Umakoti Ngo Wethu

4

Surprisingly, my mother left us alone. I spent the week with my family. Jabu was having the time of his life. I sent his father regular updates. He wasn't too happy because he wanted to spend the weekend with me since his wife was away.

I actually met Jabu senior here. This is where his paternal family is from. I met him visiting here. It was at a time when my father didn't have as much money as he did now. We still lived comfortably, but we didn't live in luxury. I wanted luxury and comfort, and Jabulani gave that to me. It wasn't just about the money, either. I actually started having feelings for him back then already, and we fell in love.

We spent a lot of time together getting to know one another. We even got to a point where he told me he loved me and I loved him too. I still do. When I found out I was pregnant, my family made me stop seeing him. I didn't, though, but we had to be extra careful because his wife found out. We still see each other regularly, but everyone thinks it's for the sake of the baby.

"Litha, are you dating anyone?" My sister asked. We were sitting in the yard having a few drinks. "No. Every time I come here, you guys ask me this."
"And every time you lie." I just chuckled. "Are you still seeing your baby daddy?" I just rolled my eyes. "Yes, she is." Nthombifuti answered for me. And they all squealed.

"Why doesn't he marry you already? You guys have been together for more than two years now. You have a baby."
"He has a wife." I reminded her. "So? He's a Zulu man. He can take a second wife. Especially since his wife can't have children. You gave him an heir. He has to marry you."
"His wife will never agree to it. She acts like my son and I don't exist. That's why I don't just drop my son off at their house. I don't trust her."
"It's been so long now. She needs to accept it and move on." I just nodded, knowing it will never happen.

The next day was my birthday. I didn't really look forward to it. It's usually just another day. I woke up that morning, and Jabu wasn't in his crib. I guess one of his aunts came to get him. I grabbed my gown and made myself look as presentable as possible because I didn't want to leave my room looking homeless. I got my toiletry bag and towel and left my room.

"Surprise!"

They all screamed. Balloons and streamers fell on me, and they started singing happy birthday. I had no idea what to do. Usually, Nthombifuti would wake me and give me a card and a small gift so my mother wouldn't find out. I started crying as the song came to an end, and my dad walked up to me with a cake. Nthombifuti took my toiletry bag and towel from me, and I wiped my tears.

The cake had a twenty-one candle in it. "Make a wish, baby." My dad said, and I blew out the candles. I didn't make a wish because I knew it wouldn't come true either way. Everyone hugged me, and we had breakfast. I got a lot of gifts. From clothes to gift cards to money. It was so weird. I didn't know what to do.

"Baba, we want to take Litha to that new restaurant tonight." He cleared his throat. "You mean club." She sighed. "It's not a club, baba." He just hummed. "I don't like that place, but okay. As long as the three of you are safe and as long as you make it to dinner. Let's make dinner earlier today. At five so they can leave early and come back early." We squealed.

I got ready for the day. I put on a black two-piece. A high waist miniskirt and crop top. I pared it with cute sandals. "Mama! Mama! Mama!" My little boy came crying. I picked him up, and the first thing he did was pull my top down. I sat on the bed and fed him. I didn't have that much milk because he was mainly bottle fed, but he did this from time to time when he needed extra loving.

"We're going into town. Baba gave us his card to go shopping!" Thembi cheered. I left Jabu with his grandparents, and all of us girls went to the closest town. The town was literally just one street. It was tiny.