HERFOREI

GNDREAM

PROLOGUE

MaCebekhul e,t
hef i
rstladyoft heZul uroyal
ty,
thequeenoft hethrone.It’
dbeenay earanda
mont hsinceshe’dmar ri
edt hekingofki ngs,
Isil
osamabandl a,r
ulingalltheZul ul
and
kingdoms.Likemostuni ons,theirunionbegan
withhappinessandl ovebutt hingschanged
whenachi l
d,anheirwasr equiredf r
om t he
queenbutshef ail
edt oconcei ve.Itwasa
diff
icul
ttimeforherast heywer ecalli
ngher
namesandt heyhadnomer cyonher .
“Iwi
lldoany t
hingSgonondoj
usthelpme
conceive.
”MaCebekhulumadeapactwi t
hthe
powerfultr
adit
ional
healer
,KwaMhlaba
uyal
ingana.
“
Iwi
l
lnotr
equestanymoneyf
rom y
ou,
Ndlunkul
u.”Shesai
dshaki
nghershoulder
s
react
ingtothespi
ri
tsshewaswit
h,insi
deher
heali
nghut.
“Whatisy
ourrequest
,Sgonondo?”
MaCebekhul
uaskedlookingaroundt
hedar
k
hutf
il
ledwit
hthesmoket hatt
hewoodsbear.
Sgonondo:“Iwil
lhel
py oubearchil
drenbuty our
sonwillhav
et omarrymydaught erthati
st he
pri
cetopay.”Shetol
dherl ooki
ngatherwi th
eyesthatmeantbusiness.Thehealerhada
fourmonthsoldbeautif
uldaughterfrom her
l
atehusbandwhol eftherpregnant.
MaCebekhul uwentcoldfrom t
hebar r
enwomb,
howwasshegoi ngtoachievethat?Andhow
guaranteedwasshet hatshewasgoi ngtogiv
e
bi
rthtoason?Butwi ththetimeandt ime
comesdeat h.Sgonondowasboundt odie
somedayandmay bethatwasgoi ngtobe
beforehersonwouldhav etakenthethrone
aft
erhisf at
her
.
MaCebekhul
usaid:
“Iwi
llkeepmywor dshoul
dI
haveasonhe’l
lmarr
yyourdaughter
.”Shesai
d
hi
dingt
hefearbehi
ndhervoice.
“Andtoensurethatyoukeepy ourwor dIwil
l
putacurseony ouandy ourchil
dren.Should
yougobackony ourwordallyourchil
dren,
daughter
sandsonswi ll
bebar ren.Youwi l
lhav
e
nograndchi
ldr
en.”Shethreatenedher.
MaCebekhulu:“What!
”sheal
mostrosef
rom
herposit
ionasshockhadconsumedher.She
hel
dherchestpr ev
enti
ngherhear
tfr
om leav
ing
i
tssacredplace.
“Iam notpl
ayinggameswi thyouNdl unkul
u.
Shouldwebegi ntherit
ual?”Sheassur edher.
MaCebekhulul ookedaroundnotsur ewhet her
toconti
nuewitht heri
tualornot?Shoul d
Sgonondonotdi ebeforehersont akesthe
thronehowwasshegoi ngt oconvinceherson
tomar r
yatraditi
onalhealer’
sdaught er
?Yes,
kingshadchoicest omarryoutsideroyalt
yas
t
imeswererev
olvi
ngandtheywerenotf orced
t
omarrywomenwhower en’toft
heirchoiceif
t
heydon’
tli
kethem ev
eni
ftheirpar
entsl i
ked
t
hem.
ButMaCebekhulurecal
ledthepainshehadt
o
bareandtheburdenshe’dcarr
iedonher
shoul
derssinceshemar r
iedt
heking.
MaCebekhulu:“
Yebo,Sgonondo.Weshoul d
begin.
”Shesaidnotsureifshewasmaki ngthe
ri
ghtdeci
sionbutsheknewshewast i
redof
bei
ngcallednames.Aftertheri
tualshewast o
gi
veherhusbandchildr
en, anheir
,li
kehow
wivesweresupposedto…
_
___
___
___
___
___
_

“Thembeli
hlei
sstil
lachildandsheneedst obe
takencareof,
Thokozil
eandThokozani.She’s
yourbabysist
erandIam t r
usti
ngy out
olook
outforeachother
,all
threeofy ou.
”MrsSthol
e
saidlay
ingonthehospit
al bed.Shehadbeen
si
ckf ormonthswi t
hbreastcancer.Shewason
stage3andcoul dseedeathknockingonher
door.Shewasmar r
iedtoamanwhowasone
oftheking’scounci
l,i
nduna.Herhusbanddi ed
l
eav i
ngherwi t
hthreechil
dren,
thet wins,
Thokozil
eandThokozani andtheirlastborn
Thembel i
hle.
Thokozil
e:“Mama,don’
tsayitl
ikethat
.Youare
astrongwomanandy ou’l
lfi
ghtthi
swithus.We
arehereforyou.
”
Thokozani
:“Yebo,mama.Youcan’
tleaveus
andyouknowt hatwehavenoonebesides
you.
”
Thechildrencri
edbeggingt heirmothertohold
onforthem.Theyhadext endedf amili
esbut
mostoft hem hadpassed.Thedeat hofMr s
Sthol
e’shusbandleftheralonet orai
seher
chil
drenwi t
hnohelp.Luckily,shewasasmar t
woman.Sheknewhav i
ngahusbanddi dn’
t
meanshehadev ery
thing.Sosheper suadedher
husbandt
olethercont
inuest
udy
ing,
medi
cine.
“Iam weakandy oucanseet hat ,
evenEli
hle
canseet hat.”Shecoughed.“ Iwantt ospeakto
her,
Thokozani .Please,driveherwhenshe
comesbackf r om school Iwillspeaktoher.
”
Sheinst r
ucted.Thokozani andThokozi l
ehad
j
ustfinishedt heirmatri
candwai t
ingfort
heir
regi
strati
onatt heUniversit
y .
Thokozani
:“Youdon’thavet
osaypl
easemom.
Iwil
lbri
ngElihl
etoyou.”
Thokozi
le:
“Wewi l
lgonow,mom.Ourtimei
s
over
.”Shesai
dtighteni
nghergr
iponher
mother’
shand.
“Iloveyou,both.AndThokozani ,pr
otecty
our
sister
s.Youar ethemanoft hehousenow,
Thokozani.”Shesai dtouchingthei
rbeaut
if
ul
l
ightskinnedf aces.Thechildr
ensmi l
edwith
painintheireyes,lookingdownatherpaleface.
Theyt henlefther,bothfeel
ingaburdenontheir
shoulders…
Thembel i
hle,thelastbornwasdownt oear t
h
wit
habeaut if
ulheartli
kehermot her,her
si
blingsresembl edtheirfat
her,st
rongwi el
ded
andt ough.Shehadnocour ageanddidn’tknow
howt ostandupf orherself
,hermotherwas
tr
yingtot eachher ,
teachherhowt obe
defensiveandst andupf orhersel
f.Butthatwas
l
ate.
“Mama!”Thembel i
hlecalledouthermot her.
Shewasstil
l onherschool unif
orm,t
hemi nute
herbrot
hertoldhertheirmot herwantedto
speaktoher,Thembi l
i
hlet hrewherbagont he
fl
oorandrushedtot hecarf irst
.Shewas13
yearsol
ddoinggrade8, atJohnRossCol l
ege.
MrsSthol
e:“
Oh,mntanami.Youl
ookbeaut i
ful
.
”
Shecompli
ment
ed,holdi
ngherfacelooki
ngat
herwit
hawarm smi
le.Thembeli
hledidn’
tsmil
e
shefel
tcol
d.
“
Mama.Whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackhome?
”she
askedl
ookingatherpal
ethi
nhands.
Thembeli
hlecoul
dseethathermotherwasn’
t
cominghomesoonbutsheneedt obesure.
“Idon’tknow,baby.
”Shecoughed.“Butyour
sibl
ingswilll
ookaft
eryou.
”shesaidlookingat
Thokozani whowasstandingbythedoor
observingthem.Thembeli
hlet
urnedtolookat
himt oo.
“Thokowi ll
lookafterme?”sheaskedlooking
worri
ed, t
het wosister
shadalwaysquar r
ell
ed
witheachot herandsomet i
mesfornor eason.
Thokozilehadani l
lusi
onthatThembeli
hlewas
spoil
tbyt heirmotherandshederi
ved
everyt
hingshewi shedfor,f
rom t
heirmother.
“
She’syoursist
erandt heywil
lbot
hlookaf
ter
y
ou.”shesaid.“Butthere’
sonethi
ngyouneed
t
oknowThembel i
hle.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
mama?
”shel
i
stened
at
tent
ivel
y.
“
Iwanty
out
ofol
l
owy
ourdr
eamsandnev
er
gi
veupont hem.Onedayy ou’l
lbethegreatest
ChefinKZNandy ou’
llhaveabigbeauti
ful
l
odgeandr estaur
antsy ouwishtohavebutonly
i
fyoudon’tstopwor kinghar
d.”Shepredict
ed
smil
ingatherdaught er.
Thembeli
hle:
“Andmamay
ou’
l
lbet
her
etosee
al
lthat
.”
“Idon’thavelongbutr emembert hatt
here’
s
mor etolif
et hangetti
ngamanandget ti
ng
mar r
ied.Nev erputyourdreamsonhol dfora
man.Doy ouhearme? ”shewar nedher.
Thembel i
hlecr i
edresti
ngherheadont hebed.
Thepai ninherdaught er
’scrymadeMr s
Sthole’
sbodyconv ul
sedandt hemachi nes
screechedf orci
ngThembel ihl
et ostandonher
feet.
“What’
sgoingon,bhuti
?”sheaskedThokozani
l
etti
nggoofhermot her’
shand.Thokozani
utt
erednowordshehuggedhi ssist
erti
ghtl
y
l
etti
nghercrypr
otecti
ngherfrom seei
ngthei
r
mot
herl
oseherdearl
i
fe…

[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE01

Ty pi
nganddel eting, Thembel i
hlewassi tti
ng
behindt hecomput erdeski nsidehersi ster’s
houseinUmhl anga, Dur ban.It’
dbeeny ears
sincetheirmot herhaddi edandt het hree
sibli
ngshadst oodt ogetherbutnotwi t
hout
diffi
cul
ties.Thokozi l
e( 28)wasmar riedt oMusa
Biyela(30),awel l
-knownbusi nessman.
Thokozi l
ewasasuccessf ulsurgeon.Bot h
husbandandwi f
ehadbusyschedul est hatgav e
them li
ttleti
met obehomel ookingaf t
ert heir
fourchildren,girl
s’ twins( Si
ndyandSandy )(11)
andt wosi ngularbabyboy s(Muzi (6)and
Juni
or{
4}).Thembel
ihl
ehadbecomet heon
handmotherandshehadherfutureonholdas
shewasli
teral
lyamaidofhersi
ster.
Shewasl ooki
ngataf f
ordablecollageswher e
shecoul dapplytostudyashersi sterhadno
i
ntent i
onsintakinghertoschool tof urt
herher
studies.I
t’dbeenthreeyearssinceThembel i
hle
accumul atedhermat r
iccerti
fi
cateandshe
wishedt ogot oUniver
sitybuthersi sterwas
againstitsayi
ngshemustgi vehermor eti
me.It
wasendofJul yandev eryonestudent shad
retur
nedt othehigherinsti
tut
ionsf orthe
secondsemest er.
“Thembelihle!”Thokozi
l
ecall
edforher
mar chi
ngt hroughthehall
waydownstai
rsofher
elegantdoubl estor
eyhouse.
“Iam i
nhere!
”Thembel
ihl
eshoutedcl
osing
downthesearchhi
stor
y.Shedi
dn’twanther
sist
ertoseewhatshewassear
ching.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”she
askedi
nvi
ti
ngher
sel
fin.
“Iwasjustr
eadingsomenewsont
hei
nter
net
.”
sherepli
edlooki
ngather
.
Thokozi
le:
“Iam goingtowor know.Pl ease
don’
tfor
gettogof etchthekidsfrom school
andcookdinner
.Ileftmyuni f
ormi nthelaundr
y
pl
easewashi tf
orme. ”sheinstr
uctedher
l
ookingatherwristwatch.
Thembelihle:“
Okay.”Thokozi
l
ei nhal
edai
r
deepl
y.“Sisi,
Ihavebeenmeani ngtotal
ktoy
ou
aboutsomet hing.
”Sheadded.
“What?
”shel
ookedather
.“Makei
tfastEl
i
hleI
am goi
ngtobel
ate.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwaswonderi
ngifIcoul
dappl
y
forCol
l
eget hi
syearf
ornextyearadmi
ssi
on?”
Thokozil
e:“Thembelihl
ecan’tyouseethatmy
handsaretiedIdon’thavemoneyt oputyouin
Univer
sit
y.Ijustchangedtheboys’schooland
thi
snewschool i
sexpensive.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lappl
yforNSFAS.
”
Thokozil
e:“
Youwon’
tqual
if
y,Iam y
our
guardi
anandwithmyjoby
ouwon’tqual
if
y.”
Shediscour
agedher
.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwill
usebhut
iasmyguardi
anhe
doesn’
tearnthatmuch.
”Shesuggest
ed.“
I
real
l
yneedt ostudy.
”
Thokozi l
e:“
Iam lateforwor k.”Shel efther
hanging.Thembel i
hleshutt hecomput erdown
andst ooduptogetbusy .Shedi dn’twantt ocr
y
butshehadal lthereasonst ocr y.Hersi ster
hadmoneybutshedi dn’twantt oputhert o
school shehadalway ssuppl i
edexcusest hat
Thembel ihl
ewasmeantt ounder stand.It
frust
ratedherthatsheal way sfailedtost andup
forherselft
oherownsi ster
.
Shetookherphoneandsettheal
arm putti
ng
herphonedownasshebegant ocook.She
di
dn’twanttobelat
ewhenfetchi
ngthekids
becausetheywer
egoingtocomplai
nt othei
r
mot
herandshewasgoi
ngt
oshoutather
.
Thembel i
hleSthol
e,22yearsold,l
ightski
nned,
medium heightandthi
cksized.Shewasst il
l
downt oearthandherdefensi
veski l
lswereon
thecloset,
sheneededmor estrengthtobeher
trueself
.Andsoshewasy ettodiscoverher
trueself
.
Shehadl i
vedwi t
hhersi st
erfrom thedayMusa
mar ri
edher .Shewant edtostaybehi ndwi t
hher
brother,KwaNongomabutThokozi lerefused
sayingThokozani wasgoi ngtof ai
ltolookaf ter
herashewasn’ tearningmuchonhi sjob.
Thokozani nev erfini
shedcollegehemi sused
themoneyhi smot herhadleftforhimt ostudy
andThokozi l
eusedher swiselyandendedup
usingThembel ihl
e’smoneypr omisinghert hat
shewoul dt akecar eofherandherst udiesonce
shef i
nishedschool .
Thembili
hlecookeddi
nnerwit
ht ear
sonher
eyes.Shehadfoughtt
hem butthewoeshefel
t
t
hinki
ngofthewayhersi
sterwast
reat
ingher
madefai
ltocont
ainher
sel
f…
_
___
___
__

DalisuZulu,32y earsol d,alovi

ngandcar i
ngyet
formidabl
eandat t
ractivefi
rstpri
nceofIsi
lo
Samabandl a.Thehei roftheking,thesonofthe
fi
rstlady,
MaCebekhul u.Hewast heownerofa
successfulpr i
vatelymanagedPor tCompanyin
Richardsbay .Hewasar espectedmanbyhi s
professi
onandbyhi sname, t
heprince.
Hesatont heel egantskinprintcouchi nsidehis
father ’
shouse, eMahhashiniroyalpalacewher e
hismot herresidedandwher ehegr ewupwi t
h
hist hreesisters.Hisf at
herhadt hreewi ves,hi
s
mot herbei ngt hefirstwif
ewi thfourchi l
dren
andt hesecondwi fe,MaKhozawi t
ht hree
childrenandt hirdwifewithfourchildren.
Hewaspatient
lywait
ingf
orhispar
entsast
hey
hav
erequestedtohavea‘t
alk’
wit
hhim.Helai
d
backandenjoyedrel
axingonhisf at
hercouch
asthecoolairwashedhisworriesaway .Dal
isu
hadahouseKwaNongoma, fif
teenmi nutes
awayfrom eMahhashinir
oyalpalaceandhe
al
sohadabeachhousei nRichards’bay.
“Mybabyishome. ”MaCebekhulusai
dwalking
i
nsidether
oyalluxur
iousloungeofherhouse.
Shewasat al
ldarkskinnedvolupt
uouswoman,
l
oveabl
eandr espectabl
e.Thequeenofthe
peopl
e.
Dal
isusmi
l
edwarmlyandst
oodupt
oshar
ea
hugwit
hhi
smother
.
MaCebekhulu:
“Ionl
yseeyouwhentherei
sa
meeti
ng.”Shesai
dastheysatdowntoget
heri
n
onecouch.
Dali
su:
“Thati
snotent
ir
elyt
ruemamaandy
ou
knowit
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Lookatyou,youaregoi
ngback
towor
kaftert
his?”sheaskedlooki
ngather
sononagreycreasedbusinesssui
twit
ha
whi
tecol
l
aredshi
rtandbl
uet
ie.Hel
aughed
l
ooki
ngathimsel
f.
“Iam sorr
ytodisappoi
nty oubutno.”he
announced,hi
smot hersmi l
edrequestingan
expl
anationwit
hherey es.“Iam comingf r
om
workandIwi l
lspendtheweekendher e.”He
expl
ained.
MaCebekhul
u:“Wonder
ful
news!Iwi
l
lcooky
our
f
avour
it
emeal .
”
“I
t’sal
waysadel i
ghttoheart hat.”Hesaid
standi
ngupashi sfatherenteredr oom.The
twomenl ookedateachot herf orawhi l
eand
sharedwarml aught
erbeforecomi ngtoget
her
foramanhug.
“Lookatyou,
Mageba.
”Ndabezi
that
hetall
dar
k
skinnedbi
gman,t
hekingcompl
imentedhi
s
son.
Dali
su:“
Ndabezitha,
youmakeitsoundli
keit’
s
beenyearssincewelastsaweachother
.”They
l
aughedast hekingsatdownonhischai
r.
Ndabezit
ha:“Thebusinesskeepsyoubusyand
awayfrom us.”hesaidengagingonalight
conver
sati
onwi thhim, aconv
ersat
ionthatgav
e
bi
rthtotherealissuetheycal
ledhi
mf or.
“AndyourfatherandIt
hinkthatiti
stimeyou
comebackhome. ”MaCebekhuluinf
ormedhim.
Dali
susighed.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Yes,Ineedtostepdownandr est
now.YoucanseeIam t oool
dt orul
enowandI
havebecomeforgetful
Ican’
trul
eallthese
ki
ngdoms.Thepeopl eneedyoungbloodnow
mysonandt hati
sy ou.
”
Dal i
sukeptsti
ll
forawhileheknewthathehad
ar esponsi
bil
i
tywait
ingforhi
m buthethought
thathewasgoi ngtotakeoverwhenhisfat
her
die.
“Ihearyou,
Ndabezit
hanoNdlunkul
u.Iam not
sayingnobutIneedmaybeamont htoprepar
e
my sel
fforl
eavi
ngmyposit
ioninmycompany .I
don’tknowift
hatti
meisenoughforyou,
Mageba?”heaccept
edmakingarequest
.
Ndabezi
thal
ookathiswi
feandshenodded.
Ndabezit
ha:“Hhayi
.Sanel
elesoskhat
hi.ButI
wil
lneedyouhereev er
yweekendIhaveto
pol
ishtheknowledgeyouknowaboutruli
ngthe
ki
ngdoms. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
ldoasy
ouhav
esai
d,baba.
”
Heknewhecoul dn’tprot
estt oanythi
ngthey
havetoldhim ashehadpr otestedwhent hey
wantedhi m nottogoandst udyi n
Johannesbur g.Theywant edhi mt obenextt o
hisfat
herandl ear ntheropesaboutr ul
ing.He
knewt hatnowwast heti
met hetimetoobey
anddon’ tgoagai nstasinglewor dtheyhav e
saidtohim.
“Isther
eapotenti
alwifeyouaretaki
ngthe
thronewit
h?”MaCebekhulusmiledlooki
ngat
herson.Shewashopi nghe’
dsay“ No”asshe
hadherownsuggest i
ons.Theyalll
aughedas
theyhadexchangedlooksamongt hem.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam af
rai
dnotmama.
”
Par
ent
s:“
Hawu!
”
“I
nsizwaeyincwasi
mendenjengawemfana
wami lut
hointombi
?”Ndabezit
haasked
curi
ously.
Dali
su: “
Hhayi
,baba,y
ouknowwomenneed
att
entionandthatr
equir
est
ime.Thet
imet
hatI
don’thaveri
ghtnow.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“That
’st
rue.
”
Dal
isu:
“Ist
hereapr
obl
em i
fIt
aket
het
hrone
wit
houtawife?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“No,
buty
ouwi
l
lneedonesoon.
”
“
Icansuggestagoodbeaut
if
ulgi
rlf
ory
ou.
”
MaCebekhul
usaid.
Dal
i
su:“No,
ndl
unkul
uIwi
l
lfi
ndawi
fedon’
t
wor
ry.
”
Ndabezit
haandhiswif
eexchangedl
ooksand
appr
ovingsmil
e.Dal
isukeptqui
etwonder
ingi
f
hewasgoingtobeagreatki
ngornot.Whi
le
deepdownMaCebekhuluwasworri
edabout
herhi
ddenagendas…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE02

Sippingont hecol
ddr i
nkslayingont hepool
chairsunderthepool umbrell
at hetwof r
iends
wer ecatchi
ngup.Nozi busi
so, atal
lbrown
skinned,sli
m beaut
ifulgir
lsameageas
Thembel ihl
e.Shehadbeenf riendswi t
h
Thembel ihl
esinceshe’dmov edf r
om Nongoma
toDur ban.
“Howar eyourstudi
esgoi
nggir
l?”Thembel
i
hle
askeddirect
ingherbeaut
if
ulbi
gdarkeyest
o
herfr
iend,Nozibusi
so.
Nozzy
:“I
t’
sbeenhecti
cbutIam tr
yingIr
eal
ly
needt
ofini
shthi
sDipl
omathisyearandgeta
j
obnexty
ear.
”Sher
epl
i
edf
oll
owedbyt
he
wor
ri
edsigh.
Thembeli
hle:“
Itr
usty
ouwi
l
lpass,
Nozzy
.You
arehar
dwor ki
ng.
”
Nozzy:“
So,di
dyoursi
sterf
inal
l
yal
l
owy
out
o
appl
ythist
ime?”
“No,shesaidshedoesn’
thavethemoneyand
shedoesn’twantmetoapplyforNSFAS.”She
tol
dherpushinghershoul
dersforward,
Nozibusi
sofoll
owedher.Theylookedateach
other.
Nozzy :
“Ican’
tbel
ievethi
sishappeningtoyou
again.I
t’
sbeenthreeyearssi
nceshehasbeen
suspendingyourdreamswithexcuses,usel
ess
excuses.”
“Iknow,
”Shesai dputti
ngherjuiceonthe
woodenbr ownt abl
e.“Idon’
tknowwhatt odo
NozzyIam t i
redofbeingamot hertoherl
oud
spoil
tchi
ldren.”Sheaddedlookingint
othedi
rt
y
poolwater.
Nozzy:“
Juststudybehi
ndherbackyouhav
e
moneyyou’vebeensavi
ng,r
ight
?”she
suggest
ed.
Thembelihl
e:“Yes,
Ihavebutcooki
ngcourses
areexpensi
veandIcan’tdoiti
nsecretasther
e
i
sal otofki
tchenpract
isi
ngneeded.
”
Nozzy
:“Thi
sisbul
l
shi
t!Whydoesshehat
eyou
somuch?”
“Shedoesn’
thatemeIj ustthi
nkthatshe
doesn’
treal
isethatwhatshe’sdoingishurt
ing
me.Shenev ercooksevenifshe’sfr
eeandher
husbandishome.Ialwayscookf orthem.”she
tol
dherlookingathershortfi
ngernail
s.
Nozzy:“
Don’tprot
ecther,
Lihle.Ij
ustwishyou
canstopbeingopti
mistandber eali
sti
c.Thoko
i
susingyou.”shesaidharshlyand
Thembeli
hle’
sheartj
erkedhear i
ngthewords
shehadnost r
engthtoadmi ttohersel
f.
“WhatcanIdo,Nozzy
?Iam cluel
ess.
”She
askedl
ayingbackonthechai
randfacedher
f
ri
end.Nozi
busi
sodi
dthesame.
Nozzy
:“Youcanal
way
schangey
ourdr
eams.
”
“
No,
Ican’
t.
”shet
oldherpl
ainl
y.
Nozzy:
“ Imeangetsomet
hingt
hatcanhel
pyou
gett
oy ourdream.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Andwhat
’sthatbecausewhatI
knowisallIneedismoneyandal otofi
tbutI
don’
thavethemoneyandIdon’ tknowwhereI
canaccumulateit
.”
Nozzy:“
Youneedt
odream ofyoursel
fhavi
nga
ri
chpowerf
ulmanasyoursi
ster’
shusbandand
thatmydar
li
ngwil
lbeyourt
icketoutoft
his
hell
.”
Thembelihlewasstunt
edshej
ustl
ookedather
fr
iendwithoutut
teri
ngawordt
oher.Shekept
st
illanddidn’
tevenbli
nk.
“Don’tl
ookatmethatwaybecauseevenify
ou
robthebankyoursi
sterwi
l
lmanipul
ateyouint
o
stayi
ngwithherki
dsandasift
hat’
snotenough
shewi l
lrequestyouborr
owherthatmoneyyou
robbed.”Nozibusi
sopredi
ctedt
hepossi
ble
trut
h.
Thembeli
hle:“Wher ecanIgetahusband?You
knoweveni nhighschool boysdidn’
tevenask
meout.Howwi llIgetamanwho’ l
lmar
r yme?
”
sheaskedconsi deri
ngheridea.Butshehad
al
waysbeenademur redgir
l.
“Yousai dityourself
,‘
boy s’di
dn’tl
ookaty ou
andt hat’
sbecauseboy sinhighdidn’twast e
theirti
megoi ngaf t
erwel l
-manneredgi rl
slike
you, Li
hle.Theywant edeasygoi nggirlswhom
theywoul djustimpresswi thtwowor dsand
qhekei milenze,downt oshagging.”Shesai d
sit
tingonherbut tt
ol ookather.Thembel ihle
burstoutofl aughterandNozi busi
sol aughed
afterherreplayi
ngherwor dsinhermi nd.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
ecr
azy
”shewi
pedher
tear
s.
Nozzy
:“Butmenwantwel
l
-manner
edbeaut
if
ul
gir
lsl
ikeyou,notonlybeaut
if
ulbutsmartal
so.
That’
stheonlywayIseeasy ourti
cketoutof
thi
shorri
bleplace.
”
Thembelihl
elookedatherandsighedclosi
ng
hereyes.Shehatedhersel
fforconsi
deri
ng
whatshewassay i
ngtoher.Hermotherhad
tol
dhertherewasmor et
olif
ethanbeing
marri
edandsubmi tti
ngtoaman.
“EvenifIdoconsidert hi
si dea,
wherewi l
lIget
thatman? ”sheaskedopeni nghereyestolook
her.Nozibusi
solookedatherandpr ovidedno
answerasshewasr eali
singthatThembelihl
e
wasl i
keapr i
sonerinsidehersi st
er’
shouse.It
wasn’teasyforhertomeetnewpeopl e.
Nozzy:“
That’
saproblem butwecanalway
s
makeapl anmyfr
iend.”Shesai
d.Thembel
ihl
e
noddedreadi
ngatextonherphone.
“
SisiThokoisbackhome,pleasewalkmeback
t
ot hehouse.
”Sherequest
edst andi
ngup.
Nozzy
:“Di
dn’
therhusbandt
ell
hery
ouar
ewi
th
me?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ibethedi
dbutyouhowThokois,
evenherhusbandcan’
tevencont
rol
her
.She’
s
j
ustbossy.
”
“If
eelsorr
yforyoumyf r
iend.”Shesaidcasti
ng
outherarmst oherf
orahug.Theyshar ed
heart
fel
thugandwal kedt ogethert
oThoko’s
house.Theywereholdinghandsont hest
reets,
tal
ki
ngandl aughi
ng.
“Iam notgoingi
nwithyou.Idon’twantto
standthereandpret
endtoli
key oursi
sterand
herint
imidati
nghusband.
”Nozzysaidand
Thembelihlewel
comedherwor dswithlaught
er.
Theysharedgoodbyehugs.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iloveyouandhav
easaf
etr
ip
goi
ngbacktovarsi
tytomor
row.
”
Nozzy
:“Thanky
ouandIl
ovey
out
oo,
my
f
ri
end.”
Thembel
i
hleopenedt
hegat
eandt
oddl
edt
othe
backofthehouse.Sheusedt hekitchen
entr
anceandshef oundhersistersurpri
singl
y
cookingi
nt heki
tchen.Shegreetedherand
Thokozil
ejustgaveherthecoldshortlook.
Thembelihl
elookeddown.
“Whodoy outhinkwasgoingt
ocookl
unchf
or
mykidsasy ouhavebeengoneal
lday
,
Thembel
ihle?”sheshout
edather
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Bhut
iMusasai
dhewill
buyl
unch
fort
hem Iwantedt
oleav
ethefoodpr
epar
ed.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Andyoubel
iev
edt hathewill
?It’
s
aft
er1nowandmykidshaven’thadthei
rlunch.
Whatwereyoudoi
ngatNozzy’splaceal
lthi
s
ti
me?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wewer
ecat
chi
ngup.
”
Thokozil
e:“
Youhavearoofunderyourhead
provi
dedbyme, If
eedy
ouanddr essyoubut
youfailt
othankmebylooki
ngaftermy
chil
dren!
”
Thembeli
hlekeptqui
etl
ookingdownonher
handsunti
laslapfr
om hersist
errai
sedher
faceupfor
cinghertol
ookather .
Thokozi
l
e:“
Iam speaki
ngt
oyou!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”Shesai
dwi
pinghert
ear
s.
Thokozil
e:“
Iam t i
redIhavebeenworki
ngall
nightandIam expectedtocomebackandcook
foryouwhil
ey oudonot hi
ngalldayl
ong!
”she
proceededtoshoutather.Sindywal
kedinsi
de
thekit
chencrying.
Si
ndy
:“Mommy
,Iam hungr
y.”
Thokozi
lelookedatherdaughterandshota
deadstar
eatThembel ihl
e.Shelookeddown.
“Youbett
ergoupst ai
rsandironthosecl
othes
youlef
t.
”Shei nst
ruct
edher.
“
ButyousaidIshouldn’
tdoyouhusband’
s
l
aundr
y.”Sheremindedher.
Thokozi
le:“Whodoyout
hinkwi
l
ldoi
tnowasI
am cookingher
e?”
Thembeli
hledi
dn’tanswerher.Shemadeher
wayupstai
rspassingbytheli
vingroom wher
e
thefat
herandhischil
drenwereseated
watchi
ngTV.
Thembel ihleironedthecl othesasshewas
i
nstructedbyhersi sterwhi l
edoi ngt hatshe
wast hi
nki ngaboutNozi busi so’splan.Howwas
shesupposedt oadoptaf orei
gndr eam t obe
hers?Shewonder edast earst hreatenedher
eyes.Thiswasnev erthelifehermot herhad
predi
ctedf orher…Thi sl
ifewaspai nand
heartbr
eakandy ettheysaybl oodi st hi
cker
thanwat er…
_
___
__

I
t’dbeenaf ewweekssinceDali
suhadr egul
arl
y
beenaroundhome.Hisf at
herwasgroomi ng
himtobet heki
ng.Dal
isuhadbril
li
ant
l
eadershi
pskill
sandsoal l
hisf
atherdoingwas
topoli
shwhathehad.Itwasbetweent heking
andhiswif
ethathewasgroomingDali
sufor
thethr
oneastheycoul
dn’
tsendthewordout
thatwasgoi
ngtoputDali
su’
sli
feindanger
.
Butregardless,MaKhozat
hesecondwif
ehad
suspici
onst hattheki
ngwaspr
epari
ngDali
su
fort
het hroneashewasseenmor eoft
en
eMahhashi ni.
“Ican’
tbel
iev
et hatafterallt
hosey earsof
standi
ngbyhimy ourfatherwil
lchooset hat
boy.”MaKhozasai dlookingathermaddened
son,Sgwil
i
.Theywer ehav i
nglunchatt he
Lindi
zulur
oyalpalace,wher esheast hesecond
wifeli
vedwit
hherchi ldr
en.
Sgwi l
i
:“Thatwomanmi ghthaveusedmut hi
on
dad.Hewasdet erminedthatDali
suwi l
lnot
takethechairaf
terhi
m.”hesai dputt
inghis
coffeedownandcl i
ckedhistongue.MaKhoza
heldhishandtocalm hi
m down.Sgwi li
,a30
yearsoldman, t
hesecondsonoft heking.He
wast all
andbigli
kehisfatherbutl
ightski
nned
l
ikehismother.MaKhozaknewt hather
husbandhadsaidhewasn’tgoingt oletSgwi
li
rul
ebecausehewasr udeandgr eedybut
MaKhozawant edhim ast
hekingr egardl
ess.
ShewasjealousthatMaCebekhulu’ssonwas
chosennothers.
MaKhoza: “
Wehav etofi
ndawayt oputyouon
thatt
hronenotthatsof
tboy.Whatwil
lbecome
ofourZulunat
ionshouldDali
surul
e?”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Itwi
l
lbet
heendofi
t,mama.
”
MaKhoza:
“Wecan’
tlett
hathappen.
”Shesai
d
l
ooki
ngathim.
“Yes,
mama.Wecan’t
.”hesecondedherl
i
fti
ng
uphiscof
feecupt
otakeanothersi
p…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE03
Forthepastf i
fteenmi nut esThembel i
hlehad
beenst arri
ngatherphonewi thherbr other’
s
numberont hescr een, nownotv i
sibl
et oher
eyesast hephonehaddeemedi tdisplayli
ght.
Shewasscar edtocall him asshewasnotsur e
howshewasgoi ngtopr esentherwor dst ohis
ears.Thokozani ,wasat oughbuty etsof t
heartedwheni tcamet ohi ssister,Thembelihl
e.
Hewasn’ tblindt othemannerThokozi lehad
al
way st r
eatedThembel ihlebuthev i
ewedt hat
educatedpeopl ewithhi ghst atushadahabi tof
bri
ngingt heirstatusint hehousehol daffai
rs.So,
Thokozani woul dkeepqui etatti
mesj ustto
avoidbeingr emi ndedt hatt hei
rsisterwast he
onewi t
ht hehi ghpaidcheck.
Thembelihl
erespect
edherbr
otherhi
ghl
y,her
respectf
orhim wasn’
taweli
ketheoneshehad
forThokozi
le.
Fi
nall
y,shel
ift
edthephoneupandpresseditl
i
t.
Shesighedbefor
epressi
ngthedi
albutt
on.The
phonerang,t
wice,t
hri
ceandfour
thti
mewas
answer
ed.
“El
i
hle.
”Thokozanigr
eet
edher
,hi
svoi
ce
cover
edwithdeli
ght.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Unj
ani
,bhut
i?”shesmi
l
ed.
Thokozani
:“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou,
mnt
aka
mama? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ine,
butImi
ssy
ousomuch
bhut
i.
”
Thokozani
:“Imi
ssy
out
oo,
Lihl
eyoudon’
tev
en
vi
sit
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’shar
dtogetoutoft
hishouse
unl
essifyoucancallsi
siandt
ell
hert
hatI
shoul
dcomeandv i
sity
ou.”
Thokozani
:“Conv
inci
ngThokozi
l
eisf
arf
rom
possi
bleandyouknowthat.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Butbhut
i,Ineedabreakfr
om t
his
pl
ace.Iwanttocomethatside,
please.
”She
pl
eadedrueful
ly.
Thokozanisighedindef
eat.“
OkayIwil
lspeak
toher.Iwi
llcallhert
oni
ghtandyoucancome
her
ejusttorelax.”
Thembel
i
hlel
i
ter
all
yscr
eamedinhappi
ness
andshej
umpedfr
om herbedt
ostandonher
feet
.
“Sl
owdown!”hest
oppedher.“Shehasn’
t
agreedy
et.
”Heremindedher
.
Thembeli
hle:
“IknowbutIam posi
ti
vet
haty
ou
wil
lconv
inceher.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,okay
,hungupt
hecal
lnowI
am worki
nghere.
”
“Okay!
”sheexcl
aimedandhungup.
Thembeli
hlesmil
eddel
ight
edl
yandthr
ewher
heavybodyonherbed.
Shehadmadeadecisionthatshewasgoingto
gobackhomeandmay bethereshewasgoing
tomeetherkni
ghti
ntheshi ni
ngarmour.Aman
whowasgoingtowipeallhermiseri
esand
worri
esawayliketheseawaveswashingt
he
di
rtaway.Shelaidonthebeddreamy,
ofa
perf
ectst
rangerwhowasgoi ngtogi
vehera
ti
ckettot
hepromi sel
and.
Shewasn’ tpl
anni ngonget t
ingar ichruralman
assheknewt hatt heywer er i
chincont r
olli
ng
theirwives,detectingev erythi
ngt heydobutshe
hadhermi ndont hemenf rom thet own.The
moder nman, mostoft hem hadwar medupt o
thef eminism l
ife.Shehadt of i
ndsomeone
befor eThokozilesummonsherback…Butshe
wasner vousandnotsur ewhet hershewas
goingt omakeherdr eam comet rueornot …
Theal arm wentof fdist
urbingherf rom
envisioni
ngherf uture,shehadt ogetupt ake
thecaranddr i
vet ot hechildren’sschool…

Thokozi
lehadref
usedbluntl
ytol
etThembeli
hle
go.Thembeli
hlewashurtandangr
y,shewas
nowherenearmakingherdreamscometrue.
Shespentherday sdoingt hesameol d,
cleaning,cooki
ng,doingthel aundry,fetchi
ng
andnur si
ngt hechil
drenbutt histi
mewas
diff
erentasshewasdoi ngi twithamuch
heavierheartful
lofnothingbutr esent mentfor
hersister
.Herbehav i
ourhadchangedt owards
thewhol efamily,
shecoul dn’tpretendnomor e.
Shewasqui etandspokewhent herewasa
need.
Nozibusi
sohadtoldhertorunawaybutshe
couldn’
tdoitsooptedtostay
.Itwasawi ndy
Fri
day,endofAugust.Thembeli
hlehadfounda
newhobby ,r
eadi
ng.Shewasusi nghermoney
tobuynov el
sandtheykepthermindawayf r
om
all
thepain.
Therewasal oudbangandgl assbreaking
soundcomi ngfrom thel
i
vingroom.
Thembelihl
eleftherbookandjumpedof ft
he
bedtoseewhatwashappeni ng.Juni
orhad
pushedtheglassstandanditwasont hefl
oor.
Itwasn’
taheav ystandandithadnothingmuch
butdecor
ati
ngmat
eri
als.
“JUNI
OR!”Sheshout
edrunningdownt
hest
air
s.
Theli
tt
leboyl
aughedrunni
ngaroundt
hel
iv
ing
room.“Wher
eareyoursibl
i
ngs?”
Juni
or:
“Theyar
eplay
ingal
one.Ihav
ebeen
cal
li
ngyouandyouwerei
gnori
ngme!”het
old
herj
umpingupanddown.
“
Andsoy outhoughtbr
eakingthestandi
s
wi
se?”shecommandedl ookingathim
f
uri
ousl
y.
Juni
or:
“Yes!
”hel
aughedl
ooki
ngathersi
bli
ngs
j
oini
ngin.
Thembelihl
e:“Youdon’tknowwher emyr oom i
s,
huh?”sheaskedandt heotherswerelookingat
thebrokenpieceofathreepiecesstand.Juni
or
didn’
tanswerherhejustlaughed.
“Iwantagl
assofmi l
k!”her
equest
ednotsor
ry
ofwhathehadjustdone.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youbr
oket
hest
andf
oragl
ass
ofmi
l
k!”
Sandy
:“Don’
tshoutathi
m,he’
sjustachi
l
d.”
“
No!
”sheshout
ed.
Sindy
:“Wewill
tel
lmommyt
haty
ouwer
e
shouti
ngatus.
”
Andjustthent heirmot
herenter
edthehouse
kneadingherneck.Hereyeswentst r
aightto
thestandont hef l
oor
.“Whathappenedhere,
Thembel i
hle?”sheaskedlooki
ngatherwi t
h
fur
ylurki
ngi nsideher
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Juni
orbrokethest
and.
”Shesai
d
st
andi
ngstil
lbutherkneesshaki
ngbeneat
hher
l
ongfl
oraldr
ess.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Hebrokei
t!Wherewereyouand
whatwerey
oudoingwhenitbr
oke,huh?
”
“Iwasinmyr oom readi
ngabook.”She
mur muredmassagingherf
inger
s.Thokozi
le
tookthedecorat
ingreedst
ickonherbigvase
placedbythedoor.Shemarchedto
Thembelihl
eandhitherwi t
hthereedsti
ck
holdi
ngherhand.They oungersi
stercr
iedas
thesti
ckroseandfellonherbody.Thechil
dren
i
nt hehousewerelaughing.
“Ial
way st
ell
younottobeawayfrom t
he
chil
drenwhentheyarewat
chi
ngTVbecause
Juniori
snaughty.
”Shesai
dhi
tti
nghersti
l
l.
Juni
or:“Iwascall
i
nghermamaandshewasn’ t
comingdownIwast ryi
ngtogetherat
tenti
on.
Sheshout edatmeforaski
ngaglassofmilk.
”
Heexplainedaddi
ngtheangeronhismother.
Thokozi
l
est
oppedhi
tt
ingherwhenshewas
ti
red.
Thokozil
e:“Thokozanical
ledtodayaf terIhave
tol
dhimy ouar enotcomingt ovisithi
m.He
keptpressi
ngont hemat t
er,Iagreed.Buty ou
arenolongergoingthereasIwi llhavetouse
thattr
ansportmoneyandf oodmoneyIwas
goingtogiveyoureplacethi
sst and.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIdi
dn’
tbr
eakt
hest
and.
”She
sai
dwi
pinghert
ear
sthatnev
erst
oppedf
all
i
ng.
“It
’syourfaul
t!
”sheshout ed.“Andnowcl ean
thismess.”Shesaidlett
inggooft hest i
ck.
Thembel i
hlewenttocleant hemesscr eatedby
Juniorwhilehersi
sterkneeledbef oreherson
tocheckifhewasn’thurt.Sheki ssedt heboyall
overhisfaceandhuggedhi m dr
aggi ngher
otherchil
drenforahug.Thembel i
hle’sheart
painedasshewat chedthem…

Sundayaf
terchur
chThembel i
hlewascooking
whenherbrot
herappearedonthekitchenfr
om
thel
ivi
ngroom.Thepainfrom t
hebeat i
ng
hadn’
tebbbutherbackhadblueturningpur
ple
markswhereshe’
dhither.
Shefrozenotbel
ievi
nghereyes,
sher
ubbed
them andopenedthem agai
n.
“Hel
lo,si
siomncane.
”Thokozani
greetedher
.
Thembelihl
ebrokei
ntot
earsandmar ched
towardsherbr
othert
ohughim.Hehel dher
t
ightbrushi
ngherbacksof
tly
.“Don’
tcr
y,Idon’
t
l
i
ket oseeyoucryi
ng.”Hesai
dholdi
ngher
t
ighter
.
Thembeli
hle:
“ Bhuti
!”shecal
ledhi
m, sti
l
lnot
beli
evi
ngitwashi m.Thokozaniwipedhertear
s
withhi
shardthumbs.Thembel ihl
elaughedin
betweent
het earsast her
oughnessofhis
thumbskinti
ckledhercheeks.
Thokozani
:“Whati
sit
?”
“Yourthumbsaremuchroughcomparedtothe
l
asttime.”Shemurmur
ed,Thokozani
laughed
andpinchedherar
m pl
ayful
ly
.
Thokozani
:“Goupst
air
sandpacky
ourbagwe
aredri
vi
nghome.”
“Reall
y!
”Shejumpedholdi
nghermout
hasshe
couldn’
tcont
ainexci
tement
.
Thokozani
:“Yes,y
ourfri
endcal
ledmet otel
lme
whathappened.Idrov
emyshabbyv anfrom
homeandIhopei twil
lmakeitback.Sogo.I
t
oldThokozi
lethatIwasi
nt ownsoIam t
aki
ng
y
ou.Youwi l
lcomebackafterafewweeks.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Thanky ou!”shesaidleavi
nghim.
“Please,watchmypot s.”Shelaughed
disappeari
ngf astnottoli
stentohisresponse.
Thokozileandherki dsandhusbandhadgone
touShakaMar inespri
ngbreak.
Thembel i
hlepackedhercl ot
hes,everyt
hingshe
knewshewasgoi ngtoneedf orhervacati
on.
Shedi dn’
tleavehernov el.Shethenchanged
herclothesandwor edarkgr eyhighwaistpants
j
eansandawhi telooseli
ghtshi r
twithblack
sandals.Shel ookedatherf aceont hemi r
ror
andshesmi l
ed, alonel
ysmi le.Thenshet i
ed
herdar krel
axedl onghairwiththeweakgol d
highl
i
ghtont heends.
Shetookami rr
orsel
fi
eandsenti
ttoherfr
iend
Nozi
busisoshowinghershewasleav
ingandit
wasallthankstoher
…Shecarr
iedherbag
downstair
s.
“Si
siThokoisnotcomingbackj
ustyet?
”
Thembeli
hleaskedtaki
ngoverf
rom her
brot
her.
Thokozani
:“No,Idon’
tthi
nkso.I
tsoundedli
ke
theywerehavi
ngf unwhereshewas.Whereare
they?
”
“
Theywentt ot
hespringbreak.Iaskedtogo
wi
thhertoobutsherefusedsayingIam payi
ng
f
orthebrokenstand.
”Shesaidswi t
chingof
f
t
hestove.
Thokozani
:“Ir
eal
l
ydon’
tknowwhat
’swr
ong
wit
hher.”
“Idon’
twanttof i
ndoutnow.Al lIwanti
stogo
homeunl essyouwantf ood?”sheasked
point
ingthepots.Thokozanishookhishead
taki
nghissister
’sbag.Theywalkedoutofthe
housemaki ngthei
rwayt othedilapi
dat
edvan
thatThokozaniowned…
-
--
--
-
Theyhav ewai tedf oraki ng’smessengert o
i
nformt hem t hatt hehascal l
edt hemeet ingto
hi
st r
aditi
onal pal ace,eNy okeniwher ethethir
d
wif
eandherchi ldrenl i
ved.Butt hemessenger
nevercameandt heywonder edal onewi t
h
nobodyt ogett hem outt heirmiser y.MaKhoza
andSgwi liwer eont hei
rtoesandt heycouldn’
t
askthekingst raightforwar dtheyknewhewas
goingtotel l
them t oVoet sek!Theki ngwasno
mant ochi tchatt oaboutt hi
ngst hatdi
dn’t
concerny ou.Thewhol efami lyr
espect edhi m.
“Mama, Ihaveaplan.
”Sgwilisai
dsi
tti
ngdown
tojoi
nhismot heraf
teralongdayatwork.
MaKhozawashomewi t
hherdaughterwhowas
busycookingandherlastbornwasawaydueto
study
inginCapeTown.
MaKhoza:
“Whati
sitt
haty
ouhav
einmi
nd?
”
Sgwi
li
:“Ther
eisthi
sladyIthi
nkwemustset
hi
m upwith,
theywil
ldateandforsur
ehewi
ll
fal
lforherbecauseshe’sext
remelybeauti
ful
butherjobwouldbet omakeDal i
su’
slif
e
dif
ficul
tasshewi l
lbeherqueen.Thenshewi l
l
poisonhim andafterhi
sdeathIwil
ltakethe
thr
one.”
MaKhozagavehersonanevi
lsmi
l
eshewas
compl
etel
ysecondi
nghispl
an.
“Thati
s-”shestoppedt
alki
ngasThandi
we
appear
edwi pi
ngherhandswithadi
shclot
h.
Thandi
we:“
Mama, f
oodisr
eadybutIdon’
t
knowifweshoul
dwaitf
ordad.
”
Sgwi
li
:“Dadiscomi
ngher
e?”heaskedl
ooki
ng
athi
smot her
.
MaKhoza:“
Yes,hei
scoming.Let
’swaitf
orhim,
youknowhowhedoesn’
tli
keushav i
ngdinner
wit
houthi
m whenhe’
scoming.”
Thandiwe:“IknowbutIwantt
ogotomyhouse
ear
ly.Ihaveanearl
ymeetingt
oatt
end.
”She
complained.
Sgwil
i
:“Ndabezi
thadoesn’
tcar
eaboutt
hatand
youknowthat.
”
Shesulkedandt urned,
leavi
ngt hem topr oceed
wit
ht heirtalks.“
Wewi l
lcontinuethe
conversationlater
.Idon’twanty ourfather
comingi nher eonusandt hingswi l
lbe
awkwar d.”MaKhozamadehi m awarest anding
uptoseei feveryt
hingwasal lr
ightinthe
ki
tchen.
Sgwil
i:“
Youarer
ightIwi
llgot
omyhouseand
changethenIwi
l
l comeback.
”
“Dothat
.”Shesai
ddi
sappear
ingf
rom hi
s
sight
…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE04

Thembeli
hlewascomfor
tabl
einherf
ather
’s
house.Af
teral
ongti
me,shewasbackhome,
backinherbeauti
fulroom.Thehousewasst il
l
i
nonepi ecebutnotupgr adedassomehouses
i
nt heareawereupgraded.Butwhatdi d
Thokozaniknewaboutupgr adingahouse?Al l
hecaredaboutwashav ingaroofoverhishead.
Thembel i
hlewasplanningonpolishi
ngt he
houseforherbrot
herandmakei tfeell
ikehome
again.
Shewaswal ki
ngaroundt hev i
l
laget oseewhat
hadchangedandwhathadn’ t
,mostpeopl esti
ll
hadhutsonlyi
ntheirbigyardsbutt heyhad
cl
eanyards.Shewasl ookingaroundwhenshe
sawawomanst r
uggli
ngwi t
hgetti
ngabucket
oftapwateronherhead.Thembel ihlesmiled
andwenttohelpher.
“Letmehelpy ou,sisi.
”Sheoffer
edwi thasmi l
e
bendingdownt oliftthebucketwithher.She
putitonherhead.Mostpeopl ei
nt hevil
lages
hadnot apsintheirhomest heyfetchedclean
waterfrom t
hepeopl ewhohadt aps.Someof
them usedtheriver.Lucki
ly,
Thembel i
hle’s
househadt
het
apont
hey
ard.
“Thankyou.”thewomansaidlooki
ngatherwi t
h
afri
endlysmile.“Wai
t,ai
n’
tyoutheyounger
daughterofthelatei
ndunauSthol
e?”sheasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam andy
ou’
re?
”
“
Iam MakhosiGumedejustavi
l
lager
.”She
i
ntr
oducedher
self
.“Youhavegr
ownandy ou’
re
apret
tybi
ggir
lnow.”shecompl
imented.
Thembeli
hlesmiled.“
Letmewalkyouhome.
Youaremar r
ied?
”sheaskedlooki
ngatther
ing
onherlef
thandast heywal
ked.
Makhosi
:“Iam marr
iedt
oMzwakheGumede.
He’
soneoft heki
ng’
sguards.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh,
theki
ng,
Isi
l
osamabandl
a?”
sheasked.
Makhosi
:“Yes,areyoubackory
ouar
egoi
ng
backt
oyoursister?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam goi
ngbackbutIwi
l
lbeher
e
foraf
ewweeks.Areyouworki
ng?”
Makhosi
:“No,
Iam ahousewi
fewi
tht
hree
chi
l
dren.
”
“
Okay ,Iwouldl
iketomeett
hem i
fyoudon’t
mind.Imeanl i
ke,bey
ourfr
iendt
oo.”She
r
equest ed.
Makhosil
aughed.“Don’
tjokewithme,Li
hle.I
am ol
dandIthinkIwil
lprobabl
yboreyouwi t
h
mylif
e.Ther
ear ey
ounggi r
lsli
keyouher
e.”She
sai
d.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howol
dar
eyou?
”
Makhosi
:“Iam 27y
ear
sol
d.”
Thembel ihl
eal mostshout ed“Youlie!”butshe
containedherselfandherf aci
alexpression.The
womanl ookedol derthanheragebutmost
rur
al wiveslookedol der,
theyhav ewor nthe
‘
Omamabemi zi’
li
fe.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Youarebeaut
if
ul.
”Shesai
d,not
l
yingt
oher.Makhosiwasabeautif
ult
all
,sl
im
andcar
amel ski
nnedwoman.Shewasbubbly
andhadagoodheart
.Shewasapeople’s
per
son.Shesmil
ed.“
Thanks.Thi
sismyhouse.
”
Shesai
dasThembeli
hlewasstil
lpr
oceedi
ng
wit
hherwalk.
“Oh!Iam sorr
y.”Shetur
nedandopenedt he
smallgateforherandtheyenteredthe
premisesofahomewi t
hfiv
er oomedcent red
housesurroundedbythreehutsandt hebig
vegetabl
egardendownt hefence.Thegar den
thatwasbigenought obeanot herf
amily
’ssite.
Thembel i
hle:“
Youhav eabeauti
fulhome.What
i
swr ongwi thyourtapasyouarefetchi
ngthe
waterthatfar?”sheaskedassi
sti
ngherputthe
bucketdown.
Makhosi:
“Thewaterst
oppedrunni
ng,my
husbandpromi
sedtofi
xitthi
sweekendwhen
he’
sfree.
”
Thembeli
hlenoddedandMakhosiinv
itedher
i
nsideherupgradedf
iver
oom house.
Theywer
elaughi
ngandshar
ingst
ori
esabout
thei
rlives.Thet wogotalongv erywel landt hat
wasbecauseMakhosi wast heeasi estperson
toblendwi th,unli
keThembel i
hle.Makhosi told
Thembel i
hleall
aboutherhusband, howt hey
star
teddat ingandhowy oungshegotmar ried
tohim whenhehadnot hi
ngbutshewast here
byhissi deeverystepoft heway .Thembel ihle
wast ouchedbutshewaswor r
iedthatint hat
marriageMakhosi hadnot hi
ngt angibl
ebesi des
theman.Shecoul dwitnesswhathermot her
hadwar nedheraboutwi thherown
i
magi nat i
ons.
“Ial
sowishIcanfi
ndahusbandwhocanl ove
meandmakemehappy .
”Sheli
ed.Shedidn’t
wantahusbandforhappinessbutshewanteda
husbandtouseinordert
omakeherdr eams
comet r
uebutshewasn’tabouttotel
laperson
shehadjustmetall
abouthervisi
tbackto
Nongoma.
Makhosi
:“Youdon’
thav
eaboy
fri
end?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No.
”
Makhosi
:“You’
vehadonebef
ore?
”
Thembel i
hle:“Yes,
butwedi dn’
tevenlastfor
twomont hs.Hewasaner dsohet houghthe
wassmar t
erthanme.Wewer ejusttoomuch
foreachotherbuty etnotenough.Ineverdat
ed
afterhi
m.Idi dn’
ttr
ustboys.Mymom t ol
dme
nottotrustthem andmen. ”
Makhosi
:“Andshewasr i
ght!
”shestar
edatt he
bl
ankspacesbetweenherwallanddoor.She
di
dn’
twanttosharefur
ther.“
Butyoucanf i
nd
someonewhowi l
lmakey ouhappy.Mostgirl
s
do.
”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedsensi
ngthatt
her
ewas
moretot
hestat
ementshehadmadeear
li
er.
Makhosi:
“Youwantcof
feeorj
uice?
”she
asked.
“
Juicei
sfi
ne,
please.”Sher
epli
ed.Theybot
h
l
ookedatt
hefrontdoorasthenoi
semadeby
thechi
l
drencomi
ngf
rom school
fil
l
edt
he
house…
_
___
___
___
___

Hehadgat her edeverythingthatwashi s

personal belonging.Hest oodi nsidehis
l
uxuriousof ficebyt hewi ndowl ookingatthe
bayhar bour.Hewasgoi ngt omi ssworking
here.Thecompanywashi sbaby ,somet hi
nghe
buil
tfrom scr atchalone.Hehadonl yone
womanbel iev i
ngandsuppor ti
nghi sdreams,
hi
ssi sterMawande.She’ dbeli
ev edinhimt he
fi
rsttimehet oldhisfami lyaboutt hedream he
hadandshedi dn’tstoptheresheencour aged
hi
m.
“Readytogo?”Mawandeaskedf rom thedoor
ofherbr ot
her
’sof
fi
ce.Shewasshor t
,dark
skinnedandmedium si
zed.Shewasan
amazi ngwoman.Dali
suinhaledairdeeply
takingalastl
ookatt
hehar bourandaf t
erthat
her
eleaseda‘
thi
sisi
t!
’Si
gh.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes!Iwasbor
nfort
hisr
ight
,rul
i
ng?
”
Mawande:
“It
’sy
ourbi
rt
hri
ght
.”
Henoddedtaki
ngtheboxandhissi
stertook
theot
herone.“
Anddon’twor
ryaboutthi
s
company.I
t’
ssti
ll
your
sandit’
singoodhands.”
Shecomfort
edhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
youar
eri
ght
.”
Theylef
ttheoffi
ce.I
twasawar
m Monday
ni
ght,hi
sempl oy
eeshador
gani
sedafar
ewel
l
part
yforhim ear
li
er.
Theypackedtheboxesinsi
dehisdarkgr
ey
spottedFor
dRanger3.2doublecabwil
dtr
ack
auto.Shehel
pedhersi
sterstepinsi
dehi
shigh
vehicl
e.
“Thiscarofyour
sishighli
keat r
actor
.”She
saidsit
ingonthepassengerseat.
Dal
isu:
“No,youaretooshor
tfori
t.
”Hel
aughed
andshelaughedwit
hhim.
Hestar t
edthecaranddr oveoutslowly.While
wait
ingf ort
hepassingcar shesawawoman
st
andi ngbythet r
ee.Shelookedstranded
wearingwhitejeansandabl uevestwithblack
st
il
ettoswi t
hal otofgol
daccessories.
Mawande:
“No,
don’
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t.
”
Dal
isu:“
What?Itl
ooksl
i
kesomeonel
efther
hi
ghanddry.She’
sawomanandsheshouldn’
t
behereatt
hishour.
”
Mawande:“
Shecoul
dbeathug.Don’tyouknow
howthesewomenarecr
ookedthesedays?”
Dali
su:
“Let’
sfindout
.”Hesai
dst
oppi
nghi
scar
ri
ghtwherethewomanwas.
“Lady
,whyar ey
oust andi
ngher
eal
one?
”Dal
i
su
askedlooki
ngaround.
“Iam wai
ti
ngforafri
end.”Sheansweredhim
l
ookinguncomfor
tabletobespeakingwit
h
him.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“She’
ssupposedt
odr
ivemet
omypl
ace.
”She
answered.
Dal
isu:“
Letmedr
iveyou,
it’
slat
efory
out
obe
st
andingher
eal
one.”
“No,t
hankyoubutIcan’
tacceptal
i
ftf
rom a
str
anger
.”Shedecl
i
ned.
Dalisu:
“Iwon’
thurtyou.Thisi
smysi ster.
”He
sai
dpoi nt
ingherandMawandewav edherhand.
Thewomanst i
ll
decli
ned.“Okay,
atleasttake
mynumberandcal l
mei fsomethi
nghappens
orjustcal
ltosayyouarri
vedhomel ate.”He
suggested.
Thewomanl ookedathim wi
thadiff
erentey
e
andshenoddedt aki
ngherphoneoutofher
j
eanspocket
.Dalisugaveherthenumberand
sai
dgoodbyetell
inghertobesafe.
Mawande:“
Youar
esuchacari
ngman.Thegi
rl
youwi
llmar
rywi
ll
bever
ylucky
.”
Hel
aughedandsai
d:“
Wel
l
,thatonewas
beaut
if
ul.
”
Mawande:
“Yeah,butdoyouseeherasaqueen?
No,
shetooglamorous.
”
“Isupposedy
ouar
eri
ght
.”Hesai
dchangi
ngt
he
gear.
Mawande: “Don’tworryt
oomuchaboutf indi
ng
awifebecausey ou’l
lenduplookingforherin
wrongwomen.Mom anddadar enotr ushing
youwiththat.You’l
lseewheny oumeether
you’
llj
ustknowt hatshe’
stheone. ”
Dali
sulookedatherbr i
ef l
yandhesmi led.He
wasamazedofhowhi ssisterhadgr ownt obe
awonder ful
,cl
everyoungwoman.Buthe
wasn’tsureaboutknowi ngwhenhemeet s‘
the
one’becausehehadt houghtbef orethataf ew
womenhehaddat edwer e‘t
heone’ butt hey
neverturnedtobe.Ormay bethefeelingand
thoughtshehadwer en’ttheonest haty oufeel
wheny oumeet‘theone. ’ButMawandewas
ri
ghtaboutonet hi
ng,hedi dn’
tneedt owor r
y…
Thewomanhadcal l
edDal i
suatnightt
oi nf
orm
hi
mt hatshewassafe.Herbeautyhadcaught
hi
sey eandhehadani nt
erestt
omeetheragai n
butwasplanni
ngontelli
nghersomeot her
ti
me.
He’dsettledbacki nt
ohi smansi on,abig
tradi
ti
onal l
yr oofedhousebui lti
nt hemiddleof
thebigwi redf encedy ard.They ar
dwas
surroundedbyt rees,frui
ttreesandj usttrees.
Therewasabi genoughf reespacef ora
vegetablesgar denbuthewasn’ tgoingtodo
thatforhimsel f.Hehadt wohut satthebackof
thehouseandanout sidebat hroom, ashower
andat oilet.Themansi onalsohadt wo
bathroomsi nside.
Hismotherar
rangedherext
endedfamil
yfri
end
tobehi
smai dandhehadnopr obl
em wit
hher
asheknewherper sonal
l
y.
Hewashav
ingbr
eakf
asti
nsi
dehi
smot
her
’s
housewi
ththekingandhissi ster
sMawande
andNokut
hula.Thei
roldersisterNomal
anga
wasmarri
edtoanotherkingdom.
Ndabezi
tha:“
Therei
sar eeddancecomingup,
Mageba.Doy ouwanttoatt
enditaski
ngor
you’
l
ltakethr
oneaftert
hedance?”
Hissister
sweretol
dthathewasgoi
ngtotake
thethronebutt
heywereadvi
sednott
otel
l
anyone.
Dali
su:“
Iwi
llat
tendt
hedancef
ir
standbe
anoi
ntedaf
tert
hedance.
”
“That’
sagoodidea.
”MaCebekhul
usuppor
ted
him seei
nganopport
uni
ty.
Nokut
hula:“
Whydon’
tyougotothedanceas
ki
ngandchooseawif
ethereamongthebevyof
beaut
ies.
”
“
HHAYIWENA!”Ndabezi
thashout
ed.The
f
ami
lyl
aughed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’sact
ual
l
yagoodi
dea.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Nkosi
kazi
!”
Thefami
l
ylaughed.“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndmywi
femyown
way.
”Heannounced.
Mawande:“Yebo,
bhut
ibat
shel
e
awunagwababawena.
”
TheylaughedandMaCebekhul
usmi
l
edpr
oudl
y
l
ookingatthem…Herfamil
y…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GN

EPI
SODE05

Thembel i
hlehadbeenhomef oraweekandhad
beencl osertoMakhosi .Theywer egoodf r
iends
andshewashappyi nthev i
llagewithher
brot her
.Makhosi hadt ouredherar oundthe
vi
llageandThembel ihl
eev engotachancet ogo
vi
si theruncle’
sfami l
y,herf ather
’sbrot
herand
heraunt .Theydidn’tli
vekwaNongomat hey
l
ivedout sideNgwel ezane.Theywer ehappyto
seeherafteralongtimesi ncetheylastsaw
eachother.Theywer etheonlyaliv
ef amil
y
member sfrom herfather
’sside.Hermot her
’s
si
dehadnobodyl ef
tbutthewal ls,t
heancient
wall
s.Buttheyhadcousi nslivi
ngin
Johannesburg.
Thembel ihl
ehadtoldMakhosi thatshewanted
ahusbandbecausehewasgoi ngt orel
easeher
from thehell
holethatwashersi st
er’
shouse.
Shedi dn’
ttell
herthatsheneededt hehusband
forthemoneyandshewasn’ tplanningon
tell
i
ngher .OnlyNozibusisoknewt hatandshe
want edittostayl
ikethat.Shehadn’ tmet
anyoneandshewaspl anningongoi ngto
Richards’bayandhav efunmay beshewas
goingmeetsomeonet here.
Shewasbusywashi ngherbrother’
sclothes
underthetreewhenherphoner ang.Shehad
herearphonesonsoshepr essedtheanswer
buttonandstoodstr
aightsmil
ingasMakhosi
enteredherpremi
ses.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Si
si.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whenar
eyoucomingbackhome?
I
t’
sbeenaweeksi
nceyoul
eft
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Bhut
ihav
en’
ttol
dmeIshoul
d
go.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Youshouldwaitf
orhi
mtot
ell
you
tocomebackhome,huh?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hesai
dso.
”
Thokozil
e:“Thatisbull
shi
t!ComebackorIwi l
l
comef et
chy ou.Whatlif
ecany oupossibl
y
havethere?
”sheaskedshout ingather.
Thembelihl
edi dn’
tanswerher.Thokozi
le
cli
ckedhertongueandhungupt hecall
.She
removedhert heearphonesandsighed.
“
Theev
ilsi
ster
?”Makhosi
asked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
shewant
smet
ocome
back.
”
Makhosi
:“Shemustchi
l
lbecauseIhav
epl
ans
f
oryou”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatpl
ans?
”sheaskedsmili
ng
fal
l
ingbacktopr
oceedwit
hthewashing.
Makhosi:
“Youneedtogotothereeddancethi
s
Fri
dayandhopeful
l
yyouwil
lgetyourkni
ght.
”
Shesuggest
ed.Thembel
ihl
elaughedand
st
oppedwashing.
Thembeli
hle:“Yoh!Makhosi.Idi
dn’
thavean
i
deaofgettingar ur
alhusbandtheyar
e
cont
rol
l
ing.”
Makhosi
:“Youcansayt hatagai
n!”t
heyl
aughed.
“
Butyounggoodl ooki
ngandsuccessful
men
whom ar
ef r
iendswiththekingdocometoo.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Theri
chonesknownot hing
aboutmakingawomanhappy .”Shesaidtr
ying
sohardtoburythef
actthatsheapprovedof
thei
dea.Shehadbeent othereeddancebefor
e
andsheknewwhatt ypeofmenat t
endedthe
dance.
Makhosi
:“Justt
ryLi
hle.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Okay ,
Iwi l
ltr
y.”Shesaid.
Makhosi clappedherhandsdel i
ghtedlyasshe
couldseet hebeginningofabeaut ifull
ovestor
y.
“ButIwillneedat radit
ionalatt
ir
ewor nbythe
gir
lsinthi
sv il
lage.Inol ongerhaveit.
”
Makhosi:“LeavethattomeandIwi
lll
eav
eyou
tothatwashing.Ijustwant
edt
otel
lyoui
n
person.Ihavetogonowmyhusbandwi l
lbe
backsoon.”
“Okay,
byeMrsGumede.”Shel
ookedatheras
shelef
ther
.Makhosi
laughedwavi
ngherhand.
Thembeli
hlemadeali
ttl
escream al
oneasshe
l
ikedthei
deathatMakhosihad.Shewas
planni
ngonhermindthatshehadtolookbest
andhopeful
lycomebackhomechosen…
_
___
___
__

Thewomanhadagreedtohav
elunchwit
h
Dal
isu,
sheagr
eedaft
erhehadtr
iedsev
eral
t
imesandgotr
eject
edbyher
.
Shesatacr osshi
m atthet ablelooki
ng
beauti
ful,
wi t
hhersmal ll
azyey esandl i
psso
perf
ectasi fthel
ipst
ickoni tneverfaded.She
wasy el
lowwi thl
ongdr eadlocksonherhead
andawel l-
shapedbody .Shedr essed
gl
amor ouslybutnottoomuch.Nt ombi washer
name.
Dali
su:“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ouar
eher
e.Youl
ookso
beauti
ful.
”
Ntombi:“Thankyou,Dalisu.AndI,mysel
fcan’
t
beli
evethatIact
uallycame. ”Shesai
dtaki
nga
si
ponhercockt ail
.“IguessIowedy oufor
beingsocaring.
”
Dali
su:“
Wel
l
,thatdoesn’
treal
l
ymakeme
happy.
”
Ntombi:
“It
’snotpit
y,Dali
su.”Shesai
dlooking
atthewait
erasheser vedthem.Sheplacedher
handonhisshoulderasagest ur
etogivehima
goaheadtoputthef ooddownbutDalisudidn’
t
seethataswhatitwas.Hehadsuspectedshe
wasf l
ir
ti
ngwitht
hewai t
erbuthedismissedthe
thoughtthi
nki
ngthel
adywasbei ngfr
iendly
.
Theyt hankedthewai t
erandhel eftt
hem to
havet hei
rmeal.Nt ombi wasdoingallt
he
tal
king,tel
li
ngDalisuabouther sel
faski
ng
nothingabouthimi nreturn.Dali
sunoti
cedbut
heconcl udedthatallt
her edfl
agscouldbe
fi
xed.Thel adywasext remelygorgeousandhe
want edaseconddat ewi thher…
Aft
erthedatetheywalkedbarefootont he
beachsand.I
twasl ateatni
ght.Dalisuhadhi
s
handholdi
ngher sandtheseabr eezefelt
pl
easingontheirski
ns.
TheyreachedaspotwhereDal
isust
oppedand
pul
ledtheladycl
osert
ohim.Shesmiledathi
m
andlookeddownthenbackup.
Ntombi:“Thisi
sabeautif
ulnightandthest
ars
arebeauti
fulupinthesky.
”Shesaidlooki
ngup
andDalisulookedupwithherandsecondedher.
Theirey
esmetastheywer
edi
rect
ingt
hei
r
facesbackdown.
Dal
isuwantedtotasteherli
psti
ckandherli
ps.
Heplacedhisl
efthandatherlowerbackandhe
ki
ssedher…Theykissednotreali
singt
hat
someonewaswat chingthem af
terper
for
ming
ari
tualonthesea…
-
--
--
MaCebekhuluwashav i
nghermor ni
ngtea
i
nsideherr
oom whenherphoner angand
Sgonondo’
snameappear edonherscreen.Her
heartal
moststopped.Sheimmediatel
yputthe
teacupawayandanswer edthecall
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thokozagogo.”Shetr
iedt
o
hi
dethenerv
ousnessonhervoice.
“
Ngithokozel
einindl
unkul
u?Huh?
”sheaskedi
n
adeephuskyv oi
ce.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
swr
ong?
”
Sgonondo:
“Isawy
oursonwi
thagi
rlbyt
hesea
andt
heywer
emi
sbehav
ingi
npubl
i
catni
ght
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
,whendi
dyouseet
hem?
”
Sgonondo:
“Thati
snotimport
antbutwhat’
s
i
mpor t
anti
sIknowthatheisbackhome.”
“
He’
sont
hebr
eakatwor
k.”MaCebekhul
uli
ed.
Sgonondol aughedmockingl
y.“
Youcan’tfool
me, ndlunkul
u.Ever
yonecanseethatyour
husbandi soldandyoursonwil
lhavetotake
afterhi
m.Iwasj ustcal
li
ngyoutoremindyou
thatmydaught ershoul
dbethequeenand
nothinglessbutthequeen.
”Shesaid.“
Orelse-
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Noneedtosayi
t.Iwi
l
lseet
oit
t
hatmysonmar ri
esher
.”
“That’
sgood.”Shesaidandhungupt hecal
l
l
eav i
ngthequeen’snightgownsdrenchingin
herownsweat …Shedi dn’
tknowhowshewas
goingtostar
twhent alki
ngDali
suintomar r
ying
Zodwa.Butmay behewasgoingtolikeher,the
gir
lwasbeaut i
fulunl
i
kehermot her…
MaCebekhul
usi
ghedget
ti
ngof
fherbed…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
EIGNDREAM

EPI
SODE06

Dal
isuwasinsidehismother’
shouse,hehada
pl
ateofbreakf
astinhishand.Hewhistl
edhi
s
waytothedini
ngtable.Hewasinagoodmood,
hehadagoodt imewi t
hNtombitheprevi
ous
ni
ght.
“Whathappened?”MaCebekhul
uaskedsi
tt
ing
downwithhim.Dali
sulookedathi
smotherand
shookhishead.
Dali
su:
“Younev
erchangemama,
doy
ou?
”he
aski
ngtaki
ngasli
ceofbr
ead.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwantt
oknowwhatmakesmy
sonhappy.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wel
l
,it
’sgoodt
obehomeandhav
ea
pr
operhomecookedmeal
s.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Oh!Iseeyouarealwayseati
ng
i
nmyhouse.Youdon’thavefoodinyour
house?
”sheaskedsmil
ing,
theylaughed.
Dali
su:“
Idon’
treal
l
yli
kesi
ssHl
ezi
phi
’
s
cooki
ng.”
MaCebekhulu:“Hhayi
wena!”t
heylaughed.
“That
’swhyy ouneedawifeandIhave
someoneinmi ndforyou.
”sheaddedtryi
ngso
hardtorel
ax.
Dal
i
su:“Who?Ial
sohav
esomeonebutshe’
sa
moder
nwoman. ”
MaCebekhulu:“Mychoicei
snotamodern
womanandy ouknowhowmoder nwomen
causetroubl
einhere.Doyour
ememberyour
fat
her’
slastwif
e,MaMzobewhenshefir
st
arr
ivedhere?
”
Dal
i
sul ookedathi
smotherandsai
d.“
Yoh!”
t
heylaughedrecal
l
ingt
hetimewhenthethi
rd
wif
ewasst r
ugglingtoblendi
nwiththefamil
y
andthei
rtr
aditi
ons.“Butwhenyoulookather
nowy ouwon’tsayshewasev ert
roubl
e.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Yes,buty
oudon’
tneedt
hat
dr
amaf oraf
irstwif
e.”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
tint
endt
otakemorethanone
wif
e,mama.Womenar etr
oubl
e.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Kwahl
ewena!Uy
adel
aloy
o
mkakho.
”Sheremar
ked.
Dal
i
su:
“She’
l
lbet
heonl
yqueen.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“ Thati
salsonotabadt
hing,
especi
all
yforyourchi
ldr
en.”
Dali
su:“Yeah,butIam notpromi
singyou
anythi
ngwi t
hthisladyyouhaveinmindf orme.
Iknowy ouareagoodj udgeofcharactersoifi
t
doesn’
twor koutwi t
hthisoneIwil
lconsider
yourchoice.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay.That
’sgood.Iwi
l
lleav
e
yout
oy ourf
oodIhavetobesomewherewith
t
hewomeni
nthi
svi
l
lage.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,godoy
ourwor
kndl
unkul
u.”
Shesmi l
edandleftherson.Shewasal i
tt
lebi
t
rel
ievedt
hathewasconsi deri
ngi
t.Zodwa
mightbethedaughterofasangomabutshe
wasawel l-
manneredgirl
.Shewasraisedbyher
grandmothernothermother.
Dal
isuf
ini
sheduphi
sfoodandwal kedbackt
o
hi
shousetogetr
eadyforhi
srout
ineofthe
day…
-
--
--
--

MaKhozaandSgwiliwereinsideSgwil
i
’shouse,
Wednesdayni
ghtwaiti
ngf orthegi
rlt
ocome
andi
nformthem ofherprogresswit
hDalisu.
MaKhoza:
“Ihopethi
sgir
lyouhav
echosen
knowswhatshe’
sdoing.
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Don’
twor
rymama.
”
Thewomanenteredthehouseweari
ngalong
bl
ackdr
essandflatshoes.Shesmil
edand
st
oodbythedoorwaiti
ngtobeoffer
edaseat.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Comeandsi
twi
thusNt
ombi
.
”
Ntombinoddedwit
hasmileandsatdownona
si
nglecouch.“
Sawubonamamaundlunkul
u.”
Shegreet
edMaKhoza.
MaKhoza:
“Yebo,
howar
eyou?
”
Nt
ombi
:“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
MaKhoza:
“Iam f
ine.Youlookbeaut
if
ulIam
suremyst
epsonhasf al
l
enf ory
ouaswe
speak.
”
Ntombismiledlookingdown.“ Hedidn’tescape
mycharms.Thepr oblem withhimist hathe’s
toocar
ingheof fer
edt ohelpthefi
rstdayhe
sawmej ustli
keSgwi l
isaidhewoul d.
”
MaKhozaandhersonl
aughedoutl
oud.
MaKhoza:
“Thatboyi
stooweak.
”
Sgwil
i
: “
Andthati
swhyweshoul
dnotall
owhi
m
tobetheki
ng.Whenarey
oumeetinghi
m
agai
n?”
Ntombi:“
Hesai dhewil
ltel
lme.It
hinkIshoul
d
j
ustdothisbeforehebecomestheking
becauseoncehe’stheki
ngandIam hiswifeI
wil
lbethesuspecttohavepoi
sonedhim.Idon’
t
wanttogotojail.
”
MaKhoza:“Butwhataboutmaki
nghi
sli
fe
di
ff
icul
t?”
Ntombi:“Thatmeansnothi
ng,youshouldn’t
playwit
hhim andendupshifti
ngyoureyes
fr
om yourmai ngoalwhi
chistaki
ngthet hr
one
fr
om him.Rightnownobodyknowsmeasa
speci
alwomani nhisli
fesotheywouldn’t
suspectme.”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Whatdoy
out
hinkmama?
”
MaKhoza:“Il
ikey
ourmi ndy
ounglady .Iwi
ll
havesomeonemi xsomethi
ngtogetherand
Sgwil
iwi
llgiv
eitt
oy ou.Onyournextencounter
y
ouwi
l
lpoi
sont
hisf
ool
.”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Yeah,
let
’sgeti
tov
eranddonewi
th.
”
MaKhoza:
“Iwil
ll
eavenow,
son.
”Shesai
d
get
ti
ngup.Sgwil
ist
oodupandwal
kedherout
oft
hehouse.
Hegotbackandwenttohisbar
.“Youwant
wi
neorwhiskey?”heshout
edfr
om theot
her
si
deofthehouse.
“Wine!”sheshoutedbackfeel
ingti
nglesdown
herspine.Sgwil
icamebackwi thherglassand
bottl
e.Andthewhi skeyf
orhimself
.
Nt
ombi
:“Wear
ecel
ebr
ati
ng,
alr
eady
?”
Sgwi
li
:“No,j
ustst
art
ersbecauseIcanseet
hatI
madear i
ghtchoi
ce.
”
Ntombi:“Butpi
tyyoudidn’
tmaket heri
ghtone
forme.”shesaidgett
ingupt ositnextt
oSgwili
.
Sheplacedherhandonhi sthigh.
Sgwi
li
:“Ihavesomeonei
nmyl
i
fe.
”het
ri
edt
o
di
sappointher
.
Ntombi:“DoIlookli
keIcare? ”sheaskedl icking
herl
owerl i
p.Themandi dn’tanswerher .“You
see,Dali
suishandsome, dark-skinnedandwi t
h
themuscles.Hehasawel l
-builtbodybutnot
forme.Ili
kebigmen, j
ustlikey ou.Bigment urn
meon. ”Shesaidseducti
velymov ingherhand
uptothezipofhispants.
Sgwili
’seyeswer
edrawntoherappet
isingli
ps.
“Youwi l
lputy
ourgl
assdown?”heasked
putti
nghisdown.Ntombismi
ledandplacedher
glassdown.Shesatonhi
m andtheykissed.
Themanwashol dingherrightasshewi shed.
Hestaredatherdar kni
pplesast heyhave
swell
edandhar dened.Ntombi wasnakedand
themanwasst ill
wi t
hhissui tpants.Ntombi
massagedthetensemuscl esoft hebackof
Sgwil
i’
sneckandhet ouchedherbr east
s.She
fel
tcompell
edtor eacttohist ouchbendi ngher
headandhermout hopenedwi derasshe
all
owedthepleasuretoconsumeher .He
wantedtoseeherbeaut if
ul sexfaceandsohe
kepthiseyesopenedunt
ilshebentforwardt
o
kisshi
smanni ppl
es.Wit
ht hespacesbetween
them Sgwi
limanagedtosendhisf i
ngersi
nsi
de
thejui
cyconsumedsexorganoft hewoman.
Ntombi :
“ Takemenow! ”shecr iedoutf ai
li
ngto
baretheov erwhelmingpl easuret hemanwas
givi
ngher .Hel aidherdownonhi ssoftcarpet
anddi scar dedhi ssuitpant spositioni
nghimsel f
betweenhert highs.Ntombi sentherey esdown
tolookathi ssexorganbutheki ssedher
distr
act i
ngherf rom seeingwhatwasaboutt o
fi
llher.Thewomanwast ightandr eadythat
causednost r
uggletoSgwi l
iasher ammed
himsel finsideherbodymaki ngherscr eam as
shelef tthef ull
nessofhi mi nsideher …
“YouareasIhaveimagi
nedy ou.
”Ntombi
remarkedexci
tedasSgwil
ibegantomovewi
th
her…
_
___
___
__
Ther
eeddancecer
emonywasi
nit
ial
l
y
beginni
ngonFr iday .All
thegi r
lsint hevi
ll
age
werepr epar
ingthemsel vesfort heirbig
ceremonyoft hey ear.Thembel ihl
ehad
i
nformedherbr othert hatshewasat t
endi
ngt he
danceandThokozani hadnopr oblem wi t
ht hat
.
Hewant edhertodowhat everthatmadeher
happy.Thembel i
hl ewaspr ayingandhopi ng
thatshecomebackhomewi ththenewst hat
herfatehadchanged.Shecoul dn’tbearthe
thoughtofcrawlingbackt ot hehel l
holewher e
she’dbeenlivi
ngi n.
Shewascomi ngfr
om hermother
’sgr
ave,she
sawtheneedt ogocl
eanthegrav
eandspeak
tohermother
.Shewantedhertobewithher
ever
ystepoftheway.
“It
’smyfir
stti
meseei
ngsuchabeautif
ulgir
lin
thisvi
l
lage.
”Amanont hecarremar
kedlooki
ng
atThembelihl
e’
ssmoothlegs.
Thembel
i
hle:“
It
’sgoodf
oryou.
”shesai
d
walki
ngf
aster
.Themanspeededhi
scarto
accommodat
ehermov
es.
“Iam Senzoaconst r
uctorwhogotat enderto
buil
dRDPhousesf orthosewhor eal
lyneed
them.”hemar ket
edhimsel ftoThembel i
hleand
shethoughtforawhi l
et hatshehadf oundthe
dealbreaker
.Sheturnedt olookathim andshe
sawt heri
ngashet urnedt hesteeri
ngwheel.
Thembeli
hle:
“That’sgood.
”Shewas
di
sappoi
nted.“Makhosi!
”shecal
ledherr
unning
uptoherandthemangav eupspeedi
nghiscar
.
Thembeli
hlesighed.
Makhosi
:“Whatwast
hatonesay
ingt
oyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hewast
ell
i
ngmehasat
ender
.”
Makhosi l
aughed.“Hehasplayedwithalotof
gir
lsinthi
sv i
ll
agepromisi
ngthem money .
”She
said.Thembeli
hlefel
tasharpquickpai
n
crossingherheart
.Shehatedthefactt
hatthe
minutethemansai dhehadmoneyshel ooked
athim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam l
ooki
ngforhappi
nessand
l
ovenotmoney.
”Sheli
ed.
Makhosi:
“Andthatiswhaty
ouwil
lfi
nd,where
wer
ey ouIlef
tyouratt
ir
eint
hehouse.It
hrewit
i
nthroughthewindow.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwentt
ocl
eanmymot
her
’sgr
ave
andIspoketoher.
”
Makhosi:“
That’
sagoodt hi
ng.Youwil
lsee
ever
ythi
ngwillworkonyourfav
ourt
hisFri
day
anddon’tf
orgettopray
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Icanneverf
orget
.Ihav
e
vol
unt
eeredtobepartofthegir
lswhowi
l
lbe
songl
eadersforourvi
l
lage.
”
Makhosi
:“That
’sgoodandy
ouar
eagood
si
nger
.”
Shelaughed.“Pl
ease,
comeandseemefitt
he
att
ir
e.”Sherequest
ed.Makhosi
fol
l
owedher…
_
___
___
___
___
_
MaCebekhuludidn’tt
rustthatDali
suwasgoi ng
togetawayfrom thewomanhehadf ound.She
knewmodernwomenwi ththei
rskil
lstoholda
mandown.Shewaskni tti
ngjerseysforthe
needychi
ldr
enwhenshedeci dedtor ai
seher
phoneandcallSgonondo.
“
Youarecal
l
ingt
otel
lmet haty
oursonwants
t
omeetmydaughter
?”sheaskedonthathusky
v
oice.
MaCebekhul
u:“No,buti
t’
sdiff
icul
ttoconv
ince
hi
mtomeety ourdaughter
.”
Sgonondo:“
Ndlunkul
u!Ndlunkul
u!Don’
tfor
get
whatwil
lhappenifhedoesn’tmarr
ymy
daught
er.Don’
t!
”
MaCebekhul u:
“Icannevermakethatmi st
ake
thati
swhyIsuggestt hatyoubri
ngyour
daughtertothereed.Dal
isuwil
lal
soattendthe
dance.Iam surewhenhecanseeher .Hewi l
l
l
ov eher,Zodwaisbeauti
ful.
”
Sgonondo:
“Atl
easty
ouhav
eami
nd!
”she
mockedheranddroppedt
hecal
l
.Thequeen
si
ghedthefearout
…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE07

Hewasgett
ingreadyforhi
sseconddatewi
th
Ntombii
nsi
dehishousewhenhissist
er,
Mawandebudgedinsi
dehisenormous
bedr
oom wi
thoutknocki
ng.
“
WOAH!”Dal
isushout
edtaki
nghi
sshi
rtf
rom
t
hebed.Hewastopl
ess.
Mawande:
“Mxm.Don’
tgetwor
kedup.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ial
way
stel
lyout
orespectmyspace.
Mawande:“AndIhav
eahabitofnotl
i
steni
ngt
o
you.Wher
eareyougoingdr
essi
ngupso
smart?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thati
snoneofy
ourbusi
nessj
ustget
upf
rom mybedandhel
pmewi
tht
hisshi
rt
.”
Mawandegotupf r
om t
hebedandhelpedhim
f
astenthebut
tonsonhiswri
sts.“
Don’
ttel
lme
youaregoi
ngtomeetthatNtombiwoman.”
Mawandesaid.
Dal
i
su:
“Andi
fIam?
”
“Thiswil
lst
opyou.
”shesaidtaki
ngouther
phoneandshowinghim api
ctureofNt
ombi
beingescor
tedbySgwil
itohercar
.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
edi
dyougett
hispi
ctur
e?”
Mawande: “Iwassentbymom t
ogi
veMaKhoza
hershareofthemeatonmywaywork
yester
daymor ni
ngandIsawthi
sasIwas
steppi
nginsidemycar.”
Dal
i
su:
“SHI
T!”
Mawande:“Butmaybethewomandoesn’
tknow
thaty
ouarethepri
nceandthi
sisy
ourbrot
her,
notever
yoneknowsus,youknowt
hat.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ev
eni
fso,
sheshoul
dn’
thav
eagr
eedt
o
gooutwithmeifsheknewthatshehadaman
thatshe’
sscr
ewing!
”heroar
ed.
Mawande:“Cal
m down, bhut
i.Justbegrat
eful
t
hatyoudidn’
tfal
lforherandt hi
scameatt he
r
ightt
ime.Youcanst i
l
lsavey oursel
ffr
om her.
”
Dali
su:“Yeah,Iguessyouright
.Iwon’tev
engo
toherrightnow.Iwil
lcall
herandcancelthe
date.Idon’twanttofi
ghtwithSgwi
liwhenhe
seesmewi thhi
sgirl
.”
Mawande:
“Thati
str
ue.
”
Dali
su:“Idon’tknowwhatIwoul
dbewithout
you.
”hesai d.“Andtot
hankyouIam t
akingy
ou
outinst
ead.”
“
REALLY!”Shej
umpedinexci
tement
.Dal
i
su
l
aughedandnodded.
“Iwil
lfet
chyouinyourhousewhenIam done,
go.”Heinst
ruct
ed.Mawandewast ednotime.
Sheranoutoftheroom l
eavingherbr
othert
o
maket hephonecal
l.Hetookthephonebut
stoppedhi mselffr
om maki ngthephonecal
l.
Hewascur ioustofindoutwhatshewasdoi ng
therebecauseSgwi lihadthebridet
omar r
y.Or
may behewasunf aithf
ul?Hesighedand
switchedof fhi
sphone.Thi swashiswayof
embar rassi
ngNt ombi forl
yingtohi
m.
Hef
ini
shedupgett
ingdr
essedandt
henheaded
t
ogethi
ssist
er…
-
--
-
Ther ewasnot i
met oplaygamesnowf or
Sgonondosheknewhert i
mehadcome.Her
ti
met obethegodoftheZul uland.Zodwawas
nol ongerachil
dshewast hesameageas
Dalisubutshehadnev erlov edamanenought o
sleepwi t
hhim.Shehaday oungboneandwi t
h
onel ookatheryouwoul dn’tsweart hatshewas
thir
ty-t
woy ear
sold.Sgonondof orcedherto
attendthedancebutshedi dn’ twantt ogo
becauseshesai dshewasol dfort hedance.
‘
Youneedahusband’ shehadt oldherandshe
knewt hathermot herwasr ightbecausemost
menwhodat edherdidn’tknowt hatshewas
Sgonondo’ sdaughter.Oncet heyknewthey
dumpedher .Butshedidn’twantt oembarrass
hersel
fshewasn’ tgoingt oat t
endthedance.
Shehadpl annedthatshewoul dj
ustgovisi
ther
rel
ativ
est hatli
vedeNy okeni andgobackhome
wheni twast imeforhert ogo.
Sgonondowantedawaytomakehermuch
moreattr
act
iveinawaythatDal
i
suwoul
dbe
drawntoher
,nobodybuther.
Whenherdaught erwassl eepi
ngSgonondo
enter
edherr oom wit
hthemut hishehadmi xed.
Aft
erthedeat hofhermot herZodwamov edin
wit
hher .Shethenworkedhermagi conher
daughterthatwhenDalisusethiseyesonher
hewoul djustfal
li
nlovewi t
hher.
Shewasdoingallt
heworknotknowi
ngt
hather
daught
erhadotherpl
ans…
_
___
___
_
Thegi rl
swer ewelcomedt ot heki ng’sr
oyal
palaceandt heywentt ot heirv i
ll
agesst at
ions.
Wher etheywer egoingt osleepf orthenight.
Buttheydi dn’
tsleepast heywer esi ngi
ngall
nightandeat i
ng,celebratingt heday softheir
youth.Thembel i
hlewasoutofhershel land
celebrati
ngherselfwithot hery ounggi r
ls.
THEREDLETTERDAYar ri
ved.Satur
day,
at
dawnthegir
lswentt
otheri
vertobathaft
ert
he
ri
tual
shavebeenper
for
medpr epari
ngt
he
ceremony
.
From theri
vert
heyhadt ogobackt ot hei
r
stati
onstogetdressed.Thembel i
hlelooked
downather sel
fandshesmi l
ed.Shewas
beautif
ulonawhi t
ebeadedski rtandashoulder
beadedneckpiece.Makhosi hadpl ait
edhera
smal lr
owssnoopy .Theythendecor ated
themselvesfur
therwiththegirl
sfrom her
vil
lage.
“
Areyoushy
?”Oneofthegi
rl
saskedherasshe
wasl
ooki
nguncomfor
tabl
e.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,Ij
ustt
hinkthatt
hisski
rti
s
tooshor
tandt oor
eveal
i
ng.”
Theotherslaughed.“
No, don’tbeashamed
Lihl
e.Youhav eabeauti
fulbody .
”She
complimented.Thembeli
hlesmi l
edand
complimentedherbackbutt hatdidn’
teasethe
feel
ingthatshefel
texposed.Orwast hatt
he
guil
tofknowingthereasonst hatbroughthert
o
thedance?
Sherememberedwhyshewasdoi ngwhatshe
wasdoingshepushedthegui
ltaway.Shet
old
her
selft
hateveni
fshedoesn’
tgetthemanshe
wasgoingtocel
ebrat
eheryouth…

They oungwomenandgi rl
swerebeaut
if
ulli
ke
fl
ower sinthegarden.Theywer
epure,i
nnocent
andy oung.Therealpri
deoftheZul
unationand
oftheirpar
ents.Theceremonywasbigli
keall
ot
hercer
emoni
est
heKi
nghadhel
datEny
okeni
.
Evenwithal
lthebeaut
iesaroundhim Dal isu’
s
mindwasnotwher ehewasandhi shear twas
notwit
hhim.Hisbodywasseat edbesidehi s
fat
herweari
ngt hef
ull
Zul ugearholdi
nga
shi
eldandspearonhishand.Hewast hinking
aboutNtombi.Hecouldn’
tstopwonder ingwhat
shewasdoinginhisbrother’
shouse.
“Youseenogirl
youlovehere?
”Ndabezi
tha
askeddi
stur
bingDali
su’st
hought
s.Helaughed
l
ookingathi
sfatherandheshookhi
shead.
Dal
i
su:
“Iseeki
ds,
baba.
”
Hel ookedathim andt heylaughed.Helooked
atthegirl
sandhesawonebeaut i
fult
hindark
skinnedgir
l.Shehadl ovelyroundshaped
breastsbutthat
’sallhesawandhet r
iedtostop
himselffr
om havinglustfulthoughtsonthe
puregirl
s.
Her
esumedhi
sthought
sbuthi
seyesst
ari
ngat
t
hegi
rl
snotwi
thatt
enti
on.Hewasl
ostunt
ilhe
hear
dasweetv
oiceofagi
rlsi
ngi
ng.
“Emagqumeni!Emagqumeni!
”sheledthesong
andthegi
rl
sjoinedinonthesong,t
heysang
wit
hher.Hervoicewasboldbutsweet.You
coul
dhearitaboveall
voi
cesasshel edthe
song.
Dali
surai
sedhisheadhol
dinghisf
ather’
sarm.
Helookedaroundtoseewhowast hatgi
rlwho
sangandtouchedhim wi
thhersweetvoi
ce.
“Whati
sit
?”Ndabezi
thaaskedholdi
nghi
s
shoul
dert
osecurehi
sattent
ion.
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
i,i
t’
snot
hingbaba.
”
Hewasst il
lbot
heredashecouldn’
tseethegi
rl
buthi
sey eswerewherehesuspectedt
hev oi
ce
camefrom.Hey earnedt
oseeherfaceandso
hedeci
dedt ostandonhisfeet
.Ashestoodon
hisf
eetthegirl
stoppedsi
nging.
Hesighedandclosedhi
sey
esf
oraf
ew
secondsandsatdown.
“Areyousur
ethatev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne?
”Hi
sfat
her
asked.
Dali
su:“
Yes.”Heansweredbutnowhi
seyes
weresearchi
ngeventhoughheknewt
hathi
s
sear
chwasadeadend…
_
___
_

Tiredfrom thebodyt ot
hesoulThembel i
hle
threwher selfonherbedSundayevening.She
bur i
edherf aceonthepil
lowandcried.She
didn’tcomebackwi t
hherkni
ght.Shewast orn
i
nt opieces.
Herphoner
angfor
cinghert
osi
tupst
rai
ghtas
sheanswer
edthecall
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Myf
ri
end!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Noz
zy .
”Shesaidwit
hahusky
voi
cefr
om all
thesingi
ngthatshewasl
eadi
ng.
Nozibusiso:“
Okay,y
oudon’
tsoundhappyand
yourvoiceisbad.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iknow.Iwasleadi
ngsomesongs
si
nceFri
dayti
l
ltoday
,imagi
neandIcameback
homeemptyhanded.
”
Therewassi l
encefrom t
heothersi
deoft
he
l
ine.“Nozi
busiso?”shecall
edhernamenot
underst
andingwhyshewasqui et.
Nozzy:“
No,Iam j
ustshocked.Howcant
hat
happen?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ther
ewereal otofgi
rl
sthere
Nozzyandsomewer echosenbutIwasn’tcan
youbel
ieveit
?”
Nozzy
:“Iam sor
rymyf
ri
end.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Andt
hatmeansnowIwil
lhav
eto
toddl
ebacktohel
landbef
orkedbyt
hedevi
l.
”
Nozzy:
“Justst
ayt
her
eunt
ilshecomest
oget
you.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ey .Thanksf
orcal
l
ingchomee
hear
ingy
ourvoicehashealedmypain.Thank
you.
”
Nozzy
:“Okay
,beal
ri
ght
.Iguessy
ouhav
etogo
t
otownnow.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam st
il
ldr
ained.
”
Nozzy
:“Ei
sh.Il
ovey
out
hough.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
ou,
too.
”
Theyhungupt hecal
l andThembel
i
hlecuddl
ed
herteddybearandtr
iedtosleepwi
thwil
d
thoughtsat
tacki
nghermi nd…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE08

Twoday shadpassedbutDal i
sucoul dheart
he
echooft hegir
l’
svoicei nhismi nd.Hewould
carryall
thetasksdur ingthedayandbef orehe
wentt obed,hervoi
cewast hel astt
hinghe
thoughtof.Hehadt riedtopicturehowshe
l
ookedl i
kebutthepi cturewast oov i
vidhe
want
edtoknowher
,hewant
edt
oseeherf
ace
andt
ouchher.
Wednesdaymorni
ng,hehadnoworktodoand
sohewokeuplateandtookashowerpl
anni
ng
whathewasgoingtodofort
heday.
“
You’
llbeheref
orthewhol
eday
,Mageba?
”
Hl
ezi
phi,hi
smaidaskedhi
m.
Dalisu:“
No.Iwillbegone.Ihavebeenmeani ng
toasky ousomet hi
ng.”Hesaidsecuringher
attenti
on.Shenodded.“Wereyoupr esentatthe
reeddance? ”heasked.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“No,
IwasathomeMageba.Whati
s
wr
ong?”
Dal
i
su:
“Not
hingt
owor
ryy
our
sel
fabout
.”
Shenoddedandl ef
thi
mt ohavehi sbr
eakfast
.
Hehadbreakfastpl
anningtovisi
thismother
l
ater
.Hisphonerangdistur
binghim.
“Hell
o.”Hegr
eet
edshowi
ngnoi
nter
estont
he
personwhowascal
li
nghi
m.
Ntombi:“
Dali
suhowcany outel
lmewehav ea
dateandthendeci
detoswit
choffyourphone
j
ustli
kethat?
”sheshout
edf r
ust
rat
edwi t
hhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Ntombi:“
Don’
tbul
l
shi
tme!Iam al adyandwhat
youdidwastoembar
rassme.Iwaswai ti
ngfor
youtoshowupandyoujustdeci
dedthatyou
arenotcomi
ngwit
houteventel
li
ngme! ”
Dalisu:“Don’tr
aisey ourv oi
ceatme, lady.Do
youunder stand?”heaskedwi thadeepst i
l
l
voicethatmadeNt ombi shuthermout h.She
thenclickedhert ongueandhungupt hecall.
Dalisulookedathi sphonest il
l t
hinkingoft he
tonesheusedonhi m.Hecl i
ckedhi stongue
andputhi sphonedown.Hehadot her
i
mpor t
antthingst oattendtot henattenda
womanwhodi dn’tknowwhatshewant ed.

