LANGELIHLE #05
I have never been so scared like this, when Sondela told me that he thinks my father is in trouble we rushed home. We found him home lying on the floor, bleeding and we rushed him to the hospital. I have called my siblings and let them know, Sandiso is on his way since he lives nearby.
Sondela: im sure he will be fine mama, please calm down.
I continued pacing up and down. I noticed my doctor, the one I go to for my pregnancy check-ups. I went to her, we chatted for a bit and I went back to the waiting area. I saw Sandiso coming towards us and I stood up to hug him.
Sandiso:What happened?
Langelihle: I don’t know, we are still waiting for feedback from the doctors. He was bleeding so much Sandiso, I have never seen so much blood.
Sondela:Here comes the doctor.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Langelihle:I just need to know if he is alive.
“He is alive.”
I let out a deep breath.
“The knife almost got close to the heart, we have removed it. He will be okay. He got lucky.”
Langelihle:Thank you doctor. Can we see him?
“Of course, he is awake.”
Sondela:I will wait for you here.
I nodded and went in with Sandiso.
Dad smiled when he saw us, I rushed to him and held him like I’m seeing him for the first time.
Bheki:That is okay now my sun, you can let go.
I let go of him and I wiped my tears.
Langelihle:Are you sure you are okay?
Bheki:I’m okay. The doctors say the knife missed my heart.
Sandiso:Who did this dad?
Bheki:I don’t know. A man came earlier and asked me where she is.
Langelihle:Her who?
Bheki:He didn’t say, he looked shady. I suspected that he was looking for Langelihle.
Langelihle:Me? Why me?
Bheki:Remember I told you what that lady said, she said I must never let anyone find you. That man looked shady Langa.
Langelihle:So it’s him who wanted to k*ll you!?
I felt myself shaking with anger. How dare that man comes out of nowhere and wants to murder my father!?
“Langa calm down”, he tried to touch me but quickly removed his hand.
Sandiso:The fuck Langa!? Why are you so hot!?
Bheki:My sun please calm down.
I breathed heavily and calmed down.
Langelihle:It angers me that I don’t know shit about where I come from, and now some mystery man comes out of nowhere to kill the only parent I know!
I stormed out of the room and went outside. Sondela was calling after me but I ignored him and continued walking until I reached the parking lot where I sat down. Nothing is making sense at this point!
I am so lost and confused. If it’s not me losing my babies then it’s mystery men coming out of nowhere.
I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I look up. It was Sondela. He helps me stand up.
Sondela:Is he going to be okay?
Langelihle:It seems so. Dad says a man visited him asking for someone, he thinks he was looking for me.
Sondela:He told me that too over the phone. Who could it be?
Langelihle:I don’t know but we need to find out, now I’m convinced that this is all related to me and my parents. We need to find where I come from and all our questions will be answered.
Sondela:Langa…
He called out my name looking spooked.
Langelihle:What’s wrong?
Sondela:Your eyes….
Langelihle:What’s wrong with my eyes?
I touched them to feel what he’s talking about but I was just reaching because you can’t see with your hands.
I was still hot, I could feel it. It happens, I’ve gotten used to it.
Sondela:They are reflecting the sun…
Langelihle:Huh…
He gave me his phone and I looked at my reflection but I didn’t see anything. What is this man talking about?
Sondela:Well they are back to normal now.
His phone rang and it was still in my hands. It was an unsaved number, I gave it to him. He answered and then put it on loudspeaker.
“Langelihle uGende lo okhuluma naye. Ngisaseyntabeni ngane yami, O gogo nomkhulu bangtshengisile ukuthi sewufikile uzongifuna. Lalela ulalesisise Langa lami, funa ekhaya. Izimpendulo zakho uzozithola khona... Uqaphele Langalami, akusiwo wonke umuntu ozoza nenhliziyo emhlophe kuwena. Kudala ekufuna, kodwa abakini banawe, abamuvumeli ukuthi akuthole. Qaphela Langa lami. Ungavumeli akuphuce isipho sakho futhi.” ( Langelihle this is Gende. I am still at the mountains my child, my ancestors showed me that you were looking for me. Listen and listen carefully my sun, find your home. All your questions will be answered. But be carefully Langalami, not everyone will be of pure heart. He has been looking for you for too long, but your ancestors don’t allow him to find you. Be careful my sun, don’t allow him to steal your gift again.)
She said and then hung up after that. I looked at Sondela and he was just as confused as I was. Where will we even start the journey of finding my home?
Sondela:The first step will be the road where your father found you.
I nodded and smiled. I’m glad he is here with me. He held my hands.
Sondela:I will walk this journey with you Langa I promise, we will find your home.
He looked down.
Sondela:Sometimes I wish it was still just the two of us.
He blurted out.
Langelihle:What do you mean?
Sondela:Uhh nothing… let’s go back inside.
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VIRGIN
Phil left go look for “work”. He is the man, he should work for us, not the other way around. My children are back to attending public schools. I hope they survive, we really moved to the lowest level. I’m not sure whether I will get used to this life, living like peasants. Even yesterday, we ate a tin of fish. I mean what is that!?
We were squatting on this tiny bed last night. The kids slept on the floor.
Let me call my mother, I just want to hear what she will say.
“Virgin Hi”
I will never forgive my parents for naming me “Virgin”.
Virgin:Hi ma.
“I’m surprised to receive your call today. Phela wena you said you never want to associate yourself with people like us.”.
Virgin:Ma I need your help.
“What kind of help?”
Virgin:I need a place to stay for me and my family. Just for a few days, please mama.
“You nerd a place to stay, you and your family? What happened?”
Virgin:It’s a long story, but we lost everything.
She laughed on the other end.
“Didn’t I tell you that the empire you were boasting about would come crumbling down!? You said I’m jealous when I warned you. I told you to at least look for a job but you said you would never work while your husband is a whole minister.”
Virgin:Mama I didn’t call you for Abo “I told you so”.
“You can come, but you will use the backroom.”
Virgin:Thank you.
I quickly hung up. I will never hear the end of it, but it’s better than living here.
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He calls his trusted friend frustrated.
“Did you find her?”
“No, I didn’t. It was another loose end”.
“come back.”
“But…”
“Come Back. They won’t let you find her. It’s been years, won’t you ever give up!?”
“No I won’t. I need her.”
“Okay, but come back so that we can regroup. This is not healthy; she is just as confused as the ones who ran with her. She doesn’t know anything.”
“I know that. I will be back tonight. Maybe you are right.”
He hangs up and walks towards the woman he has been eyeing.
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ZIMTHELE
Langelihle and Sondela left yesterday after they received a call from Langa’s dad. They said they were rushing him to the hospital. I’ve not heard any update after that.
Not to be petty or anything, but yesterday was my turn to be with Sondela and he didn’t show. I have been calling him but he isn’t answering. I call him once again and he answers this time.
Sondela:Zimthele I can’t talk, Langa needs me.
He said that and hung up, just like that. Wow! I don’t know how to feel about this. He shouted at me the other day that I shouldn’t disturb him when he’s with Langelihle, but now it is time and he is with her. This is the downside of polygamy, not always having access to your husband.
At least I will be giving birth in the next few months to come, so Sondela will be crawling back to me every night. It’s such a shame that my sister wife doesn’t always carry full term, I wonder how it feels knowing that she is carrying a dead child. Shame. It’s too bad, but maybe it’s a good thing because Sondela found me and made me his second wife. I’m now carrying his third child and growing his legacy. I feel for Langelihle, your value as a woman just remains low when you can’t give your husband a child. I wonder what’s the deal really with her! But what do I know?
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