Inconvenient Marriage

INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE

By

Thabi Majabula

Published by Thabi Majabula at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Thabi Majabula

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed, this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com. Thank you for your support.

This is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

Zoleka walked slowly into the grocery shop, and looked about. It was big, well stocked, and busy. She nodded, the owner was obviously doing very well for himself. The shop doors closed, and a voice on the intercom encouraged customers to finish up, as the store was closed. Zoleka approached the manager's office.

Excuse me, no one is allowed there, said a security guard.

I'm here to see Mister Toms, said Zoleka.

He doesn't see anyone without an appointment.

He'll see me. Tell him Misters Toms is here.

Ma'am...

Toms, Toms, Chinedu Toms, your wife is here, shouted Zoleka.

One of the security guards made to escort her out of the building, she struggled and kept shouting that Misters Toms was there to see Mister Toms. A second security guard took hold of one of her arms, while the first held her other arm, then they lifted her and started for the door.

Wait, said a man. The security guards and Zoleka turned to look at the speaker.

He was tall, about six foot two, dark, big-built, with a rugged north African look. Zoleka was disappointed. She had expected someone more handsome.

Are you Mister Toms? she asked.

What do you want?

To see my husband. If he has a problem seeing me, I could get home affairs to look into...

Let her go. Zoleka found herself on her own feet.

Come with me, said the man. Zoleka followed him into the office. There were three men in there. The man that she had followed spoke to them in a language that she did not understand. They looked at her, at the man, and left.

Sit down, said the man.

I'd rather not, said Zoleka. The man moved close to her, towering intimidatingly over her five foot seven, medium sized build.

I don't know what game you're playing, but it stops now. You are not my wife, he said. Zoleka felt her blood boil.

"Don't you dare speak to me as if I wronged you, when you're the one who married me without my knowledge!" she shouted.

I did not marry you! I'm married to Tebogo Mashego.

Does she have the same ID number as me? It's my ID number that turned up married when I tried to get a loan.

Tebogo is my wife.

Then why is my ID number...

I don't know! They glared at each other.

Have you ever met this wife of yours?

What kind of question is that? asked the man, going to sit behind his desk.

Why talk to me if you know I'm not your wife?

You were distracting my staff.

You were afraid of being deported.

I'm not afraid of anything! It's time for you to leave.

How do you want to do this?

What do you mean?

If we're getting divorced, I'm entitled to half of all you have.

That is nonsense! said the man, shocked by Zoleka's words.

Give me what I want, unless you want home affairs investigating you.

Go away!

Look at your wife's ID, and check your marriage certificate. Your wife's name maybe on the certificate, but it's my ID number that was used. I'm being asked to produce my marriage certificate to get loans and other things. Get in touch this time tomorrow, otherwise, I'm having you arrested, said Zoleka, then she left.

She drove home, determined to get Chinedu to divorce her. Half of that shop would come in very handy.

She was at work next morning, when the bank phoned her again, asking for her marriage certificate.

I don't have it yet, she said.

Ms Nxumalo, we can't help you without that certificate. The sooner you get it to us, the sooner we can process your application, said the bank official.

I know, I'll be in touch when I get it. The...my...husband and I are having issues.

Oh.

It will all be sorted out soon.

I hope so. Zoleka blew out a frustrated breath. If being married is so much hassle, then John can forget it, she thought.

When shall we go and register to marry? he asked on their date that evening.

I don't want to get married, she said.

Don't lie to me.

How dare you...

You're already married, that's why you're playing games.

I'm not playing games!

I was told by Paul, you know he works in home affairs. He checked you out. He figured you'd only refuse to marry me if you were already married, and you are. You married a Nigerian. Why didn't you tell me you were married, instead of playing with me?

I...

Zoleka became aware of someone standing beside her. She looked up at the person, it was Chinedu. She frowned at him. He leaned down to kiss her cheek. She put a hand on it, looking from him to John. He was looking at her as if he hated her.

Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Zoleka? No? I'm Zoleka's husband, said Chinedu to John.

Where have you been? Do you leave your wives alone in Nigeria? Is it any wonder Zoleka was running around on you? Take good care of her. Zoleka, when you finish with him, give me a call, said John, then he left. Zoleka stared after him, mouthing his name.

Chinedu sat down in John's seat.

What do you want? demanded Zoleka.

We need to talk.

You agree that we should get divorced?

