Falling For My Contract Husband

Getting to know my new family

"Tell me about yourself, Simi." She asks me while pouring a bottle of red for herself. And I pour a glass of apple juice. I don't like this question. She makes it sound like a job interview. It's like there's a right and wrong answer. And I'm about to give the wrong one. In this case, I don't know how to answer and I tell her.

"I just want to know the little typical things about you. Who are your parents? What makes you happy? What makes you sad or angry? Tell me about your childhood, your friends, your siblings. That kind of stuff." She tells me. I don't know if she's asking because she really wants to know or she's just trying to pass time. But I indulge her anyway.

"I love food. It's always family first for me. I have 2 younger brothers who are twins…" Thank God she interrupts me before she dies of boredom. I don't think anyone has asked me that question.

"It must have been hard for your parents. It was hard when I raised my triplets. When it comes to my children, I don't want anyone else to help me. Sabelo, Liyana and Zamani were a handful. I still feel like it would still be challenging even if they weren't triplets." She misunderstood the confusion on my face. She thinks I shared the same experience she had with her triplets. I didn't know that Sabelo was one of the triplets. The media didn't even know. I don't know why he didn't feel the need to share such an important piece of information with me. I listen as she tells me about the joy and challenges of raising all her children.

"Sabelo has always been the quiet one of the 3." His mom tells me.

"Where are they now? Liyana and Zamani?" I asked her.

"Oh he didn't tell you?"

"I didn't even know that he had other siblings other than Mlungisi." As soon as I uttered the words, my mother-in-law stood up and walked out the room. I ran after her so I could apologise for being nosey and offending her.

"I'm okay, Simi. I just want to fetch the photo album so I can tell you more about my children." I let out a sigh of relief and I went back to my seat. A few moments later, my mother-in-law walks in with a photo album, another glass of wine and a jug of apple juice. It looks like we'll be here the whole day. I'm not complaining. I really want to know more about the stranger I married.

"I have 5 children; Mlungisi, Simon, Zamani, Liyana and Sabelo. I wanted them to have names starting with an 'S' like mine. They do, but not as their first names. Because I also didn't want their father to think I didn't want him to name them. I had so many plans that didn't work out in reality. I want there to be a 5 year age gap between my children. But like their names, I couldn't decide alone." She starts with their newborn pictures, their full names, birthdays and ages. She has a sharp mind. She still remembers which day of the week they were born on, the time and their birth weight. I can tell by her animated description as well as her voice that her children are her world. But I noticed that Liyana, Zamani and Simon's pictures stopped some time ago. Maybe years ago. She has recent pictures of both Mlungisi and Sabelo. This makes her come across as a bit of an old school. Who still keeps the photo albums? She already has a picture of Sabelo and I on our wedding day.

"I didn't know there were there."

"Sabelo must have forgotten to tell you." Okay, that was quick. We got married 1 and a half days ago.

"You were saying something about Mlungisi…" I reminded her so that the conversation could go on. I'm really interested in how Sabelo was when growing up. I doubt he has always been this cold. I wonder what changed. And most importantly, I wonder what happened to the other three. I don't want to come across as pushy, so I wait for her to continue.

"I'm sure you're wondering what happened to the other 3…"

"You don't have to talk about it."

"No, I'm sorry for burdening you…"

"You're not."

"Thanks." She rubs my hand.

"It's just that I don't have anyone to talk to anymore. I miss my babies. A lot." She took a deep breath. I opened my mouth to stop her. But she shakes her head and tells me she wants to talk about it.

"Simon, Zamani and Liyana all left home years ago. They always felt like they weren't good enough for their father. They were constantly compared to Sabelo by the rest of the family, especially their father. I tried to make them see and know that they were good enough but I couldn't get through to them. We still get in touch but they haven't been home for over a decade. I haven't seen them in 10 months. Their father seems okay with that, but it hurts me. I was hoping they'd come to the wedding. People keep saying they envy us because they don't have any idea of what happens behind closed doors. How dysfunctional we are. Money can't buy happiness, I know first hand." She started crying. I hugged and tried to console her. I don't want anyone thinking I made her cry. I haven't even been here for a week. She apologises even though I tell her it's okay. She shares more stuff, but this time she focuses on the good days.

"Don't get too attached, you're leaving in a year." Sabelo tells me as soon as I walk into his bedroom. I thought he'd be sleeping by now. I didn't say anything, I went to the bathroom to change.