*
MXOLISI
*
We are driving to Manzini Kingdom for the Lobola negotiations. Uncle Bheki couldn't make it since he is stuck in hospital just because he tried to get himself killed. That's all I can say, because why would he try to fight Qophelo like that. We didn't need him anyway. Since the family is a close nit family we had no problems getting people to represent us at the Manzini Kingdom. And then there's uncle Nqobani who didn't want to be left behind. He kept saying that his nephew cannot fetch his wife without him. He is that one uncle all families have. The one that is always drunk and talks too much. Qophelo agreed for him to come along but he won't be part of the negotiation team. God forbid, if we wanted thing to go wrong we would have include him and by doing that we would have gone back home empty handed. That is how much trouble he can be.
Monday I am leaving. I have put a lot on hold and now it's time handle business. Qophelo can handle Busi and Bheki from here on. He won't be needing me anytime soon. His new personal guard is well trained, not that he needs it but to not have a lot of questions asked, he has to have one. At least now that things are settling a bit, I can leave and attend to other business.
I wonder if Qophelo knows about mom and Sthembiso. I know for sure that mom is going to be happy again. I'm sure dad has blessed their relationship. I mean, we know that mom loved dad to infinity and he loved her. Those two were a perfect match and now these two a perfect match. She chose well or Sthembiso chose well. I don't know, doesn't matter as long as they are both off.
Sthembiso: It's not how we wanted you to find out. We didn't want you know yet. "He says bringing me back to reality. I'm driving and he is the front with and Qophelo is at the back. It's us three in this car."
Qophelo: What are talking about bhuti?
"You are not going to be calling him Bhuti now." he smacks my arm giving me that look that say "talk already."
Qophelo: Stop being childish Mxolisi.
Sthembiso: Your mother and I, we are...….
"They are a thing, they are seeing each other, they are a couple."
Sthembiso: You have a big mouth. Shut up for a second. Qophelo, I am sorry you had to find out like this. We didn't want you guys to find out just yet, but this one here walked in on us and we decided that we'd tell you.
Qophelo: To be honest with you, I suspected it. I'm ok with it. I really am. She would have to move on at some point, whether it was now or later, it wouldn't have made a difference really. I am glad it is you rather than someone we don't know. Imagine having to try to learn and understand a new person.
"Yhoooo bro, you can say that I can. Do you any have any idea hard it is to learn a new person. Yhooo, I don't want to go through all that."
Sthembiso: You are really ok with this? You don't think it's too soon?
"We are. We really are. Qophelo is right, it would have had to happen at some point. It's not too soon. As long as you guys are on the same page and you also need to understand that she loved dad so she switch off those feeling just like that."
Sthembiso: I understand that Mxolisi. I'm glad you guys are ok with this.
Qophelo: I was actually wondering how long it was going to take. I've seen how you look at her.
"We are here." I say as I park the car. We leave Qophelo in the car and meet the uncles at the gate. It's 08:00 am, we are right on time. I hope this goes quick, I don't want be here for long."
*
THANDO
*
The Bhengu's are here and I know my sister is a nervous rack right now. She probably thinks I don't know what has been going in this palace. I know exactly what has been going on. I know everything. I saw it all. I tried to protect her but I was a child also, I couldn't do much. I remember I use to leave here, I would want share her bedroom with her and my dad never wanted her to sleep in my room so I would go to her room every chance I got. My father never liked that. Once he tried to tell convince to sleep in my sister's room and told me it is not allowed and when I asked why he didn't have an answer for me. I knew already. I knew what he was doing to her. Me sleeping in her room was protecting her and giving her a break from what was happening. She that I was just attached to her. When I tried to do something about it, Bab' Sbonelo explained to me what was happening and why I couldn't do anything about it but he assured me she was protected. I believe Bab' Sbonelo, my father would have gotten away with it. No one would have believed us because they see as a good man. I know right now he is not happy that Iyana is getting married. If it were up to him, he would keep her locked up in a room somewhere in this palace. Mxolisi's voice brings me back to the negotiations.
Mxolisi: You must crazy. R 1 million. Who pays that for lobola?
"Baba, what are you doing? This is not what was discussed. What the f**k are you doing?" Now I understand why Iyana asked me to also be part of this. She knew her father would try some nonsense. "What is this baba, are you trying to sabotage this for Iyana?"
Menzi: She is my daughter and she is worth much more than what they are offering.
"Gentlemen, will you please excuse for a moment. We need to have a word with my father. Uncles please come with us. I think my father is losing his mind." We get up and walk outside to the patio. I make sure the sliding door is closed and I see Mxolisi on the phone. He must be talking to Qophelo. If I don't kill my father today, he had better thank his ancestors.
