Mandla

Chapter 6: The guilt

The sex was great but now I'm convinced more than ever that i'm pregnant. It's the second month of me not getting my period, I vomit almost every morning and I can't stand the smell of eggs and Mandlas cologne. I took a day off from work and ordered two pregnancy tests to prove my suspicions, I'm just waiting for them to get delivered. Mandla is off for work, they're reporting to Parliament next week so the wives and I need to find something to keep us busy while they are away.

The pregnancy test arrives and as expected, It's positive. I text Mandla immediately and he texts me two smiley emojis back.
Okay, probably busy.

I was supposed to look at houses today but I'm super lazy to walk around with four grown men following behind me. The drama of it all is what I don't have time for so I call a realtor that was referred to me by a friend instead and tell her exactly what I'm looking for and I trust that she will deliver. I want a five bedroom open plan triple storey mansion that comes with a pool, a cinema and a gym. It doesn't have to be furnished cause we have our own and it has alot of sentimental value but the rest is a must.

The life of a politicians wife is like the life of any other wife except we have to attend alot of gala dinners, youth meetings, sports conferences and occassionally have dinner with the president. We are know about all of the corruption that goes on in the government and believe me there is alot! but we have become really good at pretending that it doesn't exist. Which is kind of ridiculous due to the fact that we can afford to buy triple storey houses and drive expensive cars whereas our husbands are supposed to be earning alittle over 80k a month.

We have parties and expensive swarays all the time but that doesn't change the fact that it's a lonely life. I can't relate to any of my sisters on the street because 80% of the time they're complaining about us and rightfully so because if I've been paying 14% of my salary to the government every month without seeing any plausible change in my state of living, I would be pissed!
However, it's different on the other side, there is alot of guilt involved, especially when you know that the country has every right to complain about the money they make that you easily throw away.

I'm distracted by a phone call, It's the shop. Apparently there was a thief that came in and stole 3k worth of jewellery. I told them to let him go, I'll just have to beef up security as soon as I get back. They can do whatever they want with those beads to help them better their financial situation. They need it more than me anyways.

I also haven't been to church since I got married, we're just too busy for that now so I rather watch TB Joshua from my TV than actually attend a sermon. Mandla cooks for me, I hate cooking so I stick to the cleaning and up-keep of the house. I flip through the TV channels and lay my right hand on my belly. I want my baby to have a different life from this, his peace of mind is worth more than all of it. As soon as he is born, I'm asking his father to step down from the cabinet. We can save the money we have now towards buying a farm and sell poultry or something. Anything different from the life we're currently living. I refer to him as he cause I have always wanted my first child to be a boy.

I order in some pizza and watch the TLC channel. I ought to go to the doctor to confirm that I really am pregnant because these pregnancy tests aren't always accurate but that's something I'll have to do tomorrow cause right now I am beat! so I lay my head on the sofa and of to Dreamland I go.

I'm woken up by his foot steps. Home already, what time is it? He instructs me to go upstairs and put on the red dress I wore at the SAMAS because he's taking me out tonight. I try to get out of it, it's my day off for goodness sake but he doesn't budge so I walk to the bedroom with my tail in between my legs to get ready. He changed his cologne, thanks goodness.

I'm done in minutes and make my way downstairs to tell him. Okay, this is strange. I call out his name a few times until I give up. He just disapperead in thin air. I make my way back upstairs with the intention to get in bed when I hear them scream
"Surprise!"  behind me.

I turn back and I see my whole family staring back at me. On the right hand there's Mah, Baba, Sphamandla, Zakhele and his wife Daisy. On the left is Mandlas family; His father Joe, stepmother Kgomotso and his three sisters; Nonsikelelo, Ntombenhle and Nombulelo. I wonder where they popped out off, in a festive mood even. I wonder what the occasion is cause it is not my birthday, that I know for certain.

"Happy Pregnancy sis!"-Nombulelo says
ohhhhh! that's was this is. How thoughtful and sweet.
"Oh my goodness! thank you! thank you!"-I say, as I awkwardly stand there not knowing what to do with myself.
Mandla steals their attention when he puts on soulful deep house on the radio. The first song "akanamali" by something soweto has the crowd moving. Zakhele heads outside followed by Sphamandla to the braai stand area, the ladies divide themselves into sub categories, the older ones go to the kitchen to start the pots while the younger ones set up the table. They seemingly have everything under control and I think we going to have a good time but something is missing. I make a quick call.

All the wives and husbands get here within minutes, now the party is really about to start. Huh? Noma heads to the kitchen with the mothers this time. I guess she finally found the group that she fits into. Nomzamo joins the set up team in the lounge, I can't say I didn't see that coming. She does own a deco&events company afterall. Masthandile and Thembi join me in the dinning room where we serve drinks and snacks while the party takes off without a hinge.

Everybody has a drink in their hands, the conversation is flowing, the food is great and honestly, I'm really happy that Mandla did this for me. This is exactly what I needed to remind me why I'm here. That man is my best friend and I couldn't have chosen a better candidate to spend my life with. He thinks about me more than I think about myself and puts me first nomatter how crazy life is. I'm blessed to have him. As for the women that claimed he raped her? she dropped the charges. Nobody knows why but everybody is relieved. It had both of our families shook! I'm glad I chose to stick with him.

Half through the night, Our song comes on, well more mine than his. I heard it on radio this one time and I'm addicted! It's titled "Bhutiza" by Mobi- Dixon. There's just something about the beat. I find him looking at me as soon as I sing along then he makes his way to me with a step in accordance to the beat. Is he challenging me to a dance battle? oh no no, I try to ignore him but the more I try, the more he gages my attention. The guy is just messing with me now so I finish him! everybody around us cheers then all the husbands make their ways to their wives to join in. All the single ladies are left cheering and taking videos, probably to post on social media. I'll never hear the end of it tomorrow but the night is young, the vibe is right and I'm in my happy place right now, why not enjoy it and worry about the rest later. He comes in for a kiss, I lean it to meet him half way.

"Please respect us!!!"- Ntombenhle yells.
We both laugh. It's a beautiful night.