A HEART REPLACED - A HEART REPLACED, chapter Five

A HEART REPLACED, chapter Five

HEART REPLACED

Chapter five.

NARRATED

As they approach the hospital, Mkhuseli’s anxiety reaches a fever pitch. He can feel Londeka’s frail body slipping away, and he knows every second counts. Nonhlakanipho pulls up to the emergency entrance, and Mkhuseli bursts out of the car, carrying Londeka in his arms.

“Help! Please, someone help us!” he yells, rushing through the sliding glass doors.

The hospital staff springs into action, quickly assessing the situation. A team of doctors and nurses surrounds Londeka, working to stabilize her condition. Mkhuseli watches, feeling helpless and terrified, as they rush her away to the intensive care unit.

Nonhlakanipho approaches him, her eyes filled with concern. “Mkhuseli, I’m so sorry. I hope she’ll be okay.”

Mkhuseli nods, his voice shaking. “Thank you for getting us here, Nonhlakanipho. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

They wait for news about Londeka’s condition, Mkhuseli can’t help but think about how fragile life is. He’s consumed by worry and fear, but he knows he must stay strong for Londeka.

After what feels like an eternity, a doctor emerges from the ICU, a somber expression on his face.

“Mkhuseli, we’re doing everything we can for Londeka. But I have to be honest with you, her condition is critical. We need to prepare for the worst.”

“Please, doctor, do everything in your power to save my wife, I beg of you,” Mkhuseli pleads, his voice trembling with desperation.

“I understand, sir, but as I’ve already explained, we’re doing everything possible. However, we must face the reality that she’s in the final stages of cancer, and unfortunately, anything can happen,” the doctor replies before leaving Mkhuseli alone with his thoughts.

Mkhuseli shakes his head, his mind racing. “No, she can’t die! She has to live for me!” he mutters to himself, tears welling up in his eyes, but he forces them back. He collapses onto the bench, his hands clutching his head, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Nonhlakanipho stands beside him, unsure of how to comfort him or what to say to ease his pain. She looks at him with sympathy, feeling sorry for the anguish he’s enduring. She’s also in shock, having seen Londeka’s condition for the first time, and it’s a harsh reminder of the devastating effects of cancer she’s seen in videos. She silently prays for Londeka’s survival.

Khulekani arrives at the hospital with his pregnant wife, responding to Mkhuseli’s urgent text.

“Bafo,” he greets his brother, embracing him warmly. His gaze shifts to Nonhlakanipho, and he inquires, “Nonhlakanipho, right?” She nods, and he extends a greeting to her as well. His wife also offers a warm greeting to Mkhuseli and Nonhlakanipho.

“How is she?” Khulekani asks his brother, sitting beside him. Mkhuseli’s voice cracks as he responds, “I don’t know...the doctor said they’re doing their best.” Khulekani places a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Let’s hold on to hope, Bafo.”

After a two-hour wait, the doctor finally approaches them. Mkhuseli rises to his feet, his anxiety palpable. “How is my wife, doctor?”he asks, his voice laced with concern.

The doctor's expression is somber. “Mr. Mbatha, I'm afraid I have difficult news. Your wife's cancer is progressing rapidly, and that means only one thing...”

Mkhuseli's voice trembles as he presses for answers. “What? What does it mean, doctor?”

The doctor's words are gentle but devastating. “It means your wife's time is limited. She may have only a few months left to live, or...she could pass away at any moment.”

The weight of the doctor's words hangs in the air, a harsh reality that Mkhuseli struggles to accept.

“That’s…you can’t be serious, doctor?” Mkhuseli asks, his voice laced with disbelief, but the doctor’s solemn expression remains unchanged.

“I’m afraid I’m not joking, Mr. Mbatha. This is the harsh reality. I’m sorry,” the doctor says, his tone empathetic but firm. “I advise you to go home and return tomorrow.”

“No, I can’t leave my wife alone here. Please, can I see her? Can I stay by her side, just for tonight?” Mkhuseli begs the doctor.

“Unfortunately, that can’t happen, sir. You aren’t allowed to go inside the ICU room, and there’s no empty ward to use to sleep. You can only go home and come back in the morning,” the doctor says, and excuses himself.

