Ziphozethu

77

Nozipho wasted no time in getting me in touch with her lawyers. The more they explained the long, drawn-out process that I needed to go through, the more scared I got. I didn't know if it was worth it anymore. This would be difficult. I would have to air put all my dirty laundry, and it would be very public.

I knew for a fact that I didn't want this marriage anymore. So the first step was divorce and gaining full custody of my child. For some reason, Moses did not want to settle out of court. His team of lawyers made sure I knew I was not getting his child, and they would be going for full custody.

"I hate him. I hate him, Gogo. He could've killed my child dragging me down those steps. He's never ever met him or reached out to meet him, but he wants full custody? I hate him." She just listened to me. Sometimes, I felt guilty talking like this because he was her grandson, but I couldn't help it.

I had a meeting with my lawyer. "I know you didn't want to do this, but I advise that you lay a charge of domestic violence against him." I shook my head. "That would end him." Nozipho scoffed. "He's a man. The world will get over it, and then he'll carry on and make more money." I still didn't want to do it. "No, let's first go to this meeting and see what happens. Then I'll decide."

We had a date set for mediation, and I wasn't looking forward to it. I decided for the first time since getting married to wear pants. I didn't cover my head either. It felt... good.

We got to the meeting, and nobody was there. Ten minutes later, Moses walked in with his wife and five lawyers. Five lawyers! I started panicking. I was going to lose my son. My lawyer passed me a not.

"Calm down. He's just trying to intimidate you." I read and then looked up at Moses smug face. This man disgusted me. I wanted to ruin him.

"Listen, my client wants his family back. MaZulu knows her husband loves her. He acted out of anger by evicting her. He would like for her to come back home." Ivalmost scoffed. "We'll, my client has advised me that she would not be doing that. Listen, my client wants absolutely nothing from Mr Gumede. Need I remind everyone here that there was no prenuptial agreement when they got married. My client is willing to walk away with nothing hut her son. She does not even want child support. All she wants is for Mr Gumede to sign over his parental right."

"MaZulu, have you lost your mind? Have you lost your damn mind! You did it to your parents with your brother now you want to do it to me!" Moses yelled. I was terrified. As soon as he started shouting, all I could imagine was him throwing me to the floor and dragging me out of that room. As his lawyer tried calming him down, I passed my lawyer a note. She nodded, and we left.

We took all of my evidence and laid a charge of domestic abuse against him. As soon as I did that, Nozipho did it, too. His arrest became public. It was everywhere. Prepping for court and taking care of my son became my life. I did everything in my power to make Gogo comfortable. I kept the house in prestine condition and made sure to do chores around the village. I was working like a mad woman. I was in the fields, collecting water, collecting firewood, and herding cows. It kept me going, and it gave me muscles and motivation to get through this. By the time we were ready for court Moses's lawyers called a meeting. He would agree to my terms and pay my legal fees if I dropped the charges. I agreed.

Onto my next target.

The lawsuit was filed and he immediately wanted to settle out of court. "I want everything. I want his whole life to be ripped to shreds like mine is. I don't care if this lawsuit goes on forever. I want everything." She was prepared.

My son was almost six months old and he was the cutest most precious thing in the world. Gogo called all her sons to her house and they met Nkosi. They were extatic. I was weary of them but they promised to keep my location a secret. The did a ceremony to introduce my son to his ancestors and all went well. Until one day MaRadebe arrived. "Go go go." Nkosi was sleeping on my back and Gogo made me hide in the room.