*WHERE THERE IS LOVE THERE IS HOPE*
*CHAPTER 4*
SHAKA
Mpe:she still doesn't like the fact that he's a different child. She thinks something bad might happen to him.
Me:did something happen?
Mpe:he kept saying things that didn't make sense. Then when you talk about what happened today it means he sees things. I mean he was lying on your wife's stomach and saying UNkosazana uzoba right. He must have known that she's pregnant. But anyway baba and bab'Ngcobo are on their way here. Bab'Ngcobo will help since Dlomo is not available. You can stay and hear what he will say.
We sat on the lounge and waited. Samkelo came to me and sat on my lap. He laid his head on my shoulder.
Mpe:mfana wami yini nkinga?
Samkelo:ngifuna mama.
Mpe:umama beka lele nawe nje.
Samkelo:Nkosazana uright.
Me:awufuni ukulala?
Samkelo:Mkhulu uthi Nkosazana uright.
"What's he talking about? What's going on with my child?"
Mpe:stop crying. You will make him cry too. There's nothing wrong. He just sees things. Bab'Ngcobo is on his way to help us. I'm sure that's their car.
Khanyisile:Samkelo come to mommy.
He ran to her.
Samkelo:I'm hungry.
Khanyisile:let's go make you something to eat.
"Sanibonani."
Mpe:yebo baba.
Me:ibi njani indlela yenu?
Baba: beyi right siyabona.
They sat down.
Khanyisile:sanibonani
Baba:yebo ngane yami. How are you?
Khanyisile:I'm good thanks and you?
Baba:we are good. Can we please have cold water?
She nodded and left then came back with water then left.
Mpe:baba sine nkinga lana.
Baba:yes. That's why we are here.
Bab'Ngcobo:it's nothing to worry about. You all know why he was named after his grandfather Mpilo. His grandfather had a gift of seeing things and hearing things. So it passed to him. It will never harm him. But pay attention to everything he says.
Mpe:some things we don't understand them.
Bab'Ngcobo:you should listen to him attentively. When your child is born you should name her Nkosazana.
Me:Nkosazana? That's what Samkelo said.
Bab'Ngcobo:yes. He has a deep connection with this child. So this means you should be attentive. UNkosazana is not safe. But she will be fine. We will do some cleansing for your wife tomorrow when she's discharged.
Me:okay. I'll be on my way now.
The following day after work I went to fetch my wife from the hospital. I stopped on my tracks by the door. That Johan was making my wife laugh and touching her hands.
Me:what's going on here?
Ndoni:hey babe. Johan came to see me after.
Johan:anyways I'll see you tomorrow. Karen and Lin can't wait to see you.
Ndoni:okay.
Me:let me help you get dressed.
I helped her then we left after she was discharged.
Ndoni:why are you driving so fast?
Me:awungyeke maan!
NDONI
When we got home i didn't hear how the door got closed.i just felt a clap on my cheek.
Me:what are you doing!?
Shaka:why do you like making me a fool in front of that boy?
He was now strangling me. I couldn't do or say anything. I only got saved by the door bell. I ran to my room coughing. I locked myself in the bedroom. I heard a knock but I didn't get out. I didn't want anyone to see the marks on my face. That slap gave me a headache.
Shaka:babe please open so we can talk.
He wants to talk? What does he want to talk about? That's how it all starts. A slap. Strangling. Then it will be kicking and i end up dead. I pack my overnight bag and take my car keys. I unlock the room and get out. When I get to the lounge my father in law is there with Bab'Ngcobo.
Me:good day.
Baba:sawubona Ndoniyamanzi. Uyaphi? Didn't your husband tell you that you have to be cleansed today?
Me:no baba. He didn't tell me.
Shaka:i forgot to tell her.
Baba:what happened to her cheek? Is that why she has packed a bag and is leaving? Shaka have you seen me hit your mother?
Shaka:no i was just angry.
Baba:every time you're angry you're going to hit her?
Shaka:seeing that boy touch her hands just angered me.
Baba:hey wena!
I quickly closed my eyes. I felt like that slap was on me. He hit him on his cheek.
Baba:angithi wena u shaya abafazi? Then fight me now. Or you only know hitting women?
Bab'Ngcobo:Mkhathini ayiyona indlela ley.
Baba:Yiphi indlela manje? Hitting her is right? He knows this baby is not safe but he hit her. Why can't you fight the curse they put on you? You see now it's starting to work? You've started hitting her soon you will kill her. What if one day he kills his wife? Will you still say that?
Shaka:ngiyaxolisa.
Baba:makoti go and put that bag in your room. After we are done here you can decide what you want.
I took my bag back and sat down. Bab'Ngcobo started with his things then he was done and they left. I went to the bedroom and found him sitting on the bed.
Shaka:ngcela ungahambi. I'm sorry.
Me:so every time you see me with Johan you're going to hit me? He's my friend. I tried to stay away from him for seven years but i don't have any other friends. When you brought that woman here did i hit you? You even strangled me! What if baba did not arrive?
Shaka:i was not going to kill you! What's so hard to understand about that?
Me:this is how it starts! Just with a slap. What if you kill me next time? Look at how my face is. I have marks on my cheek. I couldn't breath for a moment. Are my kids even safe here?
He stood up and came to stand next to me.
Shaka:don't be scared of me please. Ngiyxolisa sthandwa sami.
Me:i might as well abort this baby before you kill us.
Shaka:I'm sorry.
He hugged me. I couldn't stop myself. I just cried out loud.
Shaka:ngixolele sthandwa sami.
My dress was even wet from his tears.
Shaka:i promise i will even go for anger management classes. I promise. I will do anything to get rid of my anger.
Me:how many times must i tell you that Johan is not interested in me anymore? He's even married. I'd never cheat on you.
Shaka:i know. You can even continue your friendship with him. As long as you don't leave me.
Me:i won't leave you. I'm just scared one day you will do worse.
Shaka:it won't get to that. I love you.
He kissed me. That feeling of being scared was still there. He then pushed me to the bed and got on top of me.
Shaka:ngiyafunga ngempilo yami. Ngeke ngiku beke isandla futhi.
Me:i know.
