David: Dr. What's wrong with my wife?

The Dr sighed, he had done every test and every time the results showed nothing. No sign of illness.

Dr: Unfortunately Mr Ndlovu, the results came back negative again, we couldn't detect any illness from your wife, I'm sorry.

David rubbed his face with his hand, he was frustrated, but he was a calm man, acting impulsively was not something he would do.

David: Thank you Dr, let me walk you out.

Dr: I'm really sorry Mr Ndlovu. Listen, I may be a Dr but I grew up with tradition and I can tell you right now that this situation involves amaphansi (the ancestors)

David shook the Dr's hand and closed the door with a nod in understanding.

It's been weeks since Zanele started with her sicknesses, she would vomit and cry out that she was in pain, her whole body hurt. She would feel cold when her body would be burning. David tried everything to help her, took her to the hospital and even called a Dr from Gauteng to fly to KZN to treat his wife but he couldn't detect anything from her. He was an open minded man, he new tradition and his culture, he grew up believing in them, and maybe his wife needed help from a traditional healer, he had done all he could to save her, everything but.

David poured himself whiskey as he sat alone in the empty dining table, looking all sorts of tired and torn. He hasn't had a good night sleep in weeks, stress was his constant friend. Rose stood at the other end of the table with a worried look on her face, seeing her boss like that was really saddening.

Rose: Kuzolunga bab'Ndlovu, ngikuthembisa (it'll be okay Mr Ndlovu, I promise you)

David laughed humorlessly.

David: I doubt it Rose, she's getting worse, she even talks alone now, she talks about things I don't understand.

Rose: Bab'Ndlovu, if I may...

David gestured with his glass of whiskey for her to climb the pedestal.

Rose: Why don't you call a traditional healer, it seems to me that all this needs the assistance of the ancestors.

David smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

David: Yeah, you not the only one who thinks so, her Dr suggested that too, who do I call, I don't know any healers Rose, who do I call hm?

He said all defeated, like he had given up already. Rose reached for her phone and sent an address to her boss. His phone vibrated from the table, he raised his eyebrows at her.

Rose: That's an address for someone I've been going to all my life, he's trustworthy and real, no funny business, go to him.

David: Ngingaba yini ngaphanhle kwakho Rose? (What would I be without you Rose?)

Rose took the duster she had placed on the table and smiled at her boss.

Rose: Angazi Ndlovu, hai angazi ngempela. (I don't know Ndlovu, I really don't know)

David watched as she walked back to the kitchen, he wondered why she came in his life after he was already tied to someone else. No doubt in his mind that she was a beautiful and kind woman. With that thought he sighed.

David: Asazi! (we don't know)

***

Zodwa heard a hard knock on her door, she wiped her hands with a cloth. A knock came again as she was exiting her kitchen, quite louder this time.

Zodwa: Haibo haibo haibo!

She yanked her door open, as soon as she saw who it was, she immediately got irritated.

Zodwa: Jesu (Jesus) You again?

Lesedi pushed past her in all her glory, she looked as elegant as the first day she started using James' money.

Lesedi: Hello Zodwa, I'd day it's a pleasure to see you again but I'd be lying.

Zodwa crossed her arms to her chest.

Zodwa: Ufanini Lesedi? (What do you want)

Lesedi: Your help to take down Snakes, and this time I'm not asking you I'm telling you, unless you want to take all the evidence I have against you to the court, you know the little killings you've done for your late husband, the crimes you've committed before and after he died.

Zodwa's eyes were blazing with anger and panic but mostly confusion on how Lesedi got her hands on the proclaimed evidence.

Lesedi: That doesn't matter now, all that matters right now is you helping me take him down, I know you have the potential to, after all you were once married to a gang leader... Plus you owe me for ruining my life with that rat you call a child.

Zodwa sunk in her couch, she was conflicted between helping Lesedi and not inviting trouble for herself.

Lesedi: What's it gonna be Zodwa, you help me and stay out of jail or-

Zodwa: I'll help you!

She bluntly said, feeling defeated. Lesedi's grin spread from her face.

Lesedi: Ah, well that was easier than I thought, ke tlao phonela geh. Bye for now. (I'll call you)

Zodwa's voice rang in the Lesedi's ears before she pulled the door knob.

Zodwa: I have a plan.

Lesedi turned around and saw Zodwa still looking down.

Lesedi: Fill me in.

***

Mbali: Oh hi.

The nurse smiled warmly at the mother and son duo. Mbali was still holding onto baby Lungelo but he had fallen asleep, that still didn't stop her from looking at him and admiring his features, he may look like his father and nothing like her except for the skin tone and hair and that made her love the little cherub more.

Nurse: Aww, so cute!

She gushed and took the sleeping baby to put him on his crib next to his mother.

Nurse: You and your husband must be very happy to finally have him out of that thing.

Mbali laughed at her tone when she said thing. But what made her heart flatter is having someone think she was married to Sanele.

Mbali: Oh, no I'm not married.

The nurse made an O before smiling again, while she monitored the baby.

Nurse: But you look so in love and plus you have this bundle of joy, I think it's just a matter of time before that man kneels and asks you to marry him.

Mbali laughed along with the nurse.

Nurse: I know men my sister, they have an ego a size of a whole maze, so the fact that you just gave him a son, I'm sure his ego sky rocketed already.

Mbali: Hai stop!

She was laughing, but that little pride never left her as she thought about being Mrs Nkosi.

Soon she had a commission outside and before she could comprehend what was going on, the door flew open. A whole smile graced her face.

Siya: Ehhh, ma wengane (The kid's mother)

Lisa: Uyarasa buka, ingane ilele ( You making noise, look the child is sleeping)

She scolded at Siya.

Siya: Eh san, sorry. Ehhh ma wengane (the kid's mother).

He whispered this time as if it still mattered.

Snakes: Udom san ( You dumb boy )

Snakes shook his head disapprovingly at his stupid friend.

Sino and Lisa rushed to Mbali, hugging her and congratulating her with a lot of kisses. Mbali felt so much love in her little group of people, her room was just filled with flowers, fruit baskets and her bank account with R50 000, she couldn't believe Snakes had sent her so much money just as a recovery gift.

When she had asked him why money and not flowers of a tangible gift. He had simply said "every thou for days you spend in the hospital" she was beyond shocked.

Sanele came around and kissed her lips and forehead.

Sanele: You alright?

Mbali nodded with a tint of blush on her cheeks.

She looked over to Lungelo's crib and the nurse winked at her before collecting her things and leaving the room, Mbali sighed and turned her attention back to her family who were laughing and conversing. Snakes looking at Siya like he grew two heads during his speech of how pineapple isn't supposed to in a pizza, Sino and Lisa were talking about spoiling the baby as they giggled with Mbali. She was happy.