KHANYISILE
I had a doctor's appointment today. The bullet wounds have completely healed, I don't feel pain anymore. My doctor gave me a clean bill of health. As I walk into the house these guys are sitting in the lounge busy on their laptops. Lwanele walks down the stairs, she greets and walks to the kitchen.
Me: Where is our guest? (Before they could answer me Lwanele walks in holding a small bottle of juice.)
Lwanele: Mom is dad still at work?
Me: yes he is Princess, do you need anything?
Lwanele: no mom. I just have this uneasy feeling about him. Oh the twins are here.
Me: I'm sure he is ok and I know about the twins. Do me a favour and call their mother for me. Thank you (she runs off.) guys I need you your attention, please put the laptops away. (just then Sima walks in) Please sit Sima. (My phone beeps again and it's another picture and this makes my knees week. If I was standing I probably would have fallen. I try to collect myself and keep calm.)
Sima you and your husband are playing with fire and you are going to burn. You guys are really messing with me in the wrong way. When I had you brought here, I had no intentions of keeping you longer than I had to. That plan has changed. You are going to stay until further notice all because that stupid husband of yours did something stupid, something that is going to get him killed.
Sima: Khanyi you can't kill him please. The kids still need him.
Me: I'm sorry Sima but Zwelibanzi did this to himself. I am going to send someone to your house to get a few things that you will need. Take this write down a list and I'll call the help to pack the things for you.
Sima: Khanyi please don't do this.
Eddie: Just do as she says.
Me: Sima answer me this; looking at the current situation between you and me, who should be killing who? (she looks at me with tears in her eyes and she doesn't have an answer for me.) I thought so.
(I take out my phone and open the pictures that were sent to me.) Look at these pictures, that's my son and that is the man I love. Yazi Sima wena nomyeni wakho, ninyathele inyoka emsileni. {You know Sima, you and your husband just stepped on the snake's tail.} do you know what happens when one does that, they get bitten and they die.
Eddie: he has Qhawe too. This is bad.
Me: Take my phone and take that number down you can also download those pics. Call Zack and Sandiso they need to be here. I need them to trace the calls that he is going to be making to me.
Andile: I'll call Lwazi and Bandile to come over.
Me: You don't have to. They are probably on their way, they love the food in this house too much besides, they bought groceries so obviously they want to eat here. (I feel a bit light headed right now. maybe I stood up too fast.)
Eddei: Khanyi you are not ok. Why don't you sit down and breathe a little.
Me: Eddie he is messing with me, he is messing with my family Eddie. (I feel my tears falling on my face. Eddie just holds.)
Eddie: I know Princess and we are going to find them.
Me: I'll be upstairs, Sima go back to your kids I'll deal with you later. Andile take my phone and take pictures of her and the kids. (I walk away and go upstairs.)
Zwelibanzi is really playing with fire. He still thinks that I'm that woman i was when I was married to him, the woman he broke. He is really shitting on me right now and he is going to regret this. I strip naked and walk in to a shower, I need the hot shower to clear my head. The water feels so good. I need my boys to hang in there. Qhawe looked liked he was out. I wonder what he used to drug him. I get dressed in one of his shirts and leggings, I go and check on the kids and they are going to want to know where they are, why they are not home. Sibahle has become so close to Khaya now. The relationship that these kids built between themselves in such a short space of time is amazing, their bonds with each other are so tight and the relationship my kids have with Qhawe is that kind of relationship Zwelibanzi should have with his kids.
I hope my kids will forgive me one day because the only way out of this for Zwelibanzi is death. It's time I put the things Eddie taught me into use. When I get downstairs Zack and Sandiso are here and Bandile and Lwazi just walked in.
Bandile: what's going on?
Eddie: Zwellibanzi took Khaya and Qhawe
Bandile: how did that happen Eddie?
Eddie: they both didn't have their guards with them and Qhawe was really being stubborn about it this morning. (Sizwe walks in)
Sizwe: he is not going to do any thing to them, not yet anyway. We need to find them before he hurts them.
Me: he is not going to do anything to them at all. He is not even going to break a single hair on their body.
Sizwe: Why are you so sure?
Me: I have what he wants and what he loves. He needs me and he knows if anything happens to them, he gets nothing.
Sizwe: you don't get it, he is trying to break you Khanyi, by using the most important men in your life.
Me: I am going to break him. I need you all to listen to me. We are going to do this my way, we are going to get them back and we are doing it my way. I'm tired of Zwelibanzi thinking he can get away with everything he does to me, not this time.
Eddie: but Khanyi ......….. (I don't let him finish what he wants to say.)
ME: No buts Eddie. We are doing it my way.
Sizwe: Let her be, remember she knows him better that we do. (my phone rings and Andile hands it to me, he looks at Sandiso who just nods and andile tells me to Answer.)
