Chapter One

YAMIHLE

She always pretended to be strong

but then today she is failing to act
so. Yamihle missed a step on the
altar, the red carpet seemed to be
long for her weak and fragile body.
Yet again she stands up to proceed,
The grip and squeezing on the
bouquet is no longer helping. Her
feet are cold, the stares ain't
portraying help or such. Even the
strongest among us can shatter,
their resilience cracking under the
weight of their emotions. There are
moments when the facade
crumbles, and the tears flow freely
within walls, where the sound of
their own screams is muffled. The
pain pours out, a cathartic release
that brings temporary relief. The act
of crying and – hitting the walls in
frustration, can be a release. a way
to let go of the pent-up emotions.
Her pain lingers again after a
therapeutic moment she had to pull
herself through in the bathroom
before walking down the altar, a
persistent ache that refuses to fade.
It's a reminder that she is never
getting justice, not in this lifetime
that for sure.

She finally makes it besides him,

her groom. The man that used
money to get a glimpse of her soul. .
. No, to get to hold her soul in his
hands because she belongs to him
now. The lobola has been paid even
if she tries to run or hide, she
became his wife the day her
parents took in his money and
refused to give it back to him when
she begged them to not sell her off.
The point was useless, yet she
wanted to try it. She thought maybe
they will think about her and her
feelings for once, who was she
kidding. She grew up in a harsh
world with tough rules while her
siblings had a way with whatever
they wished for.
Just like the day her mother found
out that her husband has been
sleeping Yamihle since she was
fourteen and yet she did nothing
about it but pretend like nothing
happened.
She would sometimes hear her
daughter's cries and screams for
help but she would just avoid it and
do anything possible to go to sleep.

“ Face your husband.”

The pastor says, she didn't hesitate
to turn to him. Her head down and
her eyes befall to her feet. Just
under that veil are her tears running
marathon down her cheeks, her
beautiful eyes turned into a beast
mock.

He didn't lift the veil off, and she is

glad he didn't. But that's because
he doesn't care at all, he wants this
thing to happen fast like a snap of a
finger and go back to his world that
he placed on pause because of this.
“ Mmh – Mhh.”
The pastor clears his throat. About
to begin. His words from that with
the peace of God. Preaching about
how beautiful love and marriage is
unity, how he and the god servants
are here to join two lovers in
marriage, and it all came like a big
slap to that man up there and his
angels.
This are not lovers. !
It's just the art of money and power
that is forcing Yamihle to join him
and it's only greed and desire that
forced him to afford Yamihle.
“ Do you take Mr MthobiLanga
Msomi as you loving wedded
husband, to love and cherish
forsaking others opinions, in
sickness and in health for better or
worst. Till death do you both
apart.?”
That was such a long question for
such a wedding. But then he is
doing his job, Yamihle blinks as the
question registers in her mind. She
bites her lip about to do the
unthinkable. Yet she knows it will
only land her in hot waters. She
should forget it, god is never
coming back to this earth.

The pastor had no choice but to

repeat the question very well for
her, MthobiLanga stands tall.
Annoyance tracing his face as his
hand goes straight to his pants
pockets while the other swipe the
tip of his nose and after that, get a
glimpse of his wrist watch. He just
looked down on the girl before him.
Life is not easy for him at this
minute because she is the hard
object detected before him. Can't
she just be fast and free him from
this place.
“ I Do.”
Her sweaty hands again grip on the
bouquet in her hands. Another tears
followed as she never raised her
head.
“ MthobiLanga, do you take Yamihle
Sibiya as your beloved wedded wife,
to love and cherish forsaking others
opinions, in sickness and in health
for better or worst. Till death do
you both apart.?”
His jaw clenched, but then there is
no thought that can ruin this
moment right.? She is just a village
girl to his rescue.

“ I Do.”
His answer made his lungs pump
more air, as if he wasn't sure even
when he convinced himself about
this. He felt like he is breaking a
promise. He felt like he crossed the
boundaries here, immediately his
face became solidified as he looked
at Yamihle, the hate brews once
again in his eyes.
He likes it that way, he wants to
hate her even when she knows
nothing. That's better that way than
to feel pity.
“ The rings.”
The pastor indicated for the rings to
be handed out. Langa takes the ring
and hand it to Yamihle to put on her
finger and he grabs his and fit it in ,
on his finger and stands.
“ I now announce you husband and
wife, you may kiss your bride.”

“ Man of God, are we done here.?”

He faced the pastor, his daring eyes
doing what's best that he loves.
Inflicting pain on others through
eyes, daring them to challenge or
dispute. The pastor nods, everyone
stands to applaud for the two.

.
.
.
MaNgethe looked at Vivian 's way
where she sat with her two
daughters and husband. But then
what interested her was how Vivian
looked so worried as if she was the
one married off to a tycoon like
Langa.
If she dares try feeling pity for
Yamihle then she should retire to
hell.
She is the root of all evil here, she
failed to be a good mother and
protect her child. And now it's
convincing that Yamihle might not
be her biological daughter with the
way she treated her.

MaNgethe is their neighbour, she

knows everything going on behind
Vivian 's wall. How she loves Her
two younger daughter's than
Yamihle, how her husband sleeps
Yamihle and how she pretends like
it's all a bluff.
She knows it all, and as a good
neighbour, she tried to help that
poor girl out. She tried to help her
run away but Sibiya would always
find her and do his worst.
As if he doesn't father her.!

Immediately when Sibiya stood up,

MaNgethe saw the opportunity to
approach Vivian and sit besides her.
She grabs the glass of wine before
her that she never touched.
“ Well well well, good riddance thou.
Bad enough it was a Jem.”
Vee sighed, she takes the glass
from MaNgethe and clicked her
tounge before MaNgethe could put
a tip of her lips.
“ There are still more tables to
offload yourself on makhi.”

“ I just thought to say hi to the

bride's mother . The wedding was
such a beautiful freedom and a
send off thar god approved. ”
MaNgethe says with a smile . Vivian
grips on her clutch bag so that she
can stand but MaNgethe pins her
down.
“ At least she will rest from your
husband's wrath you know.”
She whispered, Vee throws
MaNgethe 's hand off her shoulder
and turns her face to her.
“ don't you dare, talk what you don't
know.”
“ let's be true makhi, your marriage
was stable because of her. Now
that she is gone, who will he pick
from this two. ?”
MaNgethe seemed to have poked
the snake eyes this time around,
enhle looked at her mother and
MaNgethe trying to understand
what she meant by that. But then
she couldn't find a clue of a thing
from their conversations. Rather
she knows that her sister married a
man described for his ungodly
deeds, does it mean when she dies
that man will come to marry one of
them.?
That's how she understood what
her neighbour said.
They don't know that their father is
the reason Vivian would buy
morning after pills and make
Yamihle have overdose.
They don't know that their father
sleeps their elder sister.
“ I would also marry them off too.
Otherwise my door is always open
to listen to their cries . Angithi you
fail to control you man and lets him
do as he pleases. You fail to protect
your children from a man like him. ”
MaNgethe whispered as she stands
up when she noticed how boiling
Vivian is already.
“ buy some tissues with the lobola
money, you'll need them."
That was her final blow as she left
their table. Apart from that a man in
black suit and a white tie walks in,
goes straight to the mic and draws
attention with his voice. He is
actually Mr Langa 's best man.
“ Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for
the distraction and the
inconvenience caused.
Unfortunately the groom and the
bride won't be joining us. But they
passed their gratitude and
appreciation for your time, and that
being said. . . Everyone can enjoy
the meals being served . Take your
time and enjoy, there is plenty more
in the kitchen. After that, let's
respect the venue as we go to our
respected homes. Thank you.!”
He then gets off the stage. His
words leaving Vivian shattered.
As if she would feel much better if
she sees Yamihle for the last time.
Yet guilt was twisting her by tits.
“ What did Miss MaNgethe mean
Mama.? Does it mean if sister Yami
dies or gets killed. . . That Mr Langa
will come and pick one of us.?”
Enhle asked with concern. Her eyes
caught up with Sibiya coming back
and she quickly puts on a smile
“ She talks nonsense all the time.
You know her. Just don't pay
attention to whatever she says.”
NESTA MSOMI

“ I didn't see you at the wedding.”

That's her get in mode when her
eyes lands on her father. Seated
and much unbothered about
Mthobi's life. He made it his priority
to never wish to see his father next
to him by a chance. So there was
no need to attend something he
wasn't invited to.
“ Come on baba, are you two still
fighting.?”
Well he is Solomon Msomi and
fighting with a child is not his thing.
MthobiLanga is still young to
understand the ways of life. And
that's what can comfort him to sit
back and watch as his son creates
more mistakes.
“ I wasn't invited. So basically I
wasn't allowed.”

“ But you helped him pay lobola, I

thought you two settled down.
Come on now, this thing of you and
my brother fighting is getting out of
hand.”
Solomon scoffs as he puts aside the
book of politics on the small table
aside and picked up the juice
instead. Nesta sat on the couch and
takes off her heels.
“ Your brother have big balls to
point a gun on my forehead.
Forgetting that I made him the man
he is today. ”

“ But you refused him to grieve his

wife and mother.”
Oh that topic again. !

“ What Mthobi should should

understand is that this world
doesn't revolves around him Nesta,
and for god sake ubabakho naye
washonelwa yi mistress yakhe in all
that. So she wasn't grieving alone.
Period."
( Your father also lost his
mistress in all that.)

Nandi says , walking in to rub the

shame on her husband's face. First
of all MthobiLanga is the first seed
of this grumpy man she married
and also the illegitimate son at that,
because he slept with someone on
their wedding night.
And that someone is Mthobi 's
mother.
“ kodwa Mama. . .”
( But mom. . .)

“ enough.! I've had it up to god with

that boy. He knows the family
secrets and he should have done
best to keep them sealed. And
about grieving. . .I never said
anything about that.”
Nesta closes her mouth knowing
very well this conversation might
take left turn too quick. He will
deny it, but the truth is there.
Mthobi is hurt, he is going through
a lot and it's all because of this two .
It's never about the family business
because Mthobi knows how to
handle things. He knows much
more about the family business
than they think he knows and he is
doing better to keep that within him.
Right after her father took off she
looked at her mother grabbing the
juice he left behind.
“ Fine, let's say it's family business.
But then to this day he is still
looking for whoever murdered them.
Dad promised him that he will help
him find out, who was it.?”
It felt like the juice was bitter in his
mouth as she looked at her
daughter. Pleading to god to give
him the child she birthed because
this one before her is about to be
shifted back to heaven.
“ You allowed him to leave Nesta,
why didn't you ask him before he
got himself off the couch."

“ It's been two years. And dad never

spend that much to get what he
wants.”

“ Yhoo.! Yhoo.!”
Nandi gets up and leaves Nesta all
by herself.
“ I have my own son to worry about
too.!”
She includes as she takes the stairs.

Chapter Two

I'm trying in many ways to be at

least the good wife Mam MaNgethe
advised I should be. She was the
only woman who offered to give
advices the day the bride price was
paid. Explaining how I should
behave like a good wife and please
the ' husband.'
First day I got here I thought things
will go bad as a limp. Or maybe I'm
yet to get there.
I help Miss Hellen, the housekeeper.
. . with some house chores around
sometimes. If not that then I'll be
caging myself in the room for the
rest of the day. Mr Msomi and I
don't share a room. The last time I
saw him, it was on our wedding day.
Apparently he didn't even spend
the night here when Miss Hellen
told me.
It's been a week now.
– I'm not expecting anything at this
point. I don't expect the husband
treatment or the lovey Dovey
scenarios because it's clear that am
the example of what his money can
afford.
I tried all means to accept that I'll
never be something special to
anyone when I failed to be
something precious to my own
mother's eyes.
I can only thank god that am
somehow away from the pains I
went through in her hands.
Am just glad that I won't be
screaming from now and then for
help.
“ G. . Good morning.”
My voice nearly died, my eyes fixed
on the lady with shaper heels that
balanced her stand . Wearing a
black pencil skirt with a white t-
shirt.
It's been a week after the wedding
and there was never visits.
“ Hi darling.”
I'm puzzled but there is a smile on
my face. I don't know how to
actually respond. Her eyes are
making me nervous the more, and
she is a good smiler too.
“ am actually your husband's
younger sister, younger stepsister
actually. My name is Nesta by the
way.”
She goes behind the kitchen
counter and goes to where the
glasses are, grab one and get
bottled water in the fridge.
“ Uhm. . .”
“ I know, your husband is not
around. But then am here to see
you.”

“ Oh.”
My hands are sweating at this point.
Let me just say it's the first time am
with someone from his family side.
“ Your wedding dress looked quite
beautiful actually. You looked
amazing.”
Am still on my feet, feeling a little
shy and not knowing what else to
expect.
Mam MaNgethe did also give me a
thing or two about husband
relatives that might not accept me.
And throughout the week after the
wedding no one pitched in. It gave
me a thought that no one accepted
this marriage in as much as me too.
But then I found no other choice of
how to run away from my own
demons.
“ I was about to make something to
eat . . . I can cook rice if that's ok.”
She looks my way, a small smile on
her lips.
“ Why don't I take you out for
breakfast, just like sister in-laws
hanging out.?”

I opened my mouth to say

something but failed to voice it out,
Miss Hellen walks in. Obviously they
know each other with their formal
greet.
“ I'll go find something else to wear.
. . Then.”
I turned back and head to the
direction of my room.

My breath escalate normal levels as

I reached for the closet. My clothes
hardly fill a single wardrobe. I need
something that can hide my scars
on my arms, and the ones that
refuse to fade on my back. I need
something less revealing just like
the long dress with long sleeves
that am wearing. Just that it's too
village for her style and to go out in.
.
.
.
MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

“ The guy I've been looking for.”

James walked in Mthobi's office. He
is used to that without a knock.
They have been best friends at first
sight and so far he is the only friend
who have a good taste of sense
when he needs a one to one man
talk.
“ Hey man.”
His face says otherwise. His mind
was already reeling on something
else, something he hated to think of
most times.
“ How is life after marriage.?”
Mthobi says nothing but sighed.
That's another theory of his life and
it's not sweet at all.
“ Your housekeeper says you
haven't been home for a week.”
“ are you keeping tabs on me now
.?”
“ Nesta went to your house looking
for you, and you know when she
doesn't find you am the one to take
the bait.”
He clicks his tounge annoyed. Nesta
won't quit mingling in his life the
same way she never closed her
mouth since they were introduced
as siblings. She never hated him the
way Senzo and their mother, Nandi
does.
“ I've been busy with some work.”

“ I wasn't born seconds ago Mthobi.

Come on, what's going on.? I
thought this is what you wanted. I
thought it's one of those plans to
heal and move on.”
Well that's what he thought too. But
then life is never the same on his
side, no matter how much he wants
to change it. He failed to catch his
wife and mother's killer for the past
two years. He is scared to erase his
late wife's memories, he is afraid to
even fall in love at this point
because what if he also lose again
this time.
It's never easy when you are always
your father's shadow.
“ Am healing just fine James,
seriously. Am good.”

James watched as Mthobi got off

his chair, he says nothing but put
his feet on his desk because he
knows that's a blue lie there. He is
never good, absolutely not fine at
all.
Mthobi stands before the window
side and looked out. It takes him
back when he had suicidal thoughts
first. A month after his beloved
mother and dear wife's burial. He
was at his house on the balcony
and tried to jump off the building. It
was Nesta who managed to drag
him back and obviously called
James to come and punch his face
black that day.
He turned this whole city upside
down looking for those murders but
he found none.
That's how the whole city got to
know of what he is capable of doing
when holding a gun.
He still can't understand why they
were killed, and his father seemed
to know something that he won't
spit out even to this day. He won't
say who killed his mother and wife
because he had people investigate
the matter. After few months he
dropped the investigation saying
that it's a waste of time and his
money. That Mthobi should just
forget about them. And that the
dead will never rise.

The guts Solomon had to spit such.!

And it's obvious that he knows
something about it. And Mthobi is
not letting him slide off just like that,
even if it takes him another two
years to find out. . . He will find out.!
He have to find out.
“ Don't let your past pull you in.”
Mthobi didn't respond but breathed
out. Getting to let his thoughts at
the far back of his mind and slowly
let's his muscles rest. Maybe he
needed those words from James.
But then they don't motivate him to
the extent of falling in love.
That's the last thing he needs right
now, love should be the last thing
on his mind. Healing doesn't always
involve love. Sometimes it's just him
finding someone to bear kids for
him and have his legacy go on.

What if he gets to love her but at

the end she gets killed like his late
wife.?
What if she becomes his weakness.?

It's best if she is just a wife that

means not even a string of his hair.
Just someone who is there to help
him out on his life journey, that's all.

“ Oh, Nesta sent me a picture of her

and your wife at the mall.”
Mthobi slowly make a turn to face
James, and again faced the window
with no face expression.

" At least you wouldn't go back to

find her skeletons in your house
because you left her all alone.”

“ Mam Hellen is another soul in my

house so she wasn't alone. Women
always find themselves talking and
gossip. Stop making it look like I
swore at god.”
James giggled listening to his
sarcastic voice. What an idiot he is.
He just got married not divorced.
And it's a big sin to leave the bride
like he did.

“ And so, any news about the other

company I sent you it's name to
look up for me.?”
Mthobi changes the topic as he
walked back to his chair.
James didn't come here for that,
but then since he is already here he
have no choice. Mthobi pushed his
feet off his desk and await his
answer and opens his laptop.
“ Unfortunately I didn't bring my
iPad with me.”

“ don't you know how to memorize

information at this age.?”
James giggles. Why is he actually
alive if not to stress him out of his
worries.
“ An IT always have a lot of things in
mind bro, there is no more room for
other problems.”

“ Okay, can you send me the details

by email or something when you
get a hold of your iPad. ”

“ Are you going home tonight.?”

Mthobi raised an eyebrow at him
because whatever that just came
out of his mouth have nothing to do
with what he asked seconds ago.
“ I mean I might send them to you
later on, and obviously at the end of
the day everyone leaves their
offices to resume back home. So I'll
send it on your home computer. I
still have your email.”
James grins.

“ lots of your emails actually.”

He includes looking at how Mthobi
quickly got annoyed. It's not James
's fault that he said he wants to heal
, move on, numb his damn pain
and fill up the gaps of his life. And
no one pointed a gun at him to go
wife someone. He was in his hurting
senses when he said he wants to
get married again.
“ I can shoot you this minute and no
one will find your corpse.”
“ Well it won't be the first time you
kill someone. I mean, I remember
sometime waking up to find your
face on my TV for suspected
murder. You trended for days
there.”
James chuckled , putting his feet
back up on Mthobi 's desk.

“ get your sticks off my desk.”

He says giving James a serious
glare but he just laughed to his
misery. He damn knows that look
and at this point it doesn't scare
him. He will have to be strong.

.
.
.

Nesta 's eyes scan Yamihle. A deep

concern as she catches a glimpse of
her scars that roamed on her arms.
She can see that she tried covering
them up since she had no other
dress with long sleeves like the one
she found her in. Although she
somehow used a black lace fabric
to cover her shoulders.
And the way she is quietly behaving
could tell that she is not used to
people.
Somehow distant and
uncomfortable around public. Her
eyes were scanning the place from
time to time when they got here
but the icecream before her is
somehow a therapy taste to her
mind.
“ Can I ask about my sister in-law.?”
Yamihle looked up to Nesta. She
was smiling at her, but when she
saw Yamihle pulling the nervous
face on her again. . .she was quick
to understand that she doesn't want
to talk about something that's about
herself or rather her past. And
Nesta have been the one asking
questions and bringing up topics all
along.
She is just friendly and doesn't want
to make it look like no one loves her
new brother 's wife. She is not like
her mother.
She just wants to help her step
brother heal, that's all. Mthobi has
been a good brother ever since
they met as siblings. She was just
ten, and from there she became his
little sister. Mthobi treated her good
than Senzo could try.
And she always sided with Mthobi
instead of Senzo. Their sibling
connect grew better than that of
the son her mother birthed.

“ You never told me your name.”

She asked, scooping a spoon of her
own Vanilla ice cream.
“ Oh, Uhm. It's Yamihle . . .Yamihle
Msomi.”
She blushed as she said that, finally
getting to plaster her husband's
surname at the end of her name.
Nesta giggles looking at Yamihle
melt like that.
“ well, I need to record you. Your
husband should hear how his
surname sounds sweet from your
voice.”
Yamihle tried to not giggle but
couldn't hold it back. Funny how
the husband can stay a week away
after marrying her. So won't her
voice make him stay away for a
year this time.

Chapter Three

NESTA MSOMI

“ Where have you been.?”

He didn't even wait for her to drop
her bag and have a time to sit so
that the pile of food she ate at the
restaurant could digest well.
Finally Nesta throws herself on the
couch. Flip her heels off her feet
and exhale with a smile. It was such
a day away from the hospital for a
day. Having a day with Yamihle was
such a good time.
“ What do you mean where have I
been, am I your wife or your mate
Senzo.?”
She snaps, getting to look at her
brother with disgust.
Who still wears a gown and
sleeping shorts at this hour of the
day.
“ I needed some painkillers. And
mom was also looking for you
before she left.”
“ There are other doctors out there,
jeez.!”
She is not even a fully trained
doctor because she is doing her
practicals . She is about to graduate
later this year. Senzo is just jealous
that Nesta prefer Mthobi over him,
whereas they both share same
mother unlike Mthobi.

“ I saw your status. Is she the wife.?”

“ You and your parents never

pitched at the wedding, so how
would you know.?”
“ I had crisis.!”

“ Crisis or hate.? Well I beg your

finest qualified pardon Senzo, like it
or not Senzo, Mthobi is our elder
brother. And he means Well.! He
was never here to replace you in
the first place. He was just a son
that our father had out of
marriage.”
He clicks his tounge. And he knows
that Nesta won't see things the was
he sees them as a man.
His fortune and fatherly love is
shaken each time he hears Mthobi
's name actually.
Senzo grew up being next to his
father, they would do things like
father and son while Nesta was a
mama's girl being pampered like a
doll. So she wouldn't know how
Senzo felt when another boy came
to share that fatherly love with him.
And eventually after that Mthobi
took everything that was promised
to Senzo. At least that's what Senzo
thinks.

Their father gave Mthobi the family

business to handle, not just any
business but the only business that
puts respect to this family. And now
it feels like it's Mthobi who feed
Senzo, wherever Senzo goes either
looking for contract deals for his
own company or so, they would
respect him when they get to know
that Mthobi Is his brother.
And that annoys him because he
became Mthobi 's shadow where he
gets his scrumbs.

Not only that but their father gave

Mthobi to handle the hitmen
association business. When his
father retired, he placed Mthobi as
the one to fill in for him. While
Senzo grew up with a promise that
he will be the one to replace his
father. He trained all his life for that
position.

“ it's annoying and irritating that

you prefer strangers than someone
you shared a womb and a breast
with ”
Nesta stands up already had
enough with Senzo. Today she has
a night shift at the hospital and he
is not about to get her tired before
she even starts her shift.
“ The three of us shared a sperm
sag actually. So I don't see a
stranger, the only strangers here
are the women that birthed us. And
I don't hate you Senzo, I hate your
mentality and behaviour around our
own brother as if he wished to be
the way he is. You should hate pops
for his mistakes, not someone who
did you no wrong. and I've seen
how Mthobi tried to be a better
person for your own level years
back, but you choose mind
corruption over your own blood.”

He clicks his tounge. Nesta picked

up her heels and bag but then
before she could leave she just
glared at Senzo for the last time.
“ Wait Senzo, do not get me wrong
if I ask you this. Could you hurt
Mthobi to the extent of seeing him
unhappy with pain and love
absency for years. Will that please
your heart or make your bruised
ego feel alive again.?”

“ And where is that question

supposed to point in any sense of
meaning.?”
Nandi walked up to the two . Senzo
clears his throat and Nesta faced
her mother.
“ it's just a question. ”
“ Nesta, you are beginning to bore
my flesh Nana. This thing of yours
and always protecting Mthobi like
he is a president has to stop. ”
Nesta breathed out and faced
Senzo.
“ I was just asking. ”
Again she turns to her mother.
“ And it's just a question. It's not like
I enjoy having my brothers fighting
over something it's above their
grip.”
She walks away from her mother
and Senzo. At least a few hours
sleep before 6pm might help. She
has a night shift for God's sake.!
.
.
.

Later that night. . .

She didn't want to disappoint Nesta
by telling her that she felt
uncomfortable around crowd or
outside the house.
Since she came here a week ago
this walls have been nothing but a
comfort zone to her. She feels safe
and at peace away from people.
Just as always she is so used to
satisfying others and not herself.
She knows that she could have just
told her that ' take me home ’
instead of enduring the public
stares on her scars and making her
feel less herself again. Her
emotions were not stable everytime
she saw a man walking their way. It
was somehow scary thinking that
her father might be amongst them.
To torment her again, she felt like
Sibiya was every man at the mall.
And so, when Nesta dropped her
back home first thing she did first
was to run to her room. Lock the
door sealed and closed the curtains
and windows before pouring her
heart out with cries and wetting her
pillows.

She only woke up because it's late

and her hunger is prophesying on
food. Miss Hellen must have cooked
something delicious for dinner. She
really knows how to cook, last time
she loved the mashed pumpkin she
cooked as a little snack for lunch.
A chuckle mumbled behind the
kitchen walls as Yamihle got closer.
And miss Hellen 's voice also
sounds as plate noise follows.
Her heart beat fastens as she saw
Mthobi 's back, seated on the stool
while Hellen is busy with the pots
and her voice agreed to whatever
Mr Mthobi must have said.
Yamihle looks at herself and she is
wearing the same dress she went
out wearing. And it doesn't have
sleeves, she forgot her veil on the
bed.

“ Nomndayi, it's not good to stand

behind your husband.”
He calmly says, he didn't have to
turn and look at her to know that
she was standing behind him.
Yamihle gasped noticing that she
was discovered before she could
run back to her room and get her
veil or change into something to
cover herself up. She slowly takes
steps and approach his empty side
on the left.
“ I didn't. . . Mean it. . . To stand. . .
There.”
Her throat is such a scratch
betrayer. She gulped, he didn't look
her way but she felt his eyes on her
already. He felt her little innocent
scared aura besides him.
Yamihle avoids the stool next to
him and went for the second empty
stool and takes a sit. Her eyes trail
to miss Hellen, she definitely wants
to stand up and help her out. But
then her hands are already loose to
shake her fragile bones if to hold
something. Her lips are trembling as
she badly tries to ease them with
few harmless small bites. And
definitely not looking his way.

She didn't expect him in his own

house, well don't blame her but she
feels better without him here. What
else can she do because he is her
husband, fate won't do a U-turn.
They are already up on the highway.
This is marriage.!
“ How was the Mall.?”
He breaks the silence. Yamihle
looked his way slowly and quickly
looked away. Her eyes went to Miss
Hellen who quickly turned to the
sink and wash her hands.
Taking out the plates in a tray to
the dining room.
“ it was. . . Nice.”
She bites her lower lip feeling bad.

“ It was Miss Nesta who insisted.”

He damn knows Nesta is capable of
dragging a soul out of hell. She can
convince anything actually, but
Yamihle feels bad that she is
burning her dear sister in-law on
her husband. What if he retaliate.
“ I didn't mean to disrespect.”
Again she includes, Mthobi 's exhale
nearly sounded like a whisper. It's
obvious that Yamihle is too
innocent for him. . . And here he is
trying to not feel bad about his
moving on decisions and healing
process.
Too bad because no city girl
wanted to associate themselves
with him or anything like him, so he
had no choice but to go to the
villages. He was surprised that even
at the villages he is that famous and
bad mouthed like it's a sin to kill
those who hurt him first, yet
Yamihle 's family gave him their
daughter.
To a murderer that everyone hates.
“ food is ready.”
Miss Hellen announced.
“ Put my share in the oven. I'll be
back.”
He is escaping, scared of how he
will now have to face Yamihle for
another minute. He gets his phone
and leaves.
Yamihle blinked and somehow
breathed out when he was far.
Quickly wiping away a tear on her
cheek that escaped before miss
Hellen could spot it.
.
.Chapter Four
YAMIHLE

She giggles as she hold the bucket

of water and mop walking besides
Miss Hellen. She is a talker, very
good at jokes . How she grew up
being a trouble buddy, stressing her
parents with the way she talked and
stood up for herself. Yamihle wish
she had that kinda family, bubbly
and loving. She wish she knew how
freedom tastes like since childhood
and how a mother's love feels like.
“ You remind me much of my
neighbour.”
She says with a smile, she does
miss MaNgethe everytime she is
with Miss Hellen.
They are humble ladies, making her
feel like she is their daughter
instead of Vivian 's child.
“ You miss home.?”
Yamihle looks down and says
nothing, her face expression
changes to a sad face.
She doesn't miss that place, she
just wish she can erase her past
memories. She wish there was
never a home like that in the first
place.
“ Don't worry, Mr Msomi can allow
you to visit them. He is not that
cruel as you think.”
“ No.!”
Yamihle yelled, looking at Miss
Hellen with fear.
Her grip on the bucket loosen and it
falls and breaks, splashing the
water allover.
Her eyes gets to catch a glimpse of
Mthobi who was standing on his
feet with his laptop on his hands,
looking at the two ladies with
confusion.

Her tears falls as she looked at him.

He is home, why.? Can't he just
disappear like he used to for the
past few days. ?
“ I'm sorry. ”
She says getting on her knees,
wetting her dress as she picked the
broken bucket and tried to gather
the water back with hands. Quickly
taking the mop to mop some of it.
“ I didn't mean it.”
“ Ma'am. . .”
Hellen gets to stop her, Mthobi puts
his laptop down and before he
could make a stop, Yamihle fasten
her legs as she rushed to get to her
room. Closing the door and locked
it. Her back against it as she cried.

“ Any explanation of what just

happened.?”
He raised an eyebrow to Miss
Hellen when his hands finally gets
to be buried in the depths of his
pockets. It's not a formal wear like
he always wears. Just simple black
pants and a white shirt.
“ Sir, I don't know. She usually helps
me clean the house, then we always
engage in conversations. I don't
know what I said wrong.”
His eyes befall the splashed water
on the floor, well he just witnessed
his wife yell, so there is more what
his eyes sees before him.
“ She said I remind her, her
neighbour back in the village. And I
asked if she missed home. She then
suddenly got sad so I only said she
could ask you as her husband to
permit her to go visit home. Then
she yelled no. that's all. ”

Mthobi frowns, that's not usually

something a normal person can do.
Especially someone who grew up
like her. Village girls always misses
home, the city makes them
uncomfortable and they are not
used to it. So he could expect her
to kiss home and wish to see her
siblings, why would she refuse like
that.
“ it's okay, you can clean this up. ”
He says and grabbed his laptop
with some few documents he had
on the table and leaves Miss Hellen.

He hears sobs inside Yamihle 's

room as he intends to pass by to his
own room. He stops and looks at
the door, something in him poking
his chest to go and knock. Quickly
he removed that thought at mind.
It's obvious that she is sad about
something. . . Reason being
connected to what she just did back
there.

He sighed, thinking that she is

angry at her parents because they
gave her hand in marriage to him.
That's why she might be like this
and refusing to go visit.
All because of him. Well he didn't
mean to break their bond apart if
that's the case...
Mthobi finally walks away without
another thought to this matter.

.
.
.
Enhle watched as Mbali , her sister
is busy chatting over the phone.
Something that she always does,
but then it's annoying now because
ever since Yamihle got married, no
one cooks or clean the house. It's
not spotless like before in here, oh
and the cooking. . . They will both
get kicked out on the first day of
being married if so. They were both
so used to being pampered and
doing nothing most of the times.
Sister Yamihle was always there to
numb their needs.

They would go shopping and have

nights out, but then this days it's
not lie the same. Instead of going
for nights out like before, they need
to figure out what's for dinner first.
And shopping is lesser, if that's the
word to use. Their father is hardly
home after Yamihle left.
And just like that he doesn't dash
them money anymore. While Vivian
is something turning into something
else.
Telling them to wear long things to
cover up their thighs. To act like
kids and not their age mates. As if
trying to turn them into Yamihle
who was better at wearing ling
things and locking herself in the
room all the time.
“ Who are you chatting with.?"
She asked when Mbali was too
focused with smiles.
“ None of your business.”
“ oh, really.? We always share
things. What changed ?”
Mbali looked at Enhle and rolled her
eyes. Then gets back at chatting
with whomever is keeping her
company.
“ come on let me see.!”
She gets closer to Mbali and she
avoids Enhle , putting a pillow
inbetween them and decrease the
phone bright. Hiding it from Enhle
to see.
“ Mbali.”
“ Enhle.?”

“ Since when you hide secrets from

me.?”
“ Because I have a right.”
She claps back and stands up from
the couch.
“ oh, I'll be out. Please, do try
cooking something else before
mom is back. You know how she
behaves lately.”

“ it's your day to cook .”

“ And I'll be out. So I won't make it

back to cook Enhle. Am still your
elder sister after sis Yamihle.”

.
.
.
.

NANDI

Nesta finally makes it back home,

she yawns after closing the door.
Putting her phone in her doctor 's
coat and puts her bag on the table
stand right after the door.
“ Good morning people.!”
She yells and smiled, obviously she
is back to annoy them with her
sleepy eyes.
Nandi and Solomon were just
seated on the couch. Watching TV
while Senzo is where god can find
him.
“ Hey my baby.”
Nandi says, then looked at Nesta
with a smile. While her father just
glued his eyes on the TV screen.
Nesta looked at her mother's happy
face, that's the first. And it's scaring
her damn eyes to see such.
“ Are you good.?”
Nesta asked Nandi.

“ yeah. ”
“ You need anything.? Because I
know that smile ain't always there
unless occasionally.”
She then heads to the kitchen.
“ Am. . . Fine Nesta.”
Well if she says so, Nesta opens the
cupboards and pulled out
cornflakes. Then head to the fridge
to get a jar of milk. After that she
gets a fresh bowl and made her
breakfast.
She sat at the kitchen still facing
the lounge where she had a perfect
view at her parents.

Nesta just scooped a spoon

drowning with milk and cornflakes .
“ Nesta my baby. . .”
She burst out of laughter as she
looked at her parents.
She knew Nandi had something to
say, her smile comes with
consequences.
“ I knew you had something to say.
Yini.?”
( What .?)

“ Can you convince Mthobi and his

wife to come up for dinner.?”
Her eyes wide.
“ Mashwe amabadi Kimi.”
( I must be going through a lot .)
She giggles as she takes another
bite.
“ There are other things I need to
discuss with your brother.?”
Solomon says and Nesta just felt
like it's her life that needs hot
spices at this minute .
“ You have his number, baba. ”
Solomon sighed looking at the TV,
calling Mthobi won't end well. That
boy hated him beyond.
“ You are the only one that talk to
him better. And it might be good to
talk about introducing his wife to
the ancestors, we never did that
after he got married.”

“ Good luck with that. I just came

back, I need some rest.”
She smiles and got off the stool,
heading upstairs
.
.Chapter Five

NESTA MSOMI

Nesta locks the door to her room

and takes out her phone from her
white coat before throwing herself
on the bed.
She smiles after pressing Mthobi's
contacts . Rolling on the bed till her
head adjusted to the pillows.
Mthobi was much focused on
finishing up with the documents
before his study table. The ringtone
of his phone is something that got
his mind stressed than he already is.
Well he is not expecting any call
from Any client today and nor does
he have a scheduled
appointment. . .

" Mthobi speaking. "

He picked up without eying the
contact details on the screen and
uses his shoulder to balance the
phone as his fingers do the busy
work for him.

" you will end up being scammed

online someday."

When Nesta ' s voice kicks in he

sighed.
Not that of relief but that of
annoyance, he hates it when she
does this kinda stunts. She damn
knows how busy he is usually.

" What do you want.?"

" how are you bhuti wami.?"

She giggles and obviously he is

losing focus at this point. She wont
give up.

" am damn fine Nesta . What do you

want.?"

" do you always have to be this

serious and bully all the time.? What
if am on the verge of death asking
for help."
" says a doctor that has a gun in her
car, her bag , and capable of taking
not only one but three guns to her
working place where they are not
allowed. Oh, with also a killing
degree. Unless your help is to
irritate me further than god is
already doing. Now, spit it out. I
don't have all day."

Nesta smiles and gets to giggle.

Mthobi always pretend like she
doesn't exist but then here he is
knowing every single detail about
her. Things that senzo won't even
point out.

" How is sister in-law.?"

" you two must have exchanged

numbers, you can call her."

Nesta rolled her eyes.

" She has no damn phone. And you
blocked us from your home
landlines. I would have spent a
thousand rand airtime by now."

He raised an eyebrow at her. She

has no phone.? What kind of a lady
in this generation is she to not have
no phone.?
" Oh, that's odd."

" Do you even know her age.?"

She giggles and remembered that

she haven't taken her shoes off as
she now gets to sit on the bed and
take her sneakers off.

" By the way, did you notice the

scars on her arms and on her back.?
I was scared to ask her. She looked
so afraid and uncomfortable in
public. I felt bad. . .and worse part
she spent a whole ten minutes in a
ladies toilet. "

Mthobi gets to sit back and slowly

closes his laptop. That's wild for
him to hear. . .but then all at the
same time because she grew up in
the villages. It must have been hard
with the house chores and all that.
And also some might be from her
childhood. Scars heal but don't
fade. Hers might be not painful but
still have a face to show on her skin.

" first time I hear another woman

complain about women spending
time in a bathroom or so."

" am damn serious. She must have

been crying, who knows. "
" Well. . . Well she acted strange
this morning. Helen asked if she
misses home and she angrily
refused. To the extent of locking
herself up. I would have said she
just missed home but it's not that, if
not she hates me for marrying her
then I don't know."

Nesta bites her lip. That's uncalled

for unless she is just not feeling the
environment or sad about
something. Whatever it is. She
must have also have a public
disorder. Something like that. . .

" Anyways , can you come up for

dinner.?"

" Shit no.!"

He answered without another

thought. If he needs to have dinner
then Miss Helen and his wife are
there to make something eatable
for him.

" You didn't even wait for me to tell

you the reason."

" Nothing that your father says is

ever good to my ears. So no, am
not coming up for dinner. I have a
house and enough food to feed
myself. "

His temperature is rising above

levels. Why would they want to
have dinner with him today when
they failed to pitch in at his
wedding. Fuck the excuse that they
were never invited, does one need
an invitation to his son's wedding.?
Someone he birthed. . .

" Look, it's about sister in-law

Yamihle. They want to do a
welcome ceremony for her. For
your ancestors to know her as your
new wife."

His heart take a stand. A blink to

thin air as he faces the white wall
far from him.

" For your late wife to at least know

that someone will be there to take
care of you like she wished. I know
its a bad timing to say this. But it
has to happen. . .let their spirits
know that someone is there to take
care of you, to love you and to bear
kids for you in the future. I know
that you loved late sister in-law
wholeheartedly and no one can
replace that, not even your new
wife or me. And you know the
reasons you wanted to get married
again. Trust me, you are doing just
that. No one is saying you should let
go of the memories mtasekhaya.
Am only saying heal the wounds.
Find peace in you. And you know. . .
Aunt would have loved to see you
smile even off her presence. This
might be a way of finding another
part of your life you didn't know
existed in you."

" it's not happening. "

He gulped. Not sure if those are the

correct words he wanted to say but
he just said it. That he is not doing
that with them. . .
He was savage enough to hang up
the phone before Nesta could try
and say another thing to her.
Then stands up and goes to the bin,
taking out the phone battery and
dumping it all in the bin and silently
goes back to continue his work.

He gulps, yet his throat remains dry.

Filled with words that he wants to
say so bad to someone that is ready
to listen to him. To his cries and
pleas. Standing up again from the
desk once his mind was now fully
distracted and he went to the photo
besides the bed on the night stand.
A beautiful wedding photo of his,
his late mother and obviously his
late wife. Three of them happy and
smiling.
All events of that day trying to bring
his mind down but he was quick to
block them and looked away.

He is tired of that pain and many

flash backs, they will haunt him.
Worse part he can't even go to the
therapist because this is a cold
murder case that won't be cracked.
Will he tell a stranger that he also
kills.? That his wife and mother
might also have been killed because
he also have shadows following
behind him.? No. . . Solomon will
completely go insane. Not only will
he sell himself but also sell his
family business that he spent years
dusting till to this day after his
father passed it down to him when
he retired. And one thing his
mother was forever telling him was
to never let goes of that company
because it's his legacy. And if he
does she will never find peace
within herself. He is doing just that,
honoring her last wish.
.
.
.

SENZO MSOMI

" I'm pregnant. "

Her voice still lingered within his
ears. Gulping on the whiskey glass
before him and passing the glass to
the bartender to fill him up.

" You should go home. It's Saturday

in lords name."

" your salary comes from me. And

am not complaining. "

He fires back. The bartender closes

his mouth shut and filled up the
glass and also putting the bottle
closer to senzo. Letting the man
drown deep in his misery.

" Am going to be a father.!"

How he had energy to be surprised
and happy at the same time that
day. Looking at her with happiness
while she shook her head.
" but am married, to your brother. I
can't keep this child."
His eyes wide and getting teary the
more she looked at her.
" are you damn out of your mind.?
I'll rather have myself hated by him
than to let this child due. My child.!"
He roared scarring her more than
she was already. Holding her by
neck and pinning her against the
wall. Closer to her breath as she
had it hard to breathe.
" you are keeping that child. We are
keeping that child. You love me not
him."
Well that's true. She loves senzo
and not Mthobi, but then at the
same time she doesn't want to
break him. If mthobi finds out about
this then he might just die of
heartattack because he loves her
dearly. Worse part they grew to
love each other. It all changed
when she met senzo. Damn this
boy.! Such a player that she fell
deep.
A glass breaking sound startled the
two right at the door.

Oh they forgot to close it.! Mthobi's

mother stood there still looking at
the two. Her ears did not expect
what she heard. And she didn't
mean to make her presence known
to the two.

" are you sure you are good.?"

The bartender asked this time
around. Senzo is seeing lights at
this point but he doesn't stop. Once
the glass is put he grabs the bottle.
Straight to his mouth.
He can swear to God that he didn't
kill them. He was looking forward to
be a father too. He would have
sacrificed himself too. . .but he
didn't kill them.

