I'm more than just the second wife

23

I helped him out of the tub and we waddled into the bedroom and we stopped at the center and I dried him up. I took extra care when I got to his stitches. The inflammation had slightly gone down. I disinfected the stitches and applied ointment on it before lotionioning his whole body. I wish we'd shared these moments under different circumstances. I loved the intimacy of it. I wanted to kiss him until I was breathless but I was too afraid he'd reject me. He wasn't my Yanda he was so withdrawn and so sad it seeped out of his pores and enveloped the entire room.

"I'll go get you a change of clothes. I'll move some of our things down here over the weekend." I informed him. I didn't know why I bothered speaking because he wouldn't respond either way. Maybe it's because I wanted him to know I don't resent him for how things were and caring for him wasn't a burden. I didn't want him to second guess where we stood and come up with conclusions drawn from my silence. I rushed upstairs got dressed and tied up my unruly mess of hair In a pony and picked out a soft pair of sweats and a shirt for Yanda and made my way downstairs.

I helped him get dressed and into bed and he sighed in relief. "I'll see you at around 17:00. I'll call you and tell you what the hospital says. Please call me if you need me and if the side effects get too much. I mean it Yanda! I love you." I whispered lastly and placed a kiss on his forehead tucking him in despite his grumbling. I turned to see mama and baba looking at us with fond eyes. I blushed and hurriedly dismissed myself after bidding them farewell and a safe trip.

I'd sent an email to Dr Sithole yesterday explaining my predicament so he'd squeezed in all my appointments that were before 10:00. The first thing I did when I got to work at 9:30, was call the hospital and they said a nurse would be dispatched for 14:00. "Hello." Yanda's deep voice came through the other end and I found myself smiling instead speaking. "Hello?" He asked getting impatient. "Hey it's me. The nurse will be there at 14:00. Please rest. No work! I'm serious Hadebe!" I think I heard him chuckle or was it a scoff? I chose to think it was a chuckle. "Okay Doctor wife but only if I get something in return." I could hear the humor that laced his voice. His personality slightly rearing it's head. I decided to humor him only cause I didn't know when mopey Yanda would show up. "And what do you want?" I reluctantly asked. " How about not having baby food for dinner tonight?" He knew he was taking a fat chance with that one so without even missing a beat I turned him down. "No but I'll bath with you tomorrow morning. How about that?" He didn't even let me finish before he agreed. "I need to get to work now. I love you." We were once again encompassed in silence before he whispered an okay. Mopey Yanda once again stole my husband away. The line went dead before I could say anything. I felt tears sting my eyes but I didn't dwell on the emotions swirling inside. I called reception to let in my first patient.

The day flew by and I immersed myself in work. The children that I saw throughout the day lifted my spirits. I truly hope I one day get to hear children's laughter even their cries echo in the walls of our house one day. Although I hope the former is heard more often than the latter. I was interrupted from these thoughts as I packed my briefcase by a knock on the door. "Come in." I said and Dr Sithole popped in. "Hey Doc. How are you and Hadebe holding up?" He asked reluctantly. "We'll be okay." I whispered. "I was just ensuring , well more like checking if that in light of this unfortunate event that we should put someone in your place at the hospital until Hadebe gets better." He asked looking at me awaiting a response.

"I will still work at the hospital. I'll just have to go home and check on him before I drive there and speaking of please send me the address." I said pulling a notepad to write the address. "I admire you! You work tirelessly and you defy your odds and you're great at your job. Your patients needed a great deal of convincing before they agreed to consult with me." I was taken by surprise by his words. I didn't think he paid me any mind. "Thank you. I appreciate your words." He nodded before letting himself out. I finished packing and drove home.

"Bhungane how was your day?" I yelled as soon as I walked into the house and I heard a soccer match playing. I walked into the living room and found him sitting on the couch sulking. I didn't need to ask the reason for his sulking. His team was losing 2-0. I peppered his face with kisses and his face eased into a small smile. Let me get started on dinner and we'll go shower. I need to change into scrubs." He let out an unintelligible response. I boiled some veggies, potatoes and made gravy and marinaded 4 leg quarters and threw them in the oven. I needed something that'd be quick and that was the first meal I thought of.

"Let's go shower." I said as I threw myself next to him and nuzzled into his neck. He then started massaging my neck easing the knots there and I sighed in satisfaction. "Don't go. You're tired." He said in a soft voice. "I already agreed. I can't back-out now." I replied back just as softly. "Don't .worry .over .weekends .you'll have me all. to .yourself." I replied punctuating each word with a kiss on his neck and I felt him stiffen and like that our mood is ruined. I wanted so badly to yell at him that sex isn't the only act that equates to intimacy because I hated how every time I say something that could be said in reference to sex his whole mood shifted. "Let's go shower." I whispered gently and helped him off the only couch in the living room. "How was your first treatment?" I asked as we both undressed. "Fine." He grumbled and I knew then to shut my mouth. We showered in silence. Each of us careful not to hog the faucet and bar of soap long enough to have the other ask for it in attempt to avoid communication.

We got out and I just wiped him where he needed my help disinfected the stitches applied the ointment and walked out to check on dinner. I drained the veggies and potatoes of water. I ground some pepper and salt into the veggies, grated lemon zest over them and added a generous spoon of butter onto them and mixed it all together. I added a glass of milk and a spoon of butter to the potatoes and mashed them. I switched off the stove that had gravy on it and checked on the chicken . It needed a few more minutes so I left it and headed upstairs to change.

I got into my scrubs and took three sets of Yanda's comfortable clothes and headed downstairs. I placed two sets on a chair and placed the one on the bed besides him. I then headed to the kitchen dishes up enough food for the pair of us on a plate. I took a deep breath saying a silent prayer asking for patience as I made my way to our room. I sat on the side of the bed whilst he slowly sat up. We ate in the tense silence. He'd gobble up his mouthful before I'd even lifted mine up to my lips. This man are for ten soldiers I swear. I wiped his lips when we were done. "I'll see you later. Goodnight I love you." I said lastly even though I knew I wouldn't get a response. I gave him a peck on the cheek before taking the dishes to the kitchen.

When I got to work I was tired even before I was assigned my first patient. I met Dr Sithole at reception. " Hey doc. Come I'll personally give you a tour of the place before the meeting." I smiled nodding as he first led me to the locker room so I could put away my handbag. "This is the neonatal ward. Everyone's favorite although the males won't admit it." He "whispered" and we shared a laugh as we walked down the hall. "Through there is the labour ward." He didn't even need to tell me. The screams and cry's from mothers and new born  was indication enough of which ward that is. "Through that door is the females ward and there is the males. The ICU and NICU is at the end of that passage and we're now headed to the boardroom." I listened and nodded through out the tour.

We were the last two to walk in the boardroom. "I trust that you're familiar with the hospital now Doctor Mkhize. Hello and welcome to our team. I'm doctor Zondo, the head doctor." This Doctor Zondo spoke before we even sat down. " Thank you Doctor." Was all I said and the meeting commenced.

"So this meeting is about division of duties. I think it's important we have this discussion especially since some of us will work part time. I don't want there to be confusion with who's meant to be where. Before you is a roster I drew up that shows who'll be assigned which ward. Before we arjern the meeting I'd like to extend our thanks to the doctors who work a full day and also take away time from their families to come and lend a helping hand here. And lastly are there any questions?" She asked looking around to see if anyone had anything to say. No one did and so we were dismissed.

I could see why she was appointed head doctor. She seemed firm and fair and I knew very well that she had to appear unapproachable as to earn respect from the men around here. I was definitely rooting for her.