Pr

eci
ous–Pr
incesst
oGangst
er

Pr
ologue

Everyt i
meachi ldisbor nacer emonyi sper formed
i
never ycul t
ur e.Nonet heless,i
tisrejoicedandt he
chil
di swelcomedandbeaut if
ulpraisesar ebeing
sungandsai dunt ot hechild.Butwhathappens
whenver yfewpeopl eactuall
ywi sht hechi l
dwell
andwantt hechi l
dtol i
ve?Somanychi ldreninthi
s
worldhavef all
enpr eytotheirfami l
y’shat r
ed,
familyfeudsandt oxicit
y.Godwoul dnevergi vea
personachi l
dknowi ngver ywellthattheycannot
takecar eoft hechil
dorar enonedeser vingofthe
chil
d.

Mymot herwasinar atherunfor

tunaterelat
ionshi
p.
Shef el
linlovewithaveryr i
chPrince,whoof
courselaterbecamet heking.She, bei
ngf r
om the
Peditri
bewasal readyunloved,mistrust
edand
generall
ydisli
kedbyhi sZulufamily.Shehadt o
becomet hef i
rstwifebutbyt hel awoft het ribe,she
wasdemot edtobeingsecondwi febecauseshe
wasnotevenr oyal.Nonet heless, myf atherl oved
hersomuch, thatshewasl abeledt hefavour it
e.
Problemsar osewhent he“ f
irstwi f
e”struggl edt o
conceive, andsheconcei vedf i
rst.The“ firstwi fe”
thenor deredmymot hert ogi vehert hechi ldt o
rai
seasherownassoonasshegavebi rth, butmy
fatherhadnoneoft hat.Ofcour se,mymot hergave
birt
ht oaf emal echild,insteadofapr i
nce–much
tothedi smayoft her estoft hetr i
be.Iwasnamed
Umphazami siwhichmeansTr oubl emakeri nZul u.
Imaginet hat?Awhol ei nnocentchi l
dbeinggi ven
suchanugl yname.

Itwasthenknownt omymot herthatIwasnot

l
ovedbyt het r
ibe.Sher ef
usedt henameandal so
ref
usedt ogivethefir
stwifemet orai
se,whichof
courseaddedf ueltothefir
e.The“ fir
stwif
e”gotso
angrythatshemadei therjobtomakemymot her’
s
l
ifeali
vinghellwhenevermyf atherwasgone.I t
wasalsoknownt hatmyf atherevenspentmor e
ti
mewi t
hmymot her,t
hanthe“fi
rstwif
e”.Things
gottoomuchformymot herwhenhersisterwife
nearl
ykil
ledme.Shethendecidedtorunawayand
neverl
ookback.Shecamet ostartanewl i
fewhere
noonewoul df
indher–alifei
nPr et
ori
a,Mamel odi
.

Igrewupat ownshi
pgi r
l,butaveryhappychil
d.
Mymot herwasaqual i
fi
edNur se,
soIneverlacked
anythi
ng-especi al
lybeingtheonlychil
d.Samuel
Johnsononcesai d;“Whoeverenviesanother
confesseshissuperior
it
y.”

Mynamei
sPr
eci
ousVi
lakaziandt
hisi
smyst
ory.
Chapt
er1

“Don’
thangoutwit
hpeopl
ewhoar e:Ungr
ateful
;
Unhel
pful’
Unrul
y’Unki
ndl
y;Unl
ovi
ng;Unambiti
ous;
Unmotivat
edormakeyoufeel
…uncomfort
able”–
GermanyKent
25year
sago
[
Nar
rat
ed]
Ner
iah

Bornandbr edinLephal al
e, Lehumohadaver y
happyandr atheri
nteresti
ngchi l
dhood.Shenever
fel
ttheneedt ocompet eagai nstanyoneathome–
beingt heonlychil
d.Sher eceivedalltheattenti
on
andwasr atherobli
vioustoal otthathadhappened
tohermot her
, Nt
hati
.Shegr ewupi naver yloving
home, andherpar entsseemedhappy–f r
om the
momentshegotoutofbedt ot hemomentshe
herselfgoest obed.I ti
sr atheramazi nghowsome
mot hersmanaget ohi deal ltheabuset heysufferat
thehandsoft hepartnerstheyl ove.Nt hat
idid
everythingforherdaught er,reall
y.Herf at
heral so
l
ovedNer i
ahsomuch, buthewasnotaver ygood
husband.

Ner
iahstar
tednot
ici
ngoddbehavi
ourbetweenher
par
entsatt
hetenderageof15.Herf
atherwoul
dat
ti
messhoutathermot herandkeepqui etinstant
ly
wheneverNer iahwoul dappear.Nt hatiwoul d
occasionall
ytryandwi pehert ear
sawayver y
quickl
ysot hatherdaught erwouldnotnot i
cet he
damagebei ngdonet oher,butli
tt
ledidsheknow
thatshewasact uallydoingmor edamaget han
goodwi thoutherreali
zingit.Oneday, shewas
doingherchor esasusualandherhusband, Piet
er,
walkedindr unkasusualandst ar
tedscol dingher
outofnowher e,butke( well
)“what’snew? ”she
thought.Itwashernor malwayofl if
e.

Unfortunatelynooneknew–notevenherf riends
sinceNer i
ahwasanor phan.Pi eterprobabl ytook
advantaget hereofandofcour se,herundyi ngl ove
forhim.Pi eter,muchli
kemostmeni nSout hAf ri
ca,
i
nt hewor l
dact uall
y,wasraisedinabr okenhome.
Hehadwi tnessedhisfatherbeathismot hert oa
pulpeveryni ghtandwheneverhet ri
edt ointervene
–het oldhi mtowat chandwi tnesshowawomani s
supposedt obepuni shedf ordisr
espect i
ngar eal
man.Al lthatbecauset hemot hertoldhimt hatshe
wasti
redasaresul
tofcl
eaninganddoingl
aundr
y
al
ldayandshewasunabletocookforhim.

Allthiswasapai nfullessonf orNeriahwhenPi et

er
startedt ochangeaf tertheygotmar ri
ed.She
vowednott ogivehim anymor echildrenandhad
prayedt oGodendl esslythathegi veheragi r
lchil
d
i
nst eadofason.Shedi dn’twantthesont oinheri
t
allPieter’scharacter
isti
cs.Ofcour se,Lehumo’s
birt
hsof tenedhim abi tandNer iahwasabl etorest
foragoodf ewmont hswi thoutbeat i
ngs.Thatonly
l
ast edf orashor twhileuntilPiet
erwentbackt ohis
oldways.

Piet
er:(
drunk)“Obeothomil
e,Nthathi(Youhave
star
ted)
.Gaokgonegodi raselobjalekamosadi
wannete( Youcan’
tdoanyt
hingli
keagoodwi f
e
should)
.”

Nthat
hiasusualdeci
dedtobi
teherl
ip,
butt
hat
seemedtoaggrevat
ePiet
eralotmor
e.
Piet
er:“
Kebolelal
ewena(I’
mt al
kingt
oyou)
!Gao
nkwena( Can’
tyouhearme)?

Piet
er:“
Onaganagoreobet
erewena.Neh(You
thi
nkyou’r
ebet
tert
hanever
yoneel
se,don’
tyou)
?”

Sti
ll
,asusual,Neri
ahdeci
dedt
oignor
ePi
eter
’s
antagoni
zingeff
orts.

Piet
er:“Jah,aketsebegobanengkenyetsemosadi
wagoswanal ewena, wat seba(
Ihavenoideawhy
Idecidedtomar ryawomanl i
keyou,youknow)
.O
nobasel ofela(Youarejustusel
ess)
.”

Hurt,
bruisedasusual ,
Neriahdeci dedtoswi
tchoff
thei
ronandwal kawayf r
om Pieter.Shehadalways
donethat,butitseemedasi fPieterenj
oyeditwhen
Neri
ahtriedtof i
ghtbackortalkbackt ohim.She
i
nstead,decidedtowalkaway, butt hemomentshe
turnedherbackonhi m,Pieterdeci
dedt
odo
somet hi
ngevenwor sethanhehadeverdonet oher.
Hegotsoenr agedt
hathet hrewhishal
femptybeer
bottl
eatNer i
ah.Ithi
thersohar d,t
hati
tbrokei
nto
piecesandcutheratt hebackofherhead.The
shockpar al
yzedNeriahforasecondassheheld
thebackofherheadandf eltsomewarmth.

Shel ookedatherhandandt r
embl edinstantl
ywhen
sher ealizedt hatshewasbl eeding.Shel ookedat
Piet
erandi nstantl
ybecameevenmor epetrif
iedas
shesawhi sbl oodshoteyesconsumedwi t
hr age.
Herwor stni ghtmarehadcomet olif
e;itwasei ther
doordi e–ei t
hershewoul ddieorhewoul d.She
couldn’tl eaveherdaught erbehindknowi ngver y
wellthatsheknewt herealPieterMashaba.Hegot
soangr yandchar gedather,shemanagedt oduck
himt hist imeoutoff earofherlifebeingtakenaway
fr
om heragai nstherownwi ll
.

Shemanagedt
oscr
apet
hel
i
ttl
ecour
ageshehad
l
eftinherandgothol dofthei ron.Lucki l
yf orher,i
t
wasst i
llhot,andshedi dn’
tevent hinkt wiceasshe
torchedhi sal cohol
-st
ainedface.Hewasoncea
handsomeman, butalcoholhadeat ent hegoodbi t
s
ofhi sface.I tisamazingwhatyear sofal cohol
abusecandot oaperson’sski n.Hel i
terall
yr eeked
ofalcohol ,butLehumowast ooi nnocentt oeven
noticethebadsi deofhim.Al lthatchangedwhen
Lehumowal kedi nandsawhermot herhol dinga
hotironasi tlandedonherf ather ’
sf ace.Hewas
toodr unkt oevengetup, butsheknewver ywel l
theyhadt oleave.

Lehumo:(Shocked)“
Mama!Godi
ragal
angmo
(What’
shappeninghere)
?”

Neri
ah:“Ican’
tst
anditanymore,Lehumo!Lookat
whatthisbast
arddi
dt ome!Hewast r
yingtoki
ll
me!Ihadt ofi
ghtback,ngwanaka(mychild)
,Ij
ust
hadto!”
Shewascr yi
nghysterical
lyassheri
ppedher
blouseopenandexposedherscar r
edbodythathad
beenhi ddenf oryears.Lehumoshockedher
mot herthatdayandshewasneverabl etofor
getit
evenunt ilherlastdays.
Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Iknow,
Mama.Ihaveknownal
l
al
ong.”

Neri
ah:(hear
tbr
oken)“
Whydi
dn’
tyousay
anyt
hing?”

Lehumo:“Whatgoodwouldthatdo?Ihadprayed
everyni
ghtthatGodgaveyouthest
rengt
htoleave
thi
smarriage.
”

Lehumoshockedhermotherwi
thherbr
averythat
day,andt
hati
swhyt heywerej
ustsoi
nseperabl
e.

Lehumo:“
Ther
eisnotmuchtime,Mama.Hewi l
l
regai
nhi
sconsci
ousnessandevent
ryandki
llyou
i
nyoursl eep.Ihavebeensavi ngsomeofmyl unch
moneyhehasbeengi vingme.Wecanl eaveri
ght
nowandgowher ehewi llneverfi
ndus.Letusstar
t
anewl if
eandbecomeaf amil
yofourown.We
don’tneedsuchtoxi
cityinourlives.Pl
ease,mama.
Ifnotforyouthendothisf orme.”

ShelookedatLehumobegginghertoleaveher
marri
age.Howonear t
hcouldshesaynot oher
daughter
?Shej usthadtodoit
.

Ner
iah:“
Okay.
”

Theyquickl
ywentt otheirrespect
ivebedroomsand
packedwhatevertheycoul d.Lehumoscr ambledal
l
hermoneyf r
om herpiggybankandaf ewofher
photoalbums.AllinallshehadsavedaboutR1000,
whichwasn’tmuch, butitwasast artbackint
he
day.Itwasenought ogett hem busf ar
eandsome
accommodat i
onandf oodf orafewdays.Shegot
outofherbedroom andst aredatherhalf-
consci
ous
fat
herandal
lherhat
redcamebackup.Shet hen
deci
dedtosear
chthroughallhispocket
sandfound
somemoney,whil
ehermot herscrapedthr
ough
somefoodwhichwaslefti
nt hefri
dge.

Ner
iah:“
Lehumo,
aowa(
no)
!”

Lehumo:“
War
ekol
otamot
hakgayo(
Thi
sman
owesus).
”

Thatwasthedayshehadl ostal
lrespectshehad
l
eftofherfather
.Shetookonelastgoodlookat
hi
m andsai dhergoodbyesi
ntheoddestway
possi
ble.

Lehumo:“Osal
egabot
se,
mpyat
owe(
Keepwel
l
,
youdog).
”

Shespi
tinhi
sfaceandgr
abbedhermot
her
’shand
andt heybothranoutandneverl ookedback.She
di
dn’tevengiveher selfthechancet otakeonelast
l
ookatherf ather
’sf i
ver oomedhouse.I twasone
ofthemostbeaut if
ulhousesi nhernei ghbourhood
andal sooneofthef ir
st“ bi
ghouses”ther e,
butfor
heritbroughtnothi
ngbutpai nandmi seryduet o
whathermot herhadt oendur eatthehandsoft he
manshecal l
edherf atherforthefi
rst15year sof
herli
f e.

Everyonest ar
edatt hem ast heynoti
cedNer i
ah’s
tornblouseandherbl eedinghead,buttheyboth
didn’tcareaboutt hat.Thei rgoalwastogetoutof
there.Lehumowasst il
linherschoolunifor
m, but
thatdidn’tmatter–f r
eedom wasnearandt hey
couldt astei
tbrieflyont hetipofthei
rtongues.
Theymanagedt owal kf arenoughtoreachthebus
stopwhi chwasal sojustacr ossthenearbychurch,
andpeopl ewerelooki ngatt hem wi
thshock,but
mostoft hem withpi t
y.
Neriahclungont oherdaught er,
andt henRaesibe,
Neriah’
soldf riendspottedthem att hebusstop.
Raesibespot tedt hebags,theblooddr i
ppingon
Neriah’
sbackandt heanxietywr i
tt
enonbot htheir
faces.Ner i
ahseemedt othinkthatnooneknew
abouthertr oubles,butRaesi besenseditandhad
hopedfort hisdayt ocome, muchl ikeLehumo.

Raesi
be:(
cal
li
ngout
)“Ner
iah!Ner
iah!
”

Neri
ahlookedbackandsawRaesi be.Foroncein
herl
ifeshedi
dn’thaveacareint
hewor l
dofwhat
peopl
eseemedt othinkofher
.Shehadonegoal
andthatwastogetLehumot oaplaceofsafet
y.

Ner
iah:“
Hello,
Raesi
be.Ican’
ttal
know.Iam
r
ushingoffsomewhere.

Raesi
be:(
tear
y)“
Look,
Iknow.Ihaveal
ways
known.
”
Ner
iah:(
puzzl
ed)“
What
?”

Raesi
be:“Ihaveal
waysknown.Kekgal eketseba,
ngwanesho,empakesagobot se(Ihaveal
ways
known,butIhavenevert
oldyou)
.”

Ner
iahr
espondedwi
thabr
iefsmi
le.

Raesi
be:“
Look,
taket
his.
”

Raesi
bereachedouti
nherbr
aandhandedNer
iaha
pi
eceofpaper.

Raesibe:“
Thisisanumberofafri
endofminewho
staysinZulul
and.Thati
sfarenough.Don’
tworr
y,I
willmakesureheneverf
indsyou.Ihavebeen
prepari
ngforthi
sdayandsadly,i
thascomeearl
ier
thanexpected.Goandreachyourdreams,
Neri
ah.
Onedayweshal lmeetagai
n,hopef
ull
y,mydear
fr
iend.IloveyousomuchandIam happyyou
fi
nall
ytookthisst
ep.
”

Neri
ahunder st
oodt hatverywellandgaveRaesi be
averyl
onghug.Thebuscameandt heyparted
wayswithoutNer i
ahevensayi nganythi
nginr et
ur n,
duetoshockandamazement .“IguessIdidn’thide
i
taswellasIt hought”,shethoughtt
oherselfas
shechuckledamazed.
Lehumo:“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng,
Mama?
”

Neri
ah:“
Anywher
eel
se,
butnearLephal
ale.To
happi
ness….
”

Godhasoncepr omi sedbet

terdaystousi n1Pet er
5:10–“ Bepat
ient,
Godhasanet er
nityofbetter
days.Dohi swil
lonear t
hwithjoyandawai tyou
reward.
”Indeedthiswasanewbegi nningfor
Neriahandherchil
d, abegi
nningfi
ll
edwi thpromise
andgoodhope.Theyhadnoi deawhatthefut
ure
promised,butl
it
tl
edidLehumoknowt hatshe
wouldmar ryaPri
ncewhowoul dlat
erbethemost
powerfulandri
chestki
ngintheZulul
and.
[
01/
27,
07:
23] :Chapt
er2

“
Youjustcan’
tletl
if
ehappent
oyou,
youhavet
o
makeli
fehappen.”

Ner i
ahandLehumohadt r
avelledsomany
kilometersfarawayf rom theonl ypl acetheyhad
everknown.Thebusdr iverfeltsobadf orNeriah
andherdaught er ,t
hathet ookt hem t othenearest
hospi t
al.Imagi nethat,heleftal lhisloadsjustto
makesur ethatt heywer ebothgoi ngtobeokay.He
evenwai tedf orthem whi l
eNer iahwasbei ng
treated.Thenur sesrecallherasami racl
e;her
headhadappar entlybeenspl i
topenandaf ew
glasspar t
iclescausedbyt hebeerbot t
lehadbeen
takenoutf rom herhead.
Shegotf i
vest iches, butamazi ngly,shedidn’teven
getaseizure.Theamazi ngbusdr iverwasf oundby
Neri
ahandLer umo, whowasst il
ldr essedinher
unif
orm ataround10pm atni ght.I maginet he
hungertheyhadt oendur e,butwhenyouar ein
ti
mesofdi stressandt rouble–hungeri sthelast
thi
ngonyourmi nd.Theyf oundt heamazi ngbus
dri
verwaiti
ngf ort hem int hecol dbenchesoft he
publi
chospi t
alhal fwayt oZul uland, withsome
sphatl
o’s(bunnychows)andcol ddr inksinhis
hands.Hest oodupasasi gnofr espectwhenhe
sawNer i
ahandLehumowal kbackoutcasual t
y.
Veryfewmenhadt hesenseofdi gni t
yandr espect
forwomenl iket hatbacki ntheday.

BusDr
iver
:“It
houghtyout
womi
ghtbehungr
y.”

Neri
ah:(
puzzl
ed)“
Haveyoubeenwai
ti
ngf
orusal
l
eveni
ng?”

BusDr
iver
:(shyl
y)“
Yes,
Itookyourbagsbackt
othe
bustoavoi
dthem bei
ngst
olen.Ihopeyoudon’
t
mind.
”

Lehumo’smouthsal
ivatedasshest
aredatt
hose
bunnychows.Hermot herwasusedtosl
eepi
ng
wit
houteati
ngonebi
toff ood.Tr
aumaand
depressi
ondoest
hattoyou.

Neri
ah:(
looki
ngatLehumo)“
Youcaneat
,
ngwanaka(mybaby).
”

Lehumosmiledathermotherandthankedthebus
dri
verf
orthefoodbeforet
akingi
tfr
om hishands.
Shewasindeedrai
sedwell.Thebusdr i
verj
ust
noddedatherandsmi l
edatherasshegobbledthe
bunnychow.

BusDr
iver
:(puzzl
ed)“
Aren’
tyougoi
ngt
oeat
?”
Ner
iah:“
It
’sokay,
I’
lleatl
ater
.”
Thebusdr iverseemedabi tdi
sappoi
ntedand
thankf
ullyNeriahsawt heutmostcar
ethismanhad
forastrangerlikeherandherdaught
er.

Neri
ah:“Iam Ner
iah.Ner
iahMashaba.Thi
sismy
daught
er,Lehumo.”

BusDr
iver
:(pl
easant
lysmi
li
ng)“
Mynamei
sNoah,
NoahMkhabel
a.”

Neriah:(f
aintsmile)“Well
,NoahMkhabel a,Iam
eter
nallyindebt
edt oyouf orthecareyouhave
shownmydaught erandIt oday.Iwouldhavemost
probablydiedfrom thatdeepcuthadi tnotbeenf
or
you.Iam ver ygreatful
.Thankyou. ”

Noah:“Please,youdonotowemeanythi
ng.God
putusallheretohelponeanother
.Weareal
l
i
ndebtedt oJesusforHesacri
fi
cedhi
msel
fforus.
”
Shesmi l
edimmensel yasshehear dthosewor ds
from thi
sst rangeman.Shedi dn’tevenbelievethat
therewer emenwhoact uall
ysti
llbelievedi
nGod
andt heBible.,asPiet
erwasasheepi nwol
ve’s
clot
hing.Howoddwasi tt
hatPieterseemsl i
keone
oddman, justli
ketheonewhobet rayedJesusi n
theBi bl
e.Heal sobet
rayedherthroughouther
mar r
iage.

Ner
iah:“
Iam sosorryf
ortaki
ngyououtofyour
r
oute.Youhaveprobabl
ylostoutonsomuch
moneytodaybecauseofus.”

Noah:(
smil
ing)“
Moneyisnotever
ythi
ng–
happi
nessi
s.Please,
tel
lmewhereyouaregoi
ng.
”

Ner
iah:“
Iam onmywayt
oZul
uland.
”

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thati
swher
eIam f
rom andwher
e
Iam actual
lyheaded.I
ndeed,
Godwor
ksi
n
mysteri
ousways.”

Neriahsmi l
edathi m wi
thoutar esponse.They
walkedbackt ot hebuswi t
hNoahcar efull
yaiding
Neriahasshewasst il
labitweak.Shesatatt he
seatrightbehindNoah, al
ongwi thLehumo.Asshe
spoket oNoah, shewasamazedt ofindt hathewas
i
ndeedamanwhohadi ncredibl
eknowl edgeoft he
Bibl
e.Hesur pri
singlyhadneverbeenmar ried
beforeanddi dn’thaveanychi l
dr enofhi sown.As
shespoket ohi m, Lehumof el
lasl eepi nher
mot her’
slapast hesi l
entbusr i
debecamea
beautifull
ull
abyt oherandhermot hermanagedt o
getanappet it
ef orfood.

Shedevouredthatbunnychowwhi leNoah
ocassi
onall
ypeepedt hroughhisrear
viewmi r
ror
,
star
ingather.I
tisindeedamazi ngthathe
managedtoseet hebeaut ybehi
ndallthosescars
andthati
ncredi
blybatteredbodyofher s.That
nightwast hestartofabeaut i
fulrelati
onship
betweenNoahandNer i
ah, andaver ybeautif
ul
foundati
onl ai
df orLehumoandhersi bli
ngs.Inthat
beautif
uleveni ng, Neri
ahsawNoahf rom theBibl
e
whobui ldt hatark,intheNoahr i
ghti nf r
ontofher.
Noah, whobecameherhusband, buil
tahomef or
herandherchi ldrenandt hatbecamet heirar
k.He
ensuredt hathisbeaut ifulwifeandchi l
drenwould
bepr ot
ect edagai nstallstormst hrownatthem.

Neriahmadei ttoNoah’shouseinZul ulandaft

er
count l
esshoursontheroad.Shewasqui t
e
surprisedhowhewassousedt odr i
vingsuchl ong
dist
ancesandst il
lmanagedt ogethomeandbeso
energetic.Shewasveryamused, impr essedrather
.
Hishousewasr at
herbasicandsimpl e,butthe
beautyoft hear
tworkhehadi nhishousewas
amazi ng.Whatevensur pr
isedherthemostwas
thatitwasat wobedroomedhouseandevent he
guesthousehadaBi bl
eont hebedside.
Ner
iah:(i
mpr
essed)“
Omot howaBebel
e,aker
e
(
Youar eamanoftheBi
ble)
?”

Noah:(smil
ing)“Yes,uMaungifundi
sil
eukut
hi
i
Bible(
Mymot hertaughtmethattheBibl
e)i
sthe
str
ongestweaponagai nstal
lmankindandmost
i
mpor t
antl
y–spi ri
tualwaref
are.Ihopeyoumeet
hersomeday.”

Neriahsmi ledandnoddedatNoah.Noahwent
backt ot heki tchenandwar medsomewat erfor
NeriahandLehumousi nghi ssmal lurn.Itwasnot
much, butshewasmostdef initel
ynotusedt osuch
kindgest ures.I ttookal otofconvi ncingforNer i
ah
toagr eet osl eepatNoah’ shouse–ofwhi chhe
gladlyunder stoodandr eassur edhert hatheeven
knewt hefriendt hatRaesiber eferredNer i
aht oi
n
Zululand.SheandLehumot ookabat hintheir
smal l“movi ngbat hroom” ,andt heydidn’tmi nd.
Theywer eusedt ohavingabi gbat hroom backin
Lephal al
e, butanyt hi
ngwasr eal l
ybet t
erthanan
unhappyhome.

Noahevenhadt heener gyanddecencyt ocl eanher

sti
chesandcookf orthem.Lehumowast oot ir
ed,
soNer iahl etherbe.Ofcour se,sheprayedwi thher
daught erast heyhadal waysdonebef orebedt ime
andshemetNoahbacki nthekitchen.Shesmel l
ed
thebeaut ifularomaofpap, gravyandwor s.Ameal
thathermot herusedt omakef orthem onaver y
goodol dSunday.Herpar ent
spassedonf ewyear s
aftershegotmar ri
ed.Shewaspr et
tydistantf r
om
hermat ernalandpat ernalfamili
es,butsuchi sli
fe.
Shel earntt obest rongonherown.Shedi dn’thave
anyonet ogui deheronl oveandwhenshemet
Pieter,shedi dn’tknowwhot oasksoshej ustwent
withit.

Ner
iah:“
Thi
ssmell
ssonice,
Noah.Youar
eaman
ofmanytal
ent
s.Youcancook?
”

Pi
eterdi
dn’
tknowhowt
ocookandhewoul
dabuse
Neri
ahsomuchj ustsoshewouldcookforhim.
Herhandswhi chwereoncefil
ledwi
thbeautywere
nowfil
ledwithsorrow,cr
acksandwrinkl
esalldue
toherbeingoverworked.

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Yes,mymotheri
sawonder
ful
woman.Shehastaughtmeal
ot.
”

Neri
ahsmil
edandnoddedasusual.Noahasked
hertosi
tashepul
ledherchai
randdi
shedupfor
her.

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Maywepr
ay?
”

Heneedn’tevenask.Theyprayedf
orthef oodand
start
eddi
ggingin.Noahwassocapt i
vatedbyt hi
s
beautysi
tt
ingbefor
ehim,thathedi
dn’tevenreali
ze
thathewasstari
ng.
Neri
ah:(
shyl
y)“
Istheresomet
hingonmyf
ace?
Youhavebeenst
aring.
”

Noah:“Oh,ngi
yaxol
isa,
Nkosazana(for
giveme,
my
l
ady).Azangengiboneumfaziomuhlekanje
empil
weniyami(Ihaveneverseensuchabeauti
ful
womanl i
keyouthisinmyentir
eli
fe)
.”

Neri
ahblushedwit
hcauti
on.Shewasnoteven
usedtoamer ecompl
iment.

Ner
iah:(
blushing)“
Onobol
elaf
ela,
Noah(
Youar
e
j
ustsayi
ngt hat,
Noah)
.”

Noah:“
Cha,Nkosazana(No,mylady).Imeanever
y
word.Soonwewi l
lbesit
ti
ngrighther
eonthi
stabl
e,
eat
ingabeaut
if
ulmeal pr
eparedbymeandIwi l
lbe
cal
li
ngyouMrs.Mkhabela.”
Shesmiledandlookeddown,unbeknownsttoher,
hewasmani f
esti
nghisdream,whichlaterbecame
real
it
y.Andjustli
kethat
,afoundat
ionhadbeen
l
aidforLehumo,fut
ureQueenofZululand.
[
01/
27,
07:
23] :Chapt
er3

“Iti
sourwoundst hatcreatei
nusadesiret
oreach
formi r
acl
es.Thef ul
fi
ll
mentofsuchmi r
acl
es
dependsonwhet herwel etourwoundspul
lus
downorl i
ftusuptowardsourdr eams.
”–Jocelyn
Soriano

Thef
oll
owi
ngday…

Noahwasupwaybef oreNeri
ahandLehumocoul d
wakeup.Hepr obablyassumedthatthemedicati
on
hadt akenit
stollonNeri
ah’sfr
agi
le,t
inybodywhile
Lehumowasexhaust edfrom t
helongtri
ptheytook
yesterday.Hewasr eal
lyseri
ousaboutwhathe
saidtoNer i
ahtheprevi
ousnight–abouthim
makingherhi
swife.Hedi
dnoti
cethatNer
iahwas
verybat
ter
edandbrui
sed–inmorewaysthanone.
Hemadei thi
smissi
ontomendNeriah’
sbr
oken
heart
.

Hismot heroncet oldhimt hatwhenhef i

ndsthe
ri
ghtwoman, hi
sheartwi llsendhi m amessageby
givinghim atingli
ngsensat i
oni nhisgut ;hisheart
willpumpami l
li
onbeat spermi nuteandhewi l
lfind
himselfsmi l
ingnonst op.I ndeed, t
hatfinall
y
happenedt ohi m –after37year soflif
e.Heneeded
totakeitslow, becauseashi smot hertaughthi m
thatawomani sverydelicatemuchl i
keaf l
ower ;
youneedt omakesur eyouf i
rstfi
ndther i
ghtplace
wher eyouwi llpl
anttheseedandmakesur ethat
thef l
owerwillgrow.

Youhavetobepat i
entandnurturet
hefl
owereach
andeverydaywithwaterandtendercar
e.When
thatf
lowerbl
ossoms,youwillbesoproudthatyou
wouldwanttolett
hewhol eworldknowaboutyour
achievement–nomat teri fi
tisevenonef l
owert hat
grew.Thati slove.Hehasal waysl istenedtohi s
mot her’sadvi ce,awomanwhoher selfnever
remar riedaf t
erNoah’sf atherdiedwhenhewas
only3year sol d.Sher aisedhim aloneeversi nce.
Noahmadebot hNeri
ahandLehumosomepor ri
dge
andswi tchedof fthestovebef orehel eft.Hishear t
wassoel atedwi t
hjoy,thathedi dn’tevenf eel
hungr y.Hei mmedi at
elywentt owardst heRoyal
Palacet ospeakt oBeat r
ice,theheadser vantoft he
RoyalPal ace.Shehasbeenser vi
ngt heVi l
akazi’s
eversi nceshewasf r
eshoutofhi ghschool .She,
hashoweveral waysbeenagoodf ri
endofBongi ,
Noah’ smot her.Theygot ochur chtoget herand
havet eaever ynowandt hen.Beat rice,muchl i
ke
Neriah, isfrom Lephalale,whereshewaschi l
dhood
fri
endswi thRaesi be,
upunt i
lshegotmar ri
edand
movedt oZululand.Theykepti ntouchever ynow
andt hen.

TheRoyalguar
dsknewNoahandBongiver
ywell
,
hencet
heynevergavehi
m mucht
roubl
ewhenever
heappeared.Theygr eetedhim withasmi leand
openedthegat eforhi
m asusual .Heheaded
anxiousl
ystr
aighttoBeat r
ice’
sroom, justoutsi
deof
theRoyalpalace–i nthemai dsquarters.Noah
knockedswiftl
yandBeat ri
cedidn’ttaketoolongto
respondasshewasal waysupear ly–evenon
Thursdays,
whi chareoneofherof fdays.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Ubani(
Whoi
sit
)?”

Noah:“
Sawubona,
Mama.Yi
mi,
uNoah(
It
’sme,
Nooah)
.”

Beatr
ice:“
Ngena,
mnt
wanawami
(Comei
n,my
chi
ld)
.”

HewalkedinandfoundBeatricesmili
ngasalways.
Shewasoneoft hosebeauti
ful,
caramel-
ski
nned
womenwi t
hdeepdi mpl
es,veryclearski
nandquite
beaut
if
ulcurves.Sheli
vedwithherhusbandinthe
royalquar
ter
s,butherchi
ldr
enwer
eatUni
versi
ty
alr
eady.Shemar ri
edyoung,muchli
kemost
womenbackt hen.

Beatri
ce:(smi
li
ng)“Sawubona,Noah( Hel
lo)
.
Mausemuhl ekanj
ena(Whydoyoul ookso
handsome) ?UyaeSontweni(Areyougoingto
church)?
”

Noah:(chuckl
ing)“
Cha,Mama( No,Mama).
Ngi
zelana(Icameher e)speci
all
ytoseeyou.
”

Beatr
ice:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youshouldn’
tdr
essupso
wellj
usttoseeanoldwomanlikeme.You’l
lmake
myhusbandj eal
ous.”

Noah:(l
aughi
ngexci
tedl
y)“
Oh,no,Mama.Icoul
d
neverof
fenduNomzanekanj
ena(Si
rli
ket
hat)
.”
Beatr
ice:(
smi
li
ng)“
Iseeyou.You’
regl
owi
ng.Out
wit
hit.”

Noahrubbedhisforeheadandl
ookeddownsl
ight
ly.
Hedidthatwheneverhewasnervous.

Noah:“
Eish,Mama,i
ndabaukuthi(t
hethi
ngis)
…
Sengi
mtholi
leuMaMkhabel
a( Ihavefi
nal
lyf
ound
Mrs.Mkhabela)
.”

Beatr
icegaveNoahonesternlookandt hemoment
helookedbackup,sheknewhewasi nl
ove.She
ul
ulatedandstar
teddanci
ngar oundNoahalmost
asifshewaschantingandblessinghi
m onhis
weddingday.

Beat
ri
ce:(
exci
ted)“
Ngazi
le(
Iknewi
t)
!Whoi
sshe,
mfanawami(myboy)?
”
Noah:(
nervous)“
Isonai
sizat
hungengobangila
(
thati
sthereasonwhyIam here)
.Thet hi
ngisI
metheryesterdayondutydrivi
ngmybusal ong
withherdaughter
,soIwashopi ngyoucouldgi
vea
goodwor dinforherandhelphergetajob.Her
fr
iendbackhomei nLephalal
egaveheryour
numberandt oldheryoucouldhelpherwit
hajob.
”

Beat
ri
ceputt
woandt wotoget
herandi
mmedi
atel
y
knewhewastal
kingaboutNer
iah.

Beatri
ce:(
exci
ted)“Ukhul
umangoNer
iah(
You’
re
tal
kingaboutNeri
ah)?!
”

Noah:“
Uyamazi(
Doyouknowher
)?”

Beatri
ce:“Notper sonall
y.Raesibeusedtotellmea
l
otabouther .Shesoundsl ikeareall
yni
celady,
mor eespeciall
ysinceshebecameRaesi be’
sbest
fri
end.Idon’ tmindput t
inginagoodwor dforher,
reall
y.Mor eespeci al
lyaft
erthelotshehasbeen
through.
”
NoahhadnoideawhatNeriahhadbeenthrough
buthecoul
dseethatshehadr unawayfr
om
somethi
ng.Hethoughtt
hatshewoul dbeablet
o
tel
lhi
m whenthet
imewasr ight.

Noah:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whathasshebeent
hrough,
Mama?”

Beatr
ice:“
Eish,
mfanawami(
Myboy)
.It
hinki
tI
bestshetel
lsyou.
”

Noahf
eltevenmor
eanxi
ousaf
terBeat
ri
cesai
dthat
t
ohim.

Noah:“
Ma,youknowme.Pl
ease,
tel
lmewhatyou
mean.”

Beat
ri
ce:(
sigh)“
Herhusband,
Piet
er,
isadr
unkar
d.
Hewoul dapparent
lybeathert oapulpevery
chancehegot .PoorNeriah,shehidallofthatfrom
herdaughterandeveryoneintheneighbour hood.
Raesibeknew,shesawal lthesigns,butchosenot
tosayanythingaboutit
.Shewasj usthopingthat
shewouldeventuall
yleaveandnowt hatshehas–
wecanonl ythankGod.”

Noahsatdownwi thtearsthr eat

eninghiseyesand
hisheartbeati
ngtoof astoutofr age.Itsuddenl y
madesenset ohi m;thet or
nbl ouse,herfrantical
ly
scareddaughterinuniform andNer i
ah’sbloodycut
onthebackofherhead.Henot icedhowf railshe
l
ooked,butdidn’tthi
nkt hatitwoul dhaveactual l
y
beenatt hehandsofamanshel oved.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Mfanawami(myboy)
.Ar
eyouokay?I
di
dn’
tmeantoupsetyou.
”

Noah:“
Cha(
No),Ma.It
’sal
ri
ght.I
t’
sjustthati
tonl
y
hi
tmenowthatshewasrunni
ngawayf r
om him.I
pickedherupandshewasinabadst
ate.Ieven
tookhertohospi
talt
ogett
reat
edf
ort
heopencut
onherhead.”

Beatr
icef
eltalotofpi
tyf
orNer
iahwi
thouteven
knowingher.

Beatr
ice:“
Iam sor
ry,myboy.Somemenj ustdon’t
knowwhent oappreci
ateagoodt
hingwhent hey
haveit.
”

Noah:(
puzzled)“
Soyou’
refi
newi
thallt
his?Wi
th
t
hefactthatIwantt
omarryamar
riedwoman?’

Beatr
ice:“Noah,someofusar emeanttorestore;
whil
eot hersarej
ustmeanttobuildsomeonef or
thenextperson.Inyourcaseyouar emeantt o
rest
orewhati sbrokeninNeri
ah’
sheartandsoul .I
canseei ti
nyoureyes, myson.Youarereall
yi n
l
oveandbel i
eveme, noonehastheri
ghttojudge
you.Yourmotherwil
lbever
yhappy–knowi
ng
howsupport
ivesheistowar
dsyou.Youwil
lsee
whenshemeet sher
.”

Noahsuddenl
yhadalotofhope.Hewasn’ tsure
howhewasgoi ngt
otackl
etheissueofsteal
ing
Neri
ah’
sheart
,buthewassetondoingit.

Beatri
ce:“Don’
tworr
y, Iam goi
ngtospeakt
othe
Queent odayandwil
lletyouknowaboutthe
outcomebef or
etheendoft heday.
”

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ngi
yabonga,
Mama(
thankyou)
.”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Uhambekahl
e(Gowel
l
).”

Hehuggedherbrief
lyandwalkedbackout.Hehad
anewswiftswinginhisst
ep.Hewasl ooki
ng
f
orwardtobri
ghterdaysandhejustcoul
dn’twai
tto
tellNer
iahthegoodnews.Hegothomeandf
ound
Ner i
ahandLehumopacking,
muchtohis
disappoint
ment.

Noah:(
saddened)“Ner
iah,Lehumo.Whatar
eyou
doi
ng?Wher eareyougoing?”

Neri
ah:(fai
ntsmi le)“
Hi ,Noah.Wear
eleavi
ng.
Apol
ogiesf orbombar dingyouwithmyproblems
l
ikethatyesterday.Itreall
ywasnotmyintenti
on.
Menl i
keyouar esohar dt ofi
ndandIcan’
tthank
youenoughf oropeningyourhouset omydaughter
andI.”

Thatsoundedl
ikeagoodbye–onet
hingNoahwas
notprepar
edtohear
.

Noah:“Ner
iah,
IspoketoBeart
ri
ce–Raesibe’
s
fr
iend.Shewil
lor
ganizeajobforyouatt
heroyal
palace.
”
HesawNer i
aht
ryi
ngr
eal
lyhar
dtohi
deher
exci
tement
.

Neri
ah:“
Your
eal
lydi
dn’
thavet
o,Noah.Thank
you.
”

Noah:“Thereisnoreasonf oryout wot ogo.Imean,

Ihaveenoughr oom f
ort hethreeofus.Imean, you
hardl
yknowanyoneher einZul ul
and, andasrural
asitmayseem here,itwoul dn’
tber ocketsci
ence
foroneoftherandom “tsotsi’
s”(cr
iminals)her
et o
takeadvantageofabeaut i
fulwomanandher
daughter
.”

Ner
iahbl
ushedasshel
ookeddown.

Ner
iah:“
Noah,
Ireal
l
yhat
eimposi
ng.
”
Noah:“
Youar enoti
mposingatal
l,
believeme.
Besi
des,Iwil
lbegonemostofthetime,soyouwill
basi
cal
lyhavethehousetoyour
selves.Onlyi
fthat
i
sokaywi t
hthebothofyou.
”

Ner
iahnoti
cedjusthowthought
fulNoahwaswhen
hedidn’
tsi
del
ineLehumo.

Lehumo:“
Mama,Iact
ual
lydon’
tthi
nkiti
sabad
i
dea.Imean,
UncleNoahisaveryni
ceman.
”

Neri
ahnoti
cedjusthowqui
ckl
yLehumot ooka
l
iki
ngtohim anddeepdownshehadfel
tthesame
abouthi
m.

Ner
iah:“
Okay.
”

Thatonewor
dwasenought
osendNoaht
ocl
oud9.
Noah:(
exci
ted)“
Okay.Letmepr
epar
eussome
f
ood.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
UncleNoah,
refetj
agoja
motogoaowa(wejustat
esomepor r
idge)
.”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okay.Well
,howaboutwegoto
t
ownandgetsomegr ocer
iesandsnacksf
ort
he
r
estoftheweek?”

Neri
ah:“
Oh,
please.Icannotsimpl
ystayherefor
f
ree.Youshouldn’
tbespendingyourhar
d-earned
moneyonastrangewomanandherdaught er.
”

Noah:“
Idon’
tconsi
deryouast
ranger
.”

LehumoandNer iahbothsmiledastheywenttoput
thei
rbagsbackintothei
rbedroom andcameback
out.Noahdecidedtostarthi
sCamr y,onehehar
dly
usedashewasal onemostoft het i
me.Hewoul d
onlygovisithismot herandthenr et
ur nbackt ohis
house.Hewoul dgot ochurchandr eadbooksmost
oftheti
meandonl yhaveonedr inkort wo,watch
soccerandt veverynowandt hen.Hewaspr ett
y
muchofal onerandmostpeopl ethoughtt hathe
wasgay.Hedi dn’tcaremuchaboutt her umours,
sinceheknewhehadbeenwai ti
ngf orther i
ghtone
tocomeal ong.

Hewassoexci ted,moreexci tedthanLehumoand

Neriahcombi ned.Het ookt hem aroundZul ul
and
andshowedt hem t hemostf r
equentedandmost
popularplaces, heevenshowedLehumoaver y
goodschool–apr i
vat
eschoolt hati
s.Ofcour se
hewashi ntingt hatshecoul dstartattendingt
here
astheywer ej ustinthemi ddleofOct obermont h.
Sheneededt ofinishherGr ade10schoolyear .
Neriahlookeddowni ndisappoi ntment ;assheknew
thatshecoul dn’tevenaffordanyoft hat .Shedidn’t
evenhaveanyexper i
encenoranysavi ngsinher
name.
Howonear thwoul dshebeabl et oaf fordsucha
poshschool ?Litt
ledidsheknowt hatNoahwasa
manofact i
on;amanwi thapl an–al ways.He
deri
vedf r
om t hatasheal readysawwhathewant ed
toachieve–Lehumo’ si nteresti ntheschool .She
keptaski ngaboutt hesubj ect sandt eacher sasshe
real
lytookani nt
erestinNur sing.Het ookt hem t o
thenear estmal l
,andshockedt hem bot h.Het ook
them shoppi ngforaf ewi temsofcl othes.Of
course, Neriahwasver yuncomf ort
abl e,butafter
Lehumor eassur edhert hatitwasj ustaf ewclot hes,
shedeci dedt ogowi ththef l
ow.Af ewhour slat er
,
theyallhadgonecl othingandgr ocer yshoppi ng.
Noahwassousedt oshoppi ngf oroneper son, but
nowt hathehadt womor emout hst of eed,hewas
mor ethanhappyt obuymor egr oceries.He
i
ncludedaf ewofLehumo’ sf avour it
esnacks, and
whenNer iahwasnotcomf ortablewi thtakingaf ew
ofherf avour it
eitems, Lehumo, knowi nghermot her
offbyhear tdecidedt otakeaf ewofherf avourite
i
ngredient s.Sheknewj usthowmuchhermot her
l
ovedcooki ngandshewasver ygoodati t–even
baking.Shewoul dtryandmakesomemoneyby
bakingandsel l
ingcooki esatchurchandi nt
he
communi ty,butPiet
erbei ngPiet
er,decidedthatshe
wasawhor eandhewoul dbeatthemoneyoutof
her.Noahwasj usttoohappyt of i
nallyhavesome
company.Assoonast heygothome, Lehumowent
totryouthernewcl othesaf t
ershet hankedNoaha
mill
iontimes,butNer i
ahdi dtheunexpect ed.She
tookoutthemoneyt hatLehumohadgi venherthe
previousdayandat t
empt edtohandi tovertoNoah.

Noah:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whati
sthi
s?”

Ner
iah:“
It
’sf
ort
oday.Pl
ease,t
akeit
.Iknowt
hat
not
hingcomesf
orfr
eeinthi
sworld.
”

Thatstat
ementalonehur tandoffendedNoahso
much,butthefactthatsheactuall
ybelievedthat
hurthi
m evenmor e.Hecoul dn’
tgetangr y.She
wasusedt osuchal i
fe.Hef i
rmlyclosedherhands
andpushedt
hem backt
oherchestgent
ly.

Noah:“Please,thatisyourmoney.Enj oythis
moment , Neri
ah,please.IseeyouforgotwhatI
sai
dt oyoul astnight.Iwasadamantandr eall
y
seri
oust hatonedayyouwi l
lbemywi fe.Iam
wil
li
ngt owai tf
oryou.Iam i nnorush,butal lI
knowi sthatIhavenevercohabitedinmyl ife.I’
ma
pati
ent,Neriah.Idecidedtoseeabeaut i
fulf l
ower
andIam wi ll
ingtoletyoublossom wit
hyour
permission.”

Ner
iahwasstunnedbythat
.Imean,
shewasst
il
l
marri
edt
othatgodfor
sakendr
unkPi
eter
.

Noah:“Iexpectnoanswerasofyet
.AllIaskist
hat
yougivemeachancet oshowyout hebeaut
if
ul
si
deofl i
fe.BothyouandLehumo.”

Ner
iahsmi
ledandNoahdi
dn’
tfeelt
heneedt
o
pressur i
zeher.Hel etherbeandt heyunpacked
thegr oceri
estoget her.Hedeci dedtomakel unch
forthem andt heyal late.Lehumo, ofcourse
want edtositinfr ontofthetv,whileheandNer i
ah
satout si
dechat ti
ngawayandl aughi ng.Ithad
beenf oreversinceNer iahhadenj oyedaman’ s
companyl i
kethat .Whi let
heysatt here,Beatr
ice
walkedt hrought hegat e.

Beat
ri
ce:(
smi
li
ng)“
Greet
ings,
Ner
iah.Hel
loagai
n,
Noah.
”

Neri
ahwasabitpuzzl
edthatshecal
ledherby
name,butt
hensherememberedthatshewas
Raesi
be’
sfri
endandmostprobablyt
oldherabout
her
.

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
Mama.
”

Ner
iah:“
Dumel
a,Mme(
Hel
lo,
Ma)
.”
Noah:“Pl
easet
ellmeyoucomebear
inggood
news.”

Beatr
ice:(
smil
ing)“
Ofcourse.Iam awomanofmy
word.TheKingandQueenagr eedt
ol etNer
iah
comewor katt
hepalace.Sheistoreportf
orduty
tomorrowmorningat6am.
”

Ner i
ahwassohappy, shedidn’
tevenknowwhatt o
say.Shehadneverevenhadaj obeversinceshe
mat ri
culat
ed.Pieterneverwantedhertowor kand
toldherhewoul dtakegoodcareofher.I tisa
decisionsheregrett
edverymuchandhadhoped
andpr ayedthatLehumowoul dneverfallforsucha
traponeday.

Noah:(
excit
ed)“
Ngi
yabonga,
Mama(
Thankyou)
.I
oweyou.”
Beatri
ce:“
Nonsense.Neriah,
Ilookf or
war dt
o
gett
ingtoknowyou.Please,don’tbelate.The
queenhatesitwhenworkersaren’tpunctual
.”

Ner
iahwasaverypunct
uall
ady,
sot
hatwasnot
goi
ngtobeaprobl
em atal
l.

Ner
iah:(
nodded)“
Ishal
lber
eady,
Ma.
”

Noah:“
Woul
dyoul
ikesomet
eaandbi
scui
ts?
”

Beatr
ice:“
Someothert
ime.Ihavet
ogoshoppi
ng
fort
omor r
ow’
sfood.Keepwell
.”

Ner
iahandNoahgreetedhergoodbyeandNer
iah
wastooexci
ted,
butnervousatt
hesamet i
me.

Ner
iah:“
Noah,
gonabj
aleket
iyakel
etshogo(
ri
ght
nowIam over whelmedwi t
hner vousness).Gake
soberekemobophel ongbjaka(Ihaven’thadaj
ob
i
nallmyl if
e).Gosasaswanet jekeberekele
KgosigadileKgosi(Nowtomor rowIhavet owork
fort
heKi ngandQueen) ?”

Noah:(chuckl
ing)“
Relax.Theyarereal
lynotsobad.
Thequeeni sabitofaperfect
ioni
st,
butothert
han
that
,itwon’
tbeapr obl
em.”

Neriahwasst ar t
ingt othi
nkaboutthepossi ble
outcomesoft omor row.Shecoul dn’tr
eall
yspeak
anyZul u,butshewasver ygoodinEnglish.Eish,
shej ustputallherfaithinGod.Sheenj oyedt he
restofherdaywi thNoahandLehumo, andf oronce
i
tseemedl i
ket heywer eahappyf ami l
y.She
managedt osleept hroughoutthenightwithout
getti
ngbeat enandLehumomanagedt osl eep
peacef ul
lyaswel l.Ner i
ahwasal waysupear l
y.

Shedi
dn’
tneedt
osetanal
arm,
asherbody
automaticall
ywokeupat5am ever ymor
ning.As
shegotupandwasaboutt owarm somewat erfor
hersel
f,shefoundNoahalreadyup.Hehadal ready
putinwat eri
ntheurnforher.Shewassopuzzl ed.
Sheonlyt houghtsuchmenexistedinmovi
esand
ontv.

Neri
ah:(smil
ing)“
Goodmorni
ng.Iwant
edt
obe
ear
ly,butyoubeatmetoi
t.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iam usedtogett
ingupat3am i
n
t
hemor ni
ng.Iworklongdist
ances,
remember?”

Ofcourse,hewasusedt odri
vingforlonghourson
adailybasi
s.Luckil
y,hewasonat woweekof f
peri
od.Ner i
ahwastryingtounder standwhetherit
wasf at
eorjustamerecoi nci
dence.Noahhel ped
herputthewaterinaplasticbath.Hesuggest ed
thatsheusehisroom togetreadyassonott o
wakeLehumo.Suchat houghtfulgentl
emanhe
was.
Sher eluct
antlyagreedandcoul dn’thelpbutfind
herselfsnoopingar oundhispictures.Hehad
pict
ur esofhimselfandawomanwhoseemedl i
ke
hismot her.Therewasoner at
herol dphotoonhi s
si
det ableofayoungwoman.Shewasver y
beautifulwit
haver yr i
chafro.Itmusthavebeen
hisoldgi r
lf
ri
endorsomet hing,shet houghtt
o
herself.Asshewasaboutt ogetdr essed–Noah
knockedont hebedr oom door.

Noah:“
MayIcomei
n?”

Shequi
ckl
yti
edar
obear
oundher
.

Ner
iah:“
Yes.
”

Heopenedthedoorcar
ryi
ngabeaut
if
ulf
lor
almaxi
dr
essinhi
shands.
Noah:(
shyl
y)“Bengi
cel
aukukuni
kal
okhu(
Iwoul
d
l
ikeper
missi
ontogiveyout
his)
.”

Ner
iahslowl
ytookt
hedr
essf
rom hi
m andnot
iced
t
hatithadatagoni
t.

Neri
ah:(
tear
y)“
Oh,
Noah,
aowa(
no)
.Ican’
ttake
t
his.
”

Noah:“
Please,I
’dbereal
lyof
fendedifyoudon’
t.
Mymot heral
waystaughtmet hatal
adyhastolook
goodonherfir
stdayonthejob.”

Hesmi l
edatherandwalkedout.Ner i
ahr eal
ized
fr
om t hatdayon,t
hatGodindeedhadanswer edher
prayers.Shewouldconstantl
yaskf orchangei n
hermar ri
age.Shelaughedatherselfthi
nkingof
howpower fult
het
ongueis.Changei nyour
mar r
iagecanmeanal otofthi
ngs;itdoesnot
necessaril
ymeant hatHewillchangeyourpartner
,
butHewi llmostdefi
nit
elychangeyourmar r
iage.
Indeed,hermarri
agewasover .Wasi tevena
mar r
iagetobeginwith?
[
01/
27,
07:
23] :Chapt
er4

"Al
ldiscar
dedl
oversshoul
dbegivenasecond
chance,butwi
thsomebodyel
se.
"-MaeWest

Neriahwasfinishedgett
ingdressed.Themaxi
dressfi
thersowel l,
eventhoughshehadl ostover
50kginthepastyear .Sheusedt ohaveagreat
body,apeti
te,butcurvybodyatthat.Shelookedat
hersel
finNoah’ smirr
orandshedonel astt
earfor
theoldNeri
ah.Fort hatwomanwasgonef orever.

Shelookedforwardtoanewchapt er–achapt
er
thatwouldensurethatherdaught
erwoul
dbeproud
ofher.Asshewal kedoutofNoah’sbedr
oom,she
foundLehumoandNoahwai t
ingf
orheri
nthe
ki
tchen.Theybothsmil
edatherwit
hLehumo
carr
yingacel
lphonei
nherhands,wait
ingt
otakea
pict
ure.

Noah:“
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
”

Ner
iahsmi
ledbackasal
ways.

Lehumo:“Yoh(wow),Mama.Bonaobotsebjang
(Lookhowbeauti
fulyoul
ook)
.Aowi,kekgopel
ago
tj
eyasenepehl
e(MayIpleasetakeapi
ctur
eof
you)?”

Neriahhadal
waysbeencamer ashy,butshe
agreedtoi
t.Itwasaspecialdayaft
eral
l.Lehumo
tookapict
ureofherandthenlookedatNoah.

Lehumo:“
Malome(Uncl
e)Noah,
kekgopelao
emelel
ekgauswi
leMamakeletj
eyesenepel
eleba
babedi(Pleasestandnextt
oMamasot
hatIcan
takeapi
ctureofthebothofyou)
.”

Noahdidthatwithexci
tementandpl
acedhisarm
aroundhershoulder
.Theybothsmiledf
orthe
camera,andthenNoahof f
eredt
otakeapict
ureof
Lehumonextt ohermom.

Lehumo:“Malome(Uncl
e)bat
hong(mygoodness)
.
Et l
aret
jeyesel
fi
erelebabarar
o(Come,l
etus
takeaself
ieoft
hethr
eeofus).
”

Noahdidn’
tsaynoatal
lasLehumot
ookapi
ctur
e
oft
hethreeofthem.

Neri
ah:“
Aowa,Lehumo(No)
.Gol
ekanebj
ale(
It
’s
enoughpi
ctur
esnow).
”

Lehumo:“
Okay.Let
samayenggabot
seaker
e(Go
wel
l,
hey)
.”

Ner
iahl
ookedatLehumopuzzl
ed.

Noah:“Youdi
dn’
tthi
nkIwoul
dletabeauti
ful
womanl i
keyouwalkar
oundi
nabr andnewdress,
onthesedust
ystr
eetst
ohernewjob,di
dyou?”

Neriahsmi l
edasNoahwalkedoutofthehousewith
her.Hehadevenwashedt hecarforherand
openedt hedoorf
orher
.Hegoti nandaskedher
thattheyshoul
dpraybef
oretheywenttotheroyal
palace.

Noah:“
Ngi
cel
asi
thandaze(
Canwepl
easepr
ay)
?”

Ner
iah:“
Ofcour
se.
”
Noah:“ DearGod, wet hankyouf orthi
sday.But
mosti mpor tantl
ywet hankyouf orall
owingour
pat hstocr oss, f
orIbel ievethatyoudon’tdoany
mi stakesandnot hingasourencount erisan
acci dent.Pl easeensur et hatNeri
ahhasagoodday
todayandpl easepr otecther.Easeherner vesand
blessherabundant ly.Ihopeandpr aythataf ew
weeksf rom nowIwi l
lbet hanki
ngyouf orgivi
ngme
herasawi fe.Wet hankyouLor dforeveryt
hing.
Amen. ”

Ner i
ahwassmi li
ngt hr oughoutwithouteven
reali
zingit.Noahst artedthecarandwasdr amatic
enought odr opherr ightintheyar doftheroyal
palace.Ner iahdidn’twantt hem tothinkthatshe
wasbei ngext r
a,butNoahwassopr oudt odropher
off.Beatricewasal readywaitingforheroutsidethe
mai ndoor .Noahqui cklygotoutoft hecarand
rushedt oNer i
ah’
ssi detoopent hedoorf orher.
Beatricelaughedal lbyher sel
fasshesawNoah
openingt hedoorf orhi snewl ove.Hehuggedher
brief
ly,l
eavingNer iahf eeli
ngabi tweird.Shedidn’t
evenknowint
imacy,
othert
hant
hatbet
ween
motherandchi
ld.

Noah:“
I’
llbeher
ewhenyouknockof
f.
”

Shesmi ledandnodded.Hest oodoutsidehiscar

andlookedatherasshewal kedt owar
dsBeat r
ice.
Beatri
cewavedathimt oreassurehimthatshe
wouldbef ine,
andonlywhent heybothgotintothe
house,thatiswhenhedroveoutandheadedback
home.Ner i
ahwasveryastonishedtobeinsucha
bi
ghouse.Shehadneverseensuchbeaut yinreal
l
ife.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Youl
ikei
t?”

Neri
ah:“Yoh,aowa(Wow)!Mme(Mom),I
absol
utelyl
oveit!Nt
loyeebot
sekudu(
thi
shouse
i
ssobeaut i
ful)
.”
Beat
ri
ce:“
Itsur
eis.
”

Ner
iah:“
Onedayi
soneday.
”

Beatri
ce:“WhenyouknowasmuchasIdo, you
won’tbesayingthat
.Bei
ngrichdoessoundni
ce,
unti
lyouactuall
ynoti
cewhatmoneycandotoa
person.”

Shereallysoundedl ikesheknewwhatshemeant .I
guessNer iahhadal ott olearn.Beat ri
ceshowed
heraroundandshowedhert othechangi ngroom
whereshewoul dchangei ntoheruni f
orm.She
showedherhowt odoherchor es,andby8am, t
hey
weredonepr eparingbr eakfastforther oyalfamil
y.
ApparentlytheKi ngandQueenandt wosonsanda
daughter.Theyal ll
ivedi nthepalace, butthefir
st
sonwasabi tofat r
oubl emaker .Themot herwas
verysoftonherchi l
dr en,whilethefatherwasr ather
fi
rm andappr ehensi ve.Ot herthant hat,theyall
seemedni ce, butBeat ri
cekepthi nti
ngt hatthe
Queenhadabi tofabadside,soNeriahalwayshad
tomakesurethatshedidn’tcr
osspathswi t
hheras
much.Ner i
ahwasr eal
lyshockedatthewayt hey
didthi
ngs.Shehadneverbeeni nthepresenceof
royal
ty,
butthi
swasr at
hershocking.

Neri
ah:“
Aowa, Mma( No,
Ma) .Badi oj
adij
otjela
kamoka(Aretheygoi
ngtoeatallthatf
ood)?Di
baconandeggslediRussianlediyoghur
t(Bacon,
eggsandRussiansandyoghurts)
?Kanakoet ee
fel
a(Al
latonce)?”

Beatr
ice:(
chuckli
ng)“ Yes,f
orthem i
tisabasic
need,butforpeopl
elikeyouandIi tr
emainsa
l
uxury.Don’tbefooledbyal lt
henicefoodand
cl
othes,Neriah.Deepert hi
ngsgoaboutbehind
cl
oseddoor softherich.”

Itsoundedli
keasecondwarni
ngtoNeri
ahcoming
from Beat
ri
ce.Shehadbeenworkingt
heref
or
years,soshewaspret
tysur
ethatBeat
ri
cewas
adamantaboutherwords.Astheywer
einthe
ki
tchen,Ner
iahhear
dthewordsshehadbeen
dreadi
ng.

QueenKuli
:“Beat
ri
ce,
khaubi
zeuNer
iahl
apho(
cal
l
Neri
ah)
.”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Yebo,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Yes,
myqueen)
.”

Neri
ahdidn’tspeakmuchZul
u,butsheunder
stood
i
tandalreadyshedidn’
tli
ket
hewayt hi
squeen
addr
essedBeat ri
ce.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Shei
scal
li
ngyou.Come.
”

Neri
ahnervousl
ynodded.Ast heyapproachedthe
tabl
e,shecoul
dn’thel
pbutnoti
cethewayt he
Queenlookedatherfr
om headtotoe,al
mostasi f
shewasanalyzi
ngher .Thedaughterontheother
handwasnotbotheredasshewasonherphone
thewhol
etime.TheKi ngwasreall
yniceand
smil
edatNeriahgenui
nely,her
eall
yseemedlikehe
andtheyoungersonweremuchal i
ke.Thefi
rstson
seemedtohaveinheri
tedthemother’
sarr
ogance.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
,her
eshei
s.”

Ner
iaht
ooki
tasherquet
ogr
eet
.

Neri
ah:“Goodmor
ning,
myQueen,
Myki
ngandt
he
Royalchi
ldr
en.
”

Ther estdi
dn’tmind,butthequeenhadapr
oblem
thatshedidn’tspeakZulu,whi
chseemedabittoo
outrageousforNeriah.

QueenKul
i:(
frowni
ng)“
Beat
ri
ce,azangeungi
tshele
ukut
hil
omuntuakakhul
umii
Sizul
u(Younevertold
met
hatshedoesnotspeakZul
u).
”

Thatal
onewasdi sr
espectf
orNeriah.Shemi ght
havebruisedandabusedbyPieter,butshehadf i
rm
val
uesandbel i
efs.Shehatedbeingdisrespect
ed
aboveallthi
ngs.Beatri
cewasaboutt oanswer,but
Neri
ahbeathertoi t
.

Ner
iah:“
Per
missi
ont
ospeak,
myQueen?
”

QueenKulialr
eadyfrowneduponthat,
butnodded,
whil
etheKingwasr atheramused.Beatr
ice
chuckl
edi
nt er
nall
ybecausethequeenwasnever
si
lent
.Sheneverjustnoddedinreact
ion.She
al
wayshadsomet hingtosay.

Neri
ah:“Iknowyoumi ghtberoyal
,butpl
ease,if
youmay, pl
easedonotspeakaboutmeasi fIam
nothere.Iam ri
ghti
nyourpresence,andIwould
appreci
ateiti
fyouspokedir
ectlyt
omei fyouneed
aquest i
onanswered.Iam from Lephalale,andyes,
Idon’tspeaki
Sizul
u,butIcanheari tverywell.Iam
undertheimpressi
onthatyouallcanspeakEngl i
sh,
solanguagebarri
ersshouldnotbeapr oblem.Iam
i
ndeedofaj ob,myqueen, butoutofrespect ,
may
wetreateachotherequal
lyoutofr espect.”

Theywer eallshocked,whilethefi
rstpri
ncewasnot
veryimpr essed.Beat r
iceont heot
herhandhada
sweat yforehead,whiletheyoungerpr i
nceandthe
Kingwer esmi li
ngatNer iah.Shehadaf i
rm,
strai
ghtlookonherf acewhi let
heprincessf
inal
ly
decidedt oshowhert r
uecol our
satthenew
empl oyee.Shehadl eftt
hequeenr ather
gobsmacked.Sheaskedher sel
fwhoonear ththi
s
womanwas.Sheobvi ouslyhadsomegut si
nher.
QueenKul ir
eactedinaver yshockingway.

Pri
ncessLi
ndiwe:“
Ma,areyouhonest
lygoi
ngt
olet
thi
smaidspeaktoyoul
ikethat
?”
QueenKuli:“
Hey,wena(you),Li
ndi
we.Khaut hul
e
man( Shutup).Neri
ah,myapologi
esifIcame
acrossasoffensi
ve.Idi
dn’tmeantocomeacr oss
asrudetowardsyou.Yes,Iam qui
tei
mpr essed
thatyouknowEngl i
shsowell
.”

Thatwasr
athercondescending,
butNer
iahknew
j
usthowtoanswerpeoplelikeher.

Neriah:“Oh,Ifi
nishedmymat ri
cyear sagoandIdi d
EnglishHomeLanguagei nst
eadofSepedi .I
obtained6di st
incti
onsbytheway.Mat hs,Physi
cal
Sci
ences, Engli
shHomeLanguage, LifeOri
entati
on,
Li
feSci ences,GeographyandIdidn’tobtai
nonef or
Sepedi.Iwascl ose,
youknow–70%wasr eal
lynot
bad.”

Thatal
onesentQueenKul
iint
oaf r
ant
icint
ernal
phase.Sheaskedher
sel
fwhot hi
sconfi
dentbit
ch
wasinfrontofher
.
KingLwazi:“
Iam i
mpr
essed,
Neriah.Youshoul
d
real
lyt
eachLindi
weathi
ngortwoaboutbooks
becausesheseemsal
ler
gict
othat.”

Theyal
llaughedexceptf
orLi
ndi
weandt
heQueen.

QueenKul
i:“
Itwasl
ovel
ytomeetyou.Youmay
l
eave.
”

Neri
ahnoddedasshel
eftt
hedi
ningar
eawi
tht
he
ner
vousBeatr
ice.

Beat
ri
ce:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whatwast
hat
?!Doyouwantt
o
getf
ir
ed?”

Ner
iah:“
Didshef
ir
eme?
”
Beat
ri
cekeptqui
et.

Neriah:“
Mymot hert
aughtmet hatyoushould
neversurrendertoyoursuper
iorsjustl
iket
hat.
Fir
stimpressionscount.
”

Beat
ri
cet
ookagoodl
ookatNer
iahandl
aughed.

Beatri
ce:“
Wherehaveyoubeenal
lmyli
fe?WhenI
fi
rstsawyouIneverknewyouhadsomuchfi
rei
n
you.”

Neri
ah:“Iusedtohavealotoffi
rei
nme.Per
haps
suchsit
uationst
ri
ggert
hatfir
e.”

Theybothlaughedastheycarri
edonwi ththeirday.
Theyhadquitesomef unanditwasal oteasierfor
Beatri
cetofi
nishupwi t
hherchoreswithNeriah
around.Theyhadn’tspokenofherpaymentand
didn’
tevenhaveacont r
act,butNeriahmadea
mentalnotetotackl
ethatthefoll
owingday.
Beatr
icekepthercompanywhi letheywait
edfor
5pm, whichwasknockof ft
ime.Noahwasear ly–
exact
ly15mi nutesear
ly.Thatmanknewhowt o
keeptime.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Idon’
tknowwhatyoudidtohi
m, butkeep
doi
ngit
.IhaveneverseenNoaht
hishappy.”

Shejustsmil
edasshedi dn’
tevenknowhowto
reactt
othat.Shedidn’
tevenknowwhatsheand
Noahwer edoi
ngtobeginwi t
h.Noahwalkedoutof
thecarandembracedNer i
ah.

Noah:“
Hel
lo,
howwasyourf
ir
stday?
”

Ner
iah:“
I’
llt
ellyoual
labouti
twhenwegethome.
”
Hearinghercallhi
shouseahomemeantt hat
Neri
ahwaswar mingupt ot
heideaofli
vingwit
h
him andheenjoyedthat.Henoddedandopened
thedoorforherasusual.Thequeenemer ged
behindBeatr
ice,andspokeasBeatr
icewaved
goodbyeatthem.

QueenKul
i:“
Awungi
tshel
e(t
ellme)
,Beat
ri
ce.What
i
sthatwomantoNoah?”

Beat
ri
cefel
tannoyedbyQueenKul
i’
ssudden
i
nter
esti
nNeriah.

QueenKuli
:“Shei
shi
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
themot
herofhi
s
daught
er.
”

QueenKuliwassoshocked–shewantedt of
ishf
or
more,butBeat
ri
ceal
wayskeptherdi
stance.
QueenKuli
:(shocked)“
Tel
lmemor
e.I
sn’
tNoah
gay,kant
i(t
hough)?”

Beatr
ice:“
Oh, l
ook.Ihavet
ostartcooki
ng.My
husbandwillbehomeanymi nut
enow.Bye.”

Shel ef
tthequeenstandi
ngthereinshock,butone
thi
ngf orsur
e,shewasgoingt odowhateverittook
forhertoknowt hetr
uthaboutthemysteri
ous
Neriah,butl
ucki
lyforNeri
ah,Noahwasonest ep
aheadofher .
Noahcoul dn’
twai
ttogethomet ohearofNeri
ah’s
fir
stdayatt hepal
ace–i nsteadhebeggedherto
tellhim howherdaywasi nthecarri
dehome.She
spokeofhowshockedshewast oseetheamount
off oodtheyateandwhatt r
anspir
edbetweenher
andt heQueen.

Ner
iah:“
Wat sebakeng(Youknowwhat)
,Noah?
Mosadiyol
eobosula(isarr
ogant
).Kasekgoabar
e
oarrogant(I
nEnglishtheycal
lherarr
ogant).
Mpotjefela(I
magine),
neanaganagor ebeket lono
homolafelaabolelakannakamokgwanol e(she
act
uallythoughtIwouldkeepquietwhi
leshespoke
aboutmei nthatmanner)?”

Noahwasact ual
lyinstiches.Hedi dn’tknowthis
sideofNer i
ahandmygoodness, hewasact uall
y
happyt ohavewi t
nesst hi
schatterboxsideof
Neriahthisearl
yintheir“rel
ati
onship”.Assoonas
theygothome, Lehumohadevenbet ternewsto
sharewi t
hNer i
ah,aft
ermaki ngherascr umpt
ious
dinner,
wi t
hthehelpofNoahofcour se.

Lehumo:“
Mama, kenal
etabatsebot
se(
Ihave
somereal
lygoodnewstoshaer)
.”

Ner
iah:“
Etl
akat
sona(
Outwi
thi
t)
.”

Lehumo:“
Uncl
eNoahmanagedt
ogetmei
ntot
hat
schoolwewer
elooki
ngatyest
erday.
”

Ner
iah:(
shocked)“
Heh(
What
)?”

Lehumo:“
Iknow,
isn’
titamazi
ng?
”

Ner
iah:“
Noah,
youknowIcan’
taf
for
dthatschool
.”

Noah:“
Whenwi l
lyoulearnt
hatIam i
nthi
sfort
he
l
onghaul?Icanaffor
di t
.Icanaff
ordtot
akecare
oft
hebothofyou.”

Nerr
iahwassounsur eofher
sel
f.Shehadsomuch
baggage.Pieterstar
tedl
iket
hatandheendedup
tr
eati
ngherlikeapunchingbag.Shecoul
dn’thel
p
butstar
tcr
yingsi l
entl
y.

Noah:“
Nkosazana(
Myl
ady)
,Idi
dn’
tmeant
oupset
you.
”

Neri
ah:“
It’
sjustt
hat…Piet
erwasalsothisgood.He
st
art
edbeingallni
ceandthenturnedouttobea
monster
.Ican’tgothr
oughtthatagai
n,Noah.”

Lehumofoundher
sel
fint
ear
sasshewi
tnessedher
mothercr
ying.

Noah:“Nkosazana(Mylady),Icanreassur eyou
thatIam anhonestman.Iwantt ot
aket hingsver
y
slow–eveni fi
tmeansatat urtl
e’spacet hensobe
i
t.IjustwanttoshowyouandLehumowhati t
meanst obelovedandtakencar eofproper l
y.
AllowmeandIwi lldoi
twithouthesit
ation.”

Neri
ahtookt
her
iskthatdayofbeingNoah’
sother
hal
fandmygoodness,whatanamazingchoiceshe
hadmade.Sheneverlookedback.
[
01/
27,
07:
24] :Chapt
er5

“Thefir
stst
eptowardsget
ti
ngsomewherei
sto
decideyou’
renotgoi
ngtostaywher
eyouar
e.”–
J.P.Morgan

Af
ewdaysl
ater
…

Ithadbeensuchawonder f
ulfewdaysi nZul ul
and.
Lehumohadf inall
ysett
ledinathernewschooland
hadevenmadesomenewf r
iends.Hermot her
Neriah,hadbeenhavi ngsuchagr eatti
me, mor e
especiall
yenj oyinghernewj ob.Ofcour se,
ever
sinceherfirstday, t
heQueenhadbeenonhert oes
tryi
ngtof i
gur eoutwhot hismysterywomanwas,
butNer i
ahdi dn’tbudge.SheandBeat r
icehad
gottenalongl i
keahouseonf i
re,
though.Thi s
parti
cularSatur day,wasaver yspeci
aldayf or
Neriah.
Noahhadwant edhertomeethismot herfi
rst
,and
thenhehadbeenpl anningontaki
ngoutlobolathe
foll
owingweek.Thatisamanofact ion.Hedi dn’
t
wantt owasteanymor eti
me,ashetrulyfel
tthathe
hadf oundhismissi
ngrib.Neri
ahhadwokenup
veryearlyasusual,
butshecouldn’
tsleepasshe
wasver ynervous.

Lehumowasver yexcit
edtomeetNoah’ smot her,
asshehadalr
eadybondedwi thhernewst epfather
.
Neri
ahhadmadet hem allf
oodf orachangeand
Noahhadgott
enupandmadet hebedrightafter
her
.Hetookabat hri
ghtaft
erLehumoandf ound
Neri
ahanxi
ouslytappi
ngherf oodinthekit
chen.

Noha:(smil
ing)“
Ner i
ah,kant
iyinii
nki
ng( whati
sthe
probl
em) ?Bengicabangaukuthiuj
abuli
le(It
hought
youwer ehappy)
.”

Neri
ah:“
Kethabil
e(I’
m happy),
Noah,f
elaanxi
etye
nket
sang(butanxi
etyiski
ll
ingme)
.”
Noah:(chuckli
ng)“Wazewangi
chazamaukhuluma
i
sil
ungu( Il
ikeitsomuchwhenyouspeakEnglish)
.
Ngazengafuzaubabawamingazithol
ela
umafundanewaminame( It
ookaft
ermyf at
herand
choseaneducat edladyf
ormysel
f)
.”

Neri
ahhadstar
tedl
ear
ningtospeakiSi
zulu.She
enj
oyedi
tsomuchhearingNoahbribeherwit
hhis
Zul
utact
ics.

Ner
iah:(
smili
ng)“
You’
ret
ryi
ngt
omakemef
eel
moreatease.
”

Noah:“
Isi
twor
king?
”

Ner
iah:“
Ali
tt
lebi
t.Whati
fshedoesnotl
ikeme?
”

Noah:“
Shel
ikedyouevenbef
oreImetyou.
”
Ner
iah:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Noah:“Mymotherisaseer
.Sheseesthi
ngs
thr
oughdreams,soshesawourencount
erl
ong
befor
ewehadit.
”

Ohgr eat–shet hought

.Ner i
ahwasdeepin
thoughtthi
nki
ngt hatNoah’smotherwoul
dseeher
asawr ongmat chforherson.Litt
ledi
dNeriah
knowt hathi
smot heractual
lydi
dloveherbefor
e
theyevenmet .

Noah:“
Takei
tfr
om me,
you’
l
ldogr
eat
.”

NeriahnoddedasLehumocameandt heyprayed
andat ethei
rbr
eakf
ast.Lif
ewasevenmor e
peacefulwit
houtPi
eter
.Theywentoutofthehouse
andNoahopenedt hedoorforhi
swif
efir
stand
thenforhisnewdaughter
.Noahwassopr oudof
beingseenwi thLehumoandNer i
ah.Peoplewer e
star t
ingtogossi
p,buthehadalreadyplannedat rap
fort hem t
hefoll
owingday.Hehadaver ynice
sur prisef
oral
lofthecommunitymember satthe
comi ngchur
chservice–onethatwouldmaket hem
mi ndt hei
rownbusinessfr
om thereon.

Thedr i
vetoBongi ,Noah’smot her ,wasnotver y
l
onganddr i
veswi t
hNoahwer eal wayspl easant–
withNoahpl ayinghi sfavouritemusi c–Jazz.He
woul dplayal otofsongsf rom Si phoHot stixx
Mabuza, DonLaka, HughMasi kelaandt hel ikes.
Wheneverhef eltlikehewant edt oent ertain
Lehumo, hewoul dpl ayal otofMi chaelJackson
songs.Shedi dn’ tmi nd,reall
y.Shewasabi tofan
oldsoulandnevercar edmuchf ort hi
ngsmost
teenagerswer ei nterest
edi n.Shehadn’ teven
starteddatingyet–sohermot hert aughtherwel lt
o
preserveher selff orthemanwhowoul dmar ryher
.
Ast heymadet heirwayt oBongi ’shouse, Ner i
ahfelt
herhear tpumpi ngevenmor ebl oodt hanneeded.
Thehousewassobeaut i
fullypai ntedi ndar kgrey–
i
tr emindedhersomuchofher“ bighouse”backi n
Lephal ale.Thepavi ngwassoneatandt hegat es
wer ever ygor geous.Thatr emi ndedherofNoah’ s
house.Event houghhehadn’ tevendoneany
renovat ionstoi t–itwassuchacosyandbeaut i
ful
home.Noahwasamanf ullofsur prises.Li tt
ledid
Ner i
ahknowt hataftertheirweddi ng,thingswoul d
getawhol elotbetter.Sheofcour se, didn’tmind
thesmal lhouse, shejustwant edt obel ovedand
appr eciated.Bongisawt hem comi ngandshe
hur r
iedt oopent hegatefort hem.Theyhadt opar k
theircari ntheyar d,andNer i
ahspot tedaver ynice
setupundert heshel t
erfort hem.Bongiwasl i
ke
that–shet r
eat edguestswi t
hspeci alcar e.

Theappl etr
ulydoesnof allf
arfr
om thetr
ea.Noah
rushedtoNer i
ah’ssideandopenedherdoorf orher
andthenopenedLehumo’ sdoortoo.Healways
i
nsistedthattheystayinthecarandwaitforhimto
opent hedoorforthem.Heal waysusedtotell
them thati
tisasignofr espectf
orawomanandhe
i
nsti
ll
edthati
nLehumot hatshet
ooseekedfora
manwhowasj ustli
kehi
m.Noahpr oudlywalked
t
owar dshi
smotherhandinhandwit
hNer i
ahonhi s
l
eftandLehumoonhi sr
ight.Hewasjustt
oohappy.

Neriahspot tedBongiandcoul dn’thelpbutbei n

absol ut
eaweoft hebeauti
fulcreaturestanding
beforeher .Shewasaf air
lyli
ghtwoman, quitethe
opposi t
eofNoahsi ncehewasabi tdarker.She
hadgor geousski nandqui t
elonghai randapet ite
body, muchl ikeNeriah.Shehadni cecur vesand
smal lbutt
ocks.Shewasqui teshor taswel l
,but
shecoul dtellthatshewasqui tefeist
y.She
i
mmedi atelyhuggedLehumof ir
st.

Bongi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Lehumo,
mybaby!Wel
come
home.
”

Lehumo:“
Thankyou,
Ma.
”
Bongi
:“Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
justl
ikeyour
mother
.”

Neri
ahsmil
edandbl
ushed.ThenBongiwentt
oher
andgaveheral
ong,
lovi
nghug.

Noah:“hayibo(
No)
,Ma.Uzothusaumf
aziwami
(You’
llscaremywi
feaway)
.Kwanele(
That’
s
enough).”

Bongil
etgoofNer
iahandl
aughedatherson.

Bongi
:(laughi
ng)“Yoh,wazewangikhumbuza
ubabawakho( Youjustremi
ndedmeofyourf at
her)
.
Thewayhewoul dalwayscl
ingtomewheneverwe
weretogether
.Hehadsuchahar dti
meseparati
ng
fr
om me–event ri
pstothetoi
letwereapr
oblem.”

Theyal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
erassheevent
ual
ly
huggedhersonandgr eet
edhim hello.They
proceededtositundertheveranda,andalthoughi
t
wasscor t
chinghot,t
hewi ndblewnicelythere.
Theycouldlookatthegardenandt hepeopl ewho
walkedpastthem.Shedi dn’tevenclosethegate.

Noha:“
Kodwa(
But
),Ma.Whydi
dn’
tyoucl
oset
he
gat
e?”

Bongi:“
YouknowInevercl osethegatewhenever
youcomevi sit
,myson.Ngi f
unaabathakathil
aba
baboneukut hiuyaphi
la(
Iwantthesewitchesto
seethatyouar eali
veandwell
,andyouar edoi
ng
wellf
oryourself)
.”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
You’
l
linvi
tet
roubl
eint
omyl
if
e.”

LehumodecidedtomakeBongismi
le
unint
ent
ional
ly.
Lehumo:“TheLor
dwillf
ightf
oryou,andyouonly
havetobesil
ent–Exodus14:14.Don’twor
ry,
UncleNoah,Godhasgotyourback.
”

Neri
ahsmil
edproudl
yatLehumo,
andBongismi
led
andstar
edatheri
nawe.

Bongi
:“Youwererai
sedwel
l,
mychild.Ner
iah,how
i
sLephalal
eatthi
sti
meoftheyear
?Ibetitishott
er
thanwhati
tisher
e.”

Neri
ah:(
smil
ingshyl
y)“
It
’st
oohot,Ma.Wear e
usedtot
heheatwave.Evenwi
nterisnotascol
d
asyouknowit.
”

Bongichuckledasshecont i
nuedt oconver sei
na
verygoodway.Shecoul dnotr ecallhavingsucha
beauti
fulconver
sationwit
hamot her-f
igureinavery
l
ongt i
me.Theyf inall
yhaddesser tandbyt hen
Neriahhadletherguarddownandwasabi tmore
r
elaxed.

Bongi:“
Noah,ngicel
aungi
let
hel
eiwi
neyami l
apha
ef
ridge(pl
easebringmywinefr
om t
hefr
idge)
.Also
br
ingust woglasses.
”

Noah:(fr
owni ng)“Hawu(Wow) ,
Ma, umfaziwami
akaphuzi(mywi fedoesnotdri
nk).Noah,was
al
readycallingNeriahhi
swife.Talkabout
manifest
ation.

Bongi :(chuckl
ing)“Ungazohl
anya, wena(Don’
tbe
crazy) ,Noah.Mi nanamebengi ngaphuzingal
ezo
i
sikhat hingihl
angananoBabawakho( Ial
sodi
dn’
t
drinkwhenImetyourf at
her)
,buthesl owly
i
ntr oducedmet owine.Realwine, mfanawami,
hayil ezozokushipa(myboy, notthesecheap
ones) .”

Ner
iahj
usthadt
olaughatt
hat
.Itwast
hef
ir
stt
hat
Noahhear dNer i
ah’
sinfecti
ousl aughmixedwi t
ha
sl
ightsnort.Shewoul dcoverhernosewhenever
shesnortedr i
ghtaf
terlaughing.Itwasapl easant
si
ghtforhim –andmosti mpor t
antlyf
orLehumo.
Shehadn’tseenhermot herl
aughi nsuchamanner
i
nyear s.Itfel
tgoodtof i
nall
yseeherst ar
ti
ngt o
glowandgobackt othebeaut i
fulwomanshewas.

Noahst oodupandwentt ofetchhismot her’s

bottl
eofwinealongwi tht
het wowi neglassesas
perherrequest.Healsotooki tuponhi mselfto
takeLehumof orawal kar
oundt henei ghbourhood
togobuysomei cecream.Heknewt hathismot her
wantedtohaveagi rlt
alkwit
hNer i
ah,sohedi dn’t
evenneedt obetold.Assoonashel ef t
,Bongi
didn’
thesit
atetoshowhercr azysidet oNeriah.

Bongi:“
Oh, t
hankgoodnessheisgone.Yazi
l
abafanabathandaukugatananathi(
Theseboys
l
ikekeepinganeyeonusmot hers).
”
Neri
ahj
ustlaughedoutl
oudagain,
whi
leBongi
pour
edthem bothagl
assofwine.

Neri
ah:“Oh,
Ma.Gakenweboj
wal
a(Idon’
tdr
ink
al
cohol)
.”

Bongi
:(f
rowni
ng)“Haveyoueverevent
ast
ed
al
coholi
nyourli
fe?
”

Ner
iah:(
shaki
nghead)“
No.
”

Bongil
ookedatherf
rowni
ng.

Ner
iah:“
Piet
erneverwant
edmetodri
nk.Imethim
i
nhighschoolandhavebeenwi
thhi
m eversi
nce.
”

Bongi
:“That
’sal
lthemorereasonwhyyouneed
thi
sgl
ass,ke(t
hen).Don’
twor r
y,youwon’
tsi
n–
unl
essyouwantt
o.”

Neri
ahlaughedsl
ight
lyandt
ookt
hegl
assf
rom
Bongi’
shandsner
vously.

Bongi
:(hol
dinggl
ass)“
Tobi
ggerandbet
ter
begi
nni
ngs.”

Ner
iah:“
Cheer
s.”

Neri
ahhadherver yfi
rstsi
pofalcoholthatday.It
wentreall
ywel ldownhert hr
oatasitwasni ceand
col
dandver yrefr
eshing–verymuchunl i
kedri
nks
shehadeverhadbef ore.Aft
erafewsi ps,shefel
t
herkneesfeelabi tweak;andherlaughterwas
morepromi nent-whichmadeBongismi leand
l
aughal ot.

Bongi
:“Youknow,
youar
eli
ter
all
ythesecond
womanNoahhaseverbr
oughthomet
omeetme.
”

Neri
ah:(f
rowning)“Wabobedi(
Second)
?What
happenedtothefir
stone?
”

Bongi
:(si
gh)“
Wel
l–shedi
ed.
”

Ner
iahst
aredatBongiwi
de-
eyedwi
thshock.

Bongi:“Theymetwhent heywerefr
eshoutofhi gh
school.Noahhasal waysbeenabi tofalate
bloomer–het ookaft
erhisfat
her.Shame, hereal
ly
l
ovedNol uthando.Shewashi sfir
stlove,
butsadly
shehadcancerandpassedonbef oretheycould
evengetmar ri
ed.MypoorNoahwasdevast at
ed–
buthetookcomf or
tintheLordandhei swhohei s
todaybecauseofGod. ”

Wow,
Ner
iaht
houghtt
oher
sel
f.I
tal
lmadesense
tohernow.Howhehadst ayedyear sbei
ngsingle
andthepictur
eofthebeaut i
fulwomani nanAfroin
hisbedr
oom.I tact
uall
ypai nedNer iahabitmore
thanusual,
andshef el
ttearsthreateninghereyes.
Shewasnotonet obeoveremot ionalwhenevershe
heardsadnews–notevenwhenPi eterwould
occasi
onall
yshoutatheranddegr adeher.She
nevercr
ied–notonebi t.

Bongi :“Oh,ungakhal inawe( don’

tcr y)
.It’
st hewi ne
–i tevokesal otofemot ions.YouseewhyIl ike
alcohol?I tshowsyouaper son’struecolour sat
ti
mes.Aper soncansweart heshitoutofyou
wheneverdr unkort heycancr yandpourt heirheart
out.Youj ustneverknow, butwhensobert heyar e
thecompl eteopposite.NowIcanseeshame, t
hat
youar eahar dcorebadass–j ustli
keme.Yousee,
Noahi sahopel essromant i
c;ver
ysof tandhumbl e
man, butal sover yf
irm andhest ayst ruetohi s
wor d–muchl ikehisf at
her.Hedoesnott ake
nonsenseandt akest heoneshel ovesvery
seriously.
Whenhesayshewi lldosomet hing–bestbel i
eve
him.Iknow, youhavebeent hroughqui tealotin
yourmar r
iage.Noaht oldmeal laboutitandhe
actual
lyevencr i
ed.I magi neawhol egr ownman
l
ikehim cr yingoverawoman.Thef ir
sttimehet old
meaboutyouwast hedayaf t
erhehadbr oughtyou
toZululand.Imean, Isawyourencount eri nmy
dreamsl ongbef ore,butwhenhet oldmeaboutyou
hisfi
rstwor dswhenIanswer edthephonewas
“Mama, sengimt holil
euMaMkhabel a”(Mama, I
havefoundMr s.Mkhabel a).Iknewt hent hatmy
sonhadf oundt hel oveofhi sli
fe.Eversi ncethen
hehashadachangei nhisst ep,hehasbeen
smili
ngnon- stopandhasevenbeent ell
ingpeople
aroundher ethathisl ongl ostdaught erandwi fe
hadf i
nallycomebackt ohi m.”

Oh, t
hewinemusthavebeendoi ngthethi
ngst
o
Neriahbecausetearswerestr
eamingdownher
face.Shecouldn’tbel
ievet
hatGodhadactual
ly
sawi tf
itt
oblessherwi t
hamanl i
keNoah.Hehad
accept
edherandLehumol
ongbeforet
heyevengot
marri
ed.Hehadn’
tevenpr
oposedyet–well
,not
off
ici
all
y.

Bongi:“
Iknow,alotishappeni
ngqui
tetoosoon,
butwheni tf
eel
sright,whywait
?Myquest i
onis
areyoureadytotakethenextgr
eat
eststepi
nyour
l
if
e,Neriah?Areyour eadyt
obehappy?”

Ner
iahdi
dn’
tevent
hinkt
wiceabouti
t.

Ner
iah:(
noddi
ng)“
Yes.Yes,
Ma,
Iam.
”

Bongi:“
Good.Iwashopi ngyouwoul dsaythat
becauseitwi
llhappensoonerthanyouthink.My
sonlovesyouverymuch, Ner
iah.Ithankyoufor
fi
nall
ygivi
nghim achancetobehappy. ”

Ner
iahcoul
dn’
tst
opsmi
li
ngasshef
inal
lymanaged
todrythetears.Theconver
sat
iondr
if
tedt
oamor
e
candidroute.

Bongi
:“Onal
ight
ernot
e,haveyouandmyson,
you
know.
”

Ner
iah:(
embar
rassed)“
Hah!Mme(
Ma)
!Aowa
(
No)!Icoul
dnever.
”

Bongi:(l
aughi
ng)“What?Youdon’ thavetobeso
st
if
f,youknow.Noah’ sfat
herandIdi ditaftera
weekofknowingeachot her.Hewasmyf i
rstandI
washi s.Hewassosof tandIwasaf raidthatone
oft
hegi rl
satschoolwouldfinal
lygettohim befor
e
me,soIwentaheadanddi dwhatIhadt odo. ”

Neriahwasi npur
eshock.Hal fwaydownt hebot
tl
e,
Bongihadt ol
dherallabouthersexcapadeswith
herlatehusband.Itwasquiteref
reshi
ngt obeable
totalktosomeonesoopenl yaboutint
imacyand
sex.Somethingshehar dl
yknewanyt hingabout
.
Piet
ernevertookt heti
met oenjoyNeriah’
sbody,
i
nstead,hejustrushedsexl i
keitwasamar at
hon.
Heneverindulgedi nanyforepl
ayoranysensual
ki
ssing,
soNer iahalwaysassumedt hatsexwas
alwaysaboutlayingthereorpleasi
ngt heman.

Bongi:“
Ai,
wenashame.Icantellt
hatyouhave
neverhadanor
gasm orevenbeenmuffed.
”

Ner
iah:(
embarr
assed)“
Am Isupposedt
oknow
t
hosethi
ngs,
Ma? ”

Bongi:“
Ifawomanasol dasIam knowst hem –
thensoshouldyou.Doyour sel
faf
avourandask
Beatr
icewhatanorgasm i
sandwhatbei ngmuf fed
means,neh(okay)
?Youwi llbever
ysurprised.
”

Neri
ahfel
therner
vescomi
ngbackal i
tt
lebi
t.Did
sheact
uall
yhavetodoal
lthoset
hingstoNoah
oncetheyconsummat edthei
rmar ri
age?Shefel
t
hersel
fbecomi ngalit
tl
ebitanxious.Noahand
Lehumof inal
lycamebackandt hedaywentreal
ly
well.Justbeforel
eaving,Bongisurpri
sedNer
iah
wit
hawr appedgif
tinsideagiftbag.

Bongi
:(whi
sper
ing)“
Openi
twhenyouar
eal
one
somet
ime.”

Shegaveherami schi
evoussmile.Shewonder ed
whatnaughtyBongimeantbythatgif
t.Lit
tl
edi d
sheknowitwastipsthatwoul
dchangeherl i
fe.
BongihuggedLehumor i
ghtaf
terhuggingNeriah
andNoah.

Bongi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Hehe,wena(you)
,youareabout
tot
urnheads.Noahmustbeverycar
efulbecause
youaregoi
ngtoberoyal
tyver
ysoon.
”

Ever
yonei
ncl
udi
ngLer
umot
ookBongi
’
sst
atement
veryl
ight
lyt
hatday,
buti
tact
ual
lyt
urnedouta
real
it
y.
[
01/
27,
07:
24] :Chapt
er6

“Thewor l
daswehavecr eatediti
sapr ocessofour
thi
nking.Itcannotbechangedwithoutchangi
ng
ourthinki
ng.”–Alber
tEinst
ein

Noah, NeriahandLehumoar r
ivedhomet hat
eveninginaver ypleasantmood.Noahwassmi l
ing
andl aughingatNer iahal lt
hewayasshewas
tal
kingnonst op.Heact uallyli
kedthesideofher,
butfiguredthathismot hermusthavepumpedher
upwi thherf avourit
e“ j
uice”.Theygothomeandhe
gaveherapai nkil
lerandsomewat ert odri
nkbefore
bedt ime.Heknewt hatbeinganondr inker
,shewas
mostdef init
elygoingt owakeupwi thamassi ve
headachehadshenott akenthepill
.Bef or
eleavi
ng
herint hekit
chenuponbedt i
me,Neriahhadfinal
ly
prof
essedherl ovef orNoah.
Neri
ah:“Noah,thankyousomuchf orfi
ndi
ngme
worthyofyourl
ove.Ipr omiset
oloveyouinthe
bestwaypossible.Aboutwhatyouhadaskedmea
fewdaysago,yes, Iagr
eetobei
ngMr s.Mkhabel
a.”

Thatwasenought oletNoah’ shear tjumpasi fi

t
wasonst eroids.Sheki ssedhi m ont hecheek
bri
efl
yandsai dgoodnight.Shepr oceededt oher
bedroom andNoahwasel atedbeyond.The
fol
lowingmor ning,shewokeupf eelingabi t
dehydrat
ed, butmuchbet t
erthanbef ore.She
foundNoahandLehumomaki ngbr eakf astf
orher,
whichwasr atherunusual .Shecheckedt hetime
anditwas7am.Ner iahneverover slept–noteven
whenshewaspr egnant.Theybot hsmi l
edather.

Noah:“
Goodmor
ning,
MaMkhabel
a(Mr
s.
Mkhabel
a).
”

Lehumo:“
Goodmor ning,
Mama.Howi
sthe
Babal
aas(hangover
)?”
SheandNoahbot
hchuckl
ed.

Ner
iah:(
war
ning)“
Hey,
kemmago(
I’
m yourmom)
.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Aski
es(
Sor
ry)
.”

Theyal lsatandhadt heirSundaybr eakfast.Itwas

apleasantdayandaf terwardst heypr eparedtheir
Sundayl unchandl efti tf
orlaterast heywentt o
prepar et hemsel vesforchur ch.I twasgoi ngtobe
anint erest i
ngchur chser vice,butofcour seLehumo
andNer i
ahhadnoi dea.Noahar ri
vedatt hechur ch
andopenedt hedoor sf orbothhi snewwomanand
hisnewdaught er.Ever yonest aredatt hem, much
toNer iah’ sannoyance.I fitwasonet hingshe
hated–i twasunwant edattention.Theyr eal
ly
l
ookedl iket heywer egossi pingandwhi l
eNoahwas
smilingandwavi ngatt hem all
, Neri
ahgavet hem all
sternl ooks, whileLehumowasver ymuch
uncomf
ort
abl
e.

Lehumo:(
cli
ngi
ngont
oNer i
ah)“Mama,bar
eseba
bathoba(
theyar
egossi
pingaboutus)
.”

Neri
ah:(
annoyed)“Bat l
ogele,wena,
ngwanaka
(
Leavethem,mychi l
d).Ket lababotjatj
ebadi
j
elengmaobane(I’
l
ltellthem wheretogetof
f).
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Mywi
fewi
lldonosuch.
”

Neri
ah:(i
rr
it
able)“Gaobonebat
hoba(
Don’
tyou
seethesepeople)
,Noah?
”

Noah:“We,
theMkhabelafamil
y,donotar
guewi
th
f
ools,mywife.Justyouwai
tandsee.”

Ner
iaht
ri
edt
olett
hei
rst
aresoutofherheadand
focus,butgosh, shegotevenmor eannoyed.She
hatedtwof acedpeople.Assheandhernewman
anddaught ersatdownont heirchai
rs, oneofthe
womenwhost aredandwhisperedwhent hey
walkedi n,walkedupt othem.Mennevernot i
ce
anythi
ng, reall
y,butNeriahcouldseej usthowshe
wasf l
irti
ngwi thNoah.Ner iahsawherf r
om amile
away,appl yinghercheapl i
pglossandadj usti
ngher
dist
urbingcl eavagebeforeapproachingt hem.She
eventriedt oblatant
lydi
sregardNeriahand
Lehumo’ spr esence.

Woman:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
Noah.Longt
imenosee.
”

Noah:“
Hi,Redi
.Longti
menjani(
how)whenIwas
her
ejustl
astweek?Yousawmesi t
ti
ngri
ghther
e.”

Shewasabouttobecomet
ongue-
ti
edandNer
iah
sawri
ghtt
hroughher
.
Redi:(
nervous)“
Oh,yes,ofcour
se.Imusthave
for
gotten.Areweperhapsgoingtohavesome
l
unchordr i
nkstoday?”

Noah:“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbecauseyou
andIhaveneverbeenf r
iends.Andal
so,Iam here
wit
hmywi feanddaughter.I
nvi
ti
ngamar ri
edman
overforlunchanddri
nksseemsabitinappropr
iat
e,
don’tyouthink?
”

Neri
ahwassmili
ng,shecouldn’
tevenhi
dei
t,whi
le
Rediwasr
atherdi
sappoi
nted.

Redi
:(Di
sappoi
nted)“
Oh,Idi
dn’
tknowyouwer e
marr
iedorhadanykids.Whendidyouevenget
t
hatdone?”

Neri
ahcouldn’
tst
andanymoreofthenonsensi
cal
conver
singwit
hthi
sdumbblonde.
Neri
ah:(annoyed)“Notthatitisanyofyour
busi
ness,Redi .Seemst omet hatyoujustnever
seemedt onoticeNoahallthiswhi l
eandnowt hat
youseeamaj orchangeinhim –awi feanda
daughter
,youwantt ocomer unning.Ireal
lyhate
opport
unist
sandIam notver ypol i
teandpati
ent
l
ikehim.So, beatit
.”

Rediwasabi tshockedwhi l
eNoahlookedatNer i
ah
smil
ing,completel
ydisregar
dingRedi’
sfeel
ings.
Shelookedatthem both,andthenatLehumo, who
wassmi l
ingatheraswel l.Shecl
ickedhert
ongue
andwalkedaway.

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hawu(Goodness)
,Mf
azi
wami
(
mywi f
e).Didyouhavet
odot hat
?”

Ner
iah:“
Don’
tyoust
artwi
thme.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youar
ejustl
ikemymot
her
.I
neverknew youhadsomuchf
ir
einyou.
”

Ner
iah:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.
”

Noahwasver ymuchi ntr

iguedbythatsideof
Neri
ah, al
sohewasver yimpressedandhappyt hat
shewasst art
ingtoshowsomej ealousy.Thepriest
cameandst artedthesermon.I twasani nt
erest
ing
topi
c,whi chalsowasver ymuchi nlinewithwhat
Noahwant edtoaddr ess.Thepr i
estspokeabout
gossipingandspeaki ngilloft
hyneighbour.What
Neri
ahdi dn’tknowwast hatNoahwasoneoft he
occasionalspeaker satchurch.

Noah:(r
aisedhand)“Mf
undi
si(
Past
or)
,mayIsay
somethi
ng, pl
ease.
”

Theywereallnotworri
edorsurprisedbecausehe
woulddothatveryoft
en.Theyr eall
ylikedNoah–a
l
ot.Hewasoneoft hemostrespect edpeopl
eint
he
communi
ty.ThePr
iestnoddedandst
eppeddown
fr
om t
hepodi
um –givi
ngleewaytoNoahtospeak
hismi
nd.

Noah:“Igr
eetyoualli
nthenameofJesusChr
ist
,
bazal
wane( congr
egat
ion)
.”

Congr
egat
ion:
“Amen.
”

Noah:“Todayi saver yspecialdayforme.If orone,

havenevert houghtt hatIwoul dbestandinghere
sayingthatIam f i
nal l
yhappy.Butbef oreIspeak
theabundantj oyfil
lingmyhear t
,Iwouldliketo
addressaf ewi ssues.I tseemsasi fpeopleinhere
don’tseem toadher et oGod’swor ds.Yousee,
Pastorhere,wast alkingaboutspeakingillofthy
neighbour.Ihear dyoual lshoutingandchant i
ng
yourAmens, butyouseem t ohaveforgot
tenthat
onceyouwal koutthatdoor ,yougobackt oyouril
l
ways.
You,t
heverysamebazal wanesi tt
inginhere,have
beenspeakingillaboutme–yournei ghbourwhom
youclaimtolove.Youhavebeengossi pi
ng,saying
thi
ngssuchas“ Iam gay”oraskingquestionsabout
whyIhadbeensi ngle.Youforgetsoeasilytomi nd
yourownbusi ness.Iam heretodayt otel
lyout hat
mywi feanddaught erhaveret
urned.”

Theywer esoshockedt hatheact ual

lyknewwhat
theyweresayingabouthi m andwer et ooashamed
towhisperandgaspi nshock.I nstead, t
heywere
quietandstaredathiminshock.Ner iahand
Lehumoont heotherhand,werest ari
ngathim wit
h
pride.

Noah:“Yes,Iknowitall
.Iknowever ythingbeing
saidaboutme.Iwoul dhavel ovedtoinvit
eyoual l
tomyweddi ng,butseeingthewayyoubehaveand
tr
eatpeopleyouclaimtol oveandrespect,has
mademet hi
nkotherwise.I,NoahMkhabel a,stand
befor
eyouall,ashamedt ocallyoual
lmybret
hren.
Youhaveshamedmeandshownmet hatyoudo
notcareaboutotherpeople’
sfeeli
ngs.

Youmakei tyourmi ssiontospeakillaboutother

s
andf orthat,Icanneverbeoneofyou.Iwi llbe
gett
ingmar r
iedof f
iciall
yinLephalale,
onSat ur
day
nextweek, andal lofyoushal lhopeful
lyseeitontv
orwher ever.Ishal lseeyousoonwhenmyown
hearthasbecomeatease–f orGodhasal ways
sai
dt hatforgivenessset susal lf
ree.Thankyouf or
yourtime, Mfundisi( Pastor
).
”

Withthatsaid,heleftthewhol econgregationin
pureshock.Theydi dn’tutt
erawor dashehel dout
bothofhishandsandhel dNeriahandLehumoas
theywalkedoutoft hatsi l
entchurchtogether.Wow,
thatwasamanofact ionindeed.From t hatdayon,
peopleofZululandlear ntnottoevergossipabout
Noahnorhi sfami l
yeveragai n.Theweddi ngfi
nal
ly
cameandyes, itwasindeedi nLephalale.Noah
nevershoweditt
oNer i
ah,butheari
nghowpeopl
e
ofZulul
andwereactual
lygossipi
ngabouthi
m
real
lycuthi
m deep.

Her eall
yf el
titwasnecessar ytohavet heweddi ng
wher eNer i
ahwasbor n.Heal sowant edt hem not
tojudgeherwhenevershef el
ttheneedt ogoback
andvi sit.Her eallywant edt odor ightbyher ,sohe
tookanext raweekof fworkandmadei thi smission
tofindhi slongl ostr elat
ives.Theywer eof course
pleasedt oheart hatNer i
ahwasget t
ingmar r
ied
again, andsi ncei twasr evealedthatPi eternever
evenf inishedhisl obolanormar r
iedherl egall
y,it
madei teasierforNoah.

Theyweresuchoppor t
unists,andNer i
ahdidn’
t
wanttoinvol
vethem i
nt heweddi ng,butNoah
askedhertodoitsothattheirheartswouldnotbe
sourandholdanygrudgesorcur sehernew
marri
age.OfcoursePieterwentr ampantwhenhe
heardhi
swi f
ewasget t
ingmar r
iedagain.Hehad
sober edupforamer et wodays,cl
eanedupand
evenshaved.Het ri
edt ocauseasceneandbegf or
forgi
venessf r
om Ner i
ah,butwell
,hemetBongi’s
feist
yf i
stsandhest ayedawayeversince.Neri
ah
didn’tseeitf
itt
odoal ltheaspectsoftheweddi
ng
l
ikest ayi
ngover,shewant edtogobackt oZul
uland
thatevening.

Oncet heyarri
ved, BongitookLehumowi thher ,
so
thatNer i
ahcoul dhaveamomentwi thhernew
husband.Yes, sheopenedt hegiftt
hatBongi
boughtherandi twasabook–“ TheAr toft he
KarmaSut r
a:300Sexposi tionstospi ceupyour
mar ri
age”.Ofcour sei tlef
tNer iahtraumat ized–
tootraumat i
zedt hatshehadbeendr eadingher
weddi ngnightwi t
hNoahal lweek.Sheevent ri
ed
askingBeat r
icewhatanor gasm andget ti
ngmuf fed
i
s.Andwel l,Beatri
ceshockedhermuchl ikeBongi
andwental lintodet ail
.Ner i
ahhadbeenso
horri
fied,t
hatshedi dn’
tevenknowhowt oask
abouti t
.
Shealsotr
iedsear chi
ngongoogl eandt heimages
wereevenmor ehor ri
ficthant
hewor dsand
i
maginingit.Litt
ledidsheknowt hatNoahwasa
manofaction.Hehadaskedhert ogetchanged
andwenttoboi lhersomebat hwat er
.Hepour ed
herwateri
nt heplasti
cbat handletherbathealone
wit
houthim.Assoonasshewasdone,hewentt o
thr
owoutthewat er.Itwashisturntobatheandhe
askedherthequest i
onshehadbeendr eading–
well
,oneofthequest ions.

Noah:“
MayIbat
heher
ebef
oreyou,
mywi
fe?
”

Neri
ahnoddedsl
owl
ywithahugeknotinher
st
omach.Noahsensedherdi
scomfor
t.

Noah:“
IcanuseLehumo’
sbedr
oom i
fyouar
e
r
eall
yuncomfor
tabl
e.”

Shet
houghtabouti
tandi
tjustdi
dn’
tmakesense.
Shewas35yearsoldandtheonlyti
meshehad
seenamannakedwasPi et
er,andthatwasonly
bri
ef.Shehadn’
tevenact
uall
yseenapeni s–a
wholeimageofaman’speni
sr i
ghtbefor
eher.

Ner
iah:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Real
ly,
it’
sokay.
”

Noahnoddedashepr epar edthebathandheslowly

tookhi scl
othesoffbeforeher .Shewasbeyond
shockedt oactual
lyseear eal
-l
ifepeni
sbeforeher.
Itreall
ylooksli
kethesket chesshehadseenback
i
nt hedayi nherli
fesciencest extbook,
butnothi
ng
l
iket hi
s.Noahf ounditqui teamusingtoseeher
stari
ngathi spenisli
ket hat.

Noah:(chuckl
ing)“
Hawu(Goodness),Neri
ah.
Ungayibambamauf una(
Youcant ouchiti
fyou
wantto).Phel
aeyakhomanje(I
tbel ongstoyou
now).
”
Neri
ahf oundher
sel
fblushi
ng,feel
ingf
lushedand
overwhelmedwit
hheat.Shelookedawayandt ri
ed
toactli
keshewasplayingwit
hherphone.

Noah:“
Ngabeuphuzei
winekancane(Youshoul
d
havedr
ankabitofwi
ne)
.Youcan’ tbesoner
vous.
”

Shest il
lblushedandsai dnot hing, whil
ehe
chuckledandmadeaconver sationabouthow
beaut i
fultheirdaywas.Atl eastt hatmadeherkeep
hereyesawayf rom hispenis.Af terhewasdone
throwingt hewat erout,hecamebackwi thabottl
e
ofDr osdyHofNat uralSweetWhi t
ewi neanda
bottleofWi ndhoekDr aughtf orhi msel f
.Hewasa
seriousoccasi onaldrinker
,buthej usthadtomake
hiswi f
er elaxthatnight.Hedi dn’twantt ogether
drunk,buthewant edhert oenj oyherf i
rstni
ght
beingmar ri
edt oNoah.Hepour edheragl assand
openedhi sdraught.

Noah:“
Ner
iah,
ngazengaj
abul
anamhl
anj
e(Iam so
happytoday)
.Ngiyabongamfaziwami(
Thankyou
mywi f
e).Thankyouforchoosi
ngme.”

Neriahblushedast heymadeat oastandst arted

sippingont heircoldbever ages.Twogl assesdown,
shewasf eeli
ngal i
ttl
ebitmor erelaxed.Thatwas
alsot heveryfi
rstni ghtthattheywoul dbeki ssing
eachot herinapassi onateway.Noahsl owly
touchedNer iah’sthighwhi chwasunderherr obe.
Ast heywer edr essedinr obes,li
fewouldbemade
mucheasi er
.Hest aredi nt
ot helessnervous
Neriah’seyes.

Noah:“MaMkhabel
a(Mrs.Mkhabel
a),
ngi
cel
a
ukukucabuza(
MayIki
ssyou)?”

Noah’swayofaski
ngf orconsentwasver ysweet
andalsomadeherkneesweakever yti
me.She
noddedslowl
yasshef elthissof
tli
pstouchhers,
wit
hhissoft,
warm handst ouchherface.She
di
dn’tknowwhattodo, buttheal
coholtol
dherto
j
ustgowi t
ht heflow.Af t
erabout10secondsorso,
shewasal readyi ntherhythm ofFrenchkissi
ng.
Theirtongueswer etwir
li
ng,thei
rli
pswer emovi ng
tothesamer hythm.I twasabeaut i
fulactandan
awesomef eeli
ngf orNeriah,
whichmadeherf eelso
ti
nglydownt her
e.Shehadneverf eltsomany
butter
fli
esalloverherbody.

Noah’ speni simmedi atelyroseandst oodrockhar d.

Ithadbeensl eepingf oryear s,sot hi
swasanew
feel
ingt ohim aswel l
.Noahf oundhi msel fget ti
ng
ont opofhi swi l
li
ngwi f
e.Herl egssl owl yparted
ways, all
owinghi mt oadj usthisbodybeaut ifullyin
betweenhert ights.Hef oundhi shandsmagi cal l
y
caressinghermaj esticbody, embr acingher
beautiful,
deser t-
li
ket exture.Herbr eastsfeltlike
puresilkstraightf r
om t heshop, whileherni pples
roseandpoi ntedr i
ghtathi m.Hef oundhi slips
suckingever younceofherbody, andgent lykissing
hernipples.Ner i
ah, wasmoani ngasi fitwasher
veryfirstti
mewi thaman.
Ner
iah:“
Oh,
Noah…”

Noah:(
moani
ng)“
MaMkhabel
a…”

Hishandt ravell
edslowl ytoherr obeasheunt i
edit
.
Het henmadehi swayt ohervagi na.Hesl owly
start
edrubbinghercl it
oris,li
keasoul fulman
playingt
hegui tar.Neriahfeltlikemagi cwas
fl
owi ngallaroundherbody.Hermovement shad
becomei nvoluntary,whileherwhol ebodyhad
slowlysurrenderedtoNoah.Noah’ sli
psandmout h
movedal lthewaydownherabdomenandoncehe
reachedhervagi na,shequi cklyst oppedhim.She
hadneverhadt hatdonet oherbef ore.

Ner
iah:“
Wai
t!
”

Noah:“I
t’sokay,r
elax.Letmepleaseyou,mf
azi
wami (
mywi fe).Ifyoudon’
tli
keit
,thenl
etmeknow
andIwillst
op,okay?”
Neriahnoddedr eluctantl
yandsl owl ylethim devour
her.Assoonashi shottonguel andedonher
cli
tori
s, shelaybackdownandcl osedhereyes.
Shef elthersel
fmoani ngandbr eathingheavily.The
feeli
ngwasr athermagi calandt antali
zing.Nof ood
shehadevert astedbef orehaddonesucht oher .It
wasani ncredi
blef eeli
ng.Seeinghi swifemoanl ike
thatgaveNoahgr eatpleasure.Themor eshe
moaned, themor ehesuckedandl icked.Ner i
ahf el
t
ahotgushyf eeli
ngconsumeherasshef i
nal
lyhad
herfirstorgasm.

Shedi dn’tunder standwhatwashappeni ngtoher ,

butitleftherf eeli
nghappyandembar rassedatt he
samet i
me.Noahchuckl edashesawher .Hegot
backupandki ssedherpassi onately.Shehad
nevert astedherownvagi nalliqui
dsbef ore,butmy
goodnessi tlefthercravi
ngformor e.Noahf i
nally
positi
onedhi msel font
oherandsl owl ymadehi s
entrancei ntohi snewhome.Hef elthertightena
bitandj umpal itt
lebit
,butafterafewt hrusts,they
wer
ebot
hmoani
ngoutl
oud.

Ner
iah:“
Oh,
Noah…Yoh,Modi
moonket
sang(
Oh,
myGod.Whatareyoudoi
ngt
ome)
?”

Noah:(
moani
ng)“
Ner
iah…St
handwasami(
My
l
ove)….
”
Noahknewt hatithadbeenawhi lesi
ncehehad
hadsexandt hathemostpr obablywoul
n’thave
l
ast edlong,butthankful
lyNeri
ahdidn’
tseethat
sinceshewasusedt owayshorterr
oundswi t
h
Pieter.Bothofthem cameandNoahcol l
apsedon
topofNer iahaft
eraf ewmi nut
esofabsolut
ebliss.

Noah:“
Iloveyou,
Ner
iah.
”

Ner
iah:“
Iloveyou,
Noah.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
24] :Chapt
er7
“Thefir
stst
eptowardsget
ti
ngsomewherei
sto
decideyou’
renotgoi
ngtostaywher
eyouar
e.”–
J.P.Morgan

Twoyear
slat
er

Lif
ehadbeensuchabr eezef ort
heMkhabel a’s.
Neriahhadbeenbl essedwi thabeaut if
ulconfidant
andNoahcoul dn’ thavebeenhappi er.Lehumohad
j
ustf i
nishedhermat r
icandneverbot heredher
parents.Ofcour se,Noahhadkepthi spromiseand
buil
tthem t hei
rdr eam home.Ner iahwasst il
lone
oftheheadser vantsf ortheRoyalf amilyandshe
couldn’thavebeenhappi er.Sheenj oyedhernew
senseoff reedom andl ovedmaki ngherownmoney.
SheandNoahhadbeenbl essedwi t
hababyboy
namedHosea, j
ustl i
ket hePropheti ntheBible.

Thenamewasgi ventohi
m byBongi
,aspercust
om
appar
entl
y.NeriahandNoahbothl
ovedthename,
andeventhoughtheyhadatought
imeaccept
ing
thattheywoul dbepar entsagai
nabove35, t
hey
wer everyhappy.Lehumohadbeenagoodbi g
sistertoherbrotherandwel l
,l
if
ehadbeenver y
blisseversince.Thequeenhadbeent ryi
ngtosee
whatki ndofpersonNer iahwas,unt
ilsheactual
ly
j
ustl etital
lgo.

Everyonearoundthekingdom hadgr ownveryf ond

ofNeriahandherbeaut if
ultalentf
orbaki
ng–
exceptQueenKul i
.Shef eltasifNeri
ahwast aking
herspotl
ight–somet hingshedi dn’
twanttosee
happentoher .Shehadj ustbeenkeepinghereye
onNer i
ahforthosetwoyear s.Lehumohadj ust
fi
nishedwrit
ingherfinalmat r
icpaperanditwasher
bir
thdaythefoll
owingday.Shewoul docassionall
y
vi
sithermotheroftenatt heroyalpal
ace–but
usuall
yforaverybr i
eftime.

Noahhadappoi
ntedanannyforHosea,
butNeri
ah
di
dn’
twanthimtobeconfi
nedtothehousef
ullt
ime
sohewenttocr
ècheonmostdays.Lehumowas
veryhappyont hispar ti
cularday,asshehadf el
t
thati
twouldbeast ar tofagreatjourneysinceshe
hadbeenpl anningtogost udynursing.Itwasnota
verytoughdecisionf orhertomake, andNoah
beingthebestdadi nt hewhol eworld,hemanaged
togetherapar t
-timeweekendj obatt helocalcl
ini
c.
Shest ar
tedoffhelpingt heAdmi nstaffwiththei
r
fi
li
ngandwoul docassi onall
yshadowt henurses
anddoct or
sthere.

Sheenj oyeddoingitforfr
eeevenandNoah
couldn’tbeprouder,hencehehadbeenpl anninga
great18thBirthdaypartyforher.Itwasasurpri
se
andhi ddenfr
om her ,obvi
ously.AsLehumo
greetedherfri
endBr endagoodbye, shemadeher
wayi ntotheroyalgrounds.Wel l
,Lehumohad
growni ntoabeautif
ulyoungl ady,muchli
kethe
spit
tingimageofhermot her’
syoungerself
.

Shewasgorgeous,
wit
hcaramelski
n,ar
ather
pet
it
ebody,
butherbut
tocksandcur
veswerealot
biggert
hanhermot her’
s.Over all
, shehadanhour -
glassfi
gureandasmi lethatcaptivat edeveryone
aroundZululand.Whenshehadj ustar r
ivedather
newschool, i
tdidn’tt
aket oolongf orever yoneto
knowher .Shehat edattenti
onj ustlikehermot her,
andwasr athercalm –al otcalmert hanhermot her.

Shewasat icki
ngt i
mebomb, though.Asshe
walkedint otheyard, shemetwi thoneoft he
Pri
nces,t hesecondbor n,PrinceGat sha.Hewasa
rat
hergoodl ookingyoungman;wi thfairl
ydarkski
n
andhadt hedeepestdi mpl esinZul ul
and.Hehad
thestr
engt hofawar rior,theper sonalit
yofakingin
themaki ngandt heat titudeofaver yhumbl eman.
Hewasal soanEngi neer i
nggr aduat eandwasnota
hugefanoft heladies, unli
kehi sbrotherelder
Shaka,whowasal adi esmanandwoul dsleepwith
everyt
hingt hathadaski r
ton, andwasal soadrop
out.

Gat
shawasver
ymuchhi
sfat
her
’sspi
tt
ingi
mage,
whileShakawasqui tetheoppositeandver ymuch
l
ikehismot herhencet heygotonsowel l
.Shaka
andGat shahadal wayshaddi ff
er ences,asShaka
wasal wayscompet i
ngwi thGatsha–despi te
Gatshabeingf i
veyear syoungert hanhim.He
alwaysfeltl
ikehewasi nhisshadowandhehad
theveryunpleasantmannerofl ooki ngdownat
peoplewhower elessfortunat
e.Thei rfamil
y
sett
ingwasr atherodd, si
nceGat shanevercared
aboutthechieftai
ncymuch.

Pri
nceGatsha:(smil
ing)“
Awu,Ntombenhl
e(Hel
lo,
beaut
if
ul)
.Unj ani(
Howar eyou)
?”

Lehumohadl ear
nthowtospeakZul
u–al
though
shedidn’
tli
keitmuch.

Lehumo:(smi
li
ng)“Hi,
Pr i
nceGat
sha.Ngiyaphi
l
a,
wenaunjani(
I’
m well
,thanks,
howareyou)?”
Pri
nceGatsha:“Sengi
ri
ghtngobasengibonewena
angi
thi(
I’
m alr
ightnowthatIhaveseenyou).
”

Lehumof eltsomethi
ngthatdaywhi chshehad
neverf eltbef or
e–goosebumpsofal lki
nd
everywher eonherbody.Whatst artledherwast he
ti
nglyf eelingshefelti
nhertummyasshesaw
Pri
nceGat sha’ssmil
e.“Thereisnowayt hatIcoul
d
beinl ove”–shet houghttoherself.Shef ound
herselffeel i
ngdumbst r
uckasshewasst aringat
Pri
nceGat sha.Heofcour sedidn’tmi ndatall,
he
hardlyhadseensuchbeaut i
fulandwel lmannered
younggi r l
s.

Hismotherhadbeent ryi
ngt ogethimt omarry–
si
ncetheKingmar r
iedherwhenhewasj ust18.
Pri
nceGatsha,being25att hatti
me, hewas
nowherenearthinki
ngofget t
ingmar ri
edeven.He
hadalwaysreassuredhispar ent
sthathewoul d
mostdefi
nit
elymar rywhenhehadf oundtheright
one.QueenKul inevergaveupf i
ndinghim possibl
e
sui
tor
s,si
ncehi
selderbrot
herendsupsleepi
ng
wit
hallt
hepossi
blewivesri
ghtbef
oreGatsha
coul
devenconsi
derbeingwitht
hem.

Pri
nceGatsha:(chuckl
ing)“
Wazewabamuhl e,
Ntombenhle(Youaresobeautif
ul,
younglady).
Ufuzeumawakhongempel a(Youreal
lyt
ookafter
yourmother)
.”

Lehumofoundher
sel
fblushi
ngasshel ookeddown.
Sheknewshewasblushingf
orthefi
rstti
mei nher
l
ifeduet
oaboybecausehercheeksfeltwarm.

PrinceGat
sha:“Ngi
cel
aukuk’
khi
pa(
MayIpl
ease
takeyouout)someti
me?”

Lehumodidn’
tevenknowhowtoanswerthatas
shehadneverevenbeenoutwi
thaboy.
Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“Oh,Idon’tknowwhatmy
parent
swouldsayaboutthat.Ihaveneverdone
such.”

Pri
nceGatsha:“
Ngingathandaukubacel
ake(I’
d
l
ovet oaskt
hem forper
mission)
.Thatisi
fyou
acceptmyproposaltot
akeyououtonadat e.
”

Lehumodi dn’tknowwhatt osay,butherheart

betr
ayedherandl etherheadrespondtothi
s
beauti
fulcreatur
e’shumbl er
equest.

Lehumo:(
noddi
ng)“
Okay.
”

Gat
shaf
elthi
msel
fsmi
li
ngeart
oear
.

Gat
sha:“
Howdoest
omor
rowsound?
”
Shenearl
ynodded,
butthensherememberedt
hati
t
wasgoingtobeaveryspeci
aldayforher
.

Lehumo:“Oh,
Iam afr
aidt
hatwon’
tdo.I
t’
smy
bir
thdayt
omorrow.
”

Gat
shaf
elthi
msel
fgetexci
tedevenmor
e.

Gat
sha:“
Oh,
that
’sevenbet
ter
.Am Ii
nvi
tedt
oyour
par
ty?
”

Lehumo:(chuckli
ng)“Idon’tknowaboutthat.I
mean,Idon’tevenknowi fIwillevenbehavi
nga
part
y.Mypar entshaven’tsaidanythi
ngtome.”

Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“Well,
Iam verycl
osewi t
hyour
motherandIcant el
lthattheymostdefi
nit
elyhave
somethingbigplannedf oryoutomorr
ow.”
Lehumo:(f
rowni
ng)“
Whywouldmymot
hert
ellyou
aboutapart
yformeandnotme?
”

Gatsha:“
Shedidn’
texact
lytel
lme,Ijustknow.Tel
l
youwhat,Icanfi
ndoutforyouifyouwantt o.
”

Lehumo:“Butt
henthatwoul
dn’
tbemuchofa
surpr
isenow,woul
dit?”

Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“
Smartl
ady.So,
Lehumo, l
et’
s
saytheydohostapar tyf
oryou.Am Ial
lowedto
come? ”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wel
l
,itdepends.
”

Gat
sha:“
Onwhat
,Nt
ombenhl
e(beaut
if
ul)
.”

Lehumo:“
Onwhet
heryoubr
ingagi
ftornot
.”
Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“Thatcanbearranged.I’
llbe
suretobri
ngyout hebestgif
tever–onet hatwil
l
blowyouaway.”

Lehumor ealizedhowser iousl

yGat shatookher
statement,andfeltabitregret
fulaskingaman-l et
al
onet hepr i
ncetobr i
ngherapr esentonher
birt
hday.Shest artedfeeli
ngabi tworri
ed.Whatif
hermot herfoundout ?Shewoul dn’tli
keitonebi
t.

Lehumo:“
Iwaski
ddi
ng,
Pri
nceGat
sha,
real
ly.
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wel
l
,I’
m not
.”

Lehumo:“
Howdoyouknowmynamebyt
heway?
”

Gatsha:“
Wel
l,
Ihavehear
dyourmothert
ellme
aboutyouaf
ewtimes–besides,
ever
yoneknows
you.Howcant
heynotknowt
hepr
ett
iestgi
rli
nour
vi
ll
age?”

Lehumof eltreall
yhonouredtohearthepri
ncecall
herpret
ty.Shehadneverr eal
lypaidat
tent
ionto
anyboyatschoolcal lherbeauti
ful–unti
lshemet
amanl ikeGat sha–ar ealman.Lehumodi dn’
t
real
izeshehadbeent al
kingtoGatshaforawhil
e
unti
lshehear dhermot hercal
li
ngoutforheratthe
Royalentrance.

Neriah:(
shouting)“
Lehumo!Kgal eoememowe
(You’vebeenstandi
ngoutt her
eforever
).Come
helpmewi ththeseplast
ics!
”

Gat
shaturnedar
oundandsmiledatNeri
ahashe
gr
eetedandwavedather.Shewavedbackwit
ha
smil
easalwaysandLehumoapproachedher
.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Seeyout
omor
row,
Ntombenhl
e
(
beaut
if
ul)
.”

Lehumosmi l
edandapproachedhermother
hesi
tantl
y.Hermotherl
ookedatherwit
hapuzzled
l
ookasshesawLehumo’ sbrightr
edcheeksand
herbroadsmil
e.

Ner
iah:(
frowni
ng)“
Andt
hen?
”

Lehumo:“
Andt
heneng(
what
),Mama?
”

Neri
aht ookonelookatherdaught erandLehumo
l
ookeddownandpi ckedupt heplasti
cbagswi t
hout
sayi
ngawor dfurt
hertohermot her.Thatmoment
ri
ghtthere–wher eLehumowast ryi
ngreallyhard
toconcealhersmilefrom hermother–t hatshowed
Neri
aht hatLehumowasagr ownwomanandt hat
shehadf inal
lyf
all
eninlove.Ner i
ahwasnotr eall
y
upsetaboutherfall
ingforGatsha,butshewasabi t
worri
edasshedi dn’twantherdaughter‘shear tto
getbr
oken.

Sheknewver ywel lt
hatt herulesoftheki ngdom
meantt hatroyalmember shadt omar r
yi ntoroyalt
y.
Thatalone, st
ungNer i
ahal it
tlebit
.Sheknewwhat
younglovecoul ddot oapeopl easshewasal so
onceyoungandi nlovewhenshemetPi eter.There
wasnot hingshecoul ddoasbei ngagainsti twould
onlymaket hi
ngswor seandpossi blypushher
daughterawayf rom her.Shet houghti twas
necessaryt oattackthei ssuewhi l
eitwasst il
lhot,
butfir
stshewoul dhavet oobservefir
st .Luckyf or
hershehadgi venher selfenought i
met ost udyher
daughterandasar esulttheywer everycl oseand
Lehumocoul dneverl ietohermot herorevenhi de
anythi
ngf rom her .

Noahhadbecomesuchawonder fulfat
hertoher,
thathewouldoccasi
onal
lygi
veherli
felessonson
l
oveandhowt ospottheri
ghtman.Lehumocar ri
ed
allt
hreepl
asti
cbagsforhermot
herwi t
hout
complaini
ngabouthowheavyt heywereoreven
askingwhatwasinside.Thatwasthesecondsign
thatshewasinlove.Astheywer eaboutt
owalk
out,Gat
shasurpri
sedthem bot
h.

Gat
sha:“Mam’Neri
ah,
ngicel
aukuni
khapa(
mayI
pl
easetakeyouhome)?”

Ner i
ahdi dn’
treal
lyfi
ndi toddbecausehewoul d
offerandshewoul dtellhim shewasf i
ne.She
didn’twantQueenKul itostartsayi
ngsomet hings
abouther .Thatday, shesawt hesparkbet
weenher
daught erandPr i
nceGat sha–andsheknewr ight
awayt hatheact ual
lymeantt hathewantedtowal k
Lehumohomeandnott hebot hofthem.Neriah
wasr eallynota“cockbl ocker”ofsomesort,
she
wasact ual
lysmart.

Neri
ah:“
Oh,yes,
myboy.Thatwouldbel ovely.But,
youtwocar
ryon,It
hinkIlef
tmycel
lphonebehi nd
i
nthehouse.Iwil
lcatchupwit
hyou–yout wogo
ahead.
”

Shenot i
cedLehumo’ sbrightsmil
eassoonasshe
excusedhersel
fandnot icedtheglimmeri n
Gatsha’seyesandsheknewr i
ghtther
eandt hen
thatt
hoset wower eonaj ourneyoflove.How
smoot hitwasgoingt obe–t hatwassomet hing
i
ndefinit
e.Gatshat ooktheplasti
csfrom Lehumo
andwal kedoutoftheRoyalGr oundswi t
hher .

Peoplest ar
tedwhisperi
ngandl ookingatLehumo
i
nawayshehadneverbeenl ookedatbef ore–
l
ooksf ullofenvyandwonder .Thegi rl
swonder ed
whyher ?Theyhadbeendyi ngt ogethisattent
ion
foryears–someevensl eptwithShakaj usttoget
toGatsha, butal
lthei
reff
ortswentt ovain.Gatsha
hadsomet hi
ngthatShakacoul dneverhave–Pr i
de,
self
-r
espectandmosti mportantl
y–huger espect
forwomen.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ntombenhl
e(beaut
if
ul)
,your
mot
hert
oldmeyouwer
edoi
ngmat
ri
c.”

Lehumowasrat
herchuff
edtohearthathermot
her
hadbeenbr
aggi
ngaboutherandthatthepri
nce
seemedsoi
mpressed.

Lehumo:(
smil
ing)“Yes,
Ijustwrot
emyf
inalpaper
today–Li
feSciencesPaper2.
”

Gat
sha:“Yourfavouri
tesubj
ect.Nowonderyou
wanttobeaNur se.Thatprofessionwoul
dmost
def
ini
tel
ysuityourlovi
ngnature.”

Shefeltt
hosegoosebumpsappearonceagai
n.He
knewsomuchaboutheral r
eadywhil
esheknew
nothi
ngabouthim ot
hert
hanhisnameandt i
tl
e.

Lehumo:“Youknowsomuchaboutme, yetIknow
nothi
ngaboutyou.Thati
snotver
yfai
r,don’tyou
t
hink?
”

Gatsha:(
chuckli
ng)“Thati
swhatdat
esaref
or,
Ntombenhle(Beauti
ful
).Besi
des,
youhavea
l
if
etimetogettoknowme. ”

Lehumo:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Gatsha:“
ImeanIam goi
ngt
omakeyoumywi
fe
oneofthesedays.
”

Shelaughedandthenr ememberedt hatthoseare

theexactwordsNoaht ol
dsaidtohermot herandit
becamear eal
it
y.Sher ememberedhi sfamous
wordsthatday;“
Lehumo, mybaby.Youar enot
gett
inganyyounger,andIthi
nkiti shi
ght i
meIst ar
t
givi
ngyoustrai
ghtf
orwar dl
essonsaboutmen.A
mancanei t
herwantt wothi
ngsfr om you:‘Tosteal
what’sbet
weenyourl egsortostealyourheart.
’
Shet henaskedhi m howshewoul dbeabl etot ell
whathewant edtodobet weent het woandhe
respondedbysayi ng:“I
fhewant syourpr ecious
treasurebetweenyourlegs,hewon’ twastehi st ime
byaski ngyoumuchaboutyourf uture,hewon’ t
wantt oknowwhatyouri nt
erestsar eandwhati tis
youwoul dlikeinli
fe.Hewi l
lalsomakei tami ssion
foryout ol
ovehi m andnottheot herwayar ound.
WhatHEl i
keswi l
lbeimportant.Butt heonet hat
want stostealyourheartandhol ditcaptivef orever
wi l
lmakesur ethatYOUcomef irst–evenwheni tis
reall
ynotnecessar y.

Whenher eall
yl ovesyou–t hewhol ewor ldwon’t
mat t
erandyouwi l
lbetheonlygirlhesees–no
mat t
erhowbeaut if
ulyouare.Al waysmakesur e
thatwhenyouf al li
nloveyouaskamant hesethr
ee
questions:1.Whatdoyout hinkaboutGod?2.
Whatdoyoul ikeaboutme?3.Wher edoyouseeus
i
nf i
veyear s?I fhi sanswershaveal otof“Me”
i
nsteadof“ We”t henyouwi llknowt hathei snott
he
ri
ghtonef oryou. ”
Thatconversati
onrepl
ayedi tsel
fatthebackofher
mindasshet ookthatfatefulwalkwithGatshathat
day.Ont hatveryday,Gatshaknewt hathehadmet
theonewhohadst ol
enhi sheartandnotonlythat,
buthisf
ut ur
equeen.
[
01/
27,
07:
24] :Chapt
er8

“Weacceptthelovewet
hinkwedeser
ve”–
StephenChbosky

GatshaseemedtoamazeLehumoandNer i
aheven
morewhenhedi dthemostchi
val
roust
hingthey
couldevert
hinkof
.

Lehumo:“Thankyou,
Gatsha.Youdon’
thavet
o
walkmein,youknow.”

Gat
sha:“
Icannevermakeabeaut
if
ulgi
rll
ikeyou
wal
kinal
onenj
ena.
”

Lehumobl ushedashewal kedinwithherandhe

greetedt hehousenannyandi nt
roducedhimselft
o
her.Heevengr eetedHosea.Heaskedt henanny
permi ssiont owalkintothehouse.Noonehasever
reall
ydonesuch, Lehumot houghttoherself
.He
didn’
tdi sregardherpr esenceanddidn’tevenneed
toknowwhet hershewast henannyorpar toft
he
family.Hewal kedi nwiththeplast
icbagsand
placedt hem ont hekitchencounter.

Gat
sha:(wal
kingout)“
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
.
Ngi
celasimengaphandle(
Maywepleasewait
out
side)
?”

Lehumo:“Waitf
orwhom, Gatshaandwhydon’tyou
takeaseatsoIcanofferyousomethi
ngt
odrink?It
i
sr at
herhotout
side.
”
Gatsha:“Cha( No),Ngi
yabonga( Thankyou),kodwa
(but)I
’dratherwaitoutside.Icanneversi tin
anotherman’ shousewi thoutbeingpermittedto
enterinthef i
rstpl
ace.Ionl ydidthatbecauseI
couldn’tbearseeingyoucar ryallt
hoseplasticsal
l
thewayt ot hehouse.Awomanshoul dneverbe
l
efttocar r
ysomanyt hingsonherown. ”

Lehumowasimpressed.Shewasmostdef
ini
tel
y
doti
ngoverhi
m.

Lehumo:“
Isee.So,
nowwhoar
ewewai
ti
ngf
or?
”

Gatsha:“Foryourmother,
angithi(
isn’ti
t)
?She
needstoseet hatyouwerehomesaf eandthatI
didn’
ttr
yanyt hi
ngwithyou.Othert hanthat
,we
shouldalsobestandinghere,
checki ngi
fshereal
ly
i
ssaf eornot.”

Wow,
Lehumot
houghtt
oher
sel
f.Thi
sguywasa
keeper.Shet
hendeci
dedtoaskhi
m oneoft
he
questi
onsNoahtol
dherabout
.

Lehumo:“
MayIaskyousomet
hing?
”

Gat
sha:“
Gor
ightahead,
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
.”

Lehumo:“
Whatdoyout
hinkaboutGod?
”

Thenshel ookedathi
m andr emember edNoah’s
words“I
fhehesi t
atestoolongthenhedoesnot
havearelati
onshipwit
hGodatal l.Thatisnota
probl
em,al t
houghwill
ingnesstolearniskey.Then,
Gatshagaveherashocki nganswer .

Gatsha:“
Well
,Ipersonal
lyt
hinkthatGodi
san
amazingspi
ri
t.Imean, Hemanagedt ocr
eateusall
andmakeusuni que.Hemadesur et
hatweallar
e
bor
ni nt
oawor l
dofchoice,butwhatIam most
great
fulf
oratt
hispresentmomentisthatHe
creat
edabeauti
fulcreat
urel
ikeyouandpreser
ved
youjustf
orme.”

Hmm, smoothtal
ker
,shet
hought
.Hereal
ly
soundedgenuineandshecoul
dn’
thel
pbutstar
ein
hiseyes,buthewenton.

Gatsha:“
Youknow, alotofpeoplethi
nkt
hatIam
ri
ch,butIam not–mypar entsare.Iper
sonal
ly
wishIwasn’tborni
ntoroyal
ty.”

Hedidn’
tel
abor
ateaboutt
hatbutshecoul
dsee
t
hathemeantthatashesai
ditwit
haheavyheart
.

Gatsha:“
Royaltyi
sr eall
ynotever
ythi
ng.I
personal
lywouldbever yhappywiththewomanof
mydr eamsevenifwewer el
ivi
nginahut.Justas
l
ongasl oveisser
vedonadai l
ybasisandGod
grantsusallt
heblessingsweaskf or
.”
Yep,thatwasquiteabril
li
antanswer.Shewasso
i
ntri
guedt ol
earnmor eaboutthi
smysteri
ouspr
ince
unti
lNeriahapproachedthem.Gatshawassonice,
hesli
ghtlybowedandsmi l
edather.

Gat
sha:“Mam’Ner
iah,
aspr omi
sed,
yourdaught
er
wasbroughthomesafel
y.”

Ner
iah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“Iwi
llseeyout
wobeaut
if
ull
adi
es
t
omorrow.”

Ner
iah:(
puzzl
ed)“
What
’shappeni
ngt
omor
row?
”

Gat
sha:“Comeon,Ma.Wecannotl etthecatoutof
t
hebagjustli
ket
hat,angi
thi(
ri
ght)
?I ’
l
lseeyou
t
omorrow.Lehumo,keepwell.I
twasr eal
lyni
ce
of
fi
cial
lymeet
ingyou.
”

Hesmi ledashewal kedaway.Hekeptl ooki

ngback
atthem withabr oadsmi l
e.Ofcour seNer i
ahwasa
bitshockedthathet oldherallaboutt
hef oll
owi
ng
day.Shedi dn’ttel
lanyoneaboutherpl anssoshe
wasqui tepuzzled.Ner i
ahwenti nt
othehousewi t
h
Lehumoandl ethertakeabat handchangeasshe
wasaboutt ohel pNer i
ahpreparefordi
nneras
al
ways.

Noahwasonhi swaybackhomeaf t
eralongshift
onther oad.Lehumot ookabat handbathedHosea
aswel l
.Shef oundhermot herhal
fwaydonewi t
h
thepapandhel pedherpealtheveggiesin
preparationforthestew.Ner i
ahthoughtitwasthe
perfecttimetost ar
taconversati
onwi t
hher
daught eraboutthePr i
nce.

Ner
iah:“
So,
howwasyourdayt
oday?
”
Lehumo:(smi
li
ng)“
Itwasl
ovel
y,Mama.Ienjoyed
mypaper.Brendaf
elti
twasabitt
ough,
butIaced
i
t.Icanfeeli
t.
”

Neriah:“
Hmm, akebol
elekadiexam (
I’
m not
tal
kingaboutyourexams)andyouknowi t
.Ke
bolelakaGatsha(I
’mtal
kingaboutGat
sha).
”

Lehumo:“
Orabj
ang(
whatdoyoumean)
,Mama?
”

Neri
ah:“
Aker
ewatsebannagakeset
lael
a(You
knowI’
m nof
ool
,ri
ght)
?”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ofcour
senot
,Mama.
”

Ner
iah:“
Etl
akat
sona(
Outwi
thi
t)
.”
Lehumo:(smi
li
ng)“
Ther
eisnot
hingt
otel
l,
Mama,
othert
hanheisani
ceguy.
”

Neri
ah:“
Oho, keabona(Isee).Icanseethatyou
don’
twanttot al
k,butj
ustknowthatIam hereif
youneedtotalkaboutanythi
ng.”

Lehumo:“
Thankyou.
”

Neriah:“
Fortherecor
d,Isawt
hespar
kinhi
seyes
too.Ifyouneedtoask–noneed.Hemost
defi
nitel
ylovesyou.
”

Thatval
idat
ionri
ghttherefr
om hermot herwas
enoughforLehumot oknowt hatGat
shawas
i
ndeedtheone.Shewasobvi ouslyi
nexperi
enced
andknewnot hi
ngaboutlove,butsheknewenough
toseehowamant ookcareoft hewomanhel oved
bylooki
ngatherparents’r
elati
onshi
pwi t
heach
other
.
Gatshaont heot herhandwasovert hemoon.He
hadneverf eltthewayhedi dthatdayafterhiswal k
withLehumo.Hehadhadaf ewr el
ati
onshi psand
evenonecl osetomar r
iage,
butthegirlbrokehi s
heartanditt ookhi m quit
eawhi l
etorecoverf rom i
t.
Hewal kedhomei gnori
ngeverythi
ngandever yone
onther oadunt ilheheadedst r
aighthomet ohi s
fat
her’sstudy.Heknockedont hedoorandf ound
himint here.

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Ngena(
Comei
n).
”

Hesmiledasshesawhi ssonwal kinwithabroad

smil
eonhisf ace.Heimmedi at
elytookoffhi
s
gl
assesandst oppedwhateverhewasbusywi th.
Thatwasjusthowseriousl
yhet ookGatsha.

KingSf
iso:(
smi
li
ng)“Mf
anawami (
Myboy)
.Yi
ni
(Whati
sit)
?Youlooksohappy.
”
Gat
sha:(
smil
ing)“
Ngimt
hol
il
e,Baba(
Ihavef
ound
her
,Dad)
.Ihavefoundmymissi
ngri
b.”

KingSfi
so:(
chuckl
ing)“
It’
saboutdamnti
me.You
aresuchalat
ebloomer,kodwa(but
)Iam happyf
or
you,myson.”

Gat
sha:“
Ngi
yabonga,
Baba(
thankyou,
dad)
.”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Whoi
sshe?
”

Gat
sha:“I
t’
sLehumo,Mam’Ner
iahandMal
ume
(
Uncle)Noah’
sdaught
er.
”

Ki
ngSf
isoscr
atchedhi
sheadf
oramoment
.

Gat
sha:(
sigh)“
Iknow,
Baba(
Dad)
.Iknowwear
e
notsupposedt
omar
rynon-
royal
s,butIl
oveher
.”

Ki
ngSfi
so:(ser
ious)“
Doyoul
oveherenought
o
marr
yher?
”

Gat sha:“IfIcouldIwoulddoittodayeven,
butI
woul dl i
ketogett oknowher.Shehasherwhol e
futureaheadofherandIwoul dlikehertof
eelat
easewi thmef i
rst.Icannotbombardherwith
mar riagewhenshehasj ustcomeofage.I’dli
keto
takemyt imewi t
hher ,Baba(Dad).
”

KingSf
iso:(
noddi
ng)“
Ihearyou,
myson.Isuppor
t
youver
ywell.”

Gatsha:(rel
ieved)“Thankyou,Baba(
Dad).What
aboutt hecouncil?Howwi ll
Igettomarr
yherwhen
thelawst atesthatnon-
royal
scannotbemarr
ied
i
ntor oyalt
y? ”
KingSfi
so:“
Iwanttoseeyouhappy,mfanawami
(myboy).Thelawscanalwaysbechanged.Idon’
t
seeareasonwhythatl
awmustst i
llst
andeven
todayf
ornon-r
oyal
sarealsohuman.”

Thatal
onemadeGat sha’
sday.Hecouldeven
i
maginehimselfmarr
yinghisl
ove.Hedidn’
tcar
e
aboutbei
ngthekingornot,
aslongashehad
Lehumobyhisside–hewashappy.
[
01/
27,
07:
25] :Chapt
er9

“Youknowyou’rei
nlovewhenyoucan’tf
allasl
eep
becausereal
it
yisf
inal
lybet
tert
hanyourdreams”–
Dr.Seuss

Neri
ahwasver ypleasedt
oseethatherdaught
er
hadfoundanewsenseofhappi ness,
mor e
especi
all
ysinceshewasabouttoturn18.Shesat
i
noneoft hekit
chenchair
sstar
ingatherdaughter
,
deepinthought
.Shecouldn’
tbeli
evethatshehad
comet husf arwi thherandmosti mportantlyshe
real
lycoul dn’tbeli
evethatGodhadbl essedherwi th
suchawonder fulchil
d.Shet houghtt oher self
;
‘
whatwoul dl i
fehadbeenl ikehadshest ayedinthat
miserablemar ri
agewi t
hPieter?’Woul dsheeven
havelivedunt ilthusfar?Ecclesiastes2:26camet o
mind–“ Tot heper sonwhopl easesHi m, Godgives
wisdom, knowl edgeandhappi nessbutt ot hesinner
hegivest het askofgat her
ingandst ori
ngupweal t
h
tohandi tovert otheonewhopl easesGod.Thi s
tooismeani ngless,achasingaf terthewi nd.”

Thattoher ,meantthati fyouhaveputyourf ulltr

ust
i
nGod, youwi l
lbegr antedhappinessanddon’ t
needt owor r
yaboutmi sfort
une.Indeed, Noahcame
attheper f
ecttimeandhei smostdef i
nitel
ypr oof
thattherearestil
lgoodmenoutt here.Shewas
thi
nkingaboutGat sha;shehadknownhi mf ora
mer etwoyear sandhei sthecompl eteopposi teof
hiselderbrotherShaka, andsher eall
yknewdeep
downt hathewoul dbeper fectf
orherdaught er–
hadhenotbeenofr oyalty.Sheknewj usthow
muchofawi tchtheQueenwas, andthatreal
lyl
eft
herabi tunsett
led.Over
all,shehadtoshar ethe
newswi t
hherhusbandbef oretheywentt obedthat
night
.Sheact uall
ydidn’
treali
zejusthowdeepi n
thoughtshehadbeen, untilLehumocal l
edherback
toearth.

Lehumo:“
Hao,
Mama.Ihavebeencal
li
ngyou.
”

Ner
iah:(
smil
ing)“
I’
m sor
ry,
ngwanaka(
mychi
ld)
.
Beoreng(Whatwereyousayi
ng)
?”

Lehumo:“
Beker eonaganaenggakana(Iwas
aski
ngwhatiti
sthathasyousodeepi
nthought)
?
Oronaganabir
thdayyaka(Orar
eyouthi
nkingof
mybirt
hday)
?

Ner
iah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Waphaphawena(
You’
ret
oo
f
orward)
.”
Shedidn’tgi
veanydetai
lsoutandri
ghtthen,Noah
gracedthem wit
hhisl
ong-await
edpresence.Of
course,
thethreeoft
hem wereveryhappytosee
him.

Noah:(
smi l
ing)“
I’
m home,
fami
ly.Mygoodness,
I
havemissedyou.”

Neri
ahst oodupandgavet heki
dsachancet o
embracehi m.Af terLehumoandHoseahugged
him,hegavehi swi fealonghugandasmal lpeck
onthelips.Affectionisnotsomethingoutoft he
ordi
naryi nt
heMkhabel ahousehol
d, soLehumo
neversawi taswei rdforherpar
entst obekissing
oneanot her.I
nf act,shehadneverseent hetwoof
them f
ightunli
kewhenNer i
ahwasmar r
iedtoPeiter
.

Noahwentt ohisroom t
ogetchanged.Hecouldn’
t
waittoeatt hel
ovelydi
nnerhi
swifeanddaughter
hadpr eparedforhim.Hewouldhardlyeatafew
hoursbef oregoi
ngbackhomebecausehej ust
knewt hatt
heyhadprepar
edhim awonder f
ulmeal
always.Theyusual
lywouldwaitf
orhim sothat
theycouldeatwi
thhim.Theyprayedandenj oyed
thei
rmeal ,
wit
hNoahcompl i
menti
ngthef oodas
always.

Noah:“
Yoh( Wow) ,
MaMkhabel a(Mrs.Mkhabela)
,
Mydaughter,ukudl
al okhukumnandi(t
hisfoodis
ver
ydeli
cious).Ngiyabonga(Thankyou).
”

Ner
iah:“
You’
rewel
come,
myhusband.
”

Lehumo:“
So,Papa,
redi
raenggosasa(
whatar
ewe
doingt
omorr
ow)?”

Noah:(chuckli
ng)“
Hayi(No)
,Lehumo, youarever
y
i
mpatient,yazi(
youknow).Youneedtobeal ot
moreli
keyourmot her.Besi
des,youshouldknow
mebynow, I’
m amanofmanysur pri
ses.”
Lehumoknewthathewouldn’
tbudgeatall,soshe
gaveuponaskinganddeci
dedonwai ti
ng.Neriah
tookt
hatasanopport
unit
ytoletherhusbandknow
aboutLehumo’
snewbeau.

Ner
iah:“
So,myhusband,
yourdaught
erseemst
o
bei
nlove.”

Lehumo:(
embar
rassed)“
Mama…”

Neri
ah:“Ther
eisnot
hingt
obeembarr
assedabout
her
e,Lehumo.Youaretur
ning18.
”

Noah:(
frowni
ng)“
Whoi
she?
”

Lehumo:(
embar
rassed)“
It
’snoone,
Papa(
Dad)
.”

Ner
iah:“
It
’st
heyoungPr
ince,
Gat
sha.
”
Noah:(
Wide-
eyed)“
Heh?
”

Neri
ah:“Yes,andheseemst ohavefal
lenhar
dfor
yourdaughter.Heevenwalkedherhomeand
carr
iedtheplast
icsf
orher
.”

Noahsmi l
edatt hethought.Heknewj ustaswel l
asNer i
aht hatinaperfectwor l
dGat shaandhi s
daughterwoul dbetheper fectmatch.Buti nthi
s
case,royalt
yhassomanyr ulesandhewasr eall
y
notsureifhi sfr
agil
edaught er,
onewhohadnever
evenkissedaboywoul dbeabl et ohandlethe
harshnesst hatcomeswi thmar ryi
ngintoroyalt
y–
thati
si fi
twer etoevenhappen.

Noah:“
Isi
ttr
ue,
mybaby?
”

Lehumolookeddowninembarr
assment.Shedi
dn’
t
under
standwhysheevenfel
tbadbecausei
twas
100%t
rue.

Noah:“
Thereisnothi
ngt obeashamedof,my
daught
er.Doeshemakeyousmi lewheneveryou
thi
nkofhim orevenhearhi
sname? ”

Lehumonodded.

Noah:“
Doeshel
ookatyoul
ikeyouar
etheonl
ygi
rl
i
ntheworl
d?”

Lehumonoddedanxi
ousl
y.

Noah:“Di
dyouaskhi
m quest
ionnumberone
al
ready?”

Lehumonodded.
Noah:“
Whatwashi
sresponse?
”

Lehumoexpl ai
nedGat sha’sheart
warmingresponse
abouthisthoughtsonGodt oherfat
herandNoah
knewt hati
twasgoi ngtobeabumpyr idefort
hose
two.Heknewt hatGatshawast heopposit
eofhis
brot
herandt hattheQueenhat ednon-r
oyalswit
ha
passion,soshewoul dn’
ttakeitl
ight
lyherson
marryingacommoner .

Noah:(
smi
li
ng)“Thenyouar
einlove,nt
ombiyami
(
Mydaught
er).Youhavemyblessing.
”

Lehumoj ustjumpedoutofpur ejoyandhuggedher

fatherwit
hsomuchr el
ief
.Noah’ ssmileandjoy
wast aint
edwi t
habitofsadnessasheknewt hat
thi
ngswoul dgetugly.Het houghtthatheneeded
tospeakt ohismotherthefoll
owingday.She
alwaysknewj ustwhattodo.Af terdi
nner,Lehumo
wentt obedwi t
hahugesmi l
eonherf aceandher
heartdancingtoaveryhappyt une.Shehadno
i
deathatlovecouldmakesomeonegocr azythe
wayshewasal r
eadygoi
ng.Sheevendecidedto
prayaboutitbef
oreshewenttobed.Sheknelt
downanddi dwhathermothertaughtherf
rom a
youngage.

Lehumo:( pr aying)“Modi mowar ona(OurGod) ,our

LovingGod, ourMer cifulGod,ohJehova.Ke
l
ebogel amat satsiakebi l
engleonakaof elefaseng
(Ithankyouf orallmydaysIhavehadonear t
hso
far).Ithankyouf orgivingmesuchwonder ful
parents,suchawonder f
ulbrotherandmost
i
mpor t
antlyt hatIneversleepwi thanempt y
stomach.It hankyout hatIgrewupi naloving
homeandt hatnot hi
ngi smissinginmyl i
fe.

Iaskthatyoupleaseprotectmyhear tonthi
s
j
ourneythatIam abouttoembar kon.Idon’ tknow,
Modimo( God),
butItrulyfeell
ikeIam inl
ovewi th
thePri
nce.Youknoweachoneofusont hisearth
–bothinsideandoutside.Wecanl i
etoone
anot her,butnott oyou.Youhavegi venmean
amazi ngl if
e;youhavepr oventoust hatthereis
l
oveaf terall–t r
ueloveatt hat.Iaskt hatyou
pleasegr antmet hesamehappi nesst hatyouhave
givenmymot her.Foryousayi nJer emi ah1:5–
“Bef oreIformedyoui nthewombIknewyou,
bef oreyouwer eborn,Isetyouapar t ;Iappoint
ed
youasapr ophett othenations.”Imaynotbea
prophet ,butIdoknowt hateachofushasadest i
ny
tof ulf
ilandt hatyouwoul dneverhur tus
i
nt entionall
y.Weal ldeservetobel ovedandt olove.
Pleasepr ot
ectmyhear t,
oh, Lord,
nomat terwhat.
InJesusnameIpr ay.Amen. ”

Itwast hatverynightt
hatLehumo’ sancest ors
foundPr inceGatshaworthyandt hatt heyf i
nall
yput
them togetherandwer eprepari
ngt ojoint hem as
one.Gat shaandLehumohadnoi deat hatitwas
thei
rancest orsthatmadesur et
heymadet hei
rway
tooneanot her
.Suchlovei spower f
ul–t he
undergroundgangchoosi ngasoul mat eforyou.It
i
sal sosuchl ovethati
sthemostdi ff
iculttoletgo
of,foriti
sthepurestandalsocanbet hemost
danger ous.Noahont heotherhandfoundhimself
worr i
edsickaft
erhisbath.Hef oundhiswife
readingtheBibl
easal waysandwentt ositnextt
o
her.Hehadal readyputyoungHoseat obed.

Noah:(
smi l
ing)“Uf
undai
ver
sebani(
Whi
chver
se
ar
eyour eading)
?”

Neri
ah:(
smili
ng)“Iwaspr
ayi
ngandaski
ngGodfor
gui
danceregardi
ngthi
swhol
eissuewi
thGat
sha
andLehumo.”

Noah:“
And?
”

Ner
iah:(Sigh)“Uponfini
shingmyprayer
,Ifound
myselfl
andi ngonthi
sver yver
se.“
Thereforewhat
Godhasj oinedtoget
her,l
etnooneseparate.
”–
Mark10:9.”
Nei
therNoahnorNeri
ahwerepr
ophet
s,butt
hey
bot
hknewwhatt hatmeant
.

Noah:“I
t’
stimetoaccepti
t,mywif
e.Lehumoi sa
grownwomannowandGat shacantakecar
eofher.
Iti
sreal
lyenti
rel
yuptohimtomakesur et
hatshe
doesnotgethurtbyhi
sfamily.
”

Neri
ah:(t
eary)“Iknow,
butIjustl
ovehersomuch.I
am worri
edthatshemightfal
lint
othesame
foot
stepsIdid.
”

Noah:“Don’
tworry,Ithi
nkwehaverai
sedherpr
ett
y
well
.Itrul
ybeli
evethatshewi
llknowwhattodo
shoul
dt r
oubl
earise.”

Ner i
ahsmi ledatherhusbandassheaskedfor
reassurancef r
om him.Sheknewthatlovedidn’
t
comeeasi ly,butt
hinki
ngofherdaught
ergoing
throughtroublealli
nthenameofloveisreal
lynot
somet
hingshewaspr
epar
edf
or.Shet
houghtonl
y
ti
mewouldtel
l.

Gatshaont heot herhandcouldn’tevenstopsmil

ing
andhummi ngal lthewayt hroughdinner,l
eavi
ng
hismot herentirelyannoyedbecausesheal ways
madei tapoi nttoknowwhathappenedi nher
chil
dren’sli
ves.Shehadsuchahol doverherson
Shaka,butGat shawasahar dnutt ocrack.Hewas
most l
ycloset ohi sfatherandnother,andthat
addedt oherf r
ust rat
ion.Whi l
eGatshawas
hummi ng,hisf atherwasevenchuckl ing.Queen
Kuliknewt hatheknewwhatGat shawassohappy
about.

Shetri
edasking, butneit
herofthem wantedtospill
thebeans.TheKi ngwasagoodmanandaman
whowasver ygoodatkeepi ngsecret
s–i twasnot
asifhewasobl ivioustohiswife’
sfil
thyt
endencies.
Healsomar ri
edheroutofobl i
gat
ionanddidn’t
wantthatforhissons.Heal r
eadysawShakagoi ng
downar oadhedi dn’
tevenimagine,butwhatcoul
d
hedo?QueenKul ievenfel
tasifthewhol edi
nner
wasdistast
efulasshekeptlookingatthesmili
ng
Gatsha.Shakaont heotherhandwasj ustas
annoyed.Hehat edseeinghisbrotherhappy.

Itwast henmor ethansibli

ngr i
valr
y.Hi sdeepenvy
andj ealousyt owardsGatshahadr eachednew
height s.Hewasatast aget hathecoul dbeready
tokil
lhi m shouldthetimehavecome.Af terdinner,
Gatshadeci dedtoretr
eattohi sroom andt he
annoyedShakaf ol
lowedhi mt r
yingtogetsome
i
nformat ionoutofhisbrother.Shakawasver y
i
mpul siveandhadzer oemot i
onalintel
li
gence.
Aftersomanyyear shest i
llf
ail
edt ogetsomet act
togetcl osert
ohi sbrother.

Shaka:“
Manj
euyaphiwena(
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng
now)?”

Gat
sha:“
Yini(
What
)?Am Isupposedt
oanswert
o
younow,
Shaka?
”

Shaka:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hawu( Goodness)
,Bhuti
(Br
other
),i
t’
snotli
kethatatal
l.Iwasjustaski
ngi
f
youwouldli
ketograbadr i
nkwithme.”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Yout
hinkI
’
m stupi
dwena,
ne?
Imeansincewhendoweevensitandhaveadr
ink
toget
her?”

Shaka:“
Hawu( Wow)
,Gat
sha.Sekunj
e,vel
e(So,
i
t’
sliket
hisnow)?
”

Gatsha:“
Ithasalwaysbeenlikethis.Iteven
becamewor sewhenyousl eptwithawomanIonce
l
ovedandyoui mpregnatedher .Youdi dwellby
for
cinghertoabort
.Iwoul dn’twantanyone
carr
yingyourfi
lt
hyseedintothiswor l
d.”
Shakawasaboutt or etal
iat
e,butGatshaignored
him asusual.Gat shawasnotashor t-
tempredman.
Heknewj ustwhent of i
ghtandthatwasnott he
ti
me.Shakawasl eftstandingatthebott
om ofthe
stai
rs,shoutingatGat sha,whojustwalkedtohis
room.

Shaka:(
angr
il
y)“
Uyambonake,
Mama(
Youseehi
m
now,Mama)?”

QueenKul
i:“
Yinimanj
e(Whati
sitnow)
?”

Shaka:(fumi
ng)“Hedoesn’ tl
etshitgo!Musthe
alwaysremindmeaboutwhatIdi dwithSizakel
e?!I
meani twasami stakeandbrothersaresupposed
tosti
cktogetherandforgi
veeachot her!ImeanI
shouldbetheonemour ni
ngsincesheabor tedmy
chil
d.”

Thel
evelofent
it
lementt
hatShakahadr
eached
wasseri
ouslydist
urbi
ngtohisfather
,KingSf iso.
Heknewhissondi dn’
tevenhaveanymor alsto
begi
nwith,
notevenanypr i
ncipl
es,buttoraise
suchanunapologeti
cchil
d,wasratherdisturbingt
o
him.

KingSfi
so:(Annoyed)“
Shaka,youwerewrong.At
l
eastforonce,j
ustadmityourmist
akesf
or
goodnesssake!”

Ki
ngSf i
sowasacalm manevenwhenangr
yso
wheneverher
aisedhi
svoi
cetheyknewhewasl
ivi
d.

QueenKuli
:“Kodwa(But),myhusband,youalways
takeGat
sha’
ssidewithoutevenfeel
ingforyourf
irst
born.Heisthefut
urekingofthi
skingdom, wehave
to–“

Shedi
dn’
tevengett
ofi
nishhersent
ence.
Ki
ngSf i
so:“Nofutur
eKingofmineshal
lbeas
di
srespect
ful,
unremorsef
ulandl
ooseli
keShaka!
”

Heevenbangedhisfi
stsont
het
abl
e,l
eavi
ngbot
h
ShakaandKulii
nshock.

Shaka:“But,Baba(Dad),mustyoureal
lyshowme
thatyoulovemel essthanGatsha?
”

KingSf iso:“ Thisisnotevenaboutl ove.Ilovemy

childrenal lequally.Itisyourblat
antdisrespectI
cannothandl e.Ihateyourannoyi ngmanner isms,
yourl ackofcompassi onandyourdi srespectful
ways–f oryour self
,womenandt hiskingdom.You
forgotthatwehadt opay10cowsf orwhatyoudi d
toSi zakele.Youshoul dbeveryhappyshe
managedt ogot oVarsityandgetmar ri
ed.Youon
theot herhand, haveal ongwayt ogo,myson.You
cannotgetr eadyt obecal ledakignwhenyouar e
notevenf ittobeaPr ince.
”
HeleftShakaandKul istandingr ightt here–gob
smacked.Kul iwasjustoneoft hosemeddl ing
mothers.Sheknewdeepdownt hatshewaswr ong
andwasr uini
ngShaka, butshej ustcoul dn’
thelpit.
Herconstantbabyingandr eassur ancet owards
Shakabecamehi sdownf all
.Thatal onemadehi m
betheweakersonandal lowedhi sbr othert
owi n
thebatt
leofkingshipagai nsthim.
[
01/
27,
07:
25] :Chapt
er10

“Themor ewel etGodt akeusover,themoretrul

y
oursel
veswebecome–becauseHemadeus.He
i
nventedus.Hei ntent
edallthediff
erentpeopl
e
thatyouandIwer eint
endedt obe… iti
swhenIt urn
toChrist,
whenIgi veupmysel ftoHispersonali
ty,
thatIfi
rstbegi
nt ohavear ealpersonal
it
yofmy
own.”–C. S.Lewis

Lehumo’s18t
hbi r
thdayhadf
inal
lycome,
andthe
personwhom everyonedi
dn’
texpectt
obethef
ir
st
oneawakeintheroyalhousesurprisedthem al
l.
Gatshawasupandaboutver yearlyatabout6am.
Hehadmadeaf ewcallsthepr
eviousday, or
deri
ng
abookespeci
allyforLehumo.Hehadoccasi onal
ly
spokentoNer
iahandshewoul dspeakabouthow
muchLehumol ovedreadingbooks.Ner i
ahhadno
i
dea,butGat
shahadal waysbeeni ntri
guedby
Lehumo.

Unli
kehisbrother,hewasn’ tonet obef or
war dand
goforanywoman.Het ookhi stimet ostudya
womanofi nterest.Her eall
ydi dn’twhattogether ,
sohedecidedon‘ Livingbeyondyourf eel
ings’by
JoyceMeyer ,aver ylovelybot t
leofSpi erPinotage
wine–al t
houghhewasn’ tsur eshewasadr inkeror
not,andabunchofwhi telil
ies.Hechosebei ng
againstr
osessi ncei twasr athertypicalandf rom
hi
sexperience,notmanyl adieslover oses.Besides,
helovedbeinguni queanddi f
ferent.

Heal
sohadsuchgr
eatr
espectf
orNoahandNer
iah
anddi dn’twantt oseem di srespectfulbyi nvi
t i
ng
himselfwi t
houtt hei
rper mi ssion,sohehaddeci ded
togoaskf ortheirpermissioni nperson.Heal so
wasamanofver yfewwor ds, butofmanyact ions.
So,hedeci dedt ogetNer iaht hebook‘ Plantedwi t
h
aPur pose’ byT.D.Jakesal sowi thalovelybot tleof
SpierChar donnay.Hehadhear dhersayt hatshe
tookagl assort woofr edwi neonoccasi onandshe
alsogotNoaht hebook‘ DaddyLoveshi sGirls’by
T.D.Jakesandabot t
leof12YearOl dGlenf i
ddi ch.
Hehadt ogof etchthegi f
tsf r
om hisf r
iendatt he
mallbef oreheadingtot heMkhabel ahousehol d.He
beli
evedt hatalthoughaper sondidn’tdrink,itwas
thethoughtt hatcounted–al ways.

Hewal keddownt hestairsdressedinagor geous

pairofDieselJeans, wi
thawhi teGivenchytopand
hewasr eadyt oleave.Hehadf oundhismot her,
QueenKul isi
tti
ngi nthelounge,looki
nglikeshehad
hardlysl
eptawi nktheprevi
ousni ght.Shewas
evenmor edistraughtwhenshesawhi m hummi ng
allt
hewaydownt hestai
rs.Sheknewt hatlook–
thatwasal ookofamani nlove,
whichwast he
biggestst
ressf orhersi
nceshehadpr omiseda
fell
owqueenf rom anotherki
ngdom thatGatsha
woul dmarryherdaught er
.

Gat
sha:(smil
ing)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.Unj
ani
(
Howar eyou)?”

QueenKuli:(
fakesmile)“
Hel
lo,
myboy.Ngi
yaphi
la
(
I’
m well
),howar eyou?”

Gatsha:“
Iam bet
terthanever.Yiniungat
hi
awulal
angakodwa( Whydoesi tseem asi
fyou
haven’
tsleptawi
nk,though)?
”

QueenKuli
:(chuckl
ing)“
Ag,justsomemi
ld
i
nsomnia.Not hi
nghecti
c.”

Gat
sha:“
Icanmakeyouacupofgr
eent
ea,
ifyou’
d
l
ike.
”

Thatwastheexactdi ffer
encebet weenGat shaand
Shaka.Gat shawasver ylovingandhewoul ddo
anythi
ngforhismot her–exceptbeherpet .He
wouldevenof f
ertorubherf eetafteral ongday, but
Shakawoul dneveroffer.Hewasonet obeasked
byhismother–al ways.QueenKul iwas
unfort
unat
el ymuchlikeShaka, shel ackedt act
.
Shecouldn’tpret
endf orverylongandwoul d
al
waysst r
ivetohitt
henai lont heheadt ooearly.

QueenKuli
:“No,t
hankyou,
mf anawami(
myboy).
Butyoucantel
lmewhyyou’resohappyi
nst
ead.
”

Gatsha:(chuckli
ng)“Hawu(Gosh)
,Ma.Umunt u
akufanel
eukut hianovukaaj
abul
il
ekuphel
a(Can’ta
personjustwakeupi nahappymoodf orno
reason)?”
QueenKuli
:“Comeon,Gatsha.Iknowyouar
elyi
ng
t
ome.I t
’saboutt
hatgir
l,i
sn’ti
t?”

Gat
sha:“
Whi
chgi
rl
?”

QueenKul
i:“
Neri
ah’
sdaughter.Anddon’
tyoudar
e
l
ietome.Ihaverel
iabl
esources.
”

Gatshaknewverywellt
hathi
smot
herwascapabl
e
ofpayi
ngpeopletospyonhim.

Gatsha:“Mother
,Iam nothi
dinganythi
ngfrom you.
Iam all
owedt ohavemyownl if
eandownshar eof
secret
s.Ifyouneedtoknowanyt hi
ng,bel
ieveyou
wil
lknow.”

Kul
idi
dn’
ttakei
tver
yli
ght
ly.
QueenKul i
:(angered)“You’r
einlovewit
ha
servant’
sdaughterandyouexpectmet okeepquiet,
Gat sha?
!Doyoupl anonmaki ngmet helaughi
ng
stockofthewhol eZululand?Whatwi l
lpeoplesay
i
ft heyhear
dapr incehasf al
lenforamere
commoner ?!
”

Thatreal
lyhi
tGat
sha’
sner vebecauseasmuchas
Neri
ahoranyotheremployeeoftheir
swasa
‘
servant’
,t
heywerest
il
lhuman.

Gatsha:“Mot her,ngenhl onipho(withalldue

respect
),ngicelaungal ingeukhul umelawo
amagamaf uthi(Iaskt hatyouneverr epeatthose
words)–especi all
yinmypr esence.Ner i
ahmight
beaser vanttoyou, butshei smor eli
keamot herto
me.Andasf orLehumo, sheisnotacommoner–
sheistheonewhohasmyhear t.Andifyoudare
trytodotomewhatyoudi dt othatgi
rlShakafel
lin
l
ovewi t
h,you’ llregretit.
”
Hesai dthatinsuchacalm mannerandwal kedout
withoutsayinganythi
ngfurther
.Kul iknewver ywell
thathemeantever ywordhehadsai dont hatday,
butshej ustkeptpushi
ng.Sher efusedt oaccept
thatGatshawasi nlovewithNeriah’sdaught er.She
wouldlookf orwaystodestroytheirlove,butlit
tle
didsheknowt hatt
hemor eshet r
ied,themor etheir
l
ovegr ewf oroneanother
.

Meanwhi le,int heMkhabelahousehold,Lehumo

wast r
ulyhappyt hatshehadf i
nall
yturned18and
thatshewasf inallydonewithschool.Shewas
wokenupbyNoahandNer i
ahwalki
ngintoher
room withat rayf ullofaver
ysali
vati
ngEngl i
sh
breakfast
, ast heysanghappybi r
thdaytoher.She
hadnochoi cebutt owakeupandshecoul dn’thel
p
butsmi l
east heybot hwarmedherhear t
.

Ner
iah:(smil
ing)“
HappyBi
rt
hday,
mor
atuwawaka
(
myl ove).
”
Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
Ma.Thankyou,
Papa.
”

Noahmadeherbi r
thdayextraspeci
albytaki
ngout
asmallgif
tbaghehadhi ddenfrom herasofl
ast
ni
ght.Helikedsur
prisesmuchl i
keGatsha.He
handeditt
oLehumoasshel ookedexcit
ed.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Forme?
”

Noah:(
nodded)“
Yes.I
t’
sfr
om us,
openi
t.
”

Shedidn’thesi
tat
etoopenitandfoundt wo
envel
opes.Shedecidedtoopenthethickestone
anditwasaf or
mallet
tert
ypedespeciall
ybyNoah
andNeriah.

“
DearLehumo
Yourmot
herandIl
oveyousomuch,
asyouknow
notadaygoesbyt hatwedon’ tremi ndyouofour
l
ovef oryou.However ,Iwoul dliketost artwith
mysel f;thedayyouent eredmyl ifehadbeent he
happi estdayi nmyl if
e.Ihadl ongedf orpur elove
forver ylongandIam et ernall
ygr atefultoGodf or
blessingmewi t
hyou, yourmot herandHosea.I
knownowt hateveni fGodwoul dtakemenow, I
woul dhavenor egretsbecauseIhaveexper i
enced
whatmostpeopl ediewi thoutfinding.Youar e
offi
ciallyanadul tnowandIwantt odor ightbyyou,
sot herefore,yourmot herandIhaddeci dedaf ew
yearsagot hatwewoul densur et hatyouhave
enoughmoneyt ostudywhat everyoudesi r
e.Take
thisasourgi f tt
oyou.Wi thlove, yourpar ents.

P.
S.Don’
teverchangetheper
sonyouar
e–keep
bl
ossomi
ng,myf l
ower.
”

Asshescrol
leddownwi
thheral
readytear
-r
idden
eyes,
shesawsomethi
ngastoni
shing.
“Sanl
am Savi
ngsPl
anForLehumoMkhabel
afor
R400000.”

Shebur sti
ntot
earsthinki
ngt
hatNoahhadsaved
upt hatmoneyforaslongashecouldeven
rememberandnowhewasgi vingi
tallt
ohert
ogo
study.

Lehumo:“Oh,Papa(Dad),t
hisist
oomuch.Ihad
al
readyappl
iedforbursar
ies.
”

Noah:“Onecanneverbetoocaref
ulorcer
tai
n
aboutthose.Thisi
sourgi
fttoyou,mybaby.
Treasurei
tanduseitwi
sely.Shoul
danyofthose
bursari
esrespond,
youcansavethemoneyfor
somethingelse.
”

Shehuggedbothherparent
sinsomucht ear
s.
Theyal
sofel
tabittear
yandt hatwasoneofthe
bestmomentsofLehumo’sli
fe.
Lehumo:“
Ireal
lydon’
tknowhowt
othankyou.
”

Neri
ah:(chuckl
ing)“
Youcandot
hatl
ater
.Opent
he
nextenvel
ope.”

Shewipedhert ear
sof fassheopenedthenext
envel
ope.Shewasst unnedtofi
ndaf ewR100and
R200not eswhichhadamount edtoR1000wi t
ha
smalll
etterat
tached.“Goandspoilyoursel
fwith
yourfr
iend.”

Lehumo:(
exci
ted)“
Hah!Mama,
Iknowt
hiswasal
l
youri
dea!
”

Mama:( smili
ng)“
Youareawomannow, mychil
d.
Iti
shightimeIgaveyoutheli
feIneverhad.Now,
don’twast
eyourt i
me,eatupandgot akeashower
.
Brendawillbeher
einhalfanhour
.”
Lehumo:“
Mara(But
),Br
enda.Shei
ssogoodat
keepi
ngsecr
ets.
”

Noah:“
Shehadt
obebr
ibedf
ir
st.
”

Lehumochuckl edastheyl efthertoenj oyher

breakfastinpeacewhi l
et heywentont opr eparefor
theday’spar ty.Lehumo’spar entswer eso
wonder fult
oher .Shehadseemi nglyforgottenwho
Pieterwassi nceheneverevenmadeanat temptto
changehi slif
eorbecl osertoheragai nafter
everythi
ng,soshej ustmovedonwi thlifeand
acceptedNoahashernewf ather.Shehadeven
changedhersur namef r
om Pi et
er ’
stoNoah’ s.She
didherbusi nessandwor eapai rofjeansanda
whitetankt op.

Herhairwasnatural
lyl
ong,sosheti
editupi
ntoa
ponyt
ailandheadedout.ShefoundBrendawait
ing
forherexci
tedlywit
halimosine.Herpar ent
swer e
veryextr
a,real
ly.Ever
yoneout si
dewer every
surpri
sedast ohowNoahandNer i
ahcouldafford
suchwi t
htheirsal
ari
es,butli
tt
ledidtheyknowt hat
savingwental ongway.Sheki ssedherparents
andheadedoutwi thherfri
endBr enda.

Herpar entswer eallsetandhadevenhiredadr iver

forthem toenjoyt heirdayatthespaandgof or
someshoppi ng.Ast heywer eabouttopreparefor
thedayahead, Gatshapar kedhi
sBMW 2Ser i
es
outsidetheirgate.Ner i
ahwasver yhappytosee
him, whil
eNoahwasf rowningali
ttl
ebit
.Hest ood
atthegat e,outofrespect,asNeri
ahwentout side
andmethi m halfway.

Ner
iah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.MayIpl
ease
ent
er?
”
Ner
iahsmil
edinaweathi
sincr
edi
blyamazi
ng
manner
isms.

Ner
iah:“
Yes,
youmay,
Gat
sha.
”

Gatsha:“
Ngenhloni
pho,
Ma( Outofr
espect
),Ngi
cel
a
ubuzeuBabanomakur i
ghtukut
hingi
ngangenana
(mayyoupleaseaskMr.Mkhabelai
fImayenter
)?”

Ner
iah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Okay,
hol
don.
”

Shewalkedbackint
othehouseandfoundher
husbandpeel
ingsomevegetabl
es.

