IF ONLY.....

CHAPTER 31

Q.Boitumelo: Badimo ba bakwena!.....I can’t believe you went through all that my son
She said crying...well he told them about the crash but not the airy details about the rebels, multiple personalities and what they did when he was still back in Congo.
Kgosi: I made it out alive ma so it’s ok
Lethabo: but abuti (brother) how did you survive a plane crash, I mean no one can survive that
His younger sister said and Kgosi smiled.
Letlamoreng: if you watched more of the important stuff on tv rather than chick flicks and reality tv shows you’d know there are people who survive airplane crashes
She said rolling her eyes...she’s Queen Boitumelo’s second born while Lethabo was the last born.
Lethabo: mama she’s rolling her eyes at me
She said sulking.
Letlamoreng: really Lethabo?
Lethabo: keng you like rolling your eyes at me mos
She said sulking.
Letlamoreng: cause most of the time you like acting like a baby
Lethabo: I am a baby
Letlamoreng: a 15 year old baby
She chuckled.
Letlamoreng: please....
She rolled her eyes again.
Lethabo: ma she’s rolling her eyes at me again!
Kgosi chuckled shaking his head....this right here is one of the things he missed.
Kgosi: ok enough you two
Lethabo pulled a tongue out for her elder sister and Letlamoreng showed her a fist and Kgosi laughed while the queen just shook her head.
Q.Boitumelo: this is what I have been dealing with since you were gone
Kgosi: I see....well you two can argue and tease each other all you want cause siblings do fight every now and then but as long as you two will have each other’s backs at all cost and love each other then all this will be music to my ears
Q.Boitumelo: no no no....that’s not happening, this can’t be music to your ears Letukile....no
Laughter.
Letlamoreng: bathong mama
Q.Boitumelo: hai hai yho.....le ya ntsofatsa lena ( you’re making me old)
More laughter.
Lethabo: we missed you abuti, it wasn’t the same without you
Kgosi: I missed you and your crazy fights too
They laughed while Kgosi chuckled.....this right here was one of the main reasons why he fought hard to come back home.
Letlamoreng: so ntate Kabongo saved your life by putting his own life at risk?
Kgosi: yeah....that old man is a God’s sent....if it wasn’t for him I would be dead by now
Q.Boitumelo: he really is God’s sent
Kgosi: mmmmh and that’s why I want to make sure he’s as comfortable as possible.....i want him to enjoy his old age years without worrying about anything
Lethabo: yeah
Kgosi’s phone rang and he got up answering it.
Kgosi: Mmabontle is everything ok?
His mother and sisters raised their eyebrows looking at him as he walked out.
Letlamoreng: Mmabontle?
She said looking at her mother.
Q.Boitumelo: keng? (what?)
Letlamoreng: a re Mmabontle....do you know any Mmabontles mommy?
Lethabo laughed.
Q.Boitumelo: wa phapha wena ( you’re too forward)
The girls laughed.

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Botlhale: hi
Kgosi turned and frowned.
Kgosi: let me call you back ok
Dineo: ok
She quickly dropped the call and Kgosi clenched his jaws.
Kgosi: what is it Botlhale
Botlhale: can we talk
Kgosi: im listening
She walked closer and looked into his eyes.
Botlhale: im sorry Kgosi
Kgosi: about?
Botlhale: for giving up....for not listening to my inner voice when it kept telling me that you are alive out there 
He chuckled shaking his head.
Kgosi: what it is this Botlhale?
Botlhale: I still love you Kgosi, I was trying so hard to move on and learn to love Tau before you came back and now his presence annoys me
Kgosi: so o re ke dire eng Botlhale ( so what do you want me to do) with that info huh.....you’re fucken married and I have someone so just go back to your husband and stop being one of those loose woman
Tears ran down her cheeks and she wiped them.
Botlhale: im prepared to leave him Kgosi.....i just want you please
Kgosi: well I don’t, now if you’ll excuse me
He walked passed her then she grabbed his arm, he looked at her hand and then at her face with a frown on his face.
Botlhale: Kgosi please
Kgosi: you sound desperate Botlhale and its not a good look on you
She swallowed hard.
Kgosi: you made your choice, you moved on and I don’t blame you cause im sure I would have done the same thing so just concentrate on your marriage and stop all this
She let go of him and looked down.
Botlhale: then...then what should I do with all this love I have for you
Kgosi: easy.....give it to your husband
Tears continued to run down her cheeks.
Kgosi: you weren’t my chosen one to begin with Botlhale and I believe things are the way they are supposed to be.....im being nice now cause I care about you but this should be the last time you approach me to talk about this nonsense....we will never be now get that through your thick skull!
Then he walked away and she just busted out with a loud sob.

