“
Whyar
eyoust
eal
i
ngst
aresatme?
”he
asked.
Thembelihl
e: “
It
’sjustthatIcanseeyou’
ve
forgot
tenwhaty oudidt ome.Iam nottal
ki
ng
aboutmar r
yingPreciousbecausenowIknow
thewholestory.Iam talki
ngaboutthewayyou
treat
edmebecauseofher .
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
en’
tfor
got
tent
hat
.Inev
erdi
d.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Butnowyouar
eangrywi
thme.I
am theonl
ypersonwit
hther
ightt
obeangr
y
wit
hy ou.
”
Dal
isu:
“Ishoul
dbehappybecausey
oukept
qui
etwiththet
rut
h?”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,Iam notsayi
ngbehappybut
youmustn’
tbeangrywi t
hme.Iwashurtandso,
Itookadecisi
ont
hatwasgoi ngtoputmyhear
t
atease.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Isy
ourhear
tateasenow?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dal
isu:
“No,y
ouar
ely
ingbecausey
ouar
eangr
y
wit
hme. ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam angr
yaty
ourst
upi
dit
ynot
formar
ryi
ngPreci
ous.
”
Dali
su:“
Itdoesn’
tmakemehappywheny
ou
keeptel
l
ingmeIwasst upi
d.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iknow,andIam al
soangrythat
youkeptt
het r
uthfr
om me.Youshouldn’
tbe
angr
ywithme.You’vehurtmealot.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iknowt
hatIdi
dandIam sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwon’tsaysor
ryf
orkeepi
ngt
his
asecr
etfr
om you.
”
Dal
isu:“
Icanseethaty
ouarenotsor
ryandI
won’tf
orceyout
obesor r
yify
ouarenotsor
ry,
MaSthole.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youhav
etoi
nfor
mthecounci
l
thatPr
eci
ousisgone.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
l
ldothat
.”Thembel
ihl
enoddedand
st
oodupwithanemptyplat
e.

Shewokeupi nthemor ni
ngandDal i
suwasn’ t
nexttoher.Shesatupst r
aightandlookedf or
herphone.Shegr abbedthephoneandcal led
him.Hisphoner angbuthedi dn’
tanswerthe
call
.Shecall
edhi m agai
nandheanswer edthe
call
thist
imear ound.
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyoucal
l
ingme?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Wherear
eyou?Ij
ustwokeup
andyouarenotnextt
ome.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam hav
ingbr
eakf
astwi
tht
heboy
s.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iam comi
ng-
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wear
enothome.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
What?Whereareyouandwhydi d
youleavewi t
houtt
ell
i
ngme?That ’sjustwrong,
i
t’swrong!”Shehungupthecallasshewas
suddenlyangrywit
hhim.Hejustlefther!Why
wouldhedothat
?Sheclickedhertongueand
gotofft
hebed.Dali
sucall
edagainshejust
l
ookedatthecal
lerI
Dandwentt otakeher
shower…
Shedressedupinay ell
owf lar
eskirtanda
bl
acktightf
ull
neckshi r
twi t
hlacylongsleeves.
Shecombedherhai randputont hebl ackst
raw
hatwit
hblacksuedeheel s.Shetookherblack
handbagandleftt
her oom dial
li
ngNj ongo’
s
number.
Nj
ongo:
“Ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Nj
ongo:
“Iam ont
her
oadt
oRi
char
dsbay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whendi
dyoul
eav
e?”
Nj
ongo:
“Justt
hir
tymi
nut
esago.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam behi
ndyounowanddon’
t
seePr
eci
ouswithoutme.”
Nj
ongo:
“Butndl
ovukazi
-”
Thembel i
hle:“Youdon’
thavetotellt
hekinghe
i
snothomeandsoIwi llf
oll
owy ou.Justdon’
t
st
ar tanytalkswit
hPreci
ouswithoutmy
presence.
”
Nj
ongo:
“You’
l
lgetmei
ntr
oubl
endl
ovukazi
.
”
Shest eppedinsidet hecaraft
erhootingthecar
forMduduzi buthewasn’ thometoo.She
sniff
edt heairast hesmel l
ofsoilhi
ther
nostri
ls.Thegar denerwaswat eri
ngthepl ant
s.
Thedr opsofwat eronthesoilmadet he
pleasi
ngsmel l
.Thenear byguardwentt othe
carandst art
edt hecar .
Thembeli
hle:
“Youar
emyguar
dnothi
ssodo
whatIsay.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Butheempl
oyedme.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Fine!”shehungupt hecal
land
putherphonei nsideherbag.“
Wai t,
Iwil
lcome
back.”shesaidandl eftt
hecar.Shewalked
fastergoi
ngatt hebackofherhouse.She
greetedthegardenerandmadeherwayt othe
redsoi
l.Shepokedi
touttoherhandand
headedbacktothecareat
ingi
t…
“Justdr
ivef asterIwanttogettoRichar
dsbay
beforet
heydo. ”sheinstr
uctedhi
m.Theman
noddedandpi ckedupt hespeed…
Thembelihle’sphoner angandshedidn’
t
answerit.Sheswi tchedoffthephoneand
closedherey espat i
entl
y…
-
--
“Ihaveinf
ormedt hemessengerthatIwantt
o
speakt othecounci
landtheelder
sbutnot
today.
”Dal i
susaidsi
tt
ingdownwi t
hhismother
i
nherr estroom.They’
vejusthadthei
r
breakfast
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
What’swrongwhydoyouwant
tospeakt
othem andshoul
dn’
tyoubeat
Richar
dsbay
?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Idon’
thav
etobet
her
emama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whynot
?”
Dali
su:“Thesupposedl
ymi
ssi
ngbabyi
snot
mine!”
MaCebekhul
u:“
WHAT!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
thebabyi
snotmi
nemama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?You’
ve
seenhi
spict
ure?”
Dal
i
su:“
Yes,andHl
ezi
phi
tol
dmet
hatt
hebaby
i
snotmine.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Howdoessheknow?
”
Dali
su:“
Sheov er
heardmydearwif
etell
ingher
fr
iendt
hatshehear dPr
eci
oustal
ki
ngtoher
babydaddyaboutthebaby
.Andjustguess
who’st
hefather?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
su!Tel
lthewhol
est
ory
?”
Dali
su:“
Thefatheroft hebabyis…”het
oldher
ever
ythi
ngthatHleziphitol
dhim.Hedidn’
t
l
eaveanysingl
edet ail
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Oh!Jehov
a!Younev
erwentt
o
t
heDoct
orwi
thher
?”
Dali
su:“
Idi
donceortwi
cebutcl
ear
lyshe’
d
boughtt
hatDoct
or.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Youseei fThembeli
hledidn’
t
endthi
sthingofgoi ngtothegynaecologi
stthat
weallwentto,noneoft hiswasgoingto
happenbecauset hatDoctorwasnevergoingt o
l
ietous.
”
Dali
su:“
Butmama, t
hat’
snotherfaultandy ou
knowwhyshechangedt heDoctor.Shedidn’t
wantsomeonewhowasn’ tgoingtobeloyalto
heraspregnantmom butbeloyal
tot he
ki
ngdom.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
edef
endi
nghernow?
”
Dali
su:“Yes,mamashewaswr ongtokeepthi
s
asecretbutIhav ehurthermama.Youknow
thatt
oowel l.Ihavehurtherandshej ust
wantedtohur tmet oo.AndIam nothur tt
hat
Preci
ousf ooledmeIam hur tthatThembeli
hle
l
iedtomesoshesucceeded. ”
MaCebekhulu:“Iam angrywithher!Youshould
punishPreci
ous,Musa, ever
yone!Agha!”she
cl
ickedhertonguerepeatedly
.
Dali
su:
“Ihav esentNjongot oRichar
dsbayt o
makesur ethatsheleavesandnev erret
urns.
Andhe’l
ldrainallt
hemoneyt hatshehas.She’
ll
bebankruptandwe’ l
lseeifMusawi lll
eaveher
bosswifeforher.Thembelihlemustnotknow
aboutt
histhough.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whynot
?”
Dali
su:
“Shewant
edmet
olethergowi
thout
puni
shi
ngher.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Thatwil
lnothappenbecause
theel
der
swi llsur
elywanthertocomebackand
she’
ll
gettheirpunishmentt
oo.”
Dali
su:“
No,Idon’
twantt
oeverseet
hatwoman
agai
n.Iwil
lnotal
l
owthat.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo,
Dal
i
su!
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Idon’
twantherher
e.”Hesai
d
taki
ngouthi
sphoneanddi all
edThembel
ihl
e’
s
numberagain.Hecl
ickedhistongue.
“Thembel
ihl
eistest
ingme!”heexclai
med.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whatdi
dshedo?
”
Dali
su:“
Shehasswit
chedof
fherphoneand
she’
sfol
lowi
ngNjongo.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i!Uy
abonauThembel
i
hle!
”
“Gobelaneedstocomeback.Iwanttoknow
whyhedi dn’
ttel
lust
his.
”Hesaidstandi
ngon
hisfeetandMaCebekhul
ugotupafterhi
m.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ial
sowantt
oknow.Wher
ear
e
yougoi
ngnow?”
Dal
i
su:
“ Iam goi
ngt
other
oyal
cemet
erywi
th
t
heboys.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay,
Iwil
lcooklunchyoumust
comeherewhenyouaredone.Youaretaki
ng
Ndabezi
nhl
etoo?”
Dal
i
su: “
No,Iwon’ttakehi
m becausehis
motheri
snothere.”MaCebekhulunoddedas
theyentert
helounge.“Let’sgonowthe
cart
oonswi l
lhav etowait
.”Dali
sui
nformedhis
boys.Theyrel
uct ant
lygotupwitht
heirheads
fi
xedont hescreen.MaCebekhulutookthe
remoteandswi tchedofftheTV.
Boy
s:“
HAWU!GOGO!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Gotoyourf
ather
.”Shepointed
hi
m ashewasstandi
ngbythedoor.Theythen
wentt
ohim…
-
--
--
NjongoandMduduzigotatthehospit
alfi
rst.
“Weneedt ohur
ryupbefor
endlovukazigets
here.
”Njongosai
dwalki
ngfaster
.
Mduduzi:“
Mywifei
sstubbor
nbutnotl
i
ke
ndl
ovukaziMaSt
hol
e.”
Njongo:“Youcansaythatagain,hheyi
unenkani
l
oy amfazi.I
tNdabezi
thaonlywhoknowshow
tohandleher.Andhedoesn’tseem togett
ired
ofher.Iwould.
”
Mduduzi:
“Thatshowst
hatt
her
e’ssomeonef
or
ev
eryone.
”
“Yeah!
”Hesaidsendinghi
shandsonhi s
pocket
sastheyreachedPrecious’
sdoor
.
“Sawubona,
Nqaba.”Hegreetedhim.
Nqaba:
“Yebo,
madoda.Howar
eyou?
”
Men:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Nqaba:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,y
oucangoi
nsi
de.
”
Theynoddedandent erthehospitaldoor.She
wasont hephonespeakingt oMusa, hewas
tel
li
ngheraboutt hebaby .Heli
edt el
lingher
thatt
hebabywaswi t
hhim butthebabywasn’ t
withhim.He’dhiredawomant olookaf t
erthe
babyinhi sfl
atwhilehewaswi thhisf amily
.
Preci
ouswashi spersonalsavi
our,hel ovedher
asmost l
yshewashi sescapef r
om hi s
everydayreal
ity
,thecontrolfr
eakwi fe.Thathe
wasst uckwithbecauseshewast her eforhim
whenhewasj obless,hedidn’
tknowt hat
acceptingherhelpwasgi vi
ngheranaut hori
ty
forhertocont
rolhim…Butashewasf ool
ing
Preci
ous,shewasal sofooli
nghim becauseshe
didn’
tint
endtoleaveDalisu.She’
dfall
eninlove
withhim.Shecouldn’tl
eavehimforMusa.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Eh…Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
.”
Musa:“Yourr
oyal
husbandisthere?
”hejoked
andPreci
ouscoul
dn’
tevenlaughbecause
NjongoandMduduzihadt
heireyesonher.
Precious:
“ Yes.”Shehungupt hecal
land
l
ookedatt het women.“ Ihopeyouareheret
o
tel
lmet haty ou’v
ef oundthepr i
nce.
”Shesai
d
withoutgreetingthem.
Thetwomenchuckl edandshookt hei rheads,
theyknewsomet hingshedidn’tknow…They
bothstoodsidebysi deofherandt ookout
sil
encedguns.Theypl acedthem ont hesides
ofherribs.Shewidenedherey eswithf ear.
Njongo:“
Justscr
eam andwewi
l
lbot
hshoot
you.”het
hreat
ened.
Preci
ous:“
Thembeli
hlesenty
outodothis,ri
ght
?
Ourhusbandwil
lknowaboutthi
sjustt
ellherI
saidt
hat.
”
Nj
ongo:
“YouarewrongbecauseNdlunkul
u
MaSt
hol
e’shusbandsentusher
e.”
Preci
ous:
“That
’sal
i
e.I
sthatwhatshet
oldy
ou
shoul
dsaytome?”
Mduduzi
:“Theki
ngsentust
oask,
wher
edi
d
youhi
deyourbaby?
”
Preci
ous:
“What
?Whatki
ndofquest
ioni
s
that
?”
Nj
ongo:“
It
’sastrai
ghtf
orwardquest
ion,wher
e
i
sthebabythaty
ouhavegivenbir
thto,
Pr
eci
ous?”
Preci
ous:
“Iam y
ourqueendon’
tcal
lmebymy
name.”
Mduduzi
:“Youarenotourqueenandwewant
t
oknowwher eisthebabythaty
ouwantedt
o
t
raptheki
ngwith?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Thi
sisr
idi
cul
ous.
”
Njongo:“
Youf ool
edtheki
ngandhehasfound
outthatt
hebabydoesn’tbel
ongt
ohim now,
whereisthatbaby?”
Preci
ous:“
That’
sali
ethebabyishi
s.Iam not
l
y i
ngthequeenMaSthol
estolemybaby.
”She
begancryi
ngasNjongomov edt
heguntoher
face.
Njongo:
“Wherei
sthebaby
,it
’sei
thery
out
ellus
orwedischar
geyouandki
lly
ousomewhere,
wherenobodywi
llf
indy
ou.”
Precious:“
Thebabyi swit
hhi sfather,
Al ex.
Please,don’tki
l
lmeIwasn’ tsureofhis
paterni
tyIjustt
houghthebel ongedtot heking.
Please,bel
ievethatIam t
ell
ingy outhet rut
h.”
Njongo:“Tel
lusthetr
uthbecausewealready
knowt hefat
herofyourbaby,
wewi l
lfi
ndhim
andkil
l y
ourbaby.”
“
No!
”Shecr
iedandbegant
ell
i
ngt
hem t
her
eal
tr
uthwhenshewasdone, she’dpeedonher sel
f
becauseoff ear
.“Iam sor
ry ,pl
easefor
giveme.”
sheadded.Shewi pedhert earsasshefelther
heartbreak.Shedidn’
tunder st
andwhomi ght
havet ol
dthem aboutthi
s?I twas‘Al
ex!’
She
concluded.
Njongo:
“Youshouldbegrat
eful
tondl
ovukazi
MaSthol
e,wearelett
ingy
ougobecauseofher.
Loosewoman,tsk!
”
Mduduzi:
“Youshouldknowt hatrightnowy ou
shoul
dtakeyourt
hingsandleav e.Don’tever
thi
nkofcomingbackasy ourbabydaddycame
toyourweddi
ngandwedi dn’tseehi m.You’l
ltr
y
tocomebackandy ouwon’tbesol ucky.
”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Iwi
l
lleav
eandnev
ercomeback.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Good!
”
Mduduzi:
“Wewi llbestandingbythemaingate
weshouldseey ouleaving,
doy ouunder
stand?
”
Theydi
dn’tt
ellherthatthepoli
ceweregoingto
bewait
ingforherinstead…
Pr
eci
ous:
“Yes!
”shenoddedqui
ckl
y.
Themenl efther.Pr
eciouscri
edwishingshe
couldseeDalisutoexplai
nhersel
ftohim.She
l
ovedhi m andtheycouldworkthi
ngsout.As
shakingasshewasshet ookherphoneand
cal
ledhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Youhav
ethegut
stocal
lme.
”
Preci
ous:“
Icanexpl
ainNdabezit
ha.Ij
ustdi
dn’
t
knowthatthebabywasn’
tyoursIsawthatt
he
dayIgavebir
th.
”
Dali
su:“
Idon’tev
enwanttohearanexpl
anat
ion,
Preci
ous.Iwantyouexi
tmyli
feandneverev
er
comeback.”
Preci
ous:“
IloveyouandIcan’
tlosey
ou.Iknow
youlovemet oo.
”
Dali
su:
“Youmustbeaf
ool
tobel
i
evet
hatIl
ove
you.
”
Pr
ecious:“Pl
ease,t
hinkaboutyourreputat
ion,
whatwill
peoplesaywhent heyhearthatyour
mar
ri
agedi
dn’
tev
enl
astt
womont
hs.
”
Dali
su:“
Theywillsayyouweren’
tagood
womanf orme.Youf el
lpr
egnantfort
he
queen’
soldersi
ster’
shusbandandthen
deci
dedtoblamet hehusbandofherl
itt
lesi
ster
?
Didyoueventhi
nkt hi
sthr
ough?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“What
?Al
exi
sn’
tmar
ri
ed.
”
Dal
isuchuckl
ed.“
Oh,Ij
ustspoil
edthefun.
Sor
ry.Youmustbegrat
efult
hatIam notthe
onewhocamet oseeyou,t
sk!”hehungupthe
cal
l.
Preci
ouscr
iedandgotof
fthebedqui
ckl
y,she
neededtor
unandneverl
ookback…
-
--
-
Shearr
ivedi
nRichar
dsbay,i
nthehospit
al
wherePreci
ouswas,shesawthecarsheknew
bel
ongedtoherhusband.
“They’
realr
eadyhere!
”sheexcl
aimedgett
ing
offthecarandtheguardf
oll
owedher.Shemet
Nj
ongoandMduduzi
,theyhadNqabaal
ong
wi
thZi
ntombi
fol
lowi
ngt hem.
Nj
ongo:
“Ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Thembel
ihl
e: “
Don’
tndl
ovukazime!Because
youdon’
tli
stentomyword,whatthekingsays
i
stheonlythi
ngthatmatt
erstoyou.
”
Njongo:“I
t’
snotli
kethathewasgoi
ngt obe
angryifwedidn’
tfol
l
owhi si
nst
ruct
ionsand
youknowhowhei s.
”
“Tsk!
”Shepushedt hem asi
deandproceeded
withherway.Theyfoll
owedherandshe
stoppedwalki
ng.“Now,whyareyouf ol
lowing
mebecausey ouhav edonewhattheking
wanted,whyareyouf ol
lowi
ngme? ”sheasked
l
ookingatthem wit
hherbubbleeyeswi dened.
Nj
ongo:
“Youshoul
dn’
tbeal
one.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Di
dn’
ty ouseethatmanIcame
here,
wit
h?Iam notaloneandso,justl
eaveme
al
one!Gobackreporttoyourki
ng!”sheshout
ed
andtheystoppedwal
ki
ng.Shecli
ckedher
tonguerepeat
edl
yaswalkedawaywithout
them…
“So,youwantedmyhusbandtofat
heryour
chil
d?”Thembelihl
easkedPr
eci
ousstandi
ngby
thedoor.Pr
eciouswasbusypacki
ngher
clot
hes.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Thembel i
hle:
“Icamet omakesur ethatmy
husbanddoesn’ thurtyou.Andseeyouasy ou
l
eave.Ijustcan’tbel
ievethatyouareso,evi
l.
Youjustwant edtohav ehim al
ltoy
ourself
whil
eIhat ehimf orcheati
ng?”
Pr
eci
ous:
“Ihav
efal
l
eni
nlov
ewi
thhi
m.”
Shelaughed.“Andhelovesyouback?
”she
askedwalkingclosert
oher.
Pr
eci
ous:
“Hedoes,
he’
sjustangr
y.”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’spai
nfultoseey
ouli
kethis.Do
youevenknowt hat‘
Alex
’isMusa,mysi
ster’
s
husband?”sheaskedshowi
nghert
hepict
ureof
Thokozi
leandherhusbandal
ongwit
hthei
r
chi
ldr
en.
Preci
ouspl acedherhandonhermout h.“
Thi
sis
nottr
ue, may bet
hey’
rejustbusi
ness
associ
ates.Youar el
yingtome.IknowAlex
andhe’snotMusa. ”Shecriedtr
yingt
othi
nk,
whatifthiswasthetruth?
Thembelihle:“
Yes, he’
sAlexont henewspaper s
becausethat'shisfir
stname.Your uinedmy
marri
ageandbr oughtmeal otofpainPr ecious
andforthat,Iwishnot hi
nggoodt ocomey our
way.Youdon’ tmesswi t
hauni onf r
om abov e
andthinkthatyou’lll
iveyourlif
ehappi l
y.But
thenIcan’tsayanyj udgementupony ou.Iam
j
ustbeggingy out oleaveusi npeaceandnev er
comeback. ”
Preci
ous:
“Iwi
llnevercomebackbutwhat
aboutmywaterproject
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
i,Idon’
tknow.By
e.Ihav
e
seenthatyouarealiv
esoIshouldl
eave.
”She
l
eftthehospi
talroom aft
ershe’
dspentafew
minutesj
ustlookingather…
Njongoandtheothersweresti
l
l waiti
ngforher
andPreci
ousoutsidethehospi
tal.Thembeli
hle
wenttothecarwithoutsayi
ngany t
hingt
o
Njongoandthecrew…Nj ongofol
lowedherwi t
h
hi
sphone.
“
Ndlovukazi
,ndabezi
thawantstospeakt
oyou.
Hehasbeencal l
i
ngandy ourphonei
soff
.”He
i
nfor
medherst andi
ngbyt hecar
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwil
lcall
him.Dri
vemet othe
mall
,Mthunzi
.”Sheinstr
uct
edtheguar dandhe
drov
eoffimmediatel
y.Thembeli
hletookher
phonef
rom herbackandswi t
chediton…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nj
ongosai
dyou’
vebeencal
l
ing
me.”
Dal
isu:“
Hesaidt
hat
,di
dn’
tyoui
gnor
emycal
l
s
onpurpose?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,Idi
dn’
tignor
ethem myphone
wasonsil
ent
.”Sheli
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Sot
hisi
showourl
i
fewi
l
lbe?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Li
kewhat
?”
Dali
su: “
You’ll
leav
et hehouseandgowher ever
youwantwi t
houttell
i
ngme?Theny ouwillli
eto
mewhenev eryoufeelli
keit
?It’
l
lbelikethat,
MaSt hole?Whathappenedmeansy ou’
ll
disr
espectmeanddoasy ouplease?You’ll
speakt omehowev eryouwantbecauseIno
l
ongerdeser veyourrespect
?Itwil
lbelikethat,
MaSt hole?”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,i
twon’
tbel
ikethatIj
ust
neededtoensur
ethaty
oudon’tgoagai
nstyour
word.”
Dal
isudi
dn’
tsayanotherwor
dhehungupt
he
cal
l
…Thembelihl
esighed.
“NowthatPr
eci
ousisgonehe’
llbeonmyback
ever
yti
me.Usezongi
namathel
anjengoqadol
o.
‘
Thembel i
hle,
uyaphi?Ukuphi ?Wenzani ?
Iskhathisokubuyaekhay alesiMaSt hole?
MaSt hole,buyaekhayangi l
ambi l
e.Kade
ngikuli
ndilemkami’”shemi mi ckedher
husband’ svoi
ceasi fshewasal oneint hecar
.
Theguar dwast ryi
ngt oblockhi slaughterashe
couldhearThembel ihlecompl ainabouther
husbandal one…
Thembeli
hle:“You’l
ldr
ivemetomybr ot
her’
s
houseIwil
l di
rectyoutohishouse.ButIwil
l
star
tatt
hemal l
.”Sheinst
ruct
edhim andhe
noddedhisheadashewasst il
lhol
dingin
l
aughter
…
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE34

Pr
eciouswalkedoutoft
hehospi
tal
maindoors
i
nfear.Shedidn’
tful
l
ytr
ustt
hatDal
isuwoul
d
l
ethergoj ustli
ket
hat.May betheyli
edt oher
andtoldherhewasl ettinghergosot hatshe
wouldleavethehospital.Thatwaytheywer e
goingtokil
lherbett
er.Shest oppedwal kingand
thoughtofgoingbacki nsidethehospit
al but
thatwasnotanopt i
on.
Asshewaswal kingfastt
hepaparazziof
j
ournali
stcameoutofnowher etheytook
pi
cturesofherandaskedherquestion.Shej
ust
cover
edherfacewi t
hherjacketandtri
edto
wal
kawaybuti twasi mpossi
ble.
“QueenPr eciousisittr
uethaty ou’v
ef akedy our
son’skidnappingjusttospitethef i
rstQueen? ”
Thejournali
st saskedherthesamequest i
on
butindiffer
entangles…Thesamenur sethat
Precioushiredshewast heonewhosol dt he
stor
yt othejournali
standt i
ppedt hem offt hat
Preciouswasaboutt oleave…
Preci
ous:“
NOCOMMENT! ”Shekeptsayi
ngt
hat
asshetri
edtopav
ethewaythroughthe
papar azziandev eninthatmist.Shesuspected
Thembel i
hle,
shewast heonewhocal ledthe
j
our nali
sts.Sheconcl uded…Shesawt he
j
our nali
stspav i
ngawayf orherandinhermi nd.
Shet hought‘Dalisuwasher e’butherbubble
wasbur stpainf
ullywhenshebumpedi ntothe
detectivethatshe’dli
edt o.Herfacewasbl ood
drai
nwi thshock.Thepol i
ce!
Det ective: “PreciousMaj ozi,
youar eunder
arrestf orf alseaccusat i
onsagai nstt
hequeen
MaSt holeandf ormi sleadingthepubli
c
serv ants, youmi susedthegov ernments’
resour ceswast i
ngt hepolicefor
ce’sti
me…”he
point edt hepol icemanwhocuf fedherwhil
ehe
wasst il
lt ell
ingheraboutherr i
ght.
“NO,THISMUSTBEAMI SUNDERSTANDI NG!”
Shescreamedast hepol
icetookheraway.
Theywalkedwithhertot
hev anandthey
shovedheratthebackofthevanasifshewas
neverqueen…
-
--
--
“Theysaidy oujustlef
twithouteventelli
ng
them.Youdi dn’tevenseeNdabezi nhletoday.
He’sasleepnow. ”Dali
sucompl ainedlookingat
Thembel i
hleasshewasdr essingupf orbed…
Shecamebackhomel atelongafterNjongo
andMduduzi hadgott othepalace.Shel ost
trackofti
meatherbr other’
shouse.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwill
seehim whenhewakesup.
He’sst
il
lgoingtocryatnightandIwil
lwakeup
andseehim.Iwasi nahur r
yinthemorning
that
’swhyIjustl
eftbutyoualsodidn’
ttel
lme
whereyouwer egoingwit
ht heboys.
”
Dal
isu:
“Youwer
esl
eepi
ngIj
ustdi
dn’
twantt
o
wakeyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam sorr
ythen.
”Shesai
dgett
ing
i
ntobedwithhim.“Didyouspeakt
othecounci
l
today
?”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Idi
dn’
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatwi
l
lyousay
?”
Dalisu:“Iwil
ltellt
hem Idon’
twantherback
hereIdon’ tevenwantt oseeherfaceandso,
they’l
lhavet olethergo.Theywil
lprobabl
y
threatenmewi thtel
li
ngtheelder
sthatIwant
hert ogoscotf ree.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam sur
etheel
der
swi
l
lfor
cey
ou
tobr
ingherbackhere.
”
Dali
su: “Iwi
llj
ustbl
ackmailthem andtellt
hem
thattheyforcedmet omarr
yheraf terIhave
madeadeci si
onnottomarryherandnow, they
can’tforcemet obri
ngherback.Theywi l
llet
mebei fIsaythat
.Andbesidesshe’sinpolice
custodynow.Idon’twanttoseet hatwoman
again,that’
swhykill
i
ngherwast hebest
opti
on. ”
Thembeli
hle:“Hhayi
kwahl e,Idi
dn’
tmarrya
murder
er.Ungangphoxi mina.”Shesai
dfixi
ng
thebl
ankets.Dali
susighed…
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lyourbr
other
andhe’
snotansweri
ngmycal
l
s.Cany
oucal
l
hi
m onmybehalf?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatdoy
ouwantt
osayt
omy
brot
her
?”
Dali
su:“
You’
l
lknowwheni
t’
sti
mef
ory
out
o
know.”
Thembelihl
etookherphoneanddi al
led
Thokozani’
snumber.Shesighedlookingat
Dali
suasshewai t
edforthecallt
obe
answered.
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tlookatmel
i
ket
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Li
kewhat
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Li
ket
hat
.”
Sheremovedhereyesfr
om hi
m andsmi
l
edas
herbrot
heranswer
edthecal
l.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Jobe,
arey
oubusy
?”
Thokozani
:“No,
what
’swr
ong?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourbr
otheri
n-l
awwant
sto
speakt
oyou.
”
Thokozani
:“Speakt
omeaboutwhatbecause
asIam notansweri
nghi
scal
lst
hatmeansI
don’
twanttospeaktohi
m.Ihav
enothingto
saytohim.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Idon’
tknowwhathewant stosay
butplease,justhearhim out
.Justformysake
becauseify oudon’tspeaktohim he’
ll
bother
me.”
Thokozani
chuckl
ed.“
Okay
,Iwi
l
lspeakt
ohi
m.”
hesaid.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwil
ltel
lhi
mt ocal
lyouwit
hhis
ai
rti
mebecauseminewil
lrunoutj
ustnow.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
.”
Shehungupt hecal
landl
ookedatDal
isu,
he
shookhi
shead.“What?Youwanttocomplai
n
aboutwhatnow?”sheasked.
Dal
isu:“
Iwasgoi
ngtobot
hery
ou?
”heasked
get
tingoft
hebed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,whatsecr
etthaty
ouwantt
o
tal
kaboutasy ouar
eleavi
ngthebed?Whati
s
i
t?”
Dalisu:
“Thatdoesn’
tconcer
ny ouf
ornow.How
didIendupwi thawifewholovestalki
ngl
i
ke
you?Youj ustdon’
twanttokeepquiet.
”He
teasedher.
Thembelihle:“Yes,Ialsowonderhowdi dIend
upwithsuchat radit
ional
man.Imeant her
e
weremanyy oungmenwhowoul d’
vebeengr eat
.
Goodf eministmen. ”Sheshottheteaseback
andlaughed.
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
otel
lmet
hatIam ol
d?”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Don’ty
oulookol
d?Imeandi
d
youl
ookatyourbear
dlat
ely
?Iseesomegr
ey
hai
rnow.
”
“That
’salie!”heexclai
medhol di
nghisbeard.
Thembelihlelaughedathi
sr eact
ion,
she’d
succeededi nteasi
nghim good.“Iam sur
ethat
i
fIwasn’tthef ir
stpri
nceIwasn’tgoi
ngt obeat
t
hatr
eeddanceandhearthatvoice.Youl
ured
me.
”headdedputt
ingaleftf
istonhiswaist
.
Thembelihl
elaughed.“
Don’
tbesosur ebecause
Iwasgoingtof i
ndyouatRichar
dsbay.You
weregoingtoseemeatt hemallandgoweak
i
nstantl
ywheny ouglar
eatmyey es.
”She
predi
ctedback.
Dal
isu:“
Idi
dn’thaveti
met ol
ookf
orladi
esat
Ri
chardsbayIwasn’tevengoi
ngt
olaymyeyes
onyou.Iwasv er
ybusy.”
Thembelihle:“
Yeah,r
ightjusttellyoursel
fthat!
”
sheexclaimedleani
ngbackatt heheadboar d.
“AndIdon’tknowwhyar ewehav i
ngt his
conver
sationbecausey ouarest uckher ewith
meany way .Li
tt
lePr
eciousi sgone. ”
Dali
su:“
Doy
our
eal
i
set
hatshewasol
dert
han
you?”
Thembel
ihle:
“Idon’
tcar
ebutIwastheol
der
oneher
e.Don’tyoumisshernow?
”sheteased
wit
hami schi
evoussmil
e.
Dali
su:“Ngizokuphoxanj
alongobaubuy
e
uphaphe.”
Shegiggled.“
Juststoptal
ki
ngandgocal lmy
brot
her,youarekeepinghi
m wait
ing.Whatifhe
hadplansofbeingwi t
hhiswif
enow?Andy ou’
ll
di
sturbtheirr
omanticmomentwithy ourcal
l.
”
Sheaskedshakingherhead.
Dali
su:
“HowcanIgobecausey
ouar
ebusy
t
alki
ng?”
Thembel
ihle:
“Don’tblamemebecauseIhad
nobodyt
ot al
ktoher esinceyouwer
ebusy
nursi
ngyourpregnantwi f
e.”
Dalisu:“Tsk!LetmegobeforeIdeci
detotape
yourmout h.
”Heleftt
heroom wit
houtheari
ng
whatshewassay i
ng…Helaughedashewal ked
away .I
tf el
tgoodtohimtoseehertalki
ngand
teasinghi mli
kesheusedto.I
tgavehim hope
thatthingswer egoi
ngtogobacktonormal as
ti
mewenton…
Thokozani
:“It
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
ocal
l
ri
ghtaway.”hesai
daf
tert
heyhavegr
eet
ed
eachotherandmadesmallt
alks.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam sor
ryIwasst
il
lbusy
.”
Thokozani
:“HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
Dali
su:“
Iwantt
omakear
it
ual
iny
ourf
ather
’s
house.
”
Thokozani
:“Ar
it
ual
?”
Dali
su:
“Yes,Iwantedtodoitaft
ermyweddi
ng
butMaStholeandI,werenotontal
ki
ngt
erms.I
j
usthel
dt hethoughtback.
”
Thokozani
:“Whatr
it
ual
?”
Dali
su:“Ihavehurtyoursisterv
erybadandy ou
areangrywithme, youdidn’tev
encomet ot he
wedding.Ican’
timaginehowangr yy our
ancestorsareasIhavebr okenmyv ows,thatI
madei nthepresenceoft heLord,myfamily,the
ancestorsandmypeopl e.Iwanttoslaughtera
cowandappeasewi ththeancestorsforwhatI
havedone.”
Thokozani
: “
You’l
ldot hi
sagai noneday
becauseyouknowy ou’l
ljusteasi
lysl
aught
era
cow,ri
ght,ndabezi
tha? ”
Dal
isu:“
No,Ihavelear
ntmylessonandJobeI
di
dn’twantthi
stohappen.Iwasjustt
rappedby
awoman. ”
Thokozani:“I
t’
sjustnotr
ightwhaty oudid
becausenobodyf orcedyoutopromi semy
si
sterthatyouwi l
lnotmarryanotherwoman.
Youdidt hatbutnowIcanseet hatyouwer e
j
usttryi
ngt ogethertoagreetomar ryyou?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
it’
snotl
i
keJobe.
”
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
lcal
lmyauntanduncl
e,t
hen
wewi l
lcal
lyouwhenwehavemetand
di
scussedwhatyou’
ver
equested.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
.”
Dal
isusi
ghedast
hey’
vehungupt
hecal
l
.He
st
ooduphopingt
heydon’
tst
ophi
mfrom doi
ng
thi
s,becauseitwastheri
ghtt
hingt
odo.He
wentbackt othei
rbedr
oom.Thembeli
hlewas
onthebedbr east
feedi
ngNdabezi
nhl
e.
Dal
i
su:
“He’
sawake?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
andIwantt
osl
eepnow.
He’l
lj
ustkeepmeawake.”
Dali
su:
“Iam her
eIwill
stayupwit
hyou.
”
Thembeli
hlesmi
ledandnodded,
wipi
ngher
son’
ssweatyfor
ehead.“MaSt
hol
e?”Hecal
l
ed
herpol
it
ely
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Baba?
”
Dalisu:“Iwanttoappeaset oyourancestorsfor
everythi
ngt hatIdi dtohur tyou.I
nmoder nl
if
e
wecansaywear er enewingourv owsbutt hi
s
i
snotamoder nmar riage.
”Thembel i
hlel
aughed
andl ookedathi m shor tl
y,shemetaser i
ous
face.“Iam notj okingnow, MaSthole.Iam
tal
kingt oyouser iously.Wear enotj oki
ng
around.”Hei nformedher ,seri
ously
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iam sor
ry.
”
Dal
isu:
“Eversincet
hisPr
eci
oust
hingst
art
edI
wasneverproudofit
.”
Thembeli
hle:“I
t’
shardbeli
evethatbecauset
he
wayyoucar r
iedyour
selfandthewayy outol
d
theel
dersabouther.Iwaslookingatyousmil
e
expl
aini
ngthingsabouther.
”
Dali
su: “
Iwastry
ingtoli
vewit
hit
.Therewas
nothingIcoul
ddobecauseIbeli
evedthechil
d
wasmi nesoIhadt osucki
tupandliv
ewi t
hmy
mistake.”
Thembelihl
e:“Youthoughtt
hatwasgoingto
bri
ngy oupeace?”sheaskedremovingher
breastfr
om Ndabezinhl
e.Shewipedhismouth.
Dalisu:“
IthoughtIwasdoi ngwhatany
reasonablemani nmyshoeswoul ddo.Iam
sorryandpl easeallowmet odothisri
tual
.Iam
notsay i
ngf orgivemer i
ghtawayandl et’
s
forgeteverythingthathappened.Let’
spickup
wher ewel eftoffbeforeher,Iam notsayi
ng
that.Iam justaskingthatwet akeitonestepat
at imeuntilIf
ixeverywr ong.Ihavemi ssedyou
al otandnow, thatthetruthisoutIam just
happyt hatIdon’thavetosl eepsomewher e
else.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Andifsomet
hingl
i
kethi
s
happensagai
n,whatshoul
dIdo?”
Dali
su:“I
twon’thappenagain.Ihavenever
beenunfait
hfult
oy oueversincewestart
ed
seei
ngeachot her.Youwereenoughforme.I
thi
nkthat’
sbecausemymom r ai
sedmet hat
way,tobegratefulforwhatIhaveandseei tas
enough.
”
Shesighed.“
That
’swhyy
ouwerecall
i
ngmy
brot
her?Youwantedt
ospeakaboutt
her
it
ual
?”
sheasked.
Dali
su:
“Yes,
andhesai dhe’l
lspeaktoyour
uncl
eandauntaboutitthengetbacktome.I
wil
lhavet
owai tf
orthem anditwil
lhappeni
f
youhavenoproblem.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sokay
,youcandoi
t.
”
Dali
su:“
Thankyou!”hekissedhercheekand
Thembeli
hlesmi
led.“Nowbr i
ngthisonetome
becausehehasburped.”Hesaidtaki
ngthe
baby.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Wow!Youev
enhav
ethebal
l
sto
sayt
hat.
”
Helaughed.“I
sthereamanwhodoesn’
thav
e
bal
l
s? ”heaskedlooki
ngather
.
Thembel ihle:“Ay
suka!YouknowwhatImean.
It
’sjustthaty ouhaveadirt
ymindandIknow
youar elookingforwardtohavi
ngsexwit
hme.
Oh!Lor dy oucan’twai
t,i
t’
sbeenfor
ever
.”She
saidlookingup.
Hecl
osedhi
seyesandlaughed,
hislaught
er
madebot
hthemotherandsontolaughalong
wi
thhi
m.
Dal
isu:“
Ihatet
odisappoi
nty
oubutIam not
l
ookingfor
wardtothat
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh,wow!So,
Iam notat
tract
ive
anymor
ebecauseIhav
ethethi
rdbabynow?”
Dali
su: “No,it’
sli
ket hat
.Ithoughtwecanbe
i
ntimat eaftertherit
uals.I
twi ll
feelri
ghtandI
knowi twillbemuchmor efun.Fornow, wecan
focusonbei ngpartnersagain.”Shelookedat
him surpri
sedt hathewassay i
ngthat,t
hey
shouldwai t?“Don’tlookatmet hatway
becausey ouknowIam capabl eofwai t
ingfor
you,Iwai t
edbef oreourmar riageandIwai t
ed
forsixmont hsaf t
ery ougavebi rt
h.”He
refl
ected.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Oh,pl
easedon’tev
encountthat
ti
mebecausey oual
way scal
ledmeforot
her
ty
pesofacti
vi
tiesevenmamagotsuspici
ous
andscol
dedyou.”sheremindedhim.
Dal
isulaughed.“Don’
tblameme,butnowI
pr
omisey ou.Wewi l
lwaiteveni
fyouwanti
tI
wil
lst
opy ou.”hepromised.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
wow!Ican’
twai
tfort
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Wewi
l
ljustki
sseachot
her
.”
Thembeli
hle:“Justl
ookaty
ourey esrightnow
asyouarebusyt ell
i
ngmey ou’
llwait
?”she
shookherheadandDal i
suchuckled.“Goand
putmybabydownt henwewi l
lprayandsleep.
”
Sherequested.
Dali
sugotupwiththebabyandwentt oputhi
m
down.Thembeli
hlewaslookingathi
m ashe
tr
iedtohi
dehimselff
rom her.Shegi
ggledand
cl
osedhereyes…Theyjoinedhandsandprayed.
“Wow!We’ vefi
nishedpr
ayingwit
hy ou,but
you’rest
il
ll
ikethis?
”Sheteasedhim asshe
placedherhandonhi mtocheckifhewas
alri
ght.
Dali
su:“
Whatisyourhanddoi
ngher easy
ou
canfeelt
hat
?Remov eit
,MaSthol
e.”He
removedherhand.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wecandoi
t.
”Shechal
l
enged
hi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
goodni
ghtnkosi
kazi
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Goodni
ght
,nkosi
.”Theycl
osed
thei
rey
esleavingt
hebedsi
delampson…

“Ij
ustlov
eherlit
tl
emout h.
”Thembel i
hlesmil
ed
l
ookingatMakhosi’
sdaught er.Shewaswith
herinhermaidenhouse,visi
ti
ngherandher
daughter
.“She’
ssobeaut i
fulwhatdidher
fat
hersay?”sheaskedlookingatMakhosi.
Makhosi:
“Hewasv
eryhappyandhegav
ehera
name.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’shername?
”
Makhosi
:“Nkosazana.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ah!Pri
ncess,
wemustf
inda
Pri
nceforyouPri
ncess.
”
Makhosi
:“Ndabezi
nhl
eisherPr
ince.
”
Theylaughed.“
Ha!Youarealr
eadytaken
Pri
ncess.”Thembel
ihl
ejokedwit
hthebaby
pl
ayi
ngwi
thhercheeks.
Makhosi
:“Iam sohappymyf
ri
end.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,Makhosibakit
hi!You’
l
lmake
mejeal
ousMakhosi.Nkosikhonaissucha
chi
ll
edromanticpar
tner
.”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
heisandafterbei
ngwithsucha
t
radi
ti
onalmanlikeMzwakhe.Iam j
usthappy
t
hatIhavesomeonewho’slikehi
m.God!”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youdeserv
etobehappyandj
ust
enj
oyeveryri
ghtt
reatmentf
rom hi
m.You
deser
vethatmuch.”
Makhosi:“Yes,wehavedeci
dedthatnexty
ear
wear emov i
ngtoDurbanwithmychil
drenbutI
haven’tt
oldtheki
ds.Iwi
llt
ellt
hem by
December .
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhaybo!Youareleavingmeher
e
al
one?Whatwil
lIbewithouty
ou, kodwa
Jesu?
”
Makhosi
:“Wewi
l
lst
il
lspeakont
hephone.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Thi
sisj
usttheendofme. ”she
rol
l
edherey esandtheylaughed.“
ButIwill
surv
iveknowingthatyou’
llbehappywhereyou
wil
lbe.”Shesaid.
Makhosi
:“Thankyou,
anddon’
tworr
yabout
busi
nessIam sti
l
lgoi
ngtoworkf
oryou.Iwi
l
l
l
eavesomeoneincharge.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hav
eyouf
oundt
hatper
son?
”
Makhosi
:“No,
buthopef
ull
yIwi
l
l.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Imighthaveay oungboywho
hasthequal i
fi
cati
oninBusinessManagement
i
nt hevil
lagebuthe’snotfi
ndinganyjob.My
husbandwasst i
l
ltr
yingtolookfor
opportunit
ieshecanapplyforsincehisfami
l
y
i
sst r
uggling.
”
Makhosi
:“Okay,y
ou’l
ltel
lYOURHUSBAND…”
sheemphasizedwit
hasmi l
e.
Thembel
ihle:
“Hhaybo,
whyar
eyou
emphasi
zingthat
?”
Makhosi
:“Phel
alat
elyy
ouwer
ejustpl
ainl
y
cal
l
inghi
m‘ Dal
isu’
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
Iwassay
ingourhusband!
”
theyl
aughed.
Makhosi
:“Buthow’sev
ery
thi
ngsi
ncePr
eci
ous
i
snolongerhere?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Wearetryi
ngtogetbackintothe
ri
ghtspacethatwewer einbefore,
asmuchas
i
thardbutit’
snotthatdif
fi
cultbecauseaft
er
fi
ndi
ngoutt hathewasn’tthefat
her.Ij
ustsat
backandwat chedknowingthathewasgoi ng
tocomeback. ”
Makhosi
:“Hhe!Youcankeepasecret
,ifi
twas
meIwasgoingt otel
lhi
m samedayandchase
t
hatwomanout .”
Thembel i
hle:“
Keepingqui
etwiththi
shelpedme
becauseIjustletgoofever
y t
hingandlivedmy
l
ife.ButIdidn’
tachi
evehurt
inghiml i
keI
wantedto,becausenowhe’ shomel aughing
withme.”theylaughed.
Makhosi
:“Iam happyt
hatwomani
sgone.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam happyt
oo.
”
Makhosi:“
Yourhusbandisoneoft hekind,
you
know.Iknowyoualway scompl ai
nt hathe’
sa
dif
fi
cul
tmanbutt her
e’sjustthatthinginhi
s
l
oveforyou,mostmenwoul dn’
tdowhathe’ ll
donow.”
Thembeli
hle:“
What
?Appeasi
ngwi
tht
he
ancest
ors?”
Makhosi:“Yes,Mzwakhef oranexampl e
Nkosikhonaisexpectedtodot hatbecausehe
cheatedwithmewhi l
eIwasmar riedbut
Mzwakhecheat edonmeandabusedme.He
neverthoughtt
hiswast herightthingtodo,
yet
hewast ooquicktotellmehi sancestorswi
ll
punishme.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Menar edif
fer
entandtheythi
nk
di
fferent
lyj
ustli
kewomenar e.Ij
ustwantto
mov eon,now.”shesai
d.
Makhosi
:“Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.”
“Yeah.”Shet
ookherphoneandanswer
edt
he
callf
rom apri
vat
enumber.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Thokozil
e:“
Thembelihl
e,canyoupleasetel
l
yourhusbandthatj
ustbecausethi
sbitchofa
womanf ooledhi
m.Hemustnotgoar ound
accusi
ngmyhusbandofbei ngthefatherofthe
babyofthatwoman.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Myhusbandt
oldy
out
hat
?”
Thokozi
l
e:“Yes,hecal
ledmeandpl
ease,
just
tel
lhi
mt ostopaccusi
ngmenwhogotnothi
ng
todowithhi
shoe.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m.”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shehungupthecal
landcli
ckedhert
ongue.
“What
’swrong?
”Makhosiasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thokozi
l
ethi
nksherhusbandi
s
ani
nnocentman.ButwhatIdon’
tunder
standi
s,
whydi
dmyhusbandcallher?”
Makhosi
:“Hecal
l
edher
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,shesaidhedid.Ineedtoask
hi
m whydidhedot hat.”Shesai
dpolit
elyshe
di
dn’twanttoshowt hatshewasangrythat
Dali
suhadcalledThokozil
e.Whydidhecall
her?
Makhosi :
“Okay
,don’
tfor
gett
otel
lhi
mthat
you’l
lsetthemeet
ingbet
weenmeandthat
graduate.
”
Thembelihle:“Iam notleavi
ngjustyet.Idon’
t
wantust ot al
kaboutt hi
sinourbedroom
becauseit’
dbecomeacour tr
oom latel
y.”
Makhosi l
aughedatherst at
ement.“Whyar e
youlaughing?”sheasked.
Makhosi
:“Iam l
aughi
ngatt
hatcour
troom
st
atement
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
thebedr
oom shoul
dnotbea
court
room whenyouaremarri
ed.Thatpl
ace
shouldbeaplacewhereal
lyourprobl
emsare
resol
ved.I
t’
sacouple’
shappyplacenotf
ight
ing
pit
.”
Makhosi
:“Mmm,Iwi
l
lkeept
hati
nmi
ndf
ormy
nextmar
ri
age.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whooo!
”Theyl
aughed.
Makhosi
:“So,
wher
ewi
l
lyout
alkt
ohi
m about
t
his?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwil
lkeeplookingatthet
imeand
by1pm he’
llbeattheroy
al houseIwil
lgovi
sit
hi
m, t
hereandaskhim aboutt hi
s.”
Makhosi
:“Mm,
okay
.”
Thembelihle:“
So,tel
lmeyourpl
ansaboutthe
futur
e,business,
thehouseandDurban.You’
l
l
stopworking?”
Makhosi
:“No…”shet henf
ill
edherinand
Thembeli
hlewasjustsmil
inglooki
ngatheras
shewit
nessedhowhappyshewas.Shewas
gl
owi
ngi
ntheman’
slov
e…
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE35

