My Barren Wife

Part 1

Matshepang

I give him a hug. He doesn't embrace me.
He smells like a female perfume I know but can't place my finger on.
"Hi love?" I greet him and his quiet.

"Your dinner is in the microwave "

"I am not hungry " he says going upstairs and I sit back down and try not to cry from the rejection by watching 'Keeping up with the Kardashian's'

I have been married for six years and been with Mpho for eight years. We don't have a child and we have never had a pregnancy scare.
In the recent years there has been pressure from his family for a child. Let me not say his family but rather his mother.His mother has been a thorn in my marriage . She sometimes calls me insulting me to the point Mpho no longer wants me to complain about it.
"It's my mother,deal with it" he had said to me a few times.

I head upstairs and find him laying face down on the bed. The bed dips down as I get in and start caressing his back.He pushes me off him as he stands up.

" FUCK SAKES!!! A person can't come sleep in peace.In his own home"
He says moving out of our bedroom to head to the guest room.
It's been months this has been happening.He comes home I try my luck and he rejects me.
I spoke to my mother inlaw about this.

"Can you blame him?doesn't help he is filling up an empty womb" my mother in-laws words echo in my ears. I have cried myself to sleep countless times regarding this issue.

I have spoken to my parents about this, they feel I should come back home. But I have been an over achiever this makes me feel like I am a failure.
So I refuse to give up on my marriage. At this point I have enough Love for the both of us.

In the morning Mpho had already left for the office.

I arranged a lunch date with my best friends Dineo and Mbali.I went to varsity with them we have been sisters ever since .Mbali is married to Mpho's best friend Kg and Dineo is our single slay queen friend.
I sit waiting for them at The Fire Room in Sandton.
Mbali finds me sitting "Hey girl" she says giving me a hug.I try my hardest to smile.
I am normally the happiest amongst my friends,but lately I am the most miserable.

"You good?" Mbali asks

"I think Mpho is cheating on me." I tel Mbali as I break into a soft sob.

"No friend Mpho is crazy about you " she says rubbing my back.

" He has drifted from me
He doesn't touch me let along look at me,he has moved out of our bedroom " I say sniffing.

Mbali is shocked to say the least but calms me down.

Dineo calls to let us know she won't be coming through to our lunch date as her boyfriend took her on a surprise trip to Durban.
Mbali drives me home ,she leaves me after I have calmed down.I end up getting some wine and a bath so I can relax. Next day I realised Mpho didn't sleep at home. I try calling him and his phone goes to voicemail.

I was home alone and decided to drive to Montana estate to visit my younger sister . She is 4 years younger than me and married.She sent me a security access code I drive in and she is happy to see me.
She gives me the biggest hug.

"Tshepi" she says with tears in her eyes once she catches a glimpse of me.
She pulls me inside the house.Opens up a bottle of wine and pours me a glass.
I take a big gulp of my wine and release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Mpho hasn't been home for a few days" I say

"Did you file a missing persons report?" She asks looking at me with petty eyes.