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AT VUYISWA AND ZAKHELE’S HOUSE

Vuyiswa: when is your mother moving out Zakhele?
Zakhele: angizwanga? (excuse me?) 
Vuyiswa: undivile Zakhele ( you hear me Zakhele), ndidiniwe mna ( im tired)...she’s a monster these days
Zakhele: listen here Vuyiswa, this is my house and my mother will stay for as long as she wants
He said with a pissed off tone.
Vuyiswa: OUR house Zakhele...OUR house
Zakhele: hei....do you know how much this house costs heh....what about the furnisher and all the cars?
He said looking pissed and she looked at him with an emotional look on her face.
Zakhele: good since you don’t know then don’t talk to me about shit you know nothing about  nx!
Vuyiswa: we are married in community of property so what is yours is mine now I want that old-hag out of my house or I’ll kick her out myself!
Lindiwe: I’d like to see you try you gold digger!
She said walking in and Vuyiswa chuckled.
Vuyiswa: imagine umbulali (a murderer) calling me a gold digger
Lindiwe: what did you just say?
Vuyiswa: don’t act surprised Lindiwe, we both know you had your husband killed
Lindiwe: HEH NANSI INGULUBE IYANGINONELA!
Zakhele: THAT’S ENOUGH VUYISWA!
Vuyiswa: ENOUGH YANI ZAKHELE....YOU HAVE FAILED AS A FATHER AND NOW YOU’RE ALSO FAILING AS HUSBAND.....OUR SON IS DEAD BECAUSE YOU FAILED HIM AND NOW YOU’RE LETTING YOUR MOTHER TREAT ME LIKE SHIT!
Lindiwe: uthi OUR son?....we both know Mazwi wasn’t Zakhele’s so don’t make my son feel guilty for another man’s child!
Vuyiswa jumped on Lindiwe grabbing her by her dress.
Vuyiswa: ucinga ukuba ndinjengawe Lindiwe heh ( you think im like you Lindiwe), just because you pinned a pregnancy on Qophelo’s father you think every woman is like you huh
Zakhele got between them.
Zakhele: that’s enough Vuyiswa....how dare you grab my mother like that...uyahlanya!
He said shouting at her.
Vuyiswa: you are a coward wena Zakhele...i wish I chose Qophelo instead of you cause he’s more of a man than you’ll ever be
A slap landed on her cheek so hard that she staggered back and lost her balance and fell on her ass.
Zakhele: you fucken bitch...how dare you compare me to that bastard!
Vuyiswa laughed with tears gushing out.
Vuyiswa: he knows his father and he also knows where his grave is, what about you huh....did your mother tell you who your real father is?
Zakhele: shut up!
Lindiwe: you did good my son, this thing needs to be taught a lesson nxa
Vuyiswa got up and fixed her dress and her shoulder scarf.
Vuyiswa: you two clearly don’t know me....nicinga ukuba ( you think) im some weak ass woman who cant stand for herself neh
She pointed at Lindiwe.
Vuyiswa: wena ulibele ukuba ( you forgot) you’re also a woman and you have children too
Lindiwe: hai suka nx..... and just so you know my son is gonna fix his relationship with his daughters, my twin granddaughters and if you know what’s good for you you’ll accept them or voetsek!
Vuyiswa wiped her tears off chuckling.
Vuyiswa: in who’s house?
Lindiwe: usho ukthini ( what do you mean)..... this is their fathers house!
Vuyiswa: try me and bring those bastards here and I swear I’ll poison them....try it...and wena Zakhele I regret the day I met you....you’re a failure and worthless always hiding behind your mothers skirt....even gay men are more manly than you nxa
Zakhele: VOETSEK VUYISWA....UTSHELA MINA LODOTI....MINA UZAKHELE? ( you’re telling me that rubbish...me Zakhele)
He said pointing at her.
Vuyiswa: yes wena...as long as you still let her control you, our marriage and your life you’ll always remain weak nxa
Then she walked out wiping her falling tears.
Zakhele: VUYISWA!
Lindiwe: let her go nxa.....witch!
Zakhele went to sit down feeling extremely angry...firstly it was Cole who called him weak and now his own wife called him that too worst part is she even thinks Cole is way better than him.
Lindiwe: don’t worry about her....she needs to learn that you’re the husband and im your mother and that im not going anywhere
Zakhele sighed again and he clenched his jaws feeling like shit for laying a hand on her even though he feels she deserves it.
Lindiwe: and how did she expect you to save a son that is not yours
Zakhele: he was my biological son ma
Lindiwe: what?
Zakhele sighed and he swallowed hard.
Zakhele: he was, DNA tests confirmed it.....
Lindiwe: ooh
She sighed.
Lindiwe: what about Vuyelwa?
Zakhele: what about her ma
Lindiwe: her ears and nose
Zakhele: Ma!
He warned her.
Lindiwe: she doesn’t look like you and her mother unless you adopted her without my knowledge
Zakhele got up shaking his head and he walked to the door.
Lindiwe: uyaphi? ( where are you going)
He ignored her and walked out.