Afterthemor ningwor kDal

isudrovetohis
mot her’
shouse.Hewasseat edinthecar
readingthenewspaperar ti
cleaboutPreci
ous’s
arrest.Thepolicehadchargedherwi t
hfalse
accusat i
onsandshewasar rest
edjustwhen
shewast ryi
ngt oleaveRi
chardsbay.Hedi dn’
t
wantt histobei nthenewspapersbutseeing
thattheywer en’tspeaki
ngbadabouthi m wasa
rel
ief…Hesi ghed…
Timothy
:“Thatwomanisevi
l.Shewant
edto
getourqueenarr
est
ed.
”Hecomment ed
fi
guri
ngoutwhattheworr
iedsighwasabout
.
Dal
isu:
“Iwasn’
tgoi
ngtol
etthathappen.Iam
st
il
lint
hedarktowhydi
dtheancestorskept
qui
etaboutt
his.Event
hej
our
nal
i
stsar
e
quest
ioni
ngthat.
”
Timothy:“
Gobel
agotbacklastni
ghtandIt
hink
he’l
lanswery
ourquest
ionsnow.”
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
l
lhavet
oseehi
m bef
oret
heel
der
s
summonhim.”
Timot
hy:“
Ndabezi
tha!
”hechant
edpar
kingt
he
cari
nsi
deMaCebekhulu’
spal
ace…
Theboyswerether
e,t
hreeoft
hem andt
hei
r
motherwaswit
hherfri
end.
“
Hawu, Magebayouar ealoneher
e,where’
s
yourbr
other
?”Dal
isuaskedsi t
ti
ngnextto
Mnotho.Hewaswat chingcart
oonsalone.
Mnot
ho:
“Baba,
Mlamul
il
eft
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hewentwher
e?”
Mnot
ho:
“Hesai
dhe’
l
lgowi
tht
hecows.
”
Dal
i
su:“
What?Wherewasy
ourgr
andmot
her
t
henandFel
i
cit
y?”
Mnotho:“Gogowentt
ogogoMaKhoza’spal
ace.
Shesaidshewil
lcomebackandshelef
tus
herewit
ht hemai
dsbecauseFel
i
cit
ywentto
thecl
ini
cwi t
hboy-
boy.
”
“Ngi
zomshay akel
onamuhl a!
”Heexclai
med
andjustthenMaCebekhul
uwalkedinsi
dethe
house.ShesatdownandputMnot hoonherlap.
Sheplayedwithhi
stummyandMnot ho
l
aughed.
Mnotho:“
Gogo!Iam wat
chi
ngTV.
”Helaughed
fl
i
nchingwhi
lehi
shandheldhi
sgr
andmother’
s
arm.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwasgr
eet
ingy
ou.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Okay
,okay
.”Hecomposedhi
msel
f.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
eher
e?”Shel
ookedat
Dal
i
su.
Dali
su:“
Yes,Ihavejusthadameeti
ngwitht
he
counci
li
nfor
mi ngthem aboutPr
eci
ous.
”He
si
ghed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Andwhatdi
dtheysay
?”
Dali
su:“They’
rev
eryangr
yandtheywantedher
tocomebackher ewit
hherpar
entssothat
she’
llanswertot
hem.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whatdi
dyousay
?”
Dali
su:“It
oldt hem t
oleti
tgo.Ijustdon’
twant
toeverseeheragai nandthegoodt hi
ngthat
happenedist hat,
wedon’tneedanydi v
orce.
Andshe’salreadyinpoli
cecustody.Thepoli
ce
won’trel
easeher .
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Hhey i
!Andyouhav eyourwife
tothankf ort
hatbecauseshesav edyou.Ifshe
all
owedt helegalmarri
ageyouwer egoingtogo
upanddownat tendi
ngcourtcases.Shewas
goingtakehalfofyourthi
ngsandt hepaparazzi
thatyouwer egoingtohavetofaceitwasgoi ng
tobegr eater
.Hhayi!
”
Dali
su:
“Thembel
i
hlei
sjustmyper
sonal
lucky
charm.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Hee!AndIhopey
ou’
l
l
r
emembert hatwhenanot
herwomanshows
youherbr
easts.”
Dal
isuchuckl
ed.“
Konj
eunj
alophel
amama.
”he
commented.
MaCebekhulu:
“ButIshoul
dsayIam proudof
whatyouwanttodoi nherf
ather
’shouse.I
t’
s
t
herightt
hingtodo.”
Dali
su:“Ij
ustwantherloveandeveryt
hingI
rui
ned,back.
”hestoodup, MaCebekhulu
noddedwithanapprovingsmil
e.Dali
susighed.
“IwanttowhipMlamulitodayhehasforgott
en
whoIam. ”Hesaidwalkinguptothemai ndoor
.
MaCebekhulustoodupi mmediat
elywith
Mnothostil
lonherarms.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whatdi
dhedo?
”
Dali
su:“Helef
twitht
heherdboybutheknows
thatIhavewarnedhi
m bef
orethathemustn’
t
dot hat
.Iwi
llwhiphi
m.”
MaCebekhulu:“Igav
ehimthepermissionto
go.”Shel
iedbecauseshedidn’
twanthimt o
whiphim.She’dseenhowhardhewhi psthem
andshedidn’tl
ikehi
sway.Shethoughtitwas
tooti
ght.
Dali
su:“Youdid?Mamawhydoy ouspoi
lthem
thi
smuch?Ev er
ythi
ngt
heywanther
etheygetI
don’tl
i
ket hat
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Didn’
tyougetev
ery
thi
ngaty
our
gr
andmother
’shouse?
”
Dalisu: “No,Ididn’t
.AndMnot hodidn’tsaythat
yougav ehi m permission.Mamay ouarelyi
ng
tomeandIwi llseethatyouar elyi
ng.”Hesaid
pointingbyt hegat easMl amuliwasfollowing
theher dboylaughi ngandpoi nti
ngthecows.
“Justl ookathowdi r
tyhei smama?I fhehas
yourper missi
on, hewon’ twalkupher eslowly.
”
Hepr edi ct
edcor r
ectly…
Mlamul
iwal
keduptothem sl
owly
.Hedidn’
t
t
hinkt
hathi
sfat
herwasgoingtobeathi
s
granny’
shouse.Hiscl
otheswer
ewetand
muddy ,
they
’veranaft
ercowscrossi
ngmuddy
holesandMlamulienj
oyedever
ythi
ngabout
that.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Letmescol
dhi
mtoday
,noty
ou
Dal
i
su.”
Mnotho:“Yes,daddon’
tdoi tbutletgogodoi
t.
”
Hesuppor t
ed,looki
ngathisbrotherashe
appr
oachedt hem.“Gogo,pleaseputmedown.”
Herequested.
Dal
i
su:“Don’
tputhim downmama.Hewant
sto
gotohi
sbrother
.”
MaCebekhul
udi
dn’
tputhi
m down.
“
Sanibona!”Mlamul
imumbl
edhi
sgr
eet
ings
wi
thoutlooki
ngatthem.
Dali
su:“Iwil
lgot
alktothisherdboyofyour
s.”
Hewal kedawaywithoutsayi
ngawor dto
Mlamul i
.Thi
swashi swayofgivi
nghismother
ago-aheadtoscol
dMl amuli.Hedidn’
twantto
havetosaythewordstogivehert
hat
permissi
on.MaCebekhuluputMnothodown
readi
ngthathewaslett
ingherdothescol
ding.
Ml
amul
i
:“Gogo?
”
MaCebekhulu:
“ Whosaidyoushouldgo
becauseyouknowt hatyourf
athert
oldyouthat
youshoul
dnev ergowi t
hthecows.Evenyour
motherdoesn’
twantt hi
s.Whydidyoudo
that
?”
Mlamuli:“
Gogo,minakodwakadengagci
na
ukuhamba.”(I
t’
sbeenalongti
mesinceIwent
wit
ht hecows.)
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo!Ml
amul
i
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Gogo,
don’
tletdadwhi
pme.
”
Mnotho:“
Look,mamaisherenow!Dadwon’t
whipyou.
”heheldhi
sshoulderandt
heybot
h
l
ookedatthei
rmother
’scarparki
ngi
nsi
dethe
yar
d.
Thembel
i
hlest
eppedoutoft
hecarandher
eyeswentstr
aightt
oMl
amul
i
.Shewal
kedupt
o
them qui
ckl
y.
“What’
shappeni
nghere?”Thembelihleasked
hol
dingMlamuli
’shead.Shemov editup
makinghimlookather.“
Unjani
umaunj e
Mlamuli
?”sheasked.
Ml
amul
i
:“Iwasher
dingt
hecows,
mama.
”
“What?Whogav ey out hatpermi ssi
on?”she
askedwalkingawaywi thhim.Thembel ihl
e
hatedtheideaofhimr unningbehindthecows
onahotsun.Shedi dn’tli
keitasmuchasher
husbanddidn’tl
ikeit.Mlamul i
didn’tanswerher
buthewast ryi
ngt ogethi smot her’
shandoff
hishand.“Today,Iwillbetheonet owhipyou.I
alsotoldy
ouIdon’ tlikeyougoingar ound
foll
owingcows.Whati fyougethur t?
”she
asked.
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
Iwant
edt
ogoout
.”
“Youwantedt
ogoout?Uyachwensa!
”she
askedandbeganwhi
ppi
nghim.Mlamulicr
ied
l
ouder
,jumpi
ngupanddownattheencount
er
oft
hewhipsti
ckandhi
sfl
esh.Anditdi
dn’
ttake
l
ongforThembel
i
hlet
ostopwhippi
nghim.
Thembel
ihle:“
Iwi l
lsaythi
sforthelastti
meI
don’
twanty oufoll
owingcowsunl essyouar
e
wit
hyourfather.Doy ouunder
stand,Mlamul
i?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yebo,
mama.
”
Shecl
ickedhertongueandletgoofhishand.
Mlamulir
andownt ohisgr
andmother.Hethrew
hi
mselfonherlegs.
MaCebekhululi
ftedhim offthegr ound.“Nawe
yekaukungalal
eli
!”sheexclaimedandwent
i
nsidethehouse.Mnot hofoll
owedt hem insi
de
thehouse.Dali
suwasl eftbehindhe’ dbeen
standi
ngwithhismot herandt heylookedat
Thembelihl
easshewasdi scipli
ningherson.
Dal
isu:“
Itl
ookslikeyoudidthatbecauseyou
di
dn’twantmet odoit.Thatwasav erysof
t
whi
pIhav eeverseen.”
Thembel
ihle:
“It
’snocompeti
ti
onIal
sodon’t
l
ikehi
mf ol
lowingthecowsupint
hoseval
leys
theyt
akethem to.
”
Dali
su:“Theytoldmehe’stheonewhosaid
theyshouldn’
ttakethem t
othemountai
ns
becausehisparentswouldbeangr
y.Theywent
totheri
verbanks.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Itseemsl
ikey
ouaref
all
i
ngin
l
ovewiththisi
deaofhimfol
lowi
ngt
hecows
now.”
Dal
i
su:“No,
butnow,
Icanseey
ouar
eangr
y.”
Hehel
dherhand.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iam angr
yaty
ouandhi
m.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dIdo?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Whydi
dy oucall
Thokozi
le?You
call
edherbecauseyouhavesomehol don
Preci
ous?It’
snotenoughthatyouhavelether
go?”
Dal
i
su:
“Ay
,cha!Cha!I
tdi
dn’
thappenl
i
ket
hat
.I
wascalli
ngherhusbandbutMusadidn’
t
answerthecal
l.Ikeptcal
l
ingandhi
swife
answeredthecall
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Why
?Why
,di
dyoucal
lhi
m?”
Dali
su:“Nj
ongodidsomef i
ndingsthatMusai s
al
soherbusinessassociateIwascal li
nghim
becauseofthiswaterproj
ect.Iwantedt oknow
who’l
ltakeoverorIshouldcallotherpeople.
Thenyoursist
erstart
edgivingmeat t
it
udeIjust
sl
appedherbackwi ththesurprisi
ngnews. ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
OH!”Herfacer
elaxedaf
tershe’
d
hear
dtheexpl
anat
ion.
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i,y
oual
mostbombedme.
”
“No!Iwasn’
tgoingtodothat
.”Shesai
dl ay
ing
onhischestf
orahugandhehel dherclosi
ng
hiseyesasherestedhi
schinonherhead…
MaCebekhulu:
“Howar et
hingsathome?”she
askedl
ookingatThembeli
hle.Shewant
edto
knowbefor
escoldingher
.Theywerestandi
ng
outsi
dewait
ingf
orDali
su.I
twasdarkout
side
andthey’
vehaddi
nneratMaCebekhul
u’
s
house.
“Theyareslowl
ygoingbacktohowt hi
ngswer e,
mama. ”SheansweredbrushingMlamuli
’sback.
Hewasasl eepinherarmswi thhi
sheadonher
shoulder
.“AndIam justr
eli
evedthatf
inal
ly
she’soutofourli
ves.
”sheadded.
MaCebekhul u:“Yes,butIstilldon’tunderstand
howdi dyourhusbandf i
ndoutt hatthebabyi s
nothi sbecausehedi dn’tevenseet hepi ctur
e
ofthebaby .”shepr etendedt hatshedi dn’t
knowasshewant edtoseei fshewasgoi ngto
tellherthetruth.She’sbeenangr ywi t
hher
sinceshel earntaboutt his.
Thembel
ihle:“
Idon’
tknowtoomama,butIam
sorr
ytodisappoi
ntwit
hthenewst
hatsaysI
knewaboutthis.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thembel
i
hle?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Iyangicasulakelent o
engi
y i
zwayo.Iyangicasula!
”(WhatIam hear i
ng
makesmeangr y .
)sheshout edpoi ntedherwith
herforef
inger.I
tmadeherangr i
ernowt hatshe
wasadmi tti
ngittoher .Shewasangr ythatshe
keptthesecretev enfrom her.Preciousalmost
rui
nedhermar r
iagecompl etely
!
Thembel
ihl
edroppedherhead.“Iknewyou’
llbe
angr
ybutmama, IwasangrytooIjustwant
ed
myhusbandtoseewhathewasdi sr
espect
ing
mefor.
”Shetol
dherwithoutl
ookingather.
MaCebekhul
u:“Hhayi
,Thembel
i
hle!Whati
fthi
s
gi
rl
’spl
ansucceeded?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Herpl
an?Whathappened?
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Thi
skidnappi
ngwasherplan…”
shethentol
dherwhathappenedaf
tershe’
dlef
t
thehospi
tal
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Jehov
a!Shewant
edt
osendme
topr
ison?”
MaCebekhulu:“Andy ouj
ustkeptqui
et!Hhay
i,
that
’snonsense,Thembeli
hle!Whati
fDali
su
beli
evedherwor ds?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hedi
dn’
tbel
i
eveher
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No, hewast heonedefendi
ng
yousayi
ngyoudidn’
tdot his.Hedidn’
teven
wantyoutobetol
dt hatPreciouswasaccusing
you.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
MaCebekhul u:“Youmustnev ermakedecisi
ons
whileyouar eangry.Agha!
”shewal kedaway
from her
.Thembel i
hlesighed,hermotheri
n-l
aw
wasangr yandshedi dn’tl
ikethat
.Shewentto
thecarthinkingsheneededt otal
ktoherwhen
shewasmor ecal
m…
“What’swrongmama?”Dali
suaskedmeeti
ng
upwithMaCebekhuluatt
hedoor.Hewas
hol
dingNdabezinhl
ewit
hhislef
tarm.He
wasn’tasl
eep.
MaCebekhulu:
“Go,t
here’
snothi
ngwrong.”She
saidandlef
thi
m wonderi
ng.Hewenttohi scar
.
“Youhaveanoldmaninyourarmsandt heli
ttl
e
oneislef
tbehi
nd.
”Hecomment edsteppingin
atthebackwit
hThembelihl
e.
Thembeli
hle:
“He’
ssupposedtobesleepi
ng
becausehegotaninj
ect
iontoday
.Buthe’
ssti
l
l
rumbli
ng.
”
Dalisu:
“He’
sspeakingtohisf
atherj
ustlethi
m
be.”Heplacedt
hebabyonhi slapandplayed
him.Mnothowasf astasl
eeponthefront
seat…
-
--
-
Thembeli
hle’
sphonerang,shewasinsi
det
he
carwitht
heZondi womenafterbuy
ingt
he
tr
actorwi
ththem atEmpangeni.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
arf
rom comi
ngback.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Youar
ewrong,
Thembel
i
hle.Ihave
wai
tedf
oral
ongf
orthi
smomentandl astni
ght
Icouldn’
tgety
ou.Thi
smorni
ngy
out
oldmey
ou
areleavi
ng.
”Hecomplai
ned.
Itwast hebeginni ngofNov embert hepr evious
daywast hedayoft her i
tualst hatDal isuwas
doing.Gobel ahadbeenl ongsummonedandhe
toldthem thathehadwar nedDal isuabout
Preciousandhedi dn’tpayat tenti
onwhenhe
toldhimt hathisf atherdi dn’twantheri nhi s
premi ses.Theancest orshadcommuni catedt o
him aboutPr eciousandt heywer eangr ywi th
Dalisu.Hehadt olear nt het r
ut honhi sown.I n
ordert obemor ecar eful infuture.The
kingdom’ sdignitywasn’ ttarnishedassoci ety
shamedt hewoman.Theywi shedbadonher .
Preciouswasst il
linpr isonandherchi ldwas
withherpar ents..
.Gobel aadv isedDal isut o
startbydoi ngar it
ual inhi sfat her’
shouseand
thenhi swife’
shome…Hedi dj ustthat, the
healerwasgui dingt hem i nther it
ual .All t
he
fami l
ymember swer epr esentandt hecounci l
.
Botht herit
ualswer easuccess…Thecoupl e
camebackti
redandso,
theywentst
rai
ghtt
o
bedwi
ththeboys…
Thembeli
hle:“
Canyoupl
easeholdy
oursel
f?My
womenar etaki
ngoutmeforl
unchj
usttosay
thanky
ou.”
Dal
isu:
“Dotheyknowthaty
ouhaveahusband?
Canyoujustgiv
etheol
derwif
ethephone,
MaMncube? ”
Thembeli
hle:“No,
Iam hungr
yandIshoul
deat
,
eatandeat!”
Dali
su:“
Don’
tbeover
wei
ght.Andpl
ease,
come
backhomeearl
y.Imi
ssyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“No,y
oudon’t
!Iwillsendy oua
massagetot el
lyouwhat
’syourpr obl
em? ”she
gi
ggledandhungupt hecal
l.Shet henloggedin
onWhatsAppandsenthim at exttell
i
nghi m al
l
abouthi
spr obl
em…
Nj
ongo:
“Wearehere,
ndl
ovukazi
.
”She
i
nfor
medherandThembel
ihl
enodded.Shegot
offt
hecaraftersendi
ngagoodby
emessaget
o
herhusband…
MaMncube: “
Wear ereall
ygratef
ulfor
ever
ythi
ngthatyou’
vedonef orus.”theywer
e
seat
eddownnowhav ingthei
rmeal atSpur.
Theytol
dThembel i
hletoorderanypl at
eshe
wantedevenifi
twasexpensi v
e.Andshedi d
that
…
Thembelihl
e:“Youseet
hisfoodisj
ustthe
medicineIneededandso,don’
tsaythankyou.”
Theylaughedassheatedeli
ghtedl
yli
keachild.
MaMkhize:
“Ididn’
tthi
nky
ouareawomanwi
th
abi
gappetit
e.”Shecomment
edandthey
l
aughed.
MaMncube:“Icanunder
standy
oursi
tuat
ion,
ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Hhay
bo,MaMncubeIam eat
ing
formyhusbandandI.
”
MaMkhi
ze:
“Oh!
”shesmi
l
edbutMaMncube
l
ookedatThembel
i
hleseei
ngwhatot
her
sdi
dn’
t
see…

“Yebo,bhuti
unjani
?”Sheansweredher
brother
’scal
lopeni
ngthefrontdoorofher
house.Dali
suandtheboyswer ewatchi
ngTV.
Thokozani
:“Iam notf
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam f
ine,what’
swr ong?”she
askedpushingtheboy soffherchair
.Theyjump
offthechai
randsatont hecouch.Thembel ihl
e
satdown.
Thokozani
:“Si
si,
ZodwaandI,
wenttosee
i
nyangatodayandhetol
dusthatZodwai
s
bother
edbyhermother’
sspi
ri
t!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Jehov
a!Whatdoesherspi
ri
t
want?
”
Thokozani:“
Hedidn’
ttel
lusbecausehe
coul
dn’tseeitcl
earl
y.Hesaidasti
megoesby
shewillseeever
ythi
ngclear
ly.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Doy out
hinkshewant
sherto
takeoverherSangomacall
i
ng?Thatcanbe
possi
ble.
”
Thokozani
:“That
’smyworr
yThembel
i
hle.I
don’
twantaSangomawi f
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hawu!Bhuti,
herbeinga
Sangomawon’tchangeanyt
hingbecauseshe’
l
l
st
il
lbeyourwi
fe.”
Thokozani
:“No,
ifthat
’st
hecasewewillhave
tofi
ndawayt ostopherspi
ri
tfr
om bot
hering
mywi f
e.”
Thembeli
hle:“Now,thi
sisdi
ffi
cultbutl
et’
sjust
hopethatit
’snotaboutZodwatakingher
cal
li
ng.Please,don’
tst
ressyoursel
ftoomuch.”
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
ltr
ynotbuti
t’
sjustt
hatshe’
s
upset
.”
Thembel
ihle:
“Iam sorr
ybhut
ibutIwi
l
lalsoask
ther
oyalheal
ermay behe’
l
lknowsomething
andhecanhelp.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,goodni
ght
.”
Thembel ihle:“Goodni ght.”Shehungupt hecal
l
andt urnedherheadt oDal isubutlookedather
son.“Awu, bakithi,Magebawami !Kanti
usuyambonay ini umamawakhongobami na
ngibonaul okhuungi bukanj engamagqumuza
akhoamehl o!”Thembel ihleplayedwithherson
mov i
ngherheadcl osertoherson’ sface.
Ndabezi nhlelaughedandhel dhercheeks
ti
ghtly.Thembel ihlescreamedast hebaby’s
nail
spai nfull
yhel dhercheeks.
TheboysandDal i
sulaughed.“Yes,holdher
ti
ghtl
yMageba.Justhol dherforl
eavingus
al
oneallday.
”Dali
susai d,
doingnothingtostop
Ndabezi
nhlefrom hol
dinghermot her’
scheeks
wit
hhistinyshar
pnails.
Thembelihl
e:“
Mageba,justgethi
m awayf rom
me.Please!
”shebeggedandDal isudidn’tbegin
toremovethebaby.Thembelihl
et henhitthe
babyinst
eadofremovinghisnail
s.Thebaby
cr
iedqui
ckl
yremovi
nghi
shandsf
rom herand
Thembel
ihl
emovedaway.
Dali
su:“
He’sj
ustababyMaSt
hol
ether
ewasno
needforyout
ohithi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youjustkeptlooki
ngathim hur
t
me,doyouknowhowpai nfulbaby’
snail
sare?
They’
repai
nfulandyouarewat chi
ng.”
Dali
su:“Thesamehandst hathi
thim were
supposedtojustremov ehimf r
om yourcheeks.
NothitmySi xmont hsoldson,don’
teverdo
thatagai
n!”heexclaimedandst oodupwiththe
baby…
Thembel
ihl
el ookedathim ashewalkedaway.
“Howwasy ourday?”Sheaskedlookingatboys.
Theywer
el ookingatwit
hangryli
tt
lefacesfor
hit
ti
ngt
heirli
ttl
ebrother
.
Boy
s:“
Good!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
AreyouangrybecauseIhitt
he
baby?
”sheaskedstandi
nguptositnextto
them.Shesatinbetweenthem.Theboy s
nodded.“
Ididn’
tmeant odoit.Pl
ease,
don’tbe
upsetwit
hme. ”Sheexplai
nedtothem.
Theboyslookedateachot
her,Mnotho
whisper
edonMl amuli
’
sear.Theybothnodded.
“OKAY,MASTHOLE!”Theychantedandsmiled.
Thembeli
hlesmi l
edandkissedtheirfaces.“
I
am hungr
ydidy ouleav
esomef oodforme? ”
sheaskedstandingup.Theboy sstoodupand
fol
l
owedThembel i
hlet
othekitchen…
Sheopenedherbedr oom doorandsmi l
edat
thesightofherhusbandsleepingwit
hthei
rson
onhischest,hi
shandshol di
nghi m.Shepl
aced
herbagsasidethenwentt othem.Shetri
edto
mov ethebabyawayf rom Dali
su.
Dali
su:“Justlethim be,Iam notsl eeping.”He
sai
dsof tl
yandThembel ihlest oppedt akingthe
baby.Shewentt ot hebat hroom andt ooka
shower…Af terdressingupf orbedshej oined
Dali
suandNdabez inhleinbed.Hewassl eeping
i
nbet
weent
hem…
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE36

“Whereareyout akingmybabynow? ”
Thembelihl
easkedDal isuashewaswal kingto
thedoorwiththebaby .Thembeli
hlehadjust
breast
feedhim afterhe’dwokenthem upat
2am.
Dal
isu:
“It
houghty
ouwer
ebusyy
awni
ngwhi
l
e
br
eastf
eedi
nghim.”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Yes,butdon’
tgowi t
hhim.”she
yawnedandDal i
sulef
ttheroom anyway
.She
sighed.“Thismanisconfusi
ng!
”Sheexclaimed
andl ai
dbackonherbed.
Thembel
ihl
efeltDal
isugetunderthecov
ers
andshechangedhersleepi
ngpositi
onwait
ing
forhi
mtolaynexttoherbuthedidn’t
.Hewent
undert
hebl
anket
sandhel
dherl
egs.
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandhel
dhisshoul
der
s.
“Whatar
ey oudoi
ngnow?”sheaskedonalazy
sl
eepyvoi
ce.
Dali
su:“
Ididn’
twantmysontoheary
ouscream
thescr
eam youareaboutt
oscr
eam now,you
knowthat?
”heaskedandsepar
atedherl
egs.
Thembeli
hlesi
ghedasshefeltthepressureand
theheatt
hatwasbroughtbyhisstr
ongt ouch.
Thembelihl
e:“
Yousai
dwearesleepi
ng;
how
canIscream i
nmysleep?
”sheaskedgi
ggl
i
ng
sweetl
y.
Hekneeledinbetweenherl
egsandremoved
thebl
ankets,t
helight
swereon,
so,Thembel
ihl
e
coul
dseehi m cl
earl
y.
“Thatr
emoval ofbl
anketyou’vej
ustmadewas
super-
hot
.It
’slikey
ouwer ejustsuper
hero.
Superman.
”Shecomment edandDal i
su
chuckl
edpull
ingherpyjamapant sdown.
“Iam y
oursupermanandnow, pl
ease,mfazi
wami j
ustkeepqui
et.
”Hepleadedandshov ed
hist
ongueinsi
dehermoistsexualpar
ts.
Shegaspedandhel dthesheetsasshel ov
ed
thesensati
onthatwerecreat
edbyhist ongue.
Thembelihl
ewitnessedthecl
oudinfi
nit
e.This
washeav ensheswor easshemoaned, “Ah!
Ah!”hol
dingontightl
ytoherbedsheets.
Dalisucarri
edonstarti
ngwithslowsensati
on
andt henconti
nuedwi t
hharderli
cks.
Thembel ihl
e’
sheartracedandherbreat
hing
escalated.Heputhishandsunderherbutts
l
ift
ingherbodyup, tosupportherwei
ght.
Thembel i
hlecoul
dn’
tcontrolherselfsheloved
everyt
hingashecarri
edonwi t
hhi stongue
l
ov i
nghowl ouderhi
swi f
e’smoansbecame.
Thembel i
hlecoul
dfeelherhairatthebackof
herneckstandupgivingherthecour aget o
pushhisheaddeeper.
Henev
ermi
ndedbei
ngt
ouchedi
nhi
sheadby
herwhent heyweremakinglove.Onecould
nevercontrol
thei
ract
ionswhenmaki ngl
ovehe
knewthat.Shegavethelastscream asshe
came.
“Now,mysonwassupposedtoheart
hat
?”He
askedlooki
ngatherwi
thasmi
leandmovedup
toher.
Thembeli
hle:“
Youar eanaughtyfat
herand
pl
ease,makeitf ast
erbeforehewakesup
agai
n.”Sherepli
ed,pulli
nghim byhispyjama.
Sheremovedt hem looki
ngintohiseyesashe
wasdoingthesame. .
.Hekissedherand
posi
ti
onedhimsel fi
nbet weenherthighs.
Theki ssmadeThembel i
hle’
sbodytostar tal
l
over,ashemadehi swayi nsideher.They
mov edt ogetherkeepi
ngast rongun-endingeye
contact.Thebodyr hythm wasbeaut i
fuland
sweet .Theirbondandl oveforeachotherwas
str
engt henedasnoneoft hem broketheey e
contact.
“Il
oveyou,MaSthol
e!”Het
oldherwi
thadeep
emotionful
lvoi
ce.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
out
oo…”
Hertoescurledupandherheartbeatfaster.
Shequicklydughernail
satthebackofhisski n
ashest ar
tedmov i
ngfaster
,for
wardand
backward.Hechangedandmov edincir
cular
mot i
onmaki ngherl
osecontrolcompl
etely.She
reachedhersharpcli
maxandsoonaf terher,he
reachedhis.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Now,thatwaswort
hthewait
.”
Shecommentedandgiggl
edashewipedher
cl
eanandlai
donhisbacknextt
oher.
“Yes,itwasdefini
telyworththewait
.”Hesaid
pull
ingherclosertohim.“ ButIj
ustdi
dn’
thave
enoughofi t
.”Hesai dquickl
ymov i
ngherupto
him…Thembel i
hlelaughedasshesatperfect
ly
onhi m.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh,
Lor
d!Thi
shusbandI
marr
ied.
”
Dal
isu:“
Justdoi
tal
ready
,don’
tfor
get
Ndabezi
nhle.
”
“YES!”Shehoppedi nonhi m perf
ect
lyand
begant aki
ngallcontr
ol…Justasev ery
thi
ng
wasov erwhelmingandt henoiseofsexual
ecstasywast heloudestintheirr
oom.They
heardtheirsoncry.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
no!Whosechi
l
dist
hat
?”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sy
ourchi
l
dandheneedsat
tent
ion.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Lethi
m cr
yforaf
ewmi
nut
eswe
areal
mostthere.
”
“
No!”Heexcl
aimedchangingtheposi
ti
on.He
t
ookcont
rolandqui
cklyf
inishedof
fthei
rlov
e
maki
ng…
Dali
su:“
Now, gogethim.”hesaidaf
terwi
ping
herhands,mouthandinnerthi
ghswithawet
towel
…Thembel i
hlegotupandwor eher
pyj
amas, shewenttogetthebaby…
Thembeli
hlesatnextt oMaCebekhuluasshe
wasbusyknitt
ingawool l
enscar
f.She’
d
ent
eredthehouset hroughtheki
tchenentr
ance
toputt
heingredientsshebought.Sheputher
bagdownnex ttoherf eet
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu,
unj
ani
MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou,
mama?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Iam fine.
”Therewastotal
sil
encebetweenthem andThembelihl
ekept
l
ookingather.“
Whati sit
?”sheaskedseei
ng
thatshecoul
dn’tkeephereyesoffher
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Nje,
Ijustt
houghtIshoul
dcome
byandseeyou.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Real
l
y?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,
mamaImadeami st
ake
andIam sorry
.Youcan’
tbeangr
ywi
thme
for
ever
.Please.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whosai
dIam angr
y?”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Icanseethaty
ouareangr
yev
en
attherit
ualsyouweregivi
ngmeacold
shoulder.Canyouforgi
veme,now?”
MaCebekhul u:“Youdon’tseehowy ounearl
y
destroy
edy ourself
,Thembelihl
e.Younearl
y
destroy
edy ourhouseandt hatincl
udesmy
grandsons.Youwer egoingtobehappyt ohave
Preci
ousr ai
sey oursons?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,
andIhav
ereali
sedthatIwas
wrongev
enMagebai
snolongerangr
ywi t
h
me.”
MaCebekhul u:
“Hewon’tbeangrywithyou
becausey ouknowtheplacestotouchinhi
m
j
usttoticklehi
m andhe’
llfor
giveyoufast
.”
Thembelihl
elaughedandlookedaside.“
That’
s
nottruebecauseIal
soknowt herightpl
acesto
touchinmymot herin-
law?”shesaid.
MaCebekhulu:
“Awu,doy oureal
lyknow?I
woul
dli
ket oseeyoutry.
”Shechallengedher
l
ooki
ngintoherbeauti
fuleyes.
Thembelihl
e:“Justgivemeafewhour sand
you’
ll
f or
giv
emequi ckert
hanyourson.”She
promisedstandingup.
MaCebekhululaughed.“
Wewill
seeaboutthat
.”
Shesaidlooki
ngatherasshedisappear
edto
theki
tchennoti
cingsomechangeinher…
“Hww!”Shesighedstandingbefore
MaCebekhuluwithanapronst i
llhangedonher
neck.“
Youarehidinginhere.Ihavebeen
l
ookingfory
oual lovert
hispalace.”Shet
oldher
andsatdownont hematwi thher .
MaCebekhulu:
“Iam worki
ngherecreat
ing
somer eedmats.Ihavenochi
l
dliv
ingwi t
hme
so,Igetbor
edeasily.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ew,
youar
emaki
ngmef
eel
gui
lt
y.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youshoul
dfeel
gui
l
ty.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whydon’
tyouaskyoursontolet
theboy
sstaywithyouf
orawhil
e,theywil
lkeep
y
oubusy
.”
MaCebekhulu:
“He’l
lneveragr
eet
othat
.Doy
ou
t
hinkIhaven’
ttr
iedbefore?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sunf
air
.”
MaCebekhulu:
“Andit’
sbet
ternowbecause
Ndabezi
nhl
ewi l
lhavetost
aywithme.Idon’
t
t
hinkIcanreal
lymanageMnothoandMl amul
i,
t
hey’r
etoonaughty.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“WhydoyousayNdabezinhl
ewi
l
l
staywithyou?Di
dhisfat
heragreet
ot hat
?
Phela,mamaIam breast
feedi
nghim sohe
can’tgo.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iknowt
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,comeandseemygesture
oftouchi
ngyousoftl
yIshouldbegoi
ngback
homenowbecausemybr eastsar
epai
nful
.I
needtobreast
feed.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Let’
sgo.”Shest
oodupandt hey
l
eftt
hehutmakingthei
rwaytotheki
tchen…
Thembel
ihl
estoodnexttothecaramel
cake
she’
dbakedforMaCebekhulu.I
twas
MaCebekhul
u’sf
avouri
tecake.
MaCebekhul u:“
Awu!Awu!Ngiyabonga,
MaSthole.Ifor
giveyou.
”shesmiledopeni
ng
herarmsf orherandThembeli
hlegiggl
ed
accepti
ngt hehug.
Thembel
ihle:“
So,doyouagr
eet
hatIknow
wheret
ot ouchyou?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,andIam v
eryl
uckyt
ohav
e
adaught
erin-l
awlikeyou.
”
“Iam theluckyone.
”Shesai
dtaki
ngofft
he
apronandputi taway.“
Youar
eeati
ngthecake
alr
eady ?
”sheaskedasMaCebekhuluwas
cutti
ngthecake.
MaCebekhulu:“No,t
hisi
salsoMnotho’s
favouri
teandso,youshoul
dtakeapiecefor
him andhisbr
other.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu,
bei
ngagr
andmot
her
!”
MaCebekhulu:“
Iknowthatyouhaven’
tbeen
baki
ngforthem.”sheguessedpacki
ngthe
thr
eesl
icesofcakeinsi
detheTupperware.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ican’tdothatwhi
leNdabezi
nhl
e
i
sherecryi
ngnowandt hen.Andashecansit
now,he’
l
lbecrawl
ingverysoon.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’swher
ehe’
l
lhav
etocome
andst
ayhere.
”
Shelookedather .“Mama,whydoy oukeep
sayi
ngt hat,didhi
sfathert
elly
out hatIhithim
theothernight?That’
swhyy ou’l
ltakehim? ”she
askedpol i
tely
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youdi
dwhat
?”sheshout
ed
l
ooki
ngather.
Thembel i
hle:
“Eish.Ubengi
kwebhakabuhl
ungu
mamaandubabawakhewambukanj emanje
yangicasul
aleyontongasengamshaya.
Bengingaqondil
ekodwa.Heshout edatmefor
thatbutitwasami st
akemama.”Sheexpl
ained
whathappened.
MaCebekhulu:“Hhayi,
Thembeli
hle!Dal
i
suhad
ever
yr i
ghtt
oshout .Ndabezi
nhl
eisachildj
ust
ali
ttl
echil
d.Youwer esupposedtoremovehis
handsfrom you.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“IknowandIwon’
tdoi
tagai
n,y
ou
knowthatIam notl
iket
hat
.”
“
Hhay
i!
”sheexcl
aimedandl
ookedf
ort
hel
i
d.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thet
hir
dpi
ecebel
ongst
owho?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Myson.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wow!AndIam j
ustexcl
uded
ther
e.”
Shelaughed.“Ishouldn’
tbegi
vinganypi
eces
outbecausethecakei smine.
”Shecommented
cut
ti
nganot herpiece.
Thembel i
hle:
“Inthathouseweal
lshar
ethe
samesur name, Zul
u.Thatmeansyoucan’
t
excludeme.AndNdabezi nhl
eshoul
dgeta
piece.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yehheni
!Youwantt
wopi
eces?
Khohlwa,t
aket
hisandgohome.Thebigger
pi
ecebelongst
oMnot hodon’
tgi
vei
ttoyour
husband.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Wow!”shelaughedandtookt
he
l
unchbox.“
Thanky
ou, Iwi
llseeyou,
tomorr
ow.
”
Shesai
d.
MaCebekhul
u:“
You’
l
lbeher
etomor
row?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
.”
Shewal
kedherout
…
-
--
--
-
~~~~Shewaswal kingaroundhermot her
’shut
baref
oot;al
lshecouldseewast hef ogi
nthe
darkasshewasl ookingaroundtraci
ngthe
ori
ginofhermother’
sv oi
cecalli
nghername...
“
Wherear
eyou,mama?
”Zodwaasked,
shekept
l
ooki
ngar
ound.
Sgonondo:
“Iam her
e!”sheappear
edf
rom her
pract
icehut
.“Cometome,
mnt
anami
.
”Shesent
outherhandstoher
.
Zodwashookherheadast hestr
ongf eel
ing
i
nsideherwasagai nstherf
oll
owinghermot her.
Shedidn’tf
eelri
ghtandshewasscar ed.She’d
l
ookedf orherbutnow,shedidn’
twantt ogo
anywherenearher.
Sgonondo:“
Iwon’thurtyou!”shepromisedand
Zodwanoddedslowlywal kingtohermother
.
Sheknewshewoul dn’thurthershe’
dneverhur
t
her
.Shewashermot herandi t
’dbeenl
ong
wit
houtseei
ngher…
“MysoulisnotatpeaceZodwaIam notat
peacethatyouaremarry
ingt
hatboy.You
weren’
tsupposedtomarryhi
m.”shesaid
brushi
ngherheadasZodwawasl ayi
ngher
headonherl ap.
Zodwa:“Ilovehi
m, mama.Hemakesmehappy
andIdon’tunderst
andwhyareyout
ell
i
ngme
thatIam notsupposedt
omarryhi
m.”
Sgonondo:“I
fyouaremarr
yinghi
my ou’l
lbe
hurt
ingmeandmysoul wi
l
lneverr
est.Ican
neverrestwhi
leyouar
ewithhim.
”
Zodwa:
“Whymama?
”
Sgonondosentherl ipsclosert
oherear
sand
whispered.“
Hissisterki
lledme,Thembel
ihl
eis
thereasonthatIhadt oleaveyoual
lal
one
withoutamot her
.”Shewhi sper
edandZodwa
shookherhead.
Zodwa:
“Shedi
dn’
tki
l
lyou,
mom.
”
Sgonondo: “Yes,shedi d,shesentt hat
l
ighteningtomeandIdi ed.She’st hewi tchand
youshoul dsav ethekingf rom her.Youneedt o
betheher omydaught erandsav et heZul u
nati
on.Thatwomani spoi son.
”Shewhi spered
giv
ingherabl ackbewitcheddagger .“
Dr i
vethi
s
knif
et hroughherhear tandsav et heki ng.”She
whisperedr epeati
ngthewor dstoher .
~~~~~~
Zodwawokeupal
onei
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
shewaspant i
ng.Shelookedbesideherand
Thokozani wasnotwi t
hher.Hewaswor ki
nga
nightshif
t,savi
ngupfortheupcomi ng
weddi ng…Shet ur
nedont hebedsidelampand
screamedasherl efthandwashol dingthe
daggert hathermotherhadgivenherinher
dream…
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE37

“Somethi
ngisnotright
.”Dal
isucommented
l
ookingattheplat
esofhisfamilymembers.
Theywerehavingthecakeafterhav
ingdi
nner.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”
Dali
su:“WhyisMnothohav
ingabiggerpi
eceof
cake?”heaskedandMlamuli
lookedathi
s
brot
her’
scake.
Ml
amul
i
:“Hawu!Yes,
dadi
sri
ght
.Mama,
how
di
dthi
shappen?
”
Thembeli
hlelaughedandlookedatMnot hoas
heconti
nuedeat i
nghiscake,Thembeli
hlesaw
thathewaseat i
ngitf
asternowbecausehe
didn’
twantanyonetotakethecakefrom him.
Thembelihl
e:“Mnot ho,slowdownMageba.
Nobodywi l
ltakethecakef rom youj
usteatthe
cakeasy ouwereeat ingit .
”Mnot holookedat
hisbrot
herandt henhi sfat her
,theywere
l
ookingatThembel ihle.“Ibakedt hecakefor
mamaandshegav emet hepieces.Shesaid
thatMnothoshoul dhav et hebiggerpiece
becauseit’
shisfavour i
tecake. ”
“HAWU!”BothDal
isuandMl amulichant
ed
l
ookingatThembeli
hlesur
prisedbyher
expl
anati
on.
Mnot ho:
“Gogoknowsthatt
hisi
smyf avour
it
e
cakeandy our
sanddadischocol
atecake.
Don’tbejeal
ous.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
tel
lthem mybabyj
ustt
ell
t
hem.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Sheshoul
dn’
thav
edonet
hat
.”
Thembel i
hle:“Justl
etMnot
hohavehi
scake
withoutmakinghi mfeel
gui
ltynowt
hathegot
thebiggerpiece.”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
mom.
”
Dali
suandMl amuli
didn’
tsayanythi
ngtheyjust
keptqui
etandatethecaketheyhadont hei
r
plat
es.“Mama,whenwi l
lyoubakethecake
that
’sourfav
ouri
tewithdad?”Mlamuli
asked
l
ookingather.
Thembelihl
e:“
Idon’tknowbecause
Ndabezinhl
eisalwaysawakeand-”shedi
dn’
t
evenfi
nishhersentenceasNdabezi
nhl
ebegan
cr
y i
ng.Hewasasl eepinsi
det
heirr
oom.
Dalisu:“Speakofthedev i
l,goandtakehim
MaSt hole.”Thembeli
hlelookedathim and
didn’tgetup.Shedidn’twanttogetthebaby.
“What ’
swr ong,di
dIsaysomet hi
ngwrong?”he
asked.
Thembel i
hle:“No,but–Iwi llgo.
”Shestoodup
andmumbl edwor dsal oneasshemadeher
waytothebaby ’
scoti nsideherr oom.She
pi
ckedhi m up.“Youar ej ustsoannoying
sometimesNdabezi nhle.Youar ealwayscryi
ng
andyouj ustbotherme.That ’snotri
ght.
”She
complainedt aki
ngoutherbr eastbuthedidn’
t
wantthemi l
k.Thembel ihlestoodupwi t
hhim
andlai
dhi m ont hebedt ochangehisnappy.
Thembelihle:“
Iwi shyoucanstopcr y
ing
becausey ouaredr i
vi
ngmecr azy !
”she
excl
aimedr ockinghim whil
ewal kingaroundthe
room hedidn’tstopcryi
ng.Shewasn’ teven
l
ookingatt hebabyasshewast ryingt ocal
m
him down.Shewasbusycompl ainingsil
entl
y…
“What’
swrong?
”Dal
isuaskedcl
osingthedoor
behi
nd.HesawThembelihl
ewasn’
teven
l
ookingatt
hebabybutshewasrocki
nghim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Cany
oupl
easet
akehi
m?”she
gav
ehi mthebabyandDal
isut
ookt
hebaby
l
ookingatherf
ace.Hesawshewasi
rr
it
ated.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dthebabydo?
”
Shedidn’
tanswerhi
m,shej ustl
eftt
heroom.
Helookedatherasshewasl eavi
ngtheroom
wit
houtansweri
nghim.Dali
susatont hebed
wit
hthebaby,helai
dhim downonhi stummy
andbrushedhi
sbacksoftl
y.
Dali
su:“Idon’tknowwhat ’swrongwi thy our
motherbutcany oucalm downsot hatshe’ ll
be
al
ri
ght?”hesof tenedthebabyandhesl owly
cal
m down…Dal isuwasspeaki ngtot hebaby
buthewhi lethi
nkingaboutThembel ihle’s
behavi
ouri twasn’tt
hefir
sttimet hatshedi dn’t
wanttot akethebabywhenhewascr ying.
Maybeshedi dn’
tli
kehim asshel i
kedt het wins?
Hewonder ed.
“He’
sasleep?
”Sheaskedsi
tt
ingnextt
oDal
i
su
andthebabyonthebed.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
what
’swr
ong?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Not
hing.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youcanspeakt
ome.
”hesai
dsof
tl
y.
Thembel i
hle:“
Ithi
nkit’
sunfairthatIcar r
ythe
babyninemont hs,Igothroughall t
hehor monal
change,thebodychangesandev erything.
Pregnancyisnoteasyandwhenhecr i
esy ou
j
ustt el
lmet ogethim asifyouar eunablet odo
that.He’
sy ourbabytoo.There’
snot hingwr ong
i
fy oucanjustgetupandgethi m whenhe’ s
cryi
ng.”Shecompl ai
nedsof t
ly,
lookingatt heir
handsashi swashol di
ngher s.
Dali
su:“Oh,y
ouareupsetwit
hmebuty
out
ook
yourangeroutonourson?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Idi
dn’
ttakemyangeroutIwas
j
usttry
ingtogethi
mtocalm down.Youread
thatwrong.
”
Dali
su:“
ButThembel
ihl
e,y
ouarethemotherof
thebabywhenhecri
esyoushoul
dbethefir
st
persont
ogetup.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Wearebothpar
entsandther
e’s
nooneinherewho’l
ll
ookatyouandsaythe
ki
ngisplay
ingmom onhisson.Iknowyou
havet
hatony ourmi
nd.”
Dali
su: “
Ayke.Iwon’
tjumpasifIam t
hemot
her
whent hebabycri
es.That
’sy
ourdutynot
mine.”
Shedi dn’
tsayany t
hingshestoodupand
remov edthebabyf r
om thebed.Dal
isulooked
atherwonder ingwhatwaswr ongwithher
becauseshe’ dneverhadaproblem wi
thbeinga
mot hertotheirchi
l
dren.Nowshehada
problem?Whatchanged?Hewonder edsilent
ly
l
ooki ngatherasshewaschangi ngintoher
pyjamas.
Dal
i
su:
“Theboy
shadgonet
obed?
”
Thembelihle:“
Theyaresti
ll
watchingTV.”She
respondedwi t
houtl
ookingathim.Dali
sugotup
andlefttheroom…Thembel i
hlegotint
othebed
andslept…
-
--
--
-
“Howar ey oudoingnow, ndodana?”Mr
Mkhwanazi ,
Nkosikhona’sf at
herasked, t
hey
wer eseatedont heloungei nsi
deMr
Mkhwanazi ’
shouse.Nkosi khona’sparentswer e
nevermar ri
edandhegr ewupwi thhismot her
KwaNongomabuthi sfatherwaspr esentinhis
l
ife.MostlywhenNkosi khonawasst udyi
ngi n
Durban.Nkosi khonawast heonlysonandt he
twosibli
ngswer egi
rlsfrom hisstepmot her,hi
s
dad’swife.
Nkosi
khona:
“Iam f
ine,
babaandIhav
egood
news.
”
MrMkhwanazi
:“Whati
sit
?”
Nkosi
khona:“IrememberedthewomanIwas
dat
ingbefor
et heacci
dent.
”
Hisfat
herlaughedandasked:
“That’
swonder
ful
ndodana,doesthatmeanIam get
ti
nga
daughteri
n-l
aw?”
Nkosikhonachuckl
ed.“Well
,wehav ea
daughter,
befor
etheaccidentIleftherpr
egnant
andthenmybabymamagotback.Shemessed
mylif
euponcemor e.Ij
ustdidn’tthi
nkIwil
l
rememberher .
”
MrMkhwanazi
:“Hawu,
that’
sgoodnewswhen
ar
ewemeetingmygranddaught
er?
”
Nkosi khona:“You’l
lmeetherbutther
e’s
somet hi
ngyouneedt oknowaboutour
rel
ationshipthatIknowwi ll
notmakey ou
happy .”Hisf
at herl
ookedathim wit
hanuneasy
face.“IdatedMakhosi ,mydaughter’
smot her
whileshewasmar ri
edtosomeoneel seandshe
gotpr egnantformewhi leshewasst i
ll
mar r
ied.”Her eveal
ed.
MrMkhwanazi :“WHAT? ”Hestoodonhisfeet
asthenewsenr agedhim.Itwasadisgust
ing
thi
ngf orhi
mt ohear.Hissonhadanaffai
rwit
h
anotherman’swife!“Howdoy out
hink,
Nkosikhona?”heshouted.
Nkosi
khona:“
Ithi
nkthatyouneedtosi
tdown
andwewillt
alkli
kemen.”Hesuggest
edlooki
ng
athi
m.
MrMkhwanazi :
“Youwanttotalkl
ikemen?Men
don’
tstealot
hermen’swives?Iam ashamedof
whatyou’v
edone!”hesatdownf i
nall
y.
Nkosikhona:“
Dad,IknowIwaswr
ongandIam
notproudofitbutIl
ovethi
swoman.Iwantt
o
marryher.”
MrMkhwanazi
:“Youwantt
omar
ryanot
her
man’
swif
e?”
Nkosikhona:“
They’
redi
vor
cedbabanow,
she’
s
nolongerhiswif
e.”
MrMkhwanazi:“Howcany outr
ustthatt
his
womanwi l
lnotcheatonyouli
keshedidtoher
husband?Howcany outr
usther?”
Nkosikhona:“I
twil
lbediff
erentbecauseIwi
l
l
tr
eatherrightIwi
llnotabuseherli
keher
husbandwasdoi ng.Sheagreedtodateme
becauset
hemanwascheat i
ngonherandev en
aft
ershe’
dconf
rontedhim henev
erstopped
cheati
ngonher
.Heusedt obeatherf
orev er
y
wrongshedi
d.She’
sagoodwomanbabaandI
wanttomarr
yher.Please.
”
Hehel dhisbreathashi sfat
herwasl ookingat
him.Hewasadi f f
icul
tman, Nkosikhonaknew
thatbuthealway ssupportedev eryt
hingthat
madehi m happy .He’dbeenlikethatsince
Nkosikhonawasachi ldwhenbot hhispar ent
s
werest i
l
ltogether.
MrMkwanazi :“Iwon’
tsaymuch,you’llhaveto
setameet i
ngwi t
hherin-l
awsanddot hings
ri
ghtbecauseit’
snotrightt
haty
ousl eptwith
anotherman’swife.I
tdoesn’
tmatterwhatwas
happeningbetweenthem youdi
srespectedhis
ancestorsandyoumustmaket hi
ngsr ightfi
rst
beforemarryi
ngher.”
Nkosi
khona:“Yes,
Iunder
standdad,
andIhope
t
hatyouwill
supportmebaba.”
MrMkhwanazi
:“Whocansuppor
tyou,
ifI
don’
t?”
Hesmiledandstoodup,hegavehisfathera
handandtheysharedawarm handshake…