Ner
iah:“
Mogat shaka(Myhusband)
,Pri
nceGat
sha
i
saskingforyourpermissi
ontoent
er.
”
Noahhadn’ texpectedthatatallf
rom thePri
nce
himself
.Hewasi ndeedchuf f
edbyt hatboy.He
noddedoutofshockwhi l
eNeriahwentback
outsi
detocal lGatshatocomei n.Hehur r
iedback
tohiscarandt ookoutthegiftshehadboughtf or
them andhur ri
edr i
ghtintot
heyar d.Uponmeet i
ng
Mam’ Neri
ah,heshookherhandgent ly.

Gat
sha:“
Nicet
oseeyouagai
n,Ma.
”

Neriahsmi l
edathi m whi
leNoahl ookedathim wit
h
shocki nhiseyes.Hi swholefacewasact ual
ly
paralyzedbyshock.Hewasevenmor esurpri
sed
bythef actthatGatshahadhiscapi nhishandsas
asignofr espectforthei
rhousehold,al
ongsidethe
gif
tbags.

Gat
sha:“
Sawubona,
Baba(
Hel
lo,
Sir
).
”

Noahwassoshocked,
Gat
shahadhi
sheadbowed
awai
ti
nghi
sresponse.

Noah:“
Yebo,
Sawubona,
Pri
nceGat
sha(
Yes,
hel
l
o).
”

Gat
sha:“
Ninj
ani
,Baba(
Howar
eyou,
Sir
)?”

Noah:“Ngi
yaphi
la,unj
anikodwawenaNkosi(
I’
m
wel
l,howareyou,ourPri
nce)?”

Gat
sha:“
I’
m wel
l
,thankyou.
”

Noah:“
Whatbr
ingsyouher
e?”

Gatsha:“
Eish,Baba(si
r),
Ihadheardthatyouare
hosti
ngabi r
thdaypartyf
orLehumo,soIwantedto
comeandaskyouper sonal
lyi
fIcoul
dhel par
ound
wit
hanythingthatyouneeded.
”
Noah:(smil
ing)“
Hawu(Wow),whatwouldpeopl
e
sayseeingyou,t
hepri
ncehel
pingouti
na
commoner ’
syard?”

Gatsha:“Withallduerespect
,Baba(Sir)
,Iam my
ownper son.Imayhavebeenbor nintoroyalt
y,but
i
tdoesnotdef ineme.EvenGodhi mselfhadmade
usallequal.Icameher ebecauseIhavet akenan
i
nterestinLehumo, andIbeli
evethatshemi ghtfeel
thesame.Icameher et ohumblemyselfandask
foryourpermissiontogettoknowher .
”

Thatwasashocker,r
eall
y.Theybot
hdidn’
texpect
thathewoul
djustsaythatsoqui
ckl
y.

Noah:(smil
ing)“
Ngi yakuzwa(Ihearyou).Kodwa
(but)
,haveyouforgottenabouttherulesofyour
kingdom,Pri
nceGat sha?”

Gat
sha:(
shaki
nghead)“
No,
sir
.Imi
ghthavebeen
bornintothoserul
es,butIdon’thavetof
oll
owt hem.
Yousee, si
r,Ifi
rml
ybelievei
nlove.Ibeli
evethat
Godwoul dneverputusont hiseartht
osuffer
especial
lyatthehandsofotherpeople.Iknowt hat
Iam inlovewithyourdaughter,si
r.
”

Ner
iahfoundher
sel
fini
mmenset
ear
s,f
ight
ing
t
hem backver
yhard.

Noah:(
impressed)“
Doyoumi
ndmeaski
ngyoua
f
ewquestions?”

Gat
sha:“
No,
sir
.Youmaypr
oceed.
”

Noah:“Ihearyourpl
ea,andIam quit
ehonoured
thatamanl i
keyouhasani nt
eresti
nmydaught er
,
butwhatguaranteedoIhavethatyouloveherand
youwon’tbreakherheart
?”
Gatsha:(smi l
ing)“BecauseIvowt opr ot
ecther
,fi
rst
andforemost .Iwantt opr otectherfrom al
lthi
sevil
i
nt hi
swor ld.Ivowt oloveherandshowherwhat
l
over eal
lymeansandIwi l
lneverall
owanyonet o
hurther–evenmysel f
.Iknow, lovedoesnotcome
withamanualandpeopl egethur talltheti
me,butI
wouldneverdot hattoheri ntent
ionall
y.People
aren’
tperfect,Baba( Si
r),butloveis.Pur el
ovewith
God’spresencei nitisofper fect
ionandIwantt o
gi
vehernot hi
ngbutpur elove.”

Noahwassmili
ngfr
om eartoear.Hehadfai
led
l
ongagotr
yingtobeser
iouswithGat
sha.

Noah:“
Andi
fyourf
ami
lydi
sappr
oveoft
hat
?What
t
hen?”

Gat
sha:“Ihavealreadyspokentomyfatherabout
myint
erestsinLehumo, si
r,andhehasvowedt o
meetupwi t
hthecounciltohavethel
awschanged.
Igi
veyoumywor d,Iwil
lmakesureItr
eatLehumo
well
,pr
ovi
dedIgetgi
vent
hechancet
opr
ovei
tto
you.
”

NoahandNer i
ahwer esmi
li
ngast heyl
ookedat
eachotherandnoddedonce.Theybothknewthat
Gatshawasverymuchi nl
ovewiththei
rdaught
er,
butNoah,asafather
,coul
dn’
tgiveawayhis
daughtert
hateasi
ly.

Noah:“Okay,
Iwillall
owyouachancet ogett
o
knowmydaught er,butyoushallnotbepermi
ttedt
o
haveherovertoyourhousef oranythi
ngatal
l.At
l
eastnotunti
lyouar ecert
ainthatyouwantto
marryher.
”

Gat
shawassohappy,
thati
sal
lheneededt
ohear
.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ngi
yabonga(
Thankyou)
,Baba
(
sir
).
”
Gat
shaext
endedhishandforahandshakeofwhi
ch
Noahwasmorethanhappytoaccept
.
[
01/
27,
07:
25] :Chapt
er11

“Bei
ngdeepl
ylovedbysomeonegivesyoustr
ength,
whil
elovi
ngsomeonedeepl
ygivesyoucourage.
”–
LaoTzu

Thedaywasgoi ngjustfi
ne,asLehumowentoutt o
enjoyherf ir
stmoment sofbei ng18withherbest
fr
iendBr enda,hermother,NoahandPr inceGatsha
werepl anningtheperfectbi
rthdayforher.Ner i
ah
hadi nvit
edBeat r
iceandherf ri
endRaesibef r
om
Lephal al
e,whileNoahhadi nvitedafewofhi swork
fr
iendsandf ri
endsfrom church.Itwasnot hi
ng
maj or,andwhocoul dforgetBongiofcour se.

Butnothi
ngcouldeverstaysecretf
orlongin
Zul
uland,asQueenKulihadsentoneofherl oyal
gar
denser vant
stospyonGat sha,alotofpeople
hadheardthatPri
nceGat shawashel pingoutatt
he
Mkhabelahousehold.Rumour sbecamer i
feandit
wasn’tl
ongbef or
et henewsofGat sha’sromanti
c
rel
ati
onshiphadspreadacr ossthevill
age.Imagi
ne
that
,awhol est
oryfl
yingaroundwi thoutyour
knowledge.

Gat shahadn’ tevenpr oposedt oLehumopr operly,

butpeopl ehadal readyf ormul atedtheirownideas
andconcl usions.Unl ucki l
yforKul i
,herhusband,
KingSf isowasal waysonest epaheadofher–j ust
l
ikeGat sha.Whi leLehumowasatt hespawi th
Br enda, theyhadt ocutt heirtripveryshortduet o
rudepeopl emaki ngt hei rpresenceknown.They
bot hhadj ustf i
nishedget ti
ngt hei rf
ullspa
treatment sandont heirwayt odosomeshoppi ng.
Uponl eavi ngthespa, theywer eamazedt ofind
Pr i
nceShakawal kingr ighttowar dsthem withone
oft het ownshi p‘whor es’ Bulelwa.

Br
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Yoh,
chomi(
fri
end)
.Ihadso
muchfun,man.Itwasmyver yfi
rstti
meatthespa,
kodwa.Ineedtogetmyselfaboyfr
iendwhocan
spoi
lmeliket
hatveryof
ten.”

Lehumo:(chuckli
ng)“Comeon,Brenda,man.You
honest
lydon’tneedamant odoallthatf
oryou.
Youcandot hatallonyourown.
”

Brenda:“
Ofcourseyouwouldsaythat
.Youhave
themostsoughtaft
erPr
inceGatshatr
yingt
osteal
yourheart
,”

Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“Comeon,Br
enda.Henever
askedmeoutoranythi
ng.Youshoul
dn’
tbe
j
umpingtoconclusi
ons.
”

Br
enda:“
Iam notj
umpingtoanythi
ng.Thati
snot
whati
sbeingsai
daroundZul
uland.
”
Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Brendawasaboutt ofi
llLehumoi
nonwhatwas
beingsaidabouther,
whenShakamadehisver
y
unpleasantappear
ance.

Shaka:(
cocky)“Wel
l,
well
,wel
l.I
fiti
sn’
tthemost
soughtaf
tergi
rli
nZulul
and.
”

Lehumoneverli
kedShaka.Sheal
wayshear
d
stor
iesabouthi
m andt
hatmadeherdi
sli
keher
evenmor e.

Lehumo:(
annoyed)“
Excuseme?
”

Shaka:(mimicki
ngLehumo)“Nyescuseme?Yazi
ninaamantombazanaweMaPedini hluphakabi
(Youknow, youPedigi
rl
saresoannoying).Why
couldn’
tyoustaybackinyourvi
ll
age?Youj usthad
t
ocomeher
eandcauset
roubl
e,di
dn’
tyou?
”

Lehumowasget ti
ngangered,andwasaboutt
o
walkaway,unt
ilsheheardBulel
wamakea
derogat
oryst
atementtowardsher.

Bul
elwa:(
chuckl
ing)“Lookather,baby.Idoubt
Gat
shawouldevenf allf
orashapelessthi
nglikeher
.
Imeansheisn’
tevent hatpr
ett
y.”

Lehumowasr atherconfident,thankstohermot her

andNoah.Shedi dn’tneedt obet hepr et
ti
estgirlin
theworl
d,butwithherbeaut if
ulcar amelskintone
andgorgeoushourgl assfigure,sheknewt hat
Bulel
wawasj usttryi
ngtomakeherf eelsmall
.For
hertoevensaythatshewasn’ t“thatpret
ty”
,
showedthatatleastsheknewt hatshewaspr etty–
alt
houghnotprettyenoughf orher .

Lehumo:(
annoyed)“
List
enher
e,Shakaand
whoeveryouar e.Idon’tknowyouandqui tefrankly
Idon’tneedt oknowyou.Fort hemer ef actthatyou
tookt hetimeoutofyour‘ perfect’li
vesj usttocome
allt
hewayher etoinsultme, showst hatIdo
i
nt i
mi dateyou.Asf oryou,girly,noonesai dGat sha
want edmeandeveni fhedi d–Idon’ tseehowany
ofthatwoul dbeyourconcer n.Imean, youhave
theeldestPr ince’
sar m ar
oundyourmi serablewai st
yetyoust i
llhavethetimet oinsul tgir
lsyounger
thanyou?Whatar eyou?Fi veyear sold?Getagr ip,
secur ethatbagbecausecl earlyschooli sn’
t
somet hi
ngofyourcal iber.Now, ifyouwi l
lexcuse
me, Ihaveabi rt
hdayt ocelebrate.”
Shedidn’tevengivethem bot
hachancet osay
anythi
ngf urt
her
.Br endawalkedr
ightaft
erher,
l
aughingatt heastoni
shedShakaandt hever
y
exasperatedBulel
wa.

Bul
elwa:(
li
vid)“Aren’
tyougoi
ngtodosomethi
ng,
Shaka?Shel i
ter
allyj
usti
nsul
tedme–insul
tedus!
”
Shaka:(
cli
cki
ngt
onge)“
Mxm, Awut
hul
enawe( Shut
up),
Bulel
waman.Uyadinasomet
imes(Youcanbe
annoyi
ngatti
mes).
”

Bulelwawassosaddened, asShakawasl eft

stari
ngatLehumount ilshemadeherwayoutoft he
mall.Nogi rlhadeverspokent ohiml i
ket hat–wi th
suchaut hor i
tyinhervoiceandsuchconf idence.
Hehadal wayshadgi r
lswhowoul ddoever ything
andanyt hinghesai dandj ustbyr eplaying
Lehumo’ sr esponsetowar dshi m –thatalonemade
him wantLehumoevenmor et
hanheeverhad
before.Shakawasoneoft hosegreedymen–he
couldn’tl
oveanywomanr ight,nomat terhowhar d
hetried,buther efusedtol ethisbrotherlovet hese
women.

MeanwhileLehumowasf uming,i
ttookherawhi
le
tocal
m down.TheLi modriverwasrat
hersur
pri
sed
thatt
heyhadl ef
tthemal
lsoquickl
y.Lehumodidn’
t
evenwaitforhimtoopenthedoorfort
hem,she
l
it
eral
lyshovedher
sel
fint
othel
imousi
ne.

Dr
iver
:(puzzl
ed)“
Isever
ythi
ngokay,
ma’
am?
”

Lehumo:(annoyed)“
Yes!Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne,
may
youpleasedri
ve?!
”

Thedr
iverl
ookedatLehumoandthenatBr
enda,
whotr
iedtoeaset
hesituat
ion.

Brenda:“
Oh,
don’
tworr
y,si
r.Ani
rr
it
ati
ngboyt
ri
ed
torui
nherbi
rt
hday.
”

Dr
iver
:(puzzl
ed)“
Whomi
ghtt
hisboybe?
”

Br
enda:“
Theel
derPr
ince.
”

Dr
iver
:(chuckl
ing)“
Oh,
Pri
nceShaka?Hehasa
tendencyofdoi ngthat.Hei st hemostannoyi ng
Princeanyonehasevercomeacr oss.Nowonder
hei sn’tmarr
iedyet.Myadvi cet oyou, younglady,
don’ teverl
etoldmenwi thsmal lmi ndsgett oyou
l
iket hat.Hemostpr obablydoesnotknowhowt o
i
nt eractwit
hyoungl adi
eswi thsel f
-respectli
kethe
twoofyou.Now, comeon.Ir eceivedst r
ict
i
nst ructi
onsnottoletyougobackhomeunt i
lIwas
toldt obri
ngyouhome.Si nceyouwant edtodo
someshoppi ng,Ishal
ltakeyout oanot hermal l
near by–wi t
houttheannoyingPr i
nce. ”

Hechuckl
edal
ongwi
thBr
enda,
whi
leLehumowas
st
il
lfumi
ng.

Brenda:“
Hey,theBi
blesaysi
nPr over
bs29:
22–
“ANangrypersonst
irsupconfl
ict,
andahot
-
temperedper
soncommi tsmanysins.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hao,Bee,
sincewhendoyou
quotet
heBibl
esowell?”
Brenda:“
SinceIam si
tt
ingnextt
ooneoft
hemost
amazingteacher
sIhaveevercomeacr
oss.
”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Oh?I st
hattheonl
yscr
ipt
ure
Ihavet
aughtyouaboutsuchsi
tuati
ons?
”

Br
endasur
pri
sedherf
ri
end.

Brenda:“
Pr overbs15:18–“ Thehear tofthegoldy
thi
nkscarefullybeforespeaking;themout hofthe
wickedover f
lowswi t
hevilwor ds.Cor i
nthians10:
4-
5“Theweaponswef ightwit
har enott heweapons
oftheworld.Ont hecontr
ary,theyhavedi vine
powertodemol ishst
rongholds.Pr overbs15:1–“A
gentl
eanswert urnsawaywr ath,butahar shword
sti
rsupanger .”

Lehumo:(
impr
essed)“
Okay,
okay,
Igetyourpoi
nt.
”
Brenda:“DoesthatmeanIwil
lgetmysel
fani
ce
hubbylikethePri
nceoneday?”

Lehumo:(laughi
ng)“Bat
hong( Goodness),Brenda!
Youdon’thavetoquoteversesjusttogetaman.
Myf at
hersaysthatwhenamanl ovesyou, you
won’tevenneedtogethisattent
ion.Hewi llshow
youwithoutyoufeel
ingt
heneedt oproveyourself
.”

Brendasmi l
edatthet
hought;al
thoughshewasnot
asconf i
dentasLehumo,shehadal i
ttl
ebitoff
ait
h
i
nher self
.Shewasonebr okensoul,butavery
goodf r
iendtoLehumoti
ltheveryend.

Meanwhi le,
backattheMkhabelahousehol d,
Bongi
arri
vedalongwi t
hRaesi
be,whom shemetatt he
taxir
ank.Shewant edtobuysomef r
uits,andcame
acrosshersoshedecidedtogiveheralift
.Of
course,
BeatriceandNeri
ahwer edel
ightedtosee
Raesi
be.

Bongi:(
shouti
ngatthegat
eandhooti
ng)“Hai
bo
(Goodness)
!Issomeonegoingt
oopenthegatefor
meorkumel engi
zenzel
epho(mustIdoitmysel
f)
?”

Noahwasaboutt
odoi
t,butPr
inceGat
shaof
fer
ed
gr
acef
ull
y.

Gat
sha:“
All
owme,
Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Noahnoddedatt hi
sgracefulyoungman.Gat sha
rushedtowardsthegat e,wi
thnotasingl
ecar ei
n
thewor l
dthathisexpensivejeansandshi
rthada
bitofdir
tonthem afterhewashel pi
ngwit
ht he
tablesandcarryi
ngchai r
sandspeakersaround.

Gat
sha:(
openingt
hegat
e)“
Ngicel
ani
ngenebo
Mama(Pleasecomei
n,l
adi
es)
.”
Bongiwassoimpr
essed,
andRaesi
bewasdr
ool
ing
overt
heyoungman.

Raesi
be:(
whi
sper
ing)“
Whoi
sthat
?”

Bongi
:“Someonewhoi
swayt
oor
oyalandwayt
oo
youngforyou.
”

Raesi bewasawi dow,andaver ysexuall

ydepri
ved
wi dowwhohadwi neontheslyandhi dherdri
nki
ng
from herchur ch.Gatshaclosedthegate,butdi
dn’
t
endt here,hewalkedupt othem andwai t
edfor
them t oexitt
hecarandgr aceful
lyi
ntroduced
himsel f.

Gat
sha:“SawubonaMa(
Hel
lo,
Ma)
.Mynamei
s
Gat
sha.”
Raesi
be:(
smi
li
ng)“
Pleasedt
omeetyou,
Gat
sha.
”

Bongi:“
Pleasedt
oof
fi
cial
lymeetyou,
Pri
nce
Gatsha.
”

Gat
sha:“Pl
ease,
noneedt
ocal
lmePr
ince.I
’
mjust
Gat
sha.”

Bongiwashumbl edbyhisat
ti
tude.Sheknewthat
herdream wasnotadream t
hatwentint
ovai
n.

Bong:( smil
ing)“Youar
egoingt
obeoneofthe
greatestki
ngsi nthi
scount
ry–onebet
tert
hanyour
fathereven.
”

Gat
sha:(chuckli
ng)“
No,Ma.Iam t
hesecondbor
n,
Iam noteveninli
netot
hethr
oneandIdon’
teven
wantit
.”
Bongi
:“You’
llsee.Givei
tti
me.Youwillhavet
o
fi
ghtf
oritandwi l
lhavenochoi
cebutt
ot akei
t.
”

Gat shatooknonot eofBongi’

si mperativewords,
andcar riedtheirbagsforthem.I twashar dlyten
mi nuteslater,
whent heKingst oppedr i
ghtattheir
gat ewithhisbigMer cedesBenz.Hewast edno
ti
meandgotoutofhi scar.Ofcour se,t
henosy
peopl eandaf ewofQueenKul i
’snosywor kerswere
actingasi ftheywer ewalki
ngpast ,butluckil
yfor
theMkhabel a’
s,theyhadawal lhighenought o
blockpeopl efrom peepingthrough.Theonl yti
me
theycoul dattemptt oseewhatwashappeni ngwas
throught hegateandbacki nthedayonecoul dn’
t
j
ustst andatsomeone’ sgateandl ookatwhatt hey
wer edoing.Thatwasconsi der edpur ewitchcraf
t.

KingSf
iso:(
shouting)“Gr
eet
ings,
BakaMkhabel
a
(TheMkhabela’
s).Ngicel
aukungena(
MayIcome
i
n)?”
Theywer
esosur
pri
sedbyhi
shumbl
eness.

Noah:“
Yebo,
Ishal
lopenf
oryou.
”

Gat
shaqui
ckl
ygotup.

Gat
sha:“
No,
Baba(
fat
her
),al
lowme.
”
Gatsharushedtowardst hegateandpeoplestar
ted
mur muri
ng,butof
coursehedi dn’tcare.Heopened
thegateandwasj ustassur pr
isedaseveryoneas
towhyhi sf
atherwast here.Hedi dn’
tevencome
withaguard.Hemadehi swayoutandgr eet
ed
everyonebyhand.

KingSfi
so:“
Greet
ingsonceagai
n,Iknowyouar
eal
l
shockedastowhyIam here.
”

Noah:“Yes,hadweknownwewoul
dhavepr
epar
ed
afeastfi
tforaki
ng.
”
Ki
ngSfi
so:(chuckl
ing)Nonsense,Noah.Iam a
man,
justl
ikeyou.Idon’tevenli
kefancyfood.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okay,
whyar
eyouher
eifImay
ask?
”

KingSfi
so:(si
gh)“Well,
mywi f
esentpeopl
eoutto
spyonyouGat sha,notonl
ythat,r
umoursar
e
al
readyfl
yingthatGatshai
sintendi
ngonmarryi
ng
Lehumo.”

Gatsha:(
annoyed)“Kodwa(But)whycan’tt
hese
peopleevermindthei
rbusi
ness?Itisnotenti
rel
y
l
ies,t
hough,Baba.Sowhyi sthisaprobl
em? ”

KingSfiso:“Well
,becausethisputsadamperi nmy
plans.Iwassupposedt oinfor
mt hecounci
lofthe
changesIwant edtomaket othecurr
entlawabout
royalsmarryi
ngnon- r
oyals,butwell
,si
ncethese
r
umoursar
esori
fe,
theyhear
dabouti
tandhave
r
equest
edameet
ingassoonastomor
row.”

Noahwasabi tannoyedandsowasNer i
ah.Bongi
didn’tevenseem sur pr
ised,asshesawi tcomi ng.
Shame, LehumoandGat sha’slovewasal r
eady
taintedwithpurehat r
edandj ealousybeforei
thad
evenbegan.Beat r
icewasnotsur pri
sedatall,
but
herhear tachedasshet r
ulyhadhopet hatQueen
Kul iwouldchangef orthebetteroneday.

Gat
sha:(
sigh)“
So,
whatnow?
”

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Now,Ir
equestper
missi
ontospendt
he
l
ovel
ydaywi t
hyou.Thati
sifi
tisal
ri
ghtwit
hyou,
Noah.
”

Noahwasmoret
handeli
ght
edt
ohostt
heKi
ngof
Zul
ulandi
nhi
shouse.
Noah:“
Icanneversaynot
oguest
s,butonl
yifmy
wi
fei
sokaywi
thi
t.
”

Neri
ah:“
Youcanbesoful
lofnonsense,
man.Of
cour
seyouarewel
come,myking.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Please,
cal
lmeSf
iso.
”

Neri
ah:(
chuckli
ng)“Thatwillneverhappen.Come,
haveaseat.Yoursonbr oughtmyhusbandsome
ni
cewhiskey,soper
hapsyoucanenj oyittoget
her
.”

KingSfiso:“Iwouldrat
herhel
poutwhil
ehaving
thatdr
ink,Neriah.Icannotsi
tanddonothi
ngeven
asaguest .”

Noah:“Well
,i
nthatcase,
youcanhel
pmef
ini
sh
br
aaingthemeat.”
Ner
iah:“
Good.I
’
llgogetyousomegl
asses.
”

Raesibe:(
whi
sper
ing)“
Hao,
mokgot
si(Wow,fr
iend)
.
Doeshenotwantasecondwif
eoraconcubi
ne
nyana?”

Neri
ah:(
frowning)“
Raesi
be,behavepl
ease.Bef
ore
kegokoba( Iki
ckyouout
).
”

Beat
ri
ceandBongiwer
echuckl
ing.

Raesibe:“
Askies(
Sorry)
,butaker
ewenaoegwet j
a
mehleng,renababangwedololo(butyougetit
ever
yday,someofuswedon’ tgetanyatall
).”

Bongi:“
Ai,
manRaesibe.Myhusbanddiedmor
e
than30yearsago.Whatdoyout
hinkkeepsmeso
sane?”
Beat
ri
ce:“
Alcohol
.”

Theyal
llaughed.

Bongi:“
Notonlythat
,butmybf
f–myhel
loLol
a20
speedvibr
ator
.”

Theyal
llookedathershocked.

Bongi
:“Andofcour
se,
mygar
denerMeshack.
”

Thatwasenought omaket hem l aughf ordays,

l
eavingBeatri
ceandNer i
ahembar rassed.Af ew
hourslat
er,afewbraaisessionsanddr inksl
ater
,
Noah,GatshaandSf i
sower eget ti
ngal ongli
kea
houseonf i
re.Lehumof i
nall
ymadei thomeandgot
thesurpr
iseofherli
fe.Shewasor deredtogo
changeintoherpart
youtfit
,aftershehadt odryher
tear
s.
Gatshaimmedi atelystrai
ghtenedupwhenshe
walkedthrought hatgate.Hehadneverseensuch
anangelicpersonbef oreinhislife.Hewassoi n
l
ove,thateveryonear oundhi m couldseeright
thr
oughhi m.Lehumocameoutwear i
ngabeaut if
ul,
l
ong, whi
tef l
oweydr esswi thgoldsandals–f i
tti
ng
ri
ghttoherEgypt ianthemedpar t
y.Yep, t
hatwas
Bongi’si
dea.Shewassohappy, andBrendawas
deli
ghtedtoseehersmi l
esomuch.Shewasnota
speechper son,butofcour se,Bongihadtomake
one.

Bongi:“
Iknowyouhat espeeches, mybaby, butthis
i
saspeci aldayforyou.Ast hegogo, Ihavet o
makeaspeech, thebestspeech,act ual
ly.Iprayf or
youmor ethananything–t ofi
ndyourwayt hrough
l
ifeandtobeyourownper son.Youar eanamazi ng
youngsoulandIpr aythatGodpr eservesyouf or
bett
erthi
ngst ocome.AsGodsai d,obeyyour
fat
herandmot herandyoushal lber ewarded.
Ephisi
ans6:1–“ Chil
dren,obeyyourpar entsinthe
Lord,
forthi
sisright
.”Youhavebeensuchan
obedi
entchil
d,Lehumo,andfort
hat,
yourdayswi
ll
beverylonginthisl
if
e.

Iwantyout oremembert hatl i

fehasnoshor tcuts,
nomat terhowbadt hepainget s–youhavet of ace
i
ttoover comeandachi evebet tert
hings.Wi ththat
said,Il
eaveyouwi t
ht hi
s;Pr overbs31:30–“ Charm
i
sdecei tf
ulandbeautyisvi an,butawomanwho
fearstheLordistobepr aised.”Neverf orgetthat
theBibleisyourult
imateweaponandyourknees
shouldnevergr owti
redofbei ngont hef l
oor.Pr ay
alwaysnomat terhowbl eakt hefutureseems, my
chil
d.Foryouknowt heBi ble,youknowGodmor e
thananyyoungwomanIknowi nthisworld.Make
yourparentsproud.Iloveyousomuch. ”

Lehumowassohappybutsomet hi
ngwithi
nhergut
tol
dherthatt
hosewordsweredeepert
hanwhat
shemeant.Sheevenhadthosegoosebumpsas
shefel
tPri
nceGatshast
ari
ngathereverynowand
then.Shedi
dn’tknowwhatt
hefut
urehel
dforher,
butsheknewthatGodhadbi
ggerpl
ansinst
orefor
her.++
[
01/
27,
07:
26] :Chapt
er12

“
Iti
snotalackofl
ove,butalackoff
riendshipthat
makesunhappymarr
iages.
”–Fr i
edr
ichNi et
zche

Ever yt
hinghadbeengoi ngsowel latLehumo’ s
par t
y.Shewasevenver yst unnedt hatGat shahad
beent houghtfulenought obuyheragi ft.Shewas
evenmor eshockedt hathewasdecentenought o
actuallyrecal
lherl oveforr eading–al lfrom
conver sati
onshehadhadbef or ewi thhermot her
.
Whi l
eever yonewasenj oyingt hemsel ves, Noahhad
givenLehumoandherbestf riendBr enda, apassto
drink–butonl yal i
tt
lebi t
.Ofcour se,Lehumo
beingr espectfulandver ymucht errif
iedofendi ng
herbi r
thdayonanembar rassingnot e,shedeci ed
againstdr i
nking,whileBr endaont heot herhand
hadbeenal it
tletooexper i
encedi ntermsofl i
quor.
Shewasatt hestagewher eshecouldmanageher
alcoholintakequitewellforsomeoneherage.And
ofcourse, beingabitofanunder groundrebel,she
wouldneversaynot oadr i
nk.Alli
nal l
,Gatshawas
veryanxious.Hehadbeeneyei ngLehumoal lday,
andhej ustneededt oknowf r
om thehorse’smout h
howshef eltaboutthegift.Lehumocoul dsense
Gatsha’sanxi et
y,butstandingupandgoi ngtohi m
wasi ndeedanot herstoryforher.

Brenda:(
smi
li
ng)“IknowIam nott
heonlyonewho
canseethewayGatsha’
sbeenlooki
ngatyou.I
meanhe’spr
acti
call
ydrool
ingal
loveryou.
”

Lehumo:“ Mxm, obuanonsense(you’

ret
alki
ng
nonsense) ,
Brenda.Besi
des,okareonwelenyana
bjana(itseemsasifyou’
vehadabi tt
oomucht o
drink.
”
Brenda:“
uRight(
You’reright
),vel
e(yes)
.Ineed
somemor e.Masivuleleyowinesiyi
phuze(Let
’s
openthatwineofyoursanddr inki
t)
.”

Lehumo:“Suka(
No),Bee.Thi
sismygi
ft
.I’
dli
ket
o
bethef
irstonet
oopenandtast
eit
.”

Br
enda:“
Ah,
alr
ight
.”

Neriahwal
keduptothem.Shehadseenjusthow
Gatshahadbeeneyei
ngherdaughter
,soshe
decidedt
ogetthebal
lrol
li
ngonhisbehal
f.

Ner
iah:“
Lehumo,
gawalebogangwanawabatho
f
ormphoyagagwe(younevert
hankedt
hepoorboy
f
orhisgi
ft)
.”

Lehumo:“Neker eketl
omol ebogapi
la(
Ithought
I’
dthankhim pr
operl
y)anot
herday,Mama.”
Neri
ah:(
chuckl
ing)“
That’
snothowIr
aisedyou.Go,
he’
sbeendyingtohearf
rom you.
”

Lehumo:“Hah,
Mama!Papaot
lor
eng(
Whatwi
ll
Dadsay)?
”

Ner
iah:“
He’
sfi
ne.He’
sbeent
her
ebef
ore.Sepel
a
(
Go).”

Lehumo’ shear twassuddenl yover whelmedwi th

j
oyandat ingeoff earatthesamet ime,butnoone
couldhavebeenmor eelatedthanGat shahi mselfat
thatpresentmoment .Hewasabi tdirt
y,duet othe
dustofcar ryi
ngalltheequi pmentoft heday, buthe
fel
tsohappy, seei
ngLehumof inal
lywalking
towardshim.Hef i
xedhimsel fal i
tt
lebit
,ashedi d
notwantt oseem unt idy,butLehumohar dlyeven
noti
cedanydi rtonhim.Nowt hat’
slove.
Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“
Hi.
”

Gatsha:“
Ntombenhle(
Beaut
if
ul)
.Wazewaf
ikal
a
ki
mi( Youfi
nal
lycametome).
”

Lehumo:“Aski
es(sorr
y).Bekesabat tl
ego
bonagalaekar
egakehl ompebatswadibaka(I
didn’
twanttocomeacrossasdisrespectf
ul
towardsmyparents)
.”

Gatsha:(
noddi
ng)“
Iunderst
and.I’
dli
ketotakea
br
iefwalkwit
hyou,i
tthat
’sokaywi
thyou?”

Lehumo:“
Idon’
thaveapr
obl
em,
butmypar
ent
s…”

Gatsha:“Khul
uleka,Nt
ombenhle(
Rel
axbeaut
if
ul)
.
Ngizobacelai
mvumel oumawenauyavuma
ukushayaistr
ollnami(I
’l
lgl
adl
yaskt
hem f
or
permissi
onprovidedyoutaket
hewalkwi
thme).
Lehumowasver yi
mpr essedwi
thGat
sha’
s
manners.Nomanshehadevermetbef or
e,was
thatr
espect
ful–especial
lymenhi
sage.

Lehumo:“
Okay.
”

Gatsha:(
exci
ted)“
Ngi
yabuyamanj
e(I
’
llbebackj
ust
now).”

LehumonoddedasGatshaappr
oachedNoah
anxi
oui
sly.Noahwasenjoyi
nghi
mselfwi
thKing
Sfi
so.

Gatsha:“
Ngiyaxol
isaukuniphazamisa(Apol
ogies
fordi
stur
bingyou),kodwa(but)ngi
xelaukushaya
i
strol
lkancanenoLehumo, Nomzane(MayIplease
t
akeLehumooutf orabr i
efwalk,si
r)?”
Noah:(
impr
essed)“Gat
sha,
Ili
keyourat
ti
tude,but
tel
lme;f
orhowlongwil
lyoumanageaskingfor
permi
ssi
onwheneveryouwanttodosomething
wit
hmydaughter?”

Gatshahadnoi deawhethert
hatwasatr
ick
questionornot
,buthechosetoansweri
tas
tr
uthfulashepossibl
ycould.

Gatsha:“Forasl ongasLehumor emainsi

nyour
house, Nomzane( Si
r),andforaslongaswearenot
mar r
ied,i
tismysol edut yasamant oaskher
parentsforpermi ssion.Idonotdoi toutof
annoyance, butoutofgr eatrespectf
orthebot
hof
you,Baba( Father).”

Gatshahadnoi deat
hathehadwonNoahoverl
ong
ago,butofcourseNoahdi
dnotwantt
omakeit
seem ali
tt
letooobvi
ous.
Noah:(smil
ing)“
Kulungil
e(i
t’
salri
ght)ungat
hat
i
i
sikhat
hisakho(don’tt
aketoolong).
”

Gatsha:(noddi
ngexci
tedly)“Ngi
yabonga(t
hank
you).Ngiyakut
hembisa,angekengit
hathei
sikhat
hi
(Ipr
omi seyou,Iwon’
ttaketoolong)
.”

Hesmi
ledashehur
ri
edt
oLehumo.

Noha:(chuckl
ing)“
Sfi
so,
ifyoudon’
tmindme
aski
ng;howcomeyoursonsar esodi
ff
erentf
rom
oneanother?”

KingSfi
so:“Iaskmysel
fthatever
yday,
butallIcan
sayist
hatmywi f
eist
hecauseofShaka’sr
ebelli
ng
behavi
our.
”

Noah:“
Well
,Gat
shawoul
dmakeaf
arbet
terki
ng
t
hanShaka.
”
KingSf
iso:“
It’
sli
keyoureadmymind,Noah.Sadl
y,
hewantsnothingtodowit
hthet
hroneevenmore
nowthathehasmetyourdaught
er.”

Noah:“Wel
l,
wecanonl yhopethatt
het
hronef
all
s
i
ntotheri
ghthandsonceyoureti
re.
”

Theyshar edt hei

rhopef ulthoughtsaboutt hefut
ure
andremi niscedaboutt heiryoungdaysi nloveas
theyl
ookedatgat shaandLehumowal ki
ngoutof
theyard.Gat shawaspr obabl ythemostchi valr
ous
mani nZul uland, heevenopenedt hegatef or
Lehumo.Theywal kedal ongsideeachot herandhe
ensuredt hatshewal kedal ongsidethepavement ,
sothatift r
oubl ear ose–he’ dbet heonet obehitby
acarinsteadofher .Theni ghtwasf air
lyyoung,
anditwasr atherwar m out si
de.Themoonwasso
beautif
ul,itlookedasi ft hemooni tsel
fwast he
spectatoroft heshow–Gat shaandLehumobei ng
theonlychar actersini t
.Peopl ewerestari
ngher e
andt
her
e,butt
heynevernot
iced–notevenonebi
t.

Gat
sha:“
So,
howwasyourdayal
toget
her
?”

Lehumot oldhim al
labouti
t–exceptaboutt hepar t
wher eShakaappearedwithBulel
waatthemal land
start
edinsult
ingher.Shehatedcomplainingand
avoidedsuchbyal lmeans.Shealsodidn’twantt o
causeanyr i
valrybet
weenthetwobr ot
hers–
unbeknownstt oher,t
hetwobrother
shadal ready
hatedeachot herl
ongbeforeshecameal ong.

Gatsha:“I
’m gl
adyouenjoyedi
t.Alt
hough,
Ihave
nevertouchedalcoholi
nmylif
e.”

Gatsha:(
chuckli
ng)“Apologies,
Inevermeantto
i
ntroduceyoutoal i
feyoudi dn’
tknow.Saveitfora
rai
nydaysot hatshoul
dyoudeci detostartdri
nki
ng,
thati
tshouldbeyourfir
sttasteofalcohol.I
promiseyou,youwon’tregretafinebott
leofMerl
ot
overagoodr
ead.
”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
llbesur
etokeepi
tinmi
nd.
”

Gat
sha:“
So,
wher
etonextyear
?’

Lehumo:“
Oh,I’l
lbehelpi
ngoutf ul
ltimedur i
ng
Decemberhol
idaysatthelocalcli
nic,st
arti
ngon
Monday.Then,I’
llbewait
ingforar esponsefrom
al
lthei
nsti
tut
ionsIhaveappliedat.”

Gatsha:“
Pleaset
ellmeyouappl
iedattheUni
ver
sit
y
ofZulul
andandnotsomewherefarl
ikeUJorWits.
”

Lehumo:(l
aughing)“Ofcourse.Iappli
ed
ever
ywhere,butIdon’tt
hinkIwanttogofar
,soI
’
m
hopingt
ostayrighthereinZulul
and.”
Gat
sha:(r
eli
eved)“
Foramomentt her
eIbecamea
bi
tscar
ed.IthoughtI
’dneverseeyouagai
n.”

Lehumo:(frowning)“
EvenifIweretostudyfarf
rom
home,I’
dstillcomevisi
teveryot
herweekend,pl
us
schoolhol
idays.Besidesallt
hat
,Iam notyour
gir
lf
ri
end.”

Gat
shafel
tabitofapangt
ohi
schestasLehumo
sai
dthatl
astst
atement
.

Lehumonot
icedt
heef
fectofherwor
ds,
andqui
ckl
y
deci
dedt
omendherwrong.

Lehumo:“WhatImeanis,Idon’
trecal
lyouaski
ng
met obeyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
”

ShesawGat
shaslowlylooki
ngupwit
habr oad
smil
eonhi
sgorgeousface,andt
hespar
kleinhis
eyesr
etur
ningqui
ckl
y.

Lehumo:“Myfatherhastaughtmet
hataman’
s
acti
onsspeakforhim.”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Wel
l
,IguessIhavebi
gshoes
t
ofil
l.
”

Gatshawassopr oudt obeinthepresenceofa

youngladyasconf identandwel l
-r
aisedasLehumo.
Heknewt hatwi t
htheupbr ingi
ngshehad, there
wasabsol utelynowayt hatshecouldt ol
erate
nonsensef rom anyone–notevenf rom him.That
wast hekindofwomanheneeded–t hekindhe
desir
ed.Heknel tdownononeknee, inthemi ddle
ofthedust ystreet,
tookbot hLehumo’ shandsi nhis
andof f
ici
allyaskedhert heonebur ningquest i
onhe
hashadf ort hepreviousday.

Gat
sha:“
LehumoMkhabel
a,Nt
ombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul
gir
l),sphalaphalasami (mybeaut if
ulgirl
),wena
ungiyenzangi yazaziukuthingiyenzeni(youwho
makesmef orgetwhattodoatt i
mes) ,mangicala
ukuk’bona, bengi
khulumanoNkul unkulungathi“l
o,
ngizomshadangi menzeowami (t
heveryf i
rstdayI
sawyou, IspoketoGodandsai d“thi
sisthewoman
Iwantt omar r
yandmakemi neforever).Thevery
dayIsawyourbeaut i
fulcaramel coatedcheeks
tur
nr ed,IknewIhadf oundt heonef orme.

Youmakemyhear tjumpf orj

oywheneveryou
crossmymi nd, Lehumo.Yournamespeaks
volumes, inbothheavenandear th.Yourpr esence
demandsr espectallonitsown.WhatIf eelf
oryou,
Ihaveneverf eltbefore.Idon’tthinkit–Iknowt hat
IloveyoubecauseIam notamanwhol ikestoplay
games–especi all
ywi t
hmat t
ersoft hehear t
.Ilove
yourintegrit
y,yourself-r
espect,thewayyoucar r
y
yourself,
thewayyouar esodownt oearth,and
mosti mpor t
antly–Il ovethatyouknowGodand
thatyoul oveGod.Yourbeaut yandi ncredibl
esmi l
e
arejustasi mplebonus.
Iseeaf ut ur
ewi thyouandnotj ustanyfutur
e, buta
futuref i
ll
edwi thl oveandpeace.Iseeusbui lding
anempi ref orourchi l
drenandt eachingthem to
l
ove.I ’
dl ovetogr owol dwithyou, Ntombenhle
(beautiful).ForHebr ews4:12says, ‘
Forthewor dof
Godi sal iveandact ive.Shar perthananydoubl e-
edgedswor d,itpenet rateseventodividi
ngsoul and
spiri
t,jointsandmar r
ow;itjudgesthethoughtsand
atti
tutesoft hehear .’ WhatImeanbyt hati
st hatI
woul dlikeyout oal lowmet oshowyouwhatImean.
Wor dsmeannot hingwi thoutacti
on.Mayyou
pleasebemygi rl
friend?”

Withthatsaid,
Gatshahadanswer edLehumo’ snext
twoquestionswithoutevenaskinghim.“ whydo
youli
kemeandwher edoyouseeusi nthefuture?”
shewasst il
lel
ectri
fi
edbyGat sha’
smagi caltouch
whichsentseveraldiff
erentki
ndsofsignals
tr
houghherbody.Shehadneverf el
tthetouchofa
boybefore,nowimagi neshehadskippedawhol e
phaseandmovedst raightt
oawhol eman.Al oving
andGodl
yman.

Lehumo:(
never
ousl
y)“
Yes,
yes,
Gat
sha,
Iwi
ll
.”

Gat
sha:(
playf
ull
y)“
Angezwa(
Excuseme)
?”

Lehumo:(chuckl
ing)“
Yebo,
ngiyavumaukuba
i
ntombiyakho(Yes,Iagr
eetobeyourgi
rl
fri
end)
.”

Gatshaf eltasifheari
ngLehumospeakhi s
l
anguagewasl ikemagicalmusi ct ohisear s.He
smi l
edashegotupandhuggedLehumoandspun
herar ound.Mostcar sdri
vingbyt houghtt hathe
hadpr oposed, sotheywer ehoot i
ngt heircarsas
theydr ovepast .Somewer et akingvideosoft he
whol ething.Gat shaandLehumower eintheirown
l
ittl
ewor ld.Theyt rul
ydidn’tcareewhosai dwhatat
thatmoment .Gat shawassuchagent leman, he
didn’tevenattemptt okissLehumo.
Gatsha:(smil
ing)“Nt
ombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)asibuyel
e
ekhaya‘kini(
let
’sgobackt
oyourhouse)before
yourfathersl
aughter
sme.”

Theybothl
aughedast heywal
kedbackhandi n
hand.Thei
rhappi nesswasnearl
yshortli
vedas
ShakaappearedinhisBMW coupewi t
hBul el
wayet
agai
n.Lehumogotannoyedi mmediat
elyasher
smil
eslowlydisappearedfr
om herf
ace.

Shaka:“Hawu,but
hi(
Wow,br
other
).
Awusangimemimauyaemcimbini(
youdon’
teven
bot
hertoinvi
temeanymor
ewhenyougooutt oa
part
y)?”

Gat
sha:(annoyed)“
Shaka,
ufunanil
a(whatdoyou
want
)?”

Shaka:“
Ijustcamet
oseei
fyouandyouryell
ow
boneneededsomecompany.Ihavesomebooze.
”
Gatsha:“
Hel
lwoul
dfr
eezeoverbef
oreI
’
deverl
et
younearmywoman.”

Thatwasacleari
ndicati
ontoShakathathis
suspi
cionswerei
ndeedtrue.Lehumohadof fi
cial
ly
beentakenbyGatsha-manwhohar dlyclai
msa
woman.Thatseemi ngl
yangeredhi
m evenmor e
andhecouldn’
tevenhideit
.

Shaka:(angered)“
Oho, Igetitnow.Wena( You).
Yell
owbone.Youj ustdon’tknowwhent oquit
,do
you?Youhavenosunkyourcl awsofpovertyi
nto
mybr ot
her.Youwanti tall,don’tyou?Iknowgi r
ls
l
ikeyou–poorandal waysaf terrichguysl
ikemy
brot
herandI .you’
llneverwi n–sl ut!
”

WhileLehumowasabi tdumbfoundedbyShaka’
s
words,Bulel
wawasl aughingoutl
oudinthe
passengerseatnexttoShaka.Shakadidn’
tsay
anythingf urt
herasGat shapunchedhi m sohar d
acrosst heface,leavinghim bleedinginstantl
yf r
om
themout h.Bulel
wai mmedi atelyqui
etedandputan
endt oherannoyi ngl aughter.Shakaknewbet ter
thantof ighthisbrotherasGat shawasst ronger
thanhi m –heneverevenat temptedtofightback.

Shaka:(angril
ywipinghismouth)“Ucabangaukut hi
uyarockawena, Gatsha(Youthi
nkyour ock),neh
(don’
tyou) ?IwonderwhatuMa( Mom)wi llsay
whenshehear syouar ef
ight
ingwit
hyourbr ot
herin
thestreetoverthi
sthing!
”

HegaveLehumoaf i
lt
hylook,butshehadnoi dea
thatShakawasbeyondhur tthatshedi dn’
teven
l
ookhi sway.Shewasr at
herhurtbyhi sstatement.
Shedidn’tevenknowwhatamanl ookedlikenaked
–yettherewasaPr i
ncecall
ingherasl ut.Gatsha
wasbr eat
hingfi
re,whil
ehehadgent l
ypushed
Lehumobehi ndhim.
Gatsha:(li
vid)“
Hambaugi j
imel
ekumawakho( Go
runtoyourmot her).Angi
thiwenauzi
fihl
angeski
rt
somf azi(
Youl i
kehidi
ngbehindawoman’ sski
rt
.
Callherthatagainandyouwon’tl
ivet
oseeanother
day.”

Shakawasseet hi
ngwi thrageoverthefactthathe
couldneverbeatGatshaatpr et
tymuchanyt hi
ng–
school
,women, fi
ghting,sohedr oveof
finhigh
speedli
keani di
ot,
leavingLehumospeechl essand
Gatshatryi
nghardtocal m down.

Gatsha:(softl
y)“Ngi
yaxolissa,Nt
ombenhl
e(Iam
sorry,beauti
ful)
.Inevermeantt omakeyou
witnessmei nsuchavi olentmanner
,kodwa(but)
nomanwi lleverdi
srespectthewomanIloveli
ke
thatandl i
vetolaughabouti t.
”

Lehumowasdumbfounded,
butGat
sha’
spureact
todef
endhiswoman’
shonour,
madeherlovehi
m
evenmore.
Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyouf
ordoi
ngt
hat
.”

Shegentl
ykissedhischeekandhet r
iedsohardto
hi
dehisblushi
ngast heywalkedbacktothehouse.
Hedidn’
tevenfeelpainhi
shand,whichhadal r
eady
star
tedt
oswel l
.HavingLehumor i
ghtbyhisside,
wasmor ethanenoughforhi
mt oeaset hephysi
cal
painoft
hepunch.
[
01/
27,
07:
26] :Chapt
er13

“
Tensi
oni
nthelongr
un,
isamor
edanger
ousf
orce
t
hananyf
eudknowntoman.
”–Cri
ssJami

LehumoandGat shawalkedbackhandinhand,
smil
ingatoneanother
.NoahandKi ngSfi
sowere
happytoseethem,unti
lKingSfi
sobecamealar
med
byGatsha’
sswollenhand.
KingSfi
so:(
puzzl
ed)“
Gat
sha,
whathappenedt
o
yourhand?”

Gat
sha:(
looki
ngdown)“
It
’snot
hing,
Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

KingSfisoknewbot hhissonsi nandoutand

Gatshalookingdownwasacl earindi
cati
onthathe
wasl yi
ng.He, l
ikemostpar entshatedbeingli
edto.
KingSfisogotangr yandrushedt owardsGatsha.
Gatsha,beingagent l
emani nl ove,pull
edLehumo
behindhim ashewasr eadyt of acehisfat
her’
s
wrathwi t
houtfear.Noah, seei ngthat
,heknewt hi
s
wasamanaf t
erhisdaught er’
shear tandthathe
i
ntendedt onurtur
eherhear t.

Ki
ngSf i
so:“
HaveItaughtyout
orunamockt
hese
st
reet
sfight
ing?
!”

Gat
sha:“
Cha(
No)
,Baba.Iam nott
obebl
amed.
”
KingSf
iso:(
shouti
ng)“
Thenhowtoyouexplai
n
yourbr
uisedknuckl
esandswol
lenhand?
!”

Gatshadidnotwanttoseem li
keaweakling,
runningt
ohi sfat
heroverhi
sbrother
’st
endenci
es,
sohest i
llwentagai
nsttel
li
nghisfat
hert
heactual
trut
hoverwhathappened.

Gat
sha:I
’
drat
hernotsay.
”

Ki
ngSf iso:(
frustr
ated)“
Gatsha,
youdeci det
o
embarrassmel i
kethisr
ighti
nfrontofyour
gi
rl
fr
iend’sfami l
y?!
”

Lehumocoul dn’
tunderstandwhyGatshawasn’t
tel
li
nghisf at
hert
hetruthandhowhewoul dhave
rat
herallowedhimtobeathi mri
ghti
nf r
ontof
everyone,soshedeci
dedt ostepi
nandr escueher
man.
Lehumo:“ For
givemef ori
nterr
upti
ngyou,myKing,
butitreal
lywasn’tGat
sha’
sf aul
t.Hedidn’
tst
art
anyfight.
”

Gat
sha:(
fi
rml
y)“
Leavei
t,Lehumo.
”

Shenoti
cedthathewasupsetashecall
edher
Lehumoinst
eadofNt ombenhl
e,butt
hatdi
dn’
tst
op
herfr
om bei
nghotheaded.

Lehumo:“No, Ican’
t ,Gat
sha.Nt ate(Sir
),i
tisyour
fi
rstbornsonwhopr ovokedGat shawhi l
ewewer e
havingaquietandpeacef ul walkinthestreet.He
i
nsul t
edmebycal l
ingmeawor dnoonehasever
call
edmebef or
einal lmylifeandGat shagotupset
andpunchedhi m.I twast hever ysamebr otherof
his,whosawmeatt hemal lear
lierontodayand
decidedtoinsultmeal ongwi t
hthatgirlhewas
with.”
Noahfoundhimsel fr
atherangeredbyShaka’
s
supposedbehaviourtowardshisdaught
er,whil
e
KingSif
sofel
tembar rassedbyhisreact
ionand
Gatshawasleftpuzzled.

Gat
sha:“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ellme?
”

Lehumo:“Samerasonyouref
usedtotel
lyour
fat
heraboutwhathappenedt
oyourhand.”

KingSfiso:“
Myson,
forgi
vemeforshoutingatyou.
Itreal
l
ywasnotmyintent
ion.Iwi
lldealwit
hShaka
oncewegethome.”

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
No,
Fat
her
.Icanf
ightmyown
bat
tl
es.
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Thi
sbat
tl
ehasgoneonf orwayt
oo
l
ong.I
tishi
ghti
meyourbr
otherknewwhowasin
chargeofthisKi
ngdom.Noah, Iapologizesincerel
y,
mydearf r
iend.Iwil
lensur
emyf i
lt
hyson
apologi
zesintheri
ghtmanner.Idohopeandwi sh
thatthi
swon’tendournewlyf
or medf r
iendship.”

Noah:“
Ofcour
senot
.Al
liswel
lbet
weenus,
Sf
iso.
”

Hesmi l
edandnoddedashesaidgoodbyetothe
fami
ly.Gatshasai
dhe’dhel
pthem packupandti
dy
upbeforeheheadedbackhome.

KingSfi
soevent
ual
lymadeitbacktohishouse–
fuming.Assoonashewalkedinandsawhi swif
e
andsonShakaconcoct
ingsomethi
ngwhi l
elooki
ng
atherphone,
hebecameevenangrier
.

KingSfi
so:(Hey,wena(you),
sli
mandini(
youf
ool
)!
Yinil
entouyi
yenzil
enamhlanje(Whati
sthe
nonsenseyoudidtoday)?!
”
Shakaknewi nstantl
ywhathisfatherwast al
king
about.Heknewt hatGat
shawoul dt el
lhi
m oneway
oranotherandassumedt hatGatshadi dindeedrun
tohisfat
her.But ,wi
thahotheadedper sonali
ty,
i
nsteadofhumbl inghimsel
ftohisf ather
,Shaka
answeredhisfatherinaverydisr
espect i
ngtone,
l
eavingSfisobreathi
ngfi
re.

Shaka:(
shout
ing)“Wena(You),
Baba(Father
),
you’
real
waystakingGatsha’
sside–always!When
wil
lyoueverf
avourmelikethat
? !
”

KingSfi
sograbbedShakabyt hecollarofhisshir
t
andpunchedhimt wi
ce.Shakaf el
lont othefl
oor,
andthepai
nf r
om Gatsha’
sblowear li
eroncame
backtwi
ceashar dri
ghtaf
terhisfather’spunches.

QueenKuli
:(shocked)“
Sfi
so!Howcanyoubeat
yoursonuplikeameaslydog?
!”
Sfi
so:(Angri
ly)“
Thulawena( Shutup) !Sukuma,
wena(Getup) !Angit
hiuyenzaungat hiukhul
iswe
est
radeninjengenja(Youactasi fyouwer eraised
i
nthest r
eetsli
keamer edog)!DoIl ookl i
kean
ani
malt oyou,Shaka?!HaveIeveri nsult
edyour
mother?!
”

Shaka:(
looki
ngdown)“
No,
Baba(
Dad)
.”

Sfi
so:“Thenwhy, Shaka?Whydoyougoar ound
i
nsulti
ngMkhabel a’
sdaught erl
ikesheissome
cheapslut?
!Isitnotbadenoughwhatyoudi dt
o
Gatsha’
spreviousgirl
fr
iends?!Nowyouwantt o
robhim ofthi
shappinessaswel l
?Allbecauseyou
havenoconf i
dencewi t
hinyourselft
oactuall
yfi
nda
womanwhol ovesyouf oryou.Whol ovesthe
animalinyou.”

Shakakeptqui
et.
Sfi
so:“
Iwillnotst
andfort
hisnonsenseanymore,
Shaka.Sengizwil
engawe(I’
vehadenoughofyou).
Iam of
fi
ciall
ycutt
ingyouofff
rom youral
lowance.
”

Shaka:(
shocked)“
What
?!Youcan’
tdot
hat
,Baba
(Dad)
!”

KingSfi
so:“Li
fehastaughtmet hatIhavebeent oo
softonyou.You’re30nowandol denought o
makeyourownmoney.Wi ththatmout hofyours,I
am sureyoucanfindajobreal
lyfast.Angithi
unamaconnecti
onswena( youkeepsayi ngyou
haveconnecti
ons,don’
tyou)?”

Kuli
:“ButSfiso,
howcanyout reatyourownson
l
ikethis?Allbecauseofthatnobody?!Imeanlook,
she’
st rendi
ngalloversoci
almedia!Sheisa
whore!”
Sfi
so:“Idon’
tcarewhatyouthi
nk.That“
whore”will
beGatsha’swif
everysoon.Icall
edt
hecouncilto
meettomor r
ow.Royalswil
lnowbeabletomar r
y
non-r
oyals.
”

Kul
i:(
shocked)“I
ni(What)
?!Youwantt
obri
ng
commonersintothi
sfamil
ynow,Sf
iso?
!Youcan’
t
dothat
,Iwon’tal
lowit
.”

Sf
iso:“
IcanandIwill
.AtleastGatshawil
lfi
ndt
he
ki
ndofloveandhappinessIneverfoundi
nyou.
”

Thatstat
ementwasenought odr iveKulifurther
downapat hful
lofdepressi
on, hateandr age.She
wasalreadyunst
ableandnowt hatsheknew
exact
lyhowherhusbandf el
t,shej ustcouldn’tbear
seei
ngLehumoent erherfamilyasoneoft he
Pri
ncesses.

Kul
i:(
tear
y)“
Sfi
so,
your
eal
lydon’
tmeant
hat
…”
Sfi
so:(
chuckling)“
Youl ikeact
ingallinnocent
,al
l
thi
swhileyoukeephi dingwhatyoudi dtomeyear s
ago.Iforgaveyou,didn’tI
?Youl i
kecal l
ing
i
nnocentgirl
swhor es,butIguessittakesoneto
knowone. ”

Kul
ifoundher selfbreakingdownrightthereont he
har
df l
oor,wit
hShakat ryingtodef
endhi smot her.
Hequicklygotup, buthest oppedhimselfbecause
heknewt hathehadnochanceashi sfatherwas
muchst r
ongert hanhim.

Shaka:(
angered)“Baba(
Dad)
,youcannotspeakt
o
mymot herl
ikethat!
”

KingSf iso:“
Yousur ei
nheri
tedyourmother ’
sevi
l
nature.Now, i
fIhearofyoutwoconcocting
anythingagainstGatshaandLehumo, Iwillhave
youthr ownoutandbannedf r
om thi
sKingdom
f
orever
.DoImakemysel
fcl
ear
?!”

Shakacoul
dn’tbel
ievet
hathisfat
herwasact
uall
y
ser
ious.Hestaredathi
mi nsil
enceasKul
iwail
ed
onthefl
oorl
ikeanewwi dow.

KingSfi
so:“
YouknowIhat
erepeati
ngmysel
f.You
knowhowIgetwhenmypatienceandki
ndness
getst
ested.
”

Hesai dnothi
ngf urt
herashewal kedupthestai
rs
andr etr
eat
edtohi sroom,leavingShakaandKul i
defeated–asi ftheyhadlostoneoft hei
rmost
pri
zedpossessi onsinli
fe.Af ewmi nut
esl at
er,
Gatshawalkedi n.hewasn’ tsurpri
sedseeinghis
mot herwai
lont hefloorwit
hShakabl eeding
thr
ought hemout handnose.

Gat
sha:“
Sani
bonani(
Goodeveni
ng)
.”
Kul
icri
edevenworsewhenshesawhi m andran
t
owardshim.Shethrewhersel
finherarms,hopi
ng
t
hatGatshawouldfeel
abitofpai
nseeinghi
s
mothercr
yli
kethat
.

Gat
sha:(
pull
ingKul
iawayf
rom hi
m)“
Yinimanj
e
(
Whatisi
t)?
”

Kuli
:(cryi
ng)“Yourf
ather
….He….Wenakahlekahl
e
(You)
… howcoul dyou,Gatsha?Howcouldyou
all
owt hatthi
ngtocomebet weenus?Ourfami
ly?
”

Gat
sha:(
annoyed)“
Ma,
don’
tyoueverst
op,
t
hough?”

Heletgoofherandpr oceededtowalkupthestai
rs
wit
houtsayingawor dfurthert
ohismotheror
Shaka.Allhewantedwaspeaceandt i
met ot
hink
abouthi
snewgi r
lf
riend.Hecoul dn’
twaitt
oseeher
agai
n.Meanwhi l
e,Kulilookedli
keshehadaplan
uphersl
eeve,
butwhoknows–woul
ditwor
k?
[
01/
27,
07:
26] :Chapt
er14

“Loveall
,tr
ustaf
ew,
dowr
ongt
onone.
”–Wi
ll
iam
Shakespear
e

Thef ollowingdaywasSunday, andofcour se,

Gatshagotupver year l
y–ear li
erthanal loft he
Royalmember s.Het ookashoweri nhi sensui t
e
bedr oom andheadedt ochurch.Shakahadbeeni n
Jo’burgf orqui teaf ewyear s.Hehaddeci dedt o
stayr i
ghtaf tergraduat ing,
andkepthi msel fbusy
withhi sjobt hatsi de.I twasgoodmoney, buthe
j
ustl ackedsomet hi ngwhenSi zakelehur thi m by
fall
ingpr egnantwi thhi sbrother’
schild.Her eal
ly
j
ustf eltitwast i
met ogobackhomeandr ecover.
Hehadbeenhomef oroverayear ,andal readyhad
planst ost artbuil
di ngaf ewlandmar ksand
i
ncr easingt heeconomi cst
ateofZul uland.Hewas
aboutt ol eave,unt ilhewasmetwi t
hhi sf ather,
dressedi nhi ssui tint hediningarea.
Ki
ngSfi
so:“Gat
sha,
uyaphiekseni
kangaka(
Wher
e
ar
eyougoingsoear
lyi
nthemor ni
ng)?
”`
Gatsha:“
Sawubona,Baba(Hell
o,Fat
her
).Ngi
saya
esontweni(
I’
m goi
ngtochurch).
”

KingSf
iso:(
sigh)“
Ithoughtyou’
dbeher
edur
ingt
he
counci
lmeeti
ng.”

Gat
sha:“
Idon’
tmi nd,
butIt
houghtt
hatyouneedt
o
dowit
hShakasinceheisel
der.
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Youknowver
ywel
lnoonewant
shi
m
aski
ng.
”

Gat
sha:“
Whatt
imedoyoust
art
?”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Atmi
dday.
”
Gatsha:“
Noprobl
em.Chur chservi
cewi
llbe
fi
nishedbyt
hen.I’
llseeyoulat
er.
”

KingSf
iso:“
Hangon,
letmegowi
thyou.That
’si
f
youdon’tmi
nd.
”

Gatsha:(smi
li
ng)“Notatal
l.Youhaven’
tbeent
o
churchinages.It
’sgoi
ngtoraint
oday.”

KingSfi
so:(
laughingsl
ight
ly)“
Ijustf
eelabi
t
overwhel
medt oday.
”

Gatsha:“
Icantel
l,
butdon’
tworry.Godhasplent
y
tosaytothewearyanddoubt
ful
.Maybeyouwi ll
recei
veyourl
ongawaitedmessagefrom Hi
m.
Come.”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Justasyouwi
llmostpr
obabl
ygetyour
l
ongawai
tedmessager
egar
dingLehumo?
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ialr
eadyr
ecei
vedmymessage
l
ongago.Godspoket omeandtol
dmethatshe
wastheone.
”

Ki
ngSfiso:(
sad)“
IwishIhadf
oll
owedmyhear
t
j
ustl
ikeyouaredoingnow.
”

Gat
sha:(puzzl
ed)“
Ushokanj
ani
,Baba(
Whatdoyou
mean,Father
)?”

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
Smi
li
ngsl
ight
ly)“
Not
hing.Let
’sgo.
”

Gat shaknewthattherewasmor etohisfat

her’
s
statement,buthedecidednottodwellonit
.Itmust
havebeenaver yheavyburdentocar
rysincehe
didn’twanttoshareitasofyet.Heknewt hathis
fatherwouldlethi
m knowsoonenough, sothey
bothheadedoutandgoti ntoGat sha’scarfora
changeandheadedt ochur ch.Uponent eri
ng,of
courseGatsha’
seyeswer ewander i
ngashewas
l
ookingforLehumo.Hesawhersi t
ti
ngwi thher
motherandf at
herri
ghtinfront.Whi leeveryone
wasamazedandr at
hersur pri
sedt oseet heKing
andoneofhi ssonsinchur ch,somewant edto
ulul
ateandcauseascene, butt heKingwassof i
rm
hedidn’
twantanyonet otreathim extraspecialj
ust
becausehehadmadehi spr esenceknown.

Het ookoffhishatasar espectfulgentl

eman, he
wasdr essedinhisr oyalatti
re–wel l,hal
fofi tashe
hadwor noneofhi sexpensi vesui t
swi t
hl eopar d
skindrapedacrosshi sleftshoulder.Leopar dwas
thespiri
tanimaloft heDhl aminikingdom.Lehumo
musthavebeenal armedbyt hewhi speri
ngandal l
theeyeswander ingatt heback.Asshet urnedt o
l
ook, hereyesmetwi t
hGat sha’sandi mmedi at
ely
thespar khehadpl acedi nhereyesar ose.Gat sha
confidentl
ywalkedaheadandpassedever yone,
whilethekinggladlywal kedbehi ndhim smi li
ngas
theyfinal
lymadet
hei
rwaytoNoah,Ner
iahand
Lehumowhowascar ryi
ngHoseai
nherlap.Gatsha
greetedNoahandNer
iahbyhand,
andsodidKing
Sfiso.

Noah:(smi
li
ng)“Hawu(Goodness)
,KingSf i
so.
Uyakhonaukungenal
anakanti(
Ididn’tknowyou
evenknewwherethechurchwassituated).
”

KingSfi
soandNoahhi titof
ffrom thegetgo.Sf iso
tooknooffencefr
om Noahandt reatedhiml i
kehis
goodoldfri
end.Hehadhadabestf ri
endfrom back
i
nt hedaywhowasal sohisadvisor,butevenhe
wasnotver ycl
osetohisheart
.Forsomer eason,
KingSfi
sonevertrust
edhisadvisorandhi sadvisor
knewitdeepdownal t
houghhehadnevert oldhim.

KingSfi
so:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hawu(Wow),Iknowt he
church,
Ihavej
ustbeenabitt
oobusylatel
y.”
Noah:“Well
,amancanneverbetoobusyforGod.
Evenifyoudon’tmakeitt
ochur
chregul
arl
y,I
’
m
sureyouprayregul
arl
y.”

Ki
ngSfiso:(si
gh)“Ist
oppedpr
ayi
ngawhi
leago,
to
behonest,myfri
end.”

Noah:“Iseeitinyoureyes,mydearf r
iend.They
havebeent ai
nedbysadnessandt heyseem so
gri
efst
ricken.Ihavenoi deawhathappened–but
al
lIknowi sthatwealldeservesecondchances.”

Itwasasi fNoahwasspeaki ngt oSfisoasi fhe

knewj ustwhatSf isohadbeenhi dingal lthese
years.Hi sfacehadbeenmaskedwi t
hi mmense
painandhehadnochoi cebuttohi deit.Henodded
whiledeepi nthought,whil
eGat shahadasked
Neriahifhecoul dgladlysi
tnextt oLehumo.She
didn’tmind,sohet ookhisseat.Whi lethoset wo
werebl ossomingi nthei
rnewrel ati
onshi pst atus,
thePast oreventuall
ycamet othepul pitandt he
congr
egat
ionst
art
edsi
ngi
ngahymn.

Past or:“Ngi yabonga, bazalwane( Thankyou,

congr egat ion).Asyoual lknow, todaymar ksthe
veryf irstdayofDecembermont h.Weknowi tcan
gettoughasmanypeopl ewillbet ravel
inghome,
mat riculant shavefinishedwr it
ingandawai tt
heir
resultst ober el
easedi nJanuar y.Someofour
l
ovedoneswi l
lbecomi ngbackf orhol i
days;
travelingatoddhour soft hemor ni ngeven.Our
youthwi llalsobewayi ntopar t
yingandwi llbe
drinkingunt ilt
heyjustcan’ tanymor e.Iurgewi t
h
yout okeept hismont hinyourpr ayers,f
orwe
cannotal lowt heDevil t
omakeourwor ldhis
playgr ound. ”

Congr
egat
ion:
“Amen.
”

Pastor
:“However
,thati
snotmysermontopi
cfor
theday.Today,I
’
dl i
ket
ospeakaboutr
egret
s.
Sincewearenearl
yendingt
heyear
,Idon’
twant
eachandever yoneofyout odraf
tali
lstofnew
year
’sresoluti
onsi nthenewyear .Iwantyoutodo
i
tbefor
eweendof ft
heyear .Thatway,youcan
haveabr i
ll
iant,wide-eyed,brandnewstartt
othe
newyear.Yousee, r
egret,amongstotheremoti
ons,
arej
ustreallypainful.Itevokessuchpainand
i
mmensehel plessnessi ntheregr
etf
ulperson.

Yout endt obecomeavi cti

mt oyourown
circumstances, t
hatyouj ustdon’tknowwhatt odo.
Regr ethascausedal otofmar r
iagest obr eakand
fallapart
,al otofpeopl etocommi tsuicideand
evenki l
ltheirlovedones.Wedon’ tteachourki ds
from ayoungaget hatli
feisli
keaci rcle,ther
ei sa
starti
ngpoi nt,butwedonotknowwhent heend
pointwi l
lbesi tuatedat.Forallweknow, yourcircl
e
couldbehal f-
drawnal readyandyou’ ddi ebef or
e
youcanbeabl et odrawawhol ecircle.

Thepoi
nti
s,notever
yoneismeantt
odrawafull
,
whol
eci
rcl
einthei
rli
ves.Suchi
simpor
tantwhen
comingtofri
endsandlovedones.Somear einyour
l
ifeforaseason–toteachyoual essonabout
yoursel
fandpeopl
e,whil
esomear einyourli
fefora
reasonandcanremainforever–alldependi
ngon
you.

Acts3:19–“ Repent,then,andturnt oGod, sot hat

yoursinsmaybewi pedout ,t
hattimesofr ef r
eshing
maycomef r
om theLor d.”Al otofpeopl ehave
regret
sbasedont heirpast;alotofpeopl ehave
saidsomehar shandhur tfulwordst otheirl oved
ones–especi al
lysibl
ingsandpar entsyett hey
neverhadthechancet oatleastapologizeand
mendbr okenwounds.Pr i
deget sint heway, andi t
becomesaver ydanger ousemot ioncal l
edr egret,
thatsti
ckstoyoulikemoul d.

Eccl
esi
ast
es3:1–“ Thereisatimef oreverythi
ng,
andaseasonforever
yact i
vit
yundert heheavens.”
Manypeoplest
il
lcan’
thealandar estuckint he
past
.Allt
hose“Ishould’
ve,coul
d’ve,would’ve
shouldbet ur
nedintoIshould,
IcanandIwi ll
.For
ti
mewai t
sfornomanandwhent hecl ockstops
ti
cki
ngandGodcal lsyouhome, allthatisl
ef tis
memor i
esinpeopl
e’smindsandt hought s,videos
andpi ct
uresofyou.Maket hemostofever yt hi
ng
andr ememberthatthereisati
mef oreverything.
Atti
mes, youallt
hinkthatonceyougetat imef or
somet hi
ng,youmightgetitagain.Godmakesno
mistakes.

Ecclesi
astes7: 10–“ Donotsay, “Whywer etheold
daysbet t
erthant hese? ”Foriti
snotwi set
oask
suchquest i
ons. ”Al otofyoust il
lthi
nkyes,thepast
dayswer estil
lbet t
erthant hesedays, butt
hatis
becauseyouf ailt
ocr eatenewmemor i
es.Ifyou
fai
ledtotellsomeonet hatyoul ovethem backthen,
doitnow.Doi tnowwi thouthesitati
onandmost
i
mpor tantl
ywi thoutexpect at
ion.

Ifyouneedt
osayI’
m sorry,
you’llbeamazedasto
howmanypeopleactual
lysti
llyearntoheart
hose
wor dsfrom t
hosewhohavewr ongedt hem,j
ustfor
them tohealandmoveon.Yes, actionsspeak
l
oudert hanwords,butatti
meswor dssoothethe
woundedandhealabr okenheart.Itisbett
erfor
yout odieknowingthatyoudidtrythant odi
e
withouttryi
ngnothi
ngatall.
”

KingSf i
sohadt ear sfl
owingdownhi scheeksand
hedi dn’
tevenbot herremovingthem.I twasasi f
hewasatt herightpl aceattherighttime,fort he
Pastorwast alkingt ohim.Hehadsomedeep-
seatedpainbur i
edi nhisheartforyears,andnow
hewasf i
nall
yl etti
nggoanddi ggingdeeplyi ntothe
coreofthepr oblem.Hef elthecoul dnotdie
withoutexperienci ngsomef orm oftruelove.The
pastorfi
nishedhi ssermonandKi ngSf i
sof eltso
rel
ievedafterwar ds.

Astheyleft
,hemadesurenottoengageinany
conver
sationwit
htheothercongr
egant
sforallt
hey
wantedtodowast ogossipandaskwhathewas
actuall
ydoi ngt here.Al otoftheyoungwomen
thoughtt hatKingSf isohadcomet ofi
ndGat shaa
wife,event hought heyknewt hathecouldn’tmar r
y
outofr oyalty–t heyst i
llhadhope.Ner iahwas
greeti
ngaf ewoft hechur chwomengoodbye, whi
le
GatshaandLehumot ookHoseaf orawalkforsome
i
cecr eam af terchurch, j
ustacr ossthestr
eet.Noah
tookthatast heper f
ectoppor tunit
ytoaskSf iso
aboutwhathappened.

Noah:“Sf
iso,yi
niekuhl
ukumezeenhl
izweni
kangaka(whatbrokeyourhear
tsobadly)
?”

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
sigh)“
Isi
tthatobvi
ous?
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iam agoodj
udgeofchar
act
er.
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Eish,
yearsago,bef
oreImetKuli
,Iwas
i
nlovewi
thabeauti
fulwomannamedKhensani .
Shewasmywor l
d,Noah.ThewayGatshalooksat
yourdaught er,thatwast hever ysamewayIl ooked
atherandshel ookedatmer ightback.I twasj ust
purel oveatfir
stsi ght.Il ovedhersomuch, Iwas
readyt odefymyf at herjusttomar r
yher .Hedi dn’t
wantust ogetmar riedast hel awhadst atedt hat
royalscouldnotmar rynon- r
oyal s.Whenmyf ather
refusedt ogivemeconsentt omar r
yher,Khensi
andIhadpl annedonr unningawayandel oping.I
didn’thavemyf ather ’
smoney, butIwaswi l
li
ngt o
doever ythi
ngj ustf orher–evenwor ki
ngasa
pauperwasj ustfine.

Forsomest ranger eason,shejusttoldmet hatshe

didn’twantt obewi thmeanymor e–af ewhours
beforewehadt oleave.Shehadsai dthatshedidn’
t
l
oveme, ofwhi chIst i
lldoubteventoday.Idon’t
know, itfeltli
keshewascoer cedintodoingso,but
wel l
,suchi sl i
fe.Iwasbadl ybr ui
sed,andt henKuli
cameal ong.Idi dn’
tloveherandIst il
ldon’t,
but
aftershef ellpregnantwi thShakar i
ghtbeforewe
gotmar ri
ed, Ihadt odor i
ghtbyher .Threekidsand
30year sl ater,Iam stil
lheart
broken.”
Noahf eltsomuchpai nforhi sdearf ri
end.Hehad
noideat hathehadact uall
yset t
ledwi t
hhi swife.It
musthavebeenpai nfulreal
ly,hearingthatbroke
Noah’shear tandhetrulyfelthecoul dn’tj
ustlet
everyt
hingbe.Heknewt hathehadt otryandf inda
wayt ofindKhensani .Hedi dn’thavet heKi ng’
s
resources, buthehadal otoff ri
endsespeci all
y
from wor k.Thedoubti nKingSf iso’svoicemade
Noahr eal i
zethatperhapssomet hingmor eser i
ous
musthavehappenedt oKhensani .
[
01/
27,
07:
27] :Chapt
er15

“I
fyoutel
lthet
ruth,
youdon’
thavet
oremember
anyt
hing.
”–Mar kTwai
n

Whil
eNoahwasst il
lst
uckonthewholeKhensani
i
ssue,hecouldn’
thelpbutthi
nkofafamili
arwoman
ofwhichKingSfisohaddescri
bedasthatKhensani
hehadlostyearsago.Hehadmetaf ri
endyears
bef
orewhilehewasdr i
vingbussesi
n
Johannesburg,whohadawi feofasi mil
ar
descri
ption.Thatver
ysamef ri
enddi edthough,but
hehadonl ymetthewifeafewt i
mes.Hej ust
wantedtomakesur e,andwhoknew?Thatmi ght
havebeent hegatewaytoKingSfiso’
slastminute
happiness.Iti
sindeednevertoolateforanythi
ng
i
nlife–nomat t
erhowoldyouar e.

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Noah,Ihaveameeti
ngwit
ht hecounci
l
i
nanhour.Wouldyouandyourf
amil
yliketojoi
n
meforl
unchatmyhouse?”

KingSfisowasoneofthemosthumbleKingsthat
everl
ived.Hehardl
yrefer
redt
ohishouseasthe
RoyalPalace.Tohi
m,itwasahousejustli
keany
other
.

Noah:“We’
dlovet
o,butwhatwoul
dyourwi
feand
chi
ldr
ensay?”
KingSfi
so:“
Don’tworr
yaboutthose.Il
ovehavi
ng
guest
saroundmyhouse.Pl us,I
’
dliket
oint
roduce
youtomyWhi skeycol
lect
ion.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“Car
eful
,mywif
emightt
hinkyou
ar
etryi
ngtocorruptmeandtur
nmeintoan
al
cohol
ic.
”

Ki
ngSf
isol
aughedsl
ight
lyandsodi
dNer
iah.

Neri
ah:“
I’
dlovet
o,butIl
eftmymotheri
nlaw,
Raesi
beandBeatr
iceatmyhouse.Theyweret
oo
t
ir
edtogetupthi
smor ni
ng.”

KingSf
iso:“
Wecangof
etcht
hem i
fyouwoul
d
l
ike.
”

Ner
iah:“
Iwoul
dn’twantt
oimposesomucht
roubl
e
onyou,myki
ng.”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Nonsense,
Ner
iah.Youar
efami
ly.
”

Gatsha:“Baba,
it’
sokay.You,BabaNoahandMam’
Neriahcangoahead.I ’
l
lbri
ngthem al
lal
ongwi
th
Lehumo.”

Ki
ngSfi
so:(
smil
ing)“
Probl
em sol
ved.Come,
Noah,
l
eadt
heway.”

Ki
ngSf i
someantt
hathewoul
dletNoahdr
ivehi
m
al
ongwi t
hNeri
ahtohi
shousei
nhisowncar,
i
nsteadofGat
sha’
scar.

Noah:(
puzzled)“
Whatwil
lyourcounci
lfr
iendssay
whenwepitchupi nmyol
dcar?”

KingSf
iso:(
chuckl
ing)“
Whocar eswhattheyt
hink?
Iusedt
oownaCamr yjustli
keyoursbef
oreI
becameKing,youknow.IfIhaditanyot
herway,I
woul
dn’
tleadsuchal
if
e.”

Noahwasr at
herimpressedt hathehadf ounda
fri
endsuchasKi ngSf i
so.Li tt
ledidheknowwhat
Sfisohadplannedinhismi nd.QueenKul ihadbeen
ratherbusy–toobusybehi ndSfiso’
sback, sohe
waspl anni
ngtogetr i
dofsomeonewhowast oo
comf ort
abl
eforhisownl iking.Theywentaheadas
Noahopenedt hedoorf orNer i
ah,whoinsist edshe
sitatthebacksothatNoahandhi snewfriend
couldcatchupinthef r
ont .Meanwhi l
e,Gat shaand
Lehumohadaver ylovelytalkinthecaront heway
toherhouse.

Gatsha:“
Ntombenhl
e(Beauti
ful
),mayItakeyouout
forl
unchtomorr
owafteryourshi
ftatt
heclini
c?”

Lehumo:“
Youdon’
tfor
get
,neh(
hey)
?”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iam aver
yat
tent
iveman,
Lehumo.So,
whatdoyousay?
”

Lehumo:“Okay,Iguessanout
ingwi
thmyver
yfi
rst
boyfr
iendwouldn’
thurt.
”

Gatsha:(
smil
ing)“
Iam ver
yhonour
edtobeyour
fi
rst
,andIint
endonbeingyourl
ast
.”

Thatsentsomanytantal
izi
ngsignalsthr
ough
Lehumo’sbody.Astheylandedrightout
sidethe
gate,
theyfoundBongial
readydressedsit
tingon
theporch.

Bongi:(shouti
ng)“
Hawu(Goodness)
!Why
ni
sishiyil
e,Lehumo(Whydi
dyouleaveusbehi
nd)
?”

Lehumo:“Hel
lo,
Ma.Mamasai dyouwer
esl
eepi
ng
anddidn’
twanttodi
stur
byou.
”
Bongi:“
Ai,
phelawehadt
ohearfrom r
andom
peoplet
hattheKi
ngandhissonwereatchurch
today.SawubonaGat
sha(Hel
lo)
.”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Mam’
Bongi
.”

Bongi
:“Manj
e,whyni
zel
ana(
So,
whyar
eyou
her
e)?
”

Lehumo:“Wecametofetchyoupersonal
ly.We
havebeenfor
mall
yinvi
tedtolunchwit
htheKingat
hisPal
ace.
”

Bongi:(exci
tedl
y)“Yoh!Ngazi
le(Iknewit)
!Beat r
ice!
Raesibe!Sheshisani(Hur
ryup)!Wehaveaf ormal
eventtogot o!Ai,
thosetwoaren’tevenproper
ly
dressed.Asyoucansee, Iam alwaysready.”

I
ndeedshewasr
ight
.Bongiwoul
dal
waysdr
essup
nomat t
erwhat .Evenonar andom daywhenshe
waschill
ingathomeonherown.Lehumoand
Gat
shachuckl edwhileRaesibeandBeatr
icehur
ri
ed
out
side.Theyl ockedthedoorandmadet hei
rway
tot
hecar .

Raesi
be:(
smili
ng)“
Hmm, so,
Gatsha,
wenal
e
Lehumolajol
abjal
e(ar
eyouandLehumodat
ing
now)?”

Lehumoblushedoutofembar
rassmentwhi
le
Gatshasmil
edproudl
y.

Beatr
ice:“Oh,
Raesi
be,
uyaphapha(
you’
ret
oo
for
war d)
.”

Bongi
:“Iagr
ee.Youneedaman,
wena(
you)
.”
Raesi
be:“
Iam j
ustaski
ng,
mos.
”
Gatsha:(
chuckli
ng)“Ma,asi
jol
i(we’r
enotdati
ng).
Ukujol
a(dati
ng)isfort
hosewhoar enotseri
ous
aboutthefut
ure.LehumoandIsi semathandweni
(ar
einlove).
”

Hegentl
yheldLehumo’shandandkissedtheback
ofi
t,l
eavi
nghersmili
ngallt
heway.Beatri
ceand
Bongiwereimpr
essedbeyond,
whil
eRaesibe
wantedtoaskmorequesti
ons.

Raesi
be:“Haobanna(Wow)!Keditabatsebose
t
seuwemos( t
hat’
sgoodnews,
right)
?Bj al
e,
l
enyalananeng(So,whenar
eyout wogetti
ng
marri
ed)–“

Beatr
ice:“
Raesibe,
wehavearri
vedhereatt
he
Pal
ace.Ther e’
ssomeoneI’
m dyingf
oryoutomeet
.
It
hinkhemi ghtsol
veyourpr
oblems.ALLofthem.
”

BongiandGat
shal
aughed,
whi
leRaesi
beseemed
reall
ysur prisedandf orgotal laboutherquest i
ons
toGat shaandLehumo.AsGat shadrovei nafter
beingl etinbyt heGuar ds,hewasr athershockedt o
fi
ndawhol elotofcar sint heyar d.Usual l
ywhen
theroyalcounci lmember sar rived,theyar dwas
nevert hatfull.Itlookedasi fitwasmor ethana
meet i
ng–mor elikeapar tyorgett ogetherofsome
sort.Gat shagotevenmor eirri
tatedwhenhesaw
onepar ti
cularcar–ar edMer cedesA200.Ther e
wasonl yoneper sonwhowasknownt otheroyal
familywhoownedt hatcar .Hi sjawt i
ght ened
i
mmedi atel
y,buther emai nedcal mforLehumo’ s
sake.Hepar kedt hecarandopenedt hedoorf or
Lehumo.Theot herl adiesatt hebackdi dn’tmind
openingt hedoorf orthemsel ves.

Raesibe:“Ai
,Beatr
ice.Okaemot hoouwe(Wher
e’s
thatperson)
?Ineedamanl enna(al
so)whowil
l
openthedoorf orme.”

Bongiknewt
hatsomet
hingal
it
tl
ebadwasaboutt
o
happen,buti
twoul
dbl
owover.Shehadseent
hat
redcarandthewomanwhoownediti
noneofher
visi
ons.

Beatri
ceont heotherhandalsoknewwhoi t
belongedt o.Shehadwor kedfortheRoyalfami l
y
forsol ongthatshehadknownal loft
heirsecrets–
allofthem.Shewasver ygoodatkeepingsecr et
s
–especi all
yt hosethatdi
dn’ti
nvolveher.Asthey
walkedi n,GatshaheldLehumo’ shandfir
mly,and
theywer emetbyabl astfr
om thepast.

Sizakel
e:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
Gat
sha.Longt
imeno
see.”
Thereshewas–t hewomanwhohadbr oken
Gatsha’sheartal
mostt othepointofdepr essi
on.
Shehadherl ongweaveasal ways,outrageously
l
ongr edpaintednail
s,ver
yhi ghredJimmyChoo’ s
onwi t
haver yreveal
ingskirtandblouseon.She
wasasexsymboli ndeed,andveryat t
ractive,
but
damagedgoodsi nGatsha’seyes.Lehumosensed
thetensionfrom Gatshaashesqueezedherhand
eventighter
.Sizakelewasthefaropposi
teof
Lehumo–t heywer ebothbeaut
if
ul,
butLehumo
wasal otmor enaturalt
hanher.

Gat
sha:“
Sizakel
e.Uf
unanil
a(Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e)?
”

Si
zakel
e:“
Hawu(
Wow)
,babe.Icamet
oseeyou.
”

Sheattempt edt
otouchhim, butGatshaviol
entl
y
pushedherhandawaywi t
houtlett
inggoofLehumo.
Bongi,
Raesi beandBeat
ricewer eri
ghtbehind
GatshaandLehumo, watchingthewhol escenein
awkwar dness.

Gatsha:(annoyed)“
Don’
tyouever–everdot
hat
again.AsyoucanseeIam withmywomanandI
don’thavetimeforwhor
es.
”
Si
zakel
e:(
hur
t)“
But
,Gat
sha,
I–“

Gat
sha:“
Outofmyway.
”

Sheknewt hatGat
shawasnotpl ayi
ng,soshe
movedoutoft hewayandl etGat
shaandLehumo
pass,whi
leBongi,Beat
riceandRaesi
bestaredat
thehear
tbrokenSi
zakele.

Raesi
be:(
whisper
ing)“
Ohl
atswabjangwashi
ngka
manalaal
e(Howdoesshedothelaundr
ywith
t
hosenail
s)?
”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Areyewena(
let
’sgo)
.”

Sizakel
est
aredatGatshawalkingawaywi th
Lehumoandsheknewr i
ghtthereandthent hat
Gatshawasindeedi
nl ove.Ast heywalkedthrough
thehouse,
theyhear
dsomecommot ioninthe
l
ounge.I
tseemedasi
fKingSfi
sowas
r
epri
mandingagr
oupofpeopl
e.

KingSfi
so:“Kukwamil
a(Thi
sismyhouse)!How
dareyouwalkherei
nwit
houtmyper
mission?
!”

Gatshawalkedaheadwi thLehumoi nhishand.She

tri
edtoletgoofhi sgri
p,buthehel don.Shest art
ed
feel
ingherpalmssweatasner vousnesssuddenl y
tookover.KingSf i
sowasst andinginthemi ddl
eof
peoplewhodi dn’tl
ookfami li
artoLehumoatal l
.
Theymusthavepr obablybeent heRoyalCounci l
member s.QueenKul iwassi t
ti
ngopposi tet
heKi ng
withShakabyhersi de.Pr incessAyandawasal so
sit
tingt
here,stari
ngatever yone.Nextt oKingSf i
so
wasNoah, whol ookedabsol utel
ycalm.Amanwho
l
ookedmor eorlesstheKi ng’sage,decidedto
speak.

Bheki
:“MyKi
ng,
Icanexpl
ain.
”
Ki
ngSf i
so:“Asmyr oyaladvi
soranddearf
riend,
Bheki.Iexpect
edbet terfr
om youthant
his
di
srespect.Don’tkeepmewai t
ing.
”

Bheki
:“MyKi
ng,
theQueensummonedusher
e.”

KingSfiso:“Oho,
asusualyouover
rulemy
decisi
onsandl i
stent
oher.IsshetheKingoft
his
ki
ngdom? ”

Bheki
:(l
ooki
ngdown)“
No,
myki
ng.
”

KingSfiso:“Thenhowdar eyou–allofyoudeci
de
toletyourselvesintomyhouseandcause
commot ionlikethis?”

QueenKuli:“
MyKing,Iaskedthem herebecauseI
feelt
hatyouhavebeenactingir
rat
ionall
ythese
days.Yourchoi
ceshavepr
ovent
hatmaybei
tis
ti
mef oryout
ostepdown.
”

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Youkeepprovi
ngtomehowbi
gofa
mi
stakeitwast
omar r
yyou,Kuli
.”

QueenKul
i:“
Sfi
so…”

KingSfi
so:“
Quiet!Si
nceyoual lf
eelt
hatyouknow
whatisgoodforme,Isuggestyougetoutofmy
face!Maybeiti
shighti
meIf indmyselfnew
counci
lmember s.OnesthatIwil
lbeabletotr
ust
.”

Theyal
lkeptqui
etandl
ookedathi
minshock.

Bheki
:“Sf
iso,we’
vebeenf
ri
endsf
orsol
ong.You
can’
tpossibl
ydothi
stous.
”
Ki
ngSfi
so:“Doesbei
ngf
ri
endsi
nvol
veyouf
ucki
ng
mywif
e?!”

Wow,ever
yonewassoshocked.Judgi
ngbyKul
i
andBheki
’
sreact
ionst
heyweregui
lt
y.

Raesi
be:(
shocked)“
Tjo(Wow)!Kganedibowa
bj
anagabokgoshing(IhadnoideaRoyal
shadso
muchdrama)!
”

Kul
itr
iedtochanget
het opi
casshet
ri
edmovi
ng
awayfrom t
hehumil
iat
ingtopi
c.

QueenKuli:“
Manj
eSfiso(Sonow)
,youbrought
thesenobodi
esi
ntomyhouseanddecidedto
humili
atemeinfr
ontofthem!
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:(chuckl
ing)“Youareonest
upi
dwoman.
Your
eal
lythoughtIdidn’tknow?Howyouand
Bhekihadbeensteali
ngmoneyf rom merightunder
mynose.Hadi tnotbeenforGatshaIwoul dhave
neverknown.Youhavepr oventomeyetagai nthat
onceawhor e–alwaysawhor e.Iforgaveyouthe
fi
rstt
ime,di
dyour eal
lyt
hinkthatIwouldforgi
ve
youthesecondti
me? ”

Shekeptqui
etandl
ookeddown.

Bheki
:“Sf
iso,
Icanexpl
ain.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Savei
tforsomeonewhocar
es.
”

Hel
ookedatoneofhi
sguar
ds.

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Takehi
m awaytothepri
sonchamber
s.
I
’l
lseewhattodowit
hhimlateron.
”
Bheki
:“No!Sf
iso,
wai
t!
”

Heshout
edashewasbei
ngt
akenaway,
whi
leKul
i
l
ookeddowni
nshame.

KingSf iso:“Nowt hatthati

soutoft heway, Iwoul
d
l
iket ogett othebot t
om ofitall
.Ihaveeyesand
earsever ywhere.I fanyofyout r
ytoover r
uleme,I
willfi
ndoutandl etyougowi thouteventhinki
ng
twice.Iam notamant obemessedwi t
hand
clearlyallofyouhavebeenunder esti
matingmef or
alltheseyear s.Thiswomanyouseer i
ghthereis
j
ustaqueenbyname.Al ldecisi
onswillbemadeby
me–TheKi ngofZul ul
and.

Ifanyofyout rysuchast untasBhekidid,Ipr omise

you, Iwil
lmakesur eyour egr
etyourdecision.I
calledyouherebecauseIwant edtocl
arifyaf ew
thi
ngs.Asoft oday,Iam makingchangest oafew
ofourl aws.Ihavedeci dedthatasoftoday, Royals
willbeallowedtomar rytheonestheylove–be
theyofr
oyal
tyornot
.Royal
swillbeof
fici
all
y
grant
edpermissi
ont
omarrynon-r
oyal
s.”

Afewoft
hem gaspedbutwer
etooaf
rai
dtospeak
up.

KingSfi
so:“
Iti
scl
earthatyouhavebeenspeaki
ng
behindmyback.Speakup,Iam al
lear
s.”

Theykeptqui
et.

KingSf i
so:“Wellthen,i
tisof fi
cial.Thel awstands
asoft oday.Iwi l
lbesigningt hedocument sand
returningthem backt other oyalcour t
.Asoft oday
aswel l
,nor oyalmemberwi l
lber eceivingan
all
owancef orjustbeingofr oyalty.I fheorshe
doesnott akepar ti
nanyofourr oyalf unct
ionsor
duties,thent heywillbereceivingnomoneyf rom
ther oyalfami l
y.”
Everyonewassoshockedbyhi m,andj ustgasped
i
nsi l
ence.Shakar emainedangered,buthesaid
nothingmor eavoi
dinganotherpunchfrom his
fat
her .Gatshawast oohappytoseehisf at
her
fi
nall
yt akeacti
on,whil
ePrincessAyandawas
shockedt othecor
e.

Pr
incessAyanda:“
Kodwa(But)Baba(Dad)
!How
wi
llIsur
vive?
!Thisisnotf
airatal
l!
”

KingSf i
so:“Li
fei
snotfairt
oanyone–especi al
l
y
spoil
ed20yearol dsbornwithasi
lverspoon.You
areturni
ng21soon, andunti
lyoufinall
ydecideto
actual
lyfini
shadegree,youwil
lber ecei
vingno
moneyf rom me.”

Pr
incessAyanda:“
Kodwa(
But
)–“

KingSf
iso:(
int
err
upti
ng)“I
fyouhavenot
hingval
id
orposi
ti
vetosay,st
ateyourpoi
ntst
omei nwri
ti
ng
andbr
ingmet
hel
ett
ernol
atert
hant
oday.
”

Oneofthemembersdecidedtoaskarat
hervali
d
quest
ionwhi
chshockedeveryoneevenmore,
and
anger
edQueenKuliandShaka.

Member :“Ki
ngSfi
so, nowthatyouhavegot
tenrid
ofBhekiforval
idreasonsofcourse.Whowillbe
youradvisorf
rom nowon? ”

KingSf
iso:“
Goodquest
ion.Iwassavi
ngt
hebest
forl
ast
.”

Het
urnedandl
ookedatt
heconf
usedNoah.

KingSfiso:“Noah, Iknowt hatyouandIhaven’t

knowneachot herforver ylong,butbef
oreIaskyou
thi
simpor tantquest i
on,Iwoul dli
ketol
etyouknow
thatShakawi llapologizetoLehumobypayi ng10
cowsdi
rect
lyf
rom hi
sownTr
ustaccount
.”

Kul
i:“
Ini(
What
)?!
”

Shaka:“
Overmydead–“

Hedidn’
tevenfi
nishhissent
encewhenKi
ngSf
iso
gavehim adeat
hstare.

KingSfi
so:“Withthatsaid,Iam notbuyingyouor
bri
bingyou,butIhavebeenl ookingforaconf i
dante
l
ikeyoutotakeoverf r
om Bhekif oryears,
eversince
IfoundoutwhatheandKul ihadbeendoi ngbehind
myback.Woul dyoul iketobemyAdvi sor?”

Thatwasashocker
.Nooneexpect
edi
t–noteven
NoahnorNeri
ah.
Noah:(
shocked)“
I’
dhavet
ospeakt
omywi
fef
ir
st.
”

Ner
iah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Noneed.Idon’
tmi
ndatal
l.
”

Shel
ookedatherhusbandandhesmi
ledback.

Noah:“
Theni
t’
sset
tl
ed.I
’
dbehonour
ed.
”

Noahtookouthishandt obeshookbyKi ngSfiso,

butt
heKinghadanot herform ofaffecti
oninmi nd.
Hehuggedhim andNoahhuggedhi m back,l
eaving
ever
yonestunned.Neriahstartedululat
ing,
as
Bongi,
Beat
riceandRaesi beul
ul at
edr i
ghtback.

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Nowt hatt
heday’
sfest
ivi
ti
eshavegone
sowel
l,
Ihaveonemorethi
ngtoannounce.
”

Kul
ilookedathi
m wi
thapai
nedexpr
essi
ononher
f
ace,
andShakaanxi
ousl
ywai
ti
ng.

KingSfiso:“
Weal lknowthatmyf i
rstbor
nShakais
notwor t
hyofthet i
tl
eofbeingKing,soassoonas
Gatshamar ri
eshischosenone,Lehumo, hewi
ll
offi
cial
lybecrownedKingonhi sweddingday.
Meetingadjourned.”

Itwasatt hatver ymomentt hatQueenKul ifai

nt ed,
asShakahel dont oher.Gatshawasr ather
sur pr
ised,buthappyt hathehadf i
nall
ygot t
ent he
blessingtomar r
yLehumover ysoon.Lehumowas
ver yshocked–i twasal ott
otakeit.Theyhadn’ t
evenbeendat ingforaweekandal r
eadymar r
iage
talkswer ebeingsaidof .Wassheevenr eadyt obe
theQueenofZul uland?
[
01/
27,
07:
27] :Chapt
er16

“Therearethr
eet
ypesofl
ies–lies,
damnl
ies,
and
stat
isti
cs.
”–Benjami
nDisrael
i
ThatverySundaywasar at hersaddayf orKul iand
Shaka,butaver yhappyonef oreveryoneel se.
Noahdi dn’treallythi
nkthathewoul dretir
ef rom
beingabusdr iverattheageof41, butwel litwas
i
ndeedt imef orhi mtocashi nonhi spensi onaf ter
22year sofser vice.Witht hej obofanadvi sor,he
wouldsur elyhavemor etimewi thhisfami l
yand
earnalotmor et hanhedi dasabusdr i
ver .Wi th
Lehumoheadedt oVarsi
ty, Hoseawoul dhaveal ot
mor eti
mewi thbot hparents.Ki ngSf i
sof eltthathe
didsomet hingf orgoodf orhi mselfforachange
thateveningashesati nhi sbed.

Het ookouthi sBiblethathismotherhadgivenhi m

yearsbef oreshehadpassedon.I thadbeenso
l
ongsi ncehehadpr ayed,si
ncehehadr eadaBi ble
verse.Hehadl ostsomuchhope, somuch
wil
lingnesst olive,butGatshaoutofallhischi
ldren
kepthi m going.Hehadkeptsecr etsburi
edinorder
tosavehi swi fefrom shame.Heopenedt heBible
andcameacr ossaver sethatspoketotheheart.
Matthew10:26-28–“ Feart
hem nottherefore:for
ther
eisnothingcovered,t
hatshal
lnotber eveal ed;
andhid,t
hatshallnotbeknown.”Het rulyfeltasi f
Godwasspeaki ngtohim ashedecidedt opr ay.

KingSf i
so:“ DearGod, Oh, Jehovah, ngicel a
ungixolele( pleasef orgiveme) .Ihaven’ tbeena
veryloyalser vanttoyouf oryear s–yetIhave
neversleptwi t
hanempt yst omach, mychi ldren
havenevercompl ainedaboutal ackofmoneyand
myhouser emai nsstandi ng.Ihavebeenf i
lledwi t
h
somuchr egr etandhat r edt owar dsmywi fe,thatI
didn’
tseet heneedt opr ayanymor e.Please, oh,
Lord.Fi l
lmewi thyourspi ri
t,addgr aceuponmy
l
ifesot hatIcanal soindeedbehappyl ikemyson,
Gatsha.Il acksomuchhappi ness, mysouli s
empt yandmyhear thasgi venuponl ife.Iaskt hat
youpl easebl essmewi thwhatneedbe, yourgr ace
i
samazi ngandIam et er nallygrateful.Iaskt hisin
Jesusname.Amen. ”
Immediat
elyashef i
nishedprayi
ng,heputhisBibl
e
awayandKul iwal
kedi nlooki
ngl
ikedeat
hi t
sel
f.
Herfacewasswol l
enandhereyeswer ebloodshot
,
butKingSfi
sodidn’
tcar e.

QueenKul
i:“
Sfi
so,
canwet
alk?
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Aboutwhat
,Kul
i?
”

QueenKul
i:“
I’
m sor
ry.
”

KingSfiso:“
Ifyouar
egoingt
oapologi
ze,
don’t
botherbecausewebothknowthati
t’
snottr
ue.
”
QueenKul
i:(
looki
ngdown)“
Canwef
ixt
hings?
”

KingSfi
so:“Iam onl
ykeepingyouher eforthesake
ofyourchi
ldrenandalsoforthemer efactthatyou
wouldbehumi l
iat
edbyyourownf amil
yi fyouhad
togobackhome.Ot herthant hat
,ourmar ri
ageis
over.30year
sofmar r
iagewasbui
ltonli
esand
deceit
.It
hinkIdeser
vebett
eratl
east.
”

Kuliknewt
hatherhusbandhadt akenthelastst
raw
andhermarriagewasindeedover,butasusualshe
ref
usedtogiveupwithoutafi
ght.

KingSfi
so:“Bytheway, i
fyoudar eeventryto
i
nterf
ereinGatsha’srelati
onshipwi t
hLehumo, I
promiseyou,Iwil
lkil
lyouwi thmybar ehands.If
youdarebr i
ngthatwhor eSizakel
eovert omy
houseeveragain,Iwillburnyour ightinf
rontof
yourchil
dren.Doyouunder standme? ”

Itwast heveryfir
stti
met hatKingSf
isohad
threat
enedKul ili
kethatever.Shenoddedi
nfear
knowingt hedeepestsecretshehadbeenkeepi
ng
from Sfiso.Ifhefoundoutthenhewouldmost
defini
telykil
lherwit
houtadoubt .
Inthemi ddleoftheni ght,Kulidecidedtosneakout
andgof indouti fsomeonehadbeenkeepi nghi s
mout hshut.Shest ruggledsleeping,soshef igured
shemi ghtaswel lgoaheadandcheckhi m out .She
madeherwaydownt otheRoyalChamber swher e
theykeeppr isonersunt i
ltheygetsentt ojailor
prisondependi ngont hecr i
me.Shef oundt he
guar dwhor efusedt oletherin,andofcour se
moneyt alks.Shet ookoutat housandr and.

Guar
d:“
Bequi
ck.
”

Shenoddedandmadeherwayt oBheki
’schamber
.
TheguardopenedforherandshefoundBheki
st
ari
ngattheceil
ing.Helookedli
kehehadnot
sl
eptawinksincehewasputi nt
here.

QueenKul
i:“
Bheki
…”

Bheki
:“Uf
unani(
Whatdoyouwant
)?”
QueenKul
i:“
Icamet
otal
ktoyou.
”

Bheki
:“I
fyouhaven’tcomeheretobreakmeoutor
cometotellmethatyouhavechosenmef oronce,
thenj
ustleave.
”

QueenKuli
:“Kodwa(But)
,Bheki
.Pl
ease
under
standmysituat
ion.
”

Bheki:“Whichsi t
uati
on?Thef actthatIam l
ett
ing
anothermanr ai
semychi ldr
enandt hereisl
it
eral
ly
nothingIcandoabouti t
?!Ishouldhavenever
l
istenedt oyou,Kuli
.Lookatmenow–f aci
ngthe
musi caloneallbecauseIwasst upidenoughtofall
formybestf riend’
swi f
e.”

QueenKuli
:“Notsol
oud,
Bheki
.Theguar
dmi
ght
hearyou.
”
Bheki:“
What’
sthepoi nt
?Evenifhedoes,my
chil
drenwouldneverchooseapauperl
ikemeover
royal
ty.Theydon’tevenknowIexi
stnj
e.”

QueenKul
i:“
Please,
Bheki
.Don’
tbel
iket
his.
”

Bheki
:“Ther
eisnothingformetolivef
oranymore,
Kul
i.Youwoul dhaveneverchooseme.Youl ove
moneymor ethananythi
ng.TellShakaandAyanda
Il
ovethem.”

Thatseemedli
keagoodbyef
rom Bheki
,buthewas
notmakingsenseanymor
e.

QueenKul
i:“
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”

Bheki
:“Leave.I
’
dli
keamomentofpeace.
”
Kulididn’
tunderstandwhyBhekiwasbei ngsocol d
towardsher .Theyhadshar edsomanygood
memor i
estogether.Shel eftwit
hherhear tbroken
alloveragain,butunbeknownstt oher,shedidn’t
reali
zethatshehadbr okent women’shear t
s
simultaneousl
yal lbecauseofherselfishness.In
that,afri
endshipfellapartandtwochi l
drenwer e
bornoutofwedl ockr ightundertheKing’snose.
[
01/
27,
07:
27] :Chapt
er17

“Onl
ycourageoushearscanendurethebi
tt
erness
oftr
uth.
”–Mi chaelBasseyJohnson

Ithadbeenapainfulfewmont hsforQueenKuli.As
GatshaandLehumo’ sloveforoneanot hergr
ewby
theday,sodidherbit
terness.Ki ngSfi
sohadbeen
glowingmorethaneverbef ore.Hehadbeena
great
erking–evengr eaterthanhisfather
.Hehad
j
ustst ar
tedanewdevel opmentwi thhi
sson,
Gatsha.Hemanagedt ogeti nvest
orsandthanksto
Gat
sha,NkosiMallwoul
dgathergr
eat
ermoneyand
moreemploymenttothepeopl
eofZul
uland.

Neriahhadbeenwel landhappyandHoseahad
beenaver ybusyt oddler.Noahhadf i
nall
ysettl
ed
i
nhi sAdvisorroleandhehadgr ownsocl oseto
KingSfiso,l
eavingther estoft
hecounci lmember s
utter
lyjeal
ousoft hei
rr el
ati
onship.QueenKul ihad
l
ostabi tofweight,mor eespeci
allyafterBheki
ki
lledhimselfr
ightint hechambert hatevening.

Shewai ledsomuch, andKi ngSf isodidn’ teven

bothertobehersour ceofcomf ort.Asoft hat
evening,thelastounceoflovehehadf orherhad
diedalongwi thBheki.Hedi dn’tevengi vehi ma
properroyalburial
,ofwhichhi swi f
eunder stood
verywellafterfi
ndingoutthathehadbeenhavi ng
anaf f
airwithQueenKul i
.Shakahadbecomeso
drawnt ohatredandenvyt owar dshisbr other,even
mor ethenwhenLehumohadbeenhi shear t
’s
keeper.
Hehadgi r
lsloseint
erestinhi m becausehedi dn’t
haveanymor eincomeasbef or e.So, heset tl
edto
bei
nghi sfather’
sPA–ofwhi chhewasn’ tt oobad
ati
t,real
ly.Hehadl esstimet ogoout ,l
essmoney
andofcour se,l
essswag–l eavi nghimint er nall
y
enragedeachandever ydayashesawGat sha.Hi s
eff
ortstogetLehumot of allforhi m hadgonet o
waste,butjustli
kehismot her, henevergaveup.

ItwasLehumo’ s19thBir
thday, andshehadj ust
fini
shedherfi
rstyearofNursing.Shehadof
coursebecomesopopul aratherUni versi
ty,since
shewast hePrince’
sgir
lf
riend.Somegi rl
shat ed
her,whil
emostwant edtobeher .Brendawas
alwaystheret
odef endher,sinceLehumor eall
y
hatedsayingmuch.Thatwasherweakpoi nt
becausethedayshedeci dedt ospeakupwast he
dayshewoul dexplodeandl etital
lout.

Gat
shahadbeensuchawonder
fulboyf
ri
endt
oher
,
andhehadbeenpl anningagr eatsur
pr iseforher
bir
thday, buti nor derfori
tt ohappen, heneededher
parents’officialblessingfirst.Ofcour se, hewas
theveryf i
rstper sont ocal lherjustaf
termi dni
ghtt
o
wishherahappybi r
thday, andhesenthert othe
spawi thBr endaear l
yi nthemor ni
ng.I thad
becomeat hi ngf orthem todoonherbi rthdayit
seemed.Gat shamadehi swayt oNoah’ shouse
nervously.Heknocked.

Noah:“
Ngena(
Comei
n).
”

Ner
iah:“
Ai,
Myhusband.Howmanyt i
mesmustI
war
nyouaboutthat?Youcan’
tal
wayst el
lpeopl
e
t
ocomei nwit
houtaski
ngwhoiti
s.”
Noah:(sni
cker
ing)“
Rel
ax,
mywi
fe.Wewal
kwi
th
Jesus.
”

Ner
iah:“
Mxm,
oho.
”
Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ngner
vousl
y)“
Sani
bonani(
Hel
lo)
.”

Ner
iah:(smi
li
ng)“Hell
o,Gat
sha.Kunj
animf
ana
wami (
Howar eyou,myson)?”

Gatsha:(
rubbi
ngf
orehead)“
I’
m wel
l
,Ma.Howar
e
you?”

Neri
ah:“
I’
mfi
ne,t
hankyou.Si
tdown,youl
ookso
ner
vous.Whati
sit
?Isther
esomethi
ngwrong?”

Gat
sha:“
Eish,
Ma.Howcanyout
ellt
hatIam
ner
vous?
”

Neri
ah:“
Becausemyownhusbandhadthatver
y
samelookwhenheaskedmetomarryhi
m.”

Ner
iahhadgi
vent
hesecr
etawayandGat
sha
smi
ledgui
lt
yaschar
ged.

Neri
ah:(shocked)“
Heh!Hao(
Wow)
!So,
kennet
e
vel
e(it
’sreal
lytr
ue)?”

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Whati
s?”

Noah:“Ai
,mywif
e.Mymot herhadadream t
he
ot
herdayandsai
dthatshesawaf uner
ali
nher
dr
eam.Thatisusual
lyasi
gnf ort
heopposi
te–a
wedding.
”

Gat
sha:(smil
ing)“
Indeedshewasr i
ght,Baba
(
Father
).Icameher etoaskforyourpermissi
on.
I
’dl
iketoaskforyourdaught
er’shandinmar r
iage.
”

Ner
iahst
art
edul
ulat
ingbef
oreNoahcoul
deven
r
espond.
Neri
ah:(ul
ulati
ng)“Ar
iyeriyeriyeri
ye!Yoh,
Modimokeomogol o(Godi sgreat)
!Ngwanenyana
wakawanyal wa(Mydaught erisgett
ingmar
ri
ed)
Chesa,DankieModimo(Oh, yes!Thankyou,Lor
d)!
Sal
awenaSat an(I
nyourface, Sat
an)!
”

Noah:“
Ner
iah,
cal
m down.
”

Ner
iah:“
Askies(Sorr
y),
kenotekwaket
habi
le
moyeng(I’
mj ustt
ooexcit
ed)
.”

Noah:“Haveyout
houghtl
ongandhardaboutthi
s?
Youtwogetti
ngmarr
iedmeansthatyouwil
l
becomeKingandsheQueen.Doyout hi
nkshecan
handl
ethat?”

Gatsha:“Ifi
rml
ybelieveso, Baba.Wehavespoken
aboutthisandbel
ieveme, Iwouldn’
tdothisi
fI
knewt hatshewasn’tready.Iam will
ingtoprot
ect
andloveherwithallmyhear t
.I’
ddieforher.
”
Ner i
ah:(ululat
ing)“Oh, Modimo( God),
youcan
blessaper sonabundant ly!Deut or
onomy28: 2–
“Andal ltheseblessingsshal lcomeuponyouand
overtakeyou, ifyouobeyt hevoiceoftheLordyour
God. ”Gat sha,youhavej ustmademet hehappiest
womanal i
verightnow.Ever ymot herwishesfor
theirchil
dr entobebl essedwi thhusbandshalfas
goodasyou.Youhaveshownmet hatgoodmen
stil
lexistinthisworld.”

Noah:“
Neriah,
hayi(
goodness)
,youcanbeso
dr
amatic.
”

Neri
ah:“
Notasdramati
casyou.Ar
eyoueven
pr
eparedtol
oseyourdaught
ert
oGatsha?
”

Noah:“
Uyabonakemanje(Youseenow)
,uf
una
ukungi
fakel
aist
ress(
youwantt
oaddmorestr
ess
forme)
.”
Neri
ah:“Sorr
y,myhusband.You’
llseeherever
yday,
don’
twor r
y.Wena(You),Gat
sha,
youhavemy
bl
essing.
”

Gat
sha:“
Thankyou,
Ma.
”

Shehuggedhi
m.
Noah:“Mfanawami(Myboy),youhadbet t
ertake
goodcareofher.Idon’
twantanyproblems.
Marri
agecomeswi t
halotoftr
oubles,buti
tisupto
you,
thehusbandtotakegoodcareofherandshow
hert
hatyout wost
andtoget
herasat eam –no
matt
erwhat .
”

Gat
sha:(
noddi
ng)“
Ihearyou,Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Noah:“Youhavemyblessi
ng.Youhavehadmy
bl
essingthemomentIsawthewayyoulookather
.
Ij
ustcoul
dn’
ttel
lyou,
youwer
egoi
ngt
otake
advant
ageofme.”

Gatshalaughedinreli
ef.Atleasthehadonet hing
outoftheway, andnow, hehadt ogoandf i
nal
ize
theromanticeveni
nghehadpl annedforLehumo.
Ashegr eet
edt hem goodbye,Noahseemeddeepi n
thought.

Neri
ah:“Kengjwale(
Whati si
tnow)?Don’
ttel
lme
you’
rehavingsecondthought
s,Noah.
”

Noah:(
shaki
nghead)“It’
snotthatI
’m wor
ri
edabout
.
It
’smymother’
srecentdream t
hatIam worr
ied
about
.”

Neriah:“
Don’twor
ryaboutt
hat.I
twil
lprobabl
y
pass.RememberPr over
bs3:6–“Inal
lyourways
acknowledgehim,andhewil
lmakeyourpaths
str
aight.
”
Noah:(smil
ing)“HowcanIforget?Psal
m 55:17–
“Eveni
ng,morning,andnoonIcryouti
ndist
ress,
andhehearsmyvoi ce.
”

Ner
iah:“
NowyouseewhyImar
ri
edyou.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“Speakingofdist
ress,
Ihavealot
ofdi
str
essdownt herethatneedssomef i
xing.
”

Ner
iah:(
blushi
ng)“Yoh,
Modimo(Oh,God)
!Noah,
maraostoutwait
se(butyoucanbesonaught
y).
”

Noah:(
smil
ing)“
Naught
yjustforyou,
myl
ove.
Now,whatdoyousay?It
’sjustus.
”

Neri
ah:“I
’
lldoanythi
ngyouwi shaslongaswepray
f
ir
stthatourdaughther
’sengagementgoeswel
l
t
oday.Then,wecandoanyt hi
ngyoudesir
e,my
husband.
”

Noah:(smi
li
ngmi
schi
evousl
y)“
Ili
ket
hewayyou
t
hink.
”

Meanwhi le,Gatshawassohappyt hathehadt ogo

backt ohishouseandl ethi
sf atherknowt hathe
wasgr antedper missiontomar rythel oveofhi sl i
fe.
Ofcour se,hehadawhol epar t
ypl annedf orherat
thepalace,thatwoul dalsobet hecel ebrationof
theirengagement .However ,onlyKi ngSf isoknew
Gatsha’splans.Ever yoneel seknewi tasabi rthday
partyonly.Toavoi danymi shapsandpossi ble
poisoningoff ood,Gatshahi redacat eri
ngcompany
todoever ythi
ngf orhim.Hest r
ictlyinstructedt hem
tonotal l
owanyoneel setotoucht hef ood.He
rushedupt ohi sfather’
sstudy, inabsol utej oyand
foundhi m alr
eadyawai ti
nggoodnews.

Gat
sha:“
Baba(
Fat
her
).
”
KingSfiso:“
And?Don’
tkeepmei
nsuspense,
phela.
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Theyagr
eed.
”

Ki
ngSfi
soj
umpedoutofhischai
randrushedt
o
embr
acehi
sson.Hestar
tedulul
ati
ngandchant
ing
hi
scl
annames.

KingSfiso:(Cl
anpraises)“Nkosi
,Ndlangamandl a,
Mntungwa, Si
wela,
Mbhul azi
,wenawasemandl ovi
ni,
wenaowadl umuntuwamyengangendaba,
mlotshwa, wenaowawel angenhlangobangezansi
wesabizi ngwenya,wenakamaqgomashol wane,
umlotshwaakangakananingobanasent endeni
yesandlauyenela.Mphazi makalanga,mawandl a
ngendlela.Myson, youhavedonewel l.Thisis
exactl
yhowamanshoul dbehave.Iam ver yproud
ofyou.”
Gatsha:“Thankyou,
Father
.Iam j
ustwor
ri
edthat
shemi ghtnotbeabl
etohandl
ethewaysofthi
s
ki
ngdom. ”

KingSfi
so:“Iti
supt oyout omaket hi
ngsalrightfor
yourwife.Ifpeopledisturbherpeace,getridof
them.Ifpeoplebecomet oxictowardsher,getr i
dof
them.Iftheenvi r
onmentbecomest oxici
tself–
makeitbetterandi fal
lelsefail
s,removeherf rom
such.Itisyourdut ytoprovideforherandmake
suresheishappy.Howel sewillshemakeyou
happyifsheher selfi
sunhappy?Remember , a
happywi f
eequal sahappyl ife.
”
Gatshanoddedashel
ist
enedt
ohi
sfat
her
at
tenti
vel
y.

Gat
sha:“
Ihearyou,
Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Icannotwai
ttohavegr
andchi
ldr
en
al
ready.Ithasbeensolongsi
ncewehavehad
smallfeetr
unni
ngaroundinher
e.”

Heul ul
atedandchant edonelastti
me,while
shakingGatsha’shandandhuggi nghim nonstop.
Kulideci
dedt obargeintoKingSfi
so’sof
fice,
l
eavinghi m ver
ydissati
sfi
edwithherbehaviour
.

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Andt
hen?
”

QueenKul i
:“Oh,
Ngiyaxol
isa(I
’
m sorr
y),my
husband.Iheardsomenoi sefr
om heresoI
deci
dedt ocomeandcheckuponyout wo.Is
ever
ythi
ngokay?I tseemsasifwear ecel
ebr
ati
ng
something.
”

KingSfiso:(
fi
rml
y)“GatshaandIarecel
ebr
ati
ngt
he
openingofthemall
,besidesdon’
tyouknowhowto
knock?”
QueenKuli
:(saddened)“Oh,
I’
m sor
ry.Nextt
imeI
’
ll
besuret
oknock.For giveme.”

KingSf
iso:“
For
givenessaswel
lasVengeancei
s
fort
heLord–notme. ”

KingSfi
sohadbecomesogoodwi thpunchl
ines
andsarcasm,t
hatKuliwasalwaysleftf
rust
rat
ed
whenevershet
riedt
oi ni
ti
ateconver
sati
onswith
hi
m.

Kul
i:(
nodding)“
Okay.Ist
hereanyt
hingIcanhel
p
wit
hforthepart
y,Gat
sha?”

Gat
sha:“
No,
ma.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Alr
ightt
hen.
”
Shecl
osedt
hedoorinsadness,
asGatshaasked
hi
sfat
heraquest
ionhehadbeendyi
ngt oask.

Gatsha:“
Baba(
Fat
her
),doyout
hinkyoucoul
dever
for
giveher?
”

KingSf i
so:“Son,hadyouknownhal fofthet
hingsI
knewt hatshehaddone,youwoul dn’
tevenhave
stayedlikeIhave.Ilostagoodwomanonce, and
I’
ddoanyt hingtobehal fashappyasyouareright
now.”

Gat
sha:“
Thenwhydon’
tyoudi
vor
ceher
?”

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Andl eaveherwit
hnothingbutshame?
Herf
ami l
ywilldi
sownher .Idon’
tthi
nkIcanbeso
cr
uel
.”

Gat
sha:“
You’
reagoodman,
fat
her
.Indeed,you
shal
lbehappyonceagai
n.”

Gatshasmiledandgavehi
sfat
heroncemor ehug
befor
eleaving.Ashewasabouttowalkoutofthe
house,hefoundQueenKul
iwait
ingforhi
m atthe
door.

QueenKul
i:(smi
li
ng)“Gat
sha,
ist
her
esomet
hing
youwoul
dl i
ketotel
lme?”

Gatsha:“No,
mot
her
.Idohavet
obesomewher
e
el
se,though.
”

QueenKuli
:“Gat
sha,
wehar
dlyspendanyt
ime
t
ogether
,myson.”

Gat
sha:“Hawu(Wow),Ma,wewil
lgett
odot
hat
,
j
ustnotnow.I’
l
lseeyoulat
er.
”
Gatshast or
medout ,l
eavi ngKulifrustrated.She
knewt hatGat shawashi dingsomet hingandshe
hatedbei ngsi deli
ned.Shehadt r
iedt obeagood
person, butt hatwasnotsomet hingt hatwaswi t
hin
hernatur e.Kul iwasbor ngreedy.Uponl eavi
ng,
Gatshamadehi swayt ot hemall.Hewasonhi s
wayt opi ckLehumoup, andBrendaknewt hat
Gatshahadabeaut i
fulsur pr
isesetforLehumo, but
shewasn’ tallowedtot alk.Ofcour se, hebr i
bedher
wit
hat housandr andtokeepherbusyf oraf ew
hoursunt i
litwast i
mef ortheparty.

GatshahadaskedBr endat otakeLehumooutt ot he

nearestsalon,whereshehadt ogetherhai rdone
andgetani cedr ess.Moneywasnoi ssue,as
Gatshahadsomemoneysavedf r
om hi sprevi
ous
j
ob.Hewasal sodoingagoodj obwitht hecurrent
developmenti nZulul
and,sohewassaf e.Lehumo
couldn’tunderstandwhyshehadt odr essupinan
eveninggownatmi dday,butknowi ngBr endashe
ref
usedt otelltheactualt
ruth.
Lehumo:“Hai
,man,
Bee.WhydoIhavetowear
suchadress?Doyouhaveanyi
deahowhotiti
sin
Zulul
and?
”

Brenda:“Ag,man, Lehumo,wabalabalaman(you
l
ovecompl aini
ng).Youl ooksogorgeous.Seeitas
apracti
ser unforyourbirt
hday,
man.Youcan’ t
l
ookdul lwhenyou’ r
eturni
ng19.Bathobat l
areng
(Whatwoul dpeoplesay)?”

Lehumo:“Si
nceItaughtyouhowt
ospeakSepedi
youarereal
lyabusi
ngit.
”

Br
enda:“
It
’smyj
ob,
honey.Now,
come.You’
re
wast
ingt
ime.
”

Lehumo:“
Reyakae(
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng)
?”

Br
enda:(
sigh)“
Ronwabj
ala(
We’
regoi
ngt
odr
ink)
.
Come.
”

Lehumo:“
Int
hisdr
ess?
’

Br
enda:“
Yoh,
Nkosi
yami(
Oh,
mygoodness)
!”

Lehumo:“
Okay,
erekehomol
e(Letmekeepqui
et)
.”

Br
enda:“
Keal
eboga(
Thankyou)
.”

Theywal kedoutofthemal lwi thever yoneturning

thei
rheadsst ari
ngatLehumoi naweandshock.Of
coursethegirlswhoknewherwer ebeyondj ealous,
butshehadgot t
enusedt othest aresbythen.As
shewalkedout ,shef oundGat shadr essedina
gorgeousblackItal
iansuit,standi ngoutsideaBl ack
Jaguar.Hel ookedlikeaver yfineandver ymat ured
bottl
eofmi ne.Shel ookedatBr endawhosmi ledat
herexcit
edly.
Br
enda:“
Skantebel
la(don’
tst
areatme)
,keep
wal
kingmoghel(
gir
l).
”

Lehumof oundherselff
eel
ingallsor
tsof
nervousnessastearswerethr
eateni
nghereyes.

Brenda:“
Anddon’tyoudarestar
tcr
ying,
please.
Youhaven’tevenseenanyt
hingyet
.”

Lehumot r
iedt
okeepher
sel
ftoget
herasshef
orced
thetear
sbackin.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Bee,
Ioweyou.
”

Br
enda:“Ofcourseyoudo.I
’
llseeyout
wo
l
ovebi
rdslat
er.
”
Br
endawavedgoodbyeatt
hebothoft
hem and
di
sappear
edbacki
ntothemal
l.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
.”

Lehumo:(bl
ushi
ng)“Hi.What
’sal
lthi
s?Peopl
ear
e
star
ingatus,
Gatsha.
”

Gatsha:“
Lett
hem st
are,
Ihavet
hemostbeaut
if
ul
gi
rlri
ghtinmyar
ms.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ser
iousl
y,si
yaphi(
wher
ear
e
wegoing)
?”

Gat
sha:“We’r
egoi
ngtoaplacewher
ewe’
l
ldeci
de
onourfut
ure.Ar
eyouready?”

Lehumo:(
ner
vous)“
Iguessso.
”
Hesmi l
edasheopenedt hedoorf orherandshe
gotin.Hegotinandstar t
eddrivi
ng.Theymade
thei
rwayt oanopenf i
eld,wheretheywer emetwit
h
awhi t
emanLehumowasunf ami l
iarwit
h.Hewas
standingri
ghtinf
rontofahelicopter.Lehumohas
neverf l
ownbefor
e,sothatwassomet hingr
eall
y
scaryforher.

Gatshagotoutandopenedt
hedoorforher.They
approachedt
hemanwhowassmi li
ngatt hem bot
h.

Vi
ctor
:(smi
li
ng)“
Mr.Ncube,
Mrs.Ncube.
”

Gatsha:(
smi
li
ng)“Vi
c.It
rustyouwi
thmycar
.
Don’tmessi
tup.
”

Vi
ctor
:(chuckl
ing)“
Iwoul
dnever
.Enj
oyyourr
ide,
si
r.
”
Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wil
ldo.
”

Hehandedhi
mt hekeysashewenti
ntoGat
sha’
s
carandhel
eft
.

Gat
sha:“
Areyour
eady,
MaNcube(
Mrs.Ncube)
?”

Lehumo:(ner
vous)“
Gat
sha,
Ihaveneverf
lown
befor
e.Iam aboutt
owetmysel
fri
ghtnow.”

GatshagaveLehumoal ong, passionatekiss.They

hadn’tbeeninti
mat ebef ore,asGat shahadswor n
thathewoul donlysleepwi thherthedayhewed
her.Shet houghthewasj oking,butafterayearof
beingtogether,shesawj usthowser i
oushewas.
EvenBr endawasr athershockedt hatGat sha
waitedthatlong.Hebr oket hekiss,leavi
ngLehumo
speechless,andabi twetdownt here.Beehadt old
hercount l
esstimest hatwheneveragi r
lgetshorny,
shebecomeswet.Ofcour
seitwasat opicwhi
ch
wassti
llabi
ttoor
awforaninnocentgir
lli
ke
Lehumo.

Gat
sha:“
Doyout
rustme?
”

Lehumo:“
Yes…”

Gat
sha:“
Come.
”

Heledherint
othechopper ,andbuckledherin.He
gotint
ohisseatandreassuredherthateverythi
ng
wouldbealri
ght.Hest ar
tedtheheli
copter
,and
Lehumowasabi tner
vous,butGatshakepttalki
ng,
whicheasedhermoodal i
tt
lebit
.Shewasso
amazedasshel ookedattheviewofZul ul
andf r
om
upinthesky.

Sheevenmanagedt
ofi
ndsomecour
aget
otakea
pict
ureandavi deooftheviewandoft hebothof
them i
nthehelicopt
er.Sheknewt hatGatshawasa
manofmanyt alent
s,butthatshedidn’
texpectat
all
.Thewholet ime,Gatshahadbeenr ef
erri
ngto
herasMaNcube( Mrs.Ncube)inst
eadoftheusual
Ntombenhle(Beautif
ul)
,butasinnocentasshewas,
shedidn’
tgetthehint.

Gat
sha:“
Canyouguesswher
ewe’
reaboutt
oland,
MaNcube(Mr
s.Ncube)
?”

Lehumo:“
Ihavenoi
dea.Pl
ease,
enl
ight
enme.
”

Gat
sha:“
Wel
comet
oCapeTown.
”

Lehumowasrathershockedasshehadneverbeen
toCapeTownbefore.Gatshalandedcar
eful
lyand
shewasgladt
hatshehadf inal
lymadeitonthe
groundi
nonepiece.
Gatsha:“
Pleasedon’
ttel
lmet
hatyour
eal
lydi
dwet
yourpants.
”

Lehumo:(
laughi
ng)“
Ial
mostdi
d.”

Theybot
hlaughedastheyheadedt oacart
hat
l
ooksli
keGatsha’
sJaguar.Therewasadr i
veri
n
ther
ewhogreetedt
hetwooft hem andi
twasnot
l
ongbefor
etheystoppedatthebeach.

Gat
sha:“
MaNcube(
Mrs.Ncube)
,pl
easet
rustme.
”

Lehumo:“
Itr
ustyou.
”

Heputablindfol
doverhereyesandhel pedher
walkoutofthecar.Shecouldfeelthatshewas
walki
ngontothesand,asherheelswer eget
ti
ng
st
uckinthesandeverynowandt hen.
Gat
sha:“
We’
real
mostt
her
e.”

Shenoddedi nexcit
ementandner vousness.Then
theystopped.Gatshaslowl
yr emovedthebl i
ndfol
d
andsheopenedhereyes.Shewasi nabsoluteawe
tofi
ndabeaut i
full
ydecorat
edr oundtablewitht
wo
chairsopposi
teoneanother.Twobi gballonson
thesideofthetabl
eresemblingthenumber19, a
bigteddybearwithabunchofwhi teli
ll
ies.

Gat
sha:“
Happybi
rt
hday,
Myl
ove.
”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Gat
sha… t
hisf
eel
sli
keIam i
na
movie.
”

Gatsha:“
Wel l
,we’r
einourownmovi
e,mylove.As
youknow, Iam notamanwholi
kestopl
aygames,
soletmegetr i
ghtint
oit
.”
Lehumodi dn’tseeitcomingasGatshar eachedf or
hispocket
si nhispantsandt ookoutasmal l,bl
ack
ri
ngbox.Heknel tdownononekneer i
ghtbef ore
Lehumo.Theywer er i
ghtunderachapel,especiall
y
madef ort
hem, sothatthesunwouldn’
tdi st
urb
thei
rpeace.Hehel dherhandandshef eltthetears
fal
linst
antl
y.

Gatsha:“Ntombenhl e(Beauti
ful
),Sphalaphalasami
(Mybeaut i
fulgi
rl),St
handwasenhl i
ziyoyami( My
heart’
skeeper),ungishayangaphakadi( Your ock
mywor l
d),
inmor ewaysthanone.Youdr ivemeso
crazythatIhaveyourbeaut if
ulscentetchedi nto
mymi nd.Yourbeaut i
fulsoulpuri
fi
esmi neandt he
airthatIbr
eathe.Inevert houghtthatIcoul dbet he
manIam t oday, butbecauseofyou, Imadei t
.

Youmademebelievethatangelsdoexi
standthat
Godmakesnomi st
akes.Youmademebel i
evein
l
oveagai
n,youmademeseet heworldi
ntheeyes
ofl
ove.Youhaveshownmet hatl
if
eistooshort
andthatyouneedt ograbever
ychanceyouget
wit
hbothhandswheneveryoucan.Lehumo, your
namemeansr i
ches,youhaveri
chlybl
essedmyli
fe
andforthatIam et
ernall
ygrat
eful
.

Icannotwai ttoseewhatourbeaut if
ulchil
drenwill
l
ooklike.Youar etheepitomeofgr ace,beautyand
i
ntell
igence.Icannoteveni magi neal i
fewithout
you.I fIcould,Iwouldrepainttheskywi t
hyour
i
mage, sothateveryonecoul dseewhatIsee.1
John4:18–19says“ Thereisnof earinl
ove.But
perf
ectl ovedri
vesoutf ear,
becausef earhast odo
wit
hpuni shment.Theonewhof earsisnotmade
perf
ecti nlove.Wel ovebecausehef i
rstl
ovedus.”

Yousee, Iusedtofearl ovesomuch, butyoutaught

met hatfearisusel esswhenyouf eart
heunknown.
Ifearedfalli
nghar dandnowt hatIhave,IwishIhad
donei twaysoonerwi thyou.Ourl oveissoperfect
,
thatIlit
erall
yfeelourhear tsbeatsimul
taneousl
y.
LehumoMkhabel a,pleasedomet hehonoursof
becomi
ngmywi
fe.Wi
llyoumar
ryme?
”
[
01/27,07:
28] :Apol
ogi
esIt
houghtIhad
upl
oadedthis.

Chapt
er18

"Youknowyou'
rei
nlovewhenyoucan'
tfal
lasl
eep
becauser
eal
it
yisfi
nal
lybet
tert
hanyourdr
eams."

Dr
.Seuss

Lehumost oodt heregobsmacked.Sheonl ysaw

thoset hingshappeni nginmovies.Neverinher
wildestdr eamsdi dsheevent hi
nkthatGatshahad
thatmuchmoneyt obeginwith.Sheknewt hatthe
Ncube’ swer er i
ch, butjustdi
dn’
tknowhowr ich.
SheknewGat shahadhi sownmoney, buta
helicoptertriptoCapeTownwasonanot herlevel
.
Gat
sha:“
Whatdoyousay,
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
?”

Lehumo:“
Yes,
yesI
’
llmar
ryyou.
”

Gatshaputont hebeautiful,bl
uediamondsapphi re
ri
ngonLehumo’ sf
inger.Itwasdr apedwi t
h18car at
diamondsallroundandi tsparkledfordays.
Lehumohadneverwor nadi amondanyt hi
ngi nher
l
ifebefor
e,sothatwasaspeci almomentf orher.
Gatshagotupandki ssedhi ssoont obewi fe.The
sunwasst ari
ngatitsaudi ence,whil
etheir
heart
beatsint
ertwi
nedwi thoneanother.Thatwas
amomentt hatshecher ishedtil
lherlastdayson
eart
h.

Gatsha:(smi
li
ng)“MaNcube(Mrs.Ncube),youdon’
t
knowhowanxi ousIhavebeenallday.Thankyou
formakingmyday.”

Lehumo:“
Areyouki
ddi
ngme,
Gat
sha?
!Youmade
myday!Neveri
nmywildestdr
eamsdidIever
i
maginemysel
fget
ti
ngengagedonthebeachon
my19thbi
rt
hday!
”

Gatsha:“
ForamomentIt
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
o
sayno.”

Lehumo:“No?Whywoul dIref
use?Iloveyouand
that
’sal
lthatmat t
ers.Nowonderyoukeptasking
meaboutt hefutureandweddingri
ngs!Youpicked
theoneIli
kedf r
om thatmagazine,
youslydog!
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Itol
dyou–I
’
m aver
yat
tent
ive
man.”

Lehumo:“Iknowyou’
redyingforustoeat,
butI
haveneverbeenonabeachbef or
eletal
oneinCape
TownandIam dyingtofeelt
hewat er
.CanI ?
”
Gatsha:“
Ofcour
se,mylove.Thi
sisyourday,
you
candoasyouplease.
”
Lehumo:“I
’
m notaver
ygoodswi
mmer
,soyou’
l
l
havetocomewithme.
”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Alr
ight
.Let
’st
akeof
four
shoesfir
st.
”

Shenoddedinexcit
ementastheytookofft
heir
shoes.Theylef
teveryt
hingonthet
ableandran
towardst
hewater.Ofcourse,t
hewaterfel
tabit
coldandweirdf
orLehumoast hewaveskept
hit
ti
ngthei
rfeet
.

Lehumo:“
Ihaveheardt
hatthebeachwat
er
cl
eansesbadluckof
faperson.
”

Gatsha:“
Wel l
,wemustbeinther
ightpl
ace
becausewe’reaboutt
ostar
tourf
uturet
ogetheras
Mr.andMr s.Ncube.
”
Lehumosmil
edasGat
shahel
dherf
ir
mlyi
na
danci
ngposi
ti
on.

Gat
sha:“Iwasplanni
ngtohaveourfir
stdanceas
anengagedcoupleri
ghtaf
teryousai
dyes,but
whatmoreperf
ectmomentt handanci
nginthe
water
?”

Lehumoj ustsmi ledathergor geous,chocolat

eman.
Shelookedathi shazelbr owneyesandbeaut if
ul
dimplesandcoul dn’tevenimagi nelif
ewi t
houthim.
Itwasamazi ngt hatshewasonl y19andyetshe
carr
iedt hemat ur i
tyofawomanasol dasGat sha.
WithGat shabei ngonl y26,theagedi ff
erencewas
notsobadandheknewt hatheneedn’ thavetorush
herintoanyt hi
ngasshewasst il
lachildi
nonef orm.
Gatshasi gnall
edt othewai terandi mmediatel
y,a
songst artedplayi ng.“ I
fthi
si sn’
tlove”byJennifer
Hudson.
Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
You’
resocheesy,
baby.
”

Gatsha:(smi
li
ng)“
Baby?Il
ikethat
.Forthefi
rst
ti
mesi ncewehavest
art
eddati
ngyouactual
ly
call
edmewi t
hapetname.It’
snothingf
ancy,butI
l
ovei t
.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iact
ual
lywantt
ocal
lyouG.
”

Gatsha:(f
rowni
ng)“
G?DoIl
ookl
ikeagangst
ert
o
you,Lehumo?”

Lehumo:(chuckl
ing)“
Yoh(wow)!Osetseompit
sa
Lehumo(you’recal
li
ngmeLehumoalready)
?That
meansyou’remad.I ’
m pl
ayi
ng.Ket
lagobitsa(
I’
ll
cal
lyou)KingG.”

Gatsha:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“
That’
snotbad,
butsti
ll
soundsgangster
ish.You’
l
lhavelot
sofpetnames
formewhenIhaveyouscr
eami
ngmynamei
nour
bed.
”

Lehumo:(embar
rassed)“
What
’sitl
ike?Imeansex?
Isi
tpai
nful?Beesaysiti
spai
nfult
hefir
stt
ime.
”

Gatsha:“
Itis,
butiti
sbeautifulifyoudoi twit
h
someoneyoul oveandsomeoneyoui ntendon
stayi
ngwithforaverylongtime.You’ llsee.Idon’t
wantyout oworryaboutthatrightnow.Li keIsai
d,
nopressurefrom myside.Iwantourf ir
stti
met o
beamazingandunf orget
table.”

Lehumonoddedevent houghshehadalways
wonderedwhati twoul
dbeli
kehavingsexforthe
veryf
irstti
me.Beet ol
dhert
hatiti
sabsolut
ely
nothi
ngl i
keontv.Theywentoutofthewater,
and
hadadel i
ciousseaf
oodmeal.

Gat
sha:“
Ngi
yat
hembaawusut
hangangoba(
Ihope
you’
renotf
ullyetbecause)t
her
eispl
ent
ymor
e
coming.
”

Lehumo:“
Hawu(Wow)
,Gat
sha.Whatcoul
dbe
bett
ert
hanthi
s?”

Gat
sha:“
You’
l
lsee.
”

Lehumonoddedast heygotbackint
othecarand
headedbacktothewarehousewheretheyparked
thehel
icopt
er.Theyheadedbackhomewi th
Lehumowhocoul dn’
tstopstar
ingathernewring.
[
01/
27,
07:
28] :Chapt
er19

“10ti
psforOver comingBitt
erness;1.Avoidanger;
2.Li
vejoyf
ully;3.Shunenvy;4.Practi
cegrati
tude;5.
Seekpeace;6.For gi
ve;7.Becontent;8.Tameyour
ego;9.Murmurl ess;10.Lovemor e.
”–Mat shona
Dhli
wayo
Innot i
me, Gatshahadbr oughtLehumobackt ohis
housef orherlastsur pri
sef ortheevening.Her
parents;Beatri
ce;Bongiandt heNcubeRoyal
Fami l
yhadbeenwai ti
nganxi ouslyforthei
rretur
n.
Everyonewasdr essedt otheTee–evenShakaand
QueenKul i,buttheyunf ortunatelycoul
dn’thide
thei
rannoyance.Pr incessAyandawasherusual
self
,evenmor ebitt
ert hanbef orenowt hatshe
couldnol ongerhavet helavishlif
estyl
eshehad
before.

Shehadevenl ost“f
riends”becauseofthat.She
wasnol ongerMi ni
sterofFinanceandherfriends
couldn’tdealwi t
hthatanymor e.Theyalsohada
veryspecialguestwhomadeherappear ance
withoutanyoneexpect i
ngit–exceptBongiof
course.Gat shawasout si
deashedr oveint
ot he
yard,Lehumowasnott oopuzzledbyt hemanycar s
thatwer eoutside.
Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Areyour
eady?
”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Iguessso.
”

Hewalkedoutandopenedthedoorforherasusual
.
Astheywalkedint
othehouse,
thel
ightswereoff
,
andimmediatel
ywhenGatshaswit
chedont hel
ight
ever
yoneshouted.

Ever
yone:“
Sur
pri
se!
”

Lehumo:(
shocked)“Yoh(Wow)!Guys!Hah!
Mama!Papa( Dad)!Gatsha,
mara(Oh,Gat
sha)
!”

Gat
sha:(
smil
ing)“
Askies(
Sor
ry)
,myl
ove.Happy
bi
rt
hdayonceagai
n.”

Br
endawal
kedupt
othem andgavet
hem bot
hhugs.
Br
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Congr
atul
ati
ons,
mybest
ie!
”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Bee,
osl
egwai
tse(
you’
reso
mean)!
”

Br
enda:(
laughi
ng)“
Blameyourman.
”

Bongi
:“Hayi(
No)
,sukani(
Move)
.Iwantt
oseet
he
ri
ng.
”

Ast heycongrat
ulat
edthem –QueenKul
iwast oo
shockedt oevensmile,
whil
eShakawasenraged
andsi l
enced.Pri
ncessAyanda,
wasnoteven
bothered.

Gatsha:“Okay,okay.Ngi
celanipheumfaziwami
i
space( Pleasegivemywifesomeair),
please.She
needstogochangeandf itint
ot het
heme.”
Bongi:“
Ai,barel
yafewhour
syouhavebeen
engagedandal r
eadyyouar
esopossessi
ve.Hmm,
becareful
,Lehumo.”

Ever
yoneexceptt
hej
eal
oust
ri
olaughed.

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
You’
dbet
terbr
ingherbacksoon,
weh
Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okay,
Baba(
Dad)
.”

Gatshawalkedwit
hLehumot ohisroom,wit
hout
evenlooki
ngatthejeal
oustri
o.Heopenedthedoor
forherandshewasabi thesi
tantt
owalkinasshe
hadneverbeentohisbedroom.

Lehumo:“Ei
sh,
Gat
sha.Bat
lar
eng(
Whatwoul
d
theysay)
?”
Gatsha:“Relax,t
heyknowI ’
dneverdoanyt
hingt
o
you.Ir espectmyparents’homeandmost
i
mpor tantl
yIrespectyoutoomuch.Come.”

Shewalkedi
nandfoundabeaut
if
ull
ongwhi
te
dresswi
thgol
dshoesawai
ti
ngher.

Lehumo:“
Howdoyouevenknowmysi
ze?
”

Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“
Youaresof
unny,Nt
ombenhl
e
(Beauti
ful)
.I’
lll
eaveyout
ochange.Seeyoui
na
bit
.”

Heki ssedhergent lyonthecheekandl eft

.Asshe
wasget ti
ngdr essed,sheheardast er
nknockont he
door.Bef or
eshecoul danswer,t
heper sonbarged
ri
ghti n.Shegotpuzzl edasshewasnotf ull
y
dressedyet,soshehi dherupperbodywi t
hthe
otherhalfofthedr ess.Shewasst unnedt osee
QueenKul
ist
andi
ngbef
oreher
.

Lehumo:(
shocked)“
Oh,
Ma.Idi
dn’
texpectyou
here.
”

QueenKuli
:(f
rowni
ng)“Whyi
sthat
?Thi
sismy
houseaf
teral
l,i
sn’
tit
?”

Lehumocoul dsmellthehatefrom whereshewas

standi
ng,butashermot hertaughther
,shedeci
ded
torespondinacalm yetsternmanner.Herfat
her
hadalsotaughtherthatbeingnicedoesnotmean
l
etti
ngpeopletakeyouf oramer efool
.

Lehumo:(
smil
ing)“
Ofcour
se,i
tisyourhouse,Mme
(Ma),
butt
hisi
syourson’
sbedroom,isn’
tit
?”

QueenKuliexpectedLehumotogetupsetwit
hher
andret
ali
ate,butshewasrat
herupsettofi
ndthat
Lehumowascal
mert
hanexpect
ed.

QueenKul i:(annoyed)“ Oh?Yout hinkyou’reclever,

don’tyou?Justbecausewenaungenai Universit
y
ucabangaukut hi(you’r
einVar si
tyyout hi
nkt hat)
you’rebet
tert hanever yoneel
se?Wel l
,letmet ell
yousomet hing, gir
ly.Thisismyhouse, MY
kingdom.I ’l
lneveral l
owavi l
lagegirll
ikeyout o
entermyf ami lyandr uinmyson.Youhaveal ready
turnedhim agai nstmeandt her oadendsher ef or
you.”

Lehumowasinnomoodt
olett
hatbi
tt
erwi
tchr
ain
onherpar
ade.

Lehumo:( smili
ng)“Mme( Ma) ,
Idon’tknowwhatI
everdidtoyou, butIam ver
ysor r
y.Imeannohar m
asIonl yfel
linlovewit
hGat shaandhehappenedt o
fal
lformer ightback.TheBi bl
erefusesformeto
arguewi t
hanger edpeople,
forEphisians4:31–32
says;“Letallbi
tter
nessandwr athandangerand
clamorandslanderbeputawayf r
om you, along
withmalice.Bekindtooneanother,
tender-heart
ed,
forgi
vingeachother
,justasGodinChristalsohas
forgi
venyou.”

QueenKulifeltrat
herangeredasshedidn’
tseem t
o
gett
hereactionshewant edfrom Lehumo.Shewas
sobit
ter
,thateveryti
mesomeonet ol
dherabout
Godandt heBi bl
e,shebecamewor se.

QueenKuli:(Anger
ed)“
Your eal
lythi
nkyou’rethe
nextbestt
hingsincesl
icedbread,neh(isn’
tit
)?Are
youevenavi rgi
n?Shakawasr ightaboutyou.
You’r
enothingbutapoorwhor e–“

Shedidn’
tevengett
of i
nishhersentencewhen
Lehumocalmlyputherinherplace.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hebrews12:
15–“ Seetoitt
hat
noonecomesshor
toft
hegraceofGod;thatno
rootofbi
tt
ernessspri
ngi
ngupcausest
roubl
e,and
byitmaybedef i
led.
”

QueenKuli
:(f
umi
ng)“
Yazi
ni(
youknowwhat
)?I
don’
thave–“

Lehumo:( i
nterrupti
ng)“Dani el9:9–“ TheLor
dor
u
Godismer cifulandf orgivi
ng,eventhoughwehave
rebel
ledagainsthim. ”Godwi l
lforgi
veyou,Mme
(Ma).It
’snevert oolate.”

QueenKuli
:(f
uming)“Yazi
niwena(
Youknowwhat
)
MarymotherofJesus–“

Lehumo:(i
nter
rupti
ng)“Idon’
tmeant
ober
ude,
but
myf i
ancéi
swai t
ingforme.”

QueenKuliwasabouttostar
tsweari
ngagai
n,but
Gatshaknockedandopenedthedoor.Hi
ssmile
quickl
yfadedwhenhesawKul i’
sredf
aceand
Lehumosmi l
ing.Hefoundthewholescener
ather
oddandheknewt hathismotherwasuptonogood.

Gatsha:(
frowni
ng)“Ma,
ufunaningapha(
whatdo
youwantinhere)?
”

QueenKul
i:(
sof
tl
y)“
Bengi
thi(
Iwasj
ust
)–“

Lehumodeci
dedtosaveherass,
leavi
ngQueenKul
i
evenmor
econfused.
Lehumo:(
smili
ng)“
Shej
ustcametowishmegood
l
uckandwelcomedmeint
othefamil
y.”

Gat
sha:(
rai
sedeyebr
ow)“
Oho.
”

QueenKul
i:(
hast
il
y)“
Letmel
eave.I
’
llseeyoul
ater
,
Lehumo.
”
Sheleftwi
thoutevenlooki
ngatGatsha.Assoonas
sheclosedthedoor,Lehumogotdressedqui
ckly
unawarethatGatshawasstar
ingatherbeauti
ful
body.Hehadneverseenherhal fnaked.

Gat
sha:“
Whatdi
dshewant
?”

Lehumo:“
Ijustt
oldyou,
love.
”

Gat
sha:“
Lehumo,
youknowhowIf
eelaboutl
ies.
”

Lehumo:“Iknow,l
ove.Iknow.Come,l
et’
sgo.We
don’
twanteveryonetot
hinkwearedoi
ngthedeed,
doyou?”

Gatshawasst i
lluneasyabouthi
smother’
s
presenceinhisroom,buthedecidedt
oleti
tgo.
Theywal kedoutandLehumosawanewf ace
amongstt
hecr
owdthatshedi
dn’
tseewhent
hey
ar
ri
vedafewminut
esbefor
e.

Gatsha:(
smil
ing)“
I’
dli
keyout
omeetsomeonever
y
deartome.”

Hepull
edLehumotowar
dshi
m andhel
dherhand.
Theyappr
oachedt
heoldwomanwholookedal
ot
l
ikeKi
ngSfiso.

Gat
sha:(smil
ing)“
Ntombenhl
e( Beaut
if
ul)
,meetmy
gr
eat-
grandmother,
QueenNozipho.”

QueenNozi phoi mmediatel

ysmi l
edatLehumo.
Shehel doutherhandsandLehumot houghtshe
want edtoembr aceher,buti
nsteadsheheldher
faceandst aredather–al mostasifshewas
analysingeverypartofherface.Everyonewas
stari
ngi nsi
lence,asshewasst ari
ngatLehumo’s
face.Itfel
tasi ft
heyallknewwhatshewasdoi ng
–exceptf
orLehumowhowasjustcluel
essl
y
standi
ngt
her
e,wit
hherhear
tbeat
ingoutofher
chest.

QueenNozi pho:(smil
ing)“Hmm, t
hi sissuchr are
beautyindeed.Apur e,Pedigem youar e.Youare
verypurehear ted,Lehumo.Yourmot herdidwellby
givi
ngyousuchapower f
ulname.Youar everysoft
-
heartedandki nd,butyougi veupver yeasily.You
weredest i
nedt obewi thmygr eat
-grandson, and
youwi l
lrul
et hiskingdom andchangemanyways
forthebetter.Youwi llbeaf arbetterqueent han
thecurrentonewehaveher e.”

Thatwasobviousl
yahintatQueenKuli
,whowas
veryunimpr
essedbyQueenNozipho’scomment.
Shewasexactlyli
keBongi–shesaidanythi
ngand
everyt
hingt
hatcametohermind.

QueenNozi
pho:(smi
le)“
Oh,yourf
ragi
leheartwi
ll
gett
hebestofyouoneday,
butyouwillhavetobe
str
ongi nordert
opullt
hroughwhat ’
scomi ngyour
way.Becauseofyourpr esence,t
hef ut
urekingwi
ll
makegr eatchoi
cesforthi
skingdom.Inameyou
“Nonhlanhl
a”.You’l
lbri
ngusal otofluckand
for
tune,mydaughter.Youar ewelcomedandt he
ancestorschoseyouwaybef oreGatshadid.
”

ShegaveLehumoal ong,warm hungandshe

actual
lyfeltanover
whelmingspir
itovercomeher
,
whileeveryonekeptqui
etforawhile.Bongist
art
ed
ulul
ati
ng,andsodi dBeatr
iceandNer i
ah.

QueenNoziphostar
tedwhisper
ingafewclan
pr
aisesi
ntoLehumo’sear,
leavi
ngherspeechl
ess
wit
htear
swar mingherr
edcheeks.

QueenNozipho:(prai
ses)“ Ncube,Mzil
ankatha,
Gabadeli
,Nhlansi
,Nkambul e,senimkhethi
le
i
ndodakaziyeni,i
ndhlovukaziyenu(youhave
chosenyourdaught er,yourqueen).Therestisi
n
yourhands,prot
ectherf ordangeri
slurki
ng.Onl y
youknowherfat
e!Lehumo,
bever
ycar
efulofyour
motheri
nlaw.

Youar eaprayerwarri
or,andneverst opprayi
ng.
Youar esupposedtobirt
ht henextandonl yfuture
princeoft hi
skingdom.I talldependsonyou.Don’ t
disappoi ntmeandmosti mpor tantl
y–don’ tr
ob
your selfoft
hefutureyoudeser ve.Ifyoudon’tgive
birthtoyourprince,t
hewr ongonewi l
l.St
ayst rong,
mnt wanami( mychi l
d).
”

Shebr oket
hehugbetweent hem andki ssed
Lehumoonbot hcheeks.Suddenl ytheyhear d
thunderandrai
npouring.Lehumowas
overwhelmedwithemotions,sowasGat shaashe
shedat ear
.Lehumohear dsomeani malgr owli
ng
soundsandshest ar
tl
edabi t
, butGatshar eassur
ed
herthatshewassafeandhel dherhand.

KingSfi
so:(smi
li
ng)“
Thathasn’
thappenedi
na
veryl
ongtime.”
Lehumot houghtshewastheonlyonewhohear
d
theroar
ing,butseemedasifever
yonehear
ditt
oo.

QueenNozi pho:(smil
ing)“Don’
tworry,mydarl
ing.
WehaveLeopar dsasourtotems.Thoseani mal
soundsyouhearandt hesuddenr ai
nisthe
ancestors’approval.Thathasn’thappenedinsi
xty
years.ItlasthappenedwhenIwasget t
ingmarri
ed
–exact l
ysi xt
yyearsago. ”

BongiandNer i
ahcouldn’
thidethei
rexci
tementas
theyulul
atedonceagain,
leavi
ngQueenKul ieven
mor eupset.

QueenNozipho:“
Hawu(Goodness)
, Kul
i.Why
ungat
hiumuncu( whydoyouseem sosour)
?Are
youcomingdownwi t
hsomethi
ng?”

QueenKul
i:“
Ithi
nki
tmustbeaf
lu.Suddenl
yIam
notf
eel
ingver
ywel
l.It
hinki
t’
sbestIgol
aydown.
”

QueenNozi
pho:“
Goodi
dea,
makot
i(daught
eri
n
l
aw).”

QueenKul
i:“
Goodni
ght
.”

Ever
yonecoul
dseethedi
sappoi
ntmentonherf
ace,
asShakal
eftwit
hher.

Shaka:“
I’
llhel
pyouup,
mot
her
.”

Pri
ncessAyanda:“
I’
llbei
nmyr
oom i
fanyone
needsme.”

QueenNozipho:“Likewe’
dnot
icei
fyouwer
egone.
Hambasisi(Go,sis).
”
Itseemedasifever
yonewaslegitaf
raidofQueen
Nozipho.Sheseemedlikeaverystr
ictwomanand
strai
ghtt
alker
.Shewasr at
herstr
ongf orsomeone
whowas80year sold.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Don’
tmindt
hem,
wena.Asi
bone
l
ering(
Let’
sseet
heri
ng)
.”

Lehumosmi
ledasshewi
pedhert
ear
saway.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Hoho,we(
hey)Sf
iso,yourson
hassometast
e,man.Howmuchdi
dt hiscostyou,
Gatsha?
”

Gat
sha:(chuckli
ng)“
Hawu(
Wow)
,Gogo(
granny)
.
Anarm andal eg.
”

QueenNozi
pho:“Keepi
tup.Umf
aziuyaspoi
li
wa
(
womenneedt obespoi
led)
.”
Theycont inuedtoenj oyt hefest
ivi
tieswhil
e
Lehumowasbombar dedwi t
hgiftsgalor
e.Ast he
celebr
ati
onwashappeni ngdownst air
s,QueenKuli
foundher selfovercomewi t
hbi t
ter
ness,angerand
purehatredandf r
ust rat
ion.Themomentshe
walkedintoherbedr oom, shestartedpaci
ngupand
down, bl
owi nghotai routofhermout handcursing.

QueenKul
i:(
angr
y)“
Fok(
Fuck)
!”

Shaka:“
Ma,
cal
m down,
ngi
yakucel
a(Ibegofyou)
.”

QueenKul
i:(
enr
aged)“Dammit
,man,Shaka!Don’
t
yousee?Theoddsareagai
nstyoual
ready!
”

Shaka:(
confused)“Ma,
ukhul
umangani(
whatar
e
youtal
kingabout)
?”
QueenKuli
:“I
t’
sbadenoughyou’
renotSf
iso’
sson,
andnowhe’ssidel
ini
ngyout
obethenextinl
inet
o
thet
hrone!
”

Kulidi
dn’
tevenreal
izewhatahugebombshehad
droppedunt
ilShakaaskedhert
orepeatwhatshe
hadjustsai
d.
Shaka:“
Uthi
ni(
What
)?”

QueenKul
i:(
regr
etf
ul)“
Eish…”

Shaka:(
tear
y)“
Areyousayi
ngSf
isoi
sn’
tmy
fat
her?”

QueenKul i:“
Ag, man.Youwer eboundtofi
ndout
anyway, manShaka.St opbeingweak.Ididn’
tgive
bir
thtoaweakl i
ng.Yourf at
hersacri
fi
cedhisown
l
ifeandkilledhimselfj
ustsoyoucoul dkeep
enjoyi
ngt hefreedom ofroyal
ty.Doyouwantt o
throwallofthatawaynow? ”
Shakast
art
edweepi
ng.

QueenKul
i:(
shout
ing)“
Iaskedyouaquest
ion,
Shaka!
”

Shaka:(
weepi
ng)“
No,
Ma.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Doyouwantt
obeKi
ngornot
?”

Shaka:(
cyi
ng)“
Yes…”

QueenKul
i:“
Thenst
opcryi
ngandst
aystrong.You
ar
emysonandIexpectyoutobest
rong.
”

Shewal
kedupt
ohi
m andwi
pedhi
stear
saway.
QueenKuli:“
Youar eastrongman,
Shaka,youare
dest
inedforgreat
ness.Youwerenotnamedafter
Sfi
so’sf
atherfornoreason.Youwil
lgett
hatthrone.
I’
l
lmakesur eofit
,okay?”

Shakanodded, fail
ingtokeepthetearsfrom f al
li
ng
downhi sface.I twasfortheveryfi
rstti
met hat
Shakaact ual
lyunder st
oodwhyheandGat sha
neverlookedalikenorhadt hesamet astein
anythi
ng.I twasatt hatverymomentheknewwhy
heandSf isojustneverconnected.Hef inall
y
understoodwhyhegotonsowel lwithBhekial l
thoseyears–i twasbecausehewashi sbiological
father
.

Itpainedhi
m seei
nghowpat heti
chisownlifewas,
buthi smot
herhadgivenhim agli
mpseofhope.
Falsehopeitwas.QueenKul if
ail
edtoseethatshe
wasact ual
lydamagi
ngShakaevenf urt
herthanshe
had.Shedi dn’
tcar
e,forheri
twasallabout
revengeandgreedandshewoul dstopatnothi
ng
unt
ilshegotwhatshewant
ed.
[
01/
27,
07:
29] :Chapt
er20

“Whenpeopl
ebecomediffi
cultt
olove,
lovethem
har
derandprayf
orthem evenmore.That’show
youover
comeevilwi
thgood.”–JeannetteCoron

Itdidn’ttakeveryl
ongf orGat shaandLehumot o
decideonaweddi ngdat e.Theyhadagr eedonthe
foll
owi ngyear,on26Mar ch,Gatsha’s27thbir
thday.
Hecoul dn’twai
tanylongert ofinal
lycl
aim heras
hiswi feandhewasr eal l
yexci t
ed.Onewoul d
swearhewast hebri
de.Ast hedayswentby, Kuli
remai nedevenmor ebitter,andsowasShaka.

Theyreal
lycoul
dn’tevenhi
deitanymore–
especi
all
ywhenQueenNozi phowasaround.
GatshaandLehumower einthei
rownworld,
real
ly.
Theycouldn’
tcar
emuchaboutpeopl ewhodidn’
t
wantthem tobehappy.Itwasthedaybef
orethe
wedding,andofcourseBongiandNeri
ahpl anned
thewholethi
ng.Beat r
icewasanexcell
entcook,
eventhoughtheyhadhi r
edcater
ingt
odot he
cooki
ngandever yt
hingelse.

Lehumowashopi ngf orasmal lwedding, butt hat

wasnotgoi ngt ohappenwi thheraboutt hebet he
nextQueenofZul uland.Ki ngSf isowasmor et han
happyt ostepdownast hekingashef el
tthat
Gatshawoul dbemor et hanhappyt odot hat .Whi l
e
thewomenwer ecooki ngandpr epari
ngf orthe
foll
owingday’ sfesti
viti
es, t
hemenwer eout side
havingadr inkandaver ynicechataboutl if
ei tself.
Gatshawasal sowi ththem, ast heydidn’
twanthi m
toseeLehumobef oret heweddi ngday.I twasbad
l
uckast heysaid.Hewaswi t
hNoahandhi sf at her
,
sitt
ingaroundt hefire.Shakahadf or
cedhi msel fto
sitwiththem event houghhewasmut e.

Noah:“
Gatsha,
mfanawami(
myboy)
.Ar
eyou
r
eadyfort
omorrow?”
Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Iwasbor
nready,
Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“Good.Yousee,Shaka.Nowiti
syour
t
urnt
ofindyoursel
fasui
tabl
emai den.
”

Shakajustgaveki ngSf
isoonel ookanddidn’
tsay
anythi
nginr et
urn.Thef actt
hatKingSfi
sowasnot
hisfat
her,hauntedhim eversi
ncehismotherhad
tol
dhim aboutit.KingSf i
sodidn’
twanttorai
non
Gatsha’
spar ade,soheletShakabe.

Gatsha:“
Baba(Fat
her),
letmegoandmakeaphone
cal
ltomywi f
e.Ngiyabuyamanj
e(I’
l
lber
ight
back).
”

KingSfi
so:(
chuckl
ing)“HowIwi
shIcoul
d
exper
iencet
hat.Tr
uel ove.
”
Noah:“
Ihavesomet
hingt
oshowyou.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whati
sthat
?”

Noah:“
We’
l
lhavet
owai
tunt
ilever
yonei
sasl
eep.
”

Henudgedt owar dsShaka, andKi ngSf i

sogott he
hintashenodded.Hewasr eallynotexpect i
ngt he
surpr i
sethatNoahhadpl annedf orhim.Thatwas
theeveni ngt hatKingSfisowasaboutt oexperience
trueloveal loveragainaf t
eral lthoseyear s.
Meanwhi le,Gatshajustcoul dn’tbeart hethoughtof
beingawayf rom Lehumo.Hehadn’ teventasted
herf orbi
ddenf r
uityet,
imagi nehowwebehaved
afterthat.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Myhusband.
”

Gat
sha:“
Hel
lo,
mywi
fe.Unj
ani(
Howar
eyou)
?”
Lehumo:“
Gatsha,
youaskedmet
hataf
ewmi
nut
es
agoonWhatsApp.I’
mfine.
”

Gat
sha:(chuckli
ng)“Beprepar
edbecauseIam
goi
ngtoirri
tateyouli
kethi
sforther
estofyourl
if
e.
Imissyoualready.
”

Lehumo:(smil
ing)“
Imissyoutoo,l
ove.Mamais
watchi
ngmeandsai dthatsheisgoi
ngtotakemy
phonebecauseyou’r
ekeepingmebusy.”

Gatsha:(
chuckli
ng)“Okay,
then.Ngi
yakut
handa
yezwa(Iloveyou,okay)
?”

Lehumo:“
Lennakeagor
ata(
Iloveyout
oo)
.”

Lehumohungupandwentbackt
othewomen.Kuli
wasaswhit
easasheet
,wit
hallt
hedepr
essi
onthat
hadbeenat t
acki
ngher.Neri
ah,
Bongi
,Raesi
beand
Beatri
cewereindul
gingi
nsomewineal
ongwith
Brenda,nothavi
ngacareint
heworl
dwhatKuli
was
thi
nkingof.
Beatr
ice:“Lehumo,thatmanistooat
tachedtoyou.
Iwouldn’tbesurpr
isedifhedeci
dedtocarr
yyou
wit
hhi mi nhissui
tcaseonhiswaytowork.”

Raesi
be:(
laughing)“
Yoh,sheisonel uckygi
rl
.
Renababangwenebanor echeckagebabowa
moshomong( Someofuswer eonlycheckedon
whenourhusbandsr et
urnedfrom work).
”

Neri
ah:“Ai
,Al
fredl
eenamanneabor
a(Al
fr
edwas
r
atherbori
ng,
youknow).
”

Raesi
be:“
Okabol el
agape(Youcansaythatagai
n).
Karelemapayingneaborawankwa( Eveni
nbed
hewasboring,
hey).
”
Lehumof el
thercheeksbecomer edyetagain.She
surel
ywasnotpr epar
edforthatconver
sation.
Especial
lyf
rom womenwhower ehermot her’
sage.

Bongi:“
Ai,Idon’
tgetwhywomenl ovesuff
eri
ngso
much.I ’
dneverall
owmysel ftobesexuall
y
depri
ved.MyhusbandandIhadaver yhealt
hysex
l
ife,
evenaf t
erhedied,
Ijusthadtofindmyself
someonewhowoul dmakesur eIgetanorgasm at
l
eastonceaday. ”

Neri
ah:“
Ai,
Mamarakengheh(Real
ly,
Ma,
real
ly)
?
Lehumoomo(Lehumoisher
e).
”

Beatr
ice:“Themorereasontosaythesethingswi
th
herhere.Comeon, Neri
ah.Haven’tyougiventhe
poorgirlsometi
ps?Imeanshei scl
uelessthi
sone.
Whatifshegetsthereandlaysther
elikea
chi
cken? ”
Bongi
:“Haveyouevent
aughtheranyt
hingabout
for
epl
ayandwhattoexpectonherweddingni
ght?”

Lehumof el
thersel
fbecomeevenmor e
embarrassed,whil
eBrendawassilent
lyt
aki
ng
noteseventhoughshehadalreadyhadsexbef
ore.

Ner
iah:“
Hayiman.Leabonabj
ale(
Youseenow)
.”

Raesibe:“
Iam gladshegetst
oheart
his,
because
noonet ol
duswhatt odowhenwegotmar r
ied.
Imaginebeing18andnotknowingat
hingabouta
wholepenis.Yoh,bophel
oneboleboima(Lif
ewas
toughindeed)
.”

Bongi:“Al
lIcansayLehumo,i
sthatyouneedto
rel
ax.Hehast otouchyoui
ntherightpl
aces,
kiss
youri
ghtandonceyoubecomewetdownt her
e,you
knowt hatyouar
eready.
”
QueenKuli
:(annoyed)“Shoul
dn’tyoubet
oool
dto
betal
kingaboutsuchthingsr
ightnow?”

Raesi
be:(annoyed)“Ai,
wenawai tebalagoreneo
fanal
ebestf r
iendyamonnago( Youf orgetyou
wereforni
cati
ngwithyourhusband’sbestf ri
end).
Skait
irabeter
ekar enaassebl
ief(
don’tactbet t
er
thanus).
”

Noonef el
ttheneedtocallRaesi
bet oor
der
,
becausewellQueenKulihaddeservedit
.

QueenKul
i:“
Excuseme.
”

Raesi
be:“
Wit
hpl
easur
e.”

QueenKuliwalkedoutandt
herestoft
hewomen
l
aughed,
whi l
eLehumor emai
nedembarrassed.
Lehumo:“Hao,Ma.Tl abel
esegogemosadiyol
ea
nhlaki
sha(youwon’tbeherewhenshemi
str
eats
me) .Pl
ease,don’
tbemeant oher
.”

Bongi:“Ifyouallowhert omistr
eatyouthenI’
ll
knowyou’ r
eseriouslydumb.Nomat t
erwho
anyonei s,Lehumodon’ teverl
etthem walkover
you.It hinkiti
shight i
meIt ol
dyouwhatIdi dtomy
monst ermot herinlaw.”

Br
enda:“
Oh,
please,
Ma.Tel
lus.
”

Bongi :“
Shewasj ustli
kethatbi t
chKul i
.Shehat ed
met hemomentshel aideyesonmeofwhi chIj ust
didn’tget.But,thankGodf ortheper sonali
tyIhave,
Ididn’twaitforhertostartshitwi t
hme.Thef ir
st
daywest ayedatherhouse, sheor deredmet oget
upat5am andst ar
tthefire,cookforever yonein
thehouseandcl ean.Myhusbanddi dn’twantany
ofthatandt oldherst r
aightthatIwoul dn’tbedoi ng
that.Whenhef inall
yleftforwor k,Iwasl eftwit
h
herandhermot her.Iwasenjoyi
ngmysl eepaftera
l
ongni ght
’sworkout,
andshedecidedtobar geint
o
mybedr oom,hit
ti
ngmewi thabroomst i
ckforci
ng
met owakeup.Icoul dn’
tst
andthat,
soIt ookthe
broom ri
ghtoutofherhandsandIbeatherupwi t
h
i
t.Hermot hertr
iedtocomeandover powerme, soI
beatthem bot
hup.”

Lehumo,Ner
iah,Raesibe,Br
endaandBeat
ri
ce
foundt
hemselveslaughingsomuch.

Br
enda:“Hah(Wow)
!Thenwhathappened
af
ter
wards?”

Bongi:“Oh,It
oldt
hem straightthatIwasnoslave
andIwoul ddowhatIcoul dwheni tsui
tedme.I
meant hemanagedjustfinewi thoutmesowhydi d
theyfeelt
heneedtomakemeasl aveandpunish
mef ormarryi
ngthebreadwi nner?”
Lehumo:“
I’
m sur
etheyhat
edyoueversi
nce.
”

Bongi:“Notachance.OnedayIhadgoneout
shoppingandcamebackwi t
hpl asti
cbagsf ullof
cl
othesandf ood.Theydi dn’texpectanythi
ngf rom
me, butIhadboughteachoft hem abr andnew
dressandpai rofshoes.Theywer esohappyand
hadachangeofhear t.Bytheendoft hatday,my
husbandhadf oundusdrinki
ngabot t
leofwineand
dancingtogether.Wer emainedcloseeversi nce
unti
ltheydied.”

Lehumowashumour edbyt hatstoryi

ndeed,but
shecouldn’thelpbutfeelthatherownmar ri
age
wouldnothavesuchahappyendi ng.Hermot heri
n
l
awwasar ealbitch.Ast heywer eenj
oyingthei
r
dri
nks,t
heyhear dsomenoi secomingfrom an
unfamil
iarvoice.Itsoundedl i
kethewomanwas
walki
ngupt hest ai
rstowardst hem.

Woman:(
shout
ing)“
Whyngi
ngamenywangami
na,
Kuli(
WhywasInoti nvited,Kuli
)?!DoIhavet ohear
fr
om peoplei
nourvillagesayingt hatyou’
regett
ing
anewmakot i
? !Notjustthatbutonet hati
snot
evenofroyal
ty?!Ukuphiena( Wher eisshe)?
!”

Thenextmoment,thedoorfl
ungopenanditwasa
womanwhol ookedjustl
ikeKul
i,
butmucholder
.
Shehadverybigcurvesandver
ylar
gebreast
s,and
aver
yunpleasantface.

Woman:“ Oho,t
hisiswhythiskingdom i
sfall
ing
apartandwhyyouar ethelaughingst
ock!You
havewomen–awhol ebunchofwomendr inkingin
aroom withchi
ldr
enwhi l
etheyshouldbecooki ng!
”

BongiandNer
iahi
mmedi
atel
yfel
tof
fendedand
st
oodup.

Bongi
:“Ut
hiniwena(
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay)
?!”
Woman:“
Ungzwi
le(
youhear
dme)
.”

Kulil
ookedabitpl
easedthathermot herwasther
e
tosti
rupsomet r
ouble,
andhadasl ightsmir
kon
herface,
butBongiandNeriahdidn’
twanttohave
anydrama.

Bongi:“
Idon’tt
akeki
ndl
ytowomenl i
keyouwho
decidetost
irtr
oubl
eonbeaut
if
uleveni
ngsli
ke
these.
”

Woman:“
Heywena(
you)
!”

Neri
ah:“Idon’tt
hinkyouunder st
oodt hatverywel
l,
Magogo( Granny).Thisisnotyourkingdom –t hi
s
i
smydaught er’
skingdom now.So, Isuggestyou
l
eavethesamewayyouwal kedinher e,unl
essyou
wouldli
ketoacquai ntyour
selfwit
hmyf ist
s.”
Ner
iahshockedherdaught
erbyr
oll
inghersl
eeves
up,
andsodi dBongi
.Shehadneverseenher
motherf
ightwi
thanyone.

Woman:“Mxm,uyabonakeKul
i(youseenow).I
shoul
dhavehadafir
merhandwithyou.Looknow,
yourwhol
eki
ngdom ist
urni
ngi
ntoalaughingst
ock
wit
hunrul
ywomen.”

Raesibe:“
Ai,lewenaobolelathataman( youtal
k
toomuch) .Goandaskyourdaught erwhyshewas
sleepi
ngwi t
hherhusband’sadvisor.Iam even
surethatshehasevenmor esecretstotell
,l
ike
someofherchi l
drendon’
tbelongt oherhusband.”

Kul
i’
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onsuddenl
ychanged,
whi
let
he
womanlookedevenangr
ier
.

Woman:“
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
,Kul
i?
!”
Kul
i:“
Eish,
Mamanawe.Asi
hambe(
Let
’sgo)
.”

Thewomanwasst i
llcompl
aini
ng,unti
lKulidr
agged
heroutoft
heroom andclosedthedoor.Beatri
ce,
Bongi,
Neri
ah,
Br endaandLehumol aughed.

Beatr
ice:“
Real
ly,
Raesi
be?Di
dyouhavet
ogo
ther
e?”

Raesi
be:“Don’
tactl
ikeyouhaveneversuspectedit
,
Beatr
ice.Youhavebeenworki
nghereforyears.”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Iam notsayi
nganyt
hing,
mina(
nna)
.”

Raesi
be:“
Wabonagor
ewat
seba(
Yousee?You
know)
.”

Bongi
:“Hayiman.Let
’ssl
eepabi
tbef
oret
hatt
all
wit
chcomesanddist
urbsusagai
n.Wehavean
ear
lymorni
ngaheadofus.
”

Theyl ockedthedooranddeci dedtoallsleepi none

bedroom.Lehumohadt roublesleepingt hat
evening,shecouldn’tunderstandifitwast he
normalner vesofaweddi ngort helow-keyf earshe
hadofst ayinginonehousewi thQueenKul i
.
Meanwhi l
e,ShakaindeedleftNoahandKi ngSf i
so,
andmostoft hemenr etr
eatedt otheirrooms.I t
wasf inal
lytimeforNoaht orevealhisbi gsur pri
se.

KingSfi
so:“Noah,Bafo(Brother
),kudal
angi
mil
e
(I
’
vebeenwai t
ing).Ifeell
ikeLehumonowawaiting
abigsurpr
isefrom herhusband.”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
m sor
ry.Icoul
dn’tl
etyoudoi
t
whil
eever
yonewasawake.Car etotakeabri
ef
wal
kwithme?”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Njani(
How),
Noah?I
tisj
ustaf
ter
mi
dni
ght.Can’
twedri
ve?’

Noah:“I
’
m af
rai
difwedo,
we’
dgetcaughtout
,my
dearf
ri
end.
”

KingSfi
so:(
frowni
ng)“You’
renotget
ti
ngmei
nto
somethi
ngil
legal
,areyou?”

Noah:(
chuckli
ng)“Myonlysini
sthatIam allowi
ng
youtodosomet hi
ngyoushouldhavedonel ong
ago.Iam gi
vingyoutheplat
for
mt ogetthe
answersyouhavebeenlooki
ngforeversinceyou
gotmarri
ed.
”

Ki
ngSf i
sof
eltabitpuzzl
ed,buthet
rust
edNoah.
Nothi
nghadpreparedhimforwhathewasaboutt
o
wit
ness.
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Howf
ari
sthi
spl
acewe’
regoi
ngt
o?”

