Chapter 2

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Arriving at home
I found my sister Zenathi busy, l have a huge smile on my face as l step in. “ What’s going on?” she asks the second l open the fridge and taking out my leftovers

“Sis, guess what!, I did well on my Physical science test” l say with a smile on my face “ Awwww baby sis... Othole ngaki?” she asks with a smirk on her face, weirdo “120/150 cabanga!” She gasps “ What!!! You did well, l’m so proud of you “ yeah l know she will start to be all mushy and emotional so let’s change the topic, she was humming her favorite song when l got here... Umlilo by Naima Kay ft Kelly Khumalo

“So... Why are you so happy?” l ask hoping to get a straight answer “ Well, Kgomotso... He asked me on a date!” she pauses a second then continues “Yah a date and don’t look at me like that” she says.

I just laugh loudly making her to look at me like she’s going to eat me “Zee, why are you acting as if you don’t know that Kgomotso is in love with you?” l ask with a silly smile on my face. “ You know l don’t like these lovey dovey things, so l’m still surprised. Honestly sizokhuluma ngani dade?” l give a mxm face “ Everything, even about loveee” l say laughing and then she hits me, great! Just great, cos Zenathi always chooses violence, vele it’s the way “ Ouch wena! But honestly you look cute together, phela l can see you when you are talking to him, haibo ntombo uvele ubeyi tomato” she laughs and she has the perfect smile “Zenzelo umncane...”

l quickly cut her short “ Ngicela ipurity keh” l smirked “ Sies Zelo” don’t even ask , the nicknames l have.. many l tell you, “That means l’m old enough to know something about love, l know you like him so why don’t you give him a chance, l mean he’s smart, clean and very handsome and nawe, you are so beautiful , intelligent and loving, GIVE THE GUY THE COOKIE DAWG!”

she popped her eyes “ Haibo wena, ngifuna umemulo mina so no ‘poppin the cherry' shit” l just laugh and continue to listen to her “ Zelo, l will go on that date but if he makes things weird for me then l won’t date him yabo.” l shug “but l’m still saying you are going to date someday “ she just laughs and goes to attend the pots, she’s the cooking today and l will do the dishes

“ Sanbonani bo”  Mashenge enters, She’s my mom,my crazy, cool but strict mother ,she ‘was’ the first wife to my father  Mpiyenza Khoza, the Ruthless person in the universe. I say ruthless because he has a taxi business and you know how they protect the business if it means to kill they will do so without thinking twice, well me and my siblings, we are 23 in total, imagine! He got married while still married to my mom without even telling her , talk about selfishness, all in all my ‘father’ has   6 wives and my mother is technically uMamkhulu (The first wife) ... I don’t know what happened between my mother and my father but what she told us was that Mpiyenza chose to betray mom by marrying another woman without her knowing.

“Yebo Ma” we respond “ Is there any food in this house, l’m so hungry and very tired” she says, you can tell she’s so tired by the voice “ Mah , ukudla uzobe kuvuthiwe manje just 5 minutes (mom, the food is almost ready just in 5 minutes)” Zee says “ Okay, there’s something l want to discuss with you my babies “
Haaa! We are in trouble...” ... before you overthink things, you are not in trouble “ she continues giggling while switching on the television, “Whew! I thought we are in trouble or something “... Zee says, l just laugh phela l love laughing, l laugh noma ku tense.

“ Babies, as you know... Sister wife, MaNgema will be a Khoza officially in December, l wanted to know if you want to go to her 3 day ceremony, if you want to go , l want to buy beads and start doing engidume ngazo” she said with pride we just laugh, she continues “... So are you going?”

Honestly l didn’t want to go anywhere in December , l just wanted to buy lots of hardcopy novels and read my heart out, but ... It’s been a while since I visited my gran and l wanna see this seventh wife “ l don’t know but l will think about it “ Zee says “ yeah, but just you know l want my beads in green and white, with a mini white skirt, actually the Slay Binca look, ( may her soul rest in peace) “ l say after sipping my lemon water “ Haibo Zenze , imali leyo ( Gosh that a lot of money), l will try nerh mtwanami” she giggles and looks at Zee “ Wena!? What do you want ?” Zee shoots her head and Start giggling “ Well Sphe Zulu look but uLundi style “ mmh that is hard , it’s really a beautiful attire for sure, it’s very unique, l think l will go with her idea “ yhoo uyangindina shem Bheka manje l can’t decide ( you bore me, look now l can’t even decided “ they  laugh at me “ no problem zithandwa zami you will look for references then come back to me nerh” my mom says, we  both agree. It’s a done deal, sizogida gosh l’m not ready.