“DoIlookgood? ”NkosikhonaaskedMakhosi
astheywerei nsi
dehiscaroutside
Thembelihl
e’
spal ace.Theywerewaiti
ngf ort
he
gatetobeopenedupf orthem.He’darr
ived
KwaNongomai nthemor ningt
oseet hebaby
andMakhosi .Healsoneededt osee
Thembelihl
e.
Makhosi
:“Youl
ookgoodi
t’
snotl
i
key
ouwant
t
ocharmthequeen.
”
Hechuckl
edandcomment ed.“
Youmaynev
er
knowmaybeIcantakeherandmakehermy
secondwi
fe.
”
Makhosil
aughed.“
Herhusbandwi
l
lbur
nyou,
al
i
ve.Thatmandoesn’
tplay.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Doesheev
enl
aught
hough?
”
Makhosi:
“Ihaveseenhi
mt wi
ceorthreeti
mes.
ButIt
hinkhelaughsmorewhenhe’swithhi
s
wif
ebecausethequeenlov
eslaughi
ng.”
“Isawsheisr
elax
ed.
”Hecommenteddri
vi
ng
i
nsidethepal
aceasMakhosi
wassuppor
ti
ng
him…
Theysatdownonthedi
ningt
abl
eaf
ter
Thembeli
hlehadgr
eet
edthem.
Thembelihl
e:“Iam ver
yhonouredtomeetyou
Nkosikhona.Ihaveheardqui
tealotoft
hings
aboutyou,Nkosikhona.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Ihopei
t’
sgoodt
hingsonl
y.
”
Theylaughed.“
Yes,
iti
s.”Thembel
i
hle
support
ed.
Nkosikhona:“
ThenIam gl
ad…Wedecidedt o
comebybecauseIwant edtoper
sonal
lythank
youforhelpi
ngmylovel
yladyher
e.”Helooked
atMakhosi wi
thasmil
eandheldherhand.
Thembeli
hlemeltedasshesawthatgestur
e.
“Shet
oldmeshewoul dn’tbewher
esheisnow
i
fitwasn’
tforyourhel
p.”Headdedlooki
ngat
Thembeli
hlenow.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Therewasnoneedf oryouthank
mebecauseshe’
ddonethatalotandshe
knowshowmuchIdon’tl
ikebeingthanked
const
ant
ly.
”
Makhosi
:“It
oldhi
m.”
Nkosi
khona:
“Yes,
shedi
dandwel
l
,Iam her
e
anyway.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
eoneoft
hest
ubbor
nmen
Isee.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Iwoul
dn’
tbeaZulumani
fI
wasn’
t.
”thet
woladi
eslaughed.
Makhosi
:“Iwonderwhotol
dZulument hat
bei
ngstubbor
nandarroganti
satt
ract
ive.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tthi
nkwewi
l
lev
erknow.
”
Nkosi
khona:
“Let
’sj
ustl
eav
eitl
i
ket
hatt
hen.
”
Hecomment edandtookoutagi f
tbagf
rom hi
s
bag.Heputitonthetabl
e.“Weboughtt
hist
o
say,t
hankyou.”hegaveherthebag.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”shesmi
l
ed.
Makhosi :“
Andt hi
s,tor
epaytheloan.”Shegav e
hertheenv el
opewi t
hthemoneyand
Thembel i
hletookit
.Sheplacedtheenv elopein
thegiftbag.Theythenheldaconversation
togetherandThembel i
hlewasmost l
ysmi l
ing
l
ookingathowhappyherf ri
endwas…

Dali
susawt hegi f
tbagont opofhiswi fe’
s
dressi
ngtable.Hewast emptedtoopeni tbut
hedecidedagainst.Hepl acedhisbagdown
andwentt otakeashower …Hegotbacki nsi
de
thebedroom, Thembelihlewasn’tinsidetheir
room andthegiftbagwasst i
ll
there.Hewi ped
hisbody,worehispy j
amapant sandmar ched
tothedressi
ngt ablehesatont hedr essing
chair
.Hef i
nall
ydecidedt oopent hebag.He
openedt hebl
ackboxandt herewasadi amond
bracel
et.Hethenreadt hecard.“Alit
tl
e
somet hi
ngtosayt hanky ou,
from Nkosikhona.”
Hecl i
ckedhistongueandopenedt heenv el
ope,
therewasmoneyi nt here.Hi
sbloodboiled
i
nstantlyasherealisedthatThembelihl
eliedto
him.Shel i
ed!
“Whyarey ouopeni
ngmygi ft
?”Thembeli
hle
askedenteri
ngtheroom wit
hNdabezinhl
eon
herarms.She’dj
ustputtheboystosl
eep.
Dal
isu:“Whydidy
oul i
etomeabout
Nkosikhona?
”hestoodupandst
oodbef
oreher
l
ookingdownatherface.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
i
ed?Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Dali
su:
“Whywoul dyourfr
iend’sbabydaddy
buyadiamondbraceletf
ory ouandyougive
yousomuchmoney ?What ’sgoingonhere,t
ell
mewho’ sNkosi
khonaandt ell
met hetr
uth?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ar
ey out
ryi
ngt
osayt
hatIam
cheat
ingonyou?”
Dal
isu:“
Idi
dn’tsaythatIaskedyouaquesti
on
andyou’
renotanswer i
ngwithananswerbut
wit
hanotherquesti
on.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“So,
nowy ou’r
etheonewho’l
lbe
i
nsecur
ewhileyoucheatedonme?Iam theone
whomustbehav i
nginsecuri
ti
esher
e.”
Dali
su:
“Youar
ejustgoi
ngont
alki
ngwi
thout
answer
ingmyquesti
on.
”
Thembel ihl
e: “Nkosikhonai
sstil
lMakhosi’
s
babydaddy , hecameher ewit
hherjustt
ot hank
mef orlookingaf terherwhil
ehewasn’tthere.
Heboughtt hegi f
tformeandt henthatmoney
i
st heloant hatIgav eMakhosi.Makhosiwas
alsoherewi thhim.Youcanaskt heguar
dsi f
youdon’ tbelieveme. ”
Hesighed.“Oh,
Iam sorr
yf ordoubt
ingyouand
openi
ngy ourgi
ft
.”Hesaid.Thembelihl
edi
dn’
t
sayanythi
ngshejustwenttoputNdabezinhl
e
down…Shet henjoi
nedhimi nbedashewas
al
readywaiti
ngforher
.
Dal
isu:“
Ididn’
tknowt
haty
ourf
ri
endwas
comingoverhere-
”
Thembelihle:
“No,youdon’
ttr
ustmejust
becausey oudidt
hisyouthi
nkIwil
ldoitt
oo.I
j
ustdon’tknowwhywoul dIli
etoyou.
”
Dali
su:“Iam t
heprobl
em,okay,Iadmitt
hatI
am theprobl
em andIam j
ustnotoverwhat
happenedIsti
llt
hinky
ou’
lldowhatIdidtoyou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yout
hinkIhav
en’
tfor
giv
eny
ou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tknow,
Ijust
-”
Thembelihl
e:“It
hinkyou’
ll
beli
evethatIhave
for
givenyouonlyifyoucanforgi
vey our
sel
f.
Justacceptthati
thappenedandy oueasil
y
bel
ieveditbutnowlet’
smov eon.Please.
”
Hesighedandl ookedather.“
IloveyouandI
wi
llneverbreakyourheartl
i
ket hatagai
n.”He
pr
omi sed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
outooandplease,
promi
semewewon’ttal
kaboutt
hisagai
n.We
ar
emov
ingon,
right
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
wear
emov
ing…Eh…I
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Dal
isu:“
Let
’sj
ustsl
eepbecausev
erysoon
Ndabezi
nhl
ewill
becryi
ng.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mom i
slonel
yMageba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
slonel
y?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,andIwasthinki
ngthat
may bet
heboy scangoandliv
ewi t
hher
becauseNdabezinhl
eisver
yyoungt ogo.She
keepssayi
nghe’lll
iv
ewit
hher.Idon’tknowwhy
shesaysthat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whydon’
twesl
eep?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sy
our‘
no’
,r
ight
?”
Dali
su:“
Idon’
twantanyofmysonst oli
veaway
fr
om myhouseandrules.Mom i
sjusttoosoft
andtheywon’
tbewhatIwantthem tobeifthey
canli
vewit
hherful
lti
menow.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Buty
ourmot
her
-”
Dal i
su:“
No, that’
sitIhavesaidit
,‘No!
’”he
emphasi zed.Shel ookedathi
m andDal isu
didn’tr
emov etheeyecontact.Thembelihl
e
foldedherlipsandherbr eat
hbecameshal l
ow,
thickandwar m.Herlipspar
tedandf ormedan
‘
O’ Dali
susawt hroughher.“
Justdoi t
.”He
encouragedher .
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justdowhat
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Dowhaty
ouwantt
odonow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
t…wantt
odo…any
thi
ng…”
“Real
l
y ?”Heaskedf ast
eningthel
astbuttonof
herpyjamatop.Thembel i
hlehel
dhi swri
sthe
l
ookedatherwi thlazycovetedeyes.Herchest
wasrisingandfall
i
ngbeneat hherpy j
amatop.
Thembel i
hle:
“IfwetakeNdabezinhl
eoutofthi
s
room all
thisfeel
ingwil
lvani
shandIwi l
ll
ose
appeti
te.
”Shesuckedonherl owerlipand
closedhereyeslist
eni
ngt oherbodyaches.
Dal
i
su:
“Buty
oul
i
kescr
eami
ng.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwon’
t,j
ustthisonce.”Shesaid
movingherheadcl
osertohi m.Dalisumether
hal
fwayandtheysharedar avenouskiss…And
aspromisedThembeli
hledidn’tevenscream
butherr
esponsetothepleasurewer ewarm
heavybr
eathi
ngs…
-
--
--
Thokozaniwasbusydoingthegardenworkthat
Zodwahadaskedhi mtodoj ustt
omaket hei
r
houselookbeauti
ful
.Hisphonerangandhe
stoodstr
aightt
akingi
toffhi
spocket.He
answeredthecall
.
Thokozani
:“Si
s’Thokozi
l
e?”
“Bhut
i,Musawasf ool i
ngmeal lthosey ear
s.”
Shecriedfeeli
nghel plessandpai nf
ul.She’
d
tri
edtouset heirj
ointbankcar dtopaywhen
shewasbuy ingandt hecarddeclined.Allt
he
j
ointcardsdeclinedandt heonlycardthatwas
worki
ngwasj ustherper sonalcard.Hecalled
hi
m andhi
sphonewasof
f.
Thokozani
:“What
’swr
ong,
whatdi
dhedo?
”
Thokozi le:“Thembeli
hlewasr i
ghtmyhusband
hasbeenseei ngt
hatPreciouswoman.She’d
beensl eepi ngwit
hmyhusbandandnow, t
hey
hav eachi ld.Hehastakenal l
themoneyand
l
ef tmewi ththekids.
”Thokozanikeptqui
etas
hedi dn’tknowwhatt osay ,hehadhisown
problemsandshewasbot heri
nghimfurt
her.
“Please, saysomet hi
ng.”Shesaidwit
ha
tremblingv oice.
Thokozani
:“Idon’tknowwhattosayThokozil
e.
Ihavemyownpr oblemsThokozi
l
eIjustdon’
t
knowwhereIcanhel pwi
thwhatyouaretel
li
ng
me.”
Thokozil
e:“Thanksfornothing,BHUTI ,t
sk!
”she
hungupt hecallandThokozani lookedatthe
phone’sscreennotbeli
evi
ngt hatshej ust
droppedthecall…Shedidn’tevencar etoask
abouthisproblem buthewant edher sto
hear
d…Ty
pical
!
[
04/
12,
18:
56]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE38

Thembelihl
ewasbusywateri
ngherfrontyard
fl
owersshewashummi ngasongwhi lethi
nking
aboutMakhosi’
shappi
ness.Shewashappyf or
herasifshewastheonewhowasi nhershoes.
Shewouldtakeabit
eattheballofr
edsoi l
.Her
phonerangandso,shepl
acedthewat er
ingcan
down,putthesoi
lonherpocketandanswer ed
thecal
l.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o,Mr
sZungu!
”
Nozi
busi
so:“Hel
lo,
MrsZul
u,nowIdon’
thav
e
t
osaythefi
rst.
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandraisedherwater
ing
can.“
Therewasneverthesecondwife.
”She
sai
dandgiggl
ed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Oh,
Preci
ouswasj
ustast
atue,
r
ight
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ananci
entstat
ue!
”she
excl
aimedandtheyl
aughed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“YousoundhappyandIj
ust
want
edtoheart
hathappyvoi
ce.
”
Thembelihl
elookedaroundandt henl owered
hervoi
ce.“Don’tgetmewr ong,Nozibusisomy
husbandmakesmehappybutmf azikaGwabi ni
,
Iam happyforMakhosi.She’ssobeaut if
uland
happy,t
hatmanl ovesher.
”shesai d.
Nozibusiso:
“Real
ly?Good,Lor
d!Thatwoman
deservestobehappyshe’sbeenthr
oughhel
l
andback.Andy etshe’
ssti
llst
andi
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam pr
oudofher
.”
Nozibusi
so:“
You’v
edoneawonder
ful
jobi
n
supporti
ngher
,ndlov
ukazi
.”
Thembeli
hlegi
ggl
ed.“
It
’smydut
y,Mr
sZungu.
”
Sheinf
ormedher.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Now,
tel
lmehow’
sthemar
ri
age
l
if
e?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Excuseme?Itseemsasi fyou
areaski
ngmeawr ongquest
ion.Ishoul
dbe
aski
ngthatquesti
on.”
Nozibusi
so:“
Duh!Iam inparadi
sebaby
,Iam
aski
ngy oubecauseyou’
vejustgoty
our
husbandandhow’ st
hegroove?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatgr
oov
e?”
Nozibusiso:“Ah!Thembel
i
hle,whydoy
ou
soundlikea60- year
-ol
dmarri
edwomannow!
What ’
swr ong?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam happybutmyhusbandis
j
ustinsecur
e.Ijustwi
shhecantr
ustthatI
won’
tdoashedi dtome.”
Nozibusi
so:“Yeah,y
ouwoul dn’
tbecausehe
won’tthi
nktwicebefor
ethrowingyououtofthe
house.Oh,Lord!Andyourboyswithoutt
hei
r
mother.”
Thembeli
hle:
“He’l
lki
llme,thatsonofaguntol
d
mehe’l
lkil
lme.”Nozibusi
solaughedand
Thembeli
hlewonderedwhyshewasl aughi
ng.
“Whyareyoulaughi
ng?”sheasked.
Nozi
busi
so:
“No,Iam j
ustwonder
ingwho’
sthe
gunbet
weenhi
sparents.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“Jesu!Iam sor
ry,
noneof
them.
”Shewhispered.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Oh,
Imi
ssy
ousomuch.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Imissyoutoobutyoulivevery
farf
rom me.IknowthatIwil
ldef
ini
telyseeyou
i
nRichardsbayduri
ngDecemberholidays.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
out
hen.Il
ove
you.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ilov
eyoutoo.
”Shehungupthe
cal
landmovedtotheot
hersi
deofthef
lower
s.
“Mama,canIhelpyou?
”Mnot
hoaskedst
andi
ng
bef
orehismother.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Gebo,
youcan’
thol
dthewat
eri
ng
can.It
’sheavyf
oryout
ohol
dmybaby
.”she
repl
iedlooki
ngathi
m.
Mnotho:“
Mama,doy out
hinkt
her
eisa
wat
eringcant
hatIcanhol
d?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Asmal
l
erone,
formybabyboy
?”
Mnotho:“Yes,
mom.Ml amul
icanhol
dittooand
wewillwatert
hef l
ower
swit
hyou.Dad,canbuy
i
tforusmama? ”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,wewi l
ltel
lhi
mtobuyitfor
youbecausegardeni
ngisnotonlyforwomen
butment oo.
”Shesmiled.Mnothonoddedwit
h
asmile.
Mnot
ho:
“Mama?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mageba?
”
Mnot
ho:“
Whydowehavethingsdoneby
womennotmeantf
ormen?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Menandwomenar edif
ferent
mf anawami andso,arethei
rdut
ies.I
nourZulu
tr
ibether
earet hi
ngsthatarecomplet
elynot
accept
abl
ewhendonebymen.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Mama,
li
kecooki
ng?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Notr
eal
ly,
babybecausey
our
fat
hercooksformeri
ght?
”
Mnotho: “
Yes,mamabutubabauxoshawonke
umunt uendl
iniumaepheka.
”(Dad,t
hrowsout
everyoneint
hehousewhenhecooks. )hesai
d
whisperi
ng.Thembel
ihl
elaughedandgavehim
anod.
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes, becausehedoesn’twanthi
s
peopl
eseehi m cookingtheysaycookingi
sfor
womenbutt herearemenwhocookt omake
money.”
Mnot
ho:
“Oh!
”
Thembelihl
e:“ButIcantel
lyouwhatyoucan
neverseeyourfatherdoi
nginpubl
ic.
”She
smiledandlookedathim.
Mnot
ho:
“Whati
sitmama?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngekenj
eumboneuNdabezi
tha
ephet
heinganeehambalaemihlabeni
yakhe.
”
(Hecannevergoaroundcar
ryi
ngababyi nhi
s
armsinpubli
c.)
Mnotholaughedandlookedathismot her
,they
l
aughedtogether
.“Hawu!Mama, ngeke
amphatheuNdabezinhleumaephandl e?”(He’l
l
nev
erholdNdabezinhle?)heasked.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,hecanneverunt
ilhe’syour
age.Hecar
ri
esbothofyoui
npubli
c, r
ight
?”she
l
ookedathi
m.
Mnot
ho:
“Yes,
mama.
”
Thembelihl
e:“You’l
lseemfanawami,asy
ou
growolderyourfatherwi
ll
teachyouandyour
brot
herswhati tmeanstobeaZuluman.But
now,youarest i
ll
aboywewi llt
eachyout
hings
boysneedtoknow. ”
Mnot
ho:
“Ngi
yakut
handamamanobaba.
”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“
Welov
ey out
oo,youar
e
thebestboysthatGodgav
eus.”shesai
d
br
ushi
nghi
scheeks.
Mnot
ho:“Nomasihl
uphamama?
”(Ev
eni
fwe
ar
enaughtyboy
s?)
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandr epl
ied.“
Yes,welov
e
youevenandnow, goinsi
dethehouseIwil
l
comegiveyoulunch.Mlamuliisst
il
lsl
eepi
ng?”
Mnotho:“Yes,buthewil
l wakeupnowIknow. ”
Heraninsidethehouse.Thembeli
hlel
ethim be
knowingthathewasgoi ngtowakehim up…

Thembelihlemarchedtothegardeningtools
shedlocatedbytheendoft hepalacehuts.She
wasfini
shingofftheredsoil
.Sheopenedt he
shedandputt hecanandt hegl
ovesom t heir
sacr
edpl ace…
Shesmiledlooki
ngatThokozani’
scardri
ving
thr
ough.Shewasn’texpecti
ngherbrot
her’
sv i
sit
.
She’
dspokent otheroyal
tradi
ti
onal
healerand
hepromisedtogetbackatherbecausethings
werenotcl
earaboutwhatwashappeni
ngwi
th
Zodwa.Zodwagotoffthecari
nst
eadandwent
st
rai
ghttoThembeli
hle.
Thembel i
hle:“Thi
sisani cesur pri
sebutwhydi d
youcomewi thoutthechildren?Theboy s
would’v
elov edtoseet hem. ”shesaidt r
yingto
hugher…Zodwahadl eftThokozani inthe
morningdoi ngthegardent hatshe’daskedhi m
todo.Shel eftwiththechildrenbutshedi dn’t
comet othepal acewiththem.Shel eftt
hem
wit
hheraunt .Shewant edt ofaceThembel ihl
e
andrevengehermot her.
Zodwadidn’tser
veoutherarmstoThembelihl
e.
Shedidn’
tevensmilebutshepul
ledoutthe
daggergiv
ent oher
.Thedaggerwaswitchcr
aft
quoted.
“Don’
tscream!”shei
nst
ructedf
astpoint
ingthe
daggeronhertummy …Thembeli
hle’
stummy
wentcoldandhermouthwentdry.“Iam her
eto
savethewholeZulunat
ion.
”Shetoldherwit
ha
t
hickv
oiceandey
eswi
dened.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Zodwa,
what
’st
hemeani
ngof
thi
s?”
Zodwa:
“Youwi
tchshoul
ddi
ewhydi
dyouki
l
l
mymother?
”
Thembel i
hle:“Ikil
l
edy ourmother,whatar eyou
tal
ki
ngabout ?”shewasshockedt oreceivethe
news.Zodwawasaccusi ngheroft hedeat hof
herwitchmot herthatshehad.Thembel i
hle
knewshedi dn’tdi
rectl
ykil
lher
.Shepr ayedand
therestwast henat ure’
scause.“Idon’tknow
whaty ouaret alki
ngaboutZodwa. ”Sheadded.
Zodwa: “
YouknowwhatIam talki
ngaboutand
now, y
ouwantt odest
royt
heking!Ialway
s
thoughtthi
slov
ewasgenuinebuty oupoi
soned
him.”
Thembelihl
esawshewasn’ther
selfandshe
di
dn’tknowwhattodotohelpher.Zodwawas
possessedandshewasn’
tincontrolofwhat
washappeningi
nherbody.Hermi ndwas
possessed…Sheneededhel p!Thembeli
hle
real
isedthatasshewasl ookingi
ntoherevil
eyes.Thembelihl
ewasner vousbutshedidn’
t
wantt oshowhert hat
…Shewasscar edthat
todaywasherl astday…
Dalisu’seyeswentstr
aighttot
het woladi
es
standingbyt hegar
deningtool
s’shed.He’djust
gotof fhiscarandMthiyanewentdownt othe
otherguar ds…Dali
susawThembel ihl
ebut
couldn’trecogni
setheladywit
hheraswhathe
sawwasherback.
Hedi dn’tfeelrightaboutthewayt heywer ejust
standingther e.Thembel i
hleneverstoodlike
thatoutsidet hehouseandhav etalkswith
people.Shewoul dbeinsi
det hehouseorbyt he
outsidechai r
s.That ’
showheknewher .Dalisu
recognisedt hatt hel
adywi thhiswifewasj ust
tal
kingbuthedi dn’
tseeanyr esponsebybody
l
anguagef rom hi swif
e.Hemov edcloserto
them andhehear dthewomanshoot ingthick
angerwor dst ohi swife.
“You’
rej
ustadir
tywi
tch!
”Zodwashotat
Thembeli
hle.
“What’
shappening-”hewascutshortbythe
daggerthathesawZodwahol di
ng.Thembel i
hle
l
ookedatDal i
suwithfear
.Zodwawasn’ tscar
ed
ofDali
su,herpossessedmindwasn’tscaredof
hi
m.“ Whatareyoudoing,woman?”heasked
hol
dingThembelihl
e’shand.
“Iam t r
yingt osav ey ourl i
fe!
”sher epli
edwi th
cour age,raisi
ngherhandwi ththedagger .She
wasdi r
ectingi tstraighttoThembel i
hlebut
Dalisuqui cklystoodi nbetweent hem andt he
daggerst abbedhi sf rontshoulder.Dalisu
groanedl ouderast hedaggerpi ercedthrough
hisflesh.Hef ellonThembel ihl
e’sar ms.
Thembel i
hlescr eamedandhel dhi m.Zodwa
wasshockedandast heguar dsallrant o
them…Zodwahi dedt hekni f
eandr anaway …
Theguar dshadt heirf ocusonr unningtot he
king.
Thembelihl
e: “MAGEBA!”Shecriedshaki
nghim
ashewasunconsci ousonherar ms.Shewas
seatedont heground.“Pl
ease,dosomething.
”
Shecriedtell
ingtheguardssti
l
l shaki
ngand
holdi
ngherhusband. .
.
Theboy sandthemaidsranoutoft
hehouseas
thewholepalacehadheardt
hequeen’spainf
ul
scream.Theotherguar
dslef
tthei
rplaceand
rantothefront
.
“Whathappened?”Nj
ongoaskedgoi
ngdownt
o
Thembeli
hle’
slev
el.
Thembel i
hle:“
Zodwa,stabbedmyhusband,
Njongo.”Shecriedandturnedbackasshe
heardhersonscr yi
ng,t
hemai dsweret
ryi
ngto
holdthem.Theypushedt hem awayastheboy
s
screamed“ Baba!”
Njongo:“Let
’sl
if
tNdabezithaandtakehimto
thehospital
…Where’sthatZodwa?”heasked
holdingDali
su’
sshouldersandtheother
shel
d
hislegs.
Guar
d:“
Sher
anaway
.”
Njongo:“Sheranaway!Whoranafterher?”
ther
ewasnoanswer .“Ar
eyoupeoplecrazy,go
l
ookf orher!
”heshoutedandthemenst anding
byranoutoft heopenedgat
e.Zodwahadl eft
thegateopened.
Thembeli
hlewascry
ingf ol
l
owingNjongoand
theguar
ds,sherant
ot hecarandopenedthe
door.Mduduzi
hadalreadystar
tedt
hecar.
Njongo:“
Weshoul
ddr
ivest
rai
ghtt
othe
hospit
al.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“No, weneedt ogost r
aightto
Gobel a.Idon’
tthinkthehospi t
alwil
lhelpme.
Oh!Dear ,God!Indoday ami Jehova!
”shecr i
ed
holdinghimt i
ghtly.Shewasseat edatt heback
withhi m.Hisheadwasonherl ap.“
Njongo,call
mamanowandt ellhertomeetusatt he
healer’shouse.”SheinstructedandNj ongodid
exactlywhathewast ol
d…
MaCebekhul
u:“
Njongo,
unj
ani
?”
Njongo:“Wearenotwellweareonourwayto
ancestr
yy ar
d.WearetakingNdabezi
that
her
e
becausehehasbeenst abbed.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
?Howdi
dthathappen?
”
Njongo:
“Idon’
tknow,ndl
unkul
u.Ndl
ovukazi
hasaskedmet ocal
lyouandlety
ouknow.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Njongo,
Icanhearhercr
ying.I
s
t
hewoundbad?”sheaskedonapanicvoice.
Njongo:
“He’sunconsci
ousndlunkul
u.”The
phonewasdr oppedandNjongolookedbackat
Thembeli
hle.Shewascryi
ngwi t
hherey es
cl
osedandhermout hmov i
ng.Njongoshook
hi
sheadandsi ghed…
[
04/
12,
18:
57]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE39

“
Whatdi
dtheydot
odad?
”Mnot
hocr
ied
holdi
ngFeli
cit
y’
sshoul
derwi
thhi
sheadonher
shoulder
.Mlamuli
waswithHl
ezi
phi
.
Hlezi
phi
:“Wedon’
tknownkosana,
wewer
e
herewit
hyou.
”
Mlamuli
:“Takeust odadandmom! ”hecried
shaki
ngher.Hleziphicl
osedhereyesand
l
ookedatFelici
ty.Theybothshooktheirheads.
MaSbi y
a:“Ihav
emadesweetwaterforthe
boys.”ShegaveHl
ezi
phi
andFeli
city
.Theyall
si
ghedasNdabezinhl
ewokeup.“Iwill
gotake
hi
m. ”shesaid.
Hl
ezi
phi:“Pi
nkyiswit
hhi
m.Ithinky
ouhav eto
makeformulaforhi
m.Ther
e’snobreastmil
kin
hi
sbottl
es.”
Shenoddedandleftt
het
wol
adi
est
ryi
ngt
o
cal
mt hem down…
Theguardswererunningaft
erZodwaasshe
wasrunningf
asterthanthem.Herheadwas
spi
nni
ngasshehear ddi
ffer
entv
oicesri
ngi
ng
i
nsi
dehermi
nd.
“Youhav edi
sappoi
ntedme!Onceagain.
”She
i
magi nedtheechoofhermother
’svoi
ce.I
trang
painf
ull
yinsi
dehermi ndasshewasrunni
ngon
thegravelr
oadsbarefoot
.
Zodwa:“
Iam sorr
y!Iam sorr
y!”shecr
ied
shaki
ngherhead.Shepl
acedherhandson
headasshetookturni
ntothebushnearthe
road…
Theguardsal
ltooktheturnshetook.“Don’
tyou
thi
nkweshouldjustshoother.Thi
swomani s
runni
ngli
keamadwoman. ”Oneoft heguar
ds
suggest
ed.
Guard2:
“Weneedt
otakebackt
othepal
ace
al
ive.
”
Guard3:“
He’
srightweneedherali
vebecause
weshouldhaverunafterherf
ast
er.Butwehad
oureyestot
heking.”
“
Let
’sr
un,
shegoi
ngupbyt
hemount
ain’
s
rout
e!”Heexcl
aimed.Andt
heypi
ckedupt
hei
r
paces…
Zodwacoul dthatshewasgoi ngcr azy
…Att he
sli
ghtestchanceofgetti
nghersenseofmi nd
shestoppedr unningandlookedbackatt he
guardswhower erunni
ngaf t
erher.Theywere
runni
ngont her oadweedr oadsendingthem up
tothemount ain.
Zodwa: “Ican’tdot his.Ican’tcontrolt
his,I
don’
twantt oliv
enomor e.”Shet hensenther
l
efthandt odresses’ pocketthatshewas
wearing.Shel ookedati twi t
hherhandshaki ng
andherheadspi nning.Shewasdr enchi
ngi n
herownsweatandt hesunwaspai nf
ulonher
ski
n.Shedr ovethekni festraighttoherheart
andshescr eamedasl if
eleftherbody …The
guardsst oppedr unning,theirbootssli
dont he
weedgr oundandt heybal anced.Theywer e
shockedasshef el
l onthegr ound.Itwas
shockingt oseeherki l
lherselfli
keshedi d…
He’dseenthathi
sf i
ancéewasn’thome, t
he
ki
dswer ealsonothome.Thokozani t
ookhis
phoneandwentt otheirgar
age.Hewascal l
i
ng
Zodwaonhi swayt othegarage.Heraunt
answeredthecall
.
Aunt
:“Mkhweny
ana?
”
Thokozani
:“Yebo,
aunt
y,howar
eyou?
”
Aunt
:“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Thokozani
:“Iam f
ine,
wher
eisZodwa?
”
Aunt:“
Sheleftherphoneandthetwinsher
,she
thendrov
etot hequeen’
spalace.Youdi
dn’
t
knowthat?”
Thokozani
:“No,
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
Aunt
:“Hhay
bo!Shet
oldmet
haty
ouknow.
”
Thokozani
:“No,
Iwil
lbor
rowmyf
ri
end’
scarand
dri
vetoNongoma.”
Aunt
:“Doy
out
hinksomet
hingi
swr
ong?
”
Thokozani
:“Iwoudn’
tknowaunt
.Youknowshe
hasn’
tbeenhersel
f.
”
Aunt
:“Iwi
l
lsendt
hechi
l
dtot
hepal
ace.
”
Thokozani:
“No,Iwi l
lcal
lmysist
erandgetback
toyou.”hepromisedlocki
ngthefrontdoorof
hishouse.Hewal kedoutthr
oughthegate.
Aunt
:“Okay
,dot
hat
.”
Hehungupt hecal
l andcal
ledThembeli
hlebut
shedidn’
tanswerthecall
.Hethencall
edthe
l
andli
ne.MaSbiyaansweredthecal
l.She
greet
ed.
Thokozani:
“Yebo,sanibona.I
t’
sthequeen’
s
brot
her.Iam cal
li
ngtoconf i
rmthatmywi f
eis
ther
ewi t
hmysi st
er.”
MaSbi
ya:“Yes,
shewashere.She’djustr
an
awaybecauseshest
abbedtheking.Thequeen
i
snothome.”
Thokozani
justdr
oppedthecal
lashefel
tcol
d.
Heranfastert
ohisfr
iend’
shouse…Hewas
scar
edt
hatt
heywer
egoi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
sfi
ancée.

Thembelihlewasseat edinsidetheheal er
’s
l
oungeshewasl ooki
ngatt heglassofwat er
thatwasbef oreher.Shewashel pl
ess,weak,
andshedi dn’twanttoimagi newor stbutshe
couldn’
thelpit.Thehealer’
swi fewasi nthe
l
oungewi thher .Shewast r
y i
ngt ocomf or
t
Thembelihlebutshewasn’ tlist
eningtoher.
“Thembeli
hle!”MaCebekhul
ucall
edoutforher
andThembel ihl
esnappedoutofhermiseryand
stoodup.Shequi ckl
ymarchedoutofthedoor
andmetherhal fwayastheyhuggedeachother
.
Theywerest andi
ngoutsi
dethehouse.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
WhathappenedMaSt
hol
e?”
Thembelihl
e:“Zodwacameintothehouseand
beganaccusingmeoft hi
ngsIdon’
tknow.She
wascall
ingmeawi t
chandshepulledouta
daggeronme.Myhusbandgoti
nbet
weenus
whenshewastry
ingtostabme.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Yoursisterin-l
awtri
edtoki l
lmy
son!”shebackedawayf rom herandheldher
forehead.Thembeli
hlelookedatherwi t
ht ears
streamingdownherf ace.Shewashol dingher
breath.“Thi
sisyourfaultThembelihl
e!You
shouldn’thaveal
lowedthi stohappen.
”She
shoutedcr yi
ngoutloud.
Thembel i
hlel
ookedatnotbel i
evi
ngthatshe
wasbl amingher.Howwasshesupposedt o
knowt hatZodwawant edtokil
lher?Howwas
shesupposedt oknowt hatherhusbandwas
goingtotakethefall
forit
?Butshedecidedshe
wasn’tgoingtoletMaCebekhulublameherfor
thi
s.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No!Mama, Zodwawasbother
ed
byhermother
’sspi
ri
tandIthi
nkwebothknow
howdidt
hatwomanhadaccesst ot
his
ki
ngdom.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Oh,
Jesu!Whenwil
lthiswoman
l
eavemeatpeace?”sheaskedr
eal
isingthat
shewastoblamefort
hat.
Thembel i
hleheldherhands.“Thisi
snotthe
ti
mef orust opointfi
ngersateachother
.The
manwebot hl ovei
sdy i
ngmama.Whatwi l
lIbe
withouthi
m? ”shecompl ainedandsatonthe
rockbythef rontdoor.
MaCebekhul u:“Don’tt
hinkli
kethatThembelihl
e.
Getup, let
’sgetinsi
de.”Shegaveher,herhand
andt heywentinsidethelounge.MaCebekhulu
drankt hewaterthatwasmeantf orThembelihl
e
afterthey’
vesatdown…
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whyi
syourt
onguer
ed?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’st
her
edsoi
lthatIwaseat
ing.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i,y
oushoul
dst
opeat
ing
soi
l
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iwi
ll
t r
y.”Shel
i
edknowi
ngshe
coul
dn’
tcontr
olhersel
f…Theyhel
deachot
her’
s
handandbot
hpr
ayedsi
l
ent
ly…
Thehealerstepsi
nsidethehouseandcal
l
sf or
hi
swi f
e.Thembelihl
eandMaCebekhulustood
onthei
rfeet.Theymarchedclosert
ohim.
MaCebekhulu:“
Thokozamkhulu!”shecl
apped
herhandsandthehealerdi
dthesame.
Thembeli
hlehadhergripti
ghtonhermotheri
n-
l
aw.
Thembelihl
e:“
How’smyhusband?
”sheasked
andlookedathim.
Gobela:
“Iam st
il
lworki
ngonhim andIwil
lhave
tokeephim her
eforafewdays.
”Heexplai
ned
l
ookingathiswif
ewhowasbef or
ehimlooking
down.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wi
l
lwebeabl
etoseehi
m?”
Gobel
a:“Iwillcomebackwi thanswersbutnow,
nkosi
kazi
, pl
easef i
xt her
oyalhut
.Itmustbe
cl
eanbecauset hekingwil
lsl
eeptherewhil
eI
tr
eathi
m. ”het henlookedatMaCebekhuluand
Thembel
i
hle.
Wif
e:“
Yebo,baba.
”Shel
eftt
her
oom
i
mmediat
ely
…
Gobel
a:“
Don’
twor
ryt
heki
ngwi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.”
Thetwowomenbot
hnoddedandsatdownas
helef
tthem…
MaCebekhul
u:“
Theboy
sdi
dn’
tseehi
m?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Theysawhim mama.Whatwill
I
do?Iwil
lhavetoleav
ehi
m here?Ihaveababy
athome.”shesi
ghedbury
ingherfaceonher
hands.
MaCebekhul u:“Let’
swaitfort
hehealer’
s
feedbackmay bey ouwon’thavetoleavehim
hereandy ou’l
lbehome. ”shegaveherhope
holdi
ngherhandt i
ghtl
ybutThembel i
hleknew
thatthehealerwouldn’
thav esai
dar oom must
bef i
xedforhimi fhewasn’tkeepi
nghim…
-
--
--
Mzwakhewasseat
edundert
het
reet
hinki
ng.
He’dseenAl wande, hisdaughtercomingback
fr
om school .Shewaswal kingwit
habunchof
fr
iends,boysandgi rls.Hewasseat eddown
nowt hi
nkingoft hewayAl wandehadspokento
him whenhet r
iedtoaskherwhywasshe
walki
ngwi thboy s.Thegi r
lignor
edhim atf
ir
st
eventhoughshehear dthatMzwakhehad
call
edouthername.
Alwandehadt oldhi m straighti
nt heey et hat.
“Youl osttherighttot ellmewhatt odot heday
yout hrowusouti ny ourhouse. ”Now, those
wor dswer eri
ngi nginsidehi smi ndasl atelyhe
hadwonder edhowhi ssonswer edoingl ivi
ng
witht hei
rmot heronl y,withouttheirfat
her ’s
guidance.Hehadhear dthatMakhosi was
doingwel landhadherownbusi nessthatmade
him angrybecausehewasst i
lll
ookingf or ward
tothedaywher eshewasgoi ngt oknockonhi s
doort obeghimt ot akeherback.Butshe
seemedt obedoi ngv erywellwithouthi m.Ev en
hisdaught erwasbeaut i
fulandwi thwei ght
gai
ned.Hesi
ghed.
“What’swrong,baba?”MaMthembuasked
putti
ngthetrayofsweetpotat
oesdown.“You
seem bothered.
”Sheaddedsitt
ingont
hebench
withhim.Thechildr
enwereinsi
dethehouse
watchingTV.ItwasaSaturday.
Mzwakhe:
“No,Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ng.
”Her
epl
i
ed
t
aki
ngabite.
MaMt
hembu:
“Okay
…Howar
ethey
,baba?
”
Mzwakhe:“
They’
resweetandt
hanky
ouf
or
maki
ngthem.”
MaMthembu: “
Youdon’ thavetothankme. ”she
smil
edandt ookanot hersweetpotato.They’
ve
beenli
vi
ngt ogethereversinceMzwakhet hrew
Makhosiandt hechil
drenoutofthehouse.And
MaMthembunev ertri
edtogetMzwakhet olook
aft
erhi
schildren.Shewasenj oyi
ngt ohavea
manlookingaf t
erherandshewant edhimt o
l
ookatnobodybuther .
Mzwakhe:
“If
eelIneedto.”Helookedather
andMaMthembusmi l
edlooki
ngdown.
MaMt hembu:“Iwasthi
nkingt
hatZinhl
ecan
star
tday-car
enextyearandIcangobackt o
work.Evenifi
t’
snotworkingf
ortheroyal
famil
y
butwork.”
Mzwakhe:“
Icanl
ookaf
tery
ouandso,
you
don’
tneedt
owork-”
“
Youhav evi
sit
ors,baba.”MaMt hembu’sson
i
nformedMzwakhe.Theyaddr essedhi m as
“
Dad”theyhadnopr oblem wit
hhi m bei
ngwith
t
heirmother
.Hel ookedaftert
hem andt hey
l
i
kedhim.
MaMt hembuandMzwakhet ur
nedtot
hetwo
pol
icemenwhowerestandingbehi
ndthem.
Mzwakhestoodonhi
sf eetandMaMthembu
aft
erhim.
Pol
iceman:“
Wear
eher
eforMrMzwakhe
Gumede.”
Mzwakhe:
“That
’sme.
”
Pol
iceman:
“Baba,youareunderar
restf
ort
he
at
temptedmurderofNkosi
khonaMkhwanazi.
”
“WHAT!”Both,
MzwakheandMaMt
hembu
excl
aimed.
Mzwakhe:“Idon’tevenknowthatman.”Hesaid
asthepoli
ceproceededwi t
htel
li
nghim about
hi
sright
sandcuf fi
nghim…MaMt hembucried
wal
kingbehindthem.
MaMt
hembu:
“WhatmustIdo,
baba?
”
Mzwakhe:
“Gotomysi
ster
’shouseandshe’
l
l
knowwhattodo.
”
MaMthembu:“
Okay
…”shecriedasshewatched
hermanshov
edatthebackofthepol
i
cevan…
[
04/
12,
18:
57]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE40
“Thekingissti
l
l unconsciousbutbytomorrow
oratnighthe’
llbeawake.Ndl ovukaziMaSthole,
you’
ll
hav etobewi thhim whenhewakesup. ”
Heinformedthem, nowt heywer eseat
edinside
hispr
actisehut.
MaCebekhul
uandThembelihlesi
ghedlooki
ng
ateachot
her.“
That
’sarel
i
ef .I
twasn’
tbad,I
meanthewound?”MaCebekhuluasked.
Gobel
a:“Theknifehaddeadlydarkmagicbut
t
hekingdidn’
tdiebecausehewasn’ tst
abbedi
n
t
heheart.I
ftheladyhadaimedt hehearthe
wasgoingtodie.”Heexpl
ained.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Jehov
a!”
Thembelihl
e:“
CanIseehim now?
”she
request
edlooki
ngatGobel
a.
Gobela:“Yes, y
oucanandIwi l
laskndl
unkul
uto
staybehind.”Thembeli
hlenoddedandstoodup.
“Mywi f
ewi l
l showyoutothehuthe’si
n.”he
toldher
.Thembel ihl
enoddedandleftt
hem…
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Gobela:“
Ihaveconsultedandsawt heagenda
bet
weeny ouandSgonondo.Themot herofthe
gi
rlt
hatstabbedt heking.I
t’
snotthegirlwho
wantedtokill
ndlovukaziMaStholebutthatwas
Sgonondo’sspir
itfi
ghtingf
orrevenge.She
wasn’tatpeacewi t
hthewayt hi
ngsturnout.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
IthoughtIhav
edef
eat
edher
.
WhatdoIneedtodo?”
Gobel
a:“
Not
hing.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu!
”
Gobela:“
Yes,you’v
edonet hingsr
ight,
your
appeasi
ngt otheancestorswasasuccessand
nowy oujusthavetositbackandrelax.
”
Shesi
ghed.“Mysonwill
knowaboutthi
s?I
knowhe’
llbeangr
yifhe…”shekeptqui
etand
l
ookeddown.
Gobela:
“No,he’
llnotknowaboutthi
s.Ij
ust
wantedtotel
lyounottoworryaboutthi
s.You
needtokeepsuppor
ti
ngyourdaught
eri
n-l
aw
andthefamil
yasawhole.You’
vebeendoi
nga
goodjob.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thokoza!
”
Gobela:“
Butnow, y
ouneedt otalktotheking.I
t
i
snotenought ot heancestorsthathi
ssecond
wifeisi
nprison.Sheneedst opayaf ineforthe
shameshe’dbr oughtint
ot hekingdom.She
can’tj
ustwalkawayasi fnothinghappened.
Shemustanswert otheeldersoftheland.”
MaCebekhulu:“Ihav
et ol
dmysont hatbuthe
i
nsist
edthathedoesn’twantherher eand
anywherenearhim.Isuggestedthatwecan
askherfrom t
hepoliceandtakeherbackwhen
wehav epassedthejudgement.”
Gobela:“
Iwil
lspeakt
ohim aboutthi
sandy
ou
wil
lhavetodothesame.Thiscannotgo
unnoti
cedli
kethi
sinthi
ski
ngdom. ”
MaCebekhulu:
“Thokoza!
”shecl
appedher
handsl
ookingdown.
Gobel
a:“
Youhav
enot
hingt
oask?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Idohav
eaquesti
on.Whydidn’
t
theancest
orswarnmysonaboutt
hiswoman?
Maybey oucantel
lmebet
tert
hantheel
der
s.”
sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m.
Gobela: “
It
’snotasi ftheydidn’ ttr
y, Iinformed
Ndabezi t
hat hathi sfatherdidn’twantPr eci
ous
i
nhi syardsbef or ehet ookheri ntohi sold
house.Thatwassupposedt ogr abhi sattention
aboutthiswomanbuthewast oobl ind.This
hadt ohappenf orhi mtolear nsomet hingfrom
i
tandt oknowhemust n’
tbet oot rust ingof
women.Ther e’snoki ngwi thoutmi stakes
ndlunkulu,beingki ngdoesn’ tmeany ouar et he
wisestoft hem al landnobodycanf ool you.Ifit
i
sso, kingswoul dn’tneedadv isors.Andas
peoplewel earnf r
om ourmi stakes.”
MaCebekhulu:
“That
’sr
ight.Ij
ustwantt
hem t
o
behappy,hi
ssonsandwi f
e.”
Gobel
a:“
Don’
twor
ry.
”
MaCebekhul
unoddedandsmi
l
ed.“
Icanl
eav
e,
now?”sheasked.
Gobel
a:“
Yebo,
ndl
unkul
u!”
“Thokoza!
”Shecl
appedherhandsandst
ood
up…

