OUR LOVE STORY

08

Prince Ndlalifa Mhlongo

I watch her as she slowly eats her pizza and occasionally looks over at the twins. The twins are both playing with some toys on the floor that Joy also bought. She bought a lot of things earlier when I asked that she quickly go to the mall and get a few things for the babies and a change of outfit for their mother.

We were having pizza for supper while watching TV. We did get a little time to talk but we were disturbed by Joy bringing the babies back since they couldn't stop crying for their mother. She turns to me with a cute confused frown.

Her: "You didn't tell me your name."

Me: "What is your name?" she rolls her eyes looking bored.

Her: "Nomandla Khumalo."

Me: "Umuhle futhi unebizo elihle Nomandla." (You are beautiful and you also have a lovely name...)

Her: "Ngiyabonga." (Thank you.)

Me: "I'm Ndlalifa Mhlongo." she nods.

Her: "Ndlalifa. mmmh." she whispers more to herself. One of the boys crawls to me and sits right by my leg so I bend and pick him up. I tickle him a bit and he giggles throwing his little body around in my arms. I feel a little pull on my pants, I look and it's the other twin. His lips are quivering like he wants to cry

Noma: "He also wants the tickling phela." I chuckle placing this one down and picking him up. He giggles as soon as he is in my arms and just lays on my chest.

Me: "How do you tell them apart?"

Noma: "It's easy. Andile is the troublemaker and the crybaby. Bandile is a meanie, he is not friendly at all. I'm actually amazed at how they are so carefree around you."

Me: "Excuse me, woman! I'm their father."

Noma: "mcm."

Me: "When can I come apologise to your family? kumele ngigeze umuzi kababa wakho for not acknowledging my kids in time." (I need to cleanse your father's house...)

Noma: "You don't have to do that when I didn't even tell you about them the first time."

Me: "No, I understand why and I don't blame you." I'm now carrying both of them and they keep pulling my beard.

Noma: "I will talk to my parents first." I nod.

Me: "When I've done everything, I'm taking you out on a date."

Noma: "Angifuni." I laugh. (I don't want to.)

Me: "I wasn't asking you." she rolls her eyes sucking her teeth.

_____

My phone rang as we were cuddled in bed with our boys. I checked and it's Mandisa. I clear my throat and excuse myself so I can answer.

Mandisa: "Kanti akubuy'wa na eGoli?!" (Are you ever coming back from Joburg?)

Me: "Haw! Sekutheni manje?" (What is it now?)

Mandisa: "I miss you, come back please." even her voice at this point irks me. I keep on

Me: "I will be back soon."

Mandisa: "Our son misses you."

Me: "Oh? How's everyone?"

Mandisa: "Babe! Everyone is fine except me. I miss you and your mother tried hurting me again yesterday."

Me: "Why? What did you do?"

Mandisa: "Angizwanga?!" (Excuse me?!) I just hung up. I take a few deep breaths and then dial my uncle.

Uncle: "Mshana, ebusuku kangaka!?!" (Nephew, so late?!)

Me: "How fast can we finalise the ceremonies? I really don't want to face those people anymore. I also need to rescue my mother before they hurt her."

Uncle: "Let me talk to MaKhoza and I will get back to you."

Me: "Okay. I also have some good news to share."

Uncle: "Ay we need to meet soon." I laugh at his excitement and say my goodbyes before hanging up. I go back in the room and I find her rocking one of the boys to sleep.

Noma: "He's restless." she says handing me the baby.

Me: "Who's this again?" she giggles softly.

Noma: "That's Andile."