Ziphozethu

31

We took Moses to my room and put him on the bed. He smelled disgusting. I checked on the kids in Buhle's room and they were still fast asleep.

"I found him like that in his office. His assistant said he had been living there for at least two weeks now. I couldn't bring him back here sooner and risk a scandal. I had to wait for everyone to get out of the office." Ma said and I was fighting the feelings rising back up in me. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Even a little bit guilty.

"Zethu, this is your husband. You better fix it or else this might ruin his life. Your role as a wife is to make sure your husband is looked after and right now he is definitely not." I got a blanket for myself and slept on the couch. I didn't get much sleep though. My mind kept me awake.

I was worried about Moses. Has he been like this the whole time! Is his health okay? Has he been eating? Has he been sleeping? How long has he been drinking like this? Was it my fault?

Luckily Buhle woke up and was in the mood to play. She kept my mind distracted for a couple of hours until the sun started rising. I got myself ready for the day and started breakfast. I went old school and just made porridge.

"Morning Makoti." Ma said and took a seat. "Morning Ma. Can I make you some tea?" She yawned. "I'll wait until Fikile joins us so you don't have to make it twice. How are you doing my child? You've been through a lot." I was getting really tired of that question. "I'm fine Ma. Really." She nodded and Fikile came in. They were both in their gowns. "Good morning. I haven't woken up to a house this quiet in forever." She joked.

I made their tea while they spoke about the weather like it was the most interesting thing. "Mama!" Buhle cried. "I just put her down. She must've had a bad dream." I went to get her and she was very upset. "What is it baby?" She just laid her head down on my chest and cried.

"I think MaRadebe and I should take the kids out today so you and Moses can talk this out."  MaRadebe agreed and I was not looking forward to it. After breakfast I got the kids ready for their outing. Luckily Buhle wasn't in a bad mood. She waved goodbye and went happily.

Moses slept until mid-day. I was busy making lunch when I heard him clearing his throat behind me. I turned around and looked at him standing there awkwardly. He looked horrible. His clothes were dirty and disheveled and he lacked any and all confidence. He looked like he did when I found him.

"Mamakhe." He eventually broke the silence. I didn't know what to do with myself. I looked up at him and saw a tear escape his eyes. I couldn't help myself. I ran to him and hugged. We fell to our knees and he cried in my arms. "I'm sorry, Mamakhe. I'm sorry for leaving you. I don't know what was going through my mind. I'm sorry." He cried and I held him tighter.

"We were both mourning the loss of our baby Baba. Neither one of us were ourselves." I wiped his tears. Seeing him like this broke my heart. "Will you forgive me?" He sounded so broken. "On one condition." He just nodded. "Anything." I smiled. "Go take a shower please." Both of us laughed.

I laid out fresh clothes for him and prepared our lunch.

We were eating silently. "I missed your cooking." He said putting his plate down. "How have you been Mamakhe?" I just sighed. "Everyone seems to be asking me that question lately." I said rolling my eyes. "You've been through a lot Mamakhe. We're just making sure you're okay. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you during that time."

"Zethu!" Sicelo came running in the house. "Bab'Moses!" He yelled excited. They hugged and instantly started talking like I didn't exist. Ma and Fikile came in and Buhle was screaming. "She just woke up and not seeing you has her confused." Ma said handing her over. "Mama!" She cried grabbing at my top. "Okay, okay." I went to feed her while Sicelo and Moses spoke.

"We went to the movies and then the arcade and then we went to eat. Also I met your other family!" Sicelo said excited. "I know them! We're in the same school! Lindi is my lab partner for science class!" He was really excited and talking way too loud but everyone just let him. I couldn't help but smile at their interaction.

"You know Lindi?" Moses asked. "Yes! She stays on the other side of campus because she's a girl!" He let me know. "And I know Zenandi and Zinhle. I'm their tutor for maths!" He was way too excited and it made Buhle excited as well. She was 'talking' just as loud as he was.

Since nobody ate lunch and just made a few things to go with what I had already made and served dinner. "So, I know there hasn't been a lot of time for you two to get back to normal but we have to discuss the wedding. We need a date. We'll handle everything we just need to know when."

I didn't really know what to say. "I think we should do it as soon as possible. How about the week before Christmas?" My eyes went wide. "That's in two weeks baba." I said and she just nodded. "Perfect." Ma said and started typing on her phone. "Most of its sorted out we just need to send out invitations and you just need to show up." Ma and Fikile were super excited.

"Also, I want my whole family under my roof for Christmas." I sat back into my seat. Was he okay? The last time Nozipho and I lived together the whole house was tense. I know she did the whole publicly accepting me as Moses's wife thing. But I didn't believe it. Something about it was off.

"Baba, are you sure about that? Have you spoken to Nozipho?" I asked but before he could answer Fikile jumped in. "Nozipho, Zethu? I know you haven't grown up with us but have some respect. She's Moses's first wife. You need to humble yourself and address her respectfully. She's MaDlamini and Mamkhulu to you."

What the hell was going on? She was supposed to be on my side. And there I was like a fucking baby with a lump in my throat ready to cry because I've upset my 'mommy'. "Nevermind I asked. Excuse me please. I'm going to get Buhle ready for bed." I said and got up. "Really Zethu? I was just helping. Polygamy is tricky. You need to start learning the logistics of it all." I just walked away.

I was busy massaging Buhle after her bath when Moses walked in. "You okay?" I just nodded. "Mamakhe, you're a very quiet and respectful woman but when you get this quiet I know something is wrong." I just sighed. "Can we not talk about it now? I just want to get her to bed and then take a bath too." He looked concerned but nodded anyway. "Okay, I'll go get ready for bed too." He wanted to kiss me but he stopped himself and walked out.

Silent tears started forming and I think Buhle could sense something was up with me because she went completely silent. It didn't take much to get her to sleep tonight because she was tired from the big day she had. Sicelo came in the room and I wiped my tears quickly. He got himself into bed and we said goodnight. I cleaned the kitchen while Moses was in the shower.

"Zethu, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just know how messy these things can get over the tiniest thing." Fikile said joining me in the kitchen. "It's fine Ma. I get it." She just sighed. "Okay, since the date is set I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning." I was sure if she was trying to manipulate so I would feel bad about her leaving but her being here wasn't sitting well with me anyway. "Okay, Ma." I said and she just nodded. 

I finished in the kitchen and went to take a bath. I put on my longest pyjamas so Moses would know nothing was going to happen and joined him in bed.

"Let's talk Mamakhe."