FOUR HOURS LATER!

The door opened and in came Vuyiswa holding a big brown envelope followed by two police officers, Zakhele got up from the couch with a frown on his face....his eyes landed on her left cheek and it was swollen and her left eye was also swollen and closed.
Zakhele: Vuyi what happened to your face
Officer1: is this him?
He asked Vuyiswa who nodded looking scared then the officer went to Zakhele.
Officer: Zakhele Zulu you are under arrest for the assault of your wife Vuyiswa Zulu, you have a right to remain silent anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law
The officer continued to read Zakhele his right while cuffing him.
Zakhele: wait...wait...i didn’t do that to her I swear....when she left here she was fine I swear I didn’t
Officer2: o betseka basadi wena...ankere o nagana gore o Van Damme wena so didimala (you beat up women....you think you’re Van Damme right so keep quiet) and save your speech for the judge
Lindiwe walked into the TV room and her eyes popped out.
Lindiwe: hey nenzani! ( what are you doing)
She said rushing to her son.
Lindiwe: let my son go!.....niyenzani! ( what are you doing)
Officer1: mam please step back and let us do our job please
Lindiwe: what job when you have my son in cuffs?
Zakhele: ma tell them I didn’t do that to her face....i didn’t do that to her face ma you were there please tell them!
He pleaded with her mother and Lindiwe’s eyes landed on Vuyiswa who smirked as soon as her eyes landed on hers.
Lindiwe: you witch...you evil witch...how dare you...how dare you lie against my son!
She shouted pointing at Vuyiswa who quickly hid her smirk and she pretended to be scared....the other officer blocked Lindiwe from reaching Vuyiswa while the other one pushed Zakhele towards the door.
Zakhele: Ma call Qophelo.....plead with him ma I can’t sleep in a cell
The officer pushed him outside with Lindiwe shouting.... Well Zakhele was put in a police van and the officers asked Vuyiswa if she’ll be fine and she said she’ll be fine but if Lindiwe attacks her she’ll call them.....they left even though they felt like Vuyiswa should go and stay with a relative cause Lindiwe was fuming with anger so they feared for Vuyiswa’s safety but Vuyi assured them that she’ll be fine.
Lindiwe: mathakathi wenja that’s what you are....you got my son arrested for a mere slap.....a stupid slap
She spat at her and Vuyiswa dropped her handbag and the envelope on the couch.
Vuyiswa: you have 15 minutes to pack your rags and get the hell out of my house you worthless hag or else you’ll go join your useless son in that cell
She said looking at Lindiwe with a disgusted look on her face.
Lindiwe: angiyindawo uyangizwa.....angiyindawo nja ndini ( im not going anywhere.....im not going anywhere you useless dog).....this is my son’s house!
Vuyiswa: and I own half of every shit he owns so before I call the cops to come and drag you out, go upstairs and pack you stupid rugs and fuck off my house!!
Lindiwe: heh...heh....i swear with my late husband’s grave you’ll pay dearly for this.....i swear you’ll pay with your useless life for this nja ndini
Vuyiswa laughed.
Vuyiswa: you swear with your late husband’s grave, the same husband you got killed....awunazintloni Lindiwe ( you have no shame Lindiwe)....now get out of my house!
Lindiwe: IM GONNA DEAL WITH YOU OR ELSE MY NAME IS NOT LINDIWE.....NGIZOKUKHOMBISA MABELE WENYOKA NGIYAKUTSHELA DOTI! ( I’ll show you a snake’s breasts im telling you rubbish)
Vuyiswa laughed.
Vuyiswa: GET OUT BEFORE I THROW YOU OUT NX....RHAAAA! NDILILA UNYANA WAM APHA  AND UBUSY UYANGISHOUTISA NXA....NDICELA UHAMBE LINDIWE! ( im mourning for my son and you’re busy making me shout here.....please leave Lindiwe)