*********************
Phone converstion:
Me: hello
Zweli: Angel Face. How are you?
Me: I'm good and you
Zweli: I'm good too. Did you get my messages Angel Face?
ME: Call me Angel Face one more time, I'll end this call. I got your messages. What do you want?
Zweli: Angel Face is such a beautiful name and it suits you. (this guy is really testing me right now.) I think you know what I want. Sign over everything my dad left to my kids and we go our separate ways.
Me: you really must have a screw loose in that head of yours. I'm not signing anything. What I am going to do though is to find you and when I do, you will die.
Zweli: we both know you won't kill me. Your conscious won't allow you because you won't be able to answer the kids when they ask about me
Me: I used to think that but I don't care anymore. I swear if they have even a single scratch on them because of you. Your life depends on whether they live or die and if I were you I'd try my best to keep them alive.
Zweli: that's funny because your son said the same thing.
Me: He was taught well.
Zweli: I have the documents drawn up, just sign them and this will be over soon.
Me: like I said I'm not signing anything
Zweli: not even to save the new man in your life.
ME: Not even to save him. (I tried so hard to say it with conviction and I think he picked on my slight hesitation.) bye Zweli (and I hang up)
*********************************
Lwazi: you hesitated and he picked up on it.
Me: I know. (my phone beeps again, when I check it he sent me a video this time his guys are beating up Qhawe, he is helpless, both his hands and feet are tied, he can't even fight back. It's a very short video, at the end of the video Zwelibanzi says something to me. "I know you love him probably more than you ever loved me and for him you will sign.") Andile get Sima for me. Sandiso, Zack anything on the trace?
Zack: Nothing yet. He has a scrambler. It will take a while to get his actual location.
Me: fine, just find him. (Andile walks in with Sima.) Sima come with me.
Eddie: where are you taking her?
Me: Basement
Eddie & Andile: Khanyi NO!!! (the rest of the guys look at them and then me probably wondering what happens in the basement.
Me: He is playing dirty and I'm not holding back. Bring me the twins.
Andile: the twins are sleeping.
Me: perfect, hopefully they won't wake up until I'm done. BRING THEM.
Andile: Khanyi not the kids, please.
Me: what makes you think I'm going to hurt them, just bring me those boys.
Sima: why are we going to the basement:
Me: Patience my dear Sima. You'll find out.
Lwazi: I want to see this basement that every one is so afraid of. (he says that following me to the basement. When we get there I switch on the lights and I see the shock in both their faces.)
Me: Sit Sima. Lwazi since you are here, make yourself useful and tie her up. (Andile walked in with the twins still out like a light. They must be really tired.) Put them on the mat next to their mother, take the cable ties and tie them up. Hurry I need to do this while they are sleeping. (Sima is busy crying which is good for me at this moment.)
Sima: Khanyi please don't hurt us. (I keep quiet and give Andile my phone and instruct him to take a video.
ME: I am going to make a video and send it to your husband and we'll see how much he loves you. We'll see if he loves money more than he loves you guys. (I slap her) that is for planning to kill me. (I slap her again) that is for your husband's stupidity. (I tell Andile to stop the video.) did you include the boys in this video.
Andile: yes i included them, he'll be able to even see the cable ties.
Me: Good. You can take the boys upstairs do not forget to cut the cable ties.
Lwazi: you are really good at this.
Me: I'm pissed off Lwazi and these two are going to pay and I haven't done anything yet. Sima you can stay here for a while. Don't think I've forgotten you tried to kill me. Maybe you can choose a weapon you want me to use on you from the ones you see.
Lwazi: I feel sorry you Sima. (she is tears and scared for her life.)
Me: Lwazi stop tormenting the poor woman, come on let's go.
Lwazi: Me tormenting the woman. Khanyi please. You are the one tormenting her, she's even scared of you, she really thought you were going to hurt the kids and I think what scares her the most is that she doesn't know what you are going to do to her. I am going to steal you from Qhawe and make you my wife. (he says that laughing)
Me: In your dreams clown boy. (we walk into the lounge where everyone is laughing and talking. I sit down on the couch and send photos of Sima and kids having fun in the game room with our kids. Caption: BEFORE YOU LAID YOUR HANDS ON HIM. After that I sent him the video and a few pictures from the basement. Caption: AFTER YOU LAID YOUR HANDS ON HIM.
Let's see what's more important to you, money or your little family.
ZWELIBANZI
I'm standing here looking at the video she sent me, they shot Sima but she is still alive. She says she is coming for me.
Me: Songezo tie them up.( He ties them and leaves the room. Soon after he leaves the room, I hear gunshots. It can't be her. She can't be here. How did she find me so quickly. Shit Sima and your big mouth.
Khaya: What's wrong Zwelli, you look like you've seen a ghost. Don't tell me an evil man like you is scared of little Angel Face as you would call her. I told you she was coming and I know she brought the calvary with her.
