06

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

06

QHAWE

Hearing Solwazi speak like that yesterday, brought back the sense in his mind. He can't believe he got advice from his son on how to be a better father. He is only realizing now just how much he spent his time worrying about the kingdom and the throne, that he neglected his family. He didn't attend any meeting today, he's home and wants to spend time with them. He started with Thembeka but she told him she was going out with her friends. 

His second chance was Mkhonto but he just closed the door on his face. Now he's going to Zizipho, but he's scared. 

He gathers enough strength and knock at her mother's house.. 

Makhumalo opens for him. 

Sindiswa:Baba, I'm surprised to see you home at this time of the day. 

QHAWE:Yeah, I don't have any meetings today. Is Zizipho here?

Sindiswa:Yeah. 

He got inside and followed her. Zee was watching TV with her brother, Solwazi. 

Qhawe:San'bona(Greetings). 

Zizipho turned to him and nodded. 

Solwazi cleared his throat and decided to talk because Zee was ignoring him. 

Solwazi:Good day isn't it? The sun is out. 

He chuckled nervously. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say. 

Qhawe:Zizipho, I came to ask if we can go to the mall together. 

Zizipho:I don't like malls. 

Qhawe:Oh okay, then what do you like? 

Zizipho:You had 23 years to figure that out. If you don't know it's because you don't care. 

Sindiswa:Zizipho! 

She reprimanded her. Zee just shrugged her shoulders. 

Qhawe kept quiet and bit his inner mouth. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. 

Qhawe:Okay, I will see you all later. I have to go.. 

He walked out with a heavy heart. 

He went to the royal seer's hut, he lives within the royal house. 

It's a big yard, with many houses. You could get lost. 

He took off his shoes and went inside. He sat on the mat. 

Ndlovu:Nkosi yami(My king). 

Qhawe:Gatsheni.

Ndlovu:Ubukeka ukhathazekile(You seem worried). 

QHAWE:My soul is not at rest. 

Ndlovu:Family? 

Qhawe:My children hate me. None of them want to be in the same room as me. The damage is so much greater and I don't know how to fix it. 

Ndlovu:They really don't like you. I've seen that too. 

Qhawe:Mkhonto doesn't want anything to do with the throne, I need him to take the ropes. My time is over now. The more he delays the more it could cause trouble. 

Ndlovu:By culture, Solwazi should be the one who is the heir. Let's see what the bones say. 

He throws his bones and sneezes. He shakes his head. 

Ndlovu:Akuhambi kahle Sokotshane(Things are not going well). 

Qhawe:What's the matter? 

Ndlovu:Kukhona abangeneme, bayakhala(They are not happy, and are crying). 

Qhawe swallowed. 

Qhawe:Who are they? 

Ndlovu:Angiboni kahle (I can't see clearly). What did you do? 

Qhawe:I didn't do anything. 

Ndlovu:Your ancestors are divided, others are against you and others are with you. 

Qhawe:What does that mean? 

Ndlovu:That throne shouldn't stay empty Zondo. Your time to be king has expired. 

QHAWE:I have tried all that is possible to get Mkhonto to accept it, but he's stubborn. 

Ndlovu:Make Solwazi the heir. It's his right. 

Qhawe:I can't do that, that would be the end of everything. 

Ndlovu:Nothing stays hidden forever, that's what I will tell you. That throne is not so holy and it's holding so many secrets that would make a person faint. Whenever the true origin of the Zondo’s comes out, I hope you will be strong enough to handle the fires that it will come with. 

Qhawe breathed out nervously. Things have been smooth for so many years. Why is there suddenly conflict brewing now? 

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MKHONTO 

He is tired, emotionally and physically. Tired of hearing his father tell him about the throne every day. 

Lisa:It will be okay babe. 

He sighed and brushed her arm. How does he tell her that his father want him to take a royal second wife? Who came up with these rules anyone? Aren't we all people? 

