Chapter Thirty Two

STRING OF PEARLS

THIRTY TWO

A week later....

ONEZWA

Lihle bursts into the bedroom, smiling. "Everything went well, Mrs. Mthethwa," she says, and relief washes over me. It's been a stressful day, with abakhongi bam arriving late and my aunt's poor health. I thought we had to postpone, but Lihle was having none of it. She stepped up and steered the whole negotiations. Truly, being a Khumalo comes with some level of maturity.

"Thank you for everything," I say, engulfing her in a warm hug. "We might be married women now, but we are truly the next generation of the Zondi women, and we must do better than our mothers did. My mother hated her own blood sister for a man, and look at where it got her. She's sick and alone. I want us to do better," she says, and I smile.

"I would like that very much," I say. "Go dish up for your in-laws," she says before walking out. I take a deep breath before heading out.

I find Mcedisi outside with Nkanyezi and their friends. He smiles at me, and I cast my eyes to the ground, feeling shy. "Makoti," Nkanyezi says, smiling, and I giggle. "Finally, he has his Onezwa. I won't say welcome to the family because you've always been part of us," Nkanyezi continues before pulling me into a hug.

My husband takes my hand, and we walk outside to his car. He leans against the car before pulling me closer to him, laying my head on his chest. "We did it," he says. "We did it," I say, and he holds me tightly.

"I promise to be a good husband," he says, and I nod against his chest. "You didn't tell your family about the pregnancy," I nod. "It's the first trimester; I don't want anything to go wrong," I say.

"Uhm... where is MaSibiya?" I ask, and he heaves a sigh. "I'm sorry for bringing her up when I'm the one who said I don't want us to mention her name, but as your wife now, I need to know how to handle things since I'll be going back home with you."

"It's okay, I understand. She's back home. There will be a meeting in a couple of days. I think she wants to leave me," he says, and I look up.

"Why?" I ask. "I think she wants to be with Tiro," he says, and I detect a hint of sadness in his voice. "I'm sorry," I say, and he smiles.

"I failed her, Onezwa. I really did, and worst of all, I took away something so precious to her. My happiness and my family's safety cost her a lot. All the rituals, all the things she had to do. If it was anyone else, she would have left a long time ago, which is why I won't stand in her way. If it's love between her and Tiro, then she deserves it. I failed loving her. I just pray I never fail you too," he says.

I decide to keep quiet because I don't know what to say. If indeed MaSibiya wants to leave, I hope I don't compete with her shadow in my marriage.

Later in the evening, when the Mthethwas and some of our relatives have left, I make my way to my aunt's bedroom. She has lost so much weight; she looks like a shadow of her former self.

"Ma," I shake her, and she's lying in bed, facing the ceiling. She turns to look at me and scoffs. "Are you still here?" she asks, getting up.

"Yes, but I'm leaving first thing in the morning," I say.

"Good," she says before letting out a nasty cough. She signals me to give her a tissue on the nightstand, and she spits out blood.

"I think you should go to the hospital. I don't mind getting you the best treatment money can buy," I say.

She shakes her head vigorously. "Ever so righteous, like your mother. I don't want any medical care. I want to die here in my house," she says, and I nod.

"Did your cousin tell you how much she disappointed me? She didn't pass her matric; she was lying all along. Then she went and married that fat shoe repair boy," she says, shaking her head.

"When I die, I want everyone to know that I died of sheer disappointment," she says. Okay, that's my cue.

MCEDISI

Just as I suspected, MaSibiya called both our families to announce that she's leaving me. My mom is heartbroken, and her mother is lost for words.

"What do you think is going to happen? You're going to return home and fight for bread with your nieces and nephews? Why do you want to bring shame to the Sibiya name?" her mother says. I've been quiet the entire time.

"My child, you have been part of my family for years now. I don't see you as my daughter-in-law, but I see you as my daughter. Please reconsider your decision. I'm sorry my son took another wife, leading to your decision to leave. I was under the impression that you agreed," my mother says, wiping her tears.

"You have been a pillar of strength in this family. Losing you would be like losing another child. I already lost Qhawe," she continues, now breaking into tears.

"Son, this is your wife. Talk to her, plead with her. Apologize where you've wronged her. Your mother can't cry like this," my uncle says, and I clear my throat.