He can take an oath to that. . .

.
.
.

Vivian can hear moans as she walks

inside the house. Her heart started
to pick up a sound quickly, thinking
that maybe her ancestors are
playing tricks at her. She slowly
walks in the house and drops her
bag on the couch rushing to attend
to the noise. And yes, that's a girl's
voice moaning. She couldn't help
her tears that shed like rain.
Standing on the door and doesn't
know if to open the door or to just
stand there.
Scared to find out which of her
daughters must be in there.
Worse part they are doing it in their
matrimonial bedroom. Couldn't he
have went out to find a brothel to
buy girls out there. She even let
him have all of Yamihle's bride price
to go and have time out there with
other girls so that she can save a
two daughters from him.

She takes a step back, muffling her

cries and wiping her tears.
Suddenly the moans die down. She
is waiting for him to come out and
so she can see her daughter, to see
who is she.? Even if she ask if sibiya
forced himself on one, there is
nothing that she will do.
But then a giggle erupted right
inside the room. . .

Did he bring a prostitute or a

mistress in their home.?

Because if it was one of her

daughters. . .shouldn't they be
crying for help and yelling at him
with hate.?
.
.
.Chapter Six

MTHOBILANGA

Miss Helen was about to knock on

Yamihle 's door, but lucky Yamihle
was also coming out of her room.
Changed into cleaner clothes and a
small smile when she saw miss
Helen.
“ I was about to knock.”
Miss Helen says with a smile too.
Yamihle gets closer and hold her
hands. She looks at Miss Helen
repeatedly.
“ I'm sorry about the way I behaved
earlier. It wasn't my intentions.”
Miss Helen sighed and also brush
Yami 's hands . A giggle as she
looked at her.
“ It's okay. And I understand.”
She bites her lip, looking down to
her feet but was quick to look up to
Miss Helen as they both engaged in
a hug.
The same hug her mother failed to
give her ages ago. No one would
understand. No one will eventually
understand the pains she went
through since childhood.
Things will never be the same from
here.
“ Your lunch is ready. I came to call
you for that.”
She wasn't ready to let go of the
hug, but it's clear that Miss Helen
needs her upper body back.
Yamihle giggles and take a step
back.
" I'll be in my room if you need me
for anything.”
Miss Helen says, Yami let's go of
her hand and let's her walk away.
On her way to the dining room,
Yamihle bumps into Mthobi .
Missing a step and about to fall. He
uses his free hand to pull her closer
to him. That was the only way to
prevent her from falling.
Her eyes wide as she looked at his
face closer for the first time.
The serious face they always talk
about in town. He really is good at
scaring people , Without saying
anything Mthobi was to let go,
seeing how frightened she is.
The pain on her ankle was bound to
pin her ass on the floor and so he
didn't have any choice but to grip
on her waist again.

She is terrified actually, the look on

her face wants to scream. Her mind
scolding her stupidity, for walking
with her eyes sweeping the floor.
Look at the situation at hand now,
in his hands obviously.
She wouldn't be in this fate. .
She blinks and gasped as she
noticed the hard work she just
painted on his neck. Did she have
to grip on him like that, if only she
just fell. It was going to be better.
What if this simple mistake gets him
angry. . . Will he beat her.?

Will she have to apologize with her

body.? Something that her father
used to Bo even if she drops a
spoon. Her nightmares slowly sips
in, and tears brick on her eyewalls
as she looked at Mthobi. Her whole
body getting fragile, slowly but
painful her memories play hard
games on her. How her father
would drag her from the kitchen
right after breaking a plate by
mistake, she had a flu and shivers
that time. Enhle and Mbali were out
partying like always, her mother
was not yet back from work. And he
walked back in from wherever god
spit him out. The plate slipped off
her hands, Sibiya rushed in and
scolded her. . . After that he
dragged her. No matter how she
fought, she always found herself
beneath his skin. His sweat dripping
and her voice losing a spot for
screaming again.

Mthobi throws the plate on the

table when suddenly Yamihle starts
to feel cold, yet her hands fighting
for him to let her go, her tears
falling. He is puzzled and now
getting to catch what he thinks is
fear in him. For the first after two
years his heart is stunned like this.
“ Am sorry, I won't do it again.”
She begs, her body weak on his
arms. He is surprised because she
always say that whenever
something bad happens. Just like
earlier with the bucket of water.
He calls out to her, but then she
doesn't blink or answer back. It's
scary seeing Yamihle unconscious
and not moving on his hands. He
cups her up as he also shout for
Miss Helen to come and help him
out.
.
.
.
VIVIAN.

The door to their room opens,

Sibiya shows first and nearly
jumped when he saw Vivian glaring
at him. And from the look of things
she might have heard everything
that Sibiya was doing.
He closes the door behind him,
Vivian wipes her tears and tried to
pass him so that he can have
access to the room.
He stops her quickly.
“ What's there to hide.? Ngiwa
jwayela amanyala akho.”
( Am used to your crap all the time )

Sibiya slaps her. And she does hold

her burning cheek to pat it. Shame
and guilt eating her up at this point.
And all this was eventually caused
by herself. If only she knew the
consequences of her actions, if only
she could turn back time and do the
opposite.
“ Watch it.!”
He warns.
Vivian sighed and yet again wipes
her tears.
“ so who are you sleeping now.?”
He looks at her and just stood tall,
not even interested in that question.
A message clicks on his phone and
he takes it out to get a glimpse of
the notification. After that he just
looked at Vivian and a grin replaced
his worry.
“ I'll be out. Be back after midnight.
Okay, behave.”
He says intending to kiss her but
then she moved back. Sibiya pinned
her against the wall and grip on her
chubby neck and kisses Vivian
roughly.
“ Why are you doing this .? Let
them go, please. . .”
Sibiya then giggles.
“ I thought we talked about that
years ago. ”

“ they are your kids, you can't hurt

them like this. Kill me instead.! Why
don't you just kill me.!”

Sibiya smiles and brushed her

cheek.
“ forget dreaming for a while. Okay,
because that's not gonna happen. ”
After saying that Sibiya walked
away from her, leaving Vivian in
tears.

She then quickly ran in the room to

find her daughter but surprisingly
no one was there, only the open
window that could tell someone
jumped out of it.
Vivian falls on her knees crying,
thinking of who could it be. . .
Is it really her daughter or just a
prostitute that Sibiya is using to
hurt her this time around.

NESTA MSOMI

She was asleep, resting her body

from the hard and rough night shift
she had last night. She didn't even
get the chance to change her
working uniform, But then Mthobi
called, he sounded damn serious
over the phone. And she had no
choice but to make a Twenty
minutes drive short than fifteen
minutes. She is not good with
driving like a qualified professional
but today, she really felt like one.
“ Hey hey. . . Where are they.?”
She asked once Miss Helen open up
for her.
“ Is sir's room. ”
Nesta paused for a second. Is it the
one and only room that no one is
permitted to enter of just another
room of his. . .
She must have misheard Helen here.
“ His bedroom.?”
Even though there is an emergency
at hold, she still wants to jump in
excitement or clap hands with
someone for victory. If not slowly
he is opening up his bruised heart
then god knows what he is doing.
“ yes, be already asked me to get a
basin of hot water and towels to
put on her forehead.”
Poor Helen wants to cry.
“ She was just fine minutes ago and
now she has a low pulse.”
Nesta also regained some
conscious as she now rushed
upstairs with her bag and aid kit.
Helen following behind her.

The door to Mthobi 's room was

open. Something that never
happened before, Yamihle resting
on the bed. Two pillows to balance
her head. And the warm towel on
her forehead as Helen said, and
there he is walking up and down
none stop .
She knocked on the door as she
walks in.
“ What happened.?”
She gets to sit on the bed next to
unconscious Yamihle.
Mthobi sighed. He really can't put
words exactly on what happened. It
stinged something in him that was
long dead.
“ I don't really know...”
He paused. Inspecting as Nesta
gets to listen to Yamihle 's
heartbeat. And it's faint. She is very
weak, badly weak. Then she pumps
the arm bag to note her current
high blood pressure.
“ She needs hospital. Very urgently. .
.”
She says, Mthobi notice the worry
on her face and he gets to now
stand next to the bed.
“ What happened.? What's wrong.?”
“ She needs a drip, a check up for
any symptoms of heart attack or
heart failure. And medication to
boost her blood cells. She is slowly
sipping into coma ”
Nesta packs up her small medical
kit. Mthobi carefully carries Yamihle
in his arms and lead the way.
Nesta 's car follows behind Mthobi,
and she quickly made a call for her
working friend to prepare things for
her. She might be off shift but she
wants to know what is going on.
Yamihle is so young to have a heart
attack. And she definitely knows
that Mthobi is not capable of
harming the harmless.

NANDI MSOMI
She walked in first and let's Senzo
follow. Right after he closed the
door and turned, Nandi gave him a
hot slap. He had to balance himself
with the door behind him.
“ Maa.”
“ And I'll slap you ten times if I have
to Senzonathi.!”
She shouted. He should even thank
his ancestors that Solomon was not
the one to bail him out.
“ drinking and driving.! Really now.!
Do you want to damage your
reputation.”
He says nothing and just looked
down. At this point it was better of
he had an accident, or a glimpse of
heaven for once.
He could have been a father at this
point. Or getting to steal Thando
away from Mthobi for a holiday like
they used to. And this time it was
going to be different with a child
involved.
“ I miss her, Maa. I miss her so much.
. .”
Nandi slapped him hard this time
around and his neck was weak to
keep his head up.
“ get that shit off your head or else
I'll be the end of you. ”
She clicks her tounge irritated and
walked away.
.
.
.
.

MTHOBILANGA

“ am back.”
Nesta announced to Mthobi, but
then his mind wasn't there. He was
just standing at the window sight as
he watched Yamihle sleeping on
the hospital bed. His late wife's
vision matching hers, how she was
connected to life saving machines
that failed to keep her alive at the
last minute. When they finally
turned everything off and covered
her face .when they announced her
death and succeeded in making him
deaf and dump . . .
“ Mthobi.”
Nesta called, he blinked and sighed.
Moving his eyes to another
direction. He doesn't need to be
here. . . This place brings back
memories. Bad memories, and
Yamihle 's health condition is not
making this better right now.
Yes he does not love her. . . And he
can't even think of the thought of
replacing his wife. But then he
married her, so she is his
responsibility.
“ What are the results.?”
“ She went through a strong shock.
Her blood pressure levels are below
normal. And it seems like it's not
the first. . . ”

“ She will wake up right.?”

He finally asked, looking at Nesta to
find a lie on her face.
“ Maybe after a day. Her body is
weak. And her heartbeat is still slow.
Eventually after the first drip it
might kick up a little. ”
Mthobi sighed.
“ Did you notice the scars allover
her body. It's scary though, it's very
concerning. . .”
Mthobi glared at Nesta quickly to
shut it.
He doesn't know what she is talking
about, what does she mean all over
her body. Should he be discussing
intimacy with her now.? Or is it a
way to ask if he already knows his
wife that deeply naked.
“ sorry.”
She quickly repremand herself.
He kept quiet and said nothing but
looks outside the window.
“ I took some extra shifts again. ”

She says, knowing fully well that

Mthobi won't be here to stay and
nurse Yamihle till she wakes up.
“ So I'll update you if ever she
wakes up or if something comes up.
Oh and they took me off her case
because she is my brother's wife.
But then I'll be here to watch out.
The doctor who will examine her
and keep her records is the best
doctor, he is a friend of mine.”

“ Well I pay tax.”

Nesta giggles, but he is damn
serious. This can't be the second
wife to lose in a hospital. Heaven
will answer him this time around.
The pain in his eyes says a lot.

“ am off to work.”
“ Cha.”
She stops him. He looks at her hand
on his chest and to her face after.
She removes it and steps back.
The last time Solomon used this
method to stop Mthobi from
walking away , a bullet nearly cut
his ear off.
“ you need some rest. ”
Mthobi says nothing and continue
to walk out out. Nesta sighed and
looked at Yamihle.

Chapter Seven

MTHOBILANGA

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS
His mind and thoughts are now a
match made in hell as he blames
himself for whatever happened.
Seated on the chair with only the
moon light shining through his
curtains and making him visible in
the room.
Obviously he is going through
headache. A strong one at that.
And strong memories of his wife
and late mother at the hospital
taking turns on him.
If only he could turn time around,
give them a hug for the last time or
prevent them from dying. That's his
only wish at this point.

And for the fact that Yamihle got

unconscious and scared from just
looking at his face, it's breaking him
more. He can't just put a mind
straight at that scene. Asking
himself if he really is that scary and
deadly to that extent.
Unless God hates him beyond air
and forgiveness. Because this is
injustice to his life. He lost so much
in life that he won't bear another
loss. Not like the way it just
happened.

The second ring of his phone gets

him to show a life in him as he
reached for the phone.
" Yha."
He rubs his temples and rest his
back a little. Getting a moment to
close his eyes and sighed before he
blinked the open.
" Sure bro."
" yeah. What's up.? Did you get time
to send that information.?"
Mthobi asked Getting off his chair.
Leaving the room and going out to
make himself some coffee because
he needs all the energy he can get
to reach another day.
" Forget about work man. How are
you.?"
" How am I what.? At this hour you
called to just ask me how am I
James.? Don't you have a sleep to
catch."
He raised an eyebrow, finally
reaching his kitchen. James sighed.
" is this not about the information I
asked you about.?"
" No."
There he goes grabbing the kettle
and filling it up with water and gets
to plug it.
" Nesta called."
Mthobi breathed out. Already
feeling exhausted than what he
looks like.
" you two should get married,
because why the fuck are you
people the journalists of my life like
this. What's so interesting about my
fucking life.? I don't even find it
funny anymore. "
He yells, losing his temper. And it
felt like he needed to offload his
anger somehow.
" your sister cares about you. And
trust me she only wants you to be
happy. "
Well that breaks his heart. No
matter how he tried to push Nesta
away from him since they were
little she never gave up. And she
always sacrifice her little time when
mthobi calls to rush to his rescue.
She is forever there like a sibling
should. She always calls Jane's to
look after him because she
understands that sometimes men
find it hard to open up to a lady.
Especially related ones and siblings.
But she knows that James can
match his category to open up his
mouth and keep that tounge rolling .
" How are you.?"
James asked. He knows better than
to ask that question but then he did.
At least one needed to ask him.
" Nesta said you left the hospital in
bad shape. And you know I'll have
to give her an answer. She won't
stop nagging me to talk to you and I
won't also stop being on your neck
till the sun rise for tomorrow. "
Mthobi grabs a stool, leaving the
water to boil as he sat down.
He breathed out. He just want to
take his heart out and put it on the
table, ask it what does it need to
stay strong and unbreakable.
" She just fell unconscious on my
arms. I barely know her. . . I thought
I won't feel this broken and hurt
again but somehow. . . I feel guilty.
"
" you didn't do anything. Look,
there is no point of blaming
yourself in this. She just had a
shock."

" a shock of looking at my face. Her

hand fighting for me to let go. And
eventually going cold on me and
closing her eyes. Well that's
something. I have every reason to
feel guilty, and now I know that this
healing thing and moving on. . . Is
not for me."
The water finished boiling , but
then he just sat still. Rubbing his
head .

" Her parents might have forced her

to marry me because they saw the
money I offered. What the hell , I
was even desperate to get married
and get rid of my loneliness. So she
might hate me for separating her
and her family, she might also hate
her parents for selling her off like
that. You know. . . Evert lady and
girls gates ne beyond for the kind
of life I live, no woman would want
to live with a serial killer now do
they.? "
" so what are you saying.?"

" I think I need to make peace with

myself first. And that means I'll just
have to take her back to her people.
"

" but she is your wife now Mthobi.

And for sure you guys can find a
way to work thing's out."
" cha, you literally have to see how
she behaves around me. She gets
scared. . . We both spend less ten
minutes in one room. She locks
herself in her room most of the
times. I do the same too. . . Because
am not ready. . . We are both not
ready for this."
He then sighed. Finally some of his
burdens are beeing lifted off his
shoulders.
" seeing her on that hospital bed,
liiking at the drip connected to her
like that and machines beeping. . .
My heart nearly stopped. I didn't
expect that, I thought am pass that
stage where I'll witness another
person in a hospital like that. It all
reminded me on the day Thando
died. I. . .I felt lost again. And I'll
forever blame myself if that girl
dies."
.
.
.

The next day. . .

Vivian wakes up to the cold side

where sibiya should be asleep. But
that man is nowhere to be found at
this point. And that means he didn't
come back home last night. Oh
lord, she is even late for work. Last
night she slept with her uniform,
crying and repenting from her sin.
She quickly got off the bed and
rushed out of the room.
She remembered that there was no
one home when she went to sleep.
If she gets to know if all her
daughters are home then her heart
will be satisfied but if she gets to
know that one of them is missing
just like sibiya is. . .then that means
she could be the one sibiya is
sleeping.
She can't just easily forget about
yesterday that easily.

" mbali.!"
She screams. Opening the door to
her room and immediately stood
puzzled when she looked at mbali
sleeping on the bed. Hugging her
white fluffy teddy bear .
" Maa. Yini. . ."
She groans. Not ready to open her
sleepy eyes or get her head up.
" lutho Nana. Just sleep okay. "
( nothing my baby. )

After saying that she exit the room

and closed the door behind her.
Leaving mbali to sleep. Then she
breathed out.
Finally she reached enhle' s room.
She opened up.
Walking into her room to find no
one in it. Infact, the bed was made
up.

Vivian holds her chest in shock,

about to start sobbing all over again.
Enhle is her last born. A sweet girl
at heart. She is too innocent to go
through sibiya.
As she was about to cry, the door
to enhle 's bathroom opens.
She comes out with a toothbrush in
her mouth. Still in pajamas .
Vivian scoffed.
" and where the hell are you coming
from .!"
Vivian shouted. Enhle nearly
jumped off because she didn't see
her mother in the first place.
" Maa, uyangithusa."
( you scared me.)
" Enhle, where have you been all
night.?"

Enhle stands puzzled . Since when

do they answer to that kinda
question.
" well. . . I have been sleeping. Duh.!
And I decided to wake up early so
that I can have time to do all the
chores in this house since sis
Yamihle is married and mbali won't
lift a dust in this house. "
Enhle answered angry.
Ever since Yamihle left, things went
from bad to limb. No one cooks for
them or wash their clothes. No one
serves them juice even when not
asked.
That soft life treatment is gone for
good.

Vivian gulped. Looking at enhle for

a second before leaving her room.
She doesn't know if she is
convinced that enhle is telling the
truth or just covering up. This is
something that happened years ago.
And if not for her wild mistakes,
then she wouldn't be in this
situation in the first place.
If only she can revisit her past and
slap some senses into her head. To
stop herself from listening to her
friend and ending up hurting sibiya.
When he found out thar all this
three kids are not his, he changed.
He became the man he is at this
point. And thinking of how he
sacrificed all he had to make sure
that they all have a good life , after
trying so hard to be the perfect
father figure and a good husband.

He felt used. To raise another man's

kids for years. All his money and
time, his efforts and his life. He felt
broken beyond, and the o ly way to
take back was to satisfy himself. At
least that's a benefit. The damn kids
ain't his to begin with. So it's no sin
to him if they ain't blood related.
And to him. . . He is just having a
good time with those he raised with
his money. That way it's fair to him ,
as long as Vivian have sleepless
nights and she'd tears from time to
time. Begging him to stop.

.
.
.

She heard voices, her mind kicks in

to reality. She winced in pains, the
pain on her hand that is connected
to the drip and the pain on her head.
Her head is buzzing so wildly.
Finally she gets to open her eyes,
thinking that she is in her room.
That all that happened was a dream.
But immediately she saw a man
wearing a white coat and white
glasses she freaked out. Letting out
a scream as she drags the sheet to
cover up her body. Another male
doctor tried to help her calm down
but Yamihle was too scared to let
them touch her.
" Go and call Nesta please. . ."

" She is preparing for surgery

section."
" Stand for her and tell her to bring
herself here. That's what team work
does."
The doctor yelled. Well he seems to
be their mentor here. Every doctor
is assigned to have students to
show them the life they are up for.
And when Nesta showed up to take
day shift yesterday and another
night shift just to be by Yamihle 's
side. He knew that this means a lot
for her. So he kept her with other
patients just to keep her not
focused on Yamihle till she wakes
up. And he knows that she took
those extra hours just to be here for
Yamihle.
And it's not good for doctors to be
so much invested in patients. That's
why doctors sometimes don't have
to handle family cases .

" Am stepping away, okay. . . I won't

harm you. ."
Her heart rate is beating fast.
Looking at the doctor step back.
Crying tears as she wonder how did
she end up in this place. Did Mthobi
sell her to other man.?
Is she getting used. . . Why is she
here in the first place.?

Finally Nesta rushed in. She gets to

hug Nesta when they got closer.
Nesta was surprised as she looked
at the doctor. But then she hugged
her back without saying anything. If
she needs a hug then she will get a
hug.
" Hey, you are in the hospital. But
you are fine now okay."
She slowly breaks the hug. Yamihle
still hold her hand. She looked at
the doctor who just stood and
looked at the two.
" Wh...what am I doing.? In hospital.?
I was home minutes ago."
She wipes her tears facing Nesta.
" You fell unconscious. Your
husband brought you here "
Nesta giggles, trying to clear the
tension in her mind.
Yamihle felt guilty as she looked
sad, not letting go of Nesta 's hands.
" I hurt his neck. Is he also here ?”
Nesta smiles. . .
“ you hurt his neck.?”
Yamihle nods. Well how come
Nesta never heard Mthobi complain
about his neck nearly being rolled
off. This man and not paying
attention to his own pains.
Look at the detail she was being fed.
..
" He didn't tell anyone about his
neck. Am sure he is fine. . . Because
he went home to get some rest last
night."

The doctor was now monitoring

how Yamihle instantly got
comfortable around Nesta. But
when she sees a male person closer
to her she gets scared.
" Doctor, can I have a minute with
you.?"
Nesta looked at Yamihle. Then she
looked at the doctor with a smile.
" Yes."
" In private doctor Msomi."
" Oh, okay. "
She gets to stand up from the
bedside and let's go of the hand
relationship they had.
" I'll be back."

Nesta walks away with the doctor,

they both got a time to stand away
from her room.
" What's up.? Is there anything. . .
Like anything to worry about.?"
" Something is off with you sister in
-law. Not saying anything but then
there is a lot off and never oning."
Oh he damn does know how to talk.
" Just a second she opened her
eyes she was already screaming
and not letting us go near her. But
then the minute you went closer to
her she got comfortable."
" Maybe it's shock around people
she doesn't know. I saw that last
time I took her to the mall. She
loves being around people she
knows. That's all."
" Cha ntombazane. Your sister in-
law is going through trauma. And
whatever she is going through is
serious. She refused us make
doctors to get closer to her but
when you came even the beeping
machine got normal. Her heart rate
became stable. Angisasho with the
scars all over her body. Think this
through Sisi, she wants to be alone,
she doesn't want any male buddy
around and she finds it difficult to
talk freely around people. The look
she gave me back there was clear
am never wanted. "

" What are you saying.? Could it be

that. . ."

" Don't get me wrong, or start

thinking rough. But you and I knows
that a normal person would never
faint or go unconscious in the
hands of her husband. Ngisho noma
Kanjani, unless there is something
under her carpets that she is scared
to reveal. Call your brother. Your
whole family is connected to many
therapist. . . I heard he also got
one."

" Oh so my family is now for the

bed time stories Mbuyazi."

" Everyone knows your brother."

" And what is it that they know
about me.?"
Both of them shift eyes to Mthobi
and James who stood before them.
He raised an eyebrow looking at the
doctor.

Chapter Eight

MTHOBILANGA
SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

Doctor Mbuyazi gulped when he

came face to face with Mthobi.
Even his aura can scare a lion away
because damn he is too good.
He then clears his throat and looked
at Nesta.
“ Take a day off after she is
discharged. It's a must. For now, am
off to another patient.”
He avoids Mthobi and walked away.
Mthobi clicked his tounge as he
passed Nesta going to Yamihle 's
room. Nesta then stopped him.
“ Mtasekhaya.”
" Mmh."
" I think we should talk first.”

He looks at Nesta in disbelief. If she

thinks that he is abusing Yamihle
just like the doctor stated then she
better shove that ' talk ' else where
but not in his ears.
" Wait. . ."

She stopped him again when he

intends to move aside. Then
released a sigh.
" Look, doctor Mbuyazi might be
right."
He snapped his eyes down to her.
Well that's a bluff thou. How can he
abuse someone he barely knows.
" And am not saying you did
something to her."
" What are you implying.? Is that
how you doctors work.?"

" Cha, but then. . .”

“ But Ini.? You know me for years to

ever think that I can abuse a lady. "
" Mthobi. . ."

" Don't, piss me off at this point."

He shuts James off and make a way

to Yamihle. Before he could even
enter the room he stands, watching
Yamihle who is not yet aware of his
presence. She wiped her tears and
her gaze followed to the window.
Her hands trembling. . . And truly
the scars on her arms caught his
attention. Well she always wear
long thing, could that be the
reason.? Is she hiding them.?
Mthobi takes a step back, James
stands besides him with Nesta.
Three of them looking at Yamihle.
“ Am not saying you did it. Or that
you did anything to her, but
someone did. And she is not ready
to talk."
His eyes gets to eye Nesta. Couldn't
she have said that earlier.?
Mthobi swallowed as he walked in .
Finally his footsteps claiming the
attention from Yamihle.
She quickly sat still and used the
sheet to cover her shoulders.
Mthobi takes a sit besides her bed.
That's when her eyes now dropped
lower. Not daring to look at his face.
Nesta sits next to her while James
stand.
" Morning.”
Something in him kicked a life when
she finally said something because
he didn't know what to say. Well
that's new. . . And James is enjoying
it . The way Mthobi is now humbled
and the way Yamihle is grinning.
That's something.
“ Mmh, sawbona."
He breathed through his mouth.
Thinking of what kinda question to
ask first. The scars or what
happened to her when she just
nearly died on his hands.
" I want to cut off the marriage."
He says. Nesta looked at him.
James couldn't believe it even when
he expected it because he said
exactly that last night.

Yamihle felt like her darkness just

gave her a back kiss. A suprise kiss I
mean. Because why would he say
that. Why would he think like that. . .
She started panicking, her heart
beating fast in fear. Does that mean
she will now go back home. . . Back
to her father's cruelty.
She was looking at Mthobi in
disbelief. . .
“ Cha, I. . . I. . .”
She is speechless, terrified and
about to quit breathing at this point.
She is trying to explain something
to him, to not send her back. . .
“ Mthobi you can't do that."
Nesta says, she also didn't expect
that. And he just glared at her to
shut up. Because his mind is made.
Yamihle hold onto Nesta 's hand
and brushed it, suddenly her tears
breaks free from her eye walls. She
wants to tell her something but it
won't just come out so she looked
back at Mthobi. . .
“ I didn't mean to scratch your neck
that hard. . . ” she then faced Nesta.
“ It can be bandaged right.?”
Well she is freaking out completely.
Mthobi held his neck, and yes there
is a scar that he never noticed.
That's why when he took a shower
this morning he thought someone
in him was misplaced. And he never
paid attention to it even though the
soap sipped in the wound.
“ it's not that.”
He gulped.
“ I don't want a wife anymore. I
need to heal myself Nomndayi, I
need to fix my life first. And am
afraid you will only get hurt trying
to wait for a husband who can't
love you. A husband who can't even
start a conversation with you or
love you the way you want. And I
can't hold you down in my own
darkness. ”
“ but I want a husband, it's fine if
you won't love me. I can accept that.
And it won't hurt, I promise."

She says, looking at Mthobi with.

Sincerity. . . He just sighed and
stands up, maybe she is saying all
this because she is scared that her
bad words might get him upset.
" Am sorry, so sorry that I separated
you from you family. Please forgive
me. They can keep the bride price,
at least as a reward for their
honesty and your time. ”

Yamihle held his shirt when he tried

to leave. It shocked everyone. Nesta
wide eyes as she looked at Yamihle
plead with Mthobi.
“ I will die if I go back there.”
She cried. Not letting go of his shirt
but gripping on it harder.
“ Look, not all marriages work out.
Your parents will understand, I'll
talk to them. The problem is not
you but me. Okay.”

“ he will do bad things to me,

please. . . I can't go back, rather kill
me like the say you do. Don't send
me back there .”
Nesta and James looked at Mthobi.
He confusedly looked at Yamihle.
Well this needs water to be
digested.
.

NANDI MSOMI

" We need to talk."

She blocked Solomon's way out of
the room.
“ unfortunately am going to a
business service sthandwa Sam.
Can't it wait.”
He says.
Men can be soft sometimes. And as
a woman you are the only one to
put your man in line, sometimes
you even have to put up to their
nonsense. Well Nandi went through
a lot into this marriage to finally see
the other side of Mr Solomon
Msomi here.
Dealing with his mistress and
Mthobi. . . And again his cheating
game. Solomon was never for the
weak back then. He would cheat on
the wife and the mistress with a
side chick. His pleasure came first

“ no, it cannot wait. ”

She folds her arms. And he looked
at her, a sigh leaving jis lips and he
just stepped back and sat on the
bed.
“ okay, fine. What is it.?"
" How many shares did you give to
MthobiLanga at the logistic
company.”

“ Weeh."
He immediately gets on his feet.
This topic is now getting to piss him
off because no matter how cool he
tries to be, she will always be there
to set his peace at blaze.
“ How many shares Msomi.!”
“ How does that concern you.?”

“ we built that company together

remember. We are the reason it
aired globally."

“ well , honey. We went through

this a lot of times and today. . ."
“ consider today another lot, of a
time. Because I won't sit here and
watch you hand everything to that
boy while my own son suffers like
this."

“ Senzo made himself like that. I

gave him a business the last time
and he blew it up.!”
He yelled, matching her devilish
level. Because why would she bring
this up now when Mthobi is
incharge or everything.
“ that business you are yelling
about was on the verge of death
and bankruptcy for your
information, and the only thing he
did was to help it down. So that's
not part of his problem. ”

“ and so. Why are you dragging me

into his life now.?”
“ i want you to also give him half
your shares in the logistic.”

Solomon chuckled, a fair chuckle

actually that made Nandi feel guilty
enough for what she just said.
“ why are you laughing. ”

“ you have times for joke my love.

And today is not that day.”
“ Joke or not Msomi, Senzo has to
be part of his father's legacy.! And
you need to make him the CEO as
the only legal son you have and not
that illegitimate bastard of yours.!”

“ I have Mthobi 65 percent of my

shares. So there is no way Senzo
will be a CEO. Not even a manager
or a window seater at that company.
Forget it.”
“ you gave him what.?!!"

Shock navigates her heart.

Obviously he must be a bigger fool
of them all. But then she started
laughing at him.

“ wait, so it was guilt huh.? Now let

me ask you Solomon. . . The child
Thando was carrying, was it yours
or was it for Senzo.?”
Solomon looked at Nandi with a
deadly glare.
What could she mean by that.?

.
.
.

James was seated at the far end of

the bed, Nesta seated with Yamihle
on her hospital bed while Mthobi
was now on his feet. He needs to
understand something real quick
here.
“ Who do bad things to you.?”
He asked. Standing tall now and
looking at Yamihle.
Yamihle sobs trying to wipe her
tears. And Nesta is also getting
emotional.
“ I was fourteen. After a night bath
with my younger siblings. We all
wore out pajamas and we we
sharing a bed. But then suddenly
Mama came and took them away,
she said that am their elder sister
and that I should have my room
alone. I told her that am scared to
sleep alone, that am used to
sleeping with my siblings, but then
she scolded me. She left the room
with them, and later that night. . .
My father walked in my room, he
sat on my bed, telling me that next
time I should sleep naked for him.
And he aggressively undressed me.
The door wasn't closed when I was
screaming for help, my mother
stood at the door and said nothing
when I tried to reach my hand out,
fighting him off me. She just closed
the door and pretended like nothing
is happening.”
She cries, feeling hurt and hugging
her knees to herself. Mthobi just
looked at her, feeling shameful to
even call himself a man if another
man can do this to a minor.
The same man he once shook a
hand with. God must somehow find
the best sanitizer to send on earth.
Or else he is sending a shipment
back to heaven.
He doesn't own logistics for nothing.
..
“ After I paid the bride price. . . Did
he touch you.?”

She nods her head. He did touch

her, saying that it's a goodbye glory.
Mthobi grins. . . Such audacity, the
goodness, the damnit, and the god
Sibiya had to pull to piss him off.
" Am sorry.”
He apologized. James can read his
next move. He is going to Ulundi I'm
just a minute. . . Already his mind is
on a high way as we speak.
“ Please don't send me back, I can
do anything but not to go there.
Through you I managed to escape. .
. Am happy even if you don't love
me. I'll just say. I won't bother you. . .
You won't even see me around the
house. . . I'll play away from you and
cut my nails, they won't ruin your
skin anymore.”
Nesta is also crying, Mthobi sighed.
Looking at James to stand up.
He was the first one to leave
without another word.
“ pull yourself together."
James Pat Nesta 's shoulder and
waved to Yamihle before following
behind Mthobi.

“ MthobiLanga.!”
He shouted catching up with him.
“ I need a whiskey. My head is
buzzing. It's not what you think it
is.”

“ well what am thinking is that you

will kill this man.?”

“ I'm on the verge of healing and

putting my past behind me.”

“ and your gun is right behind your

pants. ”

“ obviously.”
Mthobi says and grins.

“ Club or pub.?”
He then asked.

“ what's on your damn mind

Mthobi.?”
Chapter Nine

YAMIHLE MSOMI

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

“ Should I get you anything.? You

haven't had anything to eat when
you woke up and time to eat was
over by then.”
My mind is not on food, rather I'm
swimming in thoughts. He left. . .
Without saying anything, could it be
that he still wants to sent me back
even after I explained how my
misery all started. ? How my days
went from bad to never getting
better but worse.
“ What are sister in-laws for if not
looking after each other. ”
“ He left without saying a word. Is it
that he really wants to send me
back.?”
Looking at my situation at this point,
he really aims to send me back
home. Back to my nightmares. Back
to where I'll finally take my last
breath because that's how I see my
end. I feel dirty, I feel horrible to
even think of my past. It's like it
happened a minute ago.
And who am I actually to think that
Mr Msomi will ever see me as his
wife.? Someone that her father
used for years. ? Someone that is
not as pure as he thought. He might
even feel disgusted to look at me.
And here I am trying to plead to be
his wife, how will he even see me
as one. Maybe he left because he
felt like am useless and cheap for
his status. . . It might be the reason
he asked if he touch me after he
paid bride price.
Am I even that type to be a mother
of his kids in the future.?
“ Nomndayi...”
I looked up. And smiled to my sister
in-law, she is a good person. And
honestly she have a caring heart.
But am turning into their burden.
With all my life problems ...
“ Your husband is not letting you go
back there, if that's what you think. I
know my brother, he won't let that
happen.”

“ It's okay. I'll understand if he

does.”
“ don't say that . You just have to
focus on your mental health. Am
here with you all the way.”
She gives me a hug.

“ now Mrs Msomi, allow me as your

doctor to get you something to eat.
You need all the strength and
happiness I can afford in this
world.”
I giggled.

“ Thank you.”

She takes out her bracelet and put

it on my wrist. I looked at her
because this might have costed a
fortune. I know how she buys, the
last time she took me to the mall
we went to a costing restaurant just
for food.
“ What are you doing.? This is
yours.”
She says nothing until done with
putting it on my wrist.
“ this is me to you, just incase you
need me or feel lonely. Okay”
She then kissed the back of my
hand.
“ but this must mean a lot to you.”

“ you also mean a lot to me now. To

my brother, you are his half. And
whatever my brother loves I also
love. Well am his nagging bear, and
now he got another bear for hugs .”
She giggles and gave me a hug.

“ oh, good I found you here. The

lady will be discharged after lunch,
and also your day off starts now.
And if ever anything else pitch in,
this is her medication. She should
stay away from anything that will
give her a shock. . . Anything that
will make her heart rate increase.
And also, I suggest that she gets
someone to talk to.”

“ thank you doctor Mbuyazi. I and

my brother will do just that.”

“ Is he out.?”

“ you want to talk to him.?”

“ no thanks.”

.
.
.

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

Immediately Mthobi walks in with

James, the strippers around
approached them. Trying to lure
them into pleasure. Mthobi yanked
them away and goes on to grab a
sit . James joins in, his eyes
wondering around .
“ Your father in-law has a good
taste ”
Mthobi glared at him. Then
followed his spec of eyes and that's
when finally he sees the man that
made him travel from
Johannesburg to Ulundi like it's
normal.
“ Well someone has to cut his balls
off at some point.”
James says again. Mthobi sighed
and looked at the bartender,
ordering a strong drink to digest.
Every glance at that man needs a
nip. To clean his eyes and numb the
shit in him that's about to hit the
fan in no time.
“ Scotch.”
“ On ice ?”
“ Mmh.”
He says. James looked at the
bartender and put an order for the
same drink.
“ do you still have my therapist
contacts.?”
Mthobi asked. A glass finally
reached his grip and he takes a sip.
“ definitely do. ”
“ Good, at least someone should
update him about my return. ”
James sighed, grabbing his own
drink and takes a sip, finally getting
to get a glimpse of Sibiya again. . .
Girls around him as they shake for
him and dance.
“ Did he use your bride price money
to get a VIP in this place.”
“ Uyangiphinda.”
( That's another thing.)
James chuckled. But then it's not
funny, he despite men like this. Men
who uses minors as their games.
Doesn't Sibiya know that games are
for kids . Couldn't he pick his size to
toy around. If he was raping Vivian
it would still be illegal but
understandable. She is old and
basically his wife. Actually it's not
really that lot of a crime in that act.
But to rape a fourteen year old girl
is unacceptable.
“ He is making a move.”
James report, Mthobi still needs
another glass for the go.
“ Go after him. I think I need
another shot.”
“ okay.”
He pats Mthobi 's shoulder and
walked out.
“ Refill.”
He says, after that he takes some
money out and leaves it on the
counter. With just two gulps he
finished the glass and got off the
stool. He followed out .
Immediately he got out of the
shebeen yard he spotted James.
Already talking with Sibiya and
keeping him company. He got into
the ranger, start the engine and
drove towards them.

“ Haibo, babezala. Wena Lana.?

Don't you want lift.”
( Father in-law, you are here.?)
Sibiya looked at Mthobi and grins.
“ Well Uhm.. I just had a booze, old
age is good sometimes. What
brings you in Ulundi at this hour.?
Where is my daughter.? I hope you
two ain't already fighting.”

“ Oh no, I just . . . I brought my wife

home, she missed home so I
brought her back for few days.”
He looked at Sibiya's face as he
chuckled.
“ Oh, kids. They will always miss
home don't they.”

“ Mmh, why don't you come in and

I'll give you a ride. I still need to get
back to town.”

“ Oh you are not staying too.”

“ Cha, am a man of business baba.
help my father in-law in won't you
James, he is drunk."

He says. Sibiya smiles too as he

goes towards the car. Mthobi gets a
glimpse of his wrist watch before
looking at the windscreen. Once
Sibiya and James were at the back
her closes his window.
“ Are you comfortable.?”
“ who wouldn't.?if I had my own car
only god knows better.”
He chuckled. James is trying much
to control himself, because what
God knows better at this point is
how he will cry for help in few
minutes.

.
.
.
Sibiya noticed that Mthobi is not
going to where he is supposed to
go. And it's been close to thirty
minutes he have been driving.
That's when he noticed Mthobi's
face through the rear mirror.
“ Uhm... Mkhwenyana, I think you
took the wrong road. ”
Mthobi grins. James pushed Sibiya
to sit back And rest a bit. Not
everyone the deal with gets a nice
ride like this.
“ am new to this place, I must have
lot my way. Considering that it's
late.”

“ No, ngiyehlise. I'll walk from here ”

( Put me down.)

“ Are we quarrelling now.? You are

my father in-law. And it's not good
to walk on feet while I have a car.”
“ But where are you taking me.”

Mthobi says nothing, and finally the

car seems to have reached its
destination.
It's dark here, only the car lights.
And he is drunk, he won't fight
James and Mthobi even if he had
that power.

“ Asiyehle ntanga, this is the home I

brought you to.”
( Get off mate.)
James drag Sibiya out while he was
trying to grip on the seat. Holding
him by belt and throwing him under
a tree. Mthobi stands before the
car and looked at Sibiya who James
made to be on his knees.
He sighed. Scanning him, well his
bones look tough. Thank god he
brought a ranger for that.
“ i'ntsimbi zakho kehla.”
( You tools.)
James puts down a bag that made a
sound of strong things there. Sibiya
wide his eyes, at this point he
looked for a way to escape. But
then who is he kidding, there are
far from houses. . . But deep in the
forest. No one will hear him scream.
And who will wake up to his rescue
at this hour.

“ what nonsense is this.!”

He yelled. And so Mthobi got a plan
on how to start. And it should be
easy, but first he really wants to
know what kind of a monster rapes
his own child.
“ I pay bride price, and you get the
fruits of my money.? How is that
possible.?”
“ what fruits.? Are you joking. . .”

“ you raped your own child slima,

don't make us fools .!”
James kicked his legs and he falls
flat on the ground. Mthobi unzipped
the bag, reaching out for the
machete.
“ wait please. . . I did no sin, that
was a pay back for raising them all
this years.! ”
Mthobi frowns.
What is he actually saying.
“ I raised them all this years just to
find out that they are not my kids.
The pains I went through trying to
get them a better future as my kids.
I thought I had a family of my own.
But I get to find out that they are
not my flesh and blood. So I had to
take back. And I'll do it again if I
have to. I'll do it ten times better
than before.!”
Mthobi gets more angry. And
wondering if Yamihle knows that
she is not related to this pig.
“ Bamba lenja.!”
( Hold him.!)
.
.
.

“ Ma'am, you need another glass of

water.?”
Miss Helen asked. Yamihle shakes
her head. Nesta giggles looking at
Miss Helen, obviously trying to keep
her madam alive.
“ She is fine Maa, don't bother okay.
Let's just be free and normal around
her.”

