FAMILY SECRETS
CHAPTER :2
UNEDITED
[MTHOKOZISI QAMATA ‘S POV ]
It’s 6 am and today I woke up way before my everyday 7 am alarm rang because of the terrible dream I had last night. the dream was strange, confusing and creepy. It was about Nandi, I know I have always dreamt about Nandi way before I even met her but this one was a different and weird dream. In that dream nandi’s lifeless body which was covered in blood was floating in an old pond behind our house that my dad warned me and my late elder brother not to go to when we were kids. The dream gets even weirder because as nandi’s lifeless body was floating I was there just standing doing nothing but just watching with a knife covered in blood in my hand and a creepy smile on my face.
I got up from bed and went to the balcony to get some fresh air and try to understand this dream.
It was a really strange and worrying dream, the face was mine but the body was different I had long dreadlocks and a beard but I don’t do those kind of hairstyles nor do I grow a beard , I am a short hair man. I seriously don’t know how to explain this dream, the face was mine but I felt like the person was not me, that I was there but as a person watching myself holding a blood covered knife, standing close to my wife’s lifeless body.
It was so strange I can’t even explain it, what does it even mean?
As I was trying to figure out what the dream meant, I suddenly felt a soft hand on my shoulder, I turned around and it was my beautiful wife. She looks beautiful so early in the morning.
“Good morning.” I said
“morning.” she responded
“did my alarm wake you?” I asked
“no it actually saved me , I had to get up early anyways to prepare breakfast for everyone. Because according to the Qamata tradition the new bride of the family has to prepare food for the entire family for the whole day so that when the help of the house take over the next day the whole family would know the taste of the new bride’s hand, especially the husband . ” she said, she looks so cute when she repeats everything she has been taught .
” you have a good memory I see, you seriously remember everything said in that meeting? Wow you’re brave, I would never. ” I said and walked back into the room to go get ready for the day. I was about to open the wardrobe when Nandi called out to me.
” Mr Qamata thank you for the pj change, I have this habit where once I fall asleep it becomes difficult for me to wake up. ” she said
” you sure do sound like someone who loves her sleep but it’s okay and what you can do for me to thank me is to stop being so formal with me, I am your husband not your boss. ” I said as I took my towel and walked to the bathroom, as I was about to open the bathroom door a knock came from our bedroom door.
” who could it be so early in the morning? “I asked
Nandi went to open the door, she opened the door and my fourth wife mihlali ( bride name nomafu ) barged in leaving Nandi confused while still holding the door, I chuckled a little because her confused face looks kinda funny it has the what the f*ck subtitle. But she will get used to mihlali’s bubbly, childish, loud and care free nature.
” mihlali again you have to wait for the owner of the room to say come in before you enter what If I was naked?” I asked jokingly.
” oh please I have seen you naked many times nothing shocks or surprises me any more in your body. Your body is nothing new to me trust me. ” she responded and we laughed
” what are you doing here so early in the morning? “I asked
” relax bunny boy, I am not here for you nor to bankrupt you but I am here for her. Oh would you listen to that for me first time the attention is not on you but on your new wife. ” she said and changed her focus to nandi
” hi my name is mihlali, the name I was given is nomafu so don’t be confused when they call me by a different name but I prefer mihlali, nomafu sounds old and boring yours is Ilano right? ” mihlali said and asked in a short breath, that’s how she is
“yes it’s Ilano but you can call me Nandi.” Nandi respond
” I love the Ilano name it suits you, anyways you must be wondering what I am doing here right? Well I am here to help you get ready for your first day in the kitchen believe me it’s better if the aunts find you already in the kitchen then you finding them already in the kitchen waiting for you, some of them are so judgmental. ” mihlali said and we all laughed
” hey that’s my family you’re talking about. ” I said chuckling
” oh please you know what I am saying is true, those old women don’t have lives seriously, now come on let’s go get you ready. ” she said and took nandi’s hand and walked with her towards the bathroom door where I was standing.
” where are you going? I am about to use the bathroom myself right now, I need to get ready too. “I said standing in front of the door
” move Mr today is her day we need to get her ready. “mihlali said
” what about me? I need to get ready too. ” I said
” Go and get ready in akhona or my room I don’t care. ” mihlali respond and forcefully entered the bathroom with bump struck Nandi, I just stood there and watched these females take over my bathroom.
“oh my goodness this is so exciting! I have always wanted a little sister, I never had someone younger than me before, all the other wives are older than me and on the other hand I am an only child back at home.” I listened to mihlali’s childish talks before heading out , she is really something.
I was going to use mihlali’s room to get ready but then the suit that I wanted to wear was is in akhona’s room so I went there to get ready.
I finished taking a shower and I was now getting dressed. Just as I was about to tie my Grey tie akhona walked in holding a cup, I guess it’s the everyday coffee she makes me herself. Everything from cooking to cleaning is done by the maids in this house but akhona wanted to have something that she makes for me with her own hands , so I suggested a coffee and ever since then akhona is the one that makes my everyday morning coffee even my other wives know that and they have never tried to take that away from her but today I can’t have her coffee.
“Good morning.” she greeted with a warm smile
“morning.” I greeted back
“I made you, your morning coffee. ” she said
“thank you but you know I can’t drink your coffee today akhona, sorry but you know the Qamata traditions right? Today is Ilano (Nandi ) ‘s day. According to the Qamata tradition Ilano is cooking for the whole day so meaning I would be having food made by her hands only today including drinkings, even if it’s just water it has to come from nandi’s hands you know that. The husband eats the food prepared by his bride on the first day after their marriage , you have been here long enough to remember that akhona . ” I said and as I was explaining the Qamata traditions that she is every much aware of, I watched as the warm smile from her face disappear.
” I.. I am sorry I know that, I don’t know what has gotten into me. ” she said as She smiled but I saw the discomfort and disappointment behind that smile. she must be disappointed that I didn’t drink her coffee.
I walked to her, took the coffee and placed it on the dressing table and held her chin.
” look today I might not be taking your coffee but I will tomorrow.”
“when, you’re going on your honeymoon tonight remember?”
” oh that’s right, sorry I guess I will see it when I get back, we are going only for a week I will be back .” I said and akhona took the coffee and left.