Chapter Twenty Four

STRING OF PEARLS

TWENTY-FOUR

MCEDISI

We've been frozen in the same position since I revealed the truth about sacrificing my wife's womb. Saying it out loud made me realize how monstrous I am. No woman would ever love or trust a man who would do such a despicable thing, no matter the circumstances.

I slowly get up and walk out of the hotel room without uttering another word. If I thought I stood a chance, that chance vanished the moment I told her the truth.

I drive back home with a heavy heart. The hope and joy I had when I went to Onezwa just flew out the window.

As I park in the yard, my phone rings, and I don't recognize the number, but I decide to answer anyway.

"Yes?" I answer.

"Mcedisi Mthethwa, we don't know each other, but I believe we need to talk," the voice says.

"Okay," I reply nonchalantly.

"My name is Tiro Ramokala," he says, and I chuckle.

"Fighting your brother's battles, I see," I say.

He goes quiet before clearing his throat.

"I'm a businessman like yourself, Mr. Mthethwa," he says.

"Indulge me," I say, having no interest in preserving his cowardly brother's life, but it doesn't hurt to hear him out.

"I can make you a very rich man," he says, and I chuckle.

"That little shit you call your brother almost killed my brother and me. He succeeded in killing six taxi drivers who had families to feed," I say, and Tiro sighs.

"20 million pula," he says, and I laugh.

"That's not worth the trouble he caused."

"Mr. Mthethwa, that's a lot of money, and you did steal eggs from the man's basket," he says.

"Fuck off. Is that why he abused her? I could have forgiven the attempt on my life. In the business I'm in, it's not something new that we fight with bullets in the morning and share a bottle of Hennessy in the evening. What I cannot forgive is him putting his filthy hands on the woman who owns my heart," I say before hanging up the phone.

Rich people think money can solve everything. Troy is going to feel my wrath.

The next day...

Last night, when I came in, MaSibiya was fast asleep, and this morning, when I woke up, she was not in bed. Things are very tense between us. I might as well put her out of her misery because it clearly doesn't look like there's going to be a marriage between Onezwa and me.

After taking a bath, I walk into the main house and am surprised to find Nkanyezi and his family joining us for breakfast.

"Good morning," I greet with a frown, and everyone mumbles a greeting.

"My son, your wife here tells us that you want to take a second wife," my mother begins, getting straight to the point. Honestly, I didn't expect MaSibiya to talk about this so soon.

"Yes," I reply after clearing my throat.

"Good, because your wife here has given her full consent. I am happy that you are becoming the man that I've always believed you to be. I will not touch on what transpired a week ago. I believe that this is a beginning of a new era in the Mthethwa family, and that you will be fair and just to both women, right?" my mother says, and I nod.

"I need to get a hold of your uncles. Hei, Muzi yena will want to lead abakhongi and bully everyone," my mother says, smiling. The happiness on her face cannot be missed. She's excited, probably because she adores Onezwa.

I dart my eyes to MaSibiya, and she nods, smiling faintly. I know this must be tearing her apart.

CAROLINA

My husband and I were summoned home by my mother-in-law. I was beyond shocked when I learned the reason why. MaSibiya had agreed to her husband taking a second wife. I couldn't believe it. That could never be me. I'd rather walk away with my dignity intact than watch my husband love another woman.

I swear, there must be something wrong with women who accept such nonsense. We ate breakfast quietly until we were all done. The brothers stepped out while MaSibiya and I got started on the dishes.

"I'm sorry," I say, and she smiles faintly.

"Don't be," she says, and I squint my eyes.

"Okay, out with it. What do you plan on doing to your sister wife? You can't be this calm about it. Tell me so that I can back you up," I say, and she bursts into laughter.

"You're crazy. I'm not planning anything; I'm just finally accepting the inevitable," she says, and I frown.

"And please, I'm going to need you to be nice to Onezwa. She didn't do anything to you," she says, and I just stare at her, lost for words.

"MaSibiya is right. Onezwa is a nice woman, and I believe she will build upon what Mcedisi and MaSibiya have already accomplished," my mother-in-law says, and I shrug.

"I know I would never knowingly share my husband," I say.

"Oh, so you would rather unknowingly share him?" my mother-in-law fires back, and I chuckle.

"Yes, but the moment I find out, I'm out the door. I know my worth," I say with attitude.

Honestly, I like Ma Mthethwa, but her backward thinking is rubbing me the wrong way. That's the problem with the old generation; they allowed nonsense in their marriages and want us to do the same.

"Oh, and I don't know my worth because I choose to stay?" MaSibiya asks, and I heave a sigh.

"I just think you shouldn't compromise when it comes to sharing your husband. There are three things a woman can never share; makeup, underwear and a man," I say, and the three of us fall into awkward silence.

"One thing I will not tolerate is you looking down on what other people choose to run their lives. It's okay to have a different opinion, but don't mock me because I choose to follow what I strongly believe in," MaSibiya says.

"But isn't that what you did the first time you saw me? Judge me because I'm young and different?" I say, and she smiles.

"And Onezwa was the one who made me see that I was wrong," she says, and I shrug.

"Angina mona, MaSibiya, but this will blow up in your face. Mark my words."

NARRATED

"And?" Troy asks his brother Tiro, who chuckles. Last night, he said he would negotiate with Mcedisi on his behalf. He never got back to him. Troy is hiding at one of Tiro's apartments in Gaborone.

"Tell me, why did you separate from your woman? Everything was set. You two could have made it here together," Tiro questions, boring his eyes into his little brother.

"I just thought it would be safer..." Troy trails off.

"Bullshit! You knew if he got her, he would immediately stop the manhunt and concentrate on her. You used her, and worst of all, you abused her physically," Tiro fires back.

"It happened only once. One time when he let that bastard into my house," Troy defends.

"I hate abusers. You are fast turning into our father. Let that woman be. I'm still working on handling Mcedisi Mthethwa. I'm heading to Joburg tomorrow. I'll also check in on your businesses," Tiro says before walking out, leaving Troy with a clenched jaw.

Mcedisi couldn't bring himself to tell his over-the-moon mother that Onezwa might not marry him. He decided to drive to the rank and clear his mind. He is now with a group of men talking about everything from the government to the Pakistani shops. The conversation is flowing, and they're devouring their national staple (inyama yenhloko).

Suddenly, one of the taxi owners, Mdlalosi, gets on his feet and does a Zulu dance while reciting a poem.

"Dudlu Ntombi, wena ogeza ngobisi, wena okhanya ukudlula ilanga nezi nkanyezi, yebo basho njalo abafana mese bakukhohlisa. Nawe nje ngesilima utshikizise isinqe zakho nje ngepeacock, umoyizele, ngaphakathi kuzwakale engathi yini nobabili emhlabeni. Abuye athi ukuthanda ukudlula umama wakhe, abuye athi wena wenza impilo yakhe ibengcono."

All the men turn to see who has their fellow men so enchanted. Onezwa walks towards them wearing a beautiful flowy floral dress and white Nike sneakers. Her thick, yellow legs look stunning in that dress, and her innocent, chubby face makes her look a lot younger. She has her eyes on Mcedisi until she can't stand his gaze and looks away.

"Owami lona Mdlalosi. (She's mine)" Mcedisi says, getting up and meeting her halfway before he engulfs her into a tight hug, causing the whole taxi rank to erupt in joyous celebration.