“ I just don't want sir to get sad like

before, seeing him locking himself
in the room and not eating, I'll do
anything to keep Miss Yamihle
good from now on. And she won't
do house chores with me till she
gets better. She loves cleaning.”
“ Uhm. . .no one is losing anyone for
now okay. We just have to love
each other.”
Nesta smiles looking at the two.

“ group hug.!”
She gets off the stool and hug
Yamihle and also miss Helen joins in.
They giggled, and finally get to free
Yamihle. She looked at the time on
her phone and it's late, meaning
that Mthobi won't come back any
time from now on from wherever
the earth swallowed him.
“ It will be late for me to drive at
this hour. So I'll be sleeping in the
guest room. I really need some rest.
And so are you Mrs Msomi.”
“ thank you.”
.
.
.
The dinner table was silent, not
even a glare did the husband and
wife share.
Senzo can notice the difference and
really don't know what did they
fight about this time around.
“ Am no longer a kid, so what's
going on.? The silence is killing.”
Solomon sighed putting down the
fork and looked at Nandi who didn't
look his way.
“ Well, there was a say that you
want to own the logistic.”
He looks at his mother. And all this
because of her, he knows that.
“ I thought Mthobi had that
covered.”
“ are you not stupid enough.? Why
are you dumb.?”
Nandi claps, looking at Senzo with
fury. He gulps and looked at his
father.
“ okay, so what's the deal.?”
“ you can't be CEO, but his partner.”

“ Meaning that he lead my son.?”

“ because am giving him thirty

percent that am left with. He also
lead me so what the heck. I'll be the
one with five percent while they
boss around something that I built
for years.”
“ you should have thought about
that when you gave Mthobi
everything.!"

She stands up and leave.

Chapter Ten

VIVIAN SIBIYA
SPONSORED

" Doctor, how is he. ? How is my

husband.?"

The Doctor looked at Vivian and her

daughters all in pajamas at this hour
of the morning.

" I got a call that my husband is in

this hospital. "
" and who is your husband.?"

" Sibiya, Nhlamulo Sibiya."

The doctor seemed to have gasped.

That's the patient name that all
doctors and nurses have been
talking about ever since that man
was admitted.
" okay, follow me."

They followed without hesitate.

Within three minutes they got to be
in the room where sibiya was in.
Connected through life support
machines with blood drip and water
drip because he lost a lot of blood.

" oh nkulunkulu wami.!"

( oh dear lord.)
Vivian cries and gets to fall on her
knees looking at sibiya so helpless
on that bed.

" well, he is out of danger. He will

survive. He was brought in by two
men that says they found him by
the near road crying fir help.
Whoever did this to him might be a
ritualist or something. "
" what do you mean doctor.?"

The doctor was surprised that

Vivian doesn't know anything.

" They cut off his tongue, ripped off

his manhood and took out his teeth.
Not forgetting the ten fingers he
had. Your husband is fingerless
ma'am.”
Vivian screams. Mbali hold her
mouth in shock while enhle takes a
sit besides sibiya. Sbe really needs
to unhear whatever the doctor said.

" Oh, and his legs are also broken.

It's up to you and him if he wants
them to be removed or left like that
because at this rate it will even be a
joke to say he will ever walk in his
life again."
" haa.!"

Mbali shouts. It's like it keeps on

coming like hell on her. Vivian
crawls to his bed and get to hold
his . . .hand. a hand that is
fingerless and bandaged all over.

" who did this to him.? Didn't the

police come for questions.?
Anything.?"
" ma'am, you husband has no tonge
and teeth to even tell what
happened to him. It was to be easy
if he had fingers to write what
happened to him but I'll say the
least. What will he use to write. ? So
his case died before it began. Even
the men that left him here know
nothing because he was found on
the roadside. "
" yho yho yho.! Haa.!"

That's enhle as she stands up and

leave the room. It's too much for
her to take.
That's her father on that bed,
lifeless.! His body will be useless
even if he wakes up. Who will feed
him everyday.? And how will he pee,
actually what will he use to pee at
this point. . .who would do this to
him.? Or could it be that he ran into
ritualist like the doctor thought.?

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

God must have woken up with the

good side of the world, washing
away all sins as the rain pours hard
outside. Mthobi stood freely tall in
the lounge, his eyes focused on the
better view outside the closed
sliding door. One hand tucked in
the pocket while the other held a
mug of coffee.
Nesta walks up to him. Looking at
her brother too focused in looking
for peace in his mind, but couldn't
unsee the grin on his lips.

" morning. "

He turns to her. The melody of her

voice can never miss a string in his
head.
" mmh, morning. "
He sips on his coffee.

" you slept here.?"

" yeah, I figured that am emotionally

triggered and I needed to be here,
with her."

He nods and says nothing,

continues to look out of the sliding
door. She sits down knowing well
that mthobi won't say anything
unless she starts first.

" was it therapeutic.? Or mind

easier.?"

" what.?"
He frowned and decided to not
shift his gaze to her.
" Whatever you did bhuti."

" drinking is never therapeutic. As

you can see am trying to force the
coffee to numb my headache. "
She giggles.

" I'm talking about that monster of a

man Mthobi. "
Why is he not stopping to grin like
that if he did nothing to him.

His eyes moved around and lucky

him the coast is clear. He looks at
Nesta.

" all I know is that he won't rape

anyone for a lifetime now. He learnt
a lesson okay."

" you killed him.?"

He chuckled.

" how can I convince you that I don't

kill people anymore.?"
Nesta opens her mouth to say
something but she just giggled.

" that's hard to believe. "

" okay, no problem . You'll

understand later. Anyway, how is
she.?"
He takes another sip and goes back
to viewing the rain.
And a breathing out technique
followed.

" she slept good, I guess. But she

thinks you'll still send her off even
after knowing everything. She kept
looking at the door hoping you'd
walk in and say you changed your
mind."
Mthobi puts the mug away on the
table . His mind stressed obviously,
but the thought of sending Yamihle
back has long died when she held
his shirt and pleaded with him to
not send her back to that village. He
damn doesn't know how he feels
but pity is also one of the feelings
in him at this point. She reminded
him a piece of a past that he
thought he forgot about. And now
with her predicaments. . .it's
getting more complicated to let go
of her.

" you left the hospital without

saying a word if she stays or not.
So that's why she is worked up and
scared."

" where do you see my life in five

years.?"
" that's an old question that died
with many teachers who never saw
themselves anywhere within five
minutes back in primary."

He gives her a glare. He is serious

because he might be one of those
teachers she just mentioned. Not
even in a second can he see himself
with something positive.
" well, I'll say both of you should
look for help and Get to know each
other . Trust me on this one, and I
can never go wrong. . .but it will
work, at the right time and with the
right person. "

" and what if she dies in the

process.? What if I lose again.?
What if something happens to her. ?
You know how haunted I am. . . She
is too innocent Nesta. Very
innocent for the type of life I live."

" When the pastor asked you if you

take her as your wife through thick
and thin, forsaking others opinions. .
. You said you do. And that's when I
knew that my brother wants to live
in a new chapter of his life. No one
is perfect bhuti omdala, no one at
all. Life is never the way we want it
to be. It always dish out bending
problems and challenges. But if you
see your life as a hard thing to live
through, you won't find what you
want. . . And if you see it as an
adventure. . . You will be able to
find what you want, make your
difficulties your strength. Not your
downfall, those bending problems
and challenges can be mended by
you and no one else. You are the
only one to make your life look
better "
She paused. Looked at his unusual
face that he always pulls when she
says something reasonable and
emotionally. Another way of telling
her to stop for a second.

" And no one Is saying that you

sgould forget about mama and late
sister inlaw. "

He looked away.
" I'll forever be your little sister even
if you hate it thou. And you will be
that man to send Mr off on the altar
when my future husband awaits
me."
He gulped as Nesta walked away,
she always said that since she was
a girl used to play doll house. It's
touching to hear it again because
he never forget anything that she
says sometimes. As young as she is,
she has been the only person that
pushed him to do best

.
.
.

“ Miss Helen, I can't seem to find sis

Nesta in the room she went to sleep
in last night."
She holds Miss Helen by hand. Got
closer to her with concern. She was
hoping to see her again this
morning.
“ She left early."
Mthobi answered her as he walked
in the kitchen. Miss Helen smiles
and excused herself.
“ Hlombe, morning.”
She greets him about to leave too.
She really did promise that if he
keeps her around she will be as
quiet as air that they breathe.
“ Did you have your medication.?"
She stops, fought the urge to look
his ways as she nods.
“ yes.”

“ Let's go to the lounge.”

She now looked at him. But then he
was quick to turn and lead way to
the lounge. It's a big space, TV and
white couches. A black and white
sided furry mat under the glassy
table, decorated with a glassy vase
that beheld jasmine flowers. Miss
Helen do take care of them very
well. His mother's favourite.
They both take a sit, she sat at the
far couch away from him. The table
separate them much far.
“ Sir, am sincerely sorry for giving
you trouble. And am sorry if am
pushing you to keep me in your
home."
" Nomndayi."
He calls out, glaring at her. She
looks up to his face and he shook
his head.

“ I should be the one apologising. "

He says, sit somehow closer to the
edge of the sofa but comfortable
enough to look at her so that he
can say his peace.
“ I shouldn't have tried to push you
better in your darkness at your
worst. Saying whatever I said at the
hospital. It wasn't good at all.”
She blinks, looked away from his
eyes and focus on her hands. He
also noticed and sighed when he
sees that she did remove her nails.

“ I promised till death do us apart,

and. . .”
He paused. Yamihle felt like a horse
kicked her heart at this point. And
so she breathed out waiting for
anything that he will say.
“ I want us to take steps in this
marriageship. Something like that,
but I want us to try and make this
work. ”

Her eyes wide and she held her

chest.
“ are you okay.?”
He asked. About to stand up.
“ yes sir, yes. . . I'm fine. Am just. . .
Thank you.”
She wanted to smile, but she wants
to cry at the same time.

“ okay.”
He nods. Finally stands up and
looked at her.
“ We can try going for therapy
tomorrow. . . And please, don't call
me sir. Okay.”
Mthobi flashed a grin to make her
feel better and walked away.
Yamihle wipes her tears and smiles.
She prayed so hard last night for
him to not let her go back there.
And finally god answered her
prayer.

Chapter Eleven

MBALI SIBIYA

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS
Of all the men she had slept with. . .
Her stepfather was the best.
Yes you heard it right.!
Mbali came to know that Sibiya is
not their father few weeks ago
when she somehow heard him
yelling at Vivian before Yamihle 's
lobola negotiations could hold. And
that he has been sleeping with
Yamihle for few years now.
And so one day she found him
masterbating...

Wild right.?
And that's how they got to click.
Well clicking things that are
forbidden at that point.
He loved her blow job game and
how she rode him so good. Girl is
good with that hip. And she loved
everything about him
It is a sin to fall in love with the man
that sleeps your mother and that
raised you, trust God it's a bigger
sin of all times. But can we travel
back to the twenties.? It was never
a sin if the child wasn't yours, and
Mbali ain't his. So the feelings got
mutual, in other words. . . She fell
deeper like the rock that sipped
into an ocean. Deeper in the depths
of an south hemisphere ocean my
dear.
She would tease him, let him feel
her panties. . . And he would follow
her when she goes to take a shower,
grip on her wet thigh. Spank that
ass Vivian baked the whole nine
months for him. After that, let him
put his stick in to marinate it with
her orgasms. She loved it, who
wouldn't. . . Actually Yamihle
wouldn't but she loved to be under
his skin, hearing him groan as she
moans. Definitely a blast.!
Not until Vivian started suspecting.
Last they had sex in his room and
unfortunately enough Vivian got
back from work earlier than she
should. Hearing her moan for big
Daddy and so on. How she giggled
also when her wild cat was
queeffing.
Hey. . . Things happened, and she
had to jump out of the window as
Sibiya bought time at the door.
Then they decided to take things to
a hotel around, she came back late
and luckily she managed to get to
bed before Vivy could catch her.

“ Oh lord.”
She bites her tongue . Looked at
Sibiya on the bed. Vivian went to
get some water while Enhle was
long gone. She is traumatized to be
true.
So Mbali now stood besides his bed.
Looking at his knocked out and
bandaged hands. Not sure if they
are hands anymore because
something that qualifies to be
called a hand is that with fingers.
Not even one finger is traced on
this man. Big Daddy have no fingers,
how will she be finger fucked by
him.
Then again her eyes land on his
face, there is a tube that helps him
breathe completely fine... But
where the tongue at.?
Lutho.!
They ripped off what was capable
of making her eyes twirl and her
feet curl when he would give her a
head.
Gracious lord.!
Men out of age and being up to
date...

She sighed when she looked at his

legs hanged to the roof and hard
cement on him, what a Bob the
builder he is right now. It still smells
new though, and it's about to upset
her damn mind the more she looks.
Imagen if they cut them off, he will
be lower body less. Barely a limp. !
Nope, he will survive pretty much
with dead legs instead of being
incomplete.
“ The snake is gone. Ripped baba.?”
As if she is asking him when the
doctor said it all loud and clear
minutes ago.
He is manhooded if not manhood
less.
Even if he feels like he have
erection it will be invincible, and
when he feels like having some sex.
. . Well he will figure something out
with the little zero coma something
centimetre. Maybe it's a mili
centimetre....
How will he even pee at this point.?
“ Who did this to you.? Who did this
to us.?”
She cries. Vivian felt her ears go
itchy as she enters.
“ Mbali.?”
“ Maa. Will he ever get better.? Is it
that they used all his parts for
rituals like the doctor said ?”
Vivian sighed, thinking that it's not
what she thought she meant.
Mbali hugs her mother and her eyes
focused on Sibiya.
Well if she is asking if his manhood
will come back or if he will grow
another one, She should abort
those silly thoughts.

“ He will be fine.”
Vivian says and bites her lip to
muffle her little cries. Quickly
wiping away her tears.
Something in her is settled while
her heart is drowning on black oil.
Yeah, she is hurt.! Uya gowa.
She is going through a lot.!
.
.
.

It's now lunch Time. Such a hot day

out there with the sun burning the
hell out of earth, he finally blinks his
eyes. His heart picking few beats
there and there. . . He looks around,
the shock of the pains he feels at
this point attacking him. Memories
of last night playing a better game
in his mind.
“ Aw'ngitsheli lokho.! Ungangi petuli
umoya.!”
( Don't tell me shit.! Don't make me
lose it.!)
The words James yelled at him
while Mthobi wore some gloves and
picked up the machete. Whichever
shop that sold that kinda strong and
quickly weapon should be closed.
Because it took him a blink to never
feel his tounge again.
Blood gushed out of his mouth,
screaming for help obviously. He
never thought he will ever scream
for help in his life ever again.
He began to be the best myth poet ,
whatever he said fell back to his
throat because there is no tongue
to throw those words out.
The machines started to beep too
much now when he gets to
remember how Mthobi chopped off
his manhood while he could only
watch...
He wants to get his head up to
check himself but the more he even
makes a small move is the more he
starts whaling in pains.
The doctors rushed in. Vivian
followed in fear and that's when he
went completely whaling none stop.
His tears falling like rains. They pour
hard on his cheeks.
“ ma'am you should leave."
" He is my husband.!"

" And you should leave. We are here

to help him.!"

The aggressive nurse pushed Vivian

out of the room and closed the
door.
Mthobi and James did this to him
and after that they volunterely
brought him to the hospital. How
damn crucial can that son Solomon
created be.?

JAMES MHLONGO

“ I hear a lot about sinners

Don't think that I'll be a saint
But I might go down to the river
'Cause the way that the sky opens
up when we touch
Yeah, it's making me say...
That the way you hold me, hold me,
hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
Oh God
Runnin' to the altar like a track star
Can't wait another second
'Cause the way you hold me, hold
me, hold me, hold me, hold me
feels so holy ”

He sings along, the music on loud

volume. As if Justin Bieber was
looking much into his life when he
wrote this song before recording it.
Spitting facts, and with the way his
life came along. Holding guns and
digging graves. Losing loved ones
like it was a dying festival.
Once what looked like a happy
heart was now replaced by black
ashes and bullets.
Till he finally met Mthobi, he learnt
that everyone goes through a lot.
And not everyone has same
mistakes. So you might think you
are going through a lot till you meet
someone else.

He simply gets out of the shower,

naked and dripping wet. Grabbing a
towel on the shelf to dry himself up.
His neighbours must be calling the
cops for such loud music.
But then who cares, he won't spend
a damn night in any cell. The only
cell he wish to return back to is his
mother's womb where life is good
and stress free. Just him and his
mother bonding as he does two or
three kicks on the second trimester.

He reached the kitchen, taking on

an apron and turn on the stove.
Grabbing eggs and bacons out of
the fridge, he has some bread
sitting in the microwave. And he is
lazy to cook something lasting and
strong for his belly.

Nesta opens the door and walked in,

throwing her bag on his sofa, she
sighed. Well this is the reason she
called his phone and he didn't pick
up, how will he even hear it ring.
And she nearly broke her finger on
his door knocking like tomorrow is
near.
She leads herself to the kitchen
where she hears his voice that
match with the song.
He was busy on stiring those eggs
in a bowl to notice her.
She heads to the living room where
she found his laptop and the
speakers.
“ He will be a deaf old man soon.”
She unplugged everything.
James raised his head. Confused,
because there is no loadshedding.
And even if there is one, he has
plan B and C.
“ Haibo.?”
Finally her heels click as he was
about to come out behind the
counter. He frowned looking at her.
“ Nesta Msomi.”
“ James.”
She grins looking at him, he notice
the stare and chuckled.
“ Don't you have places to be.? Like
hospital and stuff. Baqakwa uk'
phefumula abantu , Wena ulana."
( People are struggling to breathe,
and you are here .)

“ I got a day off to rest and relax. So

am doing just that."

" This is not relaxing wengane.”

( Little girl.)

Nesta giggles, getting to go to his

fridge and pull out some juice.
He hands her two glasses since he
was tall enough to reach the
cupboards.
“ How is life.?”

“ lifying, I guess. It's as hard as a

mountain stone ."
( Good )
She sips on the juice and looked at
him.
“ okay, can you go to the lounge.
Am naked though.”
“ I see that a lot. What's there to
hide Mhlongo.?”
She bite her lip. James chuckled
and tried to give her a pleasing eye.
Whatever they have doesn't have a
name yet. Too fragile to call it a
relationship because they both
enjoy having fun together and
exploring one another. But to name
James her boyfriend or such sounds
too serious and tough to digest.
And surrounding their
circumstances. . . How Mthobi will
see this and how he will react.? It's
a lot.
Although James sometimes feels
like she is the one but not the one. .
. He also have unsettled thoughts
in him. And so he rather prefer
things just the way they are, they
are fuck buddies and besties. They
talk and move on, they behave
actually normal and good with any
situation.

Chapter Twelve

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI
He sighed, but then his mind
already betrayed him. He is already
on the door standing there as if god
will knock on his behalf, on her door
actually. Last night he ordered a
dress online to be delivered in the
morning right at his door step.
And right now he is the one
standing on Yamihle 's door room to
give it to her.
And he is not even sure about her
size, he listened to he's guts that
told him that she is a small size,
petite and pretty curvy. And her
dressing style is that of never
revealing a knee even at a glimpse.
So he ordered just that.
Something long and not exposing.
His eyes catch that of Miss Helen
holding a broom. She also stood
puzzled looking at Mthobi clueless. .
.
She smiles and before he could
raise his hand to call for her Miss
Helen became a faster bolt taking
another direction.
When he brought his face back to
the door in disappointment Yamihle
opens.
He then takes a step back, looking
at her face with mixed expression.
Actually she is trying hard not to act
shocked like she is already. Her
eyes immediately falls to the floor
and miss the chance to glance at
his face more.
“ Hlombe, sawbona.”
( Morning.)

He cleared his throat, replace his

amused face to a happy one with a
grin.
“ Morning.”
Another second to breathe.

“ I bought you this.”

She looks up to him , not knowing
what else to say. But then her heart
practicing how to faint again. Bit by
bit a heart beat is stolen by this
man before her.
“ Msomi, you... I.. ”
“ Hey, it's nothing big. Angithi we
are going for therapy today.”
Yamihle bites her lip and looked
down. She didn't expect him to take
such measures. It's just a therapy,
right .?
But wait, she really needs to comply
with him. Because this man have a
reputation. He is a business man.
Otherwise he will be seen in public
with a wife like her. Someone who
dresses out of this world.
“ thank you.”
She forward her open palms for
Mthobi to hand the box although
she never raised her face to look at
him.

“ we leave by eleven , that's good.?”

“ Yes. No problem."
She was quick to close the door ,
getting a moment to breathe out.
The weight of the box is somehow
light as she shakes it and grinned a
little heading to the bed.
Mthobi puts both his hands away
and walked away.
He gets into his room, finding his
ringing phone vibrating on his table
study and he frowned. Well he told
his receptionist to cancel his
meetings and obviously finished all
the paperwork he thought he had.
Who might call him at this time.
Well if it's James then he better
have a good explanation.
“ yha.!”
He picked up before it could cut, he
sighed standing still and let's fresh
air once again rub his lungs.
“ Ndodana.”
( Son.)
Oh hell he did not.! Solomon did not
just call MthobiLanga at this hour of
the morning did he.
“ are you going to work.?”
“ Since when do I report to you.?
When did that one start.? ”

“ Hey Mthobi, am still your father.

And I'm asking because I need to
discuss something with you.”
“ discuss.? Haibo, Weeh Solomon...
You bought a new SIM card to call
and tell me that. ? What happened
to emails.”

“ will you ever let the past be the

past.!”

Solomon shouted.
“ Ungangi nyanyisi. Singajwayelani
kabi ngaleyo ndlela, you are hiding
something from me and you know it.
Why don't you tell me how my wife
and mother died first.!”
( Don't you dare. Don't you dare
piss me off.)

“ Okay, look. Can you come to the

office, it's something important and
work related."
“ Not today. Make an appointment
tomorrow. And next time you use
your tricks to call me, you would
wish I was never your own.”
Mthobi hanged up the call, he three
the phone on the bed.
He damn hates his father,
petionately . For hiding the murder
who killed his mother and wife. He
won't spit the truth out, and it's no
point to call such man a father. He
can never forgive him for that.
.
.
.

JAMES MHLONGO

He just came back from jogging,

finding Nesta not on the bed as he
left her there. He grins when he
hears his shower tap on and her
voice as she sings.
He seems to not get enough of her,
well let's say something in him is
growing and it will be bad to tell it
to her. She will freak out, maybe
panic and never talk to him for
another month or so just like the
last time he told her that they
should upgrade things and maybe
do something lovers do.
“ We are not that James, we ain't
lovers. actually stop this.!”
Those were exactly her words and
from there he never heard from her
unless she had something to say
about Mthobi and that was all.
They can communicate when it
comes to MthobiLanga but not
when it comes to their relationship
or whatever they have.
He badly want to sail the ship,
maybe as the captain. But then
there is no commander, someone to
bear his little crew.
Moreover he doesn't want to ruin
what they have, he enjoys it too.
And sometimes he feels it's best
because his life is never meant to
be. The things he does and the
things that happen to him. How he
handles his life and emotions, Well. .
. It's better if they just fuck and
communicate. He won't survive a
month maybe if he gets a girlfriend,
besides they all last a week.
“ hey Barbie.”
He strips naked, getting to join her
on the shower case.
Her hands could barely click behind
his neck as she wrapped them there
and hang on his shoulders.
She tip toe closer to him, and he
lowers his face to kiss her lips.
“ well you are hot.”
“ I was jogging. And doing a little
work outs on myself.”
She removes her arms and get the
soap, rubbing it on his body as
water splash on their body. She is
too much focused that she can't
notice how he looks at her.

He gulps, his hand hit the wall,

caging Nesta closer to his chest.
She looks up to his face and he
grins...such a beautiful face she has.
“ what.? I want you to rub it well.”
He says.
All lies, he wants to say his love in
many ways.
“ and what else wants to be rubbed
well Mhlongo.?”
Ouch.! His heart nearly stopped
there.
“ well doctor, no one has ever
pronounced my name as sweet as
you do.”
His other hand was capable to hold
her waist.
“ you do me things though.”
“ Well... Good things I guess.”
He turns her around, her boobs
against the wall. He spanked her
and she responds with a little moan.

Who wouldn't love the things he

also does to her. Well it's a fucked
up situation here because she loves
how he knows places to grip on.
How he makes her feel.
“ far good , actually . They are
greater things..”
He whispers .

NANDI MSOMI

“ I thought you said you'll announce

everything today. That you will take
Senzo to the company today.”
Solomon sips on his tea seated. The
man is hurt, that he can't have a
Norma conversation with his son
because of circumstances around
them. Because of his silly mistakes.
He loves Mthobi dearly, but he
doesn't know that because Solomon
is an arse.
“ I'll do it tomorrow. What's the
rush.”

“ why is it that hard to put your son

there Solo.”
“ it's hard if the owner doesn't
know.”

“ Oh, wow. So you prefer Mthobi 's

feelings over senzo.”

“ really now Nandi, angithi I must

talk to both of them in one place
before announcing to the board
members.”
“ Shem, I so damn feel pity on you.
So this is what guilt looks like. You
are scared of Mthobi. A little boy
like him.”

“ Don't let me think that you want

Senzo to go to that company to
overthrown Mthobi. Because that
won't happen.”
He says looking at her. Nandi walks
away without another word.

“ Nandipha.!”
He yells, standing up to go after her
but suddenly a message disturb his
attention.
He picked up his phone and sighed
as he gets to read the message sent.

His face becomes unbearable and

with a shocked expression linked in.
He felt his heart is being stolen by
fear.
Who could send such a terrific
message to him.?
Could that mean....

VIVIAN SIBIYA

“ honey...”
She then paused looking at Sibiya
on the bed, he felt like his pains are
piercing throughout his heart but
then with no word to explain it to
Vivy here to keep her mouth shut.
Can't she just not show her face
here ever again.?
How to tell her that.?
He wants to damn committ suicide.
He wants to end his life since
Mthobi and James failed to. They
left him to feel this kinda pain and
shameful. Well he feels it, and it's
not good anymore. A day like this
seems like hell, well it is hell.

If only he can actually committ

suicide, but then what will he use to
tie the rope on the ceiling and hang
himself, let's not even talk about
those fingers because firstly he
needs to stand to be as to tie that
rope.
“ Baba, who could have done this to
you. Say something.!”
Vivy begs. Sibiya just looked at her.
Emotionless but much pain lingered
in his eyes.
Obviously she is mocking him. And
it's working out just fine because
what the fuck can he say.
“ you know what.! Don't worry, I'll
get you help. I'll get someone who
would do much work, yes.”

She wipes her damn tears.

“ Yamihle have a dangerous
husband. Yes, my daughter married
a man that can wipe away our tears.
I'll talk to her. She will convince him
to help us.”
Sibiya started moving. Whaling as
possible to stop her. But then Vivian
took it as if he was happy to hear
that as she stands.
“ yes, I will get us help. don't worry.”
He can't even feel his legs but feel
the pain as they hang there, and
this woman is about to invite
another toucher to his doorstep.
It would have been a better sin if
they also took off his eyes because
it's paining him to see as he can't
do nothing.
.
.Chapter Thirteen

YAMIHLE MSOMI
“ Ask him whatever you feel like
asking, say it out. Am here to help
you, to help this marriage work and
for you to find peace. And whatever
you say will stay within this walls
with us. And remember, the point
of being here is to know him well,
as well as he wants to know you
too.”
Yamihle turns to look at Mthobi.
Well if looks can kill then the man
before them is long buried, lucky he
is his always therapist who is used
to him by now. He knows Mthobi
too well, and when he got a call
from James that Mthobi will be
coming in, he cleared his schedule
just to have enough strength to be
before this man.
Mthobi is capable of making
someone quit their job if not
prepared. He can make you look
like you are the patient whereas he
is the therapist. The first time this
man got to know him they hardly
spent twenty minutes when he paid
for an hour therapy. Just like that
Mthobi is a suit was yelling at the
receptionist asking for his money
back. As if he was being scammed.
He was the first man to threaten to
boil people alive in a therapeutic
building. At that time they were
trying to calm another old lady who
was going through a fire trauma
incident. Did she not get
hospitalized that day.?

He finally shift his gaze to Yamihle

besides him.
“ Nomndayi. Go on, feel free. Have I
ever scolded you.?”
She shakes her head. He grins,
turning himself fully to get her view.
Waiting for her to say something.
He grabs the tissue box on the table
and gives her another tissue to
wipe her tears if she wish to cry.
“ Let it out okay. Relax, take your
time.”
He says, his leg goes on top of the
other as he just sat and looked at
her.
“ Will you... Will you ever see me as
a wife.”
She asked. Finding courage to look
up to his eyes but then never spent
more than five seconds looking at
him.
It's always respectful to never look
at your husband straight on his face
in public. That's the first rule she
was told when Married. Well that's
what Vivian kept on reminding her
but failed to tell her some advises.
“ You are my wife. ”
He says.
“ I meant that... Will you ever see
me as a wife that you'll never judge
by past, someone you'll love and
never make remarkable comments.
Will you see me worthy to share a
bed with and never think of how I
was used, by my father. Am asking
if it will ever be hard for you to look
at my nakedness someday
somehow. If you'll find me much
loving to even conceive kids for you.
Won't you feel disgusted, won't you
want to never hold or touch me. ”

Mthobi blinks, it's hurting at the

same time because she mentioned
carrying his kids. Thando died
pregnant, something he wish he
can hold and cherish. What is
moving on in this situation when
something so precious is lost. How
would you move on.?
But then he has to, at least for his
future and life.
“ I would love to be a father. I would
never let that opportunity pass by
any chance.”
Yamihle swallowed as she faced
Mthobi, and he grins in return.

“ Things happen in life, and others

can't be controlled or predicted.
But I can never judge your past
when you are my future. Whereas
you had no control over your past.
No, your husband is not that kind of
a man. Am not any man.”
He says and glared at the therapist
who asked himself deep down what
did he do to deserve such a dead
glare.
After that Mthobi looked at Yamihle.
“ And I wouldn't love to rush you
into anything. I just want the best of
you when you are free and okay to
even look at me. I also have my own
past that it's not that interesting or
entertaining. But I want to start
afresh. With you. . . ”
He paused. Yamihle plays with the
bracelet on her hand that Nesta
gave to her. She is now shy but a
little bit nervous. She wants to
believe him when he says he is not
any man and wouldn't judge her but
if her father failed, then what will
another man do.
“ I want you to see the love I want
to give you and I also want to see
myself loving you the best way I
can love. Allow me mkami.”
Her eyes steal glances of him and
she just smirked without another
word.
Right after the therapist wrote
something down he also got a
glimpse of time...well finally.!
“ Mmh, well it looks like we are
running out of time.”
Their hour is only left with five
minutes to be completed.
“ And our next session will be on
Thursday. In three days time. But
before you leave. I would love to
give you something to do.”
He looked at the too and Mthobi
glared him to dare say something
stupid. But then who cares, he will
say anyway.
“ can you two spend this three days
getting to talk and know each other
better. Without a third party. Then
the next Thursday I'll be asking
questions. Spend time, be free. Go
out, do things.”
“ what thing exactly.?”
Mthobi asked.
“ sir, maybe go to the park or do
picnics. Judging by your words you
know how to talk a way in a
woman's heart. Your wife was
blushing as she heard your words.
At least give it a try, spend time
with her and less work.”
Yamihle felt her cheeks burn. Did
he have to expose her like that.
Mthobi sighed. That's what you get
when people know you.
He stands up, Yamihle follows and
lets him lead the way out. Her hand
now hold on to the dress and after
Mthobi closed the door behind
them.
She is embarassed to look at him
now, they are outside therapy man
and now she feels like he would
question her behaviour back there.
While he was the one to tell her to
relax. But then she feels light
because she managed to say some
things that she didn't know who to
share them with, and now her
husband was there to let her
offload some of the things she was
hiding.

MBALI SIBIYA

The man groans on top of her.

Enjoying himself as he thrust
deeper in her.
“ Who have you been with for the
past few weeks. It feels like no one
has ever entered in here after me.
But I knew you'd come back. ”
He says. Mbali scoffed and pushed
him off. Does he want to say that
Sibiya had a Winnie.?
“ Haibo, Haibo. !”
He yells. Pushing Mbali back to the
bed she just got off from.
“ uyaphi, awani lawa mansimba
ngisa enjoyer.?”
( Where to, what nonsense is that
while I still enjoy myself.)

“ I don't feel like it Thabo.”

“ okay, I'll make you feel it. Relax.”

“ no, I don't want sex anymore

okay..am fine, and I need to go
home."
“ you ain't leaving after arousing me
like this. Who would help me out.”

“ see yourself out. ”

She can't be just feeling bad

because he said her hole feels like
no one has been there for weeks.
As if she came back the way she
left here in. He can't possibly mean
that Sibiya had a Winnie because to
her. . . Step daddy was doing the
most. And now it's gone, they've
ripped it off.
Isn't that enough Karma. She is
going through the most right now.

“ You are not going anywhere.”

He says and resume to be on top of

her once again. But then Mbali
pushed him again and this time
around she ran to the bucket they
uses to urinate in the night. She
started vomiting from there and
immediately thabo's erection died.
That's was something nasty to see
and disgusting.
But then what was concerning is
how is she pregnant at this moment
while he always buys morning after
pills for her. Including the one she
took last night to prevent whatever
they did.
He started to wear up and once
Mbali was done and wiped her
mouth, she stands and turns to him.

“ Who is the father.?"

That was the first question he asked

when their eyes met.

“ What father are you talking about.

?”
“ Who is the father of that bastard
you wanted to pin on me.?”

“ Haibo, which bastard Thabo.?”

He chuckled.

“ Ntombazane, don't you know that

vomiting like this is a sign of
pregnancy.?”
“ I might be not feeling well
because of fatigue or nausea.”

“ nausea under this cold weather.

Angisona islima wee oe.”
( Am not a fool.)

“ come on Thabo, would you really

think that am pregnant.? I drink ...
I...”
She started remembering
something, the day she started
sleeping with Sibiya ... She never
took any pills, she just enjoyed it
that much to not notice anything or
sort about drinking prevention pills
or using any condoms with him.

“ No, am not pregnant.”

“ don't get close, it smells like a

sour gravy soup.”
She retreat her steps and looked at
him.

“ Just get the fuck out. ”

“ Thabo you can't really think that

am pregnant. We use protection
and I prevent with pills. Am not
pregnant.”
“ you said you want to go home
minutes ago and refused me to
touch you. So yeah. It's just that.
And I respect your decision.”

She looks down in disappointment

and went to pick up her clothes so
that she could wear up and leave.

“ But I'm not pregnant.”

“ can we be sure after pregnancy
test. You'll call me when things are
good.”

He sits on his bed. Well his shack is

enough for him and can never be
that big to even raise another man's
child. He refuses with his all. He
would rather go kiss bacteria than
to hold candles for another man.

.
.
.

“ we need to talk.”
Solomon walked in the kitchen to
find Nandi chopping some onions.
Well someone have to make lunch
because Nesta seems to never
come back home any day from now.
“ yeah.?”
Solomon looks around to see if
someone is around, Nandi notice
how skeptical he was. And it's odd
for a man with muscles like him to
be this terrified.
“ someone knows.”

“ someone knows what.? ”

He looked at her to be serious for
once.
“ what.? You have many secrets.
And some I might not know.”

“ Someone sent me a clip of

Thando and I in a hotel. And
whoever it is promised to make the
sex clip viral if I don't comply.”

“ what.!”
Nandi shouted. But then Solomon
closes her mouth quickly.
“ Will you be quite.!"

“ You slept with Thando.?”

Senzo asked, standing at the

kitchen entrance and looking at the
two. Especially his father who he
felt like betrayed him.

.
.
.

“ Nesta, wait. . . Stop.!”

“ what part of I can't live you can't
you understand.?”
He holds her hand. Stopping her
from packing up her bag to leave.
Just because he whispered I love
you during sex. The way she just
got off him because she was the
one on top . On the verge of him
coming and went straight to lock
herself in the bathroom. After a
quick bath she came out furious
and started packing up her
belongings.
“ Okay, why can't we just give it a
try."

“ and then what.?"

“ and then love.! Come on, can't you

see how I feel.?"
“ No, I guess I might be blind just
like love is. James I don't want to
entitle my life to a man. To forever
be a man's worshiper, no. I don't
want to see myself being told what
to do and what not just because am
in love. No, I'd rather shoot that
feelings and sweep it's pieces off
the cliff. ”

“ Let's try. Please. . .”

He got closer to her, looking down
to her face as he held her hands.
“ I love you.”
Nesta blinks. He swallowed as he
awaits her next move. Any positive
move that will soften his damn
heart.
“ I'll think about it.”

She grabs her bag and walked out.

James sighed as he felt like
something in him just died. He will
explain to Mthobi later. That he
fucks around with his sister. But
then for now he really needs to
make this work. He needs to at
least love her. . . That's all. And
maybe she could love back.
He groans as he kicked the
wardrobe but quickly started
jumping to nurse his paining toe.
How can he be stupid, didn't he
think of wearing shoes first.
Chapter Fourteen

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

He grasp the cup handle between

thumb and index finger, extending
the pinky and ring finger. Keeping
them slightly curled as he lift the
cup to his lips, taking a delicate sip
on the tea. And obviously his eyes
goes back to focus on Yamihle once
the cup is down. How she slowly
takes another bite of the chocolate
cake. The silence between them is
somehow a slap to both their egos.
Both their throats are itching to say
something out of their minds. Yet
they are holding back. Nobody
knows what else to say. Therapy
can be a shit in the neck.
Sometimes maybe ...
But it is best at making you feel
guilty for saying something that you
really wanted to say from ages ago.
“ should I serve another cake.?”
Miss Helen asked, now standing
before the two. Mthobi shook his
head for himself. Too much sugar
will make him age better than his
real age , while on the other hand
Yamihle nods. She is enjoying it.
And with the medium hot tea,
everything is at perfect.
“ just a last piece.”
She includes. Miss Helen smiles
going away, heading to the kitchen
to fetch another piece of cake.
Now that her plate is clear. She has
nothing else to distract herself with .
Slowly her eyes try to get used to
stealing glances at him. But then
this man is too good to be stolen
with just a sneaky look. The minute
she gave in to look straight to his
face he already had his own
piercing eyes on her .
He slowly picked up his napkin as
he grins.
“ Are you enjoying lunch so far.?”
He asked, wiping off the little cream
on the corner of her lip. After that
her eyes moved to the sanitary view
through the glassy window. She
blushed like the blue sky when
clouds approach. This is so new to
her and him talking is completely
insane.
I mean, she is not used to his voice
and never gonna get used to
looking at his face. Whatever that
therapy man said should happen
some other day.
“ it's... Good.”
She then gets a glimpse of her
plate, as if another cake will appear
in no time. What's taking Miss Helen
this much. Does she want to find
her dead of blushes and
embarassment at some point.?
“ And it means a lot. You just
sacrificed your time of work for
this.”

“ mmh.”
He grins. Miss Helen comes back
with the slice of cake and later left
to resume her cleaning job.
“ I had a wife... Before.”
Yamihle decrease her pace of
eating. Listening to his sad voice
say something. Or maybe things he
doesn't want to say.
And actually Yamihle knows, his
wife is dead. Who doesn't know.
That she was killed by one of his
enemies trying to take him.
Including his dear mother was
consumed by all this.
“ losing her and my mother made
me angry, so I use work to distract
myself ”
He sits his back on that chair as he
looked outside the glassy window
they sat next to. Why is he getting
all hurt again.
“ And worse part is that. . . She died
pregnant.”

“ That's... Painful to experience.”

And that's all she said before
pausing and looked up to his face.
They both sat there and journey
back into silence while Yamihle
Strats all over again to eating the
chocolate cake before her.
“ Sir, someone is here to see you .”
Miss Helen says with a bright smile.
Mthobi takes his eyes off the view
outside to her
“ Who is that.?”
“ it's Ma'am 's mother. And she says
she is here to see you and that it's
very important.”
His eyes closed a bit as he frowns.
Then for a second he looked at
Yamihle. Her cool face was now
replaced with a sad one. Very much
with fear and nervous inbetween.
“ Don't open the doors for her. Just
say we are not home.”
“ She is already at the lounge. I let
her in because... Because she is the
mother in-law.”

Yamihle hold her trembling hands

together and blinked. Well she is
definitely asking herself what could
Vivian be doing here after all those
cruel things she inflicted on her.
“ Uhm... Maybe she wants to say
something important or see me.”
She says. Then gently gets up from
where she was seated. Mthobi also
follows and lead the way first.
Three of them made way to the
lounge and there she was, seated
on his couch... Her filthy eyes
scanning around with a small smile
on her lips.
“ ma'am, they are here.”
Miss Helen says. Getting to look at
how tense Mthobi looked all of the
sudden. Then she immediately left.
“ Oh, my dear babies.”
Mthobi scoffed. Loud enough for it
to be heard. He would rather climb
that dangerous hill without any
safety belts than to be a baby to
this kinda mother.
“ Yami, come hug Mama.”
Yamihle looks up to Vivian, about to
give in and walk to her but Mthobi
pulls her back by hand. She looks at
him and he slowly shook his head.
His face suddenly became lethal
and hard when he takes his eyes
back to Vivian.
“ What brings you into my home.? ”
He questions. Vivian felt somehow
guilty and looked down.
“ I... I came to see how my daughter
is doing, that's all.”

“ You thought I would kill her or

what .?”
He grins as he asked that. Well
that's what they all thought when
she got married. Not knowing he
was on his free will to kill an
innocent bird.
“ Well as you can see she is doing
fine. Is that all.?”
Yamihle bites her lip not trying to
cry, because him defending her like
this is such a goal. She remembers
when she used to beg people to
help her, including Vivian herself.
To help her free herself. But then
they all turned against her.
“ No, No. Can I at least talk to her in
private. As mother to daughter.
there is something I need to talk to
her about.”
“ Unfortunately I don't like leaving
her sight. So shoot your shot
mamazala. We would kindly want to
resume our little date. ”
Vivian gulped as she looked at
Yamihle, thinking that she would
also look at her but she didn't,
rather her eyes were scanning the
floor.
“ Mkhwenyana..."
( Son in-law....)
She says and paused.
“ Yes."

