STRING OF PEARLS
TWENTY SIX
ONEZWA
I decided to go to the store today, and I'm happy that everything is running smoothly. I'm happy about that, at least I can focus all my strength on my upcoming wedding. I have a traditional dress I designed a while back. I always thought that it would be perfect for a wedding, my wedding to be precise.
I'm in my office when a knock comes through. The smile on my face when I see Mcedisi walk in holding a bouquet of yellow roses.
"I didn't know we were friends," I say, getting up from my chair to hug him.
"Friends?" He asks, placing the flowers on the desk.
"Yes, yellow roses symbolize friendship," I say, and he shrugs.
"Red symbolizes love and affection," I say, and he shuts his eyes.
"Some idiot prompted me to take red roses, and..." I interject.
"You didn't want to take his advice," he nods, and I smile.
"So, how are you, Mr. Mthethwa?" I ask, sitting on the desk, and he gets in between my thighs.
"I'm great now that I'm with you," he says, causing me to blush.
"I was actually going through one of my designs," I say, and he smiles.
"Hmmm, and there's this traditional dress I designed a while back. I didn't want to put it in as part of my collection because I thought I would one day wear it on my wedding day," I say, wrapping my hands around his neck.
"Wow, can I see it?" he asks, and I shake my head.
"It's bad luck to see the bride's wedding dress before the wedding day," I say, and he chuckles.
"That's white people's thing; thina sishisa impepha and ask abadala to protect our day, that's all," he says, teasing me.
"Well, I'm not taking any chances," I say, and he smiles.
"I can't wait to call you my wife," he says.
"I also can't wait to call you my husband," I say before pecking his lips.
"MaSibiya wants to have a meeting with you," he says, and I attempt to move away, but he holds me in place.
"Uyaphi? We are talking," he says, and I heave a sigh.
"I don't want a fight," I say.
"Neither does she," he says, and I scoff.
"How do you know? Are you her?" He furrows his brow, and I look away.
"You know she is part of us, right? You two have to talk at some point," I heave a sigh.
"You're right. I'm sorry," I say, and he smiles.
"We will make this work," he says reassuringly.
"Did you get a phone?" he asks.
"Not yet, I was planning to get one today," he nods.
Later in the day, Mcedisi and I went to the mall, and he bought me a phone and a few accessories. We are now at my hotel suite eating takeaways.
"A letter has been sent to your aunt, and we agreed to meet next Saturday morning," he says, and my eyes pop.
"Next week? Why so soon?" I ask, and he chuckles.
"I feel like it's too far. I want you as my wife as in yesterday," he says, and I giggle.
"I can't wait to be your wife," he leans in, pecking my cheek.
This is really happening. All that's left now is to meet with MaSibiya, and that scares the shit out of me.
The next day...
I'm so nervous. MaSibiya and I have agreed to meet at the mall. We are meeting at Mug and Bean. The way I'm shaking right now as I walk into the restaurant, you'd swear I'm about to meet God himself.
"Hi, sorry I'm late." I say with a nervous smile.
She has on her usual Makoti attire and modest corn row braids.
"Onezwa," she greets with a straight face, and I swallow hard, pulling up a chair.
"I hope you don't mind. I ordered for you," she says, and I shake my head. Even if I did mind, I'm in no position to say no.
"Uyaphila mnakwethu?" (Are you well, sister wife?) She asks, and I nod.
"Good, the reason I wanted us to talk is because I want us to clear the air and also work together to lift up the Mthethwa name. As you know, I am unable to bear children of my own," she says with sadness etched on her face.
"I have only one request from you, Onezwa."
"Yes," I say before clearing my throat. I'm a bit sad, and I don't want her to think that I feel sorry for her, although I do, knowing what Mcedisi did to her makes me feel the weight of his guilt, which is now resting on my shoulders.
"When you have kids, don't make me feel less than. Teach them that I too am their mother. That's all I ask," she says, wiping a lone tear, and I instinctively hold her hand over the table, and she smiles. The first smile I've ever gotten from her.
"I'm sorry about, you know....me and Mcedisi," I say, and she chuckles.
"You two were meant to get married. I mean, I tried to stop this union...." she pauses and waits for the waiter to place our drinks.
"I saw how my husband looked at you, and that scared me," she continues.
"I promise I won't step on your toes. I will try to be as considerate and fair as I possibly can," she nods.
"Ladies," a familiar voice says, and my heart beats fast. I look up, and it's Troy's brother, Tiro. I've met him once or twice when I was in Botswana.
"Uhm...I....I swear I don't know where Troy is," I say, visibly shaking. Tiro is filthy rich and very intimidating. If you were to get him and Mcedisi in the same room, the amount of testosterone would be too much.
"I know. I came here because of him," he says, and I frown.
"That Zulu man of yours is very stubborn. He wants Troy dead, and I'm afraid I can't let that happen. Talk to him, or I'll be forced to....." he doesn't get to finish the sentence when MaSibiya abruptly gets on her feet.
"You'll be forced to do what? Are you threatening my husband? Do you know the sun will set tonight with your family mourning you. And what kind of man involves women in his troubles? Are you even a man? Judging by those soft hands, you don't even know the pain of your knuckles colliding with the jaw of another man," she says, breathing heavily. All eyes are on her while Tiro is looking at her with fascination on his face.
"And who do we have here?" He asks with a slight chuckle.
"Weh bhuti," MaSibiya says before clicking her tongue.
"Speak to your man," he says before darting his eyes to MaSibiya. He then chuckles and shakes his head and walks out.
"What a wimp of a man," MaSibiya says, clicking her tongue.
I look at her, and we both burst out laughing.
"Well, I guess that's one way to shut down a rich and powerful man," I say, giggling.
MaSibiya smiles, and for the first time, I see a glimmer of friendship between us.
"I think we're going to get along just fine, Onezwa," she says, and I nod in agreement.
MCEDISI
"He said that?" Nkanyezi asks, and I nod.
"Bafo, a diamond mine in Botswana? Think about the money we will make," he says, and I down the glass of Coke Carolina gave me earlier.
"Yeah, but his brother tried to kill us, and he freaking abused Onezwa. Every time I make love to my woman, I have to see those damn bruises on her skin," I say, clenching my jaw, and this idiot has a silly smile on his face.
"No need to brag, I also have a woman, I make love to," he says, and I frown.
"You're stupid. Now, back to the business at hand. We have a shipment coming in on Friday, and..." I don't get to finish the sentence when my phone rings. I know it's MaSibiya because she has her own personalized ring tone.
"Mama," I answer.
"Nyambose."
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
"Mmm, we didn't kill each other if that's what you're asking," she says, and I chuckle.
"I'm glad," I say, and she clears her throat.
"We talked, and I think we have an understanding," she says, and I smile.
"I'm proud of you," I say, and she giggles.
"Tell me, myeni wam, from when does your business associate or rival have the audacity to talk to us?" She asks, and I frown.
"What are you on about?" I ask, and she goes on to tell me what transpired.
"You can go spend the night with her because, even though she tried to mask her fear, she was a bit shaken," she says, and I heave a sigh.
"Thank you, sthandwa sami. I will see you tomorrow, then," we say our goodbyes, and I hang up the phone before clenching my fist.