SIBLINGS-IN-LAW:LOVE & CONSEQUENCES

THIRTY-EIGHT

NTOMBENHLE MAYIZA

Lindokuhle and Minenhle were playing down on the carpet in the living room while we were sitting around the dinner table. We're having a good chat and having snacks in between, I am so glad that my sister is here spending the rest of the day with us, she has lightened up my day and for the first since ever, I feel like a human being like I am so alive.

“Luu, were you not supposed to be with the boys?” He heaves a sigh.
“And miss a chance of catching up with my sister in-law, asoze!” (I will never.)  “Yi chomam ke le.” (This is my friend.) I shake my head and roll my eyes.
“You don’t have to rub it off at me.” He clears he throat and his face becomes solemn.
“Uh, sthandwa sam, your sister is here for a reason well actually, I asked her to come.” I don’t think I like where this is going.
“O-kay?” I look at my sister who is playing with a spoon avoiding my gaze. Now I know that they are about to upset me.
“Mtase, we are worried about you.” I laugh because, what is it there to worry about, I am good. I stop laughing as soon as I realise that they are serious.

“What is going on here?” I run my eyes between them, they stare at each other then back at me. “Luyolo, Mbalenhle!” I bang the table.
“Calm down, Khanyi. You are scaring the children.” Only then I realise that the loud noise they were making subsided and they have their eyes on us. I turned on cartoons for them and thank goodness The Lion King Guard is playing, Lindokuhle’s favourite.

“So, you were saying?” I put my intertwined hands on the table.
“You need help. You never said anything about the trauma you went through instead, you use anger to hide how you feel.” I chuckle.
“There is nothing to say, I was kidnapped by my ex boyfriend and you know it. What more do you want me to say?”
“Talk to me! You are pregnant for goodness sake, you can’t put so much on yourself.” He semi-shouts.
“Sis, you need to talk about what you went through. You and the baby survived what not so many pregnant women would have. That lunatic almost killed you…” Oh no, why is she bringing that up.
“Stop it! Stop it right there you two! I don’t know where you two met but I will not appreciate you coming here and bombard on me like this. You have no idea what I went through so don’t come here playing psychologist on me!”
“I AM YOUR HUSBAND AND SHE IS YOUR SISTER!” He says that boldly, I shuddered. This is the first time I see my husband this angry, never in my marriage life has he raised his voice at me like that.
“It’s been two damn months Khanyi. You don’t go to work, we can’t keep doing your job, you don’t go out and your mood itself is tiring.” I can’t believe this.
“So you are tired of me…”
“Ntombi, don’t twist his words sis, that is not what he meant.”
“Oh, so you not only bombard on me but, also stand up for one another?” I laugh in disbelief.
“You are be ridiculous now.” Oh am I?
“I am booking an appointment for you to see a shrink. You can’t talk to us, that’s fine wife you will get a shrink to talk to.”
“I am not crazy, Luyolo I don’t need a shrink.”
“Of course you are not sis, we are just trying to get you help.” I get on my feet.
“Sis, it was nice to see you but, I will not stand up for this crap.” I turn my gaze to Luyolo and cluck my tongue before I leave them.

“Khanyisile you better get back here! Khanyisile!” The elevator opens, I walk in and face them until it closes.

I can’t believe that they think I am crazy, my own sister for that matter. And for Luyolo to go behind my back like that, that was so low of him.

As soon as the elevator opens up, I walk into our bedroom and perch my butt on the bed and endure a sharp back pain that last only a few seconds. I am not even halfway through pregnancy but I am tired of it.

Why do I suddenly feel bad for being rude to my sister, I honestly feel bad. But I didn’t like how they  ganged up on me, my blood sister and my husband like who does that? Let me lie down a bit and I will wake up later to eat. I know they are still discussing me down there so I don’t want to disturb them.

***

CLAYTON MARTINEZ

I  am kept in this white Medical restraints that are generally used to prevent people with severe physical or mental disorders from harming themselves or others, walking down the hallway of this hospital, more like a loony bin; humourous right? But it is what it is so, I can’t do anything about it, I am here and I will be locked up for a very long time so, I better start feeling at home.

I am taken to a private visiting room because someone is here to see me. I thought I was not allowed to have any visitors until my three months of isolation has pass but look at God.

The male nurse opens the door and I walk in. I am not surprised at all to see my visitor.

“Ten Minutes.” The male nurse says before he leaves us.

“Well, well, well. Why am I not so surprised to see you?” I pull the chair using my foot and sit on it. She walks up to me click-clanking her nude heels, looking ever sexy. It is funny how little I know her but, we want the same thing… well, I wanted the same thing as her but now, I am locked up I can’t get it anymore.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, baby momma?” She perches her butt on the table and pulls down her pencil skirt before crossing her leg.
“You look good in that, it’s a pity they got you tied up. I would have loved to snap a picture of you.” She cackles. This woman is evil.
“You are not here to give me a compliment now, are you?” She shrugs.
“Straight to business I see” She stands up and pace around the room I don’t know why because, I have nothing to offer her.
“I gave you a task two months ago.” I chuckle.
“And look where it landed me.” I shrug.
“You landed yourself in here! You should have been responsible and took your medication maybe, just maybe you wouldn’t be here.”
“You still haven’t told me what you are here for.” She smirks.

“Curiosity killed a cat but anyway, I have a job for you.” I laugh.
“What makes you think that I can help you?”
“Because you owe me!” Why am I locked up in here because I think she is the one who belongs in here. “You are going to call that girlfriend of yours and make her life a living hell. I want you to scare her off, drive her crazy, make her land in this place if you have to, maybe you might reunite with her I the end.”
“Even if I wanted to, I won’t. This is now your battle with her, not me. Leave me fucking OUT OF IT!” She shudders. I get up and walk to the door and bang it lightly with my head for the nurse to open.

“ Come back here, Clayton!” The door opens wide, I look back at her.
“Goodbye miss Yoniswa Langa.” I walk out with her calling me behind. I found myself a new home so, I don’t really care about what happens in the outside world.