Noah:“
Fivehousesaway.
”

Forsomeoddr eason, i
tdidn’tevenr inganybellto
Sfisoast owhousedt oli
vet herethirtyyearsago.
Henoddedandt heyt ookawal k.KingSf i
sofel
ta
bitanxious,butnott hesli
ght estfeelingofbeing
scaredat t
ackedhi m.Her eallywant edt oseethi
s
amazi ngsurpri
seNoahkeptspeaki ngof .They
fi
nallygotthehouse, andonl ytheni thitKingSfi
so
thathislonglostloveusedt olivether e,buthe
thoughtshewasat hingoft hepast .

Noah:“
Areyour
eady?
”

KingSf i
so:“
Khauvul
elomnyango(
Justopent
he
door),Noah.You’
remakingmepanicf
orno
reason.”
Noahchuckl
edsli
ghtl
yandknockedt wice.That
musthavebeenthesignalthatshewasawai t
ing.
Withi
nafewminutes,sheopenedt hedoorandKi ng
Sfi
sofel
thi
mselfbecomei nstant
lyparalyzedby
shock.

Khensani
:(smi
li
ng)“
SawubonaSf
iso(
Hel
lo)
.”

Shest i
lll
ookedt hesame,andhadnotagedadayi n
herli
fe.I tact
uallyl
ookedasi fshewasaging
backwar ds.Herskin,fl
awlessasever.Het hought
i
twasadr eam,ashekeptblinkingafewti
mes.He
evenhel dherfacegentlyj
ustt oseei
fitwasreall
y
her.

KingSfi
so:(
tear
y)“
Khensi
… Nguwel
o(I
sthi
sreal
ly
you)?
”

Khensani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Yes.
”
Noah:“I
’
lll
eaveyoutwotoit.Bafo(brot
her)
,
ngi
zokubonakusasaekuseni(
I’
llseeyoutomor
row
morni
ng).”

KingSf isowasnotevenbot heredaboutwhatt hey

wouldsayshoul dhenotappearorwhenKul i
start
edaski ngabouthiswher eabout
s.Noahknew
thatadul terywasbad, buthecouldn’
tstandseeing
hisfriendsomi serabl
e.Hej usthadtogranthim
thatgi f
thehadbeenl ongingfor.Hehurriedbackto
thehouse, andluckil
yforhim hehadaver ygood
relat
ionshi pwit
ht heguardsandt heywoul dnever
tel
lonhi m.Hewal kedint
othehouseandbumped
i
nt oQueenKul i
.

QueenKul
i:“
Heywena(
you)
,Noah.UphiuSf
iso
(
WhereisSfi
so)
?”

Noahknewhowr udeKul
iwasandheneveral
lowed
hert
ofeelasi
fshehadmorepowerthanhi
m.
Noah:“Angazindhl
ovukazi(
Idon’
tknow,
Queen).
Whydon’tyouaskhi m your
sel
fsi
nceheisyour
husband?”

QueenKul
i:(
annoyed)“Ucabangaukut
hiungubani
wena(Whodoyout hi
nkyouar e)t
otal
ktomel i
ke
t
hat?”

Noah:“
Well
,perhapsyouf or
got
,butmynameis
NoahMkhabela,advi
sortotheKi
ng–notyou.
Goodni
ghtNdhlovukazi(
Queen).
”

Heleftherstandi
ngt hereshaki
ngherheadi n
fr
ustr
ation.Sheknewt hati
twasver yunusualfor
Sfi
sotosl eepoutandhewassupposedt obeinbed
bythen.Meanwhi le,Sfi
sowasst i
llshockedthathe
hadtheloveofhisl i
febeforehi
m.

Khensani
:“Comei
n.Peopl
emi
ghtseeyou.
”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Oh,
ofcour
se.
”

Hetookof
fhi
shat,t
hati
showr
espect
fulhewas.
Gat
shawasindeedhi
sson.

KingSfi
so:“
Kuzenj
aniuf
ikel
a(Howdi
dyouendup
here)
?”

Khensani
:“Well
,Noahcontactedme.Iwasnot
shockedr
eall
ysinceheknewmyl atehusband,but
whenhetoldmeaboutyou, Iwasver yhesi
tantt
o
come–henceIonl ymadesur ethatnoonesawme
bycominghereatnight
.”

KingSfiso:“Idon’
tunderstand.Youl ef
there
withoutsayinggoodbye, Khensani
.Younever
wroteorcalledoranything.Evenyourpar ents
refusedtotellmeaboutyourwhear eaboutsuntil
t
heydi ed.Evenyoursi sterref
used,henceIjustl
et
i
tallgo.Isl
eptwi
thapai
nedhear
teachni
ght
,but
whatelsecoul
dIdo?
”

Khensani
:(ner
vous)“Iam sor
ry.I twasnotmy
i
ntent
iontodothattoyou.Believeme, Sfi
so,
Ireal
ly
l
ovedyou.Ihadt ol
eave.Iwasf orcedto.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Whathappened?Whof
orcedyou?
”

Khensani
:(l
ooki
ngdown)“ Ican’
ttel
lyou.Let
’snot
t
alkaboutthatr
ightnow.
”

KingSfi
soheldherhands,andtheysti
llf
eltsosof
t
andwarmj ustast
heywer ebackinthedaywhen
theywereyoungandinlove.

KingSfi
so:“
Ineverstoppedt
hinkingaboutyou.At
ti
mesIwouldmakel ovetoKuliandimagineitwas
you.”
Khensanilookeddownandat earescapedhereye,
butKingSf i
sogentl
ycuppedherfaceandwipedt he
tearoffherface.

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
Ist
il
lloveyou,
Khensani
.Doyoust
il
l
l
oveme?”

Khensani
:(t
eary)“
Ineverst
oppedl
ovi
ngyou,
Sfi
so.
HowcouldIstopwhenwemadeapact ?”

Sf
iso:“
Tilt
heend,
toget
herweshal
lbe.
”

Khensani
:(cr
ying)“
I’
m sor
ry…”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Shhh…wecant
alkaboutt
hatl
ater
.”

Ki
ngSf
isocoul
dn’
thol
dhi
msel
fanyl
onger
,he
foundhimsel fgentlyplacinghislipsonto
Khensani’
sandki ssingherpassi onatel
y.Hehadn’ t
hadsuchpassi oninyear s–notevenwi thKuli
.
Theyhadst oppedhavi nginter
cour seyearsbefor
e
then.Heevenf el
thi spenisgethar dinstant
lyand
fel
telect
ri
fyinggoosebumpsal loverhisbodyashe
touchedher.Khensanimoanedi nhismout h.Sfi
so
pull
edoutoft hekiss,gentlysuckedonherneck.
Sheusedt olovei twhenhedi dthat .

Khensani
:(moani
ng)“
Sfi
so…”

Shekeptmoani ngwi thtearsst r

eami ngendlessly
downherf ace.Ki ngSfisokissedhercheeksdr y
andslowlytookof fherblouse.Hemi ssedher
melaninskin,whichremi ndedhi m ofpurecof f
ee.
Heunclippedherbr a,andher emember edhowhe
missedseeingherbeaut i
ful
,petit
ebr easts.
Khensanineverhadchi ldrenwi t
hherdeceased
husband–outofchoi ce.Het houghtshewas
barr
en,butshej ustcouldn’tstomachhavi ng
anot
herman’schil
drenknowi
ngherhear
tbel
onged
toSf
isount
ilet
erni
ty.

Sfisogentl
yr ubbedherbr east sasshemoanedand
hispenisresponded.Her emember edhowshewas
nevershywheni tcametot hem maki nglove.Even
thoughtheyonl ydiditafewt imes,heremember ed
i
tasi fi
twer ethedaybef ore.Hesuckedonher
beautif
ul,
dar kbrownnippl es.Shemoanedasshe
foundherselflayi
ngbackont hecouch.He
proceededtot akeoffherski rtandpant i
esatthe
samet imeunt i
lshewascompl et
elynaked.

Hesl owlytookoffhisclothesaswel l,
andnever
tookhiseyesoffhers.Theeyecont actwas
i
mmensel ybeaut i
ful
, i
tfel
tasiftheywer eremaking
thei
rownmovi e.Hewasf i
nallynaked,wit
h
mkhontor i
senandr eadyt ofeelhermoistvagina,
buthewasaver yattenti
veandgent leman, much
l
ikeGatsha.Hewant edhert ofeelpl
easurefir
st,
befor
ehei nsert
edhispeni sintoher.Hekissedher
abdomenandwentdownsl
owl
yunt
ilher
eached
hervagi
na.

Hesl owlyspr eadherl egsandshedi dn’trefuse.

Shegl adlyspr eadthem f urt
her.Hest artedgently
l
ickinghercl it
, makingKhensanigowi ld.Ithad
beenr atherl ongsi ncehehadbeenwi thawoman,
sohedi dn’ twantt ot aket oolonganddi sappointhis
l
ovebyf inishingpr emat urely.Hesuckedonhera
fewmor et i
mes, andwentbackupandki ssedher
passionat ely.Hef i
nallyenteredhertempl e,and
shewasast i
ghtasshewasal lthoseyear sago.
KingSf i
sof oundhi msel fmoani nghardert han
before,whi leki ssi
ngKhensanii mmensel y.

Khensani
:(moani
ng)“
Oh…aaah,
Sfi
so…”

KingSfi
so:“
Khensani
…Imi ssedyousomuch,
Sthandwasami(mylove)
.Please,al
lowmetobea
permanentr
esi
dentofyourbody…”
Khensani
:“Yes,
Sfi
so….
”

Itwasnotlongbef
oretheycl
imaxedtogetherashe
coll
apsedontopofherandkissedheragain.He
wasinsomuchdi sbel
ief
.

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Iloveyou,
Khensani
.”

Khensani
:“Il
oveyout
oo,
Sfi
so.
”

Sfi
so:“Areyour
eadyt
otel
lmewhatr
eal
ly
happened?”

Khensani:“Idon’
tthi
nkyou’
regoi
ngt
oli
kewhatI
havetotellyou.”
[
01/
27,
07:
30] :Chapt
er21
“Ever
ymomentofyourl
if
eisasecondchance.
”–
RickPri
ce

KingSf i
soandhi sdar
li
ngKhensanidi dn’teven
sleepawi nk.Hewassoexci tedtobewi thher ,
that
hegenui nel
ythoughtt
hatshouldheshuthi seyes
he’dneverseeheragain.Sheont heot herhand,
feltj
ustthesameway.Shedi dn’
tsleepawi nk,
whi l
etheykeptmakingloveasifitwast helasttime
theywoul deverseeoneanother.

KingSfi
so:“I
’m sti
llwai
ti
ngf
oryout
otel
lmewhat
real
lyhappened.”

Khensani
:“HowcanIspeakwhenyoukeepwor
king
meout?”

Ki
ngSfi
so:(
chor
tl
ing)“Ngiyaxol
isa(I’
m sor
ry)
St
handwasami(
Myl ove).Now, please,
dotel
lme
whatmadeyoul
eave.”
Khensani :(
sigh)“Yourfatherdidn’
twantust obe
together.Whenher eal
izedthathiseffor
tst omake
youst oplovingmewentt owast e,
hecamet omy
houseoneeveni ngwithaf ewofhi smen,rightaft
er
youleftandt heykidnappedmypar ent
s,sisterandI.
Wehadbagsoverourf aces, andtheytor
turedusby
throwingwat eroverusandsuf f
ocati
ngus. ”

Shest
art
edt
ear
ingupashebecameangr
y.

Khensani:“Yourwif
e,Kuliwast here.Hesai dtome
thatI’
dseemypar entsdiethateveni ngal ongwi t
h
mysi st
erandI ’
dli
vetotellt
het al
ei fIdidn’ tl
eave
you.WhatwasIsupposedt odo, Sfi
so?Icoul dn’t
l
oset hem j
ustli
kethatallbecauseIf elli
nl ovewi t
h
aPr i
ncewhowaspr omisedtosomeoneel se.Iwas
i
nsomuchshock, thatIhadbl edinstantly.Ihadno
i
deat hatIwasevenpr egnant.Ifiguredt hat
eveningthatIhadlostmybaby–ourbaby. ”
KingSfisofel
tsomuchhear twrenchi
ngpai nwithi
n
him.Hef eltl
ikehishear twasbeingtwisted
conti
nuously.Hi sfatherwasknownf orcr uel
ty
hencehedeci dedt obethecompl eteopposite.He
hadnoi deathatKul iwaspar toft
hemur derofhis
fi
rstbornchil
d.Hegent lywipedKhensani ’
stears
awayf r
om herf ace.

Ki
ngSfiso:“
I’
m sor
ry.I
’
m sosor
ryyouhadt
ogo
t
hroughthat
.”
Khensani :“I
t’
sokay.I tt ookmeyear stoheal,more
especiallywhenIcoul dn’treall
yventtoanyone
abouti t
.Theymademel eave, andpromisedtokil
l
mei fIrefusedt oleaveZul uland.Iknewt hatyou
weregoi ngt omar ryawi tch,butIhadnochoi ce.I
sacrif
icedmyownhappi ness, brokeyourheartand
savedt hreelivesthateveni ng.I twasapainful
choicet hatIlivet
or egrettilthi
sday.”

Ki
ngSfi
so:(
ti
ght
enedjaw)“I
’
llf
ixi
t.Al
lofi
t.Just
sowecoul
dbetoget
heragai
n.Ican’
tdi
emi ser
abl
e,
Khensani
,Ir
efuse.
”

Khensani
:(shaki
nghead)“
It
’snott
hatsi
mpl
e.
There’
smor e.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Khensani :“Af ewdaysbef oreyourf atherpassed,

hedeci dedt otakeat ri
ptoJo’ bur gtoseeme-
alongwi thyourwi fe.Iam guessi ngtheypr obably
want edtoseei fIwasstil
lkeepi ngmyendoft he
bar gain.Theycameandyourf atherapol ogized.
Hesai dt hathisdaysonear t
hwer enumber edand
heneededt omakepeacewi thal lthosehehad
wr onged, butKuliontheotherhandwasnoteven
remor seful.Shet oldmesomet hingver ydist urbi
ng.
Shesai dt hatshewasf i
nall
yhappyandhadf inal
ly
got tenmar ri
edt othewealthiestpr i
ncei nSout h
Africa, event houghyouwer eaf athert ochil
dr en
whower enotyour s.
”
Ki
ngSf i
sol
ookedatherpuzzl
edwi
thoutsayi
nga
word.

Khensani
:“ShakaandPri
ncessar
enotyour
chi
ldr
en–t heyareBheki
’
s.”

Ki
ngSfi
sokeptqui
etforawhi
leasifhewasdeepi
n
t
hought
,buthesur
pri
sedKhensaniwit
hhi
sanswer
.

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Iknow.
”

Khensani
:“Idon’
tfol
low.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
I’
veknownf
orawhi
lenow.
”

Khensani
:(shocked)“
What?Youmeant otel
lme
youconti
nuedtohavechi
ldrenwi
thherknowing
Shakawasnotyour
s?”

KingSf iso:(shakinghead)“Ionl yfoundoutaf ew

yearsagowhenAyandawas17.Ihadhear d
rumour sofherandBhekihavi nganaf f
air
,butonce
Ifoundout ,
itallmadesense.Forsomer eason, I
sawBheki ’
sspi tt
ingimagei nShaka’ seyes.Ayanda
wast hever ysame.Ij ustknewt heywer en’tmine
from themomentt heyhadbot htur
nedone, butI
l
ovedt hem nonet hel
ess.Itriedtot eachthem right
from wr ongandhowt obehaveandbenor mal
functioningadul t
s,buttheyreal l
yrefusedtoagr ee
wi t
hme.Theyhadi nheri
tedt hei
rfather’
sugl ytrai
ts
andt her ewasnot hingIcoulddo. ”

Khensani
:(shocked)“
Whydi
dyouneverconf
ront
Kul
i?”

KingSfi
so:“HowcouldI?Thosechil
drenknowme
asthei
rfat
her,soi
maginemebur st
ingtheirbubbl
e
andbreaki
ngdownt hei
rwholeenti
reworld.They
wouldneverbet hesameagai n, knowinghow
greedyt heybot har e–t hey’
dpr obabl ykil
lme
beforeIki ckedt hem outoft hehouse.Yousee,
Khensi ,Istoppedpr ayingal ongt imeagowhenI
l
ostyou, butIr ecent l
yfoundGodagai nand
wheneverIf eltli
ket ell
ingthem t het r
uthaboutt heir
paternit
y, Ijustcoul dn’t
.ForEzeki el18sayst hat
chil
drenshal lpayf ortheirfather’ssinsandIj ust
couldn’tletthathappen.Asmuchast hosetwoar e
notidealchi ldrenf orme, Idol ovet hem.Ihave
beent hroughsomer eall
ydepr essivetimes, butthat
nightafterIconf rontedBhekiabouthi m sleeping
withKul i,Iprayedf orthef i
rsttimei n30year s.

Ipr ayedandthebast ardkill

edhimsel
fthatvery
night.IhavesincelearntthatProver
bs3:5-6
speakst omeasi tsays“ Trusti
ntheLordwi t
hal l
yourhear t
,andleannotonyourownunder standing.
Inallwaysacknowl edgehim, andheshalldir
ect
yourpath.”Ihavesi ncelearntt
oputeverythi
ngi n
Hishands.Ihavepr ayedforsolongthatyouwoul d
comebackt ome, Khensani .WhenIstart
edpr ayi
ng
i
nt hecorr
ectmannerandactuall
yspeaki ngtoGod,
hef i
nal
lyhear
dme.Hebl essedmewi thagreat
fr
iendli
keNoahandi ntur
n,youcamebackt omy
l
ife.Idon’
tevenwhattodor i
ghtnow.Ihavet ogo
helpoutwithmyson’swedding,butIjustcan’
t
affor
dtoleaveyouhere.Soplease,comewi thme.”

Khensani
:(shakinghead)“I
twouldbereal
ly
i
nappropri
ate,andbesides,
wedon’twantdramaat
yourson’
sweddi ng.Gobet her
eforhi
m andIshal
l
seeyoulater.
”

KingSfi
so:“
Okay,buti
fyoudochangeyourmind,
pl
easedocome.I ti
shighti
methatKul
ilear
ntthat
herdeedshavecomebacktohaunther
.”

Meanwhi l
e,att
heroyalpal
ace,ever
yonewas
awokenbychaoscausedbyKul i
’smother,Queen
Nomt ha.Shewasscr eami
ngateveryone,includi
ng
thecater
ingcompanyt ocl
eananddot hingst hey
werenotevenhiredtodo.Gatshawasanger edby
that
,andst
art
edscol
dingher
,ofwhi
changer
edher
evenmore.

QueenNomt ha:(shout
ing)“Phiti
zel
anini
na(Hurry
up)!Youcan’tbestandingaroundknowi ngt
hat
ther
eisaweddi ngtaki
ngpl aceverysoon.Yousee
whythisweddingiscursedal r
eady?!Thewifeand
herownpedipeopl ear
et oolazytocook!”

Gatsha:(f
uming)“
Gogo(Gr
anny)Nomt ha,
Iwon’t
hesit
atetothr
owyououtofher
eifyoucarryonlike
thi
s!Youwantt orui
nmyweddingbeforeiteven
begins!
”

Nomt ha:“UyabonakeKuli(
Youseenow) ,ngabe
ufundiseabantwanabakhoinhl
oniphongabeseba
ri
ghtmanj e(Hadyouonlytaughtyourchi
ldren
somemanner s,t
hey’
dbealri
ghtnow).”

Kul
iwant
edt
ost
ophermot
herf
rom causi
ngchaos,
afr
aidthatRaesi
beandsomeofLehumo’ sfamil
y
member smightburstandtel
lever
yonehersecret,
butli
tt
ledidsheknowt hatKi
ngSfisohadknownal l
al
ong.Al lhehadtodowaschangehi swillf
ormall
y.

Kuli
:“Mama,
yekel
aint
ouyi
yenzayo(
Stopwhat
you’
redoi
ng)
.”

QueenNomt ha:“
Hayiman(Noman)
,younever
evenl
ikedheranyway.Youtol
dmeyour
selfand
nowyouwantt ochanget
une?Agaman!”

Bongi,
Neri
a,Beat
ri
ce,
Raesi
beandLehumocame
runni
ngdownalongwit
hBrenda.

Bongi
:“Yi
nii
ntouyi
yenzakhowena(
Whatar
eyou
doi
ng)?!
”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Weh(
Wow)
!Fi
nal
ly,
zivuki
le
i
yidakwa(
thedr
unkshaver
isen)
.”

Bongi:(
annoyed)“Wena(You)
,Ngizakushaya
wangathembi(I
’l
lbeatyouupsofast,youwon’t
bel
ieveit
)!
”

Justwhentheyt
houghtt
hedramahadonlyj
ust
star
ted,
someonecamerunni
ngint
othehouse.

Woman:“Wozanini
zobona(Comeandsee)!
Umqombhothiawubi
langa(
thetr
adi
ti
onalbeer
hasn’
tbr
ewed)!
”

QueenNomtha:(
Laughi
ng)“Yousee?Thi
sweddi
ng
i
scursed!Youknowthati
sbadluck!
”

Bongi:(
fumi
ng)“
Youthi
nkIdi
dn’
tknowthatyouar
e
theonewhopouredawhol
ebagofsal
tint
othe
beer?
!”
QueenNomtha:(
shocked)“
Ukhul
umangani(
What
ar
eyoutal
kingabout
)?”

QueenNozi
phosur
pri
sedthem al
lasshewal
ked
t
hrought
hedoorwi
thherknobkier
ie.

QueenNozipho:“ Sawubona(Hell
o),t
roublemaker.
YaziawufundiniksNomt hadazo(Youjustnever
l
earn).Evenafterthetr
agicdeathofyourhusband.
Keepgoingandyouwi l
lburythi
sonewhenshei s
nothi
ngbutash. ”

QueenNomt
ha:(
annoyed)“
Nozi
pho.
”

QueenNozi pho:(chuckling)“Respectisnotoneof
yourstrongtrai
ts,Isee.Evenpover t
ydidn’tt
each
youat hingortwo.Bongi ,sheindeedwast heone
whor uinedthetradi
tionalbeer,butdon’tworry,
iti
s
sti
llear
ly.Youcanqui cklygomakeanot herbatch
anditwil
lbereadywit
hint
wohour
s.Youl
adi
esgo
getbusy,I
’l
lsor
tthi
soneout.
”

Astheynoddedandwer
eabouttol
eave,
aman
fr
om thegr
oupofmenoutsi
decamerunningi
n.

Man:(
shouti
ng)“
Ngiyaxol
isaukuni
phambani
sa
(
Sorr
ytodist
urbyou)
,butthechosencowisdead.
”

Bongil
ookedatQueenNomthai
nannoyance,
whi
le
Neri
ahjustcoul
dn’
thel
pit
.

Ner
iah:(shout
ing)“Yoooh!Osel emosadikewena
(
Youar eapieceofwor k,
woman) !Obat l
agosenya
l
enyal
ol angwanakal esothome( Youwanttor
uin
mychild’
smar ri
agebeforeitevenbegi
ns)!
”

Neri
ahfl
ewri
ghtupandgaveQueenNomthaafew
sl
aps.Asshor
tasshewas,shemanagedtobeat
herupunt ilshefel
l r
ightdown.Gat shawasso
angry,thathedidn’teventrytostopher,when
QueenKul itri
edtointervene,Gatshapushedher
backsohar dthatshetoof el
lontothefl
oor.Bongi
eventuall
ypul l
edNer i
ahof fQueenNomt ha.

QueenNozipho:“
Youcanchooseanyot hercow.I’
ll
comeandbl essi
t.Wena( You)
, Nomtha,yourdays
havebeennumber ed.Youshallsuf
ferdearl
yfor
whatyouhavedonet oday.
”

Sherememberedthosewordsli
keitwasjustthe
daybefor
e.Shewassoscar ed,becausej
ustthe
l
astti
meshewast oldthat
,herhusbanddied.Now
shei
mmedi at
elyt
houghtshewoul dbenext.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Oh,
Nozi
pho,
Idi
dn’
tmeantt
odo
i
t.
”

Shebowedbef
oreQueenNozi
pho,
whoj
ustgave
heronel
ookandmovedf
orwar
d.

QueenNozi pho:(
Chuckli
ng)“Whatdoyout hi
nk
you’r
edoing?Iwasn’ tbornyest
erday,
chil
d.I’
m
pract
ical
lyanancestor.Iknowtheinneryouli
ke
thebackofmyhand.Outofmywaybef or
eyou
tai
ntmycust om madedr ess.
”

Shemovedal ongl eavingQueenNomt hacr ying

there.Lehumocr i
ed, asBr endamovedhert oher
bedroom.Gat shawant edsobadlytocar r
esshi s
wifeandcomf orther.Ki ngSf i
sowalkedinand
foundeveryonei nasombr emood.Kul icoul dseea
diff
erenceinSf i
so, helookedasi fhewasgl owing.
Shecoul dtel
lhehadj ustgot t
ensomebyt heway
hewassmi li
ngandhi swal k.Hef r
owned
i
mmedi at
elywhenhel ookedather.

KingSfi
so:“
Kwenzakal
anil
ana(
What
’shappeni
ng
here)
?”
Gatsha:“Yourwif
eandhermothertr
iedtorui
n
everythi
ng,Baba(Fat
her
).Gogo(Granny)poisoned
thechosencowandmessedwi ththetradi
ti
onal
beer.”

KingSf
iso:(
Angered)“
Howdar eyoumesswithmy
son’
sweddingbeforei
tevenbegan,wena(
you)
Nomthandazo?
!”

QueenNomtha:“Pl
ease,
forgi
veme,
myki
ng.Ihad
apoorl
apseofjudgment.
”

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Youcanhavethatel
sewher
e.Iam
of
fi
cial
lybanni
ngyoufr
om myhouseandfrom my
Ki
ngdom.Nevereversetf
oothere!
”

QueenNomtha:“
Youcan’
tdot
hat
,Ki
ng,
please,
I
begofyou.
”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Guar
ds,
takeheraway!
”

Theguardscamer ushi
nginandadheredtothe
King’
scommand.Theydr aggedheroutscreaming
andkicki
ng,l
eavi
ngKulicryi
nginshockbeforehi
m.
Shewasn’tt
oowor ri
edaboutherol
dmot her,
she
wantedtoknowwher ehewas.

QueenKul
i:“
Ubuyaphi(
Wher
ehaveyoubeen)
?”

KingSfi
so:“
Youlostt
her
ightt
oaskmet
hat
nonsenseayearago.
”

QueenKul ionceagai
nfel
tli
ket
hedaggerthatwas
stabbedthroughherhear
twaspier
cedali
ttl
e
deeper.

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Sinceyoual
socan’
tbet
rust
ed,
you’
re
notall
owedattheceremony.Iam banningyou
from t
hewedding.Comeneartheweddingornear
thebri
deorgroom andIwil
lpersonal
lyki
llyou.
”

Shewasabouttowailunt
ilshesmell
edafami li
ar
perf
umeonhim.Shehadgoodmemor yatleast.
Sheneverf
orgotaf
aceandnordi dsheforgeta
scent.

QueenKul
i:“
Niceper
fume.
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Mxm.
”

Heor deredtheguardstoremoveherfrom theRoyal

palaceforthetwodaycel ebr
ati
on.Hedi dn’
twant
hertomesswi thanyt
hingoftheday.Hemeant
everywor dandwast rul
yhappy.Her eassuredhi
s
sont hateveryt
hingwouldtur
noutokay.
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Myson,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbeokay.
”

Gatsha:(
nodding)“
I’
mj ustworr
iedaboutmywi
fe,
Baba(Father)
.Ican’tevenseeher,
butshei
sso
devastat
ed.”

KingSf
iso:“
Becreat
ive,mfanawami(Myboy)
.Go
speakt
oherthr
ought hedoor.She’
dbemorethan
happyt
ohearyourvoice.
”

Gat
sha:“
Whydi
dn’
tIt
hinkoft
hat
?”

KingSf
iso:(chuckl
ing)“
Becauseyou’
rei
ndi
str
ess
andcan’tt
hinkclearl
yri
ghtnow.”

Gat
sha:“Hehe,
Baba(
Wow,
Dad)whyar
eyouso
chi
rpyt
oday?”
KingSf
iso:“
Mysoni
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed,
can’
tIbe
happy?
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okay.Letmego.
”

Henoddedandhuggedhi
sfatherashewalkedup
t
hestai
rs.Heknockedbr
ief
lyonthedoor
.

Br
enda:“
Ubani(
Whoi
sit
)?”

Gat
sha:“
Bee,i
t’
sme.Don’
topen,
Ijustwantt
otal
k
t
oLehumo.”

Brenda:“
Shesaysshedoesnotwantt
otal
ktoyou.
Shesaystheweddingi
soff.
”

Thosewordspi
ercedGat
sha’
shear
t.Hecoul
dn’
t
hel
pbutforcet
hedooropenandf
oundhi
sLehumo
dr
owni
ngint
ear
sandhereyesswol
len.Thatwas
nowayf
oranewbr
idet
olookonherspecialday.

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“Gat
sha,pleasedon’
tcomenear
me.Youcan’tseemelikethis.Gofedi
le(
It
’s
over)
.”

Gat
sha:(t
eary)“
Lehumo,St
handwasami(
Mylove)
.
Ist
hiswhatisgoi
ngtohappenever
yti
met
hegoing
get
stoughforyou?”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Yourf
ami
lyhat
esme.
”

Gat
sha:“
ButIl
oveyou.I
sthatnotenoughf
oryou?
”

Lehumo:“Gosenyegil
e,Gatsha( Ever
ythingi
sa
mess).Isthi
swhatisgoingt ohappenever ytwo
minut
esinourmar r
iage?Al lbecauseonyal a
nywanenyanawamopedi( you’remar r
yingapedi
gi
rl
)?”

Gatsha:“Doyouwantustobeli
keRomeoand
Juli
et?BecausesaythewordandI
’l
lki
llusbot
h
ri
ghthere.”

Lehumo:“Voet
sek(Pissoff
),Gat
sha!Keser
ious
wenawar al
oka(I
’m seri
ousandyou’
rebusy
j
oking)
.”

Gatsha:“ HowcanIj okewhent hemostbeaut i

ful
gem Ifoundwant st obr eakawayf rom me?Ihave
workedt oohar dfort hisdayt ohappen, t
ocapt ur
e
yourhear t,
Lehumof oryout ojustdeci
det oleave
meal lbecauseofmyl ousymot her.From whatI
remember ,Ifel
linlovewi thawomanasst rongas
Ruthint heBi bl
e.If ellinl ovewithawomanwho
hasabi dingloyaltyandendl essdevoti
ont oGodno
mat t
erwhat .Idon’tknowt hisLehumost anding
beforeme, cr yi
ngoveramer epersonwhodoesnot
l
ikeher.Youhaveover comeabuse, adrunkofa
fat
herandsomanypeopl edisl
iki
ngyouallbecause
ofthewayyoul ookandallbecauseyou’r
e
i
ntell
igent
.Idon’tknow,butIstil
lwantt
oexplore
l
ifewithyou,togrowwit
hyou.Ipr omi
sedyout he
worldandI ’
drat
herdiet
hanleavet hi
sroom wit
h
youreject
ingme.”

Lehumosattheref
orasecondcontempl
ati
ng
Gatsha’
swords.Brendawasint
earsasshefel
tli
ke
shewaswatchingaromanti
cmovie.

Lehumo:“
I’
m soscar
ed,
Gat
sha.
”

Gatsha:“
Lif
eisunpr edict
able,myl ove.Doyou
evenknowwhatt omorrowhol ds?Doyouwantt o
bescaredandal oneorbescar edandf aceli
fewit
h
mebyyoursi de?BecauseIpr omiseyou, should
youchoosemet oday,Iwil
lneverleaveyoursi de
unti
lthedayIdie.Event hen,Icanr eassureyou
thatI
’dcomehauntyouever yday, justtobebyyour
sideandsmellyourbeaut i
fulscent.”
Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youcanbesosi
ll
y,Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“
I’
m ser
ious.Sayt
hewor
d.”

Lehumo:(
sigh)“
Okay,
I’
llf
acel
if
ewi
thyou.
”

Gat
sha:“
Youhavet
omeani
t.
”

Lehumo:“
Imeanever
ywor
d.”

Gatshapassi
onatelyki
ssedherunt
ilt
hey
rememberedthattheyweren’
tal
one.

Br
enda:(
clear
ingthroat)“
Savethatf
ort
hebi
g
moment,
toe(please),
Gatsha.
”
Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Sor
ry,Bee.Nomor
ecr
ying,
MaNcube(Mrs.Ncube)
.”

Lehumo:(
noddi
ng)“
Nomor
ecr
ying.
”

Heki
ssedherf
orehead.

Gat
sha:“
Ngi
yakut
handa,
yezwa(
Iloveyou,
okay)
?”

Lehumo:“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

Br
enda:“
Okay,
thanksforsavi
ngt
heday,
buti
tis
hi
ghti
meyouleft
,Gatsha.
”

Gatshalaughedashewalkedoutoftheroom.At
l
easthisheartwasputateaseashewal kedout
knowingthathi
sdaywouldfinal
lybecomer eal
it
y.
Lit
tl
edidheknowt hatbytheendofhistwoday
weddingcelebration,
he’dhavekil
ledtosavehi s
ownlifeandbloodwoul dbeshed.Ar oyalfami l
y
memberwoul dhavel ostal
if
e,bri
ngingturmoi lt
o
theonewhogai nedthemostoutofhi sexistence.
[
01/
27,
07:
30] :Chapt
er22

“
Iti
sbet
tert
obehatedforwhatyouar
ethant
obe
l
ovedf
orwhatyouarenot.
”–AndreGide

WhileQueenNomt hawasbannedf rom thevill

age,
andQueenKul iwasr emovedf r
om t hepremises,
thewomenst art
edbr ewi ngthebeeral loveragain.
Bongir efr
ainedever yonef rom beingangr ysinceit
wasconsi deredbadl uckbr ewingt hebeerwhi l
e
havi
ngnegat iveemot ions.Gat shakeptst ari
ngat
hispictureswhi chhehadt akenwi thLehumodur ing
thecour seoft hei
rrelationship.Ifanyting,hewas
moret hanhappy.Whi lehewasget t
ingdressed,he
wasmor et hanstunnedandr at
heri r
rit
atedthat
Shakabar gedintohisr oom wi t
houtknocki ng.
Gat
sha:(annoyed)“
Shaka,awukwazi
ukukokot
a
(
don’tyouknowhowt oknock)
?”

Shaka:(
sof
tly)“Sor
ry,
Ijustwant
edt
ocomeseet
he
guywho’sl
ivingmydream. ”

Gatshatookagoodl ookatShaka, whol ookedl i

ke
hehadj ustl
osthi swholelifeorsomet hing.He
l
ookeddr eadful–ver ydirt
yanduncl eanwhi chwas
ver
ymucht heopposi teoftheShakat heyal lknew.
Hewasamet rosexual–hadamaniandpediever y
week.Af acialalmostever ydayandal ways
smelledli
kerosegol d.Gat shacouldn’tunder st
and
whetherhewasdepr essedornot ,buthesur e
l
ookedal otmor eirri
tati
ngt hanbefor
e.

Gat
sha:(
annoyed)“
Excuseme?
”

Shaka:“
I’
mjustsayi
ng,youknow.Her
eIam,the
fi
rstbor
nofthi
sfamil
yyetyougett
obether
uling
Ki
ng.
”

Gatsha:(
sigh)“
Iwon’tdothiswit
hyour i
ghtnow,
Shaka,notonmyweddi ngday.Iowemywi fea
happyhusband.Ifyouhadbehavedl i
keaking,
you’dbethechosenonerightnow.”

Shaka:“
Hmm.Okay.
”

Justlikethat
,Shakaalkedri
ghtoutofGatsha’
s
bedroom andslammedt hedoor
.Hewasact i
ng
ratheroddly,
butGatshadidn’
twanttowast eany
ounceofener gyonShakaont hehappiestdayof
hislif
e.Meanwhi l
e,Lehumowasst ruggl
ingtoget
herpuf f
yeyestogobackt othei
rnormalsize.

Brenda:“
Ai,
wabonabj anong(Youseenow).Had
younotbeencryi
ngyoureyeswouldn’
tlookl
ikeyou
areahugeball
oon,nkosiyami(
MyGoodness).”
Lehumo:“Bee,
you’r
esupposedt
omakemef
eel
bett
er.You’
renothelpi
ng.
”

Br
enda:“
Okay,
Sor
ry.Makeupwi
llhavet
odo.
”

Lehumol ookedsobeaut if
ul.Shewasdr essedi na
beautiful,onehandspar klingweddingdress,
drapedwi thdi amonds, realdiamonds,andi n
chif
fon- l
acemer maidst yle.Gatshawasver y
att
entive,andhadherwearcust om madeChr i
sti
an
Loubout inPl atform shoes.Shewasst unnedast o
whyGat shawoul dchoosesuchhi ghshoesf orher
towearonadayt heymi ghtbedancingallday,but
shewasact ual l
ysurprisedt oseejusthow
comf ortablet heywer e.I nsidet
heyhadt heirini
tial
s
andweddi ngdat e:G&L26. 03.

Itwasar at
herspecialdayforthem si
nceitwas
alsoGatsha’s27thbir
thday.So, nodr
amawas
necessary.Shehadherhai rinabeautif
ul,
uniquel
y
styl
edbun, drapedi
npear l
sandasi deveil
.She
mighthavebeenyoung, butstyl
ishshewas.Al l
thankst oBrenda,whodidn’twanthertolookl
ike
thet ypicalr
uralqueenbride.Shewant edherbest
fri
endt omakeast atement,ofwhichshemost
definitelydi
dmake.

Al otofpeoplefeltt
heirweddi
ngwast oooverthe
top,andthatshewasover spendingtheKing’
s
money, butonethingaboutgossipmongersisthat
theyalwayswantt ospeculat
e.Gat shahadused
hisownmoneyf ortheenti
rewedding.QueenKul i
wassomean, shedidn’twantthepoorchildtohave
awhi t
eweddi ng,butknowingBongiandNer i
ah,
theywer eagoodt agteam.

Br
enda:“
Ha-ah.Don’
tyoudar
ecr
ynow,Lehumo.
No,man.You’l
lmessupmymast
erpi
ece.
”

Lehumo:“Aski
es(
Sorr
y),f
ri
end.I’
mj ustsohappy.
Idon’
tknowwhyIfeelsoemoti
onal.
”
Br
enda:“
IwishIcoul
drel
ate,
butj
ustbest
rong,
mokgot
si(f
ri
end)
.”

Lehumo:“
Wenaonyal
waneng(
Whenar
eyou
gett
ingmar
ri
ed)
?”

Brenda:(chuckl
ing)“ThedayIgetmar r
ied,
wil
l
mostpr obablybethedayIl osemymi nd.Not
everyoneismeantf orthatkindofl
if
e.”

Lehumochuckledandletherfri
endbe.Theyspent
afewmor eminutesdoi
ngfur t
hertouchups.As
theywer
ebusy, Bongi
,Beat
rice,Raesi
beandNeri
ah
walkedi
nintotalawe.

Bongi
:(t
ear
y)“
Oh,
mzukul
uwami
(mygr
andchi
ld)
.”

Raesi
be:“
Yohnna(
Mygoodness)
!Gakesobone
mosesewagot urabjanabophel
ongbj
aka(
Ihave
neverseensuchanexpensivedr
essi
nmywhole
enti
reli
fe)
!Yoh,didaimanetj
ekana(
Somany
diamonds)!
”

Ner i
ah:( cr
ying)“Oh, Modi mo( God) !Youhavebeen
soki ndt ome!Deut oronomy1: 1–“ TheLor d,the
Godofyourf athers,makeyouat housandt imesas
manyasyouar e,andbl essyou, ashehas
promi sedyou! ”Oh, Ngwanaka( Mychi l
d),God
i
ndeedmakesnomi stakes!Yourdest i
nywas
alreadywr it
tenevenbef oreHef ormedyoui nmy
womb!ForGodhaspr omi sedyouawel l-
deser ved
l
ifeofl uxur y.Idi dn’
tnameyouLehumo( Ri ches)
fornor eason; Inamedyousot hatyoucoul dbe
ri
chlybl essedi nallwaysi nt hi
sl i
fe.Oh, ngwanaka
(Mychi ld).Youar esobeaut i
ful
, youhaver emained
respect fulandIcannotwi shanyhar m unt oyou.I
l
oveyousomuchandIt hankGodf orgivingmea
childlikeyou. ”
Lehumocoul
dn’
thel
pbutl
ett
het
ear
sfal
ldownher
cheecks.

Neri
ah:(chanti
ngt r
ibalnames)“Renadial
ogare
al
ogile.Matshelapekat shel
amonarekanamel
ela
kahlatl
ogakalaboKubul eboKwenagenkabeese
l
aboTawanenkabel aboTaul enj
ele!
”

Raesi
bestar
tedr
ejoi
cing:(
shout
ing)“
Ariyer
iye
ri
yeri
yer
iye!Haaaa!
”

Bongial
solovedLehumosomuch, thatshedidn’
t
evencarewhetherornotshewasherblood.She
wasintr
oducedtotheMkhabelaancest
orswhen
NoahandNer i
ahgotmar ri
ed,
soshewasf amily.

Bongi:(
tear
yandchant
ingclannames)“Mkhabel
a,
Dhlomo,Dinangwe,
Mkhonkhosi
,Madlul
ela,
Tekade,
Walanga!”
Raesibe:(rejoici
ng)“Ar i
yeriyeriyeriyeri
ye!Haaaa!
ChesangwanenyanawaLephal ale(Yougo, girl
from Lephal al
e)!Ochar mileKgoshigar egadi
kgoshi(youst oleapur eKing’shear t
),gonabj alewa
nyalwa( nowyou’ regetti
ngmar r
ied).Youhave
remainedpur eupunt i
lnow, notmanygi r
lscansay
thatoutloud.TheBi blesaysast hesecond
commandment ,
honouryourmot herandf atherand
yourdaysshal lbeincreasedont hisearth.Iwi sh
younot hingbutabundantbl essi
ngs, amar r
iagef ul
l
ofpeace, loveandf reefrom abuse.Youar ehi ghl
y
favoured,ngwanenyana( gir
l).MayGodbewi th
you.”

Itseemedli
ket heperf
ectoppor
tunit
yfort
he
woment opraiseandencourageLehumo,inst
eadof
thesameold“ Bekezel
a(hanginther
e),mosadio
tshwarat
hipakabogal e(awomanhol dst
heknif
e
byit’
ssharpedges)”speech.Thesewomencame
toempowert heirown.
Beatrice:“
Icanonl ywishyouwel l
,Lehumo.A
mar r
iagethatisfulloflove,communi cat
ion,trust
andhonest ywillsurvi
veal lt
urmoi l
.Remembert hat
yourhusbandi syourbestf r
iend,don’tgoar ound
spil
li
ngt hebeansi nyourmar r
iage,foryourf amil
y
mightneverf or
giveyourhusband, event houghyou
would.Lovehi m ast heLor dencour ages.Never
stoppr ayi
ngtogether,neverstopr eadingscr i
pture
together.Thatistheonl ywayyouwi l
ldefeatthe
enemy. ”

Bongi:“
Theroadt
hatl
iesaheadi
satoughonef
or
you,mybaby.But,
Iknow youwil
lmakei
t.
”

Thatwasabeaut i
fulmomentf orLehumo,andshe
didn’
ttakeanyt
ingnegati
veintoaccount.She
foundhersel
fcryi
ngalloveragainastheyhugged
heronebyone.

Brenda:“
Okay,okay.Seni
mosheumsebenzi
wami
(youhaverui
nedmywor k)
.NowIhavetodoher
makeupal
loveragai
n.”

Bongi
:“Siyaxol
isanana(We’r
esosor r
y,mychi
ld)
.
Youdidagr eatjob.Don’
tworry,
bytheti
meyouget
marri
ed,Lehumowi l
lbeanexpertwi
thmakeup.”

Brenda:(
exci
ted)“hehe,
Mam’
Bongi
,doesi
tmean
you’r
eactual
lytel
li
ngmeyouhadapremoni
ti
on?
”

Bongi
:(chuckl
ing)“
You’
l
lsee.
”

Brendasmi ledwi t
heaseandcont i
nuedt ofix
Lehumo’ smake- up.Itwasf i
nallytimef orthe
ceremony, wi t
hal ltheladiesdressed, andGatsha
ever-ready, standingatt healtar.Al lthepeopleof
Zululandwer ei nvit
ed.Ofcour se,theBr idalpart
y
hadspeci alseat s,andt heresthadt ositbehind
them.I twasanost entati
ousoccasi onand
everyonehadt obepr operlydressed.Ki ngSfiso
wental lout ,andhecoul dn’tevenwai tforKhensani
tobebyhisside.Hebeggedhertocomealong,of
whichshecame, butasaguest.Notmanypeopl
e
knewher,someremember edherbr
ief
ly–
especi
all
yQueenNozi pho.

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
smi
li
ng)“
Myl
ove,
youmadei
t.
”

Hegaveheral onghug.Lucki
lyforthem,onlyaf
ew
oft
her oyalf
amilyandtheMkhabelafamil
y,aswell
asveryfewofNer i
ah’
sfamil
yfrom Lephal
alewas
si
tt
inginthetent.

Khensani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Sfi
so,behavepl
ease.You
don’
twanttogi
vepeopl
ethewr ongi
dea.”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“Comeon,Khensi
.ThelawofZululand
st
atest
hatIcanhaveasecondwi
feifIwantto.”

Khensani
:“Don’
tst
art
,pl
ease.
”
QueenNozi
phosawherandi
mmedi
atel
ycal
ledher
.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Weh,
Khensani
,wozal
a(come
her
e).
”

Khensani
:(ner
vousl
y)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.
”

QueenNozi pho:(smil
ing)“Wazewabal
ekela
umf anawami( youranawayf r
om myboy).Had
youst ayed,
Iwasgoi ngtogetri
doft
hatKulifort
he
bothofyou.HowIwi shyouweremy
granddaughterinlaw.”

Khensani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Itwasn’
tthateasy,
Ma.
”

QueenNozi
pho:(smi
li
ng)“Iknow.Anyway,
Iam
gl
adyouareheretost
aythisti
me.”
Khensani
:“Oh,
Idon’
tknowaboutt
hat
,Ma.
”

QueenNozi
pho:(chuckl
ing)“
You’
ret
ryi
ngt
ofool
t
hisoldwi
zard?
”

Khensani
:(embarr
assed)“
Noma,never
.Anyway,
theguest
sarestar
tingt
owalki
n.Letmegosit
,I’
l
l
seeyoulat
er.
”

QueenNozipho:“
Ungazongihl
anyel
awena(Don’
tbe
crazy).Uf
unaukuhl
ala(
youwantt osi
t)wi
tht
hose
gossipmonger
s?Come, si
t.
”

Shepul
ledhernextt
oherbef
oreshecoul
deven
di
sput
e.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Sfi
so,gost
andnextt
oyourson
andkeepagoodeyeonShaka.
”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
YeboMa.
”

Shakawasnowher etobeseenwhi chwast hebest

signanyonecoul deveraskfor
.Hewasdr i
nkingat
thebar ,
andnoonehadnot i
cedhim.Li t
t l
edidthey
knowt hathewasf eedingt
hebeasti nsi
deofhi m
thatwoul dendthetwodayweddi nginaser ious
disaster
.Meanwhi le,
Noahf i
nall
ygotdr essedinhi
s
suitandwentupt omeethi sdaughter.Heknocked
brief
lyont hedoor.

Ner
iah:“
Thatmustbeyourf
ather
.Comei
n.”

Noahwalkedin,
andi
mmedi
atel
yst
oodst
il
lashe
st
aredatLehumo.

Ner
iah:“I
t’
sdaddyanddaught
ert
ime.Wozani
(
Come) .
”
Theladi
esdidn’tdi
sput
eorhesi
tat
etowalkout
.
Oncetheyclosedthedoor
,Noahheldbot
h
Lehumo’shands.

Noah:“Mntwanawami(
Mychi
ld)
,youl
ookso
beaut
if
ul.
”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
daddy.
”

Noah:“Youknow, whenyouandyourmot her

enter
edmyl if
e, Idi
dn’tevent hi
nkthatI’deverbei n
l
oveeveragai n.Ihadj ustfinal
lygi
venupandt ol
d
myselfthatI
’ddi eabachelor .Whenyout wocame
alongandIsawyoubot h,l
ookingasdr eadfulas
youdid,Godhadspokent ome.Ear l
ierthatday, I
hadmadear atherfunnypl edgetoGod;Isai dthese
exactwords:“DearGod, IknowIam ol dandIknow
thatmyt i
mehaspr obablypassed.Pl ease,bless
mewi thagoodwi f
e,givemeasi gntoday.You
havetwoopti
ons–eit
hershowmethewomanIam
supposedtomarr
yorshowmethatIam meantt
o
bealone.

Iam givi
ngyou24hour s,God.For givemei fI
sounddisrespectf
ul,butIjustneedcl ari
ty.Amen. ”
Youknow, itwasbar el
y6hour slaterwhenImett he
twoofyou.If oundmysel flaughingal onewhenI
satinmybuswai t
ingforyout woatt hehospi t
al.I
saidtoGod, “
you’r
eaf unnyman, Lord.”Indeed,he
worksinmyst er
iousways.Iwi shforyout obej ust
asblessedasyourmot herandIar e.Gat shaisa
greatmanandi tgivesmesuchhonourt obegiving
youawayt ohimt oday.”

Lehumowasaboutt
ocr
y,butNoahqui
ckl
yst
opped
her.

Noah:“
Hayi(
No),
Lehumo.Howwi llyoubeready
f
oryourweddi
ngnightwi
thsuchpuffyeyes?
”
Lehumo:(
embar
rassed)“
Papa(
Dad)
!”

Noah:(chuckl
ing)“Umdal
a(you’
reol
d)now,si
si
(si
s).Ican’
tpretendyou’
re16anymore.Come,l
et’
s
dothewalkofhonour .
”

Shesmi l
edathim ast heypr eparedt hemsel vest o
walkdownt heaisle.Gat shahaddeci dedt ogi vehis
wifethemostunf orget t
abl eweddi ngofal l
.He
askedRi ngot operformf orthem, yes–t heRi ngo.
Asshest oodwithherf atherbyhersi de,shehear d
him sing.Sheofcour set houghti twasacd, but
l
ittl
edi dsheknow.Hest artedsi nging“ Sondel a
Sthandwa” ,andever yonewasi nawe.Mostpeopl e
j
ustwant edtoseet he“ Pedi ”wi feandt helavish
weddi ng.Rosepet alswer eever ywher e,andGat sha
l
ookedsoamazi ngi nhi sownwhi tesui t.Standing
nexttohi sproudf ather,wi thShakanowher ein
sight.Shef i
nall
ygott ot heal tar,withimmense
tearsinhereyes.
Noah:(
smi
lng)“
Gat
sha,
takegoodcar
eofher
.”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wit
hhonour
,Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Theyhuggedinst
eadofshaki
nghandsandhegave
LehumotoherGatsha.Thepastorstoodupand
aft
erever
yonestoppedul
ulat
ing,hestar
ted
speaki
ng.
Pastor:“
Dear l
ybeloved,wear egather
edheretoday
towitnessabeaut i
fulunionbetweentwoyoung
souls.Loveissuchabeaut if
ulthi
ng,evenGod
for
medusal lwit
hLovewhenhemadeus.Hegave
JesusasHi sonlybegot t
ensonoutofLove.Now,
whydoal otofpeoplesayt hatLovehurts?Letme
tel
lyouthis,l
ovedoesnothur t–peopledo.The
worldisnotevil–peoplear e.

Wheneveryoumeetaperson,
Godhasblessedus
wi
thwhatwecalli
ntui
ti
on,youknow,
thatpainf
ul
feeli
ngi nyourgutyougetwhenyouf eelli
ke
someonei snotbei ngrealaboutt heirfeeli
ngsor
i
nt entionstowardsyou.I nlife,weal lhavechoi ces.
Weal lgetchoicesinlif
e;wear et heoneswho
chooset ostayinlovewi t
ht hosewef elli
nlovewi th
–event houghwecanseet heyar en’
ttheonesf or
us.Wechooset oforgi
veevent hought heyhave
wrongeduspl entyoft i
mes.Al lt houghGodur ges
forgiveness,hedoesnotur gest upidit
y.Yes, you
needt ofor
give,butthatdoesnotmeanyoushoul d
stayatal lt
imes, ri
ght?

Mar ri
ageisabeaut i
fuluni
on,thatrequir
esonet o
l
ove,trust,
befait
hfulwithhi
sorherpar t
nerunt i
l
theendoft hemarri
age.Wi t
houtGodast he
foundati
on,themarri
agewi l
lcoll
apse.Gat sha, do
notstopdoingwhatyouar edoingnowf orLehumo.
Yes,youwi l
lbot
hbebusywi t
hl i
fe,workandhave
chil
dren,butal
waysmaket i
mef oroneanot her.No
j
obcanevermakeyourwi f
ehappyandnoamount
ofsexcanmakeamanhappy.I tisallaboutteam
work,forGodsaidthat“Amanshal ll
eavehisf ather
andhismother,
andshallcl
eavet
ohiswif
e”i
n
Genesi
s2:24.Yes,womenwer emadefor
mthe
man’sri
b,t
heref
ore,youneedtobeoneatal
lti
mes
nomatterwhat.

Respecteachot her,event hought hemani sthe

headofthehousehol d,itdoesnotmeant hatyour
wifeshouldnotadvi seyouwhenyou’ r
ewr ong,
Gatsha.Idohopet hatyour emai nfaithfultoone
another
,fort hedevi lcomesi nmanyf orms.I tisnot
easytoremai nf ai
thful,butwi thGodasyour
foundati
on,Icanpr omi seyou, t
hatyoucan
overcomeanyevi l.Notever yoneyouseear ound
herewhohavecomet owi t
nessyouruni onwant sto
seeyouhappy, sobecar ef
uloft hecompanyyou
keep.Mayt hegoodl ordblesst henewKi ngand
QueenofZul uland.Gat sha, Iam sur eyouhave
beenwai t
ingf ort hismoment ,myki ngsoIshal lnot
takeanymor eofyourt ime.Pl ease,startsaying
yourvows. ”
Gatsha:(smili
ng)“”Lehumo, wor dscanonlymean
somethingforaper iodoftime, butIdohopet hat
theysti
ck.Ihavel ovedyouf r
om themomentIsaw
you.Icannotwai ttopr ovetoyout hatyouare
i
ndeedwor t
hyofbei ngaqueennotonl ytome, but
tothepeopleofZul ulandaswel l.Youar ethe
epit
omeofbeaut y, f
lawlessbeaut y.Youpossess
anamazi ngkindofst rengththatIneverthoughtI’
d
everwitnessbefore.Ivowt orespectyou,tolove
youandbef ai
thf
ult oyout i
lthedayIdie.”

Thecr
owdst
art
edul
ulat
ing.

Past
or:“
Lehumo,
pleasesayyourvows.
”

Lehumo:( t
eary)“Gat
sha, IneverthoughtthatI’
d
everbei nl
ovewi t
haKi ngatmyage.Youhave
givenmemyownCi nderell
astory.Wor dscannot
explainmyloveforyou.Youhaveshownmet hat
tr
uel oveexi
stsandt hatgoodmenst i
llexi
stinthi
s
wor l
d.Ivowt orespectyou, t
o,tohonouryou, l
ove
youandbef
ait
hfult
oyout
ilet
erni
ty.
”

Thecr
owdul
ulat
ed.

Past
or:“Shouldanyofyoufeelt
heneedtostopthi
s
marr
iage,speaknoworf or
everhol
dyourpeace.
”

Thatwasthemomentt hatLehumodr eaded.She

honestl
yfel
tli
kether
ewouldbedr amaatherown
wedding.Rightt
hereandthen,Shakaentered,
drunkasaskunk.

Shaka:(
shout
ing)“
Yimil
oyo(
That
’sme)
!”
[
01/
27,
07:
30] :Chapt
er23

“Awisemanchangeshi
smi
nd,
afoolneverwi
ll
.”–
SpanishPr
over
b
Shakawasst umblingacrosseverythinginhisway,
nearl
yfall
ingoverwitheveryonegaspi nginshock.
Ofcourse,Gatshawasbeyondbewi ldered,wi
th
Lehumoupset ,andKingSfiso,abouttoki l
l
someone.

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
Angr
y)“
Shaka!
”

Shaka:(l
aughi
ng)“
Yes,t
hat
’sme,
daddy!Orshoul
d
Isay,t
hemanwhor ai
sedme.Oh,no,
themanwho
tr
iedtorai
seme.”

Everyonewasint
otalshock,whileKingSfiso
remainedcal
m.Gatshadi dn’
ttakewhatShakasaid
toheartashewasdrunk.Shakami ghthavebeen
drunk,butKi
ngSf
iso’
sr eacti
onstunnedhim most.

Shaka:(
shocked)“
Youknew?
!”
Hetookonebigstepandnearl
yfel
lontoLehumo,
butGatshaqui
ckl
yblockedhi
mf r
om fal
li
ngontop
ofher
.Noahmanagedt ocat
chhim.

Noah:“
I’
llt
akehi
m away.Youf
ini
shup.
”

KingSfisonoddedandsi
gnall
edtothePastorthat
heshoul dgoon.Lehumoalr
eadyhadtearsof
sorr
owdr i
ppi
ngdownhereyes,butGat
shawi ped
them away.

Gatsha:(
whisper
ing)“
It
’sourdayt
oday,
MaNcube,
don’tl
ethi
mr ui
nit.
”

Shenodded.

Pastor:“
Asyoucansee,Bazal
wane(
congregati
on)
,
thatsentencemustber
emovedfr
om weddings.
”
Af
ewoft
hem l
aughedsl
ight
ly,
incl
udi
ngGat
sha.

Pastor:“Goddoesnotwantpeopl ewhoboastwhen
i
tisyourt i
met oshi ne,
thosewhowi l
ldoanything
i
nt heirpowert oruinagoodmoment .Thosear e
theweak, fortheyknowt hattheycannotdo
anythingtoyou, sot heytryandt akeawayyour
moment .Letusr ememberwhywear eallhere,
bazalwane( congr egati
on).Byt hepowervestedi n
me, Inowpr onounceyouMr .andMr s.Ncube,King
andQueenofZul uland!”

Thecr owdul ul
at ed,
whil
eGatshapreparedhimself
tokisshi sdarl
ingwi f
e.Lehumowasabi tworri
ed
thathewoul dgi veheradeepFrenchkiss,i
nstead
ofabr iefone.Shehadneverki ssedanyonebef or
e
herpar ents.

Past
or:“
Youmaynowki
ssyourbr
ide,
KingGat
sha.
”
Asthecrowdululated, Gat
shawastednotime
fur
therashegentlygr abbedLehumoandkissed
hersopassi
onately,thatpeopl
edidn’
tevenworry.
Theykeptcl
appinghandsandul ul
ati
ng,whil
e
QueenNoziphohadt ost andandstar
tprai
singt
he
twoaspertradi
ti
on.

QueenNozi pho:(cl
annames)“ Mzilankatha,Nhl ansi
,
Gabadeli,Onkathakayi ngen’endl i
ni,yangena
kubol’
i
zinkabazabant wana, Zibizendlela,Mlotshwa,
Khambul e,Mpangazi tha, Ni
nabakwaNkomo
zi
lal
’uwaca, ezamadoj eyanazi lal’
amankengana,
NinabakwaMzi lakawul andelwa, ukuwal andela
–ukuzibambezel a,Won’ ulandelwai zinkonjane,
Nin’
enalanel ’
i
langalazel ayoshonakuni na,
Mpangazi tha.”

Thecrowdrejoi
cedevenmor e,asGatshafel
tso
proudtobestandi
ngnexttohisnewwi fe.Al
though
Lehumowasover whelmed,shewashappy.They
bothgothugsfrom t
heirf
amili
es,andthenhadto
si
tintheirroyalchair
sasever yonegreetedthem
andcongr atul
atedthem.I maginethat,awhol e
communi tyhadt ocongratulat
ethem –t hat’
s
probablyover300peopl e.Theysatt hereand
braveditout.Wi t
hinanhourandahal f,t
heywer e
al
ldoneandi twastimet oproceedtother ecepti
on
area.Itwast heweddingoft hecentury,ofcourse,
si
nceever yonewasexpect ingit.Boozewas
fl
ooding,andsowast hefood.Shakahadbeen
behavingwei r
dlythatday,buteveryonedidt hei
r
ownbusi ness.

Eventhought heyheardhi m verywel l

, noonehad
thegutstoconf r
ontthekingoraskhi m aboutwhat
Shakasaid.Whi leQueenKul iwasdr owningher
sorr
owsal ongsideherevilmot her,farawayf rom
theki
ngdom, everyonewasenj oyingt hemsel vesat
thenewKi ngandQueen’ sweddi ng.TheKi nghad
l
etLehumoandGat shasignt hei
rof fi
cialpledgeas
thenewkingandqueen, whilehavi ngabl ast.
Meanwhile,QueenKul i
’sbloodpr essur ehadr i
sen
i
mmensel y,andshef eltl
ikeshewasaboutt odie.
Shewaspaci
ngupanddownathermot
her
’s
Ki
ngdom.
QueenNomtha:(annoyed)“
Yoh, hayi(
No, man)
.
Yekel
aukuyenzaiUpanddownkanj e(st
opwalking
upanddownl i
kethis)
.Ungiyenzadizzy(you’
re
makingmedizzy).
”

QueenKul
i:(
fumi
ng)“
HowcanInot
,Ma?
!Myl
if
eis
over
!”

QueenNomtha:“
Itol
dyoual
ongti
meagot hatyou
j
ustneedtoagr
eetogoseeMkhul
u,butyou
ref
used.
”

QueenKuli
:“YouknowIdon’
tli
kewi
tchcr
aft
,Ma.I
am notawit
ch.”

QueenNomtha:(l
augi
ng)“Ibi
rt
hedyou.Whatdo
youthi
nkyouare–asaint?Wi t
haheartasevi
las
your
syoumightaswellbeawi t
ch.
”
QueenKuli
:“Idon’
tpr
act
isewi
tchcr
aft
,Ma.I
’
ll
neverdosuch.”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Well,youandyourl
atefat
herin
l
awnearl
yki
ll
edKhensani.Hadyouactual
lygone
myrout
eshewoul
dn’tbeback.
”

QueenKulif
eltasuddenpai
nhi
therr
ighti
nthepi
t
ofherst
omach.”

QueenKul
i:(
shocked)“
Utheni(
Whatdi
dyouj
ust
say)
?”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Ungi
zwekahl
enj
e(Youhear
dme
well
).
”

QueenKul
i:“
When?
”
QueenNomtha:“
Yest
erday,l
astni
ghttobeexact
.
Wheredoyouthi
nkyourhusbandspentt
henight
?”

QueenKul ifeltli
kehermom wast ell
inghert he
i
mpossi bl
e,butever ythi ngwasmaki ngsense.She
couldn’tbelievet hatal lheref fort
sallthosemany
yearsagohadgonet owast e.Shewasn’ tgoingt o
takeitli
ght l
y.Ther ewasnoway.Kul ihadnoi dea
thatshehadt empt edf at et oomanyt i
mes, andt hat
hertimewasal mostr unni ngout .Shef orgotthat
Godal wayshi tsyouwher ei thurtst
hemost
wheneveryouj ustdon’ tlistent ohim –your
chil
dren.Whenhewant syout ocomebackt ohim,
hewi l
lhur tyoubyei t
herhur ti
ngyourchi l
dr enor
taki
ngt hem awayf rom youonebyone.Justas
Job’sfaithwast est edi nt heBi blewhenGodt ook
everythingfrom hi m, hecandot hesamet oan
unrulysoul .

QueenKul
i:(
saddened)“
That
’snotpossi
ble.She
wasscared…ter
ri
fi
ed…evenyearsl
aterwhenImet
herinJo’
bur
gshesworethatshewouldnevercome
back.”

QueenNomtha:“Youofallpeopleshouldknowt
hat
peopl
eneverkeepthei
rendoft hebargai
n.But
anyway,
letmekeepquiet.
”

DeepdownQueenKul iwant edtojoinhermot her’

s
evilcul
tsobadl y,butt hel i
tt
lebitofconsci enceshe
hadmadei ti
mpossi bleforhert ojoin.Littl
edi dshe
knowt hatbytheendoft hatweekend, shewoul d
becomeapar tofawhol egroupofsor cer ers.Back
attheRoyalPal ace, everyonewasenj oying
themselves.Thepar t
ycont inuedf ort
her estoft he
people,butKingSf isocoul dn’twaittobeal onewi t
h
hisKhensani,sohedeci dedt oleaveandgot oher
house.Theywentunnot icedbecauseever yone
washal fdrunkatt het ime.I twasabout10pm and
Lehumowasj ustt ooner vous.Gat shadidn’ twant
torushheratal l,
buthef el
tthemomenthadar ri
ved.
Gaztsha:(whi
speri
ng)“Mkami(Mywif
e),
ashi
mabe
si
yolala(l
et’
sret
reatt
oourbedroom)
.Wehave
suchal ongdayaheadofus.”

Lehumo:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Oh…okay.
”

Gatshagentlywalkedalongsidehiswifeandas
theywalkedtowardshi sbedroom, hemadeher
stopbeforetheyentered.Shewassoner vous,i
t
wasevenvi sibl
einhereyes.Shewast rembli
ngso
much,thatnotevent hefewgl assesofwineshe
hadhadmadei tanyeasierforher.

Gatsha:(holdingherhands)“Ntombenhle
(Beauti
ful)
,Iloveyou,andI’dneverforceyoutodo
anythi
ng.Whenyouar ethi
sner vous,
Ibecome
uncomf ort
able.Please,r
elax.Canyout rustme?”

Lehumonoddedner
vousl
yasGat
shaopenedt
he
doorwi t
hhi sdimpl edsmi l
e.Lehumowasi nawet o
fi
ndt hattherewer er osepet alseverywhere;onthe
fl
oorandont hebedandont hewayt othe
bathroom.Ther ewer escentedcandl esalmost
everywher eandt her oom smel l
edlikeLavender
.
Thatwasoneoft het riggersLehumohadevenaf t
er
shehadr unawayf r om t heKingdom.Whenever
shesmel l
edLavender ,shewoul dfeelsomuchhur t
andpai nasi tr
emi ndedherofherl ove.Lehumo’s
nervousnessdi sappear edslowly.

Lehumo:(
sof
tl
y)“
Gat
sha,
what
’sal
lthi
s?”

Gat
sha:“
Iam spoi
li
ngmywi
feaf
teral
ongdayof
cel
ebr
ati
ons.Come.”

Gatshaclosedthedoorandunwi tt
ingl
yfor
gotto
l
ock.Hehadneverf eltunsaf
einhisownhouse,so
hehardl
yl ockedt
hedoorwheneverhesl ept.He
gentl
ypulledhiswi
f etothebathr
oom and
surpr
isi
nglythebathtubhadbeenf i
ll
edalr
eady,
whil
ethewholebat
hroom hadsmell
edoflavender.
Therewasabucketfi
ll
edwithsomeiceand
champage,abowlofstr
awberri
esandcream and
somebilt
ong–Lehumo’ sf
avouri
tesnack.Shefel
t
somuchateaseasshenot i
cedhowat t
enti
veher
husbandwas.

Lehumo:(smil
ing)“
Gat
sha,
whendi
dyouhavet
ime
todoal
lthis?
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Youoweyourf
ri
endbi
gti
me.
”

Shechuckledt oher selfasshet houghtofj usthow

cleverBeewas.Gat shasl owlyunzi ppedher
weddi ngdr
ess, andherbeaut i
ful,
car amel skinwas
exposedast hedr esseddr oppedont othefloor.
Musi cwasplaying, l
oudenoughf ort hem tohearit
i
nt hebathr
oom.Hesl owlytookof fherbra, and
thenherpanties,whi l
eherbackwasf aci
nghi m.
Shewasabi tnervous, asshehadneverbeenseen
nakedbyamanbef ore.Gatshasl owl ytur
nedher
around,ashegentl
ycar
essedherarmsal
ltheway
fr
om hershoulder
s.Shelookeddowni
n
embarrassment.

Gat
sha:“
Lookatme,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.”

Lehumol
ookedupsi
nceGat
shawasqui
tet
all
.

Gat
sha:“
Don’tbeembar
rassed.Thisi
sus.You’
re
sobeaut
if
ul,
Ntombenhl
e(Beauti
ful
).
”

Shegulpedner
vousl
yashei
nst
ruct
edhert
o
removehiscl
othi
ng.

Gatsha:“
Iwantyout oseeme–al lofme.Pl
ease,
undressme,Ndhlovukazi(
Queen)
.”
Lehumodi dsoslowlyandnervousl
yandGatsha
didn’tt
akehi
seyesof fher
,notevenonce.She
staredathi
sbare,buil
tupchestandwasshocked
toseesuchamagni f
icentbeautofamanstanding
beforeher
.Hiscl
otheswer efi
nall
yoffandshesaw
hismanhoodpoking,causi
nghertogulpeven
furt
her.Shehadneverseenapeni sbef
ore,
let
alonesuchabigone.

Gat
sha:(chuckl
ing)“
Let
’sgeti
ntot
hewat
er,
Mkami
(
Mywi f
e).”

Sheslowlygotintothewater
,ashegotinbehind
her.Sher est
edherheadontohischestand
actual
lyheardthei
rheart
sbeattogether
,asone.
Hepour edthem somechampagne, andhemadea
toast.

Gatsha:“
Tous,MaNcube(Mrs.Ncube).Mayour
l
ivesbefil
ledwi
thnot
hingbutj
oy,peaceandGodl
y
l
ove.”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Cheer
s.”
Theyt ookaf ewsi ps,ashekeptf eedinghersome
bilt
ongandst rawberri
es.Hewoul doccasionally
rubherper fectlyroundbreasts,andcar essher
shoul der s,armsandt ight
s,whileplantinggentle
kissesonherneckandback.Shef el
tsomany
electrifyingf eeli
ngs,theywer eevenmor ei
ntense
thanhi snor malt ouchesandhugs.Theyf i
nall
ygot
outoft hewat erandshef eltmuchbet t
erafewsi ps
ofal coholandt hatsoothi
ngbat h.Hel ayheront he
bed, facingdown, andgotont opofher .Heal l
owed
hert or elaxashegaveheragent l
emassagewhi l
e
sitt
ingnakedont opofher .Itwasr atherawkwar d
asshef elthispeni spokeherbums, butshetried
i
gnor i
ngi t
.

Themor esheignoredit
,themor eshefeltherself
getwetdownt here.Hismagi calt
ouchsentsi gnals
downtohernipples,shefeltt
hem erectandtwi tch.
Hewentdownt oherbums, andstart
edsensual l
y
rubbi
ngherbums.Hef elthermoanoutofpl easur e,
andturnedheraround.Hel ookedherdeepi nt he
eyesandgaveherapassi onateki ss.She
respondedgl adly, andsodi dherbody.Shef ound
herselfmoani nginhi smout h,wi t
ht hei
rtongues
playi
nghi deandseekwi thoneanot her
.Thewar m
breathhewoul dbl owont oherneckandi ntoherear,
madehercr avef ormor e.Gat sha’stantal
izi
ngl i
ps
wentf rom herneckt oherbeaut i
fulbreasts.He
suckedherni pplesi nsomuchexci tementand
passion, herbodybet rayedherbymovi ngand
shakingt othesamer hythm ast hewayhewas
suckingher .Hef elthiswhol ebodybecomewar m,
buthewant edt hatni ghttobesospeci alforher.
Hesl owlywentdownt ohervagi na, andshetried
closi
ngherl egs, buthespr eadt hem apartand
start
edgent lyli
cki nghercl it
.Lehumof el
therself
goingcr azy.Shehadnevert houghtt hatshewoul d
feelsomuchpl easur edownt her e.

Lehumo:(
moani
ng)“
Gat
sha….
”

Gat
sha:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)“
Shi
t…Il
ovet
heway
youcal
lme,
babywami(
mybaby)
.”

Hismouthwentdownt oherent r
anceandstart
ed
sucki
ngher,hewouldocassionall
ydiphi
stonguein
ther
e.Lehumo’shandstravell
edallt
hewayt ohis
headandheldhisheadfi
rmlyandpushedi tdeeper
towardsherpussy.

Lehumo:(
moani
ng)“
Oh…Gat
sha….
”

Hecouldfeelshewasnear .Herbreathingand
moaningbecamel ouderandf ast
er.Af t
erafew
secondshefeltherhol
dhisheadt ighter,
pull
inghi
s
hairasshegushedontohisf ace.

Lehumo:“
Aahh,
wow!
”

Shefeltabi
tembar
rassedwhenshesawhiswet
face,
buthegent
lywipedhi
mselfof
fwit
hout
makingherfeelbad.Shewasaboutt oapologi
ze,
buthewassoar oused.Hewentupt oherand
ki
ssedherpassionatel
yagain.Hedippedhisfi
nger
i
ntoherpussy,makinghermoanyetagai n.He
fi
nall
yposi
ti
onedhi mselfi
nbetweenherthi
ghs.He
pull
edoutofthekissandlookedather.

Gat
sha:“
Areyousur
eyouwantt
odot
his,
St
handwasami(Mylove)
.”

Byt henLehumowassoer
ect
,shej
ustwant
edt
o
feelhiminher.

Lehumo:(
noddi
nghast
il
y)“
Yes…”

Gat
sha:“I
t’
sgoingt
ohur
t,butwheneveryouwant
metostop,l
etmeknow,
okay?”

Lehumonoddedandhebeganki
ssi
ngherashe
slowlypushedhi mselfi
nt oher.Shefelthim poking
i
nt oher,
itfel
tratheroddandwei rd,unusualrather.
Itfel
tmoistdownt here,butpainful
.Gat shafelther
ti
ghtness,andbeganmoani nginpleasur ewhil
e
breathi
ngheavily.Notoncedi dhekeephi seyesoff
her.Hef i
nallymanagedt opushhiswhol epenis
i
nt ohervagina,andshel etoutaloudmoan.

Lehumo:(
moani
ng)“
Aaah!
”

Gat
sha:“
Sthandwasami
(Myl
ove)
,shoul
dIst
op?
”

Shefeltitwasr at
herusel
esst ostopastheyhadto
doitratheroften.Beedidtellhert
hatitwasgoi
ng
tobepai nfult
hef i
rstt
woti
mesorso, but
aft
erwar dsitwouldbemagi c.

Lehumo:(
shaki
nghead)“
No…”
Gatshakissedhergentl
yashekeptgoi ng.Lehumo
fel
tthepaineveryonewastal
kingabout.Allother
areasofherbodywasi nsomuchpl easure–
excepthervagi
na.Evenwhi l
ehekeptr ubbi
ngher
cli
twhil
ehewasont opofher,i
tjustdi
dn’tt
aket he
painaway.

Gat
sha:(
moaning)“Aaah,
fuck!Lehumo,
Iloveyou
somuch,Ndhl
ovukazi(myqueen)
.”

Gatshafel
thi
msel
fcollapseonhislovingLehumo
andletoutal
oudgroan.Lehumof elthervagina
wasonsomuchf i
re.Gat shaki
ssedher ,gent
ly.

Gat
sha:“
Wai
ther
e,I
’
m comi
ng.
”

Shenodded,notknowingwhattodoandimmersed
her
selfi
nthephysicalpai
nofsex.Sheheard
Gatshat
apwat eri
ntothebat
htubagainandhe
cameoutnakedf r
om thebat
hroom andcar
ri
edher
tothebat htub.Shef elthervaginabecome
i
nst antl
ysoothedbyt hewar m wat erandbathe
salts.Shehadal waysprayedf oramanl ikeher
fatherandf i
nally,
shewasbl essedbeyondmeasur e.
Justlikethat,shehadf i
nall
yl osthervir
gini
tytothe
manshegaveherhear tto.Ri ghtthereandthen,
shewasr emindedoft heversef romm Ephisi
ans
5:25–“ Forhusbands, thismeansl oveyourwi ves,
j
ustasChr i
stlovedthechur ch.Hegaveuphi slife
forher.”
[
01/
27,
07:
30] :Chapt
er24

“Tr
ueli
fei
sli
vedwhent
inychangesoccur
.”–Leo
Tol
stoy

Lehumof el
tabitbett
eraf
terherbathwi t
hGat sha.
Theygotintobedassheslowl ydri
ftedawayinhi s
arms.Itwastrulyabeauti
fulnight
.Lehumowasa
bitofadeepsleeper
,butGatshawasaver yl
ight
sl
eeper.Hecoul dhearal
mostever ysoundmadeat
nightwhi
leasleep.Onewoul dswearhewasa
warr
iororsoldier.Hehear dthedooropenandhe
i
mmedi atelyt
ookouthi sgunf r
om hisdrawer
.He
hear
dt hefootstepsgetcloserandhecockedhis
gunrightther
ei nthedarkness,unaf
rai
d.

Gatsha:“Ungubaniwena(Whoareyou)
?
Unbesbindi(Youhavesuchner
ve).
”

Shaka:(
laughi
ng)“Uzongenzani
?Uzongi
dubul
a?
(Whatareyougoingtodo–shootme)?”

Gatshafel
tsoannoyed,yethedidn’
twantt
owake
Lehumoandr ui
nthei
rperfecteveni
ng.Hetookhi
s
chancesbyargui
ngwithhimi nthedar
k.

Gat
sha:“
Ufunani(
Whatdoyouwant
,Shaka)
?”

Shaka:“Rel
ax,man.Ijustcametoseei
fyoudi
dget
i
tont oni
ght.Aft
eral
l,
you’rel
ivi
ngmydream.
”
Gatsha:“Uyabonakeamasimbawakho
azonginyanyi
sa(Yourbul
lshi
tisgoi
ngtoannoyme
beyond).Isitmyfaul
tyounevergottobeki
ng?”

Shaka:“
Yesi
tis.Imean,uMashoul
dhaveabor
ted
youwhenshehadthechance.
”

Thatwasthebargai
ningchi
pforShaka–hi slast
cardonthet
able.Hewashopi ngtopi
ssGat shaoff
andmakehim stooptohisl
evel,
butGatshaknew
thathehadt
hemi ndofanarci
ssist
.

Gatsha:“
I’
m gi
vingyouf
iveminut
estogetthefuck
outofmybedroom orel
seI’
l
lshootyourf
ucking
bal
lsoff.
”

Shaka:(chuckl
ing)“
Asi
fyouevercoul
ddosuchi
n
thedark.”
Gat
sha:“
One.
”

Shaka:(
chuckl
ing)“
Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obef
un.
”

Gat
sha:“
Two.
”

Shaka:“
Pat
ient
lywai
ti
ngonf
ive–“

Gatshadi dn’tevencounttofivenordidheeven
counttot hree.Hepl acedabi gpi
ll
owover
Lehumo’ sheadsot hatshecouldn’
thearathi
ng,
andpulledt hetriggeri
nstant
ly.Ofcourse,
itmade
noise,
al otofi t
,butnotasmuchasi twasgoingt
o.

Shaka:(screami
ng)“Aaaah!Fuck!Youshotme,
nj
andini(youdog)!
”
Lehumosli
ghtl
ywokeupandtri
edt
oswi
tchof
fthe
l
ight,
butGat
shatol
dhernott
o.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
what
’shappeni
ng?Ihear
da
noise.
”

Shaka:(
shout
ing)Aaaah!
”

Gatsha:(
calml
y)“Mkami(Mywi f
e),pl
ease,don’
t
switchonthel
ight
.Idon’twantthi
sdrunkenfoolt
o
seeyounaked.Please.
”

Lehumo:“
Okay.
”

Shewassot i
red,butshetr
ustedhi m andmanaged
tofall
asleepagain,whil
ehedr aggedShakaoutof
hisbedroom.Oncehegotout sidehisroom,he
noti
cedhehadshotShakai nthet hi
gh.Noonewas
theretoassi
st,aseveryonehadpassedoutbyt hen.
Gatsha:(Angry)“Youdarewal ki
ntomybedr oom
whileI’
m sleepi
ngwi t
hmywi f
eandyout hought
thatI’
dletyougo? !Uzonya(You’l
lshi
tyourself
),
Shaka.Uzobona( You’
llsee)
.”

KingSfi
sohear dShakashout i
ngasheranoutof
hisbedroom inhi srobe.HehadleftKhensanii
nhi s
bedroom, soonaf tert
heyhadcomebackf rom her
house.Hesawt hebloodoozingfr
om Shaka’sthigh
andgotannoyedi mmedi at
ely.HeknewthatGat sha
wasnotavi ol
entman, soShakamusthavedone
somethingt oprovokehim.

Ki
ngSfiso:(
annoyed)“
Shaka,yi
nikodwa(whati
sit
)?
Don’
tyougetti
redofbeingt
heblacksheep?
”

Shaka:(shout
ing)“What’
sthepoi
nt,Baba(fat
her)
?!
Iwasbor ntheblacksheep.Youshouldhavejust
l
etmyf atherrai
seme!”
Itwasthesecondt
imet
hatShakahadspokenof
notbeingSfi
so’
sbl
oodchi
ld,
soitmusthavebeen
true.

Gat
sha:(shocked)“
Whati
shesayi
ng,
Baba
(
fat
her)
?”

KingSfi
so:“
We’l
ltal
klat
er.Letmegetoneofthe
guardst
otakehi
mt ohospit
al.Gobewithyour
wife.
”

Gatshanoddedandtur
nedtohisbedr
oom,
whil
e
Shakawasscreamingandshouti
ngdownt
hestai
rs.

Shaka:(
shouti
ng)“Whyungangibulal
anga(
didn’t
youkil
lme)?!Ngif
isaungat
hinginganofa(IwishI
coul
djustdi
e)!
”
Shakawast oodrunkt or ememberwhatGodhad
saidintheBi bl
eaboutpoweroft het ongue.
Proverbs18: 21–“Thet onguehast hepowerofl i
fe
anddeat h.”Inthatcase, Shakachosedeat hover
l
ife.Hewaswhi skedawaybyhi sannoyedf at
her
andtakent ohospital
.Thef oll
owingmor ni
ng,
Lehumof el
tabitbetter,event hought hepainwas
sti
llt
here.Shewaswokenwi thbreakf asti
nbedby
herdearhusband.Unf ortunatel
y,theycoul dn’
tsi
t
andrelax, t
heyhadt ogetupandpr epar e
themselvesf ort
heirtraditionalweddi ngthatday.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
wasi
tShakai
nourbedr
oom l
ast
night
?”

Gat
sha:“
Yes,t
hati
diotwassodrunk,heshot
hi
mselfi
nthel
eg.Canyoubeli
eveit?
”

Lehumo:(
shocked)“
What
?”
Gatshaknewitwaswr ongtoli
etohiswife,
buthe
didn’
twantthei
rfi
rstni
ghttobetai
ntedbyhim
shooti
nghisnarci
ssist
icbr
otheri
ntheleg.

Gat
sha:“
Iknow,
butdon’
twor
ry,
hewi
llbeokay.
He’
l
lli
ve.
”

Gatshahadwokenupext raearlytogetthebl ood

cleanedup.Theypr epar
edf orthetradit
ional
weddingandever ythingwentsmoot hl
yt hatday,all
waswel luntil
Shakaf oundhi mselfwalkingright
backt otheroyalgrounds, withabot tl
eofwhi skey
i
nhi shand, abandagear oundhi sthi
gh,andakni f
e
i
nhi sotherhand–amachet etospeakof .Whi l
e
Lehumowasdanci ngwi thherdar l
inghusband, with
thepeopl eofZululandwi shi
ngt hem well j
ustafter
sunset,Shakadeci dedt orui
nt heper f
ectweekend.

Shaka:“
Ja!Yi
mani(
Wai
t)
!Cutt
hemusi
c,cut
!”
Ever
yonewasshockedonceagai
n,wi
ththeKi
ng
j
ustfedupoverhi
sson’
srudebehavi
our
.

Ki
ngSfiso:“
That’
senoughnow,Shaka.Youhave
madeyourpoint
.Ithi
nkiti
sti
mef oryout
ogot o
sl
eep.
”

Shaka:(
laughing)“Yousee?Youseehowyou
al
waysmanagedt odismissme?!Youneverl
oved
me,wena( you).Ishoul
dhavedonethi
salongtime
ago.
”

Gatshawasaver yshar pandqui ckthinker

.He
knewhi sbrot
herwasacowar d,buthewasgoodat
usingknif
esandspear s.AsShakar eachedf orhis
Machete,hethrewitaimingrightatKi ngSfiso,but
Gatshajumpedr i
ghtinfrontofhisfather,making
surethati
tstabshimr i
ghtinthear m, andhe
i
mpul si
velyshotShakar i
ghtinthechest .It
happenedsof ast
,thatLehumowast hefir
sttof ai
nt
outofshock,whil
et herestoftheguest swer e
screaminginshock.Gat
shawasbl eeding,wit
ha
machet estuckr
ighti
nhi
sarm, agunout ,hi
s
brotherfel
ldowninst
ant
lyandhemanagedt ocat
ch
Lehumoasshewasaboutt ofal
lontotheground.

Justliket hat,Gatshat ookal ifeandsavedanot her.

Itwoul dhaveendedi nar atherbloodi eraffairhad
KingSf isobeenhi tbyt hatmachet e.Hewoul dhave
neversur vivedandi twoul dhavehi thi mr i
ghti nhi
s
chest.Justl i
ket hat,Shakamanagedt oatl east
ruinhisbr other’sweddi ng,andcauseaser i
ousf eud
betweenQueenKul iandhernewdaught eri
nl aw.
QueenKul iwassi t
ti
ngont hebal conyofher
mot her’shouseandhadbeeni naf oulmoodever
sinceshewokeupt hatday.Shef eltasi f
somet hingwasnotr ightwi t
hinhersoulandf elt
evenwor sewhenshecoul dn’tgethol dofShaka.
Asshesatt here,wonder ingwhatSf isowasdoi ng
toKhensani ,shesawQueenNomt har ushtowar ds
her.
QueenNomtha:“Mnt
wanami(Mychi
ld)
,iphone
(
someone’
sont hephone)
.”

Shehandedhert
hephoneandQueenKulif
elti
tin
hergutt
hatsomet
hingwasj
ustnotr
ight
.

QueenKul
i:“
Hee…Hel
lo?
”

Messenger:“
Myqueen,Ihavebeenaskedt
oinf
orm
youofyourson’
sdeat
h.”

QueenKul
i:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Whi
chone?
”

Messenger
:“Shaka.
”

Shei
mmedi at
elydr
oppedthephoneont
othef
loor
andl
etoutaloudwail
,awailasi
fshewasali
on,
mour
ningthelossofhercub.
QueenKuli
:(shout
ing)“Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!
Yooooooooooooooh!”

Aft
eroneloudandlongsob,shewi
pedhert
ear
sas
shegotupfrom t
heground.

QueenKul
i:“
I’
mready.Cal
lMkhul
uandt
ellhi
mI’
l
l
meethi
mtonight
.”
[
01/
27,
07:
31] :Chapt
er25

“Onceyoushowsomeoneyourt
ruecol
oursi
tis
i
mpossibl
etopai
ntovert
hem.”–Matshona
Dhli
wayo

Thatweekendendedinaver yt
erri
ble,bloodyway.
ButinMatthew5:38-
42,Jesusrepudiatesthat“You
haveheardthati
thasbeensaid,Aneyef oraneye,
andatoothforatoot
h:ButIsayunt oyou, thatyou
shoul dnotresistevi l
;butwhosoevershal lsmi te
theeonyourr i
ghtcheek, t
urnt ohi mt heot heral so.
”
ForShaka, turningt heothercheekwasnot
somet hinghewaspr eparedt odoatt hatpr esent
moment .Hisbeaut if
ulweddi ng;onehehad
envisagedeversi ncehehadmetLehumohadbeen
taint
edbyhi senvi ousbrother.Al lhewant edwas
forhiswi f
etohaveawonder fulwel comei ntoher
newhome.ForShakakeptt hinkingoft hever se
from Mat t
hew25–26: 52–“ ThenJesussai dt o
him, Putupagai nyourswor di ntohispl ace:f orall
thoset hatt
aket heswor dshal lperi
shwi t
ht he
swor d.”Shakal ivedal if
efullofhat red,jealousy
andgr eed.

Ofcour seonecoul dn’tbl

amehi mf ul
lysincehe
hadbeeni nfl
uencedbyhi smot hereversi ncebirth.
Andj ustl
ikethat,t
heweddi ngweekendhadended
onasournot e, whil
eShaka’slif
elessbodyhadbeen
takenawayandst rai
ghttotheroyalmor t
uaryand
Gat shahadtakenLehumost r
aighttot hei
rbedr oom
aftershehadf aint
ed.Ofcour se,i
tfil
ledGat sha’s
heartwi thmuchmor edi smayandangert hathe
wast akenstr
aightt
ot hefamilymortuaryinsteadof
thegover nmentmor t
uar y.Helefthertheretobe
attendedt obyBreeandNer i
ahandBongiwhi lehe
wentt ospeaktohisfather.Hedidn’tevenmi nd
thatKhensaniwasi nt hehouse–i nhisf ather
’s
bedr oom.

Gat
sha:“Baba(
Fat
her
),mayIhaveawor
dwi
thyou
pl
ease?
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Yes.Whati
sit
?”

Gat
sha:“
Real
ly,
Baba(
Fat
her
)?Ther
oyalmor
tuar
y?
Why?”

KingSfi
so:(
sigh)“Ihavemanyregr
etsinmyl
ife,
Gatsha,
andoneoft hoseist
hatInevert
ooki
tupon
myselft
oshowShakat hel
ovehehadbeencravi
ng
fr
om me–event houghIhadknownforawhi
lethat
hewasnotmyson.I tpai
nsmet hathef eltt
heonly
resolut
ionwast oki l
lmeandwhent hatdidn’
twor k
out,hediedlikeanobody, acri
minalrightonhis
birt
hground.Yes, hewasnotmysonandyes, he
wasnotki ndhear t
edandsanel i
keyou, butsurelyI
coulddohi mj ust
icebyburyinghim withsomef orm
ofrespect,son.Ihopeyouunder stand.”

Gatsha:(
nodding)“Ihearyou,butt
hatsti
lldoesnot
changethefactthatheruinedmywedding.”
KingSf iso:“Ihonestlydon’tl
ikedwelli
ngont he
negativet hi
ngs,son.Mosti mportantl
y,yousaved
myl if
e.Youar ethereasonwhyIam al ivetoday,
andf ort hatIhavet othankyoupr oper
ly.Iam
sell
ingal lmyl and,allmyshar esandstocktoyou.
Actually, Iam givi
ngt hem al
ltoyou–f orfr
ee.”

Gat
sha:(
shocked)“
Baba(
Fat
her
)…”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Yes,
Gat
sha.Youdeser
vet
hatmuch.
Youhaveprovenyourl
oveandloyal
tytomeand
thesepeopl
ewaymorethanonce.Thisismygi
ftt
o
you.”

Gatsha:“
Whataboutyou,Baba(
Fat
her
)?Howwi
ll
yousurvi
ve?
”

KingSf iso:(
chuckl
ing)“Didyouhonestl
ythinkthat
I
’velivedt hi
slongwithoutsavi
ngsandinvestments?
Besides, myhearti
swi thKhensinowandi tishi
gh
ti
met hatIchoosemer ightnow.Iam goingto
tr
avelt hewor l
dwit
hmyl ove.Idon’
tknowwhenI
willbeback. ”

Gat
sha:“
Fat
her
,whatwi
llIdowi
thoutyou?
”

KingSfi
so:“YouwerebornaKi
ng,Gat
sha,
besi
des,
Noahisher et
oguideyou.Hei
sthemostsane
personaroundher
e.”
Gatsha:(
tear
y)“Thankyouf
orfi
ndi
ngmewor
thyt
o
runthi
skingdom,Baba(Fat
her
).
”

KingSfi
so:“
Technicall
y,youaret
heri
ght
fuland
solehei
rofthi
skingdom.Iwi shyouwel
lonyour
newendeavoursandIwantyout obui
ldasoli
d
l
egacyforyourchil
dren.”

Gat
sha:(
noddi
ng)“
Whenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?
”

Ki
ngSfiso:“Toni
ght.Ican’
tburyShaka,
soIt
rust
t
hatyou’l
ltakeoverfr
om her
e.”

Gat
sha:“
I’
lldomybest
,Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Ki
ngSfisoandGatshahuggedoneanot herasifit
wasthelastt
ime.Itact
uall
yfel
tasi fKi
ngSf i
so
wassayinggoodbyetohisson.Itwasactuall
ythe
l
ongesthughehadsharedwi t
hGat sha.Beforehe
evenleftforhi sf li
ghtwi t
hhi sKhensani,hehad
beggedGat shat osignthepaper shehaddr awnf or
changeofowner shipoft hesharesandal lhi s
properti
es.Gat shajusttooki tasasignofhi s
father
’simmensegr ati
tude,butunfortunately,the
angelofdeat hhadvi si
tedhim af ewdaysbef or e.
Meanwhi le,QueenKul ihadjustabouthadenough
ofbeingsi delinedbyherownf amil
y.Shef eltthat
everyone–i ncl udi
ngSf isohadowedheradecent
l
ife.Then, shedi dn’thaveheral l
owanceanymor e
andmostwomenf r
om ot herkingdomshadal r
eady
begant al
kingabouther .Shecr i
edoncef orShaka
andneveragai n.

Cryingwasal waysasi gnofweaknessf orher

henceshemadesur eShakat urnedouttobea
stoneratherthanast i
ck.Sheandhermot her
madet heirwayt oMkhulu,theKi ngofthedar k
forces.Shemadesur ethattheywor eblackatall
ti
mes.I tisratherf
unnyhowi tonlytookShaka’s
deathforKulitoturntothedar kforces.Shakawas
herson,butshel ovedhimf ortwor easons;thefi
rst
wasbecausehewast hesonoft hel
oveofherl i
fe
andthesecondr easonwast hathewasherspi tt
ing
i
mage–i nmor ewayst hanone.Hehadt heheart
ofstone, butevenstonecanbedest royedoncehi t
atther i
ghtspot.Shaka’ sweaknesswasSf iso’
s
l
ovef orGat sha,i
thurthim becauseheexpectedto
beputonapedest alj
ustashi smotherhaddonet o
hi
m al lhisli
fe.Sadly,hehadmethi sunti
mel y
deathal lbecauseofhismot her.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Areyour
eady?
”

QueenKul
i:“
Yes,
canwegett
hisoveranddone
wit
halr
eady?”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Someone’
seager
.”

Kul
iignor
edhermot herandwalkedstr
aightahead.
Shehadonemi ssionandonlyoneinmind–t o
makeeveryonestartr
espect
ingherandmaket hem
payfortreat
ingherli
ketr
ash.Shewasundert he
i
mpr essi
onthatShakawaski l
ledbecauseof
Lehumoandt hatshewasthereasonforal
lthi
s
chaosinherf amil
y.Theyfi
nallymadeitto
Mkhulu’shut.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Mkhul
u.”

Mkhulu:“Ngikut
shel
ekangakiNomt handazoukut
hi
ungal
ethiabantungingabazi(Howmanyt i
mes
mustItellyounottobri
ngst r
anger
stomyhouse,
Nomthandazo) ?
”

QueenNomtha:“Ngi
yaxol
isa(Sorr
y),
Mkhul
u,
kodwa(but
),shei
snostranger.
”

Kuliwasr unni
ngoutofpati
ence.Shehadlacked
respectforeveryl
ivi
ngt
hingjustli
kehermot
her.
Shewassur pr
isedhowhermot hercoul
dbowdown
toaper soncall
edMkhulueven.
QueenKuli:“
I’
m herdaughter–I’
m nostr
anger.
From myunderstandi
ngyouhavebeendyi ngtobe
acquai
ntedwithme.Now, ar
eyougoingtoletusi
n
ornot?Idon’thaveal
lnight.
”

MkhuluwasimpressedwithKul
i’
sfir
eashesensed
herdesper
ati
on,
buthewasconcer nedbyhernast
y
att
it
ude.Adesperateper
soncandoj ustabout
anythi
ng.

Mkhulu:(
chuckli
ng)“
Okay,
ngenani(
comei
n).
Shoesofffi
rst
.”

Kulit
ookof fhershoesbef or
eQueenNomt haand
theywalkedin.Kul il
ookedaroundandwas
unimpressedbyt heskullshangi
ngaroundthewall
s
alongwiththesnakeski nandafewbodypar tst
hat
wereinsomej ars,someoft hem l
ookedli
kethey
werefil
ledwithbloodeven.Ther eweresome
snakeski n,andwhensheappear edbef oretheso
call
edMkhul u, shenearlylaughed,untilshesawa
hugepyt honar oundhisneck.Hel ookedl ikemeek
prey,assmal landshor tanddarkashewas, buthe
wasar atherevi lman.Hewasnott hemostevi lof
course, andneededbl ood–pur ebl oodt ogouphi s
rank.Kul iwasj ustanaccessory,butifshecoul d
handhi m whoheneeded, thenhe’dbet hemost
power f
ulsor cer eri
nZululand,andpossi bl
ythe
country.

Mkhul
u:(
smili
ng)“Greet
ings,
myQueen.Towhat
doIowethepl
easure?”

QueenKuli
:(di
sgust
ed)“Ar
eweseri
ouslygoi
ngto
meetint
hisdumpalleveni
ng?Imeanlookatthi
s
pl
ace.
”

Mkhul
uwassoof f
ended,
buthehadt
opl
ayi
tcool
.
HeneededKul
i.
Mkhulu:(
chuckli
ng)“
Hao, t
hisi
smyhut,
Ntombi
(Gi
rl
).Unlessyouhaveanotherpl
ani
nmind.Can
yousummonevi lspi
ri
ts?
”

Kul
ikeptqui
etandl
ookedatt
hesnake.

Mkhul
u:“
Exact
ly.Nomt
handanzo,
whyi
sshe
her
e?”

QueenNomtha:“
Shei
sready,
myl
ord.Shei
sready
t
ojoinus.
”

Mkhulu:“Youdoknowt hati
nordert
ojoinshehas
tospi
llsomebl ood,
butIcanseesheisdesper
ate.
Herheartisevi
lenoughandIam sureIcanmake
anexception.
”

Kul
idi
dn’
tevenst
artf
reaki
ngoutt
hinki
ngofwhose
bl
oodhermot
herhadspi
ll
edi
nor
dert
ojoi
nthecul
t.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Under
stood,
myl
ord.
”

Mkhulu:“Kuli
,youdoknowthatthereisnotur
ning
backfrom here.Onceyouarein,t
heonlywayoutis
deat
horahugehumansacr i
fice.Agreed?”

Kulineverevenbot
her
edt
othi
nkoft
he
consequences.

QueenKul
i:“
Agr
eed.
”

Mkhul
u:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wel
l,
then.Let
’spr
oceed.
”

Mkhulugotupfr
om hi
schairwit
hthesnakesti
ll
aroundhi
sneckandproceededt
othewallri
ght
behindhi
m.
Mkhul
u:“
Nomt
handazo,
youknowwhatt
odo.
”

QueenNomt hanodded,
andKul
igottheshockof
herli
fewhenshesawMkhuluwalkri
ghtthr
oughthe
wallanddi
sappear.

QueenKul
i:(
shocked)“
How?Wher
e?”

QueenNomtha:“I
fyouwanttosurvi
vehere,you
don’
taskquest
ions.Befor
eyouknowit,you’
llal
so
gai
npowertowalkthroughamerekeyhole.Now
moveit.
”

QueenNomt hawal kedt hroughfirst,

leavi
ngthe
fr
anti
cKuli.Then,sher ecal
ledthatherShakawas
gone–t hepawnt ohergamehadbeen‘ ki
ll
ed’
accor
dingtoher.So, shedidn’treall
yhavemuchof
achoicebuttojoi
nt hecul t.Beforesheknewi t
,she
hadwalkedthrought hewal lunhar med.Shegotthe
shockofherl i
fewhenshef oundherself
surroundedbywomenwhohadt helowerbodyof
snakes.Evenhermot her’
slegshadt urnedintoa
snake.Shel ookedar oundandsawaf ewf amil
iar
faces,butonethatshockedhert hemostwast hat
ofQueenAbi gail–whowast hequeenofXhosa
l
and.Shehadpr omisedhert hatShakawoul d
mar ryhersonwhenhebecameki ng,butthatnever
happened.Theyr emai nedgoodf r
iends,though.

QueenKul
i:(
shocked)“
Abi
gai
l.Uf
unanil
a(What
ar
eyoudoinghere)?
”

QueenAbigai
l:(
chuckl
ing)“
Thesamet
hingyouar
e
doi
nghere.”

Andbyt hat,
Kulihadfor
medanunwant edall
iance
wit
hAbi gai
l.Sheknewhowbadl yAbi
gailwantedto
str
engthenherkingdom byget
ti
ngherdaughter
marri
edt oShaka,andnowthatGat
shawasmar ri
ed
andwaski ng,hewouldhavetobemarri
edtoher
soninorderf
orherki
ngdom t
ori
set
oit
sful
l
pot
enti
al.

Mkhulu:“
Wewel
comeyou,
QueenKul
i,
queenof
Zul
uland.
”

Shelookedbeforehereandwasshockedtohear
Mkhulu’svoi
ce,buthewast henint
heform oft
he
verysamepythonhehadar oundhi
sneck.Such
thi
ngsusuall
yscar edKuli
,butamazi
ngl
y,she
remainedcal
mt hroughout.

Mkhulu:“Asyoucansee,
members.QueenKuli
has
of
fi
ciall
yjoi
nedus.Shouldwewel
comeher?”

QueenAbigai
ldeci
dedt
obeabi
tnast
yandr
aised
herhand.

Mkhul
u:“
Yes,
QueenAbi
gai
l?
”
QueenAbigai
l:“
Justaqui
ckquest
ion,
Mkhul
u.Di
d
shesacr
if
iceanyone?”

Mkhulu:(
annoyed)“
Howi
sthatanyofyour
busi
ness?”

QueenAbi
gai
l:“
Iwasj
ustaski
ng-
“

Mkhul
u:“
Knowyourpl
ace,Abigai
l.Icanhaveyou
t
hrownoutofher
einaheart
beat.
”

Rightt
hereandthen,
Kulir
eali
zedshehadsomuch
powerinherevenbefor
eagreei
ngtothatwhol
ecul
t.

QueenKuli
:“Iam gl
adtobeoneofyou,
Mkhul
u.
Youwon’tbedisappoi
nted.
”
Mkhul
u:“
Shal
lwesayourcul
tpr
aises?
”

Everyone:“Iam me,butinherewesee,adiffer
ent
me.Ipl edgetobeapar tofthecult
,nomatterwhat,
Ishallremainoneofyou.Ipl edgemyli
feandf ul
l
resourcestoyou,Mkhulu–i nexchangefor
anythingIwantinli
fe.
”

Kul
iwasr eal
lynotsur
ewhatt
hatpl
edgemeant
,
howeversheagreed.

Mkhul
u:“
Kul
i,
doyouagr
ee?
”

QueenKul
i:“
Yes,
Mkhul
u.”

Shefel
tasifshewasi
nabitofadazeandbefor
e
sheknewitherownl
egst
urnedint
othatofasnake.
Mkhulul
:“Wenowwel comeyou,QueenKul i
.We
hostpar
ti
esfornewmember s,especi
all
ythoseas
el
it
easyou.So, comewithi
nthreedayssinceyou’
d
beburyi
ngyourson,Shaka.
”

QueenKul
i:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Ist
hatal
l?
”

Mkhulu:“
I’
llgi
veyout hingstobathein.Remember
yourpowerwillbeineffectwit
hinthreedays.I
tis
i
mpor t
anttostayfocusedwi t
hinthatperi
od–
other
wiseyouwi l
lstartover
.”

QueenKul
i:“
Soundseasyenough.
”

Li
tt
ledi
dKul
iknowt
hatwi
thevi
l
,comesabi
gpr
ice.

Mkhul
u:“
Wear enotdone.I
nor dertobeaf ul
l
memberofthiscult
,youwil
lhavetosl eepwit
ha
man.Notjustanyman-amant hatispure.
”
Whereonearthwoul
dshefi
ndamanofapure
hear
tthatwouldbewi
ll
ingt
osl
eepwi
thher
?

Mkhulu:“Unfor
tunat
elyweal
sochooset
heman
you’
l
lhavet osleepwit
handwechooseNoah
Mkhabela.”

Howthefuckwasshegoi
ngt
ogett
hatr
ight
,she
t
houghtt
ohersel
f.
[
01/
27,
07:
31] :Chapt
er26

“Ther
ei snodoubtthatt
herei
sevi
li
nt hiswor
ld,but
t
hel i
ghtwillal
waysconquert
hedarkness.
”–Idowu
Koyenikan

QueenKulihadslowl
ytur
nedintosomeoneshe
di
dn’tr
ecognizeatal
l,
butt
hatsti
lldi
dn’
tbot
herher
much.Mkhul ugavehermuthit
ouseonNoah.She
wasver ycl ueless,
soobviousl
yshewoul dfail
.She
wasgi vent hreedaystocompletehermi ssi
on,ifal
l
elsefail
edshewoul dhavetospillblood.Shef elt
l
essgui ltyast hehourswentby.I twast he
foll
owingmor ning,andpr
eparati
onsf orShaka’s
funeralhadbegun.QueenKul ialongsideher
mot her,
t r
iedtomaket hei
rwayt ot heRoyalPalace,
butwer edeni edaccessri
ghtbefor etheycouldeven
drivethrought hegate.

QueenKuli
:(annoyed)“
Lal
elal
awena(Li
stenher
e),
Bongani
.Iam stil
lyouQueenandyouwi
lldoasI
say.Letmein.”

Bongani
:“I
’
m afr
aidIcan’
tdot
hat,
Ndhlovukazi
(Queen)
.Iam j
ustfol
lowi
ngst
ri
ctorder
s.”

QueenKuli
:(anger
ed)“ Oho,sonowthatPedibi
tch
i
stherul
ingqueenher e,shehasdeci
dedtokeep
meoutofmyownpal ace? !
”
Bongani
:“Act
ual
ly,
iti
sinst
ruct
ionsf
rom t
heKi
ng.
”

Thatf
uel
ledQueenKul
i’
sangerevenmor
e.

QueenKul
i:(
fumi
ng)“
Howdar
ehedeci
det
oki
ck
meoutofmyownhouse?
!”

QueenNomtha:“Kul
i,
yaziwenaawuf
undi(
You
neverl
ear
n,youknow).”

QueenKul
i:“
Ma,
can’
tyouseewhatt
heyar
edoi
ng
t
ome? !
”

QueenNomtha:“Haveyoufor
gott
enaboutt
he
powersyouhave?Don’tbeanidi
otnow.
”

Kul
ist
oodt
her
eandt
houghtaboutwhathermot
her
hadj
ustt
oldher
.

QueenKul
i:“
Whatshoul
dIdonowi
fIwanthi
mto
l
ist
entome?”

QueenNomt ha:(
chuckli
ng)“
Summonyourevil
spi
ri
tsandcommandhi mtoli
stent
oyouasyou
weretaughtl
astnight
.Yekel
aukubaibhar
i(st
op
bei
ngani di
ot)
.”

QueenKul i
:(whi
speri
ng)“
Isummonyoudar
kspi
ri
ts;
maket hismanli
stentome.Idemandt
obe
respected.
”

Shel
ookedatBonganiwholookedabi
tconf
used.
Hefr
ownedandrubbedhisheadforal
it
tl
ebit
.

QueenKul
i:“
Bongani
,ar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmei
n
now?”
Bongani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Ofcour
se,
Ndhl
ovukazi
(Queen)
.”

QueenKul ismil
edasshest aredathermotherwho
wassmi lingbackwi thsomuchpr ide.Bongani
openedt hegat eforthem asKuli
idrovei
n.She
parkedandgotr eall
yannoyedseeinghowmany
peoplether ewere.Shegotoutoft hecarinso
muchhast eandst ormedintothehousewithout
knocking.Gat shasawherandi mmediat
elybecame
angered.

QueenKuli
:“Sawubona(
Hel
o),
Gat
sha.Unj
ani
(
Howar eyou)?”

Gat
sha:(
calml
y)“
Ma,
ufunanil
a(whatar
eyou
doi
nghere)
?”

QueenKul
i:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?Il
ive
her
e,don’
tI?
”

Gat
sha:(annoyed)“uBaba(
Dad)sai
dhedoesnot
wantyouhere,especi
all
ywhenyouarewi
thher.
”

HepointedatQueenNomt ha,
whogotreal
ly
annoyed.Kulideci
dedtodowhatshewastaughtt
o
do,butseemingl
yitbackf
ir
ed.
QueenKul
i:(
whisper
ing)“
Isummonyoudar
kfor
ces
andIdemandthatmysonlist
enst
ome.”

HestaredatGat
shacaref
ull
y,butnot
hing
happened.Hewasnotevenmovedbyherl itt
le
spel
l,l
eavi
ngherevenmoreannoyedandfrustr
ated.

QueenKul i
:(f
uming)“Howdar eyoudecidetokeep
meawayf r
om myson’ sf
uneral?
!Wher eisyour
fatherwhenheiscall
ingallt
heshotswithouthi
s
presence?!
”
Gatsha:“
Heissomewher
ehewassupposedt
obe
yearsago.
”

Thatr eal
lyhi
tKulihardassheknewwhatGatsha
actuallymeant.I
tonl ydawnedonherr
ightt
here
andt henthathewaswi t
hawomanshehadt ri
edto
keepawayf r
om him allt
hoseyear
s.

QueenKul
i:(t
eary)“
Gatsha,Shakawasmyson.It
i
sbadenoughyouki l
ledhim,butatl
eastl
etme
hel
pburyhim.”

Gatsha:(annoyed)“Itissuchcomment sthatmake
medi sl
ikebeingyourson, Ma.Icalltheshotsnow,
Iam theki ngofthi
spl aceandIsaytoyou–i ti
s
ti
mef oryout oleave.Ican’tdealwit
hsomuch
drama–i tisbadenoughmywi f
eandI’
sbigday
wasmessedup.So, Iwon’taskyouagai
n.Leave.”
QueenKul il
ookedathi m andbecamei nst antly
saddened.Shel etoutat ear,butwasnoteasi l
y
moved.Lehumowal kedupt oGat shaandst ood
alongsidehim.QueenKul iwasi mmedi ately
overwhelmedwi t
hdi zziness,asshecoul df inal
ly
senseLehumo’ sGodl yspi r
it
.Shehadal ways
knownt hatLehumowasapr ayerwar r
ior,butwhat
shewasexper i
enci ngwassomet hingshehad
nevergonet hroughbef ore.AsLehumost epped
forward,Kulif
oundher selffeeli
nghot ,almostasi f
herwhol ebodywasbur ning.Asherwhol ebody
feltl
ikeshewasl i
teral
lyonf ire,
shef el
ther self
becomesweat y.Hermot hersawi tand
i
mmedi at
elydecidedt ododamagecont r
ol .

QueenNomtha:(
pull
ingKul
i)“
We’l
lcomeback
whenyouhavecalmeddown,son.Ireal
lydon’
tli
ke
t
hisani
mosit
ybetweenus.”

Gatsha:“
LikeIsai
d,you’
renotwel
come.Leave
now.”
QueenNomt
ha:“
Asyouwi
sh.
”

Shelef
timmediat
ely,
pul
li
ngKuliawaywhoseemed
l
ikeshewasinabitofadaze.Astheywal
kedout,
theyweremetBongi.

Bongi
:(annoyed)“Hmm, Ja(Yes)
,Kul
i.Youfi
nal
ly
deci
dedtosellyoursoultot
hedevil
.I’
m ont
oyou.”

QueenNomtha:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm,
sukawena
(
whatever
).
”

Theyr
ushedoutandonlyoncetheyappr
oachedt
he
car
,di
dKulist
artf
eel
ingabitbett
er.

QueenKul
i:(
anxi
ous)“
Whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?!”
QueenNomt ha:“Thatwasj usthowpowerful
Lehumoi s.Youhavej oi
nedf or
ceswithevilnow;
soanyoneagai nstitandwhopr aysmorethan
anythingwi l
lmakeyouf eelli
keyourwholebodyis
onfire.”

QueenKul
i:“
Butyoudi
dn’
tfeeli
t?”

QueenNomtha:“Idi
d,buti
twasnotasint
enseas
yourf
eel
ing.Henceyouhavetospi
llsomeblood.
”

QueenKuli
:(f
rowni
ng)“ButMkhul
usai
dthatI
’
d
havet
osleepwithNoah.”

QueenNomtha:“
Youcant
rythat
,butdoyousee
t
hathappeni
nganyt
imesoon?”

QueenKul
i:“
Wel
l,
no,
but–“
QueenNomtha:“Therei
sonl
yonewayt ofi
ndout.
Yourt
imei
sr unningout
,Kul
i.Sheshi
sa(Hur
ryup)
.”

Theygotint
othecarasKulikeptstar
ingather
house.Shewonderedwhatwoul dbecomeofherif
shekeptgoi
ngonwi t
hhermot herandMkhulu’s
i
deaoflif
e.Meanwhile,Bongideci
dedtowarn
GatshaandLehumoabouthi smother,whi
leKul
i
andhermotherhadplansofherown.

Bongi
:“Andt
hen?Howdi
dshewal
kinher
e?”

Gatsha:(
frust
rat
ed)“
Ihavenoi dea.Cl
ear
lyt
he
guardshavestar
tedt
odisrespectme.”

Bongi:(
shakinghead)“
It’
snott
heguard’sf
ault
.
Lehumo, di
dyoufeelanythi
ngwhi
leKuliwas
standi
ngbeforeyou?”
Lehumo:“ Notreal
ly,Ma.Ijustfel
tan
overwhelminglyheavyfeel
ing.Almostli
kesome
sortofdarknessIcannotreall
yexplai
nit
.”

Bongi
:“Whataboutyou,
Gat
sha?
”

Gatsha:“
Iwasnotreal
lypayingat
tent
ionasIwas
angered,
butshedoesnotlookli
ketheKuliIknow.
”

Bongi:“Good.Iam gl adsinceitwillmakemyjoba
l
oteasi er.Well,
thereisnoot herwaytosaythi
s,
butpleasebecar efulofyourmot her.Sheandher
mot herarejustnotri
ght.Ihaven’tbeenableto
sleepeversinceShakadi ed.Ther eisdar
kness
l
oomi ngandyourmot herwillcausealotofchaos
foryout wo.
”

Lehumo:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean,
Ma?
”
Bongi :“Ihavebeendr eami ngofbadthingsever
sincet hefuneral
.Ikeepdr eamingofaweddi ng–
fourpeopl egetti
ngmar r
iedtooneanot her
,butI
cannotseet hei
rfaces.Al lIkeepgett
ingisan
i
ndi cationthati
tisindeedaf uner
alandallf
ourof
thosepeopl eareallrelatedtous.”

Whil
eGatshaandLehumoweret
ryi
ngt
opr
ocessi
t
al
l,
Raesi
bedecidedt
ospeakup.

Raesi
be:(
shocked)“Aowahle(
Noman).Kedi
taba
tj
edimpetjeo(That
’sawef
ulnews)
.Youcanf
ixit
,
can’
tyouBongi?”

Bongi:(
shaki
nghead)“ I
’m af
rai
dIcan’tdoanyt hi
ng
aboutit
.Bythelookoft hi
ngsthesepeoplewillal
l
besavingsomeoneorsomepeopl e.I
tdoesnot
makesense,butIhavebeenpr ayi
ngandf asti
ng.
HenceIhavecomewi t
hsomeseasal tandcandl es
foryou.I’
dli
ketocleansethehouseifthat’
sokay? ”
Gat
sha:(
noddi
ng)“
That’
sokay,Ma.Nooff
ence,
but
I
’dl
iket
oconsul
twit
hthefamil
yheal
ert
oo?”

Bongi
:(noddi
ng)“
Byal
lmeans,
mychi
ld.Dowhat
youcan.”

Lehumostoodtheredeepinthoughtandact uall
y
wonderedwhatBongi’
spremoni t
ionactual
lymeant .
Thatwasnotri
ghtandshecoul dn’thel
pbutf eelas
i
fshewast hecauseofallt
heirproblems.Gat sha
tookherawaytothei
rbedroom ashecoul dsense
herstr
essf
ulmood.

Gat
sha:“
Mkami(
Mywi
fe)
,ur
ight(
areyouokay)
?”

Lehumo:(shaki
nghead)“
No, Gat
sha.Ican’thelp
butfeelr
esponsi
blef
oral
lthechaosthathas
eruptedi
nyourfamil
y.Yourfamil
ywasjustfine
beforeIwal
kedint
oyourli
fe,
Imean,ourweddi ng
wasevent ai
ntedandrui
nedbyyourbr
other.I
can’thelpbutfeelasi
fmaybeweshoul
dn’tbe
togetherinthefi
rstpl
ace.
”

Gatsha:(saddened)“Mkami( Mywi fe),

pleasedon’t
belikethat.WhenIsai dmyvowsImeantever y
singlewor d–t i
ldeat
hdouspar t.Iknow,things
l
ookabi tbleakri
ghtnow,butallowmet ojustbe
thereforyouandbeyourpr otector,
please.”

Lehumo:(
noddi
ngt
ear
y)“
Okay.
”

Gatsha:“ Psal
m 46: 1-3–“Godi sourrefugeand
st
rengt h,anever-presenthelpintr
ouble.Theref
ore
wewi llnotfear,thoughtheearthgivewayandt he
mount ainsfalli
nt otheheartofthesea,thoughi
ts
watersr oarandf oam andthemount ainsquake
wit
ht heirsurging.”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Isai
ah41:
10–“
Sodonotf
ear
,
forIam wit
hyou,donotbedismayed,f
orIam your
God.Iwi l
lstr
engt
henyouandhelpyou;Iwil
l
upholdyouwi t
hmyright
eousri
ghthand.”

Gatsha:(
smi
li
ng)“
NowyouseewhyIf
elli
nlove
wit
hyou.”

Lehumo:(chuckl
ing)“
Itol
dyou,
youst
il
lhavesome
bigshoestofi
ll
.”

Gat
sha:(
laughi
ng)“
Wehaveourl
if
eaheadf
ort
hat
.”

WhileBongiwascl eansi
ngt heroyalpal
ace,Gatsha
madeacal ltot
hei rfami
lyhealerandhemadehi s
wayt her
ewithi
nt hespeedofl i
ght.Meanwhi l
e,Kuli
andQueenNomt hamadet heirwayt oNeri
ahand
Noah’shouse.Ast heywereabouttoenter,
they
foundNeriahandNoahdr i
vingoutoftheyard.
QueenKuli
:(f
akesmile)“
Oh,
sani
bonani(
Hel
lo)
.
Ni
njani(
howar eyou)
?”

Noah:(
unimpressed)“
Yebo,
sawubonaNdhl
ovukazi
(
Yes,hel
lo,Queen).
”

Ner
iah:(
annoyed)“
Howcanwehel
pyou?
”

QueenKuli
:“Hawu(Wow)
,thati
snowayt
ogr
eet
youri
nlaws,isi
tnow,
Neri
ah?”

Neri
ah:(r
oll
ingeyes)“Iser
iousl
ydon’thavet
imef
or
such,Kul
i.Shouldn’
tyoubewi thyoursonandmy
daughter
,pr
eparingforyourson’sf
uneral
?”

QueenKuli
:(annoyed)“
Youdon’
thavet
orubi
tin
myface,
youknow. ”
Neri
ah:“
Howam Idoingt
hatwheniti
sthet
rut
h?
Now,wearei
naseriousr
ush,howcanwehelp
you?”

QueenKuli:“
Oh,It
houghtperhapswecoulddr
ink
sometea,youknow.Besides,Ineedadvi
ceonhow
togett
hroughtoGatsha.
”
Neri
ah:(chuckling)“
Youreall
yhaveti
met oplay,
Kuli
.Eversi nceyoursongotengagedtomy
daughter
, youhavebeennothingbutapain.Not
evenoncedi dyouseet heneedtocomeanddr ink
teawit
husorevengr eetus.Andnow, suddenl
y
youfeeltheneedt ocomeanddr i
nktea?”

QueenNomtha:(annoyed)“Youneedt
owat
chyour
t
one,you’
respeaki
ngtor oyal
ty.
”

Neri
ah:(
chuckl
ing)“Theonlyr
oyal
tyIbowtoisthe
LordmyGod.Iwi l
lnotbowdownorwat chtheway
Ispeakt
oamer eper sonwhocan’
tevenactli
kea
humanbeing.Iam notoneofyourcul
tmember
s,
Nomthandazo!
”

QueenNomt hadidn’
tevenknowthatNeri
ahwas
bluff
ing.Shehadhear drumoursaboutherbeinga
witch,butQueenNomt haassumedthatNeriah
knewmor et
hanshewassupposedt oandt hatwas
aser i
ousthreat
.

QueenNomt
ha:(
frowni
ng)“
Excuseme?
”

Noah:“
Cal
m down,
Ner
iah.
”

Neri
ah:“Cal m downyani(forwhat),Noah?2
Thessalonians2:9says“Thecomi ngoft hel
awless
oneisbyt heact i
vit
yofSatanwithallpowerand
fal
sesignsandwonder s.
”Icanseer i
ghtthr
ough
you–t hebot hofyou.Now, ifyou’
llexcuseus,
we
havebetterthingstodowithourtime.”
Noahst eppedontheacceler
ator
,leavingthosetwo
standinginabsol
uteannoyance.Kul ihadnever
beenspokent oli
kethatandfel
tseriously
di
sr espect
ed.

QueenNomtha:“
YouseewhatImean?Areyou
goi
ngtoall
owameremaidandabusdri
vertal
kto
youli
ket
hat?”

QueenKul
i:(
shaki
nghead)“
No.I
’
llneveral
low
t
hat.
”

QueenNomt
ha:“See?It
oldyouNoahwoul
dnever
l
ookyourway.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Whatdi
dyouhavei
nmi
nd?
”

QueenNomtha:“
Timeforphaset
wo.Youneedt
o
actl
ikeanor
malmotherinl
awandapol
ogi
zeto
ever
yoneatt
hehouse.That’
stheonl
ywayyou’
l
l
gett
hem t
odropt
heirguar
d.”

QueenKuli
:“Wi
thBongit
her
e?I
’
llneverget
anyt
hingdone.
”

QueenNomt ha:“Evenlit
tl
el ambsofJesushavea
weakness.Leavehert ome.Youf ocusonthe
obj
ecti
ve–yougavebi rthtoGat sha.Hewi l
lfeel
somesor tofpitytowardsyou.Beni cetoeveryone
–Lehumoi ncl
udedandal lshallbeyours.When
youstr
ike,theywon’ tevenexpecti tandthat
’swhen
youaregoingt obet hereforthem. ”

Justlikethat,
QueenKul iandhermot herhad
plott
edanevi lpl
an.I tisindeedt r
uewhatpeopl e
say;somet i
mesbadt hingshappent ogoodpeople
becausei ntheend,thegoodf indithardtonot
forgi
ve,whilethebadl ovet aki
ngshor tcutsi
nlif
e.
Ofcour se,t
heirevi
ldeedsal wayscatchupwi th
them –event ual
ly.
[
01/
27,
07:
31] :Chapt
er27

“WhenGodt akesoutthetr
ash,
don’
tgodi
ggi
ng
backthr
oughi t
.TrustHim.”–AmakaI
mani
Nkosazana

Thef ollowingdayhadcomei ndeed,andwi thKing

Sfisogone, Gatshawashavi ngabi tofahar dti
me
fi
nal i
zingever ything.Hei ndeedhadt of ol
lowhis
father’
sr ulesandj ustadheretohisonewi sh–t o
bur yShakal iket hePr i
ncehel i
vedas.QueenKul i
andhermot her,dr ovetotheRoyalPal aceearl
yi n
themor ninganddeci dedtostartphaseoneoft heir
newpl an.Theyknockedl i
kedecentpeopl e,and
foundBeat ri
ceatt hedoor.

Beat
rice:(f
rowni
ng)“
SawubonaNdl
ovukazi
(Hel
lo,
Queen).”

Ofcour
se,
Kul
ihadt
obr
avei
tal
loutandf
akei
tti
l
shecoul
dmakei
t.

QueenKul
i:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
Beat
ri
ce.Unj
ani(
Howar
e
you)
?”

QueenKulihar
dlyaskedherhowshewasdoi ng,
but
shewasjustusedtoherbeingabit
terbi
tch.

Beat
ri
ce:(
smi
li
ng)“
I’
m wel
l,
thanks,
howar
eyou?
”

Beatri
ce,j
ustl
ikesomeki nd-hear
tedpeople,al
ways
sawt hegoodinothers–nomat terwhattheywere
capableof.ShefeltasifperhapsKulihadstart
ed
toreali
zehermist
akesandwast ryingtot
ur nanew
l
eaf.Thatiswhatki l
lsalotofpeople–benef i
tof
thedoubt.

QueenKuli
:(smil
ing)“I
’m wel
l,
thankyou.Iknow,
youwereprobabl
yt ol
dnottoletusin,
butmayyou
please?I’
dli
ketospeakt
omysonandhopef
ull
y
redeem mysel
f.
”

Beatr
ice:“
Eish,
Idon’
tknowi
fthatwoul
dbe
possi
ble.TheKing–“

QueenKuli:(
int
errupt
ing)“Please,Beat
ri
ce.Have
somemer cy.Ihaven’tevenseenmyson’ sbody.I
j
ustwanttobegi venachancet ogri
eveproperl
y.
Wouldn’
tyouwantt obegi venthatopport
unityhad
i
tbeenyourson? ”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Iguessso.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Iwon’
tbel
ong,
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Beatr
icet
houghtabouti
tforal
ongwhi
le,
but
event
uall
ygaveinandlett
hem i
n.
QueenKul
i:(
smil
ing)“Thankyou,you’
ret
ooki
nd.
Godshoul
dreal
lyblessyou,Beat
rice.
”

Theserpentwasletbackintotheroyalpalacejust
l
ikethat.Shewalkedinalongsidehermot herand
foundLehumoint heki
tchen,prepari
ngsomet ea
andsconesfortheguests.Knowi ngKuli
, she
wouldhavealr
eadymadeanast ycomment
towardsLehumo,butshewassopr etent
ious,
l
eavingLehumoi nseri
ousdoubt .

QueenKul
i:(
smi
li
ng)“
Makot
i(Daught
eri
nlaw)
.”

Lehumowassof r
ight
ened,thatshenearl
yspi
ll
ed
overthetea.Shehadburntherselfasshehadl
ost
focus,whil
esomeofitspil
ledontoherhand.

QueenKul
i:“
Oh,
I’
m sosor
ry,
Idi
dn’
tmeant
ost
art
le
you.
”
Lehumo:“
Eish,
it’
sokay.
”

Lehumowasst i
llanewwi
feanddidn’
twantto
seem l
ikeshewaschasingQueenKulir
ightoutof
herhouse.Beingyoungandmarri
edcomeswi thi
ts
ownchallenges.

QueenKuli
:“Iknow,
youar
eprobabl
yveryshocked
astowhyIam sonicet
oyou,
butIfeelt
hatIshoul
d
tel
lyout
hetruth.
”

Sheignoredtheburni
ngsensati
onwi thal
lher
might,
sinceMkhulugavehersomet hingt
osmear
onherself
,sothatshewoul
dn’tfeelLehumo’s
poweroverhersthatmuch.

QueenKuli
:(si
gh)“Thetrut
his,Lehumo.Iwasso
j
ealousofyou.Itr
ulydidn’
tevenwanttoadmiti
tto
myself
,unti
lShakadied.
”
Lehumo:(f
rowni
ng)“
Whyonear t
hwoul
dyoubeso
j
ealousofme,Ma?Ihavenot
hing.”

QueenKul i
:“Youaresobeauti
ful,
sosmartandyou
arelovedbyeveryone.If
eltasifyouweregoi
ngto
outshinemeandmakeabet t
erqueenthanIever
havebeen.”

Lehumowasshockedatwhatshewaswi tnessing.
Nonet heless,shedi dn’tforgetKuli’sharshand
hurtfulbehavi ourtowar dsher,butshef el
tasif
therewassomesor tofhur tandt ruthcomingf rom
her.Shel ookedatKul iasamot herwhowasi npain;
whohadj ustlostherchi l
dandwhowasaboutt o
l
oseherhusband.Shehadabi tofdoubtand
i
gnor edthatgutf eel
ingdeepi nhergut .Weal lget
thatfeeli
ngwhenshi thitsthef an–wheni tisabout
togetr ough, butwechooset oignor ethatfeel
ing
thatfeelsl i
keasuddendr op,deepi nyourgut .She
choset oi gnoreitthatdaywhi chwasaver ybig
mistake.Lehumowal kedt owar dsKuliandhel d
bothherhands.Sheignor
edtheburni
ngsensat
ion
wit
hallhermight
.Iti
sabsolut
elybaff
li
nghow
peopl
ewoul ddoanyt
hingtogetwhattheywant
.

Lehumo:(tear
y)“Ma, Ihavebeenlongingfort hose
wordseversinceGatshaandIgott ogether.Idi dn’t
evenknowwhatIhaddonet oyou,Ma.If eltasi f
youhadnat ur
alhatetowardsme–i fthereisever
suchathing.Ihavenodoubti nmymi ndt hatyou
wouldli
ketostartover.Ifthi
sisyourapology, I
accepti
tfull
yandf or
giveyou.Godwoul dn’twant
met obeangryatmyownmot herinlaw.”

ThatwasthemomentKuliandNomthaknewthat
theyhadhookedLehumori
ghtwher
etheywanted
her.

QueenKul
i:(
cryi
ng)“
Iam sosorry,
Lehumo,
mntwanawami(mychil
d).Pleasefor
giveme.
”
Lehumof oundhersel
fhugginghermot herinlaw,
wit
hQueenNomt hasmili
ngather.Shedi dn’tknow
shewashuggi ngaserpent.Bongiwonder edwhy
Lehumowast akingsolongwi t
hthetea,ast he
councilmemberswerewaitingonher.Shewal ked
i
nandbecameast oni
shedatthesightofher
huggingthesnake.

Bongi:(shout
ing)“
Lehumo, yi
niindabauthatha
i
sikathikanj
e(Whyar eyoutakingsolong)/!Weh
ma( Oh, mygoodness)!Aremyeyesdecei vingme
oram Iactuall
ywitnessi
ngthis?!
”

Lehumobroket
hehug,
whi
leQueenKul
ifor
cedt
he
tear
stocomeout.

Lehumo:“
Ma,
whatdoyoumean?
”

Bongi:“Ar
eyouact
ual
lyhuggi
ngt
hedevi
l’
s
daughter?
!”
AsBongikeptoni nsult
ingKul
i,sheletthet
earsr
un
down,andsodi dNomt ha.Beatri
cestoodther
e
star
ingatthen,
whi l
eRaesibe,Brenda,Neri
ahand
Gatshastormedintothekit
chent oseewhatwas
happeni
ng.

Gat
sha:“
Isever
ythi
ngokayi
nher
e?Kwenzakal
ani
(
what’
shappening)
?”

Lehumo:“ Oh,QueenKul
ihadj
ustcomet
opl
eadf
or
for
giveness.”

Bongistoodther
eshaki
ngherheadinabsol
ute
shock,whil
eRaesibest
art
edrunni
nghermouthof
f
asusual.

Raesi
be:(shout
ing)“
Hehbanna(Mygoodness)
!Go
t
lanyewamos( It’
saboutt
ogodown)!Nnogashie
fet
ogi
le(t
hesnakehaschanged)over
night
!”
Lehumo:“
Ma…”

Neri
ah:(
annoyed)“
Ithi
nkweshoul
dmoveontothe
meeti
ng.Thecouncilmember
sarest
il
lwai
ti
ngon
us.
”

Bongi
:“Iagr
ee…”

Ast heywer etalking,withGat shatrul

yannoyed,
KingSf i
sowal kedi nwi t
hKhensanir i
ghtbyhi sside.
QueenKul iwasi nt heperfectst ateofshock,and
fel
tasi ft
hatwast heperfectmomentt odraw
sympat hyf rom thosethatf eltbadf orher.King
Sfisoont heot herhandwasr atherunimpr essedto
fi
ndQueenNomt hawhom hehadbani shedf rom
hisvill
ageandhi sannoyi ng, evilwif
einhishouse,
whi l
eKkhensanif eltasifshewasaboutt opiss
herself
,butKi ngSf isowasr eadyt odefendand
protecther .
KingSfi
so:(
annoyed)“
Gatsha,kwenzakal
anil
ana
(What’
shappeni
nghere)?Ileavef
oraf ewdays
andcomebackt ofi
ndthesetwosnakesinmy
house?!
”

QueenKul ibecamesobewi l
dereddeepwi t
hinher
heart,
butf eltasifsheneededt odr awsympat hy
fr
om ever yonewhocoul dgivehert heplatf
orm.
Shedeci dedt okneeldowni nf r
ontofKi ngSfiso
andcompl etel
yignor ethefactt hathehadhi sold
l
over i
ghtbyhi sside.Ki ngsfiso’sglowwas
somet hingshehadn’ tseeninal ongt i
me.She
didn’
tlovehi m asmuchasshel ovedBheki ,
but
becauseshewasbor nagr eedyper son,she
couldn’tphathom Ki ngSf i
sobei nghappyel sewhere.

QueenKuli
:(kneel
ingi
nf r
ontofKi
ngSf i
so)“I’
m so
sor
ry,myeniwami( myhusband)
!Please,f
orgive
meformyappal l
ingact
ions!
”
KingSf i
sor eal
lydidn’
tgiveashi
tastowhatwas
happeni nginfr
ontofhi m.HeknewKulilong
enought oknowwhenshewasl yi
ng,whi
ch
astonishedLehumoandBeat ri
ceastheywerethe
onlyonessympat hizi
ngwithNomthaandKuli.
Nomt haal sokneltbefor
ehim.

QueenNomtha:“
For
giveus,
myson.Idonotknow
whatcameovermewhenIdidal
lthosebadt
hings.
”

Ki
ngSf
isoneverl
etgooft
heshakenKhensani
.

KingSfi
so:(annoyed)“
Gat sha,wear
egoi
ngto
offl
oadourluggage.Please,fol
lowmeal
ongwit
h
yourwif
e.”

Gat
sha:(
noddi
ng)“
Yes,
Baba.
”

Lehumof
oundi
tdecentenought
ohel
pQueen
Nomt haup,whil
eBeatr
icehel
pedQueenKuliup,
l
eavingBongi,Neri
ah,
RaesibeandBr
endatotal
ly
speechless.

Lehumo:“
Khulul
eka(Rel
ax)
,Ma.Allwi
llbesor
ted
out.I
’l
lmakesuret
hathecalmsdown.I’
llber
ight
back.
”

Gat
sha:(
exasper
ated)“
Lehumo,
masi
hambe(
let
’s
go)
.”

Lehumoadher edtoherhusband’sinstr
ucti
onsand
fol
lowedherhusbandupst ai
rstoKingSf i
so’
s
bedroom,whi
leKul it
ri
edwi t
hallhermighttohi
de
thepainshefeltasshesawKi ngSfisoand
Khensaniwal
kawayt oget
her,handinhand.

Bongi
:(annoyed)“
Whatar
eyoupl
ayi
ngat
,Kul
li
?”
QueenKul
i:(
cryi
ng)“Idon’
tknowwhatyoumean,
Bongi
.Iam i
nmour ning.
”

Bongi
:“Iseer
ightthroughyouandI’
l
lneverl
etyou
pl
aywithmygr andchil
dli
kethat
.”

Kul
ikeptqui
et.

Bongi
:“Br
enda,pl
easehelpmecarr
ythet
rayof
bi
scui
tsandteatothecounci
lmember
sbefor
eshe
poi
sonsusall
.”

Neri
ahjustgavebothKuliandNomthaonelookas
shelef
twithRaesi
be,BrendaandBongi.Beat
ri
ce
wasleftbehi
ndwithKul
iandNomt ha.

Beatr
ice:“
It
’sokay,
myqueen.Pl
ease,
sit
.I’
l
lmake
thebothofyousometea.
”
QueenKul
i:“
Oh,you’
ret
ooki
nd,
Beat
ri
ce.MayGod
t
rul
yblessyou.
”

Meanwhil
e,i
nKi ngSf
iso’
sroom.Hewasnot
hing
butuni
mpressed.

KingSfi
so:“Gat
sha,
Ilef
tyouinchar
geofthi
s
ki
ngdom becauseIt
rustyou.Whati
sthi
s
nonsense?!
”

Gatsha:“Baba(Father
),Iam j
ustascluel
essasyou
are.Bonganiletthem i
nwi t
houtmyper mi
ssi
on
yester
day.Whenweaskedhi m whyhedidwhathe
did,hesaidthathefoundithardtosaynotoher
.”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Iwanthergone.
”

Lehumo:“
Per
missi
ont
ospeak,
myki
ng.
”
Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Asyouwi
sh,
Lehumo.
”

Lehumo:“Myking,Ithinkiti
sratherunfai
rtodeny
QueenKul it
heopportuni
tytoburyherchildwit
h
digni
ty.Iknow,sheisnotaver ygoodperson,but
shedoesdeservethatlit
tl
ebitofkindnessfr
om
you.”

Ki
ngSf i
soreal
lylovedLehumoandvaluedherinput
.
HelookedatGatshawhowasnotver yimpressed
wi
thhersuggestion,butval
uedheri
nputaswel l
.

Ki
ngSfiso:“
Whatdoyousuggestwedo?BecauseI
i
ntendonmar r
yingKhensani
.”

Lehumo:“Wel l
,shecouldstayawayal ongwi t
hher
motherandcomei nthemor ni
ngofthef uneral.
Aft
erallt
hear r
angement softhefuneral,If
eelthat
i
tisimportanttositherdownalongwi ththecouncil
member sandKhensaniandexpl ainthenewt er
ms
ofyourmar r
iage.Tomyunder st
anding,myking,
youstilll
oveQueenKul iast hemot herofyour
chil
dren,andt hereforeyoucant akeKuliasa
secondwi fe.Imeannodi srespecttowardsyou,
MmeKhensani ,butIthinkinor dertosaveyour
reput
at i
on,myki ng, i
tisbesttomakei tseem asi
f
youar emar ryi
ngasecondwi fe.Thatisifiti
sokay
withyou, Mme. ”

Khensani:(
smi l
ing)“
Iloveyourr
easoni
ng,Lehumo.
IloveSfi
sosomuchandIam happyt obewi t
hhim
onceagain.Ididn’ti
ntendonbeingasecondwife
tohim,butifthatiswhatIhavetodothensobeit.
”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“Idon’
tagreet
othat
.It
hinki
tishi
gh
t
imeIdi
vorceKuliandmakeyoumyonlywif
e.”

Lehumo:“That’
salsoanopti
on,myking,
butpl
ease
doitinaverydecentwaybecauseawoman
scornedi
sanothertypeofpr
oblem youwoul
dn’
t
wanttohave.”
KingSfisol
ist
enedat
tent
ivel
yt oLehumo, andso
di
dGat sha.Lit
tl
edi
dtheyallknowt hati
twast he
beginni
ngofmanyotherproblemsforallofthem.
[
01/
27,
07:
31] :Chapt
er28

“Evi
linfl
uencei
sli
keanicoti
nepat
ch,youcannot
helpbutabsorbwhatst
ickst
oyou.”–E.A.
Bucchianeri

KingSf isotookLehumo’ sadvi cegladly,butsai d

thathewoul dspeaktoKul ievenbef orethef uner al
.
ThatmadeKul i
’sactofrevengeevendeadl i
er.He
didn’twantt owaitanylonger ,anddeci dedtobr eak
thenewst oKulisoonerthanexpect ed.Hewal ked
downt hest air
shandi nhandwi thKhensani , while
GatshahadLehumobyhi sside.Tomakemat ters
wor se,hedidn’tchoosetocal lherasideandspeak
toheral one,buthechoset oannouncei nfrontof
everyone–t hecouncilmember sincluded.Queen
Kuliwasj ustoneoft hosewomenwhodi dn’ttake
embar r
assmentver
ylight
ly.Recal
li
nghermother
’s
words,shehadtostayputandfocusontheend
goalofallt
hatwashappening.Sheputonabrave
face,
buteventhatwasnotenoughtocoverand
hidethepaini
nherheart.

Ki
ngSfi
so:“Kul
i,
Nomt
handazo,
joi
nusi
nthedi
ning
ar
ea,
please.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ong,
myki
ng?
”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
You’
l
lfi
ndoutsoonenough.
”

QueenKul isensedt hefeari

nKhensani ’
seyes, but
whatshecoul dn’tstomachmostwast hewayKi ng
Sfisowashol di
ngKhensani .Sheslowl ywal ked
ri
ghtbehindhi m,foll
owedbyhermot her.She
foundGatshaandLehumosi tt
ingal
ready, al
ong
withthecouncilmember s.Tomakemat terswor se,
Beatri
ce,Bongi,Br enda,Noah,Neri
ahandRaesi be
wer ethere.Shecouldhandl
ebei ngembarrassedin
frontofroyalmember s,
buti
nf r
ontof“nobodies”,
thatwast helastst
rawforher
.Thatday, thevery
l
astbi tofthegoodshehadleftinherwasst r
ipped
away.

KingSfiso:“
Greet
ings,mycouncil
.Youmustal lbe
surpr
isedtoseemel iket
his,soIdon’twantt
o
wasteanyofyourt i
me.Iwi l
lgetstr
aightt
oit.
”

Theyalll
ookedatSf
isoanxi
ousl
ywi
thout
i
nter
rupti
nghim.

KingSf i
so:“
Asyouknow, Kul
iandIhavehadour
dif
ferencesforaver
ylongwhilenow.Withthat
said,
mostofyouar eprobabl
yawarethatShaka
wasnotmyson.HewasBheki ’
sson.
”

Thecounci
lmemberswereshocked,well
,theywer
e
pret
endi
ngtobeshocked.Theyallknewandhadto
actli
ketheyhadnoi dea.ThathurtSfi
soal it
tle,
knowingthathehadt hem i
nhiscouncilf
orso
manyyear sandthatnotevenoneoft hem hadt he
gutstotel
lhim whathiswifewasdoingbehi ndhis
back.KingSfisoloveddroppi
ngbombshel ls,sohe
justhadtodoitonceagain.

KingSfiso:“Well
,youdon’ thavetopretendtobe
shocked.Ngi yaziukuthibeniyazii
ndabalena(I
knowt hatyouallknewaboutt hi
s).uAyandaisalso
notmychi ld.Theonl ychildofmybl oodisGatsha.
”

Theykeptqui
etandl
ookeddowni
nshame.Kul
i
al
solookeddownandforcedt
het
ear
sbacki
n.

KingSfiso:“Itsaddensmet hatnoneofyouf eltthe

needtobel oyaltomeabouti tal l
.Youdi dn’
teven
feelt
heneedt ocomeandaddr esst hei
ssue,but
youdeci dedtobel oyaltoheri nstead.Shewasnot
onlyacheat er,butsher esortedtoshami ngmeand
embarrassingmei nfrontofmyver yowncounci l.
”
Theywer
eallst
art
ingtopani
cast
heycouldsmell
whatwasaheadofthem.Oneoft
hem deci
dedtoat
l
eastt
ryandputoutthef
ir
e.

Member1:“Per
missiontospeak,myKing.Notal
l
ofusknewandbesides,wedidn’
twanttomakeyou
feell
essofaman.Please,I–“

KingSf i
so:(int
errupt
ing)“Youhavehadover30
yearstopr oveyourloyaltyt
ome, Zolani
.Youhave
fai
led–al lofyou.Letmegetst raighttoit.The
womanyouseer ightherenexttome, i
st hel
oveof
myl i
fe.My“ wif
e”Kul ii
snotonlygui l
tyofadult
ery
andlies,butsheisal soguil
tyofat t
empt edmurder,
andmur der i
ngmyunbor nchil
d.”

Kulif
eltl
ikeshehadswal
lowedherheartri
ghtdown
tohergutatthatmoment
.Shecouldn’tevenlook
atSfi
so.
Ki
ngSfiso:“
Witht
hatsai
d,Ihavedeci
dedtodivor
ce
Kul
iandmar r
ythel
oveofmyl i
fe,
Khensani
.”

Thecouncilmemberswereshocked,
wi t
hsome
gaspingandsomeexpressi
ngthemselves.Kul
ion
theotherhandfel
tasi
fshewasaboutt ofai
ntr
ight
ther
eandt hen.

KingSf i
so:“ Wi
tht hatsai
d, Ihaveal sodeci
dedthat
Gat shawi l
lappointhisowncounci lmember s,
as
youal lwerenotf i
ttoruleal ongsideofme.The
onlyper sonIcant rustaroundt histablei
sNoah
Mkhabel a,therestofyouar efir
edwi thimmediat
e
effect.
”

Theywer
egaspingandpleading,buthedi
dnot
heart
hem.Kulit
ookonegoodl ookatKi
ngSf
iso
whowasdeadserious.Shefeltther
ewasnothi
ng
el
seshecoul
ddo, butt
otryandgai nsome
sympat hyfrom others.Shedr oppedr i
ghtonthat
fl
oor,eventhoughshehadpr etendedtofai
nt,
Lehumof eltsomuchpai nforher .Sheimmedi at
ely
l
etgoofGat sha’
shandandr ushedt owardsher
side,
leavingNer i
ah, Raesi
beandBongiver ymuch
dismayed.Beat ri
cehel pedKuliupal ongwith
Lehumoandt heyt ookhertooneoft hespar e
rooms.QueenNomt hawalkedr i
ghtbehindthem.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Beat
ri
ce,
pleasegethersome
water
.”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Okay,
Ma.
”

QueenNomt ha:“
Lehumo,pleasegi
veussome
space.Idon’tmeanthati
nabadway.”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ofcour
se.
”
LehumowalkedoutandQueenNomthadeci
dedto
l
ockthedoor.Kulii
mmedi
atel
yopenedhereyes
soonaft
erwards.

QueenKul
i:(
annoyed)“
Didyouseet
hat,Maweh?
!
Howdareheembar r
assmeliket
hat
?!”

QueenNomt ha:“
Well
,nowthatyouseeheisnot
i
nter
estedinyouanymore,
whatareyouplanni
ngto
doaboutit
?”

QueenKul i
:(f
uming)“Ineedhi
mt opay.Ican’
t
evenstandthatgi
rl.Sheisthereasonwhy
ever
ythingisthewayitis.
”

QueenNomtha:“
Wel
l,youcouldalwaysgetr
idof
her
.Shehaspurebl
oodandbel i
eveme, t
hatwi
ll
sur
elymakeyoumor
epower ful
.”
QueenKuliwasact
uall
yconsi
der
ingki
ll
ingaper
son
fort
hefi
rstti
meinherli
fe.

QueenKul
i:“
I’
lldoi
t.
”

Thatwasmusi ct oNomt ha’sears.Itwasal lshe

neededt ohear .Meanwhi l
eKi ngSfisohelped
Gatshaar ranget hef uneral.Lehumodi dconvi nce
KingSfisot oatleastal l
owKul itoseeShaka’ sbody,
andanot heroneoft heirmi stakeswasal l
owi ngher
togointot hemor gueal onewi thhermot her.Kul i
gotthereandsawherson’ sbody.Hel ookedso
brui
sedf rom thegunshot ,
wi t
hhischestpr otruding.
Shecoul dn’thelpbutshedat earasshehad
promisedher selfshewoul dneverwailthewayshe
diduponr eceivingt henewsofhi spassingever
again.

Kuli
:(t
ear
y)“Shaka,mf anawami(myboy) .
Bakwenzenikodwa( Whatdidtheyeverdotoyou)
?
Iam sosorr
yf ornotrai
singyouthewayIshould
have.Restassur
ed,Lehumowi
llpayf
ort
his.Your
fat
herwil
lpayfort
his!
”

Kulist
il
lref
usedtobeli
evethatGatshasavedhi
s
fat
herbykill
inghi
sownbr other
.Shewassohel l
bentongetti
ngridofLehumo, t
hatitr
eal
lygott
o
herhead.

QueenNomt
ha:“Kul
i,
wedon’
thaveal
otoft
ime.
Youknowwhatt
odo.”

Kulinoddedasshet ookoutthethr eeball

sofmut hi
thatMkhulugaveher .Heinstr
uct edhertoputthem
i
nt hecoffi
n,andthatonceLehumovi ewedthe
bodyshewoul dgomadandevent uallydi
e.Kuli
wasanger i
ngLehumo’ sancestors,alongwit
h
Gatsha’sasshewaspl ayi
ngwi thf i
re.Noone
shouldevertamperwi t
hfateorsomeone’ sli
fe.

Kul
i:“
Allshal
lbewel
l,
Shaka.Shewi
llpayf
orwhat
shedi
dtoyou.
”

Theywal kedouti nhast eandpr oceededt othe

Kingdom.I twast hedaybef orethefuner al,andas
percust om, Shakawast obebur i
edint heear l
y
hour soft hemor ning–j ustaf tersunrise.Ever yone
i
nt henei ghbour hoodwasexci t
edt obei nvi t
edt o
thefuner al.I twasabi gcer emony, sot heyknew
theyhadt oexpectabi gfeast .Fami l
yf rom al lover
thecount ryhadcomet ocookf orthem, andhel p
them pr epar ef orthef uneral.Asi nstruct ed,
Nomt haandKul iwer enotal l
owedanywher enear
thefoodandhadt or emai nint heguestr oom t hey
wer eallocat ed.Atl eastNomt hawoul dnott amper
witht hetradi ti
onalbeert hist i
me.Kul iwas
shattered, butr efusedt obr eak.Shewasmor e
shatteredt or ealizet hatKhensanihadbeenKi ng
Sfiso’srocki nsteadofher .Shehadbeent hinking
abouti teversi nceheannouncedt hewhol et hingto
everyone.
QueenNomt ha:“
Ucabanganikangaka(
Whati
s
ponder
ingyourmindsomuch) ?”

QueenKul
i:(
anger
ed)“
Ican’
thel
pst
opt
hinki
ngof
Sf
isoandwhathedidt
ome.”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Sayt
hewor
dandi
twi
llbedone.
”

QueenKul
i:“
I’
mready.Doi
t.
”

QueenNomt
hanoddedandst
art
edherusualchant
.

QueenNomt ha:“Isummonyou, dar

kfor
ces.With
thehel
pofMkhul u,letyourwil
lbedone.Iaskthat
mydaughtergetallherheart’
sdesir
esandmove
theonl
yobstaclethatisstoppi
ngeveryt
hingoutof
ourway.Asasked, letitbedone,Mkhul
u.”
Voi
ce:“Yourwishismycommand,Nomthandazo.
Don’
tforget
,ever
ythi
ngcomesatapri
ce.
”

QueenNomt
ha:“
Ofcour
se.Doi
t.
”

ThevoiceofMkhuludisappeared,
anddidn’teven
scareKuli
.Notevenonce.Meanwhi l
edownst ai
rs,
Shaka’
sbodyhadj ustbeenbroughthome,and
Bongiknewexactl
ywhatt odo.Ast hecasketwas
opened,Bongi
stoppedLehumoandGat shafrom
vi
ewing.

Bongi
:“Everyonestop.Gat
sha,Lehumodon’
tyou
dar
eviewt hatbody–nomat t
erwhat.”

Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Whathappened?
”

Bongiwasaboutt
otellt
hem whathappened,
when
shegotacal
l.Sheignoredi
t.
Bongi:“
Baberekil
esetopose(Thebodyhasbeen
tai
ntedwithmuthi
).Please,
don’tevengoneart
he
bodyuntilt
hefuneral
.”

Gat
sha:“
Whodi
dthat
,Ma?
”

Bongiwasabouttoansweronceagainuntilher
phonerang.Shelookedatitandi
twashersi st
er,
Alet
tah.Hersi
sternevercal
led–theyusuall
y
text
edoneanother.Sheknewi mmediat
elythat
somethingwaswrong.

Bongi
:“Hel
lo?
”

Voice:“Mamkhul
u(Aunti
e),
it’
sLor
eta,
Mamaj
ust
gotintoanacci
denther
eathome.”

Bongi:(
frowni
ng)“
Acci
dent
?Whatki
nd?What
happened?”
Loret
ta:“
Idon’tknow.Shewassleepi
ngandnext
thi
ngshef el
lfr
om thebedandwasunconsci
ous.
”

Bongi
:“Okay,
I’
llber
ightt
her
e.”

Ever
yonel
ookedatheranxi
ousl
y.

Bongi:(
frant
ic)“
Mysist
erj
usthadanacci
dentat
herhouse.Ihavetogo.
”

Ever yonehadf orgottenaboutwhatshesaid,but

Gat shaandLehumodi dn’
tgonearthebody.King
Sf i
soi nstr
uctedthement ocloset
hecasketand
removei tfr
om thelivingarea,whi
leheorgani
sed
transpor tf
orBongi .

Noah:“
Ma,
wil
lyoubeal
ri
ght
?”
Ki
ngSfiso:“
I’
llgetsomeonetrust
wort
hytot
akeher
t
here.Bonganicandot hati
fthati
sokaywi
thyou.
”

Noah:(
noddi
ng)“
Thankyou,
myf
ri
end.
”

Bongisaidhergoodbyesandimmedi atel
yleftwit
h
Bongani.Meanwhi l
eNomt haandKul iwer
ehappy
thatBongiwasremovedf r
om thei
rsight.They
couldeasil
ydist
ractever
yonewithoutherpresence.

Neri
ah:“Somet hi
ngi
snotri
ght,
Noah.Ihaven’tf
elt
ateaseeversincewegother
e.Ijustdon’
ttr
ustKuli
andhermot her.”

KingSfi
so:“Khul
uleka(
Rel
ax)
,Neri
ah.Ihave
guardswatchi
ngthem.Youaresafe.
”

Ner
iahcoul
dnothel
pbutgot
oherbedr
oom and
prayasshet r
ulyfel
ttheanxiousfeel
ingnotgoing
away.Shef eltl
ikesomethi
ngwasaboutt ogo
horri
blywrong.Whi l
eNoahwentt otheirbedr
oom
withher,Ki
ngSf i
sofelti
tnecessaryt
ospeakt ohis
son.

KingSf iso:“
Gat sha,Ineedyout oknowt hat
everythingwillbeokay.Youar edoinggreatand
you’
r eboundt omakemi st
akes.You’restil
lyoung,
butmosti mportantl
yyouar eahumanbei ng.No
matterwhat ,Ineedyout otr
ustinyourself
.Youwi l
l
beagr eatki
ngf orthisnati
on.”

ItfeltasifSf i
sowassayi nggoodbyeonceagai nto
hisson.Nonet heless,Gat shareal
lyappreciated
wor dsofwi sdom from hi sfather
.Lehumoand
Gat shaheadedt ot hei
rbedr oom, withhi
mf eeling
ratherbadaboutever ything.Theyt ookashower
toget her,bythenshehadal readybeencomf ort
able
beingnakedar oundhi m.I thadbeenj ustovera
week, buttheywer equi teinti
mate.Ashewashed
herback,
hefel
titwasnecessar
ytoaddr
ess
ever
ythi
ng.

Gatsha:“Mkami( Mywif
e),
Iknowthatwit
h
everyt
hingthatisgoi
ngon,youandIhaven’
thad
thechancetor el
axandembraceourmarri
age.
”

Lehumo:“I
t’
sokay,Gatsha.Iknowthatt
hings
happen.Iknowthatyouaretryi
ngyourbest.
”

Gat
sha:“Ipr
omisedyouaf air
ytal
e,andbel
ieveme
t
hatisexact
lywhatIam goingtogiveyou.
”

Lehumotur
nedaroundandembr
acedt
hewat
er
dri
ppi
ngonthei
rbareski
n.

Lehumo:(
smili
ng)“
Whatdoyouhaveupyour
sl
eeve,
Gatsha?”
Gatsha:(smil
ing)“
You’
l
lsee,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.
You’l
lsee.”

Lehumosmi l
edandwr appedherar msaroundher
husband.Gat shagent l
yl eanedinandgave
Lehumoapassi onateki ss.Shewoul dalways
moani nhismout h,maki nghi m wantherevenmor e.
Lehumowasver ysurpr i
sedhowsexualshehad
becomei naver yshor tspaceoft i
me.Shef elthi
s
penisr i
seandbecomehar dened,andshegent l
y
rubbedi t,makinghi m groanandwanthereven
mor e.Shewassousedt or ecei
vingoralsexfrom
him, yetshehadnevert ri
edt odoi tt
ohim.Shehad
gottenaf ewt i
psf rom Br endaandevenf r
om
Raesi be,andshef el
titwast i
mef orhertotr
yand
explore.Shebr oketheki ssandwentdownonher
knees, render
ingGat shaspeechl ess.

Gatsha:(
sof
tl
y)“
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
,youdon’
t
havetodoit
.”
Lehumo:“
Iwantt
o.”

Henoddedi nexcitementashel ookeddownwhi le

stari
ngather .Shegent l
yrubbedhi speni
swi thone
hand,andhi sballswithherotherhand.Shef elt
herselfbecomer eall
yarousedasshest art
ed
putti
nghi sti
pintohermout h.Gat shal
eanedback,
withbothhandsonherhead.Hegent l
yrubbedher
hair,
whi l
eshewassl owlysuckinghispeni
s.

Gat
sha:(
moani
ng)“
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
….”

Shefeltherselfgetti
ngser i
ouslyinterestedtosee
whereitwoul dleadher .Shehadhear dthatmen
l
oveblowj obs, soshewasconf identt oseeGat sha
enj
oyingit.Asshest artedsuckingmor eofhim,
shechangedt her hythm andwentf aster,making
Gatshawantmor eofher .Hepul l
edherupand
gentl
yturnedhersot hatherbackf acedhi m.He
l
eanedherf orwar dandpenet ratedhergent ly.
Lehumof eltherselfgoi
ngwi ld,whiletheywer eboth
moani ngandenjoyingoneanot her.Theyhad
forgott
entostartfamilypl
anni
ng, amidstal
lthe
funeraldr
ama.Gat shaevent
uallycameandsodi d
Lehumo.Li t
tl
edi dtheybothknowt hattheyhad
conceivedGatsha’sfir
stseedthatnight.

Meanwhi l
eKuliandNomt hadecidedi twast i
mefor
them t
ost ar
twiththenextpartoftheirplan.They
managedt ogettheguardstof al
lasleep,by
hypnoti
zingthem.I twasreal
lyverysimpl eanda
l
oteasierthantheythought.Theyslowl ywalked
downstairsandfoundthefoodalreadypr eparedf
or
thefol
lowingmor ni
ng.

QueenKul
i:“
Let’
smaket hi
sonequi
ck.Justputt
he
poi
sonint
het r
adi
ti
onalbeer.
”

QueenNomt ha:“
Don’
tbeani di
ot,
manKuli
.You
cannothavethat
.Everyonewil
ldr
inki
tandt
hey
wil
ldie.I
sthatwhatyouwant ?
”
QueenKul
i:“
Thenwhatdoyoupr
oposeIdo?
”

QueenNomtha:“Theladiesl
ovet
ea,sojustbefor
e
t
heywakeupt omorrowmor ni
ng,
wewi l
lhaveput
t
hepoisoni
nthet eaalr
eady.Rel
ax,
leaveitallt
o
me.”

QueenKuli:“
Sfi
sohardl
ydr
inkst
ea,heloveshi
s
whiskeyespeci
all
ywhenheisst
ressed.
”

QueenNomt ha:“
Probl
em sol
ved.Putiti
nhis
whiskey.Andyoudidsaythatheocassi
onal
ly
shareswit
hNoah.”

QueenKul
i:“
Yes.
”

QueenNomtha:“
Come,weneedt
ogetupext
ra
ear
lyandgett
hatsor
tedout
.”
Justlikethat
,Nomthaandherdaught erhadplotted
theirf
irstmurdert
ogether
.Kulihadnoi deahow
muchofapr ofessi
onalKuliwassinceshehad
kil
ledherownhusband.TheBi bl
esayst hatal
ready
byt hi
nkingofthesi
n,youhavealreadycommi tted
thesin.
[
01/
27,
07:
32] :Chapt
er29

“Fir
eneedstoburnit
selfi
nordertoburnanyt
hing
else,i
tmustcarr
yinj
uryinit
scorebeforei
tgi
vesit
totherestoft
heworld,t
hereli
esi
tsweakness–
theweaknessofevil
.”–LaminePearl
heart

Themor ni
ngf i
nall
ycame, andasar r
angedthe
wholef amil
yandguest shadt ogetupat4am, in
ordertoburyShakaat5am.Zul ul
andisaveryhot
place,so5am seemedl ike11am thatsi
de.Of
course,everyonewasabi tshockedtoseeKul iand
Nomt haawakesoear l
y–r ightbefor
eeveryone.
Whatst unnedt hem wasthattheyhadmadet eaand
hadpr
epar
edsconesf
orever
yone.

KingSfi
so:(
annoyed)“
Don’
tanyofyoueatt
hat
foodunl
essyouhaveadeathwish.
”

QueenKul
iwasfrust
rated,
asi fshecouldsense
howKingSfi
socouldseerightthroughher
.

QueenKul
i:“
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
obepol
it
e.”

Ki
ngSf
iso:“
Savei
t.Yourt
imei
sup.
”

Ki
ngSfisohadbehavedsooddl
ythatday.Hekept
want
ingGatshaandLehumonexttohim atal
lti
mes.

Ki
ngSf i
so:“Gat
sha,youandLehumohavet obui
ld
abett
erkingdom her
e.Al otoft
hesepeopl
ecan
l
earnsomuchf rom you.
”
Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Yebo,
Baba.
”

Noah:“MyKing,
wear egoingtobelat
eifwedon’
t
makeittot
hegraveyardr
ightnow.”

KingSfi
so:(
chuckl
ing)“
Oh,comeon,mydearfr
iend.
Surel
yyoucansparemet hel
astdr
inkbef
orewe
buryShaka.
”

Noah:(
chuckl
ing)“
You’
respeaki
ngasi
fiti
sthel
ast
t
imeyou’regoingt
oseeme.”

Ki
ngSfi
so:“
YouandIwi
llal
waysbet
oget
her
,even
i
nspi
ri
t.
”

Noahdidn’
tseem t
otakenot
eofSfiso’
swords,
whil
eGatshawasabitscept
ical
.Lehumoont he
ot
herhand,hadhermindponder
ingthr
oughoutt
he
ent
ir
emorning,whil
eNeri
ah’
suneasyfeel
inghadn’
t
goneawayeversincet
heprevi
ousni
ght.

Beat
ri
ce:“
Ner
iah,
kwenzenj
ani(
whati
sit
)?”

Neri
ah:“
Idon’tknow,Beat
rice,
butIhaven’
tbeen
f
eeli
ngokay,spir
it
uall
yforthepastfewdays.If
eel
l
ikesomethi
ngbadi sabouttohappen.”

Beat
ri
ce:“
Funer
alst
endtodot
hatt
opeopl
e.Don’
t
worr
ytoomuchabouti
t.
”

Ki
ngSf i
so:“Gat
sha,Lehumo,Ipraythatt
hegood
l
ordblessesyouwit
hhealthychi
ldrenandahappy
marr
iage.Iwishyounothingbutthebest.
”

Gatsha:“Hawu(Gosh)
,Baba(Fat
her)
,you’
vebeen
sayingsuchthi
ngsasifyouaresayi
nggoodbye.
What ’
shappeni
ng?”
KingSfiso:“Nothi
ng,son.Tomor r
owisn’
t’
guaranteed.Looknow, evenAyandahasgone
AWOL.Pr ayforher.Shemi ghtnotbemy
bi
ologicalchil
d,butIl
oveher .
”

Gatshanoddedast
heypr
oceededtol
eavet
he
house,l
eavi
ngQueenKul
iandQueenNomthaver
y
muchannoyed.

QueenKul
i:(
frust
rat
ed)“
Mypl
andi
dn’
twor
k!”

QueenNomtha:“
Leavei
talltome.Bytheendof
t
heday,we’
l
lbehavinganotherf
uner
al.
”

QueenKuliwasver yf
rustrat
ed,butchosetotrust
hermotheronceagain.Theypr oceededtothe
funer
algrounds.Everyonewast here–event he
oneswhoneverattendf uner
als.Perhapstheyall
hadhopedt oseethedramaunf oldonceagain.
Nonet
heless,KingSfi
sodeci
dedt
ogiveShakaa
ver
ydignif
iedfuner
al–despit
eal
lhedidt
ohim.

KingSfiso:“Shaka,mf anawami( myson) .Ihaven’t

beenthebestoff at
her stoyou,butwhatIwantyou
toknowi sthatIforgiveyou.Iaskt hatyoualso
forgi
vemef orwrongingyou.Youwer eandwill
alwaysbemyson.Abaphansimabakuamukel e
ekhayalakhol okugcina(Mayt heancestors
welcomeyout oyourl astrest
ingplace).uMoya
wakhomauphumul e( Mayyoursoulr est)
.Lala
ngoxolo(restinpeace) ,Mfanawami( myboy) .
”

Ascust omary, QueenNoziphostartedchantingthe

Ncubecl annames, whi
letherestoftheguest
ulul
ated.Itwasasombr emood, butoveral
l,
Shaka
wasgi venadi gnif
iedsendoff.Wheni twast ime
forhisbodytodescend, t
hecoffi
nr ef
usedtogo
down.Themenhadt otakeitoutanddi gabi t
furt
herandbi gger,anditfi
nall
ydescendedaf ter
muchwor k.
QueenNozi pho:(shakinghead)“It
’sasign.uMoya
kaShakaawukaphumul i(
Shaka’sspir
iti
snot
rest
ing).Thepersonr esponsi
bleforpl
ayingGod
withhisli
feshallsuff
erdear l
y.”

QueenKuliswall
owedhar dassheremember ed
QueenNozipho’swordsverycl
earl
y.Onceupona
ti
meshewaswar nedthatherl
if
ewi l
lfal
laparti
n
morewayst hanone.Itwastoolateforhertotur
n
backnow,anyway.Ast heywereabouttoleave,
KingSf
isomadeawei r
drequest.

KingSfi
so:“Gatsha,letBonganidri
veNoah,Ner
iah,
KhensaniandI.Yougowi t
hyourgr andmot
herand
yourwif
e.Pleaset akeHoseawi thyou.”

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Kodwa(
But
)why,
Baba?I
s
t
heresomethi
ngwrong?
”
KingSfi
so:(
smili
ng)“
Notatal
l,
son.Ithinkyou
guysneedtokeepyourgr
andmothercompany,
that
’sal
l.
”

Gatshafel
tther
ewassomethi
ngoddabouthi
s
fat
her’
srequest
,buthel
eti
tgo.

Gat
sha:“
Okay.
”

KingSfiso:“Remember
,Il
oveyou,
son.Don’
tever
forgett
hat.”

Gatshasmi ledasKi ngSf i

sopat t
edhi sback.Ki ng
Sfi
sowal kedal ongsidehisloveKhensani ,wit
h
NeriahandNoahhandi nhandast heygoti nt
othe
car.Neriahkeptl ookingatLehumoasi fherface
want edt
ot ellherast or
y.Att hatparticularmoment,
Lehumowashi twithaveryoddf eel
ingi nhergut.
Sheandherhusbandal ongwi thlit
tl
eHoseagot
i
ntot hei
rcar .QueenNozi phogoti nt hefront,whi
le
Lehumogotint
ot hebackwi
thHosea.Oncei
n,
Hoseastar
tedcryingf
ornor
eason,asi
fsomethi
ng
hadbit
tenorhur
thi m.

Lehumo:“Ngwanaowahl
ola(
Thi
schi
ldi
sact
ing
funny)
,Gatsha.
”

Nozi
pho:“
It
’sasi
gn.
”

Gat
sha:“
Asi
gnofwhat
?”

Bef oretheyknewit,t
hecart hatt
hei
rparentshad
drivenitblewupr i
ghtinfrontoft
hem –leavi
ng
ever yonestunnedtothecore.Lehumowasso
shocked, asshesatstil
lforamoment .Gatshawas
stunned, andimmediatel
ygotoutofhiscarand
rushedt owardsthecar,butitwasal
readytoolat
e.
Itwasal readyonfir
e.
Lehumo:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Mama!Papa!
”
[
01/
27,
07:
32] :Chapt
er30

“Thejoyofseei
nganotherper
soninpai
n,frust
rat
ed
orangryisadeli
cacyonlyf
orthemostwicked.
”–
RobinSacredf
ir
e

Thr
eemont
hsl
ater

Ithadbeenj ustthreemont hssinceGat shaand

Lehumohadl osttheirlovedonesi nthattragic
acci dent.Lehumohadbeenamess, withGat sha
tryingt okeephisheadabovewat er,
whi l
ehavi ngto
reignal one.Itwasnoteasy, buthehadmanaged.
Hehadevenl ostsomuchwei ghtbecausehi swife
hadbeensever elydepr essedandbar elycoping.
Hadi tnotbeenforHosea, shewoul dhavegi venup
realqui ckl
y.Itwasar atherdar kChristmasandan
evendar kerNewYear ’
sf orthem.Raesi beand
Beat ricehadbeent ryingt ocomf orther,andBongi
al
sohadherownf ai
rshareofdramaandtroubl
e.
Shewasbeyonddevastat
edt ol
osehersonand
daught
er-
in-
lawi
nsuchat ragi
cway.

Ofcour se, sheknewt hatf oulplaywasathandand

thatdar kmagi cwasr uli
ngr ightther e,butoddl yher
dreamsr efusedt orevealwhowasbehi ndal lthat.
Sheal soj ustdidn’tli
keQueenKul iandQueen
Nomt ha, andwi thBongiaway, t
akingcar eofher
frai
lsi ster,itwaseasyf orQueenKul itopl ayt he
pretent i
ousl ygoodmot her -i
n-law.Af t
ershehad
kill
edf ourpeopl eatonce, shehadover t
akenQueen
Abigai lbyt wopoi ntsandshewasabet terdar k
queent hanher ,motivati
ngAbi galevenmor et o
form anal li
ancewi t
hher .Gat shast i
llneverl ethis
guar ddownar oundKul iunl ikeLehumo, andj ust
whent heyt houghtthatt hingswoul dgeteasi er,
theirli
veswer eaboutt ot akeanot herdar kturn.
Gatshahadf el
tithadbeent oolongsincet heyboth
hadagr eatti
me.Yes, theyhadl ostt
heirparents,
butthatdidn’
tmeant hatli
feshouldhavest opped.
Hef oundHoseapl ayi
ngintheirbedroom, andheard
t
heshowerwat
err
unni
ng.

Gat
sha:(
smili
ng)“Yes,boy-
boy.Uphiusi
siwakho
(
Whereisyoursi
ster)
?”

Hosea:“
Uyageza(
She’
staki
ngabat
h).
”

Gat
sha:“
Okay,
I’
llber
ightback.Behave,
okay?
”

Hosea:“
Ifyoupr
omi
set
ogi
vebuymei
cecr
eam
t
henIwill
.”

Gatshal eftt
othebathr
oom chuckli
ng.Het ookoff
hisclothesashepreparedt ohaveaninti
mate
momentwi t
hhiswi
fe.Hesl owlywalkedinand
start
edki ssi
nghershoulders,
ashepr epar
edto
washherback.Ashehel dherbeauti
fulbr
east
s,he
hadn’tgivenhimsel
ftimet onoti
cejusthowmuch
full
ertheywer e.
Lehumo:“
Gat
sha…Hoseai
sint
hebedr
oom.
”
Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“Hewon’ thearus,Ntombenhl
e
(
Beaut i
ful).Ij
ustwantt ospendsomet imewithmy
wif
e.Imi ssyou,Ndhlovukazi(Queen)
.”

Lehumo:“
Youseemeever
yday.
”

Gat
sha:(
sof
tl
y)“
YouknowwhatImean.
”

Hesai dthatashebr eathedoutwar m airandithit

Lehumo’ ssoftskin.Hi shandt ravell
edtoherclit
,
andshei mmedi atelyspr eadherlegsabi tfur
ther.
Theheatoft heshowerwat erwasdoi ngmagi cto
thebothoft hem.Gat shaf el
thimselfgethot
i
mmedi at
elyashi speni srosetot heoccasion.He
knewj usthowhi swi feli
kedi t
.Hesl owlyturnedher
aroundandwentr ightdownt oherthighs,and
star
tedeat i
ngoutherpussy.Lehumof oundher sel
f
gaspingforair,i
nbet weenor gasmsasshet r
iednot
t
omakeevent
hesmal
lestsound.

Lehumo:(
sof
tl
y)“
Gat
sha…pl
ease,
Ineedyounow…”

Gat sharoseupandpi ckedLehumoup, al

lowingher
towr apherlegsaroundhi swaist.Ashesl owly
kissedher,hepenetratedher,makingthem bot h
growllikewildanimals.Ithadbeensol ongsi nce
theyhadact ual
lybeeni nt
imate,duetoallofthe
dramat heyhadbeenexper i
encing,buti
tfeltso
goodf orthebothofthem tobeathomeagai n–i n
eachot her’
sbodies.

Gat
sha:“
Imi
ssedyou,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.”

Lehumo:“
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
”

Gatsha:“
Iwantt
oaskyousomet
hing,
andpl
ease–
don’tt
akeitt
hewrongway.
”
Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Okay.
”

Gat
sha:“
Whyungathi(
doesi
tseem l
ike)youhave
gai
nedabitofwei
ght
?”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Isi
tapr
obl
em f
oryou?
”

Gat
sha:“
No,
Mkami
(mywi
fe)
,hayikanj
alo(
notl
ike
t
hat)
.”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Youcansayi
t.I
’
mfat
.”

Gat
shasuddenl
yregr
ett
edaski
ngt
hatquest
ion.

Gat
sha:“
No,notl
ikethat
,St
handwasami(Myl
ove)
.
WhatImeantwasthatyoul
ookpregnant
.”
Lehumo:(
shocked)“
Heh?
!”

Gatsha:“
Don’
tlooksosur
pri
sed.WhenhaveIever
heardyousayt
hatyouwereonyourper
iodever
si
ncewegotmar ri
ed?”

Lehumost
oodstil
lri
ghtintheshower
,ignor
ingt
he
bli
ndi
ngwater
.Shet houghtl
ongandhardfora
momentandthenitdawnedonher.

Lehumo:“
Shi
t.Gat
sha,
Ican’
tbepr
egnant
.”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
It
’snotabadt
hing,
myl
ove.
”

Lehumo:“Heh?!Iam onl
ydoingmythi
rdyearof
Nursi
ng,Gatsha.HowwillIcope?
”

Gat
sha:“
HaveInotsai
dthatIwoul
dbet
her
efor
younomatterwhat?Whydoesitseem l
ikeyou
havef
orgott
enyourvows,Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)?
Youhaveforgot
tent
opray.
”

Lehumo:(cr
ying)“
Becausenothingmakessense
anymore,
Gatsha.Everyt
hingisarealmess.My
parent
saregoneandIhavet ofacetheworl
d
al
one.”

Gat
sha:“Youhaveme.Iam her
eandwi
llal
waysbe
her
eforyou,Ipr
omise.
”
Lehumost oodintheshower ,cryi
ngi nGat sha’
s
arms.I tmusthaveprobablybeent hener vest hat
gottoher.Sher eal
lydidn’
tthinkshe’df allpr
egnant
thefir
stti
meshehadsex.Ami ll
ionthought swent
thr
oughhermi nd,suchaswhatshewoul ddo
withouthermotherpresent.Itwasal otfora20
yearoldQueen,butshehadnochoi cebutt osoldi
er
on.Shet henremember edadr eam shehadhada
fewnightsaft
erhermot herandf atherhadpassed
on.Hermot hertoldhernottowor r
yandt hatshe
shouldbehappyf orthatchil
d.Shedidn’t
understandthedream, butatt
hatmomenti tf
inal
ly
madesenset oher.Gatshawouldobviouslymakea
greatfather
,butLehumohadnoi deawhatl ayin
storeforher.

Meanwhile,QueenKul iandQueenNomt hawereup

tonogoodoncemor e.EversinceQueenKuli
managedt ospil
lsomebl ood,shehadbecomef ul
ly
awareofherpower s,buteventhenitwas
unfor
tunateforherbecauseshecoul dnott
ouch
Lehumo–nomat t
erhowhar dshetried.

QueenKul
i:“
Mkhul
u!Mkhul
u!”

Mkhulu:“
Yinii
ndabaungi r
aselakangaka(Whyar e
youshouti
ngatmel ikethat)
?Iam yourmast er,not
oneofyourservant
s, Kul
i.Youseem toforgetyour
place.
”
QueenKuli
:“Ngi
yaxol
isa(
I’
m sorr
y),
butnaweyou
needtoupyourgame.What ’
sthi
sIhearofLehumo
bei
ngpregnant?
!”

Mkhulu:(
chuckli
ng)“Thati
sri
dicul
ous.Ifshehad
beenpregnant,t
henIwouldhaveseenit
.Thedark
for
ceshaven’tshownmeanything.
”

QueenNomtha:“
That’
sbecauseLehumoi
s
pr
otect
ed,
Mkhulu,andyouknowit.
”

Mkhulurubbedhisheadinfr
ustrati
onashetr
iedt
o
summonevi lspi
rit
stoshowhimt heNcubeunbor
n
hei
r,buthecouldn’
tseeanyt
hing.

