35

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

35

 

On a Saturday, Londi and her mother had just arrived at Nqoboka Kingdom.

Solwazi comes to them and takes them inside. They are both mesmerized by how beautiful and elegant the royal house looks.

Londi:It is beautiful.

She compliments. They yard was too large. And the houses were beautiful. The late Qhawe really did an amazing job with the kingdom.

Solwazi :This is the throne room, where all meetings are held and where the king or Queen's chair is.

Londi looks at the chair and swallows. The throne room was amazing, but she didn't think she has what it takes to rule. Everything is just above her.

Nontombi:It's beautiful.

Solwazi:We have a seer but he's not here yet. He will be the one helping you with royal matters if you wish. I trust him. Come let me show you other places.

He gave them a tour of the whole kingdom.

Londi:So where is everyone?

Solwazi:Practically, no one lives here anymore. Mam'Kholo left yesterday and Mkhonto is not going to come back here when he returns from his cleansing. This is your home now.

She felt hot when he said that. A part of her still wasn't grasping what's happening. She can't believe that after so much suffering, her family is royal. As old as she is, but she has never had a stable job. She tried putting out CVS and did interviews but was never called back.

The royal house was amazing but it felt like a huge part of her was missing.

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Sindiswa is in her room and staring at Sipho's number. Ever since they hung up on her she never called again. She just wouldn't know what to say. It pains her heart more that he has moved on. That is the love of her life, her pillar of strength. It's crazy how he didn't even hesitate to find the next woman and settle down with. What about her? He knew that she didn't love Qhawe anymore. She wanted to be with him but the odds were against them. He should have been patient. They would be a family now. Qhawe is dead and nothing could have been standing in their way.

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Londi takes the glass of water to her mother so she could drink her pills.

Londi:So what do you think?

Nontombi:It is a nice place.

Londi:Do you think we can stay here? It will be the two of us. I'm scared.

Nontombi:It doesn't matter anymore. It's our home. But I think we need to do a cleansing and some prayer first before we can live comfortably.

Londi:Yeah you're right. Solwazi said the family's seer can help us with that.

Nontombi smiled.

Nontombi:He's a good man.

Londi blushed.

Londi:And kind too. He's just everything a woman needs in a man.

She blurts out and her mother laughs.

Nontombi:Even a five year old can tell that you love him. I'm happy for you Londi, I know life hasn't been good on us for the past years but this is our chance at happiness now. I want you to wipe those tears and allow yourself to be happy. Don't stress about anything, just go with the flow.

Londi:Solwazi says the same. Okay I guess I will just let everything play out on its own.

She walks out to find Solwazi. She hugs him from the back.

Londi:Hey.

Solwazi:Hi, so what do you think?

Londi:The place is nice. But my mother says we should do a cleansing first before we move in.

Solwazi:Yeah, that's a good idea.

He turns to face her and cups her face.

He leans for a kiss but she steps back.

He frowns confused.

Solwazi:What's wrong?

Londi:I don't think we should be doing this here.

Solwazi:We are not doing anything. I just wanted to kiss you.

Londi:Not now, Solwazi.

She walks away, leaving him wondering what's going on. Did he do anything to offend her?

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At Kholo's home.

It has been a day since she went back home. Everything is just so different from what she remembers. Her parents are no more, her brother is the one who took the mantle of being King. Surprisingly, the kindness her sister is showing her is nothing from what she expected. She's the only one who has been nice. Others are gossiping and laughing behind her back, that she married a commoner and came back home in her 50s.

She also doesn't like it and she just wants to be out of here but she has no choice.

She sighs as she remembers that she has to call Lisa and ask about Mkhonto's wellbeing.

She takes her phone and calls her.

Lisa:Hello.

Kholo:Hi Lisa, I'm calling to ask about Mkhonto. Is he getting better?

Lisa:He is getting there. The river seems to be helping because he can walk and talk freely now. Phazama really came through for us.

She smiled hearing that. Nothing would make her happy than her son getting better.

Kholo:Thank you, please do inform me more.

Lisa:I will ma. Thank you.

She hangs up and puts her phone on the table.

She looks around her and sighs. Is this what her life has been reduced to? She used to call orders and walk with her shoulders high knowing that she is married to the king. But now? She is the fool that married a commoner!!

