41

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD

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ANDISWA

She feels stupid at this point that she came all the way from Mhlabuyalingana to Durban only to find her boyfriend cheating on her. The fact that he even denied knowing her in front of her girlfriend! If Solwazi didn’t come through for her, she honestly doesn’t know where she would have slept yesterday.

It’s the morning and she woke up early, she can’t oversleep at people’s houses. She needs to leave as soon as possible. She will catch the 10am train. She hopes she still has transport money in her bag. She would really be stranded if she doesn’t even have money. And she can’t ask Solwazi. He has already done so much.

She is afraid to even bath here, so she takes her baby and her bags and steps out of the room with the hope of leaving. But she finds Solwazi’s mother in the kitchen.

Andiswa:Good morning ma.

She met her yesterday. She seems nice.

Sindiswa:Morning Andiswa. Are you leaving already?

Andiswa:Yes. Thank you and your son for giving me a place to sleep.

Sindiswa:But you haven’t even eaten yet. Have you fed her?

Andiswa:No. I will grab some fruits at the station.

Sindiswa:Nonsense. Sit down and have breakfast. Give me.

She reached out for the baby. She gave her baby to her. She sat down and rubbed her hands together. She said a little prayer asking God to bless the food. She started eating and she couldn’t get enough. Sindiswa is a great cook. She finishes and washes her plate.

Andiswa:Thank you.

Sindiswa:A pleasure. Solwazi is still sleeping. He has been working hard these days without any rest. Why don’t you wait for him?

She looks at her confused. If she didn’t know any better, she would think she is matchmaking them.

Andiswa:Okay I will wait for him then.

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ZIZIPHO

Almost everyone was here, and it was packed. She didn’t know the place would be crowded like this. I mean it’s just a small ceremony right?

She has met her grandparents (Sipho’s parents), and they are the sweetest.

Her father calls her outside and she follows him.

Zizipho:Everything okay dad?

Sipho:Yes, everything is going well with the preparations. I just wanted to talk to you.

Zizipho:Okay I am listening.

Sipho:First I just want to say I’m sorry that you had to live for 23 years without knowing your father, I know I didn’t know that you exist but I should have suspected back then that Qhawe would do something like this. There’s not a day that passed without me thinking of you. I still have the first scan from when me and your mother went for our first checkup.

She smiles.

Sipho:A part of me I guess couldn’t accept that my daughter was really gone. Everyday I had hope or the longing, to see you even if I could see you once. Seeing you now, all grown up and beautiful. It just makes me happy, and even if I could die now. I would die a happy man.

Zizipho:Oh dad.

She hugged him.

Zizipho:You don’t know how much excited I am to be here. I feel at home. Thank you for not giving up on me. I love you.

Sipho:I love you too. Now let’s go back inside.

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LONDI

Maybe she is forcing things with Solwazi. Right now it just looks like she is forcing things. It’s like she’s the only one who wants this relationship to work. Her ancestors not wanting this relationship is just depressing her more, why would they do that?

She sighs and gets out of her room.

Nontombi:Londi, sit down.

She sits next to her.

Nontombi:I want us to talk about the way forward from now on.

Londi:Okay.

Nontombi:So, what do you want to do now?

Londi:Eventually I need to be ordained Queen. Ma, Phazama said they have found someone for me.

Nontombi:Who? Solwazi?

Londi:No, someone else. I don’t know who he is. He said he’s the one who is going to help me rule this kingdom.

Nontombi:I had hoped that would be Solwazi. He’s a good man.

Londi:That’s what I hoped too, but I don’t think he’s still interested naye. He’s cold these days and he doesn’t even call. Maybe we are not meant to be after all. It’s no use forcing the situation.

Nontombi:I’m really sorry my daughter, but our ancestors know better. We don’t know their reasons for keeping you two apart.

Londi:Yeah, I’m sure they do.

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SOLWAZI

He checks the time yawning and he is surprised to see that it is close to 12pm. He doesn’t sleep this long. He must have been too tired. He gets out of bed and washes his face and brushes his teeth.. He is walking barefoot and he goes to the kitchen with his phone. His mind comes back when he sees Andiswa. Damn it! He forgot that he had a visitor.

She was with his mother and they were laughing and talking like old friends.

Solwazi:Good morning.

Sindiswa:Morning. You are finally awake.

Solwazi:Yeah I overslept. Andiswa, you good?

Andiswa:Yes, your mother was keeping me company. Thank you for letting me stay for the night.

Solwazi:No problem.

Just then his phone rings, it was Londi. He sighs and walk outside to answer her.

