A HEART REPLACED chapter Seven
A HEART REPLACEDChapter seven
[Something short for you]
MKHUSELI’S POV
“She’s gone, and her belongings are no longer in her room,” Pearl says, returning from checking on Nonhlakanipho.
“Your wife is a thorn in the flesh, Bafo,” Khulekani says.
I head to the kitchen, grab a bottle of water, and think to myself, “I’m at a loss for words, but I hope she’s doing okay wherever she is. She was deeply hurt by Londeka’s words, and I didn’t approve of my wife’s behavior either. It’s clear they have a long-standing issue, but I only learned today that they don’t share a mother.
The doctor mentioned cognitive changes, but I don’t understand what that means, as he didn’t explain in detail. I hope tomorrow brings improvement and calmness.
“Ubani ozopheka manje namuhla?” Khulekani asks, irritated.
“Kanti Bafo awugananga?” I reply, knowing Pearl can’t cook and asking on purpose.
“My wife can’t cook, you know that,” he says. I shrug and say,
“Well, you have money; go eat out like you always do in your house; mina ngisuthi.” With that, I leave him and his wife and head to my room.
I hit the shower and then head to my study to keep myself busy with work.
***************
NONHLAKANIPHO’S POV
I’m still in my room unpacking my clothes. My parents have been knocking on my door, shouting for me to come out and talk, but I’ve got my airpods in, listening to music. I’ll come out when I’m done here. I decide to take a shower before leaving my room, put on warm clothes since the weather’s changing as the sun sets. I finally make my way to the kitchen, where I find Baba seated, and my mother dishing up food for him and herself – but I don’t see my plate on the table.
“You’ve finally decided to come out on your own time?” my father asks, as my mother takes her seat, and they pray before eating.
“Where’s my food, Mah?” I ask.
“Your food? Did you buy it yourself?” she asks, and I’m taken aback – I don’t know this side of MaMnguni, why is she being rude all of a sudden?
“Hawwu? Kanti?” I say.
“When I remember it’s supposed to be just me and your mother in this house, you’re not supposed to be here,” my father says.
“Kanti akulona ikhaya Lami leli baba?” I ask.
“Angali ilona, but we’ve sent you to your sister’s place to help her there; she’s sick,” he says.
“Her husband is there, baba; he is taking care of Londeka,” I say. “Mkhuseli is a businessman; he works and can’t do all of that alone. That’s why we took you there to help him with Londeka while he works,” he says.
“Did he ever come to you to ask for help? Because he said he doesn’t need anyone’s help; you both heard him during that meeting, but you still forced me to stay there,”
“He wouldn’t say he needs it because he is a man; he didn’t want to seem weak. Deep down, he needed help,” he says. I shake my head; I don’t understand why they keep forcing Mkhuseli to agree he needs help. To me, he doesn’t seem like someone who was trying not to look desperate; he meant it when he said he can take care of his wife.
“But I’ve already told you Londeka doesn’t want me near her; she hated me; you both know it. I don’t know why you act like you don’t know,”
“She doesn’t hate you; she was going to get used to you being there to help out,” -MaMnguni
“Really? So I was supposed to bear Londeka’s harsh shoulder until when? She was accusing me of wanting her man; she accused me of wanting to kill her; she went far to insult my mother, saying she was a witch,”
“You are lying; Londeka would never do that,” -MaMnguni ,of course, she’s her daughter.
“I’m not lying, Ma; I’m telling the truth. Londeka has always had a problem with me, and you know it. Why are you pretending like you don’t?” I ask.
“Because, my child, we wanted you to be there to help Londeka and Mkhuseli, and we thought you could assist,”- MaMnguni “But I’m not going back there; I’m not going to be insulted and disrespected like that. I deserve better,” I say firmly.
“It seems your only responsibility here is to care for Londeka, right? Well, asiphumeni lapho, you’re aware the Mbatha family is eager for grandchildren, correct?” Baba asks, angazi manje mina ngihlanganaphi naloku.
“I’m aware, so what?” I reply.
“So, you’ll be the one to assist your sister in giving her husband children since she’s unable to,” he states.
“That’s something I will never do, Baba; I’m sorry, but ngeke ngikwazi. I refuse to get pregnant for anyone,” I assert. “I wasn’t asking for your permission; I was instructing you, which means you have no say in the matter,” he says. Haibo, this is my body, and I have the right to decide whether or not I want to become pregnant. What does he mean by not asking but instructing me? He’s giving me orders, and I’m expected to obey? This is unacceptable; it’s absurd!
”Angeke ngikwazi Baba,” I say.
“Uyingane lana ekhaya Nonhlakanipho, uyihlo mekhuluma ekutshela into you have to obey not disobey,” he says, eating his meat – I wish he would choke on it. I can’t fathom why my father feels entitled to treat me like a mere object simply because I no longer have a mother. Am I expected to be his mindless puppet? As for MaMnguni, why is she enabling this behavior? Where has her love and support for me gone? Did she merely pretend to care for me all these years?
“Tomorrow, you’re returning to your sister’s place, and it’s not open for discussion,” my father says.
“I’m sorry, but angibuyeli lapha mina,” I say.
“Then, my child, start searching for employment and work to provide for yourself; I’m done supporting you,” he says.
”Why are you treating me like this, Baba? Anginayo mina yini impilo?” I ask in a shaky voice, fighting back tears.
“Of course you do, my child, but due to the circumstances, you must do what is best for both families since you are the only daughter who can assist us. It’s that simple, ngane Yami,” he says.
______
I’m not one to go hungry to bed, so I managed to sleep well, despite crying myself to sleep. Now that I’m awake, I think life is better when you’re asleep.
“Ingane Yami Baba!” I hear MaMnguni’s wailing, and I quickly get up, put on my gown, and head to the living room to see what’s going on. I find her crying uncontrollably, with my father trying to calm her down.
“Kwenzakalani baba?” I ask.
“Your sister is no more; we just received a call from the Mbatha family,” he says, and I stand frozen, trying to process what my father just said. But she seemed fine yesterday at the hospital, didn’t she? What happened? I know her cancer is deadly, but couldn’t God have let her suffer the ups and downs of the hospital as long as she’s alive?My mind suddenly thinks of Mkhuseli,what state is he in right now.
“This is all your doing,” MaMnguni accuses, advancing towards me, but Baba intervenes and holds her back.
“My doing? How can you say that?” I ask, my eyes wide with disbelief, nayi imihlola Yami.
“You should have been by her side, you never should have returned here,” she shouts, her voice filled with anger and grief.
To be continued...
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