How could they hide such a thing from me? Why did my parents hide this from me? Worse my grandparents? I was taught to never lie as the truth sets you free. Actually no, they did not lie to me, they kept it from me. Now how do I tell my son his father is his uncle? Why should what was hidden from me now affect my son’s marriage? My son’s wedding preparations are not going accordingly because of rituals that needs to be done.

My name is Sibongile, I grew up in the suburbs as the only child with both my happily married parents. My mother as a gorgeous housewife who looks after my father and I. My father? My idol. The Councillor of the town we stayed at. I was the only child, as I was born my mother said she do not want anymore children after me and my kind hearted idol had to respect his wife’s wishes.

I always wished to have siblings sometimes, my childhood friend Nozipho from next door had about six siblings. They were Tsongas. As we all know Tsonga men love big families. Nozipho would get annoyed when her and I have to go somewhere and her siblings would cry for her or follow us unaware. That did not irritate me a bit because I loved them so much and I wished I had siblings to follow me around as well. Nozipho would vent to me and say a lot about how she wished she was me “the only child” and get everything she wanted at her own time and not being told wait till I get this for so and so. I guess she saw that as a disadvantage of having siblings. As for me I loved watching her and her siblings together I wanted that life for myself.

My reality was that, my cousins, my aunts and uncle’s children were my siblings. I grew up knowing that. We grew very close they always visited us in the mansion during school holidays. That be the only time I as well feel how it is to have a full house. After festive I’m back to my normal boring life. It was just dad, mom, aunty Nolisa who is our helper and I. Sometimes aunty Nolisa would come with her child Ofentse but she is much younger than me so I didn’t enjoy much being with her.

Years passed, I got into tertiary and started having that feeling of staying in res and making new friends. I made friends with a young man called Luthando. Luthando was from another province and came here in Limpopo to study. I firstly heard about him by my friend Nozipho who told me there’s a boy from her Psychology class who looks exactly like me just that he is a male and she would say he is a male version of me. Only to find out Luthando and I actually have a lot in common than just us looking alike.

We bumped to each other at the gym. I hit the gym Thursdays and Fridays at 13:30 on the dot right after class and I’m never late. So is Luthando. Everytime I get there he also just headed to change. We were never late. This other time he made a comment ad said “Right on time mam 13:30 sharp and never late, impressive!” I just looked at him with a smile and passed without saying anything. We then started seeing each other more often and actually had a conversation. I was a first year and he was doing his final year.

The day I actually met him I couldn’t keep my mouth shut about him to Nozipho. Not knowing he is the same male Nozipho told me about him and I looking alike. I really liked him and gym was much more exciting now. It was now like I got there for something useful other than before. Wednesday came again and we actually clocked in the same time at the gate and our students cards blocked and we were told to use the other entrance. We looked at each other and laughed!

“Why you always here the same time as me though?” he asked.

“I should be asking you the same Mr, you were not even patient enough to wait for me to enter then you will follow?” I questioned.

We then headed to the changing rooms to wear something comfortable and for once we started late with our gyming session. Around 18:00 we hit the shower and head out. We had a little chat before we parted ways, we exchanged contacts, told each other’s names and which residence we are staying. I got to my room in a very peaceful mood. For once I felt like I met someone who makes everything feel okay by just them smiling at me. I called Nozipho to my room and actually had a chat with her about the guy and we actually waited for him to text but he did not. I was super disappointed. My whole mood switched. Nozipho kept pushing me to text first because I have his contacts and what if he is also waiting for me to text.

Although I was super tempted to text him I did not. I had to put some respect on my name. Thursday came after class again I hit the gym. I met him yet again and he said he said he was sorry he wanted to text but when he got to his room the numbers were deleted, said the time I gave him my numbers he didn’t save them he just kept them in the keypad and told himself he’ll save them once he gets to the bus and unfortunately he must have pressed his phone and they got erased. He even mentioned he waited and waited for me to text but I did not. Was I not embarrassed and feeling guilty! I just told him I really had a busy night I was studying. He then requested I text now so he saves mine. I did that and we then started talking more often from that day.

We had our first date and that is when I saw future with this man, I saw fate brought us together. Luthando was a straight talker and on the first date he told me what he wants from me. He was clear. He did not mention us giving anything a chance or us starting off as friends. He wanted me and he told he is a man who goes for what he wants and it is me who he wants. Honestly there is nothing as sexy as a man who knows what he wants and who is very firm and clear first hand. I was really impressed and I did not seek for any advices from my friend Nozipho. I got back from that date as Luthando’s woman!