Mkhulu:“Dammi
t!Thi
shasneverhappened
bef
ore.”

QueenKul
i:“
You’
ret
hel
eaderher
e,sowhatnow?
”
Mkhul
u:“
You’
l
lhavet
ofi
ndoutt
heol
dfashi
oned
way.
”

Kul
ifel
tli
keMkhul uwasseri
ousl
ywastingherti
me,
andyetMkhulualsoneededthechi
ld’
sbloodspi
ll
ed
i
norderforhi
mt ogainevenmorepower .Sor
cery
wasallheknew.

Mkhulu:“
Onceyoufi
ndout,br
ingapieceofher
cl
othi
ngtome–bet t
eryetbri
ngherunderwear
.
Oneshehaswornrecent
ly.
”

QueenKulif
eltthatshehadenoughpowertost
art
doi
ngthesethingsonherown–al ongwit
hher
mother
.Shehonest lyfel
tli
keMkhul
uwasnot
doi
ngmucht ohel pher.

QueenKul
i:“Mxm,wena(
you)Mkhul
u.Ial
ways
havet
odot hedi
rt
yworkmysel
fandbri
ngyou
ever
ythi
ngt
oreapf
rom.
”

Mkhulu:(
annoyed)“
Kul i
,itseemsasifthisnew
powerhasgonetoyourhead.Becar ef ulnow,ask
yourmotherhowmanypeopl ehavet
riedt oover
rul
e
meandt heyweredefeated..
”

Kul
iremai
nedunphazedbyi
tal
l.

QueenKul i
:(cli
cki
ngt ongue)“
Mxm, ungimoshela
i
sikhati(you’rewastingmyt i
me),Mkhul u.Bynow,
everyoneshoul dhavest art
edrespectingmeagai n,
butinsteadLehumoi stheQueenofZul uland.A
whol e20yearol d!Shei sevenruli
ngt hequeen’s
society–mysoci ety!Ihavetobowdownt oa
whol echil
d!I fIwasteanothersecondl isteni
ngt
o
yout henI’l
lnevergetwhatmyhear tdesi r
es.”

Mkhulu:“Becaref
ul,
Kul
i.Youar
ebecomingtoo
cockyformyliki
ng.ImadeyouandIcantakei
tal
l
awayi
nani
nst
ant
.”

QueenKul
i:“I
’dl
ovet
oseeyout
ry.I
fIgodown,
you
godownwi t
hme.”

Shest ormedout ,l
eavingMkhul uhuf fingin
frustrati
on.Heknewdeepdownt hatKul ihadt he
possi bil
it
yofover ruli
nghi m.Hehadneverbeen
ablet osacr ifi
cesomeoneoft ruepur itysuchas
Noah, Neri
ahandLehumo.Wi thKul ihavi ngdone
that,itwasonl yamat teroft i
mebef or eshebecame
ther uleroft heunder wor l
d.Backatt hekingdom,
Gat shawassoecst ati
c,hemadehi swi fesome
dinner .Hehadr ushedt ot hephar macynear by
befor eithadcl osed.Hehadact uall
ydonever ywel
l
fora27yearol d.Hehadl aunchedt hemal ljust
befor ehisf atherpassedon, andhewasal r
eady
wor kingonami ningvent ur einZul uland, whichwas
goingt ocr eatemor ejobs.Hewasal r
eadyonhi s
wayt obecomi ngoneoft her i
chestki ngsint he
count ry.Ther eisal wayst wosi dest ol i
fe–t he
goodandthebad.Yes, hewasdoi ngwel l
,butalot
morepeoplewer eenvyingLehumoandwant edto
havehi
m ast hei
rhusband–evenset t
li
ngf orbei
ng
asecondwife.Al so,
wi t
hf or
tunecamef ame.The
mediawasst art
ingtotakeani nt
erest.Hehad
comebackwi thtwopr egnancytests.Her ushed
i
ntothebedroom excitedl
yandf oundhiswi fe
si
tti
ngonthebedandeat ingherdinner.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Mkami
(Mywi
fe)
,Iam back.
”

Lehumo:“
Hey.
”

Gat
sha:“
Areyoudoneeat
ing?
”

Lehumo:“
Ah,whati
sthepoint?Icannotst
omach
thesmel
lofl
ambnow–l etaloneeati
t.”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
It
’sokay.Myf
atheral
ways
usedtosaythatuMahadsever
emorningsickness
whenshewaspr egnantwi
thme.Hopeful
ly,you’
ll
getbet
terati
t.
”

Lehumo:“
Iguessso.
”

Gatsha:“
Come,Igotyousomepr
egnancyt
est
s.
Areyouready?
”

Lehumo:“
Ngiyasaba(I
’
m scar
ed),
Gat
sha.Whatifit
tur
nsoutnegat
iveandyoubecomedi
sappoi
nted?
”

Gatsha:“We’resti
llyoung,baby.I
twon’tbetheend
ofthewor l
d.Now, pl
easedomet hehonoursand
takethetests,ngi
yakucel
asthandwasami(Please,
myl ove)
.”

Lehumosmiledasshet
ookthetest
sfr
om Gat
sha,
andhefol
lowedhertot
hebathr
oom.
Lehumo:(
puzzl
ed)“
Real
ly,
Gat
sha?You’
regoi
ngt
o
watchmepee?”

Gatsha:“
Hawu(Wow),Nt
ombenhle(Beaut
if
ul)
.I’
ve
seenyoufar
tandyou’
rest
il
lbeaut
if
ulwhenyoudo
that
.”

Lehumo:(
embar
rassed)“
Stopi
t.
”

Gatshachuckledashewatchedheruri
nateont he
sti
cks.Shef l
ushedandwashedherhands, asthey
tookthepregnancytest
sbackt
othebedr oom and
wenttositonthebed.GatshamadeLehumol ay
herheadonhi schestandmadeherli
stentohis
heart
beat.

Gatsha:“
Ican’
twaittoshow youthatImeantever
y
wordofthosevows,LehumoNcube.Youar emy
worldandIwil
lfor
everbedeeplyscarr
edforwhat
youandIhadtogot hrough.Iknowthatl
if
ewill
neverbet hesameagai n,butIam heref oryou.I
know, you’r
eyoungandmyi ntenti
onwasnevert o
makeyoupr egnantatt hi
sage, buteverythi
ng
happensf orareason.Job1: 21TheLor dgave,and
theLor dhathtakenaway;pr aisedbet henameof
theLor d.
”Ibelievethatwi t
hlosscomesbl essi
ngs.
Thisisourchancet obehappy, Sthandwasami( My
l
ove).Noonewi llevertouchyouf oraslongasIam
ali
ve.Theysayt alkischeap,butyouknowIam a
manofact i
on.”

Lehumosmiledasshewi pedat earoffherface.

Aft
eraboutt
enmi nutes,
Gatshal ookedatthetest
s,
whil
eLehumol ookedathim anxiousl
y.

Lehumo:“
And?
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
You’
rei
ndeedpr
egnant
,myl
ove!
”

Hespunherar
oundwhi
leshej
ustsmi
ledwi
tht
ear
s
fl
owingdownherf ace.Gat
shaki
ssedher
passionat
ely,
wi t
ht ear
sofj
oyfal
li
ngdown
endlessl
y.Het hengotdownonhisknees,
and
ki
ssedhert ummy.

Gatsha:(clanpr aises)“ Mzi l

ankat ha, Nhlansi
,
Gabadeli,Zibindlela,ZikhalizeMkhont o.Nina
abaphansi( mygr eatancest ors)
, Ni naningi
phe
i
ntombienhl ekanj e(youhavegi venmesucha
beauti
fulwoman) ,Nimt handel emi na(youchose
herforme) ,Manj eni siphei siphoesi hl
ekanjena
(Nowyouhavechosent ogiveussuchabeaut if
ul
gif
t).Iwillforeverhonouryouf ort his.Ngiyabonga
(Thankyou) .Baba( f
ather )
,Iwon’ tletyoudown.
MaNcube( Mr s.Ncube) ,thankyousomuchf or
choosingme.Ngi yakuthandayezwa( Iloveyou,
okay)?”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
33] :Chapt
er31
“
Thef unct
ionofprayeri
snottoinf
luenceGod,but
r
athertochangethenatureoft
heonewhopr ays.”
–SorenKiekergaard

Thef ollowi
ngdayhadcome,andwhi leLehumoand
Gat shawerehavingapeacefulmorningtoget
herin
bed, theywerepuzzl
edbyQueenKul iwalki
nginto
theirbedroom wi
thsomebreakfastaft
erknocking
briefl
y.

QueenKuli:(
smi
li
ng)“Goodmorning,Sunshi
ne.I
hopeyoutwoarereadytohaveyoursel
vesa
scr
umptiousmeal.
”

Gatsha:(
annoyed)“
Kul
i,
don’tyouknowhowt o
knock?Sincewhendoyouent erourbedr
oom
wit
houtknocki
nganyway?”

QueenKul i
:“Oh,Gat
sha,mf
anawami(myson).
Ngiyaxol
isa(I’
m sor
ry)
.Iam j
ustt
ooexci
ted.
”
Lehumohadjustgrownsofttowar
dshermot
heri
n
l
aw, soshewasn’
tthatpuzzl
ed.

Gat
sha:“
Ma,
nextt
imeknock.We’
rehavi
ngour
moment.
”

QueenKuli
:“Okay,
sor
ry.Letmej
ustl
eaveyouwi
th
t
hisbreakf
ast.
”

Kulii
ntenti
onall
yputthebreakfastt
rayonthebed,
ri
ghtinfrontofthetwoofthem andLehumo
i
mmedi atelycoveredhernose.Thatwasan
i
ndicati
ont oKulit
hatthequeenwasi ndeed
pregnant.

QueenKul
i:“
Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ong?
”

Gat
sha:“
No.
”
Gatshawasofcour setryi
ngtobeappr ehensiveand
caref
ul,butLehumowasj ustcravi
ngt hatmotherl
y
l
ovef r
om QueenKul i
.Itwasunder st
andableseeing
asshehadj ustlostherparentsataver yyoungage.
Alt
houghsheknewj ustwhatKuliwascapableof ,
shehadhopet hatthewomanhadt urnedanewl eaf.

Lehumo:“Oh,
notatal
l,
Ma.I
t’
sjustt
hat
,we’
re
pregnant
.”

Kul
idugdeepi
nhergutt
ofakehersmi
le.

QueenKuli
:(smil
ing)“
Oh,congrat
ulat
ions,
bant
wanabami( Mychildr
en).Iam soexcit
ed!I
am f
inal
lygoingt
obeagr andmother.
”

Shethendeci
dedtor
evealt
hebestt
ri
ckshehad
evert
ri
ed–herfaket
ears.
QueenKul i
:(cr
ying)“Iknow,Ihaven’tbeenthebest
personinthewor l
d,butyourfatherwouldbeso
proudtoday.Hehadal wayswant edagr and
daughter
.”

Shewastryi
ngherutmostbestt
osoft
ent
hebot
h
oft
hem anditwor
ked–mor eonLehumot
hanon
Gat
sha.

QueenKuli
:“Ial
soknow,Lehumo,
yourpar
ent
s
wouldhavebeenverypr
oudtoseethewomanyou
havebecome.”

Lehumost
art
edbecomingt
ear
y,whi
leGat
sha’
s
facer
emai
nedhar
dened.

QueenKul
i:“
I’
lll
eaveyout
oit
.Ipr
omi
se,
I’
llbesur
e
t
oknocknexttime.
”
Shewal
kedoutswift
lyandfoundQueenNomtha
wai
ti
ngforherr
ightout
sidethebedr
oom door
.

QueenNomt
ha:“
And?
”

QueenKuli:(annoyed)“She’
smostdefini
tel
y
pregnant
.Shet oldmest rai
ghtup.Youshould
haveseent hepatheti
clookonherface.Inow
knowwhatt odo.
”

QueenNomtha:“
Areyousur
eyouwantt
ogo
agai
nstMkhul
u?”

QueenKuli
:“Whynot
?Idon’
tneedhi
m anymor
e.I
cangett
hingsdonemyway.
”

Theywal
keddowntopr
oceedtothei
revildeeds,
whil
eGat
sharemai
neddispl
easedabouthiswife’
s
t
rust
ingways.

Gatsha:“St
handwasami(Mylove)
,youknowhowI
feelaboutmymother
,ri
ght?
”

Lehumo:“I
’m ver
ysorry.Ididn’
tmeantogoagai
nst
you.It
’sj
ustthat…she’sbeensonicet
ome.”

Gatsha:“
EvenPeterandJudasbetrayedJesus
onceuponatime.I’m beggi
ngyou,donotbet oo
tr
ustingt
owardspeople.Especi
all
ynowt hatyou’
re
pregnant
.”

Lehumo:“Ihearyou.I
’
m sor
ry.Iwi
llbeal
otmor
e
caref
ulf
rom nowon.Ipromise.
”

GatshagotLehumor eadyandtheywentt
othe
doctor
.Heconf i
rmedt hatshewasi
ndeed13
weekspregnant.Theywer ebot
hinsuchshockas
theydidn’tevenr ealizethatshecoul dhavebeen
pregnantf orthatl ongbyt hen.Nonet hel
ess, t
hey
werebot hexci ted, andGat shawasofcour semor e
excit
edthanher .Uponar r
ivalattheRoyalPal ace,
theyweresur prisedt of i
ndQueenNozi phoand
Bongithere.Theyhadn’ tseenBongii nweeksand
shelookedr atherf railasshehadl ostqui t
eabi tof
weight.Gr iefissomet hi
ngel se;i
tjustcr eepsupon
youlikeat hiefint heni ghtandweal lgri
eve
diff
erent
ly.Noahbei ngt heonlychi l
d, i
twasnot
veryeasyf orBongit ohealf r
om hi sdeath.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hawu(Wow),Mam’
Bongi
,Gogo
(
Granny)
.Whatani
cesur
pri
se.
”

Whenthosetwowerear
oundatthesamet
ime,
it
meantthatt
roubl
ewasonther
ise.

Bongi
:(smi
oing)“
Hel
lo,
mychi
ldr
en.Ni
njani(
How
ar
eyou)?”
Gat
sha:“We’
rebet
tert
hangr
eat
.Ismymot
her
home?”

QueenNozi
pho:(
shakinghead)“
No,shel
eftwit
h
hermot
hertowhoknowswher e.Whyarethey
l
ivi
ngher
e?Didn’
tSfisobanisht
hem?”

Lehumo:“Yes,ma,hedid,
butdoesn’
ttheBibl
esay
thatever
yonedeservesasecondchance?
”

QueenNozi pho:(shaki
nghead)“Lehumo,Mntwana
wami (Mychild),Iknowthatdeepinthatheadof
yoursyouhaveabr ai
nthatworks.Uzoli
mala
(You’
llgethurtbadly)
.Youcannotbet el
li
ngthe
wholewor l
dthatyou’repr
egnant.”

Bongi
:“Iagr
ee.
”
Gat
sha:“
Final
ly,
someoneseeswhatIsee.
”

Lehumost ar
tedbei
ngemot
ionalagai
n,blameiton
thehormones.Bongit
ooki
tuponherselftobe
real
ist
ic.

Bongi:“Lehumo,mychi l
d.Wear enotgangingup
onyouoranyt hi
ngl i
kethat
, butyouhaveto
rememberwhatyourmom t aughtyou.Remember
whatyourf at
hertaughtyou–nott otrusteasi
ly.
Youhavebeenl ackinginprayerandfait
h,Nana
(chi
ld)anditwil
lbackfi
rebadly.”

Lehumo:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Bongicoul
dn’tbr
ingi
tuponhersel
ftotellLehumo
aboutherdr
eam.Sher eal
lycoul
dn’tt
ellher.

Bongi
:(f
aintsmi
le)“
Not
hingmaj
or.Justpl
ease,
don’
tfor
gett
oprayandli
ghtacandl
einyour
bedr
oom atl
eastt
wiceaweek.
”

GatshaandLehumonoddedast
heydeci
dedto
haveagreatcat
chupsessi
onwi
thQueenNozi
pho
andBongi.

Bongi:“Ial
sohaveanot
hermai
nreasonast
owhyI
am here.”

Lehumo:“
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
”

Bongi:“
Ever
ythi
ngi
sal
ri
ght
.Iam r
atherconcer
ned
aboutHosea.
”

Gat
sha:(
puzzl
ed)“
Hoseai
sfi
ne,
Ma.
”

Lehumo:“
We’
vebeent
aki
nggoodcar
eofhi
m.”
Bongi:“
Iknowthat
.Thati
snotmyconcer
n.My
pr
oblem ist
hatBeat
ri
cehasdeci
dedt
oret
ire.
”

GatshaandLehumower esogutted,butthey
couldn’
texact
lybl
ameher.Shehadbeenwor king
i
nt hepalacef
oryear
sandi twasti
mef orhert o
haveherownl i
feout
sideofthepalace.

Bongi
:“Shecan’tt
akecareofHoseaanymoreand
Raesi
becan’tbehere24/7.Whichi
swhyIhave
deci
dedtotakehim sot
hathecancomel i
vewit
h
me.”

Lehumo:“
ButMa,
I-“

Bongi:(inter
rupt
ing)“
You’r
esti
llyoung,
Lehumo.
Weal lcannotexpectyoutobecomeapar entt
o
yourbr otherwhenyoutwojustgotmarri
ed.Iam
sti
llal
iveandIcant akecareofhim.Iam nott
aki
ng
him awayf
rom you,butIam givingyouachanceto
haveyourownlif
e,whil
egi vi
nghi m anequal
chance.Thiski
ngdom hast oomuchgoi ngon,soi
t
i
sbestheliveswit
hme.Iam al one,Lehumo,sohe
wil
lkeepmeonmyt oes.”

Lehumowasrathersaddened,
butwhatBongisai
d
madealotofsense.

Lehumo:“
Okay.
”

Bongi
:“Thankyou,
mychil
d.Hewillcomevisi
tany
ti
meandyouknowyou’r
ealwayswelcome.Justdo
meafavour–keepaneyeonKuli
.”

Evenaf t
erthatmanyatt
empt s,
Lehumost il
lcoul
dn’
t
seewhatt heyweretal
kingabout.Latert
hat
evening,sheandherhusbandretreat
edtotheir
bedroom.Theyhadsai dgoodbyet oHosea,ashe
hadleftwithBongi
.QueenNozi phodecidedtostay
ali
tt
lebitl
onger
.Af
tert
hei
rshowert
ogether,
they
goti
ntobedandGat
shadecidedt
ospinhissurpi
se
toher.

Gatsha:(
smili
ng)“Ntombenhl
e(Beauti
ful
),Ihave
beenwaiti
ngformybi r
thdayt
odot hi
s,kodwake
(butt
hen),whatbett
erwaytocel
ebrat
eournews
thanthi
s?”

Hehandedheranenvel
ope.Shetookagoodl
ook
athi
m andt
henattheenvel
ope.

Gat
sha:“
Openi
t.
”

Sheopenedit
,wi
thGat
shal
ooki
ngatheri
n
suspense.

Lehumo:(
shocked)“
Gat
sha…”
Gatsha:(
smili
ng)“Yes,mylove.Iam takingyouto
Greeceforourhoneymoon.Itwassupposedt o
havebeenmi xedwithourweddinganniversar
y,but
Ij
ustcouldn’
twaitthatl
ong.”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Gat
sha,
howcanweaf
for
dal
l
thi
s?”

Gat
sha:“
Ihavebeenr
atherbusy,mylove.Ican’
t
wai
ttoshowyouwhatIhaveachievedforus.
WhenIpromi
sedyoutheworld,Imeantit
.”

Lehumo:(
smi
ing)“
Thankyou,
Baby.Il
ovei
t.
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Baby?
”

Lehumo:(bl
ushi
ng)“
Hayi(
No)
,man.Youj
ustwant
met obl
ush.
”
Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ilovei
t,Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.”

Hekissedherfor
ehead,andtheywentdownonto
thefl
oortoprayandgotbackintobedanddr
if
ted
offt
osleepineachother’
sar
ms.

MeanwhileQueenKul iandQueenNomt hahad

gott
enupt onogood.Theygotoutoft heir
bedroomsandheadedt othekit
chen.Kulit
ookout
asil
vercupandbeganst i
rri
ngsomemut hiini
t,
whil
ehermot herbeganchant i
ng.

QueenNomt ha:“Isummonyoual l,dar

kf orces.I
askyout ocomedownandmaket hismut hidoit
s
j
ob.Ineedyout omakeLehumogetami scarri
age,
I
wanttosacrifi
cethatchi
ldandIwantt hepowerof
asorceressformydaught er
!Makehert hemost
powerfulsor
ceressintheworld!
”

Theysayt
hatwhenyouappearatt
her
ightpl
ace
butthewr ongtime,youar
esett
ingyoursel
fupfor
disaster
.Ast heywerebusyint
heirblackcl
oaks,
theyheardacupbr eakbehindt
hem.Theygot
start
ledasnoonewassupposedt oseethem at
thatti
meoft henight.

QueenKuli
:“Raesi
be!Uf
unanil
a(Whatar
eyou
doi
nghere)
?”

Foronce,
Raesi
bewasspeechl
ess.Shewaseven
shaki
ngsobadl
y,shecoul
dhaveeasi
lywether
sel
f.

Raesi
be:(
pani
cky)“
I…neke( Iwas)
… Iwant
ed
sometea,
butIcanalwayscomeback.”

Shewasabouttoturnaroundandheadbacktoher
bedr
oom,butKulif
elti
twastheperf
ectoppor
tuni
ty
todosomecleanup.
QueenKul
i:“
Raesi
be,
nowyoucanseewhatIam
capabl
eof
.Myquestioni
s;whatar
eyougoi
ngto
doabouti
t?”

Raesi
be:(scar
ed)“Don’
twor
ry.I
’
llbegonef
ir
st
t
hinginthemor ni
ng.
”

QueenKul
i:“
And?
”

Raesi
be:“
AndIwon’
ttel
lanyone.
”

QueenKuli
:“Good,becausei
fyoudo,
I’
llki
llyou
wit
houtthi
nkingt
wice.Youhaveover
stayedyour
welcome.Goodbye.”
[
01/
27,
07:
33] :Chapt
er32

“I
tisanevilf
atetof
alli
ntot
hehandsofa
persecut
orwhowasonceper secut
ed.
”–
BangambikiHabyar
imana
Gatshacoul
dn’
twai ttotakehiswif
eonhol i
dayand
showherwhathehasachi evedsofar.Hegotup
earl
yinthemorning,packedallt
heirbagsandwoke
herup.Thepretgnancyhadmadehersuchadeep
sl
eeper.

Gat
sha:“
Wakeup,mylove.Let’
sgotakeashower
,
wehavealongweekaheadofus.”

Lehumo:“
Eish,
aowa(
No)
,Gat
sha.Whatnow?
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
We’
regoi
ngt
oBel
gium,
baby.
Di
dyouforget
?”

Lehumo:“
Today?
”

Gat
sha:“
Duh.Let
’s’
getmovi
ng.
”
Asmuchasshedi dn’
tfeelli
kegetti
ngup, shedi
dit
anywayandtheybothgotintotheshoweranddid
thei
rbusi
ness.Shewassur pri
sedtoseet hat
Gatshahadalr
eadypackedtheirbags,butknowi
ng
herhusband,
hewasr at
herfullofsurpr
ises.

Lehumo:“Opaki
ledi
lokamoka(
Didyoupack
ever
ythi
ng)?
”

Gatsha:“Ever
ythi
ng,baby.I
fther
eisanythi
ng
missing,I
’l
lbuyforyouwhenwegetthere.Now,
l
et’
sgo. ”

Shewasabouttopi
ckupherback,
butGat
sha
woul
dn’
tlether
.

Gatsha:“
That’
smyjob,St
handwasami(
Myl
ove)
.
Yourjobist
osimpl
ylookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Lehumochuckledonherwayout.Unusual
ly,
they
foundQueenKuliandQueenNomthasit
ti
ngont he
couch,
dri
nkingtea.

QueenKul
i:(
fakesmi
le)“
Hawu(
Wow)
,myki
ds.
Wherear
eyouheaded?”

Gat
sha:(
fi
rml
y)“
We’
regoi
ngsomewher
e.”

Evenaftershehadbeenwar
nedaf
ewt
imes,
she
sti
llwentagai
nsti
tall
.

Lehumo:“We’
regoi
ngonourhoneymoon.I
n
Belgi
um.”

Gatshatr
iedhi
dinghi
sannoyancefrom herashe
di
dn’twanttof
ightwi
thheri
nfrontofthosetwo.
Queenkuliwasrat
hermoreannoyedthanever.
QueenKul i:(
surpr
ised)“Heh(Huh)?!Belgi
um?
Hehe,Gat sha!Kushoukuthiseuyenzaimal imos
wena( Thismeansyou’ r
eactuall
ymakingser i
ous
money, hey)?Evenmor ethanyourfatherever
made.Ineverevenwentoutoft hiscountry.Wena
(you)
,Lehumo, youhavebar el
ybeenmar ri
edf or
halfayearandal r
eadyyou’regoingtoBelgium.I
wantwhatyou’ reusingonmyson. ”

SheandQueenNomt hast
art
edlaughingoutloud,
butGatshaandLehumodidn’tgett
hejoke.Infact
,
Gatshawasoffendedmorethananything.

Gat
sha:“
Utheni(
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay)
?”

QueenKulireal
izedshehadhi
taner
ve.Shecoul
d
nevercont
rolGatshali
keshedi
dShaka.

QueenKul
i:“
Oh,
son,
Idi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.
Bengi
nodl
alanj
e(Iwasj
ustj
oki
ng)
.”

Gatsha:“I
’dappreci
ateitifyouplaywi t
hpeople
yourage.Lehumoi snotyourf r
iend,andyoulost
therightt
obehermot her-
in-
lawt hemomentI
broughtherhere.Idon’tappreciatethi
sfake
atti
tudeofyourstowardsher ,sopleasedomea
favourandstopit.It
’snotcut eatall
.Iwantthe
twoofyougonebyt het i
mewecomeback. ”

Gatshapull
edLehumoal ongsi
dehim bef
oreKul
i
couldevenansweranythi
ng.Hesl ammedthedoor
behindhim andbreat
hedoutloud.Hehadtospeak
upbeforetheyevengottothecar.

Gatsha:(
annoyed)“
Lehumo,
whenwi
llyouever
l
ist
en?”

Lehumo:“
Excuseme?
”
Gatsha:“You’
reconst
ant
lyt
oldnott
otr
ustmy
mother,yetyoukeeponbei
ngnicet
oher.Whydo
youneverlist
en?”

Lehumo:(off
ended)“Gatsha,bl
amemef orbeing
nicetoyourmother.Tomor r
owyou’
llbetur
ning
againstmeifIeverbecomenastyt
owardsher .”

Gatsha:(
deepsigh)“
Lehumo, I
’
m notangryatyou
andI’dnevert
urnagai
nstyou.Clear
lyyoudon’t
knowmymom.Haveyouf orgott
enever
ythi
ngshe
hasdonet oyou?”

Lehumo:“
No,
butI–“

Gatsha:(i
nter
rupt
ing)“
Nobuts.Lear
ntol
ist
en,
l
earntoobservethenyou’
l
lseewhoyourenemi
es
real
lyare.
”
Lehumo:“
ButGat
shayoumakei
tsoundsoeasy.
”

Gat
sha:“I
tis.Youhavegotme,youdon’
tneedher
.
Payat
tent
ionandthenal
lwil
lbefine.
”

Lehumonoddedast
ear
sbeganf
ormi
ng.

Gat
sha:“No,
pleasedon’
tcr
y.Ipr
omi
sedyout
he
wor
ld,r
emember ?”

Heki
ssedhergent
lyont
hel
ipsandwi
pedhert
ear
s
of
f.

Gat
sha:“
Let
’sgo.
”

Theybot hlef
tthehouseandproceededtothecar
.
Thedrivertookoffwi
ththem astheyheadedto
thei
rnextlocati
on.MeanwhileQueenKuliand
QueenNomthahadj
ustbegunt
hei
rnextphaseof
t
heirt
ragi
cpl
an.

QueenNomt
ha:“
Areyour
eady?
”

QueenKul
i:“
Youdon’
thavet
oaskt
wice.
”

TheyheadedtoLehumoandGatsha’sbedroom and
di
dn’tevenhavet
olookver
yfar.Theyfoundtheir
l
aundrybasketwi
ththei
rdi
rt
ylaundr
yinit.

QueenNomt
ha:(
exci
ted)“
Thi
sisi
t.
”

QueenKulit
ookLehumo’ spi
eceofunderwearand
wastednoti
me.Event houghshefeltabitheavy
andthatbur
ningsensat i
oncamebackagai nas
soonassheent eredthebedroom,shesti
llhadthe
audaci
tytostealherunderwear.Shequicklylef
t
wit
hhermot herandwentt oherbedroom.Ri ght
ther
eandthen,shecastaspel
lonLehumo’
s
unbornbaby,
andontoLehumoaswel l
.

QueenKul i
:“Isummonyoudarksources,Iaskyou
toletmehavewhatIneedtohave.Sacr if
icethi
s
unbornlambt omeandletmehavethepowerI
deserve!Letheral
sohavenoabil
it
ytof al
lpregnant
again!
”

Theysaygoodt hi
ngshappent ogoodpeopl e,of
whichist r
uet osomeext ent.Howmanypeopl e
havebeenpr ayinganddoi ngther i
ghtstuff
accordingtot hem, yett
heyst i
llgetfuckedover ?At
ti
mesi tisnotbecauseyoudot her i
ghtthing,buti t
i
sbecauseyout hinkyouar edoingther i
ghtt hing.
Howdoyouknowi fyouareindeedpr ayingrightor
fort
her ightthing?Att i
mesyoupr ayf orsomet hi
ng,
butGoddoesnotgi veittoyoubecausei ti
snotyet
ti
meoryou’ r
enotmeantt ohavethat.Lehumowas
abouttof i
ndoutt hehar dwayast owhathappens
whenyoubecomet ootrusti
ng.Thepr oceededt oa
l
odgeLehumohadneverseenbef
ore.“
Lehumo
Lodge”
.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
whati
sthi
s?”

Gatsha:(
smi l
il
ng)“
Mylove,Ipr
omisedyouthe
worldandImeantever
ywor d.Thi
sr i
ghther
e,i
s
ourveryfi
rstl
odge.Well
,iti
syour
s.”

Lehumo:(
shocked)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Gatsha:“
Imean,
you’
ret
heowneroft
hisl
odge.The
t
it
ledeedisi
nyourname.
”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Gat
sha,
youdi
dn’
thavet
odot
his.
”

Gatsha:“
Ihadt
o.Youar
emyl ove,
Lehumo.Come,
you’r
ewasti
ngti
me.Youcancomeanytimetosee
i
t.
”

Het ookherallthewaytot heback,

whi
chlooked
l
ikeahugepl ot.There,theyweremetwi
thajetwit
h
“Lehumo”paintedoni t
.Thatwasenoughtosend
herstrai
ghti
nt oaballoftears.

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Gat
sha…”

Gatsha:“ Lehumo,Ihavebeensayi ngt hatIoweyou

thewor ld.Nowi feofminewi llgot obedhungr y
whileIam al i
ve,nochil
dofmi newi l
lbedepr ived
hisfather’shardwork.Iloveyourper sonal it
yand
yourlovingkindness.Iwi shthatyoubest owt hat
alongwi thyourbeautyandi ntell
igenceuponour
chil
dren.Ipr ayeachandever yeveningt hatGod
blessesuswi t
hthebest.Youar enotwhatwor ds
candescr i
be,f
oryouareacl eardepi ctiont hat
God’sgr aceisbeauti
fulandf orevermer ciful
.I
wantt oseeyoucr ytearsofjoyf rom nowon, and
nomor eofpain.Iloveyousomuch, Lehumo. ”
Lehumo:“
Iloveyout
oo,
myKi
ng.
”

Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“
Thisbabyi
sgoingtoturnyou
i
ntoacr ybaby,Nkosiyami(Mygoodness)
.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Stopi
t.
”

Theygoti ntot hejet,andt hepi l

otofferedt hem
somef oodanddr i
nks.Lehumowassopr oudof
herhusband, hemanagedt oachi evesomuchi na
veryshor tspace.Whoknewwhathehadachi eved
i
nyear st ocome?Si nceshecoul dn’tdrinkanymor e,
shewasof feredavi rgincockt ai
l,withgr eatfood
withoutl ambandeggsofcour se.Shehadnever
fl
ownbef ore,butwi thGat shabyhersi de,
everythingseemedj usttoogr eat.Shehadt hat
weirdf eelinginthepi tofhergutagai n,but
dismissedi tasflyingjitt
ers.Itisal wayshar dfora
persont ohavef unwhi l
ef eel
ingl i
kesomet hingjust
i
snotr i
ght.Themor eyoui gnoreit
,themor e
uneasyitmakesyouf eel.Shelovedt aki
ngpictur
es
wit
hherhusbandi nt
heai r
,overl
ookingtheclouds
andallt
hevi ewsshecoul dspot.Afterfal
li
ng
asl
eepint hejetbedr
oom, shewaswokenup.An
11hourf l
ightisnochil
d’splay.

Gatsha:“
Wakeup,
love.Sesi
fi
kil
e(Wehave
ar
ri
ved).”

Itwaspr obablyabout8am i nBel gi

um, andt he
placelookedsobeaut iful
.Al mostever ybuildi
ng
l
ookedl ikeamonumentofsomesor t.Theyf i
nall
y
arri
vedatoneofBel gium’ smostpr esti
gioushotel
s
–TheSt ei
genber gerWi lt
cher ’
s,whichhadaRoman
feeli
ngtoi t
.Al mostever ythingwascover edin
mar bl
eandt her eceptionwasr eall
ywar m and
awesome–evenaf tereveryonehadal ongfli
ght.
Thest affwasver ywel comi ng–al lexceptforthis
parti
culargirlatreception.
Recept
ioni
st:(
Smi l
ing)“
Goodmor
ning,
Mr.Ncube.
Howareyout oday?”

Gatshahateddi
srespectandhecoul
dsmelli
tfr
om
ami l
eaway.Hehat editevenmoreseei
nghi
swife
uncomfort
able.

Gat
sha:(
fi
rml
y)“
Hel
lo,
Gina,
isn’
tit
?”

Gi
na:(
smi
li
ng)“
Yes,
yes,
sir
.”

Gatsha:“
Wel l
,Gina,Ican’tsayi
tisnicetomeetyou
si
mpl ybecauseyoucannotbear ecepti
onistat
suchapr esti
gioushotelandgreetmeonl ywhen
youcancl ear
lyseethatIhaveawomanar oundmy
arm.Notj ustanywomanmayIadd, mybeaut i
ful
wife.
”

Gi
na:“
Oh,
Iam sosor
ry,
Idi
din’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.”
Gatsha:“Ofcourseyoudidn’ t
.Icameherewi t
hmy
wifeforourHoneymoon, sounl essyouhave
somet hi
ngwor setooff
erot herthanyourfi
rst
approach,Isuggestyoutellusnowsot hatwecan
fi
ndour sel
vesanotherhotel.”

Ginaf el
toff
ended,butmostimpor
tant
lyshe
couldn’tl
oseherjobforbei
ngrudetot
heKingof
Zululand.

Gina:“
Myapol
ogi
es,
Mr.Ncube.I
twon’
thappen
again.
”

Gat
shagotevenmoreannoyedwhenGinasti
ll
di
dn’
tacknowl
edgehi
swife’
spresenceaf
tert
hat.

Gatsha:“
Ist
il
ldi
dn’
thearyouapologizetomywi f
e
forbei
ngacomplet
echancer.Iam sur eyouwil
l
getboysyouragewhowillbei
nterestedinyou,but
asf
orme–I
’
m notoneoft
hem.
”

Gi
na:“
Idi
dn’
tmeani
tassuch,
I–“

Gatsha:“
Mywif
eandIhadaver ylongf
li
ght
.May
youcheckusi
nrightaway,
please.
”

Ginanoti
cedGatshawasnotonetobemessed
aroundwith,
andthemanagercamearoundashe
noti
cedtheyhadbeenst
andingther
eformoret
han
usual.

Manager
:“I
sever
ythi
ngokayher
e?”

Gat
sha:“
Idon’tknow,si
r.Whydon’
tyouaskGi
na
her
e.Isever
ythingokayher
e,Gi
na?
”

Gi
na:(
trembl
ing)“
Ye.
.yes.Ever
ythi
ngi
sjustf
ine,
si
r.Yourr
oom i
snumber105,
presi
dent
ialsui
teas
pr
omised.
”

Gat
sha:“Thankyou,Gina.Oh,
Manager,nextt
ime,
pl
easeensurethatyourempl
oyeeshavesome
manner
s.”

Witht
hatsai
dhewalkedt
owar
dst
hel
if
twi
th
Lehumobyhissi
de.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
didyouhavet
obesor
ude?
”

Gat sha:“
Thesooneryoulearntobetougher,
Lehumo, thebet
ter.Li
feowesyounot hi
ngand
neitherdopeopl
e,buttheleastt
heyoweyoui sto
returnthesamekindnessyougavethem.I fnot
,
thenyouhavet oberude.”

Lehumost
il
lfel
tasi
fGat
shawashar
sht
owar
ds
Ginadespitecl earlyexperi
encingGi na’
sdisrespect
.
Theygott ot heirsuit
eandi twast oobeautiful
.Top
fl
oor,theviewwasexqui si
te,butbeingjetl
agged,
theyjusthadt ot akeanap.Lehumoi mmedi atel
y
gotont hebedanddozedof f.Duringthenapshe
took,shehadast r
angedr eam ofhermot her
speakingtoher .Oddly,Neriahcoul dnotbeseeni n
thedream, itwasasi fshewasi nsomesor tof
darknessandcoul dn’tgetthrought oLehumo.

Neriah:“
Lehumo!Lehumo!Ngwanakat sogahl
e
(Wakeupmychi l
d)!Tsogaor apel
e(Wakeupand
pray).Kotsiet
seleng(Dangeriscoming).
”

Lehumo:“
Mama?Or
abj
ang(
Whatdoyoumean)
?”

Ner
iah:“Rapela,
ngwanaka( Pray,mychi
ld)
.Thatis
t
heonlywayyouwi l
leverwinthiswar.Dangeris
l
ooming,butknowt hatyoucanandwi l
lovercomeit
i
fyoudon’tloseyourfait
h.Thedevili
smuchcl oser
t
oyout hanyout hi
nk.Isaiah48:22–“Ther
ei sno
r
estf
ort
hewi
cked.
”

Lehumof oundher sel

ffr
ightenedfrom t
hedream as
shewokeupdr enchedinsweat .ShefoundGat sha
soundasleepnextt oheranddi dn’
twanttobother
him.Shef eltastr
angecr ampingfeeli
nginher
abdomen, butdecidednottowakehi m up.Shewas
abouttopray,unti
lherphoner ang.Shehadawei r
d
feel
ingthattol
dhernott oanswert hephone,but
thegoodnessi nherdecidedtoansweri t
.

Lehumo:“
Hel
lo,
Ma.
”

QueenKul
i:“Hell
o,Lehumo!Nihambenj
ani(
How
wasyourt
rip)?
”

Lehumo:“
Oh,
itwasokay,
thankyou.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Andt
hebaby?Ihopeyoudi
dn’
tget
toofri
ghtenedont
hef
li
ght
.Youhavet
otakei
teasy
always.”

ThemomentKul
ist
artedaski
ngaboutt
hebaby,
the
cr
ampsbecameworse.

Lehumo:“Oh,
itwasagoodfl
ight
.Ihavet
ogoma,
we’l
ltal
ksomeothert
ime.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Okay,
keepw-
“

Lehumohungupbef or
eKulicouldevensendher
regar
ds.Hercr ampsbecamewor seandLehumo
i
mmedi at
elykneltdownandpr ayed.

Lehumo:“Oh,Modimoyoamakat sang(MyGodof
miracl
es),
pleaseprot
ectmychi l
d,ohGod.Iask
youtopleaselett
hischi
ldlive.I
fnot,
thent
akeme
i
nstead.Idonotwantt olosethi
schil
d.Ipr
ayand
askt
hisi
nJesus’
might
yname.Amen.
”

Lehumohadt r
iedbar
gai
ningwit
hGod,
andeven
thati
snotenough.Forwhenfat
eiswr
it
tendown,
it
cannotr
eall
ybechanged.
[
01/
27,
07:
34] :Chapt
er33

“
Thedevi
ldi
dnotneedtoworkatal
lwhenpeopl
e
wer
esowill
ingt
odohisdi
rt
ywor kf
orhim.
”

Thereisaver sefrom Proverbs28: 26whichsays,

“Whoevert rustsinhisownmi ndisaf ool
,buthe
whowal ksinwi sdom willbedel i
vered.”Att i
mes
whenwear er i
ddenwi t
hgui lt
,gri
ef,sadness, anger
andawhol el otofotherdissatisf
yingemot ions,we
tendtof orgettoleanonGod.Yes, itisnoteasyt o
l
eanonHi m andaskHi mf orhelpwhenyouar enot
i
nt herightspace;youknow, whenyourmi ndi s
runningamockwi t
hevilthought sofwhatyoucan
dot othoset hathurtyou, orwhenyouar esimpl y
feel
ingdef eated;youhavebeenpr ayi ngbutnot hing
wor ksout .Youhaver emai nedt rustingandf aithful
i
nt heLor dandyett hingsj ustgosi deways–asyou
seei t
.WhenGodsai d;“ InHi sti
me, inHi sti
me.He
makesal lthingsbeaut iful,inHist i
me. ”–
Ecclesiastes3: 11,Hemeantever ywor d.Attimes
wedopr ay, butnotf ort her i
ghtgui dance.Next
ti
mei nsteadofpr ayingf oracar ,writedownal lyou
wisht odoandhaveandpr ayabouti t.Then, ask
Godi fthosear etherightt hingst hatHewi shesyou
tohaveandi fnot,mayHegi veyouasi gn.Anysi gn.
Whent het imei sri
ght, Hewi l
lprovide.Al otof
peopleont hisear t
har ej ustlivi
ng, roami ngaround
becauset heyl ackawayf orwardi nl i
fe.

Theydonotknowwhet hertheyaregoingorstayi
ng
andthatisbecauseweal waysdemandf rom God
i
nsteadofaskingwhatHi splansareforus.When
youpr ayforacar,
sixmont hsdownthelineyoudo
notgetit,
whathaveyoudonet oensurethatyou
couldhaveacar ?Didyousaveup?Di dyouensure
thatyouhaveagoodcr editrecor
d?Donotsi tand
waitupont heLor dtogiveyout hings.Ifyouwanta
husband, gooutt ofuncti
ons, parti
es,weddi
ngs,
funeral
sandchur ches,toensur ethatyoudofinda
potenti
alhusband.Goondat i
ngsi t
esifyouhavet
o.
Alotofthet i
me, theysaybadt hingshappento
goodpeopl e,butIbegt odiffer.Badt hi
ngshappen
togoodpeopl ebecauseonceyouar eagood
person,youmi stakebeingt ootrusti
ngasbeing
good.Youdonotspeakupwhenpeopl edoyou
wrong–evenwhent hatpaindeepi nyourguthad
beenwar ningyouendl essly.

Lehumo’ scr
ampinghadsubsided,buthadlef
ther
wit
habi tofdi
scomfort
.Shemanagedt ogetup
andenjoythevi
ewinfrontofthem.Shef ound
hersel
fmelti
ngwhenGat shawokeupandt hefi
rst
thi
nghedi dwaswraphisarmsar oundherand
i
nhaleherdazzl
ingscent.

Gat
sha:“
Mkami(
Mywi
fe)
.”
Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Myhusband.
”

Gatsha:“
Inj
anil
evi
ew(
Howi
sthi
svi
ew)
?Doyou
l
ikeit
?”
Lehumo:“
Ilovei
tsomuch,
Iwi
shIcoul
dst
ayher
e.”

Gat
sha:“
Thatcanbear
ranged.Youj
ustsayt
he
wor
d.”

Lehumo:( chuckli
ng)“Don’
tsayt
hat
,Gatsha.You
knowver ywellwehaveal i
febackinZulul
and.We
can’
tleaveever yt
hingandmovetoBel
gium.”

Gat
sha:“
Hawu(Goodness)
,wecandowhateverwe
want
.Theworl
disouroyster
,st
handwasami(my
l
ove)
.”

Lehumochuckledal
ongwit
hGatshabutherf
ace
changedsl
ight
lyasshehel
dhertummyover
Gat
sha’
sar
msonherbel
ly.

Gatsha:(
frowni
ng)“
Yinii
ndaba(
Whati
swr
ong)
?Is
i
tthebaby? ”

Lehumo:“
I’
mfi
ne.Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
”

Gat
sha:“
Lehumo,
youknowhowIf
eelaboutl
ies.
”

Lehumo:(
sigh)“
I’
vebeenhavi
ngwei
rdcr
ampsf
ora
whil
enow.”

Gat
sha:(f
rowning)“
Thedoctordi
dsayt
hati
s
nor
mal,butar
eyoubl eedi
ng?”

Lehumo:(
shaki
nghead)“
No.
”

Gat
sha:“
Letmeor
derussomebr
eakf
astandi
fyou
st
il
ldon’
tfeelgoodaf
tert
hat
,Iam t
aki
ngyout
othe
hospi
tal
.”

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
orat
adr
ama(
youar
edr
amat
ic)
.”

Gat
sha:“
I’
drat
herbedr
amat
ict
henl
oseyouand
mybaby.
”
ThatstatementwarmedLehumo’shear
t,butasmall
partofherswondered,
whatGatshawoulddoifshe
l
ostt hebaby.Gat
shaor der
edt
hem somef oodand
whiletheywait
ed,sheaskedhi
m.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
whatwoul
dyoudoi
fIl
ostt
his
baby?”

Gatsha:“Doyour
ememberwhatwesai
dwhenwe
gotmar r
ied?
”

Lehumo:“
Whatexact
ly?
”
Gatsha:“ Ibecomeswe.I fwelosethi
sbaby, t
heni t
i
snott heendoft hewor l
d.Yes,itwouldbereally
painful,butIbel i
evet hatwe’dgett hr
oughit.My
j
obwoul dbet opr otectyouf rom anymor eharm,to
l
oveandsuppor tyoui nal lways.Weshoul dnot
focusont hebadst uff,myl ove.Godgaveust his
gif
tbecauseHeknewt hatwewer eworthyenough.
IfHechoosest ot aket hebabyawayf r
om us,then
He’llhavehisr easons. ”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
It
’sj
ustt
hat
…Ihadadr
eam j
ust
nowaboutmymom. ”

Gat
sha:“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”

Lehumo:“ShesaidIshoul
dprayreal
lyhar
dand
thatt
her
eisnor estf
orthewi
cked.”

Gat
sha:“
Wel
l,
shei
sri
ghti
ndeed.Come,
let
’spr
ay.
You’
l
lfeelal
otmor
eateaseaf
ter
war
ds.
”

Lehumonoddedandwi pedof fhertears.They

prayedtoget herandshef eltabi tr
eli
evedaf terthat.
Theirfoodcameandshei ndul gedinthedel i
cious
breakfast,har dlyleavinganyf orGat sha.Theyhad
agoodt imeandshef orgott hatshehadhadpai ns
awhi l
eago.I fonlyLehumohadact edalotswi fter,
perhapst hingswoul dhavechangedl ongago,but
unfort
unat elyf orher ,dangerwasl oomi ng–i twas
doom ordi e.Whi let hedangerwasl urki
ng, Queen
Kuliwast ryingevenhar dert ogetr i
dofLehumo.
Shehadmessedupaf ewt hi
ngsi nthehouse, wi t
h
QueenNozi phogonef orameet ingwithsomer oyal
member sint hear ea.Sheahdgonet oscouta
wholenewcounci lforGat shaandanadvi sor.Wi th
hergone, Kul itooki tuponher selftodomagi cint he
house–especi al
lyinLehumoandGat sha’s
bedroom.Li ttledidsheal soknowt hatwhatshe
wasdoi ngwasaddi ngt oherl ongl i
stofof f
ences
againstthewor dofGod.Lehumo’ sancest orsas
wellasGat sha’ swer epr otecti
ngher ,eventhough
Kul
iwast
ryi
ngagai
nstal
loddst
oki
llherchi
ld.

LehumoandGat shat ookal ongshower ,withsome

l
ovemaki nginthepr ocessandheadedoutf or
somesi ghtseeing.Theywental lthewayf rom
Gr andPl aceinBr ussel s, toCanal sandBel fryof
Br ugesandendedof ft ot heBat tleifedsofFl anders.
Theyhadevenhear dt hatt heyhadt ot ryal lthe
famousf ood,from Bel gianFr ies, Gr eyShr i
mp
Cr oquet testoBel gianWaf fl
esandBel gian
Chocol ates.Whi lelooki ngatsomemonument s,
theyspot t
edaf ewmemor ableitemst ot akehome
wi ththem.Bef or etheyknewi t,
Lehumohadt aken
overami l
li
onpictur es.Ofcour se, Gat shahadt obe
i
nmor et hanhal foft hem.I twasaspect acul arday
fort hem andshewasover comebyt iredness, so
theyheadedbackt ot hehot el.Gat shawassucha
travelleranddi dn’twantt hem t osleepwi thout
havi ngagr eatendt ot heirday, sohehadbooked
them bot haspat reatment–f ul
lbody.Fr om hot
stonet herapy,toawhol e90mi nutef ullbody
massageandf ullonf acial .
Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
youdi
dn’
thavet
o.”

Gatsha:“
Ikeeptell
ingyouIhavetoliveuptomy
promisetoyou,
Nt ombenhle(Beauti
ful
).Wit
hout
you,l
ifej
ustwouldn’tmakesense.Now, come.I
tis
highti
memybabygotpamper ed.
”

Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Byyourbaby,
areyour
efer
ri
ng
tomeortheoneinmytummy?”

Gatsha:(chuckli
ng)“Iam referr
ingtotheonein
yourtummy, love.Ofcour se,you’l
lal
waysbemy
baby,butIprefercall
ingyoumor ematurenames
l
ikeNtombenhe( Beauti
ful
),Sthandwa( Love)
,
Ndhlovukazi(Queen),uyabona( yousee)?”

Lehumo:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.
”
Gat
sha:(chuckl
ing)“Ist
il
lloveyou,
moreespeci
all
y
whenyou’remad.IknowI ’
m abouttohaveagood
t
imebeforewesl eep.
”

Lehumof eltsoembar rassed, mor eespeci all

ysince
shehadbr okenoutofhersexshel landbecame
quiteanani mali nbed.Shewast henabl eto
domi nateal otmor e, roleplayandwasal ittl
ebit
i
nt obondage.Gat shal ovedhowf reespi r
itedshe
becamei nbed, mor eespeci all
ywhenshehadabi t
ofalcoholi nhersyst em.Theyhadar eall
ygr eat
massage, andendedt hedayof fwi thagr eatdinner
,
andsomer eallyamazi ngsex.Lehumowasyet
againdi st
ur bedbyherdr eam, whenshedr eamtof
hermot herdoi ngthever ysamet hing–war ni
ngher
i
nherdr eam.Shei mmedi atelywokeupandhad
crampsyetagai n.Shei gnoredt hem bypr ayingand
couldn’tmanagesl eepingaf terwards.Shewas
ratheramazedt hatGat shacoul dsl eept hewhol e
nightthrough, ashewasaver yli
ghtsl eeper .He
couldpr obabl yhearaneedl edropont hef loorwhil
e
sleeping.Af terherpr ayer,Kulicalled.Shehadan
urgetoanswer,
butmanagedtoignor
eit.Si
x
missedcall
slat
er,
shest
il
lignor
editandonl
ywent
backtosleepar
ound5am.

Itwasday2oft heirt
ripinBel
gium, t
heywer e
obviousl
yabi ttir
ed,butGatshatookherout
shoppingal lday.Theyt ookeverythi
ngf r
om
j
ewel l
erytocl othingtoshoesandaddedal i
tt
lebit
ofsomet hingf orthebaby.Hej ustcouldn’
thelpit
eventhoughLehumowasabi tscept
icalofbuying
somet hi
ngasshewast ol
ditwasbadoment obuy
clot
hesf oranunbor nbaby.

Lehumo:“
Youdoknowt hati
tisbadl
uckt
obuyan
unbor
nbabycl
othes,
right
?”

Gat
sha:“
Ibel
ievei
nGodandmyancest or
s,love.
HowcanIli
vemyl i
febasedonol
dfol
k’
stales?
Wherewoul
dthefunbeinthat
?”
Lehumo:“
I’
mjustsayi
ng,
Ithi
nkweshoul
djustbea
bitmor
ecaref
ul.
”

Gatsha:“St
handwasami (
Myl ove)
,wearecaref
ul,
butthatdoesnotmeanwecannotcel ebr
ateour
l
ovelycreati
on.Leavei
tallt
oGod, pl
ease.”

Shenoddedanddeci dedtoignorethewei
rdfeeli
ng
i
nhergutonceagai n.Thedayendedof fonagood
note,butcameearlymorning.Shehadthevery
samedr eam ofhermotherwarni
ngheryetagain,
butthisti
meitwasabi tdi
ffer
ent.

Neri
ah:“Lehumo,ngwanaka(mychild).Iti
stimet o
wakeupnow.It ri
ed,yourfat
hert
ried–weal ltr
ied,
buti
tisbestforBahumitoj
oinusthisside.Ther e
i
stoomuchdangerf orhimthatsi
de, wecan’tlet
herhavehim.”

Lehumo:“
Mama,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Neriah:“Al
liswel
l,mychild.Dangerisl
urki
ng,but
you’l
lbef i
ne.You’
llhaveanotherchi
ldagai
n,but
thedramahasonl yjustbegun.Staystr
ong,
nwanaka( mychil
d).Ican’tstayl
ong,Ihavetogo
ensurethatBahumiiswelcomedbyusandnott he
darkforces.”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Mama…”

Neri
ah:“
Lebi
tsol
angwanake(
Thechi
ld’
snamei
s)
Bahumi.
”

Lehumodi
dn’
treali
zethathermot
herhadl
efther
andshewasscreamingandshout
ingi
nhersleep.

Lehumo:“
Mama…mama!
”

Gat
sha:“
Lehumo,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
,wake
up!
”

Lehumowokeupf
rom herdr
eam,
drenchedi
n
sweat.

Lehumo:(br
eat
hingheavi
ly)“Gat
sha…Mymother…
thebaby…shespokeofevil
…oh,God,mybaby…”

Gat
sha:“
Slowdown,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

Shewasabouttoexpl
ainthedr
eam t
ohim,unt
il
shefel
tsomet
hingwarm comeoutofherdown
ther
e.

Lehumo:(
fri
ght
ened)“
Gat
sha…what
’shappeni
ngt
o
me?”

Shei
mmedi
atel
ygotupandf
eltabi
glumpcome
outofher
.

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Pleaset
ell
meyoudon’
tsee
blood.
”

Gatshasawal otofbl
oodonherpants,
andahuge
ball
-l
ikesubstancedropfr
om outofher
.Heknew
thathisworstfearhadbeenconfi
rmed,buthi
s
maingoalwast oensur
ehersafet
y.

Gat
sha:(
tear
y)“
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
…”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Gat
sha!
”

Gat
sha:“
Please,
don’
tlookdown.
”
Whensomeonet el
lsyouthat,
iti
sasifyourbrai
n
i
mmedi at
elyt
ell
syoutodot heopposi
te.She
l
ookeddownindeed,andsawt hesmall
,
undevel
opedfet
usont hefl
oorinhi
sli
ttl
esack.
Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
No,
no,
no!Gat
sha,
no!Ir
efuse.
”

Gat
sha:“
Sthandwasami
(Myl
ove)
.”

Lehumol
etoutal
oudwai
landscr
eamed.

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Mybaby!
”
[
01/
27,
07:
34] :Chapt
er34

“Lawsofnatur
edonotmakeexcept i
onsfornice
people.Abull
ethasnoconsci
ence;nei
therdoesa
malignantt
umouroranautomobil
egoneoutof
control
.Thati
swhygoodpeoplegetsickandget
hurtasmuchasanyone.”–HaroldS.Kushner

Wealldealwi
thpai
ndi
ff
erent
ly;somecryunt
ilt
hey
can’
tanymorewhil
esomedon’tcryatal
land
explodeonedaywhenal lhasbeenexposedandi t
becomest oomuch.Somei sol
ateeveryonefrom
thei
rwor l
dunt i
ltheyheal.GatsharushedLehumo
tothehospi t
al.Alongtheway, shehadbecome
mut e.Gat shajustheldherhandwhi l
etryi
ngtostop
thetear sfrom fal
li
ng.Heknewhi swifewasi n
seri
ousangui sh,andwhathur thim mostisthe
i
nabi l
itytostopi t
.Theyhadf inal
lyarr
ivedatthe
Emer gencyr oom, andthedoct ort
ookonel ookat
herandknewt hatthebabywasgone.Hehad
exami nedherandal l
.

Doct
or:“
I’
m af
rai
dit
’sbadnews.

Thosefourwordsar
ealwaysenought
osend
someoneintoanemoti
onalcoma.

Gat
sha:“
Justsayi
t,Doc.
”

Doct
or:“
I’
m af
rai
dyouhadaspont
aneous
mi
scar
ri
age.
”

Lehumo’
smi
ndwenti
ntoi
mmedi
ateshutdown.

Gat
sha:“
Whatcausedi
t?”

Doct
or:“Wel
linmostcases,i
tjusthappens.We
don’
tevenhaveareasonfort
hecauset hereof
.”

Gat
sha:(
sof
tl
y)“
Thankyou,
Doc.
”

Lehumo:(
agit
ated)“
Doyouhavet
ogi
vei
tsucha
wonder
fulname?”

Doct
or:“
Excuseme?
”

Lehumo:“
Spontaneous?Real
ly,
Doct
or,
Spont
aneous?
!Ilostmybabyandyoucallt
hat
f
ucki
ngspont
aneous?
!”

Gatshawasabitshocked,
buther
eal
lyunderst
ood
whereshewascomingfrom –apl
aceful
lofhurt
,
angerandi
mmediategri
ef.

Doct
or:“
I’
llgi
veyout
wosomet
ime.
”

Gat
shaj
ustnoddedandt
hedoct
orl
eft
.

Gatsha:“
Sthandwasami(Mylove)
,pl
ease,
takei
t
easy,ngi
yakucel
a(I
’
m beggi
ngyou).”

Lehumowentmut
eonGat
sha,
whi
chmadehi
mfear
thewor
st.

Gat
sha:(
tear
y)“
Iknow,
youarehurt
ingj
ustas
muchasIdo.Wecannotcompar
ethepain,butwe
arest
il
lyoungandwewi
llhavemor
echi
ldr
en,
baby.
”

Lehumo:“
Howcanyoubecal
m atat
imel
iket
his?
”

Gat
sha:“
I’
m notcal
m,I’
mt r
yingt
obest r
ongfort
he
bot
hofus.IfIcr
umble,whatwil
lhappentoyou?
”

Lehumof eltt hat,

reallyandjustcr ied.She
wallowedi nhi sarmsandt heycr i
edt ogether.Just
l
iket hat ,
t heyhadl ostt hei
rfirstchild–achi l
dt hey
hadn’ thadachancet oenjoyt henewsoff ora
deser vedt i
me.Suchi sli
fe;itisver y,very
unpredi ctabl e.Somet i
mesyouexper ience
moment st hatar eimmensel ypai nful–and
somet imesyouexper ienceincredibl ybeaut i
ful
moment s.I flifewassmoot hsai l
ing24/ 7,without
anychal lenges–whatwoul dbeofus?Woul dwe
sti
llgetupi nt hemor ningandl ookf orwardtot he
day?Woul dwest i
llsetgoalsandhavedr eams
we’dl iket oachi eve?Woul dwest i
llhavet hedr ive
tocompeteandf orceourselvesoutofhor r
ibl
e
sit
uati
ons?Godwasnof oolwhenhecr eat
ed
heavenandear t
handal lHispeople.Lifewas
supposedtobeni ceanddr amaless,butofcourse,
thedevi
ljusthadtoruinitallwit
hhisideaof
chall
enges.

Af
ewdaysl
ater
…
GatshaandLehumohadt ogobackhome, ast hey
nolongerhadanyr easont ocelebrat
e.Thei r
honeymoonwasr uinedj ustasmuchast heir
weddingwas.Lehumocoul dn’
thelpbutst art
wonder i
ngifindeedshewasmeantt obeGat sha’s.
Theyindeedhadt or ushhomeasQueenNozi pho
tol
dthem ofacer emonyt heyhadt odotocl eanse
thebothofthem –especi all
yLehumo, otherwi se
badluckwoul dfollowt hem.Gat shahadf eltasi f
hehadl ostweightinst antlyinjustafewdays.He
hadtri
edt ogetLehumot oeatorevenj ustbr eathe
awor dtohim, butitwasasi fshehadj ustgone
mute.Hef elthopel ess;hehat edbeingofnouse–
especial
lytohiswi fe.So, hedeci dedtocalltheone
personwhowoul dbeabl etomakeLehumor eason.
Evenwhent heylanded,shewoul djustkeepquiet
andal lowhimt oholdheranddowhat everhe
want ed.Assoonast heygotintotheRoyalPal ace;
everythingfeltwei
rdandseemi nglydiff
erenttot he
bothoft hem.I twasasi ft
herewasanunusual
aurai nthehouse.Br endaappearedf r
om thest air
s
withbl oodshoteyes.

Br
enda:(
tear
y)“
Oh,
myf
ri
end.
”

Lehumoj ustrushedtowardsBrendaandwai l
edin
herar
ms.Gat shacouldn’thel
pbutfeelatadbit
envi
ous.Hewast heonewhowassupposedt obe
comfort
inghiswi feli
kethat.Hishear
tdroppedto
thepi
tofhi sstomach.

Gat
sha:“
I’
llgomakeyouguyssomet
hingt
oeat
.”

Br
enda:(
sof
tl
y)“
Thankyou.
”
WhileBr endawentupst
air
swi t
hLehumo, Kul
i
appearedoutofnowhere,tr
yingtoactl
ikethe
comfortingmother,
butQueenNoziphostoppedher
i
nhert racks.

QueenKul
i:“
Oh,
Mfanawami(
myboy)
.”

Shet
ri
edhuggi
nghi
m,buthedi
dn’
tal
lowher
.

QueenKul
i:“
I’
m sor
ry.Iknow,youmustst
il
lbe
angr
yatme.”

Gat
sha:“
Mustever
ythi
ngbeaboutyou?
”

Hewasmakingsomesandwi
cheswi
thj
uicef
orhi
s
wi
feandherbestf
ri
end.
QueenKuli
:“Idi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
,Gat
sha.You
knowit
.”

Gat
sha:“
DoI
?”

Kulit
houghtthathermagichadwor kedandthather
sonwoul dseenothi
ngwr ongwit
hherdeeds, buthe
wast hesameoldGatsha.Shewasconf used, as
shegenuinelyt
houghtthathermuthiwouldwor kin
herfavour,
buttonoavail–leavi
ngherevenmor e
str
essedthanbefore.

Gat
sha:“Don’
tyouhaveanywher
eel
set
obe?Li
ke
awayfr
om thi
skingdom?”

Shestaredi
ntoGatsha’
seyes,
buthewasdead
ser
ious.Shereali
zedshehadnost onel
eftt
otur
n,
butrat
heranothert
ri
ckuphersleeve.
QueenKuli
:“You’
rest
il
lgr
ievi
ng,
Gat
sha.I
’
lll
eave
youtoi
t.
”

Shel
eftl
eavingGat
shair
ri
tabl
e,andf
oundQueen
Nozi
phoalongtheway.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Yah(
Yes)
,Mt
hakat
hindi
ni(
You
wit
ch).
”

QueenKul
i:“
Ag,
Nozi
pho,
ufunani(
whatdoyou
want)
?”

QueenNozipho:“Youreal
lyt
hinkt
hatIam af
rai
dof
you,neh(
don’tyou)?
”

QueenKuli:“
Whyelsehaven’
tyoukill
edmeyet?
Bet
teryet
, whydi
dn’tyoust
opmei nmyt r
acks
whenIkil
ledyourpreci
ousgreatgr
andson?”
ShethoughtQueenNoziphowouldgetangered,
but
shewasjustli
keSfi
so,calml
ikenothi
ngelse.

QueenNozipho:(chuckl
ing)“
Your
eal
lyt
hinkt
hatI
di
ditoutoffearofyou?”

QueenKul i
:(wor
ried)“
Whatelsewoul di
tbe?
You’rest
andingherewhi l
eyoursonandannoyi
ng
granddaughteri
nlawar eweepingoverachi
ldI
ki
lled.
”

QueenNozipho:(
laughi
ng)“
Youhonest
lyt
hinkt
hat
youtookhi
m away? ”

QueenKuli
’
ssmi r
kslowlyfadedf
rom herf
aceas
shest
aredatherinsi
lence.

QueenNozi
pho:“
Theancest
orst
ookherbef
oreyou
coul
devengett
ohim.
”
QueenKul
i:(
wor
ri
ed)“
You’
rel
ying.
”

QueenNozipho:“
Okay.I fyousayso,butifyou
mustknow,Kuli
,you’r
eaver ysmallf
ishinabig
pondful
lofpir
anha’s,ver
yholypir
anhas.”

Kul
iremai
nedspeechl
ess.

QueenNozi pho:“Yousee,Ner i
ahandNoah, along
wit
hSf isoareprotect
ingthosetwolikenot
hingel se.
Sure,youaregoingt otr
yyourevildeedsont hem,
butitwillal
lcomebackst ri
kingyoutwiceashar d.
Youwi l
lhavenoonet oturnto.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Sti
ll
,you’
l
lbegonever
ysoonal
lthanks
t
oyourcancer.
”

QueenNozi
pho:“
I’
drat
herdi
eful
loft
heLor
d’s
gracethanli
vet osufferli
keyou.Yourli
tt
lest
unt
thatyoupull
edhascostyousomuchal r
eady.I’
ll
dieandsowi llyourmot her
.I’l
lbei
nheaven,but
yourevilmotherwillbeburninginf
lamesforal
l
eterni
ty.
”

QueenKul
i:(
pani
cky)“
You’
rebl
uff
ing.
”

QueenNozi
pho:“
Idon’
tseeyoursi
deki
ckanywher
e,
doyou?”

QueenKulistart
edwor
ryi
ng.Shehadn’
tseenher
mothereversincet
heni
ghtbef
ore.
”

QueenNozipho:“
Youhaveanger edtheNcube
ancest
ors,
youlit
tleshi
t.Ican’
twaittoseeyou
suff
erfr
om theothersi
de.”

Shel
eftherst
andi
ngt
her
edeepi
nthought
.She
qui
cklygotoutofherminit
ranceandr ushedt
oher
mother’
sbedroom.Meanwhile,Noziphohad
pl
annedherlastgoodbyet
ohergr andson.

QueenNozi
ph:“
Gat
sha,
howar
eyouhol
dingup?
”

Gat
sha:(
sif
h)“
Honest
ly,
notver
ygood,
Gogo
(
Granny)
.”

QueenNozi
pho:“
Itget
swor
sebef
orei
tget
sbet
ter
.”

Gat
sha:“
Theyal
lsayt
hat
.”

QueenNozi
pho:“
That
’sbecausei
tist
rue.Lookat
me.”

Sheheldhiswarm,innocentf
acewit
hherold,
wisdom-r
iddenhands.Shestaredst
rai
ghti
nhis
eyesandsawever yt
hing–al lt
hepast ,
presentand
fut
urepai nandithurtherevenmor ethanthe
physicalpai
noft hecancereatingherupalivefrom
theinside.Shehadnott ol
danyone, asshedi dn’t
wantt hem t
ostressorresorttochemot her
apy.She
wantedt odiei
npeace, wit
hGat haandLehumoby
herside.

QueenNozi pho:“Li
stent ome, Gat
sha.Idon’thave
mucht i
meyet ,butIjustwantyout oknowthatyou
wil
ldor eal
lywell.Ar eal
lytoughstormiscomi ng,
butalwaysr emembert hepurit
yofyourlovefor
Lehumo.Neverf or
gett oli
veinthemoment ,and
str
iveforhappiness.Iwi l
lalwaysloveyou,my
chil
d.”

Gatsha:“
Whydoesi
tseem l
ikeyou’
resayi
ng
goodbye?”

QueenNozi
pho:“
That’
sbecauseIam.Iam sayi
ng
goodni
ght
.Betheref
oryourwif
e,shewi
llcome
by.
”

Sheki
ssedhi
sfor
eheadandst
art
edchant
ingcl
an
names.

QueenNozipho:“
Yoursonisal
ri
ght.Hewi l
lbewell
takencar
eofbytheancest
ors.Remembert hi
s;
Bongiist
heonlyoneall
owedtocleanseyourwif
e.”

Withthatsai
d,shelefthim standi
ngt her
e.Isn’tit
funnyhowwar ni
ngscomeatt heleastunexpected
ti
me?I t’
salmostasi fGodt r
iestotestourpatience
andstret
chesitreal
ly,real
lythin.
[
01/
27,
07:
34] :Chapt
er35

“Not
hingseemstotemptfat
emorethanmenti
oni
ng
t
hepossibi
li
tyofsomet
hingbadhappeni
ng.
”–
DondaldG.Fi
resmit
h
Oneweekl
ater
….

Ithadbeenaweeksi nceQueenNozi phowasl aidto

rest.Sheunexpect edlyneverwokeupt hef ollowing
mor ningafterherbr i
efgoodbyet oGat sha.Funny
enoughpoorLehumohaddr eamtofQueenNozi pho
thatevening, tel
linghert hatal li
swel landshehad
gainedanot hergr eatancest orwhowoul dfighther
bat t
lesforher .Itt ooksomet ime,butLehumowas
slowl yl
earningt ogetbackonherf eet.Shehadt o
gobackt oschoolanyways, soshedi dn’thesi tateto
doso.Thatputhermi ndateaseal i
ttl
ebi t
,because
shehadkeptbusy.Hermar riagewasnotr eal l
y
strainedtosayt hel east ,butsheandGat shawer e
havingabi toft roubl er econnect i
ngagai n–even
thoughhewasgenui nel ytryingt ogett hingsback
tonor malbet weenhi m andhi swi f
e.Kul iofcour se
hadsomet hingt odowi thal lthedoom andgl oom in
theRoyalPal ace.Wi t
hBeat ricegonet or eti
re,
Raesi befl
eeingf orhersaf etyandwi thBongi
raisi
ngHosea, i
twasj ustabi tt oolonelyf or
Lehumo.
Upont r
yingsohar dtopl easeherevi l mother-i
n-law,
Kulijustbecamewor se.Whatwasevenmor e
alarmingwast hatKul iplayedni cewhenever
Gatshawasar oundandwasr atherhor r
ibl
et owar ds
Lehumowhenevert heywer ealone.Shewasst i
ll
surprisedtoseeLehumohadn’ tevencompl ainedt o
Gatshaabouthernast ybehavi ourtowar dsher–
notevenonce.Abi tofgoodnews;Kul i
’sevilways
werei ndeedcat chingupwi t
hher ,though.Thever y
samedayt hatQueenNozi phopassedon, sodi d
QueenNomt ha.Bot hi nthever ysamepal ace.A
fewoft hepeopleofZul ulandcal l
edi t“i
nsanel y
dist
ur bing”whi l
esomecl aimedt hattheywer e
cursed.Li fefortheyoungKi ngandQueenwas
start
ingt obeabi ttough, withoutnor malelderst o
guidet hem.Gat shahadt ochoosear oyalcounci l
,
whowassupposedt obeel ectedandmadeknown
tothepeopl eofZulul and.

Itwast
ough,ashedidn’
treal
lyhavemanypeople
t
ochoosefr
om, sohechosetheleastexpect
ed
person–Ki ngDuduzi leDambuza;Ki ngofEnande
whoal sohappenedt obet hehusbandofKul i’sarch
nemesi s–QueenAbi gailDambuza.Thi sver y
sameki ngwast hef atherofGat sha’sbestf riend,so
i
tsor tofmadesenset omakehi m oneoft he
councilmember sandhi sper sonaladvi sor.Of
course,muchl i
keSf iso, KingDuduzi lemar ri
eda
womanwhowasr atherevi l,vainandcompl et el
y
unsatisfi
edwi th99%ofever ything.Shewast he
typi
calbeaut yqueen, wi t
hl ongnai l
s, l
ongl ashes,
l
ongweavesr angi ngf r om Per uviant oBr azilian,and
evenwor elongheel s.Shenevermi ssedany
occasionandwasasl azyasasl oth.Shecoul d
neverlif
tasi nglef ingert odoanyt hingi nherhouse.
Herhusband, unlikeKi ngSf iso,lovedherdear lyand
woulddoj ustaboutanyt hingf orher .Muchl i
ke
everyone–hewasal soobl ivi
oust oherext r a-
curri
cularactivi
ties.Ofcour se,thiswasQueen
Abigail’
splant ogetherownl itt
lespacei nt heRoyal
Kingdom, asKul i’
spl ansf aileddi smal ly.Shewas
demot edbyMkhul uf orf ail
ingt odel iverther oyal
heir
’ssoultohi m, andf oralsobei ngdi srespect ful
.
Lehumowasmi ndi ngherbusi nesswi thherbest
fr
iendatthehospit
alcaf
eter
ia,
wher
eshewas
doingherpract
ical
s.

Brenda:“Chomi(
fri
end),
youbarel
ytouchedyour
food.It
’sbeenhalfanhournow.Whatisit
?”

Lehumo:“
Not
hing.Idon’
tknowwhatyoumean.
”

Br
enda:“
Spi
titout
.”

Lehumo:(deepsi
gh)“Idon’
tknow,myfr
iend.Ij
ust
haven’
tbeenmyselft
hesepastfewweeks.”

Brenda:“
It’
snormalt
of eelt
hatway,
butal
soyou’
re
contr
ibut
ingtoyourmisery.
”

Lehumo:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Excuseme?
”
Br
enda:“
Hearmeout
,pl
ease.
”

Lehumot
ookadeepsi
ghwi
thoutbr
eat
hingawor
d.

Brenda:“Youhavet hebesthusbandi ntheworld;a

husbandwhoador esyou, whol i
terallyhasbeen
tr
yingever ythingtopl easeyouandmakeyousmi l
e
again–yetyouj ustkeeppushi nghi m away.All
youeverdoi scr y,Iam notbl ami ngyou, but
Lehumo, ther eisstil
llifeaft
ermour ni ng.Haven’t
youforasecondt houghtabouthi sf eeli
ngs?That
hemi ghtbei npai njustasmuchasyou?Hei s
probablybr okennowt hatyou’realsopushi nghim
away.Imean, comeonf ri
end, haveyoueven
noti
cedt hathehasn’ tshavedhi sbear dinli
ketwo
weeksandt hathehasl ostaf ewki los? ”

Lehumosunkinherchairwhi
lepr
ocessi
ng
Brenda’
swords.Sheknewdeepdownt hatBrenda
wasr i
ghtandasusual
,thet
rut
hwasabi tt
erpil
lto
swall
ow.
Br
enda:“
Doyouwanthi
mtofi
ndsol
acei
nanot
her
woman?Makeanot
herwomanpr
egnant
?”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
No,
ofcour
senot
.”

Brenda:“Thengetupandbet heLehumohemar r
ied
–t hegoddesshefelli
nlovewi th.Youhavenoi dea
justhowmanyoft hesebitchesact uall
ywantt obe
you.Ifhehadt owalkthrought hatdoorr i
ghtnow,
theywouldleavepati
entstodi eandj ustdroolover
yourman.Not icet
hesmal lthings,babe.He
adoresyou.Youcanst il
ltryagain,you’resti
ll
young.”

Sheletthetear
sf al
lbutquickl
ywi pedthem off
.
Sheknewt hatBrendawasr ight–t ot
all
yright
.Just
asshewasaboutt orespond,shesawaf ewofthe
nursesandsomeoft hestudentsstari
ngbehindher.
Theystart
eddrool i
ngandawei ngfrom wherever
theywere.Sheknewt hatitwasGatshabyhis
scent
.Hi scol
ognecouldwakeupt hewhole
hospi
talandprobabl
ybr i
ngbed-r
iddenpat
ient
s
backtoli
fe.

Gat
sha:“
Ntombenhl
e(Beaut
if
ul)
.”

Shesl owl yturnedaroundandsawherbeaut i

ful
beaust andingbef oreher ;dr essedi nagor geous
blackItaliansuit.Hedi dl ookabi tthinner,butat
l
easthemanagedt oshavehi sbear dandgetanew
haircut.HehadabunchofSunf lower si nhishand
thattimei nsteadoflil
iesorr oses.Yep, t
hatwas
Gatsha–hehadhi swaysandher efusedt obe
predictable.Hi ssmilemel tedherhear tandshe
knewt hatshehadt opul luphersocks.Sheknew
thatshehadbeennegl ectingherhusbandandt hat
shehadbeenmour ningf ort oolong.Ofcour se,t
he
painwi llnevergoaway, butasRevel ation21:4says
–“ Hewi l
lwipeeveryt earf rom theireyes.
Ther ewi l
lbenomor edeat hormour ningorcr ying
orpai n,fortheoldor deroft hingshaspassed
away. ”Sheknewt hatnewbegi nningsal waysawai t
,
assher ecall
edt hever sefrom 2Cor i
nt hians4: 17-
18–“ Forourl i
ghtandmoment aryt r
oubl esar e
achievingf orusanet ernalgloryt hatf arout wei ghs
them al l
.Sowef i
xoureyesnotonwhati sseen,
butonwhati sunseen, sincewhati sseeni s
tempor ary,butwhati sunseeni set ernal .
”That ’
s
thebeaut yofli
fe;yes, shemayhavel osther
preciousunbor nSf iso, butsheknewt hathewas
blessedt obeanangelandcar edf orbyt he
ancest ors.Theynamedhi m afterhi sgr andfat hers;
Sf i
soNoahNcube.I tiscustomar yi nt heAfrican
tradit
iont onameyourchi l
dren–eveni fyoulost
them dur ingami scar r
iageorst i
llbor n.

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Gat
sha…”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hawu(Goodness)
,Ibarelysai
d
awordandyou’
realr
eadycr
ying.Kumelengize
l
anaemsebenzi
niwakhongemihl
ake(Ishoul
d
comet
oyourwor kpl
acemoreoft
en)
.”

Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”

Gatsha:“
Icametogivemybeaut
if
ulwi
feabunchof
fl
owersandtotakeyouout
.”

Lehumot
urnedt
olookatBr
enda.

Brenda:“
Hayi(No)
,don’
tlookatme.Thi
sti
me,
I
knownothing.
”

ShelookedbackatGat
shaandsmi
ledashegent
ly
wipedoffhert
ear
s.

Gat
sha:“Manj
euthi
ni,
Mkami(
So,whatdoyousay,
mywife)
?Siyodl
ail
unchnomacha(Ar
ewegoing
t
oeatl
unchornot
)?”

Lehumo:“
I’
m sti
llonmyl
unchbr
eak,
Gat
sha.You’
l
l
getmeint
otrouble.
”

Gat
sha:“
Ial
readyspoketoyourmanagerwhowas
moret
handeli
ghtedtol
etthequeengoandhave
l
unchwit
hherhusband.”

Lehumo:“Idon’
twantpeopletothi
nkI
’
m gett
ing
speci
alf
avoursjustbecauseIam t
heQueen.
”

Brenda:(
rol
li
ngeyes)“
Ai,
Par
typooper
.Hamba
(Go).
”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youar
ethequeen,
though
ar
en’tyou?”
Lehumo:“
Gat
shabat
hing(
mygoodness)
.”

Gatsha:“
Iwi
llbui
ldyouyourownhospi
tali
fthey
haveaprobl
em.Nowcome. ”

Helif
tedhisar
m ali
tt
lebitandhandedhert
he
fl
owers.Shetookherbagandheldhisarm ast
hey
bothwalkedoutt
ogether
.

Gat
sha:“
Seeyousoon,
Bee.
”

Br
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Likewi
se.
”

Lehumohadbeensoconsumedbygr ieft
hatshe
hadf or
gottenthestarespeopleal
waysgivethem.
Theynol ongerstar
edmuch, t
houghsinceshe
actuall
ybecamequeen.Ofcour se,major
it
yofthem
wouldhaveki ll
edtobei nherposi
ti
on.Ast hey
walkedout, shenot
icedabi gcart
hatwascovered
wi
thacarcoverandabi
gredbow.

Lehummo:(
frowni
ng)“
Andt
his?
”

Gatsha:(
smil
ing)“
Comeon.Letmehol
dyour
fl
owerswhil
eyouunwrapyourgi
ft
.”

Lehumof el
therhear tpaci ngatanabnormalrate,
whileshef el
ther selftrembl i
ng.Peoplewer etaki
ng
videosandpi cturesoft hem, whil
esomeoft he
Hospitalstaf
fwal kedoutt owatchthelat
estont he
KingandQueen.Shewal kedtowardsthecar,
trembli
ngwi thbot hexci tementandf earatthe
samet ime.Sheunwr appedt hecarandcame
acrossabeaut i
ful,blueJaguarE- Pace.Ithadan
envelopeaddr essedt oher .ShegaveGat shaher
famousl ook.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Vul
a,hao(
Openi
t,goodness)
.”
Sheopenedi tandi
tread;“Mybeautif
ulNtombenhl
e
(Beaut
if
ulgirl
),t
heworldisouroyster
.Mayt his
newbabyt akeyouonmagi calr
ides.Withlove,
yourhusband.”

ThatwasLehumo’sveryfir
stcarandshewasi n
tot
alshock.Shefel
thersel
fbecomeoverjoyed
i
mmedi atel
yasshejumpedont oGatshaandgave
him aver
ylongki
ssandhug.

Lehumo:“
Youdi
dn’
thavet
o,youknow.
”

Gatsha:“
Icanbuyyouacareverydayoft
heweeki
f
you’r
egoingt
okissmeli
kethat.
”

Lehumoheardeveryonecl
appi
ngandscr eaming.
Shehatedatt
enti
onandherhusbandknewt hat.
Shealsonoti
cedBeestandi
ngtherewit
hherphone
taki
ngavideo.ShewinkedatLehumoandt hatwas
anindi
cati
onthatshewasinonthat.Howshe
al
waysmanagedt
okeepsecret
sfr
om herl
ikethat
wasast
oundi
ngbecauseBr
endawasveryt
alkati
ve.

Gat
sha:“
Shal
lwegetoutofher
e?”

Lehumo:“
Yes,
please.
”

Gat
shahandedhert
hekeys.

Gat
sha:“
Come,
it’
sti
mef
oryout
odr
iveyourbaby.
”

Shegoti nt othecarandl ovedt hesmel l

i
mmedi ately.Thel eat
herinteri
orwasabonusf or
her.Thef actthatheal sogotitsoper sonal
ized
wasj ustamazi ng.Thenumberpl atewasalr eady
personalizedt o“Ndhlovukazi”
,andassoonasshe
start
edt hecar ,thevoiceautomat edtapegreet ed
hereveryt ime.“ Hel
lo,Ndhlovukazi.Wher ewoul d
youliketogo? ”
Lehumo:(
puzzl
ed)“
Hao(
Goodness)
,Gat
sha.Di
d
youhavet
o?”

Gat
sha:“WhenImar
ri
edyou,
Ipr
omi
sedyout
he
wor
ld,di
dn’
tI?
”

Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”

Gatsha:(speaki
ngtotheautomat
edsyst
em)
“Jaguar,
takeust o*
*****
.”

Aut
omatedsystem:
“Yourwi
shi
smycommand,
Ndhl
ovukazi
.”

Thesystem immediatel
yswi
tchedont heGPStothe
unknownaddr ess.Lehumohadnoi deawherethey
weregoing,butsomehowshejustnevergotusedto
herhusband’smanywaysofsur pr
isi
ngher.
Lehumo:“
Am Ial
wayssupposedt
oaski
twher
eto
takeme?”

Gat
sha:“
Notreal
ly,
butIpr
eferi
tifyoudi
d.That
wayIcantr
ackyou.”

Lehumo:(
puzzl
ed)“
Gat
sha!
”

Gatsha:“
Relax,Sthandwasami(Mylove)
.Notlike
that
,butwear everypromi
nentnowsoIwon’ttake
anychances.Iwoul dn’
twantanyonetohur
tyou.”

ThatmadeLehumoaskher self
;howri
chwer et
hey
exactl
y?Shehadbecomesuchagooddr iveral
l
thankstohert eacherGat sha.Theyarri
vedataver y
tal
lbuil
ding;probablyt hetall
estinZul
uland.He
haddoneamazi ngt hingseversincehebecame
King.Shedi dn’treall
yknowhowhedi di t
,but
Gatshahadawayofget t
ingt hi
ngsdone.I twasas
i
fitwasinhi
sDNA.Lehumobecamestunnedwhen
shenot
icedt
henameonthebui
ldi
ng“
Noah’sArk”
.

Lehumo:(
looki
ngatGat
sha)“
Whati
sthi
s,Gat
sha?
”

Gatsha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Par
kri
ghtt
her
e,I
’
llt
ellyouj
ust
now.”

Shef el
thersel ftr
embleabi t
.ThatwasLehumo–
whenevershewashappyshewoul dcr yand
tr
embl e;whenevershewasshockedorsad–she’ d
dothesame.Shewasabi ttoosof tforeveryone’
s
l
iki
ng–butwasahugebombwhenangr y.She
parkedt hecarandGat shast il
lhadt hedecencyt o
getoutofhi ssi deandopent hedoorf orher.He
heldherbyherhandandwal kedwi thher .Shewas
amazedbyt hebeaut yoft hebui lding–i twasso
moder nlybuiltandhadsuchel egantst yl
etoit.The
wallswer eallsonat ur
al;paintedwi thdar kgreyand
everyfloorhadal readybeenf urnished.
Theyheadedst r
aightt ot het opf loor;wher e
Gatsha’soffi
cewas.I twast hebi ggestoft hem al l
ofcourseandt heonl yoneont hef l
oor ,wit
ha
recept
ionistdeskj ustopposi tehi sdoor .Hi swhol e
offi
cewascover edi ngl asswal l
s–wi thdar koak
i
nside.Thewal l
scoul dgetcover edwi thelectric
bli
ndsatt hepushofabut ton.Ever ythingwasneat
ofcourse.Heevenhadar estingpl acebehi nd
anotherdoor–whi chhadabedt osl eepon.
Gatshaopenedt hesl i
di nggl assdoorj ustbehi nd
hisdeskandLehumocoul dn’thel pbutcr y.They
weremetwi t
hamandr essedi nasui t;abeaut iful
romanticscenel aybef oreher–abl anketont he
groundwi thpil
lowst osi ton; lotsoff oodandl otsof
champagne.Gat shathankedt hemanashel eftthe
twooft hem alone.

Lehumo:“
Areyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Tur
nar
ound.
”
Shedidasshewast ol
d,cauti
ously.Gatshamade
herfacethevi
ewf rom t
hetopfloor.I
twasa
beauti
fulsi
ghtandshecoul devenseethesun
rat
herfarfr
om thebuil
ding.Hehel dherfrom
behindandbr eat
hedintoherear.

Gatsha:“
Closeyoureyesandt
ellmehowyouf
eel
ri
ghtnow.”

Lehumo:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Gatsha:“
Behonestandtel
lmehowyouf eel
st
andingrighther
ewit
hyoureyescl
osed.”

Lehumo:(
deepsigh)“If
eel
vul
nerabl
e,butsafe.For
someoddreasonthispl
acemakesmef eelserene.
”

Gat
sha:“
That
’sexact
lyhowIf
eltwhenIf
ir
st
st
eppedont
othegr
ound,
bef
orebui
ldi
ngt
his
pl
ace.
”

Lehumot ur
nedar
oundasshecoul
dnol
ongert
ake
thesuspense.

Gat
sha:“
This,
mydearwi f
e,i
sournewcompany–
namedaft
eryourf
ather
.”

Lehumocoul
dn’
tst
opt
het
ear
s.

Gat
shawipedthem awayandtookouthi
stabl
et.
Heshowedherhisnextsur
pri
se.

Gatsha:“Thi
sr i
ghthereisournewvent ur
e–our
veryownbur saryschemenamedaf termyf ather–
TheSfisofoundation.Andthis,thi
srighthere,is
yourveryownhospi talt
hatwillbebuiltst
arti
ng
fr
om tomor r
ow.”
Lehumolookedatt
he3Ddesignofthehospi
taland
noti
cedt
hename–“ Ner
iahMkhabel
aHospit
al.”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Gat
sha…”

Gatsha:“
Ipr
omi
sedyouthewor
ld,
mywi
fe,
andI
al
wayskeepmypromise.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
35] :Chapt
er36

“WhenIdespair,Ir
ememberthatallt
hroughhist
ory
thewayoft r
uthandlovehavealwayswon.Ther e
havebeentyrantsandmurderer
s,andforatime,
theycanseem invi
nci
ble,
butintheend,they
alwaysfal
l.Thinkofi
t–always.”–Mahat ma
Gandi

Gri
efandfearar
esohorr
ibl
e;t
heycanmakeyou
l
oseyoursel
fsoqui
ckl
yandeasil
yandal
sofora
verylongti
me.Lehumohadf or
gottenforawhil
e
justhowmuchshehadt obegratefulf
or.Just
whenshet houghtthatshehadhadenoughofher
day,Gatshaplayedasong–I si
gincibyMduduzift
.
BigZulu.

Gatsha:(
str
etchi
nghi
shand)“
MayIhavet
his
dance?”

Lehumosmil
edasshegl
adl
yhandedGat
shaher
handandt
heysl
owdancedtot
hesong.

Lehumo:“
Whydoyoul
ovemesomuch,
Gat
sha?
”

Gatsha:“
Ihaveoveramill
ionr
easons,
butIcan
choosethebestoneri
ghtnow–becauseyou
deservebei
ngloved.
”

Lehumocoul
dn’
tbel
ievet
hatshehadact
ual
ly
baggedamanl ikeGat sha–t houghtheyhadbeen
mar ri
edforquit
esomet imebyt hen.Theydanced
tothesongunt ili
twasf inishedandt heyatethei
r
specialmeal–f rom starterstomai ncourseand
dessert–Lehumo’ sf avour i
te.Theyhadact ual
ly
enjoyedtheirownt i
meal one;awayf r
om thedrama
andpeopl e.Itf
eltsogoodf orhertobei nher
husband’scompanywi t
houtbei nginsorrow.After
theirmealsandaf ewdr inks, t
heywer eabitti
psy–
shemor et hanGatsha.

Gatsha:“
Ithi
nki
tist
imeweheadedhome.I
’
ll
dr
ive.”

Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Am It
hatdr
unk?
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ili
kespoi
li
ngyou–come.
”

Theyhadthei
rownf unaft
erkissi
ngoneanother
knowi
ngthattheycouldn’
thavesexyet
,butGatsha
hadalwaysbeenagent leman.Shegavehi mt he
keysandtheygotint
ot hecarandheadedhome.
Lit
tl
edidtheyknowt hatQueenKul ijustnevergave
up.Assoonast heyent eredtheyard,theysawa
carthatwasrat
herdiff
er entt
otheusualcar sthat
fr
equentedthepal
ace.

Lehumo:“
Whosecari
sthat
?”

Gat
sha:“Idon’
tknow,
butIdon’
tli
ket
his.Come,
l
et’
sgo.”

Hehadalreadyopenedherdoorf orher.Theywere
soexci
tedandfullofhappiness–unt i
ltheywal
ked
i
ntothehouseandt hei
rfacialexpressi
onschanged
fr
om happytohorri
d.

Gat
sha:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“
Kul
i,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Queenkul
i:(
smi
li
ng)“
Oh,Gatsha,mfanawami (
my
boy)
,your
ememberAli
ce,Abigai
l’
sdaught
er,
don’t
you?”

TherewasKul iatitagain.Shehadgonebackt o
beingthedismissive,evilmotherinl
awwho
compl et
elyi
gnoredherdaught er
-i
n-l
aw’spr
esence
everychanceshegot .Gat shawasaveryobservant
manandhehat edr epeatinghimself
.Lehumoon
theotherhandwasr atherwoundedbyKul i
’
s
dismissi
veinsolence,butshet ri
edhardnottoshow
i
t.

Gatsha:(
infuri
ated)“Kuli
,youshoul dknowbynow
whatkindofmanIam.Iear nestl
yhaterepeati
ng
myselfandr i
ghtnow, Idetestyouratrocious
att
it
udetowar dsmywi f
e.Howmanyt i
mesdoI
havetotellyoutotreatherkindly?”

QueenKulir
eal
izedj
usthowmuchGat shasti
ll
l
ovedLehumo–despi t
eallherevi
lnonsense.
QueenKuli:(
sof
tl
y)“Iam sosorr
yforbeingr
udeto
you,Lehumo.Gatsha,i
twil
lneverhappenagai
n.”

Gatsha:“I
thadbett
ernot.Remember–Iam doi
ng
youaf avourbyl
ett
ingyoustayher
e.Youar
eofno
usetoanyone.”

QueenKulif
eltr
eall
yhurtbyherson’
srej
ecti
on,
but
t
hatsti
llwasnotenoughtostopherf
rom doi
ng
whatshehadplannedtodo.

QueenKul
i:“
Iknow,
I’
mreal
lysor
ry.
”

Gatshagent
lypul
ledLehumoawaytohi
m asthey
l
eftherst
andingt
herewitht
hest
unnedAli
ce.

QueenKul
i:(
frowni
ng)“
Aren’
tyougoi
ngt
osayhit
o
Al
ice?
”
Gatshawasseemingl
yannoyedandcoul
dn’
thi
deit
anylonger
.Hestoppedandtur
nedwhil
ehesti
ll
hadLehumo’shandinhi
s.

Gatsha:“
Idon’
tcaremuchf oruni
nvit
edguests.
Thenexttimeyoufeel
theneedt oint
roducemeto
young,unambit
iousgi
rl
s,Isuggestyouinfor
m me
befor
ehand.”

Heleftt
hem bothstandi
ngtherefl
abber
gast
edas
heproceededtohisbedroom wit
hhiswif
e.

Ali
ce:(annoyed)“
Ithoughtyousai
dhedi
dn’
tlove
her?”

QueenKuli
:“Hedoesn’
t.I
t’
sjustt
hathedoesnot
knowityet
.”
Ali
ce:“Shemusthaveusedsomepoti
ononhim or
something.Imean,nomanhaseverrej
ect
edme.
Theyfallf
ormeinst
antl
yjustbyl
ooki
ngatme.
”

QueenKul iwasdeepl yannoyedbyAl ice, butshe

hadt ohi deit.Al i
cewasherbestandr atheronl y
choicei nherdevi ouspl antogetGat shat oleave
Lehumo.Shehat edhavi ngnocont roloverGat sha
asshehadoverShaka.Wi t
hShakaasKi ng, she
knewt hathewoul dhavedancedt ohert une–
alongwi thanybi mbohecoul dhavechosent o
mar ry.Wi thGat sha, i
twasj ustanotherst or y–
whatyousawi sreallywhatyougotwi thhi m and
Lehumowasnott hateasil
ymani pulated.She
want edt ogetal ongwi thhermot her-i
n-law, badl y,
butaf t
ert hemi scarriageshehadst artedseei ng
quiteal otofr edflagsf r
om Kul i
.Thatal ongwi th
Brenda’sadvi cemadeherr eali
zethatsheneeded
tobecar efulasshehadbeenl ivi
ngwi thaser pent
i
nherownhouse.Al i
cewasbeaut i
fulyes, with
beaut i
ful,darkskin, hugehipsandver yl ar ge
buttocks.Muchl i
kehermot her,shehadanhour
gl
assfi
gur
e,butwasaplussi
zedl
ady.Shewas
j
ustasvai
nashermother.
QueenKuli
:“Gat
shaisnotyourusual
,typi
calguys.
Hewilll
oveyou,gi
vehi
mt i
me.”

Al
ice:“
Timei
snotonmyside!Ishoul
dtel
lmy
mom.She’ddoabett
erj
obatthi
s.”

QueenKuli:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“Yourbloodymom isnotthe
bossofme.Becar efulwhatyoudoorsayt ome,
ntombazanyana(gi
rl
y).Ngingakuci
sha(Ican
el
iminat
eyou)intheblinkofaneye.Keeptesti
ng
me.”

Kuliwassoseri
ous.Shehadgr
ownt
ir
edofAl
ice’
s
spoil
edandfl
ippantnat
ure.

Al
ice:“
I’
m sor
ry.
”
Meanwhi l
einGat shaandLehumo’sbedroom,t
hey
weresti
llreeli
ngfrom t
hedaytheyhad.Gatshahad
runthem abat handtheybothgoti
n,wit
hLehumo
sit
ti
nginbet weenGatsha’
slegs.

Gatsha:“Ucabanganikangaka,
mkami
(Whatar
e
youthinki
ngof ,
mywi fe)
?”

Lehumo:(
sigh)“I
’mjustt
hinki
ngoftoday.Ihad
suchabeauti
fulday,Gat
sha.Thankyousomuch.”

Gat
sha:(
smil
ing)“
It
’smyjobt
omakeyouhappy,
St
handwasami(Mylove)
.”

Theyfinishedtaki
ngthei
rbathandheadedtothe
bedr
oom.Gat shalot
ionedLehumoandshedidhim.
Hewasal wayssofil
ledwit
htheneedfori
nti
macy,
hedidn’tneedtohaveinter
courset
obeinti
mate.
Gatsha:(
frowni
ng)“
Manj
e(Andnow)
?Whyungat
hi
ubamuncu( Whydoyoul
ooksosour
)?”

Lehumo:“
It
’sj
ustt
hat
…If eelsobadwhenwehad
suchagooddayandIcan’tevenf
ulf
ilmywi
fel
y
duti
es.
”

Gatshaseemedr
atherdi
sappoi
ntedbyLehumo’
s
st
atement.

Gatsha:“Whosai
dthati
tisyourwifel
yduti
esto
haveinter
cour
sewit
hmeever ysingleni
ght?
”

Lehumo:(embarr
assed)“Wel
l,
ImeanBrendaand
Mam’ Raesi
betol
dmet hatmar
riedmenneedto
havesexeverydayorelseawomanwouldn’
tbe
perf
ormingherduti
es.
”

Gat
sha:(
disappoi
nted)“
Lehumo,
anymanwho
expectshiswi fetosleepwithhim evenwhenshei s
notokayi sreallydi
sturbedandapoorexcuseofa
man.Yourwi f
elydutiesaretoloveme, befai
thful
tomeandmakemehappy.I nor dertomakeme
happyyouhavet obehappy.Youl ostourbabya
l
itt
lelessthant woweeksago.Whatki ndofan
animalwoul dIbei fIexpectyout obei ntimat
ewi t
h
mer i
ghtnow?I ’
m notmostmar r
iedmen–my
namei sGat shaNcube, keeperofLehumoNcube’ s
heart
.I nordert omakemehappyyouhavet obe
happy.Youl ostourbabyal i
ttl
elesst hant wo
weeksago.Whatki ndofanani malwoul dIbeifI
expectyout obei nti
mat ewit
hmer ightnow?I ’m
notmostmar riedmen–mynamei sGat shaNcube,
keeperofLehumoNcube’ sheart.Itakesomuch
pri
dei nthattit
le–evenmor ethant hatofaKi ng.”

Lehumof el
tli
kecr yi
ng,butsherefusedtocry.She
trulyknewatthatmomentt hatshewasr eal
ly
blessed.Theypr ayedevent houghsomet hi
ngjust
feltabitweir
dint heirbedr
oom, butmanagedt o
sleep.Uponf all
ingasleep,Lehumof oundhersel
f
havi
ngyetanot
herdr
eam abouthermot
her
.

Ner
iah:“
Lehumo,ngwanakegothomanengosa
t
shepeModimo(sincewhendon’tyout
rustGod)
?”

Lehumo:“
Orabj
ang,
Mama(
Whatdoyoumean)
?”

Ner i
ah:“Youar estar
tingtolackf ai
th,mybaby.
RememberwhatIal wayssai dtoyou–t hedevil
feelsmostathomei nadoubt f
ulspiri
t.Youneedt o
pray,mychi ld.Ther oadi saboutt ogetbumpi er,
butwi t
hgr eatf ai
thandt r
ustinGodr eapsmany
benefits.Ihavebeensayi ngyoushoul dnottr
ust
her–youknowwhoIam t al
kingabout .Your
i
nst i
nctsarer ight–t heyalwaysar e.Thatweird,
stabbingfeelingyougeti nyourgutever yt
imeyou
seehermeansyoushoul dnott rusther.Yourf at
her
askedmet ot ellyouthatthechild’snamei s
Likhwezi.”
Shefoundher
selfdr
enchedinsweatasshewoke
upfr
om herdi
sturbi
ngdream.

Gatsha:(wor
ri
ed)“
Whati
sit
?Ar
eyouokay?You’
re
sweating.
”

Lehumo:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)“
Oh,
I…Ij
usthadabad
dream.
”

Gatsha:“I
’l
lgomakeyouacupofwarm cocoa.It
wil
lcalm youdownthenyoucant
ellmeallabout
yourdream.”

Lehumo:“
No,noneedt
ost
ressyour
sel
f.Canwe
prayi
nst
ead?
”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Mywi
fei
sback.
”
Hekissedherf or
ehead–despi t
eal lt
hesweatand
theykneltdownandpr ayed.Theylayitallt
oGod.
Lehumohadn’ tprayedinalongti
me;Gat shawas
alwaystheonewhol edthei
rpr
ayersessions.She
hadbeensowr appedupwi t
hwhatshehadl ostand
completelyfor
gotthatshehadal ottobethankful
for.

Lehumo:“ Modi moNt at eyoar ategang( Ourloving

God) ,
Ithankyousomuchf oral lyouhavegi venme.
Most l
y,Ithankyouf ort heamazi ngpeopl ear ound
me;mywonder fulbestf r
iend;myamazi ngpar ents
i
nheavenandofcour se,thebesthusbandi nt he
wor l
d.Idonotknow, lordwhyyouseemewor thy
ofyourmer cyandgr ace, butther esur elymusta
reasonwhyyouhavekeptmegoi ngunt i
lnow.I
know, Ihaven’tbeenver ydi l
igenti nprayerand
beingthankful,butallthatisaboutt ochange.I
thankyouf oral l
owingmypar ent st osti
llspeakt o
mef rom theot hersi
de.Iknowt hatyouhavebi gger
andbet t
erplansf orme.Iaskt hatyouhel pmeget
strongerinallways–physi cally;emot ionall
yand
spiri
tuall
y.Iaskt hatyoul ookaftermeandal lthose
Ilove,oh,lor
d.Iaskt hatyoubl essmyenemi es
withkindnessandaf orgivingheart,forIdonot
knowwhatIhavedonet owr ongthem.
Deuteronomy28: 7–17says;“ Godwi l
ldefeatyour
enemi eswhoat tackyou.They’ llcomeatyouon
oner oadandr unawayonsevenr oads.Godwi ll
orderabl essingonyourbar nsandwor kplaces;
he’l
lblessyoui nt helandt hatGod, yourGod, is
givi
ngyou.Godwi l
lform youasapeopl eholyto
him, j
ustashepr omi sedyou, i
fyoukeept he
commandment sofGod, yourGod, andlivetheway
hehasshownyou.Al lt
hepeopl e’sonEar thwi l
lsee
youl i
vingundert heNameofGodandhol dyoui n
respectfulawe.

Godwi lllavishyougoodt hings:chil

drenfrom your
womn, offspr i
ngfrom yourani mals,andcropsf r
om
yourland, t
hel andthatGodpr omisedyour
ancestor sthathewoul dgiveyou.Godwi llthrow
opent hedoor sofhisskyvaul t
sandbl essthewor k
youtakei nhand.Youwi lllendtomanynat ionsbut
youyour selfwon’ thavet ot akeoutal oan.Godwi l
l
makeyout hehead, nott het ail
;you’ l
lalwaysbet he
topdog, nevert hebot t
om dog, asyouobedi ent l
y
l
istentoanddi ligentlykeept hecommandsofGod,
yourGod, t
hatIam commandi ngyout oday.Don’ t
swer veani ncht ot herightorl eftfrom thewor ds
thatIcommandyout odaybygoi ngof ffollowing
andwor shippingot hergods.Her e’swhatwi l
l
happeni fyoudon’ tobedi entlylistentot hevoi ceof
God, yourGod, anddi li
gent lykeepal l
commandment sandgui delinest hatI’
m
commandi ngyout oday.Al lthesecur seswi llcome
downhar donyou:God’ scur sei nt hecity,God’ s
curseint hecount r
y;God’ scur seonyourbasket
andbr eadbowl .”For givenessi nst i
ll
speacei na
person, j
ustasLuke23: 24says;“ Father ,forgive
them fortheydonotknowwhatt heyar edoi ng. ”
Helpmef orgivet hosewhot respassagai nstme.
Strengthenmymar ri
ageandmyhear t,oh, Lord.I
askt hi
si nJesusname.Amen. ”
[
01/
27,
07:
35] :Chapt
er37
“Povert
ycan’
tmakeyoumiser
abl
e,onl
yabad
charact
erandaweakspi
ri
tcandothat
.”–John
TaylorGat
to

Ithadbeenaf ewdayssi nceKulitr

iedt opul
lof
fher
frui
tlessstunt,andeversincethenshehadt obite
hert onguewheneverGat shawasar ound.Shewas
basicallyonhislastnerve–soonewr ongmove
andi tmeantshewasout .Shedi dn’thaveher
sidekickmot herbyhersideanymor eandMkhul u’
s
patiencetowar dsherhadgr ownthin.Shehadgone
tohi mtot r
yandpl eadwithhimt ogiveherher
power sback.

QueenKul
i:“
Sawubona(
Greet
ings)
,Mkhul
u,”

Mkhul
u:(
sigh)“
Ja(
Yes)
,Kul
i.Uf
unani(
Whatdo
youwant
)?”

QueenKul
i:“
Hawu(
Goodness)
,si
ncewhendoyou
askmember
swhatt
heywantwheneverwecome
seeyou?
”

Mkhul
u:“
Idon’
thaveal
lday,
youknow.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Fine.Iwantmypower
sback.
”

Mkhul
u:“
Angi
zwa(
Excuseme)
?”

Eveni
ndesper
atet
imes,
Kul
ifor
gothermanner
s.

QueenKul
i:“
Ineedmypower
sback,
please.
”

Mkhulu:(
chuckli
ng)“I
sthist
hef
ormerQueenof
Zul
ulandbeggingformercy?
”

QueenKul
i:(
frowni
ng)“
Iam st
il
laqueen.
”
Mhulu:“
Well,keeptel
li
ngyour sel
fthat
.Ican’tgi
ve
youanypower s.Youar eofnouse.Youhavenot
doneanythi
ngf r
uit
fulbesideskil
li
ngthosefour.
Andevenso,theirsoul
sr etr
eatedbacktothei
r
ancest
orsandwer enotcapt ur
edbyus.”

QueenKuli:“
Please,
I’
m desper
ateher
e.Howdo
youexpectmet ogetyouLehumoifyoudon’
tgi
ve
meanypower s?”

Mkhul u:“
Thesamewayyoualwaysmanaged
beforeme.Now, i
fther
eisnot
hingel
se–Ihave
businesstoat
tendto.
”

QueenKul iwasshockedthatnotevenMkhuluhad
ti
mef orheranymor e.I
tfeltasi
fthi
ngsjustwer
en’
t
goingherway.Shehadbecomesodesper at
e.
SeeingLehumol i
vinganevenbet t
erl
if
ethanshe
everdidfr
ustrat
edhertot hecor
e.Knowi ngt
hat
herdaught
erwasaboutt ograduatefrom Universi
ty
andshecouldn’teventhr
owhert hepartyofthe
cent
uryli
keshehadpl annedhurtherevenmor e.
Shewalkedbacki nt
otheroyalpalaceannoyed
morethananything.ShefoundLehumodr essedup
abouttol
eave.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
Ma.
”

QueenKul
i:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“Mxm.Uyaphikewena
(
Whereareyougoing)
?”

Lehumo:“I
fyoumustknowIam goingtodosome
l
astminuteshoppi
ngfortomor
rowmor ni
ng’spar
ty.
Gatshai
sannouncingthenewcounci
ltothepubl
ic,
remember?”

QueenKul
i:“Howcoul
dIf orget
?Iwasaqueenl ong
bef
oreyouwereevenborn.You’renotevenZul
u,
soyouwon’tknowourcustoms.”
Shehadgonebackt obei
ngtheevi
l,di
smissi
veKul
i,
butwhatsur pr
isedherwast
hatLehumowasnot
evenoffendedatall
.Shekeptsmil
ingather–
i
rri
tat
ingherevenmor e.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Okayt
hen.Haveagoodday.
”

QueenKul
i:“
Areyout
ryi
ngt
otr
apmewena
Lehumo?”

Lehumo:“
Excuseme,
Ma?
”

QueenKuli
:“Howcomeyou’ r
enotof
fendedor
cr
yingaf
terIjusti
nsul
tedyou?”

Lehumo:(smil
ing)“
Wel l
,becauseIknowthatweall
gothroughsomethi
ng.Iknowyou’ renotyour
sel
f
today.Youshouldprobablyrestabi
t.
”
Shel eftKulist andingr ightt here, overcomewi th
shock.AssoonasLehumocl osedt hedoorbehi nd
her,shet ookadeepsi ghandr efusedt ocry.For
evensheknew1Cor inthians15: 33ver ywell;“Do
notbedecei ved:“ badcompanyr uinsgoodmor als.
”
Eversi nceshehadgonebackt opr ayingalongsi de
herhusband, t
hi ngswer er eall
ygood.Sher ef used
tobeavi cti
m ofci rcumst ancesanyl ongerand
decidedt or uleal ongsideherhusband.Thepeopl e
ofZul ulandl ovedhersomuchandr espectedher
forbeingcompl etelydiffer enttoKul i–shehad
mor ecompassi onandki ndnessandofcour se–
respect .Shedi dn’tevent ellKuli,butshewas
actuallyonherwayt oanear byor phanage.She
hadspokent oGat shaandwant edt obemor e
i
nvolvedi nchar ityandcommuni tywor k.Gat sha
wasmor ethanhappyt ol etherdosomet hi
ngshe
hadapassi onf or.ShehadgonepastBr enda’ s
placesi ncet heywer ebot hof fwor kthatFriday.
Shehoot edaf ewt imesbef oreBr endacameoutof
thehouse.
Brenda:“
Ah-
ah,
man,chomi(
fri
end)
.Whywoul
d
youhootsomuch?
”

Lehumo:“Aker
e(because)youweresupposedt
obe
readyagesago.Whenwi l
lyoueverbeontime?
”

Br
enda:“
Thedayofmyf
uner
al.Howar
eyou?
”

Lehumo:(
shaki
nghead)“
I’
m okay,
Iguess.
”

Br
enda:“
Spi
titout
.”

Lehumo:(sigh)“
It
’sj
ustt
hatKuli
.Shehasa
tendencyofmakingmelookbad,man.
”

Br
enda:“
You’
ret
oosof
t.Putheri
nherpl
ace.
”
Lehumo:“She’
l
lmakemel
ookbadi
nfr
ontof
Gatsha.
”

Brenda:“
Gatshachoseyouandhewoulddoi
tal
l
overagai
n.Besides,hei
snotmarr
iedt
ohismom
buttoyou.”

Lehumoknewt
hatBr
endahadapoi
nt.

Brenda:“So,hasPlasti
cAli
cemadeanappear
ance
attheroyalpalaceeversi
nce?
”

Lehumo:“
No,
Ijusthaveabadf
eel
ingabouther
.”

Br
enda:“
Obvi
ousl
yhor
nyKul
iwant
stohookherup
wi
thyourman.
”

Lehumo:“
Icanonl
yhopeIneverseeheragai
n,but
wit
hAbi gai
lbei
ngKingDambuza’
swif
e,shemight
bepresentatourf
uncti
onsal
otmorethanusual
.”

Brenda:“
Relax,I
’
llmakesur
ethoset
wodon’
tst
ep
onyourtoes.”

Lehumo’ sdaywasabouttogetabitrui
ned.As
soonasshepar kedhercar,shewasexpectedby
theorphanageandaf ewoftheotherqueensand
chief
’swiveswantedtosurpri
seherbylending
support.Shesteppedoutandwalkedin,andther
e
shewas.

QueenAbi
gai
l:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
Lehumo.Longt
ime,
nosee.
”

QueenAbigai
lhuggedandki
ssedLehumoBr
it
ish
st
yle,
whichcaughtLehumooffguar
d.
Br
enda:(
frowni
ng)“
QueenLehumo.
”

QueenAbigai
l:(chuckl
ing)“
Ofcourse,mymist
ake.
QueenLehumo.YoumustbeBr enda,t
hebest
fr
iend.Theydidn’tl
iewhentheysaidyou’
re
beauti
ful
.”

Br
enda:“
Theyf
orgott
oment
iont
emper
ament
al.
”
QueenAbigai
lthoughtBrendawasj
oking,
butshe
coul
dsenseherhostil
it
yjustbyl
ooki
ngherinthe
eye.

Lehumo:“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”

QueenAbigai
l:“
Oh,
wejustcametosur
pri
seyouby
l
endingyousomesuppor
t,t
hat’
sal
l.
”

Lehumol
ookedaroundandnot
icedt
hatt
hedécor
wasnotwhatshehadwri
tt
enonpaperandt
he
ot
herqueensreall
ylookeddi
spl
eased.Al
icewas
al
sother
e,playi
ngwi t
hherphoneandherlong,
hi
deousnail
s.

Lehumo:“What
’st
his?Whathappenedt
omydécor
andever
ythi
ngIhadaskedt
obeputup?”

QueenAbi gai
l:“
Oh,honey.Iaskedthepeopl
eof
thisor
phanaget or
emovei tandrepl
acewit
hmy
i
deas.Ihopeyoudon’ tmind,ImeanIam abitmor
e
glamorous.Icanteachyouat hi
ngortwo,you
know.”

Lehumowassopi
ssed,
shef
ail
edt
ohi
deher
emoti
onst
hatt
ime.

Br
enda:(
clappi
nghands)“
Hehe!Yaneh!
”

Lehumo:(
fumi
ng)“
Excuseme?
”
QueenAbi
gai
l:“
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
”

Lehumo:(
Breat
hingheavi
ly)“
Wher
eist
hemanager
ofthi
spl
ace?”

QueenAbi
gail
:“I
’
llcal
lhi
mforyou.Si
mon,
wozal
a
(
comehere).
”

Shesnappedherf i
nger
sasifshewascall
ingher
servant
,whichannoyedLehumoevenmore.Si mon
evenlookedli
kehedidn’
twanttobenearAbigai
l.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
Simon.Howar
eyou?
”

Si
mon:(sl
ightsmi
le)“
I’
m wel
l
,thanks,
howar
eyou,
myqueen?”
Lehumo:“
I’
m ver
ywell,
thankyou.Mayyoupl
ease
tel
lmewhathappenedtomydécor?Youknow,t
he
oneIpi
ckedfort
oday’
sfuncti
on?”

Si
mon:“
Oh,
uhm –“

QueenAbigail
:(i
nterr
upted)“
ButIt
houghtIj
ustt
old
youthatIt
oldhimt oremove–“

Lehumo:(
annoyed)“
Iwast
alki
ngt
oSi
mon.
”

QueenAbi
gai
lknewri
ghtt
her
eandthent
hat
Lehumowasnotonet
omesswith.

Simon:“ Oh,Ndhl ovukazi(

Queen),IhadtoldMiss
Abigailherethatyouhadr equestedyourowndécor
andspeci althemef orthechi
ldren,butsheinsi
sted,
pract
icallyforcedmeandmyt eam toremoveitand
repl
acewi t
hher s.”
Lehumo:“
Wher
ear
ethet
hings?
”

Si
mon:“
Wepackedt
hem awayi
ntot
hest
orer
oom.
”

Lehumo:“Dowest
il
lhavet
imet
odecor
ate
ever
ythi
ng?”

Si
mon:“Yes,Ndhlovukazi(Queen)
.AslongasIget
anext
rapairofhandsort wotohelpsetupt
henit
won’
tbeapr obl
em.”

Lehumo:“I
t’
sokay,
I’
llhel
pyou.Thankyouforyour
honest
y,Si
mon.Nextt i
me,pl
easedocallmeif
someoneelsegi
vesyouinst
ruct
ions.
”

Si
mon:(
noddi
ng)“
Yes,
myqueen.
”
Shet
urnedt
olookatAbi
gai
l.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Abi
gai
l,
queenofEnande,
isn’
t
i
t?”

QueenAbi
gai
l:(
sof
tl
y)“
Yes.
”

Lehumo:“ Wel
l,howdoyoudot hingsthere?Doyou
l
etotherpeopleover
ruleyourdecisi
onswi t
hout
evenasking?Ordot heyjustdowhatevertheywant
?
Imean,therearesomer ul
esinyourkingdom,are
ther
enot?”

QueenAbi
gai
l:“
Iwasonl
ytr
yingt
ohel
p–“

Lehumo:( i
nter
rupt
ing)“Funnythi
ngi s,
Ican’trecall
youandIevermeet ingformall
y.Youdon’ teven
addressmewi thmyr oyalti
tl
edespiteknowingver y
wellthatIam t
hequeenoft hi
splace.Youwal ked
i
nher ewit
hhal foft
hewomenIdon’ tevenknow
andyoumadet heonesIknowandhavef ormed
fr
iendshi
pswi thcomplet
elyuneasy.Thati sasign
ofdisr
espect.Ifyoueverwantar el
ationshiporto
beongoodt ermswi t
hme, thenyouhavet olear
n
somebasicfor msofmanner isms.Donoteverdo
whatyoudidt odayeveragain,doImakemysel f
cl
ear?”

QueenAbi
gai
l:(
sof
tl
y)“
Cryst
al.
”

Lehumo:“
Nowi
fyou’
l
lexcuseme,
Ihaveaj
obt
o
do.”

SheleftAbi
gailst
andingthereandwentt ogreether
fel
lowQueens.Theywer equit
eimpr essedthatshe
managedt oputAbigaili
nherplace.Noonehad
everdonethatbefor
e.Lehumost unnedeveryone–
i
ncludi
ngBr enda.
Br
enda:“
Nicet
omeetyou,
Abbi
e.”

Shechuckl edandwal kedawayf rom her .Lehumo

putonherapr on,andt hef ellowqueensdi dthe
same.Theyhadevenf orgott hatt heywer edr aped
i
nexpensi vecl ot
h–f r
om Ver sacet oDol ceandof
cour se,theyhadbeenwear inghi ghi nchheel s.
Theyl ovedLehumobecauseshedi dn’tmi ndget ti
ng
dirtyandsher emai nedhumbl e.QueenAbi gailsat
nextt oherdaught er,i
rrit
atedbeyondwhi le
wat chingLehumoandt hef ellowqueensf i
xupwhat
shehadi ni ti
all
ypl anned.Lehumowassohappy
afterahal fandhour .Shehadpl annedapar tyfor
allthechi ldrenandt hehousemot her .Sheal sohad
plansofherown–suchasr evampi ngand
extendi ngt heor phanage, hi
ringmor estaf fand
i
ncr easingsecur ity–al somaki ngsur et hatt heyall
getachancet ogot oschool .Thechi l
dr enal lcame
andhuggedherofwhi chshedi dn’tmi ndatal l
.The
smal lbabi eswer etakencar eof ,andt heot her
queenshadsomuchf un.Br endahadt het imeof
herl i
fedi shingupf orthechi ldrenandt hemedi a,
andwasst unnedwhenshewasappr oachedby
Siya,Abigail
’
ssonandal soKingGatsha’ sbest
fri
end.Shehadseenhi m afewt i
mes, butnever
tooknoteofhi m unt
ilt
hatday.Hewasdr essedi
na
beautif
ulsuitandsmelledli
keami ll
iondol l
ars.He
wasj ustashandsomeasGat sha.

Siya:(
smi
li
ng)“Ngi
ngakusi
zangal
oku(
CanIhel
p
youwitht
hat)
?”

Brenda:(
blushi
ng)“
Ofcour
se,
butyoursui
tmi
ght
getstai
ned.”

Siya:“
It
’sjustasui
t.I
’
drat
herstai
nitt
hanwat
cha
beauti
fulwomansweattodeat
h.”

Br
enda:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youl
ooksof
ami
li
ar.
”

Si
ya:“
Ouch,
Ithoughtyou’
drecogni
zemebynow.
,
Br
enda.
”

Br
enda:(
blushi
ng)“
Youevenknowmyname?Wai
t,
ar
en’
tyouGatsha’
sbestf
ri
end?Siya,
right
?”

Si
ya:“Wel
l,
thatconsol
esmeal
it
tl
ebi
t.Yes,
thati
s
me.”

Br
enda:“
I’
m sor
ry.Ihar
dlynot
icepeopl
ewhenIam
ar
oundLehumo,youknow.”

Si
ya:“
Igetyou.
”

QueenAbigai
lnot
icedthesparkbet
weent
hem
i
mmediatelyandbecameirr
it
ated.

QueenAbi
gai
l:“
Siya,
don’
tyouhavewor
ktodo?
”
Siya:“
Ma,ngibusy(
I’
m busy)
.I’
mt al
kingt
omy
futur
ewif
e,wherear
eyourmanners?”

QueenAbi
gai
lcoul
dn’thi
deherfr
ustr
ati
onasshe
exhal
edi
nannoyanceandwalkedaway.

Br
enda:“
What
’sherdeal
?”

Siya:“
Sheneverl
ikesanyoneIdate.Don’
tmi
ndher
,
shewasn’tmyfat
her’sfi
rstchoi
ceeit
her
.”

Br
enda:(
laughing)“
Str
aightt
alker
.Il
iket
hat
,but
we’
renotdati
ng.”

Si
ya:“Yes,
butwewi
lli
fyougooutonadat
ewi
th
me.”

Br
enda:“
Iwi
llagr
eei
fyouaskni
cel
y.”
Siyacoul
dn’
thel
phimsel
fashesl
owl
yleanedi
n
andgaveBrendasof
tandsul
tr
yki
ss.

Si
ya:“
Ist
hatni
ceenough?
”

Brenda:(bl
ushing)“
It
’sasmal
lst
ep,
butyou’
re
gett
ingthere.
”

Si
ya:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
llseeyoul
ater
.”

Br
enda:“
Youdon’
thavemynumber
.”

Si
ya:“
Justexpectmycal
l.
”

Br
endasmiledatSiyaashewinkedatherand
wal
kedtowardstherepor
ter
s.
Lehumof
oundBr
endastari
ngatSiyaandsmi
led.
Shewast
oobusytonot
icethem ki
ssi
ng.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Bee,
you’
redr
ool
ing.
”

Brenda:“
Eish,
chomi(
fri
end)
.It
hinkIhavef
ound
theone.HehappenstobeAbbi
e’
sson.Whata
bonus.”

Lehumo:(l
aughi
ng)“
Iknowyou’
regoi
ngt
omake
herli
fehel
l.
”

Br
enda:“
Youcanbetyourl
if
eoni
t.
”

Astheylaughed,oneofthejournal
ist
scameand
askedtoint
ervi
ewt hem br
iefl
y.

Repor
ter
:“Excuseme,
QueenNcube.Doyoumi
nd
i
fwet
akeapi ct
ureoft
hebot
hofyouandaskyoua
f
ewquest
ions?”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ofcour
se.
”

Lehumowrappedherarm ar
oundBr
enda’
swai
st
andsmil
edforthecamera.

Repoer
ter
:“Howdoesitf
eel
bei
ngt
heyoungest
queeni
nthecount
ry?”

Lehumo:“I
t’
sgotnothi
ngtodowi t
hage,r
eal
ly.I
tis
noteasybutIhaveal
lthesuppor
tIneed.
”

Report
er:“
Rumourhasitthatyourhusbandmi
ght
marryasecondwi
fe.Isthistr
ue?”

Lehumo:“
Wel
l,
youst
art
edt
hesent
enceby‘
rumour
hasit’
soyouofallpeopleshouldknowt hati
tis
j
ustar umour.Sur
ely,peopl
ewi l
lsti
llt
alkandsay
thi
ngsaboutmyhusbandandI .t
hatdoesnot
necessari
lymeantheyareallt
rue.”

Report
er:(smil
ing)“Ofcour
se.Br
enda,
wordhasi
t
youandSi yamthandaDambuzaareanit
em.How
tr
ueisthis?”

Brenda:“ Well
,youshoul
dlearntobelieve
everythingyouhearaboutme, becauseIam nott
he
typetoj ust
if
ymyselftoanyone–i ncludi
ngt
he
medi a.”

Repor
ter
:“I
’
llt
aket
hatasaykes.
”

Br
enda:“
LikeIsai
d,bel
ieveever
ythi
ng.
”

Repor
ter
:“Thankyouf
oryourt
ime.
”
Shesmi
ledandl
eftandSi
yawal
kedbackt
othem.

Si
ya:“Lehumo,
Ihaven’
tseenyout
oday.Ar
eyou
wel
l?”

Theyhugged.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
I’
m al
ri
ght
.Howar
eyou?
”

Siya:“
I’
m muchbet
ternowt
hatIhavef
oundmy
futur
ewife.
”

Brenda:(chuckl
ing)“
Speakingofwif
e,what’
sthis
aboutthatdumbr eport
eraski
ngstupidquest
ions?”

Si
ya:“
Theyalwaysaskst
upi
dquest
ions.I
tist
hei
r
j
ob.Whatdidsheaskyou?”
Brenda:“
Shef
irst
lyaskedi
fiti
str
uet hatGat
shai
s
marryi
ngasecondwifeandaskedifyouandIare
dati
ng.”

Si
ya:(
laughi
ng)“
Whatdi
dyousay?
”

Brenda:“
I’
llt
ellyoui
fyoutel
lmewher
etheygott
he
secondwifestoryfr
om.”

Si
ya:“
Ihonest
lydon’
tknow,butIcanbetyoumy
mom andAli
cehavesomethingtodowiththat
.
NowaboutyouandI?”

Br
enda:“
I’
llt
ellyouonourdat
e.”

Siya:“
Wel
lthen,
noneedf
ormet
ocal
l.Shal
lIpi
ck
youupat7?”
Br
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
7iti
s.”

Si
ya:“
Seeyousoon,
ladi
es.
”

Lehumo:“
Bye.Bee,t
hiswhol
esecondwi
fet
hing
doesn’
tsi
twel
lwit
hme. ”

Brenda:“
It
’sjustast
ory,
letyourhusbanddealwi
th
thetwobitches.
”

Lehumoleti
tgoasshejusttooki
tasoneoft hose
thi
ngs.Asshewasabouttoleavetheorphanage
wit
hBrenda,shegotacal
lfr
om Gatsha.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.”

Gat
sha:“
Hehe,
Nhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.Waj
abul
a
kangaka(
You’
resohappy)
.Yi
nii
ndaba(
Whati
s
i
t)?”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ihadagooddayal
lthankst
o
you.
”

Gatsha:“
Ididnot
hingbutsi
mplydi
dmypar tas
yourhusband.Areyouonyourwayback?
”

Lehumo:“
Yes,andguesswhat
?Si
yaaskedBr
enda
outonadate.
”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ai,
final
ly.I
’l
lseeyouwhen
youcomehome.Dr i
vesafel
y.”

Lehumo:“
Okay,
Iloveyou.
”

Gat
sha:“
Iloveyout
oo.
”
ShehungupandBr
endagaveherast
are.

Lehumo:“
What
?”

Br
enda:“Hmm.Gomonat
egobal
enane(
it
’sso
ni
cebeingyou,
hey)
.”

Lehumo:“
YouandSi
yawi
llbel
iket
hisver
ysoon.
”

Theybot hlaughedastheyheadedhome.They
don’tevenknowwhathappenedt oAbi gai
landAlice,
butsheknewt hatshehadtoseethem thefoll
owing
dayatt heceremony.Shef i
nal
lyarr
ivedhomeand
foundherhusbandwear i
nganapronandal ready
waiti
ngf orher.

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Youar
eback,
final
ly.
”
Heki
ssedherandt
heyhugged.

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hey.
”

Gat
sha:“
Please,
sit
.”

Hehadcookedadel i
ciousmealspeci
all
yforthe
t
wooft hem andhadtakenoutabottl
eoffinewine
whichwasoneoft hegif
tshehadgottenatthei
r
wedding.

Lehumo:“
Whati
sal
lthi
s?”

Gatsha:“Thisist oshowyoujusthowmuchIlove
youandhowpr oudIam ofyourveryf
ir
stvent
ure.
Wear ecelebratingourmarr
iage,l
if
e,l
oveandnew
beginni
ngs.”
Lehumo:“
Ilovet
hat
.”

Gatsha:“
Allt
his,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)i
s
poweredbyGod.”

Lehumo:“
Icoul
dn’
tagr
eemor
e.”

Theybl
essedt
hef
oodanddugi
n.

Lehumo:(moani
ng)“Mmm, mylove.Thi
sst
eakis
cookedbeaut
if
ull
y.Ufakei
ni(
Whatdidyouuse)
?”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Thati
smysecr
etr
eci
pe.I
’
ll
t
ellyouoneday.”

Lehumo:“
Oho.
”

Gat
sha:“
So,
howwasyourday?
”
Lehumo:( sigh)“
Youwon’ tbel
ievethis.Iarr
ived
ther
ewi t
hBeeonl ytofi
ndAbigailhadalready
beguncallingtheshots.Shehadcompl etel
y
changedmydécorandever yt
hingelse,G.She
wasn’teveni nvi
ted.
”

Gat
sha:(f
rowning)“
Thatwomanneedst
oknowher
pl
ace.I’
l
lsortherout.
”

Lehumo:“Noneed.Iputheri
nherpl
ace,
don’
t
worry.Butt
hatwasn’
tthecher
ryont
hecake.
”

Gat
sha:“
Whathappened?
”

Lehumo:“
Oneofther
eport
ersaskedmei
fyou
weregoi
ngtot
akeasecondwif
e.”

Gat
sha:“
Wher
eonear
thdi
dtheyheart
hat
nonsense?
”

Lehumo:(shr
uggingshoul
ders)“Beat
sme, butSi
ya
saidi
tmusthavebeenhismot her.Speaki
ngof
Siya,
heishavingadatewit
hBr endatoni
ght.
”

Gat
sha:“I
t’
saboutdamnti
me.Hehasbeeneyei
ng
Beeforal
ongwhilenow.
”

Lehumo:“
Hawu(
Gosh)
,whydi
dn’
tyout
ellme?
”

Gatsha:“
Idi
dn’
twantt
oruinhisplans,baby.Let
’s
hopetheygett
ohaveafr
uitf
ulli
fetogether
.”

Theyenj
oyedt heirdinnerandhadaverygoodti
me
toget
her
.Thei rlif
ehadsl owlyst
art
edcoming
toget
her
;Gatsha’ sbusinesshadstar
tedonavery
goodnote,
whi leLehumowasnear l
ydonewit
hher
nursi
ngdegree, andhadst ar
tedherownchar
it
y
foundat ionwi t
ht heor phanage.Meanwhi l
e,Gatsha
wasal mostdonebui l
dinghert hehospitalhe
promi sedherandt heSf i
sof oundati
onwasal ready
regi
st ered.Hehadpl ans–bi gplansandt hemall
wasal sogener atingaver yhef tyi
ncomef orthem.
Slowl y,theywer et aki
ngovert hecount rywi t
hout
evenr eali
zingit
.QueenKul iwasst i
llbit
ter,andthe
mor emoneyGat shaandLehumomade–t hemor e
bit
tershebecame.ForI sai
ah48: 22r emindsusof
that;“Ther eisnopeace, sayst heLord,f
ort he
wicked. ”ForI saiah57: 20says, “Butthewi ckedare
l
iket het ossingsea, foritcannotbequi et,Andi t
s
water st ossupr efuseandmud. ”
[
01/
27,
07:
35] :Chapt
er38

“Aprobl
em i
sachancef
oryout
odoyourbest
.”–
DukeEll
ingt
on

Ni
neyear
slat
er….
Ithadbeenni neyear ssi nceLehumoandGat sha
hadst artedt heirbusi nessvent ur es.Theywer e
doingsowel lont hef i
nanci alsi deofl ife.Thei r
mar r
iagehadgr ownst rongert hanbef oreandso
didtheirlovef oroneanot her .Theywer eswi mmi ng
i
nmoney, wi thsomuchgoi ngoni nthei rli
vesand
doingsomuchf orthecommuni ty–t heyr emai ned
thehear tandsoulofZul uland.Ever yonel oved
them andofcour se,Lehumobei nganur seather
ownhospi tal“ Ner i
ahMkhabel aHospi tal”,everyone
knewwhoshewasandshet ookpr i
dei nherwor k.
Shehadf i
nal l
ygr aduat edandmadeherpar ents
proud,butsomet hingwasj ustlacking.Shehad
suchadeepvoi di nherhear tthatsheneededt ofi
ll
butjustcoul dn’tforsomeoddr eason.Ast hedays
wentby, heryear ni
ngf orachi l
di ncreasedal ong
withthet ime.Herbei ng30byt henandGat sha
being35, i
twasj ustamat t eroft imet hatever yone
start
edaski ngannoyi ngquest ionssuchas“ when
areyouhavi ngababy? ”

EvenBr
endahadbeenmar
ri
edbyt
henandhadt
win
boys.Yes, sheandSi yagotmar ri
edjustaf tert wo
mont hsofdat ing.QueenAbi gialwasf uri
ous, but
Brendakeepsheronhert oes.Unf ort
unatelyf or
Lehumo, herst orywoul dresembl ethatofSar ahi n
theBible.Lit
tledi dsheknowt hathermot her-in-l
aw
hadlongcastaspel lonhert enyear sago.I twas
thei
rweddi nganni versary,andofcour seGat sha
hadpl annedaweekendget awayf orthem atoneof
thei
rlodges.Theyhadar r
ivedandgoti nt
ot hei r
robesi mmedi atel
yafterthei rbat h.Gat shahad
gonedownst ai rstogetthem somesnacksanda
bottl
eofwi ne.Lehumohadf oundher selfst aring
attheopenf ieldandt heani mal sthatwer er oami ng
aroundunt i
lGat shahadgi venheragl assofwi ne.

Lehumo:“
Thankyou.
”

Gat
sha:“
Whati
sit
?”

Lehumo:“
Not
hing,
I’
mjustadmi
ri
ngt
hevi
ew.
”
Gat
sha:“
Tal
ktome,
Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
.”

Lehumo:(
sigh)“
Iam j
ustthi
nki
ng,Gatsha.Does
Godhateussomucht hathedoesnotwanttobl
ess
uswithachil
d?”

Gatsha:“
Lehumo, howmanyti
mesmustItel
lyou
nottobediscouraged?We’
rest
il
lyoung.We’
llget
ourownbaby, comeonnow.”

Lehumo:“Iknow, butImeanwhataretheoddsthat
I’
llbeabl
etofallpregnant
?ImeanI ’
m 30alr
eady
turni
ng31thisyear.Istheresomet
hingwrongwith
me? ”

Gatsha:“
Youknowthedoct orsai
dthatwe’
rebot
h
fi
neandverymuchferti
le.Iknowdeepinmyhear t
t
hatGoddoesnothateei t
herofus.Helovesusin
fact
.Lookatallwehaveachieved.”
Lehumo:(si
gh)“Iworr
y,G.Imean, wehaveso
muchsuccessbutwecan’ thaveababy.Justone,
nje(t
hough).Doyouknowhowmanypeopl ekeep
aski
ngmei fIam evenfer
ti
le?Iknowwhattheyare
sayi
ngbehindmyback.Yourmom andsi st
ertoo.
”

Gat sha:“Idi dn’tmar r

yt hem forar eason.Eveni f
webot hdi ewi thoutof f
springIwi l
lgladl
ybef i
ne
withi t
.Il oveyouandt hatisal lthatmat ters.Itruly
feelthatourbl essingsar enotver yfarfrom us.We
willbebl essedsoon.Don’ tyour ememberPsal m
37:4?“ Del ightyour sr
elfint heLor d,andhewi llgive
yout hedesi resofyourhear t.
”Onceyoul ackfaith
andst artget tingoverwhel medwi t
hdoubtandf ear,
thedevi lent ers.Don’ tdothatt oyour self,Sthandwa
sami( myl ove) .Letusenj oyt hisweekend, without
anyst ress, please.”

Lehumonoddedasshetri
edtoignor
eherpainand
feel
ingsofdoubt
.Meanwhil
ebackinZul
uland,
QueenKulihadgot
tenuptonogoodindeedand
thist
imeshehadAyanda,
herdaught
erasherside
kick.

QueenKul
i:“
Ayanda,mnt
wanawami(mychil
d),
br
ingmeabot t
leofwi
neandagl
ass,
please.
”

Ayanda:“
I’
lldot
hati
fyoul
etmedr
inksomet
oo.
”

QueenKuli
:“Youcandr
inkasmuchasyouwant.
Thoset
wohaveawhol ecoll
ect
ioni
nthewi
necel
lar
downst
air
s.”

Ayanda:“
okay.Ngi
yabuya(
I’
llber
ightback)
.”

Shewentdownstai
rsandtookoneofthebest
bot
tl
esfr
om thecel
larandwentbackup.
QueenKuli
:(chuckl
ing)“Yout
ookoneofGatsha’
s
favour
it
ebottl
es,Ayanda.Uzokut
huka(
he’
llyell
at
you).
”

Ayanda:“Lethi
m,ok’
sal
ayo(
att
heendoft
heday)
,
hewon’tkil
lme.”

QueenKul
i:“
Hewon’
tbutLehumocan.
”

Ayamda:“
Mxm, loyo(t
hatone)
.Howcomeyou
can’
tgetr
idofherforonce,
Ma?”

QueenKuli
:“Becauset
hatbi
tchprays,
mybaby.At
l
eastshe’
l
lhavenochildr
enunti
lthedayshedi
es.
”

Ayanda:“It
houghtbynowGatshawoul
dhave
gr
ownt i
redofherfrui
tl
esswomb.”
QueenKuli:“
Hewil
l,
verysoon.Youj
ustwat
cht
his
space.Ihaveagoodidea.
”

Whi l
eKul ihadpl annedherevi lplan,shehadbeen
goingt onumer oussangomasj usttotryal lshe
couldonLehumoandGat sha.Shehadspr i
nkledso
muchmut hiinther oyalpalace, t
hatitwoul dcause
abitofchaosi nt hehouse.AsLehumoandGat sha
camebackt wodaysl at
erf rom theiranniversary
cel
ebr ation, t
heyhadf oundaver ysi milarscene
unravelbef orethem.LehumoandGat shawal kedin
handi nhandasusual ,andf oundt hecounci l
member ssi tti
ngi nthelounge.Thatscenewasa
l
otsimi lart otheoneKul ipul l
edt hedaySf iso
announcedhi sdivor cefrom her .Ofcour se, Gatsha
andLehumower esi mplydispleased.

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?”

QueenKul
i:“
Gat
sha,
pleasecal
m down.
”
Gat
sha:“
Itseemsasi
fyouj
ustdon’
tlearn,Ma.You
j
ustdon’
teverl
ear
n.Howdareyoudot hi
sagain?
”

Ki
ngDambuza:“Gat
sha,myboy, pl
easerelax.Thi
s
i
snotanint
enti
ontodisr
espectyou,myking.We
j
ustcameheretot
alk.
”

Helookedaroundandthereshewas–Alice.She
hadaverylongweaveonandsatnexttoher
mother.Somethi
ngjustlookedof
fwi
ththat
si
tuat
ion.

Gatsha:“
Nifunanil
a(Whatdoyouwanthere)
?
BecauseIdon’tr
ecallmysel
fnormywi
fecall
ing
youhereforameeting.”

Ki
ngDambuza:“Yourmothercal
ledushereforan
ur
gentmeet
ingofwhichIagreewith.Pl
ease,hear
meout.
”
Gat
sha:“
Youhavet
ensecondsbef
oreIl
osemy
t
emper.
”

KingDambuza:(noddi
ng)“Shehadcal
ledushere
andaskedthatyouperhapsconsi
dermarr
yinga
secondwif
e.”

Lehumo’sheartsunkdeepi
ntot
hepitofher
stomach,whil
eGatsha’
svei
nswereprotr
udi
ngr
ight
fr
om hisface.

Gat
sha:“
Heh(
What
)?!
”

QueenKul i
:“Youcansti
lldoitasi
tisourcul
tur
e.I
mean, whatifyoudi
eandl eavenooff
spri
ng?Who
wil
lthenrunt hi
ski
ngdom? ”

Gat
sha:“
Isupposeyouevenhavet
heper
fect
candi
dat
e,don’
tyou?
”

KingDambuza:“Weweret
hinki
ngyoucouldmarr
y
Ali
ce.Imean,shewoul
donlyjoi
nyourmarri
ageas
ameanst ogr
owyourfami
ly.Ifshebear
syoua
chil
d,t
hatchi
ldwoul
dbegiventoyouLehumo,t
o
rai
se.”

Al
ice:(
Anger
ed)“
Angeke(
Never
)!
”

Ki
ngDambuza:(
ster
nly)“
Thul
a(Qui
et)
!”

Gatsha:“Wit
hallduerespect,Ki
ngDambuza,kodwa
niyanginyela(
youar ebull
shi
tti
ngme).
Niyang’
nyelast
raight(Youareseri
ousl
ybul
lshi
tt
ing
me)!”

Ki
ngDambuza:“
Wedi
dn’
tmeant
odi
srespectyou,
Gat
sha.
”
Gatsha:“Hereisathought ,
youal lhavet enseconds
toleavemyhousebef oreIpanelbeatal lofyou.
Youhavesomef uckingnervewal kingintomy
houseandhavi ngameet i
ngwithoutmeand
withoutmyconsenteven.Howdar eyoudeci deon
ourfatewithoutconsulti
ngusfirst?Ki ngDambuza,
asmyadvi sor,Iexpectedmoref rom you.Youhave
disappoint
edmeandi fyouwantt okeepbei ngmy
advisor,
Isuggestyougett hefuckoutofmy
house.”

Gatshawasspit
ti
ngfi
re.Heneverswor
ein
Lehumo’spr
esence,
butthatmadehi
m soangr
y.

KingDambuza:(
nodding)Ofcour
se,myki
ng.Once
again,
Idoapol
ogize.Hegotever
yonetogetup
andleave.
”

Gat
sha:“
Thati
ncl
udesyouandAyanda,
Kul
i.
”
QueenKul
i:“
Kodwa(
But
),Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“
Don’
tmakemer
aisemyhandonyou.
”

SheandAyandaqui ckl
yrushedoutastheysaw
him becomeli
vid.Hewasst i
llbr
eat
hingfi
reaft
er
theyhadlef
tandhadbeenshaki ngoutofanger
.

Lehumo:“Cal
m down,
please.I
’
llgetyouagl
assof
cognac.
”

Gat
sha:“
Howdar
ethey?
!”

Lehumo:“I
t’
snotr
ight
,butt
heyki
ndofdohavea
point
,G.
”

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Aski
es(
Excuseme)
?”’
Lehumo:“Imean,
thi
nkaboutit
,baby.Whati
fwe
doactual
lydi
e?Whowillbelef
ttorunthi
s
ki
ngdom?”

Gat
sha:“I
’l
lappointsomeonei
nmywill
.Iam not
marr
yinganotherwoman–especi
all
ynotthat
pl
ast
icbimbo.”

Lehumonoddedasshepour edGatshaadr ink.She

knewdeepdownt hatthosepeopl ehadapoi nt–
well
,accordi
ngtoher .Gat shadidn’tevenwantt o
hearanythi
ngaboutt hat,butthatwasal lLehumo
coul
dt hi
nkabout .Shewassoconsumedbyf ear
andpressure,t
hatshedi dn’treal
izeshewas
makingaver ybigmistakebyconsi deringallowing
asnakeintohermar ri
age.
[
01/
27,
07:
36] :Chapt
er39

“
Thebestwayt
ofindoutifyoucantr
ustsomebody
i
stot
rustt
hem.”–ErnestHemingway
Af ewdaysaf terKul
i’
spat heti
cstunt
,Gat shawas
annoyed, buthappytobebyhi swif
e’sside.Itwasa
rai
nymor ni
ng,andLehumoj ustcoul
dn’tgett he
whol esecondwi f
ethingoutofhermi nd.Gat sha
gotoutofbedt omaket hem bothsomebr eakfast
,
whi l
eshechoset ositont hepati
oandwat cht he
rai
n.Hecamebackwi t
hat r
ayfi
ll
edwithagr easy
breakfastandacupofcof fee.

Gat
sha:“
Her
eyougo,
Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.”

Lehumo:(
Fai
ntsmi
le)“
Thankyou,
love.
”

Theybl
essedt
hef
oodandst
art
edeat
ing.

Lehumo:“Gat
sha,Ihavesomet
hingIwoul
dli
ket
o
tal
ktoyouabout.
”
Gat
sha:“
I’
m al
lear
s.”

Lehumo:“Don’
tyouthi
nkthatt
hecounci
lwasr
ight
?
Perhapsyoushoul
dtakeasecondwif
e.”

Gatshai
mmedi
atelyl
osthi
sappet
it
eassoonas
Lehumotol
dhi
mt hat
.

Gatsha:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“
Ithi
nkIhavej
ustl
ostmy
appeti
te.
”

Lehumo:“
Please,
hearmeout
.”

Gatsha:“
No,youhearmeout,Lehumo.Iam your
husbandandyoursalone.ImadeavowandIam
st
ickingt
oit
.”

Lehumo:“
Kodwa(
But
)Gat
sha,
whati
fwej
ustnever
gettoconceive?Imeanwhatifwejustnevergett
o
thatpoint
?Whati fIdi
e?Oryoudie?Thereareso
manyf actor
stoconsider
.”
Gatsha:“
Iam nothavi
ngt
hisconver
sat
ionwi
thyou
ri
ghtnow.”

Heneverwal kedoutonhiswifeduri
nga
conversat
ion–ever,butthatdayhejustcoul
dn’
tsi
t
thereandli
stentohersayingallt
hosethi
ngs.He
stoodupandl ookedather.

Gatsha:“Hadyouact ual
lybel
ievedi
nGodyou
wouldn’tbesuggesti
ngthisnonsensetome.Take
somet i
met odayandgoreadyourBibl
e.Prover
bs
3:5-
6isf oryou.”

Hewal kedoutl eavi

nghersit
ti
ngoutsi
deont he
pati
owi thtearsinhereyes.Shetookoutherphone
andlookedf ortheverse.“
Trusti
ntheLordwithall
yourhear tandleannotonyourownunder st
anding;
i
nallyourwayssubmitt
ohi
m,andhewi
llmake
yourpat
hsstrai
ght
.”
Lehumoknewver ymucht hatherhusbandl oved
her,butshewast erri
fied.Shewasconsumedwi th
fearandsheknewt hatal lwoul dwor kout ,
butshe
haddoubt s.Shef el
tasi fshewoul dbehol ding
Gatshaback.Shedi dn’twantt obet hereasonhe
wokeupmi serableandchi ldlessoneday.She
couldn’tphat hom shar ingherhusband, butatt hat
pointshef eltshehadnoot herchoi ce.She
wonder edami l
li
ont i
meswher eshewentwr ong;
whyshehadt ostrugglef ortheonet hingshebadl y
want ed.Shehadcar edf orsomanybabi esather
orphanageandr aisedt hem.Theyhel pedal otwi th
thevoi dshehadi nherhear t
.EvenBr enda’st win
boyshel pedheral i
tt
lebit,butatt heendoft heday,
shehadt ogobackt oherhouset hatwasnotf ill
ed
witht hecandi d,i
nnocentl aught erofchildr
en.She
foundher selfstaringatt her ainf oralmostt wo
hours.Thet earskeptf l
owi ngdownhercheeksas
shejustdi dn’thaveanyst rengthl ef
tinher.Gat sha
knewwhenhi swi fewasi nabadst ate–heal ways
knew.Hetookashowerandhopedt hatshewould
havegonebacktohersenses,butshewasi nan
evenworsest
ate.Hetookaf l
eeceblanketand
thr
ewitonherashecaressedher.

Lehumo:(cr
ying)“I
’m sosor
ry,
G.I
’
m sor
ryIcan’
t
giveyouchi
ldren.
”

Gatsha:(si
gh)“Stopi
t,Lehumo.Stopdoingthist
o
yourself
.Youar etor
turi
ngyoursel
foversomethi
ng
wehavenocont r
olover.Haveyoueverheardme
compl ai
ninthelastt
enyears?Haveyoueverhear d
mebl ameyouf ornotbeingabl
etoconceive?
”

Lehumoshookherheadr
eluct
ant
ly.

Gat
sha:“
Thenwhyt hesuddenbehaviour
?I
t
houghtwewerefi
ne.Ki dsarenotadealbr
eaker
.
Wecanalwaysadoptifnothi
ngeverworksout
.”
Lehumo:“ Doyouknowhowhar dIhadtowor kfor
yourpeopletoacceptme?Doyouhonest l
ythink
thattheywouldl
etanadoptedchi
ldrul
ethis
kingdom oncewe’r
ebothdead?”

Gatsha:“Idon’tcare.Thelawwi l
lbespeakingfor
thatchi
ld.Ifachi l
diswhatyouwantt hi
sbadly–
thenwecanexpl or
eot heropti
ons,l
ikesurr
ogacy
andIVF.Ij ustdon’twantyoueverment i
oningthe
chancetohaveasecondwi fe.
”

Lehumo:“Okay,
butpromisemethati
fIVFdoesnot
work,
thenyouwillconsi
dermar
ryi
ngasecond
wif
e.”

Gat
sha:‘”
Ift
hat’
swhatitt
akest
omakeyoukeep
qui
etaboutt
histhenf
ine.
”

Lehumo:“
Promi
seme.Ineedt
ohearyousayi
t.
”
Gat
sha:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Sheknewt hatherhusbandwasnotonet ojust

breakapr omi se.Heal wayskepthi swor d,butjust
l
ikeanyot herhuman, hecoul dchangehi smi nd.
Lehumodeci dedt ol
ett hewhol ethingdiedown, but
shehadasmal lplanofherown.QueenKul iwas
stayingwithQueenAbi gailandherf amily,ofcour se
Brendawasdr i
vingthem allcrazy.Itwasagood
thingsheandSi yawer eli
vingi ntheirownhouse,
otherwiseitwoul dhavebeenabl oodbat hal r
eady.
Gat shahadbeenavoi dinghercal lsfort
hepastf ew
daysandpeacewasi l
luminatingint heroyalpalace.

Gat
sha:“Bytheway,
Irecei
vedacallf
rom Neli
siwe.
Shesai
dshewouldliketodoafourpagespread
pl
usint
ervi
ewwithus.”

Lehumo:“
I’
m notver
ygoodwi
thi
nter
views,
baby.
”
Gatsha:“
You’
reanat
ural
.Ukhul
umanj
ani(
What
ar
eyouevensaying)
?”

Lehumo:“
YouknowwhatImean.Whendoesshe
wanttodoit
?”

Gatsha:“
Shesai
dtomor
row,
butIsai
dI’
l
laskmy
wif
ef i
rst
.”

Lehummo:“Kodwa(But
),G.Whatwi
llshesaywhen
youkeepsayi
ngthat
?”

Gatsha:“
Idon’
tcar
e.Ir
unever
ythi
ngt
hroughyou,
shemustknow.”

Lehummo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okayt
hen.Wecandoi
t.
”

Gat
sha:“
Onl
yifyou’
resur
e.”
Lehumo:“
Iam.
”

Gatsha:“Okay.Letmestopbytheof
fi
ce.Ihavea
fewthingstodothenI
’l
lbeback.”

Lehumo:“
Okay.
”

Hekissedherandleft
,whi
leshedecidedtot
akea
bat
handcal lt
hepersonwholeastexpect
edhercal
l.

Al
ice:“
Hel
lo?
”

Lehumo:“
Hi,
Ali
ce.I
t’
sLehumo.
”

Al
ice:(
stunned)“
Oh,
HiLehumo.
”
Lehumo:“
List
encanwemeetupf
orl
uncht
oday?
”

Al
ice:“
Sur
e,whatt
ime?
”

Lehumo:“
Howabouti
n10mi
nut
es?Icanpi
ckyou
up.”

WhatLehumodi dn’ treali

zewast hatAl i
cehadKul i
ri
ghtbesi deheral ongwi thhermot herAbigai
l.That
wast heper fectti
met oor chest
ratetheperfectplan
tofinallygetridofher .But ,whatKul iandAbigail
didn’treali
zewast hatevent houghLehumowasa
l
ittl
et oonaïveatt i
mes,herancest orswerewor king
overtimet oprotectt heirown.

Al
ice:“
Sur
e,I
’
llbewai
ti
ng.
”

Lehumo:“
Thanks.
”
Shehungupandpackedherhandbagand
proceededout side,butasshegott ot hecarshe
reali
zedhercarkeyswer enotwi thher .Shehadher
bagi nonehandandherphonei ntheot her.She
quicklyranbackupst airstof etchherkeys.She
reali
zedt het vwasst i
llon, sosheputherphoneon
thebedsi det ableandswi tchedof fthet v.Bei nga
l
ittl
etoopr eoccupi edt hanusual ,shef orgother
phoneont hebedsi det able.Shegoti nt ohercar ,
saidherpr ayer sandaskedherwar riorsf or
protecti
onandpr oceededt odr i
veout .Shenot i
ced
thatoddf eel ingagai ni nthepi tofherst omach, she
tookitasner vesandchoset oignorei tyetagai n.
Attimes, nomat terhowst rongyouar espi ri
tual
ly,
dangerjustcal l
syourname–henceacci dents
happenal lthet imeevent ot hebestofpeopl e.As
shewasdr iving,Kul iandAbi galsetoutt heper f
ect
plantoel i
mi nateLehumoonceandf oral l.

Kul
i:“
Youknowwhatt
hismeans,
right
?”
Al
ice:“
What
?”

Abi
gail
:“Thi
sisyourchancetof
inal
lybeMr
s.
Ncube–queenofZul ul
and.
”

Al
ice:“
How?
”

Kul
i:
”“Wazewabasl
owngempel
a(You’
retr
uly
sl
ow).UfuzeuMawakho(
Yout
akeaft
eryour
mother
).
”

Ali
ce:(annoyed)“
Unganginyel
iwena(
Don’
tpissme
off
),Kuli
.Hadyoudonei tfi
rstt
imewewouldn’
tbe
here.
”

Kul
iwastooexci
tedforwor
dst
hatshei
gnor
ed
Abi
gai
l’
sruderemarks.
Kul
i:“
Youneedtothr
owsomeoft hi
sinhercarand
shewil
lhaveanacci
dentonherwaybackhome.”

Abigai
l:“
Hopef
ull
yshe’
l
ldi
eandneverbot
herus
agai
n.”

Al
ice:“
Whatdi
dshedot
oyounow?
”

Abi
gai
l:“Ag,
manfocusAl
ice!Doyouwantt
obe
Gat
sha’swif
eornot
?”

Al
ice:“
Iguessso.
”

Abi
gai
l:“
That
’sequi
val
entt
oayes.
”

Kul
i:“
Ican’
twaitt
ostar
tconsoli
ngGat
sha.She
ki
ll
edShaka,t
hisi
spaybacktime.”
Abigai
l:“
Youknowver
ywellshedidn’
tki
llhi
m.
Yourratofasont
ookaft
erhisf
ather.
”

Kul
i:“
Ngi
zokukhahl
elawanya(
I’
llf
uckyouup)
!”

Ali
ce:“Canyoutwof ocus,
please!Idon’
thavea
verygoodfeel
ingaboutthis.Idon’
tevenknowifI
evenwanttobeGat sha’swife.
”

Abigail
:“You’
l
lbefine.You’l
lbasical
lybet
he
ri
chestqueeninthecountry.Justmakeherlose
focusforawhileandspri
nkleallofiti
nthecar–al
l
ofit.
”

Alicetrul
ydidn’tfeelli
kebeingpartinanyofthat.
Shehadf ai
ledtokeepaboyf ri
endthroughoutthe
yearsbecausehermot herfi
rmlybeli
evesthatshe
belongswi t
hGat sha.Womenwhodoevi lt
hings
tendtodest roytheirchil
dren’
sfutur
eandmessup
theirl
ivesbysacr if
ici
ngt hem f
ormor epowerand
money.Shenoddedhesi tantl
y.Lehumowas
outsidewi
thi
nmi nutesandasshewasaboutt ocall,
shehadnot i
cedthatshedi dn’
thaveherphonewi t
h
her,soshehootedinstead.Alicegrabbedherbag,
buthermotherstoppedher .

Abi
gai
l:“
Remember
,spr
inkl
eal
lofi
t.
”
Alicenoddedwi thfeari
nsideofher.Shet r
ied
hidingitandshewasapr ett
ybadl i
ar.Whenever
shewasanxi ousshewoul dsweatal ot
.Shesaw
Lehumoandwavedbackasshesmi ledather.
Honest l
y,shewasj ustaspoil
edbr atanddidn’
t
reallyhateLehumo.Shej ustenviedherandwanted
thel i
feshehad–al lbecauseofhermot herand
Kul iwhohadpl ant
edtheideaintoherhead.

Lehumo:“
Hi.Howar
eyou?
”

Al
ice:“
I’
m okay,
howar
eyou?
”
Lehumo:“
I’
mfi
net
hanks,
areyour
eadyt
ogo?
”

Al
ice:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Sur
e.”

Lehumo:(chuckl
ing)“
Youl
ooksoner
vous,
don’
t
worry.Iwon’tbi
te.
”

Asshepr oceededtodri
ve,shest
artedacandid
conversati
onwithAli
ce.Shewasi ntot
alshockat
herlevelofcal
mnesstowardsher.Shehadnever
givenhersel
fthechancetovibewi
thAlicet
obegin
with.

Lehumo:“Whatwoul dyoul i
ketoeat?Iam sureyou
wouldlovetoeatanythi
ngasl ongasyoudon’ t
havetoeatcarbsoruseyourf i
ngerswiththose
nail
s,hey.Idon’
tknowhowyoudoi t
,though.I
havegainedquit
eaf ewdr esssi
zes,myhi psar
e
widerbutyou–youj ustremainthesamesi ze.
”
Ali
ce:(l
aughi
ng)“Real
ly?Ididn’
tnot
ice.Your
eal
ly
don’
tlooktoobadyoursel
f,t
hough.Andtobe
honest,
IwishIhadyourfi
gure.”

Lehumo:“
Comeon, anhourglassfigur
eli
keyours
andyourbeaut
ifulmel
aninskintone.Idon’
tknow
whyyoukeephidingi
tbehindallt
hatmakeup.”

Itwast heveryf i
rsttimet hatAl i
cehadgot tena
genuinehear tfel
tcompl imentf rom anyone.Al lher
fri
endswer ef akeandl ivedf orInstagr am.Shef elt
herselfsoft
enupandi mmedi atelyr egrett
edher
decisi
ont obepar tofthatdevi ouspl anagai nst
Lehumo.Meanwhi l
e,Bongihadbecomef r
ant i
c.
Shewassi t
ti
ngonherpor ch,wat chi ngHoseapl ay
soccerwi t
hhi sfriendsasshesuddenl yhada
visi
onofLehumo.Shef r
ant i
callyt ookouther
phoneandt r
iedcal li
ngher ,buti trangunanswer ed.
Shecal l
edBr endaandaskedherwhenl astshesaw
Lehumo, butithadbeendays.Shef el
tincreasingly
anxiousandhadnochoi ce,butt oal ertGatsha.She
call
edhim aswell
,butitwentst
raightt
ovoicemai l
.
Sheknewt hatwhateverwasabouttohappent oher
granddaughter
,wasmeantt ohappenandnot hing
andnoonecoul dstopit.Shequickl
yhurr
iedt oher
bedroom,li
tacandleandkneltdown.

Bongi:“Oh,Badi moleModi mowaka( Myancest ors

andmyGod) , kekopal etshirel
etsengwanayowa
ka(Pl
easepr otectmygr andchi l
d).Ngiyanicel
a(I
begofyou) ,bakaMkhabel a(TheMkhabel a’s)
,Ba
kaNcube( TheNcube’ s),BakaMol oi(
TheMol oi’
s).
Khanyisanii
ndl elayakhe( Pleaseli
ghtherway) .
Amen. ”

Shedi dal lshecouldevent houghshewasver y

muchawar ethatdangerwasl ooming.Lehumoand
Alicegott othemal landheadedovertoKr eam
restaurant.Theyor deredthemselvessome
cocktailsandst ar
tedsippingwhilewait
ingforthe
food.Al icefeltabitbett
erafterafewsips.
Lehumo:“Youmustprobabl
ybeaski
ngyour
sel
f
whyIcall
edyouhere.
”

Al
ice:(
noddi
ng)“
Yes.
”

Lehumo:“
Iam sur
eyouwer
etol
dofmyf
ert
il
it
y
i
ssues.
”

Alicenoddedasshel istenedattent
ivel
y.Shefelt
herheartbreakint
opi eceswhenshesawLehumo
cry.Shecoul dn’
tbeli
evet hatthewholeQueenof
Zululandwassovul nerablerighti
nf r
ontofher
.

Lehumo:“ Idon’
tknowi fyouknow, butafew
mont hsaf terGat
shaandIgotmar ri
ed,Ihada
mi scarriage.Wewer eonourhoneymoonandI
startedbl eedingwithoutpain,wi
thoutwarning.Can
youbel ievei t?Eversincethen,wehavebeen
unabl etoconcei ve.Iknow, mymot herinlawanda
fewoft heNcubef amilyj
ustdespiseme.They
actuall
yhat emeandsi mplytol
erat
eme.So, Ihave
beent hinking.Whatwoul dhappenshouldIr eall
y
notbeabl etoconceiveandIdieorGatshadi es?
We’dhavenoof fspr
ing.Itbr
eaksmyhear tandI
cannoti magi neshari
nghim andIcannotimagi ne
him beingl eftwi
ththepainofhavingnochildren.
Whi chiswhyIwoul dlikeyoutobehissecond
wife.”

Ali
cewast ooshockedt
orespondf
oraf
ew
seconds.

Lehumo:“
That
’sofcour
sei
fyou’
reokaywi
thi
t.
”

Al
ice:“Uhmm,yes,Idon’thaveaprobl
em wit
hit,
but
t
obehonestIdon’tthinkyoushouldbeagreei
ngto
t
hisifyouar
ereall
yuncomf or
tabl
eabouti
t.
”

Lehumo:“
Idon’
thaveachoi
ce,
honest
ly.
”
Al
ice:“
Doesyourhusbandagr
eet
othi
s?”

Lehumo:“No,
buthewi
llcomear
ound.So,
whatdo
yousay?”

Al
ice:(
rel
uct
ant
)“Idon’
tknow…”

Lehumo:“Idon’tknowmuchaboutpolygamyand
si
sterwi
ves, butIam wi
ll
ingt
olearn.Ijustwantto
makemysel fhappy.Iti
sbett
erformetodot hi
s
nowmysel fbeforehefi
ndssomeoneelsehimself
.”

Ali
cecoul dn’
thelpbutf eelsorr
yf orher,morethan
anythi
ngshef eltsomuchgui lt
.Shecoul dn’
tbri
ng
hersel
ftobeanaccompl icetomur der.Alicewas
notveryinnocent ;shewaseasi l
yi nf
luencedand
veryvai
n, butevilwasnotherst rongpoi nt.

Al
ice:“
Doyoumi
ndexcusi
ngme?Ineedt
het
oil
et.
”
Lehumo:“
Ofcour
se.
”

Ali
cegotuphast i
lyandrushedtot her
estroom.
Shelockedher sel
finoneoft hecubicl
esandtook
outtheli
tt
leblacksachet.Shewasaboutt othrow
i
tintothetoil
etwhenherphoner angunexpectedl
y.
Shejumpedabi twithherheartpoundi
ng
mercil
essly.Shest aredatherscreenanditwas
Abigai
l.

Al
ice:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Mom.
”

Abi
gail
:“Ungal
ingeushi
nsheumnqondo,uyezwa
(
Don’tyoudarechangeyourmind,
doyouhear
me)?
”

Al
ice:(
Pani
cked)“
Ma,
uthi
ni(
whatar
eyousayi
ng)
?”
Abigai
l:“
Icanseeyouar
ealreadypani
cki
ng.Don’
t
fl
ushthatthi
ngdownthetoi
leti
fyoust
il
lwantt
obe
mydaught er
.”

ShehungupandAl i
cesatint
hatcubicl
e,pani
cking.
Sheknewshej usthadtodosomethingbeforeshe
facedthewrathofhermother
.Sheputt hemuthi
backintoherbagandwalkedout.Shethoughtof
anexcusetogiveLehumo.

Lehumo:(
smili
ng)“
Ther
eyouar
e.It
houghtyou
hadrunoutonme.”

Ali
ce:(ner
vous)“Oh,sorr
y.Ithi
nkImusthave
eat
ensomet hi
ngt hatdoesnotagr
eewit
hme.
PerhapsIshouldgohome. ”

Lehumo:“
Itmusthavebeenthepr
awns.They
seemedabitof
fi
sh.Come, I
’
llt
akeyouhome.
”
Ali
ceandLehumowal kedoutandsheknewshe
hadtothi
nkofadist
racti
on.Lucki
lyforher
,oneof
thechi
ldr
enwalkeduptohertoaskforapictur
eof
her.

Lehumo:“
Oh,
I’
dlovet
o,butmyf
ri
endi
sinahur
ry.
”

Al
ice:(
smi
li
ng)“
It
’sokay,
I’
llwai
tforyoui
nthecar
.”

Lehumogavehert hekeyswhil
esheposedfora
fewpictureswiththechil
d.Ali
cespri
nkl
edsomeof
themuthii nthebackofthecarasshepromised,
andlookedahead.Lehumocamebackaf ew
minuteslatertoarathersweat
yAli
ce.

Lehumo:“Ar
eyousureyoudon’
tneedt
hedoct
oror
anythi
ng?Youlookr
eall
yunwel
l.
”

Al
ice:“
I’
llbeokay.Ij
ustt
hinkIneedt
oli
edownf
or
amoment
.”
Lehumo:“
Alr
ightt
hen.
”

Whil
eshewasdr i
ving,
theanxi
ousf
eelinggrewfor
Bongiwher
eshewas.Shet ri
edcal
li
ngGat sha
agai
nandlucki
lyt
hattimeheanswered.

Gatsha:“
Ma, kunj
ani(
howareyou)
?Sor
ry,
my
phone’sbat
terywasdead.
”

Bongi
:“Gethol
dofLehumo.She’
sindanger
.”

Gatshadi dn’
thesit
ateandcall
edhiswife’sphone
butitjustrangunanswered.Itwasveryunusualfor
hernott oanswerherphone.Hel oggedintohercar
tr
ackerandi tshowedthatthecarwasatast and
sti
llnotmovi ng.Heimmediatel
ycall
edt hetr
acki
ng
company.
Operator
:“Mr.Zul
uspeaki
ng,
howmayIbeofyour
assi
stance?”

Gatsha:“
Pleasetel
lmetheexactst
atusofmy
wif
e’scarwiththenumberpl
ateQueenNcube.
”

Operator:“
Thecarjustgoti
ntoanaccidentat
cornerLizwist
reetandPhumlaniAvenue.Medics
areont hei
rwayaswespeak, si
r.”
[
01/
27,
07:
36] :Chapt
er40

“TheTop15t hi
ngsmoneycan’ tbut :Ti
me,
Happiness,I
nnerPeace,I
ntegri
ty,Love,Char
acter,
Manner s,
Healt
h,Respect
,Mor als,Trust
,Pat
ience,
Class,CommonSense, Di
gnity.
”–RoyT.Bennet

Gatshafel
thi
sheartdroptothepitofhi
sstomach
asifsomeoneli
ter
all
ydroppedit.Hecouldbar
ely
hearwhattheoper
atorwassaying,buthemanaged
togetintohiscar.Befor
ehedr oveof
f,het
ooka
deepbr eathandstar
tedprayi
ng–compl et
ely
i
gnoringt heoper
atoroncall
.

Oper
ator
:“Hel
lo?Mr
.Ncube,
sir
?”

Gatsha:“FatherGod, Icomebef oreyouasyour

chil
d.Imaynotbeoneofyourmostl oyalser vants,
butIdot rytobeagoodper son.It r
yt obeagodl y
husband, Idi
ddomybestbyhonour i
ngmypar ents.
Idonotaskf ormuch, oh,lord.Iam justaski ngt hat
youpleasepr ot ectmywife, oh,l
ord.Wr apheri n
yourarmsandwashherwi tht hebloodoft hel amb,
makeherwhol e.Pleasehelpusgett hrought his
phaseinourl ives.Nomat terwhathappens–j ust
pleaseletherbeokay.Iaskt hisi
nJesus’ name.
Amen. ”

Li
tt
ledidheknowt
hatt
heoper
atorwasal
so
pr
ayingwit
hhim.
Oper
ator
:“hel
lo?Mr
.Ncube,
Sir
?”

Gat
sha:(
tear
y)“
Yes,
Iam st
il
lher
e.”

Operat
or:“Ij
ustprayedwi
thyou,si
r.Ibel
ieveMr
s.
Ncubeisaver yl
uckywomant ohaveyouasa
husband.”

Gat
sha:“
Iam act
ual
lyt
hel
uckyoneher
e.”

Operator
:“Ihavej
ustrecei
vedacallf
rom t
he
medics,t
heyar et
aki
nghert oNer
iahMkhabel
a
hospit
al.
”

Gat
sha:“
Thankyou,
Ireal
lyappr
eci
atei
t.
”
Oper
ator
:“Icanstayont
heli
newithyouasther
eis
somuchtraff
ic.Youwil
lmostpr
obablygett
her
e
wi
thi
nt hi
rt
ymi nut
es.Whydon’
tyoui
ndul
geinthi
s
momentbyt el
li
ngmehowyoumetyourwife.Tel
l
meallabouther.
”

Gatshadi
dn’
toncefeelannoyed.Hef
eltt
he
warmthandsi
nceri
tyoftheoperat
orf
rom overt
he
phone.

Gat
sha:“
Wher
edoIevenst
art
?Idi
dn’
tcat
chyour
name.
”

Oper
ator
:“Oh,
it’
swi
seman,
Mr.Ncube.
”

Gatsha:“
Well
,Wiseman,yourpar
entsreal
lywental
l
outwitht
hatnamebecauseitseemstohave
fol
lowedyou.Pl
ease,cal
lmeGat sha.
”

Wi
seman:“
Ver
ywel
l,
Gat
sha.
”
Gatshawentont otellWi semanhowt heymet.It
wasar atherbeauti
fulstoryforhimtohearand
al
ongt hewayt her
ewer el aughsandtearsf
rom
bot
hsi des.BeforeGatshaknewi t
,hehadfound
hi
mselfanewcompani oni nWiseman.

Gatsha:“Wiseman,
Ihavear r
ivedatt
hehospi
tal
.
BeforeIgo,tel
lmesomething,whati
syourmain
goalinli
fe?Imean,jobwise?”

Wiseman:“Iwouldli
ketobeanengineer
,si
r.Ihave
al
wayshadt hatdream,butevenwi
th7dist
inct
ions
Ist
il
lcoul
dn’tgetfundi
ng.”

Gat
sha:“Youhavemydetai
lsonyoursystem.Gi ve
meacallsomet i
metomorr
ow.It hinkGod
pur
posel
ymadeyouconnectt hatcall
.Iam about
tomakeyourdreamscometrue.”

Wi
seman:(
smi
li
ng)“
I’
lldoso,
sir
.Don’
twor
ry,
iti
s
wel
lwi
thyourwi
fe.Shei
ssaf
e,”

Theysaidt heirgoodbyesashewal kedoutand

headedintot hehospitalent r
ance.Meanwhi l
e,
whileGatshawasaboutt oseei nwhi chstat
ehis
wifewasi n,AbigalandKul iwer
ef eeli
ngthewr at
h
oftheancest ors.AbigailandKul iwer ecel
ebrati
ng
thei
rvict
or yal i
tt
lepremat urel
y.
Abi
gail
:“Iam sohappy,Kuli
.Letmegogetusa
bot
tl
eofbubbl yt
ocelebrat
e.”

Kuli
:(chuckl
ing)“
Byt
hist
imenextweek,I
’
llbe
consoli
ngmysonathiswife’
sfuner
al.
”

TheybothlaughedasAbi gailhurri
edtotheki
tchen
togetthealcoholandt
wogl asses.Meanwhileas
Kuliwasdotinginher“
success” ,shegottheshock
ofherli
fewhenshesawSf isoalongsideKhensani
,
Neriahal
ongsideNoahrighti nfrontofher
.Atthe
farri
ght,
itwasQueenNozi pho.
QueenNozi
pho:“
Iwar
nedyou,
Kul
i.Iwar
nedyou.
”

Shenearl
ydroppedt othefl
oorwhenshesawt hei
r
spi
ri
tsri
ghtinfrontofher.Theywer
en’teven
smil
ingather.

Kuli
:(shocked)“
Wha…Whati
sthi
s?!Thi
scan’
tbe
real
.”

Neri
ah:“Oh,
Iam surei
fyoucantransformint
oa
snake,
thenyousurel
ycanbel
ievethatthi
sisreal
.”

Noah:“
Wewar nedyou,Kuli
.Youtouchedmy
daught
erandtri
edtotakehersonfr
om her
,butnow
youhavegonetoofar
.”

Abi
gai
lwalkedr
ighti
nanddr
oppedt
hebot
tl
e
i
mmediat
elyonthefl
oor
.
Abi
gai
l:(
scared)“
What’
shappeni
ngher
e?Kul
i,
whati
sthis?Whatthef
uckisthi
s?!
”

Sfi
so:“
Youdon’
tst
op, l
it
tl
ewi t
ch.Youkeep
pest
eri
ngmydaughterinlawandnowitishi
gh
ti
meyoutwofel
tourwrath.”

Abi
gai
l:“
Oh,
pleasedon’
tki
llme.I
twasal
lher
pl
an.
”

QueenNozipho:“
Saveit
.Yout wodon’
tknowwhen
t
oquit.Youtwowi l
lnowlear
nwhatitf
eelsl
iket
o
l
oseoverandover.”

Theysl
owlydi
sappear
ed,
leavi
ngt
hoset
wodr
ained
andscar
ed.

Kul
i:“
Wai
t!Whatdoyoumean?
!”
Gat
shawasaboutt of
indoutwhatwasmeantby
Godwillf
ightyourbat
tles.Hefoundthedoct
orwho
wasatt
endingbothLehumoandAbi gai
l.Hehadno
i
deathatLehumowaswi thAbi
gailafewhours
bef
orethen.

Gat
sha:“Hi
,Doct
or.Mynamei
sGat
shaNcube,
I
am Lehumo’
shusband.
”

Doct
or:“
Oh,
good.Wel
l,
Mr.Ncube,youar
ever
y
l
ucky.Shei
sinamuchbet
terst
atethant
heot
her
one.
”

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatot
herone?
”

Doctor
:“Shewasf oundwithanotheryoungwoman
namedAbi gail
.HerC5isfractur
edsobasical
lyshe
wil
lbewheel chai
rboundforli
fe.Itwoul
dbea
mir
acleifsheeverwalksagain.”
Gat
sha:“
Andmywi
fe?
”

Doct
or:“Wel
l,
thesteeri
ngwheelrupt
uredoneofher
ovar
ies,
andasaresult,wehavehadtooperat
eand
nowshehasonef al
lopi
antube.
”

Gatshabreat
hedoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef,
hej
ustwasn’
t
i
nterest
edinmuchmore.

Doctor
:“Don’
tworr
y,shewi
llbeabl
etoconcei
ve
evenaft
erthi
s.”

Gat
sha:“
Thankyou,
doct
or.CanIgoseeher
?”

