Chapter Ten
STRING OF PEARLS: TEN
_MCEDISI_
Nkanyezi is on his way with the diamonds. I sit with my mother in the waiting room, already aware of the devastating outcome. I've ruined my wife's life, and it's all for nothing.
My mother is beside me, sobbing silently. All I want to do right now is drink myself into a coma to ease the pain.
"Mrs. Mthethwa!" The doctor shouts, and my mother quickly gets to her feet while I remain seated, already knowing what the doctor will say.
"I'm her mother-in-law. How is my daughter?" my mother enquires.
"She's out of the operating room and in recovery right now. We had to sedate her, though. She didn't take the news of the hysterectomy well. I'm so sorry for your loss. I highly recommend that she attends therapy," he says before patting my mother's shoulder.
I stand up and walk away, feeling suffocated, as my mother calls out for me.
"Bafo!" I look up, and Nkanyezi approaches me before engulfing me in a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry," Onezwa's tiny voice speaks, and I break the hug.
"It's okay. I just need a minute," I say before leaving them standing there with pity written all over their faces.
A couple of days later...
My wife is back home. I struggle to even look at her. Indeed, the diamonds were hidden inside a silicone shell mimicking a pearl. There were 32 pieces of 24-carat blue diamonds, totaling 200 million rands. No wonder Kofi is so hell-bent on finding his diamonds.
Nkanyezi and I are planning to take the diamonds back to Kofi this afternoon, but first, I need to have a word with my wife about the cleansing ceremony.
I walk into our bedroom and find her curled up like a fetus, silently sobbing. My heart shatters, knowing I'm to blame for her pain.
"Please don't do this to yourself," I say, taking a seat beside her.
"Of what good am I now? Without my womb, I am no woman," she says, and tears burn my eyes.
"You are my wife, my suitable helper, bones of my bone. I will not discard you now that we can't have kids together," I say and she sits up, sniffing.
"Won't you want to take a second wife to bear you children? If that's your plan, rather ditch me now because I won't be able to handle that pain," she says, looking into my eyes, which reflect the pain in her eyes.
"I will not," I say, taking her hand into mine.
"I won't bring another woman; I promise, and I will never discard you because you are the mother of my child. It doesn't matter that the child didn't live," I say before kissing the back of her hand.
"Do you promise?" she asks.
I nod, and she lets out a faint smile.
After a lengthy discussion about the cleansing ceremony, I step out of my hut, letting her rest.
"How is she?" Nkanyezi asks, throwing away a cigarette.
"She's asleep," I say, and he nods.
"Let Onezwa know that she can go back to her life. She doesn't need to be here anymore, and her presence might just make my wife uncomfortable," I say.
Nkanyezi frowns.
"I don't understand," he says.
"You don't need to understand. The diamonds have been found, and her husband is dead. There's just no point in her hovering around," I say.
"She wanted to leave; now this is her chance," I add, heading to the car.
_ONEZWA_
I turn back with the tray, Mcedisi's words piercing my heart like a dagger. They should hurt; after all, he's right. All they ever wanted from me was the diamonds. But I genuinely cared for MaSibiya, despite her hatred towards me.
"Didnt she want the tea?" Ma Mthethwa asks, concern etched on her face.
"No, she's resting," I reply, trying to hide the sting of Mcedisi's words.
Ma Mthethwa nods sympathetically.
"Ma," I begin, taking a deep breath to steel myself. "I think it's time I go back home."
She frowns, her eyes clouding with disappointment.
"This is home," she says, her kindness warming my heart.
But this isn't home anymore. The realization hits me like a wave.
"No, Ma. My life is no longer in danger, and I have a life I left behind. It's best I leave," I explain, trying to convince myself as much as Ma Mthethwa.
Ma Mthethwa nods reluctantly, her face a picture of sadness.
Later, I visit my mom's grave before heading back to Joburg. The sun casts long shadows as I sit on the weathered soil, memories flooding my mind. After an hour of reflection, I turn to leave, only to be met with a shocking sight: Kofi and my aunt.