Uncle Cebo: Menzi, what it wrong with you, are you crazy? So much money. Are you selling your daughter?
Menzi: She is princess. They can't pay peanuts for her. If they can't afford it, they leave without her.
Uncle Cebo: He is a King and she about to be Queen. What is this. We discussed this last night, why are changing your mind now?
Menzi: Like I said, it they can't afford it, they .... "I cut him off with punch in the face. He turns and looks at me, he tries to throw a punch but my uncle holds him back."
"You want her here so that she can be your sex slave, because you want to make her your wife. She is your daughter. Not just any woman, your daughter." I can see he thought I didn't know and my uncle is just as equally shocked if not more.
Uncle Cebo: You mean to tell me that you raping your own child.
"He hasn't been successful, but he has been doing things to her. I'll explain later uncle. As for you dearest father, you are going to walk back in there and you are going to accept the offer and you are celebrate and be happy for your daughter, otherwise I'll be happy to bullet in your head, make you disappear and I'll sleep peacefully at night."
Uncle Cebo: I'll help you. Let's go back. "This why he is my favorite uncle. He doesn't take sh*t from anyone. We walk back in takes our sits and my uncle accepts the offer which was what we initially agreed upon as a family. Everything is concluded when Iyana is called and agrees that she knows them. My father is doing his best to pretend he is happy. Qophelo also walks greeting everyone and we go out and sit on the patio while the ladies serve lunch. After we eat we get the drinks out and enjoy ourselves, it basically became a small family celebration.
At least I know my sister will be happy with Qophelo and I believe that she is going to do a great job as Queen. I need to call a meeting with the council. It is time for my father to retire. He has done a lot to put this Kingdom at risk and we cannot afford that. I am doing my last year in university. I can take over after graduation next year. Hopefully then we'll still have a home, a Kingdom.
I never thought I would take the throne so soon. When I was growing up, used to be told all the time that one day I am going to be King. I morphed for the first time when sixteen into a Black Jaguar. That was the most painful experience of my life. I could feel my bones shifting taking the shape of the jaguar. I could hear every crackle of bones. I could feel the pain when the teeth changed especially when my fangs came out, how my eyes burned trying to adjust. Ever since then I became stronger. I morphed every night, learning my powers, my senses, learning to fight in that form. It was hard but I did it.
Qophelo: Come back to us. You zoned out a little there.
"I'm ok. I was just thinking. Can ask you guys something?" I'm sitting here with Mxolisi and Qophelo and I must say, this feels good. It feels good to have older brothers, people I can trust and depend on.
Qophelo: Go ahead. What's wrong.
"There's nothing wrong. I just need some advice. I want to call for a council meeting where I'll request that my dad retires early. I feel like he is not doing what he is supposed to do as King. He supposed to protect this Kingdom, our home but lately he's been taking unnecessary risks, he is gambling with our home."
Qophelo: Honestly, I think that you should otherwise you are going to find yourselves in trouble especially financially. For some reason your father is being driven by greed and greedy can destroy everything.
Mxolisi: I agree with him. I did some research and your Kingdom was thriving when your grandfather was King. It also thrived with your father but with him it was just enough to keep it alive. There's misuse of funds or someone is cooking the books to make it look like there is a misuse of funds because it doesn't make send that a Kingdom that was thriving, suddenly has it's financial status decline two years after the new King. You need to look into that.
"Ok I hear you. I'll definitely look into it. Thank you.
Qophelo: You are our little brother now. We are here for you. "I see Iyana walk towards us. She looks beautiful in her dress. Qophelo walks towards her meeting her halfway. He her into his arms kissing her. My sister is a gone girl. The way she blushes, one can see the red in her cheeks from here."
Mxolisi: Your sister is a gone girl. "I just look at him and laugh because I was just thinking the same thing. Honestly, I am glad it's them. I am happy my sister was chosen for their Kingdom.
*
IYANA
*
Today was beautiful. I'm just happy that everything went well. Now I can't wait to leave this place. I hope my brother is coming with because I want to spend more time with him. I can't believe it, I am now Mrs Bhengu.
"My King." I bow for him and he just smiles. He bows back for me."
Qophelo: My Queen, I have surprise for you when we get home.
"I don't like surprise My King."
Qophelo: I promise you are going to love this one. Are you ready to go or do you want to stay a little longer?
"Is my brother going back with us?"
Qophelo: He is going to use our jet to go back to school.
"Ok then, I am ready to go. If he was staying, I was going to stay a little bit longer. I really don't want to be here anymore. It doesn't feel like any home. I feel like a stranger in my own home." He kisses and we go back inside to say our goodbyes and I Neliswa walking with our bags with my brother and Phiwo. I guess our time is up here.