Doctor
:“Giveusaf
ewmi nutestosetherupi
nher
room.I’
llcal
lyoui
njustnow.”
Gat
shawasabouttocal lBongiandupdateher
whenherecei
vedatextmessagef rom t
hef r
ant
ic
Kul
i.“
Ayandajustpassedon.Pl easet
ellyourwi
fe
t
ostopki
ll
ingmychildren,pl
ease.”
[
01/
27,
07:
37] :Chapt
er41

“Noneofusknowswhatmighthappeneventhe
nextminut
e,yetst
il
lwegof
orward.Becausewe
tr
ust.BecausewehaveFai
th.
”–PauloCoelho

Howmanypeopl ehavebeenwr ongedi nthisli

fe
ti
me–yetnomat t
erwhatt heyforgivebecause
ulti
matelythati
swhatwe’ r
eallt
aughtf rom bir
th?
Besidesbeingamechani sm ofper sonalfreedom
andmagni tudeofmovi ngforward,weal lhavea
weakness.I ti
salwaysni ceandext remelyeasyt o
j
udgeaper sonfr
om theext er
ior
;itisalwayseasy
tolookatar i
chpersonorabi g,beautif
ulhouse
andenvyt hat.I
tisalwayseasyt osayaper sonis
stupid,
unlessyoulit
erall
yr unami leortwoi nhisor
hershoes.Somanypeopl egetblamedand
cruci
fiedf
orf orgi
ving.Ulti
matel
y, karmadealswith
apersonini tsownway.Theuni versehasitsown
wayofbei ngonyoursi de.YetJames3: 18tel
lsus
“Peacemaker swhosowi npeacereaphar vestof
ri
ghteousnous. ”WhileJob4:8says, “AsIhave
observed,thosewhopl owevilandt hosewhosow
tr
oublereapi t.
”

InawayLehumowasl ookingfort
roubl e,justl i
ke
mostofusi nthiswor l
d.Shewast ryingsomet hing
i
nor dertosaveherhusbandf r
om shameandr egr
et.
Whi l
emanyt houghtheractwaspur estupi dit
y;al ot
didn’tactuallyreali
zeitwasanactofl ove.Att imes
l
ovemakesyoui ncrediblysel
fi
shandi tt akest he
otherpar tyforyout orealizei
t.Gatshawasj ust
i
ncr edibl
yr eli
evedt ohearofhiswife’scondi t
ion–
despi t
eherhavi ngonl yonefall
opi
ant ubel eft.He
couldn’tcar elesswhet herAyandawasal i
veor
dead, ast heyneverr eall
ycaredabouthi m nor
Lehumo, butonl yabouthi smoney.Heneeded
assur ancet hathiswi f
ewasokay.Af ewmi nut es
afterher eceivedthemessage, t
hedoct orcal led
himtogot hroughandseehiswif
e.Hef ound
Lehumol ookingasbeaut
if
ulasever–despiteher
swoll
en,redeyes.Gatshaimmediat
elyheldher
hand,butLehumopul l
edaway.

Gatsha:(
teary)“
Sthandwasami( Mylove)
,It
hought
Ihadlostyou.Iam sogl adyou’
reokay.Uzi
zwa
njani(
howdoyouf eel
)?”

Lehumo:(
soft
ly)“
Obat
laengmo(
Whatdoyou
want)
,Gat
sha?”

Gat
sha:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Heh(
Huh)
?”

Lehumo:“Whenwil
lyour
eal
izethatyouandIare
j
ustnotmeanttobe?Imeanwe’reli
kewaterand
oil
.Ever
ytimewhenwearereal
lyhappysomething
badhappens.Iam t
ir
edoft
hat.
”
Gat
sha:(
tear
y)“
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”

Lehumo:“I’
m sayingmaybei
t’
sbestyouandIcal
lit
quit
s.Thismar r
iagewascur
sedri
ghtfrom t
he
beginni
ng.
”

Gatshawasr
eal
lyper
plexed,buthedi
dn’
twantt
o
l
ist
entoawordshesaid.

Gatsha:(
calmly)“Myf at
heralwaystaughtmethata
heart
brokenorangr ypersonisadangerousperson,
sooneshoul dnevertrytoengageinaconversati
on
wit
ht hem astheycansayt hemostdamagi ng
wordsatthattime.I’l
lgogetyousomet hi
ngto
dri
nksinceyouj ustgotoutofsurger
y.”

Lehumo:(frustr
ated)“
Gaot heelet
je(You’
renot
l
ist
ening),Gatsha!Hadyouj ustagreedtomarr
y
Ali
ce,thi
swoul dn’
thavehappened!”
Gat
shat
urnedar
oundi
nshock.

Gat
sha:(
shocked)“
Angezwa(
Excuseme) ?What
wer
eyoudoingwithAl
icei
nyourcaranyway?
”

Lehumo:“It
ookheroutf
orl
uncht
oper
suadehert
o
beyoursecondwif
e.”

Gatshaf
elthi
msel
ffumefrom hisgutli
kenever
bef
ore.Hehadalwaysremai nedcalm whenever
hegotmadathiswif
e,butthatday,hewasbeyond
l
ivi
d.

Gatsha:(
anger ed)“Uthini(
Whatdi dyoujustsay),
Lehumo? !Yaziuyangi nyel
a( You’
reshit
ti
ngme
ri
ghtnow) !Youl ostyourtubeandyourovar ies
werecrushedbecauseyout r
iedinvi
ti
ngthedevi l
i
ntoourmar riage?!Howcoul dyoubesosel fish?
!
Howmanyt imeswasIsupposedt orepeatthatI
l
oveyouandyouonl y?!Idon’ tgi
veafuckwhet her
you’
reabletohavechi
ldrenornot!Don’
tyougeti
t?!
Don’tyoufucki
nggeti
t?!IloveyouandIwanttobe
wit
hyouandonl yyou!
”

Thatwast heveryfi
rstt
imeintenyear
sthatGatsha
hadraisedhisvoicetohi
swife.Shewasquite
shocked,andsowasBr endawhowasst andi
ng
ri
ghtatthedoorunbeknownsttothebothofthem.

Br
enda:“
Isever
ythi
ngokayher
e?”
Gatshaturnedaroundandforcedt
hethreateni
ng
tearsback.Hewassoangr ythathewasshaki ng.
Heknewt hatheneededamomentt ocooldown
beforehehadsai dsomet
hinghurt
fult
ohiswi f
e.

Gatsha:(
sof
tl
y)“
Yes,
tal
ksomesensei
ntoyour
fr
iend.
”

Withthatsai
d,helef
t.Assoonashebangedthe
doorbehindhim,Lehumofoundher
sel
fburst
ing
i
ntoaust
eret
ear
sasBr
endahuggedher
.

Br
enda:“
It
’sokay,mngani(f
ri
end)
.Whathappened?
WhywasAliceinyourcar
?”

Lehumo:( crying)“Iinvitedheroverf orlunchandI

hadaskedhert obeGat sha’ssecondwi f
e.Fr i
end, I
swear ,Ionl yhadonecockt ailtodri
nk.Iwasdr ivi
ng
andt al
kingandt henextt hingat ruckjustcameout
ofnowher e.Ihi tthebr akes, butnothi
nghappened.
Thenextt hingIsawpar amedi csallover,tel
li
ngme
thatI’
m goi ngt obef i
ne, butIneededsur ger
y.Now,
Ilostmyf allopi
ant ubebecauseoft hi
s!Gat shawi ll
neverfor giveme, f
riend.DoyouseewhyIj usthave
toleavehi m sot hathecanf inall
ybebl essedwi th
trueloveandhappi ness? ”

Br
endawasnotver
ysympat
het
ict
hatday.

Br
enda:“
Lehumo,
areyouact
ual
lyl
ist
eni
ngt
o
yoursel
fri
ghtnow?Whywoul dyouinvitethatgi
rl
outforl
unchwhenyouknowver ywellthatAbigail
i
snotgoodnews?Ikeept el
l
ingyout hatyourheart
wil
llandyouintr
oubl
eoneday.Attimes, youfailt
o
thi
nk.”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“Howcanyouj
udgemer
ightnow,
Bee?Youhavekids–Idon’
t.
”

Brenda:“That
’st hething.Whycompar eyour sel
f
withothers?Whypr aywhenyoul ackfaith?Imean,
youaskGodf orchildrenandt henyout urnar
ound
anddot his?Abi gailandKul imostpr obablydid
somethingtoyout ocauset heacci dent.Howmany
ti
mesmustIt ellyout hatGat shalovesyou.He
real
lyadoresyou.Ki dswi llcomewhent heti
mei s
ri
ght–whent heLor dsaysso.I saiah60: 22–
“Whent heti
mei sri
ght ,ItheLordwi l
lmakei t
happen.”Don’ tyoueverl ear nfrom yourBi bl
e,
Lehumo?Youar epl ayingadanger ousgameandI
don’twanttoseeyoul oseagoodmanovert his.
”
Lehumo:“Youj ustdon’tgeti
t,doyou, Bee?I t
’snice
andeasyf oryoutosaywhatyou’ r
etelli
ngme
becauseyouhavechi ldren.Youneverst ruggled
norhadami scar
ri
age.Yourpr egnancywasa
breezeandyoubar elyhavetof i
ghtforanything.
Everyt
hingcomest oyoui nasi l
verplatt
er.”

Brenda:“
You’reluckyIloveyouandfort
hat,Iwon’
t
takethebul
lshityou’r
etell
ingmetohear
t.Ijust
wantyoutoheal .I’
llseeyousomeotherti
me.”

Shewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoorandl
ookedbackat
her
.

Br
enda:“
I’
llpr
ayf
oryou.
”

SheleftasLehumowall
owedinherowntears.
Brendawalkedoutandf
oundGatshali
ter
all
y
sobbinginSiya’
sar
ms.Itpai
nedBrendasomuch
toseeGat
sha,suchastrongwarri
orhurtandcry
l
ikeababyal
lbecauseofhiswife’
sdoings.Yes,
badthi
ngshappen,butinl
if
e,weneedt ol
earnthat
atti
mesourchoicescauseourmiser
y.

Gat
sha:(
sobbi
ng)“
Howi
sshe?
”

Brenda:“
She’l
lbeokay.Shei sarealmess.Ithi
nk
sheisdepressed.Askthedoctortobookherfora
ther
apysessionorsomething.Hanginthere,
you’l
l
befine–thebot hofyou.
”

Gat
sha:“Shewant
stoleaveme,Bee.Icannotl
et
t
hathappen.Whatam Igoi
ngtodo?”

Brenda:“You’r
egoingtogethert
hehelpsheneeds
andbet hereforherasal
ways.Andmost
i
mpor tant
ly,you’
regoi
ngtokeepprayi
ngforherl
ike
youalwaysdo.Hangi nt
here.
”
ShehuggedGatshaandheknewt
hatBeewas
absol
utel
yri
ght
.

Gat
sha:“
Thankyou,
Bee.
”

Br
enda:“
Cal
lmei
fyouneedanyt
hing.
”

Gat shanoddedast heybothsai dgoodbye.Hewent

tot hecanteentobuysomef ewt hingstoeatand
fr
ozenyoghur tandjui
ceforhi swi f
e.Upongoi ng
backt oLehumo’ sroom,hef oundhi mselfgoingt
o
Alice’sroom.Hef oundhersobbi ng, l
ayinginher
bedasshekeptt ouchingherl egs, mostpr obabl
y
tr
yingt oseeiftheysti
llworked.Shef oundGatsha
standingi nfr
ontofthedoor, staringather.

Al
ice:(
annoyed)“
Whatdoyouwant
?”

Gat
sha:“
Not
hing.Ij
ustcamet
oaskyouaf
ew
quest
ions.
”

Ali
ce:(
cryi
ng)“
Well
,don’
tyout
hinkyourwi
fehas
doneenoughdamage?!
”

Gatshatookonegoodlookatherandheaded
st
raightt
oherface.Hestaredherri
ghti
ntheeye,
wit
hhi sbewi
lder
ed,bl
oodshoteyes.

Gat
sha:“
Whatreal
lyhappened?Imean, sur
elyyou
sawsomethi
ngbefor
ethecarcrashed,
youknow. ”

Al
ice:(looki
ngdown)“Idon’
tknowwhathappened.
Al
lIr ememberisherfai
li
ngtobreakandheadi
ng
st
raighttothatt
ruck.
”

Gatsha:(
chuckli
ng)“
Mywi f
esaysshetookyouout
forl
unch.Youknow, Icant
akealookatal
lthe
securi
tycamerasofwhereyouwereandperhaps,
I’
llbeabl et
opickupwhatact uall
yhappened.I fI
dof i
ndoutt hatyoudi dhavesomet hingtodowi t
h
theaccident,somet hi
nglike–Idon’ tknow,
tamper i
ngwi t
ht hebr akes,usingwitchcraftor
somet hingli
ket hat,Iwil
lpersonall
yhur tyoumore
thanyouar ehur trightnow.I ’
llmakeyoua
quadriplegi
cinst eadofapar aplegi
c.I maginea
beautlikeyouf aili
ngtoevenuseyourar ms,al
l
becauseofonesi l
lymistake.Itwoul dbesucha
shame. ”

Hewasabouttoleaveunt
ilshest
oppedhi
m byher
del
ir
iousconf
essi
on.

Al
ice:“
Idi
dn’
tmeant
odoi
t!
”

Het
urnedar
oundandst
aredather
,mer
cil
essl
y.

Ali
ce:“
Theyfor
cedmet odoit
.Ibeggedthem bot
h
nottodoi
t.Iseri
ousl
ytol
dthem t
hati
tisnott
he
t
imeandIgenuinelyt
oldt
hem thatIhadabad
f
eeli
ngaboutit
,butmymom t hr
eatenedmeand
t
oldmethatifIdon’
tdoit
,I’
l
lbedisowned.
”

Gatsha:“
Wel l
,suchapi t
y.Youlostyourabil
it
yto
walkandmywi fehaslosthal
fofherabili
tytoever
carr
yachi l
dallbecauseyoufearedbeingdisowned.
IfIwereyou,I’
dkillmysel
fbefor
eIcangett oyou.
Itwouldbeami raclei
fyoumakei toutoft
his
hospit
alali
vetonight.
”

Gatshaf oundhimselfbei ngoverwhelmedwi t

hso
muchanger–oneoft hemostdanger ousemot i
ons
onecaneverhave.Li kehi sfatheroncet ol
dhim,
“Anangr ymani sadanger ousman. ”Hewentback
tohiswi fe’
swar dandputt hef r
ozenyoghur tand
waternextt oher.Het r
iedeat i
ng,buthef ound
himselfatal ossofappet it
e.Hel ayont hecouch
acrossherbedandsai dnot hingtoher.Hei gnored
her,butwassi mplytheref orher.Het houghtofhis
mot herandAbi gai
lofjusthowcr uelt
heycoul dbe.
Het houghtofhi swi fe’
signoranceandgenui ne
i
mpat i
encethathadcausedt hem t het hirdgreatest
l
ossi ntheirlives.Theyl osttheirbaby, thenthey
l
ostt heirparentsandnow, theyhadl osthal fthe
chanceofconcei vi
ng.Hewasact ual l
yangr yathi s
wife,butevenoutofl ove,hest il
lrefusedt oshow
herhowangr yhewas.Hewat chedherdoseof f
andsl eptont hecouch.Mi dnightst ruckandhe
foundhi mselfkneel i
ngr i
ghtnextt oherandhol ding
herhand.Shewasabi tfr
ightened, andwasver y
adamantaboutt hem endingthei rmar riage.She
att
empt edt or emoveherhandf r
om hi s, buthehel d
herhandf i
rml yandst art
edpr aying.

Gatsha:“FatherGod, Ihumblemyselfbef
oreyou.I
comebef oreyouasyourchi l
d,asLehumo’s
husband–hergr i
ef-
ri
ddenhusband.Iam so
saddened,ohl ord.Somanyemot i
onsaregoing
thr
oughmymi nd.Iam hur t
,butmostl
yIam
bewil
dered.Iam soangr y,Lor
d.Iam notangryat
you,forIknowt hateverythi
nghappensinyourti
me.
Iam angryatt hi
swoman–t hi
swomanwhom I
l
ovesomuch.Iam angr yatmysel ff
orlovingher
mor et hanIlovemyself.Iam angr yt
hatshechose
togoagai nstmywor dsandf ai
ledtoheedmy
warni ngs.Iam angr ythatinsteadofherallowing
met oconsol eandcomf orther,shechoset otell
me
nonsense.Ir ef
uset odivorce,forImadeavow
beforeyouandal lmyancest ors.Imadeapr omi se
tohert ildeatht
ouspar t
.Thati swhatIpr omised,
l
ord, andsoshal litbe.

Ifshewon’ tacceptit
, t
heni tisactuallybetterf or
yout otakeme.Endmyl if
erighther eandt hen
becauset hereissimplynol i
fewithoutmyQueen.I
askt hatyoubewi ththebot hofust hroughoutt his
diffi
cultt
ime.Pr ayerisaf orm ofheal i
ng,andIam
askingyout ohealme, healthebot hofus.Bl essus
withourhear t
’sdesireswhent het i
mei sright ,oh
l
or d.ForyousayIGal atians6:9“ Letusnotl ose
heartindoinggood, forinduet i
mewewi l
lreapi f
wedonotgr owwear y.
”Ihavedoneandam st il
l
doinggoodbyl ovi
ngandsuppor ti
ngmywi fe, oh
l
or d.Foryousayi nEcclesiastes3:1–“ Ther ei san
appoint
edti
mef orever
ythi
ng,andt
hereisati
me
forever
yeventunderheaven.
”Helpthi
simpati
ent
wifeofminewhom Ilovesomuchunderstandthat
verse.

Eveni fwebecomepar entsat50, wewi l

lsti
llhave
hadt hechance.Foryousayt ousi nEcclesi astes
3:17, “
Isai dtomysel f
,“ Godwi l
ljudgebot ht he
ri
ght eousmanandt hewi ckedman;f orat i
mef or
everymat terandf orever ydeedi sther e.
”Hel pher
notgr owwear yofwhatwe’ recur r
entlyfacing–f or
youwi lldealwi ththosewhohavecausedt hi spain
uponus.Gal ati
ans4: 2sayst ous, “Buthei sunder
guar diansandmanager sunt ilthedat eissetbyt he
father.”Justasweawai tChr i
st’sreturn,helpher
reali
zehowshor tli
feis.Foryouhaveonl yl endt his
l
ifeoft hef lesht ousandi tisourdut ytoenj oyi t
untilthet i
mehasbeensetf orust or eturntodust .
Helpmywi f
er eali
zehowmuchIl oveher .It hank
youf ort hisli
f e.InJesus’ nameIpr ay.Amen. ”
[
01/
27,
07:
37] :Chapt
er42
“Truelovei
susual
lyt
hemosti
nconveni
entki
nd.
”–
KieraCass

“
Thecour seoftruel
oveneverdi
drunsmoot
h.”–
Wil
lam Shakespeare

Ast hedayswentby, Lehumogr ewmor edepressed.

Shehadl i
stenedt oGat shapr ayrightbesideher
everynightwi thoutfail,
buti twasasi fhewas
tal
kingtoabr ickwal l
.Wi thhi m banishinghis
mot herfrom hispalaceal ongwi thAbi gail
,Ki
ng
Dambuzahadt opayf orAyanda’ sburial.Asthe
KingofZul uland,Gatshaf orbadet hem tobur yher
onr oyalgrounds.JustasGat shahadgr ownangr y,
Ali
cehadf eltt
hewal lscl osingi nonheranddr ank
poisonassoonasshef oundher sel
fbeingwheel ed
i
ntot hehouse.Shehadl eftar athergut -
wrenching
l
ettertobot hherpar ents, andwhi l
eKi ngDambuza
hadnoi deaofhi swife’sevi ldeeds, hebanished
bothherandKul ifrom hi spal aceaswel l
.They
werebot hhomeless,andhadt ofi
ndawayt o
survive.Theywer ealsobani shedfrom thei
r
mai denhomesduet opr acti
singwitchcraf
t.Likeso
manypeopl eroamingher eonear t
h, ot
hersstayevi
l
ti
ltheydi e.Evenafterlosingpracti
call
yeverythi
ng,
theyst i
llhadthecravingforvengeanceagai nst
thei
renemy–Lehumo.

Lehumohadf inallygonehome, andGat shahadto

hiresomeonet olookafterLehumo.Br endahad
beenchecki ngonheronadai lybasi s–even
thoughshehadbeenpushi ngever yoneaway.
Gat shagotupandwentt owor kandcamebackt o
sitrightnexttohi swife.Shedi dn’ tsayanyt hingto
him, buthej ustembr acedt hesi l
ence.Hewasokay
andknowi ngt hatshewasheal thyr i
ghtnexttohim
wasenoughf orhi m.WhatGat shadi dwaswhat
mostpeopl edo–hehi r
edayoungnur setolook
afterLehumo.Hedi dn’ttrustheronherownandhe
thoughtt hatshewoul dhar m her selfinsomeway.
Lehumoal somadeoneoft hebi ggestmi st
akesof
herl i
fe;shest art
edslowl ybefriendi ngt henurse
andconf
idedi
nher
.

HernamewasGwen–shor tforGwendel yn.She

wasa21yearol dNur si
ngst udentwhoneededt he
ext
r amoneyt opayof fherfees.WhatGat shaand
Lehumodidn’tknowaboutGwenwast hatshewas
actual
lyadistantroyalfamilymemberoft he
Dambuzaf ami l
y.Shewasadi stantcousinofSiya
–maki ngherr oyal
tyeit
herway.Shewasal soone
ofthemanywomenwhowant edt obeLehumo.
Weekswentbyandt herewassi mpl ynointi
macy
betweenLehumoandGat sha.Shehadbeen
l
ist
eningtoGwenwhot oldhert ofoll
owherhear t
andmaket hingswor sebet weenherandher
husbandinor derforhimt oleavehersot hathe
couldbehappywi t
hanot herwoman.

Whatfrust
rat
edGwenal otwasthatGatshadidn’
t
not
iceherwearingshor
t,skimpyclot
hingor
whenevershetri
edseducinghim.Wel l
,Gatshali
ke
mostmenwasahumanbei ngwithneeds.Lehumo
hadr efusedtosleepwi t
hhi m orevenall
owedhi m
totouchher ,andhel i
kemostmengr ewrather
horny.Hef oundhi mselfcomi nghomel ateone
evening,asGwenhadpr eparedhim anicemeal .
Lehumohadevenst oppedcooki ngforhim ashis
wife.Gwenwaswi deawake–shesmel ledof
l
avenderandl ookedli
kear ealbeautmadef r
om
butter.Shehadbeenwear i
ngapai rofshortsthat
wer eexposingherbigbumsandacr opt op
exposinghervol upt
uousbr easts.

Gwen:(smil
ing)“
Goodeveni
ng,
Mr.Gat
sha.I
pr
eparedfoodforyou.
”

Gat
shahadbeenst
umbl
ingabi
t,muchtoGwen’
s
di
smay.Hehadbeendr
inki
ngal
itt
lebi
t.

Gat
sha:(
slur
ry)“
Thankyou,
Glen.
”

Heal
wayscal
ledherGl
eni
nst
eadofGwen–t
hat
’s
j
usthowhenevert
ooknot
iceofher
.

Gwen:“I
t’
sGwen.Mynamei
sGwen–shor
tfor
Gwendel
yn.”

Gat
sha:(chuckl
ing)“
Sorr
y,Gwendel
yn.I
’
llcal
lyou
Gwendy.Gwendy.I tsui
tsyou.
”

Hedr
oppedont
hechai
rint
heki
tchen.

Gat
sha:“
Whatam Ihavi
ngt
oni
ght
,Gwendy?
”

Gwen:“
Imadeyousomel
asagne,
Mr.Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:(
laughi
ng)“
Youknow,
mywi f
eusedt
olove
maki
ngitformeonceuponat
ime.
”

Gwensmi
ledner
vousl
y.
Gatsha:(
singi
ng)“
Kukhal
’
isi
gincisakhoenhl
izweni
yami….Doyouknowthatsong,Gwendy?”

Gwen:(
shaki
nghead)“
No,
sir
.”

Gatsha:“
That
’smywi
feandI’
sfavour
it
esong.I
t
remindsmeofhowhappyweoncewere.”

Gwen:“
Well
,somet
hingsar
emeantt
ost
ayi
nthe
past
,si
r.
”

Gat
sha:(fr
owning)“Thepast
?!Never.Mywifeand
Ist
il
lverymuchloveeachother
.Iknowshestil
l
l
ovesme.Shei sjustinpai
n.Pain.That
’sa
motherf
ucker
.”

Gwenhadwai
tedt
ool ongf
orthatmoment.She
knewt
hathewasdrunkanditwoul
dn’
tevenbethe
sameasifhewer
esober.Shewasavi
rgi
n,so
Gatshawoul
dbeherf
ir
st.

Gwen:“
Wel l
,Icanmakeyouf
eelt
hathappi
ness,
if
youj
ustletme.”

Gatsha’
sdrunkensel flookedupandwasmetwi th
bigDoubleDDbr eastsst ari
nghi mi ntheface.He
becamenumbasheswal l
owedhar d.Gwenwast ed
notimeandki ssedGat shal i
keshewasapr o.He
foundhi
msel frespondingt ot hekissandhis
manhoodr espondinggl adlybyr isi
ng.Hequi ckl
y
shovedheroffhim afteramer efewseconds.
Gatshagotupandi nstant l
yr egrett
eddoingt hat.

Gatsha:“
Thiswasamistake.Youshoul
dpackyour
bagsandleaveher
efi
rstthi
ngtomorr
ow.You’r
e
fi
red.
”

Hel
eftandwentt
ohi
sbedr
oom.Hewal
kedi
nand
f
oundLehumosleeping.Thatwastheveryfir
st
t
imehenearl
ycheatedonhiswifeeversi
ncet hey
wer
emarri
ed.Het ookashowerandl aynexttoher,
i
naspooningposi
tion.

Gatsha:“Il
oveyousomuch, Lehumo.Iam so
afr
aidthatyouaredestr
oyi
ngus, ourbeaut
if
ul
uni
on.Idon’ tknowbutIam soscaredofwhatI
mightdo.”

Witht hatsai
dhedozedof f,l
eavingLehumowonder
whathadbecomeofher .Shegotupt hefollowing
mor ningandfeltl
ikeshit
.Shehadaneye- opening
dream t heni
ghtbefore.Shedreamthermot her
war ningherandtell
inghertostartt
akingcar eof
herhusbandagai n.Shet ookashowerandact uall
y
shavedhervagi naafterweeksofleavi
ngi tasa
bush.SheknewGat shahadbeendr i
nkingashe
smel ledli
keboozeandwassnor i
ngeven.Shef el
t
i
twast imeforchangeandt i
met oactuall
yputi nan
effortandwrongherwayswi t
hherhusband.She
headeddownstai
rsandf
oundGwenhadpackedher
bagsalr
eady.

Lehumo:(
shocked)“
Andt
hen?Wher
ear
eyouof
f
to?”

Gwen:“Oh,
myf at
hercal
ledmebackhome.My
mom isver
yil
l.
”

Shetr
iedr
eadi
ngLehumo’sfaci
alexpressi
ontosee
i
fGatshahadt
oldheraboutt
hepreviousnight
,but
Lehumoseemedtoohappy.

Lehumo:“Oh,
I’
m sosor
ry.Icandr
opyouof
fatt
he
stat
ioni
fyouwantmeto.”

Gwen:“
No,thatwon’
tbenecessar
y.Youhavedone
somuchforme.”
Lehumo:(smil
ing)“Wel
lthen,t
hel eastIcandois
sendyousomemoney.Howwi llyout akecar
eof
youri
llmotherwit
houtanyincome? ”

Gwen:“Thatreal
lywon’
tbenecessar
y,Mr
s.
Lehumo,real
ly.
”

Lehumobei ngt hekindper sonshehadalwaysbeen

tookoutherphonef rom herpockedandsenther
R50000st raighttoherbankaccount .Thatwasa
l
otconsideringthatshehadbeenear ni
ngR10000
mont hl
yforbasi cal
l
ydoi ngnothingasLehumo
refusedtobet ouched.

Gwen:“
Mrs.Lehumo,
youdon’
thavet
o.”

Lehumo:“
Hey,
youhavet
urnedoutt
obeagood
fr
iend.
”
Shehuggedherandor deredBonganit otakeherto
thestation.Gwenasanor malper sonshoul dhave
beensi ncerethatday, butshebecameevenmor e
determinedt ogetGat sha.Li t
tledidever yoneknow
–i ncl
udi ngherownf amilythatshehadbeen
connivingwi t
ht heleastexpect edwi tches.While
Gwenl ef tt
omeetheraccompl ices,Lehumo
preparedamealf i
tforakingf orherhusband.She
hadst oppedt akingantidepressantsf orawhi l
eand
wassl owl ygoingbackt onor mal .Sheadded
mimosast othemeal andt ookt hetrayupt oher
bedroom.Gat shawasst il
loutofi t–t hatishow
muchhehadhadt odr i
nk.

Lehumo:“
Wakey–wakey.
”

Gat
sha:“
Yoh,
inhl
okoyami(
myhead)
.”

Lehumo:(chuckl
ing)“Youdi
dhaveal
ott
odr
ink,
real
ly.Si
tupandt akethi
spil
l.
”
GatshalookedatLehumoandhewasbeyond
shocked.Heevenf el
tasifhishangoverwasgone
i
nani nstant
.Shehadputmake- upon, curl
edher
hairandhadwor noneofhisfavouri
tedresseson
her.Shewant edtocryl
ookingathowf rai
lhehad
become–hehadl ostsomuchwei ghtandbar el
y
shaved.

Gat
sha:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Mkami
(Mywi
fe)
,ist
hatyou?
”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Yes,
iti
sme.
”

Gatsha:“
Yoh(
Wow),Idon’
tbel
ievei
t.Yi
nii
ndaba
umuhlesonamhl
anj
e( Whydoyoulooksopret
ty
today)
?”

Lehumo:“
It
’sbecauseIoweyouanapol
ogy–a
hugeone.Ihavebeensuchanassl
atel
yandIdon’
t
deser
veyourl
ove,Gatsha.
”
Gatshawasfinall
yhappytoseethathiswi
fewas
back.Hedidn’tcareaboutmuchelse.Hehel
dher
chi
n.

Gatsha:“
Sthandwasami (
Myl ove)
,al
lIam happy
fori
sthatyou’
reback.You’r
ef i
nal
lybackandwe
cangetourli
vesontrackagain.
”

Lehumo:“
I’
m sosor
ry.
”

Gat
sha:“
Shhh,
justpr
omi
semeonet
hing.
”

Lehumo:“
Anyt
hing.
”

Gat
sha:“
Nomor
esecondwi
fest
ori
es.
”

Lehumo:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Gat shasmi ledbr oadlyeart oearashepassi onat ely
kissedhi swi f
ef ort hefir
sttimeeversi ncet he
acci dent .Lehumo’ sbodyr espondedandsodi dhis.
Shef eltinstantlywetasshecoul dfeelhi smanhood
poki ngherdownt here.Theybot hbecame
enwr appedi nt hemomentast heirclothesf elloff
onebyone.I tfeltlikethatveryni ghtt heymade
l
oveont her ooft opofhi sbuilding.I tfel tsoser ene
aroundt hem –socal m.Shef elthisloveal lover
agai nasshemoanedi nhisear .Hi m, passi onat ely
staringheri ntheeyesashet hrusti nandoutofher
l
ikeamanmaki nglovet ohisgui t
ar.Shewast he
snar esoft hatgui tar,herbodywast hemagi c
pot i
ont ohis.Hef oundhi msel fenj oyingever y
mi nut eashef oundhi mselfent eri
nghi shome.I t
wasnol ongerf orbiddenf orhi mt omakel ovet oher,
andf rom thatdayon, shevowedt odobet ter-t o
bebet ter.Gat shahadf orgottenaboutt hepr evious
night ,thoughhef eltsogui lt
yhewant edt otellher ,
butt hemomentwasj ustnotr i
ght .Theyhadj ust
foundt hemsel vesbackt ogetheragai n.Meanwhi le,
Gwenhadgr ownangryatGat shaforfi
ri
ngher,and
evenangrieratLehumoforwant ingtotr
yagain
withhim.Shewentt otheflatshehadbeenr enti
ng
forhertwoaccompl i
ceseversincethatfat
efulday
thatshehadbeencal l
edtojointhedeviousplan
againstQueenLehumoNcube.Sheknocked
hysteri
cal
lyonthedoor.

Voi
ce:“
Ngi
yeza(
I’
m comi
ng)
!”

Assoonasthedooropened,
Gwenst
art
edcussi
ng
andswear
ing.

Gwen:(f
uming)“Yazi
ni(
Youknow)
,youwer
eright
!
Ungi
dinakabii
sfebel
esana(
Thatwhor
eannoysme
somuch)!”

Kuli:“
Manj
e(Andnow)
?What
’swi
tht
hebagswena
(you)?”
Gwen:“
Igotf
ir
ed.
”

Abi
gai
l:“
Uyenzeni(
Whatdi
dyoudo)
?”

Gwen:“Nothing!Ifol
lowedyourinstruct
ions.I
wait
edf ort
heperfectmoment .Itri
edseduci nghi
m
l
astnightwhenhewast oodrunk,buthequi ckl
y
camebackt ohissensesandshovedmeof f.”

Kuli
:“Ja,
neh.Whi
chmeanst hepot
ionshehas
beenfeedi
nghi
miyasebenzamoertoe(
isworki
ng
over
time).
”

Gwen:“ Tobehonest,Idon’
tthi
nkshehasfedhi m
anything.Imean,shehadbeenpushi nghi
m away
forsomanyweeks, buthejustnevergaveup.
That’sreall
ove.Shegaveme50gr andsoI’
llj
ust
takethatandcutmylossesfrom thi
splan.
”
Abigail:“
Heh( Huh)?
!Ungazosibedelalanawena
(Don’tfuckwi t
hus).Yousaidyouwer ewill
ingtodo
anything,ri
ght?Wher edoyouthinkKuliandIwill
l
iveifyoul eaveeveryt
hing?Uyahlanya(You’r
e
crazy).”

Gwen:“
Ther
e’snot
hingt
odo.
”

Kuli
:“Leavethattome–I ’
m amasteratt
heseki
nd
ofsi
tuations.Iknowexact
lywhatt
odot ogethi
m
tomar r
yyou–outofobl i
gati
onthi
stime.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
37] :Chapt
er43

“Fait
hlessishet
hatsaysfar
ewel
lwhent
her
oad
darkens.”–J.R.
R.Tol
kien

Af ewmont hspassedandLehumohadbeendoing
great.SheandGat shahadbeenat
tendingt
her
apy
atleastonceaweekandshehadr etur
nedbackto
wor k.Ever yt
hingwasbackt onormalagain–f ar
bet t
ert hannormal ,
actually.Theyhadbeenpr ayi
ng
toget herandofcour se,themedi ahadtakenakeen
i
nt erestintheirli
ves.Lehumowasnotmuchofa
l
imel ightperson,butGat shawasver ymuchusedt o
i
nt erviewsandcamer aswher evertheywent.They
hadbeenseeki ngotheropt i
onsthatwouldenabl e
them t oconceiveandoneoft hei
rbestopti
onst o
trywasI VF(Invit
roFerti
lisati
on).Lehumowasj ust
oldert han30, whil
eGat shawasheadi ngtohis
fourties,butthedoctorwasver yconfi
dentthatthey
woul dbeabl et oconceiveaf t
erafewat t
empt s.

Hoseawasaboutt hir
teenbyt henandheandBongi
hadcomeovert ocelebrat
eChr i
stmasattheRoyal
Palace.Itwasr at
herempt y,
butmuchmor e
peacefulwhenKul iwasar ound.Ofcour se,Br
enda
hadbecomeamor efami l
iarvisit
ort
hereasher
husband, Si
ya, Gatsha’sbestf r
iendhadtakenover
theadvisorrolef r
om KingDambuza.Hehadf elt
real
lyembar rassedandashamedofwhathi swif
e
andKul ihaddonet otheQueenofZul ul
and,soin
tur
nhef elti
twasr at
herbesttoresi
gnast he
advisortoGat sha.Hewasal soment al
lydist
raught
eversinceAl icecommi tt
edsui
cide,
sohewasj ust
notfitenought ocontinuewit
hhisroleanymor e.
Lehumoont heot herhand,wasabitreli
evedthat
shewoul dneverhavet oseeAbi
gaileveragain.

Lehumohadbecomesuchapr oint heki t

chen, that
shewoul dal waysmakeherf amousl ambshank
recipef orChr i
stmas.I thadbecomet heirown
Christmast raditi
on, toppingt hemealof fwithal l
kindsofmeat .Thatwast heonlytimeapar tf r
om
otherf uncti
onswher etheywoul deatsomuchf ood.
Shewoul dalsomaker aspber rycake, chocol ate
mousseandofcour sehermot her’
sal lti
me
favour i
te–mal vapuddi ng.Shewasagi veranda
shar er,j
ustlikeherpar ent s,soshewoul dgi veal l
theempl oyeesapl at ealongwi ththedesser tsand
alsosomef oodpar celsal ongwi t
hani cefatbonus
attheendoft heyear .Gat shat r
ustedhersomuch
witht heirmoney, thatheneverf oundanyr easont o
doubther .Shewasver ygoodwi thmoney, which
wasagoodt hi
ngf orhi
m.Shehadscor edhim
somebigtimeinvestor
sinhisSifi
sof
oundationas
wellashi
scompanyandf ort
heHospit
al.Sheand
Brendawerebusycooking,whil
eBongihadjust
comeoverwithHosea.

Gatsha:(
smi
li
ng)“Sawubona(Hell
o),
Mam’Bongi
.
Longtimenosee.Youhaveindeedbecomea
str
anger.
”

Bongi
:(chuckl
ing)“
Hayi(
No)
,sukawena(don’
tbe
sosil
ly)
.I’
m oldandIl
ikemyownspace.
”
Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
LookatyouHosea.Si
nce
whenhaveyoubecomesotall
?You’r
eevental
ler
t
hanme.”

Hosea:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hai
bo(wow)
,Buthi(Br
other
).I
havetobetal
l,
howelsewoul
dIgetal
lthebeauti
ful
gi
rls?
”
Gat
shachuckl
edashewentt
ogr
eethi
ssi
steri
n
t
hekit
chen.

Hosea:“
Sanibonani(
Hell
o).Si
s(Si
ster
)Bee.You
don’
tage,neh(doyou)?
”

Br
enda:(
laughi
ng)“
Yourbr
otherhasbecomesuch
achar
mer,Lehumo.
”

Lehumo:(
fi
rml
y)“
Ket
lagophyat
la(
I’
llsmackyou)
,
Hosea.
”

Hosea:(
chuckl
ing)“
It
’sj
ustacompl
iment
,hao
(
Goodness).
”

Lehumo:“Youcanst
opwi
tht
hatandshowmeyour
repor
tfi
rst
.”
Hosea:(smil
ing)“
You’
l
lbever
ypleased.Andby
thatImeanyouhavetobuymethelatestxboxas
promised.
”

Hehandedhert her
eportandsheandBrenda
perusedthroughhisquart
erl
ymarksandtheir
smilesbroadenedwitheachone.Hoseahadt aken
aft
erhisfather,hewasverysmartandverygoodat
Mat hemati
cs.

Lehumo:“Well,
atl
eastyou’
l
lknowthatIdi
dn’
tbuy
thatxboxinvai
n.Iwasabouttot
akeitbackwhen
Gogot ol
dmehowyouhavebeenbusywi t
hgir
ls.
”

Hosea:“
Ah, Si
si(
sis)
,youcan’
tbl
ameme.Bl
ame
Godforgivi
ngmesuchgoodgenes.CanIgotesti
t
out
?”

Lehumo:“Fi
ne,
butyouhavet
obebackher
efor
dinner
.”
Hoseasmi l
edashehuggedt hem bothandt hanked
Lehumo.Het ookBrenda’stwinswithhimt othe
gamer oom,whil
eBongi,Siya,Br
enda, Lehumoand
Gatshawerelef
talone.Itwasabi ttooearlytoeat,
sotheyhadsomesnacksandaf ewdr i
nks.

Bongi
:“Howhasi
tbeengoi
ng,
Lehumo?
”

Lehumo:“
Coul
dn’
tbebet
ter
,Ma.Iam mor
ethan
great
.”

Bongi:(
noddi
ng)“
That ’
sgood.Iam justabi
t
worr
ied,mybaby.I’
vebeenhavingthisworr
isome
dr
eam.Thesamedr eam fort
hepastweek.Itri
ed
pr
ayingabouti
tfi
rst
,butitkeepsr
eappeari
ng.”

Lehumo:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatki
ndofdr
eam?
”
Bongi
:“If
earyou’
llhaveaver
yunpl
easantenemy
j
oini
ngyourfamil
y.”

Gatsha:“Iam sur
eitwil
lbl
owover,
ma.Imean,
we
ar
epr ayerwarri
ors.For
everandal
ways.
”

Bongi:“Iam veryhappytohearthat
,butthi
sperson
i
sgoi ngt oruinever
ythi
ng.Youjusthavetohangin
ther
e, especial
lyyouLehumo.”

Lehumodi dn’
tseem tot hinkmuchofBongi ’
s
premoni t
ion,ast heyj
ustwant edt oenj oyChrist
mas
togetherasahappyf ami lyagain.Theyenj oyed
thei
rmealandhadapl easantday.Thenextf ew
dayswer ef i
ll
edwi thl
aught er,happinessandmuch
foodanddr i
nksgal or
e.Lehumocoul dn’
tremember
thelastti
meshehadbeent hathappy, butasthe
Sesothosayi nggoes“ Let habol etl
al esello”
meani nghappi nessisusual l
yshor tl
ived.Ast hey
werepr epari
ngt hemsel vesf oragr eatNewyear ’
s
evebr aai
,Bonganicamer unninghyst eri
call
y
t
owar
dst
hem.

Bongani:(br
eat
hingheavi
ly)“
Ngiyaxoli
sa
unkuniphazami
saNdhlovukazi(
Apologiesto
dist
urbyou,myQueen),kodwa(but)therei
s
someoneher et
oseeyou.”

Lehumo:(f
rowni
ng)“Hawu(Goodness)
,Bongani,
wezaugij
imakangaka(whywereyourunni
nglike
thi
s)?
”

Bongi:“Becausem’
am, hedi
dsaythati
fyouand
thekingdonotopenupi nonemi
nute,hewoul
d
breakdownt hegat
e.”

Gat
shawasuni
mpr
essedwi
thsuchdr
ama.

Gat
sha:“
Ubanil
oyo(
Whoi
sthat
)?”
Bongani:“I
tisKi
ngDambuzahi mself.Hei sver
y
unhappyandcamewi t
hhisrudeandevenmor e
unhappybr ot
her
,alongwit
hhisdaught er
,her
brot
hers,hermotherandotherr
elat
ives.”

Itseemedasifdr
amawasfoll
owi
ngGat
shaand
Lehumoeverywheret
heywent
.

Gat
sha:“
Lett
hem i
n,Bongani
.”

Bongani
:“Asyouwi
sh,
myki
ng.
”

Withi
nlessthanami nute,commotionstar
ted.They
droveinwit
ht hr
eeQuant ums,carr
yinganoverl
oad
ofpassengers.Theyallstormedoutlooki
ngreal
ly
unhappy,t
hrowinginsult
swhi l
ethewomenwer e
shouti
ng.

Woman:“
Ngazi
le(
Iknewi
t)
!Ij
ustknewi
t!Theki
ng
i
sapaedophi
le!
”

Ki
ngDambuza:“HadIknownIwouldneverhave
t
rust
edhi
m wit
hyourson,Baf
o(Brother
).
”

GatshaandLehumower einstant
lyannoyedasthey
sawawhol egroupofpeople.Oddly,Ki
ngDambuza
wasstandingri
ghtnextt
oGwen, andr i
ghtnextt
o
herwasaver yshor
tandchubbywomanwho
l
ookedlikeherandamanwhol ookedjustl
ikeKi
ng
Dambuza.

Gat
sha:“
CanIhel
pyou?
”

Theystar
tedshout
ingagai
nsimul
taneousl
y,but
Gatshaknewhowtohandlesuch.
Gatsha:“Iswear,i
fyoushoutandscr eam atus
again,Iwil
lhavenochoi cebuttohaveyour emoved
fr
om mypr oper
ty.Asihl
oniphaneni(
let’
srespect
eachot her
),ngi
yanicel
a( pl
ease)
.”
KingDambuzaknewverywellwhatGatshameant
.
Heknewj usthowGat
shadealtwi
thrudepeopl
e
especi
all
ythoseonhi
stur
f.

Ki
ngDambuza:“
Rel
axani(
rel
ax)
,letmespeak.
Gat
sha,
wehavecometospeaktoyou.
”

Gatsha:“Youcoul
dhavecall
edinsteadofr anti
ng
andravinginmyyardli
keuncul
turedpeopl e.Iam
noanimal ,
Dambuza,andmyguar dsarenotyour
peasants.Thenextt
imeyouwisht otalk,callf
ir
st.
Iam enjoyi
ngmydaywi t
hmyf ami l
y,soifyouwi sh
total
k,setanappoi
ntment.
”

Woman:“ Yoh(wow)!Unehabanj e(
You’
resorude)
!
It
’sbadenoughthatyoudecidedtoimpr
egnat
emy
daughterandt
hrowheroutofyourhouse,now
you’
rethrowi
ngusoutlikegarbage!
”
Gat
sha:(
alar
med)“
Utheni(
Excuseme)
?”

Woman:“
Ungzwi
le(
Youhear
dme)
!”

KingDambuza:“Gl
enda,
howmanyt
imesmustIt
ell
youtoshutup?”

Gat
sha:“
Ther
emustbeami
stakeher
e.”

Ki
ngDambuza:“Wel
l,Gwenher
esaysshei
s
pr
egnantandyouar
ethefat
her
.”

Father
:“Gwen,susal
enguboumboni
se(
remove
thatbl
anketandshowhim).
”

Gwenslowlyuncoveredherselfandherbigbel
ly
wasobvious.Lehumo, Gatsha,Bongi
,Brendaand
Si
yawereal lsoshocked.
Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“
Thati
snotmychil
d.Inever
evensleptwithher.Howdareyoui
nsul
tmeinmy
ownhouse? ”
KingDambuza:“ Verywel l
,Gatsha.Itseemsthat
youmi ghtbeal i
tt
letoousedt ousingyoungladies.
Soherei swhatisgoingt ohappen;we’regivi
ngyou
twodayst orespondandi fyoudonot ,wewi l
lgo
aheadandt el
lthewhol ewor l
dwhatyoudi d.It
won’tbepretty.Salanikahle(St
aywel l
).
”

Ki
ngDambuzawasaboutt
oleave,butitseemsas
i
fGwen’
sparent
sdi
dn’
twanttoleavejustli
ket
hat
.

Woman:“
You’
rej
ustgoi
ngt
oleavel
iket
hat
?!He
hast
omarryher
!”

Fat
her
:“Wozaman(
Come)
!”
Woman:“
Sizobuyaok’
sal
ayo(
Att
heendoft
heday,
we’
l
lst
il
lbeback).
”

Theyl
eftasGatsha’sj
awbecameclenchedandhi
s
vei
nsstar
tedpoppingoutofhi
sface.

Gat
sha:“
Idi
dn’
tsl
eepwi
thher
,Lehumo.
”

Lehumoknewatthatver
ymomentt
hati
swhat
Bongiwast
alki
ngabout.

Lehumo:“
Iknow.
”

Thedaywasrui
nedi
naninst
antasGat
shadeci
ded
togotohi
sbedr
oom al
ongwit
hLehumo.

Gat
sha:(
sigh)“Lehumo,Idi
dn’
tdoit.Isweart
oyou
Idi
dn’
tdoanything.Thatni
ght
,thatni
ghtIcame
homesodr unk,Iwassost r
essedt hatIjustwentt o
abaraf t
erwor kandIdecidedtobl owof fsome
steam.Iendeduphavi ngalit
tl
et oomucht odr i
nk.
Icouldn’
tevenbel i
evehowdr unkIwasunt i
lIcame
home.Shewasst andingi
ntheki tchen,with
bumshor t
s, acroptopandmakeup.Bel ieveme, I
swearIdidn’tdoanyt hi
ng.Shewast al
kingtome
andIwast el
li
ngheraboutyou.Thenextt hingshe
l
eanedoverandki ssedme.Ibr oket hekissand
toldhertoleavethenextday.It ol
dhershewas
fi
red.Believeme,baby, Iswearonmyownl if
e,I
didn’
tdoit.”

Gatshawasevenshaki ng–t het houghtofhaving

Lehumol eavehim wasdreadfultoevent hinkabout
.
Knowinghowweakhi swifetendedt obe, he
thoughtshewouldcrumble,butLehumohadgr own
i
nt heprevi
ousmont hs.Sheknewj usthowt o
handlethematterl
ikeamat ure,spir
it
ualwoman.

Lehumo:“
Ibel
ieveyou,
Gat
sha,
Ido.
”
Gatsha:“Pl
easebehonest.Don’tjustsay
somethingbecauseyoufeelobl
igated.”

Lehumo:“Imadethosevowswi t
hyouthatdayand
Ivowedtobewithyouthroughthi
ckandthi
n.I
knowyoudidn’
tdoit–Ibelieveyou.
”

Gatshawassor el
ievedthathehadtear
sf l
owing
downhi sface.Fort hefi
rstt
imeint
enyear s,i
twas
Lehumo’st urntobestrongandsupporti
vetowards
herhusband.Anewwhi rl
windhadvisi
tedthem and
shehadt ot aket
her ei
gnsasthequeenandf inal
ly
takecharge.
[
01/
27,
07:
37] :Chapt
er44

“Fai
thist
aki
ngt
hefir
stst
ep,
evenwhenyoudon’
t
seethewhol
est
air
case.
”–Marti
nLut
herKing
Thenewyearwasnotsopl easantforLehumoand
Gatsha, butl
ifehadt ogoon.Lehumohadcomeup
withabr il
li
antplan.Sheknewt hatGwen’sf amily
wasj ustupt onogood.Theywer eaftermoney.
Shedeci dedtof ol
lowhergutf eeli
ngf ort
hef i
rst
ti
mei nawhi l
eandi ttoldherthatGatshawasnot
thefatherofthatchild.Hehadswor nonhi slif
e
even.I twasal ottri
ckiert
hanusualbecauset he
Dambuzaf ami l
ythoughttheywer eonest epahead
ofLehumoandGat sha,butl ucki
lytheyhadawhol e
l
egalandPRt eam.Gat sha’sphoner angandhe
answer ed.

Gat
sha:“
It
’sPhi
ndi
,ourl
awyer
.”

Lehumo:“
Putheronspeaker
.”

Phi
ndi
:“Hi
,Ncube’s.Apol
ogiesf
orcal
li
ngyouso
ear
lyi
nthemorning.Ihavesomebadnews.”
Gatsha:“
Trustme,
Idoubtanyt
hingcant
opt
he
newsIheard.Shoot.
”

Phindi
:“Well
,i
tseemsasiftheDambuza’ shad
gonetoZulul
anddail
yandhandedt hem an
i
ntervi
ewonasi l
verpl
att
er.Youwon’ tl
ikeit
.Ijust
sentyouacopyofthearti
cler
ightnowvi aemail
.”

WhileLehumowentt hr
oughheremai l
s,Gat
shakept
tal
kingtoPhindi
.Lehumost oodnextt oGatshaso
theycouldbri
efl
yreaditt
ogetherandt heywere
bothshocked.“KingofZulul
andr apedand
i
mpr egnateda19yearoldPrincess.”

Gat
sha:(
sigh)“
Thesepeopl
ear
eoutt
orui
nme.
”

Phi
ndi:“
Wel
l,
youdon’
tpaymesomuchf
or
not
hing.
”
Gat
sha:“
What
’syourpl
an?
”

Phindi:“IhandedtheZululanddai
lyal
awsuit
i
mmedi ately,
alongwiththeDambuzafamil
y.Of
course,wi t
hhi ski
ngdom nearl
ybankr
upt,
heis
wil
lingtor etr
acthisst
atement.
”

Gatsha:“
Butthedamagemi ghthavebeendone
al
ready.Imightl
oseinvest
ors.”

Phindi
:“Might,yes,butIhighlydoubtit
.Ispoketo
yourwifelastnightandIagr eewit
hherplan.Doit
andiftheyagree,theywi l
lhavetoissuea
stat
ementl i
veont v,r
etracti
ngtheirst
atement.
”

Gatsha:“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcandot
his,
Phi
ndi
.Il
ovemy
wif
et oomuch.
”

Phi
ndi
:“I
twi
llonl
ybet
empor
ary,
besi
des,
Lehumo
i
stheonl
ylegalwi
fehere.Shoul
danyt
hinghappen
t
oyou,Gwengetsnothi
ng.”

Gatshadidn’
tli
kethepl
anbuti tseemedasi fi
twas
t
heonl yonetheycoul
ddoatt hatpoint
,tosavehis
reput
ationandtosavethemselvesalotoflegal
fees.

Gat
sha:“
Okay.
”

Phindi
:“Good.I’
l
lbewaiti
ngwiththemedi
ainaf
ew
hours.Don’tl
oseyourcool
,rememberwhywear
e
doi
ngt hi
s.”

PhindihungupandGat
shadr
oppedont
hebed,
speechless.

Lehumo:“
Hey,
itwi
llbeokay.
”
Gatsha:“
Nini(
When)
?Whenwil
liteverbeokay,
Lehumo?Iam wil
li
ngtol
osei
tallj
ustforyou.
”

Lehumo:“
That’
snotanoption,Gat
sha.Remember
howmanyorphanswef eedandhelpthr
oughoutt
he
year?Rememberhowyouhel pedWisemanand
howheisnowchair
personofyourcompany?Doi t
formanymoreli
kehi
m.”

Gat
sha:“
Howdoyour
emai
nsosel
fl
essal
lthe
t
ime?”

Lehumo:“
BecauseIloveyouandmat
eri
alscan
al
waysbegainedback.Trustmeont
his.
”

Gatshanoddedindef eat
.Hedi dn’
tseet hi
scomi
ng
andhef eltheshouldhavef ol
lowedupandduga
bitdeeperonthekindofgirlGwenwas.Hehadno
i
deat hatshewasar oyalmemberoft heDambuza
family.Alli
nall
,Gatshajustcouldn’
twr aphismi
nd
aroundthatwholeidea.Hekeptaskinghimself
howGwenpul l
edherplan.Wel l
,whil
ethe
Dambuza’ sweregett
ingreadytomeettheNcubes,
l
it
tledi
dt heyknowwhatl ayinstor
eforthem.
Gwenhadaskedherpar entstogototheshop,but
hadtomakeasmal lu-t
urntoseeKuliandAbigail
.
Theywer ebothsopleasedaboutthewholeplan.

Abi
gai
l:“Yourpl
anwor
ked,Kul
i.Imustsay,
I
woul
dn’thavefi
gur
edi
toutmyself
.”

Kul
i:“
Theydon’
tcal
lmeamast
ermi
ndf
ornot
hing.
”

Gwen:(worri
ed)“Idon’
tthi
nkIcankeepupwi t
hthi
s
anylonger
,guys.Imean, Nkul
ulekoi
nsi
stson
tel
li
ngmypar ent
shei sthefat
herofmychil
d.He
wil
lrui
neverythi
ng.”

Kul
i:“
Oh,
chi
ld.That
’seasy,
wewi
llgetr
idofhi
m.”
Gwen:(
shocked)“
Youdon’
tmeanl
ike,
kil
lhi
m,do
you?
”

Kul
i:“
Ofcourse,
howelsewoul
dourpl
ansucceed
wit
hhimintheway?”

Gwen:“
Please,
don’
t.Youcan’
tdot
hat
.”

Kul
i:“Thi
sissimpl
e.Youei
thergethi
m ki
ll
ed,
or
youlosethebaby.
”

Gwen:“
Doyoumeangi
veherupf
oradopt
ion?
”

Abi
gai
l:“
Hayiwenaman(No,man).Wemean
act
ual
lyl
oseit
.Youknow,abor
t.
”

Gwen:(
shocked)“Ican’
tdothat
.I’
m 25weeks
pr
egnant
.It’
sil
legaltohaveanabor
ti
onthatl
ate.
”
Kuli
:“Youwantyourpar
entstofi
ndoutyoul
ost
yourvir
ginit
ytot
hei
rgardenboyandli
edaboutt
he
Kingrapingyoui
nst
ead?”

Gwen:“
Youcan’
tthr
eat
enme.
”

Kul
i:“
Weownyounow, Gwendelyn.Youbel
ongto
usnow.Youhadyourchancetorunaway.Thi
sis
i
t.Notur
ningback.
”

Gwenst
art
edcr
yingsi
lent
ly.

Kuli
:“Ag,
don’
tlooksosad.Bythi
sti
met
omor
row,
you’
llbet
heQueenofZulul
and.
”

Abi
gai
l:“
Youmeansecond.
”
Kuli:“
WecangetLehumo’st
it
ler
evoked.Shei
s
royalsoshewi
llbef
irst
.”

Abigai
l:(
chuckli
ng)“Youstil
lthi
nkt
hatyouar
ethe
queenofthatplace,neh(don’
tyou)
?Gatsha
overt
urnedallprevi
ouslawslongago.
”

Kuli
:“Iknowhowshecr umbles,shehatesr ej
ect
ion.
Icangetthewhol eNcubefami l
ytorejecther.I
meanoncet heyfi
ndoutGatshai mpr
egnat edGwen,
i
twillbeticketsf
orLehumo.”

HadKul iknownt hatsheshoul dhaver epentedlong

beforethen, shewoul dn’thavebeeni nthemess
shewasi n.Thi ngswer eaboutt ogetdirt
y.Gone
wast hesi l
entandni ceLehumo, shewascl aiming
herti
tleandf i
nall
yt akingherpowerback.Gat sha
wasf all
ingevenmor einl ovewi t
hhiswife,shehad
fi
nall
ymast eredmaki ngt hi
ngshappen.Foreven
Proverbs13: 3-13says, “
Becar ef
ulwhatyousay
andpr otectyourl i
fe.Acar elesstal
kerdestroys
himself.Nomat t
erhowmuchal azypersonmay
wantsomet hing,hewil
lnevergetit.Ahardworker
willgetever
ythinghewant s.Honestpeoplehat
e
l
ies,butthewor dsofwickedpeopleareshameful
anddi sgr
aceful.

Right eousnesspr otectsthei nnocent ;wickednessi s

thedownf allofsinners.Somepeopl epr etendt obe
ri
ch, buthavenot hing.Ot herspr etendt obepoor ,
butownaf or t
une.Ther ichhavet ouset heirmoney
tosavet heirli
ves,butnoonet hreat enst hepoor .
Ther ighteousar elikealightshi ningbr i
ght l
y;the
wi ckedar elikealampf l
ickeringout .I tiswi serto
askf oradvi ce.Themor eeasi lyyougetyourweal th,
thesooneryouwi llloseit.Thehar deri tistoear n,
themor eyouwi l
lhave.Whenhopei scr ushed, the
hear discr ushed,butawi shcomet ruef i
llsyouwi th
j
oy.I fyour efusegoodadvi ce, youar easki ngf or
trouble;followitandyouar esaf e.”
[01/27,07:
37] :P.S.it
'sbeenahect
icweekend
andi t
'smybir
thdaytomorrow,soI
'
m pre
celebrat
ingwi
thdri
nksonmybed.Ican' tt
ype
anymor
e.Il
oveyouguys .

Chapt
er45

“
Onl
yinthedarknesscanyouseet
hest
ars”–
Mar
ti
nLutherKingJr.

Gatshawassosadandr atherirr
it
atedbyt hewhol e
sit
uation, butforonceLehumohadever ything
covered.Foronce, shewashi srock,hisshield.
Shepat ientlywaitedwithherl awyerandt hemedi a
i
nt helounge.Gat shahadhadaf ewsipsof
whiskey.Heusual l
ydidt hattocalm himselfdown.
Hewasnotanoi sypersonl i
kehisf at
her,butpeople
havet heirlimit
s.Bonganicamemi nuteslatertotel
l
thekingandqueent hattheirexpectedguest shad
arr
ived,thi sti
mei namuchcal mermanner .

Lehumo:“
Lett
hem i
n.”
Bongani
:“Asyouwi
sh,
Ndhl
ovukazi
(Myqueen)
.”

I
nwal kedGlenda,al
ongsi
dehermother
,wit
hher
f
atherandKi ngDambuza.Atleastt
hei
rbi
gf ami
ly
werenotpresentt
hatti
me.Theywer ehumbleas
f
uck.

KingDambuza:( bowi ng)“

After
noon,Ki
ngGat sha,
KingofZul ul
and.Icomebef or
eyouandIaskf ir
stl
y
thatyoupleaseforgivemef ormyprevi
ous
behaviour.Itwasnotmyi ntenti
ontodisr
espect
youlikethat.Forthat,Ibr
ingyouR5000.Itisnot
much, butiti
swhatIcanaf f
ordri
ghtnow.”

Gat
shawasveryuni
mpressed.Lehumowashi
s
worl
dandanyonewhodisr
espect
edhim,
di
srespect
edhi
swif
eautomati
cal
ly.

Gat
sha:(f
rowni
ng)“
Am Isi
tt
ingal
oneher
e,Ki
ng
Dambuza?”
Ki
ngDambuza:“
Idon’
tfol
low,
Gat
sha.
”

Gatsha:“
Ofcourseyoudon’ t.Yousee, whenevera
persondi
srespectsme, t
heydisrespectmywi fe.
Didyouhearyour sel
fapologi
zingtomywi fefor
yourunnecessaryoutburstanddramat heother
day?”

KingDambuza:(
embar
rassed)“
Oh,Ndhl
ovukazi
(Myqueen)
,Ihumbl
yapologi
zefor–“

Gat
sha:“Noneed.Iti
snotgenuineanyway.You
maysitandpl
eadyourcase.Statewhyyouare
her
eandmakei tqui
ck.
”

Theysatonthecoucheshi
ghlyembarr
assed.As
forGwen,shecoul
dhardl
ylookatbot
hofthem i
n
theeye.
Ki
ngDambuza:“Well
,asprevi
ousl
yment
ioned,
Gwendi
dsaythatyourapedher–“

Gat
shai
nter
rupt
edhi
m agai
n.

Gatsha:“Wait
,befor
eyougoon,
Ishouldletyou
knowt hatyouareoncamer
aasdiscussed.”

Ki
ngDambuzaknewt
hathehadt
opl
ayi
tcoolwi
th
hi
swords.

KingDambuza:“Well
,yes.Wedecidedtoret
ract
thatst
atementwemadet ot
heZululandDail
yabout
youbeingarapi
st.
”

Gat
shahat
edwasti
ngti
meandLehumocoul
dsee
hewasget
ti
ngpi
ssedsoshej
umpedin.
Lehumo:“ Wellthen,sinceyouhavet oldthewhol e
wor ldthatGat sha, myhusbandandKi ngof
Zul ul
andi st hefatheroft hatchild,wewi l
ldothe
following;Gat shahasdeci dedt omar r
yGwen
traditi
onal l
yofcour se.Shewi l
lownnot hingont his
l
and, nothingofour sl egall
y–andt henoncet he
babyi sbor nwewi llconductaDNAt esttoconcl ude
i
fi ndeedt hebabyi shi s.Letmej ustconcl udethis
bysayi ngthatmyhusbandswear sonhi sownl i
fe
thathedi dn’tsl
eepwi thGwen.WhenGwencame
her eshedi dn’tdiscloset hatshewasf ami lyofthe
Dambuzaf ami l
ynordi dsheevensayt hatshewas
19.Hehasal sodeci dedt ogiveyouR500000
l
obol amoneyascompensat i
onsi nceyoudocl aim
thathedef loweredher .Ifyouhaveapr oblem with
anyoft hat,youcanspeaknow. ”

Theycoul dbothseehowGwen’smot herandfat

her
gotinstantl
yir
ri
tat
edaft
ertheyhear
dt hewords
“t
radit
ionall
y”and“R500000”.
Mot
her
:(i
rr
it
ated)“
Issheser
ious?
”
Lehumo:“BysheIassumeyou’ r
erefer
ringtome.
Yes,Iam bei
ngser
ious.Idon’tappr
eciateyounot
acknowledgi
ngmypr esence.
”

Mother:(
annoyed)“
Fine.Buti
fhewant
stomar
ry
her
,thenheshouldpayR1mi l
li
on.
”

Lehumo:“HeneverWANTEDt odoanything.You
FORCEDhi mint
othisbyclai
mingherapedher,i
sit
not?ThatisOURfinalof
fersi
ncei
tisOURmoney
–notHIS.”

Theycouldbot
hseehowt hetwowereai
mingfora
higheramount
,butKingDambuzawasveryhappy
togetevenacentfr
om theNcubes.

Fat
her
:“Fi
ne,
sowheni
stheweddi
ng?
”
Gat
sha:“
Whatweddi
ng?
”

Fat
her
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Excuseme?
”

Lehumo:“
Youhear
dhi
m.Whatweddi
ng?
”

Mother:“Youdon’
tthi
nkyou’
regoi
ngtotakemy
daughterandnotgi
veheraproperweddi
ng,di
d
you?”

Gatsha:(chuckl
ing)“Wenaweh( Hey, you).Thisis
notawant edmar ri
age.Youwant edt hi
s–notme
andmostcer tai
nlynotmywi f
e.Youpl annedthis.
Sothisishowi twil
lgo;ifthechil
di smi ne,whichI
knowi ti
snot,thenandonl ythenwi llIgi
vehera
properwedding.Butr i
ghtnow, shewi l
ljustbe
acknowledgedasmy“ secondwi fe”andt hat’
sit.
Nocer emony.Myancest orsarealreadyhi ghl
y
appall
edbyyourdevi ousbehaviour .
”
Mot
her
:(annoyed)“
Fine.Ishal
lbr
ingi
nmyt
hings.
”

Lehumo:“
Excuseme?Whatthi
ngs?Youdon’
t
thi
nkyou’
removingi
nher
e,doyou?
”

Mot her
:“Howonear
thdoyouexpecthertobe
caredforwhenshei
sbaref
ootandpregnant
withoutme?Youwouldn’
tknowanythi
ngabout
that.
”

Gatsha:“Ofcouseyouwoul
dglamouri
zebei
ng
pregnantandpoorandshamemywi f
eforhavi
ng
nochildr
enofherown,butyouar
enotmovingin
here.
”

Mother
:(shocked)“
Youdon’
texpecthert
obeher
e
al
onewithTHATwoman, doyou?”
Lehumo:“Weal
lworkinthi
shouse.Iam sur
eshe
i
sgoodatsomethi
ng,othert
hanlyi
ng.Youcan
vi
sitever
ynowandthenandbyeverynowandthen
Imeanonceaweekorso.Now, ift
hatwi
llbeal
l
.”

Gwen’ sparent swer ereal l

ysad, butnotf orthefact
thattheycoul dn’tpr otecttheirbabygi rl,but
becauset heycoul dn’tstayi nthehouseandmi l
k
theNcube’ sforal ltheyhad.Gwenont heot her
handhadt ofigur eoutawayoutoft hatmess.She
wasf ivemont hsawayf r
om gi vi
ngbi rthandhadt o
fi
ndherwayoutofChar lott
e’suglyweb.Shehad
givenuphervi rginitytoagar denersheendedup
fall
inginlovewi thandnow, herplanwasget t
ing
toocompl icatedf orwor ds.Shewoul dn’ thavethe
fair
tytal
eweddi ngshehadal waysdr eamtofand
nothingcoul dcl earlyshakeof fGat sha’sl ovefrom
Lehumo.Ast heBi blesaysi nJames1: 6–8;“ But
l
ethi m askinf aith,not hi
ngwaver ing.Forhet hat
waver sisli
keawaveoft heseadr i
venwi t
hthewi nd
andt ossed.Forl etnott hatmant hi nkt hatheshal l
receiveanythingoft heLor d.Adoubl emi ndedman
i
sunst
abl
einal
lhi
sways.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
38] :Chapt
er46

“Becarefulwhatyouwi shf or
.Iknowf orafact
.
Wishesar ebrutal
,unfor
givingthings.Theybur
n
yourtonguet hemomentt hey’r
espokenandyou
cannevert akethem back.”–AliceHoffman

Asthe“ wedding”pr ogressed, Gat shawasver y

seri
ousaboutshowi ngnoi nt entionsofeverl oving
Gwen, sohebecamever ybl untandbl ant antl
y
honestallalongsidehiswi fe,mucht ot he
Dambuza’ sdismay.Gwen’ smot herwasmor et han
unhappy.Thatwast heleastofGwen’ spr obl
ems,
asGat sharefusedf orhertowearat raditi
onal
weddingdr ess.Hesi mpl yref usedt oletherf eel
l
ikeat ypi
calbride.Thet r
adi t
ionalbeerdi dn’tbrew
thefi
rsttimeandt hesecondt ime, itgotmaggot sin
i
t–whi chwasabadsi gnaccor dingt oBongi .She
ref
usedt obepr esentasshehadt oldGat shaand
Lehumonott ogot hroughwi t
ht hei r“facade”.
Gat shahadGwensital
lonherownf arfr
om him
andLehumo, astheybot
hsatintheirr
oyalchai
rsi
n
frontofthewhol
ecrowd.Thewhol ecommuni t
y
wasi nvi
ted–toproveapoi
nt.Apoi ntnoneof
them expect
ed.

Gatsha:(t
oasti
ng)“Myf el
lowcounci l
,myf el
low
communi tymember s.Iknowmostofyoucame
heretoputmet oshame;youcameher etoseeif
whetherornotGweni sindeedpr egnantandnott o
puttherumourstorestort osupportyourkingand
queen.Wel l
,Iam heretotellyouthatsheisindeed
pregnant–butiti
snotmychi l
d.”

Thecrowdwasgasping,whil
eGwenst ar
tedcryi
ng
fi
ll
edwitht
heutmostregretandenvytowards
Lehumo.Shesuddenlyaskedhersel
fwhyonear t
h
shewentaheadwi
thAbigailandKuli
’
splan.

Gatsha:“
Yes,youknowitasmychi
ld,
butr
est
assuredi
tisnotmychil
d.Thenyouaremurmur
ing
amongstyour selvesandaski ngyour selveswhyI
am mar ryingGwen.Wel l,tospar emywi f
efrom
shameandunnecessar yembar rassmentt hisis
whatIchoset odo.Wel l
,shei stheonewhol etme
doit.Never ,haveImetawomanofsuchst atur e.
Restassur ed, Iam nopaedophi le.WhenGwen
camet oourhouse, shedi sclosedt hatshewas21
andnot19, andshenevert oldusshewasa
memberoft heDambuzacl an–nott hatitmakes
anydi ff
erence.Anyway, shet riedt oseduceme, but
Iref
usedandIf ir
edher .Mont hslater ,herewear e
andshecl ai
msIi mpregnat edher .Thi si stopr ove
toallofyouhowIam amanofmywor d.Allofyou
havepr ovent hatyoucannotbet r
ustwor t
hyand
l
oyalt omenomat t
erhowmuchyout rytoper suade
me.Whent hatchi l
di sbor n,Imysel fwi l
lgeta
doctorf r
om mywi fe’sreput ablehospi taltoper form
aDNAt estandwheni tbecomesknownt hatthe
chil
di ndeedisnotmi ne,Iwi llputyoual ltoshame.
Justaspeopl eost racisedt hel eperi nLuke5:12- 16
andJesussavedhi m;j ustaspeopl eost raci
sedt he
Paralyti
cinLuke5: 17-26, yetJesussavedhi m;j ust
aspeopl eostr aci
sedLevit heTaxCol lectorinLuke
5:27-32–yetJesusacceptedhi m;justaspeopl e
ostraci
sedTheSinfulWomani nLuke7: 36-
50yet
Jesusstil
lacceptedandsavedher ;justaspeopl e
ostraci
sedLegiontheDemoni acinLuke8: 26-39–
yetJesusacceptedhim;justaspeopl eostracised
TheLostSoni nLuke15:11-32–yetJesus
acceptedhim –isjusthowhewi llsavemeoutof
thismess.Youcannotbet rusted–youdon’ tknow
myhear tbutJesusdoes.GoddoesandHewi ll
proveyouallwrong.”

Thegaspsbecamef ewer ,t
hemur mursbecame
si
lent.Alotofthem becameregretf
ultobel
ieving
hearsayi
nsteadofbelievi
ngthei
rveryownki ng.
Aftert
hat
, Gat
shawast ednotime.

Gatsha:“
Foodanddri
nksareservedandmusi
cis
al
soavailabl
e.Enj
oyyour
selves.
”

Justli
kethat
,hegotupandl
eftGwenweepi
ngin
herlonel
ychair
.KingDambuzaandGwen’
sfat
her
hadnopower–t heydarednotdisrespectGat
sha
aft
erhebai
ledoutthei
rkingdom atGwen’spri
ce.

Gwensmot
her:(
fuming)“
Gatsha!Youwillnot
st
andmydaughteruponherweddingdayliket
his!
”

Gwen:“ Weh, Mama!Mangi vumakusasaekuseni

(WhenIwakeupt omor r
owmor ning)
, Iexpectto
findyouandyourwhol eher dgone.Youmar ri
ed
yourdaught erofftome, soyoudon’tbelongher e.
Ifyoueverdar espeakt omeormywi f el
ikethat
everagain,Iwillpersonall
yhaveyoubani shedf r
om
theseroyalgrounds!Doyouunder standme? ”

Gatshawasf
umi
ngandr
eal
l
yoverwhatt
heyhad
donetohi
m.

Gwen’smot herhadnochoicebuttonodandlet
them be.GatshaandLehumor et
reat
edtotheir
bedroom andleftt
herestoft
heguestsal
ongwi t
h
Gwen.

Gwen:(
cryi
ng)“Ma!Ubayekakanj
anil
abant
u(How
coul
dyoujustl
eavet
hosetwo)?!
”

Gwen’smother
:“Ai
,thul
anawe( youkeepqui
et)
!At
l
eastyougettobeswi mminginmoneyandthat
bast
ardchi
ldwil
lbetakencareof.”

Gwen:(
shocked)“
Howdi
dyouknow?
”

Gwen’ smot her:“Iwasnotbornyesterdayand

besides,weal lknowhownobl eofaki ngGatshais.
Hel ovesthatbitchsomuch, hewoul dneverlookat
younoranyoneel sethewayhelooksather.Iknow
thatAbigailandKul iputyouuptothis.”

Gwen:(
shaki
ng)“
Ma,
I–“
Gwen’sMother:(
inter
rupt
ing)“I
t’
sokay.What’
s
doneisdone.We’ l
ldealwit
hitsoonenough.You
focusontheendgoal.”

Gwen:“Whatam Igoi
ngt
odo,
Ma?Thatdoct
or
can’
tbebri
bed.
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Leavei
tal
ltome.
”

Gwenchoset otrusthermot her, f

orget
tingtheevi
l
andl ousyAbigailnevergaveuponanyt hing.
Weekswentbyandi twasasi fLehumoand
Gatsha’smar ri
agegr ewstrongerbyt heday.They
hadbecomesost rong,t
hatt heywer epraying
togetherevenmor eagain.I twasoneoft hose
antenatalappointmentswithGwen, butshedecided
tosur pr
isethem yetagainthewayhermot her
i
nstructedherto.I twastheirusualSat urday
mor ningrouti
ne;Lehumohadmadebr eakfastand
Gwenhadf eltt
ooashamedt ojointhem.Lehumo
hadgr ownanunusualappet ite,butherhusband
didn’tmindandt heyboththoughti twasbecauseof
stressandbei ngabittoobusy.Thei rI
VFt r
eatment
wasunsuccessf ul
,butthi
stime,theyhaddeci ded
toputal ltheirfai
thinGod.Shehadgai nedabitof
wei ghtaroundherhi psandbr easts,butshedidn’t
reallynoti
ce.Shewaspr epari
ngthebr eakfastt
able
befor et
hei rappoint
mentt othedoct or’
soffi
ce,but
Gwendi dn’tcomedown.

Gat
sha:“
Hawu(Goodness)
,Baby.Uphiuml
oyi
(
Where’
sthewi
tch)
?”

Lehumo:“
Hayihayihayi(
No,
no,
no)
,Love.We
don’
tsaysuch.
”

Gat
sha:“
Ical
laspadeaspadeandyouknowi
t.
”

Lehumo:“Comeon,
maybesheisfeel
ingundert
he
weather
.Youhaven’tbeent
ooni
ce.”
Gatsha:“HowcanIwhenshef
orcedherwayi
nto
ourmar r
iage?
”

Lehumoo:(
sigh)“
Letmegocheckonher
.”

Gatsha:“Notbef
oreyougi
vemeaki
ssandenj
oy
ourbreakfastwi
thme.”

Lehumosmi l
edasGatshagrabbedherforadeep,
Frenchki
ssashecaressedherfi
rm but
tocksand
rubbedherengor
gedbreast
s.

Gatsha:(
moaning)“
Oh,Babywami(
mybaby),
you
feelsogood,
sobeauti
ful
,sohot
.Yi
nikodwa(
What
i
si t
)?”

Lehumo:(
blushi
ng)“
Stopi
t.
”
Gatsha:“I
’
m ser
ious.Youhavesomeext
rameat
everywhere.
”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
War
eng,
Gat
sha(
What
)?”

Gat
sha:“
Baby,
Idi
dn’
tmeani
tinabadway.Il
ove
i
t.
”

Lehumost
art
edcr
ying,
leavi
ngGat
shaspeechl
ess.

Gat
sha:(
frowni
ng)“
Lehumo,
ist
her
esomet
hingyou
wantt
otel
lme?”

Lehumo:“
Likewhat
?!Li
keI
’
mfat
?!”

Gatshastoodt
her
einf
rontofLehumof
orasecond
andsmiled.
Lehumo:(
snif
fi
ng)“Gr
eat
.Nowyou’
resmi
li
ngat
me.Am Ifunny?”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Come,
let
’sgooutf
orapi
cni
c
i
nst
ead.”

Lehumo:“
WhataboutGwen?
”

Gat
sha:“
Shei
snotmywi
fe–youar
e.Now,
come.
”

Theycompl etelyfor
gotaboutGwenf orawhil
eand
decidedtoheadout .Gatshaal r
eadyhadwhathe
hadi nmind,butdidn’twanttobet ooexcit
ed,
sohe
managedt ogetLehumodi str
actedandt heyi
ntur
n
forgotaboutGwen’ sdoctorappointment.Gwenon
theotherhandhadpl ansofherown.Herphone
rangandshef oundthecouraget ostomachthe
painthroughoutandansweri t.
Gwen:“
Hel
lo?
”

Gwen’
sMot her
:“Gwen!Kununingi
kuf
onel
a(I
’
ve
beent
ryi
ngt or
eachyou)
!Whybeungaphenduli
(Whyweren’
tyouansweri
ng)
?!”

Gwen:(sof
tl
y)“
Eish,
yoh,
Ma!I
…I’
minsomuch
pai
n.”

Gwen’
smother
:(pani
cki
ng)“
Gwen!Wenzeni(
What
di
dyoudo)
?!”

Gwen:“
Ihadt
odoi
t.Ij
usthadt
o.”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:(wor
ri
ed)“
Stayt
her
e,I
’
m onmy
way.
”

Gwen’
sMot
herhur
ri
edoutandaskedt
hei
rdr
ivert
o
takehert otheZulul
andRoyalPalace.Al lalongthe
way, shebeggedt hedri
vertogofaster.Af t
eran
anxiousf i
ft
eenmi nut
es,shefi
nall
yar r
ived.She
didn’tevenhavethetimetogreetBongani ,buthe
noticedhowf rant
icshestormedinsohef ollowed
herintothehouse.

Gwen’
sMother
:(shout
ing)“
Gwen!Gwen!Ukuphi
(
Wherear
eyou)?!”

Gwenwasinsomuchpai
n,al
lshecoul
ddowas
moanout
.
Gwen:(
moani
ng)“
Yoooh.
”

Gwen’smotherrushedtoGwen’sbedroom,she
openedthedoorandbecamest art
ledi
mmedi at
ely
atthegr
uesomesi ghtbefor
eher.Gwenwascur led
upinaspooningpositi
onwi t
hsomuchbl oodon
thebed.Bonganihimselfbecamefear
ful
.
Bongani:(
shocked)“
Weh(Oh)
,Mama!I
gazi
el
inkaga(Somuchblood)
!”

Gwen’sMot herwasnearlypar
alyzedduetoshock,
butquickl
ybroughthersel
ftoli
fe.Shewentnear
Gwen, t
ouchedherf or
eheadonlytoreal
izet
hat
Gwenhadbeendr enchedinsweatwithaveryhi
gh
fever
.

Gwen’sMot her
:(Scar
ed)“
Wenzenimnt
wanaka
Sizwe,kodwa(Whatonearthdi
dyoudo,Si
zwe’
s
chil
d)?
!”

Bongani:“
Kumelesimiseesbhedl
ela(
Wehaveto
takehertothehospi
tal
).LetmecallmyKi
ng.
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:(abr
upt
ly)“
No!
”

Bonganil
ookedathersuspi
ciousl
y.
Gwen’
sMother
:“Imean, no,don’
tdothat.Youdon’
t
wantt
ostr
essthem whent heyareprobabl
yaway
onsomebusi
ness.Iwillsorti
tout.
”

Bongani
:“Okayt
hen.Letmegetthecarr
eadyand
wecantakehertoNer
iahMakhubel
ahospit
al.
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:(abr
upt
ly)“
No!
”

BythatpointBonganihadgrowneagerl
ysuspi
cious,
buthedidn’twanttomakeitseem obvi
ous,
sohe
j
uststar
edatheri nsil
ence.

Gwen’sMot her:“
Imean,no,Idon’twanttobother
you.Besides,theKingandQueenexpectyout obe
herewhilet
heyar egone.Iwil
ltakecar eof
everyt
hingfrom her
eonwards.Cal lmydr i
vert
o
comeandhel pmecarrymychild,please.
”
Bonganinoddedi nsilenceandwentout.Hecalled
thei
rdr i
verasshehadasked, butqui
ckl
ysenthis
Kingamessage.“ MyKi ng,Gwenisbl
eedi
ng.Her
motherandt heirdri
vertookheraway.Sheref
used
togot oHospi tal.
”Gwen’ smotherwal
kedbehind
thedriver,
car ryi
ngtheweakGwenaway.Shehad
theblood-stainedsheet si
nherhand.

Gwen:“Ngi
yabonga(
thankyou)
,Kakhul
u(ver
y
much),
Bongani.
”

Hejustnoddedwi
thabr
iefsmi
leonhi
sfaceand
l
eft
.
[
01/
27,
07:
38] :Chapt
er47

“Thedevildoesn’
tcomedressedinaredcapeand
point
yhor ns.Hecomesasever yt
hingyou’
veever
wishedfor.”–TuckerMax
GatshaandLehumohadt hei
rphonesof fandcame
backhomehour sl at
er.Itwasdar kalr
eady,whil
e
Bonganiwasf r
antic.Hesawt hem approachthe
gateandcouldn’tevenwai tf
orthem tostopbefore
hi
m.Her ushedtowar dsGatsha’ssideofthecar.

Bongani
:(f
rant
ic)“
MyKing.Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
o
gethol
dofyou–bot hofyou.
”

Gatsha:“
MyphonewasoffandsowasLehumo’
s,
Bongani.Whatseemst
obethematt
er?
”

Bongani
:“TheotherQueenwasbleeding,
myki
ng.I
hadneverseensomuchbl oodbefor
eme. ”

Gat
shaandLehumower
eshocked.

Gat
sha:“
Bleedi
ng?Wher
eisshenow?
”
Bongani
:“Hermothercamewi t
hthei
rdri
verand
tookher
.Sherefusedthatshegotothehospit
al.
”

Gat
shawasnotsur
pri
sedatal
l.

Gat
sha:“
Iknewt
hiswasboundt
ohappen.
”

Bongani
:“Isuspectshet
ooksomet hing,myKing.
Somethi
ngt omaket hebabydisappear.Ihave
seenafewwomani nmyvill
agedoi twhenIwasa
boy.
”

Lehumo:“ Thankyou,
Bongani
.Yourl
oyal
tyi
s
appreci
ated.”

Bongani
:“Asal
ways,
myQueen.
”
Gat
sha:“
Weshal
lbebacksoon.
”

BonganinoddedasGatshar
eversedt
hecar.He
endedupchuckli
ng,
leavi
ngLehumoirri
tat
ed.

Lehumo:(fr
owning)“Wat shega(You’r
elaughi
ng)
?!
Kannete,nnet
e, Gat
sha,wat shega(You’
re
seri
ousl
ylaughing,Gat
sha)?”

Gatsha:“
Comeon, Baby.Li
ghtenup.Youyourself
knewsuchwouldhappen.I fi
treal
lywasmychild,
shewouldhavefoughttokeepit.Now,sheki
ll
edit
i
nstead.Thatwhore.
”

Lehumo:(
annoyed)“
Mxm.Thi
sisnott
het
imet
o
j
okeaboutsuch,Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“
Youknow,onewoul
dswearyou’
re
pr
egnant
.Youhavebeenmoodyal
lmorni
ng.”
Lehumo:(t
eary)“Howcanyouj
okel
iket
hat
knowingoursit
uati
on?
”

Gat
sha:(l
aughing)“Well
,minangiyakut
shelake(
I’
m
t
ell
ingyouthen),umit
hi(you’
repr
egnant).
”

Lehumoseemedr eal
lyunbot
heredandi
rr
itat
edby
Gatsha’scandi
dbehaviour.Shedeci
dedtokeep
quietandgomut eonhim.

Lehumo:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.
”

Gat
sha:“
Hawu(Oh)
?Awusangi
khulumi
simanj
e
(
You’r
enott
alki
ngt
omeanymore)
?”

Lehumost
il
lremai
nedqui
et.
Gat
sha:“
Okay,
then.
”

Hedeci
dedtosaynothi
ngandstopbyBur
ger
Ki
ng’
sdrive-
thr
oughatNcubeMall
.

Wait
ress:(
smil
ing)“Goodeveni
ng,
Mr.Ncube.
GoodEvening,
Mr s.Ncube.MayIt
akeyouror
der
?”

Gatsha:“I
’l
lhavet
woofever
ythi
ngont
hemenu–
exceptthekid’
smenu.
”

Wai
tr
ess:(
shocked)“
Ever
ythi
ng,
sir
?”

Gat
sha:(
smi
li
ng)“
Yes,
twi
ceofever
ythi
ngpl
ease.
”

Wai
tr
ess:“
MayIaskwhot
hati
sfor
?”

Gat
sha:“
Mywi
fe.
”
Thewai t
resssawt hel
ividexpr
essiononLehumo’s
faceanddecidedtojustnod.Lehumowasr eal
ly
notinthemoodt obepl ayf
ul.Shechosetokeep
quiet.Gatshapat
ientl
ywai t
edinthenextwi
ndow,
tal
kingtothenon-r
esponsiveLehumo.

Gatsha:“
Youknow, It
hinkweshoul
dnamet he
babyMohumiifitisaboyandBahumiifiti
sagir
l.
Justli
keyourmothertol
dyouinyourdr
eam afew
monthsago.Whatdoyout hi
nk?
”

Lehumoj
ustcl
ickedhert
ongueandsai
dnot
hing.

Gatsha:“Oh,wel
l,
Iwouldreal
lyl
oveagir
l.Ihave
theperfectnameforher
.Myf at
hert
oldmethat
we’dhaveababybyt hi
sti
menextyearandthatI
shouldnameher-.Letmenotspoilt
hesurpri
seby
tel
li
ngyou. ”
Lehumostil
lkeptquiet
,mucht oGatsha’s
amusement.Thef oodfinal
lycame,alongwi
th
desser
t.Gatshathankedthewaitr
essandparkedi
n
thepar
kinglot
.

Gat
sha:“
Wel
lthen,
BonApet
it
e(Enj
oy)
.”
Lehumoacteduninterest
edatfi
rst
,butonceshe
sawGatshadiggi
ngi ntotheJal
apenopopper
s,she
hadtosaysomething.

Lehumo:“You’
renotpl
anni
ngonf
ini
shi
ngt
hose
al
one,ar
eyou?”

Gatsha:“
Ithoughtyouwer
enott
alki
ngt
ome
anymore.”

Lehumosai
dnot
hingandsnat
chedt
hepacketaway
fr
om hi
m.
Gat
sha:“
Ah,
baby,
thoseonesar
emi
ne.
”

Lehumo:“Theyaremi
nenow.Al
loft
hem.Eat
somethi
ngelse.
”

Gatshachuckl edashesawhi sbeaut if

ulwi f
eeat .
Sheal wayshadawei rdmoanwhenevershe
enjoyedni cef ood.Hesal i
vat edashel ookedather
eat,i
magi ni
nghi msel fgivingherpl easur eashe
alwaysdi d.Heknewdeepdownwhathi sdr eam
meant .Theot hernight ,hisf athercamet ohi mina
dream andt oldhim somet hinghedi dn’tdeem
i
mpor tantunt i
lthatday.“ You’ refinallygoingt obe
blessedwi t
hal lyourhear t’sdesi re, myson.
Remembert hePsal m 37: 4–“ Trusti ntheLor dand
Hewi llgiveyoual lt
hedesi resofyourhear t.”Your
prayershavebeenhear d,myson.Yourchi l
dwi l
lbe
somet hingunusualt otheki ngdom, shewi l
lcarry
yourlegacyr i
ghtt hr
oughi nt hemostunor t
hodox
way.Shewi llbeacompl eter eplicaofyou–buta
mucht ougherone.Shewi l
lshakenat ions,bea
bornleader,
butbecarefulofthedevi
lyouhavel et
i
nt oyourhouse–intoyourmar ri
age.Ifyourwife
fail
storemainstr
ong,thewr ongonewillleadyour
kingdom whenyoudie.NameherBuhl ebendalo
(Nature’
sBeauty)
.Shewi llbeoneofaki nd,myson,
evenyouwi l
lbesurpri
sedoneday.Ihopeyouget
toseehergr ow.
”

Andjustli
kethat,Sf
isohadgivenGatshahi slong
awaitedanswertohisprayer
s.Gwen’smot heron
theotherhand,hadgonesomewher eelseinstead
ofthehospit
al.Shewentst r
aightt
oKul iand
Abigail
’
sapartmentandbangedont heirdoor.

Kul
i:“
Alr
ight
!Ngi
yezaman(
I’
m comi
ng)
!”

Sheopenedthedoorandgaspedinshockas
Gwen’
smot herbargedri
ghti
nwit
hthedriver
car
ryi
ngthesemi-consci
ousGwen.
Abi
gai
l:(
shocked)“
Andt
hen?
!”

Gwen’smother
:(annoyed)“
Ja,wena(yes,you)
.Be
ucabangaukut
hibengekengikut
hole(Didyou
real
lyt
hinkI
’dneverfi
ndyou)?
”

Abi
gai
l:(
shocked)“
Idon’
tknowwhatyoumean.
”

Gwen’ smother:(
chuckl
ing)“
Icursethedaymy
brothermarri
edyou.Youhavebr oughtnot
hingbut
turmoilandevili
ntoourfami
ly.
”

Kuli
:“Hayiwena(Noman)!Youcan’tj
ustbargeinto
ourplaceandsaysuch.Ucabangaukuthiungubani
wena( Whodoyouthinkyouare)
?!”

Gwen’sMother:(
li
vid)“I
’
mt hewomanwhowi llget
youtwosentencedtoprisonifyoudon’
tgetmy
daughterwel
l!Yout woreal
lythi
nkIam that
st
upid?
!Iknewallalongthatyouhadplot
tedwit
h
mydaughteragai
nstLehumoandGat sha.Idi
dn’t
gi
veafuckaboutyourplan,butnow,
youhave
messedwiththewrongwoman! ”

Abigai
l:“
Whatdoyouexpectust
odo?I
’
m nota
doctor
.”

Gwen’smot her
:“Oh,
butyouusedtobeami dwif
e,
babygirl
.Doyourmagic,orIswear
,itwi
llonl
ytake
onedialformetotel
lGat
shaeveryt
hing.
”

Thet
wol ookedateachot
herandknewt
hatshe
wasnotplayi
ng.

Abi
gai
l:(
sof
tl
y)“
Idon’
thaveanyequi
pment
.”

Gwen’
smot her:“
Callsomeone.Youwer
eal
ways
goodatconnecti
ons.”
Abi
gai
l:“
Thatr
equi
resmoney,
Glenda.
”

Gwen’smothert
ookoutachunkofstashfrom her
purseandt
hrewitont
hefloor
,ri
ghtbefor
eAbigail
’s
feet
.

Gwen’smother
:“Doyourmagic.Theclocki
s
ti
cki
ng.You’dbett
erhopeshemakesitanddoes
notdi
e.”
[
01/
27,
07:
38] :Chapt
er48

“Al
lSpi
ri
tsareensl
avedwhi
chser
vet
hingsevi
l
.”–
Shel
lyQuot
es

“Hel
lisemptyandal
lthedevi
lsar
eher
e.”–Wi
ll
iam
Shakespear
e
Abigai
lstart
eddi
ali
ngherphonef r
anti
cal
lyalong
wit
hKul i
.Theywer escrapi
ngt
ogetherNurseswho
weredealingwi
ththeblackmarketandsel
li
ng
equipmentandmedi cat
ionont
hesidetomakean
ext
rabuck.

Abigai
l:“
Yes,Hi,Phumi .Ineedsomesut ures,a
cleanscal
pel
,antibi
otics,anaest
heti
cs,syr
inges–
thewholelot
.Yes, Iknowi twil
lcostmoney, Ihave
that.I
t’
sanemer gency.Yes, sendsomeoner i
ght
awayandyou’llgetthecashi mmediatel
y.Shar p.”

Gwen’
smot
her
:“Wel
l?
”

Abi
gai
l:“
Shei
sonherwayaswespeak.
”

Kuligr
abbedsomewarm wat
er,t
owelsandclot
hs
tostar
twipi
ngGwenandkeepinghercool
.The
dri
verhadgoneout
sidet
okeepaneyeont hi
ngs.
Kuli
:“Sheisbur
ningup.Shemi
ghtneedt
he
hospit
al.
”

Gwen’sMother
:“Cl
ear
lyyouar
edeaf
.Isai
dno
hospi
tal
s!”

Abi
gai
lrant
owardsGwenandt r
iedt
owakeher
,but
Gwenseemedunresponsi
ve.

Abigai
l:“
Herpul
seseemstobedroppi
ng.I
fIdon’
t
getthi
sbabyoutnow,shemi
ghtnotmakei
t.”

Gwen’sMother:“
Youdowhatyouhavet
odo,baby
gi
rl.Youbett
erhopeandpr
ayshemakesitout
al
ive.
”

Abi
gai
lst
art
edt
ell
ingKul
iwhatt
odo.
Abigail
:“Grabmeaknif
e.Abigbreadkni
fe.
Sanit
izeitbefor
eyoucomeher
e.”

Kulididasshewast old.Itseemedasi fPamel

a
wast aki
ngfor
ever,soshedeci dedtotakematt
ers
i
ntoherownhands.Abi gailstartedcutt
ingGwen
openandhopedt hatshewoul dnotbl eedtodeath.
Whileinthepr
ocess, asternknockappear edonthe
door.

Gwen’
smot
her
:“I
’
llgeti
t.
”

SheopeneditanditwasPhumi,t
henurse.She
l
ookedatthehorri
fi
cscenebef
oreherandbecame
shockedi
nstant
ly.

Phumi
:“Look,Ij
ustbr
oughtt
heequi
pment
.Iwant
nopar
tofthis.
”
Gwen’
sMother
:“Youal
readyar
epar
toft
his,
hun.
Gogett
hemoney.”

Pam f
oll
owedGwen’ smother
’ssi
gnal
,asshe
pi
ckedupthestackofcashfr
om thef
loor
.She
l
ookedattheunconsci
ousGwenandt hef
ocused
Abi
gaili
nsever
eshock.

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Thatwi
llbeal
l.Goodbye.
”

Phumir ushedouti nshock,whileKulifol

lowed
Abigai
l’
si nst
r ucti
ons.Shequicklyconnect edGwen
toadripandi mmedi at
elyadminist
eredan
anaestheticforincaseshewokeup.Abi gailwas
alr
eadyi n,soshedi dn’
thaveti
met ouset hescalpel
Phumibr oughti n.Sheusedsomef orcepst o
str
etchGwen’ sabdomenopeni nor dertor eveal
the
baby.Abi gaillookedatGwen’smot herinshock.

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Whati
sit
?!”
Abi
gai
l:“
Ther
eissomuchsepsi
sinher
e.”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Speakpr
operEngl
ish.
”

Abi
gail
:“WhatImeanis,whatevershehadt
aken
wasreal
lyst
rongandquitebad.Herorganswil
lrot
awayandshewilldi
eifIdon’
tremoveherwombas
wel
l.
”

Gwen’
smot
her
:“Dowhatyouhavet
odo.
”

Abigailnoddedassher emovedthedeadchildf
rom
thestomach, leavi
ngKulidi
ssat
isf
ied.Shevomited
profusely,
leavingGwen’smotherannoyed.

Gwen’smother
:“Oh,
comeon,Kuli
.Youseri
ousl
y
can’
tstar
thavi
ngaconsci
encer
ightnow.You’
re
theonewhocameupwi t
hthepl
anf r
om t
hegetgo.
So,
youwi
llbet
heonewhohast
ofi
xal
lthi
s.”

Kul
i:(
displ
eased)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Gwen’smother:“
Yout ookmybaby’ swombaway,
soyouwil
lhavet ogiveherchil
dren.St
ealt
hem i
f
youhavet
o, butyouwi l
lgett
hejobdone.You
bel
ongtomenow. ”

Kulilookedawaydi spl
easedandst art
edr egret
ti
ng
allherli
fechoicesatthatver ymoment .Abi gai
l
removedt heremainsoft hepr egnancyandGwen’ s
cervix.PoorGwen; herchoi cesledhertot hepoint
wher eshehadnocont roloverherownl if
e.Shel ay
thereunconscious,ast heyremovedherdeadbaby
andherownwombwi thoutherconsent .Itwasa
doordi esit
uation,
butast heyalwayssay, be
carefulwhatyouwi shf or.

Meanwhi
leGat
shaandLehumohadf
ini
shedeat
ing
i
nthecar.Lehumohadbasical
lyeat
enal
loft
he
f
ood,l
eavingGat
shasmil
ingdeeplyt
ohimsel
f.

Lehumo:“Ifyoukeepsmil
ingatmeli
kethat
,Gat
sha,
Iswear,ketl
ogor emakampama( I
’
llsl
apyouto
death)
.”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
AslongasIgettost
areatyou
al
ldayevenindeaththenIwi
llbehappy.
”

Lehumo:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”

Gat
sha:“
Tot
hehospi
tal
.”

Lehumonoddedbecausesheassumedt heywere
goingtolookforGwen,butGat
shahadhi sown
plansinmind.Assoonast heyhadar
rived,anurse
smi l
edatthet
wooft hem andl
ookedl
ikeshehad
al
r eadybeenwait
ingfort
hem wit
hawheel chai
r.
Nurse:(smil
ing)“
Goodevening,Mr.andMrs.Ncube.
Ndhlovukazi(MyQueen)
,please,t
akeaseat.
”

Thenursei
nst r
uctedLehumot osi
tont
he
wheel
chair
,leavingherannoyed.

Lehumo:(st
ari
ngatGat
sha)“
Awheel
chai
r,
Gatsha?
”

Gat
sha:“
Trustme.
”

Lehumowast oofulltoarguewi thherjol

lyhusband.
Ast heypassedt hecor r
idors,everyonecouldn’
t
helpbutgr eetandsmi leatthem.Nomat t
erhow
theywer efeeli
ng,theywoul dalwayst aketheti
me
togr eett
hepeopl eofZul ul
and.TheNur seroll
ed
Lehumoi ntooneoft hepr i
vat
ewar ds.
Nurse:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thedoct
orwi
llbewi
thyounow
now.”

Shesmiledandlef
t,l
eavi
ngLehumowonder
ing
whatherhusbandwasupt o.

Gat
sha:“Pl
easegochangei
ntot
hehospi
talgown,
mylove.
”

Lehumo:(
rol
li
ngeyes)“
You’
resol
uckyIam t
oof
ull
toevenar
guewit
hyou.”

Shegrabbedthegownfr
om hi
m andwentint
othe
bathr
oom,leavi
ngGat
shasmili
ngallal
one.Dr.
Stei
nwalkedinandgr
eetedGatsha.

Dr.St
ein:(smi
li
ng)“
Ah,ourKi
ng.Whatapleasant
surpr
isetoseeyouher
eatthi
sti
meoftheevening.
Whatbringsyouher
e?Ihopeyou’r
enoti
nt r
ouble.
”
Gatsha:“
Medicalt
roubl
e,Iam noti
nany,butmy
wif
e,doc,shewil
lneverf
orgi
vemef ort
his.
”

Dr
.St
ein:(
frowni
ng)“
Idon’
tunder
stand.
”

Lehumowal kedoutandgr
eet
edt
hedoct
or
displ
eased.

Lehumo:“Hi,doc.Mystupidhusbandbroughtme
hereandaskedmet owearthi
sgownwithouttel
li
ng
mewhati sgoingon.So, her
eIam.Yourgui nea
pigfort
hisevening.So,whatisnext
,myhusband?”

Gatsha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Doc,
Ihopeyouknowwhywe
ar
eher enow.”

Dr
.St
ein:(
smi
li
ng)“
Saynomor
e.”
Lehumo:(f
rowning)“
Areyoubot
hser
iousl
ygoi
ng
toignor
emer i
ghtnow?”

Dr
.St
ein:“
Please,
layont
hebed,
Mrs.Ncube.
”

Shel
ayoni
tandexhal
edheavi
ly.

Dr.St
einst
artedconver
singwi
ththeconfused
Lehumowhilewheeli
ngthesonogram machine
cl
osetohim.

Dr.St
ein:“
Mr s.Ncube,haveyoubeenexperienci
ng
anynausea,unusualeati
nghabits,
tir
edness,
swoll
enortenderbr east
sforthepastfewweeks? ”

Lehumo:“
Wel
l,
Ithi
nkso.Iam nott
oosur
e.Why?
”
Dr.St
ein:“
Letmebefrankwi
thyou,
whenl
astdi
d
youhaveyourper
iod?
”

Lehumof r
ozeforawhil
easshestar
tedcount
ing.
Shestoppedwhenshereal
izedshehadn’
thadher
peri
odforthepastsi
xmonths.
”

Dr
.St
ein:“
Wel
l?
”

LehumolookedatDr
.Stei
nwhowasamusedandat
Gatshawhowassmili
ngeart
oear
.

Lehumo:“
That
’si
mpossi
ble.
”

Dr.St
ein:“
Not
hingi
simpossi
blei
nthi
swor
ld,
my
Queen.”

Dr
.St
ein:“
MayI
?”
Hewantedt
oli
ftupherdr
essi
nor
dert
oper
for
ma
sonar
.

Lehumo:(t
eary)“Idon’
tthi
nkIam r
eady.Gat
sha,
whatift
hisi
saf alseal
arm?”

Gatsha:(
holdi
ngherhand)“
Thi
sti
me,
itisn’
t.
Pleasebeli
eveme.Beli
evei
nus–bel
ieveinour
ancestor
s,inourGod.
”

Lehumol etoutasli
ghttearandGat shacaughtit
j
usti nti
mewi t
hhiswarm, aff
ectionatehands.She
noddedandgavet hedoctorthegoahead.He
switchedonthemachine, andputthecoldgelon
hertummy.Howf amil
iarthatwast oher,buti
t
broughtnothi
ngbutpainfulmemor i
estoher.She
choset ocl
osehereyes,andt henheardan
unfamili
arsound.
Dr.St
ein:“
Iseeahear
tbeat
.Andnotj ustthat,
my
dearr
oyalcoupl
e.Iam pl
easedtosayt hatyou,Mr
s.
Ncubearealmost7monthspregnant
.”

Gat
sha:(t
ear
y)“Godi
sgoodt
othosewhowantHi
m
i
nhisl
ife,
Lehumo.Wehavebeenanswer
ed.
”

Justli
kethat
,GodhadgivethandGodhadt aket
h.
Asimpledecisi
onchangedGwen’senti
reli
fe.All
becauseshewasthri
vingtowardsevi
landgreed.
[
01/
27,
07:
39] :Chapt
er49

“Shineyoursoulwit
hthesameegol esshumili
tyas
therainbowandnomat terwhereyougointhis
wor l
dorthenext,l
ovewillf
indyou,at
tendyou,and
blessyou.”-Aber
jhani

I
thadbeenafewdayssi
nceGwenwaspassedout
.
Shehadtor
ecei
veafewbagsofbl
oodt
ransf
usi
ons
andGwen’ smot hergotAbigai
landKulit
obur
ythe
deceasedbabybef oresheevenhadachanceto
seethebaby.Whi l
etheKingandQueenwere
fi
nall
yrej
oicingintheirnewblessi
ng,Gwenwas
abouttoreceivethemostdevastati
ngnewsever
.

Gwen’
smother
:“Gwen,
vuka(
wakeup)
.Vuka(
wake
up)
,mybaby.
”

Gwen:(drowsy)“
Whatt
imei
sit
?Howl
onghaveI
beenasleep?
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:(pani
cki
ng)“
Youdon’
tremember
?”

Gwen:(
shaki
nghead)“
Ionl
yremembert
aki
ng…”

Sheimmedi
atelyr
ecal
ledandputbothherhandson
herst
omach,butwasstunnedt
ofinditf
lat
ter
.
Gwen:(hyst
eri
cal
)“Whathappened?
!Uphi
umntwanawami( Wherei
smybaby) ?!Ma?
!Wher
e
thef
uckismychild?!
”

Gwen’sMotherwasimmedi atel
yfil
ledwit
h
st
reamingtearsbur
ninghercheeks.Nomot her
l
ovesseeingthei
rchil
dinpain,butGwen’smother
wasnotreadytoacceptdefeat.Notyet.

Gwen’
sMother
:“Baby,
calm down.Youknowwhat
youdi
d.Don’
tactli
keyoudon’tr
ememberwhat
youdi
d.”

Gwen:(
cryi
ng)“
Itwasami
stake,
Ma!Ihadt
odoi
t!
Idi
dn’
thaveachoice!
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Shhh…l
eti
tal
lout
.”
Gwencr
iedsomuchunt
ilshef
eltl
ikenot
hingwas
comi
ngoutanymor
e.
Gwen:“
Justt
ellme,
wasi
tagi
rlorboy?
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“I
twasaboy.
”

Gwen:(
cryi
ng)“
Yoh,
Nkosiyami
(myGod)
.”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“That
’snotal
l.
”

Gwenl
ookedathermot
herconf
used.

Gwen’smot
her:“
Themedici
neyout
ookgaveyou
sepsi
s.Asaresul
t,wehadt
oremoveyourwomb.
”

Gwenf el
tsoshat
ter
ed–i twasbadenoughshe
ki
ll
edthechil
dshecreatedwit
hamanshel oved,
butnowshehadnoot herchanceofbei
ngamot her
everagai
n.
Gwen:“Letmej
ustdi
e!Letmej ustdie,
Maweh!
Thi
sistoomuchforme!Howwi l
lIeverli
vewit
h
myself
?!Nomanwi l
leverwantme–ever !Gat
sha
wil
lgetri
dofmenowt hatt
hebabyisgone! ”

Gwen’sMother:“
Now,t
hisisti
metopul lyourbi
g
panti
esup,Gwen!Idi
dn’trai
seanidi
ot.Ididn’t
rai
seaquit
ter!Doyousti
llwantt
obet hequeen? ”

Gwenjustnoddedwithtear
sfl
owi
ngdownherf
ace,
andsheheldherfaceup.

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Wel
l,
then.I
tist
imef
orPl
anB.
”

Gwen:“
Whati
spl
anB?
”

Gwen’
sMot her:“
Lehumomostcer
tai
nlywon’
tget
pr
egnanteveragain.Shei
spr
acti
cal
lyol
d.They
havenoideayouhavenowombanymor enow.So,
Iwil
linf
ormthem oft
helossoft
hechi
ld,
andyou
wil
lhavetogobacktothepal
ace.
”

Gwen:“
Theywon’
twantmether
e,Ma.Gat
sha
hat
esme–hedespisesme.
”

Gwen’
sMother:“
Leavei
tallt
ome.Thatbar
ren
bi
tchwon’
tknowwhathither
.”

Itwasr eall
ybadenought hatGwenhadl ost
basicallyever yt
hing,butwhatwasact uall
ywor se
wast hatGwen’ sMot her,Glenda,hadactually
becomeanewaccompl icet otheplanagainst
Lehumo.Theyhadnoi deat hatGodhadf inally
blessedt hem wi t
habl essingt heyhadbeenl onging
for,andwel l
,theycouldnothavebeenbot her ed
withGwen.Meanwhi le,attheRoyalPalace, Gatsha
andLehumower esoi nloveandsohappywi thone
anot her.Gat shahadmadehi swifebreakfastinbed
asusual ,exceptitwasoneoft hebestbreakfasts
si
ncet
heywer
esohappy.

Gat
sha:“
Breakf
asti
sser
ved,
mkami
(mywi
fe)
.”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
baby.
”

Gatsha:“
Iwasthinki
ng,thatmaybewecoul d
announceyourpregnancyonceyoust artshowing,
youknow.Imeanwehavel i
ter
all
ylessthant hr
ee
monthstogetreadyforthebaby’sarr
ival.
”

Lehumo:“
Can’twejustannouncewhenIgi
vebi
rt
h?
Imean,Ij
ustdon’
twantanythingt
ohappen–not
ri
ghtnow.
”

Gat sha:“Iunder
standhowyoufeel,baby,butyou
willbeshowi ngsoonandpeoplewillst
artnoti
cing.
Imean, youcan’
tabandonyourroyalduti
es–even
thoughIhavebeenbeggi ngyouto.So, you’r
ea
publ
icf
igur
eandt
heywi
llst
artnot
ici
ng.
”

Lehumo:“
Okay,
youhaveapoint
.Wecandoi
tthen,
butonl
ywhenIstar
tshowi
ng.
”

Gatsa:(
smil
ing)“
Havefai
th,
mywife.Peopl
ewil
l
al
wayst r
ydoingevi
l,
butwhenGodsaysyes,
nobodycansayno.”

Hekissedherfor
eheadandt heybegunpraying
befor
eeat i
ng.Ofcour
se,theDambuza’sneverhad
ti
mingbecausejustminut
esi nt
obreakf
ast,Bongani
camer ushi
ngint
othehouse.

Bongani:(
shout
ing)“Myking!MyQueen!
Apologi
esforbargi
nginl
ikethi
s,butyouhavea
ver
yeagerguest.”

LehumoandGat
shar
usheddownst
air
sandf
ound
Bonganidr
apedi
nsweat
.

Gat
sha:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Bongani
,kwenzenj
ani(
whati
s
i
t)
?”

Bongani:“Ngi
yaxol
isa(
Iam sorr
y),kodwa(but)t
he
otherqueenandhermotherareatthegateandthey
demandt oseeyou.Theyrefusetoleavewit
hout
seeingyou.”

Gat
sha:(
annoyed)“
Sendt
hem away.
”

Lehumo:(
shaki
nghead)“
No,
sendt
hem i
n.”

Gat
sha:(
displ
eased)“
Mkami(
mywi
fe)–“

Lehumo:(int
errupt
ing)“Youar
esti
llki
ndof
responsi
bleforher
, Gat
sha.Letushearwhatt
hey
havetosayf
irstandt
hent akeadeci
siontogether
.
Donotsendthem awaylikedogs.Don’tgi
vethem
thesat
isf
act
ionofspreadingrumour
saboutusyet
agai
n.”

Gatshanoddedandki
ssedhercheek.Bongani
rushedt
othegateandafewsecondslat
erGwen
andhermotherwereatt
hedoor.

Gwen’sMot her:“
Greet
ings,
MykingandQueen.I
havebroughtyoursisterwi
fewi
thmetoday,
Ndhlovukazi(Queen)
.”

Lehumo:“
Icanseet
hat
.Wher
ewer
eyoual
lal
ong,
Gwen?”

Gwenwasaboutt
ost
artst
utt
eri
ng,
buthermot
her
qui
ckl
yanswer
ed.
Gwen’sMot
her
:“Uhm,t
her
ehasbeenabi tofan
acci
dent
,myQueen.Gwenlostt
hebaby.
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ai.
”

Lehumo:“
Whenandhowdi dthi
shappen,
Gwen?
Whathappenedt
othebaby?”

Gwen:“
Uhm –“

Gwen’sMother
:(i
nterr
upting)“Well
,i
twasabitt
oo
tr
aumati
cforhertobringthedeadbabyhere,
now
don’
tyouthi
nk,Ndhlovukazi(Queen)?
”

Gat
sha:(
chuckl
ing)“
jah,
neh.
”

Lehumo:“Whycan’
tshespeakf
orher
sel
f?Imean,
surel
yyoucanspeak,
can’
tyou,
Gwen?”
Gwen’sMother:“
LikeIsai
d,shei
stootr
aumat i
zed
t
ospeak.Haveahear t,Imeanyouknowwhati t
feel
sli
ket
ol oseachil
dofyourown,i
sn’ti
t?”

Gat
sha:(anger
ed)“
Ucabanagaukut
hiungubani
wena,
sfebe(whodoyouthinkyouar
e,bi
tch)?
”

Lehumoher
sel
fwasstunnedbecauseGatshanever
sworei
nherpr
esence,
andmostcertai
nlynever
sworet
oafemale.

Lehumo:“
Gat
sha,
I–“

Gatsha:(i
nterr
upt i
ng)“Uzelanaokwami (
youcame
tomyhouse) ,toinsultmywi f
e?!Youkil
ledthat
bastardchil
dandcameher eemptyhandedand
expectmet owel comeyouher ewithopenarms?!
Ungazonyawena( Don’tfuckwit
hme) !Ungali
ngi
(Don’tyoudare)!Ungangi hl
anyi
si(Don’
tmakeme
cr
azy)
,Gl
enda!
”

Lehumowasveryworri
ed.Herhusbandseldomly
actedl
iket
hat
.Hewasr oar
ingl
ikeal
ion,l
eavi
ng
Gwenandhermotherscaredtot
hecore.

Gwen’sMot
her:“Idi
dn’
tmeantoberude,
myking.
For
giveme,butyouarest
il
lobl
igedt
ocaref
or
Gwen.Sheisyourwifet
oo.”

Gatsha:“Incaseyoudi dn’
tgetthememo, Ionly
haveonewi f
e.Theonl ywifeImadevowst oand
theonlywi f
eIwel comedtomyancest ors.Was
thereanycer emonydonef oryourwhori
ngchild?I
didn’tt
hinksoeither.Now, Iwantyoutwogone!
Getthef uckoutofmyhouseandneversetf oot
hereeveragai n!
”

Gwenwascryingsi
lent
ly,
whi
leGl
enda,wasabout
t
oleave,
butbecameamusedandstart
ledbyaver
y
unusualsight.Gatshahel
dLehumobythewai st
andrubbedherst omach.Shewasstar
ingatthe
bothofthem inshock,asshewasst
andingbefore
them,paralyzed.

Gatsha:“
Hehbanna(Goodness)
!You’
rest
il
lher
e?!
I
’l
lthrowyououtmysel
f.
”

Gwen’sMot her
:“Noneed,
Myki
ng.Iapol
ogi
zefor
upsett
ingyouli
kethat
.Weshal
lbegoneandnever
botheryouagain.
”

Af ewmont hspassedandLehumowasl ucky

enought onothavehadaver ybi gst
omach.She
wasabout36weekspr egnant,veryclosetogi vi
ng
birt
handhadonl yst ar
tedshowi ngthen.Her
stomachwasnotevent hatbi
g, butt
heywer eboth
sohappyanddel ighted.Bongiwasext remel y
happy, thatshehadcomewi t
hHoseat ost aywith
them foral i
tt
lewhile.Sheensur edthatshe
protectedthehouseal ongwi t
hLehumo’ s
pregnancyassoonasshel andedi nt hehouse.
Apartf rom t heconst anttirednessandswol l
enf eet,
Lehumohadabl i
ssfulpr egnancy.Gat shawas
overjoyed–mor eespeci all
ysi ncei twast heday
theyhadt oannouncet heirpr egnancyt othepeopl e.
Gatshahadbeggedhert ot akeabr eakf r
om wor k
andherr oyaldut i
es–wi thsomepeopl e
speculat i
ng, noonehadanact ualcluei fshewas
pregnantornot .Whi letheywer eplanningagr eat
day,Gwenhadgr ownmor emi serablebyt heday.
Herhear thadt urnedt ost one, asshekept
i
magi ningt hehappy, pr
egnantLehumowi thaman
sheoncecal ledherhusband.Event houghher
familytr i
edt oi nsultLehumoandGat shabynami ng
Lehumot henon- royalPediqueen, Gat shaensur ed
topuni sht hem wher ei thur tthemost .Forever y
stunttheypul led, hepul l
edouthi spar tof
i
nvest ment sint heDambuzacl an.Ofcour se,King
Dambuzawasver yuni mpr essedbyhi ssister-
in-
l
aw’ stact i
cs, soheal sobani shedherf rom hisr oyal
grounds.Shewasmaki nghi ml osemoney, money
hecoul dn’ taffordt olivewi thout .Fr i
ctionwas
causedbet weent het woDambuzabr ot hers;being
KingDuduzi leDambuzaandGwen’ sfather
,butt
hat
didn’tstopherfrom f
ueli
ngherdail
yrageand
hatredt owardsLehumo.I nhermi
nd,shehad
actuallybeli
evedthatshewouldbecomeMr s.
Ncubeoneday.

Gwen’
sMother:“
Didyouseet
his?Yourhusband
andt
hatwhorearepl
anni
ngafeastt
oday.
”

Kul
i:“
Ai,
nawe(
Goodness)
.”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:“Car
etoshar
eyourdi
spl
easur
e?”

Kuli:“
Hayi(No),man.Iti
sbadenoughthischil
d
enduredthetraumashehasgonethrough,butyou
havet ost
opnow.Acceptdefeatwhenithasbeen
servedonasi l
verpl
att
er–coldasfuckatthat.
”

Gwen’
sMot
her
:(annoyed)“
Iwon’
tacceptanyt
hing.
Yougotmychildi
ntothi
smess,
soyouhavet
o
fi
nishi
t.YouandAbigai
l.
”

Abigai
l:(
frowni
ng)“
Whyam Ibei
ngdr
aggedi
nto
t
his?”

Gwen’sMot her:“
Don’tyouf orgetthatIam nowthe
onefundingyourlavishli
festyles.Imakesur eyou
eat.So,ninyofamina,ni
nyami na( I
’
mt hereason
you’r
eablet oeatandshit)
.Niondl wayimiphela(I
am cari
ngf oryou).Atnocostmi ndyou.So, you
oweme. ”

Kuli
:(annoyed)“Yoh,
Nkosi
yami(Oh,Mygoodness)
.
Ican’
twaitforthedaywestopheari
ngt
hatbull
shit
.
Whatdoyouwantust odosoyoucanstop
nagging?”

Gwen’sMother
:“Youaregoingt
okil
lLehumo.
Bet
teryet
,ki
llt
hatchi
ldinsi
deofher
.”
Abi
gail:(
worri
ed)“Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul dbe
messingwithLehumol i
kethat.Thelastt
imewe
t
ri
edthat,herghostscamealiveandtaughtusa
l
esson.Ilostmydaught eri
ntheprocess.
”

Gwen’sMot her
:“That
’snotmypr oblem.My
daughterl
osthersonandwombbecauseofyou
two.Useyourj uj
uorwitchcraf
t.Poisonher,
pay
someonetoshoother .Causeanacci dent–Idon’t
fucki
ngcare.Justgetitdone.Byt heendoftoday,
thatbi
tchhadbetterr
eceivedsomesadnews. ”

Abigailwasr eall
ynottoosur eaboutthewhol epl
an.
Shereal l
ywasver yhesit
anttodoit–muchl i
ke
Ali
cewhenshebecamepar alyzedont hatfateful
day.Kul iont heotherhandwaswi l
li
ngt odo
whatevershehadt odotoshutGlendaup.I twas
badenoughf orhert ol
iveli
keapeasantaf terbeing
theQueenofZul uland,l
ongbef or
eLehumowasi n
thepicture.
Kul
i:“Wel
l,
then,
Abbie.Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or?
Masihambe(Let
’sgo).
”

TheanxiousKul
igotupalongwit
hthehesi
tant
Abi
gail
.Theywor ethei
rdi
sgui
sefit
tedwi
thapair
ofGuccisungl
asseseach.

Abigai
l:“
Idon’
tknow,
Kul
i.Ihaveabadf
eel
ing
aboutthi
s.”

Kul
i:“Youhavedonesomuchworse.Comeon.
Anythingt
ogetthatbi
tchof
fmyback.
”

Abigail
:“Thinkaboutallt
hisforasecond,Kul
i.You
alsolostAyandawhenyouf uckedwithLehumolast
ti
me.Ar en’
tyouafrai
dofsomet hingbadhappeni
ng
toyout hist
ime?”
Kuli
:“Look,Abigai
l,mychildisdead.Theonl ychil
d
Ihavelefthereonearthdoesnotwantmepar tof
hisli
feanymor e.Idon’tt
hinkanythingcanr eal
ly
breakmeatt hispoint
.Iwentf rom therichest
queenint hecountr
ytoahust ler.So,fuckwhat ever
comesmyway.Iam r eadyforit.
”

Theyt ookawal kal ongsideoneanot her ,wi th

Abigail’
sf earincreasi ngwi theachst ep.Sher eall
y
hadabadf eeli
ng, butKul iwasj ustnotbot hered.
Ast heyappr oachedt hehugecr owdofpeopl e
walkingt hrought hePal ace,theguar dsdi dnoteven
recognizet hem onebi t
.Theyar dwasf i
ll
edwi th
beautifuldecor ations;itwast r
ulyaboutt obea
celebrati
onofnot e.Kul iofcour se,feltawhol el ot
bitt
erwal kingt hrought hehomet hatusedt obe
ownedbyher .Seei ngthathuget entwi thabi g
stagef i
ll
edwi thpr esentsand“ I
t’sasur pri
se”
writt
enbi gont hef lowerpodi um madeKul ihat e
Lehumoevenmor e.“ Ihadaver ysimi larbaby
announcement .Thatbi tchstolemyl if
e. ”She
thoughtt oher self.Thepai nfulthingaboutaper son
whowant stoavengesomet hi
ngoutofgr eedand
pureevi listhattheynevernot i
cewhendeat hstares
them rightint heface.Theybecomesoevi land
forcethemsel vesfr om seeingthegoodi nothers.
Theygotseat satthef arback,mucht oKuli’
s
dismay.Sheknewt hatshecoul dn’taskforanother
seatasshewasnol ongerroyalty.Backi nthe
house, Lehumowasdr essedinabeaut if
ulrouge
yellowdr ess, courtesyofBongi .Shesai dthatiti
sa
perfectUni sexcol our ,moreespeci all
ysincethey
refusedt oknowt hesexoft hebaby.Br endahad
donehermakeupsobeaut i
full
y, andonecoul dnot
evennot i
cet heswol lenfeetinthosebeaut i
ful
cust om madesandal s.

Br
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
”

Lehumo:“
You’
reconsol
ingme,
butIl
oveyouf
or
that
.”

Br
enda:(
chuckl
ing)“
Rat
heryout
hanme.Iam not
goi
ngbackt
othatst
age.
”

Gatshawasoutsidet
hebedroom,wait
ingt oseehi
s
beauti
fulwif
e.Hewantedittobeasurprise–
al
mostl i
keonhisweddingday.Bongirushedin
star
tl
ingBrendaandLehumo.

Lehumo:“
Ma,
whati
sthemat
ter
?”

Bongi:(
worri
ed)“Idon’
tknow,mychi l
d.Ihavea
badfeeli
ngri
ghtnow.Ievent r
iedprayingri
ghtnow,
butmycandleflamekeptdyingout.Ithink
somethingbadisabouttohappen.
”

Lehumo:“
Ma,
canwet
rusti
nGodf
oronce,
please?
”

Bongi:
”Ido,
butIam t
ell
ingyou.Somet
hingbadi
s
abouttohappen.
”
Br
enda:“
Ma,
pleasedon’
tscar
eherl
iket
hat
.”

Bongi
:“Okay,
kodwa(
but
)letuspr
ayf
ir
stbef
orewe
l
eavethi
sroom.”

Br
enda:“
Youdot
hehonour
s.”

Bongi :(prayi
ng)“Babawet huwasezul wi ni
(Our
fatherinheaven) ,wecomebef oreyouasyour
children,oh,lord.Mosti mpor t
ant l
ywet hankyou
forthisamazi ngday.Weknowl ordthatwel i
vei na
wor ldfil
ledwi t
hevilandhat e,butal so,wel i
veina
wor ldfil
ledwi t
hyourlove, mercyandgr ace.We
askt hatyoubl essthisdayandl etushaveagr eat
day.Hel pust ocelebratemygr eat-
grandchild’sday,
oh, l
ord.Forweknowt hatthebi rt
hoft hischil
di s
reallynotveryf ar.Iaskt hatyougui deandpr otect
ourki ngandqueen, oh,lord.Keepourenemi es
awayf r
om usandnomat terwhathappens, puni sh
thosewhodeci detohar m anyonet oday.Baka
Mkhabel a(TheMkabel a’s),BakaNcube( The
Ncube’
s).Bewi
thust
hroughout
.InJesus’
name.
Amen.”

Evenafterherprayer,Bongicouldnotst
opwhat
wasaboutt ocome.Sheknewt hati
twasmeantto
happen.Yes, badt hi
ngstendt ohappentogood
peopl
e,butGodneverpr omisedalif
ewithout
dif
fi
cult
ies.Theywal kedoutandGat sha
i
mmedi atel
yputhi swhiskeyglassdownwhenhe
sawhisbeaut i
fulwiferadi
ati
ng.

Gatsja:(smi li
ng)“Hawu( Goodness),WehMama
(Oh,Mama) , Ntombenhl e(Beaut i
ful
),Ndhlovukazi
(Queen) ,uMf aziweqot ho(At ruewoman) ,
my
BeautifulPediPr incess,Mygoddess, Thel oveof
myl i
fe,uMamawenganizami( Themot herofmy
chil
dren), howbl essedam It oday?Oh, Godi sso
ful
lofmer cyandgr aceforHet ookhistimet obless
mewi t
hyourbeaut if
ulcar nati
on.Youwer ecarved
j
ustforme.Yourel egancemakesmer ealizejust
howbeaut ifulpregnancyi s.Yoursmal l,majesti
c
bodycarri
edmyseedwi t
hsuchel
eganceandgrace
thr
oughoutandnotevenonecompl
aint
.Forthat,
I
wil
lbeeternal
lygr
eat
fult
oyou,myqueen.
”

Hekneltdownwithoneknee,hel
dherhandwit
h
bothhi
sandkissedit
,leavi
ngthehor
monalLehumo
cryi
ngonceagain.

Br
enda:“Nowwhyonear
thcoul
dyouneverpr
aise
meli
kethat,
Siya?
”

Theyal
lchuckledasGat
shast
oodupandki
ssed
hert
ear
sdr y.

Gat
sha:“
Ladi
es,
I’
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e.”

Brendasmil
edatGatshaasSiyatookherhandin
his,
whil
etheanxi
ousBongiwalkedoutbehind
them.Astheyapproachedt
hestage,Lehumocould
nothelpbutcr yasshesawhowbeaut i
full
y
decoratedt hest agewas.Event heirroyalchairs
hadat wistt oit.Gat shawassopr oudt obeher
husband, thathel etherwalkinfrontofherand
aidedhert oherchai r.Thecr owdcheer edast hey
reali
zeditwasanannouncementoft her oyalheir
.
Itwastrulyabeaut i
fulmomentf orthet wo.Bongi
satinherchai randt ri
edtoenj oythemoment ,even
thoughsheknewherpr emoniti
onwasaboutt o
comet olife.Oneoft hevil
lagersstoodupand
start
edpr aisingt hetwo.

Vill
agewoman:( chant i
ng)“Ai,ai,ai
,ai,
ai!
Siyabonga( wet hankyou) ,amadloziwaseKhosi ni
(Ther oyalancestors)!Youwhoknowourhi stor
y,
youwhoknewGodhadi ntendedt hi
spl anto
happenatHi sgracefultimeandnotour s!Oh,
Siyabonga( wet hankyou) .Myki ngandqueen, I
wishf ornothingbutt hebestf oryourcoming
blessing.Herbi rt
hi snotfar,myQueen.Youshal l
bebl essedwi t
honef ei
styPrincess.Dowhati s
ri
ght, myking.Yourf at
herwasr i
ght,nameherwhat
heaskedyout
o.”

Sheboweddownbef or
ethem asthecrowdul ul
ated.
Justl
ikethat,
thesexofthebabywasr eveal
edand
bothGatshaandLehumower eelated.Gatsha’s
dream wasinter
pret
edbytherandom vil
lagelady.

Gat sha:“Mypeopl e,wethankyouforyouhave

comet oenj oythisdaywi t
hus.Wet hankyoufor
takingyourt i
met ocomeandwi t
nessourbeautiful
moment .Yes, i
tisindeedtruet
hatGodhasdeci ded
tobl essuswi t
hourhear t’
sdesi
res.Yes,f
rom this
dayf orwardhistoryhaschangedasnoQueeni n
thisKi ngdom haseverhadadaught erf
orafir
st
born.Iam honour edtobemar r
iedtosuchanobl e
woman. ”

Kulifel
thersel
fbecomesoannoyedandanger edby
i
tall,asshewaitedfort
heperfectmomenttostr
ike.
Ast hecrowdgatheredtocongrat
ulat
ether
oyal
couple,Kul
ididtheworst.Sheputonhercape
coveri
ngherf ace,anddr ewhergunf rom her
pocket.Sheai medr ightatLehumot hrought he
crowdandf ir
edashot .Ofcour se,sheact ed
quickl
y.Assoonassheshother ,thebul lethi ther
ri
ghtinthestomach.Shepl acedt heguni n
Abigail
’
shands, andassoonast hecr owdr an, so
didshe–l eavingthedi straughtAbi gailwi thagun
i
nherhands.Shet urnedar ound, andnotasecond
waswast ed,Bonganif iredashotr i
ghtatAbi gail
’s
head.Justlikethat,Kulibet rayedherpar tneri n
cri
meandAbi gail
’sli
feendedi nahear tbeat .Whi le
theroyalf
ami l
ywasscr ammi ngt ogetLehumoout
ofharm’sway, Kuliranoutal ongwi ththecr owd.
Asshewasr unning,shef oundher selfhear inga
veryfamil
iarvoice.

Sf
iso:“
Wemeetagai
n,mydearwi
fe.
”

Kul
i:(
fri
ght
ened)“
Sfi
so?I
sthatyou?
”

Sf
iso:“
Ofcour
sei
t’
sme.Iwar
nedyoubef
ore,
Kul
i.
Iwarnedyou.Itoldyouthatyouwi l
lli
vetosuffer
.
Youwi l
lli
vetoseeyoursel
fgetold,f
il
ledwithregr
et
becauseyourstonecol
dhear tj
ustcan’tgetenough
ofhurt
inggoodpeople.Yout ri
edtokillmygrand
daughter,
andnowyouwi l
lsuff
erthe
consequences.
”

Kuli
:(scar
ed)“
I,Idi
dn’
tmeantt
odoi
t.I
…Ihadno
choi
ce.”

Sf
iso:“
Youhaveal
wayshadachoi
ce.
”

AsKulir
an,shefoundhersel
fbeingrunoverbyone
oft
hecommuni tybusses.Shefoundhersel
fri
ght
ontheground,i
nfrontoft
hebus.Thebusdr i
ver
wal
kedoutf r
antr
ical
ly.

BusDr
iver
:“Mi
ss?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?”
Passenger
:“Oh,
mygoodness!I
tist
hef
ormer
queen.
”

Kul
i:(
inpai
n)“
I….Ican’
tfeel
myl
egs.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
39] :Chapt
er50

Gracei
sn'
tjustf
orgi
veness,
iti
sfor
givenessf
uel
ed
bysurr
ender.
"-AmyE.Spiegel

Richpeopl ejustal
wayshadaf unnywayofr uini
ng
goodt hi
ngs.Dr amaseemedt ofollowt heNcube
royalfamily–especi all
yongoodoccasi onssuch
ascelebrationsofli
veandl ove.Lehumowas
rushedtot heatr
eimmedi at
elyatNer iahMkhabel a
Hospital,
andwel l,
Gat shawashyst erical,which
wasofcour seunderstood.Hesatwi thhi shead
buriedinhishands, alongsi
deBr enda, Siyaand
Bongi.Hoseawasst il
latboardingschoolwr iti
ng
exams, andwel l
,hedi dn’
ttakethenewsofhi s
sist
erbeingshoti nthest omachal ltoowel l
.Bongi
not
icedKul
ibei
ngwheel
edoutoft
heat
re.

Bongi
:“I
’
llgogetussomesnacks.
”

Br
enda:“
Shewi
llpul
lthr
ough,
Gat
sha,
youwi
llsee.
”

Theyal lt
houghtGat
shawascr yi
ngwi
thhishead
buriedint
ohishands,butwel
l,
hewasinfact
praying.

Gatsha:“MyGod,Idon’
tknowwhatIhavedoneto
havetroubl
efol
lowmeal lt
hewayli
kethis.Pl
ease,
prot
ectmywi f
e.Mywi feandchi
ld,
please.
”

Ashewassi
lent
lypr
ayi
ngwi
tht
ear
swal
lowi
ng,
he
hear
dhi
sfat
her’
svoi
ce.

Sf
iso:“
Alli
swel
l,
Gat
sha,
mfanawami
(myson)
.
Troubledoesnotf oll
owyou,Imadeami st
akeof
mar r
yingevilandnow, i
tseemstohavetai
ntedyour
fat
e.Theyar ebothokay,i
tisnotti
meyetforthem
tojoi
nt heancestors.Gomeetyourdaughter,
son.
Don’tforgetwhatIsaidtoyou;hernameis
Buhlebendalo.”

JustassoonasSfisofi
nishedspeaki
ngtoGat
sha,
thedoct
orwalkedoutwheelingLehumooutof
theat
re,
alongwit
hat i
nybabyi noneoft
henurse’
s
hands.

Dr.St
ein:“
Idon’
tknowhowyoudoit
,myKing,
but
shemiracul
ousl
ysurvi
vedt
hesur
geryandt
hechi
ld
i
sunhar med.
”

HerushedtoLehumofi
rstandki
ssedher
.Shewas
evenawakewhichsur
pri
sedever
yoneontheat
re.

Nur
se:“
Youmustbehi
ghl
yfavour
ed,
myki
ng.
Meetyourbabygi
rl
.”

Gatshacareful
lytookhi
snewbabygi r
linhishands
andcried.Hecr i
edtear
sofjoy,
andstarted
chanti
ng,leavi
ngthewholehospi
talonastandsti
ll
forafewmi nutes.

Gat sha:( chanting)“ Ngiyabongaamadl ozi(Thank

youmyancest ors).Ngi yabongaBaba( Thankyou
father ).Ngi yabongaNkosi( Thankyou, God).
Mzi lankat ha,Nhlansi ,Gabadel i,Onkathakayingen’
endl ini,yangenakubol ’
i
zinkabazabant wana,
Zibizendl ela,ZikhalizeMkhont o( cl
annames) .
Nangi busisangomf aziweqot hongempel a(You
havet rulyblessedmewi t
har ealwoman) .Mkami
(Mywi f
e),Wehmama( Oh, Mama) ,t
hisisthemost
beaut i
fulgiftyoucoul deverhavebl essedmewi th.
Toyou, mydaught er, Iwilll
oveyousomuch, unti
l
youl ear nt oseehowamanmustl oveyou.Iwi l
l
foreverl oveyouf ort hisbeaut if
ulwomansacr i
fi
ced
herbodyj ustforyourexi stence.Inameyou
Buhl
ebendal
o,Pr
incessofZul
uland.
”

Lehumo:“
InameyouBahumi
.”

Gatsha:(el
ated)“
Welcometothewor l
d,
BuhlebendaloBahumiNcube,
Princessof
Zul
uland.”

Whilethehospi
talst
aff,Bongi
,Siyaandtherestof
thevisit
orswer
eululat
ing,i
tstar
tedrai
ningoutsi
de.
Rainonaf uner
alorabirthofababyisalwaysa
goodsi gn.Meahwil
e,Bongiwasveryhur t
.She
wentt oKuli
’
swardandf oundherawakeandcr ying.

Bongi
:“Ja(
Yes)
,mt
hakat
hi(
youwi
tch)
.”

Kul
i:(
star
tl
ed)“
UfunaniLa(
Whatdoyouwant
)?”
Bongi
:“Howdoesitf
eeltobeatther
ecei
vingendof
kar
maf oroncei
nyourpathet
icl
if
e?”

Kul
i:“
Ifyouhavecomet
ogl
oat
,rat
herl
eave.
”

Bongi :“
Iwar nedyou, Kuli,justasIwar nedyour
mot her.Youwi llsuff
ert heconsequencesofal l
yourdoi ngs.Youwi l
lli
vet oregretyourenti
re
existence.Youwi l
lbehaunt edbyt hespiri
tsofall
thoseyouhavehur tandki ll
ed.Yout hi
nkIdon’t
knowyoucausedmysi ster’saccidentyearsago?
Wel l
,nowi tisyourturn.Youwon’ tdie–notyet .
Notnow, anyway.Youwi llli
veapat heti
cli
fe,ali
fe
wher eyouwon’ tbeabl et owal koruseyourone
arm.Youwi llonlyuseonear mf ortherestofyour
l
ife.Ihopeyouenj oyt hiscomi ngr i
de,becauseitis
abumpyone, madame. ”

Kulist
art
edscreamingassoonasBongiwalkedout
ofherward.ShefoundGatshahol
dingl
it
tl
eBuhle
i
nLehumo’ sward.
Bongi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing,
mybaby?
”

Lehumo:“
Idon’
tevenknow,
butal
lIcansayi
sIam
gladt
obeali
ve.
”

Bongi
:“Iam al
sogl
ad.Letmeseeher
.”

Gat
shahandedt
hebabyovert
oBongiandshe
smi
led.

Bongi:“
Hailt
heheavens,youareonebl essedbaby
gir
l.Yournamewi l
lspeakfori
tsel
fbeforepeople
evenknowyou.Yourpr esenceit
sel
fwilli
nsti
llf
ear
anddemandr espectf
oryou.Ipityanymanwho
wil
lhurtyoubecauseyouwon’ttakeanynonsense
fr
om anybody.”

Gat
shaandLehumosmi
led,
butl
it
tl
edi
dtheyknow
thatBongil
ookedatli
ttl
eBuhlewi t
hpaininher
eyesbecausesheknewt hatshewoul dgr
owupand
l
ivealif
eofacompl eteli
e.Allbecausehermother
wantedtosaveherfrom danger.

Newsspr eadf astandbysunr isethef oll

owi ng
mor ning,everyonehadcomet oknowoft het ragedy
thatcausedPr incessBuhl et obebor near ly.I twas
abeaut if
ulday, andwel l,
Lehumodi dn’thavemuch
ti
met orecoverasshehadt ogohomeandbe
welcomedbyt hecr owdaspert radit
ion.Bongi
assur edthem thatnodr amawoul dunf oldt hatday
andi ndeed,adayl ater,Lehumowasmi r
acul ousl y
dischargedf r
om t hehospi talandabl etowal k.As
soonast heydr ovet owar dst heki ngdom, many
peopl ewerechant ingandcheer ingandbear ing
gift
st owishthel it
tleoneahappybi rthday.As
soonast heyst oodi ntheirt entout side,fort he
peopl etoseeagl impseofPr incessBuhl e, i
trained
onceagai n.Theyf inall
yr etreat edtot hehouse, and
Gatshahadachancet oal l
owLehumot or est,whi l
e
hebaskedi nbabyBuhl e’sbi r
th.Hewassohappy
thathesangal ullabytoheruntilsheslept.He
placedheri nhercotandr etr
eatedtotheki tchento
makehi swi f
esomef ood.Gwenont heot herhand
wasf uelli
ngwi thrage.KingDambuzadi dn’ twant
anythingtodowi thAbigail’
sfuneral
,whileGwen’ s
mot herwasunbot heredthatKuliwasnear lya
quadr i
plegic.Lifewasaboutt ogettoughf orthem,
buttheydi dn’tcare.

Gwen:“
She’sli
vingmyli
fe,
mother
!Myl
if
e!Imean
howunfor
tunatecanonebe?!
”

Gwen’
smother
:“Whatar
eyougoingt
odoaboutit
,
Gwen?Areyougoi
ngtosul
korfacet
hef
ucking
musi
c?!
”

Gwengr abbedherbagandr ushedout .Hermot her

tri
edrunningafterher,
butaschubbyasGwenwas,
sheout r
anhermot her.Shemadeherwayt othe
royalpalace,
andsur pr
isi
nglypeoplewer ereal
ly
readytof i
ghtoneanotherjusttoenterthepalace.
Bonganiwast ryingt okeept hepeaceandt ryingto
getever yonetol eave,butsomehowGwenmanaged
torunt hrought hegat e.Shemanagedt of l
eepast
allt
hosepeopl eandmadeherwayi ntothepal ace.
Shest i
llhadherownsetofkeys, soshegoti nt he
back.Lehumot riedsleeping,butsomet hi
ngt old
hertogetupandcheckonherbaby.Amot her’sgut
i
sal waysr ightbecauseshegott hef r
ightofherl i
fe.
Shef oundGwenhol di
ngherchi l
dandwasaboutt o
pier
ceherchi l
d’sf aceusingabr eadknife.

Lehumo:“
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng?
!”

Gwen:“
Somet
hingIshoul
dhavedoneal
ongt
ime
ago.
”

Lehumodi dn’
thesit
ate,butsheimmediatel
y
grabbedherbabyoutofGwen’ shandsandpushed
heroutthewindow.Gwenf lungoutthewindow
andmetherendr ightononeofGat sha’scars.That
wast hefi
nalst
rawf orLehumo.Thatwasenough
forhert
oknowthatshehadtobreakawayfr
om
thatpl
acei
nordertobesaf
eandf ree–nomatt
er
howmuchi twoul
dbreakherheartandbr
eak
Gatsha’
sevenmore.
[
01/
27,
07:
40] :Chapt
er51

“
TheBegi
nni
ngi
sal
wayst
oday.
”–Mar
yShel
ley

Ei
ght
eenyear
slat
er…

Ithadbeenapai nfuleighteenyearsforLehumo, but

evenmor eespeci all
yf orGatsha.Thet houghtof
him waki ngupt hef ol
lowingmor ningafterGwen’s
tragicdeath,onlyt ofindthatbitt
ernoteLehumol ef
t
onhersi deoft hebedf orhim.“ Mydear estGatsha,
wor dscannotexpl ai
nhowIf eelaboutyou.You
havebeenmyanchor , myst r
ength,myhear t’
s
keeper,myr easonf orlivi
ng.Youhavegi venmet he
greatestyearsthatIwi llf
orevercheri
sh.Wehave
gonet hroughsomanyupsanddowns, andnow
thatwehaveBuhl e,Idon’tthi
nkIcanbeabl eto
handlet hedrama.Iknow, Iam sel fi
shforwhatI
am aboutt odo, butI’dratherdoi talonethanhave
yousacr ifi
ceallyou’vewor kedhar dfor.I
tisti
met o
protectourbaby;Iassur eyout hatonedayIshal l
returntoyou.Pl ease,don’tbothert r
yingtofi
ndme.
Tryandl i
vethebestl if
epossi bleforIknowt hatyou
mighthat emef orthis.Iwon’ tblameyoui fyougot
remar r
ied.Iwillal waysloveyou, Gatsha,
my
darli
nghusband.Iam sosor ry.Wi thLove,
Lehumo. ”

Gatsha’
sheartt oreintoami ll
ionpi ecest hatday
andnevergotr epaired.Hehadi nstantlyshutdown
evenaft
erhehadt r
iedlooki ngf orheral lthose
years.I
twasr at heralarmi nghowLehumo
managedt odisappearl i
ket hat;especi all
ysi nce
shewasr oyal
ty.Ever yoneknewher .Gat shaeven
hir
edaPr i
vateI nvesti
gat ortof i
ndLehumo, butit
wasadeadend.Al lhehadwasaf ewpi cturesof
babyBuhle,whi chhest aredatever yni ghtbef ore
downingaf ewsl eepingpi ll
sjustt osl eep.Gat sha
foundhimsel fspi rall
ingoutofcont rol ,ofwhi chhe
eventuall
ydeci dedt of ocusonhi sbusi nesses.He
mighthavel ostLehumoandhi sonl ychi l
d,buthe
managedt ot urnhi msel fintoanevenbi gger
Bil
li
onaire.Event houghLehumosenthi m al etter
everyyearonhi sbirthday;t hei ranni versary;Buhl e’
s
bir
thdayandofcour seherbi rthday.Hef ound
himselfbeingdr awnt oGwen’ ssister ,Geor gina,
whoofcour sewasbr oughti ntohi sl ifeatat i
meof
sorrowandneedbyGl enda, Gwen’ smot her .He
neverlovedherandevenaf tereight eenwhol eyears
andt wosonst oget her ,hest il
ldidn’ tloveher .He
gotupt hatmor ningasusualandpr epar edhi msel f
forwork.Hef oundhi stwosonsNt si kaandNj abul
o,
sit
ti
ngatt hebr eakfastt able, waitingont heir
mother’sscr umpt iousbr eakf astasal ways.

Nt
sika:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Baba(
Fat
her
).
”

Gat
sha:(
fi
rmly)“Yebo(
Yes)
,Ntsi
ka.Nj
abul
o,
awubi
ngel
eliyi
ni(ar
en’
tyougoi
ngtogr
eet
)?”
Njabul
o:“Ngi
yaxolisa,Baba(Sor
ry,Father
).Iam
onlevel102wit
ht hisgame,soIdon’twanttomiss
thechanceoffi
nishingit
.”
Gat
sha:“
Hmm.
”

Hehadbecomesost ri
ctandst ern,hel ackedt he
l
ovehehadf orLehumo, forshewast heonl y
womanheeverl oved.Hedi dn’tevenf eelthe
connect i
onhehadwi thBuhl ewi thNt sikaand
Nj abulo, i
twasasi fhehadact uallywonder edi f
theywer eindeedhi schi l
dren.Hef oundhi msel f
havi ngt obanishaf ewofhi smat ernalr elat
ives,
aftert heynamedBuhl eUmphazami si meani ng
troubl emaker ,evenaf terLehumohaddi sappear ed
wi thher .Hewasdevast atednonet heless, buthe
thoughtt hatbeingwi thGeor ginawoul dmakehi s
hear tachegoaway, butitjustmadei tallwor se.
Geor gi nawalkedoutoft heki t
chenwi ththel ast
dishoff ood,smi l
ingasusual .
Geor
gina:(
smi
li
ng)“
Goodmor
ning,
myl
ove.Di
d
yousl
eepwell
?”

Gat
sha:(
fi
rml
y)“
Yes,
thanks.Wena(
You)
?”

Geor
gina:“Isl
eptalr
ight
,thankyou.Iwashopi
ng
wecouldtalkabitbefor
ehavingbreakf
ast
.”

Gatsha:(
ster
nly)“
Boys,
hambanikancane(
leaveus
forawhil
e).”

Theyl
eftandwentupst
air
s.

Gat
sha:“
Whati
sit
?Idon’
thaveal
lday.
”

Geor
ginawasabi
thur
tbyhi
sreact
ion,
butshest
il
l
managedtof
akeasmil
easal
ways.
Georgi
na:(
smi li
ng)“Iwashopi ngwecouldtalk
aboutmebeingmor einvol
vedi nthecommunity.
Youknow,Iwast hi
nki
ngofl aunchingmyown
i
nit
iati
vewit
ht heotherroyalwives.Iwasthinking
hosti
ngevents,gett
ingsponsor shi
ps–“

Gatsha:(
int
err
upting)“
Lehumoalr
eadyst
art
edan
i
niati
veli
kethatandithasbeenr
unningf
ornear
ly
30years,i
ncaseyouf orgot
.”

Geor
ginawasshat
ter
ed.

Geor
gina:(
sof
tl
y)“
Yes,
but
,I–“

Gatsha:“
Idon’
tseewhyyou’redoi
ngt hi
swhenwe
havebeenoverthi
s,Geor
gina.Besides,
you’
renot
real
lymywife.Youseem tohaveforgot
tent
hat.
”

Geor
gina:(
tear
y)“
Kodwaungi
lobol
il
e(Butyoupai
d
Lobol
aforme)
,Gat
sha.
”

Gat
sha:“Onl
ybecauseyourpar
ent
snaggedmet o.
Youagreedt
othi
s,whyareyouact
ingshocked?
”

Geor
gina:(
tear
y)“
Ijustt
hought–“

Gatsha:“Eatt
hebr
eakf
astwi
ththeki
ds.I
’
llhave
somethingonthewaytowor
k.”

Asusualhel eftGeorginahear tbrokenandenvi ous;

enviousofsomeonewhoj ustwasnotpr esentin
Gatsha’sli
feanymor e.Shehadbeenl ivinginthe
shadowofast ranger;Lehumowasanyt hingbuta
dist
antmemor yf orGat sha.Hecompar ed
everythi
ngGeor ginadidt oher.Hewasst il
lso
caughtuponhert hather efusedt omakel oveto
Georgina.Heal waysusedt ot akeitf
rom t heback
andt hatwasit–nof oreplay,nokissi
ng.Geor gi
na
wasspi ral
li
ngoutofcont rolandonceagai nher
mot her,
Gl enda,
wasr uini
ngyetanot herdaught
er’
s
l
ife.Shef oundher sel
fbreakingdownal oneinher
chairinfrontofthedini
ngt able,for
gett
ingal
labout
call
ingtheboysdownf orbr eakfast
.Glendawalked
i
nf eeli
ngnoshamenorr emor seseeingher
daughterbr eaki
ngdown.

Gl
enda:“
Goodmorning.Oh,G,comeon,now.I
di
dn’
trai
seapeepsqueakforadaught
er.
”

Georgina:(
cryi
ng)“I
sthiswhati
tfeel
sli
ketobe
mar r
iedtoGatsha?Imean,youneversai
dI’dbe
stuckinalif
eofpainli
kethi
s,Ma!Ithasbeen
seventeenyearsandeveryf
ucki
ngdayjustgets
worse!”

IfGlendawasanor mal,l
ovi
ngmot her
,shewoul d
havet akenherdaughter’
spainintoconsideration,
butshewasal r
eadywayi nt
ot heluxuri
ouslifestyl
e
thatshewoul dhaverathersacri
fi
cedGeor gina’s
happinessinstead.Awhol e62yearol dslayqueen
Gogowasl
ooki
ngpastherdaught
er’
spai
n.

Glenda:“Suckitup,G,wil
lyou?Imeanyouknow
verywellthatyoudon’thavetobelovedbyGatsha
tohaveagr eatli
fe.Youalreadyknowthatyou’
ve
beensleepingwithoneofGat sha’
sworkers.You
haveallthemoneyi nthewor l
d,sowhatisyour
probl
em? ”

Geor
gina:“We’r
enotevenmarr
ied,
Maweh!You
putmeupt othi
sandyoufai
ledtoletmeknowt
hat
Iam bar
ren!”

Glenda:“
Willyoukeepyourvoicedown? !Doyou
haveanyideawhatt hatwi
lldototheboysonce
theyfi
ndout?Doyouwantt hem tobehomel ess?
Toloseallt
heirbenefi
tsi
nlif
e?I sthatwhatyou
wantforyourchil
dren?”

Onceagai
n,Gl
endahadmanagedt
oletGeor
gina
sli
pdeeperi nt odepr essionandr emai nsilent.
Meanwhi l
e, Lehumohadgoneal lt hewayt o
Pretor i
a, Mamel odi.Shef oundt heper fectguyt o
eraseherent ireexi stenceandst artaf r
esh.Of
cour se,shehadt ot akeHoseawi thher .Bongi
didn’thavet hehear ttoleaveherhouse, hert own
l
iket hat,butshet riedt okeepi ntouch.Ofcour se,
Hoseawast hi r
tybyt henandonebi gr ebel .Hehad
toleaveal ifehel oved, alifeofsoccerf oral ifehe
consi deredbor i
ngandal ifeofhiding.I twasa
painf uladjust ment , event houghLehumot hought
thatshewoul devent uallygobackt oGat sha, she
didn’thavet hehear tto.Shef oll
owedhi m ont he
medi aatal ltimes, andi treallybrokeherhear t
havi ngt oli
et oherdaught erandt ellhert hather
fatherhaddi edaver ylongt i
meago.They
unfor tunatelyhadt ogetnewi dent it
ies;Lehumo
calli
ngher sel fBelindaVi lakazi,Hoseat henbecame
Her culesVi lakazi ,andPr incessBuhl ebendal o
BahumiNcubeof fi
ci all
ybecamePr eciousVi lakazi.
Shehadt urnedi ntoaf eisty17yearol dgirl,who
tookaf t
erbot hpar ent sandwast het opofher
classal lthroughoutherschooll ife.I twasher
mother
’sdayof
fandshecamebackhomever
y
happy.

Pr
eci
ous:(
happy)“
Hel
lo,
Mommydear
est
!”

Lehumo:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
baby.
”

Preci
ousf
ounditabi
toddtoseehermot
herwasi
n
bedat3o’
clocki
ntheaf
ter
noon.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mama?Oshap(
areyouokay)
?”

Lehumo:“
Iam okay,
baby.I
tmustbet
hef
lu.
”

Preci
ous:“
CanImakeyousomesoup?Youal ways
usedtomakeitformewheneverIwasf
eel
ing
undertheweat
her.”
Lehumo:(smil
ing)“
Thatwoul
dbegr
eat
,honey.
Thankyou.”

Preci oussmi l
edandwentt otheki tchentomake
hermot hersomesoup.Thet ruthwast hatLehumo
hadbeenf eelingabi tillf
ort hepastf ewdays.The
const anthear t
acheovert heyear sandbei ng
over burdenedwi tht hesecr etsshehadbeen
keepi ngwasj ustt oomuch.Whenevershewas
alone, shewoul dgoogl epicturesofGat shaandmy
goodness, shewoul dcr yher selftosl eep.When
shesawnewst hatGat shahad“ mar r
ied”Geor gi
na
andhadt wosons, i
tt oreherapar t.Shewas
wor kingasacar egiveratoneoft hehospi ces
near byi nMamel odi.Shedi dnotwantt ohur t
Gatsha, butmaki ngt hatchoi cemadeherf eelasif
shewasset t
inghi mf ree.Shef eltthattheirlove
wast aintedandt hatnomat t
erhowmucht heydid
actual l
yl oveoneanot her,theywer enevergoi ngto
bef ree.Howof tenhavepeopl emadechoi cesand
gottencr ucifi
edf orthem?I tisalwayseasyand
simpl et ospeakwhenyouar eanout sidemember ;
forwhenyouseeapr ett
yglasshouseyoudon’ t
thi
nkitcouldgetst onedorbreakdownoneday.
Lehumowasi ndeedhidi
ngal otfr
om herdaughter
,
butonlyGodcoul djudgeher.Shewashi di
ngal ot
ofsecrets–i ncludi
nghercurrenthealt
hstatusat
theti
me.Shef oundhersel
fwipinghercoarsetear
s
offherface,andf orci
ngherselft
obreathe,
when
shereceivedaver yunexpectedcall.

Lehumo:“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.
”

Bongi:“Sawubona,
Mntwanawami(Hel
lo,
my
daughter).Unj
ani(
Howareyou)
?”

Lehumo:“
I’
vebeenbet
ter
.”

Bongi
:“Youdoknowt
hatmycal
lisnotasoci
alone,
ri
ght
?”
Lehumo:(
sigh)“
Yes,
Iknow.
”

Bongi
:“Youknowwhatyouhavetodo,Lehumo.
Youhavebeenli
vingal
ief
orover17yearsnow.
Thetr
uthhastocomeout.
”

Lehumo:“Youknowitwasnoteasyf ormet
odo
whatIdid.Youknowt hatverywell
,Imean,
ifI
didn’
tdoitt
heyweregoingt oki
llher
.Yousai
dit
yoursel
f,ma.Pl
ease,don’tj
udgeme.Youar ethe
onlyonewhodoesnothat eme.”

Bongi :“Idon’thateyou, youknowt hat.Hoseaal so

doesn’ that eyou.Yes,hecar ri
esalotof
resentmentandper hapsthingscouldhaveturned
outadi ff
erentwayhadyoust ayedandfought,but
weal lhaveourl i
mi t
s.I’
ddoanyt hi
ngforthethree
ofyou, butweal lknowt hatmyt imeonthi
sear this
nearingi tsend.Iam ol d,Lehumo, andyoualso
needt ot ellherthetrut
hbef oreyouleavethi
sear th
aswel l
.”
Lehumo:“IknowImi ghtbeselfi
sh,butMa,Ican’t
.I
can’
tdothattoher.Shei sabouttodohermat ri
c
andIcan’
tletherknow.Notr ightnow.Besides,
youaremuchheal t
hierthanme.Youcan’ tl
eave
thi
seart
hbef or
eme–wemadeadeal .”

Bongi
:(chuckl
ing)“
Youknowverywellyoucan’t
negot
iat
ewi t
hspiri
t.Youknowverywellyour
motherhasbeenprepari
ngyou.Youwon’ tbei
n
pai
nanymor everysoon.
”

Lehumo:(t
eary)“I
’
llbeleavi
ngmydaughteri
nso
muchpainandmi seryknowingver
ywell
shei st
he
sol
eheirofherfat
her’
shar dear
nedmoney.”

Bongi:“
Domeyour sel
fafavourandcallhi
m.Call
him bef
oreyoul
eave,youknowhewi l
lfoll
ow you
verysoon.
”
Preci
ouswal
kedi
nandf
oundhermot
herwi
pingher
tear
soff
.

Lehumo:“
Okay,
we’
l
ltal
ksoon.Thankyou.Bye-
bye.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Mama?Keng(
whati
sit
)?”

Lehumo:“It
’snothi
ng,baby.Thi
sfl
uismakingmy
eyesrunny.Beforeyouknowit,
Iwon’
thaveany
tear
stodryout.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mama,
youknowyou’
reabadl
iar
.”

Li
ttl
edidsheknowt
hathermot
herwasexcel
lentat
l
ying.

Lehumo:(
Chuckl
ing)“
Lookatyou.Al
lgr
ownup
andtel
li
ngmewhattodo.Il
oveyousomuch,
Preci
ous.Ial
waysdi
dmybesttorai
seyouand
l
oveyou.”

Preci
ous:“Mama, pl
easedon’
ttel
lmeyou’
resayi
ng
goodbyeforever
.”

Lehumo:(
chuckl
ing)“
Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?”

Precious:“Thisi
sexactl
ywhathappenedinthe
movi es.Themom f al
lsil
landstar
tsreci
ti
nga
beaut i
fulspeechandbeforeyouknowit,
shefal
ls
asleepandneverwakesup. ”

Lehumo:(
laughi
ng)“
Comeon,
now.Thati
snot
goingt
ohappen.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Promi
seme,
Ma.
”
Lehumo:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Preci
ous:(smi
li
ng)“Good.Toensurethatyouwi
ll
bepromisi
ngmet hat,
I’
dli
ketosleepwithyou
toni
ght.Justt
onurseyoubacktoheatlh.
”

Lehumo:(
smil
ing)“
Idon’
tknowwhatIdi
dto
deser
veyou.
”

Pr
ecious:“Ar
eyouki
ddi
ngme?You’
ret
hebest
motherever.
”

ThatwasenoughforLehumoevent
houghshe
knewthatf
indi
ngoutthetr
uthwoul
dbreakher
daught
er.

Lehumo:“
Itr
ied.
”
Precious:“Tri
edisanunder
stat
ement.Now,st
op
tal
kingasi fyou’
resayi
nggoodbye.Dri
nkyour
soup.I ’
llcheckuponyoulat
er.
”

Lehumosmi ledatherdaught erandtri

edtoeather
soup,butcouldn’tgetmor ethant wospoonfull
sin.
Sheknewt hathert i
mehadcomeandi twasver y
unfor
tunatetoleaveherdaught eratt
hatage.She
hadhopedt hatHoseawoul dst epuptotheplate,
eventhought heywer enotonver ygoodspeaki ng
termseversinceshel eftZul
ul andwit
hhi m.She
thendecidedtodowhatshehadbeendr eadingfor
over17years.

Gat
sha:“
Gat
shaNcubeHel
lo?
”

Si
lence.

Gat
sha:“
Hel
lo?
”
Lehumo:“
Myki
ng.
”

Gatshafel
tashar
ppangi
nthecent
erofhishear
t.
I
tfeltl
ikehewasi
nanuni
maginabl
edream.

Gat
sha:(
ner
vous)“
Lehumo?
”

Lehumo:(
tear
y)“
Howar
eyou?
”

Gat
sha:(
pal
pit
ati
ng)“
Lehumo,
isi
treal
lyyou?
”

Lehumo:“
Yes,
myhusband.I
tisr
eal
lyme.
”

Gatsha:(
tear
)“Why,Mkami?Whydidyou?WasI
notgoodenough,Ndhl
ovukazi(
Queen)
?”

Lehumo:“
Youknowt
hati
snott
rue.
”
Gatsha:“I
’velookedever
ywhereforyou.It
’sbeen
years.Youhavenoi deahowIhavecr iedmyselft
o
sleep.Ican’tli
vewit
houtyou,
Lehumo.Pl ease…
Pleasecomeback.I ’l
ldoanyt
hing.”

Lehumo:“Onedayyou’l
lunderst
andwhyIdi dwhat
Idi
d.Ourdaughter’
slif
ewasi ndanger
,Gatsha.I
hadtosaveher,
andbysavi ngherIhadtohurtyou
i
nt hepr
ocess.Please,f
orgi
veme.”

Gatsha:“Ifor
gaveyoul ongago.I sshesti
llal
ive?I
mean, Iknowshei s,If
eelherspiri
twit
hme
everyday.Isti
llhaveherblanket,
Ican’tf
orgether
scent.Ihaveneverwashedi t.”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
I’
m dyi
ng,
Gat
sha.
”

Gatsha:“
Please,t
ellmewhereyouare.Ipromise
youwecanwor ki
tout.Icangetyouthebestcare
i
ntheworl
d.Justpl
ease,gi
vemeanotherchance
t
obethehusbandyouhavealwayswant
ed.I’l
lgi
ve
i
tal
lupforyou.
”

Lehumo:(cr
ying)“I
t’
snotthat,
Gatsha.Mytimehas
come.Ican’tli
vewithmyselfaft
erwhatIdi
dtoyou,
butIhopeonedayyouunder standj
usthowevil
the
peopl
eofZululandare.
”

Gatsha:(cr
ying)“
Please,
Pleaset
ellmewher
eyou
ar
e, Lehumo!”

Lehumo:(
cryi
ng)“
Iloveyou,Gat
sha.Ihopet
hatwe
domeetagainont
heot hersi
de.
”

Gat
sha:“
Ndhl
ovukazi(
MyQueen)
….”

Lehumohungupandcried,
shet
ookherlastbr
eat
h
ri
ghtonherbedwi
thherphonei
nherhands.
Gatshaimmediatel
yfel
therspir
itl
eavethisear th.
Hef el
tasifhi
swholebodywasl it
eral
lybeingt orn
i
ntot wo.Hecouldnotbarethethoughtoflivi
ng
wit
houthiswifeandchil
danylonger.Thet orture
wasj ustt
oomuch.

Gat
sha:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Lehumo!
”

Hethoughthehadnot hingt oli

veforanymore.He
wasat ruefailureinhisowneyes.Hehadf ai
ledto
prot
ectandf indhi sdaught erandwife,and
“married”awomanhedi dn’tevenlove.Hehad
chil
drenwhower en’
tevenhi s.Hisfatherhad
confir
medt ohi mi nadream hehadyear sago.He
decidedi fhecoul dn’tbewi thLehumoi nthefl
esh,
hewoul dbewi t
hheri nspirit
.Heopenedhi slast
draweronhi sdeks, andt ookouthisgun.

Gatsha:(cr
ying)“
Inspi
ritwefai
led,
buti
ndeat
hwe
shallbeoneagain,mylove.
”
Hedi dn’
tthi
nkt wi
ceashepl acedthegunbelowhis
chi
nandpul ledhistri
gger.Justli
kethat
,Lehumo
andGat shahaddi edtogetheri
noneday.Pr i
ncess
Buhlebendal
oBahumiNcubeakaPr i
ncessVil
akazi
becameanor phanunwitt
ingly.
[
01/
27,
07:
40] :Chapt
er52

“Self
ishnessisnotl
ivi
ngasonewishestoli
ve,
iti
s
askingotherstol
iveasonewishest
olive.
”–Oscar
Wilde

WhileLehumoandGat sha’ssoulsweregett
ing
readytomeetthei
rancestorswhilePreci
ouswasin
thekit
chenprepar
ingagreatmealf orhermother
.
Hoseawal kedi
nunexpectedly.Shewasusedt oit
becausehehadahabi tofrockingupwheneverhe
fel
tli
keit
.

Hosea:(
knocki
ng)“
Yey,
Mzukul
u(Hey,
myni
ece)
.”
Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
Mal
umeHer
cul
es(
Uncl
e).
”

Hosea:“hawu(Goodness),Wangi
gugi
sakanj
e
(you’
remakingmefeel ol
d).Youcoul
dhavej
ust
said“Hi
,Malume(uncle).
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
llr
emembert
hatnextt
ime.
”

Hosea:“
Awunaibeernyanaper
haps(
don’
tyou
per
hapshaveanybeerhere)
?”

Precious:“Malume(Uncle)
,youknowMamadoesn’ t
dri
nkmuchbeer .Besides,
youknowshehas
bott
lesofwhi skeyandcognaci nhercupboardsbut
neverdrinksthem.Doesn’talcoholeverexpi
re?”

Hosea:(chuckl
ing)“
Notreal
lywhenyouhave
whiskeyandpropercognacorwine,
itmat
uresover
theyear
s.Theol
deri
tis,
themorerefi
neditgets.
Canyougobuymeasi xpackofCorona,
please?”

Preci
ous:“
Ai,Malume(Oh,Uncl
e),
uphuzakakhul
u
(youdri
nkalot)f
orsomeonewhoi sonl
y30.”

Hosea:“You’
resti
llyoung,
mzukul
u(ni
ece).One
day,whenlif
ehit
syouashar dasi
thashitme,you
wil
lunderst
and.”

Precioustookthemoneyf r
om Hosea’ shandand
wentt obuyhi m asixpack.Hehar dlyhadthe
energytovisithissisterandtalkaboutlif
eit
self
,but
thatdayhej usthadast r
angefeeli
ng.Hedeci ded
togot oherbedr oom.Heknockedf orawhileand
therewasnoanswer .Hef i
guredshewas
deli
beratel
yignor i
nghi m,butopenedt hedoor
anyway.

Hosea:(
knocki
ng)“
Lehumo.Comeon,
it’
sjustyou
andI.Pr
eci
ousisn’
tar
ound.Okay,Iam comi
ngin,
butatmyownri
sk.Idon’
twanttoseeyounaked.
”

Hesl owl
yopenedthedoorandfoundhereyes
closedandherphonelayi
ngont opofher
.Hetook
thephoneandstaredatthepi
ctureofGat
sha,
whichLehumowasst ari
ngat.

Hosea:(
chuckl
ing)“
Regr
eti
sapai
nfulbi
tch.
”

Heslowl
ylookedatherandr
eali
zedt
hatherchest
wasnotmovingupanddown.Hesl owl
yfelther
pul
seandreali
zedshewascold.

Hosea:(
shocked)“Fuck.Your eall
ydecidetodo
t
histomenow?WhenIbar el
yhavemyownl i
fe
t
ogether
?!Wow, Ineverthoughtyoucoul dbeeven
moresel
fish–eveni ndeathyoust i
llr
emainself
ish.
NowIhavet ohel
pLehumoal lthewayt hr
oughthe
r
estofherli
fe.
”
Hetookadeepbreat
handstar
edather,
andf
inal
ly,
t
hetearshehadbeenbur
yingunder
neat
hhad
f
inal
lycomeout.

Hosea:(
crying)“
Iknowyoudi dwhatyouhadt odo,
butyousti
llhadachancetomendt hi
ngs,Lehumo.
Il
oveyou,Ineverstoppedlovi
ngyouevent hough
youtookmywhol elif
efrom me.”

Hequickl
ycomposedhi mselfandwi pedoffhis
tear
s.Hewast hi
nkingofawayt ot
ellPreciousthat
hermotherwasnomor e.Heknewt hatwoul dbreak
herasitwoul
dbreakanybody.Shef i
nall
ycame
backfr
om thebot
tlestore,andHoseamanagedt o
composehimself
.Shet ookratherl
ongert han
expect
ed.

Preci
ous:“
Tjo(
Wow) ,
Malome(Uncle)
.Li
neneele
tel
legor
e(Thequeuewassolong)
.LegonaBra
Mikeogannegontheki
setsa(
Besi
des,
BraMi
ke
di
dn’twantt
osel
ltome).”

Hosea:“
Howdi
dyoumanaget
obuyf
ormet
hen?
”

Preci
ous:“Kemmodi t
semasepa(It
oldhi
m shi
t).O
kwatet
segor ekemoganne(He’
smadatme
becauseIrefusedt
obehisgi
rl
fr
iend)
.Fucking
paedophi
le.”

Hosea:(
chuckling)“Ai
,Pr
ecious.Thankyou, but
youshouldn’
tthinkyouareunt ouchabl
e,youknow.
Imean,peopl
ecanendupki ll
ingyououtt her
e.”

Preci
ous:“Malome(Uncle),
Iam notweak.My
mom mi ghtbesoft
,butnnaI’mfarfr
om i
t.Imust
havegottenitf
rom myfathermaybe.”

Hoseagott
ouchedbyherspeaki
ngofhermot
heri
n
presentt enseknowi ngshewasnomor e.
Meanwhi le,Preci oushadal waysbeencandi dabout
her“ father ”
, someoneLehumocr eatedandt oldher
thather anawayassoonasshet ol
dhi m shewas
pregnant .Li esanddecei tneverl astforever .They
alwayshaveawayofcat chingupwi thus, andi ti
s
evenmor epai nf ultother eci pientespeci all
y,when
thel i
arort hedecei tf
ulonedi es.I ti
spai nf ulthatat
ti
mes, wet hinkt hatwedowhati sbestf orour
children, buti ntur n,weact ual lydamaget hem even
mor et hant heywoul dhavebeenhadwej usttold
thet ruth.Hoseahadbeenl i
vi ngal i
eeversi ncehe
hadt oleaveZul ul and,butwel l
,Lehumoal waysdi d
ri
ghtbyhi m andt riedtogi vehi mt hebestl if
e.He
mighthavebeenr esentfulandangr y,buthe
realizedi twasnousebei ngangr yatsomeonewho
wasnol ongert her etobeangr yat .Pr eciouswas
nowhi spr i
or i
ty.Hewasaf uckuphi msel f;with
threechi ldren, threedi fferentbabymama’ sanda
veryunst abl elovel if
e.Hehadbecomet he
opposi teofhi sname, andqui tether ebel .Ast he
Biblesaysi nJames3: 16–“ Forwher eyouhave
envyandsel fi
shambi tion, t
her eyouf inddi sorder
andever yevilpract
ice.
”Hecoul dhavebeena
famoussoccerst ar
,andevent henthel
adiesst
il
l
l
ovedhi m,butwhatwasdonewasdone.2
Corint
hians7: 10says“Godlysorrowbri
ngs
repentancethatleadstosalvati
onandleavesno
regret
,butwor ldl
ysorrowbringsdeath.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
LetmegocheckonMama.
”

Hosea:(
worr
ied)“
No!Imean,skamotsosa(don’
t
wakeher)
.Iwasthereandshei
spret
tydruggedup.
Youcanwakeherlat
er.
”

Pr
eci
ousnodded.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shal
lIdi
shupf
oryou?
”

Hosea:(
smili
ng)“
Ofcour
se.Icanneversaynot
o
yourf
ood.”
Pr
eci
ous:(
chuckli
ng)“
Iwonderwhyyoudon’
thave
awif
e,Mal
ome( Uncl
e).
”

Li
tt
ledi
dPreci
ousknowthatHoseawasal
adi
es
man,afat
heroft
hree.

Hosea:(Chuckl
ing)“I’
mtooyoungtobet
ieddown,
Pr
ecious.Youwi llknowoneday.
”

Pr
ecious:“Ag,Idon’
tthi
nkI’
l
levergetmarri
ed.I
mean,lookatMama, shenevergotmarr
iednorhad
aboyfr
iend.”

Ifonl
ysheknew.Theyprayedandatethei
rfood.
Oncedone,Hoseat
ri
edtofindawayt oease
Preci
ousbefor
eshefoundhermotherdeadonthe
bed.
Hosea:“
Preci
ous,
tel
lme;doyouhaveanyr
egr
ets
i
nlif
e?”

Precious:“
Well
,Ithi
nkIam tooyoungtohave
regrets,
butoneregr
etIthi
nkIhave,i
sthatInever
gottogiveBeulaaseri
ousbeati
ng.”

Hosea:(
frowni
ng)“
Ser
iousl
y?”

Precious:“
Yes, Imeansure,Ibrokehernose,butI
shouldhavebr okenwaymor ethant
hat,Malome
(Uncle).Thatgirlhasneverl
ikedmeandInever
bothered.Shej ustkeepsgetti
nginmyway, butshe
mustwai tandsee.Iam goi ngtoshowherf l
ames
nextyear .
”

Hosea:“
Imeandon’tyouhaver
egr
etsaboutyour
f
atherorsomet
hing?”
Precious:“HowcanIr egretsomet hi
ngorsomeoneI
haveneverknown?Iam atpeacewi thmyself.I
seeal otofmyf r
iendsandsomel earnersatschool
whogr owupwi thbot hparents,
butt heyarejustt
oo
screwedupi fyoutellme.Mamahasbeenmor e
thanthat,bothmom anddadt ome.Icher ishthata
l
otandoneday, Iwil
lmakeherpr oudandt hankher
forit
.”

Hosea:(t
eary)“
Preci
ous,
ther
eissomet
hingIhave
t
otellyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Pleasedon’
ttel
lmeyou’
redyi
ng.
”

Hosea:(
tear
y)“
Yourmot
heri
s–“

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
What
?Whati
sit
?Issheokay?
What
?”
Hosea:(
deepsi
gh)“
Idon’
tknowhowt
otel
lyou
t
his.
”

Preciousrosefrom hercouchandr ushedt oher

bedroom beforeheruncl ecouldevenfi
nishhis
sentence.Het ookabi ggulpofhisbeerand
foll
owedher .Preciousstormedintothebedroom,
withherheartpalpitat
ing–al mostasifi
twas
aboutt ol
eaveherbody.Shesawhermot her
sleepingpeaceful
ly,butshejustknewshewasnot
okay.

Preci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Mama?
!Mama?
!Mamat
soga
(wakeup)!
”

Hosea:(
tear
y)“
Shei
sgone,
Preci
ous.Shei
sgone.
”

Preci
ous:(
scr
eami
ng)“No!Shecan’
tbegone!Just
l
ikethat
?!Shewasawakejustaf
ewhoursago!
”
Hosea:“
It
’sgoi
ngt
obeokay,
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Preci
ouswailedasshedroppedontothefl
oor.
Hoseagrabbedherwit
hbot harmsandlethercryi
n
hi
s.Howonear t
hwashegoi ngtorai
seherwhen
hecouldnotevenfi
xhisownl i
fe?
[
01/
27,
07:
41] :Chapt
er53

“Tothewell-
organi
zedmind,
deat
hisbutt
henext
greatadvent
ure.”–J.
K.Rowli
ng

Everythingwasar ealmessonbot hsidesoflif

e;i
n
Zululandandi nMamel odi.BackinZulul
and,
Georgi nawast oost r
essedwhensher eali
zedher
husbandhadn’ tcomebackhomesi ncehehadl ef
t
forwor kinthemor ni
ng.Shehadbeenpaci ngup
anddown, ponderinghermi ndwithami l
li
on
thought sandscenar iosofwhatcouldhave
happenedt ohi m.Despi teGatsha’
sbehaviour
towar dsher,sher eal
lylovedhim.Hermot her
wal
kedi
nwhi
leshewaspaci
ngupanddown.

Gl
enda:(
sur
prised)“
Hawu,
Geor
gina.Yi
nii
ndaba
(
What’
stheproblem)?”

Georgina:(
worr
ied)“
Eish,Ma.Iam wor
ri
edabout
Gatsha.Hisphoneringsunanswer
edandhejust
hasn’tcomebackhomeyet .
”
Gl
enda:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm, ai
.It
houghtyou
woul
dtel
lmesomethi
ngsensi
ble.
”

Geor
gina:“
I’
m ser
ious,
Ma.
”

Glenda:“Healwaysworksti
llat
eandyouknowhe
basicall
ynevermakesitt
odinner.I
fyou’
reso
worriedabouthi
m, whydon’
tyougotohis
workplace?”

Geor
gina:“
Andl
eavet
heki
dsnobani(
wit
hwhom)
?”
Glenda:(
rol
li
ngeyes)“
Ai,
Isomet i
meswonderi
f
you’r
eactual
lymydaughter
,wena.uSlow(
you’
re
soslow).Youhavearoyalnanny,man.
Masihambe(Le’
tsgo).
”

Geor gi
nadi dn’thavet imet othinkabouti t,
asher
mot herjustpul l
edherbyt hear m andt heydr oveoff
i
nhermot her’
sl uxur
iousLexusUXSUV.Whatpoor
Geor gi
nadi dn’treali
zewast hathermot herwoul d
haver atherlethersuf ferthanl oseallthebenef i
ts
thatcamewi thherbei ngGatsha’ s“BabyMama” .
Theymadet heirwayt otheofficeandsecur i
tywas
notevenar ound.Gat shahadgi venthem theday
off.Event houghGeor ginawasnotl egall
ymar ri
ed
toGat sha,shehadt hesamebenef it
sandaccess
asawi fewoul d–t osomeext ent.Whi l
eGl enda
drovei n,Georginast artedfeeli
ngver yodd.