Afterleav i
ngt hehutThembel ihlewastakento
thehutwi t
hherhusband.Shet hankedthewife
andst eppedi nsidethehut .Thehutwasbi g,i
t
wasr oy althemed, ahutusedt okeept heking
whenhewasbadl yill
.Itt
hebedandsmal l
kit
chent hi
ngs.Shesatnextt ohim andtouched
theout erpar t
sofhi soint
mentpast edwound.
Hewast opless.
Thembel i
hle:“Oh,Dali
suyouscaredme.I
thoughtIwasl osi
ngy outoday.
”Sheheldhis
hands.“Please,pull
throughforusbecausewe
sti
llneedyou.”shebeggedhi m andrest
edher
foreheadont hei
rhandsasshe’ drai
sedthem.
Shet henspenttimelookingathim ashewas
l
ay i
ngther
euntil
ther
ewasMaCebekhul u’
s
knockonthedoor.Thembeli
hletur
nedback
andlookedherasshesteppedinsi
de.She
stoodnexttoher
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
He’
l
lbeal
ri
ght
,Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hemustbe.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Hewil
lbeandnow, youneedto
gohomet akeashowerbreastfeedandfeed
Ndabezi
nhlethensendthem downtome.Iwi l
l
bewitht
hem whi l
eyouarehere.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay,
Iwi
l
laskFel
i
cit
ytocome
downwit
hthem.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Itseemsli
keshe’
slooki
ngaf
ter
t
hethreeoft
hem now.”
Thembeli
hlelaughedandcomment ed.“
It
seemsli
ket hatforr
ealbutPinkydoesagood
j
obbecauseshehel psalot.Theyareso
handf
ul.
”Shecompl ainedstandi
ngup.
MaCebekhulusupportedandwal kedtothe
door
.
Thembeli
hlebentdownandkissedDal
i
su’
sli
ps.
“Il
oveyou.
”Shesaidandlef
t…
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iam goi
ngtoyourpal
aceIwant
t
oseeZodwa.Ihopetheyhav
ecaughther.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ineedyoutosupportmemama.
She’
smybr other
’swi
feandplease,hel
pme
convi
ncemyhusbandnott ogiv
eahar sh
ver
dictonher.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youknowt
hat
’si
mpossi
ble.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Shewasj ustpossessedmama.
”
Shesai
dast heysteppedinsi
dethecar.
Mduduzist
artedthecaranddr oveoff
…
MaCebekhulu:“Youaretooforgi
ving
Thembeli
hle.EvenPreci
ousy ouj
ustdecidedto
l
ethergojustli
kethat.Youconvincedy
our
husbandtolethergoandhedi dbutnowt he
ancest
orswantherback.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theywantherbackasmy
husband’
swi
fe?No!
”
MaCebekhul u: “
Cal m down! ”shel aughedand
heldherhand.“ Nobodywi l
l ev ershareDal i
su
wi t
hy ou.He’dseenhowy oudon’ ttakecr ap.
He’llforev
errespecty oumychi ldyoudi dn’t
fi
ghthi m wit
hshowi nghim howcr azyy oucan
be.Youdi dn’tshouty ouf oughtwi t
hsi l
ence.
He’lllookatawomanandt hinkofhowy ou
treatedhimf orbringingPr eci ousher e.May be
thishappenedf orar eason, may behewas
goingt obewi l
li
ngl yattempt edi nf uturebut
nowbecauseoft hishewon’ tev enthinkof
anot herwoman. ”Sheassur edherl ookingather
wi t
hasmi l
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Iam cert
ainnowthaty ou’l
lbe
thefi
rstqueent
ohav eyourkingt
oy ourself
.
AndIpr ayt
hatyoursonsfol
lowintheirfat
her’
s
foot
steps.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ipr
ayf
ort
hatt
oomama.
”She
smil
edandlaidherheadonMaCebekhul u’
slap.
Shesmil
edandr emov edherdoekshethen
massagedherscalp.Thembeli
hlesmil
edand
cl
osedhereyes…
“MaSthol
e,wakeup.”MaCebekhulushook
Thembeli
hle’
sshoul
der s.Shewokeupand
yawned.“
Youwer esleepingli
keababy.
”she
added.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mom wasr
ubbi
ngmyscal
p.”
Shesmil
edandopenedt
hedoor
.Theyf
oll
owed
eachot
hert
othehouse…
“Wherear
ehi
sbrother
s? ”Thembeli
hleasked
si
tti
ngdownnextt
oFelicit
y.Shetookhercryi
ng
son.
Fel
ici
ty:
“They
’vecri
edforthei
rfat
herunti
lthey
fel
lasl
eep.
”sherepl
iedandgotupmaki ngher
waytothebaby’
snursery
…
Thembeli
hlet
ookoutherbr
eastandFeli
cit
y
gavehert
hewetclot
he.Thembeli
hlet
ookthe
clot
handwi pedthesweatoffherbr
east
.She
thenbreast
fedherson.Heheldontohershi
rt
andslowlyclosedhi
seyes.
Theladi
esinthel
oungesi
ghed.MaCebekhul
u
l
aughed.“I
tseemsli
kehehasbother
edyou
badl
y.”Shecommentedandtheyal
lagr
eed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ah,
baki
thi
.Sor
ry.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Where’
sZodwa?Theyhav e
caughther
?”sheaskedlookingatthem and
theyl
ookeddownwi t
hsadf aces.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Zodwaki
l
ledher
sel
f.
”
“WHAT!”Thet hreeofthem excl
aimed,
thethi
rd
personbeingThokozani whowasstandingby
thedoor.He’djustar
ri
vedandhewas
welcomedbyshocki ngnews.
Thembelihl
e:“
Bhut
i!
”shelookedathi
m wi
th
sadeyes…MaCebekhulustoodupandwentto
Thokozaniashewasstandingbyt
hedoorl
ikea
st
atue.Shewal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousewi
thhi
m.
Thokozani:“Whathappened?”heaskedashe
wasseat eddownnow.MaCebekhul uasked
thattheothersl
eavethem andHlezi
phi st
ay
behind.Theythendidastheyweretold.Fel
ici
ty
tookthebabyashewasf astasl
eep…
Thembel i
hle:“Zodwawant edtokill
meshekept
tell
ingmeIam wi t
chandIhav epoisonedthe
king.Dalisucamebyandgoti nbet weenusas
shewast ryingtostabme.Het hengotst abbed
i
nst ead,Zodwar anaway.Isawt hatshewasn’t
herself.Shel ookedpossessed.Ithenhadt o
l
eav ewi thmyhusband. ”
Hlezi
phi
:“Theguardsranafterherandshewas
runni
ngupt othemountai
nswhenshest opped
runni
ng.Shethenkil
l
edherselfbytakingthe
sameknifeandusedittostabherselfri
ghti
n
theheart
.”
“JESU!”MaCebekhul
uandThembeli
hlebot
h
exclai
medandclosedthei
rey
esdroppingt
hei
r
heads.Thembel
i
hlecr
iednowt
hinki
ngabout
herbrot
her.
Thokozani
:“Wher
e’sherbody
?”heasked
st
andingup.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iwi
l
lshowy
ou.
”
Henoddedandheadedt othedoor,
Hl eziphi
stoodupafterhi
m andfol
lowedhi
m out .
Thembelihl
estooduptooasmeanst of oll
ow
them butMaCebekhul
ustoppedher.Shehel d
herwrist
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Lety ourbrotherbealonein
ther
ewit
hhiswife’
sbody .Ifhefeel
slikecr
ying
hemustdothatalone.”
Thembel i
hlenoddedandcr i
edout ,
MaCebekhul uhuggedherandcomf or
tedher.
“Hischil
drenmama, theywi
llgr
owupwi thout
thei
rmot her!LookatwhatSgonondohasdone
toherdaught er’
slif
e.Shehasdriv
enhertothe
grave.Howcanshebesocr ueleveni
ndeath
she’sevi
l!”shecried.
MaCebekhulu: “Godwil
lseeyourbrother
thr
ough.Iwillgoandbecl osebythehutt hat
he’
sin.You,justgoandshower ,pumpt hemi l
k
i
ntoNdabezi nhle’
sbott
lesandgobewi t
hy our
husband.Iwillbeherel
ookingafterevery
thing.
Dali
sumust n’twakeupalone.”
Thembeli
hlenoddedandl eftforthebathr
oom…
Shegotbackintheloungedr essedupandwi t
h
herbag.She’
dlef
tev er
ythinginor der
.She
l
ookedaroundandMaCebekhul uwasn’ tt
here.
Shewenttothekitchenandf oundhercooking
ther
e.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam donemamaandIhaveput
Ndabezi
nhle’
sbott
lesinsi
dehi
snur
ser
y.
Where’
sThokozani?”
MaCebekhulu:“Hehasgonetohischi
ldren.He
saidt
hey’r
ewi t
hZodwa’saunt
.Theinsurance
companywi l
lcomeforherbody.Hesaidhe’l
l
seeyoutomor r
ow.He’sver
yhurtandhecan’ t
evenhideit
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Helovedthatwomanmama.He
l
ovedherwi t
hever
y t
hingandnow,she’
sgone.
Mybrotherwil
lneverseehiswi
fe.
”
“Oh,mnt
anami ,don’
tcrythismuchbecauseyou
needtobestrongforhim.Therearealotof
peopl
ewhoneedy ouri
ghtnow.Justbest r
ong,
MaSthol
e.”Shesaidbrushingherback.
Thembelihl
enoddedandmov edawayfr
om her
.
“Iwi
llseeyoutomorrow,hopeful
l
y,wewil
lbe
comingbacktomorrow.”Shesaidwipi
ngher
tear
s.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,
goodni
ght
.Lookaf
termy
son.
”
Thembelihlenodded,MaCebekhulugav ehera
bagofcookedf oodanddr i
nks.Thembel i
hle
tookthebagandl eftt
hehouse…Shewentat
thebackoft hehousefarbackandl ookedfor
spooninsidethebagoffood.Shet henpoked
theredsoiloffanditf
ell
onherhand.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng,
ndl
ovukazi
?”Hl
ezi
phi
askedl
ooki
ngcloselyatThembeli
hle…
Thembel
ihl
ewasf r
ightenedandshejustsi
ghed
whenshesawitwasHl eziphi
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youfri
ghtenedmeIthoughti
t
wasmama. ”Shesaidputti
ngthesoi
lonher
mouth.“
Mmm! ”shecl
osedhereyes.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Youshoul
dn’
tbeeat
ingsoi
l
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Bye!
”shel
efti
gnor
ingher
st
atement.

Mduduziwasdriv
ingherandshehadhereyes
cl
osed.Herphoneandshetookitoutas
Mduduzidr
oveinsidet
hehealer’
syar
d.The
pr
ivat
enumberwascal l
ingher.
“Hell
o!”Sheanswer
edt
hecal
landst
eppedout
ofthecar.
Thokozi
le:
“Thembeli
hle,
howareyou?Ineed
yourhel
p.Ineedtofi
ndmyhusband.Heran
awaywithallourmoneyandIcan’
tfi
ndhi
m.I
needy ourhelp.Pl
ease,askyourhusband
may beheknowswher eheis.Maybehe’sthe
onewhof orcedhi
mt oleave.MusalovesmeI
ref
uset obel i
evet
hathewoul dj
ustleaveme.”
Shecompl ai
nedfast
.
Thembeli
hle:“Thokozil
e?Idon’
thaveti
mef or
youri
ghtnow.Thokozani ’
sfi
ancéehadjust
ki
ll
edherselfIdon’thavet
imeforyourdrama.
”
Thokozi
le:
“What
?Whendi
dthathappenand
where’
sbhuti
now?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Justcal
lhi
m.”shehungupthe
cal
landtur
nedtoMduduzi
.“Iwi
ll
call
tomorr
ow
whenIneedyou.
”shesai
d.
Mduduzi: “Yebo,ndl
ovukazi.”Hebowedand
drovebackout …Thembel ihlemov edtoDal i
su’
s
hutandgr eetedtheguardt hatwasst andi
nga
l
it
tlefarfrom it
.Hewasguar dingtheking…She
openedthedoorandent eredt hehut…Dalisu
wasst i
ll
unconsci ous.Thembel i
hlethentook
offherclothesandchangedi ntohernight
gowns.Shet
ookt hebathi
ngbasi
n.Shepl
ugged
theket
tl
eandpourwat ershewasgoi
ngtouse
tocl
eanherhusband…
Thembelihl
ewaswokenupbyDal i
su’sgroan.
Shegotupandwenttoturnthel
ightson.She
quickl
ywenttohi
m andtr
iedtohelphim si
tup
str
aight.
Dali
su:“
Relax,
Iwil
lmanage.”Shesi
ghedand
l
ookedathim.Helookedaroundandreal
i
sed
wherehewas.“Sawubona!
”hegreet
edherwith
alazysmil
e.Hewasseatednow.
Thembeli
hle:
“Sawubona!Youscaredme.”she
i
nfor
medhi mlooki
ngathim.“ Whydidyouhave
todothat
?Getstabbed,Dal
isu?”sheasked.
Dali
su:“Thatisreal
l
ynottheri
ghtwaytobe
happythatyourhusbandisawakenow.Isi
t?”
heaskedhol di
ngherhand.
Shewasfor
cedtosmileandrepl
ied.“
Yes,i
t
i
sn’
tbutIj
ustf
eell
ikescol
dingyouforthat
.”
Shepout
ed.
Dali
su:“Icouldn’
tjuststandthereandwatch
thatwomanst abyou.Imagineifmynationwas
tofindoutthat‘Thekingwasst andi
ngbyast he
womanst abbedhisqueen.’Thenationwoul
d’ve
beenashamedt ocallmet hei
rking.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youalmostdi
edandl
eftus.What
i
fsheaimedthehear
t?”
Dalisu:“I
twould’
vebeenbetteri
fitwasmewho
diedthant ohaveyou,di
e.HowwasIgoi ngt
o
survive?Threeboys,t
henationandbei
ng
withouttheloveofmyl i
fe.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Whataboutme,
then?Iwoul
d’
ve
sur
viv
edbett
er?”
Dali
su: “
Imightnotsayi tandhaveneversai
dit
buty ouarestrongerthanIam.Iam weakand
uselesswithoutyourlove,af
fect
ionand
presenceinmyl ife.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Look,atus!Debat
ingwho
woul
d’v
elivedbett
erwithoutone!”
Dalisuhel dbot hherandl ookedatheri nt heeye.
“Imeanti twhenIsai dI ’
ll
laymyl i
fedownf or
youi fIhav etobecauseIknowt hatmyl if
e
woul dn’tbewor thywi thoutyou.Wheny ou
distancedy our selffrom mebecauseof
PreciousIf orcedl ivi
ngwi t
houtyouIf orcedit
becauseIt houghtIcoul d.Butmyl if
ewasn’ t
colourfulasi twaswheny ouwer ei
ni t
.And
whenIwasal oneIf eltthelonel
inessandpai nI
broughtuponmy self.Iwashappi erthanangr y
whenIf oundoutt hebabywasn’ tminebecause
Iknewt hatIwasgoi ngbackhome, wher eI
belong.”Her eflectedlookingatherwi th
nothingbutl ov e.
Thembel i
hle:“
Oh!Dali
su.
”Shehuggedhi
m
withouthurti
nghiswound.
“Ngiyakut
handa,kakhul
undodayami!
”shesai
d
closi
ngherey es.
Dali
su:“
Ngiyakut
handanami ,
mf azi
wami.
”He
saidandlookedupclosi
nghiseyes.Heal
l
owed
hisnost
ri
lstosmellhersweetscent…
[
04/
13,
20:
22]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE41

Thembelihl
ewast hefi
rsttowakeup.Shesat
upstrai
ghtandprayed…“ Youar
eawake?”she
askedlooki
ngathim.
Dal
i
su:“Yes,andIam hungr
y,canIhav
eagood
morni
ngkiss?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Isi
tal
ri
ghtt
okissyouwhi l
ewe
areinher
e?”shesmil
edandDali
sulaughed
holdi
nghiswound.“
Putst
il
landstoplaughi
ng.
”
Shesaid.
Dal
isu:
“Youthi
nkGobel
adoesn’
tki
ssandsl
eep
wit
hhiswif
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wow!Dal
i
suy
ouar
etel
l
ingme
youar
ehungr
ybecausey
ouwantt
osl
eepwi
th
meinher
e?Hawu!”
Hechuckl
ed.“
No,
Iam hungr
yforf
oodnot
t
hat.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh,
youar
etr
yingt
otel
lmet
hat
youdon’
twantmenow?
”
Dalisu:“Hhayke!Ever
ythingmakesyouupset.
Don’ tcomplai
njustgivemeagoodmor ning
kiss,Iam yourhusband,r i
ght
?”Thembel
ihle
pout edandstoodupwi t
houtgiv
inghi
m akiss.
“Hawu!Thembel i
hle,
yinimanje?
”heasked.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youarenothungryformebut
youarehungryf
orfood.Iam doi
ngthatr
ight
now.”
Dali
su:
“Ar
eyour
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
omaket
hisabi
g
deal
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
No, Iam notbutIam giv
ingyou
food.
”Shesaidput ti
ngthelunchboxoffood
i
nsideamet albasinaft
ershehadputhotwat er
i
nsidethebasintowarmt hefoodbecause
therewasnomi crowavei
nt hehut
.“It
hinkyou
shouldtakey
ourbat hbef
oreeati
ng.You’l
lbe
abletobathyoursel
f?”
Dali
su:“
No,si
nceIam notgett
ingaki
ssI
shoul
ddefi
nit
elygetabat
h.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Sies!Myhusband,howdidthe
ancest
orsagreetothismarr
iage?Ther
ewere
supposedtobeal otofsi
gnsshowingbad
omenssot hatwejustdon’
tgetmarry!
”she
j
oked.
Dal
isu:“Wewer en’
tgoingtoseethem because
wewer everyhappy.Every
onewashappyandI
am gl
adt her
ewer en’
tanyofthoseredflags.
Gobelawast heretoensur
ethatheseest hem.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ist
il
lwonderwhyhedi
dn’
tcome
toyoursecondweddi
ng.”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
tknow.”Herepl
iedtaki
ngoffthe
pyj
amapantsthatThembeli
hlehaddressed
hi
m on…Thembelihl
eplacedthebathi
ngbasin
nextt
ohi
m.
Thembeli
hle:
“Getupandbat
h,Iwil
lgobat
hin
ourhousebecauseIhav
etobreast
feed
Ndabezi
nhle.
”
Dal
isu:“
You’
l
lcomebackwi
tht
hem becauseI
wanttoseet
hem.”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay.
”Shechangedi
ntoher
cl
othesaftercal
li
ngMduduzi…Shewasf ul
l
y
dressednowandhav edishedt
hefoodfor
Dali
su.
Dali
su:“
Ther
e’ssomeoneatthedoor.
”Hetol
d
herseat
edonthebedmoisteni
nghisbody
.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Ishoul
dgoopent
hedoorwhi
l
e
youar
enaked?”
Dalisu:
“Yes.”HerepliedandThembelihl
ejust
l
ookedathi m.Hedi dn’tsayany
thingandso,
Thembel i
hlemarchedt othedoor.Sheopened
thedoorslowlyandt hen,movedout.She
closedthedoor.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thokoza,
mkhul
u!”
Gobel
a:“
Thokoza,
ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyout
hismor
ning?
”
Gobel
a:“
Wear
efi
neandhowar
eyouandt
he
ki
ng?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wear
efi
neandhe’
sawake
now.”
Gobela:
“That
’sgood,
youmustmakebr eakf
ast
forhi
mi nt
hehouseandthenIwil
ltakehi
m.
Youcangohomewhi leIam wi
thhi
m. ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yebo,
buthe’
salreadyeat
ing.I
havebr
oughtf
oodwithmelastnight
.Thank
you.
”
Gobel
a:“Okay,y
ou’
lltakehi
mt omyhutwhen
he’
sdone.”Shenoddedandt ur
ned.
“Ndl
ovukazi
?”hecal
ledher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
Gobel
a:“
Lookaf
tery
our
sel
f.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Me?
”
Gobel
a:“
Yes,
lookaf
tery
our
sel
f.
”
Thembel
ihl
enoddedandasked:
“Ist
her
e
somet
hingwrong?”
Gobela:“No,butyouj
usthav etoknowt hat
everyt
hinghappensforareasonandf orev
ery
l
ifeyoubr i
ngtotheworldthere’sapurposefor
thatl
ife.Andnotever
ythi
ngwi llhappenas
you’v
epl annedthem.
”headv ised.
Thembelihle:“
Yebo,ngi
yezwa. ”Shesai dand
Gobelanoddedt henlef
ther.Thembel i
hle
l
ookedathi m ashewaswal kingawayshet hen
wentatthebackoft hehutandl ookedar ound.
Gobela’
sy ardhadblacksoi
l shej ustcl
ickedher
tongueandheadedbacki nsidet hehut.
Dali
suhadfini
sheddr essi
nguphewaseat i
ng.
“Oh!Lor
d,hecouldn’twaitf
orhi
swifebuthis
wifewait
sforhim.”shecomment edshaki
ng
herhead.
Dal
isu:“
Ay ,
Iwasv er
yhungryIt
hinkmywi
fe
canunderstandt
hat,r
ight
?”
“Yes.
”Sher
epli
edsi
tt
ingnextt
ohi
m wi
thher
spoonandshehadhi
sfood.
Dali
su:“Hawu!Whyareyoueat
ingmyf ood
becauseIthoughty
ouhaveyourfood,
too?”he
askedlooki
ngather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“If
eel
li
keeat
ingwi
thy
ou.
”
Dali
su:“Go,andtakethatfoodbecauseIwon’
t
befull
sinceyouar eeat
ingfastert
hanme.”he
sai
dwi t
houtlookingather.“Andyoudi
dn’
teven
tel
lmewhowasatt hedoor.
”headded.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwaswithmysecretchi
ldt
he
oneIgotfr
om mypr evi
ousmarr
iage.
”She
j
okedstandingup.Shemadeherwaytothe
food.
Dal
isuchuckledandsai
d:“Youalwaysdream
t
hatyouhav esomeoneelseeit
herthanme.But
i
t’
ssadforyoubecausey ouarejustst
uckhere
wi
thme.You’
l
ldi
ewi
thme.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“What
ever
!”shesatdownwith
food.“ThatwasGobel
aatthedoor.HesaidI
shouldtakeyoutohi
shutafterf
eedingy
ou.I
will
thengohomewhi l
ehe’sbusy.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,wher
e’sZodwa?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shekil
l
edhersel
fwhent
he
guar
dswererunni
ngaft
erher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo!
”hel
ookedather
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah,
it’
sunbel
i
evabl
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“How’
syourbr
other
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tseehimt hatmuchbut
mamat ol
dmet hathe’
sbroken.”
Dal
isu:“Whathappened,
whydi
dshewantt
o
st
aby ou?”
Thembeli
hle:
“She’dbeenbot
heredbyher
mother
’sspir
itandwhenshecamet omeshe
waspossessedt el
l
ingmeIam poisoni
ngyou.I
am awi
tchandso,
shewast
her
etoki
l
lme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam gl
adt
hatIgott
her
eint
ime.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,andnowl
et’
sfi
nishup
eat
ingsothatIcangohome.
”
Dal
i
sunoddedandt
heyf
ini
shedupeat
ing…
“MAMA! ”Theboyschantedatthesightoft
hei
r
mother.Thembeli
hlegiggl
edandwentdownt o
hugthem, bot
h.Shekissedthei
rfaces.
MaCebekhulu:“Thewaytheboy sar
ehappyt
o
seey oui
t’
sli
ket heydi
dn’
tenjoybei
ngwit
hthei
r
grandmother
.”Shecomment edasThembeli
hle
satdownonhercouchwi ththeboys.
Thembeli
hlelaughedandlookedather
.
Boys:
“HAWUGOGO”Theyexcl
aimedand
l
aughed.
Thembel i
hle:“
Theirfacesshowthatgogohas
beentreati
ngthem v erywel
l.
”Shesmi led
l
ookingatt heboys.“Youlookbeauti
ful.”She
tol
dthem andr eceiv
edt hei
rbeaut
if
ul smiles
back…
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Boy
s:“
Wewantt
oseedad.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iwill
takey
outoyourf
atherbut
now, Iwanttoknowhowar eyoudoi
ng?”she
brushedtheirheads.
Boy
s:“
Wear
efi
nemama,
andhowar
eyou?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iam fi
ne,Iwi
ll
goshowerand
att
endy ourbrothert
henwecangotoyour
fat
her.Iwilll
eaveyouwithhi
m andt
hengovisi
t
youruncle.
”
Boy
s:“
Okay
,mom.
”
Thembeli
hlestoodupandwentcl
oserto
MaCebekhulushebentdownandkissedthe
baby.Ndabezi
nhlecr
ied.“
Awu,
hhaybo!”she
excl
aimedgett
ingup.
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
’sony
ourl
i
ps?Whyi
she
cr
yingnow?
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandr epl
i
ed:“Hehas
missedhi
smot herandIam goingtoshower
now.Iwil
lseehim af
tert
heshower .
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay,makei
tfastbecausehe’
l
l
cr
yunti
lyouret
urn.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
ldothat
.Mnot hoand
Mlamul
icomeandsitnexttothebaby.
”The
boysst
oodup.Thembeli
hlelef
tthem…

Thembelihl
ehadNdabezi nhl
einherar ms.
Mnothowast hefirsttoopent hedooras
Thembelihl
ehadtol dthem whichhutwast hei
r
fat
herin.Theycouldn’twaitt
oseet hei
rfather
andtheyhaveimpat ientl
ywaitedfortheir
mother.Shewast akinghertime…
MaCebekhuluwasf oll
owingafterthem butshe
wenttospeaktoGobel a’
swifewhowasdoi ng
weedinginheryard…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
tyouknockf
ir
st?
”
Mnot ho:“Sorry
, mama.”Hesaidashewas
al
readyi nsidethehut
.Dali
suwasseatedonthe
chairreadinganewspaper.Het ur
nedhi
sheard
ashehear dtheboys’v
oices.Hesmil
edand
stoodup.
Thembel i
hle:
“Don’tt
hrowyour
selvesatyour
father.
”shesaidasshesawDalisusit
ti
ngon
hislegstogivetheboysahug.
“Ah!
”Heexclai
medashehuggedthem.The
boysgi
ggleddel
ight
edl
y.“
Baf
anabami!
Ninj
ani
?”heasked.
Boys:
“Siyaphil
a,baba,unj
ani
?”theyasked.
Theywerebot hlooki
ngathiswoundwi t
h
wonderi
ngey es.Hewast opl
ess.
Thembeli
hle:“Youshould’
vewornashi
rt
.Look,
they’
rel
ookingatyourwoundnow.”shesai
d
sit
ti
ngonthebedwi ththebaby.
“
She’
sri
ght
.”MaCebekhul
usai
dopeni
ngt
he
bagtolookf
orhisshir
t.Shethengavehimthe
shi
rtandDal
isutookit
.Hegotupandwor et
he
shi
rt…MaCebekhulugrabbedachairandsat
down.
Dali
su:“
Comet ome!”hehel dthei
rhandsand
walkedt
ot hebedwit
ht hem.Het hr
ewt hem on
t
hebedonebyoneandt heyl
aughed.“Didyou
missme? ”heaskedl
yingnexttothem.
Boy
s:“
Yes,
whenar
eyoucomi
nghome?
”
Dali
su:“
Iwi
l
lcomebacktomorr
ow.Iwi
l
lhave
tosl
eepher
etoni
ghtandtomor
rowIwi
llcome
backhome.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thatmeansy
ouar
esl
eepi
ng
al
onetoni
ght?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Hhaybo!Don’
tevenaskthat
quest
ionbecauseyoucan’
tlett
hathappen
MaSthol
e.”
Dal
isul
aughedandl
ookedatThembel
i
hle.She
l
ookedathi
m ashewaslaughi
ng.“
Uhl
ekani?”
Shewhisper
edandDal
i
sut
ri
edt
ohol
dhi
s
l
aught
er.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ij
ustt
houghtIwi
l
lgohome.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youwil
lgohometomorr
owbut
youwon’
tspendtheni
ghtt
her
e.He’
l
lneed
you.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hawu,mamaIt houghtIam going
homenow.Mybr otherishome. ”shelookedat
herhopi
ngshe’l
lnotstopher.MaCebekhul u
di
dn’tgi
veherananswersoshel ookedat
Dali
susheknewhewoul dn’
tstopherbutt he
probl
em washismother!
Dali
su:
“Shecangoseeherbr
othermama.I
don’
tmind.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
She’
l
lsl
eept
her
e?”
Dali
su:“No,she’
l
lcomeback.Itwouldn’
tbe
ri
ghtifshedoesn’
tshowup.Thokozanimay
t
hinkshe’sholdi
ngagrudgeagainstZodwa.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,youcangoMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Butyou’
l
l needtocomeback
earl
ysot hatyoucancook.Ndabezinhl
eis
rest
lesswheny ouarenotaroundthesedays
andso, Ishoul
dhelpFel
icit
ywithhim.”
Therewassilenceint hehouse.Thembel i
hle
sawt hatMaCebekhul uhadapr obl
em wit
hher
goinghomet oherbr other
.Shedi dn’
tknow
whatwaswr ongwi thhernow.Ormay beshe
knewsomet hingthatThembel ihledi
dn’t
?
Gobelahadtoldhim nott olethergohome?
Shewasconf usedathersuddenchangeof
heart
.
Dal
isu:
“Gi
vehi
mtome.”hesaidt
oThembel
i
hle
l
ett
inggooft
heboy
s’hands.
MaCebekhulu:
“You’
ll
baby
sitt
hebaby
?”she
askedl
ookingathi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“No.Iwantt
oseehi
m.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lgowi
thhi
mifhe’
sthe
pr
obl
em whenIam nothome.
”
“Idi
dn’tsaythat,don’
tt wistmywor ds.You’l
l
notleavewithNdabezi nhle.”Shesaidandstood
upwal ki
ngt othedoorl eavingDal
isuand
Thembel i
hlelookingateachot her.“
Iwantt o
seeGobel a.
”Sheaddedasshewasout sidethe
hut.
Dali
su:
“It
hinkshe’
srat
hermadt
hatZodwadi
d
t
his.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Butwespokenicelyaboutt
his
andsheshowedt hatshewasfeeli
ngsorr
yfor
mybrother
.”
Dali
su:“Ey,
youcannev erknowwhatgoes
thr
oughmama’ smindMaSt hol
e.Shecan
supportsomethi
ngtr
yingt osecur
ey our
emotionsbutonl
ytofi
ndt hatshe’snothappy
aboutit
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
ltakeNdabezi
nhl
ewi
thme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
youdon’
thav
etodot
hatbecause
t
hatwi
l
lmakeherangr
y.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwil
ll
eavewithhi
m andther
e’s
nothi
ngy
oucandoaboutitbecausenowit
seemsasifmysonisaburdentopeopl
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tspeakl
i
ket
hatMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwi
lll
etyouhaveti
mewi ththe
boysbecausenowthey’
rej
ustboredlooki
ngat
ustal
k.”Shesmil
edbrushi
ngtheboys’heads
andstoodup.
Theysi
ghed.“
Mama!
”Ml
amul
icompl
ained.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
sit
?”
Mnot
ho:
“Youspeakal
otmama.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Niy
aphapha.
”Shel
aughedgi
vi
ng
herhandsouttoDal
isu.
Dal
i
su:
“Isai
dyouwon’
tleav
ewi
thhi
m.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam l
eavi
ngwi thhi
m andhe’l
l
sl
eepherewit
hustoni
ght.”Shetookthebaby
fr
om hi
m andli
ft
edhim up.Ndabezi
nhle
l
aughedassheki ssedhim.“Iwi
llcomeback.
”
shetol
dhim andwai t
edforaresponsebut
Dal
isudidn’
tsupplyaresponse.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youwon’
tsayany
thi
ngbecause
youwantmetoleav
ehi
m? ”
Dal
isu:“
Ijustwanty
out
ost
opbei
ngst
ubbor
n
andleav
emyson. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
it’
snotli
ket
hat
.Buty
ou
hear
dwhatmamasaid.”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
l
lbeangr
yify
ougowi
thhi
m.”
Thembelihl
e: “
She’llbemuchangr i
erifIleave
hi
m andhe’ ll
st ar
tbotheringthem wit
hcr ying
nonstop.Iwillgowithhi m.”Dali
sudidn’tsay
anythi
ng.“Yourf oodisint hebagandi t
’sst i
l
l
warm.Itwillbebet t
erifyoueatitnow. ”she
i
nformedhi m.Dal i
sunodded…Thembel i
hle
headedtot hedooraf tersayinggoodbyet othe
boys.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
goodby
eki
ss?Doy
our
emember
youref
usedt
oki
ssmei
nthemor
ning?Youowe
me.”
“Standupandki ssmebef or
eyoudi e.”Shesai
d
roll
inghereyes.Dali
suchuckledandj umpedof f
thebed.Hewasbef oreherimmedi atelyhe
playedwiththebaby’scheeksfirstandt hen
mov edt
okisshiswifeintensel
y.Hest opped
whenThembel i
hlegiggl
ed.
Thembelihl
e:“Wesai
dnoexpl
i
citki
ssi
ngi
nthe
presenceoftheki
ds.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Igotcar
ri
edaway
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
ou.
”
Dalisu:
“Il
ov eyoutoo.
”Heki
ssedhercheekand
Thembel i
hleheadedoutwi
thasmil
eonher
face…
“Where’
sThembel
ihle?
”MaCebekhul
uasked
sit
ti
ngonthechai
r.Dali
suwastel
l
ingtheboy
s
funnyst
ori
esandtheywerel
aughi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Shel
eft
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Shel
eftwi
tht
hebaby
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Andy
oual
l
owedt
hat
?”she
shout
edathi
m.
Dal
isu:“
Hawu, mamawhatwasshesupposed
t
odoaf teryou’
vesai
dwhaty
ousai
dabout
Ndabezi
nhle.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Hhay bo!Shewasn’ tsupposed
tol
eavewiththebabyev enifIsaidthat.Whatif
Zodwa’sev
ilspi
ritgetsNdabezinhle?He’sthe
chi
ldandso,spir
itscaneasil
ygethi m.”
Dal
i
su:
“Not
hingwi
l
lhappenmama.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Not hi
ngwillhappenmama’ my
foot!Zodwa’sspir
itisnotatrestyetshecan’
t
begoi ngaroundwiththebaby .Andyoujust
all
owedt hat!
”
Hedidn’
tsayany
thi
nghel
ookedatherasshe
l
eftt
hehut….
-
--
-
“Howarey ouhol
dingup?”Thembeli
hleasked
hisbrot
heraft
erputt
ingNdabezi
nhl
eont he
couchspacethatsheprepar
edforhim.Hewas
fastasl
eep.
Thokozani
:“Whyi
syourt
onguer
ed?
”
Thembel
i
hle:“I
t’
sthesweet
sIwaseating.
”she
l
iedandl
ooked.“Answermyquest
ion,
howar e
you?
”shelookedupathim.
Thokozani
:“Iam notdoingwel
l.Makhosi
hel
pedmeal otwiththetwi
nslastni
ghtt
hey
werejustr
estless.Icoul
dn’
tsl
eepatZodwa’
s
aunt
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
etheynow?
”
Thokozani
:“Sheleftwit
hthem she’
staki
ngher
daughterf
orvaccinat
ion.Shel
eftwit
hthegi
rl
fr
om nextdoor.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Okay,
whendoy out
hinkyou’
l
l
havet
hefuneral
?Thingsar
ejustt
ightonmy
si
deNdabezinhl
eisalsor
estl
esswhenIam not
aroundsincehi
sfat
herisnothome.Iwantto
sendsomeonewho’llhel
pyoupreparef
orthe
funeral
.”
Thokozani:
“Thatcanhelpalot
.Ithinkthi
s
weekendwi l
lbesuit
abl
e.Idon’
twantt otake
l
ong.Ijustwanttoputhersoulatrest.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Andyou’
l
lneedanannysinceshe
wastheonelooki
ngaft
erthem.Icanhel
pwith
thatt
oo.
”
Thokozani
:“Thanky
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dThokozi
l
ecal
l
?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,shedidandsheaskedt
hat
youspeaktoy ourhusbandt
oall
owhertocome
fort
hefuneral
.”
Thembelihlesighedandsaid:“Okay,Iwil
lspeak
tohim.”shelookedbackandsmi l
edast heir
auntenteredthehouse.Thembel i
hlestoodup.
“Aunt!
”shegr eetedherandtheyhuggedeach
other
.
MaSt
hol
e:“
Howar
eyou,
MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou,
aunt
?”
MaSthol
e:“Wear
efi
nebutshockedatt
he
suddennews.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yes,t
heycameasashock.
”She
commentedsi
tti
ngdown.
Thei
rauntsatnextt
oThokozani
.“Jobe!
”she
hel
dhishand.
Thokozani
:“Ey
,auntIam t
ryi
ngandIdi
dn’
t
expectyousosoon.
”
MaSthol
e:“
IthoughtIshoul
dcomesoonbe
wit
hyoubecauseIknowt haty
oursi
sterwon’
t
bewithy
ousinceherhusbandwil
lneedherto
nur
sehim.Ishouldhel
pMakhosibecauseshe
al
sohasababy .
”
Thokozani
:“Thanky
ou,
aunt
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yabongaaunt
y.”
Shenoddedandt
oldThembel
i
hlet
ocome
closer,sheledasongandtheypray
edaft
er
theiraunthadreadabibl
everseandshar
ed
comf orti
ngwor dst
oThokozani
.Thembel
ihl
e
alsoshar edafewwords…
MaSt
hol
e:“
Didy
our
eachThokozi
l
e?”
Thokozani:
“Shecal
l
edandshewant
stocome
tothefuner
al.
”
MaSt
hol
e:“
Whatwi
l
lhappen,
MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembeli
hle:“Iwil
ltr
yandspeaktoNdabezi
tha
maybehe’l
l agreetoletherst
ayf
ort
hefuner
al.
Iwil
lgethi
mt oagree.”
MaSthole:“Thatwe’
l
lbemuchbet
terbecause
youneedeachot her
.Andy
oushouldputthe
pastbehindyounow.”
Thembeli
hledi
dn’
tcommentbutsheopened
herbagandtookoutherri
ngi
ngphone.She
thengotupandansweredthecal
lout
side.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
WeMaSt
hol
e,whydi
dyoul
eav
e
wi
thNdabezi
nhl
ebecauseIsai
ddon’
tleav
e
wi
thhi
m? ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Mama,
Ijustdi
dn’
twantt
o
tr
oubl
eyou-”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youdi dn’
twanttot
roubl
eme!
Ndabezi
nhl
eismygr andsonwhenhaveIev
er
gott
ir
edofhim orf
eel t
roubl
ed?Huh?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Hhayi
!Hhayi!MaSthol
emusa
ukungi
casula.Youcan’
tgoar oundwit
hthe
baby.He’
ll
becat chi
ngallnegati
vespi
ri
tsont
he
way.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcomehomenow.
”
MaCebekhul
ucl
ickedhertongueandhungup
thecal
l
.Thembeli
hlesi
ghedandshookher
head…Shewentinsi
dethehouse.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwil
lhavet
ogonow.Thatwas
mymotherin-
lawcal
li
ng.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Whenwil
lyouneedsomeone
who’
ll
hel
py ouwi
tht
hefuner
alprepar
ati
ons?
”
Thokozani
:“Pl
ease,
sendt
hem t
omor
row.
”
Thembel
ihl
enoddedandgav eherarmsouther
aunt
.ShehadNdabezinhleinherarms,hewas
awakeandcryi
ng.“
Iwillseeyou,soon.
”She
sai
dputt
ingthebl
anketonNdabezi nhl
e’
sback.
MaSthole:“
Letuswal kyououtandt el
lme,why
di
dy ourhusband’
sexsecondwi f
ewentto
pr
isonjustli
kethatwithoutanyki
ngdom
j
udgement ?”ShestoodupandThokozani st
ood
upafterher
, t
heywalkedThembel i
hleout
.
Thembeli
hle:
“She’
l
lcomebackt
otel
ltheel
der
s
whathappened.
”
MaSt hol
e:“Youmustbehappytohavey
ourl
if
e
back.Youlookedli
fel
esswi
thoutt
hatman’
s
presenceinyourl
i
fe.”
Thembel
ihlel
aughedandThokozani
laughed
aft
erher
.“Shemustberej
oici
ngaunty,Iam
sur
e.”Thokozani
comment
ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,i
t’
snotl
iket
hat
.”Shef
olded
herl
ipsandtheyl
aughed.
MaSt
hol
e:“
Gowel
lMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
aunt
y,bhut
i?”
Thokozani:
“Don’
twor r
yaboutmeouraunt yis
hereandMakhosi andthechil
dren.Iwon’
tbe
al
one.”Hetoldheropeningthedoorforher
.
Thembelihl
enoddedandst eppedinsi
dethe
car
…
[
04/
13,
20:
22]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE42

Thembeli
hlef
oundMaCebekhul ucooki
ngint
he
ki
tchenwit
hHlezi
phi
.Sheclearedherthr
oat
andMaCebekhulut
urnedt
ol ookather.
MaCebekhul
ulookedatherbef
orebr
eat
hinga
wor
d.Thembeli
hlel
ookeddown.“
He’
sfi
ne?
”
MaCebekhul
uasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
he’
sfi
nemama.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Youshouldstopbeingstubbor
n
becausewhensomet hi
ngthatyou’
vebeen
warnedabouthappensyou’
llbethefi
rstto
cry
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry,
mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Youcangoandbathhim Ihave
madehisfood.Hemusteat,
hisbr
other
sar e
st
il
lwit
htheirf
ather
.You’
l
lnotl
eavewithhimI
am her
eIwilll
ookaft
erhi
m.”
Shenoddedandl ef
ther…Shewentt
obathher
babyfeeli
ngasifMaCebekhul
uwaspuni
shi
ng
herforsomethi
ngshedidn’
tknowshedi
d.
Fel
icit
ywalkedi
nsidethenur
sery
.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o,howar
eyou?
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Iam f
ineandhowar
eyouand
ndabezi
tha?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam fi
neandhe’
sdoi
ngwel
lnow,
thanky
ouf oraski
ng.
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Icameher
etohel
pyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Okay
,wher
e’sNjongo?
”she
askedsmili
ngassheputNdabezinhl
einsi
de
warm water.Hecri
edashealwayscri
edwhen
i
twast i
mef orhimtobat
h.
Fel
icit
ystol
eaglanceatherandlookeddown.“
I
thi
nkhe’saroundndl
ovukazi
.”Shecommented
andsmi l
edalonebutThembeli
hlesawthe
smile.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
yout
hinkory
ouknow?
”
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Hawu!Ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
What?Ther
e’ssomet
hingwr
ong
i
fIaskaboutt
hat
?”
Fel
ici
ty:
“It
’sj
ustawkwar
dtor
ecei
vet
hat
quest
ionfrom y
ou.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Mm, okay
?Icanseey ousmile
whenIspeakabouthim.”shefi
shedsteal
i
nga
gl
anceather.Fel
i
citygi
ggled.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
He’
swel
comi
ngandhe’
sni
ce.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Mm?That
’sani
cet
hingt
osay
abouthi
m.”
Fel
ici
ty:
“Ah!Ndlov ukaziy
ouaremakingme
shy.
”Thembel i
hlelaughedandputNdabezinhl
e
i
nFelici
ty’
shand, shehadhistowel
.Fel
ici
ty
wrappedhim andgav ehimtohismother.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Okay !Okay
!Ithi
nkIcanseewhat
Iwant
edtosee.”Shesaidmoistur
isi
ngt
hebaby.
“Ar
eyouhappyhere?”sheasked.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Yes,
Idon’
tregr
ett
aki
ngt
hisj
ob.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iam happytohearthat .
”Shethen
l
ift
edthebabyaf tershewasdonedr essi
nghim.
“Iwil
ll
eav eyou,t
hen.”Shesai
dmar chingtothe
dooraftershe’
dseenFel i
ci
tynoddingwi tha
smile…
Thembeli
hlesatonherbedwithNdabezinhle.
Shethenfedhim.“Youshoul
dstopcryingthis
much.”Shesaidkeepi
ngtheeyecontactwith
thebabyandhestoppedcryi
ngatthetasteof
foodinhi
smout h…