Thefami
lywashavi
ngdinneratni
ghtand
Dal
isuwasqui
etonthedinnert
abl
e.
“Whati
swr ong,Mageba?”MaCebekhul
uasked
seei
ngthatherson’
smi ndwasdist
ract
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong,
mama.
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Somethingiswr
ong.Theseday
s
youar
eawful
lyqui
et.”
Dali
su:“
Areyousayi
ngIam aloudper
sonl
i
ke
you?”heaskedandt
heylaughed.
Mawande:
“No,
youar
enotbutsomet
hingi
snot
r
ight
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Andy
ourf
athersay
sthesame
t
hing.
”
“ButIknowwhatisgoingon?”Nokut
hul
asaid
drawingtheatt
ent
ionofhersi
bli
ngsandher
mothertohersel
f.
“
What
?”t
heyal
lasked.
Nokut
hula:“
Isawyoubhut
iatthereeddance.I
thi
nkyousawsomeoneandlostheramongus.
Iwastherel
ooki
ngatyou.
”
Mawande: “
Oh,yeah.Isawhimtoo,heeven
stoodonhisfeetandlookedamongthebevyof
beauti
es.Whoisshe?”
Thatworr
iedMaCebekhulubecauseshedidn’
t
seeZodwaandsheev enaskedforheramong
thegi
rl
sfrom herv
il
lagebutshewasn’tt
here.
MaCebekhul
u:“Whoisshe,Dal
isu?
”sheasked
smili
ngathi
m butDal
isuwasjustl
ooki
ngathis
food.
Mawande:“
Idon’
tthi
nkhewi
l
ltellus.Weneed
dadpr
esentandmaybehewi
llt
alk.”
Dal
isu:
“Thet
hingi
syoutal
ktoomuchIwas
goi
ngtosaysomet
hingabouthert
oni
ght
.”
“
Oh!
”thet
wosi
ster
ssai
d.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
sit
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tknowher
.”
Them:
“Weknow!
”theyal
lhadt
hei
rey
esonhi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Imeant
hatIdi
dn’
tseeherf
acebutI
hear
dherv
oice.
”
Them:
“HAWU!
”
Dali
su:
“Ihear
dhersingi
ngthesong
‘
emagqumeni’Isear
chedforherandIj
ustdi
dn’
t
seeher.
”
Mawande:“That
’ssosweet .
”Shesmil
ed.“Her
voi
cetouchedyoursoul.
”Mawande’seyeswere
f
ill
edwit
hloveasshet houghtofhowbeauti
ful
t
hatwas.
MaCebekhul
u:“Mawandet hi
sisnofai
ry-
tal
e.
Howarewegoi ngtofindthatgir
landwherewil
l
weevenbegi
nl ooki
ng? ”sheaskedworr
iedbut
asmeanstodiscourageherson.
Nokut
hul
a:“
Thi
sissi
mpl
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“How?
”
Nokuthul
a:“Youwil
laskNdabezi
that
o
summonal lthewomenwhoar ei
nchargeof
thegi
rlsanddescri
betot
hem andsurel
yoneof
them wil
lknow.”
Mawande:“Bri
l
li
ant!”sheexclai
medandstood
upt
odance, si
nging.“Ubhutiwami
uyashada
maduze!Ubhutiwami uyashadamaduze!
”
Theyal
ll
aughedl
ookingather
.Dal
i
susi
ghed
feel
i
ngasenseofhope…

Thekinghadsummonedal lt
hewomeni n
chargeofthegir
lsi
nthevill
ageandtheywere
seat
eddowni nmat swai
tingforDal
i
su.They
weregoingtocallt
hem f
rom allt
hevil
lages
unti
ltheyf
indthegir
l.
Dali
suwal
kedi
nsi
det
het
hroner
oom wi
thhi
s
fat
her.
“NDABEZI THA!”Al
lthewomenpaidthei
r
respectslooki
ngdown.Thekingsatdownon
histhroneandDali
susatnexttohi
m.
Ndabezit
ha:“Iknowy oual
lhav
eyour
r
esponsibi
li
ti
esathomesoIwoul dli
ket
osay
t
hanky ouforrespondingt
omycall
.”
“
NDABEZI
THA!
”Theysai
d.
Ndabezi
tha:“
Mysonhassomet
hingt
hathe
wouldli
ketoaskf
rom y
ou.
”
“
SILALELE!
”Theychant
ed.
Dali
su: “
Sanibonabomama. ”Hegreetedthem
andt heygreetedback.“Idon’
tknowi fwhatI
will
aski stoomuchorhar dbutonSat ur
day,
therewasav oice,
abeaut i
ful
voicethatcame
amongt hebevyofbeaut i
esthatwereattendi
ng
thereeddance.Idi dn’
tseeherfacebutIwi sh
tomeether .”heexplai
ned.
Thewomenspokeamongt hemsel
vesandthei
r
l
eaderkneel
edonherkneesl
ooki
ngatDali
su.
“
Whi
chsongwasshesi
ngi
ng?
”sheaskedhi
m.
Dal
i
su:“
Emagqumeni,
shesangt
hatsongwhen
t
heywerest
andi
ngbefor
eus.
”heexpl
ained.
“Makhosikazi
?”shecalledotherwoment o
checkiftheyr
emember .Theythenspoke
amongt hemselves.Thatwast helongestt
ime
thatDali
suhadtowaitwi
thhishear
tthuddi
ng
againsthi
schestandhi
spalmssweating.A
womankneel ed.
“Mageba,t
hegir
lyouaretal
kingaboutisthe
daught
erofthel
ateindunauSthol
e.”The
womant ol
dthem.
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tknowher
.”
“
Wedoknowherandwecancal
lherf
ory
ou.
Ndabezi
tha?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Oh.Iknowthegirl
butIl
astsaw
herwhenshewasat eenager
.Shemustbe
ol
dernow.”
“Yes,
sheisol
dernow.Whatdoy
ouwantust
o
do?”thewomanasked.
Dali
sulookedathisfather.“
Wewi ll
foll
ow
tr
adit
ion.Youwi l
lhavetotalktoiqhiki
za(agir
l
l
eadingv i
rgi
nsinthevil
lage)andt henoneof
youwillhavetogowi t
hhert othegi r
l’
shouseto
speakwi t
hher.”Ndabezit
haexplained.
Dali
su:“Iwoul
dli
kethattohappenri
ghtaway
nottodaybutmaybefrom t
omorrow.”
“Don’
twor
ryMagebaweareoni
t.
”Thel
eader
ofthewomenassur
edhi
m.
Ndabezitha: “
Thanky ou, y
oucanj ustsitforthe
dri
nkstheypr eparedf oryou.”hesaidst andi
ng
upandl eavingwithhissonbesi dehim.The
womenwer elef
tspeaki ngamongt hemsel ves,
othersl
ov edthegirlandot hersknewt hatshe
di
dn’tli
vei nthevil
lagef ul
lyshewasaci tygir
l
buttheyhadnochoi cebutt odowhatt he
pri
ncehadaskedoft hem…
-
--
--
--
-
Thenewshadr eachedMaCebekhul
ut hatthe
gir
lwasfound.Theleaderoft
hewoment old
herandshetoldherthatf
rom howshe’dseen
thegi
rlshewasagoodgi rl
.Shewasreli
ev ed
butworri
edaboutSgonondo.
Shewasdr essi
ngupforbedwhenherphone
rang.Shesatdownandsighedbef
ore
answer
ingt
hecal
l
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Sgonondo”
Sgonondo:“Youhavethenervetocall
myname
butyoursondidn’
tcometot hedance!
”she
roar
ed.Zodwahadl i
edtoherwhensheasked
heraboutDali
sushetoldherhewasn’tther
e.
MaCebekhul u:“Myson?Wemf azi
!Don’t
disrespectmebecausey ouhelpedme.I
expect edtoseey ourdaughterhereandshe
wasn’ tatthedance.Iaskedt hegirl
sfr
om your
vi
llaget heysaidshewasi nsi
det hebusbutshe
didn’tcomet ot hedance.Iguesssheliedto
youandt oldyout hatmysondi dn’
tcomet o
cov erherli
es.Issheev enav i
rgin?
”
Sgonondo:
“Ofcour
seshei
s!”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwouldunder
standi
fshei
sn’
tI
meanshe’s32year
sold.
”
Sgonondo:
“Mydaughteri
spure!
”sheroared
andhungupthecal
l.MaCebekhul
usighed.I
t
f
eltgoodt
ost
andupt
oSgonondof
oronce…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE09

Thembel
ihl
eandMakhosiwereseat
edunder
thet
reehavi
ngcakesandj
uice.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwentt
otownandf
eltl
ost
.”She
sai
dlooki
ngather.
Makhosi
:“Yazi
mfazi
,youdon’
tneedt
ohav
eal
l
yourl
egsi
nonebasket.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
WhereshouldIputanot
herleg
Makhosi?Itol
dyouit
’sei
therIfi
ndajobor
husbandjustt
obehappyandgetawayf rom my
si
ster.
”sheaskedhavi
ngnocl uehowtogetout
ofhermess.
Makhosi
:“Justst
ayhereandst
artasmal
l
busi
nesssell
ingf
atcakes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Huh?”shelookedathert
hinki
ng
aboutwhatshehadjustsaid.
Makhosi:
“Oncemyhusbandhashistav
ernup
andrunni
ngyoucancomecookthereandsel
l
foodpaysomerentt
ous.”
Thembeli
hlesmiled.“
Youaresuchageni us!I
don’
tneedamant obehappy .Mydreamswi l
l
cometrueslowly
.Iwillbehappy.Il
oveyouso
muchMakhosi .
”
Shejumpedf rom herchairandsqueezed
Makhosi.Theyl aughed.Thembelihl
esatback
onherchair.Thokozani ent
eredthroughthe
gat
el ooki
ngtiredasi fhewashitbyat ruck.
“Bhuti
!”shestoodupt el
li
ngMakhosi shewas
goingtocomeback.Shewal kedupt ohi
m.
“Youlooktir
ed.”Shesaidtakinghisbagfr
om
him.Thokozani hanghisarm aroundher
shoulder.
Thokozani
:“Yes,
Iam t
ir
ed.Yoursi
stercal
led
andtol
dmey oumustcomebacktomor r
ow.”
Hebr
oket
henews.
“
What
,no!
”sheexcl
aimedl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Thokozani
:“YouknowIcan’
tlookaf
tery
oul
i
ke
shedoes.”
Thembel
ihle:
“ButIam happyhereandIhave
deci
dedthatIwill
startasmall
businessher
e
andsel
lamagwi nya.Iwil
lgr
owandendup
havi
ngabiggerbusiness.
”
Thokozani
:“That
’swi
sebutThokozi
l
esai
d
she’
scomingheretomor
row.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iknowt
hatshewassayi
ngthat
toscareme.Shewon’
tcome.”Shesai
dputt
ing
hisbagonhisbed.
Thokozani
:“Letmer
estwewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
”
Shenoddedandl
efthi
mtogobackt
oMakhosi
.
Shestoodupasshesawher
.
“
Youar
eleav
ing?
”Thembel
i
hleasked.
Makhosi
:“Youseet
hest
reet
sar
eful
loft
he
chi
l
drenIbet
tago.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,by
e.Iwi
l
lseey
ouand
thanky
ouf ort
heidea.
”
Shesmi l
edandlefther.Thembel
ihl
etookthe
utensi
l
st heywer
eusi ngandwentinsi
dethe
housetobeginpreparingdi
nner
…
_
___
__

Sgonondowasf uriousthatherdaught
erli
edto
her.Shewaswai t
ingforherinherbedroom.
Zodwawaswor ki
ngasawai tr
ess.Shewanted
tostudybuthermot herdidn’
twanthertobe
awayf r
om her.
Zodwaopenedt
hedoorofherr
oom andshe
wasfri
ght
enedt
oseehermothersi
tt
ingonher
bed.
“Youscar
edmemama!
”Sheexcl
aimedhol
ding
herchest
.
Sgonondo:
“Youshoul
dbemor
escar
ednowas
Iwantyoutotel
lmewherewereyouwheny ou
weresupposedtobeatt
hereeddance?”
Zodwaswallowedhar
dandlookedatthe
pict
uresonherwal
l.“
Iam t
alki
ngtoyou!
”she
roar
ed.
Zodwa:“Mama, Iam 32yearsoldhowcanyou
expectmetobeamongt heyounggir
lswhoare
youngenoughtobemydaught er
s.Youwanted
met obealaughingstock?
”sheaskedputt
ing
herbagdown.
Sgonondo:“
Whatdoy
oucar
ewhatpeopl
esay
aboutyou?
”
Zodwa:“Idon’
tcar
ebutIj
ustdi
dn’
tli
kebei
ng
ther
e.”
Sgonondo:“
Ntombi
zodwaarey
oust
il
lav
irgi
n?
Icheckedy
ouamont hago.
”
Zodwa:“
Yes!AndIhav
eyouhel
pingmewi
th
that
.”
Sgonondo:
“Whatdoest
hatsupposedt
o
mean?
”
Zodwa:“Nobodywant stodat
emebecause
theyar
escaredofy ou!
”sheshoutedandthat
hurtt
heproudSangoma.Shest oodupandl ef
t
herdaught
erwithoutsayi
ngawor dtoher
.
Zodwasatdown.Li fehadnev erbeeneasi erf or
hereversincehergrandmot herdi ed.Peopl e
j
udgedherbywhohermot herwas.Ev er
yt ime
whenshehadf oundamanshewoul dbe
scar
edt hatforhowlongwast hemangoi ngt o
beinherlifewit
houtfindingoutt hathermot her
wasaf earedsangoma.Hermot hernev er
wantedtounder st
andt hatsheneededt ol ead
herl
ifeandbehappy .
Andsheal wayscheckedhervir
gini
tyev
ery
monthandshewonder edwhatwasso
i
mpor t
antabouthervirgi
nit
y.Zodwalai
donher
bedthi
nking,wasthereanescapechancefor
her
…
_
___
___
_
Thembeli
hlehadhopewhenhersisterdidn’
t
showupthedayshesaidshewasgoi ngt o
showup.Shewascookingintheafternoon
whenhersist
ercal
ledshet
houghtofnot
answer
ingthecal
lbutshef
inall
ydid.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Thokozil
e:“Yey
i,wena!Yeyiwena!”sheshouted
ather.Thembelihl
edidn’
tsayanythi
ngshej ust
keptquiet
.“Musai scomingbythatside
tomorrowonbusi ness.Whenheiscomi ng
backhewi ll
passbyt ofet
chyou.Iwantno
excusesfrom you!”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
eaj
obher
e.”Shel
i
ed.
Thokozani:“
Jobf orwhat ?
”sheshout ed.“Idon’
t
careaboutyourjobIwanty ouhereandIwi ll
teachalessony ouwillnevervi
sit
!”shehungup
thecall
.Thembel i
hlesatdownandbur i
edher
faceont het
able.Shecr i
ed.Whywasl i
fe
diff
icul
tonher?Whydi dshehav et osuffer
whi
l
eot
herpeopl
ewer
eli
vi
nghappyl
i
ves?
“What’
swrong,El
ihle?
”Thokozani
asked
hol
dingherarm.Shegotupandhuggedhim.
Theyheldeachotherti
ght
ly.
“Shecal
ledandt ol
dmet hatherhusbandwi
llgo
backtoDurbanwi t
hme.He’ scomingthi
sside
forbusi
ness.
”Shecr ied.“Idon’
twanttogo
bhuti
,Ir
atherstarv
eher ewi t
hyouthentogo
backandsufferthere.”sheadded.
Thokozani
:“Butdon’
tyouthi
nkt
hatshewi
l
l
takeyoutoschoolnow?”
Thembeli
hle:“
No, shewill
nev er…”shecri
ed
l
ouder.Therewasaknockont hedoor.She
mov edawayfrom herbrotherandwi pedher
tear
sbuttheydidn’tst
opf al
li
ng.
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
lgoat
tendt
hedoor
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“ Hawu,youhav
eagirl
fri
end
comingover?”sheaskedburyi
nghersor
row
wit
hasmi l
e.
Thokozani:“Shewouldn’tknockifshewas
comingov er.
”Hesai dheadingtothedoor
.
Thembelihlelaughed.
“WASHAWENA!
”Shel
aughedasi
fshewasn’
t
cry
ing.
Thokozani
:“Wi
pet
hoset
ear
s!”
Shesmiledandnodded.Shewipedhertear
sas
herbrot
herwenttoatt
endthedoor.She
checkedonherpot.
“Ther
earepeoplewhoarehereforyou.”
Thokozanisai
dappear
ingfrom t
hekitchen
entr
ance.Thembel
ihl
eturnedandlookedat
him.
“Me?”sheaskedpointi
ngherchest
.Thokozani
nodded.Thembel
ihleswit
chedofft
hestove
andwenttotheli
vingroom.Shesmiled.
“
Sani
bona.”Shegr
eetedthem sit
ti
ngdown.
I
qhi
kizaandthel
eaderofthewomen, MaSibi
ya
wer
eseatedonthecouchwaitingforher
.They
gr
eet
edherback.
MaSi
biya:
“Ihopethatf
oodtast
esgoodasi
t
smel
l
s.”Shesaidandtheyl
aughed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Icanl
ety
out
ast
eandj
udge,
mama.”
MaSi
biya:
“Iwi
lldot
hatsomeothert
ime.Now
wehavebusi
nesstodi
scuss.
”
“
Iam l
i
steni
ng.
”Shesai
dshowi
ngi
nter
est
.
Iqhi
kiza:
“Doyourememberatt
hereeddance
yousangwhenwewer einfr
ontoftheking?”
sheaskedsmi l
i
ngshewashappythatthiswas
goingtohappen.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
Iremember
.What
’swr
ong
di
dIsingthewrongsong?
”
Thet wol
adi
eslaughed.“
No,buty
ourv
oice
touchedasoul
.”MaSibi
yasai
d.
Thembeli
hle:“Don’
ttel
lmeIgotar
ecor
ding
deal
.”Theylaughed.
Iqhi
ki
za:“DoyouknowDalisutheking’
sfi
rst
son?”Thembeli
hleshookherhead.“He’
sthe
sonofthequeenMaCebekhulu.”
MaSibi
ya:“
He’ stheonewhom y outouchedand
sohewishest omeety ou,shouldyougetalong
youmightbehi swife.Hedidn’
tseey ourface
buthesearchedf oryoubyaskingus.”
Thembelihl
e’shear
tstopped.Shestoodonher
feethol
dingherchestshefelthotfr
om where
shewasst andi
ng.Aprince?AZul upri
nce?
“Icandecl
i
nei
fIwantt
o?”sheaskedoutoft
he
blue.
MaSibi
ya:
“Idon’
tknowreal
l
ybuty
oucan’
t
decl
i
nemeet i
nghi
m. ”
“
Yoh!
”Sheexcl
aimedput
ti
ngherhandsonher
mout
h.
I
qhi
ki
za:
“Youar
escar
ed?
”
Thembel
i
hle:“Yes!Iam.He’st
hepri
nce.
”She
movedaround.MaSibi
yastoodupandheldher
hand.Shethenhuggedherbr
ushi
ngherbackt
o
cal
m herdown.
MaSibi
ya:“Dal
i
suisnottootradi
ti
onal.You
don’
thavetobescaredofhim.”hear
ingthose
wordsrel
axedheri
nstant
ly.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
butIhav
etot
ell
mybr
other
fi
rst
.”
MaSi
biy
a:“
Okay,
wewil
lletyoudoi
t.Wehav
e
t
ogobackwit
hananswer.
”
Thembeli
hlewentherbr
other’
sroom shewas
tol
dtocomei naf
teraknock.Shesatdownon
thechai
randtol
dThokozaniallaboutt
hevi
sit
.
Thokozani
:“Iwantt
omeethi
mfi
rst
.”
“Hawu.”Shedi
dn’
texpectt
hatfr
om hi
m she
thoughthewasgoi
ngtoseethatwasherti
cket
outofhell
.
Thokozani
:“Yes,t
hesemenarenottobe
tr
ustedwhydot heychoosegi
rl
stheyknoware
vi
rgi
ns?Whati ft
hatiswhathewantsfr
om y
ou
andaftert
hathewi l
ll
eaveyouheart
broken.
”He
saidworri
edabouthissi
ster
.Thembeli
hletook
hiswordstoheartandshethoughtmaybehe
wasright.
“
Buttheysayhedi
dn’
tseeme.
”shemur
mur
ed
l
ooki
ngdown.
Thokozani:“
Hemi ghtbel
yi
ng,come!
”hesai
d
draggingheri
ntotheli
vi
ngroom.Hehad
greetedthem bef
ore.
Thokozani
:“Ihear
dwhatmysi
stert
oldme
aboutthepr
ince.”
MaSi
biy
a:“
Andwhatdoy
out
hink?
”
Thokozani:
“Iwoul
dli
ketospeakt othepri
nce
fi
rst
.”Thetwowomenl ookedateachother.
“Youwill
havetotel
lthepri
ncethatandaft
er
wehav espokenhecanmeetmysi ster.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
thav
eapr obl
em wi
th
meeti
nghimyoucansaythat
.”
Thet
wol
adi
esst
oodupandsai
dthei
rgood
by
es.
Thembel
ihl
esatdownandpl
acedherhandson
herf
ace.
Thokozani:“Thatmanist eny ear
sol
derthan
yousodon’ tthi
nkIam ruini
ngt hi
ngsforyou.I
don’
ttrusthim andIdon’ttrustanymanwi t
h
mysister.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iunder
stand.
”
“Anddon’ taccepthi m becauseyouwantt oget
awayf rom oursi ster.”Hesaidbefore
disappearingint ohisbedr oom.Thembelihle
wasl eftalonet hinkingofallthepr
osandcons
thatthisDal i
sumi ghtbecomi ngwithint
oher
l
ife…Shedi dn’tunder st
andwhyshewasf eel
ing
scaredal l
oft hesuddenbecausesheknewt hat
thiswaswhatshewant ed…Butdeepdownshe
knew, shenev ert houghtshe’dbechosenbyt he
prince…Apr i
nce?Thatwasabov ewhatshe’ d
hopef or…
[
03/
31,
10:
31]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
EPI
SODE10

Dali
suandhisfami lydidn’tunderstandwhy
Thokozaniwantedt omeetDal i
suf i
rstbefore
l
etti
ngThembel i
hlemeethi m.MaCebekhul u
wastheonewhodi dn’tunder st
andmor ethan
theother
s.ButDalisudi dn’thavetheproblem
withi
t.Hewast appingonhi sphonel i
steningto
hismotherspeak.
Dali
su:“
Ihav
etogomamat
heysayhei
s
al
readyi
nthehouse.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgowit
hyou
Dal
i
su.Whatwil
lthatmansaytoy
ou?”
Dali
su:“No,
y ouar
enotcomingwithmeIam
l
eavingnow.YouknowIwill
telly
ouwhat
happenedpleasest
aymama. ”
MaCebekhuluwasdefeat
edandsoshestay
ed.
Dal
i
suleftthehouseanswer
ingNt
ombi’
sphone
cal
lonhi
swayt
ohi
shouse.
Ntombi:“
Howcany
oul
eav
emel
i
ket
hatand
nevercal
l
?”
Hetr
iedtocal
m downbutt
aki
ngnot
ethatshe
di
dn’
tevengreethi
m.
Dali
su:“
Iam busyandIam sorr
y.Thi
sal
ways
happenstomewhenIhav efoundsomeoneI
j
ustgetverybusy
.”
Ntombi
:“I
t’
sal
ri
ghtIunder
stand.
”Shet
ri
edt
o
bepol
it
e.
Dali
su:
“Ican’
texpecty
outounderstandsoI
thi
nkweshouldn’
tgofurt
herwit
hthisbutyou
areawonderf
ulwoman.”Hedisappoint
ed.
“What!Isthaty
ourwayoftell
ingmey oudon’
t
wantmeany more?Whydidyoul eadmeoni n
thefi
rstpl
ace?”sheshout
edf rustr
atednotby
rej
ect
ionbutmuchmor ewi t
hher sel
fasit’
d
seemedl i
keshef ai
l
edtodothej ob.
Dal
i
su:
“Thi
sisoneoft
het
hingsIdon’
twantt
o
seey ouagain,Iam amanandy oudon’tgett
o
shoutatmel ikeyoushouti
ngatachild!
”he
roaredandremov edthephonefrom hi
searto
dropt hecal
l
.Nt ombical
l
edagainhedr opped
thecal l
andreject
edhernumberopeningthe
frontdoorofhishouse.
Hisf
acerel
axedashesawThokozani seated
onhi
sdarkbrownleathercouch.Hewalkedup
tohi
m andoffer
edhishand.Thokozanistood
upandexchangedahandshakewi t
hDal i
su.
Dali
su:“Youhaven’
thady ourfood,
why?”he
askedlooki
ngatthetrayont hecof
feet
able
thathewasgivenbyHl ezi
phi.
Thokozani
:“Iwant
edt
otal
kfi
rst
.”
“Isee.
”Hecomment edsit
ti
ngdownonthe
opposit
ecouch.“SoJobe,youwi
shedt
osee
me? ”heasked.
Thokozani:“
Yes,Ididn’twantmysist
ertomeet
youwithoutmet al
kingt oyout
otryandfindout
thatwhatareyourintenti
onswit
hher.”
Dal
i
su:“ButIwasgoi
ngtospeakt
oyouabout
t
hataf
termeeti
ngyoursi
ster
.”
Thokozani
:“Idon’tmeantoinsulty
ouorour
customsbutMagebaIdon’ ttr
ustmenwho
choosegir
lsatthereeddance.Ithi
nktheygo
ther
ebecauset heyknowthattheyarevi
rgi
ns.
”
Dali
sukeptquietandtooknoteofhispoi
nt,t
hat
meanthedidn’ttr
usthimtoo.“I
notherwords
youdon’
ttrustme? ”heasked.
Thokozani:“Iam af r
aidIdon’t
.Magebay ouare
amanandy ouknowournat ure,
itbeginswith
theeyeandt hent houghtsafterthattheacti
ons.
Lusti
st hefirstthi
ngi noureyeandl ovecomes
aft
er,sometimesl aterandsomet i
mesnev er
.”
Hesaidt r
uthf ul
l
y .
Dalisu: “
Iwon’tdisagreewi t
hyoubutIdi
dn’
tsee
yoursi sterIonlyhear
dherv oi
cewhenshewas
singing.Iwon’ tl
ietoyouJobe.Iam amannow
notaboyandIdon’ tgoar oundtaki
ng
advant ageofwoment hatisnothowIwas
r
aised.
”
Thokozani:“Thembelihl
eisy oung.She’sonl
y
twenty-
twoy earsold,Magebaandy ouwill
somedaybet hekingafteryourfather
.Mysi st
er
i
st ooreservedtomar ryinsuchabi gfamil
y.I
am sayingthisbecauseIknowchancesar ebig
thatyouwillloveher,
nomancannotwi shto
haveawi felikemysister.
”
Dalisu:“Whydon’ tyoul etherdeci dethat.I
won’ tforceherint oany thing.
”Thokozani wasn’
t
sureaboutt hatbecauseheknewt hathissi
ster
wasdesper at
etogetany thi
ngt hatwasgoi ng
tomov eherawayf r
om t heirsister
.“I
under standasabr othery ouar econcer nandit
i
sy ourr ightandr esponsi bil
it
yt odoso.ButI
givey oumywor dIwon’ tharmy oursi st
ernor
takeherpur it
y.Yourf atherwasawel l-
respect edmanandhi m andmyf atherwere
closef ri
endsIwon’ tdisrespecthi shouseand
hisdaught er.
”
Thokozanir
eleasedahugesighandnodded.
“NowIcaneatandf eel
free.
”Thokozani
said
l
ift
ingthepl
ate.Dali
sul
aughed.
Dalisu:“Eatandbemer ryJobekaMat shane.I
willjoi
ny oushort
lywithmymeal .”Hesai d
standingupl eavi
nghimt oeathisf oodwhi lehe
wentt ogethi s…Dal
isufeltateaset hathehad
spokent oThokozani.Heunder stoodhi s
worr i
esandhedi dn’
tintendtohur thissister
butjustt oknowher…
-
--
--
--

Ntombi hadr equestedtomeetSgwili

andhis
mot herbutshewant edtomeett
hem byher
pl
ace.Shedi dn’twantt odri
veal
lthewaytothe
palaceagain.Shewasst i
ll
ashamedoftheway
Dalisurej
ectedher .
“It
houghtther
eeddancewasgoingtobe
cancel
ledasweweregoingtobeinf
ormedthat
thepri
ncehaddied!
”MaKhozashoutedl
ooki
ng
atNt
ombi.Theywerev
eryfur
iouswhent
hey
sawDal
i
suatt her
eeddance,al
iv
e.
Ntombi
:“Iknowndlunkul
ubutt
hingsdi
dn’
tgo
aswehav epl
annedthem.”
Sgwi
l
i:“
WhathappenedNt
ombi
?”
Ntombi :“Hewassupposedt omeetmeatt he
restaurantfordinnerbuthedidn’tshowup.I
tri
edt ocal l
him andhisphonewasof f
.”They
cli
ckedt heirtongues.“It
hencalledhim again
andshout edathimf orembarrassingmebuthe
j
ustdi dn’tcare.
”Sheadded.
MaKhoza:
“Oh!Nkosi
yami
!Mor
dengi
rl
s,why
di
dyoushoutathi
m?”
Ntombi:
“Iwasshowi
ngi
nter
estandt
hatI
care.
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Your
uinedt
his!
”
MaKhoza:“
All
theking’
ssonsarejustl
i
kethei
r
f
athert
heyhatebei
ngshoutedat.Youmadea
mist
akeyouweresupposedtoaskwhatwent
wr
ongpol
i
tel
y.
”
Nt
ombi
:“Ah.Iam sor
ryIdi
dn’
tknow.
”
Sgwil
i
:“Whotoldyoushout
ingatamani
s
showi
ngthatyoucare?
”
Shedi
dn’
tanswerhi
m shej
ustl
ookeddown.
MaKhoza: “
Don’ tevenaskthatwear enothere
togiveherti
psonhowt otr
eataman.What
theyknow,thesegirlstheythi
nksleepingwi
tha
mani sever
y t
hingthatcankeephi m.”she
clappedherhandsi ndefeat.Ntombifelt
ashamedasshehadsl eptwithSgwil
i.Butt
hat
wasf orf
unonl yfun,orsoshet hought.
Sgwi
l
i:“
Whatshoul
dwedonow?
”
Nt
ombi:
“Whydon’
tyoudoi
tyour
sel
fjustpl
ana
hi
tonhi
m.”
“Ar
eyoucrazyyouwantmet
oki
l
lmybr
other
?”
heshout
edstandi
ngup.
Ntombi
:“Thati
swhaty
ouwant
edoryou
t
houghtsendi
ngmewasgoi
ngtoeaseyour
consci
ous?
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Don’
tar
guewi
thmel
ady
!”
MaKhoza: “
Sgwilinowisnotthet i
me.Let’
sgo
home.Wewi l
lpayyouasweagr eedladyand
weshouldn’thearfrom y
ouev eragai
n.”
MaKhozadr aggedhersont othedoorleavi
ng
thesnacksshehadof feredt
hem wi t
houteven
touchi
ngthem.
Nt
ombi
:“Idon’
tint
endt
o.”
Shelookedthem l
eav
eherflatandshet
hrew
her
selfbackonthecouch…
“Whatar
ewegoingtodo,mama?
”Sgwi
l
iasked
dri
vi
ngthecarst
rai
ghthome.
MaKhoza: “Wewill
donot hi
ngfrom nowonbut
tr
ytoconv i
nceyourfathert
omakey ouhis
deputy.Thatwayyou’l
lbeclosert
ohi m andy
ou
cantakehim outeasi
ly.”
Sgwil
i
:“Weshoul
dhavedonethatf
ir
standnot
deal
witht
hatgi
rl
.Shedi
sgust
sme.Tsk!”he
spat
.
MaKhoza:
“Buty
ousl
eptwi
thher
.”
Sgwi
l
i:“
What
?No!
”hedeni
edi
t.
MaKhoza:“Isawhercari
nthemorningaf
ter
ourmeeti
ng.Didyouevenprot
ecty
oursel
f?”
Sgwili
:“Mama, pl
ease.”Heignoredhert
hinki
ng
thathedidn’tpr
otecthimself
.Thatwaslowand
stupi
dofhi m,nowher eali
sed…
_
___
___
__

Thembel i
hlehadi nf
ormedherf
riendsoft
he
vi
sitofiqhi
kizatoherhouseandt heywer
e
happyforher .Butshewasworri
edabouther
brother
.Thokozani didn’
thi
det
hathedidn’
t
wanthert omeetDal isu.
Shewassi t
ti
ngont hecouchwait
ing
i
mpat i
entl
yforherbrot
hertocomeback.She
senthereyesquickl
ytothedoorasitwas
opened.Shelookedathim ashesatdownand
si
ghed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shoul
dIdi
shupf
ory
ou?
”
Thokozani
:“No,
Iam f
ull
Iateatt
hepri
nce’s
house.
”Heinfor
medherleani
ngbackonthe
couch.
Thembel
ihl
elookeddown.“
Oh.
”Wasal
lshe
managedtosay.
Thokozani
:“I
qhikizawil
lcomeheretomor
row
aft
ernoonandshewi ll
takeyoudowntheri
ver
whereyouwillf
irstmeetthepr
ince.
”He
announced.
Thembel ihl
est oodonherfeet.“
Downther i
ver!
Whati sthat? ”shewassurpr
isedand
disappointed.Whydi dhechoosetheri
ver?Did
thatmeanMaSi bi
yali
edtoher,t
hisDal
isuwas
actuall
yat raditi
onal
man?Sheaskedher self
thosequest ions.
Thokozani
:“Yes,
whatwer
eyouhopi
ngf
or?
”he
asked.
Thembel
i
hlesul
kedandlef
therbrot
her
.She
di
dn’
thavether
iveri
nhermind…

[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
EIGNDREAM

EPI
SODE11

Theki ngwasr eadyt

oinform hi
scounci
lthathe
wasst eppi
ngdownaski ngandlet
ti
nghisson
takethethrone.ButDal
isuaskedhimthathe
waitforhim ashewantedt omeetThembelihl
e
fi
rst.Heall
owedt hat
.
Itwasacool Saturdayafternoon.Dalisuwas
alreadywaiti
ngf orThembel ihl
edownt heri
ver.
Hewaswear i
ngabl uegol fpoloteeshirtand
blackchinoswi t
hbl ackmansandal s.Hewasn’t
aloneinther i
verbuthewaswi t
hhisbody guard
thathisfatherhadf orceddownonhi sthroat
.
Hewasn’
tkingyetsohedi
dn’
tseetheneedof
hav
ingaguardbuthi
sfat
hersawit
.
“I
tseemsli
kethel
adyi
snotcomi
ng,
Mageba.
”
Theguar
dsaidpul
li
nghi
sleg.
Dal
isu:
“St
opbei
ngnegat
iveGwabi
ni.Shewi
l
l
come.”
Theguardl
aughedandnoddedhi
shead.Dal
i
su
senthi
seyesonthewater
…
-
--
Thembel ihlewaswear i
ngabl uelongfi
gure
huggingdr essbutitwasn’ tt
ightfrom t
hewai st
goingdownt oherl
egs.Shest il
lhadthesnoopy
onherheadandhadherf l
ipflopsonherf eet.
Thedr essshewaswear ingwast heonlydress
shehadhadbr oughtwit
hher .Sheonlyhadone
ti
ghtskirt,jeansandleggingsandi qhi
kizahad
i
nformedhert owearalongdr essitwasmuch
appropriate.Shehadacar di
ganont op,the
dresswassl eevel
ess.
“Iam ner
vous.Nomfundo.
”Thembeli
hlet
old
i
qhiki
zaassheheardthesoundsofthebi
rds
andthewaterrunni
ng,downther
iver
.
Iqhiki
za:“Don’tbescared.Iwon’tbeneary ou
butIwi l
lcloseenoughmay beIwillbethere,
standingbyhi scar
.”Shepoi nt
editand
Thembel i
hlelovedthecar.Shewast hefanof
bigcars.“Andr emember ,beyourself
.Heisnot
at oughman. ”SheaddedandThembel i
hle
noddedhol dingherhand.
Dal
isuwasseatedonthebi
grockundert
he
t
reejustabov
etheri
ver.
“Mageba!”Nomfundo,
iqhi
kizagreet
edDali
su
l
ookingdown.Thembelihl
ehadherey esont
he
groundshedidn’
twanttolookathim.
Dali
su:“
Nomfundo,youhav
ebr
oughther,
fi
nal
ly!
”Hesai
dnotsurewhatt
osaytothem.
Hewasonhisfeet.
Nomfundo:“Yebo,
Magebaandwewill
leav
e
yout
otalk.Iwil
lbether
ebyt
heshadowofyour
car
.”Shei
nfor
medhi
m.
Dali
su:“
No,Gwabiniherewil
lopenthecarfor
youandyoucansitinsi
de.”Hesai
dgivinghis
carkey
st ohi
sguard,Zungu,Gwabi
ni(clan
name)
Nomf undo:“Okay .Got henEl
ihl
e.”She
i
nst r
uctedherl et
tinggoofherhand.
Thembel i
hlelookedathershor tl
yshowingthat
shewasawebutNomf undonoddedherhead
forwardshowi nghert heway.Dalisuwas
observi
ngal lt
hatwi shingshecoul dl
ookupso
thathecouldseeherf aceproperl
yashehad
seenherhei ghtandbodyst ruct
ure.
Thembel i
hletookast epforwardandjoined
Dali
suont her ock.Heshowedherwher etosit
theyhaveplacedasof tbi
gpi l
l
owont herock.
Thembel i
hlel
ookedathi m qui
ckl
ylike
l
ighteni
ngst r
ikingatree.Shesawhi ssharp
hazelbrowney es.Shel ef
tsomethingonhi s
eyessomet hi
ngt hathedi dn’
tknowwhati twas.
Sheplacedherhandsonherthi
ghsasshewas
seat
eddown.Dal i
sudi
dn’
tsithewasstandi
ng
onhisfeetl
ooki
ngdownather .
Dali
su:“
Icanseey
ouareshyandIwouldl
i
ket
o
knowifyouar
enatur
alshyory
ouareshyt
obe
herewit
hme?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam j
ustshy
.”Thehuski
nesson
hervoi
cewasebbingbutnotall
inal
l.Dal
isu
smil
ed.
Dal
isu:
“Youlostyourvoi
cebecauseofsi
ngi
ng
l
astweekend?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dali
su:
“Pl
easelookatme.If
eel
li
keIam
t
alki
ngtoyourhead.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Maybeify
oucansi
tdowny
ou
won’
tfeell
ikethat
.”
Dali
su:“
Iwanttol
ookaty
ouf
rom t
hisposi
ti
on
notfr
om thesi
de.
”
Sher
aisedherheadandshet
ranspor
tedher
eyesslowl yfrom hisf eet,shewentupand
wonder edwhenshewasr eachi nghisf ace.
Lookingathi sbodyst ructuremadeher
uncomf ortablethatsheshi ftedawkwar dly.She
fi
nallyreachedhi sov alchisel led,beardface.It
l
ookedsmoot hthanshehadi magi ned, i
twas
withoutpimpl esbutsi gnificantj awlines.The
facewaswi thdarkf ullli
ps.Hi sheadhadt he
smal l
esthair,itwasn’tcompl etelybald.Hewas
ahandsomeman, sheadmi ttedt oherself.
“Youar et
all!
”sheremarkedasherey eshad
reachedhisface.Dali
susmiledl
ookingdownat
herbeautif
ulheartshapedfacewit
hanal most
pointedchi
n.Herey esbiganddarktheyli
ght
ed
upherwhol efacewi t
hheralmostthi
npink
sensuouslips.Shewasawomanper fecti
nhis
eyes.
Dali
su:“Andy
ouarenott
all
.Doy
ouknowwhat
doesthatmean,
bubbl
es?”
“
Bubbl
es?
”sheasked,
thebubbl
edl
ookedat
hi
m shar
ply
.
Dal
i
su:
“Yourey
esar
easbi
gasbubbl
es.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,don’
tcallmebubbles.
”She
l
ookeddown.“ Andtoansweryourquesti
on.
ThatmeanswhenIwal kinthestr
eetsoratthe
mallwal
kingwithyoupeoplewil
lthi
nkthatyou
aremybrothernotmypartner
.”Shesaid
movinghereyesawayfrom hi
s.Dali
sulaughed.
Dali
su:“
YouarenotshortIthi
nky ouar
e
medium si
zed.Iknowthatbecausemysisteri
s
short
.Ial
wayshav et
ohelpherclimbinsi
demy
carwhengoingoutwithher.
”
Thembeli
hlelaughedl
ooki
ngathi
m.Shelov
ed
l
aughingi
tmadeherhappyt ol
augh.Dal
i
su
smil
edlookingatherl
augh.
Dal
isu:“
Youarebeauti
ful
,j
ustl
i
key
ourv
oice
andyourbubbl
essuity
ou.”
Shesmi
l
edandl
ookeddown.“
Thanky
ou.
”she
sai
d.
Dal
i
su:
“Ihear
dyoudon’
tli
veher
e.”
“Il
iv
ewithmysisterandherfami
lyi
nDurban.
”
Shesaidandhedidn’tmi
ssthesudden
sadnessonherface.
Dal
i
su:
“Doy
ouenj
oyl
i
vingwi
thher
?”
Shelookedathim qui
ckl
yandthenl
ooked
around.Dal
i
sususpectedshewasscaredofher
buthewasn’tsure.
Thembel
i
hle:
“She’
smysi
ster
.”Sher
epl
i
ed.
Dali
su:“Wel
l,Iwi
ll
hav etocallherandtel
lher
thatIwanty
out ostayhereforawhi l
e.Iwantt
o
gettoknowyoubet t
er.”Heinf
or medher.
“No!”sheexcl ai
medst andingonherf eet.“I
meanmybr ot herwill
dot hat .
”Shesaidsi t
ti
ng
downseei ngt hathisey eslookedather
suspici
ously.Heknewsomet hingwasnotr ight
andhepr omi sedhimsel ftof i
ndoutwhatwas
goingon.Hedeci dedt oletthemat t
errest
becausehesawt hatitdidn’tsi
twellwithher .
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,Iwon’
t.Yourbr
otherwi
l
ldoi
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Dali
su:“
Iwon’tkeepy
oulongfort
oday.Ij
ust
wantedtoseeyouandIhopeIwil
lseeyou
agai
n.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ar
eyouaski
ng?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
canwemeetagai
n,bubbl
es?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.Wecanmeetagai
n.”
“Iwouldl
iket
ohav ey ournumberbecausefrom
nowonIwoul dli
ket ocommunicatedirect
ly
withyou.
”hesaidgivingherhi
sphone.
Thembeli
hletookitandpunchedhernumber
thengavehimthephonet osaveit.
Dali
su:“
Iwi ll
dropy ouandNomf undohome.”
hesaidtakingherhandt ohelphergetup.
Thembelihl
el ookedathishandbutshedidn’
t
stophi
mf r
om hol di
ngher.Hi
shandf el
twarm
andsoft
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ist
haty
ourwayofchecki
ngi
fI
won’tst
rugglet
ogetinsideyourcarliket
he
pr
incessdoes?”sheaskedpol i
tel
y.Dali
su
l
aughedtakingthepil
l
owwi thhisfreehand.He
l
ookedatherandThembel i
hlesmiledamused
bythesoundofhislaughter.
Dali
su:“Icansayj
ustt
opr
ovet
haty
ouar
enot
short
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Il
ovebigcar
sandIhav
edriv
en
one.
”Shesaidlooki
ngwheret
heywerewal
king.
Dal
i
su:
“Youcandr
ive?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ishoul
dseey
oudr
ivemycart
hen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwi
l
lbei
nsi
de?
”
Dal
isu:
“Yes,
tohel
pyouj
usti
ncasey
ouget
t
ir
ed.”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedhelookedatherasshe
l
aughed…Theywal kedt
herestoft
heirway
qui
etbutthei
rmindswerespeaki
ng…
Dalisul
etgoofherhandasheputt hepill
owat
thebackoft hecar.Sheopenedt hedoorand
l
ookedathi mt ocheckifhewasl ooki ng.And
hewasst andingbesideherwithhi shands
packedonhi spocket,hi
sey esl
ooki ngather.
Thembel i
hlesmiledandlookedwher eshewas
toputherfoot.Sheplacedherrightf ootdown
andheldthecart ophandle.Shepr ovedhim
ri
ghtbyget t
inginsi
dethecaronherown.He
l
ookedatherhol dingthedoorbef oreshecould
closeit
.
“
Iwasr
ight
?”heasked.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
Iam notshor
t.Buty
ouar
e
st
il
ltal
l
.”
Hel
aughedandcl
osedthedoor.Hedi
dn’
t
r
egr
etcomingdowntheri
verj
usttomeether
..
.
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE12
Aftermeet i
ngThembel i
hle,Dali
suhadtogot o
Richar
dsbayduet owor kcri
sis.Hespentthe
weekt herefi
xingthecri
sishehadwi ththe
tr
anspor t
ati
onoft hegoods.Hewaswor ki
ng
hardtoputev eryt
hingbackont rackandhead
backhome.Andhedi dsucceed.
OnFr i
daymor ning, hewashomesl eepinginhis
house.Hehadbeenwor ki
ngandhadl ittl
etime
torest.Butevenont hatbusyschedul et hathe
had, heneverfor gottocal l
Thembel i
hleand
speakt oher.Shewasmor erel
axedont he
phonet haninper sonandev erytimewhen
Dalisuheardherv oiceheknewt hi
ngswer e
goingt obealright .Whenhet oldheraboutt he
cri
sisatwor kThembel ihlewaswor ri
edabout
him andhi scompanyshepr omisedhimt opray
forhim.Thatgav eDal isuhopet hatever yt
hing
wasgoi ngtowor koutbecausehehad
someoneonhi sback.
“Mageba,v
uka!”MaCebekhul
ushookDal
isu
awake.Hewasr el
uct
anttoopenhi
seyesbut
hefi
nall
ydid.
Dal
i
su:
“Ah,
mamakodwa!
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Hhayi
,wakeup!Wehavedinner
herewit
hus.Youhavebeengoneallweekand
wewantt oknowaboutt
hegirl
.Youhavefi
xed
thecr
isi
satworknowgetupandt el
lusabout
thebr
ide.
”
“YOH!Idon’tt
hinkshewoul dapproveofwhat
youaredoingtomer ightnow.”Dali
su
comment edgetti
ngupf r
om hisbed.
MaCebekhululaughed.“Go,mom Iwi l
lgowash
myfaceandchange. ”Headded.
MaCebekhulu:“Hhayingokengizwe.”Shelef
t
hi
m.Dalisutookav estandlefthi
sroom forthe
bat
hroom.Hewashedhi sface,worehisvest
andwenttojoinhisfamily
.Theywer eseated
onthetabl
elaughing.
Dal
i
su:
“Peopl
ear
ehappy
.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Wehear
dthatMaSthol
ewon’tl
i
ke
i
tifwewakey oul
i
keyourmom di
d.”They
l
aughed.
Nokut
hul
a:“
She’
scar
ing?
”
Mawande:
“Tel
lusabouther
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Eveny
oursi
sterNomalanga
cal
l
edtoaskhowdidyourf
ir
stencount
ergo.”
Dal
isul
aughed.
Dal
isu:
“It
houghtIwassupposedt
otel
lyou
whenIam readyt
omarryher.
”
Thel
adi
es:
“HHAYBO!
”theyal
ll
aughed.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Wewanttoknownowbecause
shemaybeourqueen.
”
Dal
i
su:
“WemetoncebabaIdon’
tknowy
et.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Weknowbutther
eisal
way
s
somethi
ngther
ethatt
ell
syouwhaty
ouwantt
o
do.
”
Mawande:
“Yeah.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwoul
dli
ket
omar
ryher
.”
MaCebekhuluul
ulat
edandherdaughter
sjoi
ned
her
.Ndabezit
haandDali
sulaughedandshared
ahandshake.
Dal
isu:
“She’snotjustbeauti
ful
butsweetand
ki
ndtoo.WhenIt oldheraboutmyworkcrisi
s
shewasv er
yworriedandshepr omi
sedmeshe
wasgoingtoprayf orme.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Awu.Inganeyamiit
hol
eumfazi
baba.”Shesai
dlooki
ngatthekingwit
hnot
hing
butloveandhappi
nessonherfaceandsmil
e.
Shehadf or
gott
enthatshehadprobl
emsonthe
cl
oset.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Andwehav
efoundadaught
eri
n-
l
aw.Syabonga.
”
Mawande:“
Andwegotasi
sterandsoont
hat
not
elet
’spr
ayandeat
.”
Theyal
ljoi
nedhandsandpr
ayed.Theyt
henhad
thei
rdi
nner.
Theyhadsomet hinggoodt olookf or
wardt o,
somet hingbeaut i
fulandt heycoul dn’
tbe
happier.MaCebekhul ulookedatherf amil
yand
smiled,lookingbackont hedif f
icultt
imesshe
hadendur edwhenherhusbandmar r
iedthet wo
wivesandt hequar r
elsbet weent hem asa
family.I
twasnev ereasyf orthem t ogetalong
andt heyst i
lldi
dn’tgetalongt oowel lbutthey
tol
eratedeachot herforthesakeofr especting
thekingandpeace.ButMaCebekhul ugotal ong
withthet hir
dwi f
e.Shewasnot hinglike
MaKhoza.
Afterdi
nnertheywentbacktotheirr
espectiv
e
homes.Dalisuwasal onei
nhisroom.Hel ast
spoketoThembel i
hleonWednesday .Hetook
hisphoneandcalledher.Sheansweredthe
call
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Dal
i
su:
“Hel
l
o,howar
eyou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
ir
edbutt
ryi
nghar
dtor
est
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
eback?Howdi
ditgo?
”
Dalisu:
“Icamebackt odayandever
ythi
ngi
s
goingwellnow.Il
efteveryt
hingi
nshapeand
thankyouf ory
ourprayers.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
That
’sar
eli
efandnowy
ouneed
torest
.”
Dal
isu:“
Ihavebeentel
li
ngmymot hert
hatyou
wouldhavewantedmet or
estnottowakeup
andhaveatalkwit
hthem.”
Shel
aughed.“
May
beshemi
ssedy
ou.
”Shesai
d
gi
ggl
i
ng.
Dal
i
su:“Youdi
dn’
tmissme?
”hi
svoi
cewent
smoot
handhesmi l
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydoy
ouwantt
oknow?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ij
ustneedt
oknow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwaswor
ri
edabouty
ou.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Nowy
oudon’
thav
etowor
rybecauseI
am backandIwantt
oseey
out
omor
row.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
ewesaweachot
hert
hel
ast
ti
me?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
it’
squi
etandpeacef
ul.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.Youwi
l
ltel
lmewhent
o
come.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,hav
eagoodni
ghtMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thanks.Andy
out
oohav
ea
goodni
ght,Mageba.”
Hesmiledbefor
ehangingupt
hecall
.Hesl
ept
peacef
ull
yknowingt
hingswer
elooki
ngup…
_
___
___
___
_

Thembel i
hlewokeupwi thastrangesmi l
eona
Saturdaymor ning.Shehadbeen, forthepast
week.Shedi dn’twanttoadmi tthatDali
suwas
thereasonf orhersmile.Sheruleditasbeing
homet hatmadehersmi l
e.Themanhadj ust
beeni
nherli
fef
oraweekhedidn’tbri
ngthat
mucheff
ectonher
,shet
oldherselft
hat.
Shewascl eaningthehouseandherbr other
wasseat edundert het reereadinganewspaper .
Asshewasher di
ngt ot hetaptor insethemop
shef rozelookingatt hecart hatwaspar ki
ng
outsideherf ather’
sf ence.AX5BMW, whitein
colour .Shelookedatherbr otherandhest ood
onhisf eet
.Thembel i
hle’skneeswer eshaking
asshesawhersi sterwal kinginsidethe
premi ses.Thembel ihleheldherheadhi ghand
wentt ot apwithherhear tthuddingv i
olent
ly.
Sher insedthemop.
“Arey
oualright?”Thokozani stoodbesi
deher .
Thembeli
hlest oodstraightandlookedaround.
“Shewentinsidethehousewi t
ht hepl
asti
c
bagsshewascar r
ying.”Hei nf
ormedher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Pl
ease,don’
ttel
lheraboutDal
i
su.
Idon’
twanthert
oknow.IliedandtoldherI
haveajobcanwesticktothat
?”
Thokozani
:“Youar
eawai
tr
essi
ntownt
hen.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,
she’
scomi
ng.
”Thokozani
tur
nedtolookather
.
Thokozi
le: “
Sani
bona.”Shegr
eetedthem
l
ookingatThembel hi
l
e.Theygreet
edbackand
Thembelihlewentt
ohungt hemobont he
washingline.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Howar
eyou?
”
Thokozani
:“Wear
efi
ne,
let
’sgoi
nsi
de.
”
Heledandt heyfol
lowedhi
m.“Youl
ookal
i
ttl
e
sunt
annednow. ”shesaidl
ooki
ngat
Thembeli
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thesuni
shother
e.”
Thokozani
:“Andy
ety
oudon’
twantt
ocome
back.
”
Thembelihl
ekeptquiet.Theysatdownont he
couchesandshewentgetdr inksforthem.She
wasev ensweatingbecauseoff ear.Herphone
beepedfrom herjeanpocket.Shet ookitand
readthetextfr
om Dali
su.Hewastel
lingherthe
ti
met heyweregoingtomeet.Shepl
acedt he
phonebackt oherpocketandwentt
ot heli
ving
room wit
ht hetr
ay.Shewassadthatshemi ght
notseehim again.Whatwasshegoingtodo?
Thembelihlewastheresitti
ngwit
hthem asthey
wereconv ersi
ngaboutthingsshewasn’t
i
nterestt
obepar tof.Shewast hi
nki
ngofDal i
su
anditpai
nedhert othinktoabouthi
m.She
madeadeci si
onther
et hatshewasgoingto
fi
ghttostay.
Thokozi
l
e:“Idon’thavemuchti
meThembel
i
hle
weneedtogo. ”Shesaidl
ooki
ngather
.
Thembeli
hletauntedherj
aws.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam notleavi
ng.Iwasseri
ous
aboutt
hejobIgot.Istartt
hisMonday.Iam not
goi
ngbackt oDur
ban.”
Thokozani
:“It
hinky
ouneedt
oletherst
ay
becauseyouarenotwi
l
li
ngtosendhert
o
school.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Isai
dIwi
l
ldot
hatbutnotnow.
”
Thokozani
:“When?
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
WhenIhav
ethemoneyt
oget
her
.”
Thokozani
:“Whenwi
l
lthatbe?
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Don’
tquest
ionmeThokozani
.
”
Thokozani
:“Youar
enotl
eav
ingwi
thhert
hen.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iwi
llsavemoneyf ormysel
fand
takemyselftoschool.Iam notgoi
ngbackto
yourhousetoletyouabusemef urt
her
.”
ThatmadeThokozil
eangr y.“
ABUSEYOU? ”She
shout
ed.Thembeli
hlesaidnothi
ngshejust
l
ookedattheblankTV.“Iabuseyou,
Thembeli
hle?
”sheaskedl ooki
ngather
.
“Yes,
everyti
mewheny ourchi
ldrenmi sbehave
andbreakthi
ngsItakethefallforit.Youhitme
butIhaveneverseenyouhitti
ngt hem.”she
shedtheli
ghtforher
.Shewast ry
ingt ocontr
ol
heranger.
Thokozi
le:
“SoIshoul
djustcelebr
atewhenyou
l
eavethem al
one?Youknowt heymisbehav
e
whentheyareal
one.”
Thokozani:
“Thembel
ihlei
snotthenannyto
yourki
dsThokozil
e.Shedoeseveryt
hingf
or
youandy oudon’
tappreci
ateher
.”
Thokozile:
“HowshouldIshowappreci
ati
on?
I
sn’titenought
hatIfeedherandcl
othher,
that
’snotenough?
”
Thokozani
:“I
t’
snotenough.Mamaaskedy ou
totakecar
eofherandy ouagr
eed.Thatdoesn’
t
countasappreci
ati
on.
”
Thokozi
le:
“Andwhatdoyoudof
orher
Thokozani
?Youdonothi
ng!
”
Thokozani
:“Idon’
thav
eaf
ancyj
obasy
our
s.”
Thokozi
l
e:“
That
’snotmyf
aul
tyoumi
sused
yourmoney
!”
Thokozani
:“Andyout
ookhermoney!Youhada
sponsorpayi
ngyourt
uit
ion,
all
youneededwas
usethemoneymom leftforustopayrentand
forf
ood.Youusedthatmoneyandt ookLihl
e’s
moneyaswel l
.Shecl
aimedt hemoneyjustto
l
etyoufi
nishyourst
udiesyousaidyou’
llpayit
backbytaki
nghertoschoolbutyouneverdid!
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Oh,soyou’
vebeent
alki
ngabout
that
?Iowehermoney?
”
Thokozani
:“Youdoandit’
sal otofmoney .
She’
snotleavingt
hishouseandy ouwil
lhave
topaythatmoneysothatshe’llgobackto
school
.Iam study
ingtooIcan’ttakeherto
school
.”
Thokozi
le:
“Iwon’
tpayanythi
ngnotafter
ever
ythi
ngIhavedoneforher.Shecandri
ve
becauseofme.”
Thembel i
hle:“Youknewthatwasgoi ngto
benefity
ouandmyf ut
urewon’tbecauseIwi
ll
stopbeingy ourmaidandIwon’ tdependon
you.”shewascr y
ing.I
thurtherheari
nghow
muchhersi sterdidn’
tcareabouther.
Thokozilest oodup.“I
fyouwanttost ayinthi
s
pov er
ty,stay!Backwhenwewer ekidsy ou
alway sgotwhaty ouwantedandmom t reat
ed
youl i
keanegg.Yout hi
nkyouwillgetthesame
treatmentf r
om me? ”sheaskedand
Thembel ihlewentcoldfr
om herspinetoher
toes.
Thokozani: “That
’sbul
lshit
!Thembel i
hlewasa
chil
df orgoodnesssakeandshegotev eryt
hing
shewant edbecausemom want edhertogr ow
upexact l
ylikewegr ewup.Dadgav eus
everythi
ngt hatwewant edhewaswor kinghard
todot hatbuthenev ergottodot hatforEli
hle
becausehedi edbefor
eshewasbor n.And
besidesal astbornistreat
edlikethat
.Youar e
mistreati
ngherbecauseoft hepast?”
Thembelihl
e:“Irat
herst ar
veher
easy outhinkI
am thantoli
vewi t
hy ou.”shest
oodupandl ef
t
them.Shecoul dn’
tsitdownandlist
entoher
sist
erhurther
.Shel aidonherbedandcuddl e
herteddybear.Shef l
inchedassheheardthe
doorbei
ngshut
.
“
Lihle”herbr
othercal
l
edherfrom t
hedoor.She
r
aisedherhead.“Youareal
ri
ght?”heasked.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes.Thanky
ouf
ornotl
ett
ingher
takeme.
”
Thokozani
:“Sl
eep,
you’
l
lfeel
bet
terwheny
ou
wakeup.”
Shenoddedandlai
dherheaddown.Hecl
osed
thedoorl
eav
inghertosl
eepthepai
naway…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE13

Thokozanihadgonet owork, hewaswor ki

nga
nightshi
ft
.Thembelihl
ewasgoi ngtosleepata
neighbour
’shouse.Thokozani hadaskedthat
theykeepherforthenightbecauseshewas
scaredtosleepal
one.Shedi dn’thav
ea
probl
em wi
thsl
eepi
ngathernei
ghbour
’s
house.
Shedidn’tknowwhatshewasgoi ngtowear
becauseherclotheswer ewetont hewashing
l
ine,t
heski r
tandt hedress.Shesighedand
remember edtheysai dDali
suwasn’ttr
adit
ional
.
Shewor eheroliv
egr eenleggingsandawhi t
e
l
ightseet hr
oughbaggyshi rt.Sheworeher
fl
ops.Shewor eit.Shetookherphonewhenshe
heardtheknockont hedoor.
“Yoh!
”sheexcl
aimedlooki
ngatthelaundr
y
i
nsidetwowashingbasket
s.Makhosihad
packeditont
hewheel bar
row.
Makhosi
:“Iwon’
twashitalone.Thekidswil
l
j
oinmeintheriv
erbutnotthesidethatyouare
goi
ngto.
”Shesaidsmili
ng.Thembel i
hle
l
aughed.
Mostpeoplewashedtheirclot
hesintheri
ver
becauseoftherunni
ngwat erandther
ewere
rocksther
ethatmadeiteasiertowashthe
clot
hes.Butsomewer ej
ustimmunetochange.
Theyalsousedtheri
verwaterf
orthei
rli
vest
ock
todri
nkandwat er
ingofpl
antsandsomef or
cookinganddri
nki
ng.
Thembelihl
e:“
Letmehelp.
”Shewantedt
otake
thebasketbutMakhosi
stoppedher
.
“You’
ll
sweatandy oushouldn’
tmeetyour
pri
ncesmell
ingsweat.”Shesaidasshepushed
thebarr
owforward,t
heylaughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hedoesn’
tst
andt
oocl
ose.
”
Makhosi :“Hewasn’
tgoi
ngt odothatont he
fi
rstt i
meseeingyou.
”shetoldherandher
statementmadeThembel i
hleshiv
erasshewas
thinkingofhi
sbodytooclosetohers.Theyhad
wal kedsidebysi
debutitwasdiff
erent.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Don’
tsayt
hat.
”Shesai
dlooki
ng
down.Makhosil
aughedather
.
Makhosi
:“Ar
eyoushyar
oundhi
m?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”Shemumbl
ed.Makhosi
l
aughedst
oppingthebar
rowandtookacl
ose
l
ookather
.“Don’tdot
hat.
”Sheadded.
Makhosi
:“That
’sunl
i
key
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
emyf
ri
endandDal
i
sui
sa
man.”
Makhosi:“
Mmm.Mmm. ”Shesmi
l
ed.“
Aman
f
oryou.”shet
easedher
.
Thembeli
hleblushedandshehel
dhercheeks.
“St
opit
!”shewar nedherl
aughi
ng.Makhosi
smil
edandpr oceeded.
Makhosi:“
Look,youarealr
eadyhappyandyou
canneversaythatyoursi
sterwasher
einthe
morni
nghur t
ingyou.Youhav ef
oundtheman
whowillmakey ouhappy.
”
Sheblushed.“Thankyouforever
ythi
ng.
”She
sai
dhuggi ngherandtheypart
edway s.
Thembelihlesi
ghedlooki
ngdownasshesaw
Dali
su’
scar .
Shewal
kedt
othespotst
il
lsmi
l
ing.
“Sanibona.
”Shegreetedthem.Dali
sudidn’
tsay
anythinghewaslookingatherbody.Gwabini
greetedbackandleftthem.Thembeli
hlest
ood
afarfrom t
herockwaitingforhi
mtospeak.
“Come. ”Hei nstruct
edst andingupf rom t
he
rock.Shewal kedupt otherocksl owly.She
didn’tknowwhatshehaddonet ogetthecold
l
ookf r
om hi m.Thembel ihl
esatdownandhe
satnextt oher .Shelookedathi mresti
nghis
foreheadonhi sknuckles,hiselbowwasonhi s
thighjointandhi sfi
ngerswer erubbi
nghis
closedey es.Hewasqui etandsoThembel ihl
e
keptqui et.Sheremov edherey esandsent
them toherhands.
“Howar eyou?
”Heaskedi
namurmur.She
tur
nedt ol
ookathi
m andhewasst
il
lonthat
posit
ion.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:“Iam f
ine.
”Hesaidanddr
ewalongsigh.
Hetur
nedtolookatherandshewasal
ready
l
ooki
ngathim.Thembel
ihl
eremovedhereyes
f
rom hi
s.“
Youli
keyourout
fit
?”heasked,
sti
ll
l
ooki
ngather.
Thembeli
hlekeptqui
etnotsur
ewhet hert
osay
yesorno?Whywasheaski ngherthat?Di
dhe
fi
ndheroutfi
twrong?Theytol
dherhewasn’t
tr
adi
ti
onalsowhatwaswr ong?
Dal
i
su:“
Iaskedy
ouaquest
ionThembel
i
hle.
”
Heremi
ndedher
.
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwasn’
tgoi
ngt obuyi
tifIdon’
t
l
ikeit
.”Shesai
dlooki
ngacrossther
iver.Dal
i
su
chuckl
ed.
Dali
su:
“Isee.Iwi
llt
akei
tasifNomfundot
old
youtodressupli
keyoudi
dthefi
rstt
imeyou
camehere.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youhav eaprobl
em wi
thhowI
am dr
essedup? ”sheaskedbri
stl
edt
hatthey
weredi
scussingherclot
hes.
Dal
i
su:
“Youwoul
dn’
tcomet
omymot
her
’s
housewearingl
i
kethi
s, woul
dyou?”hel
ooked
atherbutshewasn’
tlooki
ngathim.
Thembeli
hle:“
No,Iwoul
dn’
t.Myclothesar
ewet
onthewashingli
neIwasn’
tgoi
ngt ocomeif
youweregoingtobethi
sdi
sgustedbymy
outf
it
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Idi
dn’
tsayt
hatIam.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Youdon’
thav
etosayi ttomean
i
t.
”Shesaidcur tl
y.“
AndIdi
dn’thav
ei ti
nmy
mindthatyou’l
ltel
lmewhattowearandwhat
nott
owear .”Sheadded.
Dali
su:“Iam notallowedtosayIdon’tli
ke
somethingifIdon’t?”heaskeddrawingherface
tofacehim.Herey esdi
dn’tl
ookathimt hey
wonderedabout .“Iwantyoutolookatme
whenIam t al
kingt oyou.
”heinstruct
edandshe
fel
therchestbur ni
ngbutshel ookedathim.
“
Answerme,
Thembel
i
hle.
”Hesai
d.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tsayy
ouwer
en’
t.Thi
sis
howIdressyou,
Iwearleggingsandj
eans.Do
youexpectmetochangeit?
”
Dali
su:
“Yes,t
hat
’swhatIexpectandasmywi
fe
youwon’tdr
essl
iket
his.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam notyourwi f
e.”Shesaid
remov
inghereyesfrom his,tolookatthe
mountai
nsacrosstheriver.“
Andi t’
snotmy
wisht
omar r
yacont rol
l
ingman. ”
Dali
su:“
Youseemeascontr
oll
i
ng?
”Shedidn’
t
answerhim.“
Arey
ouwi
ll
ingtodot
hiswi
thme,
oryouarenot
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dowhat
?”
Dali
su:“
Iam notgoingtoplaygameswithy ou.I
am notgoingtotakeyear
sandmont hsbeing
yourboyf
riendIwanttomar r
yyou.Iam gett
ing
toknowy oubecauseIwanty out
obemywi fe.I
am aski
ngy ouifyouarewil
li
ngtogodownt hi
s
roadwit
hmeornot ?”
“
Iam wi
l
li
ng.
”Sheannouncedl
ooki
ngathi
min
theeyesandshefeltherhear
traci
ng.Her
wordsshockedher,theyscar
edherbecause
shewasunsureifshemeantt hem.Butshewas
notwill
i
ngtotakethem back.
Hewast wi stedont hewai stashewasl ooking
ather,thist i
meherey esdi dn’tmov eawayf r
om
hi
squi cklyl i
ket heyalway sdi d.Hel ookedather
l
owerf ullli
pt rembl i
ngandsuddenl ythatgav e
hi
m adesi ret okissher .Het ookt hechance
andcaughtt het remblinglip.Hehear dhergasp
andherr ighthandhel dhi sl eftarm quicklylike
shewasf alli
ngsoshewasseeki ngbal ance.
Readingt hat, heheldhersl im wai standki ssed
her.Hef eltthewar m br eathf rom hernost ri
ls
hi
tt heupperpar tofhismout h.
Dali
suwasal ipki
sserandhehadawayof
pushingalady’
stonguenott oinvadehi
smout h
butwhenThembel ihl
einvadedhismout hwit
h
hertongue.Heloveditanditpleasedhi
m, he
di
dn’tstopherbutheexchangedhi swithher
s.
Heraisedherandswunghert ostandin
bet
weenhi
slegs.Herbodyfeltgr
eatagai
nst
hi
sandhercl
ingi
ngonhim arousedhim.
Shecoul dfeelhim onherfr
ontsoftwai stl
ine
andf eel
inghim hardmadehert r
embl e.Her
skingav ebir
thtogoosebumpsandi twasl ike
hecoul dfeelthem gr
owingharderbecausehe
ploddedhiswar m handsonherfemal et hi
n
arms.Goosebumpsf adedsl
owlyatthe
presenceofhi sheat.
Shehadbeenexposedt osexualpleasure
beforewithherboyf
ri
endoflessthant wo
mont hsbutitwasbackinhi
ghschool whenshe
haddecidedshewant edaboyfr
iendlikeall
othergir
ls.
Whatsheknewwasnot hingcomparedt owhat
Dal
isuwasgivingher .Hewaspossessi ngher
andshelovedt hefeeli
ng.Shelovedhowhe
hel
dherandf rom theresheknewt hatshe
wantedhimtobet heonef orher
.Theoneshe’l
l
gothrougheverything,
happinessandsadness.
Shewasnewt othi
skindofcar e,newtothis
ki
ndofcaressandnewt ot hi
skindofpleasure
andshedidn’
ttr
ustherselftonotwanti
ngit
more.Shehadamanhol dinghernotaboy ,
she
admit
ted.
Hewant edtost opherbef or ethingstooka
wrongt urnbutThembel ihlewascl i
ngingonhi m
l
ikeachi ldwhohadbeensepar atedfrom her
mot her.Sheslowlyswunghert onguei n
betweent hesof tfl
eshofhi slowerl i
pandgums.
Shewast easi
nghi m.Hegr oaneddeepf rom hi
s
throatandheldherv oluptuousbums.Hehear d
hercryapl eadingcry .Hest opped, stoodonhi s
feetandhuggedher .
Thembel i
hleopenedherey esandl i
stenedto
hi
shear tbeati
ng.Herheadwasl ayi
ngj ust
underneathhischestthathowt all
hewast oher
.
Sheclosedherey esagainashi sarmswer e
ti
ghteni
ngar oundher.Shef el
tsafewi t
hhim,
sheknewt hatnobodycoul dhurtherwhenshe
waswi thi
nhisarms, whenhewasi nherl i
fe
nobodywasgoi
ngt
ohar
m her
.
Thei
rchestsroseandfell
againsteachot her.
Dali
susatont herockwi
thThembel i
hlestil
lon
hi
sar ms.Hepackedherinbetweenhist highs,
wit
hshe, st
andingonthesideherbumsl eaning
onhislef
tinnerthi
gh.
Dal
isu:“
Don’tdo…”hest
oppedhimselff
rom
t
ell
i
nghernott oevermakehi
mf eelt
hat
‘
possessedbyher’hewassupposedtodothat
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
tdowhat
?”sheasked,
her
voi
cesof
t.
Dali
su:“Don’
twakeupsomedayandsayy ou
don’twantmeany mor
e.”hesaidinstead,
brushi
nghisfaceonherheadwi t
hhi seyes
cl
osed.Awomanhehadgi venhisring,
‘
Khany i
sa’wokeupsomedayandt oldhim she
di
dn’twanthim nomore,wi
thoutar easonbut
j
ustwor dsonapieceofpaper.
Thembeli
hle:“
You’
llgi
vemeareasonnotto
wantyou?”sheaskedhol
dingt
hefabr
icofhis
shi
rt
.
Dali
su:“Iwoul
dn’tintenti
onall
y.”Her epl
ied.She
nodded.“AndIwilltell
youwhenIdon’ tli
keor
wantsomet hi
ng,itmay bewhaty oudo,howy ou
behaveoranythi
ng.Iwi llt
elly
ouandt hat
doesn’
tmeIwi ll
becont r
oll
ingy ou.”he
el
aboratedmakingherl ookathi m andhe
l
ookeddownather .
Thembel i
hle:
“ThatmeansIshouldtel
lyouthis,
Idon’twantyoutobri
ngsomeoneel seintoour
l
ives.Youwi l
lnotdoasmostpr i
ncesdoas
thei
rfather
s.Iwill
bethefi
rstandthelastwif
e
you’l
lhave.
”
Dali
su:“
Bei
ngaf i
rstchi
l
dIwi t
nessedwhatmy
mom wentthr
oughandIwoul dn’
tli
ket oput
youandourki
dst hr
oughthatbecauseIdidn’
t
l
ikeit
.Butt
henIwasachi l
dIhadnosay .
Womendon’tfuncti
onwellwhensharinga
man.”
Shel
ookedathi
m agai
nandheki
ssedher
cheek.Thembel
ihl
egavehim alov
esmi l
e.“I
havedreamsthatIst
il
lwanttoful
fi
lIhope
bei
ngy ourwi
fewon’tmeanIwon’tful
fi
lthem i
f
sopleasetel
lmenow.”shetoldhi
m.
Dal
isu:“
Iwil
lbeyourhusbandnotyourenemyI
wanttoseeyouprosperbuti
nar i
ghtwaythat
wil
lnoti
nanywaydi sr
espectyourposi
ti
on.
”
“Mypositi
on?”sheaskedconfused.Dali
su
noddedwithoutgi
vingheranexplanat
ion.She
sawhewasn’ tgoi
ngtoexplai
nandsoshe
didn’
taskfurt
her.
Dal
isu:“Di
dyoutel
lyoursi
stert
haty
ou’
l
lst
ay
her
ef orawhi
le?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes.”Heheardt
heun- i
nter
eston
hervoi
ceandhedi dn’
taskmore.“Ihavetogo
earl
ytodaybecauseIam homealone.”She
i
nformedhim.
Dali
su:“Homealone?
”heaskedasi
fhedi
dn’
t
hearhercorr
ect
ly.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Bhut
’Thokozani
iswor
kinga
ni
ghtshi
ft.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Andy
ou’
l
lsl
eepal
one?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepatanei
ghbour
’s
house.
”
Dal
i
su:“Whydon’ty
oucomeandsl
eepi
nmy
mother
’shouse?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No!”shemov edawayf
rom him
andfacedhim.“Imeanmycl ot
hesar
ewet .I
can’
tgotherewearingpant
s.”
Dal
isu:
“Comeandsl eepinmyhouse.Youwi
l
l
sl
eepintheguestr
oom. ”
“I–I”hervoicetrai
l
edshedidn’tknowwhatto
say.Hejustlookedatherwait
ingtohearwhat
shewasgoi ngtosaybutshedi dn’
tsay
anythi
ng.
“Okay,
Iwil
l dr
opyouoff
.”Hesaidstandingup
andtookstepsfor
wardleav
ingherbehind.
Thembeli
hletookthepi
l
lowandthej ui
cebott
le
thathewasleav
ingbehi
nd.Shewalkedathis
backthi
nki
ngifsheupsethim byr
eject
inghi
s
offer
?Butwhatdidheexpect?
Dali
susatatthebackseatleavi
ngthedoor
openedforThembeli
hle.Shejoi
nedhim af
ter
putt
ingt
hepill
owandt hejui
cebottl
eatthe
backofthecar.
Gwabi
nist
eppedi
nsi
det
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
“Wear
etaki
ngherhomef
ir
st.
”Dal
i
sui
nfor
med
hi
m.
Gwabi
ni:
“Yebo,
Mageba.
”
Theyalldrov einsi
lence.Dal
isuwasangryt hat
Thembel i
hler ef
usedt osl
eepinhishouse.He
di
dn’twanthersl eepinginot
herpeople’
s
houses,shewast obehi swi
feandt hepeople’
s
queen.Butt henhedi dn’
twanttostopher,she
hadalreadysai dhewascont rol
l
ingher…
Gwabi
niwasappr
oachi
ngThembel
ihl
e’shouse.
Shel
ookedatDal
i
suandhewasresti
nghis
headonhisknuckl
esrubbinghisclosedeyes
wit
hhisthumb.Shereal
isedhedi dthatwhen
hewasupset.Shewantedt otouchhimt o
att
ainhi
satt
enti
onbutshest oppedher sel
f.
“He’
snotsleeping.
”Gwabinisaidl
ooki
ngat
Thembeli
hlethroughthemirror
.Hesawher
star
ingathi
m andt ryi
ngtotouchhi
m butsent
herhandaway .Dali
suopenedhiseyesand
l
ookedatGwabi ni.
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
etal
ki
ngGwabi
ni?
”
Gwabani:
“No,Iwastal
ki
ngt
oyourbr
ide.She
wastr
yingtowakeyou.”
Hedidn’
tsayany
thing.Thembeli
hlel
ooked
out
sidethewi
ndowunt i
lthecarhadstopped
j
ustoutsi
deherf
ather’
shouse.Shelookedat
Dal
isu.
Thembeli
hle:
“Goodbye.
”Shesai
dandhe
nodded.“
Thankyou,Manzi
ni.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Yebo,
MaJobe.
”
Shegotof fthecarandcl osedthedoorl ooking
athim buthewasbackonhi spositi
on.She
sighedandwenti nsi
dethepr emises,shewent
tothewashi nglinetocheckhercl othesand
brother
’sclothes.Theywer edry.Shewent
i
nsidethehouseandt ookt hebaskett ounhang
theclothes.
Shepackedtheclot
hes,andwenttotel
lthe
nei
ghbourthatshewasgoingtosleepat
Makhosi’
shouse.Theybeli
evedher.
Shet ookabat h,moist urisedherbodyandwor e
herblackpenci l
skirtandl ongsl eevepurpl
e
button-upshi r
t.Shet ookascar fthatshe’d
takenf r
om hermot her ’sbelongi ngs,t
heold
fashionedcl ot
hes, clot hesthatal wayscame
backedi tedas‘ tr
endi ngf ashion’,shewrapped
thescar fonherhead.Shet henpackedher
pyjamasandgown.Shet ookherphoneandher
teddybear ,packedi tt henhangherbagonher
shoulder.Shet ookoutherphoneandchecked
Makhosi ’stexttoreaddi r
ecti
ons.
Shethenheadedtothedoorandwal kedoutof
thehousel
ockingthedoorbehindher.Shethen
walkedusi
ngherphonetolightherway.

Sheknockedonthedoor,t
hegatewasn’
t
l
ocked.Hlezi
phi
openedthedoorandsmil
edat
hernoddi
ngasgreet
ings.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Unj
ani
sisi
?”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam f
ineIam her
efort
he
pri
nce.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Magebai
snother
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
eishe?
”
Hleziphi
:“I
t’
simpor
tantt
hatIknowwhoi
s
asking.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam Thembel
i
hleSt
hol
e.”
Shesmil
edwarml
yandsaid:“Oh,
comei
n.
Comein.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Thembelihl
esmi
ledandnodded“Thankyou.
”
Shefoll
owedherinsi
dethehouseandsaton
thecouchasshetoldhert
o.
Hleziphi
:“Mageba,normal lyeat
shi sdinnerat
hismot her’
shouseandcomesbackher eto
sleep.You’l
lwai
tforhi m hereor?”sheasked.
“Lookatmebei ngst upid.Ishouldoffery ou
dinner.
”Shesaidbowi ngherheadandl eft
i
mmedi atel
ybefor
eshecoul dtellhernott odo
thattoherbutshedi dn’tknowt hatshewas
respecti
ngherpositi
on.Aposi t
ionshedi dn’
t
knowt hatshewasgoi ngt otake,shouldshe
decidetomar r
yDalisu.
Hlezi
phigavehert
hefood.“
Please,
don’tbow.
”
Shepleaded.Hl
ezi
phi
laughedandtappedher
shoul
der.
Hlezi
phi
:“Don’
twor
ry.Iwi
ll
gotomyhutnowI
thi
nkMagebacancomei nher
eanyt
imefrom
now.”
Thembel
i
hlenoddedandwi
shedhergoodni
ght
.
Shethenblessedt
hefoodandate.Whenshe
wasfull
shewenttowasht hedi
shesandwent
backtothecouchtowaitf
orDali
su.Sheended
upfal
li
ngasleeponthecouch…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE14

Dali
suwasqui etonthedinnert
able.Itwashi m,
hismot herandsister.Theki
ngwaswi thhis
thi
rdwi f
e.MaCebekhul ucouldseethat
somet hingwasnotr i
ghtwithhersonandso
didherdaught er
s,theynoti
cedtheirbrother
wasn’twel l
.Butnobodyamongt hem had
couraget oaskhim whatwaswr ong.
MaCebekhulu:
“Youar
enothungr
y,Dal
i
su?
”she
askedl
ookingathi
m.
Dali
su:
“Iam eat
ing,
mama.
”Hesai
drai
singhi
s
spoon.
Mawande:
“What
’swr
ong?Youl
ookbot
her
ed.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Nothi
ngiswr
ongIam j
ustt
ir
edIwant
t
ogotobedearl
y.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thengor
estmnt
anami
.”
Henoddedandst
oodup.“
Goodni
ght
,ladi
es.
”
Hesai
donhiswayout
.
“Goodnight
.”Theychantedl
ookingateach
otherastheydiscussedwhatcoul
d’v
emade
himthatupset…
Dal
isusteppedinsi
dehiscarandtexted
Gwabini
t el
li
nghim hewasreadytoleave.He
wassupposedt odropGwabinihi
sbrother’
s
homeint hevil
l
agethatni
ght.
Dali
suwasdr iv
ingthecarthinki
ngabout
Thembeli
hle.Hewonder edifshewassaf e
whereshewas.“ Youwon’tmi ndifIpass
somewheret ocheckifThembel i
hleisfi
ne?
”he
askedl
ookingathim.
“
Iwon’
tmi
nd.
”Her
epl
i
ednotaski
ngany
thi
ng
fur
therhesawhewasupsetev ersi
ncethey
camebackf r
om ther
iverandi
twasn’thi
splace
toaskhim whatwaswrong,heknewthat.
Dali
suparkedthecaroutsi
det
hegat
eof
Thembeli
hle’
sneighbour
.
Dali
su:“
Pl ease,
gotot hi
shouseandaski f
she’
ssleepingyet.I
fsheisn’
tthen,t
ellhert
o
comeher e.”Heinst
ructedhi
m point
ingthe
house.
Gwabi
ni:“Yebo,Mageba.
”Hesai
dgett
ingoft
he
car
.Dal
isuleanedbackonhi
scarseatand
cl
osedhiseyes.
“Theysai
dshe’snother
e,Mageba.Shesai
d
thatshewil
lsl
eepatMakhosi’
shouse.
”Hetol
d
him st
eppi
nginsi
dethecar.
Dal
i
su:
“Makhosi
?”
Gwabini
:“Yes,
MzwakheGumede’
swi
fe,
they
sayshe’
sherfri
end.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Di
dtheyaskwhyshechangedher
mi
nd?
”
Gwabini
:“Theydi
dn’
ttellmetheydidbut
obvi
ousl
yt heydi
dn’
tforobvi
ousreasonsthat
shei
sherf ri
end.
”
Dal
isu:“
Okay.Iwil
ldri
vetohishouseandyou
wil
lgocall
forherthenIwil
ldri
veyouhome.”he
t
oldhim st
art
ingthecar.Gwabi
ninodded.
Al
lthewaytoMakhosi’
shousehewasthinki
ng
whatmusthavemadeherchangehermind.He
di
dn’tev
enguessorgetacl
ue.
Gwabi ni
gotbackf rom Makhosi’shouse.
“Mzwakhesay sshe’ snothereandhi swife
wenttohermot her’
shouset hi
sev eni
ngafter
retur
ningfrom theri
v er
.”Hetol
dhi m st
anding
outsi
det hecar.Dali
sucl i
ckedhistongue,took
hisphoneandcal ledThembel i
hle.Shedidn’t
answerherphone.
“
Geti
nsi
de.
”Hei
nst
ruct
edhi
m.
Gwabi
ni:
“Iam al
mosthome.Magebawhydon’
t
yougohome.Iam sureshehasaf r
iendaround
here.
”Hesaidavoi
dingt
obeinsidethecarwith
him,heknewhimtohaveahabitofdriv
ing
reckl
essl
ywhenhewasangry.
Dali
su:“
Thereisnofri
endthatshehas,thi
s
meansshel i
edtome!”heshouted.Gwabini
saidnot
hing.“
Iwil
lseeyoutomorrow.”He
l
ookedathim andthemannodded.Dal i
su
drovehi
scaroffonahighspeed.

Heparkedt
hecarinsi
dehisgar
age,hestepped
offt
aki
nghisphoneal
ongwithhiswal
letand
hewenttocl
osethegateaft
erhehadclosed
thegar
age.
Heopenedhisfr
ontdoorthinki
ngitwas
car
elessofHl
ezi
phinottolockthedoorwhi
l
e
sheknewhewasn’thome.
Assoonashehadsethi sfeeti
nsidehi
sli
ving
room hesaw‘her
’sl
eepingonhiscouch.He
closedhi
seyesshor
tlyandsmiled.Heopened
hi
sey esandallhi
sangerwasgone, ithadbeen
washedawaybyseei ngherinsi
dehisroof.He
si
ghedi nr
eli
ef.‘
Yougav emeaf ri
ghtwoman.
Andmademeangr y.’Hesaidt ohi
msel f
approachi
ngthecouch.Hewentdownt ositon
hi
slegsandhel ookedatherbeaut if
ulface.She
wassleepingpeacefull
ywithherli
pssl i
ghtl
y
opened.
Sheopenedhereyesfeel
i
nghiscoldhandon
herface.Shel
ookedathi
m wit
houtsmili
ngor
showingemoti
ons.Shesatonherbutt
sand
yawned.
“Youar
eback?”sheaskedlooki
ngatt
het
ime
onthewal
l
,itwasafter10pm.
Dal
isu:
“Yes,
andIdi
dn’
texpectt
oseey ouher
e.
HowdidyouknowIl
iveher
e?”hesatnextt
o
her
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Makhosi
toldmeyoul
iv
eherebut
Idi
dn’
tknowIwasn’
tgoingt
ofi
ndyouher
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youshoul
dhav
ecal
l
edme.
”
“Iwasn’
tsureyouweregoingtoanswerthe
phoneyouseemedqui teupsetwi
thme.”she
saidl
ookingatherhands.
Dal
isu:
“Idi
dn’tl
i
ketheideaofy
ousl
eepi
ngi
n
ot
herpeopl
e’shouses.
”
“Well
,Iam herenow.”shesaid.“Notinother
people’shousesbutyourhouse.It
’sbeauti
ful
I
mustsay .”Shesai
dlookingaround.Dali
su
chuckled.
Dal
isu:“I
twil
lbemuchmorebeaut
if
ulnowt
hat
i
twillbeyour
sandyou’
l
ldecor
atei
twith
chi
l
dren.”
Thembelihl
elaughedandrestedherheadonhis
shoul
der.Heopenedhi sarm andpackedher
i
nsidehischest.“Whydon’ty
ougoandchange
thenyoucancomebackt ome.Iwillgochange
too.
”Hesuggest ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,wher
eist
her
oom Iwi
l
l
use?
”
Hestoodupwithherandshegrabbedherbag.
Theywenttot
heguestroom t
hatwasnextto
thebat
hroom.
“You’
llsl
eephereanduset hi
sbathroom ifyou
needabat hr
oom.”Heshowedherandshe
nodded.Shewentinsi detheguestroom that
hadthegreyandcr eam bedroom set.Shesat
onthebedandt ookof fherclot
hes.Shewor e
theli
ghtpinkpy
jamas, l
ongpantsandav est
.
Shethenheadedbackt othelongue.Dali
suwas
alr
eadytherewatchingamov i
e.Shejoinedhim
onthecouchsitt
ingi nbetweenhim, hi
sr i
ght
l
egdangl i
ngonthecouch.Shel ai
dherheadon
hischestandhehel dher.
“
Iam sl
eepy
.”Shesai
dcl
osi
ngherey
es.
Dal
i
su:
“Sl
eep.Iam wat
chi
ngt
hismov
ie.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwantt
owat
cht
oo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thendon’
tsl
eep.
”
Shekeptherey
esopenedandt
heywat
chedt
he
mov i
etogether
.Theydiscusseditanddebat
ed
aboutthemov i
e,shar
ingtheirvi
ewsbasedon
themov i
etheylear
nedthingsabouteachother
basedonwhatt heywereshar i
ng.Theybot
h
enjoy
edeachmomentofbei ngineachother’
s
armsuntilt
hemov ieended.
“Ican’
tbeli
eveyoust
ayedupti
l
l t
heendI
thoughtyouweregoi
ngtosl
eep.”Hesai
d
caressi
ngherfaceasshewaslooki
ngathi
m.
“Iwasn’
tal
oneandyouwerebusyt
alki
ng,
dist
urbi
ngme.”Thembel
i
hlesai
dfr
owning.
Dali
su:“What!”heexclai
medt i
ckl
ingherand
shelaughedlouder.Shecouldn’
tcontai
nal l
the
l
aughtersoshef acedhim andlai
donhi storso.
Dali
sustoppedandsmi l
edather.Sheraised
herheadandl ookedathim.
“Comeupandki ssme.”heinstructedherwith
hisvoiceturni
ngcyni
cal.Shegiggledandbur i
ed
herfaceonhi m.“Ar
eyoushy ?”heasked.
Thembel i
hlenoddedherheadwi thoutlooki
ng
athi
m.
Dali
suchuckl ed.“Butyouki ssedmeear l
ier
.”He
remindedher .Thembelihlelookedathim and
smiledthenshel ookedasi de.Dali
suheldher
shouldersandpul l
edherup.Shel ookedathim
andhehel dherf acethenki ssedher.Sheheld
hisshouldersandt heykissedeachot her
passionatel
y.
Shemov edherhandst ohisheadbuthe
remov edthem, thatdi
dn’tmakeherf
eelgr
eat
abouther sel
f.Shewi t
hdrewheremoti
onsand
hefeltthatshewasnol ongerwi
thhi
m.He
stoppedt hekiss.
“
What’
swrong?
”heaskedl
ooki
ngatherwi
th
l
azyey
es.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam j
ustt
ir
edcanIgoand
sl
eep?”
Dal
i
su:
“Di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Ineedt
ogoandsl
eepso
thatinthemorningIwi
llwakeupearl
y.My
brotherdoesn’
tknowthatIam her
e.”
Dali
su:
“Iwon’tgoanyfurt
her.
”Heexpl
ained.
Thembeli
hleki
ssedhischeek.
“Goodnight
.”Shesaidleav
inghim.Shewalked
totheguestroom f
eeli
ngthatshedisappoi
nted
him butwhatwaswr ongwhenshet ouchedhis
head?
Hesi
ghedandwentt
osl
eepi
nhi
sroom…

Inthemor ningThembel ihl

ewasdr essedupas
shewast hepr eviousnight
.Shehadn’ tseen
Dalisu.Shedi dn’tknowwhet herhewasst i
l
l
sleepingorhewasawake.Shegotupf rom the
bedandt i
dedi tupt henshepackedherbag.
ThedoorwasopenedandDal i
subudgedi n.She
stoodst i
lllookingathim.
Dal
isu:“Iam sor
ry,
Ithoughty
ouar
est
il
l
sl
eeping.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dsayIwi
l
lleav
eear
ly.
”
Dal
isu:“Yeah,
Iknowbutmymom anddadar e
i
nmyhouseandIam af rai
dyoucan’tl
eav
e.
You’
llhavetowaitunt
ilt
heyleav
e.”
Thembeli
hle:“
What ?No!whycan’
tIuset
he
ki
tchendoor.Ineedtogethome.”
Dal
i
su:“Theyar
esi
tt
ingatt
hedi
ningt
ableand
t
heywil
lseeyouast
hedini
ngar
eaisnextto
t
hekit
chen.”
Thembel
ihle:
“Butt
heyknowaboutmewhy
shoul
dIhide?”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
twantt
ogi
vet
hem awr
ongi
dea.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“CanIl
eav
ethr
ought
hewi
ndow?
”
Dalisu:
“No!that
’soutofquest
ionandmy
windowshav ebugler
sevenift
heydon’
tIwasn’
t
goingtoall
owi t
.”
“HHAYBO, DALI
SU!”MaCebekhul
ushouted
fr
om thedini
ngtabl
e.Thembeli
hlesatdown.
Dali
sulef
ther…
Hejoinedt
hem inthetabl
etheywerealready
eati
ng.“Whatkeptyousolong?”Ndabezit
ha
asked.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam her
enow,
what
’swr
ong?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Thereeddancehaspassedand
youhavemetMaSt hole,
nowist
heti
mewe
addr
essthecounci
l aboutmest
eppi
ngdown.”
Dali
su:“
ThatmeansIwil
lhav
etogoawayunt
il
ever
ythi
ngispl
anned?
”
MaCebekhul u:
“Yes,andweknowy ouare
wor r
iedaboutyourbri
de.Youwil
ltel
lhert
hat
you’l
l begoneforawhil
ey ouwon’
tjust
disappear.
”
Dali
su:“Thethingi
sshedoesn’ thav
eacl
ue
thatshe’
llbethequeen.All
sheknowsist
hat
she’l
lbemar r
yingt
hepr i
nce.”
Thepar
ent
slookedateachot
herandt
heybot
h
si
ghed.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Don’
ttel
lher
.Youwi
l
ltel
lher
whenyoucomeback.I
tisi
mport
antthatshe’
s
pr
otect
edfr
om t
hefearoft
heunknown.”
Dal
i
su:
“Andherl
obol
a?”
MaCebekhulu:“You’
llwri
tethel
etterwithyour
f
atheraf
terlunchtodayandwewi lltakecareof
t
hatforyou.Youar enotneededthatmuch. ”
Ndabezitha:“Weknowt hatshe’
sthedaughter
ofthelateindunaandso16cowsar erequi
red
fori
nduna’sdaughter.Buttheymightnegoti
ate
mor ethanthatforher.Weneedtobepr epared
forthat.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lhav
etol
eav
ethemoney
?”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Yes,
butthere’
snoneedbecause
wedon’tknowhowlongitwil
ltaket
oreachthe
agr
eementsowewi l
lpayandy ouwil
lpayus.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whenam Il
eav
ing?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Today
.”
Hel
ookeddownashewasn’tprepar
edfort
hat.
“
Mawandewil
lgotoherbr
otherandaskherto
cometoeMahhashi niyouwi l
ltel
lhert
herethat
youareleavi
ng.Yourfatherishavi
ngacouncil’
s
meeti
ngt oday.Youwon’tbet her
eandy ou
shoul
dn’tbeseenany where.Soyouwillhaveto
l
eaverightawayafterspeakingtoher.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Doy
ouunder
stand?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Ido.
”
Theyfi
nisheduptheirbreakf
asttal
ki
ngabout
otheri
mpor t
antt
hings.Timef orMaCebekhul
u
andNdabezithat
ol eavecame.
MaCebekhul
u:“Wewil
ll
eav
enow,
comehome
whenyouareready
.”
Dali
sunoddedandwalkedt
hem out
.Hesaw
them l
eav
eandthenhecall
edGwabini
whowas
sit
ti
ngundert
hetreewit
hHlezi
phi
.
Dal
i
su:
“Whendi
dyougether
e?”
Gwabi
ni:
“Af ewmi
nut
esago.Di
dyouf
indher
l
astni
ght?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
shewasher
esl
eepi
ng.
”Gwabi
ni
l
aughedandDal
isushookhi
shead.“Pl
ease,
dri
veherhomenow.Don’
tdr
ivepassmymom’ s
pal
ace.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Hewentbacki nsi
deandfoundThembelihl
e
asleep.Heshookherawake.Sheopenedher
eyesandaskednothingf
urthershegr
abbedher
bag.
Dal
i
su:
“Youcoul
dn’
twai
tthatmuch?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’snotl
i
ket
hat
.”
Dali
su: “
Gwabi ni
willdri
veyouhomeIhav e
otherthingstodo.”Shefrowned,shewant edto
bear oundhim more.Shewant edtositbeside
him ashedr ovehiscar.“Don’
tbelikethat
.”He
saidpulli
ngherclosertohimforahug.Het hen
heldherf aceandkissedherbrief
ly.Shesmiled
andbr ushedherheadonhi schest.
Dal
i
su:“Weneedtogo.
”Heremindedher
.She
movedawayandheescor
tedhertot
hecar.
Noneoft hem weretalkinguntilt
heyr eached
thecar.Thembelihl
egr eetedGwabi niand
steppedinatthebackoft hecar.Het hendrove
off…Dalisuheadedbackt ot hehouse
wonderinghowshewasgoi ngtor eactwhenhe
i
nf or
msherhewasl eav i
ng…Thatwor ri
edhim,
thathewasgoi ngtobeawayf r
om herbuthe
wasgoi ngtocomeback.Het ol
dhi mselfthat
ashepackedhi sbag…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE15

Thembeli
hlewasbusywashi ngherol dcl
othes
thatdi
dn’
tfi
ther ,
theyweretwoy earsyounger
thanherandshewant edtogiv et
hem togir
ls
whoneededt hem.Hisbrotherwasr eadi
nga
bookunderthetree.Hebeli
ev edthat
Thembeli
hlesleptatafr
iend’shouse.
Thokozani
:“Youl
i
keover
worki
ngy
our
sel
f,
thosecl
otheswer
ecl
ean.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iknowbutimagi
nebei
nggi
ven
cl
othest
hathavebadodour
.”
Thokozani
:“I
t’
snotbadodourt
heywer
en’
tused
that
’swhyhadthatsmel
l.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Sta-
softwillgi
veitt
hatmot her’
s
l
ov e.”Shesaidgett
ingup.Thokozani l
aughed.
“Ready ourbookthere!
”shesaidrinsi
ngt he
clothesprepari
ngthem forSta-
soft.
Thokozani
:“Iam,
madam.
”
“
Good,
boy
!”shesai
ddr
aini
ngt
hewat
er.
Thokozani
:“I
tseemsl
i
key
ouhav
evi
sit
ors.
”
“Who? ”sheaskedget
ti
ngupandshesawt wo
beautif
uldarkski
nnedl
adi
es.Theywere
dressednicel
y.“Whoaret
hey?”sheasked.
Thokozani
:“Dal
i
su’
ssi
ster
s.”
“
Huh!Lookatme,
bhut
i!
”shewaswear
inga
bl
uej
eansshor
tandbl
ackv
est
.
Thokozanilaughed.“
Youareathomeandyou
arewashing.”Hecomf or
tedher
.Thel
adi
es
fi
nal
lygottot hem.
“
Sani
bona.
”Theygr
eet
edt
hem.
“Yeboninj
ani?
”Thembeli
hleandThokozani
greet
edback.Thokozaniof
fer
edoneoft hem a
seatbuttheydecl
i
nedit.
“
Syaphi
l
a,ni
na?
”theypr
oceeded.
“
Syaphi
l
a.”
Thokozani
:“Howcanwehel
pyou?
”
Mawande: “
Bhuti
sentustoaskf ory our
permissiontoborr
owhi m Thembelihle.He’
sat
mother’shouseandthereissomet hingthathe
wishestospeakt oherabout.
”
Thokozani
:“Whenwi
l
lshebeback?
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Bef
orei
tget
sdar
k.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,Thembel
i
hlegoandget
r
eady
.”
Mawande:
“Wewi
l
lwai
tfory
oui
nthecar
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Bhut
i,mycl
othes?
”
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
lhangt
hem.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
ShesmiledatMawandeandNokut hulat
hen
shewenttothehousewi t
habathi
ngbasinthat
hadwater.Thepr
incesseswentt
ot hecar
.
Thembeli
hlet
ookaqui ckbath.Sheir
onedher
l
ongdressaftercomplet
ingherbathand
moist
uri
singherbody.Shewaswonder i
ngwhat
hewantedtospeaktoheraboutandwhyi nhis
mother’
shouse.Shewasner voustomeethis
motherandsoshewi shedshewasn’thome.
Shefini
shedupbyt hewear
ingsandal
sand
checkedherdoek.Shewasalri
ghtshethenl
eft
thehousewiththebathi
ngbasi
ntodrai
nt he
water.
“
Iwi
l
lcomeback.
”shet
oldherbr
otherl
ooki
ng
ner
vous.
Thokozani
:“Rel
ax,
makot
i.
”
Sheshookherheadunabletosmil
eproper
ly
andlef
tfort
hecar.Shesatatthebackoft
he
carandtol
dthem shewasready.
“Iam Mawande.
”Sheint
roducedhersel
flooki
ng
atThembeli
hlet
hrought
hemi rr
or.Shesmiled
back.
“
Iam Nokut
hul
a.”Shel
ookedather
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sni
cet
omeety
ou.It
hinky
ou
knowmyname.”
Them:
“Yes!
”
Shedidn’
tknowwhattosaymoretothem.
“Who’sol
derbetweeny
outwo?”sheasked
real
i
singwhatshehadtoask.
Mawande:“Iam olderthanher
.”shesai
d
poi
nti
ngNokuthula.“She’sdoi
nggrade12andI
am worki
ngnow.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,butImustsayy oudon’t
l
ookolder.
”Nokuthulal
aughed.“Iseewhyy our
brot
hersai
dhealway shel
psy ougetinsidehis
car.
”Sheadded.Nokuthul
alaughedhar der.
Mawande:“
Dali
su!Damnhim!”sheexcl
aimed
andNokut
hulawassti
ll
laughi
ng.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Pl
ease,
don’
ttel
lhi
m It
oldy
ou.
”
“Oh,Iwi
l
l havetodothatsisibecausehemust
answerforit.
”Shesaidstoppingthecar
,they
wereattheirmother
’spremises.
Nokut hul
a:“Don’
tbedr
amatic.
”Shelaughed.
Thembel i
hlefol
lowedt
hem i
nsidethehouse.
“Don’tworry,mom i
snothome.”sherel
iev
ed
herseeingthatshewasupti
ght.Thembeli
hle
sighed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Shenoddedandheldherhandleadi
ngherto
ther
estroom wheretheyf
oundMawande
scol
dingDal
isufortel
li
ngThembeli
hlet
hatshe
wasshort
.Dal
isuwasl
ooki
ngathert
ryi
ng
har
dernottol
augh.
Thembeli
hle:“
Please,calm downIthi
nkit
’s
enoughnow.”shesai dlooki
ngatherwit
h
pl
eadingrel
axedey es.Nokuthul
awasjust
l
aughing.
Mawande:“
Youdon’tunderstandt
hat’
san
embar
rassi
ngthi
ngtosay .Youaremysist
eri
n-
l
awhemust n’
tembarrassmet oyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“That
’snotembar
rassi
ngy
ouar
e
beaut
if
ul.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Anddr
amat
ic,
pleasel
eav
eus.
”
Nokut
hula:“
Wewi
l
lbr
ingf
oodf
orherwef
ound
herwor
king.
”
Dal
isu:
“Comet ome, MaSthole.
”Hegav eout
hi
shand.Thet wosist
ersl
ookedatThembel i
hle
assheblushedlooki
ngdown.Mawande
pi
nchedNokuthulaandtheysmi l
edlooki
ngat
her
.Shetookaf ewstepsforwardandsatdown
wit
hhim onthecouch.“Youtwocangonow.”
hetol
dthem showingthedoorwit
hhiseyes.
Theypushedeachothertothedoorcl
osi
ngit
behi
ndthem.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
What
’swr
ong?
”sheaskedr
est
ing
onhisar
ms.
Dali
su:“
Iknewyouweregoi
ngt
obewor
ri
edbut
Idon’
twantyoutobe.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tel
lmewhat
’swr
ongt
hen.
”
Dali
su:“Iam leav
ing-”Hedidn’tf
ini
shhis
sent
ence, Thembelihlemovedawayf r
om him
andshel ookedathim.“Iwill
comeback, don’
t
worry.
”Hesai dholdingherhand.
Thembeli
hle:
“Wherearey
ougoing?
”sheasked
l
ookingdown,herhear
twashar
dandshecould
feel
painfr
om afar
.
Dali
su:“
Dadi ssendi
ngmeawayforbusi
ness.
Heisoldtotakecareofev
ery
thi
nghimsel
fsoI
needtoli
stenwhenhesaysImustdo
something.
”Heexplainedavoi
dingt
otel
lher
thet
ruththathehadtot aker
efugei
nSt.Hel
ena
toavoi
dassassinat
ion.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Forhowl
ong?
”
Dalisu:“Idon’
tknowforaboutamont hortwo.
”
Herhear tstoppedassheheardhim sayt
hat.
Shel ookeddownandsai dnothi
ngtohim.
“Thembel ihl
e?”hecal
l
edoutforherbutshe
didn’trespond.
“Thembeli
hle!”heheldherhandbutshe
removeditfrom his.“
Thembeli
hle,pl
ease.
”He
addedtaki
ngat i
ghtgriponherhand.
Shef el
tfr
eshtear
scomeoutofherey es.Just
i
nt hemor ni
ngshehadt odealwit
ht hatli
ttl
e
painofleavi
nghim nowhewasl eavingher .She
reali
sedther
ethathewasi mport
antt ohim.He
hadwar medhiswayi nt
oherheartinjusthalfa
mont h.
Hereal
i
sedshewascryi
ngandsohepulledher
cl
osert
ohim.Hel
aidherinhi
schestand
br
ushedherback.
Dal
isu:“
Iwil
lcomebackMaStholeyoudon’
t
havetocryl
i
keIwon’tcomeback.AndwhenI
comebackwewi l
lbetoget
herf
orever
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Buty
ou’
l
lbegonef
oral
ongt
ime.
Why?”
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
eto.
”
Shedidn’
tsayany thingshej ustcr
iedl
ikea
baby.Mawandeent eredinsi
dewi thatrayof
foodandNokut hulawi thdri
nks.Theylookedat
eachotherandt heywer esadf orher
.Dalisu
l
ookedatt hem encour agi
ngt hatt
heydon’ tst
ay
l
onger.Theynoddedandl ef
tthem.
Dali
su:“
Whydon’ ty
oueatsomething?”hesai
d
pushi
ngherbackandwi pedhert
ears.
Thembeli
hleshookherheadandlaidbackon
hi
sstrongarms.Het r
iedt
ocalm herdown…

“
Idon’
thav
elong,
letmedr
opy
ouhome.
”he
sai
dhol dingherarmt ight
.Theyhavespenta
fewhour stal
kingaboutwhatwasgoi ngto
happenonhi sabsence.Shewascal m butstil
l
sadthatwassomet hingyoucouldn’
tmissf r
om
hereyes.Hehadwat chedhereatslowlyunti
l
shewasdone.Shet henspentalltheti
mel ayi
ng
onhisar ms.
Sheploddedawayfrom him andsatstr
aight
thenshestoodup.Dalisust
oodupwi thherand
gavehergoodbyekiss.Theylef
ttheroom.
“Mawande!”Dal
i
sucal
ledhissi
ster
sout.They
appearedfr
om t
hehal
l
way .“Weareleav
ing
now.”heinf
ormedt
hem.
Mawande:“
Okay,
Thembel
i
hledon’
twor
rybhut
i
wi
ll
backinnoti
me.”
Nokut
hula:“Wewi
llmi
sshimt ooandi
fyoul
ike
youmissyoucancomevisi
tus.Wecanspend
t
imetogetheri
nMawande’shouse.
”
Mawande:
“Yes,
Idon’
tmi
nd.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Theynoddedandhuggedhert hentheirbrot
her.
Theythenwal kedhim outGwabiniwasalready
waiti
ngf orhi
mi nthecar.Thembeli
hlestepped
i
nsidet hecarandleftthet
wosisterssti
ll
speakingtotheirbrot
her.
Hethenj
oinedherandt
heydr
oveherhome,
f
ir
st…
-
--
-
Notev eryonewaspl easedinthecouncilwas
pleasedt hatthekingwassteppingdown.The
hideboundmenwant edSgwil
itorulebecause
he’dbeenwi t
hthekingalwaysbuttheot her
s
knewhewasacr uel
,rudeandgreedymanwho
wouldl eadthekingdomsast r
ayshouldhebe
givenachancet orule.
ButDali
suwasf i
ttorul
e,f
itbynatur
eandby
bi
rthr
ight.Theki
nghadchosenhissuccessor
andnobodyhadar i
ghttoquesti
onhim.
Whatwasneededwast
heprepar
ati
onst
o
anoi
nthi
m andsohewasgoi
ngtorei
gn…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE16

IntheabsenceofDal isuThembel i
hlebegan
withherbusiness.Shet ookMakhosi ’
sadvice,
nottoputallherlegsinonebasket .Shewas
savingmoneyf orherself.Shewassel l
i
ngf at
cakesandf ri
es.Shebeganr i
ghtaft
erDali
sul ef
t.
Thatev eni
ngsher et
ur nedhomewi ththelett
er
thattheywantedtonegot i
atel
obolaforher.
Thembelihl
easkedt hatThokozanidoesn’t
i
nv i
teandnoteventellthei
rsist
er,Thokozil
e.
Shedidn’twantherbecausesheknewt hatshe
didn’
tli
kegoodthingstohappeni nherlif
e.All
shewant edwastokeepherasherser vant.
Thokozani
cal
l
edt
hei
runcl
eandauntf
rom t
hei
r
fat
her’
ssidetostandwi t
hhim whenhewas
negoti
ati
ngforhi
ssister.Thembeli
hlealso
askedhercousi
nsf r
om Johannesburgt ocome
andtheycame.Nozibusiso,herf
ri
endal so
camet osuppor
ther.Shewashappybutal lshe
wantedtoknowwast hatDali
suwasar oundbut
hewasn’t.
Herlobol
anegoti
ati
onsweren’theldi nher
fat
her’
shouse.Theywereatheruncl e’shouse.
Theyneededtoprot
ecther,
peopl edi dn’
thave
toknowthatshewasgoingtobet hequeen.
Thenegoti
ati
onswentwellandt heyhappened
i
noneday .Nobodytol
dherthatshewasgoi ng
tobethequeen.Dal
isuhadaskedt hathewould
betheonetotell
her.
I
t’
dbeenthreeweekssinceDali
suleftand
Thembeli
hlewasbusywithherbusiness.
Peopl
eboughtherfoodandshehadadded
fr
iedf
ish.
Shewasundert
het
reewi
thMakhosi
.
MaCebekhuluhadspokentoMakhosit
hatshe
must
n’ttel
lThembeli
hlet
hatDal
isuwasgoing
t
obethenextking.
“What’
skeepi ngyourtaver
nfr
om oper
ating?”
Thembel i
hleaskedlooki
ngatMakhosi.She
keptquiet.Shedidn’
tknowwhattosayt oher
becausetheki nghadtol
dherhusbandtowait
forDal
isu’sretur
n.
Makhosi
:“It
hinkthel
i
censei
swhatdel
ayi
ngus.
Butdoyouthi
nkyouwill
cont
inuet
oworkwhen
youaremarri
ed?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hesaidhewon’
tstopme,
Makhosi
.Doyout
hinkhewaslyi
ng?”
Makhosi
:“Idon’
tknow.Her
e’sy
oursi
steri
n-
l
aw.”
SheturnedandshesawNokuthul
awalki
ng
i
nsidethepremiseswi
thayoungboywhowas
herregul
arcust
omer.Shest
oodupandmet
them hal
fway.
“
Iwi
l
lgogetachai
r.
”Shesai
dsmi
l
ingather
.
Nokuthul
a:“No,Iam notst
ayingIaskedhimto
showmewher eheboughtthese.Iwantedto
buytoo,Idi
dn’
tknowy ouaret heonesell
i
ng
them.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iam.
”
“Boy,
pleasego.Thanky
ou.”shesai dgivi
nghim
R2.Theboysmi l
edandranoff.“
Doesmy
brot
herknowthatyouaresel
li
ngf astfood?”
sheaskedfurt
her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Idi
dn’
ttel
lhi
m.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Youdospeakwi
thhi
m,r
ight
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes.”Hewascommuni cat
ing
wit
hherbuthewasusi ngadiffer
entnumber .
“I
sther
eapr oblem i
fIam doi
ngthis?
”
Nokut
hula:
“Iam notsayi
ngther
eisbutIam
suret
hatmybrotherwon’tl
i
keitwhenhehear
s
i
t.Doyouneedmoney ?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iam j
ustdoi
ngahobby
.”She
l
ied.Sheneededt osavethemoneyforher
business.Shedidn’
twanttowai
tforDali
suto
maket hingshappenforher
.
Nokuthul
a:“Youbet
terst
opbefor
ebrot
herget
s
home.Hewi ll
befur
iouswit
hyou.
”shewarned
her
.“ButfornowIwanttobuy.
”
Shegav ehermoney .Thembel i
hletookitand
wenttopackt hef oodf orher.Shedidn’
t
underst
andwhyNokut hulatoldhersheneeded
tostopherbusi ness.Dalisuhadt ounderstand
thatshewascapabl eoft aki
ngcar eofherself
.
Shetoldherselfmaki ngherwaybackt o
Nokuthula.
“
Thanky
ou.
”shesai
dgi
vi
ngherchange.
Nokuthul
a:“
Iwon’
ttel
lany
onebutpl
easer
e-
consi
derthi
s.”
Thembelihl
enoddedandtheysai
dtheir
goodbyes.Thembel
ihl
ewalkedbacktoMakhosi
,
shesatdownnexttoher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Shej
ustt
oldmethatImustst
op
thi
sbusi
nessbecauseDal
isuwon’
tbehappy
abouti
t.
”
Makhosi
:“Well
,she’sr
ightaboutthat.
”She
murmured.“
Butmay beyouwoul dhavesaved
enoughmoneybyt heti
meher eturns.
”
Thembeli
hledi
dn’tsayanyt
hingshej
ustkept
quiet
.Shej
ustdidn’tknowwhatshewas
supposedtodo…
Theywerehavingdi
nnerwi thherbrot
her,
Thembeli
hlewasstil
lthi
nkingabouther
busi
ness.Sheknewshedi dn’twanttostopand
Dali
suhadtoldherhedidn’thavetheprobl
em
wit
hherfoll
owingherdreams.
“Bhut
i,doyouthi
nkDalisuwil
lhaveaprobl
em
withmybusiness?”sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m.“I
meanhi ssi
stert
oldmehewi ll
beangry.
”She
added.
Thokozani
:“Idon’
tseether
easontobeangr
y
becausepeopledon’
tknowthaty
ou’l
lbehi
s
wi
fe.Youar
enotembar
rassi
nghi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes!Youareri
ght.Iknewtalking
toyouwouldmakemef eel
better.Youar
et he
bestbr
other.
”Shesmileddeli
ghtedly.
Thokozani
:“That
’sbecausey
ouaret
hebest
si
ster
.Onlythebestfort
hebest
.Myli
tt
le
si
ster
.”
Thembel
i
hlel
aughedandnodded.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“Yes,
youare.Andthepri
nceisver
ylucky
.I
shoul
dhavechargedthem 100cowsforyou.
”
hesaidandtheyl
aughed.
-
--
--
-
AMONTHandanot hert woweekshadended
Dali
suwasst il
lnotback.Decembert he5thwas
hisanointingday.Ther oyalhousehadpl anned
every
thing, i
nvi
tedallthekingdoms, busi
ness
associatesandcommonpeopl e.Ther ewere
repr
esent ati
vesfrom alloverZulul
andandot her
pl
acesoutsideZulul
and.About20000people
weregoi
ngt owitnesshim bei
nganoint
edki
ng
oft
heZululandkings,t
heMonar ch.
Dal
isuar
rivedeMahhashiniont
he3thof
Decemberatnight,i
twassaidt
hathewas
goi
ngtoreturninthemorni
ngonthe4thof
December.Butthatwastokeephi
m saf
e.He
wasathisfather
’shouse.
“Ndabezi
tha,Thembelihleissupposedtobe
herewhenwi l
lIgetthechancet ospeakto
her?”Dal
isuaskedhisf atherastheywere
seatedonthedini
ngt ablehav i
ngdinner
.Itwas
him andhisf
ather.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Weaskedt
hatherbr
othert
ell
sher
t
omor r
owmor ni
ng.
”
Dal
i
su:
“What
?ButIaskedt
odot
hatmy
sel
f.
”
Ndabezitha:
“Dal
isuthati
snotconveni
entand
youneednott omeetanyonewhil
ey ouar
ehere.
Ithoughtyouunderst
oodthat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“IdobutThembel
i
hlewi
l
lbemywi
fe.
”
Ndabezitha:“
Youwi l
lnotgetmarri
edrightaway
andweneedt okeepherawayf r
om harm.
Nobodyknowst hatyouhav epai
dlobolaforher
besidethemenwhowentt oheruncle’
shouse.
Eveniqhiki
zaandthewomeni nchargeofthe
gir
lsdon’tknowthatyouwillmarr
yher.It’
syour
dutytokeephersafeasherhusbandev enif
thatmeansputy ourpri
deaside.
”
“Yebo.
”Hecondescended.Hedi
dn’tt
rustthat
Thembeli
hlewasgoingtounder
standbuthe
wantedtobetheonetomakeherunderstand.
Ndabezit
ha:“Shecametov i
situsandImust
saythatsheisawonderfulwoman.Sheisver
y
shybutwell-
mannered.
”Thatwasmusicto
Dali
su’sear
s.
Dal
i
su:
“Whoi
nvi
tedher
?”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Yourmot herdi
dandsheeven
sleptwi
thherandtoldmet ogo.
”Theyl
aughed.
“Shewil
lbetheblessi
ngtothisf
amil
yanda
bl
essi
ngt
oyou.
”
Dal
i
susmil
ed.“
Thankyou,baba.
”Hesaid.The
womanwhohadstol
enhisheartbyhervoi
ce…
-
--
--

