Simbongile Princess Ntabeni: The Called (S2)

Chapter Eighty-One

-Siyambonga Ntabeni-

I was never one to believe in first-loves and life partners, I was still young to believe those things. Yes, I loved Thimna and I wanted to see her in my future, usiyeke ke isigezo esi Phakathi kwethu but she was a lovely person. I knew without a doubt that given a chance, she would really get along just fine with my siblings. Seeing mom next to me, telling me about her failed second marriage made me wonder if we really had to get married. I mean, they were fine when they were just dating. uBhuti was a true role model, he loved a woman that was not only a divorcee but a woman that had four children. He even took it a step further and loved her last child as though it was his own blood. I don't know where it went south... but I know it did. We all felt it. I looked at her, worried that she might break down. I knew I wouldn't know what to do with her, or say to her.

Me: How are you feeling?

She chuckled.

Me: Like, right now? Do you have any regrets about your decision?

Mom: I don't know about regrets, but I know I am relieved.

Me: Relieved? That's an interesting word for someone who was happily married.

She laughed, and my heart melted.

Mom: I wasn't trapped in my marriage if that's what you're implying.

Me: I didn't imply anything mna mama, you are the one who said you felt relieved.

Mom: Ingxaki is that I have tried this relationship thing mntanam, and trust me, it worked for a while. I enjoyed it I won't sit here and lie, I enjoyed my relationship with Masixole shame but I guess it's true what your grandfather always said... that your dad was probably my only true love.

I nodded.

We all believed that, I believed that, and I hated myself for believing it after seeing how dad hurt umama. I hated myself for even thinking at some point bangabuyelana... that's how deep their love and attraction was. They had immeasurable chemistry, I witnessed that at her wedding. I saw love in his eyes as he watched her walk to bhut'Masi. I saw love in dad's eyes.

Mom: In as much as Masi was the best thing that happened to me after your dad left, somehow, after we got married I kept feeling out of place in my own marriage. I couldn't explain it, I still can't, but I just felt like I wasn't myself most of the time. Like I was living someone else's life you know... so yeah, it is kind of a relief now that I get to be umama wenu, give each and everyone of you my undivided attention and just enjoy iimali zikayihlo without feeling guilty.

Me: Hayibo, washiyelwa nawe iimali kanti?

Mom: What's my name? Hayi nawe undithatha kancinci Junior, yhini ndikuthembile mntanam?

Me: That means notata knew that you were really his only true love, even after fooling around Imi, he knew that you were the only one for him.

Mom: We both knew. But the odds were against us and even if he begged, bendingasoze ndibuyele kuye mntanam. I endured a lot kulandoda.

I exhaled.

And then hugged her, she smiled, kissing the top of my head.

Mom: I love you, you remind me so much of your dad... kodwa uzundenzele just this one favor, ungamfuzi uyihlo Siyambonga Ntabeni. Andinawo amandla wohambe ndisilwa kulemizi mna.

Me: Hayibo mama, uzolwelani kengoku?

Mom: Your father loved women Siya, I am aware that you are in your experimenting stage. Be cautious, be focused and condomise bhuti, ndimncinci gqithi mna for ukuba ngu makhulu.

I laughed at her, I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of agreeing to anything she was talking about. She didn't need me to validate anything. After our conversation, she got up and left. I followed her, ndayotya ibreakfast, she broke the news to the younger siblings and Musa was the only sad one. She even wanted to know if bhuti was allowed to take her out on play dates, if he was allowed to attend her meetings... Musa was just seeking attention. I didn't take her seriously mna. After that I washed the breakfast dishes, and marinated meat for later. If mom felt relieved that she was now divorced, then we definitely needed to celebrate... properly.

Mom: Siya, ndisayothatha u Ovayo. I will be back before dinner.

Me: Uhambe nabantwana bakho torho.

Musa: Siyahamba... yintoni ude usigxothe Niya?

I turned around and saw big smiles, they were already dressed and ready for the road.

Me: Ah, anisebahle.

Undi: Thank you, aw'funi wena uhamba?

Me: No thank you chap, I have plans.

Musa: Did you tell mom you had your girlfriend here the other day?

I went dead silent, mom had her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

I wanted to strangle the life out of Sibongumusa!!!!

Musa: Oops, you didn't. Hayike mama, awuvanga ngam.

Undi: But you just told her nje.

Musa: Nope, I didn't. Can we go?

Mom: Later ndoda.

Me: Sho skwiza.

She stepped out and I pinched Musa's ear as she ran after her mother. She didn't have to say anything, she just had a big mouth. I finished what I was doing and then thought of calling Sim, it was weird not hearing from her for more than two days. Normally she would text, if she couldn't call. The phone rang for a while before it cut, so I tried again and the second time around a lady answered and told me she was taking the phone to Sim who was apparently at the back doing her laundry. The phone exchanged hands...

Sim: Juniya, hey.

Me: Hay hay mfondini sunqaba kangaka.

She laughed.

Me: Sizode sicinge ukuba uyonwaba xa ungekho lapha endlini.

Sim: But I spoke to mom earlier today njena, didn't she tell you?

Me: I didn't ask.

Sim: I miss you too.

Me: Mmmh, I was just checking if you're still alive ingathi kanti bakunqunqa kudala abo bantu banembhola emhlophe!

Sim: Siya!

Me: Uxolo ke, bye bye. Ndikuvile usaphila, I'll call you again next week.

Sim: Haha, and uzoyenza nyhani wena lonto. Before you go, is mom okay?

Me: Huh?

Sim: When she dropped me off, she asked to pray for me, and she's been constantly checking up on me which is not entirely weird, but I don't know why I find it strange.

Me: Last time I checked she was fine, we spoke about the whole thing eyenzekayo apha endlini. She's cool.

Sim: She told me about the divorce.

Me: How do you feel about it?

Sim: I saw it coming, and I am glad she's not falling apart. I feared she would fall apart.

Me: Did you tell her about you and Qhamani?

Sim: Yes, and she advised I let him go. She said if it's meant to be we will gravitate towards each other in the future, for now I should focus on the important things and he aint one of them.

Me: Mh, are you willing to do that?

Sim: hundred and fifty percent mfethu, ndimncinci gqithi mna for ukuba ne stress samakhwenkwe. That goes with you too ke... if awumthandi u Shaniqua let her go, if uyamthanda then treat her right. I have been sensing some weird vibes between you too lately, andifuni ukuyingena, kodwa ke do the right thing.

Me: I hear you. I love you, bye bye.

She laughed, and hung up without responding.