Chapter Five
STRING OF PEARLS: FIVE
_MCEDISI_
Nkanyezi's rage is palpable. When he got a call from one of his guys that Kofi is coming to South Africa, he organized people to track his every move. That's how we were able to know about Onezwa's abduction.
We are now driving to the village. I'm the one driving while he's sitting at the back with Onezwa. I can barely look at her; her fingers are covered in blood. I had to tear a piece of my shirt to cover her bleeding hand.
We get home, and my mother is the first to rush to the car; Nkanyezi must have called her.
"Oh, mthanami," she exclaims when she sees the now-conscious Onezwa. She helps her out, and they disappear into the house.
At the corner of my eyes, I see MaSibiya looking like she's about to burst before she marches to our hut.
"He tortured her," Nkanyezi says through gritted teeth.
"I know," I say, and he heaves a sigh.
"I don't know, but we need to get rid of Kofi, or I swear to God," he says, clenching his hand into a fist.
"I'm working on it," I say, and he nods before getting back into the car.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"I'll see you later, if not tomorrow; I need to blow off some steam," he says before driving off.
I heave a sigh, walking into the main house, and I'm welcomed by a tight slap from my mother.
"The one thing I asked you was to watch over that girl in there. They took out her bloody nails!" She shouts hysterically.
"Ma, calm down. Her nails will grow back,"
She looks at me bewildered before smacking the back of my head.
"Your brother must be turning in his grave," she says, and it's like she poured petrol on fire.
"Let him turn; he chose to get married to that fat girl, then went and double-crossed the biggest criminal in Africa. And I should carry his burdens? Did he think of what would happen to her or to us, for that matter? You babied that boy until he became entitled and sloppy, almost costing us what I toiled for since I was just a teen!" I roar, and she flinches.
I storm out of the house and get into my car before driving out and dialing Khosi's number.
"So you do have my number?" She answers.
"Meet me at the guest house near Mabutho garage," I say, hanging up.
A few hours later... I drill Khosi from behind while she's screaming her lungs out. A couple of deep strokes, and I shoot my cum straight into the condom before sliding out.
"I swear you shifted my womb," she says, panting, and I roll off the bed, putting on my pants.
"You got to be kidding me," she says, and I side-eye her as I pick up my shirt.
"So this is a norm with you? Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am?" She says, and I take out a few notes from my wallet, throwing them on the nightstand before heading for the door.
"Uyinja, Mcedisi!" She snaps, and I walk out without uttering a word.
_ONEZWA_
I lie awake in the guest bedroom, wondering how did I end up here? One moment, I was ecstatic about my promotion and potential boyfriend, Phil. Then, boom! Everything came crashing down.
"May I come in?" Qhawe's mom asks, pushing open the door. She sits beside me on the bed.
"It's been a while," she says, her eyes filled with warmth.
I nod, unsure how to respond.
A lone tear escapes her eye before she quickly wipes it away.
"I'm sorry, my daughter. I failed you as a mother and as a woman," she says, her voice trembling.
I see the genuine remorse in her eyes.
"I really liked you from the very first time my son described you. He said, 'Ma, I'm bringing you a makoti, istufuza, and you'll love her.' His eyes twinkled when he spoke about you," she recalls, a faint smile on her lips.
"He was a good husband, even though I only spent a short time with him," I say, nostalgia washing over me.
Qhawe's mom breaks into a beautiful smile.
"We shouldn't have forced you to marry his brother, but at the time, we thought it was right," she admits.
We fall into silence.
"Am I safe? That man..." I break down before finishing the sentence.
Qhawe's mom rubs my arm soothingly.
"I'm so sorry, my daughter," she says.
"How's the pain?" she asks, glancing at my bandaged hand.
"I think my heart hurts more," I reply.
"Oh, baby, we'll go to the doctor tomorrow," she assures.
I nod.
"I'd like to rest now. The painkillers are kicking in," I say.
She nods and exits the room.
A few days pass.