Me: I'm not scared of her.
Qhawe: Oh my god, you really are scared of her. Why did you start all this if you are afraid of her?
Me: I said I'm not scared of her. (I say pointing the gun at him, just then the door opens and she walks in and I quickly stand next to Qhawe and still pointing the gun at him.)
Khanyi: you really should be scared of me. (she scans the room, scans her son and looks at Qhawe then me, the Qhawe again and she smiles at him which he returns probably assuring her that he is ok. She walks over to her son, touches his face and kisses his forehead.) Are you ok my baby?
Khaya: I'm fine mom.
Khanyi: I am going to untie and I want you to walk out of here and go to the car do you hear me and don't worry I'll see you in a few minutes. (Khaya just nods)
Me: no one is going anywhere (she ignores me and continues to untie Khaya, I fire a warning shot, she turns to look at me then her son.)
Khanyi: Go baby, he is going to die before he shoots you. (she says that taking out her gun pointing at me and whispers something to Khaya before he walks out. She takes a sit where Khaya was sitting. Did she really come alone, where are her guys) I'm not alone. I would move that gun from his head if I were you. Grab a sit let's talk, you wanted me to sign something.
Me: I do want you to sign something. (I say that grabbing a chair and sit in front of her. She looks at Qhawe and gives him a very warm smile but I can see the pain in her eyes of seeing him like that.)
Khanyi: Zwelibanzi do you enjoy hurting me, haven't you done enough to hurt me and my kids and now you are hurting my heart.
Me: I just want what I want at any cost.
Khanyi: So when you said you loved me, that was to get me to come back to you?
Me: I do love you Khanyi…. (she doesn't let me finish)
Khanyi: How stupid do you think I am Zwelibanzi. (I stand and walk towards the table that's in the far corner of this room. I take the envelope that's on the table. It's a good thing I came here after I had these drawn up. I take the document out of the envelope and throw them at her.)
Me: Sign or I shoot him. (some guy walks in)
Him: I want to see you try. Put the gun down and you won't get hurt. (I turn to look at this guy and I pull the trigger and the bullet goes through his shoulder. I hear Khanyi calling his name and going to him)
Khanyi: Eddie look at me. Are you ok, tell me you are ok.
Eddie: I'm ok, it's just my shoulder. (this guy sounds like he is used to getting shot.)
Me: I said sign the papers. (she gets up and looks at me, just then my friend walks in) Sizwe what are you doing here?
Khanyi: Sizwe I told you to take Khaya home.
Sizwe: Lwazi and Bandile took him to the hospital. Are you ok?
Khanyi: I'm fine he shot Eddie.
Me: so you are the one that betrayed me, the one that 's destroying me.
Sizwe: you shouldn't have tried to kill me and you shouldn't have hurt her the way you did. I told you I would do whatever it takes to protect them and here I am. (he walks towards Qhawe and stands next to him.
Me: Sign or they both die.
Qhawe: Khanyi look at me. (she turns to look at him.) don't sign those documents. You are a beautiful, strong woman. You have beautiful kids waiting for you at home, 10 of them, a whole team baby to play touch rugby with. (she smiles at him warmly.) remember what the old man said, remember what you promised him. No matter what it takes protect his legacy my Queen. He gave it to his grandchildren for a reason and you know that. I love you so much and we still have a lifetime to spend together. Do me a favour and take care of this idiot so that we can go home.
(she turns to look at me, points the gun at me ands shoot my leg and i scream in pain. I'm on one knee holding on to where she shot me on my left thigh. I'm still holding my gun, I point it at Sizwe and shoot him.)
Me: you betrayed me (Khanyi screams and I notice that Sizwe and Qhawe are both on the floor. She turns Qhawe over and he is bleeding but how, how did he get in front of Sizwe so quick. Another shot was fired and it goes through my shoulder when I turn to looks it's this Eddie person. When he was about to fire another shot, Khanyi stops him).
Khanyi: Don't kill him. (she shoots my other leg. Damn this shit hurts.)
He is going to the basement. (She goes back to Qhawe who is bleeding on the floor and he is losing a lot of blood.) baby look at me please, don't die on me. It's not your time yet, stay with me Qhawe. (Sizwe ran out a few minutes ago and came back with this other guy) Andile help him please I can't lose him. (I can hear her talking but I think I'm about to pass out.)
KHANYISILE
Andile: we need to get him to the hospital. Sizwe get the car.
Me: baby do you here that, we are taking you to the hospital. Please hang in there my love. You can't die because if you do, I'll die with with you, we'll all die with you. We still have a new baby to welcome to this world. Que please look at me. (he opens his eyes and smiles at me.)
Qhawe: I love you (it comes out as whisper)
Sizwe: let's get him in the car. (they take him and carry him to the car. As I walk out I looked at Zwelibanzi who is passed out on the floor. I am going to make him suffer first.)