She gets even more angry when she think about Qhawe. Good thing that he's dead because she would have killed him! But in all this, she blames Solwazi more. If he didn't go around poking his nose where it doesn't belong, they would still be living large. But the biggest idiot of all, is her husband who was too quick to die. Leaving them to deal with his mess!

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ZIZIPHO

She doesn't know if there are some extra forces at work here or what, but in the morning she came across Nozipho again! She couldn't believe it. And now she swears that she looks like Sipho.

This time she took her number because she's really curious.

They are meeting up for lunch and she is already at the restaurant.

She sees her coming in and she gets nervous all over again. Luyanda said Sipho has a daughter named Nozipho. So she's thinking that they are sisters maybe. What if she lashes out when she tells her? Luyanda has been so supportive throughout this whole thing, more than her brother Solwazi has been.

Nozipho:Hey, I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

She says sitting down.

Zizipho:No, I just arrived.

Nozipho:Anyway, you good?

Zizipho:I'm good, you?

Nozipho:Same here. Where did you say you are from again?

Zizipho:Nqoboka.

Nozipho:Wait, Nqoboka as in Nqoboka Kingdom?

Zizipho:Yeah, we were trending lately.

Nozipho:I saw. I'm sorry.

Zizipho:It's okay, I have moved on from it. Anyway what they said on those trends were true. The late Qhawe was not my father, I just found out. My mom lied to me and hid it from me.

Nozipho:I'm sorry babes.

Nozipho was just too easy to talk to.

Zizipho:Yeah, my real dad thinks that I'm dead because my mother lied to him and said she miscarried.

Nozipho:Whoa that's messed up!

She was shocked. Aren't mothers supposed to be sweet?

Zizipho:I was on a mission to find my father because I really want to know him, and to tell him that I am alive.

Nozipho:How will you find him? Does your mother know where he is?

She asks holding her hands.

Zizipho:I have already found him.

Nozipho:Wow that was quick.

Zizipho:Yeah my brother hired a PI and we found out that Bab'Qhawe paid him money for him to disappear. He's alive and has a family now.

Nozipho:This is great right? Now you can go to him.

Zizipho:I wouldn't know what to say Nozipho. He probably has his family and what if his wife or children don't like me?

Nozipho:I don't know you that much, heck I just met you. But you seem like the sweetest person ever. And you wouldn't know without trying. Most often we lose out on opportunities because we are worried we won't succeed. Please don't have that mindset. That man is your father and I'm sure he would be thrilled to know that his daughter is alive.

She smiled with tears in her eyes.

Nozipho:I also have a big sister, but she passed away in her mother's womb. She would be 23 years this year. Dad is miserable, his heart still yearns for his daughter. Do you know how much we wish as a family that our sister could miracleously come back? Nothing would make us more happy to see her. So you too, don't give up on this babe. Please go to him.

Zizipho breaks down and Nozipho stands up to comfort her.

Nozipho:I'm sorry.

Zizipho:I'm not crying for that. I'm crying because he has already found his daughter.

Nozipho stepped back confused.

Nozipho:What do you mean?

Zizipho:Im his daughter. Sipho Mceleli is my father.

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LONDIWE

Touring and sightseeing the kingdom has been fun. She's truly impressed by how good everything is. The people's houses are also elegant, they kind of look like RDP houses but more beautiful.

They went back to the royal house and she decided to call Zama and update her.

Zama:Mngani(Friend).

Londi:Hey girl, how are you?

Zama:I'm good oe. I was just washing Nana's clothes.

Zama has a two year old daughter. She's cute like her.

Londi:Anyway I just wanted to tell you that we have arrived in Nqoboka. The place is amazing.

Zama:I can imagine. I often heard that it was one of the richest kingdoms in South Africa.

Londi:I'm not surprised. They have everything here. You wouldn't say it's a village.

Zama:So are you ready for it?

Londi:I don't know, but I will give it a try.

Zama:Ohhh I'm so excited for you Londi. God answered my prayers, I'm always praying for you. This is your happily ever after friend.

Londi:Mom said the same thing.

Zama:She's right Londi. And with Solwazi with you, everything is just amazing.

Londi:Yeah... Solwazi…

She says as her smile lowers.

Zama:Hau why do you sound down now? Did the two of you fight?

Londi:No we didn't.

Zama:Then what happened? You always light up when I talk about Solwazi. What happened today?

Londi:Nothing happened. He's a good guy.

She forced a smile.

Zama:Hay don't lose gold while you are chasing stones or whatever they say.

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To be continued…