FORBIDDEN TIES

16.

Makhosazane Zulu

I am Makhosazane Zulu, and at fifty-eight years old, I’ve lived a life filled with complexities that most people would never dream of. I’ve carried secrets—burdens that come with being married to a powerful man like Sibongiseni Zulu. My world has always been one of careful calculation and survival. Sibongiseni’s power as a Mafia King has protected us but also cast a long shadow over our lives. And in that shadow, I’ve had to make difficult choices—choices that have forever shaped my family.

My marriage to Sibongiseni wasn’t just about love. It was about power, loyalty, and, above all, protection. I was his second wife, a role that came with its own set of challenges, especially with Zandile, his first wife, who was never able to bear children. Zandile and I lived in constant tension, navigating the delicate balance of power in our home. And when I became pregnant with Nkosenye, my firstborn, things changed. Zandile’s bitterness grew, her jealousy became dangerous, and I knew that my life—and the lives of my children—were at risk.

But it wasn’t until I became pregnant with Keeya that things truly escalated. Zandile couldn’t accept the idea of Sibongiseni having more children, especially not a daughter. Keeya’s birth was meant to be a joyous occasion, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. Zandile made it clear that she wouldn’t allow another child in the family, and that’s when I knew I had to act. I couldn’t let my baby girl grow up in that kind of danger.

I turned to Ntokozo, my best friend, the only person I could trust with Keeya’s life. I asked her to raise my daughter as her own, to protect her from the life I knew would destroy her. Ntokozo agreed, and from that moment on, Keeya became a Modise. I never doubted Ntokozo’s ability to care for Keeya, but giving her up broke my heart. I watched from the sidelines as she grew up, as she blossomed into the beautiful, strong woman she is today. But she doesn’t know me as her mother, and today, that will change.

As I sit in my car, parked outside Ntokozo’s house, I feel a mixture of anxiety and relief. The time has come to tell Keeya the truth. After all these years, the lies, the secrets—they need to end. Keeya deserves to know who she really is, and I deserve the chance to explain why I did what I did.

I take a deep breath and step out of the car, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m dressed in a simple black dress, something understated but elegant. It’s the kind of outfit I wear when I need to appear calm and in control, even when I feel anything but. As I approach the door, I think about my other children, Nkosenye and Nobuhle. Nkosenye has his own life now, married with children, but Nobuhle’s story is another secret I’ve kept hidden. Three years ago, we had to fake her death after she gave birth, to protect her from an abusive husband. She had to give up her daughter, and now that her husband is dead, Nobuhle has finally come out of hiding. But that’s another story for another day.

Today, it’s about Keeya.

Ntokozo opens the door, and I’m greeted by the familiar warmth of her home. The smell of freshly brewed tea fills the air, and for a moment, I’m reminded of the countless times we’ve shared quiet moments together, supporting each other through life’s many trials. But today, the air is heavy with anticipation.

“She’s in the living room,” Ntokozo says softly, her eyes filled with concern. “She doesn’t know why we’re meeting.”

I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “It’s time.”

We walk into the living room, and there she is—Keeya, my daughter. She looks up from the book she’s reading, her face lighting up with a smile when she sees me. I’ve always been a part of her life, but to her, I’m just Aunt Khosi. She has no idea that I’m her mother.

“Hey, Aunt Khosi,” she says, standing up to give me a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Keeya,” I reply, hugging her tightly, my heart aching with the knowledge of what’s to come.

Ntokozo sits down, motioning for Keeya to join her. I take a seat across from them, and for a moment, there’s a heavy silence. I can see the confusion in Keeya’s eyes as she looks between us, sensing that something is off.

“What’s going on?” she asks, her brow furrowing.

Ntokozo takes a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “Keeya, there’s something we need to tell you. Something that we’ve kept from you for a long time.”

Keeya’s eyes widen slightly, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind. She knows that whatever we’re about to say will change everything.

“Keeya,” I begin, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain calm. “I’m not just your Aunt Khosi. I’m your mother.”

The words hang in the air, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. Keeya blinks, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“What?” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I glance at Ntokozo, who nods encouragingly, before turning back to Keeya.

“When you were born, your life was in danger. Zandile, Sibongiseni’s first wife, couldn’t accept the idea of another child, especially not a daughter. I had to protect you, and the only way to do that was to ask Ntokozo to raise you as her own. I thought it was the only way to keep you safe.”

Keeya’s face pales, her eyes searching mine for answers, for some kind of explanation that would make sense of this bombshell. “So... you gave me away?” Her voice cracks, and the pain in her words cuts through me like a knife.

“I didn’t give you away,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I never stopped loving you. I watched you grow up, and every day I wanted to tell you the truth, but I couldn’t. I had to keep you safe, and this was the only way I knew how.”

Tears well up in Keeya’s eyes, and she turns to Ntokozo, her voice shaking. “You knew? This whole time?”

Ntokozo nods, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry, Keeya. I’ve loved you as my own from the moment you came into my life. I never wanted to hurt you.”

Keeya stands up abruptly, pacing the room as she tries to process everything. “So my whole life has been a lie? Everything I thought I knew—it was all a lie?”

I stand up too, my heart breaking for her. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I’m so sorry that we kept this from you. But I promise, everything we did was to protect you.”

Keeya stops pacing, turning to face me, her eyes filled with anger and hurt. “You had no right to make that decision for me.”

“I know,” I whisper, my voice barely holding steady. “But I couldn’t lose you.”

For a long moment, the room is silent, the weight of the truth settling over us like a heavy blanket. Keeya wipes away her tears, her face hardening with resolve.

“I need time,” she says quietly. “I need to process this.”

“Take all the time you need,” I say, my voice soft. “I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

She nods, and without another word, she walks out of the room, leaving Ntokozo and me sitting in the heavy silence of what we’ve just revealed.

As the door closes behind her, I feel a crushing sense of loss, even though I know this was the right thing to do. Telling her the truth was necessary, but now we have to live with the consequences. All I can do is hope that one day, she’ll come to understand why we did what we did—and that she’ll still want us in her life when that day comes.