LOVE BEYOND MEASURE

03

LOVE BEYOND MEASURE

03

RONNIE

It hasn't even been two hours since Sthoko left, but he is already feeling the heat. He has never stayed alone with the kids, he doesn't even know what to do. Sthoko is the one who does most things, all he does is greet them whenever they come across each other. He spends his time either drinking, or sleeping.

Ever since he lost his job, he lost interest in most things. He loves his family more than anything, but not being able to provide as a man makes him so insecure. It doesn't help that Sthoko has a good job and she just got promoted two months ago. It's like she was rubbing it in his face. It bruises his ego, honestly. That's why he doesn't want to stay sober, so that he doesn't think about his situation.

He was retrenched at the company he was working for, they had financial problems, so he was one of the first to be let go. His world was shattered when he got the email that he had lost his job. For a person who doesn't have qualifications, getting another job is very slim. He wishes he had taken advantage earlier in his life, and furthered his studies, got a few qualifications. He only has Matric, and a few meaningless certificates. He has tried looking for another job, but most companies want qualifications that he doesn't have. Maybe it's bad luck, because it has been two years.

He hates the fact that Sthoko does everything in the house, he should be the one doing that. He has to wait for his wife to cook, clean and buy groceries. He doesn't even have R10 in his name. He spent his pension pay out on alcohol and buying useless stuff. He wishes he could have used that money to start a business or something. Unemployment is not nice.

He is in the girls' room, trying to get them to sleep. But they don't want to.

Ronnie:I will call your mother, and tell her you don't want to sleep.

He tries to threaten them, but they just giggle and jump on the bed like the little kids they are. He sighs, defeated, and walks out.
His phone rings, it's Mabhiza.

Ronnie:Sho?

Mabhiza:Where are you? Ziyawa la ka mam'uyangchaza.

Ronnie:Not tonight Mabhiza, I'm babysitting.

Mabhiza:Babysitting?

Ronnie:Yeah, Sthoko went to visit her mother for the weekend.

Mabhiza:Soon she will be telling you to wash her panties. Who is the man in that house kanti?

Ronnie:They are my children too, babysitting doesn't mean Sthoko is controlling me. She needs a break too.

Mabhiza:Alright. See you some other time then.

He hangs up and chuckles. Friends he has! But it's only alcohol that brings them together.
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STHOKOZILE

The first few hours with Menzi have been amazing, being away from home is exactly what she needed. She has never felt so much peace in her life for the past two years. Menzi just brings her peace, and with him, she gets to relax and not worry about anything. She knows what she is doing is wrong, but she can't help it. She has gotten so used to finding solace in Menzi, that she is afraid to stop what is going on between them. She cannot say that she loves him, but she enjoys his space very much. And the fire sex he gives to her!  Intimacy with Ronnie is not the same anymore. It has been a long time since they had any sort of romantical actions between them. They are always arguing, fighting, it's draining.

Menzi is brushing her stomach slowly, he keeps on planting kisses on her neck. She wants to enjoy all her moments with Menzi.

Menzi:Why don't you call home? And check if Liyanda and Lusanda are sleeping already.

Snap! She completely forgot about that. She was so dickmatized that she forgot about her babies. She grabs her phone and calls Ronnie. He answers almost immediately.

Ronnie:Baby? Did you get home safe?

Sthoko:Yes. I'm just calling to check on you guys.

Ronnie:They are finally asleep, but they took a long time. I don't know how you do it.

Sthoko:Did they eat?

Ronnie:Yes, I cooked meat.

Sthoko:Okay, I will call again in the morning. Remember, they eat cooked porridge for breakfast on the weekends.

Ronnie:Eish! Okay, when are you coming back?

Sthoko:Sunday evening. Goodnight.

Ronnie:Okay, I love you.

She keeps quiet. And hang up.

Sthoko:They are sleeping.

Menzi:Great, now where were we?

He gets on top of her, and shifts her panties to the side.
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RONNIE

The following day, he managed to not go out drinking last night. He couldn't leave his kids alone, especially at night. Sthoko would never forgive him. He woke up early and cooked porridge as his wife said.
Right now, the girls are eating, and after that he can relax.
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NOTHANDO
Her check up went well yesterday. All is still good with her baby. Except for her rising BP, they advised her to avoid strenuous moments, maintain a healthy diet and exercise here and there.
She just wants to give birth already, she can't stand the big belly. But, it's all for a good cause. Her baby is coming. She has bought a few clothes, and her mother gave her money. Her father completely refused to take any part in her pregnancy. Maybe things would be better if she actually knew where the baby daddy lived, she can't be suffering alone while he's out there, having the time of his life.

Now her father hates her, and he wants nothing to do with her. Maybe seeing the baby will warm his heart and he can forgive her. She wants to go back to school after giving birth, and definitely change courses.

She takes the tea to her father, as a peace offering. He was reading a newspaper, sitting on the couch.

Nothando:Baba(Dad), I bought you tea.

He looked at her through his reading glasses and focused back on his paper. She exhaled and cleared her throat. She placed the tea in front of him, and sat down.

Nothando:Dad can we talk?

Ndlovu:I am reading the newspaper Nothando.

Nothando:I just want to apologize. I know I disappointed you a lot, you thought of only good things about me. And you spent lots of money towards my fees. I am sorry for falling pregnant, I wish I can go back and do things differently.

He folds his paper and finally looks at her.

Ndlovu:What angers me the most is that you dropped out of school without informing me, on top of that your grades were very bad; but you kept on lying to me saying school is fine. I don't even want to mention the fact that you won't tell us about the bastard who had the nerve to invade isibaya sami!

She can't tell her father that she had a one night stand. He's already angry at her. Lying is the best option.

Nothando:We dated for a short time, I didn't get to know much about him. I only know his name, Samkelo.

He shook his head.

Ndlovu:Please leave me, because I don't want to say things I will regret.

She nodded and stood up. It hurts her that her father won't accept the situation. She made a mistake, and she's owning up to it. Why won't he see that she's sorry? She's forever stressed, because she doesn't know what Ndlovu might do next. If he chases her out of the house, it will be over for her. Where will she go?

She feels a minor cramp and touches her stomach, wincing. The baby must want to come out, to kick that strong!
She gets on top of the bed and lies down, holding her stomach. She has a terrible headache.
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To be continued.
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