LETHUTHANDO: The Traditional Wife Chapter 12 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The midday sun beat down on the dusty pavement as we stood by the roadside, the smell of exhaust fumes lingering in the air. I looked at my mother, my mind racing with a mental checklist of hardware supplies. ”Okay, Mama, first things first,” I … Read more
LETHUTHANDO :The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 11 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The next morning, the smell of coffee was the only thing that got me out of bed. I prepared myself for my doctor’s appointment before leaving my room. My mother was already dressed, looking sharp in her Sunday best even though it was a Saturday. … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 10 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans preceded her, a warm, rich scent that seemed to wrap itself around the room like a familiar shawl. A moment later, my mother appeared in the doorway, balancing a tray laden with golden-brown chocolate muffins and a … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 09 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The dust from George’s Mercedes hadn’t even settled before the silence of the house began to feel heavy. My parents were in the kitchen, speaking in low, hushed tones about the confrontation. I stayed in the lounge, staring at the empty chairs where my … Read more
LETHUTHANDO: The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 08 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . My husband didn’t call me last night. He didn’t even send a text, not even after I sent him a goodnight message. This morning, the only notification on my screen was from Misikhaya. It was a simple “good morning,” telling me to have a great … Read more
LETHUTHANDO: The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 07 . THOKOZILE ZONDO . The house felt smaller, louder, and infinitely more chaotic the moment I stepped through the door. I dropped my handbag on the kitchen table with a heavy thud, my eyes searching for the one person who usually made this mess disappear. “Ma, did she come … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 06 . KHULUBUSE ZONDO . “This will be your room,” Misikhaya said, swinging the door open. I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the space. The boy had done well for himself; the apartment was modern, clean, and far removed from the dust of home. “Thanks,” I murmured. “I’ll leave … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 05 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The silence in the room was the first thing I noticed—it was too heavy, too still. Usually, I could hear Khulubuse’s rhythmic breathing or the rustle of the blankets as he turned, but this morning, the only sound was the distant crow of a … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 04 . KHULUBUSE ZONDO . I couldn’t bring myself to eat inside the bedroom tonight. The air in there felt thick with the unspoken weight of our failure, so I sat alone on the stoep, staring out into the dark. My mind was a carousel of the same jagged … Read more
LETHUTHANDO : The Traditional Wife CHAPTER 03 . LETHUTHANDO DLOMO . The door of our bedroom opens. I closed my chester drawer after putting the pregnancy test inside. “Misikhaya called” he said, arms in his jeans pockets. He stood far away from me. “He said I can come tomorrow. “ “That was fast” I said … Read more