Geor
gina:“
Ihaveaver
ybadf
eel
ingaboutt
his,
Ma.
”
Gl
enda:“
Youl
ikepani
cki
ngf
ornot
hing.
Masi
hambe(l
et’
sgo).
”

Theywalkedoutandheadedt othelift
.Thecloser
theyapproachedhi
sof f
ice,theweirderGeorgi
na
fel
t.Theyfinal
lymadeittohi soffi
cedoor .Gl
enda
openeditandtheyfoundt hemostdi stur
bingscene
thatnear
lymadeGeor gi
na’ sheartstop.

Geor
gina:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Yoooh,
Nkosiyami(
Oh,
My
God)
!”

Gl
enda:“Yoh(Wow)!Umenzeniumuntuwabantu
(
Whatdidyoudot othepoorman)f
orhimtoeven
t
hinkofkil
li
nghi
mself?”

Georgi
nawast oodumbstr
ucktoevenyel
lather
motherforbei
ngsoinsi
ncere.
Geor
gina:“
Ihavet
ost
artmaki
ngcal
lsandar
range
t
hefuneral
.”

Gl
enda:“
Areyouf
ucki
ngki
ddi
ngme?
”

Geor
gina:“
What
?”

Glenda:“Whatdoyout hinkwi
llhappentoyouor
thoseboyswhent heyfindouttheKingi
sdead?Do
youevent hi
nkheleftyouanything?Becausewe
bothknowhedi dn’
tloveyou.You’ r
enotevenhi
s
wife,Georgi
na,
forgoodnesssake! ”

Georginastoppedforamomentt oabsorb
everyt
hinghermot herwastel
li
ngher,whil
etr
ying
sohardnott olookatGatsha’
sheadoozingwith
bloodeverywhere.

Geor
gina:“
Kuyaf
ana,
Ma(
Itr
eal
lydoesn’
tmat
ter
).I
mean,IknewwhatIwasgett
ingmysel
fint
oand
besi
des,wecan’
tavoi
dthi
sissue.Hei
sdead.”

Glenda:“YouandIar
etheonl
ypeopl
ewhoknow
aboutthat.
”

Georgi
na:(
shocked)“
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
o
suggest
?”

Glenda:“
Iam suggest
ingt
hatwegetr
idofhi
sbody
oursel
ves.
”

Geor
gina:(
shocked)“Areyouevenheari
ngyour
sel
f,
Ma?Amabat iangaka(somuchbadl uck)
?”

Glenda:“
It
’seit
herthatorbacktothestreet
swith
yourtwoboys.Ar eyouwi l
li
ngtoletal
ltheseri
ches
go?Webot hknowt hatLehumoisstil
lhisl
egal
wifeandwhoknowswhatmi ghthavehappenedto
t
hatbratshegavebirt
hto?Ishoul
dhaveki
ll
edher
whenIhadt hechance.Gwenwassuchaweakl
ing.
Godresthersoul.
”

Geor
ginawastooshockedathowhermot
herwas
t
ooblaséaboutever
ythi
ng.

Geor
gina:“
Doyouevenhaveaconsci
ence,
Ma?
”

Glenda:“I
saconsci
encegoi
ngtofeedmeoysters
anddessertwi
thmyeverymeal?Wi l
litbuyme
MCCchampagne?Comeon, now.Wakeupand
stopbeinganui
sance.Areyoui
nornot ?”

Georginastoodtheresil
entl
yforaboutaminuteas
shetookonel ookatGatsha’sbodyandthenone
l
ookathermot her.Shenoddedwi t
hsomuch
regr
et,butsheknewt hatthedaysheagreedtoher
mother’spl
anwast hedayshebasical
lysol
dher
soultothedevil.Shehadl i
edsomuch, t
hatshe
hardl
ymanagedt
orecogni
zeher
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or
anymore.

Gl
enda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Good.I
’
llgetst
art
ed.
”

Georgi
nasatdown,star
ingatGatsha’
sli
felessbody
whil
eGlendastar
tedcal
lingsomeoneont he
phone.
”

Glenda:“Ja( Yes)
,yimi(
it
’sme).Bri
ngallthe
chemi calsyouneed.Ihaveacoder edsit
uati
on.I
’l
l
textyout headdress.Youknowwhatt odo.Make
surenooneseesyouorel senopaymentforyou.
Sho( sure).
”

ItsoundedtoGeorgi
naasi
fhermotherhadal
ready
donet hi
sbefor
e.Sheseemedsorel
axedand
carefr
eeaboutital
l.
Gl
enda:“
Wel
l,
letmegetusadr
inkwhi
lewewai
tfor
myguy.”
[
01/
27,
07:
41] :Chapt
er54

“
Deat
histhedr
oppi
ngofthef
lowert
hatt
hef
rui
t
mayswel
l.
”–HenryWar
dBeecher

Backi nMamel odi ,withallthatwashappeni ng, i

t
fel
tasi fPrecious’ l
if
ewasf all
ingapar t .Shel iteral
ly
fel
tli
keshehadnoonel eft.Yes, HoseaorMal ome
Herculesasknownt oherwast hereyes, butshe
couldn’texpectawhol e30yearol ddisast rous
fat
heroft hreet ol eavehi slif
eandt akeheronwhen
shewasaboutt obecomeanadul ther self.Shewas
oneyearawayf rom var sity–whi chwasnotsobad,
buthermot herwasal lsheknew.Hert hreef r
iends
camet ocomf ortherandevent hought herewas
nothingtheycoul dsayordot omaket hepai ngo
away, buttheirpr esencewasenoughf orher .Leah,
RachelandDebor ahcamet oseeherwhi leshewas
onthemat ressaspert r
adi t
ion.Itf el
tliket ort
ur e
andplainabuset oher .Shef elthel pl
esssitti
ngon
thatmattresscryingal lday.LeahandRachelwer e
sist
ers,t
wi nstobeexactandst i
llhadbot hpar ents
present–r ichparentst obepreci se,butDebor ah
knewPr ecious’painalltoowellasherownmot her
diedinarat herpainfulwaywhenshewasj ust8
yearsold.I tst
il
lfeltli
keitwast hedaybef orefor
her.

Leah:“
Hey,hun.We’
resosor
ryforwhatyou’
re
goingt
hrough.Wecanonl
yimagine.
”

Leahwasmor eofaspokesper
sonf orRachelwho
wasmoretoneddownandhadr at
herlesstosay
j
ustaboutever
ythi
ng.

Deborah:“Bel
ieveme, Iknowyourpai
n.You’ llget
t
hrought hi
s.Atl eastyourunclei
ssti
llal
iveand
wil
lhelpyougi veyourmot heradi
gni
fi
edfuner al
.”
Preci
ous:(
sobbing)“Shenevert
oldmeshehada
brai
ntumor,guys.Imaginethat
.Ifoundoutaf
ter
herbodywast akenawaytothemortuar
y.Ihad
j
ustmadeherherf avouri
tesoupwhen…”

Shecoul
dn’
tevenf
ini
shhersent
ence.

Deborah:“It
’sokay,f
riend.Youwi llgett
hroughthi
s,
rememberwhatshet aughtyouaboutt heLord.
Psalm 34:18–“ TheLordisclosetot he
brokenheart
edandsavest hosecrushedinspiri
t.
”I
knowt heroadf r
om hereonwar dsseemsbl eak,
but
youwi l
lgetthroughit
.Iknowi t.”

Deborahal wayshadawayofsayi ngallt

her i
ght
thi
ngs.Pr eci
oussunkherheadi nDeborah’slap
andcr i
eduntilshefel
tal i
tt
lebett
er.Theyleftanda
famousguestcamebyt oseethem.Whi leHosea
wasi nthekitchenwaiti
ngforMam’ Bongitoar r
ive,
hisfr
iendMeshack, otherwiseknownasMi sh
walkedin.Hewast hefamoust ownshipgangst er
andatt het enderageof21hadhi sownhouse,
threecar s,fivet axis,ani ghtclubandchesanyana
slashbot tlest ore.Hehaddoner eall
ywel lfor
himsel fevent houghhehadal otofdemonshi dden
i
nhi scloset .Forsomeonewhowasnamedaf tera
mani ntheBi ble,het urnedoutt obequi teat hug
l
ikemostboysr aisedwi thouttheirfathersi nthe
townshi p.Hi smot herhadt r
iedallshecoul dto
raisehi m wel l.Hehadt onsofr espectf orwomen,
butl ackedt ot reatt hewomeni nhisli
fewi t
ht he
samer especthehadf orhi smot her.Apar toft hat
hadt odowi thwhathehadwi t
nessedasachi l
d,
butnonet helessever yonehast heirdemons.Ther e
arecr iminalsi nl i
fewhowearexpensi vesui ts,but
dogooddeedsi nt heeyesoft hepeopl e.Hosea
beingt her ebelhewas, hehadbeeni nar ealdeep
messi ntermsofdebt s,butMeshackhadhi sback.
Theyhadbeenr eallygoodf r
iendseversi nceHosea
arrivedinMamel odi.

Meshack:(
knocki
ng)“
Guesswho’
shome?
”
Hosea:(
chuckli
ng)“Mish!Hehbanna(Goodness)
Ubuyenini(
Whendi dyougetback)?Iwasunder
t
heimpressionthatyouwerest
il
linDurban.
”

Meshack:“Iwas,butIbookedafl
ightbackassoon
asIheardaboutyoursist
er’
spassing.I’
m sosor
ry,
mfo(bro)
.”

Hosea:(
teary)“
Thankyou.I
tmeansal
ott
hatyou
camejustforme.”

Meshack:“
Yeah,
howar
emyaccount
scomi
ng
al
ong?”

Hosea:“
Youknowme,
ever
ythi
ngi
sal
waysj
ust
f
ine.
”

Meshack:“
Ili
kethesoundoft
hat
.UphiuBr
idget
(
Where’sBri
dget
)?”
Hosea:(
annoyed)“
Skampotsisakamot
hooo
(
Don’taskmeaboutthatper
son).
”

Meshack:(
chuckli
ng)“
Kemediyahaomos(
She’
s
yourgi
rl
,si
n’tshe)
?”

Hosea:“Youknowverywellwhati
swhat
.Br
idget
wahlanyajo(Bri
dgeti
scrazy)
.”

Meshack:“
Ohl
ant
sakewena(
youmakeher
cr
azy).
”

Hosea:(cl
ickingtongue)“
Mxm, canyoubeli
eveshe
keepsinsi
stingthatImarryher
?Omf il
eledeadl
ine,
jo(sheevengavemeadeadl i
ne,bro)
.”

Meshack:(
laughi
ng)“
ThatiswhyIjustneverhad
ki
dswithanyofmybitches.Thosethi
ngsare
t
roubl
esomeman.
”

Hosea:“
Idon’
tknowwhatt
odo.
”

Meshack:(
chuckl
ing)“Justwatchyourback,H.
Makesureshedoesn’tkil
lyou.Howi sPreci
ous?”

Hosea:“Sheistur
ning18i
naf
ewmont
hsandi
s
notyourtype.
”

Meshack:(
chuckl
ing)“
Hao( Goodness),
whenwi l
l
youst
opplayi
ngtheoverprotect
ivebrother
?I
meanforsomeonewhof ucksalmosteverythi
ngin
aski
rt
,yousuredoactl i
keyou’r
eagoodman. ”

Hosea:“
Iam agoodman,
Ijusthavemydemons.
”

Meshack:“
Don’
tweal
l?Bonaman(
Lookman)
,I
j
ustwantt oseei
fsheisokay.I
fIwasreal
lya
paedophi
leIwouldhavedefl
oweredherl
ongago.
Don’tbel
ikethat
.”

Hoseast il
lgaveMeshackt hebenef itofthedoubt ,
though.HeandMeshackwer eprettymuchal ike;
theylackedrespectforwoment oacer tai
ndegr ee
andtheyj ustcouldnevercommi ttoanyt hi
ng,but
Meshackf el
tsomethingforPrecious.Hehadbeen
waiti
ngf orhertogrowabi tolder,andhonest l
ysaw
awi f
einher .Hecoul dneverconf i
deinanyone, but
hismot herabouther–notevent oHosea.He
didn’
twantpeopl etothinkhewasoddl yweirdor
preyi
ngonher .Hedidn’thaveagoodt rackrecor d
withwomenatal landeveryoneknewt hat.

Hosea:“Sheisinthebedr
oom.Don’
ttaket
ool
ong,
sheisexhausted.
”

Meshack:“
Sur
ethi
ng,
H.”
Meshackwal
kedt
othebedr
oom andknockedsof
tl
y.

Pr
eci
ous:(
deepsi
gh)“
Comei
n.”

Meshackopenedt hedoorsl
owlyandhishear
tsank
tothepitofhisstomachassoonashesawhowr ed
andswol lenhereyeswere.Shesawhim asher
uncle’sbestfr
iend–nothingmore.Sheknew
nothingaboutboysatthatti
me.

Meshack:“
CanIcomei
n?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Yes.
”

Meshacki
mmediat
elyhuggedherandal
lowedher
t
oputherheadi
nhischest.
Meshack:“
Tal
ktome.Howdoyour
eal
lyf
eel
?”

Preci
ous:(cr
ying)“If
eelsoempt y,
Mish.If eell
ikea
partofmyhear thasl
iter
all
ybeentornfrom me.
Shewast heonlyparentIeverhad.Shei sallIhave
everknow,Mish.Howdi dyoudoi t?Howdi dyou
managet ogrowupandbesosuccessf ulafteryour
ownf at
herpassedon? ”

Meshackhatedtal
kingabouthi
sfather
.Tohim,he
wasamonst erwhodeservedtodie.Onlyt
wo
peopl
eknowwhatr eall
yhappenedtohim –hi
msel
f
andhismother.

Meshack:( tense)“If
eltrel
ievedtobehonest .I
di
dn’ thaveagr eatli
fegrowingup.Myf atherispart
ofther easonwhyIam t hepersont hatIam today,
andnoti naposi ti
veway.Buti nyourcase,
Precious,youwer edestinedforgreatness.Believe
me, youwi l
lmakei tinli
fe.Youhaveal waysbeena
greatgirlandyou’resmar t–intel
li
gent,man.Iwi sh
Ihadyourbr ai
ns,thati
stheonet hingthatwillsave
youfrom thi
scruelworld.Mymot heralwayssays
i
fyoumanaget owakeup, t
her eisabrighterday
aheadofyou.Bel i
evemewhenIsayt hatthepai n
nevergoesaway, butyouwillhealandgetbet ter.
Youwi l
llear
ntocopeandgr owupt obeaneven
bett
erandevenmor ebeauti
fulwoman. ”

Precious:(
smi
li
ng)“
Youaresmoothwi
thyourl
ips,
neh( hey)
?Nowonderal
lthegi
rl
swantyouso
badly.”

Meshack:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iknowt hat
,butIdon’twant
t
hem.Ther ei
soneparticul
argir
lIreal
lyl
ike.”

Preci
ous:“
Whydon’tyougof
orher
?Sur
elyyoucan
haveanygir
lyouwant.”

Meshack:“
TheoneIwantdoesn’
twantme–yet
.
But
,Iam apat
ientper
son.
”
Precious:(
chuckl
ing)“
Wel
l
,goodl
uckwi
tht
hat
,
real
ly.”

Meshack:“
Comi
ngf
rom you,
Iappr
eci
atei
t.
”

Whil
eMeshackwasgi vi
ngherhiscondol
ences,
Mam’Bongif
inal
lygr
acedthehousewithher
pr
esence.

Bongi
:(walki
ngi
n)“
Her
cul
es,
wozal
anawena
(comehere).
”

Hosea:(
shocked)“Hawu(Goodness)
,Gogo.Si
nce
whendoyoucal lmethat
?”

Bongi:“
Stopplayi
ngstupi
dandhel
pmewi
tht
his
sui
tcase,i
tisbeyondheavy.
”
Hoseachuckledwhi
lehecarr
iedhersui
tcasei
n.
Bongif
eltst
rangei
mmediatel
ywhenshewal ked
i
ntothehouse.

Bongi
:(f
rowni
ng)“Heywena( you)
,Hosea,
what
haveIt
aughtyouallt
heseyears?”

Hosea:(
frowni
ng)“
Aski
es,
Gogo(
Sor
ry,
Granny)
?”

Bongi:“
Whyhaven’tyoucl eansedthishouseyet ?
Bahumiisstil
lsl
eepi
ngi nthesheet sthatLehumo
diedi
n!Ngaphausahl al
anal omfaziwehl anya
(you’
realsost
il
lwit
hthatcr azywoman) ,
Br i
dget!
WhathaveIevertaughtyou, Hosea? !HaveIt aught
youtobeat hug?Your ollwiththugsnow? ”

Hosea:“
Shh,Gogo!Preciouswil
lhearyou.Doyou
wanttotr
aumati
zeherrightnow?”
Bongi:“
Uyazini(Youknowwhat)?Uyangihl
anyisa
(you’
remakingmecr azy)
!Icouldsmackyour i
ght
now!Everythingisamess.Lehumol ef
tthatchil
d
i
nar ealmessandyouyour sel
fcan’
tevenfix
anythi
ng.”

Hosea:“Ut
hinina,
Gogo(
Whatar
eyousayi
ng,
Granny)
?”

Bongi:(shaki
nghead)“Somethingisreall
ywrong.
Gatshai sdead.Hecommi tt
edsuicidethesame
ti
met hatLehumopassedon.Thei rsoulsmetonce
againandbot hlef
tthi
sear
tht oget
her.Everyt
hing
i
samessi nZul
ulandandthereisnothi
ngIcando
aboutit.
”

Hosea:“
Wel
l,
sur
elyIcandosomet
hing.
”

Bongi
:“Theonl
ythi
ngyouneedt
odoi
stost
ay
awayfr
om Bri
dget
.Sheisgoi
ngtohar
m you.
You’
dbeluckyi
fyoudon’
tdi
e.”

Hosea:“
Mishtol
dmethesamethi
ng.Whatdi
dyou
see,
Gogo(Granny)
?Am Igoi
ngtodi
e?”

AsBongiwasaboutt
orespondtoHosea,Bri
dget
wal
kedinwit
hthethr
eekids,
ful
lycl
othedinblack.

Bri
dget:“Sanibonani(
Goodafter
noon).Hell
o,Gogo
(Granny).Iam fi
nall
ygladtoseeyousinceyou’
re
theclosestthi
ngtoamot hert
oHer cul
es.
”

Bongi:(
annoyed)“
Sawubona(Hel
lo)
,Br i
dget
.
Ufunanil
a(Whatareyoudoi
nghere)?”

Bri
dget
:“Whatdoyoumean?Icamet odomy
dut
iesasumakoti(
thedaught
er-
in-
law).
”
Bongij
ustsi
deeyedHoseai
nannoyance.

Hosea:(
clear
ingt
hroat
)“Br
idget
,canIspeakt
o
you?”

Bri
dget:“Later
.Ihavetost
artpr
eppi
ngfort
he
churchladies.Theyar
ecominginafewhours.
”

Shelef
tHoseaandBongistandi
ngt
her
ewhi
let
hey
werestar
ingatheri
nshock.

Bongi
:“Hosea,
Ihaveabadfeel
ingaboutt
his.You
needt
owat chyourback.
”

HoseaknewthatBongi
’
swar ni
ngswer
emoret
han
j
ustthat
.Troubl
ewaslurki
ngandhehadt
othi
nk
cl
earl
y.
[
01/
27,
07:
42] :Chapt
er55
“
Wecannotacceptt
hel
ovewet
hinkwedeser
ve.
”–
Mar
ti
nLutherKi
ng.

Whi l
eBr idgetwasact i
ngli
kethepr ominent
daught erinlaw,Bongitookthetimet oplaywit
hher
great-grandchil
dren.Meshackf oundt hesit
uat
ion
hi
lariouswhi leHoseawasuni mpr essedwith
Bridget’sbehaviour.Thechurchladiescamet o
offertheircondolences,i
ncl
udingMeshack’ s
mot herThoko.

Thoko:(
smi
li
ng)“
SawubonaBongi(
Hel
loBongi
).
”

Bongi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Thokozi
le,
longt
imenosee.
”

Thoko:“
Tool
ong.Manje(Andnow)?uBr
idget
wenzani(
Whati
sBri
dgetdoingnow)
?”
Bongi:“
Believeme,Ihavenoidea.Ideci
dedto
remainquietandenjoymygreat-
grandki
dsbef
ore
ngibul
alaumuntu(Ikil
lsomeone).
”

Thoko:(
chuckli
ng)“Ngiyabuya,
ithingi
sayokhul
uma
noMenzi(I’
llberi
ghtback.Iwantt ospeakto
Meshack).
”

Bongi
:“Whi
leyou’reatit
,pleasetel
lhi
mtost
ay
awayfr
om mygr eatgrandchil
d.”

Thoko:“
Bel
ieveme,
Ishar
ethesamesent
iment
s.”

Thokowal
kedt
owar
dsMeshack.

Thoko:“
Sawubona(Hell
o),
Her
cul
es.MayIst
eal
mysonf orami
nute?”
Hosea:(smi
lng)“
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Mam’
Thoko.
Ofcour
se.”

MeshackandThokowal
kedout
sidet
otal
k.

Thoko:“
Howi
sshe?
”

Meshack:(
tear
y)“
Sheisbr
oken,Ma.Ihavenoi
dea
whatt
odoorsayt omakeherf
eelbet
ter
.”

Thoko:(
shocke)“
Meshack,
lookatme.
”

Meshackl
ookedatherandat
earescapedhi
seye.

Thoko:“Pl
ease,
don’
tdothis,
Meshack.Thatgir
lis
achil
d.Sheknowsnothingaboutmenwhil
eyou
havesleptwi
thnear
lyt
hewhol eofSout
hAfri
ca.”
Meshack:“
Ma,
thi
sisdi
ff
erent
.Il
oveher
.”

Thoko:(
sigh)“
Yousayt hataboutal
loft
hem,
Mish.
Whathappensifshefal
lsforyouandyouhur
ther
l
ikeyoudidtherestoft
hem? ”

Meshack:“
Ma,Iam t
ryi
ngsohar
dtochange.Why
can’
tyouseet
hat?
”

Thoko:“
BecauseIknowyou,Mish.Iknowyoutoo
well
.Youaregoingtoendupli
keyourfat
her.
”

Meshack:(
tense)“
Iwon’
tendupl
iket
hatmonst
er,
Ma.”

Thoko:“YouandIbot
hknowthatyou’
renotgood
forher
,Meshack.Whydoyouwantt orui
nherli
fe?
”
Meshack:“
Idon’thaveti
mef ort
his.Preci
ous
needsmerightnow.I’l
lseeyouaftert
heservi
ce.
”

Helef thi
smot herstandi
ngt hereandwentback
i
ntot hehouse.Br i
dgetmadesur etoserve
everyoneteaandbi scuit
s.Assoonast hechurch
l
adiesl ef
t,Br
idgettookituponher sel
ftostar
t
cookingforThoko, Bongi,t
het hr
eekids,Meshack,
PreciousandHosea, muchtohi sannoyance.

Hosea:“
Bri
dget
,canwet
alk,
please?
”

Bri
dget
:“Sur
e.Icanmul
ti
task.Youofal
lpeopl
e
shoul
dknowt hat
.”

Hosea:“Br
idget
,your
eal
lydon’
thavetocook.Itold
younottoshowuphere.It
’smysist
er’
sfuneral
,for
goodnesssake!
”
Bri
dget :(
angered)“
So?Whatexactlyareyou
sayi
ng, Hercul
es?Ar eyousayi
ngI’
m notgood
enoughf oryou?ThatIam notsupposedtohel
p
outalthoughIam taki
ngcareofyourthr
ee
chil
dren?!”

Hosea:“
Bri
dget
,cal
m down,
man.
”

Bridget
:“Orwhat ?You’regoingtoleavemel ikeyou
l
eftyourtwopr eviousbabymamas?I ’m notgoing
anywhere,Hercules!Igaveyouanot herson, andI
tookcareofyourdaught erandothersonwhi l
ethei
r
uselessmothersleftthem wit
hyou!Isacr if
icedso
muchf oryouandyouwantt oleaveme? !”

Everyonewassostunnedthatt
heywer eactuall
y
stari
ngatt het
wo.Hoseahatedthatki
ndof
attent
ion,sohedi
dwhathedidbest–cont ained
thesituat
ion.
Hosea:“ Calm down,Br
ee.Idi
dn’tsayI’
mleavi
ng
you.Ijustmeantyouneedt otoneitdown,t
hat’
sal
l.
Ihaven’tpaidanylobol
aforyouandnowyouwant
toslaveof fl
ikethi
s.Comeon,man. ”

Bridgetcal
meddownassoonashest
art
edsayi
ng
that.

Bri
dget
:(reli
eved)“
Okay,Igetyou.But,nexttime,
don’
tbesoaggr essi
veorelseIwon’ttakeitvery
well
.I’
vebeenwi thyouf
orovert enyears,
Her cul
es.
Youcan’tleaveme.Notnow, notever.
”

Atthatpoi
ntHer
cul
esknewt hathehadmore
pr
oblemsthanhedidfi
veminutesbefore.He
sl
owlywalkedawayfr
om hertoeveryoneel
sei
nthe
l
ounge.

Bongi
:“I
twon’
tendwell
,Hercul
es.Youneedt
o
deci
dewhatyouwantbefor
eitbl
owsupinyour
f
ace.
”

Itwasatthatver
ypointthatPreci
ous’ l
if
ewas
abouttomakeabi gturnaroundinaf ewmont hs.
Shewasaboutt ostartmatri
cinamont hort
wo,
andHoseahadmor eproblemsthanhehad
anti
cipat
ed.Nonetheless,Meshackwasaboutt o
becomePr eci
ous’bi
ggestsupporterandhehada
bigimpactonher.Hei ntr
oducedhert oali
feshe
neverknewshewoul dbeabl etohandle.

BackinZul
uland,
thingswerenotspiral
li
ngt oo
muchoutofcontrolasmuchasGl endahadt hought
.
Justtwodaysaft
erGatsha’
s“disappearance”,his
tr
ustedl
awyerappearedwithmuchsaddeni ng
news.Heknockedont heRoyalPalacedoor .

Gl
enda:“
Ent
er.
”

Geor
gina:“
Ma,
youdon’
tevenknowwhoi
tis,
and
al
readyyou’
rei
nvi
ti
ngt
hem i
n.”

Gl
enda:“
Youneedt
orel
ax.
”

Gatsha’
str
ustedl
awyer,Kumkaniwalkedin.He
hadbeenGatsha’
slawyerandgoodfriend,apart
fr
om Siyawhohadmovedt oLondonwi thBrenda
andtheboys.Theyevenhadadaught erlat
eron
anditwastoopai
nfulf
orBrendatol
ivei nZulul
and
wit
houtLehumoaround.

Kumkani
:“Gr
eet
ings,
ladi
es.
”

Geor
ginaf
eltl
ikeshewasaboutt
odr
opdeadont
he
fl
oor
.

Geor
gina:(
ner
vous):
”He.
.Hel
lo.
”
Kumkani:“Iapol
ogizeformyi mpr
omptuvisi
t,butI
haveurgentmatter
st odiscusswi
thyou,
Ms.
Georgi
naDambuza. ”

Gl
enda:“
Whatki
ndofmat
ter
s?”

Kumkani
:(annoyed)“
Thi
sisamat
terbet
weenMs.
DambuzaandI ,
Ma’am.”

Gl
enda:(
Annoyed)“
Utheni(
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay)
?”

Geor
gina:“
It
’sf
ine,
Ma.Mr
?”

Kumkani
:“Oh,
Mdhl
etse.Youcancal
lme
Kumkani
.”

Geor
gina:“
Okay,
Kumkani
.Canshebepr
esent
?”
Kumkani
:“Sure.Wellt
hen,Iam sur
ewear eal
l
awar
eofMr .GatshaNcube’
sdissapear
eance.He
hadaspecif
icdocumentincaseofsuch
emer
gencies.
”

Georgi
na:“
Wai
taminute.I
sn’tMr.Nkat
haGatsha’
s
l
awyer?Imeannooff
ence,butyoulookawef
ull
y
youngtobeal
awyer
.”

Kumkani:“Iam oneofMr.Nkatha’
sjuni
or
associ
ates.Igetthatal
ot,buthei
sabusyman
andIwillberunni
nghisnewf i
rminPret
ori
a.”

Geor
gina:“
Isee.
”

Kumkani:“
Anyway,
Ihavecomeher et
oreadhi
s
i
nstr
uct
ionstoyousincehehasgonemissi
ng.
”

Gl
enda:“
Wai
t,whatmakesyout
hinkt
hathei
s
mi
ssi
ng?
”

Kumkani:“
BecauseIhaveknownhi
mf oryear
sand
heneverdoesanyt
hingoutoft
heor
dinary.Hehas
beengonefort
wodaysnow. ”

Gerogi
na:“
Canyour
eadt
hedocumental
ready,
pl
ease?’

Kumkani
:“Al
ri
ght
.”

Het
ookoutt
hedocumentandst
art
edr
eadi
ng.

Kumkani :“
Tomydear estGeorgi
na.Bynowyou
shouldknowt hatIam missi
ngandifitisindeedthe
case,Iwouldliket
hefoll
owingtobeadher edto:
fi
rstl
yI’dli
keyoutonotethatIknowthattheboys
aren’
tmi ne–theywer eneverminet
obegi nwit
h.I
knowt hatyouareactual
lybarr
enandt hatInever
treatedyour i
ght .Youknewt hatIneverl ovedyou,
butyoust uckar oundanddi dyourbest .Youmade
mebr eakf ast,lunchandsupperf orthepast
eight eenyear sandIappr eciatethatevent hough
younevercompl ai nedasi nglet i
me.Fort hat,I
thankyou.It hankyouf ort ryi
ngt ogivemeanew
meani ngt omyl if eafterIl ostLehumo.Thi sisj ust
ani nt erim wi l
l,whi chmeanst hati tisst andslegali n
thecaseshoul dmybodynotbef oundorIbe
decl ar edmi ssi ng.Kumkaniwi llhandl emy
busi nessunt i
lsuchat imet hatheseest heboysf i
t
tor unt hebusi ness.I nt hemeant ime, theybot h
havet ogot oUni versi
t yandgetmeani ngf uldegr ees
oft hei rchoi cei ft heywantt ohaveast akei nthe
busi ness.Youcanst illremai ni nthehouseandget
amont hlystipendunt i
lsuchat imet hatIbef ound.
Shoul dt heboysnotf ul f
ilmywi shes, theywi l
lforfei
t
ever ythi ng–i ncl udingt heirmont lystipendsas
wel l.
”

Gl
enda:(
annoyed)“
Ini(
What
)?!Wher
edoest
hat
l
eaveme?”
Kumkani:“Mrs.Dambuza, pl
easenotet
hatyour
daught
erandMr .Ncubewer enotevenmar r
ied.
Thisi
saf avourfr
om hisside.So,i
fanyt
hing,just
knowthatheisstil
llegal
lymarri
edtoLehumo. ”

Glenda:(
shocked)“
Whathappensi
fshecomes
backhereorsheisfound?
”

Kumkani:“Thati
smybusiness.I’
lll
etyouknow
unt
ilsuchat i
meshoul
dtherebedevelopments.
Unt
ilthen,
goodbye.I’
l
lbeintouch.”

Gl
enda:“
Wait
!Beforeyouleave,
howmuchi
sthi
s
st
ipendt
heywil
lbegett
ing?”

Kumkani:“
Ifyoumustknow,Ms.Dambuzawi
llbe
get
ti
ngR30000everymont handtheboyswi
lleach
begett
ingR50000mont hl
y.”
ThatwasmusictoGlenda’
sears.Helef
tthetwo
whil
eGeorgi
nawasbr okenandrat
hershocked.
Sheinst
antl
yregr
ett
edlist
eni
ngtohermother.

Glenda:“
Andthen,
wena(you)?Whyseumuncu
kanje(Whydoyoulooksosour)
?”

Georgina:“
Ma,doyoureal
izethatweactual
lyki
ll
ed
amanwhohadmei nmindalltheseyear
s?Iregret
everl
isteni
ngt
oyou.”

Glenda:(chuckli
ng)“
Ifanything,youshouldbe
thanki
ngme.I fyou’
regett
ing30kpermont hnow,
i
magi nehowmuchyouwi llbegetti
ngoncehei s
actual
lyfounddead.Don’ tbestupid,man.Suba
weak( Don’tbeweak),Georgina.Ididn’
trai
seno
weakling.”

Unf
ort
unat
elyf
orGeor
gina,
shewasweakmi
nded.
Hermot herpreyedonhersanity,herpuri
tyand
madeherapawni nhergame.ButasGodhadsad
yearsago,nothingthati
sdonei nthedarkst ays
hidden.Luke12: 2-
3–“ Secr
ectswi l
lbeuncover ed,
thetrul
lwil
lcomef orthandGod’sthoughtabout
everybehaviourandactionwil
lbevindicated.
What ’
sdonei nthedarkshal
lcomet olight
.”
[
01/
27,
07:
42] :Chapt
er56

“
Ofal
lthewordsofmiceandmen,thesaddestar
e;
“
Itmi
ghthavebeen.
”–KurtVonnegut

Oneyearl
ater
…

Preci
ouslear
nttocopewi t
houtt
hepresenceofher
mother.Shehadjustfi
nishedmat r
iceventhoughit
wasaver ydi
ffi
cul
tyear.Shehadover comeal otof
str
ugglesandwasappr oachingage19.
Nonethel
ess,Bongidi
dal lshecoul
d,butshewas
rat
heroldandcouldn’
tstayi nMamelodi
.Shel oved
herhouseandneededt obet heret i
llherenddays.
Sheknewwhatwascomi ng,butsheal soknewt hat
shejustcoul dn’tstopi t
.Pr eciouswasal r
eady
acceptedatf iveUni versit
ies,incl
udingHavar d.Her
mother’sR1mi ll
ionl i
fepol i
cywassetj ustforthat.
Ofcour se,
shehadusedabi toft hatmoneyf orher
matri
cf eesandl ivi
ngexpenses, soshewasl ef
ta
l
itt
lel
esst hanR1mi ll
ion.Forher , i
twasenought o
gethersettled.Shehadnoi deahowshewoul d
endureasecondChr i
stmaswi thouthermot her,but
Mishwast heref orheri never ywaypossi ble.He
madet imef orherever ychancehegot .Whi l
e
Preci
ouswasdeal i
ngwi thherowndemons, Hosea
wasstruggl i
ngwi thhis.Hehadj ustgothomet oan
annoyingBr idgetonceagai n.

Hosea:“
Honey,
I’
m home.
”

Bridget
:(annoyed)“Ngabeushonjal
oukhipeil
obol
a
(Youcouldbesayi ngthatf
orrealaf
terpayi
ng
l
obol a)
.”
Hosea:“
Yoh,HayimanBree.Ij
ustgotbackfr
om
work.Doyoureall
ywanttoshi
tonmer i
ghtnow?”

Bridget
:“Youseem toforgetthatIam theonl
yone
whoknowsal lyoursecrets,Hercules.Youknow
thatIcangetyoufir
edandar rest
ed.”

Hosea:“
Heh?
”

Bri
dget:“
Iwonderwhatyourempl
oyer
swoul
dthi
nk
aboutyoudoi
ngbusinesswit
hMish.
”

Hoseagotsoangr ythathel
ostcontrol
.Hedid
somethi
nghehadneverdonebef ore–noteven
wit
hhisprevi
ousbabymamas–hel andedhi
sf i
rm
handonBridget’
scheek.Shewassost unnedthat
shenear
lylostbalance.
Bri
dget
:(shocked)“Fuckyou,Her
cules!You’
re
goi
ngtopayf orthi
s,youhearme?!
”

Hosea:“Ididn’tmeantodot hat
,Bree,
butfuckit
.
Yousureknowhowt opushaman.Ihavet r
ied,
I
real
lyhave,butIjustdon’tloveyou.Ican’tli
vemy
l
ifebasedonal ieanymor e.Shit.Mykidsdeserve
bett
erandi fyou’r
egoingt okeepusingthem asa
pawnagai nstmet henfuckyou.Packyourshi tand
getout.Myki dsstay-al lofthem.”

Hewalkedoutl
eavi
ngBri
dgetintheki
tchenal
l
al
one.Lit
tl
edidheknowthatshehadplansofher
own.

Bri
dget
:“Nowonel
eavesmeandget
sawaywi
thi
t-
noone.
”

Hehadheardt
hestori
esabouther,
buthe
accumul
atedt
hem t
otheusualtownshi
pgossi
p
thatpeoplespreadaround.Hehaddeci
dedtogo
haveadr inkatMish’
schesanyama.Meanwhile
Preciouswasal oneathomeunti
lDebbi
e,Rut
hand
Leahar r
ived.

Leah:“
KnockKnock.
”

Preci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hey,
guys.Whatbr
ingsyou
here?
”

Rachel:“
Well,
wet houghtwecoul
dhaveourown
pensdown.Imeanwear ei
ndeeddonewi
thhi
gh
school–final
ly.
”

Leah:(
chuckl
ing)“
Oh,pl
ease,
Rachel
.Whatdoyou
evenknowaboutPensdownorparti
est
obe
exact
?”

Debor
ah:“
Rachel
,don’
tbesor
udet
oyoursi
ster
.”
Leahonceagai
ndeci
dedt
okeepqui
et.

Precious:“
Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul
devengopar
tyi
ng.
Besides,we’r
ebarel
ylegal
.”

Deborah:“
Youhonest
lyt
hinkI
’
dgopar
tyi
ngwi
th
Leah?Comeon.”

Precious,
DeborahandRachelf oundi
tsofunny
thattheybur
stoutinlaught
er,whil
eLeahonthe
otherhandfounditnotsofunny.

Leah:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“Mxm,l
etl
ombor
alena
shem (
you’r
egoingtoseri
ousl
ybor
eme,
shame).
”

Preci
ous:“Comeon,Leah.Youpract
ical
lymakefun
ofeveryoneal
lthet
ime.Youcan’tal
waysmake
j
okesaboutothersandthengetmadwhent hey
makef
unofyou.
”

Leahj
ustcl
ickedhert
onguei
nannoyance.

Deborah:“Anyways,wethoughtwecoul
djustgo
chi
llatMish’scarwash.
”

Rachel
:“YoumeanPr
eci
ous’
sboyf
ri
end.
”

Preci
ous:(
fi
rmly)“
He’
snotmyboyf
ri
end.Idon’
t
haveaboyfri
end.”

Leah:“Wel
l,i
tishightimeyoubitchesstart
ed
experi
menti
ngunl essyouwanttoendupl i
keholy
Deborahoverhere.Imean, Char
liepracti
cal
lyhas
hadblueball
sfort hepastt
hreeyears.”

Debor
ah:(
annoyed)“
I’
m savi
ngmysel
fformar
ri
age,
Leah.Butwhatdoyouknow?You’vebeenhavi
ng
sexeversi
nceyoubecameateen.
”

Leah:“
Want l
wael
awena(
You’
rest
art
ingt
oannoy
me),Debor
ah.”

Preci
ous:“
Okay,guys.Chil
l,
please.Letmegetmy
bagandwe’llheadout.Funvibesonly,pl
ease.
”

Shegrabbedherhandbagandt heywal kedout .

EventhoughLeahwasabi tannoyedatDebbi efor
hercomment ,Debbi
ecoul dn’tcar el
essabouthow
Leahfelt .Shewast herudeoneoft hegr oupanda
l
otofgi rlsandboysdi sl
ikedherf orthat.Shewas
real
lypr etty,muchli
keRachel ,
butshewasway
naughtiert hanhertwinsister–t hanallofthem
actual
ly.Whi let
herestoft hem wer evirgins,Leah
wasover lyexperi
encedforherage.Theyt ooka
walktot hecarwashwhi chwasaboutt enmi nutes
awayfr om Pr eci
ous’shouse.Uponar ri
val,they
weregr eet edbyoneofthewai tresses.
Wai
tr
ess:“
Hel
lo,
tabl
eforf
our
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes,
please.
”

Wai
tr
ess:(
frowni
ng)“
Hey,
aren’
tyout
hatgi
rl
?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Aski
es(
Excuseme)
?”

Wait
ress:“ Yeah,
you’
ret hatgir
l,man.Theonewho
i
safterMi sh.Shame, he’sprobabl
ygoi ngt
ofuck
youandleaveyouhangi ngli
kehedoesever yone.
Butt
hen, you’rej
ustanor phansoyou’ r
eofnouse
tohi
m.Youshoul dl
eaveanexper iencedmanl i
ke
himtomat uregi
rl
sli
keus. ”

Preci
ouswassoangr y–unl
ikeherfat
herandher
mother,shegotanger
edr
eal
lyquickl
y.Shewas
rat
herimpulsi
ve.
Precious:(
anger
ed)“
Ithi
nkyougott
hewr
ong
person.”

Wait
ress:“
Oh,no.Iam speaki
ngtot
heri
ghtgi
rl
,
al
ri
ght.Preci
ousVil
akazi–theor
phansl
utof
Mamelodi.
”

Thatwai t
ressneversawi tcomi ngforsomeoneas
tallandbust yasher sel
f.Preciouswasnotver ytal
l,
i
nf actshewasj ustasshor tashermot her.She
hadt akenhermot her’
scompl exion,butwast he
spittingimageofherf ather.Shegotsof ir
edup
thatshel andedahotpunchont hatgirl’
sfaceand
shef oundher sel
font hefloorast hetrayshehadi n
herhandsl andedonherf ace,causinghernoset o
bleedi nstantl
y.Pr eciouswasbr eat
hingfire,
standi ngrightont opofher .

Debbi
e:(
shocked)“
Preci
ous!Mot
logel
e(Leave
her
)!You’
rebi
ggert
hant
hat
.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
angr
y)“
Fuckbei
ngbi
gger
.”

Shegotontopofthatgi
rlaseveryonewas
watchi
ngthem i
nshock.Shest art
edpunchi
ngt
he
gi
rlmult
ipl
eti
mesagain.

Pr eci
ous:(
fuming)“ Ont
lwael
amasepa,nyoammao
(You’reful
lofshit
,yourmother
’scunt
)!Ketl
ago
trapanna( I
’l
lbeattheshi
toutofyou)
.”

Whileshewasbeati
ngherup,l
eavi
ngherfr
iendsi
n
shock,Mishqui
ckl
ytookherawayfr
om t
he
wait
ress.

Pr
eci
ous:(
shout
ing)“
Ntl
ogel
e(Leavemeal
one)
!”
Wai
tress:“Getherar
rest
ed,
Mish!Di
dyouseewhat
t
hefuckt hi
sbitchdi
dtome?!”

Leah:“
Wel
l,
youki
ndofdeser
vedi
t.
”

Meshack:“
Shutup,
Rose!Pr
eci
ous,
cal
m down,
pl
ease.
”

Preci
ous:(
fuming)“Thi
sbi
tchinsul
tedmei nst
ead
ofoff
eri
ngmeat abl
etosi
t.Shedoesn’tevenknow
meyetsheaccusedmeofwant i
ngyou.Shecal l
ed
meanor phanedwhorewhoisafteryou,Mish!
”

Meshackwassoangr
yaf
terhear
ingt
hatst
atement
.

Meshack:(f
uming)“
Yey,
wena(
Hey,
you)
,Rose.Di
d
youreal
lysayt
hattoher
?”
Wai
tr
ess:(
looki
ngdown)“
Notexact
ly,
but–“

Meshack:“Rose,ketl
odir
etsefavourkaofaspane,
sfebekewena( Idi
dyouaf avourbygivi
ngyoua
j
ob, youbit
ch).Nowonor ogadicustomertsaka
so(Now, you’
resweari
ngatmycust omersli
ke
thi
s)?”

Wai
tr
ess:“
Mish,
I–“

Meshack:“YouknowhowIdealwi t
hpeopl eli
keyou.
Otsereadvantagewenaent l
ek(youtookadvant age
ofme).You’refir
ed.I’
llpayyoufortherestofthe
month,butasfarasitgoes,thi
sisyourlastday.”

Wai
tr
ess:(
tear
y)“
Mish,
I–“

Meshack:“
Voet
sek(
Pissof
f)!Zaya(
Go)
!”
Roselef
tdef
eated,asshegavebothMeshackand
Preci
ousonelastl
ookbefor
eleavi
ng.

Meshack:“
Ther
estofyou,
thepar
tyi
sover
.”

Everyonewasafrai
dofMeshackandmostofthe
peopleactual
lyr
espect
edhim.Theywentbackto
thei
rspotsandthedjcont
inuedpl
ayi
ngmusic.

Meshack:(smil
ing)“Hi
,gir
ls.Ther
eisatabl
efor
youoverther
e.Or deranyt
hingyouwant–ont he
house.
”

Meshackalsohadabitofat
emper,buthecoul
d
easi
lyswit
chitupasi
fhewasnotangryafew
minutesbef
ore.

Debor
ah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
Meshack.
”
Meshack:(
chuckl
ing)“
Please,
onl
ymymot
hercal
ls
methat.
”

Leah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Preci
ous,
areyoucomi
ng?
”

Meshack:“
She’
l
lbet
hereinaminut
e.Or
der
your
sel
vessomedri
nksfornow.
”

Hest
il
lhadhi
sarmsf i
rml
yaroundPreci
ouswho
wasj
ustqui
etbutbr
eathi
ngheavi
ly.

Leah:“
Alr
ightt
hen.Don’
ttaket
ool
ong.
”

Leah,RachelandDeborahwenttositwher
eMish
hadallocatedt
hem.Anotherwait
resswenttoser
ve
them whilehewaswit
hPr eci
ous.

Meshack:“
Come,
let
’st
akeawal
k.”
Preci
ouscoul
dn’
texact
lydi
sagr
eeashehadheld
herfi
rml
y.Theywalkedabi
tfur
therawayfr
om t
he
ChesaNyamaandsheseemedt ohavecal
med
downalit
tl
ebit
.

Meshack:“
So,youwantt
otel
lmewhyyouact
ed
l
ikeawholefemal
eRamboonRose?”

Preci
ous:(cl
ickingtongue)“Shehaditcomi
ng.She
i
nsultedme.Cal l
ingmeanor phanwhore.Shesai
d
Iwasaf t
eryouandt hatyou’
djustf
uckmeand
l
eavemehangi ngl i
ketherestoft
hegirl
sar
ound
here.
”

Meshack:(chuckl
ing)“
You’
renotevensor
ry,
bat
hing(goodness),Pr
eci
ous.
”

Pr
ecious:“I
t’
snotli
keyouweregoingtol
eaveher
st
andingtherewi
thoutgi
vingherafewsl
apshadit
beenyou.
”

Meshack:(
scr
atchi
nghead)“
Wel
l,
you’
reki
ndof
r
ight
.”

Precious:“
Ser
iousl
y,t
hough,Mish.Whatdidshe
mean?Imeani t
’snotl
ikeyou’
remyboyfr
iendor
anything.
”

Meshackwasabi thur tbecausehereall

ythought
thataft
erhisgenuinegest uresshewouldact ual
ly
havesavedsomespacei nherheartforhi
m asher
boyfri
end.Hehadf all
enheadoverheel sforherli
ke
neverbefor
e–despi tedeali
ngwi t
hhisown
demons.Hewoul docassi onall
ykeephercompany
atherhouseonaf ewweekdaysandsome
weekends,atti
meshewoul dfetchherfr
om school .
Hehadevenor gani zedoneofhi sguystobeherf ull
ti
mebodyguar dwithoutherevennot ici
ng.Heknew
ofhereverymoveatever ysecondofeveryday.I t
wasabi tcr
eepy,buti twashi swayofshowi nghow
muchhel
ovedher
.

Meshack:( soft
ly)“Ei
sh,bona( Look),
Pr eci
ous.I
won’tli
eandsayt hatIdon’tl
ikeyoubecauseIdo–
Ir
eallydo.Ihaveneverf el
tthewayIdoaboutany
ot
hergi rlbefor
e.Iknow, you’reonlyeighteen,
butI
am will
ingt owaitforyou.Ireallywantt omakeyou
mywi feoneday. ”

Hehadst ruckPreciousoffguardbecauseshehad
neverseenhi m asapot enti
alboyfr
iend.Shewas
suddenlynotsosur eifshehadactuall
ybeenl ow-
keyat t
ractedtohim ornot.Shewassi l
entl
ylooki
ng
athim –r eall
ylookingathim.Shenot icedhiscut
e
onedi mpleonhi srightcheek,
anddespi tebei
ng
ratherli
ght,hewasact uall
yreall
yhandsome.He
hadawel l
-groomedshavedbear dandhewas
alwaysneat lydressed.Notadaywentbyt hatshe
didn’tsmellhiscologne.

Meshack:“
Wel
l?Whatdoyousay?
”
Preci
ous:“Idon’
tknow,
Mi sh.Imean,
Ireal
lyhave
neverbeenwithaguybefore.
”

Meshack:“
Iknow.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
puzzl
ed)“
Youknow?
”

Meshack:“Imean,Icantel
l.Besides,
youruncl
e
keepsr
eiterati
ngi
ttome.Heal soconti
nuousl
y
tel
lsmetost ayawayfr
om you.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
tknow,
Mish.
”

Meshack:“
Canyouatleastt
hinkaboutit
?Gi veme
achancetogettoknowyouandforyout ogetto
knowmeandt henyoucanmakeadeci sion.How
aboutt
hat?”
Precious:(
smi
li
ng)“
Okay.Butwhataboutmy
uncle?”

Meshack:“
LeaveHt
ome.
”

Precioussmi ledandnodded.Meshackwasso
rel
ievedashewasnotonet obener vous–ever .
Hewasel ated,hisheartwasj umpingf orsomuch
j
oyt hathehuggedher .Thathugt heyshar edat
thatmomentf eltverydiff
erentfr
om thepr evious
onest heyhadshar ed.Itfel
tasittheywer e
subconsci ouslyconsummat i
ngtheirloveforone
another–al ovetheywer estil
lyettoexper ience.

Meshack:“
Come,yourf
ri
endsmustbewonder
ing
wher
eyouar e.
”

Theywal
kedbackhandinhandandeveryonewas
st
ari
ngatthem.Pr
ecioushadnotbeennotici
ngt
he
staresallyearlongwhenevershewaswal ki
ng
aroundthest reets.Rumourshadal r
eadybeen
fl
yingthatshewasMeshack’ sgi
rl.Well,hehad
war nedanyonenott oeventrygett
ingnearheror
elsetheywoul dregreti
t.Lit
tl
edidPreciousknow
thatshewasnowt hegi
rlf
ri
endofthemost
dangerousmani nMamel odi.

Meshack:“Si
t.I
’
llbr
ingyouacl
othandsomei
ce
f
orthathand.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
Okay.
”

Debor
ah:“
Ooh,
PwaMi
sh.
”

Rachel
:(smi
li
ng)“
Whatwast
hatal
labout
,P?Ar
e
youguysanit
em now?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
No,
man.
”
Leah:(
frowni
ng)“
Forr
eal,
now,Pr
ecious.Laj
olaor
bjang(
areyoutwodat
ingorwhat
)?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wel
l
,sor
tof
.”

Leah:(
annoyed)“
It
’sei
therl
ajol
a(you’
redat
ing)or
not.
”

Debor
ah:“Hawu(Goodness)
,Leah.Soundsl
ike
somebody’
sjeal
ous.
”

Leah:“
Oh,
please.Whywoul
dIbej
eal
ous?
”

Rachel
:“Wel
l,
becauseMishoogannekgal
e
(
BecauseMishsaidnot
oyoulongago).
”

Leah:“
Mxm,
skant
lwael
aRachel
,wankut
lwa(
don’
t
pi
ssmeof
f,Rachel
,doyouhearme)
?”

Preci
ous:“Look,i
t’
snobigdeal
,Leah.Besi
des,you
real
lyneedtostopspeaki
ngtoRachell
iket
hat.
She’syoursist
er.
”

Leah:“I
’mjustsayingthatIdon’tknowwhatthe
fucksheistal
kingabout .Besi
des, i
fyouguysar
e
goingtobeani tem,thenit
’sbestyouknowwhat
kindofguyher eall
yis.”

Deborah:“
Idon’tt
hinkthati
sanyofyourconcern,
Leah.Besidesnoonebut sint
oyourr
elat
ionshi
ps.
Youknow, l
ikeyourrel
ati
onshi
pwithMr.
Abrahams.”

Leah:(
anger
ed)“
War
eng(
Excuseme)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Canwepl
easej
usthaveadecentl
unch?
Pl
ease?
!”

Leah:“Ij
ustthoughtyou’
dwantt
oknowwhatyou’
re
gett
ingyoursel
finto.
”

Preci
ous:“
Thanks,
Leah,butIt
hinkI
’
llf
iguret
hat
oneoutmyself
.TodaywasnotaboutMi shorme,i
t
wasaboutcel
ebrat
ingournewlif
e.Comeon,
guys.
”

Rachel
:“Pr
eciousi
sr i
ght.Canwej
usteatanddr
ink
ali
tt
leandstoptal
kingaboutMi
sh.
”

Leah:“
Ofcour
seyou’
dsi
dewi
thher
.”

Preci
ousattr
ibutedLeah’
sbehavi
ourtobeingrude
bynatur
e,butlit
tledi
dsheknowjusthowmuchofa
j
ealouspersonshewas.Shewasnotj ustenvi
ous
ofPreci
ous,butofalloft
hem i
ncl
udinghersi
ster
Rachel.Leahwasgoi
ngtobethedownf
allofthem
al
linthelongr
unandtheysi
mplyhadnoidea.
Meshackcameandhandedheraclot
hwithiceand
amojito.

Meshack:“
Yourl
imi
tist
wodr
inks–al
lofyou.
”

Leah:(
frowni
ng)“
You’
renotmyboyf
ri
end,
phel
a.”

Meshack:“AndI’
mf or
evergratefult
hatIam not
.
Foraslongasyou’r
eher el
adies,youremainmy
responsi
bil
it
y.Twodrinksandt henyouheadon
home.”

Hewi
nkedatPr
eci
ousandwal
kedaway.

Leah:“
Par
tyPooper
.”
Prover
bs13:40warnsusbysaying“Aheartat
peacegivesl
if
etot
hebody,butenvyrot
sthe
bones.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
42] :Chapt
er57

“
They’
llei
therwantt
oki
llyou,
kissyou,
orbeyou.
”
–SuzanneColli
ns

Ithadbeenayearsi nceGat sha’s“ disappearance”

andt hingswer egoi
ngf rom badt owor sef or
Geor gina,whil
ehermot herwasr eapi ngt hebenef
it
s.
Hermont hlysti
pendtogetherwi t
ht heboys’ was
mor ethanenoughf orhert ogetashar et her
eofon
amont hlybasis.Georginacouldnotl i
vewi t
h
herself,asshecouldseeGat sha’sspi rithaunti
ng
heratni ght.Hewoul djuststandt her eandnotsay
anythingt oher.Sher esort
edt odr inkingandt aki
ng
sleepingpill
satnightjusttosleep.Shehad
basicallybecomedysf unctional,
whi l
ehermot her
couldmanoeuvr eherselfaroundt hemoneyt heyal
l
received.Theboyshadf i
nishedmat ric,andshe
hadt riedt ogett hem mor einvolvedint hekingdom
mat tersasawayf orthem t
ogetmor emoney.She
hadbasi cal l
ypoi sonedt hem andensur edthatt hey
cravet hepowerofbei ngfullroyalsandt akingover
theki ngdom.Theyhadbecomesodi scourteous
thatpeopl ewer eactuallyst
ar ti
ngt owonderi fthey
wer eindeedGat sha’ssons.Meanwhi le,Kumkani
wasbusywi thhi sownmi ssion,tryi
ngt otrackdown
LehumoandPr i
ncessBuhl e.Hewasget t
ingr eall
y
frustrated, andevent houghhewasunawar ethathe
wasact uallycl oset oBuhlesi ncehewasi nPr etoria,
i
twasr atherf rustrati
ngbeinghi m.Hedeci dedt o
callMr .Nkat ha,hisboss.

Mr.Nkat
ha:“
Kumkani
.Whatalovel
ysur
pri
se.I
hopeyoucomewi
thgoodnews.
”

Kumkani:(
sigh)“
Iwi
sh,
sir
.It
hinkt
hist
imeIhave
fai
ledyou.
”

Mr
.Nkat
ha:“
Kumkani
,youar
emybestassoci
ate.
Whatwi l
lhappentot
hebusinessandt oGatsha’
s
businessi
fyoucrumble?Iputyouinchargeoft hi
s
becauseIknowyourcapabil
it
ies.Icannotaffor
dto
haveyoucr umbl
ingi
nthissi
tuati
on.”

Kumkani:(
sigh)“
Ithi
nkIhavebi
tt
enof
fmor
ethanI
canchew.”

Mr .Nkatha:“Iwasl i
keyouonce, soambitious.
Event hewhi t
epr osecutorshatedmeandsai dthatI
am overambi t
ious,butlookatmenow.Iam oneof
thetoppr osecutorsinthiscount r
y.Now, Iputyou
i
nchar gebecauseIknowyoucandoi t.Rome
wasn’tbuilti
naday.Thoseboysar estil
lyoungand
theycan’ttouchthebusi nessrightnow.They
won’tbeabl etof orawhi l
e.Judgi ngbytheway
theyar ebehaving,theywon’ tgetbeyondtheirfi
rst
yearofvar si
ty.”

Kumkani
:“Thankyouf
ort
rust
ingme.
”
Mr.Nkatha:“Ionl
ytr
ustaf
ewpeopl
einmyli
fe;God,
mymot herandnowyou.Notevenmywif
eaddsup
onthatl
ist.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Okay,
boss.
”

Mr .Nkatha:“
We’l
lspeaksoon.Don’
tputsomuch
pressureonyourself
.Goandgrabadrink,
have
somesex.We’ l
ltal
klat
er.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Bye.
”

Hehungupandl aybackinhischairwonderi
ngif
hewoul dactual
lyfindLehumoandBuhl ebeforeit
wastool ate.BackinZululand,i
twasjustanother
dayforGl endatoexerci
seherpowert r
ipover
Georgi
na.Shewal kedinandf oundhersi
tti
ngon
theporchdr i
nki
ngwhatseemedt obeherfourth
bott
leofwi ne.
Gl
enda:“
Georgi
na!Georgina!Hayibo(
Goodness)
Uphil
omuntu(Wherei
st hisgi
rl
)?”

Geor
gina:“
Ngil
ana(
I’
minher
e)!
”

Gl
endawalkedtowar
dst hepat
ioandf
ound
Geor
ginaborder
li
nedrunk.

Glenda:(
shocked)“
Goodness,
Georgi
na,whatt
he
hell
?Doyouwantt heboystoseeyouinsucha
stat
e?”

Geor
gina:“
Wouldi
tmatt
eri
ftheydi
d?Imean
t
hey’
renotevenmi
ne.
”

Gl
enda:“
Keepyourvoi
cedown.Doyouwantt
o
l
oseever
ythi
ng?
”
Geor gi
na:“I
’drat
herbepoort hanli
vetheli
feIam
l
ivingrightnow.Allt
hisisjustnotworthit
.Ihave
soldmysoulandIcan’ tseem tobuyitback.How
doyouevensl eepatnight?Ul al
anjani(
howdoyou
sleep)?”

Gl
enda:“
Geor
gina,
maybeyoushoul
dsl
eept
his
of
f.
”
Geor
gina:(
cryi
ng)“
Iam depr
essed,
Ma.Whycan’
t
youj
ustseeit?
”

Glenda:“I’
l
lgett
hedoctort
ogiveyoustrongerant
i-
depressants.Comeon,Idon’
thaveallday.Ihave
organizedameetingwit
hthecounci
lmember sand
theboys.Letmet akeyoutobed.
”

Georginafeltevenmorehelpl
essthathermot
her
couldn’tgi
veadamnt hatshewasi nsever
epain.
Nothingcouldhelpherthenandtherewasonl
yone
wayoutf orher .BackinMamel odi,Preci
ousand
herfri
endshadhadabi ttodrink.Beingsomeone
whowasabi tofanamat eurdri
nker,shewasabi t
drunk.Meshackwasuni mpr essedwhenhesaw
them star
tingt odanceandguysst arti
nglooki
ngat
them –par ti
cularl
yPrecious.Theyhadn’ teven
madet heirrelati
onshi
pf ormalasyetandal readyhe
waspossessi ve.

Meshack:(
fi
rml
y)“
Preci
ous,
iti
sti
mef
ormet
oget
youal
lhome.”

Leah:“
Speakf
orheronl
y,nnaI
’
m st
il
lhavi
ngf
un.
”

Meshack:“Doyouwantyourpar
ent
stogetme
arr
estedforl
ett
ingyoudr
inkher
e?Nowstopbei
ng
annoyingandcomeon.”

Hespokeinsuchauthor
itythattheydi
dn’
teven
t
hinkt
wice.Theytooktheirbags,goti
nhi
scarand
hedrovethem home.Hest ar
tedwi t
hLeahand
RachelandthenDeborah.Preciouswasthel
ast
onetobedr oppedof
f,del
iber
ately.

Pr
ecious:“Hao(
Goodness)Mi
sh.Youcoul
dhave
j
ustdroppedmeofffi
rst
.”

Meshack:“
Ijustwant
edtomakesureyou’
reokay.
I
tismydutyaf t
eral
lasyourboyf
ri
end.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
chuckl
ing)“
You’
renotmyboyf
ri
endyet
,
man,
Mish.
”

Meshack:“
ButIwi
llbe.
”

Preci
ous:“
Leahsai
dsomet
hingwei
rdt
omet
oday.
Aboutyou.
”
Meshack:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdi
dshesay?
”

Preci
ous:“
ShesaidthatIneedtoknowwhatki
ndof
guyyouactual
lyar
e.Whatdi dshemeanbythat?
”

Meshack:(cl
enchingjaw)“Leahwanyel await
se(i
s
ful
lofshit
,youknow).Okwat etsegorekemo
ganne(sheisjustangryt
hatIr efusedherr
equest
).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Rachelsai
dthever
ysamet
hingt
ome.
”

Meshack:“ Bonababe( Lookbabe) ,akebat l

ego
l
wesal edichomi tsagao( Idon’twanttocausea
fightbet
weenyouandyourf r
iends),butLeahke
sfebe(isawhor e)
.Ever yoneknows.Onyobi sama
teachere(shefucksteacher s),dibusdriver(bus
dr i
ver
s),bobohleba( everyone) .Ij
ustwantyout o
givemeachance. ”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Mishkissedheront helips,eventhoughitwasjust
apeckont hel
ips,i
twasPr ecious’
sveryfir
stki
ss
ever.Itsentchil
lsandbut t
erfl
iesri
ghtdownher
spineandeverywher eonherbody.Shehadnever
hadsuchsi gnalsbefor
e.

Meshack:“
Goodni
ght
.Or
obal
eshap(
sleepwel
l
).”

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
lng)“
Goodni
ght
,Mi
sh.
”

Shewalkedoutandhewai tedf
orhertogeti
ntothe
housebeforehedroveoff
.Shef el
therl
egs
becomeratherwobblyanddeci
dedt osl
eepitof
f.
Thenextmor ni
ngshewaswokenupbyBr i
dget’
s
l
oudbangingonherdoor .

Pr
eci
ous:“
Eish,
eish,
eish.Keyet
la(
I’
m comi
ng)
.”
Sheopenedt hedoorandBri
dgetdidn’tevenseem
tohavetakenabath.Shedidn’tevenlooklikeshe
evensleptatal
l.Shehadthethreekidswi t
hher
andjustbargedri
ghtin.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ai,
hel
lot
oyout
oo,
Bri
dget
.”

Br
idget
:“Ausi(
Sis)Br
idget
!”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Obat
laeng(
Whatdoyouwant
)?”

Br
idget
:“Okaeena(
Wher
eishe)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Who?
”

Br
idget:“
Youruncl
e,man!Hedidn’
tcomehome
l
astnight
.Ihadprepar
edalovel
ydinnerf
orhi
m
andhedidn’
teveneathi
sfood.Hewassupposed
toeathi
sfood.
”

Bri
dgetwasspeaki
ngi
nriddl
esandPr
eciouswas
toohungovert
omakeoutwhatshemeant.

Pr
eci
ous:“Ei
sh,AusiBr
idget
.Ihaven’
tseenhimi
n
awhi
le.Idon’
tknowwher eheis,ser
iousl
y."

Bridget:(
franti
c)“
Okaythen.Letmemakeussome
breakfast.Iam sureyou’
rest
arvi
ngjudgi
ngbyt
he
hangovert hathasyoubytheball
s.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whosai
dI’
m hungover
?”

Bridget:“
Youdon’thavetol
iet
ome.Beenther
e,
donet hat.Here,
takethi
sandgobuyussomeeggs,
breadandj ui
ce.I’l
lfi
gur
eoutt
herest
.”
Precioust ookt hemoneyandwal kedoutt obuy
food.Shewasabi tannoyedt hatBr i
dgethadaway
ofjustmaki ngher sel ff eelathomewi thout
permi ssion.Br i
dgetwasoneshadywoman.She
alwayshadahi ddenagenda.Thatmor ningshe
foundher sel fsnoopi ngi nPr ecious’sbedr oom,
l
ookingf orsomet hingt hatmi ghtl eadhert oHosea,
butshef oundsomet hi ngel seandhadst ruckgold
i
nhermi nd.Shewentt hroughPr ecious’sphone
andf oundar ecentsms“ CapitecMoneyI n+R1000
000.Bal anceR1005000. ”Shehadgonet hr
ougha
smal lnotebookonPr eci ous’sbedsi det ablewhere
shewr otedownpi ncodesandpeopl e’snumber s.
Shedi dt hati ncaseshehadl ostherphoneandwas
abitf orget fulwheni tcamet onumber s.Shecame
acrossPr eci ous’scel lphonebanki ngpi nanddi dthe
unthinkabl ewi thoutevent hinkingt wice.She
quicklyloggedi nandt r ansferredt hemoneyi nto
heraccountanddel etedal lthemessages.She
didn’
thesi tate, di
dn’ tevenki ssherki dsgoodbye
andoutshewent ,
leavi ngnot race.Meanwhi le
Preciousf oundMi shatt het uckshop.
Mi
sh:(
smi
lng)“
Mor
ning,
Baby.
”

Precioussmiledassheinhal
edMish’scologne
whenhehuggedher .Shewasabi tembar r
assedas
shewasst il
linherpajamasandhadn’teven
brushedherteeth.Heat t
emptedt
opeckherl ips
again,butsherefused.

Pr
eci
ous:“Aowa( No)
,man, Mi
sh.Gakesohl
apel
e
meno(Ihaven’
tevenbrushedmyteet
h).
”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iloveanaturalwoman,man,
Pr
ecious.Comeon.Besi des,si
ncewhendoyou
walkaroundt
hestreetsi
nyournightwear
?”

Precious:(cl
icki
ngtongue)“
Mxm, ai,
sinceBridget
decidedtosendmet otheshopsandmakeussome
breakfast.Apparentl
ymyuncl ehasgoneM. I.
A.on
herandshei spanicking.Kelapi
legore(I
’m so
t
ir
ed)
.”

Mish:(
chuckli
ng)“Thatgirlwalapisa(
isti
ri
ng).But
youshoul
dn’thaveleftheraloneinyourhouse.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Ishoul
dpr
obabl
yheadbacksi
nceIeven
l
eftmyphoneathome.”

Mish:“
Comeon,Iam sur
eshecanmanage.Come,
l
etmegobuyyousomeMcdonal ds.Youcan’
tbe
eati
nganyt
hingmadebythatgi
rl
.”

Preciouschuckledasshegotintohiscar.She
i
gnor edthestaresfr
om thepeopl
eonceagai nand
offtheywent.Mi shboughtherenoughf oodt
ofeed
thekidsaswel landaft
eranhourorso, shegot
backt ofi
ndthekidsalonewatchingtv.

Pr
eci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Andt
hen?Whati
supwi
th
youguys?
”

Gabby:“Ah,Mamaonotswi
le(
justl
eft
).Wedon’
t
knowwher eshei
s.Ret
shwereketl
alasesi(
Wear
e
star
ving,si
s).
”

Gabby, shortforGabriel
lawasHosea’ s12yearol d
fi
rstborn,from anotherwoman.Shewashal f
colouredhenceshehadanEngl ishname, buthe
alsonamedherNer i
ah,afterhismot her.The
secondbor nwasa10yearol dboynamedNoah
whowasnamedaf terhi
sf atherandGat shawast he
8yearol dlastbor nhehadwi thBr i
dget,named
afterhisbrother-
in-
law.Hoseahadbadl uckwith
thewomenhehadchi l
drenwi thast heyalways
seemedt or unawayandl eavehi m withthechildr
en.
Thistime,Br i
dgetdidtheunt hinkableandl ef
tas
wel l
.

Pr
ecious:“Ai
,okay.Ibr
oughtyouguyssome
Mcdonalds.”
Gatsha:“
Yay!Ihopeyougotmeahappymeal
,Sesi
(
Sis)Preci
ous.Il
ovethei
rtoys.
”

Preci
ous:(
chuckl
ing)“Wel
l,t
her
eismor
ethan
enough.Helpyoursel
ves.
”

Sheletthem eatandwentbacktoherbedr
oom
aft
ertakingashower.Shestart
edeati
ngandwas
chatt
ingtoMi shonWhatsApp.

Mi
sh:“
CanIt
akeyououtt
oni
ght
?”

Preci
ous:“I
’
dlovet
o,butBr
idgett
ookof
fandl
eft
theki
ds.”

Mi
sh:“
Mymom canl
ookaf
tert
hem.Yougame?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Sur
e.Whatt
ime?
”

Mi
sh:“
Howabout6pm?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Seeyout
hen.
”

Mi
sh:“
Ican’
twai
t.
”

Shespentther
estofthedaycleaningandnur si
ng
hermil
dhangover.Shewasstillunawar eofwhat
Bri
dgethaddone.Shegotthekidst otakeabath
andMishwasr i
ghtatherdoor
st epat5:30.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Comei
n.”

Mish:“
Hao(
Goodness)
,baby.You’
renotdr
essed
yet
?”
Preci
ous:“Yousai
d6pm,
Mish,
bat
hing
(goodness)
.”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okayt
hen.Letmetakethem t
o
mymom.ButwhenIcomeback, youhavetobe
r
eady.”

Preci
ous:“Yes,
boss.Ki
ds,aker
eItoldyouthatyou
weregoingtovisi
tMam’
Thokotonight.Pl
ease
behave.Yourmom wil
lprobabl
ycomef et
chyou
l
ateron.”

Gabby:“
Okay.ByeAunt
ie.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Bye-
bye.
”

Mishblewheraki
ssandlef
twiththeki
ds.Shehad
askedhersel
fhowpeopl
ethoughthewasso
danger
ousyethewassolovi
ngandcaring
wheneverhewaswithher
.Shet ookashowerand
gotreadyandhewaspunctual
,at17:
59hewas
knockingatt
hedoor
.

Preci
ous:(smi
li
ng)“Bathong(
Goodness)
,Mi
sh.
Couldn’
tyouatleastcomeaft
ersi
x?”

Mish:“
Iam averypunctualman,
P.I t
’srudet
o
keepaladywait
ing.Besides,
Iwastalki
ngtomy
mom aboutyou.Shewant stoof
fi
cial
lymeetyou
aft
erourdat
e.”

Preci
ous:(
nervousl
y)“
Aowa(No),Mi
sh.Imeanwe
haven’
tconfi
rmedanythi
ngyet
.”

Mish:“P,kedil
otsamakgoatseo(that
’swhit
e
peoplestuf
f).Besides,
Iam ser
iousaboutyouso
whynot ?
”
Preciouswasnotsur eaboutthat
,butshewent
aheadwi thit
.Mi shhadtakenherfordi
nneratTur
n
n’Tenderandbyt henshewassohumbl edbythe
stor
ieshehadt ol
dheraboutthewayhegr ewup.
Hest il
lhadn’
ttoldherever
ythi
ng,butshewas
i
mpr essedthathewassosuccessf ulattheageof
22.Theywal kedaroundandhedecidedtobuyher
anicebagf rom LouisVoutt
onthatshehadbeen
eyeing.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mish,
your
eal
lydi
dn’
thavet
o.”

Mi
sh:“
You’
remygi
rl
.Iwantt
o.”

Whi
let
heywerewalki
ngtowardst
hecar,heopened
t
hedoorf
orherandshegotin.Herphonerangand
t
henumberwasunrecogni
zabl
e.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Letmegett
his.I
tmi
ghtbei
mpor
tant
.”
Mi
sh:“
Sur
e.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hel
lo?
”

Call
er:“Ms.Vi
lakazi
.Ihopeyou’r
ewell
.Wehave
beentryingt
ogetholdofyousincet
hisaf
ter
noon.
”

Preci
ous:“
Oh, Iapol
ogize.Myphonebl
ocks
numbersthatseem l
ikespam.”

Caller
:“Thi
sisMr.Bezuidenhout
.Iam cal
li
ng
regardi
ngthecashtransferyoumadet
oaMs.
BridgetMudau.
”

Preci
ous:(
puzzl
ed)“
Excuseme?Whatcash
tr
ansfer
?”

Cal
ler
:(deepsi
gh)“
Ithoughtasmuch.Iam af
rai
d
ther
ewasaneftmadedir
ectl
yfr
om yoursavi
ngs
accountt
oMs.Bri
detMudau’
saccount.
”

Pr
eci
ousf
eltl
ikeshewasdr
eami
ng.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Howmuch?
”

Cal
ler
:“Shet
ookal
lofi
t,ma’
am.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Can’
tyour
ever
sei
t?”

Call
er:“I
’m af
rai
dshealreadydi ver
tedthemoneyt o
anotheraccount.Wecoul dn’tdoanythi
ngaswe
couldn’
tgetholdofyou.Wewi l
lopenafraudcase,
butinthemeant ime,wecannotgett hemoneyback
i
ntoyouraccount .Iam sorry,Ms.Vil
akazi.I
’l
lbein
touch.”
HehungupandPreci
ousstar
tedcr
ying
i
mmediat
ely,
wor
ryingMish.

Mish:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Keng(
Whati
sit
)?Tal
ktome,
baby.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Shet
ookmymoney.Thatbi
tcht
ookmy
money.”

Mi
sh:“
Who?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Bri
dget
.Shet
ookal
lofmymoney.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
43] :Chapt
er58

“
Lif
ecanbeonlybeunder
stoodbackwards;buti
t
mustbel
ivedf
orwar
ds.”–SorenKier
kegaard

Pr
eci
ouswasar
ealmessandt
ri
edr
eal
lyhar
dnot
tospoi
lherf
ir
stdat
ewi t
hMish,buteveryt
hingwas
j
usttoomuchforher
.Shehadbeencr yi
ngfort
he
pasthal
fanhouri
nMi sh’
scar
.

Mish:“
Baby,bona(
look),Ipr
omiseyou,Br
idgetwi
ll
befoundandshewillpayforwhatshehasdone.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youcan’
tpr
omi
semet
hat
.”

Mish:“
Beli
eveme,Iam amanofmyword.Ij
ust
needyourper
missi
ontohaveherf
ound.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sobbi
ng)“
Okay.
”

Mi
shnoddedandmadet
hecal
l.

Mish:“
Sho(Sure)
,Ronza.Ja,ngi
cel
aumfunel
ele
sf
ebebathinguBr
idget(
Pleasefi
ndt
hatbi
tch
Br
idgetf
orme).Ineedheral
i
ve.Letmeknow
whenyouhavefoundher
.Sharp.
”

AtthatmomentPr eci
ousdidn’
treal
lyhavet
imeto
explor
ethought
sinhermindofwhatki ndofjob
Mishactual
lydoes.Shewasj ustgl
adthathewas
ther
eandhewasdoi nghi
sbestt omakesureshe
wasokay.

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m sor
ryf
orr
uini
ngourf
ir
stdat
e.”

Mish:“
Youdidn’
truinanyt
hing.Bona(Look)
,babe.
Isweartoyou,
Iwillf
indherandever
ythingwil
lbe
okay.
”

Preci
ous:“
How, Mish?Thatmoneywassupposed
tobeformytuit
ionandt ol
astmeawhile.NowI
havenothi
ng.Idon’tknowwhatIam goingt
odo
andhowI ’
m goi
ngt opayforr
egi
str
ati
onnextyear
.”
Mi
sh:“
Howmuchdoyouneedf
orr
egi
str
ati
on?
”

Preci
ous:(
puzzl
ed)“
Mish,
Ican’
texpectyout
odo
that
.”

Mish:“
Youcan’
texpectmenottotakecar
eofmy
gi
rl,
doyou?Whatdoyouwantpeopl etot
hinkof
me?Ngi t
heudi
ngamal i
ni(
Iaskedyouhowmuch
doyouneed)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
R5000.
”

Mi
sh:“
That
’schi
ldspl
ay.I
’
llpayf
ori
t.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
That’
snotthemostofmyprobl
ems,
Mi
sh.Myf eescostanar
m andaleg.
”

Mi
sh:“
I’
llpayf
ort
hoseaswel
l.
”
Preci
ous:(shocked)“Mi
sh,
real
lyyoudon’
thavet
o.
I
’l
lapplyforabursaryoral
oanorsomethi
ng.”

Mish:“
Presh,nowomanofmi newil
lst
andi
nlong
queuesli
keshe’spoor
.I’
l
ltakecar
eofyou,
justl
et
me.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
noddi
ng)“
Okay.
”

Mish:(
smiing)“Now,
please,don’
twor
ryaboutt
his.
Iwil
lsorti
tout.Youcan’tmeetmymom withpuffy
eyes.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
surpr
ised)“
Arewest
il
lgoi
ngt
oseeyour
mom?Yoh( Wow),Mish.
”

Mish:“Comeon.Idon’
tli
kedi
sappoi
nti
ngherl
ike
t
hat.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Wecango.
”

Mish:“
Good.I
’
llbuyyousomei
cecr
eam ont
he
waysoyoucancalm down.
”

Precioussmi l
edasMi shkissedthebackofher
hand.Hef i
nallystart
edthecarandt heyweregone.
HeboughtheraMcFl urryaspromi sed,andthey
fi
nall
yar ri
vedathishouse.Shehadneverr eall
y
enteredthehouse, andasshehear ditwasa
beautif
ulhouse.Abi g,neathousewi thagorgeous
gardenandt wof ountainsoutsi
de.I talsohadan
el
ectricfencewi t
haver yhighwal landheuseda
codet oopent hegate.Thatwasnotsomet hi
nga
personwoul dseei nthetownshipever yday.Mish
parkedthecarout sideandcoul dsensePr eci
ous
wasr eal
lynervous.

Mi
sh:“
Areyour
eady?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ithi
nkso.
”

Mi
sh:“
Don’
twor
ry,
mymom i
shar
mless.Come.
”

Heopenedt hecardoorforher,somethingshe
alwayssawi nmovies.Itwasagr eatfeel
ingto
experiencei
ther
self,
reall
y.Shewal kedoutandhe
heldherbythehandandki sseditagain.He
knockedandenteredwiththenervousPr eci
ousby
hisside.

Mi
sh:“
Ma,
I’
m home.
”

Mam’
Thoko:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
myboy.
”

HeletgoofPreci
ous’
shandandhuggedher
,then
pul
ledthehugandheldPr
eci
ous’
shandagain.
Mish:“
Mama, t
hisismyPr
eci
ous.i
Ndhl
ovukazi
yami(Myqueen).
”

Preci
ousblushedandlookeddown.Mam’ Thoko
i
mmedi atel
ynoti
cedhowshakyandembar rassed
shelookedbythepinkcheeks,
butsheknewjust
whattodo.

Thoko:(smi
lng)“
Hel
lo,
Preci
ous.I
tisni
cet
o
off
ici
all
ywelcomeyoutomyhome.”

Sheopenedherar msawai t
ingahugf r
om Preci
ous.
Shedidn’twantt
ober udesoshener vousl
ywalked
towardsherandhuggedher .Herhugf el
tsowarm,
somot herl
y,t
hatitmadeherf eell
ikeshewas
somehowi nherownmot her ’
sarms.Shehar dlygot
tospeaktoMam’ ThokosincesheandLehumowent
tothesamechur ch.
Thoko:“
Youl
ooksoner
vous.Rel
ax,
pleaset
akea
seat
.”

Mishwasaboutt
osi
tdownwi
thher
,buthi
smom
st
oppedhi
m.

Thoko:“
Andthen,
wena(you)
?Ucabangaukut
hi
wenzani(
whatdoyout
hinkyou’
redoi
ng)
?”

Mish:(
frowning)“Hai
bo(
Goodness),Ma.You’
renot
goi
ngtoi nt
errogat
emywomanwi thoutme.
”

Thoko:“
Whosaidanythi
ngaboutaninter
rogat
ion
her
e?Ungangijwael
iamasi
mba,yezwa( Don’
t
bul
lshi
tme,okay)
?Gocheckont hekids.They’r
e
watchi
ngtv.
”

Preci
ouswasabi tal
armedt
hatMi
sh’
smother
couldevenut
teraswearwor
d.Shewasadevoted
churchlady,
soshebasi
cal
lyassumedshewas
str
ictandnarrow.

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okay,
Mama.
”

HekissedPr
eci
ousont
hecheekandwhi
sper
edi
n
herear.

Mi
sh:“
Scr
eam i
fyouneedhel
p.”

Hewi nkedatherandleft
.ThatmadePrecious
morener vous,
shecouldbarel
yhidei
t.Thoko
chuckledandwalkedupt ot
hefri
dgeandtookouta
bott
leofr edwi
neandt wowinegl
asses.
Thoko:“Youl
ooksoner
vous.Iam assumi
ngthi
sis
thefi
rstti
meaboyhaseveri
ntr
oducedyouto
anyone.”

Pr
eci
ousj
ustnodded.
Thoko:“
Preci
ous,comeon.Don’tbesost
iff
.I
know youyoungster
s.Ni
yaphuza(Youdr
ink).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“Noof
fence,
Ma,butIt
houghtchur
ch
womendidn’
tdr
ink.
”

Thoko:“
Yourmom usedt
odr
ink,
didn’
tshe?
”

Pr
eci
ousnoddedshyl
y.

Thoko:“
Churchwomenarealsohuman,mybaby.
Evenpastor
s.Khul
uleka(
rel
ax)Iwon’
tki
llyou.I
j
ustwanttogett
oknowyou.”

Preci
ousnoddedandaccept
edthegl
assofwine
fr
om Thoko.Shetookafewsipst
oeaseherner
ves.
Thoko:“I
’m notheretointerrogateyouortel
lyouto
stayawayfrom Meshack, becauseIknowyouwon’ t
doit.Imean, noonecanr esisthi
m.Hegott hat
charmfrom hislousyfather,Iconsideri
tacursei
f
anythi
ng.”

Preci
ousnot
edfrom hi
smot her
’st
onet
hathi
s
fat
herwasn’
taveryl
ikeabl
eman.

Thoko:“ Anyway, myjobistobehonestwi thyou.

Yousee, MeshackisamanandIknowyou’ reyoung,
butIam wor ri
edthathemighthurtyou.You’ r
et oo
i
nnocent ,toopureforhim.Beli
eveme, hehashad
afewgi rlf
riendsasyoungasyou, butasualhej ust
hurtsthem.Ther earenosurpr
isesthere.Hei s
dif
ferentwi thyou,t
hough,buti
talwaysst art
slike
thi
s.Ij ustdon’twantyoutogethurt.”

Preci
ousseemedabi talar
medbyMam’ Thoko’
s
speech,butforsomereasonshedi
dn’
tthi
nkofany
possibi
li
tyofleavi
ngMish.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihearyou,
Ma.
”

Thoko:“
Icanseei
tinyoureyest
hatyouwon’
tleave
hi
m –notanyti
mesoonanyway.Iknowyou’r
ea
vi
rgi
n.”

Pr
eci
ousi
mmedi
atel
ytur
nedpi
nkandl
ookeddown.

Thoko:“Relax,hedi dn’ttellmeanyt hi
ng.Iknowa
vir
ginwhenIseeone.Mi shmi ghthavef allenfor
youbecauseoft hat,amongstot herquali
ties.Ijust
needyout oknowt hatMi shhasadar kside, j
ustlike
everyoneelseandal otofgi rlslefthim because
theycouldn’thandlet hat.Somet hingtell
smet hat
you’l
lbeablet ohandl ethat ,butitwon’tbeeasy, my
baby.Youneedt obef ir
m wi thhi m andtellhim
whenhei swr ong.Donotacceptanybul lshitfr
om
him becauseonceyoudo, you’l
lbehi spuppet .Men
areliket
hat.Oncet heynot i
cejusthowmuchyou
l
ovethem andar ewi l
li
ngt
odoforthem, youjust
becometheirli
ttl
etoy.Idon’
twanttoseeyou
becomelikethat.Iam sur
eyourmot heralso
wouldn’
twantt hat.
”

Pr
ecioussawthatThoko’
swor
dscamef
rom a
pl
aceoflove.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihearyou,
Ma.
”

Thoko:“
I’
m glad.Icanseeyoureyesareprett
y
puff
y.Didhemakeyoucr yonyourfi
rstdate?
BecauseifhedidIswearIam goi
ngtogivehima
pi
eceofmymi nd.
”

Preci
ouswasr eall
ychuffedatthefactthatThoko
wassof earl
essandt herespectMishhadf orher
wasamazi ng.Shewasqui t
eshort
,buthada
beauti
fulbust
yfigure.Shehadsmal lboobs, butbi
g
butt
ocksandbeaut i
fulcurves.Shedidn’tevenlook
l
ikesheevenhadanychi
ldr
en.

Pr
eci
ous:(chuckl
ing)“
No,ma.Hedidn’
tmakeme
cr
y.Someonest olemoneyf
rom me.Moneythat
wasl
eftt
omebymymot her
.”

Thoko:(
fi
rml
y)“
Coul
dthatsomeonebeBr
idget
?”

Pr
eci
ousnodded.

Thoko:“Hmm, don’tyouworry.Ift
hereisanyt
hing
mysoni sgoodati staki
ngcareofthoseheloves,
andIcant el
l,
from whathealwayssaysaboutyou
–hel ovesyou.Hel ovesyouverymuch, t
oomuch
i
fyouaskme, buthelovesyou.Don’tworry
yoursel
faboutBridget.Hewillf
indher.
”

Thatbr
oughtsomeeaset
oPr
eci
ous.
Preci
ous:“Thankyou,
Ma.Ireal
lyappr
eci
ateit.I
j
ustdon’tknowwhatIam goi
ngtodowiththese
chil
dren.I’
m onl
y18.”

Thoko:“Don’
tyouwor r
y.I’
llgladlyhel
pyouwi t
h
them.Justbecarefuloft
hatGabby.Idon’ tknow
whatkindofmotherbroughtheri nt
othiswor l
d,and
i
tisnotasifBri
dgetdidagr eatjobwit
ht hem eit
her
.
Theyhaveinter
est
ingmanner isms.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
chuckl
ing)“
Thati
str
ue.
”

Shewasreal
lyhappyt
of i
ndasecondmom in
Thokoandaf
terafewsips,shewasr
atherr
elaxed.

Thoko:“
Anyquest
ions?
”

Preci
ous:“
Well
,Ij
ustwoul
dli
ket
oknow,
what
happenedtohi
sfat
her?
”
Thoko:“ Hewi l
ltellyouwhenhei sready.Andonce
hedoes, youwi llalsobegladthatheisdead.He
hasnevert oldanygi rlt
hatstor
y.Itmustpr obably
bewhyhehat eshi msel
fsomuch.Don’ tbetoo
surpri
sedi fyouf i
ndhi m awakeinthemi ddl
eofthe
nightstari
ngatt hemi rr
or.He’snotaSat anistor
anythi
ng, hejusthasahar dti
medeal i
ngwi t
hhi s
demons. ”

Pr
eciousknewthatMishwasapi
eceofwor
k,but
l
it
tl
edidsheknowhowbi gofapi
ece.Mi
shwalked
i
nandf oundt
hem laughi
ngt
oget
her.

Mish:“Oh,
good.It
houghtyouwoul
dhavemade
hercrybynow.”

Thoko:(cl
icki
ngtongue)“Unganginyeliwena(Don’
t
fuckwithme).Sheisspecial,oneofaki nd.Not
l
ikethoseuselessgi
rlsyouusedt otryand
i
ntr
oducemet
o.”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Havefai
th,
Ma.It
oldyout
hat
t
hisismyfuturewif
e.”

Thoko:“
Ja,
ja.
”

Mi
sh:“
Shal
lwego?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
yes.Letmegogett
heki
ds.
”

Thoko:“Noneed.Thishouseisempt yanyways.I
am gl
adIhaveaf ewchil
drentobossar oundand
geti
nlineforawhil
e.Enjoytherestofyournight
,
I’
l
lwatchthem.Nof unnybusiness,Meshack.
”

Mi
sh:“
Hawu(
Goodness)Ma.
”
Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
Itwasgr
eatmeet
ingyou,
Mam’
Thoko.”

Thoko:“
Likewi
se,
beauti
ful
.Don’
tbeastr
anger
.
Mydoorisopenanyti
me.Ifhemessesar
ound,gi
ve
hi
m aslapforme.”

Pr
eci
ousl
aughedwhi
leMi
shchuckl
ed.

Mi
sh:“
Bye,
Ma.
”

Theywal
kedoutandPr
eci
ousl
ookedabi
trel
ieved.

Mi
sh:“
Youseem al
otmor
erel
axednow.
”

Precious:“
Iam rel
ieved.It
houghtshewasgoi
ng
togivemeal ectur
eaboutyouortel
lmeyour
deepestsecret
s.”
Mi
sh:“
Comeon.Whatdi
dshesayt
oyou?
”

Preci
ous:“Nothingmuch.Shejustsai
dIshoul
dn’
t
besurpri
sedifIseeyoustar
ingatthemir
rori
nthe
earl
yhoursoft hemorni
ngandthatyou’
dtel
lme
whenyou’ r
ereadyaboutwhathappenedtoyour
fat
her.
”

Mi
sht
ensedupal
it
tl
ebi
toncePr
eci
oussai
dthat
.

Mi
sh:“
She’
sri
ght
.I’
l
ltel
lyou–oneday.Come.
”

Heopenedthedoorandtheydroveoff
.Precious
wassurpr
isedt
oseethattheydrovepastherhouse.

Preci
ous:“
Reyakae(Wherearewegoi
ng)
?Imean,
youjustdr
ovepastmyhouse.
”
Mish:“
Iwashopi
ngwe’
dgot
omypl
ace,
wel
l
,that
’s
i
fiti
sokaywit
hyou.
”

Preci
oushadneverr
eall
yspentani ghtorevena
dayataboy’
shouse.Shedidn’tevenknowi fhe
wantedtodoi
twithhert
hatti
me.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Uhm,
Idi
dn’
tevenswi
tchont
hel
ight
s.”

Mish:“Rel
ax,
myguyhasi tcover
ed.Noonewi llt
ry
anythi
ngatyourhouse.Relax,baby.Ij
ustwantto
spendtimewit
hyou.I fyou’
renotcomfort
ablewith
i
t,wecanturnaroundandIcant akeyouback.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
No,
it’
sokay.Wecango.
”

Mishsmil
edandheldherhand.Hedr
ovetohi
s
ownhouseinSunval
ley,
oneofMamelodi
’
squi
et
suburbsifIcouldcal li
tt hat.Shewasamazedt o
seejusthowbeaut i
fulitwas.Mi shhadgr eattast
e
andclassinpr ettymuchever yt
hing.Justl i
kehis
mother’shouse, heent eredacodeandt hegat e
opened.Hepar kedhi scarnexttot womor eofhis.
Shewasamazedandi nt ri
gued,i
tmadehereven
morecur i
oust ofindoutwhatexact l
yhedi dt oget
thi
smuchmoneyandsuccess.Nonet heless,no
oneisanopenbook.Oneper soncanchangeyou
andturnyoui ntosomet hingyoudi dn’tt
hinkyou
couldeverbe.Somechangeusf orthebet ter,
whi l
e
somej ustmakeust ougher .Preciouswassoont o
growupabi tfast er
.
[
01/
27,
07:
43] :Chapt
er59

“
Loveishar
dt ofi
nd,har
dtokeepandhar
dto
f
orget
.”–AlyshaSpeer

Af
ewmont
hsl
ater
…
Precioushadset tledinr eallywel latUni ver sit
y.
Yes, Meshackkepthi spr omi seandpai df orher
registr
ati
on, includi ngherwhol ef i
rstyearf ees
upfront.Ever yoneknewaboutt hem andever ygirl
hadenvi edher .Theyal lwant edt obeher ,whi l
e
guyswant edt obehi m.Shehadf allenf orMi shina
wayshenevert houghtshecoul d.Br i
dgetwasst il
l
gone, whileHosea
wasst il
lAWOL.I twasabi ttoughf orPr eci ousto
adjust,butwi thThokot her eandhavi ngt akenf ull
responsibili
tyf ort hechi ldr en,ever ythingwasj ust
fi
ne.Shet ookt heki dswhenevershecoul d, but
ThokoandMi shensur edshehadenought imet o
study.Shehaddeci dedt ost udyl awatt he
Universit
yofPr et oria,sincei twasoneoft hebest
Universit
iesi nt hecount r yandpl usi twasnott hat
farfrom home.Mi shr ef usedf orhert ost ayatr es
ashedi dn’twantt o“ l
ose”hert ooneoft hevar sit
y
boys.Shewasst il
l avirgi n,though, andt hr ee
mont hsintot her elati
onshi p,shewasst artingt o
considergi vi
ngi tup.Debor ahwasst udying
Char t
eredAccout ingal soatUP, whileRachelwas
studyingIT, alsoatTuks.Meanwhi l
e, Leahpassed
withamer eH,soshehadt oupgr adehercourse.
Shemadesur etoleaveever ythingandeveryone
behindandwenttoUJ, leavingt herestoft
hegang
atUP, whi
chtheyweremor et hanhappywi t
h.
Preciouswasdonewi thhercl assesfortheday,so
shedecidedtogovisitDebbi eatres,whereRachel
al
sowas.

Debbi
e:“
So,
what
’si
tli
kebei
ngt
heI
T-gi
rl
?”

Preci
ous:(r
olli
ngeyes)“
Bat
hong(
Goodness)
,Debs.
Iam nottheIT-gi
rl
.”

Rachel:“Howdoyoust i
llmanagetobesohumbl e
aft
ereverything?Imeanyouhaveyourowndr i
ver
,
MishboughtyouanI phoneandyou’repr
ettymuch
theonlygirloncampuswhoi sfor
everdr
apedin
Gucci,VersaceandPrada.Comeon, P.Giveus
ti
ps.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ther
eisnot
hingt
otel
l,
honest
ly.
”

Debbi
e:“
Waitaminute.Areyoumeani
ngt ot
ellus
t
hatyouandMishreall
yhaven’
tdonei
t?”

Preci
ous:“Bathong(
Goodness),
Debbie.Omakatsa
keng(Whyar eyousosurpr
ised)
?It’
snotli
keyou
andCharli
ehaveeverhadsex.”

Debbi
e:(
looki
ngdown)“
Wel
l,
act
ual
ly…”

Rache:(
shocked)“
Heh(
Huh)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Noway!When?
”

Debbi
e:“Well
,afewweeksago.Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
l
youguys,butwewer
ejustsobusy.
”
Precious:(chuckl
ing)“
Whathappenedt
osavi
ng
yourselfti
llmarri
age?”

Debbie:“
Thatshiti
shard,honest
ly.Themore
fr
eedom wehadandmor et i
mewegottospend
wit
heachot her
,onethi
ngl edtoanot
herandi
tjust
happened.”

Rachel
:“Yoh(
Wow)
,howwasi
t?”

Debbie:“Pai
nfulasfuckatf
irst
,Iwon’
tli
e.No
matterhowgent l
eCharli
ewasi twasj
usthect
ic,
but
af
teraf ewti
mesi twasreal
lynice.
”

Rachel
:“Eh,
sowenaPresh,
whenareyougi
ving
Mish?I’
m surehe’
sdyi
ngofbl
uebal
ls.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(l
aughi
ng)“
Hayiman.Idon’tknow,
I’
ve
ki
ndofbeenthi
nki
ngabouti
tlat
ely.
”
Debbie:“
Onlyifyou’
resur
ethendoi
t.Don’
tdoi
tfor
anyoneelse.
”

Precious:“
Hehasn’
tpr
essur
edmei
ntodoi
ng
anything.
”

Debbi
e:“
Ther
eyouhavei
t.
”

Preci
ouswasreal
lyt
hinki
ngabouti
t,l
it
tl
edidshe
knowthatMishwasnotsocl
eanbehindherback.
Herphonerangandi
twasRonza.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihavet
ogo,
guys.Myr
idei
sher
e.”

Debbi
e:“Al
ri
ght
.Weshoul
dmeetupfordr
inks
tomor
row.Andmaybeyoucoul
dsl
eepoveror
somet
hing.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Sur
ethi
ng.Bye.
”

Shelef
tandf oundRonzawai ti
ngf orheroutsi
de.
Hewasnotr eall
yallowedt oini
tiateany
conver
sationwi thheroranyt hi
ngl iket
hat,somost
ofthecarrideswer equi etandshewasonher
phonemostoft heti
me.Shenot icedhewast aki
ng
aturnint
oMi sh’
snei ghbourhood.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ronza,
whyar
eyout
aki
ngmet
oMi
sh?
”

Ronza:“
Bozza’
s(Boss’
s)or
der
s.”

Shethoughtnot
hingt her
eofandassumedt hat
Mishwantedtospendt imewithherorsomet hi
ng.
ShegotoffandgreetedRonzagoodbye.Shehada
keyandthepasscodet ohishouse,somet hinghe
hadneverdonebeforewi t
hanyofhi sprevious
gir
lf
ri
ends.Shewal kedinandnoticedfoodand
candlesonthetable,butnot hingwaseaten.Then
shenoticedsomethingdi sturbing;t
herewas
clot
hesalloverthefl
oor ,
allthewayt ohi
sbedroom.
Apairofhisjeans,hi
sshi rtandapai rofunder
wear
thatl
ookedlikeafemal e’
s.Herhear tst
art
ed
pounding.

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Mish!
”

Shehear
dsomescuf
fl
ingi
nhi
sbedr
oom.

Mi
sh:“
Oh,
Shi
t.
”

Voi
ce:“
What
’swr
ong,
Baby?
”

Mi
sh:“
Voet
sek(
Pissof
f),
Rose!I
’
m notyourbaby.
”

Pr
eci
ousr
ecogni
zedt
hatvoi
ceandt
hatname.She
openedthedoorimpul
sivel
yandther
eitwas–her
worstni
ghtmare.Mishwasi nhi
sbri
efs,
whil
eRose
wasnaked,notevenhi
dingherbody.

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Whatt
hef
uck,
Mish?
”

Mish:(
wor
ri
ed)“Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
,iti
s
r
eall
ynotwhati
tlooksli
ke.
”

Pr
ecious:(
angered)“
Don’
tpatr
oni
zeme,
Mish.
Whatthefuckdoesitl
ookl
ike?
”

Rose:“
Ai,Mi
ssPerfectenakadibi
gwor
ds(
Miss
Perf
ectandherbi
gwor ds)
.”

Mi
sh:“
Shutt
hef
uckup,
Rose.
”

Pr
eci
ouscr
iedandst
ormedout
.Mi
shhadno
choi
ce,
butt
orunaf
terher
.

Mi
sh:“
Preci
ous,
wai
t!Baby,
wai
tpl
ease–“

Precious:(
cryi
ng)“Don’
tyoutouchme,Mish!I
knewyouwer eali
ar.You’r
eallt
hesame.Staythe
fuckawayf rom me.Ineverwanttoseeyouever
again!”

Preci
ousstor
medoutofthegate,
leavi
ngMi sh
hangingi
nhisunder
wear.Heheadedbacki ntot
he
housetomakeacallandfoundRosesti
llnakedon
thebed.

Mis:“
Ronza.It
’sme.Bona( Look)
,keflopi
le(
I
messedup)bi
gt i
me.Ja,shejustwalkedout,but
can’
tbefar
.Makesuresheget shomef orme.
Takeherst
rai
ghthome.I’
llbether
esoon.Shar p.
”
HehungupandRosej
ustcoul
dn’
twai
t.

Rose:“
Real
ly?Youdon’
tneedher
,Mi
sh,
youneed
me.Icanmakeyoufeelgood.
”

Mishgotsoangr
yanddidt
heunthinkabl
e.He
sl
appedRosesohardshef
ellof
fthebed.

Mish:“Don’
tyoueverf
ucki
ngtouchmeeveragain!
Ihadamomentofweaknessandyout ook
advantageoft
hat.Youcanneverbeher
,Rose–
never.Youseducedmeandyouar egoi
ngtofi
x
thi
s.”

Rose:“
Butyou’
ret
heonewhobr
oughtmeher
e.”

Mi
sh:“
DidIf
orceyou?
”
Rose:(
looki
ngdown)“No,butIcangot
othecops
andtel
lthem t
hatyoudi
d.”

Mi
shgotupandgr
abbedherbyt
het
hroat
.

Mi
sh:“
Repeatt
hatagai
n–Idar
eyou.
”

Rosekeptqui
et.

Mish:“Youthi
nkyou’
recleverwena,
neh(hey)?
Thisi
swhatyou’regoingtodo.You’r
egoingtotel
l
Preci
ousthatyouseducedmeandt hatnothi
ng
happenedbetweenus.”

Rose:“
ButI
’
dbel
ying.
”

Mish:“
Itwoul
dn’
tbet hef
irstt
ime,
nowwoul dit
?I’
ll
gi
veyouR50000j ustsothatyout
ellherandaf
ter
t
hatIneverwantt
oseeyouagai
n.”

Rose:“
Fine,
Ijustdon’
tgetwhyal
lthi
str
oubl
efor
her
?Imeanwhat ’
ssospecial
abouther
?”

Mish:“Shei
smyf uturewif
e,someoneIl ove.Shei
s
smartandhaseverythingamancoul deverwantin
awoman.Thati ssomet hi
ngyouwoul dn’tknow
about,woul
dyou,nowRose?Aker eonyobakebo
bohleba(Yougetfuckedbyeveryone).
”

Rose:(
tear
y)“
Howcoul
dyoudot
hist
ome,
Mish?
”

Mish:“Ineversai
dIlovedyou,
soakit
siomakat sa
keng(soIdon’tknowwhyyou’resosurpr
ised)
.”

Rose:“
You’
l
lpayf
ort
his.
”
Mi
sh:“
Sur
e.Getup,
youhaveaj
obt
odo.
”

Rosewasaboutt
ogetdr
essed,
butMi
shst
opped
her
.

Mish:“
Sor
rysesi(si
s),
onaganagor
eoet
sang
(
whatdoyouthinkyou’r
edoi
ng)?
”

Rose:“
I’
m get
ti
ngdr
essed.
”

Mish:“Skangnyel
la(
Don’
tfuckwit
hme),Rose.
Hl
apapel e(t
akeashowerf
irst
).Youknowthe
dr
ill
.”

Rosewal
kedtot
hebat
hroom humi
li
ated,
whi
le
Misht
ri
edtocal
lPr
eci
ousnumerousl
y.
[
01/
27,
07:
43] :Chapt
er60
“
Yesterdayi
shi
stor
y,t
omorrowi
samyst er
y,t
oday
i
sagi f
tofGod,
whichiswhywecal
litt
hepresent
.”
–Bil
lKeane

Preciouswasar ealmess.Shewascr yi
ngnonstop
whilewal ki
ngint hest
reet
.Wi thi
nfi
veminut
esafter
shewi tnessedwhatshewi tnessed,
Ronza
appearedasi nstruct
edbytheboss.Hehootedfor
herandshel ookedathim.

Ronza:“
Geti
n.”

Pr
eci
ousi
gnor
edhi
m andwal
kedon.

Ronza:“
Bona( Look)
,Bosswil
lneverf
orgi
vemei f
youdon’tgeti
t.So,youcandosowi l
li
ngl
y,orIcan
dragyouinhere.Yourchoi
ce.
”

Pr
eci
ousst
il
lignor
edhi
m.
Ronza:“
Bonagoreoredbjang(Lookhowr edyou
ar
e).Ayell
owbonelikeyoucan’tbewalki
ng
ar
oundinthesunli
kethi
s.Getin.Please.
”

Thatwast helongestconver sati

ont heyhaveever
had.Preciousswal l
owedherpr i
deandgoti nthe
front
,whichwasr eal l
yunusualasMi shalways
i
nst r
uct
sRonzat omakesur esheget sintheback.
Thatway, shouldanyonet r
ysomet hing,shewould
somehowbecover edbybei ngablet ogetdownat
thebackseatunl i
ket hefr
ont .Yep,thatwashi s
wayofensur ingshewoul dbeabl et ododgebul l
ets
shouldshithitt
hef an.Shewascr yingandt hen
Ronzastar t
edgivingheral ectur
e.

Ronza:“Youknow,
you’
rever
yspeci
alt
oBozza
(
Boss).”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Didheal
sot
ellyout
otel
lmet
hat
?”
Ronza:“No,Icanthi
nkformyself
,youknow.
Anyway,whatImeantwast hathereal
lylovesyou.
IhaveneverseenBozzasoinlove,i
tactuall
y
scareshim.Imean,sur
e,hehashi sfaults,
buthe
genuinel
ylovesyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sni
ff
ing)“
Thenwhydi
dhecheatonme?
”

Ronza:“
Weret
heybothnaked?Imeandi
dyou
act
uall
ycat
chthem i
ntheact?
”

Preci
ouskeptqui
etasshewasst
art
ingt
odoubther
ownmi nd.

Ronza:“Don’
tgetmewrong,whathedidwasreal
ly
bad,butImeanwhatdidyouexpectwhenyoudon’t
givehi
m anypussy?Noof f
ence,butamanneeds
tohavesomesexeverynowandt hen.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
ButIwasn’
tready.
”

Ronza:“Hegott
hat,henceherat
herdeci
dedt
o
bl
owof fsomesteam wit
hthatbi
tchRose.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shei
snotabi
tchi
fhesl
eptwi
thher
.”

Ronza:(chuckli
ng)“Youhavesomucht olearn,
Ndhlovukazi(Queen).Mensomet imesfuckjustfor
thesakeoffucking.Theydon’treall
ylovethose
bit
chesattimes.I t
’snot
hinghecti
c.Hel ovesyou,
thatmuchIdoknow. ”

Preci
ousjustkeptqui
etthewholeri
dehome.She
askedRonzatodr opheroffatMi
sh’smot
her
’s
house.

Ronza:(
shaki
nghead)“
Bozzagavemest
ri
ct
i
nst
ruct
ionst
odr
opyouof
fatyourhouse.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“Please,Ronza.Ij
ustneedt
ogetmy
mi
ndoffthings.”

Ronza:“Okay,butdon’
tinvol
veyourMamazal
a
(Mother
-in-
law)inyouraff
air
s.Shewon’
tli
kewhat
Bozzadid.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ofcour
se.Thankyou.
”

Shet hankedhim andgotof f

.Shet hen
remember edshedi dn’
thavetheaccesscodet ohis
mother ’
shouse, butshehadhernumber .Shewas
real
lynicetoPr ecious,shewouldcalleverynow
andthenandt extheronwhat sapp,sendhersome
motivati
onalquot esandBi bl
everses.Whatshe
l
ikedaboutPr eciouswast hatshewasGod- feari
ng,
somet hi
ngMi shhadnevergonef orbefore.Iguess
i
nsomet ypeofway, shethoughtthatPrecious
woul
dbehi
ssavi
our
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hi,
Ma.Ngi
ngaphandl
e(I
’
m out
side)
.”

Thoko:“Oh,Ikeepfor
get
ti
ngt ogiveyouthecode.
Yazi
,uMi sh(Youknow,Mish)canbestupidatti
mes.
Comei n.
”

Shewal
kedinandtri
edt
ohidehertear
s.Assoon
asMam’Thokoopenedt
hedoor
,thetearsst
art
ed
fl
owi
ng.

Thoko:“
Oh,
mybaby.Ngena(
Comei
n).
”

ShehuggedPr eci
ousforawhi
leandshejustcri
ed
herl
ungsoutunt i
lshefel
tabi
tbet
ter
.Shedi dn’
t
evenreal
izehowmuchshewassobbi ngunti
lshe
sawhowr edThoko’
seyeswer
e.
Thoko:“
Sit
.I’
l
lgetyousomewi
ne.
”

Funnyenough, Mam’
Thokoneverof
feredherteaor
coffee.Winewasherremedyawayfrom chur
ch.
Shepour edherani
ceglassofr
edwine,Preci
ous
gulpeditdownandThokoknewthatMeshackwas
thecause.

Thoko:“
Spi
titout
.”

Preicous:“Idon’
tevenknowwheretostar
t,Ma.I
feelsomuchpai n.PainInevert
houghtIcoul
dever
feelbefore.
”

Thoko:“
Hmm, youdon’
thavetosayit
,butIknow
hecheatedonyou.Myquesti
onis,doyousti
lll
ove
hi
m? ”

Pr
eci
ousnoddedi
nshame.
Thoko:“Ofcourseyoustil
ldo.AllIcantel
lyouis
onceitstar
ts,i
tjustget
swor se.Youcanstay,no
onecant el
lyoutoleavehim.Hei smyson, Il
ove
hi
mt obits,buthecanbeonehel lofanasshol
e.”

Shewasaboutt ospil
lthebeanswhenMi shwal
ked
i
nf rant
ical
ly,
leavi
ngThokodi ssat
isf
iedeven
thoughshehadnoi deawhathappened.

Mish:(
scratchinghead)“
Sawubona(Hel
lo),
Ma.
Ngicel
aukukhul umanoPreci
ous(MayIplease
speaktoPrecious)?
”

Thoko:“Hmm,niyamangazani
na(younevercease
toamazeme).Don’tbel
ong.Thisi
smyhouse
aft
erall
.”

Shel
eftt
hetwooft
hem,whil
ePreci
ouslooked
downinshamef
orevenagr
eeingt
olethi
mt al
kto
her
.

Mi
sh:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Babywami(
Mybaby)
.”

Preci
ousremai
nedsi
lentandr
efusedt
olethi
m
touchher
.

Mish:(t
eary)“Presh,please, Ididn’
tdoanythi
ng
withher,
Iswear .She…sheseducedme.Idi dn’
t
evenwanther ,butnextt hingIknew, shecamet o
myhouseandonet hingl edtoanot her
,butIswear
toyou,Ididn’
tsleepwi thher .”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youobvi
ousl
yopenedt
oher
,Imeanhow
el
sedi
dshegeti
n.”

Mi shreal
izedPreci
ouswasnotst
upi
d,butt
hefact
thatshewasr espondi
ngmeantshewaswil
li
ngto
givehim achance.
Mi sh:“
Shecall
edmesayingsheneedsmoneyf or
funding.Iam notabadman, Pr
esh.Idomybi tin
thecommuni t
y.Shecantellyouher
self
,ifyoujust
givemeachance, pl
ease.
”

Preci
ouskeptqui
etf
orawhi
le,
butshet
hought
aboutitl
ongandhar
d.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Mishsmil
edandgaveherahug.Shedi dn’
trecei
ve
i
tasshealwaysusedto,butthatwasenoughf or
hi
m.Theywal kedoutofthekit
chen,
andf ound
Mam’Thokoi
nt hel
ounge,watchingt
v.

Mi
sh:“
Ma,
siyabuya(
we’
l
lbeback)
.”

Thoko:(
uni
mpr
essed)“
Okay.
”
Mishwalkedoutwit
ht hereluct
antPreci
ous,he
openedthecardoorforherasusualandt heydrove
offtot
henearbypark,whereRosewassi tti
ngon
oneofthebenches,anxi
ously.Mishconfident
ly
walkedoutwit
hPrecious’handinhisknowingvery
wellhewaslyi
ngtoher .

Mi
sh:“
Sho(
Sur
e),
Rose.
”

Rose:(
ner
vous)“
Hi.HiPr
eci
ous.
”

Pr
eci
ousdi
dn’
trespond.

Rose:“Look,Iknowyoudon’ thaveanyr easonto

beli
eveme, especiall
yaft
erever yt
hingIdidt oyou,
butthi
stime,Iam t el
li
ngthet r
uth.Ididn’tmeant o
hurtyou.Iwentt oMi sh’
shouseandt r
iedt o
seducehim.Ij ustthoughtthatitwasmyl ast
chancetogetwi thhim.If el
tyouwer enotgood
enoughforhim.Please,
for
giveme.IknowIdon’
t
deser
veanythingofyour
s,butIdi
dn’
twantt
oruin
yourrel
ati
onship.
”

Preci
ouslookeddeepi
ntoRose’seyes.Something
tol
dherthatshewasn’
tbeinggenuineenough,
but
somehow, shefor
cedhermindint
obelievi
ngher.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Didyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”

Rose:“
No.Isweart
oyou,
Preci
ous.If
eelsobad.
Youhavet
obeli
eveme.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iappr
eci
ateyourhonest
y.”

Mishwassohappyandhi shear
tfel
tateaseas
soonasPrecioussaidt
hat.Roselef
tthem witha
pai
nedheart,
butMi shhadgotwhathewant ed.He
coul
dn’
tri
sklosinghisPreci
ous.Hedidwhathe
hadwant edtodoi ni
ti
all
y,hencehehadplannedthe
candl
elitdinneratmidday.Mi shknel
tdownonone
kneeri
ghtint hepark,wi
thhisG-starr
awjeansin
themiddleofwetsoi l
.

Precious:(
shocked)“
Mish,
wet
sang(
whatar
eyou
doing)?”

Misht
ookoutabeaut
if
ul,
whi
tegol
d10car
at
di
amondri
ng.

Mi sh:“Fr
om t hemomentIsawyou, Iknewt hatyou
wer etheonef orme.Iknewt hatIwoul dmar ryyou.
Iam soi ntr
iguedbyyourbeaut y, i
nsideandout side,
Iloveyourinf ecti
ouslaugh, yourimmense
i
nt el
li
gence, andyourst rongwi l
l.Iloveyouso
much, Precious.Ihaveneverl ovedanyonet heway
Iloveyou.Iwantt ogi veyousomuch, andIwor ry
thatonedayIwon’ tbeenoughf oryou.Al lmyl ife,
I
havewai tedf orsomeonel ikeyou.Ndhl ovukazi
(Queen) ,
Iknowt hatwhatyouwi tnessedt odayt ore
youapar tsomuch, thatyoumostpr obablywon’t
for
getit.But,youshoul dknowbynowt hatIalways
keepmypr omises.ThatdayIsawyouweepi ng
aft
eryourmot her’sdeath,Ipr
omi sedyouukut hi
ngizokushada(thatI’
dmar ryyou).Please,dome
thehonour sandmaket hehappiestmanint he
wor l
d.Wi l
lyoumar ryme? ”
[
01/
27,
07:
44] :Chapt
er61

“
Thosewhofor
gett
hepastar
econdemnt
orepeat
i
t.
”–ChuckPal
ahni
uk

Lif
ehasi tsunexpectedt ur
nsonadai l
ybasi s.We
getsurpri
sedi ngoodandbadways, butwhen
you’r
eyoung, themeani ngofl oveisallsunshi ne
androses.Att hatpoint,Preciousover looked
Mish’sstupi
dchoi cesandt houghtofal lthegood
hehaddonef orher.Itisnotunusualf orawoman
oramanatt i
mest omakest upidmistakesl i
ke
marryingthefirsti
diotthattell
syouheorshel oves
you.Evendespi t
eallthewar nings,wet endt odo
whatwefeell
ikedoi
ngbecause,
wel
l
,we’
resi
mpl
y
human.

Ifwet r
ust edotherpeopl ewithourchoi cesandlet
them dot hem forus,wher ewoul dwebe?The
samewayGodgaveAdam andEveachoi cebacki n
thedayi sthesamewayHebr oughtusi nt
ot hi
s
wor l
dofchoi ce.Wear esur r
oundedbyevi l
,by
peoplewi thcruelint
ent i
ons,butourchoi cesmake
uswhowear eanddet erminetheout comeofever y
situat
ion.Eachofuscoul dbegi venabagofdr ugs
andnotal lofusar egoi ngtosmokei t;somewi l
l
sellit
,whilesomegi vei tawayandsomewi lltur
nit
i
nt othehandsoft helaw.Thati sjustthewayl i
fe
goeswi threlati
onshipsandl ove.

Preciousstoodther
eforamomentandf el
tasifher
whol eli
fewasawhol emovie–yetitwasonlythe
beginning.“Sur
e,hemadeami st
ake,buthel
oves
me, doesn’
the?”shet houghtt
oherself
.
Mish:“
So?Whatdoyousay,
Sthandwasami(
My
l
ove)?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vous)“
Yes,
I’
llmar
ryyou.
”

Mi shst oodupwi thabr oadsmi l

eonhi sf ace,his
hear telatedbeyondmeasur eandever yonei nthe
par kclappinghandsf orthem.Ofcour se, t
here
wer eaf ewbast ardst akingavi deooft hewhol e
scene–somewer einspiredbyt heactofl ove,
whi l
emostwer eshockedt hatthenot orious
MeshackNdhl ovuwasact uallypr oposingt oagirl
l
ikePr eci
ous.I twasnewswor thy,somet hingwor th
startinggossipabout .Heputt hegor geousr ingon
herf ingerandgaveherar eal,passionat ekissthat
sentsi gnalstoherl adypar ts.

Mish:“
Oneday,
Iam goi
ngtobuyyouaneven
bett
err
ing,
MaNdhlovu(Mr
s.Ndhl
ovu).
”
Pr eci
ousNdhl ovu.Shereallyli
kedthesoundof
thatinherhead.Shehadcompl etel
yfor
gotten
aboutf i
ndinghi minbedwi t
hRosej ustafewhours
ago, shehadact ual
lyfor
gottenthatRonzawas
tryingtogiveherawayoutoft hisdarkl
if
ethat
Mi shhadent rappedherin,butthenwhowoul dbe
saneenought oleaveaguyl i
keMi shwhenhewas
theonegi vingherthewor l
dwhenshepr acti
call
y
hadnoone?

Mi
sH:“
Come,
let
’sgo.
”

Heopenedthecardoorforherandtheyleft
.They
pr
oceededtoMam’Thoko’shousewhom t heyf
ound
si
tt
ingi
nfrontoft
hetv,havi
ngasi pofherwine.

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Ma,
wehavegoodnewsf
oryou.
”

Thokot
urnedar
ounduni
mpressedasshe
i
mmediatel
yspot
tedt
heri
ngonPr eci
ous’
sfi
nger
.
Thoko:“
Ja(
Yes)
?”

Mi
sh:(
exci
ted)“
Shesai
dyes.
”

Thokosatt hereforamomentandherhear tsank,

actual
lysankt othepitofherst omach.Thelast
ti
met hathappenedwaswhenshehadhear dthe
newst hathersonwasshott hreeti
mesinthe
stomach.Pr ecioussensedt hedispl
easur
ei n
Mam’ Thoko’seyesandl ookeddowni nshame.I t
wassohar df orsomeoneasl i
ghtashertohideher
emot i
ons.

Thoko:“
Mish,
fixussomel
unch.Wena(You)
,
Preci
ous,mnt
wanawami(mychil
d),
takeawalk
withme.”

Mishwasnotevenbother
edashet
houghthi
smom
wantedt
ogivePreci
oussometi
psaboutmar
ri
age.
HekissedPrecious’cheekandletherhandgo.
Mam’ Thokogentl
ygr abbedPreci
ousbyherar m as
theywalkedouttogether.Pr
eciousimmediatel
y
star
tedtensi
ngup, butMam’Thokowasasf riendly
asever.Theywal kedarounduntilt
heygottothe
exactsameparkt hatMishpropsedtoherat.

Thoko:“
Sit
.”

Shesatdownnextt
oher
.

Thoko:“Letmeguess;hepr
oposedt
oyour
ight
her
e,didn’the?
”
Pr
eci
ous:(
looki
ngdown)“
Yes,
Ma.
”

Thoko:“Iknowwhathedi
dtoyou.Iknowhe
cheat
edonyouandyoucaughthiminbedwit
hthat
bit
ch,Rose.That
’swhyyoucamecryi
ngtomean
hourago.”
Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Howdi
dyouknow,
Ma?
”

Thoko:“
Ihavemyways.Li sten,Preci
ous,Iknow,
youmustbet hinki
ngIam justanol d,j
eal
ousbitch
whodisli
kesyou.Ormaybeyouar eafrai
dthatI
mightnotwantt ol
ookaftert
heki dsifyousaynot o
Meshack,butthetrut
his–mysoni sananimal.
Andbyani mal,Imeanthewor stkind.
”

Pr
eci
ousl
ookedatMam’
Thokoconf
usedasf
uck.

Pr
eci
ous:(
conf
used)“
Idon’
tunder
stand,
Ma.
”

Thoko:(sigh)“Youarear arebreed,Preci
ous,ther
e
i
sjustsomet hingaboutyou, apartfr
om youbei ng
very–ver ypure,ther
eisjustsomet hingaboutyou.
Idon’tknow, Mishprobablydoesn’twanttoletgoof
youbecauseyouseeever ythingelseinhim–
excepttheanimal i
sti
cpart.Butthatisbecauseyou
haven’
tseent
her
ealhi
m andIam wor
ri
edhewi
l
l
rui
nyou.”

Preciousknewthathi
smom knewhi m bet
tert
han
anyoneelse.Shekeptquietasshewastryi
ngto
processeveryt
hingThokowassayingt
oher .

Thoko:“ Al lIam sayi ngi sthati fyouwantt owal k

away, Iwon’ tblameyou.Iwi lleventakecar eoft he
kidsunt iltheygot oUni versity.Ihavenopr oblem
witht hatwhat soever.I fyouwantt ost ay,thenbe
prepar edt ouncovert her ealMeshack, thenotso
l
ikeabl eMeshack.I fyoucanhandl ehi ml i
ket hat–
thenyou’ r
egoodt ogo.Ial sot houghtIcoul d
handl ehi sfather’sdemons.Iwasj ustli
keyou, a
Godf earingwomant oahar dcor egangst er
mot her f
ucker ,butIst ayed.Ist ayedwhenhe
burnedmybackwi thaf uckinghoti ron.Ist ayed
whenher apedmewheneverIsai dnot osexandI
stayedwhenheboughtmeal lkindsofgi ft
s.I
stayedbecausehegavemeagoodl i
feandl oved
hisson,IevenstayedwhenhewouldbeatMeshack
toapulponedaybecauseher ef
usedtogooutwith
him onenight
.”

Preciouscouldtel
lthatMam’Thokowasoverthe
hurtbecauseshedi dn’
tshedonetearwhenshe
spokeofMi sh’sdad.Shespokeoutofangerand
greatrel
ief
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
IfImayask,
whathappenedt
ohi
m,Ma?
”

Thoko:“
Ifyouwantt omarryMish,Isuggestyou
askhim whatreal
lyhappened.Ifhetrust
sand
l
ovesyout hatmuch,hewillgi
veyout heanswer.
”

Pr
eci
ousj
ustnodded.

Thoko:“
So?Ar
eyoust
ayi
ngorl
eavi
ng?
”
AsPreci
oussatther
einsil
ence,
shewassecretl
y
repl
ayi
ngthei
rconver
sat
ioninherhead.Shecould
haveswornsheheardMam’ThokosaythatMi
sh
wasagangster.

Pr
ecious:“
Justonemorequest
ion,
Ma.Di
dyou
j
ustsayMishisagangster
?”

Thoko:“Oh,
yes.Ahar dcor
emot herf
ucker
,justli
ke
hi
sfather–ifnotwor se.Hestealsforali
ving.
Howel sedi
dyout hinkhegotallthi
ssuccess
wit
houtevenfi
nishingmat r
icorgoingtoUni ver
sit
y?
It
houghtyouknew. ”

Preci
ousfel
therpoundasifi
twasworki
ng
overt
ime.Suddenl
yshewasovercomewithsweat
,
butshemanagedtohideherwor
ryfr
om Thoko.

Preci
ous:“
No,Idi
dn’
tknow.Ihonest
lyt
houghtt
hat
peopl
ewerejustj
eal
ous.
”
Thoko:(
laughi
ng)“No,
theyweret
ell
ingt
hetr
ut h.
Theymightbejeal
ous–yes,butt
heyweren’
tlying.
”

Preci
ous:“
So,howdoyoufeelaboutal
lthi
s,Ma?I
meannoof f
ence,
butyou’
reaGodfeari
ngwoman
andyoursonisagangst
er.
”

Thoko:“Heisal
sohumanandsoam I.Noof
fence,
butyou’r
eaGodfear
ingwomanandyou’
re
pract
ical
lysl
eepi
ngwit
hagangst
er.
”

Preci
ouslookeddowninshame.Fuck,t
hatwasso
tr
ue.Theyhadn’tevenhadsex,
butshewasdati
ng
agangster.

Thoko:“Isai
dthattoshowyouthathei
sno
dif
fer
entfrom anybodyel
se.Whydoyouthinkhe
sometimesswi t
cheshisphoneof
fatni
ght
?”
Pr
eciousthoughtaboutal
lMam’Thokosaidandit
madesomuchsenset hati
tki
ndofexcitedher
i
nsteadofscaringher
.Shewasimpr essedwit
h
Mishandwant edtoknowsomuchmor eofhisli
fe.

Thoko:“John8:7says,“Lethewhoiswit
houtsi
n
castthefi
rststone.So,nowthatyousor
t-
ofknow
thetr
uth,areyouleavi
nghim? ”

Preci
oust houghtf
orashor twhil
eaboutwhat
Mam’ Thokotoldher.Shehadnoi deawhatexact
ly
shewasget ti
ngherselfi
nto,butherhear
ttol
dher
nottoletgo.

Pr
eci
ous:(
shaki
nghead)“
No,
Ma.I
’
m st
ayi
ng.
”

Thoko:“Hmm, al
ri
ghtthen.Best
rongandknow
thatIsuppor
tyouallt
heway.”
Shest i
llhadt hisawkwar df eel
ingdeepi nsi deofher .
Whenamot hersayshersoni samonst er,onlyshe
knowswhatki ndofmonst erheactuall
yi s, ri
ght?
Shethoughtabouti tallt
hewhi let
heywal kedback
toherhouse.Yes, sure,Mishwassuppor ti
ve, ki
nd
andlovingt owar dsher ,hepaidherf eesand
ensuredt hatsheandt heki dshadever ythingt hey
needed.Yet ,shest i
llwasyett oseetheMeshack
hismot herwasact uallytal
kingabout.Ast heywer e
abouttowal kbacki ntothehouse, t
heyf oundMi sh
anxi
ousl ywai tingforthem byt hegate.

Mish:“
Oh,t
hankGod.Iwassowor
ri
edaboutyou–
andyoutooofcour
se,
Ma.”

Thoko:(
chuckli
ng)Yeah,sur
e.Wel
l?Gi
vemea
dat
esoIcanl etyouruncl
esknow.
”

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wel
l,
Iam t
hinki
ngassoonas
possi
ble.Imean,
wedon’
thavetowaitmuch
l
onger,ri
ght
?Howaboutyourbi
rt
hday,Pr
esh?”

Preci
ouswasreall
ynotthatimpressedaboutMish
doingthi
ngswit
houtconsult
ingher.shewould
soonlearnt
hati
fsheneededanyt hi
ngfrom hi
m
shewouldhavetospeakuporl ethi
m doittheway
hesawf i
t.

Precious:“
That
’slesst
hanamont
haway,
Mish.
Can’twepostpone?”

Mish:“
Idon’
tseewhy,
Imean,
wel
oveeachot
her
,
don’
twe?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
noddi
ng)“
Iguess.
”

Mish:“Sur
e.I’l
lgetmymom toinf
orm yourf
amil
y
t
ost ar
tthelobol
aproceedi
ngs.Asforourweddi
ng,
youcant
akecar
eoft
hewhol
ethi
ng.
”

Ther ewast hatonefeeli

ngbur i
eddeepi nsi deof
Precious,wai t
ingtocrawloutandmakei ts
appearance.Shewasnotver yexcited,shewas
ratherworried.Shet houghtaboutami llionthings,
suchasdi dsheknowMi shwel lenough?Wasshe
willi
ngtomar r
yagangst er?Thatwentt otall
y
againstever yt
hinghermot hertaughtherf orsure,
butshel ovedhi m.Whi l
eshewentt ocheckont he
kids,ThokoaskedMeshackt heburningquest ion
shehasbeendyi ngt
o.

Thoko:“
So,
areyougoi
ngt
oinvi
teRaymond?
”

Meshack’
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onchangedi
nst
ant
ly.

Mish:(
anger
ed)“
No,
Ma!Whywoul
dyouevenbr
ing
t
hatup?”
Thoko:“
Becausehei
syourbl
ood.
”

Mi
sh:“
No.Hei snot.Heishi
sbl
ood–notmi
ne.
Di
dyoutel
lherabouthi
m?”

Thoko:“No,that
’syourjob.Iam tel
lyi
ngyou,
Meshack,ifyoueverhur tt
hatgir
leveragai
n,I
swearonyourf ather
’suselessl
if
ethatIwil
lbreak
yourfucki
ngneck.Shei stoogoodforyou.
”

Mish:“
Ma,itwasami
stake–Iswear
.Itwon’
t
happenagain.
”

Thoko:“
Ithadbetternot.Youarenotyourfat
her,
Meshack,butkeepgoingliket
hisandyou’
llendup
j
ustli
kehim;ausel essfat
her,
woman-beaterand
motherf
uckingcheater.
”

Mi
sh:“
Trustme,
Ma.Ihavenoi
ntent
ionsof
becomi
ngl
ikemyf
ather
.”

Thoko:“
Good.
”

Thatpeptalkbroughtupsomemi xedemot ionsfor

Mish.Her eal
lydidn’
twantt obecomehi sfather
’s
shadow.Hehadswor nt hedayhet r
agicall
ydied
thathewon’tbehisfather’
simage.Pr eci
ouscame
backaft
erashor twhil
eandMi shsmiledinstant
ly.

Mi
sh:“
Shal
lwego?
”

Preci
ous:“
Okay.Ma,
thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.I
’
ll
seeyoulat
er.
”

Thoko:(
smil
ing)“
Okay,
Mnt
wanawami(
mychi
ld)
.
Keepwell
.”
Thokoknewdeepdownt hathersonwast oomuch
ofamonst erforagirll
ikePrecious,butthen–she
ofal
lpeopleknewexact l
ywhati twasl i
ketofal
lin
l
ovewithamonst er.Onet hi
ngwasf orsure–she
wasforeverindebtedtohersonf orsavi
ngherli
fe.
[
01/
27,
07:
45] :Chapt
er62

“Thefir
stst
eptowardsget
ti
ngsomewherei
sto
decideyou’
renotgoi
ngtostaywher
eyouar
e.”–
J.P.Morgan

Af
ewweeksl
ater
….

Thedayhadf inall
yar r
ived–t hebiggestwedding
daytoeverbewi tnessedi nMamel odi
.Mi shhad
goneallout
,leavingever yonei nshock–evenhi s
ri
ghthandmanRonza.Her eall
ycouldn’tbel
ieve
thatMishwasact uall
yspendi ngsomuchmoneyon
hisweddingwi t
hPr eci
ous.Hehadt oldhertodo
anythi
ngshewant edandhewoul djustapprove
anythi
ng–t otopitalloffi
twasPr ecious’
s19t h
bir
thday.Herveryownmot hergotmar ri
edatt he
ageof19her sel
f;t
alkabouthistor
yr epeati
ngi t
sel
f.
Lehumohadl eftherchildbehi
ndwi thami ll
ion
questi
ons,butnonethelessGatshahadf orgivenher
alongtimeago.

Theyl efttheear thtoget herinspiritandj oinedthe

ancest or
s.Theonl ypr oblem wast hatt heNcube
ancest or
swer eangr yatLehumof orl eavingher
husbandwi thoutanyanswer sandevenmor eangr y
atherf orleavingPr eciousonear thlivingawhol e
l
iewi thanameandsur namet hatwasnother s.In
that,t
heyhadn’ taccept edherj oi
ningt heNcube
ancest or
sandi nthat,Gat sha’sspirithadal so
revolt
ed.Thatmadet hingssohar df orPr eci
ousas
i
twoul dt akeext r
alongf orhert ofindherwayback
home.Bongiher selfhadsl owlylostt hef ul
labil
it
y
ofherpower sbecausesher ef
usedt obehonest
withGat shaboutt hewher eabout sofLehumoand
theirdaught er
.Whenspi ritspeaksandyoudon’ t
l
isten–t heycanpuni shyout oacer tai ndegree,but
whenspi r
itspeaksandyour efusetoli
sten–t hati
s
adifferentstory.Slowlybutsur el
yyouwi l
llose
everything–andevent ual
ly,yourli
fe.Bongihad
comet oMamel odibei
ngPr eci
ous’sonlyli
ving
rel
ative,si
ncewel lHoseawasAWOL.

Shewasal sopr esenti nthelobol anegot i

ationsand
Thokohadaskedt heirpastort oplayt hemal erole
forPreciousi nthenegot i
ati
onssi nceshewas
basicallyanor phan.Thokoont heot herhand, had
hertwobr ot hersandonesi sterpr esent,mucht o
herannoyance.Meshackwasal sonothappyabout
thei
rpr esenceei ther,buther emai nedcal mf or
Precious’ssake.Themor ni
ngoft heweddi ngt hey
hadt ost artwi t
hi ntroducingPr ecioust othe
Ndhlovuancest ors, t
hatwayt heycoul dcelebr ateall
daysi ncet heyhadpl annedar eall
ybigf east .
Thokoandhersi blings,aswel lasBongihadcome
togethert oensur ethatitwoul dbeamemor able
dayf orbot hPr eciousandMeshack.Pr eciouswas
i
noneoft hebedr oomsatThoko’ shouse, whi l
e
everyoneel sewasbusyout side.Shewasdr essed
i
nZulut
radi
ti
onalat
ti
re,
wrappedi
nabl
anketand
headwr
ap.

Bongi
:(knocki
ng)“
Hi,
baby.MayIcomei
n?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Yes,
Gogo(
granny)
.”

Shewal
kedi
nandwassost
unned.I
twasasi
fshe
wasl
ooki
ngatLehumo.

Bongi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Youl
ookj
ustl
ikeyourmot
her
.”

Shecouldn’
ttel
lhert
hatshel
ookedl
ikeherf
ather
forobvi
ousreasons.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ifeelver
yner
vous,
Iwon’
tli
e.”

Bongi
:“Youknow,
yourmot
heral
sogotmar
ri
edat
age19.Iguessyout
wohavegr
eatl
uck.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Gogo(
Granny)
,whatwasmyf
atherl
ike.
”

Bongi:(teary)“Hewasawonder f
ulman;ver ystern
andsweetandhel ovedyourmot herabove
everyoneel se.Godcamef i
rsti
nHi sli
feandhe
choset owi neverybatt
lewithyourmot her
alongsidehi m.Itwasn’teasyhavingyou, buthe
stuckar ound.Youknow, i
ttookthem elevenyears
toconcei veyou.”

Preci
ouswasreall
yhumbledtohearabouther
fat
heral
thoughshehadnevermethim.

Preci
ous:“
HowcomeMamaneverhadanypi
ctur
e
ofhim?”

Bongi
:“Becauseal
lthei
rpi
ctur
esbur
ntdowni
nthe
houseshel
ivedi
nwi
thhi
m.Sad,
isn’
tit
?”

Preci
ous:(si
gh)“I
tis.Iwashopinghewoul dbe
heretowalkmedownt heai
sle,
justl
ikeever
ygir
l
dreams,butsuchisli
fe.”

Bongi
:“Don’
tbesosouronyourweddingday,baby.
I
t’
sbadluck,besi
des,I’
l
lbether
etowalkyoudown.
Now,come,theNdhlovu’sar
ewait
ingonyou.
”

Precious:“
Ai,t
hoseones.IbetMeshack’
saunt
real
lydespisesme.Ifshecoul
dchooseawifefor
him sheobviousl
ywould.
”

Bongi:(chuckl
ing)“
Letherbe.I
gnoreheranddon’t
evergiveheranysatisf
acti
onofmakingyoufeel
sad.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
That
’seasyf
oryout
osay,
Gogo(
Granny)
.
Haveyoueverhear
dthecommentsshemakes
aboutme?Shedoesn’tevenwai
tformet
oleave
theroom.
”

Bongi :“
Youhavesomucht olearn.Khulul
eka
(Relax),si
si.Wai tf
oryourweddi ngdayt obeover
andt henyouwi lloff
icial
lybeMr s.Ndhlovu.Then
youcangi veherapi eceofyourmi nd,butfornow,
l
etever yonethinkthatshe’stheonewi ththe
problem.Don’ tgivet hem r
easont odoubt
Meshack’ schoice.”

Bongial
waysknewhowt
osayt
her
ightt
hings.

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
Gogo(
Granny)
.”

Theywal kedoutandfoundThokointhelounge
al
ongsidehersibli
ngs.Thetwobrother
sr eal
lyhad
noproblem wit
hMeshackget t
ingmarri
ed.They
wouldhavedoneanyt hi
ngforanicebott
leof
whiskey,
butasforThoko’
ssist
er,
Thandi
,shehada
pr
oblem –witheveryoneandever
ythi
ng.

Thoko:(ulul
ati
ng)“Oh,mybaby.Youareso
beauti
ful.Come,let’
snotkeept
heancestor
s
wait
ing.Wehavesomucht odotoday.
”

Thandi:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“Idon’
tseeanythi
ng
speci
alabouther.Whyal lt
hefuss?Imeanweal l
knowthatMeshackwi l
lleaveherver
ysoon.He
neversti
ckstoanywoman.Iam sur ethi
soneused
muthi(bl
ackmagic)onhi m.”

Bongicl
enchedherj
awandhel dPreci
ous’shand
fi
rmerasshecouldsenseheranger.Thokowas
veryuni
mpressedwit
hThandi.

Thoko:(annoyed)“
Thandi,
fir
stl
yyouwer enoteven
i
nvitedtothi
sweddingandsecondl ywhat’
sthe
fuckingpoi
ntofyoubeinghereifyou’
regoingt
obe
negat
ivet
hroughout
?!”

Thandi
:(shocked)Excuseme?
”

Thoko:“Excuseyou,vel
e(ofcourse)
.Unganginyel
i
(Don’
tpissmeof f)
,Thandi
.Thisismyson’s
weddingandIwi l
lnothaveyouruinthi
sfor
Preci
ous.It’
snowonderyourdaught er
saren’t
marri
ed–you’ resuchabitchevenatyourage!
”

Everyonekeptqui
etbecauseThokowasnotonet
o
rai
sehervoice.

Thandi
:(shocked)“
Kodwa(
But
)Thoko–“

Thoko:(int
err
upti
ng)“
KodwaThokoyamasimba
(Fuckthat)
!Tryyourbul
lshi
tagai
nandIswear,I
willhaveyouthr
ownoutofhereinahear
tbeat–try
me! ”
Ever
yonekeptqui
etandThandil
ookeddowni
n
shame.

Thandi
:“Iapol
ogi
ze,
mysi
ster
.”

Thoko:(cl
ickingtongue)Bongi,
pleasebri
ng
Preciousoutside.Anginaisi
khatisabat
hakat
hi(
I
don’thaveti
mef orwi
tches).
”

ShegaveThandiast
ernl
ookandwal
kedout
.

Thoko’
sel
derbr
other
:“Awumamel
iwena(
youdon’
t
l
ist
en).
”

Thoko’
syoungerbrot
her
:“You’
dbett
erhopeand
prayMeshackdoesnotf
indoutaboutt
his.
”
Theywal kedoutl eavingThandiregret
ti
ngher
actions.Theywentt othebackoft hehousewhere
theydi dtheirusualancestr
alclenses.Theyhad
tradit
ionalbeerandsomesnui f.Theykneltdown
andThokost ar
tedspeakingfir
stasMeshack’s
mot her.Meshackwasnott herewhichwasabi t
unusual ,butheaskedt odoi tl
aterashedidn’
twant
toseehi swi febeforethewedding.

Thoko:( appeasi ngtheancest ors)“BakaNdhl ovu

(TheNdhl ovu’s), Icomebef oreyouasoneofyou.
YouknowIhavebeenpr ayi
ngandaski ngyout o
giveusagr eatdayt odayallweek.Ibr ingtoyou
mynewdaught er-i
n-lawandumf azikaMeshack
(andMeshack’ swi fe).Igamal akhenguPr ecious
Vilakazi(Hernamei sPreciousVilakazi)
.Youhave
alwaysbeent her eforyourchi l
d,andIaskt hatyou
bet heretopr otecthi snewwi feaswel l
.
Ngi ni
let
heleisnui f(Ihavebr oughtyousnui f),no
mnqombot hi( andt radi
ti
onalbeer ),
ngicelani
hambenabo( Pleasegowi t
hthem)ever ywher ethey
go.Si celaisukuel imnandinamhl anje(Weaskf ora
greatdayt
oday)
.Ngi
yabongabakaNdhl
ovu(
We
thankyou)
.”

Whi leshespi l
ledt hetraditi
onalbeeront othesnuif,
somet hingwei rdhappened.Usual l
ythebeeris
supposedt ot raveldownasi fitwasspi lli
ngin
differentdirectionsont hegr oundt oshowt hatthe
ancest or swer eappr ovingofwhat evert
hepeopl e
wer easki ngf or,butint hiscasei twasnotmovi ng–
i
tr emai nedi noneposi tionandseepedi ntothe
groundi mmedi ately.Thokoknewt hati
twasnota
goodsi gn,butasf orPrecious, shewasj usthappy
thatthi ngswer el ookingupf orherandt hatshe
foundanewf ami ly.Bongiher selfknewwhati t
meantandsodi dMeshack’ suncl esandr udeaunt
Thandi .

Thandi
:(cl
appi
nghands)“
Janeh.
”

Thokogaveheronest
ernl
ookandshekeptqui
et
i
mmedi at
ely.
Thokodi dn’
twantt
orui
nherson’
sdayespeci
all
y
aft
erallthemoneyhehadspent
,soshedeci
dednot
tobreatheawordonitt
oPreci
ous.

Thoko:(
smil
ing)“Preci
ous,mntwanawami(my
chi
ld)
.Gogetdr essed.Yourfr
iendsmustbedyi
ng
togeti
ntot
heirdresses.
”

Pr
eci
oussmi
ledandhuggedThoko.

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thanks,
Ma.Ir
eal
lyappr
eci
ate
i
t.
”

Assoonasshel
eft
,Thandicoul
dn’
twaitt
oburst
.
Shedi
dn’
tevent
rytobehaveforf
if
teenminut
es.

Thandi:(shout
ing)“
Ngazil
e(Iknewit
)!Thatchil
dis
probablyabastardchi
ldorsomethi
ng!Whyel se
woul dtheancestorsnotagreetothi
suni on?!Why
areyouf orci
ngthisweddingtocontinue,Thoko?!Is
i
tnotbadenought hatyoursonisat hi
efjustl
ike
hisfather?
!Oh, wait,If
orgot–hekill
edhi sown
father!
”

Thokowassol i
vid–shehadbeenbi ti
ngher
tongueallweek,butatt
hatpoint
,shehadhadi t.
Shechar gedatThandiandgrabbedherthroatusing
bothhands.Shedi dn’
tevenhesit
ateandshemade
surethathergri
pwast i
ght,
leavi
ngherbr ot
hers
andther estoft
hefamilymember si
nsever eshock
–exceptf orBongi,
whowasj ustasfuri
ous.

Thoko:(enraged)“Whothefuckdoyout hinkyou
are,Thandi?!Howdar eyoujudgemewhenyouof
allpeopleknowwhatIhavebeent hr
ough?I
confidedinyoujustsothatyoucouldthrowi tback
i
nmyf ace?!WasMeshackagangst ermur dererto
youwhenhepai dyourhousebondwhenyour
stupidhusbandleftyouforanotherman?!Washe
aki
ll
erwhenhepai
dyourchi
l
dren’
sschoolfees
i
nst
eadofhisown?
!Heh(huh)?
!Fuckinganswer
me!
”

Thoko’
sel
derbrot
her:(
scar
ed)“Si
si(
Sist
er)
,It
hink
youshoul
dletgoofhersoshecananswer.
”

Thokoregainedhercor r
ectmentalstateofmi nd
whensher ealizedThandiwasstruggli
ngt o
breat
heandl etgoofher .Thandifoundher sel
f
gaspi
ngforai randcoughingasshef ellontothe
fl
oor.Thokol ookedatherwithrage-f
il
ledeyes.

Thoko:“Youandyourdaught
erswil
lnotbej
oini
ng
usintheVIPsecti
on–noteveninchurch.Youwil
l
touchnothi
nganddonothingunl
essyouwant
anotherki
ll
erasyourf
amilymember.

Thoko’
sel
derbr
other
:“Kodwasi
si(
Butsi
ster
)–“
Thoko:“
Youcanjoi
nheri
fyouwanttodef
endher
.
Other
wise,
Ihaveaweddi
ngtogetr
eadyfor.
”

BongiandThokol ef
tthethr
eestandingt
here
amongsttherestwhower ecooki
ngandwentt oher
bedr
oom.Shef oundhersel
fovercomewitht
ears
asshestart
edshaking.

Bongit
ookagl
assfrom hersi
det
abl
eandpour
ed
heragl
assofwhi
skey.

Bongi
:“Br
eat
heanddr
inkup.
”

Thokogul
pedt
hatgl
assl
ikei
twaswat
er.

Thoko:“Howdar eshe,Bongi?
!Howf ucki
ngdare
she?!Aftereveryt
hingIhavebeenthrough.Aft
er
ever
ythi
ngMeshackhasdonef orherandhert
wo
ungrat
efulbrats.
”
Bongi
:“Leaveher
.Sheisjustasmal
lfi
shi
nabig
pond.Wehavebiggeri
ssuestoworr
yabout
.”

Thoko:“
Iknowyousawi
ttoo.Thi
sisj
ustf
ucked
up.
”

Bongi
:“Sadl
y,Ican’
tfi
xanyofi
t.
”

Thoko:“
Trysomet
hing.
”

Bongi:“IwishIcoul
d.Theancest orshaveturned
thei
rbacksonme.Icanonl yseewhattheyallow
met osee.Theywon’ tevengivemesol ut
ions
anymor e.Bothherparentsaredeadandher
mot hernevertol
dherthetruthaboutherr
ealf amil
y.
Aswespeak, shehastofindherownway.Herl if
e
i
si ndangerandsoi smine.Wecannotsetf oot
thereunti
ltheancestor
sfeel i
tist
ime.”
Thoko:“I
’m wor
riedaboutPr
eci
ous,Bongi
.Iknow
shelovesMish,butshedoesnotknowhim.”

Bongi:“
Yes,butshei
stheonl
yonewhocantame
thebeasti
nhim.Thereisnot
hingwecando.
”

Thoko:“
Idon’
twanthert
oendupl
ikeme.
”

Bongi
:“Shewon’
t.
”

Sadly,Thokowasr ight.Pr eciouswasgoi ngt oend

upint heexactsituationasher–exceptshewoul d
turnouttobemor er uthlessthanMeshack.Peopl e
docr azythingsindesper at
et imes.Asf orThandi ,
event heBiblewar nsusaboutt hepoweroft he
tongue.Pr overbs12: 18–“ Thereisonewhose
harshwor dsar el
ikeswor dst hrust
s,butthet ongue
ofthewi sebringsheal ing.”Pr over
bs18: 21tellsus
that“Deathandl i
fear ei nthepoweroft het ongue,
andt
hosewhol
ovei
twi
lleati
tsf
rui
ts.
”
Thokodeci dedt oletitallgoandf ocusonherson,
butThandiknewt hatThokodi dn’
tliker epeati
ng
herself.Ifshef oundherorherdaught ersdoing
anythingatt heweddi ngordef yi
ngheror ders,she
wasf orsur egoi ngt okil
lher .Meanwhi l
ePr eci
ous
wassohappyasshehadj ustgotteni ntoher
beautifulcust om madeweddi ngdr ess.Yes, her
weddi nggownwasapr incessweddi nggownwi t
ha
rouched–beadedboobt ubet op,
desi gnedbyt he
oneandonl yGer t-
JohanCoet zee.Meshackwant ed
togoal lout ,butlit
tledidever yoneknowt hathe
overdidi t
.Sheonl yhadRachelandDebor ahasher
bri
desmai ds, asLeahsai dthatshewast oobusyt o
evenat tendt heweddi ng–whi chwasmor ethan
fi
nef orthem asLeahcoul dbeabi tofapar t
yruiner
.
Nonet heless, theywer eallhappyf orher .

Debor
ah:“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing,
chomi(
fri
end)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m soner
vous,
guys.Mor
eimpor
tant
ly,
I
wi
shmymom washer
e,butsomehowIf
eelher
pr
esenceher
e.”

Debor
ah:“
That
’sbecauseshei
sher
ewi
thyou–
shehasal
waysbeenwithyou.
”

Rachel
:“Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
Presh.Now,
Ican’
t
waitt
ogetmarri
ed.
”

Deborah:“
IhopeChar
li
emar
ri
esmesoonorel
sehe
wil
lhavetopay.
”

Theyal
llaughedandmadeat
oast
.

Rachel
:“Tonewbegi
nni
ngs.
”

Debor
ah:“
Wit
houtLeah,
Ihope.
”
Rachel
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Youai
n’tgott
osayt
hatt
wice.
”

Debor
ah:“
Seri
ousl
y,though,Pr
esh.Wewi
shyou
andMishnot
hingbutthebest.
”

Rachel
:“Andmanybabi
es.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Cheer
s.”

Rachel
:“Ahhaowa(
Oh,no)
.Youcan’
tcr
ynow,
you
havetosavet
hoset
ear
sforMi
sh’
svows.”

Pr
eciouswonderedwhatonear thMi shwouldsay
i
nhisvows.Shehat edcrowdsandshehadnoi dea
whatshewasgoingt osay,butsheknewt hatshe
wouldhavetospeakrightf
rom theheart
.
MeanwhileMishwassameol dMish.Hisdemons
werebacktohaunthim andasf or
eseenbyhi s
mother,
hespentthenightbeforehiswedding
whichwasal sohi sbachelorpar tyhavingsexwi th
oneoft hestr
ippers.Ofcour se,hefeltguil
tyas
fuck,buthecoul dn’
tletthatstophimf r
om mar ryi
ng
theloveofhisl i
fe.Hehadst art
edawhi rl
windof
problemsast hegi r
lnowt hinksthatMeshacki si n
l
ovewi thher–despi t
ehi mtelli
nghert hatitwasa
onet i
met hi
ng.Hewasst aringathimsel fi
nhis
gorgeouscust om madesui ti nfr
ontoft hemirror
withRonzaandBi gsinther oom wi t
hhi m,having
someexpensi vewhi skey.

Bigs:(chuckl
ing)“
Kengna(
Whati
sit
)?Get
ti
ngcol
d
feet,
Isee.”

RonzaknewMeshacki
nandoutandhedi
dn’t
commentonst
upidcomment
smadebyBi gs.

Mi
sh:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.
”

Bi
gs:
“Ir
emembermyweddi
ngday.Iwasscar
ed
shi
tl
ess.
”

Ronza:“ That
’sonl
ybecauseyoumar
ri
edoneoft
he
craziestchi
cksinMams.Shecanoperat
eakni
fe
betterthananyguyIknow.”

Bi
gs:
(cl
icki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm,ahnoman,Ronza.
Whydoyouhavet
osaysuchaboutmywi
fe?”

Ronza:“
Orkemaka(
Isi
tli
es)
?”

Bi
gs:
“Ah,
wabonawena(
Youseenow)
.”

Mish:“Bi
gs,gochecki
fthecarisready.It
hinkwe
shouldheadonoutbef
orewe’relate.
”

Bigs:“
Forsur
e,Bozza(
Boss)
.Noneedt
ospel
lit
outforme.Iknowyouwantapr
ivat
emomentwit
h
yourbestman.Sur
ethi
ng.
”

Bi
gswal
kedoutl
eavi
ngRonzaandMi
shal
one.

Ronza:(
shaki
nghead)“
Thatguydoesn’
tlear
n
whentoshutup.
”

Mi
sh:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Ifuckedup,
Ronza.
”

Ronza:(
deepsi gh)“
NnaBozzaakit
sikereng(I
honest
lydon’tknowwhattosaythi
stime,Boss)
.I
meanIwar nedyou–evenyourmom war nedyouto
l
eavebeforethingsgott
ooseri
ous.
”

Mi
sh:“
Iloveher
,dude.
”

Ronza:“
Myfatherusedt
osayt hatl
oveisj
ustnot
enoughatt
imes.Respect
,fai
thful
nesscomes
aboveallel
se.Ifyoucan’
trespectyour
sel
fhowwi
ll
yourespecther
?”

Mish:“Thenightmaresar
ecomi
ngback.Ican’
t
sl
eep–nomat t
erhowmuchIdri
nkorhowmany
sl
eepingpil
lsItry.
”

Ronza:“
Comecl
ean.Ipr
aysomet
imes.I
theal
smy
soul
.”

Mish:(
sigh)“Whatam Igoi
ngt
odonow?Cr yst
al
thi
nkswear einl
oveandsheeventookmynumber.
Shehasbeencalli
ngmenonst op.
”

Ronza:“
Ican’
ttel
lyouwhatt
odo–you’r
eabi gboy,
Mish.Dotheri
ghtthi
ng.Come,
youcan’
tkeepthe
br
idewaiti
ng.Youhaveaweddi
ngtogetto.
”

Hehuggedhi
m andMi
shwasr
eal
lygenui
nel
y
t
hankf
ulf
orhavi
ngRonzabyhi
ssi
de.

Mi
sh:“
Ireal
lyappr
eci
atehavi
ngyouher
e,Ronza.
”

Ronza:“
Shi
t,Mi
sh.Don’
tgosof
tonmenow.
”

Theybot hlaughedast heywalkedout.Atthe

church,Thokoar r
ivedwi thBongiastheVIPswere
seatedinthechur ch.Ther estofthepeoplewere
onlyall
owedt owit nesstheweddi ngbackatt
he
recept
ion.Shespot tedRosebet weenoneofthe
crowdsandgotannoyedi nst
antly.

Thoko:“
Rose,
ubekwayi
nil
a(whatdoyouwant
her
e)?”

Rose:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
Ma.
”
Thoko:“
Iaskedyouaquest
ion.
”

Rose:“
Ijustcamet
otheweddi
ngj
ustl
ike
ever
ybodyelse.
”

Thoko:“You’r
enotevenontheli
st.Onemist
ake
andI’
llpersonal
lydealwi
thyou.Goti
t?”

Rosenoddedco- operat
ivelyassheknew
Mam’Thokoal otmor ethanever yoneelse.Shewas
notonetomesswi t
h.BongiandThokowentt osi
t
i
nthefrontasfami l
yoft hegroom andbr ide,
butfor
someoddr easonThokowasr eall
ynervous.

Bongi
:“Youar
egoi
ngt
opopavei
nifyoudon’
t
rel
ax.
”

Thoko:“Sorr
y,Ijustcan’
tshakeof
fthi
swei
rd
feel
ingIhave.”
Asshet urnedherhead,shesawhimr i
ghtatt
he
backwal ki
ngindressedinafancysuit.Shegulped
nervousl
yasshesawhi m wal
krighttowardsher.I
t
wasasi fshewasl ooki
ngatthespitt
ingimageof
herdeadhusband.

Raymond:(
smil
ing)“Hi
,mommydear est
.You
di
dn’
tevenhavethecourt
esyt
oinvit
emet omy
ownbrot
her’
swedding.Howcruelofyou.”

Thoko:(
nervous)“
Viper
.Uf
unanil
a(whatdoyou
wanthere)
?”

Raymond:(
chuckling)“Iseeyoust
il
lhaveagood
memory.Relax,Icamet oseemylit
tl
ebr ot
her
get
ti
ngmarri
ed.I sthatsohardtobeli
eve?Besides,
Iwon’
twanttoruinthebestweddingtoeverhappen
i
nMams. ”
Thoko:“
You’
dbet
ternott
ryanyt
hing.
”

Raymond:“
Iwon’
tevent
ry,Iknowyoul
eavea
st
ri
ngofdeadmenwhereveryougo.
”

Hewi nkedatherandwentt osi

tdownatt heback.
Withinminutes,Mishwalkedinwithhisgroomsmen,
l
eavingRosewi t
hat i
ntofjeal
ousyandt herestof
thecrowdbuzzi nginawe.Thokowasevenmor e
nervousthanbef or
e,shetri
edstandi
ngupt owar n
Mishoft heuninvit
edguest,butBongipull
edher
down.

Bongi:“
Don’t
.Nowi
snott
het
ime.Letmegoget
Preci
ous.”

Shenoddedandwal kedout.Mishwastoohapyto
not
icetheuninvi
tedguestatt
hebackofthechur
ch.
BongiheadedtooneoftheroomsPreci
ouswas
get
tingdressedi
n.
Debor
ah:“Oh,t
hankgoodness,
Gogo.Wet
hought
youweren’
tcoming.
”

Bongi
:(chuckl
ing)“
Don’
tbesil
ly.Oh,
mypr
ideand
j
oy.Youl ookl
ikeanangel
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thanks,
Gogo.
”

Rachel
:“Shal
lwego?
”

Bongi
:“Hayiwena(
Noman)
.Wi
thoutpr
ayi
ng?
Aowa(No).”

Theyhel
dhandsandBongist
art
edpr
ayi
ng.

Bongi
:“Fat
herGod,
wecomebefor
eyouasyour
chi
ldr
en.Thankyousomuchf
orblessi
nguswi
th
thiswonderf
uldayandt hegiftofl
if
e.Weaskt hat
youbet her
ewi thust owi t
nessthi
sdayandhave
greatfun.Pleaseletthi
suni onbeblessedandnot
broken,oh,
Lor d.Foryouknowwhati sbestandwe
trusti
nyounomat terwhat .Prot
ectusallagai
nst
allevi
landdangerandbl essuswithnothingbutthe
best.InJesus’ nameIpr ay.Amen.”

Preci
ous:“Thankyou,
Gogo(
granny)
.Ir
eal
ly
neededthat.
”

Shesmi
ledast
heywal
kedout
.
[
01/
27,
07:
45] :Chapt
er63

“
Thi
ngschangeandf r
iendsl
eave.Li
fedoesn’
tst
op
f
oranybody.
”–StephenChbosky

Mishhadbeenwait
ingf
orthi
smomentf
oralong
whil
e.Hekepthi
seyesfi
xedont
heentr
anceas
Debor ahandRachelst artedwal kingdownt heaisle
serenatedbyt hesongMat ri
monybyWal eand
Usher.Thenhesawhi sbeaut i
fulbri
de;itwas
broaddayl i
ght ,butherbeaut ydi dn’
tdoj usti
cet o
thesun.Tohi m;sheout shonet hesun;t ohi m she
wast hemostbeaut i
fulper sonandt heonl yperson
ri
ghtint here.Henot i
cednooneel se–noteven
Raymond.Pr eciouswassayi ngasi lentprayer
–therewasnowal ki
ngbackasshewashopi ngt hat
shewasmaki ngt herightchoi cef orherself.She
sawMi shwhol ookedsodazzl i
ngandhandsome,
nottoobadf oramanwhoal wayswor eskinny
j
eansandt shirts,shet houghtt oher self
.
Mam’ Bongihandedherovert oMi shandwhi spered
i
nhi sear .

Bongi
:“You’dbet
tert
akegoodcar
eofher
,
Meshack.”

Mi
sh:“
Ipr
omi
set
o,Ma.
”
Hehadf or
gott
enabouthi sfuckupt henightbefore.
Ithasbeensai
dt hatpeopl
edot hemostat rocious
thi
ngsoutoffearandselfi
shnature.Hadhet old
herwhathedidthenightbefore,t
henmaybe, j
ust
maybeshecouldhavebeenspar edthehear t
ache
andpainandtoxici
tyinthenearfuture.

Meshack:“Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
MaNdhl
ovu(
Mrs.
Ndhl
ovu).”

Preciousjustsmi l
edathim.Shehadsecr etel
y
beenwai t
ingtof eelhermother’
spresencejustto
makesur ethatshewasdoi ngtheri
ghtt hi
ng
accordingt oher .Justashereyeswer ewander ing
aroundwhi l
ethepast orsaidaprayer,shesawher
mot her’
sspi r
itrightattheent
ranceoft hechurch,
withGat sha,butt oheritwasprobablyherfatheras
shehadnoi deawhohewas.Shewasj usthappyt o
seehermot her’sspiri
t–somet hi
ngnotal otof
peopleencount eronthiseart
h.Shei mmedi at
ely
smiledwi that earroll
ingdownherface.Oncet he
pastorsai
damen,
Mishwasjusthappytonot
iceher
cryi
ngandassumedi
twastearsofjoy.

Pastor
:“I
tist
imef
ort
hevows,
Mr.Ndhl
ovu,
yougo
fi
rst
.”

Mi sh:(nervousl y)“WhenIf i
rstsawyou, youwer e
j
ustayoungki dandofcour semybestf ri
end’ s
niece.Youhadnoi deawhatIhadi nmi nd;Ihad
gonehomet hatver ysamedayandt oldmymot her
thatIhavef oundmywi fe.Sheaskedmewhoi t
was.WhenIt oldherthatitwasyou, shet oldmeI
wascr azy.Iam amanofmywor d,Precious
Vilakazi,witht hisri
ng, Ipromisetoloveyoui nevery
wayi maginabl e,Ipromi setonotonlyshowyout he
wor ld,buttogr antyout hewor l
daswel l.Ipr omise
tor emainf aithfulandt orespectyouwi th
ever yt
hingi nme.Youkeepmesane;youmakeme
seemysel finwaysIhaveneveri magined.WhenI
l
ooki nyoureyes, Iknowt hatGodexi sts,forHe
tookhi stimecr eati
ngabeaut yli
keyou.Youri nner
beautyradiatesandmakesever
yonej ealous.Ifor
oneam terrif
iedofmessi
ngupf oryouar etheoneI
l
oveandIam scar edt
hatonedayyoumi ghtseeme
forwhoIr eall
yam.IknowIdon’ tdeserveyou,butI
thankyouf orgivi
ngmethechancet obeahusband
toyou.Iloveyousomuch, MaNdhl ovu(Mrs.
Ndhlovu).
”

Thokoulul
atedalongwit
hBongiandtherestofthe
crowd.Rosewassohur tthatMi
shcouldactual
ly
saysuchbeauti
fulwordstoawoman.He’ snever
saidt
hattoher.

Past
or:“
Now,
yourt
urn,
Ms.Vi
lakazi
.”

Preci
ous:(t
eary)“MeshackNdhl ovu,whoeversaid
thewords“tr
uel ovecomeswhenyoul eastexpect
i
t”wasrightaft
eral l
,becauseindeedIfoundt r
ue
l
oveinyou.Ineveri magi nedmyselfbeingwitha
manlikeyou.Yousayt hatyou’r
eafraidI’
dleave
youonedayaf terreali
zingwhoyouar e,butthe
truthis,youyour selfhavenoi deahowgr eatyou
are.Yougi vememeani ngt olif
e,bel
ieveme.You
haveshownmet hatIcandoanyt hi
ngIwantt o,
you
haveshownmet hatyoucanl oveandyoucan
appr eci
at eawoman.Iknowal otofpeopl edon’
t
thinkthatyoudeser veme, butGodknewt hatyou
dodeser vemehencehebr oughtust oget her.I
promi set oloveandcher i
shyou.Ipr omi seto
respectyouandgr owwi t
hyou.Ican’ twai tt
o
exper i
encel if
ewi t
hyou.Il oveyou, Mr .Ndhlovu.”

Theyonceul
ulat
edandwer
einawe, al
lexceptf
or
Rose,whowasnowcryi
ngsi
lent
ly.

Theyexchangedthei
rbeauti
fulandexpensi
ver
ings,
anditwastheti
met hatMeshackwaswai ti
ngf
or.

Past
or:“
Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwi
fe.
Youmaykisst
hebr i
de,Mr.Ndhl
ovu.
”
Meshacksmi ledashegavePr eciousapassi onate
andlongki ss.Thecr owdul ul
ated, andThokowas
sogratefulthatthepastorskippedt he“please
speaknoworf or
everholdyourpeace”par t
.That
wouldhaveendedi ndisasterforsur e.Meshack
andPreciousl edthewayoutoft hechur chandhe
onceagai ndidn’tseeRaymondashewal kedout
befor
et heywal kedtowardshim.Theygoti nt
ot hei
r
l
imousineandPr eciouswast ooel ated.

Preci
ous:(smili
ng)“Mi
sh,t
hankyouf orgi
vingme
suchabeaut i
fulweddi
ng.Ineverknewyouwer eso
romanti
c.”

Mi
sh:(
smili
ng)“
Stayt
unedf
oryouhaveyett
osee
mor
etoday.
”

Theyar r
ivedatthei
rrecepti
onar
ea,whi
chwast he
SheratonHot eli
nPretor
iaCBD.Thatwasagreat
wayt ocontrolwhowenti nandwhowasnotinvit
ed,
butRaymondal wayshadhisway.Thebri
dalparty
walkedindancingtoVusiNova’ sNdi mf unene.
Theydancedal lt
hewayt otheirtable,leavi
ng
everyonesti
llst
unnedthatMishcoul devendance.
Hewasal waysscaryandser i
ousandever yonewas
afr
aidofhim.Rosewassohur t;everymomentf el
t
l
ikeaswor dwasbei ngpusheddeeperi ntohergut.
Ast heysatdown,Mishcouldn’twaitt oshowhi s
wifethathecouldberomant i
c.

Mish:“Ladi
esandgent l
emen, Iwoul
dliketothank
youforcomi nghereandtakingyourbeautif
ultime
towit
nessourbeaut i
fuluni
on.Mywi feandar e
ext
remelyhappyt oseeallofyou.Withthatsaid,I
knowpeopl ewanttomakespeeches, butwer eal
ly
hatethatshit
.”

Thecr
owdchuckl
edandl
aughed.

Mish:“
Apologi
esformylanguage, anywayIwould
l
iketogivemywif
easpecialintr
ot oourwedding
dance–oneshewoul dneverforgetforcent
uri
esto
come.
”

Hegotof fthest ageandt hebandst ar t

edpl ayi nga
fami l
iarsong.Ther ehewas, singingMar oon5’ s
Memor i
es,leavi ngever yonei nt otalshockmor e
thananyt hing.Pr ecioushadknownMeshackf ora
fewyear sanddat edhi mf oraf ewmont hsandhad
noi deat hathecoul dsing.Thatguywoul dn’teven
singi ntheshower .Wher eonear thwashehi ding
thatvoi ce–shet houghtt oher self.Att hatpoi nt,
Rosewasi nt ears,thoset earsf el
tl i
ket heywer e
diggingt heirwayi ntoherf aceandherwhol ebody
feltli
kei twasonf i
re.Shecoul dn’ttakei tanymor e
andsi lentlyt ookherbagandwal kedout .Ofcour se,
shewasunnot i
cedasMeshacksi ngi ngwas
somet hingt heydi dn’tgett oseeever yday.He
car r
iedonsi ngi ngandpul ledhergent l
yt ohim,
serenadi ngherasheal lowedhert odancear ound
him.I twasabeaut if
ulsight,thatl eftever yfemal e
evenhi smot hercr ying.
Mi
sh:“
Iloveyou,
Mrs.Ndhl
ovu.
”

Thecr
owdst
oodupandcl
appedi
nawe.

Preci
ous:“Youcansi
ng?Whatel
sear
eyouhi
ding
fr
om me? ”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
Giveyour
sel
fti
met
ogett
oknow
me.
”

Everyonest
art
edeati
ngast
hebandpl
ayedmusi
c,
andRaymonddecidedtomaket
hathi
sgrand
entr
ance.

Raymond:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hi,
li
tt
lebr
o.”

Mish’
ssmil
einst
ant
lydi
sappear
edandPr eci
ous
r
eali
zedi
twassomeonewhowasn’treal
lyMish’
s
favour
it
e,butoddl
ytheylookedal
ike–ver
ymuch
ali
ke.Raymondwasj ustabitdar
kert
hanMeshack.

Mi
sh:“
Ufunanil
a(Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e)?
”

Raymond:( chuckling)“Funnyquesti
on.Icameto
wit
nessyouget tingmar r
ied.Imusthavelostmy
i
nvitat
ioninthemai l
.Anyway, youhaveabeauti
ful
wife.Iseeyouhaven’ tl
ostyourcharm.WhatcanI
say?Li kef
atherlikeson. ”

Mishwasget
ti
ngi
rr
it
atedashepul
ledPr
eci
ous
behi
ndhi
m.

Mish:“You’
renoti
nvi
ted.Leavenowbef
oret
his
getsugly.
”

Raymond:“
Ah,Iseeyoust
il
lhaveagrudgeagainst
me.Callmewhenyouhavedecidedt
of or
giveand
forget
.Ihaveaproposalf
oryouwhi chyoumight
l
ike.Icanmakethisgangsterparadi
seofyours
growtogreat
erheight
s,Mish.Givemeacal l
.”

Mi
sh:“
Fuckof
f.
”

Raymond:(smil
ing)“
Okaythen.Getyourt
emperin
check.Wewouldn’twantyoutor
epeatwhatyou
didtoourf
ather
, dowe?”

Raymondalwaysknewwhi chspot
stohitwhenever
hewantedt
oaggr evat
eMeshack.Mishwasabout
tochar
geathim,butPreci
ousgent
lyst
oppedhim.

Preci
ous:“
Mish,
don’
t.Heobvi
ousl
ywant
syout
o
dothat.
”

Raymond:“
Wisewi
fe.Shei
sakeeper
.Lat
er,
bro.
”
Meshackwaslef
tstandi
ngther
ebr eat
hingheavi
ly,
whil
ePreci
ouswasleftwonder
ing;whatreal
ly
happenedt
ohisfat
her?
[
01/
27,
07:
45] :Apol
ogi
est
oday.Bl
amet
hebevs.

Chapt
er64

“Yester
dayi
sgone.Tomorrowhasnotyetcome.
Wehaveonlytoday.Letusbegi
n.”–Mother
Theresa

Ithadbeenaver ygreatdayinMamel odi.Pr eci

ous
andMeshack’ stwodayweddi ngwasbl i
ssful
i
ndeed.Af t
erthef i
rstday,t
heyallwentt oThoko’s
housef ortheafterparty;wel
lofthem exceptfor
MeshackandPr ecious.Theyst ayedbehi ndatthe
hotel,
wher eMeshackhadaver yspecialni ght
plannedforthetwooft hem.Itwasf i
nallytimefor
them toconsummat enotonlytheirmar r
iage,but
theirr
elati
onshipaswel l
.OfcourseMi shhadhad
sexpl
entyofti
mes,buthewant
edt
hist
imet
obe
speci
alf
orPreci
ous.

Mish:(
smili
ng)“MaNdhlovu(Mrs.Ndhlovu)
,pl
ease
gouptoourr oom.You’
l
lfindaverynicesurpr
ise
wait
ingforyou.”

Preciouski ssedhim andnoddedasshener vously

wentupt helift
.Shet ookadeepbr eathbef ore
openingt hedoor .Shewasamazedt ofindthemost
beautif
ulset upbeforeher .ther oom wasf i
lledwith
beautif
ul,scent edcandles;therewer erosepet al
s
everywher eont hefloor;abot t
leofchampagnehad
beensi nkinginani cebucketwi thtwogl assesnext
toitandt herewasar ed,laceypai rofli
nger ieontop
ofthebed, wit
haj ewell
eryboxandanot enextt oit
.
Shedeci dedt oopent henot efirst.“Ma( Mr s)
Ndhlovu, Ican’twaittoofficial
lybeonewi t
hyou.A
nicewar m bat hhasbeenpr eparedf oryouasI
knowi thasbeenal ongday.Il oveyou, seeyou
soon.XoxoMi sh.”
Shesmi l
edtoher sel
fasshet houghtofhow
thoughtfulMishwast hroughoutt hewhol eweekend.
Sheopenedt heboxandi twasabeaut i
fuldiamond
necklace.Itlookedreallyexpensive,butMi shreall
y
didn’
twor ryaboutmoneywhi leplanningt he
weddi ng.Sher eall
ythoughtthatsuchhappenedi n
moviesonl y.Shet ookofherweddi ngdr essand
gotintothebat htubthatwasf il
ledwi t
hbubbl es
andscent edoilsandr osepetalsofcour se.Ther e
wasanot herbot t
leofchampagnei nthere, andjust
asshewasaboutt oopeni t,
inwal kedMi sh.

Mi
sh:“
Ungat
hukwi(
Don’
tbeaf
rai
d).I
t’
sme.
”

Precious:“
Oh,It
houghtyouwer
est
il
latt
hebar
enjoyingyour
sel
f.
”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ishoul
dbeenj
oyi
ngmysel
fwi
th
mywif
e.”
Hewal kedtowardsthebat hr
oom andPr eci
oushad
hereyesclosed.Shenear lydr oppeddeadwhen
shesawhi m standi
ngbef oreher–naked.Shehad
neverseenhim naked,reall
y.Shehadbeen
avoidi
ngallthat,
butseeingal lthati
nfrontofher
madeherr atherworri
ed.Wi llthatevenfiti
n?She
askedherselfmental
ly.

Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Mish…”

Mish:(smi
li
ng)“
IthoughtI
’
djoi
nmywi
fef
ora
bubblebat
h.”

Howcoul
dsheevensayno?Imeant heywer
e
mar
ri
ed.That
’swhatmarr
iedpeopl
edo,ri
ght
?

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vous)“
Okay.
”
Mishgoti
ntothewaterandsatbehindher
.Feel
ing
hi
spenispokeagai
nstherbumsr eall
ymadeher
worr
ied.Hecouldsensehowtenseshewas.

Mish:(
soft
ly)“St
handwasami( Mylove)
,rel
ax.I
wantyoutogetusedt ot
his.Youar emineandIam
nowyours.Getusedt oseeingmenakedand
havi
ngtheseinti
matemoment s.Youhavenoi dea
howspecialyouaretome, Presh.
”

Pr eci
ouswant edtor espond,butMi shwasapr oat
seducingwomen.Hesl owlykissedherneckand
kissedherallthewaydownt oherhand.Hi ssoft
handsst art
edcar essingherr ound,petitebreasts
from underneat ht
hewar m water.Whi lehewas
kissingandni bbli
ngonherneckandear ,hishands
wer edoingthemagi c.Hi srighthandsl owl y
travell
edtohert hi
ghsandhewast ednot i
me.He
hadbeenwai tingsolongf orthis.Hest arted
rubbinghisfingeronhercl itandPr eciousenj oyedi
t
somucht hatshespr eadherl egswi der.
Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Oh,
Mish…”

Mish:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)“
Shi
t,baby.Yourpussy
f
eelssowarm, sosoft
.”

Heconti
nuedrubbi
nghercli
tasherbr
eathi
nggot
heavi
erandhermoani
nggotlouder
,hewentfast
er.
Withi
nminut
es,shecl
imaxedandhelovedi
t.

Preci
ous:(
embar
rassed)“
Eish,
Mish,
whatj
ust
happened?
”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Youj
usthadyourf
ir
stor
gasm,
baby.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Cant
hathappenwi
thoutpenet
rat
ion?
”
Mish:“
Alotcanhappenwithoutpenet
rat
ion.Come,
l
et’
sgetoutofthewater
.”

Hehel pedhergetoutanddr iedher.Theywal kedto

thebedandhel ot i
onedherbody.Hehadnever
beensosensualandsoi nti
mat ewithawoman
before.Shel ovedhowat t
entiveandgentl
e
Meshackwaswi thher.Shewasaboutt ograbt he
l
ingerieandputi ton,butMi shcouldn’
twaitthat
l
ong.Het urnedherar oundandst art
edkissi
ngher
passionatel
y.Hedi dn’
ttaketoolongashebr oke
thekissandst artedsuckingonherbeaut i
ful
breasts,whi
leshewasst anding.

Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Oh,
Mish.
”

Lit
tl
edidsheknowhowcr azyshedr ovehim
whenevershecall
edouthisname.Shesounded
l
ikeaproaccordi
ngtohim.Hewentdownwi th
tr
ail
sofkissesonherbel
ly,al
lthewayt oherpelvi
s.
Thatbr
oughtupsomanybut t
erfl
iesandmadeher
wantmor
e.Hisl
ipst
ravel
ledt
oherpussyandshe
qui
ckl
yst
oppedhim.

