This is Us

Chapter 4

Dr: Please don't think too much of this. See, it's just that I've gained her trust ever since she first came here. She told me everything about her marriage and what's been happening. (he said that looking at me) She doesn't trust you guys, just the kids and me. Mr Mkhize I suggest you talk to your family

He then walked away leaving me to answer unasked questions. I just walked out and sat in my car. After a while my father walked in and sat next to me. None of us said anything and I didn't know how I was going to tell him the truth. After a while Mario and Dorian joined us and sat at the back.

Me: I messed up, I messed up big time. I r***d her on our wedding night, Melissa pushed her and she fell on her stomach when she was pregnant and I never treated her like how she deserves to be treated. I manhandled her and I abused her. I resented her for no reason, I threw all my frustrations on her and I slept with another woman on our bed

Dad: Fix this

He clicked his tongue then walked out. My brothers followed right behind him and I just sat there. My Granny walked in and honestly I wasn't in the mood for her lectures.

Gogo: I know what you did and that poor child didn't deserve any of that. She's been through so much pain growing up and you keep adding on to it. You better pray she forgives you or else you'll lose everything, and I mean everything

She also walked out but then this time I left with her. I got to Mami's ward and still she wasn't talking to anyone. She'd whisper to the kids here and there but they wouldn't tell us what she said. Days passed and there was no change, she was getting better though. She refused to see a therapist and we didn't push her.

It was now April and she was getting discharged today. I didn't want her staying with her doctor so I argued that she'd stay with me, she's still my wife at the end of the day. She still didn't want to be touched so I waited till she was asleep then carried her into the car.

I drove to a new house I had brought for us. I hadn't told anyone about it because I wanted it to be a surprise. I carried her inside and placed her on the bed in the main bedroom. I got all our bags from the car, I had packed them the day before. I placed them all in the bedroom. Thankfully she could now eat solid food so I ordered pizza for us.

I kept getting calls from everyone, I guess they were wondering about where we are. I sent a text to Mario telling me not to worry, I just want to make things right with Mami. I then switched my phone off and dished out the pizza for us. I made apple juice then walked up the stairs to our room and shook her awake. She panicked but I was able to calm her down.

I gave her the food and she ate very slowly. After we were done I took the dishes down stairs and washed them. I went back to the room and walked into the bathroom and run a bath for Mami. I added some essentials and bubble bath. I went back to the room and after some persuing and begging I took off her clothes and carried her to the bathroom.

I placed her in the tub and washed her softly. Looking at her bruises made my skin crawl. The anger I had inside of me was nothing compared to some of the things I've been doing to Melissa and her boys. I won't lie guys my wife was a babe. Her body would make any man get on his knees. I don't know why it took me so long to realise how lucky I am.

After I was done I helped her stand up and wrapped a towel around her. I carried her and placed her on the bed. I grabbed another towel and dried her. I took body lotion and lotioned her slowly and softly. This whole time she hasn't said a thing and it seemed like she wasn't even here. I dressed her up then tucked her in.

I went to shower then got dressed in boxers and pjay pants. I got my phone and switched it on. I called Gran and explained my plans to her, I didn't tell her where I was. I did the same with my dad and the kids. I didn't know if whether I should sleep on the couch or bed.

I then decided on the couch. I woke up a few hours later to Mami shaking me. I sat up and she pulled me to sleep on the bed. We both got in and I kissed her forehead. I felt her body shiver so pulled her to me. I wrapped my arm around her and I could feel tears on my arm.

Me: Mami I'm sorry, I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I'm sorry for not being able to protect you from myself and others. I'm sorry I couldn't find you in time and they did all those things to me. I'm sorry you felt that you had to hide the baby from me and I'm sorry I couldn't protect it. Mami please forgive me. These past few months without you were dreadful. I was starting to drink my life away and if we hadn't found you... I don't know where I'd be. I need you in my life and I'll do anything to for you not to leave me. I brought this house for us because I didn't want you to go back to that house. I didn't want you to have to sleep on that bed again. Dr Dempsey told me about Melissa pushing you and I'm so sorry. I know sorry won't change anything but it's all I can say for now. I promise I'll dedicate the rest of my life protecting you...

She just hugged me so tight and cried louder. I pulled her closer to me and hushed her back to sleep. Then I finally fell asleep. The next morning I made breakfast for us and surprisingly she came down to help me. I dished up and we ate in silence, after I washed the dishes. I then gave Mami a tour of the house and it seemed like she loved it.