“ I need your help. It's very much

urgent and important. You see. . . If
you do this to me I'll forever
appreciate you.”
She looked so damn desperate, her
crocodile tears played along
thinking that Mthobi will soften up
and say things she would want to
hear from him.
“ My.. My husband is in the hospital.
He... He... He”
She looks at the two not knowing
how to say this.
“ He lost his fingers, his tounge and
few teeth. His legs, and... And... His
manhood.”
“ Haibo, those are Sibiya household
matters. Singenaphi Kwa Msomi.”
( How does it affect us.)
“ I need help Mkhwenyana, my
husband deserve justice.”

Mthobi chuckled, looking at Vivian

with disgust.
“ kuyacaca ukuthi uDelilah uyingozi
kundlula Lo shuni ka satan. Talk me
through this, your husband needs
justice.? Njani.?”
( It's clear that Delilah is dangerous
than the devil.)
She still have the nerves and
courage to help a man that
wronged her child. The same child
that pleaded for mercy and she
ignored it. But when it comes to
Sibiya she would move mountains.?
So pathetic.!
“ He was wronged. ! Please help me.
I know that you are powerful and
you can make things happen.”

“ excuse me...I.. I will be back.”

Yamihle was heartbroken as she
leaves the too. And he knows that
she is not coming back. She is
going to cry her tears out in her
room where no one will see her
because whatever this woman is
saying is deeply a sin.
“ Mkhwenyana...”

“ your time is up in my house, and

next time I see you in my here make
sure that your funeral can keep up
with the best coffin that doesn't
allow see through because God
knows what I'll do to you.”

“ what do you mean.?”

She asked. Not sure if what she is
thinking it is what it is.
“ Tell your manhore husband that
eyamadoda ayipheli. Sazo hlangana
mina naye. ”
( Men's war never ends. We will
meet again.)

“ you did this to him.?”

Mthobi looked at her from toe to
head.
“ I gave my wife justice, that's what
I need. Now move.”
He yelled at her on the last two
words. Terrified she was, Vivian
flinched and started doing the walk
of embarassment. She was quick to
leave through the way she came in
with.
He clicks his tounge and simply
walked back upstairs straight to his
room. The good evening they had is
now ruined.
All because of Vivian .!

Later that day....

NESTA MSOMI
She is good at starting
conversations and talking none stop.
But then today it's all silence.
Including from her. Senzo doesn't
even know if it's the food that is
bitter or its because he is seated
next to his father as always.
Well Nandi is playing with his food,
not so entertained about this
tension between them all. Nesta is
so gone with her thoughts that she
mashed the boiled potatoes with a
fork unknown to her.
“ Did you send Mthobi an email.?’’
Nandi asked. Obviously to Solomon
and he looked up to her with no
reaction to spare. He is just dull at
this point.
“ Mmh ”
He goes back to look at his plate
before her.
“ And all board members.?”
“ Yes Nandi. Is there anything else
before I get my peace back.”
Simply he asked, Nandi clicks her
tongue.
“ why would you call all board
members and bhuti Mthobi.? Is
there anything I missed out on.?”
Eventually she missed out on a lot.
But then Solomon wasn't that much
interested in her questions. He just
goes on to poke the food on his
plate.
“ Senzo is joining in the logistic
company as Mthobi 's partner.”

“ What.?”
Nesta exclaimed. And in all that
guilt feeling she knows that her
mother is much involved in all this.
“ shouldn't you be happy that both
your brother's are going to work
under one roof.”
“ be happy for madness that is yet
to consume them both.? Hell no.
You can't put Mthobi and Senzo in
one place.”

“ will you ever be happy for me, just

for once in your life Nesta. Without
giving Mthobi all that credit of
being a brother and shit. ”

“ unfortunately I don't condone

nonsense. You said you are never
interested in anything that has
Mthobi is it or whatever he holds.
What changed.?”

Senzo banged the table and stool

up.
“ you know what, I don't have time
for this.”

“ you better get rir of evil thoughts

to bring him down in anyway
because am not in support of this
and will never be. That company
belongs to MthobiLanga.!”

“ oh shut up Nesta.! I had it enough

with you.!”
Nandi says standing up too. She
chuckled and faced her mother.
“ I also had it enough with this
family, actually. And for the fact
that you turned a blind eye to pin
such mistakes on a person who
didn't create himself. At least he
didn't ask to be a product of a man
like my father who failed to zip it up
on his wedding day.”
The table nearly flipped when
Nandi pushed it so she could reach
Nesta very well. But then she was
quick to dodge the slapp and stand
to look at Nandi get irritated worse
to the core.
“ I refuse to be a sheep under a
wolf's dynasty. Uhlazo lokho. know
that Nesta can never follow evil
under blindness.”
( Such disgrace.)

.
.
.

“ Where is Mama.?”
Mbali asked, the smell of pork
hitting her nose wildly . What ever
delicacy Enhle is cooking it's
become a bomb to her system. She
takes slow steps not getting closer
to the pots, where the smell is
stronger.
“ She said she went to Yamihle 's
house the last time I called to ask
about her. She said that she will
convince Yami sister to talk to
brother in-law to catch whoever did
that to father.”
“ ouch.!”
Mbali respond. Well that felt
strange because she knows what
Sibiya has been doing to Yamihle all
this years. So at this point Yamihle
should be happy that he has no dick
no more.
“ Well it's late, she should be back
by now.”
The for opens and that's how Vivian
walked in. Her tears freely
decorating her face the same way
they have been doing all the way
from the rank to here.
“ Mama.”
They both rushed to her.

“ Mama, how did it go.? Did brother

in-law agree to help.?”
Enhle asked. Vivian finally falls on
the floor crying.
Mbali only stood from a bit far
shocked to see such a scene. Enhle
knelt down to ask her mother if
something is wrong or if she is tired,
but then Vivian wasn't having all
that.
“ He is the one that did it.”
Mbali screamed louder than Enhle
due to what they just heard.
“ He is the one that did what
Mama.?”
Enhle asked trying to make sure if
she heard her mother correct.
Mbali puts her hands over her head,
the shock getting to be registered
in her mind. Her heart beating
faster than before and she
eventually exclaimed more.
Before she could try to say
something she felt something
blocking her chest as she then
rushed to find a place to vomit at.

.Chapter Fifteen
NOMATHEMBA

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

Just at the balcony, standing curvy

and fine in stilettos, looking down
to the beautiful city of London
under the dark of the night. But
then her heart ached for something
else. To be with the one and only
son she misses the most. Does
Solomon ever known that karma is
a bitch.? Well only one way to find
out
“ I've been in coma for so long,
Letting my son live under lies
unknowingly. How he was betrayed
by his own father. And to this day
my son still thinks that bitch of a
dead wife was the love of his life. ”
She grabs a glass of wine before
her and looks at it. Well red wine is
her fine taste.
“ we already sent a clip to Solomon
just to scare him a bit. So what's the
plan for now.?”

“ There was a forever plan that my

son needs me. And that is still the
plan, we attack with no mercy. I
heard that Solomon wants to make
Senzo a part of Msomi International
Logistics. Well we have to stir up
problems for that boy. I don't want
him close to my son because I know
Nandi is behind this whole shit. Get
a jet, prepare it for two days to
come. We leave London.”

“ you just got out of coma a month

ago and left the hospital a week
ago. Don't you think that's a drastic
move. It's too soon.”

“ It's never too soon when you have

to attack your enemies. I need to
put an end to this. Mthobi needs
justice. And I haven't seen my son in
years. I don't get to hear his voice
no more. And I wonder who still
keeps him happy.”

“ he is fine, I know that. Okay then.

Let's focus on getting that jet and
leave in two days. We still need to
rent an apartment, cars and so on.”

“ I am Nomathemba, and things

have to happen.”
.
.
.

YAMIHLE MSOMI

“ Thank you.”
She rehearse alone in her room. Not
knowing how she would show up at
the dining table. She has been in
her room ever since Vivian was
here and she really wants to thank
Mthobi for what he did for her.
Standing up for her like that infront
of her mother while she knew what
not to do at that time. And he was
there to put words on her behalf.
Yamihle breathed out and opens
the door. She walked out of the
room, rubbing her shoulders as she
approached the kitchen.
Thinking that it was Miss Helen who
was making plate noise, only to find
Mthobi in an apron as he dishes up.
Her jaw dropped, looking at her
dear husband struggle to grate
some cheese.
“ Msomi.”
She walked up to the kitchen
counter. Rounding it to his side and
managed to stop his hands. He puts
everything down and sighed.
“ Thank god you are awake.”
He says. Yamihle gets to wash her
hands at the sink and after that dry
them and takes another apron out
of the shelf where Miss Helen
always pulls them out when
cooking.
“ I was trying to make cheesy
meatballs and some spaghetti.”
He says once he noticed the look
on her face. She looks at him and
felt like laughing out. She holds it
back and looks at the mess before
her.
“ Is Miss Helen asleep.?”
“ no, she left in the afternoon. An
emergency came up back home.
And I didn't want to bother you.”
He can admit that he was about to
cook poison for himself. That's what
you get when you google things to
cook.
“ Cheesy meatballs and spaghetti. I
can try. I only got to cook
mincemeat and spaghetti back
then.”
He grins. Finally she said a long
sentence without scratching with
fear around him.
“ Mmh, let me help. As long as I'll go
to bed with a happy tummy.”
Yamihle gets shy and goes to stand
before the stove, turns two stove
plates on and put a pan with oil .
Taking the another pot and pours
water then also put on the stove.
“ Medium meatballs or small.”
Mthobi asked, when she turns to
him he was rolling the minced meat
into balls.
“ Uhm, maybe medium.”
She smiles and get on to take out
some onion and tomatoes, washing
them in the sink.

She grated the tomatoes, it's better

if the tomato is juicy and rich with
flavour. After that she chopped
some onions.
“ How did you learn to cook like
that.?”
Mthobi asked, he is impressed with
her skills already.
“ Mbali and Enhle were always
focused on their phones and
forever partying out. Mama had no
interest in the house chores either,
so everyday I would cook for them.
Sometimes I had to change the
dinner into something else delicious
and tasty. So I would spend my
evenings trying to make something
new. At first they get bad but with
time I learn and it because tasty. ”
Mthobi was now done with the
meatballs, he goes on to put them
in the pan of hot oil. Yamihle pours
in the diced onions and he kept
stiring them.
She attends the boiling water in the
pot and pours some spaghetti in.
Sprinkling some salt too.
.
.
.

Yamihle walks in the dining room

with two plates in a tray while he
had two glasses of juice. She puts
the plates before their chairs. After
that they both sat down.
“ tomorrow I'll be going to the
office.”
Yamihle nods. Well she doesn't
have much problem of what he
does or what he says. As long as it's
safe and a good thing. She is just
happy that they are both trying to
get along perfectly fine as husband
and wife.
“ And I wanted you to join me.”
She looked up to him holding the
fork with a bit of shock.
" It's best if you know where I work,
to know my other space that am
letting you in on you know. Because
somehow I know my work
sometimes describe me. And it's
best you know that to. And am
letting you in that space.”

“ You are a man of status Msomi.

And I don't think I can match your
status that much. ”
She scoops a small pile of spaghetti
with the fork and takes a bite.
“ You are also a woman of status.
Don't ever belittle yourself like that.
What's mine is yours. You are Mrs
Msomi, Nomndayi. ”
She nearly got a hiccup but could
surely admit that she is swept to
the moon and back by his words
without even glaring at her. He is
just that man of words so far.
“ if you are interested we can leave
by seven in the morning.”
He takes a bite on the meatball and
glanced at her.
“ I... I don't have nice clothes. And I
wouldn't want to damage your
reputation like that.”

“ That's not a problem.”

He grins.
“ Don't get me wrong, I just want to
spend more time with you. ”
Yamihle blushed as she looked
down to her plate. Already feeling
like the melted cheese as her heart
melts to his words.
.
.
.
.

NESTA MSOMI

In the morning....

Nandi walks in the kitchen and

Nesta packs up her lunch boxes
trying to excuse her mother by all
means.
“ Nesta, can we talk.”
Nandi blocks her way from exiting.
“ Look my baby, no one is planning
evil here. Am just trying to make
sure that what belongs to this
family belongs to this family by all
means."

“ MthobiLanga is also my brother,

he also belongs in this family Maa.
Why are you trying to fight him
whereas he is not. ? He literally
doesn't hate you people but you all
are already overreacting. Making
him an enemy of this family. ”

“ MthobiLanga is another woman's

child, don't you get it.! You want
him to take away all that I've been
building for years with your father.
For your sake and for your future. Is
that it.!”

“ He is also the same man's blood.!

My blood.! It doesn't matter who
birthed him, he is my elder brother
and that is just that. That's it.! He
didn't wish to be born in that
situation, because he is just a result
of two elders who had
responsibilities of their reactions.!”
A slap lands on her left cheek.
“ Don't push me. He is a mistake,
and forever be one.”
Nandi warns.

“ A better mistake than the one you

birthed.”
Nesta backfires, and right before
Nandi could say a thing she just
grabbed her lunchboxes and left
the kitchen. She takes her bag right
on the sofa at the lounge and
quickly left the house.
.
.
.

VIVIAN SIBIYA

“ Mbali, you'll be the one incharge

of cleaning the house. So far Enhle
will cook. Okay.”
Mbali still yawns. It's too early to
just wake up in the early morning to
just do house chores. The day is still
young to come and very much long
to do all that work.
“ Why do we have to wake up at
this hour again.?”
“ because it's best to work while
still fresh and it's good when the
sun is not yet that hot. You'll rest in
the evening.”
Exactly what Yamihle would say
when they mock her for choosing a
boring life while she can still have
her youthful days and go out to
party and be free. Not knowing
what their poor sister went through.
“ Mama, if you miss sis Yamihle you
can as well go live with them. You
can't just wake us up at this hour
for work. Hai man.!”

“ And have Mr Msomi chop you up

like he did to dad. Look, am still
sleeping. And I'll definitely cook as
the day goes by. Whoever wants
breakfast at the moment can as
well see themselves out. As for me,
I have a dream to catch.”
Enhle says too and tries to walk
away. Vivian pulls her back with her
gown.

“ My house, my rules. And both of

you have to be useful. Your father is
coming back next week, Is this the
attitude you gonna give him when
he comes back.!”
Mbali laughs.
“ Inja engena mazinyo ayilumi neze.
Ifana nenja efileyo. Relax, it's not
like he will shout and yell at us like
before, or use his hands to slap us.
What am I even saying, he won't
stand tall to my height and tell me a
piece of his mind. I beg, let me go
and rest. Excuse me ”
( A dog that has no teeth can't bite.
It's same as a dead dog.)
“ Mbaliyothando Sibiya.!"
Vivian shouted, but she was long
gone heading to her room.
“ Rest mama, yhoo.”
Enhle followed.
.
.Chapter Sixteen

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI
SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

Probably there won't be anything

reasonable said – Solomon never
have anything better to say when
his life bores him and it's damn
annoying when he feels like
everyone should freely that
boredom with him. Otherwise why
the fuck would he calls a meeting
for everyone to pitch in. What are
conference calls for in this damn
world.?

Mthobi just wanted to spend his

day with his wife. Both of them
getting to clear invincible and
visible obstacles just so to make
things work . He wants to know
Yamihle genuinely without a second
figure inbetween. There was never
an emergency that Miss Helen had
back home. Mthobi have her a week
away and she is still going to get
paid for those days.
He just wants to put some effort in
his marriage, and here he goes
again today. Taking a breath out
before knocking on Yamihle 's door.
Today he is not ashamed to knock.
Rather he is somewhat happy.
When she said she didn't have
anything that suits his reputation to
wear, he was on the sad state . And
before going to be he called that
same company to buy another
dress just like he did yesterday .
“ Good morning.”
He greets first right after she opens
the door. She blinks her gorgeous
eyes at him before looking down
“ Morning.”
He grins.
Just remembering how they had a
good time talking and cooking, then
eating and washing the plates
together. Seriously, Sibiya ruined a
good girl . Yamihle is kind to be
around.
“ I got you another gift.”
She giggles, looks at him and smiles.
“ thank you Msomi. But can I ask.”
“ yes, go on darling.”
Oh, he had to call her darling. What
kind of a romantic man is he .
“ How do you buy things
overnight.?”
She looks at him , making his face
turn into a happy smiler.
“ Well, I have people that gets me
things urgently when it's very
important. And Johannesburg malls
don't close at all. It's twenty four
seven. ”
She nods. Never knew about that
one but she actually had to ask him.
She was so surprised yesterday
when he did the same thing while it
was so early. Shops don't open that
early back at her town. No matter
how rich you are.
He hands her the gift shopping bag
this time around, she takes it .
“ I'll get ready.”
“ Thank you, and what would you
want for breakfast.?"

“ no, I'll get done fast and come

downstairs to make breakfast.”
With the mess he nearly cooked last
night, and lastly that he is a man.
And they are both married. So it will
be somehow tormenting her that
she let her husband cook for her.
“ let me handle it, and I promise I
won't do something crazy, okay. ”
Before she could say a thing Mthobi
left , he knew she would dispute.
She is way traditional for this town.
Yamihle closes the door and put the
bag on the bed, curious of what
kinds cloth did he buy today. She
opens up, it was a silky soft black
dress that had diamonds. With
black laced sleeves. Obviously a see
through type.
It's not that long, but surely right
under her knees. Not like yesterday
when he bought something that
reached her toes.
She loved it anyway, because he
understood why.
Once she puts the dress down she
then goes for the shoes.
“ Glassy heels.?”
She asked herself. A smile on her
face. Definitely thinking about
Cinderella. And he made her one,
his princess that left a glassy shoe
behind in his palace.
She puts the shoes aside. And she
finds a small purse that matches
with the dress.

.
.
.
She did something with her curly
hair, and that's why she took the
world's clock with her to spend so
much time in the bathroom. It was
necessary. She is careful as she
takes her steps in those shoes. She
remembers on her wedding day
when she fell and had to stand up
to continue like nothing happened.
Well she still finds it embarassing
and stupid to go through when she
thought she had the wall like a
queen.
When she looked at Mthobi in the
kitchen and dishing out some oats
in bowls she got courage to hurry
up to him before he burns himself.
What will she explain if his people
ask what happened to him. Will she
say the man that married her with a
better bride price than anyone
could wish for was cooking. All
those cows he sent to her family for
him to suffer.?
Look at him using baking cloves to
hold the pot. And today he isn't
wearing an apron.
“ You'll burn yourself.”
She puts the purse on the counter
as she rushed to help him.
“ put the pot back.”
She said.
Yamihle opens the drawer and
looked for a scooping spoon. After
that she put the bowls on a tray and
hand it to Mthobi to hold it for her
as she dish out.
He grins, looking at how careful she
is not to stain her dress. After that
they pour some milk and sugar.

Once they reached the dining table

Mthobi sighed after sitting down.
Taking a first bite and enjoying
being finally free from the kitchen.
He eats with easy, no hard face
expression of such. Just the
MthobiLanga he never showed
anyone. Yamihle gets a glimpse of
him. Of all the days she has been
eating in the same room with him,
she never dared to look at his face
when eating. The moment he raises
a spoon she would look away to her
own plate. But today she lifted her
head up to look at him.
She finds it... Well damned ... but in
a good way. Is that how men eat.?
Is that the way every man's jawline
moves, slow and stiff. Stronger than
her fragile heart. How sexy his
forbidden apple struck on his throat
moved when he swallowed.
“ your breakfast will get cold.”
Immediately she looked back to her
hand that had a spoon. Mthobi
blushed, well that was something.
He didn't expect her to be that
scanning...
.
.
.

NESTA MSOMI

“ You called. What's up.?”

” your patient has been stuffing pills

under the bed sheets all the time.
We found out this morning, and as
a doctor you'll have to look for way
to solve it. Meh, thatha."
( Here ,take. )

Mbuyazi hands her the pills. Nesta

felt like she breathe out boiling
oxygen out of her lungs as she
aggressively takes the pills.
Mbuyazi then pointed the room that
contained the said patient.
The stomach– asthma patient. The
one that lost her child due to her
condition because she wasn't
treating it even when she had the
opportunity to.
Nesta shoot her shot as she walks
in the ward. Finding her seated on
that bed and folding her arms.
She then slowly calmed herself
down as she stands besides the
patient.
“ it's time for your medication. ”
She takes out a pill and band it to
her. Then pretend like she is getting
the glass of water for her. Careful
glancing on how the patient trully
puts the pill under the sheets.
Immediately her boiling point is
near Sodom.
“ Weeh Sisi, do you think you are
fooling doctors or yourself.?”
She asked leaving the glass and
gets to stand infront of the patient's
bed.
“ I don't know what you talking
about. The glass of water please.”
“ don't you dare me, am not your
servant so far. Do you think I even
care of you put that pill under the
sheets or under your pillows.? You
can as well shove it under your ass
Ntombi. It doesn't pain me
elsewhere...”

“ Well so far you are a servant, hand

the glass of water over the shelf. Is
that hard. What are doctors for.?
My husband brought me here for
you all to treatment me right ?”

Nesta laughs.

“ well, let me tell you something.

You see that same husband that
you think loves you, well he will
definitely get tired of you and your
barrenness that you refuse to treat.
You just killed his own child by
refusing to drink your medication.
So far you are one foot in the grave
actually, and guess what.. once you
are two feet in , some of use will be
the ones flirting with your man. The
day you stop breathing in this
hospital I'll buy a nice dress so that I
can act damn well when I tell him
that you dropped to heaven. And
whether you die or breathe, my
salary remains the same. I can even
get bonus when informing my
seniors about another corpse. You'll
be a lottery ticket in my bank. Do
something about yourself and stop
bragging about a man that never
came to visit you after he dropped
you under our care. I'll claim with
him insurance policies trust me.
Just die, and you'll see why I was
your doctor in the first place.”

Nesta then goes to get the glass.

“ make sure that the sheet drinks
this water, since it was the one that
swallowed the pill. ”
The lady felt hurt by her words.
“ you are abusive and mean.”
“ you don't want to know me
personally. I'll do the honours to
bury you without trace. So don't
make my damn work harder than
how it looks like already.”
After she took the glass, Nesta
turned to leave only to find Mbuyazi
standing with shock . Well he
thought Nesta was one of the kind
in the Msomi family, she never
lashed out on patients like that. She
was always calm and kind no matter
how sad she would feel personally.
She just made sure that her life
doesn't affect her work. But today
girl pulled ' I dare to do ' energy on
a patient.
She then passed Mbuyazi just like
that... But he follows.

“ you just threatened a patient.”

He whispers.
“ are you gonna dismiss me.? Tell
the higher stars to fire me. Well
technically I'll just graduated and
open my own hospital. Incase you
you think this will bring me down.”

“ well calm the damn down.”

“ What.!”
Mbuyazi retreat a step, looking at
her scare face. Her aura matching
that of MthobiLanga... Waiting to be
pissed so that she can react worse
than now. Looking at how people
looked at them she breathed out.

“ am sorry. ”

“ family issues.?”
They take a walk.

“ A lot, worse than I thought.”

“ did your brother go bongo on

everyone.? Well he is know for
miracles. ”

“ what's with you and my brother

Mbuyazi.?”
“ he accused me of something I
never did. That's what's happening.
And don't forget he once had a gun
on my head. Threatening to open
my brain into two and throw me in
a dam of crocodiles.”

She sighed.

“ okay, fine. It's not my brother. Well

not much of it. Just that my mother
still finds it hard to accept him. And
on the other side it's james.”

“ which James, that Buffy man with

no remorse of mercy on his face.
Dude, where does your brother get
such a dangerous man.? ”

Nesta scoffed. To her Jane's is not

that wildly dangerous than Mthobi.
They might be on the same level
but Jane's surely knows how to
smile than MthobiLanga. That
brother of hers is the devil
sometimes.

“ so what happened to James.? Why

does he stress you.?”

“ well ... He is just ... There.”

“ there where Nesta.? ”

He stops and looks at her.

“ are you sleeping with your
brother's friend.?”

“ you won't understand.”

She says and walks away. Mbuyazi

stood shocked. Well he didn't
expect that. And probably thought
Nesta would someday make a good
wife for himself. But then knowing
that now she sleeps with such men,
he lost the game before he could
even start it.

.
.
.

MBALI SIBIYA

Right after Vivian left, she also took

a bath and wore oversized shirt and
skirt. Already scared for the future.
And guess where she went. . .

Mbali took a taxi that leads straight

to the hospital where she will get to
see Sibiya and tell him the news.
She did take a pregnancy test last
night as Thabo insisted over the call.
And she is definitely a gone girl.
Pregnant with her stepfather's child.
A man that now can't do anything
for himself or to himself. Seriously,
what will Sibiya do now.? With a
useless body.? Shaka Zulu would
say ' umbulaleni ' without a glance.
No man should be useless like
Sibiya is.
“ Sawbona sibiya.’’
His eyes were already open when
she walked in. Not knowing how to
start she just stood there and
looked at him.
Does she really expect him to greet
her back.? With which tounge
exactly.?
“ Well, it's a shame that you'll have
to hear what I even have to say.
Look at you baba. your life is
already hard to swallow. You are a
block on God's throat. Kuya caca.”
( It's obvious.)

He looks at her. Definitely his eyes

demanding that she says what she
wants to say fast and leave. He
really feels hurt to be judged by
eyes and words knowing fully well
that he won't respond.
“ I'm pregnant baba, and it's your
child. ”
Sibiya wide his eyes.
“ remember what we used to do.”
She gets closer. Trailing her finger
on his lap to the bandaged and
shortless part of his body. Where
his manhood should stand.
“ remember the fun we had, when
cumed inside me. So rich and warm
that I loved it, I wanted it every day
and every single time I saw you.
Argh, you knew how to make me
happy. . . And I just miss that us. We
could have been better if you were
still.... Man enough.”
She says. Sibiya caught a glimpse
of Vivian at the door and he got
scared. Then started whaling for
Mbali to stop talking, but she took it
like he loved her words
“ and now that am pregnant. . . I
think you could have made a good
father.”
She giggled, then wiped his tear.
She even went hard as to kiss his
forehead.
“ so it was you.”
Vivian says. Her tears falling like
rain drops. Looking at her daughter
disgrace herself.
“ Maa.?”
She was scared to see Vivian here.
She thought that she went to work.

Chapter Seventeen

YAMIHLE MSOMI

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

They walked hand in hand as the

get in the company. The sound of
her glassy heels stealing attention
to everyone they pass through. Her
eyes scanning around, the building
itself is cold. The smell of
paperwork fresh to her nose, and
good thing is that she looks
representative as well , otherwise
she would have died at the first
glance before walking in here.
Ladies here dress up to date, if
that's the word. They look like
someone from overseas will knock
at their door step in a second. The
fashion sense is very demure.
“ Oh my god, the new Mrs Msomi
looks beautiful though.”

“ sir was born with a taste for

choosing such elegant women.”

“ true, but that dress cost R20k

bantase. It was the latest version of
iLady dresses that were released a
week ago. Definitely sabawel their
marriage, I wish I was her.”
( Wish for)

Yamihle wide her eyes looking up

to MthobiLanga, trying to know if
he also heard the ladies or that he
really ordered a dress worth her life
last night.
She swallows when he says nothing
but keeps on the grin and walks
towards the elevator. No matter
how others waited for the elevator,
no one dared to enter when he got
in. He nods and press the floor
number to his office.
The minute the doors closed and it
started moving, her grip gets tight.
He noticed.
“ you remind me the day I was
young and came with my mother
here. To visit my father in his office,
I thought we are going up to god ”
She looks at him and blushed.
“ it will be hard to get used to this .”

“ everything has a right time. And

reasons ”

“ can I stand behind you, maybe I'll

feel better .”

Mthobi turns to her, and her back

hits the cold elevator wall. He is too
close and she only asked for his
back. Nothing much, not this.
“ no, that will be me turning my
back on you. Let's do a stare
competition. Don't blink till the
elevator stops.”
He smirked to assure her that it's
okay to be scared sometimes.
Yamihle clears her throat.
After that she looks up to him.
Staring deep in his bold black
marble eyes.
Definitely wanted to blink as she
felt the burn of his eyes but
couldn't, she kept her eyes open as
they looked. Her heart beat goes
back to normal . She is now feeling
light. Her worries about what if the
elevator might get stuck or falls due
to brick failure.

Immediately when the elevator

stopped, she got startled by the
sound of doors opening. Quickly
her hand grip on his shoulder. Her
eyes blinked out of fear. But then
Mthobi grins.

Solomon clears his throat. Well he

happened to be standing at the
elevator doors waiting with Senzo
as they were talking with a big
board member of the company.
Someone who has been investing in
this company for years.
Yamihle grip on his shoulder not to
turn. She is embarassed.
“ breathe.”
He told her. Before turning around
and got a glimpse of his father. And
slowly moves aside to have Yamihle
's hand as he lead her out of the
elevator.
“ And there he is, his father's son.”
The old man says. Followed by a
chuckle. He and Mthobi shared a
hand shake.
“ you brought a guest.?”
He then asked.
“ my better half, Mrs Msomi.”
“ Oh, wise choice my boy. You are
welcome dear .”

Yamihle didn't know what else to

say but to say thank you to the old
man. Not extending her hand or
getting closer to him. She was just
standing there besides Mthobi ,
holding his hand.
“ Let me leave you all. I need to
make a call, see you in the meeting
room.”
“ okay old man. Talk later.”
Solomon said.
After the man left Mthobi was also
about to make way to his office.
“ wouldn't you at least let me greet
my daughter in-law.”
“ let's not have a rough morning
Msomi.”

“ you can't fight me for eternity

Mthobi.”

“ you damn missed my wedding, so

don't make me start on that one.
And you know my house so well
that you can walk blind on the
streets. Even after I got married you
never showed up. Just like when I
need you the most, you don't show
your ass up when I need you the
most.”

They all stood and shared look. His

jaw clenched as he eyed his father.
From there he turns with Yamihle
and head to his office .
Senzo gulped. He felt the heat. As if
MthobiLanga was daring him to
blink. Whereas he was just talking
to their father.
From there Solomon left, and even
Senzo took the way to the board
room .
“ She's beautiful.”
He says. Then smirked.

Mthobi and Yamihle gets in the

office. She sat opposite his chair as
he claims the boss chair. He sighed,
not knowing what else to say or do.
He didn't wish for her to see that
part of his angry side of him. How
he talked to his father, well he wish
he had a good relationship with that
man but only god knows something
that he doesn't. It's like it was never
meant to be in the first place.
“ I don't .... Quite get along with
your father in-law. Maybe most part
of the family. Sometimes I get like
that when we spent a second
breathing in one roof.”
Well he is disowning his father you
all, you should hear him say your
father in-law. As if Yamihle couldn't
feel shy ever.
“ mmh.”
She nods.
He raised an eyebrow for her to at
least say something. He wants to
know if she is scared or not. If she
feels safe around him or rather call
the police on him.
“ I understand, and it's good that
you are bold enough to say your
mind towards you parent. It's not
the same . But I definitely
understand.”

“ thank you.”
He grins. He definitely wanted to
hear something that can ease him
up.
“ Uhm, actually am here for board
meeting. I wouldn't want you to be
in a room of men and strict women
that will make you feel
uncomfortable.”
He takes a second to look at her.
Study her face before he smirked.
You would say Mthobi is trying to
catch a prey here. And mind you
this is the wife he married, yet act
like he is still trying to find ways to
flirt with her allover again. No
matter what healing has to take to
be mentally stable, what he is doing
is far than healing. He is damn
looking for ways to fall in love again.
“ have you ever been in a situation
that you want to say something but
can't.?”
He says looking at her.
Yamihle giggles once she saw how
he had his eyes on her.
“ a lot.”
She says.
“ Do you have anything to say to
me that you won't say at the
moment.?”
“ I have questions and yes,
something to say that I feel shy to
say.”

He smirked .

“ I still believe in the spirit of love

letters.”
He says and Yamihle looks at him
with a never dying blush.
“ Can we play along.?”
He asked.

“ My husband wants to read a love

letter.?"
She says and he chuckled.
Yamihle looks away , refusing to
giggle at any cost because she
definitely is dying with blushes and
smiles. Her cheeks hurt all because
of the way he says things.
Did he have to be this romantic
today.? In his office.
Mthobi took out some blank papers
and put them on the table for
Yamihle . He also took a pen for
himself and some file where he puts
two blank papers.
After standing up he permit
Yamihle to come and sit on his chair.
She was shy about it and after that
she finally agreed.
Sitting where her husband owns.
“ I'll be back soon.”
“ Yebo Hlombe.”
His submissive wife says. After that
Mthobi left the office with a proud
smile.

Yamihle smiles, looking at the pen

and blank papers before her.
Thinking about what first to write.?
Clearly her mind has a lot of things
to say and ask him.
.
.
.
.

VIVIAN SIBIYA

“ you slept with your father.!”

She yelled at her. Mbali swallowed,
not that shame catches her before
like this. Vivian doesn't have to rub
it on he face like this. Making it look
like it's hard to digest.
“ Stepfather Mama.”
That's when Mbali corrects her.
Claiming some credit for her
actions.
“ Oh, so you know. You know that
he is your step father, yet how
could you Mbali.!”

“ Oh please.!"
Mbali yells back at her, shocking
not only Vivian but Sibiya who had
no word to say even if he wished to.
“ when he was busy molesting
Yamihle you said nothing. You kept
that away from me and Enhle for
years, you allowed him to sleep her
anyhow. She kept your marriage
alive for years. And now that am
here to service the same man the
same way my sister did, you want
to act selfish. ”
Vivian shamelessly looked at
Sibiya...
She so wish to plug the machines
out on him, but it will be no use. He
can breathe perfectly fine without
them.
He just ruined one of her favourite
daughter.
It's such a shame actually.
“ Decisions were made, and I did
what I did for you and Enhle to have
a shelter, to have life and have a
father figure. Okay, but you can't do
this Mbali. You can get pregnant for
the man that raised you.”

“ I think he was grooming us all for

his benefits and you fell for each
string of that. And worse part you
can sacrifice a child for your own
benefits. ”
“ fine okay, I accept my mistakes.
But then that child can't live Mbali,
you'll have to remove it. What will
people say, that you and your
mother sleep with the same man.”

“ slept, we slept with the same man.

There is nothing to sleep there
anymore. And why the fuss about
this because he is not my father, we
are not biological related. The
people will just have to swallow up.
”

“ that child can't live Mbali, you'll

have to abort. No matter what.!”

“ I'm not gonna kill my child for your

pathetic reason.”

“ Ngithi you are aborting that

bastard. Mbaliyothando listen to
me.”
( I say.)

Mbali giggles.

“ Oh, so it pains you now that I did

something that you failed to do all
this years. Giving him a child. Is that
it, that am the only one that will
birth his child.? Well I'll be damned
to kill my first child. Our first child.
You'll have to live with it same way
you managed to sleep while he
molested your own child like no
other.”

“ I slept with his father when he was

alive...!”
Vivian shouted, claiming the air
with yet another suprise. Even
Sibiya had his head raised. What
does she mean. Of all this years he
begged her to tell her who the
father of this kids are she said
nothing. And now this...

“ Yamihle's father is a coloured man.

That's why she is light in
completion and has rich curly hair,
but you and Enhle... You and Enhle
are late senior Sibiya 's kids. That's
why I never wanted him to touch
any of you. Because you are related.
”
Vivian cries. Sibiya's machines
started beeping . That's why Vivian
refused to have any of his
offsprings. That's because this devil
of a woman birthed his very own
siblings. How could Vivian live with
such secret for years.

.
.
.
MthobiLanga grins, holding the pen
as he writes how he sees Yamihle.
Hoping that when she gets to read
this she will smile and think about
the better picture of their marriage.
“ did you see dad anywhere.? The
meeting is about to start.”
“ Sawbona nawe black panther.
Futhi cha, I never saw that man.”
( Greetings to you too.)
Senzo sighed as he sat besides
Mthobi who was seated at the CEO
chair in the boardroom. He was so
curious on what was he writing that
made him so focused.
Finally after three more minutes,
Solomon walked in with some few
men that should be seated already.
But then Mthobi never took his eyes
off the letter. He even smirked as
he goes on to describe how he
thinks how love could be awarding
to have if they both put their past
behind.
Telling her that he wishes to call
her by his clan name all the time or
call her sweet names without
making her feel uncomfortable or
scared. How he will never think of
stupid things hat might lead to her
hating to be around him.
But wishes to also be her husband
that is loved in many ways.
“ MthobiLanga.”
Solomon called out. Mthobi paused
his fingers, exhale a bit and turned
the page upside down when he
noticed that Senzo wanted to sniff
those words. Lucky his damn chair
is far from him and evernin his eyes
saw something. He couldn't read it.

“ Well, I'm the one that called the

meeting. And as you know the last
time I called such meeting I handed
the company over to Msomi junior.
The better version of Msomi legacy
in many ways. ”
Mthobi wanted to yawn. How dare
he say such. ? Such lies.?
If Mthobi is the better version then
why does Solomon hate him this
much.
There was never a need to claim
face infront of the board members.
No one is Ezekiel here. No one is
better and could die with no sins.
“ but then I thought, why can't I
combine the Msomi legacy in many
ways. And so I decided... It's time to
let the younger generation take
over. To be better far better that I
was when I started this company.
So far I'm impressed with the work
Junior is doing.”
Mthobi glared at his father.
Can he stop calling him junior
already, it's not funny for a man
with attraction and such reputation
to be called junior. Everyone knows
him.
“ and thus far my people, besides
junior... There'll be Senzonathi. ”

Some shoots a glare, so terrified

about this in a bad way. Why would
Solomon dare.?
Senzo can barely lift s company to
the community. So what does
international mean to him. That's a
big thing he'll never manage.
“ And what do you want to actually
mean with that statement . Already
he is besides me .”
Mthobi questions.
“ I'll he handing over thirty percent
of my shares to you little brother,
both of you will partner in this
business. Bring the Msomi legacy to
life and be brothers in one league.”

“ if ever you think that being

bankrupt is your calling. Why
involve me in it. ? Thirty percent to
someone who failed on hundred
percent when you gave him a whole
damn company. What do you think
he will do with half, just in a glance
this whole thing will be gone.”

“ so you mean you are the only one

allowed to own what dad has. Is
that it MthobiLanga.”

“ boy shut up. You don't say shit in

this. You spent a whole company 's
money traveling and spending on
girls. ”

“ are you now investigating my

past.? Is my life worth your stress.?
Awkahle.!”

“ Who doesn't know you Senzo.?

Tell me ... Why do you think no one
wants to partner with you. ? ”
Mthobi then eyed his father.

“ a mad man is better than this.”

“ don't you dare insult me

MthobiLanga. We ain't mates.!”

Senzo horses up. Mthobi stands and

quickly Senzo shuts up. Obviously
he wouldn't dare. Not now and not
here. Maybe another time.

“ Fine, your shares. Do as you

please. But do me a favour Msomi.”

He looks at Senzo then his father.

“ keep up to date with funeral

policies. God knows what he will
look like if he dares to never behave.
”
“ Can you at least sit down and let
me finish.!”

“ aw'ngi tsheli lokho.!”

( I dare you.)

Chapter Eighteen

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI
SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

He opens the door, walking in and

had to stood amused. Yamihle
haven't noticed her yet. She is busy
blushing as she writes whatever her
mind might be drilling. Her little
chuckle softening his angry heart.
What looked like a sad face that just
got out from the depth of the board
room now turned into a happy man
who admired his wife with a grin.
“ Nomndayi.”
He calls, claiming her attention
away from the papers. She looks up
to him and smiled as she now
folded the papers.
“ Msomi, ubuyile.”
( You are back.)
Yamihle then stands up, taking her
purse and about to make way for
him to have access to his CEO
office chair. Mthobi throws his file
on the table and held Yamihle by
hand.
“ Mmh, ngibuyile sthandwa Sam. ”
( Yes, am back my love.)
Her lips doesn't know what else to
say as she found it difficult to even
think of a single word to say. The
closeness and the warmth of his
hand is making her blood boil to her
heart. Soon it might explode out of
love.
“ I hope the walls of my office were
not that cold.”
“ Mmh - mmh ”
She shook her head and smiled.
Avoiding his eyes and charming
face.
“ you can take you seat.”
She says and tries to walk away.
“ Cha, asikho isdingo. ”
( No, that won't be necessary.)
He says trying to look into her eyes
that she refuses to set a glimpse of
him.
“ I'm taking my wife out. It's time
you have me now.”
She giggles. He then grabs the
letter out of the file and folds it two
times.
“ basho ukuthi amagama akapheli.
Kodwa inhliziyo inesfiso. Can you
please find time to read the sweet
words you husband tried to put
together on a paper. Just
something to give you a sweet
tooth in the night .”
( Words have no ending they say.
But my heart have a wish.)
He says before taking Yamihle 's
hand once again and put the letter
on her palm.
She smiles . Taking out her own
letter that's he decorated with
different types of ink colours. All
thanks to the pile of pens on his
desk. Mthobi chuckled looking at
the outside of her letters folded like
an old emailed letter.
Before he could praise her artful
work Solomon just walked in
unannounced.
Yamihle flinched and stood aside
Mthobi. She thought it was one of
his workers but worse part is that
it's her father in-law.
“ We need to talk MthobiLanga.”
Mthobi sighed annoyed. Shooting a
dead glare at his father to give him
space.
“ first of all I think you should
respect my privacy a little. It's
already enough that you don't
respect the oxygen I breathe.”
“ maybe if you respect me then I'll
also do the same. The fact that you
just disrespected me infront of
everyone back than doesn't mean I
can't shit your ass like a father.
Ngiwu yihlo MthobiLanga.!”

His tongue is surely licking the last

tooth in his mouth as he eyed
Solomon. He is using the fact that
Yamihle is there and he knows
Mthobi won't try to do anything
stupid. He doesn't want to do
anything that would scare Yamihle
from him.
“ Lower your damn voice then
...father.”
Solomon took a breath in and
looked at Yamihle.
“ Makoti , can you please excuse
us.”
Mthobi clicked his tongue.
“ Cha, my wife is not leaving my
sight. Lalela la Msomi, it's your
damn business on how you donate
your shares. And one thing that you
can do to help us all here... Tie
Senzo on your belt. Don't let him
bark near my ears. I don't like it. If
you love your son then you will
know what I mean. Angangi qhaki.”
( I don't want nonsense.)
He hold Yamihle's hand and lead
way. Solomon says nothing and
shift out of the way. Already his
soul feels depressed with what
Mthobi said.
Will he really do something to
Senzo.?