Mi
sh:“
Rel
ax.Tr
ustme,
okay?
”

Preci ousnoddedevent houghshef eltabi twei r

d.
Leahhadshowedt hem apor nmovi eort woandt he
thingsshesawt herewer eshocking.Shehadno
i
deasomanypar t
sofaper son’sbodycoul dbe
l
ickedandsuckedon.I tseemedabi tunhygi enict o
her ,butshewasaboutt oexperienceherver yfirst
oralsexmoment .Mi shgent l
ypushedheront othe
bedandspr eadherl egsi mmedi atel
y.Hest art
ed
gent lyli
ckinghercl i
tandassoonashenot i
cedher
star t
ingtor elaxandherhandshol dinghi shead, he
wenti nforit.Hest artedl i
ckingandsucki ngonher
cli
tmor evigor ously.Thehar derandf astershe
star t
edbr eathing,themor ehekeptgoi ng.Assoon
ashewentt oherent r ance,shedidn’ttakel ong
bef oreshecl imaxed.
Precious:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)“Fuck,
Mish!O
nketsang(Whatareyoudoi ngtome)?”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
m pl
easi
ngmywi
fe.
”

Hewentupandst artedki
ssingheragain.Thisti
me,
herbodyr espondedsowel l,sofast
.Pr ecious
enj
oyedt asti
ngher selff
ortheveryfi
rsttimeona
man’sli
psandt ongue.Theyhadbeenki ssingso
manyt i
mest hatshehadbecomegoodatFr ench
ki
ssing.Mi shpositionedhimselfi
nbetweenher
l
egs.

Mi
sh:“
Areyour
eadyf
orme,
baby?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
noddi
ng)“
Yes,
yes,
I’
mreadyNdhl
ovu.
”

Mishwasal
readyhardandsoreadyforhi
swif
e.
Hehadcompletel
yfor
gott
enaboutbeingi
nbet
ween
Cassandr
a’slegst
henightbefor
e.Hekissedher
moreandslowlystar
tedputt
ingint
het
ip.Pr eci
ous
dughernail
sinhisbackasshecouldf
eelthe
st
ingi
ngpain.

Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Ahh!
”

Mish:“
It
’sgoi
ngt
ohur
t,baby,
pleaser
elax.Canyou
dothat
?”

Shenoddedwi
thhereyescl
osed.

Mi sh:“
Openyoureyesandlookatme,
Sthandwa
sami( Mylove)
.Iwantthi
smomenttolastyoua
l
ifetime.
”

Sheopenedhereyesandheslowl
ywenti n.She
coul
dfeelt
hepain,buti
twasnotthatbad.Leah
hadtol
dherthatt
heveryfi
rstt
imewouldbepainful
ashel
landsodi
dDeborah,butbasedonthefew
momentsbef
oret
heactualdeed,sheknewthatsex
wit
hMishwasaboutt
obeanawesomer i
de.

Mish:(
moaning)“Oh,shi
t,baby.Youf
eelsot
ight
.I
l
oveyou,Pr
ecious.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iloveyout
oo,
Mish.
”

Withinmi nutes,Meshackcol l
apsedont opofhi s
wife.Hehadhadsexal otbefore,
butnot hingcould
compar et ohismomentwi thhiswife.Hef el
tli
ke
hehadf inallybecomeonewi thsomeonewhol oved
him uncondi ti
onal
ly.Withheri twasnotevenabout
themoney, butaboutreallove.ItfeltasifPrecious
couldseedeepwi thi
nhissoul–andt hat,scared
him shi
tless.Theysl owlydr i
ft
edof ftosleepas
theyhadt heirsecondweddi ngdayt hef oll
owing
mor ni
ng.
Mi
shf
oundhi
msel
fdeal
inghi
sdemonsonceagai
n.
Afamili
armemor yrather
,appear
edinhisdreams
yetagai
n.It’
saf amili
armemorythatseemedtobe
haunti
nghim eversincehewas13.Nomat terhow
muchhet r
ied,i
tjustneverwentaway.

Shadrack:(drunk)“
Ja,sfebendi
ni(Yes,youwhor e)
.
Everyonetoldmeaboutyou, inf
act,myownmot her
warnedmeaboutyou.Iknowyou’ r
efuckingthat
pastorofyour s.Wamf ebel
aakere(You’r
efucking
around,aren’
tyou),Thoko?!
”

Thoko:(scar
ed)“Shat
ti
e,howmanyti
mesmustIt
ell
youthatyou’r
etheonlymanI’
m wi
th?
!”

Shadrackslappedhersohar d,
herli
pst or
eandshe
star
tedbleeding.Shelandedonthefloorfacefi
rst
andherforeheadsplit
.Bloodwasoozi ngont he
fl
oor,whichwasnotanuncommonsi ghti
nt hei
r
house.Meshackwassl eepi
ngthatnight,
butgot
wokenupbyhi sfat
her’
snoiseasalways.
Shadr
ack:(
unbuckl
inghi
sbel
t)“
I’
vehadenoughof
you.I
t’
shighti
meIshowedyouhowt or
especta
manli
keme.”

Thoko:(
tear
y)“
No,
please.Pl
ease,
don’
tdot
his,
Shatt
ie.
”

Shadrack:(
angered)“
Oho,youdon’twanttosleep
withme? !Wabonakegobodi tsegorewamf ebela
(Yousee?It ol
dyouthatyou’
refucki
ngaround)!”

Shadrackgotsopi ssedoffasal waysandhethrew

oneoft hepotsthatwasboi l
ingwithpotat
oes
Thokohadi ntendedtomashf orhimlat
eron,ontop
ofher.Thepothi tThokosohar d,
shewassemi -
consciousatthetime.Thewat erwasscorchi
ng
hotandbur ntheralloverherbody,butshecould
barel
yf eelt
hepainast heblowonherheadwas
real
lybad.Meshackgotsoangr yandgotup.He
sawhi sfathert ryingt oreachf orakni f
ewhi le
stumbl ingar ound, buther eachedf oronet hatwas
alreadyont het ablef i
rst.Hewast ednot imeand
stabbedhi m ont heback.Hi sfatherwasat allman,
soi thadt ot akemor et hanonest abwoundt oinfli
ct
seriouspai nonhi m.Shadr ackscr eamedandf el
l
ont othegr ound.Het riedt ograbMeshack’ sleg,
butMeshackst abbedhi m cont i
nuousl yalloverhi s
body.Hest abbedhi m unt ilhecoul dn’thearhi s
father’scursi ngwor dsandscr eamsanymor e.He
gott ir
edofhear inghi sf athercallhim ausel essdog
andapi eceofshi t
.Howhewi shedhewasnothi s
father.WhenhesawShadr acklayingont hefloorin
apoolofbl oodandmul t
ipleholesonhi sbody, he
didn’thesitate.Hewant edt omakesur ethathe
wasr eall
ydead, sohedi dt heunt hinkable.He
pulledhi sfather ’
sl if
elessbodyupandgr abbedhi s
head.Hecuthi sheadof fwi t
haki tchenkni fe,one
hismot heral waysusedwhenevercut ting
veget ables.Heensur edt hathewoul dbedead.He
didn’tmi ndt hebl oodspewi ngfrom hisneckont o
hisf ace.Itwasal ready2am i nthemor ni
ngand
mostpeopl ewer easl eep.Thenei ghbour swer eso
usedt oShadr ack’snoi seandt heyst opped
i
nt erferi
ngwhenheshotoneoft hem af tertheytri
ed
tosaveThoko.Thokowashat edonbyal lthe
womeni nthenei ghbour hood.Theywer ejudging
herandaski ngherwhyshej ustdidn’ tleavehi m.
Manyevenquest i
onedherl ovef orhersonf or
subj ecti
ngher selftosuchbul l
shi t
.Hewal kedupt o
hismot herandf eltapul se.Shewasal ive,t
hatwas
mor ethanenoughf orhi m.Het ookhi smot herto
herbedr oom andst itchedherup.Heknewhowt o
doi tbecausehi sfatherwoul dcomehomeshotor
stabbedanddemandedt hathefixhi m upandeven
showedhi m howt odoi t.Hewasapr ofessional
bef orehehadevenbecomeat een.Het henwentt o
thegar aget ohisf at
her ’st oolboxandt ookan
electricsaw.Hechoppedhi sfather’sbodypi eceby
piece–l imbbyl imb.Oncehi swhol ebodywas
choppedof fheputhi spi ecesi nabi gpl ast
icbag,
star t
edhi sfather’
scarandwentt odumphi m offat
thenear estdumpi ngsi te.Hecamehomeanddi d
whathi sfathertaughthi mt odobest–getr idof
theevi dence.Hecl eanedupever ythingandmade
thehousel ookspot less.Heensur edt hathis
motherwasal otbetterinthemor ning,al
though
shewasst il
lweak.Sur pri
singl
ysher emembered
everyt
hing.Theytookof fthatmor ningtostar
t
afr
esh.Aweekl at
er,Shadrack’sdecomposed,
choppedbodywasf oundandt hatwaswhen
Meshackt ol
dhismot herthet r
uth.Shehadnever
beenthesamesi nce.

Hewokeupdr enchedi nsweatyetagai nafterthe

whol edream.Hef oundhi mselfstari
nginthe
mirrorasheal waysdi d.Hedi dn’tbothertocheck
thetimeasheknewt hatitwaspr obablymi dni
ght
or3am.Thedr eam alwaysoccur redduringthose
ti
mes.Heor der edroom servi
ceanddr ankawhol e
bott
leofwhi skeyi nthedarkwhi l
est ari
ngat
Precious.Twohour slaterhemanagedt oshut
downandsl eep.

Themorni
ngofthet r
adi
ti
onalweddi
ngcame.
Meshackwokehiswifeupwithanot
herr
oundof
amazi
ngcunningl
ingus.Healwaysl
oveddoi
ngthat
tocleanwomen–notj ustanywoman.Buthe
part
icular
lyl
ovedeatingPreciousout.Therewas
j
ustsomet hi
ngaboutherpur it
ythatreall
ygothim
off
.Shewasmoani ngasusualandhel ovedit.
Theyhadanot herr
oundofamazi nglovemaking
andi twasnotaspainfulasthenightbeforef
orher.

Meshack:“Come,l
et’
sgoshower
.Wehavea
weddi
ngt ogetr
eadyfor
.”

Preci
ousnoddedastheywentt
oshower.Aft
ert
he
shower,
Mishstar
tedkissi
ngPr
eci
ousagai
n.

Precious:“
Ah,
aowa(no)
, Mish.Kukuyakaesal
e
bohloko(Mypussyi
ssti
llsore)
.”

Mish:(
chuckli
ng)“I
’
m givingyouaweekandyou’
l
l
bebeggingfori
teverynight
.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Aowa,
Idoubt
.Oh,
shi
t.
”

Mi
sh:“
What
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wedi
dn’
tuseacondom,
Mish.
”

Mi sh:(
laughi
ng)“
We’remar
ri
ed,Pr
esh.Wegot
tested.Youhonestl
ythi
nkI
’dwanttousea
condom wi t
hmywi f
e?Comeon.”

Preci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Idon’
twantababy,
Mish.Not
now.”

Mish:“Okayt
hen.I’l
lgetRonzatobr
ingusmorning
af
ters.Thenyou’
llhavetogetonacontr
acept
ive.
”

Preci
ousjustnoddedatthei
dea,butwasabithur
t
thatMishdi
dn’tbot
hertoaskherifshewoul
d
actual
lywanttogetoncont racepti
ves.Comi ngto
thi
nkofit,
hewasact uallymakingal otofdecisi
ons
wit
houtaskingherandi twassl owl
ycomi ngtolight
.
Theygotdressedfortheirt
raditi
onalweddingand
sheputherthougthsatthefarbackofhermi nd.

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Areyour
eadyt
ogo?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes.Let
’sgo,
Ndhl
ovu.
”

Mish:(
laughi
ng)“
Ican’
twai
ttohearyoucal
lme
t
hatagaintoni
ght
.”

Preciousj ustsmiledandnodded.Herpussywas
sti
llburningf r
om thesextheyhad.Sheknewi twas
goingtogetbet t
er,butwhen?Theygoti ntotheir
l
imousi neandheadedt obackt okasi(
the
townshi p).Everythi
nghadal r
eadybeenpr epared
andThokowasal readyup.Muchl ikeherson,she
couldn’tsleepmuchatni ght.Ofcourse,Thandiwas
sti
llbannedf rom j oini
ngi nasamemberoft he
fami lyduringt hef estivi
ties.Thokodi dn’tevengi ve
herr oom toapol ogizeatal l
.Shewassohur tt
hat
hersi sterofal lpeopl edeci dedtothrowt hedar kest
year sofherl i
febacki nherf aceli
ket hat
.I twasa
darkt ime–nol ies.Meshackt ri
edtonott odwel l
onRaymond’ spr esenceathi swedding,butf or
someoddr eason, Meshack’ shappinessal ways
l
ast edf orashor twhi l
e.Thesecondcer emony
startedandt hist i
mear oundi twasapar tyf or
ever yone–t hebr i
deandgr oom included.Meshack
hadadr i
nkwi thRonza, Bigzandaf ewofhi s
fri
ends, whilePreci oushadsomef unwi thDebbi e
andRachel .

Rachel
:(exci
ted)“
So?Tel
luswhatwentdown.
”

Precious:(
smil
ing)“
Hawu(Goodness)
,Rachel
.I
can’ttal
koutofthebedr
oom.
”

Rachel
:“Ohcomeon.Wej
ustwantt
oknowi
fit
wasgoodornot
.”

Preci
ous:(smili
ng)“Wel
l,al
lIcansayisthat
Meshackreallyknowswhathei sdoi
ng.I thurtli
ke
hell
,buthemadesweetl ovetome.Imean, Ididn’
t
evenknowt hatgett
ingl
ickeddowntherewast hat
good.”

Debor
ah:“Oh,
bel
ieveme,i
tis.Youdoknowt
hat
youwil
lhavet
oretur
nthef
avour,r
ight
?”

Preci
ous:(
frowning)“
YoumeanI
’
llact
ual
lyhavet
o
suckhispenis?
”

Debor
ahnodded.

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Imean,
hehasn’
taskedf
ori
t.
”
Rachel:“
Hedoesn’thaveto.It
’sjustamut
ualt
hing.
Veryfewguysaren’ti
ntoblowjobs.”

Preci
ous:“Howdoyouevenknowaboutal
lthi
s?
You’r
esti
llavi
rgi
n,ar
en’
tyou?
”

Rachel:“Wel
l,
actual
lyIhaveaboyf
ri
end–wemade
i
toffi
cialamonthago.Ididn’
twanttowai
tany
l
ongersoIdidit.
”

Debor
ah:“
Hehe,
dit
labowamo(
youneverceaset
o
amazeme).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
You’
reonesecr
eti
vegi
rl
.”

Rachel:“
Comeon,youweresobusywit
hthe
weddingandIwaswait
ingfort
heri
ghtmomentt
o
t
ellyouguys.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ah,
anywaywhoi
sthi
smyst
eryman?
”

Rachel
:“Hi
snamei
sTony.Wedot
hesame
cour
se.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wai
t.Tonyasi
nwhi
teboyTony?
”

Rachel
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Yes,
butdon’
tsayi
tli
ket
hat
.”

Preci
ous:“
Askies(Sor
ry)
,it
’sj
ustt
hatIdi
dn’
texpect
youtobeintowhit
eguys.Heseemsl i
keaniceguy,
man.Iam veryhappyforyou.
”

Rachel
:(smi
li
ng)“
Thanks,
P.”

Debor
ah:“
Met
oo.Hehadbet
tert
reatyour
ight
.”

Rachel
:“Hedoes,
hey.
”
Debor
ah:“
Ser
iousl
y,t
hough.What
’si
tli
kehavi
ng
sexwi
thawhit
eguy?”

Rachel
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Bat
hong(
Goodness)
,Debbi
e.”

Astheywerelaughi
ngandenj
oyi
ngt
hemsel
ves,
Rosewalkeduptothem.

Rose:(cl
ear
ingthr
oat
)“Apol
ogiestointer
ruptyou
t
hree,butIj
ustcametocongr
atulat
et hebri
de.”

Thei
rsmi
lesi
mmedi
atel
ylef
tthei
rfaces.

Precious:(
fi
rml
y)“
Wel
l,
youcongr
atul
ated.I
sther
e
anythingel
se?”

Rose:(
chuckl
ing)“
Yout
hinkyou’
resosl
ick,
don’
t
you?Li keyou’
rethenextbestt
hingsincesl
iced
bread.Mi shi
splayingyouandyou’r
et oost
upidto
seeit.
”

Preci
ous:(annoyed)“Thankyouf oryour
meaningl
esscongr at
ulati
ons.Youcanl eavenow,
seri
ousl
y,youcanf uckingleavenow.”

Rose:“Well
,then.Butbefor
eIgo,
whydon’ tyou
askyourmanovert her
ewhatreal
lyhappenedthat
dayyoucaughtusi nbedtoget
her
?Ai ,
lenabanaba
banyane(yousmallgir
ls)
.”

Shel
eftt
hem wonder
ing.

Debor
ah:“Ai
,somegi
rl
sjustdon’
tknowwhent
o
gi
veup.”

Rachel
:“Don’
twor
ryabouther
,P.Tr
ustyourman.
Hetoldyouthet
rut
handsodidshe.Besi
des,
you’
remarri
ednow.She’
sjustbi
tt
erandj
ealous.
”

Deborah:“
I’
m withRachelonthi
sone.Let
’sgo
danceandforgetabouther.
”

Preciouswantedtoletitgo,
butdeepdownRose
hadhi taner
ve.Theygotdanci ng,whi
leMi
shwas
enjoyinghi
sdrinkswithhisfr
iends.

Bi
gz:“Ser
iousl
y,t
hough.Howwasi
tchowi
nga
vi
rgi
n?”

Ronza:(
annoyed)“Ser
iousl
y,Bi
gz?Whywoul dyou
evenaskaboutsomeone’sbedr
oom af
fai
rswithhi
s
wife?Wedon’tevenaskyouanythi
ngaboutyour
woman.”
Bi
gz:“
That
’sbecauseIt
ellyouever
ythi
ng.
”
Ronza:“
It
’snotl
ikeweeverwantt
oknow,
man.
St
opbeingaperve.”

Bi
gz:“
Soyou’
reser
iousl
ynotgoi
ngt
otel
l?
”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
No,
sost
opaski
ng.
”

Whilet
heywer
echat
ti
ng,
loandbehol
d,Raymond
appear
ed.

Raymond:(
smi
li
ng)“
Gent
lemen.
”

Mi
shi
nst
ant
lygotannoyedandsodi
dRonza.

Bi
gz:“Eh,
eh,eh,
Viper
.Lastt
imeIcheckedyou
werenoti
nvi
ted.
”

Raymond:“
Lastt
imeIcheckedever
yonewas
i
nvit
ed.Kekasi(
thi
sist
het
ownshi
p),
aft
eral
l.May
Isi
t?”

Mi
sh:“
No.Youcanl
eave,
though.
”

Raymond:“Okaythen.I’l
lsaythi
swhi
lest
andi
ng.I
haveaproposi
ti
onf oryou,Mish.
”

Mi
sh:“
Noti
nter
est
ed.
”

Raymond:“Oh,butIthinkyouwil
lbeonceItel
lyour
wif
eoverther
et hatyoufuckedCassandr
athenight
bef
oreyourweddi ng.
”

Mi
shi
nst
ant
lygott
ense.

Raymond:“Oh,Isee.Nowyou’r
equiet
.Youmust
real
lyl
oveher,
hey.ButIam notsuchabadbi
g
brot
her
,Meshack,r
eal
ly.Al
lIwanti
sforust
o
fi
nal
lygetal
ong.
”

Ronza:“
Gett
oit
,whatt
hef
uckdoyouwant
?”

Raymond:“Ooh,
sohosti
le.Okay,
Iwantt
ojoi
n
for
ceswit
hyou.Wecanbel ikeDavi
dandGol
iat
h
i
ntheBibl
e,youknow.
”

Ronza:(
chuckl
ing)“
Didn’
tyourmot
hereverr
eadt
he
Bi
bletoyou?”

Bi
gz:“
Ordi
dn’
tyourf
atherevert
eachyouany
manner
s?”

Raymond:“Don’ttal
kaboutmymother
.Besides,
howcouldmyf atherteachmymeanyt
hingwhen
yourBozzaoverherekill
edhi
m?”
Ronza:“You’
resuchabit
terl
it
tl
eshit
,Vi
per
.You
were23byt hen.Orwhat’
stheprobl
em?Youst
il
l
needyourdaddytoholdyourl
it
tl
edickf
oryouwhi
le
youtakeapiss?”

Raymond:(f
ir
mly)“
Ishoul
dgobef
oreIr
uinyour
l
it
tl
ewedding.”

Ronza:“
You’r
ejusthur
tbecauseyoucoul
dnever
af
fordonel
ikethi
s.Now,beatit
.”

Raymond:“Fi
ne.Thinkaboutit
,Mi
sh.Wewoul
dn’
t
wantyoulosi
ngyournewwi f
e.”

HeleftandMishst
art
edgett
ingagi
tat
ed.He
bangedthetabl
eandever
yonestar
edatthem.

Bigz:“Cal
m down,Bozza,
bef
oreever
yonest
art
s
getti
ngsuspici
ous.
”
Mi
sh:“
Thatf
uckerj
ustt
hreat
enedme.
”

Ronza:“He’
ssmallfr
y,Bozzaandyouknowit.He’
s
j
ustpissedbecausehisbusi
nessesar
estar
ti
ngto
suf
fer.Noteventhatstr
ipcl
ubofhisi
smaking
money.”
Astheyweret
alki
ng,Cassandraappear
eddr
essed
muchlikeast
ri
pperwoulddress.

Mish:“
Ah,
fok(
fuck)
,man.Canmydaygetany
worse?
”

Ronza:“
Howdoesheevenknowheranyway?
”

Bi
gz:“
Eish,
wel
l,
shewor
ksf
orhi
m.”

Mi
shandRonzawer
eir
ri
tat
edi
nst
ant
ly.
Mish:“
Youhi
redstr
ipper
sthatworkformybr
other
?!
Howmuchofani di
otcanyoube,Bigz?!
”

Bigz:“Ah,
sor
ryman,Mish.Ionl
yfoundout
after
wardswhenIhadtomakepayment.Idi
dn’
t
knowyou’dactual
lyf
uckher
.”

Cassandraspot
tedMi
shandwasaboutt
orun
towardshim.

Ronza:“
I’
llhandl
ethi
s.”

Hegotupi
nst
ant
ly.

Cassandr
a:(
smi
lng)“
Meshack,
I–“

Ronza:“
Whoawhoa,
sesi(
sis)
.Let
’st
akeawal
k
f
orami
nut
e.”

Cassandr
a:“
ButIwantt
ospeakt
oMi
sh–“

Ronzapul
ledCassandr
aoutoft
het
entver
yfast
.

Ronza:“
Look,cutyourbull
shi
t,okay.Youknow
ver
ywellthatheisgett
ingmarri
ed.Sowhyt hefuck
wouldyoumakeanent rancer
ighthere,r
ightnow?”

Cassandr
a:“
Ijustwant
edt
osayhi
,that
’sal
l.
”

Ronza:“ YouthinkIdon’tknowyourtype,Cassie?
Youf uckmenwi t
hcashandassoonasyou’ r
edone
youfallforthem andtrytogetridoft
heirwives?
Leaveandmakesur eyounevercomeback.I fyou
event r
yt odoanythingstupid,
beli
eveme, Mishwill
ki
llyouwi thouthesi
tat
ion.”
Cassandr
a:“
But
,I–“

Ronza:“
Yoh,
youj
ustdon’
tgett
hemessage,
doyou?
Fuckoff
!”

Cassandr
aleftwit
habrokenheart
,butshewas
al
soveryangryandwasawomanwhoj ustnever
gaveup.Hellhathnof
uryli
keawomanscor ned.
Meanwhil
ePr eci
ouswasaskinghersel
fwhoon
eart
hCassandrawas.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Didyouseet
hatgi
rl
?”

Debor
ah:“
Ah,
shei
spr
obabl
yoneofhi
sgr
oupi
es.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shel
ooksmor
ethanagr
oupi
etome.
”

Debor
ah:“
Ifyouar
ebot
her
edt
hatmuch,
askMi
sh
abouti
t.Hei
syourhusbandnow,
nosecr
ets.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whataboutt
hatguydr
essedi
nthat
br
ownsuit
.”

Rachel
:“Oh,
Viper
.Wor
dist
hathei
sMi
sh’
s
br
other
.”

Pr
ecious:(
frowni
ng)“
Mishdoesnothavea
br
other.
”

Rachel
:“Hedoes,butf
rom anot
hermot
heror
somethi
ngli
kethat.
”

Preciousknewt hatsomethi
ngwasbr ewing
betweent hetwo.Sheal soknewthatCassandr
a
wasmor ethanjustagroupie.Per
hapsshebitoff
mor ethanshecoul dchew?
[
01/
27,
07:
45] :Chapt
er65
“
Whenwet hi
nkoft
hepasti
t’st
hebeauti
fult
hings
wepi
ckout.Wewanttobel
ieveitwasal
lli
kethat
.”
–Margar
etAtwood

Twoweeksl
ater
…

Thingswer ereall
ygoodbet weenMi shand
Precious.Apar tfrom havingsexpr ettymuch
whenevert heygott hechance, Mishwasever ythi
ng
shecoul deverwi shf or.BackinZul uland, Geor gi
na
wasst i
llamessandGl endahadf inally
accompl i
shedt hef i
rstphaseofherpl an.Shehad
managedt ogetNt sikaandNj abul
oi nt oUni versit
y
ofZul uland.Theywer esohungryf orpowerand
success, thattheywer esecret
lyenvi ousofone
another .Glendawasbr ewingsomet hi ngthatwoul d
soonbeoutofhercont r
ol.Kumkanif eltl
ikehewas
l
osingt hebat tl
e,butl it
tl
edidheknowt hathewas
muchcl osertof i
ndingGat sha’sheiresst hanhe
actuallythought .
 Itwast hesecondquar teroft hef i
rstSemest erfor
Debbie,RachelandPr ecious.Thi ngswer el ooking
goodf oral lofthem andDebor ahwasf inall
y
engagedt oChar li
e.Shehadonl yonecl asst hat
dayandi twasofanewmodul ef ort hatquar ter.
Shewasnotr eal
lyfeeli
ngt hecl assevenbef oreshe
evenmetherl ecturer
,butshemostpr obabl yhad
Gatshat obl amef orthat.Hehadbeenkeepi ngher
upalmostever ynightandt hesexwasst arti
ngt o
takeadi fferentturn.Shehadnot icedwhatThoko
hadwar nedherabout ;Gat shahadt endenci esof
wakingupi nthemi ddleoft heni ghtandj ustst are
i
nt hemi rror .Attimesshewoul df i
ndhi m dr inki
ng
whiskeyandwat chingt vint heirbedr oom.When
thekidswoul dcomevi sit,i
twasal otbet terforhim
ashewoul densur ethatt heypl ayandwat ch
moviesunt ilmidnight.Whi l
eshewast ryingt o
catchsomesl eep,hernewl ectur erwal kedi n.

Lect
urer
:“Goodmor
ning,
student
s.”
Preci
ouswasamazedathowshewasabl etosmell
hiscologneallt
hewayf rom thefourthrow.She
l
ovedsi t
ti
nginthefrontrow, butbecauseshewas
ti
red,shesett
ledforthefourthrowthatday.She
hadneverseensuchabeaut iful
,chocolat
eman
befor
e.Hewassowel l-
dressedinhisItal
iansuit
.
Hisbeardwaswel ltakencareofandher eal
ly
seemedpr et
tyneat.Thegi rl
swer edrooli
ngwhile
shewasi nawe.Hi ssmi l
ejustevokednewf eel
i
ngs
i
nhert hatnotevenMi shevercould.Whatwas
happeningtoher?Shet houghtt oherself
.

Lect
urer:“
Mynamei sKumkaniMdhl
etse,
Mr.
MdhletseorKumkanit
oyou.Whicheveroneyou
pref
er.
”

Shewasbeyondshockedt
oseesuchayoung
l
ectur
er.Hedi
dn’
tlookadayol
derthan25.
Kumkani
:“Wel
l,
shal
lwebegi
nwi
thourl
essonf
or
t
heday.”

Ashewasspeaki ng,Preci
ousfeltsomesor tofa
sparkbet weenthet woofthem.Hewasact uall
y
smili
ngather .Maybeshewasi magi ningthings.
Surelyitcouldn’thavebeenasmi ledi r
ectedt oher
ofallpeopleinther oom.Shet ri
edt oignorehi m,
buthispr esencespokevol umes.Af terwhat
seemedl ikeforever,hewasf i
nal
lydone.

Kumkani:“
That
’sal
lfort
oday,
fol
ks.I
’
llseeyou
nextweek.
”

Shehear
dthemur
mur
samongstt
heot
herst
udent
s.

St
udent
:“He’
ssohot
,chomi(
fri
end)
.”

Shewasmi
ndi
ngherownbusi
nesswhi
lepacki
ng
herbag.Shedi
dn’
tevenr
eal
izeshewast
heonl
y
onelef
tint
hecl
ass.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Don’
tIknowyouf
rom
somewher
e?”

Preci
ousfel
tinst
ant
lynumb.Howonear t
hcould
sheseeanothermanasgoodlooki
ngapartf
rom
herownhusband?

Pr
eci
ous:“
Excuseme?
”

Kumkani:“
Aren’
tyouthatl
adywhogotmar
ri
edt
o
MeshackNdhlovu?”

Yep,shewassoonfamousl
yknownasthe
gangster
’swi
fe.Thatwasani
cerwayt
oputi
t.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
yes.
”

Kumkani:“Pi
ty.HadIknownyoubef
oreIwoul
d
havebeatenhimtoit
.”

Pr
eci
ouscoul
dn’
thel
pbutbl
ush.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihavet
ogo.Mydr
iveri
swai
ti
ngf
orme.
”

Kumkani
:“Letmewal
kyouout
.”

Shedi
dn’
tmi
ndnorseei
tasanyt
hingwr
ong.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Whileshewaswalkingoutwi
thhi
m, shedi
dn’t
real
lynot
icethest
aresamongstt
heotherst
udents.
Onceagain,shewasthepawnofenvyandjeal
ousy.
Kumkani
:“So,
tel
lmeaboutyour
sel
f,pr
ett
ylady.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ther
e’snotmucht
otel
l,
real
ly.
”

Kumkani:“
Ever
yonehasast
ory.I
’
dlovet
oknow
your
s.”

Pr
ecious:(ner
vousl
y)“
Uhm,
Mr.Mdhl
etse,
I’
m
marr
ied.”

Kumkani
:“Iknowt
hat
,butar
eyouhappy?
”

Preciousdidn’tknowwhattosayasshef ound
herselfst
aringintohi
seyeswit
houtanycaut i
on
aroundher.Shewasaboutt orespondunti
lshefel
t
Mish’shandf i
r mlygr
abher.
Mi
sh:(
ster
nly)“
Ekse(
Hey)
.”

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“Oh,youmustbet
heMeshack
Ndhl
ovu.Thenotor
iousgangst
er.
”

Hehadtakenhi
shandoutawait
ingahandshake
fr
om Meshack,
butMeshackj
ustlookedathi
min
di
sgustandpureanger
.

Meshack:“Idon’tshakehandswit
hmenwho
overstepboundari
es.IfyouknowwhoIam t
hen
surelyyouknowwhoshei s.Shei
samarr
ied
woman–mywi fe.”

Kumkani
:“Oh,shei
sast
udentofmi
ne.Idi
dn’
t
meananythi
ngbyit
.”

Meshack:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.Ar
evaye(
Let
’s
go)
.”
HegrabbedPr
eci
ousi
nawayt hathehadnever
donebefor
e.I
twasarat
hert
ightgri
p.

Kumkani
:“I
’
llseeyouar
ound,
Preci
ous.
”

Preciousdidn’tevenhavet i
met orespond.She
couldseet her ageinMi sh’seyes.Hedi dn’tsay
anything,butinsteadjustopenedt hedoorf orher
andt hrewheri ntothecarf orcefull
y.Hehadnever
shownanyvi olentbehavi ourt owardsher ,butat
thatmoment ,shewasscar ed.Mi shwal kedi nand
didn’
tsayawor d.Hest artedt hecaranddr oveof f
.
Preciouswast ooscaredt oevenask, soshe
remai nedquietandl ookedout sidethewi ndow.
Theygothomeandhedi dn’ tevenbot hertoopen
thedoorf orher .Sher eali
zedt hatperhapsshewas
i
nact ualdeepshi t.Shewal kedoutandheadedi nt
o
thehouse, andf oundMi shpour i
nghimsel faglass
ofwhi skey.Sheat tempt edt owalkaway, buthe
fi
nall
yspoke.
Mi
sh:“
So,Isendyoutoschoolandyoucheaton
mewit
hlawyersnow?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Excuseme?
”

Mish:“Youthinkkebhar
innane(
yout
hinkI
’
ma
f
ool,don’tyou)?
”

Preci
ous:“
Mi sh,
Idon’
tknowwhatyou’
ret
alki
ng
about,
real
ly.Hewasjustwal
kingmeout.
”

Mishgotsoaggrevat
edbyPrecious’
shonest
r
esponses,t
hathedidtheunt
hinkabl
e.

Mi
sh:“Ungi
tshel
aamasi
mba(
You’
rebul
lshi
tt
ing
me)
!”
Het hr ewt hehalfemptyglassofwhi skeyri
ghtat
Preci ous,onlyforitt
ohitherr i
ghtintheforehead.
Itfeltsosur realandsheonl yreali
zedaft
erthe
glassbr okeont hefl
oorthathehadact uall
yhi ther .
Shef eltwarmnessonherf oreheadandshesl owl y
touchedi twithhershakyhandsandnot i
cedbl ood.
Thatmadeherevenmor escar ed.Shehadj usthad
herver yfir
stencounterwit
hMeshackt hemonst er
.
Mi shhadr eali
zedwhathehaddoneandr egr ettedit
i
nst ant l
y.

Mish:“
Presh,
I’
m sosor
ry.Idon’
tknowwhathad
gott
enint
ome.I ,
-“

Pr
eci
ous:(
scar
ed)“
Don’
tcomenearme!
”

Mi
sh:“
Baby,
please,
I–“

Pr
ecious:“
I’
m goi
ngt
ogetsomeai
r.Don’
tfol
low
me.”
Mish:“
Atl
eastt
akethecarkeys,
please.Thatway
I
’l
lknowyou’
resaf
e.”

Hehadbegundr i
vinglessonwi t
hherandshewas
notper f
ectyetnordi dshehaveal icense,butshe
couldmanaget odriveabi tofadistance.She
grabbedt hekeysinf earfr
om hishandsandr anout.
Shehadf or
gottenthatshewasdr i
ppingi nblood.
Hermai npr i
ori
tywasget ti
ngoutofMi sh’shouse–
awayf rom hispresence.Hewasi nast ateofshock
himself.Hewasi ndisbeli
efthathehadact uall
y
hurttheloveofhi sli
fe.Hef oundhimsel fshaking
withrage–angr yathimselffordoingwhathehad
promisedhi mselfthathewoul dneverdo.Pr ecious
drovelikeamani acunt i
lshegott oThoko’ shouse.
Shepunchedi nthepi nandrushedoutoft hehouse.
Shedi dn’
tevenbot hertoknock,andj ustwal kedin.
Thokot ookonel ookatherandknewt hatMi sh’
s
monst erhadf i
nall
ycomeout .
Thoko:“
Kids,gobuysomei
cecr
eam.Gabbymake
sur
eyout akecar
eofthem.
”

Gabby:“
Aunt
ie,
whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”

Thoko:“
Shegoti
ntoanacci
dent
.Nowhur
ryup.
”

Gabby:“
Okay.
”

Theywal
kedoutandThokodi
dn’
twast
eanyt
ime.

Thoko:“
Sit
.I’
ll
getmyfir
stai
dkit
.Pouryour
sel
fa
gl
assofwine.You’
regoi
ngtoneedi
t.
”

Preci
ousnoddedi nshock,shest i
llfel
tli
keitcoul
d
beadr eam orsomethi
ng.Shepour edhersel
fa
gl
assofwi neandgulpeditinstantly.Thokocame
backwi t
hinsecondsandstartedtreatingherwound.
Thokowasangr y;ather
selffornottr
yinghard
enoughtogetPreciousnottomar ryhermonsterof
asonandatMi shf oral
lowinghismonstertotake
overl
iket
hat.

Thoko:“
Areyouokay?
”

Pr
eci
ousnoddedwi
tht
hreat
eni
ngt
ear
s.

Thoko:“
Didsomet
hinghappen?
”

Precious:(
sigh)“Hesawmewal koutofcampus
withmynewl ect
ur erandaccusedmeofcheat i
ng
onhim wi t
hlawyer s.ImagineMa.Hedi dn’
teven
bothertoaskmef ormysi deofthest
ory.Thenext
thi
ngIknewhet hrewagl assofwhiskeyatme.”

Preci
ousf
inal
lyl
ett
hetear
sout.Atthatmoment
sheknewsheshoul
dhaveli
stenedt
ohergut
feel
ing–t hegutfeeli
ngshehadbef oreshemar ri
ed
Mish;thegutfeel
ingshehadwhenshef oundhim
i
nbedwi t
hRoseandst art
edquesti
oningherown
acti
ons.ForevenEphi sians1:17says“Thatthe
GodofourLor dJesusChr ist
,theFatherofglor
y,
maygi veyouaspi r
itofwisdom andofr evel
ati
onin
theknowledgeofhim. ”Thatgutfeel
ingwasGod’ s
wayoft el
li
ngherper hapsshewasmaki ngthe
wrongchoi ceandsheshoul dhaveli
stenedtoit.

Thoko:(
sigh)“Iknewt
hiswasgoi
ngt
ohappen.I
j
ustknewi t
.”

Preci
ous:“
Idon’
tknowifIcanevercont
inuel
ike
thi
s,Ma,butnowthi
ngsarejustsocompli
cat
ed.”

Thoko:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m pr
egnant
.”
[
01/
27,
07:
46] :Chapt
er66

“Thepastt
eachesusalesson,t
hepr
esenthel
psus
i
nourdecisi
ons,t
hefut
urehelpsusdream.
”–
Unknown

Thokowasbeyondshockedandevenmorewor
ri
ed
thanshewasafewminutesbef
orethen.

Thoko:“
Areyousur
e?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Yes.
”

Thokokeptquietf
oramomentandt
henhel
d
Preci
ous’hand.

Thoko:“
Doyouwantt
okeepi
t?”
Preci
ouscoul
dn’
tevenbeart
het
houghtofki
ll
inga
chil
d.

Pr
ecious:“
Ma, Idon’
teventhi
nkIcoul
deverki
llan
i
nnocentchil
d–mychi l
d.”

Thoko:(
noddi
ng)“
Okay.
”

Shewast r
yingtothi
nkofawayf orward.Shefel
t
badenoughasi twasf orthepoorgir
landthen–
Mi shsuddenlywalkedinlooki
ngwasted.Hehad
beendr i
nkingquit
eabi t
.Henot i
cedhismother’
s
rageinhereyesandl ookeddowni mmediat
ely.He
knewhehadf ai
ledher–bot hofthewomeni nhi
s
l
ife.

Mi
sh:(
looki
ngdown)“
Ngi
yaxol
isa(
I’
m sor
ry)
,Ma.
”

Thokowasbewi
lder
ed,
somucht
hatshewal
ked
t
owardshi
m andgavehi
m onef
atsl
apacr
osshi
s
f
ace.

Thoko:(
li
vid)“
Lookather
,Meshack!Lookather
!”

Mi
shsl
owl
ylookedatPr
eci
ous.

Thoko:“Iwar
nedyou.Iwarnedyouwhenyousai
d
youlovedher.Doest
hatl
ooklikeahappywoman?!
Doesit?”

Mi
sh:(
sof
tl
y)Cha(
No)
,Ma.
”

Thoko:“You’r
egoingt osi
ttherer
ightnowandtel
l
hereverythi
ng.Tellherwhathappenedtoyour
fat
herandwhyt hef uckyou’r
esuchamonst er
.
Maybet henshemi ghtfor
giveyouandgiveyou
anotherchance.
”
Mi
sh:(
scar
ed)“
Kodwa(
But
),Ma,
why?
”

Thoko:“
Becauseshe’
scar
ryi
ngyourchi
ld.
”

Withthatsai
dThokowal kedaway,
leavi
ngMishon
thespot.MishlookedatPreci
ousandfel
tso
broken,hecoul
dn’tbel
ievet
hathehadactual
lyhi
t
her.

Mi
sh:“
Sthandwasami
(MyLove)
.”

Preci
ousstart
edcryingsil
entl
y.Thepainwit
hinher
guthurtl
ikehel
l,
itburntasifi
twasulceri
candthe
factt
hatshewaspr egnantwasevenmor epai
nful
forher
.

Mi
sh:“
I’
mreal
lysor
ry.
”
Preci
ous:“
Speak.Youhavethisonechanceto
convi
ncemet otakeyoubackorelseI
’
m walking,
Mish.I’
m wal
kingandIam nevercomingback.”

Mishwasabouott oconfesst
hetr
uthabouthis
fat
herbutli
tt
ledidPreci
ousknowthatMishknew
everyt
hingabouther–EVERYTHING.

Mi sh:(deepsigh)“Idon’
tknowwher et
ostar
t,Pr
esh.
Myl ifeisamess, ital
wayshasbeenanditseems
tobeget t
ingworse.Myf atherwasamonster
.I
witnessedever yt
hingandeventual
lyal
sobecamea
victi
mt ohi sbull
shit
.”

Preci
ouskeptqui
etwhi
let
het
ear
swer
est
reami
ng
downherface.

Mish:“Heusedt
obeatmymot herupsobadly,
that
shenowhasscarst
opr oveit
.Thati
showhe
provedhi
slovet
oher,
thatishowhebrandedher.
Hehadawi feandchi l
drenwhenhemetmymot her.
Shehadnoi deat hathewasmar r
ied.Wi thina
mont hofbei ngt oget her,heboughtmymot hera
houseandpr oposed.Heevensenthi suncl esto
mymot her’sf ami lyforl obol
a–onl ythendi dhis
fi
rstwi f
eandchi ldrenf indoutthathewasaboutt o
mar r
ymymot her .Bei ngthebast ardhewas, he
sti
llwentaheadwi thi t
.Thef i
rstwi fewasupsetf or
obviousr easons, buthewasneveract uall
ymar ri
ed
toher.Mymot herevent ual
lyhadmeandt henal
l
hellbrokeloose.Ihavedoneal otofshitthatIam
notproudof ,Pr esh, butIdon’tregr etki
ll
inghi m.
”

Preciouswassoshocked, shehadn’texpectedto
hearthosewor dsf rom herownhusband.Mi sht
old
herever yt
hing,from howhest abbedhi mtohowhe
sl
ithist hr
oatandcutof fhishead.Itwasa
gruesomescenet oeventhinkabout,eventhough
hedidi ttoprotecthismother.Shef eltsi
cktoher
stomachandwant edtovomi t,
butsher ef
rained
fr
om t hat.Onlythendi dsheunderstandwhyhe
hadsl eeplessnightsandwhyhewasabi tofa
monst
er.

Mish:“That’
smyst ory,Baby.Iam sorry.Iknowi t
doesnotjustif
ywhatIdi d,butthati
swhoIam –
whoIr eal
lyam.Ican’ tl
ivewithoutyou,Preci
ous,I
woulddie.Iknowyoudon’ thaveanyr easonto
for
giveme, butIam askingyouf oronelastchance.
IpromiseIwilldoeverythi
nginmypowert otryand
changeandl oveyouandourbaby. ”

Preci
ousbrokedown.Shewant edt ol
eave,
buthow
wouldshebecauseshelovedhim somuch.Wor st
partshewasexpect
inghischi
ldalready.

Preci
ous:“I
’l
lonl
ytakeyoubackonaf
ew
condi
tions.
”

Mi
sh:(
hopef
ul)“
Anyt
hing.
”
Precious:“
Ifyouever
,everpullast
untl
ikewhatyou
di
dt odayIwilll
eaveyou,Mish.Iwasnotrai
sedas
apunchi ngbagandIrefusetobecomeoneright
now.”

Mi
sh:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Preci
ous:“Secondly,youwi l
lat
tendtherapyt
odeal
withyourshit
.It’
snotheal thyandifyouwanttobe
apartofthischi
ld’
sl i
fe,youwillt
hri
vetochange.I
cannotrai
semychi l
dar oundamonst er
.Youwi l
l
havetochance,Mish. ”

Mi
sh:“
I’
lldoi
t,Babes.
”

Precious:“
Last
ly,youwil
lkeepnosecretsfrom me
–Imeannosecr ets.You’
lll
etmei nonanythi
ng
thatyoudo–evenf i
nances.Ifyouevercheat
edon
mebef oreorwhenwegotmar ri
ed,nowistheti
me
totel
l me.”
Mishdi
dn’tknowifshewast rappi
nghi m orwhat,
buthewouldhaveratherr
iskedeverythi
ngatt hat
momentrathert
hanlosingPreciousforever.
”

Mish:(si
gh)“
Okay.Yes,Isl
eptwi
thRosethatday,
butshedidseduceme.Iwon’tmakeanyexcuses
fori
t,t
hough.I’
m sor
ry.
”

Preciousdri
edhertear
simmediat
ely.Herhar
dened
personali
tywasfi
nall
ycomingout.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ist
her
eanyoneel
se?
”

Mishthoughtr
eal
lycaref
ull
y.Hehadthechanceto
comecleanonceagaintohiswi
feaboutCassandr
a,
buthechosenott
o.”

Mi
sh:“
No.
”
Precious:“Okaythen.AndMi sh,onemor ething.If
Ieverfindoutthatyoudi di
ndeedliet
omet oday,
youwi llf
uckingregreti
t.I’
m goi
ngoutf oradr i
ve,
don’tfoll
owme.I ’
l
lseeyouathomel ater.”

Shet ookhiscarkeysandleftMishinastateof
shock.Noonehadeverspokent ohi
ml i
kethat
besideshisownmot her.Hewasshockedt osee
Preciousli
kethatandaskedhimselfifi
ndeedhe
didn’
tcreateamonst eroutofhi
swi f
eatthat
i
nstant.
Af
ewdaysl
ater
….

Mishhaddoneever yt
hinginhispowert otr
yandbe
agoodhusbandt oPrecious.Her ubbedherfeet
whenevershecamebackhomeandcookedf orher
wheneverhecoul d.That ’
swhatguiltdoestoa
person,especi
all
ywhent hey’
rekeepingmore
secret
s. Heevensur pri
sedherwi t
habr andnew
ToyotaYaristhefol
lowingday.Shehadn’ tgotten
herlicenseyet ,
butwasduet ogetherdr iver’
s
l
icensei ntwoweeks.Hewasr eal
lytryi
ngandhad
mai ntai
nedhi spromi sestoher .Hewaseven
attendingtherapy.I twast hefoll
owingweekand
shehadgonet oschoolasusual ,i
twast imef orher
classwi thMr.Kumkani .Shewasabi tearlyand
l
ittl
edi dsheknowt hatshewoul dfi
ndhi m wai t
ing
forheri ntheparkingl ot
.Assoonasshesai d
goodbyet oRonzawhodr ovehertoschoolt hatday,
Kumkaniwal kedoutofhi scarandr ushedt oher
side.

Kumkani
:“Hey,
Pret
tyl
ady.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Kumkani
,hi
.”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
not
hing.If
elli
ntheshower
.”
Kumkani:“
Youdoknowt hatt
hati
soneofthe
famousexcusesofabusevi
cti
ms,r
ight
?”

Preci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Youdon’tknowmeandIdon’
t
know you.AsfarasI’
m concernedyou’r
emy
l
ecturer
.So,canwepleaseleaveitatt
hat?”

Kumkani
:“I
’
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn’
tmeant
obepushy.
”

Preci
ous:“
I’
m marr
iedandI’
m pr
egnant
.Pl
ease
l
eavemeal onebef
oreyougetmeint
omore
tr
ouble.
”

Kumkani
:“Whatdoyoumeanbymor
etr
oubl
e?”

Preci
ousdeci
dedtol eavehim st
andi
ngrightt
here
andmoveintothelecturehal
l.Kumkaniknewr i
ght
ther
eandthenthattherewasmor etoMeshack
Ndhlovut
hatmettheeye.Hewasnott hat
i
nt erestedi nhim, butnowt hathehadmetPr ecious,
heknewt hatsomet hingdeeperwasbr ewi ngbehi nd
closeddoor s.Hehat edseei ngPr eciousl ooking
l
ikeanabusevi ctim andwant edsomet hingt obe
done.Hehadf all
enf orheri nstantl
yandcoul dn’t
stopl ookingathereversi ncehemether .Apar t
from hi smom t ell
inghi mt hathehadf i
nallymethi s
soul mat e,hehadnoi deat hatshewoul dbemar ri
ed
toagangst er.Hewal kedi ntot heclassandcar r
ied
onwi t
hhi sl ecture.Unf ort
unat elystudent sst art
ed
tot al
kandt houghtt hatPr eci ousandKumkaniwer e
i
nt ooneanot her.Hekeptst ari
ngatherandhi s
hear tbrokewhenhenot icedt hatshewasr at
her
angr yathi m.Ti mepassedandt hecl asswasover .
Lucki l
yf orPr ecious, shehadt i
met ogoseeher
fri
endsatr est hatday, soRonzanorMi shwasnot
around, butlit
tledi dsheknowt hatherhusbandhad
placedsur veill
anceonheronceagai n.Kumkani
ranaf terherwi thoutacar ei nthewor l
d.

Kumkani
:“Pr
eci
ous,
wai
t,pl
ease.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatdoyouwant
,Kumkani
?”

Kumkani:“Iwouldl
iketor
e-i
ntr
oducemysel
fand
st
artaf
reshwi t
hyou.Ididn’
tmeantocomeacross
asannoyingorneedy.”

Preci
ous:(si
gh)“
Kumkani ,
look.Myhusbandisnot
veryhappyaboutyoursuddenint
eresti
nme.”

Kumkani:“
IgetitandIwouldn’
tbeeit
herifIwer
e
him.Look,Iwon’tbot
heryouanyfurt
her.Herei
s
mycard–wheneveryouwantt ot
alk.Seeyou
someotherti
me, Pret
tyLady.
”

Hesmi ledandwinkedatherandleft
.Sheknew
thati
twaswr ongtoevenconsidercal
li
nghim atal
l,
buttherewasjustsomethi
nggenuineabout
Kumkani .Hehadthisweir
daur aabouthi
m and
shewant edtoknowmor eofhim.Themor eshe
sawhi m,themoresheactual
lystar
tedaski
ng
her
sel
fifshewasreal
lygoodwit
hMi sh.Whi
leshe
wal
kedtores,
Ronzamadet hecal
l.

Ronza:“
Sho(Sur
e)Bozza.Hewastalki
ngtoher
agai
n.Thisguyseemstobereal
lyi
ntoyour
woman.”

Mish:(anger
ed)“Di
gupanydirtyoucanfi
ndonthe
bastar
d.Ihateitwhenpeopl
ejustcan’
tgofort
hei
r
ownwomen. ”

Ronza:“
Shosho(
Sur
esur
e).
”

Preci
ouswasabouttowal
kint
or es
accommodati
on,whenMishcal
ledher
.

Mi
sh:“
Heybaby.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Hey.
”

Mi
sh:“
Howwascl
ass?
”

Preci
ous:“
Itwasgood,
thanks,
wena(
you)
?Howi
s
yourdaygoing?
”

Mish:“
It’
sgoi
ngr
eal
ly,
real
lywel
l
.Iwasj
ust
checki
ngonyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”

Mish:“
Didanyt
hingi
nter
est
inghappent
oyou
t
oday?”

Mishstarteddoubt
inghimselfeversi
ncehe
confessedtoPreci
ous,andthefactthatshel
ied
aboutKumkani ,
madehi m st
arttotr
anspir
eand
spi
raloutofcont
rol
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Not
hingIknowof
.”

Mi
sh:“
Okayt
hen.Seeyoul
ater
.Bye.
”

Hehungupleavi
ngPreci
ouswonderi
ngifhewasn’
t
act
ual
lyspyi
ngonher.Shedeci
dedtoignor
ethat
andwalkt
oDebbie’
sroom.ShefoundRachelt
here
aswel
l.

Pr
eci
ous:“
WassupBi
tches.
”

Debbi
eandRachel
bot
hfr
ownedwhent
heysawher
.

Rachel
:“Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”

Debor
ah:“
Didhehi
tyou?
”
Preci
ous:“
Guys,yout
wocanbesodr
amatic,
you
know.Ifel
lint
heshowerandhi
tmyhead.
”

Debbi
e:(
frowni
ng)“
That
’sj
ustanexcuse.
”

Rachel
:“Isecondt
hat
.”

Preci
ous:“
Yout
woar ejustt
oomuch.Anyway,
I
havegoodnewsforyou.Let’
sgooutf
orl
unch.
”

Deborah:“
Doyouwantmet
ocuthi
mforyou?
BecauseIcandot
hat.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(l
aughi
ng)“
Howcanhehi
tmewhenI
’
m
pr
egnant
,Debs?”

Rachel
:(shocked)“
Alr
eady?Imeani
sn’
titabi
ttoo
soon?
”

Preci
ous:“
Ifor
gott
ogetoncont
racept
ivesandwel
l
,
hereIam.Fourweekspr
egnant
.”

Deborah:“
Congr
atul
ati
ons,babe.Iam happyf
or
you,butonaser
iousnote,
he’snotabusi
ngyou,
ri
ght
? ”

Preci
ousjusthadtopr
etend.Shecoul
dn’taf
for
d
herfr
iendsbeingmadatMishandknowingthe
tr
uthjustyet
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ipr
omi
seyou.
”

Rachel
:“I
nthatcaset
hen,
let
’sgooutf
orl
unch.
”
Preci
ouswasj ust19anddiggi
ngadeeperhol
ewith
herwitheachdaythatwentby.Atti
meswhenwe
prayforaPri
ncecharming,wefor
gettopr
ayfort
he
ri
ghtman.Ast heBibl
esays,becarefulwhatyou
wishfor.James4: 17warnsus“ Sowhoeverknows
theri
ghtt hingt
odoandf ai
lst
odoi t
,forhimitis
sin.
”Pr eciousknewt hatmarr
yingMishwasnot
i
deal,butshest il
lwentaheadwithit
.Thatwoul d
havebeenagr eatsinforhert
ocarryasherown
burden.
[
01/
27,
07:
46] :Chapt
er67

“Thepasti
sal
wayst
ense,
thef
utur
eper
fect
.”–
ZadieSmit
h

Mishhadstart
edt olosehismindsobadl y,t
hathe
hadsecret
lybeencompar i
nghimselftoKumkani .I
t
gotworsewhenhef oundouthewasGat sha’s
l
awyer,fr
om apicturehesawwi t
hhim onthe
i
nter
net.Hecouldnoteatorsl eepmuch, which
worr
iedPreci
ousal ot.Heevenst art
edrecording
al
lhermovement s.Hewaspr acti
cal
lystal
kinghis
ownwife.Hadhedeci dedtobehonestandl ether
makeherowndeci sions,hewouldhavepr obably
notgonemadatal l.Luke16:
10says“ Onewhoi
s
fait
hfuli
naverylit
tl
eisalsof
ait
hfuli
nmuch,and
onewhoi sdishonesti
naveryli
tt
leisalso
dishonesti
nmuch. ”

SinceMi shhadr eali

zedthatKumkanilivedi none
oft hePoshEst at
esinPr et
oriaEast
,Mooi klooftobe
precise,hedeci dedtomovef r
om hishousei n
Sunval l
eyt oEquest r
ia.Itwashiswayofseeki ng
validati
onf rom Preci
ous.Heknewt hatshecoul d
easi l
yfallforhim andthoughtthatshewaseasi l
y
woedbymoney.Hewasn’ tmuchofast raight
thinker,t
houghandt hatprovedthatheact uall
y
didn’tknowhi swifethatwell
.HewokePr eci
ousup
ear l
yinthemor ningbeforeannouncingamuch
biggersur prise.

Mi
sh:“
Goodmor
ning,
baby.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Eish,Mish.It
’ssuperear
lyandke(
it
’sa)
weekend.Can’tyouletmesleepforj
ustawhi
le
l
onger
?”

Mish:(chuckling)“Thi
sbabyismakingyoulazy.
Comeon, getup, pl
ease.Ihaveagreatsur
pri
sefor
you.Act uall
y,Ihaveawhol edayf
il
ledwith
surpr
isesf oryou.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sul
king)“
Okayt
hen.
”

Mishsmi l
edtohi
mselfasshegotupandwentt
o
theshower.Hethendeci
dedtooverdoi
tandj
oined
herintheshower
.

Preci
ous:“
Gawahl
apa,
kgant
e(Di
dn’
tyou
shower)
?”

Mish:(
smili
ng)“It
houghtI
’
djoi
nyouandgi
veyou
someMi shlovi
ng.
”
Preciousjustsmiledknowi ngherhusband’ ssexual
appetit
ewasr eall
yhi gh.Hehadat endencyof
beingabitrough, buteversincehef oundoutshe
waspr egnant,hehadmanagedt obeal otmore
subtl
eandsof ter.Heki ssedherfrom thebackof
herneckasusual , andmadet rai
lsdownherspi ne
usinghissofthands.Her ubbedhercl i
tincir
cular
mot i
onasusualandwi t
hinminutes,her ammed
i
ntoher .

Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Oh,
Mish…”

Mi
sh:(
moani
ng)“
Fuck,
baby,
Iloveyousomuch.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

Mi
sh:“
Promi
semeyou’
l
lneverl
eaveme.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Preciousj ustassumedt hatitwashi swayof
i
nitiat
ingt al
kingdur ingsex.Shehadnoi deathat
Mishwassl owl ybecomi ngthemonst erhe
promi sednevert obecomeeveragai n.They
fi
nishedget t i
ngdr essedandheadedouti noneof
hiscar s.Pr ecioushadf inall
ygot tenherdr i
ver’
s
l
icense.Shewasal readyenj oyingtheper ksof
beingmar ri
edt oagangst ersinceshedi dn’teven
havet ogot hr oughpr ocedurel i
keever ybodyelse.
Shepr act
icallygotherl i
censewi t
houtevenbei ng
presentatt het esti
ngcent re.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng,
Mish?
”

Mi
sh:“
Raf
ihl
a(we’
real
mostt
her
e),
baby.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
ButI
’
m hungr
yal
ready.
”

Mi
sh:“
We’
l
lgetf
oodwher
ewe’
regoi
ng.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Okaygeh(
then)
.”

Wi
thi
nminut
es,Preci
ouswasoddl
ysur
pri
sedwhen
Mi
shent
eredthecomplexusi
nghi
sowncode.

Preci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“Mi
sh,
kecodeyamangeo
(whosecodei
sthat)
?”

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Our
s,baby.
”

Preci
ouscouldn’tbeli
eveit,
soofcour seshehadto
seeitwithherownt woeyes.Mi shopenedt hedoor
forherandtheywal kedin.Shetrul
ybelievedit
whenshesawhi m putthekeysthroughthekey
hole.Thehousewast oobeauti
fulforhertoeven
beli
eveitwasher s.

Pr
eci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Mish,
o(ar
eyou)ser
ious?
”
Mish:“
WhenImar r
iedyou,
Ipr
omi
sedyout
hewor
ld,
andImeantever
ywor d.
”

Preci
ous:(
exci
ted)“
Oh, Mi
shbathi
ng( my
goodness)
.Thisisalovel
ygest
ure,butcanwe
aff
ordthi
s?”

Mish:“
Ofcourse,baby.Don’
tyouworryabouta
t
hing.Besi
des,I’
l
lsellt
hehouseinSunval
leyand
we’l
lbegoodtogo.”

Pr
eci
ouswasonceagai
nal i
tt
lehur
tbecauseMish
di
dn’
tfeelt
heneedt
oconsul
therwit
hthatpar
t.

Pr
ecious:“
Meshack,Ithoughtyouwer
egoingt
o
di
scusseveryt
hingyouplanondoingwit
hme.”

Mi
sh:“
Aski
es(
Sor
ry)
,baby.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
sur
pri
seyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Il
ovei
t.Whenar
ewemovi
ngi
n?”

Mi
sh:“
Assoonaspossi
ble.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okayasl
ongaswegetsomef
oodf
ir
st.
”

Theyheadedoutt ogetsomebr eakfast.I twasa

goodf ewweeks.Thatver ysamedayMi shmade
surethathegivePr eciousanot hersur pri
se, and
tol
dhert hathehadf inall
ygot tenmedi calai dand
putheronasoneoft hebenef ici
aries.Hedi dn’t
wanthi swifeandchildt osuf f
erwhi lehewasal ive.
Kumkanihadkepthi sdistancef orawhi l
eandt he
modul ehadbeenf ini
shedf orthequar ter.Hewas
i
ntriguedbyPr eci
ous, butheknewt hattheirpaths
woul dcrossoneday.Pr eciouswasnow9weeks
pregnant,andsheandMi shhadmovedi nt otheir
newhouse.Thei rhappinesswasshor tlivedwhen
secur
it
ycal
ledthehouse.Unf
ort
unat
elyf
orMi
sh,
hewasnotaround.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hel
lo?
”

Securi
ty:“Ma’
am.Sor r
ytobother
,ther
eisal
ady
herewhoi nsi
stst
hatsheneedstoseeMr.
Ndhlovu.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whati
shername?
”

Secur
it
y:“
Shesaysshei
sCassandr
a.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay,
letheri
n.”

Secur
it
y:“
Okay.
”

Wi
thi
nami
nut
e,Cassandr
awasbangi
ngdownt
he
door
.Preci
ousopenedi
tandsher
ecogni
zedher
i
mmediatel
yfr
om herweddi
ng.

Cassandr
a:“
Hi.I
sMi
shher
e?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
No,
hei
snot
.CanIhel
pyou?
”

Cassandr
a:“
No,
butyourhusbandcan.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
tfol
low.
”

Cassandr
a:“
Youcantellhi
mt hathe’
dbett
erhave
somemoneyf ormai
ntenance.I’
m pr
egnant.
”

Preci
ouswassoshocked.Howthef
uckdi
dthat
evenhappen?Shet
houghttoher
sel
f.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Howf
aral
ongar
eyou?
”
Cassandr
a:“
12weeks.Baby,you’
renot
consi
deri
ngstayi
ng,
areyou?
”

Pr
eciouskeptqui
etwhil
eshewastr
yingto
i
nter
nali
zewhatCassandrawast
ell
ingher
.

Cassandra:(
chuckl
ing)“Wow,youmustber
eal
ly
desperat
e.Themanl it
eral
lyf
uckedmetheni
ght
befor
eyourwedding.”

Preciousref
usedtocryoverMisheveragai
n.She
real
izedthatshehadcri
edalit
tlet
oomuchoverthe
mont hs,soshehadhadenoughofpain.Ithad
barelyevenbeensixmonthssi
ncetheygotmarri
ed.

Preci
ous:“
Thanksf
oryourmessage,
Cassandr
a.
Youcanleavenow.
”
Cassandr
a:“Your
eall
ythi
nkthatI
’m goi
ngtoleave
j
ustli
kethat
?Nof ucki
ngway.I’l
lwaitf
orhi
m. ”

Cassandr awasonet allgirl

.Busty,hadagr eat
body, butwastall
.Preci ousreal
lydidn’tcar
emuch
forthat.Shewasaboutt othr
owher sel
fononeof
theircouches,butPr
eci ousgotreall
ymad.She
knewwher eMishkeptoneofhi sgunsi nthehouse
–j ustbehindthemicrowave.Pr eciousheaded
straightt
here,
grabbedt hegunandpoi nteditat
Cassandr a.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Gett
hef
uckoutofmyhouse.
”

Cassandr
a:(l
aughing)“Oh,
honey.Youwoul
dn’
t
dare.Youdon’tevenknowhowt ousei
t.
”

Yes,shewasright.Preci
oushadn’tshotanyone
befor
e,butshehadami l
dideaofhowagunwor ked.
Shegotsoangr yatCassandraforvi
olat
ingher
spacel i
kethat.Wi thi
naspli
tsecond,sheshot
Cassandr ari
ghti nthethi
gh.Sheherselfcouldn’
t
beli
eveitandCassandr ascr
eamed.Ronzaand
Mishwer ebusywi t
ht hei
rsi
dehustl
e,sotheyhad
hir
edoneoft heiryoungermemberstokeepaneye
onPr eci
ous,buthewast oobusyhavingsexwi th
oneoft hewor kersinthecomplex,
thathef or
gotto
keepaneyeonher .

Cassandr
a:(scr
eami
ng)“
Aaah!Youshotme!You
fucki
ngshotme!”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youdeser
vedi
t,bi
tch.
”

Wit
hinminut
es,secur
it
yrani
ntot
hehouseast
hey
f
oundthedooropen.

Secur
it
y:“M’
am,what
’sgoi
ngon?Si
zwei
sibamu
(Weheardagun)
.”
Theytookonelookatheranddeci
dedt
ocal
lthe
pol
ice–despit
eknowingwhoMi shwas.

Secur
it
y:“I
’
m sorr
y,m’
am, weneedt
ocal
lthepol
ice.
I
t’
sstandar
dprocedur
e.”

Preciouswascal m,surpr
isi
ngly.Shewasnot
remor sefulorevenscar edtogetarrested.Her
mindwasr agi
ngwi t
hsomanyf eel
ings,thoughts
andat i
ngeofr egr et
.Shewashyper venti
lat
ingwith
purer agetowar dsMi sh.Allshecouldt hi
nkofwas
theultimatebetr ayal
.Shei gnoredCassandr a’
s
screamsdespi t
eherbl eedingonherwhi t
ecouch.

Securi
ty:“
Ma’
am,
pleasepr
ovi
deuswi
tht
owel
s,t
oe
(pl
ease)!
”

Pr
eci
oustookaglassofwhiskeydespi
tebei
ng
pr
egnantandst
art
eddrinki
ng.
Preci
ous:“Thebitchwalkedupi
ntomyhousewith
hershit
tyatti
tudeandnowsheisbleedi
ngal
lover
myexpensi vecouches.Nowyouexpectmetohelp
her?”

Pr
eci
ousst
art
edchuckl
ing.

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m goi
ngupst
air
stomybedr
oom.Cal
l
mewhenthecopsar
ri
ve.
”

Shet ookt
hebott
leandwentupstai
rstoher
bedroom.Shelockedthedoorandstart
edt aki
ng
sipsofthewhi
skey,complet
elyi
gnori
ngt hefact
thatshewaspregnant.Shecall
edMam’ Thoko.

Thoko:“Preci
ous,
mntwanawami
(mybaby)
.
Kunjani(
Howar eyou)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
deepsi
gh)“
Ma,
oneofMi
sh’
sbi
tches
cameher ejustnowt el
li
ngmeshe’ sthr
eemonths
pregnant.Apparentlyhesleptwithhertheni
ght
beforeourweddi ng.Ishother,sothecopsareon
thei
rwayt oarrestme.Pl easeletMishknow
becauseifIdo, I
’l
lendupki l
li
nghim.”

Thokocouldn’
tmakeouti
fitwasaj
okeorasi
ck
dream shewashavi
ng.

Thoko:“
Preci
ous,
utheni(
whatdi
dyouj
ustsay)
?”

Precioushungupandcont i
nueddr
inking.
Mam’ Thokost artedpanickingwhenPr ecious
wasn’ tansweringthephoneanymor e.Thokowas
panickingandst artedcalli
ngMish,buthisphone
wentst rai
ghttovoi cemail.Shecal
ledRonzaand
hisalsowentt ovoi cemail.Shecal
ledBi gzand
samest or
y.Sheknewt heywereupt onogoodand
hadgonebackt otheirways.Shedeci dedt ol
eave
Mishavoi cemailmessage.
Thoko:“Hey,wena(you),
Meshack!Yourwi fejust
gotarrest
edforshooti
ngyourpregnantsidechick.
Youhadbet t
erhopeandpr ayshedoesn’tsl
eep
ther
eforyoursakeorelseunyil
e(you’
refucked)
boy.”

Thepoli
cecameal ongwitht
heambul anceandt ook
Cassandratohospi t
alandPreci
oustothenearest
poli
cestat
ion.Att hatpoi
ntPreci
ousknewt hather
rel
ati
onshipwithMi shhadbecomebeyondt oxic.
Nooneeverl eavesaftert
hefir
stredf
lag.
[
01/
27,
07:
46] :Chapt
er68

“
Toxicpeopl
eattachthemsel
vesl
ikeci
nderbl
ocks
t
iedtoyourankl
es,andtheni
nvi
teyouforaswimin
t
heirpoi
sonedwaters.
”–JohnMar kGr
een

Preci
oushadbeenbr
okenbeyondmeasureatt
hat
point
.Shewassemi-
drunk,
pregnantandi
najai
l
cellandnotbot heredonebi t.Theonlythingonher
mindwasMi sh’
sbet rayal.NotevenPhi ll
ipi
ans4:6,
“Donotbeanxi ousaboutanyt hi
ng,butin
everythi
ngbypr ayerandsuppl i
cati
onwith
thanksgivingletyourr equestsbemadeknownt o
God”coul dsaveher .Shehadn’ treal
izedwhata
messshehadbeeneversi nceshegotmar r
iedt
o
Mish.Shepr ayedl essandact uall
yfocusedmor e
onMi shr atherthanher sel
f.

Shehadn’ tgr own, t

hewayyou’ resupposedt o
whenmar riedt osomeone.I fther ei snogr owthina
rel
ationshipormar r
iageandt her eist oomuch
doubt ,t
heni tisdoomedandpoi ntlesst ostay.She
hadt urnedi ntosomeoneshej ustcoul dn’t
recognizeanymor e;shehadbecomeal iar–t o
herselfandt oherf r
iends.Shehaddoneever ythi
ng
forMi shinst eadofput ti
ngher selff ir
statt i
mes.
Sheknewdeepdownt hataft
ert hati ncidentitwas
goingdownhi l
l,butpeopleintoxi cr elat
ionships
tendt obeaddi ctedtothedrama.
Shehadconvi ncedher sel
fthatshewasbasi cally
nothingwithoutMi sh.Hesavedherf rom suffering
andpi ckedherupwhenshewasdown.Hel oved
herwhenshedi dn’tevenknowwhatl ovei s,but
sadly,evenaf t
ertheirmarri
age, shest i
lldi
dn’tknow
whatl ovewas.Mi shwasdi shingoutal otl
essl ove
andmor edeceitandl i
esandabuset osomeext ent.
Whileshewasi nhercel lt
hinkingofMi sh’
sbet r
ayal,
afami li
arvoiceappear ed.Shesmel l
edhi m even
beforehest art
edspeaki ngwi t
hhi ssignature
col
ogne.

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Preci
ous?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
surpr
ised)“Kumkani
.Whyar
eyou
al
wayswhereIam? ”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“I
tmustbefat
e.Besi
des,
I
cametobailoutacli
ent.Whyareyoubehi
nd
bar
s?”
Precious:(
sigh)“Ishotmyhusband’
spr
egnantsi
de
chickinthethigh.
”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Wher
eishe?
”

Pr
eci
ousj
ustl
if
tedhershoul
der
s.

Kumkani
:“Wait
.You’
ret
heyoungwomantheywere
t
alki
ngabout
?Shewasinyourhouse,
wasn’
tshe?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Uh-
huh.
”

Kumkani:“
Youcouldhavepleadedtr
espassi
ng,
Preci
ous.Youknowthis.Idealtwi
thiti
nmy
l
ecturel
astweek.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iknow,
butIj
ustdon’
tcar
eanymor
e.”
Kumkani:(
shaki
nghead)“Idon’
tknowwhyyou
evenstaywit
hamanwhot r
eatsyoul
iket
hat
.I’
llbe
ri
ghtback.I’
l
lgetyououtofhere.
”

Shej
ustsatther
e–unbot her
ed,whi
leKumkani
wal
kedfumingtothepol
icedesk.

Kumkani
:“Wher
eisyourst
ati
oncommander
?”

EveryoneknewthatKumkaniMdhlet
sewasnotone
tomesswi t
h.Hecouldmakeanyt hi
nghappen,
eventhoughhehadjustbeenareall
awyerfora
meret woyear
s.

Off
icer
:“Oh,
Mr.Mdhletse.Hei
soutatt
hemoment
,
butIcoul
dbeofser
vice.”

Kumkaninot
icedt
hatshewast
ryi
ngsohar
dtof
li
rt
wi
thhi
m,buthewasnotevenbot
her
ed.

Kumkani:“
GetPr
eci
ousVi
lakazi
outoft
hatcel
lri
ght
t
hisi
nstant.
”

Of
ficer:“
Oh,thatone.We’dhavetowai
tforMonday
morningtogetabailhear
ing.Youknowtherul
es,
Mr.Mdheltse.
”

Kumkani
:(angered)“Don’
ttel
lmeaboutt hefucki
ng
rul
es,
Off
icer.Ifyoudon’tgetyourst
ati
on
commanderher eri
ghtthi
sinstant
,Iwil
lpersonal
ly
hol
dyouliabl
e.”

Of
fi
cer
:“Okay,
okay.Letmecal
lhi
m.”

Shecal
ledhi
m andhesoundedasifhewashaving
thet
imeofhi
slif
einsteadofbei
ngatwor
k.As
soonasheheardthatKumkaniwasl
ooki
ngforhim,
hecamer
unni
ng.

Stat
ionCommander:“
Mr.Mdhl
etse,
Isi
ncer
ely
apol
ogize.Iwasbuyi
ngl
unch.
”

Kumkanireal
izedimmediat
elyt
hathewasl
yingt
o
hi
m byhishalfclosedzi
p.

Kumkani
:“Savei
t.I
’
m her
etogetPr
eci
ousVi
lakazi
out
.”

St
ati
onCommander
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Isn’
tsheMeshack
Ndhl
ovu’
swi
fe?
”

Kumkani:“
Andar
en’
tyoumar
ried?Becausef
ora
marri
edmanyousur
ehavealotoft
imeonyour
hands.
”
St
ati
onCommander :(
smil
ing)“
Okay,
okay.Offi
cer
Mavuso,
getherpapersr
eady.Bai
lsetatR20000.
”

Kumkani
:“I
’l
lpayi
tri
ghtaf
terIcomebackf
rom t
he
ATM.Getitdone.
”

St
ati
onCommander
:“Sur
ethi
ng,
Mr.M.
”

Kumkani:“
OhandCommander.Nextt i
meyou
decidet
ofuckar
ounddur
ingoff
icehours,
make
sureyouzi
pyourpant
supproperl
y.”

StationCommanderl ookedembar rassedbeyondin

fr
ontofaf ewpeoplest andinginthequeueandhi s
coll
eagues.Hezi ppedhi spantsupanddi dn’
teven
l
ookatKumkani .Hewal kedoutandheadedt ot
he
atmt owi t
hdrawsomemoney, whil
eOf fi
cerMavuso
sortedoutPr eci
ous’paper s.Wi t
hinmi nutes,
her
processingwasdoneandOf f
icertookitupon
herselft
ogoandopenf orher.
Of
fi
cer
:“Mr
s.Ndhl
ovu,
you’
ref
reet
ogo.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Ismyhusbandher
e?’

Off
icer
:(r
oll
ingeyes)“No,yourboyfr
iendpaidyour
bai
l.Areye( Let
’sgo)Idon’thaveal
lday.”

Pr
eci
ousgotannoyedbyherat
ti
tude.

Officer
:“Ai
,wai
tsekeng(Oh,youknow).Lena
banyanabamayel lowbonelenaganagoreleka
tseyabannabobohl eba(
youyell
owbonest hi
nk
youcant akeal
lthemeninthisworl
d).
”

Preci
ous:“Hmm, Off
icerMavuso.I’m pret
tysur
e
thatmyhusbandwoul dn’
tliket
hewayyout r
eat
ed
mewhi l
eIwasi nhere.Ibetmy“ boyf
riend”
wouldn’
tli
keitei
ther
.Per hapsIshouldfil
lhi
min
bef
oreIgetr
eleased.
”

Off
icer
:“Oh,hayisuster(nosi
s),
Iwasj
ustj
oki
ngl
e
wena(withyou).Eish,janeh.
”

ShesawKumkaniwai
ti
ngatt
hedeskal
ready.

Kumkani
:“Shal
lwego?
”

Preciousj
ustnoddedandt heoff
icerwasr eli
eved
thatshedi
dn’tsayanythi
ngtoKumkani .Thelast
ti
meoneoft hem tri
edthatst
unt,theylostthei
rjob.
Kumkaniopenedt hedoor,muchtot hedismayof
everyonei
nthere.Henot i
cedthatPr eci
ouswasnot
walkingst
rai
ghtandhecoul dsmel lt
heliquoron
her.

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
We’
reyoudr
inki
ng?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Maybe.
”

Kumkani:“
Preci
ous,Iknowyou’r
ehurt,
butyou
can’
tputyourbaby’
slif
eindangerl
ikethat
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Kumkani
,youreal
lydi
dn’
thavet
obail
meout,
youknow.Besi
des,whydoyoucar
e?”

Kumkani:“Someonehast
o.Besi
des,
Icar
e
becauseI…”

Hereali
zedthati
fhehadsai dt
hathel
ovedher,
shewouldhavegott
enfreakedout
,sohejustcame
upwit
hsomet hi
ngelse.

Kumkani:“BecauseIcanseet hatyourfuturei
st oo
bri
ghtforyoutoruinitl
iket
his.You’renoteven
twent
yyetandyouj ustgotarrestedforattempted
murder.Howt hehelldoyout hi
nkyou’llgetoutof
t
hatone?
”

Pr
ecious:(
sigh)“
Idon’
tknow,
Kumkani.Al
lIknow
i
sthatIam ragi
ngri
ghtnowandIam r
eadytokil
l
hi
m.”

Kumkani
:“Whydon’
tyouj
ustl
eavehi
m?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
It
’sal
wayseasi
ersai
dthandone.
”

Kumkaniknewexactl
ywhatshewast al
kingabout
hencehewantedtosavehersobadl
y.Kumkani
wantedt
odr i
veherhome,butshedi
dn’twanttogo
ther
e.

Preci
ous:“Kumkani
,I
’dr
athernotgohomei
fthat
’s
okaywithyou.
”
Kumkani
:“Okay.
”

Hedrovehertohi
shouseandshewasi nawe.I t
wassobigandsobeauti
ful,andver
yelegantfora
man.Somet hi
ngtol
dherthatheli
vedalone.

Preci
ous:“Youhaveani
cehouse.Yourwi
fehas
goodtaste.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Idon’
thaveawi
fe.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Oh.DoyoumindifImakeaphonecal
l?
Il
eftmyphoneatmyhouse.
”

Kumkani
:“Sur
e.”

Hehandedherhi
scel
lphoneandshedi
all
ed
Mam’Thoko’
snumber
.Sheknewshemusthave
beenworri
edsi
ck,
eventhoughshewasn’
tthi
nki
ng
str
aight
.Theal
coholandthehor
moneswereabit
toomuch.

Thoko:“
Thokohel
lo?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ma,
it’
sme.
”

Thoko:“
Oh,
thankgoodness,
Preci
ous!Ar
eyou
okay?Whereareyou?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m saf
e.”

Thoko:“
Hol
don,
Mishwant
stot
alkt
oyou.
”

SheheardMishcur
singi
nt hebackgr
ound,
soundi
ngli
kehewasbeatingsomeoneup.
Mish:“
Youdi
dwhat?
!Itol
dyoutokeepaneyeon
herandmywif
ewassenttoj
ail
?!Howthef
uck
coul
dyoubesost
upid,
Pil
ot?
!”

Thoko:“
Stopt
hat
!Yourwi
fei
sont
hephone.
”

Mi
shcamer
unni
ngandt
ookt
hephonef
rom hi
s
mot
her
.

Mish:(
frant
ic)“
Preci
ous,
wher
ear
eyou?Ar
eyou
okay?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m saf
e.”

Mish:“
IsentRonzatobai
lyouout,
butyouweren’t
t
here.Apparent
lysomeonebai
ledyououtal
ready.
Whereareyousowecant al
k?”
Pr
eci
ous:(
sigh)“
I’
m atKumkani
’
shouse.
”

Mi
shbecameanger
edi
nst
ant
ly.

Mish:(
shouting)“Heh(huh)
?!Preci
ous,
areyou
f
uckingwithme? !You’remywif
eandyouallowed
t
hatfuckertobailyouout?!
”

Precious:“Iwasyourwifepr
ett
ymuchwhenyou
decidedtof uckCassandr
aandgetherpr egnant
,
wasn’ tI
?Ormaybeyouhavef orgot
ten.Itseems
asifyout endtoloseyourmemor yl
atel
y.”

Mish:“Pr
eci
ous,
please,
nowi
snott
het
ime.Ihave
t
ot al
ktoyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Savei
tforCassandr
a.Don’
tcal
lme.
”
Mi
sh:“
Preci
ous–“

Shehungupl
eavi
nghi
mfr
ust
rat
edbeyond.

Kumkanihadgonet
otheki
tchent
omakePr
eci
ous
ast
rongcupofcoff
ee.

Kumkani
:“Her
e.I
twi
llgetyousober
edupi
nno
t
ime.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
no.I
tsmel
lsawef
ul.
”

Kumkani
:“Ser
vesyour
ightf
ordr
inki
ngwhi
le
pr
egnant
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Please,
don’
tjudgeme.
”

Kumkani
:“Whenyou’
resober
,you’
l
lfeelr
eal
lybad
f
orsayi
ngt
hatr
ightnow.
”

Preci
ous:(
sigh)“CanIt
akeashower
?Idon’
tli
ke
howIsmellrightnow.
”

Kumkani
:“Sure.Iknowj
ailcel
lsdon’
tsmellni
ceat
al
l.Come,I’
l
lshowyoutooneoft hebedr
ooms.”

Theywentupstai
rsandshewasi nt
ri
guedbyhow
beauti
fult
heart
wor kwasonthewall
s.Het ookher
tooneofthebedroomsthathadanen-sui
t
bathr
oom.

Kumkani :“Ever
ythi
ngisbrandnewandcleani
n
here.I’
llgetyouoneofmyshi r
tstowear.Sor
ryI
don’thaveanyf emalecl
othi
ngforyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
That
’sokay,
thankyou.
”
Shegotundr essedandt ookashower .Sl owl ybut
surelyreal i
tyhither .Shecoul dhaveki l
led
Cassandr a.Agi rlthatherhusbanddeci dedt o
sleepwi t
h–wi l
li
ngl y.Whohadsheevenbecome?
Shest artedt ofeel bad–evenwor sefordr inking
whi l
epregnant .Shef i
nishedupandf oundal ar ge
Tshirtont hebedl aidoutf orherwi t
hat inynot e
“Sorry,i
t’
st hebestIcoul ddoatsuchshor tnot i
ce.
Ber i
ghtback, makeyour selfathome, Pr ettyLady.”
Shewal keddownt hestairsanddeci dedt ol ook
aroundt hehouse.Shesawqui t
eal otofphot osof
Kumkaniwi t
haf ewpeopl e,butnoneofhi m wi t
h
anyonewhol ookedl i
keawi feorgir
lfr
iend.The
furnit
urei nthehousewasmagni fi
cent–mor e
mat urethanwhatMi sh’
st astewasl i
ke.Wi thina
fewmi nut eshehadgonebackt ohishousewi th
someBur gerKing.

Kumkani
:“Iseeyou’
vesober
edupal
it
tl
e.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
embar
rassed)“
Bel
ievemeIwasn’
trai
sed
l
iket
hat
.”

Kumkani
:“Icant
ell
.Ibr
oughtyousomef
ood.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Howdi
dyouknowI
’
dbehungr
y.”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Ihaveasixt
hsense.Besi
des,
whenmysi st
erwaspregnant
,sheusedtoeatal
l
t
heti
me.”

Precioussmi
ledandbeganeat
ing.Onl
ythenshe
real
izedhowhungryshewas.

Kumkani
:“Yourhusbandwasher
e.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Kumkani
:“Hewashar
assi
ngmysecur
it
yout
side
becauset
heyr
efusedtol
ethi
mi n.Hehasbeen
blowi
ngupmyphonewi t
hcal
ls.Imighthavet
o
changemynumber.”

Preci
ous:“
Oh, shit
.I’
m sosorr
y,Kumkani
.Ireal
ly
di
dn’tmeant ogetyouwrappedupintomy
probl
emslikethis.MaybeIshouldl
eavebef
orehe
doessomet hi
ng.”

Kumkani:(
chuckl
ing)“Iknowhowtohandle
gangst
ers.Youdon’thavetol
eaveifyoudon’
twant
to.
”

Pr
eci
ousnoddedandcont
inuedeat
ingagai
n.

Pr
eci
ous:“
CanIaskyousomet
hing?
”

Kumkani
:“Sur
e.”
Preci
ous:“Isthi
swhatyoudo?Imeanhookupwi
th
yourstudents?”

Kumkani
:(chuckli
ng)“Idon’
tknowwhatyoumean.
Thi
sismyf i
rstyearl
ecturi
ng.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
nowIf
eelbadf
oreveni
nsi
nuat
ing.
”

Kumkani
:“I
t’
sokay,
Pret
tyLady.

Pr
ecious:“
Whydoyouevenseem i
nter
est
edi
na
gi
rlasdamagedasIam?”

Kumkani:“
Becauseyou’
respeci
alandver
yuni
que
andbel
ieveitornot
,Idr
eamtofyou.”

Preci
ous:(
laughi
ng)“
You’
resl
ickwi
thyourt
ongue,
hey.”
Kumkani
:“Icandoal
otmor
ewi
thmyt
ongue.
”

Shef el
tinstantvibr
ati
onsdownt oherclit
.Hi sbol
d
voicewassexyandent ici
ngenoughf orher.That
wast hever yfi
rstti
meshehadl ookedatKumkani ,
l
ikereall
yl ookedathim.Hewasabeaut i
fulman.
Theyhadamomentwher etheylookedintoeach
other’
seyesandi twasasiffort
hef i
rstti
meaman
wasl ookingatmor ethanherbeauty;hewas
l
ookingi ntohersoul.

Kumkani
:(soft
ly)“Your
emi
ndmeofsomeone;a
ver
ydearfri
end.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
real
ly…”

Kumkani
:“Yes.
”
Precioushadnoi dea,butKumkani sawa
resemblanceofGat shainher.Hehadnoi deaat
thatpointthathewassi t
ti
ngwiththeper sonhehad
beensear chingf
or–Pr incessBuhlebendaloNcube.

Preci
ous:(
cleari
ngthr
oat
)“I
’
vehadal
ongday.I
thi
nkIshouldtakeanap.
”

Kumkani
:“Ofcour
se.Come,
I’
llshowyout
oyour
room.
”

Kumkanimadeitseem soimminentasi
fshewas
al
readyl
ivi
ngther
e.Hewentupwi t
hhertot
he
sameroom shewastakingashowerin.

Kumkani
:“Youcansl
eepher
etoni
ght
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Doyoumindkeepi
ngmecompanyf ora
bi
t?Idon’
tnor
mal
lysl
eepatstr
anger
’shouses.”
Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Okay.
”

Thebedroom hadat vi
nit
.Shegotintobedasit
waswi nt
erti
me,soitwasabitchi
ll
y.Hegotinnext
toherandtheystar
tedwatchi
ngCindyKruger
’s
Spir
itonNextf
ix.

Kumkani
:“Iact
ual
lyl
ovet
hisshow.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Real
ly?Ineverf
igur
edyout
obeonet
o
wat
chsuch.
”

Kumkani:“
Andwhatki
ndofshowsdoIl
ookl
ikeI
enj
oy?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
tknow,
boLawandor
derso.
”
Kumkani:(
laughi
ng)“JustbecauseI
’
m al
awyer
,
doesn’
tmeanI ’
m bor
ing.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Not
ed.
”

Kumkani
:“Whydoyoul
iket
hisshow?
”

Precious:“
I’
veal
waysbeenf asci
natedwit
h
medi umsandallt
hoseki ndoft
hings.Apartf
rom
that,i
tmakesmef eelli
keIcanheal.Youknow,
aftermymom’ spassing.”

Kumkani
:“I
’
m sosor
ry.
”

Precious:“I
t’
sokay.Shewasli
ter
all
ymyonl
y
parent,butI’
m okaynow–Ithi
nk.
”

Kumkani
:“Ial
sonevergotovermyf
ather
’sdeat
h.I
mean,
hedi
edwhenIwassevent
een,
butyouknow,
t
hewoundj
ustneverheal
s.”

PreciousandKumkaniact uall
yhadsomuchi n
commonmor ethantheyact uall
yr eal
ized.She
l
ovedMi sh–dear l
y,butshedi dn’thavet hatki
ndof
connect i
onwithhim.Hewasherf ir
st,soshewas
basicall
yhangingontot hat.Sheknewt hataman
l
ikeKumkanicoul dhavebeenabl etogi veher
nothingbutthebest;mor emoneybutal somor e
happiness.Hewasr ealandMi shhadl iedenough,
butthatwasst i
llnotenoughf orhert oletgoasyet .
Theyendedupchat ti
ngunt i
lshef ellasleepinhis
arms.Hef oundhimselfwat chinghersl eepand
admi ri
ngherbeaty.

Kumkani
:“Onedayyou’
l
lbemi
ne,
Preci
ousVi
lakazi
.
Oneday.
”

Heref
err
edtoherinhermai
dennamebecausehe
j
ustdi
dn’
tval
idat
ehermarri
aget
oMish.Heknew
thattheguywasami st
ake,
andbeingt
hespir
it
ual
manhewas, hewasshownthatshewoul
dbehis
wife.Luckyforherhewasapati
entmanandavery
godf ear
ingman.

Kumkani :“
Phili
ppi
ans4:13says;“ Icandoallthi
ngs
t
hr oughChristwhost
rengt hensme. ”Ihavebeen
t
hr oughsomuch, Ms.Vilakazi.Iknowt hatwait
ing
foryoutobemi neisawal kinthepar k.I’
m pr
aying
foryou.”

Hekissedherf
orehear
danddr
if
tedof
ftosl
eepwi
th
heri
nhi sar
ms.
[
01/
27,
07:
46] :Chapt
er69

“Whenwearet
ir
ed,wear
eat t
ackedbyideaswe
conquer
edl
ongago.
”–Friedr
ichNiet
zsche

Thenextday,
Preci
ouswokeupf
eel
ingal
it
tl
ebad,
butnothinghadpr epar
edMishforwhatwasyetto
come.Sher ealizedKumkaniwasnotinbedwhen
shegotup.Shewasaboutt ogotakeashowerand
facethewor l
d, whenhewalkedinwithbreakf
aston
abreakfasttray;andalso–halfnaked.Mishwas
goodlooking, butKumkanihadakill
erbodywhich
l
eftPreciousdr ooli
ng.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Mor
ning,
Pret
tyLady.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
Mor
ning.
”

Kumkani:“It
houghtI’
dmakeyouahealt
hy
breakf
ast.Wecan’thaveapr
egnantwomannot
eati
ngproperl
y.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou.
”

Hesatnextt
oheri
nbedandt
heyat
etoget
her
.She
wasn’
tusedt osuchi
ntimatemoment s.Therewas
j
ustsomethingaboutKumkanithatseparat
edhim
fr
om Mish.Whi l
eeati
ng,Kumkani’
sphoner angand
heansweredit.

Kumkani
:“Hel
lo?Yes.Okay.
”

Hehungupandl
ookedatPr
eci
ous.

Pr
eci
ous:“
What
?”

Kumkani
:“Yourhusbandi
sher
eagai
n,har
assi
ng
mysecur
it
y.”

Pr
ecious:“
I’
m sosor
ryaboutt
hat
.MaybeIshoul
d
l
eave.”

Kumkani
:“You’
l
lleaveaf
teryouf
ini
shyour
br
eakf
astandt
akeagoodshower
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
thaveanyt
hingt
owear
.”

Kumkani :“
Iboughtyousomethi
ngtowear
yester
dayalready.Come,eatupandthent
akea
shower.Hewon’ tdoanythi
ngtoyou,
I’l
lmakesur
e
ofthat.
”

Preciousnoddedandt ookashoweraf t
ereati
ng.
Onceshewasdone, shefoundabeaut i
ful
,ti
ght
blackPradadr essonherbed.Sur pr
isi
ngl
yitwas
herexactsize.Itwasagoodt hingshehadn’t
start
edshowi ngyet ,
soitwouldf i
therper
fect
ly.
Shesmi ledtoher sel
fthi
nkingofjusthow
thoughtfulKumkaniwas.Onceshewasdr essed,
hewentbacki ntothebedroom andwasi nawe.

Kumkani
:(i
mpr
essed)“
Youl
ookamazi
ng.
”
Precious:(
blushi
ng)“
Thankyou.Ishoul
dreal
lyget
going.Idon’tknowhowtothankyoufor
everythi
ng.”

Kumkani
:“Youdon’
thavet
ogoi
fyoudon’
twant
t
o.”

Preci
ouswascontemplat
ingitf
orsur
e,butshehad
madevowsanddi dn’
twanttobeseenasawhor e
oranythi
ngassuch.

Precious:“
Thanks,butIdon’twantt
ogivehim or
myi n-l
awsthewrongi mpressi
onaboutmeoryou.
Beforeyouknowi t
,youcouldloseyourjobasa
l
ecturer.
”

Kumkani:(
nodding)“
Spokenl
ikeawi sewoman.I
under
stand,butyou’
l
lowemel unch.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Kumkanigentl
yputhishandonherbackast hey
walkedout
.Oncet heywereheadedtothegate,
theybot
hsawMi shandRonza.Mi shlooked
seri
ousl
ypissed,
butPreci
ousdidn’
treal
lycare.

Mish:(
angered)“Wena(You)
,Kumkani.Ler
eteke
wena(youdick).Youthi
nkyoucansleepwit
hmy
woman, buyherexpensi
vecl
othesandgetaway
wi
thit?
!”

Kumkani :(
chuckl
ing)“I
tgoestoshowhowl i
tt
leyou
thi
nkofyourwoman, Meshack.Idon’
ttake
advantageofpregnantmarri
edwomen.Andt rust
me,ifIwantedhertosleepwithme,Iwouldhave.
”

Meshack:(
fumi
ng)“
Voet
sek,
sani(
Pissof
f,boy)
!”
Kumkani:“
Thi
sisgetti
ngt i
ri
ng.Idon’
thaveti
meto
fi
ghtwit
hsmallboys.I’
llseeyousoon,Pr
ett
yLady.
Takegoodcar
eofyour self
.”

Kumkanismil
edandhuggedPreciousjustt
osee
Meshacksqui
rmf r
om t
heothersi
deoft hegate.
Preci
ouswasabouttowal
koutandMi shstopped
Kumkani,
bythrowi
ngasmallenvelopetowardshim.

Mi
sh:“
Her
eisyourbai
lmoney.Idon’
tdochar
it
y.”

Kumkanipi
ckedi
tupandfeltr
eal
lyi
nsul
ted.He
t
hengaveitt
othetwoguards.

Kumkani
:“Her
eisR20000.Youcaneachtaketen.
Ial
sodon’
tneedyourmoney,
Meshack.Byefor
now.”

Mi
shwassoanger
ed,
mor
eespeci
all
yfort
hef
act
t
hatKumkaniwasnoteasi
lyangeredl
ikehewas.
Hewantedt
ochargeathim,butRonzastoppedhi
m.

Ronza:“
No,
Bozza(Boss).Youcan’
tdot
hat
.Not
her
eandmostdefi
nit
elynotnow.
”

Meshacktr
iedtocal
m down.Hedi
dn’tevenopen
t
hedoorforPreci
ous.Hewenti
nattheback,whi
le
Ronzawentinandsatatt
heDri
ver
’sside.

Mish:“
Wat
senaorbj
ang(
Areyouget
ti
ngi
nor
not)
?”

Preci
ousgavehim onelookandopenedthe
passengerdoornextt
oRonzaandsatthere,
makingMi shworse.

Mish:(
infur
iated)“Di
evrouont
lwael
amasepa(
Thi
s
womani sfullofshit
)!
”
Preci
ouspai
dnomi ndtohim whil
ehewas
shouti
ngandyel
li
ng,evencursi
ngather
.

Mish:(f
urious)“Howt hefuckcouldyoudot hat
,
Preci
ous? !Whydi dn’
tyoucallmeorj ustl
ethergo?!
Youjusthadt oshootherandl andyoursel
finajai
l
cell
!Nowyou’ r
efuckingyourownl ect
urer
?!Ipay
foryourfeesandt hi
sishowyour epayme? !
Answerme, dammi t
!”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mish,
war
asa(
you’
remaki
ngnoi
se)
.”

Mi
sh:(
shocked)“
Aski
es(
Excuseme)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Onkut
lwi
le(
Youhear
dme)
.”

Mishgotsoangr
ythathegr
abbedherthr
oatfr
om
t
heback,butbef
orehecoul
devengri
phisarms
ar
oundherneck,
sheopenedthedoorwhi
leRonza
wasdr
ivi
ngandfelloutoft
hecar
.

Ronza:“
Shit!Mish,marakengkawena(whati
s
wrongwithyou)
? !She’
spregnantf
orf
uck’
ssake!
”

Ronzahadt ost
opthecarandMishqui
cklygotout
.
Everyonewaswatchi
ngastheywereshocked.
Preciousqui
ckl
ygotupandstar
tedscr
eaming.

Mi
sh:“
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng?
”

Preci
ous:“Idar
eyou.ComenearmeandI
’l
lscr
eam
andtel
lthewholeworl
dyou’
ret
ryi
ngt
okil
lme.”

Mish:“
Okay,aski
es(I
’m sor
ry)
.I’
l
lshutupj
ust
pl
easegetinthecar
.”
Precious:(chuckl
ing)“
Soyoucankil
lmewhenno
one’swat ching?Idon’
tfucki
ngt
hinkso.
”

Ronza:“
Peoplear
estari
ng,Preci
ous.Bef
oreyou
knowitwe’
llbeal
loversoci
almedia.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
tgi
veashi
t!
”

Ronza:“
Fine.Whatdoyouwant
?”

Preci
ous:“
Givemethekeys.I
’
m dri
vingandt
he
twoofyouaresi
tt
ingatt
heback.
”

Mi
sh:“
What
?!”

Ronza:“
Qui
et,
Mish!Fi
ne.
”

Hehandedhert
hekeysandt
heydi
dasi
nst
ruct
ed,
l
eavingpeoplewonderingwhatwashappeni
ng.
Preci
ousdidn’tst
artt
hecarandstar
edatthem
fr
om therear
viewmi r
ror.

Mish:“
Onyakaengbj
anong(
Whatdoyouwant
now)?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Putyourgunsont
hatseat
.”

Ronza:“Justdoi
t,Mi
sh.Kel
api
lennayoh(
I’
m
t
ir
ed).”

Theybothputthei
rgunsont heseatandshedrove
offwit
hthem.Shet ookt
henor malroutet
otheir
house,butst
oppedunderneaththebri
dgejust
minutesawayfrom t
hehouse.

Mi
sh:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“
Kengbj
anong(
Whatnow)
?”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Getout
.Bot
hofyou.
”

Ronzaopenedhi
sdoorwit
houtanyhesi
tat
ion,
whi
le
Mishwasaboutt
oargue.

Mish:“
I’
m notget
ti
ngoutoft
hisf
ucki
ngcar
.Dr
ive
ushomenow! ”

Pr
eci
oustookoneoft
hegunsandpoi
ntedi
tat
Mi
sh,whowasbeyondshocked.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wat
swaorbj
ang(
Areyouget
ti
ngoutor
what
)?”

Mi
shgotoutcaut
iousl
y.

Mish:“Bona(
Look)
,baby.Idi
dn’
tmeantosoundso
harsh.Imean,wecantal
kaboutt
his.
”
Precious:“
Youthinkyou’r
esoclever,hey.You
thi
nkyoucanor dermear ound,ki
ckmear oundand
beatmeupl i
keIam yourli
tt
leshi
tbag!I tstops
now.You’ regoi
ngtotellmewhatt hefuckisgoing
onrightnoworelse,I’
l
lblowyourheadof f.”

Mi
sh:“
Youwoul
dn’
tdar
e.”

PreciousshotMishi
nthel
eftt
high,
causi
nghi
mto
scream inagony.

Mi
sh:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Aaah!
”

Ronza:(
shocked)“
Preci
ous,
whatt
hef
uck?
!”

Preci
ous:“
Today,you’
regoi
ngtolearntorespect
yourwif
e,wena(you),
Mish.Now, Iwon’
taskagain.
Wherethefuckwhereyouyest
erday?Howcome
Kumkanihadtobailmeouti
nst
eadofmyown
fucki
nghusband?
”

Mish:“
Stopt
his,
Precious!You’
rebehavi
ngl
ikea
desper
atebi
tchr
ightnow.”

Preciousbecamesoinf
uriatedbythat,
sheshothi
m
i
nhi srightt
high,
andhefelldownscreami
nginpain
onceagai n.

Ronza:(
shocked)“
Fuck,okay!Wehadt
ogodoa
j
obbecausewe’rebasi
call
ybroke.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

Mi
sh:Aaa!Ronza,
don’
tsel
lmeout
,br
a.”

Ronza:“
You’
ret
her
easonwe’
rei
nthi
sshi
tri
ght
now.Bona( look)Precious,yourhusbandhasbeen
overspendi
ng.Eversi ncetheweddi ng.The
honeymoon, t
hecarheboughtyou–t hegif
tsand
eventhenewhouse.We’ r
ef l
atbrokeandwe
neededtogetbackonourf eetorelseother
member swouldn’thaveasal aryanymor e.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Sowhatdi
dyoudo?
”

Ronza:“
Wedi
dwhatwedobest–wewentona
hei
st.
”

Preci
ouswasintoomuchshock.Assoonas
Ronzasaidt
hatsheimmediat
elyf
eltapaini
nher
st
omach.Shehel dherst
omachbrief
lyandcri
ed
outinpai
n.

Pr
eci
ous:(
scr
eami
ngl
ight
ly)“
Aah!
”
Ronza:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Areyouokay?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
mfi
ne.
”

Mish:“Youwantt
oki
llmybaby,Preci
ous?Isthati
t?
Youdon’twantt
hebabyandnowyou’regoing
rogueonmebecauseyou’
resecret
lyhopi
ngthat
youloseit
?”

Pr
eciouswashurtthatMishdi
dn’
tshoweventhe
l
eastamountofdecencyorremor
seconcer
ningthe
wholeCassandr
aissue.

Preci
ous:“Onal emolomo( Youtalkt
oomuch),
Mish.Idon’tgiveashitwhatyoudowi th
Cassandra.From nowon, youruneveryt
hingbyme
–Imeanever ything.Ronza,I’
dliket
ohavealook
atyourbooksASAP, pl
ease.”
Ronza:“
Eish,youruncleusedt
odoi
tforus.Wi
th
hi
m gone,everyt
hingisamess.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m goodatMat
h.I
’
llt
akeal
ook.
”

Ronzanodded.

Preci
ous:“
Onemor ethi
ng,Mish.I’
mi nchar genow.
Imeanit.Ifyousoast oeventhinkoffuckingme
overagai
n,itwil
lbetheendofourmar riage.Just
becauseyou’repayi
ngformyf eesdoesn’tmean
youownme. ”

Pr
eciousgoti
ntot
hecar,
leavi
ngRonzachuckl
ing
i
nter
nall
yandMishdeepl
yupset.

Mi
sh:“
Youcan’
tleavemeouther
eli
ket
his.
”
Preci
ous:“Whynot?Iwasi njai
lwhyyouwer etoo
busygoingonheist
s.CallCassandr aoroneofyour
bi
tchestotakeyoutohospit
al.I’
llseeyouat
home.”

Shegotintot
hecaranddroveoff.Ronzawas
act
uall
yimpressedr
atherthanangry.Hefoundthe
wholescenesoamusingthathestart
edlaughi
ng.

Mish:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm,
whatt
hef
ucki
sso
f
unny?”

Ronza:(l
aughi
ng)“Ah,
Bozza.Youcreatedt
his
monster.Youreal
lydi
dn’
tthi
nkthatshe’
dbecryi
ng
for
ever,
didyou?Youfuckedupandyoucan’teven
admiti
t.
”

Mish:“Hayif
ok(
fuck)man.She’
smywif
e!Mine!I
am theheadoft
hehousehol
dandshei
ssupposed
tosubmittome!
”
Ronza:“Aft
erever
ything,
youstillhaven’tl
ear
ntshi
t?
Comeon, Bozza.Ifyoudon’tstepupandchange
yourways,you’
regoingtoloseher .Doyou
honest
lythi
nkthatshewon’ tf
allforthatKumkani?
Hehasmoney–mor emoneyt hanyou. ”

Mi
shkeptqui
etf
orasecondandl
eti
tal
lsi
nki
n.

Ronza:“Whenyoumadet hosevows,youvowedt o
l
oveandpr ot
ectandtobefaithf
ul,butyouf
ail
edt
o
dothat.Now,howdoyout hinkthatbabywil
l
sur
viveift
hemot heri
sfor
everstressed?Comeon,
Bozza.Getyourshitt
oget
her.Shei stooyoungf
or
al
lthi
s.Ididwarnyou.”

MishknewthatRonzawasri
ght
.Hedidcal
la
spadeaspade–always,nomat
terhowmuchit
wouldbur
ntohearit.
Mish:“
Fine.I
’
m bl
eedi
ngout
.Cal
lBi
gzt
ocome
andfet
chus.”

Ronza:“
Iwoul
d,butmyphonei
sint
hecar
.Iguess
we’
rewalki
ng.
”

Mishwassoangr y,butknowi ngRonzaandhowhe

fel
t,her eallydidn’tcaremuchf orhi sanger .Whi le
theytookawal kbackt ohi shouse, Precious
enteredt hecompl ex.Thesecur it
yguar dswer e
evenaf raidt olookather , butsher eallydidn’tcar e.
Angerandhur taredanger ousemot ions, muchl ike
j
ealousyandenvy.Cont inuousdi sappoi ntment
endsupi nr esentment ;regr et
;deni alandt onsof
anger .Pr eciouswal kedi nandnot i
cedt hebl ood
wasst i
llri
ghtwher eshel eftit.Sher ecal l
edt he
wholescenei nhermi ndandsheknewt hatitjust
wasn’ ther .Shewasn’ ti
nherr ightst ateofmi nd.
Shebasi call
ybl ewaf use.James4: 31says;“ For
man’ sangerdoesnotbr ingaboutt her ighteousl ife
thatGoddesi r
es.”Thesayi ng“ hellhat hnof ur yli
ke
awomanscor ned”goesar eall
ylongway.Mi sh
wasyettor eal
izehowhef uckedwi tht hewr ong
woman.Shedi dn’tevenbot herchangi ngher
cl
othes,assher eall
ylikedthedr ess.I treminded
herofKumkanif orgoodr easons.Shemade
hersel
fsomef oodandaf t
erabouthal fanhour ,
Ronzawalkedi nwi t
hMi shar oundhi sar m.Mi sh
gavePreciousanevi ll
ook,butsher eallydidn’
tcare.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
you’
reback.Fi
nal
ly.
”

Ronza:“
I’
llgogett
hef i
rstai
dkitsot
hatIcanst
art
worki
ngonhi sbul
letwounds.”

Preci
ous:“
Whil
eyou’reati
t,pl
easebr
ingmethe
bookssoIcanstar
tlooki
ngthrought
hem sol
ong.
”

Ronza:“
Sho(
Sur
e)Bossl
ady.
”
MishlookedatPreci
ousandhatedt hewomanshe
wasbecomi ng,
butshehonestl
yfeltsogoodabout
i
t.Shelovedhavingpoweroverhim –justashe
l
ikedhavingpoweroverher
.

Mi
sh:(
annoyed)“
You’
reenj
oyi
ngt
his,
aren’
tyou?
”

Preci
ous:(si
gh)“Theonl
ythi
ngI’
l
lenj
oyisa
peacefulpr
egnancywit
houtyoui
nmyf ace.
”

Sheswit
chedont
het
vandshemadeheadl
ine
news.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
look,
I’
mfamous.
”

Reporter
:“Iti
ssai
dthatMrs.NdhlovushotMs.
CassandraFili
eswit
htheint
enttokil
l,uponlearni
ng
thatMr.MeshackNdhlovuimpregnatedMs.Fi l
ies
thenightbefor
ehisweddi
ngtoMr s.Ndhlovu.Mr s.
Ndhlovuisal
soa19yearoldl
awstudentatthe
Univer
sit
yofPret
ori
a.Whichbri
ngsonetoquesti
on:
wil
lshebetheonewho’
llbeget
tingherhusband
outofpri
sonwhenthet
imecomes? ”

Preciouswasdeepl yannoyed.Sheknewi thad

Cassandr awr i
tt
enalloveri
t.Herfacewas
splashedacr ossal
lsocialmedi
apl at
for
ms.A
hashtagwasevenst art
edinhername
#Desper ateGangst
erWife.ShelookedatMish
unimpr essed.

Mi
sh:“
I’
llf
ixt
his,
Presh.Ipr
omi
se.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youdot
hat
.”

Ronzacamebackwit
ht hekitandsomeal
coholt
o
numbthepainanddi
sinfectt
hewound.Healso
gavePreci
oust
hebooks.
Preci
ous:“
Thankyou.I
’
llbei
nthebedr
oom i
f
anyoneneedsme.”

Ronzanoddedatherandshewal
kedt
othe
bedr
oom.

Mish:(
cur
sing)“Fuck!Cassandr
aungi
jwael
a
amasimba(isf
ullofshi
t)
!”

Ronza:“Youhavet
wopregnantwomeninyourl
if
e
ri
ghtnow.Yourbrot
herwil
lbeonyourcaseaswell
verysoon.”

Mish:“Howdaresheimpl
ementmywi
fel
iket
hat
?!
I
’m aboutt
okil
lthatwhor
e!”

Ronza:“
No,youcan’tdot
hat
.Notnow.Ther e’
stoo
muchheatatthemoment.Waitf
oreveryt
hingto
di
edown.Youj usthavet
omakesurethatthecase
get
sthr
ownoutofcour
t.
”

Mi
sh:“
Ican’
tbel
ieveI
’
vebeensost
upi
d.”

Ronza:“
What
’sdonei
sdone,
Baf
o(Br
o).
”

Mi
sh:“
Notexact
ly.
”

Ronza:“
Orabj
ang(
Whatdoyoumean)
?”

Mish:“Icoul
dgetBridget
.ThatwayPreci
ouswill
fi
nall
yunleashallt
heangershehasbeencarr
ying
andI’
llbeinhergoodbooksagain.
”

Ronza:(
laughi
ng)“Youstil
ldon’
tknowwomen, do
you?Besides,
Bridgethasalotofdi
rtonyou,
Bozza.Youcan’tri
skit.
”
Mish:“I
’l
ljusthavet omakesur eshedoesn’tt
alk.If
Preci
ousf i
ndsoutt hatIhaveknownt hetrut
habout
whosher eallyis,thenI’l
lloseherforr
eal.Ican’t
l
oseher ,
Ronza, especiall
ytoaguyl i
keKumkani .
Allmylif
eIhaveneverbeenscar edoflosingany
bi
tch,butmywi feismymostpr i
zedpossessi
on.I
haveneverhadt ocompet e,butt
hisKumkaniguyi s
makingmef eelthepr essure.”

Ronza:“
Takethesepi
ll
sandsl
eepal
it
tl
e.We’
l
lsor
t
outever
ythi
ngtomorr
ow.”
[
01/
27,
07:
47] :Chapt
er70

“Youar
enotarehabcent
er;i
tisnotyourj
obt
ofi
x
ever
yone.
”-Unknown

WhileMishendeduppassi ngoutont hecouch,

Ronzatookituponhimselftosleepinthespare
bedroom.Thatway, Pr
eciouswoul dn’
tki
llMish.
Preci
ouswasbusyl ooki
ngt hr
ought hefi
nancial
recordsoft hegangandshewasbeyondst unned.
Ofcour seThokoandherf r
iendshadbeencal l
ing
non-stoptryingtor eachherami dstthewholesocial
medi asaga, butshewasn’ tbothered.Shehad
switchedof fherphonef orfivehours,whi
lewor ki
ng
ont herecordsoft hecompany.Shecoul dn’t
beli
evet hatamanasf ocusedasMi shwasso
recklesswithmoney.

Theonl yst ablethingatt hatmomentwast het axis.

TheChesaNyamaaswel lasthebot t
lestorewas
cracking, ashewasn’ tevenst ockingasmuchashe
usedt o.Sheknewt hatt hingsneededt ochange–
drast i
call
y.Shedeci dedt ogot hroughherphone
andper useaf ewmessagesofi nt
erest.Shecame
acr ossapar ti
cularnumberonherWhat sAppt hat
shedi dn’tr ecognize.“ Ihopeyou’ resafe,Pr ett
y
Lady.Imi ssyouandIt hankyouf orgracingt his
bedwi thyouramazi ngscent .NowIcan’ tstop
thinkingaboutyouandsomet hi
ngt el
lsmeI ’l
lbe
sleepingher eforawhi le.Ihopeyou’ reokayami dst
thewhol esoci almedi at hing,
butdon’ tyouwor ry.I
sorteditout.Justmakesur eyouwat chthenews
tomorrowmor ningat8.Callmewhenyougett he
chance.K. ”Shesmi l
edtohersel
f.Thatmessage
actuall
ywar medherhear tinwaysthatsher eall
y
neededt ofeelatthatmoment .Shefeltt
hatwei rd
crampagai n,justli
keshehadhourspr i
or,butit
quickl
ysubsi ded.Shet ookashoweranddeci ded
totryandsleep, butshefoundMishinbedonhi s
side.

Pr
ecious:(
angered)“
Youdon’
tthi
nkyou’
l
lbe
sl
eepingheret
onight
,doyou?
”

Mish:“Eish,
Precious.I
’m wounded,
inpainandjust
exhausted.Can’twejustfi
xthi
s?Wepr omised
eachotherthatwe’dnevergotobedangry.”

Pr
eci
ous:“Weal
sopromisedoneanot
hert
hatwe
woul
dn’
tli
etooneanot
her.”
Mi
sh:“
Eish,
Presh,
please.
”

Shefel
tthatwei
rdcr
amponceagai
nandf
rowned
assheheldherst
omach,
leavi
ngMi
shwor
ried.

Mi
sh:“
Ismybabyokay?
”

Precious:“Ican’tdealwi
thyour
ightnow.I
fyou
don’tleave,I
’l
lleave.”
Mi
sh:“Fi
ne.I
’l
lsleeponthecoucht
hen,
justt
o
makesur
ethatyou’r
eokay.
”

Shei gnor
edhim andgotdressedrighti
nf r
ontof
him.Aswoundedandi npainashewas, hi
spenis
reall
ydidrespondtohi
swife’sbeautif
ulbody.Ever
sinceshefellpr
egnant
,sheglowedawhol elot
mor eandherhipswereabi twider
.

Mi
s:“
I’
mreal
lysor
ry,
baby.Iknowt
hatsor
ry
doesn’
tfi
xanythi
ng,butIr
egreti
teachandevery
day.Idon’tl
oveCassandr
a,butsheisobsessed
wit
hme. ”

Therei
ssomet hi
ngaboutaman’ sweakapol
ogy
aft
ercheati
ng.Itjustweakenst
hewoman’smind
andhit
srightatyoursoul.

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Didyouuseacondom?
”

Mish:“Yes,whichiswhyIdon’
tunder
standwhyshe
wouldsayt hatsheispr
egnant
.Iswear,i
fshei
s
t
heni ti
sn’tmine.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
tear
y)“
Howmanyt
imes?
”

Mi
sh:“
What
?”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Howmanyt
imesdi
dyouf
uckher
?”

Mishknewt hathewasn’tatlibert
yt oanswerthat
,
butinhismindhehadbeenr eplayi
ngt hewhole
scene.Onlythenhehadhadhi sown“ ohshit
”
momenti nsil
ence.Hehadsomanyr oundswith
herthathecompletel
yforgotifheusedcondoms
duringal
lofthem.Howcoul dhehavebeenso
stupid?Heputhiswife’
sheal thinjeopardy.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ithoughtasmuch.
”

Mi
sh:“
Wai
t,baby,
it’
snotl
ike–“

Pr
eci
ous:“
Swi
tchof
fthel
ightbef
oreyousl
eep.
”

Sheignor
edhi
m andgotint
ot hecovers.Itonl
yhi
t
herwhenhesai
dhislousy“
I’
m sor r
y”thathehad
cheat
edonherforr
eal.Hedisregardedthei
rvows
evenbefor
etheyhadevent akenthem.Itwasso
messedupandsheknewi ttoo.Hercr ampswer e
star
ti
ngagai
n,butshetr
iedtoignorethem unti
lshe
wenttosl
eep.ShewaswokenupbyMam’ Thoko
shouti
ngatRonzaint
hekitchen.

Thoko:“
Kuni
ningif
ouna(
I’
vebeencal
li
ng)
!Uphi
ena(Wherei
sshe)?
!”

Ronza:“
Eish,
usal
ele(
she’
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng)
,Ma.
”

SheheardthefootstepsasThokoknockedonce
andopenedthedoor .Shef oundMishwithbl
oody
bandagesonhist hi
ghsandwasn’ tevenbot
hered
abouthim.Precioushadbeenf eeli
ngthecr
amps
onandof fal
lni
ght ,
butthatmorningtheydi
dn’
t
subsi
de.Shet r
iedtohideitbutherfacehadgi
ven
ever
ythi
ngaway.

Thoko:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Oh,
mybaby.uRi
ght(
Areyou
okay)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
mfi
ne,
Ma.
”

Thoko:(
holdi
ngherf
ace)“
Yini(
Whati
sit
)?Whydo
youlooksopale?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
I’
m okay,
Ma.
”

Thoko:“
No,you’
renot
.You’rebur
ningup.Come,
gotakeashowerandI’
llmakeyousomethi
ngto
eat
.”

Shetri
edt
ogetup,butthecrampsweregett
ing
worse.Asshegotupfrom t
hebed,Thokogasped
i
nshockandsodidMi sh.

Thoko:“
Oh,
Nkosi
yami(
mygoodness)
.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Whati
sit
?”

Mi
sh:(
wor
ri
ed)“
You’
rebl
eedi
ng.
”

Shet urnedar oundandl ookedatt hespotwher e

shesl ept.Shesawal otofblood.Shel ooked
behindherandsawbl oodonherpant sandt henit
hither.Shedi dn’tsaymuchandl etthet ear
sf l
ow
downsi l
ently.Thokot r
iedtoremai nst r
ong, buther
heartjustcoul dn’ttakeit.Thewhol escene
remindedheroft hetimeShadr ackki ckedherso
hardt hatthef oetusshewascar ryingdr oppedr i
ght
ontot hefloor.Shewasn’ tevensi xmont hs
pregnantyet .I twasherbabygi r
l.Shenever
healedf r
om t hat.

Thoko:(
cryi
ng)“
Come,
let
’sgetyout
othehospi
tal
.”

Pr
eci
ousst
unnedt
hem bot
hwi
thherr
esponse.
Pr
eci
ous:“Letmet
akeashowerf
ir
st.I
’
llmeetyou
i
ntheki
tchen.”

Theywerebot hsoshockedandspeechlessast
hey
watchedherslowlywalktot
hebathroom.She
l
ockedherselfint
hereandcri
ed.Shet r
iednott
o
makenoise,buteventhemostsi
lentsobsmaket he
mostnoise.

Thoko:(
upset
)“Thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
t,Meshack.
”

Mish:(
cryi
ng)“
Ma, Ir
eal
lyam sor
ry.Idi
dn’
twant
hertol
osethebaby.”

Thoko:“Haven’
tyoulear
ntanythi
ngfr
om your
fat
her,Meshack?Don’tyourememberhowhe
madeussuf fer
?HowhemadeMEsuf fer
?Ist
hat
whatyouwant ?Toturnthepoorchi
ldint
oanold
womanbef oresheevenreaches21?
”
Mi
sh:(
cryi
ng)“
No,
Man.Il
oveher
.”

Thoko:“
Youdon’
tknowwhatl
ovei
s,Meshack.Let
hergo.Imeanit
.”

Mish:“
Ngiyaxol
isa(I
’
m sorr
y),Ma.Butthisti
me,I
won’tl
ist
entoyou.IlovePreci
ous,
Ican’tli
ve
wit
houther.Iam goingt
ofixthi
s–justhavehope
i
nme. ”

THoko:(cr
ying)“
Youbrokethatgi
rlbeyondrepai
r.
Lethergo,Meshack.I
t’
stheri
ghtthi
ngt odoand
youknowit.”

Mish:“
Ma, havefai
thinme.JustlikeIsavedyou
f
rom uBaba( dad)
,Icansavemyselffr
om becoming
t
hemonst erIam ri
ghtnow.Ihelpedyoul ongago,
whydon’tyouhavef ai
thi
nmer i
ghtnow? ”
Thokoknewt hatt
hingswerebadatt hatpoint
.
Mi shwasbecomi ngmanipulat
ive,
justlikehis
father.Hewasusi nghismother’
strustandpast
experiencesasacr ut
chandanexcusef orherto
trusthim agai
n.

Thoko:“
Okay.
”

Precioust ookhertimeandchangedhercl othes.

Sheputapadonandwal kedout .Heremot ions
couldnotbehi dden,butshewasunbot heredatt hat
point.Sheknewr i
ghtthereandt henwhenshewas
standingint heshower ;seeingclotscomi ngoutof
hert hatherbabywasbei ngexcr etedoutofher
body.Li fewasabi tunfair
,shet hought.She
par t
ial
lyblamedher selffordrinkingthepr evious
day.Shehadn’ tbeenpr egnantf orverylongand
alreadythatgiftwast akenfrom her .Shehadn’ t
reali
zedatt hatpointthatshehadf orgott
enhowt o
pray.Per hapst henshewoul dhaver eceivedher
answer
s.

Mi
sh:“
I’
llgogett
hecarr
eady.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Idon’
twantyounearme.Mam’
Thoko
wi
llt
akeme. ”

Mi shwasdeepl yhur
t.I
twasf ortheveryf
ir
sttime
thathesawsomuchhur tinhereyes.Thelasttime
hesawt hatwaswhenhermot herpassedaway.He
didn’tevenfeelt
heneedtoargueandmaket hings
wor se.

Mish:“
Okay.Atleastl
etmecal
lyourdoct
orandt
ell
hi
mt oexpectyou.
”

Preci
ous:“Youcandothatwhi
lewe’
reonourway.
Canwepl easego,Ma?
”
Thoko:(
fai
ntsmi
le)“
Ofcour
seMa.
”

TheywalkedoutandMishwasover comewi thhur

t;
regr
etandsorr
ow.Howcoul dhel etthi
ngsbecome
sobad?Hepr omisedhertheworldonlyf orhimto
shatt
erit
.Hediall
edherdoctorandbr i
efedhim on
thesit
uati
on.Ronzawalkedinandf oundmi sh
cryi
ng.Hehadneverseenhiml i
ket hat
.

Ronza:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Eh,
Bozza(
Boss)
.Whatnow?
”

Mish:“I
t’
stimef
ormet osor
taf
ewbi
tchesout–
st
arti
ngwi t
hCassandr
a.”

Ronza:“
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
”

Mish:“
Ift
hatchi
ldreall
yismi
ne,
uzomuhl
ansa
(
she’l
lvomitt
hatchil
d).
”
Ronza:(shocked)“No,Bozza.Ar
eyout
hinki
ng
whatIthinkyou’r
ethinki
ng?”

Mi
sh:“I
t’
sherfaul
tal
lthi
sbull
shi
thappened.She
wi
llr
egr
etevermessi
ngwi t
hme.”

Meanwhi l
e,Preciouscouldn’tevenut t
erawor din
thecar.Shewasact ual
ly–emot i
onless.She
didn’
tknowhowt ofeelactually.Anger ,gri
ef,hurt,
sadness;thosewer etheti
poft heiceberg
comparedt ohowshewasf eeling.Thokocoul dn’
t
evencomf ortherbecausesheknewt hatnothi
ng
shesaidordi dwouldevermakei tokay.Theygot
tothehospitalandthedoctorwasi ndeedexpect i
ng
her.Shewaswheel edstrai
ghtt otheemer gency
room al
ongwi thThokobyhersi de.Ther ewasno
ti
met ochangeher ,sotheydi dwhatt heycould.

Doctor:“Mr
s.Ndhlovu,Iknowyou’
reabitner
vous,
butpleaset
ryandr emaincal
m.Ihavetocheckyou
vi
asonarscanfirsttoseewhat’
shappeningi
nther
e,
okay?
”

Preciousjustnoddedwi thoutsayi
ngawor d.The
doctorgotbusy, putthefamouscoldgelonher
tummyandbeganwi t
hhiswor k.I
mmedi at
elyhis
faci
alexpr essi
onchanged.Thokonot i
cedwhi l
e
Precious’seyeswer egluedtothescreen.She
couldn’thearanyhear t
beatorseeanyf oetusthat
l
ookedl ikeahalfbean.Sheknewf rom thescreen
thatherbabywasnomor e.

Thoko:“
Whati
sit
,doct
or?
”

Doctor
:(cl
eari
ngthr
oat)“
Preci
ous,mayyoupl
ease
tel
lmehowl ongyouhavebeenbleedi
ng?
Esti
mated?”

Precious:“
I’
m notsur
e.Ihadcrampsonandoff
yesterdayandthedaybef
ore,
butthi
smorni
ngI
wokeupwi t
hbloodonmybed.WhenIwentt ot
ake
ashower,
clot
swerecomingoutofme.Spar
eme
t
hespeech,doc.Tel
lme;i
smybabygone?”

Doctor
:“I
’m afr
aidyouj
usthadami scar
ri
age,
Preci
ous.Seemst omethatitwascausedby
st
ress.Iam terr
ibl
ysor
ry.
”

Pr
eciousref
usedt
ocry,
whil
eThoko’
stear
swer
e
st
reamingdownherf
ace.

Pr
eci
ous:“
So,
whatnow?
”

Doct or:“
Well,wehavetot akeyouinf orawomb
scrub.I twon’thurtmuch,butwej ustneedtomake
suret hatal
lther emai
nsar egone.Thatwaywe
preventanyinf ecti
onorfurtherdamagetoyour
uterus.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”
Doctor:“
I’
llgett
heprocessstar
ted.Theprocessi
s
abitcostl
ywi t
houtmedicalai
d,I’
m af
rai
d.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Doct
or:“
Yourmedi
calai
dhasl
apsed,
Mrs.
Ndhl
ovu.”

Preci
ous:“Cal
lmyhusbandandtel
lhi
m howmuch
youwillneedf
ortheprocedur
e.Hewi
llsendt
he
moneyi mmediat
ely.
”

Doct
or:“
Okay.
”

Thoko:(
tear
y)“
Iam sosor
ry,
mybaby.
”

Shedi
dn’
thaveanywor
dst
ospar
e,butal
lshe
knewwast hatMeshackNdhl ovu,
amanshef ellf
or
wasthereasonforherhur tandheneededtopay.
Deepdownshest il
llovedthebastar
d,whichmade
i
tevenmor ehardertoletgo.Meanwhile,
Kumkani
wasveryhappy.Hewassohappy, t
hathedeci
ded
tocal
lhi
smot her,Zandi.

Zandi
:“Hel
lo,
myboy.Unj
anikodwa(
Howar
e
you)
?”

Kumkani:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ma,
Iam notaboyanymor
e,
youknow.”

Zandi
:“Tome, you’
l
lal
waysbemyboyevenwhen
you’
resixt
y.”

Kumkani
:“Ar
eyousur
eyou’
l
lbeal
ivebyt
hen?
”

Zandi
:(chuckl
ing)“
Don’
tgett
oobi
gforyourpant
s.
Now,
tel
lme,
howar
eyou,
real
ly.
”

Kumkani:“
Yoh(Wow),Ma.Youwon’
tbel
ievet
his.
Shespenttheni
ghtatmypl
ace.
”

Zandi
:(f
rowni
ng)“Sosoon?Kumkani
,yourf
ather
andIneverr
aisedyout
osleepwi
thmarri
ed
women.”

Kumkani
:“Relax,
Ma.Wedi dn’tevenki
ss.I
t’
sa
l
ongstor
y,butbottom l
inei
sthatIhaveneverfel
t
l
iket
hisaboutanywomanbef ore.
”

Zandi
:“That’
swhathappenswhenyoumeetyour
soulmate,myson.Thathappenedt
oyourf
ather
,
andhisfat
her,andt
hosebefor
ehim.”

Kumkanisuddenl
yfel
tasi
fhisinsi
deswer
eonf
ir
e.
Hefel
tasuddenurgetogotothetoi
let
.
Kumkani
:“Ei
sh,
Ma.Suddenl
yI’
m notf
eel
ingt
oo
wel
l.Mystomachi
sonfi
re.
”

Zandi
:“Thati
syoursoulmat
e.Somethingi
snot
ri
ghtwit
hherrightnow.Cal
lherandf
indout.
”

Kumkani
:“Okay,
I’
llt
alkt
oyoul
ater
.”

Zandi
:“OhandKumkani.Takeitsl
owwit
hher
.
Rememberwhathappenedlastt
ime?”

Kumkani
:“Yes,
Ma.Iwi
ll
.Il
oveyou.Bye.
”

Zandi
:“Loveyout
oo.
”

Theyhungupandhewentst
rai
ghtt
othetoi
let
.He
wasquit
eahealt
hymansohedidn’
tunder
stand
whyhewouldpasssuchhotst
oolsal
lofasudden.
Hedeci
dedtocal
lPreci
ous,
andlucki
lyshe
answer
ed.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hel
lo?
”

Kumkani
:“Hey.I
t’
sme,
Kumkani
.Ar
eyouokay?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
No.I
’
minhospi
tal
.”

Kumkani:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whichhospi
tal
?What
happened?Di
dhehurtyou?I
syourbabyokay?
”

Pr
ecious:“Pret
ori
aEastHospit
al.No,andno.
Li
sten,Ihavetogo.We’l
ltal
klater
.”

Shehungupbef
orehecouldevensayanythi
ng
fur
ther
.Hewassopanic-
ri
dden.Onethingwasfor
sur e–hehadt ogoandseewhatwaswr ongwi th
her .Hef inishedhi sbusi nessi nthetoiletandt ooka
quickshower .Hi semot i
onswer eallovert hepl ace,
hewasover comewi thsuddensadnesst hatfeltli
ke
grief .Hismot herwoul dtellhim oft
ent hatwhenhe
methi ssoul mat e,hewoul df eelwhatevershewas
feeling.I fshewasi npai nthenhewoul dfeelittoo.
Itwasr atherdanger oust ohaveat i
eliket haton
eart h,mor eespeci allywhent hemeni nhi sfamily
consummat et heirlovewi t
ht hesewomen.Usual ly,
theirl oveendsi nei thertragedyort heyr emai n
strongert hanever .Hegoti ntohiscaranddr ove
straightt ot hehospi tal.Hewasanononsenseman
andanyonewhost oodi nhiswaywoul dfeelhis
wrat h.Hegott ot hef rontdeskoft heemer gency
room andst artedaski ng.

Kumkani:“
Goodmorni
ng,Nur
se.Iam l
ooki
ngf
or
Preci
ousVi–ImeanPreci
ousNdhl
ovu.”

Nur
se:“
I’
m sor
ry,
areyouf
ami
ly?
”
Kumkani
:“No,
I’
m herl
awyer
.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
mewheresheisornot
?”

Nur
se:“
Room 305.Thi
rdf
loor
.”

Kumkanididn’tevenbothersayingt hankyou.He
fel
tthatwait
ingf orthel
if
twouldt akeeternit
yand
rushedupthest air
s.Wi t
hinami nute,hehad
arri
ved.Heaskedt henursesatthenur se’sbayand
theygladl
yassistedhim.Hef oundheral oneinthe
room;Mam’ Thokohadgoneoutt ogether
somet hi
ngtoeat .

Kumkani
:(knocki
ngsof
tl
y)“
Hey.
”

Pr
eciousnoti
cedhi
m andrefusedt
ocry.Hereyes
weregli
steni
ngwi
thtear
s,butsheref
usedt
ocry.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Hey.
”

Kumkani
:“MayIcomei
n?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
noddi
ng)“
Sur
e.”

Kumkani:“
Howar eyou?Imeanit
’sadumb
quest
iontoasksomeoneinahospi
talbed,
buti
tis
commondecency.”

Preci
ous:(
crying)“Idon’
tknowwhathappened,
Kumkani.Ifeltcr
ampsyest er
dayaft
erf
ight
ingwith
MishandIfelloutofthecar.Imean,maybethat
wasthecauseofi tall
.PerhapsIki
ll
edmybaby.”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Wai
tami
nut
e;youf
elloutof
t
hecar?Njani(
How)?
”
Preci
ous:“
It
’sal
ongst
ory,
buthewantedt
olash
outatmeandIthr
ewmyselfoutoft
hecar
.”

Kumkanif
eltsomuchpai
ninhi
m asi
fhehadl
ost
hi
sownchild.

Kumkani:“Pr
ecious,whenareyougoingtoleave
thatman?Hei snotgoodenoughf oryou.I
’m not
sayingIam,butatleastgi
veyoursel
fachanceto
seewhoher eal
lyisfrom adi
stance.
”

Precious:“I
t’
seasiersai
dthandone,Kumkani.He
pickedmeupwhenIhadnot hing.Hepai
dformy
feesandl ooksaft
ermyni eceandnephews.How
doesoneover lookallt
hatforonemist
ake?”

Kumkaniknewbyherwordsthatshewasbroken
beyondr
epair
,asThokosai
d,buthehadhope.
Kumkani:“List
en,
Idon’tneedyoustressi
ng.We’ r
e
notevenoverthefi
rstsemesterasyetandIneed
youtoaceyourmodul esandpass,Precious.You
don’
thavet oworr
yaboutt hechar
gesagai nstyou
anymore.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Kumkani:“Isor
teditout.Watchthenewslat
eron
at8.I’
lll
eaveyoutor estbutI
’
llcomebyabitlat
er
on.Ihaveaf ewthingsIhavetosortout
.Takecare
ofyour
selfandifyouneedanyt hi
ng,l
etmeknow,
Pret
tyLady.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.Iwi
ll
.”

Heki
ssedherontheforeheadandwal
kedout
.He
f
oundMam’Thokorightatthedoor
.
Kumkani
:“Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.Goodbye,
Ma.
”

Hewal kedouthast i
lylikesomeoneonami ssion.
Thokoknewi mmedi atelywhohewas.She
recogni zedhi mf rom af ewar ti
clesont heweband
i
naf ewNewspaper s.Whenwepr ayweneedt obe
careful.Wheneveryoupr ayf oraman, bespecific.
HadPr eciousact uallywaitedf orasi gn–apr oper
signf r
om herancest orsandf rom God, thenshe
wouldhaver eal i
zedt hatMi shwasnott heonef or
her.Awomanoncesai dthatyoudon’ tmarrythe
fi
rstidiott hatcal l
syoubeaut i
ful.That ’
sarecipef or
disaster .Bei ngyoungandvul nerable,youmaysee
thewayout–t helightatt heendoft hetunnel,but
getti
ngt herei sami ssionandahal fforyou.That
wasPr ecious.Shel ovedMi sh,well,shethought
shelovedhi m.Hewasbecomi ngevenmor e
danger ousbyt hedayandsowasshe.Toxi cit
yi sn’t
somet hi ngyou’ rebor nwi t
hatt imes;i ti
ssomet hi ng
thatyou’ retur nedint o–madet obecome;al earned
behaviourt hatisn’teasi l
yr emoved.
[
01/
27,
07:
48] :Chapt
er71
“Adeceitf
ulmanwi llgoasfarast ot
rampleal
lover
awoman’ sr eput
ati
onandspi r
it
,inor
dertoproveto
hisex-l
ovethathewasf ai
thful
.Thei r
ony,i
sheis
sti
lli
nlovewi thhi
sexandt henewwomani nhis
l
ifedoesn’tevenreali
zei
t.
”–ShannonL.Adl er

Abusecomesi nmanyf or
msandwhatPr ecious
wasexper ienci
ngwassever allevelsofabuse.
Cheat i
ngoradul t
eryhit
shomef orlot
sofpeopl e–
mor eespeci all
ywomen.Al otofthem ar eei therin
rel
ationshi pswithormar r
iedt omenwhoj ustcan’t
makeupt heirminds.Theywantt ohavet heircake
andeati tt oo.Selfi
shpeopl eturnintonar cissists
andt hosear et
hewor stkindofcheat ers.Theyget
yout olovet hem anddoever yt
hingyouwantt hem
to;oncet heygotyouhookedt othem, theyst ar t
showi ngt heirt
ruecoloursandhur tyoui nt he
process.Oncei tbecomeseasi ertohur tyou, they
stri
vet obr eakyouandatt hesamet i
meyou
becomet oobr okentoleave.Thati sbecauset hey
themsel vescannotst andt oevenl i
vewi th
themsel vesandaddi nnocentpeopl etotheirown
miser y.Cont rolbecomest heorderoft hedayf ora
narcissi standever yt
hingbecomesaboutt hem –
evenwhent heyhavedoneyouwr ong.It
’savi cious
cyclet hatbr eakst hevicti
m evenmor ethant he
perpet rator.Oncet hevicti
m decidest oleave,
chancesofsur vivingar eevenslimmert hanwhen
theyhadt hechancet oleavebefor e.Meshack’ s
fatherwasl i
ket hatwi thhismot herandi nturn
Meshackhadt ur nedi ntoonetypeofmonst erno
oneexpect ed.Pr eciouswasdozi ngof fwhi l
einher
hospit albedr ightaf t
erKumkanil ef t
.Whi l
eThoko
wassi tti
ngnextt oher ,
shesawKumkaniont he
news.

Thoko:(
Shocked)“
Preci
ous!Bona(
Look)
.”

Pr
eci
ousmanagedt
owakeupandwat
cht
v.She
wasst
unnedt
oseeKumkaniont
v.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Pleaset
urnupt
hevol
ume,
Ma.
”
Thokotur
nedupt
hevol
umeandt
heyl
ist
ened
at
tent
ivel
y.

Kumkani :“Iam pleasedt olett hewor l

dknowt hat
allchargesagai nstMr s.PreciousNdhl ovuhave
beendr opped.Ms.Cassandr aFil
ieswas
trespassingandat tackedMr s.Ndhlovur i
ghtinher
home.Asanyonewoul dhavedone, shepr ot
ected
herselfagainsttheper petr
ator .Pl
easebeadvi sed
thatIpersonallywi l
ltakeast andagai nstanyhat e
mai loranyhat espeech, mor eespeci al
lytheperson
whoi nit
iall
ystartedthishasht agagai nsther.
”

Report
er:“
Mr.Mdhletse,
whataboutther
umour
concer
ningMr.Ndhlovuimpr
egnati
ngMs.Fi
li
es?”

Kumkani
:“Asyoust
ated,
iti
sjustar
umour
.”

Repor
ter
:“I
sMr
.Ndhl
ovuf
inewi
thyoubei
ngher
l
awyer?Imeanwordisthatyouar
ealsoher
l
ectur
er.I
sitsaf
eformetosaythatyout
womight
havesomethi
nggoi
ngon?”

Kumkani :“
Ihavenoknowl edgeofMr .Ndhlovu’s
feeli
ngsandasf arasourrelati
onshipi
sconcer ned,
noi ti
snotsafeforyoutosayanyt hi
ng.Don’ t
forget,
youhaveaj obtoprotect.NeedIremi ndyou
thatyousignedadeclarati
onwhenyoust ar
tedthis
j
ob?Asf arasI’
m concernedyou’ r
enotagossi p
j
our nal
ist
,butyousurelovesensasional
ism.”

Repor
ter
:( embarrassed)“
Oh,
Mr.Mdhl
etse,
Ididn’
t
meanitl
iket hat
.Whatpeoplewoul
dli
ketoknowis,
ar
eyousi ngle?”

Kumkani:(
annoyed)“Cl
earlytheydidn’
tteachyou
anythi
ngwhereyouobtainedyourdegr ee.Stickto
thefact
s,Ms.Khumalo.Orel seyou’l
lcostthis
newsplatf
orm awholelotofviewers.Now, ifyou’
ll
excuseme,we’redonehere.”
Kumkanil ef
tthestage,l
eavi
ngthereporterso
embar r
assed.Pr eci
ouswasr at
herchuffedabout
Kumkani ’
sinit
iat
ivetosaveherfr
om
embar r
assmentandmosti mpor t
antl
y,tosaveher
fr
om acr imi
nalrecord.Whatshewant edto
understandwashowhemanagedt odoi t
.Thoko
noti
cedhowdeepi nthoughtshewas.

Thoko:“
Hei
soneofaki
nd,
isn’
the?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iguessso,
Ma.
”

Thokothoughtofawayofget t
ingPreci
oust otry
andgetitonwithKumkani.Thatwouldobvi ousl
y
meanbet r
ayi
ngherson,butthatseemedlikethe
onl
ywayt osavePreci
ousfrom thatwhir
lwindof
madness.Whi l
eshewast r
yingtosleepforawhi l
e,
Mishwalkedin–fuming.
Mi
sh:(
fumi
ng)“
Soi
t’
sli
ket
hisnow,
Preci
ous?
!”

Thoko:“
Meshack,
uyar
asa(
you’
renoi
sy)
.”

Mi sh:“No,Ma.Imakancane( waitami nute).Wena

(you),Preci
ous.Whyi st hi
sguyal loveryounow?
Firsthebailsyououtthent akesyout ohishouse
andbuysyouexpensi veclothesandnow, ucit
hele
case( hegotyourcaset hrownout )
.Uyam’ nyobi
sa
(areyouf ucki
nghim now) ?”

Thoko:(shocked)“MeshackNdhl
ovu!Youwil
lnot
speaktoyourwi f
eliket
hat–especi
all
ynoti
nmy
presence!Uyangizwa(Youhearme)?!
”

Mishwasfumingsomuch,
hismot
her
’swar
nings
f
ellondeafear
s.

Mi
sh:“
It
’sbecauseofhi
m,i
sn’
tit
?Youf
uckedhi
m
anddeci
dedt
oki
llmybaby,
angi
thi(
isn’
tit
)?”

Thoko:(
anger
ed)“
Hey,
wena(
you)
,Meshack–“

Shewasabouttogetupandslaphim backt
ohi
s
senses,
butPr
eciousst
oppedher.

Precious:“Myeke( l
eavehim) ,Ma.Meshack, akere
wenaol enyora(you’
retheboss, aren’
tyou)?You
fail
edt otellmeandyourmot herthatwewer egoi ng
togohungr ybecauseofyourst upidfucking
choices!Youchoset ohaveanexpensi veweddi ng
–youchoset obuymeacar .YOUchoset osellthe
housei nSunvalleyandYOUchoset obuyusa
housei nEquest r
ia.YOUchoset ogoar ound
sleepingwi thwhores,angit
hi(i
sn’tit
)?MaybeRose
i
sal sopr egnantforal
lweknowbecauseyoucan’ t
evenseem t obesensibleenought oweara
condom. ”
Mi
sh:(
angry)“
Uyangi
jwael
a(You’
ref
ucki
ngwi
th
me)
,Pr
ecious!
”

Hewasabouttogetcl
osert
oPr
eci
ous,
butshe
wasn’
tevenbot
hered.

Preci
ous:“Comecloser–Idareyou.Come, hi
tme.
Isn’
tthatwhatyou’
regoodat?Keepbehavingl
ikea
dumbf uck,MeshackandIswear,I
’
llbei
n
Kumkani ’
sarmsbeforeyouevenknowit
.”

Mish:(shout
ing)“Souyangi
febel
avel
e(you’
re
actual
lywhoringaround)
?!”

Precious:“ Akit
si(
Idon’tknow) .Sinceyouknow
everything,whydon’ tyoutellme?I ’
m aboutt osave
us–saveal lofus.Youmadest upi
dchoicesand
youst i
llwantt owalkar oundlikeyouownme,
Meshack.Asofnextyear ,youwon’thavetopayf or
myst udi esanymor e–t hat’
sifyouandIwi llsti
llbe
mar
ri
ed.
”

MeshackknewthenthatPr
eciouswasnotaboutt
o
messaroundandcryoverhi
m anymore.

Mi
sh:“
Oreng(
Whatar
eyousayi
ng)
,Pr
eci
ous?
”

Preci
ous:“I
’m sayingexactl
yt hat.Si
nceyouthi
nk
youcanownme, I
’l
lgetajobint hemeantimeor
applyforabursary.Youdon’ thavetodoallof
that
.”

Meshacknot
icedhowunbot
heredPreci
ouswas.
Shehadhadenoughofhi
sbull
shitandi
thur
thim–
bi
gti
me.

Mi
sh:(
sof
tl
y)“
Presh,
let
’st
alkaboutt
his.
”
Preci
ous:“I
’m donet
alki
ng.I’mlyi
ngi
nahospi t
al
bedafterl
osingmybaby.Nowdoyourmot herand
Iareafavourandfuckoff.Ineedmyrest
.”

Whenawomanbecomesr ealdi
srespect
ful,thatis
whenshehashadenough.Shemi ghtst
il
lloveyou,
butshedoesn’ tcareaboutyouanymor e.Att hat
point,Mishsawt hatPreciouswascapabl eof
anything–pr obablymor et hanhewasandt hatwas
shitscary.Hel ookedatherandt henathismot her.
Thet womosti mpor t
antwomeni nhislif
ewer every
angryathim andhehadnocont r
oloverhimsel fnor
hisactionsanymor e.

Preci
ous:“Osalemo(
You’
rest
il
lher
e)?Shoul
dI
calli
nsecuri
ty?
”

Thathur
tli
keabi
tch.

Mi
sh:(
hur
t)“
Thatwon’
tbenecessar
y.I
’
lll
eave.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Shar
p.”

Hewalkedoutwi t
hsomuchsorrowinhisheartand
t
heninasplitsecondi
ttr
ansf
ormedintoanger.He
wal
kedoutandf oundRonzawai
tingf
orhim outsi
de
t
hecar,havi
ngasmoke.

Ronza:“
Andt
hen,
Bozza(
Boss)
?”

Mi
sh:“
It
’st
imet
opayCassandr
aavi
sit
.”

Ronza:“
WhataboutVi
per
?”

Mi
sh:“
Idon’
tgi
veashi
taboutVi
per
.”

Ronza:“
Okay.Letmecal
lBi
gz,
forbackup.
”
Mi
sh:“
Shar
p.”

Ronzacal l
edBi gzandt heyal lgotintot hecarand
headedoutt oCassandr a’ splace.Mi shwasnot
sayingawor dthroughoutt hewhol eride.Hehad
heardthatshewasoutofhospi talafterthebullet
woundi nci
dent .Raymondwasnotver yhappyt o
hearaboutt hatandt ooki tasanot herwayof
gett
ingrevengeonhi sbr other.Henot i
cedt hat
Preciouswashi ssoftspotandbyt helookoft hings
thei
rmar ri
agewasi nshambl eswi thi
nl essthana
yearofmar riage.

Mish:“
Ronza,
let
’sgoup.Bi
gz,
beont
hel
ookout
f
oranydrama.”

Bi
gz:“
Sur
e,sur
e.”

MishandRonzawalkedi
nandthesecur
it
yguard
coul
dn’
tevenst
opthem.Theyknockedonherdoor
andbei
ngverycarel
ess,
thi
nkingthatitwaseit
her
Raymondoroneofherfri
ends,shejusttol
dthem t
o
comein.Eventhedoorwasunlocked.

Cassandr
a:“
Comei
n.”

Shegotstart
ledwhenshesawMi shandRonza
walkin.Therewereapairofcrut
chesnextt
oher
onthecouch, andherr
ightt
highwasdrapedina
bandage.
Mish:(
har
dened)“
Hel
lo,
Cassi
e.Lovel
ytoseeyou
agai
n.”

Cassandra:(
worr
ied)“
Whatareyoudoingher
e?
Howdi dyouevengetpastmysecur
it
y?”

Mish:“Youshoul
dknowbett
ert
hantoaskmet hat
kak(shit
).Wenawhatwer
eyoudoingatmyplace
theotherday?Whatdi
dyoudoformywifet
oshoot
you?”
Cassandra:“
What
’sthepoint
?Thechar
geswer
e
dropped.Howconvenient
.”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Okaythen,
MissSmar
typant
s.
Tel
lme, ar
eyoureall
ypr
egnant–wit
hmybaby?”

Cassandr
abecamehesi
tantatf
ir
st,
butspoke
event
uall
y.

Cassandr
a:(
hesi
tant
)“Ofcour
se.
”

Mish:“Wellt
hen.Youdoknowwhatt hismeans,
ri
ght?Youdeci dedtot
ellmywi f
efir
stwithout
comingtomef i
rst
.Now, asyouknowmywi fej
ust
l
ostherbaby, soIwoul
dn’tdarehaveababywi th
someonel i
keyou.Your uinedmymar r
iage
al
ready.”
Cassandr
a:(wor
ri
ed)“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,
Meshack?”

Mish:“I
npl
ainandsi
mpleEngl
ish,Ican’
tletyou
havethi
sbaby.Ronza,
kenako(it
’sti
me).”

Cassandrawassofearful
,sheactuall
yregret
ted
l
yingtoMeshack.Shewasn’ tcarr
yinghischil
d,but
hisbr
other’
schil
dandnow, Meshackwasaboutt o
endtheli
feofthati
nnocentsoul.

Cassandr
a:(scared)“
Wait!Il
ied,
okay!I
t’
snot
yours–it
’sRay’sbaby.”

Mish:(
chuckl
ing)“
Evenbetter
.I’
m savi
ngt
hisbaby
f
rom awholelotofmiser
y.”

Ronzapi
nnedhertothecouch,whil
eMishtookof
f
herj
eansandunderwearandspreadherl
egs.She
becameevenmorefr
ightenedwhenheworegloves
andtookoutasmal
lplasti
cbagfrom hi
sback
pocket
s.

Cassandra:“
Mish,
please.Don’tdothis–I’
m
beggi
ngyou!IonlydidwhatIdi dbecauseIl
ove
you.Ijustwant
edyout oloveme,Meshack!I’
m
beggi
ngyou!”

Mish:“
Doyouknowwhatt hesetwopill
sar e,Cassie?
Imeanyou’ vebeeninthegamel ongenough, hey.
Youhavehadwhat ?Fiveaborti
onsalready?Why
doyouwantt obesoselfi
shtoletthi
sonel ivewhi l
e
youkil
ledtheothers?Anyway, t
hesear e
misopr
ost olpi
ll
s.Theyhavet obeinsertedint he
vagi
na, andthentheydothejob.Don’twor ry,you’
re
notver
yf arsoyouwon’ thavetoworryaboutt oo
muchpai n.Itwil
lbeoverinnot i
me.”

Cassandr
acri
edwhil
eMi
shputt
hepi
ll
sdeepi
nsi
de
ofher,
wit
houtanyr
emor
se.
Cassandr
a:“
Rayal
readyknows.It
oldhi
m about
thebaby.
”

Mish:“
Wellthenunt
ellhi
m.You’r
easmar
tgi
rl
.I
hopeIneverseeyouagainaf
tert
his.
”

Ronzal etgoofherwhi leMi shwal kedoutand

threwt hegl ovesinanear bydust binandt heydr ove
offwithBi gz.Cassandr ahadnoi deawhatshehad
gottenher selfint
obyf allingforamonst erlikeMi sh.
Raymondwasamonst er,butMi shwaswor se.
Accor dingt ohim, sher uinedhi slif
eandever ything
i
ni t.Ifitwasn’ tf
orherconf essing,heandPr ecious
woul dst i
llbeal ri
ght .Hehadnoi deawhathi swi fe
waspl anni ngforhi m, andhadevenl essofani dea
ofwhatKumkanihaduphi ssleeves.Kumkanihad
gonebackt ohishouset odosomedi ggi
ngon
Meshack.Heal r
eadyhadcompi l
edaf il
eofal lhis
transgressi onsandar rests;someofwhi chhewas
neverevenar restedf or.Meshackwassousedt o
buyingcopsof fandget ti
ngawaywi t
hmur der.He
couldn’tstopt hinkingaboutPr ecious, andatt hathe
want edtogetcl osertoher .Hehadapl an;aplan
thatmi ghtjeopar diseeverythi
ngMi shhadwor ked
for.Apl annoonehadseencomi ng, butbef or
ehe
couldexecut ehi spl an,hetookadr ivet oachur ch
i
nMamel odi,thechur chwher eMam’ Thokousedt o
got o.Hedi dal otinhi sspareti
me;i ncludingal ot
ofpr obonowor k.Oneoft hePast or swasaccused
ofmoneyl aunder ing,sohehadof f eredt otakethe
caseonf orfree.Li ttl
edidheknowt hatt heNcube
ancestorshadl edhi mt hereforar eason.He
walkedi nandf oundMmaMor uti(Past or’
swi f
e) .

Kumkani
:“DumelaMme( hel
lo,ma).Mynamei
s
Kumkani
,I
’m yourhusband’slawyer
.”

MmaMor ut
i:(
smi
li
ng)“
Oh,
yes.Lekae,
Ntat
e(How
ar
eyou,
sir)
?”
Kumkani
:“I
’
mfi
ne,
thankyou.
”
MmaMor ut
i:“
Please,t
akeaseat
.I’
l
lbr
ingyou
somecooki
esandt ea.
”

Kumkanicoul
dneversaynot
oanol
dwoman’
ski
nd
gest
ure.

Kumkani:(
smi l
ing)“
Thankyou.Pleaseal
sobri
ng
al
lthenecessarydocumentat
ionIhaveaskedf
or.
”

MmaMor
uti
:“Cer
tai
nly.
”

WhileKumkaniwasper usingthroughthephot o’
s
onthewal li
nthelounge, hewasr atherstunnedt o
seeapictureofsomeonewhol ookedjustlike
Lehumo.Gat shawouldof t
entellhi
m about
Lehumoandhewoul dshowhi m pictur
esoft hem
toget
her,sohehadagoodi deaofhowshel ooked.
Shehadn’tagedadayi nherl if
e,butlookedr ather
ti
redinherpict
ureont hewal latMmaMor uti’
s
house.Het ookouthisphoneandsear chedf ora
pi
ctureofLehumo,andhematcheditwitht
heone
onthewall.Hewasinsomuchdi sbeli
ef.Mma
Moruticamebackwitht
hetrayofteaandbiscui
ts
andfoundhim st
ari
ngatthepict
ure.

MmaMor ut
i:(
smi
li
ng)“Wetakepi
ctur
esofal
most
ever
ythi
ngandeveryonewecomeacross.
”

Kumkani:“
Whoi
sthi
swoman?Shel
ooksso
fami
li
ar.
”

MmaMor ut
i:“
Oh,that’
sBeli
nda.Poorsoul.She
diedayearago,butherdaught
erisst
il
lal
ive.You’
l
l
meetheronedayi fshedeci
destocomebackt o
church.
”

Kumkaniwasabitsaddenedt
hatLehumohad
passedaway,
buthewashopefulthathewoul
dfi
nd
Pri
ncessBuhl
e.
Kumkani
:“Thi
sdaught
erofhi
s,doesshel
iveher
e?”

MmaMor ut
i:“
Oh,no.Sherecent
lymovedt
othe
subur
bswit
hherhusband.
”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Husband?
”

MmaMor uti
:“Yes,
Pr eci
ousmar
ri
edagangst
er,
but
wearenotheretojudge.Onl
yGodknowsour
hear
ts.
”

I
tsuddenl
yhithi
m.HeonlyknowsofonePr
eci
ous
whoismarri
edtoagangst
er.

Kumkani:“
Thi
sPreci
ous,
areyout
alki
ngof
Preci
ousNdhl
ovu?”

MmaMor
uti
:“Yes,
thever
ysameoneyouwer
e
tal
kingaboutontv.Imustsay,thatmanhasgotten
herinvol
vedinsomethingshady.Thatgi
rlwasthe
sweetestgi
rlIhadevermet.Iguessiti
struewhat
theysay;al
lthesesweetgi
rlsl
overoughguys.
”

Kumkanihadf i
nall
ycr ackedhiscase,alotsooner
thanhethought.Hehadf oundtheheirtothe
Ncubethrone.Somet hi
ngjustseemedal otoffi
sh
forhi
m.Hehadast ronghuncht hatMeshackwas
hidi
ngalotmor ethanmett heeye.Atl easthewas
onestepclosertotakingherbackhomet oher
homeland.Thepr oblem nowwasonl yone;how
washegoi ngtotellherthatshewast hePrincess
ofZulul
andandsol eheirtothekingdom?
[
01/
27,
07:
49] :Chapt
er72

“Therecomesapoi ntinyourl
ifewhenyour eali
ze:
Whomat ter
s,Whoneverdid,Whowon’ tanymore,
Andwhoal wayswill
.So,don’tworryaboutpeople
form yourpast,
ther
e’sareasonwhyt heydidn’
t
makei ttoyourfut
ure.”–Adam LindsayGordon
Preciousdidn’teventellMishthatshewasget ti
ng
discharged,butasalwayshehadhi redanotherone
ofhisboyst okeept rackofhereverymovement .
Shewant edtoheadbackhomesot hatshecould
wr i
teherlasttestbeforetheschoolholi
days.She
neededt oaceherst udiessothatMeshackwoul d
backof f.Shewal kedinwi t
hMam’ Thokotofind
theshockofherl i
fe.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatt
hef
uck,
Mish?
”

Mish:“Hi
,baby.Idi
dn’
tknowyou’
dbeher
eso
soon.”

Heknewverywel
lthatshewouldbecomi
nghome,
hencehehadbr
oughtthecatoutoft
hebagf
orher
tofi
nd.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Bri
dget
.”
Bri
dgetwasti
edtoachair
,withbl
oodoozi
ngfr
om
hernostr
il
sandoneeyehalfshut
.Hemusthave
beengivi
ngherabi
tofabeat i
ng.

Thoko:(shocked)“
Meshack,youdon’
tbeatwomen
up.Shei sthemotheroft
hosechil
dren.Thi
nk
aboutthem.”

Mi
sh:“Ma,t
hishasgotnot
hingtodowithyou.
Pl
ease,
khaumekancane(waitaminut
e).
”

Thokoknewthatt herewasnot hi
ngshecoul dsayor
dotocalm hi
m down.Mi shlookedatPreciousand
noti
cedhowangr yshewasget ti
ngandhewas
l
ovingit
.Hecr avedseeingherunl eashheranger
ontosomeoneel sethatwasnothi m.Hehad
somehowconvi ncedhimselfthatshewouldgo
backtobei
ngsweetol dPreci
ous.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Wher
edi
dyouf
indher
?”

Mish:“
Oh,Ronzaf
oundher.Shehadmadeani
ce
cosyhomeforher
sel
finKzn.
”

ThokowashopingthatPreci
ouswouldspeaksome
sensei
ntoMish,butshedidtheopposi
te.

Thoko:“Mybaby,
pleaset
ellhi
mtost
opt
his
nonsense.
”

Precious:“Youhavesomener ve,Bri
dget.Doyou
knowhowst ressedyouleftme?Yout ookallthe
moneymymot herlef
tformeandyoudi dn’teven
l
eaveonedi me.Youevenl eftyourchil
drenforme
tolookaf t
erandnotasi ngl
enot e!Imaginethat–a
whole19yearol dislefttolookaftert
hreekids!
Howf uckedupcouldyoube? !
”
Bri
dget
:“Please,I
’m sosorr
y.Gr eedtookoverme.
I
’l
ldoanythingforyourfor
giveness.
”

Mish:“Whatdoyouwantt odot oher,Presh?She

nearl
yrui
nedyourli
fe.Imean, Iam theonewho
cameinandsavedyou.I fitwasn’tforme, you
wouldhavebeenont hestr
eetsordoi ngsomet hi
ng
el
seformoney.Shest ol
ef rom you.Howdoyou
wanttopunishher
?”

Mam’ Thokowasst ressedtothecore,

hyperventi
lati
nginsi l
ence,watchi
ngt hewhole
movieunr aveli
nf rontofher.Manypeopl ehave
tol
dhert hathersonwascapabl eofevildeeds,but
shenevert houghtheact ual
lydidthem.Pr eci
ous
ontheot herhand, wasovercomewi thhatredand
rage,Satanhadt akenoverherbodyandshewas
abouttocommi tacr i
meofanoddki nd.Shet ooka
l
ookatal lthetoolsthatRonzahadi nhishands, and
grabbedapai rofpl i
ers.
Preci
ous:“Youl
ookli
keyoucouldusesomebody
modifi
cati
ons.Iwantyoutostarei
ntot
hemi
rror
onedayandneverforgetwhatyoudidt
ome.
”

WhileBridgettri
edbegging,Preciousbegan.She
hadn’tevenusedpl i
ersbefore,butshewasapr o
andshehadt urnedMishon.Shest artedpull
ing
eachofhert humbsandpi nkyf i
ngersapar t
.Br i
dget
wasscr eamingsomuch, l
eavingThokoi nsomuch
shock,shecoul dn’
tevenspeak.Pr eciousthen
proceededtot aki
ngoutaf ewofBr idget’
sfront
teet
h.

Bri
dget:(
cryi
ng)“Pl
ease!Please,don’
tdot hi
s.
Meshackistryi
ngtoturnyouintosomethingyou’r
e
not
.Iknowt hetrut
h–Iknowwhyheact uall
y
marri
edyou.Thet r
uthaboutwhyhewon’ teven
l
eaveyou.”

Mi
sh:“
Shutt
hef
uckup,
bit
ch.
”
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatt
rut
h?”

Br
idget
:“Thet
rut
haboutyouandHosea.You’
re–
“

Beforeshecoul
devenfini
shhersent
ence,Meshack
knockedheroutbyhi
tt
ingheratthebackofher
headwithhisgun.

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
,
Mi
sh?”

Mish:“
Areyougoi ngtobeli
eveanyt
hingshesays?
Comeon, shei sdesperat
e.Sheisluckyenough
sheissti
llal
ive.”

Precious:“
Whatever
,takehert
oherhouseshe
sharedwi t
hUncleHercul
es.Don’
tyoudareki
llher
,
youhearme?
”

Shewascall
ingtheshot sandMishwasl ovingit.
Hehadnoideashewasaboutt obeinfullcontrolof
hi
sgangbyt heendoft heweekend.WhileMi sh
andRonzatookBr i
dgetoutofthehouse,Precious
star
tedmoppingthefl
oorbyget t
ingr
idofallthe
bl
ood.Thokowasj uststandi
ngthereinshock.

Thoko:“
Lookwhathehasdonetoyou.Youarea
Godfeari
ngchil
d,achi
ldofGod,
man,Preci
ous.
Youarenokil
ler
,notor
tur
er.
”

Pr
ecious:“Ma,Iam whatIam now.I
’
m sor
ryt
o
di
sappointyou.
”

Thoko:(
cryi
ng)“
Ican’
tdealwi
tht
hisr
ightnow.I
’
ll
cal
lyou.
”
Sheuppedandl ef t,
whi l
ePr eciouswasj ustplotti
ng
herbigpl ani nhermi nd.Shedeci dedtocal lRachel
andDebor ahandi nterestthem i nmaki ngsome
money.Shest artedcooki ngf orthem andhadone
ofMi sh’sexpensi vewi nebot tl
esathand.Shewas
onami ssiont opi sshi m of f,butmosti mpor t
ant l
y,
tomakehi m awar ethatshewast hebossnow.She
wasnotcompl et
el yunawar et hatBr i
dgethadt he
secretthatwoul dmakeherendMi shinahear tbeat.
Aftercooki ngupaf eastt hati ncl
udedmashed
potatoes,cr eamyspi nach, l
ambshankandr oast ed
l
ambchops, shet ookashowerandawai tedher
fri
endswhi lesippi ngonMi sh’sexpensi vecognac.
Shewasn’ treallybi gonwhi skey,butshef el
tli
kea
bitofabossybi tch, soshef eltasi fi
twoul dsui tthe
mood.Whi lewat chingt v,sitti
ngont heexactcouch
thatCassandr abl edi n,sher ecei
vedacal lfr
om
RachelandDebbi e.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay,
thepasscodei
s2634.
”
Shehungupandt
heyar
ri
vedami
nut
elat
er.

Debbie:“
Oh,fr
iend.Areyouokay?Whatsthi
swe
wereofyoubeingarrest
edandsuddenl
ylosi
ng
yourbaby?”

Rachel
:“Someonei
slookingf
orsomeser
iouscl
out
bymakingyouacel
ebrit
y.”

Preci
ous:“
I’
lltel
lyouguysal
labouti
tlat
er.That
’s
notwhyIcalledyouhere.
”

Debbi
e:“
Hao,
okay.Whydi
dyoucal
lusher
ethen?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Takeaseatwhi
leIpouryout
wosome
wi
ne.
”

Rachel
:“Hmmm,
itsmel
lssodel
ici
ousi
nher
e.”
Pr
ecious:“
Youcanhaveal
lthatfoodaf
terwe
di
scusssomeimport
antbusiness.
”

TheybothlookedatPreci
ousandr
eal
izedshe
act
uall
ylookeddif
fer
ent.

Debbi
e:“
Wai
t,di
dyoudyeyourhai
r?”

Preci
ous:“
Oh,
Icutmyhai
randdye-
edi
tgr
ey.You
l
ikeit
?”

Rachel:“
Weweresolostinthemomentandwor
ri
ed
aboutyou,wedi
dn’
treal
ize.
”

Yep,shehadmanagedt ocutpret
tymuchal
lofher
hai
rof fanddyewhatwasleftgr
ey.Shedi
ditqui
te
wellanditsui
tedherf
eatur
es.
Debbi
e:“
Nonet
hel
ess,
youl
ooksodi
ff
erent
,but
gor
geous.
”

Rachel
:“Mi
shmustbel ovi
ngthenewyou.And
what’
sthedealwi
thyourhotl
ectur
er?
”

Preci
ousreal
lydi
dn’
twantt
ogetint
othat
.She
handedthem t
hei
rgl
assesofwi
neandgotst
rai
ght
tothepoi
nt.

Preci
ous:“
Asyoubot
hknow,
Meshackkel
egenza
(i
sagangster
).
”

Debbi
e:(
shocked)“
Ihonest
lyt
houghtt
hatwasj
ust
arumour
.”

Rachel
:“Wai
t,youmean,
act
ualgangst
er?Li
ke
ki
ll
ergangst
er?”
Preci
ous:(si
gh)“Yes,l
ikekil
ler
,hi
jacker
,heist
gangster
.Anyway, I
’dlikeyoutwotojointhecrew,
provi
dedthatyouwi l
lgetpaidqui
teahef t
yamount
foryoureff
ort
s.”

Theywerebot
hsoshockedandpr
ett
ymuch
dumbst
ruck.

Debbie:“
Tel
lmeyou’rejoking.Pr
eci
ous,
I’
m nota
gangster
,ImeanIdon’tevenknowwhatagunfeel
s
l
ike.
”

Preci
ous:“
Okay,Icanseeyou’
renottakingme
seri
ousl
y.So,hereist
he411–t hefullstor
yon
whathappenedandwhyIam doingthis.”

Theyli
stenedat
tent
ivel
yasshetol
dthem
ever
ythi
ngf r
om whathappenedwi
thCassandr
a,to
shoot
ingherint
hethigh,t
ospendi
ngafewhour si
n
j
ail
,tolosingherbaby.Shebr i
efedt
hem about
Kumkaniaswel l.Ofcoursetheycri
edt
ogetherand
t
henl ookedatherinsevereshock.

Rachel:“
Oh,
mygoodness.Andyou’
rest
il
l
st
aying?”

Precious:“Youcanaskmet hatafewmont hsl ater

whenIaskyouhowi t
’sgoingwi t
hTony.Thet ruth
i
s, mencanf uckyouover–badl y.Mi shfuckedme
over,anditishight imeIt ookchargeoft his
business.Ijustneedt omakeenought ofinishmy
degreeandt henl ivemyl ife.I
sn’tthatwhatyou
guyswant ?ImeanDebs, youandChar li
ecoul d
startawhol enewl i
feafreshafterthi
swhol ething.
We’regivingour selvesfouryearsmax. ”

Theyr
eal
lyseemedqui
tei
nter
est
ed.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatdoyousay?
”
Debbi
e:“
ImeanIgetit
;Rachelwoul
dbedoingall
ourI
Tjobsandhacki
ng,butwhatwoul
dIbedoing?”

Precious:“
You’r
egoingt ohandl eal
lourbooks.
You’l
lhavetocreateasui t
ablepapertrai
lforusof
course,whil
eIsurveyallkindsofbusinesseswe
couldopeni nor
dertolaundert hemoney.Wecan’ t
putthemoneyi nabankaccount–wel l
,onlysome
ofit
.Whatdoyouguyssay? ”

Debbi
e:“
I’
min.
”

Rachel
:“Wel
l,
myparent
sbasi
cal
lytol
dmethat
theywon’
tbeabl
etopayal
lmyfeesasofnextyear
,
soI’mi
ntoo.
”

Preci
ouswasecst at
ic.Shewasver
ydeli
ght
edt
hat
herfi
rstphaseofhernewplanwasinpl
ace.
Preci
ous:“Okay,
good.I’
m veryhappyyouagr
eed,
becausethegangiscominginabouthal
fanhouror
so.”

Debbi
e:“
Soyoumeant osayt
hatwe’
regoi
ngt
obe
di
ningwi
thgangst
ers?
”

Preci
ous:(chuckli
ng)“Well
,ifi
tmakesyouhappy
putt
ingitli
kethatthenyes,we’
llbedi
ningwi
th
gangsters.
”

Rachel
:“I
’
m ner
vous.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
You’
reoneoft
hem now,
sodon’
tbe.
”

Theycont i
nuedchatt
ingawayandt al
kingabout
theirnewventur
es.Shet ol
dthem whatshedidto
Bridget,
andofcoursetheyhadnoideasheeven
hadi ti
nher.Thi
rt
yminuteslat
er,
ther
ewasaknock
ont hedoor
.ItwasafewofMi sh’
screwwhohad
respondedtohermessage.

Preci
ous:“
Debbi
e,Rachel
,thi
sisSnakes,
Pil
ot,
GanjaandGhandi
a.”

Shehadonlymetthem br
ief
ly,butshei
ntr
oduced
them sowel
lasi
fsheknewt hem all
.

Rachel:“
Oh,
Ganj
aandGhandi
alooksomuch
al
ike.
”

Preci
ous:“They’
retwins.Gentlemen,mayIint erest
youinadrink?Youdoknowt hatmyhusbandl oves
onlyt
hefinest–finestwine,
finestwhiskey,
finest
cognacandofcour se–t hefi
nestbit
ches.”

SnakesandPi
lotwer
en’
tsur
ewhet
hert
olaughor
not
,butGanj
aandGhandi
abeingt
hefunnyguys
l
aughedsohardi
tevenamazedPr
eci
ous.

Snakes:“
I’
llhavewhatyou’
rehavi
ng.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Cognaci
tis.
”

Pi
lot
:“Doesbossknowwe’
reher
e?”

Preci
ous:“
Don’tworry,Pil
ot.I’
m notangr
yatyou.I
chosetoshootthatbit
chandevent houghyou
weren’
twatchi
ngme–i t
’sokay.Beli
eveme.”

Ghandia:(
laughi
ng)“
Bossmar
ri
edonehel
lofa
fei
stywoman. ”

Twominut
esl
ater
,Mi
sh,RonzaandBi
gzwalkedi
n.
AssoonasMi
shnoti
cedhi
smenseatedar
oundthe
tablewit
hPreci
ousandsomeofherfr
iends,
he
becameal ar
med,di
stur
bed,
butmosti
mpor t
ant
ly–
pissed.

Mi
sh:“
Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngonher
e,Pr
eci
ous?
”

Preci
ous:(
smil
ing)“
Oh,
hey,
honey.Come,
sityou
guys.You’
reaboutt
omisst
hefamil
ymeet
ing.”

Thet
abl
eshadtur
ned,
mucht
oMi
sh’
sdi
smay.I
t
wasgameon.
[
01/
27,
07:
49] :Chapt
er73

“Whenthepastcal
ls,
leti
tgot
ovoi
cemai
l
.Ithas
not
hingnewtosay.”–MandyHale

Mishwasr eal
lyget
tingi
rr
itat
ed.Hehatedbeing
si
detrackedandsawasi fSnakes,
Pil
ot,Ganj
aand
Ghandiawereturni
ngagainsthi
m.Theyknew
everyt
hingabouthi
m andhethoughtthatt
heyhad
beendishingoutal
linf
ormat
ionabouthimtohi
s
wife.

Mish:(
annoyed)“Ngi
thekuyenzakal
anil
ana(
Isai
d,
what’
shappeningher
e)?”

Preci
ous:“ Goodness,
Mish.Sit
,we’
rewai
ti
ngon
youthreesowecanst ar
teat
ing.Imadel
amb
shank,justthewayyoulikei
t.
”

Shesmiledathi
minsuchadeviousway.Hehadn’
t
seenhersmil
einsuchalongti
methathet
hought
shewasclearl
yuptosomethi
ng.

Mi
sh:(
anger
ed)“
Iwon’
tst
andf
ort
his–“

Ronzawasal
wayscl
earmi
nded.Healways
pr
efer
redt
oanal
yset
hesit
uat
ionf
ir
stbefor
e
expl
oding.Thatway,yougi
veaper
sonal
ongr
ope
tohangthemselves.

Ronza:“
Bozza,
leavei
t.Let
’ssi
tdownandeat
.”

Mishwasannoyedbutdeci
dedt
oli
stent
oRonza,
hi
svoiceofr
eason.

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thatt
ookyoul
ongenough.
”

Ronza:“
Whatar
ewecel
ebr
ati
ng,
Bossl
ady?
”

Preci
ous:(chuckl
ing)“BossLady.FunnybutIl
ikei
t.
Well,
we’recelebr
atinganewventure.Anewwayof
howt hi
swhol ecr
ewi sgoingtowork.
”

Mi
sh:(
puzzl
ed)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
llexpl
ainl
ater
.Shal
lwepr
ay?
”

Mishwasver yimpat
ientandheknewhehadno
ri
ghtt
obasi callybemeant oheraf terwhatshehad
j
ustbeenthr ough.Hecoul dn’
tevenunder stand
whysheseemedsohappyaf t
erl osingtheirchi
ld.
Heparti
all
ybl amedherf ortheloss.Theyal lj
oined
handsandPr eci
ousdecidedtol eadt heprayer,
somethi
ngshehadn’ tdonei naver ylongtime.

Preci
ous:“
DearGod, ourFat
herinheaven,wethank
yousomuchf orthi
swonderfulday.Wet hankyou
forbei
ngabletoenj
oysuchapl easantmeal,f
orwe
knowothersdonotevenhavetheluxury.
”

Whileshewaspraying,shecoul
dsensethatMish
hadhiseyesopen,star
ingather
,soshedecidedto
conti
nuewit
hhereyesopen, whil
estar
ingri
ghtat
Mish.
Pr eci
ous:“ Oh,Modi mowar ona(OurGod) ,Iaskthat
from nowon, t
hingsbecomeevenbet terthanever
–mor eespeciall
yaf t
erwhatIhavebeent hrough
thesepastf ewweeks.Iknow, Imayhavel ostmy
baby, butyouwi l
lblessmewi thevenmor ebabies.
Iaskt hatyoublessot her
swi t
hthespiri
tof
faithfulness,ki
ndness, gr
ati
tude,andall
owt hem to
appr eciatewhatt heyhavebeforetheyloseit.
”

Somanypunswer eintendedinherprayer,
andshe
gotMishsotense,hiseyeswer ebloodshot
.She
wasenjoyi
ngit,becausehehat edlooki
nglikean
i
diotinf
rontofhiscrew.Ever yoneknewhim asthe
manwhohadever yt
hingundercont r
ol,sohe
wouldn’
tdarehi
theri nfrontofthem.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Weaskt
hisi
nJesus’
Might
yname.
Amen.
”

Ever
yone:(
exceptMi
sh)“
Amen.
”
Shehadhereyesf
ixedonhi
mjustashehadbeen
watchi
ngher
.

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Let
’sdi
gin.BonApet
it
e.”

Ronza:“
Ili
ket
henewl
ook.I
tsui
tsyou.
”

Preci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thanks,
Ronza.Atl
east
someonewasablet
onoti
ce.
”

Mi
shknewt
hati
twasaj
abdi
rect
edathi
m.

Mish:(
tense)“Whendidyouhavet
imetoevendo
t
hat?Di dyourboyf
ri
endsendyouastyl
ist
?”

Everyonecouldsensethet
ensi
onf
rom Mi
sh,
but
Preciouskepthercool
.
Precious:“Bymyboyf ri
end,youmeanKumkani.No,
heisnotmyboyf r
iend.Hei smylawyer–theonly
personwhomanagedt ogetmeof ft
hehookfor
shootingyoursidepiece.But,Iam wi
ll
ingt
omove
onwi thli
feifyouare.
”

Everyonewasrat
hershockedathowPr eci
ouswas
respondi
ngtoMish.Hewassot ense,
andrather
shockedhimsel
f,t
hathedecidedtokeepquiet.