Mami: It's.. Beau... Tiful

I just smiled and hugged her tight. I spinned her around till she tapped my shoulder. She caught her breath and I just laughed. We went to shower separately and I drove us home. I helped her out the car and pulled her inside. I could tell it was hard for her to walk so I just carried her and placed her on the couch. I then called for everyone and they were so excited to see her.

After hours and hours I drove us back to our new home and we cooked dinner together. She still wasn't talking but she'd smile here and there. After dinner I told her to go shower while I finished up. After I was done I walked into our room and Mami was holding my gun. I took it from her and placed it in the drawer. I then went to shower, dried up, lotioned then got dressed.

I went out and found Mami under the covers staring into space. I got in and cuddled behind her and kissed her neck. I took a deep breath then closed my eyes. I was still waiting for her to ask about the gun but nothing.

She got up and went to the closet. She opened it and pushed all the clothes aside. s**t! I take a deep breath and walk over to her. I type in her ID number and the door opened. We stepped in and her mouth hung open. There were guns all over room and safes here and there. After a while she walked out and I followed her.

Me: Mami I have to tell you something. I'm not a good person. I do dangerous things, besides being a business man, I also have other work. I do illegal things

She turned to face me with no emotion on her face.

Me: Mami I'm a crime lord. I just don't deal with human trafficking, that's just too heartless for me. I know this is hard to take in and you might want to turn your back on me but please don't. When you were gone I realised that Gogo was right, you are the one for me. Please be my ride or die, my partner in crime, hell you can even spend the rest of your life not talking to me. Just don't leave me please

Mami: I... Won't

She then coughed and I got her water to drink. When she was fine we cuddled again and we drifted off to sleep. The next morning we woke up and got ready. I wanted to introduce her to the guys properly. I drove us to the warehouse then carried her inside. I texted all the guys to come up since I didn't want to go under with her.

I sat her down on the couch and got her some apple juice form the fridge. Soon they all arrived and were shocked to see Mami. She was finally gaining some weight and she looked so beautiful. I sat next to her and kissed her cheek. Mario just laughed and they all sat next to us.

Me: Guys I want to formally introduce you to the Queen, Mami these are my guys. Deon, Jason, Ayden, Adam, Themba, Sandile and Sky. You already know Mario and Dorian

Themba: Does she know?

Me: I told her last night

Them: What?!

Me: She found my gun and she kinda found the gun room

Themba: Does she know everything though?

I give him a death stare and we just have an unspoken conversation. After a while he brushes me off. I just look at Mami and she is looking at me smiling.

The guys talked to Mami and she'd nod her head or shake it if she didn't agree with something. She then tapped my shoulder and rubbed her tummy, indicating that she was hungry. I got Themba to drive her to the nearest restaurant and stayed with the guys. An hour later and they still weren't back.

Me: Guys I need to have a talk with your girls

Them: Why?

Me: I want to plan a weekend getaway with Mami

Ayden: Why don't we just all go together, that way they'll get to meet the Queen

Me: I don't want your girls crowding my woman

Sandile: Man you always with Lani, give her space to meet a other people

Me: I just don't want her feeling suffocated

Deon: We'll talk to them

Me: Thanks guys, now where's my woman

Sky: Hold up guys... Do you hear that?!

Mario: *laughing* He's starting again

Jason: Someone sounds whipped

Sky then just hit Jason at the back of his head and we all laughed.

Sky: That was my line you idiot

Dorian: You guys are...

Then he was disturbed by the sound of the door opening. We all turned our heads to find Mami balancing on Themba's side with his arm around her.

Adam: This does not look good and someone is not impressed

Me: Shut up, she's hasn't fully recovered so actually I'd be pissed if he wasn't looking after her

Mario: Let's let the whipped nigga get his girl before someone else does

Me: You need to get a filter, actually all of you have no filter

Mami and Themba approached us and she was actually giggling and Themba was smiling. He then put her takeaway bag from McDonald's on my lap.

Themba: Now will you drink some water?

Mami smiled and then nodded. Themba then lead her to the kitchen and they came back after two minutes. They sat down and Mami was holding on to him so tight, she was even sitting on his lap. Honestly I trusted Themba, he was my best friend, but not when it came to my Mami.

Themba: Dude her doctor said she's getting a fever and also she's dehydrated

Me: When did you go to the doctor?

Themba: Right after we left the drive-thru. She was burning up so I drove to her doctor

I looked as Mami and she was having difficulty keeping her eyes opened. I got up and knelt in front of them, she was shaking and sweating.

