Due to her ill health, Grace couldn’t manage to leave her death bed going to Pretty to ask for forgiveness for the chaos she caused in their marriage. Hence she wrote this letter.

17 June 1994

Dear Pretty

I know I’m the last person you want to hear from after the mess I caused in your life. I am sorry. You have shown me love more than a friend could do. You were more than a mother to me, yet I was a devil in your life. Anyway, God has judged me instantly. I had a still birth. As for me, it’s a matter of time. My days are numbered. Henceforth, before that happens I want to say SORRY FOR ALL THE PAINS I CAUSED IN YOUR LIFE.

I request that you take care of Pardon, my son, a product and victim of my sins. I know it’s a big thing to ask, but I know you can do that for his sake.

Your “friend”

Grace.

“No, this is too true to believe. There must be a mix-up somewhere. This can’t be addressed to me. Grace, the one I provided with everything cannot do such a thing to me. How can she betray me like that, having an affair with my husband? Yes, it now makes sense.” Pretty said after reading the letter.

She sobbed for a long time then confronted Lovedale.

“Lovedale, I have loved you unsparingly from the first day I set eyes on you. So, is this the way you reciprocate my love with? What are you trying to prove, that you are man enough to play two friends April fool’s day while on honey moon? I never denied you to marry another woman, but not Grace, of all people. If Grace was that important to you, why did you marry me to start with? Jesus Christ! Cheating on me on my wedding day? I never expected…”

“Shut up Pretty! How dare you talk to me, your husband, like that? Speaking of things which took place long back as if they happened today? Are you a computer? When did we wed? Hee? 1994, it’s now 2014. How many years now if your Maths is still right? Say how many years Pretty girl, answer me.”

“Did I hear you well? Did you just call me pretty girl? That is your song every day. If I am that pretty and gorgeous as you sing it, why did you cheat on me? So, who is prettier now to you Lovedale? That is why she was so excited that she was to be on holiday in the same hotel we were going to for our honeymoon? Grace in a hotel for a holiday? You sidelined her when I asked how she could afford such luxuries. So, you paid for her? Can you justify that? You are disgusting. What really were you looking for? I hate you for degrading me in such a manner. So, that is why we gave birth the same week? Please tell me you aren’t the reason why she broke up with Patrick. All your dirty monkey tricks on our honeymoon were not adding up, but now, all make sense. You used to disappear for hours on end. My God, you both played me? When you disappeared, I used to go knock downstairs at Grace’s room seeking for some company and you were there, locked yourselves up like honey birds? You are such a…”

“Pretty! How dare you talk to me like that? What do you want the kids to think about me, a cheat? You are such a disgrace. You want them to grow thinking that I am an abusive father? Behave like a grown up woman. Let it be your first and last time to talk to me like that and about the Grace issue. Do you hear me Pretty? Or else…!”

Lovedale was shaking as he pointed at Pretty.

Mockingly, Pretty said, “Yes sir. I have heard you loud and clear. However, it’s impossible not to talk about this saga. I am dumbfounded about an honorable man taking two best friends on a honeymoon. Not just taking them, I mean to say, but, impregnating them. As if it is not enough, calling the babies Prudence and Pardon. You even had the guts to call my second child Shame. Little did I know you were shaming me for trusting you and my ignorance? That is true, shame on me for being in an illegal polygamous marriage. Once again, Grace is unmarried and is pregnant. Whose child is she carrying? Whose child Lovedale? Look me in the eye and tell me whose child Lovedale? You know what, you are not having a polygamous life but you are just a cheap cheat. Look at Sorrow, your brother. How many wives does he have, and who is saying what to him? He has the whole disciples’ team. We all have found our sorrowful peace in it because it is properly done in his Johane Marange church belief. And you Lovedale, you do not even know the door of the church. So, in whose name are you doing this? It’s uncalled for.”

“Nonsense, you are a woman and I paid lobola and you cannot tell me what to do. I do what I want and when I want. Do you hear me Sibanyoni Pretty?”

Pretty was so frightened and withdrew a bit, but had passive aggression in her voice as she spoke.

“Yes sir.”

***

Tell us: How do you feel about Lovedale’s statement: “You are a woman and I paid lobola and you cannot tell me what to do”?