Chapter:12

Manzini

On my way when I was running
I didn't know Xola was after me with his car
He caught me and held me hostage
He raped me so many times and threatened me with his gun to agree with his demands
I didn't want to agree but my body couldn't take it anymore so I agreed
He threatened to kill Bongani, if I don't agree to marry him
I don't want Bongani to die because of me
I still want to see his gap teeth
And his curved smile
I don't want him to die for my selfish reasons
Xola:Manzini today we are going to the pastor today to give us marriage counselling
Manzini:Do I really have to be there malume?
Xola:Hawuu of course for the sake of our marriage
I nodded
Xola:Go dress up
I did as he instructed
We arrived at church
Why is he not letting my hand go
Does he think I will run away?
But given chance I will run away from his evil spirit
This man tormented me my whole life and it looks like he will torment me until I die
Pastor:Brother Xola I welcome you
Xola:Siyabonga mfundisi
Pastor:Is this your daughter Mbali?she's so grown up
He laughed awarkedley because this is pure embarrassment
Xola:Cha mfundisi this is my wife I was telling you about
Pastor:Hawuu such a young wife?isn't she supposed to be at school?
Pastor is asking all the right questions
Xola:You see mfundisi she is old enough to be my wife that's all we need to know and you know I'm the man of the law, I won't exploit the underage girl
But you have been exploiting me since I was 5 years old
Pastor:May you sit down
We sat
Pastor:What is your name sister?
I just stared at this pastor without responding
Xola:Pastor uya'khuluma wife
Manzini:Ma...Manzini
Pastor:Wow beautiful name indeed,Manzini as in water?
I nodded
Pastor:Is there any story behind your name sister Manzini?
Manzini:Cha is just a name pastor
Xola:Her mother is the one who gave her that name
Pastor:So where is she?are you related to her mother?
He answered immediately
Xola:Cha,cha mfundisi I just heard from someone
Pastor nodded
Pastor:Brother Xola do you mind if I speak to Manzini alone?
Xola:Hawuu kanjani?aren't we here for you to counsell us on marriage?
Pastor:Just one and one session,I will also do it with you
He nodded
Xola:Let me just talk with my wife for few minutes
Every time he utter I'm his wife I feel nauseous
He came close to me so I can smell all his stinking smoking breath
Xola:If you dare say one wrong thing to this pastor, I will blow your brains and end with your boyfriend Bongani so be a sweet girl you are
He left us alone
Pastor:How old are you?
Manzini:18
Pastor:You are still so young,why do you want to get married in your young age?don't you have dreams to fulfill than being someone's wife?
I have dreams pastor lots of dreams
And I want to be free because I'm held in a cage since I was 5 years old
I didn't respond him
Pastor:You know your peers out there trying to find themselves but wena ufuna kuba mfazi that is wrong my child
Manzini:This is...this is what I want
Pastor:I can see fear in your eyes,I can see a child crying for a help so my child I'm here to help you,I'm here to save you from all your sufferings
I just poured my tears
It was starting to rain
He gave me tissue
Pastor:So are you willing to accept my help?
Manzini:This is tears of joy because I'm getting married to the man who I love and who will take care of me
I can't afford to put my life and life of Bongani's in danger
Pastor:If you ever need me here is my number
He gave me his business card
Few days has passed
I can't believe soon I will be married to my uncle
How can he do this to his sister's child
All of this feels like punishment to me
I didn't want to cry but this is all hurting
I'm wiping my tears so fast so nobody can notice I'm crying
Manzini:Mama I don't know what I did to you but it seems like you resent me because you left me and you never looked back,maybe I'm the bad reminder to you that's why you given me up so easily
Mbali:Haai wena ukhuluma wedwa?uyahlanya
I wont respond to that
Mbali:Hee tell me here since you gonna be baba's wife should I call you mama or mzala?
She laughed so bad
She is laughing at my misery
This is a joke to her
My sufferings makes her happy
I just went to my room
Because this is fun to her
God I didn't realise it was this late
I just woken up now and it is dark outside
Zodwa will bite my head off
I didn't cook
I find them eating in kitchen
I'm sure they didn't dish up for me
Zodwa:Manzini sisi your food is on microwave
What!!?
I'm I dreaming or what?
Manzini:Aunty?
Zodwa:Go take your food on microwave and come to sit with us
No Jesus is coming back
Xola:You see Manzini my wife we going to start treat you as one of us
Zodwa:I agree myeni wami
Okay this was unexpected
People on this house are very weird this days
They are acting nice and I know it's all pretendice
I hear knock in my window outside
Why is Xola knocking in my window
He is used to do what he wants with me
And I know his wife does know what he does to me, but she pretended like she doesn't see anything
Knock is persisting
I went to check
Manzini:Bongani?
Bongani:Can you come out?
Manzini:Uyahlanya Bongani they will hear when I unlock
Bongani:Come out here because I'm not going without seeing you
Manzini:Please go we will talk in the morning
Bongani:Ngithe angi'hambe Manzini it's either you come out or ngizo memeza and wake them up
Manzini:Okay fine
He helped me to come out of the window
Manzini:Ufunani Bongani?
Bongani:Ngi'funa intliziyo yakho Manzini
What!!
Is this man hearing himself
Gosh he's drunk
Manzini:Are you drunk or high on something Bongani?
Bongani:Yebo I'm drunk and high in love with you
Oh my God
I put my hands in my head
Bongani:I want you to be my woman Manzini, I always loved you since I laid my eyes into you, I was scared to tell you because you were just 16 years but now I'm here to tell you I love you and I need you in my life
Manzini:Bongani are you hearing yourself?
Bongani:Yes and I want you
Manzini:No this is absolutely wrong okay and you know I'm your father's wife
Bongani:He is not my bloody father okay
Manzini:You are his wife son and tenichally you are his son that means I'm your cousin
Bongani:Stop mentioning people because they don't matter to me
He got hold of my hand
And he kiss my hand
Bongani:Manzini wami please be my woman
My knees are being weak
He got hold of my hips
And stared at me
Bongani:Don't marry that man please
Manzini:I have to
Bongani:Why?don't you feel anything for me?even ounce love for me?
Manzini:What I feel does not matter because we will never be together