SIBLINGS-IN-LAW:LOVE & CONSEQUENCES

FORTY

NOMATHEMBA MNISI

After the talk I had with Ntombenhle, she went to her bedroom and slept. I am babysitting Lindokuhle and boy oh boy he is so stubborn; kids sleep but as for my grandson, he is too hyperactive to be sleeping.

"Lindo, stay here. Grams need to make a quick call okay?"

"Okay grams!" Can you hear how loud he can get?

I take my phone and walk to the porch, leaving the door open so I can have a clear view of Lindokuhle while making the call.

"Mamakhe." I blush like a teenager who just got their first kiss as soon as he answers.

"Babakhe. How are you?" I breathe out.

"I am very well thanks Mama. Kungabe kune nxaki apho?" (Is there a problem?) Where do I start?

"It's Khanyisile. She wants out of the marriage. I think she is still suffering from the trauma she went through with her ex boyfriend and she blames herself for it." I am not even sure if I am making Sense.

"What?" He clears his throat. "But, don't you think that would be the best I mean, it could save us from a lot. I consulted a seer and, things are not looking good. The ancestors are on a mission and can't tell what kind of a mission but, it is bad. Unless we tell the truth, the children will never find peace."

"My baby has been through a lot, Siboniso what are we going to do now?"

"Calm down mama, I can come up there in fact, I can book a flight right away." I sigh.

"And what are you going to tell your wife?"

"Maybe tell her that I am going on a business trip. I will book myself into a hotel and we can go and see a seer together, maybe if we can get a different perspective we might get to a satisfying solution."

"Maybe that could work..."

"Grams!" Lindokuhle comes running to me. "Grams, can I please have drinking water?"

"Is that Lindokuhle? Ndibawa ku thetha naye?" (May I talk to him please.)

"Lindo, tata is on the phone, he wants to talk to you here." I give him the phone and walk in to the kitchen and get a bottle of water for him.

"Yes tata and a lots of jelly tots... Okay, bye tata." He hands me the phone, I give him the already opened bottle of water. He is all smiles making me wonder what his grandfather promised him.

Just then, my husband walks in.

"Greetings ekhaya (at home). I see that we have a visitor today Lindo, how are you boy?" He picks him up, I move towards them.

"I am fine, mkhulu."

"Hello baba." I give him a peck on the lips.

"Yebo Mkami. Who did he come with?" (Hello wife.)

"Ntombenhle. Luyolo dropped them off here in the morning. They were coming from the hospital for the pregnancy check up, the baby is growing very well." He raise his eyebrows.

"Oh, now where is she?" He looks around.

"She is upstairs sleeping." He nods.

"Ngiyeva mkami." (I hear you, wife.) He charges to the living room and puts Lindokuhle on the couch. He takes off his blazer and shoes. "Mamabo can you please get me comfortable shoes?" I take his shoes and blazer upstairs, I bump into Ntombenhle coming back downstairs.

"Oh baby, you are awake. How are you feeling now?"

"I am okay I guess, is Dad home?" She asks already leaving me standing, I don't respond and just continue my journey upstairs to get my husband's slides and walk back down.

I find them bonding, looking very much like old times like, when I had a disagreement with Ntombenhle, she would run to his father and snuggle close to him and lay her head on her father's chest, that's how they are sitting on the couch and Lindokuhle seated on my husband's lap.

The guilt in me cannot measure the hate and disappointment my husband is going to give me. I have managed to keep this secret for as long as I could but my husband brought my past back by bringing Siboniso back into our lives our so many years of not seeing each other. Oh my daughter, I cannot lose her, I can never loose my daughter over this. Lord will have to forgive me but, I am not willing to reveal the truth.

"Mama, why are you standing there alone? Wait, are you crying?" I hold my face on both sides just to confirm if I am crying.