The Wife

Episode 2

I didn't even have the energy to attend my classes today, having to beg Lacy drained every possible ability to do anything in me. The little bit of strength I had, I used it to cook for these humans all over the house making noise and my head near to explosion.

They came down screaming. Dammit!

Me: I said play upstairs!

Them: Sorry.

They giggled and ran back up. I poured another glass of wine. Lacy was my ticket to my big break, he ruined it for me, he does this all the time. He always ruin every chance of me making money for myself.

I sat on the dining area after laying the table and stared into space until a voice shouting my name brought me back to life.

Tebogo: I'm sorry to shout at you like that. You didn't hear me at first.

I looked at him and finished what's left in my glass.

Me: Where is he?

Tebogo: Outside on the phone. I brought his briefcase.

I pointed where he should put it.

Tebogo: Are you okay ma'am?

Me: Do I look okay? Is it you he sent? Huh? Is it you?

He looked at me confused and I didn't give a s**t. Ndaba trusts him, its him he'd pick to do something like that for him. I poured another glass and drank half. I am losing it.

Tebogo: I don't know what you're talking about. Have a goodnight.

Me: Rubbish! Save your lousy wishing!

He walked in. The son of Lucifer himself walked in straight in a tux like he is a saint. I laughed crazily. He drank the remaining wine on my glass.

Ndaba: What's all that noise for?

Me: What do you want from me?

Ndaba: Good evening to you too. How were your classes?

He tried to kiss me but I shifted away.

Me: You don't give a s**t about my classes. Why did you do it?

Ndaba: Is food ready? I'm starving.

Me: I'm talking to you dammit!

I smashed the glass against the floor he came flying to hold me intact. I screamed and fought him off of me.

Ndaba: Bianca my kids are upstairs. You can't seriously do this right now.

Me: Let go off me!

He kept his grip tight.

Me: Let go of me or I'll scream even louder.

He exhaled and let go.

Me: Your kids huh? That's all you care about right? That is why I can't even go out there to look for a job because I have to be always here when your baby mamas don't feel like being mothers. Why do you always jepordize every chance of me making my own money?

Ndaba: You have money.

Me: That's your money. If you decided to up and leave tomorrow I would be left with nothing to my name, nothing.

Ndaba: That's just you bluffing. Let's go upstairs, I'll run you a hot bath, take your meds and sleep. You'll wake up feeling better and we'll talk about this. I'll dish up for the kids and put them to bed.

He hugged me and kissed my forehead. He took my hand and we went up to our bedroom.

Ndaba: Or just take the pills first.

I opened the cabinet and took them out.

Anti-depressants became my life 3 years ago. I lost my mother and also my brother 2 months in a row. I couldn't handle it. They were all I had. Since then my life has been dependant on Ndaba. I know he doesn't mind providing for me but I feel like I need to do something for myself. He went against the idea of me going back to tertiary after I recovered. He's been against everything that'll lead me to finding a day job. His idea has been: Its too dangerous for me and my mental state out there. I feel like I need to be out there again, I need to face the world again.

Ndaba: Babe.

I gasped and dropped the pills.

Ndaba: I'm sorry.

He picked them up and took out my daily dose and I drank up.

Ndaba: I'll bring your supper. The water is ready.

I nodded and watched him leave. For so many times during my breakdown, I would stand here and have the urge to hit my head against this hand basin until I died but I pulled myself out of that dark place. Right now this is just a basin and not a death tool...

-

There is magic inside each pill. I did not even get to see Ndaba bring my supper. I just woke up and I feel new. Less anxiety, less anger. Just a little bit of upset. It is way past 9am in the morning. Lord knows who made those poor kids breakfast. I climbed out of bed and reached for my robe. The door opened as I looked for my slippers.

Ndaba: Looking for these?

My poor slippers are probably crying under those size 9 feet. He is still in pyjamas I assume he is working from home today. And that on his hands is a tray of my breakfast. Trust this man to go out of his way to calm you down.

Me: We agreed on you never wearing my slippers ever again.

He laughed.

Ndaba: I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself. You always pick the good ones.

Me: Ofcourse I do.

Ndaba: This here is our breakfast.

Me: Great. Let me brush my teeth first, have the kids eaten?

Ndaba: Yes and gone.

Me: Gone where?

Ndaba: To their mothers.

Me: Is it because of yesterday? I'm really sorry I was-

Ndaba: No no no. We need our space that's all.

I nodded and disappeared to the bathroom. Its because of yesterday. He's scared that that episode might repeat, he really doesn't want his kids to witness anything other than peace. I looked at my reflection on the mirror and sighed. I brushed my teeth and washed my face.

He had just finished making the bed when I get out of the bathroom.

