The Deadly secret

KwaZulu Natal,early summer.The Khumalo family prepares for the traditional ceremony,cows rings their bells as the elders speak in their hushed tones.Women wrapped in their colourful dresses.Zanele Ndlovu,a woman in her forties struggles to socializee worries about her failing marriage with Mandla.Later that day,the family is gathered together as Nkosikhona,a young man in his twenties comes to visit along with his girlfriend. Laughter fills the yard as greetings echo through the compound. The elders sit beneath the shade of the marula tree, sipping umqombothi while the younger ones rush about serving food. Nkosikhona bows respectfully to his uncles, exchanging handshakes and smiles before introducing his girlfriend, Thando — a shy, soft-spoken woman whose city accent draws amused glances from the older women. Zanele watches from the veranda, her hands folded around a cup of tea gone cold. Mandla stands across the yard, his laughter booming louder than necessary, his arm resting on another woman’s shoulder — a relative, perhaps, or maybe not. The sight burns quietly within her chest, yet her face remains calm, practiced, unbothered. When Nkosikhona’s eyes meet hers, he offers a small smile — the kind that carries both warmth and understanding. For a moment, Zanele feels seen again, as if someone finally notices the woman behind the wife. As the night approaches,Zanele is left alone with Mandla in the kitchen. “Zanele,hope you got to see what a woman is supposed to do in her marriage”.Mandla`s words crept into Zanele’s chest as she knew what they meant. “And,I hope you got to see how a man is suppose to conduct themselves when married”.Zanele knew that she had to stand her grounds despite the deep cutting words spoken by Mandla. “Maybe if you were a woman enough to bear me children,I would have been the husband you yell for!!”,Zanele had to defend her heart from such brutal words, “And…….,maybe if I married a man who knew how to make me fall pregnant,I would have been a …”.Her voice broke as Mandla stared at her with deadly eyes,and she couldn’t finish her sentence. Nkosikhona disturbed the conversation but unknowingly saved Zanele from the worst that could have happened. “oh..sorry ,did I disturb your lovely …conversation”?,Nkosikhona asked jokingly, “No you…did..not,Nkosikhona”Zanele answered trying to stop her tears from falling.Mandla couldn’t even spit a single word so he left the kitchen. Nkosikhona was now exposed to the tension, “Are you okay?”,he asked while reaching for Zanele’s hand.Zanele still frightened,quickly nodded and left the room.Nkosikhona returned to the room where everyone was gathered,the night was alive with tradition-women ululated joyfully and men danced to the rythmic music,the air thick with celebration and movement.