Thembeli
hlehadstoppedmixi
ngthedoughand
wasseatedacrossherbrot
herint
hedini
ng
tabl
e.“
What ’
swrong?”sheasked.
Thokozani
:“Youknowt
hatwewi
l
lhav
eanew
ki
ng,ri
ght?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iknow.
”
Thokozani
:“Thefami
lydidn’
twantt
otel
lyou
butitwasonlyf
oryoursafet
yandyour
husband’
ssafety
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Justgett
othepoi
ntbhut
i,Iam
tr
yingt
owor k.
”
Thokozani
:“Yourhusbandwi
l
lbet
heki
ngand
youwill
bethequeen.”
Thembel i
hlepushedherchairandstoodonher
feet.Herbodywasblooddrainedwithshock.
Herl owerl
ipstar
tedtr
embling.“Si
si
,calm down.
Please,si
tdownnow.Wewi llt
alkaboutthi
s.”
headded.
Thembelihl
e:“No!”shemov edawayf r
om the
tabl
eandmov edupanddown.Shewas
thi
nkingandsheconnect edthedots.Hehad
spokenabout‘respecti
ngherposit
ion’hewas
tal
ki
ngaboutherposi ti
onasqueen.Hehadt old
herhewasl eavingforbusi
nessbuthewas
l
eavingforprotecti
on.
“Dali
suli
edtome.Howcouldhedothi
stome?
Itr
ustedhim.
”shesaidhervoi
cewasf
ull
of
nothi
ngbutdisappoi
ntment
.
Thokozani
:“No,
hedidn’
tli
etoyou.Hedi
dal
l
thi
stoprot
ectyouandhimsel
f.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Doy our
eal
isethatIwi
ll
never
studyandwil
lnevermakemydr eamscome
tr
ue.”Shesatdownwithtear
sonhereyes.“
I
shoul
dn’
thav
ecomeher
e.”
Thokozani
:“Don’tsayt
hat
.Youwil
lmakeyour
dreamscomet rueandDal
isuwi
ll
lookaf
teryou.
Hewi l
lpr
otectyou.”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam t
ooyoungtobeaqueen
howcanhenott el
lmethatt
hiswasgoi
ngto
happen.Iam supposedtotr
usthi
m,
Thokozani?
”
Thokozani:“Yes,becausehewast hinkingof
yoursafety
.”Hesai dbutstil
lThembelihledidn’
t
wantt ounderstand.Shewasangr yand
disappoi
nted.Aknockont hedoorstopped
Thokozanifrom talki
ng.“Thatmustbet he
womanwho’ sbr i
ngingyouratt
ir
e.Come. ”He
heldherhandanddr aggedhertotheliving
room.Thembel ihlesatdownandl ookedatt he
door.
Thetwowomenenteredthehouseandsat
downwitht
hebagtheywerecari
ng.They
i
ntr
oducedthemsel
vesasThembi andNandi
,
t
heroyalhousedesi
gner
sforqueen
MaCebekhulu.
Thembi :“
Yourbrothergaveusy our
measur ementsandwehav edesignedtwo
dressesforyou.Youwi l
lchoosewhi chdr
ess
youwi l
lweartomor r
ow.”
Thembelihlenodded.Nandi
tookoutt
he
dressesfrom t
hebagsandputthem ont
he
tabl
ealongwi t
htheshoesandbeads.
Nandi
:“Youwil
lkeepbot hdresses.Ndl
unkul
u
MaCebekhul
uhaspai dforthem andshe
i
nstr
uctedustoleav
et hem both.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Thanky ouandtel
lherIsai
d
thankyou.”shesmiled.Theynoddedandlef
t.
Thembel i
hlestoodupl eav
ingt
hedresses
withoutevenlooki
ngatt hem.
Thokozani
:“Youwi
l
lnotf
itt
hem?
”
“
Iam st
il
lbusybhut
i.
”Shesai
dleavi
nghim and
wentt
othekit
chen.Shepr
oceededwit
hher
dough.Thokozani di
dn’
tstoptry
ingtomakeher
understand.Shedidn’
tcar
eaboutallthatshe
j
ustknewt hatshehadnochoicebutobeythe
wordt heyhavesaidasherin-
laws.
Shechoset hebr ownandcar amelAfricanpr
int
l
ongdr ess.Thedr essfit
tedherperf
ect l
y
coveri
ngherar ms,i
thadal owercurvedneck
l
inethatcov eredherchestanditwasanA
shapeddr ess.Shecov er
edherheadwi t
ha
browndoekt hatcamewi ththedr
essandwor e
caramelsandal swithcaramelwoodenbangles
andnecklace.
Shewasseat edinherroom wait
ingforher
brot
her .Hermot heri
n-l
awhadcal l
edherand
tol
dhert hatshewasgoi ngtositamongother
i
mpor tantwomenshewasn’ tgoingtosi
twith
them ornextt oherhusband.
“Thecarishere.
”Thokozanisaidappeari
ngon
herdoor.Hewaswear i
ngcr eam andbrown
menat t
ire.Thembel
i
hleinhaledairdeepl
yand
st
oodupt
aki
ngherpur
seal
ongwi
thher
.
Dali
suhadinstruct
edMzwakheandMakhosi t
o
dri
vewithherandherbrother
.Thembel
ihl
esat
atthebackwithMakhosi.Makhosismi
l
edat
herbutshedidn’t
.
Makhosi :
“Iam sor
ry.
”Shesai
dhol
dingher
hand.“Theytol
dmenott osayawordtoyou.I
t
wasv erydif
fi
cultf
orme.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iunder
stand.
”
Makhosi:
“ Hehasn’
tchangedEli
hle,
heisst
il
l
t
hemany oulove.
”Thembeli
hlel
ookedather
i
mmedi at
elyaft
ershehadsaidthatstat
ement.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Inev
ersai
dthat
.”
Makhosi
:“Youdon’
thav
etosayi
twi
thy
our
mouth.
”
Shekeptquiet
.Sheknewthathemadehim
happyeveryti
metheyweretoget
herbutshe
didn’
tlov
ehim.Sheall
owedhersel
ftobeli
eve
that…
Theyar ri
vedatt hev enueandt heywer e
escortedtot heirseatswithotherwomen.The
venuewasbeaut i
fulandcolourful wi
th
tradit
ionalcolours,royal
colours.Thembel i
hle
l
ookedatt hebigt hroneseatthatwasf arfrom
them andbesi dei t
,wasaseatj ustalmostits
sizebutbeneat h.Ther ewasawoman
tradit
ionalhatplacedont hechai r.Andont he
l
ef tofthethronet herewerecushi onsplacedon
thef l
oor.
Peoplewer ef
ill
ingthevenueinnumber sand
therewereper f
ormancesfortheaudiencethat
wasgoi ngonast heywerewai t
ingforthe
ceremonyt obegin.Amanspoker equest
ing
thatpeoplestandup.Theyallstoodup,
Thembel i
hlef
elttooweakt ostand.Makhosi
heldherhandandst oodwit
hher .
Ndabezi
thaandhi
swiv
esent
eredt
hevenue
andtheysatont
hepl
acer
eser
vedfort
hem not
f
arf
rom t
het
hrone.
Theni twasDal i
suandt henewcounci l’
smen
hehadchosenwi ththehel pofhisfat
her.He
wasst i
l
lgoingtowor kwi t
htheoldcouncilfora
certainperi
odoft i
me.Hi sbrotherSbani
,from
thet hi
rdwifewashi sdeput y
.Thekingrefused
toletSgwilibecomeDal isu’
sdeputy.
Peopl ewereinstr
uct edtositdownaf terDal i
su
andhi scouncilwereseat ed.Thembel ihl e
l
ookedhi m hehadchanged.Heseemedmuch
strongerandmuscul arthanbef ore,sher eali
sed.
Hel ookedt ooseri
ousl i
kehewasn’ ttheman
sheknew.Hewaswear ingaf ullZuluman
tradit
ionalgear,
‘i
bheshu’ (t
igerski npr inted
gear )
.Thembel i
hlelookeddownandcr ied
silent
ly.Makhosiheldherhandt i
ght l
y.Fr om
wher eshewasshecoul dseeherdr eams
fadingawayandt hef or
eigndr eam r emai ning
standing.
Byt
het
imeanoi
nti
ngr
it
ual
sended,
Dal
i
suhada
spearandashieldonhi
sri
ghthand.Het
hen
stoodupandraisedi
tup.
Peopl
estoodonthei
rfeetandchant
ed.
“NDABEZI
THA!.
..
BAYEDE!WENAWENDLOVU…
BAYEDE!UYI
ZULU…NDABEZI THA!”
Woment henululatedandtherewere
cel
ebrati
onsthatfoll
owed,thedrumsand
si
nging.ThenewMonar chwascelebr
ated,
DALISU‘NDABEZI THA’ZULU…

“Youdon’tknowwhowi l
ldri
veushome? ”
Thembel i
hleaskedMakhosi attheirt
able.
Therewer estati
onsfordi
ff
er entpeopleof
dif
ferentki
ngdomsandpl aces.Peoplehav e
beent r
ansportedbacktoeMahhashi nipalace
forthefeast.
Makhosi:“No,Idon’
tknowbutmyhusbandwil
l
havetodriveus.Youwanttogoal
ready
?”she
askedlookingatherworr
ied.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,butIwi
l
lst
ayi
fyour
husbandi
sstil
lbusy.”
Makhosinodded.Thembeli
hlewasnol
onger
eati
ngshewaschat t
ingt
oherfri
endonthe
phone.
Ateenagegi
rlcametothet abl
eandaskedfor
MakhosiandThembeli
hle.Theybothst
oodup.
“
May beweareleav
ing.
”Makhosi sai
dasthey
werefol
lowi
ngthegir
l.
Thembelihl
e:“
Thatcoul
dbemuchbet ter.
”She
l
ookedaroundandsawhersisterThokozil
e
fr
om afarspeaki
ngonthephone.“Mysisteri
s
here.
”Shesaidfeel
i
ngalit
tl
enervous.
Makhosi:“Wher
e? ”shel
ookedaroundandsaw
her.“
Don’tworr
y,youdon’thavetobescaredof
hernow.Shewi l
lnotdoanythi
ngtoyounow. ”
sheassuredher.Thembeli
hlenoddedbel
ievi
ng
herwords.Theywer el
eavi
ngthefoodvenue.
Theyfi
nal
l
yreachedMaCebekhulu’
shouse.The
housewasful
lofwomentheydidn’
tknow.The
gi
rlaskedThembel
ihlet
ofoll
owher .Shel
eft
heratMaCebekhul
u’sbedr
oom.MaCebekhul u
smil
edwhenshesawThembel i
hle.
“Iknewtheatt
ir
ewasgoingtol
ookgoodon
you.”shesai
dstandi
ngupfr
om herbedt
ohug
her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yabonga,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Thanky ouforcoming.Andwe
apol
ogi
seforthewayt hingsweredonebutit
wasdonetoprotectyou.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Thi
sishowy
ouf
oundoutt
oo?
”
theysatdown.
MaCebekhulu:“
No, bybir
thIam thepr i
ncess.
Thelat
eKingCebekhul u’
sdaughter
.IknewI
wasgoingtobet hequeenbutwithy oubabyit’
s
di
ff
erentespeci
allynowthatyourparentsare
nomore.Wedi dn’twanttori
skanything.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatwi
l
lhappennow?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
sust
il
lhassomet
hingst
o
do.Heneedstosett
leinandtheny ouwil
lget
marri
ed.Youwil
lbeli
vingwit
hy ourbrot
herunt
il
ever
ythi
ngbegi
nsforthewedding.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ican’
tbackoutnow?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
mnt
anami
ther
eisno
t
urni
ngback.
”
“Iam scar
ed.”Sheconfi
dedinherlooki
ngint
o
hereyes,MaCebekhul
usawt hefear.Shehel
d
herdaughterin-
lawcl
osert
oher.Sheheldher
ti
ghter.
“Don’
tworr
y,youwil
lbeal
ri
ght
,mnt
anami
.”She
said,
sti
l
lhol
dingher
…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE17

“Iam t
ir
edmamaIneedt ogohomeandsl
eep.
”
Thembelihl
esai
d.MaCebekhul
uhadt
ri
edt
o
makeherbett
erbutsheendedupgivingupas
shesawthatThembeli
hleneededDal
isuto
speakt
oher.Sheneededhim andnobodybut
hi
m.Heneededt ospeaktoher.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dali
susai
dyoumustn’
tleav
e.
Hewantedtoseeyout
hedayhegotbackbut
hi
sfat
herref
used.
”
Hewantedtoseeherandsaywhat
?Expl
ain
whyheli
edtoher?Shewasangrywit
hhi
m and
wasn’
tsur
eifshewantedtoseehi
m.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwi
l
lseehi
mtomor
rowmama.
Wherei
she?”
MaCebekhul
u:“He’swit
hhi
scounci
lmenbut
wit
houtthewomenandhe’swit
hother
busi
nessassoci
ates.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ThatwillnotendandIknowmen
whentheyaretogetherdiscussi
ngmenstuf
f.
Theydon’
tlookatthetime. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’st
rue,
atl
eastwedocheck
theti
mebecausewehav etogohomeand
cook.”Theylaughed.“Buty
oucansleephere,i
n
theguestroom becauseIcan’
tsaygosleepin
hishousealone.”
Thembelihl
elookeddown, shedi
dn’twantto
seehimthatnight.Nowshewassur ethatshe
wantedtogohomeandsl eep,maybewakeup
thenextdaytofacehim.Shedidn’tknowhow
tosay‘No’tohermotherin-l
aw.Andshewas
pushi
nghert ostaybecausehersonhadsai d
so.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lsendamessagemama.
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Hhay i!Hhay i
!Youwi l
lnotdo
thatnow.Youwi llsendt hatmessageandwhen
heget sithewil
lleavepeopl ejusttocomeher e
toseey ou.Justwaitf orhim here,whatyou
wantt odonowi sunaccept abl
e.”Sheshouted
atherandThembel i
hlesai dnothingbutshe
waswonder i
ngthatwi ththeoutf i
thewas
wearingwher ewashi sphone?I twascl ear
ly
notcl
osetohim butshedidn’trai
sethatpoint
toMaCebekhul
u.Shekepti tinsi
deher.“You
knowwheretheguestroom is,Icancall
Makhosif
oryoubecauseherhusbandi salso
busy.
”Sheadded.
Thembeli
hlestoodupsl
owly,
sheheadedt
othe
doorhopi
ngthatshewasgoingt
ochangeher
mindandlethergobutshedi
dn’
t.
Shemadei tt
ot heguest room.Shel ooked
aroundandsighedsi tt
ingont hebedt otakeoff
hershoesandlaidont hebed.I twast hefi
rst
ti
mehermot herin-lawhadshout edatherand
thatmadehersad.Shel aidont hebedfeeli
ng
l
ikeshewasr egrett
ingev eryt
hingandshewas
havingdoubt
st hatshewasev ergoingtobe
happy.Washeev engoi ngt ohav eti
mef orher
now?Shewasn’ tsur eoft hat.
Sheheardthedoorbei
ngopenedandshe
chosetocl
osehereyesandpr et
endedtobe
asl
eep.Shedidn’
twanttot
alk.Shedidn’
twant
total
kaboutherf
ear
sbutmor
eespeci
all
ynot
herregr
ets.
“Youaresleeping?
”Makhosiaskedshaki
ngher
butshedidn’tsayany
thi
ng.Makhosijoi
nedher
andsaidnothing.
Sheendedupf all
i
ngasleepinbetweenher
thoughtsthi
nki
ngift
hef i
rstthi
ngthatMakhosi
suggestedtoherwasstarti
ngherownsmal l
business,
shewasnev ergoingtogolookfora
man…
Nokuthul
awokeMakhosiupandThembelihl
e
bei
ngclosedtoher
,hadsl
eptal
ert
edthatshe
neededtowakeupwhenitwasti
meto.She
wokeupev enwhenshehear
dhernamewasn’ t
cal
led.
Thetwol adiessatupstr
aightont hebedand
rubbedtheireyes.Thembeli
hlegrabbedher
purseandt ookoutherphonet ochecktheti
me.
I
twasaf ter9:30pm andherbat t
erywaslow.
Nokut
hul
a:“
Makhosi
yourhusbandi
sgoi
ng
homesohesai
dImustcal
lyou.
”
Makhosi
:“Okay
.Let
’sgot
henThembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hlest
oodupwithherbag.“Butthey
tol
dmetocall
Makhosinoty
ou,sis’Li
hle.
”
Nokut
hul
aexplai
nedl
ooki
ngatLihle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yourbr
otheri
sback?
”
Nokuthul
a:“
NobutIt
hinkt
heyar
eont
hei
rway
back.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mybr
other
?”
Nokut
hul
a:“
He’
swi
thbab’
Mzwakhe.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Let
’sgoIwanttoseehim.
”she
sai
dgetti
ngupwithMakhosi,
shedidn’
tleav
e
herpur
se.
TheloungehadMawande, Nomal angaand
somegirl t
hatThembeli
hledidn’tknow.She
greet
edthem, showingthatshewasn’ tstay
ing
tohaveat alkwit
hthem.Thel adieshad
welcomingsmi l
esforherbutshedecl inedthem.
Shewant edtoleaveandlucki
lyMaCebekhul u
wasn’
tar
ound.
Shef
oll
owedMakhosi
outt
hedoor
.
ShehadmetNomal angabef ore,onthei
r
encounterThembeli
hlewasn’ tsureif
Nomalangal i
kedherli
ket hetwosi st
ersdi
d.
Shewast oointer
rogativ
eofherandshedi d
thatevenwithhereyes.Thembel ihl
ehad
dist
asteatthethoughtofNomal anga,t
heol
der
sist
ertothetwosisters.
Shewenttoherbr
other
.Hewasl
eani
ngont
he
cart
appi
ngonhisphone.
Thembeli
hle:“
Bhuti
.”Sheaskedf
orhi
s
att
ent
ion.Thokozanir
aisedhi
sheadandl
ooked
ather
.
“Youl
ookugly!
”hesaidplay
ingwi
thhercheeks.
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandpushedhi
shandaway .
Shetr
iedtofi
xhersel
f.“
Youweresl
eeping?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
IwasandIneedmor
esl
eep
canwego?”
Thokozani
:“Youar
enotgoi
ngwi
thus.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Yes,Iam.
”Shesai
dlooki
ng
around.“
Ijustwanttogohomeandatleast
changeifhereall
ywantsmehe’l
lcomehome.”
Thokozani
:“Don’tbeli
kethat
.He’
stheki
ngnow
hecan’tdotherunningar
ound,r
unni
ngaft
er
you.Justwaitf
orhim.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihav
ebeenwaiti
ngherefor
hoursandhedidn’
tcomeback.Iam t
ir
ed,
real
l
y.”
Thokozani:
“Whydoesi tl
ookli
keyou’
ll
bea
st
ubbornwi f
e?”heaskedpinchi
nghim.
Thembelihl
elaughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“St
op!
..
.Di
dyouseesi
s’Thoko?
”
Thokozani
:“No,
Isawherhusband.Wewer
e
wit
hhim.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Wher
ewer
eyou?Anddi
dyou
speakt
ohim?”
Thokozani
:“Wewer
ewi
thy
ourhusbandand
ot
hermen.Ididn’
tspeakwi
thhim.Eveni
fIhad
achancewhatwasIgoingtosaytohim?
”they
l
ookedateachotherandl
aughed.
Thembelihle:“
Okay ,l
et’sgowhyar ewe
waiti
ng?”justthenapr ivatecardrovethr
ough
fol
lowedbyDal isu’scar.“No!”shesaidpushi
ng
herbrot
herandst eppedi nsi
dethecar.Makhosi
andMzwakhewer ealreadyinsidewait
ingfor
Thokozani.
“What’
swrongnow?”Makhosi askedlooki
ng
backather
.Thokozani
steppedinsidethecar
wit
hThembelihl
eandclosedthedoor.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Nothi
ngi
swr
ong,
pleasedr
ive
bhut
’Mzwakhe.”
Mzwakhe:
“Didn’
ttheysayt
haty
ouar
enot
comi
ngwithus?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwanttogohome. ”shesai
d
l
ookingoutsi
dethecar.“
Please.
”
Thokozani
:“Justdr
iveMzwakhe.
”
Mzwakhe:“
No, Thembel i
hlemustli
sten
becauseMagebawi l
lshoutatme.Thatman
hatebei
ngdisobeyed,he’
sj ustl
i
kehisfat
her
.”
Thatdidn’
tmakeThembel i
hlehappy,
heari
ng
thatdi
dn’tmakeherhappy.Buttheyt
oldherhe
wasn’ttr
adit
ional
!Theyl
iedtoher.
“
Iwantt
ogo.
”Shei
nsi
sted.
Henoddedandstar
tedthecar.Thembel
i
hle
l
ookeddownasthecarsstoppedandthe
vehi
cl
etheywer
edrivi
ngin,mov ed.
Shesighed, r
eli
evedt
hatshewasl eavi
ng.But
thatchangedwhenDal i
sustoppedthecar.
Thembel i
hlewentdownandkeptst i
ll
.
Mzwakhe:
“Mageba.
”
Dali
su:“
Yebo,baba.Iwantedt
othankyourwi
fe
forcomi
ngherewi t
hyouandthey’
vetol
dme
youhavekeptThembeli
hlesaf
eforme.”
Makhosil
aughed.“It
hinkThokozani
didt
he
keepi
nghersafe.
”Shesaid.
Dali
su:“
Yes,becauseit
’shi
sresponsi
bil
i
tybut
youareherf
riend,t
hankyou.
”
Makhosi
: “
Youdon’
thav
etot
hankme
Ndabezi
tha.”
Dali
susmiledandnoddedthenhesai
dhis
goodbyessett
ingthecarfr
eenotr
eal
isi
ngthat
hi
sbr i
dewasinsidethecar
.
Thembelihl
eraisedherheadandl
ookedar
ound,
Thokozanishookhishead.
Mzwakhe:
“Youwi
l
lgetmei
ntr
oubl
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iwon’
t.
”
Shelai
dherheadonherbr
other
’sshoul
derand
cl
osedhereyes.

Dal
isufoundhissi
ster
sseat
edont
hel ounge
wit
htheirmother
.Hesatdownwi
ththem and
si
ghedclosi
nghiseyes.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
eti
red?
”
Dal
isu:“
Yes,
Iam andIwantt
ogoandsl
eep
now.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Whydon’ty
ousleephere?
Thembeli
hleisi
ntheguest
room youcanj
oin
hert
here.
”
Nokuthul
a:“No,shei
sn’tt
here.
”Dal i
sul
ooked
athi
smom wi thquest
ioneyes.“Shelef
tsayi
ng
shewantstospeaktoherbrother,di
dn’
tyou
seeheroutsi
de?”
Dal
isu:“
No,Ievenst
oppedt
hecarbutshe
wasn’tt
her
e.”
MaCebekhulucl
ickedhertongueasshe
real
i
sedthatsheleftasshewantedtol
eave.
Shehadtoldhernottogobutstil
l,
shel
eft
.
Nomalanga:“Shedi
dn’
tev
ensi
ther
ewi
thus
shej
ustleft
.”
Mawande:“
May
beshej
ustwant
edt
osl
eepon
herbed.
”
Nomal
anga:
“That
’snotanexcuse,
sheshoul
d
haveobeyedwhatshewast oldtodonotj ust
go.”Shesaidsoundingirr
it
ated.“Fir
sttimeI
sawher,Ididsayshei ssti
llachildandshewi l
l
giv
ey outr
oubleDalisu,j
ustlikedad’sthir
dwi fe
gavehimtrouble.Thembelihleisacitygir
l af
ter
al
l.
”Sheaddednothi di
ngthatshedi dn’tl
ike
Thembeli
hle.
MaCebekhul u:“Shemaybey oungbutshe’ s
cleverandDalisuwasn’tgoingt ogetaper f
ect
wife,nobodyisperfectNomal anga.”She
defendedherdaught eri
n-l
awt oherdaughter.
“Andshewi lll
earnhowt obehav easaki ng’s
wife.Iwil
lteachherwhatsheneedst oknow,
youmustunder st
andshegr ewupwi thouta
mot hernobodyhast aughtherhowt orespect
herhusband. ”
Mawande:“Mamaisright
.Thembel
i
hlei
sthe
r
ightgi
rlf
orourbr
other.
”
Dal
i
sustoodupleav
ingthem,hetr
iedtohi
de
t
hathewasfur
iousthatThembel
i
hlejustl
eft
.
Shedidn’
twanttoseehim?Aftert
womont hs
ofbeingawayfr
om eachothershedi
dn’
twant
toseehim?Whatchangedwi t
hheronhis
absence?Heaskedhimsel
fthosequest
ions
taki
nghisphoneoutofhi
spocket.Hehad
changedhisout
fi
t.
Hecal l
edThembeli
hleandherphonewason
voicemail
.HerememberedMzwakhewas
dri
v i
ngthecarandhenevertookacl
oselookat
thebackofthecar.Hethencall
edhi
m.
“Ndabezi
tha?
”Mzwakhesai
dont
heot
hersi
de
oftheli
ne.
Dal
i
su:
“IsThembel
i
hlewi
thy
ou?
”
Mzwakhe:
“Yes,
she’
swi
thme.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Theydidn’
ttel
lyout
haty
oumust
n’t
l
eavewi
thher
?”
Mzwakhe:“
Theydidbutshesai
dshewant
sto
gohome.Itr
ied-
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yout
ri
ednot
hing!Ist
oppedy
ourcar
andy oudidn’
teventel
lmet hatshewasi nsi
de
thecar.Youobeyherordersnownotmi ne?”he
askednotshoutingathim buthi
sv oicewasfull
ofsincerefur
ythatMzwakhewasabl etoread.
Dalisuhardl
yshoutedatothermen, especi
all
y
oldermen.Mzwakhewasol derthanhim.
Mzwakhe:
“No,
Ndabezi
thaIobeyy
our
s.Iam
sor
ry.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Dr
ivebackandbr
ingherher
etome.
”
Mzwakhe:
“Yes.
”
Dali
suhungupt hephoneandt ur
ned,wal ki
ng
backtohismot herandsisters.Hesatamong
them andrequestedwaterfrom Nokut hula.She
stoodupandwentt ogetthewat er,
leavingthe
awkwar dsi
lence…

“It
oldy
out ol
ist
entomeThembel i
hle!
”
Mzwakheshoutedatherstoppi
ngt
hecar.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedaround.
Thembelihl
e:“
Whyar
eyoustoppi
ng?
”shedi
dn’
t
car
eaboutwhathehadsai
dtoher.“
Whyare
youtur
ning?”
Thokozani:
“Isn’
titobv
iousthathei
sret
urni
ng
youtondlunkulu’
shouse?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No!
”
Makhosi:“Thembel
ihl
ej ustcal
m downandstop
whini
ngnow! ”sheshoutedatherfuri
oust
hat
shejustdi
dn’twanttoli
sten.Shewantedaman
andnowt hatshehadone.Shedi dn’
twanthi
m
j
ustbecausehewast heking?
Thembeli
hlekeptqui
etandshekeptongr
indi
ng
hert
eethrepressi
ngheranger
…

“Don’
tbetoohardonher .
”MaCebekhulusaidto
Dali
suashewasst andi
ngup.Hehadhear dthe
soundofthecarstoppi
ngont hefrontyar
dof
hismother
’shouse.Dal
isulookedathismom.
“Sheisj
ustscar
edofalltheresponsibi
l
iti
es
aheadofher
,theonesshedi
dn’
tknowshehad
tocar
ry.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Thi
shasnot
hingt
odowi
tht
hat
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ithasev
ery
thi
ngt
odowi
thi
t.
”
Nomal
anga:
“Hee!Mamal
ovest
hisgi
rlneh?
”
Mawande: “She’
sagoodper
sonandshecooks
goodfood.”Shesai
dtaki
ngdef
enceforher
si
steri
n-l
aw.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Gonow,
Dal
i
su.
”
Dali
su:“
Goodni
ght
.”Hesai
dmar
chi
ngt
othe
door.
“
Goodni
ght
!”Thel
adi
esi
nthehousechant
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Noma,
youar
enotl
eav
ingt
omor
row?
”
Nomal
anga:
“No.Iwi
l
lbeher
efort
woday
s.”
Dal
i
su:“
Okay,
Iwi
l
lseey
out
hebutpr
obabl
ynot
t
omorr
ow.”
Nomal
anga:
“Okay
,bhut
i.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Youwon’tcomeher
etomorr
ow?
Peopl
ewilldef
ini
tel
ycomeandyouknowthat.
”
Dal
isu:“
Iwi l
lseewhatIcando.Ineedt
or est
.”
Hesaidlookingoutsi
dethedoor
.Thembelihl
e
wasstandingbeforei
tlooki
ngdown.Dali
su
smi
ledforgetti
ngthathewasangrywit
hher .
Mawande:“
Whati
sitnow?
”sheaskedl
ooki
ng
cl
osel
ytohi
sdi
rect
ion.
“
Thembel
ihl
eisprobablyatthedoor
.”
Nokut
hul
awhispered.Theygiggl
ed.
Dal
isuturnedandsai
d:“
Iwi
l
lgonow,
ndl
unkulu.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Gomf
anawami
.
”
Hecl
osedthedoorbehi
ndhi
m andl
ookedat
t
hebeaut
yaforehi
m.
“Sawubona,MaSthol
e.”Hegr
eetedherpol
it
ely
.
Thembeli
hlerai
sedherheadsl
owlytolookat
him.
Shesawaman,
amant
hatwassai
dtobeher
s.
Hebel ongedtoherandseei nghim closertoher
now.I twashedawayal lthedoubt sandr egret
s,
allt
heangershehadf elt,shebeather sel
fup
forturningbackwithoutseei nghi
m.Whatwas
shet hinki
ng?Shehadmi ssedhim ev eryday
thathewasn’ twi
thher .Shehadl ongedt ofeel
hisstrongarmswr appedar oundher.Andf eel
safewi thi
nthem.
Shestoodt herelookingathim wantingt ohol d
himtightl
yandt ellhi
m howshehat edl i
ving
wit
houthi spresence.Shewant edtot ellhim all
aboutthenightswher eshest ayedawakecr ying
becauseshemi ssedhim andnev ertoldhi m or
herfr
iendsaboutt hosenights.Butshedi dn’
t
knowi fhewasgoi ngtounderstandit.Because
shedidn’tunderstandither
self,shedi dn’
t
understandhowamanshe’ dknownf oraf ew
weekshadbecomet hatmuchi mpor tanttoher .
Howhehadhel daspecialplaceinherhear t
,a
mostdearpl ace.
“
Ndabezi
tha!
”Whenshef
inal
l
yspoke,
she
spoker especttohim andshedidn’twaitt
obe
tolditwasappr opr
iat
et ohughim whenshe
want edto.Sheheldhimt ight
lyr
eleasi
ngallt
he
tearsshehadhel dupsi ncethet
imeherbr ot
her
toldherDalisuwasgoi ngtobeanoi nt
ed
monar choft heZul
uland.
Hewr appedhisarmsar oundherli
kehehad
readhermi ndthat,i
twasallshewanted,al
lshe
hadlongedf or
,tobeheldbyhi m.Hewasher e,
now,againholdingherandstil
lnotbel
ievi
ng
howshehadent eredhi
slif
ewi t
hjustonesong,
hervoice.
“Don’tcrynow, l
et’
sgohome. ”hesaidreali
sing
theywer estandingout
sidehismother’shouse
andt heyneedednoonet oseethem.But
peoplewer etir
ed,andi
twasqui etaroundthe
palace.Onlytheguardswer est
andingand
awake, t
heonesonshi ft.
Dali
susi
gnal
ledt
othem thatitwasti
metogo.
Theymadethei
rwaytotheircarandDal
i
suhel
d
hisbri
de’
shandt
oget
hert
heyheadedt
ohi
s
car.
“Sawubona,Manzi
ni.
”Thembel
ihl
egreet
edhim
astheysatatt
hebackofthecarwit
hDalisu.
Gwabini
:“JobekaMatshane.Uy
aphil
a,
asi
sakwazi.
”Hegreet
edbackdrivi
ngthecar
,
fol
l
owingtheguardsbefor
ethem.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandy
ouar
ewel
l
?”
Gwabi
ni:
“Yes,
Iam wel
lNdl
ovukazi
.
”
Thembelihlel
ookeddownwhenhehear dhi
m
saythattoher.Her?Shewastobeaqueen?A
queentot hewholeZulul
and?Themoreshe
thoughtaboutitwasthemoreshebecame
scared.
Dal
isu:
“Youlookbeauti
ful
,whomadet hi
s
dr
essforyou?”heaskedtaki
ngherhandint
o
hi
s.
Thembel
ihl
e:“MamaMaCebekhul
uhadi
t
desi
gnedforme.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Thanky ou.
”shesaidrest
ingherheadonhi
s
shoulderandclosedhereyes.Shewashome…

“Iheardyout hr
ewaf i
ghtwheny ouweretol
d
you’l
lbethequeen.”Dali
sui nfor
med
Thembel i
hle.Theywereinsidehishouse,
soon
tobet i
tl
edt hei
rsshoul
dt heybecomemar ri
ed
ful
ly.
Thetwowerehavingt
eaandbi
scui
tswhi
l
ethey
watchedTVtoget
her.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,andtal
kingabouti
tmakes
meangry.
”Shesai dlooki
ngattheTVhol
ding
hert
eacuptightl
y.
Dal
isu:
“Di
dn’ti
tcrossyourmi
ndt
hough?I
meanIam thefi
rstpr
ince.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ididn’
tthi
nkkingsdoreti
reI
thoughtt
heyonlyleav
ethethronewhent hey
dieandevenifsoInevergotti
metot hi
nky ou
mightbekingt
hat’sbecauseIt
houghtt
hey
choosethesontheysawf i
ttor
ule.
”
Dali
su: “Okay,Iunderstand.Mydadi soldnow
andf orgetf
ulsomet imes, heneededt hi
s
reti
rementandki ngsdor eti
re.”Heexplained.“I
want edtobet heonet otelly
oubuti twas
i
nconv enientthattimeIhadj ustgotbackhome
andneededt obesaf eandkeepy ousaf eatt he
samet ime.Notev eryoneishappyt hatIam
kingnowandwhent heycanheart hatyou’llbe
myqueent heycanhar my oujusttospiteme.
Wewon’ tevenmeetl i
keweusedt o.Iwillsend
someoneandt hey’l
ldri
vey ouhereoratmy
mot her’
shousewhenIwantt oseey ou,okay ?”
Hesai d.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iunder
standnow.
”
Dal
isu:“
Andy oudon’thavetobescaredof
any
thingaboutbeingthequeen,t
hereismy
motherandsist
ers.AndIam heretoo.Butmy
mom willt
eachyouev ery
thi
ngyouneedt o
know.
”
Shesmiledfeel
ingr
eli
eved,
sheneededhi
mt o
speaktohim,nowshereali
sedasshefel
tthe
senseofhope…
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,Iwantt
ogoshowerandgo
tobednow.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay,
youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thmet
oni
ght
i
nmyroom.”
Herf eetwentcol dassheheardhi
m saythat,
shet urnedt olookathi
m buthewasn’
tev en
payingat tenti
ontoher…Hewasbusyf i
nishi
ng
offhist ea..
.
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE18

Shewasint
heshowerhummi ngasong,
asong
ofl
ove,
asongofhappi
ness.Shewashappy
,
andshehadpeaceshehadn’thadinyear
s
sinceshehadlef
therf
ather
’shouse.Nowthat
herdoubtshadbeenwashedawayThembel i
hle
feltshehadmadether
ightchoi
cebycoming
backhome…
Shewalkedthroughhal l
way,st
ill
hummi ngt
he
songweari
ngov ersizedsli
ppersofDalisuon
hersi
zefourfeet,herbodywaswr appedwit
ha
whit
etowelDalisuhadgi venher.
Shestoppedherhummi ngasshemetDal i
suon
hi
sbedr oom door
.Hehadbeenst andi
ngther
e
aft
erhisbathandhadbeenl i
steningtohi
s
bri
dehum asong, asongthatsignall
edshe
washappy .
Thembelihl
e:“Whyareyoustandinghere,
I
thoughtyou’
dbeasleepbynow…”sheasked,
tel
linghi
m buthi
dingthatshewishedhewas
asleepsoshecouldgetdressedfreel
yknowi
ng
hewasn’tlooki
ngather.
Dal
i
su:
“Wel
l
,Iwasl
i
steni
ngt
oyourv
oice.
”He
sai
dholdi
ngherhand.Thembel
ihl
esmi l
edand
l
ookeddown.“It
oldyouthi
shouseneededy ou
tobemorebeauti
ful
andnowi t
’snotjust
beaut
if
ulbuti
t’
swarm.”Hesaidpressinghis
l
ipsonhers.
Thembeli
hledidn’
tthi
nktwicesheheldhisarm
andtheysharedapassionateki
ss.Hermind
fai
l
edherbecauseshehadnegl ectedhertowel
andsoitfel
l.Shegaspedinbetweenthekiss.
Dali
sureadt hegaspashehadf el
tthatthe
towelhadf al
len.“
Leav e…it
…wher ei
tis…”he
i
nstruct
edhermov inghishandsdownt oher
barewaist.Thembel i
hle’
slegsfel
tweakand
shecouldn’tcontr
ol heremoti
onsandact i
ons
underhistouch.
Heslowlytangoedwi t
hherbackintohisroom
wit
hhisli
psst i
ll
onher sandhertonguedeep
onhisthr
oat.Hel ovedhervul
ner
abili
tyunder
hi
shands.Shef eltsosmallbuty
etsov isi
ble.
Thesoftskinexci
t edDal
isuandhismanhood
hadhar
denedbeneat
hhispyj
amapant
s.He
wasweari
ngthem wi
thavest
.
Ashel aidherdownonhi sbed,Thembeli
hle
thoughtofherv i
rgini
ty?Hewasn’ttaki
ngitnow,
wasn’the?Theywer esupposedtogetmar r
ied
fi
rst,
right?Yes,shewasnowhi sbutal
lthe
formalit
iesweren’tdoneyet.Buthewast he
kingnow, heknewwhatwasr i
ght.
Shecri
edf r
om deepherthroatandheldont o
hi
m withhershortnai
lsasDalisu’
spy j
amas
pant
scov eredpeni
srubbedonher .Thefeeli
ng
hewasgiv i
nghermadeherl oseallcontr
oland
shefel
tshewasl osi
ngit.
Nobodytoldher
,butshetookoffhi
svestand
shefel
thisfl
eshasDali
suplantedki
sseson
herneckwithhi
shandtouchinghermedium
si
zedroundshapedbreasts.
Hewentdownt othem andtheylooked
beauti
ful
wit
hadar kbrowncolourthat
surr
oundedherharddarkni
pples.Hekissedon
t
hem remov i
nghispantstorubhisski
nonher
s.
Hefelthercr
ybutawor ri
edsexualpl
easur
ecr
y
f
rom thereheknewherwor r
iesasDali
suwas
r
ubbinghimselfonher.
“
Itwil
lnothappentoday
…Justr
elax
…”hesai
d
wit
hhisvoicesof
tasabud.
Thembel i
hlebeli
evedhim andal lowedhersel
f
tofeelhisf ul
lpossession.Shepl acedher
handsonhi schestandshel ov edthefeel
ofhis
hardmuscul arabs.Shewasbr eathi
ngsoftbut
nowf astasshef el
thishandt ouchedhersoft
i
nnert highsgoingupt otheent rancetomeet
herwet ness.Buthej ustrubbedsof tl
ytwi
ce
whilegoi ngdownonher .
Thembel
i
hleshotherey
esopenedandlooked
downasshefel
thiswarmtonguei
nsi
deher .
“Whatar
ey ou…”shecr iedout
,shortofbr
eath
andshethr
ewherheadbackont hepil
lowas
Dal
isuhadraisedhishandasast opsign,rel
ax
si
gn,‘
Iam aty ourser
vicemylady’.Shecr
ied
outoverwhel
medbyt henewfeel
ingshewas
recei
vi
ng.Itwassomethi
ngshedidn’
tknowshe
wasmi ssi
ng,somethi
ngthatmadeherafr
aid
thati
fshe’dknownitwasthi
sgoodshewould
havegivenuphersel
ftosomeboyalongtime
ago…
Shecriedlouderasherwal lsshutand
rel
eased…Shedi dn’
twanttoopenherey esnow
thathewasdone.Shedi dn’
twantt hatunti
lshe
fel
tafabriconher .Sherai
sedherheadand
l
ookedathi m.Hewaswi pingherclean…Now
Thembelihlewaswor ri
edaboutwhatshewas
supposedt odot ohim.Shewasn’ tbli
ndshe
knewwhatOr alsexwasbutshehadnev erdone
i
tandshehadnev erpl
easedamanbef ore.Onl
y
akiss,akissthatshehaddone.
Dal
isulai
dnexttoher,
chall
engi
nghert
osee
whatshewasgoi ngt
odoandwhatshewas
goi
ngtosay .Hesmil
edrecal
li
nghowhelpl
essl
y
shehadcriedashewasembr aci
ngher
.
“Dal
i
…”shecall
edhim,itwasthef
ir
stti
meshe
hadcal
ledhi
snamet hatway.Hedi
dn’
tknowif
shewascall
i
nghisnameorshewasgi vi
nghim
apetname.‘
Dali
’bei
ngapetnamei nZulu.
“St
handwasami .”Hesai
dlookingather.He
sawawor ri
edlookonherface, andhesmil
ed.
“Don’twor
ry.Dowhatyouthinky oucando.
”he
said,hedi
dn’twantt
olethergo.Hehadt osee
herasawoman, awomanbehi ndclosed
doors…
Thembel ihlewasscar edbutno, shewas
worriedifshewasgoi ngt odoev eryt
hingri
ght.
Shehadt akenthefir
stst epandshewasl ayi
ng
onhim wi thhermout honhi s.Sher emember ed
everythi
nghedi donherandshedi di
thopingit
hadasameef fectonhim.Butwhenherhand
reachedDal isu’
ssignifi
cantor gani twasfl
at,
notashar dasithadbeenbef ore, nowshewas
worried.Shewasnotwor ri
edt hatsuchan
organwasgoi ngfil
lhersoonbutshewasbad
atthisandcoul dnev ersatisfyhersoont obe
husband,
thatwor
ri
edher
…
“Whydon’twejustsleep?”Dali
sudisappoint
ed.
Thembeli
hlestoppedimmedi at
ely
.Shedi dn’
t
sayanyt
hing.“Wearebot hti
redandweshoul d
rest
.”Heclar
if
iedlookingdownather .
Shewasl ooki
ngdownseatedatbottom oft
he
bed.“Iwanttogotothebat
hroom.”Shesaid
andimmedi at
elygr
abbedatowelonherway
out.Shewrappedherbody.
Dalisugotupfrom t
hebed,heworehis
py j
amasandfixedthebed.Hethenhoppedon
theleftsi
deofthebedleavi
ngt
her i
ghtsi
de
freeforThembeli
hletofi
l
l…
ButThembelihlewasseat edont heguestr
oom
embarrassedtot hecore.Shedidn’tknowwhat
shehaddonewr ong.Shewaswor riedi
fshe
wasevergoingt ogetwhat everneededtobe
done,r
ight?.
..Shepr epar
edthebedandsl ept
al
oneont heguest room…
WhenDal
i
sut
urned,
hel
ear
nedt
hathehad
turnedont heempt y,
coldsideoft hebed.He
gotupf rom thebed,checkingthet i
meitwas
after2:
15am.Hewentt othebat hroom to
checkifThembel ihl
ewast here.Shewasn’ t
there.Hecheckedt heotherbat hr
oom and
l
ivingroom butshewasn’ tthere.Thekitchen
andt hediningroom,shewasn’ tthere.
Hefinal
l
yf oundhersl
eepi
ngontheguestr
oom.
Heshookhi sheadthi
nki
ngwhatmighthave
gonethroughhermind.
Heremovedthebl
anket
sandcar
riedhernaked
bodybackt
ohisroom,t
hetowel
hadlefther
body.
Helai
dheronhersi deandgotinnexttoher
aft
erhehadswitchedofftheli
ghts.Hecuddled
herwarm bodyandclosedhiseyesaft
erkissing
heronthecheek…
Thembeli
hlewasdeadsl
eepi
ngt
oreal
i
sewhat
hadhappened…
Sheyawnedandopenedherey es.Shesawshe
wasn’
tint heguestr
oom.Sher emov edt
he
bl
anketandsawshewasst i
l
lnaked.Shethen
cover
edher sel
fquickl
y.Shefelthi
shandshold
herwaistsheclosedhereyesrecalli
ngwhat
hadhappenedt heprevi
ousnight,shewas
embarrassed.
“Youl ef
tmeal onelastnight.
”Dali
sutol
dher
placinghisforeheadonherback.Thembel i
hle
keptquiet,shedidn’
twantt otel
lhimthatshe
wasembar rassed.“
LookatmeThembel i
hle.
”
Her equested.Thembelihleshookherhead.
Dalisuthent ur
nedher,l
ay i
ngheronherback.
Dali
su:“Youarewor ri
edaboutwhathappened
l
astnight?”heaskedlooki
ngintohereyesand
shedidn’tremov et
hem.Shenodded.“Don’
t
worrythereisplent
yofti
mef oryoutogeti
t
ri
ght,bubbles.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
fIdon’
t,
whatwi
l
lhappen?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youwi
l
l,Iwi
l
lteachy
ou.
”Shesmi
l
ed
andnodded.“
Butnowgetupandgomake
breakf
astf
orme.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
It’
sraini
ngout
side.
”Shesaid
gi
ggli
ngandhidhersel
fonhi
schest.Dal
isu
l
aughed.
Dal
i
su:“Icanheart
her
ain.Buti
t’
snotr
aini
ngi
n
mykit
chen.”
Shegiggled.“
Getupandgetmeagown.
”She
request
edst i
l
lonhi
schest.
Dali
su:“Areyouscar edtowalkaroundnaked?
”
heaskedr emovingt hebl
anketlooki
ngather
beauti
fulbody.Thembel i
hlescr
eamedand
l
aughed.“JustgoIhav eseenyourbeaut
if
ul
body.
”Heencour agedher.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedathim wi
thasmi
le.She
thenki
ssedhi
sl i
pssof
tl
y.“Goodmor
ning.
”She
saidaf
tert
hekiss.
Dal
i
su:
“Goodmor
ning,
MaSt
hol
e.”
Shebl
ushedget
ti
ngof
fthebedshewal
kedup
tohiswardrobebefor
er eachingitshet ur
nedto
l
ookathi m.Hewasl ookingatherwi t
hhislazy
hornyeyes.Thembeli
hle’seyesmov eddownhi s
coveredbody,shegasped, t
urnedt otakethe
gownandr anof f
.Dal
isulaughedl ookingdown
athimself
.Heshookhi sheadf eeli
nggood
abouthimself,
hehadf oundawi fe.

Theywereseateddownont hedini
ngtabl
e
havi
ngapr opermeal.Itwasn’ tbr
eakf
astbut
Thembeli
hlehadcookedal ambst ewandpap,
madesalads,forDal
isu.Whi leshewasstil
l
cooki
ng,shehadmadeal ightsnackforhim
andshegott i
met ocleanaround.Shewas
havi
ngthesamemeal .
Theyhavet
akenabat
hbutt
heywer
est
il
lon
thei
rpyj
amas.
Dal
i
su:“It
oldy
out
haty
ouar
enotl
eav
ing
t
oday?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdi
d?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam aski
ngy
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
youdi
dn’
ttel
lme.
”
Dal
i
su:“Oh,
youar
enotleavi
ngt
oday
,youwi
l
l
l
eavet
omorrowmorni
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Why
?”
Dali
su:“
Youmustcookdi nnerformeandcook
enoughthatIwil
leatwhil
eyougone.”He
i
nformedherfini
shinguphisfood.
Thembeli
hle:
“ButHl
ezi
phi
sai
dyoueati
nyour
mother
’shouse.
”
Dal
isu:“Iwanttoeati
nyourhousenow.”He
l
ookedather ,shel
ookeddownandsmiled.“
My
si
sterwasr i
ghtyoucookgoodfoodandIwant
more.”Hesaidgivi
ngherhi
splate.
Thembel i
hlesi
ghed.“Promisemeonet hing
though.”Thembeli
hlesaidkeepingastraight
facethatDali
suhadnev erseen.Hesmi ledand
nodded.“Youwillnotgetfat,
please.Iwillf
eed
youasmuchasy ouwantbutdon’ tgetfat .
”She
request
ed.Dali
sulaughedholdi
ngthebackof
hisneckleani
ngbackont hechai
rwithhi
shead
l
ookingup.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam ser
ious.
”
Dali
su:
“Okay,okay.Iwil
lnotgetfatdon’
tworry
Ihaveagym here.Iwil
lshowy oueveryt
hingi
n
thi
shousetoday.Iwon’tgetf
at.”
Thembel
i
hlesmil
edandnodded.Shel
efthi
mto
di
shupmorefoodforhi
m…
Dali
suanswer
edhisri
ngi
ngphone,
Thembeli
hle
hadretur
nedt
othetabl
ewit
hhim.“Mama?”He
greet
ed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Mageba,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Dal
isu:“
Iam i
nmyhousemama,
it’
srai
ning
out
side.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,
iti
sbuty
ourpeopl
ear
e
her
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Theyar
eeat
inganddr
inki
ng?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,andyoushoul
dbeher
ejust
t
ocreat
eabondwi t
ht hem.
”
Dalisu:
“Iam bei
ngf
edmama,
Iwi
l
lmakea
feastandcallt
hem.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youar
efed?Thembel
i
hlei
sst
il
l
wi
thyou?”
Dal
isu:“
Yes,Iam wi
thhernow.Andi
t’
srai
ning
out
sidesoshewon’tgo.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
su,
no!Youcan’
t-
”
Dali
su:“Iwon’
tdothatmama.Ijustwantto
spendtimewithherbef
oreIgetbusy.Iwon’
tbe
abl
et oseeherasmuchasIwantf orthenext
fewweeks.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,that
’sgoodt
ohearmy
son.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Your
aisedmewel
l
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tsayt
hatbecausey
ouar
e
notavi
rgi
n.”
Dali
sulaughedhilar
iousl
y.Hedidn’
texpectt
hat
fr
om hi
smot her
.Thembel i
hlegi
ggl
ed,amused
bythesoundofhi slaught
er.
Dal
isu:“Okay
,butIhav
enev
ert
akensomeone’
s
pur
ity.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hee!Al
lthoseci
tygi
rl
syou’
ve
t
oldmey ouhavefoundtheoneeachti
meyou
meett
hem theywere…”
Dal
i
su:
“Mom,
Thembel
i
hlei
sher
eyouknow.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Okay,okay,whatisshecooki
ng
foryou?
”Dal
isulaughed.“Don’
tlaugh,pl
ease
savesomeforyourmot her.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Tel
lNomal
angat
ocookf
ory
ou,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Usuy
eyi
samanj
eusunomf
azi
!
”
Dali
sulaughed.“
Andshe’ sjealousnowthatyou
aretal
kingnonestop.Youar etakingal
lher
ti
me.”Hesaid.Thembelihlelookedathim
shockedthathewasl y
ing.MaCebekhul u
l
aughedandt
heysai
dthei
rgoodby
es.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydi
dyoul
i
etoy
ourmom?
”
Dal
isu:“Ourmom.
”hecorr
ect
edher.“
She
wantsmet ocomehomeandIwanttobeher
e
wit
hy ousoIli
edt
oher.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youwanttobeherewithmebut
youwantmetocookforyou.Youar
eplay
ing
me.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lbel
ooki
ngaty
oucook.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nothel
pingme?
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Idon’
twantt
orui
nyourcooki
ng.
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandstooduptocleart
he
tabl
e.Hewaslooki
ngather,r
eal
isi
ngthatshe
wasgetti
ngusedtohim andwasgett
ing
comfort
ablewi
thhim…
_
___
___
__

Thenewshadhi
thar
donSgonondo.Shewas
fur
ioustol
earnt
hatDalisuwasmadeki ngand
MaCebekhuludi
dn’tt
ell
her .Shewant edtosee
herbutsheknewthatwasi mpossible.Shewas
goi
ngt omakeherdaughtermar rythekingno
matterwhat
.Shewascer tainthatnobodywas
goi
ngt ost
andonherway .
It
’dbeendayssi
nceDalisuwasmadeki ngand
hewasbusysettli
nginandmakingchanges.
MaCebekhuluwasbusywi t
hNokuthulathey
werewrit
ingali
stfort
hepre-weddi
ng
ceremonyofDali
suandThembel i
hle,
Izi
bizo.
MaCebekhulureceivedacall
from Sgonondo,
herheartst
oppedassher eal
iseditwasher
whowascal l
ing.“Thul
a,pl
easeexcusemeI
wanttoanswert hi
scalli
nprivat
e.”
MaCebekhulutoldherdaughterandso
Nokuthulal
eft.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Sgonondo:
“Yoursoni
samonar
chandy
ou
don’
ttel
lme?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Ithoughty
ouwil
lhavesome
magi
ct otel
lyouthathewasanoi
ntednow.
Don’
tyouhav ei
t?”
Sgonondo: “Don’tbemeanMaCebekhul u!Don’t
for
gett hatIholdthef
utur
eofal lyourchi
ldr
en.
Nomal angashoul dgi
veherkingachi l
dnow.
Thetimesofbei ngaqueenwi thoutachildare
overandt heelderswantachild.Andyourson
wil
lhav etomar rymydaughterforthatto
happen. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That’
simpossi
ble.Igavey
ouan
easywayandyourdaught
erdi
dn’tcometothe
dancesonowpleasedon’
tbot
herme. ”
Sgonondo:“Iam goi
ngawayf orsomet i
met hat
will
giveyoutimetofi
gureouthowt ogetthem
together
.Iwil
lbegonefornotmor ethana
mont hsodon’tgett
oocomf ort
ablegetto
work.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Theywon’
tev
enl
oveeachi
n
t
hatmarri
age.AndhowcanIbesur
ethaty
ou
won’
tusedar
kmagi
conmyson?
”
Sgonondo:“Thatshoul
dnotbeyourconcer
nI
hel
pedy ou,
nowi stheti
metopaymeback. ”
Sheclickedhertongueandhungupt hecall
.
Sgonondodi dn’
tcareifherdaughtermar ri
ed
forloveornot.Allshewant edwasf orZodwa
andDal i
sutomeetsexual lyaftert
heirwedding
andshewasgoi ngtor ul
ethewhol eZulul
and.
Shewasgoi ngawayt oprepareherselff
orthe
ri
tualshewasgoi ngtoper for
mf orZodwa…
MaCebekhul usighedholdingherheart.Shewas
scared,Nomal angaandherhusbandhad
wantedt owaitjustbealonebeforebri
nging
chil
drenint
ot heirl
iv
esandt hrone.Butnowthe
ti
mewasupandMaCebekhul uhadt otakea
standagainstSgonondoandshehadt odothat
beforeDali
sugotmar r
ied…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GN
EPI
SODE19

MakhosiGumede,Thembel ihl
e’sf r
iend.She
wasbusyhelpi
ngherchildrenwi thhomewor k.
TheywereagedAlwande( 9),Philasande( 7)
andNtuthuko(
5).Onegirlandt woboy s.
Makhosiwasahousewi f
ebutshedi dn’twant
tobeahousewife,
buttheydi dn’thav emoney
toaff
ordanannyasshegotpr egnantr ightaft
er
thei
rweddingf
rom ther
eshest ayedathome.
Mzwakhewasbackf rom wor
k,hehadalong
dayattheroyalhousebuthehadsomething
goodthathappened.Hesatdownwi t
hhis
fami
lyandgreetedthem.
Mzwakhe:
“Whydon’ty
ougoanddoot
her
t
hingsIwi
ll
cont
inuewit
hthem.
”
Makhosi
tur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.Hehar
dly
of
fer
edtohelpwi
tht
hechi
ldr
en’
shomework.
Makhosi
knewsomethi
ngwasup.
Makhosi :
“Youarenottir
ed?”sheasked
standingup,shewaskneeli
ngdownasher
chil
drenhadt hei
rbooksonthefloor
.
Mzwakhe:“Iam butIwill
helpoutt
oday
,justgo
bef
oreIchangemymi nd.”
Makhosi noddedandl eftforthekitchen.She
want edtoknowwhatwashappeni ngwi thher
husband.Mzwakhewasat radi
ti
onal man,
Makhosi lovedhim evenandhel ov edher .They
hadbeenmar ri
edf oryearsandraised
wonder f
ul chi
l
dren.Butt heywereacoupl e,not
perfectl
ikeallothercouplesarenotper fect.
Mzwakhewasn’ taneasyhusband, hewas
toughandwant edtohav eaf i
nalwor din
everythi
ng.Makhosi wasanobedi entwi fe.
“Whathappenedtoday
? ”Makhosiaskedher
husband,shewasgett
ingreadyforbedinthei
r
bedroom.Mzwakhewasal readyunderthebed
coverswait
ingf
orhiswife.
Mzwakhe:
“Whathappened,
wher
e?”
Makhosi
:“Youl
ookhappyt
oday
.”
Mzwakhe:“
Comet
obednowandwewi
l
ltal
k
abouti
t.
”
Shesmi l
edandfini
shedupfastshecoul
dn’
t
waittohearwhatnewshehadf orher
.When
shewasdoneshej oinedhi
minbedandlooked
athim.
Mzwakhe:
“Youwon’
tki
ssy
ourhusband?
”
Makhosilaughedandkissedherhusband.
Mzwakhe, t
hetall
bigl
ightskinnedman.
Makhosihadbeenwi t
hhi m si
ncehewasstil
l
tr
yingtogethisl
if
etogether.Heknewhe
wouldn’
thavebeenwher ehewaswi t
houther
support
.
Mzwakhe:
“Mkami,umuhl
eMaShobanewami
.”
Hecompli
mentedher
.Makhosi
giggl
ed.
“Awu,bababaki
thi
,tel
lmewhatisgoi
ngon.
”
Sherequest
edholdi
nghishand.
Mzwakhe:
“Youseeourbui
l
dingt
hathasbeen
standi
ngforalongt i
me, nowitwil
lwork.Dal
isu
hasgivenmeper missiontoopenourtavern
andweshoul dtakeourlicensehangi
tont he
wallandstar
twor ki
ng.”
Makhosi ul
ulatedandclappedhands.Mzwakhe
l
aughed.Theyhadbui l
tabuil
dingandthey
wantedtomakei tataver
n.Thebuil
dingwas
hal
fay earold.Mzwakhehadt heli
censeallhe
wantedwasagoaheadf rom t
hekingfor
openingforbusiness.
Makhosi:
“That
’swonder
ful
newsbaba.Mkhul
u
uJehov
a.”
Mzwakhe:“I
mpelaandIhaveafeel
i
ngt
hat
Dal
i
suwi l
lbethegr
eatestki
ng.
”
Makhosi
:“Yebo,
syabongankosi
yami
.
”
Mzwakhenoddedandleanedbackholdi
ngher
wai
st.Makhosi
knewwhatt hatmeant
, i
twas
t
imetogetonhim andsati
sfyeachot
her…
-
--
-
Dalisuhadhi scar,
adiff
erentcar,ablack
Toy otapriv
atecarwaspar kedawayf rom
Thembel ihl
e’shousebutnottoofart hathe
didn’tseethehouse.Hewasdr ivi
ngal onein
thecarbuthi sguardswerecloseby .Hewas
staringatThembelihl
e’
shouseseei ngt he
reasonwhyshewasi gnori
nghi scall
s.
It
’dbeenaweekwi thoutseei
ngDali
su,hewas
busythathehadnot i
met ospendwithherand
shehadbeenbusywi thMakhosibuyi
nggifts
forherpre-
weddingceremony,
i
ngqibamasondo.Theyhav egi
venhertheli
stof
thethi
ngstheywantedandshehadgi venthem
theli
stofthet
hingstheywanted.
Evenwhenbusywit
hthatThembelihl
edidn’
t
st
opdoingherbusi
ness.Thembel
i
hl ewasbusy
l
aughi
ngashercustomerswerecracki
ngjokes
onher.
“
Youshoul
dgetgoi
ngandgoeatt
hef
oodand
sleep.”Shetol
dt hefourmenst andi
ngbef
ore
her.Theconst r
ucti
onwor kerswhowere
wor ki
ngont hetender,bui
ldi
ngRDPhousesfor
thev i
l
lagers.
“Butar
eyousurey
oudon’
tneedahusband?
Youneedsomeonetot
akecareofy
ou.”oneof
theguyssai
d.
“Mybr otherdoesthatandwhyarewehav ing
thesetalks?”sheaskedtryi
ngtogetthem to
l
eav e.Theyhav ebeenstandi
ngwithherfor
quitesomet imetalki
ngnonestop.
“Weareyourcust
omersThembeli
hleandgood
cust
omerservi
ceiswhatyouaredoing.Wear
e
wit
houtanyTV.”Oneoft
hem complained.
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.
“THEMBELIHLEYOURPHONEI SRINGING!”
Thokozani
shout
edfrom i
nsi
dethehouse.She
l
ookedbackandthenbackathercust
omers.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Guy
st hankyouf
orcomi
ngby
.
Call
agai
n.Inedtotakethecal
l
.”
“
Sur
e,Thembs!
”theychant
edandl
efthi
syar
d.
Thembelihl
eranbacki
nsidethehouse.
Thokozanimetherhal
fwayandgav ehert
he
phone.Shewenttoherroom wit
hit.
“Hel
l
o.”Shecl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndherandsat
downonherbed.
Dal
i
su:“Ihavebeencal
l
ingandIt
hinkmor
e
t
hanfourti
mes.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ryIwasbusy
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Busydoi
ngwhat
?”
Shekeptquietforawhil
etryi
ngtofigur
eout
whattosay.“TherewerepeoplehereIwas
tal
ki
ngtothem. ”shet
oldhimt hetr
uth.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam her
etoseey
ou,
comeoutnow.
”
Shegaspedandhungupthecall
.Shegotup
i
mmedi at
elyandwentt
olookathersel
fonthe
mir
ror
.Herphonerangagai
n.Shewentt oi
t
i
mmedi at
ely.
“
Yebo.
”Sher
espondedt
othecal
lpol
i
tel
y.
Dal
isu:“
Don’
tchange,
comeasy
ouar
e.Idon’
t
hav
et i
me.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“But
-”
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hle,
doasIsay
.”
Shehungupthecallandsighed.Shel
efther
room wi
thherphoneandadoekonherhands.
Shestoodbyherbrother
’ssi
de.
Thokozani
:“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Dal
isuisher
e.”Shesai
drubbi
ng
herf
inger
s.“HesaidImustcomet ohi
m now.”
Thokozani
:“Youar
eleav
ingwear
ingt
hat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hesai
dImust
n’tchange.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,go.
”
Sheworeherfli
pfl
opsonherwayoutand
l
ookedathersel
foncemore.Shewaswear i
ng
bl
ackski
nnyjeansandagreenv est
.Herhai
r
wasn’
tpl
ait
edshehadt hem t
ieduponapony .
Shet
hencov
eredherhead.
Shesawt hecarparkedunderat ree.She
walkeduptothepassengersi deofthecar.She
tri
edthedoor,i
twasl ocked.Dali
suunlocked
thecar.Sheopeneditandst eppedinsi
dethe
car.
“Sawubona.”Thembel
ihl
egreetedhi m.He
l
ookedatherandshewasn’ tl
ookingathi m.
Shewasl ooki
ngatthedarkscreenofher
phone.Dali
sustart
edtheengine.Thembelihl
e
l
ookedathi m.“Igr
eet
edyou.”sher eminded
him.
Dal
i
su:
“Ihear
dyou.
”
Shekeptquietandlookeddown.Theydrovein
si
lence.Dal
isu’
sguardsdrovethei
rcarasthey
sawhiscarmov e.Theydrovedowntheroad
andDalisudroveaf
terthem.
“Iwon’
tgobackhomet oni
ght?”Sheasked
l
ookingathim.Dali
sul
ookedatheronceand
saidnot
hing.Thembel
i
hlekeptquiett
oo.The
dri
vewassupposedtobeashor
tdri
vebutit
wastool
ongwi t
hthecol
dandsil
encebet
ween
them.
Theyfi
nall
yreachedDali
su’
shouse.Hegotof
f
thecarandThembeli
hlefol
l
owedaf t
erhi
m.
Thembel i
hlesatont hecouchwhi leDalisu
disappearedont hehall
way .Shetookt heTV
remoteandt ur nedont heTV.Ther ewasa
knockont hedoor ,shestoodupandwentt o
opent hedoor .Itwasoneoft heguards
standingont hedoor .Thembel i
hlegreetedhi
m
andhegr eetedback.
Guard:“Ndl
ovukazi
,Iam her
etoputt
hecar
keysinsi
de.Youcantakethem.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,sy
abonga.Ul
alekahl
e.”
Guar
d:“
Ulal
ekahl
enawe.
”
Thembeli
hlecl
osedthedoorandlockedit
.She
wentbacktothecouchandproceededwith
watchi
ngTVaf t
erputt
ingt
hekeysaway .She
tookherphonefrom t
hetableandt
appedoni
t
putt
ingherfeetonthecouch.
Dali
suappearedf
rom t
hehal
lway.Hewason
hi
spy j
amas,heyawnedandsatdownonthe
couch.
Dal
i
su:
“Whower
ethosemen?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whi
chmen?
”
Dali
su:“Isawyoustandi
ngwithmenbyt he
doorinyourfat
her
’shouse.Theyweremaking
youlaugh.Youwantedmet oexpl
ainthat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Theyareconst
ruct
ionwor
ker
s
theyl
i
vedowntheroad.
”
Dali
su:
“Whatweretheydoi
ngi
nyourf
ather
’s
housel
ateatni
ght?
”
Shelookedathimtr
yingtodeci
desheshoul d
tel
lhi
mt hetrut
horj
ustmakeupal ie.Butshe
knewlyi
ngt ohi
m wasnotanoptionandnot
good.Shejustdi
dn’
tknowhowhewasgoi ngto
takei
tbecauseNokuthul
ahadtoldherhewas
goi
ngt
obef
uri
ouswi
thher
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Theyweret
her
etobuythefast
foodt
hatIsel
l
.”Shet
oldt
hetr
uthnotl
ookingat
him.
Dali
sut aunt edhisjawandcl osedhisey es,
heari
ngt hatmadehi m angry.Thembelihlehad
awayofget ti
ngonhi snerv
esandhehat ed
howangr yhewoul dbewhenshedi dsomet hi
ng
hedidn’tlike.Ifsheneededmoney ,whydi dn’
t
shetellhim?Hewonder edlookingatherand
shewasj ustlookingdown.Hedr ewhis
shouldersf orward.
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyousel
l
ing?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iam sav
ingmoneytogoto
schoolbecausenobodycanaffor
dtotakeme
toschoolIfi
guredIshoulddosomet
hing.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ican’
taf
for
dtot
akey
out
oschool
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yousai
d‘NOBODY’
,i
sn’
tthatwhaty
ou
said?
”heasked, Thembeli
hledi
dn’tanswerhi
m.
“Iam tal
ki
ngt oyou!
”heshouted.Thembeli
hle
wasf r
ightenedbyhisv
oiceshefli
nchedatthe
tone.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mymot
hert
oldmenott
ogi
veup
onmydreams.”
Dali
su:
“Youar enotansweri
ngmyquest i
on
Thembeli
hle.Ican’
taff
ordtotakeyoutoschool
asyouaredoingwhaty ouaredoing?
”
Thembelihle:“Youl
ef tNdabezi
thaandIwas
aloneIdi
dn’ tknowify ou’
l
lcomebackorwhat.I
didn’
tknowi fIwasr eall
ygoingtobeyourwi
fe
oritwasn’tgoingtohappen.Ijustcoul
dn’
twait
foryoutomaket hi
ngshappenf orme.”
Hekeptquietl
ookingatherputti
ngasi
det hat
shewashi sbr
ide,
hesaway oungwomanwi t
h
aplanandpassionalongwit
hhar dworkand
det
erminati
on.Sheknewwhatshewant edand
shewasn’tafr
aidt
ost ar
tfr
om zero.I
treminded
hi
m whenhehadnoonebel iev
inginhi
sdr eam
buthi
ssist
er.Howhewor
kedf
rom scr
atcht
o
bui
ldhi
scompany .
Hesighed.“Iappl
audy ourdedicat
iont
owar ds
achi
evingyourdreamsandIam notagai nstit
butnowy ouarenotalone.Iam hereandIneed
youtostopdoingthatbusiness.”Heexpl
ained.
“What?”sher
emovedherf
eetf
rom t
hecouch
andlookedathi
m.
Dali
su:“
Youwil
lst
opsell
ingwhatev
eryouare
sel
li
ngandoncewear emarr
iedwewil
lworkon
bui
ldi
ngthatdr
eam t
ogether
.Youwantto
cook?”
Shelookedathim andnoddedslowly.She
di
dn’twanttostopshewasn’tjustdoinga
hobbybutshewasbui l
dingcustomerbasebut
whatcouldshedonow?Herhusbandt obe
wouldn’
tunderst
andbutmay beshecoul dtr
y.
Thembeli
hle:“Iam bui
l
dingcust
omerbaseI
needtodot hi
sbecausepeoplewil
lknowmy
cooki
ngandt heycanfoll
owitevenwhenIam
f
ar.
”
Dali
su: “
Idon’twanttodebat
eaboutthi
swi
th
youThembel ihl
e.Idon’
twanttosaysomet
hing
andy ou’
llchall
engeitr
epeat
edl
y.Iwon’
t
tol
eratethat.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lstop.
”Shesai
dthatand
st
oodup.Shewal
kedpasshi
m.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwasn’
tdonespeaki
ngt
oyou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwantt
ogouset
hebat
hroom.
”
Shelefthi
m andshewalkedthrought hehouse,
thehousewascleanthatmeantHl eziphiwas
back.Thembeli
hlefel
tateasewitht hat
.She
wasn’tgoi
ngtocleanthehouseint hemor ni
ng.
Shewentt owashherhandsont hebat
hroom.
Thenwentt othekit
chen,shet ooktheapron
andopenedt hefr
idge.Allthefoodshehad
cookedwasnott here,hemi ghthaveeaten
ever
ything.Sheconcludedandcheckedi fther
e
wasn’tanythi
ngspoiltonthefridge.
Shedisposedaf ewt hi
ngsandtookwhatshe
neededf orcooking.Shethentookr edmeatand
chi
cken.Shedef r
osteditandmadesomet hing
quickforDalisu.Doingallt
hosethings,
she
wasn’tthinki
ng,hermi ndwasont hecooki
ng
andnot hi
ngbutt hecookingonly.
Shewenttot heli
vingwiththetr
ay.Shekneeled
downandputt hef oodonthetablebefore
Dali
su.Sheturnedt hevol
umedownand
request
edhecl oseshiseyes.Sheblessedthe
food.Onceshewasdoneshegotup.
“Thanky ou.
”Dali
susai
d.Thembeli
hlenodded
andlefthim.Shegotbusyandcookedthree
dif
ferentmeals.
By8pm, shewasdone, shepackedt hefoodon
Tupperwarecontainer
sandleftthem tocool
downwhi leshecleanedtheki
tchen.She
tr
ansportedthei
rdinneronthedinnertabl
e.
Shewenttot
heli
vi
ngroom andt
ookthe
utensi
l
s.“
Youcancomeandhavedi
nner.I
t’
s
ready.
”Sheinf
ormedhi m.Henodded.Sheput
thedishesonthesi
nkandwentt odi
ningtable.
Dali
suwasn’tt
hereyet.Shewait
edforhim unti
l
hewasatt het
able,
theyprayedandate
toget
her.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatar
eyourpl
ans,
whatdoy
ouwant
t
odo?”
Thembeli
hle:
“ Iwanttostudyfi
rst
,becomea
prof
essi
onalchefandt henIcanhavemyown
l
odgewithar estaur
antont hesamearea.
”
Dalisu:“Iseet hel
odgeandr estaur
antbut
studying?Iam nott oosureunlessifi
t’spart
ti
mest udy i
ngnotfullt
ime.Youcan’tbegoing
upanddown, spendlonghoursawayf rom
homewhati fwehav echi
ldr
enwhi l
ey ou
studyingf ullt
ime?Youalsohav etothinkabout
that.”
Shedidn’tsayanyt
hingshej
ustkeptquietas
herheartwassqueezedunderneathherchest
.
Shepushedt hefooddownherthroat.
“Wewi ll
havechil
drenrightawayaft
erthe
wedding?”t
hatwasal lshemanagedt oaskand
hervoicewasasadmur mur.Shel
ookedathi
m
andhewasn’ tl
ookingather.Hewasbusy
eati
ng.
Dali
su:“Idon’tknowbutIam sur ey ouwantto
havethem afteryears,r
ight
? ”heaskedlooki
ng
atherandshedi dn’tanswerhi m.Theywanted
di
ffer
entthings,Thembel i
hlereal
ised.
Thembel i
hle:“Idon’twantanychi ldren.”She
toldhimtruthfull
y,hersister’
schildrenhad
ruinedherchancesofwi shingt ohav echil
dren
ofherown, bei
ngt heirnannyandt heothers
sincebir
th,itwasn’ taneasyt askandshedi dn’
t
wantchildrenofherown.
Hedidn’
texpectthatatal
l
.Howcoul
dshehav
e
notwantchi
ldren?
Dali
su:
“Well
,Ineedasonwhowil
ltakethe
thr
oneaft
ermeandy ouaret
heonl
ywi f
eIwil
l
havesoyou’
l
l hav
etogiv
emechil
dren.”
Thembel ihl
ekeptqui
et.Theyhaddi ff
erences,
andr egardl
essofthebondt heysharedifthey
don’tfindthewaytoworkt hroughthei
r
dif
ferencestheyweregoingt odrif
tapart
.
Dali
suadmi t
tedt
ohimself.Theweddi ngwas
farfr
om happeningtheyneededt osolvetheir
dif
ferences.Theyneededtof indcommon
ground…

Thembel i
hlehadpackedal lt
hefoodint
he
fri
dgeandswi tchedofftheli
ghtsi
ntheki
tchen.
Shewasdonet akingashowerandwasget ti
ng
dressedforbed.Dalisuwasseatedonthebed
readingthr
oughsomepaper s.Hehadboughta
nightdressandgownf orThembel
ihl
ebecause
shehadnonei nhi shouse.
Shedressedupthinki
ngt
hemanwi t
hher
wasn’tl
ooki
ngathernakedbodybuthewas
l
ookingathernakedbodynow.
Whenshewasdoneshewentoutt
oswi
tcht
he
l
ightsintheroomswhichhadt
heli
ghton.They
alwaysleftt
hehal
lwayli
ght
son.
Shelai
dunderneat
ht hebedcov
ersonhersi
de
oft
hebed.“Goodnight.
”Shesai
dtohim,her
voi
cepoli
teandsoft.
Dalisu:“
Iam sor r
y,”hesaidl ookingatherback
andshet urnedherheadt ol ookathi m.She
tur
nedbackt of acet hecleancr eam white
paintedwall.“Iknowt hatIam bei ngtoohard
ony ouandy oudon’ tli
keit.Icanseey oudon’t
.
Buty ouwon’ tbej ustawi fey ou’
llbethequeen
andIam sor ryt haty ouwer en’tgiventi
met o
acceptitbutnowi t
’shereify ouacceptit
everythi
ngwi llbeal r
ight.
”
Thembel i
hle:“IneversaidIdon’
tacceptit
becausei fIdon’tthatmeansIdon’tacceptyou.
Ij
ustnev erthoughtt hiswi
ll
standont hewayof
mydr eamsbuti t
’sokayDalisuIwil
ldowhat
pl
easesy ou, y
ouar etheki
nghere,youarein
contr
ol.”Shesai dwi t
hherhearthardasshe
acceptedhowherli
fewasgoi
ngtobe.And
becauseshedi
dn’tseeanymanbeyondDal
isu
sheacceptedi
t.
Dali
su:“No,it
’snotlikethat
,youwil
lgetto
achi
evey ourdreamsbutnotatt hepacey ou
wanted.”Shedidn’tsayanythi
ng.Sheclosed
hereyes.“Goodnight.”
Hesaidki
ssinghercheek.Hegotupand
swi
tchedoffthel
ights.Helai
dnextt
oherwi
th
hi
shandskeptonhi mself
…

Dali
suwokeup,
Hlezi
phi
hadwokenhim up.
Thembel
ihl
ewasonthebat
hroom t
aki
nga
shower
.
Heyawnedsi
tti
ngdownonthecouchnextt
o
hi
scryi
ngsi
ster
,Mawande.
Dal
isu:
“Mawande, what
’swrong?Whyareyou
her
esoearlycry
ing?”heaskedpul
li
ngher
cl
osertohi
mf orahug.
Mawande: “
BhutiIhadabaddream, it
’sbeena
whil
esinceIhavehadsuchfr
ighteningdreams.
Iam scar
ed.”Shewastrembl
ingwi t
hinher
brot
her’
shold.
Dal
i
su:
“Whathappenedi
nthedr
eam?
”
Mawande: “IthinkThembel ihle’
sl i
feisin
dangerIsawheri nmydr eamsr unningaway
barefoot, shewasbei ngchasedbyabeaut i
ful
sli
ml ightski nnedgi rl
.Thi sgirlhadabl adeon
herhandandt hisbladehaddar kmagi ct hat
meantt okillThembel ihl
e.Thembel ihl
ekept
runningunt ilshet ri
ppedont hegr oundand
whileshewast ryi
ngr emov et her ootsthat
tri
ppedhert hegi rlwasget t
ingcl oser.
Thembel i
hlel ookedv er yscaredandshekept
oncal li
ngy ournamet elli
ngy out ohel phershe
wast ell
ingy out okeephersaf eli
key ousai d
youwoul d.Iwokeupmycl otheswer e
drenchingi nmyownsweat .Iam scar edbhut i
.
”
Dal
i
suhel
dhert
ight
erandt
ri
edt
ocal
m her
down.“Okay,l
et’snotpani
cnowThembel i
hlei
s
hereandIdon’twanthertohearaboutt
his
dream doyouunder st
and?
”Dali
suasked
l
ookingathissister
.Mawandenodded.
Theybel
i
evedt
hatsomedr
eamshadameani ng
andsomewereawarni
ngf
rom t
heancest
ors.
Dali
sufel
tlostandhedidn’
tknowwhathewas
supposedtodot okeephi
sbridesaf
ebuthe
knewhehadt okeephersafe.Hecouldn’
tlose
herhehadjustfoundher…
[
03/
31,
10:
37]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE20

Thethr
eeofthem,Mawande, Thembeli
hleand
Dali
suhadbreakf
astpr
eparedbyThembel i
hle.
Thembeli
hlewasweari
ngtheclothesshehad
cometothehousewearingtheprevi
ousnight.
Thembel
i
hlesawt
hatsomet
hingwasn’
tri
ght
withMawandeandDal isu,
thatmadeher
wor ri
edt hatmay beDal i
suhadtoldhissist
er
aboutt heirargument.Sheconcl udedthathe
toldherandt hatmadeThembel i
hleangry,she
nev erthoughtamanl ikehim wouldcrytohis
sisteraboutt heproblemshewashav inginhis
house.Whydi dDali
sudot hat?Thembelihl
e
debat edwi t
hher sel
fthinki
ngthatshehad
fi
gur edoutwhatwasgoi ngon.
Mawande:“
Iwi
ll
gonow,bhuti
.Youwi
l
lcome
andspeakt
odadandmom? ”
Dali
su:“
Yes,andIhavetodiscussmypl
ansfor
Chri
stmaswiththem.Idon’
tknowwhatwil
l
happeninr
econcili
ati
onday
.”
Mawande:“
Okay
,by
esi
si.Thanky
ouf
or
br
eakf
ast.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,by
e.”
Shegotupandl ef
tthem.Thetwolovers
fi
nishedupthei
rbreakf
asti
nsil
ence.Dali
su
wast hi
nki
ngaboutway st
oprotectThembel
ihl
e
fr
om al
ltheev
ilt
hatmightharm her
.Nowshe
wasanimport
antpar
tofhislif
ehehadtokeep
hersaf
e.Hehadtoensurethatnoharmfel
lon
her.
Thembelihl
e:“Whatiswrong,
Mageba?”she
asked,f
inal
ly.Dali
surai
sedhi
sheadandlooked
atherbeauti
fulface.
Oh!Howpeacef ul
itwasandinnocenti
nhis
eyes.Thewomanwhowoul dgivehim ahome,
awar mr espect
ablehomewithbeauti
ful
chil
dren.Whowoul d’
vewantedtoharm her
?
Dali
su:“
Nothi
ngtoworryyour
sel
fabout
,
Mawandeisjusthav
ingsomeprobl
emsandI
don’
tli
ketoseehersad.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Shewi
llbealr
ight,t
her
eisno
paint
hatlastseveni
fitdoesn’tgoawaywi
th
ti
meiteventuall
yget
snumb. ”
Helookedatherwit
hnothi
ngbutlove,f
oll
owed
bywhatseemedlikepai
n.Thembeli
hledi
dn’t
not
iceit
.Shesawhopemi st
aki
ngitwithlove.
Dal
isu:“
Youarer
ightandt
hankyouf
orthose
words.
”Shesmil
edandnodded.“
Iwi
llgotomy
par
entsnow.Iwi
llcomeback.
”
“Okay,
whydon’
tyoudr
opmeathome?
”she
askedget
ti
ngup.
Dali
su:
“No,don’
tleavey
et.Iwantt
ospeakt
o
youwhenIgetback.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Shegatheredthedi
shesandwenttot
he
ki
tchenwiththem.Hlezi
phi
wasalr
eadyt
her
e
cl
eaning.
“Sawubona,sisi
.”Thembel
i
hlegreet
edher
putt
ingthedishesonthesink.
“Sawubona,
ndl
ovukazi
unj
ani
?”Shegr
eet
ed
back.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
?”
Hl
eziphi
:“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,t
herei
ssomethingt
hatI
wantyoutoteachmeify
ouarenotbusyt
oday.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Magebai
sleav
ingnowIam
avai
l
abl
e.”
Hlezi
phi:
“Okay,Iwil
ltellyouwhenIam done.
Youcangoassi sthim dressup.”Shelookedat
herwithquest
ioningeyes.Shewaswonder i
ng
i
fthatwaspar tofherjob?Hleziphil
aughed.
“I
t’
syourresponsibi
li
tynotmi ne.”
Thembel
i
hlesi
ghedandl
eftherf
orDal
i
su’
s
bedr
oom…

“Weneedt ofindawaytokeepherher ewit

hout
tel
l
ingherwhat ’
swrong.
”Ndabezi t
ha
suggested.TheyweregatheredatNdabezi
tha’
s
house,Dali
suandhisparents.
MaCebekhul uwasqui etamongt hem asshe
hadinterpr
etedthedream forhersel
f.Shehad
predi
ctedthatthegirl
chasingThembel i
hlewas
Zodwa, Sgonondo’sdaughter
.Shewassur e
thatSgonondowast heonewhowant edtokil
l
Thembel i
hle.Butshewasn’tsureifsheknew
thatThembeli
hlewasgoingtomarryhersonor
i
twasj ustadream t
ell
i
ngthem Zodwawas
goingtobetheotherwomanwithouther
i
nfluence?
Dal
isu:
“Doest
hismeanpeopl
eknownowt
hat
shewil
lbemywife?
”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Theymi ghthavesuspicionsbut
noneofthem canbecertai
nbesidet hosewho
knowsli
keyourguardsandherf r
iendal ong
wit
hherhusband.Nkosikazi
,whatisy our
vi
ew?”
MaCebekhul usighedandl ookedather
husbandandson.“ Ithi
nkweshoul dkeepher
i
nsidethesaf epit
.Ther eisnoot herchoicewe
have.
”Shesuggest ed.Thekinghadcr eateda
pi
thousej ustatthecor nerofhi
shomet here
wasanunder gr
oundhousesur r
oundedbyt r
ees.
Hehadcr eateditforhisfamilydur i
ngt heti
mes
ofthewars.Hekepthi swiveswhom wer e
MaCebekhul uandMaKhozaatt hattimeand
thechi
ldrenalongwithothermembersofthe
famil
ywhol i
v edwit
hthem thatt
ime.Hewasa
kingwhof ol
lowedbehindashispeoplewentto
war.Theywant edhi
mt ostayinthesafepi
tbut
hewant edtobebehindthem.
Dal
i
su:
“Shewi
l
lnev
eragr
eet
othat
.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Shehasnochoi
cebutt
oagr
ee.
”
Dal
isu:“
Thembeli
hleisst
ubbornbaba,Iwil
l
hav
et otel
lherwhat’
sgoingonforhertoagree
tot
hatandIdon’twanthertoknow.”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Youcan’ttel
lmethatyoubewi
ll
r
uledbyyourwife!Youwil
ldoevery
thi
ngshe
t
ell
syout odo,Dali
su?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
but
-”
Ndabezi
tha:“
No,buts!Womenar estubborn,
yourmotheri
sstubbornbutwhenIsay
somethi
ngmusthappenshel ist
ens.Youmust
knowhowt ohandleyourwif
ebecausey ouwill
neverr
ulethi
ski
ngdom ifyoucan’tkeepyour
wifeincontroli
fyoucan’tkeepy ourhousei
n
controlthenyouarenotfitt
or ul
e!Doy ou
understandme? ”heshouted,angrythathi
sson
seemedweakont hewomanwhowast obehis
wife.Howwashegoi ngtoruleifhedid
everythi
nghewast ol
dbyhiswi f
e?
Dalisu:“
Yes,Iunderstand,baba.”Dal
isufeltthe
heatandpr essurefrom hi
sf at
her.Thembel i
hle
didn’twantamant oruleherhowwashe
supposedt odosomet hi
nghepr omisedherhe
woul dn’
tdo?Butitwasabouthersaf etyhehad
todowhat everittakestokeephersaf e.
MaCebekhulu:
“Yourf
atherisr
ightDal
isu.You
arenotj
ustanordi
nar
ymanandThembel i
hle
needstoknowandunderstandthat
.”
“Yes,”hesaid.“ButIalsodon’tl
ikekeepingher
downt hereshe’llbeli
keaprisonerthere,why
can’tshestayinmyhouseatl east?
”he
suggestedot herwisel
ookingathisfather.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Shemustl
i
vewi
thy
ouwheny
ou
hav
emar
ri
edhernowy
ouar
enotmar
ri
ed.
”
Dal
i
su:
“ButIhav
epai
dlobol
aforher
.”
Ndabezi tha:“
Thatmeansnot hi
ng.Lobola
doesn’ tmakehery ourwife,i
t’
stheweddi ng
ceremonyandt herit
ualsperformedont he
weddi ngday ,ukumt helangenyongo,simbike
emadl ozinit
hatf ull
ymakeshery oursnotlobol
a.
Lobolai ssomet hingy oucanst i
l
lgot oher
brotherandt akei tbackifyoufeelsheisn’tt
he
womany ouwant .So, nothatwil
lnothappen.
Andy oushoul dnotsl eepwi t
hherunt i
lshe’s
yourwi fe.Thatshoul dbei nyourmind.”
Dali
susighed.MaCebekhul u:“Therearetwo
otheropti
onsshecancomeandst aywit
hme
oryoucanhav eabodyguar dforher.Wecan
doar i
tualandcallthetradi
ti
onalhealert
o
maket hemanst rongerandgi vethemant oher
.
Hewi l
lgowi t
hhim wher evershegoesand
therearehutsintheirf
ather’
shouse.Theman
cansleepthereinoneoft hem.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Thati
sal
soagoodideabutthe
bodyguardwil
lhav
etodr
essdi
ff
erent
lytoour
guar
ds.”
MaCebekhulu:
“Yes,Magebaut
hini
?”sheasked
f
orhi
sopinionlooki
ngathim.
Dal
isu:“Thebodyguar
disbet
teri
fshedoesn’
t
wantitshewil
lhavenochoi
cethenbutt
ocome
andli
vewi t
hyou.”
Theyallagr
eedt hatt
heywer
eget
ti
nga
bodyguardforher…

Dali
suhadsummonedThokozani t
other oy al
housethataft
ernoon.Hehadn’ tgonebackt o
hi
shouse.Hewasbusyi nt hethroneroom.He
wastoldthatThokozanihadar ri
ved.Hel efthis
workandwentt oconsultati
onroom oft her oyal
house.Dali
su’
sfatherhadhi shome, wher ehe
l
ivedwithnoneofhiswivest hathomewasf i
ve
minutesawayfrom theroyalhouse.Ther oyal
housewast heplacewher ethekingtookcar e
ofallthemat ter
sconcerningthekingdom and
otherkingdoms.I twasabi gbuil
dingthathad
dif
ferentroomsf ordif
ferentpurposes.The
royalhousehadbeenupgr adedaf ewy ear
sago
tomaket hi
ngseasierforthekingtorule.I
twas
atraditi
onalthemedbui l
dingandev enits
i
nteri
orwast r
aditi
onal
,royalcolours.
Thokozani wasalr
eadyhav ingteaoffer
edby
theroyalhouseservants.Dali
susatdownon
hischairandgreetedhi
m.Theyshar eda
handshake.Theconsultati
onr oom hadthe
l
ivingroom set
tingwher ethekingmadeall
kindsofconsultat
ions.
Thokozani
:“I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
,Ndabezi
tha?
”
Thediff
erencebetweenNdabezi t
haand
Mageba.‘Ndabezit
hai saclannamef orthe
Zul
usur nameandNdabezi thaisalsousedto
cal
lthekingeveniftheking’ssur
namei snot
Zul
u.Magebai sjusttheZulusurnameclan
name.’
Dali
su:“Unfortunat
ely,
no.”Her epl
ied.
Thokozaniplacedhisteacupdownandpai d
cl
oseattention.Dali
sutoldhim allabout
Mawande’ sdream andt heplansthey
suggestedtokeepThembel i
hlesaf e.Thokozani
keptqui
etf oralongtime,hedi dn’
tlikewhathe
washear i
ngabouthi ssister
’sli
fe.
Thokozani :“
Ithi
nkthebodyguar disthebest
soluti
onIt hi
nky ouhaveseenhowst ubborn
Thembel ihl
eis?”helookedathim andDalisu
sighedgiv i
nghim aworriedsi
ghthatsignall
ed
hehadseent hestubbornnessofThembel i
hle.
“I
twon’ tbeeasyt ogethertoagreebutifyou
forceitdownonhershewi llt
akeit
.”Hetold
him.
Dali
su:“
Iwil
ldothat
.That
’sal
lIwant
edtosay
andIhaveorgani
sedsomeonewil
lcl
eanoneof
thehut
sforthi
sguard.
”
Thokozani
:“Hecansl
eepi
nthehousewi
thus.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Idon’
tthi
nkhewi
l
lbecomf
ort
abl
e.
Youknowmenandwomencomi
ngov
er.
”
Thokozani l
aughedandnodded.“ Iunder stand.
”
Hesai d.Dal
isuinstr
uctedhim wher ehewas
goingtogett heladyandheaskedt hathet el
l
theladytobringtwoofThembel i
hle’soutfi
tshe
wasgoi ngtouset ochange.Shewasgoi ngto
gobackhomewhent heguardwasr eadyfor
her.Thokozaniagreedandl ef
tther oyalhouse
withthelady…

Dal
i
sudr
ovebackhomel
ate,
justbef
ore7pm.
HefoundThembel i
hlei
nthelivi
ngroom
speaki
ngt oherfri
endNozibusisoonthephone.
Shewasl aughingandlookedhappyast hey
wereconv er
singwithherfr
iend.Dal
isusaton
thecouchandl ookedatherwonderingwhoshe
wastalki
ngt o.
“Okay,
lookIhavetogonowmyf ri
endwewill
tal
ksomeot herti
me.
”Thembeli
hlesai
dher
goodbyeslooki
ngatDal
isu.Whowaslooki
ngat
herthi
nkingwhowoul
dwantt
ohar
m sucha
person?
Nozibusi
so:“Okay,by
e,sayhel
l
ot oKingDal i
.”
Thembelihl
elaughedandhungupt hecall.She
putherphonedownandgotupt ositnextto
Dali
su.Shewasal r
eadyonhernightgowns.
Shelai
dherheadonDal isu’sl
aplayi
ngonher
backshelookedathim andsmi l
ed.“Howwas
yourday?”Sheaskedlookingathim wi
th
peaceful
eyes.
Dal
isusmiledandbenthisheadtokissher
.She
hel
dhisfaceandt heysharedapl
easure
wakeni
ngki ss.Dal
isupul
ledout
.
“
Mydaywasl ongandnotsoeasy
.”He
r
esponded.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whati
swr
ong?Di
dsomet
hing
happen?
”
Dali
su:“
It
’snot
hingy
oushouldworryy
oursel
f
aboutst
handwasami.”Hecar
essedherf
ace.
Thembeli
hlegi
ggledandclosedherey
es.“Iwil
l
takei
tasifyoul
ikeitwhenIcall
youli
kethat?
”
hechecked.
Thembel i
hlenoddedst i
llhereyescl osed.“Ili
ke
everynamet hatyouuset ocal lmeandIwi l
l
l
iket heonestocomeev enbubbl esIhav e
accepteditbutIdon’tli
kei twheny ousay
‘
Thembel ihl
e’
”shesai dmi mickinghisangr y
voice,Dal
isulaughedandt i
ckl
edher .
Thembel i
hlelaughedandhel dhi st
or soleaning
oni thol
dingitti
ghtl
y.Dalisustoppedt ickl
ing
her.
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
tspeakl
i
ket
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdowheny
ouangr
y.”
Dali
su:“Ay,
suka!Andy oushoul
dhav
egr
eet
ed
yourhusbandwithfood.”
Thembeli
hle:“
No, Iwantgr
eethiml i
kethi
sand
foodwil
lcomel at
er.Andthishusbandloves
food,
yoh!”sheteasedhim andDali
sulaughed.
Hedidn’
twanttomakeherupsetbyt el
li
ngher
aboutthebodyguard.Heki
ssedherandpul
l
ed
herup.Shelookedathim.
Dalisu:“Weneedt otalk.
”Hehel dherhand.
“Thembel i
hle,Ineedt oprotectyouespeciall
y
nowt hatourweddi ngisnearsoIhav edeci
ded
thatIwi l
l hir
eabodyguar df oryou.”hekept
quietandl ookedather .Thembel i
hlekeptquiet
andherf acialexpressionchangedf rom happy
tocol d.Whydi dhewantt ogi veherabody
guar d?Hewant edtomakesur estoppedher
business?
Thembel
ihl
e:“IsaidIwil
l st
opsel
li
ngf astf
ood
youdon’
thavetohi r
eaguar dtokeepaney eon
me.Iwil
ldowhat every
ouwantbutpl easedon’
t
giv
emesomeonet owat choverme.”
Dal
isu:
“Thi
sisnotaboutt
hatThembel
i
hleIam
t
ryi
ngtokeepyousafe.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Itisabouti
t.Youdon’
thaveto
maketheweddinganexcuse.Iknowyoujust
wantt
okeepaney eonmel i
keahawk.You
don’
townmenowDal isuIam noty ourpropert
y
Iam human!”sheshoutedathim andher
shouti
ngpressedthel
astbuttonofhi sanger.“
I
won’t
-”
“SHUTUP!JUSTSHUTUP! ”Heshout edback
andhef ri
ghtenedher .“
Thisi
snotaboutanyof
thatanddon’ty oueverrai
seyourvoicewhen
speakingtome. ”hewar nedherpoi
ntingher
withhisthi
ckf oref
inger
.Hegotupl eavingher
.
Thembel i
hle:“Iam nott
akinganybodyguardI
cant akecareofmy self
.”Sheinf
ormedhim.
Dalisustoppedwalkingandturnedtolookat
her.Hisforeheadhadanewl i
ne,vai
nthatonl
y
showedupwhenhewasenr aged.
Dali
su:“Whatdi
dy ousay ?”hechall
engedher.
Thembelihl
ekeptsti
llherlowerli
ptrembled.
Shelookedathim andsai dnothi
ng,Dal
isu
real
i
sedshewasn’ tgoingt oanswer
.“Youwill
dowhatIsayinthismat terandnotwhaty ou
want.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iwil
lnothav
eamanf
oll
owi
ng
mearound,Iwil
lnot.
”
Dal
isu:
“St
opar
gui
ngwi
thmeThembel
i
hlest
op
i
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwantmypoi
ntt
obehear
d.”
Dali
su:“
Ihavehear
dy ourpoi
ntandIam not
consi
deri
ngit
.Iam notevengoi
ngtothi
nk
abouti
tbecauseIwil
lnotdowhatyouwant.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIwi
l
lhav
etodowhaty
ou
want?
”
Dali
su:“
Yes,becauseit
’swhatbestf oryouand
Iwil
ldoanyt
hingtokeepy ousafeev enifit
meansIhavetomov eheav enandear thandthe
star
tsi
nbetweenIwi l
ldoany t
hing.Andt her
eis
nobodywhocanst opmef rom doingthatnot
evenyou!
”heinformedher.
“Whenam Igoi
nghome?
”sheaskedpushi
ng
ever
yemotionout
.
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
enotgoi
nghomeunt
ily
our
guar
disready
.Youwill
leavethishousewit
h
hi
m andyouwill
notmakehisl i
fedif
fi
cul
tinany
way.I
fyoudohewill
tellme.”helef
therl
ooking
down.
Hewentt
otheki
tchenandopenedt
hef
ri
dge.
Hepr
epar
edfoodforhi
mself
.
“Iwasgoingtodothat.
”Thembeli
hlesaidto
him st
andingbytheki
tchenent
rance.Dali
su
didn’
ttur
nt ol
ookather.
Dal
isu:
“Iam f
inedoi
ngi
tbymy
sel
f.
”Hesai
d
abr
upt.
Thembel
ihl
etur
nedleav
inghi
m…Shesatont
he
l
oungeandwatchedTV…

[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
EPI
SODE21

Adayhadpassed.Af tertheargumenttheyhad
aboutthebodyguard,Dalisugotbackhome
verylat
e.Thembel
ihlehadgonet obedwi t
hout
him andwhenhegotbackhomehewokeher
upbecausehewant edt oeatandseeher ,
aft
er
alongdayhewant edtoseeher .
They’
dsatinsil
encewi
thDal
isueat
ingand
Thembeli
hlequi
etandyawni
ng.Shewasonly
si
tti
ngther
ebecausehehadaskedherni
cely
.
Dali
sualsowant edtohearanapologyfr
om
Thembel i
hlebecauseshehadshoutedathi m
andhet ol
dherhedi dn’
tli
kethatbutshenev er
apol
ogisedf ori
t.Hewasn’tgoi
ngtotellherthat
.
Hereal
isedthattherewasalottowor
kon
bet
weent hem butev eni
fsohewasn’
tpl
anni
ng
ongivi
nguponher .Shewasthewomanfor
hi
m…
Hewasdr essedupandr eadyt ogo, itwas
anotherday ,anewday .Ther oy al househadt o
prepareforthedayofr econciliation.Hi sf
ather
hador gani
sedi nyangatoper form ar it
ualf
or
Thembel i
hle’sbodyguar d,ukumqi nisa.Dal
isu
hadtobet heretowitnessther itual.
“WhereisThembelihl
e?”DalisuaskedHlezi
phi
taki
ngtheteacupandpourt heteaonthecup.
Hlezi
phiwaswor ki
ngintheki t
chen.
Thembelihl
ehadmadebr eakfastf
orDali
suand
l
eftitonthedi
ningtable.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“She’
sout
side.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sshedoi
ngout
side?
”
Hlezi
phi:“
Idon’
tknowshet ookacupofcoffee
andwentt osi
tundert
hetreeont hebench.
She’sbeensit
ti
ngther
eeversince.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”Hehadhi
sbr
eakf
ast
.
Hesatnextt
oherout
sidet
hehouseont
he
bench.
“Goodmorning.”Dal
isugreet
edher,
Thembeli
hlejumpedal i
tt
leandtur
nedtolook
athim.“
Ididn’tmeantostart
ley
ou.”headded.
Thembel i
hle: “
Youdi dn’
t.
”sher espondedabr upt
asshewassi t
tingout si
det ryi
ngt oenv isi
onher
future.Shewasscar edshewasgoi ngtohav e
nosayi ntheirmar r
iageandshewasj ustgoing
tohav etofollowev enshedi dn’twantt o.She
under stoodt hemanhadt ol eadandherf oll
ow
butshet houghtt hatmeantt heywor ktogether
ast heyt r
yt ofindawayf or ward.Shehadacl ue
whatmar r
iagewasaboutshehadseenher
sister’smar r
iageandThokozi leruledthehouse.
Thembel i
hlenev erlikedthat ,t
henherf ri
end
Nozi busisohadl ov i
ngpar ent sandshel oved
theirrelati
onshi p, backtheni twasj ust
obser vingbutnowshewasr eflecti
ng.She
nev erthoughtshewasgoi ngt ofindher sel
f
gettingmar r
iedbef or et
went y-fi
vey earsand
consi deri
ngi twasf orwr ongr easonswhi ch
seemedr ightt hen.Butev enaf terseeing
di
ff
icult
iesshecouldn’
tmov
eawayf rom the
manf orhehadbecomeapar tofherl
ife.He
madehi m happy
,shesawhim andonlyhim…
Dalisu:“
Apennyf oryourthought
s? ”hepleaded
l
ooki ngintohereyes.Thembeli
hlelooked
forward.“Iam notthi
nkingofanything.
”She
repli
ed.
Dalisu:“Iam l
eavi
ngnowIwi l
lcomebackwi th
yourguar dandyoucangohomet oni
ght
.”He
said,hehadseenhowcol dshewasev ersince
het oldheraboutthebodyguard.Hewanted
hert ogohomebecauseherhear twasnotwi t
h
him...
Thembel i
hle:
“Thankyou.”shedi
dn’
tlookathi
m.
Dali
suheldherlefthandthatwasst
ampedon
thebench.Thembelihl
elookedathi
shandbut
nothisface.
“Thembeli
hle.
”Hecall
edf orher,hisvoicehad
tur
nedcynical
.Shelookedathim.Dal isuheld
herfaceandkissedher,
ashor tkiss.“Havea
goodday
.”Headded.Thembel
i
hlenodded.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yout
oohav
eagoodday
.”
Hel efther…HerphonerangMakhosiwas
call
ing.Shesmiledandanswer
edthecall
.“I
thoughty ouweredead.
”Thembeli
hlet
eased
her.
Makhosi
laughed.“
Don’
tyout
hinky
ouwoul
d’
ve
beent
hefir
sttoheart
hat
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwoul
dhavef
aint
ed.”They
l
aughed.“
Howar eyou?
”sheasked.
Makhosi
:“Ihav
esomegoodnews.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Outwi
thi
t!Icoul
dusesomeof
thoser
ightnow.”
Makhosi
:“Wewi
ll
openthetaver
nsoon.”
Thembel
ihl
emadethehappysound.“
Theking
sai
dwecanopenforbusi
nessandIam ver
y
happy
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam happyf
oryoumyfr
iend.You
deser
veall
thehappinessi
nthewor
ldandwe
shoul
dcel
ebr
ate.
”
Makhosi
:“Icamet
oyourhouseandy
ouwer
en’
t
t
here.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yeah,
Iam keptpr
isonerher
eat
theki
ng’
shouse.
”
Makhosi
:“No,
y ouar
enot
,ai
n’
tyouhappyt
hat
youar
espendingti
mewit
hyourpar
tner
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwillcometoyourhouseandwe
wil
lcel
ebrate,
pleasecook.
”Shesaidavoi
ding
thequest
ion.
Makhosi
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
out
oday
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“May
betomorr
owbecauseIwi
ll
gohomewhenDal i
sui
sbackfr
om t
heroyal
house.
”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,cal
lmeort
extmet
otel
lmei
f
youcamebackor.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iwil
ldothat,
bye,MrsGumede.
”
Makhosi
laughedandsaidgoodby e.
Thembel
ihl
est oodupwithhercupandwentt
o
assi
stHlezi
phiwi
tht
hehousechor
est
hatshe
di
dn’twanthert
odo…
-
--
Theritualwasdoneatt heheal
er’
shouse.Aft
er
Dali
suandhi sfatherhadconsul
tedthei
r
ancestorsalongwiththeheal
ertheylef
thi
m
wit
ht heguar d.
Heperfor
medtherit
ual,
hest eamedt heman,
wamgcaba(cuthi
sskin),madehi mlickmuthi
rel
evantf
orhi
spurposeandhebur ntthe
i
ncense.I
twaslongbutvitalbythetimethe
heal
erwasdoneheknewev eryt
hinghadgone
well
.
I
ny angafai
ledtoseewhomi ghthav
ebeen
plott
ingagainstThembel
ihl
ebuthedidseet
hat
therewasdangerf ol
lowi
ngher.
Dalisuenteredhishousewiththet
all
,br
own
skinnedandmuscul arman.Hewaswear ing
casualclothesthatdi
dn’tshowhehadagunon
hisback.
“Thembelihl
e!”Dal
isucal
ledf
orherandshe
camet otheloungerunni
ng.Shehadanapron
onher.Shewasbusyi nthekit
chenbaki
ng.She
swall
owedhar dasshesawthemansitt
ingon
thecouch.
“Sani
bona.”Shegr
eetedt
hem.Theygreet
ed
backbutwi t
hthemannoddi
ngthanspeaki
ng.
ShelookedatDali
su.
Dal
i
su:
“It
’st
imef
ory
out
ogo.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“CanIfi
nishupmybaki
ngt
henI
wil
lbereadytogo?
”
Dali
su:“Okay,
andthisMduduzi
Siba,y
our
bodyguardandMdut hi
sismybride
Thembelihl
eSthol
e.”
Mdu:“Ni
cetomeetyou,
mam.
”Hesai
donhi
s
deephuskyv
oice.
Thembeli
hlej
ustnoddedwi
thaqui
ckshort
smil
e.Shethenwentbackt
otheki
tchen.
“
Iwi
l
ltakei
tasi
fshedoesn’
twantt
his.
”
Mduduzi
checked.
Dali
su:“Youar
erightaboutthatandshecanbe
st
ubbornsojustbepatientwithher
.Buti
fshe
misbehavesdon’
thesit
atetotellme.
”
Mduduzi
:“Iwi
l
ldoj
ustt
hat
.”
Thembeli
hlewalkedi
nsidethel
oungewi t
h
dri
nksandcakes,sheputthem onthetabl
e,
kneel
ingandthenshegotupleavingthem…
Shewasdoneandhadherphonewi
thheral
ong
wit
hherbag.
“Wecango.MagebaIhav edi
shedupt hefood
fory
ou.”shesai
dstandingbehindthecouch
whereDali
suwas.Hetur nedt
ol ookatherand
shemov edawayfr
om itmakingherwayt othe
door.
MduduzigotupandDali
sustoodup.Hewentt
o
thekey
shookerandtookthecarkey
stogi
ve
him.
“
Youwi
l
luset
hiscart
odr
iveherwhenshe
needstobedri
vensomewherefarorwhenshe
wantstocomehere.
”Heinstr
uctedMduduzi
.
Mduduzitookt
hekeysandlef
tspacefort
he
twolov
ers.
Dali
su:“
Youwi l
lcomet ot
hereconci
li
ati
onday
thatwi
ll
beatmyt hir
dmother
’spal
ace?”he
askedstandi
ngbef or
eher
.
Thembeli
hle:“
IhadplanstogotoDurbantomy
fri
endandthatwayIcangetthechanceto
fetcht
herestofmyclothesf
rom mysist
er’
s
house.
”
Dal
i
su: “
Whenwer
eyoupl
anni
ngont
ell
i
ngme
t
hat?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasgoingtotel
lyout
heni
ght
youcameandtoldmeIwill
haveaguardt
henI
fi
gur
edyouwon’tagr
ee.”
Dal
isu:“Whyareyoutel
li
ngmenowbecauseI
di
dn’taskwhatareyourpl
ans?”Thembel
ihl
e
wastonguetied.“
OryouarehopingIwi
ll
letyou
go?”heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Iknowy
ouwon’
t.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ecomi
ng?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“No.Iwon’tcome.
”Shewantedto
spi
tehi
m andshesucceededbutDali
su
managedtohidethathewasangry,
thatshe
madehim angry
.
Dali
su:“
Okay,goodni
ght
.”Hesai
dandki
ssed
herfor
ehead.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Shewalkedt hedoorandsawt hesil
verpr
ivat
e
Hondapar kedoutsi
dethegate.Thembeli
hle
wentt
ot hecarandst eppedi
nsideattheback
oft
hecar .Mduduzidroveoff
.
“Ihopey ouwon’ tgiv
emehar dt i
me.”Mduduzi
saidlookingatThembel i
hlethroughthemirr
or.
Shedi dn’tsayanythi
ngshej ustlookedoutsi
de
andtear sflewdownl ikear i
ver.Shedidn’
t
makeanysoundsshej ustcri
ed.
Unt
ilt
heyr
eachedhome.Thembel
i
hlest
epped
outoft
hecar
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youhaveeat
endinner
?”she
askedl
ooki
ngbackatMduduzi
.
Mduduzi
:“Ihav
e.Iwi
l
lgor
estnowIwi
l
lseey
ou
t
omorrow.”
Shenoddedandwenti nsi
dethehouse.Her
brot
herwasn’
thome, hewaswor ki
ng.
Thembeli
hlel
ockedthedoorsandwentstrai
ght
tobedaft
erprayi
ng…
-
--
--

MaCebekhul uhaddeci dedtot akeastand

againstSgonondo.Shecoul dn’tletanyt
hing
happent oherdaughterin-l
awbecauseshe
l
ov edherforhersonandsheknewshewasn’ t
goingforgiv
eher sel
fifsomet hingwasto
happent oThembel i
hle.Andhersonwasgoi ng
tofeelpainifhewast oloseher ,
shehadseen
thatThembel i
hlewasi mportantt ohi
m.
MaCebekhuludeci
dedtoconsultaSangoma
becauseSgonondowasalsoaSangoma.She
wasconsult
ingNdlamanziaSangomar esi
ding
eShowe.
MaCebekhul
udidn’thav
etotel
ltheSangoma
ever
ythi
ngbecauseshehadpredict
edforher
ther
easonshewasi nherhut
.
MaCebekhul
uthenf
il
ledi
nal
lthebl
ankspaces
f
ortheSangoma.
MaCebekhul
u:“Iwanttobreakt
hecur
segogo,I
agr
eedtohertermsbecauseIwasdesperat
e
andIt
houghtshewasgoi ngtodi
ebefor
emy
sonwasevenmadeki ng.Canyouhel
pme? ”
Ndl
amanzi:“
Whaty ouarerequesti
ngf
rom me
ndl
unkul
uisveryhardbutIwil
ltrymybestt
o
hel
pyou.Yourchi
ldrendon’
tdeservet
osuff
er.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Thokozagogo.
”Sheclappedher
handslooki
ngdown.Shewantedtodefeat
Sgonondoonceandf oral
l
.
Ndlamanzi
: “
Todot hi
swi
llrequestmor
et i
me
searchi
ngforther
ightmi
xturesandconsultand
i
twi l
lal
socostalotofmoney .
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwi
l
lpayasl
ongasy
ouwi
l
lhel
p
me.
”
Ndl
amanzi
:“Iwi
l
lwor
k.”
MaCebekhul
ucl
appedherhandandshef
elt
hope…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE22

