Zamageda his heart

chapter 26

TW; assault

As the 5 a.m. alarm pierces the silence, I spring into action, embarking on the familiar routine I've honed over the past three months. I prepare four lunch bags, get the girls ready for daycare, and whip up breakfast before gearing up for work. Zipho handles drop-offs, while I take care of pickups, adapting to his unpredictable schedule. After a long day, I make dinner, get the kids ready for bed, and tuck them in mese sandisa umdeni.

Embracing my roles as mother and wife, I find a sense of purpose and fulfilment in this routine. I'm determined to excel, even as I approach six months of pregnancy. Zipho may worry that my condition makes me vulnerable, but I'm driven to succeed, with a promotion within reach.

My morning ritual includes a refreshing shower, skincare, and a quick makeup routine. I slip into a comfortable tracksuit and trainers, perfect for a day spent mostly in the lab and crime scenes. Zipho joins me at 6 a.m. to help feed the kids, and I cherish this quiet moment together before the chaos of the day unfolds

At precisely 7 a.m., my trio bids me farewell, and I drag my weary self to the car, bracing for another exhausting day. I'm determined to push through until the eighth month, despite the overwhelming fatigue. With a packed schedule, I barely have time for small talk with Lihle; our conversations are now limited to briefings before heading to the lab with my student.

The drive to work has changed; no more chats with Makhize, just Felix and Njabs' banter until I arrive. As I step into the office, Lihle greets me with a warm 'morning, Momma Bear' and hands me a soothing hot chocolate, a substitute for the coffee I can no longer have. 'We've got three new bodies at the mine,' she briefs me, 'initially ruled as an accident, but now suspected to be foul play. You'll need to investigate their offices and crack the case if you want that promotion.'

Lihle often reminds me that this is a dream opportunity for an investigator of my age, and I can't deny it. However, I could do with less pressure. As a senior, I have the luxury of delegating tasks, and today I choose to do just that. I'll ensure my team collects every shred of evidence from those offices, and I'll handle the rest. By 4 p.m., my feet ache, and I slip into my slippers, a small rebellion against the lab's strict rules. As the boss, I can get away with it – as long as the 'head monster' doesn't find out.

As the clock strikes four, I make my exit, eager to pick up my little ones. The moment I enter Iyana's classroom, she excitedly rushes to me, calling out 'Mommy!' - a term that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. Since moving in, we've grown closer, although she still prefers Zipho's company. I don't mind, though; her non-stop questioning can be overwhelming, and I lack the patience for it.

With her bags in hand, Iyana leads me to Nami's class, where I'm greeted with equal enthusiasm. Nami has a plethora of stories to share about her day, and I cherish these catch-up sessions. Our conversations continue uninterrupted until we arrive home, where Madlamini has lunch ready for us. With Nami around, Pearl has become a regular visitor, but I'm looking forward to our move to a new place, where her frequent comings and goings will be a thing of the past.

We enjoy dinner together and begin our bedtime routine, but Zipho is noticeably absent. As I step out of the shower, my  phone rings. Zipho's voice greets me on the phone. "Mazungu," I respond flatly, "Hi." "I'm so sorry I haven't been available all day," he apologises, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness.

My anger flares up. "Ukephi?" I ask, . "I'm in Port Elizabeth," he replies, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. I can't believe what I'm hearing, this man clearly has a death wish . "You're in another province and didn't even tell me?" I exclaim, "You left your pregnant wife and two kids without a word?" he tries to explain, , my hormones fuelling my anger. "Cha mama, Manqoba had a run-in with the law, and I thought i could I sort it out and be back today, but I'll be back tomorrow morning."