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TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

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MANGALISO

Yesterday he ended up sleeping over at his mother's house. It felt good, because he hasn't been home in years. And he could see the excitement in his family that they are happy to see him..

His mother comes to him with his breakfast and he smiles at how she's serving him like a king…

Mangaliso:Thank you.

Manjomane:I'm really glad you are back my son. I have missed you. It's been three years since you left.

Mangaliso:I'm also happy to be home. I missed you guys. But I am pleased that the house is exactly how you wanted it.

Manjomane:I have you to thank for that. You have done so much for me my son, sometimes I think it's just a dream.

Mangaliso:You deserve it ma. I promised you that you would never suffer while I'm still alive. You raised me up when you had nothing, even when my father left you to raise me alone, you continued to love me and feed me. I can't thank you enough. A lot of mothers out there abandon their children when the father has left, but you didn't do that. So thank you.

Manjomane smiled with tears in her eyes. Hearing her son speak like this sent emotions to her heart. She did struggle with raising him but she didn't think he took it deeply like this.

Mangaliso:Let me eat so I will visit some of my friends.

Manjomane:Okay.

His mother married another man when he was about 18 years old, sadly he passed on just two years into their marriage. He was a good stepfather, he wishes they had more time with him at least.

Majomane:Son I have to tell you something.

Mangaliso:What is it?

Judging by her serious facial expression, he knows what this is about and he isn't ready to talk about that.

Mangaliso:At least not today mom.

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KwaSompisi, Phazama calls Londi to his hut.

Londi:Is everything okay?

Phazama:What are your ancestors doing?

Londi:What do you mean?

Phazama:They are turning everything upside down.

Londi:You are scaring me Phazama. What's going on?

Phazama burps and throws his bone.

Phazama:Akuhambi kahle neze(Things are not going well at all).

Londi:What are you seeing?

Phazama:They want to bring chaos between the two of you. They have found someone new.

Londi:Someone new for what?

Phazama:They do not want you to be with him.

Londi swallowed and looked at him. No doubt he was talking about Solwazi. She has tried everything to show her ancestors that Solwazi doesn't have any agenda.

Phazama:They are prepared to do anything to keep you two apart.

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In the Eastern Cape, they arrived in no time since they booked a flight. If they took a bus, maybe they wouldn't even be here yet.

She loves the place. The lands are beautiful and the houses are to die for. They are at Sipho's house and the rest of the family hasn't arrived yet.

She has met her other siblings and Nozipho's twins. They are amazing and lovely.

Nozipho took her to the river to see the place and just catch fresh air.

Nozipho:So what do you think about Eastern Cape?

Zizipho:I love it, I think I may just have to relocate here.

They laugh.

Zizipho:But on a serious note, the place is amazing and I loved meeting all my siblings. But the twins look like they are trouble.

Nozipho:You don't want to know, they do everything together so just imagine!

Zizipho:Maybe that's what you will have to deal with too when yours are grown.

Nozipho:Already I can't manage, I'm thankful for my mother who helps me. If it wasn't for her, I don't know if I would be here.

Zizipho:Yeah... Mothers.

She said with a sad tone. It was heartbreaking at how much her mother had just changed from the sweet innocent loving soul to this shell she is now. She used to care so much for people and she loved her children, but now it's like they don't even exist to her.

Nozipho:Hey don't be sad. I'm sure it's the old feelings that are making her behave this way.

Zizipho:No but this person is old Zipho and she should be acting matured. She knows dad is married to your mother. She's just causing hate between us siblings.

Nozipho:I also don't know why she is doing like this. I caught my mother crying yesterday but she didn't talk to me.

Zizipho:Ayi I don't know anymore.

Nozipho:But we are not here for that. We are here to welcome you as a member of the Mcelelis. I can't wait for you to be called Zizipho Mceleli.

She smiles as that has a nice ring to it.

Zizipho:Let's go back before they start looking for us.

They go back to the house and a few relatives were starting to arrive. The ceremony would take place in two days to come. She is excited and nervous at the same time. This is big.

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In Sipho's bedroom.

He closes the door and sits next to his wife.

Sipho:Can we talk?

Jabu:No. We have to prepare for Zizipho's ceremony.

Sipho:We still have time. I want us to talk. I know we haven't talked about everything that has happened.

Jabu:You mean you acting like a husband to Sindiswa?