Thembelihlewashappyhomeandshefeltf
ree,
shewasgood.Shewasbusymaki ngbr
eakfast
andsharingjokeswi
thherbr
otherandt
hey
wereteasingeachother
.Hewasbackfrom
work.
“
Wit
hthatshabbyv
anofy
our
sIwoul
dn’
tbe
sur
prisei
fwef i
ndy ourashesi
nsi
dei
toneday
.”
Sheteased.Thokozanil
aughed.
Thokozani:
“Uyaphapha.Youforgett
hattheol
d
cardroveyoufrom t
hehellhol
ethatyouwere
l
ivi
ngin,inDur
banandIbr oughtyouhereto
heaven.
”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“Ican’tbel
i
eveIescaped
forr
eal.Youaremyr ealknightbhut
i.Yoh!
”she
complemented.
Thokozani:
“Youaremyli
ttl
esi
ster
.”Hesai
d.“
I
havetoprotecty
ouandtell
mehowdi dyou
agreetothebodyguar
d?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youknowbhuti
Iwonderwhois
bei
ngabusedbyoursist
er’
schil
dren?
”she
i
gnoredhi
squestion.
Thokozani:
“Icanseey
ouar
eignor
ingt
her
eal
matterathand.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
hinki
t’
sobviousthatIdon’
t
wantt
ospeakabouti
t.Youaregoingtothe
r
econci
l
iat
iondaywhat
evercer
emony
?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
andy
ouar
ecomi
ngwi
thme.
”
Shelaughed.“Iam notgoingIwi l
lbehome
resti
ng,onthe23ththeyar ecominghereandI
havenocl uewhatwillhappen.”Shesaidgi
vi
ng
himt hefoodandputti
ngt heotherplat
eonthe
tray
.
Thokozani:
“Don’
tworr
yIhav eorgani
sedthe
tent
sandcookingmateri
als.Theywil
lbr
ing
them onthe21standt
heny oucanbegin
cooking.
”
“Iwil
lcomeback.”shesai
dtakingt
hetrayand
walkedoutofthehousemakingherwaytothe
hut.Mduduziwasseatedout
sidepol
ishi
nghis
shoes.
“Her
e’sy
ourfood.”Shegavehi
m andhetooki
t.
Thembel
ihl
eleftaft
erthemanhadsai
dthank
you.
Shej
oinedherbr
otheront
het
abl
ewi
thher
br
eakf
ast
.
Thokozani
:“Whenwi
ll
youbegint
obuyt
hefood
andplanthemenuIwil
lgi
veyout
hemoney
.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwilltal
ktoMakhosiaboutit
.But
Iam sti
l
lnotsureifIam doi
ngtherightt
hing.
”
Shelookeddown.“ He’
ssocontrol
l
ingbhutiand
Ishoul
ddoev ery
thinghesaysbutnotwhatI
want.
”
Thokozani
:“Youar
ebei
ngdr
amat
ic.
”
Thembel i
hle:
“No,Iam not.Het ol
dmeI
shouldn’
twearpants, het
oldmeIshoul dwait
forhi
mt hatdayafterhisanointi
ngceremony,
hetoldmenott oshoutathi m andnowhe
shovedaguar donmyt hr
oat.Whatmor ewil
lhe
saytome?Ishouldn’ tgoaroundwi t
hmyhair
uncovered?”
Thokozani
:“Haveyouev
ersawaZul
uqueen
whowearpant s?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
butt
hatt
imehewasn’
tev
en
t
heki
ng.
”
Thokozani:“Hewant edyoutogetreadyfor
changebef orey
oucomei nt
ohisli
fe.Eveni fhe
wasn’tgoingtobet heki
ng,Dali
sulivescloser
tohisparentsdoy outhi
nkitwasgoingt obe
appropri
ateforthem toseeyouwear ing
l
eggings?”
Shewasashamedandshel ookeddown.“You
arer
ight.
”Itwashar
dforhertoadmiti
tbuthe
wasright
.
Thokozani
:“Secondly
,themanhadn’ tseeny ou
i
nt womonthsandhewant edt
oexpl aintoyou
whathavehappened.Youcoul dn’tputy our
angerasi
dejusttolethim expl
ain?Andwhi ch
manwant stobeshout edatbyhi swife?”
Thembeli
hle:“
HecanshoutatmebutIcan’
t
becausehe’st
heman?”sheaskedl
ooki
ng
str
aighti
ntohi
seyes.
Thokozani
:“Yes,
ift
hat
’swhatyouwantt
o
hear
.”Heansweredcur
tly
.“Andnowyouexpect
himtoputy ourli
feindangerbecausehewant s
topl
easey ouanddowhaty ouwant?Ifyoudie
wewillsuf
fer.Idon’tagreetot hi
sbehavi
ourof
your
s.”Thembel i
hledidn’tspeakfur
ther
.“Di
d
youevenapol ogi
sef orshouti
ngathim?”
Shej ustlookeddownandshookherhead.
“Hhay i
!”heexclai
medandclappedonce.He
sighedl ooki
ngatherbutshedi
dn’tl
ookathi
m.
“You’l
lbet hedeathofthi
suni on.Thiswedding
won’thappenbecauseofy ouandy ourhead.
”
Hepr edict
edget t
ingup.“Thanky ouf ort
he
breakfast.
”Hel ef
ther.Thembel i
hlewasl ef
t
alonethinkingaboutherbrotherhadsai dto
her…
Duri
ngt heday,Thembeli
hlewasdonedoi
ngher
chores.Shewaswear i
ngnavytor
njeansanda
greylongsleev
eshirt
.ShewenttoMduduzihe
wasi nsi
dehishutbutthedoorwasn’
tcl
osed.
Shestoodbythedoor.“
Iwantt
ogovi
sitmy
fr
iendIwil
lbeback.
”shesai
dandt
urned
wal
ki
ngaway
.
“HOLDON!”Heshout edfol
l
owingher.
Thembeli
hledidn’
tstopwal
kingbutMduduzi
caughtupwithher.
Mduduzi:
“Yout
hinky
ouwi
l
lgi
vemeat
ti
tudef
or
howlong?”
Thembel i
hle:
“Iam notgi
vi
ngyouatt
it
udeIj
ust
don’thavesomethingtosayt
oyou.Wearenot
fr
iends.”
“
Whyi sheevenmarryi
ngastubbor
ngirll
i
ke
y
ou?Therearelotofgoodobedi
entgi
rl
sinthis
v
il
lageandtheyaretwi
ceasbeauti
ful
.
”He
r
emarkedlooki
ngatherandThembeli
hletur
ned
t
olookathim.
Thembelihl
e:“
Whydon’
tyougoandaskhi
m
that
?May beyoucanal
sohel
pmewithtel
l
ing
mehi sanswer.
”
Hekeptquietseei
ngt
hati
fheproceeded
speaki
ngtohershewasgoingt
ocont i
nuewi
th
bei
ngrudet
ohi
m andhewasgoingtofor
get
shewastobet
hequeen.Andsl
apherqui
et.
“Idon’
tknowify
ouwi llcomei nandhaveatalk
withusoryouwil
ljuststandhere?”
Thembelihl
ewonderedoutl oudlooki
ngat
Mduduziasshewasout si
deMakhosi ’
shouse.
Mduduzi
:“Iwi
l
lbeout
side.
”
Thembel i
hletur
nedandwalkedinsi
dethe
houseshef oundMakhosii
nherki t
chenbusy
cooking.Theyhuggedeachotherandshe
off
eredheraseat .
Makhosi
:“Youcameal
i
ttl
ebi
tear
ly.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iknow.Iwantustoalsodiscuss
i
zibi
zozami .Theyarecomingtomyf at
her ’
s
houseandIhav en’tpl
annedanyt
hingbesides
buyi
ngthegi f
ts.”
Makhosi
:“Wehavetoworkonthemenuf
ir
st,
youwil
lhaveacat
eri
ngcompany?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam t
hecat
eri
ngcompany
.”They
l
aughed.“
ButIwil
lneedhel
pbecauseIcan’
tdo
i
tal
oneandy ouknowthat.
”
Makhosi:“
Yes,Ido.Iwil
lhel
py ouandaskthree
orf
ourladiest
ocomeal ong.It
’sbett
ernotto
hav
eal otofpeoplecooki
ng.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youhaveapoint
.Mymot heri
n-
l
awsaidIwi l
lhav
etosendtheinvi
tesonmy
si
detwoday sbefor
etheact
ualdayandthey
wil
ldothesame.”
Makhosi
:“Okay
.Andy
ourdr
ess?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Iwi
ll
weartheoneshehad
desi
gnedf ormeandIwanty outobemy
matronofhonourandmybestf riendwillbemy
bri
demai d.Thatmeansyouwi l
lbecalli
ng
peopleathomedur i
ngtheceremony .Youhave
thedress?”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
yourbestf
ri
enddoesn’
tmi
nd
mebeingthematron?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
sheknowst
haty
ouar
e
marr
iedandol
dersoitwi
l
lbei
nappr
opr
iat
efor
yout
obemymai d.”
Makhosi
:“Okay,ar
eyouhappy?”sheaskedand
Thembeli
hleshr
uggedhershoul
ders.“
Youare
fi
ght
ing?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ihaveabodyguar
dhei soutsi
de
yourhouse.ButIdon’
twantt
odiscussitany
fur
ther
.”
Makhosi:
“Al
lthequeenshav
edri
ver
sand
bodyguar
dsdon’ty
ouknowthatory
ouhaven’
t
seenit
?”
Thembel ihl
e:“Iam notthequeenyet.
”She
remi ndedher.“Whenar eyouopeni
ngthe
tavern?”sheaskedqui ckl
yburyi
ngtheother
topic.
Makhosi:“Wewi l
ldothatsoonbutmaybeafter
yourceremonyandIst i
ll
havetocleani
t.I
thas
thi
ngsthatarenotneededthereandIneedto
organi
seit.Iwanttodothataft
eryour
ceremonybecausenowIam pr epari
ngfor
reconcil
i
ati
ondaywewereinv
itedt
oo.Iwas
hopingyouwill
helpmewit
hcleani
ngand
organisi
ngthetav
ern.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“OfcourseIwi
ll
helpy ou.You
don’
thavetoaskIwil
l dot
hatforyouasy ou
havedonesomuchf orme.Wear ef r
iends.”
Makhosi
:“Thanky
ou,
ndl
unkul
uMaSt
hol
e.”
Thembelihl
e:“Reall
y?”t
heylaughed.Theyspent
therestofthedaytogetherj
usttal
kingand
eati
ng.Theydidn’tf
orgettosharethefoodwit
h
Mduduzi whowasseat edoutsi
de.
Makhosiwal
kedThembel
i
hleout
.Mduduzi
was
wal
kingbehi
ndthem.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihadawonder
ful
timewi
thy
ou
andthankyou.”
Makhosi
:“Noneedtothankmey oucookfor
memostoft het
ime.”Thembeli
hlesmi
led.“
I
wi
llgobackhomenow.Iwi l
lseeyouonthe
r
econci
li
ati
onday,t
hedayaftertomorr
ow
r
ight
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
iti
sonFr
idaybutIwon’
tbe
ther
e.”
Makhosi
:“Why
,theysai
dyoushoul
dn’
tcome?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,it
’snotlikethat
.Bye.”She
huggedherbrushi
ngof fhavingtotel
lherwhy
shewasn’tgoi
ngtot heceremony .
Makhosi
:“Okay
,by
e.Yourj
eanst
hough,
madam.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Hambatu!”Makhosilaughedand
headedbackhome.Thembeli
hlewal kedwith
Mduduzishewasquietandpeoplewhom t hey
metalongtheroadl
ookedatthem asi ft
hey
weresuspect
ingsomethi
ngbetweent hem.
“
Isi
tmeorpeoplearestar
ringaty
ourj
eans?
”
Mduduzi
teasedThembeli
hle.
Thembel
ihl
e:“No,
theyar
ewonderi
ngwhysuch
ayounggir
lli
kemeiswalki
ngonthestr
eet
s
wit
hanoldman.Theymightbethi
nki
ngweare
dati
ng,shame!Amanol
denought
obemy
fat
her!
”
Mduduzi chuckl
ed.“
Theywillwondermor
e
whent heylear
nwhoy ourhusbandis.
”He
teasedfurt
her.“I
sn’
theoldenoughtobeyour
dad?”
Thembel
ihle:
“Yeah,heisandletmeguesshe
woul
dhav emademymom pr egnantwhenhe
wastenyearsold.Oh!Whatanearl
yagefor
hi
mt obecomesexual act
ive.
”
Mduduzi
:“Whatanear
lyagei
ndeed.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
ltel
ltheki
ngthaty
ouspeak
rudel
ytomeandabouthim.Youdon’tr
espect
meatall.
”
Mduduzi:“Respectbegetsr
espectandIam
sureyourhusbandknowst hatsi
ncehehadthe
tast
eofy ourdisr
espect.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Oh,goodLor
d!If
orbi
dyou!Ihav
e
neverdi
srespectedhim.
”
Mduduzi
:“Yeah,
Iheary
ousay
.”
“Iwi
ll
tel
lhi
m Idon’
tli
keyou!”sheexclai
med
openi
ngthegateofherf
ather’
spremises.
Mduduzi
:“It
hinkheknowst
hat
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Mxm.Youbet
terbeonthe
l
ookoutbecauset
oni
ghtIwi
llsneakout
Mduduzi
.”
Mduduzi
:“I
fyouwantt
odi
etheni
t’
snotmy
pr
oblem.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Itshouldbeyourpr
oblem
becauseifIdieandy oushowupunhar med.
Dali
suwillbefuriouswithyouandthenhewil
l
sendyout othegr av
esot haty
ouwi l
lguar
dme
corr
ectl
yintheaf ter
li
fe.
”
Thatmadehim keepquiet
.Hewentt ohi
shut
rememberi
ngthatthewomanwasn’ thi
sfri
end
heneededtobeformal wi
thherorhewas
goingt
obeintrouble.
Thembel
i
hlewasbusyr
edesi
gni
nghermot
her
’s
ol
ddr ess.Shewantedtomakei tl
ooknew
becausesheneededanewdr esstoweart hat
wayshewasgoi ngtogetri
dofhertornjeans.
Thedr esswasast r
apsjeandresswit
hbr own
buttonsont hef
rontfr
om thechestt
il
ltheend
ofitwhichwasjustbelowthekneesto
Thembel i
hle.
“Whatareyoudoinghere,youhaveacustomer
andIseenothingready
.”Thokozani
asked
Thembeli
hleasshewasbehi ndthesewing
machineinthei
rparent
s’room.
Thembel i
hle:
“Iam designi
ngadress,
it’
s
mama’ sdress.Iwanttogetri
dofthejeanIam
wearingtodaysoIwi l
lrepl
acei
twiththi
s
dress.”
Thokozani
:“That
’scl
ever
.Doy
our
eal
i
sey
ou
neednewclothes?”
Thembeli
hle:“Yes,butt
hat
’st
helastt
hingIwi
l
l
do.Pl
easet el
lthatcust
omerIam nol
onger
sel
li
ng.PhelaDalisusai
dImuststop.
”
Thokozani
:“Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m.”
“Thanky ou. ”shesai
dgetti
ngupf rom thechai
r.
Shewasdonewi t
hthedress.Shethenf i
tt
ed
thedr ess.Itwasbeautif
ulonherandi twasn’t
tai
loredt oomuchbutj ustali
ttl
e.Sheev en
createdasmal lfi
gur
ebeltforit
,madeoutof
thejeanshehadcutout .
Sheleftt
hehouseandwentt
oherbrot
her
runni
ngbutshefoundhi
m wi
thMduduziand
hermoodwentdown.
“HowdoIlookbhuti
,i
t’sgood?
”Sheasked
standi
ngbef
oreherbrother
.
Thokozani
:“Yes,
waybet
tert
hant
het
orn
j
eans.”
Thembel i
hlegi
ggl
edandr anbacktoher
parents’r
oom.Shechangedbacktothejeans
andpr omisedher
sel
fthatsheneededto
practi
cesewingmoreoften…
Ther econcili
ationdaycameandi nt hemor ning
Thembel i
hlewassl eepi ng.Shehadwor ked
hardwi t
hherbr othert hepr ev i
ousdayt hey
wer ecleaningt heot herhutbecause
Thembel i
hlehadt omaket hefirethereand
begi nwi t
hprepar ingZul ubear.Ther ewas
nothingt hatThembel ihledi dn’
tknowhowt o
cook, especiall
yt heZul umeal s,hermot herhad
taughthermostoft het hingsaboutcooki ng
befor eshedi ed.Sheknewal it
tlebitofforeign
dishes, shelearntt hosef r
om wat chingcooki ng
channel sandt ravel channel ,butsheknewand
l
ov edcooki ngmor eofwest erndishes
especi all
ywhenshewasst illl
i
vingwi t
hher
sister.Shewoul dgi vehermoneyt obuyt he
grocer i
esandbei ngt heonewhowascooki ng
i
nt hehouse.Shewoul dbuywhat evershe
want edandThokozi lenev ercompl ained,she
wasf eedingherf ami lyaf t
erall.
Ther
ewasaknockonherdoor.Thembel
i
hle
di
dn’
twantt
owakeup,sheignoredt
heknock.
Butt
heper
soni
nsi
sted.
“
Iam sl
eepi
ng!
”sheshout
edl
azi
l
y.
Mduduzi:“Youar
estil
lsl
eeping!Weare
supposedtogotothereconcil
iati
onday
cel
ebrati
on.”Heshout
edbangi ngthedoor
.
Thokozani:“
Youarewasti
ngyourbreat
hand
shetol
dt hekingshe’
snotcomi
ng.”
Mduduzi:“Buthecal
l
edjustafewminut
esago
toaskifshewasgetti
ngreadyandIagr
eed
becauseIhaveseenthatsheal
wayswakesup
fi
rst
.”
Thokozani
:“Hhay
iasazi
.
”
Mduduzi:
“Pl
ease,
justt
ryher
.She’
syour
si
ster
.”
Thokozani
:“Thi
st i
mearoundIwil
lnotdo
anyt
hing.
”Hewal kedawayandwenttoattend
thefr
ontdoor.Mduduzikeptonbangi
ngthe
door.
“
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
obr
eakmyf
ri
ends’
door
?”
Nozi
busisoshout
edabov
ethenoi
se.Mduduzi
t
urnedtolookather
.
Mduduzi:
“No,Iam t
ryi
ngtogethertowakeup.
Weneedt ol
eaveinanhourherhusbandwant
s
heratt
heceremony.”
Nozibusi
so:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hatj
ustst
epasi
debot
h
ofyou.”
Thetwomenl ookedateachot
herandt
henher
.
Theythenl
efther.
Nozibusi
soopenedtheunlockeddoorand
carr
iedherbagsup.Shehadt akenataxifrom
DurbantoNongoma.Shewant edtosurpr
ise
herfri
endbycomingearl
y.
“Gir
l!Gi
rl
!Wakeup!”shesaidshaki
ng
Thembel i
hlewhohadfal
lenbackasl
eep
regardl
essofall
thebangingnoi
sefrom
Mduduzi.
Sheopenedherey
esir
ri
tat
edbutal
lthatwas
washedawaywhenshesawherfri
end.Shegot
upandscr
eamedj umpi
ngf
rom t
hebed.
Nozi
busi
solaughed.
“THEMBELIHLEUMSI NDO!UMFAZIONJANI
WENA? ”Herbr
othershout
edfr
om thel
ounge.
Shegiggl
ed.
“IAM SORRY!”sheshoutedbackandfell
onthe
armsofherfri
end.“I
t’
sgoodt oseeyou.Wow!”
Shesaidastheyletgo.
Nozi
busiso:
“ Yes,madam y
oulookgoodand
youhavegained,areyoupr
egnantal
ready
?”she
t
easedher.
“
What
!No!
”shedeni
edandt
heyl
aughed.
Nozibusi
so:“Getr
eadythensot
hatwewi
llgo.I
heardthatyouhavetobesomewher
eIwantto
gotoo.May beIwi
llmeetmyZulumanwi
th
str
ongar ms.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Andabel
l
y!”
“What?No!Iski
ngDali
wit
hthebel
l
y?”she
askedlooki
ngatherwi
thwor
ri
edeyes.
Thembel
i
hlel
aughed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No.
”Nozi
busi
sosmi
l
edpol
i
tel
y.
“What
?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“It
’sj
ustgoodt
oseey
ouhappy
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ah!Iam j
usthappyt
oseey
ou.
”
Nozibusi
so:“No,you’
vebeenhappyIhave
heardyouoverthephoneandit’
sgreatt
o
actual
lywit
nessitwit
hmyey es.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ah!Thankyou.
”sheopenedher
armsforherandtheyhuggedeachot
her…
Nozi
busi
so:
“Nowgetr
eadyweneedt
ogo.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thedr
essIhav
eist
hedr
essIwi
l
l
wearonmyday.”
Nozibusi
so:
“No,butIhavethatdr esswi
thme.
Yousenttwosampl esandsaidy ouwantthem
bot
hwhenIcomeher efori
zibizoand
i
nqibamasondo.Ihavethem andy ouoweme. ”
“
Idi
d?”Sheaskedt
ryi
ngt
orecal
li
tbutshe
di
dn’
tremember
.
Nozi
busi
so:“Yes,
youdid.Please,goandget
r
eadyIwil
li
ronthatdr
essf oryou.Wherei
sit
?”
Thembeli
hlewentt
oherwardrobeandtooki
t
out.Shegavei
ttoherandwenttobat
h…

[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE23

Shewasdr esseduponhermer maiddesign

greenandbl acklongcolour
eddress.Thedress
wasshor tsleevedandhadanopenVneckl i
ne
thatshowedhercl eavageanditwasabar eback
butnotallthewaydown.I thadablacklace
scarftocov ert
hecleavageandfal
lbackonher
back.Shet i
edt hegreendoekandwor ebl
ack
f
latshoes.
“
Ifeel
old.
”Shesai
dlooki
ngather
sel
font
he
mir
ror
.
Nozi
busi
so:“Youdol ookol
dernotol
dinabad
waybutIt
hinkit’
sthebodythatgi
vesyout
hat
matur
edwifelook.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Soitdoesn’
tshowt
hatIam t
en
year
syoungerthanhim?”
Nozibusi
so:
“No,
it’
sli
key
ouar
efi
vey
ear
s
younger.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“That
’sar
eli
ef.
”
“Weneedt ogo!”Mduduzi shout
edknocki
ngon
thedoor.Thembeli
hlecl
ickedhertongueand
tookherpursegoi
ngst r
aighttothedoor
.She
openedthedoor.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Isweart
oyouIwil
ltel
lyourboss
thaty
oushoutatme!
”shewasstandi
ngbefore
him.
“
Hhay
i,Thembel
i
hley
ouwon’
tdot
hat
.”
Thokozanisai
dcomi
ngoutofhi
sbedr
oom.He
wasdressedup.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Thentel
lhi
mtost
opshout
ingat
me.Iam notadoll
.”
Thokozani
:“It
hinkyouneedtost
opshout
ingat
her
.Wedon’ twantanychaosMduduzi
,
pl
ease.”
Mduduzi
:“Iwi
lldot
hatbuti
fshehadli
stenedt
o
mewewoul dhavebeengonebynow.Iam
sor
ry,
though.
”Heheadedoutoft
hehouse.
“Whoishe?
”Nozi
busi
soaskedst
andi
ngbehi
nd
Thembel
ihl
e.
Thembeli
hle:“
He’
smybody guar
d,l
et’
sgo.Iam
ready.
”Shetol
dherbr
otherandpul
ledher
fri
end.
Theysteppedinatt
hebackoft hecarand
Thokozanitookt
hefrontseat
.Mduduzidrov
e
outoftheyard…
Theceremonyhadbegunandt heydi
dn’tf
inda
pl
acewi t
habettervi
ew.Theset ti
ngwas
out
sideatanopenf i
eld.Peopl
ehadaf ormeda
bi
gcircl
eofchairsandthecentreoft
hecircl
e
wasthestage.Wherealltheperf
ormancestook
pl
ace.
“Ican’
tseeproperl
yhere.
”Nozi
busi
so
complainedl
ookingatThembel
ihl
e.
“Youshoul dhavetoldyourfri
endthatshemust
hurryup.”Mduduzi whisper
ed,hewasst andi
ng
attheirback.Theywer eonthelastrawofthe
chairsinthatpartofthecir
cle.
Thembelihlelookedbackathim.“Doyoureall
y
havetofollowmeev er
ywhere?
”shewhispered
backlookingathi m.Mduduzil
ookeddownat
herandNozi busiso.
“I
t’
sapr obl
em todateol
dermen.”Awoman
nexttothem sai
dlooki
ngatThembel
ihl
e.She
quickl
ysenthereyestotheol
dwoman.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youar
espeaki
ngt
ousmama?
”
Thewomancl appedherhandsonceandshook
herhead.Thembeli
hler
eali
seditwasthe
womenwasi nchar
geofthem atther
eed
dance.
“It
houghtyouareagoodgi r
lThembeli
hlebut
youareseenont hest
reet
swi t
holdermen.You
evenbroughtt
hisonehere!
”shewas
whisper
ing.
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’snotl
i
ket
hat
.”Shetri
edto
defendher
selfbutt
hewomandidn’
tbeli
eve
her.
“
Uzihl
azenjeizi
ntombi uzohl
awul
a!”shesaid
l
astl
y.Thembeli
hlelookedatNozi
busiso,she
j
ustgiggl
ed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Justi
gnor
eher
.”
“Let’
sstandonourf eetwewi l
lhaveabet
ter
view.”Thembel
ihlesuggestedandtheybothgot
up.Theystoodont hesidesofMduduzihe
l
ookedatt hem andshookhi shead.
Nozibusi
so:“Wear
emakingy
ouf eelimpor
tant
theywil
lthi
nkyouhav
etwowives.”Shesai
d
andgiggl
ed.
Mduduzi
:“Iwouldn’
tmindi
ftheysayy
ouar
e
t
hefi
rstwifenother.
”
Nozi
busisol
aughed.Thembeli
hlelookedat
Mduduziandhedidn’
tlookather.Shesighed
andconcent
rat
edont hedanceperformance.
From wher ehewas, thebestfrontvi
ewofal l
theperformances, Dali
susawThembel i
hle
standi
ngonherf eetwithMduduzi and
Nozibusiso,aladyhedi dn’
tknow.Hel ooked
aroundandhi smot hersawt hat.
MaCebekhul
u:“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Dal
isu:“There’
syourdaughteri
n-l
awst andi
ng
onherfeet.Shemusthav earri
vedlat
et obe
st
anding.”
MaCebekhul
usmil
edlooki
ngatThembel
ihl
e.
“
It
’sseemsli
keshe’
stal
kati
veovert
her
e,do
y
ouwantt
obringherfor
wardt
osi
tont
hef
ront
r
aw?
”sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m.
Dal
isu:“
No,Idon’
tmindgl
anci
ngatherf
rom
whereshe’
sstandi
ng.
”
ShelaughedandNdabezit
hashookhi sheadas
hewasseat edontheri
ghtsideofhisson
fol
l
owedbyhi sotherwi
vesandMaCebekhul u
ontheleftf
oll
owedbyDalisu’ssi
ster
s.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwon’
tal
l
owt
hat
.”
Shecal
ledanearbygir
landshepointed
Thembeli
hleandtol
dthegir
lthatshemustget
achai
rforherandbri
ngherforward.Thegi
rl
l
eftt
odoasshewast ol
d…
Thembel i
hlehadseenDal isu,hewaswear ing
blackpantsandbr ownAfr i
canpr intshir
t,t
he
onewi t
hnobut tons,onhisf eeti
twas
tr
aditi
onaldesi gnedsandal s.Shewasbusy
l
ookingathi m andsmi li
ng.Shesawt hathehad
seenherandt heywer estaringateachot her.
Thembel i
hlelookeddownasDal isuwassmi l
ing
andhel
ookeddownt
oo.
“
Areyoufli
rt
ingwi
thsomeone?”Nozi
busi
so
r
eachedforThembel
ihl
eandshesnappedto
l
ookather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Nozi
busiso:
“Ihavebeentraci
ngyoureyesandI
can’
tseewhoy ou’
refl
ir
ti
ngwith.Whoisit?
”
Thembel i
hle:
“Youar eheret oguardme?Hi mis
enough.”Shewhi spered.Nozibusi
solaughed
andlookedar ound,shef i
nall
yfoundtheman
Thembel i
hlewasl ookingat.Bytheti
meshe
l
ookedather .Thegi r
lwast alki
ngto
Thembel i
hle.
“
MamauMaCebekhul usaidImustcal
lyouand
y
oucansitonthefr
ontrawt her
eisabett
er
v
iewt
here.”Thegi
rlexpl
ained.
Thembelihl
e:“No,
wearegoodher
eandt
ell
her
Iam happystandi
ngher
e.”
“
But
-”Shedi
dn’
tfi
nisht
hesent
enceas
Thembel
i
hlest
oppedher
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shewi
l
lunder
stand.
”
Thegi
rlwasdef
eatedandsosheleft
Thembel
ihl
etokeepstar
ingatDal
i
su.
Thegi
rlr
epor
tedt
oMaCebekhul
uandshe
l
ookedatDal
i
suandt
henThembeli
hle.
MaCebekhul
u:“Areyouevenl
ooki
ngatthe
t
alenty
ourpeoplehave?
”sheaskedhol
ding
Dali
su’
sarm.Helookedather
.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iseet
het
alentmama.
”
“
Youarelooki
ngatthegi
rl
.”Ndabezi
thasai
d
l
ooki
ngathim.Dali
sushookhisheadand
l
ookedattheper
for
mance…

Theceremonywasov er.Peoplewerebei
ng
serv
edthefood.Dal
isuandhi sfamil
yhadlef
t
thepeopl
eandwenti nsidethehousewherehe
wasgoingtobewithot hermen.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedatMduduzi
.“Whatwil
l
happennow?Youwillf
oll
owmear ound?
”she
asked.
Mduduzi:“
Therearel
otofpeoplegoingupand
down,Iam afr
aidIwi
llhavet
ofoll
owy ou
aroundbecauseanyt
hingcanhappen.”
Shesai d.“Iwanttof i
ndmyf r
iendMakhosi y ou
don’thavet obet ooclose.Youneedt oeatt oo,
goandsi twithothermenIwi llcomet oy ou
whenIneedt ogo.Look,itwil
l beimpossiblefor
someonet ohurtmeamongt hecr owds.”She
tr
iedt oconvincehim.Mduduzi l
ookedaround
andsawacr owdofmen.I twasaper fect
positontositatandkeepaney eonher.
Mduduzi
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lbewat
chi
ngy
ouov
er
t
here.
”
Shenodded,hel
dherfri
endandtheysearched
forMakhosiunt
ilt
heyfoundher
.Makhosi
smil
edandtoldagirl
togetchai
rsforherand
Nozibusi
so.
Makhosi
:“Foodhaspassedt
hist
abl
ehowwi
l
l
yougeti
t?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
“Cal
lthem andaskthem.”awomancl oserto
them suggest
ed.Makhosirai
sedherhand
askedf ort
woplat
es.Theyexplai
nedthatthey
camel ate.
“Thati
salie,
Iwil
lnotcometothepeopl
ewe
havepassed.
”Thewaitr
esssai
d.
Makhosi
:“Look,t
heydon’
tevenhav
echai
rs
howdoyout hi
nktheygott
hefood?
”
Wait
ress:“Theyjumpedf
rom t
heotherpl
acet
o
t
hisplacejusttogetmor
efood.Weknowhow
vi
l
lagerslovefood.
”
Nozi
busiso:“
Oh,pl
ease!Youar
enotev
en
payi
ngforthi
sfood.
”
Thembelihleheldherhandseei
ngthatshewas
gett
ingcarriedawayandpeoplear
oundt hem
werelookingatthem.
“I
t’
sokay,youdon’thav
etogiveusfoodifyou
don’
twantto.”Thembeli
hlesuggest
edjustt
o
appeasebutthewomandi dn’
twantthat.
“Butyoumustalleat
,doesshewantust ocal
l
ndlunkul
utoresol
vethi
s?”theotherwoman
asked.Peopl
ebeganarguingalone.
Nozi
busiso:“
Shedoesn’tevenknowwhoy ou…”
Thembeli
hleheldherarm andshookherhead
st
oppi
ngherf rom say
ingthingsshewasn’
t
meanttosay.
Wait
ress:“
Iam nothir
edbyy ouandIwon’
tgiv
e
youfood.
”Shesaidforthel
asttimeandl
eft
t
hem.Nozibusi
soclickedhertongue.
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
it’
sfi
newewi
l
leatathome.
”
“Youaretoogoodshame!Ourkingispayi
ngfor
thi
ssheshouldhav egiv
enyoufoodify
ou
wantedit
.”Thewomancomment ed.
Thembeli
hlelookedaroundshedi
dn’
twantto
betherenomor
e,l
i
steni
ngt
othatst
ormi
na
teacup.
Makhosi
:“Youwantt
ogo?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tseethegirl
yousenttoget
chai
rs.
”Theylookedaround.“
Butanywaythisis
mybestfri
endNozibusisoandNozibusi
sothis
i
smyf ri
endMakhosi.”
Thetwol adi
essmil
edateachot herand
exchangedwords.Nozi
busisorequestedahug
andtheyhuggedeachother.Thegirlr
etur
ned
withthechai
rsandtheygotachancet osit
down.
Theyhadaconversationgoingonandtheygot
achancet
ohav edrinks,steam br
eadand
boi
ledmeatwit
hal itt
letri
pe.
Bytheti
mepeoplewer
eleav
ingi
twasgetti
ng
dar
k.Makhosiwascal
l
edbyherhusbandhe
wasleavi
ng.
“
Okay
,goodby
eguy
s.Wewi
l
lmeett
odi
scuss
ev
ery
thi
ng.”Shesai
dgett
ingupandt
heygotup
wi
thherwalki
nghertot
hecar.
Mduduzisawthem mov
eandhegotupf
rom
hi
sposit
ion.
Thembelihl
eandNozibusisolef
tMakhosi
insi
de
herhusband’scar
.TheyturnedandMduduzi
wasbehindthem.Thembel i
hlesi
ghed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Doy
ouknowwher
emybr
other
i
s?”
Mduduzi
:“Yes.Doy
ouwantt
ogo?
”
Shesul
kedandlookedaround.“
Iwanttosee
myhusband.
”Shesaidlooki
ngatNozibusi
so.
Shesmil
ed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Takeust
ohi
m Iwantt
omeet
hi
m.”
Mduduzi:“He’sbusywithot
hermenandIdon’
t
t
hinkdistur
binghimi sagoodi
dea.Andy
our
motherin-l
awi sgone.”
Nozi
busi
sol
ookedatThembel
i
hle.“
Dri
vemy
br
otherhomeandcomebackforus.Wewi
l
l
wai
tforhim.
”Thembel
i
hlesuggest
ed.
Mduduzi:
“Idon’
tmindbr
ingi
ngy
oubackbutI
won’
tleaveyouher
e.”
Thembeli
hlehadbi
tethedust,hesmil
edashe
sawhermov eandherfr
iendfoll
owedher
.They
tookThokozani
anddrovehim home…

“Dri
vemet ohishouse.
”Shechangedhermi nd
asMduduzi wasdriv
ingbacktot hepalace.He
sighedandstoppedthecar,helookedather.
“Hesaidyoucandrivemet hereifIwanttogo.”
sher emi
ndedhim.
Het
hent
urnedanddr
ovet
oDal
i
su’
shouse.
Hiscarandguards’car
swereparkedout
side
hishouse.“
He’salr
eadyhome.
”Thembelihle
saidastheyopenedthegat
esforher.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Weal
mostwentbackf
ornot
hing.
”
“
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
”Shesai
dopeni
ngt
hedoor
.
Theygotof
fleav
ingMduduzi
insi
det
hecar
.
“Ndl
ovukazi
!”Gwabi
nigreet
edherast
heymet
onthedoor.Hehadjustcl
osedi
tbehi
ndhi
m.
“Yebo,
Manzi
ni.Howar
eyou?
”Thembel
i
hle
asked.
Gwabini:“
Iam good, whoi
sthisbeaut
y?”he
askedlendi
ngNozi busi
sohi
shandandshe
gavehim herhand.Theyhandshake.
“Iam Nozi
busi
so,herbestf
ri
endandy
ouar
e?”
sheintr
oducedhersel
f.
Gwabi
ni:
“Iam Gwabi
ni,
theki
ng’
sguar
d.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
It
’snicet
omeetyou.”Gwabi
ni
smil
edandnodded,hel
ookedatThembel
ihl
e.
Shesmil
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Letusnotkeepy
ou.
”
“Yes!Yes!
”heagr
eedlooki
ngatNozibusi
soas
hewaswal ki
ngaway.Theyheadedt
ot hedoor
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“He’
ssuchamani
sn’
the?
”she
whi
sper
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
butt
oobi
gfory
ou.
”
Nozibusisol
aughedasThembelihleopenedthe
doorwithoutknocki
ng,shewasn’tmeantto
knock,sheneverknocked.
Shef r
ozeinstant
lyseei
nghersi
ster’
sfami
lyon
thelounge.ShelookedatNozi
busisoandshe
heldherhand.
“Thembel
ihle?
”Thokozil
estoodonherf
eet
l
ookingathersist
er.Si
ndygotupandwentt
o
Thembeli
hle.
Sindy:“Whydidyouleaveourhouse,t
henew
mai dneverdoesthi
ngsrightandshecan’tpl
ait
myhai rli
keyoudo.Please,comeback.”Thegir
l
beggedherhol di
ngherotherhandwit
houteven
greeti
ngher.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Eh,
howar
eyouguy
s?”
Ot
her
s:“
Wear
efi
ne.
”
Shegavethem ashortsmileandlookedat
Si
ndythenherfri
end.“Nozzy,pl
easewaitf
or
mehere.”Sher
equested.
Nozi
busi
so:“
Okay.”Shel
etgoofherhandand
wentt
ositonthecouch.
“
Ican’
tcomebackSindy
,sor
ry.
”Shesai
d
r
emovingherhand.
Thokozil
e:“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
eThembel
i
hle,
Nozibusi
so?”
Thembelihl
edidn’tanswerher.“Excuseme.”
shesaidandleftthem leavi
nghersistersay
ing
abigsurpri
sed“Hhy abo!”andherhusbandand
otherki
dswerej ustquiet.
Thembel
i
hleopenedthedoort
oDal
i
su’
s
bedr
oom.Shedidn’
tknock.
“
Whoa! ”Dal
isuexclai
medraisinghishands
t
hrowinghispyjamasontheai r.Thembel
ihl
e
l
aughedclosingthedoorbehindher .
Dal
i
su:
“It
’snotf
unny
.”Hesai
dpi
cki
nghi
s
pyj
amas,
hehadat
owel
wrappedar
oundhi
s
waist
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sfunnyt
oseeamanf
ri
ght
ened
i
nhisownhouse.”
Dali
su:
“WhatcanIsay
,Iwasthi
nki
ngsomeone
wascominginher
etorapeme.Idi
dn’
texpect
you.
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandpl
oddedf
orwar
dshe
tookhi
spyjamashir
tsof
tl
yfr
om hi
shands.
“Iam notarapi
st.”Shesai
dtr
yingtodr
esshi
m
upandhesmi l
edlooki
ngather.“
AndIwasn’
t
goingtoknock.”
Dalisu:“I
fIknewy ouwer ecomi ngIwasn’ t
goingt ojump.”Hesai dholdi
ngherwai stcloser
tohi m.Shelookeddownsmi l
i
ng.Shehad
dressedhi m upbuttheshirtwasn’tbuttonedup.
“Youl ookbeautif
ulandy oulookli
kemywi fe.
”
Hecompl imented.Thembel i
hlegi
ggledandl ai
d
herheadonhi schest.Hewr appedhisar ms
aroundher .
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ngIneededy
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Youdidn’
tsay.”Shehadherey
es
cl
osedsmell
i
nghisskinscent.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwasgoi
ngt
ocal
laf
tert
his.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIam notsl
eepi
ngov
er.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whynot
?Ihav
eguest
syousawt
hem?
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Yeah.”Shef
igur
edhedi
dn’
tknow
shewashersi
ster
.“Icameheret
oapol
ogi
se
andmyfri
endwantedtomeetyou.
”
“Apol
ogi
seforwhat?”heaskedmovi
ngher
awaytol
ookintohereyesbutThembel
i
hle
l
ookeddown.
Thembelihl
e:“
Forshouti
ngatyoutheotherday
Ishoul
dn’thaveandsoIam sorr
y.”Shel
ooked
athim br
ief
lyandthenbackdown.
Dali
su:“Whotol
dyout
oapol
ogi
seIwas
expect
ingitt
hefol
l
owi
ngday
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Nobodydi
d,Ij
ustf
eltt
hatIhad
to.
”Sheli
ed.“
ButIalsodon’
twanty
out
oshout
atme.Youdidtoo.
”
Dali
su: “
Youstar
tedt
heshouti
ngIwas
speakingtoyouandyoudeci
dedtoshout
.”He
argued.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Wel l
,Iam nother
etoarguewit
h
youMagebaIjustwantedtoseeyouandleav
e
aft
ersay
ingmyapol ogy.
”
Dal
i
su:
“ Idon’
twanty
out
oleav
e.Ihav
enof
ood
t
oeatyouknow?”
Thembel i
hlelaughed.“
Hawu!Youaretr
yingto
tel
lmet hatyoueatf ul
lmealint
hemorningand
atnight
?Icookedenoughf oodtol
astt
he
wholeweek. ”Shecompl ai
ned.
Dali
su:
“Hawu.Hhayi
,that
’snottr
ue.Youcango
checkt
hefri
dgehasnoTupper warecont
ainer
s.
Youcancookbefor
eleavi
ng.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,myfri
endiswait
ingforme
andshe’
shungryy
ourcater
ersr
efusedtogi
ve
usfood.Weneedt
ogoIcancooksomet
hingat
homeMduduziwil
lbr
ingi
tov
er.
”
Dali
su:“Theydidn’
tgiveyoufood?
”shenodded.
“Tsk!Iwil
lcal
lthem inthemorni
ng.No,Iwi
ll
seethem whent heycomet ogett
herestof
thei
rmoneyanddi shes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,whowill
yousayIam?Don’
t
doit.
”Sheheldhimlay
ingbackonhi
m.Hehel
d
her.“
Iam l
eavingnow.
”
Dal
i
su:“Whydon’ty
oucomebackwhen
Mduduzibr
ingst
hefood?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
myf
ri
endcan’
tsl
eepal
one.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Awu!
”
“Yeah,getdr
essed.
”Shesaidf
asteni
nghisshi
rt
helookedatherandremovedthetowel
.He
worethepy j
amawhileshewasbusy.
“
Ah!Uy
angi
phazami
sa.
”Shesai
dsul
ki
ng.
Dal
isu:
“Iwastry
ingtomaket
hingsnot
awkwardfory
ou.”hesai
dandshefel
therbody
shi
veratthestat
ement.Shebur i
edherfaceon
hi
m andhehel di
ttokissher.Theyshareda
ki
ssfullofcov
et,j
usttolayeachotherdown
andloveeachotherbutti
mewasagai nstthem.
“
Wearyourgown.”Thembel
i
hlesai
d,shewas
t
hef
ir
sttopullout.
Dali
su:“
Why ?
”heaskedholdi
ngherwaist.“
I
can’
twaitt
oseey ourbel
l
yful
l,mychi
l
d, our
chi
ld.
”hesaidlooki
ngather
.
Thembel i
hle:“No,Isai
dIdon’ twantkids.Look,
therearewoment hereandy oushouldwear
yourgown.”Dal i
sulaughedandbur iedhisface
onherneck.“ Mageba! ”shecall
edoutf orhi
m
beingimpat i
ent.
Dali
su:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lweart
hegownj
ustt
opl
ease
you.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,youshouldwearital
ways
whenthereareot
herpeoplearoundthehouse
especi
all
ywomen.”
“
Butthatwomanismar ri
ed.
”Hesai
dlaughi
ng
l
ooki
ngather.Shejustsul
kedandwentt
othe
war
drobetotakeouthisgown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Takei
tandweari
t.Now.
”
Helookedatherwi
thlov
eandtookthegown.
Hewor ei
t.“
Youarehappy?
”heasked.She
noddedandtookhi
shand.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatdoy
ouwantIwi
l
lcook
cabbagei
t’
seasi
er.”
“
Haa!No,Iwantsugarbeans.
”Hesai
dopeni
ng
t
hedoor.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
itwi
l
ltakefor
everunl
essifI
haveoneathomeandit’
sfr
ozenforsur
e.”
Dali
su: “Youwi ll
defrosti
t.
”Theywenttothe
ki
tchenandThembel ihl
etooktheTupper
ware
container s.Shepackedthem i
nthebag.They
wentt ot helounge,i
twasempt y.“
Whereis
everyone? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“May
beout
side.Yourguest
swi
l
l
sl
eepher
e?”
“Yes.”Herespondedopeni ngt hedoor .“The
mani sheretodi scussbusi nesshewant stodo
hereandhecamewi t
hhi swife.Theywer eal
so
therewhenIwasanoi nted.
”Heexpl ainedand
shewassur ehedi dn’
tknowshewashersi ster
.
Butmostpeopl ewoul dn’tr
ecogni seThokozi le
shehadgr ownupandchangedal ot.Shenev er
visi
tedherfather’shouseaf terhermar r
iage.
Shemar ri
edy oungshewasst ill
st udyingbut
wasaboutt of i
nish.
“
Oh…Nozzy !
”Thembel i
hlecal
ledherfri
endwho
wasstandi
ngwi t
hGwabi ni
.Shelefthi
m and
wenttoherfr
iend.“
Whatdoy out hi
nktheyar
e
t
alki
ngabout?”sheaskedlookingathi
m.
Dali
su:
“Don’tgossi
p.”Hestoppedher
.
Thembeli
hleknockedherheadonhim.He
l
aughedandhel di
t.
Thembel
ihle:“Youwi
ll
removemydoek
Ndabezi
tha.”Shecomplai
nedcr
yingout
.Dal
i
su
l
aughedandr emov edittoteaseher.
Nozibusisol
aughed.Herhai rwasamessitwas
nolongerplai
ted.“
Bringitback!
”shetri
edto
takeitbuthekeptont hr
owingitfr
om handto
hand.
Dali
su:“
Youl ooknice,
comeoni nt
roduceme.
”
hesaidbrushingherhairwi
thhi
shand.
Thembeli
hlelookedathim hej
ustsmiled.
“Thi
si smyf ri
endNozibusisoandNozzythi
sis
thekingofal lt
hekingdomshere,he’
s-.
”She
i
ntroducedt hem.“ShouldIsayyourname?”she
whisperedtohi m andheshookhishead.
Thembel i
hlelaughed.
Thembel
ihle:“
KingDal
isu.
”Dal
i
suti
ckl
edher
andshelaughedrunni
ngawaytost
andbehi
nd
herf
ri
end.
Dal
isu:“I
t’
snicetomeety
ouandthanky
oufor
cominghere.Sheal
mostdrov
efr
om her
eto
vi
sityou.
”
Nozi
busi
sol
aughed.“
Ithoughti
twasgoodf
or
her
.”shesai
d.
Dali
su:“
No,Iam what’
sgoodf orherand
MaSthol
eyoudidn’
ttell
herwhoam It oyoubut
youtol
dmewhoshei stoyou.Comeher e.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No!”shegi ggl
ed.“
Nozzy,he’
smy
st
alker
.”Nozi
busisolaughedandt heki
ng
l
aughedtoo.Helovedt hatsi
deofherandhe
wantedtoseeitmoreof ten.
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,gonowy
ouwon’
tgety
ourdoek.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lgeti
tback.
”
“
Iwil
lbur
nit.
”Het hr
eat
ened.Thembel
ihl
ejust
l
aughedanddraggedherf
ri
endtothecar.
“Hhaybo,Thembeli
hle!
”hewar
nedherseei
ng
herleav
e.Shegiggl
ed.
Nozibusiso:“
Hamba, hawuyi
niIwantt
o
watch.”Shewhi sper
edpushi
ngherandDal
i
su
t
ookt hef ewstepsforwar
dtocat
chher.
Shel
aughedandhuggedhi
m.“Iwishyoucan
l
aughmoreoft
en.
”Hesaidhol
dingherti
ght.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youshoul
dmakeme.
”
Dali
su:“
Iwil
lti
ckl
ey ou,bubbl
es.Youdon’t
knowhowt hesebubbleslookwhenyoulaugh.
Theysparkl
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No!
”sheexcl
aimed.“
Ineedt
o
go.
”
Hesighedandlethergo.Shel
ookedupathim
ashewasl ooki
ngdownather.Heuntiedher
doekknotandheputitbackbutnotasgoodas
shehadtiedit
.
Dal
i
su:
“Yeah,
besaf
e.”
“
Iwil
lbe.”Shesaid.Hewal
kedhertothecar.
Hesqueezedherhandandshesteppedinsi
de
t
hecar.Heclosedthedoor
…Het henwoke
Mduduziup.Theygreet
edeachother
.
“
Dri
vesaf
ewi
tht
hem.
”hei
nst
ruct
ed.
Mduduzi
:“Yebo,
Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dal
isu:
“Shewil
lsendyoubackl
ate.They
’l
lbe
wit
hherbrot
hersoyoucancome.”
Mduduzi
:“Okay
.”
Dali
su:“
She’snotgivi
ngyouahar
dti
me?
”he
askedpoint
ingattheback.
Thembelihlel
ookedclosertohearhisr
esponse.
He’dbetternotsay‘
No’ becauseshewasgoing
toburstonhim.Shesaidt ohersel
fwai
ting.
Mduduzi
:“No,
you’
l
lbet
hef
ir
stt
oknowi
fshe
does.
”
“
Okay
,youcango.
”Hei
nst
ruct
edmov
ingback.
Mduduzist
art
edthecaranddr
oveout
…Dal
i
su
wentbacki
nsidet
hehouse…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE24

Nozibusi
sowashelpi
ngherfri
endcookthe
food.Thembel
ihl
efoundthefr
ozencooked
sugarbeansandshedefr
ostedit
.Nozi
busi
so
wascookinguphut
huforherandshewasbusy
f
ryi
ngchickenasasidetothesugarbeans.
“Imustsayt hatheseemedprettyr
omanti
cfor
aZuluking.”Nozibusi
soremarkedpeal
i
ngthe
butt
ernut.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Romant
ic?
”shechecked.
Nozibusi
so:“
Duh!Yes,
andy
ouseemedv
ery
happywithhi
m.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Hedoesmakemehappy .
”She
admit
tedsmi l
i
ngt
ohersel
f.“
Ijusthopethings
won’
tchangewhenwear emarri
edIwoul dn’
t
wantthem to.
”
Nozibusi
so:
“Rel
ax,myf
ri
end,
theywon’
t
changecomplet
ely
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihopeso.Ithinkthi
sisal
ri
ght
now.”shesai
dpouringthesouppowder.“And
wenawhatwer eyoudiscussingwit
hManzini
?”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Me? ”shechecked,
Thembelihl
e
l
aughedandnodded.“Wewer ej
ustt
alki
nghe
sawmest
andi
ngal
oneandhej
oinedme.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whywer
eyoust
andi
ngal
one?
”
Nozibusi
so:“Yoursi
sterwasbeinganuisance
wit
hherdaught er
.Thechildwasbusytell
ing
met hatyoushouldcomebackbecauseshe
doesn’tl
i
kethenewmai d.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“The‘
newmai
d’IguessIam t
he
‘
oldmaid.
’”
Nozibusi
so:“Thatiswhatpissedmeof f
becauseIgavethatli
ttl
egir
l api
eceofmymi nd
andhermot herint
ervenedt
hent hehusband
tol
dthem tokeepquiettheywillspoi
lthi
ngsfor
him.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wow!
”
Nozibusiso:“
Itol
dherhusbandIwil
ltel
lyouto
tel
lthekingthatThokozil
ewasabusi
ngy ouand
hewon’ tgetwhateverhewant
ed.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Andwhatdi
dhesay
?”sheasked
l
ookingather.
Nozibusisolaughed.“
Youshoul
d’v
eseenhi
s
face.Tsk!Suchaweakman.Heaskedt ospeak
tohiswifeinprivat
eandtol
dthei
rchi
l
drento
goandsl eep.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Di
dyout
ell
herDal
i
suwi
l
lbemy
husband?
”
Nozibusi
so:“
Shefi
gureditouther
self
,you
didn’
tknockonhi
sbedroom doorandwehear d
youlaughandgi
gglenonestop.Sheaskedif
youaredati
nghim.Isai
dIdon’tknow.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ay
.Iam sur
eshei
sangr
ywher
e
shei
s.”
“She’sjustastupi
dwomanalongwithher
husband. ”Shesai
dandcl
i
ckedhert ongue
checkingt hepotwi
tht
hebut
ternutonthe
stove.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ishoul
ddi
shupf
orusf
ir
st?
”
Nozi
busi
so:“
No,
dishupforhi
mfirstbecause
youar
ecooki
ngbecauseofhi
m.”
ShenoddedandtookhisTupper
ware,she
di
shedthefoodenoughforhi
mt oeattwo
ti
mes.Shethenpackedthepi
ecesofchicken.
Thembelihl
e:“Iam notwai
ti
ngf
ort
hose
butt
ernutri
ngs.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
No,
wai
tfort
hem.Theywi
l
lbe
r
eadyinafewmi
nut
es.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay,Iwil
ldishf orever
yone
now.”Shesaidcleari
ngthet ableandputti
ng
dishesonthetable.Shedishedt hefoodandby
thetimeshewasdoneNozi busisohadpacked
thebutt
ernut.
Thembeli
hlet
ookt hebagthathadthe
Tupper
wareandshepackedt hem ther
e.She
madeherwayt othelounge,Mduduziwasther
e
watchi
ngTVwi t
hherbr ot
her.
Thembelihle:“Her
e’st
hef oodyoucantakei
tto
him.”shepl acedt
hebagdownandhet ooki
t.
“Youwilleatherebhuti
?”Henodded.Mduduzi
stoodupandThembel i
hletol
dhim shewas
goi
ngtoputhi
sfoodwi
thherbr
other
.He
noddedandl
eftt
hem.
Thembel
i
hleservedherbr
otherandwentt
oeat
wit
hherf
riend…

TheywerewokenupbyThokozi le,
shewas
al
onewi t
houtherfamily.Thembeli
hlesatonthe
couchrubbi
ngherey es.Shewasst il
lsl
eepy.
Thokozaniwasseatednextt oherreadyfor
work.
Thokozani
:“Whati
sitThokozi
le,
Ihavet
ogot
o
work.”Hei
nfor
medherlookingathi
swri
st
watch.
Thokozi
le:
“IsawThembeli
hleatt
heking’
s
houseshejustwentt
ohisroom.Thembeli
hle
areyoudati
ngthatman?
”
Thembel
ihl
elookedatherbr
other
.Thokozani
si
ghed.
“
Youwokeherupj
ustt
oaskust
hat
?”
Thokozani
asked,
bri
stl
ed.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Youknow?
”
Thembeli
hlewant
edt oburstbutshedi
dn’
t
wanttobeaboneofcont enti
on.Shedeci
dedt
o
shutandl
etthem ar
guealone.
Thokozani:
“Yes,Iknow.Thembel
i
hlel
i
veswit
h
meandi t’
smyj obtoknowwhatshedoesand
whatsheget supto.”
Thokozi
le:“Andy
outhi
nkherdati
ngt
hatmani
s
awisething?He’
swaytoool
df or
Thembelihl
e.”
Thokozani:
“Nowy
ouknowwhat
’sr
ightf
or
Thembelihl
e?”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Whatareyoutr
yingt
osayshe’
smy
l
it
tl
esist
erofcour
seIwantwhat’
sri
ghtf
orher
.”
Thembeli
hle’
slaught
erwasaredherr
ingto
thei
rear
sast heytur
nedt
olookather.Shej
ust
l
aughed.
“
What
’sf
unny
?”Thokozi
l
easked.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
No,Idon’
tmeantober
udebut
youwantwhat
’sbestf
orme?”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Ofcour
se!
”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Whatwasbestf ormewasgoi ng
toCol l
egeandgetti
ngaqual i
ficati
onandy ou
fai
ledtodot hatnowy ouareher etell
ingusyou
knowandwantwhat ’sbestforme? ”Sheasked
rai
singherv oi
ce.Shewast i
redt ol
ookather
pretendingshewantedsomet hingbestf orher.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Wear
ebackt
othat
?”
Thokozani
:“Wewi
llal
way
sgobackt
othatunt
il
youpayhermoney
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iknowwhatt hi
sisabout,y
ouare
herepl
ayi
ngaconcernsisterbecauseyouwant
menottotellmyhusbandhowev i
lyou’
vebeen
tomeandt hatwayhewill
gi v
eyourhusband
thebusi
nessdeal.
”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Yourhusband?Wher
eistheri
ng?
Si
ncewhenisdati
ngoldermanmeansyoucan
cal
lhi
myourhusband?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ha!Bhuti,
Idon’thavetimefor
thi
s.Ihav
eal otofthi
ngstodot odayIwantto
goandsleep.Dalisui
smyhusbandandIdon’ t
carewhatyouthinkofourr
elati
onship.”
Thokozi
le:
“Youspeakl
i
ket
hisnowwheny
ou
speaktome?”
Thembel i
hle:“Il
ostal
lrespectf
oryoutheday
youwer ehere.Youhurtmebey ondmeasure
anddon’tthinkIwon’tfuncti
onify
ouarenoti
n
mylif
eIwi llfunct
ionandwaybet t
ert
hanIwas
wit
hy ou.”
“Wow!”Shesai
dgetti
ngupfrom thecouch.“I
nevert
houghtI
’l
lseethi
sdayafterever
ythi
ngI
havedonefory
ou.”shewaslookingather.
Thokozani:“
Youhav eaproblem because
Thembelihl
ehasf oundhervoicetostand
agai
nstyouandt hatmanwhom y ouwant
busi
nessf r
om isthereasonshe’sthi
sconfi
dent
now.Thembel i
hleisDali
su’
sbr i
dehehaspaid
l
obolaforherandont he23t htheyar ecomi ng
hereforIzi
bizozakhe.Thati ssomet hingy ou
wouldn’tknowbecausey ouarenotpar tofour
l
ives.Ij
ustwi shshecanbeev ilenought ot el
l
Dali
suwhaty ouhav edonet ohersot haty ou
won’tevengett hatfucki
ndeal whatev eritis!
Tsk!”Hewentt ot hedoor.“Iam leaving
Thembel i
hle.
”Hel eftaft
erThembel ihlehad
saidhergoodby e.
Thembeli
hlestoodup.Thokozi
lewasstandi
ng
ther
edryaswood…Thembel i
hlewentt
oher
bedroom andThokozi
lel
eftthehousewalki
ng
asslowasachamel eon.
..
“WOW!”Nozi
busi
sosai
dst
andi
ngbehi
ndt
he
door
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Nozibusiso:
“Iam soproudofyou.Youarea
di
fferentper
sonnow, youar
ebubbly,happyand
st
rong.Youhav efoundyourvoi
ce.”
Shesai
dthathuggi
ngherandThembel
i
hlehel
d
hert
ight.“
Youarethefi
rstper
sonwhogaveme
cour
age.Iwil
lneverf
orgetyouNozi
busi
so.I
l
ovey ou.
”shesai
d.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
Theysmi
l
edateachot
herandwentbackt
o
bed…

SHE’DBEENBUSY.Herdaywasnearand
Thembeli
hlehadherheadall
overtheplace.
Shehadmadet hebeerandherbrotherand
Mduduzitol
dheritt
astedgood.Thatrel
ieved
her.
Ont he20thofDecember ,
Mduduzidrov
eher,
Makhosi andNozibusisot
otowntobuy
groceri
es.Thokozanihadgiv
enherthemoney
taki
ngitfrom t
helobolamoney.
Dal
isuhadcal
ledherandtol
dhertotel
lhi
m
whensheneededanythi
ngbutThembeli
hlewas
st
il
lcover
ed.Hewantedtopayfort
hecateri
ng
butThembel
i
hlewant
edt
ocookt
hef
ood
hersel
f.
Theyhav edecidedont hemenut oget herwi
th
herfri
ends, t
heydecidedt ocookt raditi
onal
mealsandont he22ndi nthemor ni ngthey
beganwi thcookingotherthingslike, st
eam
bread,sampandbeans, sweetpot at oesandall
otherdishesthatrequestedal otoft imetobe
cooked.Theywentt obedknowi ngt heywere
donewi ththeimportantthings.Theyhadst ews
tocooki nthemor ni
ng…
The23r dwast heceremonydayev eryt
hingwas
setandr eady.Thembel i
hlewasbusyi nthe
ki
tchenwi thMakhosi andNozi busisotheywer e
cookingthest ews.Peopl eint hev i
llagewer en’
t
expectingthatDalisuwasmar ryingagi r
l l
i
ke
Thembel i
hle.Behindcl oseddoor stheyhav e
j
udgedher ,bythewayshedr essedandt hatshe
wast hegi r
lfr
om theci ty.Theyassumedt hat
shewast hegirlwithnomor alsDal isuwas
att
ractedt oheronlybyherbeaut y.Nothingbut
beauty,
theyhadvouchedthatshewasgoingto
causetroubl
efort
heking.Thembeli
hlehaven’
t
heardallt
hosetal
ks.Shewasbusytocarewhat
peoplehadtosay.
“Thembeli
hle,wearereadybutyouar
estil
lnot
dressed.
”Nozibusi
sosaidsit
ti
ngdownwi t
hher
ont hedr
essingchai
rinsi
dehermother’
sroom.
Herauntsandunclealongwit
htheirf
ami l
y
werethereandhercousinsf
rom Johannesbur
g
werealsother
efortheceremony.
Thembeli
hle:“Iam t
yingt
hisdoekpr
operl
yandI
wil
lhavetogoout si
dewhenit’
stimeformeto
goout.Don’tworry.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youheart
hesi
ngi
ngout
side,
r
ight
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
andl
i
keIhav
esai
dIam not
needednow.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Youknowy oudon’
thaveabi
g
f
amil
y.Yourt
urnwi
llcomesooner.
”
“Ei
sh!Helpmedr essup.”Thembeli
hlesaid
getti
ngup.Shegotintoalongtai
loredredskir
t,
theskir
twasopenf rom herl
egstoherfeetit
hadnav ydesi
gns.Thetopwasasl eevelesstop
witharoundneckli
ne,i
twasr edandnav y.The
doekwasal soredandnav y.
Nozibusi
so:“
Youlookbeaut
if
ulandnowlet’
s
coveryourar
ms.”Shesai
dputti
ngalacenavy
scarf
.
“Iam scar
ed.”Shesai
dsi
tt
ingdownand
breat
hinginandout.
Nozi
busi
so:“Ev
ery
thingi
sundercont
roldon’
t
worr
yyoufeelt
hevibeout
side.
”Shet
riedto
cal
m her
.Shesmil
edandnodded…
Thembeli
hle’
sin-l
awsgav ethem gif
ts,evenif
Thembeli
hle’
sparentswer enol ongerali
vet hey
hadtobegi v
engifts,Thembel i
hle’
scousin
repr
esentedthei
rmot her,andThokozani
repr
esentedthei
rfather.Anothercousintook
thegif
tsonbehalfofThokozi l
e.Thokozani had
i
nvitedherbecausetheyknewshehadto
acceptthegif
tbutshedidn’
tcome.Theaunt
s
anduncleswerecall
ed,eventhel
atemembers
ofthefamil
y.
Lastly,t
heycall
edThembel i
hle,shewentthere
l
ooki ngdownandt heymadehersi tont
her eed
mat .Mawandewast heonegivinghersist
erin-
l
awgi f
ts.Shehadtot al
ktohert el
l
ingherthe
purposeoft hegi
ft
s.Shegav ehert hebl
ankets
andt ol
dhershemust n’
tbecold.
“Omamanobhut i,theywanty out oshow
respectnowt haty ouar et hebride.You’l
lneed
tohav eyourdoekony ourheadal lt
hetime.”
Shesai dcoveringheral readycov eredhead
withadoekt heyboughtf orher.Women
ululat
ed.Mawandet henopenedt hesuitcaseof
clothesMaCebekhul uhadt hem designedfor
her.Shepaidt hedr essmakert omaket hem,
shewast heonewhochoset hedesi gns.I
twas
threebeauti
ful Afr
icant r
adi ti
onal pr
int
ed
dresses,twoski r
tsal ongwi ththet wotops,two
pairofshoesandeveryout
fi
thadi
tdoek,
and
theonewi t
hshortsl
eeveshadi
tscar
f.
“Omamat heywanty outodr essproperly
,sono
mor ewearingpants.”Mawandesai dshowing
hertheclothestheyhadf orher.Peoplelaughed
atstat
ementandwomenul ulat
ed.“Evenwhen
youareinmybr ot
her’shousey ouwon’ twear
pants,y
ouwi llwearappropriatecl
othesand
haveyourdoekony ourhead.uMakot iwakwa
Zuluwenzanj al
o,umakot iwasebukhosi ni!
”she
added.Womenul ul
ated.
“Here’sfood,wewanty out oeat ,
youcansee
mymot hersarewomenwi t
hmeat .”Shesaid.
Peopl el
aughed.“ OZulut heylovethatandeat
sothatmybr otherwon’ tfeeltheboneswhen
hehol dsyout i
ght.”Sheadded.Peopl elaughed.
Shewasdoneandsoshegotup.Thembel ihl
e
gotupanddanceaf terher ,
womenul ulat
ed.
Shet henwentbackt othehousel eavingher
fr
iendst otakehergi ft
s.
Shesatdownt hi
nki
ngeveryt
hingMawandehad
saidtoher.“
Yoh!
”shesi
ghedandcl osedher
eyes.Butshewashappythatthedaywasa
success.
Thepeopl
ethenwenttot hetent
stoeat.The
oneswhocamewi thgroom’speopl
ehadt hei
r
own,t
heonesfrom Thembelihl
e’
ssidehadtheir
ownandtheZulufamil
yhadt hei
rown.
Thembelihl
ewasintheki
tchenmakingsure
thatheri
n-l
awswereserv
edwell.Bytheendof
theceremonyshehadmadeapl aceforher
sel
f
i
nsomepeopl e’
sheart
s.
Andwhent heyheardthatshecookedthefood
theywerehappytherewasanewqueen.Butas
alwaysnotever
yonel i
kedheraft
erall
she
wasn’tmoney…Butot herswonderedwhy
Thokozi
lewasnotpr esentatt
heceremony…

Onthe27t
hofDecember
,Thembel
ihl
e’
sfami
l
y
wer
eatMaCebekhul
u’
spalacef
or
i
nqibamasondo.Thecer emonywashel d
outsideatanopenf i
eld.Thembeli
hlewas
seateddownatt hebackoft hecrowdsast hey
weresi ngi
ng.Makhosi wastheonewhowas
goingtocalloutt hegift
stoThembel i
hle’
sin-
l
awsbutt heothersshewasgoi ngtodot hat
herself
.
Herf atheri n-l
awandhi swi veswer eseated
waiti
ngf orThembel ihl
et ogi vethem theirgift
s.
Theki ngwasseat edont hechai rwi t
hasmal l
tabl
ebef or ehimt hatwaspar toft hegift.
Thembel ihletookt hebi gblackandwhi te
designedZul ucl aypot, i
thadt heZul ubeer .She
l
edt hewayandNozi busisof oll
owedherwi tha
basketf ull offruit
sandv egetables.
Thembel ihlewaswal kinglooki ngdownassi gn
ofrespect .Shekneel edbef oreherf atherin-l
aw
andsheputt hepotdown.Theki ng’swi ves
ulul
at ed.Thembel ihletookt hebasketf rom
Nozibusi soandgav eittohim.
Shedi
dthesamewi
thhermot
her
s’i
n-l
awbut
shewasgi vi
ngthem gr ocer
ies,
blankets,
dressesandscarfs.Thet hr
eeofthem stoodup
andululat
eddancingbehi ndThembelihleunt
il
shedisappearedi
ntot hecrowds.
Shesi
ghedsi
tt
ingont
hemat
.“Yoh!
”She
si
ghed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Thatwassomewor
k.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
AndIwillhavetosi
ngwhenIgo
tomyhusbandIam notready
.”
Nozi
busiso:“Yousanginthereeddancewhy
areyounotreadynow? ”shet
easedher.
Thembeli
hlelaughed.
Thembel i
hlehadabluebat
hingbasinwit
h
toil
etr
iesandatherbackwasMakhosi wit
hthe
blanketsandareedmat.Nozibusi
sohadaf r
uit
basketandabagwi thafewclothes
Thembel i
hlehadbought
.
“Angazi
,Angazi
,Angazikobanj
ani
.”
Thembeli
hlebegansingi
ngthesongonasweet
yetbol
dv oice.Dal
i
suraisedhisheadfrom
wherehewas.Hehear dherv oicel
ikehewas
heari
ngitforthefi
rstt
ime.
Thembeli
hlet
ookast epf orwardsi
ngi
ngsl owl
y.
Nobodywasbacki ngherupbutshewas
si
ngingal
one,thatwashowi twassupposedto
be.Shewassingingthesongmeani ng‘She
doesn’
tknowshedoesn’ tknowhowt he
marri
ageli
fewouldbel i
ke.’Shethenputthe
gi
ftsdownandchangedt hetune.
“Wongibambammel iwami !
”shechangedt he
tuneint
oaf astertuneandshehadt odot he
dance,thedancet hebr idedoes.Thegi r
lwho
wasinchar geoft hedr umsst ar
tedhitt
ingthe
drumsmat chingthesongt uneand
Thembel ihl
e’sdance.Shedancedherwayup
i
ntoheri n-l
aws’ cr
owd.Shewasl ooki
ngforher
husbandandshef inal
lyfoundhim.
Dal
isusmiledassheheldhishandlooki
ng
down.“Youlookbeaut
if
ul.
”Hewhi sper
edint
o
herears.Thembeli
hlesmi
l
edanddi
dn’
tsay
anyt
hingbutproceededwi
tht
hesong‘
beggi
ng
hi
mt hatheholdsher.’
Ast heyr
eachedthecircl
esheletgoofhi shand
putti
nghim down.Shedancedf orhi
m.And
Dali
suhadf orgot
tenthecrowdssurrounding
them.Hesawnobodybutherandheswor ehe
wasi nparadi
se.Hefail
edtohidehissmileand
sohewoul djustl
ookdownwhenf el
thisface
burningfr
om smili
ng.
Thembeli
hlef
inal
l
yfi
nishedup.Sher
equest
ed
thathel
i
esdown.Shehadt otal
ktohi
m.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam giv
ingyouthesebl
anketst
o
ensur
ethatinwintery
ouwon’tgetcol
d.”She
cover
edhim smili
ngathim.
“Youwi
ll
sleepwit
hme.”Dal
isuwhi
sper
ed.
Thembel
ihl
egiggl
edsi
l
entl
y.
Thembeli
hle:“
Andeverymorningandeveni
ngs
youwi
llhavetobathusingsoapandthetowel
,
youwi
llbrushyourt
eethandthenyoucango
outlookinghandsome. ”Shesaidgivi
nghimt he
toil
etr
ies.Peoplelaughed.“Andwheny ouare
sickIwillwashy ourbody.Iwil
ltakecareof
you.”Peoplelaughedandt heolderwomen
ulul
ated.
Thembel i
hle:“Youwillnevergot obedhungry
norleavethehouseonanempt ystomach
becauseIwi l
lf eedy
ouunt i
lyoucompl ai
n.And
youwi l
lnottellmethaty ouar ei
nahur ry
.You
willsi
tdownandeatt hef oodIwoul dhave
prepared.
”Shesai dfeedinghi m abanana.The
womanul ulated.
“Sleepwi t
hmet hen!”Dal
isusai
dpul li
ng
Thembel ihl
et ohim andcoveredherwi th
blankets.Peoplelaughedandot herstold
Thembel ihl
et ogetupandr unaway .Theyhad
tohitthegr oom, i
twast r
adit
ionthatwasdone
thattheyhitthegr oom ot
hersbelievedas
symbol thathemust n’
thi
thiswifewhent hey
aremar ri
ed.
“LetmegoDal
isu.”Thembel
i
hlesai
dgi
ggl
i
ng
undert
hebl
ankets.
Dal
isu:“
Iwi
l
lnotl
ett
hem hi
tme.Iam t
hei
r
ki
ng.”
Thembel i
hlel aughed.“ Youar ethegr oom her e
nottheking, letmego! ”shesai dandf i
nall
ygot
away.Thewomenf rom Thembel ihl
e’ssidehi t
Dali
subuthemanagedt orunawayqui ckl
y.
Peoplel
aughedandwomenul ul
ated…Peopl e
cel
ebratedandThembel i
hlehadmadeapl ace
i
nsideheri n-l
aws’ hear ts.Theoneswhodi dn’t
knowher .Ev enthepeopl ewhodi dn’tli
keher
hadthechangeofhear tsast heysawhow
Thembel i
hleknewt hetraditi
onsandhowt hings
weredoner egardlessbei ngt hecitygir
l…They
onlyhadt heweddi ngcer emonyl eft…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE25
Dali
suhadal l
owedThembel i
hletogoand
spendsomet imeinherfri
end’shouse.She
spenttwoday si
nNozibusiso’
shouseandshe
hadawonder ful
timesher el
axed,l
aughedand
ategossipi
ngwithherfr
iend.Mduduziwasalso
ther
ewi t
hher.
WhenThembel i
hlewenttohersi
ster
’shouseto
getherclot
hes‘
thenewmai d’di
dn’
tall
owher
i
nsidethehousesayi
ngshewast hestr
anger.
Thokozil
eandherfamil
ywereawayona
hol
iday.
Ont he1stofJanuary,Mduduzidrove
Thembel i
hlebackhome.Shehadboughtmor e
dresses,Dali
suhadgav ehermoneyandshe
wasgoi ngtoeli
minatesomeleggingsonher
wardrobe.Shewashappyt hatevery
thingwent
wellwithherceremoniesandshecouldn’twai
t
forherwedding.
“
Youar
ebackhome?
”Thokozani
wel
comed
Thembel
ihl
einsi
det
hehouse.Shesatdown
andsi
ghed.
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,andy
ouhavelostwei
ght
.”
Thokozanil
aughedandshookhi
shead.“
Yes,
i
t’
strue.
”
Thokozani
:“Usuyaphaphakemanj
e.Ihav
e
beeneati
ngv er
ywell.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iam j
ustkidding.Iam j
ustgl
ad
thatal
lthatisover
,weonl yhavet ogetdr
essed
upandgot othewedding.”
Thokozani
:“Yebo.I
twi
l
lbebeaut
if
ult
oo.
”
Thembelihl
enodded.“Who’
sthatmanoutside
thehouse?”Sheaskedtaki
ngoffherbl
ouse.
Thokozani
:“He’
syourotherguard,
hewi
ll
take
Mduduzi’
sspacebecausehei sgoi
ngonl
eave
Dali
subroughthi
m her
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay,Iwenttosi
sThokozil
e’
s
housef
ormyclothesandhermaiddi
dn’tl
etme
i
nbecauseIam astranger
.”
Thokozani
:“Wher
ewasThoko?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Theywentawayonaholi
day.”
Shest
oodup.“Iwantt
ogoandsleepbecause
tomor
rowIwil
lhavealongdaywi
thMakhosi.
”
Thokozani
:“Go.Iwi
l
lcookt
oday
.”
Thembeli
hletur
nedandlookedathim.“
You?”
shechecked.Thokozani
nodded.Thembel
i
hle
l
aughedandwentt oherroom.
Shetookoffhercl othesandlaidonherbed
naked.Shetookherphoneshechat t
edwi th
Dali
suonWhat sApp.Dalisuandhi sfamil
ywere
l
eavingforadayt heywer egoingto
MaCebekhulu’sbirthhome.Thei runcle,
MaCebekhulu’sbrother,(t
hecurrentking)had
i
nvit
edt hem onaf east.OnlyMaCebekhul u’
s
housewasl eavingalongwi t
hherhusband.
Thembeli
hlefel
lasl
eepwhil
etell
ingDal
isuthat
shemissedhim andshewasgoi ngt
omi sshim
more,
theylastsaweachothertheni
ghtofthe
cer
emony .Thebeaut
if
uldaytheyhad…
_
___
__

Sgonondowasbackandshewasbackst ronger
butshehadn’theardt
hatDal
isuwasgett
ing
marri
ed.Shewasi nsi
deherhutcl
eani
ngaftera
consul
tat
ion.Zodwaknockedonthedoor.
“Wai
toutsi
de.Iknowy ouareonyourper
iodsso
don’
tent
er.
”Shei nst
ruct
edherfi
nishi
ngoffthe
cl
eani
ng.Shethenwentt oatt
endherdaught
er.
Sgonondo:
“Whati
sit
,Nt
ombi
zodwa?
”
Zodwa:“Mama,Ij
ustcheckedmypostandI
havealet
tert
hati
nstr
uctsmetocomet o
Durbanon22ndofJanuary.
”
Sgonondo:“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoi
n
Durban?”
Zodwa: “Ihaveappli
edinDurbanUniv
ersi
tyof
Technologytost udyMarketi
ngandIgotafi
rm
off
er.Ihav esavedupenoughmoneyf ormy
st
udies.Iwantt ogoandst udy,
mama.”
“NO!”Sheroared.Zodwawi denedhereyes,
surpr
isedbythet onehermot herhadusedon
her.“
Youwi l
lnotgot othatpl
ace.”Sheadded
tr
yingtobecalm.
Zodwa:
“Whynot
?”
Sgonondo:“
Ihav
eot
herpl
ansf
ory
oumy
daught
er.
”
Zodwa:
“Whatpl
ans?
”
Sgonondo:
“Youdon’tneedtoknownowbut
j
ustknowthatt
hesepl answill
makeyouhappy
andyouwil
lbethemostl ovedandworshi
ped
woman.Mybeautif
ul daughter
.”
ShesaidtouchingherfacebutZodwawas
angr
yshej ustlef
thermot herandmadeher
waydownt ot hei
rhouse.Shewasgoi ngto
l
eave,shewant edtovi
sitherrelat
ives
KwaNongoma.May bethere,shewasgoingto
fi
ndpeacebecauset herewasnopeacewhen
shewasar oundhermot her.Shewonderedwhy
Godhadt otakehergrandmot herawayand
l
eav
ehercol
dhear
tedmot
her
…
_
___
_

Thembeli
hlewasonbl ackleggi
ngsandablack
l
ongsleeveteeshir
t.Shetookascarfand
wrappedi
taroundherwai sttohi
detheshape
ofherbumst hatt
heleggingsshowedoff
.She
hadthebl
uedoekonherhead.
Shemadeherwayt othenewguard,Nj
ongo.He
wasav erystr
ictmanandThembelihl
esawthat
ther
ewasnof ool
ingaroundwi
thhim.Andhe
wasv er
yquiet,areal
manofaf ewwords.
“Iam goingtoMakhosi ’
shousecany ouplease
dri
v emet herebecauseit
’shotoutsi
deandmy
outfiti
snotreall
yappropri
atetowalkaround
thest r
eets.
”Thembelihl
erequestonapol i
te
voice.Njongonoddedandst ooduphewent
i
nsi dethehuttotakethekeysandhisgun.
Thembel
i
hlewasal
readywai
ti
ngf
orhi
m
outsi
dethecar
.Heunlockedt
hecarandt
hey
steppedi
nsi
dethecar
.
Thembeli
hlei
nstr
uctedhim wheretheywere
goi
ngasMakhosi hadtext
edhert el
li
ngthatshe
wasalr
eadyatthetaver
nbuildi
ng.
“Youwill
waither
e?”Thembel
i
hleasked
steppi
ngoutofthecar
.
Njongo:“
Yes.
”Her epli
edonhi sbolddeepvoi
ce,
hewasamedi um heightman, l
ight
edskinned
withafewscarsonhisf ace.Hewasv er
y
i
ntimidat
ingt
oThembel ihleandshewasscared
ofhim.
Thembel i
hl enoddedandl efthimi nsidet hecar.
Shef oundMakhosi al
readymov ingt he
unwant edt hi
ngs,tool
sanddi rtout si
det he
tav
er n.Thet aver
nwasbui ltperfect l
y,ithadt he
dri
nkingar eaandt woroomsi nsidet hatthey
werest i
llgoingtodecidewhatt heywer egoing
touset hem f or
.Thetavernbui l
dingwasf enced
butitdidn’thavethegate.Thet oi l
etswer e
outsi
dethebui
l
dingandi
twasi
ndi
genous
toi
l
ets.
“Youwi
ll
startmakingmoneynow.”
Thembel
ihl
esaidjoini
ngMakhosi
onthewor
k.
Makhosi:
“Yes,
andt
hatwi
l
lmakeourl
i
ves
easi
er.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.Iam sur
e
yourhusbandisov
erthemoon.”
Makhosi
:“Youdon’
tknowhowmuchhappyhe
i
s.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ev
ery
onedeser
vest
obehappy
.”
Makhosi:“
Yes,
peopl
ecan’
tst
opt
alki
ngabout
yourcer
emony.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Itwasbeaut
if
ul,
isn’
t?”
Makhosi:
“Yesandaveuyi
gagu.
”Thembel
i
hle
l
aughed.“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkt
heyweregoi
ngtohi
tthe
ki
ng.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
oldhi
m hewast
hegr
oom
there.
”theylaughed.“Butt
hankyouforal
lthe
supportthatyougav eme.Idon’
tknowhowt o
thankyou.”
Makhosi
:“Youar
edoi
ngi
tri
ghtnow.
”
Theylaughed.“Yeah,that’
sri
ght.IhopeIwi
l
l
getthecooldri
nksf orfreewhenIam the
queen.”Sheteased.Makhosi l
aughed.
Makhosi:“
Youwi l
ldef
ini
tel
ygetthem.”She
smil
ed.“Hee!Ican’
tbeli
evethi
sisyounow,you
wereveryangrywhenyouheardyou’l
lbethe
queen.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,
hey.Ij
ustsawthatnot
accept
ingi
twill
makethingsdi
ffi
cul
tforme.”
Makhosi:
“Youdi
dther
ightt
hing.Dal
i
suwi
l
l
t
reatyouri
ght
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Justl
i
key
ourhusbanddoes.
”
Makhosi
giggl
ed.
Theyworkedwhi
lehav
ingaconver
sati
onand
thatmadethewor
kgosmoothlyevent
houghit
wasdif
ficul
tandthebui
l
dingwasdi
rt
ywi
th
pi
lesofoldandnewdust…
Njongowashav i
ngacol
ddrinkthatMakhosi
hadboughtforal
loft
hem.Hewasseat ed
i
nsidethecarwit
hThembel
ihle’
sphonethat
hadbeenringi
ngandheneveransweredit
.
Dal
isucal
ledNj
ongoseei
ngt
hatThembel
i
hle
wasn’
tansweri
ng.
“
Ndabezi
tha!
”Nj
ongogr
eet
ed.
Dali
su:“
Mbovu,
wher
eisThembel
i
hleIhav
e
beencal
li
ngher
.”
Njongo:
“She’
swi t
hMakhosi atthetavernthat
Mzwakhewi l
lopen.”Heexplai
nedlooking
cl
oselyt
ocheckifshewasst i
l
lseei
ngt hem
i
nsideandhesawThembel ihlecomingoutwi t
h
bucketf
ull
ofdirt
ywat er
.
Dal
isu:
“What
!”heexcl
aimed.“
Whati
sshe
doi
ngther
e?”
Nj
ongo:
“Shei
shel
pingMakhosi
cleant
he
taver
nIthinktheyar
ealmostdonenow
becauseIjustsawindl
ovukazicomi
ngoutof
thebuil
dingwithdi
rtywat
er.”
Njongoheardthebangi
ngsound.Dal i
suhad
bangedhisfi
stonthediningtable.“Iwanther
hereri
ghtnow!”heinst
ructedhisv oicedeep
andfull
offury
.
Nj
ongo:
“Wher
e?It
houghty
ouar
enotar
ound.
”
Dal
isu:
“IjustgotbackIwasn’
ttospendt
wo
ni
ghtsthere.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lbr
ingher
.”
Dali
su:“
Don’tdri
veherhome, j
ustgostrai
ghtto
herandtel
lherit
’stimetogo.I
fsherefuses
hol
dherhandandt el
lhert
ogetinthecar.Don’
t
beviol
entwit
hher .Thendri
veherstr
aightt
o
myhouseIwantt oseeherasshei snow.”he
gaveouthi
si nst
ructi
ons.
Nj
ongo:
“Iwi
l
ldoasy
ouhav
esai
dNdabezi
tha.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Good!
”hehungupt
hecal
l
.
Nj
ongosighedl
ookingatThembel
i
hleasshe
wasgat
heringt
hingstobur
nshewasworking
al
ongwit
hMakhosi .
Thatwast
hei
rlastt
askandt
heywer
egoi
ngt
o
l
eave.
Mduduzi hadtoldNj
ongothatThembeli
hlewas
stubbornandhehadswor nnottoevenshow
heralitt
lefr
iendl
ysidehehadandheknewt hat
i
twaseasi ertodohisjobi
fhewasn’tfr
iendl
y
withthepersonhewasguar di
ngespeci
all
y
wheni twasawoman…Hegotof fthecarand
madehi swayt oThembeli
hle…

[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE26
“Ndlovukazi
,it
’stimet ogonow. ”Njongo
i
nf ormedherst andi
ngbehi ndthem.Theywer e
standingafarfrom thefir
e.Thembel i
hletur
ned
asshehear dhisv oi
ce.Shel ookedathi m
drawingherey ebrowst ogetherintoaf r
own.
Shei gnor
edhim andl ookedst raighttothered
fi
re.“DidyouhearwhatIj ustsaid?”heasked
takingastepfor ward.
Thembel ihle:“
Yes, Ihear dy ouandIwon’ tgo
becauseIhav en’ttoldy ouit’stimet ogo.”She
sai
dhi dingt hefactt hatshewasscar edofhi m.
Shedi dn’tunderstandwhywoul dhej usttel
lher
i
twast i
met ogo?Shehadt ot r
usthim andj ust
fol
lowhi m asi nt
imi datingashewas?He
wouldn’thar m herthough, shet ri
edtocal m her
nerves.Dal i
suwoul dn’tsparehi mi fhedid.She
concludedbutst i
lldeci dedt hatshewasn’ t
fol
lowinghi m.
Njongo:
“Li
stenhere,
weneedt
ogo.
”Hesai
d
holdi
ngherwri
st.
“HHAYBO!”BothThembelihl
eandMakhosi
wereshocked.Themandr aggedThembel
i
hle
tothecarbutnotvi
olent
ly.Makhosi
fol
l
owed
aft
erthem.
Thembelihl
e:“Youcan’tf
orcemet ogo,where
areyoutaki
ngme! ”sheshoutedandNjongo
di
dn’tutt
erawor dtoher.Shetri
edtofi
ght
holdi
nghishandt oremoveitfr
om herbuthe
heldherti
ghter.“
Iwill
tel
lyourbossIwil
ltel
l
hi
m! ”shewarnedhim.
Njongo:“Okay
, y
ouwillt
ell
him.
”Hesaid
showingherthedoor.Thembel
ihl
ewasfor
ced
byhishardstrai
ghtf
orwardsquar
edfacet
o
stepinsi
dethecar.
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lseey
ou,
agai
n?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,Idon’tunderstandwhyI
havetoambushedl i
kethis!
”sheshout edand
Njongost
artedthecaranddr oveof fbef
ore
Makhosicouldsayawor dtoher .Thembeli
hle
gaspedashedr ov
et hr
ought hepaddl ehol
es
roughly.Hedi
dn’
tapol
ogi
es!Mduduziwas
betterheapol
ogi
sedwhenhedidthat
.She
compar ed.
Thembel
ihl
ewasr edangr
yandshewasn’t
tal
ki
ngunti
lshesawthathewasn’
tdr
ivi
ngher
home.
“Wher ear
ey out
akingme!”sheshout
edlooki
ng
aroundandsher eali
sedwherehewastaki
ng
her.“Areyououtofyourmindyoucan’
tdri
ve
met ohishouse!”sheshout
edfurt
her.
Njongo:“Itwil
lbebett
erifyoujustshutuporI
wil
l t
elly
ourhusbandt hatyou’
vebeenshout i
ng
atme.Wewi llseehowhewi ll
reacttothat.
”He
saidstoppingthecaronfrontyardofDalisu’
s
house.
Thembelihl
e:“
Howcany ousaythataftery
ou
havemanhandl edmel i
kethat!
”sheshouted
holdi
ngtheshoulderofcarseatthathewas
seatedon.
Nj
ongo:
“Youcangoi
nsi
de,
yourhusbandt
old
met
obr
ingy
ouher
e.”Hei
gnor
edher
.
Thembel i
hle:
“Bri
ngmeher eli
kethi
s!Andy ou
j
ustagreed?Howcany oudothat?Youdidn’t
tel
lhi
m IwasbusyandsoIwassupposedt ogo
homef ir
st?Huh?”hedidn’
tanswerher.“
Iam
notsteppingoutofthi
scar.Iwantt
oseey ou
carr
yingmei nsi
dethehouse!”
Njongoopenedthedoorandhewentinsi
de
Dali
su’
shouse.Theotherguar
dsdi
dn’twisht
o
behim seei
nghowangryThembeli
hlewas.
HefoundDali
sui
ntheloungehavi
ngjui
ce.He
waswatchi
ngTVseatedonthecouched
rel
axedont
heblackj
eansandblueNiketee
shi
rt.
“Ndabezit
ha,
Ihaveaproblem out
side.
”Hesaid
sit
ingonthecouchopposit
ehim.Het rust
ed
Dalisut
obeaf ai
rman,Mduduzi t
oldhim he
wasf ai
rwhenitwentdowntohiswi f
ebecause
heknewshewasst ubborn.
Dal
i
su:
“Ihear
dev
ery
thi
ngshewassay
ing.Iam
coming.”Hesaidi
napol i
tevoice,hi
sangry
cal
mv oice.Nj
ongostoodupandl ef
tnoddi
ng.
Dali
sugulpedthej
uicedownasi fhewastaki
ng
str
ength.Hethenputtheglassdown.
Hest oodupandwal kedoutofhishouse.Hi
s
wifewasbusyshout ingatNj
ongowhowas
seatedont hedr
iverseatqui
etl
ybutassoonas
Thembel i
hlesawDalisushekeptqui
et.
“
Youcan’ttal
know? ”Nj
ongoaskedi
nawhi sper
l
eaningbackonthechai
randhelookedather
t
hroughthecornersi
deofhi
seye.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Leav
emeal
one.
”Shewhi
sper
ed
back.
Dali
suopenedt hedooronThembeli
hle’
sside.
Shedi dn’
tst
epoutofthecar
.Shejustlooked
downandpl ayedwit
hherfi
ngers,
pull
ingand
bendingthem.
“Icall
edyouhere,nowwhyar esit
ti
ngher
e?”
Dalisuasked,
hisvoicef
irm andcal
m.Hehad
hishandsonhi spocket
s.
Thembel i
hledidn’
tanswerhim,shesteppedout
ofthecar .Dal
i
sutookast epbackandplodded
backinsidehishouse.Thembeli
hlefol
lowed
hi
m wal ki
ngslowlyafterhi
m.
Shedidn’tsi
tonthecouchshestoodonher
feetandDali
suwasseat edont
hecouch
opposit
eherdirect
ion.
“Didy ouseehowy oulook? ”Heaskedl ooking
atherupanddown.Thembel ihl
ewasdust yher
clothesweredust yblackandev enherlashes
haddust ,i
nsidehernost ri
lsthehairinthere
weredust y,
shewasdi rtyandsmel l
ingsweat y
thet hi
ckfemal esweat.“Ican’tevenrecogni se
you, Thembelihl
e.”Headdedl ooki
ngintoher
eyesbutsher emov edthem from hi
m.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwaswor
kingandsoIgotdi
rt
y.”
Dal
isu:
“Worki
ngf
orwho?
”hemov edf
orwar
d
si
tt
ingont
heedgeoft
hecouch.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwashel
pingmyf r
ienddon’
ttel
l
methereissomethi
ngwr ongt
here.Makhosii
s
myf
ri
end.
”
Dali
su:“She’
syourfri
endandIam your
husband!”heshouted.“
Youdon’
tgettogo
aroundandbeot herpeopl
e’
sser
vants.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Makhosi hel
pedmewi th
everyt
hingIneededwhenIwaspr eparingfor
i
zibizozami andnowwhenIam r eturningthe
favouryouar etell
i
ngmeIam herser vant?”she
askedst i
l
lstanding,shesawhewasangr ybut
shedecidedshewasn’ tgoingt
okeepqui ethe
wasgoi ngtolistentoher .
Dali
su:“That’sdif
ferent
,nowpeopl
eknowt hat
you’
llbetheirqueen.Theyhavetoseeyou
worki
ngi ntavernsdoingthi
ngsyoushoul
dn’t
bedoing.Whyar eyoushamingme?”
Thembeli
hle:“Iam notshami
ngy
ou,whydon’
t
youunder
st andthatIwasdoi
ngt
hisf
ora
fr
iend.
”
Dali
su:
“ Iwon’
tunder
standbecauseoft
hat
fr
iendyouhadtodressli
kethat?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ButIhav
ethisscarfcov
eri
ngme
andIaskedNjongotodri
vemet hatwaynoone
wasgoingtoseemel i
kethi
sandnobodydid.
”
Dali
su:“
Njongot
hemany
oushoutatl
i
kehe’
s
yourchi
l
d?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Heheldmywr i
stli
keIwas
nothi
ngandforcedmeinsi
det hecar
.Iwas
angry.Whogavehimthatr
ighttohol
dmelike
that?
”
Dali
su:“
Igavehi mtheri
ghtt odothatbecauseI
knewyouwer egoingtorefusewhenhesay si
t
wastimetogo. ”Heinf
ormedherand
Thembeli
hlejustwentquiet.Shehadnoot her
wordsforhi
m.Shej ustkeptquietandlooked
upatthecorneroftheli
vingroom.
Dalisu:“Iwil
lgett
iredofhavingt otel
lyouhow
tocar r
yy our
selfi
nt hi
skingdom.Thi sisnot
Durbanwher eyougettodot hingsasy ou
pleaseandnowy ouar enotjustagi r
lyouwil
l
bemywi f
e.Iwil
lgetti
redofy ou,Iam tel
li
ng
you.
”hesai
dlooki
ngint
ohereyesand
Thembel
ihl
ekeptherey
esst
il
l.
Shewasanger edbyhi swor dst
hatshewas
doingasshepl easedinDurban.Hedidn’teven
haveacl ueoft heli
feshewasl i
vingbuthewas
tooqui cktojudgeit.Shestoodthereholdi
ng
herbr eat
hnott obur st
.Sheknewherpl aceand
shedi dn’
twantt oleaveitbuthewasmaki ngit
dif
ficultforhertoremainonhershel l
.Dali
su’s
wife,shell.
Thembel i
hle:“Icangonow? ”Sheasked
showingnor emor se.Dali
sustoodonhi sfeet,
hi
sbr eathquickenedbecauseofanger .Het ook
stepsclosertowardsher.Thembelihl
ewasn’ t
l
ookingathi m shewasl ooki
ngasideatt he
showonTV.Shedi dn’
twanttolookathi m.
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dyousay
?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“IwanttogoIdidn’
tknowhel pi
ng
myfri
endmeantIwasshami ngy ou.It
hinkit
woul
dbebet t
erifyoujustwr
itedownthe
commandment sIhav etofoll
owtobey our
wife.
”Shesai dcur t
ly.Dal
isutaunthi
sjaw
feeli
ngdisrespectedi nhi
shouse.Hisfather
wast al
ki
ngaboutt his-si
ncehehadbegun
rul
ingnoonehadspokenr udel
ytohi
m andhis
wifehadt henerves.
“Lookatme. ”heinst
ruct
edher ,
hewast oo
closetoherandThembel ihl
ewasl ooki
ngdown.
Sher ai
sedherheadandl ookedathim.“Now,
repeatthewordsy ouhadjustsaid.
”He
requestedpoli
tel
y.
Thembel i
hlel
ookedathim awe, sheknewshe
shouldn’
trepeatt
hewor ds.Hiseyeswer e
somet hi
ngshe’dneverseenbefore.He’dbeen
angrywithherbutnotli
kethis.Thembelihl
e
keptquiet.
Dal
isu:“
Youcan’
ttal
knowMaSt
hol
e?”heasked
pol
i
tely
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Icanspeak.
”
Shepr
essedhert
eet
htoget
herasshef
elt
somethi
ngstrangecreepi
ngin.Herbreath
becameshall
owandwar m.Herskingavebirt
h
togoosebumps.Shehel dherri
ghtdustyarm.It
wastheeff
ectofhisbodybeingclosetoher,
shecoul
dfeel t
heheatofit
,theheatcreat
edby
anger
.
Dali
su:
“Youwill
notdowhaty
oudi
dtoday
,
agai
ndoy ouunder
stand?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iunder
stand.
”
Dali
su: “
AndIdon’ twanttoev erheary oushout
atNjongoj ustbecausehe’syourserv antit
doesn’tmeany ouwi l
lmakehi mf eelbel i
tt
le.
Hewasf ol
lowingmyi nst
ructionsandnot hingis
wrongwi ththat.
”Thembelihlenodded.“ Goand
takeashowerandchanget heseclothes.”
Thembel i
hle:
“ ButIdon’
thav eclot
heshere
besidesthegownandni ghtdress.Iwanttogo
home. ”Hedidn’tsayanythinghejustl
ookedat
her.Shedidn’tspeakfur
thershej ustt
urnedand
madeherwayt othebat
hr oom.
Dali
sutookhi
sphoneandcarkeys.Hel
eftt
he
housemakinghiswaytoGwabi
niwhowas
pol
ishi
nghisshoesundert
hetr
ee.
“
Let’
sdri
veuptomyfatherIwantt
osee
Mzwakhe.
”Hesai
dstandingbehi
ndhi
m
t
appi
ngonhisphone.
Gwabini:“
Yebo,
Ndabezi
tha.
”Hejumpedof
fthe
benchleavi
nghi
sshoesandthepoli
sht
her
e
wherehewassitti
ng.
Dali
su:“
No, t
akeyourt
hingsandputthem
i
nsideIwil
lwaitf
oryouinthecar.
”Hesaid
l
ookingattheshoesandpoli
sh.Gwabini
nodded.
WhenDalisuwasawayt heyhadbui l
tafive
bedr
oom onlyhousef orhisguards.Thehouse
hadonekitchen.Andt hemaidHleziphihadher
tworoomedhouset hatwasfarfrom the
guar
ds’house.Butev enwiththenewaddi t
ions
they
ardstill
hadt hebigspace.
Dal
i
sul
efthi
m andwentt
ohi
scar
.Heopenedi
t,
l
eftitopenedandwentt
oNj
ongo,
hewasst
il
l
i
nsidethecar.
Dali
su:“
Thembeli
hlei
sinsi
desincetheother
s
areher
ey oucangoanddoy ourt
hings.Iwi
ll
call
youtomorrowmaybeIam notsure.”
Nj
ongo:
“Ngi
yabongaNdabezi
tha.
”
Dali
sunoddedandwentt otel
ltheguar
dswho
werelef
tinhisyardt
hathiswif
ewashomeand
shewasn’tsupposedtol
eave.Theyneededt
o
keepaney eonher.
Hethenwentuptohi
sfat
her
’shousewi
th
Gwabini
dri
vi
ng.
“Youhavespokenwi t
hi ndlov
ukaziMaSthol
e
abouthersist
er?”Gwabi ni
askedlooki
ngat
Dali
suthroughthemirror.
Dal
isu:“No,Iam wai
ti
ngforherfr
iendtocal
l
meshewi ll
tellmewhatkindofl
ifeThembel
ihl
e
waslivi
ngwi t
hherbecauseever
ytimewhenI
mentionhersist
ershetur
nscoldand
uncomf
ort
abl
e.”
Gwabini
:“Youreall
yneedtogett
othebott
om
oft
hisNdabezithapeopl
earetal
ki
ng,t
heyare
wonderi
ngwhyshedi dn’
tcomeatheryounger
si
ster
’sceremony.”
Dal
isunoddedt
hinki
ngt
hathehadagood
poi
nt…
-
-
Thembelihl
ewasonherni ghtdr
essandgown
ontop.Shewasbusycooki ngwithherphone
withher
.Njongohadl ef
titwhenheleft
.She
wasseatedont hekit
chenchair
scoughing,she
hadaglassofwat eronherhand.Thephone
rang,Makhosiwascalli
ng.
“Mam Gumede, ar
eyoudone?”Thembeli
hle
askedopeningt hefr
idgef
ormil
k,thewater
wasn’thel
ping.Hlezi
phiwasal
sowi t
hher
i
nsidethekitchen.
Makhosi
:“Yes,
Iam doneandIwascal
l
ingt
o
askwhathappened?Whydi
dNj
ongoescor
tyou
tothecarl
i
kethat?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Myhusbandtoldhi
mto.”She
coughedandsatdownwiththemil
k.
Makhosi
:“HHAYBO!Why
?”
Thembelihl
e: “
Hehadapr
obl
em wit
ht hef
act
thatIwasn’thomeIwaswor
kingonthedust
.
Njongotoldhim.”
Makhosi
:“Yoh!Iam sor
ryIdi
dn’
tmeant
o
causet
roubl
ef ory
ou.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“No,
youdi
dnot hi
ngwrong.Iwas
hel
pingy
ou,youaremyfr
iend.”Shedr
ankthe
mil
k.
Makhosi
:“Ei
sh!Thembeli
hleIhopehewon’
ttel
l
yout
ostopbeingmyfriend.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
don’tworr
yaboutthatIwi
l
l
seeyouwhenIam backhomej ustt
oseeour
workbutl
ookIneedaf av
our.
”
Makhosi
:“Yeah?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Cany ouaskyourdaughtertogo
tomyhouseandt akejustt
wodr essesforme.I
wanttohavesomet hi
ngherebecauserightnow
Iam onagown.”
Makhosi:
“Iwil
lgot
aket
hecl
othesandshewi
l
l
br
ingthem.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
bye.
”
Makhosi
:“By
e,andt
hanky
ouf
orhel
pingme
t
oday.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”Shecoughed.
Makhosi:
“Di
dt hedustcausethatcoughi
ng?
”
sheaskedsoundingworri
ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tknowmychestdoesn’
t
feel
good.”
Makhosi
:“Pl
ease,
dri
nkt
hemi
l
k.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam.
”
Makhosi
:“Okay
,youwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Theysai
dthei
rgoodby
esandhungupt
hecal
l
.
Sheputthephonedownandst
oodupt
oat
tend
herpot
s.
“Ndl
ovukazi?
”Hleziphicall
edherout
.
Thembeli
hlelookedbackather ,
shewasseat
ed
downpealingthebutternut
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
sisi
.”
Hlezi
phi:“
Idon’tmeantobenosyorwhatbuti t
i
snotwi setotalktoyourfri
endsaboutt he
thi
ngsthatNdabezithahadsai dtoyouort he
thi
ngshedoesn’ twantfr
om y ou.I
fyouhada
misunderst
andingorargumentdon’ ttel
lanyone.
Thatshouldstaybetweeny ouandhi m.”she
saidl
ookingatThembel i
hle.
“IknowMakhosi isacaringfriendbutawi fe
shouldnevertal
ktootherpeopl eabouther
houseaffai
rs.Theyarey ourproblemswi thyour
husbandandy oursonly.Eveni fyouargued
aboutyourfri
endsorotherpeopl edon’tt
ell
thosepeoplebecausenowt hatwi l
lcausebad
bloodbetweenthatpersonanduNdabezi tha.
Ashi swi f
ey oushoul dmakesur ethaty ou
protecthisimageandt hatbeginsbymaki ng
suret hatyourchar act
eri snotquest i
onabl e.
Somet i
mesy ou’l
lber equiredtodef endhi m
eveni fyouknowt hathewaswr ongandy ou’
ll
havet odefendhi m, standbyhi m butwheny ou
areal onewithhimy ouwi l
lthent el
lhimt hathe
didn’tdothingsright.Awi f
edoest hat.”She
advisedherl ooki
ngdownnow.
Thembel i
hlesi
gheddi gest
ingherwords,t
here
wasal otsheneededt oknowaboutmar ri
age.
Ever
ythingshet houghtsheknewclearl
ydidn’
t
workinherr oy
al marri
age.
Thembel i
hle:“Thankyou,si
siIwil
lkeepthatin
mind.”Sher el
easedadeepsi ghaskinghersel
f
whydi dn’
ttheywar nherthi
sforei
gndream was
nevergoingt obeeasy…Andt hatitwasgoing
tobeabi gpar tofherl
if
e…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
EPI
SODE27

“Ndabezi
tha!
”MzwakhegreetedDali
susit
ti
ng
downoppositehi
minsidetheformerki
ng’s
l
ivi
ngroom.Hehadsummonedhi m asmeans
tospeaktohim.Mzwakhewasn’tworki
ngf or
Dali
subuthewaswor ki
ngforhisfat
her.
Dal
i
su:
“Howar
eyou,
ndoday
amadoda?
”
Mzwakhe:
“Iam f
ine,
Magebaandhowar
e
you?
”
Dali
su:“Iam t
roubled.
”Heconfided.Mzwakhe
drewhisshouldersfor
wardpayingattent
iont
o
hi
m.“ Iknowthatyourwif
eandt hesoont obe
queen,mywi f
etheyarefri
ends.Andgood
fr
iends.”
Mzwakhe:
“Oh,
yes,
yes.
”Hesai
dnoddi
ngand
smi
li
ng.
Dali
su:“Anddon’
tgetmewr ongIwantthei
r
fr
iendshi
ptoconti
nuebecauseyourwif
eisa
goodpersonandagoodwifet
oyouIbel
i
eve
shewil
lbegoodinf
luencet
omywife.
”
Mzwakhe:“
Butt
her
eissomet
hingwr
ong.
”He
pr
edi
cted.
“
Mywi f
ewasbusy‘helpi
ng’yourwif
eclean,
the
t
aver
nthaty
ou’l
lopen.Didyouknowabout
t
hat?
”Heasked,l
eaningbackont hecouch.
Mzwakhe:“
Hhaybo!Idi
dn’
tknow,
uMaKhumal
o
di
dn’
ttel
lmeaboutthat
.”
Dali
su:“Fr
om whatIheardtheyweredoinga
har
dt askthatneededmanpower .Thembel
ihl
e
wascov er
edindustfrom headtotoe.Whydid
youletyourwifedothathardt
ask?”
Mzwakhe:“Iwantedt
ohiretheboysbutshe
saidshewasgoingtodoit.
”Heliednot
real
isi
nghewasmaki ngDali
suangri
er.
Dali
su:“
Shewantedtodoit!Oh,
shesai
dthat
becausesheknewthatshewantedt
omakemy
wif
eherservant
?”
Mzwakhe:“
Ndabezit
ha,Idon’
tthi
nkthatwas
herpl
an.Onherbehal
fIjustwantt
osayplease,
for
giv
eher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Idon’
twantt
hist
oev
erhappenagai
n.”
Mzwakhe:“Icanassureyouthatitwon’
t
happenagain,Mageba.Iwil
lspeaktomywi
fe
aboutt
his.
”hepromi sed.
Dal
isu:
“That
’sgood,
youcanbeexcused
Phakat
hwayo.”
Mzwakhe:“Ndabezi t
ha,Mageba,
mnt wana.”He
pr
aisedhim standingwit
hhispal
mst ogether
assignofrespect.Hethenlef
tDali
sualone.
MaCebekhuluwalkedinafterMzwakhe.“Mama,
youareback?”Dali
sustoodupwhenhesawhi s
mother,
theyhaveleftheratherbr
other
’s
pal
aceinthemor ni
ng.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Mfanawami.
”Shesharedahug
wit
hherson.“
Howareyoudoing?
”sheasked
astheybot
hsatdown.
Dal
isu:
“Iam f
ine,
Ithoughty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
o
comebacktomorrow.”
MaCebekhul
u:“No,
mybrotherwasdonewit
h
whathewantedustodosoIfigur
edIshoul
d
comehome.Weshoul dt
alkaboutfi
ndi
nga
maidenf
oryourwif
e.”
Dal
i
su:
“Oh.Youwantt
ofi
ndi
tnow?
”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,Ishoul
dfindhernowandI
mustmeetwi t
hThembel i
hlenowisthetimewe
begi
nwiththeweddingpreparat
ions.It
hinkthe
whit
eweddingwi l
lhavetobethelastwedding.
”
Dali
su:
“Don’
tyout
hinky
oushoul
dlether
deci
deonthat
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes,
butIam j
ustr
unni
ngt
he
i
deasbyyou.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Idon’
thav
eaprobl
em wi
thany
thi
ngas
l
ongasatt
heendoft
hedayshe’
l
lbemywi f
e.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ishoul
dsendachi
l
dtogocal
l
her
.”
Dal
i
su:“Act
ual
l
y,she’
sinmyhouse.Il
efther
t
here.
”
MaCebekhulu: “
Hawu!Ufi
kanjeekuseni
!”he
l
aughednott ell
i
ngherthatwhyshewasi nt
he
house.“Okay,Iwil
lgot
oy ourhouseandspeak
toherthere.
”
Dal
i
su: “
Eh,MamaIam afrai
dyoucan’
tdot
hat.
”
Hesaidfol
dinghi
sli
ps.Heknewshewasgoing
t
ofindheronhergowns.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo!Why
?Whatdi
dyoudo
t
oher?”
Dal
isu:“
Hawu,whywoul
dyout
hinkIdi
d
somethi
ngtoher
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whyam Inotal
l
owedt
ocome
andseeheri
nyourhouse?
”
Dali
su:“
Eh,
Iwil
lbringhert
oyoutomor
row.
”He
suggest
edavoi
dingthequest
ion.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dali
su,umshay
il
e?”sheasked
l
ooki
ngintohi
seyes.Dal
isuwi
denedhiseyes.“
I
don’
tknowwhatt
othi
nk,
youf
oughtandhi
t
her?
”
Dali
su:“
No!Iwouldnev
erdothat.I
t’
sjustnot
appropr
iat
efory
outoseehertoday.
”Hesai d
fai
l
ingtofi
ndali
e.
MaCebekhul
u:“Oh,nkosi
yami
.Usul
alenay
e?”
shekeptonpushi
ng.
Dal
isu:
“No!mama,please.
”Hesaidstandingup.
MaCebekhul
ustoodupwi t
hhim.“Mama, Iam
goi
ngtotheroy
alhouse.”Hesai
dlookingat
her
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,br
inghert
omet
omor
row
t
hen.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iwil
ldothatIwi
l
lpassbyt
hehouse
bef
oregoinghome.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,ndodana.
”
Dali
sulef
tthehouseandMaCebekhul
uwent
backtothehouse…
Dali
sufoundThembeli
hleasleep,hehadaload
ofworktodoandacaset osol vei
ntheroyal
house.Hethenhadtopassbyhi smother’
s
houseashehadpr omisedher.Hehadhis
di
nnerthereandgothomeaf ter8:
30atnight
.
Hedidn’
twakeherbuthej
ustj
oinedheri
nbed
hol
dingher
.
Dali
suwokeupmi dni
ghtbecauseThembel
i
hle
wascouchi
ngnonestop.Shewasseatedon
herbut
tsonthebed.
“What’
swr ong?”heaskedput
ti
nghishandon
herback.Thembelihl
etur
nedtolookathi
m.
Herfacehadt ur
nedpink.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’snot
hingbutadr
ycough.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Didyouhaveanosecov
erwheny
ou
wer
ehel
pingMakhosi
?”
Sheshookherhead.“Thembel
i
hlewhywoul
d
youbethatcar
eless?
”heaskedget
ti
ngupfr
om
thebed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Wehadpouredsomedr
opsof
waterj
usttonumbthedust.
”
Dali
su: “Numbt hedust?Thatplacewasn’tused
byany onenotev enonceandaf terbui
l
dingit
theydidn’tuseit.I
magineallt
hatdustandy ou
aretel
lingmey ounumbedit.Youcameher e
dustyy oursel
f,youwerewhiteThembelihl
e!”he
shouted.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ngiyaxol
i
sa.”Shesaidl
ooking
down.Dali
sucli
ckedhistongueandlefther.
Sheheldherchest
.Itwaspainful
from the
i
nside.
Sherai
sedherheadast
hedoorwasopened.
Dali
suhadacupofhothoneyandl
emon.He
satdownnextt
oher.
Dal
i
su:“
Dri
nkt
hisIwil
ltakey
out
otheDoct
or
t
omorr
owforacheck-
up.”
Thembel
i
hletookthecupandtri
edt
odrinki
t.
Shest
opped.“Dr
ink.
”Heinst
ruct
edher
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’shot
.”
Dali
su:“
Yes,youhavetodrinkithot.I
twil
l
dampenthedrynessinyourchest.”Thembel
i
hle
noddedandtri
edtodrinkit
.“Idon’twantt
oever
seeyougoingbacktocleanthatdust.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wef
ini
shedcl
eani
ngt
oday
.”
Dalisu:“Hee!I
mi hl
olayamil
e.Andal lt
hatdust
i
si nsideyounow? ”Thembelihl
edidn’
tanswer
him.Shej ustdrankherhoneysyrup.Shetri
ed
togetupwi t
hthecup.Hest oppedher.“Sl
eep,I
wil
l goputitaway .
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Shecrawledbacki ntobedandclosedherey
es.
Dali
sujoinedher.Thembeli
hletur
nedasshe
fel
thispresence.Shelai
donhischestand
Dali
suheldherkissingherfor
ehead.Shesmil
ed
andclosedherey es.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youknowyoudon’
thavetobeal
l
toughonme.”shesaidonasl
eepyvoi
ce.
“Iwil
lbebecauseifIl
ety
oudowhatyouwant
thenthi
ngswouldbeamess.”Hesai
d
caressi
ngherface.
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButMakhosi
ismyf
ri
end.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iknow.Andy
ouar
emywi
fe.
”
“Let’
ssleep.”Shesaidrestingherl egonhi s
i
nnerl egandhert hi
ghonhi sinnerthigh.He
sighedtheshiverhefelt
.Dal isuclosedhi seyes
andmov edhishanddownt oherbums.The
nightdresshehadboughtwassi lkandshor t.
Hishandsmett hebarefleshofherbums.He
feltherchestri
singandfallingbackonhi m.He
brushedherbumswi thhissof thand.
Thembel ihl
eheldont ohisar mt i
ghtlyashis
fi
nger spavedawayi nfrom herbumst oreach
herf r
ont.
“
Whosaidyoushoul
dshav
e?”Heaskedona
l
azysof
tvoi
ce.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
iketokeep…my
selfclean…and
hai
rfr
ee.
”Hervoicej
ammedatthepleasure.
Dalisu:
“Ili
kethat.”Hewhi speredandhiswarm
breathhitherface.Shehel dhisfaceandgotup
tolayfull
yonhi m.Sheki ssedhim andDali
su
squeezedbot hherbut tcheeks.Thembeli
hle
cri
eddeeponhert hr
oatashi stongueti
ckl
edall
thesoftsweetpl acesinsidehermouth.
Dali
suwashardtheminut
esheexchangedher
tonguewi
thhi
s.Sheremovedherheadand
gaspedasshefel
thi
m.
“Don’ty
ouwantt otr
ytoday,bubbl
es? ”He
askedher,hi
sv oi
cehadturnedint
oasof tlure.
Thembelihl
elookedathi
mi nthedar k,she
closedhereyesasthebedsideli
ghtwast urned
onbyDal i
su.Helookedi
ntoherey es.Shej ust
nodded.
Shecrawleddownunder neat
ht hebl
anket
s.She
wasnervoust hatwhathadhappenedt hel
ast
ti
mewoul dhappenagai n.Sheswal l
owedhard
seei
nghim, sheclosedherey esandputhi
m
i
nsidehermout h.
Hetookherhandsandplacedthem whereshe
wassupposedtoputthem andhecoachedher
whi
lepayi
ngattent
iontothegreatpl
easurehe
wasfeel
i
ng.
“
Ouch!”Hegr oanedasshehurthim wi
thher
t
eeth.Thembel ihl
ewokeupwi ththebl
anket
s,
t
hrowingt hem onthefl
oor.Sheranawayand
wentlockedher sel
fint
hebathroom fr
ust
rat
ed
wi
thher self
.Shesatont hefl
oorandburi
edher
f
aceonherhands.
“Thembeli
hle?
”heknockedonthebat
hroom
door,si
ncehedidn’
tfi
ndheri
ntheguestr
oom.
“Thembeli
hle?
”hecall
edheragai
n.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justgo,
Dal
i
su.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam notupset
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam,
Ihur
tyouIshoul
dn’
thav
e
donet
hat.
”
Dal
isu:
“Itwasami stakeyouhav
enev
erdone
t
hisbeforeIunder
stand.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Doesi
tst
il
lhur
t?”
Dali
su:“
No!”hel
ied,
hewasstandi
ngonthe
doorhol
dinghi
mself
.“Comeout.
”Hesai
d.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youwon’
tmakemet
odoi
t,
agai
n?”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iwon’
t.Wewi
l
ljustsl
eep.
”
Thembeli
hlegotupfr
om thefl
oorandopened
thedoor
.Shestoodther
elookingdown.Dali
su
l
etgoofhispackageandsmileddownather.
Heheldherhandandpull
edherf orahug.
Thembeli
hlehel
dontohim.
Hecar
riedhert
obedThembeli
hlegi
ggl
edand
hi
dhersel
fonhim.Dal
i
suchuckl
ed.Helai
dher
downonthebedandcover
edher.
“Youcanlookatmeyouknow? ”Dal
isusaid
plant
ingasoftki
ssonherli
ps.Thembeli
hle
giggl
edandshookherhead.
“Ouch!
”hegr
oaned.Thembel
i
hleshotherey
es
openDali
sul
aughedashesawherlooki
ngat
hi
m wor
ri
ed.
Thembelihl
e:“Youarepl
ayi
ngme!”shecr
ied.
Dali
sulaughed.“Youdi
dn’
tgethur
tthel
ast
ti
me!”sheassumed.
Dali
su:
“No,
Idi
dIwasn’
tjoki
ngIcanev
enshow
you.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Idon’
twantt
olook.
”
Dal
isu:
“How?Becausey
ouar
etheonewho
hur
tme.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIsai
dIam sor
ry.
”She
remov
edhereyesfr
om hi
m.
“No,don’
tlooksad.
”Hesaidlif
tingherchi
nbut
shedidn’
topenhereyes.Helaiddownand
pull
edhertolayheronhischest.“Sl
eepnow.
”
hesaid…

