JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

40

NARRATED

Thulile was on her way to drop off her daughter at her father's house since she was going to be staying there now. The whole car ride was quiet, only her other two kids chatting among themselves in the backseat. She lowers the radio abit and glances at her first child sitting on the passenger's seat.

Thulile: "Are you happy about this move?"

Xoli: "Very mom. Dad and Mah are very nice and kind so are all my siblings." her mother nods briefly.

Thulile: "To be honest with you, I'm also happy that you will be moving into a non-toxic environment. I know i'm not the best and I haven't done much anything to choose you as my baby but I want you to know that I am working on myself for you and your small brother and sister. I need you to please bear with me mntanam. It is time I actually grow a pair and choose myself and my kids. You guys are my world. Attending your ceremony last week opened my eyes alot. I realised that I still longed for my sister's love and forgiveness, and I am willing to do anything to gain their trust and forgiveness. I am really willing to do everything possible to be a better person and mother to you, I also owe it to myself." Xoli quickly wipes her tears and smiles at her mother.

Xoli: "That would make me very happy mama."  As they drive closer to the Majola household, she decides that they have ice cream at a nearby ice cream parlour. She parks by the entrance of the building, they get out of the car and wait for their mother to lock the car before they walk inside. They settle in a booth by the huge window. Thulile asks the kids the kind of flavours they want before going to make an order.

Thulile: "Leago and Palesa?"

Kids: "mama?"

Thulile: "I shouldn't even be doing this because I was supposed to raise you guys better but it doesn't matter now."

Leago: "Do what mama?"

Thulile: "Xoli is both your big sister and an elder to you so you have to show her the respect she deserves. I apologise for ever not teaching you about unity and love as siblings. I don't want you guys treating each other without respect just because of influence or whatever. Y'all should always respect and love each other, through good and bad times. As siblings, y'all should be best friends. Even when it happens that, god forbid, I die; y'all will be able to live and love each other without any limits."

Kids: "Yes mama."

Thulile: "Same applies to you, Xoli. Despite the fact that these two are younger than you, you also should learn to respect them and love them as their big sister. You as a big sister should be the one leading the way, showing these two what it's being united."

Xoli: "Yebo mah."

Thulile: "Now, I am not saying everything I have said should happen overnight, no. It is a process and as long as you three can hear and understand everything I'm telling you right now then you are able to do everything I said."

Kids: "Yes mom!"

Thulile: "Let's go now."

***********

They finally arrive at the Majola household, Thulile parks her car carefully by the gate. They all get out as Bongani, the Majola kids driver comes closer to assist them.

Bongani: "Don't worry about the big bags, I will take them sisi."

Thulile: "Thank you." They all follow behind the man into the house. They find Letho reading a magazine with a glass of wine in hand. Xoli rushes to hug her.

Xoli: "I missed you muntuza kaLizwi." she says making Letho laugh.

Letho: "I missed you too Gcinozi kaLizwi." Xoli blushes.

Thulile: "Sawubona sis."

Letho: "Babygirl, your siblings are not here so you will see them later. Take these little cuties to the kitchen and give them something to nibble on."

Xoli: "Okay." she takes both her younger siblings who keep asking her if she is really going to be staying in this beautiful house. Letho turns to Thulile.

Letho: "Unjani Thulile?"

Thulile: "I'm hood thank you. I can't thank you and your husband enough for doing this. I might have let that man treat my child like that but it ate me up all the time."

Letho: "I hear you."

Thulile: "I would like for us to talk about something, please keep an open mind."

Letho: "You are not to ask me to let you marry my husband, aren't you?!"

Thulile: "God, no! I'm a grown woman now."

Letho: "Mmhm, speak."

Thulile: "Your friend or acquaintance, Fathima. How well do you know about her now?!"

Letho: "Why? What's wrong?"

Thulile: "I saw her during Xoli's ceremony and I just got reminded of alot of things."

Letho: "Wait, how do you even know her again?"

Thulile: "She recently approached me, asking that I help her and her team in bringing your circle down. She mentioned that her colleagues were actually more interested in bringing down the Mnikathi's and Fathima wanted to hurt you and your family because you somehow betrayed her."

Letho: "I really don't understand. Did she tell you the reason for wanting to do all this or how I betrayed her?!"

Thulile: "No, she didn't."

Letho: "Why should I believe you?"

Thulile: "My child is about to live under your roof and I am trying to be a better version of myself, for me and my kids."

Letho: "mmhm, fair enough."

Thulile: "I will let you know if I find any more information."

Letho: "Thank you, Thulile."