CHAPTER XXXXII

                                    

                                          


Adapting to my new reality has not been easy. I had to adjust to how my brain worked while getting used to living in a new house. Bali finally found the perfect home for me in Beaulieu which is 20 minutes away from my family home. It is a beautiful 5 bedroom house with fountains at the entrance door, double volume ceilings flowing into the foyer, a pajama lounge and roll-down blinds. It actually as 3 lounges, dining and kitchen. There is also a Porte-Cochere driveway that allows for an extra car to be parked at the entrance of the home. It also features a swimming pool, a tennis court and a lush green garden with a borehole.  For once, I actually felt content with a house and I was happy. 


Which is why I decided to invite some friends and close family for a house warming. I was very shocked when I discovered who wanted me dead. Not necessarily shocked because I wouldn't put it past them, but Zuzile blamed me for her son's death. So she saw it fitting that I have to follow him to his grave. She had planned the murder with her daughter, Khwezi but mom only punished Zuzile by sending her to meet her maker. Mom is one tough bad ass woman. If I wasn't her daughter, I would actually be scared of her. 


Will told me about his meeting with my mother. He categorized it as a meeting instead of lunch because mom practically interviewed him and kept on pushing until there was nothing left to discover. But that brought them closer together and that made me happy. I know both of them are politicians with deep trust issues but I am happy that they are able to put their differences aside for me. 


Something totally unexpected occurred these past few months. Alex, my ex boyfriend, broke up with my then friend. Apparently my poor friend tried to trick Alex with the baby and then the baby came out looking like a Rajesh instead of a Michael. Alex called me crying and begging me to take him in but it was too late. Even if I wasn't caught up with my Dutch man, I still would have said no. He made me a fool and turned me into a laughing stock. He couldn't possibly think that I would take him back just because Karma visited him early. 


"Mmm, that bartender makes some mean cocktails. If I wasn't married, I would fuck him just so he can supply me with these on a daily basis." Mathenji drawls, snapping me out of my thoughts. She is sipping on some green and pick cocktail. It looks colourful. I guess it tastes even better according to her. 


"Marriage wouldn't stop you from hoeing around. The man you're married to, rather. You're just afraid he would blow the poor bartender's brains without a single thought." Chichi responds with a smirk. She is sipping on some black-brown cocktail that looks like a long island. 


We got acquainted with her a week after I got discharged from the hospital. I bumped into her with Mathenji and we just hit it off from the get go. I like her vibes. She is a really cool woman and I was amazed that she is an educator. She told me about how passionate she was with her job and I was impressed. Not to badmouth some teachers, but the young ones are in it for the money these days and so they lack passion. If I were to get kids in the near future, I would enroll them at Chichi's school. 


"He deserves to just look at my coochie though, even if he doesn't touch it. The guy named a cocktail after me." She raises her glass. "This is La-Thenji. How special is that?" 

"You know what kind of man you married. Don't tempt him." I comment as I make my way to the bar and she rolls her eyes. 


Not all guests have arrived and already my friends are helping themselves with alcohol. Drunkards. But as adults, one thing we appreciate at an event is the endless supply of booze. We love to drink our troubles away, and what better way to do that than at someone's expense? I am already dolled up for the occasion. I might be this accidental genius but I am still a fashionista by heart and I can't host an event without looking extraordinary. 


"My God, sisi. Your house is so breathtaking." Aneliswa compliments looking around and I smile at her. I greet her, along with all my siblings who came, except for Khwezi. I don't think I will ever get along with that one. Hell will freeze over before that happens. I am glad to see her husband with their kids though. It shows that she no longer call the shots in their marriage. 


"Aneh is right, sister in law, your house is stunning." Khulekani adds and I smile. 

"You couldn't resist a R15 million house huh?" Sizwele asks with a smirk and I just laugh. 

"I had to lead by example. Next thing on my list is a jet but I am still looking at quotations." I wink and Nozizwe laughs as she comes forward. 

"Where is the booze?" She asks, taking my cocktail and downing it. "That is one tasty cocktail. Show me the way or I will just follow the amazing smell of Gin." 

I chuckle. "Go to the backyard but don't get lost. You will see the bar before you see the set up." She hands me my empty glass and proceeds to the house with her arm hooked on Mthobisi. My poor brother. The others follow her. I direct Khulekani on where he will find the kids. 


I welcome a few colleagues from both F&S and MT. Kendra comes with a date, a Chinese guy. Last I checked she was a divorcee with a broken heart, but I guess she has healed. Time does heal all wounds. She compliments the house before heading inside. Thobani finally arrives with his little family. My niece and nephew attack me with hugs before disappearing into the house. My brother gives me a long hug before keeping me at arms length and starring at me. 


"I still can't believe you survived that. Every time I see you, I just have to fully drink you in so that I can be content that you are still alive and well. I love you mtakababa." He tears up and hugs me again. 


Our bond is very sacred. He didn't take my accident very well. He even had a heart attack and spent a week at the hospital. The person who called him just said I was shot in the head and my brother assumed that I was dead. When he came to visit me, he cried real tears and I had to be the one comforting him. In a way, I am glad to be surrounded by men who are in touch with their emotions. 


They had their traditional wedding two months ago and it was one beautiful occasion. It is always nice to see a blend of cultures. Everyone in the Ntombela family behaved and Bab Mtshali was not even creepy this time around. He just told me that I had survived the worst. He didn't even see me coming out of my accident alive. I should consider myself lucky. 


Amahle also had Umemulo a month ago and the biggest surprise was when some businessman came and gifted her with R50 000 cash esigcawini. On top of that, he gave her plenty of clothes from GalXBoy, Valentino, Dior, Burberry and some other expensive luxury brands. We later discovered that her man was Sixolile Hlatshwayo and was based in Joburg. Apparently they had been dating for a year and she just kept it from us. I never pegged her as the secretive type. I was supposed to have Umemulo this month but it was postponed to next month because of my house warming and the ending of the financial year.