Mkhonto:Tomorrow we are leaving. 

Lisa:Are you serious? 

Mkhonto:Yep. I can't be here anymore. I'll just go crazy. 

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KHOLO 

She is walking fast and looking behind her, to see if anyone is not following her. She finally arrives at Ndlovu's hut and takes off her shoes. 

Ndlovu:Mamfeka, what brings you here? 

Kholo:I saw my husband coming here earlier on. What did he want? 

Ndlovu:What I discuss with the king is mainly what I'm told by the ancestors. If he hasn't told you, that means you don't need to know. 

Kholo:Okay, I'm here to consult then. 

Ndlovu:On what? 

Kholo:My son. Will he be the king? 

Ndlovu:His father chose him. 

Kholo:I know that, but throw your bones. What are the ancestors saying? 

Ndlovu:I don't need to throw the bones for that. He will be king if he takes the mantle. 

Kholo:He's showing signs of not being interested. Can't we give him something that will make him agree to this? 

Ndlovu:I'm not a witch. I'm a healer and seer. If you want to practice witchcraft, go to your witches. 

Kholo:There is no need to insult me, I'm just a concerned mother. 

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KHETHI

She invited her friend over to visit. She should be here in a few minutes. She hopes it's acceptable to have visitors. She hasn't seen Qhawe for at least three days, she's hurt she won't lie. She thought she was his favorite. 

She hears scream and a loud noise, she knows that's her. Only her can be this loud. 

She goes outside to meet her halfway and it was indeed her. They scream together and hug each other excitedly. 

Nomzamo:Girl I missed you so much. 

Khethi:I missed you too. 

They are disturbed by someone clearing their throat behind them. When they look, it was Solwazi himself. 

Khethi held Nomzamo and her eyes looked at Solwazi. 

There was just something about him! 

Solwazi:Hi ladies, I see we are having fun. Well I just wanted to remind you that this is a royal house, screaming like this just screams barbaric. Let's tone it down, shall we? 

He says that smiling and he walks away. 

Nomzamo:Please tell me that's him. 

Khethi:Yep. 

Nomzamo just melts.. 

Khethi:Let's go to my house for privacy, o Kholo sebesithe njo ngamehlo(Kholo is staring at us) 

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SINDISWA 

Having Solwazi in the house has made Zizipho stop her ways. That girl will listen to anything Solwazi tells her, she's glad she listened to her brother and stopped drinking. 

She is in her room folding her clothes and she puts them in the closet. Every time she opens the closet she is met by this picture. It would be trouble for her if Qhawe were to find it. 

She shoves it deeper into one of her suitcases. 

It's about time she stops crying when she looks at his picture. She needs to accept what happened and move on. It's sad but there's nothing she can do. 

She goes out of the bedroom and Zee was standing next to the door. 

Sindiswa:You scared me. 

Zizipho:I'm sorry. I want to ask you something. 

Sindiswa:Okay. 

Zizipho:Can I leave with Bhuti to Durban? 

Sindiswa:What?

Saying she was shocked would be an understatement. 

Zizipho:I will go crazy in this house ma. I hate my father and the hate rises day by day. I'm afraid of what I'll accidentally do to him should we be alone in the room. That's why I want to leave. Maybe attend those therapy things they are always talking about in movies. 

Sindiswa:Well I would never stand in your way my baby. If Solwazi is okay with it, then you can go with him. 

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In the throne room. 

Solwazi is alone in the room. He doesn't know what he's doing here either, but he found himself here. 

He is tempted and he allows the temptation because he finds himself sitting in his father's throne. 

He feels all exhalarating chills all over his body. He rests his arms on the chair and sighs as he looks around. 

He felt mighty and in control. 

From outside, Kholo watches as Solwazi is sitting in the chair and her heart jumps with fear. Sindiswa's children can't do this to her. They can't steal the throne title from his son. People just like pushing her buttons. She's not a bad person, but everyone is always pushing her to the bad side.