Thembelihl
ewasseatedonthediningtable
withDal
isu.Theywer
ehav i
ngbreakfastand
readyt
ogot otheDoctor
.Theyhadamor ning
appoint
ment ,
shewasf eel
ingthechestpains
whenshedr ewherbreathbutshedidn’twantto
tel
lherhusband.Hewasgoi ngtostar
tafresh
withshouti
ng,sheknew.Shewasont hedress
thatMakhosi’
sdaughterhadbroughtforher.
Dalisu:“
Youarequiet
.”Hesai
dlookingather.
“Youar esti
l
lwor
riedaboutwhathappenedlast
night?”Thembel
i
hlewasn’tl
ooki
ngathim but
herplate.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No.
”
Dali
su:
“So,what
’swr
ong,
youar
est
il
lfeel
li
ke
coughi
ng?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youdi
dn’
teatmyf
oodl
ast
ni
ght.
”
Whenshe’dopenedthemi cr
owaveearl
i
er,she
wasgreetedbytheplat
eoffoodandthatmade
hersadthathedidn’
teat
.
“OH!
”Hesaidtaki
nghiscof
feecup.
Thembel
i
hlelookedathi
m.“Iat
eatmy
mother’
shouse.That
’swhyIdidn’
teat.
”He
cl
eared.Thembel
ihl
edidn’
tsayanyt
hingsheat
e
herf
ood.
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
eexpl
ainedThembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihear
dyou.
”
Dali
su:“
Cany ourel
axyourfacet
henunlessi
f
youdon’twantmetoeatmymot her
’sfood
becausether
e’sy
ourfood.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Butt
hat
’showIseei
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“WhenIam her
eyounev
ereather
food.
”
Dali
su: “Icamebackl at
elastnightandIwas
wit
hhersoIat eherfood.”Shedi dn’
tsay
anything.“Youcanbringthefoodt henIwil
leat
i
tnow. ”hesuggest edseeingthatshewasn’t
rel
axingherf ace.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sf
iney
oudon’
thav
eto.
”
Shest oodupwithherplate.Sheputitonthe
sinkandwentt othebat
hr oom t
obr ushher
teeth.Shethenwenttothebedr oom together
phone.Dali
suwal kedi
nside.
“Let
’sgo.
”Dali
sutoldhertaki
nghi
swal
letand
phone.Thembeli
hlegotupandfol
l
owedhim…

“Itol
dyout hatthedustist hecauseoft hi
sdry
coughy ouarehav i
ng.”Hewasf r
ust
rated.They
wer edr
ivi
ngbackhomef rom theDoct orwho
hadsaidthatthedustwast hecauseofherdr y
constantcoughing.Thembel i
hlewantedtobe
alonewiththeDoct ortotellherhowshewas
feeli
ngbutDal i
suwast herewi thher.She
couldn’
tsayalltheproblems.
Thembelihl
e:“
TheDoctorgav
emet
he
medicat
ionIwill
bef
ine.”
Dal
isu:“
Itwasn’tgoingtogett
othisi
fyou
di
dn’tgotothatplace.Thecementdustal
one
i
snotgoodf oryou.”shekeptqui
et.“
Andyou
j
ustkeepqui
et.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatshoul
dIsaykant
i?”
Het ur
nedandl ookedathershewasn’tlooki
ng
athim.Hedirectedhiseyesontheroad.They
werealoneinthecar.Hisguardsweredrivi
ng
beforeandafterhim.Theydrovei
nsilence…
TheygothomeandThembel ihl
ewentt othe
bedroom shewasf eeli
ngthepai nonherchest
wasgetti
ngst rongerbutshedi dn’twanttotel
l
Dali
subecausehewasgoi ngt ocontinue
shouti
ngather .Shel ai
dont hebed.Shewoul d
holdherbreathjusttoav oi
dbr eathi
ngnormall
y
becauseev er
ybr eathcameoutwi thpainfr
om
herchest.
“You’
ll
stayhereandyouwon’
tgoanywher
e.”
Dali
sutoldherwaki
nghert
ogiveherf
ood.
Thembeli
hle:“
Youdi
dn’
thav
etodot
hisIam
notbedr
idden.
”
Dal
i
su:
“TheDoct
orwi
l
lgi
veust
her
esul
tssoon
butyouneedt oeatandtaket
hemedication
shegavey ou.
”Thembeli
hlesatonherbuttsand
tookthefood.Hewassupposedtotellher
somethingimport
antbutnowhewasdi stract
ed.
Dal
isu:
“Ineedt
ogot ot
heroy
alhousenow.My
mom saidshewant
edtoseeyouIwil
ltel
lhert
o
come.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yout
oldher
?”sheaskedl
ooki
ng
athi
m.
Dal
isu:“
No,shewant
stospeakabout
somethi
ngelse.
”
Thembelihle:“Idi
dn’t
-”shecoughedandputt he
fooddown.Dal i
sulef
ttheroom, hecameback
witht
hegl assofwat erandgav eitt
oher.She
tookt
hegl asswi thherlef
thandandkeptr i
ght
handclosed.Shehadusedi ttocoverher
mouthandi thadblood.Shedidn’twanthi
mt o
seeit
.Dalisusatdownnex ttoherandtookher
hand.
“
No!
”sher
efusedt
ogi
vei
ttohi
m.Shel
ooked
athim hol
dinghertears.Hefor
cedthehand
openandhet aunthisjaw.Hegotuptotakethe
ti
ssueandhewi pedt hebloodof
fherhandand
fel
therpulse.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
aki
ngy
out
othehospi
tal
.
”
“
But
-”shedi
dn’
tfi
nishashest
oodupwi
thher
.
Dalisu:“Iwon’
twaitf
ortwodayswhileyou
coughbl oodhereandyouarehi
dingitfr
om
me. ”hesawt hetear
sonhercheeks.“I
t’
s
painful?
”shenodded.Heheldherhandtaki
ng
thet i
ssuewithbl
oodwithhi
m.
Thembelihl
esteppedi
nsidethecarandclosed
thedoor.Dal
isu’
sguar
dsdr oveoutandhe
fol
lowedthem.Hewasf uri
ousbuthedidn’t
wanttoshowherbecauseshewasf eel
i
ng
pain.
..
-
--
--
Mzwakhegothomei
nt hemorning.Makhosi
wasi
nthekit
chencl
eaning.Mzwakhesatdown
ont
hechai
rint
heki
tchent
abl
e.
“Hawu,y
ouar ebackbaba?”shehadturnedto
l
ookathim.Shesawsomet hi
ngwasn’tri
ght
wit
hhim.“Whatiswr ong?
”sheaskedsitt
ing
downont hechai
rclosert
ohim.Helookedat
her.
Mzwakhe:“
Whydi
dyouaskt
heki
ng’
swi
fet
o
hel
pyou?”
Makhosi
:“Hawu.Di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
”
Mzwakhe:“Youar
enotanswer
ingmy
quest
ion!
”heshout
ed.
Makhosi:“
She’smyf r
iendandIdidsayt hatif
shehadapr obl
em withitshedi
dn’thaveto
comebutasmyf r
iendsheagreedandshe
didn’
tshowthatshehadapr obl
em wi t
hi t
.”
Mzwakhe: “
Ofcourseshewasn’tgoi
ngtohave
aproblem wit
hitbecauseshe’
syourf
ri
endand
shewasgoi ngtofeelt
hatsheowesyou
becauseyoualsohelpedher.
”
Makhosi
:“Di
dshesaysomethi
ngabout
wor
kinghereagai
nstherwi
l
l?”
Mzwakhe: “No,Thembel
i
hledoesn’
thav
ea
probl
em butherhusbanddoes.Doyouhonest
ly
thi
nkthathewasgoi ngt
obehappywhenhe
hearsthathiswif
eisbei
ngyourser
vant
!”
Makhosi
:“Hesai
dthat
?”sheaskedr
aisi
ngher
hear
dtolookathi
m.
Mzwakhe:“
Yes!Andyouknowhowpeopl ei
n
t
hisvi
ll
ageli
kestogossi
p,soontheywil
lbe
t
alki
ngaboutthi
s!Whatwereyouthinki
ng?”
Makhosi
:“Mxm!”wi
thoutknowi
ngshef
elthi
s
bi
ghandli
ngerpai
nful
lyonherf
aceashe
sl
appedher.
Mzwakhe:“
Usuyey
isawena!Youar
esay
ingt
hat
t
ome? ”heroar
ed.
Makhosi
:“Ngi
yaxol
i
sa,
baba.
”
Hecl
ickedhi
stongueandl
efther.Makhosi
wi
pedhertear
sandstoodf
rom thechair
.She
proceededwithhercl
eaningevensoshe
wonder edhowThembelihlewasfeel
ing,
Dali
su
musthav eshoutedatherbecauseofher
mistake…Sheknewsheneededt oseeher
soon…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE28

Thembel ihl
ewasadmittedatTheBayHospi t
al.
Dali
sur equest
edaprivater
oom forher.They
admittedhertothepri
vateroom thathehad
requi
red.Theytookthetest
s, gav
eherdripand
theyhav eputt
heoralnasalmaskbecause
whenDal isubr
oughtherin,shehadbegun
wheezing.
“Ndabezi
tha!”TheDoctorcall
edDali
suhewas
seatedonthewai t
ingarea.Hehadhishead
l
ookingont hefl
oorbuthel i
ft
editi
mmediatel
y
ast
heycal
l
edhi
m.Hest
oodonhi
sfeet
.
Dal
i
su:
“Issheal
ri
ght
?”
Doctor
:“Yes,
shewi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.Ihav
erunsome
t
ests-”
Dali
su:“
TheDoctorhadalreadydonethat
!I
cameherebecauseIthoughtyou’
llhel
pher
fast
er.
”Herai
sedhisvoiceoutoffrust
rat
ion.
Doctor:“
Ihavealr
eadysentt
hebloodsampl es
tothelabbytomorrowwewi l
lhavetheresul
ts.
Butfornowwegav eheradr
ipherpulsehad
becomeweakbecauseofal lt
heexhaustion
fr
om coughing.Shewill
befi
neandy oucango
seehernow.”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Hi
sguardsfol
l
owedhim butt
heydi
dn’
tgo
i
nsi
detheroom wi
thhi
m.TheDoctorl
efthi
m at
t
hedoor.
Hesatonthechai
randheldherhand.
“
Thembeli
hle!
”hecal
ledherout
.Shewasn’
t
sleepi
ngbutshewasweakf
rom t
hesedat
ive
theyhavegi
venher
.
Thembel
ihle:“
Iam sl
eepy
.”Shesai
dlooki
ngat
herwi
thsleepyeyes.
Dal
isu:
“Okay,
justsl
eepnowst
handwasami
.I
am her
ewithyou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Won’
tyou…gohomeand…r
est
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lgobutwheny
ouar
easl
eep.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ine,
right
?”
Dali
su:“Fornowwehaveall
thereasonst
o
bel
ievethatyouar
efi
ne.IwasscaredwhenI
heardyouwheezeThembeli
hle.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Youwerescar
ed?”shewas
surpr
isedandshetri
edtomov eherheadto
takeacloselookathi
m buthestoppedher
.
Dali
su:“Cal
m down,yesIwasscar
edIthought
somethingreall
ybadwashappeni
ng.
”Het ol
d
hertr
uthful
l
y .Hewasscar
edandhethoughthe
waslosingher.
“Deat
h?”sheaskedf
ight
ingtokeephereyes
opened.Dal
i
suheldherhandsti
ghter
.She
l
ookedathim.
Dal
isu:“
Yes,Iam r
eli
evedt
oseet
haty
ouar
e
bet
ternow.”
“Hm.Hm. ”Shemumbl edandclosedherey
es
fail
ingt
ofightanyl
onger.Dal
i
sugotupand
kissedherfor
ehead.
Dali
su:“NgiyakuthandaMaSt hole.
”He
confessedforthef i
rstt
ime,het ol
dherheloved
herandashesai ditwit
hhismout h.Hef el
tat
easeandhef el
tstrangeatt
hesamet ime.
“Ungaphindeungi t
husekanj
e. ”Hepleaded.
Thembelihl
ewast ooweakandsl eepyto
respondbutshewant edtotel
lhimthatshewas
nevergoi
ngt oscarehim agai
n.Shewasgoing
tostayoutoftr
ouble’
sway .
Hesatdownonceagai
nhedidn’
twanttoleav
e,
yet
.Hewantedt
oholdherf
orafewmi nut
es
bef
orel
eavi
ngher.
Heappearedonthedoorstrongli
kehewas
neverweakwhenhewasal onewith
Thembeli
hle.Heappearedl
ikehewasnever
scaredt
hathemightloseher.
Dal
isu:
“Whowi l
lst
ayherewi t
hher?”heasked
hi
sguardslooki
ngatthem wit
hauthori
tythat
hehadoverthem.Theylookedathi
m.
Gwabi
ni:
“Whodoy
out
hinki
sfi
t,Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
isu:“Majol
a,youwil
lstayhereandmake
sur
enobodyent erst
hisroom besidesthe
Doctorandmyf amil
yandt hat’
sonly,mom and
mysisters.Doyouunderstand?”
Maj
ola:
“Yebo,
Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dali
su:“Iwil
lrequestthatpershi
ftonl
yone
nurseshouldbel ooki
ngafterher
.Idon’twant
them cominginandouther e.You’l
lbe
confused.
”
Maj
ola:
“Thati
sthebestopt
ion,
Mageba.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,wewi
l
lgo.Wewi
l
lseey
ou
tomorr
ow.Iwi
l
lor
derf
oodf
ory
ouandt
heywi
l
l
del
iv
erit.
”
Maj
ola:
“Yebo.
”
Dali
sugavehim hi
shandandtheydida
handshakehewastel
li
nghimt hathetrust
ed
hi
m withherl
if
eandMaj ol
areadthroughthe
shake.
Theguardsf
oll
owedhi
m ashewasmaki
nghis
waytotheDoct
ortogi
vehert
hei
nst
ruct
ions.
Heonlyl
eftt
hehospi
tal
whenev
ery
thi
ngwas
set
tl
ed.
“Ndabezi
tha,Iheardyousaidwearegoingback
tothehospit
al i
nthemor ni
ng.Weren’
twe
supposedtobeont heroadgoi
ngto
Johannesburg,tomorrow?”Gwabi
niasked
l
ookingatDalisuthroughthemir
ror.
Dal
isu:“Iwi
l
l havetosendmybrot
her.
”Hesaid
wit
houtexplaini
ngthathedi
dn’
twanttol
eave
hi
swi f
e.Hedi dn’
twanttogosi
tontheboar
d
tableswithmenanddi
scussbusi
nesswhi
lehe
didn’tknowwhatwashappeni
ngwit
hhiswif
e.
Gwabi
ni:
“Buty
ouar
eneeded.
”
Dali
su:“IsaidIwi
ll
sendmybr
other
!”he
shoutedthroughhi
steet
h.
Gwabini
:“Mageba.
”Heagr
eednoddi
nghi
s
head.
“Youwill
driv
emet omyf ather
’shouseIwil
ltel
l
Sbanitocomerightaway.”heinst
ruct
edhi
m.
Gwabininoddedhishead.“Youheardme?”he
askedrai
singhi
shead.
Gwabi
ni:
“Yebo,
nkosi
.”
Hepr oceededwi t
htappingonhisphone.He
sighedthinkingofhowt heevent
shadchanged.
Shewasf i
nei nt
hemor ningbutlooki
ngupset
thathedidn’teatherfoodbutnowshewas
sleepi
ngint hehospit
al.Hesighedagain.
“Ndl
ovukaziMaSthol
ewil
lbefi
neNdabezi
tha.”
Gwabinisai
dlooki
ngathi
mt hr
ought
hemi rr
or.
Dalisurai
sedhishead.“Youknowt hatshe’
s
stubbornsoshe’l
lbebackandy ou’
l
lrunaround
again.”Headded.Dali
sureleasedaweak
chuckle.
Dal
isu:
“Youarer
ight
.”Hemanagedt
osay
.He
cl
osedhisey
es…

Dali
suf oundhisfat
herandall
hiswiveshavi
ng
di
nnert oget
her.I
twasjustaft
er6pm whenhe
gothome.Dal i
susatdownwi t
hthem.He
greetedthem andtheyhadsmallt
alkswhil
ehis
mot herwenttogetfoodforhi
m.
“It
houghty ouwerecomingwit
hThembeli
hle
heresinceyoudidn’
twantmet ogodownto
her.
”MaCebekhul usai
dputt
ingaplat
ewit
h
foodinfrontofhi
m.Shesatdown.
Dal
isu:
“It
houghtIwasgoingt
oaskyoutogo
downtoher.ButIhadr
ushhertot
hehospi
tal
.
”
“
HHAYBO!
”Theywer
eal
lsur
pri
sed.MaKhoz
a
wasmor ei
nterestedtoknowwhathappened,
shewashopi ngt hattheaccidenthappenedand
shewasdy i
ng.Shedi dn’
tli
keany t
hingthat
broughthappinesst oDali
su,hetookherson’s
throne.Shebeli
ev edthat
.
MaCebekhulu:“Hhay
bo,
Dali
suwhatdidyoudo
t
oher?Iwant edtocomedownl
astnightand
youj
uststoppedme.Whatdidyoudo?”
Dali
su:“Idi
dnot
hingmama.It
oldy
out
hatev
en
yest
erday.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Whathappenedt
hen,
tel
lus.
”
MaMzobe:
“Wasshesi
ck?
”
Dalisu:“Shei
nhaledheav
ydustassi nce
yesterdayshewascoughi ngunt
ilshecoughed
blood.Ithentookhertothehospi
t al
.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Whatwasshedoi
ng?
”
Dal
isubr
ushedhi
sheadandpi
ckedt
hepi
eceof
chi
ckenf
rom t
heplat
e.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hewon’
ttel
lus,
baba.
”Shesai
d
l
ookingatherhusband.“AndIhavereasonsto
beli
evethati
t’
ssomethinghedidn’
tli
ke.”She
predi
ctedcor
rect
ly.
MaKhoza: “
Oh,thesewivesyout
aketoday
!
Theyarejustt
rouble.Whatdi
dshedo,Dal
isu?
”
shepressed.
Sbani
,Dal
i
su’
sbrother
,hi
sdeput
ysav
eDal
i
su
bybei
ngaredherr
ing.
“Hawu!Mntwana,
thankyouforcoming.
”Dali
su
saidl
ooki
ngathim ashewal
kedupt othem.
MaCebekhul
uandherhusbandturnedtolookat
him.
Sbani
:“BoMama, baba.
”Hegreet
edthem
pul
li
ngachairnexttohismot
her,MaMzobe.
Theygreet
edhim back.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”thei
rfat
herasked.
Dali
su:“IwassupposedtogotoJohannesburg
tomorrowforthebegi
nningofthey
earvi
llages
seminarbutIcan’
tgo.Iwil
lsendmybrother.
”
Sbani:
“What’swrongwhycan’ty
ougo?I t
’s
i
mpor t
antthatyouattendt
heseminarbecause
i
tisyourfi
rstoneast heki
ng.
”heasked
accepti
ngthefoodfrom hi
smother,
MaCebekhulu.
Dal
isu:“
Thembeli
hleisi
nthehospi
tal
itwi
l
lbe
i
nappropri
atet
oleaveher
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Butwear
eher
eDal
i
suwewi
l
l
keepaneyeonher
.”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iam notgoi
ng.
”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Mageba,MaSthol
ewil
lbeal
right
youneedtogotoJohannesbur
g.Howwil
l the
other
sfeelt
haty
oudidn’
tcomei ny
ourfi
rst
seminar
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Theywi
l
lhav
etounder
stand,
baba.
”
MaKhoza:“
Theywi
l
lnev
erunder
stand,
Mageba.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Kahl
e,kahl
e.Theywill
haveto
under
standwhat?Theywil
lunderst
andthatyou
arehomenur
singawoman?At
askt
hati
sn’
t
your
stodo.
”sheshout
ed.
Dal
isu:
“Whoshouldl
ookaft
erheri
fIdon’
t?
Andshe’snotj
ustawomanbutmywife,
mama.”
MaMzobe:“ButIdon’
tseeanyt
hingwrongifhe
stay
sbecausehiswif
eissi
ck.Whatiswrong
ther
e?”
MaKhoza:
“Ofcoursey
ouwi
l
lseenot
hing
wr
ongMaMzobe! ”
MaCebekhul u:“Therear enursesinthehospital
,
you’l
lgot her
eandbet henur sejustbecause
youlov eher?”Dali
sudidn’ tanswerherhejust
tauntedhisjaw.“Every
t hingforthetri
pisready
youar eleavi
nginthemor ni
ng.”Sheinst
ruct
ed
him.
Dal
isu:
“YoumademekingbutIcan’
tev
en
makedecisi
onsonmyown.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Ify
ouar
emaki
ngt
hewr
ongones
wewon’ tkeepqui
etevenyourcounci
lwon’tbe
happyiftheycanheart
his.Yourwi
fejusthas
fl
ue.”
Sbani
:“Mom anddadar
er i
ghtMageba,you
havet
ogotomor r
owmor ni
ng.MaSthol
ewillbe
al
ri
ght.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youwil
ll
eav
efr
om her
eyou’
l
l
sl
eepinthi
shouse.
”
Dal
i
su:
“So,
Iwon’
tev
ensl
eepi
nmyhouse?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No, Ican’
ttrustt
hatyouwon’
t
gobacktoRi
chards’baynowt oseeherand
she’
l
lbl
ackmail
youwi thtearsandyou’
ll
stay
.”
Ndabezi
tha:“Thi
swomanismakingy
ouweak
Dal
isu.
”Hesai dbef
oreget
ti
nguptol
eav
ethem
i
nthetable.
MaMzobe: “Justgo,
Mageba.Shewil
lbefi
ne,
yourmotherishereandwecanalsohel
pifi
t
getsser
ious.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tmaket
hingswor
se
MaMzobe.I twon’tgetworsethegirl
will
befine.
AndIthinkshewillhavetoli
vewi t
hmenow
unti
lherwedding.Iam gett
ingtir
edofher
chaos.Whatwasshedoi ngwi thdusttoget
si
ck?”
MaKhozamadeanot etofindoutwhatwas
Thembeli
hledoi
nginthedust.Dali
supushed
hi
splat
eandchai r
.Helef
tthem andmadehi s
waytotheroyal
house.Gwabinifol
lowedaft
er
her.
Dal
i
su:“Wearel
eav
ingi
nthemor
ning,
inf
orm
t
heother
s.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Andndl
ovukazi
MaSt
hol
e?”
Dalisu:“Iwil
lbeincontactwit
hheronthe
phone. ”hesaidwonderinghowshewasgoi ng
tof eelwhenshelearnsthathewasgoneand
wasgoi ngtoret
urnonlyaft
eraweek.Howcan
hej ustleav
eher?Hecl i
ckedhist
ongueoutof
frustrat
ionashepushedt hedoortohi
sthrone
room…
-
--
--
-
Thembel ihl
ekeptst ar i
ngatt hedoorhopi ng
thateacht i
mewheni topenedDal i
suwasgoi ng
tobet heonet oent erbuthenev erdid.Shehad
takenhermor ningbat handhadf oodshewas
j
ustseat edont hebedwai t
ing.Shedi dn’teven
haveherphonewi t
hher .Shel efti
tinDal isu’s
housewhenhewast akinghertot hehospi tal
.
Shewasf eel
ingbet ternow, shewasn’ t
wheezi ngbutshest illhadthechestpai nsbut
theywer en’
tst r
ongerl i
kebef ore.
Shewonder
edifhehadtoldherbr
othert
hat
shewasint
hehospit
al.Shesi
ghedtaki
ng
anot
herl
ookatthedoor.
“I
sthereaprobl
em ndl
ovukazi
?”t
henursewi
th
herasked.Shewasbusychecki
ngwhich
medicati
onwasshesupposedtogiv
eher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ist
her
eany
oneout
sidet
he
door
?”
Nur
se:
“Yes,
it’
syourguar
d.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,cany
oucal
lhi
m?”
Shenoddedandwentt ocal
lMajol
a.He
appear
edont hedoorwit
hjusthi
shead,
Thembeli
hlenoddedtel
li
nghimtocomein.
Maj
ola:
“Whati
swr
ong,
Ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wher
eisNdabezi
tha?
”sheasked
tr
yingnott
olookworr
ied.
Majol
a:“Hel
eftf
orJohannesbur
gthi
smorni
ng,
hecal
ledint
hemorningbutyouwerest
il
l
sl
eepi
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
eft
?”shechecked.
Majol
a:“Yes,
he’l
lbegoneforthewholeweek.
Hesaidwheny ouaref
reeIshouldgi
vey out
he
phonetocall
him.Doyouwi shtocal
lhim
now?”
Thembeli
hleswal
lowedthenewshard.Shej
ust
shookherhead.“
Ndlov
ukazi
?”hecheckedif
shemeantit.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam t
aki
ngmymedi
cat
ionnowI
wil
l call
himlater
,youcanbeexcused.
”She
i
nstr uct
edhim.Majolanoddedandlef
t.
Thembel ihl
etookhermedicat
ionf
rom the
nurseanddownedi t
.
Sheturnedandt r
iedt
osleepthi
nkingwhy
wouldhej ustl
eaveherl
iket
hat?Hedidn’tev
en
tel
lherthathewasgoing.Whywoul dheleave
herwhensheneededhi m cl
osertoher?
..
.
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
EAM

EPI
SODE29

Thenextday .Thembelihlewasr eadinga

magazine,shewassadt hatDali
suj ustleftand
shewasn’treadytocal lhimt ohearhi s
expl
anati
on.Shej ustconcl udedt hatheleft
becauseshedi dthi
st oher sel
f,shewast heone
whowentandl ookedfort roubl
eshedeser v
ed
tobealone.Shegoti tclearlyandshedi dn’ t
needhimtoclari
fythat
.Shedi
dn’twantt
o
wasteherenergyandhearhi
m saywhatshe
al
readyknewhewoul dsay.
Shehear daknockonthedoor.Shegavethe
orderthatt
heycoul
dcomei n.Thokozani
walkedin.Thembel
ihl
esmil
edandsatup
st
raight.
“Yougotmescar
ed.”Thokozani
sai
dgiv
ingher
thel
unchboxwit
hfoodhecooked.Thembel
ihl
e
smil
edandtookt
hef ood.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tknowt
hatt
hedustwas
goi
ngtobeaprobl
em.”
Thokozani:“
Youarenotusedtoi
tandy ou’
ve
beeninhali
ngitsi
nceyoucamehere.Thatdust
musthav edoneabiggernumber
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,Iam f
inet
houghIdon’
tfeel
thepai
nli
kebefore.
”
Thokozani
:“Youdon’
tlookgoodt
hough,
what
’s
wrong?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Not
hingi
swr
ong,
bhut
i.
”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
somet
hingi
swr
ong.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whot
oldy
ouIam her
e?”
Thokozani:
“Thekingtol
dmet hatyouareher
e.”
Shedidn’
tsayanythi
ngshejustlookedather
magazine.“Whathappened?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Not
hinghappenedbhut
iIam j
ust
gl
adthatyouarehere.
”
Thokozani
:“You’
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“HaveyouseenMakhosi ?Idon’
t
thi
nkshewast ol
dthatIam her
e.Ineedtolet
herknow.
”
Thokozani
:“She’
sther
easont
haty
ouar
eher
e.
Iwon’tt
ell
her.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
youar
esi
dingwi
tht
heki
ng?
”
Thokozani
:“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,Ishoul
dhaveknownandI
am sur
ethatyouarehappyt
hathelef
tme
aloneher
e.Heprobabl
ydi
dthi
stospitemebut
youknowwhatit’
sgood,i
t’
sal
lgood.Icant
ake
careofmysel
f.
”
Thokozani:
“Oh,that’
swhyyoudon’tlookgood,
youwanthim here?”Shedi
dn’tanswerhim.
“Okay,
Ishouldgot oworknow.Iwill
seey oui
n
themorningbeforeIgohome.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Thankyou,youar
etheonly
personwhocameher etoseemesince
yester
dayIspental
ldayal
one.”
Thokozani
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’scool
.”
Het appedhershoul
derandl
efther
.Maj
ola
enteredther
oom withhi
sphonehewassti
ll
tal
king.
“Yebo,Ndabezi
tha,
sheisnow.”hesai
dgiv
ing
Thembelihl
ethephone.Shet
ookthephoneand
putitonherear
.
“
Hel
l
o.”Shegr
eet
edpol
i
tel
y.
Dal
i
su:
“Youdon’
twantt
ospeakt
ome?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Inev
ersai
dthat
.”
Dal
isu:
“Iwai
tedyest
erdayhopi
ngyouwil
lcal
l
andwhenIcall
edatnighty
ouweresl
eepi
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
thav
ethephonewi
thme.
”
Dalisu:“IknowandMaj olaisri
ghtatthedoorI
saidy oucanusehi sphonet ocal
lmebuty ou
didn’tdot hatThembeli
hle.
”Shekeptquiet
.
“Howar ey oufeel
i
ng?”heaskedseeingthatshe
didn’twantt ospeakfur
ther.
Thembel
i
hle:
“If
eel
bet
ternow.
”
Dali
su:“
Byt hesoundofy ourvoi
ceIcantel
lthat
youarenotpleasedthatIlef
t.
”Hecheckedbut
Thembeli
hledidn’
tsupplyawor d.
“Thembeli
hle?”
Thembeli
hle:
“WhatcanIsay?YouleftandIdid
thi
stomy sel
fIgeti
tther
e’snot
hingwrongthat
youdid.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
It
’snotl
i
ket
hatMaSt
hol
eIhadt
o
gobecauseit’
simportantthatIat
tendthi
s
seminar.I
t’
smyf i
rstseminarastheking.
”He
didn’
twanttotel
lheritwasagainsthiswil
l
becauseheknewt hatwasgoi ngtocausebad
bloodbetweenherandhisf amil
y.
Thembeli
hle:“
It
’sfi
ne,busi
nesscomesf
ir
stI
under
stand,Ndabezi
tha.
”
Dalisu:
“No,
it’
snotl
ikethat
.Iwil
l-
”shef aked
thecoughanddist
urbedhim.“I
sev er
ything
alr
ight?”
Thembelihle:“
Yes, t
heDoctorisher
e.”She
coughed.“Wewi l
l speakl
ater
.”Shehungupt he
cal
landsi ghedpressinghert
eethtogether
.She
cal
ledMaj olaandgav ehi
m hisphone.
Majol
a:“Ishoul
dn’
tsendsomeonet
obr
ingy
our
phone?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“No,don’
tbothert
hem Iam good.
Haveyoueatensomething?”
Maj
ola:
“Yes,
don’
twor
ryaboutmendl
ovukazi
.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
eto,
becausey
oucan’
t
guar
dmewi t
hanemptyst
omach.”
Majol
a:“
Yourbr
otheral
sogav
emedi
nnerandI
at
einthemorni
ng.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,
youcantel
lthem t
obr
ing
youfoodandchangeyoutomorr
ow.”
Majol
a: “
Iwi
lldothat
.Ngy abonga.
”Thembel
i
hle
noddedandhel ef
ther.Shelai
dbackonthebed
andclosedhereyes…

TheDoct orgav ehert heresul

ts.Herl ungs
fai
ledt ousei tsdef encemechani sm towor k
againstthedebr i
sandusemucust oat t
emptt o
forcethedi r
tandpar ticl
esout.Itwas
overwhelmi ngdi rtcomi nginatonceandher
cil
i
awasunabl et omov efr
eelyandcombatt he
parti
clesoutoft hebodyandt hatall
owedt he
dir
ttot akeov er.Butt heDoctort r
eatedherand
soshewasr eadyt ogohome.Theyst oppedthe
dir
tbef oreitturnedi ntoaninfecti
on.
Doct
or:
“Ihavealsoinf
ormedy ourhusbandin
t
hemorninghecalledandIreall
yneedy out
o
l
ookaft
eryoursel
f.Don’
tfor
gettotakey our
medi
cati
on.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwon’
tfor
get
.”
Doctor
:“YoucangothenIwil
ltakey
ourfil
e
for
ward.Thekinghascl
ear
edthebil
l.Youare
goodtogo.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Shesmiledandnoddedtaki
ngthefi
lewithher
shelef
ther.Maj
olaent
eredtheroom andtook
thebagofhermedicat
ion.
Theybumpedi
ntoMawandeont
hei
rwayoutof
ther
oom.
“Theyar
edischar
gingyoual
ready
?”Mawande
askedandhuggedher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
theyar
edi
schar
gingme.
”
Mawande:
“Okay
,youar
efi
nenow?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Iam f
ine.
”Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam
goi
nghomenow.”
Mawande:“
Mybrothersuggest
edthati
twould
bebet
teri
fyougoandstayinhishouseunt
ilhe
get
sback.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Okay
.”Shecondescended
knowingthatshewasn’tgoi
ngtodowhatshe’
d
j
usttoldher.
Mawande:
“Iwi
llpr
oceedwithmywaybut
pl
easet
akethi
sIboughti
tforyou.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Thanky
ousi
siandt
hankyoufor
comingt
ocheckonmeitr
eal
lymeansalot
.”
Mawande: “
Youaremysist
er.
”Shehuggedher
fort
helastti
meandopenedthedoorforher
.
Thembeli
hlegiggl
edandst
eppedi
nsidethe
car.
Majol
adr ov
eof
faf
tert
heyhav
esai
dthei
r
goodbyes.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam notgoi
ngt
oMageba’
s
house.Iam goinghomeIdon’
twanttost
ayi
n
thathousealonewhil
emybrot
herishome
alone.
”
Majola:
“Butndl
ovukaziy
ou’l
lbewi
thHlezi
phi
andifNdabezi
thacomeshomeandy ouarenot
ther
ehewi l
lnotbehappy.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Pl
ease,j
ustletmegohomeIwi ll
j
ustcomewhenhe’ saboutt obehome.Pl
ease,
don’
tkeepmeprisonerthere.Pl
ease,
Iwon’
tgo
anywher
e.”
Majol
a:“
Eish.Youareput
ti
ngmeinanawkward
posi
ti
ontopleaseyouormyboss.Thati
snot
ri
ghtndl
ovukazi
.”
Shedidn’
tsayany
thi
ngshejustkeptquiet
.She
cl
osedhereyesandrubbedsof
tl
ywher eshe
hadthedri
p.
“Youarehome,ndl
ovukazi
.”Majol
ainfor
med
her.Shesl
owl
yopenedherey esandthey
gleamedwhenshesawt hatshewashome.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
Maj
ola.
”
Majola:“
Iwil
lhavetoaskthem tobri
ngyour
phonethenandwhenNdabezi thacal
lsyouwil
l
answerhiscal
ls.Iwi
lldr
iveyoubackon
Thursday.Nj
ongoisalsocomingback.”
“Nj
ongo?”sheaskedsteppi
ngoutofthecar.
“Wher
ei sMduduzi
?”sheaskedlooki
ngathim.
Shedidn’
twanttohearwhatshewast hi
nki
ng.
Majol
a:“
Oh,
Ithi
nkNdabezi
thai
stheoney
ou’
l
l
hav
etoask.
”
Shenoddedandwal kedi
nsi
det hehousewit
h
herbags.Shesatonherbedandat ethef
ood
thatMawandegaveher.Shethenlaidonher
bedandclosedhereyes…
“Wemf azi
!Vuka!
”MakhosishookThembel
ihle
awake.Sheyawnedandrubbedhereyessi
tti
ng
onherbutts.
Thembelihl
e:“Youcame?”sheopenedherarms
forherandtheyhuggedeachother
.“Iam gl
ad
t
oseey
ouher
e.”Shesmi
l
ed.
Makhosi:
“Yeah,Ij
ustwanttosaysorr
yifIknew
t
hathelpi
ngmewasgoi ngt ocauset
roubl
eI
wasn’
tgoingtoaskforyourhel
p.”
Thembelihl
e:“Fr
om meandy ou,weknowthat
wewer ejusthel
pingeachother.Wedon’
thave
crackourheadsnowbecauset hemendon’
t
seeitasthat.Wewillbeal
ri
ght.”
Makhosi
:“Buty
ougotsi
ck.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Howdoy
ouknowbecauseI
di
dn’
ttel
lyou?
”
Makhosi lookeddownandsai dnothing,Dal
isu
hadcalledherhusbandt otell
himthat
Thembel ihl
ewasadmi tt
edt othehospit
al.
Mzwakhewasf ur
iouswit
hherandMakhosi fel
t
responsibleforwhathadhappenedt o
Thembel ihl
e.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dal
i
sudi
d?”
Makhosi
:“Hecal
l
edmyhusbandandt
oldhi
m
thaty
ouwereadmit
tedIwantedtocomeand
seeyoubutMzwakheref
used.Iam sor
ry
Thembel
ihl
e.”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,don’
tbesor
ry.Ihav
esome
cakesher
el et
’sgohav
esomejuiceandeat
them.Whatdoy ousay?
”
Makhosi
:“Okay
.”
Shegotupandt
heyf
oll
owedeachot
hert
othe
ki
tchen…
“
Whenareyougoingtodresssear
chi
ng?
”
Makhosi
askedastheysatdown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Dr
esssear
chi
ng?
”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
fory
ourwhi
teweddi
ng.Youwi
l
l
hi
rethedr
essoryou’
ll
buyi
t?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwon’
thav
ethewhi
teweddi
ng.
”
Makhosi
:“Hawu,mf
azi
!Whydon’
tyouwantt
he
whi
tewedding?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tli
kei
t.
”
Makhosi
:“Youwantt
het
radi
ti
onal
weddi
ng
onl
y?”
Thembeli
hle:“Yes,Iwi
llhaveaceremonyto
exchangethev owsandt heri
ngsbuti
twon’tbe
whiteweddingcustomisedIwill
bewearingan
Afri
canpri
ntedgown. ”
Makhosi
:“Thi
sist
hefi
rstti
meIhearagi
rlnot
want
ingawhiteweddi
ng.”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“You’l
lseemywedding
wil
lbejustasbeautif
ul.”Shesaidandsmi
led.
“Aroy
al wedding.
”Shel ookedatherandt
hey
l
aughed…
-
--
--
Thokozaniwascomi ngfr
om workhehadj ust
gotofft
het axiandonthebusstop,
therewas
Zodwast andingal
onewithherl
uggage.
Thokozanistoodnexttoherandshejustgave
hi
m onelook.
Thokozani
:“Hawu,
umunt
uomuhl
ekangaka.
Whyar
eyoust
andi
ngal
one?
”
Zodwa:“
Iam wai
ti
ngformycousinhesai
dhe’s
comingt
ohelpmecarrythi
sbag.Ihav
ebeen
wait
ingf
orqui
tesometimenow.”
Thokozani
:“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Zodwa:
“KwaNt
anzi
justdownt
her
oad.
”
Thokozani:“Okay,l
etmehelpyou,Iwil
lpass
thatsidesoIwi l
ll
eavey
out her
e.”Zodwakept
quietandlookedatherwit
hquest i
oni
ngey es.
Thokozani:
“Iwon’
thar
my ounkosazana.Just
car
rymyl unchbagandIwil
lcar
ryyourbag,
unl
essifyouwanttowaither
emor eminutes.
”
Zodwa:“No,wecango.
”Shet
ookhi
slunchbag.
“Andyouare?”
Thokozani
:“Iam Thokozani
Sthol
eandy
ou?
”
Zodwa:
“Iam ZodwaMnguni
.
”
Thokozani
nodded.“
Youar
evi
sit
ing?
”heasked
st
eali
ngaglance.
Zodwasmil
edandanswered:“Iam v
isi
ti
ngmy
aunt
,myfat
her’
ssi
ster
.Ili
kestayi
ngwithher
.
Whodoyoustaywi
th?”shelookedathim.
Thokozani
:“Iam st
ayi
ngwi
thmysi
sterbut
soonshe’l
lbeleavi
ngme.
”
Zodwa:
“Why
,she’
sgoi
ngaway
?”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
she’
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
Zodwa:
“Wow!That
’sni
ce,
howol
disshe?
”
Thokozani
:“Onl
y22y
ear
sol
d.”
Zodwa: “
Yoh!That’
sanearlyagetogetmar r
ied
butit’
snotsomethi
ngtobesur pr
isedofaround
here.Womeninthev i
l
lagesgetmar r
iedver
y
young.”
Thokozani
:“Yes,
it’
str
ue.Ar
eyoumar
ri
ed?
”
Zodwa:“
Me?No, butIhavealwayswantedt
o
getmarr
ied,
hav
eaf amilyofmyownandget
awayfr
om mymom butIj usthav
en’tf
oundthe
oneyet
.”
Thokozani
:“Iwi
ll
takei
tasi
fyourmot
heri
sa
toughmother.
”
Zodwalaughed,alaughtertoburyt
hepainof
howshedespisedherf orbeingacont
roll
ing
motherwhotreatedhernotasadaught erbut
asherpri
soner.
Zodwa:
“Ir
anawaysoIt
hinkt
hatsay
sital
l
.”
Thokozani
laughedandt
heyl
aughedt
oget
her
.
“You!Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
”sheshout
ed
athercousin.
“Iam sor
ryIhadt odosomet hi
ngformama.”
Theboyexplained.“Iwil
ltakeitfr
om her
e,bhut
i
Thokozani.
”Hesai dtaki
ngt hebag.
Zodwa:
“Youknowhi
m?”
“
Yes,he’
sthebr
otherofournextqueen.
”He
r
epl
ied.
Zodwa:“The22-year
-ol
dwho’sgett
ing
marri
ed?”shelookedatThokozani
surprised.
Thokozanisi
ghedandnodded.“Oh,Lord!Ifeel
sor
ryf
orher
.”
Thokozani
:“Don’
t.Ihopeonedayy
ou’
l
lbe
boredandjustgoupt her
oad.
”
Zodwa:“
Ist
hatyourwayoft
ell
ingmeyouwant
toseemeagai
nbhutikandl
unkulu?
”
Thokozani l
aughed.“Iam ThokozaniandIam
prettysurendlunkul
uwouldt el
lyouthesame
thing.”Hesaidlooki
ngint
oherey es,theywer
e
standingandt heboywasl eavi
ngthem.
Zodwa:
“Shedoesn’
tli
kehert
it
le?
”
Thokozani
:“Youcancomet
omyhouseandask
heri
fyouwant .
”
Zodwalaughed.“Icancomewi tht
hedri
nksjust
tosaythankyouf orcarr
yingmybag.
”Shesaid
moving,Thokozanifol
lowedaft
erher
.
Thokozani
:“Thatisagoodi
deaandMt
hunzi
knowswhereIlive.”
Shesmil
edandnodded.“Butwhatt
ypeof
dri
nk?
”sheaskedst
andingshehadreachedt
he
endofherdest
inat
ion.
Thokozani:
“Iwoul
dn’
tmi
nddr
inki
ngt
heone
youli
ke.”
Shegi
ggledandnodded.“
Bye,
Thokozani
.
”She
sai
dwalkingawaysl
owly.
Thokozani
:“Bye,
Zodwa. ”Hesi
ghedandlooked
atherasshedisappearedheadmitt
edthatshe
wasbeauti
ful…Hewal keduptherockyr
oad
hopi
ngshe’dcomeby …
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE30

I
t’dbeenthreedayssinceDali
sulef
tNongoma.
Thembel i
hlehadbeenbusysketchi
ngdown
i
deasf orherwedding.Theyhaddeci
dedt hat
theyaregetti
ngmar r
iedonthe17thofMar ch.
Thembel i
hlewasonlyreal
isi
ngthenthatshe
hadli
ttleti
met opl
ant heweddi
ng.Shehad
spokentoDali
suoncesi
nceshe’
dcomeback
fr
om thehospi
tal
.
Shehadhernoseandmout hcoveredwi
tha
scarfandshewasbusyworkingonagarden
thatshewasstar
ti
ngforherbrot
her.
“Hawu, ntombiyoucandot hatki
ndofwor k?”
MaCebekhul uaskedstandingonthelandthat
shehadn’ tweeded.MaCebekhuluwaswi thher
guar dwhowasst andi
ngaf arf
rom them and
they oungladywhowor kedforherasher
mai den.Thembeli
hlel
if
tedherheadandsmi l
ed
quicklylooki
ngdown.
Thembeli
hle:“Iknowal mostall t
hehousehol d
acti
vi
ti
es.”Shesai dputtingt
hehoedownand
removedherscar fonhermout h.“Iwas13
year
swhenmom di edsoshel eftmewi t
h
enoughknowledgeshewoul dt eachmewhatI
neededtoknowev eryti
mewhenshewas
home.”explai
nedt akingoffhergar denglov
es.
Shewaswear ingbl ackjeansandgr eenl
ong
sl
eeveshir
twi t
hgardenbootsandthest
rawhat
.
Shehadpast edredwetcl
ayonherfaceto
prot
ectherfacefrom t
hehotsun.
MaCebekhulu:“
Iam i
mpressedandthatmeans
Idon’
thavemuchtoteachtoyou.”shesai
d
l
ookingather.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Icannev
ersayIknowenough
mama.”
MaCebekhul
u:“That’
strue.Iwentt
oyour
husband’
shousethinki
ngy ouaret
herebutt
hey
tol
dmey ouarehere.It
hendecidedtocome
here.
”
Thembeli
hle: “
Yes,Ij
ustcameher ebecauseI
wasboredt hereandbeingwithmybr ot
heris
bett
ert
hanbei ngalone.”Shetookthehoeand
pl
oddedupt oher.“
Iwil
l putt
heseinthehutI
am sor
rythaty oufoundmel i
kethis.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“No,
Ishoul
dbesay
ingsor
ryf
or
di
stur
bingyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
It
’sokay
,Idon’
tknowi
fitwi
l
lbea
probl
em i
fItakeabathfi
rst
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
oui
nsi
de.
”
“Thankyou.”shesai
dcl osi
ngthehut .
MaCebekhul uwenti
nsideandThembel ihl
etook
thebasinandpouredwat eronthet ap.They
didn’
thavethemoder nbathroom insidethe
house.Theyhadaoner oom outsi
det heyused
tobathbutThembelihlepref
erredbat hi
ng
i
nsideherbedroom mostoft hetimes.
“NowNdabezithawil
lknowyoudi
dn’
tgotohi
s
house.
”Majolasai
dbehindThembel
i
hlehewas
wait
ingforhi
sturnt
ouset het
ap.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
”
Sheli
ft
edthebasi
nandwentt othebathr
oom.
Theyhadthei
rbodywraptowelshangedonthe
wall
.Thembel
ihl
ebathed.
Shewrappedherwai
stwi
tht
hetowelonceshe
wasdownandshewor et
heshi
rtshewas
wear i
ng.Sheknewi twasi nappropr
iat
etowalk
outsidethey ar
dwi that owelonlywrappedon
herbody .Shetookhert hingsandusedt heback
entrancetoenterthehouse.Shewentt oher
room anddr essedupappr opri
atel
yinherj
ean
dressshehadr edesignedandsheputacl ean
doekonherhead.
Shethenwentt
otheki
tchenandprepar
edf
ood
forhermot
heri
n-l
awandhermaiden.
Shekneeleddownandputthetr
ayont
he
cof
feetable.Shebl
essedt
hefood.
MaCebekhul u:“
Thanky ou.”Thembelihl
esat
downont heoppositecouch.“ Iam hereto
checkony ou.Icoul
dn’tcomet othehospit
alI
wasbusy .ButIcanseey ouar efi
ney ouare
workingoutsideandyouhady ournosecovered
that
’sgood.”Sheremar ked.
Thembeli
hle:“Yebo,
Iwoul
dn’
twantt
ogoback
tothehospit
al.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Someonet
oldmewhat
happened,yourhusbandr
efusedtotel
lme.”
shesaidlooki
ngatherandsippedhercof
fee.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yebo,
andIknownowt
hatIwas
wrong.
”
MaCebekhulu:“That’
sgood.Iwantustot al
k
aboutt hemai
denf oryou.Youwanthertobean
ol
dl adyormiddleagedoray ounggi
rll
ike
i
qhikiza?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ial
readyhav
esomeonei
nmi
nd.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Who?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Sisi
’Hl
eziphiIl
iket
headv i
ces
shegivestomeandwegetal ongv er
ywell.I
wouldlikethati
fther
eisnopr obl
em Itakeher
asmymai denbecausethissi
deIhavenoone
thatIt
hinkcanbesui t
ableforme.”
MaCebekhulu:“Okay,
Iwil
lspeaktoDalisuwe
wil
lhavetofindanewmai dforyou.Andi fhe
doesn’
thaveapr obl
em Hl
eziphiwil
lbey our
maiden.Themai dcansl
eepinoneoft hehuts
andshecancookwi t
hHlezi
phibecauset
he
mencookalone.Thatwi
l
l bebest.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
mama.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Andyourwedding?Whatdoy ou
haveinmind?”shelookedather.Thembelihl
e
smiledandlookeddown.“Whatisit?”she
asked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lgogetmyj
our
nal
.
”
MaCebekhul
unodded.Thembel
i
hlewentt
oget
herj
our
nal.
Shesatnextt oMaCebekhuluandgav eherthe
weddingjournal.MaCebekhul
utookherreading
glassesfrom herbagandputthem on.She
readthroughandnoddedherhead,smi l
edand
thenlookedather .
MaCebekhul
u:“
It
’sbeaut
if
ulandwhydon’
tyou
l
iket
hatwhit
ewedding?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ijustdon’
tli
kei
tandIdon’
thav
e
areason.Doyout hi
nkMagebawil
lhavea
pr
obl
em?
”
MaCebekhul
usmil
edadmiri
ngther espect
whenshecal
lshi
m.“No,
hesai dtomeasl ong
asatt
heendofthedayyou’
llbehiswi f
e.”She
di
scl
osed.
Thembel
i
hlegi
ggl
edandnodded.
MaCebekhulu:
“Andchur
ch,whi
chonedi
dyou
at
tendordidyouatt
endi
t?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Weatt
endedamul
ti
raci
alchur
ch
i
nDurbanbuti
twaswhit
edomi
nated.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“I
nmyhouseweat tendt
he
chur
charoundhere,
ZCC.Idon’
tknowifyou
knowit
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whi
chZCC?Theyar
edi
ff
erent
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Nottheonewithagreenbadge.
Theonewheretheywearbl
ack,nav
yblueand
whit
easunif
orm.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Oh,Icanat
tendwi
thy
ouIdon’
t
haveapr
oblem.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That
’sgood.
”
Theydiscussedal otofthingsand
MaCebekhul ugav ehernumber sofpeoplethey
hadtomeet .Shewantedt ogowi t
hherand
Makhosi alongwithNozibusisowhent heyhad
todesigntheirdressesandt hegroomsmen.
Shewant edt obeinvolv
edi ntheplanni
ng.
Thembel i
hlehadnopr oblem withthat…
MaCebekhul uwant edtoaskherabouther
sist
erbutshedeci dedagainst,putt
ingthet
opic
i
nt heclosetforanotherday…
-
--
--
MakhosiandMzwakhehadopenedt hei
rtaver
n
andthecashwasr oll
i
ngin.Nozi
busi
sowas
backinThembeli
hle’
shouseshehadjustcame
backthatmor
ning,thedayaft
erMaCebekhulu
cameby .
“Wear edri
vi
ngtoMakhosi’
shousenow. ”
Thembelihl
esaidtoNozi
busiso.Theyhadjust
fi
nishedeati
ng.“
Inevert
oldherthatweare
goingtothedesi
gneronMonday
.”She
explai
ned.
Nozibusi
sowasdonewi thUniversi
tyshewas
goingtograduatet
hatyear.Shewasst i
l
ljob
searchi
ngandsoshedeci dedtocomedown
forherbestfr
iend’
sweddingplanni
ng.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Let
’sgo.
”
Thembel
i
hletookherphoneandtheyheaded
outmeet
ingThokozaniandZodwaont hedoor
.
Thembel
i
hlesmiledlooki
ngatherbr
other.
Thokozani
:“Ai
n’
tyougoi
ngt
ogr
eet
?”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Sani
bona.
”Shegr
eet
ed.
Zodwa:
“Yebo,
youar
eThembel
i
hle?
”
Thembelihl
elookedatherbrot
herandsmil
ed
thenshelookedatZodwa.“Yes,Iam andy
ou
are?”sheasked.
Zodwa:“
Iam Zodwaandy ourbrot
herwaskind
tometheotherdayndlunkulu.
”Thembeli
hle
l
ookedatThokozaniandheshr uggedhi
s
shoul
der
s.
Thembel i
hle:
“Justcall
meThembel ihl
ey ou
don’thavetobeformal.”Zodwal ookedat
Thokozaniandhewi nkedather .“Wewer e
rushingsomewher ewithmyf r
iend,Nozibusi
so.
Wewi l
lgi
veyouprivacy.Bye.
”Shesai dgiggl
ing
herwayoutoft hehouse.
Nozi
busi
so:
“She’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yeah,
shei
s.”
“Uhm whenarewegoi ngt
oy ourhusband’
s
house?”sheaskedoutoftheblue.Thembeli
hle
tur
nedt ol
ookather.Shel
aughedandl ooked
aside.
Thembeli
hle:
“Gwabinii
sinJohannesbur
gthey
wil
lcomebacktomor r
owIhavet ogother
e
tomorr
owmor ni
ng.”
Shenoddedandsaidnothi
ngasThembeli
hle
wasstari
ngather
.Thembelihl
easkedMaj
olato
dri
vehertoMakhosi
’shouse.
“Iam afrai
dwear enotgoi
ngtothetavern
ndlovukazi
.”Majol
asaidastheywereseated
i
nsi dethecaraf
terMakhosi
’sdaughterhad
i
nf ormedThembel i
hlet
hatMakhosiwas
wor ki
ngatthetavern.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
MajolaIwil
lj
ustgi
vehert
he
messageandleav
e.Ipromisey
ouIwon’tst
ay.
Pl
ease.
”
Maj
ola:
“Justcal
lher
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ng.
”
Nozibusi
so:“Let
’sgothereIwanttobuyalit
re
ofi
ronbr ew.Wewon’tstayandtodayis
Thursdayduri
ngthedaypeoplearesti
llat
work.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Hesighedanddr ovethem tothetaver
n…
Thembelihlesmil
edthinki
ngthathehadtoask
thatMajolabecomesherguardi nst
ead…
“Igiv
ey outwomi nut
es.Pleasebef ast
ndlovukazi
youknowhowt hingsaredoneand
youknowcl earl
yhowNdabezi thaislike.
”He
pleadedwiththem.Thembel i
hlenoddedand
theyheadedtot heent
rance.
Thet avernhadmor epeopl ethantheyexpect
ed,
thepeopleoft he15t hhadbeenpai dandso
theywer edaydr i
nkingwiththeirf
ri
ends.The
oneswhohadmoneyt owast einJanuary,
the
fatherswhor atherspendtheirmoneyonbooze
thant hei
rchil
dren,theladi
eswhof oll
owedmen
around.
“Yoh!Alley
esonus. ”Nozi
busi
sowhisper
ed
behindThembeli
hle.Themusicwasplayi
ngon
thejukeboxbutt
hedancef l
oorhadnoone.
Thembelihl
e:“Tell
meabouti t
!”shewent
str
aighttotheentranceoft
hecount eri
gnor
ing
thedrunkenvoiceswhower egreet
ingher
‘
Ndlovukazi’
.
“
Arey
oui
nsaneThembel
i
hle?
”Makhosi
asked
standi
ngupfrom herchai
r.Nozi
busi
sol
ocked
thecount
er’
sbugler.
Thembelihl
e:“
Ineededt
oseey
ouandi
t’
s
urgent
.”
Makhosi
:“Youhav
emynumberwhydi
dyou
comehere?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iam sor
ryIj
ustwant
edtosee
youi
nperson.Wear egoi
ngtothedesi
gneron
Monday.
”
Makhosi
:“Iam j
ustamessageawayandyou
shoul
dhavelef
tthemessageathomeandnot
comehere.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Wear
esor
ry.
”
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lcal
lyou,
pleasegonow.
”
Nozibusiso:“
CanIhave1,5li
tr
eofir
onbrew.”
Shegav ehertheR20note.Makhosit
ookitand
gavehert hechangeandthedri
nk.
Makhosi:“
Iam sor
rybutIhopey
ouunder
stand
Iam notchasi
ngyouaway.”
Thembeli
hlenoddedl
ookingsad,
sheturned
andlef
ther.Nozi
busi
sofoll
owedaft
er.
Theysteppedi
nsi
det
hecarandtheywerebot
h
qui
et.“
No, t
hanky
ouMaj
ola?”heteased.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Thembel i
hledidn’
tsayany t
hingshej ustl
eaned
onthewi ndowandcl osedherey es…Shehat ed
thelookonMakhosi ’
sface,shehatedhow
scaredshel ookedwhenshesawher .Shehad
neverseenherl i
kethatandwhenshesawi t
shehateditbecausesheknewt hather
husbandwast hereasonshewast hatscar
ed…
Dali
su,thekingwast hereason…
-
--
-
Dali
suwantedtogethomeFr i
daymorningbut
hehadtogot oDurbanfi
rst
.Hewantedt opass
byThokozi
le’
shouseinDurban.Nozi
busisohad
fi
l
ledhi
mi n,ontheli
fet
hatThokozi
lehadgiven
Thembeli
hlesi
nceshewasunderhercar e.
Musaknewt hathewascomingbuthedidn’
t
knowt hereasonandthatni
ghthehadasked
thatThokozil
emustbehomeandsoshewas
home.
Theywelcomedhi m warmlyint
otheirbeaut
if
ul
homeandDal isudi
dn’tfi
ndthereasonthathad
stoppedthem fr
om taki
ngThembel i
hleto
schooli
ftheyhadsuchal if
e.
Afterdinnerthet hr
eeofthem wereseatedon
theloungewi thoutthechil
dren.Thokozi
le
wasn’tcomf ortablebei
nginoner oom wit
hhim
nowt hatsheknewt hathewasgoi ngtomarry
hersisterandt heyreal
lyneededhimt ogi
ve
them thecont racttoworkinhisvi
ll
age.
“Bef
oreIgoanyf urt
herIj
ustwantt oknowt hat
whydidy outwohi dethefactthatThembeli
hle
hadbeenl i
vi
ngwi thyousincey ougotmarri
ed?”
heaskedput t
inghisphonei nsi
dehissuitpants
andlookedatt hem.Theywer eseatedopposite
him.
Thokozi
lel
ookedatherhusbandandpr
essed
herteet
htoget
her
.
Musa:“Wethoughtt
haty
ouknewsi
nceshe
l
iv
esthatsi
denowandshe’sgoi
ngt
obey our
wif
e.”
Dal
isu:“Oh,youknowshe’
l
lbemywi febuty
ou
di
dn’tcomet ohercer
emoniesThokozi
l
easher
ol
dersister
?”
Musa:
“Ndabezi
tha-
”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
Iwanty
ourwi
fet
oanswerme.
”
Thokozil
e:“Thembeli
hleleftt
hehousewithout
myper missi
onandshedi dn’
ttel
lmeshewas
gett
ingmar ri
ed.
”Shelied.Herhusbandheldher
handasmeanst oshowhert hatwaswrongt o
say.Dali
susawt heaction.
Dali
su:
“ Whydidsheleavesuchl
uxur
yand
chosetherur
alareas?”
Thokozi
le:“
Idon’tknowIthi
nky oushouldask
herthat
.”Sherespondedcur
tly
.Dalisutaunt
ed
hi
sjawast
hewomanmadehi
m angr
yfur
ther
.
Dali
su:“
Isee,t
hethingisever
yt i
meImention
t
hewor dabouthersist
erherfacechanges
fr
om bei
nghappyt osadandsot hatmademe
wonder.
”
HelookedatThokozi
l
ebutshewasn’
tlooki
ng
athi
m.
Gwabi
nient
eredthel
oungeandwentst
rai
ghtt
o
Dal
i
su.Helookedathi
m.
“
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
”Dal
i
suasked.
Gwabi
ni:
“Canwet
alkbr
ief
lyi
npr
ivat
e?”
Hest
oodupandt heywentout
sidet
hehouse.
“
Whatisi
t?”heasked.
Gwabi ni
:“Ei
sh,ndl
unkuluMaCebekhul
ucall
ed
meshout ingatmeaskingwheredidyousend
NjongobecauseMaj ol
af ai
l
stosay‘No’t
o
ndlovukaziMaSthol
e.”
Dal
isu:
“Whathappened,whatdi
dshedot
o
makemymom angr y?”
Gwabini
:“Shesayspeopl
esawndl ovukazi
MaStholegoi
nginsi
deMzwakhe’st aver
nand
theyar
ebusytalki
ngaboutthat
,call
ingher
namesandshami ngyourname.”
Dali
sucli
ckedhistongueandstoppedhi
mself
fr
om swearing.Hetookouthi
sphonefrom t
he
pocketanddiall
edThembeli
hle’
snumber.
Dali
su:
“Goandt
ell
thatwomantobr
ingmy
bagswearenol
ongerst
ayi
ngtheni
ght.Wear
e
dri
vi
nghomenow.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Youar
enotsol
vi
ngher
?”
Dali
su:
“Theywillcomedowntome.Theyneed
thi
sdeal.
”Hetoldhim maki
nghiswayt
ohiscar
.
Thembeli
hleansweredthecal
l
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hel
l
o.”
Dal
isu:“
Iam inDurbannow,whenIar
ri
ve
KwaNongomaIwantt of
indyoui
nyourhouse.
Doy ouunder
stand?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Thembelihl
ehadbeentol
dbyoneoftheguards
thatDali
suwasn’
tcomingbackhomeonFriday
.
Shethenwentbacktoherfat
her’
shousewi
th
Nozibusi
so.
Dal
i
su:
“Good!
”
Hehungupthecal
landopenedthedoortohi
s
carhest
eppedi
nandclosedthedoorbehi
nd
him.
Thokozil
eandMusawal
keduptohim.
“Ndabezi
thawi
l
lwegetachancewit
hyouwhen
wecomedown? ”Musaaskedpol
i
tel
y.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
youwi
l
lbutcal
lbef
orey
oucome.
”
Musa:
“Wewi
l
ldoso.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Good.Gwabi
ni,
dri
ve.
”
Henoddedandst art
edt
hecar.Dal
isuhadhis
coldeyeonThokozil
ehedespi
sedherforal
l
thethi
ngshewast ol
dshedidtoThembeli
hle…
Dal
isu:“Njongowi
llst
ayasherguar
dbecause
sheclearl
yisscar
edofhim.
”hesaidand
cl
i
ckedhi
stongue.
Gwabini
:“Butmay
bet
her
eisanexpl
anat
iont
o
t
his.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ibett
her
eis.
”
Gwabi
nikeptqui
etseeingthathewasangr
y,i
t
wasbet
tertokeepquiet…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE31

“
Nozibusiso.
”Thembel
ihl
eshookherawake.
Nozi
busisoopenedhereyesandl
ookedather
f
ri
end.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Whati
swr
ong?
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Thekingjustcall
edhewantme
togot ohishouseandhesai dhemustf i
ndme
there.Doyout hi
nkall
thetalksint
hevil
lagehas
foundhim? ”sheaskedsoundingworr
ied.
Thembel i
hlewast oldbyMakhosithatpeople
aretal
kingaboutherbei ngint
hetavern.She
didn’
tsaywhatt heywer esayi
ngbutshet ol
d
hertheywer et
alking.Makhosiwasangr ywhen
shecall
edher .
Nozibusi
so:
“Di
dhesoundedangr
yont
he
phone?”
Thembeli
hle:“Hedidn’
tevengreetmeNozzy.
He’sangryIshouldhavel
ist
enedt oMaj
ola.
Ndabezit
hawi l
lshoutatme.”
Nozibusiso:
“Getupandgetdressedmyf ri
end
may behewon’tbethatangrywit
hyou.”she
tri
edtocomf or
therbuti
tdidn’
twork.Shedidn’
t
tel
lherthatDal
isuhadcall
edheraskingabout
Thokozil
e.
Thembel i
hlenoddedandstoodup.Shet ookoff
herpy j
amasandwor eherl
ongnav yandred
ski
rt
, sheworeitwithalongsleevewhit
et ee
shi
rt.Shesatdownont hedr
essingchairand
combedherhai r.Shethenti
edthedoekt hat
mat
chedt
heski
rt
.
Shel ef
tthebedroom andwentt owashherf ace
ont hetap.Sheknockedont hehutonherway
backt othehouse.Thel i
ght sweresti
l
l onand
therewer egi
gglescomi ngf r
om thehut.Ev en
thatdidn’tmakehersmi le,i
tamusedhert osee
seri
ousmenwi ththeladies,li
keherbrother,
Gwabi niandtheotherguar dsshewoul djust
gigglealone.
“
Ndl
ovukazi
,i
sthaty
ou?
”Maj
olaaskedi
nsi
de
t
hehut
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,
cany
oudr
ivemet
omy
housenow.”
Maj
ola:
“Ndabezi
thai
sonhi
swayback?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
Majola:“
Yoh!Babyvuka!Vuka!”Thembel
ihl
e
heardhiminst
ructt
hepersonshewaswi th.
Onlythenshegiggl
edandwal kedaway.
“
Iwi
l
lseey
oui
nthemor
ning,
Iwi
l
lsend
someonet
ocomeandgety
ou.
”Thembel
i
hle
sai
dtoNozi
busi
so.
Nozi
busiso:“
Isthatevenwi
se.He’
l
lbeangr
y
andIwouldn’
twantt obear
ound.
”Shesai
d
pul
li
ngtheblankets.
Thembel i
hle:“Don’
tbesil
ly
,you’
llhavetocome
Iam sureint hemor ni
nghewil
lleaveforthe
royalhouse.”Nozibusi
sonodded.“Byethenmy
fri
end.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“By
e.”
Sheleftherr
oom wi
thabagwithsomeclot
hes
tochange.Sheknewshewasn’
tcomingback
andshehadoneout f
itl
efti
nhi
shouse.
“
Whereisy
ourl
ady
?”Thembel
i
hleasked
Maj
ola.
Maj
ola:
“Il
eftheri
nsi
de.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Idon’tmi
ndyoucandri
vebackto
yourroom wit
hher .Goandcal
lher
.Wewillgo
atonce.”
Majol
a:“Whydon’
tyousayy
ouwantt
oseeher
ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembel
ihl
elaughedloudly.“
No,
Iam sav
ing
youthet
roubl
e.”Shedenied.
Majol
a:“
Okay
.”Hesai
dandst
eppedoutoft
he
car
.
Thetal
ldarkski
nnedmedium si
zedwoman
openedthebackseatdoor
.
“No,taket
hefrontseatwi
thhi
m.”Thembel
ihl
e
stoppedhersmil
ing.Thel
adynoddedandwent
totakethefr
ontseat.
“Sawubona,ndl
ov ukazi
.
”Shegreet
edlooki
ng
backatherasMaj ol
astar
tedt
hecar.
Thembeli
hlesmiled.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
“Iam f
ineandy
ou?
”sheaskedst
il
ll
ooki
ngat
her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ine,mynamei
s
Thembel
i
hleandyouare?”
“
Iam Nomt
handazo.
”Shei
ntr
oducedher
sel
f.
Thembel
ihl
enodded.“
It’
snicet
omeetyou.
”
shesai
d.Thel
adysmiledandnoddedr
etur
ning
thewor
ds…
“Majola,canIspeaktoyou.
”Thembelihl
e
requestedsteppi
ngoutofthecar.
Nomt handazomadeherwayt ot heguar
ds’
house.Maj olast
oppedandlookedat
Thembel ihl
e.
Thembel
ihle:
“Wherei
sMdudduzi
?Don’
ttel
lme
Ndabezi
thawill
tel
lme.
”
Maj
ola:
“Hewenthomebecausehi
swi
fei
snot
wel
l
.Sheispr
egnant
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh,Iwaswor
ri
edIt
houghtt
hey
havef
ir
edhim.”
Maj
ola:
“No,
it’
snotl
i
ket
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,goodni
ght
.”
Maj
ola:
“Goodni
ght
,ndl
ovukazi
.”
Shenoddedandheadedt ot
hefrontdoor .She
sighedandoptedtoseatontheporchchai r.
Thehousehadt hefrontpor
ch.Shesatt here
thinki
ngabouthowhewasgoi ngtor eact.She
wasr egr
ett
ingnotl
isteni
ngtoMajola.
Afterawhi l
esitt
ingoutsi
deshest oodupand
unlockedthehousewi thherkeys.Sheclosed
thedoor ,t
ookoffhersandals,worehissli
ppers
thatwer ebythedoorandwentst rai
ghttothe
bedroom.Shet urnedonthel i
ghtsandputher
bagawayandl ai
dont opofthebedcov er
swi t
h
herclotheson…

Hesatdownont hebedafterhehadst oodby

hersideandl ookedatherasshewassl eepi
ng.
Het ookoffhisshoesandt ookagl anceathis
wristwatch.Thet i
mewasaf ter10pm.He
stoodupt hrowingthecl
othesont hef l
oorand
wor ehi
spy j
amas.
HeshookThembel
i
hleawake.Shesatonher
butt
sandyawned.Shel
ookedathi
m andl
i
cked
herl
ipsbef
oref
oldi
ngthem.
Dal
i
su:
“Unj
ani
?”heaskedl
ooki
ngdownather
.
Shelookedup.“Iam fi
neandhowareyou?
”
Thembelihl
easked,hervoi
cewaspol
it
eand
soft
.
Dali
su:
“Iam f i
ne,canyougetmeacupof
coff
eejustblackandtheusual sugarscal
e,add
col
dwat eri
nsteadofmi l
k.?
”Her equestedand
Thembelihl
estoodup.Shel ookedaside.
Thembelihl
e:“
Youarenothungr
y?”sheasked
eventhoughsheknewshedidn’
tcook.Dal
isu
shookhishead.
Shenoddedandwentt omaket hecupofcoff
ee.
Shewast hinki
ngabouthismood.Shecouldn’t
readit
, hisfaceseemedr el
axedandsowashi s
voiceitwascal m butnotangrycal
m.She
sighedr ai
singthekett
leaft
erithadboi
led…
“
Her
e’sy
ourcof
fee.
”Shesai
dsi
tt
ingnextt
o
hi
m attheedgeofthebed.Dali
sutookthe
coff
ee,hesippedont
hecoffee.Helookedat
hershelookeddown.
Dali
su:“No, l
ookatme.Looki ntomyey es.
”He
requested.Thembeli
hlerai
sedherheadand
l
ookedathi m.“Yougavemebl ackcoff
eewi t
h
theusual sugarscal
e,nomilkli
keIsaidbut
water.Youdi dexact
lywhatIsaid,nowtell
me
what’shar dforyout
odoot herthi
ngsasIhav e
saidthem? ”heaskedhisvoicecalm,andhis
eyescalm.
Thembel
ihl
ewastongueti
edandsoshel
ooked
down.Herai
sedherchi
nup.
“No,Isai
dlookatmeThembel
i
hle.
”Hef
ixed
her.“
Nowanswerme.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam sorr
yIdi
dn’
tmeanf
orwhat
happenedtohappen.”
Dal
isu:
“Takethiscoffeeandgoputthecup
awayafterdr
ainingt
hecoffeeonthesink.
”He
sai
dgivi
nghert hecup.Thembel
ihl
etookthe
cupandstoodup.Shewentt
odoorand
cl
enchedonthehandl
e.“
Wherear
ey ougoi
ng?
”
heasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yousai
dImustgoputt
hecup
away.
”
Dali
su: “
Whydon’ tyouopenthewi ndowand
drai
nthatcoffeeoffthewindowbecauset hat
’s
whaty oudo.Itel
l y
ousomet hingandy oudo
theoppositeofit
.Whydon’ tyoudoev eryt
hing
asyoupl easeThembelihl
ebecauset hat’
swhat
youaregoodat ,huh?”shelookedasidetongue
ti
ed.“Answerme! ”heshouted.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam sor
ry.
”Herv
oicet
rembl
ed.
Dali
sucl
i
ckedhist
ongue.
Dal
i
su:“
From t
omor
rowy
ouar
est
ayi
ngwi
thmy
mom.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Isai
dIam sor
ry.
”
Dal
isudi
dn’tsayanyt
hing.Shel
eftt
heroom
anddidwhathesaid.Shesatontheki
tchen
chairandcri
ed.Shef eltsmallandst upid.Why
wasn’tshedoingashe’ dsaidot herthings.
She’dalwaysdidev er
ythingthathersi sterhad
toldherbutwhywasn’ tshel i
steningtoher
husband?Shebi therselfupabouti t
,cr y
ing
alonewithherforeheadst ampedont hebackof
herhandsast heywer eont hetable.
Hewasst andi
ngbythekitchenentr
ance
l
ookingdownlist
eni
ngt ohercry.Hewasn’
t
t
hinkingbuthewasjustli
steni
ngtohercry
.
Her ai
sedhisheadwhenshehadst opped
cryi
ng.Helookedatherasshewipedhert ears
andshestoodup.Shepassedhimf astlooking
down.Hef ol
lowedheri
ntheirr
oom andcl osed
thedoor.
Helaidundert
hebedcov ersandstarr
edather
changingi
ntohernightdress.Whenshewas
doneshetooktheclotheshehadl eftont
he
fl
oorandputthem away .Shejoi
nedhiminbed
andfacedtheotherside.
Dal
isul
aidonhisbackandpull
edhertolayon
hi
m.Helaidherheadonhischestandheldher
ar
m.
Dali
su:“Iknowy ouwereangrythatIleftwi
thout
tel
l
ingyouandIdi dn’tmeantodot hat.Idi
dn’
t
meant oleaveyouwhi l
ey ouweresick.Iam
sorr
yforthat.Iam notplanni
ngondoi ngit
again.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ithoughtyoul
eftbecauseI
broughtt
hesicknessuponmy sel
f.
”
Dali
su:“No,Iwouldn’
tdothattoyou.I
twasmy
fi
rstseminarsoitwasimportantt
hatIat
tend
i
t.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iunder
standnow.
”
Dali
su:
“Thembel
i
hle,
Idon’
twanty
out
obe
scar
edofme.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam not.
”Shesaid.Sheplaced
herhandonhislowerab.“Iwaswhenwef i
rst
metbutnowIam not .MaybeIam alit
tl
eawe. ”
Dali
su:“Whywereyoucr
yingt
hen?
”Shedi
dn’
t
answerhim.“Andyouwantmetobel
i
evey
ou
thatyouarenot?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tli
key
ouwheny
ouar
e
angr
y.”
Dal
isu:“
Howdoy ouli
keme? ”Thembeli
hle
gi
ggledturnedherheadhidingitonhi
m.He
l
aughed.“Awuzikhohli
wenjeungumnt wanala
ki
mi.”Hesaidtickli
ngherandshelaughed.
“No!”shescr
eamedtr
yingtoholdhishand.He
stopped.“
Let
’ssl
eep,
please.Iwi
llaskyou
tomorrowabouty
ourtri
p.”Shesai
dgiggli
ng.
Hechuckled.“Okay
,ki
ssmegoodni ghtthen.
”
Herequested.Thembel
ihl
eraisedherheadand
pl
antedasof tki
ssonhisl
ips.Hechuckled.
Thembeli
hle:
“Goandswi
tchof
fthel
i
ght
sso
thatwecansleep.
”
“
Okay,
mam. ”Hegotupremov
ingherf
rom hi
m.
Heswi
tchedofft
heli
ght
sandjoi
nedherback
i
nbed…

“Wakeup!Wakeup!”Dal
isuwokeThembel
ihl
e
up.Shemadeacatsoundandshookherhead.
Dali
suchuckl
edandshookherawake.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whysoear
ly?
”sheaskedsi
tt
ing
onherbutt
s.
Dali
su: “
Let’sgoandcookbr eakf
ast.
”She
widenedherey esandlookedathim.“ What
?I
wasst ayi
ngal oneandsoIcancookbutnotas
goodasy ou.”hesaidpull
ingheroffthebed.
Shegiggledandhel dont ohisarm.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwi
l
lwashmyf
ace?
”
Dal
isu:
“No,
y ouwil
lwashy
ourownf
aceandI
wil
lwashmine.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Whydon’tIwashyour
sandy
ou
washmyf ace.
”Sheaskedlooki
ngathi
m
hol
dinghi
supperarm.
Dal
i
su:
“Il
i
ket
hei
dea.
”
Hesai dpushinghert othewall
.Heheldher
thi
ghsandl i
ft
edheruphepi nnedheronet he
wall.Thembel i
hlegiggl
ed.Herestedhisl
ipson
herlips.Thembel i
hlehel
dhisstrongarms.Her
breathwasal readyhighanditsentherst
raight
tothewor ldwher eonlyhi
m andherexist
ed.
Thembeli
hlecrossedherlegst
ightonhi
swaist
.
Heploddedhishandsuponherwai stal
ong
wit
hhersil
knightdress.
Underhi
stouchshewasawomanshenev er
sheknewshewascableofbei
ng.Shewasa
womanwor t
hyofever
ylov
ehewasgi v
ingher
.
“Dal
i…”herv
oicecri
edhi
snamedeeponher
thr
oatasDali
surubbedhersof
tbr
eastf
ocusi
ng
onherhardnippl
es.
TheyheardMaCebekhul
u’slaught
eroutsi
dethe
house.Theyimmedi
atel
ystoppedandDalisu
rani
ntothebathr
oom wit
hThembel i
hleasthey
heardthesoundoft
hefrontdoor.
Theybot
hlaughedasDal
i
suputherdown.
“Don’
teverdot
hat
!”Thembel
i
hlesai
dpoki
ng
hischest
.
Dali
su:“Tell
mey oudidn’tl
ovei
t,j
usttel
lme
that
!”Shegiggledandt ookoffherni
ghtdress.
“Whyarey outakingitoffasify
ouare
chal
lengingme? ”heteasedherputti
nghishand
onherwai st
.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
tel
lmeabouty
ourt
ri
pIwi
l
l
bathf
ir
st.
”
Dal
isu:
“No,let
’sgeti
nthet
ubt
oget
heri
twi
l
l
makethingseasi
er.
”
“DALI
SU!”MaCebekhul
ucal
l
edDal
i
suf
rom t
he
hal
lway.
“NGI
YAGEZA!”Heshout
edbackputti
ng
Thembeli
hlei
nsi
dethet
ubthathadcoldwat
er.
Shegri
nnedhert
eet
h.
“
OKAY,
USUDLI
LE?
”Sheasked.
“
CHA!”Herespondedbackj
oini
ngherinsi
det
he
t
ub.“
Let’
smakei tqui
ckMaSthol
e.”Hesai
d
runni
ngt
hewateronherbareback.
Thembel
ihl
eshi
vered.Dal
i
suchuckl
ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youwer eser
iousthaty
ouwer e
goingt
osendmet oyourmom today?”she
askedl
ayingherbackonhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Iwasser
ious.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
twantt
ogoandl
i
vewi
th
her.
”
Dal
isudidn’tsayanyt
hingher ubbedt hesoap
onherback.Theywashedeachot her’
sbodies
ki
ssinghereandt her
eunt i
ltheyreali
sedthey
werewastingtime.Theystoodont herubber
matanddr i
edt hei
rbodies…
“Iheardyousayingyoulov
eme.”Sheinf
ormed
ashepl acedhi
shandont hedoorhandl
e.He
turnedandlookedher.
Dal
isu:“
Howdidt
hatmakeyouf eel
,bubbles?”
heaskedsmi
li
ngdownather
.Shewasl ooking
down.Hehel
dherhand,
shelookedupandmet
hi
sey
es.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ibel
i
evedyou.
”shehuggedhim
andheheldher…Hedrewtheairdeepl
yand
rel
easedi
t…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE32

“Oh,youareheret oomakot i
.”MaCebekhul u
saidasDalisuandThembel i
hlesatont he
dini
ngt abl
ethathadf oodMaCebekhul u
prepared.“
It’
sgoodt hatyouarehere,justsit
down.”Shei nst
ructedherwithhervoicechicky.
Dali
sunot i
cedandsohel ookedather.
MaCebekhul uwasl ookingatThembelihle.
Dal
i
su:
“Mamai
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ever
ythi
ngalr
ight
?Howcan
ev
eryt
hingbeal
ri
ghtwhenthi
sgirli
sbusygoi
ng
ar
oundthevi
ll
ageenter
ingpl
acessheshoul
dn’
t
beenteri
ng.Yournamei
sont
hemudnow
becauseofher.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Mama,
Ihav
espokent
oherabouti
t.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“ Whatdi
dyousayt
oher
?”she
askedl
ookingintohi
seyes.
Dal
i
su:
“Hawu,
mama.Youcan’
taskmet
hat
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iam aski
ngy
ounowDal
i
su.
”
Dal
i
su:“
Iam notgoi
ngt
otel
lyouwhatIsayt
o
mywif
ewhenshedidsomet
hingwrong.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Oh.Okay
.Thembel
i
hle!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama?
”shedi
dn’
tlookather
.
MaCebekhul
u:“Dal
isui
smysonandi
fyouar
e
marr
yinghi
mt oshamehisnameast
heki
ngI
wi
ll
hav eaprobl
em wit
hthat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Mama,
please.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“You,shutup!
”sheraisedher
handasgesturet
ost ophi
m.“Iwill
nottol
erat
e
yourbehav
iour
.Peopleareshockedatthe
queenwhosetsherfooti
ntavernsandeven
makeherwaybehindthecounter.Whatwer
e
youdoi
ngther
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Ineededt
ospeakt
oMakhosi.I
wentt
oherhouseandshewasn’
tther
esoI
wentt
othetaver
ntospeakt
ohernottost
ay.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Ther
ear
ecel
lphonesnow,
don’
t
youknowthat
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Shewasn’
tanswer
ingherphoneI
neededtotel
lhert
hatwearegoi
ngtodesigner
wit
hy ou.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Youwentt othatplaceforthat!
Somet hi
ngthatyoucouldhav etol
dherchi l
dren
andtheyweregoi ngtotel
lher.Youcould’ve
sentthemessageshewasgoi ngtor eadthat
message!”sheshouted.“Youshamedmyson
andshamedhi sthrone.Nowpeopl eareev en
quest
ioningifyouarereal
lypure!”
Dali
su:
“What
?”heputt
hecupdownandlooked
athi
smother
.“Howist
hatanyoft
hei
rconcern,
huh?
”
MaCebekhul u:“
Whyar eyouangryi
stherea
problem orsheisn’tpureshe’
sfool
ingus?
She’sacitygir
lafterall
.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
houghty
oul
i
kedhermama.
”
MaCebekhul u: “
IdidlikeherandIam angrywi th
hershe’ snotwhatIt hought.She’
sjustahy ena
wearingasheep’ sski n!Evenyouryounger
motherwast roublewhenshecameher efrom
thecitybutshenev ershamedusshedi dall t
he
chaosi nsi
deourpr emi sesnotinthestr
eets.
Butthisonei sov er
doi ngi
tshe’staki
ngitt
ot he
publi
c!”
Thembelihl
ehadherheadl ookingdowncr y
ing
si
lent
ly.Shewascr ashingherheartapartand
shecouldn’
tevenut t
erawor dtodefendhersel
f.
Evenifshethoughtofdef endingher
selfwhat
wasshegoi ngtosay ?
Dali
su:
“Mama,don’tshoutatherli
kethi
s.She
knowsnowthatshemadeami stake.
”hewas
l
ooki
ngather
.
MaCebekhul
u:“Youaremaki
ngheryourwife
andthatmeansshe’
smydaughterIwi
llshout
atheri
fshedoesthi
ngsli
ketr
ampsdo!”
Thembeli
hlepushedherchai
rbackandl
eftt
he
tabl
e.Dal
i
sut r
iedtost
andup.
MaCebekhul u:“Sitdown!Achi l
ddoesn’tdoas
shedoes.Thi sishowt hesewi vesweseeon
TVbehav e.She’sbr i
ngingthatbehav
iourhere.
Sies!Andnowy ouwantt ogoandcomf orther
.
Youar et
oobl indedbyt hisgi
rl
.Tsk!Nobody
hasshamedusl i
kethis.”
Dali
sustoodupr egardl
essleavi
nghert al
ki
ng
al
one.Heopenedt hedoortothemast er
bedroom andThembel i
hlewasn’tther
e.He
checkedthebathroomsandhedi dn’
tfi
ndher.
Hefoundherinsi
detheguestroom standi
ngby
thewi
ndowcry i
ng.Dal
isuwalkedclosertoher
andhetr
iedtotouchher.Thembeli
hlet ur
ned.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Don’
ttouchme.”shesaid
thr
oughherteet
hwithherheartbl
eedingt
he
mostwherehismotherhadhurther.
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hleIam not
-”
Thembel ihle:“Iam atrampright?
”sheasked
tearsfall
ingof fherandherf acehadturned
pink.“Idon’twantt odoanyf urt
herdamageon
yourname.Idon’ twanttocausepainand
heartacheiny ourheart
.Iam sorr
y,okay.So,
saveusal l
t hetroubl
edon’ttouchmej ustl
eave
meal one!”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dIdot
oyou?
”
Thembelihle:“
Youhear dmyv oi
ce,that’
swhat
youdid.Yousear chedformeandf oundmei n
myf at
her’shouseandy oubroughtmeher efor
thi
s?”shewi pedhermucuswi thherhand.“ I
won’tshamey ounomor eDali
suZul u.Iwon’
t.I
am sorr
yf orev er
ythi
ngIhav
edone.Iam
l
eaving.
”
Shewi
pedhert
ear
sandt
ookst
epsf
orwar
d
goi
ngt
othedoor
.
Dali
su:“Idareyouwal koutt hatdoorandleave
meher e.Idareyou!”hisvoicewasf ull
ofpain
butaboveitallt
heaut hori
tywasbol d,toobold
thati
tforcedThembel ihl
etost andfrom where
shewasj ustbehindthecloseddoor .Where
nobodyhear dwhatwasgoi ngonbet weenthem
butonlythem andthebedr oom door s.
Shestoodt herepantingsheknewshedi dn’
t
wanttoleav ehim.Sheknewwant edhimt obe
theonetohol dherandt ellhernottocrybut
shewast i
red,tir
edofev er
ythi
ng,shewasn’t
evenmar r
iedy etandy ethershoulder
shad
weightt
hatshedi dn’tknowi fshecouldcarr
y.
Shefr
ozest
il
lasshefel
thi
shandhol
dherar
m
andhemadehertur
n.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwon’
tli
stent
oyou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justl
i
key
ounev
erdo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
ift
hat
’swhaty
ouwantt
ohearand
yes,againifthat
’swhatwillmakey oufeel
bett
er.”Hesai dtaki
ngoffthescarfaroundher
shoulders.Shelookedupathim.“ Thi
sis
betweenmeandy ou,notmymot herandnot
myf ather.
”Headded.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwantt
ogoDal
i
suandIwantt
o
gonow.”
Dali
su:
“Youar enotgoinganywhere.”Hesai
d
wipi
nghertearswithherscarfandheplacedi
t
onhernose.“Blowup!”heinstr
uctedher.
Thembel i
hleclosedhereyesandbl ewhernose.
Hewi pedhernosecl eanandevenl i
ft
edher
chintoseei fshewascompl et
elyclean.He
fol
dedt hescarfandputitonthefloorwithhi
s
otherhandhol di
ngher.
Hehuggedhert
ight
lyandshecl
osedherey
es.
Dalisu:
“Now, don’
tcryIknowy ouarenota
tr
ampandnotwhat ev
erthatpeoplethi
nkyou
are.Ift
heydon’twant,youast hei
rqueenthen
i
t’
st oughluckforthem becausether
e’l
lbeno
otherqueenbesi desy ou.
”hebr ushedherback.
“Youwi ll
notmar rymymom andshe’ l
lnotbe
theonet ot ouchy ouIwi l
lbe.Andy ouwi l
lnot
tell
meev eragai nthatyouar el
eav i
ngmeand
youwantt obel eftaloneunlessyouar eupset
andy ouwantt obeal one.Wear eont hesame
page? ”helookedatherandThembel i
hlewas
alsolookingupathi m.Shenoddedsl owlyand
l
aidbackonhi schest .
Thembel i
hle:“Ngiy akuthanda, Mageba,
Ndabezithawenawendl ovu!Uy i
ndlovu
enkulukaziehlathiniumauny athelakunyakaza
umhlabakuzwakal eukuthi usufi
kil
e”she
confessed,praisinghi m along,forthefi
rstti
me
wit
hherey escl osedandherhear tpumpi ng
harderandf aster.
Dali
subr
ushedhisfaceonhercover
edhead.
Hehadhiseyescl
osedandapr oudsmi
lehad
for
medinhismouth.
Dal
i
su:
“Ngi
yakut
handanami
.Uy
indl
ovukazi
yami ngihambaphambi l
iminawenauza
ngemuv akwami kancane,kancaneuhamba
unyeny el
auzibhekaubuhl ebakho.MaJobe
wami .Nkosaz anaemhl ophenjengezihlabat
hi
zolwande.Phumal angalothi
way i
mina
kuphel a.
”Hesweett alkedher,now, l
ookingint
o
herey esandThembel i
hlewasbl ushingnone
stop.Shegiggl edlastlyandsighedf eeli
ng
peacewi thi
nher …
“Gowashy ourfaceandwewi l
lhav
ebr eakfastI
wil
ltel
lmymom t oexcuseus.”hesaidstil
l
l
ookingather.Sheshookherheadt ell
inghim,
no.“
Yes,shewi l
lgoandIwi ll
goupt oherwhen
Iam goi
ngt otheroyalhouse.
”Hepr essed.
Thembeli
hle:“
Icancal
lmyf
ri
endt
ocomeher
e?
Il
eftherathome.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
youcandot
hat
.”
Shenodded.Dali
suopenedthedoorandlef
tthe
room.Helookedatherasshewenttothe
bathr
oom andheturnedasshehadclosedthe
door
.
“Mama,youcangonow.Iwi
l
lcomet
oyou.
”he
sai
dsi
tt
ingdownonhischai
r.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iam goi
ngbecauseshe’
s
upset
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Mama,
please.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ilovet
hisgi
rlshe’
smychi
l
dI
am j
ustangr
ywithher
.”
Dalisu: “Youdon’ tsaysuchwor dsasy ouhave
saidt osomeoney oulov emama.Youhav e
nevercal l
edy ourowndaught erstr
amps
regar dl
essoft heirbehav iourbutyouwer etoo
quickt ocal luMaSt holeat ramp,j
ustforgoing
i
nsidet hetav ernandl eav i
ng.It
’snotlikeshe
satt hereanddr ankboozeshedi dn’
tev en
spendf ivemi nutest here.ifyoudon’tknowhow
topr otecty ourownf rom peoplewhoal ways
havesomet hingt osay ,Iwillpr
otecther.You’
ve
hurther .”
MaCebekhulu:“
Prot
ectherandshe’
l
lkeep
shami
ngy ou.”
Dali
su:“Shewi
ll
li
vewithmamauMaMzobeti
l
l
ourweddingIwant
edhertostaywi
thy
oubut
youclearl
ywon’
ttr
eatherr
ight
.”
MaCebekhul u:“Icannev erdot hattoy ourwi f
e
Dalisu.Don’tsendhert oanot herwoman’ s
house.She’ smydaught erin-l
awandy ouar e
myonl yson.Theonl yboyIhav eIcannev er
makeami stakeofnotget t
ingal ongwitht he
girl
y ouhav echosenasawi fe.Soon, Mawande
andNokut hulawi l
lleav emet ogetmar ried.
Thembel ihleist heonl ydaught erwho’llstay
withmet i
llIdie.Don’ thurtmebysendi ngher
toyoury oungermot her.”Shepl eadedand
stoodup.Shet appedhi sshoul derandl efthim.
Thembeli
hlesatdownwi
thhim.she’dbeen
l
eaningonthehall
waywal
lsli
steni
ngtotheir
conver
sat
ion.Shehel
dDal
isu’
shand.Hel ooked
ather.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwi
l
lgoandl
i
vewi
thy
ourmot
her
notMaMzobe.
”
Dal
i
su:
“But
-”
Thembeli
hle:“
She’syourbi
rt
hmot herandso
mymot herin-
law.I
fshewantsmei nherhouse
Iwil
lgo.Youheardhershedidn’
tsayshedidn’
t
wantmebecauseshehadcal ledmenames. ”
Dali
susighed.“Okay,
y ouwil
ll
iv
ewithherand
yourfr
iendwill
hav et
ocomeal ongwit
hy ou.
Youwon’ tl
eaveheralone.
”Hesaidl
ookingat
her.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Theyblessedt
hef
oodandhadbr
eakf
ast
toget
her…
-
--
--
Dali
suhadsummonedbot hMakhosiand
Mzwakhetot her
oyalhouse.Hewasseated
downwiththem i
nsi
det heconsul
tat
ionr
oom.
Hisbrot
her
,Sbaniwasal sot
herewit
hhimto
di
scussthematt
erwitht
hem.Theyhave
greet
edeachot
herandhadsmallt
alksfi
rst
.
Thecoff
eeandbiscui
tswasser
vedtothem.
Dal
isu:“Iam surey ouawareoft
het al
ksar
ound
myv i
ll
age,thetalksthatbeganr
ightaft
ermy
wif
ehadent eredy ourtav
ern.
”
“
Yes,
wehav
ehear
d!”Theybot
hdi
dn’
tdeny
.
Dal
i
su:
“Andwhatar
eyourt
hought
soni
t?”
Mzwakhe: “Therumoursar enottr
ue.
Ndl
ov ukazimighthavemadeami stakeby
ent
eringthetavernbutthatdoesn’tmeanshe
wastheret odri
nkalcohol.Youknow
Ndabezithaevennonsai ntsgotochurchwit
h
noreasonst orepent
.”Heshar edhisvi
ews.
Makhosi :
“Iagr eewit
hmyhusbandand
Thembel i
hlehadpr ovedhersel
fthatshe’
snot
whatpeopl ethinkaboutthecitygi
rl
sandjust
l
ikeshe’sfrom t heci
tybuthasmor al
sthereare
gir
lsinthisvil
lageandotherv i
l
lageswhohav e
neverbeeni nthecitybuttheyhavenomor al
s
andnorespectatal
l.Peopl
ewil
lal
wayst
alk
Ndabezi
thawhetheryouaredoi
ngbador
good.
”
Dal
isu:
“Mm.Ihavetoagr
eewi
thyouonthat
.”
Henoddedandputhi
shandst
ogether
.He
l
ookedathi
sbrot
her.
Sbani:“Theyar
ejustnothappythatyouare
mar r
yinghernott
hegirlst
heyknowandl ove
andsot heywi
l
ltr
ytofindeverywronginher.I
seenot hingwr
ongwithMaSt hol
ebesidesbeing
stubborn.”
Theyal
ll
aughed.
Dalisu:
“Hhayi
.MzwakheandMaKhumal oyou
don’thavebeaty
oursel
fabouti
tthenbutIwil
l
requestthaty
ouneveral
lowherinsi
dethat
tavernandMzwakhe?”Helookedathim.
Mzwakhe:
“Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
i
su:“
Findafamil
yfr
iendorr
elat
ivewhohav
e
noj
ob,
takethem i
nandlett
hem workfory
ou.
It
’snotr i
ghttoletyourwi f
eworkther
ebecause
therearev i
olentandhungr ymenther
e.Shecan
gethur t
.She’srightstayi
ngathomelooki
ng
afteryouandt hechildren.
”
Sbani:“Mybrot
heri
sri
ghtbaba,MaKhumalo
shouldbeathomenotinthatpl
ace.Pr
otecther
from i
t.Shecanworki
fther
eisnoonebutnot
thati
tmustbeherfull
timejob.
”
Dal
isu:“
Wear enott
eachingy
ouhowt orul
e
andrunyourhousebutwearejustshari
ng
opi
nionsandconcer
ns.”
Mzwakhe: “Ihearyourpoi
ntandIwasn’
t
planningonlett
ingherworkther
eful
lti
me.
”He
toldthem t
ruthf
ull
y.
“Oh!
”theybot
hsai
d,l
ookedateachot
herand
nodded.
Dali
su:“Youcanenjoytheteathenwewi l
lbeon
ourwayout ,Mageba.”Hesai
dst andi
ngupwith
hi
sbr ot
her.Theylef
tMakhosiandherhusband.
Shelookedathim.
Mzwakhe:
“Wewi
l
ldi
scusst
hisathome.
”
Makhosi
:“Buti
twasn’
tmyf
aul
tPhakat
hway
o.”
Mzwakhe:
“Isai
d,athome!
”
Hest oodupandlookedather .Makhosi
gotup
l
eav i
ngthecupbuttakingt
hecake.She
fol
lowedhim.Mzwakhecal ledtheboyandtol
d
himtodr i
veherhome.Het henwentbacktohis
work…Makhosi di
dn’twantt ofeel
her
husband’sanger
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE33

Makhosididever
ythi
ngfastatherhouse
becauseshewantedtogobedear l
ybef oreher
husbandgothome.Sheknewhewasn’ tgoing
towakeherandsohewasgoi ngtocool down
andnotfi
ghtheraboutwhathadhappened.But
shedidn’
tknowthatthemanwasgoi ngt o
wakeherupi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ghtwhenhe
gothome.
Makhosi
: “
Youar
ehome.”shesai
drubbi
ngher
ey
essitt
ingonherbut
ts.
Mzwakhe:
“Yout
houghtIwasn’
tgoi
ngt
ocome
home?”
Makhosi
:“No,i
t’
sjustt
hatIwenttobedlate
wait
ingf
oryourret
urnandIfel
lasl
eepwithout
you.
”shegotupfrom t
hebed.“Youwil
leat?”
Mzwakhe:“
Whenhav
eIev
erhadf
oodaf
ter
midni
ght
?”
Shedidn’
tanswerhim shej
ustsatdown.
Mzwakhewal kedr
oundt oherandhestoodi
n
fr
ontofher.Makhosil
ookedathim.
Mzwakhe:
“ItmakesyouhappywhenIget
summonedbecauseofyou?”
Makhosi
:“No,
andIhav
esai
dthatIam sor
ry.
”
Mzwakhe:
“Thekingandhi
sbr
otherquest
ioned
meandaddressedmeli
keamanwho’ snotin
controlofhi
shousejustbecauseofthat
fr
iendshipyouhavewithhiswif
e.Thatmade
youhappy ?”
Makhosi
:“No,I
-”Asl
apst
oppedherf
rom
t
alki
ngfur
ther
.
Mzwakhe:“Youaresay
ingnoforwhat
r
easons?”heshoutedl
ooki
ngdownather
.She
wascryi
ngholdi
nghercheek.
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
rybutItr
iedt
ost
op
Thembel
ihleshedi
dn’tl
i
stentome.
”
Mzwakhe: “
Theminuteyousawherent erthe
tav
erny oushouldhavestoodupandpushher
outthedoort otal
ktoheroutsi
de.Whatwer e
youdoi ngwhenshewast aki
ngallthatti
me
walkingt owardsyou?”heasked.Makhosi di
dn’
t
answerhi m.“Youcan’
ttal
k?”heasked
unfasteninghisbeltandheroll
editonhis
hand.
Makhosihadhereyesl
ooki
ngdowntoseewhat
washappeningsheonl
yjumpedwhent
hebel
t
hi
thershoulder.Shecriedandtri
edt ostandbut
hepushedherbackont hebedandhi therli
ke
hewashitt
inghi schi
l
dnothi swife.Mzwakhe
wouldsl
apherwhenhewasext remel yangr
y
wit
hherbuthehadnev erhitthi
sintense.He
hadneverusedsuchv iolenceonherbutt ohi
m
i
twasdiscipli
ne.
Mzwakhe:“Iwillnotbedisrespect
edbecause
ofyou.Youneedt oknowt hatIam theman
hereandyouar ethewife.Youwi l
lnotdo
anythi
ngtodisrespectmyhonour .
”Hewas
preachi
ngsti
l
l hit
ti
ngherandMakhosi was
cryi
ng.
Makhosi
:“Ngi
yaxoli
sa,baba.
”Shepl
eaded.Onl
y
t
henMzwakhest opped.
Mzwakhe:
“Lookatme.
”
Makhosisatupstr
aightandlookedathi
m she
wassti
llcr
yingandherbodywasi npai
nfrom
al
lthebeati
ngsshehadr ecei
ved.
Mzwakhe:
“Youwi
l
lendy
ourf
ri
endshi
pwi
tht
he
queen,shewill
notcomet othi
shouseandnot
i
nmyt av er
n.Youwill
tel
lherthaty
ourrelat
ions
areoverandshemust n’
truntoherhusband
andcrytohim abouti
t.Doyouunderstand?”
Makhosi
: “
ButIval
uemyfr
iendshi
pwit
hherI
wi
llj
usttel
lhernott
ocomeatthetav
ern.
Ngyacel
a,baba.
”
Mzwakhe: “
No, cl
earl
yDal isuhasnocont rol
overhiswif
eandshewi llcomebackt othat
taver
nifyoudon’tendt hef r
iendship.He’
stoo
quicktosummonusi nsteadoff ixi
nghiswife.I
f
hedoesn’tf
ixhisownIwi llf
ixmyownandsav e
usboththetroubl
e.Doy ouunder st
andwhatI
sai
d? ”
Makhosi
:“Iam t
obehermat
ronofhonourwhat
shoul
dIdo?”
Mzwakhe:
“Shemustfi
ndsomeoneel
se!Tsk!I
f
Iev
erseeheragai
nher
e,y
ouwill
answerto
me.”
Makhosi
:“Iwi
l
lendourf
ri
endshi
p.”
Mzwakhe:
“Good.
”
Helefthertocryalone…Makhosif
eltpai
nnot
j
ustphy si
calpai
nbutpainofhavi
ngt obr
eak
herfr
iendshi
pwi t
hThembelihl
e…Wher ewas
shegoingtobegin?
-
--
--
--
-
Nozibusisowai tedont hecouchf or
Thembel ihleshewasbusyi nsi
det hebedroom
helpingDal i
sudr essup.Nozibusisogotupf r
om
thecouchandwentout sidehopingshewoul d
seeGwabi nibuthewasn’ taroundt hey
ard.She
sighedinf rust
rationandsatont hechairi
nt he
frontporch.
Thembeli
hlewaswal
ki
ngbehindDal
isumaking
thei
rwayoutsi
det
hehouse.Shehadhisbagon
herhand.
“Nj
ongoi
scomingbackt
oday
.”Dal
i
sui
nfor
med
Thembel
i
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Comi
ngbackf
or?
”
Dali
su:“He’
scomi
ngbackonhi
sjobasy
our
guard.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“What
?ButIdon’
twanthi
m Iwant
Majol
a.”
“YouwantMajolabecauseherespect
sy outoo
mucht osaynotoyou?”heaskedopeningthe
door.Thembel
ihl
ewor ehersandal
sandwalked
outwithhi
m.
Thembelihl
e:“No,buthe’
sbettert
hanNj ongo.
Njongoisjusti
ntimi
dati
ngIjustdon’twant
him.”shesaidclosi
ngthedoorfoll
owinghimto
thecarnotnotici
ngherfr
iendoutsi
det he
porch.
Dalisu:“
Iam afrai
dIthinkhe’sfi
tforthejob.
NjongoandMduduzi will
wor kforyou.Mduduzi
i
sy ourdriverandNjongoy ourguard.Iwil
ltake
Gwabi ni
.”Hesaidlooki
ngatherast hey
reachedt hecar.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Gi
vemeGwabi
ni.
”
Dal
i
su:
“No.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
AndwhydoIhav
etwopeopl
e
whil
eyouhaveone?
”
Dali
su:“
Idon’thaveone,Maj ol
aandj oewillbe
hereal
ldayandItakeot herguysupi ntheroyal
housewhenIam goingsomewher e.”She
sul
ked.Hepulledherforahug.“ Iwi
llcome
backearl
ytodayandIwi llspendti
mewi t
hyou,
j
ustusalone.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Youpr
omi
seme?
”Sheasked.
Dal
isu:“
Yes,Ipr
omisey
ou.”hesai
dthatand
pl
antedasoftki
ssonherl
i
ps.“Il
oveyou,
MaSthol
e.”
Thembel ihl
e:“
Iloveyout oo,
Dali
.”Shegiggled
andheshookhi sheadopeningthedoor.
Thembel ihl
egavehim hisbagoncehewas
seatedinsidethecar.“
Wher eisGwabini
? ”she
askedlookingaroundandsawNozi busi
soout .
Shesmi ledandshesmi ledback.
Dali
su:“
Hootthecarhewillcomeout
.”He
suggest
ed.Thembeli
hlenoddedandwentt
o
hoottwi
ce.
“YES!YES!IAM THERE! ”Heappear edfr
om the
treesr unni
ng.Theirhousewasdownatt he
cor neroftheyard.Thet reescovereditf
rom the
mai nhouse.Thembel i
hlelaughedandpoi nt
ed
thepor chwi
thherey es.Gwabi nil
ookedatthe
directi
onandsmi l
edt henbackt oThembel i
hle.
Gwabi
ni:
“Ndl
ovukazi
,wheni
sshel
eav
ing?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
tyouhav
ehernumber
s?”
Gwabi
ni:
“No!
”
Dal
i
su:“What
’sal
lthegossi
pingaboutnow,
Gwabi
niweneedtogoplease.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Yebo!
..
.And?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“She’
l
lbeheref
orawhi
l
e,j
ustgo
befor
eyourbossburst
.”
Helaughedandnodded.Thembeli
hlewentto
si
tnexttoNozi
busi
sointhefrontporch.She
l
ookedather
.
“
What
?”sheaskedandl
aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youl
i
kehi
m?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Il
i
kewho?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Gwabi
ni.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ist
hathi
sname?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“No,
Idon’
tev
enknowhi
sname.
Butyouwil
lknowit
.”
Nozi
busisogiggl
ed.“
CanwegotoRi
char
dsbay
t
oday.Ijustwantt
ohavef
unwit
hyou.
”she
r
equested.
Thembelihl
e:“
Okay,butwewil
lhavetocome
earl
ythatwayIwil
lcookear
ly.Ihopeyouwon’
t
sneakouttoni
ght
.”
Nozi
busi
sogiggl
ed.Thembel
i
hlej
ustshookher
headandgotup.
“Il
ookalr
ightf
orgoingoutri
ght
?”Sheasked
checki
ngheroutf
it
.Nozibusi
sogiggl
ed.“
Iknow.
ButIhav
enochoi
ce.
”Sheadded.
Nozibusi
so:“Youl
ookgoodbutit
’sj
ustt
hatI
wi
llnevergetusedtot
hesty
lethi
sisnotyour
st
yle.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yeah,
right
.Iwil
lgotakesome
money.Iwanttodoaf ewgrocer
iestoo.
”
Nozibusi
sonoddedandwait
edforher
.
Thembeli
hlemadeherwaytothebedr
oom she
tookthemoneyfrom t
hesaf
eandtookher
purseonthebag.Shewentt
oHlezi
phiwhowas
cleani
ngthebat
hroom.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hlezi
phiIam goingt
otownwit
h
myfri
endNozibusi
so.Wewillbebackdoy
ou
needsomethi
ng?”
Hl
eziphi
:“Handwashi
ngpowderandshampoo
wi
llbefi
nendlov
ukazi
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Al
ri
ght
.”
Shet
henlef
tthehouseandMaj
oladr
ovet
hem
toRi
char
dsbay…
“Iwantt obuychocol at
esforMakhosi .Iwantt o
seehert omor r
owj usttosayIam sor ry.Which
onesshoul dIbuy ?”Thembel ihleasked
Nozibusisoast heywer epassingt hesweet s
shel
v esatPi ck’nPay .Theywer edoi nggr oceri
es
aft
ert heyhadt heirlunchanddi dsomecl ot
hing
shoppi ngwhi chdi dn’texci
teThembel ihle
becauset herewasnomor ebuy ingj eans,
shortsandl eggi ngssomet hingt hatshel oved
wearingandi texcitedhert oshopt hem.
Nozibusi
so:
“Ishoul
dbeangr ywit
hyoutoot
hen
sothatyouwil
lbuychocol
atesforme.
”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“Ialwaysbroughtcooki
es
fory
ouwheny ouwereangr ywithmeandy ou
wouldjustgi
vemeal oll
i
pop.”Sher emi
ndedher
andtheylaughed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
oui
nDur
ban.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youcanal
wayscomet ovisi
tme
oryoucanlookforaj
obher
einRichardsbay.
You’
llbecl
osert
omeandGwabi ni.
”Shelooked
atherandtheyl
aughed.“
ButIst
il
lthi
nkhe’
stoo
bi
gf ory
ou.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Isn’
tDal
i
subi
gfory
ou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
andt
hat
’sbecauseIam not
sl
imli
keyou.
”
Nozi
busiso:“
Ah!Thembel i
hleIcanseewhat
yout
hinkingabout
!”shelookedatherwit
ha
f
rown.Thembelihl
elaughed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam scar
edy
ouknow.
”She
l
ookedback,Majol
awaswalki
ngsl
owlyaf
ar
behi
ndthem.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ofwhat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
.”
Nozibusi
so: “Don’
tworryi
twi l
lbeaf ew
minutes’painandyouwi l
lfeelgoodafter
wards.
Havey ouseenhi m?”sheaskedl ooki
ngather.
Thembelihle’
sbodyshivereddownherspi ne.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ah!Nozzy
,don’
taskmet
hose
quest
ions.
”
Nozibusi
so:“
What ?Wehavenev
erspoken
abouttheset
hingsbecausey
ouwerenotdoi
ng
them.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam st
il
lnotdoi
ngt
hem.
”
Nozibusi
so:“Butonthe17thofMarchwillbe
yourfi
rstni
ghtandfrom t
hentil
lfor
ever
.”She
l
ookedather .Shesmil
edandlookeddown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Let
’schanget
het
opi
c.”
Nozi
busiso:“
Okay,
butj
ustknowyoucan
al
way scometomeIwil
lshowy ouhow
ever
ythi
ngisdone.
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandshookherhead.They
changedthet
opicastheyj
oinedt
heli
netothe
ti
ll
.
Maj
olapushedt
hetrol
l
eyoutoft
heshopand
t
heyfol
l
owedaftert
hem.
Nozi
busiso:
“Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
oyourmot
her
i
n-l
aw’shouse?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.Butt
oni
ghtwewi
l
l
sl
eepatt
heking’
shouse.
”
Nozi
busiso:
“Iwantsomecl
othesi
nyour
f
ather
’shousecanwepassbyther
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
wewi
l
l.
”
Maj
olast
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
fwi
tht
hem…

