Ziphozethu

72

Moses was livid. He had to excuse himself and MaDlamini followed. "Sit down!" Gogo shouted and I noticed MaNdlovu standing. "The four of you have become money hungry sellouts. For you to let your plate brothers wife control you like this is disgusting. I did all I had to do to raise you properly. The choices you've in your old age are all on you. I'm disappointed in you and I'm sure your father is rolling in his grave."

Moses stormed back in. "Gumede calm down." MaDlamini followed behind him. "Ma, I want you out of my house. If you ever step foot in here again I'll make you regret it. I'm done with you. Get out." His voice scared even me. MaRadebe didn't protest. She got up and left.

"I'm going to find it really difficult to trust any one of you ever again but when you put me through university I promised to take care of you and I'll keep my promise but we won't be the same ever again." They thanked him profusely and even had the guts to ask him if they could stay the night. These people don't feel any shame.

"MaZulu, would it be possible for you to make us lunch please? We came a very long way and we haven't eaten." I agreed and made lunch. MaNdlovu came to join me half way through. "What is it about you that makes everyone worship the ground you walk because you don't do much here. You don't cook. You don't clean. Do you even sleep with your husband?"

Okay.
That's it.
I snapped.

I had a glass bottle filled with orange juice in my hand and I threw it at her. She moved out of the way just in time but I wasn't done. I ran up on her and slapped her senseless. She screamed like a pig. "Who the hell do you think you are!" She tried swinging at me but I caught her hand and gave her another slap. "You disrespectful swine!" Everyone ran in and she started crying. I slapped her one more time. "Shut up! Shut up! I'm tired of your bullshit! You're an old woman acting like a fucking child!" I was being held back by Nozipho.

"And you're a fucking child who doesn't know her place!" Did she really just say that? "I don't know my place!? You don't know you're fucking place! You are of no use to this family! You're old, ugly, and you can't bear children! You're so fucking useless your father sold you because he knew the only way you would ever be married is to trick my husband!"

"Okay! Stop! Both of you!"
"Baba I want this thing out of my house! I want her out!"
"Mamakhe calm down. Please."
"I've had enough! Either she goes or I go!"
"What have I ever done to you!?" MaNdlovu cried and I tried my hardest to get out of Nozipho's grip but she wouldn't let go.

"Say one more thing! I dare you! Say one more thing!" Baba shouted at her. "MaDlamini take Zethu outside to calm down. Mamakhe, please." I reluctantly went with her.

"Are you crazy? What the fuck? Calm down you're pregnant. You can't be fighting people." I was mad but she was right. I was mad that she was right. "I can't do it anymore. I can't. I can't live like this. I'm going crazy." We heard yelling from inside. "Wait. Is that... Is that my mother's voice?"

"Where is she? What have you done to her this time? I know if these thugs are here you've done something to my child!"
"Oh Lord. Excuse me for a sec." She went inside and the yelling stopped. She pulled her mother out and I wiped my tears. "Ma are you mad? You can't just come in here and attack people."
"Why?"
"Have you gone crazy?"
"Yes, yes I've gone crazy. If protecting my child from these criminals means I've gone crazy then yes I have. I'm crazy. They should go to jail for what they did to you!"
"Ma!"
"Fine. Fine. I'll stop only if you tell me what they're up to now."

"It's a very long and exhausting story. Just not now. Please." Her mother nodded.  "Okay, I understand my baby. How are you doing MaZulu?" I thought she was just going to leave me out of it. "I'm fine. How are you?" She narrowed her eyes at me. "You're not fine. Nozipho, I don't care. I do not care anymore. I'm going to loose my mind!"

"Ma, please!"
"Nozipho! I'm done! What did I tell you?! I told you to protect this girl from these monsters! I don't care about being nice and civil anymore. Nozipho, MaZulu pack you're bags. We're leaving."
"Ma, wait... This can be solved." Moses came out of nowhere. I wanted to go with her. I couldn't do this anymore.

"Moses! Don't try me! Not after everything!" He seemed visibly angry. "Then take your child but MaZulu is not going anywhere!" My tears started falling again. "Can you see the stress you're putting your wife under!? Look at her! Are you stupid! Why would you even allow any of these monsters around her while she's carrying your child. What kind of a husband are you??"

"Ma, I'm warning you. Do not disrespect me in my own house." She just scoffed at him. "What are you going to do about it?" We all stood in a tension filled silence. "I'm taking my daughter and MaZulu with me until you can provide them with a peaceful home fit for their children." He looked livid. "MaZulu will not be going anywhere." I couldn't stop the silent tears streaming down my face. "Is MaZulu a prisoner here?"
"That's not what I'm saying. You have no claim over MaZulu or the child she's carrying." She let out a roar of sarcastic laughter.

"My boy, the moment you married her you gave me claim over her. You're not in this polygamous marriage alone. Your whole family is. Whether you like it or not the day you married her MaZulu became my child. That baby she carrying is my grandchild and I am tired of you and your family hurting my children. I say we give MaZulu a choice. Either she comes with me until you have sorted out your issues or she stays here."

Both of them looked at me. "MaZulu, please. I love you." I didn't know how to tell him but I had to. "Baba I can't stay here. It's not good for me or the baby. You know I'm right about this. If you love me please give me a break from this chaos. Please." He just blinked and then left. My legs gave out under me but luckily I fell on the couch. "MaZulu?! Are you okay?" I felt dizzy and the world started spinning. My eyes felt heavy and I couldn't fight them any longer. I was enveloped in darkness.