"MaSibiya, you have been nothing but a good wife. The relationship you have with my mother still leaves me in awe. You have helped raise my brothers, and you have been there through it all. You have seen me at my worst, and you still held my hand. Sometimes when you have someone who is always by your side, no matter what, you tend to take them for granted, thinking they'll always be there. I took you for granted and hurt you in ways I cannot even begin to atone for. I want to beg you to stay, but it would truly be selfish of me because I know I don't deserve you," I say, and my mom and uncle shoot a look at me.

"I set you free. Go out there and find what makes you happy. I..." My mother interrupts.

"Mcedisi!" she shouts, and I shake my head.

"Ma, I know it's hard, but she's not happy. I didn't love her like she deserves to be loved, and for that, I'm sorry," I say, and everyone sighs, defeated.

"Thank you," MaSibiya says, and I nod, getting up before bringing forth my hand.

"Can we talk in private?" She nods with a faint smile.

"Thank you, my elders, for everything," she says, getting up, and we walk into our hut hand in hand.

"How do you feel?" I ask as soon as we are settled in the lounge.

"My heart is still beating fast. I didn't think I could face my mom; I know I broke her heart. Going forth, I'm going to eat her insults every day," she says, slightly chuckling.

"I thought you were moving to Botswana," she gasps before frowning.

"Why would you think that?" I shrug, and she sighs.

"I need to stand on my own first before I can pursue any form of relationship. I won't lie; Tiro woke up in me a desire to be loved," she says while playing with her fingers.

"I see," I say, and we fall into silence.

"I will deposit enough money into your account to buy yourself a house and a car. I also have shares I bought for you in different companies. You don't have to fight anyone for bread," I say, and she breaks into a beautiful smile.

"I might have been a shitty husband, but financially, I made sure you never lacked anything, even if I were to die," I say.

"Thank you so much. Thank you for not making this difficult, although a little bit of resistance would have stroked my ego," she says, and I chuckle, pulling her into my arms and kissing her forehead.

"If eventually you end up with that softy and he doesn't treat you right, just know that my door is open," I say, and she nods against my chest..

NARRATED

Onezwa is welcomed into the Mthethwa homestead with traditional festivities, despite the somber atmosphere. MaSibiya is also present to welcome her, although she is all packed and ready to leave.

"Hi," Onezwa greets MaSibiya as she walks into the kitchen, finding her leaning against the counter, drinking water.

"Hi," MaSibiya greets back, and the two women fall into awkward silence.

"I'm sorry," Onezwa says, not knowing what to say.

"Don't fret for me, Mrs. Mthethwa," MaSibiya says with a smile. "I'm actually a free woman now. I don't need to worry about watching over a grown man, making sure his clothes are washed and ironed, his food is ready, or if he likes it sideways or backwards. I don't have to worry about his family being taken care of. For the first time in almost 10 years, I'm going to wake up after 8 am. I don't have to worry about making porridge and tea every morning."

MaSibiya's smile grows wider, and Onezwa nods, unsure of how to respond.

Carolina enters the kitchen, seeing the two women awkwardly standing there, and she bursts out laughing.

"Are you two exchanging recipes?" she says, bending to take out the bottle of wine she hid earlier. Her high-pitched voice and unfiltered jovial mood make it clear that she's been drinking.

"Here," she says, handing Onezwa a mug filled with wine.

"I'm okay, thanks," Onezwa politely declines.

"Yoh, bhuti Mcedisi likes them uptight," Carolina says, giggling. "Let me love and leave you. You can go back to doing the handover."

MaSibiya shakes her head, chuckling.

"Uhm... how do you know Tiro?" MaSibiya asks.

"I dated his little brother for almost a year," Onezwa replies. "I don't know much about him, except that he loves his daughter and his siblings; he's like their father."

MaSibiya chuckles.

"I always fall for the firstborn sons with a huge responsibility on their shoulders," she says, and Onezwa awkwardly smiles.

Later, MaSibiya looks around the Mthethwa yard one final time before getting into the car. She looks straight ahead, hoping that Thulani can stop talking with Nkanyezi and get into the car before she changes her mind. This place has been home to her for years, and it's hard to let go, even though she's the one who initiated the change. In fact, it hurts just as much as it did losing her child, or more.

As the car pulls away, MaSibiya feels a mix of emotions: sadness, relief, and uncertainty. She looks out the window, watching as the Mthethwa homestead disappears from view.

As they drive, the silence between Thulani and her is comfortable. MaSibiya's mind wanders to Tiro, and she can't help but feel a spark of excitement. She wonders what the future holds for her, and if she'll find happiness with him. She feels a sense of freedom that she hasn't felt in years. She's not sure what the future holds, but she's excited to find out.

THREE YEARS LATER....