“Whyar eyouquiet?
”Nozi
busisoasked
Thembel i
hlewhowasawf ul
l
yquietatthe
dinnert
able.Theywerehavi
ngdinneraloneand
Dalisuwasn’tbackyet
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
it’
snot
hingNozzy
.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youmi
sshi
m?”
Thembelihle:“No,Iwasjustt
hinki
ngabout
thi
ngs.”Shel i
ed.Shewaswor ri
edthatDal
i
su
wasn’tcomi ngback.Itwasaft
er7pm andhe
hadpromi sedhert hathewoul
dcomeback
homeear lytospendt imewit
hher.
Nozibusi
so:
“Doyougot
ochur
chher
e,i
t’
s
Sunday,t
omorr
ow?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ihaven’tgonetochurchsinceI
gotbackherebutIwillst
artgoingsoon.Idon’
t
thi
nktomorrowIwillgo,though,mybrotherwi
ll
behome.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youwi
l
lgohome?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iwil
lcomebackandy ouwil
l
comewithmeunl essifyouwanttostaywit
h
Gwabini
her e.
”Shesai dlooki
ngatherwitha
smil
e.Nozibusisogiggledandateherfood.
Nozi
busi
so:
“He’
l
lbeher
etomor
row,
all
day
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,t
heyusuall
yst
ayhereal
lday
onSunday.Ihaveneverseent
hem goi
ngto
chur
ch.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lgowi
thy
ou.
”
Thembeli
hlelaughedandgotupwithherpl
ate,
Nozi
busisofoll
owedher.Theywashedthe
di
shestogetherandtheywentt
owat chTV
gossi
pingast
heywat
chedTV…
Aft
er10pm, Thembelihlegotupf r
om thecouch
andwenttobed.Nozi busisowasal r
eady
asl
eepintheguest r
oom.Thembel i
hlewasti
r ed
ofwai
tingandsoshef ell
asleep.Shefel
lasleep
di
sappoint
edt hathedidn’tcomebackear l
yand
hi
sphonewasof f…
I
nt hemorning,
shewokeupandhewasnot
nexttoher
.Sheclosedherey
esandprayed.
Shemadet hebedandwenttotakeashower.
Shewasbusymaki ngbreakfastont hestov
e
weari
ngal ongpeachandbl uef l
oraldresswit
h
thi
nstraps.Sheboughtthedr essestoleave
them i
nDal i
su’
shousef orhertousewhenshe
wasthere.Shehadabl ackdoekwi t
hnoscar f
onhershoulders.
“Goodmor ni
ng.
”Dali
sugr eet
edherhol
dingher
waistfr
om behi
ndandr esti
nghi
sheadonher
neck.Thembeli
hlecl
osedhereyesashisscent
fi
ll
edhernose.
Thembeli
hle:
“Goodmorning.”Shegreet
ed
pol
it
ely
.Sheclosedherpanandt urnedt
olook
athi
m.Hewasst il
lweari
ngtheclotheshehad
ontheprevi
ousday.Helookedtir
edand
sl
eepy.
Dali
su:“Ihadtogot oNtuzumay est
erday
, i
t
wasal astminutethi
ngandsowet ookoff.We
sl
eptintheguesthousei nDurbanandwokeup
at4am tohittheroad.”Heexplai
nedseei
ngt he
l
ookonherf ace.“Ididn’
tfor
getthepromiseI
madet oyoulastnight,mybubbles.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ther
ewasnoel
ect
ri
cit
y
eNtuzuma?”
Dali
su:“
IshouldhavecalledIknowbutIwas
busyandwhenwedr ovetoDurbanmybatter
y
wasdead.Ididn’
tthinkwewer egoi
ngtostay
ther
eti
lll
ate.Iam sorr
y.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thatl
ongdri
vefr
om her
eto
Durbanyouwerebusytocal
lmeandtell
me
youarenotcomingback?
”
Dali
su:“
Idi
dn’
tknowwewer
enotcomi
ng
back.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwil
leatthi
sbr
eakfastort
he
foody
ouweresupposedtoeatl
astnight
?”
Dal
isu:“
ThefoodandIwil
lhaveiti
nourr oom.
Wewi l
lbetoget
hert
her
eallday.Iam notgoing
any
wher e.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Ithi
nkyouneedt osleepyou
don’
tlookli
key ousleptandbesidesIpromised
mybrotherthatIwillvi
sithi
m af
terbreakf
ast.I
can’
tstay.
”
Hescratchedthecornerofhi
slowerl
ipwit
hhi
s
teet
hlookingatherandhenodded.Hetur
ned
andlef
thertoproceedwi t
hhercooki
ng.
“Mngani
wami .
”Nozi
busi
sogreeted
Thembel
ihl
eopeni
ngthefri
dge.Shetur
nedand
l
ookedather.
Thembeli
hle:“
Whendidyouwakeupandy
ou
haveshoweredal
ready
?”
Nozi
busi
so:“
Yes,Iam notathomeandt
hisi
s
t
heking’
shouse.
”
Shel
aughedandsai
d:“
Hel
pmet
hen.Iam
al
mostdone.
”
Nozi
busi
sonoddedandwenttothestove.
Thembel
i
hlewasbusymakingteaforDali
su
whil
ewarminghi
sfood.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Theyar
eback?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
andy
ouwon’
tgowi
thme?
”
Nozibusi
so:“Idon’
tknow.”Shegi
ggl
ed.
Thembelihl
efixedt
hetrayandlef
thergi
ggl
i
ng
hersel
f.
Sheputthet
rayonthebedandt ookthe
bedr
oom bench.Sheputthet
rayther
eandl ef
t
ther
oom.Dalisuwasinthebathr
oom taki
nga
shower
.
Thembel i
hleandNozi
busi
sohadbreakf
ast
alone.Theywerehavi
ngaconver
sati
onbut
talki
ngincodes…
“Sawubona,Nozibusi
so.”Dalisugreetedher
putti
ngthedishesonthesi nk.Nozibusi
sowas
seatedonthekitchenchaircrashi
ngt he
chocolat
esthatThembel i
hlehadaskedhert o
crash.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yebo,
nkosi
unj
ani
?”
Dali
su:“Iam fi
neandhowareyou?”heasked
ty
ingthestrapsoftheapr
onatThembeli
hle’
s
back.Shewasmi xi
ngthedough.
Nozibusiso:“
Iam fi
ne,
ain’
tyougoingto
church?”sheteasedhi
m.Dalisuchuckl
ed.
Thembel i
hlel
ookedatNozibusi
soandshe
shrugged.
Dal
isu:“
Iwil
lgowhenThembelihl
eisf
ull
ymy
wif
e.”Nozi
busi
solaughed.“
Shetol
dyoushe’
s
vi
sit
ingherbr
other
?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yes,
shedi
dandIwi
l
lgowi
thher
.”
Dali
su:
“Okay,Isee.
”Hesai
dpushing
Thembeli
hlef
orwardashewasstandingonher
back.Thembel ihl
eheldt hedoughbasinand
cl
osedherey es,Dali
sutookt hechocol
atet
hat
wasnextt oNozi busi
soandat ei
tri
singupwit
h
Thembelihle.Nozibusisolookeddownand
gi
ggledsilently
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yousaidyou’
l
lbei
nyourr
oom
butyouareheredi
stur
bingme.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ij
ustwant
edt
otaket
hechocol
ate.
”
Thembel i
hle:“Youshouldhavemovedandt ake
i
tfrom thatside.”Shesaidpoi
nti
ngtheside.
Dali
sumov edasidealit
tl
eandheheldherchi n.
Hemadeherl ookather.Shewassulking.He
sentthepieceofchocolatethatwasleftt
oher
mouth.Thembel i
hledi
dn’twantt
oopenher
mouth.
Dali
su:
“Iwon’tleaveunt i
lyouopeny ourmout
h
orel
seIwi l
lti
ckleyou.”hesaidandsheopened
hermouthquickly.Hef edherthechocolat
es.
Hesmiled.Thembel i
hledidn’
tsmile.Heshook
hi
shead.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lleav
eyout
hen.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,please.Unlessifyouwant
met obakeyou.”Nozibusisolaughedand
Dali
sulaughedtooleavingthem…

“Makhosii
snotansweri
ngmycall
sdi dy
ousay
somethi
ngtoher?”Thembel
i
hleaskedDalisu
si
tti
ngonthebedgivi
nghimthepieceof
chocol
atecaket
hatshehadbakedandjuice.
Dali
su:“Isaidsomethi
ngli
kewhat?”heasked
sit
ti
ngupst rai
ghtandtookthet
ray
.“Thank
you.”hesaid.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.She’
snott
aki
ngmy
cal
ls.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ididn’
tsayany
thi
ngt
omakeherst
op
t
aki
ngyourcal
ls.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay,
Iam goi
nghomenowandI
wil
lpassbyherhouse.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ifshe’
snott
her
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lcomeher
est
rai
ght
.”
Dal
isu:“Okay,youcango.Ihav
eameeti
ngat
t
her oy
al houseat4,whenIcomebackt
her
eI
wil
lcookf oryou.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwill
bel
iev
ethatwhenIseei
t
happeni
ngjustli
keThomas.
”
Dal
isuchuckl
ed.“
Hawu,yini
manj
e?”heasked
l
ookingatherasshegotup.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Not
hing,
bye.
”Sheheadedt
othe
door
.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
goodby
eki
sst
otheki
ng?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No.
”shegi
ggl
edandcl
osedt
he
doorbehi
ndher.
“Iam leavingnow.Youcant akethiscaketothe
men’ shouse.IknowGwabi ni i
sthere.”
Thembel ihlesai
dtoNozibusisoandshej ust
giggle.Thembelihl
etookthelunchboxwi thher
brother’
scakeandMakhosi ’schocol at
e.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ihav
eot
hert
hingst
odo.Iwi
l
lask
si
siHl
ezi
phi
tot
akei
tdownwhenshet
akesher
pi
ece.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,leadmet
obel
i
evet
hati
s
tr
ue.
”
Sheheadedt
othef
rontdoorl
eav
ingherf
ri
end
l
aughi
ng…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE34

“Iwantyoutotell
meaboutt hatgir
lwhil
eyou
havethi
scakeIbaked.”Thembel i
hlesai
dtoher
brot
hergivi
nghimt hecakeandacool dri
nk.
Thokozanichuckl
edandt ooktheplat
e.Hewas
seatedonthecouchwat chi
ngsoccer.Hetook
thespoon.
Thokozani
:“Wher
eisy
ourf
ri
end?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hawu!Bhut
i!
”sheshowed
fr
ustr
ati
ononherface.Thokozani
laughedand
enj
oyedthecake.
Thokozani
:“Whydi
dyougi
vemeonepi
ece?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ev
ery
onewasget
ti
ngonepi
ece.
”
Thokozani
:“Yourhusbandgotonepi
ece?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes!
”shel
aughedandherbr
other
shookhi
shead.
Thokozani
:“Zodwaisj
ustagirlt
hatIhelped
whensheneededmyhel pshewasher e
becauseshewantedtosaythankyou.”
Thembeli
hle:“
HAWU!
”Shehel
dhermout
h
l
ookingathim.
Thokozani
:“Hhay
i!Voet
sek!Kwahl
e
ukungcol
a.”
Thembelihl
elaughed.“Yoh!Iwi
llt
ell
theking
thatyousai
dv oetsekt
ot hequeenhowcould
you?”shepretendedtobesurpri
sed.Thokozani
l
aughed.
Thokozani
:“Iam notscar
edofhi
m.”
“Ha!
”shestoodonherfeetandplacedher
handsonherwaist
.Thokozanil
aughedand
shookhi
shead.“He’
syourbrotherin-
law.
”She
satdown.
Thokozani
:“Yeah,whyar
eyoudri
vi
nghim cr
azy?
You’l
lst
aywithhismom now?”heaskedt
aking
thecooldr
ink.
Thembel
i
hle:“
MXM! ”Shepushedhermout
h
i
ntoapout.Helaughed.
Thokozani
:“Yazi
,awuzwaThembel ihl
e
ungehl
ule!
”hemi mickedav oi
ceofanolder
man.ThemanThembel ihl
edidn’
tknow.
Shelaughed.“
Dad,
spokel
i
ket
hat
?”sheasked
smil
i
ng.
Thokozani
:“Yes.I
t’
sgoodt
oseey
ouhappy
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“It
’sreal
lygoodtobehappy.Iwill
goandcookf oryouthenIwill
leaveIam back
tobedri
venbyNj ongo.Yoh,hescaresme.”
Helaughed.“
Whydon’
tyoutel
lyourhusband”
heaskedstandi
ngupwi
thher.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Whatwi
l
lhedobecausehe’
s
happy
.”
Thokozani:
“Iwoul
dbehappytoo.”Hel aughed
asshewasgi vi
nghim acol
d‘r
eall
y’eye.He
assist
edhercook.Theywer
elaughingand
refl
ecti
ngontheoldti
mes…Justabr otherand
sist
ertoget
her…
-
--
--
--
-
Nozibusi
soinhaledairdeeplybef
oret
akingt
he
plat
ewi t
hthepiecesofcakef ort
hefourmen
thatwereli
vi
ngint heyard,t
heywerefi
vewit
h
Mduduzi whowasaway .Shewentdown
walki
ngont hegroundcar ef
ull
y.
Sheknockedont
hedoor .Gwabiniopenedt
he
door
.Hesmi l
edi
nstant
lywhenhesawherf ace
andNozibusi
sol
ookedasidehidinghersmi
le.
Nozi
busi
sowast
all
butwhenst
andi
ngwi
th
Gwabinishelef
tmedium si
zed.Hewastal
land
bi
gnotwi thabell
ybutal
sonotmascul
inebut
pl
ainbigman.
Gwabi
ni:
“Sawubona,
nkosazana.
”Hegr
eet
ed
pol
i
tel
y.
Nozibusi
so:“Yebo,Thembelihl
esentmehereto
bri
ngthiscakeforallofyou.Shebakedthe
cake.Herguardlef
twi t
hhersoy ouwil
lhavet
o
keepthepieceforhim.”
Gwabi ni:“
Okay ,thankyou.Youwillal
sosay
thanky out ondlovukazionourbehalf
?”he
askedpl acinghishandunder neat
hherhandst
o
takethepl ate.Shelookedatthem andbackup
tohim.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Whyshoul
dIbet
heonet
odo
t
hat?
”
Gwabini:
“BecauseIam sur
eshewouldloveto
hearyourvoi
ceinsteadofmyhor
ri
blevoice.
”
Hetooktheplate.
Nozibusi
sogiggl
ed.“Idon’tthi
nky
ourv oi
ceis
horr
ibl
eatall
.”Shesaidtakingastepback.
Gwabiniwasclosel
ylookingather
, shewas
beauti
ful
.
“Li
sten,canyouborrowmey ourphoneIwant
tocallmyphoneIseem tohav emispl
acedit
andIam alonehere.”Heli
edtryi
ngtotr
apher
andshef el
lontoitbecauseshegavehim her
phone.
Hecal ledhisphoneandi trangi nsi
dethehouse.
Hewasl ookingatherinti
mi datedbythefact
thatshewasl ooki
ngathimi ntheeye.Women
heknewnev erlookedhimi nt heeyes,t
he
vil
lagewomen.Whatf ini
shedhi m wasthe
feeli
ngherey eswer egiv
inghi m.Theywer e
playingtri
cksonhi sbody.
“Youdidn’
tevengoinsidethehousetolook
wherethesoundcamef r
om.”Shemadehi m
seehismistakest
il
llooki
ngintohiseyes.
Gwabi
ni:
“Ihear
dwher
ethesoundcamef
rom
nkosazana.Thanky
ou.
”
Nozibusisosmiledandnodded.Shet
urnedand
l
efthim alone…
-
--
-

Makhosi
’
sdaughterAl
wandeopenedthedoor
f
orThembelihl
eandgreet
edher
.Thembeli
hle
l
ookedaroundaft
ergr
eeti
ngher
.
“
Wher
e’sy
ourmot
her
?”sheasked.
Alwande: “
Sheiscooki
ngi
nt heki
tchen.Come,
ndlovukazi
.”Shehel
dherhandandThembel i
hle
smi l
edfoll
owingher
.Shewasabeaut i
ful
bubblygirl
.
Al
wande:
“Mama,
lookwho’
sher
e?”
Makhositurnedandherbodywentst iffwhen
shesawheri nsideherkitchen.Shetri
edtohide
thefaci
alexpressi
ononherf acebut
Thembelihl
esawt hat
,thatexpressi
onshehad
seenbefore.Shewasscar ed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Please,
excuseus.Alwa.”She
sai
dsmi l
i
ngatherandshenoddedt urni
ngto
l
eavethem.Thembel i
hletookastepforward
andMakhosi t
ookast epback.Thembelihl
e
sawthemov eandshest oodtherenotmov i
ng.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Iboughtyousomechocol at
es.
”
Shesmil
edput t
ingthem onthetabl
e.“Ij
ust
wantedt
osayIam sor r
yf ormakingyouangryI
hear
dwheny oucalledthatyouwereangrywith
me.”
Makhosi
:“I
t’
sokay
,youcanl
eav
enow.
”
Disappoi
nted,Thembeli
hlel
ookedatherand
mov edfor
war dthi
sti
mewi thoutst
oppi
ngunti
l
shewasst andingi
nfrontofher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam sorry.Ij
ustdon’
tunder
stand
whyareyounottakingmycal l
s.Ihear
dDalisu
cal
ledyouinther
oy alhouse,whatdi
dhesayt o
you?”
Makhosi:
“Nothi
ngthatdi
dn’
tupsetmy
husband.
”Sherepl
i
edcurtl
y.Thembel
i
hle
l
ookeddown.
Thembeli
hle:
“Makhosithi
swasallmyfaul
tand
Ihaveapol
ogisedIcanevenapol
ogiset
oyour
husband-
”
“NO!”Sheexclaimedcl
osinghereyes.“You
wantt oapol
ogisesothatyourhusbandwil
lcal
l
him andscol
dhi mforlet
ti
ngy oustandbef
ore
him andapol
ogise?Youwantt hat
?”sheasked
shouting.
Thembelihl
e: “
No,Idon’twantt hatMakhosi but
Icandoany thingt
of i
xourfriendship.Please.
”
Sheheldherar mtightl
yandMakhosi fl
inchedin
painremovingher.Thembelihlelookedintoher
eyes.“Whathappened? ”sheaskedr emov ing
thescarf
.Shecov eredherquicklyseeingwhat
hadhappened.
Thembelihl
e:“Whathappened,Dal
isuis
responsi
blefort
his?Butno,hewouldn’
tdo
thi
s.”Shelookedatherattheedgebreaki
ng
down.
Makhosi:“Thembel i
hle,
Iv al
ueourf ri
endship
andIlovey ou.”sheswallowedhar d.“ButIam
afr
aidthisistheendofourf riendshipIcan’tbe
yourfr
iendany more.”
Thembel
i
hlewasbl
ooddr
ained,
shef
eltnumb.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatdi
dIdot
odeser
vet
his?
”
Makhosi
:“Iam sor
ry.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwon’
tleav
eunt
ily
out
ell
me
what’
swrong.
”
Makhosi
:“Ican’
tdot
hatpl
easego.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youwon’
tbemymat
ronof
honour
?”
Makhosi:“No, you’l
lhavetofindsomeoneel se
andpleasedon’ tcomebackher ethatwil
lsave
usboththet rouble.”Thembelihlelookedather
wit
htearsr unningdownhercheeksand
Makhosi hadhershar eoft
ear s.Thembelihl
e
sawthroughhert hatshedidn’twantt odothis.
Makhosi
:“Andpl
easedon’
ttel
lyourhusband
aboutt
hisbecausehewi l
lcal
lmyhusbandand
Iwil
lbepuni
shedf orit
.Pl
easeleav ebefor
ehe
comesback.Idon’twanttobey ourfri
end
anymoreImadet hisdeci
si
onmy self
.”
Thembelihl
enoddedandshet henwalkedout
thehouse.Shewashurt,upsetandherhand
convul
sedbecauseofthepr essureofemoti
ons
shewasf eel
ing.Shewi
pedhert ear
s.
Thembelihlelef
tthehouseNj ongostoodup
fr
om thebench.Thembel ihl
epassedhi m by
andsaid.“Iam goingt
ot hetoil
etwear enot
l
eavingyet.”Shesaidavoidi
ngey econtact.
Njongosatdown.
Thembelihl
ewentdownt hefence,
shewas
st
umbl i
ngthroughtheun-weededl
andhereyes
werecrowdedbyt ear
s.Sheopenedtheback
smallgate.
Sheleftgoingdownnotusi
ngtheroadbutthe
l
itt
leforest
.Shefel
tthepai
nofbeingnegl
ected,
rej
ectedbyt hef
ri
end,t
hiswasherfi
rstbr
eak
upandi
thur
therdeepl
y.
Shereachedtheri
ver,
itwasgetti
ngdark.She
satonthebigrockandthoughtaboutwhomust
haveinfl
uencedMakhositobreakthei
r
fr
iendshi
p…
-
--
--
Njongosawthati
twasget t
ingl
ateandsohe
stoodupandwentatthebackoftheyardt
o
checkonThembeli
hle.Heknockedonthet
oil
et
andther
ewasnor esponse.
“Ndlovukazi
,it
’sgettinglat ecanwego? ”He
i
nst r
uctedwithaf ir
mi r
ri
tatedv oice.
“Ndlovukazi
!”heopenedt hedooratt hi
stimehe
didn’tcaret
hatshewasi nsidedoi ngwhatever
,
she’dbeengonef ortool ongandhewant edt o
l
eav e.Hecli
ckedhi st onguewhenhesawt her
e
wasnoonei nside.Hewentst raightto
Makhosi ’
shouse.Hedi dn’tknockhej ust
budgedi n.
“
Whathappenedher
ebet
weeny
ouand
ndl
ovukazi.
”Hedidn’
tgreethej
ustaskedthe
quest
ion.Makhosil
ookedathim,shockedby
hi
sactions.
Makhosi:“Howcany ouj
ustbudgeinsi
de
anotherman’shouseandstandl
ikethi
s.You
arebeingdisr
espect
ful
.”
Njongo:“Youwon’
thav
eti
met othi
nkabout
thatwhenNdabezit
hai
sstandi
ngbefor
eyou
askingyouwhatyoudi
dtohiswif
e.”
Makhosi
:“Idi
dnot
hingt
oThembel
i
hle.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Wher
eisshet
hen?
”
Makhosi
:“Shel
eft
.”
Njongo:“
Left
,andwentwher e!
”heshout ed.
“Shepassedmesay ingshe’
sgoingtothet oi
l
et.
Ilookedf
orherther
eseeingshewasn’ tcoming
backandshe’snotthere!
”heexplai
ned.
Makhosil
eftever
ythingandl
eftthehouse.
Njongof
oll
owedaf terher
.Hetookouthis
phoneandcall
edDal i
su.
Dal
i
su:
“Nj
ongo,
Iam i
nameet
ing.
”
Njongo:“Ndabezitha,Idr
ov endlov ukazito
Makhosi’shousel ikesherequestedandIdon’ t
knowwhatt heyfoughtaboutbutndl ovukazi
left
thehouset ell
ingmeshewasgoi ngt othetoi
let.
Isawitwasget ti
ngdarkandshewasn’ tcoming
backIwentt ocheckonherandshewasnot
ther
e.Ithinksher anawayusi ngt hebackgat e.
”
Heexplained,seeingthesmal lgat eattheback
wasleftopened.Hehear dDalisuswear .
Dal
i
su:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
ofi
ndher
?”
Njongo:“Iwi
l
lst
arti
nherhouseandfrom t
her
e
Idon’tknowIwi
llj
ustr
oam t
hestreet
sunti
lI
fi
ndher .
”
Dali
su:
“Wher
e’sMakhosi
?Andwhatdi
dshet
ell
youshedi
dtoher?
”
Nj
ongo:
“Iam l
eav
ingherher
eandshedi
dn’
ttel
l
mewhatshedidt
oher.
”
Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongueandhungupt
hecal
l
.
“Whydidy ouhavetotel
lthekingbecausewe
weregoingtofindThembelihl
eandbr i
ngher
home.”Makhosi l
ookedathim wit
hherf i
stson
herwaist.
Njongo:“WomanIdon’thaveti
mef ory
ou.Just
doonet hingri
ghtwoman,don’
ttel
lanyone
aboutthis.”
Heopenedthedooranddrov
eof
fleav
ing
Makhosif
rust
rat
edalone…
-
--
-
Dali
suleftt
hecounci l
’smeet i
ngl i
keaf lybeing
l
eavingit
shol e.Hedidn’texplai
nhisr easons
buthejuststatedthatitwasur gent.Hel ef
t
becausehisbr ot
herwast here.
“Uyangihlupha,uThembeli
hleuyangi
hlupha
Gwabini angisazingi
menzenjani.
”he
complainedl ooki
ngaroundashewasi nsi
de
thecar.Gwabi niwasdri
vingaroundthe
gravel
ledst r
eets.
Gwabini:
“Maybesomethi
ngmighthave
happenedandshetookofft
obealone.Don’
t
youthi
nk?”
Dalisu:“
Andshej
ust–Tsk! ”Herest
edhis
foreheadonhi
sfi
st.“
Dr i
vetotheri
verwhereI
fi
rstmether.
”hei
nstructedhim.
Gwabi
ni:
“Theri
verNdabez
itha?That
’sfarand
i
t’
sver
ydarknowIdoubtshewi l
lgothere
al
one.
”
Dali
su:“
DoasIsay
!”hei
nst
ruct
edf
ir
mlyhi
s
for
eheadst
il
lonhi
sfi
st.
“Ndabezit
ha!”Gwabi
niagr
eed.Hest
oppedthe
car,
turnedthewheelanddrov
edowntheri
ver
…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE35

“
Stopher
e!”Dal
i
sui
nst
ruct
edGwabi
ni.
Gwabi
ni:
“Isn’
tfari
fIst
opher
e?”heasked
l
ooki
ngback.
Dal
isu:“
Itseemstomethatyouaret
heone
whoencouragedThembel
ihl
etorunaway
.Iam
cer
taint
haty oudi
d.”
Gwabi
ni:“Hhaybo,
Ndabezithasoyoubr
ought
meheretokill
me? ”heaskedstoppi
ngt
hecar
andhelookedbackathim.
Dalisucli
ckedhistongueandopenedthedoor
.
“Ikeeptell
ingyouwhatt odoandyoukeep
objecti
nggi v
ingmei deast
hatwouldl
eadme
astray.
”Hecl osedthedoorashi
sfeethadmet
theground.
Gwabi
ni:
“Youscar
edme.
”
Dali
su:
“Fusegi
!Isaidst
opherebecauseIwant
togodownonmyf eett
ocheckifsheisn’
tther
e.
Shemightrunwhensheseesthecarli
ghts.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Youarecl
everandIthoughtyouwant
t
okil
lme.”hegotof
fthecar,
lockeditandt
hey
wal
keddownt
oget
her
.
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
tki
l
lpeopl
eunl
essi
fyoumakemy
wif
ecry.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Iwoul
dn’
tev
ent
ry.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Keepqui
et,
now.
”
Henoddedinthedar
k,ev
ent
houghhecoul
dn’
t
seehi
sface.
“Whenwegett her
eandi
fwefi
ndheryouwi
l
l
havetogobackandgett
hecar
.”Hegave
i
nstruct
ions.
Gwabi
ni:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Theywal keddownlooki
ngaroundhopingt
hey
wouldfindherbuttheydi
dn’
tfi
ndher.They
reachedtheri
ver.
Gwabi
ni:
“Hhay
i,It
oldy
oushe’
snother
e.”
“SHH!
”Hehushedhim.“Cany ouhearthat
?”he
tur
nedheari
ngasoundofhiccups.Helooked
upattherockandsawt
hev i
vidcolourofher
dr
essi
nthedar
k.Her
anupl
eav
ingGwabi
ni
st
andi
ngal
one.
Thembel i
hlestoodonherf eetasshehear d
footst
epsrunningtowardsher .Shelooked
aroundandt r
iedtotakestepsbackt or unbut
shestoppedast hefamili
arscentf i
ll
edhernose.
Shewi pedhertearsbuttheydidn’tstopfal
li
ng.
Hedidn’
tsayany
thi
ngtoherhejustpull
edher
byherar
m andhuggedherbutshefoughtout
ofhi
shold.
“St
opit!Dal
isu,st
op!”sheshoutedandforced
himtostop.Shewasangr ywithhimthemost
andtodaynotlatebuttoday
,shewasgoi ngto
tel
lhi
mt hatshewasangr y.
Hestopped,hewasnotexpecti
ngheractions.
Hetookouthisphoneandswitchedthetorch
on.Heli
ghtenedupherfaceandshewasa
mess,shehadtearsandmucus, herf
acewas
al
lred.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’st
hemeani
ngoft
his?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam cry
ingbecauseofy
out
hat
’s
themeaningofthi
s.”
Dali
su:
“ I
fyouar
ecr azy,
becrazytherei
nside
thewater!I
twi
ll
cool youdown.”heshoutedbut
Thembelihl
edi
dn’tsayanyt
hing.“Imadeyou
cry?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Ilostafr
iendtodaybecauseof
you.Makhosiwantsnothingtodowithme
becauseofyouandherhusbandhi ther
becauseofyou,you,Mageba!”sheshouted.
Dal
isutaunt
edhisjawandclosedhiseyes
swall
owingthatshewasshouti
ngathim.
“Wheny ouwanttogohomey ou’
ll
findme
i
nsidethecar.
”Hesaidavoi
dingargui
ngwith
her
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
youwantmetofoll
owyou.
Youdon’
tcar
eaboutmyf
eel
ings?Youdon’
t
car
e?”
Dali
su:“I
t’
sfort
hebestthatsheendedthe
fr
iendshi
pwithyoumaybenowy ouwill
start
behav
ingl
ikeawomanwho’ llbemywi f
e.I
fyou
wanttosl
eepheret
hat’sgood,thensl
eepher
e.
Iam t
ir
edofti
redofyou!Tsk!
”
Heturnedleavi
ngher.Thembeli
hledidn’
t
bel
iev
et hathejustl
eftherl
i
kethat.He’dcal
l
ed
hercr
azy ,
sherecall
edhiswordssitt
ingdown
ontherock.
“Hedoesn’tknowcr azyIwillshowhi m cr
azy.”
Shesaidtakingoffherdoekf rom herhead.She
l
aiditdownont hegroundbutshechoset he
spacewher etherewasgr assandt henslepton
i
tclosi
ngherey es.
Gwabini
hadbroughtthecardown.Dali
su
openedthedoorandsatatthebackofthecar
.
Hedidn’
tsayawor dt
oGwabi ni
.
Gwabi
ni:
“Mageba,
wasn’
tndl
ovukazi
thaty
ou
wer
etal
kingt
oupther
e?”
Dal
i
su:
“Itwasher
.”
Gwabi
ni:
“So,
whydi
dyoucomebackal
one?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Am Ii
nani
nter
viewf
oraj
ob?
”
Gwabini
:“No,Ndabezi
tha.Ay
idlei
zishi
yel
e.”
Dal
isukeptquiet
.“Ar
ewedr i
vinghomeor
what?”
Dal
i
su:“Weshoul
ddr
iveandl
eav
eherup
t
here?
”
Gwabi
ni:“No.
”hegr i
nnedhisteet
hhehadplans
andt
heywer erui
ninghisplanswit
hthei
rdr
ama,
al
waysfoll
owingeachot herar
ound.He
compl
ainedtohimself.
Theyspentaboutf
if
teenminuteswait
ingand
Thembeli
hlewasn’
tcomingdown.Dalisu
cl
ickedhi
stongueandopenedt hecar
.Hewent
backli
ghti
nghiswayusingthephonetorch.
Hesighedseei
nghersleepi
ngont heground.
Shewasexhaustedfr
om allt
herunningand
cry
ingshe’
ddone.She’
dexpandedagr eat
amountofenergyandsoitdidn’
ttakeherlong
tofal
lasl
eeponthebedofthegr ass.
Dali
sut extedGwabi nitel
li
nghimtostartthecar
andt urnitsl i
ghtson.Assoonashesawt he
l
ights.Hepi ckedThembel ihl
eupalongwi t
hher
doek.Hewentdownt othecarwit
hher .
Gwabi nigotoft hecarandopenedt hedoorfor
him.Dal i
sust eppedinatthebackwi t
h
Thembel ihle.Hef ixedherandputherheadon
hisl
ap.Hebr ushedherhead.“ Dr
ive!
”he
i
nstructedhi m.
Gwabini
didn’
tthi
nktwi
ce,hedr
ovet
hecar
st
rai
ghttoDali
suhouse…

Hecar r
iedherinhisar msandwenti nsi
det he
housewi t
hher .Hewasangr ythatshehadt o
runallt
hewaydownt otheri
vertocrybecause
Makhosi sawitfitt
oendt hei
rfri
endship.He
wasangr ythatshe’dblamehimf orthat,
or
may beshewasr i
ght,hehadhisholdtoot i
ght
onpr ot
ecti
ngherandkeepi ngheront helane
thathewasr uini
ngt herel
ati
onshipsshehad
withpeople?Hest oodbesi
deherashehadlaid
herdownont hebed.Hecoveredherwit
hout
taki
ngof fherdress.Hewentdownandsaton
hislegs.Hetouchedherfacebuti
twasn’tt
oo
smoot hbecauseoft hedr
ytearst
hatshehad.
Dali
su:“Youpr omisedt hatyou’dnev ermake
mescar edagai nbutt odayIwasscar edonce
morethatsomet hi
ngbadmi ghthav ehappened
toyou.Ididn’twantt othinkabouti ttoomuch
becauseIwant edtofindy oubuty ouscaredme
Thembel i
hle.Idon’tknowwher eIwasgoi ngto
fi
ndsomeonel ikeyoui fsomet hi
ngbadhad
happenedt onight.
”Hesi ghedandbur iedhi
s
faceonhishands.“ That’
swhyIwi llhaveto
sendyout omymom r i
ghtaway .
”hesai dand
gotupleav i
ngt heroom.
“Nozi
busi
so,
howareyou?”Dal
i
sugreet
edher
shewasbusyint
heki
tchenmakingdi
nner
.She
tur
ned.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youar
eback?Wher
eis
Thembel
i
hle,
didy
ouf
indher
?”
Dali
su:“
Yes,
wef
oundher
.Ineedy
out
odome
afavour
.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iam l
i
steni
ng.
”
Dali
su: “Iwill
tellGwabinitodriveyouto
Thembel i
hle’
shome, wheny ougetthereyou
will
gat herallherclothes,theappropr
iate
clot
hes, packt hem ont hesuit
caseandbr i
ng
them her e.Youwi l
ltakey ourbagtoobecause
tomor rowy out wowi l
lgot omymot her’
shouse.
Iwillcallherbrothernowandt al
ktohim.”
Nozibusi
so:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
ldot
hatbutwher
eis
Li
hle?”
Dali
su:“She’
ssleepi
ngi
nourroom.Makhosi
endedthefri
endshipwi
thherandsoshedi
dn’
t
takei
ttoowell.
”
Nozibusi
so:“
Yoh!That
’sbadbutIwi
llgonow.I
cookedbecauseIdi
dn’
twanthertocookwhen
shegetsback.Youwil
lhavet
ohelpyoursel
f
t
hennkosi
.”
Dal
i
su:“Thankyou,
Ihav
esentt
hemessageto
Gwabi
nihewill
comehereandyout
wowill
go.”
ShenoddedandDali
sutur
nedl
eav
ingher
fi
nishi
ngwhatshewasdoi
ng…

“Ourplanswer eruined.”Gwabi nisai

dont hei
r
waybackf r
om Thembel i
hle’
shouse.
Nozibusisohadgat heredev er
y thi
ngthatshe
sawasappr opri
ateandev erythingthatwas
i
mpor tantandpackedt hem asshewas
i
nstructed.SheleftThokozani whowaswor r
ied
abouthissisterandheadedbackt oDali
su’s
housewi thGwabi ni.
Nozi
busiso:
“No,
theyweren’
trui
ned.Iam j
ust
worr
iedaboutmyfr
iendandherbrot
heris
worr
iedtoo.
”
Gwabini
:“Ayi
.Don’twor
ryNdabezi
thawi
l
lsor
t
heroutshe’
l
lbefine.
”
Nozibusi
so:
“Howwi
l
lhedot
hat
?He’
l
lbr
ing
backMakhosi?
”
Gwabini
:“Idoubthewi l
lbecausehethinkst
hat
i
t’
sforthebestt hatsheendedthefri
endshi
p
wi
thherbutatt hesamet i
mehe’ sangry.
”
Nozibusi
so:“
Yeah,Isawthathe’
sangr
yandit
doesn’tl
ookgood.Hedoesn’thi
twomenri
ght
?”
Gwabini
:“Idon’tknowbutIhav eneverhear
d
andyouknowt haty oucan’
tjustj
udge
someonebyl ookingatthem.”
“Youar eright.”Shesai dandt urnedt olookat
him.Shesmi l
ed,Gwabi nihadpar kedt hecarin
thefronty ard.Dalisuhadagar aget hatpacked
onecarbutnotev enonehadbeeni nsidethe
garageev ersi ncehewasmadeki ng.“Iwil
lwait
foralitt
lewhi leandt henIwi l
lcomedownwhen
Iam certaint hatthekingi sasleep.”Nozibusiso
saidlookingathi m wi thherseduct i
v eeyes.
Gwabi ninoddedl ickinghislowerl i
pasherey es
didthatnumberonhi m oncemor e.She
st
eppedoutoft
hecart
aki
ngt
hebagswi
thher
.
Gwabini
hel
pedher
.
Sheknockedonthei
rbedroom door
,Dal
i
suwas
notar
oundthehouse.Shefigur
edhemight
havegonetobed.
“Oh,y
ouareback?
”heaskedshowi
nghi
sface
onthedoor
.
Nozibusiso:“
Yes,her
e’sthesui
tcaseandthe
bag.Thembel i
hle’
sappropr
iat
ethingsar
eallin
thi
ssuitcase.Thebaghaswhatsheneeds. ”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou,
goodni
ght
.”
Nozi
busi
so:“Goodni
ght
.”Sher
aisedherhand.
“
Didyouspeaktohersi
ster
?”
Dali
su:“Iwasdi
sturbedsoIcoul
dn’
tfi
nishbut
theyknowthatIknow.Iam st
il
lwai
ti
ngf or
them t
ocomedownher eandift
heydon’tIwi
l
l
gotothem.”
Nozi
busiso:“
Okay
,thanky
ouf ordoingal
lthat
f
orher.Thatwomanhastroubledheral
lher
l
i
fe.
”
Dal
isu:“
Don’
twor
ryIwi
l
lpr
otecthershe’
smi
ne
now.”
Nozibusi
sosmil
edandnoddedshet
henwent
toherroom l
eav
ingDal
i
suclosi
nghi
sbedr
oom
door.

“So,howareyougoingtogobackinthe
house?”Gwabini
askedNozibusi
so.Theywere
l
ay i
ngonhisdoublebedwit
hGwabi nihol
ding
hersli
m body.Hi
sroom wascleanandairy
.He
wasacl eanman.
Nozibusi
soandGwabi nihadspenttheirSunday
chatt
ingonthephonet oeachother
.They
chatt
edunti
litwastimef orGwabi
ni t
ogowi th
Dali
su.Thei
rconversat
ionwasaboutt hem
aski
ngquestionsabouteachother.
Nozi
busi
so:“
Theyaresleepi
ngandIhav
ethe
spar
ekeytotheki
tchendoor.
”
Gwabini
:“Okay
,somet
hingt
ell
smey
ou’
vedone
t
hisbefor
e.”
Nozibusiso:“
Myf ather’
shousehasalarmsand
Idon’tknowt hecodessosneaki ngoutwas
neveragoodi dea..
.”shewasfeeli
nghotnow
andsosheshi ftedbackt ogi
vehersel
fenough
spacet olookathi m.
Gwabi
ni:“
Youknowi fyoukeeponl ooki
nginto
myeyessomethingwillhappenandmay beyou
won’
tli
keitonourfi
rsttimetoget
her.”
Nozibusi
so:“Youcan’
thandl
emyey es?
”she
askedsmili
ng.Gwabinidi
dn’
tsmil
ebuthisf
ace
tur
nedwoodhewasmesmer i
sedbythewoman
besidehi
m.
Gwabini
:“Don’
tkeepdoingi
tNozibusi
so.”He
warnedherforthel
astt
imeandshedidn’t
removethem butshej
ustfl
appedhereyelashes
l
uringhi
mi n.
Hedidn’
ttal
kfur
therhepul
l
edherclosert
ohi
m
andgaveherwhatshewanted.Hi
sbigli
ps
smashedont
oherf
ull
smal
ll
ips.
Hepackedherunder neathhi
m andheldher
waisttight
ly.Nozi
busisograbbedontohisbig
armst hathadnobumpst oholdontobutthe
toughpl ai
nmanf lesh.Hewasonawhi tevest
withhissuitpantsonandNozi busi
sohadthe
gownont opandt heskimpypyjamas
underneath.
Hestoppedt hekissandsuppor
tedhisupper
bodywi t
hhi sel
bowshelookeddownather
readi
ngher .Hewasn’tsmil
i
ngbutthewoman
underneathwassmi l
ingbi
ti
ngherlowerli
p.
Hisrighthandwentdownandunf astenedthe
beltofthegownhi seyesyear
ningtoseewhat
wasunder neat
handunt il
nowhehadnev er
thoughtaslim womancoul dl
ooksoappet i
sing.
Hewasbi gontopofherandshewassl i
m and
beautif
ul.Heundressedhercompletel
yand
tookhistimeappraisi
ngherbody.
“
Youwantt
his?
”Heaskedt
ogett
heassur
ance.
Nozibusiso:
“Iwoul
dn’thaveletyouremovemy
cl
othes.”shesai
d,hervoiceshortbr
eathedand
herhandsmassaginghisbr oadshoulder
s.
Hewasn’tamanwi t
hsixpackbutnei
thera
manwithabell
y.Shelethi
m hav
ehiswaywi t
h
herwi
l
li
ngly.
Hespr eadherlongslimlegsapartaftert
hey
havecar essed,ki
ssed,massagedand
ravenouslyteasedeachotherwithforepl
ay.The
kindthatNozibusisohadneverreceiv
edf r
om
thethreeuniversi
tyboyshadshe’dbeenwi th.
Shewel comedhim shar
plyandtheman
groaneddeeplyexci
ti
ngNozibusisoasshehel
d
ontot hebedsheetsmovingalongwit
hhim
underneath…
“Youhaveaboy f
ri
end?”Heaskedt hr
owinghis
heavybodynexttoheraftert
heyhavesati
sfi
ed
eachother
.Helovedeverymomentofi t
,when
heheardhercryandscream hisnamewithher
sweetseduct
ivevoi
ce.
Nozibusi
so:“I
sn’
tthatsomethi
ngy ouwer
e
supposedtoaskmebef oreyoufi
ll
edme? ”she
askedhookingherlegonhisandlayi
ngher
sweatyfaceonhissweatychest.
Gwabi
ni:
“Iam aski
ngy
ounow.
”
Nozibusiso:“
Yes,Ihaveone.”Shetol
dhi
m
tr
uthful
lyandGwabi ni
tauntedhisj
awasa
suddenr ushofangerover
whel medhim.
Gwabi
ni:
“Wher
eishe?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“He’
swor
kingi
nCapeTown.
”
Gwabini:
“Youst
il
lwanthi
m af
terwhathadj
ust
happenednow?”
Nozibusi
so:“Iam nott
oosure.
”Shesaidsit
ti
ng
onhistorsoandsentherr
ighthandatherback
toreachforwhathadexci
tedherjustafew
minutesago.
Gwabini:“
Whatareyoudoing?”heaskedtry
ing
t
or i
seupbutshepushedhi m back.“
Whatare
youdoing?”heaskedagai
nandsoundi ng
seri
ousthisti
me.Nozibusi
sodidn’
tanswerhi
m
butshepushedherbodyont ohi
m andshowed
him whathehasneverbeenshowedbeforeand
themandi dn’
tpr
otest
…

[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE36

Shewokeupf eeli
ngtir
edanddr ained.She
removedtheblanketandsawshewasst i
ll
on
thedressshewaswear ingthepreviousday.
Shewasn’tsur
prisedthatshefel
l asleeponthe
grassbutwokeupi nbed.
Dali
suwasnotnexttoherandsoshemadet he
bedandopenedthewindows.Shetookoffher
dressandworehergown.Marchi
ngupt othe
doorshenot
icedhersui
tcaseandthebagby
thedoor
.Dali
suenter
edtheroom onhisgown.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedathi
m andhedidn’tgreet
her.Hemadehiswaytothedressi
ngtable.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whyar
emybagsher
e?”
Dali
su: “
Youar egoinguptomymot her
’shouse
t
oday .Ihav
ei nformedherandshe’
sexpecti
ng
youandNozi busiso.”
Shestoodonthedoorforquiteal ongti
me
l
ookingathim.Dali
suproceededwi thwhathe
wasdoingasifshewasn’tintheroom withhi
m.
Thembeli
hleknockedt
hedoorcl osedonher
wayoutbumpi ngi
ntoNozibusisoont he
hal
lway.Shewasonhercl ot
hesr eadyfort
he
day.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youwer
eti
redt
owakeupt
his
l
ate.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iam f
inebuty
oudon’
tlookso
gr
eat.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iknow.Di
dheasky
out
ogoget
myclot
hes?”
Nozi
busiso:
“Yes,
andItookev er
yskir
t,doek,
dr
essandblousesthaty
ouhadi nyourclothes.
HesaidIshoul
dtakeappropr
iatecl
othes.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lgoandshowert
hen
wewil
lleave.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ri
ghtaway
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Doy
ouwantt
ost
ay?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“No,
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
”
Thembel
ihl
enoddedandwenttotakeashower
.
Shewashedherbodyt
horoughl
yandlef
tthe
bathr
oom whenshewassati
sfi
ed.
Dalisuwasbusysor t
ingoutpapersinsi
dethe
bedr oom.Thembeli
hletookofft
hegownand
moi stenedherbody
.Shewor eherbrownand
caramel att
ir
e.Shecombedherhai randti
edthe
doekonherhead.Dal isul
eftt
heroom leavi
ng
thepaper sonthebed.
Thembel i
hlet ookherbagandsui tcase.She
wenttoputt hem ont hel
oungeshet henwent
tothekitchenandmadeacupofcof feef or
hersel
f.Shest oodonhert oesasshewas
standi
ngbyt hesi nkshelookedout sidet hr
ough
thatwindow.ShesawNozi busisoseat edont he
benchundert het r
eewithabowl ofcer ealand
Gwabiniwasst andi
ngbeforeherl ookingdown
ather.Thembel ihl
egiggl
edandr esol
v edback
toherposi t
ion.Shehadhercof feewhi le
prepari
ngbr eakf astf
orDalisu.
Dali
supassedthedini
ngtabl
ewit
hhisbag.
Thembeli
hlehadjustf
ini
shedput
ti
ngever
ythi
ng
onthetabl
e.
“Wher
eareyougoing?
”Sheaskedf
oll
owi
ng
hi
mt othel
ounge.
Dal
i
su:“
Iam goi
ngt
oRi
char
dsbayt
ocheckon
mycompany
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,comeandeatf
ir
st.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lhav
esomet
hingont
hewayIam
runni
nglat
e.”Hesaidput
ti
nghi
shandonthe
handl
e.Thembeli
hlemovedfor
wardandst
ood
befor
ehimr emov
inghishandf
rom t
hedoor
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihavemadebreakf
astf
oryouso
pl
easegoandeati t
.”Shel
ookedathi
m wit
h
fi
rm ey
es.Hesighedlooki
ngasi
de.
Dal
i
su:“
Itwon’
tbeappr
opr
iat
eifIcomel
atef
or
myboar
dmeeting.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Idon’tcar
eaboutallt
hat,
justgo
andeatmyf ood.Theteaisgett
ingcol
d.You
wil
lnotgoany wher
ewi t
houteati
ng.
”
Hewasdef eat
ed.Heputhi sbagsdownand
ploddedbackt othediningt ablehehadpass
l
ikehewasn’ tseeingit
.Hesatdownandf ol
ded
hishandsresti
nghi selbowsont hetable.
Thembelihledishedthebr eakfastandser ved
him.Shesatdownandbl essedt hefood.Dali
su
beganeating.Thembel i
hledi dn’teatshejust
toywithherfood.
Dal
i
sunot
icedt
hatshewasn’
teat
ingbuthe
keptquietandatet hefoodshehadf orcedhim
toeat.Hesawonherf acethatwhathad
happenedwasst i
l
l i
nsi
deherheartbot her
ing
herandshel ookedsad.Buthedeci dednotask
anyt
hing.Hedi dn’
twantt otal
kaboutit,he
wantedt ogotoRi char
dsbayandwor k.He
knewi fhewast ospeakt oheraboutwhathad
happenedhewasgoi ngt ol
eavethehouse
angry.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Makhosi
sai
d-”
“Idon’
twanttotal
kaboutthat
.”Hestoppedher
rai
singhi
shandintheairasst
opsign.Hedidn’
t
evenlookatheraf
terhehadsaidt
hattoher
face.
Thembelihl
eswall
owedhardandgotupf rom
thechair
.Shelef
tthehousemakingherway
downt othemen’shousepassi
ngNozibusiso
andGwabi nil
i
ketheywerenotther
e.
Sheknockedont
hedoorandMaj
olaappear
ed
aft
erafewminut
es.
Maj
ola:
“Ndl
ovukazi
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yebo,
cany
out
ell
Njongot
hatI
am r
eadytogo.
”
Maj
ola:
“Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m now.
”
Shenoddedandt ur nedwal ki
ngbacktothe
housesl owl
y.Shewaswal kingi
nbetweenthe
treesholdi
ngthem f orbal
ance.Sheheldonto
thetreesheheldlastandbeganpant i
ng.She
criedholdi
ngthetreet i
ghtandbendherback,
shecr i
edmakinglesssounds.
“Ndl
ovukaziMaSthole.
”Njongocall
edherout
hisvoi
cesoftt
hanusual .Hewasnotsure
whethertohol
dheruporkeephi shandsto
himsel
f.Buthedecidedtokeepthem t
o
himsel
f.
Thembeli
hlegotupi
mmediat
elyandlooked
backsheremovedherey
esfr
om him andwiped
hert
ears.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mybagsar
eint
hel
oungey
ou
canpassbyt
hetreebenchandtel
lNozibusiso
thati
t’
sti
metogo.”Sheinf
ormedherwitha
shakyvoi
cet
hatshetri
edhardtopul
ltogether
.
Nj
ongo:
“Yebo.
”Hemov
edf
orwar
d.
Thembel ihl
e:“Njongo.
”Shecalledhi
m outand
het urnedbutdidn’tl
ookather.Helookeddown.
“Iam sorrythatIranoutonyouy est
erday.I
didn’tmeant ocauset r
oubl
e.”Shesaid
genui nel
y.
Njongo:“
You’l
lbefine,
fri
endshi
pscomeandgo.
Justli
kepeopl
ear ebornandtheydi
e.I
t’
saway
ofli
fendl
ovukazi
.”Hemanagedt osay.
Thembeli
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”sheappr
eci
atedhi
s
words.
NjongoleftherandThembelihlecomposed
hersel
fdrawingairi
nsideherlungs.Shewiped
hertear
swi thherhandsandheadedi nsi
dethe
housetogetapr operfacewash.Dalisuwas
sti
llonthedini
ngtabletal
ki
ngt osomeoneon
thephone.
Shemoi stenedherf
ace,t
ookherphoneand
pursethenshepassedherhusbandwhowas
sti
l
l t
alki
ngont hephone.
“
Youar er eadytogo? ”Thembeli
hleasked
NozibusisolookingatherandGwabi ni
.They
weretalkingstandingbesideDal
isu’
sranger
.
Nozi
busi
so:“Yeah,y
eah.It
houghty
ouar
e
sayi
nggoodbyeinsi
de.
”
Thembel
ihle:“
Let’
sgo.”Shesai
dignor
ingher
st
atement.“GoodbyeGwabini
.”
Gwabi
ni:
“Goodby
e,MaJobe.
”
Theyheadedt othecar.Dal
isuwalkedoutof
thehouseandhi seyeswenttoThembel i
hleas
shewal ki
ngwi t
hherfri
endtothecar.He
stoppedwalkingandsenthishandont heblack
suitpockethewaswear i
ng.Helookedather
everymov euntil
thecarwasdriv
enout .
“
Let
’sgo.”Dal
i
susai dopeni
ngthebackdoorof
t
heblackcompressor.Gwabi
nimovedaway
fr
om t
herangerandr
ushedi
ntot
he
compr
essor.
Gwabi
ni:
“Wear
epassi
ngbyt
her
oyal
house?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wewi
l
lfi
ndt
hem ont
hemai
nroad.
”
Hedr
ovet
hecaroutoft
hepr
emi
ses…
-
--
--
“Oh,mtanami!
”MaCebekhulusawshewasn’ t
okaytheminutesheappear
edont hedoor.And
nowshewasst andi
ngbeforeher,af
tershehad
putawayherclot
hesinthebedroom.
Thembeli
hledi
dn’thol
dhertearsshecr
ied.
MaCebekhuluhuggedherandlethercr
yinsi
de
herchest
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Shejustt
oldmethatshedoesn’
t
wanttobemyf ri
endandIshoul
dn’tcometo
herhousenomor e.
”Shecri
ed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Why
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Shedi
dn’
twantt
otel
lmemama
butIfi
gur editoutonmyown.Herhusbandhi t
herafterMagebahadsummonedt hem andher
husbandf orcedhertobreakourfri
endshi
p.She
evencr i
edmamashowi ngthatshedidn’
twant
tobreakt hefri
endshi
p.Andshebeggedmenot
tospeakt oherhusbandbecausemyhusband
wasgoi ngtosummonhi m agai
n.”Shecri
ed.
MaCebekhulu:“Iam sor
rysi
sibutIthi
nkshe
wil
lcomear oundoncetheangerdiesdownon
herhusband.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Shewon’
tbemymatr
onof
honouranymoremama.Shet
oldmethatandI
wanther.
”
“Kwenzenjani
enganeniMaCebekhul
u? ”
MaKhozaaskedappear i
ngont heki
tchen
showingfakeconcern.MaCebekhul
utoldhert
o
l
eavethem usingherhandsandshenodded
tur
ningbutshestoodont hehall
way.
MaCebekhulu:
“Howaboutwet ryt
oconvince
hert
obey ourmaidofhonourandfornowdon’t
speakaboutf
ixi
ngfr
iendshi
p.Theweddingi
sa
happyoccasi
onandsoev er
ythi
ngwill
fal
li
nto
pl
ace.Shewil
lbeyourfri
endagain.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yout hi
nkthatwil
lwork?”she
mov edawayfrom herandwipedhertears.
MaCebekhulusmiledlooki
ngathowwel l
dressedshewas.
MaCebekhul u:
“ Yebo,itwi
l
lwork.Idon’
twant
youtoloseherasf r
iendshei
sagoodwoman.
Thekindofper sony ouneedandIknowshe’s
l
oyalj
ustl i
keherhusbandhasbeenev ersi
nce
he’
dstartedwor kingformyhusband.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,thanky
ou,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul u:“Okay, goandcal l
y ourfr
iend
theneatIpr eparedfoodf oryoutwo.The
designeriscomi ngwewi l
ltakemeasur ement s
evenwi t
houtMakhosi .Shewi l
lstartworkingon
thegarment s.Thegr oomsmenwi l
lcomet oo.
”
Shesaidcl eaningherey e.Thembel i
hleclosed
hereye.“Ispoket oDal i
suandt oldhimt oadda
thi
rdguy,twopeoplewon’ tbeenoughas
abakhaphibutthreewill
be.Wewi l
ltake
Nomf undoiqhi
kizajusttostandi
n.Youdon’
t
haveapr obl
em? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Idon’
t.
”
MaCebekhul u:
“Iwil
lgoatt
endy ourot
her
motherin-
law.”Thembeli
hlenodded.“
Angimazi
uf
unani l
a.”Shewhisper
edandThembel i
hle
gi
ggled.Theyleftt
hekit
chentogether
…
-
--
--
--
-
“Wher
ear eyou,Sgwili
?”MaKhozaaskedher
sonspeakingtohim onthephone.Shehad
newstosharewi t
hherson.
Sgwili
:“Iam near
bymamai
twon’
ttakemucht
o
reachyourhouse.”
MaKhoza:“Okay
,ngi
zovalal
a.”Shehungupt
he
cal
landwenttotheki
tchentopreparef
oodf
or
herson.Hermaidwasprepar
ingdinner
.
“
Isai
ddon’
tcookt
odayIwi
l
lcookbecausemy
husbandi
scominghere!
”sheshoutedatt
he
gi
rlandshedr
oppedthekni
fequickl
y.
Gi
rl
:“Iam sor
ryndl
unkul
u.”
MaKhoza:“Idon’tknowwhyPhi ndi
lelovest o
l
eaveyoualonebecauset hereisnothi
ngt hat
youdori
ght!”sheshout ed,thegir
lwasl ooking
down.“
Cleant hi
skitchenandl eavehere!”
Gi
rl
:“Yebo,
ndl
unkul
u!”
Shedidasshehadtoldher
.MaKhozaf
inished
upandwenttothedini
ngtabl
ewit
hthefood.
Hissonent
eredthehouse.
MaKhoza:
“Yousawy
ourbr
otherof
f?”
Sgwi
li
:“Yes,
Ndumisoal
way
swantmoneybut
hehashismoney
.”
MaKhoza:“
He’syourbrot
herther
eisnothi
ng
wrongwhenyougivehim money.
”Shesaid
gi
vinghi
mthefood.Heryoungersonhadflown
backtoUni
ver
sit
y.“Iwasatyouroldermot
her’
s
house.
”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Thatwoman,
whati
sshedoi
ngnow?
”
MaKhozalaughed.“Herdaught
eri n-
lawis
dr
ivi
ngthem crazybutshe’
sdri
vingy ourbr
other
ev
encrazier
.”Shesharedinawhi sper.
Sgwil
ichuckl
ed.“
Moderngir
ls,
whathasshe
done?”heaskedtaki
ngabit
eonthefood.Hi
s
mothercl
appedherhands.
MaKhoza:“Aft
erthatt
avernrumouri
tissai
d
thatMakhosiwantsnot
hingtodowithherand
shedoesn’tev
enwanttobehermat ronof
honouranymore.Thi
sprovesthatgi
rli
s
poison.
”
Sgwil
i
:“Idon’
tevenbeli
evethatshe’
sreal
l
ya
vi
rgi
n.Youshouldhavehercheckedsothatshe
canpayafine.Andsheshouldpay3cows.”
MaKhoza:“Youknowthatwi
l
lnev
erhappen.
Dal
i
suwi l
lsaynotoit
!”
Sgwi
l
i:“
Buty
oucanconv
incedadt
odoi
t.
”
MaKhoza:
“Yeah,
youar
eri
ghtIwi
l
ldot
hatand
aft
erthatDali
suandthegi r
l’
snamewi ll
beon
themudagai nandthisti
medeeperont he
mud.”Shelaughedclappingherhands.“They
ref
usedtomakey oukingandnotevendeputy
buttheychosethatweakboySbani .
”
Sgwili
:“Dali
suistwiceasweak”Theyboth
cl
ickedtheirtongues.“
Weshoul dfi
ndawayt o
makesur ethatMakhosi doesn’
tagreet
obeher
matronandt hatwaypeopl ewil
lsayshehas
al
sosawt hegirlf
orwhoshei s.
”
MaKhoza:
“Yes,
that
’scl
ever
.”
Thegi
rlwasl
eani
ngbyt
hewal
ll
ist
eni
ngt
o
them…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE37

Dal
isudi
dn’
tcomet
ohismother
’shousefor
di
nnerhesl
epti
nRi
char
dsbayathisbeach
house.Hewor
kedt
il
ll
ateandopt
ednott
odr
ive
backhome.
Buthewast her
einmor ning,f
orbreakfast
.
Thembeli
hle,Nokut
hulaandNozi busi
so
prepar
edthebreakfasttoget
her.Theformer
ki
ngwasgoi ngtojointhem f
orbreakfastt
oo.
Nokuthul
a:“
Ididn’
tseet
hesket
chofy
ourdr
ess
yest
erdaysi
siLihl
e.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youcamel
atet
hat
’swhyy
ou
di
dn’
tseeit
.”
Nozi
busi
so:“
You’
l
lseei
tasasur
pri
sej
ustl
i
ke
t
hegroom.”
Thethr
eeoft
hem l
aughed.MaCebekhul
u
appear
edont
hekit
chenentrance.
MaCebekhulu:“
Wear ewai
ti
ngfort
hefood,
yourf
atherandbrot
herNokut
hulat
heyareher
e
andyouarebusylaughi
ng.
”
Thegi
rl
sgiggl
ed.“
Wear
esor
rymama.
”
Nokut
hul
asaid.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Makot
i?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wewi
l
lbet
her
enow.
”
Sheleftt
hem andtheymadeev er
ythi
ngfast
.
Theyfoll
owedeachothertothedini
ngtabl
e
andwentbackt ogetther
estofthefood.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Goandcal
lthem t
hen
Nokut
hul
a.”
Nokuthul
a:“Howu!Youar
ethewi
fesogoand
cal
lthem.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam ol
dert
hany
ouandIsaygo.
”
Nokut
hul
a:“
Ha!Iwi
l
ltel
lmybr
other
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iknowy ouwon’t.
”shesmi l
ed,
Nokut
hul
asulkedandleft
.Theylaughed.
Thembel
ihl
eandNozibusisostoodasidethey
weregoi
ngtositwhentheeldershavesat
down.
“Ar
eyouguysalri
ghtnow? ”Nozi
busi
soasked
Thembel
ihl
elookingatherandsheshookher
headwit
houtgiv
ingexplanati
on.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ihaven’
tfor
gottent
hatyoudi
dn’
t
tel
lmewhathappenedbetweenyouand
Gwabi
ni.
”
“Shutup.”Shegiggl
edandl ookeddownast he
headoft hehouseleadt hem t
ot hetabl
e.
Thembel ihl
erai
sedherheadandherey esmet
Dalisu’speacef
uleyes.Hewasl ookingather.
Thembel ihl
eremovedherey esandlookedat
thef oodthatwasont hetabl
e.Theysatdown
afterthem.Thembelihlesatnextto
Nozi busi
so.
“No,
MaSt holesitnexttoDali
su.
”MaCebekhul u
i
nstr
uctedher.Thembel i
hlerai
sedherey esand
hewasl ooki
ngather .Shestoodup,herheart
beat
ingfast.“Ev
erytimey ouwil
lsi
tthere,
okay
? ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
MaCebekhulu:“Si
tt
ingarrangement
sare
i
mportanti
nt hefamilyeveninol
derti
meswhen
wehadnof ancythingsli
ketheseoneswehave
now.Inmyf ather’
shousewewoul dsittoget
her
withdadsitti
ngont hebenchwi t
hhissmal l
tableandmom nextt ohim onthef l
oorthe
daughterswouldbeont hemot hers’sideand
thesonsont hefather’
ssides.Thefirewouldbe
i
nt hemiddle.Alwaysremembert hatwheny ou
havechil
dren.”Shetoldherlooki
ngather .
Thembelihl
ewasl ookingdown.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lremembermama.
”
“Youwantchil
drennow?”hewhi
speredi
ntoher
earandshejustgavehert
hesi
delookwit
hout
givi
ngananswer.
Ndabezitha:“Yourmotheri sr
ightMaSt
hole,a
f
ami l
yhav ingfoodtogetherissomethi
ngthat’
s
i
mpor tant.Butthatdoesn’tmeanyoushould
whisperintoherearsDalisubecauseshe’
snext
t
oy ou.”
Everyonel
aughed.MaCebekhulurequest
edt
hat
herhusbandpray.Theyj
oinedhandsand
droppedthei
rheads.Heprayed…
“MaSthol
e,l
etthegir
lsclearthetabl
eIwantto
speaktoyoualongwithy ourmotherand
husband.
”Ndabezit
har equestedastheywere
standi
ngontheirf
eettocl eart
hetabl
eafter
dinner
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo.
”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Let
’sgot
oyourr
estr
oom
nkosi
kazi
.”
TheystoodandThembel
ihl
estoodupfol
lowi
ng
aft
erDali
su.Hel
ookedbackandpull
edher
for
ward.
“Walkher
e.”Hesaidputti
ngherbeforehim.
Thembeli
hledi
dn’tsayany t
hingandheread
thathewassti
ll
notingoodt er
mswithher.He
hadtospeaktoherandt rytomakethingsri
ght
.
Hemadeament alnote.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
swr
ongbaba?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Icomewit
haconcer
nfrom
omamawhoar einchar
geoft
hegir
lsint
his
v
il
lage.Theyar
econcer
naboutThembel
i
hle.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sthei
rconcer
n?”
Ndabezi
tha:“Theywanttocheckwhet hershe’
s
real
l
ypureaf t
erthebehaviourthatshe’sbeen
uptolat
elytheywantt oensurethatshedidn’t
foolt
hem andliedaboutbeingav ir
gin.You
knowthat’
sanof fense.
”
Thembel i
hleclosedherey esandlookeddown.
MaKhozahadmanagedt oconvinceher
husbandt hatthewomenwant edt ocheck
Thembel i
hle’svi
rgini
ty.Shespoket oonethe
womenandconv incedhertobackuphert heor
y
andgot el
l theotherwoment odot hisfort
he
honouroft hepuregi r
ls,t
hewomenand
tr
adit
ions.
Dal
i
su:
“Nowt
hatwi
l
lnothappen!
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whyar
etheyr
equest
ingt
his?
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Theywanttomakesur
ethatt
hey
di
dn’tmakeamistakeandi
fThembel
ihl
edi
dn’
t
foolt
hem.Youknowgir
lshavedonethati
nthe
pastandifshehasf
ool
edthem shewil
lhavet
o
payafine.
”
Dal
isu:“Thatwi
l
lnothappen.Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou
andtel
lthosewoment hatshewi
llnot
par
tici
pate.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Whyaresoworkedupaboutthi
s
oryouknowthatsomethi
ngisnotr
ightwi
thher
.
Oryouhavealr
eadybeenwit
hher?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lnotanswert
hat
!”heshout
ed.
MaCebekhul u:“
DalisuZul
u!Don’traiseyour
toneony ourfat
her.He’syourfatherandyou
shouldrespecthim.”sheaddressedhim.“And
therei
snot hi
ngy oushoul
dwor ryabout
becausey ouknowThembel ihl
ehasnotbeen
withaman. ”Shecleared.
Dal
isu:“
Thebott
om li
neis;Idon’twanthert
o
becheckedbyanyone.Iwon’tdancetothet
une
oft
hosewomen. ”
Ndabezi
tha:“
It
’saboutt
radi
ti
onDal
i
sut
heywi
l
l
havetodothi
s.”
Hestoodonhi sfeet
.“Theywillnotdoi
tonmy
wi
fe.Whatisitthatt
heydidn’tseewhenthey
werechecki
ngherbef or
eIrecognisedher
.
Ngekengeyisweabafazimina.Tsk!”he
i
nformedthem andleft.
Thembelihl
esatthereonthecouchfeel
ingno
emotions.Shedi
dn’tcar
ewhethertheycheck
herornot.Sheknewshehadnot hi
ngtohide.
Ndabezi
tha:
“MaSt
hol
eyouwi
l
lhav
etodot
his.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Baba,i
tisnotwisethatshe
cont
inuesanddothisbecauseherhusbandhad
sai
dno.”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Thi
sshoul
dbedonet
ocl
earhi
s
name.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Buthehasclear
lyst
atedt
hathe
doesn’
twanti
ttobedone.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam t
heonewhoshamedhi
min
thefi
rstpl
aceandsoi
fthi
swi
l
lcl
earhi
sname.
Iwil
ldoit.
”
MaCebekhul usighed.“That
’sgood.
”
Ndabezithasaidandst ooduptoleavethem.
Thembelihlerai
sedherheadt olookather
motherin-l
aw.Shej ustshookherheadshowing
shedidn’
tsuppor twhatwashappening.
Thembel
i
hle: “
Idon’
tlikeittoomamabutifI
don’
tdoi
tt heywil
ltal
kmor eandt
heywil
lsay
Magebai
sbacki ngmebecauseIhav etr
icked
hi
m.Iam thecitygi
rlafterall
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“Iam sor
ry,
mnt anami andIam
sor
ryforwhatIsai
dt oy
out heotherday.Iwas
j
ustangry
.”
Thembelihl
e:“It’
sjustbridgeunderwat er.Iwi
ll
gonow.”Shest oodupandshel ethergo.
Thembelihl
er eall
ydidn’tcarewhet hershewas
checkedornotal lshewant edwast ogetitov
er
anddonewi th.Butshewaswor riedabout
Dali
su.Shewaswor r
iedthathedi dn’twantal
l
t
his.
Sheopenedthedoortotheguest
room which
wasnowherr oom andshegotafri
ghtseeing
Dal
isuseat
edont hebed.
Herai
sedhi
sheadandl
ookedatherasshehad
herey
esonhim.
“Lockthedoorandcomet ome. ”Heinstructed
herlooki
ngatherf rom downwher ehewas.
Thembel i
hlefel
therbodyshi verasshe
recei
vedhiswor d.Shereleasedherbr eath
feel
ingthetensiononherbody .Sheturned
slowlyandlockedthedoorashehadi nstructed
her.
Shewalkedt
owar dshi
m sl
owlyplayi
ngwi
thher
fi
nger
s.Shereachedhi
m.Dal i
suhel
dherhand
andmadehersitonhislef
tthi
gh.Shehel
don
tohi
m.
Dal
isu:“
Ilastsawy
ou,
yest
erdaymor
ning.How
ar
ey ou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam notf
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dali
su:
“Iam fi
ne,youwantedtospeakabout
Makhosiyest
erdaymorning.
”Her emi
ndedher
taki
ngherhandint
ohis.Shelookeddowntothe
acti
on.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yes,andy
oujusti
gnor
edme.You
tol
dmey oudon’twantt
ospeakabouti
t.Iwas
angrywi
thyouMageba.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
enotangr
ynow?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam;
can’
tyousee?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatdi
dIdo?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
YousummonedMakhosi andshe
gotbeatenbyherhusbandandnowshewon’t
bemymat r
onofhonour.Shewon’
tbemy
fr
iendanymoreherhusbandfor
cedhert
ostop
ourfr
iendshi
p.”
Dal
isu:“
There’snothi
ngIcandoifMzwakheis
t
heonewhot oldhertost
opthefri
endshi
p.I
t
won’tberi
ghttohav eMakhosi
li
stentomebut
notherhusband’
swor
d.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Buty
ouar
etheki
ng.
”
Dali
su:
“Yes,Iam butt
hatdoesn’
tmeanIwi l
l
rul
epeopl
e’shomesandt el
lthem howtor
un
t
hehouseandwhot hewif
eshouldlist
ent
o.”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,youcanifyouseethatt
he
si
tuati
onisbadandnowy ouaretry
ingtotel
l
met haty
ouwon’tdoanythi
ngabouthim
beati
ngher?”
Dal
isu:
“No,Iwon’
tdoanyt
hingunlessshe
comestomeandcompl ai
nagainsthi
mt henI
wil
lhavet
odosomething.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
No, butnowyouknowt
hatthi
sis
happeni
ngandi t
’swrong.I
tswomenabusethat
herhusbandisdoingtoher
.”
Dal
i
su:“
Thenshewi
l
lhav
etocomet
omeorgo
t
othepol
ice.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou,
soy
ou’
l
lhi
tme
toooneday?
”
Dali
su:“No,whywoul dIdot hattoy ou?”heheld
herfacelookingather .“Iwouldn’twanttoruin
youinany wayandi fIwascapabl eofhitt
ing
youIwoul dhavedonet hatwheny oumademe
angryespeciall
ywheny oushout edatme.I
real
l
yhat ethatThembel i
hleandIdon’ twantto
keepremindingy ouofi t
.”
Thembelihle:“Iam sorry
,”shepl acedherhead
onhishead.“ Youar ehappyt hatIhav elostmy
fr
iendandy oudon’tcaret hatIam sadabouti t
becausey ouar et
hinkingt hatthedeat hofthi
s
fr
iendshi
pwi l
lsaveyourr eputation.It
’sfi
ne
don’tdoany thi
ngabouti t.Iwillbefine.”
Dalisu:“Yousai
dhebeatsherandifIcanspeak
t
ohi m nowhewill
beatheragai
nfornot
l
isteningtohim.Weneedtokeepquiettosave
yourf r
iend.
”
Atearescapeonhereye.Heraisedhi
shandto
wi
peit,hehadfel
tfal
lonhim butThembel
ihl
e
st
oppedhim byhol
dingthathand.Shewi
ped
t
het
earher
sel
f.Dal
i
susi
ghed.
“Thembel i
hle,
”hecal
ledherinrequestforher
att
enti
onbutshedi dn’tsayany
thing.Shekept
quiet
.“Idon’tknowwhaty ouwantmet odot o
makey ouhappybecauseIam t ell
ingyouthat
wecan’ tspeaktohernow.”headded.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ine.
”
Dali
su:“
No,youarenotandIdon’
twantt
o
speakaboutt
hisanymore.
”
Shenodded,promisi
ngher
selft
hatshewas
goingtospeaktoMzwakheandmaket hi
ngs
ri
ght.Shewasn’tgoi
ngt
orelyonDali
su.
Dal
isubenddownandt ookoffhersli
pper
s.
“Whataredoi ng?
”sheaskedl ooki
ngdownbut
shedidn’tseewhathewasdoi ngsheonlyfel
t
hi
sact i
ons.Heal sotookoffhisshoesandhe
movedupt hebedwi t
hher.Theylaidonthebed
l
ookingintoeachot her’
seyes.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwantt
oli
edownher
ewi
thy
ou.
”he
plant
edawetki ssonherl
ipsshesmi
ledand
remov edhereyesfr
om hi
m.“Youagr
eedtodo
thetest?”heasked.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yesandthat
’sbecauseIwi
llcl
ear
thenamethatIhaveshamed,yourname.
”
Dali
su: “
YouknowIcanst opyoufrom doingi
t,
bubbles.”Hesaidsendinghishandonherback.
“NotbecauseIdon’ twantyouto,ohyes,Idon’
t
wanty out odoitbutIcanmakey oucryandtell
them youwon’ tdoit.
”Hesaidunfast
eningthe
backbut tonsofherdress.
Thembelihl
e:“Andhowcanyoudothat
?”she
askedpressi
ngherthi
ghstoget
hert
oshutthe
pressur
ewi t
hinher
.
Dali
su:“Icantakeoffyourcl
otheshere,
right
nowandy ouwouldn’
tevenstopme.May bey ou
cansay‘no’oncebuttwiceyouwon’tsay
anyt
hingtostopme. ”hesaidhisvoi
cesof ton
herearsandhisbreathwarm onherneckashe
hadmov edclosertoit
.Sheheldherbreathnot
tr
ust
ingher
sel
ftohav
ethecour
aget
osaynot
o
hi
m.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihavesaidnotoal otofmenand
Icansti
l
lsaynot oyou.”shel
ied.Shehadnever
sai
dnot oanyonebesideshernerdboyfr
iendof
l
essthantwomont hs.
“Real
ly?
”hechal lenged, drumminghisf i
ngers
onherbarebackf ocusingmor eonherspi nal
boneknobs.Hel ookedatherf aceandshehad
hereyesclosed.Hermout hshapedintoanO
andherfacel ookinglovelyintohi
sey es.“Let
meguess, thosewer et hehighschool boys
ri
ght?Whot houghtwi thj ustoneki
sst heycan
j
usthavetheirwaywi thy ou?”heaskedkissing
herneck.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ah…No,
theywer
emen…not
boys…”
Dal
isu:“
Real
ly”heki
ssedherdeeperfocusi
ng
onthesensi
ti
vepartoftheneck.Helovedhow
shesuddenl
yheldontight
lyt
ohi sar
ms
t
hrowi
ngherl
egabov
ehi
s.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydoy
ouwantt
oknow?
”
Dal
isu:“
Ithi
nkIshoul
dknowwhoy
ou’
vebeen
wit
h.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Wouldyoudot hesameandtel
l
me?Ihav en’
tgoneasfarbeyondtheki
ssbut
youhave.Doy out
hinkthat
’sfai
r?”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’tknow!”hesaidmov ingswi f
tl
y
andhehadherunder neathl
ookingdownather
whil
ehel oweredherdresstor
ev eal herbr
east
s
onherpinkbra.Theylookedbeautiful.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam notdoi
ngi
ttoday
,her
e.”
Dali
su:“Imeanti
twhenIsai
dt hosewomenwi
l
l
notcheckyouandthi
sistheonlywayIcan
stopthem.”heki
ssedt
hesoftnessofher
breast
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ah…No…Dal i,st
opit.
”Sheheld
hi
sshoul
derskneadingt
hestif
fshoulder
muscl
es.Hedidn’
ttakenot
eofany t
hingbuthe
focusedonherbr eastwi
thhisot
herhand
remov i
ngherdresscompletel
yandhethrewi
t
onthef l
oorandlookedatherper
fect
nakedness.
Dali
su:“DoyourememberIoncerubbedmysel
f
ony ou?
”heaskedkissi
ngherbell
yandusedhi
s
tongueonherbell
ybutt
on,hert
oescurl
edand
sheheldthesheet
sbendingherbackup.
Thembel
ihl
e:“I
tdoesn’
tchangeanythi
ng.
”She
managedtosaynotreal
isi
ngthathewastaki
ng
offhi
scl
othes.
Dal
isu:
“Andhowdoy ouknow?”hemovedback
upandkissednotcar
ingi
fsheanswer
shi
m or
not
.
Thembelihl
efelthi
sbar eski
nonherski
nbut
herpanti
eswer esti
l
lwi t
hherandsoshewas
sti
l
lsafe.Shetoldherself
.
Dali
sumovedhi
stongueinsi
dehermouth
l
ockingi
twit
hherswhil
eremovingherbr
a.
Thembel
ihl
efel
thishar
dnessandshewanted
topushhi
m offherbuthermymi ndwas
play
ingt
ri
cksonhershedi dn’
tthi
nkst
rai
ght
.
Dali
su: “
Iwi l
ldowhatIwantt odoandy ou, don’
t
worryaboutany thingjusttr
ustme.Okay ?”he
sai
dl ookingint
oherey esbutsheshookher
head.“Iam ont opandy ouareunderneathy ou
can’
tmov efrom me.Youar emi neandIam
yours.Nowomenwi ll
openy ourlegsandl ook
atyoubesi desiftheyar et
akingmychi l
doutof
you.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’twantchil
dren.
”Shesai
d
hervoi
ceshortbreathedasshef el
thi
s
fi
rmnessinbetweenherthighs.
Dal
i
su:
“ButIwi
l
lgi
vey
ouonenow.
”
“Dali
su…”sherai
sedhervoicebuthekissedand
stoppedherfr
om tal
ki
ng.Shemel t
edintoa
puddlebeneat
hhistouch.Hedidwhathe
desir
edtodobutinbetweenherwar mt hi
ghs.
Shefel
tthethi
ckf
lui
dfi
l
lheral
readysweat
y
thi
ghsandthemanontopofherburi
edhis
thi
ckfi
nger
sonherhai
randr
ubbedherscal
p
pul
li
ngherhai
rsof
tl
ywhil
ehegr
oaneddeeply
…
Hel ai
dnextt oherandclosedhiseyes.They
werest i
llnakedbutshewasuncomf ortabl
e.
“LetthatnotbotherIwil
ltakecareofit
.”He
saidpulli
ngherforakiss.Aknockont hedoor
dist
urbedt hem.Thembelihl
equickl
yhide
herselfonhim.Hesmi l
edandhel dherhead.
“
Whoi
sit
!”heaskedshowi
ngi
rr
it
ati
on.
Nozibusiso:“Oh,
Iam sor
ryIdidn’
tknowy ou
areinside.It
houghtThembel
ihlehaslocked
herselfup.”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
she’
swi
thme.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lleav
eyounow.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Sy
abonga.
”
Nozibusisogiggl
edandmov edaway.
Thembel i
hlerai
sedherheadandl ookedathim.
Hechuckl edandreachedfortheti
ssueont he
bedside.Hesatupandcl eanedherthighs.He
t
henpl
acedt
het
oil
ett
issueasi
de.
Het henroseupandpull
edt heduvett
heywer
e
l
ayingonandhecov er
edt hem complet
ely
.He
t
ickledherali
tt
leandshelaughed.
Dali
su:“
Let’
ssleepnow, bubbl
es.”hepull
edher
tohim.“
Howwi llyouchangethiscoverswhenI
am gonetheyarewet.”Hebitherear.
Thembeli
hlegi
ggled.
Thembelihl
e:“Youseenowyouareputt
ingme
i
nanawkwar dposi
tionwhydon’
tyoudothi
sin
yourhouse?”
Dali
su:“
Itr
iedtodoitbutyoujustbi
temeev er
y
chanceyouget.I
fIconti
nuelett
ingyoutakea
bit
emypeni swil
ll
ookli
keithasbeenf i
ghti
ng
wars.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ah!Dali
su!”shehi
thim play
ful
l
y,
Dali
sul
aughedandheldherti
ght
.“Il
ov eyou.
”
shesai
dclosi
nghereyes.
Dal
i
su:
“Ngi
yakut
handanami
ndl
ovukazi
yami
.
”
Heki
ssedherf
oreheadandcl
osedhi
sey
es
t
oo…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE38

“No,Mawande, goandknockonthatdoor.Your
brot
herhasbeent her
esince12middayand
noneoft hem hascomeout.”MaCebekhulu
i
nstructedherdaught
er.Theyweresett
ingthe
tabl
ef ordi
nner.
Mawande:“Butmom, whatifbhutit
ell
smet o
voet
sek?”Nokuthul
aandNozi busi
solaughed.
MaCebekhulushookherhead.
MaCebekhulu:“
Hewi l
lnottelly
out hatbecause
youwillt
ell
them Isai
dtheyneedt ocomeout .I
haven’
tseenmydaught erproperl
ytoday
becauseheishidi
ngherinthere.Whatar ethey
doing?
”
Nozibusi
so:“
May
betheyaresleepingsi
nce
Ndabezit
hawaswor
kingatRichardsbay
yest
erday.
”
Nokuthul
a:“
Yes,mama.YouknowNozzyhasa
poi
nt.Let
’sl
eavethem.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Wearehavingdinnernowand
ever
yoneshoul
dcomet othetableandeat
.Go
andknockonthatdoor
.”
Shesighed.“
Okay
,MamabutIwi
l
ltel
lhi
mthat
i
t’
syou.”Mawandesai
dmaki
ngherwaytot
he
bedr
oom.
Thembel i
hleandDali
suhadwokenupt hir
ty
minut esbeforeandDal i
suhadbeenbusy
satisfyi
nghi swif
e.Hisheadwasbur i
edin
betweenhert hi
ghsandhi stonguei nher.
Thembel i
hlewaslostinthei
rwor ldwithher
eyescl osedshewasmoani ngv erysoftl
yy ou
woul dn’thearwhenyouwer eout sidetheroom
unlessi fyouwereatthedoorandl ist
ening
cl
osel y.
Aknockf or
cedhereyestoshootopenbut
Dali
sudidn’
tstopontheknock’
saccount.
Thembelihl
edi
dn’tt
rusthervoi
cenotbet
rayher
becausehewasdoinghismagiconher.
Shet
hrewherheadbackont
hepi
l
low.
Mawande:“Bhutiandsi
siLi
hle,
mom saysI
musttel
lyoutowakeupandcomehav edi
nner
wit
hus.”sheinf
ormedthem knocki
ngonthe
door.
Theydidn’
tr espondtoher,Dali
susawthathe
wastoocl osetof i
ndi
ngthediamondandsohe
di
dn’tstopunt i
lThembeli
hlerel
easedt
helast,
l
astsweetcr y.Hegotupf r
om herandrested
hi
swhol ebodyonher s.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dyouheart
hedoor
?”
Dali
su: “
It
’srudenottocommentonthethi
ngs
rel
atedtowhatwewer edoi
ngjustaf
ew
secondsago.Andt al
kaboutsomethi
ngthat
doesn’tconcernus.
”
Thembeli
hlegi
ggl
ed.“Mysi
steri
n-l
awwasat
thedoor
.”Shetol
dhim.
Dal
i
su:
“Youdi
dn’
thearwhatIj
ustsai
d?”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“Okay
,Il
ovedever
ythi
ngt
haty
ou
di
dtome.”Shetol
dhi
m blushi
ng.
Dal
i
su:
“That
’si
t!Iwant
edt
oheart
hat
.”
“Dali
su!Rel
easemydaught erfr
om thatpr
ison
whyar eyousuffocat
ingher?”MaCebekhulu
shoutedknocki
ngont hedoor.Thembeli
hle
giggl
edandpulledDal i
sutohim asifshedidn’
t
wanthimt ogetup.
Dali
su:“
Iam comfor
ti
nghermom shelosther
fr
iendandsoIam bei
ngafri
endj
ustfortoday
,
pl
easeletusbe.
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Hhay
iwena!Hhayi
wena!She
doesn’
tneedcomfor
tsheneedsherf
ri
endback,
man!”
Dal
i
su:
“Ican’
thel
pwi
tht
hat
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
su,
rel
easemydaught
erI
wantt
oseeher
.Ihaven’
tseenheral
ldayIl
ast
sawheri
nthemorni
ng.”
Dali
su:
“Youwillseeheri
nmor
ningagai
n.”
Thembeli
hlegi
ggled.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wear
ecomi
ng,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay,mnt
anami
.”Theyhear
d
herf
ootst
epswalki
ngaway.
Dali
su:“
Youar ecomingwher ebecausewe
needtotakeashowerf i
rstandmamawon’ t
al
lowust oshowertogether
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ah!Makeapl
ant
hen.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatpl
an?
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idon’
tknow,usetheki
tchenexi
t
tol
eaveIwil
lgoandt akeashowerquickl
y.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ha!Imustgowi
thouteat
ing?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
You’llfr
ymeati nthehouseand
tomorrowIwil
l br
ingy ougoodlunchatthe
royal
house.It
’sbetterherethedini
ngisnot
f
aci
ngt
heki
tchent
heywon’
tseey
ou.
”
Dali
su:“Okay,
Iwil
lgobutonel astkissj
ustto
saygoodnight
.”Hesaidkissi
nghergoodni ght.
Dali
suthengotofffrom t
hebedandwor ehis
clot
hes.Thembeli
hletookherdressont hefl
oor
andputitonthebed.Shewor ehergown.
Dali
suwasdonewear i
nghisclotheshethen
pull
edherforahugast heywerest andi
ngby
thedoor.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwantmyfr
iendbacky
ouhav
eto
fi
xit
.”Sheremindedhi
m.
Dali
su:“
Ey,Thembeli
hleIsaidIdon’
twantto
speakaboutthi
swhydon’ tyoul
ist
en?”he
askedhershowingherthatshe’
sruini
nghis
mood.Thembelihl
eopenedt hedoorandlef
t.
Shewenttot hebathr
oom thathadt
hebat ht
ub
nottheshower.Shedidn’twantt
hem tohear
thewaterrunni
ngbecauseshewaspl anni
ngon
gett
ingbackintoherdress.
“Where’
smyson,wentombi?
”MaCebekhul
u
askedThembel
i
hleasshejoi
nedt
hem si
tti
ng
onherchai
r.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Heleft
,hesaidtherei
s
somet
hingimpor
tantthatheneededtodoand
sohelef
t.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hhay
bo,
hel
eftwi
thoutev
en
say
inggoodbye?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Hewasi
nahur
rysoheusedt
he
ki
tchenexi
t.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youwi
llhav
etogodownand
cookf
orhim.Whatwi
l
lheeatnow?Hhay
i.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“ButmamaifIgodownt ohis
househewon’tal
lowmetocomebackandI
needtobeherewithmyf
riendbecauseshe’
s
l
eavingt
omor r
ow.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thembel
i
hle,
hhay
i!Youwi
l
ltel
l
hi
mthatandcomeback.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whydon’
tIsendNj
ongot
ogi
ve
t
hisf
oodthatwasgoi
ngt
obehi
s,y
ousee
t
hat’
sagoodidea.
”
Mawande:“
Hee!Youar erunningawayfr
om
hi
m now.
”Theotherladieslaughedbut
Thembel
ihl
edi
dn’tl
augh.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,wewi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembelihl
e:“
Thankyou,
ndlunkul
uomdal
a.”
Sheteasedherandtheyl
aughed.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yebo,
ndlunkul
uomncane.
”She
t
easedbackandThembeli
hlegi
ggl
ed.
Mawande:
“Iam gl
adIwon’
tbeaqueenIam
mar
ryi
nganordi
naryguy
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Kwahl
e!Youar
etel
l
ingusnow?
Whoishe?”
Mawande: “
Goodt hingscomet othosewho
waitontheLord,mama. ”Theylaughed.They
spentt
herestoft hei
rdinnerdi
scussing
Mawande’sordinaryguy.
Thembel
i
hlet
henwentt
ogi
vet
hef
oodt
o
Nj
ongoandhedr
ovei
tdownt
oDal
i
su’
shouse.
“No!don’
tsl
eepther
e.”Thembel
ihlest
opped
Nozibusi
soasshewassleepi
ngont he
bedcover
stheywereon.Nozi
busisostood
asi
de.
Nozi
busi
so:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Thembeli
hler emov edthecoversandt
hesheets
aswell
.“Pleasetaket heotheroneontopofthe
wardr
obe.”Sher equestedbecauseNozibusi
so
wastal
lerthanher .Shedidasshehadasked
andshehel pedherputont henewcovers.
“Whathappenedhere?
”Nozibusi
soasked
Thembeli
hleastheybothgoti
ntobedtosl
eep.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Not
hingil
l
egal.
”Shegi
ggl
ed.
Nozi
busi
solaughed.“
Youareleav
ingt
omorr
ow
whenwil
lyoucomeback? ”
Nozi
busiso:
“Iwil
lcomebackatt
heendof
Febr
uaryandfrom t
henIwi
lll
eav
eaft
ert
he
weddi
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwon’
tmi
ssGwabi
ni?
”
“Ah!
”Shegiggl
edandhidherfaceonthepil
low.
Thembeli
hlel
aughed.“
Iwillmi
sshim.Myfri
end
heissuchaman!Damn! ”shedi
scl
osedlooking
ather
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatdidyoudowit
hhim?Isaw
thewayyouwerelooki
ngateachothert
hat
somethi
nghappened.”
Nozibusi
so: “
Mm!he’ssuchamant hat
’swhatI
wil
lsaytoy ouandit’
dbeenalongti
mesinceI
l
asthadsexbecauseNdl el
aisfarf
rom menow.
Andhe’sjustever
ythi
ngandmor e.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wheni
sNdl
elacomi
ngback
kant
i?”
Nozibusi
so:“Hecal
ledandtol
dmet hatbythe
endofMar chhewillwor
kinDurban.Ij
usthope
Iwil
lpassthisi
nter
viewIhaveonWednesday.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youwil
lpassi
tthoughIwi
shit
washereinRichar
dsbaymaybebutwhereever
y
ougetitwi
l
lbef
ine.Itwi
l
lgi
vemeanexcuse
t
ogoawayandvi
sityouwhenIf
eel
tir
ed.
”They
l
aughed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
ou,
though.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
out
oo.
”
Theydi
scussedothert
hingsandf
ell
asl
eep
whil
ebusytal
king…

Nozibusisowasgoneandi t’
dhadbeenfi
ve
dayssi ncesheleft
.Thembel
ihl
ewassadand
al
oneasNokut hulahadal
solef
ttobegi
nwith
Universit
yinJohannesbur
g.Mawandewas
workingdur i
ngthedayandshewouldcome
backhomet ir
ed,shewoul
deatandgosleepin
herhouse.
Thembeli
hlespentherdayi
nsidet hehouse
wit
hMaCebekhul uandsometimes
MaCebekhuluwouldtakeheralongt oher
er
rands.Someti
messhewoul dl eaveheral
one
wi
thhermai
dsi
nthehouse.
Dali
suaroundthehouseforbreakfast
,lunch
anddinner
.Thembeli
hleentert
ainedhim butnot
happil
yandhealsoretur
nedthesame
tr
eatmentshewasgi v
inghi
m becauseheknew
hewasn’tgoi
ngtofixherfr
iendship.
Thembelihlewasbusywrit
ingdownarecipeof
acakeshesawonl ineandshewantedtobake
thecake.Oneoftheguardsknockedonthe
doorshet ol
dthem tocomein.
Guar
d:“Ndl
ovukazi
,ther
eisagi
rlwho’
sher
eto
gi
veyoualett
er.
”
Thembelihl
estoodupandwentt othefr
ont
door.Ali
ttl
egirl
smiledatherandgavehert
he
l
etteraf
tergreet
ingher.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Thanky
ou,
wai
t,Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ou
sweet
s.”
Theli
tt
legir
lsmil
edli
kearet
ard.Thembel
ihl
e
wenttothekit
chenandt
ookasmal lpl
ast
ic
pocketshepackedt
hesweet
sandbi
scui
tsf
or
thegir
l.
Shegaveitt
oherandthegir
lgi
ggl
edl oudlyshe
l
ookedaroundandhuggedThembeli
hle’slegs
qui
cklyt
hensheranaway.Thembeli
hlelaughed
andwalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouselounge.She
openedthel
ett
er.
“
DearNdl
ovukazi
MaSt
hol
e.
Isawi twasbestt owr itetoy outhent ocomet o
youinper son.Iwouldn’ twantt obeenseen
thereandl osemyj ob.Iv aluethisjobandneed
i
tt ofeedmyf amil
y.Ijustwant edt owar nyou
thatyouneedt obecar efulinthiskingdom not
everyonelov esyouandy ourhusband.They
don’twantt oseehim ast hekingandsot hey
wantt oruinhisnamebutt heyarehopi ngto
achievethatbyusingy ou.Thev irgi
nity
checking,theywantt odot heyarehopi ngthat
youar enol ongeravirginthatwayt heywill
tarni
shy ourhusband’sname.
Theyar ehappyt hatMakhosi isnolongeryour
fri
endandt heywantt omakesur ethatshewi l
l
notbey ourmat r
onofhonour .Youneedt opray
foryourhusbandbecauset heycanev engof ar
askill
inghi m butifyouprotecthim withprayer
nothi
ngwi l
lhappent ohim.TheLor dandour
ancestor swillwatchoverhim andpr otecthi
m
wherev erhegoes.Reachoutt oyourfri
end
Ndlovukazi becauseherpr esenceasy our
mat r
onofhonourwi l
lsavey ourname.
Don’ttr
ustyoursecondmot herin-
lawandher
ol
derson, don’
ttr
ustthem atall
.Destroythis
l
etter.I
fIhearanynewsIwi llwri
teagain.You
don’thavetoknowmebutj ustknowthatIam
behindyou.Anddon’ttel
lanyoneaboutt his.
Iwishyouthebestj
our
neyasy
ouwi
l
lrei
gnwi
th
yourhusband.
Your
sSecr
etAdmi
rer
.”
Thembel
ihl
elookedar
oundandtorethel
ett
er
i
ntopi
ecesandshetookthepi
eces,wentt
othe
toi
letandfl
ushedt hem.Shesatont opofthe
seatandclosedherey es.Shewasscar edand
shockedatt heword‘kil
l
’butshepromised
herselft
hatshewasgoi ngtodoev ery
thingto
protectDal
isu.Shewasgoi ngtoprayforhim
andconsultherancestorstolookoverthem.