Nozipho asked what is it that his man said that completely made him win me. She asked where was the date in his room and if I ate anything cooked by him. I just laughed and told her if he gave me love portion he did a good job he must also give me dessert and a drink so the food do not choke me. We laughed and then we had a serious talk. I told her this is a man God brought for me and for the first time I feel alive and at peace. Luthando knows what he wants and he is clear, he did not promise me heaven and earth. He said nothing like roses are red and violets are blue. He did not say let’s try. All he said was he wants this, he wants us and he will cherish and respect me. He reminded me of my idol. My dad always told me a man’s words mean nothing. I should find a man who is sure of himself and sure of what he wants. A man must not sell me any dreams but rather show me. Luthando is a man of actions.

Years passed and we got married, Luthando was raised by his grandmother, his mother passed away before we even met and he does not know his father. My father gave him father’s love. Their relationship was much more than just a father and son in-law. A year after our marriage we had a bouncing baby boy. We were so happy. My husband has been good to me from day one of us meeting to now. Luthando celebrates special occasions, assures me, supports me and loves me wholeheartedly so. We named our child “Joy”. Joy grew in a happily married couple home.

Years passed, Joy did well in school and graduated to become a Doctor and he was also getting ready for marriage. He got engaged yet wedding preparations were not going so well. His father and his uncles got into a car accident on their way to the bride’s home for lobola. The negotiations got postponed. He was still going to work, so there was a time he was scheduled for surgery. The surgery did not go well. Joy as the best Doctor in town left a needle in the patient’s tummy and the patient suffered and went through so much till it was discovered the surgery was done by Doctor Mavundla himself and he was then suspended from work and this was a bad publicity for him and the hospital he was working at.

His aunt from his mother’s believed so much in rituals and cultural things. She suggested they go see someone maybe a seer things can’t be falling apart at once especially now when he is set for marriage. The family agreed even though some were Christians and did not believe in cultural ways. The family went and was told Joy’s parents are siblings. The ancestors are very angry and Joy is taking the fall. Everyone was surprised and confused. I myself did not believe this I wanted to laugh and shame the seer. I told myself she’s fake and only wants money. We left there in confusion.

Weekend came, my husband and I visited home and called everyone from both sides of the family. We all gathered to discuss how we can help our child and also told those who were not with us at the seer what we were told. To my surprise my father was not even shocked neither wanted to hear anything going onwards. He asked Luthando again.

“Young man where did you say this “Mavundla” surname is from again?” asked my father.

“Father this is my mom’s surname, I do not know my father.” answered Luthando.

My father then said to the rest of us: Family, let’s cut the act and tell our children the truth. I really have this heavy weight inside me. I feel ashamed of how we handled things back then, and for that, I’m so sorry Luthando all this was done for love and for my reputation. I had to choose my wife over you…

My mom jumped in: Michael, stop it! How do you even know this is the same child? I think we should run some tests before jumping into conclusions.

“This does not even need blood tests the only Mavundla surname I know is the woman I met ages back while with you and you forgiven me only for the fact that the woman vanished out of nowhere. Now there’s another Mavundla showing up as my son in-law?”

Joy jumped in “Grandpa what is going on who is the Mavundla woman you guys are talking about? Dad who is your mother? Is this even your real surname?”

Luthando started speaking “I have no idea what is going on here all I’m saying is the seer says Sibongile and I are siblings. How? I don’t know. So please someone say something. Grandmother what’s going on?”

I sat there in tears looking at everyone and thinking of everything and how things happened so quick between Luthando and I and how we love each so much and have a son who is ready for marriage. We had so much in common, the way we handled things, our interests and everything. I used to question myself how possible was it for me to meet someone who wants same things as me and do things same as me and God brought me Luthando. Now what is being said and wait, so my idol is a cheater. He cheated on my mom? How could he? All this was everything I said in my head quietly so looking at everyone.

My mom stood up in tears shaking and told everyone she has something to confess. We all looked at her wanting hear what she has to say and what is more worse than my dad cheating on her! Did she cheat as well? Is there another son out there?

“I’m so sorry I had my daughter’s best interest at heart. All I did was to do as what any mother would do. My husband is innocent. He knew nothing about a lost son or whatsoever. The woman called him months later after their hook up and I picked up his call as he was in the study and told me not to disturb. The woman on the call was crying and saying she is 8 months pregnant and Muchael is the father. She also mentioned she has been doing doctor’s check ups and the child is a boy. I had to think of myself and for the future. I felt so much pressure to have a child so my husband puts everything under her name before this woman and her son comes here and take all the inheritance of my husband. I gave this woman so much money and told her not to ever call this number again. Till now this is when I hear again about this woman and her son.”

“Mother you’re so cruel! You were so loud about not having other children. Couldn’t you allow this woman and her child to come stay with us? How dare you?”

The truth was out, Luthando and I had to divorce yet still stayed in touch. My idol and mom divorced as well. The elders did a family ritual for Joy and was introduced as their grandchild along with his father Luthando or should I say “uncle”? The ceremony went well. Both Luthando and Joy changed to my dad’s surname. I also changed back to my dad’s surname. Joy went back to work and married the love of his life as she supported him throughout this mess. They lived happily ever after.