"You did well for yourself, kid." The voice startles me and I quickly turn to see the last two people I expected to come. Not that I didn't want them to come. I had invited them for Godsake. "You look so surprised. You thought we wouldn't find our way here?" He smirks. 

"Stop toying with my baby wena Magalela. How are you, my child? Your house looks magnificent form the outside. I can't wait to see the interior." Gog' Tina states and I smile. I am so glad they could make it. I hug them both. 

"Thank you for coming. Let me give you the tour of the grounds." 

"After you, my love. But first, I need something to drink. Get me something with vodka or whiskey in it." Gogo orders and my eyes widen. Hebana, gogo is an alcoholic? 

"I also need a strong drink, Noluthando. Make it quick." Bab Mtshali adds and I laugh as I walk over to the bar. These pensioners, madoda. 


***


"I would like to thank everyone who made it here today to celebrate with me such an achievement. This is the first home I have actually bought with my own money and I am proud of myself. I just want to thank my mom for never forsaking me even when I embraced her ex's company and left hers. She is such a phenomenal woman and I am glad she is my mother. I want to thank my friends and family for supporting me. The past couple of months were really difficult, especially after my accident. If I didn't have the support system I had, I don't think I would have been celebrating on this day. Enough with the soppiness." Everyone laughs. "Today is a joyous occasion, so let's drink and be merry. If you feel like you have drunk a lot, we will call you an Uber home, but please ungazincishi i nice time. Cheers." 


"CHEERS!" 


I head back to the table where my friends are seated with their husbands. Will is also here with a few of his friends. I sit down next to Will. He kisses my cheek and whispers sweet nothings in my ear. 


"Why does that fucker keeps looking at you?" Nathan's voice snaps us out of our little bubble. Mathenji just scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Answer me, Thenji. Is there something I need to know?" 

"You are always accusing me of something. It is actually starting to bore me now. I am tired." She stands up and heads inside the house. Hebana. What was that about? What is she tired of? The marriage or the accusations? Why is she running with the scoop now? Nathan gets up and runs after her. Shame. He does love her, it's just that he is too paranoid. 


"May we never reach their level of obsession." I murmur to Will and he chuckles. 

"I won't speak for you but I think I am halfway there." I roll my eyes at him and he laughs. "Don't give me that look. You are so phenomenal, so I was bound to fall into your spider web, but I don't regret it. You ex was one stupid son of a gun for letting you go. I am never letting you go, even in my death. They would have to forcefully take you out of my arms when they lower me to my grave." Now that’s a scary declaration of love but it warms my heart. I know what he has been through and the fact that he is opening his heart up for love means a lot to me. I don’t respond, not wanting to ruin the moment. I just kiss him and he deepens the kiss before remembering we are surrounded by an audience. He groans. “Can’t wait for everyone to leave so that I can fuck you on every corner of this house.”


I whimper. “That might take you a week.” He smirks. 

“Oww, you know I am always up for a challenge, mijn koningin.” He kisses my forehead.

×××


After everyone has left and Will has drifted off to sleep, I finally gather the courage to view the video Amos left for me. I have been a corward for way too long. Instead of shying away from this, I just need to rip the band aid off and finally move on with my life. The moment I press play, Amos’s face appears on screen. He smiles as watches someone move around before scowling. 


“Stop with the noise, Mbatha.” He reprimands and the person in the background chuckles before the shuffling stops. He turns to the screen with a smile. “I know this is cowardice of me but I couldn’t face you while I was still alive. There are so many bad deeds I have done in my life but abandoning you and your siblings is my biggest regret, one which I am definitely going to hell for. I don’t have an excuse for running away from my responsibilities. I was a shitty man back then, and even now. The way I treated you and your mother was uncalled for. I know doctors made up some western illness just to keep me in this hospital and eat my money, but I know why I am here. My ancestors are punishing me for abandoning their blood.” 


“You might have not noticed me, but I was there for you whenever my stubborn mind decided to man up and actually show up for you. I remember your first celebrity styling gig and I was there when the celeb took you to an awards ceremony. On my way out, I accidentally bumped into you just so I can touch you even if by shoulder. I longed to talk to you or hear your voice up-close.” A tear slides down his cheek and he wipes it. 


“You might be wondering how I thought you were worthy of my legacy when I didn’t even give you my time, love and affection while I was still alive. I knew you would be like your mother. Brave, smart, resilient and a natural born leader. I knew you were a selfless person and you wouldn’t abuse your power at MT. That’s why I appointed you. I knew from early childhood that Simo was never fit to take over from me one day but I kept that to myself. You are probably wondering why I never chose your other brother, Thobani, to lead. No one is like you, Noluthando. You are special and no one can reach your level. I know I am the first man who ever broke your heart and betrayed your trust. I was supposed to love you unconditionally but I failed. I have no right to ask you of this, but please don’t punish other men for my mistake. There is someone out there for you, someone who will love you and treat you like a queen. When you finally find that person, please open up your heart and allow yourself to be loved. Don’t let the past hold you back. I love you, MaHlobo and this is my final goodbye.” Tears stream down his cheeks and it seems like mine are also mimicking his. 


I never thought that I longed for an apology for him. I thought I would die holding a grudge against him, but this video just freed me. Yes, he was a coward and there is probably going to be some hate deep inside me every time I think of him or his name but for now, I am content and free. I am ready to start my life as a grudge-free woman. I wish I had a chance to slap him in the face but we don’t always get what we wished for. I am just glad I finally got the closure I needed. 



----THE END---