Sipho:It wasn't like that. I am sorry if I made you feel like I want to do something with her. She is an ex, I did love her I won't lie but that was over 23 years ago. I moved on, I love you, you are the mother of my children. I just got caught up in the moment and forgot to respect you. Please forgive me. From now on I promise you, I will treat her like the mother of my child as she is. Nothing more.

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SOLWAZI

Getting to KwaSompisi proved to be impossible and he had to reschedule. He hasn't called Londi to tell her that he is not coming anymore. He had a meeting that took longer and he can't drive now, he's too tired.

He passed by the garage to fill his tank.

The petrol attendant helps him and he pays. He drives out of the garage, heading to his house.

On the way, he notices a woman by the pavement hiking, she had a baby in her arms.

He thought of stopping but then the crime rates in SA are very high, but he can't pass a woman wanting help.

He decides to stop the car and rolls down the window.

Solwazi:Sisi what is wrong?

“Sir please give me a lift. I am stranded here and I don't know anyone. Please just drop me off in town, I will take a train back home.”

She was speaking fast and crying.

He sighed and nodded.

He opened the back for her and told her to get in.

"Thank you so much Sir. Thank you so much", she said as she got inside the car.

He nodded and started driving. She seemed young, young to even have a baby but he is not judging.

Solwazi:How did you get here?

He asked looking at her through the mirror.

“I came to visit my boyfriend, but I found him with another woman. He chased me out. This is our baby, he didn't even care about us. I live emakhaya, le kwaMhlabuyalingana. I only came in Durban for him”

Solwazi:How old is your baby?

“She just turned three months.”

Solwazi:But aren't you too young to have a baby?

She laughs a little.

“I am actually 32 years old, it's just that I'm short. And people say I have a baby face”

He smiled embarrassed. He really thought she was a teenager. She's too short.

Solwazi:My name is Solwazi by the way.

“Oh I am Andiswa. Nice to know you. And thank you again for the lift. I don't know what I would have done”

Solwazi:It's a pleasure. Don’t worry about your boyfriend, he's an ass. He will miss you someday. They always do.

Andiswa:He really hurt me you know? I thought he loved me. I don't know why he would do something like this to me.

Solwazi:Don’t even start blaming yourself. You are not responsible for his shitty behavior. He's an adult, he knew what he was doing. Don't cry over a boy, especially him. Take it as a blessing in disguise. It's better you found out now than later.

She nodded and her baby started crying. She must be hungry. She wanted to take out her boob and feed her, but this was someone's car and she doesn't want to seem disrespectful.

Solwazi:Is she hungry?

Andiswa:I think so.

Solwazi:You can feed her. Does she have any food?

Andiswa:I breastfeed her but I can wait until you drop me off.

Solwazi:Nonsense. Feed her Andiswa.

The way he said her name made her smile a bit.

She did as told and fed her baby.

Solwazi:See? She's full now.

Andiswa laughs and shakes her head. The ride was more fun and pleasing than she'd hoped for.

Solwazi:It's late now. How will you catch a train?

Andiswa:I'll wait until the morning.

Solwazi:And sleep under the pipes with our baby? Never.

Andiswa:Our baby?

Solwazi:Yeah, since the father wants to be an ass I'm taking responsibility. I won't have you depressed and bitter because of him. You can crash at my house for the night. It's not safe in Durban.

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LONDIWE

After leaving Phazama, she went to call Solwazi. She was really worried about the ancestors who do not want them together.

He said he's coming here so why is he not here anymore.

She takes her phone and call him.

He answers after a while.

Solwazi:Hello.

Hau! He usually answers with babe or mama. What went wrong today?

Londi:Hey, you said you were coming here today. Are you on the road?

Solwazi:Oh about that, I'm sorry but I couldn’t make it.

Londi:Oh, were you going to tell me?

Solwazi:Yeah I was going to call you.

She hears a baby crying on the background. She frowns.

Londi:Is that a baby? Where are you?

Solwazi:Uhh yeah.

Londi:Why is there a baby crying next to you Solwazi? What's going on?

Solwazi:I will call you later and explain. Bye.

He hung up. She looked at her phone and chuckled bitterly. Just like that! He hung up on her.

He sounded off and rather cold. She thinks about what Phazama said and she get nervous instantly.

She calls him again but it doesn't go through.

Londi:I am already losing him.

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To be continued.…

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