“We’ll return tomorrow, Bafo, let’s head home,” Khulekani says, trying to console the devastated Mkhuseli.

The four of them depart the hospital, traveling in Khulekani’s car. Before they leave, Khulekani sends a text to arrange for someone to retrieve Mkhuseli’s car.

*********************

NONHLAKANIPHO’S POV

The drive was shrouded in silence, as if each person was trapped in their own thoughts. Mkhuseli, in particular, was consumed by devastation, numbness, and pain. This moment reminded me of when my mother fell ill; despite the doctors' assurances that she was fine, she was clearly suffering. My father and I felt helpless as she battled her mysterious illness for a month. Then, one day, she miraculously recovered, bursting with energy as she tackled household chores and prepared breakfast. We spent a joyful day together, laughing, singing, and reminiscing. But the next morning, my father's somber expression and red eyes foretold the devastating news: ”Your mother has left us.” I was confused, wondering if she had simply packed her bags and departed. But my father's gentle explanation shattered my denial: ”Nhlaka, your mother has passed away.” I refused to believe it, racing to her room, where I found her peaceful yet motionless form, her eyes closed, her chest still.

“Hey, everything will be alright,”a gentle voice whispers, as warm arms encircle me in a comforting embrace. I hadn't even noticed my tears flowing, but I let them fall until I compose myself. “Sorry for getting your clothes wet,” I say, wiping away my tears and pulling back.

“It's okay,” she replies with a kind smile.

I look around, I realize we're the only ones left in the car; the others must have departed while I was lost in my emotions. We both step out of the vehicle and head towards the house.

“Mkhuseli and his brother must be in the study, they’re not in the living room,” I think to myself. I turn to the pregnant woman, who radiates beauty and grace, and ask, “Shall I serve you some food?” She smiles, revealing her perfect white teeth, and replies, “Please, I’m starving.” I head to the kitchen to prepare plates for myself, her, and the two brothers upstairs. While I dish up, she introduces herself, “I’m Pearl.” I respond, “I’m Nonhlakanipho, nice to meet you,” and she nods in response. After serving Khulekani and Mkhuseli, I return to join Pearl and eat my meal alongside her.

“The food is delicious,” she says, and I smile, grateful for her compliment on the meal I prepared.

“Thank you,” I respond, and she adds, “You should teach me how to cook.” I ask, “Why? Can’t you cook?” She nods, but I think she’s joking; a beautiful woman like her must know her way around the kitchen.

“You’re lying,” I tease, and she insists, “I’m not! Ask Khulekani, he’ll tell you.” She seems almost proud of her culinary shortcomings, which puzzles me. How did she win Khulekani’s heart if she can’t cook? I’ve always heard that a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I suppose love knows no bounds. If Khulekani loves her for who she is, cooking skills aside, then that’s all that matters.

_______

I'm washing the dishes when Khulekani enters the kitchen with the empty plates. I'm surprised even Mkhuseli's plate is wiped clean,I didn't think he will eat considering Mkhuseli's current state.

”Kamnandi ukudla Koti”he says, placing the plates in the water, and I look at him perplexed. Does he think I'm Londeka? He must have made a mistake calling me Koti, or perhaps ukhona uMakoti ofana nami Kubo.

I simply nod and smile, continuing with the dishes. He remains standing there, his gaze fixed on me.

“Khona okufunayo?(Is there something you want?)”I ask him, and he responds, “Qha akukho, mina ngizibhekele njeh ubuhle balosisi.(There's nothing, I'm just admiring the beauty of this lady)”Is he referring to me? I glance behind me, thinking perhaps Pearl is standing there, but there's no one.

“Ngisho wena yeka ukuzibhekisa emuva,(I'm referring to you, stop looking back),”he says, and I chuckle, wondering what this man is up to. His wife is just in the living room, after all!I shake my head, focusing on the dishes, but I can feel his eyes still on me. What is going on? I wonder if he's trying to make a move on me, but that's impossible - he's married, and I'm not interested anyway. I quicken my pace, finishing the dishes and drying my hands. He is still looking at me with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable. I move past him, heading towards the living room to join Pearl. I walk away, I hear him say, “Ngizokuthola.(I will get you).”I don't know what that means, but it sounds like a promise - or a threat.

To be continued...