.
.
.
“ What do you mean you were
sleeping with his father Mama, does
that mean... Does... Cha. ”

“ I started sleeping with his father

when Yamihle was a year and few
months old. When they wanted to
do an appeasing ceremony for her
because Yamihle was having
sleepless nights and always crying.
Sibiya's father went to a traditional
healer and that's when he found out
that Yamihle is not his son's blood.
And then from there he started
black mailing me , that he will tell
my husband everything. And then I
had to do what I had to do to keep
him quite. We both didn't plan to
have you two, but I couldn't do
anything because Sibiya was happy
to be a father again and again... And
that's how I found myself with you
two. ”
“ And you dare.! You dare to keep
that away from us.!”
Mbali yelled in tears. Looking at
Vivian with anger.
“ now you are telling me that the
man I fell in love with is my
biological brother. How does that
even mean. What does it mean
Mama. Him.! Of all people it's him.!”
“ You shouldn't have slept with him
in the first place then we wouldn't
be here."

“ oh so now you want to blame me.!

For you stupidity and mistakes.
How would I have known that he is...
That he is my brother for god sake
how do you even sleep at night.
How do you live so innocent and all
normal as if you are clean like a
saint. As if you are a good mother.
How do you look yourself in the
mirror and be proud to live.”

“ I did what I saw right and to save

my marriage Mbali. I did that for
you and Enhle. I did that to protect
the two of you. That's what I did.”

“ You ruined my life. And worse part

we never asked you to do anything
for us. ”
“ fine Mbali, I did my mistakes. Okay,
I take that. But then you'll have to
abort that child. It will be a shame
mtanami. You'll have to get rid of
that child because it can't live. it
can't.”
She tries to hold Mbali 's hands but
she refused. Wiping her tears in
anger as she looked at Vivian.

“ Ngeke.!”
( Never.)

Mbali said. That alone made Vivian

feel less herself. Mbali is crushing
every reason for her to breathe.

“ Mbali..”

“ Ngithi Ngeke. I will never . And

you won't make me do a thing.”
She finalized and pushed Vivian
aside that she fell on Sibiya's legs
as Mbali left. The cement on
Sibiya's legs hurt her head.
Sibiya could only cry regarding this
whole situation because there is
clearly nothing to Do. He can't even
say anything even if he wanted.
.
.
.
JAMES MHLONGO

He wants to call her, to ask about

her day and so on like they used to
call each other and chat. But then
he feels like he will only make the
situation even more worse. Nesta
already left here fuming and not in
a good state to differentiate
between wind and air.
But then an unexpected suspicious
messages started beeping on his
laptop. The moment he read the
message he was quick to try and
log in to the bank system. But then
he couldn't because the system was
way updated and it's like the code
to crack it will take some time.
He doesn't understand what just
happened.
It's a transaction with Mthobi 's late
mother's initials.
And what buffles him is that
Mthobi's mother is dead.

The last time he hacked the bank

systems was when Mthobi came to
him so that he can trace his
mother's account for any suspicious
transactions the day she was
kidnapped. Mthobi handed the
sample of her cheque signature and
bank accounts. Just incase, but
then since she died then there was
never a problem to continue and
hack anything. That was it.
He is surprised that today he got a
notification that a signature that
looks like MthobiLanga 's late
mother's is now submitted in a bank.
He doesn't know whether to call
Mthobi or to just keep it in him till
he cracks the system and know
what is happening.

He can't just bottle it up in him so

maybe it's best he informs someone.
NESTA MSOMI.

Her phone rings, well she is irritated

by the ringtone already and
whoever it is will have to wait. She
hangs up without looking at the
caller ID . But then again it rings...
“ I think it might be important back
home.”
“ Cha mgani. It might be those
insurance calls and so one it's
annoying yazi.”

She hanged up again. Finally

whoever was calling stopped calling.
Nesta and her colleague walks in
the cafeteria and both ordered
lunch.

“ Am tired , the minute I get out of

this hospital I'll just go to a spa and
have a relaxing day. Yhoo....even my
back..”

“ lucky you chomi. Mina I'll have to

go home and cook for Bafana and
the kids. ”

“ didn't he go to work.?"

“ lutho oe. He said he will resume

work after two days. When you are
a manager I guess you can do
anything.”
( Nothing of such.)

“ but he should cook because he is

home. It's not like those kids are
yours alone to feed and also you
can't be tired and he expects you to
work again back home.”

“ that's my marriage. Anyway I...”

“ Doctor Msomi, there is a call for
you at the receptionist.”

“ From.?”

“ just go please. That's a hospital

line for life emergency , not a
dating line.”

She scoffed. Nesta stands up

confused and followed to the
receptionist leaving her friend and
the lunch she ordered.
It took her only six minutes to get to
the receptionist with the way she
hurried there. They hand her the
phone.

“ Doctor Msomi hello.”

“ Hi , I'm sorry to disturb

Ntombienhle. Can you please
answer your phone. ”

“ well unfortunately I don't have

that time . I'm at work Mhlongo.”

“ Well it's important.”

“ can you please know that I'm still

thinking about it and you shouldn't
rush me. And I'm damn busy .”
“ It's about your brother.”

He says rubbing his temples. Well

it's a shame that he have to put
Mthobi in this chat like this. But
that's the only way Nesta could
listen. She clears her throat upon
hearing that.

“ You have two minutes to call and

say whatever you want to say. ”

She hangs up on the land line and

goes on to take her phone out.
Immediately James called she
answered as she walked away from
people.

.
.
.
YAMIHLE MSOMI.

Her happy face, her smile when

eating the ice cream and with the
way she talks and shy around. It's
obviously so sweet to watch.
Thando never took time to spend a
day with Mthobi outdoors like this...
Not with small franchises in the mall
or such. But Thando was that
person to go vacations and spend
time with friends. Go to work and
come back from work to Mthobi.
That was it.
“ Are you enjoying.?”
He asked.
Yamihle smiles. This was the place
Nesta introduced to her. They sell
best ice creams she ever had.
“ mmh.”
She nods .
He grins, his leg pulls her chair
closer to his side. Yamihle was
shocked with his actions. For god
sake they are in public.
He then scooped some ice cream
from his own cup and tried to feed
her but she just looked at her with
wide eyes.
“ Msomi, we... We are in public.”
“ look here. Hey, look at me.”
His other hand hold her chin.
Directing her face to look at him.
“ I'm your husband, and ime here to
make you happy. They are also here
for their reasons. And I want you to
focus on our reason. To be happy,
to be together. ”
He brushes her cheek.

“ Can I please feed you mkami.

Ngiyacela kee manje. And I won't
force you.”
( I'm now asking.)
Yamihle looks at Mthobi, his eyes
had concern. Well, concern for their
own happiness. He wants her to
adapt to the things and people
around her.
And she can see that Mthobi
actually means Well for her.
“ Yebo, Yebo Msomi."
( Yes. )

Chapter Nineteen
NESTA MSOMI

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

Nesta finally came back home,

putting her car keys on the key
holder and straight away she heads
upstairs. Acting like her family
doesn't exist in the dining room.
“ Nesta.!”
Nandi calls . But the she doesn't pay
attention to her as she goes
upstairs. Getting to her room and
locked the door. Taking a moment
to breathe in and out.
“ What got her upset.?”
“ How would I know.”

“ Because that's unlike my daughter

Nandi.”
Nandi rolls her eyes.
“ Why don't you go and ask your
daughter then. Anyway, where is
Senzo. How did the board meeting
go.”

“ as expected.”

“ as expected.? How.? What really

happened..”

“ No one is happy about him joining

the company as much as I am. But
then what else can I say when you
are the mother of all blackmails.”

“ Oh Wow. I'm here trying to better

our son's life and you think he
doesn't deserve it. That he shouldn't
be part of what his father might
leave behind.”

“ he failed to prove himself a long

time ago. So no, I don't have any
hopes about him anymore. Senzo
can never change.”

“ and it's MthobiLanga that has all

hopes since he even have all those
shares in the company. ”

“ MthobiLanga never left a

company go bankrupt.”

“ Yazi it will be a shame baba, once

he gets to know that Wena wa lala
nomkakhe. ”
( You slept with his wife before )

Senzo says making an entrance.

Looking at his father with a grin.

“ Busy praising him while you damn

knows very well that it's a guilty talk
deep in you that is at action. And
futhi ngiyamala Lana ngoba he
hates you beyond valleys of the
graves to the hell's core. But Wena
ubusy ufuna ukakha ubuhlobo naye.
Ingoba you refuse to tell him who
killed his wife and mother. ”
( And it's suprises me because.)
( But you are busy trying to be
closer to him by all means while he
hates you.)

“ Senzo.”
“ Cha Maa, Ubaba akangiboni mina.
Just because of a small mistake in
my past and already am the bad
son. MthobiLanga also made
mistakes. He once killed a
shareholder remember. In that
same company, and everyone
knows it but they won't say a damn
thing. And so what do we say about
the last time he partnered with a
Ghanaian Mafia and helped him
traffic humans of our dear own
country.”

“ Well that was my command. That

has nothing to do with Mthobi."

“ oh, so you can take blames for

him too. What a true father Shem .
Now let me make it clear, angiyi
ndawo. Am not leaving that
company for him or for you. ”
He left the two with their food and
goes upstairs.

Nesta gets the files out of her bag

and put them all on the bed. She
can't really believe that she stole
files just because James said so.
But then all this has a way of
getting the truth out. She didn't
believe it when he sent pictures of
the cheque that has been cashed
out somewhere in London. She
wants to know if reality is what she
and James can see. That
Nomathemba can be alive. . .

Worse part is that when she was

brought to the hospital after the
shooting and the kidnapping... Her
face was so bad to be recognised
so that she had to be bandaged on
the face. But then could it really be
that she might have faked her
death.

“ if my brother MthobiLanga is
capable of being so scary, arrogant,
cruel and bossy. . . Can the mother
be so innocent at all.? I always knew
that aunt Noma is something else.
Can she really fame her death for
two years... Without telling Mthobi a
thing or give him a hint of
something. She loves him to never
dare back up on him. Something is
surely up. Something is damn up.”

Her phone rings and it was James,

just in time.

“ Did you find her file.”

“ You know what's funny about this

whole thing... Is that I couldn't find
any record about her being in the
hospital. So there is no file. But I
managed to get any file about any
Nomathemba that visited the
hospital that month. Maybe I'll get
something out of it.”

“ are you thinking what I actually

think it might be. This is very
suspicious.”

Nesta giggles.
“ I can't just get high hopes on this
for nothing. But if it's possible that
she is alive. . . My excitement is on
board. At least my brother will have
a strong backbone. ”

“ well that not the actual point here

Nesta. If that woman is alive, I fear
for Johannesburg. Do you think
Mthobi will just sit tight, after two
years... probably the truth of who
tried to kill her will come out and
you know your brother. Mthobi is a
go getter, he goes for whatever he
wants to do. Remember that his
wife and unborn child are gone in
all this. ”

“ yeah, your right. I didn't think of

that. But James, if she is really alive
then what's keeping her away...
Why didn't she show up and tell her
son that she is alive.”
“ there a much to know. Let's just
try to find the truth first. If she is
alive or maybe it's a joke.”

“ Okay, I'll call when something

comes up.”

“ sure thing. ”

A moment of silence between the

two. Nesta bites her lip waiting for
him to say something. She wants
him to say something actually, but
to her disappointment James cut
the call.

.
.
.

YAMIHLE MSOMI
Yamihle walls in her room , her
back against the door as she smiles.
She had such a good dinner time
with Mthobi today again. She is
finally getting to open up to him.
And the good part is that he allows
her to be free. She can giggle and
blush around him. It's like therapy
was the only thing waiting for her.
Because in all that she gets to know
the happy part of smiling. She
doesn't smile just to hide her pains
no more. She doesn't smile so that
no one would know about her dark
past, no. She smiles because she
can't control how happy she gets
whenever Mthobi says something,
when he just make her blush out of
the blue. And one thing is that he
really knows how to sweet talk a
soul. He was meant for this world ,
to get to meet her and make her
happy once again.
She walked to the bed, where she
last three her purse when they
came back home hours ago and
spent time in the kitchen making
dinner.
She goes on to take out the letter
he wrote for her back in the office.
Well they promised to read the
letters in the night , and now it's
that time she gets to know how at
least he thinks about her... About
them.
She giggles upon opening the letter.
Already can't wait for what he
wrote.

“ The last time I wrote a letter was

when I had no front tooth. Forgive
my introduction, let me do it again. .
.
Sawbona Nomndayi. Ntombenhle.
I'm getting attracted to your smile,
your husband is enjoying every
minute of your sight when you
blush. I don't actually talk that much,
but I'm also beginning to doubt
myself around you this days.
I'm trying my best to know the best
version of you. That happy soul no
one knows about. It tickle
something in me knowing that you
are happy, I don't want you to rely
on your past. Don't let it destroy the
person you are trying to build.
I see you as my wife. The woman I
married, to heal me from my past
too. Which is a shame because we
both went through the most. Am
just happy to share my space with
someone who can relate on how
unfair life is. It's only us that can
make it fair.
Sometimes I fear to hold you. I don't
want you to think that maybe I'll do
something stupid. I distance myself
the way you prefer, I try much to
provide privacy and space so that
you can feel comfortable. I don't
want my past to scare you , or
destroy what we are trying to build.
Just incase you are scared of
something around or feel
uncomfortable at anytime. . . Don't
hesitate to tell me how you feel.
I want to love you, by all means
–Only is you allow me and feel free
to it.”

She smiles once more. Wiping a

tear and puts the letter away.
“ I want a happy life too. But it
scares me, I've never been this
happy at all. I don't think I trully
know how to give love and how to
be loved ig not being ... Forced to
submit. I want to feel free so bad
that my own skin is a stranger
sometimes. It hurts to not know
how to react .”
.
.
.

ENHLE SIBIYA.

Vivian came back early today. And

it looked like she was so angry and
sad at the same time. Avoiding
Enhle by any chance or trying to
talk with her. As hard as doing a
spring cleaning.
Just so to get her mind off things.
Mbali won't listen to her anyway
and it's so shameful that she wants
to keep that child in her. Her
brother's child I say.

It's only the poor Enhle that doesn't

know a thing in this family.

“ smells nice. What did you cook

mtasekhaya.”
“ mom cooked. She came back
early today and you'll swear she
never set foot at her work place "

“ oh, loyo.”
( Oh, that one.)

“ you can't be angry about the

morning issue of waking up. But
then anyways, where have you
been. I was all alone with Mama in
this house. Did you find a new
man.?”

“ you wish."

Mbali takes a plate out and goes on

to stand near the stove to dish out
food for herself. She spent the
whole day trying to think straight
and as to what to do from here but
hunger is no one's mate. She had to
come back home even when she
had no plans of. Thabo now can't
even answer her calls when she
calls. He refuse to be associated
with her.

“ And I dare you to try dishing out

that food."

Vivian walks in the kitchen.

“ Haibo Mama."
Enhle says.

“ don't Mama me. You have nothing

to do with this so keep quiet. ”

“ lol.”

Mbali then laughs. She puts the

plate away and fold arms.
“ so you gonna discriminate me the
same way sis Yamihle was
discriminated. That's a joke.”

“ well since you refused to listen to

me you left me no choice. Angithi
you are old and have a mouth that
runs anyhow like a community tap.
Go on and find a way to feed
yourself."

“ well I'll be damned. Since when

that one started."

“ since you won't have abortion.”

“ Ini.!”
Enhle shouted.

“ you should have done the same

when you carried me. That way we
wouldn't be here. Oh and, keep
your food. My child is not going
anywhere. Same goes to me, am
not leaving this house at any cost.
It's also the house of the child am
carrying. Deal with it. You'll see this
face everyday Sana. Manzi amncani
lawa.”
( This is just for starters.)

“ I dare you.!”

“ And you know what... Maybe you

should be the one to leave because
you gave birth to no child for him..”

“ yima yewethu... You are pregnant,

and whose child is that... What's
happening here, what child's
father's house are you actually on
about. What are you two fighting
about."

Mbali laughs.
“ let me update you mtasekhaya,
news flash oe. . .”

“ don't you even think about it

Mbali."

“ why not, at least let her know that

the man she calls father is actually
her brother and the grandfather is
the real daddy. It won't hurt a hole.
Obviously."

“ Come again. . . My what.?”

Enhle wide eyes and looked at

Vivian. Her heart racing.
Thoughts of mystery shopping free
in her mind.

“ Sibiya is our big brother. We... No,

me and you along with Sibiya who
we thought is our father, share the
same biological dad. He is our damn
brother. ”

“ Maa, what's Mbali saying. Does it

even make sense at all.”

“ don't believe her, she is just

ranting.”

“ oh wow, oh hell . Look Enhle,

believe whatever you want to
believe. And another thing, yes am
pregnant. And it's for Sibiya. Oh
sorry, it's for our dear brother.
Nothing will shock you lie this world
ever in the universe. And sis Yami
belongs to a coloured clan.
Uyambona nawe ukuthi no, we
don't match. Talk about her skin
thou. So yeah, things happen.”

She then closes the pots she

opened.

“ Chao you all. ”

Enhle stands lost as she now faced

her mother to at least make sense
out of the nonsense Mbali just said
to her.

“ Mama.?”
Vivian says nothing and quickly left
the kitchen going straight to her
house just so to lock herself up.

Chapter Twenty

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

–“ Myeni Wami...”
Mthobi grins, right after reading the
first two words of Yamihle's letter.
His other hand throws the towel he
used to dry his body towards the
laundry basket. Another towel is
wrapped around his torso, he just
couldn't wait to read whatever his
wife had to say about him.
Taking a sit on his study chair to go
on and read.
“ I'm shy around you. I feel new
again and scared at the same time.
Am scared to make mistakes or
expect the same from you, I fear
that one day you'll get tired of me
and eventually stop looking at me
the way you do now. Yes we are
getting to know each other now, it's
a good thing. A very good thing I
could ever wish to witness everyday.
But, I have my fears. What if love is
not meant for me.? What if I will
once again get broken. I know I'll
never be the same again. I have
negative thoughts Msomi.
You are a kind man, a good
husband, caring and loving. I see
that in your eyes everytime when I
steal glances at you.
And I have to say, your aura makes
my heart numb. In a good way.
I become... Somehow gentle,
forgetting that the reason am like
this stupid and helpless is because
of another man. We can try and
heal our broken past, patch it up
and put stitches. . . But we can
never forget about what made us
that hurt and deeply depressed.
You also have your darkest days
and tough hours. Your figure , the
way you look at someone, your
voice, and your dress code says a
lot itself. Sorry for noticing .
Well I have other things to say that
are even hard to write and ask
personally, but can I ask this one
thing. . . Why are you so hurt and
broken.?
At the hospital, when I was
admitted. . . You were somehow
different, you were soft minded and
open. Your words had pain, I never
asked. . . And I shouldn't have asked.
It's okay if you won't answer. I'll
understand, some things are not
always meant to be known.
I wish us a happy marriage, and
thank you for the things you have
done for me. I'll forever be grateful.”
He felt like he held his breath, the
whole time he read that letter he
felt like god was once again alive
for some reasons.
No woman was bold enough to tell
him about his mere aura, not even
on a paper. And he did wish that
someday someone will notice his
pains. Here he is thinking that he
was hiding his pains from Yamihle
just so she can smile and find joy
around him, yet it's Yamihle that
knew how his smiles hurt, how his
voice is laced with pains and how
his eyes differentiate a soul from
the body.
Is she that broken to even know
how his figure is a vengeance in
disguise.? Of course yes.
She has been studying him, stealing
glances there and there. Looking
his way when he is not aware.
He wish that she wrote a book for
him to read, to keep him awake all
night because he wants to read this
letter twice.

To answer why he is so broken

inside.

To answer as to why he felt alive

again when he saw her on that
hospital bed.
That's day something kicked a life in
him. He wants to explain all.

But then he knows, some will take

him a life to explain. He gets angry
when talking about his past. How
he lost, how he became thing cruel
and bossy to the world. How he
takes over his heart desires and
move rocks with a bullet, rocks that
seems to block his path to his
victory.
He doesn't need a doctor to remove
a bold and stiff block on his throat
just to swallow. He doesn't hesitate
to do things his way, he removes
things he doesn't need and things
that seem to be annoying and
making life hard for him to breathe
with violence.

“ i wish I can through whoever is

incharge of writing about my life up
there with stones, To numb and
stroke the path am on to be a
straight one. At this point I wouldn't
want to make mistakes to hurt you
more. You are already lost in the
negative side of this life.”
Mthobi sighed, resting his back on
the chair as he still held that letter
before him and just admired the
words written.

.
.
.

The next day. . .

In his white shirt and black trousers.

Stretching his back because he
woke up today finding himself
sleeping on the study table. He
thought he would be on his bed
thou, it's just that he spent the
whole night thinking.
Thinking about how to wash away
her negative thoughts. That he will
someday hurt her... He doesn't want
that. It will only set them a step
back, or ten steps back

Right after tying his shoe laces, he

stands opposite the mirror stand to
admire his face once more.
Leaving his room and heading to
the kitchen. He enjoys how
Yamihle will always find him making
a mess , the first time he felt like
calling Miss Helen back, that he is
not the romantic husband anymore.
Thando never tasted the food he
cooked because they both never
had time for that even though they
loved each other.
But then he started to enjoy that
Yamihle helps him around make his
mess a better meal.
“ Morning.”
Yamihle blushed once she set eyes
on him and eventually looked away,
biting her lower lip nervously. Not
knowing how he will react after
reading her letter.
Well he was surprised to meet her
here. She should be in her room as
always, then have him in the
kitchen to work his fears and
worries out.
His hands quickly gets shoved in his
pockets.
And a grin follows.
He didn't expect this today.
“ Morning”
He says and looked at her hands
putting that cheese on the bread,
sliced tomatoes and lattice with
bacon and onions followed.

“ How was your night.?”

He breaks the silence between
them. How will Yamihle explain how
she spent the night tossing sides
and wishing to be part of his mind
so that she can know what he
thinks about her letter. Is he hurt
about the questions she asked.? Or
he feels that she is stupid to tell
him about the way he dresses or
looks at her.
She thinks maybe Mthobi might be
pretending just so she can open up
to him and have him break her
heart again.
Those are her fears and bad
thoughts now.
“ My night was good... I managed to
sleep.”
She then put two sausages on the
plate besides the bread.
“ May I ask how was your own
night.? ”
He chuckled.
“ Are you asking if I read the
letter.?”
He teased. Her heart skipped a beat,
hiding her face from him as she
blushed.
Can't she pretend for one time in
her life.
“ Nomndayi.”
Mthobi grins. Gets on the other side
of the counter and stands before
her. Hold her chin up as he looks at
her eyes.
“ My night was good. I found myself
sleeping on my study table.
Thinking about your letter. And I
have answers to your questions. I
just don't know where to start. And
I want to focus on you now.”
Her tears are glimmering at the
corners of her eyes. MthobiLanga
takes a step to hug her without any
word.
Brushing her hair as he smiles,
finally he gets to hug her and she
doesn't retaliate about it. She is not
pushing him away nor screaming.
The day she stepped a foot here
she couldn't even touch his hand.

“ My hands...”
She breaks the silence after five
minutes of a hug.
“ I don't want to stain your white
shirt.”
Yet she is not backing out, she is
not moving back to break the hug.
“ i don't want you to cry.”
He responds, definitely he wants to
glue her smell to himself. That's for
sure.
“ I won't cry.”
“ promise.?”
“ Mmh.”
She nods, Mthobi slowly retreat the
hug. Looks at her face and was able
to wipe away those tears that
escaped before.
“ Okay, let's eat up. I wanted to
suprise you today.”
Yamihle smiles.
“ I already made breakfast. So you'll
save up the strength for your work.”

“ not really that.”

He says and smiles and hand her a
bowl of grated polony so that she
can sprinkle some on those
delicious sandwiches she just made.
“ What suprise if I may ask.?”
“ well, shukuthi it's still a suprise.”
She giggles. Of course he didn't tell
her.
“ but do trust me. It's a good thing.”
She smiles , looking at him and
back to the plates shy.

Finally they make it to the dining

table. Already he can't wait, it's
been long he had such an English
breakfast. Yamihle is not that bad,
she can fit in both status of a village
wife and that of a city wife. Look at
this, and everything hits the spot
with the bacon. She really did a
number.
He knows that she won't touch her
plate till he does, so he goes ahead
to eat first.
As he was about to swallow he just
looked up to Yamihle.
Remembering how she lastly
studied him as he was chewing and
swallowing his foot. MthobiLanga
blushed.
Yes.
She was again looking, immediately
she smiles and looked away.

Can love live Kwa Msomi.?

Yes. Definitely.! And already it is at

this point, look at them.
Mthobi sips on the juice and gets
that chance to swallow. His eyes
pleading for her to at least look at
him once again.
Unfortunately what wiped his grin
was a ringtone of his phone.
Immediately he froze, his eyes
darted to his pants pocket. His left
let feeling the vibration of it as it
rings none stop.
Yamihle minded her business, and
she slowed town on eating. Afraid
of making any chewy noise or such.
Well damn the caller.
He takes the phone out and cut the
call. Putting the phone face down
on the table.

It took the phone two seconds to

ring again. This time around,
annoyed. He lift the phone up and
looked at the screen. Just incase to
know who denies him peace at this
generous hour.
And dear Lord....

It's Nandi calling, didn't he block her

number. And why does he even
have it on the first place. It might
be Nesta who did this cruel things
to him. She is capable of this.

But wait thou. . .

Why in the hell and devilish reasons
would Nandi call his line.? Did
Solomon kick the bucket.?
Maybe Mthobi's prayers are slowly
sipping in God's ears. If that man is
dead then he will donate half a
million to that mortuary that will be
in charge of his body. Moreover it's
Friday, then that means the
mortuary people should clean him
up fast and stitch where they can
so that first thing tomorrow
Saturday the body gets to be one
with the soil.
“ Mthobi, hi.”
Why doesn't she sound sad.
“ Yeah. Kuyasizakala.? ”
( Can I help.)

Maybe Solomon is at the hospital.

Maybe it's that verge of life and
death. Does she needs his concern
to turn off the machines that he
might be breathing through.
Besides, Solomon placed
MthobiLanga in everything he has,
including his life.
“ I didn't call to have a fight with
you. I come in peace Mthobi.”
“ That's odd. ”
“ look, we just wanted to invite you
for breakfast. Last time you didn't
make it to dinner.”
“ I have a wife who prepared a
delicious breakfast and as we speak
you are delaying my hunger. ”

“ Oh, so maybe we can do lunch.

How about lunch.?”

“ Cha Mamncane, I have a suprise

planned for my wife so my attention,
body and soul is on duty for the
day.”
Nandi sighed.
“ that's okay. It's fine. ”
They took few seconds in silence
for a while.
“ how about dinner Mthobi.?”
He scoffed. Yamihle held her laugh
back because that was dramatic of
him.
“ Do you want to poison me
Nandi.?Why do you want me to
come eat at your place this bad.
Yini.? ”

“ don't you dare accuse my wife of

such. She is your mother too.”
Solomon says.
“ Awkahle, what do you want me to
say.? Since when we dine on the
same table. And to think that you
want me in the house of a man that
refuses to tell me who killed my late
mother and wife. And I hope you
did not just call me this morning to
hear me swear at you Msomi. Make
an appointment for that, ngibusy. ”
( Oh stop it.)
( I'm busy.)

“ We just want to fix things Angithi.”

( Right.)

“ uborekile . Uyishlupheki se'mpilo.

Ungangi nyanyisi ekseni.”
( You are bored. Your life is hard to
live at the moment. So don't dare
annoy me this early morning.)

Nandi takes over the phone.

“ how about we come to your place
for dinner.”

“ Ngiyonishisa nonke niphila.”

( I'll burn you all alive)
.
.
.

The call hangs up and Nandi looked

at Solomon.
“ What are we gonna do now. How
do we get his phone.?”

“ are we even sure they will send

him that video.? Why don't we just
do as they want.!”

“ Cha. No, we won't do as they want.

I'm not about to let you remove
Senzo in that company. Never.”

“ then what do we do because they

promised to post that video online
if we don't just transfer those same
shares under Mthobi 's name.”
“ and let him have the whole
company. Cha Msomi, over my
dead body will I let that bastard of
your son take over everything.
Already he has the most big shares.
”

Nandi then took a time to think.

“ who could be doing this to us

because this is someone that knows
us. This is someone who has a plan.
Wait, how many enemies do you
have that side with mthobi.”

“ Anyone who hates me also hates

the fruits of my third leg.”
Nandi rolls her eyes at him.

“ Then how do you explain this.

Someone have a video of you and
your son dating the same girl.”
“ What.?”

Nesta appears. She looked at her

parents amused. She definitely
heard her mother loud and correct.

Chapter 21

NOMATHEMBA MBATHA

You would swear – danger is

something Solomon loves and
obviously attracted to.
He used to slay hearts around with
few words and boom.! The rest is
assured to follow smoothly.
And now she knows that she was a
beautiful fool to give him so many
chances just so he can toy her heart
more.
“ finally, getting to breathe home
again. ”
Medupi says and smiles. Taking
another long breath in and finally
out.

Her stilettos knock on the ground, a

first step back to a place she once
got killed on. The irritated yet
beautiful sight of her face scanning
around.
“ there is nothing good about this
place. Iyanyanyisa nje. ”
(It annoys me.)
“ don't be bitter.”

She still looks around, even a ghost

would swear she has the same cold
and piercing eyes MthobiLanga has.
Too brutal to be dared in a look.
After that she pulls some black
shades. Covering her eyes and
breathed out.
“ Get me some information on my
boy. Mommy is home.”
She walks towards the black SUV
that was also rented for them.
Medupi chuckled because he knows
what this woman is capable of
doing once she gets tempered with.
Solomon should have treated her
like an egg because he doesn't
know what's coming for him. Noma
is just starting.
He gets the bags and followed up.
Already he arranged everything.
The apartment she will be staying
at, the cars to drive her around.
“ Ngilinde phela.”
( Wait for me.)

“ Hurry up, we are going shopping. I

need some new clothes.”

“ Don't forget the government

knows you as a deceased. Don't
over do this.”
“ That's why I'm Nomalicious. I have
my ways, let's go.”

.
.
.

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

“ I had a wife before.”

He says looking at his hand. But
then couldn't find what his eyes
wanted to see. A ring that he stood
at the altar face to face with
Thando and how he smiled when
she took his hand to put a ring on
him.
That ring is not there, it's replaced
by the ring he never allowed
Yamihle to put on his finger
because he wasn't that ready yet
for another woman to take that
special place from late Thando. He
wasn't ready to even let Yamihle
touch him at that time.
His eyes rose to look at Yamihle.
How she looked his way and
listened attentively to him express
his emotions out.
"Marrying you, I thought I'd keep my
distance, not get too invested. I just
wanted a partner to build a life with,
someone to be a great mom and
help me create a family. But the
truth is, I've been burned before,"
He admitted, his voice laced with
vulnerability.
"I've lost people I loved, people who
were important to me, because of
the life I've lived and the enemies
I've made. The business I've built
has come at a great cost, and I'm
terrified of losing again."

He paused, his eyes locking onto

hers, searching for understanding.
"I'm scared of getting hurt, of losing
someone I care about. It's a fear
that's been with me for a long time,
and it's one I don't know how to
shake."

As he spoke, her eyes never left his,

and he could see the compassion
and empathy shining back at him.
She looked up at him with a gentle
gaze, her breath catching in her
throat. Her heart pulsed a little
faster, and he could sense her
concern.

Without thinking, he reached out,

his words tumbling out in a rush.
“ it's scary to admit, but I think I
might be falling for you."
The eye contact was way lusting,
she was so close to him that she
felt his breath, not know what's
next. . . But surely she didn't resist
any of his temptations. Their lips
slams gently into a kiss.
Her innocence through kissing is
what made him not to stop.
She was just clueless in this tongue
yoga game. But she couldn't stop
either. Letting her husband lead as
he kisses her softly and slowly.

A knock gets them startled, she

flinched. Thinking that maybe
someone might already know what
they are doing. He cleared his
throat, looks away from her side
and composed his feelings that
uncontrollably pushed him to kiss
her. Yamihle shift at the end of the
sofa to make space between them.
The knock again followed, he
stands tall and walked towards the
door.
Aggressively opening the door to
find the ladies he called up to be at
her house.
“ James. . .?”
He looks at his friend, two bags of
laptops and his phone on the other
hand.
“ I've been knocking all the way
from the gate. ”
“ don't piss me off.”
James's eyes ended up catching a
glimpse Mthobi 's pants, he never
wanted to see that mistake and
now he understands it's not a good
time to barge in someone's house
unannounced.
“ I can come back later you know.”
Mthobi sighed, he knows he is
about to jail himself if James leaves
him and Yamihle alone again. He is
not ready to make that mistake.
And moreover he is not yet that
fully aroused. Yamihle might be
even hating on him for kissing her
lips without her permission.
“ Come in please.”
He shift aside. Shoving his hands in
his pockets to hide his erection.
James then walked in after being
permitted, when Mthobi came to
join him in the lounge first thing he
did was to scan around for his wife.
He left her on the sofa, just right
there.
“ Are you two already in that
stage.?”
Mthobi glared at James. Well he is
loud, and no. They are not in that
touchy stage. He was just stupid to
take such measures to kiss her
without knowing if she wants to be
kissed or not.
Why didn't he even push himself.!

“ What brings you here.? I thought

you always call whenever visiting.”

“ I just figured I needed to come

and show you something
important.”

“ What if I wasn't around.? Are you

stupid.”

He is trying to pin his mistakes on

someone who just saved him from
doing his worst.

“ then I would have called, Mtho.

Pour me something, I need a nip to
get strength.”

As James sits down his phone rings.

He looks at the caller scream for a
minute before picking up.
“ Miss Nesta.”
Mthobi raised an eyebrow looking
at James. Well that's so wrong of
him. He knows that way wrong of
him . Also in his presence.
Obviously he will have to spell it out
before he breaks his jawline.
Are they both fighting.?
“ I'm at your brother's place, why.?”

He side eyed Mthobi. He knows that

something is already off between
the two. The way he picked up the
phone, how he sounded as if the
soul ripper is his father. To shit with
that, Mthobi wants the jiz out of
him.
But then first he walked to his little
pub. Taking two glasses out, he also
need some of that strength to face
that shit he just did. Kissing his wife
unknowingly if she wants it. He is
terrified actually, and it's the first in
history a girl makes his hand shake
like that. The tension is a lot.
Before his could sip on that whiskey
his mind snapped.
Yamihle explained how Sibiya
treated her when drunk or so not.
How her life was a mess. And if she
gets any hint smell of alcohol on
him. . . Won't she distance herself
from him. . .?

Well he is toasted on both side. And

he is falling in love. He wants
everything perfect by her. He puts
the glass down and grabs the other
for James. He rather face his
demons sober.

“ Your sister is on her way. That

was odd.”
“ What's odd in her calling you this
days. You guys were always the
poker and the bear tied around the
neck I breathe air with.”

“ Not that, she sounded like she

was rushing or something. The
anger in her voice, it was somehow
different.”
Mthobi is not buying any of that.

“ Nilwile yini.?”
( Did you guys fight.?)

James avoided the eye contact as

he set up his laptops.

“ Don't give me that shit, I'm asking

because I know what the two of you
do behind my back. And am not
gonna be that brick or obstacle in
your lives of that's what you think.
But can you guys try hiding your
pains more than you hide your
affair from me. ”

Another knock disturbs his peace

once he thought he'll just settle
down on the sofa. But then he
stood up again.
“ Good day, delivery for Mr Msomi.”
Oh shoot, it's the suprise thing he
wanted to do with Yamihle. He
ordered some bucket of hot wings,
pizza and some two buckets of
popcorns. That's why they were
seated at the lounge. And if ever
this arrived faster enough like a real
Bolt, they would have been
watching movies on showmax and
laughing together.
“ Your bolt needs lighting,
siyezwana.? Next time don't
hesitate to step on that clutch.”
( Am I clear.?)
He takes his things with both his
hands and kick the door closed on
the delivery man's face.

He gets to his kitchen, puts

everything on the kitchen counter.
It was supposed to be a cinematic
day between the two of them.

MBALIYOTHANDO SIBIYA
“ Oh wow, daddy is discharged so
soon. I thought it would be on next
monday.”
Mbali then applaud. Enhle who just
finally came out of her room today
walks in to a scene of Vivian
wheeling Sibiya back home and
Mbali acting like a sister wife to her
own mother.
“ Will you two just stop, iya nyanyisi
lento yenu.”
( It's annoying)

Mbali laughs.

“ Well that's not a way to welcome

our big brother. Is it.?”

“ What about that child in your

womb, what will he or she call him.?
Uncle, dad. . . Step grandfather.?”
That last one was said as she
directed her eyes to Vivian.
“ and what do I even call you Mama,
our brother's wife.? Huh.? The
daughter in law. . . Sis – Vivian.?”

“ oh no, Sis Vivy will do for her. ”

Mbali says with a giggle that
followed.

“ This is so wrong Mbali, and as my

sister I expect you to have some
shame. What did you think actually,
going for a grown man who
fathered you.”

“ Oh shut it. Shame for what, Sibs

here and I are grown ups to know
what we want. And we did exactly
what we wanted. So buzz out of my
life .”

“ I won't be part of this hell hole the

both of you dag , and I also won't
be here when it swallows you. ”

She goes back to her room, just

when they thought enough is
enough, Enhle pulls out her luggage
bags. Dragging them along with her.
“ you were long ready for that.”

“ Yes, and it's clear the both of you

are up high in your horses too.
Doing what you think it's right to do.
I rather go out there and make a life
for myself than to sit and watch
madness that has no director and
producer. . . So have fun with your
lives. Am out, now lights. . . Camera.
. . And action.!”

She says and continue to drag her

bags out. Banging the door after
her .

JAMES MHLONGO
Nesta walked in Mthobi's house and
closed the door after that. Well she
doesn't knock sometimes, she is like
the third madam of this house. She
knows it in and out and Mthobi
doesn't mind at all. He only acts like
he cares.
James stands up when he saw
Nesta with a bleeding nose.
“ What the hell happened to you.?”
“ My parents happened, that why
am like this.”

“ How come.?”

Mthobi asked. But then she keeps

quite, numbing her nose pains. And
so she looked at James.

“ And why ain't you at your house.?”

She asked James, making Mthobi
roll his eyes.

“ I came to show your brother

another thing that I found. Early this
morning another transactions
pitched in. And yes, I have a
footage too.”

“ Can you refrain using the word '

your brother ' while am here. Your
sins won't fall apon me at any cost.”
“ Really now.?”

“ Yes, really. What happened to my

friend, title. ? Do not involve me
around your orbit Mhlongo. ”

Nesta looked at James but he sat

his ass back on the couch. Opening
his two laptops and pressing none
stop codes.
“ What transactions were you
gossiping about again.?”

Mthobi stands to reach James 's

side where he had view of his
laptops.

“ Well, we think that. . . No.

Remember the time you gave me
your mother's cheque signature to
track.? ”
“ Yes.”

“ well I never erased the tracking

system. It just kept on tracking her
signature for the past two years.
And I've picked one signature in
London two days ago. Today this
morning I got multiple of them in in
Johannesburg. And I have a footage
of all stores in the Mall of North.
Maybe if we watch them we might
know who is doing this.”

“ My mother is dead, and just to be

clear James. When a person dies
and also gets a death certificate,
the government removed her from
the system.”

“ unless that person is not recorded

as dead at the hospital. That way
the government has no authority
over the decision of declaring her
dead.”

Mthobi looks at Nesta, raising an

eyebrow at her because she is not
making any sense at all.

“ What's that.? How long have the

two of you doing this shit of yours.
?”

“ Mthobi. . . ”
“ My mother us dead.! Are you two
trying to wake up my past when am
so hardly trying to not respond to
that pain.”

He yelled at the two. Just as they

thought, James 's laptops gets
hacked. He wasn't able to control
them anymore. Including his phone
and that of Nesta 's phone.
Mthobi's phone also vibrates.
“ What did you do James.?”

He asked. Looking at his phone

malfunctioning. Then he puts it on
the table, before James, afraid that
it might burst.

“ I didn't do anything. "

“ even my phone.”
Nesta also puts hers down. Just as
they thought that's all, a video
started playing. . .

“ What's going. . .”

His words are cut short when he

sees a video of Thando and Senzo
walking in a hotel. Mthobi blinks
when he thought his eyes are being
dramatic and getting cold. Thando
's giggles follows when Senzo
spanked her as they got in the hotel
elevator.
Mthobi stood tall and watched, and
it's like this video is playing world
wide.
Everyone's phones might be hacked
like this . . .

“ I love you. You know that.”

Thando says, looking at Senzo as he
pinned her against the elevator wall.

“ And him.?”

“ Don't please. Mthobi is always at

work. He doesn't give me his time
at all and that puts me at the edge
of any hill to make my fun. He
agrees to anything I ask for. He
doesn't look my way, you know. . .
This morning he just grabbed an
apple and went to work. Without
giving me a kiss, your brother last
touched me two weeks ago.”

Mthobi gulped, listening to Thando

complain. His very own tears hold
on to his eyelids never to fall. That's
what any man would do in this
situation.
“ Did you tell him about going to
the Mauritius business trip.?”

“ No, I'll do it tonight. ”

Their elevator opens. The stand

clear and led way to their
destinated room. Thando lead a kiss
from Senzo. It's like she couldn't
wait no more. His heart Pulse
quickens too abnormal for him. He
can't deal with this shit anymore, he
would say this was all edited but
then he would like. On the day of
April twelve years ago, Thando was
the only one around who saw him
grab an apple with his laptop bag
and some files as he left the house.

But then here is a catch. . . The clip

that happened right in this house
when Thando told Senzo that she is
pregnant. How Mthobi gets to see
his mother puzzled by the two. How
they didn't even notice that
someone was behind them all that
time

His heart breaks to the core, Mthobi

wanted to gulp down all that but his
throat seemed to be so small. He
felt that pain really hard. The same
pregnancy he was so happy about,
thinking that the child was his. . .
Yet the child was that of Senzo.
How he was duped in all this.
Then all their screen went blank,
but some words written with white
ink appears in bold letters. . .

“ DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO

KILLED YOUR MOTHER.?”

Chapter Twenty Two

YAMIHLE MSOMI
SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

She is embarassed, and probably

thinking about the kiss just like a
primary school girl. As if her crush
stole her first kiss and now she
doesn't know if he liked her lips or if
her kiss was bad. But then she
doesn't know how to do it, and he
protest she will surely be heart
broken.
Slowly she paves way out of her
bed blanets, barefooted on the cold
tile. She yawned as she head to the
door because she spent the rest of
the day sleeping and afraid to leave
her room. Not knowing how she will
face Mthobi or how he will face her.
And now it's not time for all that .
It's time to look for something to
eat or to cook something to eat.
She opens her bedroom door,
meeting the loud darkness at the
passage.
The lights are off the whole house.?

Wait. . .where could he be.?

Did Mthobi leave Yamihle alone in

this house.?

But then since it's her room that's

has some light in it, she leaves the
door open and uses the wall to
trace her way. Mthobi's room is the
one at the last corner there. Right
after four rooms... On the east wing
side
While Yamihle's own is at the west
wing side.
His mansion is really beautiful
though. He outdid it.
Yamihle breathed out after she
noticed that this is the last door she
touched. It's his room, her eyes
glanced at the far end light that is
far from her now.
“ Msomi...”
She knocks on his door gently.
Mthobi might be gone, and Yamihle
doesn't know how to turn on the
lights or even know where the
lights switching buttons are.
“ Are. . .are you in.? Hello.”
She bites her lowee lip. This is so
wrong at the moment. How come
Mthobi never said anything about
leaving. ? She wouldn't be in this
darkness if she knew her husband
would be out.
Maybe she could have long out of
her room.

“ Come in.”
His voice ushed. That was when she
already gave up hope and about to
turn back to her room.

She slowly twist the door knob and

pushes the door open and walks in,
closing it behind her.
Oh Lord, he also didn't turn the
lights of his room on. But there is
his shadow, seated before the
window and letting the moon's light
be the justice of his darkness.
Yamihle takes careful steps towards
him.
“ Msomi, the lights. . . In the House
are off.”
She can sense his aura energy. The
way he is seated and the way he
breathes. It's completely different.
“ I don't know how to. . . to turn
them on.”

“ are you also complaining.?”

“ Cha, no. ”

She keeps quite. Her fingers tracing

one another in fear. His voice was
laced with so much hurt and
judgmental. Too bad that she heard
the loud message of it even when
he wasn't shouting at her.

“ I'm scared of the darkness.”

“ And .?”

Yamihle flinched from where she

stood. Her heart obviously
relocated. She didn't expect that.
Only that one word said the most.
As if he is asking her what should
he do about it.? Or how does it
concern him that she is scared of
the dark.
Without saying anything Yamihle
turns, slowly making way back to
the door, stumbling upon a chair
that she avoids and takes few steps
aside, letting out a scream once
something sharp stings her foot.
Tripping and falling out of balance.
Mthobi Sprint off the floor , quickly
rushing to turn on the lights and
finally got to Yamihle.
She was sobbing in pains,
immediately she saw the broken
glassy vase that stinged her foot,
she became more terrified. The
smell of alcohol reeked allover his
body, his breath was let alone a
whole factory of it.
Her eyes wide. Yet not saying
anything. Letting him carry her to
his bed. Watching him panic to look
for something to stitch her foot
with.
Is this the life she wants to live, one
minute her husband is Okay and the
next, she finds him flipped into
another thing. Not even closer to a
demon precisely. It's worse than
that. Her eyes now wondered
around his room.
How messed up it is .
How he smashed everything that
was powerless to his fury. Even the
said bed she is on at the moment, it
has no sheets. They are all
scattered on the floor.

She finally gets to blink, and there

he was now. Kneeling besides the
bed and nursing her wound. She
didn't even notice how he took out
that glass off her foot. He slowly
ties the bandage , trying as much as
possible to hurt her or tight it tight.
“ Ngiyaxolisa, I didn't mean that.”
( Forgive me.)

She says nothing and once he was

done she intends to get off his bed.
“ Rest a bit.”

“ I'll rest in my room.”

“ You can't just walk like this.”

“ I'm not scared anymore.”

Her words pained. And so he kept

quiet, not knowing how to respond.
And so she gets off the bed and
walked towards the door. He turns,
thinking maybe he could still hold
her hand back to apologise even
more. To show how deeply he
didn't mean that.
But then she closed the door
behind her after limping out of her
room. And there she goes in the
dark passage going back to her
room.
.
.
.

NESTA MSOMI

“ Your brother is evil thou. How can

he do such to Mthobi like that.”

She is quite, trying to patch up

things here because nothing is
coming together. A clip, that clips
they watched. . .

“ Thank go I managed to buy a new

laptop, those people didn't show it
to the whole world but to us. It's
like they knew what we were
together, someone is watching us
somehow.”

James says and goes to stand next

to his curtains. Trying to find
something unusual outside but then
there is nothing he doesn't know.
Unless that person is Ultra
professional hacker to hack
anything that is useful. Imagen both
his laptops now have a uncrackable
virus. Nesta sat there and looked
into thin air as she remembers the
incident of today morning, how
Nandi nearly killed her for trying to
flee out of the House. Thank god
she even managed to do it because
they are trying to keep a secret that
Senzo and Solomon shared a
woman.
But now that she knows Senzo
slept with Thando. . . .

Could it mean that her father also

slept with Thando.?
“ Hell no.”
In disbelief she says.

“ hell no Yani manje .?”

( What for.?)
James chips in.
It was then she realised that he is
here. Obviously it's his house so he
has to be here.
“ Uhm. . . Oh , it's. . . It's nothing
serious. It's just that.”

“ you can't lie to me.”

“ I'm not lying Mhlongo.”

He chuckled, and so with that he

knows very well she is zipping
something on her chest.

“ then what are you doing.? You just

said hell no. As if I said something
disturbing. Of course someone
might be spying on is out there.
How come they knew I wanted to
tell Mthobi that his mother is alive .?
What do you call an unexpected
perfect timing.?”

“ Yeah. You are right.?”

She looks away from him. Then

stands up and secretly wiped a tear
away. But then James was so quick
to notice all that she did and
follows her to the kitchen. She
grabs a glass and pours some tap
water from the sink.

“ What's up.? ”

“ Nothing is up.”

“ Don't give me that shit baby girl.”

He raised an eyebrow at her,
folding his arms . Nesta sighed and
put the glass down.

“ My father also had an affair with

Thando.”
There she goes, dropping a bomb
at him and left his world shaking.
James took few minutes for his
brain to get hot again.
What the hell.?

What the Lord .?

MBALIYOTHANDO SIBIYA

Vivian is in the kitchen cooking

something smooth and eatable for
Sibiya, obviously that's porridge
because doctors said that he can't
have anything rough and tough to
digest.
But then Mbali goes into their room.
Their matrimonial room, holding a
small bag with her. Getting there
she licks the door, finding Sibiya
laid on the bed. At least blinking
means he is awake.
A giggle erupted from Mbali.
“ Oh daddy.”
She smiles, taking cat walks
towards him on the bed.
“ they thought they can stop us.?
They thought they could break this. .
. Flaming strings of love we have .”
Sibiya wanted to talk so bad and
stop this madness but then this
days his whaling voice gets to
annoy him too.
“ look at what I got for us.”
It's as if god abandoned the world
for good as Sibiya thought. Mbali
just pulled out a dildo out of the
small bag she carried.
“ oh and that's not all. I know you
love to rub it and lick it and. . .
Spank me.”
Her seductive voice only sent
annoying words to his ears.
“ so I got other things to use just to
pleasure us for eternity. Kuyacaca
ukuthi angeke ikhule . ”
( It's obvious it won't grow back.)
Does she even know that his shirt
manhood is still in pain .?
But that wasn't even an obstacle for
Mbali, and that's why she bought a
dildo that has some belts to tie on
the waist for Sibiya. And she made
sure that she buys a size that is
more likely to reach its goals.
Leg by leg she helped the man
undress the pants he wore and had
been forced to wear something that
is not what he wants and not up to
have. But what else can he do if not
wiggle in disagreement , Every part
of him is useless expect his eyes.
“ it perfectly fits you.”
She says and loose her nightdress
straps . Getting naked and naughty.
Taking the vibrator out of the bag
and on it after putting a battery.
She climbs the bed, gets to sit her
closer to his face so that he could
have such a better view.
Her moans slowly filled the room,
getting herself wet in the very best
way and enjoyable. Calling Sibiya
by the name she used to call him
whenever they had special times
together.
She ends up putting the vibrator
aside and gets to climb him.
“ Ohh, yes Daddy.”
Vivian dropped the tray she had on
his hands upon hearing Mbali moan.
She tried opening the door but it
was locked.
“ yewena Mbali.! Slima sengane.”
( Mbali.! You useless child .)
She screams as she banged the
door loudly.
But then Mbali didn't care as she
rode herself to joy.

Chapter Twenty Three

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

SPONSORED

The cold, hurting reddish eyes that

spent mostly the whole night awake.
How he kept his balance steady
looking outside the glassy window
of his room. As if he was never
drinking bottle to bottle last night.
Even after he swore never to touch
that alcohol without talking about it
with his wife. At least to not
traumatize her. But then it looks like
he already done that. Yamihle might
be hating and crying because of
him. His life is a mess and. . .

Was his love also a lie.?

The grieving. . .

The tears he shed. . .

The emotions he poured all out for
that . . . That. . . Betrayer of a
woman.!
Can't the world swallow him
already.? He loved Thando so much
that nothing was ever wrong.
Anything she asked, anything she
needed, he provided . He did
almost everything that could prove
that he was under a spell. But then
that was the real love he had for
her.
Yet she complained. . . That damn
now ghost complained to Senzo
about him not touching her for few
days.? Haibo.!

Wasn't she the same woman who

kept telling him that a man is
attractive with a healthy bank
balance.?
That's why he was always at work.
Keeping the attraction intact.

She said that she doesn't even get

his kisses anymore, as if he didn't
even try to kiss her. . . .

But then she would damn wave him

off. Just like when he offered to
give her a leg massage. That would
obviously lead to a full body
massage. . .
Yet she said she will go to a spa for
that, and he should rest because he
had a long paperwork day.

How about when he was the one

needing that sex , and she said that
she was tired. That being a business
woman is completely tiring. How
remorseful.! He had to go to sleep
cuddling her with his hard boner
poking her ass and she had no
mercy to help him out.
Shouldn't he be the one
complaining about being
maltreated.

He snaps out of it, his neck turns as

he now hears his phone ringtone.
Moreover it's now ringing for the
third time and he didn't hear it then.
With the last strength in him Mthobi
walked towards the light stand to
grab his phone. Without hesitation
he just picked up the call.
He keeps quite, hearing the caller
sigh and sob for a second.
“ Junior.?”
She says. Mthobi's eyes glimmered
more, unknowingly to him he just
breathed out as if the whole world
was on his shoulders and
something just swept it off him.
“ I know you must be hurting. I'm
sorry, it's always hard to deal with
betrayal. Hard as always my boy.
But please, don't think of jumping
off your balcony again this time.”
He walked back to his window view.
It's clear that his mother can see
him . And now he wants to
understand why. . . Where was she
all this time.
“ your father also slept with your
late wife. I didn't want to show you
their video because it was
something else. It's a disgrace. ”
“ what else don't I know about my
life.”
He breaks his silence. He feels too
hot and boiling at this point.
“ What did i ever do to my maker.?”

“ I just wanted you to know the

truth. Boyza, you are the first thing
that came to my mind when I woke
up from coma after two years. ”
“ MaShandu. . .”
He knows better and his mother will
always be respected by him. If it
was permitted, he would disown
the King and put his mother on the
throne.
“ Two years.?”
Yes, Nomathemba spent two years
in coma. And the machines she was
hooked up with never gave up a
single hope.
“ Forget about that, good thing is
that am alive now.”

“ where are you now Maa.? At least

let me know if this is real. I need
proof that am not being played or
tricked. ”

“ Shhh, don't you dare cry over the

window. Paparazzis might be close.
And the man I raised knows better
than that shit you are about to do.”
Mthobi smirked. Now looking
directly to the street as his eyes
scanned houses that has security
cameras.
He wipes away the little tear trying
to disgrace him.
The call cuts and he slowly puts the
phone down. Getting courage to
finally leave his room and goes
downstairs.
The kitchen was in a deep silence,
Yamihle is not there. . . Not even at
the lounge. Each and every morning
used to be their best where they
get to cook and laugh. He loves
watching her mix spices around and
cooking everything to a perfect
taste.

He walks to the direction of her

room. At least she can't just starve
because of his anger issue. Yes he
was rough and stupid last night, but
he didn't mean all that. Yet words
said are words that can't be
reversed unless the person is deaf
for a living. Obviously that person
heard nothing.

He knocked twice, and she didn't

answer to him. And so he sighed.
“ Nomndayi.?”
Silence.
She doesn't answer to him again.
Yamihle is actually behind the door,
not knowing if to open or to just let
him wonder outside her room. She
is skeptical about it, maybe he is
still in the same mood as of last
night.

He was about to knock again when

she suddenly opens the door.
Their eyes met, and right there he
realised his wrongs even more. He
gulped, looking at her pretty face.
“ ngiyaxolisa Nomndayi. I never
meant any harm.”
( I'm sorry.)

“ i think we should call it quits Sir...

Msomi. This will never work, it's
obvious. We are way too gone in
our past and emotions that we don't
notice the small intensions we have
for each other. You are good with
words and you are a nice man,
believe me. If I was never broken,
beyond trusting a man again, if I
was never too insecure and always
scared. I would have fallen in love
with you thousand times and more.
I would have loved you touch
without having to feel triggered in a
sad but both happy way. And I
would have loved to be that wife
you would also be happy to build a
beautiful family with. . .”

“ Don't differentiate me with a man

that had no remorse of his actions.
Am not him.”

“ Yes, and maybe that's the thing. . .

You are not him. And yes, men are
not the same. Look, you can never
be him. But last night was once
again a night I cried for god to let
my soul rest . I'm tired, Okay. I'm
completely tired and . . . Just tired
of breathing again. It hurts. I don't
know what else to feel anymore and
it breaks my heart. It's even worse
that I started to get more drawn to
you. This life am living, the past ,
the trauma, this marriage. . . ”

“ Then feel me, let me be your

feelings, MaHlombe. I want us, I
want you. I need you.”

“ You need space to fix your life.

And I also need some time alone to
myself and to think. Maybe we
could catch a breath a bit. ”
“ I don't need any of that but you.”
He got closer to her, close enough
to look at her eyes deeply and
brush her cheek . Pushing her curly
hair behind her ears.
“ Only you.”
His scent hits hard on her. First
time she learnt that a man must
smell the same as cold rich mint
mixed with strawberries and roses.
“ Do you even see me as worthy to
be . . . to be. . .”
His breath is caressing her skin. The
way his eyes dared for her to never
say any bad thing about herself
because he won't take it. It will hurt
him. This is how the almighty took
million steps back from the good
thing they had going.
A kiss claims her lips, a soft gentle
planted kiss. Hesitation is
something she hates this days so
she just lets him do it.
She lets him to kiss her because the
first time she got a taste of his lips,
it was like licking a cherry that had
sweetness that never wears off.
And here he is again. Giving the
another second blissful taste of
himself.

The moment her heart gets

attached to his chest, he felt his
heart kick off as if it just had a
booster. She is even surprised that
she did that too, and to make sure
that she doesn't remove her hand
there. . . Mthobi pulls her closer,
closing the small gap between them.

A presence is felt by Mthobi, as if

something poking his nerve. Urging
him to look somewhere because
somehow he could feel a pair of
eyes directed his way. And
immediately he breaks the kiss,
looking directly at the direction he
came from.
Yamihle also wide her eyes. Both
looking at Miss Helen. And without
thinking twice, Yamihle just steps
fully in her room and shut the door
closed.
Leaving him to burn in hell with this
woman's judgemental stares.
Finally she gets to clear her throat.
“ Uhm. . . ”
“ Welcome back Miss Helen.”
Obviously he is not about to explain
why is he and his wife kissing on
her room door. That's. . . Immature
to even ask.
“ when did you get here.?”

“ my off days are done offing... I

cab drove the Uber driver back. . . I
mean I got the an Uber to ride me
here. . . Yeyi, nasi islungu singihlaza.
”
( Heck, my English is getting out of
hand.)
She repremand herself and decided
to clear her throat once more to
face Mthobi even though she knows
she doesn't have that courage
anymore. But he was quick to walk
pass her. He can't do this, not now.
“ I think I should renew the form of
my job contract to include nanny
duties . Sir is planning to increase
my salary. A lot must have
happened in the few days I wasn't
available.”
Miss Helen says as she makes way
to her maid quarters room.

.
.
.
VIVIAN SIBIYA

“ Umphefumulo uyosangana before

uphuma enyameni nasi. Strue Bob.!”
( Her soul is slowly sipping off its
senses before it finally evacuate her
skin am telling you. Truce.!)

“ Haibo oe. Usho uMrs Sibiya.?”

( Wait. You mean Mrs Sibiya.)
Mind you they are definitely
walking behind Vivian as she held
her small lunch box going to the
bus stop so that she can get to
work. Finally out of the House and
away from Mbali and her damn
tricks. Stupid and evil tricks. Making
her husband wear a dildo and uses
it to fuck herself.
Yhoo.!

“ Sibiya is on a wheelchair, and

ngizwe bathi akasenawo umese
wokuhlaba inkomo. ”
( And I heard he doesn't have no
manhood to fuck around with.)

The other gasped. Then they both

giggled a bit, they knew Sibiya
loved sleeping around with young
girls that loved money and always
visiting strippers club from week to
weekend.
“ shukuthi Uyo khotha ngolimi or
uses his fingers. Impi uyayilwisa till
you get what you want.”
( Then that means he will just have
to lick it or finger it. No fight is left
unattended .)

“ Weeh. . . With which tonge.?”

“ his tongue.”
“ Lutho, oe. There is no tongue, no
fingers, no front teeth, no manhood
and broken legs. ”

“ Haibo mgani. Somethings you are

just adding up. ”

“ well, dear. Everyone now knows

what happens in that house. And
you are surprisingly shocking me
that you don't know. The last born
of that house lives with her abusive
boyfriend, that useless boy that has
drop at ext 10.”

“ unamanga.”
( You lie .!)

“ Believe me friend. She stays there.

And she always dish out the
theories and juicy scenes of that
house. Telling people how Yamihle
was raped by Sibiya since
childhood age. . . There is still more
to this. Worse part even MaNgethe
doesn't deny those rumours. ”

Vivian 's heart dropped.

“ That's what you people know.”

Vivian yells after making a quick

turn to face the gossipers.
“ all you know is to gossip about
other people's lives but fail to put
yours in order. You know nothing
about my life but lies...!

She yells at the two ladies that

stood and looked at her ranting
about how they should mind their
business.

“ kunjani makunje, huh.? Kunjani

makunje Vivian.”
( How does it feels like.? How is life
now.?)

MaNgethe who just came out of

nowhere says and laughed at Vivian.

“ at least we never get to build our

marriages by using our kids. Look at
you, stranded in a dilemma. I rather
kiss a snake than to wish for a life
like yours. ”
“ As if you even have a child to call
your own, MaNgethe. Shut up.!”

“ am better that my kids doesn't

belong to my father in-law and one
is not pregnant for his elder brother.
Woman, what did the world ever do
to you.!”

Chapter Twenty Four

MTHOBILANGA

SPONSORED

“ Baba.?”
Senzo calls out as he makes a stand
and so to understand why his father
came alone when he said he is on
his way with some board members
to discuss how to dethrone
MthobiLanga as a CEO.
“ Where are the board members.?”
he then goes ahead to sip his wine.
“ I should be asking you. moreover
why did you choose the Dam Senzo.
? what's this nonsense.?”
“ Nonsense.?”
Senzo asks as he even looks around.
finally catching a view of some
crocodiles swimming. but what was
never expected is when the ship
started sailing. okay, that's odd.
“ Baba, you said I should be here
exactly at 2:30 pm to discuss how
we remove Mthobi as CEO."

“ Mina.?”
( Me.?)
Solomon asked as he was now
confused.
“ Yes, and this location was sent by
you. you even said that crocodile
are such a vicious view.! and that
this is private.!”
Solomon clicks his tongue. it's even
late to evacuate this ship because
they are now far from the ground.
Senzo snaps his eyes to his left side
and that's when he wide up to see
Mthobi at the other far end side,
standing tall like he is built and
armoured by his brown chocolate
skin that is rough and also soft at
times.
and so Mthobi turns, giving him the
devilish smile could ever form.

Senzo gulps when Mthobi walked

towards to their view. Looking at
his father from toe to head and
obviously he felt more irritated.
He then takes a sit a bit far from
where the two stood.
“ Ubani okhona noma oyazi
uk'swimer no Lacoste.?”
( Who can swim with a Lacoste.?)
Solomon wide his eyes as his ears
gets to its itching point.
Mthobi took three seconds to
chuckle as he looked at his father's
scared face and after that, he
pulled a strong bitter face. Eying
Solomon like the devil.
Chapter Twenty Four

YAMIHLE MSOMI
SPONSORED BY ANONYMOUS

She bites her lip, looking at Miss

Helen and Nesta giggling to
themselves in the lounge.
She slowly hold on to her dress and
walks towards them. Anxious about
what they are talking about, did
Miss Helen publish whatever
happened this morning to Nesta.?
Her eyes catch that of Miss Helen.
Quickly the lady clears her throat
with a smile that doesn't want to
die off her face.
“ sanbona.”
(Hello.)
“ Madam, come sit.”
Miss Helen didn't shy away to hold
Yami by hand and direct her to the
sofa.
“ Makoti Wami omuhle.”
( My beautiful sister in law.)
She is definitely making Yamihle
blush by that, she is embarassed
already that Miss Helen skilled the
tea out. She sold her, to her dear
sister in-law...
“ Sis Nesta, should I prepare
anything for you to eat. Maybe a
sandwich or anything to eat.”

“ Oh, relax bunny. I already sorted

myself out with the pizza Miss
Helen offered.”

“ pizza.?”
She eyes Miss Helen
“ Oh...”
Nesta giggles.
“ it's the effect yakwa Msomi Wena
miss Nesta.”
( Results of Msomi chemistry.)
Yamihle was like a puzzled soul
inbetween this two.
“ Ungasasho. ”
( You don't say.)
But then their giggles are cut short
by Mthobi 's footsteps. The two
zipped their mouths.
“ Stop teasing my wife.”
He appears, buttoning the last
button on his shirt. Yamihle had
her eyes on him since then, that
smell from him. and again that ring
looks good on his finger. A better
fitting decoration. She finds his
eyes looking towards her direction
with a smirk on his face, he then
winked at her. That's when Yamihle
got a hiccup. Her eyes looked away
from him. She held her chest, Nesta
holds on to her laugh.
“ Excuse me.”
Yamihle stands up and left them.
Making way to the kitchen and
immediately grabs a glass to pour
herself some water to drink.
“ Uhm, bhuti. I came to you.”
Yes she is, James pushed her here
because he can't live with secrets
like this one Nesta holds for Mthobi.
Miss Helen leaves them. Nesta
stands to face Mthobi because who
knows he might flip her on the sofa
if possible after hearing her.
“ Are you okay.?”
Mthobi's shoots a glare at her.
“ I mean, we left here yesterday
with you in a bad. . .”
“ I'm good.”
“ Like good, good .?"
She looks at his face and he raised
an eyebrow. That's so annoying of
her.
“ what did you want to say konje.?”

“ Uhm. . . Well, yesterday when I got

here. With a nose bleed, running
away from home. It's because I
heard mom and dad talking about a
secret they don't want anyone to
know about.”

“ Oh.”
Another bored version of him says.
“ Yes Uhm. . And it was about your
late wife. And with what happened
or ask I can say what we saw. . . ”

“ uLale no baba. Kunjalo.?”

( She slept with dad too. Is that it.?)
Nesta gasped.
“ you knew.?”
He sighed.

“ I appreciate the things , the love

and the care you have been giving
me all this years. And I'll be very
much understanding if you get
angry on me if I do something very
much terrible to you family. ”
“ they never loved you. I already
understand. And to think that Mama
hit me with a glass on my head just
to stop me from reaching your
house. I nearly died in her hands.
But then I did escape. That's why I
spent a night at James 's house.
They can't try him and you. . .that's
what I know.”

“ good, you are forever welcome in

my house Nesta. And I will always
appreciate the care and recognition
you gave me throughout all this
years as your elder brother. But
then I guess you know that some
things are better taken care off on a
wound instead of affecting the
whole body. As a doctor, you know
that.”

She nods.
“ and am not promising if any of
them will come out alive. You
mother shot my mother to death. At
least two years in coma. And our
father along with Senzo were
sleeping with a woman I Married as
a wife. Although they are not fully
blamed on this because I believe
she was a hoe too. She allowed
herself to be used by a family, but
am a bit angry and disappointed
that they allowed to be tempted by
her. My only problem is our father
and that brother of yours ok. And
now that my mother is back, all I
can help you pray for is that you
bury Nandi in style. Make the
funeral services happy. That's all,
and as for those two bulls. . .”

Mthobi shakes his head with a grin.

“ I doubt there will be a funeral for

them because what's there to bury
if there is no corpse.”

“ You sure you want to kill dad.?

And Senzo.? Look, I mean. . . ”

“ Solomon ruined my life, put me in

a company for years, neglecting me
along with your mother. Having a
difficult time when I was living
under their roof remember.? Till I
finally bought myself a house where
my mother is allowed to visit me
with no permit and to where I'll eat
food without being nagged about
how my breath is a waste.
Don't stop me, just help your knees
on the floor the minute I get out of
here so that the man up beyond the
sky can hear your prayers. If they
don't comply with my needs
mtasekhaya, it's not a promise.
Trust me. . . They are gone.”

Nesta then wiped her tears.

Yamihle makes an entry back. The
tension was less for her to notice a
thing.
“ I need a restroom.”
Nesta excused herself. That's when
Yamihle raised her eyes to look at
Mthobi. Why did she have to leave
them together again.

“ I have an urgent meeting to take

care of sthandwa Sam. I hope you
don't mind.”
“ not at all Msomi. ”

Her heart is skipping thou.

“ Mmh, that means we will do the

therapy thing next time.”

Her eyes wonders, obviously she

also forgot that there was a therapy
appointment today.
In a second she blinks Mthobi was
already before her. His hand on her
waist and he lowers himself to kiss
her neck. Yamihle biting her lip,
closing her eyes to feel his
movements.

“ Take care of your leg for me.”

He withdrew and smirked. Taking
few steps back to look at her more.
“ I. . . I'll try. ”
Yamihle blinks as she looked
elsewhere but not directly at him.
Mthobi make a proud turn and
finally opens the door to leave.
Immediately he was gone Yamihle
smiles, since no one is in the lounge
again she just walked back to the
kitchen.

.
.
.

Mthobi is using one hand to drive.

While the other is dialling James 's
contacts. But instead James calls
before he could.

“ You read my mind.?”

“ well that's not good. I wanted to

know how you are coping.”
“ you and your wanna be with this
question, niyongiqasula.”
( You'll bore me.)

“ Awkahle , what do you want.?"

( Chill.)

“ Easy thing. Uhm, hack my

Solomon's phone, message Senzo
with his phone and tell him exactly
what am about to tell you. ”

“ okay, let me get a pen. . . But wait

Mthobi. . .”

“ I know what you are about to say.

Relax when you use my father's
phone to send a message to Senzo,
make sure that Solomon doesn't
see that he sent a message to
Senzo because I also want you to
send a message through Senzo 's
phone to my father saying the same
thing. That's the only way I can have
them in one place. I'll send you the
location that they'll meet me at.”

.
.
.
AN HOUR LATER

SOLOMON MSOMI.
A message pops up on his phone,
and Nandi was the one who saw the
message. She smiles , realising how
Senzo has now grown to make such
a decision.
“ Now this is what I call my child.
The flesh and blood that I birthed.”
Solomon turns to her because he
was busy looking at himself on the
mirror while he was dressing up. He
just had his shower for the day and
ready to just bore his eyes with a
newspaper because nothing is up
on his mind.
“ What's that.? Is Nesta found.?”
Nandi rolled her eyes.
“ Where else could she be if not at
Mthobi 's place.? ”

“ maybe that means she haven't

told her anything that she heard. I
believe she fears what Mthobi
would do."

“ and you also fear Mthobi,

Solomon.?”

“ cha, that's not my point. All am

saying is that Mthobi would react
by now. Or say something just to
show how angry he is.”

“ lucky for you Senzo is here to

react before you.”

“ what do you mean.?”

“ he sent a message. Take.”

She then hands him his phone and

sat back on the bed. Just few
seconds of a glance to the screen,
Solomon throws the phone next to
Nandi on the bed. Annoyed his
reflection was when he looked back
on the bed.

“ you are going Msomi.”

“ to dethrone my own son on what's

rightfully his father's.?”

“ don't give me that shit.!”

“ why don't you let Mthobi at

peace.?”

“ A son that you conceived on my

wedding day.? Well obviously he is
here to take away everything from
me. Everything that I've build and
endured. Don't you dare piss me off
Msomi. I know so damn well that
you will go there, meet Senzo with
those board members or . . .”

“ or else what.!”
He yelled.

“ Just try me and you'll see. Are you

forgetting that when you were the
CEO of the Msomi logistics, you
used to do human trafficking. Oh,
don't let me forget too that even
after you made Mthobi the CEO, he
also did some dirty tricks for that
company to stand and never hit the
ground. ”
They shared a look, he is absolutely
breathing up to heaven at this
chance. His chest is puffing. Really
bad.

VIVIAN SIBIYA

Due to stress she is so late at work ,

and those ladies made sure to give
him a better headache for the day.
Surely it will last a lifetime... Their
words will haunt her for eternity.
“ What's wrong with you.?”
Her work mate asked, Vivian pays
no attention to her as she goes on
to grab the mop and bucket.
“ Vivy.? My umuncu ?”
( Why so drained.?)

“ Nginezami, so leave me alone.”

( My problems is why.)
“ You know, something shared is
something solved. At least don't die
with anxiety alone.”

What a wise woman to say that. But

then Vivian paid no attention to her.
She is thinking too deep, and that's
why she ends up pouring too much
sunlight hand washing powder into
the bucket.
“ You will get us fired.!"
The lady stops her before Vivian
could end her job.
“ you know we use this much soap
for a whole week cleaning the
floor.”

“ sorry man, I didn't mean that.”

“ what's wrong with you.?”

Vivian sighed, and then she rest her
back on the wall, her hand wiping
her forehead as she closed her eyes
to numb the headache.

“ How do you remove an unwanted

pregnancy.?”

She drops the bomb at the poor

lady.
“ Vivy, you are pregnant.?”

The lady asked in shock. And that's

when Vivian wide her eyes realising
what she just asked of the lady.

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

“ Baba.?”
Senzo calls out as he makes a stand
and so to understand why his father
came alone when he said he is on
his way with some board members
to discuss how to dethrone
MthobiLanga as a CEO.
“ Where are the board members.?”
he then goes ahead to sip his wine.
“ I should be asking you. moreover
why did you choose the Dam Senzo.
? what's this nonsense.?”
“ Nonsense.?”
Senzo asks as he even looks around.
finally catching a view of some
crocodiles swimming. but what was
never expected is when the ship
started sailing. okay, that's odd.
“ Baba, you said I should be here
exactly at 2:30 pm to discuss how
we remove Mthobi as CEO."

“ Mina.?”
( Me.?)
Solomon asked as he was now
confused.
“ Yes, and this location was sent by
you. you even said that crocodile
are such a vicious view.! and that
this is private.!”
Solomon clicks his tongue. it's even
late to evacuate this ship because
they are now far from the ground.
Senzo snaps his eyes to his left side
and that's when he wide up to see
Mthobi at the other far end side,
standing tall like he is built and
armoured by his brown chocolate
skin that is rough and also soft at
times.
and so Mthobi turns, giving him the
devilish smile could ever form.

Senzo gulps when Mthobi walked

towards to their view. Looking at
his father from toe to head and
obviously he felt more irritated.
He then takes a sit a bit far from
where the two stood.
“ Ubani okhona noma oyazi
uk'swimer no Lacoste.?”
( Who can swim with a Lacoste.?)
Solomon wide his eyes as his ears
gets to its itching point.
Mthobi took three seconds to
chuckle as he looked at his father's
scared face and after that, he
pulled a strong bitter face. Eying
Solomon like the devil.
Chapter Twenty Five

NANDIPHA MSOMI

Wearing a silk night blue gown –

under it is a beautiful set of red
lingerie , busy setting up the table
for two. Just only her and Solomon.
Happy that they gonna celebrate
Mthobi's downfall. Obviously that's
something to celebrate because
she so long wanted to do that.
And it late now, she sent him
countless messages to know how
things went, but then he never
replied any of them. As long as he
got them and knows that she is
waiting for him back home.

“ Oh.”
She just remembered that she left
something upstairs. Quickly she
rushed there, with a happy smile.
It's something that Solomon loves.
A good smell of strawberry. That his
favourite, and all this years she
managed to get him down with it
when he had his ass after a 2k
baddie . Men will always be men.
She gets to the room, opens the
new perfume she got for herself
today and spray twice on her neck,
to her wrist and all over her gown
for the smell to be powerful.

She didn't take much time as she

goes back downstairs, walking
majestically till her eyes met that of
a lady figure right on the table she
was busy preparing for her and her
husband. She even had the gods to
hold the roses Nandi used for
decoration.

“ And who the hell is in my house ,

damn unexpected.?”
She yells, quickens her steps as she
reached the table to stand opposite
the uninvited guest.
Their eyes met, Nandi backs her
steps, gasping as she looked at
Noma with her clear and clean eyes.
“ You are a ghost. Yes, you are a
ghost.!”
Nandi then screams, while Noma
laughs to her stupidity. Watching
Nandi scream and trying to escape
but at each corner she wanted to
escape through there was
Nomathemba 's guards to block her
way.
“ Oh please, bring your ass to sit.”
Noma says. Medupi comes out of
the kitchen with a plate of steaks
that Nandi cooked. Obviously they
crashed her romantic night, and
there won't be any need of the food
she cooked. As a good Samaritan
Medupi is, the food can't just go to
waste. Especially the meat. Do you
know how many cows were killed to
form this meat.?
“ No no no.! You are dead. I killed
you and Thando, you are dead. . .
No.!”

“ Next time you kill a person, make

sure they are dead.”

Nandi is not believing her eyes even

by a slight chance. Too many
bullets went through her body.
Death was supposed to knock her
out.

“ Sit down, mfazi ka baba was boy .

Phela ngazala la ekhaya,
emaqhekeni aka msomi.”
( The wife of my son's father. I did
give birth for the man of this house.)

Finally Nandi settled down to the

chair, right opposite Nomathemba.
“ Well, so what if you are still alive.
Are you gonna flaunt and parade
that you go your life back.?”

“ it never left my body in the first

place. Geez!”
Noma smiles. Opening the wine
that was cooling in a bucket of ice.
“ Oh, and you smell good though.
But when will you ever learn.?”
“ meaning.?”

“ He hates strawberries. How can

you stay with a man for so many
years and never know what he
likes.”

“ maybe that's what he told you, not

me.”
“ mxm.”
A sigh of pity as Noma wet her
throat with a sip.

“ I used to soak myself up with a

purple berry soap mixed with mint .
Take a bath for an hour making
every corner clean and soft like a
delicacy. Then after that, I only
wear a see through robe with a bra
only. He was a better unhooker and
loved it that way. Spray some Chery
perfume with a nice smell of
lavender at my place. ”

Nandi gulped. Well that's a lot for a

mistress to just spill out.

“ he loved to lick every soft spot of

my body. That's why he used to
come to me whenever you give him
a headache. ”
A giggle erupted from Noma.

“ don't get me started on how he

left you on your wedding night to
come to my room and have a
splendid night. Futhi ngazala
indlalifa yakhe.”
( That's how I birthed his first
offspring.)

Nandi 's eyes are getting the point

as they glimmer. A sight of her sore
face was something else. But Noma
knew which sides of her to touch
where she will feel the pain sip in.
She wants to make sure that Nandi
carries her medulla by chest.

“ mind you I wasn't the only side

chick he had at that time and you
knew it. But I was the only side
chick wise enough to own the game.
The same game you tried to
destroy all this years. Trying to kill
me and all that shit. Making me
breathe by pipes because you had
my son under your roof, all of it lord.
But here I am Lala, breathing and
much well alive. It was such an
honour to take such a break from
the world but. . .”

She takes a minute to drink again

from her glass and fills it up.
“ am back. ”

A smile on her face as she looked at

Nandi.

“ want some.?”

Noma then giggles as she pours her

a drink not waiting for Nandi to
even say otherwise.
“ it's either you were stupid or
strong to just stick around with a
man who has countless chicks
around. And what's so annoying is
how you were the one going
around and cleaning up his shit. The
mess he made. For what.? is it
because his bed game is that
arousing and deliciously dangerous
to make you cling on him.? Good
things are toxic mfazi. Learn. And
wake up.!”
She then passed the glass to Nandi,
but she just slapped the glass to the
floor.

“ just incase you forgot, he is my

husband. And for better or worse it
is. He might have his flaws, and so I
don't care. Everyone makes
mistakes. while you were busy
running after trousers to another, I
kept your son safe and sound under
my roof. Not only did I love my
husband even when he made
mistakes, but I also managed to
love his mistakes.”

“ Oh, you mean letting my son

almost completely drown in a pool
at the age of five. Wait. . .or you
mean when you hit him with a pan
till he bled at the age of sixteen.
The abusive things my son had to
put up with. . . Yet you call that
love.? Ouch.!”

“ those were my mistakes.”

Nandi smirked.

“ well, unfortunately karma always

have a bitch to hoe around as
served.”

“ Yazi there is only one thing you

said right through this whole. . .
Whatever you call this. . . Is that I
should have made sure that you
were never breathing. And trust me,
if you miss your chance to take my
life now, then I'll definitely and will
always find my way to you and end
this whole thing the same way I
should have done it.”

“ Nca, kwabuhlungu inhliziyo.? ”

( Does it pain you.?)
Noma then chuckled.

“ Honey, where am sending you is

way far . And you know me
mnakwethu. I hate dirt. And you
blood is the last thing I want to
stain myself with. ”
( Sister wife.)

The door opens, Nandi was hoping

that it would be Solomon or Nesta,
but then it was none other than the
police.

“ Right in time, mbopheni Lo.!”

( Arrest her.!)
Nandi says as she stands up and
pointed at Nomathemba, but then
the police were not listening to her.
Rather they arrested her.
“ No, not me. Can't you listen. She is
the one that broke into my house.
They were threatening my life.
What does the government pay you
for.!”.

“ if I did threaten your life by any

chance, you wouldn't be alive.”

Noma warns. The police then

thanks her and her team for
recording evidence of what
happened the day she god shot. As
long as they have Nandi 's voice
admitting that she should have
killed her. That's all. And obviously
she is going in jail for a long time
for the murderer of Thando.

“ do you have everything in

position.?”

Nomathemba secretly asked

Medupi who was still enjoying his
meal.
“ Mmh, it's on.”

“ good, I need this bitch dead

before month end . By any means
of possibility.”

She says.

“ don't worry, I have the best girls in

jail that will sort it out for you. And I
already told them the catch.
Obviously it's already done.”

.
.
.

Mbali cooked today and she already

dished out the plates. But then she
got tempted to go to the restroom,
and so that gave Vivian a better
chance to sneak in the kitchen.
This woman went as to an extra
mile to get abortion pills for Mbali,
but knowing very well that's she
won't take them and kill that
bastard of a child in her womb, she
will force her to do it.
Quickly she takes two pills out, then
takes a knife to chop the pills till
they turned into powder.
What she didn't know is that Mbali
was quietly standing at the door
and watched as her mother sprinkle
all the pills in her plate of food.

Vivian noticed that the pills ain't

enough so she crushed another two
pills and sprinkle them too on Mbali
's plate of food.
She then watched as Vivian takes
her own plate of food to the
microwave oven because she still
needs to go and have a shower. She
just got off work, so she will eat
after her shower.
Mbali sneaked away from the door,
when Vivian walked out of the
kitchen she was out of reach. . Till
she heard the door of Vivian 's door
close. Mbali then got in the kitchen
and managed to swap the plates .

YAMIHLE MSOMI

It's nine in the night, and this

doesn't usually happen. Not that
Mthobi doesn't usually go out in the
day and comes back the following
day, no. But then he told her that
he will be back later on. And so it's
not that late, and he should be
bringing his ass closer to the damn
house.
She also misses how they have
conversations in the night whole
eating and all that bonding time
they had.
She is also falling in to something
like love because of him, his actions
and the way he spit words like a
romantic novelist.

A man that begs.?

Wow.! That's her first. And she is

ready to nurse this life thing with
him by her side. She sometimes
don't get herself and that's what
she ends up scared, but he is there
to shut those negative thoughts and
so to make her understand.
“ madam, it's late now. It's already
nine.”
Miss Helen in her pajamas surfaces
in the kitchen.
“ I'm just passing by time.”
“ without eating your food.?”
Should she rather tell miss Helen
that Mthobi is not back yet or is
because she is becoming too blind
to see.
She is not just seated on the dining
table as a pose but as a respectful
wife to her husband. Waiting for
him to come back home so that his
wife can admire his dimples as he
chew some food. And she now
knows how he likes his meat,
medium well done with quite a
taste of soup and curry powder.

Nesta left before food could be

served, she looked too sad than
what Yamihle is used to . She
knows the real happy Nesta that
cheers everyone around her. But
then today she just wanted her
peace, and she is quite handy and
scary when angry.
Miss Helen shakes her head and
proceed to get the glass of water
she was here for in the first place
before she saw Yamihle seated
alone in the dining room.
After that she left straight to her
room.

