OUR LOVE STORY

34

A FEW DAYS LATER

Ndlalifa Mhlongo

I was at work when I received a call from my uncle. I answer leaning back on my chair.

Me: "Baba?"

Uncle: "You don't call me anymore." I chuckle a bit.

Me: "I'm sorry baba. It has been hectic."

Uncle: "Mmhm. I called you to tell you some news."

Me: "I'm listening baba."

Uncle: "Your brother has gained his speech back and can now walk." I sit up fast.

Me: "Baba, don't play like that!"

Sboniso: "Sawubona bhuti." His speech is a bit slow which is understandable and his voice is raspy as I remember it being when he was little.

Me: "Sbo?! Uwena lo?!" I ask unable to contain my excitement.

Sboniso: "Yimi lo bhuti. You should come fetch me here. I miss you guys."

Me: "I will definitely come to fetch you ntwana yami. I'm so happy that you have gained your voice back uyezwa?!"

Sboniso: "Kujabule mina."

Me: "Where is mah?"

Sboniso: "Ukhona..."

Uncle: "Hhayi phela letha! I called Ndlalifa, you will call him at your own time with your own airtime." I hear my uncle scold him in the background making me laugh.

Me: "We will talk Sboniso."

Sboniso: "Bye, send my regards." then I hear some shuffling.

Uncle: "Ndodana."

Me: "I'm so happy baba, this has to be the best news I've received this week."

Uncle: "I know son. Anyway, how is your father-in-law?"

Me: "MaKhoza said he was healing well."

Uncle: "That is good. Mandisa's family came here yesterday demanding that we take the child. It was a big argument because they've heard about your marriage. They claim you have abandoned your son so I had to tell them the truth, it shut their mouths real quick. The council then demanded they pay back the cows we paid for their daughter."

Me: "That wasn't necessary kodwa."

Uncle: "I know which is why I said they should keep them as ilobolo for your father's son. That was the final agreement between the families. They left the child behind though so now he is back home."

Me: "I hear you baba."

Uncle: "My wife is looking forward to raising the boy so it's fine, he will be here with us. You, focus on your family but do check up on your brothers."

Me: "Yebo baba. Ngiyabonga."

Uncle: "It's okay. You are all my boys and I have to look after y'all. We can't blame Sphiwo for his parents' actions."

Me: "Yebo baba." We bid goodbyes. I pack my things and lock up my office then leave. Today we were visiting my father-in-law with the boys. I pass by McDonald's and buy some food. This is what my life has turned into nowadays. I can't come home empty-handed because my wife is always expecting some takeaway food even though she cooked at home. The boys have joined in on her scheme but I enjoy doing it for them. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Noma: "Nayi indoda yami." she squeals when her eyes land on me. I hug her tightly as she rests her head on my chest. I plant gentle kisses on her face and then her swollen belly. I rub her belly a bit. 

Me: "How are you?"

Noma: "I'm happy to see you, I missed you."

Me: "You sure you're not happy because I have food in my hand?"

Noma: "Mxm!"

Me: "Ngiyadlala, I missed you too sthandwa sami." I kiss her lips. We walk to the lounge together and sit.

Me: "Where is maMhlongo?"

Noma: "She went out earlier and said she will be back later. The boys should be up any minute." Right then they walk in rubbing their eyes. I guess they were using a room downstairs. They both walk to their mom and lean on her.

Bandile: "Sho." he says giving me his fist, I chuckle and fistbump his small fist. Andile just glances at me then starts looking into the McDonald's paperbag and takes out fries. He sits on the floor and eats them.

Me: "Sawubona Nkosana." I greet him and he nods then continues with his fries. Noma laughs as she takes out the food.

__________

I park the car just outside the gate and we walk inside the yard. The boys are already running in front of us even though they don't know where we are.

Noma: "Ziyaphapha izingane zakho shame." I chuckle.

Me: "They are also yours." she rolls her eyes. We walk inside the house and greet. MaKhoza quickly moves away from my uncle and greets us back. My uncle is smirking.

Malume: "Niyaphila makoti?"

Noma: "Siyaphila malume, asisakwazi nje."

Malume: "Hhayi ngisanizamela umalumekazi nje" I chuckle and Noma giggles. MaKhoza shoots him a look.

MaKhoza: "Let me take you guys to Khumalo, he has been waiting for his grandsons." She walks to the back with Noma and the boys.

Me: "So you really were able to make her yours malume?!" I ask in disbelief as soon as they are out of sight.

Malume: "Ungithatha kancane wena! Kanti what good would my good looks be if I can't charm the woman I love?!" I laugh.

Me: "I'm happy for you. Keep each other happy..."

Malume: "Hhayi kahle! Ngimdala kulezinto!" I chuckle lifting my hands surrendering.

Me: "I hear that."

Malume: "I heard that, that girl is in hospital." he says taking a sip of his water. Oh yeah, a few days ago my wife received a call from her sister who told us the news of Nelihle being involved in a tragic car accident.

Me: "Yeah apparently she got involved in a car accident. She is currently in ICU, she is in a critical condition."

Malume: "Aw shame, uphunyukile." I look at him.

Me: "Malume."

Malume: "Sorry, I meant she was lucky." I shake my head smiling.

Malume: "Other than that, everything is good? Nobody is bothering you or your marriage?" I chuckle. I love how my uncle is overprotective of us. He never fails to show it too.

Me: "No, everything is good malume. Thank you."

Malume: "Where is my sister?"

Me: "Apparently she went out." he frowns.

Malume: "I hope she is not dating, I don't want stress."

Me: "Hhayi malume! My mom wouldn't, I'm sure she just took herself out nje."