Solwazi:Mama..

Londi:Hey. Can I ask you something?

Solwazi:Sure, is there a problem?

Londi:Do you still love me?

Okay, that took him surprise. Why is she asking that?

Solwazi:Why are you asking that? What’s going on?

Londi:I just feel like I am in a relationship alone here. You don’t call me, you don’t update me anymore about what’s going on. It’s been long since I heard you say you love me.

Solwazi:Things have just been so crazy at the office lately but I promise I will give you full attention from now on.

Londi:Phazama is still going on about the fact that they do not want us together.

Oh that!

Solwazi:We will fix it. Don’t worry.

Londi:How? They say they have already found someone for me.

Solwazi:We will fix it don’t worry. I will call you back later okay?

He hung up. He stared at the gate thinking.

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MANGALISO

He eventually went to his rented house, which he did before he landed in SA. He went back to his mother’s house though for now.

Manjomane:You know, at some point we will have to talk about him.

Mangaliso:What about him?

Manjomane:He passed away months ago.

He stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

Mangaliso:Whoa!? He’s dead?

Manjomane:Yes. He died. That’s why I wanted you to come home. I didn’t go to his funeral, but you had to go. He was your father Mangaliso, no matter how much you hate him.

Mangaliso:A father who was never present? No I don’t think so.

Manjomane:You know that I was the side woman, he was married.

Mangaliso:Him being married doesn’t mean he should have been a deadbeat. If anything, I’m glad he’s dead because I hate him. Always have and always will.

Manjomane:I hear you my son, but you need to visit his grave at least.

Mangaliso:Nah I ain’t doing none of that.

Manjomane sighed defeated.

Mangaliso:So who is the king since he’s dead?

Manjomane:Apparently they were not royal, they stole the throne from another family. A new family lives in the royal house.

He laughs..

Mangaliso:Well I’m more glad that I am not royal anymore. Even though I never was when I think about it.

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SINDISWA

This Andiswa girl is a nice person and she likes her. She’s sweet, but she looks like a baby man! She was shocked when she first saw her. She almost hit Solwazi wondering what he’s doing with teenagers but it’s just her baby face! And the little angel is cute.

She is saddened that she couldn’t make it to Eastern Cape to support her daughter, but Zizipho was right. She doesn’t have any business going there. Zizipho is old, it’s not like she needs to be accompanied. If she was a toddler, it would be understandable. But it wouldn’t have hurt to see Sipho.

He just drives her crazy, she can just remember 23 years ago when they were lovers. He respected and loved her so much. She wishes for that back. She wishes to be in a relationship with him again. But he is married, and he seems to love his wife.

He swallow and calls him..

Sipho:Hello.

Sindiswa:Hi, I wanted to ask how things are going.

Sipho:They are going well. We are almost ready for tomorrow.

Sindiswa:Okay, I hope all goes well.

There was silence for a while.

Sipho:Sindi listen, I know it’s been long since we saw each other. And seeing me again might have brought up those feelings. I’ll admit I also entertained whatever was happening between us, we are not going to pretend like we didn’t love each other. I really did love you Sindi, but it’s been 23 years. I moved on just as you moved on. I love Jabu and I don’t want to hurt her. I’m sorry if I seemed like I was giving you the wrong idea. Me and you could never be anything more than parents to our daughter. I hope you understand.

Sindiswa:I understand, I also didn’t say I want anything to happen between us. I will respect your marriage.

She hung up and felt her heart breaking into two. She wiped her tears and shook her head repeatedly.

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SOLWAZI

Andiswa is still in the house and he enjoys her company so much.

Andiswa:Your phone is ringing.

She passed it to him. It was Phazama. He answers

Solwazi:Phazama.

Phazama:Solwazi are you well?

Solwazi:Yeah I am.

Phazama:Okay I need to tell you something. Something that I have been telling you for weeks.

He knew what he wanted to say. And honestly he was tired of this conversation, it was annoying him to say.

Phazama:I think you know by now that the ancestors do not want you and Londi together. You were only meant to wipe her tears and bring the throne back to her, they just went about it all wrong making the two of you feel like you love each other. You don’t love her Solwazi, same as she doesn’t love you. It was the influence created by them.

Solwazi:They didn’t have to manipulate me like that. I still would have done the right thing, I am not after the throne if that’s what they think.

Phazama:I know, but the two of you are just not meant to be.

He breathed heavily.

Phazama:She’s not the one for you. You have wiped the tears of a royal blood, they got what belongs to them. Your mission is over. Focus on yourself and your family, and your heart. You have already found your soulmate.

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To be continued