THUTHUKHA

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•Fatela - Aymos ft Ami Faku

In the main bedroom upstairs the beautiful mansion, the two wives of Shembe Singatha Nxumalo sat on the mattress that was put on the floor as by culture and tradition the base of the bed was removed and the widows had to sit on it while other extended family members planned the funeral. Neighbours and the congregation came in numbers for the whole week and tomorrow night was the funeral, though Sindiswa was respectfully called by everyone as MaNgomane since she was a Mdletshe was worried that Thuthukha was not going to come back home for her own father's funeral. Medical school in the UK was a bit harsh on the Black students so she had her doubts.

Her sister-wife Thabisile who was wearing pure white alongside herself looked at her and heaved a heavy sigh. Feeling the pain that their husband was no longer with them though Thabisile still has some doubts about her husband's death. It was quiet odd though she brushed those thoughts away.

"I still don't believe it MaNgomane." She uttered in a whisper, though loud enough for MaNgomane to hear.

"It just doesn't make sense, we all went to church though in different cars and they were all serviced. How come his car chose to collide with other cars and go off road? I have questions, lots of them MaGwabini." MaNgomane said as she sighed

"I too have questions about his death." MaGwabini added.

Mabuyi came rushing into the bedroom, she greeted all the other people who part of the family and the church who chose to be with the two widowed women and give them comfort in the room then she kneeled down next to the mattress on a straw mat.

"Make, no Make uThuthukha usefikile." {Mother and Mother, Thuthukha has arrived}

MaNgomane's sadness dimmed away and she showed a weak smile. MaGwabini was relieved to hear that Thuthukha came at last, the last time she was here she and her father were not on good terms. MaGwabini smiled too.

"Tell her to come up, please Mabuyi?" MaGwabini asked Mabuyi.

Mabuyi struggled to talk but then she pout her lips mischievously like she always did since a young age when she would tell on someone who did something naughty.

"Mabuyi what's wrong?" MaGwabini asked.

"Phakhade will come up with her." She said then stood up and left the room.

"Phakhade Phakathwayo, oh he really helped us to fetch her at the airport. " MaGwabini said.

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Down stairs, Velephi who was one of the Zwide's helpers gave Thuthukha a girls of sugar water to help her calm down.

Mabuyi came towards her and Phakhade and she gently pulled her to come with her upstairs. Phakhade followed them.

"Sesi khumula igcathulo zakho." Mabuyi said to Thuthukha. {Take off your shoes my sister.}

Thuthukha had forgotten about the traditions of the church, being barefoot was a rule and that is when she noticed that Phakhade and everyone else in the house had no shoes on. The guests, Neighbours who not Shembe were the ones who had their shoes on only.

She took off her boot heels with the assistance from Phakhade as she still felt weak from the crying she had done.
The moment she got inside the bedroom, the two widowed women looked at her and she just couldn't hold her tears once more. She kneeled down, got to the mattress where she sat inbetween her mothers. They hugged her and comforted her as she needed a lot of it.