28

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

28

 

MKHONTO

He eventually gets out of bed and reaches for the walking stick besides him. He staggers to the kitchen, he heard his mother crying.

Mkhonto:Ma, what’s wrong?

Kholo:Everything is a lie Mkhonto. Everything we know is a lie. Our lives are a lie.

She is sitting on the wet floor and she’s crying.

Kholo:I am embarrassed. Ashamed, my son!

Mkhonto:What happened mom?

He was really clueless. When Madida took over his body, he didn’t see what was going on in the outside world, nor hear Madida’s thoughts. It’s like he was trapped in a dark place.

Kholo:Your father, Mkhonto, he lied to us. He lied to me. He was not royal. The Zondos stole the throne from the Ntuli family many years ago.

Whoa what!?

That is his reaction. How could they not be royal? He is a king. No his mother must be joking.

Mkhonto:You are joking, right?

Kholo:Do I look like I am joking?

Mkhonto:I don’t understand.

He keeps quiet and recalls how Madida used to press about how Solwazi is going to ruin things, after he(Madida) worked hard to ensure that the throne remains with them.

Kholo:Our lives are finished. We are finished. There’s nothing left for us anymore.

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SOLWAZI

He has dated before, he has been single for a while, he didn’t have the time for a relationship. But ever since he met Londi, something inside him moved. It’s no secret that he feels something for her. Seeing her is enough to just make his day. Yesterday he couldn’t sleep without seeing her, so he drove straight from Nqoboka and went to her house. He was happy to see her blushing in front of him. Which means she also feels something for him. It is funny how she calls him “u cheese wami”. It must be because of his light skin. He is not a fan of pet names, but because it’s her, he’ll let it slide.

His mother notices that he has been smiling non stop and decides to ask him.

Sindiswa:Did you meet someone?

Solwazi:Why do you ask?

Sindiswa:You are smiling alone and I have been standing here but you haven’t noticed me.

Solwazi:Oh sorry, I’m just thinking of something.

Sindiswa:So has Londi accepted the truth?

Solwazi:She’s coming around. I talked to her yesterday and she seemed to be coming into terms with the whole thing.

Sindiswa:She’s still digesting the news. She’ll get used to it.

Solwazi:I hope so.

Sindiswa:It’s a good thing, this you are doing. I thank God for blessing me with a son like you. The extra mile you have gone into finding this family and making sure that they know the truth is amazing. I really gave birth to a man.

Solwazi:It’s the right thing to do. Thank you.

Sindiswa:I wonder where will Kholo end up?

She shakes her head.

Solwazi:She’ll have to go back to her maiden royal house. Dad didn’t build y’all houses aside from residing in the royal house.

Sindiswa:Your father only cared about that chair. Nothing else mattered.

Solwazi:Yeah, and he left such a mess that I have to fix.

Sindiswa:Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure he’s helping on the other side.

Solwazi:I’m sure he is.

His phone rings and he smiles when he sees who is calling.

Sindiswa:Yep, you are in love.

She says and walks away.

He answers her.

Solwazi:Mama?

Londi:How are you?

Solwazi:/I am fine now that you are calling me. How are you?

Londi:I am fine. Are you coming here today?

Solwazi:Do you want me to come?

Londi:Yes. I want to hear you out. I am ready to listen to you about this whole royal thing.

Solwazi:Okay, I will be there a bit later because I have to help my sister with something.

Londi:Thank you. For everything.

Solwazi:Anything for you. Ngiyakuthanda (I love you.)

She keeps quiet and he laughs.

Solwazi:Think about it.

He hangs up and goes to Zizipho’s room.

Zizipho:Bhuti, hi.

Solwazi:Hey, how are you?

She shrugs her shoulders.

Zizipho:I’m good. How are you?

Solwazi:I’m fine. I haven’t talked to you about everything that has happened. You’re so far away yet we live in the same house.

Zizipho:I’m scared to bombard you with my problems, you are already dealing with a lot.

Solwazi:I’ll never be tired of you. You’re my little sister.

Zizipho:Even though we don’t share the same father?

Solwazi:Come here.

He takes her into his arms.

Solwazi:Us not sharing the same father doesn’t mean anything. You are my sister and nothing will change that. I’ll always love you and look out for you.