Afterdinnerthatni
ghtThembeli
hlecl
earedt he
table,Mawandewasnothome.Theyhaddi nner
j
ustt hethreeofthem Dal
isu,
MaCebekhul uand
Thembel ihl
e.Thembeli
hlewenttowasht he
dishes.MaCebekhuluandDal i
suwenttosi ton
thelounge.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
su!
”
Dal
i
su:
“Mama?
”
MaCebekhulu:
“Thembeli
hleisnothappy,shei
s
nothappyandthi
sisbotheri
ngmenow
becauseIdon’
tli
ketoseeherthisl
onelyand
quiet
.”
Dali
su:
“Whenyouar edeal
i
ngwithl
ossy
ouare
boundtobeunhappyforalongt
imemama.
Shewil
lbeal
ri
ght.”
MaCebekhul u:“
Mnt anami
,pleasetal
kto
Makhosi orherhusbandatleastaskthem that
Makhosi comesbackandbehermat ronof
honour.Thedesignerhasfini
shedmaki ngthe
dressesforthebridesmai
dsandnowshe’ son
yourgroomsmen.Shewi l
lfi
nishever
ything
soonandt here’
ll
benomat r
onofhonour ?”
Dali
su:“ShemustmakeNozibusi
sohermaidof
honourandf i
ndanot
herbr
idesmai
dthati
sthe
bestthi
ngshecandobecauseIwill
notgoand
beganot hermantol
ethi
swifebemywi f
e’s
fr
iend.”
MaCebekhulu:“Dal
i
sucany oufor
getabout
yourego?Justputitasi
deanddothisfory
our
wife.Ev
ery
thingwil
lthengobacktonormal.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwon’
tdot
hat
.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Icanseet
hatev
ent
owar
dsy
ou
she’
snotherusual
sel
f.Ar
eyouhappywi
tht
hat
?
Youarehappy?”
Dali
su:“No,butItoldherclear
lythatIdon’
t
wanttotalkaboutthisanymor eshekeeps
bri
ngingitup.I
fshewant st obehaveliket
his
l
etherbehav el
ikethismama, wewillseewhere
thatbehavi
ourwillend.Ineedtogoandsl eep,I
am ti
red.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whydon’
tyousl
eepher
e
t
oni
ght?”
Dal
i
su:
“Sl
eepwi
thwho?Thembel
i
hle?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Yes.
”
Dal
isu:“
Hhayi
,Ir
athersl
eepal onethensl
eep
wit
hsomeonewhowon’ ttalktomeandwoul d
begivi
ngmeherbackallnight.Iam goi
ngto
myhouse.Goodni
ghtmama. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Uyangi
phoxakodwa.
”
Dali
su:“
Can’ty
ouseet hatwehav
epeacenow
eversi
ncethei
rfr
iendshi
pendedther
eisno
dramaandshei sal
wayshomenotonthe
streetsgoi
ngt
olookfort
hatMakhosi
in
taverns.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Awu,
kodwaZul
uyi
ni?
”she
compl
ained.
Dalisu:“
Goodni
ght
,tel
lherIsai
dgoodnighti
t’
s
notl i
keshecar
eswhetherIsayt
hatorIdon’
t
theseday s.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Don’
tyouknowasay
ingt
hata
happywi
feahappyhusband?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam good,
ndl
unkul
u.”
Heopenedt
hedoorl
eav
ingher
…

Thembel i
hlesawachancet ospeakt o
Mzwakhe.Hehadknockedont heki t
chendoor
l
ookingforNdabezit
habutshet oldhimthathe
wasn’tatMaCebekhulu’shouse.Hemustcheck
otherwives.Shet
henr equest
edt ohaveaquick
tal
kwi t
hhim.Heagreed.Theyst oodalit
tl
ebit
f
arfr
om t
hehousebutnott
oofarthatsomeone
whowasleav
ingt
hehousewil
lnotseethem.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Unj
ani
baba?
”
Mzwakhe:
“Ngi
yaphi
l
a,ndl
ovukazi
unj
ani
wena?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ngi
yancenga.Usaphi
lauMakhosi
?
Sheblockedmycall
s.”Shesai
dlookingt
ohold
hert
ears.
Mzwakhe:“
She’sfi
neandIhopeyouseethat
thi
swasforthebestbecauset
her
earenomor e
gossi
ps.
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Butbaba,Imissherandshewas
adearspecialf
ri
endtome.”shewipedhertear
.
“WhenIcamebackher eshe’st
heonewho
showedmewhathadchangedandwhatwas
what.Thathappenedbefor
eIknewt heki
ng.I
knowthatIwaswr ongandIam sorr
y .
”She
l
ookedathim.
Mzwakhe:
“No,
don’
tcr
y.I
fsomeonecansee
youst
andi
ngherewi
thmecr
yingy
ourhusband
won’
tbepl
eased.
”
Shewipedhert ears.“Baba,t
hisisnotabout
Magebabuti t
’saboutme.Pl ease,speaktoher
onmybehal fandbegherf ormet ocomeback
i
ntomyl i
fe.Ineedhernotj ustformywedding
onl
ybutinmyl ifeIneedher .
”shebeggedhim
wit
hherhandst ogetherasgestureofbeggi
ng.
Mzwakhel oweredherhands.“ Don’tbegme
ndlovukazi i
t’
snotright.Yourhusbandwi llnot
bepl easedbyt hi
s.Please, gobacki nsidenowI
needt ogo. ”Hesaidgenui nelyandt urned
l
eav i
ngherwi t
hnohope.Thembel ihlecri
edand
turnedt aki
ngstepsf or
war d.ShesawDal isu
standingbyt hefrontdoorwi thhishandsonhi s
pocket shewasl ookingatherdi rection.
Thembel i
hlewipedhert earsandusedt he
kit
chenent r
ancetoent erthehouse. ..
“Howlonghavet
heybeenst
andingthere?
”
Dali
suaskedGwabi
nist
eppi
nginsi
det hecar
andhest
art
edt
hecar
.
Gwabi
ni:
“Notv
eryl
ong.
”
Dal
isu:
“Tsk!ItmustbegoodtoMzwakhenow
t
hatmywi f
eiscr y
ingbeggi
nghi
mtolethi
s
wif
ebeherf r
iend.
”
Gwabini
:“I
tmusthavebeenr
eall
ygoodandby
t
helookinndl
ovukazi
’sf
acethemanref
used.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ibethedi
d,t
sk!
”
Theybothcl
ickedt
hei
rtonguest
hesamet
ime,
Dali
sufort
hesecondti
me…
-
--
--
Thokozani
wasstandi
ngwi
thZodwaatthebus
st
op.Shewasgoingbackt
ohermother
,
kwamhlabauy
ali
ngana.
Zodwa: “
Iwasher eforpeace’ssakeandIfound
aboy f
ri
endtolov e.
”Shesaidsmi l
ingathi
m.
Thokozanichuckled.I
t’
dbeenday ssincethey
st
arteddati
ng.Thokozani knewthatZodwawas
fi
veyearsolderthanhim andhedi dn’
tcar
e
aboutt
hat
.Hewant
edt
obewi
thher
.
Thokozani
:“Iam sadt
hought
haty
ouar
e
l
eavingsosoon.”
Zodwa: “
Don’tworr
yIwil
lcomebackfort
he
queen’sweddingandIwi
llspendsometi
me
wit
hy ouaft
erwards.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,here’
sthebus.”Hesaidand
huggedherti
ghtl
y.Shethenheadedtothebus
l
ookingbackathim.Hewassmi li
ngather…
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE39

“Youdon’
tknowhowmuchImi ssy ou.”
Thembeli
hletol
dNozibusisooverthephone.
Shewasbusyi ntheki
tchenbakingacaket hat
she’
dseenonl i
nebutshewasst i
llmixingthe
i
ngredi
entsthatshehadboughtint hemor ning.
Shewasnotwi ththef
ami l
yforbreakfastand
Dal
isuwasdyi
ngtospeaktoher
.Shehad
ear
phonesonspeaki
ngtoheronthephone.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Imi
ssy
out
oomyf
ri
end.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howdi
dthei
nter
viewgo?
”
Nozi
busiso:“Yoh!Iwaslat
einthemorni
ngbut
l
ucki
lyIarri
vedjustwhentheyhavef
ini
shed
i
nter
viewinganothercandi
dat
e.”
Thembelihl
e:“Youal
mostmi
ssedi
tbuthowdi
d
thathappen?”
Nozi
busi
so:“Iov
ersl
ept
.Howar
etheweddi
ng
pr
eparat
ionsgoi
ng?”
Thembel ihl
e:“Ihaveorder
edalmosteveryt
hing
thatisneededf orthevowsceremonyandmy
mot herin-l
awisinchargeofallt
hetradi
ti
onal
weddi ngpreparati
ons.MyZulugearalongwith
yoursareal r
eadyhere.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Wewi
l
lweardi
ff
erentcl
othes?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.Thetr
adit
ional
weddi
ngwill
begi
nint
hemor ni
ngbecauseIwanti
ttogetal
l
t
het
imeandt
hev
owswi
l
lfol
l
owaf
ter
.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Thel
ocat
ion?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Inmymotheri
n-l
aw’
spal
acey
ou
sawthatopenfiel
d?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Bothceremonieswi
llbehel
d
ther
eandsomepeopl ewillst
aybehindt
here
andhavetheirfoodthereandtheVIPswil
l
comebackt ot hepal
ace.”
Nozi
busi
so:“Okay
,pl
easet
akepi
ctur
esoft
he
Zul
ugears.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
ldo.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Makhosi
hasn’
tcomear
oundy
et?
”
Thembeli
hle: “
No,andIdon’thaveamatronof
honourbutifshedoesn’tyou’
llbemymaidof
honourandt henIwil
lhavetofindsomeone
el
se.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,butIhopeshewi
l
lcome
around.”Shesai
dandThembel
ihl
eagreedwi
th
her.“Youwil
lbetheonet
obakeyourweddi
ng
cake?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
What
?No!Yout
rustmet
hat
much?”
Nozi
busi
so:“Yes,youcanpract
iceandbakeit
,
ormaybechoosetobakeonef orthet
radi
ti
onal
weddi
ngorthev owsceremony.”
Thembelihle:
“Peopl
eeatthecakei nthe
tr
adit
ionalwedding?”sheaskedandthey
l
aughed.“Iwon’tri
skitmyf r
iendbutIhave
desi
gnedt hecake.Ihavetomeetthebaker
soon.
”
Nozi
busiso:“
Okay
,that
’sgood.Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
ou
soonthen.
”
“Bye, babe.
”Shesaidturni
ngandgotaf r
ight
seeingDal i
sustandi
ngbyt hekit
chenent
rance
l
ooki ngather.He’dbestandingther
ewatchi
ng
herev erymoveandl i
steni
ngt oher
conv ersati
onwhichheonlyhadwhat
Thembel
i
hlewassay
ing.
Thembeli
hleremovedtheear
phonesandput
them onherapronpocket
.
“Sawubona.
”Shegreetedhi
ml ooki
ngathim
andhemov edinsi
dethekit
chen.Thembeli
hle
putthecakepanonthetableandpouredher
doughinsi
dethepantoputont hestov
e.
Dal
isu:
“Yebo,unj
ani
?”heaskedtaki
ngt
he
st
rawberr
yfrom t
hedishandateit
.
Thembel
i
hle:“Iam f
ineandhowareyou?”she
pour
edanotherpoti
ononthesecondpan.
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ine.Iwantust
otal
k.”
“
Talkaboutwhat?Iam busyhere.
”Shesai
d
t
urni
ngandsheopenedt hestoveandputthe
t
hreepansinsi
dethestove.Shecl
osedit
.
Dali
su:“Icanseethaty
ouar
ebusy
.”Het
ook
anotherstr
awberr
y.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwil
lusethem onmycake.
Pl
ease,st
opeatingthem now.”shesai
d
r
emov
ingt
hedi
shandDal
i
sut
ookt
hel
astone.
Dal
isu:
“Idi
dn’
tsaydon’
tbuysuchthi
ngsf
orme
whenyoubuyfoodfort
hishouse.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ionl
yboughtt
hesef
ort
hecake.
Youwon’
teatthecake?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
ltakehal
fofi
twi
thme.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo!Youwi
l
lgetonepi
ece.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
ebaki
ngi
tforwho,
kant
i?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mymot
heri
n-l
awandf
atheri
n-
l
aw.”
Dali
su:“
Wow!Youhavef orgot
tenthaty
ouhav
e
amant haty
ouneedtolookafter?Youonl
y
knowtheoldpeopl
enow. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youbr
oughtmeher
etodot
hat
,
ri
ght
?”
Dali
su:
“No.”helookedaroundthetabl
eand
Thembeli
hleremovedeverypossi
blethi
nghe
coul
deat.Hechuckled.Sheopenedthefri
dge,
tookthemangoandkni fethengav eittohim.
“Atleastyoust
il
lcar
eaboutme, thanks.”He
said.Thembeli
hledi
dn’tsayanythingshe
cleanedthemessont hetable.
Dal
i
su:“Yousawitfi
tthaty
ouneedt
obeg
Mzwakhelastni
ght
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatdoy
ousuggestIshoul
d
havedone?”
Dal
i
su:“
Youshoul
dhavej
ustl
ett
hingsbeas
t
heyar
e,Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
letthi
ngsastheyar
ejust
becauset
heymakey ouhappy?
”
Dali
su:“Thi
sisnotaboutthatthisaboutt
he
factt
hatmywi fewasbeggi ngaman.Aman
who’sli
vingundermyterr
itory.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Thereisnothi
ngwr ongi
fIask
somethi
ngf r
om yourpeopletheyarey
our
peopl
eandsot heyaremine.”
Dal
i
su:
“No,
youwer
enotaski
ngy
ouwer
e
beggi
ngandther
eisaprobl
em wheny
oubeg
peopl
e.Ther
eisareal
probl
em.”
Thembel ihl
e: “Icoul
dn’
tjustsitdownandwai t
foryoubecausey oumadei tcleart hatyou
won’tdoany thingaboutitsoIst oodupanddi d
thi
ngsf ormy self
.Thi
smustshowy outhatI
won’trelyony ouforever
y t
hingt hatIneedi n
myf amily.Ify oudon’
twantt odoi tf ormeIwil
l
doitformy sel f.
”Shewasspeaki ngt ohim
poli
tel
yl ookingdown.
Dal
isu:
“WhenIsayl
etsomethi
nggoyoushoul
d
l
ist
entomeandlett
hatthi
nggo.Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Evenifthatthi
ngmakesme
happy
?”sheraisedherheadandl ookedathim.
Hewaslookingather.Thembel i
hlewai
tedfor
ananswerandhedidn’ tsuppl
ytheanswer.She
tur
nedanddisposedthewast e.
Dali
su:
“You’
llseehewil
lnotl
ethercomeback
i
ntoyourl
if
eandhewi l
lbedoingthatj
ustt
o
showyouthathe’si
ncontr
olwhathappensin
thathousei
swhathehasappr
oved.ButIcan’t
saymuchaboutyoubecausey
ouknownot hing
aboutthat
.”
Hest oodupandl ef
ther.Thembelihlewasleft
alonet r
yingt
of i
gur
ewhati sitt
hatshewasn’ t
doingbecauseshehaddoneev erythi
ngthathe
hadt oldhert
odo.Hewast heonewhohadt he
fi
nal sayinevery
thi
ngbutwi t
hjustonething
thatshehaddi sagr
eedwith,hespokesuch
wor dstoher?Men!
-
--
--
-
Hewashappywi t
hthewayt hi
ngswer eand
therewaspeaceandnogossi paroundhis
house, neitherabouthi
swifeorherfri
end.Ev en
thoughMzwakhehadseenhowl onelyandqui t
e
sadhi swi f
ehadbeenwi t
houtThembel i
hle.He
neverconsi deredlet
ti
ngherbef r
iendswith
Thembel ihleagainunti
lhesawThembel i
hle’
s
tears.Hewasst ubbornasamanbuthesaw
thathert earsweregenuineandhecoul dn’tj
ust
i
gnor
ethem.
No!hehadt ri
edtoignorethem thinki
nghe
couldli
vebutthepict
uresoft heyounglady
standi
ngbeforehim,notcar i
ngwhatt i
tt
leshe
heldandnotcar i
ngwhatt i
tt
leherhusbandheld,
butcryi
ngtosav eherfri
endship.Hecouldn’
t
carryonasifthatdi
dn’tbotherhim.
“Whenlastdi
dyouseendl
ovukaziMaSt
hol
e?”
MzwakheaskedMakhosi,
hewashav i
ng
breakf
astint
hemorni
ng,t
heirchi
l
drenwer
eat
school
.
Makhosi:“Thelastdaywaswhenshecame
heretogivemechocol at
es.”Shewassurpri
sed
thathewasspeaki ngaboutherbecausehe
neverspokenabouthersincehetoldherto
breakthei
rfri
endship.
Mzwakhe:
“Thedaysher
anaway
?”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
thatday
.”
Mzwakhe:
“Okay
,youdon’
tspeakt
oheront
he
phone?
”
Makhosi:
“No,
Idon’
thav
ehernumber
s
any
mor e.
”
Mzwakhe:
“Okay
,doy
oumi
ssher
?”
Shel
ookedathim buthewasn’
tlooki
ngather.
Shewasunsurei
fsheshouldtel
lthetr
uthor
j
ustl
ie.Mzwakheraisedhi
sheadseei
ngthat
shewasquiet
.
Makhosi
:“Yes,Imi
ssherbutIunder
standwhyI
can’
tseeher.
”
Mzwakhe: “
Ihavebeent hinki
ngthaty
oucan
cal
lherbr otherandt
ellhimt hathemustcall
herandt ell
hertocomet othehouse,t
heir
fat
her’shouse.Youcant henmeetherther
eand
apologiseforwhathadhappened.Icanseet hat
youtwoneedeachot her.”
Thewor dscameasashocktoMakhosiand
shejustfrozef
orami
nuteunti
lsher
eal
i
sed
thatno,themanwasser
ious.
“Hhay bo!Baba!Ar eyouserious?”shejumpedi n
ecst asyl i
keachi l
d.Mzwakhedi dn’tsmi l
ebut
i
nsi dehewashappyt oseehershowi ngsuch
emot ionsofhappi ness.Hejustnodded.
Makhosi wasinf r
ontofMz wakhehol dinghis
faceandsheki ssedhim.Makhosi wasf r
om the
rural areasbutshewasnev erdullwheni tcame
tosat i
sfyingherhusband.Shewasawoman
whowant edt ofi
ndnewt hi
ngsonherown.
Mzwakheknewshewasacur i
ouswi f
eandso
henev erquesti
onedanynewdev elopment sshe
camewi th.
Mzwakhe:
“Il
oveyou.
”Hetoldherbol
dly
,hi
s
voi
cewascal
m andsoft
er.
Makhosihel
pedhim mov ethechairbackand
shesatonhim andkissedhim unf
asteni
nghis
shi
rt
.Mzwakhehel dherwaistti
ghtl
yrubbi
ngit,
heknewshelov et
hatwaistrub.
Mzwakhe:“
Ishoul
dbreakmoreofy
our
f
ri
endshi
psifyou’
l
lbeli
ket
his.
”
Makhosi
:“It
’sapi
tyt
hatThembel
i
hlei
stheonl
y
f
ri
endIvalue.”
Mzwakhe:“
Hhay
bo,butwhataboutt
heot
her
s?”
heaskedr
emovi
ngherbra.
Makhosi:“
Theyarej
ustpeopl
eIknow; you
knowtheoneswhothinkyouaretheirfri
endbut
youknowt haty
ouar
e…not …thei
r…friend.”Her
voi
cebrokeasshehoppedinonhim.Hehel d
hert
ightandthewomanbeganhor sewhoopi ng
onhim…
-
--
--
--
-

Sgonondonot i
cedthatsomethi
ngwasstr
ange
wit
hherdaught ershewasjumpyandalways
smili
ngal one.Shewantedtoaskherwhatwas
happeningbutshedeci dedagai
nst
.She
succeededi nputti
ngherfootdowntost
op
Zodwaf rom leavi
ng.
“
Mama?
”Zodwacal
l
edhermot
her
,theywer
e
seatedonthel
oungehav
ingdi
nnerwhi
l
ethey
watchedTV.
Sgonondo:
“Yebo.
”
Zodwa:
“Cany
oudesi
gnadr
essf
orme?
”
Sgonondohadtheskil
lswhenitcametodress
making.Shesewedherownclothesbutshe
hardl
yworethem asshewasalwaysinsi
deher
hutdoingwhatshedi
dbest.
Sgonondo:
“Adr
essf
orwhat
?”
Zodwa:“Adr
essfortheki
ng’
sweddi
ng,
the
Zul
ulandMonar
ch.”
Sgonondo:
“Dal
i
suZul
u?”
Zodwa:“Yes,he’
smarryi
ngay oungbeaut
if
ul
gi
rl
.Yoh!MamaIam af rai
dthatgir
list
ooyoung
butshe’
sjustbeaut
if
ul.
”
Sgonondot auntedherj awsupressi
ngtheanger.
MaCebekhul uhadf ooledher.Shehadforgot
ten
aboutthei
rdeal?Huh!Sgonondobl amed
hersel
fforsleeping,shewassl eepi
ngonthe
j
ob.
Sgonondo: “
Okay,Iwil
ldesi
gnt hedressforyou
mychild.”shei
nformedherthinkingdeeply
.“I
wil
ldesignthedress…”sherepeatedtel
li
ng
her
selfshewasgoi ngtodesignitandmor e…
-
--
--
--

“Hhay
i,bayaganwaabany
eabantu.”Ndabezi
tha
compli
ment edeat
ingt
hecakethatThembelihl
e
hadbaked.Theywereeati
ngi
tafterbr
eakfast.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
,baba?
”
Ndabezi
tha:“
Hhayi,
nkosikazi
Iam justenj
oyi
ng
t
hecake.”Theladi
esinthehouselaughedbut
Dal
isudi
dn’tl
augh.Hewasqui et
.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Doyouheart
hatDal
i
su?Your
f
atheri
senvyi
ngyounow.
”
Dali
suchuckled.“
AndIenvyhim now,hehas
thr
eewives.”Hesaidandtheylaughedbut
Thembeli
hledidn’
tfi
ndthatfunny.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Syabongakemakot
i.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yebo,mama.
”Shesaidsteali
nga
si
deglanceatDali
suandhewasn’
tlookingat
her.“
Ithi
nkIwil
lgonowIwanttocomeback
ear
ly.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,youcango.
”
Dali
su:“Wher
eareyougoi
ng?”heaskedl
ooki
ng
ather,
Thembeli
hlest
oodup.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mybr
othercal
l
edmesoIam
goi
nghome.”
Henodded.Thembel ihl
eleftt
het abl
eandwent
toherbedroom togetherhandbag.Shepassed
bythekit
chentogett hepieceofcakeshehad
savedforherbrother
.Sheleftthehouse,
Njongowasdr i
vingher…
“Youdi
dn’
tgethurtwhenyouwererunning
downtother
iver
?”Thokozani
teasedheras
theygr
eet
edeachotherwit
hawar m hug.
Thembel
i
hlel
aughed.“
No,
youknowIam a
str
ongbow! ”Shesai
dsitt
ingdownandopened
herbag.Thokozanil
aughed.Shegavehert
he
l
unchbox.“Ibakedyest
erday.
”Shesaid.
Thokozani:“
Awu, Syabonga,l
etmegoand
makesomet ea.”Hest oodup.“ Youcangot o
yourroom andseet heweddi ngpr esentI
boughtforyou.”hesai dleavi
ngher .
Thembelihl
ejumpedf rom hercouchand
fol
lowedherbr otherbutshet ookadi r
ect
ionto
herroom.
Sheopenedthedoorandsawabackofa
womanseatedonherbed.
“Eh,Sawubona.
”Shegr
eetedget
ti
nginsi
dethe
room sl
owlyandshecl
osedthedoorbehi
nd
her.
“Yebo,
sawubona. ”Makhosisai
dandtur
ned.
Thembelihlel
ostallhercont
rol
shej
ustjumped
andscreamedont opofhervoi
ceMakhosi
l
aughedst andi
ngonherf eet
.
“
Hee!Mf
azi
,don’
tscr
eam l
i
ket
hat
.”Shewar
ned
herl
aughi
ng.Theyhear
dtheknockont
he
door
.
Nj
ongo:“Ndl
ovukazi
isev er
ythi
ngalri
ght?”he
wasknocki
ngrepeat
edly.Thembelihl
eand
Makhosigi
ggl
ed.Thokozanilaughedfrom the
ki
tchen.
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,Iam sor
ryNj
ongobut
ever
ythi
ngisfi
ne.”
Nj
ongo:
“Oh!
”hewal
kedaway
.
Makhosi
:“Suchabodyguardyouhav
e.You
shoul
dhaveseenhim ent
eri
ngmyhousetoask
mewhathav eIdonet
oy ou.
”
Thembeli
hlel
aughedandtheyhuggedeach
other
.Thembeli
hlegotemoti
onalandbegan
cryi
ng.Makhosismil
edandwipedhertear
s,she
huggedheragai
n.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwasimagini
ngmydaysasthe
queenwi
thnofri
endtoholdmyhandandbe
sadandhappywit
hme.”
Makhosi
:“Ihav
emi
ssedy
out
oo,
Thembel
i
hle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iam sorryforev
ery
thi
ngt
hatIdi
d
tomakeyourl
if
ediff
icult
.”
Makhosi:“I
t’
salli
nthepastnow,
let’
sjustmove
onwi t
hourliv
esandbehappyagain.Nobody
wil
lrej
oiceinourpai
n.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes,andnotevenmyhusband.”
Sheheldherhandandsatdownwithher.“You
knowhejustsaidhewon’tev
engetinv
olvedin
thi
s.”
Makhosi
:“Thenhowdi
dithappen?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wemf
azi
Icr
iedt
oyourhusband
andbeggedhim.
”
Makhosi
:“Hhay
bo!Andt
heki
ng?
”
Thembelihle:
“Hesawmeandhe’ sangrywith
me.Het oldmethatIwil
lseethatyourhusband
wil
lref
use.Butthankt
heLordy ourhusbandis
notashar dasmyhusband.”
Makhosi
:“It
hinky
our
sisbet
ter
.”Theyl
aughed.
“
Whatdi
dImi
ss?
”
Thembelihl
e:“Wear eal
mostther
ewiththe
weddingpreparat
ionsandohwell,
runni
ngaway
thatni
ghtsentmet omymot heri
n-l
aw’s
house.”
Makhosi
:“Hhay
bo!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Yes.
”Theyl
aughed.“
Nowwewi ll
needyourmeasurement
sandshewi l
ldesi
gn
thegownforyou.Doyouhavei
sdwaba?”
Makhosi
:“Yes,
Ihav
eit
.Wewi
l
lweari
t?”
Thembeli
hle:“ Yes,formytradit
ionalwedding
youandIwi l
l havetoweari t.
”Shet henfi
l
led
heri
n,onev ery t
hingthatwasgoi ngtohappen
ontheweddi ng.
Makhosi
:“Okay
.Ican’
twai
tfort
hatday
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ican’
twai
t.
”Shesmi l
ed.“Hee!I
wantt
oseemyhusband’ sfacewhenhesees
youaf
terwhathehadsaid.
”Theylaughed.
Makhosi
:“Gi
vet
hemanabr
eak.
”
Thembel ihl
e:“Hee!Don’
tev
ent r
ytospeakfor
hi
m.Li sten,thewomeninchargeofthevi
rgi
ns
i
nt hisvil
lagewanttodoare-checkuponmy
vi
rginit
y.”
Makhosi
:“What
?That
’sbul
l
shi
t!
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Itel
lyou,andMagebawasvery
fur
ioushesaidhedoesn’twantt
hist
ohappen.
Hisfat
hersai
ditwillhappen.
”
Makhosi
:“Justdoi
tandpr
ovet
hem wr
ong.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
l
ldoi
t…Oh,Makhosi
,youar
e
back!Whathavey
oubeenupt
o?Tellmeabout
i
t.
”
Makhosi:“Not
hingmuchbeingahousewif
e
j
ustthesameol dandwehav esomeone
workingonthetaver
nnowIdon’tworkt
hereso
Iwill
alwaysbehomebesidewhenIhavetodo
stocktaki
ngandallt
hosethi
ngsIgoupto
checkallt
hatwhentheydeli
ver
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,that
’sgood.Thechi
l
dren
ar
egood?
”
Makhosi:
“Yes,Ican’
tbel
i
eveIal
mostmi
ssed
yourwedding.
”
Thembel
ihl
e: “
Tellmeaboutit,okokuqal
ahe
mustbegratefultoyoubecausey ousentmet
o
ther
eeddance. ”Theyl
aughedandgotup
makingt
heirdirect
iontotheki
tchen…They
werebot
hhappy …
[
03/
31,
10:
39]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE40

Thembel
ihl
esteppedoutofthecarandshe
sawanumberofpeopleinsi
dethepremisesof
MaCebekhul
u’
spalace.Ther
ewasat ruckwit
h
twocowsandav anwithafl
ockofsheep.
“What’
sgoingon,Njongo?”Sheaskedcl
osi
ng
thedoorandNjongoclosedthedoor.Hel
ooked
backatThembeli
hle.
Nj
ongo:
“Ther
oyal
weddi
ngi
snear
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Andso?
”
Njongo:“Hawu,ndl
ovukazi
Itr
ustedyou.
”he
saidmov i
ngupt ot
hehousewithhercar
ryi
nga
plast
icbagforher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Tel
lme.
”
Njongo: “
ThekinginZulucult
urei
sregar
dedas
anor phanofthenati
onandt her
efor
ethenati
on
hast otakecareofhi
m.Theyar eheret
ogive
thatli
vestockfort
hefeastthatwi
llf
eedpeopl
e
ony ourwedding.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tknow.Wewon’
thav
ekwa
Nongomapeopl
eonly
?”
Njongochuckled.“
No, Ndabezit
haismonar ch
andsot hi
nkaboutitallt
hekingdomswi l
lcome
tothewedding.Itwi
llbeaboutmor ethanten
thousandsofpeoplecomi ngfortheweddi
ng.”
Ashar
pquickpai
ncrossedherhear
tandshe
hel
dit
,shewasshockedandfearcr
eepedi
n.
Shedidn’texpectthatmor eonet housand
peoplewouldf l
ocki ntothepalacejustto
wit
nessherweddi ng.Yes,Dali
suwast hehuge
i
nfluencetothisbuti twasherwhowasgoi ng
tobeatt hecentreofat t
enti
onoft hepeople.
Shewi l
lhavetosi ngwher et
herewoul dbe
mor ethanonet housandpeoplelookingather.
Nj
ongo:
“Youdon’
tlookgoodnow,
ndl
ovukaz
i.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iam scared!
”Njongolaughed
openi
ngthekitchendoor.MaCebekhuluwas
i
nsidethekit
chenwithhermaidsgetti
ngbusy.
MaCebekhul
u:“Wasizawafi
ka!
”shesai
d
l
ooki
ngatThembelihle.“
What’
swrongwit
hyou
now?”MaCebekhul
uaskedher.
Njongo: “
Itseemsli
keshet
houghtt hather
weddingwasgoi ngtobeavil
lageweddi ngand
nowt hatshehasseenthel
ivestockshe’s
scared.”Heexplai
nedl
eavi
ngt hem.
MaCebekhul
u:“Oh,nkosiyami
.MaSt
hol
elet’
s
pr
eparethesnacksfortheki
ngDl
amini
.They
aretheoneswhobr
oughtthecows.Wewi
l
ltal
k
aboutyourwor
ri
esl
ater
.”
Shenoddedandwashedherhandst henshe
helpedpreparethemeal.Themaidsand
MaCebekhul uthentookthefoodandwentt
o
theotherhouseintheyard.Thembel
ihl
esat
downandsi ghed.
“
Whatarey ouscaredofmnt anami
?”
MaCebekhuluaskedsitt
ingdownonthechai
r
wi
thher.Thembelihl
elookedather
.
Thembelihl
e:“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkt hatwewill
have
overathousandpeople.Iwillbeatt
hecent
re
andsing,peoplewil
lbelookingatme.”
MaCebekhul usmi l
ed.“Don’
tworryaboutthat
,
j
ustf ocusony ourhusbandandlookathi mli
ke
thecrowdsar enottherewit
hyou.You’llbe
expressingyourlovetohiminthepresenceof
thosecr owds.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Bynextweekpeoplewil
lbegi
n
tocometoyourfat
her’
shousetoot obr
inggi
fts
soyouwil
lhavetogobackhome. ”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Okay
,It
’sbett
ernowbecause
Makhosi
willbewit
hme. ”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Shewi
l
lbe?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,that
’swhatmybr
otherwas
cal
li
ngmefor.Iam sohappy.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
That’
swonderf
ul,
wewi
l
lhav
e
t
osendhertothedesi
gner
.”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yebo,where’
smyhusbandIwant
totel
lhi
m?”sheaskedandgi ggl
ed.
MaCebekhululaughed.“
Ineedhi
m.”she
added.
MaCebekhul
u:“
He’swit
htheki
ngDl
ami
niand
hi
sguests.
”Sherepl
i
ed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Okay
…Mama,
canIgodownwi
th
hi
m, t
oni
ght?”
MaCebekhul
u:“
It
’sokay
.He’
sleav
ingt
omor
row
hewil
lcomebackonThur sday.”Sheinf
ormed
her
.Shesawthequestionsinhereyes.“He’
s
goi
ngtohaveatalkwit
ht heerstwhil
eKwaZulu
gover
nment,
thefunderswhowi llf
undhimto
bui
ldapal
aceforyou.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Apal
acef
orme?What
’swr
ong
wit
hhishouse?”
MaCebekhul u:“
Ther
e’snot
hingwrongbutiti
s
compul sor
ythathebuil
dsapalacefory
ou.You
will
behi squeenandaqueenlivesi
napalace
notjustahouse.Youcanseehowbi gouryar
ds
are,andthehouseswehave.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”Shel
ookeddown.
MaCebekhul u:“Youdon’thav etobescaredI
am heref oryou,herewit
hy ou.”shecomfort
ed
her.Thembel i
hlenoddedf eeli
ngthenew
pressure.She’dthoughtthatitwouldbeherand
Dalisui
nt hatbeauti
fulhouset hatheal
ready
hadbutnot heyhadotherpl ansforher
…
“Youar
equi et
.”Dal
isusaidtaki
ngaglanceat
Thembeli
hle.Shewasseat edonthepassenger
seat
.Dali
suwasdr ivi
ngbehindGwabini
.They
weregoi
ngdownt ohishouse.
Thembel
i
hle:“Weweretal
ki
ngaboutmy
weddi
ngandev er
ythi
ngel
sethatIdi
dn’
tknow
wit
hmama. ”
Dali
su:“
Ist
her
esomet
hingt
hati
swor
ryi
ng
you?”
Thembelihl
e:“
Yes,t
her
ewil
lbeaboutten
thousandpeopl
einmywedding.Idi
dn’
tknow
aboutthat.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatwer
eyouexpect
ing?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow,
athousandmay
be.
”
Dali
su: “
WhenIwasi nstal
ledasmonar chthere
weremor et wentythousandpeopl eandyou
thoughtat housandwillcomef orourwedding.
Youar etheirnewqueent heyhav etoseeyou.
Theywi l
lcomei nnumber sjustwitnessustyi
ng
t
heknot
.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Whydoyouhav
etobuil
da
palaceformebecausewehaveahouse?
”she
askedlookingathi
m.
Dali
su:“
Thehousei ssmallanditdoesn’tfal
l
underpal
acecat egory.Wehav ethesi
tet obuil
d
thepal
ace.Allweneednowi smoney .”
Thembeli
hlekeptqui etandclosedhereyes.
“What’
swrong? ”heasked.
Thembeli
hle:“
Whatwil
lhappentot
hishouse?
”
sheaskedsteppi
ngofthecarandt
heywalked
i
nsidethehouse.
Dal
i
su:
“Itwi
l
lst
il
lbemyhouse.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
You’l
lhaveyourownhouselike
yourfathersothatyoucanhaveotherwiv
es?
Butyoupr omisedmey ouwon’tdothat
?”she
askedandherv oi
cebrokeasshefel
tabig
l
umpf ormingonherthroat
.
Dal
i
su:
“Whot
oldy
ouIwi
l
ldot
hat
?”heasked
cl
osingthedooroftheirbedr
oom behi
ndhim.
Thembelihl
ewasseat eddownont hebed
l
ookingdown.“Iam talki
ngtoyouThembeli
hle,
answerme.”herepeated.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Thi
sisevi
dentthaty
ouwi l
ldoi
t.
Whydoy ouhavetokeepthi
shouse?”she
askedl
ookingupathim.
Dal
isu:“Okay,Iwon’
tkeepthehouseifthatwi
ll
makey ouhappyanditwill
beevidencethatI
won’ttakeanotherwi
febutwhatshouldIdo
wit
hi t
?”
Thembel ihl
e:“Youcansel li
tandgi v
et he
moneyt ome. ”sherepli
edandgi ggl
ed.Dalisu
l
aughedandsatnextt oher.“Thi
nkabouti t
, t
hat
personwi llbeluckytoliv
einthehouseoft he
ki
ngandi tshouldbemuchmor eexpensive
becausehi swi fewil
ltakethemoney .”She
explainedlayi
ngonherbackwi thhim.Dalisu
wasj ustlaughing.
Dal
i
su:
“Wow!It
houghtbei
ngmar
ri
edwi
l
lmean
weshar
eeveryt
hingwhyshoul
dyout
aket
he
moneyandnoti
ncludeme?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Youneedt opaymef orbeingthe
queenIdi
dn’tsignupfori
t.”Shesai
dturningto
facehi
m.Shesmi l
edl
ookingathim.
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lpayy
oubygi
vi
ngy
ouchi
l
dren.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Yoh!No.Thati
snotapayment
,
chi
ldr
enarehardworkaskmeIknowv er
y
well
.”
Dal
isu:“
Howdoy ouknowbecauseyoudon’
t
havechi
ldr
en?”hefi
shedhopi
ngshewouldt
ell
hi
m abouthersi
ster
.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ijustknow.
”Herf
aci
al
expr
essi
onchanged.
Hekissedherforehead,Thembel i
hlesmiled
andbli
nkedslowly.Thenshel ookedathim.He
wasjustqui
etlookingatherf ace.Theystarred
i
ntoeachother’
sey esforquitesomet ime
wit
houtexchangingwor ds.Thembel i
hlegiggled
unex
pect
edl
y.
Dal
i
su:
“Whati
sit
,bubbl
es?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Makhosii
smyf r
iendagainand
she’
l
lbemymat r
onofhonour.
”Shelaughed
andDal
isujustshookhi
shead.
Dali
su:“Iam sur
ewhenyousawheryou
coul
dn’twaittocomeandtel
lmethatshe’
s
yourfr
iend.Youneededt
hatj
ustt
opr oveme
wrong.”
Shegiggledandhidehersel
fonherhands.
Dali
susmi ledl
ookingatherreact
ion.Shewas
j
ustsoi nnocenti
nhiseyes,sopureand
beauti
ful.
Dalisu:“Please,takeoffmyshoesIwantt o
sleep.”Her equestedclosi
nghi seyes.
Thembel ihleroseupandt ookof fhisshoes.
“AndIam happyf ory
ou,thiswillmeanthat
you’llsmil
eatmemor eoftennow. ”hesaid.
Thembel ihlelaughedandf el
lbackont hebed
whenshewasdone.Shehadt akenoffher
sandalst
oo.Hetookof
fhi
sshi
rtandl
aidback
holdi
ngherthi
sti
me.
“Iwi
l
l mi
ssyou.
”shet
oldherpl
aci
ngherhand
onhischest
.
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
llmissyoutoobutIwil
lcomeback
toy
ou.”hekissedhergoodni
ghtandfel
lasl
eep
onthei
rcl
othes…

Thembel i
hlewasbacki nherfather’
shouse.
Peoplewer ecominginnumber stogi veher
gif
tsforherwedding.Itwasonl yaweekl eftt
o
herweddi ngandshewasv eryner v
ous.
Nozibusisowasbackwi thher,herauntand
uncle’
swi fewasalsowithher.Ther estofher
family
,thecousinsandunclewasgoi ngto
comeast heweekwasgoi ngtobegi nbecause
ofwor kandschool.
“KodwaThembeli
hle,di
dy outr
ytocal
lyour
sist
er.
”MaSthol
e,herauntaskedher
.
Thembeli
hlewasinsi
dethehutwithheraunt
,
andMakhosit
heywerel
abel
l
inggi
ft
sshewas
goi
ngtogiv
etoDali
su’
sfami
ly.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Bhut
’Thokozani
cal
l
edherand
shesai
dshe’l
lbeworking.
”
MaSthole:“Iwonderwhatki ndofgr udgedoes
shehavewi thyou.Youar ehersi bli
ngs.Sheis
toohi
ghj usttocomedownf oryourweddi ng
evenforpretencesakeke.Oh, Jesu!”she
complai
ned.“ Whowi l
lrepresenty ounowon
Fri
daywhenwegof orthecowsl aughter
ing?”
Makhosi
:“Hercousi
nZi
ntombi
wil
lbef
it
mama.”
MaSt
hol
e:“
Okay
.”
Makhosi
:“Don’tworr
yever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
wi
thorwithoutThokozi
l
e.”
MaSt
hol
e:“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
Aknockonthedoordi
vert
edthei
ratt
ent
ion.
MaKhozawasatthedoorwit
hthereeddance
women.Thembel
ihl
elookedatMaKhozawith
somuchhateburni
nginsideher
.Sher
ecal
l
ed
thel
ett
ershehadrecei
ved.
MaKhoza:
“Wear
eher
efory
oumakot
i.
”
Thembeli
hle:“Hawu,mama.Ididn’
tknowyou
areal
sopar tofthewomenwhoar echar
geof
thegi
rl
sinthisvill
age.
”Sheact
edsurpri
sed.
MaKhoza:“
No,Iam notbutIam r
epr
esent
ing
youri
n-l
awsandit
stime.”
Thembelihle:“
ButmamaMaCebekhulut
oldme
thatIwon’tdothi
sbecauseMagebasai
dno.
”
sheexplained.
MaCebekhuluwasr emindingThembelihl
et hat
sheneededtodot hisbutDali
suov er
heardt hat
andhei nf
ormedhismot hergain,
clear
lythat
nobodywasgoingt ocheckhiswi f
e.
MaCebekhuluagreedandi nf
ormedt hewomen
butMaKhozachangedt heirmindstell
i
ngt hem
theyneededtosetexampl ewit
hThembel ihle
asshewast obet hequeen,setexamplethat
thereeddancewasn’tajoke.
“
Wehavechangedourmindsandwear edoi
ng
t
hist
oprot
ectourowncult
ural
pract
ice.
”The
womansai
damongt hef
ourotherwomen.
“
Justdoi
t.
”Makhosi
whi
sper
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wher
eshoul
dwedot
his?
”
MaKhoza: “
Inyourroom andwear
etaki
ngy ou
now.Youwon’ tstar
tanywher
e.Wewon’tbe
sureifyoudi
dn’tputsomethi
ngi
nther
eas
i
hlo.”Sheaccused,l
ooki
ngatherwi
thdisgust
.
Thembel
ihl
etol
dherauntandMakhosi
togo
wit
hher…
Theylai
dherdowni
nt hereedmatandthefi
ve
ofthem satont
hef
loor.Theywer
eallgoi
ngto
checkher.
MaKhoza:“
Spr
eady
ourl
egsIwi
l
lbet
hef
ir
stt
o
t
akealook.
”
Thembel
i
hleswall
owedhardandspreadher
l
egsopenforher
.MaKhozatookalookandshe
sawwhatsheneedednott
osee.Shemov ed
backwi
thshameonherf
ace.
“
Howi
sit
?”t
hewomanasked.
MaKhoza:
“Yourtur
nedwi
l
lcome.
”She
managedtosay.
Thef ourofthem checkedherandtheywereal
l
tonguetied.Thembelihl
esatupstrai
ghtand
l
ookedatt hem buttheywerealll
ookingdown
besideMaKhozawhowasl ooki
ngather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youf
oundwhaty
ouwant
ed?
”
“Hhayi
,ntombibengi
shi
lominangat
hiuyi
ngane
elungi
l
e.”Thewomanl i
edt
ryingt
odefend
hersel
f.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwi
llt
ell
Magebat
haty
ouwent
aheadanddidthi
s.”
MaKhoza:“
Kanticha,
ther
e’snoneedt
oinvol
ve
meninthi
sbecauseit’
sbetweenuswomen.”
Shesai
dlooki
ngdown.
Theotherwomenagr
eedwit
hherf
eel
ing
ashamednow.Thembel
i
hlest
oodup,
woreher
panti
esandlef
tthem l
eav
ingMakhosi
tel
l
ing
them t
oleav
e…
ShetookherphoneandcalledDali
suri
ghtaway
,
shehatedi
tnowt hatshesawMaKhoza.She
wonderedwhydidn’thermotheri
n-l
awcome
i
nsteadofher…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE41

“
Thembeli
hle,
theydidwhat?”Dal
isur
oar
edon
t
heothersi
delineofthephone.
Thembelihl
e:“Theysai dthattheyareprotect
ing
thei
rcult
uralpracti
ceandsot heylai
dmedown
onthematandcheckedme.MaKhozawast he
onewhowasher erepresenti
ngmyi n-l
aws.
Mamadi dn’tcomet hatmeansshedeci dedto
sendher.”sheexplained.“ButIdon’t
underst
andwhyshewoul dletthem comeher e
becauseshesaidIwon’
tdoi
tbecausey
ou
don’twanti
ttobedone.
”Sheadded.
Dal
i
su:“
Iwil
lcal
lyoul
ater
.Iwantt
ospeakt
o
mom,okay
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Theyhungupt hecal
landDalisustoodfr
om t
he
couchi
nhishouse.Het ookhiscarkeysand
cal
ledMajolatogowithhim.Majoladrov
e
Dali
sustr
aighttohi
smot her
’spalace…
“Mama, canwet al
k?”Dal
isurequestedsit
ti
ng
ont hecouchnexttohismother.Shewas
readinganewspaperinsi
deherr estroom.
MaCebekhulu:“Whati
sit
?Youlookbothered.
”
sheputthenewspaperdownandt ookof
fher
readi
ngglasses.Shel
ookedatherson.
Dali
su:“
Didyousendthewomentogoto
Thembeli
hle’
shousewithMamauMaKhozat
o
checkThembeli
hle’
svi
rgini
ty?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
bo,
whywoul
dIdot
hat
?
Yousai
dy oudon’
twanti
tandIsai
dIwon’
tdoi
t.
Whathappened?”
Heclickedhistongue.“MaKhozaandt hese
womenwentt hereandt ol
dThembeli
hlethey
havechangedt heirminds.MaKhozawas
repr
esentingherin-l
awsandsot heychecked
her.
”heexpl ai
ned.
MaCebekhulu:“
Agha!Ishouldhav
eknownt hat
MaKhozawasbehi ndthi
s,shethi
nksIdon’
t
knowbutIknowt hatshewantedhersontobe
theki
ngandsonowshe’ snothappythatyou
tookt
hethrone.
”
Dali
su:“Iwi
l
lshowthem who’skingher
e.
Bayangi
chwensa.Iwantthem i
ntheroyal
housetomorrowmama. ”Hestoodup.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
t
hem?”
Dal
i
su:“
Iwil
ldecidet omor
row.Iam dri
vi
ngup
t
othehouseIwillsendment osummont hem
t
omorr
owmor ningandy oursist
eral
ongwith
t
hem.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Thi
swomandoesn’trespectme
asthef
ir
stwifeofthi
ski
ngdom shedoesn’t
.
Tsk!
”
Dal
isulefther
,hesteppedinsidethecarand
i
nstruct
edMaj ol
atodr i
vetotheroyalhouse.He
wasf ur
iousandhewant edtosortthem once
andforall…Hedidn’tneedanyadv i
cefrom
anyonebuthisbrotherneededtobet hereand
i
ndunaneededt obet here…

Thefourwomenwer eseat
edonthemat s
i
nsidethethr
oneroom.MaKhozaarr
ivedaft
er
them andshejoi
nedthem.
MaKhoza:
“Whydi
dthi
sboysummonusher
e
now?”
Woman1: “
Howar ewesupposedt
oknow
maybethatgi
rlt
oldhi
m andnowhewil
lshout
atus.
”
MaKhoza:
“Iwi
l
lnothav
eachi
l
dshoutatme.
”
Leader
:“Weneedt osti
cktot hestor
ythatwe
wereprot
ecti
ngourownt raditi
ons.Wecan’t
haveaqueenwhobehav eslikeThembelihl
e
andnotsuspectherofdecept i
on.It
rust
edher
whenshecameher e.”
Woman2:
“Inev
erl
i
kedher
.”
MaKhoza:
“Bequi
etsomeonei
scomi
ng.
”
MaCebekhuluwalkedi nsi
dethehouseandshe
greetedthewomen.Theygr eet
edherback.She
waswi thMawande.MaCebekhul utookherseat
i
nsidethethroner
oom andMawandet ookhers.
MaCebekhuluwasl ookingatMaKhozawho
wasseat edamongt hewomen, shewas
remindedofhowmuchshehat edherandshe
hadtodot hi
sbehindherback?
Ndabezit
ha,Sbani andIndunaenter
edther oom
andtheywenttot aketheirchai
rsaft
erthey
weregreetedbythewomen.Theyal lwait
edf or
Dal
isu.MaKhozar eceiv
edsomest r
ength
seei
ngt
hatherhusbandwast
her
e.
Dalisuenter
edt heroom andtheyall
stoodon
theirf
eet.Het ookhisseatandaskedthatt
hey
sitdown.Hel ookedatinduna.
I
nduna:“
Thekinghascal
ledyouher
esothat
youcananswertohi
m.Hewant st
oknowthat
whogaveyouthepermi
ssiontogotohi
s
bri
de’
shouseandcheckher?”
Noneoft
hewomenspoke,
theyal
lkeptqui
et
anddi
dn’
tev
enwhi
sper.
Dal
i
su:“
MamauMaKhozayouwer
eleadi
ng
t
hem,ar
eyoupar
toft
hesewomennow?”
MaKhoza:
“No,
ndodana.Iam not
.”
Dali
su:“
Whogav eyoutheper
mission?Iwant
knowthatfr
om youandyouwill
tal
kj ustl
i
ke
youweretal
kingwhenyouwerestanding
befor
eMaSthole.
”
Leader
:“Wit
hthewayMaSt
hol
ehasbeen
behavi
ng-
”
Hestoppedhershort
.“Iaskedwhogav
eyou
per
missionandthatmeansIwantanamenot
anexpl
anati
on.”Heemphasi zed.
Leader
:“Noonegav
eust
heper
missi
on.
”
Sbani:
“Hhay
bo,
youj
ustf
eltl
i
kegoi
ngt
oher
house?”
Them:
“No!
”
Dal
isu:
“Itdi
dn’tr
eachy
ourearst
hatIsai
dno
oneshouldcheckmybri
de?”
Them:
“Itdi
d.”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,tel
lmewhatdi
dyouf
ind?
”
Leader
:“She’
sav
irgi
n.”
Dali
su:“
Inthefi
rstpl
ace,
whydidyouwantto
checkherandwhocameupwi t
hthei
deathat
youshouldcheckher
?”heaskedfi
rml
y.
Woman1: “
Ndabezi
thai
tisnosecr
etthaty
our
wi
fehasnotbeenbehavi
ngli
keabrideand
morespeci
all
yaqueen.Shehasbeenseenin
taverns, t
hat’
snothowaf ut urequeencar r
ies
herself.Shewal ksaroundt hest r
eetswear i
ng
ti
ghtl eggingsthatshowedof fthestruct
ureof
herbodyandmenwer elooki ngather.That
behav iourmadeuswonderi fshedidn’tfoolus.
Sowet ookituponourselvest ocheckher .But
notasy ourwifebutav i
ll
agegi r
l.
”
Dali
su: “
Okay ,Ihearyouexplai
n,asyouwer e
checki
ngheras‘ vil
l
agegirl
’thevil
l
agegirls
aroundher edon’tentert
averns?”heaskedand
theydidn’tanswerhi m.“
Vil
lagegirl
sdon’twalk
aroundwear ingclothesyouhavedescri
bed? ”
theykeptqui etanddidn’
tanswerhim.
Woman:“Theonesli
vi
ngcl
osert
oyoudon’
t
wearasshedoes.
”
Dali
su:
“Oh,t
heydon’
tentertav
ernsorIwi
l
lnot
getananswert
othatquesti
on?”
Them:
“Theydo.
”
Dali
su:
“Sowhogav eyoutheri
ghttogotomy
br
idenotyourbr
ideandcheckher?Her
behavi
ourwasmypr obl
em noty
oursandI
spoketoherabouti
t.Whogaveyoutheri
ght
?”
theykeptqui
et.“
IAM TALKI
NGANDINEEDAN
ANSWER! ”Heshout
ed.
Thewomenjumpedathi
sroar
.“Noone!
”they
managedt
osay.
MaKhoza:
“Thewomenneededt
oseei
fthey
di
dn’
tmakeamistake.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lwantaf
inef
rom t
hef
ourofy
ou.
”
Thewomen:“Wearelist
eni
ng.”MaKhoza
smil
edseei
ngthatshewasn’tcount
edonthat
number
.
Dali
su:“Fordi
srespect
ingmeandgoingagainst
mywor d.FormakingMaSthole,
yourqueen,l
ie
downf oryoutolookather
,Iwantacowf r
om
thefourofyou.
”
“HAWU!”Thewhol
ehousewassur
pri
sedev
en
hispar
ent
s.
Ndabezi
tha:
“Mageba,
don’
tyout
hinky
oumust
r
econsi
dert
hisdeci
siont
heyonl
ydi
sgr
aced
y
ourword.I
t’
snothi
ngmuch.”
Dal
isu:“Iam notchangi
ngmydeci
sionandI
wasn’tdone,baba.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Oh.
”
Dali
su:
“MamauMaKhoza,
Ineedasheepf
rom
you.
”
MaKhoza:
“What
!”sheexcl
aimed.“
Forwhat
?”
Dali
su:“
Youl i
edonbehalfoft
hewholefamil
y
andmoreespecial
lyonmymot her’
sbehal
fyou
l
ied.SoIneedasheepfrom youandacow
fr
om yourfr
iends.
”
Ndabezi
tha:
“Dal
i
su,
hhay
i,y
oucan’
tdot
hat
.”
Dal
isu:“
Iam doingitsothateveninfut
uret
hey
wil
lthi
nkagainbeforedi
srespecti
ngmeandmy
wif
e.Iwantthatcowaf t
erourwedding.You
canbeexcused.”
Dal
i
sugotupfi
rstandl
eftthem tal
ki
ngamong
t
hemsel
ves.Hewenttohisoff
ice.Hecl
icked
hi
stonguebef
oresi
tt
ingdown.
“Mageba.
”Hi
smothercal
l
edhi
m openi
ngt
he
doortohi
sof
fi
ce.
Dal
i
su:
“Yebo,
mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youshoul
dcal
m down.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam cal
m.”
MaCebekhulu:“Youdidagoodt hi
ngby
standi
ngupf oryourwif
e.Theywil
lrespecther
wherevershegoesandf orwhatyoudidwi t
h
MaKhoza, onbehalfofmynameandt hefamil
y,
thankyou,myson.”Shesmi l
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sokay
,mama.
”
“Iwi
ll
leavey outhen,Ihav
eaphonecallt
o
make.”Shest oodupandl ef
thi
m af
tert
hey
havesaidtheirgoodbyes.
MaCebekhul
uleftt
ocall
Ndl
amanzi,shehad
r
equi
redthatsheprot
ect
sever
ythi
ngtoensure
t
hatherson’
sweddingwoul
dbeasuccess.
“Ndlunkul
u.”Ndlamanzi
greet
edheront
he
othersideoftheli
ne.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Ninj
ani
,gogo?
”
Ndl
amanzi
:“Sy
avuka,
singezwani
na.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Hhay
i,si
yancenga.Howi
syour
wor
kgoing?”
Ndl
amanzi
:“Thef
ir
stoneort
hesecondone?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thesecondone.
”
Ndlamanzi:
“Ever
ythi
ngi
sinordereventhough
ther
earelotofspi
rit
swhodon’twantthe
weddingtohappenbuti
twil
lhappenanditwil
l
beasuccess.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Thosear
ewonder
ful
news.Iwi
l
l
l
eaveyoutoworkt
hengogo.
”
Ndl
amanzi
:“Thokoza!
”
MaCebekhul
usaiditbackandt
heyhungupthe
cal
l
.Shethenturnedandmadeherwaytothe
car
.Herdri
vergotupandwenttothecar
…He
dr
oveherbackhome…Shewasr eli
evedthat
ev
eryt
hingwasgoingtobeasuccess…Butshe
waswonderi
ngifSgonondoknewthatherson
wasgetti
ngmarri
ed…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE42

FRIDAY,wasthebeginningofthewedding
ri
tual
s.Thembelihl
ewasi nsi
deherbedroom
andshewasnotmeantt ocomeoutunt ilher
bi
gday .Theyhaverearr
angedherbedroom to
havemor espace.EventhoughThembelihlehad
nobigfamilyonherside,herf
ather
’shouse
wasfull.
Shewasonherf eethel
pingZintombi,her
cousi
n,dr
essuppr oper
ly.Shewasgoi ngtobe
repr
esent
ingherastheywer egoingto
MaCebekhulu’
shouseforcowsl aughteri
ng.
Zi
ntombi
:“Youar
eshaki
ngThembel
i
hle.
”
Thembelihl
e:“Iknow. ”Shesaidfixi
ngherdoek,
fr
om Monday ,Thembel ihlewasonf asti
ng,she
wasonlydrinkingwat erandpr ay
ing.Shewas
pray
ingthateverythinggoeswel lonherbigday.
Shewasgoi ngt obreakt hefastaft
erevery
one
hadgonet othepal ace.
Shewasgoi ngtobel
eftbehindwi
thheraunt
,
sheknewthatshewasf ast
ingandshejoi
ned
heronherfastonWednesday .
Thembeli
hle:
“Nowyoul
ookbeaut
if
ul,make
sur
ethatmyhusbanddoesn’
twi
shitwasyou
who’l
lbemarryi
nghi
m.”
Theladiesi
nthebedr oom l
aughed.“
Iwil
lnev
er
wishthatbecausemar ry
inghi
m comeswitha
hugeresponsibi
li
ty.
”Shesaidgett
ingup.
Thembel
ihle:
“Tellmeabouti t
.”Shesi
ghedand
satdownlookingatthegirl
sdressup.The
other
swerealreadydressedup.
Nozibusi
so:“Wewill
practi
ceamahubo
toni
ght?”sheaskedsit
ti
ngnextt
oThembeli
hle.
Shelookedathercuri
ously
.Nozi
busi
sofol
ded
herl
ips.
Thembeli
hle:“
Yes,t
heywillbutIdon’
tthi
nkt
hey
wil
lnot
icethatyouaregone.”Shesmil
ed.
Nozibusi
sogiggledandstoodup.Thembel
ihl
e
askedthattheypassedherwater
.Theydi
dand
shedrankthewat er
.
“Thetransporti
shere,Mantombazane! ”
Thembel i
hle’
sauntMaNgobe, heruncle’
swife
saidshowingherheadont hedoor .Ever
yone
whowasn’ tdressedproperl
ydressedupand
theymov edoutofther oom af
tertheyhavesai
d
goodby etoThembelihl
e.
Shestoodupandsneakedi ntohermot her
’s
room.Shest oodbythewindowandl ookedat
them astheysangthei
rwayout .Theyhada
fewgroceriestoent
erthegateswithatthe
groom’splace.
“
Youar
ehere,
sisi
.
”MaSt
hol
esai
dwal
ki
ng
i
nsi
det
heroom.
Thembel ihle:“Yes,andIcan’tbel
ievet hisis
happeningaunt .Justaboutseveny ear sagomy
mamawassi cklayingonthehospital bed.She
wast el
lingmet herewasmor etoli
fet han
mar r
iageandnowIam get t
ingmarried.Iwi l
l
takethishuger esponsibi
li
tyandIwi l
l depend
onaman.Ihav enocollegedegreenonot hing.
”
Shecompl ainedlookingatheraunt.“ Thiswas
nevermydr eam butIadopt editsadlyandnowI
l
ov ethismanIwi l
lmarry.Il
ovehimr egar dl
ess
ofeverythingIdon’ tli
keabouthim.”
MaSt hol
e:“
Oh,
nganekabhuti.Lifeisnotabed
ofrosesaswedream andwishi ttobe.Buti
t’
s
aroadoneneedstotr
av el
,notjustanyroadbut
rockyroad.
”
Sheadvi
sedherandhuggedher.Theythen
j
oinedhandsandbeganwit
hpraying…
TheSt holefami l
yandpr esentat
ivegotofftheir
transportandt hegir
lstookt hegrocer
iestoput
them ont heirheads.Theyt henwalkeduptot he
mai nentranceoft hepalace.Theywerewal ki
ng
whi l
esinging.
I
twasagoodaf ternoonandt heyweresinging
weddingsongs.Theywai t
edont hegatesand
theyweren’
tstandingbuttheywer esi
ngingand
danci
ng.Theywer esi
ngi
ngasongaski ngthat
Thembelihl
e’
sin-lawsopent hegatesforthem.
Themenf rom theZul
ufami l
ycametothegate
withall
thr
eeofThembelihle’
smother
s’in-l
aw.
TheZulumenspokewi ththeSthol
emenand
theywerefinal
l
yall
owedtocomei nsi
det he
palace.
Theyshowedthatt
heyshoul
dgodownbyt
he
treet
hatwasneart
hekraal
.Thecowwast
her
e
readytobesl
aught
ered.
Thetwofami
l
iessur
roundedt
hecowandthey
compet
edandsanganddanced.Themenwer
e
busydi
scussi
nghowt oappr
oachthecow.
Zint
ombiwasseateddownasthebri
deand
Dali
suwastherel
ooki
ngatthepeopl
esing.
Thecowwasf i
nall
yslaught
eredanditwascut
i
ntohalf
,theotherhalfwenttothegr
oom’sside
andtheotherhalfwenttobri
de’
sside.
Theythenhadcakesanddri
nkandt
heywent
backtothei
rcar
s.Dal
isuaskedt
ospeakt
o
Nozibusi
so.
“
Howareyou?”Heaskedputt
inghi
selbowon
t
het
reethatt
heywerestandi
ngunder
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iam f
ineandy
ou?
”
Dali
su:“
Iam fi
ne,
howisThembel
i
hle,
Ihav
en’
t
spokentoheri
ndays.
”
Nozibusi
so:“
She’
sal
ri
ghtbutshe’
sner
vous
aboutSunday.
”
Dali
su: “
She’
llbealr
ightIj
ustwant
edtohear
that.Iam worr
iedabouther.Shef
eel
sli
keshe’
s
pressuredIknowthat.”
Nozibusi
so:“
Yes,Iwil
ltel
lhert
haty
ouar e
worri
edandmay bethatwil
lhel
phercooldown
j
usttoknowt hatt
hereissomeoneworry
ing
abouther.
”
Hechuckl
edandsaid:
“okay,
youcangoandt
ell
hert
hatImissher
.shewil
lsmil
ewhenshe
hear
sthat
.”
Nozi
busi
sol
aughedandnodded.Hethenlether
goandhewal
kedbacktohismother
’shouse…

Saturdaynight
,peoplewerenotsleepi
ngthey
wereatThembel i
hle’shouse.Theyweresingi
ng
andrejoici
ngandt hemenwer ebraai-
ngthe
partofthemeatt hattheZulufamil
ygave
them.
Thembeli
hlewasinsideherroom.Makhosi was
pl
ait
ingherhead.Shewantedasi mplehai
rstyl
e
andsoshewaspl ait
ingher,
strai
ghtupthat
wassuit
ableforhertowearherZuluredhat.
Makhosi:
“It
’snotpai
nful
?”sheaskingi
fshe
wasn’
tmaki ngi
ttooti
ghtonherscalp.
Thembeli
hlekeptqui
et.Makhosit
ouchedher
shoul
derandshegotaf ri
ghtshel
ookedather.
“Wher
e’syourmind?”sheasked.
Thembelihle:
“Iam sl
eepyIam notthinkingat
al
l.
”Shelied,shewast hi
nki
ngaboutt hel i
feshe
wasgoingt oli
vestart
ingfr
om thefoll
owi ng
day.Thi
ngswer egoingtochangeal ot.They
havealr
eadychangedbutt heyweregoi ng
changeev enmore.Sheadmi t
ted.
Makhosi:“
Okay
,Iwi
l
ltakei
tasi
fit
’snot
pai
nful
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
it’
snot
.Nozi
busi
soi
snot
backyet
?”
“Iam here.
”Shesaidwalkingi
nsidethe
bedroom.“Don’tyouthi
nkpeopleshouldgo
nowNomf undo?”sheaskedsi
tti
ngnextto
Nomf undo,i
qhiki
za.Shehadgonet omeet
Gwabini.
Nomfundo:“
No,t
heyshoul
dn’
tjustsayy
ou
wantt
osleep.
”Theyl
aughed.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Guys,
Ikeepsmel
l
ingthatbraai
meatbutit
’snotr
eachi
nguswhat’
swr ong?”
Theyl
aughed.“Iwil
lgoandcheck.
”Nomf
undo
st
oodupandl eftt
hem.
Nozibusiso:“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
methatt
hose
womenwhower eher
ewereser
vedandt
hey
werefined.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whi
chwomen?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Theoneswhower
echecki
ngy
ou
up.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh.
”
Makhosi:
“Wher
edi
dyouheart
hat
?”she
f
ished.
Nozi
busiso:“Haa!Ihavemysources.”They
l
aughed.“Myf r
iend,i
ndodayakhoayihl
ekiayit
hi
nsi
.Ngiyamv uma!”sheprai
sedDali
su.
Thembelihl
eshookherheadandsai dnothing.
Makhosi
:“Ihavenev
eraskedy
out
hisquest
ion
Thembel
ihle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Makhosi
:“How’
sDalisuwheny
ouguy
sar
e
al
one,i
shethatser
ious?
”
Thembel
ihl
elaughed.“
Yes,
he’
stooser
ious.
”
Sheli
edandlaughed.
Nozibusiso:“Youarelyi
ng, he’sasofti
ebuthe
doesn’twantt heot
herper sont oseethathe’sa
soft
ieonher .You’l
lfi
ndhimt ouchingherina
wayt hat
’ssonotl i
kehim butoncey ouappear
he’
llpret
endhewast ouchingherj ustgeneral
ly
ashiswif e.
”Sheexplained.Theyl aughed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thati
snott
rue.
”
“
What’
snottrue.
”Nomfundoaskedent
eri
ngt
he
r
oom wi
ththeplat
eofmeat.
Nozibusi
so:“
Youarenosy!”t
heyl
aughedand
sharedthemeat.NomfundofedMakhosi
,as
bri
desmaidstheyhadweavesonthei
rheads.
Makhosihadonetooshewasn’tawif
ewho
woredoekevenonspeci
aloccasi
ons.Special
occasi
onsshowedherofft
hatshewasact ual
ly
young.
Theladiesspentt
heirni
ghttal
ki
ngaboutl ov
e
andromanceunt i
lThembeli
hlewasdonewi th
herhair
.Shethenwenttobedst r
aightaft
erher
hai
rwasdone.Shedi dn’
tevenchangei nt
oher
pyj
amas…

Fir
stt hinginthemor ningtheyhadtowakeup
andcl eant heroom.Theyt hengotdressedbut
i
nt heircasual clothes.Afterget
ti
ngdressed
theyputt heirthingst oget
herandthe
bri
desmai dsleftThembel ihl
etheywenttopack
theirclothesinthei rcar.
Thewomenf r
om thevi
l
lageandolderwomen
cameinthemorni
ngtogiveThembelihl
elast
wordsasshewasleavi
ngherfather
’shouse.
Theyhavegi
venheradvi
cesallweeklongand
i
nt hemor ningtheywer egivingthel astword.
Thembel i
hlecriedhearingev ery
thingt heywere
tel
li
ngher ,someoft het hi
ngsshedi dn’tl
iket
o
hear,l
i
kehowt heynor malisedthef actthat
sometimesamanl osescont rolandhi tyouand
eventhrought hatyoujusthav etoper severe
andtellnooneabouti t
.Theyt oldherhow
i
mpor tantitwasf orhertobeanobedi ent,
prayi
ngwi fe.
Andt hentheytoldshehadnochoi cebutto
staywhetheritgetstoughort ougherbecause
therewasnol eavingthekingashi sfi
rstwif
e.
Theyev entouchedthemat terthatsomedayhe
wouldcomehomeandt el
lherhe’staking
anotherwife.Thathurther.
Theyemphasizedont hemat t
erthatshe
neededtoful
filall
herdut i
esasawi f
eand
neverdenyherhusbandphy si
calpleasur
e.She
neededtosatisfyhim ashiswife,Thembeli
hle
waswor ri
edthatshedi dn’
tevenknowhowt o
dothat.
Butt
hroughital
lshetr
ustedthatherDal
i
su
wasnotgoingtobethosethi
ngsthatshedi
dn’
t
l
iket
ohear.
Thepartoft
hegr oom’sfamilythencameand
sangtel
li
ngthef amilythatDali
susentthem t
o
takeThembeli
hle.
Theweddi ngwheel sthenleftThembelihle’s
houseandwentst rai
ghttoMaCebekhul u’
s
palace.Thembel i
hleleftthehousewi thasmal l
whiteleatherboxt hatsymbol i
sedthatshewas
l
eav i
ngasaSt hole’sdaughtertoenteranew
phasei nherl i
feasaZul u’sdaughter
.Thebox
wasmor el i
ket hesy mbol ofherdeathint he
family.
Theycampedout sideMaCebekhul u’
spalace.
Thembeli
hlewasi nsidethesmalltent
MaCebekhuluhador ganisedforherandshe
wasgett
ingdressedf orthefir
stri
tual
.Shewas
weari
ngay el
lowtailoreddresswithbeadsas
decor
ati
onandshehadt heyell
owdoekonher
head.Herbri
desmai
dwor
ethesamecol
ourbut
di
ffer
entdesi
gn.
Theythenhadtogoinsi
desingi
ng.Thembel
i
hle
wasleadi
ngthesonglooki
ngdownhol di
nga
kni
feonherlef
thand.
Shewast heonet ostabthecowforaslaughter
thatcowwasshowi ngthattheyareaccepti
ng
herint
ot heirhomeandt hensheneededt oput
themoneyi nsi
dethecow’ sst
omachwhi l
e
peoplewat chedher.Thiswassignthatshewas
nowpar toft hefamil
y…

Shewasnowoni sdwaba(theblacksuede
l
eatheredski
rt
)ont opshewasn’ twear
ingany
brashewasbar eskinbuttheyputthebrown,
bl
ackandwhi t
eani malpri
ntedchestcover.I
t
cover
edherandherbr eastsdidn’
tful
lshow.
Shehadar edZuluhatonherheadandshewas
walki
ngbarefeet.Theknif
ewasst il
lonher
hand.Makhosiwaswear i
ngsameasherbut
wi
thoutt
hehatandshehadawhi tev
estonand
t
hebeadnecklace.Thebri
desmaidswere
weari
ngadi
fferentatt
ir
eforgi
rl
s.
Dali
suhadumqhel e(headband)onhi shead,
thechestcover,
ibheshu(backcover)andslene
(fr
ontcover)andthetradi
ti
onalsandals.Hi
s
groomsmenwer ewearingthesameashi m.
Theythenmov edtotheopenfi
eldwheret
he
weddi
ngcer emonywasgoingtoend.Ther
e
werethousandsofpeopl
eandt hecer
emony
wasinthemor ni
ngbutpeoplecamein
numbers.
“Howdoyoufeel?”MakhosiaskedThembeli
hle
asshewassit
tingdownbehindt hecr
owdwho
wasbusysi
ngingcompetingwiththegrooms’
fami
ly
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam t
ir
ed,al
readyMakhosiand
thebi
ggestpartoft
heceremonyhasn’
tcome.”
Makhosi
:“Si
ther
e,Iwi
l
ltel
lthem nott
ocome
andgety
ounow.”
Shenodded.NowThembeli
hlehadnosmi
l
eat
al
l,
shewasadi f
fer
entper
son.
Thembel i
hlewasseateddownunt i
li
twasti
me
forukwaba, shewasgiv
inggif
tsinfor
m of
blanket
s,shewasgi v
ingthegif
tstohernew
familyl
ikeshehaddonebef or
e.
Thefinalpartoft
heweddi ngwaswhenaman
fr
om thev i
ll
age.Theyaddresshi
m asi
phoy
isa
ofthevil
l
age.Hest oodinthemiddl
eand
shoutedtoThembel i
hleaski
ngher.
“
Thelawasks;asyouaremar r
yinghim doyou
l
ovehim?”heaskedrepeat
ingthewords.Ifi
t
wasa‘yes’
Thembeli
hlehadtosi ngasong.
Ther
ewassil
enceforqui
tesometi
meas
Thembel
i
hlewasseateddowncr
ying.
“
Makhosi
!”shecr
iedhol
dingherhandt
ight
ly.
Makhosi
:“Thembel
i
hledon’tcr
ynow.You’
l
lbe
wi
thyourhusbandf
orever
.”
“
It
’snoteasy
,it
’snoteasy
,Makhosi
.
”shecr
ied
andtheotherwomenjoinedt
ocomf or
therand
encouragehert
ostandup.Shewasev en
shaking.I
twasanemotional
journeyforherand
apathshewast aki
ngshewasn’tsureifshe
couldmanageit
.Theyheldherandassi st
edher
standup.
Peoplewerenottal
ki
ngnowtheywer
ewai
ti
ng
forananswerfr
om thebr
ide.
Dali
suwasseat
edonhispositi
onwithhishead
downandhisey
esclosedastheresponsefrom
Thembel
ihl
ewasnotcoming.Heonlyraisedhi
s
headwhenhehear
d‘thatv
oice.
’
Thembelihl
esangthesong‘ngobekezel
a’she
wassay i
ngshewouldstayinmarri
ageno
matterwhat.Shewasgoingtodanceherwayt o
herhusband.Thefi
eldwasbiganditwasal ong
waytohim butshedancedherwayt ohi
m
pati
entl
yandbeauti
full
y.
Themanwasseat
eddownl
ooki
ngatnobody
buther
…Hi
squeen…
Theyhav edoneallt
heweddi ngrit
ualsandso
ThembelihlewasnolongeraSt holebutZul
u
tr
adit
ionall
y.Theyhavewelcomedher
ngenyongoanddi dever
ythi
ng.ShehadHl ezi
phi
ashermai den.
Shewasst andingbef orehi
m onanav yand
whitemermaidweddi nggown.Thedresswas
Afr
icanpri
nted, shehadt hesamecolourforher
doekandhadasi lverneckl
ace.Theyhave
appli
edmake- uponherandshewasext remely
beauti
ful
.
Dali
suwasonnavypant
sandwhi
teandnav
y
shortsl
eev
edshi
rt
.
Dali
suhadherl efthandonhi shandhol
dingthe
fi
rstpieceofherring,at
hicksil
verbandbutnot
str
aightshaped,ithadli
ttl
ereddiamonds.He
putitinsi
desayinghisvows.Het henpl
acedthe
l
astmai npieceasi l
verr
ingthathadtwored
heartsshapeddiamonds.Theot herdi
amond
wasbiggerandt
heot herwassmaller
.Dali
su
hadtheri
ngspeci
allydesi
gnedforher.The
secondshapedj
oinedtheband.
Dali
su:“WiththisringIv owthatIam gi vi
ngy ou
mybi gheartandt ogetherwi t
hy oursmaller
heart
,”Hesmi led,peoplelaughed.Thembel i
hle
l
ookedatt hering.“Iwantt heset woheartsto
buil
dahome, awar m homewi tht wohearts
thatl
oveeachot her.Ivowt oloveandpr otect
youallt
het i
mes.Il ov eyouMaSt hol
e.”
Thembeli
hletookt
hegoldbandri
ngwit
hthe
l
it
tl
eblacktouchdesi
gn.Sheputonhi
sfi
nger
.
Thembelihl
e:“Withthisri
ngIv owtobey our
l
oy al
,l
ovi
ngwi fe.Iv
owt orespectandhonour
you.Iwil
lbuil
dawar m homewi thyouandgr ow
oldwithyou,Mageba, ndabezit
ha,mnt wana,
zulumacansi,sthul
iskandaba.Mny eniwami,I
l
ov eyou.
”
Womenululat
edandDali
suwipedt
hetear
son
herey
es.Themarr
iagecounsel
l
ort
hen,
pr
onouncedt
hem husbandandwi
fe.
Theyshar
edonlyababyki
ssandahug.Women
ul
ulat
edastheywerepr
esent
edKi
ngandqueen
Zul
u…
“BAYEDE!NDABEZITHA!”Themenchantedas
herai
sedherhand.Thembeli
hlel
ookeddown…

Allt
herit
ualswereover.Theweatherbeganto
change.Peoplewerei
nsidethetent
seating.
Theywererejoici
ngwit
hDalisuand
Thembelihl
e…
Theweat herwascooki ngupbadl yandthe
thunderandlightni
ngst ar
tedstri
king.
Thembel i
hleandDal i
suwer einsi
det heVI
Ps
tentgreet
ingandt hankingpeopleandkingsf
or
comingt otheirwedding.
Otherpeoplesawthatt
heweat
herwast
urni
ng
badlyandtheylef
t…
St
ir
ri
ngi
ntoherpot
,Sgonondowassi
tt
ing
i
nsi
deherhutcookingstr
onglight
ningthatwas
goi
ngtostr
ikethenewqueen.Shewant edto
hur
tMaCebekhulubeyondmeasuref or
bet
ray
ingher.she’
dheardthatMaCebekhulu
l
ovedherdaughteri
n-l
awli
keherownchi ld.
Shef
inal
l
yrel
easedt
heman-
madet
hunder
.
Ithitr
ightattheVIPstentanditwentdown,
the
poleshitt
ingpeopleandcreati
ngamessast he
ceil
ingcov er
edthem.Therewer escr
eamsand
cri
es…
Sgonondohadsucceededinhur t
ing
MaCebekhulubutshejustdi
dn’thurtherby
ki
ll
ingherdaught
erin-
lawasThembel i
hlehad
herkneesshaki
ngseeingthetentfall
on
people…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE43
“YINI!
”MaCebekhulu,
hersi
ster
s’ in-
law
(MaKhozaandMaMzobe)al ongwi t
hot her
womencameoutoft hehutscreami ng.They
wer eseat
edthereaswomeneat ingandt al
king
alone.Theyweren’
tseat
edwithVI Pstheywer e
alone.
Menar ound,werealr
eadyremovingthesai
l
ing
ofthetentandthetentpol
eshelpingpeopl
eget
up.Somepeopl ewereinj
uredandsomepeople
werejustalr
ightbutt
raumati
sed.
“Call
theambul ance!”oneofthemenassisti
ng
peopleshouted.Theguar dsandsecur
itymen
thatwerehir
edf ortheweddingwerealert
ed
andtheywereatt het enthel
pingt
oo.
MaCebekhuluandhersi
ster
srantothetent
makingthei
rwayuptothebigtabl
ewhent hei
r
husbandandsonswereseatedwit
hother
ki
ngs.
“HHI
!Umnyeniwami!
”MaKhozawasthef
ir
stt
o
seet
hatNdabezi
thahadpassedaway
.
“MaCebekhulu!Whereisthatdaught erin-l
awof
yoursshe’
stheonewhohasbr oughtsuchbad
l
uckonus. ”shecri
edoutscr eamingand
MaCebekhuluandMaMzobef ell
rightnextto
her.Theycri
edforthei
rhusband.Thet hreeof
them hel
dhim.
“THEMBELI HLE!”Dal i
sur oaredthr
ought he
crowdshehadl eftt
het entwi t
hThembel ihl
e.
Thembel ihl
ewentt oMakhosi whowant edt o
speakt oherwhi l
eDal i
suwal kedouthis
businessassociateswal kingthem totheircar.
Hehadr unbackatt hefirstsoundofpeopl e
screamingandamongt hem het houghtofhi s
wife.Notpar ent
sorf amilybuthiswife.
Thembel i
hle’ssensesrevi
si
tedheragainasshe
hear dDali
sur oarandontheotherside
MaKhozacr yi
ng, bl
amingherforthedeathof
theirhusband.Thel i
ghtswereoffinthewhol
e
vil
lageandi tbeganraini
ngslowly.
“
Thembel
i
hle!
”Makhosi
cal
l
edhername
shaki
ngherfeel
ingthatunderherhol
dshewas
ashakingst
atue.Shewasshocked.
Thembeli
hletookagl anceatMakhosi
and
removedhergripfrom her,
sheranaway
pushi
nginbetweent hecrowdswhodidn’
tknow
whereshewasheadi ngandwhoshewasasi t
wasdarkinthev i
l
lage.
Sher anfasterassheheardthesecondr oarof
Dalisu,shemi st
akenhisworr
iedroarwithanger.
Hehadhear dwhatMaKhozawassay ingand
may behewasbel i
evi
ngher?Sher anaway
holdinghergownsshedi dn’
twantt obearound
theangr ypeoplewhoblamedherf orthedeath
ofthegr eat
estleaderoft
hefamil
y .
Shedidn’
trunawaysomewher
eshewasn’
t
goingtobefoundbutsher
andownt
oher
husband’
shouse.
“Ndlov
ukazi?”Majol
awasshockedt
oseeherat
thegate.Shehadscreamedcal
li
nghi
mt othe
gatetoopenf orher
.Theywer
enotneart
he
gatebecauseofl
ight
ningbuttheywer
einsi
de
thehutwithi
tsdooropened.
Joe:“What
’swr
ong,ndl
ovukazi
whyareyou
runni
ngonther
ainonyourweddingni
ght
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Myhusband’sfat
herisdeadand
hi
ssecondmot heri
sblamingmef orallt
his.
ShesaidIcamewi t
hbadluckIjustranaway
hear
ingMageba’sangr
yv oi
cecalli
ngmy
name.”
Thetwomenheldherandwalkedinsi
dethe
mainhouseusi
ngtheki
tchenentr
ance.Majol
a
l
ight
edthewayusinghi
ssecuri
tytor
ch.They
putThembel
ihl
edownont hecouch.
Maj
ola:
“ Thi
sisnoty
ourfaul
tandy
oudi
dwel
l
byr
unningdownhere.”
Joe:“
Yes,youdidagoodt hi
ngbecausethey
mighthav
et akenyouevenifi
t’
snotpeoplewho
bl
amey oubutjustcr
ooks.”
Shenoddedherheadwi
thherwhol
ebody
shaki
ng.Theylef
therwit
hthetor
chandheaded
backtobeonguar d…Thembel
i
hlekneel
ed
downandpr ay
ed…

“MAKHOSI !
”NowDal i
sudecidedtocal
lfor
Makhosiashewasn’ tabl
et ofindThembel
ihle.
Thereweretorchesli
ghti
ngthewayandt he
gateswereclosednottoall
owpeopl etoenter
orl
eavethepal ace.
Makhosi
heardt hev
oicecal
l
ingherandsheran
towar
dsitunt
ilshebumpedint
oDalisu.Hehel
d
herar
ms.
Dali
su:
“Whyar eyoual
one,wher
eis
Thembeli
hleandhermaiden?
”
Makhosi
:“Thembelihlewaswithmeand
Hl
eziphi
wasi nsi
det hehouse.MaKhozacri
ed
bl
amingThembel i
hleforyourfat
her
’sdeat
h.”
Dal
i
su:
“Myf
ather
’swhat
?”
Hel
etgoofherandr
ant
othet
ent
.The
el
ectr
ici
typowercamebackonandt
hebusy
peopl
ecouldseeclear
lynow.
Dali
susawhismot hers,seateddownont he
groundwit
hwoment ryi
ngt ogetthem tost
and
up.Themenhav etakent heking’sbodyand
wenttothehutwit
hi twhereot herki
ngswere
seatedar
oundit
.
“Mama!”Dal
i
sucall
edhismother.
MaCebekhul
ufoundthest
rengt
handgotup.
Shecr
iedandDali
suhuggedher.
MaCebekhulu:
“Wherei
sThembel
ihl
e,Dal
isu
youmusthideherf
rom t
hepeopl
enow.”
Dali
su:“Idon’
tknowwher
eshei
smama.What
happenedt odad?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Theli
ght
ningstr
okedthet
ent
andi
ffel
lonpeopl
eyourfat
herdiedandt
her
e
i
sayoungmanwhodi edtoo.
”
Dali
suheldherti
ghtl
ycl
osinghi
seyesandhe
openedthem l
ookingar
ound.Hesawtheother
womenmovingwi
ththetwomother
sandso,
he
movedwi
thhismot
herfoll
owi
ngthewomen.
MaCebekhulu:“YouhavetofindThembel i
hle.
”
Shewhispered.“Andkeephersafeawayf rom
people’
seyes.Theyarestart
ingtobl
ameher
thatshehascomei nherewithbadluckast hi
s
hadhappened.Dalisu,
pleasefi
ndher.”she
i
nstruct
edhim.
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
ll
findhermama.”Heletgoofher
andshewentinsi
deherhousewheret
he
womenwereheading.
Dali
sut ur
nedtolookforMakhosiagai
nandshe
foundherhelpi
ngwiththepeoplewhowere
i
njured.Afewbroketheirbonesandafewwere
cutbutitwasnotcri
ti
cal.
“Makhosi
?”Hecal
l
edherandshet
urnedt
olook
athi
m.
Makhosi
:“Yebo.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yousai
dwher
eisThembel
i
hle?
”
Makhosi:“
Iwasstandi
ngwithherandsher
an
awayIdon’tknowwhereshewent.”She
expl
ainedfast
.
Dali
su:“
Youdi
dn’
tseewhi
chdi
rect
ionshe
headedto?
”
Makhosi:
“No,i
twasdar
kandwhenthe
l
ight
ninggaveust
heshortl
i
ghtshewasl
ong
gonenearme.”
Dali
sunoddedandl ef
ther.Hewascluel
essas
hedidn’tknowwher etobeginwhensearchi
ng
forher.Hecal l
edf orGwabiniamongtheman
whower ehelping.Thethunderhadst
opped
andt heli
ghtninghadst oppedbuti
twasheav i
l
y
rai
ning.
“
Ndabezi
tha!
”hesai
dst
andi
ngbef
oreDal
i
su.
Dal
i
su:
“Takemet
omycarIwantmyphone.
”
Henoddedandtheyfoll
owedeachothertothe
car.Gwabi
niunl
ockedthecarandDal
isu
steppedi
nsi
dethecar.Hetookthet
owelthat
wasther
ealongwit
hot herclot
hesthatwer
e
i
nsidehi
scar.Hewipedhisheadandf acet
hen
hi
shands.Hewasn’tscaredorsadbuthewas
angry
…Hehadscaredear li
erbutnowhewas
angry
.
Hecal l
edThokozaniandhisphonewason
voicemail
.Hefi
guredmay beitgotwet.
Thokozaniwasalsoinsi
detheVI Pstentwi
th
hisdateZodwa,thatDal
isudidn’
tevenmeet.
HecalledNjongoandhisphonewasofftoo.He
cl
ickedhistongueandcal
ledHlezi
phi
.She
answeredthecall
.
“
Ndabezi
tha.
”Sheanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
eisThembel
i
hle?
”
Hlezi
phi
:“Il
eftherout
sidewi
thMakhosi
,she’
d
sentmeinsi
det hehouse.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Andy
ouar
est
il
li
nsi
det
hehouse?
”
Hlezi
phi
:“Yes,
wewer
einst
ruct
edt
omaket
ea.
Peoplear
ecold.”
Dal
isu:
“PEOPLEARECOLD! ”Her oared.“
YOU
AREWORRI EDABOUTPEOPLEBUTYOUDON’ T
EVENKNOW WHERETHEQUEENYOUARE
SUPPOSEDTOLOOKAFTERI S?WHATI S
THAT?”Her oar
edf
urt
herexpressinghisanger
.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Iam sor
ryNdabezi
tha.
”
Dal
isu:
“TSK!
”Hehungupt hecal
landthought
oft
henextpersont
ocall
.Hecall
edMaj ol
aback
home.Heansweredthecal
li
mmedi at
ely.
“
Ndabezi
tha!
”heanswer
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Maj
ola,
Ican’
tfi
ndmywi
fe.
”
Maj
ola:
“She’
sher
e,shear
ri
vedanhourago.
”
Dali
su:
“She’
sther
e?”heaskedagai
nfeel
i
ng
rel
i
efcreepi
ngi
n.
Maj
ola:
“Yebo.
”
Dal
isu:
“Now, whydidn’
tyoutel
lmey ouknow
howwor r
iedIam here,
now!”heshoutedat
hi
m.
Majola:“
Iam sorr
ywe’vebeenbusyhere.
”He
l
ied,hedidn’
tthi
nkofcall
i
nghim.Hecrossed
hisf
ingerswishi
nghedoesn’task‘
busydoing
what.’
Dali
su:
“Canyougi
vehert
hephone?Ineedt
o
speakt
oher.
”
Majol
a:“Iam i
nsi
dethehutther
aindoesreach
usontheguardverandasoweareinthehut.I
wil
lcal
lyouwhenIam inthemainhouse.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
.”Hehungupt
hecal
landsi
ghed.
Majolawenti nsidethehouseandcal l
edf or
Thembel i
hle.Shedi dn’tanswerhi m,thehouse
wasst i
l
l darkandsohet urnedont helights.He
foundherseat edont hefloori
nt helounge.She
wasqui etandherey eswer efixedont hef l
oor
showingshewast hinkingdeeply.Majolawent
downt oherandhel dhershoul der.Sher aised
herheadandl ookedathi m.
“
Ndabezi
thawant
stospeaktoyou.
”hesai
d
t
appi
ngonhisphonet
odialhi
snumberand
gav
ethephonet
oher
.
Thembeli
hlepl
acedt
hephoneonherearand
Majol
alef
ther.
“
MaSt
hol
e!”Dal
i
suanswer
edt
hephonequi
ckl
y.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Mageba.
”Shecal
ledhi
mr uef
ull
y.
Dali
sudi
dn’
tmisst
hesadnessonhervoi
ce.
Hisbighear
tedwassqueezedunder
neat
hhi
s
chestandheclosedhi
seyes.
Dal
i
su:
“Mkami
,Iwaswor
ri
edabouty
ou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ihear
dyouangri
l
ycallmyname
andIranaway.Youbel
iev
ethatIcamewit
hbad
l
ucktoo?”
Heopenedhiseyes.“
No!No!MaSt holedon’t
eventhi
nkli
kethat
.Iwasn’tangr
ythemi nuteI
heardscr
eamsIwaswor ri
edabouty ou.That
wasmescar edandworri
ed.”Heexplained.
Thembelihl
esighed.“
IrantoyourhouseI
thoughtofnowhereelsetogo.Iwasscar
ed,
Mageba.”Shetoldhim.
Dalisu:
“Don’tbescarednow,ev er
ythi
ngwil
lbe
alr
ightthepeoplewil
lbealri
ght.Nowy ouneed
toshowerandt rytorestIwi
llcomebacklate.
Ther ei
salotofwor ktodohere.Okay?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mageba?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Please,
besaf
eandcomebackt
o
mesafel
y.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hatmkami
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ryabouty
ourf
ather
,
Zul
u.”
Dal
i
su:
“It
’sal
lGod’
swor
k.Iwi
l
lseey
ousoon.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
.”
Theyhungupt hecallandtheybothsighedin
rel
i
eff r
om bothsides…Onl ythenThembelihle
gotthestrengthtostandup.Shecal l
edMaj ol
a
andgav ehim hisphone.Shet henwenttotake
ashowerandt ookherrestasDal i
suhad
i
nstructedher…Shesl eptl
ikeababy …
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE44

Thepeopl ehadbeent r
anspor
tedtothehospit
al,
sevenpeoplewer einj
uredi
nawayt hatthey
neededmedi calatt
enti
onbuttheother
swer e
alr
ight.Theinsur
ancecompanyhadcomet o
taketheking’sbody.
Peoplehadgonebackt othei
rhomesandthe
rai
nhadst opped.Nowt hefamil
ymembers
werealonewithrelat
ivescryi
ngtoget
herf
ort
he
deathoftheleaderofthefamily
.Thewomen
prayed.
By1am, t
heking’swivesweretr
anspor
tedt
o
hishousewheretheywer egoi
ngtomournhi
m
toget
herunt
ilthefuneral
.
“
Mama,Iam goi
nghome.Now.”Dal
isu
i
nfor
medhi
smot her
.Hewasseatedonhi
slegs
nextt
ohi
smot
her
.
MaCebekhulu:“
Okay,don’
tbri
ngThembelihl
e
here.Shemuststaydownthereunt
ilt
hefuneral
pass.She’
stoofragi
l
eDali
suandhear i
ng
peopletal
kli
ketheydoabouthernowwi l
lbr
eak
her.
”
Dal
isu:
“Iwi
l
ldothatmama,Iwil
ltakeHl
ezi
phi
andgodownwit
hmyguards.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
.”
“Icur
sethedayyourwi feent er
edthi
sf amil
y!
”
MaKhozacursedcryi
ngal loveragai
n.The
womennextt ohert
riedt ost opherfr
om saying
suchthi
ngsbutshedi dn’tstop.“Dal
i
su, t
hatgir
l
camewi t
hbadluckintoourf amil
yandour
husbandisdeat
hnowbecauseofher .”she
cri
ed.
“Youcan’tspeakl
i
kethattotheki
ngMaKhoza!
”
awomanwar nedher
.Dali
suwasstandi
ngby
thedoorhehadstoppedleav
ingwhenheheard
herspeak.
MaKhoza:
“Ngiy
ekeni
!Ngi
yekeni
!Oh,
umny
eni
wami!
”shecr
ied.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
su,
gonowNdabezi
tha.
”
Hedidn’
tturn,hetaunt
edhisjawandl ef
tthem.
Gwabinif
oll
owedhi mtothecar .Hewas
walki
ngbehindinformi
nghimt hattheyhave
doneeveryt
hingthathehadrequestedfrom
them.
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,wher
eisHl
ezi
phi
?”
Gwabi
ni:
“Wear
eal
lreadyt
ogo.Wewer
ejust
wai
ti
ngfory
ou.
”
“Okay,l
et’
sgo.”Hesai dopeni
ngt hecarand
steppedinsi
dethecar .Gwabi
niinst
ruct
edthe
otherst
omov eandtheymov ed.Hestepped
i
nsidethecarandf ol
lowedthem…
Hestoodnextt
ohisbedlookingathiswif
e
peacef
ull
ysl
eepi
ng.Helookedathislef
tri
ng
fi
ngerandsi
ghed.Hewasfinall
yherhusband
andshewashiswifeandsuchat hi
ng
happenedont heirweddi
ngev eni
ng.Hesighed
andleftf
ort heshower .Het ookthelongest
showerthinkingabouthisf ather’
sdeath.He
wasf eel
i
ngpai nandthepr essurethathe
neededtobest rongevenwhent he
ci
rcumstanceswer eagainsthi m.
Thembelihl
ewasawakeshewasseat edonher
bedlooki
ngatthedoor .She’
dseenDal i
su’
s
thi
ngs,phone,
walletandclot
hes.Shewas
wait
ingpati
entl
yforhimt ogeti
nsidetheroom
thr
oughthedoor.Shewant edhi
mt ohugher.
Hef i
nal
lyappearedonthedoorandshegotof
f
thebedmar chi
ngtohim.Hestoppedwipi
nghi
s
bodyandhel ookedatherappr
oachi
nghis
dir
ecti
on.
Thembel
i
hlethr
ewhersel
fonhim andDal
i
su
hel
dhert
ighti
ntoawarm hug.
“Youareher
e!”shesaidholdi
ngont ohi
swet
backandherheadlaidjustbeneat
hhiswet
chest
.Shedidn’
tcarethathewaswetshejust
want
edhi
mtohol
dherandshef
eltal
ri
ght
.
Dali
su:“
Yes,
Iam herej
ustl i
keIsaidIwil
lbe.
”
Heclosedhi
seyesandf eltal
it
tl
ehopet hat
ever
ythi
ngwasgoingtopass.“Whendi dyou
wakeup?”heaskedholdingherface.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Justaf
ewmi
nut
esago.
”She
l
ookedathi
m.
Dali
sudroppedhi
sheadonherandheki
ssed
herbri
efl
y.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
How’
sev
ery
one,
mot
her
sand
si
ster
s?”
Dali
su:
“ Every
oneishurt,Ileftt
hem i
ndad’s
housetheywi l
lmournhimt her
etoget
herbut
youwon’ tgother
e.”heinformedher.
Thembel i
hlel
etgoofhim andshesatont he
edgeoft hebeddisappointed.
Dali
su:“Mama,personall
yaskedmet okeep
youherejustpr
otectyoufrom al
lthehorr
ibl
e
t
alksthatpeopl
earest ar
ti
ng.Youdon’tneedto
heart
hem.”Hesai
dfi
nishi
ngupandhewor
e
hi
spyjamas.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Icanhandl
eev
ery
thi
ng,
Mageba.
”
“No,Thembeli
hle.”Hesatdownnexttoherand
heldherhand.“Youhardl
yhandledthefactthat
you’l
lbequeen,howdoy outhinkyou’
ll
beabl e
tohandlethi
s?”heaskedpull
inghertofallback
tobedwi t
hher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ij
ustwantt
opaymyr
espect
s
too.
”
Dali
su:“
Youcandot hather
e.Iwi
l
lhaveyour
fr
iendsandsomewomenwi t
hyouher
e.You
won’tbeal
one,okay
? ”
Shenoddedandl
aidherheadonhi
schest
cl
osi
nghereyes.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ican’
tbel
i
eveourbeaut
if
ulday
endedl
ikethi
s.”
Dal
i
su:
“Ican’
tbel
i
evei
ttoo.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam y
ourwi
fenow.
”
Dalisu:“Yes,
andforaminuteinthatfi
eldI
thoughty ouwerehavi
ngsecondt houghtswhen
Ididn’thearyourv
oiceaf
tertheyhaveasked
yout hatquesti
on.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwasscar
edandIl
ostmyv
oice
becauseIwascryi
ng.
”
Dalisu:
“Iam sorr
ytothr
owi
nsuchabi
g
responsibi
l
ityonyou.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Whatmatt
ersisthatyouaremy
husband,
now.Wewi l
lbetoget
herforev
erfr
om
nowon.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Il
oveyou.
”shel
ookedupt
ohi
m andheki
ssed
hergoodni
ght
…
-
--
--
--
-
Thokozaniwasseatednextt
oZodwai nthe
hospit
al.Shewasinj
uredandshebrokeherar
m.
Hewaswai t
ingf
orhertowakeup.Andshe
fi
nall
ywokeup.
“
Youar
eawake!
”hesai
dst
andi
ngonhi
sfeet
.
Zodwa:
“Yes,
howi
sev
ery
oneandy
oursi
ster
?”
Thokozani:“
Theyar efi
neandmysi steri
s
alr
ightbutherfatheri
n-l
awdi ed.
”Hetoldher
.
Sheclosedherey es.“
Iwasj ustwor
ri
edabout
you.Doy oufeelanypain?”
Zodwa:“
No,
fornowIam f
ine.
”Sheopened
them.
Thokozani
:“Okay,Ical
l
edyourmotherIsawthe
numberony ourphoneandcall
edher.Shesai
d
she’
scoming.”
“What?”Shetri
edtositonherbut
tsbut
Thokozanistoppedher.“
Youneedtogo,
Thokozani.Mymot hermustnotf
indyouher
e.”
Sheinstr
uctedhim.
Thokozani
:“Whynot
?”
Zodwa:“No!pl
ease,go.It
oldy
oushe’
sst
ri
ct,
wewill
talkonthephone.”
Hesawhowf
rust
rat
edshewasandsohe
stoodupkissi
ngherf
oreheadandhel
eftt
he
hospit
al.
Zodwasi ghed,herworr
ieswerenotthather
motherwasst ri
ctbutherworri
eswer ethat
Thokozani wasgoingt
oseet hathermot her
wasactuallyaSangomaandshedi dn’
twant
hi
mt ofindout.
“Zodwa! ”Sgonondoshout edthroughtheward
hallwaysshewasscar edthatherdaughter
mi ghthav ebeenhurtbadly.Thenursewas
wal ki
ngbehi ndhertr
yingtotellhernott
oshout
shewasgoi ngtodisturbotherpati
entsbutshe
didn’tcare.Shecall
edhernameunt il
shefi
nall
y
reachedher .
Shesighedandsatdownhol di
ngherun-
inj
ured
hand.“Oh,mntanamiyouscaredme!What
happened?”sheaskedknowingexact
lywhat
happenedbutshereall
ydidn’
tknowwhohav e
di
ed.
Zodwa:
“Ourt
entwasst
rokedbyl
i
ght
ningandi
t
f
ell
onus.
”
Sgonondo:“
YouwereontheVIP,t
ent?”shewas
sur
pri
sedasshedidn’
tknowthatherdaught
er
wasont heVI
Ptent
.
Zodwa:“
Yes,howdoyouknowt
heVI
Ptentwas
theonet
hatwentdown?
”
Sgonondo:“Iheardpeopletalkingonthetaxi
on
mywayher eandt hescandal isall
over
newspapers.”Sheli
ed,yesthenewspaper shad
coveredthestorybutthatwasnothowshe
knew.“Youar enotbadlyinj
ured?”sheasked
l
ookingatherandopeni ngthebedcov er
s.
Zodwa:
“No,
it’
sjustmyar
mthati
sbr
oken.
”
Shesi ghedinrel
i
ef.“Okay,t
hat ’
sbetter
.Didyou
getthechancet obeclosetot hekingandhis
queen?Howar ethey?Theyarehur tbadly
?”she
fi
shedt ryi
ngtoshowconcer n.Shehadputa
spel
l onherdressthatshemade, t
hespellli
ke
theoneshemadef orherwhenshewas
supposedt ogotot hereeddance.Thatwhen
Dalisusetshi
seyesonherhewouldj
ustl
ove
her.ButtoobadDali
suhadhisey
esonnobody
buthisbride.
Zodwa:“
Idi
dn’tspeaktot
heki
ng,
whatwasI
goi
ngtosaytohim? ”
Sgonondo:
“It
houghty
ouknewt
hequeen?
”
Zodwa:
“Iknowherbutnott
hatmuch.
”
Sgonondo:
“She’
sal
i
ve?
”
Zodwa:
“Yes,
wasshesupposedt
odi
e?”
Sgonondo:
“No,
no,j
ustt
hatIheardt
hose
peopl
esaysomeonedi
ed.”Shel
ied.
Zodwa:
“Oh,
theysayt
heki
ng’
sfat
herdi
ed.
”
Sgonondo:“Oh!Nkosi.”Shepr
etendedtobe
hurtbutshewasr ej
oicingt
hatevenifshedi
dn’
t
kil
lthedaught
ershemanagedt oki
llsomeone
thatMaCebekhululoveddearl
y…
-
--
--
--
Thef
uner
alpr
epar
ati
onswer
edoneandt
he
f
uneralwasgoi ngtobeonSunday ,asitwas
Wednesdaymor ni
ng.Dal
i
suwasi nsidehis
f
ather’
srestroom withhi
smot her
MaCebekhulu,Sbaniandinduna.
“Dalisu,youneedt olistentous.Youcan’ tgoto
thef uneral;kingsdon’ tatt
endf uner
als.”
MaCebekhul utoldhi
m agai n,theywer e
toget hertryi
ngt oconv incehi
m nott ogot othe
funer al
.Itwassai dt
hatt hekingshoul dn’
t
attendaf uneral.Dal
isuwant edt ogot othe
funer al
.
Dal
isu:“
It
’smyfather’sf
uneral
youcan’
texpect
met osi
tathomet hedayhewi l
lbebur
ied.I
wanttoatt
endthef uner
al.
”
Sbani
:“Youwon’
tdot
hatbaf
o,i
tisnotdone.
”
Induna:“
Youwi
ll
stayi
nyourhouseandyour
wifewil
lhav
etobewit
hyousot haty
ouwon’t
allal
one.
”
Dal
isu:
“Youcancl
eanseme,buyagoatand
cl
eansewhenIcomeback.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
No,
thatwi
l
lnothappen.
”
“I
t’
seit
herIgot othatf
uneralandbecl eansed
orIwil
lj
ustcomewheny oudon’ texpectthatI
am coming.Onethingshouldhappenandy ou’
ll
havetodecidewhichoneshoul dhappen.Iwi l
l
burr
ymyf ather
.”Heinfor
medt hem standingon
hi
sfeetandhet henlef
tthem tonguet i
ed.
I
nduna:
“MaCebekhul
u,whatar
ewegoi
ngt
o
do?
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Iwil
lsendsomeonetocall
his
wi
feforme.Thembeli
hlewi
ll
havetospeakto
hi
m andgethi
mt ost
ayathome.”shesai
d
st
andingonhi
sfeet
.Thetwomenst oodup.
Sbani
:“Iwi
l
lgoanddot
hatmama.
”
MaCebekhul
unoddedandshewentbackt
othe
matt
resstoj
oinhersi
ster
s.
MaMzobe:
“Youmanagedt
oconv
incehi
m?”
MaCebekhulu:“No,
hei
nsi
stshewant
stocome
t
othefuneral.
”
“Mmm.Mmm.Hhayi!
”thewomenspoken
amongt
hemsel
ves.
MaKhoza:
“Yoursoni
sst
ubbor
n!”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youcoul
dn’
tkeepqui
et?
”
“Uzodlulelangokukhul
umaMaKhoza,awufunde
ukuthula.”Theolderwomanofthefami
ly
warnedherandshedi dn’
tsayany
thi
ng…

“Mama!”Thembelihlecal
ledheroutseei
ngher
seat
edont hecouch.MaCebekhulustoodup
andhuggedher.Theycr i
edtoget
herholdi
ng
eachother
.Theyshar edthepai
nfeeli
ngthei
r
hear
tsbeatingvi
olentl
y.
“Iam sor
ry,
mama.”Shesai
dwipi
nghert
ears.
MaCebekhuludi
dthesamewit
hherandthey
satdown.
MaCebekhul
u:“I
t’
snotyourf
aul
tmnt
anami
,
don’
tbl
amey our
self
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“How’
sev
ery
one?Mysi
ster
s?”
MaCebekhulu:“
Theyarehurt
ingbutwewillbe
fi
ne,Thembeli
hle.
”Shehel
dherhand.“ButI
needyoutodosomet hi
ngforme.”shesaid.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam l
i
steni
ng.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Dal
i
suwant
stogot
othe
f
uner
al.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
bo!Hedi
dn’
ttel
lme.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“Hetol
duslastni
ghtandwe
ref
usedbuthe’
sstubbor
nhesayshewi l
lgo
evenifwedon’
twanthimtogo.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hhay
i,ke!
”
MaCebekhul u:“
That’swhyIcalledyouhere
MaSt hol
e.Ineedy outospeaktohim.Wedon’t
evenwanti ttogettothepartwherehe’s
cleansedbecausehewant st ogoandbe
cleansedwhenheget sback.Wedon’twant
that.Heshouldn’
tgo.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Butmamahewon’
tli
stent
ome.
”
“
Yes,
hewi
l
l.
”Sheputherhandonhershoul
der
.
“Youarehiswifeofcour
sehewi l
lli
stentoyou.
Thisi
sy ourchanceasawi f
etotestifyouhave
theabi
li
tiestomakehimlistent
oy ou.”she
convi
ncedher .
Thembelihl
esi ghed.“Iwi
llspeakt
ohimt
oni
ght
andifIhavet odot hatIwi
llhavet
ogonowso
thathewill
findmehome. ”shesaid.
Theygotupandhuggedeachot
her
…
Thembel
ihl
ethenl
eftt
hehouseusi
ngt
heback
doort
hatshecamethr
ough…

“Ndabezitha,whowi l
l beher ewit
hy ouon
Sunday?”Thembel i
hleaskedDal isu.Theywer e
havingdinneront hedi nnertabl
e.Nozi busiso
hadgonebackhomeandThembel ihlewas
alonewithHleziphiandt hemaid.Shedi dn’
t
wantmor epeopl earoundher .Makhosi came
byregularlyt
ocheckonher .Andherbr other
,
theothermember sofherf amil
ywer egoingto
comeont hefuneralday .Therewasnosi gnof
Thokozi
l
e.
Dali
su: “Who’llbehere…Whyar eyouaski
ng
that?
”hel ookedather .“Iam goi
ngtothe
funeralonSunday .
”Heinformedher.
Thembel ihlelookeddownandchangedher
faci
al expressionshowingthatshewassad.
Dal
i
su:
“What
’swr
ongnow?
”
Thembelihl
e:“
Ithoughtki
ngsdon’
tat
tend
funer
als.
”
Dal
isu:
“Letmeguess…Mamacal
l
edy
ouand
t
oldyoutospeakt
ome.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youcan’
tgot
othef
uner
al,
Dali
su.
”
Dalisu:“WHATDOYOUEXPECTMETODO! ”He
shout edlookingather.“ISHOULDSTAYHERE
WI THYOUALLDAY? ”Heaskedandt hathurt
Thembel ihle.Shekeptquiet.Shej
ustlooked
downatherpl at
e.Dali
sucli
ckedhistongue.He
stoodupl eavi
ngt hef
ood.Thembelihl
egotup
aft
erhim andcleanedthetable.Shewashed
thedishes.Shehadanewmai d,awomanwho
wasonhermi d-
30s.Shewasawi dowwithtwo
chil
dren.Shewasaf amil
yfriendtotheZulu
famil
y .
Thembel i
hlewentt ositonherloungeand
foldedher sel
font hecouch.Shewassadt hat
hehadspokenasi ftherewassomet hi
ngwrong
whenhewast ospendhi sdayathomewithher.
May bet herewassomet hingwrong?Shej
ust
didn’tunderstand.
Shegotuplatereal
isi
ngthatshewassleepi
ng
onthecouch.Shestoodupandswi t
chedoff
theli
ght
s.Shethenwenttot hebedr
oom and
foundDali
suseatedontheedgeofthebedwi t
h
hisheadl
ookingdown.
Thembeli
hlei
ntenti
onall
ydidn’
tsayanythi
ng
noraskhi
m whatwaswr ong.Sheneededhim
toapol
ogiseforspeaki
ngtoherliket
hat.She
removedtheextr
apill
owsont hebedput t
ing
t
hem ont
hei
rwoodendesi
gnedt
rol
l
ey.
Shef i
xedthecoversandhoppedinont hebed
aft
ershehadt akenoffhercl
othesandwor eher
pyjamas.Sheclosedhereyesandprayed
si
lentl
ybeforesheshutdown…
Heraisedhisheadandlookedbackonthebed
hesawhersl eepi
ng.Heheardherent
erthe
room buthedidn’
thearhersay‘
goodni
ght’
Shewasangr
y.Her
eal
i
sedashef
ell
asl
eep
nextt
oher
…

Theyhav eagr
eedthattheywer egoingt ol
et
Dali
sudowhathewant edt odoandcl eanse
hi
m afterthef
uneral.Buttheyknewt hat
prev
entionwaswaybet terthancurebutDal i
su
di
dn’twanttoli
sten.Helistenedtonobody .
OnSunday,Thembeli
hlewokeupalonei
nbed.
Shehadli
tt
lehopethatmaybehewasgoingto
st
ayathomewi thher
.Yes,hehadn’
tbeen
tal
ki
ngtohersincetheni
ghtshet
oldhi
m nott
o
gobutshethoughthewasgoingt
ostay.
Shefixedt
hebedandcl
eanedherroom
thor
oughly
.Shet
henwenttotakeashower
.
Shewor eablackbel
owthekneest r
aightcut
ski
rtandalongsleev
efl
oralshir
t.Sheputthe
doekonherheadandwenttot hekitchento
havebreakf
ast.
“
Sani
bona.
”Shegr
eet
edHl
ezi
phi
and
MaMthembu,
hermai
d.
“
Yebo,
ndl
ovukazi
.
”Theygr
eet
edback.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sv
uki
l
ethi
na,
ninani
njani
?”
Them:
“Si
yancenga.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Ifeel
li
kesi
tt
ingdownandj
ustdo
nothi
ngt
oday.
”
MaMthembu:
“Youcandot
hatIwi
l
lmake
br
eakf
astf
oryou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou,
didy
ousee
Ndabezi
thal
eav
ing?
”
Them:
“No.
”
Shedidn’tsayanythingshest
oodup.“
Iwil
lbe
i
nt helounge.
”shei nfor
medthem mov
ing
towardsthelounge.
“
Okay
.”Theybot
hsai
d…
Thembel
i
hlewashangingawettowelonthe
washi
ngli
nei
ntheafternoonwhenshesaw
Gwabi
nil
ooki
ngupatt heguavatr
ee.
Shewentdownt ohi
m andstoodbehi
ndhim.
“Hawu,Gwabi
niyouareher
e?”sheasked
l
ookingatt
hetree.
Heturnedback.“Yes,Iam her
esi
nce
Ndabezit
haisalsohome.”hesaidandt
hat
sur
pri
sedThembel ihl
e.
“Oh,It
houghty ou’
ll
gotot
hefuner
al.
”She
pret
endedlikesheknewwhatwashappeni
ng
butshedidn’tknow.
Gwabi
ni:
“No,
Ndabezi
thasai
dIwon’
tgo
becausehe’
l
lbehomeal
lday
.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Okay,l
etmeleaveyouandhope
thaty
ouwil
lbri
ngsomeguavasforme.”she
saidmov
ingawaysmili
ngbackathi
mt hough.
Gwabinil
aughed.“Ithoughty
oucancl i
mbt he
t
ree.”Heteasedher.Thembelihl
elaughedand
walkedaway.
Shewasreal
l
ysadt hatDali
suwashi ding
somewherei
nthehousewhi leshewasal so
home…Shesatdownont heguestr
oom wher e
Hlezi
phi
wasteachingherhowt odesignand
makeherownclothes…
Herphonebeeped, Hlezi
phi passedittoher.
sher eadthemessagef r
om MaCebekhul u.
“Thanky ousomuchmydaught erforkeepi
ng
himi nsi
det hehouse.Webur i
edmyhusband
wi t
hdignityandrespect.Everythi
ngwentwel l
.”
Thembel ihl
esmi l
edandr espondedt ot het
ext…
Butshewasbot heredthathewashi dingaway
from her…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE45

Thembel i
hlewasinsideherbedroom f it
tingthe
dressshehadmadebuti twasanunf ini
shed
dress.Shewasdi sappointedathowt hedr ess
di
dn’ thugherfi
gureasshewant editto.The
doorwasopenedDal i
suent er
edt heroom and
Thembel i
hlel
ookedathi m withherhear thard
asst oneandthatwasf oll
owedbypai nbutshe
pressedherteethandlookedbackatt he
mirror.
Dal
isusatonthebed.Hewasonbl
acksui
tand
bl
ackshir
twit
hblackti
e.
“Iguessy ouarehappynowt hatIdi
dn’
tgoto
thefuneralyouhaveprovedtomyf amil
ythatI
canlist
ent oyou.
”hesaidlookingather
.
Thembel
i
hledi
dn’
tanswerhi
m butshet
ri
edt
o
unzi
pherdr
ess.Dal
i
sust
oodupandhel
pedher
unzi
pit
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Shetookof fthedressandDal i
susatbackon
thebedaftertaki
ngof ftheti
e,shoesandsui
t
j
acket.Helookedatherev er
ymov e.Hewas
sti
ll
waiti
ngf orhercommentonhi sstat
ement
butshedidn’tsupplythecomment .
Dali
su:“
Youcommentoneveryt
hingIsaybut
yousai
dnothi
ngtowhatIhavej
ustsaid.
”He
waslooki
ngatherasshewaschangi
ngintoher
pyj
amas.
Thembelihl
e:“
Youdi dwhaty ouwantedtodo
notwhatIwantedbecausei fitwaswhatI
wantedyouwer egoingt ospendy ourdaywith
mebuty ouspentt hedayalonesoev eryt
hing
goesbackt ot
hef actthatyoudoev eryt
hing
yourway,youaretheheadoft hehouseaf t
er
all
.
”shewast al
kingl ooki
ngathi m wit
hher
bubbledeyesandhehadhi sey esonhertoo.
Thembel
i
hler
emov
edherey
esf
rom hi
m.
Dali
su:“Iwasinmyfather
’sf
uneralwit
hmy
spir
it
.HowwasIgoi ngtoachi
evethatwhenI
waswi t
hy ou?
”Shelookedathi
m.“ Iwon’
t
expectyoutounder
standwhatthatmeantfor
me.”
Thembel i
hle:
“Whatdoest hatsupposedt o
mean? ”sheaskedsit
tingonherdr essi
ngchair
shelookedathim expecti
ngananswer .She
stoodupasshehear daknockont hekitchen
door.
“You’l
lopenthedoorlikethat?”heasked
stoppingherfr
om goingtot hekit
chen,she
l
ookedather sel
fandt henwentt oputagown
ont opofherpyjamas.Theywer en’
tshortbut
hey…
“
Oh,wereyoustil
lpr
ay i
ngf
ort
hem? ”she
t
easedGwabinishowingasmil
ethatwasn’
t
t
hereafewmi nut
esago.Gwabini
hadabowl
wi
thguavasonhishand.
Hel aughed.“
Yazi
,ndl
ov ukazi
Iwassti
llt
ryi
ng
createahookertogetthem offt
hatt
ree.I
twas
hardwor k.
”Heexplai
ned.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay,t
hankyou,
Iwi
l
leatthem
nowandmakeaj ui
cewit
hsomeofthem.”
Gwabi
ni:“
IfIbr
ingmoreoft
hem y
oucanmake
t
hatj
uiceformetoo?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Ican.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Iwi
l
lgogett
hem.
”
Shenoddedandt urnedleavingt hedooropened.
Sheatetheguav aswhi lewal ki
ngt ot
her oom
thathadherweddi nggifts.Shehadopened
mostoft hem andsomeoft hem werest i
ll
wrapped.Theywer eint hatroom becauseshe
hadnoenoughspacei ntheki t
chenforthem.
Shetookt heblenderandwentt othekitchen
withit
.Gwabi niwasalreadyt herewit
hmor e
guavas.Thembel i
hlelaughedseei ngtheguav as
hebrought .
Thembel
i
hle:“
Wow!Andy
ougav
emet
hat
small
bowl.
”
Gwabi ni
:“Ay
i,ndl
ovukazii
fyoueatmore
guavasatoncey ou’
llbeconst
ipat
ed.Iwas
thi
nkingofyourhealt
h.”
“Okay,Isee.
”Shesaidlaughi
ngandshegave
himthekni f
e.“Removewhatyoudon’
teatwhen
eati
ngt hem.Iam st
il
ltr
yingt
osetthi
sup.”She
i
nstructedhim.
Gwabi
ni:
“Okay
.”Het
ookt
hekni
feandsat
down.
“Gwabi
ni,
wehaveyouher
e?”Dal
i
suasked
openi
ngthef
ri
dge.
Gwabini
:“Yebo,Ndabezit
ha,ndl
ovukazi
MaSthol
ei smakingajuiceguavawitht
he
guav
asIgotf r
om thetrees.
”
Dali
su:“Okay
,letmehavesome.”Hesatdown
andatetheguav as.“
Sowhatar
eyoudoingwi
th
thekni
fe?”
Gwabi
ni:
“Remov
ingt
heunwant
ed.
”
Dalisu:“Okay
.”Hetookanotherguav
a.“Iam
hungr y
.”HetoldThembeli
hle.Shest
opped
doingwhatshewasdoi ngandwar medt hef
ood
forhim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
l
lhav
eteaor
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lhav
ecof
fee,
blackcof
fee.
”
Shedi dwhathehadaskedandser
vedhim.She
thenbeganmakingthejui
ceandaddedother
frui
ts.Whenshewasdoneshetooktwolong
glassesandpouredt
hejui
ce.
“Thankyou,Iwi
ll
bringbackt
heglass
tomorrow.
”Gwabinisai
dtaki
ngthejui
ceandhe
stoodupsippi
ngit.
Thembeli
hle:
“Howisit
?”sheaskedgi
vinghi
m
thebowl
sandt heguav
asshedidn’
tuse.
Gwabini
tookthem.
Gwabi
ni:“
Itt
astesni
ceandIdi
dn’
tthi
nki
t
woul
dtastel
ikethi
s.”
Dal
i
su:“Youarenotusedt
otheset
hings
Gwabi
ni,t
ell
her.
”
Gwabini
laughed.“
Ilovethem ndlovukazi
.
”He
conf
essed.Thembelihl
elaughed.“Goodnight
.”
Hesaidheadingout
.
Them:
“Goodni
ght
.”
Heclosedt
hedoorbehi ndhi
m.Thembelihl
e
washedherbl
enderjugandputitasi
de.She
t
ookherjui
ceandleftthekit
chen…Shesaton
t
hecouchandwat chedTVwhi l
ehavi
ngher
j
uice.
TheTVendedupwat chingherasshewas
thi
nking;shenev eri
magi nedthataft
erher
weddingshewasgoi ngt obehomef eel
ingsad.
Shehadi maginedt hatbynowshewasgoi ngto
betalki
ngabouthowherf i
rstni
ghtwi t
hher
husbandwas.Butno, shewasst il
lverymucha
vir
ginandataquar relwithherhusbandabout
whatwasr i
ghtforhim ast heki
ng…
Shef
inal
l
yst
oodupandwentt
obedbutDal
i
su
wassl
eepi
ngwit
hhisclot
hesonandontopof
t
hecover
swit
hthepil
l
owsst i
l
lonthebed…
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ar
eyousl
eepi
ng?
”
Dal
i
su:
“No.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“CanIpr
epar
ethebed?Andy
ou
cangotakeashower.
”
Hegotupandl ef
ttheroom.Thembel
ihl
efi
xed
thebedandtookoffhergown.Shet
henclosed
hereyes.
..

