STRING OF PEARLS
THIRTY
NARRATED
MaSibiya kept pinching herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. This man had hired a helicopter and flown them to Cape Town. He was literally the pilot flying them. After they landed, they went on a boat ride, just the two of them, and Tiro took off the pilot's hat and put on the captain's hat as he steered the boat.
"Come closer," he said to the awestruck MaSibiya. She walked closer, and he took her hands, placing them on the helm before placing his hands on top of hers. Together, they steered the boat.
"You're a natural," he whispered, and she smiled widely.
"How is it that you know how to fly and operate a boat?" Tiro smiled.
"I love learning and knowing things," he said, looking straight ahead. "Being on the sea and in the sky has brought me closer to God. I see Him in every valley, every mountain, flying high in the sky, overlooking His wonder and majesty. I look at how beautiful the ocean is, and then you tell me there's no God... I see Him every day," he said, and MaSibiya couldn't help but look ahead at the sparkling blue and green water.
"If there is a God, then why did He allow me to experience the worst pain any woman could ever experience? Why did He take away my womb and make me fail at the one thing a woman should be able to do?"
He took a look at her and saw the tears streaming down her face. He heaved a sigh before letting go of the helm and turning her around to face him.
"Isn't that dangerous?" she asked, concerned, and he shook his head.
"The sea is calm today," he said, and she smiled.
"Do you know what my favorite story in the Bible is?" MaSibiya frowned before shaking her head.
"Joseph, the youngest son of Jacob, was hated by his brothers due to their father's favoritism towards him. They became jealous when Jacob gave Joseph a special coat, and their resentment grew when Joseph shared his prophetic dreams, which suggested he would one day rule over them. In a fit of rage, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Despite facing many challenges, Joseph rose to become a trusted advisor to Pharaoh, predicting and preparing Egypt for a severe famine. Years later, when Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food, Joseph revealed his identity and forgave them, ultimately reuniting with his family. Trust in God and His will so much that even when bad things happen to you, you know without a doubt that God is going to turn it around. The very thing that brought you pain will ultimately bring you joy. You might not mother a child born of your womb, but who knows, maybe there's a little girl out there, a seven-year-old who needs a mother," he said, and she frowned before breaking into a beautiful smile.
"Wow, I didn't know you were a religious man," she said, and he shook his head.
"Not at all. I'm not religious, nor do I attend any church. God lives inside me; I am a very spiritual person. My siblings and I have been through so much; I know that it's only through the grace of God that I'm standing here today, alive and wealthy," he said, and she nodded.
He looked at his wristwatch.
"It's getting late. I need to take you back home before I get you into trouble," he said, and overwhelming sadness engulfed her. For a moment, she had forgotten about everything and everyone. She had forgotten that she was a married woman.
"Can we stay here forever?" she said in a whisper.
He pulled her closer, swiftly laying her head on his chest, and rubbed her back gently. That gesture had her in tears. She cried for her loveless marriage, she cried for the child she lost, she cried for not being able to have a child, she cried for her husband loving another woman, she cried for the time she wasted taking care of the whole Mthethwa family, forgetting about herself. She cried until her tears no longer came out.
"Come with me," he said.
"I came here for my brother's life, but I found everything in you. A beautiful, strong woman, a mother to my daughter, and..." she interrupted.
"You have a daughter?" she asked, lifting her head to look at him, and he nodded with a smile.
"Her name is Arabang; she's seven," he said.
"Where is her mother?" she asked, and he lifted her chin before brushing his lips against hers, sending shivers down her spine.
"I'm looking at her," he said before capturing her lips.
As they stood there, lost in the moment, MaSibiya felt a spark of electricity run through her body. She had never felt this way before, and it scared her. She tried to pull away, but Tiro held her close, deepening the kiss.
Just as suddenly as it had started, Tiro pulled away, leaving MaSibiya breathless and confused.
"I'm sorry," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "I didn't mean to do that."
MaSibiya shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "It's okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tiro looked at her, his eyes searching. "I want you to come with me," he said again. "Leave everything behind and start anew."
MaSibiya felt a pang of temptation. She had never been happy in her marriage, and the thought of leaving it all behind was tantalizing. But she was scared. She didn't know Tiro, and she didn't know what the future held.
"I don't know," she said, stalling for time.
Tiro nodded. "I understand," he said. "But know this: I will wait for you. I will wait for as long as it takes."
MaSibiya felt a shiver run down her spine. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No one had ever made her feel seen and heard like Tiro did.