Eddie: Lwazi is on his way, he'll take him. I'll see you at the hospital now go (I run out and get in the back seat where they put Qhawe. I take his head and put it on my lap. His pulse is weak and his breathing is becoming shallow.)
Me: Qhawe please hold on for me baby. You have to meet our little Boov. I never believed in miracles but today I believe miracles do happen. Something I thought would never happen to me, has happened and I can't live without you, remember what Sizwe said, I am your heart and you are mine. I can't do it alone my love, I can't go through the hormonal changes that I'm experiencing now alone. I need you, we need you. You are going to be a father again. I never thought it would happen again after the operation I had. You have to make it.
Sizwe: we are here. (Andile runs in and comes back with a nurse pushing a stretcher. They take him and place him on it and take him inside and I was right beside him holding his hand, he is unconscious now.
Nurse: you have to let go, you can't go in with him.
Me: I love you (I kiss his forehead and let go. Right there at that moment I go down on my knees and breakdown. I feel arms around, when I look up, it's Andile. He helps up and takes me to the waiting room and helps me sit.)
Andile: you are shaking Khanyi. Try to relax and breathe. He is going to be ok. Please try to relax, the stress is not good for the baby. Why didn't you tell us?
Me: I only found out when I went to the doctor for my check up. I didn't know,
Andile: how far along are you?
Me: 2 weeks. I'm scared Andile, I don't want to raise this baby without him, in fact I don't want to go through this pregnancy without him (he holds me and lets me cry in his arms. Sizwe walks in.)
Sizwe: hey, he is going to make it. you need to relax for our little neice in there.
Me: who says it's a girl?
Andile: there's too many males in this family we need a princess. Qhawe's parents are on their way. (Bandile walks in)
Bandile: Khaya is fine, he is sleeping, they are keeping him overnight for observation. He might go home tomorrow if the doctor is ok with his progress.
Me: Please take me to him. He holds out his hand for me to take and I take it. He walks me to Khaya's room and my son was sleeping peacefuly. I just kiss his forehead and go back to the waiting room, just as we sit, Qhawe's parents walk in. Loyiso walks up to me and hugs me. He is hugging me a lot today.)
Loyiso: are you ok? (I shake my head "no") I can't hear you. (I just cried because Qhawe always says that if I make gesture for my answers. He just held me and let me cry on him chest. Hush now sisi, Qhawe is going to be fine.)
Siyanda: My son is in here because of you, if he was not with you , he wouldn't be here. He would be home taking care of his kids. It's all your fault and why are his kids not here.
Loyiso: what are they going to do here Siyanda?
Siyanda: what if he doesn't make it, they need to see their father. I am going to tell the twins and Sibahle.
Me: if you so as much as open your mouth about Qhawe to those kids, I swear I'll do to you what I did to the guy that shot Qhawe. Don't test me. I know you don't like me, so please don't make your problems mine.
Siyanda: Are you going to let her talk to me like that.
Loyiso: you deserve it. how's your son Khanyi?
Me: he is ok tata. They are keeping him overnight for observation. (Eddie walks in all bandaged up and his arm in a sling. He comes to me and hugs with his one arm.) Are you ok? I'm so sorry.
Eddie: I'm ok and it was bound to happen, don't worry about it. Why didn't you tell me?
ME: I only found out when I went for my check up. (I whisper my answer to him. Qhawe's parents don't know yet. I look at him with questioning eyes )
Eddie: Sizwe told me. ( I look at Sizwe and he just smiles at me. Lwazi walks in holding a bag)
Lwazi: I brought you a change of clothes. I had to go to Qhawe's house to get these. I didn't want the kids asking a lot of questions.)
Siyanda: so what if they ask questions, he is their father after all.
Loyiso: open your mouth again and let what comes out of it disrespect these kids and I'll take you home and I'll make sure your name is not on the visitors list.
Sizwe: Khanyi go change your clothes, you have his blood all over you and as for your information Mrs Mtimkhulu, Qhawe is here because he took a bullet for me. So lay off Khanyi otherwise you'll have all of us to deal with. (she keeps quiet and I walk out to the bathroom and change my clothes and the only thing going through my mind is this baby that I'm carrying. I still can't believe I am pregnant. I had my tubes tied after I miscarried my last baby and they said I would never be pregnant again. I walk back to the waiting room looking fresh and smelling fresh. The doctor walks in after I sit down. We've been waiting for hours now.)
Doctor: Qhawe Mtimkhulu
Me: yes ( I say standing up and walking towards him) how is he, is he ok?
Doctor: the bullet almost hit the heart and we've managed to remove it and he is going to be ok
Me: Can we see him?
Doctor: only for a few minutes, he is still unconscious. I'll show you his room.