Well Yamihle takes a stand. Since

Mthobi is no longer coming back,
she is not hungry anymore. Besides,
she had a piece of bread before
cooking. And also her heart is now
sore to try and digest food. He said
he will he back later on today. What
late if not nine, is it tomorrow he
meant.
By tradition she is supposed to wait
for her husband. Let him have the
first bite of the food she cooked
and served. And after they both
finish eating, it would be by then
when she goes to sleep. But here
she is now, closing the food up and
about to put them on a tray when
his sudden heavy steps rings in her
ears.
Without even a glance her heart
beat uncontrollable urged to sing.
And finally he reflected in the
dining room, finding Yamihle
clearing up the table.
“ Oh, sweetheart. I thought you'd be
asleep by now.”
She looked up to him, and he brings
himself closer . Looking down to
her face as he held her chin.
“ Your eyes look sad.”
He says. And that demands an
answer.
“ I. . . I wanted to have dinner with
you. But I figured you might come
back a bit later.”
Her eyes didn't even lie about that.
She was looking forward to have a
dinner with him.
“ I'm sorry...”
“ Mmh– Mmh ”
He shush her, shook his head as
they shared a stare.
” Don't do that.”
He says, and a kiss followed.
She was definitely pinned against
the table with no way to escape.
She didn't even need to be rescued
as she slowly finds herself kissing
him back.

He breaks the kiss, takes a step

back as he had his eyes on her,
slowly he undo the buttons of his
shirt. A grin on his face as he loved
how her cat eyes lured him in. How
she never looked at anything else
but him, his body and his
movement. How she lusted on his
now exposed chest. He is definitely
teaching her things.
Without being told, Yamihle took a
step closer to Mthobi, closing the
gap between them. Her hands
gently stroked his skin.
How she mapped his chest and abs.
Her eyes drooling over his features.
His hands cup her waist as he lured
her into another kiss. A kiss that
made her heart rumble. As he lift
her up and just put her on the table.
Having his fingers sneak to her
spread legs till they reached her
panties.

Is she wet.?

Just for him.?

Does she lust over him.?

That much.?

“ I love you more.”

He says, looking at her pretty face.
She wants to answer back, at least
she feels like she needs to let him
know how she loves him too at this
point. Her heart wants to tear her
skin apart.
This is different from what she
knows, how someone should be
touched or aroused. It's too
different and too sweet to try and
keep up with.
“ Someone might catch us.”
She finally managed to breathe out.
And by someone she means Miss
Helen.
“ Msomi. . .”
He doesn't let her finish as he
slowly pushed his index finger in.
With a bold smirk as he looked at
her , how she didn't know what kind
of feeling is this one he is making
her feel. But it's definitely
something about to make her crave
him for days.
“ you were saying.?”

Her grip wants to dig on the table.

Her legs are now ready to tango.
And do he just decided to save her
the hard treatment. He slams his
lips against hers. Lift her up as her
legs wraps around him.
Just like that he leads a way to his
room.

Chapter Twenty Six

YAMIHLE MSOMI
SPONSORED BY Dee Neo

She gripped on the duvet, and

zoomed off to last night's scenes.
From the dining room to his room,
how everything played out so well
without any flaws. And matter of
fact, she doesn't remember having
a clash back on her nightmares.
Everything went so good.
But here she is now waking up to
no husband besides her. That's
when her tears fell unnoticed by
her.
She is circling her mind with
questions that pierce her soul little
by little.
Asking if he loved the sex.? If he
enjoyed it.? If he wasn't disgusted
by her stretch marks because he
undressed everything that had
touch with her skin just to plant
playful kisses while his manhood
had massively paved way in her.
Quickly she wrapped the duvet
allover her just to hide the stretch
marks on her hips. Immediately the
door opens she froze, it's Mthobi.
And he made a way in with a tray of
food and a glass of juice. He is
wearing nothing but a gown and
sleepers. Such a bear, but that's not
the point. The point is how he
looked at her, how he felt hurt
seeing tears on her face like that. In
such a morning, after such a night.
The point is what could have made
her that sad to the extent of tears
being involved. He nearly lost a grip
on the tray, but managed to pull
himself in one peace and puts the
tray on the top shelf.
Again he looks at her, he is also
getting mixed up emotions and that
means he is turning into a sad bear
too.
“ good morning.”
She breaks the silence. Wiping her
tears and tried as hard as to cover
herself up with the duvet.
He walked straight to her side of
the bed and sat right next to her .
She gulped. . . They are never this
close when the sun is out. Last
night was something else on its
own that it difficult to explain.
“ talk to me.”

Her eyes wonders as she avoids the

eye contact.
“ I will very much understand if you
hate me after what happened last
night, I didn't plan to hurt you. But it
was much more satisfying because
you allowed me. And if you call it a
mistake I'll careful put myself in
order . Next time I'll ask.”

“ you . . . You are satisfied..?”

Her lips trembled as she asked him.
Mthobi couldn't hold but smirk.
That question is making him shy
now. He even thought she would
clash and stop him the whole night,
but she just too loved the way he
made her bend and moan for more.
He is actually pleased. A happy man
on the planet.
“ Even when your hands traced my
rough stretch marks.?”
Here she goes again about to cry,
her glassy tears looking at him for a
quick answer. But then here he is
with a smile as he thinks this whole
thing through.
She is insecure about her own body.
No one else but Sibiya might have
discouraged her. That man never
did anything god to this world. It's
like what he did to him wasn't
enough.
A deep chuckle from him , slowly
takes a good look at his wife who
awaits Nothing but a bad answer
from him just so to prove her inner
instincts right.
“ That boy was too weak for the
tiger stripes. I see.”
Yamihle sniffed her running nose
and wiped her tears.
“ Kids of this days do not tend to
understand the importance of
stretch marks. There is a lot of
benefits and nutritions. ”

His hand tried to hide the wild

erection that is about to make him
sin better than how he says it.
Yamihle noticed and bluntly looked
away from him. She is blushing and
at the same time unable to hold her
tears.

“ I appreciate how it took me time

to fit in your temple. I guess I have
a big sin. But I found myself loving
how I worshipped every thrust like a
naughty demon. ”
He stands, and fetch the tray filled
with morning delicacies. He
prepared it specially for her . Miss
Helen had no hand in this .
“ Thank. . . you.”
He grins after he placed the food
before her on the bed.
She is too pretty when shy and
blushing for him. It's like a beautiful
doll that came to life.
She then take a bite of the bacon
without looking his way.
“ ngingasho okunye.”
( Can I say something.)
Mthobi gives her a look that she
remembers very well from last night.
Her body reacted with just a glance
when she moved her face to look at
him.
“ You have a sweet voice.”
She doesn't know if it's the way he
said it or if it's the way his voice
came out. But it touched the depth
of her soul.
“ Too sweet for my ears.”
He includes, while her heart was
trying to recover from the last thing
he said a minute ago.
Yamihle smiles as she moved her
eyes. She tried so hard to fight her
feelings but couldn't, it's like her
heart is in a pool of sugar fighting
to be free... It's racing with joy.

“ I'm off to the shower.”

He smirked as he successfully
walked in the bathroom. Yamihle
couldn't hold herself. She ends
taking his pillow to hide her face.

SOLOMON MSOMI

Finally they made it to the police

station, Senzo is breathing like a
horse that cries for water. He just
hangs his upper body on the chairs.
A moment or relief back to a busy
world. Not where Mthobi left them.
Imagen that stupid boy, leaving his
half brother and the man
responsible for his life at a forest.
The fear Senzo had to go through
the whole night as Solomon kept
pestering him to move his damn
sticks of legs to a mature step to
reach home.
“ Sanbona.”
( Morning.)

“ sanbona yok'nuka. I need help

here, my feet are hurting me. ”
( Morning my foot.)

“ Could you just breathe and tell us

how we may be of help. We not
gonna allow you disrespect the man
of law."
Another police officer says .
Solomon clicks his tounge.
“ I'm here to open a kidnapping
case. . .”
“ And assault.”
Senzo include and fought to stand
up to get a standing position
besides his father.

The two police officers looked at

them and one of them just sighed
as he took a new file and some
papers to write down their case
number and help them out.
“ Your names.?”
“ Mr Solomon, Solomon Msomi.”
“ And Senzonathi Msomi.”
The pen stopped moving. The
officer looked at them, well their
names sounds familiar. But then
after glancing at them he continues.
“ can you give a statement of what
happened in the kidnapping case
you just opened sir.”

“ And assault.”

“ Kahle , siyeza Kuwe Mr assault.”

( Hold it, we will attend to that one
soon.)

The officer then faced Solomon.

“ Elaborate nomzane.”
( Sir.)

“ I , Solomon Msomi. Was

kidnapped along with my son
Senzonathi Msomi by none other
than my first cruel and demonic son,
MthobiLanga msomi..
Do not leave any details out.”

“ Oh, The man I've been looking

for.”
The detective walks to the two,
Solomon is not understanding the
part when he said he was looking
for them. Could it be Mthobi came
back to declare them missing.?
Then he peaked at the papers that
the officer was writing.

“ Haibo.? You were kidnapped.? By .

. .”
He paused and looks at Solomon.
Thinking maybe he would just say
it's a joke but then what else can he
see if not the tired Solomon who his
soul would beg to be bathed. His
sweaty smell is another thing on its
own.
“ By MthobiLanga, the one and only
son you turned into a mafia yourself,
shukuthi kuyanetha Kwa Msomi.”
( Tables turned on you.)

“ is that an obvious joke.?”

“ Cha ngiyabuza.”
( I'm just asking.)

Solomon clicks his tounge.

“ Don't worry, my boys will go hook

him up. Besides, it's been long I
wanted to jail that demon of yours.
"
“ Good for you Dlomo."

“ not so quick though, his mother

opened a murder case for your wife.
And as we speak, Mrs Msomi is in
our cells with strong evidence
against her. We just wanted to
update you to keep your lawyers in
line. They need some overtime
hours to get her out or else. . .”

“ Wait wait wait. . . His what.? Who.?

Mthobi's mother.?”

“ Yeah.”

“ Uyasangana detective.? That

woman is preciously dead.?”
Senzo looked at his father in
disbelief. His own mother is
arrested and what he just bluntly
said is that a mistress is preciously
dead.?
The detective chuckled.
“ a criminal like you .? I thought you
all are good at faking deaths. So
what happened to your instincts.?”

.
.
.

Vivian have been having a stomach

pain the whole night, she barely
slept a wink and now she cat even
prepare to go to work. To even
stand off the bed is a deep pain
that pierce her organs.
“ Mbali, Mbaliyothando.!”
Shw screams, Sibiya is laid helpless
and useless besides her on the bed.
He can't even move a limp to help
her out.
“ Sizani.!”
That's when she gave up and called
for anyone that might be around.
As she slowly tried to crawl off the
bed but ended up falling.
Eventually she started coughing
blood. Her stomach pain worsened
with each second.
“ Mbali. . .yo. . . thando.”
Sibiya seeing that things are going
south, he started whaling. Vivian
stopped making a sound for a
minute now. At least with his
annoying voice someone might
come to his rescue.
MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

His delivery is finally here. He

ordered some matching tracksuits
that he saw at Louis Vuitton store
online and some Gucci heels for
Yamihle and for him it's Gucci
sneakers too.
After tapping his card for a tip of
five hundred bucks, he closed the
door. Taking the bags with him as
he walked upstairs.
“ Sir. . .”
Miss Helen stops him mid way.
“ Yebo ntombiendala.”
( Yes ma'am.)
She giggles
“ the way you are happy , it's like
am getting a raise.”

He grins.
“ You want a raise.?”
Miss Helen then scrubs the back of
her neck.
“ Uhm. . . I was thinking. You know
sir, I fear for my job. I wouldn't want
you to hire any housekeeper to join
me or to replace me. So I was just
suggesting that we renew the
contract. Incase I have to fill in
some positions too. . . You know.
Time travel.”

“ you still have five years till your

pension fund strangle me to death.”

“ Usho Phela Mr junior. that five

years have a greater job for me in it.
So o beg you. Don't do away with
my work."

“ do you want a raise or to just

renew your job contract.?”

“ both Wena nomzane.”

( Both of them sir.)

“ I'll contact my lawyer. Is that good.?

Can i go now.?”

“ you can go. You are free.”

He smiles and head back upstairs.

He gets to his room, and that was
when Yamihle was also coming out
of the bathroom with only a towel
covering her up. Her hands holding
her hips and didn't even notice that
Mthobi is in the room.
“ my waist. . .”
She paused and looked at him, a
smile slowly appears as she looked
at him. She is so busted and she
didn't expect him to see her like this,
or about to say what she nearly said
.
“ Msomi.”
“ Mrs me.”
He smirked. Gets to put the bags on
the bed and she turned to him. He
was the one getting more close to
her.
“ What's wrong with your waist.?”
She bites her lip, well everything is
wrong with it. They also had it from
the back. Then was openly bending
for him, his hands gripping on her
hips, kissing her back and brushing
her ass.
“ Ahh. . .”
She unexpectedly moans out when
his hands gently massaged her
waist. He grins, her hands wrapped
around his neck . . .
“ don't let me press it hard. Tell me
if am hurting you.”
“ Mmh.”
She heard him well. His voice was
heard and registered, but his words
were not able to make it through.
Yamihle rest her head on his chest.
This feels so good, right after a hot
bubble bath time to fall in the
hands of her husband that
welcomed her with a massage.

A knock on the door disturbed him.

He was also enjoying how he
moved his hands gently on her skin.
“ Sir, police officers are here
looking for you.”
Miss Helen says.
Chapter Twenty Seven

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

His footsteps alerts the police men,

and eventually he grins when he
looked at Solomon's horrible face.
Miss Helen forgot to include that
the police brought this two morons.
None or the less Mthobi takes a sit
on his couch. A leg on top of the
other with his arms wide open as he
looks at the men of law before him.
“ Sanbona.”
“ Ain't you gonna arrest this he goat,
I mean what the fuck are we here
for.?”
Senzo spat, but then a simple loud
but light and smooth chuckle is
what Mthobi voiced out in return.
So evil.!
“ Haibo.”
He says, looking at Senzo as if
looking at a small boy he wish to
slap every second he breathes.
“ Arrest me.? Kwami.?”
One police officer cleared his throat.
And Mthobi snap his eyes to his
view, what a confidence booster. !
“ Sir, you are likely to follow us to
the police station. It's about the
kidnapping and assault that took
place yesterday. Failure to do so,
we would force you.”
“ Kahle Wena ngane yomthetho,
you said kidnapping.? And assault.?
"
( Hold it child of law.)

“ Your father and your brother

opened a case against you for
kidnapping and assault.”

“ Why are you being so nice to him.

Bundle this shit out of here.!”
Solomon yelled.
“ don't you dare raise your voice in
my house. How dare you.!”
“ Yey Wena, am your father.!”
Mthobi chuckled once more.
“ I thought we were age mates
since, we all three slept with a
baddie. Nangisiza umfazi Lo
ngamshada, nginga qelanga usizo. ”
( You helped me service my own
wife, even when I didn't ask for
help.)
Solomon blinked, not knowing what
else to say after that.
“ That was your problem. You failed
her anyways.”

Senzo claps back. But then Mthobi

just sat there with a smile.
“ Sir, please follow us.”
“ Do you have proof of that bloody
kidnapping or you just took what
they said to your stupid head.”
Mthobi says, glaring at the police
men.
“ my face is proof enough.”
Senzo says.
“ and you are sure that your bruised
face have my prints.?”
Senzo and Solomon shared a look.
Damn he is good .
“ do you know that you can go to
jail for false accusations, because
matter of fact, that's a stain in my
reputation and can eventually cost
me millions of deals. What do you
take me for. ? You want media to
say I now abuse my family, because
I'm a child of a mistress.?"
Mthobi looked at his father.
Solomon wants to believe so hard
that Mthobi is not his son but they
both have damn good eyes and
nearly same features. Even the way
he is built is as the same as his.
"We are sorry sir, we are just doing
our job."
" Next time, come with evidence. "
He then stood up.
" I was very much loving the busy
thing I was doing upstairs before
you all came in. Close my door on
your way out.”
“ this is not over mfana Wami,
yangizwa. It's not so over.”
( My boy, You hear me.)
“ Just because your wife is in prison,
it doesn't mean all wives are
arrested Msomi. Can I go form my
own offsprings upstairs please.
Leave my house."
He shift his gaze to the police.
“ take your people out of my house.
Go lay your accusations elsewhere.
”
Senzo clicks his tongue and was the
first one to move his legs towards
the door.
Mthobi quietly goes upstairs and
the police urged Solomon to move.

“ Next time you lay false

accusations, we will arrest you for
wasting police officers time.”

“ food yezwa, police time yok'nuka.!

You failed to do your job.”

“ Show us evidence Mr Solomon

and we will arrest your son."

“ so you didn't know that you need

evidence when you decided to
come here.!”

Senzo yelled. The police officers

decided to leave them at the gate
as they drove away in anger.

“ Now how do we reach home ”

“ let's call an uber.”

“ with what phone .? You see to

forget that your son fed it to the
Crocs. Do you think I would have
walked a scary forest all night if I
had that possibility to call an uber.”

“ then shut up if you don't have a

phone Senzo.!"
Solomon yelled.

.
.
.

MaNgethe heard screams just 45 to

more minutes ago and she rushed
in. Thinking that Vivian is killing
Sibiya with the way he was whaling
and screaming. But then it wasn't
that, he was screaming because
Vivian collapsed on the floor and
she quickly called the ambulance.
But then the ambulance people
now called the paramedics team.
“ Sibiya, where is Mbali.? How could
she leave the two of you behind.?"
Sibiya on the wheelchair looked at
her in disbelief. And eventually he
just blinked with his mouth sealed.
“ Oh, sorry. You can't speak. Of
course you are tongueless. ”
She then walks around in the
lounge waiting for those doctors in
Vivian 's room to come and say
something that would clear her
worries. And so her phone rings.
“ Makhi.”
She answered.
“ Shlobo, I can see ambulances at
Vivian's gate, what's going on.?
Where are you makhi.? Come out
quick.”
“I called them.”
“ Haibo.? Did she ask you to babysit
Sibiya while she goes to work. ? Did
he faint.?”
MaNgethe eyed Sibiya.
“ No, he is fine. But Vivian is not.”
She then saw the paramedics
pushing Vivian on the wheeled bed
cover with foil .
“ yima, I'll call you sisi.”
( Wait.)
She then hanged up.
“ Nenzani, where are you taking her
like this.?"
( What's going on.)

" Unfortunately Mrs Sibiya passed

away. Time of death, 9:10. We are
sorry, we did everything we could
to save her life.”

“ Yhoo , hayi.!!”
“ cause of death is overdose of
abortion pills . The family members
are recurred to come and view her
body at the hospital mortgage so
that they can take her to their
policy mortgage after doctors are
done with the final checks."

“ I'll. . . I will inform them when they

come back, am just left with the
husband and he is disabled, he can't
even speak. He has no tongue and
no fingers. . . Yhoo, nkosiyami.! Hau
Vivian. . .!”

MaNgethe gets emotional, she and

Vivian were never friends but it's so
heartbreaking to see her die just
like that.

YAMIHLE MSOMI
she blushed, seeing Mthobi in
different clothes and not a suit or
his tight shirts that exposes
everything his chest can visualise.
He makes her sit down and he knelt
just to help her wear her shoes.
“ I'm loving this new me.”
He says.
A smirk on his face, gently brushing
her foot before slowly slipping the
shoe in.
“ And I also love how you are
opening up to my world.”
" My heart wants this forever to
last.”
She says. A smile on her face when
he looked up to her, such a
beautiful face.
“ Mmh, that's fantastic. Because I
want to ring your finger officially.”
She softly giggles.
“ We are married. Traditionally and
legally.”

“ That was, the other me. It almost

felt like a bitter wedding. So I want
us to do it again, I want to
personally make you wear a ring
with my own hand. I want to hear
your vows MaMsomi. I want to also
make my own intentions pure. ”

" That would cost a fortune to do a

wedding again.”
She looked down, her other hand
grips on the sheet as she nervously
thought. The fear of having to see
Sibiya is blocking her lungs.
But then looking at Mthobi she just
smiled it off.
“ I have everything you need."
He says, brushes her cheek and
stands up. Helping her up from the
bed by hand and gets to hold her
closer to himself. Looking down to
her brown marbel eyes
“ Mrs me. . .”
He paused, a small grin on his lips
just by breathing so close to her.
“ I love you.”
He finished up his words and claims
a soft kiss from her lips.
“ my cheeks hurt.”
Yamihle says with a giggle after
escaping his grips, heading to the
door and finally goes out before he
could reach her.
.
.
.

NANDIPHA MSOMI

“ Look, I know my rights. Can I at

least call up someone.”
The detective chuckled and gets up.
“ No matter who you call Mrs
Msomi, you are going in for a long
time. There is enough evidence that
could pin you down for good.”

“ I would love to see that

happening.”
That's how the detective clicks his
tongue and instructed the officer
on his way out to give Nandi a
phone so that she can call whoever
she wants to call.
It wasn't long when she finally got a
grip on the phone with the officer
watching her as she dials a number
and finally put on her ear.
“ damn handcuffs."
She says annoyed.
But then the phone is ringing. . .

A lady picked up. And she smiles.

“ hello, who is this.?”

“ Sawbona. Ngiyathemba you still

have your memories perfectly fine.”
( I hope.)

A gasp from the lady she called.

“ Uhm. . . I. . .”

“ Shh, I thing it's time to come back

to Johannesburg. What do you say
about that.? You want that
glamorous life back.? Oh I know you
do. . . No one would love to just live
in the villages after being raised in
the city. It's so absurd."

“ But you said . . .”

“ forget about what I said. We have

a lot to discuss.”

And just like that Nandipha hanged

up the call, tossing the phone to the
officer after deleting the call history
of the number she just called. The
officer was puzzled.
“ ungibukani.?”
( What are you looking at.?)
She asked annoyed. And so like
they the officer just left.
She sat there, thinking to herself
and just smirked. Just when she
thought she had it all, and
Nomathemba just raised from the
dead.
Maybe it wasn't just one coffin
missing you know. She was damn
played by god himself here.

Chapter Twenty Eight

MANGETHE

It's been a week, a whole ass week

and MaNgethe has been taking care
of Sibiya alone. Enhle was last seen
running away from her abusive
boyfriend and since then, she was
never found. Mbali is a shadow no
one can tell disappeared to, ever
since Vivian died she never came
back home. And rumours had it tats
he is the one that killed Vivian
because why would she be killed by
abortion pills when she is not the
one pregnant.

Oh, what a tragedy because even

Vivian 's body was never claimed at
the hospital mortgage so that they
can bury her peaceful and
respectfully
“ Why don't you at least shout when
you want to use the restroom, look
at your pants. Look at yourself slima
sendoda.! It should have been you
instead of Vivian. You are useless.”
MaNgethe clicks her you and flee to
get a bucket leaving Sibiya on the
bed. After two minutes she comes
back, but then stood to look at him
first.
“ have you ever thought that the
lady you were insulting over the
fence would be the one to change
your pants, wash you and feed you.?
When I pleaded with you to stop
abusing that poor girl but yet you
threatened my life. How is life
Sibiya.? Too sweet.? Or too bitter. ”

She gets closer to the bed and

throws the blankets away, and
quickly got her mask ready because
the smell is so irritating.
“ Mmh, Vivian is still at the
mortgage and it's been a week now.
She needs to be buried, I'm telling
you this because it's time I inform
Yamihle about her death since no
members of your family or her
family came through to bury that
woman even after being told about
her death. Sins Yami has a good
rich husband, surely they will afford
a good coffin so that the soil would
swallow her with pride.”

After a while twelve minutes of

cleaning up the mess Sibiya made,
she takes off her gloves and help
him to sit on his wheelchair.
“ you don't have clean clothes, who
do you expect to wash them for
you.? If only you didn't rape that
poor girl. If only you listened and
knew when to stop. ”
She clicks her tongue and goes to
the wardrobe and got some boxer
shorts for him to wear
“ I'll be leaving tomorrow to go and
get Yamihle, for you. . As of today,
am calling old age home.
Ngikhathele. Am gat' fol ngawe.
You need people who would take
care of you. Not me. . . And
definitely not Yamihle because she
will not accept you.”
NESTA MSOMI

It's something serious, to just call

James and ask him for them to
meet at some fancy restaurant
where they would just chat because
she have something to say.
It's been days she called him or
went to his place, whenever he
would call she would just hang up
the calls and made excuses after on
WhatsApp. But then he knew she
has something up her head. That
she is hiding something precisely. . .
But then he never wanted to mingle
along because of the way things
have been for her. . . On her side.
Nandi being such a mother to
nearly kill her made Nesta question
herself if that's a family she wants
closer to her. To her future and
someone to try and share a life with.
But then no, Nandi was just
something else on her own. Too
much invested on a man that is a
pig.
Yes. . . She said it some few years
back that her father is a pig, you
can dress it, bathe it, feed it but
then at the end of the day, a pug is
a pig. It will always go back to the
mud and get dirtier.
And she got a slap from Nandi just
for saying that. .
And Senzo, well. . He is just a
reptile. He doesn't know where he
stands with life, that man have a lot
to figure out alone by himself. No
one in that family is as stupid as he
is.

For the past few days Nesta spent ,

she was looking for an apartment
for herself. . . A place to stay and
have something that she has her
name on with her own money that
she earns from her job without
having to call Mthobi for help, or
using her father's money .
She found one, and she also found
something else about herself that
she doesn't want to make decisions
on her own.

Well she kinda needs to make that

decision ASAP on her own if she
likely wants to. But then she
thought about it. And it would be so
cruel to do something so sinister
without letting James know. This is
not a one person decision.
“ For fuck sakes.!”
She snaps when the fork let's loose
of the only last piece of cake to the
floor.
And quietly James stands next to
her , and he confirmed it by his
cologne.
“ What, you bathed in the whole
cologne shop.?”
“ Hi Nesta. You called.”

“ and will you sit your ass down.!”

She snaps again on him. Trying to
wipe the cream stain off her jeans
with a napkin. Realising her hot
temper and attitude, along with
James not moving a cent to sit up,
she sighed and looked up to him.
Throwing the napkin on the table.
“ I'm sorry. It's just, I have a lot in my
mind.”
“ a lot like your mom being behind
bars, is that why you have been
avoiding me ?"

“ that devil is far from my mind.”

He smirked, finding it hard to
believe her. She always loved her
mother from young age.
“ Please sit.”
She begs and he gives up by
grabbing the sit .
“ So what's on your mind.?”

“ Us.”
Immediately his eyes opens up, his
eyebrows up there hanging as if he
heard something shocking for the
first time.
“ O. . Kay. . I think I like the idea of
your mom being in jail.”
“ I'm simply telling the truth.
Something happened or rather I say
still happening and. . . It made me
question my life Mhlongo. I'm. . . I
don't know maybe turning into
someone that I was fearing to ever
become.”

A moment of silence engulfed on

the two. James doesn't even know
if this is a bad thing or a good thing.
He can't find himself either at the
moment, but he loves where this is
going. At least he will know her
answer about them being a thing
and sailing a ship as captain and
Mrs captain.
“ Do you want to order anything.?"
She asked, trying to pull some
strings up together before she
drops a bomb on him.
“ No, I'm perfectly fine. But feel free
if you want to order.”
“ at least get water.”

“ I prefer things sober.”

“ do you love me.?”

She asked quickly, he smiles as his

eyes tried looking away but was
forever glued to her.

“ my heart, yes. My mind, definitely

and myself. . . Obviously I love you.
Otherwise I wouldn't have been
fighting my demons all this week
trying to call you up. ”

She feels awkward when blushing,

but then what else could she use to
respond to such good words.

“ Look, I know that am an ass. I

allowed myself get attached even
when I was the one that said being
fuck buddies is just cool. And on
the records, things are not looking
nice for me this days. I can't get
over it, I feel like I want someone
close to me. . . Okay not just feel,
but I do need someone by my side.
Someone to look up to with a
smile.”

Again Nesta says nothing but just

looked at him as he explained more.
“ I'm tired of waking up alone on a
cold bed.”

She giggles.

“ Am damn serious.”

“ Yeah, right. I understand that.”

James find it pity to understand.

She doesn't understand what he
means by that, and so he leaned
closer to the table.

“ Do you.?”

“ Well. . . Maybe not, because I

haven't been alone lately for the
past two weeks. Someone follows
me to my bed, my work, my kitchen,
and eventually takes a shower with
me, share almost the food I eat.
Kuningi nje.”
( It's a lot.)

“ wait, are you being hacked .? Do

they have cameras in your room
Nesta or is someone following you
around like a paparazzi. Why didn't
you say something all this while. . .”

“ I'm pregnant, James.”

“ What kind of paparazzi name is

that.?"

He just looked at her with a blank

mind for a second and eventually
something up his brain kicked a life
when he opens his mouth trying to
say something, looking at Nesta in
disbelief. . .as if he is finding it hard
to believe what she just said.

“ Huh.?”
“ I'll accept it if you don't want it. I'll
gladly book an appointment for
something to make things happen
and from there . . .maybe we can
just be friends. Maybe life isn't as
planned after all. . . .”

“ Wait wait wait. . .hold on a bit.”

James uses his leg to pull her chair

closer to him. Right besides him
and he looks at her straight up to
her face.

“ I would like us to start this

conversation slow. . . Nicely and
understanding. "

“ English is no longer foreign to us

blacks.”
“ It's not my mother tongue.”

“ Okay Uhm, remember the last

time we had sex. . . I got angry
about something we talked about.
To the extent of forgetting to take
the morning after pill as usual. And I
just left your house. Since then I
didn't even have such a thought to
take prevention measures because I
wasn't thinking straight, then the
Nomathemba saga also got up to
my head and from there . . . Things
happened inside me, your Semens
found an egg, that formed into
something small and that thing is
now slowly turning into a small
baby. Your baby.!”

She stops talking, gets a chance to

wipe her tears .

“ I'm not ready but again I'm ready.

It's so complicated.”
“ it's okay. Uhm, and I think it's best
if we both take some time to think
about this. ”

“ What do you mean.?”

“ I don't want it to sound like am

pressuring you to keep the baby.
Just because it's my first child, our
first child. I want you to think about
it.”

He grins and gets to place his big

hand on her soon to be big
ballooned belly.

“ I'm happy, very much happy that I

feel like I'm dreaming. The first
thing I want to do the minute I walk
out of this door is go to a baby
store. Look at the comfortable small
baby clothes and get to pick up the
baby diapers just incase the months
pass by quickly. ”

A small chuckle followed.

“ I just made Mthobi an uncle . ”

Immediately another thought hits

his crazy brain.

“ at least now I know I don't shoot

blanks.”

“ So do you want this child Mhlongo.

Do you want to build a family of
your own, settle down and have
sacrifices made just to put a family
first.?”

“ I'm the only son my mother had.

The last of her kind, and it's still
painful that I refused to take my
father's surname when he came
looking back to his past. Looking for
me, I rejected him because he was
never there, I made my life. I lived
like tomorrow is a sin to live. I made
things happen on my own. And I
saw how my mother struggled to
keep me sheltered and fed . She
made sure that I don't go to school
without eating what we ate last
night. She would use the last
money to buy my school uniform so
that I can look like other kids, when
they would brag that they have
brand new school bags. Yeah, that
was a thing. A batman schoolbag or
the rockstar bad boys type. When
she used to wipe her face
sometimes when I looked at her, I
would think she was wiping a sweat
because we walk under the sun. . .
But later on, reality was a bitch on
me. She would cry, yet manage to
hide it. She would get seriously sick
when I started approaching my teen
years. I would skip school just to
take care of her. And wait for her to
get better so that she could scold
me for missing my school work or
acting like a man of the House at a
young age. I loved her to get better
to scold me but hated it when she
was too energetic and too African
like a mother of Africa is. I
remember waking up from time to
time just to see if she is still
breathing, sleeping on the floor
while she slept at the mattress we
had in the house. Sharing a small
room with my Mom, it was too
painful to experience. And one
night, doing my daily routine to
check if she is still breathing. So
that we can both struggle again
tomorrow, I found my mother not
moving a bit of her lifeless body.
She was just there, sleeping with
closed eyes. . . Cold, and that's
when my world became bitter. The
woman that told me to go study
and do law so that I can come back
for those who wronged her and
fight them in court. ”

James smirked, blinking his red

glimmering eyes and looked down
to were his hand was. Slowly he
retreat it.

“ I would love to be a father.

Praying for a baby girl to name
after my mother. That was my
promise to her. To give her a life
and spoil her rotten. Teach her
same things she taught me as a
child about life. And this time
around, as her father. . . I will make
sure that no boy mess with her life
again. ”

Hi exhaled, feeling a bit too hot and

too emotional. James just stands up
and grabs his phone and car keys
on the table.

“ Look, it's your life. Your body and

your choice. I can't let my fears and
ambitious crown you to something
that I want. Let's just breathe for
some time about this matter. Call
me when you are ready about the
decision you are about to take. Just
anything you want and I'll accept it.”

“ Okay.”
“ Thanks for letting me know , by
the way .”

He walks away. Leaving Nesta with

too many decisions that she can't
point out straight. Looking at her
life, no man had ever been that
open and loving to have this much.
If it was someone else, he would
have gladly opted for the abortion
idea.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

YAMIHLE MSOMI

The next day....—

– “ Maa....”
Yamihle spring to Miss MaNgethe.
The woman stands up and hugs her
with joy. They both giggles and had
to sit down.
” I'm so happy so see you.”
Yamihle says, but Miss MaNgethe
just brushed her hand without a
word. Her eyes signalling Yamihle
that she didn't introduce her to her
tall husband standing with a
confused faced before the two of
them.
Yamihle looked up to Mthobi and
smiles, immediately stands up to
introduce the two very well.
“ Msomi, Uhm.. this is Ma'am
MaNgethe. The lady that lives next
door to our house back in the
village. ”
Then she looked at Miss MaNgethe
with a smile. Mthobi then eyed
MaNgethe as she stood to give him
a hand.
“ You're welcome.”
He says.
But then he is not understanding
why she is here.
“ Have a sit.”
He gestured as she held Yamihle by
hand and pulled her to have a sit
next to him. They just woke up, it's
just in the morning and they had an
unexpected visit.
He was in bed with his wife doing a
pillow talk. Something that could
have led to somewhere at this point.

“ May God bless you, look at how

she is glowing like the moon. So
beautiful.”
Yamihle eyes Mthobi and giggles.
Mthobi grins and just looked away .
It's so freshening to see her happy
like this.
“ The tea.”
Miss Helen says and put the tray of
tea on the table and gives
MaNgethe a cup.
She was long here. Just that Mthobi
was grumpy to get off bed and
didn't want to let Yamihle go.
” Thank you.”
“ Sir, do you need anything.?”

“ No thanks, just continue with what

you were doing. ”

“ Ma'am.?”
She then eyed Yamihle if there is
anything she needs.
“ No Maa, thank you.”
MaNgethe smiled because she is
proud of the respect and love
Yamihle has.
Right after miss Helen left,
MaNgethe sips on the tea and hold
the cup down.
“ I'm so sorry to come unannounced
in the first place, but then there is
an issue at hand back in the
village.”
Yamihle 's face hardens . Her smile
was as if wiped off with a dry
napkin that didn't leave a trace.
“ My wife has nothing to do with
the village anymore. This is her
home and her new life that has
nothing to do with that place.”
Mthobi chips in.
“ Cha Mkhwenyana, her mother is
dead.”
That seems to sit him back and cool
him down because he didn't expect
that one to come out.
Yamihle looks at miss MaNgethe
with tears blinding her vision. At
this point her mind is not thinking
straight. But then she made sure
never to let a tear escape her eyes
as she hold her hands together.
“ Did Uhm.. did, Sibiya kill him.?”
MaNgethe grins as she looked at
Mthobi, slowly she sipped her tea.
“ He would never do such a thing,
believe me. ”
Mthobi felt that one.
Well it might happen that the
village people suspect him for
Sibiya 's condition. Well as long as
they suspect him and don't know.
“ Earlier this morning I took him to
‘ Home ’ care. That's where he will
end the rest of his life. And I
wouldn't want you to come for the
funeral to find him there, otherwise
god knows what would come out of
him.”
Mthobi feels the heat. Why is it that
this woman knows a lot than god.
“ What happened to him.?”
“ Mmh Mmh ,that's not why I'm here,
he is not important.”
She says as she shook her head
MaNgethe goes on to sip the tea.

“ Okay Uhm, when is the burial.?

This week.? And what killed her.?
What happened.?”
She hated her mother, but no
matter what death is not what she
wished on her, she got the easy
way out. Vivian was to suffer the
same way she did. The same way
she made her suffer
“ Yami, Uhm.. Mbali is pregnant
with Sibiya's child.”
Eyes turned to her, even Yamihle
stopped crying as she eyed
MaNgethe wildly.
“ She got raped.”
“ No, they both slept together.
Countless times as said. ”
MaNgethe noticed that the cup of
tea at hand is getting finished, she
just goes on to the tray and refill
herself up with one spoon of sugar.
“ Apparently you are not a Sibiya.
You were never one to even begin
with. That's why your mother
allowed that man to do such things
to you. ”
Well Mthobi is not surprised by that.
The night he and James had Sibiya
by chokeslams he said it himself.
That Yamihle is not his...
“ wait wait wait... I what.?”

“ Enhle knows the truth . And even

Mbali knows. You are the only one
left out. ”
She takes another goodly sip.
“ And what's shocking is that even
Enhle and Mbali are not Sibiya 's
offsprings... Well not obviously.”
“ What do you mean.?”

“ Sibiya , Mbali and Enhle share the

same father.”
Mthobi didn't wait any longer and
just coughed out some air.
Never in his life have he ever heard
such a thing . Not even by
Mandela's ruling to the nation has
ever this shit took place.
Yamihle was completely lost of
words to say.

“ Vivian took overdose of abortion

pills even when she wasn't
pregnant and died in the morning.
Mbali and Enhle are nowhere to be
seen. Her corpse have been in the
mortuary for a week now. We even
told her related family members but
it looks like they don't want
anything to do with her late self. ”
She then puts the cup of tea away.
” Yami, I know she did you wrong.
But then she is dead now. All am
pleading for, on God's behalf. Can
you open you heart and send her to
her last place. Please Nana. She is
our past now. All the trauma she
put you through is now over. There
is no need on holding on to the
past.”
Yamihle stands up and walked away
.

MaNgethe sighed with

understandment as she takes her
bag off the sofa and stands up.
Mthobi also take a stand.
“ I'm so sorry for ruining your day.
But I said my own. Take care of her.
Tell her that I left.”

They shook hands for the last time

and MaNgethe left.

JAMES MHLONGO

He have been looking at his phone

ever since yesterday till last night
when he got home after the
conversation he had with Nesta.
He is waiting for her call. To at least
hear from her.
The best decision that she is about
to make.

He is not ready to have her abort

the baby, it already feels like his
world is closing on him. As if god is
about to punish him for the
murderers he did all his life.

Never in his life has he ever thought

that he will change even by a
slightest chance for anything.
Maybe he never had that reason to.
But then now he believes he is
ready to change.
Ready to father someone with his
all, that moment of waking up to a
toddler inbetween him and the
woman of his dreams is here.
Having the two of them argue
about changing nappies.
And obviously let his child have
anything that he or she would cry
for. Even if it's a human heart, he
will just do anything to cave it out
of a person.

Finally his phone rings and he was

quick to answer.

“ Hello , hi, Nesta... Are you good.”

He panicked, but right after talking
he paused to catch his breath.
“ Wee nja.. Yey..!”
Mthobi roared. James was quick to
click his tongue.
“ What the fuck Mthobi.! Geez.!”
Poor James says with anger.

“ I should be asking you James. I'm

the one that called. So you tell me.”
James puts the phone down and
grab the glass of water before him
and drinks from it. He could have
had two or three beers, but then he
wants that when Nesta calls, he is
sober to be able to hear her choice
of life very well and correct.
After few seconds he put the glass
down and picked up the and put
Mthobi on loudspeaker. He then
breathed out to pull himself in order.
“ Hi friend. What's up.?”
James says.
“ I don't joke like that James. So spit
it out. Whats up with your mixed
emotions.? And why are you evilly
waiting for my kid sister to call you.?
”
“ You said you wouldn't mingle in
our business Mthobi. So it won't
help a bit of your thought."

“ Yeah, I know I said that but you

are not making that easy for me
now do you.? Did you lay hands on
her.?”

“ Fuck no. Not even at this

situation.”
“ What situation.?”

James found it hard to inhale

oxygen with an ease mind.

“ Why did you call.?”

“ it doesn't matter. What situation.?”

James kept quiet. That is so difficult

for him to say.

“ should I call her.”

“ no, no no.!”

He was quick to answer that one.

“ You might mess things up.”

He then includes.
“ Mess up what James, what's
happening.? Say something.!”

“ I think she wants to do abortion.”

Mthobi's mouth was left gaping for

air right after what James said hit
his mind so hard.

“ abor– what.?”
“ Please don't freak out. Yes, she is
pregnant, we are pregnant. But
then she is not happy man. I don't
know what else to think. She said
she will think about it, it's already
close to Twenty hours we last
spoke. And I just can't wait any
longer. She is not calling or texting.
Also she moved out of the House to
her new apartment.... Like, I don't
know what else to say.
That's the first and last child I'll have
if she kills it. I swear to god I'll just
kill myself, I'll raise my baby in
heaven. Your sister can't do me like
this.”

“ Will you breathe for a second. ”

“ I'm losing my shit.”

“ I already lost my shit the minute I

just got to know am someone 's
uncle.! Can you please breathe your
ass nose a bit.”

James walked up and down while

Mthobi rubbed his temples a bit.
God knows why he is not hating on
Nesta because abortion is not for
kids her age. No matter what, if she
is not ready to mother that child
she could have at least swallowed
prevention pills or took her
buttocks to be injected.

“ I'll try to talk her out of anything

bad.”

“ You are a bad talker. You know

that.”

“ Do you want the baby or not.?”

CHAPTER THIRTY
MBALIYOTHANDO SIBIYA

MaNgethe was just walking in her

yard. She just got off the taxi with
few plastics of groceries and they
are a bit heavy. Immediately her
eyes landed on the figure on the
door, it was none other than
Mbaliyothando. Late Vivian 's
second daughter. MaNgethe smiles
and approached further to her,
thinking that she will reprimand
Mbali for her absence and stupid
behaviour of not giving a single
thought that her mother is at the
mortgage rotting bit by bit.
But.....
A havoc that came with a smell
made MaNgethe take steps back
and scoffed as she possibly breathe
more clean oxygen away from Mbali.
Leaving her plastics fall off her
hands.
“ Haibo, Haibo Haibo.!
Ngiyavivinywa yini.! Kwami.?”
( Am I being tested. In my yard.!)