Thembelihl
ewasupi nhermot heri
n-law’s
house.Shehadbeent hereforaboutt hreeday s.
Shewoul dgothereev erymor ningandcome
backintheafternoon.Shewasbet terwithher
motherbecauseherhusbandwasnoti ncluding
heri
nt hepainhewasf eeli
ng.Butwi th
MaCebekhulut heysharedt hepaintoget herand
shemadehermot heri
n-lawfeel muchbet ter.
Dal
i
suwaswor
kingi
nhi
shouse.Hewasdoi
ng
hi
sof f
icewor
kbecausehewast ry
ingtokeep
busy.Hewassti
llmourninghisf
athersohe
wasn’tgoi
nguptotheroy al
houseandhe
wasn’tgoi
ngtodothatforawhile.
“Youhav
eguestsNdabezi
tha.
”Joetol
dDal
i
su
hewasstandi
ngatthemaindoor.
Dal
i
su:
“Whoar
ethey
?”
Joe:
“MrandMr
sBi
yel
a.”
Dali
su:“Showt
hem i
n.”hewasn’
tsur
eifi
twas
theoneshewasthi
nkingoforj
ustot
her
people.
JustthenThokozi
leandherhusbandent
ered
thehouse.Heclosedhi
seyesandopenedt hem
agai
n.
Dali
su:“
Sit.
”Heshowedthem t
hecouch.They
bothsatdown.Hecal
ledMaMthembuandt ol
d
hertoprepar
efoodf
orthem.
Dal
i
su:
“HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
Musa:
“Wehav
ecomet
opayourr
espect
s,
Ndabezit
ha.Wewer eatt
hef
uneral
butwe
di
dn’tgetthechancet
oseeyou.
”
Dalisu:“
Isee,i
t’
sapit
yt hatyouhavecometo
witnessthesorr
owbutwheny oursi
sterwas
gettingmarri
edyoudidn’tcome.Whatdoes
thatsayaboutyou?”
Thokozi
l
e:“
Icoul
dn’
tcomebecauseIwasbusy
atwork.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Youar
enotbusynow?
”
Thokozi
le:“
Itookt
heleav
eandwhenIwanted
totakei
tfortheweddi
ngitwasi
nconv
eni
ent.I
am sorr
y.”
Dal
i
su: “
Didy
oucal
lThembel
i
hlet
otel
lher
t
hat?”
Thokozi
lelookedatherhusbandwi thaneye‘I
havetol
dyounott ocomeher e.’Thokozi
le
didn’
twanttocomeandseeDal isuand
Thembeli
hlebutMusaf or
cedher .Het ol
dher
theyhadtodoi tandt
heydidn’tneedtocreat
ea
badimagetohi
m.Heneededtosavehi
simage
sothathewoul
dagr
eethatheworksi
nhis
l
and.
Thokozi
l
e:“
Ihav
en’
tgott
ime.
”
Dali
su:“
Mmm.Musahowdoy ouhandleyour
house?Youl
ookedatherabusinghersi
ster?
”
Musa:“Ndabezi
thaIdidn’
tthi
nkt
hatwewoul
d
t
alkaboutthatwhi
letherei
ssuchpai
niny
our
f
amily.
”
Thokozi
l
ewasl ooki
ngaroundasi
fshewas
l
ookingforsomethi
ng.
Dal
isu:
“It
oldy
out
ocomeher
ebuty
oudi
dn’
t
come.Thi
sist
het
ime.
”
MaMthembuser
vedt
hem t
hef
oodandt
hey
t
hankedher
.
Musa:
“Wewer
ebusy
.”
Dal
i
su:“
Oh,okay
.Pleasehav
ethatf
oodand
l
eavemyhousethen.
”
“
HAWU!
”Theywer
ebot
hsur
pri
sed.
Dal
i
su:
“What
?”
Thokozil
e:“
Wehav ecomeallt
hewayf rom
Durbanandy ouwon’
tevenappreci
ateour
eff
orts?
”sheshowedherfrust
rati
ons.Dal
isu
l
ookedatMusaandt henhiswife.
Musa:“That
’snott
her
ightwayt
ospeakt
oa
ki
ng,Thokozi
le.
”
Shekeptqui
etbutwasbur
ningwi
thangeri
nher
hear
t.
Dal
i
su:“
You’
vecomeheretoshowmehow
muchofabossyourwi
fei
s?”
Thokozi
l
e:“No,
buti
twoul
dbegr
eati
fyoushow
ussome-”
Musa:
“CANYOUJUSTKEEPQUI
ET!
”
Shekeptqui
etbutcl
ickedhert
ongue.“Didyou
j
ustcl
ickyourt
ongue?”Dali
suaskedlookingat
her
.Musasighed.
Thokozi
le:
“Iam sor
ry.
”Shesai
dandl
ooked
around.
Dali
su:“
Thembel i
hlei
snothereifyouar
e
l
ookingforher
.”helookedatherandshe
l
ookeddown.“ Iwil
lbeback.
”hestoodupand
headedtohisoffi
ce.
Musa:“Youcan’
tev
endoonet
hingcor
rect
,
Thoko.
”
Thokozi
le:“
There’
sabsolutel
ynoneedforhi
m
totr
eatusliket
his.Iwaslooki
ngaft
er
Thembelihl
eandthere’
snoabusethatIdidon
her.
”
Musa:
“Fr
om nowj
ustshutup.
”
Dal
isucamebackandgavehi
mther
esponset
o
hi
sdealhehadrequest
ed.
Dali
su:“
Yourdeali
sagr
eatdeal
butIwon’
tdo
busi
nesswit
hy ou.
”
Musastoodonhisfeet.“
He’
staki
ngthisint
o
hear
tnowjustbecauseofwhathappenedwith
Thembeli
hle.WasIsupposedtoletThembeli
hle
doasshepl easesinmyhousewhileIfeedher
andcl
otheher ?”Thokozi
l
eshoutedstandi
ng
nextt
oherhusband.Shewasl ookingathi
m.
Dal
isu:“
Tel
lhert
ostopshout
ingatmeoritwi
l
l
bel
astdayyoustandi
nanyofmykingdoms.
Tel
lhernow!
”heshoutedpoi
nti
ngMusa.
Musa:
“ButNdabezi
that
hisbusi
nessi
sgood.
”
Dal
isu:
“Idon’
twanti
there!Leav
emyhouse
now!Bothofyou!
”heroar
ed.
Thembel
ihl
estoodbehi
ndthedoorlooki
ngat
whatwashappeni
ngwithherhandonher
chest
.
Thokozi
l
etookt
hefir
stt
owardst
hedoor
.She
l
ookedatThembel
i
hleasshewasst
andi
ngby
thedoor
.
Thokozi
le:“If
eelsor
ryf
oryouf
orhavingto
havemar r
iedsuchaman.Youthi
nkjust
becauseyouar eher
enowyou’
l
l r
eachthat
dream t hatmot herandy our selfalway swenton
about .No, youwon’ t
.Letmet el
l youwhatwi ll
happenher e,you’l
lstayint hishouse, behissex
slaveandbar echildr
enf orhi m unt i
lhet ell
sy ou
theyar eenough.Andy ou’l
lwat chhel plesslyas
hebr ingsot herwomenashi swi v es.There’llbe
nor est aurantandl odget haty ouwi l
lown.You
aremuchmor estupi
dt hanIt houghtt oev en
thinkt hismanwi llmakey ourdr eamscomet rue.
Tsk!”Shehadf i
guredoutwhyThembel ihl
e
mar ri
edhi m.SheknewThembel ihledidn’twant
ahusband, thatwast hel astthingi nhermi nd.
Shel ef theratt hedoort onguet i
edandshocked.
Musaf oll
owedhi swi fe.
Thembelihleturnedandl ookedatherhusband
whowasonhi sfeetlookingather.Shedi
dn’t
sayanythingshej ustheadedstraightt
otheir
room andsatont hebed.Shecl osedhereyes
andtri
edt obreathhopi ngshe’l
lnotthi
nkof
whathersi st
erhadj usttoldher.
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meabouty
oursi
ster
?”
Dali
suaskedcl
osingt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
Thembeli
hlel
ookedathi
m.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Younev
eraskedabouther
.”
Dalisu:“Ever
ytimewhenwedi scussed
somet hingthatincl
udedhery ouwoul dchange
andbeadi ff
erentperson.Younev ermadei t
easierformet oasky ou.”Thembel i
hlekept
quiet.“
Youar esoscar edofherThembel i
hle.
”
Headded.
Thembelihl
e:“
Iam notanymoreIwasjust
sur
prisedtoseeherwithyouandtol
earnthat
youknowshe’smysi st
erbutInev
ertol
dyou
sheis.Evenaft
erIsawherthedayyouwere
i
nstall
edasmonar ch.
”
Dali
su:“Ihadt
ofindoutformysel
fthatwhyshe
di
dn’tcomehereandIfoundoutaboutthe
othert
hingsshedidt
oy ou.Youdi
dn’tt
ell
me
aboutanyofthat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ij
ustdi
dn’
twantt
otal
kaboutt
he
past
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Thembel
i
hle,
Iwanty
out
obehappy
.”
Thembelihl
e:“Youarenotspeaki
ngtomeand
youareshutti
ngmeoutbuty ouarestandi
ng
heret
ell
ingmey ouwantmet obehappy?”
Dal
i
su:
“Thi
sisadi
ff
icul
tti
mef
orme.
”
Thembelihle:
“It
’sahappyt imef orme? ”she
askedlookingathim.“ Ihadtohearf r
om
Gwabinithatyoudidn’tgof oryourfat
her ’
s
funer
al.ButIam yourwi fe,youdidn’
ttellme
youwon’tgo.Youl ockedy ourselfupallday
becausey oudidn’
twantt oshar eyourpainwith
me.Youwant edtobeal oneandnowy ouar e
heretel
li
ngmey ouwantmet obehappy ?”
Dal
i
su:
“Youj
ustdon’
tunder
stand.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Thenmakemeunder st
and.
”She
pl
eadedstandingupandwalkedt
owardshim.
Shestoodbeforehi
m andheldhi
shands.
Dali
su:
“Idon’twantt
otal
kaboutt
his,
Thembeli
hle.
”
Shewasdefeated.Shel
etgoofhi
shandsand
movedasi
det oopenthedoor
.
“Youbeliev
edwhatyoursi
stersaidt
oy ou?
”he
askedherandshestoppedwalkingbutshe
didn’
tlookbackathi
m.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
Dali
su:
“Soyoudoubtmeasahusbandt oy ou
andtoyouonly?
”heaskedwi shi
ngshewoul d
tur
ntolookathim butThembeli
hledi
dn’
tturn.
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
tknow.
”Sher
epl
i
edand
cl
osedthedoorbehindher
…
“Idon’
tknowhowy outhi
nkwewill
beableto
l
iveinharmonywheny oubeli
eveever
ythi
ng
peopletel
lyoutheythi
nkIwil
ldo.
”Dali
susaid
standi
ngbehindThembelihl
e.Hehadfoll
owed
hertothebathr
oom.
Thembel
ihle:“
Ineversai
dIbel
i
evet
hem Ij
ust
sai
dIdon’tknow.”
Dal
i
su:
“Thatmeansy
oudoubtme.
”
Thembel ihle:“No.
”shecl osedthet ap.“Youcan
mour nyourf at
heryourwayIwon’ tbotheryou
withany thing.Dothingsasy ouwi shtodot hem.
I
t’sy ourfatheraft
erall.Iwon’tunderstand
you’vesai dityour
self.ImeanInev erburi
edmy
fathersoIknownot hingaboutl osingoneand
buryingthem. ”
Dal
isu:“MaSt
hol
e,Idi
dn’
tmeanitl
i
kethat.
”He
hel
dherhandandlookedi
ntohi
seyes.“
Iam
sor
ry.”Hesai
d.
Thembelihl
e:“Iwil
lgooutsideandbr ingthe
cl
othesinsi
de.”Sheignoredhi m andleft
…She
deci
dedshewoul dhonourthewayhewi shedt
o
mournhisfatherandnoti nt
erfereinanyway
unl
essheneededhert o.Shehadv owedto
honourhim aft
erallandthatincl
udedhi s
deci
sionsforhimself…Sheknewt hatand
nobodyhadi nfl
uenceher…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
EPI
SODE46

Dali
suwasexpect edtomour nhisfat
herf or
aboutamont handgetbackt ohiswor kbuthe
tooklongert hanexpected.Hi scouncilwas
runni
ngt hingsint heroyal houseandhewas
homeandsomet i
meshewoul dspendmor e
ti
mewi thhi smot herandsi sterMawande.He
hadsenthi scounci ltovisitthepeoplewho
wereinjuredandt heywentt othefuneralofthe
boywhodi ed.Peopl eseemedt obe
understandingt hatitwasj ustbadweat hernot
theki
ngandt hequeen’sf ault.Butthenot her
s
blamedt hequeenf orbri
ngi ngbadl uck.
“NextweekSundayIwilldoaritual
andthenI
wil
lgetbacktomyduties.”Dal
isuannounced.
Theywereall
havingdi
nneri nhismother
’s
house.MaCebekhul
u,Thembel i
hle,
Mawande
andNokuthul
a.Shewasbackf orEast
erbreak
asitwasApri
l.
MaCebekhulu:
“Ohreall
y!That’
swonderf
ul
newsndodana.”MaCebekhulusaidl
ooki
ngat
herson.Shewasonblackclothesassymbol
thatshewasmourningherhusband’
sdeath.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
MaCebekhulu:“That
’swonder
fulnews, y
our
council
wil
lbehappyt oheart
hat.
”She
complemented.“That’
swonderf
ul,r
ightgir
ls?
”
shelookedatthem.
“Yebo,
mama. ”MawandeandNokut
hul
aagr
eed.
Thembeli
hlewasjustqui
et.
MaCebekhul
u:“
MaSt
hol
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mama.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Youhear
dwhathesai
d?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes,
Idi
dandIam happyf
or
hi
m.”
Mawande:“So,bhut
iyou’
llgobackt
other
oyal
houseri
ghtawayoryou’l
lgotoyour
honeymoon?”
Thembel
ihl
erai
sedherheadqui
ckl
yandshe
l
ookedatMawande.
“
Honey
moon?
”Dal
i
suchecked.
Nokuthul
a:“
Yeah,it’
severywoman’sdream t
o
gowithherhusbandafterthei
rweddi
ngand
youneeditt
odistress.
”
Thembel i
hlewasquiet,
thi
nkingthatshedidn’
t
careifshewenttothathoneymoonornot .She
hadbeenl onelyt
oomucht hatshedidn’
tev en
thi
nkt hatDal
isuwouldbeabletowashawayal l
theloneli
nessandmaket hi
ngsrightwit
hher
again.
MaCebekhul
u:“
Whati
sthat
?”
Mawande: “
It
’swhenanewlywedcoupl
ego
awayforafewweeksorday sj
ustt
ospend
ti
metogether.Theycanev
engoabroadift
hey
canaf
fordit.
”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Oh,
thatsoundsl
i
kesomet
hing
yout
woneed.”
Dali
su:“
ButIdon’
tthi
nkgoi
ngf
arwoul
dbe
wise.
”
Mawande: “
Youcanev engotoanot
her
provi
nceorcit
yitdoesn’
thav
etobeanother
countr
y.”
MaCebekhulu:“
Yes,whatdoyouthi
nk
MaSthol
e?”shelookedatherandThembel
i
hle
r
aisedherhead.Dal
isul
ookedather.
Thembeli
hle:
“It
hinkheneedstogobacktohi
s
work.Hehasbeenawayforalongti
me.”
MaCebekhulu:
“Yes,
youar
eri
ghtbutdon’
tyou
needanaloneti
mewi t
hhi
m?”
Shelookeddown.Mawandesawt hat
somethingwasnotr i
ght.AThembeli
hleshe
knewwasgoi ngtolookdownwi t
habl ushor
smil
enotj ustherdullfacel
ooki
ngdown.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Wearealwaysal
onei
nthehouse
i
twon’tmakeadi
ff
erencewhet
herweareaway
orhome.”
Mawande: “Iguessy ouareright.”She
condescendedseei ngthatthingswer egett
ing
awkwardandl ookingatherbr other,hewas
l
ookingatwhomev erwast alkingandt ur
nedto
checkhiswife’
sex pressi
on.
Thembel
ihl
esmil
edandst
oodupl
eav
ingt
he
tabl
ewit
hherpl
ate.
“It
hinkt
hatmeansshewant
stogonow.
”
Dali
susaidput
ti
nghi
sspoondown.
MaCebekhulu:
“What
’sgoi
ngonDal
i
su?She’
s
nother
sel
f.”
Nokut
hul
a:“
May
beshe’
spr
egnantal
ready
!”
“HHAYBO!
”MaCebekhul
uandMawandewer
e
sur
pri
sed,
theyl
ookedather
.
Nokuthul
a:“What
?Theysaypregnancy
hormoneschangesawoman’smoodand
behavi
our.
”
Dal
isu:
“She’
snotpregnant
.”Hesaidbecause
heknewhehadn’tt
ouchedherint
imatel
ysince
theygotmarr
ied.“
Andmusaukuphapha
uyingane.
”MaCebekhul
uandMawande
l
aughed.
Nokut
hul
a:“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Dali
su:“Iwi
l
l gonowmom.Wewil
ldi
scussthe
ri
tualt
omorrowIwanti
ttobeasmal
lfami
ly
t
hing.”
MaCebekhul
u:“
Okay
,goodni
ght
.”
Dal
isu:
“Goodnight
.”Hel
eftt
hem maki
nghi
s
waytotheki
tchen.
Thembel i
hlewasst andi
ngbythesinkcryi
ng
si
lent
ly.Shehat edhowlifehadbeenforher,
howhermar r
iageli
fehadbeenandi thadn’
t
beenal ongti
mesi nceshegotmar ri
ed.
“Wecango. ”Dali
susaidtoherstandi
ngbythe
kit
chenentrance.Thembeli
hlepr
essedher
teet
ht oget
herandstif
fenedhermusclest
o
supressemot i
ons.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam comi
ng.
”Shemanagedt
o
saywi thoutshowinghi m shewascryi
ng.She
didn’thearhisfootstepsleavesosheusedthe
kitchendoort oexi
tt hehousejustt
oavoid
turningtolookathi m.
Outsidethehouseshewipedhertear
squickl
y
andheadedt othecar
.Gwabiniwasaler
tedand
soher antoopenthedoorbutThembeli
hle
passedDalisu’
scarmaki
ngherwayt oher
guards.
“
Youar edr
ivi
ngwithme,MaSthol
e.”Dal
i
su
i
nformedher.Thembel
i
hlest
oppedandshe
t
urnedback.
Gwabi
nihel
dthedoorf
orher
.
“Thankyou.”shesai
dandsteppedi
nsi
dethe
car.Dal
i
suj oi
nedheratt
hebackofthecar
.
Gwabinithendrovet
hecardownfol
lowi
ng
NjongoandMduduzi…
Theydidn’
tspeakaboutthehoney
moont hat
wasdiscussedatthei
rmother’
shouse.They
showeredseparat
elyandpray
edtogether
bef
oresl
eeping.Thembel
ihl
ewast heonewho
madeitahabitfort
hem t
hattheyprayt
oget
her
bef
oresl
eeping…

Dalisu’
sr i
tualwasasuccessandsohewas
backi ntheroyalhouse.It’
dbeenadaysi ncehe
gotbackwi t
hhisbrotherSbaniandtheybrief
ed
them aboutt hi
ngsthathadhappened.His
requesttobef undedbyKwaZul ugovernment
tobui l
dapal aceforhiswifewasapprovedand
theyhadt obeginwor kingonit
.Thatwasa
rel
iefforhim.
“Iwantyoutogoandremi ndthosewomenin
chargeofthegi
rl
sthattheysti
llowemeacow.
Iam backnowandicalaalibol
i.
”Dal
isut
oldhi
s
messenger.
“Yebo,Ndabezi
thaIwill
beonitr
ightaway
.”he
promisedhim.“Ther
e’snot
hingy
ouneed
mor e?
”heasked.
Dal
i
su:
“Noty
et.Don’
tgot
omymot
her
MaKhoza.Iwi l
lrequesther
saftert
heyhav e
beencleansedandendedt hei
rmour ning.
Otherwi
sey oucangoanddoasIhav esaid.
”He
said.
Messenger
:“Mageba!
”hepr
aisedhi
m andl
eft
.
Dal
i
sutookhisthingsandheadedoutcall
ing
Gwabi
niandmor eguards.Theywereheading
t
oDurbanfori
mpor tantbusi
ness…
Thembelihl
ewasi nherhousehav ingachat
withMakhosi.Theywereeatingwhi l
etalki
ng.
Makhosi wasupdatingheraboutthetroubles
thatherchi
ldr
enhadcausedf orheratschool
andtoneighbours.Thembeli
hlewasl aughing.
Thembeli
hle:
“Idon’
twisht
ohav
echi
l
dren!They
arehar
dwor kIknowthem.
”
Makhosi:“
Yes,butyouknowt hatwon’ thappen
youmustgiveNdabezithaachi l
d.It
’syourduty.
May beyouarepregnantalr
eady.”shegiggled.“
I
meany oudidn’
ttakepreventi
onright?
”She
asked.
Thembeli
hlefakedasmil
eandshelooked
down.Shedidn’tknowwhatt
osay.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
t.
”
Makhosi :
“Thenyou’
llneedtogoforacheck-
up.
Youmi ghtbeamot hertobe.Ican’
twaitf
or
that
,justtoseey
oupr egnant.
”Shegiggl
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam notpr
egnant
,Makhosi
.
”
Makhosi
:“Howdoy
ouknow?
”
Thembeli
hle:“Iam st
il
lavir
gin.
”Shemurmured.
Makhosijustkeptqui
et.“
Anddon’taskme
quest
ionsbecauseIdon’twanttotal
kabouti
t
andIshouldn’
thavetoldyou.”
Makhosi
:“No,
whati
sit
?Youar
enotr
eady
?”
Thembeli
hle:“No,it
’snotthathejustdoesn’
t
touchmeev ersincehisfatherdi
ed.Sothere’
s
nothi
ngIcandoabouti t
.”
Makhosi:“Yes,t
hereissomet hingyoucando
aboutit
.”Shesaid.Thembelihlelookedather.
“Ther
eisnor easonforhim nott ohaveful
fi
ll
ed
hi
sduty.You’v
ebeenmarri
edforal
ongt
ime
now.He’sevenbackathi
srei
gn.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“May
behewi
l
ldoi
tnow.
”
Makhosi:“
He’l
lbebusynow.He’ sbeenaway
andsoIam suret hathe’
l
lhav etogoupand
downrunningerrandsandcat chi
ngup.Iknow
thi
sbecausemyhusbandwasal waysonthe
roadwit
hhisfatherespecial
lywhenhewas
somehowawayf rom t
hethroneduet o
somethi
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tmi
ndMakhosi
.Iwi
l
lwai
t.
”
Makhosi
:“No,
don’
twai
tjusti
nit
iat
eitf
ir
st.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
What!No!Iwon’
tdot
hat
.Don’
t
evengi
vemeideas.
”
Makhosi:“
Comeon,weboughty oulingeri
eand
j
usthavetoweart
hem andlethim seey ou.
Ever
ythi
ngwil
lj
ustfal
li
ntoplace.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iwon’
tweart
hoset
hingst
haty
ou
bought
.”
Makhosi
:“Hhay
bo!Mf
azi
,youwi
l
lhav
eto.
”
Thembelihl
e’
sphonebeeped.Amessagecame
throughfr
om Dali
suthathewasn’tcomingback
home.Hewasi nDurban.Shereal
isedthat
Makhosi wasri
ghthewasn’tgoi
ngt ohavet
ime
forher.
Thembel
ihle:“
No,
Iam notgoi
ngt
odoi
t.
”She
sai
dtr
uthfull
y.
“ButThembelihl
eyouneed-
”shedi
dn’
tfi
nish
hersentence.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,MakhosiIdon’
twantt
otalk
aboutt
hisanymore.Iwon’
tdoitasyout
ell
me
todoit
.”Shetol
dherbrief
ly.
Makhosi:“Yoh!Iguessit’
struewhattheysay ,
someti
mesy ouendupbei nglikeyourpartner
.I
wonderwhatwi llhappenwheny oustartbeing
i
nti
mat ewithhim becausesexi saspir
itual
act
ivi
ty.Isupposey ou’
ll
breathfir
eli
kehi m.”
shemadeherawar e.Thembelihlesi
ghed.
Thembeli
hle:
“No,
itwon’
tbel
i
ket
hatandIam
sorr
y.”
Makhosi
:“I
t’
sokay
,you’
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ij
ustfeel
solonel
y.
”Sheconfi
ded.
Makhosil
eftherchai
randsatdownnextt
oher.
Shepul
ledherforahugged.
Makhosi
:“Bet
terday
swi
l
lcome.Justhangi
n
t
here.
”
Thembel i
hle:“
Iwenttothecli
nicthoughafterI
heardhimt el
lhismom thathewilldotheri
tual
forhisfat
herandgobackt ohisdut i
es.I
thoughtmay be-youknow.Butitdidn’
thappen.
”
Makhosi
:“Di
dyout
ell
him aboutpr
event
ion?
”
Thembelihl
e:“No,
Iam notpl
anni
ngonget
ti
ng
pregnantri
ghtaway.
”
Makhosi
:“Butt
hatdeci
siony
ouwer
esupposed
t
omakewi thhi
m.”
Thembel
i
hlekeptqui
etandcl
osedherey
es.
Shewasbusyt aki
ngthelingeri
ethatMakhosi,
Nozibusi
soandhert hreefemal ecousi
nshad
boughtforher.Whenshef i
rstopenedthegi
ft
andsawwhati twas,shewasashamedandshe
hi
det hem amonghergi f
ts.Shehadt ol
dhersel
f
shewouldn’twearsucht hings.
Butt
onightshewasal
oneint
hehouseandso
shewantedtoseehowshewasgoi
ngtolook
l
ikei
nthem.
Shet ookoffherni ghtdressandputi tawayshe
tookonel i
nger i
ethatshewant edsleepwearing.
Shejustwant edt oseehowshewasgoi ngto
feelonit.Shechoset helonglacepinkl i
nger
ie
dressthathadi tsownG- st
ri
ng.Shel aughed
l
ookingati t.Shetookt herestofthem andhi d
them inherwhi teweddi ngchest.Shet henwore
theli
nger i
eandl ookedather self
.
“Wow!”shewassur
pri
sed.Shet
urnedt
olookat
herbackshel
ovedhowitl
ookedonherbutshe
j
ustknewshewasnev ergoingtoweari tf
or
Dali
sutoseeher.May behewasn’ tgoingtol
ike
i
t.Shesmi l
edandgigglednotbel i
evi
ngthatshe
waswear i
ngsuchat hingsomet hi
ngsheonly
sawonTVandshewoul dchanget hechanneli
f
theyappearasshebelievedthatsuchscenes
weregoingtomakeherf eel
sheneededt o
engageinsexualact
ivi
ties.
Shewenttobedwear
ingi
tandshef
ell
asl
eep
ri
ghtaway
…
Inthemor ningThembel ihlewokeupl atethen
usual,herhusbandwasn’ thomesosheknew
shedi dn’
tneedtowakeupear ly
.Before
anythingshewentt othemi rr
oragainand
l
ookedather sel
foncemor e.Shegiggled.She
thenwentt oopent hewindowandst oodt here
l
ookingout sidethinki
ngt hatmay bei
twast ime
tobringupst udyingtoherhusband…
Dal
isuwantedtoar
riv
ehomeear
lybecausehe
hadanissuetosol
veamongt
hetwomen
v
il
lager
sandsot
heyl
eftDur
banv
eryear
ly.
Openingt hebedr oom door,hewasgr eetedby
hiswife’ssensuousbums.Theyl ookedgoodi n
hiseyesast helacehadcov eredt hem nicely
.
Thatwasamuchmor epleasingsi ghtofher
nudit
yt hathe’dev erseen.Awomant hatwas
his,
standingt herecov er
edinl acel ookingso
appeti
singi nhisey es.Hiseyesmov edup
l
ookingatherbar ebackast hel inger i
edr ess
wasdesi gnedi naf orm ofbarebackdr esswi th
thesil
kst rapsonhershoul der s.
Dalisufel
thissexual
organquiv
erbeneathhis
suitpantsandheclearedhi
sthroat.Hewanted
hert ot
urnbecausesheclear
lydidn’tf
eel
his
presence.
Thembeli
hl ejumpedandt ur
nedt olookatthe
personatt hedoor .Shehadalreadyhadher
handsonherbr east.Theywereshowi ng
beneaththel ace.Shescreamedshor tl
yseeing
Dali
suatt hedoorandherey eslookedforher
gownandshefoundit.Shemovedupquickl
yto
hergownandworeitcoveri
ngher
sel
favoidi
ng
eyecont
actwi
thhim.
“Youareback?”shemadeast at
ementlooking
around.“
Iwasn’texpect
ingy
ousosoon.”She
addedmar chi
ngtothedoorbutshowi
ngt hat
shewasn’tgoingtohim.
Dali
su:“
Whower eyouexpect
ing?”heasked,
his
voi
cepoli
telyandhi
shandheldherarmtostop
herfr
om leavi
ng.
Thembeli
hle:“Iwasn’
texpecti
nganyone.
”She
repl
i
ed,herbigeyeswonder i
ngabout.“
Ineedt
o
gotothekitchenIlef
tthepanonthestove.
”
Sheli
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Youwer
eatt
heki
tchennaked?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ther
e’snoonei
nthehouse.
”She
l
iedfur
ther
.
Dali
su:“
Youar
ely
ingt
her
e’sMaMt
hembui
nthe
ki
tchen.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“May
beshej
ustgother
e.”
“No,
that
’snott
het
rut
h.”Hedr
aggedhert
o
him.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ineedtogo,pl
ease.”Shepul
led
awayfrom hi
m andsheleftt
heroom fort
he
bathr
oom wheresheclosedthedoorand
si
ghed.
Dali
susatont hebedreal
isi
ngthathe’
dbeen
tr
eati
nghiswi f
eli
kehisroommat ebutnotlikea
woman…Nowhewant edherandshedi dn’t
wanthimtot ouchher
.Whywoul dshequi ckly
coverher
selfwhenshehadseent hatitwasn’ta
str
angerbuthim?
Hegotupf r
om thebedandwentt otheki
tchen
butshewasn’ tthere.Hemadehi swaytothe
bathroom andhef oundherfi
nishingup
brushingherteeth.Hestoodbehindherand
whenshet urnedt herewashi
ml ookingather.
Dali
su:“
Whydidyouhi
deyour
sel
ffrom me?”he
askedunty
ingt
hegownbel
tbutThembeli
hle
heldhi
shand.Her emov edthem andshedi dn’
t
stophi
m.Hedi scardedthegownf rom herbody
andhelookedather .Shehadherey eslooking
downandDalisuraisedherchinup.
Shehadnochoi cebutt oconnectherey eswith
his.Shel ookedathi shandasher emov edthe
sil
kyst rapsofherl acydr ess.Heki ssedthe
sensit i
vepar tofherneckandshewas
compel l
edbyt hepowerofhi stoucht ohol
don
tohi m.Shecl osedherey esandsof t
lymoaned.
Thel ingeriegar mentf inal
lyleftherbodyand
shef elthisst rongbutsof tholdonherwai st.
Shef elttheacheofpl easureal loverherbody
andshedi dn’ tknowt hatshewasgoi ngtomelt
i
nst antlyifhet ouchedher .Shet houghtshewas
goingt oresi stallpleasurehecamet oherwith
ashehadn’ tbeent oki ndtoher .
Dali
sureachedforherli
psandtheyshar eda
ki
ss, ar
avenouskissthatl
eadhisfeeli
ngsfor
herastr
ay.Whil
ekissi
ngherher eal
isedhis
mistakehehadneglectedherf
ortool ong.
“
Don’tanswerit
…”shebeggedhi
m,herv
oice
wasasof twhi
sper
.Dal
isu’
sphonewasri
ngi
ng
i
nsi
dehissuitpant
s.
Dal
i
su:
“Itcoul
dbei
mpor
tant
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam noti
mpor
tant
?”
Hei gnoredt
hecal l
andfocusedonherbutthe
phoner angagain.Hestoppedki
ssingherand
tookitouttoanswerit.Heheldherhandseei
ng
thatshewasdi sappoi
nted.
“Bafo,
tal
ktome.
”Dal
i
suanswerhi
sbr
other
’s
call
.
Sbani
:“Youneedtogether
enoworel
set
hese
twomenwi l
lki
lleachot
her
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Theyar
eal
readyt
her
e?”
Sbani:
“Yes,
pleasecomeIt
hinkt
heywi
l
lli
sten
toyou.”
Dali
su:
“Iam comi
ngnow.”Asshehear
dthat
Thembeli
hler
emovedherhandfr
om hi
m and
movedaway .
Sbani
:“Okay
,Iwil
ltr
ymybestnott
olett
hings
goastr
aybefor
eyougether
e.”
Dali
su:“
Dothat.
”Hedr oppedt
hecal
land
tur
nedtoThembeli
hle.Shewasseat
edonthe
batht
ubwashingherface.
Dali
suwentdownt
oher .“
Lihl
e!”hecal
ledher
butThembel
ihl
edi
dn’
tlookathim shejust
ri
nsedherf
aceasi
fshedidn’thearhi
m.
Dalisu:“Iwill
comebackaf terIhaver
esolv
ed
thismat terandIpr omiseyouIwi l
lgi
veyouall
theat t
ent i
ony ouneed,okay?”Thembeli
hle
didn’tsayany thi
ngshewi pedt hewat
eroffher
face.“Thembel i
hle!
”hecall
edher .
Thembel i
hle:“Iheardyou.”shesaidwithout
l
ookingathi m.Dal i
sukissedhercheekandgot
up.Shelookedathi m asheheadedt othedoor
.
Sheturnedseei ngthatbeforeclosingt
hedoor
hehadpaused…Thedoorwascl osedandshe
wasbackt obei ngaloneagai n…Therewasno
assurancet hathewasgoi ngt ocomebackas
hehadpr
omi
sedher
…

[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE47

Thembelihl
ewassi tt
ingundert
het r
eebenchi
t
wasalreadyintheafter
noonandDal i
suwasn’
t
back.Shedecidedtocallherbr
othermaybeshe
neededtogohomef oralit
tl
ewhilenotf
ora
l
ongt i
mebutj ustonenight.
“Ndl
ovukazi
!”Thokozani
greet
edhi
ssi
ster
.
Thembeli
hlelaughed.
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam Thembel
i
hlet
oyouandy
ou
knowthat
.”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,Idi
dn’
tknowt
haty
ouwer
e
choosy
.”
Thembel
ihle:
“Ah!Bhut
i,ar
eyouhomeory
ou
arewor
king?”
Thokozani
:“Iam homeIwi
l
lgot
owor
kint
he
morning.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,Iam comi
ngov
erf
ora
sl
eepover
.”
Thokozani
:“That
’swonder
ful
,yourhusband
agreed?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
en’
ttol
dhi
m butIwi
l
lcal
l
hi
m now.
”
Thokozani
:“Okay
,Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ou.
”
“Okay.”Shesaidandhungupthecal
lgetti
ngup
from t
hebench.Shemadeherwayt othehouse
call
ingDalisubuthedi
dn’
tanswerherphone
call
.Shet r
iedagai
nnowshewaspacki ngabag
butstil
lhedidn’
tanswert
hecall
.Shedecided
thatshewasgoi ngtol
eave.
“
Hlezi
phi
Iam goi
nghomeIwi
l
lcomeback
t
omorrowmorning.
”Sheinfor
medher ,
shewas
i
roni
nghercl
othesi
nsideherhouse.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Okay
,butIam notr
eadyy
et.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Don’
twor
ryy
oudon’
thav
eto
comewit
hme. ”
Hlezi
phi
:“Ishoul
dal
way
sbewi
thy
ou
ndlov
ukazi.
”
Thembelihl
e: “
Iam f
reei
ngyouandi
t’
sjustone
nightIwil
ltakeNj
ongo.Youdon’
thavetoworr
y
yoursel
f.
”
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Okay
,letmegoandf
ixy
ourbag.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Ihav
eal
readypackedi
t.
”
Shesighed.“Youshoul
dnotinsistondoi
ng
ever
ythi
ngf oryour
sel
fIam here.”Shet
oldher
.
Thembelihl
esmi l
ed.
Thembelihl
e:“
Iwil
lnevergetusedtohave
someonewhodoesev er
ythi
ngforme.It’
snot
wrongifyoutr
eatmeal it
tl
ediff
erentt
hanthe
otherqueensyou’
veknown.”
Hlezi
phi:“
Iam notsureifNdabezi
thacanbe
deli
ghtedtohearthat
.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Wedon’thav
et ot
ell
him
ever
ythi
ngthatwedo.Itwi
llbej
ustbet
ween
youandI.”
Shel
aughedandnodded.“Youlookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shecompli
mentedher.Thembeli
hlegi
ggl
ed
andl
ookedathersel
f.
Thembeli
hle:
“Thankyou,Iwil
lseeyou
tomorr
owandwewi l
lfi
nishupthosedresses,
okay?
”
Hlezi
phi
:“Ndl
ovukazi
.”Shebowedherheadand
Thembeli
hlesmil
edturni
ngtoleav
eher.
Njongost
oppedthecaront
hef
ronty
ardof
Thembeli
hle’
shome.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Thanky
ou,
Idon’
tthi
nky
ouhav
e
touset
hehut.
”
Nj
ongo:“Whatar
eyoursuggest
ions
Ndl
ovukazi
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Youcanuset
her
oom i
nsi
det
he
house.
”
Nj
ongo:“
No,
Iam expect
ingsomeoneIwi
l
luse
t
hehut.
”
ShegiggledandNjongogotoffthecar
.“Idi
dn’t
thi
nky ouhavesomeone.”Shesaidashegav e
herhishandtohelpheroutofherhusband’
s
car.I
twast heonl
ycaravail
abl
e.Theothers
wereallgoneout.
Njongo:“
Ihavet
hem. ”Thembeli
hlelaughedand
l
ookedathim.Njongochucked.“Idon’tknow
whattheyseeNdlovukazi
.”Hesaidclosingt
he
door.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hhay
bo!Any
oney
ouar
epl
anni
ng
tomarr
y?”
Njongo:
“ThereisoneIseeasmywi f
ebutIwil
l
havetoreti
ref
ir
standtakeherasmywife.She
worri
esthatmyjobisdanger
ous.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iunder
standbuty
ouhav
e
somet
hingt
oret
ir
e,t
o?”
Nj
ongo:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,that
’sgood.Iwi
l
lbr
ingt
he
key.
”
Nj
ongo:
“Iwi
l
lwai
tfori
ther
e.”
Shenoddedandwenti nsi
dethehouse.Hewas
bet
tert
hanbefore,
aftershehadrunawayfrom
Makhosi
’shouseheloosenedup.Shenoti
ced.
Zodwawasont heloungeeat
ing.Thembel
i
hle
smil
edandgreetedher.Shemadeherwayto
thevasewi
ththekeys.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howar
eyou?
”
Zodwa:
“Iam f
ineandy
ou?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Iam f
ine.Iseey
ouhav
eremov
e
thecast
.”
Zodwa:
“Yes,
Iam al
lgoodnow.
”
“That
’sgreat
.”Shesai
dmov
ingt
othedoorshe
gaveNjongothekeys.
Asshesatdownont hecouchwithher
,her
phonerang.Shet
ookitoutandansweredher
phone.
“Whereareyou?”Nozi
busi
soaskedscr
eami
ng
ontheothersi
deoftheli
ne.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam home,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”she
l
aughed.
Nozi
busi
so:“Iam i
nyourmar
it
alhomebuty
ou
ar
enothere.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“Oh,hee!Iwi
l
ltel
lNjongot
oget
youIam sl
eepingathometoday.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Hawu!
”shewasdi
sappoi
nted.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Youwi
l
lseehi
mtomor
row.
”
Shegiggled.“
Okay,Iwi
llwaitf
oryourguard.
”
sherepl
ied.Thembeli
hlehungupthecalland
wenttoaskNj ongotobri
ngherfr
iendtoher…
Shethenwentbackt othehouseherbrother
wasthere.Shesmiledandtheyhuggedeach
other
.
Zodwa:“Youar
echoosy ;
whydidn’
tyouhug
me?”sheaskedher.Thembeli
hlel
aughedand
off
eredherahug.Theyhuggedeachother
…
-
--
--
--
“Iam t
ir
ed!
”Dali
sucomplai
nedkneadi
nghis
neckasGwabinidr
ovedowntohishouseaft
er
alongday.
Gwabi
ni:
“Youhadal
ongday
.”
Dal
isu:“
Thatbegunhorri
blesol
vi
ngli
vest
ock
pr
oblemst hatt
urnedouttobewomen
pr
oblems.”Hesaidshakinghi
shead.
Gwabi nilaughed.Thetwomenwer ef
ight
ing
overli
v estockthatgotmixedupi ntheval
ley
s
andonewasaccusi ngt
heot heroneofsteal
ing
hiscowswhenhehadt houghtt heywere
missing.Onecowendedupdy i
ngbecauseof
thedifferentfoodandenv i
ronment.
Theonewhowasaccusedofst
eal
ingendedup
tel
l
ingt
hevi
cti
mthatheshoul
dn’
tcomplai
n
becauseheoncehadanaffai
rwi
thhi
swi
fe.
Fatewaspayi
ngrevengef
orhim.
Gwabi
ni:
“Thosetwoar
ecr
azyhowdi
dyou
sol
vet
heirmatt
er?”
Dali
su: “
Itol
dtheaccusedmanthathemust
bri
ngbackt hetwocowsandgivehim another
cowf oradeadonebecausehewassupposed
totel
l i
ndunathathehadcowshedidn’tknow.
Heev enatethemeatofthedeadcowwi thhis
fr
iendsandf amil
y.
”
Gwabi
ni l
aughed.“
Hheyi,
thesementheyare
tr
oubl
e.”Hesaid.“
Iam gl
adt hatmyl
i
vestock
havet
heirownv al
l
eys.
”Hesai d.
Dali
su:“Phelawena,y
ouar earichman.Idon’
t
knowwhyy ouaredoi
ngt hi
sjobyoushouldj
ust
marryThembeni andstayathomewithherand
yourdaughter.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Wee!Thembenii
spi
g-headedIcan
nev
ert
akeherasmywi f
e.”
Dali
su:
“IhaveThembel
i
hleshe’
sst
ubbor
nbut
she’
smywi f
e.”
Gwabini
:“Butsherespectsyouandsheknows
youarethemani nyourrel
ati
ons.Thembeni
wantstocontr
olmeIcannev erhav
eawifeli
ke
t
hat.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yeah,
youar
eri
ghtaboutt
hat
.”
Theysteppedoutoft
hecar.“
Wher
eismycar
?”
heaskedlooki
ngaround.
Gwabi
ni:
“May
bendl
ovukazi
lef
tusi
ngi
t.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Att
hishourshe’
snothome?
”
Gwabi
ni:
“It
’sst
il
lear
lyandIhear
dherf
ri
end
wascomingover.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ehee!Howdi
dyouheart
hat
?”
“Hhayi
,Ndabezit
ha.
”Heignor
edhim andwent
downwhi st
li
ng.Dal
i
sushookhisheadandwent
i
nsidethehouse.
Hecal
l
edhi
swi
feandshedi
dn’
tanswerher
phone.Hewenttot
hemai d’
shutbuttur
ned
seei
ngthatHl
ezi
phi
’shousehaditsl
ight
son.
Heknockedonthedoorandsheopenedaft
era
whil
e.
Hl
ezi
phi
:“Ndabezi
tha?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wher
e’smywi
fe?
”
Hl
eziphi
:“Shewentt
oherbr ot
her
’shousef
ora
sl
eepover
.Shedidn’
ttel
lyou?”
Dal
isu:“Idon’
tremember
.Whydi
dyoul
ether
goalone?”
Hl
eziphi
:“Shesai
dshe’
l
ltakeNj
ongobecause
i
t’
sjustonenight
.”
Henoddedandwentbacki
nsi
det
hehousehe
wasangry
…
-
--
--
-
“It
houghtyou’
ll
beatndlovukazi’
shouse.
”
Gwabinisai
dholdi
ngNozibusiso’
shand.They
wereinsi
dethecarout
sideThembelihl
e’s
home.
Nozibusi
so:“
Ithoughtsotoobutshesai
dshe’
s
spendingt
henighthere.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Shedi
dn’
ttel
lherhusbanddoy
ou
knowt
hat?”
Nozibusi
so:“
Shesai
dshecal
l
edandhedi
dn’
t
answerthecal
l.
”
“Okay,Ihavemi ssedyou.”hesaidpul l
i
ngher
forakiss.Nozibusisofeltsexualacheandshe
fel
titgreat
erthanbef ore.Shetri
edt ounf
ast
en
hisshir
tbuthest oppedher .
Gwabi
ni:
“Wear
einsi
det
hecar
.”
Nozibusiso:
“IknowbutIcan’
twai
tanyl
onger
.I
havespental ongt
imeawayfrom y
ouandIam
onl
yher efortheweekend.
”
Gwabini
:“It
oldy
out
olookf
oraj
obar
ound
her
e.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Canwedr
ivebackt
oyourr
oom?
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Whycan’
tyouwai
tfort
omor
row?
”
“Mxm!”sheexcl
aimedsuddenl
yir
ri
tatedand
shetur
nedtoopenthedoorbuthelockedthe
door
sandheldherwrist
.
Gwabi ni
: “
What ’
swr ongwithyou?”heasked
l
ookingi ntohereyesbutshedi dn’tanswerhim.
“Idon’twanttoev erhearyousayt hat‘mxm’to
me.AndwhenIsaywai tj
ustwait.
”Het oldher
strai
ghtforwardwithhisboldvoice.
Nozi
busi
so:“Ican’tbel
i
eveIdi
tchedmy
boyf
ri
endforthi
s.”shemurmured.
Gwabini:“
Excuseme!Whatdidyoujustsay?”
heaskedbutshedidn’
tanswerhim.“Didn’
twe
agr
eet hatyou’
l
lbr
eakupwithhim?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Hedoesn’
twantt
oletmego.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“You,
lethi
m go!Iwon’
tshar
ea
woman.What’
sthat
?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ican’
tbesuret
hatIam not
shar
ingy
ouwithanyone.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“You’
l
lleav
ethi
sboyory
ouwantme
tohelpyoudoit
?”heaskedignor
ingher
stat
ement.“
Icancal
lhim andtel
lhi
mt haty
ou
areminenow.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iam noty
ourwi
fe.Iwantt
ogo
andsl
eepSi
mon,letmego.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yes.
”
Gwabi
ni:
“Okay
,comecl
oser
.”
Theysharedalonggoodnightki
ssthatl
ead
them todr
ivet
ot heshadowofthetreewher
e
Nozibusi
sohadhi m al
li
nsi
deher…
-
--
--
--
--
--
“Iam st
il
lsl
eepy!
”Nozibusisocompl ai
ned
gett
ingofft
hecar.Nj
ongohadj ustparkedthe
cari
nsideDali
su’
syardandt het woladiesgot
offt
hecarhelpi
ngeachot her.
Thembeli
hle:
“Icangetof
fthi
scarbutthey
tr
eatmeasashor twoman.”Nozi
busi
so
l
aughed.“
Whendi dyoucomebacklastnight
?”
sheaskedheropeni
ngherf
rontdoor
.
Nozi
busi
so:“Late.
”Shegiggled.“
Iwi
llgoand
sl
eepMaSthole.
”Shemi mickedDali
su’svoi
ce
andThembeli
hlelaughedassheopenedher
bedr
oom door.Dali
suwasoncasual cl
othes
makingt
hebed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sawubona.
”
Dalisu:
“Yebo.
”Hedi
dn’
ttur
ntol
ookather
.He
fi
nishedoffmaki
ngt
hebed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam f
ineandhowar
eyou?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam f
ine.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
vehadbr
eakf
ast
?”
Dal
isu:
“Whogavey
outheper
missiontosleep
out
?”nowhetur
nedandhewaslookingather.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
ri
edt
ocal
lyou-
”
Dal
isu:“Myquest i
onwas,
whogaveyouthe
per
mi ssi
ont hatsi
mpl
emeansIwantthename
oft
hatper son.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Igav
emy
sel
ftheper
missi
on.
”
Dal
isu:
“Hee!Youj
ustleavet
hishousewit
hout
t
ell
i
ngme.Yougav eyoursel
ftheper
missi
on?”
Thembeli
hle:“Youwer enotcomi ngbackandI
missedmybr other,Ical
ledy oubutyoudi
dn’
t
answeryourcall.Youdidn’tevenret
urnmycall
s
soIlef
t.
”
“IWASBUSY!
”Heshout
edst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontof
hernow.
“Iwaslonely.
”Shetoldhim poli
tel
ylooking
down.“ Iam l
onel
y,Ihavebeenl onelyandyou
don’tcareaboutme.Sodon’ tscoldmef or
visi
ti
ngmybr other
.Ididn’
tcommi tanysin
againstyou.
”shetoldhimlookingasi de.
Dali
sudi dn’
tsayany t
hing.Hefinall
yheardher
sayit‘shewasl onel
y’thatcl
earlywashi sfaul
t
thatshef el
tthatwayandhedeci dedthere,he
wasgoi ngtodosomet hingaboutit.Hetookhis
phoneandl efther…
“Yeah,NatashaIneedyourhel
p.”Dali
sutoldher
formersecr et
aryont
hephone.Afterhelef
this
company ,
t hewomanwaspr omotedt o
‘
recepti
onistofthecompany.
’
Nat
asha:
“Whatwi
l
lyouneed,
Sir
?”
Dali
su:“Iwanttobri
ngmywi f
et omybeach
housethatside.Wehav en’tgonet oour
honeymoonandIcan’ taffordtogof aratthe
moment .So,Ithi
nkbeingal onewithheri nmy
beachhousewi ll
bemuchbet t
erthannott aki
ng
heranywheresocany ouor ganisesomeonet o
cl
eanthehouseandseti tup?Iwi l
l paythem.”
Nat
asha:
“Icandot
hat
,si
r.I
t’
snobi
gdeal
.”
Dali
su:“Iwi
l
lsendsomeonetogivey outhe
keysnowandwhent heygetther
ejustleav
e
yourdeskandgodot hi
sforme.”
Natasha:
“Okay
,shoul
dIdecor
atey
our
bedroom?”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes,
andmakei
tlookspeci
al.Howy
ou
thi
nkawomanwouldli
keherf
ir
stt
imewi
thher
husbandt
olookl
i
keinaroom.
”
Nat
asha:
“Okay
,si
r.Iwi
l
lwor
kont
hat
.”
Dal
isu:“
Okay,Iwi
ll
transferal
lthemoneyt
oyou
now.Forsetupandy ourpayment.
”
Nat
asha:
“Okay
,Si
r.
”
Dali
su:“
Oh,andpleasefi
ndsomeonewhocan
cookforusl
ikesomeonewho’ l
lbeourhouse
keeper
.Iwil
lpaythem.Tell
them wewil
lbe
ther
efortwoweeks.”
Nat
asha:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Thanky
ou.
”
Nat
asha:
“Mypl
easur
e,si
r.
”
Hehungupt hecall
,gotawayf
rom t
hebench
andwenttoHlezi
phi’
shouse.Heknockedand
sheappear
edont hedoor.
“Iam t
akingmywi f
euptot
heroyal
housejust
asdist
racti
on.Iwanty
outopackasui
tcasefor
her.Iam taki
ngherawayf ortwoweeks.You
willworkwithherfr
iend.She’sheresoshe’ l
l
knowwhatt obri
ngandpl ease,don’tsay
anythi
ngt oher.Youwillt
hengi veMduduzi the
keysofmybeachhousehewi l
lhavet odri
ve
them toRichardsbaytomyr ecept
ionist
Natasha.”heinfor
medher .
Hlezi
phi
:“Yebo,
Ndabezi
tha.Iwi
l
ldoasy
ou
havesai
d.”
Henoddedandl
efther
.
Dali
suwenti nsidethehouseandf ound
Thembelihl
emaki ngbreakfastwithherfri
end.
Hegr eet
edNozi busisoandt heyhadasmal l
tal
kconv er
sat i
on.Whent heconv ersat
ionended
hethenwentt oThembel i
hlestandingonher
back.Heunf astenedtheapr onstrap.
Thembelihl
el ookedbackathi m.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Dal
isu:
“Let’
sgotomyroy
alhousebubbl
es.
”He
sai
dtoher.Nozi
busi
sogi
ggl
ed.Theybot
h
l
ookedatherandshel
ookeddown.
Thembeli
hle:“
Todowhatt
her
e?Iam maki
ng
yourbr
eakfast
.”
Dal
isu:
“Iam sureNozzywon’
tmindfini
shingup
andyoucanmakesomeatt heroyalhouse.
Nozzywil
leatthi
sonewithourpeopl
ehere.”
Hetookofftheapronandmadeherfacehim.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
her
e?”
Dali
su: “
You’v
enev erbeenthereandy oushoul
d
knowpeopl ewhowor kthere.Theymustknow
youtoobecausey ou’l
lhavetowor ktheret
oo
asthequeent her
ei sarol
ey ouneedt oful
fi
l
andthingsyouneedt odof oryourpeople,
especial
lyt
hewomen. ”Heheldherhandand
draggedherout.Thembelihlerai
sedherhandto
herfri
end.
“
Bye,
bubbl
es!
”Nozi
busi
sosai
dandgi
ggl
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Di
dyouheart
hatnow,she’
s
cal
li
ngmebubbl
es.
”Shecomplai
nedlooki
ngat
hi
m.
“
Butyouare.
”Hesai
dtr
yingt
ohel
pherst
ep
i
nsi
dethecar.
Thembel i
hle:
“Thefi
rsttimey oumetmey ou
sawt hatIcancli
mbint hiscar.Iam notawhal
e
j
ustletmedoi tf
ormy sel
f.”Shesaidresi
sti
ng
hishelp.
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
!Okay
!”hesai
dbutdi
dn’
tmov
e.
“
Getaway!”shetol
dhimlooki
ngback.He
r
aisedhi
shandsandmov edback.Shecl
i
mbed
i
nandhedi dthesame.
“Wear edr
ivi
ngal
one?
”sheaskedl
ooki
ng
around.
Dali
su:“Yes.”Hesai
dandst artedthecar .“We
will
befine,don’
tdri
vealong!”hest opped
Majolaashewasr unningtowar dsthecar .He
noddedandJoeopenedt hegat eforthem.He
droveuptohi sr
oyalhouse…Thei rroyalhouse
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM
EPI
SODE48

“Peopl er especty
oual ot.
”Thembel i
hle
remar ked, theyweredriv
ingdownt otheirhouse
afteral ongdayi ntheroyalhouse.Heshowed
hert her opest ot
hethroneandheaskedt hat
theyi nstallasmalldeskandchairinsi
dehi s
officeforher .Shewasn’tgoingtowor kwith
him dai l
ybuthewant edhertohaveashar ein
theirwor kbecauset hekingdomswer en’thi
s
alonebutwi t
hher.
Dali
su:“Andt heywillr
espectmeevenmore
nowt hattheyhav eseenhowmuchy ou,
your
selfrespectme.Youar ethei
rqueenand
yousawhowt heytr
eatedyou.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yes,
somet
hingt
hatIdon’
tthi
nkI
wil
lev
ergetusedt
o.”
Dal
i
su:
“Youwi
l
lhav
etoanddon’
texpectl
ess
f
rom them.Wedon’twantthem togetall
too
f
ri
endlywit
hyoubecauseoncet hathappen
t
hingsdon’
tgosmoot hl
y.Peopl
eshouldknow
t
hatyouarenotequal
s.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yebo,
thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngme.
”
Hehel dherhandandt ookashor tgl
anceather
.
“Iam sorrythatIhav
en’tbeenthereandfor
ever
ythingthatIdidwrong.Ishouldn’
thave
doneitev enifIwasmour ni
ng.
”Hesai d
genui
nel y
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’sokay
.”Shesmi
l
ed.
Hestoppedthecarandtheygotoffthecar.I
t
waslat
eandhewant edthattheycomeback
l
ateandthatwayThembelihl
ewasgoi ngtobe
t
ir
ed.Shewasgoi ngtosl
eepr i
ghtawayand
f
orgetaboutbei
nginti
matewi t
hhimt hatni
ght.
“Iam t
iredIj
ustwanttosl
eep.
”Shesaidtaki
ng
offhershoestheywerei
nsi
dethei
rbedroom.
Dali
suwasonhi sfeetl
ooki
ngdownather .
Dali
su:“Youwi
llt
akeashowerandsleep? ”her
bei
ngt i
redwasmusict
ohisears.Sheraised
herheadandthebubbl
eeyesli
tupherf ace.He
smil
ed.
Thembeli
hlegiggl
edandheldhi sthighshi
ding
herfaceonhim.Dali
sulaughed.“Youwon’ t
takeashower?”heaskedlookingdownonher .
Heunzippedherdressunti
lher eachedtheend.
Thembeli
hle:
“Youwantust ot
akeashower?
Magebalet’
sjustsl
eep.Ipr
omisewewill
showerf
irstt
hinginthemorni
ng.Ev
enifwe
havetowakeupat4am. ”
Dal
isul
aughedandpushedherbackt
olookat
her
.
Dali
su:“
Youalwaystel
lmepr et
endingasify
ou
areaski
ngme.‘youwon’tshower?
’Nowy ou
don’
twanttoshower.”
Thembelihl
elaughedandl
aidbackonherbed.
Dali
susatdownandt ookof
fhisshoesandsui
t
pants.“
Wewi ll
shower.
”Shetol
dhim cl
osi
ng
herey
es.
Dal
i
su:
“No,
no,
getupandf
ixt
hebed.
”
Sheyawnedandgotup.Shefi
xedthebedand
thenshetookof
fherdr
ess.Shet
ookoffherbr
a
andsleptnex
ttohi
m.
“Wearenotprayi
ngbecauseyouar
etir
ed?”He
askedhol
dinghercl
osertohi
m.Hekissedthe
backofherneck.
Thembelihl
e:“
Eish,getmemygown.
”She
request
ed.Dal
isulaughed.
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo!
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Yousai
dyou’
l
ltakecar
eofme.
Pl
ease,doit.
”
Helaughedandgotoffthebedt ogethergown.
Hegav ei
ttoherandshewr appedherbody.
Theysatonthebedandhel deachother’
s
hands.Theypr
ayedtogether…
Dali
suwentt ot
her oyalhousethef
oll
owing
mor ni
ngandhel ef
tNozibusisoand
Thembelihl
einthehouse.Hewentt her
ejustt
o
preparewit
hhisbrotherthathewasgoingtobe
away .
“Whydon’ tyouwanttotalkaboutGwabini
?You
al
way sjustgiggl
ewhenIbr i
nghim up.
”
Thembel i
hleaskedNozibusi
soshesatdown
withhergivingheranot
herguavajui
ceshehad
prepar
ed.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Youdon’
ttal
kabouty
ourhusband
t
oo.”
“
Whatshoul
dIsayabouthi
m?”Sheaskedand
l
aughed.
Nozibusi
so:
“How’sli
feinmarri
age?Ar ey ou
happy?Doyouenjoythesex?”shelai
doutt he
questi
onandtookthefi
rstsi
pont hejuice.She
fr
owned.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ong,
itdoesn’
ttast
e
good?
”
Shestoodonherfeetandtooktheshortway
out.Shet
hrewoutrightonthegroundofthe
fr
ontdoor.Thembel
ihlehel
dherbackand
brushedi
t.
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
’swr
ongnow?
”
“Water
…wat er.
..
”shet
ri
edtot el
lher
.
Thembelihl
eranbacki
nsidethehouseandgot
thewaterforher
.Shegavehertheglass.
Nozi
busisodrankit
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lgot
aket
heshov
el.
”
Shetur
nedandwenttothet ool
room t
hatwas
bythegat
e.Sheopeneditandtooktheshovel
.
“What’
swrongNdl
ovukazi?”Majol
aasked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idon’
tknowt
oo.
”
Thembel i
hledugthesoi
landburi
edthedi
rt
.
Nozibusisosatdownontheporchchai
randher
thoughtsweredeep.
“What’
swrong?”Thembel
i
hlesatdownont
he
opposi
techai
r.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Idon’
tknow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thej
uicewasbad?
”
Nozi
busi
so:“I
twasn’
tthatsmoot
handIj
ust
di
dn’
tli
keit
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Sor
ry.
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Iwi
l
lgoandl
i
edown.
”
Shenoddedandl ookedatherasshelef
therfor
thehouse.Shesi
ghedandwentbacki nsi
dethe
house.Shesatdownwi t
hherglassand
watchedTV.

“MASTHOLE!”Dali
sucall
edThembel
ihl
efr
om
thei
rroom.Hejustgotbacki
ntheaf
ter
noon
anditwasti
mef orthem t
ogo.
“
BABA!”Sheshout
edback.Shewaschoppi
ng
t
hevegetabl
es.
Hl
ezi
phi:
“Hhayi
,ndlov
ukazihambakuy
e!”she
gi
ggl
ed.Thembeli
hlel
aughedandrant
oher
r
oom.
Dali
suwasget t
ingdr
essed.“
Nowy ouwantme
tospeaktoyoushouti
ngforthewholehouseto
hearwhatIhavetosaytoyou?”Dal
isuasked
l
ookingather.Shecl
osedthedoorbehi
ndher.
Thembel
i
hle:“No,
Iwasj
ustshowi
ngy
out
hatI
am comi
ng.”
Dal
i
su:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasst
art
ingwi
thdi
nner
.”
Dal
isu:“Leavethatandchangey
ourcl
othesI
am taki
ngy ousomewher e.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Somewher
e?Wher
e?”
Hel ookedatherandsher eadthroughhiseyes
thatsheshoul dn’thaveasked.Thembelihl
e
tookof fherdr essandwentt oherwardrobe
shewor eat i
ghtbl ackskir
t,atakneelength
andabl ueandbl ackAf r
icanprint
edpeplum
shir
twi thlongsl eeve,i
twasVneckshaped.
Shet ookof fthedoekt hatshehadonandwor e
t
hebl
ackdoek.
Dalisustoppedgetti
ngdr essedandlookedat
her.His,‘
hiswife’
.Now, seeinghowshe
perfectl
ydressedashi swife.Hismindtrav
ell
ed
backwhenshewasonl yagi rl
weari
ngleggings
andl osesee-t
hroughshirts.Howtheydebated
aboutt hewayshedr essed.Butnowhewas
proudwhenev erheturnedhi sheadtolookat
her.
Thembeli
hlet
urnedandsawthatDal
i
suwasn’
t
gett
ingdr
essedbuthewaslooki
ngather
.She
l
ookeddownather sel
f.
“Not
hingi
swrong.
”Hesai
dbef
oreshecoul
d
sayaword.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whyareyounotget
ti
ngdr
essed
thenbutl
ookingatme?
”
Dali
su:“
Comehere.
”Herequested.Thembel
i
hle
wenttohim.“
Iam j
ustpr
oudtocallyoumywife.
Lookathowbeauti
ful
youare.
”He
compli
mentedher
.Thembel
ihl
esmi ledandl
aid
herheadonhi
m.Hehuggedher
.
“
Ngiyakuthanda,ndoday
ami
emny
ama.
”She
t
oldhim andgiggled.
Dali
sulaughed.“
Blackandwhi
tei
sal
way
sthe
bestcolour
.”Hesaid.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam notwhi
te.
”Shepinchedhim.
Hepret
endedtobehurt
,Thembel
ihl
elaughed.
Dal
isu: “Pi
neappl
ey el
lowandbl ackarebest
col
our s.”Thembel
ihlelaughed.“Okay
,goon
andfinishup.”Heinstruct
edher.
Thembeli
hle:
“Okay
,shoul
dIwearf
latorhi
gh
shoes?
”
Dal
isu:
“Hi
ghsot
haty
oucanl
ookt
all
er.
”He
t
easedher
.
“Ah!Thisman!”Shecompl ai
nedandlaughed.
Sheopenedt hewardrobe’
sshoessideand
pickedbluesuedeshoes.Sheputthem onand
assist
edhimf i
nishupdressi
ng.
Nozi
busisohel
dherhandandt
heywal
ked
t
ogethertoDal
isu’
scar
.
“
You’l
lgototheDoctort
omor r
ow.Iwil
lgowit
h
y
ou.”Thembeli
hlet
oldherfri
endnotknowi
ng
t
hatshewasn’tcomingback.
Nozibusi
so:“
TomorrowisSundayandIwi
l
l
havetogobacktowork.Iwil
lgoonMonday
dur
inglunchhour
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row
then.
”
Shenoddedandtheyhuggedeachot
her
.“Il
ove
you.
”Nozibusi
sotol
dher.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
Nozi
busi
soopenedthefr
ontdoorforherand
shehel
dherhandasshesteppedi
nsidethecar
.
Shewasonhighshoessheneededassist
ance.
“
Youneedhel
ptoday
.”Noz
ibusi
sot
easedher
.
Thembel
ihl
elaughedandstuckhert
ongueout
onher
.“Ndl
ov ukaz
i!
”Shebowedherheadfor
her
.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Fusegi
!”
“Hhaybo!
”Dali
suexcl
aimedl
ookingat
Thembeli
hleashesteppedi
nsi
dethecar
.
Nozibusi
sogiggl
ed.
Nozibusi
so:“I
t’
snotpersonal nkosi
.”Shesaid
andclosedthedoor.Thetravell
ingguardswere
outsi
dethegate.AsDalisustartedthecarand
theydidthesame.Dali
suf ol
l
owedaf t
erthem…

“You’
l
lhavet otakeoffyourshoes.
”Dalisutol
d
Thembeli
hleast heyhavearri
vedont hedri
ve
wayofhisbeachhouse.Hewant edthem to
walkontheirfeetsothattheseabreezewould
wakehercompl etel
y.Thedrivewayhad
concr
etebutitwasal wayssandy.
“Wehavearr
ived?
”Sheaskedlooki
ngar ound
andsheyawned.“ButMageba,
whydi dyou
makemeweart hem ifIwi
l
lhavetotakethem
of
f?”shecompl
ainedsul
ki
ng.
Dali
su:“Thembeli
hle,
sulkingi
sforchil
drenget
offt
hecar .
”Hegav eherhishand.Thembeli
hle
yawnedandt ookhishand.Sheheldont ohim
andwentdownt otakeof fhershoes.Dal
isu
tooktheshoesandclosedt hedoor.
Theguar
dst
eppedi
nsi
dehi
scaranddr
ove
passt
hem.
“
Hawu!Hawu!Mageba, j
ustl
ookatthi
s!They
j
ustpassedus.”shecomplai
ned.“
Wherearewe?
I
sthisDurbanbecauseIam sur
eit
’snot
Nongoma? ”Shelookedathi
m.
Dal
isu:“
CanItel
lyousomethi
ng?
”shenodded
l
ookingathi
m.“Youtal
ktoomuch,somet
imes.
”
Hetoldher
.
Thembeli
hle:
“Ha!IfIcankeepquiet
,you’
ll
cry
.”
Shesai
dsmi l
ing,ami schi
evoussmi
lethat
Dali
suhadnev erseenbefore.
Dal
i
su:
“Hhay
bo!Thatsmi
l
e?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whatabouti
t?”
Dali
su:“
Ihav
eneverseeni
tbefor
e.”Hel
ooked
atherwit
hagri
n.Thembel
ihl
eheldontohi
s
arm.
“Abuhl
ungul awamat shehawul
etmewearmy
shoesIcanhandl ei
t.
”Shecompl ai
ned.“
And
youdidn’tt
ellmewher earewe!
”she
complainedfurt
her.
Dal
i
susi
ghedandgav
ehert
heshoes.
“Ha!Ishoul
dcarryt
hem?”Shecomplai
ned.
Dali
sudidn’
tanswerherbuthecar
ri
edheri
nto
hisarms.Shegiggl
edandheldontohi
sneck.
Dal
i
su:
“Letmet
ell
youwhat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Dal
isu:
“Ify
oukeeponcompl
aini
ngl
i
ket
hiswe
wil
lgohomeearl
y.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“ButIdi
dn’
tcompl
ain.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wear
einRi
char
dsbayi
nmy–ohwel
l
nowourbeachhouse.”Heinformedher
.“We
wil
lspendt
imetogetherher
ef ort
woweeks.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Youhav
eabeachhouse?Why
di
dn’
tyoutel
lme?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ounow.
”
Thembel i
hlel
ookedatthebeaut
if
ulfr
ontv i
ew
ofthehouse,acosydarkgreypai
ntedhouse
wit
hbl ackwoodedtouch,t
heporch,f
rontdoor.
I
twassur roundedbyatreeandsomepl ant
ed
oaktrees,wit
honegarage.
Thembel
ihl
e:“I
t’
sbeauti
ful
andIcanseedar
k
greyi
syourfav
ouri
tecol
our.”
Dalisu:“
Ididn’thavetotel
lyouthat
…So
welcomehomest handwasami.Mybubbles.
”
Thembel ihl
egiggledasheputherdowninside
thelounge.“Ifyoufeelt
hatyouwanttochange
somet hi
ngi nhereyoucanasy oucanseethat
thi
si sal
l me.Nowomanhel pedmechoose
thesethings.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,wewi
l
lcomeher
eof
ten?
”
Dal
isu:“Fort
hehol
idaysandwhenwehav e
chi
l
dr enwecanalwaysbri
ngthem her
eforthei
r
hol
idays.”
Shesmiledanddidn’tcomment .Heheldher
handandshowedherar oundnotrushi
ngto
thei
rbedroom becauseitwasthelastt
hinghe
wantedtoshowher …
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

EPI
SODE49

“Whocooked?Thef oodwasgood. ”
Thembel i
hlecompli
ment edthefood.Theywere
seatedatthebackoft hehousewher ethechef
thatNatashafoundhadsett hedinnerf
orthem.
TheChefwasanI ndianwoman.
Dali
su:“
Iaskedmyr ecepti
oni
stt
ogetacheff
or
us.Youwon’tcookhere.”
Thembeli
hle:
“Oh.Iwon’
tev
enwasht
he
di
shes?”sheaskedsmil
i
ngathi
m.
Dal
isu:“
No, butt
her
eareot
hert
hingsy
ou’
l
ldo.
”
hesaidtaki
ngherhand.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay
,ther
e’snodesser
ttot
he
food?
”
Dali
suchuckl
edthi
nki
ngshewasthedesser
t
buthedidn’
tsayt
hatt
oher.Hedi
dn’
tthi
nkit
wasappropri
atet
osaytoher
.
“
Don’tworr
yaboutt
hat
.”Hesai
dcar
ryi
ngher
i
ntohisar
ms.
Thembel
i
hlegiggl
ed.“Iwonderwhydon’
tyou
car
rymeli
kethisbackhome.”shewondered
outl
oudl
ookingathim.
Dal
i
su:
“Ther
ear
epeopl
ear
oundt
hehouse.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Oh,
youdon’
twantt
hem t
osee
youbei
ngmyhusband?
”’
Dal
isu:“
Theymi
ghtsayy
ougav
emel
ove
por
tion.
”
Thembel
ihl
elaughedandcl
osedhereyes.
Dali
sut
ri
edtoopent hemasterbedr
oom door
andhewentinsi
dewi t
hher
.
“Openy
ourey
es.
”Hei
nst
ruct
edherandputher
down.
Sheopenedherey esandlookedar oundshe
swall
owedhar d,
thinki
ngthatitwasf i
nall
y
goingtohappen.She’dcomplainedandhewas
fi
nall
yatt
endingtohercompl aint
s.Theroom
wasdecoratedinredandwhi tewithnothi
ngbut
thecandl
eslight
ingtheroom.Thei rki
ngsized
bedhadwhi t
ecov ersandredrosespetalson
thebed.Therewaschocolateandbot tl
eofwine.
“Wine?
”Thembel
ihl
ecomment
edl
ooki
ngback
atDali
su,
hechuckl
ed.
Dali
su:“
Ali
ttl
ewhi t
egir
ldidthisformesoI
t
hinkshediditt
hewayt heydoi t
.Icandr
inkt
he
wineandyouwillhavet
hejuice.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Whati
fIwantt
hewi
net
oo?
”
Dal
i
su:
“No.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Justf
ort
oni
ght
.”
Dal
i
su:“No,
it’
sbet
teri
fyoudon’
tev
enhav
ea
t
aste.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tknowthaty
ou’
l
lbeupt
ight
evenont
hehoneymoon.”
Dali
su:“Thi
sdoesn’
tchanget
hatIam y
our
husband.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwi
l
lhav
ewat
er.
”
Dal
isu:“
Justbecausey
oudon’
twantt
ohav
e
whatIsai
dy oucanhave?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
Ijustl
ovewat
er.
”
Dal
isu:“
Okay
,whydon’
tyougoandshower
,you
canchanget
heout
fi
t.Youknow,
wear
somethi
ngni
ce.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Thel
i
nger
ie?
”sheaskedl
ooki
ng
asi
de.
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Idi
dn’
tthi
nky
ou’
l
llov
ethem.
”
“Whywouldn’
tI?
”heaskedunzippi
nghert
op.
“Theyar
emeantt odecorat
eawoman’sbody
andIwouldli
ketoseey ouont
hem.”
Thembeli
hle:
“IknowHl eziphimusthave
packedmybag, Idon’
tthinkthatshepacked
them f
orme.Youknow. ”
Dal
i
su:
“It
oldhert
ohav
eyourf
ri
endhel
pher
.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Oh,
thatone.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngy
oudon’
tli
kel
i
nger
ie.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Idon’
thav
eexperi
encewithi
t
andIguessyouhavealotofi
t.Howmany
womeny ou’v
eseenonthat‘
li
ngeri
e’i
nthi
s
bedr
oom? ”
Dal
i
su:
“Okay
,nowweneedt
ogodownt
hat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Itwasj
ustasi
mpl
equest
ion.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Howwi
l
lithel
pyoui
fIanswery
ou?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Hav
esomeonebeenonal
i
nger
ie
f
ory
ouj
usty
esorno?
”
Dal
i
su:
“Yes.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwil
lgoandtakeashower .
”She
headedtothedoor,j
eal
ousthathe’
dbeenwi t
h
someotherwomenbutshehadn’ tbeenwith
othermen.Shetur
ned.“Where’
smysui t
case?”
sheasked.
Dal
isulef
tther
oom andwenttogett
hebags
onthecar.Hegotbackandgav
eherthe
sui
tcase.
Shet ookitandheadedtothebathroom.She
fi
nishedupt aki
ngoffhercl
othesandtooka
shower .Thehousehadtwobat hr
ooms.
Shelookedatherselfonthemirror
.Shedidn’
t
wanttowearthelingeriehe’
dprobablysaw
dif
fer
entwomenoni t.Andshedidn’twanthi
m
toseeheronittonight.He’
dseenherbut
nothi
nghappened.Shesatont hefloornaked
andshewascl uel
ess.Shedidn’
tknowwhatt o
do.
“I
fyoudon’
twanttowearthelingeri
eyoudon’
t
havetowearitMaSt
hole.
”Dalisutol
dherhe
wasstandi
ngoutsi
dethelockeddoorofthe
bathr
oom.“Iam wai
ti
ngforyou.”hetol
dher.
Thel astwor dsmadeThembel i
hle’sspinecol d.
Shesuddenl ybecamener vous.Shei nhaledai r
deeplyandopenedev eryz ipthathersui tcase
had.Theyhav eusedt hesui t
caset hatbel onged
toherev enbef oremar riage.Sher emember ed
therewassomet hi
nginsi de.Shecl osedher
eyeswi shingtheydidn’ ttakeitout .Shet ook
outev ery
thingtoopent heunder neathzip.She
smi l
edseei ngtheattir
et hatMakhosi gaveher
whenshewentt other eeddance.Shet ooki t
out,thefullgear.Shepackedbackt heclot hes.
Shet henst oodupt omoi stenherbody .She
usedt heBi ooilt
omoi stenherent i
rebody ,she
didn’
tuset oomuchofi tbecauseshewas
goingt obesl i
ppery.Shedi dn’
tusei tonher
face.Shet henwor eherwhi t
ebeadedski rt
wear i
ngnopant i
esunder neath.Shet henput
thewhit
ebeadednecklaceandther edbeaded
headband.Sheputthewhit
ebeadedchest
coverontop,herbr
eastswerenotfull
yshowing
becauseofthebeads.Sheputtherestofthe
beadsonherleftar
m andri
ghtleg.Sheclosed
hereyesandwenttothedoor…
Dali
suwasnol ongerther
e.Shewal kedsl owl
y
totheirbedroom wit
hherheartbeatingfastand
herhandst rembli
ng.Shetri
edtorelaxbef ore
openingthedoor.Sheopenedt hedoor ,the
l
ightswer eonnow.Shewal kedinsidethedoor .
Shest oodalmostclosetothebed.The
dist
ancebet weenthebedandt hedoor ,she
wasst andinginthemiddl
e.Shedr oppedher
headandl ookeddownhol di
ngherhands
togetheronherfront.
Dali
sukneeledashewasseat edont hebed.He
gottheful
lpict
ureofhowshel ookedli
keont he
reeddance.Heleftthebedandstoodonhi s
feetwit
hhiseyesfixedonher.Shewas
beauti
ful
,hi
sZuluwoman, awomanper fectf
or
nobodybuthi
m.Justhi
m.
Hewasst andi
ngbeforehernow,andshewas
stil
llooki
ngdown.Dali
suheldherchinand
raisedherfaceup.Herbigeyesconnect
edwi
th
his.
Dal
i
su:
“Youlookbeaut
if
ul.Theypackedsuch
ani
mport
antatt
ir
e?”
Thembelihl
e:“No,theyusedmyol dsuit
case
andsoIr emember edIhadthisatthebackof
thesuit
case.Ijustdi
dn’twanttowearthe
l
ingeri
e.”
Dali
su:“Il
oveyouinthis,
andIam happythat
youworeitbecauseyouhav emadet hepi
ctur
e
Ihadinmindclear.Ij
ustimaginedhowyou
l
ookedont hedanceandi tendedwithavi
vi
d
pict
ure.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasl
i
ket
his.
”
Hesmil
edandli
ft
edher,hecar
ri
edthem i
nto
hi
sar
mswal ki
ngstr
aightt
othebed.Hel
aidher
onthebedandsatnextt
oherl
ooki
ngdownat
her
.
Thembeli
hle:“
Youwil
lswit
chofftheli
ghtsand
l
etthecandlesgi
veustheli
ghtr
ight?It
hinkit
’s
toobri
ght
.”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Hegotupandwentt oswi t
chof fthel i
ghts.
Theyonlyhadthecandleson.Dal i
suwason
whiteshort
sandblackv est.Het oddledbackt o
bedwher eshewaslayi
ngwi thherrightleg
crossedtotheot
herloosely.Hest raightened
herlegsashereachedt hebedandhel aidon
topofhernotall
weightonher .Hesuppor t
ed
theupperbodybypinninghi selbowsont he
sidesofher.
“Ican’
tbeli
evey ouar
eher eandthiswill
finall
y
happen.”Hesaidslowlydrawingazigzagl i
ne
onherskinusinghisforefi
ngerfr
om herchest
goingtodownt oherbelly
.Thembel i
hle’
sbr eat
h
gotwarm andt heti
ckl
eofhi sfi
ngersend
shi
ver
sdownherspi
ne.Shecl
osedherey
es.
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
l
lmakei
tlesspai
nful
?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
lbegent
lewi
thy
ou.Ipr
omi
se.
”
Nowhedi scardedhisv estandl aidonher,skin
toskin.Hesmi l
edlookingatherbubbl edey es
astheymov eddownt olookathi sbareabs.He
rest
edhi sli
psonher s.Hef eltherhandshold
ontohi sarmst ightl
y.Hel ovediteveryti
me
whenshecl ungonhi m.Hef eltl
ikeshewant ed
him,li
kesheneededhi m closertoher.He
mov edhishandonherbel lymassagingher
downont hewai st.
Thembelihl
egaspedandraisedherbodyupas
hi
shandsentaqui cksharpachedownonher.
Shefelther
sel
fgetti
ngmoist.Shemovedher
handsfrom hi
sarmsupt ohisnecknotmaki
ng
amistakeoftouchi
nghishead.
Nowhewant edt
opaveawayin.Hewast oo
exci
tedbutdi
dn’
twantt
orushher
.Hestopped
ki
ssi
ngherandwentdowntosearchf
orthe
knotofherbeadedski rt
.Hef ounditand
unfastenedt heknot,heputt heski
rtawayon
thefloor.Thembel i
hle’
sey esfol
lowedhishand
ashewasput ti
ngitaway .Sheknewshewas
nevergoi ngtoweari tagain.Shewasenteri
nga
newphasenow, phaset owomanhood.Af t
er
toni
ghtshewon’ tbeagi rlbutaful
lwoman.His
womanandonl yhim.Sheknewt hatshewas
onlyforhi m nobodyelsebuthim.
Dali
suhadremovedallt
hewhitebeadsonher
bodyandleftt
heredoneherhead.Shedr
ewa
l
ongsigh.Theybeganagai
n,t
hekiss.
Shecriedout .“
AH! ”asshef elthisf i
ngergoing
i
nsideher .Dali
sufastenedhi slipsonherand
shewasn’ tabletoscr eam butherbody
aut
omat icall
ymov edashet hrusthi sfinger
i
nside.She’dnev erfeltli
kethisbef ore,she’
d
neverfel
tsuchemot ionsandl ov edthem like
shedidnow.Hercum wasshar pandt hickbut
Dal
isudidn’tstop.Shewasl ovingev erythi
ng
unt
ilhehadt oi nvi
tether ealhimi nsideher.
Heheardhercryoutsoft
ly“Now!”andhe
l
ookedatherface.Hesawi twastoomuchto
t
akeinandthenhewasr eady.Hewondered
r
emov i
nghisshortst
hatasshewasor der
ingi
t,
wasshegoingtohandleit?
Hedidthestar
ter
sandrubbedhi
mselfonher
openi
ngs,yes,
hehadneverhadavi
rgi
nbefor
e
butheknewhowt ohandl
eawomanwi thl
ove
andcare.
“No!”shescreamedasshef eltt
hepainofhis
fi
rsttr
ytothrustinsi
deher.Shepushedhim
back.Shedidn’tsucceedi
npushinghim al
l
away .
Dali
su:“What’
swr ong?”heaskedlooki
ngfor
hereyesbuttheywonder edaround.
“Thembeli
hle?”hecall
edher,shewasstil
l
underneat
hhim assheonl ymanagedtoget
him awayforashortdist
ance.
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’spai
nful
.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Buti
twi
l
lonl
ybef
orashor
twhi
l
e
MaSt
holeitwon’
tlast
.OnceIam i
nsi
dey
ou
won’
tfeel
thepai
n.”
“
Youarelyi
ngtome.
”Shesai
dsitti
ngup
movi
ngbackuponthebedunt
ilshereached
t
heheadboard.
Dalisu:
“Iam notlyi
ngtoyou.
”hewasl ef
tal
one
i
nt hemi ddl
eofthebedasThembel i
hlewas
packedr i
ghtatthecor
nerofthebed.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Canwedoi
ttomor
row?
”
Dali
su:“
No, wewi
lldoi
ttonight.Wewi
l
lnot
keeppostponi
ng,
Thembelihle.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam t
ell
i
ngy
oui
t’
spai
nful
.
”
Dali
su:“Event
omor r
owitwil
lst
il
lbepainf
uland
youwill
t el
lmethatwewil
lhavetodoitnext
day?”
“
WhatshouldIdot
hen?”Sheaskedshowing
f
rust
rat
ionasshewasonthebedhuggingher
l
egs.
Dal
i
su:
“Justr
elaxandl
etmet
akecar
eofi
t.I
havepavedt
hewayinwithmyfinger
.”Het
ri
ed
tomakeherfeel
ateasebuthekneel
edonhis
knees.
“
No!Youar
ebig!
”shesai
dshaki
ngherhead
l
ooki
ngdownathi
m.Dali
sul
ookedathi
mself.
Dalisu:“
Oh, comeony ou’v
eseenmebef or
e.”
Hesai dbristl
ednowandsohet r
iedtoreachfor
herbutThembel ihl
ejumpedof ft
hebed.She
didn’tr
untoof arbecauseDal
isutooktheshort
cutt oherandheldher.
“Calm down! ”Hehel dtightlyandshehugged
him st
illf
eelingner vous.“Pai nisjusti
ny our
head.Mybubbl es,sexbegi nsiny ourheadif
youaref i
lledwi t
ht hefearofpai ni nyourmi nd.
Youwon’ tenj oyyourf i
rstni ghtwithme.Buti f
youcanr elaxandt el
lyourbodyt hatyouar e
doingthisnow.Youar esubmi tt
ingyourselfto
me.Ev erythi
ngwi l
lbeper fectandt hepain
won’tlast.Okay ?”heexpl ainedt oherpolit
ely
andshenodded.
Dal
i
su:
“Canwet
ryagai
n?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Yes.
”
Theywer ebackont heirbedagainandhewas
ontopofher .Hisfocuswasonherl owerli
p.
Thembel i
hlelov
edDal i
su’ssoftl
ips,
byonelook
theydidn’
tlooksoftbutwhent heyweredamp
withsali
vaawomanwoul dseetheyweresoft
.
ButonlyThembel i
hleandt hewomenhe’dbeen
withhadseent hem sensuouslydamp.
Thembel i
hlelov
edt hem.
Thistimehepr essedonki ssingherwhi l
ehe
nudgedgent lyatt heentranceofherbody .He
fel
thertryingtoj umpagai nbutt hi
st i
mehe
pressedhislipshar derbutpleasingashe
i
nv adedhistonguet ostopherf rom disobeyi
ng
thelawsoft heirlove.Thatshel etshim
consumeherwi thoutobj ect
ion,objectionbased
onf ear
.Hesof tlypressedhi shandsonher
waistandhekeptont ry
ing.Hehear dthedeep
scream thatcamedeepf rom herthroatitwas
accompanyinghi
m ashewasfinall
yinsideher.
Helookedatherandhereyeswerewi denedbut
theyrel
axedashestoppedmovingandki ssi
ng
her.
“Doyouf
eel
me?
”heaskedsof
tl
ycar
essi
ngher
ear
.
“Ido.”shesai dsof t
lyandsuckedherl owerfull
l
ip.Shecl osedherey esandDal i
subegan
mov i
ng.Lov i
nghowshef el
tshecouldn’t
controlherr esponset owhathewasdoi ngto
her.Shewasn’ ttol
dt hatsheneededtomov e
butast heywer ereachingcli
maxshewant ed
him str
ongerandsoshemov edwithhim unt
il
hertoescur ledandherbodyst if
fenedbefore
rel
easingal ongwi thhim.
Hediedontopofher,t
hei
rchest
sri
singand
fal
l
ing.Thei
rbodi
esweresweaty
.Thembeli
hle
smil
edandheldhisshoul
der
s.
Dal
i
su:
“Il
ovey
ou.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
oumor
enow.
”shegi
ggl
ed.
Dali
suchuckl
edandmov
edf
rom her
.Hepul
l
ed
herup.
“Look.
”Hepointedthedropsofbloodonthe
whitesheet
s.Shelookedathim andsai
d
nothi
ng.Dali
subabykissedher.
Hest oodupandt ookthei
rgowns.Theyhad
theirnightwearpackedinonebagbesidesthe
l
ingerie.Hegav eherthegownafterhe’
d
cleanedt hem andheheldherhand.
Dal
i
su:
“Pi
ckt
hem up,
Iwi
l
lgot
aket
hespade.
”
Shenoddedandshewentdownt opickall
her
whitebeads.Shewai
tedforhi
mlookingat
them.Sheputherfor
eheadonthem.
“Come!”het ol
dhergoingoutthroughthe
balconydoor.Thembeli
hlefol
lowedhim.Onthe
balconyheopenedthesmal lgateandhewent
tothecornerofthei
rbedroom balcony
.Hedug
asmal ldeepwholethereandwhenhewas
donehel ookedather.
Shewentdownandputt hem onthewhole,
a
tearescapedonhereyeandot herey
e.She
smiled.Shegotupandlookedathim.Hewi ped
hertearswithhist
humbandmov edawayfrom
her.Heburiedthewhi
tebeads.
Dali
su:“
Comet ome.”Shewentcl
oserandhe
huggedher
.“Iwil
lkeepyousaf
eandIwon’tl
et
yougomywi fe.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Il
ovey
ou.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Il
ovey
ou.
”
Heheldherhandandtheywentbacki
nsi
de,
t
heyfell
asleephol
dingeachot
her…
[
03/
31,
10:
43]Ron:
HERFOREI
GNDREAM

Seasonf
inal
e!

EPI
SODE50
Shesl eptlikeababyandshewashappy .She
didn’
tt el
lhi m butshewashappy .She’d
i
magi nedherf ir
sttimewi t
hhimt hev eryfirst
dayhehadl aidherdownonhi sbedbackhome.
Howhehadt ouchedherbutcoul dn’tgof urther
becauset heywer enotmar ri
ed.Hecoul dhav e
sleptwi t
hhereasi l
ybecausehehadpai dl obola
forher, mostpeopl ebeli
evedlobalawas
practi
cal l
ymar r
iagenotjustengagementl i
ke
hispar entsbel i
eved.Herespectedher .Hewas
verypat i
entwi thherevenwhenshewast rouble.
Shef ellasleepknowi ngthatwithhim, shewas
goingt odi elovi
nghi m.
“Wakeup!”Dali
suwokeheruphol di
ngherti
ght
andclosertohi
m.Thembel ihl
ewokeupand
shookherheadcomplaining.“Wehaveal
ong
dayahead.”Hesai
dkissingherneck.
Thembeli
hle:
“Whydon’
twest
ayher
eal
lday
.I
don’
tthi
nkIwanttowal
k.”
Dal
i
su:
“Yourl
egsar
ehur
ti
ng,
mybubbl
es?
”he
askedpushinghi
skneei
nbetweenhert
highs.
Thembeli
hlemadealoudyawnsound.
Thembel ihl
e:“Theyarehurti
ng!”shescreamed
slowlyreachingforhishand.Hegav eherhis
handandThembel ihl
eheldont ohishand
ti
ghtly.Sheclosedhereyespay ingatt
enti
onto
theemot ionsrunningthr
oughherbody .The
handt hatwasunder neat
hr eachedforher
breast.
“
Theywon’
thur
tnow.
”hesaidpushi
ngher
f
orwar
dandhefil
l
edherf
ull
y.
Thembelihl
e:“
It’
sdone…li
kethi
s…t
oo…I.
.”she
asked,hervoi
cebreaki
ngandshef
ini
shedthe
sentencebymoaning.
Dalisudi dn’tanswerhereventhoughhehad
hear dthatshewasaski ng.Herat
her
concent ratedonwhathewasdoi ngand
l
istenedt ohermoans.Hewentonandon
giv
ingherhar derst
rokessomethi
ngt hatwas
dif
fer entfrom whathe’dgivenhertheprevi
ous
ni
ghtandhermoanswer
elouder
…
Theyl
aidbacklooki
ngupbot hthei
rchest
s
ri
si
ngandfall
i
ngast heywerebreathi
ngheav
il
y
aft
ert
heirmorningencount
er.
“Mageba?
”Shecalledhi
m out
.Dal
i
sut
urnedhi
s
headandlookedather
.
Dalisu:
“Whatisi t?”hepull
edhert olayheron
hissweatychest .“Look,bubbl
est hi
sisdonein
manydi ff
erentway s.Itdoesn’
thav etobeme
ont opofyoual l
t heti
me.You’llsee.”He
respondedtot hequest i
onshe’dposedear l
ier
.
Thembel
i
hlegi
ggl
edandhel
dont
ohi
m.
Thembeli
hle:“Il
oveit
!”shesai
dquickl
yand
l
aughedtryi
ngt orunaway.ButDal
i
suheldher
ti
ghtnott
ol ethergetaway.
Dal
isu:
“Youwon’
trunawaynow.Iwanty
out
o
t
ell
me. ”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mageba,
Iam wor
ri
ed.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Wor
ri
edaboutwhatbubbl
es?
”
Thembelihle:“
Iam wor r
iedt
hatIwillwanti
tal
l
thetimeunt i
lIgetti
redofit
.”Shetoldhi
m
trut
hful
ly.Shewasnewt oallt
hatkindof
pleasur
esher eceiv
edf r
om him andshe
enjoyedit.
Dal
isul
aughedhil
ari
ously
.Thembel
i
hlej
ust
cl
osedhereyesandgiggl
ed.
Dal
i
su:
“Youknowwhat
?”
Thembel
i
hle:
“What
?”
Dali
su:
“Iwil
lgi
veitt
oyouwhenev
ery
ouwanti
t
buti
fIam nott
ir
ed.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Howwi
l
lyouknowt
hatIwanti
t?”
Dal
i
su:“
You’
l
ltel
lmeory
ou’
l
lbescar
edt
otel
l
me?”
Sheli
ft
edherheadupandlookedathi
m.“Iwil
l
tr
ynottobescared.
”Shesai
dreachi
ngforhi
s
hand.
Dali
su:“Lastnightwet
ookourr
elat
ionshi
pint
o
anotherlev
el.Thebondbet
weenuswi l
lbe
strongernowt hatwehav eshar
edani nti
mate
encounter.”Heraisedthei
rhandsup.“Therei
s
nothingthatyouneedt obescaredof.Iam al
l
yourssoy oucancl ai
m me.”hesaidturni
ng
theirhands.
Thembeli
hle:“
Okay,Iwi
ll
doasy ousay…Look
atthedi
ffer
enceint
hecolourofourski
n.How
doy out
hinkGoddidthi
s?”
Dali
su:“
Ithi
nkhehaddi
ff
erentki
ndsofcl
ay
don’
tyouthi
nk?”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yeahbutnowweneedt
ogetup
andgoshower.
”
Dal
i
su:
“It
houghtwear
est
ayi
ngi
nbed.
”
Thembeli
hle:
“No,t
hatdoesn’
tmeanwewon’
t
showerandeat.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Ei
sh,
okayl
et’
sgoandshower
.”
TheygotoffthebedandThembel
ihl
efeltali
tt
le
di
scomf or
twhenstandi
ngonherfeet
.Itwasn’t
pai
nfulbutshewasn’
tcomfor
tabl
eandl egsf
elt
heav
y .Hert
highsj
oint
swer
ethepar
tthatwas
pai
nful.
Dal
i
su:
“Ar
eyouf
ine?
”
Sheshookherhead‘ no’butshetri
edtowalk.“
I
am notcomfort
ableandkubuhl ungul
a.”She
l
ookedathim point
ingthepainfulpar
ts.
Dali
su:“Okay
,Iwi
llhav
et ocarr
yy outothe
bathr
oom.Youwillbefi
neandmay beby
tomorrowthedi
scomfortwon’tbethere
becausewewon’tdoany t
hingtoday.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
No,justhol
dmyhandIwi
l
lwal
k
sothatIwi
llgetusedtoit
.”
Dal
isu:
“Okay
,that
’sagoodidea.
”Hetookher
gownandgaveitt
oher,sheworethegown.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iwillchanget
hebedcov
ers
wherear
ethecleanones?”
Dal
i
su:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.”
Thembel
i
hle:“
Iwantt
olaydownwhenIget
backf
rom t
heshower
.”
Dal
isu:
“Okay
,Iwil
ll
eaveyouint
hebat
hroom
andcomebackforthebed.
”
Thembel
i
hleal
lowedhi
mtodot
hat
.Shedi
dn’
t
event
ryt
ostophim…

Theyhav ebeeni nthebeachhouseforaweek

andhadanot herweekt ogo.Theywerehavi
ng
alovelytimet ogetherandenjoy
edbeingal
one
withoutbeingdi stur
bed.Therewerenophone
call
sdi st
urbingt hem,noknocksand
emer gencies.Theyhadal lt
heti
met o
themsel v
es.
Dali
suknewRi chardsbayver
ywel l
,hehadli
ved
ther
eandsohet ookThembelihl
etoallt
he
beauti
fulcor
nersofthecit
y.Andtheywould
takeabeachwal ksomenights.Justhavi
ng
quali
tyti
met ogether
.
“Bei
ngi nsi
deanoffi
ceisver
ycoolandtheair
condit
ionerisr
efr
eshing.
”Thembel
ihlesai
d
taki
ngadeepsi ghandsatdownont hecouch
i
nthelounge.Dal
isuhadt akenhertohi
s
company.Theyspenttheirdayther
ewor ki
ng,
Thembeli
hlewasmor eli
kehi ssecr
etar
ywhi l
e
hewasthebossbehindt hedesk.
Dal
i
su:“I
tiscoolbutIcan’
tsaymuchaboutthe
j
obthatyouwant.Cookingandchoppi
ng,
there
i
snoaircondi
ti
onerthere.
”
Thembel
ihl
elaughed.“
Idon’
tcar
ebecauseI
woul
dbedoingwhatIlove.
”Shesai
dgivi
nghim
herf
eet.
Dal
isu:
“Reall
y?Whydoesi
tseem l
i
keIam y
our
sl
avehere?
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Butbaba,weagreedthatthere
arenopeoplearoundher
esoy ou’
ll
doany thi
ng
forme.Therearenopeoplear
oundher e,weare
alone.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Iam y
oursl
ave,
bubbl
es.
”
Shegiggl
ed.Sheusedal
lherchancesbecause
sheknewthatbackhomehewasupt ight
.
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwishyoucanbeli
kethi
s,ev
ery
ti
me.”Sheclosedhereyesashemassagedher
feet
.
Dali
su:“
Youar el
uckybecauseIlov
ey ouand
youshouldknowthatinourhouseIam your
husbandIwil
lshowy oulov
eandaf f
ecti
onbut
outsi
dehomeIam t heki
ng.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“You’
l
lbel
i
ket
hisev
enathome?
”
Dali
su:“Yes,
butnottoomuch.”Hesaidand
pokedhernose,shegiggl
ed.“
Ihaven’
tbeenthe
besthusbandbecauseofthehardti
meofdad’s
passi
ngbutnowal li
swell.
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Iam happyt
oheart
hat
.Now
don’
tyouwantamassagetoo?
”
Dali
suchucked.“No!Hhay
i,t
hesefeethave
beenworkingforyear
sandtheydon’tneed
massage.”Heprotest
ed.
Thembel
i
hle:“
Hawu,
thoseyear
syouhadno
wif
enowy ouhav
eawife.
”
Dali
su:“Yes,
butmyfeet,
bubbl
es,
theyarequi
te
hardtomassage.Idon’
twantt
ohurtyour
hands.”
Thembeli
hlel
ookedathi
m andlaughed.He
ti
ckl
edherandhemadeherwor seuntil
she
beggedhi
mt ostop.Hest
opped.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Okay
,Icanmassagey
our
shoul
der
s.Sitst
rai
ghthusband.
”
Heclearedhi
sthroatandsatst
rai
ght.She
unf
astenedhisshir
tbutt
ons.Heheldherwri
st
andlookedather.
Dali
su:“
Ididn’tknowthatt
hemassageincl
uded
removalofclothes.
”hegaveheramischi
evous
smil
e.
Thembeli
hle:“Ah!Ndabezit
ha,beseri
ous
pl
ease.Don’tyouknowt hatIneedtotouchy
our
musclesi
nor dertogiv
ey ouar el
axi
ng
massage.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Oh,
oh,
youar
eri
ght
.”
Shekneeledonthecouchandmassagedhi m.
Theywerehavingali
ghtconver
sationwhil
ehe
wasfeel
inghismusclesrel
axnicel
y.
Thembeli
hle’
sphonerangfrom herbag.
Dal
i
su:
“Don’
tansweri
t.
”
“I
tmightbeimport
ant.”Shegotoffthecouch
andopenedherbagt ogetherphone.She
smil
edseeingherf
riend’
snameont hescreen.
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Hey
!Youdi
dn’
tcal
lmeasy
ou
promi
sed!”
“
Thembel
ihl
e…”Nozibusi
socr
iedandt
hat
wor
ri
edThembeli
hle.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Noz
zy,
whati
swr
ong?
”
Nozi
busiso:
“Mngani
wami
.Iam pr
egnant
!”she
t
oldherandcri
ed.
Thembeli
hle:“What!
”shewasshockedshe
tur
nedandl ookedatDali
su.Hehadhishead
l
ookingdownbutThembel ihl
esawhiseyewas
l
ookingather.Shemov edawayfrom hi
ma
l
i
ttl
e.“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”sheasked.
Nozibusiso:“
Yes,
Iam scar
edLi
hle,
myf
ather
wi
llbef uri
ous.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Wai
t,who’
sthef
atheroft
he
baby?
”
“
It
’sSimon!”Shescr
eamed,
thehor
moneswer
e
t
akingitcour
se.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Who’
sSi
monnow?
”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Agh!Gwabi
ni!
”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
Yehheni
,Jehova!Didy
outel
lhim?
Imeandoesheevenknowt hatyouwer
esick?”
Nozi
busi
so:“
No,hedidn’
tandIdon’
twantt
odo
i
tovert
hephone.Ij
usthopehewil
lbel
i
evethat
t
hebabyishi
s.”
Thembel
ihl
e:“
DoesheknowaboutNdl
ela?
”she
askedi
nwhisper
.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Yes!
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Amen!
”
Nozi
busiso: “
Don’tsayitl
i
ket
hatThembeli
hle,
pl
ease.Ijustdidn’
tthi
nkhewil
lbeser
iousand
Ndl
eladidn’twanttoletmego.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Okay,butdon’
tworrynow.You’
l
l
beagoodmom.Iknowt hat
.”Shedi
dn’
tknow
whatt
osaytoher.
Nozi
busiso:
“Canyoutaket
hechi
l
dforme?
Unti
lyouhaveyourown.
”
Thembeli
hle:“
Hehe!Meandchi ldren?Ihad
enoughwithThokozil
e’
schil
dren.”Shesaidout
l
oud.“ButImeany ourmom isthereandshe’ll
l
ookafterthebabyforyou.
”shesai dsoft
ly.
Nozi
busi
so:
“Ey
,how’
sthehoney
moon?
”
Thembeli
hle:
“Ever
ythi
ngisperfectmyf
ri
end.I
j
usthopethatyou’
llf
eelbet
tersoonanddon’
t
st
ressokay?”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Okay
,by
e.”
Thembel
i
hle:
“By
e,mommy
.”
Nozi
busi
so:
“Fusegi
!
”
Shelaughedandsaid:“
Fuseginawe.”Theyboth
l
aughedbef or
ehangingupthecall
.Thembeli
hle
si
ghedt r
yingt
oimaginehowshemusthav efel
t
whenshel ear
nedaboutherpregnancy.
“Thembel
ihl
e?”Dal
isucal
ledherandsheturned,
shewentbacktothecouchwithhim.Shelai
d
onthecouchandrestedherheadonhisl
ap.
Dali
su:“Youdon’twantchil
drenbecauseyour
si
ster’
schildr
engavey ouahar dti
me?Isthat
whatyoumeantwheny ouweretalki
ngt
oy our
fr
iendont hephone?”hewasl ooki
ngdownat
her.
Thembel
ihl
e:“Idon’
twanttotal
kaboutt
hat
.”
Shegotupfrom hi
m andtooktheTV’
sremote.
Dal
i
su:
“It
hinkIdeser
vet
oknow.
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iwasj
ustsay
ing.
”
Dali
su:“
Ibel
ievesi
ncewear ehereandwehav e
beenint
imateandoursexualencounter
swere
fl
eshtofl
esh,t
hatmeanst hepossibi
l
iti
esar
e
hi
ght
haty
ou’
l
lgi
vemeachi
l
d,r
ight
?”
Shel
ookedatt
heTVandt urnedthevol
umeup.
Hehel
dherarm andshetur
nedtolookathi
m.
Hedemandedtheanswerwithhi
seyes.
Thembel
i
hle:
“No,
ther
e’l
lbenochi
l
daf
tert
his.
”
Dal
i
su:
“Why
?”
Thembeli
hle:“
Iwenttothecli
nictheti
mey ou
saidt
hatyouaregoingbacktoy ourduti
es.I
tookaprevent
ionmethodthatwassui t
ablefor
me.”
Dal
isut
auntedhisjawandlookedatherwit
hout
say
inganyt
hing.Thembel
ihl
ecouldn’
tstandthe
l
ookonhiseyessoshedroppedherhead.
Hestoodonhi sfeetandThembel
i
hlestoodup
af
terhim.Shefollowedhi
mt ot
hebedroom.But
hedidn’
treachthedoor.
Dal
i
su:
“Whyar
eyouaf
terme?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“Mageba,
Ijustwantt
oexpl
ain.
”
Dal
i
su:
“What
?”
Thembeli
hle:
“Don’ty
ouwantustoenjoyour
marri
ageli
febefor
ebr i
ngi
ngchi
l
drenint
oour
home?Wej ustgotmarri
edIt
houghtweshould
wait
.”
“Youthoughtwhat !
”heshoutedthrowi
nghis
shir
tont hefl
oor.Thembeli
hleshutherey
eson
afli
nch.“Youthoughtthatnonsenseandtook
thedecisional
onewi t
houtconsult
ingme?”he
asked.
Thembel
i
hle:
“Iam sor
ry.
”
Dali
su:“Musaukungi bhedel
awena!Yezwa?
Uyangibhedela!”heshoutedpointi
ngather .
“Youaresor r
yf orwhatMaSt hole,huh?”he
asked,hisforeheadhadf ormedt he‘angervei
n’
thatappearedwhenwasangr y
.
Thembel
i
hle:“
It
’sjustt
hatIknewy
ouwer
e
goi
ngtoref
use.”
Dal
i
su:
“Soy
ouwentbehi
ndmyback?
”
Thembel
i
hle:
“It
’snotl
i
ket
hat
.”
“Packourbagswearegoi
nghome.”He
i
nstruct
edhermaki
nghiswaytot
hekit
chen.
Thembelihl
efol
l
owedhim.
Thembelihl
e:“
ButNdabezi
tha,west
il
lhave
anotherweekthaty
oupromisedme.Please
for
giveme.”
Dali
su:“
Youdon’tdeservei
tsowearegoi
ng
home,Thembel
ihleZulu.Nowgoandpackour
bags.Wewil
ll
eav eri
ghtaway.
”
“
Mageba-
”shedi
dn’
tfi
nishherl
i
ne.
Dali
su:“
Isaid,
weareleav
ing!
”heemphasi
zed.
Thembeli
hlenoddedandtur
nedmaki
ngherway
tothebedr
oom.
Shesatdownont hebedandbur i
edherf aceon
herhands.Shedi
dn’twanttogoy et
.Shewas
sti
l
lhavingagoodti
meandnowsheneededt o
gobackhome?Lifewasni ceandperfectatthe
beachhousebutsheruineditandnowshehad
t
ogobacktoreal
i
tyandr
esponsi
bil
i
tiesofher
l
i
febackhome…