Dali
suhashi
seyescl
osedasThembel
i
hlewas
busycl
eani
nghi
swound.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
equi
et.
”Shecomment
ed.
Dal
isu:
“Didmamat el
lyouthatt
heancest
ors
wantPreci
ousbackhere?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
shet
oldme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdoy
out
hink?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Ithi
nkyoucan’tdenywhatthe
ancestorswantMagebabecausepeopl ewil
l
alwayshavequestionsaboutPreci
ous.People
can’tr
eadabouthercasei nthenewspapers
theydeservetoknowandt hekingdom
deservestogiveherthei
rownjudgement.”
Dali
su:“It
oldthecounci
lMaSthol
ethedeci
sion
Itook.Whyshouldshebebroughtbackher
e
now?Whyshoul dweaskt hepoli
cetocome
here?”Hesaid.
Thembel
ihle:“
Iknowandt heywereangr
y.You
deni
edhavingherbackforthem t
oquesti
onher
andyoublackmail
edthem, Mageba.
”
Dal
isu:“
Ijustdon’twanttobeinthesameroom
wit
hher.BecauseIallowedmy sel
ftobe
somethi
ngt hatIam notbecauseofherandher
manipul
ation.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Butt
heancest
orswantherback
hereandyoushoul
ddowhattheywant,
Mageba.”
Dal
i
su:“Andpunishi
ngher
?Whati
ftheywant
metopunishherandyoutol
dmenottodothat
?
Whatt
hen? ”
Thembeli
hle:
“ Iwon’tst
opthatbecauseitwil
l
betheancestors’word.Iwasjustagai
nstyou
ki
ll
ingherandhurtingherinanywaybecause
y
ouwer
egoi
ngt
ofacet
hel
aw.
”
Dal
isu:“
Okay
,Iwi
l
ltel
lNj
ongot
otr
aceher
down.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nj
ongodoesy
ourdi
rt
ywor
k?”
Dalisu:“Hhay
bo!No,he’sanex-mil
it
aryveter
an
andso, hehasskil
l
st hatheknowshowt ouse
andhe’ sgoodwit
ht r
acingpeopleanddoing
researchonthem.”
Thembeli
hle:
“So,whydidy
ouaskhi
mtodo
resear
chonPr eci
ous?
”
Dali
su:“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkoft hatbecauseIhave
madeconclusi
onst hatPreci
ousseducedmet o
t
rapmewi t
hachild.Idi
dn’tthi
nkthatshe
wouldbestupi
dt otrapmewi t
hachildthati
sn’
t
mine.”
Thembelihle:
“Asmuchasi twasnotwi seof
youtobelieveher
.Shewast hebiggestfool
to
thi
nkthatchildwasreal
lygoingtobe
recogni
sedasy our
saf t
erbir
th.”
Dali
su:“No,shehadaful
lproofplanbecause
shewasgoi ngtofr
ameyouf orki
dnappingthe
chi
ld,r
ight?Thatmeanst
hebabywasn’ tgoing
tobeseenbyusandso, wewoul dn’
thave
knownt hatt
hebabywasn’tmine.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Whaty
ouwoul
d’
vedonei
fIwas
foundgui
lt
y ?
”
Dalisu:“
Thel awdoesf indinnocentpeople
guilt
y,shewascl earl
ygoi ngtocreateevidence
againstandt hat’
swhatt helawwor kswith.
Evidence!Ijustdidn’
tbeli
eveher.Iknewy ou
didn’tdothat.Andknowi nghowPr eciousgot
meIwasn’ tgoingtoproceedwi thstayi
ngwi th
herasmywi f
eknowi ngthatsheputy ouinjail
forsomet hingyoudidn’tdo.”
“Buty
oubel
i
ev edt
hatIwant
edyourmoney
.”
Shecommentedputt
ingt
hepast
eonhis
wound.
Dali
su:“Yeah,andshepl
antedt
hatseedof
doubt.I
tjustmadesensethatt
imeandIwas
j
ustmorethanafoolthatt
imeThembelihl
e.
EvennowIcan’tj
ustgetoverwhatIdi
dtoyou.
ThewayItreat
edyou.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justdon’
tdoi
tagai
n.”
Dal
i
su:
“CanIasky
ousomet
hing?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dali
su:“
Whywereyouthatqui
et?Wasi
t
becauseoft
hebabyoryou…?”
Thembel i
hle:“Mostl
yitwasbecauseofmy
babyandIwashur ti
ngi nt
hewayt hatIjust
didn’
twantt otalkaboutit
.Iknewt alki
ngabout
i
twoul dhav emademeev enangrier.Ididn’t
wanttor ai
seal l
thenegativ
eemot ions.AndI
knewt hati
fIwasqui etitwasgoingt obot her
youevenmor e,makey ouangryandhur tyou.
Youdon’ tl
ikethequietme.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youdon’
tknowhowIf
elt
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tel
lme.
”shef
acedhi
m nowas
shewasdonewit
hhi
swound.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwasangr
yandhur
tbutIwasscar
ed
t
hemost.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwer
escar
ed?
”
Dalisu: “
Yes, becauset hatwasnott hereacti
onI
expect edfrom y ou.Ihav ehadcheat i
ngfri
ends
andt heirwomenwoul dgocr azyonthem li
ke
reall
ycr azybutaf t
ert hattheywoul dmoveon
from thatbecauset heywoul d’verel
easedthat
anger .Buty ou, youj ustkeptqui etanditwas
scarybecauseIdi dn’tknowwhatwasgoi ngon
i
nsidey ourmi nd.Apar tofmewasscar edthat
may bey ouarepl anningonki ll
i
ngmeor
paralysingme. ”Thembel i
hlelaughedand
placedherheadonhi st highs.“I
t’
snotfunny,
MaSt hol e.
”Hei nformedher .
Thembelihl
e:“
No, i
t’
sfunnybecausethatwas
noti
nmymi nd.
”Shegotof fhi
m andlookedat
hi
m.Dalisuwipedhertears.“
So,that
’swhyyou
werenothome? ”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“It
houghti
twasbesti
fIgi
vey
ouspace
butmost l
yIwasjustscar
edformyli
fe.
MaSt hole,youknowwhattheysayabouta
broken-heartedwoman.”
Thembelihl
elaughedandnodded.“
So,asyou
sai
dy ourfr
iendscheat
edyouneverdi
d?”she
asked.
Dali
su: “BackwhenIwasaboyIact edl i
kea
boyIhadmul ti
plesgirl
friendsbutbyt heageof
25y earsIknewIwasnol ongeraboy .Iwasa
mant hen.Ineededapot entialli
fepartnerIhad
toteachmy sel
fhowt ol ov eandappr eciateone
womanbecauseIknewIwasgoi ngtobeki ng
oneday .Andi talwaysbeenmywi shtobet he
fi
rstkinginmyf oref
ather s’kingdom withjust
onewi fe.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
You’
vel
ivedwit
honewif
ef orf
ive
year
sandPreci
ouswantedt
orui
nthat
.”She
fr
owned.
Dal
isu:
“She’
sgonenowandso,
ther
e’l
lbeno
onewho’l
lev
entryt
ofool
me.Idon’
twanttore-
l
i
vet
hatl
i
feofhur
tandf
ear
.”
Thembeli
hlelaughed.“Buty
oukepteat
ingmy
foodwhatifIpoisonedyouthen?
”sheasked.
Dali
su:“Idi
dn’tt
hinky ouwouldpoisonme
becauseit’
sknownt hatonl ymywifeprepares
myf oodunlessifIateintheroyalhouseorin
mymot her’
shouse.ButIdi dn’thavefoodinmy
mind.Ihadsomepr et
t ydeepthoughtsbecause
yoursil
encewasdeepandy ouarejustasmar t
woman. ”
Thembelihlelaughedandkissedhisli
ps.“I
wasn’tgoingtokilly
ou.”Shelai
donherback
andputher ,herheadonhislap.Dali
susmiled
andlookeddownather .“
Ihavesomet hi
ngI
wanttorequest .
”Shesaid.
Dal
i
su:
“Tel
lme.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
CanThokozi
lecomef
ort
he
funer
al,
she’l
ll
eav
eafteri
t?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yougetal
ongnow?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
butsheget
sal
ongwit
hour
brot
herandshewant
stosuppor
thi
m by
coming.
”
Dali
su:“Whyshoul
dIletsomeonewhodoesn’
t
getalongwi
thyoucomeher e?
”heasked
l
ookingdownather.
Thembeli
hle:
“Mageba, Idon’tmindhercoming
herebutmybrotherIthinkhe’l
lbehappyifshe
cancome.She’shistwinsistertheyshar
ethat
beyondspeci
albond.”
Dali
su:“
Hhayi,
ther
e’snosuchthi
ngbecause
youarehersi
stert
oo.So,shemustn’thav
ea
bondwithyoubecauseyouarenottwins?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam notsay
ingt
hatbutpl
ease,
l
ethercome.”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
l
lhav
etol
eav
eaf
tert
hef
uner
al.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay,
thatwi
ll
happenandthank
you.
”shepout
edandDali
subenthi
shead.He
ki
ssedher…
Dal
isu:“Hawu,Idon’
trememberyout
ell
i
ngme
t
hef eedbackonyourappl
icat
ionf
ort
he
Degree?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Itot
allyforgot.Iwassuccessful
andnextyearIwil
lgof orregistr
ati
on.
Every
thi
ngisgoodf ornow.Andt heint
eri
or
desi
gnerscall
edtel
lingmet heyaredone.Iwas
supposedtoseethem t omor r
owbutIdon’t
thi
nkIwil
lbeabletoseet hem.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whenwast
hatappoi
ntment
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tomor
rowat12:
30.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lgowi
thy
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,thanky
ou.Let
’ssl
eep
now.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yeah,
goodni
ghtMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Goodni
ght
,Mageba.
”Theybot
h
cl
osedthei
reyesandDali
sucuddl
edher
car
eful
l
y…
Dali
suandThembel i
hlegothomeint he
morning.MaCebekhuluandtheboyswer enot
home.Thembelihl
eleftDal
isuint
heirroom and
wentt oanear
bymai d.MaSbiy
awascl eani
ng
thediningr
oom.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama,
unj
ani
?”
MaSbi
ya:
“Ngy
aphi
l
andl
ovukazi
unj
ani
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,wher
eismamaand
theboy
s?”
MaSbi
ya:“
Theywenttoy ourfather’
shousewith
MaKhozaandMaMzobeal ongwi t
htheother
f
amil
ymember s.They
’vejustleftyoual
most
f
oundthem her
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,
okay.You’
vecl
eanedt
he
ki
tchen?
”Sheaskedlooki
ngather
.
MaSbi
ya:
“Yes,
ndl
ovukazi
Ihav
e.”
Shenoddedandwenttotheki
tchent
omake
breakf
ast
…Shet ookaTupper
warebowl
and
wenttoMaSbiy
a.
Thembel
i
hle:
“MaSbi
ya,
cany
oudomea
fav
our
?”
MaSbi
ya:
“Yes?
”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Canyougogetmet her
edsoil
thatattheback.Justfi
l
litonthi
sbowland
bri
ngi tbacktome.”sherequest
edandlooked
around.MaSbiyawasgi vi
ngheraweir
dlook.
“Please,don’
taskmequest i
ons.
”Shetol
dher.
MaSbi yanoddedandwentt odoasshe’d
asked…
“Iwi
llhav
et ogotoZodwa’smemor i
alserv
ice
becauseIwon’tatt
endthefuneral
.
”Dal i
susaid
toThembelihl
e.Theywereseatedont hedini
ng
tabl
ehavingbreakf
ast
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Doy out
hinkt
her
e’l
lbea
memorialser
vice?
”
Dalisu:“Idon’
tknowbutitmustbethereeveni
f
yourbr otherwasn’
tpl
anningtodoi
t.You’
ll
have
t
odoi tonmybehal fIhavetopaymy
respects.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Andwhil
eIam pl
anni
ngt
hat
who’
ll
belooki
ngaf
teryou?
”
Dali
su:“
No, Idi
dn’tmeant haty
ou’l
lleaveyour
houseandcampatt hatvenuewheret he
memorialservi
cewillbe…”hesmi l
edlookingat
herasshewasl aughingathisstat
ement .“That
wasnotfunny .
”Headded.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Oh,yes,Magebathatwasfunny
.
Youwerebeingharshl
ysarcast
ic.HowcanI
l
eavemycomf or
tabl
ebedandgocamp
somewhereelse?”
Dali
su:“Oh,
didy
oumeanmycomf
ort
abl
e
chest?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Oh,yes,myhusband’schest!”
theyl
aughed.“Canweconcentrat
eont hef ood
becausewehav etogo,soon.
”Sheremi nded
him.
Dal
i
su:
“Eh…Okay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
sit
?Youdon’
twantt
ogo
wi
thmeany
mor
e?”
Dali
su:“No,it
’snotthat
.ButIwant
…mor etea.
”
Hegav eherthecup.Thembeli
hlel
ookedathim
notconvincedthathewantedmoretea.“
You
di
dn’thearme? ”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iknowyoudon’
twantmor
etea.
Whatdoyouwant?”
Dali
su:“YousaidIam notwel lso…anddon’
t
l
augh.”Hewast oolatebecauseThembeli
hle
wasalreadylaughing.“I
fther
ewasawayt o
mini
mi selaught
erIcoulddot hat.
”Headded.
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’
tworr
y,st
handwasami.
”She
sai
dholdi
nghishandandDali
susmil
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“You’
l
lgr
owol
dwi
thme,
right
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,
andwewi
l
lsi
tbackt
oget
her
andseeoursonsreign.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ngi
yakut
handaMaSt
hol
e,y
ezwa?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yebo,ngiy
ezwa.
”Shepout
edand
hegaveherababykiss…
-
--
-
Zodwa’ sfuneral wassupposedt obeona
Saturdaybuti twaspost ponedt oSunday .
Gobelawast heonewhosai dthef uneralmust
beonSundaybecauseoft hedi f
ficulti
eshe
encounteredwhendoi ngritualsforZodwa.He
wantedt oensur et hatwhent heybur yher.Her
soulislai
dt or estsot hatherspi ritdoesn’
t
botherthelivi
ngl ikehermot herdi d…Peopl e
camei nnumber st olayhersoul atrestandi t
wasapai nful dayasi twashar df oreveryoneto
acceptthewayZodwadi ed…Dal isuattendher
memor i
alserviceandhesenthi scounci ltothe
funeral
…
“Bhut
i,Iwil
lhavetol
eavenow.”Thembeli
hle
tol
dThokozani.She’
daskedhim outoft
he
house.Itwaslat
eatnightonSunday.
Thokozani
:“Okay,
Iwi
l
lcomebyy
ourpal
acet
o
seeyourhusband.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,whenar
eyougoi
ngbackt
o
Ri
char
dsbay
?”
Thokozani:“
Aft
erukukhishwakwamagejari
tual
.
Iwill
hav et
ogobackhomeandt hankyoufor
thatgir
lyougavemef ormykids.She’
sgood
withthem.”
Thembel i
hle:“Youdon’thavetothankme.”She
saidopeningupherar ms.Theyhuggedeach
other.“
Justknowt hattheloveofy ourl
i
feisat
peacenow.Iknowt hatitwil
lnotbeeasyfor
yougoingf orwardbutast i
megoeson.You’ l
l
heal.She’
si nabetterplacenow.”she
comf or
tedhi m.
Thokozani
:“Il
ovedherandherev
ilmot
hert
ook
awayfrom me.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Hesighedandsaid.“
JustgohomeIam sur
e
Ndabezinhl
ehasbeencryi
ngnonest
op.
”He
smil
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hi
sfat
herwashomesohe
doesn’
tcryalotwhenhe’swi
thhim.AndIt
hink
hewascryingthatmuchbecauseofthe
negati
veenergythatwehadgoingon.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Thokozi
l
emustnotf
orgett
hat
shemust
n’tst
ayhereforl
ong.
”
Thokozani
:“Di
dsheev
enapol
ogi
set
oyou?
”
Thembelihl
echuckled.“
Doy outhi
nkshe’llev
er
apologi
se?”sheasked.Thokozanisighedand
shookhishead.“I
t’
sagoodt hingthatshecame
though…Goodnightbhuti
.”Shesai
d.
Thokozani
:“Goodni
ght
,ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
i
hlesmi
l
edandwal
kedaway
…
[
04/
13,
20:
22]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE43

“
Wow!He’
sasl
eep.
”Thembel
i
hlecomment
ed
wi
thasmi l
e.Shesatont
hebednextto
Ndabezinhl
eashewassleepingnextt
ohis
f
ather.Thehousewasquietwhenshearr
ived.
Dali
su:“
He’
swi t
hhisfat
herhowcanhecr
y?”he
askedonasleepyv
oice.
Thembeli
hle:
“Hawu,
husbandi
snotsl
eepi
ng
bathong!
”
Dali
su:“Iheardyourvoi
ceandwokeup.”Hesat
upstrai
ghtandt heyshar
edakiss.“
Howdi dthe
funer
algot herewerenoset
backs?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
itwentwel
l
.”
Dal
i
su:
“That
’sbet
ter
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mamai
sst
il
lher
e?”
Dal
isu:
“Yes,
she’
sasl
eepi
nherr
oom wi
tht
he
boy
s.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Okay,howwasy ourdaywi
thour
boys?Ndabezinhl
edidn’
tbot
heryouand
Fel
ici
ty?
”
Dali
su:“
No,Ionl
ygavehimtoFeli
cit
ywhenhe
neededanappychangeandal
lthoseot
her
thi
ngsIcan’
tdo.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwonderwhyy oucan’
tdothem
becauseyouareafather.
”Shesaidget
ti
ngup
makingherwaytotheircl
oset.
Dali
su:
“Hhay
i,Iam notcutoutf
ort
hose
t
hings.
”
Thembelihl
e:“I
t’
sv er
ynicetobey ou.”shesai
d
andleftDal
isuchuckli
ngalone.Shef i
xedher
warm bathandrelaxedonthewat er.She
ref
lect
edbackon…
“Hawu, whydidyour emovehim nowbecauseI
wantedt oholdhim?”Sheaskedj oi
ningDalisu
i
nt heirbed.Sherai
sedherheadandt hebaby
wasn’tinsidehi
scot.“Hhaybo,whereishe
now? ”sheaskedlookingathim andhej usthel
d
herwai standknockedherdown.Thembel i
hle
l
aughed.
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
eti
red?
”heaskedpl
ant
ingasof
t
ki
ssonherchestwhil
efast
eningherpyj
ama
but
tons.Thembel
i
hlehel
dhisarm andsighed
asherbodyqui
ckl
yrespondedtohissof
twet
ki
sses.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iam v
eryt
ir
ed.
”
“Oh!Sorr
y,wewill
justsleepthen.”He
pret
endedtounderstandandf astenedher
butt
onsback.Thembel i
hlefol
dedherl i
psand
l
ookedathim pret
endingt obean
underst
andingman.Shesawt hathekepteyi
ng
herashewasbut toni
ngherpy jama.
Thembelihl
e:“I
tseemsli
keyouhaveaprobl
em
fast
eningthebutt
onswhydon’tyouj
ustl
eave
them unbutt
onedandkeepi
tthatwayall
the
waydown. ”
Dalisu:“
Reall
y?”hesmil
eddearlyl
ooki
ngather
.
Thembel i
hlenoddedwit
hasof tgi
ggl
e.Dal
i
su
didn’twanttoasktwi
cehejustdidashewas
toldandhelpedhimsel
fout
…
“Don’tpl
aywi t
hy ourbr
other!”Thembel i
hle
shoutedatMl amuliandMnot hoastheywer e
busyplayingwithNdabezinhle’sface.
Ndabezinhlehadbeenl ai
dbackont hesponge
bytheirmother.Thembelihlewaswi ththeboy s
i
nt helounge,MaCebekhul uleftaft
erbreakfast
andDal i
suwasi ntheroyalhouse.He’ dinsi
sted
thathewant edtogoback.
Mnotho:
“Mama,
wear
enotpl
ayi
ngwi
thhi
min
abadway .
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,Ij
ustdon’tt
rustyou,move
back.
”shesaidsi
tti
ngdown.“Ml amuligetmy
phone.
”shepoint
edt hephoneandMl amuligot
up.
Mnot
ho:
“CanIal
sohav
ehi
sfood,
mama?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
youarenotababy.
”she
repl
i
edtaki
ngherphonefr
om Mlamul
i.She
answer
edherbrot
her’
scal
l.
Thokozani
:“Unj
ani
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandy
ou?
”
Thokozani
:“Iam goodIam goingt otheroyal
housethat
’swherey ourhusbandis.Icall
edhim.
Iam cal
li
ngy out
ot ell
youthatThokozileis
comingtoyourhousewi thaunty
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,thanky
ouf
ori
nfor
ming
me.”
Thokozani:“Okay.
”Thembelihl
ehungupt hecall
andr eadtheWhatsApptextfrom Nozibusiso.
Shet hensentherthepi
cturesofherroyal
themedr est
aurantandotherfi
nishedroomsof
thelodge.Shethenputherphoneaway .
“Okay,l
et’
sfeedy
ou!
”Sheexclai
medtaki
ng
Ndabezinhl
eofft
hesponge.“
PINKY!
”She
screamedhername.
Andshewasbeforeherwit
hinafewminut
es.
“Ndl
ovukazi
?”Pi
nkykneel
edbefor
eThembeli
hle.
Thembeli
hle:
“Pl
ease,
goandtel
ltheguar
ds
thatwhenmysist
erandmyauntcomesby .
Theymustal
l
owmysi
stert
ocomei
nwi
thmy
aunt
.”
Pi
nky
:“Yebo!
”shegotupandl
eft
…
Thembelihl
e:“
Takeonespoonbecausenow
youarelooki
ngatmewi t
hsadey es.
”Shesaid
giv
ingthespoonofNestum t
oMnot ho.He
smiledandshif
tedhi
sheadcloserto
Thembelihl
e.Heopenedhismouthand
Thembelihl
efedhim.Shesmil
edlookingathi
m
tr
yingtoswall
ow.
Ml
amul
i
:“CanIt
ast
etoo,
mama?
”
Shenoddedandfedhi
m.Shelookedatt
hem as
theyf
rowned.“
What’
swrong?
”Sheaskedand
l
aughed.
Boy
s:“
Ther
e’snosugar
!”
Thembeli
hlelaughed.“
Isai
dit’
snotf
orboy
s
butbabi
es.”Sheremindedthem.
Mnotho:
“Wewon’taskf
ori
tagai
nbutmama,
canwehaveourmil
k?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“GoandaskPi
nkyt
omaket
he
mil
konyourglasses.
”
Theybot
hgotupandr
anof
ftot
heki
tchen…
MaStholewalkedi
nsidethel oungefol
lowedby
Thokozi
le.Thembel
ihlestoodupf rom thefl
oor
wit
hthebaby .“
Youcansi t!Iwil
lgoputhim
down.”Shesaidbef
orewal ki
ngawaywi th
Ndabezinhl
e…
Whenshecamebackt heboyswereseated
nexttoMaStholehavi
ngaconversati
onwit
hher
holdi
ngthei
rglassesofmil
k.Thokozi
lewasjust
l
ookingaroundThembeli
hle’
shouse…
Thembelihl
esatonherchair
.
Thembeli
hle:“
MnothoandMlamul
i,
goandpl
ay
i
ny ourr
ooms.Iwill
call
youbef
oreyour
grandmotherl
eav
es.”
Boy
s:“
Okay
.”Theygotof
fher
.
Mnot
ho:
“Don’
tleav
ewi
thoutseei
ngus,
gogo.
”
MaSt
hol
e:“
Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”
Theynoddedandlef
tthem.MaSbi
yaserved
MaSthol
eandThokozil
eandshelef
taft
er
they
’vet
hankedher.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whatbri
ngsyouher
e,si
si?
”she
askedl
ooki
ngatThokozi
l
e.
Thokozil
e:“
IthoughtIshoul
dseey ouandthank
youforconvi
ncingyourhusbandtoletme
comet othefuner
al.Ir
eall
yappreci
atedt
hat.
”
MaSthol
e:“Yeah,youdidagoodthing
Thembeli
hle.Ukhombiseukukhul
asisiand
si
yabongakakhulu.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Hhayi
,ayi
khoinki
nga.Thokozani
wantedyoutocomeandIhadt odowhatwas
ri
ghtbutyoucan’
tstayl
ongerbecauseMageba
sai
dy oushoul
dleav
ebeforethefuner
al.
”
Thokozi
le:“
IknowIwasjusthopi
ngt
hatwecan
putthepastbehi
ndus.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Putt
hepastbehi
ndus,
how?
”
Thokozil
e:“
Ineedy outof or
givemef oral
lthe
wrongthatIhaveev erdonetoy ou.Iwasa
horr
ibl
esistert
oy ouandt hatwascausedbya
si
ll
ythingsi
nceIhadagr udgethaty ouwere
mama’sf av
ourit
edaught er.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ihavenogrudgeagai
nstyouand
Ihav
elongedputt
hepastbehindme.Ij
ust
don’
twanttogobacktot
alki
ngaboutit
.”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Doest
hatmeansy
ouf
orgi
veme?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihav
elongf
orgi
veny
ou,
Thokozi
l
e.”
Thokozi l
e:“Thanky ou.
”shel ookeddownand
cri
edasi thithert
hatshe’ dbeent oohightoask
forforgivenesstohersi bl
ings.Itonlytooktobe
l
eftbyherhusbandt oreali
set hatshewas
nothingwi thoutherfami l
y.Sher eal
isedthat
nowassheknewt hatshedi dn’thaveast r
ong
foundat i
onandhersuccesswasn’ tpurely
colourfulasi tl
ookedli
ke.Sheneededf amil
y.
MaSt
hol
e:“
Don’
tcr
yMaSt
hol
e.”Shehel
dher
cl
osertoherandhuggedher .Thembelihl
e
si
ghedasshel ookedathersist
ercry.Shehad
noteartosharewithherwhathappened
betweenthem wasi nt
hepastanditdidn’
thurt
nomor eandshewasr eli
evedthatshe’
df i
nal
l
y
askedforfor
giveness.
MaSt hol
e:“Doy outhinkit
’spossibl
eto
convinceyourhusbandt oallowThokozilet
o
vi
sithomewhenev ershef el
tlikei
t?Ithi
nk
beinginsi
dey ourparents’housewillmendher
brokensoul.”Sheaskedl ookingatThembeli
hle,
withThokozilesti
lli
nsideherar ms.
Thembelihl
e:“Idon’
tknowbecausehe’
snott
he
ki
ndofmanwhoeasi l
ygoesbacktohi
sword
butIcantryandspeakt ohi
m.Iam not
promisi
nganyt hi
ngthough.
”
Thokozil
e:“No,youdon’thavetospeaktohimI
don’twanttocausetroubleinyourmarr
iage.I
sti
l
lfeelresponsi
blef
orwhatmyhusbandand
hi
smi str
essalmostdidt oyou.Theyal
most
senty
outopri
sonforsomet
hingy
oudi
dn’
tdo.I
wil
lbefi
nei
nDurban.”
MaSthole:“
No, Thokozil
eyouar eamessand
youcanseet hat.Youneedt obecl osetoyour
r
ootsandhomei nordert
oheal .Youneedto
mendy ourrel
ationshipwit
hy oursisteri
norder
t
oheal andbeahappyper sonagai n.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Auntyisri
ght.Iwill
speakwit
h
hi
m.Iwillhavetotr
y.”Thokozil
elookedather
andnodded.“I
fyoudon’tmi ndmeasking
where'
sMusa? ”sheaskedlookingather
.
Thokozi
le:
“Musal
eftt
hepr
ovi
ncehe'
sinCape
Town.”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay
,Iam sor
ryf
orev
ery
thi
ng
thathappened.”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Youdon’
thav
etobe.
”
MaSthole:
“Cal
ltheboyssothatwecanleav
e,
thekingmustnotfi
ndushere,MaSt
hole.
”She
saidandThembeli
hlegotup.
Shemar chedtotheboys’ r
oom andshefound
them busymessingtheircl
othes.Theywer
e
angril
ytakingt
hem outofthewar dr
obe
throwingthem ont
hefloor.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatareyoudoing?”she
shout
ed.Theytur
nedtofaceherandt hey
l
ookedatherwithangryf
aces.“Iaskedyoua
quest
ionwhatareyoudoing?
”sher epeat
ed.
Mnot
ho:
“Pi
nky
,shout
edatus.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Andwear
epuni
shi
ngher
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whati
sitt
haty
ouwer
edoi
ng
thatmadehershout
?”
Mnot
ho:
“Wewer
ejustdr
inki
ngourmi
l
k.”
Thembelihl
e:“Howwereyoudrinkingit?”she
askedlookingatt
hem andtheydidn’tanswer
her.“
You’ll
havetofol
dtheseclothesandput
them backwhereyougotthem.Now, gosay
goodbyetomyaunt .
”Sheshowedt hem the
door.
Theywal
kedtothedoorlookingdown.“Iknow
dadwon’
tletusfol
dtheclothes.
”Mnotho
mumbledtoMlamuli.
Mlamuli
:“He’l
lcomebacklat
eandbyt
henwe
wouldhavelongfol
dedthem.”
Mnotho:“Wecangoandaskmal umebythe
gat
etocallhi
mf orus.He’l
ltel
lmamathatwe
mustn’
tfoldt
heclothes.
”
Mlamuli
:“Yes,wewil
ldothat.
”Theylookedat
eachotherandsmil
ed.Theylookedbackand
Thembelihl
ewasfarfr
om them.Fartohear
whattheyweresayi
ng…
MaSt hole:“
Phel
ay oumustaskper missi
onto
yourfathertocomev i
sitmewher eIl
ive.
”She
saidlookingdownattheboy stheywere
standingwithherbyThokozil
e’scar
.Thokozil
e
washav ingaconversat
ionwithThembelihl
e,
theywer etal
ki
ngaboutPr eci
ousandMusa.
Mnot
ho:
“He’
l
lnotagr
ee,
gogo.
”
Mlamul
i
:“I
t’
sbett
erify
out
ell
mamat
oaskhi
m
andwewil
lcome.”
MaSthole:“
Okay,Iwil
ldothat.
”Shestepped
i
nsi
det hecaraft
erThokozil
ehadsaidgoodbye
t
otheboy s.Theydroveof
f….
“Youaregoi
ngbackinsi
dethehouse?Youhav
e
atasktodo,remember?
”sheremindedt
hem
holdi
ngthei
rheads.
Boy
s:“
Wewi
l
lcome!
”
Mnotho:“
Wewantt oseethecardisappeari
ng.”
Hesaidholdi
ngMlamuli
’shand,Thembeli
hlelet
goofthei
rhandandtheyrantothegateleavi
ng
thei
rmother…Sheheadedatthebackoft he
housetohavether
edsoil…
“Sani
bona,mal
ume!
”MnothoandMl
amul
i
greet
edtheguar
donthegat
e.
Guar
d:“
Ninj
ani
,Makhosana?
”
Boy
s:“
Siy
aphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Guar
d:“
Iam f
ine,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Mnot
ho:“Canyoucallbabaforusbecause
mamadoesn’twantustocallhi
m.She’sangr
y
wi
thus.
”herequestedpoli
tel
y.
Hesighedandt ookouthi sphone, heknewthat
hecouldn’
tdenyt hem thecallbecausethey
weregoingtot ellthei
rfatherthatherefused
andhewasn’ tgoingt obepl easedwi t
hhim.
They’
vedonei tbef oretooneoft hem and
Dali
suscoldedt hatguar d.
Guar
d:“
Thephonei
sri
ngi
ng.
”
Mlamuli:“
Pleasemakei tsoundl
ouderli
ke
mamadoessot hathecanhearusboth.
”He
l
ookedathi m andt heguar
dputontheloud
speaker…Theyt henlookedathi
m ashewas
standi
ngbef or
et hem.
Guard:
“Youcanwal kawayifyoudon’
twantto
speaki
nf r
ontofme.Iwon’tleav
ethegat
e.”He
sai
dseeingwhattheywanted.
Theboy
snoddedandwal
kedawaywi
tht
he
di
all
i
ngphone…
Dal
i
su:
“Yebo!
”
Boy
s:“
Baba!
”
Dali
su:
“Hawu,
Mnot
honoMl
amul
i
,what
’s
wrong?
”
Mnotho:“
Baba,
wecall
edyoutotelly
outhat
mamasaidwemustfoldourcl
othes.
”hetol
d
hi
m soundi
ngangr
y.
Mlamuli
:“Yes,
babaandwecan’
tfol
dour
cl
othes.
”
Dali
su:“Whathappenedasshesai dyoumust
fol
dy ourcl
othes?Where’sPi
nky?”heasked
andtheboysl ookedateachother
.
Mnotho:
“Pinkyi
shomewet ookoutthecl
othes
offt
hewardrobebecausePi
nkyscol
dedus
baba.
”
Mlamuli
:“No,
shewasshouti
ngatusandwe
wantedtomakeherangr
ytoo.
”
Mnotho:“
Yes,
sheshout
edatusbecausewe
wer
edr i
nki
ngmil
kli
kewedri
nkitwit
hyouwhen
wear eplayi
ng.Wewer eal
oneandmom wasn’
t
ther
e.”theygatheredthei
rfact
sst
rai
ghtt
o
convi
ncet hei
rfather.
Dali
su:“Okay
,don’tf
oldtheclot
hesbuty ou
werewrongtothinkofpunishi
ngPinky.She’
s
yourel
derandyoushouldn’tpuni
shelders,
okay?”
Boy
s:“
Yebo!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lseey
ouwhenIgethome.
”
Boy
s:“
Yebo!
”
Mnot
ho:“
Butwhataboutmom,
she’
l
lfor
ceus
t
ofol
dthecl
othes.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lspeakt
oher
.Ihav
etogonow.
”
Boy
s:“
Okay
,by
ebaba.
”
Dal
isu:“
Bye.
”Dali
suhungupthecal
l,
theboys
l
ookedateachotherandt
heysmil
ed.They
wenttothegat
e.
Mnot
ho:
“It
’sbet
terwewon’
tfol
dthem now.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes.
”
Theystoodbefor
etheguardandgav
ehimthe
phone.“Youar
edone?”theguar
daskedl
ooki
ng
atthem.
Boy
s:“
Yes!Si
yabonga!
”
Henoddedandtheyranbacktothehouse…
Theysatdownontheloungeandtur
nedont he
TV.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourcl
othesar
est
il
lont
he
fl
oor
.”
Mnotho:
“Dadsai
dwemustnotfol
dthem.
”he
t
oldherwit
houtl
ooki
ngather
.
Mlamul
i:“
Yes,wear
eli
tt
leboy
sandwecan’
t
f
oldcl
othes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo,
whendi
dMagebasay
that
?”
Mnotho:
“Wecall
edhi
m.”hel ookedathernow
wi
thasmi l
e.“
Weusedmal ume’sphonetocal
l
hi
m andhesaidwewi
llnotfoldclot
hes.
”he
added.
Thembelihl
e:“Ningi
jway elakabi
!Getupnow
andgot oyourroom. ”shepoi nt
edthewayand
theyshooktheirheads.“ Hhaybo!
”she
exclai
medandt heydi dn’tst
andup.
Thembelihl
ewal kedaway .
Theboyslookedateachot
her
.“She’
l
lwhi
pus?
”
MnothoaskedMlamuli.
Mlamul
i:“
Yes!Let
’sl
eavethehouse.”Hegotup
andMnothogotupwithhim.Theyswitchedoff
theTVandranoutofthehouse.Theyrantothe
serv
ant
s’house…
“Doyouguy shavestrongevidenceagainst
him?”Thembelihl
easkedMakhosi , shewas
speaki
ngtoheront hephonehol dingabel ton
herhand.Sheknewi ftheysawt hebeltthey
weregoingtojumpandr untothei
rr oom.
Makhosi
:“Yes,
andwewi l
lputhi
minj
ail
for
whathedi
dt oNkosi
khona.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdi
dagoodt
hing.
”
Makhosi
:“Hi
smi st
resscal
l
edmeandaskedt
o
seemetomorrow.”
Thembeli
hlelaughed.“
Ihopeyour
efused.
”She
sai
d,shelookedaroundthel
oungeandthe
boyswerenott her
e.
Makhosi:“
Ijustt
oldherIam av er
ybusy
womanbutIwi llt
ryt
omaket i
mej ustt
o
squeezeherin.
”Theylaughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hamba!Mf
azi
.”
Makhosi:“
Ey, Iwantedtot
ellyouthatIhi
red
thatboy
.Ithinkwewi ll
beleavingwit
hmyki ds
bytheendofNov emberbecausetheywouldbe
donewiththeirexamsbythen.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,okay.WeshouldmeetandI
wil
lshowyout omyplace.I
t’
salmostovernow.
Idon’
tknowifthepaymentfort
hatcleani
ng
yourl
adi
escamet hrough?”
Makhosi
:“Yeahi
tdi
d,Iwi
l
lhearf
rom y
ou.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Okay .
”Shehungupandwal ked
outoft hehouse.Shecal l
edoutMl amuliand
Mnot ho….Andf rom theservants’housethey
couldheart hei
rmot hercal
lingthem.Theyj ust
l
ookedateachot herandgiggled…Theywer e
watchingcar t
oonsnowwhi leeati
ngf r
iedfish
wit
hNj ongoandMt hi
yane…
Nj
ongo:“
Mlamuli
andMnot
ho,
isn’
tyourmot
her
t
hat’
scal
li
ngyou?”
Theboyslookedateachot herandgiggled.
Theyshookt hei
rheads.“
Wear eeatingmalume.
Shewon’tdistur
bus,babasaid,aman
shoul
dn’
tbedi stur
bedwhenhe’ seating.
”
Mnothotoldthem andthemenl aughed…
[
04/
14,
08:
10]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE44

Thembel
i
hlehear
dthemen’
slaught
ercomi
ng
fr
om theirhouseandsheknewt hatMnot ho
andMl amul i
wer einsi
dethathouse.She
knockedont hemai ndoor
…Theboy sheardthe
knockatt heylookedateachother.
“I
t’
smom!”t
heyexcl
aimedquiet
ly.Mduduzi
st
oodupandwenttoopenthedoor.Theboys
st
oodandsatdownagai
n.
Nj
ongo:
“What
’swr
ongnow?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Mom i
scomi
ng.
”
Mt
hiy
ane:
“So,
what
’swr
ong?
”
Theboysl
ookedateachot
herandshookt
hei
r
heads…
Thembeli
hle:“Sanibona.
”Shegreet
edthemen
i
nthehouseandt heboyslookedatherbutshe
wasn’
tlookingatthem.
Men:
“Yebo,
ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam her
eforthesetwo.Canyou
getupandf ol
l
owme?Orel seIwillmakeyou
getof
fthatcouch.
”Sheshowedt hem t
hebelt
.
Mduduzi:
“They
’rest
il
lenj
oyi
ngf
ishand
car
toonsndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hhay
bo, t
heycameinher
ewhil
e
youwerewatchi
ngcartoonsory
ouchangedt
he
channel
becauseofthem?”
Theboy slookedatthethreemen.“Wewer e
watchingsomet hi
ngthat’
snotappropri
atefor
them t
owat chandso,wechangedt hechannel
,
ndlov
ukazi.”Njongorepl
iedlooki
ngat
Thembel i
hle.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Ohokay,Mnotho,
Ml amuliI
shoul
dn’
trepeatmysel
f.
”Shegav ethem afir
m
voi
cenowandsot heystooduplookingattheir
fi
sh.
Mthi
yane:“Takeyourf
ishandleav
ewithit
,don’
t
l
eaveitbehind.
”Theboysnoddedandtookthei
r
f
ishbowl.Theyheadedtothei
rmother
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wedon’
tsayt
hanky
ou?
”
“
THANKYOU!
”Theyexcl
aimedl
ooki
ngbackat
t
hem.Thethreemennodded.Thembeli
hle
movedasi
deandtheboysledtheway.She
f
oll
owedaft
erthem.
Thembelihl
e:“Igaveyouanorderandyouran
offtocal
l y
ourfathernowyouwerehidingi
n
hereIknowy ouforcedtheel
derstochangethe
channel.
”
Mnot
ho:
“No,
wedi
dn’
t!
”
Thembel i
hle:“Youal waystheonetospeakf i
rst
.
Ididn’taskf ory ouropini
on.”Theykeptquiet
andkeptwal kingbutl ookedbackattheir
mot her.“Stopl ookingatmej ustl
ookwher eyou
areheadi ng.”Shepoi ntedthewayahead.They
l
ookedf orward.
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hm?
”
Mlamuli
:“Wewi l
lfi
nishoffourfi
shandgof
old
ourcl
othes?”heaskedlookingbackat
Thembeli
hle.
Thembelihl
e:“
No, y
ou’l
lwashyourhandsand
gofoldyourcl
othes.Fi
shwil
lbethelastt
hing
you’
ll
fini
shoff.
”
Theyl
ookedateachot
herandfr
owned.“But
dadsai
dwemustnotfoldthecl
othes.
”Mnotho
remi
ndedher
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Het
oldy
ounotme.
”
“Hesaidhewill
speaktoyou,
mama,youcan
call
him.”Mlamuli
suggest
edast
heyenter
ed
thehouse.
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
l
ldowhatIt
ell
yout
odo.Go
now!”
Mnothoputthei
rbowl
downandt heyheadedto
t
heirbat
hroom t
owashthei
rhands…They
l
ookedbackandThembeli
hlewasn’tf
oll
owing
t
hem.
Mnot
ho:
“Howwi
l
lwef
oldcl
othes?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Idon’
tknow.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Let
’sgoandt
ell
Pinkt
hatmamasai
d
sheshoul
dfol
dourcl
othes.
”
Mlamuli
:“Mom wil
ltel
ldadthatweli
edonher
behal
fanddadwillwhipussobad.Youdon’
t
wanttobewhippedandIdon’twanti
t.”
Mnot
ho:
“Okay
,let
’sgo.
”
Mlamuli
:“Let
’saskmom tohelpus.
”he
suggest
edandMnot honodded.
Theyheadedt othedoorandwal kedsl owl
yto
thel
ounget ospeaktot heirmot her .“Mom i
s
l
aughingnowt hatmeansdadi shomenow. ”
Mnothoguessedl ooki
ngatMl amul i.Henodded
andtheymar chedfastertothel ounge…Dal isu
wasbusytickli
ngThembel i
hleont hecouchand
shewaslaughi nguncontroll
able.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dal
i
sungi
yeka!
”sheexcl
aimed
l
aughi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Uy
aphaphanj
engi
kuy
ekel
eni
!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
!Okay!Ngi
yakut
handanami
st
handwasamiesi
hle!
”
Dali
su:“
Yes,that
’smoreli
kei
t.
”Hest
opped
t
ickl
ingherandkissedher
…
Theboysmov edcl osert
othem andtheystood
befor
ethem astheywer ebusykissi
ngeach
other
.Theboysl ookedateachotherand
fr
owned.Theyshr uggedthei
rshoulders…
Thembeli
hlegiggledandpushedhi m back.
“
YUH!”Thembel
i
hlescr
eamedasshewas
f
ri
ght
enedbytheboys.
Dal
isu:
“Hhay
i!Whyar
est
andi
ngher
ewat
chi
ng
us?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Wedi
dn’
twantt
odi
stur
byou.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhaysuka!Youwer
esupposedt
o
st
andfarfr
om us.
”
Boy
s:“
Wear
esor
ry!
”
Dali
su:“Don’tdoitagai
n…comeher e!”he
pull
edthem tohim andpackedthem intoahug.
“Bafanabami !
”hethenli
ft
edthem offthefl
oor
andputt hem onhisthi
ghs.
Ml
amul
i
:“Youcamebackear
lybaba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iwasdonewor
king.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“You’vef
oldedthecl
othesIsai
d
fol
d?”sheaskedlooki
ngatthem.Shewasup
onherfeet
.
Mnot
ho:
“Dad?
”
Dal
isu:
“Hhayi
,MaStholeyoucan’texpectthem
tof
oldclot
heswiththeseti
nyhands.”He
def
endedthem showinghertheboys’hands.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’st
hei
rti
nycl
othes.
”
Dali
su:“
TellPi
nkytofol
dthecl
othesIwi
l
lpay
herext
ra.Iam st
il
lcat
chi
ngupwi t
hmyboys.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“They’
l
lfol
dtheclot
heswheny
ou
aredone.
”Shesaidandlef
tthem t
othei
r
catchi
ngup…
TheTVwasof f
,Dal
isuwasjustholdinga
conver
sati
onwit
htheboys.Theywer est
il
lon
hi
slap.Theyweret
alki
ngandlaughing.
“Eh,
Sawubonandabezi
tha!
”Pi
nkygreet
ed
Dali
sukneel
i
ngdownnexttothecouchhewas
seat
edon.
Dal
i
su:
“Yebo,
unj
ani
MaMkhi
ze?
”
Pi
nky
:“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ineandhowcanIhel
pyou?
”
Pinky:“
Ndlov
ukazi
saidIshoul
dtaket
heboy
s
andbaththem,Ndabezi
nhlei
staki
nghi
sbat
h
too.”
Dal
i
su:
“Don’tworryIwi
ll
bathwi
ththem.Did
t
hei
rmothertel
lyoutocl
eanupthei
rcl
othes?
Pinky
:“No,butIhavefol
dedt
hem andputt
hem
backinsi
de.”Shetol
dhim.
Dali
su:“
Okay,takemywal l
et.
”Hesaidpoint
ing
thewall
ett
hatwasont opoft hetabl
e.Pi
nky
gotupandtookt hewalletshegav ei
ttohi
m.
“Don’
tgoIdidn’tsayl
eav e.
”Het ol
dherashe
sawhertur
ning.
Pi
nky
:“Iam sor
ry.
”Shekneel
edbackont
he
fl
oor…Theboyswerel
ooki
ngatt
hei
rfat
her.
Dali
sugavePi
nkyhundr
ednot
esX3.Shetook
t
hemoney .
Pi
nky
:“Whati
sitf
orNdabezi
tha?
”
Dali
su:“Theydisrespectedyourwor kandIam
sorr
yont hei
rbehal f
.Buysomet hingnicefor
yoursel
f.
”Hesai dlookingatherandPi nky
smiled,
shesawt hemoneyasext rabutshe
knewbet t
erthant oref
useany t
hingDal i
sugi
ve
them.
Pinky
:“Ngiy
abongaNdabezi
tha.
”Dal
i
sunodded
andlookedatt
heboys.
Boy
s:“Wearesorr
y!”t
heysai
dtoPi
nky
.She
smi
ledandnodded.
“Youcanleave.
”Dali
supermit
tedher
.Shegot
upandleft.“
That’
syourf
ish?
”Dali
suasked
gett
ingupwiththeboys.
Boy
s:“
Yes.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Mal
umeuNj
ongogav
eitt
ous.We
wer
enotdoneeat
ingi
t.
”
“Okay!
”Heexclai
medmakinghiswaytothe
kit
chen.“
MaSthole?
”hecal
ledheroutand
Thembeli
hlet
urnedtol
ookathim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
baba?
”
Dali
su:“
Theirf
ishi
sleftonthel
ounge
uncover
ed.Canyoutakeit?
”herequest
ed
l
ookingather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
l.
”
Boy
s:“
Thanky
ou,
mama.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah,
gobat
hwi
thcol
dwat
er.
”
Theboysl
aughedandlookedatthei
rfather
.
“Whati
sit
?”Dali
suaskedleav
ingthekit
chen
wit
hthem.
Mnot
ho:
“Wewon’
tbat
hwi
thcol
d,r
ight
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Wewi
l
lbat
hwi
thcol
dwat
er.
”
“HAWU!”Theyexclai
medlooki
ngathim andhe
keptastr
aightf
ace.Thembeli
hlel
aughedas
she’
dhear
dDal
i
su’
sresponse.
Ml
amul
i
:“Mamai
slaughi
ngatusbaba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ongi
fmywi
fei
slaughi
ng?
”
“HAWU!”Theyexcl
aimedandDal
i
suopenedt
he
doorofhi
sbedroom…