Mbali shamelessly looks down , her

fingers gripping on her T-shirt and
tried to not let a tear fall. It's been
close to five days now, things are
bad. She has been through a lot in
the past five days that no one
would believe happened to her only.
“ Maa MaNgethe..–”
“ uNgake ulinge.!"
( Don't dare.!)
She shuts her up. Obviously very
annoyed, but then looking at her
makes her want to soften up a bit.
MaNgethe is a kind woman, it's a
pity that God never gave her any
child of her own. And the one she
was close to is none other than
Yamihle, now that she is married
and gone. She is all back to
loneliness.
But then she truly made Yamihle 's
traditional ceremony the best for
the two of them. She advised her
well to take care of her husband
and she is doing just that, she saw
that today.
How Yamihle looks at her husband
with respect. And even the husband
made life easy for her. Just like
making Sibiya pay for every tear
that girl shed.
“ What happened to you Mbali.?”
“ I... I..”
She paused and gulped. Yet the big
block of guilt is still on her throat.
Her tears simply falls down her
cheeks.
“ Actually I shouldn't be here, I'm
sorry to bother you Maa MaNgethe.
Nisale kahle.”
( Stay well.)
Mbali was quick to make moves
towards the gate passing
MaNgethe with yet another banger
that had her nose irritated.
“ Come back here.!”
MaNgethe shouted. With courage
after a big breathe in she walked to
Mbaliyothando and had her hand,
pulling her along to the house. She
was quick to unlock the door and
pushed Mbali in.
“ A second, my plastics.”
She says remembering her food
stocks.
“ Don't touch or sit on my sofas. I'll
be back.”
She includes and walked to where
she dropped her plastics.

It's been few minutes now,

MaNgethe is seated. Her hand
waving closer to her nose for a
better oxygen if not good or clean.
Her eyes then looked up to Mbali,
where she stood.
And she smells like a dead person.
“ When last did you take a bath
Ntombi.?”
“ before coming here.”
“ Maye, haibo.”
Screams MaNgethe, then after that
she looks at Mbaliyothando again.
“ Pho unukelani. !.”
( Then the smelling.!)
Mbaliyothando breaks down in
tears. She couldn't hold that back,
her heart breaks. Guilt got the best
of her.
“ it all started on Tuesday, the day I
dreamt about my mother. She was
chasing after me, and at every
chance I got to stop running and
rest, something would hit me so
hard. Her face was filled with anger
whenever she looked at me. And
worse part is that, when I woke up, I
found myself bleeding. I had
miscarriage after that dream and....
And that's when I started smelling.”
Miss MaNgethe was shocked in
hearing this. She looks at
Mbaliyothando and quick to stand
on her feet.
“ Mbali, you know me right.?”
“ Y.. yes.”

“ So you as well know that I'm a

woman who respects god.”
“ Yes Maa MaNgethe.”
Miss MaNgethe again waves her
hand for air.
“ There is no way a ghost can come
to your dream looking furious,
especially a ghost that is your
mother. Unless you did something
deeply regrettable.”
Mbali looks at miss MaNgethe yet
again with another pity on her face.
Although the smell is making things
hard for her.
“ I... I... ”
She then paused again, looking at
miss MaNgethe and immediately
looked down.
“ Mama wanted me to have
abortion since Sibiya is not my
father but my elder brother.”
“ sounds like there is an ' AND '
along that story.”

“ Yes, Uhm. So I refused having

abortion because I'm deeply in love
with him. Namanje ngiyafunga, I'll
do things to myself just to satisfy
the love I have for him. ”
“ Uyongidida ke manje.”
( Are you fooling me.)

“ So, again... One day I cooked, and

so after cooking I dished up for
everyone and I left the kitchen to
get my phone in my room, when I
came back, I found her crushing
abortion pills. And she put them in
the plate I dished for myself. But
then I switched my plate to hers.
My plan wasn't to kill her...”

“ Oksalayo she would have killed

you too. Because those were
illegally made abortion pills. That's
why she died. And one thing for
sure is that she cursed you. It's
obvious, Vivian is angry at you for
not doing exactly what she
wanted.”

.
.
.

YAMIHLE MSOMI.

“ Msomi...”
Yamihle calls out, gets a chance to
stand besides him on his table
study. Mthobi turns to her with all
his attention focused on her.
And he stands, hold both her hands
and simply lead her to take a sit on
the bed.
“ I thought you'll never come out of
your room.”
He brushes her curly hair back. Her
eyes meet with his very of
glimmering eyes. Of course he was
sickly worried about her. She spent
the whole day avoiding to come out
of her room and in order for him to
reduce the stress and sad waiting...
He decided to vent on office work.
Leaving his door wide open for her
whenever she comes around.
“ I know you are sad at the moment.
And nothing can justify your anger.
But then ...”

“ I can't bury my mother.”

Yamihle says what in her mind. And
whatever decision she took is for
her sanity and free mind.
“ Moreover, she allowed her
husband do ... All that I went
through in the past. Traditionally I'm
not even supposed to set eyes on
her corpse. I can as well say we
shared a man.”
An exhale through Mthobi 's lips as
he breathed out and try putting a
smile on his face the much possible.
“ But then I ....”
She paused, her hand still gripping
on his for closure. Finding it hard to
say whatever she wants to say. Not
knowing how will he take it.
“ What is it Nomndayi.?”
“ Can you help me sponsor her
burial. . . Since no one of our family
members and relatives wants to put
her at rest, and obvious I can't make
it either. I'm begging you to help
me find her burial.”

He definitely wants to blush , it's

her first time asking him something
like this. And her face look xxs
pretty scared to even believe she
just said that to him.
“ Okay then, it's a no problem. I can
even hire people to just take care of
everything. Including those who cry
on behalf of someone.”
He pulls her in a hug as he smiles.
He was somehow waiting for her to
say since no one wants to bury
Vivian down, then why not burn her
corpse. Immediately the ashes
comes out of the crematorium
facility, hot as they are... he helps
her send them straight to ocean.
Sometimes you would think the
Western practices were cruel, but
then it was a humble moment for
the wicked.

“ Let me inform Miss Helen to

prepare something for you to eat.”
“ Cha, I don't need anything . ”

“ Just... At least snacks mkami, you

haven't eaten anything yet. ”

A slow smile appears on her lips

and looks down, then a nod
followed. She can't dispute with her
husband. That's not how a wife
actually behaves. He leaves and she
finish up with wiping her tears once
he closed the door.
SIBIYA

Yes – he might be useless at the

moment. But then. That doesn't
mean he can't also end his life. The
nurse already picked him up on the
floor next to the bed he fell from for
the fifth time now.
The man is trying to crack his head
open and let his brains splash on
the floor.
But then it's like god is not on his
side.
“ Yho Yho, yewethu. Kanti yini
ngawe and the floor.? Zithini naa.!”
( What's with you and the floor .
What's wrong with you.!)

“ Haibo, monwabisi. You are

screaming at the poor patient.”

“ poor patient .? ”
Monwabisi fights back loudly
because there is nothing poor
about what Sibiya is now doing.
“ ungithatha ngezilingo lo mlisa.
Angzalelwa yena mna.!”
( He is seriously getting on my
nerves. I wasn't born for his crap.)

“ a job is a job mtase.”

“ Rhaa, kuthenina ngi khaliswa

umuntu ongesana ngisho noma yi
fingers nje, ama toes kuphela la
eseleyo. Futhi bawashiyeleni ngoba
lutho umsebenzi wayo.”
( Imagen a man with no fingers is
making me reconsider my life right
now. He is only left with useless
toes. Why ain't they also cut off.)

“ Uzomenza emotional. Don't say

hurting things like that infront of a
patient.”
“ naye he can't fall after every
minute, it is also making me
emotional. Futhi Uyo qelela Bani
ngoba yamlahla inkosi. No tongue
also my dear.”
( Also.)
( And who will he complain to
because God forsaken him.)

The other lady nurse laughs.

Monwabisi won't kill her at this late
hour.

“ Ever since you came here, it's

either you or the manager who
stresses me.”

NESTA MSOMI

Things are getting bad. It's that

week of having to feel weak. It's the
first stage.
And it's obviously taking me by a
toll.
“ Miss Msomi, your attention is
needed. ”
“ Who died.?”

“ Your salary is about to die if you

don't follow me.”
I laughed. Getting my ass of the
single bed in the little room where
we all rest when tired.
“ Well , that's not going to happen. I
need the money for my future at
the moment.”
I simply bed over to wear back my
sneakers. I sometimes see pregnant
women getting their shoes done by
their men or some relatives
because they can't bend over. Is
that going to soon be me.? Not see
my fine pink toes.?
Before I could even tie my
shoelaces my phone rings out of
nowhere.
I simply get excited thinking it's
James. But then it's my brother.
Mthobi, and I long heard from him.
“ Bhuti 'omdala. ”
( Big bro.)

It was as if he just took out his

breathe right out of the phone.
“ Geez, what's up with you.?”

“ You are up with me Nesta. I'm only

short of grey hair at this point.”
I also sighed.
“ Yeah, I know that I haven't talked
to you in like days... But then I was
eventually going to come around
someday. You know. . . I'm just
trying to sort my life together.”
“ Did you move out.?”

“ Yeah. I'm not safe there, I don't

feel welcomed anymore in my
father's house. Now I know what
you felt when you bought a house
and on the first day gave dad a
protection order letter.”

“ but then don't over do it though.

And you could have came to your
brother's house instead. Have I ever
neglected you of everything even
when you know I'm grumpy. You
are the only person who knew that
my no is a yes. ”

“ it's not like that. Well... I actually

have something on my own to deal
with. You know. And it's already
hard on its own to swallow. Maybe
luck is not my taste. I don't know
how to even go about this myself. I
have doubts and basically scared.
Mom and I could have been best of
friends as daughter and mother.
But then we never got along. She
could have at least encouraged me
or motivated me to do something
about my life.”

“ I'm your best friend. ”

“ you ain't no female thou. ”

He chuckled.
My colleague just walked away
annoyed. Her attitude is what I
don't need ... I never cut a call on
my brother even by a chance a gun
is on my forehead.
“ try me.”
I laughed.

“ since when it's about gender.

Even when I was in office, you
would call to vent out. And it's not
like I would focus on the papers but
just listen. After that give you a
straight answer.”

“ Your truth is bitter you know that.

You won't be a national advisor by
any chance. You'll get killed.”

“ Weeh, limsulwa iqiniso .”

( Truth is needed.)
I breathed out, getting to sit back
on the single bed with one shoe on.
A traditional person would just slap
the demon out of me. It's forbidden
to wear one shoe...

“ Listen Nesta. We all make

mistakes. You know, but no matter
how big the mistake is. That doesn't
mean that mistake doesn't have a
solution. Okungapheli kuyahlola
mtasekhaya. ”

“ This isn't just a big mistake, it's

huge...”

“ so you rather have regret.? The

guilt.? The what ifs.? The maybe
part that hurts the most. Do want to
see yourself saying ' I could '
instead of ' I did '. Think about the
better side of the mistake you made.
Yes it's bad, but turn it into positive
thing. Make it look possible to
adjust to. Because no one would do
that for you .”

Okay, I'm in tears at the moment.

I'm even finding it hard to swallow.

“ if you also take a bad decision it

will not haunt you only but even me
too. That I failed to warn you that
men are bad for kids. As an elder
brother it will surely eat Mr in the
inside. But then you... You will
forever feel the pain like no other.
There are pregnant women
everyday coming for check ups and
scans, coming with their partners
with smiles and all that. How would
you feel thinking that you could
have also been enjoying your first
motherhood trial.? Looking at
someone's big belly that you
avoided to have. ? When someone
is in labour and basically you help
them give birth. . . How else would
you feel.?”

“ You are not mad that I'm

pregnant.?”

“ To have another bubbly little

person like you, no. Well I'm
obviously scared of the future... And
scared that you might make wrong
decisions. I watched you grow from
a toddler crying for sweets and to
reading me a Bible at the age of
seven. I watched you fall and get up
on a bicycle at your first time and
immediately you saw me you came
running and crying. You are the
only sibling that had me on my toes.
You always told me how tears make
you ugly, and I know you'll be ugly
the rest of your life if you abort that
child. Yes it's still early to mother
someone, but then some of us are
here to give a hand.”
“ I don't want to pressure James
with a lot. The day we started
hitting on each other it was just
benefits. And we didn't even want
to let anyone know. He is not a
person with crowd on him, he likes
his space. He likes being alone and
very distant the minute you talk
about family...”

“ We are not talking about the same

man who is crying in his house at
this minute right.?”

“ He is crying.?”

“ He wants to end his life to raise

his child in heaven if so you decide
otherwise. ”

I giggled trying to wipe my tears.

Okay that's harsh, who dares.?
“ you got yourself a good man.
James is an orphan, and yes... He is
a bit sad when a conversation of
family is brought up. Because he
has only himself, he is alone. No
siblings or such, but I think that's
changing now. . . Just talk to him,
let him know what he thinks. Don't
just take decisions alone.”

“ I will.”
“ Call him now, let him know
something. Keep him update before
he gets a seizure or heart failure. ”

“ Mmh.”

“ Eat more fruits in advance.”

EPILOGUE
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

NESTA MSOMI

THREE MONTHS LATER...

“ How do you feel...”

A deep sigh from me. Looking at
the nice and well dressed lady
before me.
At least she can answer on my
behalf, she is a lady like me. And
she would know what a woman
feels like when the world is against
her. When her own decisions seems
to be a mess but with good people
around her they become less and
humbled.
“ Is that the obvious question right
now.?”
I snapped. So uncalled for, but it
tends to happen. The hospital
already knows about me and my
situation... So emotional.
“ I'm here to only help Miss Nesta.
And talking with someone who
knows nothing about you can at
least ease the weight of what you
think is big on you.”
Who is she kidding.? Everyone
knows me by surname... I mean, my
brother paved way for the Msomi
clan in this industry.
The HR can't fire me even if I slap
the damn god out of her. Everyone
knows best.
And now that I'm carrying a child of
the most highly technical virus that
knows the ins and outs of
technology... Things are bad.
Banks have to keep up with updates
lately since they know know he will
need money for diapers.
And I'm sure he already booked a
future trip to either Mauritius or
Dubai.
Levels my dear.!
“ Okay, I feel stupid that firstly I
have to talk to you.”
I was forced to this place. Mthobi
was ready to have my sorry self
behind bars for violating the rights
of an unborn child that is going
through stress because I have
anxiety, painful thoughts to go
through everyday and am about to
flip to amnesia.
And Mhlongo had to stupidly agree
with this...
“ Can I get water.?”
Oh my ... God. I'm about to break
through. Her patience and
commitment is getting to me.
I hate eyes like that, too convincing
that I can trust her not to tell the
world my shits. ! She better get
paid extra this month because....
Ndim Lo.!
Here I am , before her with my
worries to share.
“ It all started hears back, might I
say the year I started to see life
with beautiful little eyes in a
different way. And since then a lot
of things happened that got me
disturbed in mind. ”

She offers the glass of water.

“ Let's start at the first feeling you

felt when the world suddenly
changed before your eyes. What
was that one emotion that had you
all worked up.”

A scoff followed from me, now my

leg was placed on the other so that
I can analyse the feeling she wants
me to explain. Looking at my shoes
at the moment it makes things
worse. I have been downgraded to
pumps bethunana.!
I'm for the heels and anything that
is high on my feet.
“ I felt sad, and down within me my
heart cracked. No one noticed. And
I thought I had it all figured out. ”

“ What made your heart crack.?”

“ This other gender.”

No one but Solomon. The man
behind the life I'm living now.
“ Men are completely sins . And it's
not surprising because God is also a
man. Obviously we have no chance
against them if god is on their side.
!”
I drink on the water after she hands
me the glass and takes a sit back.
Her pen and book too flexible.
“ What happened.? What made you
hurt men.?”

“ My father.”
“ Oh.”

“ Through him, growing up.

Watching his actions, his ways of
life... It was somehow a lesson that
men will never change for anything
in the world. You know, a snake
takes off it's skin right after winter
to also reveal a summer body... But
that doesn't mean it also took of its
behaviour, because it will still bite
you at the end of the day. It's
created to bite and viciously kill. It's
very poisonous... Yet you'll find
yourself lost with its beauty. And
that beauty is a trap, either you get
hurt, killed or lose something within
you. ”

I take another sip of water to just

wash away the swearings I'm
holding back.

“ My mother loved this man

petionately, and she still does.
There is nothing she haven't done
to hide his dirty scripts. Killing is an
understatement, he literally turned
her into a shape shifter. Wavele
waphenduka naye.!”

“ So he wasn't a good father at all

.?”

“ Cha, lutho . But then I got fatherly

love elsewhere.”
“ A stepdad.?”

“ I can't put it like that actually. He

was more like a biological father
since he is my elder brother. He
treated me like I was a puppy, he
taught me the back of the world
like no other. I started to sharpen
my tongue through him in school, it
was his last year in primary while is
was my second in first grade. My
big brother..!
Mthobi was long a mafia from a
young age, well they shaped him to
that level. My mother was forever
hating on him and our father didn't
even dare to shield him for once.
But to me he was forever a person
with good behaviour, all that he did
was enforced by circumstances.”

“ The two of you share a father and

not a mother.”
“ mmh ”

“ Well that's rare, a sibling love like

that is unfortunately not influenced.
”

“ i remember it was his first year in

highschool, and on that year I got
bullied by some boys for missing
front teeth. When I got home he
noticed , and without asking me
anything... The next morning he
volunteered to take me to school.
He didn't drop me at the gate but
he made sure I get to sit my ass on
desk. And right after school, he had
his new highschool best friends at
the school gate to teach bullies a
lesson they won't get to erase for
years. Something that my parents
failed to do. And not only that, but
he has done a lot that I'll lose count
on. I can take days explaining how
my brother is the best. In my next
life, I just wish to be his child.
Maybe I'll see life differently unlike
before. He won't just protect my life
but also my sanity. He moved walls
for me, including when I was about
to embark on my university journey.
My parents forced me to take a
career not my choice. And so I ran
away, but then he tracked me
down... That was the year my
brother pulled a gun out for me at
my father, ready to get him laid at
the grave yard. ”

“ So you think that your current life

partner might turn out just the
same as your father .? You never
had any parental figure from your
parents expect the brotherly love
you got from your brother who you
don't even share a mother with. You
are going through trauma and have
expectations. You want every man
to turn out as plain as a white sheet.
Someone to love you more that the
way your father failed to love your
mother.”

“ I don't want to be like her, to have

a man such demanding. A man that
would make me do things just
because of love. I actually despite
love on its own. Because we
become stupid. I don't want a man
that would think since I depend on
them and have kids I can't do
anything. I don't want to be
controlled.”

“ Don't you think you might also

turn yourself into your father.? Not
committed to your partner. No
communication between the two of
you. One sided decisions that will
forever make things worse.
Thinking what your partner might
be thinking of you instead of talking
about it. That all sounds like what
you described your father as. Not
caring and too bold to love...
Putting your pride ahead. ”

“ I can't turn... Into that man .”

“ Don't you think men ain't the same

but different.”
That say grew old mostly in women
's ears. Even if a Pitbull has a child
with a China dog. The behaviour
would show up... All it needs it's just
time to grow and show you flames.

“ Does your partner treat you

similar to what you father used to
do, to your mother.”

I sighed again.
“ James is not that bad... Not even
close to badness..He used to treat
me like his younger sister before.
But then we had a thing away from
people's eyes..."

Then I giggled. My mind is getting

dirty over this man. Our age gap is
just right years old.
But then I somehow find something
I yearned to see between my mom
and dad. The way he treats me, and
the way he looks at me. I'm the only
one who knows what are his
nightmares and what not. But in the
outside.... He would just give a look
that kills.

“ He is awesome yena. Uyathandeka

futhi Naye uyathanda. And he
listens, yes he is not similar or any
close to the way my father was
towards my mom. But I'm scared
that if I show him more of the love I
have for him, to be committed and
fully devoted to him.. he might
switch sides, the next thing he has
a girlfriend out there. Maybe an
anonymous wife... You know, turn
into a betrayer. I know the things
that I did with him alone behind
eyes of those who know us...
Imagen they fuck at a theatre.”

“ You did.?”
“ Mhlongo drives me crazy, and it's
way crazier than you think. I'll kill a
man one day . Especially because
he is the first man I even got so
over worked up on. And he is my
first, you should have heard all the
things he moaned out that day. A
top dog down to earth because of a
woman's sweetness. What if I grow
old and out of value, will he still
love me the same.? What if he finds
another sweet girl out there. ?
That's why I'm afraid to love, I'm
afraid of men. And I don't want to
find myself turning into Nandipha
by any slightest chance... My mom
is in jail for murder of two side
chicks. ”

“ you are not afraid of men, you are

simply afraid of getting hurt.”
“ Don't you know the say of ' never
go fully in.' the girl code.? Duh.!”

“ Inhliziyo ayiphakelwa.”
( A heart wants what it wants.)

I then fold my arms.

“ to me you sound like you found a

real man. Someone who is so open
to you, and now that the two of you
are expecting a little one. Don't you
think you should give him a
chance.?”

“ I want to... But, he is too

handsome to be in one place for
one woman.”

“ You mean.?”

“ A chest with six packs, loaded abs.

High and Buffy shoulders. Two
strong legs, a shaped V torso line. A
broad back that gets me lusting
over him when he walks before me.
The scar right from his cheek, black
eyebrows and those black eyeballs .
He doesn't need to shout just to tell
me to sit of his laps, his eyes knows
a perfect way to tell me that ' it's
time ' . Even a person who is not an
artist can be the best singer when a
man shoots his shot. ”
She giggles. I shot her a glare, well
she better not think of going after
my man.

“ anyways, he treats me way good

than before. Ever since the
pregnancy issue started. James
calls almost everyday. He would
just call to know how I am. And he
says the more I hear his voice is the
more his baby would know how he
sounds like, how his or her father
sounds like. And I told him that his
voice is way too deep for a baby
like ours age... He is ready to buy
baby things , hoping it's a girl . I
never saw a man ready to have his
first offspring as a girl. They rather
say I want to build my legacy and all
that. ”

“ So he is everything you want in a

man but you are too scared to get
hurt by him. To scared to watch him
change even the way he feels about
you. You feel like he will someday
grow out of love.”

“ exactly. ”

“ why don't you tell him how you

feel.?”

“ He might use my weakness as his

aim.”

“ What if he is just in love with you.

Don't you know that one sided love
is what leads to all that you fear
could happen to you. The more he
shows you love and you keep
pushing him away because of your
insecurities, he might also feel
neglected and try elsewhere.”

Why am I feeling guilty at this point.

Is that why he goes to his laptop
everytime I tell him to give me
space.?

“ try loving him the same way he

does, to me... The way you explain
him as he is, and the way you
describe how you feel. You even
know the guy more than a mere
person would. So he let you in his
space, yet you didn't even let him in
your peace. ”
“ What if I get hurt in return.?”

“ What if you don't.?”

“ Nelson still left his first wife fr a

better one.”

“ what was the reason.?”

Is she serious right now. Come on.!

I just sighed and looked away.

“ Give love a chance, forget about

the past because it's only drawing
you back. You might lose
something precious because of
your insecurities that you refuse to
let loose on. Let the man love you,
and love back. Let him know that he
is not alone in this too. Give him the
same energy... Do what he loves to
keep him on his toes. Love can hurt,
but that's if you allow it. The both of
you.”

I bite my lower lip and wiped my

tears. Maybe I might have
neglected him even when I know
I'm fucked deep in love with him.
And if he goes to look for the love I
should be giving to him elsewhere,
I'll just lose my mind. I'll go insane. . .

“ that would be all for today. Our

time is up, we even had extra few
minutes.”

She after giggles. I looked at my

wrist watch and gasped. A whole
hour and something minutes gone. I
thought I'll be here for less than
forty minutes.

YAMIHLE MSOMI
She sat with her mother in-law as
the both watched their favourite
soapie . And Mthobi never thought
his mother would welcome another
girl right after the saga that nearly
took her life. Things have been
great in his life lately. And this time
around he rather work home to see
his wife and play games with her all
day than to let another do that for
him.
He feels so entitled to never make
another mistake like the last one.
The one that Thando had to pull
him through.
Now he wants something that
works for him too. And Yamihle is
just that thing.

Yet....

For the past month now, he noticed

a strange yet amazing change
within her or rather.. about her.

Maybe he just got her addicted to it.

But it's no longer the same, she is
so sweet this days. Whenever he
cries to bury himself inside her... It's
very enjoyable, too hot than what it
used like. Each and every strokes
are different. And she also love it.
His mind takes him back to the day
she had tears on her eyes, looking
at him without a word. Nervously
biting her lip. And he said nothing
too because he wanted to know her
next move... And you know what
Yamihle did .?

She just pulled a man like him for a

kiss. When he asked what was it
about, she eventually told him that
he is hot. And it burns her eyes.
You should have seen his big smile. .
. A proud man.
“ Ama india futhi.?”
( Indian drama again.?)

He asked, walking in with a tray of

juice glasses.
Noma lightly giggles.

“ Radhika lives my life, but I'm a

good way thou.”

He then offers them the juice, he

also take his sit far from them.
Watching Yamihle sitting closer to
his mother actually tickles his heart.
He grins and sip on his juice too.

“ Shukuthi yini uArthava.”

( Then I'm her little son.)

Yamihle looks at him and giggles.

He definitely doesn't know how
annoying Arthava can be. Does he.?
“ I thought you went to work.”

“ I also thought I would. But then

there is something in my mind that I
can't get it over with. ”

“ Which is.?”

His eyes befalls Yamihle who didn't

even know what he meant but
immediately Noma also looked at
her, she paid attention to them ,
removing her eyes off the TV.

“ Huh.?”

“ How are you feeling Nomndayi.?”

Her heart kicked a beat. Why is he

smiling like that. They are before
his mother.
Yamihle smiles back at him as her
eyes slowly shift to the TV.

“ I'm good.”

She then giggles. He smirked and

took another sip of his juice.
He is suspecting something. He
heard her at two in the morning
turning on lights and going to the
kitchen. And yes, he followed her.
She had two full slices of cake and
some snacks before she resumed
for bed at 3.30 am.

And not long ago she was rubbing

her aroused nipples. Saying that
they tend to get aroused with out a
reason. And he was permitted to
help her easy that lust. The minute
he started sucking on them she
moaned... And she couldn't control
it. That led to a steamy morning
because her voice alone do things
to him.

As she then focused on the TV,

Mthobi signal his mother with eyes
to look at Yamihle for a minute and
see what he sees.

Noma then started stealing glances

at Yamihle. She is definitely glowing,
happiness located her. But then
didn't she gain a bit of weight.?
“ Yami, I left some snacks in the
cupboard... Look at us having juice
alone. Go get us some.”

Yamihle smiles and nods, she loves

snacks. And she didn't waste time
to go get them. That's when Noma
noticed her swollen feet.
Immediately she glared at
MthobiLanga for a quick second. It's
true that Yamihle is not the same
again. Her waist is even curving to a
point where her breast goes up.

They both say nothing. Well Mthobi

has been studying her for a while
now and it's just hard to believe.
She finally made it back with the
snacks and gets to hand Noma her
own packet of cheesy Simba snack.
She knows that Noma hates spicy
things... Unless occasionally so and
when she has no choice.
Noma nearly gasped when she saw
her cute small hand .

“ How did you know Mthobi.?”

Noma asked with a smile. Yamihle

took it like it was just their topic she
found them in. A proud face from
him as he blushed.

Before he could answer, Noma 's

phone went on . Ringing and
changing the peaceful atmosphere
between the three.

“ Medupi, Hi.”

Mthobi's mood also changed.

“ war is up again.”

“ what do you mean.?”

“ Nandi got out of jail.”

“ She escaped.?”

“ No, the court let her free. ”

“ Sthandwa Sam. Please excuse us.”

Mthobi says as he excused Yamihle.
She understands because she also
noticed how the mood changed.
Quickly she takes her snacks and
sent straight upstairs. Mthobi
bought her an iPad. She will watch
her soapie from there.
Nomathemba puts the call on
speaker.

“ Solomon is broke to afford that

kinda bail for her even if it fits. . .
And what about the murder case,
it's not even up to a year she got
arrested. ”
“ It seems like there was a clear
evidence that she didn't kill any of
you.”

“ What do you fucking mean...”

“ Thandolwethu.... She is back.”

“ WHAT !!”
That came out from Mthobi. Of
course he heard Medupi correct. !

EPILOGUE II

CHAPTER

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

SPONSORED.
“ Msomi.”
She smiles, her eyes luring him into
a grin that had his heart confused.
Not knowing how should he tell her
what he fears might offend her. She
is pregnant and she doesn't even
know it. What if something happens
to her and she lose her pregnancy. ?
Mthobi loves her dearly and would
do anything to keep her safe.
“ Yebo Mama.”
She giggles, it's a tickle to her heart
. And his little smirk had her to the
moon and back.
“ Do you need a back massage.?”

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

MTHOBILANGA MSOMI

“ Msomi.”
She smiles, her eyes luring him into
a grin that had his heart confused.
Not knowing how should he tell her
what he fears might offend her. She
is pregnant and she doesn't even
know it. What if something happens
to her and she lose her pregnancy. ?
Mthobi loves her dearly and would
do anything to keep her safe.
“ Yebo Mama.”
She giggles, it's a tickle to her heart
. And his little smirk had her to the
moon and back.
“ Do you need a back massage.?”
His eyes found her. Standing before
him with a rabbit smile. Much
adorable. Dressed in her silk shirt
night dress. It took him a lot of
efforts to finally see Yamihle in
something short. And it always
makes him feel like a golden man
when she reveals his assets for only
his eyes.
“ I just noticed how sad and down
you are. That's why I ask. And I can
give you the best massage.”
“ Mmh, how about we have a long
warm bath first.”

She chuckled.
“ I'll be long tired. My little hands
won't even lift a bone.”
Mthobi finds himself blushing.
“ It's very therapeutic. ”
His hands find a way to gently pull
her closer to him and had her on his
laps. She giggles finding his soft
touch tickling.
His lips got closer to her ear...
“ I'll do the big boy dance for you.”
She blushed and couldn't stop
giggling as she rest her head on his
shoulder.
“ You won't stop halfway.?”
“ I promise.”
He carries her up and do a little
spin as she laughs. Her cheeks
already round like a full summer
tomato.

.
.
.

Therapy might have been maybe

something she longed for. Because
now she wants to open up to that
only man who makes her world spin
to different places.
When she got back James was not
around, and now it's getting late
and he is not yet back.
Could it be that she is already too
late to start loving him the way he
should be loved.?
Could it be that he already found
someone else who loves him the
same way he loves. I mean giving
him same energy as the one he
gives back...
After all that she went through
today.
Cleaning the house...
Cooking dinner...
Not just any dinner but a special
dinner with roses on the floor to
candles glim .

She knows how juicy and sweet

James loves his stake done. Also
the creamy samp. Including other
delicacies aside that she spent the
whole day on about.

“ Never change a man, but change

the man instead. Period.!”

She says as she stands up. This

won't work, if James would arrive
here late. Then he'll have his dinner
alone.
After all she did try....

James finally walks in ... But then

got surprised as to what is before
him.
a smile on his lips as he walks
closer to her along with the big
teddy bear he bought for her.
“ What did I do.?”
He asked as he blushed.
Obviously his heart is skipping a
beat, Nesta never went any extra
mile for anything like this.

“ Okay, first... Before you can freak

out, I went to your work place to
pick you up. But then they said you
never pitched in for the day. So I
thought maybe you'll be home sick
with hormones... And then I got you
a little friend so that we can both
vent out on.”
she just chuckled. Reminding her of
how she always vent out on a pillow
whenever her hormones kicks in.
And he helps out on pleading guilty
all the time with the pillows of this
house.

“ You did nothing wrong.”

“ I'm not sure... ”

His eyes round the table and back
to Nesta. He is in deep shock at this
point.

“ Okay, is the baby fine though. I

mean... Are the kicks violent or too
strong to handle. I can help quite
her down.”

“ I just want a time with you... As

the man I love.”
He clears his throat and chuckled.

“ Please come and have a sit. ”

She says. But then he rushed to just

open a sit for her and put the Teddy
bear down beside her. Then he
went ahead to sit tight opposite her.

“ I made your favourite.”

She then smiles .
He can actually see that she made
his favourite but then he don't
understand or seem to know the
best occasion for today's nice
treatment.

“ This might have took your time

and energy all day to make. But
then thank you, no lady has ever
tried lighting candles and wait for
me for dinner. This is something
else. I love it.”

“ I've been taking it lightly with us...

always making excuses that only
benefit me . . . Instead of us. I feel
so bad now that we are going to be
parents soon. Every time I clash out
and end up making you feel sad.
The commitment is bad... Well on
my side actually. Because you are
nice, good and always ready for
anything.”

“ Hey... It's not you, I understand

how hormones can get sometimes.
So vicious and bossy. But then little
by little I'm getting to know things
better. I'm a man, and I can't
understand how you feel to carry a
burden all day long. Sometimes you
feel like yelling and crying because
the belly is getting big. You feel less
yourself. And I noticed how you try
hiding your new stretch marks. ”

He pours some juice on the empty

glass before him.

“ Won't you see me different... I

mean, I'm even getting fat Mhlongo.
And it's getting difficult to be on
you. ”

“ you shouldn't stress yourself

about that. a woman's body is a rare
art. I count myself lucky everyday
waking up to the best art that
captured my heart in many ways
besides me .”

He held her hand and brushes it

gently...

“ I'll forever appreciate and cherish

you. For going on this hard journey
of pregnancy. For carrying one of
my very own. . . For sacrificing you
body for this position you are in...
And for putting up to the conditions
this pregnancy came with. I know I
can't feel the pain you are going
through each time... But I can
understand how frustrating it is to
feel like that. And I won't judge you
for anything... Because I should be
the one blamed for it. It's my
burden that you are carrying. And
it's not easy for you... ”
MBALIYOTHANDO SIBIYA

She walks in, exhausted and tired.

Dropping her bag on the table and
sat on the chair. MaNgethe was just
finishing up with the cooking. But
since Mbali is back, she smiles as
she joins in to sit.
“ How did it go.?”
That's the first thing she asked.
It's been months now as she has
been looking for Enhle all over the
village. But then she is nowhere to
be found. No one last saw her...
Some don't even know her.
“ I don't know what else to think
Miss MaNgethe. What if she is killed
out there...? What if she messed up
with wrong people or maybe she
might be smoking nyaope in the
streets.”
“ Stop that. By God's grace,
nothing as such would happen to
her.”

“ that's what I keep praying for.

That nothing has happened to her.
You are a kind lady, helping me get
rid of my bad odor and bad luck. .
.to still have me in your house. . .
You are really a nice lady. ”

“ You mother and I might have not

been friends ever since she moved
in the neighborhood. But then ... I
always admired you girls from afar.
Especially Yamihle. She is the best
sweet girl I ever saw from day one.
Even on her naming ceremony I was
there... No matter how Vivian never
wanted me to be there because of
her fishy secrets. But then I made it.
And I never thought for a day her
kids would look for my hand in help
with anything. Kakhulu Wena
mbali.”
( Especially you Mbali.)

“ I don't want to let my past define

me."

“ Anyway, why don't we just ask

Yamihle to help in searching Enhle...
Her husband have a good
connection and she might be found
in seconds.”
“ Cha, Miss MaNgethe. I don't think
that's a good idea. Enhle and I are
the Sibiya offsprings. And the man
we called father is actually our
brother. Including that the same
brother made her life miserable for
years. Yamihle never pitched in the
day the community buried Mama.
So I understand her hate. She is
living the best life god entitled to
her, and it would be so stupid and
cruel of me to pop her bubbles. ”

“ Mbali..."

“ It's okay ma'am MaNgethe. I'll

definitely find Enhle some day. I can
do it too.”

THE NEXT DAY. . . .

NOMATHEMBA MBATHA
She was in the kitchen, busy
preparing a good breakfast for her
bundles of joy. Whereas her mind is
lost in thoughts. Miss Helen walks in
and find her still stiring the eggs in
a bowl when the pan of oil on the
stove is about to catch a smoke.
“ Madam.!”
Miss Helen rushed to the stove and
turns it off as she shift the pan
aside.
Nomathemba quickly opened the
kitchen window for some fresh air
to freshen up the kitchen.
Her hand on her chest as she tries
to catch a breath.
“ Oh thank you Helen. I would have
burnt the whole house to ashes.”
“ Good thing sir and Yami are still
upstairs. Or else he would have
panicked."
“ Mmh.”
Miss Helen hands her a bottle of
chilled water.

“ And I've noticed something

unusual about her. I hope I'm not
the only one who seems to see
things.”

“ You ain't the only one.”

That's when Nomathemba zooms
off to the thought of Yamihle
getting injured in all this thing of
Thando . . .

What if she gets to know that

Thando is back and alive and
eventually loses her pregnancy.?

“ Good morning.”
Yamihle looked stressed as she
greets the two ladies in the kitchen
and had way to the stool. Her
morning shower was so exhaustive.
She never complained about doing
a thing in her life, but today she
nearly got her tongue swearing at
god for something unreasonable to
even swear at.
And her husband was in a deep
sleep that she ended up starting to
hate it. She felt like pushing him off
the bed for him to wake up. Why
does he have to sleep like a baby
while she wakes up put of nowhere.
“ why is my baby looking so
grumpy.? What happened to you ?”
Nomathemba rushed to Yamihle's
side.

“ I couldn't finish my sleep, every

sleeping position I know felt painful.
And my back still hurts too. ”
She looks at her mother in-law in
disbelief.
“ I can't believe I felt angry when I
saw my husband sleeping
peacefully. It felt strange. I wished
to share a sleep like his. ”

“ is he still sleeping.?”
Yamihle nods. Nomathemba
chuckled as she head to the living
room. She plugs in the speakers
and connect her phone.
Immediately she lets a loud music
on. The whole house filled with
gospel music. Something Mthobi
hates.

As if that was gods plan, Mthobi

comes down the stairs... Rubbing
his eyes. Fully dressed in his
pajamas.
Yamihle laughs. Her heart felt an
excitement within.
Nomathemba then turns the music
off when she saw that he is awake.
“ Good morning.”
His mother greets him with a smile
and passed him to the kitchen.
“ What was that all about.?”

He asked confused. And seeing

Yamihle this happy to celebrate his
misery. Obviously this women
conspired against his peace.
“ You can't sleep when your wife
can't. ”
He then looked at Yamihle. His
little frown gets replaced with a
smirk. Something in her is about to
kick very soon.
“ morning.”
She giggles. Nomathemba smiles to
finally see her happy. She then
continue to make some eggs since
the pan is now cooled. Helen helps
with slicing some tomatoes and
making onion rings.
“ How was your sleep.?”
He asked, stood tall behind her as
his arms sneak to her belly. Stealing
a kiss on her cheek since his mother
is not looking their way.
“ I've been sleeping with my sides
for the past few days and whenever
I try to sleep with my tummy it
hurts. The bed is getting
uncontrollable to handle.”

“ I'm so sorry . You should have

woke me up to help you sleep. ”
“ maybe it's something I ate that's
making my tummy stiff or maybe
it's gas... But good thing there are
methods to result in a runny tummy
that can clean it up.”

Nomathemba and Mthobi shared a

look for a second. He clears his
throat up.
“ Uhm... I don't think that would
work. It's not good because you
are....”

A doorbell distracted him as he was

about to break the truth about her
condition.

“ I'll get that.”

Miss Helen excused herself to get
the door.
“ I'm sure it's definitely a gas. ”
Yamihle says and giggled.

“ Promise me you won't use any

method sthandwa Sam.”
Mthobi seriously said. But then
Yamihle took it as if he was just
joking. She smiles as her hand
traced his fingers on her. She didn't
even understand why he is holding
her like that.

A scream took their hearts by a

slight fear. And immediately the
gun shot fired... Yamihle tightly hold
onto Mthobi 's hand. Her heart
racing.
A sharp pain went straight to his
chest when he finds himself without
his gun.
Nomathemba grabs a knife...
And not so long ago their biggest
regret shows up on the kitchen
doorstep.
Thandolwethu.... Black leather
jacket and blue jean pants with
black boots.
Mthobi shield Yamihle with himself
trying to make sure no bullets get
to her.
“ hi baby...”
Thando says and laughed.
“ Don't be a bitter ex.”
Nomathemba says.
“ and you are still the vicious
mother in-law I know. Wow... You
are still alive.”

“ What do you want.?”

Thando laughs and peek her eyes
behind MthobiLanga and that's
when she saw him get more pissed.
She then laughed hard.
“ Check mate.”

“ Don't you dare try it . Don't you

fucking dare !”
He roared. But that wasn't a match
for the gunshot that went straight
to his chest. Nomathemba
screamed trying to attack Thando
with a knife but was eventually shot
twice by Nandi who also made an
unexpected entrance.
Yamihle was crying and shaking at
the same time. Holding on to
Mthobi... Her grip so tight on his
shirt that she never wanted to let
go.

“ Well well well...”

Nandi fired another shot at Mthobi
on his ribs but he didn't fall down
that easily.
All he could do was watch as he
gets shot .
“ Just die already.!”
Nandi shot him twice again on his
chest and that's when Mthobi falls
on his knees. Unable to even move
a muscle.
Yamihle screams as she gets more
terrified and tried to run ....
A bullet hits her shoulder and she
falls cold on the floor.
“ Noo.!”
Mthobi screams. His tears
uncontrollably falls as he used his
hands to limp towards Yamihle, but
he never made it. His hand fighting
to reach her. He could feel his last
strength trying to leave his body.
His sanity slipping away as his eyes
gets weak.
“ take her out, and burn this two in
this house.”
Nandi ordered for Yamihle's body to
be carried out while they burn
MthobiLanga and his mother inside
the house.
“ I'll find you... ”
He couldn't finish his words when
he just went quite. . .
Thando and Nandi laughed.

THE END.!
 II