Broken Clocks

Chapter 40

My ears are ringing as Nomzamo jumps on her feet and rushes to Lethabo , " what are you saying to me ??"

Lethabo : he's up ! The hospital just called he's up !

Alwande : oh sthokoze uzimu !

Bab'Ntuli : i think it's best we give you guys some space , we glad uMnqobi is okay. Please let us know how everthing goes with the elders.

They all get up on their feet with Amanda being helped by her mom to get up.

Nomzamo: Will do , have a safe journey. Lethabo will walk you out.

Lethabo walks out with the Ntulis and Nomzamo rushes over to me , " asambe sisi , let's go see your husband" she says with so much joy in her voice.

I shake my head no , with tears rolling down my face.

Alwande: Ndalo ...

I continue shaking my head as Nomzamo comes to kneel infront of me.

Nomzamo : he's up sisi and i understand you might be confused right now but we have to go see him

Me : You guys can go , I'm not coming.

Alwande :but Ndalo he-

Me: No Alwande ! Fuck that man ! To hell with him , i sat here in this house alone after losing a child , with him spending nights away putting his work first before anything else, well i guess it's time i put myself first.

I get up from the couch as Alwande calls out my name. I walk upstairs to my bedroom and as soon as my head hit the pillows a sob escaped from my mouth. It hurts , a lot . I lost a child , almost lost my husband and my husband's ex girlfriend who also happened to be his personal assistant showed up on my doorstep heavily pregnant. Everything hurts , my chest felt heavy , tears gushed out as my sobs got louder and louder.

I felt a warm embrace on my back , it was Lethabo , her scent threw her away. She held onto me for the rest of the night until i dozed off.

*****
I wake up with Lethabo next to me and my head feels heavy. I walk to the bathroom and turn on the water in the shower as i stand infront of the mirror inspecting my face , i have eyebags and my eyes are swollen. There's so much darkness and hurt on my face. I was once happy , living my life with my girls carefree and i had to let this man in and let him ruin everything. I walked into the shower and as the hot water hit my body , i just slowly sinked to the floor. I couldn't cry anymore , i just sat there with the water running down my body.

After two long hours spent in the shower, there was a knock on the door . I didn't answer. The door opened and i heard footsteps , the shower door opened and Alawande stood infront of me with a towel in her hand , she put out her other hand for me to hold onto, i grabbed onto it and she helped me up. She wrapped the towel on my body and held my hands in hers , and kissed them . I threw her a faint smile. "Go get dressed , Nomzamo made breakfast" she uttered as i walked out of the bathroom and she made her way out of my bedroom . I put on tracksuits and proceeded to make my way downstairs.

"Mnqobi will be discharged tomorrow, the doctors are happy with his progress" - Nomzamo says as i pour coffee in a mug . I don't answer her nor look into her direction. I have nothing to say honestly. "Ndalo he's your husband , i know what he's done right now is bad but you have to be there for him" , " the same way your husband was there for you after you lost your child? Musa ukung'hlolela wena" i utter as i grab my cup of coffee , " haibo Ndalo! That's no way to speak to your sister!" Alwande calls me out . "Yey aningyeka please" i say as i make my way upstairs. I know that was harsh but i need them to stop forcing Mnqobi onto me right now .

I sit on the bed with legs crossed as i go through my emails and i come across an ad from an events company that usually caters for weddings , "Let's Help Make Your Day Perfect!" . My ears ring , i should be planning a wedding , having the time of my life but instead i have to deal with a cheating husband . One may say "oh but you also cheated" right but I didn't sleep with Themba and i know that doesn't make it any better but Amanda is pregnant. She's going to give Mnqobi the heir he always wanted. I honestly have no use being in this house when he gets back , he will probably marry her and I'll just have to pack up and leave . I've failed as a woman. Why has God forsaken me ?

I jumped up from the bed , i have to stop feeling sorry for myself. I call Nelisa as i open my closet and pick out an outfit . "Let's go drinking" , "bathong its 10 in the morning" - Nelisa .

"Time has never stopped you , don't be a party popper man let's go" i try to convince her as i throw clothes around my room looking for an outfit. "No Ndalo , plus Amahle has swimming and a playd -" , "No man Lethabo will babysit Amahle . I just need to get out of this house friend before i go crazy" i beg . "Fine we can go on one condition, drinks are on you" , oh trust Nelisa to make me her cashcow , "of course they on me! So come to my house say in thirty minutes then we'll leave?" , "sure I'm on my way" . I hang up and continue looking for an outfit. I settle for a white knee length bodycon dress with black Dr Martens and a black bomber jacket. I apply a full face beat , with eyelashes and install my copper coloured straight Peruvian 13 inch lace front wig . I take a twirl in-front of the mirror and damn ! I look good ! As i make my way downstairs , Lethabo opens the door for Nelisa and Amahle comes running into my arms .

"Aunty!" she calls out , "hi my sugar plum , you good?" She nods as Nelisa hypes me up as she walks towards me .

Nels: aibo aibo aibo wemah! Wababa kanje !!

Lethabo : oh my fucking God ! Niyaphi na?

Me: ungang'phani ngiwu cheese nginje ? Where are your sisters?

Lethabo: They went out to get things for Mnqobi's arrival

Nelisa: Mnqobi's arrival?? Uvukile uMnqobi ? You must be happy!

I sigh , "ey mnge kuningi nje kuningi"

Me: Lethabo my darling-

Lethabo : weeeh i wonder ufunani

Me: Please babysit just for a few hours mrakama we'll be back in a few hours
She shoots me a look

Me : please , you know I need this before Mnqobi comes back please

Nelisa: I'm so confused khanti aren't you excited ukuthi umuntu wakho uyabuya ?

Lethabo : you know it's gonna cost you right

Me : How much ?

Nelisa : aibo someone answer me .

Lethabo : haii soyxoxa mawubuya . Just have fun.

She gives me a peck on the cheek and hugs me .

Nelisa : will someone please fill me in !

Me : I'll explain everything let's go .

Nelisa gives Amahle a peck as i make my way outside to my car . Nelisa follows behind as she climbs in the car and blows kisses to Amahle who's in Lethabo's arms. We drive off as i tell her everything .