Umakoti Ngo Wethu

30

Both of us decided to put our phones off. Things online were starting to get rough. All of us were getting backlash. MaShezi was getting it the worst because I had a lot of loyal followers. The video started trending, and to say my family was upset was an understatement.

My mother-in-law and MaKhumalo were at my house for tea. Jabulani acted like he didn't know his father and I when he saw his grandmothers. "Okay, I'm on my way.  Enjoy, and don't pester my wife, please, Ma." Jabu's mother gasped. "Since when do I do that? Just go. You're ruining our tea time." I laughed to myself, and he was on his way.

"Makoti, what happened? Everyone is really concerned." I didn't even know where to start. "We went for the test results." They nodded. "The night before, Baba and I went out for dinner, and she came running in trying to attack me. I don't know why." They couldn't believe it. "One of the staff members filmed the whole thing and put it online. Now we're in this mess. On top of that, the tests showed that Lindiwe can't have children."

"So what now?" I didn't know either. "I don't know, ma. I'll hear from Dlomo." We spent the rest of the day together just talking about random things. I filmed a cooking video once they were gone and my husband and I had a peaceful dinner.

We kept our phones off for a few more days. I loved just spending time with my family. Dlomo didn't even go to work. It was absolute bliss until a knock on my door.

"Yebo..." I opened the door to MaShezi. "Um, hello. Is Dlomo here?" What was this energy. She didn't look okay. My brain was saying don't invite her in, but my conscience couldn't leave her outside. "Yes, he is."
"Okay, can you please tell him I'm here. I need to speak with him. I'll wait outside." She looked so weak. As she started walking away.

"MaShezi, come inside." She froze. She just stared at me like I was crazy. "I don't understand." Was all she said. "Baba is inside. Come inside." She stood there in disbelief. I stepped out of the doorway so she could come inside. She walked in just as Baba walked into the room.

"Did you barge your way in here? MaShezi, you need to respect my space! I'm tired of this." She looked at me. Her mouth went open as if to say something, but then she closed it again. "I let her in."
"Don't lie for her."
"I'm not. I let her in. I'll go get something to drink."
"No, I don't want her to stay any longer than she needs to. What is it? What do you want?" She really didn't look okay. "Baba, can we at least sit down?"
"Why are you being nice to her? Every chance she gets, she tries to hurt you."
"Baba, she doesn't seem okay. Do you want me to just ignore that?"
"Yes!"
"Well, I can't. I'm not that type of person. Now, can we sit down, please?" He just groaned and led us to the couches.

"What is it?"
"There's people at our house. A lot of people and they're taking pictures and harassing me. The HOA is on my case, and Lindiwe is saying I did something to her so you wouldn't marry her." He looked unbothered. She took out her phone and showed him a picture. "This is the crowd outside our house. I had to call the police to get me out." He still didn't look like he cared.

"All of your problems you just listed were caused by you. Did you notice that?" Her lip started twitching, and a tear escaped her eyes. "What is it that you want me to do?" She wiled her tears. "I need a place to stay. I thought about going to the hotel but it was too public."
"You can forget about staying in this house."
"Maybe I can stay in a guesthouse in town." He scoffed. "If you want to stay hidden, I suggest you go and grovel at your mother-in-law's house. I'm not going to help you with this because your actions aren't only affecting you. That stunt you pulled in the restaurant almost made a major investor of mine pull out. My wife is pregnant, and if I didn't stop you, she could've really been hurt. I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not helping you fix it."

She started crying like a baby. "Dlomo, please. I can't go back home. I need a place to stay. MaGumede, please."
"MaGumede nothing! You do not let this woman into my house! End of discussion! I don't want her near you or my son!" How did I end up getting yelled at. He left the room and she just sat there crying.

When she finally calmed down, she spoke again. "Can you please take me to MaMthembu? I think I'll have a better chance if you speak for me." She really was going through a lot if she was asking for my help. I told Dlomo I was going out and walked her to the homestead.

Gogo was taking her afternoon nap, so I decided not to bother her. I went to Ma's house and knocked at the door. It was open and she was sitting just by the door and I was sure she saw us walking to her. "MaGumede, why have you brought trouble to my house?" I had no idea how to reply to that. "Ma, MaShezi is here seeking help. Can we come in?"
"Help? MaShezi wants help from me?" MaShezi cleared her throat. "Yebo, Ma. Can we come in?" Ma scoffed. "Come inside. I don't know if I'm willing or able to help you, but I'll hear you out."

She explained everything to Ma, and ma looked unimpressed. "I hope you know this is your own doing. Nobody in this family is fighting you, but you seem to be fighting everybody. You can stay here as long as you respect everyone. If I hear you're fighting with anyone, I'll send you back to that lion's den you've created for yourself." I left her there and went back home.

"You should've left her to deal with the mess she created." Baba was upset about this whole thing. "What would that help? It would've just made the situation worse for everyone. I don't want to fight with MaShezi for the rest of my life. I'm happy. I just want to stay that way for now." He sighed heavily. "Fine. I have no idea what to do now. Can we just wait it out and see what happens." I nodded. "Of course. But right now, Jabu is asleep, and I'm in the mood." He did not waist any more time.