“Makoti, we called you today because your husband needs you and he loves you. The family wants you to come home where you belong. It has been too long, we want this madness to stop and we want grandkids.”

Andile’s father said all of that so casually like it meant nothing. He topped it off with a smile. I couldn’t believe this.

“It is true, this nonsense that you did in courts has nothing to do with this family and the ancestors do not recognise that nonsense. Andile tells me that he has tried to make you see reason.” Andile’s grandmother said, shaking her hand.

“I… I am sorry but the divorce is final. Andile cheated on me and he is the one who asked for the divorce. I…can’t do this. I won’t do this. Andile!”

“Mashandu? He answered in a low voice.

“Why won’t you tell your family what you did? tell them it wasn’t my fault,” I was crying now.

“Don’t cry Makoti, no one is blaming you. Andile, talk!” his father said, looking at him.

“I am sorry Zola. I am sorry for all the pain that I’ve caused you. I want us to start over and built our happy home. I ended things with…with. Look baby, I just want things to go back to the way they were, please Mashandu. I want us to build our family.” he said and everyone nodded their head in agreement. This was a bit of a nightmare. They were ganging up on me, I couldn’t believe this.

“So, what do you say, Makoti? You have to give him a chance. You see Mambatha, sometimes men are stupid and we don’t mean to hurt you. That is why we need you to guide us. Please, we ask that you open your heart to him and just slowly accept him back into your life.” Babomdala said.

I was not even looking at any of them now. I was livid. How dare they?

“Yes, and we will go to apologise to your family, formally. We’ll bring the damages for disrespecting their daughter but you have to come home, Mashandu.” Andile’s grandfather said, looking at his son.

“I think it’s unfair that the family called me here but there is no one from my family to represent me and tell my side of the story. I feel like the family is ganging up on me.” I said and silence fell.

“No one is ganging up on you. You are a Kheswa now, not a Mbatha. We solve our problems internally. We are not going to call your father every time you and my brother have an issue. This family can handle our conflicts here.” Khaya said, a bit annoyed.

“Yes, that is how we do things here, Makoti.” His father said. Andile still had his head down. He wasn’t saying anything.

“This is not just Andile and myself having a little fight. There was a divorce. Andile initiated a divorce! He wanted out and I gave him that. Even though it hurt me so much. I did love Andile more than anything. I accepted the pain and moved on. I am fine with things never working out and I would appreciate not having to talk about Andile again. I don’t love him anymore and I am going home, I am sorry.” I said, standing up hurriedly.

***

Tell us: Do you think it’s fair for the family to fight for Andile when they did’t fight for his marriage?