LANGELIHLE #30
SONDELA
I was with Zimthele and helping her settle in after she was discharged from the hospital. The nanny was also here to help her out.
“Still can’t believe Langa is gone”, she said.
Is she bringing up my pain on purpose? Me and Langa aren’t done, she’s still my wife. I’ll give her space to settle in at her home and reconnect with her people. But I am not losing her. She will be back.
Zimthele:Well at least we will spend enough time as a family. Your children miss you.
Sondela: I will take them out tomorrow. It has really been a while since we spent some time together.
Zimthele:They would love that. I will tell them.
Her phone vibrated; it was in front of me. I passed it to her, she went outside to answer it.
I went to check on Zenande and Bayanda . I have been seriously neglecting them.
They were watching TV.
I sat next to them and watched with them, and they told me what they have been up to.
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ZIMTHELE
I went outside to answer my phone, I didn’t want Sondela to hear who I was talking to. It was Sana.
Sana:All I’m asking is, at least let me see him. I won’t come between you and your husband. I just need to spend some time with him. You can even introduce me as a family friend I don’t mind, I just need to spend time with my son. Even if it’s for one day I won’t mind. I beg you Zimthele, please.
He was seriously begging. It made me realize how much bad of a person I have become. All because of what? Because I want to keep Sondela? What have I become?
I sighed.
Zimthele:Okay fine, we will figure something out.
Sana:Thank you thank you so much.
I hung up and went back inside. The sight I saw was making me happy. Seeing Sondela bond with his children. With Langelihle gone, he will have all his time to us. He should bring all his clothes and move in permanently once.
I always heard that the second wife can be the only wife remaining on a polygamy marriage, I didn’t think I would witness that.
I smiled and passed them going to the bedroom. With Banele sleeping, I need to rest too. My stitches were still painful.
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Elangeni Village.
Langelihle and Mlando went to Town to get a few things.
They have grown quite close to each other, and Langelihle feels at home when she’s with him. Maybe it’s because he’s the closest thing to a biological family she has.
Langelihle:I need to make a phone call. Nongcebo will help you unpack here.
Mlando:Okay.
She went outside and dialled her father.
Bheki:I thought you had forgotten about me.
She laughs.
Langelihle:I would never forget you old man. How are you?
Bheki:Better than before, Sandiso has moved in temporarily with me.
Langelihle:That’s good, I haven’t even come to see you. Things have been crazy dad.
Bheki:What happened?
She takes a deep breath and narrates everything to him.
Bheki:Oh my sun, so much has happened. I’m sorry for not being there for you. Where is that pig Zachary right now?
Langelihle:He’s arrested, we are still waiting for his trial date. I heard it’s going to be sooner. I just want him to be arrested, he took advantage of me so badly. It makes me so sick when I even think about it.
Bheki:He will be convicted, you have a strong case here. So between you and Sondela it’s really over?
Langelihle:*Sighs* Seems so.
Bheki:But Langa don’t you think you have overreacted a bit?
Langelihle:Baba I am about to become a whole new person now, Sondela already has a wife. So how would that work?
Bheki:You didn’t have to dump him over the phone though. You could have sat down with him and explained things.
Langelihle:It doesn’t matter, it’s already done. My priority is helping the people of Elangeni and rebuilding this place.
Bheki:Where will you get money to rebuild everything there Langelihle? Because you’re not a millionaire.
Langelihle:The amount I have can take us somewhere, and I can go to companies and ask them to invest here. I have to try. These people have been suffering for too long and holding on to hope that I will come back and help them, I can’t fail them. I’m their last hope.
Bheki:I hear you, when you need anything let me know. When can we come and visit?
Langelihle:When all is well I will tell you. I have to go now, say hi to Sandiso for me. Love you.
Bheki:Okay I will. Bye.
She hung up and went back inside. Nongcebo was the one who was packing.
Langelihle:Aww where did Mlando disappear to?
Nongcebo:He ran away.
Langelihle:I’m really glad you are here to help out.
Nongcebo:It’s my pleasure. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be your personal maid.
They laugh.
Langelihle:A personal maid? That’s too much.
Nongcebo:So you won’t have a maid when you are officially Queen?
Langelihle:Maybe if you say helper or assistant, but maid no. I don’t want to oppress people to a point where they have to follow me everywhere.
Nongcebo:You will not be oppressing them, they will be helping you out because I assure you when you are Queen, you won't have time. They will be the only ones that will cook for you, you can't go around eating food that was cooked by anyone. People are evil out there and you won't know when an enemy has come to strike.
Langelihle:Seems like there's a lot I need to know about royalty.
Nongcebo:I will tell you the bits of what I know.
Langelihle:So how old is Mlando?
Nongcebo:Oh he's 23.
Langelihle coughed in disbelief.
Langelihle:Whoa 23!?I thought he was 30 something.
Nongcebo:Nop, he's 23.
Langelihle:His mother?
Nongcebo:Died 10 years back to starvation.
Langelihle:Wow, so my father came to destroy this place twice? Before I was born and after I was born?
Nongcebo:Yep, but the palace's wall stay strong. Not even a single brick fell. There used to be thousands of people Elangeni, but we have been reduced to a 100.
Langelihle:I see, does he have a girlfriend?
Nongcebo smiles to hide the confusion in her face.
Nongcebo:Not that I know of. News travel fast here, if he did it would be known by everyone.
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Zachary's lawyer, puts his phone down and looks at Zachary who was nervous as hell.
Bhoro:The trial is starting in a month's time. We need to go over our facts and evidence. So far we have her on record confirming the switching of the babies, and her wearing a towel only. She was seducing you. I don't want to believe that you can let another man in your house, only wearing a towel.
Zachary:I'm sure they've done a rape kit, and my DNA was all over her. How will we dodge that?
Bhoro:We will have to argue against it Zac.
He nods repeatedly.
Bhoro:Remember, you only did what you did because you thought it's what she wanted. And the poison you used, it can't be traced back to you.
Zachary:Okay, I hope this ends sooner.
Bhoro:You will be fine, I will talk with my contacts and try getting you your own private cell. For now I have to gather a list of witnesses to testify against Langelihle, and I know the first one.
Zachary:Who?
Bhoro:Her sister wife, I did some research and it looks like there's some bad blood between them. So it will be easy to get her to testify against her.
Zachary:Well yeah I bet she will say all sort of bad things about her. She was also my patient.
Bhoro:Tell me you didn't..
Zachary:Oh no I didn't.
Bhoro:Thank God. I have to go now, I will see you later.
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VIRGIN
I was called in for an interview today at one of stores I applied at, I think it went well. I will hear from them as time goes by whether I got the job or not.
My mother was not feeling well today, so I just made her some tea.
Gladys:Thank you.
Virgin:So what did you say the dream was about?
Gladys:It was about Zimthele, I saw her being wrapped by a big snake and it fell with her on a big black hole. I don't know what it means but I know it doesn't mean well. My soul is troubled by this dream..
Virgin:Haa mama maybe it's not serious.
Gladys:Yeyi we ngane I'm telling you that the dream meant something!
