UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE
WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE
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_NHLANZEKO NDWANDWE_
We slept in each other’s arms, I think I kinda like her coz I care a lot about her. But now it morning and I know MaShandu is awake by this time, I have to talk to her about her behaviour towards Kago. I peeled off the blankets, slowly making sure not to wake Kago up, I got out of the bed then went to the bathroom. Every bathroom has sealed toiletries.
I brushed my teeth, then washed my face. I walked out of the room. I looked for my t-shirt, then wore it before walking out of the room. I closed the door behind me, I walked down the hallway to the stairs. I could hear her voice up here, she’s alway thought she is the one, forgetting she is actually not the one. She should end up with controlling her children and their wife’s, not me nor my wife.
I descended the stairs slowly approaching the end of the stairs. When I reached the bottom, I walked to the kitchen where she is shouting everyone. “Morning”, she turned to look at me, then she gave me her evil smile. “Hau ufunani Lana Nhlanzeko?”, she asked looking up the stairs. “I slept here with my wife, can I talk to you for a moment”. She looked at me up and down before leading the way to the lounge.
“Where’s Kago? She should be awake by this time”, I shook my head slowly following her. We reached the lounge, she took a sit, I also did so. “She’s still asleep”.
“At this time Nhlanzeko no akavuke…. NTOMBIZODWA!”. She came to us running, she bowed before MaShandu. “Go and wake Kago, she has to clean and make breakfast for the whole family”.
“No need for that, good morning”, I looked at her, she gave me a smile before walking back to the kitchen. “MaShandu Kago isn’t going to be cleaning the whole house and making you breakfast, we have helpers for a reason”, she looked at me with her eyes popped out. “What do you mean? Ungumakoti Lana ekhaya so she has to do what she is told”.
“Uganwe Wena yini mAh? Is she your wife or mine?”, she looked at me again, “what does that mean? If she is going to be our daughter in law, she has to follow the rules”. I scoffed looking at her, I sat comfortable on the couch, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. “Uzongizwa keh ma, Kago is my wife so she will do what I say and from today she is moving to my room outside, I’m done talking”. I stood up ready to leave when she also stood up.
“Heeee ngyalingwa, imihlola eyenziwa yilentombazana, ngokungena emathangeni usubona usuyindoda yalana ekhaya Wena? Ngokuganwa njeh, heee”, she clapped once. “Uyangicaka mina ma, you never treated Sthembile the way you treating Kago, or is it because she’s your favourite son’s wife?”. She shook her head in shocked, I know she must be shocked. “You know I trusted you Nhlanzeko, lentombazan idinga ukufundiswa isiko lesizulu”.
“No wife of mine with a servant MaShandu finish and klaar”, I walked out of the lounge to the kitchen. I found Kago cleaning. “Why you up so early?”, I asked standing behind her. She jumped in shock then she turned to look at me, “Ohhh you scared me Nhlanzeko”.
“I didn’t asked you that, come you need to sleep”, she shook her head slowly, “I can’t MaShandu will not allow that”. “Kagoentle! Angizothi mangikhuluma ukhulume siyezwana, there’s no wife of mine who will be a servant Lana KaNdwandwe, ZODWA!”.
She came in rushing as always, “continue with your work, tell the other workers to continue doing their job”, she nodded, I walked closer to Kago who was still standing looking at me in fear. I picked her up in a bridal style, then walked with her upstairs.
As I carried Kago up the stairs, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, I could feel her heart beating rapidly against my chest. She was trembling slightly, and I knew it was a mix of fear and uncertainty. I tightened my grip, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. The sound of Ntombizodwa’s shocked gasp and MaShandu’s angry shouts faded into the background as I kicked open the door to her room and stepped inside.
I gently placed Kago on the bed, and she looked up at me with those big, beautiful eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Nhlanzeko, what are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling. I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “I’m taking care of my wife,” I said, sitting down beside her. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, okay?”
I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and she leaned into my touch, her eyes closing. The room was quiet, except for the sound of her soft breathing and the distant chirping of birds outside. I felt a sense of peace wash over me, and I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Kago opened her eyes, and our gazes locked. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable. I could feel the air thickening, and I knew that I was falling for her, hard. But I didn’t want to scare her off, so I leaned back and smiled. “Get some rest, okay? We’ll figure things out later.”
She nodded, her eyes still locked on mine, and I could see the uncertainty in them. I leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. “Everything’s going to be okay, I promise.” She smiled, a soft, sweet smile, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
As I pulled back, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw that it was a message from my brother, Mfisoenhle. “What’s going on? MaShandu’s going crazy in there.” I sighed, feeling a headache brewing. “Uyazihlanyisa,” I typed back, my thumbs flying across the screen.
Kago was watching me, her eyes curious, and I smiled. “My brother,” I said, tucking my phone away. “He’s just checking in.” She nodded, and I could see the curiosity in her eyes, but she didn’t ask any questions.
The room fell silent again, and I just sat there, watching her, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. I knew that things were going to get tough, but with Kago by my side, I felt like I could take on anything. And as she drifted off to sleep, her head resting on my shoulder, I knew that I was in this for the long haul.