Me: Mami do you want to go sleep?

Mami:... N..

Themba: Your voice is still dry so don't talk, go you need to rest

Mami got up then smiled at him before kissing his cheek. That just made my blood boil but I kept my cool, I didn't want to blow up in front of her. She then hung on to me and I carried her to one of the rooms here. We have rooms just for times of wars so our families are protected. I laid her down then covered her with a fleece blanket. I walked back to the guys.

Me: Dude what the hell was that?

Themba: Why didn't you tell me she was my sister?

Us: What?!

Themba: Dude even a blind man can see we're siblings. We have the same completion, same eyes and she looks exactly like my mother

Me: We don't know for sure yet

Themba: I already asked...

Just then his phone rang.

Themba: Sure boy... Wait... Are you sure?... f**k I knew it... Sho boy we'll keep in touch

Then he dropped the call and looked at all of us. I mean we all wanted to know who he was talking to. He turned to leave but then out of nowhere, he turned and gave me one hell of a punch. I'm sure it was going to last for days. He then started kicking me like no one's business. The guys then pulled him away and I got up looking at him pissed.

Themba: YOU r***d MY SISTER YOU PIECE OF s**t!!

The guys immediately let go of him and my face flushed.

Themba: THE CHILD IS SO SCARED OF LIFE ITSELF BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID TO HER. I LOST MY FIRST NIECE/NEPHEW BECAUSE OF YOU. I CAN'T EVEN HEAR MY OWN SISTER'S VOICE BECAUSE OF YOU. I HOPE SHE LEAVES YOU, YOU DON'T DESERVE HER. I HATE YOU AND I SPIT OM THE GROUND YOU WALK ON

He then spat on the floor and walked away, guessing to check on Mami. The whole room just went silent and I buried myself in the couch. I'm sure I just lost my wife and my best friend right now.

Deon: Give him time man he'll come around

Adam: He'd just pissed about everything

Me: Honestly if I were him I would've killed me by now

Themba: I just might

He was walking towards us with Mami in his arms. She was eating her food and looked much better. They sat on the single couch and she was in his lap. She'd feed him here and there and I finally saw the resemblance. She finished up then Themba took the plate to the kitchen. He then walked out with her then came back alone.

Themba: I'm going home with her

Them: WHAT?!

Themba: Honestly I wasn't asking for permission, I was simply just telling you

He then walked out and I didn't have the energy to fight with him. I figured it's best since he needs to tell her the news and he made me realise Mami is scared of me. She can't even look at me in the eyes and she always flinches when I touch her. I got up and just went home. I wasn't in the mood for anyone or anything.

#Themba's POV

I drove with Mami to my house and found Kim, my girlfriend, watching TV. She got up when she saw us and turned it off. I helped Mami sit down then kissed her cheek. I went to the kitchen to fix her something to eat with Kim following me.

Me: She's my sister and Dante's wife

Kim: What, but how?

Me: I found out today about us being related

Kim: So why is she here?

Me: She's going to be staying here for a few days. I don't want her around Dante, I don't him to kill my sister just when I found her

I walked back to Lani with a tray of a mince sandwich and apple juice. I helped her eat then took everything to the kitchen. I went back to the lounge and was glad to see Kim talking to her.

Me: She can't really talk but give her time

Kim smiled then nodded. I then walked out to call Dante who picked up just before I was about to drop the call.

Me: I need her medicine

Dante: I'll bring them

I then dropped the call and went back inside. We spent our day just watching movies and just laughing together.

Me: I need to talk to you about something

I said that turning to Lani. She turned to look at me and flashed me the most prettiest smile ever.

Me: So remember I called my guy right? (she nodded) Well he called and I'm really I'm brother

She cried softly and hugged me. And then whispered...

Lani: Thank... You... I... I love... You

Me: I love you too

Dante: Stop making my wife cry dude

I turned and he was standing by the door carrying a brown bag. I got up to go take them and gave them to Lani. She then dissappeared into the kitchen.

Dante: Can we talk?

Me: I have nothing to say to you

Dante: Then at least hear me out

Me: Dante get out before I do something I'll regret

Dante: Can you just listen!!

We sat down and Lani came back, she looked better really. She crawled herself up next to me and just clinged on me so tightly. I wrapped my arm around her and she laid her head on my shoulder. I guess she was avoiding eye contact because she kept fiddling with her fingers, I used to do that as a kid. I then kissed her forehead and I felt her body relax.