SIBLINGS-IN-LAW:LOVE & CONSEQUENCES

TWENTY-SEVEN

NTOMBENHLE MAYIZA

Luyolo’s phone rings in the car, the caller ID from the radio is written Tshepo, his PA since his phone was connected to it. He answered.

“Tshepo, what is it?” He sounds bothered and exhausted.
“Boss, there is a Miss Carlos from Ubuntu Manufacture demanding to see you regarding undelivered services and she says she is not leaving until you get here.”
“What!? Where is Sizwe, he is supposed to be handling that. Fuck, I’ll be there in less than an hour.” He looks very annoyed. He started the car and drives off the hospital premises. I have already greeted my in-laws the moment I got in the car, my father-in-law looked quite and distance but, mother-in-law looks like she won a million bucks. This is going to be a long weekend.

“Khanyisile, why were you admitted? Your husband did not disclose anything to us. How are you?” Mama asks.
“My blood pressure was very high, so the doctor admitted me for just a few hours to get a bed rest but, I am okay thank you.”
“Oh, I see. So you two since you are both here, who is looking after my grandchild, I hope that you did not leave him alone, Jesus Christ you are such bad parents how can you leave Lindokuhle alone!” She scowls us, I give Luyolo a stare before looking back on the road ignoring what mama just said.
“He is not alone ma, he is… He is with his mother, Yo-Yoniswa.” Luyolo explains. It gets awkwardly quiet in the car. I sigh.
“Luyolo, Yoniswa is around, not only around but, living in both you and your wife’s house?” His father disapproves.
“She will leave tata…” Luyolo defends himself.
“When!” He raises his voice which scared me. “She was not supposed to be there in the first place. You are disrespecting your wife!” I feel tears building up on my eyes.
“Tata, Yoniswa is the mother of his child, surely she has a right to live in their home.” My mother-in-law jumps in, this woman is a hypocrite.
“NO! Stop condoning nonsense Zozibini. Even you will never allow me to bring women from my past.” She frowns.
“But you did!” But you did! My eyes widen but, I keep my focus on the road.
“What? When? With who?” Oh-Oh, I think secrets are about to come out.
“Don’t make me a fool, don’t!” I take Luyolo’s phone since it is already connected to the radio and start playing music, just to avoid drama. Luyolo takes in my hand into his and continues to drive with the other hand.

***

The car came to a halt, we have arrived at our house. Luyolo helps with his parents luggage and takes it into the spare bedroom while I go put the food in the kitchen. I am very much aware that Luyolo made my food separate. Yoniswa came downstairs carrying Lindokuhle who is laying on her chest with his eyes open. Her eyes widened when she saw Luyolo’s parents at the lounge seated.

“Ma, tata. How are you?” She asks nervously.
“Aaaw mother of my grandchild, we are very well thank you. Lindo, izapha.” (Lindo, come here.) Lindokuhle is not at his best feeling right now, he looks so much weak. I didn’t get to spend so much time with him since he got here, I think my anger towards his mother got in the way of me bonding with him. I’ve been indifferent towards him, I guess that is why he said what he said earlier.

“I didn’t know that you were coming.” Yoniswa sounds surprise.
“We are not here for you.” Luyolo’s father snaps sounding irritated.
“Tata, don’t be like that.” He gives her a warning look. I put two glasses on a tray and a jar of juice before I make my way to them.

“Can I bring you anything to drink?” Just then, I reach the dinner table where the in-laws are sitting and put the tray there, Yoniswa looks lost.

“Thank you my chi… I mean Makoti. Yoniswa, how do you offer us something to drink in a house that is not yours? And in who’s kitchen? Know your place.” Yoniswa looked down in shame as to what father-in-law just said.
Luyolo came back down stairs in a rush. He kissed me on my lips.

“I have to rush to the office, I’ll be back as soon as I am done. Ma, tata, please don’t give my wife a hard time especially you mama.” Isn’t he the sweetest?
“How do you take me Luyolo, I am still your mother and you are not too old for a hiding.” He chuckles.
“Bye.” He makes his way out.
“Ma, baba, is there anything that you need?”
“Can you please show us our bedroom, I need to take a shower Makoti.” Just what I need too, a shower.
“Of course, this way.” I lead us to the elevator. Their room is on the second floor, I have already prepared it yesterday as we were expecting them.

“This is your room, as soon as you come back down the food will warmly dished out.”
“Thank you Makoti.” Tata says as I leave their room.
I took the quickest shower and dressed up in a long dress, not forgetting a head wrap, the perks of being a wife hey. As soon as I got done, I went back to the kitchen and warmed up the food for everyone and dished out for the family.