“Mageba, mysist
erwasher ewit
hmyaunt .
”
Thembel i
hlet
oldDali
sul ay
ingherheadonhis
chest.Heheldher.Theywer eal
oneinthei
r
bedroom.Ndabezinhlewasn’twit
hthem.He
wassl eepi
nginhisnursery.
Dal
i
su:
“She’
sst
il
lher
e?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,sheiswait
ingf
or
ukukhi
shwakwamagej athenshe’
l
lleav
e.”She
l
iedonherbehalf
.Sheclosedhereyeshoping
hewouldn’
tsayotherwi
se.
Dal
i
su:
“Oh,
sowhywassheher
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shewant
edt
omakepeacewi
th
meandapologi
sef
orev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappened
i
nthepast
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Oh,
andy
ou’
vef
orgi
venher
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,Iwasjustoverwhat
happenedIwasjustwait
ingforhertot
ell
me
thatweshouldputthi
ngsbehindus.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okayt
hat
’sagoodt
hing.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah.
”Shekeptqui
etandcl
ear
ed
hert
hroat
.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ij
ustwantedtorequestt
haty
ou
changeyourmindaboutkeepi
ngherawayfrom
home.SheneedstobehomeMageba
especi
all
yaft
erwhathappenedwithher
husband.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iam notgoi
ngbackonmywor
d.”
Thembelihl
e:“Dal
i
su,ngi
yakucel
a.She’
smy
sist
erandifyoucan’
tdoitforherpl
easedoi
t
forme.”shebegged.
Dali
su:
“Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
tbutwhi
l
ethi
nki
ng
abouti
tIwanthertol
eave.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!Howcay
oudot
hist
o
me?”
Dali
su:“Iam doi
ngnothi
ngtoyou.Thokozi
l
e
deserv
est obealoneandthi
nkhersel
f
thr
ough.”
Thembeli
hle:“Howcanyousaythatbecause
you’
vehurtmet oobutIfor
gav
ey ou.Idon’
t
remembery oubei
ngaloneandsuffer
ingfori
t.
”
Dali
sukeptqui etthinki
ngthatsheknewnot hi
ng
abouthissufferi
ng.Sheknewnot hingatall
!
“I
t’
sf i
neyoucanal waysusethatagai nstmeif
youfeelli
keit.Justkeeponr emindingmeof
mymi stakesbutIst il
ldon’
twanty oursist
er
here.She’
llnotli
veher eunti
lIsayot herwi
se.”
Hemadehi mselfclear.
Thembelihl
ekeptqui
et .Shecl
osedhereyes
andli
stenedtoherquickwarm breat
hingwhil
e
herheartwasthuddi
ng.Shewasangr ythathe
j
ustpl
ainl
yrefusedt
olethersi
sterst
ayi
nthei
r
f
ather
’shouse!
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
eangr
y?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No.
”
Dal
isu:
“Icanheary
ourhear
tbeat
ingandy
our
br
eathi
ng.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ij
ustwanttosl
eepbecause
ther
e’snouseofspeaki
ngwit
hyouandplease,
l
etgoofme. ”
Dalisu:
“Ify ou’
ll
beabletospendally
ourni
ghts
wi t
houtsleepingonme.Youcanmov eaway
from me.Becausei fyouareangrywit
hmey ou
areangryi tdoesn’
tmeant hatmyski
nhas
thornsandIshoul dn’
ttouchyou.
”
Whatshehatedwasabouttohappen!She
coul
dfeeli
tbutshetri
edt
ocontrolhersel
funt
il
shecoul
dn’
t.Shethenbur
stoutoflaughter
.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’sf
unny
?”
Thembel
i
hlel
aughedsomemor
eandf
inal
l
y
answer
ed.“
Youcouldsweart
haty
ouhaveno
thor
nsonyourski
n.”Sher
epl
i
edandl
aughed.
Dali
su:“
Areyousay
ingIhav
ethor
ns?
”hehel
d
herear
lobe.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwon’
tansweryouuntil
you
removeyourhandoffmyear.Ihav
elaughed
enoughanddon’tpl
aywit
hmyear .”
Dal
i
su:
“Answerme.
”her
emov
edhi
shand.
Thembeli
hle:
“You’
rehai
ryandso,
yourhai
ris
l
iket
horn.
”
“Ha!
”Heexcl ai
medandt i
ckl
edher ,
Thembeli
hle
l
aughedandDal isuproceededwithtickl
i
ngher
unti
lthei
rti
ckletur
nedintosomet hi
ngmor e,
somet hi
ngexcit
ingandpleasing…
“Yeah!Wecansleepnow.”Dal
i
sucomment
ed
cuddli
nghernakedbody.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yeah,butwhenNdabezi
nhl
e
wakesupwewi llhavetodr
essupfi
rst
.That
wil
lbedr
aini
ng.”
Dali
su:“Don’
tworr
yaboutt
hat.
”Hesai
dkissi
ng
hercheek.“MaSt
hole?
”hecal
l
edhersof
tl
y.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Eh,
I…am…nev
ermi
nd.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,whati
sitthatyouwantto
tal
kaboutbecausei
t’
snotthefir
stti
met hat
youwanttosaysomethi
ngandkeepqui et.Just
sayit
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youmi
ghtbepr
egnantagai
n.”
Thembeli
hle:
“IknowandIdon’
twantt
ospeak
abouti
t.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu?Whyar
eyousay
ingt
hat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Goodni
ght,Dal
i
su.
”Shecl
osed
herey
esandkeptqui
et.
Dal
isu:“
Okay
,goodni
ghtbutdi
dyouseet
he
Doctor
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
andIwon’
t.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Why
-”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Dear,God!Isai
dIdon’twantto
speakabouti t
!”shesnappedandmov ed
herselffr
om him.ShegotoffthebedandDalisu
satonhi sbuttl
ookingatherasshedressedup.
Shel eftt
heroom…Dal i
susatsti
llandtr
iedto
digestwhatjusthappened…
-
--
--
-
Makhosi
wasseatedinsi
deMzwakhe’shouse.
Shewaslooki
ngatMzwakhe’ssist
er,
Lwandi
le
whowasseatedontheopposit
ecouch.
Lwandi
le:
“Iknowthatl
ookmeansy
ouwantt
o
asksomethi
ngfrom me.
”
Makhosi
:“No,
Ihav
enot
hingt
oaskf
rom y
ou.
”
Lwandil
e:“
Mz wakheismybr
otherMakhosiand
all
thoseaf
fair
shehadIwasn’tsupposedt
otel
l
you.I
twasn’tmyplacet
otel
lyou.”
‘
Allthoseaff
air
s!’MakhosinotedasLwandi
l
e
wasex pl
aini
ngtoher.Mzwakhewasn’t
cheati
ngonherf ort
hefir
sttime?
Makhosi:“
Idon’tcareaboutthepastnowIam
happywhereIam andmychi ldr
enarehappy.
It
’sj
ustapitythatyouandy ourbrot
herfor
got
aboutt
hem.Andnow, youareheret
ell
ingme
thi
ngsthatdon’tmattertomenow. ”
Lwandil
e:“
Ihav
en’
tforgot
tenaboutt
hem.
They’
resti
l
lmynephewsandniecebutIhav
e
beenbusy.
”
Makhosi :
“It
’sf
inethen.
”MaMt hembuser ved
them food.Lwandil
etookherplat
eandt hanked
her.“
Thanky ou,butIam f
ull
.Iwanttoknow
whydidy oucallmehere?”sheaskedlookingat
MaMt hembu.
MaMt hembu:“Makhosi,
sisi
,Ij
ustneedyour
help.
”Sherequest
edpolit
elyandMakhosiwas
shockedthatsheneededherhelp!MaMthembu,
theproudwomanneededherhel p?
Makhosi
:“Youneedmyhel
p?”shet
ri
edt
o
conf
ir
mlookingather
.
MaMt
hembu:
“YourbabydaddygotMzwakhe
arr
estedandweneedy
ourhel
ptogethi
m out
ofjai
l
.”
Makhosi
:“Youneedwhat
?”sher
aisedherv
oice
asshewasshocked.
Lwandi
le:“
Thepol i
cehavethest rongcase
agai
nstMzwakheandweaskt haty oubeon
oursi
de.JustdenythatyouknowNkosi khona
anddenythatyouhaveanyr el
ationswithhim.
Thatwaywewi ll
helphim outofjail.
”
Makhosi laughedandstoodup.“Wow!Howdo
youthink?Ishouldli
etothepoli
ceandendup
i
njail
?BecauseaDNAt estofmydaughterand
herf
at herNkosikhonacanprovethatIknow
Nkosikhona.Andbesidewhywoul dhelp
Mzwakhe? ”Sheaskedlooki
ngatthem both.
MaMt hembu: “
He’sthefat
herofyourchil
dren
andIdon’tthi
nkhav i
nghisnametarni
shedwi l
l
beagoodt hingforyourki
ds.Thechil
drenin
schoolwil
lmockt hem.”
Makhosi
:“Oh,
wow!Nowy
ouknowt
hathe’
sthe
fat
herofmychi ldren?Whatdi dy ousayt ome
whenIbeggedy outospeakt ohi m sothathe
canhelpmel ookaf tertheki
dsf i
nancially
?
Whatdi dyousay ?
”sheaskedl ookingatherbut
MaMt hembul ookeddownwi thshame.“ You
ref
usedt ohel
pmychi ldrenandt oday,youar
e
usi
ngt hem asexcuset ogety ourboy f
ri
endout
ofjai
l
?Wow!Howni ceofyou.”sheshookher
head.
Lwandi
l
e:“
Makhosi
,pl
ease.
”
Makhosi :
“Icannevermakeami stakeof
choosingMzwakheov erthemanIl ove.Iam
sorr
ybutIwi ll
makesuret hathespendsmor e
ti
mei njai
l.
”Shecli
ckedhert ongueandl eftthe
houseangr yathowlowtheycoul dstoopj ustto
getthatdirt
ymanof fj
ail
…
[
04/
14,
18:
32]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE45
WhenThembel ihl
el ef tDalisushewentt oher
fri
dgeandopenedi t, shet ookt heblackpl ast
ic
thatsheusedt ocov ert heTupper warethathad
herredsoi l.She’dsuspect edt hatshemi ghtbe
pregnantwhenherper i
oddi dn’tcomebyonher
usual timei nOct oberandt hattimei n
Nov emberpassed.She’ ddonet hethinki
ngand
discov eredt hatherconsi stentcr avi
ngofr ed
soilmi ghtbecausedbypr egnancybutshe
i
gnor edal l
hersuspi ci onsandnev erwentt oa
Doct orort ookapr egnancyt estbecauseshe
reali
sedt hatwhenDal isucamebacki ntoher
l
ifeshewasn’ tonpr ev ention.Shewasscar ed
tov i
sittheDoct orasi twast ooear l
yforherto
getpr egnantshehadaC- sect i
onandt hat
pregnancywasgoi ngt ober isky.Shewas
scaredt hatshewasgoi ngt ohav e
compl icat i
onsandsoshedi dn’tgot othe
Doct or…
Andshedi
dn’
tknowonet
hing,
theconcept
ion
happenedbef
oreDal
i
su’
sret
urni
ntoherl
i
fe…
Nowseat edont heloungeeati
ngherredsoil
,
shewasangr yt
hatDalisuhadbroughtthi
sup.
Shedidn’thavetoaskhowdi dDalisuknowshe
mightbepr egnantbecausehewast heonewho
tol
dhershewaspr egnantonhersecond
pregnancy.
“Idon’twantababyr ightnow, dearGod! ”She
exclai
medangr i
lyandl aiddownont hecouch.
She’dsillythoughtsbef or
ebutt het houghtofa
chanceofhav i
ngababygi rlstoppedher .She
fel
tthatapr egnancywasgoi ngtost andi nher
wayandshehadababywhowasonl ysix
mont hs.Nowsheknewt hatshedi dn’tneedt o
haveot herwi sethought sbecauseDal isuhad
suspect edherpr egnancy .“Thatwasev i
lof
me!”shehi ssedandcl osedherey esasher
mindt ookherbackt oGobel a’swor ds.‘For
everylif
ey oubr ingtot hewor ldthere’sa
purposef ort hatli
fe.Andnotev erythingwi l
l
happenasy ou’veplannedt hem.’ Shesi ghed
thi
nki
ngthati
t’
slikehe’
dknownthatshewas
goi
ngtohavebadt hought
s.Shedidn’
twantto
i
maginewhatDalisuwould’
vedonetoherifshe
donewhatshethoughtwasbestforheratthe
moment.Shesighed…
Dalisuturnedont helightsinthelivi
ngr oom
andhesawhersl eepingont hecouch.Hi seyes
weredr awnatt heopenedTupper war ethatwas
ont hecoffeet able.Het ookitandl ookedatthe
soilhethenl ookedatThembel i
hle.Hecl i
cked
histonguer ecalli
ngt hathe’dseenhert ongue
redandhet houghtshewaseat ingsweet sbutit
wassoi l!Hemar chedt othef r
ontdoorand
unlockedi t
.Hedi sposedt hesoil
…Het hen
carriedherbackt otheirroom.
“Bukanj eubusyul
alaemfumbet hei nhlabat
hi!
”
Heexcl aimedtaki
ngthesoiloffherhand.He
wentt othebinanddisposeditthere…Het hen
coveredherandsleptnexttoher .Het hought
aboutwhathe’ ddoneheshouldn’ thavemade
herpregnantbuthewasj ustscar edthathewas
nevergoingtogether.Ndabezi
nhlewasonly
fourmont hsandhewasaf ooltoimpregnat
e
her!Hereali
sednowt hathewasbackwher ehe
belongedwherehe’dalwaysbel
onged…He
sighedandpulledheruptohischest
…
I
nt hemorni
ngwhenshewasdonebat hi
ngand
dressi
ngupshewenttoherl
oungeandfound
oneofthemaidscl
eani
ngthelounge.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sawubona,
Thandi
.
”
Thandi
:“Yebo,
ndl
ovukazi
unj
ani
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“ Iam fi
ne,
wher e’stheTupper
ware
thatwasonthi scof
feetabl
e? ”sheasked
l
ookingather.“Ifor
gottaki
ngi t,
didyouseeit
?”
sheasked.
Thandi
:“Yes,
Iputi
tont
hesi
nkwi
thdi
rt
y
di
shes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo!Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?”
Thandi
:“I
twasdi
rt
yandempt
y.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Empt
y?No,
itwasn’
tempt
y.”
Thandi:“
Yes,ndlov
ukaziitwasempt y.
”
Thembelihl
enoddedandl efthertohercleani
ng.
Shefigur
edDalisusawitasshewokeupi nbed
hemighthav ecarr
iedherthereanddisposed
hersoil
!
Shefini
shedupmaki
ngbr
eakf
astwi
thanangr
y
face.
“Mama,goodmor
ning.
”Theboy
sgr
eet
ed
Thembel
ihl
eandy
awned.
Thembeli
hle:
“Goodmorning.”Shet ur
nedt
o
l
ookatthem andshesmiledast heywerebusy
yawni
ngandscratchi
ngtheirbodies.
Thembeli
hle:“
Whyar
escr
atchi
ng,
didn’
tyou
bathl
astnight
?”
Boy
s:“
Wedi
d!”
Mnot
ho:
“Mama,
canwehav
ebr
eakf
ast
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Goandcheckonyourfat
herf
ir
st
andwheny oucomebackwit
hhimy our
breakf
astwouldbeont
hetabl
e.”
Theboy
snoddedandl ef
ther
…She’dfi
nished
set
ti
ngthetabl
eandsosheleftt
hehouseto
haveal
itt
lebi
tofsoi
l
.
“Youshouldn’tbeeat
ingtoomuchofthi
s,
ndlovukazi
.”Hlezi
phi
saidstandi
ngbehi
nd
Thembel i
hleasshewasbentdownpokingthe
soil
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Hey,whatar
ey oudoi
nghere?”
sheaskedgetti
ngupandthrowingthesoi
lon
herhandsaway.Sheignor
edherstatement
.
Hlezi
phi:
“Mageba,andt
heboy
sarelooki
ngf
or
you.Theywanttohavet
hei
rbr
eakf
ast.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Okay,l
etmego.”Shewal
ked
awayandHleziphi
fol
lowedher.
Hl
ezi
phi:“
Canwet
alkwheny
ouar
efr
ee?
”she
r
equest
ed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay,
Iwil
lcal
lyou.
”sherepl
ied
bendi
ngdownonthetaptor
insehermouth…
“
It
’sni
cet
oseet
haty
oucoul
dn’
tst
artbr
eakf
ast
mom.That
’snice.
”Thembel
i
hlecomment
ed
t
aki
ngherplat
e.
Mnotho:
“Yes,
wearegoodboy
s,mom.Al
lofus
sai
dweshouldwai
tfory
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
wecaneatnow.
”
Dali
su:“Mlamuli,
pray.
”Theyjoinedhandsand
Mlamuliprayed…Dali
sukeptst ar
ingat
Thembelihleunti
lhecoul
dn’tkeeptheburni
ng
questi
on.“You’v
ebeeneatingthesoilout
side?
”
heaskedl ooki
ngatThembel i
hle.
Thembeli
hle:
“No.”sherepl
i
edandstoodup.“
I
will
havej
uicenottea.
”Shesai
dleav
ingthe
tabl
e…
-
--
“Iwanttopassbyhomeandgi v
esomemoney
tomymot herIhopeyoudon’
tmi nd.
”Njongo
saidtoFel
ici
tyl
ooki
ngatherthroughtherev
iew
mirror
.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
No,
Idon’
tmi
nd.
”Sher
epl
i
edand
l
ookedatNdabezi nhleashewaspeacef ul
l
y
sleepi
ngonhi scarseat.Theywerecoming
backfrom theDoctor.Mduduziwassupposed
todriv
eFelicit
ybutNjongoaskedThembelihl
e
tobet heonet odri
veher.Shethenal
lowed
them togot oget
her.
Njongo:
“Youcancomeinsidewit
hthePrince.
”
Hesuggestedpull
i
ngt
hecarov er
.Helooked
backandFeli
cit
ywasuneasy.“
What’swrong?”
heasked.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Ican’
tgoi
nsi
deandseey
ourmot
her
.”
Njongo:“Whynot ?
”heaskedget ti
ngofft hecar.
He’dbroughtherinhishomef orhismot herto
seeher.Heknewt hathismot herwasagood
j
udgeofchar acter
.Hewasst ronglyat
tractedto
herandhecoul dseet hatshewasget ti
ngused
tohim.Theywer enotof fi
cial
l
ydat i
ngbutt hey
wereclosetoeachot her.Njongohadapl an
withhi
smot her…
Fel
i
cit
y:“
It
’snotr
ightwhati
fyourwi
fei
sin
t
her
e?”
Njongochuckl edandopenedt hedoor .“
Itold
youIam notmar r
iedIhavebeenwaitingforyou
nkosazana. ”Hesai dhol
dingherhandand
Feli
ci
t ylookeddown.Shesmi l
ed.Shewas
charmedbyhi swayofdoi ngthi
ngs.Itwas
dif
ferentandl ovel
yt oher
…Butshej ustdidn’
t
wantt oadmi tthattoanyone…Feli
cit
yhel dhis
bigsof thandandgotof fthecar.
Njongo: “Goandgett hepri
nceIwi lll
eady ou
i
nside.”Felicitynoddedandt urnedt ot heot her
side.Njongol ookedatherandhei magi ned
theirli
fetoget her,hergivi
nghi m childrenand
shar i
ngahomewi thher.Shewasawoman
withsomet hi ngspeci al
,somet hingt hatonly
Njongocoul dsee…Theywal kedt ogethert ohis
mot her’
shouse.Nj ongohadt oldThembel ihle
thattheywer egoingt ogowi thNdabezi nhlet o
hismot her’
shouseandThembel ihletrusted
Njongo, shehadnopr oblem witht hat.
“Hawu,mfanawami!”MrsNgubanesmi
ledand
welcomedNjongohome.Theysatdownonthe
couchesi
nsidethel
ounge.
Nj
ongo:“
Awu,
yebomama.Wear
epassi
ngby
t
hough.
”
MrsNgubane: “Kwahlewena!DearGod, l
ookat
howbeaut i
ful
t hepri
ncei
s.IwishIcanhol d
him.”shesmiledlooki
ngatthesleepingbaby.
“Youaretheonel ooki
ngaft
erhim? ”sheasked
l
ookingather.
Fel
i
cit
y:“
Yes,
mamaIam t
heone.
”Shesmi
l
ed.
MrsNgubane:
“Youar
ebeaut
if
ulanddoi
nga
goodj
ob.”
Fel
icit
y:“Thankyou.”MrsNgubane’
shelper
servedthem jui
ce.MrsNgubanethenasked
Fel
icit
yquestionsabouther
selfandshe
answeredher …
“
Whichremi
ndsme, Mbovu.Iwasspeaki
ngto
y
ourfat
herandIt
hinkthatwehavefounda
sui
tabl
egirl
fory
ougetmar
ri
edt
o.”She
announced.
Fel
i
citylookedatNj
ongoquickl
ybuthewasn’
t
l
ookingather.Hewaspret
endingtobe
sur
prisedashewaslooki
ngathismother
.
Nj
ongo:
“Awi
fe?
”
Mr sNgubane:“Yes,weneedgrandchi
ldr
en
fr
om oursonnowandso, wehav earr
anged
someonef oryou.You’
ll
havetomeethersoon.
Youar eouronlychi
ldMbovuandweneed
grandchi
ldr
enbef or
ewedie.”
Felici
tywasfeeli
nghotfr
om herseat.She
want edtogetupandleavealr
eadybecauset he
newsshewashear i
ngdidn’
tpleaseher.Shefel
t
thatshewasbecomi ngjeal
ousnowandso, she
clearedherthr
oat.
Feli
cit
y:“
Ithinkthi
sisapriv
atematt
erandso,
I
will
excusemy self
.”Shesai
dgett
ingupand
theybothlookedather.
MrsNgubane:
“Youdon’thav
etoleav
emay
be
youcanhel
pmeconvincehim.”
Fel
ici
ty:“
No, It
hinkhe’sol
denoughtoknow
what’
srightforhim.”shesai
dandleft
i
mmedi ately
…Nj ongoandhismotherlookedat
eachother.Theysmi l
ed…
Mr
sNgubane:
“Di
dyouseet
hat
?”
Njongo:“
Ithi
nkshe’
sbeenf
ool
i
ngmeshe
actual
lyl
i
kesme.”
MrsNgubane:“
Sheseemsniceso,
gogether
andkeepbri
ngi
ngherher
e.”
Njongolaughedandstoodup, hethentookout
themoney .Shegotupandt ookthemoney …
Theyfol
lowedeachot heroutofthehouse…In
thecarNjongotri
edtogetFelici
tytotal
kbut
shewasj ustangr
ythatthey’
vefoundsomeone
forhi
m…
-
--
--
--
Thokozi
l
ewasdi
stur
bedbyherr
ingi
ngphone
asshewaswi thThembelihleinherroom.They
wer epackinghercl
othesaftertheafterf
uneral
ri
tuals.Theywerehav i
ngagener al
conv er
sati
onandshar i
ngjokes.Thembel i
hle
l
ov edthatgoodlaughingsideofThokozileand
shewant edtoseeitmor eof t
en…Thokozile
l
ookedatThembel i
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwantspace?
”
ShenoddedandThembel i
hlel
eftther
oom.She
thenansweredthecall
.“Crai
g?”Shegreet
eda
manwho’ dhelpedheryearsago.
Crai
g:“
Thoko,
wherear
eyou?
”heasked
soundi
ngworr
ied.
Thokozi
le:“
Iam i
ntherur
alar
easathome.
What’
swr ong?I
t’
sbeenalongwhi
lesinceIl
ast
hear
df r
om you.
”
Crai
g:“Weareintroubl
emydearf r
iend.The
depart
mentofHeal t
hisdoi
ngauthenticcheck-
upsont heDoct
orsespeci
all
ythosewhowor k
i
npr i
vat
ehospit
als.Haveyouseent he
newspaperar
ti
cleaboutUKZNmedi
cal
school
?”
Thokozil
e:“
No,Ihaven’
tbeenreadi
ngthe
newspapersnorwatchi
ngnews.Mysisteri
n-
l
awdi edandso,that
’swhyIhadtocomeback
home.”
Craig:“
Theyaremaki ngahi
ghproof
ed
technologi
cal
investi
gati
onandIam af
rai
dthat
youmi ghtbebusted.
”
Thokozi
le:
“No!Cr
aig,
thatcan’
thappenwhat
wil
lIdo?WhatmustIdo?”
Cr
aig:“Juststayathomeanddon’tcomet
his
si
deforawhi l
emay beyouwon’tbe
i
nvest
igatedifyouarenotatwork.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Dear
,Lor
d.Ican’
tlosemyj
ob.
”
Craig:“Ij
ustwantedtoletyouknowthati
fy ou
canbebust eddon’tmentionmynamebecause
Iwasj usthel
pingyouout.Ican’
tgodownf or
helpingafri
end.Please.
”
Thokozi
le:
“Rel
ax,Iwi
llt
ryt
omakesur
ethati
t
doesn’
tcometothat.
”
Cr
aig:
“Okay
.”
Shehungupt hecallandpanickedasshesaton
thebedwithherphone.Shesear chedt
he
numberoft hemaninchar geofHuman
Resourcesinthehospit
al.Shewasscaredfor
herdearli
fe…
“What’swrongy oudon’ tlookfi
ne?”Thokozani
comment edlooki ngatThokozi l
e.Theywere
seatedont heloungewat chi
ngTV.Thembel i
hle
l
eftthem whent heyweredonepacki ng…
Makhosi hadgonet ohermot her’
shousewith
herchil
dren.Thokozi l
e’
schi l
drenand
Thokozani’
st winswer efastasleep.Theywere
supposedt obel eavi
ngt hefoll
owingday.
Thokozi
le:“Ihav
ebeenkeepingasecr
etfrom
youbhutiandIam afr
aidt
hatnowitwil
lcome
outi
npubl i
c.Idon’
twantyoutofi
ndoutinthe
newspapers.”
Thokozani
:“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thokozi
le:
“Idon’
thav
eaqual
i
ficat
iont
obea
Doctor
.”
Thokozani
:“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Thokozil
e:“
Doyouremembert hatIkeptfail
i
ng
somemodul esandthecoursewasstressing
meoutespecial
lyt
hefinaly
earbecauseIwas
pregnant
?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
Iremember
.”
Thokozil
e:“Ididn’
tgr
aduat
ebecauseIwas
ashamedt hatIhavepai
dsomeonei nt
he
Univer
sit
ytof orgemyqual
if
icat
ion.
”
Thokozani
:“HHAYBO!AREYOUCRAZY!
”he
shoutedandlookedather
.
Thokozil
e:“Pl
ease,bhuti
don’tjudgeme.Iwas
ti
redandtimewasagai nstme.Ij ustdidn’twant
tobekickedoutofv ar
sit
y.Theywer egoi ngto
recommendanot hercourseforme, somet hi
ngI
didn’
twant.Pl
ease,butIam desper ate.”
Thokozani
:“Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
Thokozil
e:“
Ineedtostayawayf rom DurbanI
haveaskedsomeonef rom Departmentof
HumanResour cetoremovemef rom the
hospit
al’
sdatabaseforawhi l
e.Idon’tknowi
f
thatwil
lbeasuccess.”
Thokozani
:“You’
l
lhavet
ocomeandst
aywi
th
meinRichardsbay.
”
Thokozi
le:
“No,Ican’
tbecauseshoul
dIget
bust
edthey’l
ll
ookformet her
ebutthey
wouldn’
tcomeherebecausethekingbanned
mef r
om here.
”
Thokozani
:“Howareyougoi
ngt
ohideinher
e
wit
houtthekingknowi
ngandMakhosi
li
ves
her
e?”
Thokozil
e:“
Iwon’tgooutandMakhosisai
d
she’
llbegoi
ngtoDur banwi
thherchi
l
drensoon,
they
’removing.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,you’
l
lhav
etobecar
eful
and
don’
tletThembeli
hle’
shusbandcat
chy
ou.That
manissomet hi
ngelse.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Iwi
l
ldoj
ustt
hat
.”Shepr
omi
sed
andst
oodup.
Thokozani:
“Don’
tgoyetwhatwi
llhappenwith
theki
dsy oucan’
tkeept
hem her
e.”Heinfor
med
her.
Thokozil
e:“Iwill
havetosendthem t
omyf r
iend
becausethey’renotdonewit
htheyear-
end
exams.She’llcometomorrowandshe’l
lgowith
mycar .
”
Thokozani:
“Okay,whent
hey’
redoneIwil
lhav
e
totakethem i
fthi
ngsdon’
tgoaswet hi
nk
they’
ll
go.”
Thokozi
le:“
Thankyouandpl ease,don’
ttel
l
Thembelihl
eaboutt
his.Idon’twanttobother
her.
”sheadded.
Thokozani
noddedandThokozi
l
elef
thi
mfor
bed…
Thokozi
lehadspokentothechil
dreninaway
thatt
heyunder
stoodthattheyneededtogot
o
Durbanwit
houtherbuttheyweresad.
Thokozi
l
e:“Youdon’
thavet
obesadthaty
ou
aregoi
ngtoDurbanwit
houtme.Iwi
l
lcome
homewhent heti
meisri
ght.
”
Si
ndy
:“Butmom whydon’
tyout
akeust
odad?
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Butyourf
atheri
sfarawayandhe
can’
tcomegety
ou.”
Sandy:“Iknowthatyouanddadar ehav
ing
probl
emsandy ouarediv
orci
ngeachother.I
heardyout al
ktohim onthephone.
”
Juniorcr
iedashehear dhi
ssistersaythatt
o
thei
rmot her.Thechi
ldr
endidn’
tthinkt
hatthei
r
parentswereseparati
ng…Thokozil
esighedand
buri
edherf aceonherhand.Shethenpulled
Juniorcl
osert oher
.
Thokozi
le:
“Youneedt
ogobacktoDur
banand
wri
teyourexams.Doyouwantt
oseey
our
mot
hersad?
”
Theboy sshookthei
rheads.Shelookedather
teenagegirl
sandtheyshooktheirheadst
oo.
“Mama, whydidn’
twegoandv i
sitmamancane
uThembelihle?
”Sandyaskedlookingat
Thokozil
e.
Thokozile:
“ You’
l
lvisithersomeothertime,y
ou
see,therearethi
ngst hatyourmotherneedsto
fi
xwit hher.Then,whenev ery
thi
ngisfineyou’
ll
vi
sitherandt heboy s.”
Thechil
drennoddedandThokozani enteredthe
room.“I
t’
stimetogonow.”Thokozani said
l
ookingattheki
ds…Thokozilestoodupand
openedherarmsforherchi
ldren.Theyshar eda
warm hugonebyone…Shesatonherbedand
cri
edasherchil
drenlef
ther
.Shenev ert hought
shewouldseethisday…
[
04/
15,
18:
47]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE46

“Ican’
tbeli
ev eyouarereal
lyl
eavingme.”
Thembel i
hlecomment edanddroppedherhead.
Shecried.Makhosi l
ookedathersurpri
sedthat
shewascr y i
ng,shestoodupandsatnextto
her.Theywer eseatedontheoutsidechai
rsin
Thembel i
hle’
spalace.
Makhosi
:“Oh,myfri
end,
don’
tcr
y.Iam not
goi
ngawayf or
ever
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“You’v
ebeenthebiggestpartof
myl i
fe.Youweremyf ri
endwhenIcameback
hereandwe’ vebeenthr
oughalotofthings
toget
her.”
Makhosi:“
IknowandIloveyou,queen.
”She
sai
dwipinghert
ears.Thembel
ihlewasfor
ced
tosmil
e.
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,myemotionsar
eallov
erthe
pl
acethesedays.Lendodaayi
khoekhaya.
”
(
Dal
i
sui
snothome.
)
Makhosi
:“Ar
eyouwor
ri
ed?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,thi
sisnotaboutmeandso,
l
et’
snotmakeitaboutme.”
Makhosi:
“No,
wewi
l
lbecauseIam l
eav
ing
t
onight
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ijusthav
ethi
sfeart
hatsomeone
wil
lfool
him again.
”
Makhosi
:“No,Thembel
ihl
etakewhathappened
asawarningforhi
m.Iam sur
ethatnowhe’l
lbe
ext
racar
efulnow.Hewon’tbefool
edbyanyone
youdon’
thavetoworry
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iguessyouareri
ght.Ihav
ebeen
pray
ingeversi
ncehelefthopi
ngthathecomes
backhomesaf ewit
hnot r
oubl
e.”
Makhosi:“
Oh,mnganiwami.Don’
twor r
ythi
s
much.”Shesmiledandpul
l
edherclosertoher
.
“
Wheni sPreci
ouscoming?”sheasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Herpar
ent
swi
l
lcomeher
e
i
nsteadbecauseshe’si nthehospit
al.She’
s
si
ckandi tdoesn’
tlookgoodf orher.Andher
parentssai
dherchildissickthey
’vetri
ed
everyt
hingtohelphim buthedoesn’tget
better
.”
Makhosi
:“That
’snotagoodt
hing.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Yeah,andasmyhusbandi
sin
Johannesburgwi t
hSbaniwhent
heycomeback.
Theparentswillcome.”
Makhosi
:“Iwonderwhatwi
l
ltheel
der
ssayt
o
t
hem.”
Thembelihl
e:“Theywil
lobvi
ousl
ybl
amethem
forthei
rdaughter’
sdecei
t.
”Shesai
dandthey
sighed.
Makhosi:“
Herparent
swill
behumi
l
iat
ednow
becauseofherdi
rtyway
s.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hheyi!Tel
lmeaboutit
…Nowt el
l
mewhatareyougoingtodoaboutpaying
damagesandappeasingtot
heancestorsi
n
Mzwakhe’
shouseashe’
sinj
ail
?”
Makhosi
:“Ihavespokentohi
suncleandt
old
hi
m ever
ythi
ngthathappenedbet
weenusand
hewasn’
tpleasedthatMzwakhewasabusi
ng
me.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,
that
’sagoodt
hing,
whatdi
d
hesay?
”
Makhosi:“Hesai
daftert
hecour
tcasewecan
comewi thNkosi
khonaandhisf
amil
y.He’
l
l
speaktoMzwakhe’ssist
erandwewil
ldothe
ri
tual
s.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sv
eryni
ceofhi
m.”
Makhosi :“Yeah,hetol
dmehe’ dbeenhav i
ng
baddreamst hepastfewmont hsandwhenhe
cal
ledMzwakhet oaskwhatwaswr onghe
nevertoldhimt hetrut
h.Heknewt hatthenews
wouldn’treachhim becausehe’st
oof arfr
om
Nongoma. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“MydearLor
d,y
ou’
l
lgetmar
ri
ed
tosomeonewhoappreciat
esyou.
”shesmi
l
ed
andhugged.Makhosi
laughed.
Makhosi
:“Iam ver
yhappyandmydaughter
sai
dshedoesn’twanttol
eavet
hispl
ace,
soI
fi
gur
edshe’l
ll
ivewithmom i
nmyhousehere.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,howdi
dtheyt
akehav
inga
st
epfat
her?”
Makhosi:“Theydidn’
ttakeitbadbutt heydi
d
askanumberofquest ions.Ijustanswered
them i
nawayt hatsui
tstheirage.They’v
emet
Nkosikhona.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Andwhatdi
dthatgo?
”
Makhosi
:“I
twasver
yawkwardbutmyboys
seemedtogetal
ongwi
thNkosi
khona’
sson.
’
Thembeli
hle:
“AndAlwande?She’
sateenage
gir
lnow,how’sshet
akingNkosi
khonabei
ngin
yourl
if
e?”
Makhosi
:“It
hinkshedoesn’
tli
keitsheenjoy
ed
i
tmorewhenIwasal onewit
ht hem t
hat’
swhy
shesai
dshewant
stost
aybehi
ndwi
thmy
mom.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“She’
l
lbef
ineev
ent
ual
l
y.”
“Yeah!
”Sheagr eedandtookherphoneoutof
herdresspocket.Shegotupandanswer edthe
phonef arfr
om Thembeli
hle…Thembeli
hlelif
ted
herphoneanddi al
ledDal
isu’
snumber.Itrang
andheanswer edwhenshewasaboutt ohung
upthecal l
.
Dal
i
su:
“It
hinki
twi
l
lrai
nheav
il
ytoday
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”
Dali
su:
“ Youcalledme!Angit
hi,
whenIl
eft
homey ouwer en’tspeaki
ngt
omeandhaven’
t
beeneversince.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam cal
l
ingy
ounow.
”
Dali
su:“That
’swhyIam say
ingi
twi
l
lrai
n
heavi
ly
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“That’
sanexagger
ati
on…Don’
t
youmissme? ”sheaskedasmeanstof
indout
i
fhewasonhi swaybackhomeorst
il
li
n
Johannesbur
g.
Dal
i
su:“Imi
ssyousomucht
hat
’swhyIam on
t
heroadbackhome.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
that
’sgood.Whenwi
l
lyouget
here?
”
Dal
isu:“
Bef
ore6pm.Whatwil
lyoucookforme
asawelcomebackhomedinner
?”heasked
pol
i
tely
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcookr
iceandspi
nach.
”
Dal
isul
aughed.“YounowIhat
espi
nachsohow
canyoucookit
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“I
t’
sgoodf
ory
ourheal
th,
don’
t
youknowthatki
ng?”
Dal
isu:“
IknowqueenbutIwil
lnoteatspinach
andIknowy ouwon’
tcooksomethi
ngt hatI
hat
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh!Thatmeansy
ou’
l
leatbr
ead
then.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iwi
l
lrat
hereatKFC.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“I
hee!Youbetternotcomehome
full
,Magebabecausey ou’
l
l t
ellmewhogav e
yout hatfoody ouate.
”Dal
isulaughedand
clearedhisthroat.“
Whatisit?What’st
her
eon
yourt hr
oat?”sheasked.
Dali
su:
“Whydon’ty
ouj
ustcooky
our
sel
f.
”He
askedi
nawhisper.
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.“Sies,
howcant hat
happen?Andhowcany ouaskmet hatquest
ion,
areyoual
oneinthatcar?”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
butIwhi
sper
edr
ight
?”
Thembeli
hlegi
ggledandsmi l
edas
MaCebekhulusatnexttoherwit
hherbags.
“Yes,
butsomepeopl ehaveshar
pears.
”She
madehim awareandheldMaCebekhulu’
shand.
“Andyouknowy ouhaveabassofav oi
ce.”She
added.
Dal
i
suchuckl
ed.“
Ngi
zokuphoxaMaSt
hol
e.”He
sai
d.
Thembeli
hle:“Idi
dn’
tsayit
’sahor r
iblevoice
andmamai sherenowjusthungupt hecall
.”
Shesaidl
ooki ngatMaCebekhulu.Sheshook
herheadandThembel i
hlelookedupatMakhosi
whowaspat ientl
ywait
ingforheraftershe’d
greet
edMaCebekhul u.
Dal
isu:
“Hawu,akukhul
umeki nendodayakho
umakukhonauMaCebekhulu.”(Youcan’tspeak
toy
ourhusbandwhent her
e’smymom? )
Thembel
ihl
elaughedandsai
d:“
Hhay
i,
Mageba!
”
Dal
i
su:“Okay
,okay
,ngi
yakut
handamf
azi
wami.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ngi
yakut
handanamindoda
yami.
”Shesaidonalowvoiceandhungupthe
cal
l.“
Hee!Mama?”shesmiledandlookedat
her.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i,Ial
mostgotupandl
eft
y
ou.
”theyl
aughed.
Makhosi
:“AndIal
mostl
eftwi
thoutsay
ing
goodby
e.”
Theylaughed.“Youar
eleav
ingal
ready
?”She
askedandst oodup.
Makhosi
:“Yes,
Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
ou.
”
Thembel
ihl
esmileandtheyhuggedeachother
.
“Iwi
l
lmissyoutooanddon’tfor
getaboutme
whenyouarei
nDur ban.
”Shetol
dher.
Makhosi
:“Iwon’
t.Thanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwantt
osayt
hanky
out
oo.
”
Theysmil
edandMaCebekhul uof
fer
edherhug
toMakhosi
.“Iwishyoual
lthehappi
nesswher
e
youaregoi
ngMaKhumal o.You’
vebeenagood
fr
iendtomydaughter.
”MaCebekhul
usaidand
backedawayfrom t
hehug.
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou,mama.
”Thembel
i
hlet
hen
wal
kedhertothecar
…
“Don’
tyouwantustogoinsi
de?Iwillpr
epare
somefoodforyou.
”Thembeli
hleaskedlooki
ng
atMaCebekhul
u.
MaCebekhul u:“
No,sitdownandt el
lmeabout
thi
s.”sheshowedhert heli
ttl
ebowl t
hathad
Thembelihle’
sredsoil
.She’dbeeneati
ngit
beforeMakhosi’sarr
ival
.“Whyareyoueating
soi
l t
hismuch? ”sheaskedseekingfor
confir
mationofhersuspici
ons.
Thembel i
hlesi
ghedandsatdown.“
Whydi
dyou
tel
lmet hatNdabezi
nhl
ewillhav
etost
aywi
th
you?”sheaskedlooki
ngather.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tansweraquest
ionwi
tha
quest
ion.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam pr
egnantandIt
hinky
ou
knowthatIam.”
MaCebekhulu:
“ Ihadsuspi
ci
onsnott
hatIknow
andwhydoesi tseemslikeyouar
enothappy
aboutt
his?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam not
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Why
?”
Thembelihl
e:“I
t’
sjusttoosoonmama.
Ndabezinhl
eisnotev entaki
nghisf
ir
ststeps
andIam pregnant.Howwi ll
Ienj
oyworki
ngin
myrestaurantwit
hapr egnancybump?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Idon’
tknowbutwhatcany
ou
donowtostopthepr
egnancy
?There’
snot
hing
youcando.”
Shelookeddownandsai d:“
Whatwil
lpeopl
e
saynje,‘
She’
spregnantagai
ndidyouseeher?
Uyazala,
il
okhoakwenzayoukuzal
a!’
Idon’
t
wantthat.
”Sheconfi
ded.
MaCebekhulu:“Hhaysuka!Whydoy oucare
aboutwhatwillpeopl
esay ?They’
renott
he
oneswho’ll
lookingaft
erthatbabyyouare
carr
ying.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ij
ustf
eel
li
kei
t’
stoosoon.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ift
hisbabywasnotmeantt
obe
herethebabywasn’ tgoi ngtobeony ourwomb
ri
ghtnow.Awoman’ swombi snotalway s
readyforconception.Concept ionhappens
becauseitmeantt ohappen.Iwant edf i
ve
chil
drenbutmywombcoul dn’tmakei ttofi
veI
gotfourinst
ead.Andy oucanev enhav eten
chil
drenforallIknow.Youar enotdoingi tf
or
peopleandy ouradv antageisthatyouar esti
ll
young.”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedandl
ookeddown.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Now,stopsul
ki
nglet
’sgoand
cook,mybabyi
scominghometoday.
”Shehel
d
herhandandst
oodup.
Thembel
i
hlel
aughedandsaid:“Mama,
Idon’
t
l
ikei
twhenyousayitl
i
kethat.He’
samannota
baby.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Hee!Nangumf aziengiphaphel
a!
He’samant oyounottome.He’ l
lalwaysbemy
baby.
”Thembelihl
elaughed.“
Doesheknow
aboutthebaby?
”sheasked.
Thembeli
hle:
“He’
stheonewhoputitouti
nthe
openbutIhaveal
readyhadmysuspi
cions
too.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Didy
ougoy
ourDoct
or?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
it’
sst
il
lear
ly.
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Hhaybo!There’
snot
hingli
ke
thatyoushoul
dgoandseet heDoct
or.”she
saidastheyent
eredtheki
tchen.
Thembelihl
e:“
Okay,mom Iwi
llgo.
”She
condescendedwashi
ngherhandsonthesi
nk…
MaCebekhulu:“Don’thaveabadat ti
tude
towardsy
ourpr egnancyThembel i
hlesome
womenwantchi l
drenbuttheycan’thavethem
soyoubetterappreciat
eev er
ypregnancy
whetheri
tcameexpect edandunexpected.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youarerightmom Iam j
ust
angr
ybutyouarer
ight
.”Shelookedatherand
MaCebekhul
usmil
ed…
-
--
-
Thokozilehadherhandonhermout hasshe
wasr eadinganart
icl
e.She’
dbeencaughtthat
shehadt hefakequali
fi
cati
on.Shewasn’t
certi
fi
edt obeasurgeonbutshe’dbeen
practi
singforyear
s.Shewasawel lknow
surgeoninDurbanandnowal lthatwas
forgott
enasshewast hemostwant ed.
“Dear,godwhatam Igoingt odo?”Sheasked
putti
ngherphonedown.Shepacedar oundthe
darkhouse.Makhosihadl eftwi
thherchil
dren
andso, shewasaloneinthehouse.Atnightshe
didn’
tturnontheli
ghtsasi twasknownthat
nobodyl i
vedatt
heSitholehouse…
Thokozil
e’schildr
enwer eliv
inginRichardsbay
wit
hThokozani .Shewasal lal
oneand
Thembelihledidn’
tknowt hatshewasi nthe
house.Herphoner angshelift
edt hephone,an
unsavednumberwascal l
i
ngbutsheknewwho
i
tbelongedt o.She’dchangedhernumbert he
minuteshewast ol
dt hattheinvesti
gati
onwas
goingtobeconduct ed.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Musa: “
WhatdoIwant ?Doyouknowwhaty our
l
ieshavedonetomyr eput
ation?Nowt hatt
hey
can’
tlocat
eyouthepaparazziisabusi
ngme
i
nsteadwhereareyou?”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Thatdoesn’
tconcer
nyouMusa.
”
Musa:“
IwasyourhusbandThokozil
ewhydid
youl
iet
omeabouty ourqual
if
icat
ion?Whatdi
d
yougai
nbytel
l
ingmel i
es?”
Thokozi
le:“
Don’taskmet
hosequest
ion
unfai
thf
ulhusband.”
Musa:“Howdoy outhi
nkIwasgoi
ngtostay
fai
thf
ultoy ou?Youwerebossi
ngmeandy ou
nevertr
eatedmel i
keaman.Iwasgoingt
odie
i
fIwasst uckwithyouwit
hnosidechi
ck.
”
Thokozi
le:
“Iwasnottr
eati
ngyoul
ikeaman?
Okay,i
t’
sfi
ne!Don’
tyouthi
nkIsawanyman?
Areyouamanoradog? ”
Musa:
“Youcanmockmeal
lyouwantbutt
hat
won’tchanget hefactthaty ouar emostwant ed.
Didy ouseet hechar gesagai nstyou?Mur der
forthosepat i
entswhodi edwhi leyouwer e
l
eadingt heoper at
ion?At tempt edmurder,Lord!
Thel i
stgoeson. ”Thokozi lekeptquietandcr i
ed
sil
ently.“Iwantmychi l
drenbacksi ncethe
poli
cewi ll
sear chfory ouandf indyou.Ican’tlet
them st aywithy ourbr ot
herwhi l
eIam thereas
thei
rf ather.Ilovethem. ”
Thokozil
e:“
Youwantt
hem sothatt
hey
’l
ll
iv
e
wit
hy ourmult
ipl
emi
str
esses?
”
Musa:
“Il
i
veal
one.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Oh,pl
easedon’
tli
etome.Youwon’
t
takemychi
ldr
en.
”
Musa:“Idon’tneedpermi
ssi
onfr
om acrookt o
takemychildren.
”hehungupandthecalland
Thokozi
lesatont hefl
oor
.Shecr
iedthepain
out…
[
04/
15,
18:
47]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
S3,
EPI
SODE47

