XILUVA

chapter 15

*XILUVA*

#15

When she arrived at home she found her mother and stepmother in the lounge. She greeted and sat down.

Dad:do you know why your in laws requested this meeting?
Joy:I think it's because of our divorce.
Dad:divorce? You're getting a divorce?
Joy:this is why i didn't want to tell you. You're going to make this a big deal.
Dad:we will talk. I'm going to call your uncles to find out how far they are.

He took his phone and left them talking.

Joy:mama i didn't know you were coming.
Mom:i have to be here for you. Kevin dropped me a while ago.
Joy:okay. Ma have you cooked? I'm so hungry.
Bonolo:I knew you were going to look for food the moment you arrived here. Go and check in the microwave. Don't touch what's in the pots. It's for the guests.
Joy:you shouldn't have cooked for them.
Mom:don't be like that.

She went to take her food and went to her room to eat from there. She ate while chatting with Andres.

*Andres:the meeting hasn't started?
Joy:yes. They haven't arrived.
Andres:okay. I'm certain it will go very well. Don't stress.
Joy:I'm not stressed. I'm just glad I'm I'm finally closing this chapter of my life.
Andres:what if they don't agree?
Joy:they have no choice. I will tell my father everything i went through there. What he says will be final. He won't let them do as they please.
Andres:your father sounds scary.
Joy:lol he's not. He's just overprotective of his family.
Andres:any father is like that. Let me leave you to it. Tell me when you are done.*

She finished eating and went to wash the plate then went to join her mothers.

Bonolo:go and put a doek. They are here.
Joy:mom i want my hair to get some fresh air.
Bonolo:go.

She laughed as she went back to her room. She put on the doek and went to join them.

Mzwakhe:so what do you want from us? Why now instead of all this time?
Uncle:we begged her and she has been refusing.
Mpendulo:Joy why didn't you let us know that you got a divorce? Two years yonke.
Joy:I didn't want to embarrass the family.
Mpendulo:so you thought acting was going to solve things? You should have said something.
Joy:I am sorry.
Mzwakhe:why did you get divorced?
Uncle:it was on something that they both agreed on. We were surprised to find out that she left.
Mzwakhe:so what do you suggest must be done?
Uncle2:we came to ask for our daughter in law back. Your son in law will speak for himself.
Nick:my love firstly I'd like to say I'm sorry. Please come back home and we will fix things. I am sorry for what i put you through.
Joy:i don't love you anymore. I can't come back.
Mpendulo:we cannot force her to go back.
Nick:just one last chance.
Joy:why are you not telling the truth? I didn't come back over a misunderstanding.
Nick:I know. I'm trying to fix things.
Joy:I'm not interested. Where is Charmaine?
Nick:...
Joy:I know she was always there. I got two miscarriages and you shouted at me every chance you got as if it was my fault. You took her as your second wife and divorced. E so i left and I'm not coming back.
Uncle:it's tradition. If youcan't give him children something needs to be done!
Joy:your family called me bames. Barren. I'm not barren. Not carrying a baby doesn't mean I'm barren! You  let them ill treat me. I'm not coming back. You have your Charmaine now.
Uncle:she recently passed on. You two can raise the kids together.
Mpendulo:get out of here and never set foot to this house.
Mzwakhe:I will send your lobola money. We didn't even use it. From here on we don't know each other. You only came here because your baby making machine died and you need a nanny. Go and look somewhere. Give me his account number so i can send their money right now. Nxa! Get out before I call my dogs on you.
Uncle:let's talk about this.
Mpendulo:get out!

They stood up and left.

Mpendulo:you did well by not giving them the food. They don't deserve it. They think we are their fools. Not us. You must send back that money.
Mzwakhe:they have a nerve to to said that my child will raise those kids! So disrespectful. You don't need those people. You will find someone who loves you and will love you even if youcan't have kids.
Mpendulo:you should have said something.
Joy:i didn't want this happening.
Mpendulo:next time something like this happens don't keep it to yourself.
Joy:yes...um i have to leave.

She got up and went to her car. She drove to her place crying silently. When she got to her place there was a car parked outside. She pressed the gate remote and drove in. The other car drove in after her. She leaned on the car seat closing her eyes. Andres knocked on the window. She opened the door and looked at him. It was like that just released all the tears. He helped her to stand up and pulled her for a hug.

Andres:we can cancel and you rest.
Joy:I'm sorry. It's just that everything is coming back...
Andres:it will all pass. You're strong. You will get through this. I'm here for you.

"Is this why you don't want us to fix things?"

She got off Andres' hold and looked behind her.

Joy:please don't...I'm like this because of you. I don't want to argue with you.
Nic:can you excuse us? Me and my wife have to talk.
Andres: She's not your wife. Stay away from her or you will regret it.
Nic: you stay away from her.
Andres:Amor let's go.

He held her hand and walked to the house. He opened for her and went back to his car. He took out flowers and looked at Nic.

Andres:you're still here?
Nic:stop trying to do something you won't finish.
Andres:you stop what you're trying to do. I won't let you finish it. That woman in there is mine. You will watch me love her and treat her right. Something you failed to do. Then i will marry her. And keep her away from you. Try to come near her and you will regret it. Try me. You will know who I am.

He pat his shoulder and went inside closing the door.

.....

Spha:did you enjoy the party?
Mogaisi:i did. Your sisters are nice. They welcomed me with open hands.
Spha:that's good. Did you talk with Xiluva?
Mogaisi:yes. She's a nice person. We exchanged numbers. One day we will go out.
Spha:you see? Things are falling ibto place.

She nodded.

Spha:what's wrong ?
Mogaisi:your parents. They don't like me.
Spha:i will take care of that. You should have seen mama with Langa. She cried when she saw him. She didn't want to put him down. That should count for something. If i can soften mom up then it's done. She knows how to convince dad.
Mogaisi:but i understand her. I mean your father had an affair with my mom and she'll have to see me every time we go tgere.
Spha:you're not a witch like your mother.
Mogaisi:you're right. I hate her for doing this. Now I'm paying for her sins.
Spha:i will speak to my parents.
Mogaisi:i hope the same won't happen to us.
Spha:I've never cheated. I will not start now.
Mogaisi:i know. I just...let's leave it. I know you won't cheat.

She left her seat and went to the fridge to taje a bottle of water.

Spha:are you sure you're alright?
Mogaisi:yes. Sphamandla if you cheat on me, if you dare cheat on me i will kill that woman. You're mine and no one else's. I will fight for what's mine and that's something that I'm not ashamed of saying. I will kill anyone that tries something funny with you.
Spha:there's no need for that.
Mogaisi:i just wanted you to know.

..........