Chapter Twelve

_STRING OF PEARLS: TWELVE_

_MCEDISI_

I know our childlessness is my doing, but welcoming a snake in our marriage is not the solution.

"Can I think about it?" I direct to my wife, and she nods vigorously.

"I'm famished, what did you cook?" I ask, and she heaves a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Sthandwa sam, I was so engrossed in Khosi's visit that I forgot to prepare something, but I'm sure mama made something," she says, guilt-stricken.

I nod, heading for the main house, but I stop and turn. "Khosi, don't go yet, I'll drive you back home," I say.

She nods.

Indeed, my mother cooked. After she dishes up for me, I ate in silence, thinking of ways to tackle this predicament I find myself in.

"What are you up to?" I ask Khosi, we are in the car now, and I'm driving her back to her place.

"Nothing, I'm just helping out my dear cousin," she says with a smirk.

"You are going to stop this nonsense at once. How does your mind work?" I say through gritted teeth, and she laughs.

"My mind works just fine. You heard your wife; she wants to be ma ka Enzo, and I have the womb to make it happen. Although, she's delusional if she thinks she can keep you all to herself. I also want a piece of you, not that I haven't tasted you, but I also want the title, Mrs. Mthethwa," she says, biting her lower lip.

I chuckle. "You missed a turn," she says when I don't turn onto her street.

"A little detour," I say, looking straight ahead.

"I'm on my periods," she says, and I frown.

"Ngiyadlala, you should have seen your face," she says, bursting into laughter.

I choose to ignore her and drive deep into the fields.

"Where are you taking me?" She asks, trying not to sound scared, but her shaky voice gives her away.

We finally reach a secluded place. The place is so hidden that she can scream all she wants, and no one will hear her.

I kill the engine and climb out of the car. I go around her side and open the door before taking her out forcefully, and she lets out a scream.

"Shut up!" I roar, and she covers her mouth with her hand, muffling her cries.

"Look, I fucked you what, three times? And now you are so comfortable to a point where you come to my matrimonial home and prey on my wife's desperation? I didn't know she was related to you, but now that we know, did you think you can blackmail me into whatever that tiny brain of yours is thinking?" I say, shouting.

"Give me one good reason why shouldn't I kill you, right here and right now," her eyes pop, and she brings her hands together begging.

"Please, I'm sorry."

"I asked you a damn question!" I snap.

"Because I have so much to live for. I have a daughter back in Mpumalanga, and she has no one except me," she says, getting on her knees.

"Get in," I say, opening the door, and she reluctantly gets in.

"I'll spare your life under one condition," I say, getting into the car.

"I'll do anything," she says.

"Go back to Mpumalanga and never ever talk to my wife again, or so help me God, I will bury you alive," I say.

She nods before I drive her back to the hole she crawled out of.

NKANYEZI

She hangs up the phone, exhaling a sigh of relief. "And?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

She leaps onto the bed, bouncing with excitement. "I have an uncle in Joburg, in Dipsloot! He's my mother's older brother, and he's willing to negotiate my Lobola with my other uncles!" she squeals.

I can't help but smile at her infectious energy.

"Thank you," I say, helping her off the bed. "You didn't have to go through all this, but you did it for me."

Her smile radiates warmth. "I guess all roads lead to Joburg now," I say, and she nods, beaming.

Later, I arrive home to find my mother watching TV, a hint of sadness etched on her face.

"My favorite woman in the world," I greet, sitting beside her. She smiles faintly.

"What's wrong, Ma?" I ask, noticing her melancholy.

"I'm lonely," she confesses, her voice trembling. "MaSibiya's always in her hut, and Onezwa left without looking back. Maybe I should join your father... there's nothing left for me here."

I wrap my arms around her. "Ma, never talk about dying. You still need to spoil my kids rotten!"

She laughs, her eyes sparkling. "You need to find a wife to mother those kids."

I nod. "That's why I'm here. I'm marrying that skinny woman you always tease me about."

She surprises me with a warm hug, then leaps up, ululating.

"Oh, sadla thina omthethwa, onyambose!" she exclaims, dancing.

"Thank you, my son. At least now the Mthethwa surname will grow," she says, genuine happiness radiating from her.

MaSibiya walks in, curiosity on her face. "What's all this commotion about?"

"Saobona bhuti," she greets, and I respond.

"I'm getting married," I announce.

MaSibiya joins in the celebration, ululating and reciting the Mthethwa clan names.

"I'm happy for you, Bhuti," she says, her smile sincere.

A few days later....

_ONEZWA_

Have you ever felt like you're just existing, not truly living? Like your body's going through the motions, but inside, you're empty, lost, and alone? That's me right now.

I feel like I'm wandering without purpose. I'm filthy rich, but I have no one to share my tomorrow with. I lost Phil, just as suddenly as I lost my father.

As I drag myself into the office, I'm met with Amber's angry gaze.

"I hope the dick you blew me off for was worth it," she says, arms crossed.

I force a faint smile. "Good morning to you too."

I'm not in the mood for her drama. On my way to my office, I decide to pass by Phil's. I want to buy a house, and I plan to give him the business, just as he entrusted me with his.

I knock, then push open the door. "Phil, I—"

But I freeze. Phil jumps up, naked, with his manhood erect, and a white woman sits up, equally naked. Mortified, I quickly close the door and rush to my office.

Minutes later, Phil enters, guilt etched on his face.

"I'm so sorry. I should have knocked... or locked the door... or not done that in the office," he chuckles.

"It's fine," I say, but we fall into awkward silence.

"Did you need something?" Phil asks.

I nod. "Actually, I'm leaving."

"Leaving? I thought everything was sorted," Phil says, surprised.

"Everything is sorted. I just... need to leave. I'm resigning, effective immediately."

Phil looks confused. "Onezwa, what's going on?"

"It's not that deep, Phil. Thank you for the opportunity, but there's nothing left for me here. I'm not happy."

As I pack my things, Phil asks, "Is this about what you walked in on?"

"Yes, no... I mean, I just need to find myself. It's not about you; I'm happy for you."

Now, sitting in my car, I wonder what I've just done. What possessed me to make such a drastic decision?