Theboy sgotupatthesoundoft heirfat

her
’s
carpull
ingover
.Theygiggledandr antothe
door.They’
vebeenwai t
ingforhim, theybat
hed
earl
yandsatont heloungewi t
houtgoi ng
outsi
det opl
aybecauset heydidn’twanttobe
dir
ty.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Mnot
ho:
“That
’sdadmama.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Sitdowny
ou’
l
lgetupwhenhe
openst
hedoor.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Lett
hem goMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembelihl
e:“No,mama.Theyknowt hey
shoul
dn’tdothatbecausetheycan’tbereal
l
y
suret
hat’shim.He’l
lshoutatthem andther
e’l
l
besad.”
MaCebekhulu:“Okay,si
tdownboy s.You’l
lget
upwheny ourfatheropensthedoor.”shetol
d
them andtheynoddedmar chi
ngbackt othe
couch.Theysatdownandkeptl ookingatthe
door.
Theysighedandsmi l
edwhenthedoorwas
openedDalisuappeared.Hel
ookedatt
heboy
s
fi
rstwhenhest eppedinsi
det
hehouse.
Dal
i
su:
“Awu,
baf
anabami
!
”
“BABA!”Theychantedandlaughedast heygot
offthecouch.Dali
susatonhischairandthey
threwthei
rbodiesonhim.Hel aughedholdi
ng
them upandplacedthem onhisthighs.
Dal
isu:
“Ni
njani
?”heaskedl
ooki
ngatt
hem
bot
h.
Boy
s:“
Wear
efi
neandhowar
eyou,
Mageba?
”
Dali
su:“
Ngiy
aphil
a.Besengi
nikhumbul
eyazi
.”(
I
missedyou.
)Thembeli
hlel
ookedat
MaCebekhul
uandshewassmi l
ingl
ooki
ngat
Dal
i
suandt
heboy
s.
Boys:
“Babanathibesesi
kukhumbul
e.Mom di
d
buywater
ingcansforuswiththemoneyt
hat
yougaveher.
”theyinf
ormedhim.
Dali
su:“
So,
nowy
oucanwat
erherf
lower
s?”he
asked.
Boy
s:“
Yebo,
baba.
”
Thembelihl
elookedatNdabezi nhleasDal i
su
wasst ar
ti
nganewconv ersat
ionwi ththetwins.
Ndabezinhl
ehadhi sbigeyeslookingathi s
fat
her.Thembeli
hlethenputhi m downsi ncehe
wasn’
tget t
ingatt
ention.Ndabezinhlequickl
y
scr
eamedandcr awledupt ohisfather
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Nakhoke!
”shecl
appedher
handsf
orNdabezi
nhl
e.
Thembelihl
e:“
Goseekf oratt
enti
ontoo.Yehhen!
MlamuliandMnot hoar
et heki
ngsnjehere.We
werenotevengreeted.
”Shecompl ai
nedand
MaCebekhululaughedlooki
ngather.
Dali
su:“
Hhey i
!Hecancr awlnow.Gi veyour
brot
herachance. ”Het oldt
het winsas
Ndabezinhlewasseat edont hefloornowcr y
ing
l
ookingathi sfat
her.Theboy snoddedandhe
putthem down.Theboy ssatont hei
rmot her’
s
chai
r.Het hencarri
edNdabezi nhleupandhe
keptqui
eti nst
antl
y.Dalisupl
ay edhim now.
Thembel
i
hle:“Hhay
i!Wewon’tbegreet
ed
mamasol etmego!”sheexcl
aimedandstood
up.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hawu!MaSt
hol
e?”
“Yhu!A.ah!
”Shemarchedclosert
oDalisuand
helookedather.Hetr
iedt
ohol dherhandbut
fail
edtoholdasThembeli
hleremoveditnear
his…
“Iwasgoingtogr eetyou.
”Dali
susaidstandi
ng
nexttohischairi
nsidethedini
ngtable.Hehad
Ndabezinhl
einhisar ms.Thembel
ihlewasbusy
sett
ingthedinnertabl
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Dal
isu:“Awu,MaSthol
eIdidn’
tcomehometo
hav
ey ougivi
ngmeanot hercol
dshoul
der
.Iwas
j
ustgreeti
ngtheboysfi
rst.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Iam notgi
vi
ngyouacol d
shoulderIj
ustsaidokay .
”Shecoul
dn’thidet
hat
hemadeherangr y.Notevenasimple
‘
Sawubona! ’shecompl ai
nedsi
lent
ly.She’
d
takenthispersonal…
Dal
i
su:
“Icanseet
haty
ouar
eangr
y.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iwon’tgetatt
enti
onsi
ncewe’l
l
havemorechil
drennow.Itwill
bethem,f
ir
st
andmelast.That’
sunfair
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Oh,
thi
sisaboutt
hepr
egnancy
?”
Thembelihl
e:“Idi
dn’
tsaythat.
”Shewal ked
awayandDal isuf
oll
owedher.Thembel i
hle
tur
nedandl ookedathim.“St
opf ol
l
owingme! ”
Shetoldhim.Dali
sulookedathersurprisedby
thesuddenangerthatshehadt owardshim.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam sor
ryt
hent
hatImadey
ou
pr
egnant
.”
Thembel ihl
e:“Mxm, leavemeal one.”Shesai
d
walkingbackt othedini
ngtablewiththelast
bowlsoft heirdinner
.Dalisuwasf oll
owingher
withoutawor d.TheyfoundMaCebekhul uand
theboy salr
eadyseat edont hetable.They
j
oinedt hem ont hetable.
Dal
i
su:
“Ml
amul
i
,pr
ay.
”
Theyal
lj
oinedandhandsthenMl amulibl
essed
thef
ood…Theythenbeganeatingtheirdi
nner.
Thembel
ihl
etookthebabyfrom Dali
su.
Mnot
ho:
“Baba?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Whydoy
oual
way
ssayMl
amul
imust
pr
ay?
”
Dali
su:
“He’
sthefi
rstpr
incet
hat
’swhyIal
way
s
sayhemustpray
.”
Mnot
ho:“Butweshar
easamebi
rt
hdayand
sameage.”
Dali
su:“
Yes,butMlamulii
sthef
ir
stpr
inceand
youarethesecondpri
nce.
”
Mnotho:“Oh!
”hesmil
edandlookedatMlamul
i
,
heshookheadsidet
osideandtheyshar
eda
hi
ghfive.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Doy
ouwantt
opr
ayMnot
ho?
”
Mnot
ho:“Yes,butt
hef
ir
stprincewi
ll
pray
.”
MaCebekhul
uandDali
sulaughed.
Ml
amul
i
:“Iwi
l
llety
oupr
ay,
tomor
row.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
youwi
l
ltaket
urnsi
npr
ayi
ng.
”
Boy
s:“
Okay
!”t
heysmi
l
ed.
Mnotho:
“Mom,
didy
ouheart
hat
?Iwi
l
lpr
ay
t
oo.”
Thembeli
hl e:“
Yes, t
hat’
sagoodt hing.
”She
comment edwi thasmi l
e.MaCebekhululooked
atherandwonder edwhatwaswr ongnow.She
di
dn’tl
ookf ineasshewasbef ore…The
conver
sationont hedinnert
ablewasbet ween
Dali
su,t
heboy sandMaCebekhul u.Thembeli
hle
wasj
ustqui
et…
“MaSthol
e?”MaCebekhul
ucal
ledThembel
i
hle
outasshewaspackingherdi
shesaft
er
washi
ngthem.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“What’
swrong,now.Youwere
happyandnowy oudon’
tlookhappy
.”She
askedl
ookingather
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tli
etomebecauseIcan
seet
hatsomethi
ngi
swr ong.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Ifeel
li
keIwon’tgethisat
tent
ion
i
fIkeepgivinghim morechi
ldren.Iwon’
tbeas
i
mportantast hem.”
“Oh,nkosiy
ami!”Shepull
edherclosert
oher
andshehuggedherasshewascr yi
ngnow.
“Don’tcr
yMaSthole.
”Shebeggedherand
brushedherback.Shedi
dt hatunt
il
Thembelihl
ewascal m.
MaCebekhulu:“
Nothi
ngliket
hatwil
lhappen
MaSthole.Mysonlovesyouandyourchil
dren,
equal
ly.Youhavenothi
ngtoworryaboutand
don’
tletthepr
egnancyhormonesgettoyou.”
Thembeli
hlesighedandnodded.“You’
regoi
ng
tobednowory ouar
estil
lgoi
ngtowatchTV
wit
htheboy sandthei
rfather
?”sheasked.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwi
l
lgowat
chTVwi
tht
hem.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,goodni
ght
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Goodni
ght
.”
Thembeli
hlel
efttheki
tchenandmadeherway
toherbedr
oom…Shechangedi nt
oherpyj
amas
andsatdownonherbed.Shet ookherphone
andcall
edGobela’swi
fe.
“Ndl
ovukazi
?”Gobel
a’
swi
feanswer
edt
he
phone.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Unj
ani
mama?
”
Her
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Thembelihl
e:“Ngiyaphil
a.Iam cal l
i
ngbecauseI
wanttoknowi fitwillbeconv enientf ormet o
comet omorrow?Ineedt oseeGobel a.”Even
thoughGobelawast heroy altraditional healer
.
InZulucult
ureit
’sinappropr iatef orawomanof
anotherhousetogost r
aightt ot hemanoft he
houseifshewant ssomet hingf r
om hi m.She
mustconsulthiswi fefi
rstandt hewi fewi l
l
speaktoherhusbandonbehal foft hatwoman.
Thembelihl
eknewt hatandsher espect edt hat…
Notthatpeoplemadeappoi ntment st ohis
wife…
Her
:“Iwil
laskhim ndl
ov ukazi
,pleasehol
d.”She
r
epl
iedadThembel ihl
epr omisedtowait.
“
Ndlovukazi
?”Shecalledherout.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
mamaIam her
e.”
Her:“Hesai
dhe’
ll
behere,j
ustl
ethi
m know
whattimeyouwouldtocomeandhe’
llbe
expecti
ngyout
hatti
me.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lcomeat10:
30.
”
Her
:“Okay
,he’
l
lbeexpect
ingy
out
hen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yabongamama,
nil
alekahl
e.”
Her
:“Ul
alekahl
enawe,
ndl
ovukazi
.
”
Shehungupt hecallandsi
ghedassheclosed
hereyes.Sheleanedbackonherheadboar
d.
Shetriedt
oplaceherhandontummybutshe
stoppedhalf
way …
“
Ar eyousleepi
ng?”Dal
i
suaskedThembel
i
hle
j
oiningherinbed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam not
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Di
dyouseet
oday
’snewspaper
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Idi
dn’
tbuyi
t.
”
Hegotupandwentt
ogethisnewspaper
…“Si
t
upandreadt
henewspaper
.”Hesai
dtappi
ng
herbums.
Thembeli
hle:“Whyareyoutappi
ngmybums
notshoul
derpho?”sheaskedandgiggledas
Dali
suwasl aughi
ng.Shesatupstr
aight.
Dal
isu:“
Yourbumsar
ethebi
ggestt
hingv
isi
ble
i
nthisbed.
”
“Si
es!Dal
isu!
”Sheexclai
medpushi nghis
shoul
derwithhershoul
der.Dali
sulaughedand
hel
dherhandf orbal
ance.“Angazi
uhlekani
.”
Sheadded.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ongi
fIt
apmywi
fe’
sbums?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’swrongbecausey
ouwer
e
supposedtotaphershoul
der.
”
Dali
su:“Oh,youwantmet otapy ourbumsonly
whenthey’r
enaked? ”heaskedtouchingher
thi
gh.Thembel i
hlel
aughedandtookt he
newspaperfrom him.Helookedatherasher
happyfaceturnedintoashockafterreadi
ng
abouthersister
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
thi
scan’
tbet
rue.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam af
rai
diti
str
ue.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wher
e’smysi
sternow?She’
sin
pri
son?
”
Dali
su:
“Thepol
icear
elooki
ngf
orher
,youdon’
t
knowwhere’
sshe?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Idon’
tknow.
”
Dali
su:“Hhayi
!Iam sur
ethepoli
cewill
come
overheretoquest
ionyouaboutyoursi
ster
’s
whereabouts.
”
Thembelihle:“
Ijustwonderwheresheiswi
th
thechil
dren.”Sheworri
edlyl
aidherheadonhi
s
arm andDal i
suheldher.
Dali
su:“She’shasgambledwi thpeople’
sliv
es
foralongtime.Idon’tev
enwantt othinkoft he
sentencethey’
llgi
veher.
”Thembel i
hlejustcried.
Dali
suheldherar msandl ookedather.“Why
areyoucryingnow? ”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:“Iwasjustl
ooki
ngforwar
dt o
havi
ngarelat
ionshi
pwithmysist
erandnow,
she’
l
lbetakenawayf r
om me.That’
sunfai
r.
”
Dali
susi
ghedandplacedheronhi
schest
.
“Don’
tcr
ynow.Please.
”Hebeggedher
massagi
ngherscal
pwi
thhi
sfi
nger
s.
Thembelihl
e:“Canwepr ayandsleep?”she
request
edsof t
lyandDalisunodded.Theyj
oi ned
handsandpr ayedbutDalisuendeduppraying
aloneasThembel i
hlewasj ustcr
ying…Dal
isu
didhisbesttocalm herdown…

Thembel i
hlewasbathi
ngupi nt
hemor ni
ngshe
waspr epari
nghersel
fforhermeet
ingwit
h
Gobela.Shesighedandtookherphonetocal
l
Thokozani.
Thokozani
:“Si
si?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Unj
ani
bhut
i?”
Thokozani
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
la.Ihavej
ustr
eadabout
Thokozi
lel
astni
ght.WhereissheThokozani
?I
knowthatshespeakswithyou.Wher
eisshe?”
Thokozani
sighedandr
epl
i
ed.“
She’
sinour
fat
her’
shouse.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
WHAT!AREYOUI NSANE?
”she
shout
edandstoodonherf
eet
.
Thokozani:“
WhatwasIsupposedt
odo?I
wasn’tsupposedt
ohel
pher?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam notsayi
ngthatbutwhen
Dali
sucanlearnaboutthi
she’
l
l quar
rel
withme.
He’l
lsayIknewaboutthis.
”
Thokozani
:“No,
itwon’
tbel
i
ket
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Howdoy
ouknow?Andwher
ear
e
herchi
l
dren?”
Thokozani
:“They
’reher
ewi
thme.
”
Thembelihle:“Oh, dearGod!Whyar emenso
slowwheni tcomest ousingtheirminds? ”she
askedinfrust rat
ion.“Youcan’tdot hat
Thokozani.Youneedt ocallMusaandt ellhi
m
tocomet aket hekidsbecausei fthepolicecan
fi
ndherchi l
dr eniny ourhouseitwon’ tbeeasy
foryoutocov erherup.Doy ouwantt ogot oj
ail
andleavey ourchi l
drenwithoutpar ents?”she
asked.
Thokozani:“No,Idon’
twantt
hat.Youareri
ght
si
si.Iwil
lhav etocal
lMusabeforethepol
i
ce
gethere.Ican’tl
eavemychil
dren.
”
Thembel
ihl
esi
ghed.“
Ijustcan’
tbel
i
evey
out
wo
l
iedtome.”
Thokozani
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Cool
.”Shehungupt hecalland
clickedhertongue.Shewasangr yt hatt
hey
shutherouti neveryt
hingtheydid.Theyhad
theirownsecr et
sasifshewasn’ ttheirf
ami l
y.
Shedi dn’
tfeelli
kefamilyastheykeptsecr et
s
from her…
[
04/
15,
18:
47]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE48

“
Mama,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”Mnot
hoasked
Thembel i
hlehewasjumpingonThembeli
hle’
s
bedwi t
hMl amul
i.Thembeli
hlewasget
ti
ng
dressed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Getof
fmybed,
please.
”
Mlamuli
:“Buty
ou…hav
en’
tfi
xthebed…mama
l
etusjump.”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yourfat
herissti
l
linsi
det
he
houseandhe’ll
whipyouifhecanseeyou
j
umpingonhi sbedli
kethat.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“No,
hewon’
t.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam warni
ngyou!Thatpart
y
won’tendwellj
ustgetoffmybed.Mlamulino
Mnotho.”shel
ookedatthem t
yingherdoek.
Theylaughedandignor
edhercompletel
y.
Dali
suopenedt hedoorandhi
seyeswent
st
raighttothebedwheretheboyswere
j
umpi ng.“Whatareyoudoi
ng!
”Heaskedthem
fi
rmlyandt heyst
oppedjumpi
ng.Theyl
ookedat
thei
rmotherandshegavet
hem anodt
hatwas
accompaniedbyasmil
e.
Dal
isu:
“Ngi
buzeukuthi
nenzani!
”heasked
marchi
ngtohi
sclosett
heyjustknewthathe
wasgoingt
ogethisbelt
.
Thembelihl
e:“Run!
”Shewhisperedandthey
quickl
yheldthebedcovers,
theythensl
i
dof f
thebed.Theyranoffthebedroom..
.
“Wherear
ethey
,now?
”Dal
i
suaskedhol
dinghi
s
bel
t.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theyr
anof
f.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youdi
dn’
ttel
lthem t
orun?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
theyfi
gur
edoutthemselves
thatt
heyneededt
orun.Idi
dn’
ttel
lthem t
o
run.
”
Dal
isu:“
WhydoIgetthef
eel
i
ngt
hatIdon’
t
t
rustyouri
ghtnow?
”
“Hee!Idon’
tknowthen.
”Sherepl
i
edgett
ingup
herchair
.Shewenttohi
m andgavehi
m her
back.Dal
i
sut
henz
ippedherdr
essup.
Dal
i
su:
“Int
hefir
stpl
acewhydi
dyoul
ett
hem
j
umponthebed?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theydon’
tli
stenwhent
hey
’re
l
aughi
ng.
”
Dalisu:“
Theyshoul
dr espectthatbedbecause
that’swherewemakemor esi bli
ngsforthem.
”
hecomment edandThembel ihlelaughed
holdinghimintoahug.Dalisul aughedal
ong
withher.“I
t’
sthetr
uth.”Headded.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,t
heydon’
tknowt
hat
.They
thi
nkIdri
nkthei
rsibl
i
ngsdowntomy
stomach.
”
Dal
isulaughedandheldherf
ace.“Ilovey
ou.”
hetol
dherandt heyshar
edabriefinti
mate
ki
ss…
Dal
i
su:
“Whenwi
l
lyoucomeback?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.”Sher
epl
iedhol
dinghishandas
t
heywalkedoutoft
hehousel
eavingtheboys
sti
l
lhi
dingfr
om thei
rfat
her
.“ButwhenIam
doneIwil
lj
ustcomebackhome. ”shet
oldhi
m.
Dali
su:“
Okay,
Igetthatyouar
egoi
ngtohim
ri
ghtnowbutit
’snotenoughMaSt
hol
e.You
needtogototheDoctor.
”
“
It
’sst
il
lear
lyf
orthat
.”Shesaidst
eppi
nginside
t
hecar.Dal
i
suwashol di
ngthedoorf
orher.She
l
ookedathi
m nowasshewasseat eddown.
Dalisu:
“There’snot
hingli
ket
hatMaSt
hol
e
pleasedon’ttell
methat.Ory
ouwantmeto
forceyoutogo? ”
Thembeli
hle:“
No. ”Sher epl
iedl
ookingatthe
ti
meonherwr i
stwat ch.“Gobel
adoesn’tl
ike
someonewhocomesl atesocany ouletme
go?”sherequested.
Dal
isunoddedkeepingtheey
econtactwi
thher
andheclosedthedoor.Hemarchedtohi
scar…
Mduduzidroveoff
…
“
Whatar
eyouaf
rai
dofndl
ovukazi
?”Gobel
a
askedThembelihle.Shewasseat eddownon
thereedmatinsideGobela’shut.Thembel
ihl
e
hadtoldhimthatshef eel
sthatshewas
pregnantandheconf i
rmedt hatshewas.Now
shehadt ol
dhim howshef eelsaboutthe
pregnancy.
Thembel i
hle:“
Inearlydi
edonthel ast
pregnancyandIwassupposedt owaitabout18
to24mont hsunti
lIcantryf
orthebabyagain
butnowIam pr egnant.Whatdot heancest
ors
say?Cant heyprotectmeandthisbaby ?
”
Gobela:“Let
’sseewhatt heysay.”Hesaid
shaki
nghi sboneswi t
hhiskneesont hef l
oor
.
Hethenr equest
edThembel ihletobl
owi ntot
he
bagandshedi dt hat
.Gobela’sshoul
ders
convulsedasar esponsetothespiri
ts.
..
Thembelihl
ehadherheadl ooki
ngdownwhi l
e
wait
ingforGobel
at ofi
nishup.Sheonlyrai
sed
herheadatthesoundoft hebonesscatt
eri
ng.
Shelookedathim andshesawhi m,smil
e,nod
andshaki
nghi
sshoul
der
slast
ly.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdoy
ousee?
”
Gobel
a:“Youdon’
thavetostressyourself
ndl
ovukazi
.Theancestor
sprotectthei
rown.
Theworryandstr
essthatisi
ny ourhearti
t
shoul
dbenomor enow. ”
Thembel
ihl
esi
ghedandsai
d:“
That
’sar
eli
ef,
mkhul
u.”
Gobela:“
Iwill
makei zi
mbi zaezi
mbili
andyou’
ll
havetodrinkthem both.Halfagl
assonboth
bot
tlesaft
eryourmor ningmeals.Youwon’
t
haveaproblem.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Akubongwa!
”
Gobel
a:“
Yebo,y
oucangondl
ovukazi
Iwi
l
lsend
t
hem toyout
omorr
ow.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay.”Thembelihl
ekneel
eddown
andcl
appedherhands.“Thokozamkhulu!
”she
sai
d.
Gobel
a:“
Ndl
ovukazi
!
”
Shegotupandl eftt
hehutwit
habur denl
ift
ed
offherhear
t.Shehadnochoicethentoaccept
thatshewashav i
ngababythatshedidn’
t
plan…
-
--
--
ThokozanihadthoughtThembeli
hle’
s
suggesti
onthroughandhedecidedthathewas
goingtocall
Musat ocomegethischildr
en.He
didn’
twanttobecaughtinthemiddleof
Thokozil
e’
smess…
Hesighedbefor
edi
all
i
ngMusa’ snumber.The
phonerangandhedi
dn’tanswerthecal
l
.He
tr
iedagai
nandheansweredthist
imearound.
Musa:
“Hel
l
o.”
Thokozani
:“Hel
lo,
Musai
t’
sme,
Thokozani
.
Thokozi
le’
ssist
er.
”
Musa:“Iam sorr
yfornotansweri
ngIjustsaw
anunsavednumberanddi dn’
tanswer.The
j
ournal
istsareonmybackt heseday
showar e
y
ou?
”
Thokozani
:“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Musa:“Iam t
ryi
ng,
Icall
edy
oursi
ster
concer
ningmychil
dren.
”
Thokozani
:“Yes,that’
swhyIam cal lingyou
now.Ineedy outocomeandgett hechil
dren
tomorr
owbecauseast hechildrenareher ewi
th
me.Thepolicemi ghtcomet olookf or
Thokozi
leandt hey’
ll
thinkIknowwher eshe
i
s.”
Musa:
“Don’
tyouknowwher
eshei
s?”
Thokozani
:“No,Idon’
t.Shejustaskedmeto
taket
hechil
drenandsai dshe’l
lhavetol
eav
e.
Shethenlef
tthem wit
hme. ”
Musa:“
Okay,Iwi
l
lcomet
aket
hem t
omor
row.
Thankyouf
orcal
li
ngme.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,sur
e.”
Musa:
“Sur
e.”
Thokozani
gotupf r
om hisbedandwenttot he
l
oungewher ethekidswer ewatchi
ngTV.Hesat
downandr equestedthatSandytur
ndownt he
vol
ume.Shedi dthatandt heyal
ldi
rect
edtheir
att
enti
ontohim.
Thokozani
:“Ij
ustgotof
fthephonewi
thy
ou
fat
her.
”
Chi
l
dren:
“Real
l
y?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,andhe’
l
lcomeher
etomor
row.
He’l
lthent
akey ouhomesincey
ourmot
her
cannotbewithyou.”
Thetwot eenagegirl
shav eseent heart
icl
e
abouttheirmotheront heinternet.Theydi
dn’
t
askThokozani aboutthear t
icletheycould
underst
andi tv
erywell andtheywer eangr
ywit
h
thei
rmot her
.Theyhav elostf ai
thinher.
Juni
or:
“Whenwi
l
lshebewi
thus?
”
Si
ndy:
“She’sgoi
ngtoj
ail
andso,
she’
l
lnotbe
wi
thus.”shebur
st.
Thokozani
:“SI
NDY!”HeroaredatherasJunior
begancryi
ngatthewordsthatt
heirsi
sterhad
sai
dtohim.
Sindy
:“I
t’
sthet
rut
hMal ume.Mamal
i
edt
ous
andnowwewi l
lneverseeher
.”
Sandy:“
She’snotthemothert
hatweusedto
know.Iam hurtbyher
.”shegotupandSi
ndy
gotupafterher.
Thokozani
:“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngnow?
”
Sandy:“Wewil
lgoandpackourbagsandt he
boys’bags.
”Sherepl
iedandtheyl
eftherwi
th
thei
rcryi
ngyoungerbrot
her
…
-
--
-
“Mageba,tomorrowIam goi
ngt oRichar
dsbay
tovi
sitmybr ot
her.
”Thembeli
hleinfor
med
Dali
su.Shewasbusymassagi nghisshoulder
s
wit
hbi ooil
.Theywerebothontheirbed.
Thembelihl
ewasonherkneesbehi ndDalisu.
Dal
i
su:
“You’
l
lgot
omor
rowandcomeback
t
omor
row.No,
sleepi
ngov
er.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,
IknowandIwi
l
lgowi
tht
he
boys.Thethr
eeofthem.
”
Dali
su:“Okay,youhavet
ogoi nthemorni
ng
becausey ouknowthatyou’
ll
havetobether
ein
themeetingthatwil
lbeheldwit
hPreci
ous’
s
parent
s.”
Thembeli
hle:“Ist
il
ldon’
tgetwhyshoul
dher
parent
sbesummonedbecausePr eci
ousis
al
readysuf
f er
inginpri
sonhospi
tal
.She’
ssick
andherpoorchi l
dissi
ck.Whydotheywanther
parent
snow? ”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
easki
ngt
hewr
ongper
son.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!
”shest
oppedmassagi
ng
hi
m.
“Yes,youweresupposedtoaskGobel
a.”He
saidtaki
ngherhandsandputti
ngthem backon
hisshoulder
s.“
Ihaven’
thadenoughyet.
”He
tol
dher .
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihopethey’
llhel
pthepoorchi
l
d.”
shecommentedproceedi
ngwiththemassage.
Dal
isu:
“May
bet
heywi
l
lify
oucanaskt
hem
t
o.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youhav
enopr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?”
Dali
su:“No.”herepl
i
edandt heyexchanged
posi
tions.Thembeli
hlesatdownandDal i
su
massagedhershoul der
.“Hhayi
!Don’tmoanit’
s
j
ustamassage. ”Het ol
dherasThembel i
hle
wasrespondingtothepleasi
ngfeeli
ngwitha
moan.
Shel
aughedandsai
d:“
Justl
eavemeal
oneand
l
etmefeelt
hist
hewayIwant.
”Shegi
ggl
ed.
Dal
isu:“
Okay,
howdi
dyourappoi
ntmentwi
th
Gobelago?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Itwentwell
andhesai
dIhav
e
nothi
ngt
oworryabout.
”
Dal
isu:“
Okay
,thatmeansy
ou’
l
lgot
othe
Doctor
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
butnott
omor
row.
”
Dal
isu:“
Youneedtogobef
oreyoust
art
pl
anningyourr
est
aur
antl
aunch.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yeah,y
ou’
llgowit
hme?Buta.ah
j
ustdon’
tcomewithme.Iwil
lgoal
lbymyself
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo!Whynot
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youkeptaski
ngif‘
I
’will
gotothe
Doct
ornot‘
we’wil
lgototheDoct
or.So,t
hat
meansIam bymysel
finthi
s.”
Dali
su:“
Ey.Aveweyi
sawena!
”heexcl
aimed
t
ickl
ingherandThembel
i
hlel
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“St
op!You’
l
lwakemybaby
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whi
chone?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Dal
isu!Theonethat
’ssleepi
ng!”
shelaughedlouderandDali
suonlystopped
ti
ckl
ingherwhenhi sphonerang.“
Yhu!
AkabongweuJesu. ”ShecommentedasDal isu
wasleavingthebed.
Dal
i
su:“
Iwi
l
lcomeback.
”hesai
dmar
chi
ngt
o
t
hedoor
.
Thembelihl
e:“
Hhaybo!Whyar
eyouleavi
ngthe
ri
ngingphone?Who’scal
l
ingy
outhatyouhave
toleaveme?”
Dal
isu:
“It
’sNjongo’
scal l
.Iaskedhi
mt ocal
lme
whenhe’sback.”hesaidthrowingt
hephoneon
t
hebed.“Sati
sfyyourself
.”Headdedandlef
t
t
hehouse…Thembel ihletookhisphone…
“Tel
lmewhathappened?”Dal
i
suaskedNjongo,
theywerest
andi
ngoutsi
deThembeli
hle’
s
kit
chen.
Njongo:“
Ijustgotbackfrom t
hehouseand
she’st
here,ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“She’
sther
e?”her
aisedhi
svoi
ce.
Nj
ongo:“
Yes,
shewassleepi
ngwi
thl
i
ght
s
t
urnedof
fint
hehouse.
”
Dal
isu:“
Tsk!Doyouthinkmywi
feandher
br
otherknowsaboutthis?
”
Njongo:“Idon’
tknowndabezi tha.Ican’
treal
l
y
saythatIknow.”Dalisukeptquietand
drummedhi sfingerstogether
.“WhatshouldI
do?Ishouldjustletherstayinthehouse?”he
asked.
Dali
su:
“Letherstayinthehouse?Howcany
ou
askmet hatquest
ion?”
Nj
ongo:“Iam sorr
y…Ithi
nkIwil
lhav
et ocall
t
hepoli
cet henoryou’
l
ltal
ktondl
ovukaziabout
t
hisf
ir
st?”
Dali
su:“Call
thepolice.”Hegavehi m abrupt
i
nstruct
ions.“Justdot hat
.”Herepeat edand
Njongonodded…Dal i
suwentbacki nsidethe
housenotsur ewhatt othi
nk!Hedi dn’tknow
whetherThembel i
hleknewaboutt hi sorshe
di
dn’t…Butthatwasonl ywaytofindout …
“Di
dy ouknowthatyoursi
sterissti
llher
e?”
Dali
suaskedlooki
ngatThembel ihl
e.Shewas
busytal
kingtoNozi
busisousingDalisu’
sphone.
Hehadai rt
imeandThembelihlehadlit
tl
e.
Thembelihl
e:“
Look,wewi l
lspeaksomeother
ti
me.”Shesaiddroppingt
hecallaft
ert
hey’
ve
sai
dtheirgoodby
es.Shet hengaveDal
isuhi
s
phone.Hewasseat ednexttohernow.
Dali
su:“
Whywereyouusi
ngmyphone?
”he
askedchecki
nghi
sbal
ance.
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
thav
eai
rt
imet
hat
’swhyI
usedyourphone.
”
Dali
su:“HAWU! ”Heexcl ai
medandshowedher
thebalance.Thembel i
hlefol
dedherli
psand
widenedherey es.“Don’
tactsurpr
isehowmany
peopledidyoucal l
?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justt
wopeopl
e.”
Dali
su:“
Don’
tleaveyourphonel
yi
ngar
ound
becauseIwi
ll
takemymoneyback.Iwil
lbuy
ai
rti
meusingyourbankaccount
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Wow!So, y
oul i
edwheny ou
vowedthatyou’l
ltakecareofme? ”sheasked
l
ookingathim wit
hsurprisedeyes.
Dal
i
su:“
IvowedbutIdi
dn’
tsayIwi
l
lal
l
owy
ou
t
oconeme.”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandsaid:
“Let
’st
alkabout
whatyouwantedtospeakaboutwhenyougot
here.
”
Dal
isu:
“Yeah,
didy
ouknowt
haty
oursi
steri
s
st
il
lher
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“St
il
lwher
e?”
Dali
su:“Don’
tpr
etendasi
fyoudon’t
underst
andwhatIam say
ingt
oy ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ely
ing.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam notl
yi
ng.
”
Dal
isu:
“Okay,
fineIhavecal
l
edthepol
i
cet
o
comegetyoursist
er.
”Heinf
ormedher
abr
uptl
y.
“WHAT? ”Sheexclai
medandr
oughlyhel
dhi
m
sothathecouldfacehi
m.Dal
isusawshewas
angryandthatwasevi
denttohimthatshe
knew.“Howcany oudothi
s?”sheasked
l
ookingathim.
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
thol
dmel
i
ket
his.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,
answermyquest
ion.Whydi
d
youdothi
s? ”
Dali
su:“I
sn’ty
oursi
steracr
imi
nal
andso,
she
deserv
est obeinj
ail
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“She’
smysi st
erDal
i
su.Howcan
youdothi
swi t
houttel
l
ingme?”
Dali
su:“
Thet hreeofy ouwentagai nstmywor d.
Youkepty oursist
erher eevenafterIhave
madeitclearthatIdon’twantherher e.Idon’
t
wantherinmyv il
l
ageandso, she’
llhavetogo
backwhereshebel ongs.”
“TSK!”Sheexclai
medandletgoofhim.Dal
isu
heldherhandasshewasget t
ingofft
hebed.
“Ngiy
eka!Ungibambel
ani
?”sheasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tfor
getwho’
swr
ongbet
weenus
anddon’
tactasify
ouar
enotwr
ongbecause
youwentagai
nstmyword.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
ehear
dyou,
nowl
etgoof
me.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
enotsorr
y?Youdon’
thav
eany
wor
dstoj
ust
if
ywhatyoudi
d?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
andIam notsor
ry.
”
“
Okay.”HeletgoofherhandandThembel
i
hle
l
efthi
mf orthebat
hroom…
Inthemor ni
ngThembel i
hlewasqui etint
he
dini
ngt able.Mlamul iandMnot hower ehavi
nga
conversationwitht heirf
ather.Shewasst i
l
l
angrythatDal i
sudi dwhathedi dt
ohersister.
Hedi dn’teventel
l her.Hejustdidwhathe
thoughtwasr i
ght!Hedi dn’tt
hinkofherfeeli
ngs,
hedidn’t,notevenf orasecond!
Mnot
ho:
“Mama?Youdon’
tli
ket
hef
ood?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes,
youar
enoteat
ing.
”
Dal
i
sul
ookedatherpl
ateandshewasn’
teat
ing.
Shewasj
ustpl
ayi
ngherf
ood.
Thembelihl
erai
sedherheadandl ookedatthe
boys.“
Iam eati
ngnow. ”shesai
dshowingt hem
herspoonasshesenti ttohermouth…They
boyssmi l
edastheysawhereat i
ng.Shethen
ateherfoodfort
heirsake…
Thembeli
hlewasdressingupforhertri
ptoher
brot
her
’shouseinRichardsbay.Dal
isuwalked
i
nsidet
hebedroom whileshewasf i
nishi
ngup.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Tomybr
other
’shouseIt
oldy
ou
yest
erday
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
enotgoi
ngt
her
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whynot
?”
Dali
su:“You’v
ebeenfool
ingmeher
eandnow
you’
llj
ustleave?Youar
enotgoi
ngany
where.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
IfThokozil
ewasSgwi l
iwouldyou
havesenthimtoj ai
l
?Imeanhehaswr onged
youbefor
ebutt hatsti
l
ldoesn’
tchangethefact
thathe’
sy ourbl
ood.So,
woul
dyouhav
esent
himtoprison?”
Dali
su:“Idon’
tknowbutIknowt hatIwouldn’
t
beinvolvedi
nhidi
nghi mf r
om thepoli
ce.Did
youevent hi
nkaboutthefactthatthepoli
ce
weregoi ngt
ochargey ouforkeepingyour
sist
erfrom t
helaw?Didy outhinkaboutthe
media?Theywer egoi
ngt osayy ouwer ein
supportofyoursi
ster
.Howmanyt i
meshas
phonerangsincethenewspaperar ti
cle?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thi
sisnotaboutt
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’saboutwhat
?”
“It
’sabouty
ougoingbehi ndmybackand
getti
ngmysisterarr
ested.Ididn’
tev
enknow
thatshewashereIlearntthatadaybef
orethe
newspaperart
icl
e.”Sheelaboratedt
aki
ngher
bag.
Dal
i
su:
“Isai
dyouar
enotl
eav
ingThembel
i
hle.
”
“
Wat
chme!
”Shesai
dandl
eftDal
i
sushocked.
Hecli
ckedhistongueandt
ookhi
sphone.He
cal
l
edNj ongo.
Nj
ongo:
“Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
i
su:“
Tel
lMduduzit
haty
ouar
enotdr
ivi
ng
mywif
eanywher
e.”
Mduduzi
:“He’
sal
readyst
art
ingt
hecar
-”
Dali
su:“Idon’
tcar
e.Youarenotdri
vi
ngherand
nobodyshoulddri
veheranywher
e.Doyou
underst
and?”
Nj
ongo:
“Ndabezi
tha.
”Dal
isuhungupt
hecal
l
…
Hewant
edtoseeherleav
enow…
[
04/
16,
18:
06]Ron:
S3,
EPI
SODE49

“Mduduzi,Ndabezit
hasai ddon’
tdri
ve.”Nj
ongo
sai
dst andi
ngbyMduduzi ’
ssideout
sidethecar.
Whenheanswer edDalisu’
scallhewasn’t
i
nsidethecar.Thembel i
hlewasseatedatthe
backseat…Mduduzi lookedbackatThembelihl
e
butshewast oobusyonherphonet ohearwhat
theywer
etal
ki
ngabout
.Het
henst
oppedt
he
car.
“What’
swrongnow?
”Thembel
i
hleaskedr
aisi
ng
herhead.
Mduduzi
: “
Njongohadjusttol
dmet hat
Ndabezi
thasaidIshoul
dn’tdr
ivey
ou.”
Boys:
“HAWU!
”theywer
edi
sappoi
ntedatt
he
news.
Thembeli
hle:
“MnothoandMl
amuligoback
i
nsidet
hehouse.”Shesai
dst
eppi
ngoffthe
car
.
Boy
s:“
Hawu!Mama?
”
Thembelihle:
“Don’thawumamame.Justgo! ”
shepointedthehouseandt heboy sheadedt o
thehousewi thsaddisappointedfaces.She’
d
decidedthatshewasl eavi
ngNdabezi nhl
e…She
thenmarchedt othegat ewi
t hherbag.She
wasn’tgoingtoletDali
sustopherf rom leav
ing,
shedecidedasshewal kedaway …Nj ongo
f
oll
owedher
.
Njongo:
“Ndl
ovukazi
,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng
now?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
ltakeat
axi
orhi
ke.
”
Njongo:“No,youcan’
tdot
hat
.Thekinghas
saidthatyoushoul
dn’
tgoandso,
pleasedon’
t
go.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwantt
ogot
omybr
otherwhat
’s
wrongwi
ththat
?”
“What’swrongi sthatItoldy ounott ogobut
yourstubbornheadi sstillgoingagainstmy
word.Gobacki nsi
dethehouse, now!”He
i
nstructedhershowi nghert hehouse…
Thembel i
hlelookedaroundatt heguar dsthat
wereneart hem andshewal kedbacki nsi
dethe
housebecauseoft hei
rpr esence…Sheputher
bagont hecouchandl eftthehousepl oddi
ngat
thebackoft hehousewi thaspoonandphone.
Shesatdownont hebencht hatshegr abbedon
thewayout .Shepokedt hesoi landbegan
eat
ingi
t.Shewasangryandso,shej
ustcr
ied
asshecouldn’
tcont
rol
heranger.
Herphonerangandshet
ookitoffherpocket
.
Shewipedhertear
sandanswer
edt hecal
l.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Bhut
i?”
Thokozani
:“Wai
t,ar
eyoucr
ying?
”
Thembelihl
e:“No,Iam notcr
ying.”Sheli
ed
tr
yingtokeepholdofheremot ions.Theywer
e
dri
vinghercrazy
.
Thokozani
:“What
’swr
ong?You’
vehear
dof
Thokozi
le’
sarr
est
?”
Thembel ihle:“No,butIam nolongercoming
thatside.Theki ngrefused.He’
st heonewho
gotherar rested.Hef oundoutthatshewas
l
ivinginourf ather’
shouseandhecal l
edt
he
policeonher .”
Thokozani
:“Now,he’sangr
ywit
hyou?That’
s
whyyouarenol ongercomi
ngoverher
e?”he
askedwhathehadt heanswert
o.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Thokozani
:“So,
that
’swhyy
ouar
ecr
ying?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Eh…Forgetaboutme,
wher
edi
d
youhearaboutherar
rest
?”
Thokozani
:“Ihear
dint
henews.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Whatshoul
dwedo?Theyt
ook
hert
oDurban?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
theydi
d.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dal
i
sudi
dthi
s.”
Thokozani:“No!Thokozi ledi
dthisnottheking.
Howdoy out hinkshewasgoi ngt okeepon
runningfr
om t hepol i
ce?Theywer egoingto
fi
ndherany way .Don’tmakeami stakeof
rui
ningyourmar r
iagebecauseofThokozil
e.
There’snothi
nggoodshehasdonei nyourl
ife.
”
Thembeli
hlesi
ghed.“
Wewon’
tgot
oseeher
?”
sheasked.
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
lgobutIdoubtt
hatDal
i
sui
s
goi
ngt
oal
l
owy
out
ogo.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Thi
sisunfai
rIthoughtIwas
goi
ngt ogetachanceofhav i
ngar ealsi
ster
.I
don’tevenhaveaclueofhowshei sasagood
si
ster.”
Thokozani
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’sokay
.Musawi
l
lcomet
otake
thechi
l
dren?”
Thokozani:
“Yes,hecal
l
edi
nthemor
ningt
hat
he’
sonhi sway.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,wewi
l
lspeak.Ihav
etogo
now.”
Thokozani
:“By
e.”
Thembel ihl
egotupandmarchedtot
hehouse
eati
ngt heredsoil
…HefoundDali
suandthe
boysint hekit
chenmaki
ngabananashakeon
theblender.
Mnot
ho:“Hawu,
baba.Bukaumamaudl
a
i
nhl
abat
hi.
”
Dali
suturnedandlookedatThembel i
hleshe
walkedpassthem wit
hhersoil.Dal
isudidn’
t
commentandt heboy sl
ookedateachot heras
thei
rfat
herwasn’tsayi
nganything.
Ml
amul
i
:“Baba,
whydi
dn’
tyousayany
thi
ng?
”
Dali
su:“That
’sbecauseyourfat
herhadnothi
ng
tosay.”Hetol
dthem short
ly.Hethenl
if
ted
them upandputthem onthekit
chenisl
and.
“Wewi ll
havethi
sbananadrinkandthenwewi l
l
bestrongmenaf t
erokay?”Heasked.
Boy
s:“Yebo,baba.
”Theysmi
leddel
i
ght
edl
y
movi
ngtheirheadssi
detosi
de…

Inthemor ning,Dali
suandThembel i
hlewer e
dressingupf orthemeeti
ng.Theywer ebot h
quiet,they’
vebeenqui etsi
ncethenightt hat
Dalisut ol
dherhegothersi st
erarrested.
Thembel i
hlewasbusyt yi
ngherdoekandDal i
su
wasst r
ugglingtoputonhiscuffl
inksonhi s
shirt.Hewast ooproudtoaskThembel ihle’
s
hel
pandso, hekepttr
ying…Thembeli
hleheld
hi
swristsandtookthecuffl
inksf
rom hi
shand.
Shehelpedhim andmov edbacktot
hemi r
ror
whenshewasdone.
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
‘
Yeah!Youarenothi
ngwi t
houtme! ’Sher
epl
ied
si
lent
lyandgavehim noresponse.Shebent
downandwor ehershoes.
Dali
su:“Idon’tl
i
kethefactthaty
ouar eeati
ng
soi
l.That’
snotgoodf ort
hebaby .Idi
dn’twant
tosayany t
hingyest
erdayinthepresenceofthe
boys.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Ifyoucanhelpmebl ockthe
cravi
ngsIwi l
lstopeati
ngit.
”Shet oldhim
taki
ngherbagandDal i
susaidnot hingashe
knewt hathecoul dneverdot hat…Hecoul dn’t
helpwithstoppi nghercrav
ingsandhedi dn’t
wanttot ellherthatshecouldtryandcont rol
hercravings.Heknewshe’ dnev erbeengoodat
that…Thembel i
hlethenl
efttheroom seeing
t
hathewasn’
tsay
ingany
thi
ng…
“Iwil
lcomebackandwewi l
ldothepai
ntingsI
promisedyou, okay?”Thembelihl
epromisedthe
boyskneelingbeforethem.Theywer eseated
ontheircushionsintheloungesulki
ngthatthei
r
parentswereleavingwithoutthem.
Mlamul
i:
“You’
l
lcomebackl
atemamaandwe
won’
tpai
nt.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
wewi
l
l.
”
Dali
su:“Let
’sgo.”Hesai
dst andi
ngbyt hedoor
.
“Wewi l
lcomebacky oudon’thav et
osulkasif
wear enotcomingback.”hetoldtheboys
str
aight
forward.Theyl
ookedatt hei
rmother
andThembel i
hlehuggedthem thenshegotup.
Shewalkedoutwi thDal
isu…
Thembeli
hle:
“It
hinki
t’
sti
met
hatwedi
scuss
school
fortheboys.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tseeaschool
sui
tabl
efort
hem
ar
oundher
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“So, whatwil
lwedo?Anddon’ ttel
l
meaboutboar dingschoolbecausetheywi
l
l not
gother
e.They’ll
notliv
eawayf rom me.”
Dal
i
su:
“Idi
dn’
tsayt
heywi
l
l.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“So,
whatar
eyousay
ing?
”
Dal
isu:“
Wewi l
lneedt of
indsomeonewho’
l
l
gi
vethem ext
raclasses.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Theywi
l
lat
tendal
ocal
school
andhaveat ut
or?
”
“Yes,
sincet heydi
dn’tgotopr e-
school.They
’l
l
needext r
aat t
enti
on.
”Her epli
edclosingthe
dooraftersteppi
nginsidethecarwith
Thembel i
hle.“Whatdot hi
nk?”heasked.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ithinkthat
’sbett
er.
”Sherepli
ed
taki
ngoutherringingphone.Sheansweredthe
call
ofanunknownnumber .Itwasapri
soncall
.
Sheacceptedthecall.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Thokozile:
“Hell
o,Thembeli
hle.It
’sme
Thokozile.
”Shegreetedbackwi t
hashaki
ng
voice.She’
dspentani ghti
nprisonandi
twas
themosthor r
ibl
eplaceshe’dbeento.
Thembeli
hlelookedatDal
isuandshi
ft
ed
awkwardl
y.“Howar eyoudoing?
”Sheaskedon
asoftv
oice.
Thokozi
l
e: “Iam amess,thisplaceishor
ribl
e
andscaryIhav ej
ustgotbeat enonmyf i
rst
ni
ghthere.Thembelihl
e,pleasehelpme.Iam
beggi
ngy ou.”shecr
iedpainfull
yand
Thembeli
hleplacedherhandonherchest .
Thembel
i
hle:
“HowcanI
?”
Thokozi
le:“
Ineedal awyer
.Ican’
taff
ordone
ri
ghtnowbecauset heyhavefr
ozenallmy
account
s.Ihavenothingonmyname.
Thembelihl
e,pl
easehelpme.Myt i
mei sup,
pl
ease-”
Herti
meendedbefor
eThembeli
hlecoul
d
answerher
.Shecl
osedherey
esandplacedher
phonedown.Shej ustcoul dn’
tbel
iev
ewhatwas
happening?Andshedi dn’tknowwhet hert
o
hel
pherorj ustl
etherfacet heconsequences
offool
ingthelaw.Shesi ghed.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Nothi
ng.”Sherepl
iedwit
hout
l
ookingathim..
.Dal
isujustknewthatt
hecal
l
wasabouthersist
er…
Thembel ihl
ewasi nsidethemeet ingthatwas
heldatDal i
su’sf ather’
shouse.Pr eci
ous’
parentswer epr esentatthemeet i
ngalongwith
thebaby .Gobel aandt heelderswer e
questioningPr ecious’parents.They ’
ve
quarrell
edwi ththem bl amingt hem fornot
rai
singPr eciouswel l.Gobelawasamedi at
oras
hewast heonest oppingthem f rom ki
ll
ingthe
poorpar ents..
.
Dal
isuwasjustqui
et,he’
dtol
dthem hedidn’
t
wanttoat
tendthemeet i
ngandtheyfor
cedhim
t
ocomet othemeeting.Hiswi
fewasquiet
becauseshewasthinki
ngofhersi
ster
.Shewas
debati
ngwhethert
ohelpherornot
?
“Iaskedmydaughtert
otel
lmeabouthowher
rel
ationshi
pwitht
heki
ngbeganandshe
obviouslyl
iedt
ome.”MrsMajozi
tol
dthem.
Elder
:“Cany ouseewhatshamethischi
ldhas
broughtint
oy ourl
i
ves.Youhaveagrandchi
ld
that’
ssickandsheisinpri
son,
sick.
”
MrMajozi
:“Yes,wecanseeandwewi l
ltake
what
everpunishmenty
ou’l
lpassonus.
”he
pr
omised.
All
eyeswer eonDal i
sunowandhel ookedat
hi
swi f
e.Thembel i
hlehadhereyesonthebaby
nowaftershe’ddecidedshewasgoingtohelp
Thokozi
le..
.Dali
suheldherhandand
Thembelihl
elookedathim.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”Shewhi
sper
edt
ohi
m.
Dali
su:“
Alley
esar
eonme.Theyexpectmet
o
passthepuni
shment
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
LetGobel
adoi
tify
oudon’
tknow
whatt
osay.”
Dal
isunoddedandl ookedathismother
.
“Mama?”Dalisucall
edouthismother.
MaCebekhululookedathim.“Gobel
a?”he
cal
ledhi
m out .
“Ndabezi
tha!”Bot
hGobel
aandMaCebekhul
u
cal
ledhim out.
Dali
su:“Ihavenojudgementont hi
smatter
becauseIhav emadeupmymi ndabout
Preci
ousbutIwasf or
cedt ost i
cktomywor d.I
wasforcedt omarryherafterIhav edecidedI
am notandso, Iwouldaskt hatthetwoofy ou,
speaktogetherandpasst hej udgement.You’l
l
thentel
lmeandwhat everyouwantwi l
l
happen.”Hesaidlookingatt hem bothandhe
keptquietwaiti
ngforthei
rresponse.
“NDABEZITHA!
”Theybot
hchant
edandDal
i
su
nodded.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwoul
dli
ket
orequest
somet
hing.
”
Thewholehousechant
ed“Ndlovukazi
!
”giv
ing
heragoaheadtospeak.Gobel
alookedather
al
readyknowi
ngwhatshewasgoi ngtosay.
Thembeli
hle:“
Ihaveaskedpermissi
onf
rom my
husbandtorequestthi
s,andIhopet
heelder
s
andGobelawillagr
eethatthi
sshoul
dhappen.”
El
der
:“Whati
sit
,MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembel ihle:“Thischildhere,
”shepoi nted
Precious’schi l
dt hatwasi nhermot her’sarms.
Precious’smot herlookedatherwi thfear.“Iwil
l
requestthatt hechi l
dget shelp.Hedoesn’ t
deservet odi ebecauseofhi smot her’ssins.
He’sinnocentandheknowsnowr ong.Iknow
thatonlyt hiskingdom canhel phim.Pl ease,
helpthechi ldgetbet ter.Iam amot hertooand
i
t’spainful t
oseet hepoorchildsicklikethis.
”
Ther
ewasadebat ei
nthehouseaft
er
Thembeli
hle’
srequest
.Thembel
ihl
esenther
worr
iedeyestoGobelaandhebowedhishead.
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedandnodded.
“ZULU!”Dali
suchant
edabovethem andthey
keptquiet
.“I
smywi f
e’sr
equestaccept
edor
not?”heasked.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Gobel
a?”
Gobela:“
Ndlovukazii
srightthechildi
sinnocent
andso,wewi l
lhelphim getbetter
.Iwil
lhelp
hi
m. ”heannouncedandPr ecious’
smot her
cri
ed.Sheroseonherkneeswi ththebaby.
MrsMajozi
:“Thankyousomuchndl
ovukazi
.
Thankyou,
Idon’tknowhowt
othankyouand
whattosay.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Don’
tcry.
”Shemanagedtosay…
Thewomannoddedandsatbackonherpl ace.
Preci
ous’
sf at
herheldherandt
hanked
Thembeli
hle…
Dal
i
sustoodupandsai
d:“
Iwil
ll
eav
eev
ery
thi
ng
i
nyourhandsnow.I
fImay
.”
“
NDABEZI
THA!
”Theyal
l
owedhi
m andDal
i
su
senthi
seyestoThembel
i
hle.Shegotupand
fol
lowedhi
m outoft
hehouse…
-
--
--
--
“Howar ethingswi t
ht heplanni ngofthe
l
aunch?”Dal isuaskedl ookingatThembel i
hle.I
t
wasbegi nningofDecember ,Thembel i
hleand
Thokozani hadbeenst r
essedoutabout
Thokozil
e’sar r
est.Thembel ihlehadf ounda
l
awy erf
orherandshewaspay ingforthat
l
awy erwithoutDalisu’sknowl edge.Thokozile
hadappear edincour tont hepr esentdayand
shedidn’tgetbail
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sgood.
”
Dal
i
su:
“What
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Uhm,
whatwasy
ourquest
ion?
”
Dali
su: “
What’swrongwit
hyouMaSthol
e?You
haven’tbeenfocusi
ngonthi
ngsl
atel
yandyou
arealwaysdistr
acted.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’st
hel
auncht
hat
’sst
ressi
ngme
out
.”
Dali
su:
“No,i
t’
snotbecauseyoutol
dmet ohi
re
someonetoplantheev
entforyoubecauseit
’s
str
essi
ngyououtandIdidthat
.Whydon’tyou
tel
lmethetr
uth?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Ijustcan’
tgetovert
hef actt
hatI
am pr
egnantagain.”Shesai
dholdi
nghert i
ny
bump.Shewasonl ytwomont hspregnantbut
shecoul
dfeelthebump.
Dalisu: “
No, youarelyingbecauset illtodayyou
hav en’tseent heDoctorr egardingthis
pregnancy .It
riedtoforcedy oubuty ou
threatenedme.So, what ’
sst r
essingy ouabout
i
t?Youwantt ohav eanabor t
ion?”Thembel i
hle
l
ookedathi mi ndi
sbeliefandshecl i
ckedher
tongue.Howcoul dhet hi
nksuchat hingabout
her?“ Answerme, what ’
swr ongwi t
hy ou?”he
askedhol dingherbutThembel ihl
edi dn’t
answerhi m.Hel ookedatherandpr omi sed
himsel fthathewasgoi ngt ofindoutbecause
t
heyhaven’tbeenhappyev
ersi
nceThokozi
l
e
wasar
rested…
She’
djustdrankthetwoglassesofi
mbi
zat
hat
Gobelagaveher.Shethensatdownont
he
ki
tchenchai
randl ookedup.
Thembeli
hle:“Iwonderwhat’
syoursay ,
int
his
mama?Shoul dIkeephelpingmysi st
erorI
shoul
djuststop.Mymar ri
ageisnotthesame
nowbecauseofher .Idon’
tknowwhatt odo
nowIam justinthedark.
”Shecried.
“So,youareputt
ingeveryt
hinginjeopar dy
becausey ouwanttohelpyoursistergetoutof
j
ail?
”Dali
suaskedst andi
ngbyt heki tchen
entr
ance.He’dfoundtheevidencet hathe
wantedtoknowaboutwhatwasbot heri
ng
Thembelihle.
Thembeli
hleopenedherey
esandlookedat
Dali
su.“
Whendi dyoucomeback?
”Sheasked
st
andingup.
Dal
i
su:
“Answermyquest
ion.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
that
’snotwhatIam doi
ng.
”
Dalisu:“That
’sexactlywhaty ouar edoing!”he
shout edbangingthet able.Thembel ihl
e
swal l
owedhar dandst eppedback.“ Howcan
youbesobl i
nd?Now, y ou’vestoppedf ocusing
onwhat ’
simportant
.Yourr estaur antlaunchbut
youar ebusyrunningar oundhel pingy oursister
.
Herpr esenceinyourl i
f ejustkeepsonget t
ing
i
nt hewayofy ourdream. ”Hetol dher .
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
that
’snott
rue-
”
Dali
su:“Yes,i
t’
strue.Thembel i
hle, y
oudon’ t
careaboutusnow, us,yourfamily .All
y oucare
aboutisyoursist
er.Idon’
tev enwantt o
mentionmyunbor nbabyt hatyoudon’ teven
careabout.Youonlycareabouty oursister.
Whyar eyousocr uelonus?Whatdi dwedot o
youbecauseev entheboyscanseet haty ouare
dist
ant?”
Thembeli
hle:
“That
’snott
rue,Icar
eabouty
ou
Mageba.Youaremyf ami
ly.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youhav
eaf
unnywayofshowi
ngi
t.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ No,Ial
socareaboutourbabyI
dri
nkimbi
zat hatGobelagaveme.Idrinkit
ever
ydaybecauseIcar eaboutthebaby.”
Dali
su:“Mxm!Tel l meify oudon’twanttobe
hereanymorej ustletmeknowt hant ohurtmy
chil
drenli
kethis.”heleftherseeingthattalki
ng
toherwasawast eofti
me.He’ dt r
iedtobegher
toopenupandshedi dn’twantthat..
.
Thembelihl
esatdownont hechair
.She
droppedherheadandst ampedi tont hetable…
Shefelthel
pless…