Zizipho:Thank you bhuti, I was a bit scared that you will reject me seeing as I’m not a Zondo.

Solwazi:I will never do that. Mom told me that you want to look for the Mcelelis. I don’t have enough time on my hands, but my friend, Luyanda, I will ask him to help you.

Zizipho:I would appreciate that because I have hit rock bottom trying to find them on social media platforms.

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LONDIWE

She called him and told him that she is ready to hear him out. About being royal. She’s ready to listen. Being stubborn won’t help. Because it won’t change how things are.

Right now, she is with Zama and she has told her what has been happening.

Zama:I can’t believe you are a princess! Maybe you are a Queen since you and your mother are the only ones left.

Londi:I don’t want to let power get in my head. Solwazi said his brother was possessed by an evil ancestor because he was starting to be greedy and selfish.

Zama:But that will not happen to you. You’re sweet. So how will your relationship with Solwazi work?

Londi:What do you mean?

Zama:He’s not royal, you’re royal. I heard royal marries royal.

Londi:His mother was a princess from a royal house. So he has some royal blood in him.

Zama:You’re about to embark on a new journey Londi, please take it serious. I know you, you take everything as a joke.

Londi:I don’t take everything as a joke.

Zama:I am not asking. I’m telling you. Please don’t let this guy slip through your fingers. He loves you and you love him. I’ve seen how your eyes light up when you talk about him.

She smiles.

Londi:I love him Zama and it’s scaring me. It’s like my love for him is being influenced, because I have never felt this way towards someone.

Zama:*Smiling* He’s our future in law. Please accompany me to the shop. I am craving a Kota.

Londi:Okay.

They stand up and walk to where they sell kotas.

The place was crowded as always. They sell the best kotas.

Zama places their order and they sit on the chairs waiting.

Zama:Yooo Londi isn’t that Mbaxu?

She gasps and looks where Zama was pointing. She hides her face with her hands.

Londi:I still owe him that R100.

Zama:He’s coming here.

Londi:Let’s leave Zama. He will beat me.

She stands up and drags Zama from her chair.

“Yeywena Londi!!”, she hears Mbaxu shouting at her.

She picks up her pace and runs away.

Mbaxu follows her running.

Londi:I will pay you your R100. Leave me alone.

Mbaxu:You have been saying that for months.

They argue while running after each other.

He finally catches up with her and she grabs her arm roughly.

Mbaxu:How long did you think you could run away from me?

Londi:Well to be honest, I didn’t think you will chase me.

Mbaxu:I want my money Londi.

Londi:So because of R100 you grab me like this? Leave me alone. You are hurting me.

Mbaxu:I want my money!!

She tried to remove her arm from his grip but he was holding her tightly.

“Mbaxu yekela ingane(Leave the child alone)”, said someone.

Mbaxu slapped him and he walked away.

A car stopped next to them and someone got out of the car. Londi looked up and it was him.

She broke free from Mbaxu’s grip and ran to him.

Londi:Baby…

She threw herself in his arms.

Solwazi:What’s going on? Why was this thing holding your arm like that?

He asked looking at Mbaxu like he was a disgusting pig. Mbaxu swallowed looking at this man. His presence was intimidating.

Solwazi:I’m going to ask again, and I’m asking you this time, is there a reason why you were holding my woman like that?

Mbaxu:She owes me money.

Solwazi:How much?

Mbaxu:R100.

Solwazi:So because of R100, you assault a woman like this?

Mbaxu:Bhuda she owes me.

He reaches inside his pocket and takes out his fat wallet that had a lot of notes, which made both Londi and Mbaxu lick their saliva.

He took out a stack and gave it to him.

Solwazi:Men don’t do this. You’re lucky because I’m not a violent person or else you would be picking up your teeth from this street!

He takes the money and smiles counting how much it was.

Mbaxu:Dankie Bhuda.

He walks away.

Solwazi looks at Londi and shakes his head.

Solwazi:Do you owe anyone else?

Londi:No.

Solwazi:Okay, get in. Everyone is looking at us now.

She looked around and indeed everyone had their eyes on them.

He opened the door for her and she got in.

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To be continued…