Chapter Thirty Three

STRING OF PEARLS

THIRTY THREE

THREE YEARS LATER....

NARRATED

MaSibiya sits on the couch, staring at the photo album in her hands. She can't believe it's been three years since she left the Mthethwa homestead. Three years since she started a new chapter in her life. She planned to stay clear of Tiro but a couple of months after her new found freedom, he persuid her relentlessly ultimately winning her heart and married her on the spot before moving her to Botswana. Mcedisi and Tiro reached an agreement that he won't harm Tiro's little brother, provided he stays clear of his wife and that was the end of it.

She thinks about Tiro, and how he has become such a big part of her life. She thinks about his daughter, and how she has grown to love her like her own. She thinks about the life they are building together, and how happy they are.

MaSibiya smiles, feeling grateful for the way her life is turning out. She took a chance on herself, and it's paying off in ways she never thought possible.

Just then, Tiro walks into the room, a smile on his face. "Hey, my love," he says, sitting down beside her. "What's got you looking so happy?"

MaSibiya holds up the photo album. "Just looking at old pictures," she says. "I'm thinking about how far we've come."

Tiro nods, putting his arm around her. "We've come a long way, baby," he says. "And I'm grateful for every step of the way."

MaSibiya leans into him, feeling happy and content. She knows she made the right decision in leaving the Mthethwa homestead. She's finding a new sense of purpose and happiness with Tiro, and she's grateful for every moment they spend together.

Arabang comes running in, wearing a Princess Sofia dress and white block heels. "I'm ready, mama," she says with a smile. MaSibiya can't help but beam with pride.

"I'll drop you two off," Tiro says. MaSibiya rolls her eyes.

"For once, could you please just join us?" Tiro chuckles.

"I thought we spoke about this. I don't want to be the center of attention. The preacher will now focus on me and try to win me over rather than focus on the broken souls in church," he says.

"Daddy, please," Arabang pleads, and Tiro gives in.

"I'll go change," he says, and his two favorite girls giggle happily.

At church...

"We would like to welcome Mr. Tiro Ramokala and his family for gracing us with their presence. I'm sure the angels in heaven are celebrating. Today's word comes from the book of John. Nicodemus was..."

Tiro leans in and whispers to his wife, "What did I tell you?"

MaSibiya can't help but giggle before looking straight ahead, holding back a laugh.

The preacher continues to speak, but Tiro's whisper has set MaSibiya off. She's trying her best to not to laugh, but it's proving to be a difficult task. Arabang, sensing her mother's amusement, looks up at her with a curious expression.

Tiro, noticing MaSibiya's struggle to contain her laughter, can't help but smile. He leans in closer to her, his voice barely audible. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he whispers.

MaSibiya's eyes widen, and she nods slightly, still trying to maintain a straight face. The preacher, oblivious to the exchange between Tiro and MaSibiya, continues to preach.

Just then, Arabang stands up, her voice ringing out across the church. "Daddy, why is Mama laughing?" she asks, her eyes shining with curiosity.

The church falls silent, with all eyes on Tiro and MaSibiya. Tiro clears his throat, trying to come up with a suitable response. MaSibiya, still trying to contain her laughter, looks like she's about to burst.

ONEZWA

I'm a mother to a 2-year-5-month-old boy named Mpendulo. The past three years have been great, but things took a turn for the worse about two months ago. Mcedisi started coming home late, drunk, and sometimes he wouldn't even bother coming home.

After our traditional wedding, we bought a house in the city and went on with our lives. Even when we heard about MaSibiya getting married just three months after the divorce, Mcedisi was still okay. God blessed us with Mpendulo, who is his exact photocopy, and everything was perfect... but that changed.

"Saobona sisi," I greet our helper, sis Polina.

"Saibona madam," she greets with her usual warm smile. I've told her multiple times to call me Onezwa or Mrs. Mthethwa, but she's happy with calling me madam.

"I'll be home a little late. Please take out the ground beef in the freezer and bathe Mpendulo for me when he gets back from daycare," I say, and she nods.

I try to walk past her, but she clears her throat before scratching her head. "Is there anything else?"

She heaves a sigh. "Madam, I know if you are aware, but my salary is one week late. My rent is due, and I haven't paid my daughter's school fees," she says, playing with her fingers.

"I don't understand. You are saying you haven't been paid?" She nods, and I take out my laptop from my bag and process her payment immediately, adding a couple of thousand extra for the inconvenience.

"I'm so sorry, sis Polina. My husband is the one who usually takes care of your salary; he must have forgotten to pay you. From now on, I'll handle it so that we don't find ourselves here again," I say, embarrassed, and she nods with a smile.

"Thank you so much," she says, and I nod.

Heading to my car, my phone rings, and I open the door to my car, throwing everything in before getting in and taking my phone out to answer it.

"Hello."

"Good morning, is this Mrs. Mthethwa?"

"Yes."

"It's Falicia from Soaring Eagles Daycare. I'm calling regarding the unpaid fees for your son, Mpendulo Mthethwa."

I shut my eyes for a moment.

"Mrs. Mthethwa, are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here. Please send me your account details, and I'll do an EFT payment right now," I say, mortified. What the hell is wrong with Mcedisi?

"Okay, Mrs. Mthethwa," she says before hanging up, and a few seconds later, my phone beeps with the account details. I quickly make the payment, and I drive out with a million questions and a heavy heart.

The plan was to go to my store, but I decided to confront my husband. I walk into the coffee shop and greet his staff. I know he's here because I saw his car parked in his private parking spot. I knock a couple of times, and what do I know? He's drinking.

"Hi," I greet, and he looks at me blankly. I swallow the lump stuck in my throat.

"I'm busy. Shouldn't you be at your store?" he says, drinking whiskey from the bottle. It's around 9 am, and he's already drinking like a fish.

"Sis Polina didn't get paid, and Mpendulo's school called complaining about not receiving payment," I say.

"It slipped my mind. I'll get to it," he says nonchalantly.

"I already paid. Are we having some kind of money problems?" The look he gives me makes me regret even asking him.

"I said it slipped my mind. Ma ka Mpendulo, is that all? Because I'm busy," he says, and I'm tempted to call my eyes. He's busy doing what? Drinking?

I try to stay calm, but I'm getting angry. "What's going on, Mcedisi?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're always drinking, never home, and now you're not paying the bills. What's happening?"

He looks at me with bloodshot eyes. "Nothing's wrong, Onezwa," he says, slurring his words. "I...just need to relax."

"Relax?" I repeat, getting angrier. "You're not relaxing, Mcedisi. You're drinking too much. What about us? What about Mpendulo? Don't we deserve better?"

He looks at me, his face expressionless. For a moment, I see a glimmer of the man I married. But then his face hardens, and he looks away.

"I'm fine, Onezwa," he growls. "Just leave me alone."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I take a deep breath and try to calm down.

"Fine," I say, my voice cold. "I'll leave you alone. But know this, Mcedisi: I won't keep living like this. I deserve better, and so does Mpendulo."

I turn and walk away, leaving him to his drinking.