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BAKWENENG KINGDOM AT THE ROYAL LODGE

Cole was cuddling with Marang inside one of the chalets he booked into, he was asking her questions about her family and she answered as honest as she could even though she didn’t fancy touching that sensitive topic.
Cole: do you know why im busy asking questions about your family and more especially about your mother?
Marang: to know more about me?
Cole: well yeah but the main reason is I want to send my elders to your family to pay damages and lobola
She froze for a bit then she raised her head to look at his face and he perked her lips.
Marang: you...you what?
Cole: ngifuna ukushintsha isibongo sakho ntokazi (I want to change your surname ntokazi)
Marang: ummm....are you saying what I think you’re saying?
Cole: yeah..... ngicela ungivumele ngiguqule isibongo sakho sibe ngesami ( please let me change your surname to my own)
She swallowed hard.
Cole: please ntokazi marry me
Her heart was beating fast and her eyes got filled with tears.
Marang: you want to marry me?
Cole: yes so allow me to send my uncles to your home
Tears ran came out.
Marang: you...you sure?
Cole: 1 million percent sure
She chuckled.
Cole: so uthini muntu omuhle ( so what do you say beautiful)
She blushed and nodded as more tears were coming out.
Cole: is that a yes.....please tell me it’s a yes
She chuckled.
Marang: yes...yes I’ll marry you
Cole: haw madoda...SHE SAID YES....YOU HEAR THAT PEOPLE SHE SAID YES!
He shouted with Marang laughing then his phone rang interrupting him and he answered.
Cole: Lindiwe this is not a good time
Lindi: mfana wami unjani ( my boy how are you)
Cole chuckled.
Cole: are you high or drunk Lindiwe
Lindiwe: don’t insult me Qophelo....we may not see eye to eye but im still umama okzalayo! ( a woman that gave birth to you)
Cole: ok umama ongizalayo ufunani? ( ok a woman that gave birth to me what do you want)
She sighed.
Lindiwe: its your brother.....he’s in trouble Qophelo and you need to help him
He perked Marang’s lips and got out of bed, he was only in his boxers....they just had one steamy session.
Cole: uthi ( you say) I need to help him?
Lindiwe: he’s your brother Qophelo...whatever differences you two have you need to put them aside and help him
Cole chuckled.
Cole: lalela la Lindiwe ( listen here Lindiwe), I don’t have time for nonsense.....only when it suits you and your son then he’s my brother!
Lindiwe: will you stop being selfish for once in your life Qophelo!
Cole chuckled bitterly.
Cole: call his real father and ask help from him and leave me the fuck alone nx
Then he dropped the call and almost threw his phone against the wall but stopped when Marang called out his name, she got off the bed butt naked and hugged him from behind.
Marang: calm down baby
He was breathing fast clearly angry with his jaws clenched.
Marang: we love you and we don’t want to see daddy angry cause he’s scary when he’s angry
He sighed and turned around and he looked down at her.
Cole: I love both of you too much
She stood on her toes and kissed his lips, he kissed her back and soon it got heated and he grabbed her ass and pulled her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist and he went back to the bed with her and they had another steamy round.

MEANWHILE

Kgosi was lying on bed with his back...He was inside the Royal suit he booked for Dineo and Marang with Dineo’s head on chest sleeping, after he walked out on Botlhale he left the palace and went to buy Dineo what she was craving, after she finished eating she went to lay down and when he heard her sniffing he knew she was crying so he went to join her on the bed and he held her tight until she fell asleep......

His phone beeped and it was a message from Cole, he was telling him about Zakhele’s arrest and that made Kgosi to smile....he kissed Dineo’s forehead and breathed out.
Kgosi: damn that weak ass just made things easy for us
He chuckled.

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TO BE CONTINUED......