Kofi's expression mirrors his surprise, while my aunt looks as unkind as ever. Her eyes seem to bore into my soul.
"You wanted to see her grave. Here's the cherry on top. Meet your daughter, and Onezwa, meet your useless father," my aunt says, her voice dripping with malice before turning on her heels and walking away, leaving me swimming in a pool of confusion.
I shake my head vigorously, trying to process the bombshell. My world spins out of control.
"You're Nomuzi's daughter?" Kofi asks, his voice uncertain, laced with a hint of wonder.
I'm speechless, my mind racing with questions.
"Please, I...," Kofi begins, but fails to finish, his eyes searching for answers.
"How do you know my mom and my aunt?" I ask, moving away as he tries to touch me, his proximity making my skin crawl.
His phone rings, and he answers, giving me the chance to catch up to my aunt.
"Ma!" I call out, finally catching up.
"What did you mean when you said that monster is my father?" I demand, my voice shaking with emotion.
My aunt stops, looking at me with her usual disdain, her eyes cold and unyielding.
"That monster is your father," she says without empathy, her words cutting deep. "Your mother was a prostitute, and he was her regular customer until she tried to trap him with a child."
I shake my head, refusing to believe, my mind struggling to comprehend the truth.
_NARRATED_
The Mthethwa brothers rush to the grave site, learning Kofi is closer than anticipated. Upon arrival, they find Kofi standing before Nomuzi Zondi's grave, lost in thought. Mcedisi seizes the opportunity.
Thirty years ago, Kofi conducted illicit diamond mining business in South Africa. In this village, he met the captivating Zondi sisters. Entranced by Nomuzi's beauty, they shared a passionate night. However, duty called him back to Ghana, where his father awaited his return. Though married, Kofi never forgot Nomuzi.
Years passed, with Kofi frequently visiting South Africa, yet lacking the courage to search for Nomuzi. He assumed she'd left the village, marrying a wealthy politician.
Suddenly, chaos erupts as four bullets strike Kofi's body. His bodyguards retaliate, firing in the direction of the assailant. Onezwa's aunt seeks cover.
Instead of seeking safety, Onezwa instinctively rushes toward Kofi, now on his knees, clutching his chest. She envelops him in her arms, shielding him from further harm.
As Onezwa shields Kofi, gunfire intensifies. Bullets whiz past, thickening the air with tension.
"Onezwa, get away from that pig!" Mcedisi yells, rushing toward them.
Nkanyezi stops shooting, and Kofi's bodyguards follow suit.
Onezwa holds Kofi tight, concern etched on her face.
Kofi's gaze locks onto hers, filled with regret.
"I never knew...," he begins, strained.
Kofi's body jerks, and he coughs up blood.
"No!" She screams, holding him closer.
Mcedisi reaches them, confused by Onezwa's actions.
"Please, he's my father," she says, voice shaking.
Mcedisi's expression softens, surrendering to Onezwa's pain.
"Get him to the car!" Mcedisi orders.
As they move Kofi, Onezwa's aunt rises from her hiding spot.
Inside the car, Mcedisi speeds away.
Onezwa cradles Kofi's head.
"Stay with me," she pleads.
Kofi's eyes flutter open.
"My daughter...," he whispers.
"I'm here," she replies.
A faint smile crosses Kofi's lips before his eyes close.
Mcedisi accelerates toward the hospital.
"Hold on, Kofi!" She begs, tears streaming.
Nkanyezi and Mcedisi exchange knowing glances; Kofi's dying.
Kofi's chest rises and falls shallowly.
"Stay with me, please," she repeats.
Kofi's eyes flicker open.
"Nomuzi...," he whispers.
Her grip tightens.
"I'm here, Father," she says.
A faint smile appears.
"My child...," Kofi begins.
Suddenly, his body convulses.
"No!" She screams.
Kofi draws his last breath in Onezwa's arms.
A month later...