“Letmet akehim.”Thembel
i
hlesai
dsit
ti
ng
downont hebed.Dali
suwasonthebedwit
h
Ndabezinhlegiv
inghimthefor
mulafr
om hi
s
bottl
e.
Dali
su:“
Why ?Ishoul
dgiv
ehimtoyounow
becauseyouaredonepayi
ngl
awyerst
oget
yoursi
steroutofj
ail
?”
Thembel i
hle:
“ Iam sorr
yIdidn’tmeantodoall
thethingsIdidbehi ndyourback.Ij
ustknew
thatyouwoul dn’tsupportme.”
Dali
su:“Damnr ightIwasn’tgoi
ngtosupport
you.
”Ndabezi nhlecri
edandThembel i
hle
movedcl osertoDalisu.Shegaveherhandsout
t
ohi m andDal i
sugav eherthebaby.
Thembel ihle:“Cany ougivemet hatwett owel?”
sher equest edandDal i
sugav ehert hetowel
shet henwi pedherbr eastandbr eastfedt he
baby.Hekeptqui etinstantl
yandhel dont o
Thembel ihlegown’ sfabri
c.“Iam sor r
y.”She
saidlookingatt hebaby …Themor ehesucked
themi lkwast hesleepi
erhegot .Thembel i
hle
l
ookedathi m andf eltgui
ltythatshehad
neglectedt hem forhersister.Dal
isuwasr i
ght
Thokozi l
ehadnev ersuppor t
edherandshe
easil
yf orgotwho’ dbeendownf orhersi nceday
one…
Thembel
i
hler
aisedherheadandl
ookedat
Dali
su,
hewasn’
tlooki
ngatherbuthehadhi
s
eyesonhi
sphone.
Thembel ihle:“Iam sor ryaboutev erythingthatI
havedone. ”Shesai dlookingathi m.Dal isu
didn’tsayany thinghegotupandwentt othe
bathroom.Thembel ihl
egotupwi t
ht hebaby ,
she’ddeci dedt hatshewant edtospeakt ohim
andso, shewentt ot hebaby ’snur sery…She
thenwentt otheboy s’room andl ookedatt hem
ast heywer epeacef ullysleeping.Shedi dn’
t
meant ohur therfami lysheadmi t
tedl ookingat
theboy s.Shet henl efttheirroom…
Dal
isuwassl
eepi
ngfaci
ngThembeli
hle’
sside.
Hewasbusyonhisphone.Thembel
i
hlejoi
ned
hi
m.
Thembelihle:
“Whatarey oudoingony our
phone?”sheaskedsof tl
ywor r
iednowt hat
she’
dnegl ect
edhimf ortoolongandhe
underst
oodbecausehet houghtthatshewas
busywithherr est
aur
antt hi
ngs.
Dal
i
su:“Iam r
eadi
ngt
henews.
”Het
oldher
t
rut
hful
l
y .
Thembelihl
e:“
Cany oulookatme?”sheasked
soft
lyandhereyeslinger
edseduct
ivel
yonhim
ashe’dremovedhisphoneandwasl ooki
ngat
hernow.
Dali
su:“Whyshoul
dIlookaty ou?
”Heasked
softl
yandThembelihl
edidn’tr
emovehereyes
from hi
m.Shewashopi ngtheywouldlur
ehim
andtheywouldgiv
eeachot herat
tenti
on
toni
ght.
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’sjustt
hatIsai
dsorr
ytoyou
andyoudidn’
tsayany thi
ng.
”Shesai
dremoving
hereyesf
rom him andshetouchedhi
sbare
arm.Hewast opless.
Dali
sulookedatthemov ementofherhandand
heknewwhatshewant ed.He’dbeengivi
ngher
ti
met oplanhereventanddidn’tbot
herherwi
th
anyt
hingbuthedidn’tknowthatshewas
fool
inghim.Hereali
sednowt hathe’dl
earntt
he
t
rut
h.
“Ihadnot hi
ngt osaytoyou.You’vebeenf ooli
ng
me. ”Het oldherpackingherunder neathhim.
Thembel i
hlelookedathim ashewasont opof
her.“ Youwat chedmeasImadeaf oolof
my sel f
.”Hetoldherandunf astenedherpy j
ama
shirt.Hehel dherwaistti
ghtlyandhef eltt
hat
hert ummywasn’ tfl
atasbef or
e…
Thembelihl
egr abbedontohisstrongarms.“
I
am sorry
,Ididn’tmeantodot hat
.”Shesai
d
withasoftvoicewhilet
ryi
ngt okeepupwithher
breat
hingashi sbodybroughtsexualpr
essur
e
onherbody .
Hesupport
edhisupperbodywit
hhisel
bowshe
l
ookeddownatherreadingher
.Hewasn’t
smil
i
ngandThembel i
hlewastr
yingsohar
dnot
tobr
eaktheeyecontact
.
Dal
i
su:
“Yout
hinksexwi
l
lfi
xev
ery
thi
ng?
”
Shelookeddownfeeli
ngashamednowasshe’
d
thoughtt
hattheywoul
dmov eonfr
om what
happenedi
fshecanj
ustsl
eepwi
thhi
m.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
Iknowt
hati
twon’
tfi
x
ever
ythi
ng.
”
Dali
su:
“So,whyar
eyoul
uri
ngmet
oni
ghtaf
ter
suchalongti
me?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Eh,wecansleep.Iam sor
ry.
”She
l
ookedasideandtri
edtocalm downast hi
nki
ng
aboutsl
eepingwit
hsexualachethatshehad
nowpressuredherevenmore.
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”
“No!”Sheexclai
medandhel dhim asmeanst o
stophim.“Pl
ease,don’tl
etmesl eepl
ikethi
s.I
am notusingsexasmeanst ogety outo
forgi
vemebutIj ustneedyou.Iam your
pregnantwif
eDal i
su.
”Shebegged.
Hisrighthandwentdownandr emovedher
pyj
amapant sandhis.Hi
seyesmovedup
screeningherper
fectski
n.
Hespr
eadhersmoot
hlegsapar
t…“
Youwon’
t
ki
ssme?”Sheaskedseei
ngt
hathewas
ski
ppi
ngever
ythi
ngel
se.
Dal
i
su:
“Ai
n’
tyouwetal
ready
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam butIwantev
ery
thi
ngel
se.
”
“Idon’t.”Het oldhernudgi nghi msel father
entrance…Shewel comedhi m shar plyandt he
mangr oaneddeepl y,he’dmi ssedt hef eeli
ngof
beingi nsideherandt onight ,hewant edt otake
ful
l controlofher .Thembel ihleheldont othe
bedsheet sasDal i
supi ckeduphi space…He
thrustedqui ckeranddeeperwhi lelooki ngather
face.Hel ov edev erymomentofi t,whenhe
hear dhercr yandscr eam hi snamewi t
hher
sweetseduct ivecryingv oice.Hegav ehert he
l
astdeepgr oanast heyr eacht heirclimax…
Dalisugotof fthebedandl eftherpant i
ng.She
l
ookedar oundandsawherpy jamapantbyt he
edgeoft hebed.Shet ookitandwi pedher self
.
Shet hent hrewi tont hef l
oor ,pull
edt hebed
cov ersandl aidont hebedf acingtheot her
si
de.
“
Youdon’
twantmet owipey
ou?
”Dal
i
suasked
t
ouchi
nghershoul
der.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam good.
”
“Cool,then.
”Hesaidandwentbackt othe
bathroom toputthetowelaway.Hethenjoi
ned
herbacki nbedandf i
gur
edbyt hewayshewas
sleepingthatsomethi
ngwasn’tri
ght
…
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Not
hing.
”
Hedidn’
tsayany t
hing.Hef i
gur
edshe’
dgotten
whatshewant edandso, nowshewasgoingto
dothi
sagain!Hecov eredhimsel
fandl
aiddown
wit
houtbegginghertellhi
m whatwaswrong…
“Youaresuchbadboy showcany ousayt hatto
yourmother?”Thembel i
hlelaughedlookingat
theboys.Shewaswi t
ht hem i
nt hekit
chen
makingbreakfast
…Theboy sf oundherint he
kit
chenmakingbr eakfastandt heydel
ightedl
y
askedt ojoinher.Sheagr
eedandt heymade
breakfasttogetherandMnothocameupwi th
theideathattheyshouldteaseeachother
.
Mnotho:
“Butmama,
you’
vebeent
easi
ngusa
l
ot.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes,
andwear
eteasi
ngy
out
oo.
”
Shel aughedandsaid:“Okay,l
et’
sstopnow
beforeIcry .
”Theboyslaughedandf ol
lowed
hertot hediningt
abl
e…Dal i
suwasal ready
therewaitingfort
hem.Theysatdownand
j
oinedhands.Dal i
sublessedthefood…
Thembeli
hle:
“Wouldyougowit
hmet othe
Doctort
omorrow?”Sheaskedl
ooki
ngatDali
su
buthewasbusyeating.
“BABA!
”Theboyscall
edhi
m out
.Her
aisedhi
s
headandl
ookedatthem.
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
ist
alki
ngt
oyou,
baba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatwer
eyousay
ing?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwasr
equesti
ngthaty
ougot
o
theDoct
orwit
hmetomorrow.”
Dal
isu:“No, Ican’tbecauseIwil
lbebusy .
”He
t
oldherwi thoutlookingather.He’
dbeggedher
t
ogot otheDoct orbutsher ef
usedandnow,
t
hatitsuitedhershewant edhimtodelightedl
y
j
umpandt ellher.‘Wewi l
lgowife!
’buthe
wasn’tgoingt odot hat.
Thembeli
hle:“Ndabezi
tha,
Iam t
ryi
ngt omend
thi
ngscany oujustmeetmehalf
way .Iknow
thatIwaswr ong.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lbebusyt
omor
row.
”
Mnotho:“
Baba,
gowi
thmom becauseshe’
s
beensad.
”
Mlamuli:
“Yes,andwehavemadeherhappy
andlaughthi
smor ni
ng.Now,
it’
syourt
urn
baba.”Hepressur
edhim.
Dal
isulookedatThembel
i
hleandshewas
l
ookingathim wi
thpl
eadi
ngeyes.
“Iwillgowithyou.”Heannouncedand
Thembel ihl
esmi l
edinst
antly.Theboyscl apped
theirhandsindelight
.Dali
sul ookedatthem
andshookhi sheadseei
ngt hattheywer ejust
kidstheydidn’tknowhalfoft hethi
ngstheygo
throughaspar ents…Theythoughtf or
givi
ng
eachot herforthem waseasierasitwason
them.I twasn’t
!
[
04/
16,
18:
06]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

S3,
EPI
SODE50

FI
NALEPI
SODE!

YEARSLATER!

“MaSt
hol
e,y
ourphonei
sri
ngi
ng!”Dal
i
su
shout
edf
rom t
hei
rbedr
oom.Thembeli
hlewas
i
nsi
det
hebat
hroom.
Thembel
i
hle:“Hawu!Beagoodhusbandand
bri
ngi
there.
”
“Ey,
umuntuuyahl
ushwanjeakukho
ukuphumul
a.”Hecomplai
nedgetti
ngofft
he
bed.Hequi
cklymarchedt
oherbathroom and
gavehert
hephone.
“Thankyou,husband!”Shesmi
ledtakingher
phone.She’
dsoakedher sel
fonthetub
i
mmedi atel
ywhenshehear dhimtellhert
hat
herphonewasr ingi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
ryi
ngt
orestandy
ouar
ebot
her
ing
me.
”
“
Youshouldn’
thavevolunt
eer
edtodr
iveBanele
t
oRichar
dsbay .
”Shesaidunl
ocki
ngherphone.
I
t’
dhadstoppedringi
ng.
Dali
su:“
He’
smysonandIj
ustdi
dn’
twanthi
m
togoonthi
str
ipt
rav
ell
i
ngwit
hthecr
owdsof
pupi
ls.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wel
l
,hewant
edt
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:“
Heenj
oyedt
her
oadt
ri
pwi
thhi
sfat
her
t
hough.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iknowyouforcedhimtodothat.
”
Shesai
dt appingonherphonet ocheckwho
wascall
i
ng.“ Mageba,canyoudosomet hi
ngfor
me?”sher equestedwi
thasmi l
e.
Dal
isu:“
Whatisi
t?Andthat
’sbet
terbe
somethi
ngthati
nthi
sroom.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hawu!Ther
est
aur
antwas
cal
li
ng.
”Shet ol
dhi
m.
Dal
i
su:“Tel
lmewhatdoy
ouwantandcal
l
t
hem.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Cany oupleasehel
pMntwana
wit
hhishomework?Ilef
thim whi
lehewas
showi
ngmehi shomewor k.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Awu,
ngeke.Iwantt
osl
eep.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ah,butyouwant
edmor echi
l
dren
andIgav
ethem t
oy ounow,what
’shardwi
th
hel
pinghi
m wi
thhi
shomework?
”she
bl
ackmail
edhi
m wi
thast
rai
ghtface.
Dali
su:
“Iam t
ir
edMaSt
hol
e.That
’swhat
wrong.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Mlamul i
,Iwishthaty ounev erl
eft
mebecausenowy ouwer egoingt ohel pyour
brotherwit
hhi shomewor kwi t
houtcompl ai
ning.
ButIwaswor kingtoday ,
andnowIshoul dhelp
my6- y
ear-
oldwi t
hhishomewor k.It
’shard
beingawi f
e.Lor d!It
’shard!”Shehadherey es
cl
osed, complainingwhi l
eshewi nkedherey eto
l
ookatDal isu.Hewasj uststandingt here
l
ooki ngather.
Dal
isu:“
Hhay
i,don’
tdothatbecausey
ouj
ust
wanttomakemef eel
bad.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
that
’snotwhatIwant
.”
Dali
su:“Wher
e’sDal
ingceboandNgcebo?They
shoul
dhelphim wi
thhishomework.They’
rehi
s
brot
hers.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Theywenttomama’ spal ace.
Theysai
dt hey
’l
lsleept
her
e.”shereplied
l
ookingatherphoneasherrestaurantmanager
wascall
ingagain.Shet
appedont heanswer
butt
on.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”Dal
i
sul
efther
…
Manager
:“Ndl
ovukazi
,howar
eyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Manager :
“Iam fine, Ical l
edt oi
nfor my outhat
pri
nceBanelei sher eatt herestaurantwi thfour
ofhisfr
iends.Theyor deredmai ndi shesand
dessert
sandwheni twast imet opay .The
pri
ncerefusedt opay .Hesai dhewon’ tpay
becausethisisy ourr estaurant.Itoldhi mt hat
youhavet ol
dusnott ol etthem eatf reebuthe
sai
dhewon’ tpay .
”
Thembelihl
e:“Tell
himt owashthedi
shesfr
om
nowt i
ll
therestaurantcl
osesal
ongwithhi
s
fr
iends.
”
Manager:“
Ihavet
oldhimthatbuthesai
dhis
teacher
ssai
dtheyshouldcomebackbefor
e
7pm.Theywanttoleavenow.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Pl
ease,
giv
ehi
mthephone.
”
Manager:“Please,
hold.
”Sheheardtheshuf f
li
ng
soundsandThembel ihl
egotofft
hebat htub.
Shehadn’treall
ybathbutnowsheneededt o
getofft
het ub.Shetookhert
owel wrappedit
aroundherbodyaf t
erwipi
ngherfeet.
“
Mama?
”Banel
ecal
l
edoutt
ohi
smot
her
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whydon’
tyouwantt
opay
becauseyou’
veeat
en?”
Banele:“
ButmamaIthoughty ouwon’
tmind
becauseIam onaschooltr
ip.Andeducat
ional
tr
ipandwegethungryhere.
”Het r
iedtocover
hi
msel f
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yourf
athergav
ey oumoney
Banel
eandso, y
oushouldpayforthef
oodt hat
you’
veeaten.
”Shewenttoherbedroom and
Dal
isuwasn’tt
hereshefi
guredhewasint
he
chi
l
dren’
sstudyroom hel
pingMntwanawi
thhi
s
homework.Sheputonhergown.
Banele:“
Hawu,mama.Iam herewithmy
fr
iendsandIhavepromi
sedthem thatwewon’
t
pay.Mama,please,
don’
tembarrassmetomy
peers.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Idon’tcareaboutyourpeer
s.I
t’
s
ei
thery
oupayf orthatfoodoryou’l
lwashthe
di
shesunti
l t
herestaurantcl
oses.
”
Banele:“
Mma, pl
ease.Ther
e’sagi
rli
nmy
fr
iendsjustimaginetheembarr
assmenty
our
sonwi l
lface.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shoul
dIt
ell
yourf
ather
?”
Banel
e:“
No,
no,
Iwi
l
lpayt
hen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Goodboy
!”
Banel
e:“Butt
hisi
sunfai
rmamay oudi
dn’
teven
gi
vemesomepocketmoney .Dadgavemethe
money.”Hecomplai
ned.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ungangiphaphel
imi
na.Al
lthe
foodt
hatyoulef
twit
hwasmadebyme.What
moneydidyouwantfr
om me? ”
Banele:
“It
’sf
ineIwill
pay.Youarenottr
eati
ng
melikeyourchi
ldri
ghtnow.Youar et
reati
ng
melikeanoutsider
.”Heblackmai
ledher.
Thembelihl
e:“Wouldyousayt
hati
nthe
presenceofyourfat
her?”
Banele:“Okay
, f
ine.IsaidIwillpay!”hehungup
thecallandThembel ihl
elookedatt hephone
notbeli
ev i
ngthathe’djustdroppedt hecal
lon
her…Sheopenedt hedooroft hest udyroom
putti
ngonhergownandf oundDal isuand
Mnt wanahavingaconv ersati
oni nsteadof
doinghomewor k.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Hawu,
whathappenedt
othe
homework?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Mama!Wear
edoi
ngi
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tal
ki
ngi
sdoi
nghomewor
k?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iwantedtotel
l y
out hatBanele
tookhisfri
endsandwentt omyr est
aurantand
theyatemai ndishesal
ongwi t
hdesser tand
theydidn’
tpay .Iwasspeaki
ngt ohim now.He
doesn’twanttopayhe’ssayingIam not
treat
inghimlikemychildbutanout si
der.”
Dali
su:
“Igav
ehi m moneynj
ewhydoeshe
ref
usetopay?”
Thembel i
hle:“I
t’
smyrestaur
antandhethi
nks
hecaneatf orf
reeev
enjustli
kehedoeshere.
Youaret heonewhoal l
owedhimt oeatf
orfree
atthelodgeandnowhedoest hatev
enin
Richar
dsbay .
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
butIpayf
orhi
sdi
shesher
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No, t
het
hingi
she’sdi
srespect
ing
myemployeesther
eandIdon’
tli
ket
hat.Idon’t
l
ikei
t.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lpayf
ort
hosemeal
s.”
Thembel i
hle:“Youdon’tgetthis?Youj ustwant
tokeeppay ingwithouttell
i
nghi mt hathemust
bear esponsibleperson.Theonl yfreefoodhe’l
l
geti
st heonet hatheeat shere.Iam runninga
busi
nesst herenotaf amilyfeedingscheme. ”
Dal
isu:
“He’
sy ourson,i
t’
snotli
keast
rangerat
e
wit
houtpay
ing.It
’syourson.
”
“Okay.
”Shesai dandl efthim…Theyhadsev en
sonsandal l
sixoft hem, excl
udingthelastborn.
They’
vekeptt hecultur eofeatinginher
rest
aurantwithoutpay i
ng.Thembel i
hle
complaineduntilDalisuopenedat abonhi s
namet hati
fanyoft hem eat ,
theyshouldrecord
downandheal wayspai dforthem…
Shesatont hebedandgrabbedthecooki
ng
bookthatshewasreading,herphoner
angand
shesi
ghedbef or
etaki
ngit.Shewasangry…
Shesmiledwhenhesawt
hecal
l
erID.
“Mageba?”shegr
eet
edwi
thasmil
e.
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
unj
ani
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,ni
njani
?”
Mlamul
i:“
Siy
aphi
l
a,mama.How’
sev
ery
oneat
home?”
Thembeli
hle:“
They’r
efine,
how’sstudyi
nggoing
Mlamuli
?Yourtestweek?Di dyoucheckif
Ndabezi
nhleisstudyi
ngorhe’srunni
ngaround
foot
ball
again?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Mama,
cal
m down.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ Johannesbur
gisf
arfr
om me
Mlamuli
andIdon’ tknowwhatkindofl
i
fey
ou
arel
iv
ingthere.”
Mlamul
i:“
Youhaven’
thear
dofanybadt
hings
andso,
thatmeanswearedoi
ngnobadthings,
mama.”
Thembelihl
e:“You’
l
lnevertel
lmeifyoudo.
”
Mlamulil
aughedatherst at
ement
.“Answermy
quest
ions.”Sheremindedhim.
Mlamuli
:“Testweekwashect
icf
oral
lofusbut
noneofuscompl ai
ned.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,andyourbrother
,
Ndabezi
nhle?It
’shi
sfir
styeari
nJohannesbur
g
andIdon’
twanthi mtostar
tfootball
saga
agai
n.”
Mlamul
i:
“Butmama.Foot
bal
li
swhathe
l
oves.
”
Thembel
ihle:“
IknowbutMlamuliy
ouknow
howyourfatheri
s.Ij
ustdon’
twantustof
ight
agai
naboutNdabezinhl
eandhisli
fe.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Butmama,
Ithi
nkhecandobot
h.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Foot
bal
landst
udy
ing?
”
Ml
amul
i
:“Yes,
hecandoi
t.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ay,
he’
ssti
ll
younghecandot hi
s
foury
earandr
unaft
erf
ootbal
laf
ter
wards.
”
Mlamuli
:“Wel
l
,hehassomegoodnewsf
ory
ou
anddad.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,whati
sitabout
?”
Ml
amul
i
:“He’
l
ltel
lyouathomeandwhi
chi
s
whyIam cal
l
ing.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah?
”
Mlamuli:“
Canyoupl easegiveuspetrol
money ?
Youknowweshoul dcomebackhomef orthe
reeddance.”Herequested.Dal
isual
way s
wantedthem backhomef orev
eryri
tual
sand
eventshappeni
ngunl essift
heywerewr it
ing
test
sorexams…
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,
Iwi
l
ltr
ansf
ert
hemoney
i
ntoyouraccount
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Thanky
ou.
”
“Where’sMnot
ho?”Thembel
ihl
easkedl
ooki
ng
atDali
suasheenteredt
hei
rroom.Hemarched
str
aighttot
hei
rbed.
Ml
amul
i
:“Hehasf
luemama.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Gi
vehi
mthephone.
”
Ml
amul
i
:“He’
soutmma.
”
“
He’
ssi
ckbuthi
sout
?He’
soutdoi
ngwhat
?
Mlamul
i?
”Sheaskedmovi
ngtohersideofthe
bedasDali
suwant
edtogetonhi
ssidethatshe
wasseat
edon.
Ml
amul
i
:“Hawu,
mama!
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Don’
thawu,
mama,
me.He’
sout
doi
ngwhat?”
Ml
amul
i
:“Idon’
tknow.
”Hel
i
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
e’sNdabezi
nhl
e?”
Ml
amul
i
:“He’
sfastasl
eep.
”hel
i
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,goodni
ght
.”
Ml
amul
i
:“Goodni
ghtmama.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yakut
handanami
.
”
Mlamuli
:“Pl
ease,
letmespeaktoMntwana
t
omorrowwhenhecomesbackf r
om school
.I
wi
llr
emindy ouonWhatsApp.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay.
”Theyhungupt
hecalland
Thembel
ihl
edial
l
edMnotho’
snumber.Hi
s
phoner
ang…
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Mnothoisoutdoi
ngwhat
ever
Godknowsbuthe’
ssick.
”
Dali
su:
“Hawu,maybehe’
swi
thhi
sfr
iends.Ar
e
youcal
li
nghi
m now?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i,don’
tdot
hatThembel
i
hle.
”
“Don’
ttell
mewhatt odo.He’
smysont oo.
”She
saidcal
li
ngagainashewasn’tansweri
nghi
s
phone.“AndIshoul
dknowwhathi sdoi
ngout
l
atewhilehe’
ssick.
”Sheaddedlooki
ngathi
m.
“
Hel
l
o!”Al
adyanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Gi
rl
,wher
e’smysongi
vehi
mthe
phone?
”
“Who’sthat
?”Mnotho’
sfl
uecrowdedv
oice
askedtheladyonbackgr
ound.
Gi
rl
:“I
t’
syourmot
her
.”
“
Ayi
!It
oldy
ounev
ert
oanswermymot
her
’s
call
s.”Mnothosai
djumpingonthephoneon
theothersi
deofthecal
l.Thegi
rlr
epli
edwit
h
‘
sorry’
Mnothoclearedhi
sthroatandgr
eet
ed.
“
NdlovukaziMaSthol
e?”hegreet
edherwi
tha
r
elaxedvoice.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ihear
dyouhav
efl
uebuty
ou
di
dn’
ttel
lme.”
Mnot
ho:
“It
’snotaser
iousf
lue.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youshoul
dbeonyourbedr
ight
nowrest
ingbutyouarewit
hgi
rl
s.Who’st
hat
gi
rl
?”
Mnotho:
“Hawu,
mama.I
t’
snotgi
rl
sit
’sj
usta
gi
rl
.She’
smyfri
end.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hhayi
!Mnothodi
dyoubuyfl
ue
medici
ne?Icanhearthaty
ourv
oicei
sbad.
”
Mnotho:
“Mama,
y oujustwor
ryt
oomuch.Iam
notaboyany
more.”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedandl
ookedatDal
i
su.He
shookhishead.“
Giv
emet hephone.
”He
request
edbutThembel
i
hleshookherhead‘
No’
Thembel
i
hle:“Youarebecausewhaty
ouar
e
doi
ngisi
rresponsi
ble.
”
Mnot ho:“
Mama, canIt
alktodadthen?Justtel
l
met henameoft hemedici
neIneedtobuy .
Mlamul i
boughtoneformebutIdon’tthi
nkit’
s
working.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
lsendt
hepi
ctur
eoft
he
medici
ne.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Okay
,mma.CanIspeakt
odadnow?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,
he’
l
lcal
lyouwi
thhi
sai
rt
ime.
Hhaybo.
”
Mnot
ho:
“Hawu!Okay
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Now,
pleasegot
oyourbed.Your
brot
her
sarehomealone.”
Mnot
ho:
“No,
he’
snot
.”Hel
i
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“He’
snot
?”
Mnot
ho:
“Imeant
hey
’renotal
onemama.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,goodnightt
hen.Lookaf
ter
your
sel
f.Il
oveyou,yezwa?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Yebo,
mama.Ngi
yakut
handanami
.”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedanddr
oppedt
hecal
l
.
Dal
isu:“
Youshoul
dst
opt
reat
ingt
hem l
i
ke
ki
ds.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
They’
remyki
ds.Whatar
eyou
tal
ki
ngaboutnow?
”
Dali
su:
“MnothoandMlamuliar
emennow.You
don’
thavetorunar
oundthem l
i
ket
hisandt
hey
havegi
rl
fri
endsobv
iousl
y.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhay
bo,
he’
ssi
ckIshoul
dn’
thav
e
cal
ledhi
m?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam notsay
ingt
hat
.”
“Mntwanaisnotsleepi
ngher
etoni
ght
?”She
askedavoi
dingdiscussi
ngwhatwasr
ightand
wrongforhertodoonhersons.
Dal
isu:“Ilef
thim sl
eepi
ngandIdon’
twanthi
m
her
et onight
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,di
dyoucal
lBanel
e?”she
asked.
“No,Iwil
lcal
lhimtomorrowandplease,gi
ve
att
enti
onnow.It hi
nkyou’
vedonethattoallthe
meni nyourl
if
ebesidesme.”hesaidkissi
ng
hercheekmov i
ngdownt oherneck.
Thembelihl
eclosedhereyesandheldhisarm…
-
--
-
“What’stheannouncementt hatyouwantt o
makeNdabezi nhle?”Theywereseat edonthe
dinnertabl
einsideMaCebekhul u’
spalace.I
t
wast henightbeforether
eeddance.Nokut hula
wasal sowiththem onthetable,shewasst i
l
l
l
ivingintheUSl eadi
ngacareerwi thoutachi
ld
norhusband…
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,wehear
dyouhav
ea
speci
alannouncementt
omake.”
Hisbrothers:
“YES,TELLUS! ”Theylaughedand
l
ookedathi m ashewasl ookingathisfather.
Hewasn’ tsurei
fheshoul dmaket he
announcementorj ustkeepittohi
msel f
.He
wasn’tsurebecausehedi dn’
tknowi fhi
sf at
her
wasgoi ngtosupporthim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tel
lusMageba.
”
Mnt
wana:
“Yeah,
bhut
iIwantt
oknowt
oo.
”
Thembel
i
hlesmi
ledandlookedathi
m ashe
hadhi
seyesonNdabezi
nhle.
Ndabezi nhl
e:“Eh,soIjoinedtheUni ver
sit
y
footballcl
ub.”Heintr
oducedl ooki ngathis
fatherandDal i
suhadhi sey esrelaxedonhi m.
“Andwhenwewer eplayingagai nstWI TSIwas
selectedtoplayforOrlandoPi r
at esjunior
team.”Heannouncedst ill
looki
ngathi sfather
…
MaCebekhul uandNokut hulaululated.Theboy s
madet hechanti
ngsounds.Thembel ihl
ehad
herey esonDal i
suhewasn’ tl
ooki ngatany one
i
nt het abl
ebuthisplate.
Mntwana:“
Yes!Bhuti
,shezov
elakuTV!
”hesai
d
andtheyl
aughedatthewayhepronouncedas
hehadnofrontt
eeth.
Thembeli
hle:“Yes,baby.Butdoy ouknow
what’
saj uni
orteam? ”sheaskedwi t
hasmi le.
Mntwanashookhi shead.“ Thatmeanshe’ ll
not
beplayi
ngalongsidewi t
hyourShonga.Butwe
wil
lseehim onTV. ”Sheexplained.Mnt wana
l
ovedsoccerandhi sfavourit
epl ayerwasJustin
Shonga.
Mntwana:
“Oh,
okaybuty
ou’
l
lseeShonga
bhut
i?”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
Yes,
Iwi
l
landIwi
l
ltel
lhi
myou
l
ikehi
m.”
Mntwanasmil
edandlookedathi
smother
.
Thembel
ihl
esmil
edandgav ehi
m asi
dehug.
Hewasseatednextt
oher…
Thembeli
hle:“
Congrat
ulat
ionsmfanawami
.I
am happyforyou.
”shesmi l
edgenui
nel
y
l
ookingathim.
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
Ngi
yabongamama.
”
Mlamuli:
“ Baba,
youwon’tsayanythi
ng?
”he
askedafterthey
’vedonechant
ing.Thewhol
e
tabl
elookedathim.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwon’
tsayany
thi
ngaboutwhat
?”
Mnot
ho:
“AboutNdabezi
nhl
e’
sgoodnews.
”
Dalisu:
“HeknowshowIf eelabouthim pl
ayi
ng
soccerbefor
egetti
ngpropereducati
on.What
shouldIsaynowbecauseIknowt hathehas
takenthedealwi
thoutdi
scussingitwit
hus
fi
rst?”
Thembel
ihle:
“Canyouputt
hatasi
deandj
ust
behappyforhim?”
Dal
i
su:
“Ishoul
dbehappy
?”
Dal
ingcebo:
“Yes,
baba.I
t’
snotl
i
kehe’
l
lst
op
st
udying.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youwon’
tst
opst
udy
ingNdabezi
nhl
e?”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
No,
baba.Iwon’
tst
op.
”
Dali
su:“Youwon’tstop?You’
llmanagesoccer
andstudying?Youwantt odothisDegreef
or
donkey’
sy earswi
thoutcompleti
ngi t
?AndIwi
ll
havetokeeppay i
ngf ory
ourstudies?”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
No,i
fyoucanhav
efai
thi
nme.I
am sur
eIwon’
tfai
l
.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
He’
sri
ghtbhut
i.Youneedt
ohav
e
f
ait
hinhi
m.”
Dali
su:“
Iam notsay
ingheshoul
dn’tdof
ootbal
l
butIam say
inghemuststudyfi
rst
.That
’swhat
Iam say
ing.
”
Ngcebo:“
Thisisagoodopportuni
tyf
orhi
mt o
st
arthi
scareerinf
ootbal
lbaba.AndIam sur
e
hecanmanagebot h.
”
Dali
su:“
Idon’
twantt
otal
kaboutt
hisany
fur
ther
.”
Ndabezi
nhle:“
Soy ouarenotevenhappyforme?
Youwon’tevendoar i
tualf
ormej ustt
orequest
thatt
heancestor
swat chovermeont hi
s
j
our
ney
?”
“IsaidIdon’
twantt otal
kabouti tanyfurt
her
!”
Her aisedhi
sv oicewhil
elooki
ngathi m.He
cli
ckedhi st
ongueandst oodupl eavinghi
s
foodont hetable…Thembel i
hlesighedand
stoodup.
Mlamuli
:“May
beify
oucanst
opf
oll
owinghi
m
ever
ytimewhenhe’
sangr
ymama.Thi
ngswil
l
change.
”
Thembeli
hlegavehi
m ashortgl
ance.
“Ngi
zokuphoxa,
wena!Angaziyi
nioyazi
yo.Tsk!
”
shepushedherchai
rbackandleftt
hem…
MaCebekhulu:
“Butyouwerewr
ongnottotel
l
yourparent
sbefor
eaccepti
ngt
hisf
oot
ball
deal
.”Shecomment edl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Ndabezi
nhle:
“Ukut
higogo,Iknewhewasn’
t
goi
ngtoletmesignthedeal.
”
Mlamul
i
: “
Ubabaisjustdi
ff
icul
tgogo.Hewant
s
usdoeveryt
hingt
hathesays.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
He’syourf
atherhewant
s
what
’sbestf
oryou.
”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
Foot
bal
li
snotgoodf
orme?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iam notsay
ingt
hat
.”
Mnotho:“Wehav ethingswewantt odogogo
besi
dest het
hingsthatdadwantf orus.He
al
way sdemandsofusandt hat’
sunfair
.
Especial
l
yont hethreeofussincewedon’tli
ve
wit
hhim anymor e.
”
Nokuthula:“
Youcanhav ethi
ngsy ouwanttodo
butyoushouldalwayskeepinmi ndthaty
ou
canfightyourfat
heri
nev er
ythi
ngbutwheni t
comest otakingthet
hronenoneofy ouwil
l
fi
ghthim whenheappoi nt
syou.”
Theyal
lkeptqui
et.“
Yourauntisr
ightbuti
t
seemsli
keyoudon’tagr
ee.”Shesaidl
ooki
ngat
them.
Mlamuli
:“Idon’
twantt
obet
hemonar
ch,
sor
ry
gogo.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo!Mnot
ho?
”
Mnot
ho:
“Hhay
i,gogoIhav
eot
herpl
anst
oo.
”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
Andy oudon’tevenhavetoask
me.DadandIdon’tevengetalongnow.Idon’t
t
hinkIcanr
eachthatl
ev el
oftakinghi
sthrone.
”
Nokut
hula:
“Hhaybo!Ndabezi
nhl
eyou’
l
lhav
eto
pr
oofyourfat
herwrong.
”
Ndabezi
nhl
e:“
AslongasIam pl
ayi
ngf
oot
bal
lI
won’
tmakehim happy
.”
Banel
e:“Butdaddidn’
tsayyouwon’
tpl
ay
foot
bal
latall
.Hejustwantsyout
ostudyand
getaquali
fi
cati
on.
”
Ndabezinhl
e:“Ah,konj
ey ouprai
sedad.
Everyt
hinghedoesi sr
ight.Youarest
il
l15
yearsoldBanele.You’
l
lgrowupandseehow
dif
fi
cultheis.
”
Mntwana:
“No,dadi
sasuper
her
o.He’
stheki
ng!
He’
snotbad!
”
Ev
ery
onel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed…
Thembelihlest
oodbyt hedoorofthei
rbedr
oom
andlookedatDalisuashewasseat edonthe
couchtakingoffhisshoes.Heroseupand
l
ookedather .
Dal
i
su:
“You’
regoi
ngt
olect
ureme?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,butIdon’
tli
ket
his.
Ndabezi
nhleisyoursonandyouneedtoshow
hi
m supportasyourson.
”
Dali
su:“He’
sonly18yearsMaSthole.What
harm wouldhavei
tdoneifheputhisfootbal
l
passiononholdandfocusonhisbooks?By21
yearshewouldhaveobtai
nedtheDegr eeand
beganfootbal
lwhenhe’s22years.
”
Thembelihle:“Mageba,youknowt hatli
fe
doesn’
tgol ikethat
.It’
snotjustatimeli
net hat
wecanj ustbesur ethatby22y ear
she’llhave
thi
sDegr eeandmay behe’
llpassbetterifhe’s
doingsomet hinghe’
spassionateabout .He
passedhi smat r
icwelll
astyearandhewas
doi
ngfootbal
latschoolev
enthoughTeacher
s
hadadvi
sedallmatri
cul
antstost
opdoingsport
.
Youwereangrywithhimforcont
inui
ngwit
hit
buthepassedwell
.”
Hesighedandpulledhercl
osertohim.He
packedherinhisarms.“
He’l
lhavenextyeart
o
provet
hathecanmanaget his.I
fhedoesn’t
seem t
obedoi nggood.He’
llhavetochoose
onethi
ng,foot
ballort
heDegree.”Hesaid.
Thembeli
hle:
“He’
ll
dot
hatwhi
l
ehehasy
our
suppor
tornot?”
Dal
i
su:
“I’
l
lsuppor
thi
m.”
“Mama!Mama! ”Mntwanaknockedonthedoor
cry
ing.Thembel
ihl
etri
edtomov eawayfr
om
Dali
subuthestoppedher
.
Dal
i
su:
“COMEI
N!”
Mntwanawal kedi
nsi
detheroom andwal
ked
st
rai
ghttohismother.Hehadhispyj
amashi
rt
onhishands.Thembeli
hlemovedawayfr
om
Dal
i
su.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What’swrongnow?
”Shet
ookhi
s
pyj
amaanddressedhim up.
Mntwana:“Banel
eisteasi
ngmemamaandhe
chasedmeoutofourr oom andt
oldmet ogo
sl
eepwi t
hgogobecausehewant stospeakt
o
hi
sf r
iendonthephone.”
Dal
i
su:
“He’
siny
ourr
oom now?
”
Mnt
wana:
“Yes,
baba.Hesai
dIam aspy
.”
Thembel i
hlel
ookedatDal isu.“Goandcallhi
m.
Scream andt ell
him mamai scall
inghim so
thatt hefri
endhe’sspeakingt owil
lhearyou.
Okay ? ”Thembeli
hlei
nstructedhim wipi
nghis
tears…Mnt wanasmiledandnodded.Her anoff
ther oom…
Dali
su:“
You’
llhearhi
sscr
eam fr
om her
eandI
am sur
ehisbrother
swil
lhearhi
minthei
r
roomsoutsi
dethehouse.
”
“
Keepqui
ett
hen.
”Shesai
dhol
dinghi
sshi
rtand
t
heykeptqui
et…
……“ UYAKUBIZAUMAMA! ”Theyhear
dhi m
scream andtheylaughed…Hewal kedinsi
dethe
housefoll
owedbyBanel e.Hewastopless
wearingonlyhisboxersnotpy j
amas…Mnt wana
stoodbyThembel ihl
e,shelif
tedhi
m andput
him onherlap.
Banel
e:“
Mama?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Whydidyouchasehim outof
yourroom becauseit
’shi
sroom t
oo.Youdon’t
shareital
oneasy oudoathome?”
Banel
e:“
Idi
dn’
tchasehi
m outmama.
”
Dal
isu:“
Arey
ousayinghe’
sly
ing?
”heasked
br
ushingMntwana’
shead.
Banel
e:“
Yes,hej
ustwant
edt
ocomeandsl
eep
her
e.”Heli
ed.
Mntwana:“
He’slyi
ngbaba.”Helookedathim
fr
ust
rat
edthattheymightbel
iev
ehi m because
hewasolder.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whower eyoutal
kingtoonthe
phoneasyoudidn’twanthimtohearyouspeak
onthephone?”sheaskedlooki
ngathim pul
li
ng
Mntwanaclosertoherchest
.
Banel
e:“Hawu,mama!”helookedathi
sfat
her
andDali
sudidn’
tsayanyt
hing.
Thembel
i
hle:
“LookatmeIam t
heoneaski
ng.
”
Banele:“Iwasjustspeaki
ngtomyf ri
endand
Mnt wanal i
kestel
l
inggogoaboutmyphone
conversations.
”Mntwanawasv erycloset
ohi
s
grandmot her.“
Andgogowi l
lquesti
onme.”he
added.
Dal
isul
ookedatMnt
wanaandhewasf
ast
asl
eepi
nhismother
’sar
ms.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youweresupposedt
ogospeak
somewhereel
seandnott
ochasehim outunt
il
hecri
ed.
”
Banel
e:“
Iam sor
ry,
MaSt
hol
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justgo,
nemi
condoey
omi
l
e.”
Shet
easedhi
m andBanel
elaughedmaki
nghi
s
wayt
othedoor.
Banele:
“He’snotsl
eepi
ngwi
thme?
”heasked
l
ookingatthem.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No.
”
Dal
isu:
“Justdon’
tlockt
hedoorngobaul
ala
uf
e.”
Banel
e:“
Hawu.Goodni
ghtbabanomama.
”
Them:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Heclosedt
hedoorandDali
sugotuphet
ook
Mntwanafr
om Thembel
ihl
e…
“IthoughtIwasr
eal
l
ygett
ingagi
rlwit
hhim.”
Shesai dwipi
ngMnt
wana’
sfacewit
haf ace
cloth.
Dali
su:“
Don’tworr
y,t
heywil
lgi
vey oua
gr
anddaughterandyou’
ll
rai
seher.Oneofthem
who’l
lbethefi
rstt
ohaveadaughterhewill
br
ingthatchi
ldtoyouandyou’
l
lraiseher
.They
wil
lhavetoknowthat.
”
Thembel
i
hlesmi
l
edandsai
d.“
Thatcanmake
mehappy.
”
Dali
su:
“Youknowt
heywoul
ddoany
thi
ngt
o
seeyouhappy.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah.
”
Dal
isu:“
Weneedt osl
eepnowbecausewehav
e
aneventtomor
row.”
Thembelihle:“
Hee!Ther
eeddance.Ir
emember
whenIgother eMakhosit
oldmetogot othe
reeddance.Iwasgoingtofi
ndmightkni
ght
whowasgoi ngtomakemehappy.”She
refl
ect
edl ooki
ngathim.
Dali
su:“
Didy
ouf
indhi
m?”hesmi
l
edhol
ding
herhand.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yes,
Ifoundapr
inceandhemade
meaqueen.”
Dal
isu:“
Isti
llcan’
tbeli
evethatasmuchasy ou
di
dn’twantchil
dren.Yougavemesev ensons.
”
Hesmi l
edandThembel ihl
elaughed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Therewasati
mewhenitwas
j
ustfi
veofthem andtheydr
oveuscr
azy
.”
Theylaughed.“Ist
il
lthi
nkt
heydri
veuscr
azy
,
especi
all
yy ou.
”Hecomment ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,especiall
yNgcebowit
hthat
gi
rlhehangsaroundwit h.Lor
d!AndDal
ingcebo
wouldfol
l
owt hem behind.”
Dal
isu:“Hhayi
,MaSt
hol
e.Yousawhim once
andmay behewasapproachi
ngher
.Youcan
neverknow.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhay
suka!Ij
ustwonderi
fwehad
adaught
erhowyouweregoingt
obewithher
.”
Dali
su:
“Shewasgoi ngtobehomeschool
ed.
Andshewasgoi ngtohavetobeagood
daught
erl
ikeyou.Iknowy ouwer
eagood
daught
ertoyourmot her
.”
“
Hawu!
”Sheexcl
aimedandt
heyl
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yakut
handa,
ndoday
ami
.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ngi
yakut
handanami
mfazi
wami
.”He
movedcl osertoherandt
heyshareda
goodnightkiss…Dali
suswit
chedofft
hel
i
ght
s
andtheyf el
lasl
eep…

THEEND!