Chapter 2
896 Words
Third Person's POV
In the Radebe household, Xola is in a meeting with his four wives. He just announced that he will be getting married yet again and the atmosphere is tense. Xola turns to his first wife, "Siviwe, as the first wife it is your duty to make sure that everything will run smoothly. I expect all of you to take care of the preparations." Siviwe nods her eyes betraying no emotion "ewe tata(yes my husband)" Not everyone takes the news well as Mihle is starting to tear up. "You already have enough wives! Why do you want to take another wife? We just got married two years ago and you're already marrying someone else. You promised me I'd be your last. Is there something wrong with us?" Mihle says stopping her tears from falling. "Know your place Mihle!! No one asked for your opinion! You knew what you signed up for! No one has the time to baby you. We are all here for the sole purpose of building the Radebe household. You've been here for two years and you've only given birth to a girl. Vala lo mlomo ndingekawuvali ngempama.( Shut up or I'll shut you up with a slap!) Siviwe says with authority and you can tell from her tone that it's not just a threat. "Mamkhulu (senior wife) that was uncalled for, Mihle is new to this." Sanda tries to support Mihle but their husband is not for it as he is quick to reprimand her. "Sanda that is not the way to speak to Mamkhulu! Disrespect will never be tolerated in this household! Am I clear?" He says in a slightly raised voice. The whole room goes quiet except for the occasional sobs by Mihle. Sanda is consoling her whilst Kamva is busy scribbling on her notebook like the issues being discussed don't affect her.
Siviwe takes a loud breath before speaking. "Now that we have got past the whining, we need to sort out the schedule of where our husband stays each week. When there were four of us we each got a week but now things will have to change. Kamva did you have any suggestions?" This time she changes her tone and speaks like she is talking to someone who is her equal rather than her subordinate like she did with her younger sister wives. "Alizwa should get her week once a month. She will need to spend more time with Xola." Kamva replies not once looking up from her notebook.Mamkhulu continues to address the room, (key word being 'address' as it sounds like she is talking to her subordinates or subjects rather than adults who are her equals.) "Mihle and Sanda will get a week once in every in two months. The wedding preparations have been finished , Alizwa will only have to go to dress fittings and finalize the decor and choose a cake." After Mamkhulu is done their husband looks at his phone before getting up from his chair, "Ok, then I will notify Alizwa. That will be all, I still have to go to Comrade Mandla's party." Xola then goes to his room to get ready and his wives retire to their bedrooms.
Mihle's POV
I am Mihle Radebe, I'm 25 years old and a chef. I have been married to Xola for 2 years and I am his fourth wife. We were blessed with an angel named Siyamthanda, my daughter is my world. I love my husband but sometimes it can be a lot and I wonder if all the drama is worth it. Mamkhulu acts as if she is the queen and we are her subjects. He treats me well and pampers me but in his eyes Mamkhulu can do no wrong. I thought I would be his last wife, he promised but now he is marrying someone else.
I'm taken out of my thoughts when I hear a knock on the door, I wipe my tears and try to make myself look presentable before telling whoever is at the door to come in. Sanda comes in, "Hey" she says looking at me with a warm smile. I try to muster up a smile but I end up failing miserably. "Are you okay?" She asks with a smile, she is just asking as a formality because I can't be anything but fine. I married into polygamy, I'm supposed to be okay with this. " Yea, I'm fine". I say those words even though I know they are lies, now I know what she must have felt like when I got married to Xola. That helplessness, feeling like you aren't enough, wondering what's wrong with you. With a warm smile still playing at her lips she looks at me with her kind eyes, "You don't have to pretend with me, Mamkhulu was harsh. Yes she is strict but when it comes to you it is like she has a special place in hell reserved just for you." I finally let my tears fall, and Sanda comforts me . She has been here for me ever since I got married to Xola. "Everything will be fine sweetie, let it all out." Even this new schedule is a way for Mamkhulu to suppress us,I will only get a full week with my husband every two months. Our already strained relationship will become more strained.
- Writer