According to the doctor, my nails will take six months to grow back completely. I'm still in the village, hoping to go back home soon but I'm still shaken.
Ma Mthethwa has been kind, but I'm ready to return to Joburg.
I called Phil, spinning a story about my disappearance. He gave me time off.
"Your aunt is here," Ma Mthethwa announces.
"I'm coming, Ma," I reply.
We exchange a cold hug, and Ma Mthethwa leaves us alone.
"You've finally managed to embarrass me, wena," my aunt says.
I stare, taken aback.
Ma Mthethwa returns with refreshments.
"My friend, I apologize for the pain we caused your daughter," she says.
"It's okay," my aunt responds.
Ma Mthethwa continues, "We'll officially apologize with cow."
My aunt's face beams.
I get up and walk out, leaving them to talk.
Outside, I meet Mcedisi's wife, who folds her arms, throwing daggers at me.
I ignore her and re-enter the house.
My aunt hugs me, pretending warmth.
"I'll see you soon, my daughter," she says.
I nod and walk past them.
Honestly, I'm fed up with this place and can't wait to return to Joburg.
I just hope I'll be safe.
_NARRATED_
MaSibiya dresses, her hands shaking slightly as Mcedisi's piercing gaze follows her every move.
"And where are you going?" Mcedisi asks, his tone low and husky.
MaSibiya scoffs under her breath, "As if you care." Her voice trembles, betraying her defiance.
Mcedisi's eyes narrow, his chuckle sending shivers down her spine. "What did you just say?"
MaSibiya regrets her words instantly, her heart racing.
"It seems like you're forgetting yourself," he warns.
She looks up, apologetic eyes locking onto his. "I thought I'd visit my mom. I haven't seen her in a while." Her voice cracks.
Mcedisi's expression softens, his eyes warming.
"I'll take you," he says, his deep voice gentle.
The drive to the neighboring village is quiet, tension hanging heavy in the air.
As he parks outside her family's yard, MaSibiya's anxiety spikes.
"Call me when you're done. I'll come fetch you," Mcedisi instructs.
MaSibiya nods, her fingers brushing against his as she pecks his cheek.
Mcedisi drives off, returning home to find Onezwa and his mom laughing together in the kitchen.
He clears his throat, announcing his presence.
"Ma, Onezwa," he greets, his deep voice tinged with warmth.
They respond warmly, but Mcedisi's gaze lingers on Onezwa, guilt gnawing at him.
Ma Mthethwa asks Onezwa to give them a minute.
"Son, I've spoken to your uncles about apologizing to the Zondis and annulling the marriage between you and Onezwa. We robbed her of the chance to mourn her husband," she admits, her eyes brimming with tears.
Mcedisi nods, remorse etched on his face.
"Do you have objections or thoughts?" his mom asks.
He shrugs, surrendering.
Later his wife calls.
Mcedisi drives to her family's home, his mind racing.
MaSibiya exits with two women, including Khosi, the same woman he had an intense encounter with recently.
"Sthandwa sam, you remember my sister Ntombi, right? This is my cousin Khosi from Mpumalanga but she lives this side now," MaSibiya says cheerfully.
Mcedisi's eyes lock onto Khosi, his expression unreadable.
"Nice to see you again, Ntombi, and nice to meet you, Khosi," he says, his tone measured.
He opens the door for MaSibiya.
"How was your visit?" he asks as they drive off.
"It was great. My mom's excited about the pregnancy," she beams.
Mcedisi smiles.
"I was worried about Onezwa's return and what it meant for our marriage. I'm carrying your heir, and the stress of another woman is the last thing I need," MaSibiya confesses.
Mcedisi chuckles.
"My uncles will dissolve the marriage. We just need to protect Onezwa from Qhawe's enemies, then she can move on," he reassures.
MaSibiya's eyes widen in joy.
"Really?" she asks, disbelieving.
Mcedisi nods.
She squeals, attacking him with a hug.
"Oh, I love you, My husband!"