In the mind of a Zulu wife

Chapter 24

It's been 2 weeks since I found Minenhle at the farm, I spoke to the Ngidi brothers about keeping this secret from their mom and they finally see things from my point of view and they agreed to tell their mom the truth about their dad. I don't think I should be here for this because I am now no longer a part of the family but they insisted I be present since I am the one that insisted on them telling their mom the truth about their dad. Their wives aren't present so I don't see a reason why I am here honestly. "Mom we called you here because we have something to tell you." Zano says and we are all quiet, waiting for him to drop the bomb. "Yeah what is it? One of you wants to marry Nobuntu?" She asks obviously joking. They all look shocked and Jama looks at me and our eyes meet. He blushes at that, wow I would have never guessed that Jama 'likes' me, oh I think he does. Wait I am being full of myself right now. Let me stop so I just smile as I look at him. He smiles as well and he turns his attention back to his mom so do I.

"What? I would love that for Nobuntu to stay in our family till I am dead." She says wow that is shocking for her to say considering she was the one encouraging me to start dating again. "And which one of us would leave their wife?" Sphe asks. "I don't know, Jama? You like Nobuntu so it makes sense that it would be you, plus we know you and your wife are just an odd couple." She says, wow this is just awkward. "Mom please, Nobuntu is engaged and we just accepted lobola for her. So you are late with your suggestions." Zano quickly replies. "She isn't married yet, anyway what is it that you want to tell me?" She asks. "Yoh mama, you can talk. What we want to tell you is serious." He says and the mood changes and we are all back to serious. She is quiet and waiting for her sons to talk. "Mom we just discovered dad had a daughter. She is Sphelele's age." Zano says and she looks shocked by what we just said and she seems to be doing some mental maths maybe, she is looking back and reflecting. "How long have you known?" She asks looking at them.

"Ever since Nobuntu told us about that email Sandiso sent to his 'side chick' it wasn't a side chick it was our half sister. We did a test and we are siblings." Jama says. "So you kept quiet about this for months? I am guessing Nobuntu found out and that's why you are all here today?" She is fuming. "Yes." Sphelele simply answers. "I am so sorry mom for not telling you immediately when I found out it wasn't my place." I say. "Oh it's fine Nobuntu I am glad you found out because I would still be in the dark. My own kids are betraying me. I know they will do anything to protect their father they always did. He was a serial cheater and I am surprised only one child came from that period of his life." She says. "I am just disappointed in you, Nobuntu had to intervene before you told me the truth." She says sounding broken. Why am I emotional now? Its not my place to be this emotional. They all look down seeing how broken their mom is and I just comfort her. Oh this is why they brought me here.

"Where is she now? How is she?" She asks. "She is fine ma, she lives in one of the properties." I say and she composes herself. "I would love to meet her." She says and they tell her when its possible to meet her. She isn't really that shocked to know her husband cheated it's the fact that a child resulted as a result of the infidelity. I am relieved they finally spoke the truth I hated keeping secrets from her. She looks after my kids and I see her every day, so hiding this from her was hard. I even had to avoid her during this time. "Can I have a moment with Nobuntu." She says and I stay behind while everyone leaves. I notice Jama is staring at me as they say good bye to their mom. He was always staring but I never classified it as him liking me, I just saw it as Jama being Jama. It makes sense now, how much he was there for me, how supportive he was through the whole thing, and if I am right he has always liked me even when Sandiso was still alive that would explain the anger when he found Siya in the house and Sandiso knew this he made sure there was limited contact between me and Jama we rarely interacted and to me it seemed like that's how Jama was he hates talking, it seems everyone knows this just me I was oblivious to this.