No!

I don't want, or need a husband.

You already have one. Whatever you had with that man is over.

How dare you presume to tell me what to do!

You're my wife.

Not by choice! Give me a divorce, otherwise I'll report you.

I can't divorce you.

Fine, I'll file for divorce.

No! Zoleka...

Did you follow me here?

Yes.

You've been spying on me?

You told me to get in touch within twenty four hours, but you didn’t tell me how to find you.

You're not telling me what I want to hear. Chinedu looked about.

Can we go and talk somewhere more private? he suggested.

No! I'm not going anywhere with you.

We need to talk about some sensitive things. Do you want people hearing about your experiences in Durban?

What do you know about...

You want to talk about it here, where anyone can hear, and make a big deal of it? Zoleka glared at him, then she stood. He followed her out of the restaurant.

We'll talk in my car, she said. They sat in the car.

Well? she said, as the silence stretched.

I need to stay married to stop my mother's match-making, and to keep my businesses. If you try to divorce me, I'll publicise your activities. You have a very interesting past that your employers will consider bad for business.

Why are you doing this to me? I've never done anything to you.

You married me.

I wasn't even aware I was married, so you can't blame that on me.

I'll make being married to me worth your while.

How?

With money.

I'm not a whore!

Not anymore. Zoleka slapped him.

Now, you're a wife, my wife. We'll have to move in together, said Chinedu.

I don't even know you!

Did you know the people you serviced?

Zoleka looked away from him. Her heart was pounding with fear and anger. This cannot be happening, she thought. She did not want history messing her present and future, neither did she want a foreign husband. How was she going to explain him to her family and friends? She had to find something to use against him, and force him into divorcing her.

I'll think about it, she said.

There's nothing to think about. We'll move in together, and then...

I'll move in with you, if you promise me a divorce in...how long have we been married?

Five months.

How long before you become a citizen?

What does that have to do with anything?

I want a divorce as soon as you're a citizen. John...the man you found me with, is the one I want to be married to.

I thought you didn't want a husband?

I don't want one I didn't choose. You're just going to complicate my life.

I'll make your life better.

I'll have to explain you to my family, you need to pay amalobolo, that's the bride price, and my mother will nag about children. You and I won't be having sex, so children will never happen. Why won't you just go away? she asked, looking and sounding distressed.

I'm as much a victim here as you are. I thought I was marrying someone called Tebogo, who wanted what I want, a quiet marriage. You shouted and screamed in my shop, now my mother's heard about our marriage and wants to meet you.

I'm not meeting her.

You publicised this, you're meeting her, and we're going to pretend to be happily married.

For how long?

For good.

I'll do this, if you give me a divorce when you're a citizen. If you don't put that in writing, I'll publicise my history myself, and tell home affairs I was told about my marriage to you by a bank I was applying to for a loan. I'll lose my job, yes, but you'll lose more than me, said Zoleka. She and Chinedu watched each other in silence.

My lawyer will send you what you want. Once you have that, you move in with me, he said.

I have a better idea. We'll have a marital contract, said Zoleka.

A what?

A marital contract. It's similar to a prenuptial contract, it tells us how to conduct ourselves in the marriage, and there are penalties for failure to follow it.

I'm not doing that.

Fine. I'll take tomorrow morning off, and spend it at home affairs.

Why are you being so vindictive?

I'm protecting myself, Chinedu. Men will promise the moon, the sun and everything in between, and leave a woman high and dry. My days of being a victim are over. We'll have a contract so you pay me whatever money it is you offered, and so you don't try any funny tricks. Let me tell you that if you kill me, you won't get away with it.

I won't kill you!

Aren't you a drug lord? All Nigerians are drug lords, and they kill people at the drop of a hat.

I'm not a drug lord!

I'll have the contract drawn up, and we'll sign it. When you become a citizen, we go our separate ways. Are you going to give me a cushy divorce settlement for my troubles?

No! I'll be paying you during the marriage, what more do you want?

I want a trouble-free life. Maybe we should forget this. My parents are going to be furious. They know John, how am I going to explain being done with him, and married to you in so short a time? asked Zoleka. She felt cold in the pit of her stomach.

My father's going to kill me, she whispered.

No one is going to kill you, I'll protect you.

You don't know my father, said Zoleka. She shook her head.

Let's forget it. I'll tell my bosses tomorrow, and then...