As they stood there, the sun setting over the ocean, MaSibiya knew that she had a decision to make. She could stay in her loveless marriage, or she could take a chance on Tiro and see where it led.
MCEDISI
After pleading and begging Onezwa to open the door, realizing how much I've messed up, I decided to let her cool off. I wish she wouldn't always entertain the thought of leaving when things get tough. I love her with everything in me, and I know I keep failing her, but her threats to leave make me question her commitment to me.
I drove straight home and was met by an empty house. I guess my wife is still sightseeing with Tiro Ramokala. Just then, I hear the door open, and she walks in. My eyes narrow as I look at her. I've never seen her in that tight dress before, and the fact that she wore it for another man makes my blood boil.
"Where have you been?" I ask, trying to sound calm.
She doesn't answer. Instead, she walks over to the couch and sits down.
"You're just going to walk in here after being gone all day with another man?" I ask, my voice rising.
She looks at me before taking a deep breath. "You want to talk about being gone all day with another man?" she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I take a step back, surprised by her reaction. "Mcedisi, when you look at me, what do you see?" she asks, looking at me dead in the eyes.
I'm taken aback by her question. "I see my wife," I reply.
She laughs bitterly. "You see your wife? Mthethwa, don't insult my intelligence. You see a cheerleader, you see a puppet that does everything the master says. Untie my belts, take my mother to the doctor, make traditional beer, ass up chest down, accept another wife, cook for the family. I am not a wife; I am your toy, and you know what's the funny part? I've been waiting here for you to see me and love me, but what did you do? I don't blame you, though; I didn't love myself enough to walk away from this marriage. I always thought there was nothing out there for me."
Her words cut deep, and I feel a pang of regret. I realize too late that I've taken MaSibiya for granted.
"I'm sorry," I say, trying to apologize.
But she keeps talking. "You never took me on romantic dates, you never surprised me with gifts, you never even bothered to ask me how my day was. But Onezwa, oh Onezwa, she gets all of your attention, all of your love."
I feel a surge of defensiveness, but she's right. I haven't been a good husband to her.
"Is it love?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"With that Tiro guy, is it love? He is using you to get to me. He can't possibly love you if he can take you away from your matrimonial home and there are ways to handle your queries about this marriage," I say.
"My queries?" she asks, looking at me with a mix of confusion and anger. "Mcedisi, I'm not one of your taxi association friends or one of your managers at your coffee shop. This is a marriage, not a cooperation. It's either you love me right, or you don't; it's that simple. Today, a stranger flew me to Cape Town and made me feel so special. The entire time, I was thinking that my husband can afford this; why hasn't he taken me out on a date or bought me flowers? Not even a single romantic gesture in all the years we've been married. You don't love me, Nyambose, nor do you deserve me," she says, getting to her feet and leaving me shell-shocked.
The next day...
I didn't sleep well last night, knowing MaSibiya didn't come to bed. I found out she slept in the main house because my mother called me in the middle of the night, asking if I was fighting with MaSibiya and why she was sleeping in the main house.
I skipped breakfast and called Nkanyezi to arrange a meeting with Tiro. To my surprise, he agreed to meet at the hotel he's staying at.
As I arrive at the hotel, Tiro opens the door and greets me. I throw a mean punch at him, but he doesn't flinch.
"Don't," he says to his bodyguards as they attempt to come at me. "I deserve that," he says, cradling his cheek.
"I ought to put a bullet between your skull," I say through gritted teeth.
He nods, making way for me to enter. I follow him to the lounge.
"My wife?" I roar. "You came here to plead for your woman-beating brother, and you saw it fit to wine and dine my wife?"
He takes a seat and folds his arms. "Mcedisi, Amandla isn't part of a plan to piss you off. Yes, I do admit, I shouldn't have disrespected you like that, but man to man, you know how hard it is to control matters of the heart. I mean, you too, at some point, went into another man's house, relentlessly pursuing his woman."
I scoff. "Don't justify this. Onezwa has always been mine, and she was not married to your brother."
He nods. "I can never understand how these polygamous marriages work, but you sound to me like a very confused man, which makes me wonder how confused the women in your life are."
I clench my jaws. "Stay away from my wife."
He looks at me, unfazed. I turn to leave, pointing at him.
"Or you will mourn that brother of yours in those upmarket apartments in Gaborone or that cute little girl that attends Gaborone International School."
As I step outside, my phone beeps. It's a message from Onezwa: "WE NEED TO TALK."