Maid For Marriage

61

Life continued.
Ma and MaRadebe left the church. Ma even went to jail for a couple of nights because she threw stones at the pastor's car. MaCele had her baby and named her Ayanda after her sister. I spent most of my time redecorating. Ma gave me free reign over decor and I was loving it. My new hobby was swiping my credit card.

MaRadebe wasn't really coping after the church chose not to let the pastor go. I tried finding her another church but she wouldn't go anywhere. I suggested she go on holiday to clear her mind and she agreed. She went to her paternal home to spend a month with her sisters and the rest of her family.

Having the house to myself was a blessing and a curse. My husband and I were having the best sex but his long absences kept reminding me that he wasn't mine alone  There were five of us and that is a fact I would have to live with for the rest of my life. Sometimes the loneliness set in when I was alone but I knew my husband loved me and wouldn't do anything to hurt me.

Luckily for me MaKhumalo was abroad in the time that MaRadebe was gone meaning I got her days. I was surprised the other wives weren't complaining about it.

Senzo and I had just come back from an afternoon at the beach when he got a call that he was needed in the office urgently. He did tell all of us that he would be working more because of all the time he missed. So I wasn't even mad about it. Also, we had the best day at the beach so I was exhausted anyway.

I just made myself a sandwich and texted Senzo to call when he's on his way home. I went to bed early and was woken up by my phone at midnight. I didn't recognize the number but I just assumed it was Senzo.

"Are you on your way?" I asked half asleep. "I'm sorry. Is this Mrs Thandi Dlamini?" I heard a woman's voice. It was midnight. Who the hell calls at midnight? "Yes this is she. Who am I speaking to?" I asked a little bit annoyed. "This is nurse Joyce from Soga Memorial Hospital. Mrs Dlamini your husband has been in a car accident."

It was like my whole body went into shock and someone threw ice water on me. I didn't even listen to anything else. I grabbed a coat and left immediately. I got to the hospital and Baba's lawyer was there. Baba was still in surgery. I sat there for hours. When they asked me about extreme measures I could not imagine him not wanting us to do everything to keep him alive.

The lawyer mentioned me asking the other wives but I didn't want to. I just knew somehow they would want to kill him. Maybe MaKhumalo would side with me but I had no faith in the others. I just signed whatever I needed to sign to keep him alive.

I waited for hours for him to get out of surgery. I was praying like someone who went to church every Sunday and I made all sorts of promises to God but I would do anything at this point.

The doctor came up to me. "Mrs Dlamini?" I jumped up from my chair. "Yes, how is he? How is my husband?" He motioned for me to take a seat. "We've done everything we can ma'am but the injuries to his brain were so severe that your husband is in a coma." I couldn't keep it in anymore. My tears started falling.

I didn't hear anything the doctor said after that. It felt like I was underwater. All sound was blocked. At some point the doctor asked me if he was an organ donor and I snapped. "No! I won't let you cut my husband up for parts. He is not going anywhere! As long as I'm alive those machines will stay on! Don't you dare ask me that again!" He nodded and left. I couldn't see Senzo yet but I was not going anywhere.

"Mrs Dlamini I think now is the time you need to call the other wives." The lawyer said and I wasn't looking forward to it but I did it anyway. At first they all thought I was joking but when they realized I was serious they made plans to come to the city. I could not get in touch with MaKhumalo, who was abroad but I left an urgent message with her assistant. MaRadebe was in her families village and she was not picking up her phone but I kept trying.

Doctor eventually allowed me in Senzo's room. I completely broke down when I saw him all battered and bruised. I couldn't do anything besides hold his hand and cry. The doctor and lawyer tried getting me to go home but I refused. That night the doctor almost had to call security to get me to leave.

I got home and my aunt joined me. "Princess I have big news that's both good and bad. Wait... What's wrong." Every fiber of my being just felt weak and numb. "Dlamini is in the hospital. He's been in a car accident and he's in a coma." Her eye went wide. She didn't know what to say so she just held my hand. I was all cried out.

"What was the news? I could use a distraction." He would body language just became awkward and she was avoiding eye contact. "Ma just say it please. I can't handle more unanswered questions at the moment." She held my hand tighter. "Thabo has bought me a house in the suburbs. He wants the boys to go tho private schools and the address we live at puts them at a disadvantage. The house is bought and fully furnished. He wants us to be moved in by the end of the week but I'm sure he'll understand if I tell him what is happening."

"No, please don't tell him. I can't have this coming out. The other wives and I have decided to allow Senzo's legal and PR teams to deal with it. As for the house congratulations. Please don't stay here because of me. Go start fresh. We're still in the same city. I'll come visit."

She wanted to stay the night but I made her go home. I took a hot shower and went back to the hospital I spent a couple of hours with Senzo and then all hell broke loose. The wives arrived each putting on a big performance. I had to explain to hospital staff that we were all his wives and we seemed to be everyone's source of entertainment.

"Ladies I know that MaKhumalo, the first wife is not here but I need to let all know this. Your husband is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. The hospital can only keep him so long without payment. All of you need to come up with the money to keep him alive."