A HEART REPLACED

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ly present at the board meeting, his thoughts are far away. Even when the person next to him calls out his n

another time, citing Mkhuseli's apparent distress. Everyone nods in agreement, packs up their

cern etched on his face. Mkhuseli snaps back to a

" he asks, checking h

dule the meeting because you didn't s

iping his forehea

with me, brother)," he s

rely slept last night; she was in so muc

o sorry, Bafo. I know my words can't ease your pain

s his phone, and instructs Khumbulan

e says, exiting the board room and dr

and heads towards the house, greeting Mam Khethiwe, their loyal cleaner, who's busy scrubbing the pots in ki

pale and gaunt, her frame as thin as a finger. Visitors often wear masks to shield themselves from the pungent smell, but he refuse

Bony and Clyde. Mkhuseli and Londeka have weathered life's storms togethe

her. He takes her hand in his, feeling the warmth and familiarity of her touch. De

his voice cracking with emotio

and a faint smile plays on her lips. "Mkhu

stens as she struggles to speak. Her words are laced with

oice strained. "You've been my rock, my everyth

heavy with sorrow and love. He knows she's fighting a losing bat

peats, his voice choked with emot

__

e to bring him something to eat. He then heads to his study. Mam Khethiwe brings food in a tray for Mkhuseli and then leaves h

"Ndodana, kunjani?" (

e?"His father asks about Londeka, "Inkinga ayikho Ndodana,

nds, "Still th

l come to your side for a meeting.

ees, "No pro

ighs, wondering what the meeting will be about; it must be something i

.

o prepare a snack for Londeka. It's already 13:30, and she hasn't eaten since morning.

sitting up in bed, her eye

ka's voice is barely above a whisper as she replies, "I was about to."A painful coug

e food, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resignation. She's tired of the bland, nutritious food she's been forced to

akes small spoonfuls of the food and brings them to her lips, encouraging her to eat. Londeka closes her e

.

her bodily functions. She looks at Mkhuseli with embarrassment and distress, her eye

oothing. Londeka nods hesitantly, her face flushed with shame. Mkhuseli car

his movements swift and efficient, and gently places her in the water. He leaves her to clean up, his heart heavy w

ite the challenges, he remains steadfast in his devotion, never showing signs of fatigue or frustra

ondeka's face, the sparkle in her eyes, and the joy that filled his heart. He knew then that he would do anything to make her happy, to support her through life's ups and

*****

ubana 's

aughter, Nonhlakanipho, joins them at the table as requested. The three of them sit down to eat, and Bab'Thubana announces, "Nonhla, my

care of her."Nonhlakanipho questions again, "But why me, Baba?"MaMnguni intervenes, "*Because you're her sister, Nonhlakanipho. No more questions, finish ea

e. "Baba, is this really fair to Nonhlakanipho? She's be

hlakanipho will be fine, MaMnguni. She needs to go

she take on this responsibility alo

e, MaMnguni. Nonhlakanipho is the only one who can help her

h worry. "I just hope she can handl

her shoulder. "She'll be fine, my wife.

e in their culture, where family ties are deeply valued and the well-being of one's sister is considered a collective responsibility. Additionally, the Mbatha family is in need of an heir, but due to Londeka's illness, she is unable to fulfill this role, leading to the decision to send Nonhlakanipho to assist.This cultural practice may seem unfamiliar or even chall

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meeting. Mam Khethiwe is busy baking in the kitchen while Mkhuseli takes a refreshing shower. Londeka is still fast asleep, so he decides to let her rest a bit longer. After drying of

ly opens her eyes, and he reminds her, "The parents are coming over, r

election of clothes, and she chooses a long dress she loves. He helps her put it on, but the dress no longer fits her like it used to, hanging loosely on her thin frame. She blinks away te

" he says, helping

li says, heading to the kitc

eating until she's satisfied. At l

eeting is about?" Londeka

completely in the dark." He gets up, retr

the constant regimen. It's been a year and several months of taking these pills, only to return to the hospital for more when they're finished, with no improve

_

r son's residence. They enter the house, walking in as Mam Khethi

ates the greeting before inviting them to make themselves comfortable while he fetches h

ndeka by his side, carefully supporting her a

), Londeka greets her in-laws, and they respond s

oti?" MaMbatha inquires, c

n I say, Mah? I'm just getting by..."She trails off, coughi

ting, Baba?"Mkhuseli asks, curi

a deeper conversation to come. As if on cue, the door knocks, and Bab'Thubana and MaMnguni enter,

ings, inquiring about each other's w

returns with the tray and places it on the living room table, inviting everyone to help themselves. "Nhlaka, please pour us some tea,"MaMnguni re

without informing you first, as planned by the Thubana family and myself." Mkhuseli nods, and

Well, we have taken a decision to ask Nonhlakanipho, the younger sister

s, as Bab'Thubana and the

, you, and other things your w

ing my wife used to do', Baba?" Mkhusel

and have a burden to help your sick wife," Mbatha

rden to me, Baba?" he asks, h

cts, "My wife is not a burden to me, I can take c

e rescheduled because of you always being upset-minded?" Mbatha asks, and Mkhuseli keeps qui

us; that's a wife's job, not a m

walk around, Mah," Mkhuseli replies, wondering if t

to remain quiet, as she's no longer the wife who can fulfill her duties; she'll let the elders decide. "We have a helper in this house; I can ask her to

ent doesn't go back to the home; that's our culture." Mkhuseli asks, "Where does lobola

like a second wife," Mbatha says, his words making Londeka cough badly. Mkhuseli star

or whatever you are saying," Mkhuseli says sternly. "Ndodana, your stubbornness won't help you here," Mbatha says. "This meeting is about wh

o will be a perfect wife to help you and Londeka," Mbatha says, his voice stern. Mkhuseli chuckles, wondering if his father is listening to himself

ight of his wife's tears. "Please leave, now!" he demands, standing up and pointing to the door. "We apologize for upsetting you and your wife, son, but our decision remains unchanged. Nonhlakanipho will stay," Mbatha says, rising to his feet with his wife, leaving Bab'Thubana and his wife behind. "Londeka, my child, we're sorry for all this, but this is how things are done. If there

*****

KANIPH

take my sister's husband while she's still here; please, I beg of you, reconsider"she says, on the verge of tears. "Nonhlakanipho,

I want to live my own life," she plea

"she begs her mother. MaMnguni s

ey should have asked her before making decisions for her. She knows Londeka is her sister, and she's ill, but that doesn't mean she must s

n escorts his wife to the car, closing the door behind her. Before gettin

ears and heads back into the house, her heart heavy. She finds Mkhuseli still sitting with Londeka in the living room, both of them gazing at her as she stands in the midd

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