I sat down on the carpet below the bed. He came with our food. We ate in silence. Until he decided to break the ice.

Ndaba: I heard what happened to Lacy I swear to you. I had nothing to do with it.

Me: Mhhh.

Ndaba: I mean it. I know you don't believe me right now but I had nothing to do with it.

Me: I believe you. I'm sorry about last night.

Ndaba: Its okay. Tebogo is pretty much still in shock. He's never seen you like that.

Me: I'll talk to him.

He stopped eating. I shrugged.

Ndaba: Say what?

Me: That I'm sorry.

Ndaba: I was just telling you. I wasn't saying go apologize.

Me: I have to. I shouted at him.

Ndaba: Its part of his job.

To be shouted at? I'll go and apologize.

Me: Okay.

I said for the sake of peace.

Ndaba: We gonna take a break with the car business.

Me: Why?

Ndaba: Our boarder gate cop resigned and fled the country. The nerve of that motherfucker.

Me: He needed a new life I guess.

Ndaba: Couldn't he tell us atleast. Mango is gonna be breathing down my neck soon.

Me: So what are you gonna do?

Ndaba: I'll plan a little job that'll give me about a million, send him his money back and just lay low for this entire year.

Me: What does your guys think?

Ndaba: I couldn't careless what those fools think. They are the reason I'm in this s**t. Kabelo is supposed to be heads up about everything happening in the boarder but he was out there drinking Mango's money while his cars haven't been delivered.

Me: He seems very careless lately.

Ndaba: It must be that slay queen he's dating.

Me: Londi?

Ndaba: She's old news. There's a new b***h in town.

I laughed.

Me: You can't call women all those names.

Ndaba: He annoys me with his sick taste in women.

Me: Let him be. You also have a bad taste yourself. I cleaned you.

He smirked and shifted closer. He wiped the cream off the side of my mouth.

Ndaba: Are you in a good space to kiss me?

Me: I'm always in a good space to kiss you.

He smiled and cupped my face and we kissed. One thing led to another...

-

Nothing beats spending the whole day in doors, naked, watching movies, eating junk food with the love of your life.

He pulled me back down when I got up.

Me: We have to bath and I have to cook.

Ndaba: Bath? yes. Cook? No. We'll order again. Come back.

Me: Log on your profile and see if you don't have anything to do.

Ndaba: I'll work at night.

Me: Its 6pm Ndabezitha.

Ndaba: I'll start at 10.

I laughed.

Me: Just come take a shower and stop being lazy.

He sat up straight and exhaled.

Me: You need a new haircut.

Ndaba: My barber is closed.

Me: Why do you always lie?

Ndaba: I'm not. He's out of town and you know I do not cut my hair anywhere.

Me: One could never trust you these days.

We went into the shower and bathed. We stepped into our pyjamas afterwards and went downstairs. I made us hot chocolate and we sat at the lounge and I kept him entertained while he worked. Tebogo walked in on us kissing.

Tebogo: Uh...I'm sorry I had no idea you were busy.

Ndaba: You should stop walking like a con artist.

He chuckled and put down a paperbag of takeaways I assumed.

Tebogo: I am knocking off.

Ndaba: Tomorrow we're up early.

Tebogo: And that is 5am

Me: Tomorrow is Sunday. Our day.

Ndaba: But we spent today together and I was supposed to be at work.

Me: Aww

He kisses me.

Ndaba: Yes Tebogo 5am

Tebogo: Have a goodnight.

Me: I'm sorry about last night.

Tebogo: Forgiven.

He smiled and walked off.

Me: What did you tell him to buy?

Ndaba: Meat and pap for me then salad for you.

Me: Let me go get plates.

I heard shouting from outside. My house is granny's house. Everyone comes and goes as they please. Ndaba needs to stop this nonsense.

They got in dragging someone on the floor. I went back to the lounge. I found Ndaba on his feet. Sphiwe kicked the guy on floor.

Ndaba: Stop. What the hell is going on? Why are you bringing this man into my house?

Sphiwe: To explain himself!

Ndaba: Like this? Why didn't you call me? What if my kids were here?

Sphiwe: I thought you wanted him.

Ndaba: And I said bring him to my house? In front of my wife? Have you lost your minds?

Kabelo: No.

He said looking at Sphiwe annoyed.

Ndaba: Don't start with me. Get this douche bag out of my house.

They grabbed their man out, leaving trails of blood on the floor.

Ndaba: I'm sorry baby. I'll clean up. I really have no idea how their minds work these days.

I just went back to the kitchen. This is part of my life I learned to accept. I know a lot, I've seen a lot, I've seen more. This is nothing, he's just apologizing for the sake of it. Marriage will have a gun pointed in your head forcing you to accept the unacceptable....