“ Nkosiyabo is getting married too in December so WE have to go the Khoza  Household and it’s will massive so l want you to go and buy your sister in law a beaded jewelry in Jozi or you can order online “ she says looking at Zee “... And wena , l want you to start with grass mats, don’t worry l will pay you “ she proceeds looking at me, ahh that’s what l like, at least l will buy textbooks and novels. This means l am going to KwaHlathi December and it’s means l will see..’my father '



NARRATED
“ Mtanam’ ngiyazi njengoba uyihlo engasekho emhlabeni kunzima yingakho ngithi kumele siye eGoli , lapha oLundi, impilo inzima Mtanam’. Ngicela ungizwe khehla” ( my child l know ever since your father passed away life has been hard, that why l say we should go to the city in Gauteng because here in oLundi life is hard, please understand my son) “Kodwa Ma, iskolo... I wanna finish so that l can get a job and take care of you” l say after listening to her “ Yebo ndodana , uzofunda kahle egoli futhi uhlakaniphile wena, isikole into okungamele uzihluphe ngayo leyo angisho khehla” ( l agree with you, you will get your education in Gauteng plus you are smart so don’t stress yourself about that) “ Okay ngiyakuzwa MaDube, ngiyakuthanda Ma” l say with a smile on my face, her face just lights up “ l love you too baby “


Zenzelo’s POV
“Eish yaz Zee , l have to go to the mall l need to buy pens manje angina Mali please help your little sis out “ l say with a smirk on my face “ Manje why are you smiling like that, you wanna suck me dry!?” l busted out of laughter “ yhooo uyangibhora shame, l just need R200 ku...” she cuts me off “ you dey cray cray... R200!! Yhooo that’s a lot at least R100” sigh “ Okay it’s okay, thank you sis”

Honestly l was not going to the mall to buy pens, me and Siphenathi wanted to go to Carnival Mall to watch movies manje l need at least R200 because l have already saved R250 , and l was scared to ask mom money , as l’m  thinking of how l’m going to get this money, a car pulls up, a peak only to found out it’s my Older brother Zibusiso and Makoti Sis Vuyiswa, ahh l just got my money

“Knock Knock good evening everyone” Bhut Zibusiso says while Sis Vuyiswa is behind him as if she’s hiding something “ My first joy, how are you?” Mom asks but my brother refuses, ehh that’s weird “ Wait Mama l have something for you “ he gently leads Sis Vuyiswa in front of the dining table, she’s a little thicker than usual, OMG!  Is she?... No way really “WE ARE PREGNANT “ they both say out loud, yes! Finally l’m going to be an aunt

“ Helelelelele , sadla thina oKhoza, oBhuvungani , oMmilo, haw ndodana Indaba ezimnandi lezo (... clan names, wow my son that is amazing)” she says looking like she’s out of breath because of jumping up and down “ Siyabonga Ma, we are just waiting for my little champ here...” sis Vuyiswa cuts him “... Or girl “ he laughs “ ... Or girl but l can feel it, it’s a boy” we all laugh... The fact that l will be an aunt definitely the best news l have heard today “

Congratulations, honestly l can’t wait to be an aunt “ they laugh and my brother brushes Sis Vuyiswa’s belly, awwww so cute “ Me too! “ Zee says “ And at least l won’t be baby sitting, nikhona zithandwa zami “ Sis Vuyiswa says, she’s a Xhosa, she’s just so cool “ Definitely!” me and Zee respond at once, we both laugh, “ Well l’m ready to be a Grandmother “ we laugh “Serious, phela these two will leave me soon , so l will need company “ she says pouting “ Ma ngizom’letha khululeka “ Sis V says smiling
Haaa , l’m  happy and Sis V gave me R200 , perfect the money l need.

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