Preci
ous:“ Anyway, si
ncewe’ r
eallhere.Imayas
wellgetstarted.It ookal ookatthebooksandI
mustsay, youguysar esl
ackingforallti
me
gangsters.Imean, howlonghaveyoubeeni nthe
game?Ei ghtt otenyears?Whathaveyouachi eved
sofar?Bynowal lofyouandbyal lImeanALLof
youwer esupposedt ohavehisownempi re.By
empireI’
mt alkingtaxis,
chesanyama’ s,
bottl
e
stor
es,clubs, butyetyouar eallstuckinaditchyou
star
tedin.Al lyoueverdoi sbuyexpensi veclot
hes,
buyyourbitchesexpensivecl
otheswit
houteven
worr
yingaboutt hefut
ure.ImeanIam sureallof
youwantt ohavewivesandchi l
drenatsomepoint
i
nyourlives,i
sn’ti
tso?”

RachelandDebbi ewer eshocked,buttheyr eall

y
l
ikedtheper sonPr eci
ouswasbecomi ng.Shewas
fl
owingasawomani npower.Shewasl ovingitso
much, thateventhemenwer eat
tenti
velylisteni
ng
toher,mucht oMi sh’sdismay.Hedidn’tevengi ve
himselfthechancet olistent
ohi
swi f
e’sbr il
li
ant
plan.

Preci
ous:“
Yes,Iknowever ythi
ng.Iknowhow your
Bozzablewnearlyallofyourcashandnowyou
wentonalit
tleheistforol
dtimes’sakewhi
leIwas
i
naj ai
lcel
l.
”

Theyalll
ookeddown–exceptMi shandRonza.
Ronzawasqui t
eimpressedwithPr
eci
ous,
buthe
di
dn’twanttomakeitobvious.
Precious:“Yes, heisyourBozza, butsur elyyou
haveal lbeeni nthegamesol ongt hatyoual l
deservet hesamer espectandr ecogniti
ont hathe
hasf rom allofyou.Hewasn’ tsupposedt ospend
allofthemoneyonourweddi ngandOURl i
festyle.
Youar eALLi nont his,soyouneedt omake
decisions–t oget her.Ifyoukeepgoi ngonl i
ket his,
youwi l
lbedoi nghijackingsandhei stsallyourlives.
Wedon’ twantt hat,wewantt ostealjustenought o
beabl etobui l
danempi reandli
veagoodl i
fe.”

Shehadsol
dit
.

Ronza:“
So,
whati
syourpl
an?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m gl
adsomebodyi
sint
erest
ed.
”

Shesai
dthatl
ooki
ngatherhusband.
Precious:“ Icameupwi thaf ewadj ustment s.What
youhavel eftinyourpet tybankaccount swon’ tbe
abletosust ainyourl i
fest yles,soyouwi llhavet o
makemi noradj ust ment s.Youwi llhavet ostart
doingbi ghei sts–nott hesmal lonesyouar eused
todoi nglikegoi ngaf t
erl ocalr ichdr uglords.
Hijackingsar ef orkidsandt heymostcer t
ainlydon’t
pay.Andwear enoti nt oki l
lingtheyout hwi t
h
drugs–t hat ’
sVi per’
sst yle.We’ renotaboutt hat
l
ife.Youguysar enowgoi ngt ohavet ost artgoing
bigorgohome.I ’
mt alkingser ioushei sts;cashi n
tr
ansi theists,bankr obber i
esandi fyoupul litallof
f,
youmi ghtaswel lgof ort heReser vedBankof
Sout hAf r
ica.”

Mishcoul
dn’tpossi
blyt
hinkt
hathi
swifewasint
o
suchshi
t,sohelaughedoutl
oud,maki
ngever
yone
el
sewonder.

Mi
sh:(
laughi
ng)“
Thi
sist
hemostr
idi
cul
oust
hingI
haveeverheard.We’
renotequiptforthatkindof
shit
,Preci
ous.Youofal
lpeoplearen’tequiptfor
that
.”

Hewasverycondescending,
butshekepthercool
.
Sur
pri
singl
y,ever
yoneelsewasquit
eintr
igued.

Ghandi
a:“
Howdoyousupposewedoal
lthat
,Boss
P?”

Mish’
ssmirki
mmediat
elydi
sappear
edassoonas
heheardGhandi
acal
lhi
swifeBoss.

Precious:“I
’
m gladyouasked, Ghandia.Well,meet
myl ovelyandoh, sogorgeousfri
endsDeborahaka
Debbi eandRachel .Rachelisacomputergenius,
currentl
ystudyi
ngI T.Shecanhackanyt hingthat
hassi gnal–event hosewithout
.Debbiehere,isa
mast erofnumber s.Sheissogoodatanyt hingthat
containsnumber s,Iam pret
tysureshedreamsof
number
s.”

Ganj
a:“
So,
wher
edot
heyf
iti
n?”

Precious:“Yousee, Rachelhereisourhacker ,sowe

gethert hebestoft hebestt echnology.Ever yt
ime
yougoonahei st
,she’l
lbeher ewithusl adieson
theotherl i
ne,maki ngsurethatnocamer ainsi ght
willbeabl etonoticeyou.Youwi lll
eavenomar kat
allandyouwi llbeabletohacki ntoanysyst em of
anypl aceyoudeci det orob.Debbi eher e,willcook
somebooksf orus.Obvi ouslyyoucan’ tputt he
moneyi nthebankandyoumostcer tai
nl ycannot
hidemi ll
ionsinyourhouses, soshei sgoi ngt o
createghostaccount sandbusi nessesf orus–al l
ofus.Act ualbusinesses.”

Herpl
anwassol
idandshehadsol
ditonasi
lver
pl
att
er.
Bigz:(
chuckl
ing)“
Thati
sthebestpl
anIhaveever
heard.
”

Ronza:(
smili
ng)“
Youdi
dwel
lbymarr
yingher
,Mi
sh.
Sheisgoingt
otakeust
onewhei
ght
s.”

Mi
sh:(
annoyed)“
Thi
sli
tt
lepl
anwon’
twor
k.”

Her
eal
lyhadt
ogot
her
e.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Excuseme?
”

Mish:“Wheredoyout
hinkwe’l
lfi
ndt
hemoneyt
o
buyallt
hisequi
pmentyouneed?”

Preci
ous:“Well
,youcurrent
lyhaveaboutR1mill
ion
i
nyourj oi
ntaccountandIbetthatwil
lbeenoughto
buyallweneed.I fyou’
regoingt
ohaveanegat i
ve
mindsetthenyoumi
ghtaswellst
ickt
oowninga
smallcarwashandafewtaxi
s,andyoucanki
ss
thi
shousegoodbye.I
’m pr
ett
ysurenowhorewil
l
wantyout hen.
”

Shehadhitanerve,aner
veMi shhadbeentr
yingto
l
etdieal
leveni
ng.Mi shgotupandwasaboutt o
char
geather,l
eavingRachelandDebbi
estunned.

Mish:(enr
aged)“Ungi
jwael
aamasimba(
You’ref
ull
ofshit
),Pr
ecious!Whothefuckdoyout
hinkyou
are?
”

Bigz:“
Ah,noman,
Bozza.Wedon’
thi
twomen,
aowa( no)
.”

Snakes:“He’
sri
ght
,Bozza.Cal
m down.Thi
s
doesn’
tlookgood.
”
Ganja:“
Event
hosepr
ett
yladi
esl
ookshockedand
shaken.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Howdoyouexpecthert
oevensl
eepnext
t
oyouwhenyou’
real
waysreadytochar
geather
?”

Her
eal
izedhi
swhol
egangwasonPr
eci
ous’
ssi
de.

Mi
sh:(
sigh)“
Fine.I
’
llcal
m down.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Maybeyoushoul
dtakeawal
k,myl
ove.
”

Mi
sh:(
snappy)“
Don’
tfucki
ngt
ellmewhatt
odo!
”

Ronza:“
Mish,
man.
”

Whil
eRonzawastr
yingt
ocal
m hi
m down,
ther
e
wasaknockont
hedoor.
Mi
sh:“
Whoel
sedi
dyoui
nvi
te?
!”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Noone.I
’
llgeti
t.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Letmer
atherdoi
t.
”

Ghandi
agotupsofastandopenedthedoor.
Ever
yone,
incl
udi
ngPreciouswasveryshockedt
o
seewhowasthere.

Ghandia:“
Ekse(Hey),
Mr .Lawyer
.Govayanghi
er
(
what’sgoingonhere)?”

Kumkani
:“Hi
.MayIcomei
n?”

Mishwasevenmoreir
ri
tated,
butRonzahel
dhim
f
ir
ml y.Hej
ustgavePr
eicousalookandshewasn’
t
evenbot
her
ed.

Kumkani
:“Goodeveni
ngt
oyoual
l.
”

Rachel
:“Hey…”

Debbi
e:(
whi
sper
ing)“
Man,
he’
shot
.”

Ronza:“
Obat
langmo(
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e)?
”

Kumkani
:“Icameher
ewi
thapr
oposi
ti
on.
”

Ever
yonel
ookedathi
m wi
thant
ici
pat
ion.

Kumkani
:“I
’
dli
ket
obeyourl
awyer–f
reeof
char
ge.
”
Mish:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“Ketl
waedi
wamasepamo
(
I’
m beingmindfuckedhere)
.”

Ronza:“
Whywoul
dwewantt
hat
?”

Kumkani
:“Wel
l,
becauseoft
his.
”

Hehandedhi
m afi
l
ewhi
chhehandedt
oPr
eci
ous
t
ohavealookat
.

Kumkani :“I
t’
sallt
heevi
dencet hestatehasagai nst
you.Theyar egoingtotakeyoudown–al lofyou.
Includi
ngallthewomeni nyourli
ves.Iwoul dj
ust
l
ovet otakeont hebi
ggestcaseinthecount ry
shouldshithitt
hefan.Judgingbyt hewayyou’ re
l
ivingli
fe,youmostcert
ainlyneedal egaleagleby
yourside.”

Mi
sh:“
Whatmakesyout
hinkIcant
rustyou?Ar
en’
t
yout
hef
uckerwho’
saf
termywi
fe?
”

Kumkani:“Thi
nkaboutit,
Meshack.I ’
m notaft
er
anyone.Thatwouldbever ydi
srespect
fulanditi
s
mostcertai
nlydi
srespect
fulofyoutosaysuch
abouther.Anyway,t
hinkaboutitandgivemeacal l
.
Sharp.
”

Preci ousandpr ett

ymuchever yonewasst unnedat
howbi gt hef i
lei
s.Thef i
lecontainedcontained
i
nfor mat ionaboutMi shandhi screwt hatveryfew
peopl eknewabout .Somuchi nformationthat
datedbackt owhenhest art
edbei ngagangst er–
evendeep, darksecr et
saboutaf ewmember s,
i
ncl udingMi shmur deringhisfatheralongwi t
ht he
dockett hatwentmi ssi
ngandSnake’ sr apecase
whichwasappar entlyawhol eli
e.Ganj aand
Ghandi awer eoncecaughtt r
anspor t
ingweed
valuedatoverR2mi l
li
onattheai r
portandt he
docketal sowentmi ssing–buti twast hereinthe
fi
let heyr eceivedfrom Kumkani .
 Bigzhadhi jackedamaf iabossaf ewyear sbef ore
andt hedocketal soappear edi nthef i
lethat
Kumkanihandedt hem.Ronzahadqui teal arge
numberoff eloniesagai nsthim, aswel lasPi lot.
Theyal laskedt hemsel vest hesamequest ion:
“Whatt hefuckwashappeni ng? ”Kumkanihad
them rightwher ehewant edt hem.Hewant edt obe
amemberoft hegang–si lently.Thatwayhecoul d
keepaneyeonMeshackandPr eciousaswel l.He
hadnoi deathatshewasj oiningt hecrewast he
l
adyboss.Thatmadeever ythinghar derforhi m
sinceher eall
ycar edforher .Shewasnol ongert he
realPrecious.Shecoul dn’tpossi blyreturnt o
Zulul
andandr ul
ei twhilebei ngagangst erwi fe.
Somet hinghadt ochangeandhewasgoi ngt odo
justthat.
[
01/
27,
07:
50] :Chapt
er74

“
Ihavememor
ies–butonl
yaf
oolst
oreshi
spasti
n
t
hefut
ure.
”–Davi
dGerr
old
Mishwasspi rall
ingoutofcontr
olsl
owly,butsurel
y.
Everyonehadl ef
tandPr eci
oushadputthedishes
i
nt hedishwasherandcleanedup,whil
eMeshack
wasst ari
ngather .

Mi
sh:“
Sot
hiswasal
lpar
tofyourpl
an,
huh?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sigh)“
Kengbj
anong(
Whati
sitnow)
?”

Mish:“
You’
returningmygangagainstme–my
owngang,Precious.Whothef
uckdoyout hi
nkyou
ar
e?Theydon’ tcall
meBozzafornor eason.
”

Preci
ous:“I
’m yourfuckingwife.Ifyouwereareal
bossyouwoul dhavet akentheirf
eeli
ngsand
fi
nancesintoaccountwhenyoust art
eddoingt
hat
shit
.Youl i
keactingli
ket heworldowesyou,
Meshack.Wel l,
newsf lash,i
tdoesn’toweyoushit
.
AndIalsodon’toweyoushi t
.Rememberwhatyou
promisedmewhenwegotmar ri
ed?Youpromised
met heworld.Isthi
spar tofyougivi
ngmethe
world?Youconst antl
yannoyingmeandswear i
ng
atme, t
hreateni
ngtohitme?Idon’ tneedt
hisshit
andifyoucont i
nue,Imightjustt
akeyouupon
youroffer
.”

Mi
sh:“
Whatof
fer
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
llbecomeKumkani
’
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Si
ncei
t
i
swhatyou’
redyingt
osee.
”

Mi
sh:(
anger
ed)“
Youwoul
dn’
tdar
e.”

Preci
ous:“
Tryme.Beafucki
ngmanandgr
owt
he
fuckup.Wehaveahei
sttoplan.
”

Sheheadedt
othebedr
oom andr
eal
izedhewas
fol
lowi
ngher
.
Preci
ous:“Onaganagor
eoyakae(
Wher
edoyou
thi
nkyou’r
egoing)?
”

Mi
sh:“
I’
m goi
ngt
obed.
”

Preci
ous:“
I’
m sl
eepi
ngalonet
oni
ght
.Don’
tevent
ry
tofor
cemet osl
eepwit
hyou.”

ShewalkedawayleavingMi shf
eel
ingli
keut t
er
nothi
ng.Shereal
lydidn’thavet
imetostartafight
anymore.Shewasovert hat
.Shegoti
ntot he
showerandgotinbed, shedeci
dedtocallKumkani.

Kumkani
:“Pr
ett
yLady.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hey.Ar
eyoubusy?
”
Kumkani
:“Nevert
oobusyf
oryou.What
’sup?
Missme?”

Pr
eci
ouschuckl
edbutdeepdownshewasact
ual
ly
mi
ssi
nghim.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Uhm,
Iwant
edt
oaskyousomet
hing.
”

Kumkani
:“Shoot
.”

Precious:“
Didyouhaveanyt
hingtodowi t
hthe
evidenceyouhandedtousearli
erontoni
ght?I
meannoonehadeverbeenbusybui l
dingacase
againstMeshackunti
lyoucamealong.”

Kumkanihadt
oli
ehi
msel
foutoft
hatone.

Kumkani
:“No,
Ihadabsol
utel
ynot
hingt
odowi
thi
t.
Doyouhonest
lythi
nkI
’
dwantt
othr
owyouunder
t
hebusli
kethat?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
No,
Idon’
tthi
nkso.
”

Kumkani
:“Good,
I’
dli
ket
oaskyousomet
hing.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes?
”

Kumkani:“
Doyouhaveanyknowl
edgeofwher
e
yourpar
entsor
igi
nat
efr
om?”

Preciousdi
dn’
treal
l
yfi
ndt
hequest
ionodd.
Everyoneknewshewasanor
phan.

Preci
ous:“
No, notr
eal
ly.AllIknowist
hatt
hey
comef r
om Zulul
and.Myf atherdi
edwhenIwasa
baby.There’
snotmuchIknowabouthi m.”
Kumkani
:“Okay.Icanhel
pyouf
indsome
i
nfor
mati
onifyou’dli
ke.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
You’
ddot
hat
?”

Kumkani
:“Foryou,
anyt
hing.
”

Preci
ous:“
I’
dreal
lyappr
eci
atet
hat
,Kumkani
.
Thankyousomuch. ”

Kumkani
:“You’
rewel
come.I
’
llseeyout
omor
row
oncampus.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Goodni
ght
.”

Kumkani
:“Ni
ght
,Pr
ett
yLady.
”
Shewasaboutt osl eepunt i
lMam’Thokosenthera
What sAppr emi ndingherabouthercl eansing
appoi nt mentt hef oll
owi ngday.Shehadt oget
cleansedsi nceshehadl ostherbaby.I twas
cultur e.Shef iguredMam’ Thokowasaf rai
dt oface
heraf terseeingherr i
paf ewofBr i
dget ’sfingers
andt eet hout.Shedeci dedt osl
eepandhadar eal
ly
odddr eam ofhermot her.Shevi si
tedherwi th
Gat shabyhersi de,shewasj ustcr
yi ngwi thout
sayi ngawor d.Shegotupi nthemor ni
ngand
forgotaboutt hedr eam, asshewaswor ri
edabout
thet est .Shehadn’ tst udiedmuch, butshewassur e
toacei t.Shegotcl eanedupanddr essedandwas
aboutt owalkoutunt ilshesawMeshackwai t
ingfor
heri nt hekitchen.

Mi
sh:“
Hey.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hi.
”

Mi
sh:“
Ifi
gur
edIcoul
ddr
iveyout
oschoolt
oday.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“Ther
e’snoneedfort
hat
.Youboughtme
acar
,remember?Unlessyouwantitback.
”

Mi
sh:“
Comeon,
Presh,
I’
mtr
yingher
e.”

Preci
ous:“
Idon’tneedyoutot
ryanyt
hing,Meshack.
Ineedyoutomanupandownup.Now, ifyou’
l
l
excuseme,Ihaveat estt
owri
te.
”

Mi
sh:“
Goodl
uck.
”

Shewalkedout ,cl
osedthedoorbehindherwithout
evenresponding.Shereall
ydidn’
tneedsuch
dramasoear lyinthemorni
ng.Shegoti nt
ohercar
anddroveof ftocampus.Shepar kedhercarand
foundKumkanionherwal ktoclass.Thatman
alwayslookedsogoodi nasuit.
Kumkani
:“Mor
ning.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Goodmor
ning.
”

Kumkani
:“So,
didyouguyst
hinkaboutmy
pr
oposal
?”

Pr
ecious:(chuckl
ing)“
Whatmakesyouthinkt
hatI
am i
nvolvedinanydecisi
onmaki
ngthatinvol
ves
myhusband’ sgang?”

Kumkani:“
Well,
itl
ookedtomel i
keyouwerehavi
ng
averyseri
ousmeetingoverdi
nner,
butIapol
ogi
ze
forj
umpingthegun.”

Preci
ousdidn’
twantKumkaniknowi ngt
hatshe
wasnowi nchargeofever
ything.Sheval
uedhis
opini
onanddidn’twanthi
mt olosether
especthe
hadforher.
Pr
eci
ous:“
It
’sokay.
”

Student
swer est
arti
ngtost
areagai
n,butt
heydi
dn’
t
evenwhisperasalways–notonebit
.

Pr
eci
ous:“It
’sni
cet
oseet
hatt
hey’
renotst
ari
ngas
muchtoday.
”

Kumkani
:“Theywon’tevendaretodot
hatever
agai
n.It
oldyou,Igetshitdone.
”

Shewonder edwhatonearthhedidbecauseeven
herhasht agwentmi ssi
ngonsocialmedia.Shesat
atherusualspoti nt
hefrontandoneofthe
studentswal kedbyandsaidsomethi
ng
i
nt ent
ional
ly.

St
udent
:“Janeh,
somebi
tchesar
elucky.Ba
bol
edi
wa( t
heygetgossi
pedabout
)andalawsui
t
get
sthrown.Mustbeniceget
ti
ngfuckedbyt
wo
power
fulmen.”

Shetur
nedar oundandl
ookedatthem,butt
he
i
mmedi at
elykeptqui
etwhentheynoti
cedhow
pi
ssedshewas.

Preci
ous:“
I’
m sor
ry,
Ithoughtyouwer
etr
yingt
osay
somethi
ng?”

St
udent
:“Nna(
Me)
?Aowa,
no.
”

Precious:“Wellt
henextt i
meyout ryandsayshit
aboutsomeone, atl eastspeakl oudenoughand
ownupt oit.Andf oryouri nformati
onnoonei s
gett
ingf uckedhere, butfeelfreetoputyourpussy
onthet able.Imean, i
t’
saf reecountry,
right
?”
Thestudentandherfr
iendimmediatelybecame
sourandmovedseats,leavi
ngPreciousannoyed.
Kumkanitookoutpapersandstart
edont hefir
st
row,wherePreci
ouswassi t
ti
ngalone.

Kumkani
:“I
gnor
ethem.
”

Hewi nkedatherandproceededtohandoutpaper
s
foreachrow.Shewr otehertestandonceshewas
done,Kumkaniwentst r
aightt
oherwi t
hout
wonder i
ngwhateveryonewassayi ng.

Kumkani
:“CanIt
akeyououtf
orl
unch?
”

Pr
ecious:“Howaboutdi
nner?Ihavetogof
orsome
cl
eansingrit
ual
.Youknow,sinceIhada
miscar
riage.
”

Kumkani
:“Oh,
I’
m sosor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
Preci
ous:“
Don’
tapol
ogi
ze.I
twasagoodt
hinki
f
youaskme.”

Kumkani
:“Wecanmeetsomeot
hert
ime,
then.
”

Preci
ous:“Icanmeetupwi
thyoust
rai
ghtaf
ter
.
Yourplace?”

Kumkani
:“Okay.Nopr
obl
em.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shar
p.”

Shesmi ledathim andwalkedout .Sheignor ed

everyonewhogaveherf unnyl ooksandpr oceeded
tohercar .Shedroveoffandheadedst r
ai ghtto
Mam’ Thoko’shouse.Shef oundthekidspl aying
outsideandasangomai nthehousehavi ngt eawit
h
her.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Dumel
ang(
Hel
lo)
.”

Thesangomaimmediat
elyf
rownedwhenshe
l
ookedather
,li
keshewasseeingsomet
hingoddon
hersi
de.

Thoko:(f
rowning)“Preci
ousbathi
ng(Goodness),
ga
waaparaskirtletukunyana(you’
renoteven
weari
ngadoekoraski rt
).Andwhendi dyoueven
cutyourhai
r?”

Pr
ecious:“
Aski
es(Sor
ry),
Ma.Ir
ushedt
ocampus
si
nceIhadatestt
owr i
te.
”

Thoko:“
Eish,
GogoBubesi
,ngi
yaxoli
sa(I
’m so
sor
ry).Letmegogetheraski
rtanddoek.
”

Gog’
Bubesi
:“Thatwon’
tbenecessar
y.Pl
ease,
let
’s
pr
oceedt
othespar
eroom.
”

Pr
eciousnoddedandwal kedon.Theyhadtotake
of
ftheirshoesandsitonthefl
oor.Gog’
Bubesi
st
art
edget t
ingherbonesready.

GogoBubesi
:“I
gamangubani(
Whati
syour
name)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Preci
ous.
”

GogoBubesi
:“I
sibongo(
Sur
name)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Vil
akazi
.”

Gogothr
ewt
hebonesandi
mmedi
atel
yshookher
head.
GogoBubesi
:“Thi
sisst
range.
”

Thoko:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Whati
sit
?”

GogoBubesi :“
Ican’
tseem t
of i
ndanythi
ngfrom
herroots.Mychild,
youdon’thaveanyVil
akazi
ancestors.Somethi
ngisnotri
ghthere.Yourname
andsur namearenotyour
s.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

GogoBubesi:“Imeantheydon’
tbel
ongtoyou.Ask
yourhusbandtotel
lyouthetr
uth.Your
grandmotheraswell
.”

Pr
ecious:“
Ireal
lydon’
tfol
low.Am Inother
etoget
cl
eansed?”
GogoBubesi
:“Youar
e,butIhadt
ochecki
nonyour
l
if
e.”

Pr
eci
os:“
Ai,
ist
her
eanyt
hingel
seyousee?
”

GogoBubesi
:“Yourhusband,
hei
snotyour
sto
have.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Cont
inue.
”

GogoBubesi :“
Heisnotyoursoulmate,event
hough
yoursoulmateisri
ghtunderyournose.Youneed
tobecarefulofwhatyouhavedecidedtodowi t
h
yourl
ife.Youar egoi
ngonaver ydangerousr
oad
andonlyyoursoulmatecansaveyou, butint
urn
youhavet osaveyoursel
f.
”

Preci
ousdidn’
tunderst
andawordshesai
dandshe
real
lywasn’
tint
erest
ed.Sheonl
yhadKumkanion
hermi
nd.

Pr
ecious:“
Okay.I
’
lldoasyouwi
sh.HowdoIget
cl
eansed?”

GogoBubesi:“Youj usttaket
heseherbsandbat he
wit
hthem twiceaday, foraweek.You’llbefine
aft
erwards.Drinkthisoneaswell,
alsof orseven
days.Itwil
lcostyouR500. ”

Precious:“
Nowor
ri
es,
myhusbandwi
llpayf
or
everythi
ng.”

Speaki
ngofherhusband,
hewal
kedi
nri
ghtaf
ter
that
.

Mi
sh:“
Sani
bonani(
Hel
lo)
.”
Pr
ecious:“
Letmel
eaveyout
oit
.I’
l
lseeyousome
ot
hertime,Ma.
”

Thoko:“
Okay.Bye.
”

Mish:“
Emanyanawena(
Wai
tami
nut
e),
wher
ear
e
yougoing?
”

Preci
ous:“
Tomeetupwi t
hmygi r
ls.Forlunch.
Youcanhavemef ol
lowedifyouwish,
sinceiti
s
yourspeci
alt
y.”

Shel
efthi
m st
andi
ngt
her
e.

Mi
sh:“
Ai,
I’
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
.Isshesor
ted?
”

GogoBubesi
:“Yes,
shei
s,kodwa(
but
)youneedt
o
si
tdown.
”
Hesatdownandshestar
tedthr
owi
ngt
hebones
agai
nandsheshookherhead.

GogoBubesi :(shaki
nghead)“Awari scomingyour
way,mfanawami( myboy).Yourwi f
ei snotyour
soul
mat e,butshewi l
lbeabletosaveyou–i fyou
changeyourways.Youneedt olearntorespect
andloveherf orwhatiti
swor t
h–orel sedeathwil
l
beknockingonyourdoor .”

Mi
sh:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”

GogoBubesi:“I’
m sayingtakegoodcareofher
whil
eshei syoursbeforeyouloseyourownlif
e.
Herancestorsareveryangrywithyou.Youneedto
dotherightt
hingandt el
lherthetr
uthaboutwho
sheis.
”

Mi
shbecamest
art
ledi
mmedi
atel
y.
Mi
sh:“
Idon’
t’
knowwhatyoumean.
”

GogoBubesi:“
Youknowexact
lywhatImean.Fix
yourmess,Meshack,
orel
seyou’
l
ljoi
nyourfat
her
i
nt hegr
ave.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
51] :Chapt
er75

“
Aboomerangr
etur
nsbacktot
heper
sont
hat
t
hrowsi
t.
”–VeraNazar
ian

Someoneoncesai dthatr evengeisadi shbest

servedcold.Itrunsdeepert hanwet hink,real
ly.
Mishwasl osinghismi ndandsadl yf orhimitwas
onlythebeginning.Precioushadmanagedt ot al
k
somesensei nt ohi
screwbyshowi ngthem that
Mishwast hebossyett heyallstar
tedt hi
screw–
together
.Whywoul donewantt odoal lthedirty
wor kwhentheycouldal lgainthesamepr ofi
ts?He
hadenoughpr obl
emst ol astali
fetime;hiscrew
hadt ur
nedagai nsthi
m, hiswifehadgonerogue
andhehadj ustbeentoldthatdeathisri
ghtaround
thecorner.2Cor int
hians7:10says;“ForGodly
gri
elfproducesar epentancethatl
eadstosalvati
on
withoutregr
et,whereasawor dlygriefpr
oduces
death.”

Meshackhadpr omi sedPr eciousthingshef ailedto

produce, wit
hinlesst hansi xmont hsofmar riage.
Hedef loweredaPr i
ncess;someoneel se’s
soulmat e.Heconvi ncedhert hathewoul dbet her
e
forherandhewoul dr especther .Thei rmarriage
wasbr okenbeforeitevenbegan–whenMi sh
couldn’tstayfait
hfultohi sfiancéeandwhenhe
fai
ledt obehonest .Iti ssoeasyt osayt hoset hree
power fulwords;“Iloveyou”andyetpeopl ef ailto
adher etotheconsequencest hatcomewi tht he
wor ds.Mi shbecamedi straughtfrom themoment
helefthi smother’shouse.Hedr ovejustfi
ne, but
hisspir i
twastained;hur tandj ustnotalr
ight.He
foundhi mselfdrivi
ngt oRonza’ shouse, wher ehe
foundt hewhol ecrewt here.I tmadehi m evenmor e
edgyashethoughttheywer
epl
otti
ngthi
ngs
agai
nsthi
m.Par anoiawast
heorderoft
hedayf
or
MeshackNdhlovu.

Ronza:“
ShoshoBozza.Dintshang(What’sup)?O
sagostressaj
ouvr
ou(Isyourwifesti
llst
ressi
ng
youout)
?”

Mish:(
fi
rml
y)“
Ronza,
govayangmo(
what
’sgoi
ng
onhere)
?”

Ronza:“
Niks(
Not
hing)
.We’
rej
ustchi
ll
ing.
”

Mish:“Oh,andyoudi
dn’
tcar
etoi
nfor
m meabout
yourli
tt
lechil
las?
”

Ronza:“
Checkyourphone.Ical
ledyouandyou
neverpi
ckedup.
”
Mishcheckedhi
sphoneandimmedi
atel
yreal
ized
t
hatRonzawastell
ingt
hetr
uth.

Mish:(
apol
ogeti
c)“
I’
m sorr
y.Ihaven’
tbeenmysel
f
l
atel
yanditseemsasifever
ythi
ngisget
ting
worse.
”

Ronza:“Youhonest
lyt
houghtI’
ddoyoulikethat?
Whatmakesyout hi
nkwe’dwanttosidel
ineyou
whenyourwomancameupwi thsuchagr eatpl
an
foral
lofus?Comeon, Mish,
youshouldknow
bett
er.
”

Ronzawasr i
ght.Mishshoul
dhaveknownbett
er.
HeofallpeopleknewRonzawoul
dnevereventr
y
anyt
hingagainsthi
m.

Mi
sh:“
I’
m sor
ry,
Mfo(
Bro)
.I’
mlosi
ngmymi
nd.
”
Ronza:“I
’
dalsol
osemymindaswelli
fmywifewas
thatmadatme.Come,si
tdown.Let’
shavea
drink.
”

Theywenttowar
dstherestoft
hecr
ewwhower
e
morethanhappytoseeMish.

Ghandia:(
smi
li
ng)“
Hey,
BossoyadiBosso(
Kingof
Bosses).
”

Mi
sh:“
Sho,
Ghandi
a.”

Ganj
a:“
Youl
ookl
ikeshi
t.
”

Snakes:(
shaki
nghead)“
Nc,
nc,
nc,
femal
es.Thi
sis
whyIjusthat
emarri
age.
”

Bi
gz:“
Whatdoyoumean?You’
remar
ri
ed,
r
emember
?”

Snakes:“
Ja,
butnotbychoi
ce.
”

Theyal
llaughed.

Pil
ot:“Foraf atheroffouryousuredodespi
se
marriage.Imeanyouhaveyourwi f
eeverywher
e–
yourWhat sAppDP, yourFacebookProf
il
ePict
ure
evenyourI nstagram.”

Snakes:“Letmet el
lyousomet hing;mywifehates
beinghidden–evenwhenwewer edati
ng.She
hatedthat.Shet ol
dmef rom thebeginni
ngthatifI
wasaboutt ohideherl i
keshewassomeol ddish
rag,t
henweshoul djustcalli
tqui t
s.HowcouldI
l
eaveawomant hatbeautiful
?Shewast hemost
beautif
ulgir
latschoolandever yonewantedher.So,
IdidwhatIdidandshegotpr egnantandIhadt o
mar r
yher.Idon’tregretitonebi t
,butmarri
ageis
j
ustt
oomuchatt
imes.
”

Bi
gz:“
Iknowwhatyoumean.
”

Ganja:“
Nnaakeready(I’
m notr
eady)
.Il
ikemy
space,myf
reedom nj
e.”

Ghandia:(cl
icki
ngtongue)“
Mxm, ut
lwafel
a(l
ist
en
toyou).Howdoyouevensayt hatwhenyou
alwayssleepwithOli
viaatni
ght?
”

Ganj
a:(shocked)“
Haihai(
no,
no)
,man.Howdo
youevenknowabouther?”

Ghandi
a:“
I’
m yourt
win.Iknowever
ythi
ngabout
you.
”

Ganj
a:“
Bot
tom l
inei
sthatOl
ivi
amakesmehappy,
I
meanshemakesmebr eakfastandsupper
,she
washesmycl ot
hes,sheevenmakessur et
hatIget
upont i
me.WhenIam si ck,shemakessureIget
medicati
onandgetsmei nbedearly.
”

Theyal
llaughed–exceptMi
sh.

Ghandi
a:“
Thendowhat
’sr
ightandwi
feher
.”

Ganja:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“
Mxm,i
fyouwantmeto
wif
eher,thenwenawhydon’
tyouwif
ePabi
?”

Theyal
lchuckl
ed.

Ronza:“Ainoman,gents.Youdon’
tjustmarrya
womanf orfun.Youhavetobewill
ingtost
ickby
herwhent hegoi
nggetstough–youknow, st
ickby
yourvows.Thosearen’tj
ustwor
ds, t
heyar
e
promises.
”
Pi
lot
:(chuckl
ing)“
Sincewhenar
eyouapast
or?
”

Ronza:“
I’
m asensibl
eman.Ifwe’
regoingtodo
t
histhenwehavetodoitr
ight.Weallneedtoknow
whoourwomenar e.Oncewegoin,nomor e
fucki
ngaround.Imeani
t.
”

TheyknewthatRonzawasr
ight
,besi
des,
heal
ways
hadonegir
lf
ri
end.

Snakes:“
Isecondthat
.Imeanwecan’tbebri
ngi
ng
womeni nandoutofourl
iveswhenwe’
reaboutt
o
bethemostnotori
ousgangster
sint
hecount
ry.
”

Ronza:“Exactly,
Mi shdidagoodt hi
ng.Even
thoughwemi ghtbebasical
lybrokerightnow,he
knewwhathewant edandwentf ori
t.Weal lf
uck
up–al lofyouknowt hat
.Thekeyi slearni
ngfrom
i
t.Mi sh,Iknow,itseemssot oughrightnow,but
yougott
agetyour sel
fchecked, man.Wedon’ tbeat
ourwomen–mor eespecial
lythosewelove.We
tr
eatt
hem gent l
y,wit
hloveandr espectandcare.
Wedon’tembar rasst
hem inf r
ontofourfri
endsand
wenevertreatthem l
ikeshiti
nsuchawayt hatthey
endupinanot herman’sarms.Remember ,a
shoul
dertocryon–“

Ghandi
aandGanj
a:“
Becomesadi
ckt
ori
deon.
”

Pil
ot:“
Ronzahasapoint,t
hough.Imean,
youki
nd
ofdidtr
eatherl
ikeshi
t.
”

Snakes:“
Nowondert
hatKumkaniguyi
ssoal
lover
her
.”

Bigz:“
IfIwer
eyou,I
’
ddolit
eral
lyanythi
ngt
owi
n
uThembalami’
s(myhope’
s)heartback.
”
Mi shwassi tti
ngt hereinsil
enceandhist ears
startedstr
eami ngdownhi sface.Hehar dlycried,
butthoset earsfeltsohoti twasasiftheywer e
madeofaci d,diggingtheirwaythroughhi scheeks.
Hischestf eltl
ikeitwascl osingup,whil
ehi s
stomachwasi nknot s.Hebur i
edhisheadi nhis
handswhenher eali
zedhowmuchheact uall
y
fuckedup.Ronzapat t
edhim onthebackandt he
restallgotclosert ohim.

Ronza:“
It
’sal
ri
ght
.Leti
tal
lout
.Cr
yingi
snota
si
gnofweakness,
myman.”

Snakes:“
Yeah,
wegotyourback,
bro.
”

Bi
gz:“
Always.
”

Itact
uall
yf el
tgoodforMishtohearsomewordsof
encouragement.Hiscrewtendstoactli
kei
diot
s,
buttheydishedoutt
heuncensoredtrut
htohim.
From thatdayonwar ds,hevowedt otryandbea
bett
erhusbandt oPr eci
ous, t
hehusbandhehad
promisedherhewoul dbe.Meanwhi l
e,Cassandra
wasinar utofherown.Af terMi shandRonzal ef
t
herfl
atthepr eviousday, shest art
edget t
ingcramps
andbleeding.Shehadnochoi cebutt ocal l
Raymondandt ellhi
m shewasnotf eel
ingwel l
.She
knewt hatthedoct orwoul dtellRaymondt hetr
uth
abouthercondi tionsoonerorl ater,soitwast i
me
forhertoconf ess.Shewasl yinginherhospi t
al
bed,cryi
ngwhenRaymondwal kedinlookingvery
seri
ous.

Raymond:“
Hi.
”

Cassandr
a:“
Hi.
”

Raymond:“
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”

Cassandr
a:“
Nott
oowel
l.
”
Raymond:“Youwantt
otel
lmewhatr
eal
ly
happened?
”

Cassandra:(si
gh)“IhadtoldMishthatt
hebaby
washisandheact uall
ybeli
evedme.Hecamet o
myplaceandheshovedsomeabor ti
onpil
lsi
ntomy
vagi
na.Evenaf terItol
dhimt hebabywasyours–
hesti
lldi
dn’tbeli
eveme. ”

Raymondbecamesoangr y,
sincehehadbeen
dyingtohaveachildofhisownf orsol
ong.Heand
Mishwer ever
ymuchal i
ke;t
heyblameotherpeopl
e
forthei
rownmi sf
ortune.

Raymond:(angr
y)“Howdarehekil
lmyunborn
chil
d?!Nawe(youtoo)
,howdareyouli
etohim and
tel
lhimthatt
hebabyishi
s,Cassi
e?!Don’
tyouever
l
earn?!”
Cassandr
a:(scar
ed)“
I’
m sor
ry,
Viper
.Idi
dn’
tmean
i
tthatway.
”

Raymond:“
Younevermeananyt
hing,
doyou?
!”

Cassandr
a:(
cryi
ng)“
Raymond,
please!
”

Raymond:“Ishouldhaveli
stenedt
omymother.
Shealwayssaidlovi
ngawhor ehasal
waysbeena
badidea–eveni nmovies.
”

Helefthercryi
nghereyesoutinthathospit
albed
whil
ehet houghtofplot
ti
ngrevengeagainsthis
ownbr ot
her.It’
salwayseasytothi
nkofkill
ing
someone, butRaymondhadnoi deathatkil
li
nghis
ownbr ot
heralsomeantdyinghimself
.

Meanwhi
lePr
eci
oushadquickl
ygonetoherhouse
t
otakeashower
.Shestar
tedwithhert
reat
ment
i
mmedi ately.Shedr ankacupoft hemedi ci
ne
gi
vent oherandal sotookabat husi ngt heot her.
Thankgoodnessi tdi
dn’tsmel latal l
,sinceshehad
adat ewi t
hKumkani .Sheputonar ockingVer sace
Maxi dresswi t
hGucci Sandal s.Shewasn’ t
bl
eedi ngmuchanymor e,whi chwasagoodsi gn.
Shej ustneededt ogetawayf rom t hehouse, fr
om
Mi sh.Sheevenl i
edt ohim sayi ngt hatshewas
goingt omeetupwi thherf r
iends.Thatwast he
startofanevenmor etoxi
cr elat i
onshi p.Shehadno
i
deawhatKumkaniwaspl anni ng;i nhereyes, he
wasdoi ngagr eatthi
ngt r
yingt ohel pthem, butshe
wasal sof all
ingforhim –har d.Shegoti ntohercar
anddr oveof f.Minuteslater,shecal ledKumkani
whi l
eshewasatt hegate.

Kumkani
:“Al
ri
ght
.Thepasscodei
s2578.
”

Shepuncheditinandgainedaccess.Hecame
runni
ngdownt hestai
rstowalkherin.Heeven
openedherdoorjustl
ikethegent
lemanhewas.
Preci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Your
eal
lydi
dn’
thavet
o,you
know.”

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Hel
lo,
Pret
tyLady.CanIgeta
hug?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
Sur
e.”

Thatwasthef i
rsthugt heyhadevershar ed.He
wasrathertal
l,mucht all
erthanMi sh,soshehadt o
ti
ptoetoreachhi sneck.Shei nhaledhisgor geous
scenti
nthepr ocess.Ther ewasj ustsomet hing
dif
fer
entaboutever ythingKumkanidi d.Shehad
comparedhi mtoMi shonnumer ousoccasi onsin
hermind.Theybr oket hehugandhehel dherhand
astheywalkedt ohishouse.Shewassobert hat
ti
me;soshewasabl et ofocusonever ything.He
openedthedoorandal l
owedhert owal ki nfi
rst.
Kumkani
:“Wel
comet
omyhumbl
eabode.
”

Theplacesti
lllookedthesame, butalit
tl
ediff
erent
toherthatt
ime.Kumkanihadgoneal loutwit
h
scent
edcandl esalmosteverywhereinthehouse.
Hehaddi mmedt heli
ghtsf
oraper fectatmosphere.
Lunchwasal readysetonthet abl
e,withoneofhis
mostexpensivebot t
lesofwine.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wow,
Kumkani
.Thi
sissobeaut
if
ul.
”

Kumkani:(smi
li
ng)“
Abeaut
if
ulsetupf
ora
beaut
if
ullady.
”

Preci
ous:“
Youact
ual
lymadei
tlookl
ikei
t’
sni
ght
ti
me.”

Kumkani:(
chuckl
ing)“
Yes,i
t’
slunchwi
thadinner
feel
.Idon’
twantyourhusbandtogett
hewrong
i
dea,al
thoughIcan’
tseem t
ohi
demyf
eel
ingsf
rom
you.
”

Hecamecl osertothenervousPrecious,shestared
deepintohi
seyesandhi mi nhers,hegentlyheld
herfaceandkissedherforehead.Preciouswas
somehowexpect i
ngmor e,butKumkaniwasar eal
gent
leman.

Kumkani
:“Pl
easesi
t.
”

Hepul
ledt
hechai
rforhert
osi
tandshesatgl
adl
y.

Kumkani
:“MayIpouryousomewi
ne?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes,
thankyou.
”

Hepour
edheragl
assofwi
neandonef
orhi
msel
f.
Hesati
nhischai
randaskedhert
ohol
dhandswi
th
hi
m sot
hattheycoul
dpray.

Kumkani :“Fat herGod,Ithankyousomuchf orthi

s
wonder ful
,blessed, br
andnewdayofl i
fe.Ithank
youmosti mpor tant
lyforbringi
ngmet hisbeauti
ful
,
magni fi
centguest .Iknowyouwor ki nmyst er
ious
ways, dearLor d,butIaskthatyouputever ypl anin
place.Ever yonehast heirowndest i
nyandIask
thatyouf ul
filmypr ayers.Foryoudosayt ousin
Mar k11:24;“ Theref
oreItellyou,whateveryouask
i
npr ayer,believethatyouhaver eceivedit,andit
willbeyours.”It hankyouonceagai nformaki ngall
thispossible.Ipr ayinJesusMi ghtyName.Amen. ”

Preciousreal
lyf
eltthatprayer,andmost
i
mpor t
ant
lyshelovedt hatKumkani wasar ealman
ofGod.Hehadaper sonalrelati
onshi
pwithGod,
unlikeMeshack.Ironicall
y,Meshackwasnamed
aftertheMeshackint heBible,buthereal
lydidn’
t
prayatall
.
Pr
eci
ous:(i
mpressed)“
Ihaveneverhear
daman
pr
ayl
ikethatbef
ore.
”

Kumkani:(
smi
li
ng)“I
’
m notj
ustanyman,Pret
ty
Lady.I
’
m Kumkani.Sti
ckar
oundandyou’l
lgett
o
knowme. ”

Precious:“WhatImeanisthat,t
helastti
meI
actuall
yheardapowerfulprayerl
ikethatwaswhen
mymot herwasali
ve.Myhusbanddoesn’ treal
ly
praymuch.IguessIhavegoneast rayabit
.”

Kumkani:“Ecclesi
astes3:1;“Foreverythi
ngt her
eis
aseason,andat i
mef oreverymat t
erunder
heaven.
”Youhavebeent hroughal ot,
Precious.
Beli
evemewhenIsayIdon’ tjudgeyouatal l.I’
m
notperf
ecteither,Ihavebeent hr
oughhel lmyself.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
MayIaskwhatki
ndofhel
l?
”
Kumkani
:“Let
’senjoyourf
oodf
ir
standt
henI
’
llt
ell
youal
labouti
t,okay?”

Shenoddedwhi
letheyenj
oyedthedel ici
ousfood
hehadmadeforthem.Shehadnoi deahecoul d
evencooksowel
l.Mishcouldcook, butnotl
ike
Kumkani.Hewasabitofamast erchefcompar ed
toMish.

Pr
eci
ous:“Wheredi
dyoulearnhowt
ocookli
kethi
s?
Mygoodness,
thisi
sthebestst
eakI
’
veeverhad.
”

Kumkani:(
smi l
ing)“
Thankyou.Myfatherwasa
chef
,soit’
sjustoneofthoset
hingst
hattraveli
n
ourgenes.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Was?
”
Kumkani
:“Yes.HepassedawaywhenIwas15.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m sosor
ryt
oheart
hat
.”

Kumkani
:“I
t’
sokay.Iknowi
twashi
sti
meandI
madepeacewit
hit.Heiswi
thmeever
yday,
that
muchIdoknow.”

Shewasamazedathowmat urehewasandhow
shewishedt
obeokaywithhermother
’sdeat
hli
ke
hewas.Theyhaddesser
tandbythatti
meshewas
abitf
ull
.

Preci
ous:“
Thatwast
hebestmealIhaveeverhad.
Thankyousomuch,Kumkani
.”

Kumkani
:“Mypl
easur
e.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hedi
shes.
”

Kumkani:“
Nonsense,I
’m goi
ngt
oputthem i
nthe
di
shwasherandgiveyouallmyat
tent
ion.I
’l
lbe
ri
ghtback.
”

Shesmi ledasheki ssedherf oreheadonceagai n

beforel eavingwi tht hedishes.Shepour edher sel
f
anothergl assofwi neanddeci dedt olookatt he
photoshehadi nthehouse.Ther ewasonebi g
paintingont hewal l;shecoul deasi l
yrecogni ze
Kumkanievent houghheseemedmuchyounger ,
thent herewer etwoel derpeoplewhol ookedl ikehis
parent sandonewomannextt ohi m whom she
assumedwashi ssister.Ther esembl ancewas
stri
king.Af ewoft heot herpictureswer eofhi m
andhi smot her,andt hesisterandadaught erwho
l
ookedal otlikehim.Shef r
ownedasshet hought
thatper hapshehadachi l
d.Kumkaniwal ked
towar dsherandputhi sarmsar oundherf rom
behind.Shel ovedf eelingthatsenseofsecur i
ty
aroundhim.Shecouldtel
lhewasaver
yint
imat
e
personandlovedaf
fect
ion.

Kumkani
:“Iseeyou’
rel
ooki
ngatt
heol
dme.
”

Shewasn’tsur
ewhathemeantbyt
hat
,buti
t
soundeddeep.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Kindof
.Who’
sthi
scut
ie?
”

Shewaspoi
nti
ngatt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
.

Kumkani:“Oh,
that
’sPhumeza,
mysi
ster
’s
daught
er.”

Shebreat
hedoutasi
ghi
nrel
ief
,causi
ngKumkani
tol
augh.
Kumkani:(
laughi
ng)“Yout
houghtshewasmine
becauseshelooksl
ikeme,r
ight
?Igetthatal
ot.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iwasj
ustabi
tsur
pri
sed.
”

Kumkani
:“Woul
dithavemadeanydi
ff
erencei
fshe
wasmine?”

Preci
ous:“
Idon’
tthi
nkso.Imean,
Idon’
teven
knowwhatyouandIaredoing.
”

Heslowlytur
nedherar
oundasheputhi
shandson
herwaist
.

Kumkani :“
YouandIar etwopeopl
ewhoar eget
ti
ng
toknoweachot her.Iknowyoudon’tbel
ieveme,
butyou’remyfuturewife,
thewomanwhohas
capturedmyhear t
,thewomanofmydesi res.
You’retheonewhoGodhascar vedspeci
al l
yforme.
Isawyouinmydr eamsl
ongbef
oreImetyou,
Preci
ous.Bel
ievemewhenIsaythi
s;youwi
llbe
minesoonenough.”

Shej ustt houghthewasmaki ngaspeech, you

know, t
heki ndmenmakewhent heyhaven’ tsl
ept
withyouyet .Shesmi l
edathim ashecapt uredher
onceagai nwi thhisbeaut if
uleyes.Kumkani
graspedt hemomentwi thbothhandsashel eaned
closerandpl antedhi ssoftli
psonher s.She
respondedast heirli
pswental ongwi t
ht hesame
tune,theirtonguesr espondedt oeachot her’ssoft
,
wett ouch.Thei rtongueswer egl i
dingt ogetherin
eachot her ’
smout hs.Shehadneverf eltsomuch
electri
citythroughherbodybyj ustaki ss.Shef el
t
herni ppleser ectunder neathherdressandher
pussysendi ngsi gnals.Hi shandsdi dt heright
thing,ast heyst r
okedherback, shef eltli
keshewas
i
nheaven.Kumkanibr oket hekissandPr ecious
wasst i
llincloudni newi thhereyescl osed.
Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Areyouokay?
”

Sheopenedhereyesandst
aredathi
sgl
ist
eni
ng
eyes.

Preci
ous:“Ihaveneverbeenkissedli
ket
hatbef
ore.
I
’m notevensureifIam real
lyokay.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Don’twor
ry,youwil
lsti
llget
t
oseeandf eelal
otmor eofme,Ipromi
se.”

Theysatont
hecouchandt
henherphoner
ang.I
t
wasMish.

Pr
eci
ous:(
sigh)“
It
’smyhusband.
”

Kumkani
:“Takei
t.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ican’
ttel
lhi
mI’
m her
e.He’
l
llosehi
s
mi
nd.
”

Kumkani:“
Ifyoudon’
tanswer,t
hisi
sthefi
rstpl
ace
he’
l
llookatforyou.Youstr
ikemeassomeonewho
i
ssmar t
erthanwhatshelooks.Becal
m andtal
kto
hi
m.”

Sheanswer
ed.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hel
lo.
”

Mi
sh:(
ner
vous)“
Hi,
baby.uGr
and(
areyouokay)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes,
I’
mfi
ne.You?
”

Mish:“
I’
m okay.I
,uh,
wasj
ustcal
li
ngt
ofi
ndouti
f
you’
reokay.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh.
”

Mish:“
Look,I
’
dliket
ocookyousomedi
nnert
oni
ght
,
i
fthat’
sokaywit
hyou.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes,
uhm,
sur
e.”

Mish:“Rachelal
readytoldmeyou’
dbehomeabi
t
l
ate,butI’
l
lwaitforyou.”

Herf
ri
endswer
epr
ett
yloyalt
oli
eli
ket
hatf
orher
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okayt
hen.
”

Mish:“
Isentyousomecashi
ncaseyouguysmi
ght
wanttogoout.”
Preci
ousdi
dn’
tevenlookatherphone.Shedidn’
t
noti
cehehadputsomemoneyi nheraccount
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”

Mi
sh:“
Okay,
Iloveyou.
”

Thatwasthemostawkwar dconver
sat
ionshehas
everhadwithherownhusband.Shedidn’
tfeel
ri
ghtsayi
ngitbackwhi
leshewasn’tsosure
anymoreifshemeanti
tornot.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Bye.
”

Shehungupandl
ookedatKumkani
.

Kumkani:“
Thatwasthemostpai
nful
lyawkward
conver
sati
onbetweenacoupl
eIhaveeverhear
d.
Ar
eyout
wookay?Idon’
tmeant
opr
y.”

Preci
os:“No,you’
renotpr
yingatall
.We’
vej
ust
beengoingthroughalot
,Iguess.
”

Kumkani:“
Well,i
fbyalotyoumeanabuse, Ihope
youei
therfi
xitoryouleave.Nomanshoul dt reata
womanlikethat.1Corint
hians7:3;“
Thehusband
shoul
dgivetohiswif
eherconj ugalr
ight
s,and
l
ikewi
sethewi f
etoherhusband.”

Preci
ous:“
Kumkani,yousayal
ltheri
ghtt
hings,you
doallt
heri
ghtt
hings.Whatexactl
yarewedoi ng?”

Kumkani:“
Itol
dyou,you’
remyfut
urewife.Iknow
ri
ghtnowyoubelongtosomeoneelse,
butI’
ma
pati
entman,Pret
tyLady.
”

Pr
eci
ousf
eltabi
tconf
used,
butdeci
dednott
opush
i
tanyf
urt
her
.

Preci
ous:“Youal
wayssayt hatyou’r
eapatientman
andthatyouhavebeent hroughal otyour
self
.
Whatdomeanbyt hatexactly?
”

Kumkani:“Youstri
kemeassomeonewhohasa
goodknowl edgeoftheBi
ble.Ar
eyouf
ami
li
arwi
th
1Peter5:8?”

Preci
ous:“1Peter5:8;“Besober
-minded;be
watchful
.Youradver saryt
hedevilpr
owlsaround
l
ikearoaringl
ion,seekingsomeonetodevour.”

Kumkani:“
Exactl
y.Wel
l
,si
tbackandr
elaxandI
’
ll
t
ellyoumystory.
”

Preci
oussatbackandr
elaxedasKumkanit
oldher
to,whi
leanxi
ousl
yawai
ti
ngt ohear
;whoKumkani
act
ual
lywas.
[
01/
27,
07:
52] :Chapt
er76

“
Forgetthepast
,for
giveyour
sel
f,andbegi
nagai
n
r
ightnow.”–Anonymous

Preci
oussatont hatcouch,anxi
ouslywaiti
ngto
hearwhatKumkanihadbeenhi dingabouthispast
.
Sheaskedher sel
fifi
tcouldhaveactuall
ybeen
worsethanMi sh’
s?Het ookasi pofhiswine,t
ook
adeepbr eat
handst ar
tedtalki
ng.

Kumkani :“Icomef rom averytradit

ionalfami l
y.By
tradi
ti
onal,Imeant heydoordidever yt
hingbyt he
book.Thi swasmor emyf at
her,butmymot herhad
alwaystriedherbestt oall
owust odoever ything
wewant edt odo, youknow, tobef r
ee.Myf ather
hadawhol eli
fesetoutf orme;hewant edmet obe
thebestoft hebest .Iatt
endedt hebestschool s
andst ar
tedgr ade1att heageof5.Ipar t
icipatedin
almostever yextramur alact i
vitytherewas.
Partially,thismademedepr essed.Iwashar dly
happy, unt i
lImetJessi ca.Shewasl ikethel i
ghtat
theendoft het unnel ,youknow.Mysi st
eri sten
year sol derthanmeandshehadal readybeen
mar riedbyt hen, butIont heotherhand, wasj ust14.
Ireallyl i
kedhersomuch, butmydadr eall
y
disappr oved.Hedi dever yt
hingi nhi spowert ost op
ourr elationship, untilIstart
edr ebelling.Ihadt olet
goofhert opl easehi m, butIwasnothappyatal l.
Nonet heless,Ididr ightbyhi m byat tendingschool
andst il
ldoingal lmyext ramur alact i
viti
es.You
shoul dseeal lthet r
ophi esIhave, you’ dsweart hat’
s
ther easonwhyIhaveOCD.Ever ythingofmi nehas
tobeext r
aper fect.Anyway, hedi edwhenIwas15,
andevennow, Isti
llfeellikehisshadow.If eellikeI
justwasn’ tgoodenoughf orhim.Iwentt ovar sit
y
andt omysur pr i
se, Jessicawast her e.Ist arted
studyi ngl awandImetMr .Nkat hat here,andI
wor kedunderhi m eversi nce.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
DidyouandJessi
caevergetback
t
oget
her
?”

Kumkani :(si
gh)“Yes,immediat
elywhenwef ound
eachot heragai
nwedi dn’
twasteanyti
me.We
becamel oversagainandbecameani nstanthi
t.
Wel ovedeachot hersomuch, wordscan’
teven
describeourrel
ationship.
”

Shecoul
dtel
lthet
opicst
il
lhur
thim deepl
y.He
becameemoti
onalashespokeofherfurt
her
more.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Then,
whathappened?
”

Kumkani:“Duri
ngmysecondyear ,shefellpr
egnant
.
Mymom seemedl ikeshewastot
allyforthe
rel
ati
onshi
p, Imeanshewasgenui nel
yhappyf or
me.Unt i
lmyuncl e,myfat
her
’sbrothercameout
wit
hthetruth.”
Preci
ousgul
pedwit
hatightknoti
nhert
hroatas
sheawait
edther
estoft
henews.

Kumkani :“
Ittur
nsoutJessi cawasmyhal fsist
er.
Myf atherhadbeenagai nsttherelati
onshipal l
alongknowi ngverywellthathewasherf ather.He
hadherayearaf terIwasbor n–wi thanother
woman.Canyoubel i
evet hat?Ihadasexual
relat
ionshi
pwi t
hmyownbl oodsister.
”

Hiswordscamedeepwi t
hinfrom apainhehad
buriedl
ongago.Preci
ousjustsatther
eassheheld
hishandswhil
etear
swerestreamingdownt hei
r
faces.

Kumkani :“
Itwasdevastati
ng,youknow.Forher ,
it
wast hewor st
.Shecouldn’thandleit
.Thatvery
samedayshef oundout,shefeltl
ikewhatwedi d
wasanabomi nati
on,butwedidn’tknow.Itried
reachingherallaf
ter
noonbutt onoavail.Ithen
heardasIwasonmywayt ocampust hatshehad
j
umpedof fthe7t
hfloorofherres.Shekil
led
hersel
fandourchil
d.Iwasnevert hesameever
si
nce.Ittookmeawhi l
etogetoveritandIdon’
t
evenknowhowIgotoveri tact
uall
y.”

Thatwasrathert
raumatic.Preci
ousreal
lyfel
tfor
him.Thelastti
meshesawamancr yli
kethatwas
whenMishtoldhereverythi
ngabouthispast.It
seemedverypainfult
oseeamancr y,
inhermind.

Precious:“1John4: 19;“Welovebecausehef i
rst
l
ovedus.Youdi dnothingbad, Kumkani
.Your eal
ly
j
ustf el
linlovewi thawoman, awomanyouhadno
i
deayoushar edbl oodwith.It
’sokaytocry,
but
blamingyour selfshoul
dst opnow.Your eal
ly
cannotliveyourl i
febeingsubjectedt
osomuch
hurt.I’
mt erri
blysorryyouhadt ogothroughthat.
”

Kumkani:(t
eary)“I
’mjustgl
adsheisatpeace.
Rightaf
tershedied,t
hateveni
ngIcoul
dn’tsl
eep.
Shevisi
tedmet henandaf ewnight
saft
erthat
,
tell
ingmethatsheisatpeacewithhersel
fandshe
didn’tbl
ameme.Ihadt ogot hr
oughmont hsof
therapybef
oreful
lyheal
ing.Ineverdatedever
since.”

Preci
ous:“
Isi
ttr
uet
hatyour
eal
lydr
eamtofme
befor
eyouevenmetme?”

Kumkani:(chuckl
ing)“Yes,oneofthesedays,I
’l
l
expl
aineverythi
ng.It’
sgettingr
atherlat
e,per
haps
youshouldgohomebef oreMeshackst art
sgett
ing
suspi
cious.”

Preci
ous’sf
acialexpressionchangedimmedi
atel
y.
Shefeltasi
fhewast ryi
ngtogetridofher
.He
noti
cedherdispleasureandheldherchin.

Kumkani:“Pr
eci
ous,don’tt
akei
tthewrongway.
EventhoughIhavefal
lenmadlyi
nlovewithyou,
I
cannothaveyouri
ghtnow–notwhi l
eyoustil
l
bel
ongt ohi
m.Iwantt odot hingsri
ghtbyyou.And
bythat,ImeanIneedt ohaveyouwhenyouar e
yourselfcompletel
y,whenyouhaveheal edfrom
whateverhehasdonet oyouandwhenyouhavel et
go–compl etel
y.1Cor int
hinas7:9;“Butift
hey
cannotexerciseself
-control,t
heyshouldmar ry.
Foritisbett
ertomar rythant oburnwithpassion.
Remembert hat
.”

Hekissedherpassionat
elyonceagain,
andshefelt
thoseel
ect
rif
yingemot i
onsandfeel
ingsthr
oughout
herbody.Hebr okethekissandl
ookedherinthe
eye.

Kumkani:“
AsIsai
d,I
’m apati
entman.I ’
dr at
her
haveyoubymysideeveryni
ght,butI
’
dr atherhave
youknowingt
hatIdi
dn’
ttakeyoufrom someone
el
se.”

Thosewordsweretr
ulypower
ful
.Hewasamanof
honourandevent
houghitdi
dhurthi
mtol
ethergo
tobewi thanot herman, heunder stoodt hatshewas
stil
lyoungandhermi ndcouldgeteasi l
yswayed.
Heneededawi fe,aproperwi fewhol ovedhi mfor
him andnotasar ebound.Hest illhadt otel
lherthe
truthaboutherbei ngapr incess,butt hatwouldjust
throwoffever ythi
nghehadbeenwor kingon.Littl
e
didheknowt hatPr eciouswasnowt hemast er
mi ndofeverything.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.Iunder
stand.
”

Kumkani
:“Thankyou.Come,
letmewal
kyouout
.”

Theywalkedouthandi nhandandheopenedher
cardoorforherandshegotin.hegaveheranot
her
peckonthelipsbefor
eshedroveoff
.

Kumkani:“
Don’
tforgettodel
eteal
lourchat
s.I
mightbeyourl
awyernowandIdon’ twantt
ost
ep
onMish’st
oesjustyet.
”
Preci
ous:“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hat
.I’
l
ltal
ktohi
m.
Bye.”

Kumkanibl ewheraki ssandshedr oveoff.She

couldn’tgethermi ndof fKumkani.Itwasasi fshe
hadf all
eninloveal loveragain.Shewasn’tthis
happywi thMi sh,wasshe?Shecoul dn’
treal
lytell
.
Perhapssheshoul dhavet akenthi
ngsslow,but
Kumkaniwasal lonhermi nd.Shegothomet oan
amazi ngsurprise.

Pr
eci
ous:(
sur
pri
sed)“
Mish…”

Mi
sh:“
Hey.Woul
dyoul
iket
otakeaseat
?”

Mishhadpr epar
edawhol emealforher.Hewas
dressedinagorgeousTuxedoandt her
ewer e
candlesalmosteverywher
e.Thatsetupwasal ot
si
mi l
artoKumkani’s.Thehousewasbur st
ingwit
h
gorgeousaromas.Mi
shhadgoneal loutf
orhis
wife.Hehadevenshavedhisbear
dandhel ooked
reall
ygood.Andhesmelledgoodtoo.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Hepul
ledherchai
rforherandbecamest
art
led
i
nst
ant
lyasshesatdown.

Mi
sh:“
Int
erest
ingper
fume.I
sitnew?
”

Damn, shethought
.Shecoul
dn’
tall
owhimtocat
ch
heroutbeforesheevendi
danyt
hingwi
thKumkani
.

Precious:(
nervous)“Oh,
no.Tony,
Rachel’
s
boyfriendwaswi t
hus.Hegaveusallhugs.Hi
s
cologneisquitestr
ongasyoucantel
l.
”
Shehadbecomeagr eatl
iar.Mishwasnotreal
ly
convi
nced,
butheleti
tgof ort
hesakeoftr
yingto
fi
xthi
ngswithhi
swife.

Mi
sh:“
Okay.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
What
’sal
lthi
sfor
?Youneverdot
his.
”

Mi sh:“This,mydar l
ingwi feisallforyou.Fi rst
lyI’
d
l
iket oapol ogizef orbeingsuchadi ckt owardsyou.
Youdi dn’tdeser vet het reatmentIgaveyouaf t
erall
,
youhavebeennot hi
ngbutgoodt ome.Youar e
trulygodsent ,PreciousandIcannotseemysel f
wi t
houtyou.WheneverIt hinkofyoul eavi
ngme, I
becomej ealous.Igetover comewi ththisstrong
urget omakeyoust aywi t
hme, andIknowt hati s
justnotheal thy.Ihavedeci dedt ofacemydemons
andt ot r
yandbeabet t
erhusband.Iknow, you
l
osi ngourbabywast hewor stthingt oeverhappen
toyou–t ous.I twasmyf ault
.It akef ul
l
responsi bil
it
yf orit,IstressedyououtandIshoul d
haveneverl
aymyhandonyou.Iam wi l
li
ngto
makethiswork,
ifyouare.Ibel
ievet
hatpeopl
edo
deser
vesecondchances,andeventhoughI
messedupbadly,Ibel
ievet
hatyouandIcouldst
il
l
makethiswork.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ireal
lydon’
tknowwhatt
osay,
Mish.
”

Mi
sh:“
Please,
letmef
ini
sh.
”

Pr
eci
ousnodded.

Mi sh:“Secondl y,
Iam deepl ysorryforlet
ti
ngyou
evengot ojailinthef ir
stplace.Ishouldhavebeen
available.Iallowedt hatbi
tchtowor m herwayinto
ourl i
vesandshedi srespectedyouintheprocess.I
didn’tmeant ober ecklesswi t
hourmoney, Ijust
want edt ogiveyout hebest.Thet r
uthis,onceI
foundoutaboutKumkani ,
Istart
edgoingmad.I
didn’tevenknowwhatwashappeni ngtome.I
start
edcompar ingmysel ft
ohi m andIf eltli
keIwas
goingtol oseyout ohi m.Idi dn’twantt hatto
happen, Imar ri
edyououtofl ove, andnotbyany
meanst ocont r
olyou.I ’m sor ryforbr ingingupme
payingf oryourfees.I twasuncal ledforandyou
didn’
tdeser vethat.Last ly,Iam t rulysor ryforthe
wayIr eactedaboutyourpr oposi t
ion–especi all
yin
fr
ontofbot hourfriends.Youar eoneamazi ng
woman, andaver ysmar tonet oo.Youcameup
withsomet hingIcoul dnevercomeupwi t
h.You
managedt ot hi
nkofapl ant hatwoul dsaveusal l
outoft hisdiresit
uation.If eltthreat ened, asifyou
want edt otakeawaywhatIt ooksol ongt obuild.I
am wi l
li
ngt ogiveitat ryandl etyoul eadus.You
arejustwhatIneedi nmyl ife.Andyes, Kumkani
canbeourl awyer,buthemustnotgett oo
comf ortabl
ewi thyou.You’ remywi feandhemust
knowhi spl ace.”

Mishhadsaidamouthf
ultoPr
eci
ous.Shewas
shockedanddi
dn’
tevenknowwhattosay.
Perhapshewasdyi
ngorsomethi
ngsincet
heywer
e
goi
ngontheirf
ir
sthei
stor
gani
zedbyhert
he
fol
lowi
ngday.

Preci
ous:“
Areyoudyi
ngorsomet
hing?Whathave
youdonewithmyMish?”

Mi
sh:(
laughi
ng)“
It
’sme,
baby.I
t’
sal
lme.
”

Preci
ous:(t
eary)“
Ihavemi ssedyousomuch,Mi
sh.
Thatisthehonesttr
uth.Ihatefi
ghti
ngwi
thyoual
l
theti
me.Whatyouhavedonenowmeanst he
worldtome.”

Mish:(
smili
ng)“
Isther
eanythi
ngyou’
dli
ketoadd?
Orconfessmaybe?Ipromiseyou,
Iwon’
tholdi
t
agai
nstyou.”

Shesomehowf el
tli
kehewastr
yingtotr
apher.He
mighthavedonesomethi
nggr
eatforherandsai
d
somereal
lyni
cewor
ds,
butshest
il
ldi
dn’
ttr
usthi
m.
Notonebi
t.

Preci
ous:“Nope.Nothi
ngatall–exceptthatIl
ove
you.Isti
lldoandI’
m wil
li
ngtoworkitthr
ough.”

Mishsmiledandgotupt okissher.Thatcologne
st
il
lunsettl
edhim abit
.Hei nhal
edi tf
orawhi l
eso
hecouldkeepiti
nmi nd.Heknewt hatshewould
sl
ipuponewayoranot her
.
Proverbs18:22says;“Hewhof i
ndsawi fefindsa
goodt hi
ngandobt ai
nsfavourf
rom theLord.”
PerhapsMi shwasont heroadt
or edemption,or
maybehewast ryi
ngtomakeamendsbef ore
meetinghisdeath–onl yt
imewoul dtel
l.
[
01/
27,
07:
52] :Chapt
er77

“Lovei
sfr
iendshi
pthathascaughtf
ir
e.”–Ann
Lander
s
PreciousandMi shhadapl easantdi nneranda
ratherpeacefulnight’
ssleep.Theymanagedt o
haveoneni ghtwithoutfi
ghti
ngoneanot herand
Mishsl eptintheirbed.Hest i
llcoul dn’tgetthat
scentoutofhi smi nd,hewassosur et hathe
recall
edt hatcolognefrom somewher e.Hef elt
betrayeddeepwi t
hinbecauseheknewmen’ s
colognef rom ami l
eaway, andbyt hel ookofthings,
thatonesmel l
edexpensive.Hewentt hrough
Precious’sphonewhi leshewast akingashower ,
buthedi dn’tfi
ndanymessagesf rom Kumkani .

Hedeci dedtoletsleepingdogsl i
e–f oral i
tt
lebit
.
Earl
ySundaymor ni
ng, t
hecr ewcamet ostartthe
i
niti
al partoftheirplan.Pr ecioushadpur chasedall
thegadget sthatRachelwoul dneedandt heir
basementwasgoi ngt obet heirnewwar ehouse.It
wasper f
ect.Shehadpur chasedaf ewnew
machi neryfortheguys;newgunsofal lkinds,
prot
ect i
vegearsuchasbul l
etproofsand
speciali
zedbal aclavas,evenf aceshiel
dsf or
specif
icmissi
ons.Theyhadt heirownsetofat ti
re
andsodi dshe,DebbieandRachel .Theyal lwore
black,
andman, theylookedsogood.Theat ti
rej
ust
broughtoutal
lmuscl estheythoughtt heguysnever
had.ExceptforSnakesandPi l
ot–whower eonthe
thinsi
de,butnonetheless,
theyalllooked
handsome.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Rachel
,i
sever
ythi
ngset
?”

Rachel
:“Yes,everyt
hingisset
.Ihavesetupall
t
echandt heywillneedtowearthei
rwiresatal
l
t
imesinor derf
orust ocommunicate.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Good.Ar
eyour
eady,
boys?
”

Ghandia:“
Shosho(
Sur
esur
e),
Madam Leader
.
Leadtheway.”
Preci
ousf
eltsoproud;notoncedi
dshet
hinkt
hat
shewasacr i
minal
.

Precious:“
Okay,t
hen.Rachel
,putt
hemapon
screenplease.
”

Rachel
:“Sur
ethi
ng.
”

Precious:“Asyoucanseet hisisthemapoft he
MallofAf ri
ca.Youhavei nfrontofyouallthe
roomsandshopsoft hemal l;al
lofthetechnol
ogy
i
npl ace;thealarm systemsandt hecamer as.I’m
nottoowor ri
edaboutt hatr
ightnow, asyouare
abouttor obthecasht ruckthatisgoingtoretr
ieve
moneyf r
om af ewoft hestoresther
ei naboutan
hourf r
om now. ”

Ganja:(
frowni
ng)“
Buti
t’
stooear
lyinthemorni
ng
ri
ghtnow.Imean,won’
twebenot i
ceabl
e?”
Precious:“
Wi thallthoset hingson, youst i
llthink
you’dbenot iceable?Comeon, i
t’
sacl eanj ob–no
oneget skil
led.Imeannoone.Onceever yt hingis
set,Rachelher ewilloperatet herobotsforyouunt il
youar eablet oreachthebr idge.You’ l
lfindt he
othercarther e,soyouwi llchangei nthecaras
you’redri
vingback.Youhavet ogetoutoft he
kombiandi ntotheonewai tingforyouundert he
bri
dge.Nomi stakes,guys.Wecan’ tr
isklosi ngR5
mill
ion.”

Snakes:“Whataboutthecops?Securit
yissot
ight
ther
eeversincethatl
adytookoffwit
htheSBV
moneyf ewyearsago.They’l
lbealer
ted
i
mmedi atel
y.”

Precious:“
That’
swhyyouhavecel l
phonej ammers
i
nt hecar.Themomentyoust epout ,
youhavet o
switchiton.We’ l
llosecommuni cati
onwi thyoufor
thewhol edurat
ionunt i
lyougetbacki ntothecar.
Pil
otwi l
lbethedriver–f orever
ymi ssion.He’s
excell
entatit.Makesurethatyoudon’ tputBi gzin
chargetoomuch;heshoul dbet heretoscar ethe
guards–t ocontainthesi
tuati
on.I fanyoft hem
resi
st,knockthem out.Shootonlyifyouf eelyour
l
ifeisindanger,butdon’
taimf ortheheadnort he
chest–pl ease.We’rehustl
ers–notmur derers.”

Theguysal
llookedatheri
mpr
essed.

Ronza:(
smi
li
ng)“Whoknewwe’
dhaveawoman
l
eadingusf
ormissi
ons?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wat
chi
t,Ronza.
”

Ronza:(
chuckl
ing)“
I’
mjustpl
ayi
ng.
”

Mi
sh:“
Canwepr
aybef
orewego?
”
Ever
yonest
aredathi
minshock.

Mi
sh:“
Yini(
What
)?”

Bi
gz:“
Youneverpr
aybef
oreami
ssi
on.
”

Mish:“I
’
vehadachangeofhear
t.I
ncaseIlosemy
l
if
e,it
’sbet
terf
ormywif
etoknowthatIdi
dpray.
”

Pr
eciousfel
tati
ngeofguil
tasMi
shsai
dthat
.She
al
readyfel
tli
keacheat
er.

Preci
ous:“
Comeon,
let
’sal
lhol
dhandsandcl
ose
oureyes.
”

Mi
shsur
pri
sedt
hem al
lbyl
eadi
ngt
hepr
ayer
.

Mi
sh:“
Nkul
unkul
uwet
hu(
OurGod)
,ourLovi
ngGod,
wecomebef oreyouasyourchi ldr
en.We’ renot
perfectlor
d, soplease,forgiveusforwe’ r
eaboutto
sin.Wear enotmocki ngyourwor knoryour
existence,butweaskyout ogiveusachancet o
fulfi
lourwishes.Oneday, weshallrepayyouand
dor i
ghtbyyouf orallofthis.Pleasepr ot
ectusand
bringushomet oourwi vesandgi r
lfr
iends.Wepr ay
thisinJesus’ mightyname.Amen. ”

Itfel
tasifever
yonewasatpeaceaf
terMi
sh’
s
prayer.

Snakes:“Mywifealwayssays;Modimogalebal
e
banabagae( Godneverforsakeshi
schi
ldr
en).
Greatprayer
,Bozza.Now,let’
sgo.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mish,
wai
t.
”

Heturnedaroundandshedidt
heunexpect
ed.She
gavehim onepassi
onat
ekissf
ort
heroad.
Preci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“Let’
smakeanewr
ule;weki
ss
befor
eandwekissafter
.”

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Deal
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youcomebackt
ome,
okay?
”

Mi
sh:“
Okay.Il
oveyou.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

Andsot heFantasti
cSevenwal kedoutreadyt ogo
dotheirownheist.Ofcour setheycouldn’tkeepup
withleavi
ngthecompl exfullofsecur
it
yal most
everywherewit
hbal acl
avasandgearonever yday,
sotheywouldpr obablyhavehadt ogetabi gger
house.
Debbi
e:“
Aren’
tyouscar
ed?
”

Preci
ous:“
No, ofcour
senot.Mi
shhasbeendoing
thi
shiswholelif
e.Becaref
ulwhatyousay;t
hey
canhearus.”

Rachel
:“Test
ing,
canyouhearme?
”

Ghandi
a:“
Loudandcl
ear
,Beaut
if
ul.
”

Li
ttl
edidRachelknowt hatGhandi ahadaneyef or
herandRonzahadqui t
et heeyeforDebbie.He
wasaqui etguyanddi deverythi
ngattheright
ti
ming.Hef oundi thardtot r
usthiscurr
ent
gir
lf
ri
endatt heti
me, butassoonashesawDebbi e
–heknewt hatshewast heonef orhi
m.Theyhad
si
mi l
arpersonali
ti
est oo.
Ganja:“
Eh,Pabiogobol
ail
ewena(
Pabii
sgoi
ngt
o
ki
llyou)
.”

Ghandia:(
chuckl
ing)“It
oldyou,
man.Iwasn’tsur
e
i
fshewast heonef orme.Butnow,It
hinkRachel
mightbetheonef orme.”

Snakes:“
Racheloj
olal
elekgoawena(i
sdat
inga
whit
eguy).Whatmakesyout hi
nkshe’
dbei
ntoa
j
okerli
keyou?”

Ghandi
a:“
Thesamer
easonswhyChanelmar
ri
ed
you.
”

Ronza:“
Enoughpl
ayi
ng,
let
’sf
ocusont
hemi
ssi
on
athand.
”

Bi
gz:“Rel
ax,
Ronza,we’
rej
usthavi
ngsomef
unt
alk.
Besi
des,we’
renott
her
eyet.
”
Ronzashookhi
shead.

Mish:“Whateveryoudo,don’
tfuckaroundwi t
h
Preci
ous’sf
riends,man.Shewon’ tl
ikei
tandI
won’tei
ther
.Anywomanyoudeci detogetwith
now,becomesyourwi fe.Wecan’taffor
dbringing
i
ndi f
fer
entbitchesi
ntothecr
ew. ”

Snakes:“
Mishi
sri
ght
.”

Ronza:“
Ver
yri
ght
.”

Pil
ot:“
Kengokar eorat
il
eomooneso(WhydoI
getthefeel
ingyoul
ikeoneoft
hem)
?”

Ronza:“
LikeI
’
devert
ell
.”
Bi
gz:“
Wel
l,
IsawRonzal
ooki
ngat–“

Thesi
gnalwentdeadf
orawhi
le.

Debbi
e:(
Wor
ri
ed)“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”

Rachel
:“Thesi
gnalwentdead.
”

Preci
ous:“Rel
ax,Ronzaisprobabl
ytell
ingBigzt
o
st
opr unni
nghismout h.Heprobablycutiton
purpose.They’
llbebackinamoment .”

Rachel
:“Wel
l,
sincet
heycan’thearus,
howdi
ditgo
wit
hyouandMr .Mdhlet
se?
”

Preci
ous:(si
gh)“Idon’tknow,real
ly.I
twassogood,
guys.Imeanweki ssed.Ihaveneverbeenki
ssed
andtouchedlikethatbefor
e.”
Debbi
e:“
Don’
ttel
lmeyougavei
ttohi
m.”

Preci
ous:“
No,ofcour
senot
.Besi
des,
I’
m st
il
lon
tr
eatment,
remember?”

Debbie:“
Well,you’
reoldenoughsoIwon’
ttel
lyou
thati
tisasin.Imeanyou’ r
emarri
edandit
’s
pract
ical
lycheati
ng.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Sincewhendoyouj
udge?
”

Debbie:“
I’
m notjudgi
ng,I
’mjuststat
ingafact
.I
j
ustthinkthatyoushoul
dre-
evaluateyour
self
bef
oreyouj umpintobedwit
hKumkani .”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okayt
hen,
Past
orDebor
ah.
”
Rachel
:“They’
rebackon.
”

Thatwascodef orthem tostopthegossip.

Meanwhil
einthevan, Ronzahadswi t
chedont he
si
gnalj
ammer, sot hatBigzwouldstoptalki
ng
aboutt
heonehel ikes.Hedi dn’
tthi
nkitwast hat
obvi
ous.

Mi
sh:“
Alr
ight
,we’
real
mostt
her
e.”

Bi
gz:(exci
ted)“Yesses,Ican’
twai
t.Got
lonkganou
so(I
t’
saboutt ogetstinky)
!”

Snakes:“
Idon’
tknowwhyyoual
waysgetexci
ted
wheneverwedoaheist
.”

Bigz:“Don’
tactl
ikeyoudon’
tli
ket
headr
enal
ine
rush.”
Ghandi
a:“
Ijustl
ovet
hesmel
lofmoney.
”

Pil
otmadeat ur
natt hecornerandheadedtothe
parki
nglot.Hemadesur etowearacapand
shadessot hatthecamerawoul dn’
trecogni
zehi
m.
Theydrovei nandwai t
edfortheguysinthecashin
tr
ansitvantowal kout.

Ronza:“
We’
rei
n.”

Rachel
:“Okay.Ihaveal
readydi
sar
medt
he
cameras.
”

Mi
sh:“
Nowwewai
t.
”

Therewasoneguardout
sidethevanasusual,
whil
etwowentintogoandcol l
ectthemoney.The
guyswerequi
etandsoserious,whil
ePil
otwas
havi
ngasmoke.Thet woguyswal kedbacktot
he
parki
ngl
otwi
thf
ourbagsandl
oadedt
hem i
nthe
van.

Bi
gz:“
Thi
sisi
t.
”

Ronza:“Emanyana,bharikewena(Waitaminute,
youidi
ot).Theyaresupposedtohavesixbags.
Oneisstil
lcoming.
”

Bi
gz:“
Oh,
right
.”

Mish:“Youneedt
ocal
m down.Yourwi
fei
s
overworki
ngyou.
”

Bigz:“
Eish,okar
ewamoi t
se,
Bozza(I
t’
sasifyou
knowhert oowell
,Boss)
.Nkil
emangabet haseven
roundskamo( Whom ofyouhaveeverhadseven
rounds)?”
Theyal
llaughedwhi
let
het
woguar
dscameout
wit
hthelastbag.

Ronza:“
That’
sourqueue,
boys.Bal
aclavasonand
remember,
noshooti
ngunlessi
t’
snecessary.
”

Theyallwalkedoutexceptf orPilotwhohadt he
i
gniti
onon.Theguar dsnoticedt hem r
unning
towardsthem andhel dthei
rgunsup, buttheywere
outmatched.Ghandi a,Ganj
a, Ronza,Bigz,Snakes
andMi shallhadbiggunsont hem –r i
fl
est obe
exact.Theywer edressedfort heoccasionand
wouldn’tl
eaveempt yhanded.

Bi
gz:“
Eh,manvoetsek,
voet
sek,
voet
sek(
pissof
f,
pi
ssoff
,pi
ssof
f)!
”

Mish:“
Iwouldn’
tshooti
fIwer
eyou.Youwantyour
wif
eandkidstoseeyoucomehomeunharmedor
i
nacof f
in?
”
Ghandia:“
Wej ustwantt
hemoney, br
as.Besides,
gasetshelet
eyammao( i
t’
snotyourmother’
s
money).Onyakagoswel azakaesengyagao( you
wanttodieformoneythat’
snotevenyours)
?”

Oneoft
hem shookhi
sheadashegotonhi
sknees.

Ganja:“Goodboy.Ther
estofyou–onyour
knees.”

Thet
hreeoft
hem wer
eal
lont
hei
rknees.

Ronza:“
Handsbehi
ndyourhead.
”

Theydi
dasi nst
ructed,
whil
eBigzandMishhadthe
gunspoint
edatthem;Snakestookoutst
rapper
s
andstr
appedtheirhandsbehi
ndthem.Ronza,
Ghandi
aandGanj acarri
edthebags,
whil
eSnakes
ensur
edthatnoonewascomi
ngoutofthemal l
or
i
ntotheparki
ngl
ot.Hewaschecki
ngoutforany
thi
rdpar
ti
esorsecur
it
y.

Ghandi
a:“
Bagsar
eloaded.Ar
evayeng(
Let
’sgo)
.”

Mish:“
Pleasur
edoingbusinesswi
thyou,
gent
s.
St
aysafeandco-operat
e.”

Theyal
lrushedbacki
ntothevanandPi
lotdr
ove
outi
nrat
hernormalspeed.

Pi
lot
:“We’
reonourwayBossLady.
”

Preci
ous:“Goodjob,5minutesisreal
lynotbad.Do
nottakethetol
lgate.Youknowt hedril
l.Therest
ofyou–getchangedandputt heclot
hesinthe
l
argebagatt heback.Theotherkombiwi l
lbe
waiti
ngforyouunderthebri
dgeaswedi scussed.
Letmeknowi
fyouf
orseeanypr
obl
emsahead.
”

Pi
lot
:“Oni
t.
”

Ghandia:(exci
ted)“Shi
t!Bonadirobotdirebulel
la
fel
a(Lookathowt herobot
sarejustopeni
ngf orus)!
Iswear,komonyal adi
ebaby(I
’m goingtomar ry
thatgir
l)
!Rachel !Kogonyalasan( I
’
m goingto
mar r
yyou) !
”

Rachellookeddownblushing.Shehadcompletel
y
forgot
tenaboutTonysincethefall
outbet
ween
them.Sheki ndofli
kedGhandia,hehadthatt
hing
abouthimf orher
.

Rachel
:“Uh,
You’
dhavet
oaskmef
ir
st.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Wil
lyoumar
rymet
hen?
”
Rachelj
ustgi
ggl
edandbl
ushed.

Bi
gz:“We’veneverhadsuchaneasyhei
stbef
ore!E
bi
leketshogi
le(I
’m evenscar
ed)
.”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
That
’swhathappenswhenyou
mar
ryasmartwoman.”

Bi
gz:“
Iwi
shmywi
fewast
hatsmar
t.
”

Theyal
lbur
stouti
nlaught
er.

Snakes:“
Obhar
iBi
gz(
You’
reani
diot
).
”

Bi
gz:“
Ah,
atl
eastkehonest(
Atl
eastI
’
m honest
).
”

Theygott
othebr
idgeanddi
dasi
nst
ruct
ed.
Preci
ous:“Don’
tfor
gettoremovethenumberpl
ates
andhidethecarinthebushes.Someonewil
lcome
pi
ckituplater
.”

Ronza:“
Rodgert
hat
.”

Theyt ookallt
hei
rbagsandgunsandgoti nt
ot he
secondvananddr ovebackt oMi sh’
shouse.Wi t
hin
minutes, t
heyhadarri
vedwithoutlooking
suspicious.Theywalkedint
ot hehousecar r
ying
thebagsandheadedt ot
hebasement .Theywer e
soexci t
edandhappy;withmuchadr enal
inestil
l
rushi
ngt hrought
heirvei
ns.

Ghandi
a:(
excit
ed)“
Yes!Haha!Remanyor
a(we’
re
t
hebosses)!
”

Hewassohappy,
heandBigztooktwobagsand
t
hrewt
hecashoutri
ghtt
hereonthetabl
e.Mish
wal
kedt
owar
dshi
swi
feandki
ssedher
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyouf
orcomi
ngbackt
ome.
”

Mi
sh:“
Imadeapr
omi
seandIi
ntendt
okeepi
t.
”

DebbiegotsoshockedaswellasRachel
,theyhad
neverseensomuchmoneyi nthei
renti
rel
ives.

Ganj
a:“Canweatl
eastcel
ebr
atebef
orewet
alk
busi
ness?”

Ronza:“
Isecondt
hat
.”

Theywalkedoutandheadedt
otheki
tchen,
whi
le
Ghandi
ast oppedRachel
.

Ghandi
a:“
Youdi
dn’
tanswermyquest
ion.
”
Rachel
:(bl
ushi
ng)“
Youdidn’
taskmeproper
ly.You
know,wit
htheri
ngandonyourknee.
”

Sheactuall
ythoughtthatGhandi
awasbluff
ing,
but
hewasdeadser ious.Hegotonhiskneeandheld
herhand.Hedi dn’
thavear i
ngofcour
se,buthe
wasserious.

Ghandi a:“
Rachel,eversinceIlaideyesonyou;I
couldn’thelpbutnoticeyourbeautif
ulmel ani
nskin
andt hosegorgeouspur pleglasses.Iknow, I
’
ma
j
oker ,butthi
stime,I’
m serious.Ihaveneverf el
tli
ke
thi
saboutagi r
linallmyl i
fe.Sorry,you’
renotagirl
–you’ reawoman.Wi l
lyoumar ryme? ”

Rachel
:“Butyoudon’
tknowme.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Love,wehaveawhol
eli
feti
met ogett
o
knowoneanother
.BemyBonnieandI’
llbeyour
Cl
yde–wi
thoutt
hef
uner
alofcour
se.
”

Rachel
:“Okay,
butnoguns.
”

Ghandia:(
smil
ing)“Noguns.Justyou,
meandour
choc-
caramelbabies.
”

Shesmi
ledathi
m.

Rachel
:“Yes.I
’
llmar
ryyou.
”

Ghandiawassohappy.I twasarat
heroddday
fi
ll
edwithsurpr
isesandhappi
ness.Hegotupand
ki
ssedhersopassionatel
y.Theywalkedback
upstai
rshandinhand.

Ganj
a:“
Andthenl
ona(
yout
wo)?Pleasedon’tt
ell
menelebet
haonemodimogazakaassebl
ief
(don’tt
ellmeyouwer
efucki
ngont
opoft
hecash,
please)
.”

Ever
yonel
aughedl
eavi
ngRachelembar
rassed.

Ghandi
a:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm,
haiwenasani
.
We’r
eengaged.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youwe’
reser
ious,
kgant
e?”

Ghandi
a:“
Haoobvi
ous.
”

Mi
sh:“
Wel
lint
hatcasecongr
atul
ati
ons!
”

Whil
eeveryonewascongr
atul
ati
ngt
henewcouple
fort
heircr
azymove,
RonzahandedDebbi
eaglass
ofwine.
Ronza:“
Her
eyougo.
”

Debbi
e:“
Oh,
thankyou.Howdi
dyouknowIl
iker
ed
wine?
”

Ronza:“
I’
m aver
yobser
vantguy.
”

Debbi
elookeddownshyl
y.

Ronza:“
You’
rever
ybeaut
if
ul,
Debor
ah.
”

Debbi
e:(
blushi
ng)“
Howsureareyouthatmyname
i
sDeborahandnotsomet
hingel
se?”

Ronza:(
chuckl
ing)“
LikeIsai
d,I
’
m aver
yobser
vant
guy.
”

Thi
ngswer
elooki
ngupf
ort
hegang,
wit
hthei
rfi
rst
successfulheistwithPreciousi nchar ge.Mi shwas
happy,event houghhewasdoi ngsomedi ggi
ng;
l
ovewasboomi ngforRachelandGhandi a,and
RonzaandDebbi e.Al li
nall,thegangwassl owly
comingbackt oget
herandf ormingar ealfamil
ythis
ti
me.Tr oublewasl oomi ngbehi ndt hescenes;a
bit
terbrotherwasaboutt ostrike;whileKumkani
waspr ayingthathissoulmat ef indherwayt ohim.
Asibli
ngwasaboutt omakeacomebackandt urn
thei
rli
vesupsi dedown.Si bli
ngr ivalr
ywasaboutt o
betheor deroftheday.Theysayi t
’saboutt obea
bumpyr ide,butfortheFant astic7andt heirwi
ves,
i
twasaboutt obeaver ylongandbumpyr oadwith
veryhighhill
sahead.
[
01/
27,
07:
53] :Chapt
er78

“Thehearthasi
tsr
easonsofwhi
chr
easonknows
nothi
ng.”–Blai
sePascal

Thr
eeweeksl
ater
…
Ithadbeenagr eatf ewweeksf orthegang.
Ghandi aandRachelgotmar ri
edaweekl aterafter
hepr oposed.Hi spar entsdi dn’ tevenknowt hathe
wasar ealgangst er,butaf terf or ki
ngoutR100000
i
nl obolaandgi vingheraR300000weddi ng,they
wer emor et hanhappyt ohandt heirdaught erover.
Moneyspeaksvol umes;t hat ’
sonet hingpeopl e
forget.Pr ecioushadbeenmeet ingKumkanii n
secretforl unchdat esever ynowandt hen.Shehad
becomesl oppy, becauseMi shhadst arted
recognizingt hatshewoul dcomehomewi ththe
samecol ognesmel li
ngonhercl othesagai n.He
hadbeent ryingt omai nt
ai nhi scal m, butt omake
mat ter
swor se,shewasn’ tsleepi ngwi thhim –atal l.
Hehadgr ownagi t atedonceagai n,event hough
Kumkanihadn’ tsleptwi thPr eciousyet ,shewas
dyingto.

Hebecamesoswampedwi thworkandthethesis
hehadbeenwor ki
ngonf orhi
smasters,t
hathe
st
artedseei
ngherless.Zulul
andpeoplewerealso
st
ressinghi
m out,
ashewast r
yingt
ofindawayt o
tel
lPr ecioust het r
ut habouthert rueidenti
ty.Wel l
,
ont heot herhand, Pr eciouswascal li
ngt heshots–
shemadesur ethatt heguysknewt hattherewas
nopl acef orsidepi eces;bi tches;whor es–you
namei t.Onlywi ves;t rustwor thywi veswer eableto
getavi ewofwhatt heywer er eall
yupt o.Noone
tel
lsanyoneout sideoft hef ami lyaboutwhatt hey
actuallydidf oral iving.So, Ghandi awasno
mar ri
edt oRachel ;Ganj afinal l
ymar r
iedOlivi
a;
Snakeshadbeenmar ri
edf or8year st oDaphney;
Bigzwasmar ri
edt oLer atof oral most5year sand
Ronzamar ri
edDebbi e.Yes, shedumpedChar li
efor
Ronzaaf teractual l
yf i
ndingouthewascheat i
ngon
her.t urnsouthehadpai dl obol atosomeonehi s
fami l
yappr ovedof , soshet ookt heshotand
couldn’ thavebeenhappi er.Andsot her et
heywer e
–t hef antastic7wi tht heirwi ves.I twassupposed
tobeabl issfulnewchapt erf orthem, butwi t
hso
manywomen;envyandj ealousybecomeanew
thi
ngandever yonecompar est hemsel vesandt hei
r
husbandst ooneanot her.
Debbi ehadgot tensogoodwi t hcookingt hebooks
thattheymanagedt ost artalegitbusiness;star ti
ng
withincreasi ngt heirnumberoft axisandeachof
them hadachesanyamaandcarwasaswel lasa
bottl
est ore.Thatway;noonewoul dquest iont hem
onwher etheyhadgot tent hemoney.Theywer e
promi nentbusi nessmenbyt henandal lofthem
werel ivi
ngi nthesubur bs–event houghsome
preferredlivi
ngi nt hetownshi p.Whi chwoman
woul dagr eet oletherhusbandkeepheri n
Mamel odiwhi lether estmovedt ot heSubur bs?
MishandPr eciousmovedoutoft heirTownhouse
i
nEquest riatot heirowncompoundi nSavannah–
ri
ghtnextdoorSi lverLakes.RachelandGhandi aas
wellasGanj aandOl i
viaalsolivedi nthesame
compound;whi leRonzaandDebbi elivedi nSilver
l
akes.SnakesandDaphneyl ivedinMor el
eta;whi l
e
BigzandLer atol ivedint hefur t
hestpartofPr et ori
a
East.

Pi
lotont
heotherhandwasalsorecent
lymar r
iedto
hi
snewgirl
fr
iend,
probabl
youtofpeerpressure.
Her eall
ywant ednot hingtodowi t
ht hesubur bs,but
ofcour se,hiswi fef orcedhimt omoveoutof
Mamel odi ,
soheboughtMi sh’
sEquest r
iahouse
from him.Ofcour se, thenewwi f
e,Chant elwasj ust
asyoungasPr eci ousandqui temout hy.Shel i
ked
thelavishlif
est yle–t heoverthet opkindandshe
wasqui t
ether oughr idertoo.Pr ecious’basement
wasf airl
ybigenoughf orallofthem andal lthe
equipmentf itver ywel linthere.Theyhost edmost
oftheirpartiest hereaswel l.Shewasongood
termswi thThokoandsowasMi sh,butMi shhad
beenact ingwei rdl ately.Theywer ehostingapar t
y
thatdayatt heirhouseandt hewhol ecrewwas
i
nvitedofcour se.Li ttledi
dt heyknowt hatdrama
wasaboutt oar ise.

Pr
ecious:“
Rachel,pl
easegett
hesal
ads.Debs,
pl
easegetthegravy.YouknowMishlovesgr
avy.
”

Debs:“
Ai,Ir
ememberhowwehadtowaitfort
he
gr
avyjustbecausehef
eltt
hef
oodwasdryatthe
l
astbr
aai
.”

Theyalll
aughed–exceptLer
atowhowasbusy
checki
ngouthernai
ls.

Rachel
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Isti
lldon’
tknowhowyou
managewithamanlikeMish,shame.
”

Daphney:“
I’
llgr
abt
hemeatal
ongwi
thChant
el.
”

Ol
ivi
a:“
I’
llgr
abt
hedr
inks.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yourspeci
alt
y.”

Astheywer
eabouttomoveout,Ler
atowasj
ust
st
il
lsit
ti
ngt
her
efixi
nghernai
ls.

Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Ler
ato,
wecoul
duseahand,
youknow.
”

Oli
via:“
Yes,
mor
eespeci
all
ysi
nceyoudi
dn’
tcook
ordomuch.”

Lerato:“Oh,
Ididn’
tknowwekeeptabsaroundher
e.
Besides,youseem l
ikeyouhavei
tal
lunder
control.
”

Chant
el:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“
Yoh,
diet
eef(
Goodness,
thi
s
bi
tch)
.”

Ler
ato:“
Excuseme?Idon’
tspeakvi
ll
age.
”

Ofcour
se,
Chant
elwassoangry,
shewant
edto
gr
abaknif
eandcutLer
ator
ightt
her
eandthen.

Rachel
:“Chant
el,
don’
t!
”
Preci
ous:(
anger ed)“YouknowLer ato,you’
rethe
onlyoneherewhodoesn’ tpullherweight.Youget
annoyedeveryti
meyou’ r
earoundus.Ir eal
lyam
ti
redofyourshit.Ifyoudon’twanttobeher e,then
nextti
medon’ tbotherpi
tchi
ngup. ”

Lerato:“
Oh,
sorry,BossLady.Ir
eall
ydi
dn’
tknow
thatyouwerecall
ingtheshot
sforuswomenas
well.
”

Oli
via:“
Wer eal
lydon’thavet
imefordr
amaqueens,
Presh.Ifyousti
llwanttobepar
tofthi
sgang,
grab
thepapandr ol
lsonyourwayout.”

Theyallwal
kedoutonebyonel eavi
ngLer at
ot o
deci
deonherowni fshesti
llwantedtobepar tof
thegangornot.Theywalkedoutandf oundthe
menont hepat
io.
Ganj
a:(
frowni
ng)“Andthen?Di
ntshangol
erooiso
(
Whyareyousor ed)
?”

Oli
via:(
annoyed)“I
t’
sthatbit
ch,Ler
ato.Shej
ust
enj
oysbeingabi t
cheveryfucki
ngtime.Iser
iousl
y
don’
tknowhowyoudoi t,Bi
gz.”

Themenl
aughed–exceptMi
sh.

Bi
gz:“Tr
ustme,
Imysel
fdon’
tknowhowImanage
ei
ther
.”

Leratowalkedoutwit
hthepapandr ol
lsi
nher
handsafterashortwhil
e.Theladi
esweresti
llabi
t
pissedatherandshenoticed.

Lerat
o:(cl
eari
ngthroat
)“I’
mreal
lysorryaboutmy
behaviour
,guys.Ireal
lyam.It
’sjustthat
,Inever
real
lyhadanygirl
fr
iendsgrowi
ngup, youknow.
Bi
gzknowst
hat
,don’
tyou,
sweet
ie?
”

Bi
gz:“
Ja.
”

Pr
ecious:“
You’r
eoldenoughtoactr
ight
,Ler
ato.
Wecan’taff
ordtant
rumsever
yfucki
ngtimewe
meetup.”

Ler
ato:“
You’
rer
ight
.I’
m sor
ry.
”

Shedi
dapologize,
butPr
eci
ousknewt
hatshe
wasn’
tbei
ngtrue.

Ghandi
a:“
Anyway,
canwepr
aybef
oreweeat
,
pl
ease?
”

Rachel
:“Isecondt
hat
.”
Precioustooktheleadandprayedf orthefoodand
theybegant oeat.Mishwasqui etallalong,
barel
y
i
nteracti
ngorsayinganythi
ng.

Precious:“ Anyway, si
ncewe’ r
eallhere.Ithinki
t’
s
hight imeIt ellyouourbi gplan.Wehavet womor e
mi norhei ststopul landthenthefinalonewi l
lbethe
Reser veBank.I fwepul lthatoneoff,thenwewon’ t
havet odoanymor eheist
s.West artourown
cor por at
ion–apr opertydevelopmentcompany.
Allofuswi llhavet opullourweight–al lofus.
SinceDebbi e, RachelandIar esti
lli
nvar si
ty,we
won’ tbeact ivet hatmuch, butweallneedt owork
toget hertomakei twork.”

Themenwer
ereal
lykeenont
hisi
dea.

Ronza:“
Ili
kei
t.
”

Ler
ato:“
Ijusthaveonequest
iont
hough.
”
Chant
el:“
What
’snew?
”

Ler
ato:“Imean,whyapropert
ydevel
opment
companyandnotsomet hi
ngthatwil
lincl
udeus
l
adiesli
keasalonorbeautyspaorsomething?
”

Precious:“Wel l
,Lerato,that ’
sbecauset hecompany
willhel
pal lofus.I fwest artcreat
ingasal on,t
hat’
s
themostobvi ousbusi nessever ygangsterstar
ts
whenevert heyt rysomet hi nglegit
.Ifwest arta
companyi nwhi challofuswi l
lbeinvol
ved, t
hen
we’llal
lhaveaj obtit
le.I fyouwantt owor kina
salon,thenyou’ l
lhavet owai tunti
lwe’r
eact ual
lyal
l
milli
onairesandt henBi gzcanbuyyouone. ”

Lerat
oseemedratherannoyed,yetshewas
pract
ical
lyt
heonl
yonewi thoutajobandanyvisi
on
whatsoever
.Shewast heonlyonewhomade
comment sandwhosecondguessedPr eci
ous’
s
decisi
onsoutoft
hewhol egang.Thatisexactl
y
howenvyst ar
ts–whenyouf eelj
eal
oust hat
anotherper
songetsallt
heatt
enti
oninsteadofyou,
thenyouhaveaproblem.

Ler
ato:“
Well
,I’
mj ustsayi
ngthatwe’r
ealways
worki
ngandifwe’renotthenwe’r
etalki
ngabout
work.Whenwillweevergoonhol idayor
somethi
ng?
”

Ronza:(
annoyed)“YoumeanWEal ldot hewor k
here,
whil
eyouj ustenjoythebenef
its.Besides,i
f
wedidn’
tworkhowt hefuckwouldyouaf f
ordall
yourhai
r,nai
lsandfuckingweeklyfacial
s?!
”

Snakes:“
Okay,
Ronza,
chi
ll
,pl
ease.
”

Ronza:“
No,man,diekindwakhenya(
thi
schickis
annoyi
ng).Eh,Bi
gz,kgal
amothowagao( t
alkt
o
yourwoman).”
Ronzawashardlyonetoretal
iateorgetangry,
but
Ler
atoreal
lypi
ssedhim off
.Bi gzontheotherhand
har
dlyeverwantedt
otellhert
okeepqui et.Hejust
wasn’
tbother
ed.

Bi
gz:“Lee,
baby,kaokopat
oe(
I’
m beggi
ngyou,
pl
ease).Behave.
”

Ler
atosatbackdownandf
oldedherar
ms.

Pi
lot
:“Pl
ease,
cont
inue,
BossLady.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.Anyway,
thiscoming
Mondayi
stimeforust
odoourfir
stbankrobber
y.”

Ghandi
a:(
exci
ted)“
Yes!Fi
nal
ly!
”
Snakes:“
Wil
lwebeabl
etopul
litof
f?”

Precious:“Wehavenewequi pmentnowandyou
knowhowt echnologygetsadvancednowadays.
We’llbefine.Justasl ongasyouallsti
cktothe
plan.You’ l
lgointhereearl
yinthemor ningsothat
youwon’ thavet oholdoffalotofpeople.The
securit
yguar disalreadyi
noni tandremember, no
shootingunl essit
’snecessary.
”

Pi
lot
:“Il
iket
hewayyout
hink.
”

Ronza:“
Mish,
you’
vebeenawef
ull
yqui
et.uGr
and
(
areyouokay)
?”

Mish:“Oh,uhm,
ja.Justhaveal
otonmymi
nd,
t
hat’sall
.”

Ronza:“
Alr
ight
.”
Pr
ecious’
sphoner
angandsheanswer
edi
tand
br
ief
lyspoket
otheper
son.

Preci
ous:“
Yes,hol
don.Baby,
it’
sKumkani.He
saidhe’
dli
ketoseeusqui
ckl
y,i
fthat
’sokaywi
th
you?”

Thatwast heper
fectt
imef
orMi
sht
oconf
ir
m hi
s
suspi
cions.

Mish:“
Yes,
yes.Lethi
m comein.He’sourl
awyer
af
teral
lwhi
chmakeshimf ami
ly,
right
?”

Preci
ousl
ookedathi
m suspi
ciousl
yandspoket
o
Kumkaniovert
hephone.

Kumkani
:“Sur
e,youcancomei
n.”
Withinafewminutes,
Mishsuddenl
ygotupand
fi
xedhimselfashepreparedt
osmellKumkani
’
s
scent,whi
leKumkaniwalkedi
nandgreet
ed
everyone.

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sho,
KK.Comei
n.”

Kumkani :(
frowni
ng)“Oh,
thanks,
butI
’
m notst
ayi
ng
forlong.Iactual
lycamebytoseehowthi
ngswere
going.”

Preci
ous:“
Oh,
ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngj
ustf
ine,
thank
you.”

Kumkani:“Oh,
andIact
ual
lycamebyt
oaskf
oryour
fi
nanci
alrecor
ds.
”

Ever
yonebecameabi
tst
art
led.
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Why?
”

Kumkani:“
Oh,Ineedt
okeept
absonyour
busi
nesses,et
c.”

Preci
ous:“
Butweal
readyhaveanaccount
antf
or
that
.”

Kumkani
:“Who?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Debbi
e.”

Kumkani
:“Idon’
tdoubtherski
ll
sandexperti
se,but
asyorul
awyer,Ineedtomakesurethateveryt
hing
i
sonpar.Butifit
’saprobl
em,youdon’thaveto.”

Mi
sh:(
int
err
upt
ing)“
No,
no,
it’
sokay.Wet
rustyou,
Imean,
you’
ref
ami
l
y,r
ight
?”

Mishintent
ional
lygotclosertoKumkaniandpat ted
him ontheback.Andt hereitwas,themyster
ious
colognehehadbeensmel li
ngonhiswifeforthe
pastfewweeks.Hi sfacialexpr
essioni
mmedi ately
changedashegavePr eciousonelookandthenhe
l
ookedatKumkani .

Mi
sh:(ser
ious)“
Int
erest
ingcol
ogneyougott
her
e.
Gi
vency?”

Kumkani
:“Oh,
thanks.Act
ual
ly,
it’
sPr
ada.
”

Mish:“Hmm, youknow,mywi f
ehastheexactsame
perfume,al
thoughIhaven’
tseenherspr
ayiton
hersel
f.
”

Kumkaniputt
woandt
wot
oget
her
,buthewasn’
t
bother
edmuchbecausehewasn’ tdoi
nganyt
hing
wrongwit
hPrecious–exceptforhavi
ngsecr
et
l
uncheswithherandocassi
onall
ykissi
ngher
.

Kumkani
:“Okay.
”

Preciousontheot herhandbecameabi tnervous,

buttriedhar
dnott oshowi t
.Ther estofthegang
kindofputtwoandt wotogether
,butremai ned
quiet.Theyallknewt hatMishcouldblowaf use
justasmuchasPr eciouscould.

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
I’
llgogett
hebooks.
”

Debbi
e:“
I’
llhel
pyou.
”

Mi
sh:“
Sur
e,babe.Youdot
hat
.”
Ronza:“
Kumkani
,howaboutadr
inkbef
oreyou
l
eave?”

Kumkani
:“Oh,
not
hanks,
I’
m act
ual
lyi
nahur
ry.
”

Ronza:“
Comeon.Onewon’
thur
t.You’
real
ways
soseri
ous.
”

Kumkanisatdownandhadadr i
nkwitht
hem while
Mishstaredathimt hewholeti
me.Kumkaniknew
howtokeephi scool
.Notoncewashener vousfor
hi
mself,buthewaswor riedaboutwhatMishmight
dotoPreciousoncehel eft
.Preci
ouswasi nt
he
basement ,
freaki
ngoutwhenDebbi ewal
kedinon
herpanicki
ng.

Pr
eci
ous:(
pani
cki
ng)“
Fuck,
Debbi
e,heknows!
”

Debbi
e:“
Knowswhat
?Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Not
hing,
wel
l,
not
hingbad.
”

Debbi
e:(
frowni
ng)“
Tal
k.”

Rachelwal
kedinafewsecondsl
aterandl
ocked
t
hedoorbehindthem.

Rachel
:“Whateveryoudid,
Precious,
you’
dbett
er
hopeandprayMi shdoesn’
tki
llyoutoni
ght
.”

Preci
ous:(
tear
y)“Iswear
,Idi
dn’
tdoanythi
ng.Al
lI
didwashavelunchwithKumkaniandki
sshima
fewti
mes.That ’
sit
.”

Debbi
e:“
Shi
t.
”

Rachel
:“Yeah,
shi
t.Whatwer
eyout
hinki
ng?
!”
Debbie:“Ronzawastell
ingmehowMi shwas
behavingreal
lyst
rangethepastfewweeksand
howhekeptcr yi
ngandt el
li
nghimthatyousmel
led
l
ikeaman.Nowher ecogni
zesthecol
ogne.
”

Pr
eci
ousknewt
henshewasi
ndeepshi
t.

Rachel
:“Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”

Debbie:“
She’
sgoi
ngt
ogiveitt
othatmanofhers
j
ustthewayheli
kesi
t–allki
ndsofways–allni
ght
l
ong.”

Preci
ous:“
HowwhenIhaven’
tsl
eptwi
thMi
shi
n
thr
eeweeks.”

Rachel
:“Maral
ewena( Butyouthough)
.Monnaga
t
imiweseshebo(Youdon’tdenyamanpussy)
.”
Preci
ous:“Whatel
sewasIsupposedt
odo?Iwas
goingthr
oughalot.
”

Debbie:“
You’dbett
erfor
getaboutt hat“lot
”and
focusonhimr i
ghtnow.Oncewel eave,i
t’
sgoingto
beawarzonei nhere.Figur
ei tout,pickyourbest
l
ingeri
e.Not i
metopanickrightnow.Let ’
sgetthe
booksbeforehesuspectsanything.Takeasi pof
somewhi skeyandcalmthefuckdown. ”

Preci
ousnoddedasshet ookasipofstr
ong
whiskeyandtheyheadedout.Shetri
edtomai ntai
n
hercool.Thelastt
imeshecheckedshewasn’ t
eventhatscar
edofMi shanymore,
butshehadno
i
deawhyshewaspani cki
ngsobadly.Ast hey
walkedout,Mishwasmakingcasualconversat
ion
withKumkani,whil
eKumkaniwas–unr eadable.

Mi
sh:“
Yes,
soyoushoul
dbr
ingyourgi
rl
fr
iendor
wif
eovernextweek.We’
regoi
ngonavacat
ioni
f
you’
dli
ketojoi
nus.”

Kumkani
:“Sur
e.”

Mi
sh:“
So,
whi
chi
sit
?Wi
feorgi
rl
fr
iend?
”

Kumkani
:“Gi
rl
fr
iend.
”

Debbi
e:“
Her
ear
ethebooks.
”

Kumkanigotupqui
ckl
y.

Kumkani
:“Thankyou.I
’
llbei
ntouch.
”

Mi
sh:“
Don’
tfor
getaboutnextweek,
okay?
”
Kumkani
:“Sur
e,enj
oyt
her
estofyourday.Bye.
”

Ashewal
kedout
,Mi
shl
ookedatPr
eci
ous.

Mi
sh:“
Areyouokay,
babe?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
mfi
ne.
”

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Wozal
ana(
Comeher
e),
”

Shewal kedtowar dshi

m asheopenedhisar
ms.
Heputheronhi slapandgaveherthemost
passionatekisstheyhadhadinweeks.Thatwas
partofhisstuntandwell,par
tofhi
m act
ingso
funny.

Mi
sh:(
smi
li
ng)“
Iloveyou.
”
Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Iloveyout
oo.
”

Snakes:“
Okay,enoughwi
tht
hel
ovey-
doveyst
uff
,
bat
hing(goodness)
.”

Ganj
a:“
Yeah,
youhaveabedr
oom f
ort
hat
.Ten
bedr
oomsinf
act
.”

Ast her
estwerel
aughing,
anoldfacemadeit
’sway
t
ot hem.Acarapproachedthei
rhouseasi
tparked
ri
ghtoutsi
de.

Debbi
e:(
frowni
ng)“
Who’
sthat
?Ist
hat
?”

Leah:“
Heybi
tches!Mi
ssme?
”

Rachel
:(anger
ed)“
Whatt
hef
uck?
”
Leahrushedt
owar dsRachelandhuggedherl
ike
nothi
ngwaswr ong.

Leah:(
smi
li
ng)“
Didyoumi
ssme?
”

Shel
ookedr
eal
lyf
rai
landt
hinnert
hanwhatshe
was.

Preci
ous:“
Leah,
longt
ime.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
”

Leah:“Ar
eyouki
ddingme?Icamet
ovi
sitmy
fr
iendsandmytwinsist
er.
”

Debbi
e:“
Whosecari
sthat
?”

Leah:“
Oh,t
hat’
smyUberr
ide.He’swai
ti
ngf
or
payment.Woul
dyoubesokind,
Rachel
?”
Rachelgotsoangr yanddidwhatsheneverusedto
do.Shesl appedLeahsohar dshenear
lyst
umbl ed
backwards,leavi
ngeveryoneincl
udi
ngherhusband
Ghandiainshock.

Rachel
:(angry)“Youmustbef ucki
ngjoki
ng,ri
ght
?!
Youdidn’
tevenmaket i
metocomet omywedding
norhonourmyweddi nginvi
tat
ionatleastorgi
ve
meanexpl anati
onforyourabsenceandnowyou
pi
tchupher eexpecti
ngmet opayforyourUber?!
”

Leah:“
Bat
hong(
Goodness)
,Rachel
.Whyar
eyou
bei
ngsomean?”

Rachel
:“Fuckyou!
”

Ghandi
a:“
Emanyana(
Wai
tami
nut
e),
Babes.Cal
m
down.”
Ronza:“
I’
llpayfort
heUber
.You’l
lsaywhatyou
cameheret osayandt
henfuckof
f.
”

RonzawalkedouttopayfortheUber ,whil
eRachel
wasbesidehersel
fcr
yinghyster
icall
yinher
husband’
sarms.Leahwasunapol ogeti
ceven,she
tr
iedherbestt
ohideit
,though.

Ol
ivi
a:“
Areal
lyourpar
ti
esl
iket
his?
”

Chant
el:“
No,
butyouknowhowi
tget
swi
thf
ami
ly.
”

Mish:“
Okay,tal
kLeah.Youseehowyouhave
upsetRachel
?”

Leah:(si
gh)“Look,I’
m sorr
yIdidn’
tmakei
ttoyour
wedding,okay?I’vebeengoingthr
oughsomuch.I
fai
ledmywhol esemest erandmom anddad
pr
acti
cal
lydisownedme.Ihadt
ohust
lef
orevena
pl
acetostayinJo’
bur
g.”

Precious:“
Mara(But),
Leah,
notevenamessageor
anythingtoyoursi
ster
?That’ssowrong,
dude.
”

Leah:“
LikeIsai
d,Mi
ssPer
fect
,Ihavebeendeal
ing
wit
hal ot
.”

Mish:“
Hey,wena(you).Youwon’
tspeakt
omywi
fe
oranyofourwivesl
ikethat
.”

Leah:(
shocked)“
Eh,youmeanallofyouar
e
marri
ednow?Imeanevenyou, Debs?Wow, what
i
sthis?TheGangsterWivesCl
uborsomething?”

Debbi
e:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)“
Ithi
nki
t’
sti
mef
oryout
oleave.
”
Leah:“
ButIdon’
thaveanywher
etogo.
”

Ronza:“We’
llgetyouamot elorsomet hi
ngfor
toni
ghtonl
yandt henyou’dbetterbeatit
.Youhave
doneenoughdamageal ready.”

Leah:“Wow,youguysaresur
elythepit
s,hey.I
meanseriousl
y,Debbi
e?Youmar ri
edRonza?Ofal
l
people?DidMishgiveyouanupgradenow? ”

Debbie:“Onsecondthought,wewon’tbepayi
ngfor
anyMot elorHotelf
orthatmatter
.Youhaveabig
mouth–you’ vealwayshave.So, I
’m pr
ett
ysur
e
you’
llmakeapl anforaplacetostay.
”

Leah:“
Okay,
Idi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
,Debs,
come
on.”

Debbi
e:“
Fuckof
fbef
orewecal
lsecur
it
y.”
Truecol oursalwayscomeoutwheneverpeopl eare
angry.Leahwassoont odi scovert hatthose
fri
endssheoncecal l
edweak, wer enownotonest o
messwi th.Shewasi nadesper atesituation, owing
thewrongpeopl emoneyandwast henondr ugs.
Sheneededawayout–desper atelyandshewoul d
doanyt hingt ogetit.Prover bs6: 34says;“ For
j
ealousymakesamanf urious, andhewi l
lnotspar e
whenhet akesrevenge.”Theychasedheroutand
sothepar tycamet oanendj ustlikethat.Pr ecious
andMi shwer enowl eftalonei nt hatbighouseof
thei
rs.Shewasbesi deher sel ftosayt hel eastand
neededt omakeMi shtrustheragai n.So, shet ook
Debbie’
sadvi ceandwentt ot akeashower .Sheput
onherl i
nger ieandwal keddownt hest air
st ofind
Mishsittingi nhisstudy,drinkingcognaci nt hedar k.
Sheswi tchedont heli
ghtandhewasabi tst art
led.
Shewasdr essedinherr edt wopi ecelacel inger i
e,
withalaceki mono.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Areyoubusy?
”
Mi
sh:“
N..No.
”

Preci
ousdi
dn’thesit
ateasshewal kedclosertohim.
Shegotontopofhi m andstart
edkissinghim whil
e
shewasgri
ndingont opofhi m.Hedi dn’tpushher
awayashisbodyr espondedimmedi atel
y.

Mi
sh:(moani
ng)“
Fuck,
baby.Imi
ssedyouso
much.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
”

Onherside,shecouldsayshewasnol ongerinl
ove
wit
hMi sh,butshesti
lll
ovedhim.Shewasno
l
ongerreal
lyattr
actedtohim sexual
ly,butshedid
whatshehadt odot omakehi m st
ay;becauseshe
l
ovedbeinginpowermor et
hananyt hi
ngatt hat
moment .Theloveofmoneyi stherootofal levi
l
,
butcombinedwi t
htheloveforpower ,
that’sa
danger ouscombi nation.Shegotof fhim andt ook
chargeasshet ookhi spantsof f.Hisrockhar d
shaftwasst ari
ngherr i
ghtint hef ace.Sher ubbed
herhandsupanddownhi sdickashel ookedather
withsomuchpai ninhiseyes, buti twasmaskedby
al
lthepl easureanddesi r
e.Sheputherwar m
mout honhi scockasshest artedt osuckoni t.His
handscar essedherheadandsl owl yaidedheras
shekeptonsucki ng.Hi sheadwast i
lt
edback, as
heenjoyedt hepl easure,withtear srunni ngdown
hisface.Hewasf ullofregretasheknewt hatshe
wascheat i
ngonhi m wit
hsomeonehecoul dnever
compar ehi
msel fto.Heknewhewast hecauseof
al
ltheirproblems, butthatdidn’ ttakethepai naway.
Shest oppedsucki nghi m;tookof fherlingeri
eunt i
l
shewasf ull
ynakedbef orehim.Shegotont opof
him andsl i
dhisdi ckintoher .

Pr
eci
ous:(
moani
ng)“
Oh,
Mish…”

Mi
sh:“
Fuck,
baby.Doyoul
oveme?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ofcour
seIdo.
”

Mi
sh:“
Iwantt
ohearyousayi
t.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iloveyou.
”

Mi shgotherof fhi
m andt urnedherar oundashe
ent er
edherf r
om behind.Shescr eamedi npai
n
mi xedwi t
hpleasure,ashewast ryingt ogetri
dof
allthepainandr agehewasf eel
ing.Heusedt oget
roughwheneverhewasangr yorstressed,andthat
nightwasoneoft hosedays.Her ammedi nt
oher
andf orgotforasecondt hathewassupposedt o
makel ovetohiswife–notf uckher .

Mi
sh:“
Sayyoul
oveme!
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iloveyou!
”
Mi
sh:“
Youl
ovemewho?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Iloveyou,
Mish!
”

Hecameaf
teraf
ewmi
nut
es,
roar
ingl
ikeal
ion.

Mi
sh:“
Fuck!
”

Hepulledhi
sdickoutandputhi
spantson.He
di
dn’tevenof
fertowipeherl
i
kehealwaysusedt
o
do.

Preci
ous:(
get
ti
ngdr
essed)“
Thatwasamazi
ng,
baby.
”

Mi
sh:(
chuckl
ing)“
Wasi
t?”
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Excuseme?
”

Mish:“
I’
m nof
ool
,myl
ove.Iknowwhyyoudecided
t
ohavesexwithmeaf
tert
hreeweeksofnotgi
ving
meany.”

Preci
ous:“
Idon’
tgeti
t,Mi
sh.Iwasst
il
lheal
ing
fr
om themiscar
ri
age.
”

Mish:“
Wereyoust
il
lheal
ingwhenyouwer
efucki
ng
Kumkani?
”

Preci
ous:(
shocked)“
Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hingl
iket
hat
.I
hatei
twhenyouaccuseme.”

Mish:“
Imustsay,yourpussyisalott
ight
erfor
someonewhof ucksaround.Howmanyt imesa
weekdidyoufuckhim?Once, twi
ce?”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Ineversl
eptwi
thhi
m.”

Mish:“
Youcoul
d’vef
ool
edme.Ir
ecogni
zet
hat
col
ogne.”

Preci
ous:(t
ear
y)“Mish,IswearIneversl
eptwi
th
him.Ionlywentoutforlunchwit
hhim afew
ti
mes.”

Mi
sh:“
Hmm,
wenana(
yougogi
rl
).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wher
edoest
hisl
eaveus?
”

Mi
sh:“
Imadeavowt
oyou–t
ildeat
hdouspar
t.
”

Pr
eci
ousbr
eat
hedoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

Mi
sh:“
Butasf
orhi
m –he’
sdone.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Mi
sh:“
I’
m goi
ngt
ogetr
idofhi
m –per
manent
ly.
”

Wi t
hthatsai
d,Mi shwal
kedout–l eavi
nghi s
distr
essedwifeallal
oneinthestudy.Allour
choiceshaveconsequences;itwasaboutto
becomeashi tstorm –foral
lofthem.
[
01/
27,
07:
55] :Chapt
er79

“Ther
eisnochar
m equalt
otender
nessofhear
t.
”–
JaneAusten

WhilePreci
ouswasdealingwi t
hherowndemons,
somethingbadwasaboutt ohappentother
estof
thegang.GanjaandGhandi ali
vedint
hesame
compound,sotheyweresaf e.RonzaandDebbi
e
wenthome, whi
leRachelwascr yi
ngandwentto
herhousewi t
hGhandi a.Ronzawasdr ivingand
eventhoughhi shousewasnott hatf
art oMish’s
house,i
tdidn’ttakel
ongforthedramat ounf ol
d.As
hewasdr ivi
nghenot i
cedabl ackMercedesBenz
SUVappr oachinghim.Themor ehesped, t
hemor e
theBenzdi dthesame.

Ronza:“
Baby,
Idon’
twantyout
opani
c,okay?
”

Debbi
e:“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”

Ronza:“
Givememyguni
nthecompar
tment
.”

Debbi
edi
dasshewast
old,
shaki
ly.

Ronza:“
What
everhappens–don’tpani
c.WhenI
saygodown,
yougodown, okay?
”
Debbi
enodded.

Ronza:“
DialPr
eci
ous.
”

Shedi
dasi
nst
ruct
ed.

Debbi
e:(
scar
ed)“
She’
snotanswer
ing.
”

Ronza:“
TryMi
sh.Fuck,
for
geti
t.Tr
yBi
gz.
”

Shediall
edBigzandputhim onloudspeaker.His
eyesdidn’
tlett
hecaroutofhissight
.Luckil
yBigz
answered.

Bi
gz:“
Ronza,
Iwasj
ustaboutt
ocal
lyou,
man.
”

Ronza:“
What
’sup?I
’
m bei
ngf
oll
owed.
”
Bi
gz:“
Met
oo.
”

Ronza:“
Letmeconf
erencecal
lPi
lotandSnakes.
”

Theybot
hanswer
edt
oo.

Ronza:“Pi
lot
,Snakes,
you’
reonaconf
erencecal
l.
I’
m bei
ngfoll
owedandsoisBigz.What’
syour
stat
us?”

Pil
ot:“Thi
smot her
fuckerhasbeendr
ivi
ngbehind
meeversi nceIlef
tMish’spl
ace.WheneverI
overtake,
hedoest hesame.”

Snakes:“
I’
m aboutt
oshootamot
her
fucker
.”

Theyal
ldescr
ibedt
hesamemodeofcar
s.
Ronza:“I
thastobeVi
per.He’
stheonl
ydumbfuck
thatwoul
dfoll
owusallononeni
ghtwi
tht
hesame
cars.
”

Snakes:“
I’
mtr
yingt
olosehi
m.”

Ronza:“
Okay,he’sappr
oachingmyside.Getready
guys.Rachel
,takeyourseatdownandopenthe
windowforme.”

Debbiedidasi nst
ructedandasexpect ed,thedriver
oftheMercedesnextt oRonza, rol
leddownhi s
window.Theywer eaboutt oshoot ,buthewasa
sharpshooter.Gunshot sweref ir
ed,whil
eRachel
wasscreami ng.Thei rcarwasl uckil
ybull
etpr oof,
buthehadt oshoott hem.Heshott hei
rti
resand
managedt oshoott hedr i
verinthehead.Hel ost
contr
olandf l
edovert hebr i
dge.Theycoul dhear
gunshotsandwomenscr eami ngont heconference
cal
l.Hepul
ledoveront
hesi
de.

Ronza:“
Pil
ot,
Snakes,
Bigz.What
’syourst
atus?
!”

Bi
gz:“
Imanagedt
olosehi
m.”

Snakes:“
Met
oo.
”

Chant
el:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Fuck!Pi
lothasbeenshot
!”

Snakes:“Oh,
Fuck,Daphneyisbleedi
ng!Wehavet
o
gethertohospi
tal
.She’spregnant!
”

Ronza:“
Okay.Chant
el,
canPi
lotdr
ive?
”

Pi
lot
:“Sho,
butIdon’
tknowi
fI’
l
lbeabl
etomakei
t.
”
Ronza:“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”

Pi
lot
:“Si
lverOaks.
”

Ronza:“
I’
m onmyway.Snakes,
getyourwi
fet
o
hospi
tal
.We’l
lmeetyouatDi
eWilger
s.”

Snakes:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Oni
t.
”

Ronzadi
daU-
tur
nandr
oll
edt
hewi
ndowbackup.

Ronza:“
Debbi
e,baby,
it’
sokay.Thewor
sti
sover
.”

Debbi
e:(
scar
ed)“
Okay.
”

Ronza:“Ineedyout
obest
rong.Cal
lPr
eci
ousunt
il
shepicksup.”
Debbienoddedshaki
ngandcal
ledPreci
ous.She
wassoundasleepandhadputherphoneonsilent
,
whil
eMi shwaswokenupbyacallfr
om Viper
.

Mi
sh:“
Whatdoyouwant
?”

Raymond:“
Yourememberthesayi
ng“
TheLor
d
gi
vethandt
heLordtaket
h?”

Mi
sh:“
It
’snotasayi
ngi
t’
saver
se,
youi
diot
.”

Raymond:“Okay,Mr.Smart
ypant s.Youki
ll
edmy
chil
d–r i
ghti
nthewomb, soI’m goi
ngtoel
iminat
e
everymemberofyourcrewandyou’ l
lbel
ast.Who
knowswhatI’l
ldotoyourpreci
ouswi f
e?MaybeI’l
l
wifehert
oo.”

Whi
lehewaschuckl
ing,
Mishhungupi
nannoyance
andsaw8mi ssedcall
sfr
om Ronza’
snumber.
Ronzanevercal
ledsomanyt i
mes.Thatwasasi
gn
oft
roubl
e,sohecalledhi
m back.

Ronza:“
Mish,
man.Kgal
ekef
ouna(
I’
vebeen
cal
li
ng).
”

Mish:“
Sorry,
Idi
dn’thearmyphone.Ij
ustgotacal
l
f
rom Viper
.What’shappeni
ng?”

Ronza:“Thatf
uckerorgani
zedanambush.Iwas
shotatandsowasBi gz,SnakesandPi
lot
.”

Mi
sh:“
Fuck!Ar
etheyokay?
”

Pr
eci
ousgotst
art
ledandwokeup.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mish,
keng(
whati
sit
)?”
Mi
sh:“
Emanyana(
Wai
tami
nut
e).
”

Ronza:“
Pil
otgothi
tandsodi
dDaphney–i
nthe
st
omach.”

Mish:“
Fuck!Andshe’
spr
egnant
.Okay,
we’
l
lmeet
youguysther
e.”

Ronza:“No,l
etPreci
ous,
DebbieandOl
ivi
acome.
Weguysar ecomingtoyourhouset
odosome
br
ainstor
ming.”

Mi
sh:“
Shar
p.”

Hehungupt
hephoneandst
aredathi
sner
vous
wi
fe.
Mish:“Pi
lotandDaphneywer
eshot
.They’
rei
n
hospit
al.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
shi
t.
”

Mi
sh:“
Yeah,shi
t.Ineedyout
odri
vetothehospi
tal
wi
thOl
ivi
aandDebbie.Taket
heJeep.
”

Shenoddedwi t
houthesit
ati
ngandgotoutdressed
i
nherpaj amas.Shef oundOlivi
aandRachel
al
readyi ntheki
tchen.Theyhuggedoneanother
andwal kedouthasti
ly,
leavi
ngMi sh,
Ganj
aand
Ghandia.Debbi eandChantelst
ayedbehi
ndwhi l
e
Ronza,SnakesandBi gzdrovebacktoMish’
shouse.

Mi
sh:“
Comei
n,gent
s.”

HehuggedSnakes.
Mi
sh:“
She’
sgoi
ngt
obeal
ri
ght
.Shehast
o.”

Snakes:“
Idon’tknowwhatthefuckI
’
m goi
ngt
odo
wit
hfourkidsshouldshedi
e.”

Ronza:“
Don’
tthi
nkl
iket
hat
.”

Ghandi
a:“
Wehavet
othi
nkofapl
an.
”

Bi
gz:“
Isaywegot
her
e–t
ohi
shouseand
el
imi
natehi
m.”

Ronza:“
Viperi
sn’
tthatst
upi
d.He’
sant
ici
pat
ing
t
hat.Hewant sustodothat
.”

Mi
sh:“
Ihaveanevenbet
teri
dea.
”

Theyal
llookedathi
m anxi
ousl
y.
Mish:“Isaywe“
invit
e”hi
mtoj
oinus.Wet
ellhi
m
ourplantodoaheist.
”

Ganj
a:“
Youmeanwegi
vehi
m af
akepl
an?
”

Mish:“Notexactl
y.Wepr et
endtogoont hebank
robberywithhim andhisguys.Wehavet opretend
ther
ear enohardf eel
ings.They’
lldothejobforus,
wet akethemoneyandactl ikewe’reescorti
nghim
andhi sgang,butwesendhi m onadifferentr
oute.
Icanevengetoneofmyguysi nthepoliceforceto
beonst andbyandar r
estthem.Thatwayhe’ l
lbe
outofourhandsf orgood.”

Snakes:(shaki
nghead)“
Arresti
snotgoodenough
forme.Kebat lagomothubahlogo(Iwantt
oblow
hisbrai
nsout )
.”

Mi
sh:“
Finet
hen.Bef
oret
hecopscome,
youcan
shoothi
m.”

Ronza:“
I’
m al
lgoodwit
hthat
.Henear
lyki
ll
edmy
wif
e.Hehastopay.”

Theyallagr
eedtotheplananddecidedtot
esthi
m
out.Hewasaver yimpulsi
vethi
nker,sohe
wouldn’
tthi
nkthattheyweret
rappi
nghi m.

Snakes:“
Maket
hecal
l,
Mish.
”

Mishnoddedanddi
all
ed.Vi
peranswer
edal
most
i
nstant
ly.

Raymond:“Hel
lo,
dearbr
other
.Iseeyougotmy
message.
”

Mi
sh:“
Yes,
andunf
ort
unat
elyyouf
uckedup,
Viper
.
Whathappenddt
otal
kingl
ikeanor
malper
son?
”

Raymond:(
laughi
ng)“
Asi
fyou’
vebeenl
ist
eni
ngt
o
me.”

Mish:“Let’scutthebull
shit
,Viper.Here’
sadeal .I
knowyou’ reangryforalotofreasons.Iki l
ledyour
ki
d,ofwhi chyou’renotevensur eisyoursornot .
Andyou’ r
epr et
typissedthatIrefusedtoletyoujoin
mygang, sohere’sadeal.Youandyourusel ess,
cowardiceboyspr oveyouhavewhati tt
akesonour
nextheistandyoucanj oin.”

Raymond:“Now,t
hat’
swhatI’mtal
kingabout
.
Whattookyousolongtoconsi
der?
”

Mish:“Youputafewbul l
etsi
ntoafri
endofmine
andSnakes’pregnantwif
e.You’dbett
erhopeand
praytheydon’
tdieorelseyou’
llbet
oblame.”
Raymond:“I
fyoucanli
vewit
hourfat
her
’sdeat
hon
yourhands,
Icanl
ivewit
hthatt
oo.Seeyousoon.
”

Mi
sh:“
Cia(
Bye)
,Mot
her
fucker
.”

HehungupandSnakeswasevenangr
iert
han
bef
ore.

Snakes:“
Lett
hegamesbegi
n.”

Pr
overbs26:27says;“Whoeverdi
gsapitwil
lfal
l
i
ntoi
t,andastonewi l
lcomebackonhim who
st
art
sitrol
li
ng.”ItwasMish’stur
ntor
eceivethe
st
onethatheoncet hr
ewtowardsRaymond.

Romans12: 19says;“
Beloved,
neveravenge
yourselves,
butleaveitt
othewr athofGod,
foriti
s
wri
tten;“Vengeanceismine,Iwillr
epay,
saysthe
Lord.”
[
01/
27,
07:
55] :Chapt
er80

“Ther
e’sanat
urall
awofkarmat hatvi
ndicti
ve
peopl
e,whogooutoftheirwaytohurtot
her s,
wil
l
endupbrokeandalone.
”–SylvesterSt
allone

Whi letheFant astic7wer ebayi ngf orRaymond’ s

blood, Kumkaniwasf inalizinghisownpl anagai nst
Mi sh.Heknewt hatMi shandhi sgangwer ebehi nd
ther ecenthei sts,hej ustneededsomesuf f
icient
evidence.Hehadhi sowndoubt swhent heyal l
suddenl ymovedt ot heest ates,henceheaskedf or
thebooks.Hewentt hrought hem anditt ookhi m
allnight.Debbi e’
swor kwassogood, thatitwas
almostper f
ect .Whatt heyf orgotwast hatKumkani
hadconnect ionspr ettymuchever ywhere–evenat
histenderage.Hedi dhi sownl it
tl
einvest i
gation
whi l
eever yoneel sewer er eapingthebenef itsof
beingunderMi sh’ spayr oll.So, hefoundaf ew
account s;somewer eghost sandsomewer e
offshore.I twoul dn’ tbesur pri
singsincemost
cri
minal
sactthatway,
butwhatstar
tl
edhi
m was
whathediscover
ed.So,hedeci
dedtocal
lthebank
tomakesure.

Consul
tant:“
Goodmor
ning,
Clai
respeaki
ng,
how
mayIassistyou?
”

Kumkani :“
Goodaf t
ernoon,
mynamei sKumkani
Mdhl et
se,Iam MeshackNdhlovu’
slawyer
.I’dli
ke
tofindoutifal
ltheaccount
shehasar est
il
lin
place?”

Consult
ant
:“Si
r,i
tispol
icyt
oaskyouaf ew
quest
ionsf
orquali
tyandsecur
it
ypurposes.
”

Heagreedandanswer
edal
lthequest
ionspr
oper
ly
bef
oreproceedi
ng.

Consul
tant
:“Thankyouver
ymuch,
Mr.Mdhl
etse.
Pleasegivemeamomentt
ocheckt
hroughour
system.”

Kumkani
:“Nopr
obl
em.
”

Consul
tant:“Yes,Iseeal
loft
hem ar est
il
linplace,
si
r.Thereisani nvest
mentaccountwhichwas
opened3weeksagoandcur rentl
yhasR300000.
Theoffshoreaccountsarest
illi
nplace,
sir
, t
here
aretwoofthem –eachwi thR100000each. ”

Kumkaniwasst ar
tl
ed.Preci
ouswastheonewho
hadsigningaut
hori
tyont
hoseaccounts.Itwasn’
t
oddsincetheyweremarr
ied,butwhi
chmeantonly
onething–sheknewaboutMi sh’
sdeali
ngsand
wasinoni t.

Kumkani:“Thankyousomuchf
oryourt
ime,
Clai
re.
Goodbye.”
Hehungupandcheckedt heaccount soft heot her
member sandt heirwi ves.Sur pr i
singly,allt heir
wivesalsosi gnedont heaccount s.Heknewt hat
somet hi
ngshadywasgoi ngonbutnever
anti
cipatedt hat .Hehadi tallplannedout ;hand
overhisf i
let ot heprosecut orandhandMi shi n.
Nowt hatt hewomanhel ovedwasi nvolved, i
twas
darkerthanhet hought .Per hapsi twast i
mef orhi
m
totel
lPr ecioust hetruth,butbef orehedi dt hathe
neededt opaysomeoneavi sit.Meanwhi lei n
Zulul
and, Glenda, ther ut
hlessandsel f
ishmot her
haddeci dedt hatwhat evert heboyshad
accumul atedwasnotenough.I twasnowt imef or
them togof ort heent i
rethrone, shedi dn’tr eally
carewhi chonegoti tasl ongasi twasoutof
Kumkani ’shands.So, shedeci dedt ot estt he
watersandcal lKumkani .

Kumkani
:“Uf
unani(
Whatdoyouwant
)?”

Gwen:“
Hawu(
Goodness)
,Kumkani
,what
’swi
tht
he
host
il
it
y?”

Kumkani
:“Gwen,
I’
mreal
lybusyr
ightnow,
tal
k.”

Gwen:“Well
,Ithoughtper
hapswecouldmeetup
t
hisweekend,youknow.Todi scusst
hef
utur
eof
Gatsha’
ssons?”

Kumkani :(
annoyed)“There’
snoneedt obother
yoursel
fwiththat.I’
vealr
eadyf oundPri
ncess
Buhle–t herealhei
rtothethroneandeverythi
ng
ownedbyGat shaandLehumo.Asf oryou,your
daughterandyourgr andsons,youcankisshis
ri
chesgoodbye. ”

Hehungupleavi
ngGwendissati
sfi
ed.Shegotso
madshethr
ewherphoneagainstthewal
l.

Nt
sika:(
shocked)“
Gogo,
what
’shappeni
ng?
”
Gwen:(angry)“
Thatlawyer
,mfanawami(myboy)!
He’
stesti
ngmypat ience!Howdarehet
ryandsteal
al
loft
hisfrom you!
”

Nt
sika:“
Ushonj
ani(
whatdoyoumean)
?”

Gwen:“
Hehasf
oundGat
sha’
sbast
arddaught
er!
”

Ntsi
ka:(
angr
y)“
Kodwa(
But
)Gogo,
shei
sn’
teven
r
oyalt
y.”

Gwen:“Mypointexact
ly!So,whatar
eyougoingto
doabout?Yourmotherdidn’
trai
senoweakl
ings.
”

Ntsi
ka:“
Njabul
oandIar
egoi
ngt
ofi
ghti
t.Theway
youtol
dusto.”
Gwen:(
smil
ing)“That
’smyboy.Callhim andtel
l
hi
m youtwowillbeonthenextf
li
ghttoPretor
ia.It
i
shighti
meyout woendthatbit
ch–per manently.
”

Andjustli
kethat,
herplanwassetinmotionwhile
herdaughterGeorgi
nawasdrinki
ngherselft
odeath.
Kumkanihadgonet ovisi
tThoko,onl
ytofindthe
onepersonwhocoul dassi
sthim.Heknockedand
sheopened.

Br
idget
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Hi,
mayIhel
pyou?
”

Kumkani
:“Oh,
hi.YoumustbeBr
idget
,ri
ght
?”

Bri
dget
:(scar
ed)“
Howdidyougetin?Whosent
you?Isithi
m?Theysentyou,
didn’tt
hey?
!”

Kumkani:“
No,
no,no.Rel
ax,pl
ease.Thegat
ewas
l
eftopen.Whoar
eyoutal
kingabout?
”
Br
idget
:(l
ooki
ngdown)“
Noone.
”

Kumkani:“Look,
Icameheretoseekanswers,
pleasehel
pmeout .I’
m wi
ll
ingt
opayyouf oryour
ti
me. ”

Br
idget
:“Howmuch?
”

Kumkani
:“How’
sR5000?
”

Al
eopar
dneverchangesi
tsspot
s.

Br
idget
:“Comei
n.”

Shelookedsof r
ailwit
hbandagesonherf
ingers,
andaf ewmissingteeth.Herf
acehadhealed,
but
hecouldtel
lthatMishhadfuckedherupr
ealbadly.
Kumkani
:“Thankyouf
oral
lowi
ngmet
ocomei
n.”

Bri
dget
:“I
fyou’r
elooki
ngf
orHer
cul
es,
Ican’
thel
p
youwit
hthat.
”

Kumkani
:“Br
idget
,pl
ease.Iknowyoucanhel
pme.
DoyouwantPreci
oustotakeyourki
dsawayf
rom
you?
”

Br
idgetshookherhead.

Kumkani
:“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkso.Whathappenedt
oyour
t
eethandyourfi
nger
s?”

Br
idget
:(t
ear
y)“
Sher
ippedt
hem out
.”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Who?
”
Bri
dget:“
Preci
ous!Whoel
se?Orshoul
dIsay
Buhle?
”

Kumkaniknewhehadhitthenailont
hehead, but
whatconf
usedhim washersayingPreci
ousdid
t
hattoher.Accor
dingt
ohi m,shecouldneverhur
t
afl
y.

Kumkani
:“Waitami nut
e,Br
idget
.Sl
owdownand
t
ellmeever
ything.
”

Bri
dget:“Pr
eci
oustookmyt eet
houtandr i
ppedoff
myf i
ngers.She’
snottheangelyouthi
nkshei s.I
knowwhoyouar e.You’ret
hefoolwho’sinlove
wit
hher .Youweretal
kingaboutherontv,weren’
t
you?”

Kumkanit
ookoutanenvel
opest
ackedwi
thcash
andputi
tonthet
able.
Kumkani
:“I
fyouwantt hismoney,you’r
egoingto
havet
obeal otnicerandstrai
ghtwi
thme.St ar
t
fr
om t
hebeginning.Whydi dshedothattoyouand
howdoyouknowherr ealname?”

Bridget:“
ImetHosea, ImeanHer cules–what ever
youwantt ocallhim yearsago.Wewer eboth
teenagersandhehadcomet ol i
veherewi t
hhis
sister
.Icouldtellhewast roubled,butmanIf el
lfor
himt hemomentIsawhi m.Hewasar ealmess,
andt ol
dmeever ything.Het oldmehowLehumo
hadchangedt heiridenti
ti
esoncet heycamet ol i
ve
hereandwhyt heyhadt odoi t
.Ilovedhi m,Isti
lldo.
Iknowever yt
hing–Ial wayshave.Mi shalso
knows;hehasknowneversi ncehemetHosea. ”

Kumkaniwasut
ter
lyshocked.Heputt
woandt
wo
t
oget
her.
Kumkani:“
Whydi
dhenevert
ell
Preci
ousabouther
reali
dent
it
y?”

Bri
dget
:“Hecl aimedthatherli
fewasstilli
ndanger.
Imeanhei sthemostnot ori
ousgangsterinthe
count
ryandyethef el
thecouldn’
tsaveher .ButI
knowhemar riedherbecausehel ovedthefactt
hat
shewasavi rginandeveryonelovedher.He
coul
dn’thandlelet
ti
nghergot obeaQueenofsome
vi
ll
age.
”

Kumkani
:“So,
whydi
dshedowhatshedi
dtoyou?
”

Bridget:“Istol
ehermoney.R1mi ll
iontobeexact .I
wasgoi ngtopayitback.Ij ustdidittospi
teHosea.
Ilovethatmansomuchandhej ustfail
stoseei t
.I
ranawayandbef oreIknewi tt
hemoneyhadr un
out .Mishf oundmeandbr oughtmeback.Het ook
met ohishouseandt hat’swhenPr eciousfoundme
ti
edt ooneoft hechairs.Evenwhenshesawt hat
Mi shbeatmeupsobadl y,shedidn’tstophim.
Inst
ead,shet
ookafewofmyf i
ngers–fourtobe
exactandafewofmyt eet
h.ShesaidIneededa
makeover.Whothefuckdoesthat
?”

Kumkaniwasi
nsuchdi
sbel
ief
.Thatcoul
dn’
tbehi
s
Preci
ous.

Bridget:“
Iknow, i
tsoundsridi
culous,ri
ght
?But
perhapsyoushoul daskMam’ Thoko.Shewas
theretoo.ShehasseenhowPr ecioushaschanged
i
ntosomeki ndofanimal.Shei snotthewoman
yout hi
nkshei s.Mishhasgot tentoherandnow,
shei sarealti
megangst erbit
ch.”

Kumkani
:“Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?”

Bridget
:“Youdon’
tknow?Shei sthel
eaderoft
hei
r
gangnow.Shepl otsthehei
stsandbank
robberi
es.”
Kumkanicoul
dn’
tbel
ievehi
sear
s.

Kumkani
:“I
mpossi
ble.
”

Br
idget
:“Oh,
iti
ssomuchpossi
ble.
”

Kumkani
:“So?Wher
eisHer
cul
es?
”

Bri
dget:“Oh,
heissomewher einMexico.It ol
dhis
bossesandeveryonehewor kedforabouthisshady
deal
ings.Iknow,Iwasbi t
terandangr ythathe
wouldn’tmar
ryme.Now, Ifuckingregreti
t.My
ki
dsaskmeaboutt hei
rfathereverydayandIdon’ t
evenknowwhatt osaytot hem.”

Kumkani:“I
fyougivemeal lt
heinfor
mationyou
haveabouthiswhereabouts,
Icanbringhim back
here.Icansetyouupwi t
hagoodpl asti
csurgeon
tofixyouupandmakeyoubr andnewagain–even
bet
ter
.Onl
yifyouagr
eeononecondi
ti
on.
”

Br
idget
:“Anyt
hing.
”

Kumkani :“Youhavet
oconvi
ncehimtocomeback
andt el
lPrecioust
het
rut
h.Herinher
it
ancei
sat
stake.”

Bri
dget
:(sigh)“
Okay.Justsoyouknow,
I’
m not
doi
ngitforher.
”

Kumkani
:“Fi
ne.
”

Het ossedhert
hemoneyandwal kedri
ghtout.He
thoughtofabri
ll
iantplan,
butwouldPreci
ous
beli
evehim?Het ookouthisphoneanddial
ledher
number .
Pr
eci
ous:(
whi
sper
ing)“
Hel
lo?
”

Kumkani
:“Hi
,di
dIcat
chyouatabadt
ime?
”

Preci
ous:“
Notreal
ly,j
ustthatIdon’
twantMi
sht
o
hearme.Wait,
you’resti
llal
ive?
”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
Am Isupposedt
obedead?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Nevermi
nd.What
’sup?
”

Kumkani
:“Ineedt
oseeyou–ur
gent
ly.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
sigh)“
Okay.When?
”

Kumkani
:“Todayi
fpossi
ble.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“I
’
llbeatt
hehospi
talal
lday.Canwe
makei
ttoni
ght?”

Kumkani
:“Fi
ne.Seveno’
cl
ock?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Sur
e.I
’
llcomet
oyourpl
ace.
”

Kumkani
:“Okay.Seeyout
hen.
”

Hehungupandt houghtofhowhewasgoi ngto

constructhisperfectlyplannedoutspeech.
Precioushadgonehomet ochangeandsodi dt he
restoftheladies.Debbi edecidedt ogoovert o
Precious’
shousesi nceshedi dn’twantt obeleft
aloneatherhouse.Chant eldi
dt hesame.Al lthe
menexceptf orPi
lot,whowasst i
llinhospit
al,wer e
i
nt hebasementconst r
uctingtheirplanagainst
Raymond.Noneoft hewomenknewabouti t–not
evenPr eci
ous.Shewasaboutt ol eavebutdeci ded
togoandt ellthem thattheywer eont hei
rway.
Pr
ecious:“
Hey,guys.Letmequi
ckl
ygot
ellMi
sh
we’
releavi
ng.
”

Chant
el:“
Cool
.”

Shewalkedtowar
dst
hebasementandshecoul
d
heart
hem speaki
ngi
nlowtones.

Mi
sh:“
Thi
sisi
t,gent
s.I
t’
snowornever
.”

Snakes:“
Ican’
twai
ttogetmyhandsont
hat
bast
ard.”

Sheknockedtwiceandopenedt
hedoor
,leavi
ng
them abi
tst
artl
ed.

Ronza:“
Ithoughtyoul
ockedt
hedoor
,Mi
sh.
”
Mi
sh:“
Ifor
got
.”

Preci
ous:(smi
li
ng)“Hey,
gent
lemen.Iwasj
ust
l
etti
ngyouknowt hatwe’r
eonourwaybackto
hospit
al.
”

Mish:(
smi
li
ngner
vousl
y)“
Okayt
hen.Besur
enot
t
omakeanypitst
ops.
”

Sheknewt
hatwascodef
orKumkani
.

Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Am Imi
ssi
nganyt
hing?
”

Ronza:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Pr
ecious:“
Imeanwhyareyouallgather
edinher
e?
I
stheresomet
hingyou’
dli
ketoconfess?”
Snakes:(
fi
rml
y)“
No,
we’
regood.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Areyousur
e?”

Snakes:“
Yes.Pleasedomeaf avour
.Mywife
l
ovesthoseblueber
rymuffi
nsf
rom Woolwor
ths.
Pl
ease,gethersomeofthose–forme.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okayt
hen.Bye.
”

Mi
sh:“
Sho.
”

Shewal kedoutbutsti
llhadt
hatweir
dgutfeel
ing
thattol
dherthattheywereuptonogood.She
approachedDebbieandChantelshaki
ngherhead.

Debbi
e:“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Precious:“
Nothing,
it’
sjustt
hat,Ican’
tshakethe
feel
ingthatthoseguysareplanningsomethi
ng
behindourbacks.”

Chant
el:“
Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?”

Preci
ous:“Idon’tknowbutwhateveri
tis,i
t’
sbig.
Anyway,Snakesaskedmet ogetDaphneysome
bl
ueberrymuf f
insf r
om wool
li
es.Apparentl
yshe
l
ovesthem.We’ llst
opbyTheGroveMal lbef
ore
headi
ngt oseeher .Ist
hereanyt
hingyou’dli
keto
getPil
ot,Chantel?”

Chant
el:(
teary)“Notreal
ly.I
fhecoul
dhaveabeer
,
I
’dmostdefinit
elygivehi
m one.
”

Pr
eci
ousandDebbi
elaughed.
Preci
ous:“
Tellyouwhat,we’
l
lsneaksomei
na
squeezebott
lesothatwhenhewakesuphecan
haveasiportwo.”

Chantel
:(l
aughing)“Goodidea.Thanksforbei
ng
ther
eforme, l
adies.Ihonestl
ydon’tknowwhatI
wouldhavedonewi thoutyou.”

Debbi
e:(
smi
li
ng)“
We’
ref
ami
lynow.
”

Theyheadedoutast heypickedupRacheland
Olivia.Ler atopr eferreddrivi
ngaloneasalways,of
whi chtheydi dn’tmi ndatal l
.Theyheadedtothe
mal landgotwhatt heyneededandsomef oodfor
themsel ves.Oncet heygott othehospit
althey
wer erat hersur pri
sedt ofindLeratoseat
edwi t
han
unlikelyal l
iance, whichgotRachelannoyed
i
mmedi ately.

Rachel
:“Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
snow?
”
Lerato:(smil
ing)“
Oh,Rachel
,howmanyt i
mes
shouldIt el
lyouthatawomanshouldneverl
ack
stature.Imeanyourmout hi
spret
tyfoul
.”

Rachel:(anger
ed)“Bit
ch,don’tyoufuckingtellme
shitaboutstat
ure.Yougr ewupi nthefurthest
placeinMamel odi
,wearingcheapskinnyj eansand
Carvell
asandnowobat l
agompot samasepa( you
wantt otel
lmeshit)aboutstatur
e?!Iaskedyoua
fuckingquesti
onanddon’ tmakemer epeatmyself!
”

Rachelwasquit
eshort,buti
fsheblewafuse
nobodyknewwhatt oexpect
.Leratowasqui
te
shockedandscared.Preci
ous,Chant
elandOli
via
didn’
tbot
hert
ost opher.

Ler
ato:(
shocked)“
Cal
m down,
okay.Idi
dn’
tmean
i
tli
kethat.
”
Rachel
:“Younevermeananythi
ng.Allyoueverdo
i
sactli
keyou’r
efuckingbet
tert
hanus.Nowwho
t
hefuckgaveyout heri
ghtt
obringt
hisonehere?!
”

Leah:“Rachel
,comeonnow.I
’
m not“
thi
sone”
,I’
m
yourtwinsist
er.
”

Rachel
:“Wasanyonet
alki
ngt
oyou?
”

Lerat
o:“Look,
Ifoundherout
sidemyhouseandshe
neededsomeonet otal
kto.Shewasnearl
yraped
outther
eandIof f
eredherapl
acetost
ay.”

Rachel:(shaki
nghead)“
Ihavenoideawhyyou’ r
e
eveninthisgangtobegi
nwith.You’retoostupi
dto
eventhink.Howdoyouevenknowt hatshe’
snot
evenwor kingf
orsomeonewho’str
yingt obr
ingus
down?Howdi dsheevenknowwher eyoul i
veor
whereanyofusl i
vefort
hatmatter
?Evert hought
aboutthat?”
Ler
ato:“
Ithi
nkyou’r
ebeingri
dicul
ous.Nomat
ter
whatshedidtoyou,she’
sfamil
y.”

Rachel
:“Oh,Isee.That’
spr
obablyt
hereasonwhy
younevergotyourfat
herar
rest
edforr
apingyour
ownsister
,ri
ght?”

Ever
yonewasr athershockedathowRachelwas
spewingdaggers.

Preci
ous:“
Okay,
Rachel
.It
hinkweneedt
ocal
m
down.Wecandot hi
sanot
herday.
”

Rachel:“
Fuckthat.Thisbitchwasneverther ef
or
me.Iwasal wayshershadow.Andnow, thatIam
happyandmar ri
edshedeci dedtocomebackand
rui
nitforme–f orallofus.Idon’ttr
ustyouonebi t
,
Leah,anddon’
tevent hinkthatIhaveroom for
for
givenessi
nmyhear tforyou.”
Shewal
kedawayandheadedtoDaphney’
sroom,
whil
eChant
el,
Debbi
eandOli
viadi
dthesame.

Leah:“Oh,
sonowyou’
real
soagai
nstmet
oo,
Preci
ous?Whatdi
dIeverdot
oyou?”

Preci
ous:“
Leah,
you’r
enotwelcomehere.Lerat
o,if
youwanttocont
inuebeingf
amily,
Isuggestyouget
yourpri
ori
ti
esst
rai
ght.
”

Preci ousleftt
hem standi
ngthereasshewal kedon
furthertot heward.Lerat
owasspewi ngwi t
h
i
nt ernalrage,ri
ghtwhereLeahwant edher.She
wast heeasyt ar
get,t
hejeal
ousandenvi ousone.
Leahwoul deasilyusehertogettotherestofthem.
Littl
edi dtheyknowwhoLeahowedandwhyshe
wasevent her
e.Rachelwasr i
ght;nooneeven
bot heredtoquest i
onwhyLeahappear edoutofthe
blueandsoonaf t
ersheappeared,t
heshootings
start
ed.Noonequest ionedhowsheknewwher e
theyallli
ved;t heirexactlocat
ions.Theyalways
saythattheeasi estwayt okil
lsomeonei shaving
someonecl oset oyousel lyouout.Weal lsl
eep
withserpent s;somear eourveryownhusbands
andwi ves;evenpar entsandsomear eourveryown
chil
dren.Thi swor l
di snotforthefai
ntheart
ed.
Onceyoul oseyourf ait
handt r
ustinGod,walk
aroundwi thoutbel ievi
nginanyt hi
ngoranyone,
whatisst oppingt hevul t
uresfrom eat
ingyoual i
ve?

Romans12:
9says;“
Lovemustbesi
ncer
e.Hat
e
whati
sevi
l,
cli
ngtowhati
sgood.
”

Proverbs3:3-
4says;“Letloveandf ai
thf
ulness
neverleaveyou;bindthem aroundyourneck,wri
te
them onthetabletofyourheart.Thenyouwi l
lwi
n
favourandagoodnamei nt hesightofGodand
man. ”
[
01/
27,
07:
56] :Chapt
er81
“Youcannotdohar
mt osomeonebecause
someonehasdoneharmt oyou.Youwil
lpayj
ust
l
iketheywil
l.
”–Eri
ckaWill
iams

Aftertheirrathereventfuldayatt hehospi tal,

Ler at
o
sti
lldecidedt ogoaheadwi thherownt hi
nkingand
tookLeahoutf orlunch.Ther estofthel adies
decidedt ogobackhome, whilePr eciousdeci dedto
goseeKumkani .Shecameupwi thanexcusef or
theladiest ousej ustincaseMi shaskedabouther ,
buthehadhi sownpl ans.Whi leMi shandhi screw
wer ewor kingtir
elesslyonget tingt hesystem r i
ght
forthefol l
owingmor ning’sjob,Pr eci
oushadgone
toseeKumkani .Shear r
ivedathi spl aceaf t
er
punchingt hecode, whichhegaveherf ewweeks
earli
er.Sheknockedandheopenedhast il
y.He
wast oplesst hatevening, wear i
ngonl yhisj eans
andhi ssmel lwasr ecogni zablefrom ami l
eaway.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hi.
”
Kumkani
:“Hi
.Pl
ease,
comei
n.”

Shewal kedinandasusual,shewashypnotizedby
thebeautif
ularomaoffoodwhichf i
ll
edtheroom.
Kumkanial wayswentallout
,withcandl
esont he
tabl
e,t
hewi newasalreadychil
ledandthetable
wasalreadyset.

Kumkani
:“Iwasjustt
aki
ngoutthedesser
tfr
om t
he
oven.Pl
ease,t
akeaseat.I
’
llberi
ghtback.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”

Kumkani:“I
’
m goingtoputonmyshi rt
.Yousurely
didn’
tthi
nkI’
dhavedinnerwithaPrett
yladyl
ike
yoursel
fnotdressedaccor
dingl
y,di
dyou?”

Sheblushedashechuckledandranupst
air
s.She
deci
dedtoswitchherphonetosi
lentmodeasshe
di
dn’twantanydistur
bance.Shewasaboutt
oget
her
selfcomfort
able,whenshewasappr
oachedby
anunfamil
iarwoman.

Zandi
:(smi
li
ng)“
Ifi
nal
lygett
omeett
hewoman
whohasstol
enmyson’sheart
.”

Shenearlyj
umpedoffherchai
rwhenshesawher.
Shelookedsobeaut
if
ul,event
houghmucholder
thanKumkani.Di
dshesayson?Shet houghtt
o
hersel
f.

Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Uhm,
Sawubona(
Hel
lo)
,Ma.
”

Zandismi
ledt
oherassheopenedherar
msf
ora
hug.

Zandi
:“Hel
lo,
Preci
ous.Unj
ani(
Howar
eyou)
?”
TheyhuggedandPreci
ousfel
tli
kei
twasasi
fshe
washuggingMam’Thoko.

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m wel
lthanksandhowar
eyou,
Ma?
”

Zandi:“I’
m alr
ight
.Atmyage,youdon’
thaveany
problems, t
hat’
sifyouagegr
acef
ull
yandwithout
regrets.
”

Shechuckl
edwhi
lePr
eci
oussmi
ledner
vousl
y.

Zandi
:“Oh,
don’tmi
ndme.Ij
ustcamet
ogetmysel
f
abott
leofwine.
”

Kumkanif
oundt
hem t
alki
ngashesmi
ledt
ohi
msel
f.

Kumkani
:“Hai
bo(Goodness)
,Ma.It
houghtyou
wer
einyourroom.
”
Zandi
:“Hayiwena(Comeon),Ican’
tbecoopedup
i
ntherewhileyou’
redini
ngt
hisgorgeouswoman.I
j
ustcamet osayhell
oandfet
chmysel fsome
al
cohol.
”

Kumkani
:“Well
,youmi ghtaswel
ljoi
nus.That
’si
f
youdon’
tmind,Preci
ous?”

Howcouldshemi ndwheni twasnotevenher

housetobeginwith?Shet houghtthati
twouldbea
romanti
cdinnerbetweenthem, butshethoughtwhy
not?Itwouldbeani ceopportuni
tytogettoknow
himfrom hi
smot her’
sperspecti
ve.

Preci
ous:“
Oh,
sur
e.Idon’
tmi
ndatal
l.Youneedn’
t
ask.”

Zandi
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Nonsense.Asensi
bleman
al
waysaskshiswoman.”
Shelookeddowni nshameasshest aredather
weddingr i
ng.Di dthatmeant hatshewasof ficial
ly
cheati
ngonMi shwi t
hKumkani ?Thatwasj usta
complicatedbi
t .Theyallsatdownwhi leKumkani
broughtthefood.Theypr ayedandst artedeating.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
thi
sisl
ovel
y,Kumkani
.”

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou.
”

Zandi
:“So,
Preci
ous,
wher
ear
eyouf
rom?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
I’
mfr
om Mamel
odi
.”

Zandi
:“Imeanwher
ear
eyour
eal
lyf
rom?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
puzzl
ed)“
Idon’
tunder
stand.
”
Zandi:“Idon’
twantyoutot
akethi
sthewrongway
orthinkthatI
’m cr
azy,
butI
’
m notyouror
dinar
y
person.”

Pr
eci
ousst
il
lst
aredatheri
nwonder
.

Zandi
:“I
’
m amedi
um.
”

Preci
ous:“Oh,it
’sal
ri
ght.Mygrandmotheri
s
somethingli
kethat.Shecanseethi
ngs.
Supernatur
althi
ngs.”

Zandi
:“Yes,butforsomereasonhergi
ftwastaken
awayfrom her.Sheseesvivi
ddreamsnow,isn’
t
i
t?”

Preci
ous:“
Thel
astt
imeIchecked,
yes.Idon’
t
knowmuchabouthergi
ft
.”
Zandi:“Isee.Wel l,
I’
m abouttot
ellyousomet hi
ng
weird,butplease.Idon’twantyoutobeaf rai
dand
bel
ieveme, Idon’twantt
oforceyout obel
ieveme
oranything.I t
’syourchoi
ceattheendoft heday.”

Pr
eci
ouswasabi
tner
vous,
butt
henshewentwi
th
i
t.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Kumkaniwasprayi
ngsi
lent
lyf
orhi
smot
hernott
o
rui
nthi
ngsforhi
m.

Zandi:(grunt
ing)“Yourmotheri
shere.Shei
s
steppingforward.Shehasbeent r
oubli
ngmeever
si
nceshepassedon.Fr om t
hemomentyouwalked
i
nt othishouse,shehasbeenhere–beggingmeto
comeseeyou. ”
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Okay.Whati
sshesayi
ng?
”

Zandi
:“Shei
ssayingshehasalott
otel
lyou,so
youneedtogetr
eadyforwhatI
’
m abouttosay.
”

Preci
ousswal lowedhardthi
nkingofal lpossible
thi
ngshermom woul dt el
lher,most l
yshewas
thi
nkingthathermom waspr obablydisappointedi
n
thepersonshehasbecomeandf ormar ryingaman
l
ikeMi sh,butshewasinforabi gsur pri
se.
Meanwhi l
eatMi sh’
shouse,theywer estartl
edby
Raymondwhohadwal kedinwi t
hhi screw.I twas
rat
heroddonhowt heygotinwi thoutMi sh’s
approval,
buthehadot herplansinmi nd.

Raymond:“
Gent
lemen.
”

Mish:(shocked)“
Viper
,whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
”
Raymond:“Youneedt
ight
ersecur
it
y,man.Anyway,
Icameherewithmyboysasyoucansee.”

Ronza:“
Wegett
hat
.Whatdoyouwant
?”

Raymond:“
We’vedeci
dedtogor
obthebank
t
onighti
nst
eadoftomorr
owmorni
ng.”

Mish’
screwwasst
art
led.Thati
swhatsomeone
doestoyouwhent
heytryt
ofuckyouover
.

Mish:(
shaki
nghead)“Thi
sisnotyourpl
an,
Raymond,it
’sour
s.”

Raymond:“Yes,butIfi
guredsi
nceweal ldon’tt
rust
oneanother
,whatbetterwaytoproveourselves–
toni
ght?Wecandot hebankrobberyt
ogetherand
i
fallgoeswell
,we’l
lbepartner
s,j
ustasyou
agr
eed.
”

Mishhadabadfeel
i
ngaboutthat
,butSnakesbei
ng
fi
ll
edwit
huncont
rol
labl
erage,
hewantedtotake
Raymonddown.

Snakes:“
Okay.
”

Ronza:“
Snakes,
whatt
hef
uck?
”

Snakes:“
Wecandoi
t.
”

Raymond:“
Letmel eaveyouguyst
odi
scussi
t.
We’l
lbei
ntheli
vingroom.”

Hewal kedoutwi
thhi
sguys,
leavi
ngMi
shst
art
led
beyond.
Ghandi
a:“Ihaveabadf
eel
ingaboutt
his,
Mish.
Let
’snotdothis.
”

Ronza:“
IsecondGhandi
a.We’
renotr
eady.
”

Ganj
a:“Besi
des,hewantst
ofuckusi
ntheass.
Can’
tyousee,Snakes?
”

Bi
gz:“
Iagreewit
hSnakes.Wecanf
ucki
ngdot
his,
man.It
’snotr
ocketsci
ence.
”

Mishwasconf
used.Bei
ngt
hel
eaderwasneveran
easyt
ask.

Mish:“Okay,
wecandothis,gent
s.Ijustsaywe
sti
cktoourplanandbyt
heendoft henight,
we’
llbe
cel
ebrati
ngsomeone’
sdeath.”
Ronza:(
shaki
nghead)“
Idon’
tli
ket
his.Notone
bi
t.
”

Ghandi
a:“Maybeweshoul
dinvol
veRachel
,you
know,l
astminut
eki
ndofthi
ngs.”

Snakes:“
Youwanthert
oratusal
loutt
oourcr
azy
wives?Youcanhandl
ethi
s.Youknowcomputer
s.”

Ghandi
a:“
Ai.
”

Mi
sh:“
Okay.Ar
eweal
lgoodt
ogo?
”

Theyalldeci
dedtogoaheadwit
htheplaneven
thoughtheyweren’
tal
lagr
eei
ngwithi
t.

Ghandi
a:“
Sur
e.”
Mi sh:“
Good.Ganja,you’
l
lbethedriver,
Snakes,
you
stayinthecarunt
ilt
heycomeoutwi t
hthemoney
bags.Bi gz,
RonzaandIwi l
lheadoutwitht
hem.”

Snakes:(
anger
ed)“WhydoIgett
ost
ayi
nthecar
?I
wanttopopthatguy.
”

Mi
sh:“
Weneedt
obest
rat
egi
caboutt
his.
”

Ronza:“Especi
all
ysi
ncewedon’
tknowwhatt
hey’
re
pl
anning.”

Snakes:“Fi
ne.Let
’sgett
hisoveranddonewi
th
al
ready.”

Theygotthei
rgunsandgadget son,andmet
Raymondi nt
helivi
ngroom withhi
sguys, dr
inki
ng
Mish’
sexpensivewhiskey.Hehimselfdi
dn’thavea
goodfeel
ingaboutthatnight
,butt
hen,tr
ouble
al
waysf
oll
owedhi
m.

Mi
sh:“
Fine,
we’
rer
eady.
”

Raymond:(
smi
li
ng)“
Good.I
t’
saboutdamnt
ime.
”

TheywalkedoutandRaymondhadanother
surpr
isefort
hem.Twoofhisguyswalkedt
owar
ds
Mish’
svan.

Mish:“
Kemasepaaenganou(
Whatbul
lshi
tist
his
now)?”

Raymond:“It
aketwoofyourguysandyout
aket
wo
ofmine.I
t’
sinsur
ance.
”

Mish:“
Youdon’
tgett
ocallt
heshots,
Viper
.You
seewhyI’
minchargeofacrewl
ikemineandyou’
re
not
?”

Raymond:“
Youwantmet
otr
ustyouornot
?”

Ronza:“
It
’sokay,
Bozza,
I’
llgowi
thBi
gz.
”

Raymondwaschangi ngthewhol egameforthem –

compl i
cati
ngever ything.Itwasgoingtobehar dfor
them tocommuni catealongt hewayonwhatt hey
plannedondoi ngt oRaymond, butt
heywentwi t
hi t
.
Theygoti nt
othecar sanddr oveoff.Ronzawas
theretokeepBi gzcal m,whi l
eMishwasonedget he
whol eti
meGanj awasdr ivi
ng.Hi sphonerangand
i
twasThoko, heignor editandshecal l
edagain
untilheswit
chedhi sphoneof f.Raymond’sguys
didn’tt
aketheireyesof fMi shandhismember s.

Ghandia:(
ont
hel
ine)“
Okay,
Bozza.Ar
eyou
ready?
”
Mi
sh:“
Yeah,
aret
hecamer
asshutdown?
”

Ghandi
a:“Ir
edi
rect
edt
hem t
ool
dfoot
age.We’
re
goodtogo.”

Mi
sh:“
Sur
e.Theal
arm syst
em?
”

Ghandi
a:“
I’
lldisabl
eitonceyour
eachthedoor
.I
canonl
ydot hatforfi
ft
eenminut
es.Youneedto
actf
ast
.”

Mi
sh:“
Goti
t.
”

Theyarri
vedatthemal landGhandiahadhacked
everysyst
em therewasf rom t
heentr
anceofthe
gatetotheentr
anceoft hemal l
.Theymanagedto
goinandwal kalongsideoneanother
.Raymond
wantedhimselfalongsideMish,whi
chmadeMi sh
real
lyuncomfortabl
e.
Mi
sh:“
Ghandi
a,we’
reatt
hedoor
.”

Ghandi
a:“Okay.Al
arm syst
em deact
ivat
ed.Your
fi
ft
eenminutesst
art
snow. ”

Theyrushedinwhi
leRaymond’smencamewit
hthe
bags.Theyheadedtothesaf
e,Ghandi
agavet
hem
thepasscode.

Ghandi
a:“
2569978456.Thent
urnt
hewheel
cl
ockwi
seandyou’r
ein.
”

Theydi
dasi
nst
ruct
edandmanagedt
oopent
he
saf
e.

Raymond:(
exci
ted)“Yeah,baby!Ialwaysknewyou
wereabadassmot herfucker
,li
tt
lebro.
”
Ronza:“
Enoughwi
tht
hebul
lshi
t.Let
’sgett
oit
.”

Theyst
art
edpacki
ngt
hemoneyi
nthebags.

Ghandi
a:“
Comeon,
gent
s,8mi
nut
esl
eft
.”

Raymond’smenl eftf
ir
st,andthenBigzandRonza
l
eftsecond,l
eavingSnakes,RaymondandMi sh.
Snakestookitasanoppor t
unit
ytokillRaymond,
rui
ningthewholeplan.Hedr ewhisgunandai med
atRaymond,whodi dthesame.

Raymond:(
laughing)“
Iknewyouwereasel
lout
,
Meshack.Sendingoneofyourl
abrat
stodothe
j
ob?”

Ghandi
a:“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Mi
shdi
dn’
trespondt
ohi
m.

Mish:“
Snakes,
man,
comeon.Whatar
eyou
doi
ng?”

Snakes:“
I’
m doi
ngthisformywif
eandchi
ld.You
ki
ll
edmychi l
d,Vi
per.It
’shi
ghti
meyoupay.”

Raymond:“Ifyoupullt
hetr
igger
,I’
l
lblowyourhead
of
fandbelievememyguysar eoutther
ewait
ingto
ki
llyourmeniftheyevenhearonegunshot
.”

Mish’
smenhadt headvantage,theywereableto
hearGhandi
aontheirheadsets.WhileRaymond
andSnakesweredebati
ngonwhogott oshootfir
st,
Raymond’sf
ourmenwer eoutside.Twower ein
Mish’
svan,whi
letheothertwoout si
deofthei
rown
van.
Vi
per
’sguy1:“
Whatt
hef
ucki
staki
ngt
hem so
l
ong?
”

Ronza:“
Idon’
tknow.Letmegoandf
indout
.”

Vi
per
’sguy2:“
Idon’
tthi
nkt
hat
’sagoodi
dea.
”

Thesecondguydrewhisgunandpoi
nteditat
RonzaandRonzapoint
edhisathi
m.Bef or
ethey
al
lknewit,t
heyal
lhadgunspoi
ntedatoneanother
–exceptforGanj
a,whowasinthedr
iver
’sseat
.

Ganj
a:“
Comeon,
guys.Wecant
alkaboutt
his.
”

Vi
per’
sguy3:(
chuckli
ng)“Youhonestl
ythoughtt
hat
al
lofyouwoul
dwal koutofhereal
ive?”
Vi
per’
sguy4:“
Guesst
hey’
redumbert
hanwe
t
hought.
”

Ronza:“
Look,
ifyoushoot
,weal
lshoot
.It
’sei
ther
someofusdieorwealldi
e.Doyouwantthat
?You
wantthemoneyoryouwantt
odie?”

Vi
per’
sguy1:“
Man,wedon’tgi
veafuckaboutyou.
Vi
perist
hemanandhe’
llgetusal
loutofher
e.”

Bi
gz:“
Iguesswe’
l
lhavet
oseeaboutt
hat
.”

Ghandi
awassoscar edontheothersi
de,sweat
ing
todeat
h.Hewasn’tsureifhewassupposedtocall
anyofthewomen,
ort hecopsorwhat,so–he
wait
ed.

Ghandi
a:“Guys,
5mi
nut
esl
eftbef
oret
heal
arm
goesof
f.”
Backinthevaul
t,Mi
shandSnakeswer
est
il
l
debat
ing.

Mi
sh:“
Snakes,
comeon,
man.Notnow–nother
e.”

Raymond:( chuckl
ing)“Shootmealr
eady.Whatthe
fuckareyouwai ti
ngf or
?!Ididyouafavour,
Imean
youalreadyhavef ourbastar
dsyou’
relooki
ng
after
.”

Snakes’
ragetookoverasheshotRaymondfi
ve
ti
mes.Bullet
swereflyi
nginthevaul
t,whi
let
he
other
swereoutsi
de.

Vi
per’
sguy1:(
scar
ed)“
Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngoni
n
t
here,
man?”

Vi
per
’sguy2:“
Isayweshoott
hem al
l.
”
Ronzadidn’
thavet i
met othi
nk.Heknewt hatit
wasimpossibleforalloft
hem t
owal koutwithout
gunwounds, sohepul l
edthetr
iggerandbefore
theyknewit–gunshot swerefl
yingoutsi
deaswel l
.
Ganjahadtot akeagunoutofhi scompart
mentand
star
tshooti
ngaswel l.

Ghandi
a:(
worr
ied)“Whati
sgoingon?
!Can
somebodyj
usttel
lmewhatthefucki
sgoi
ngon?
!”

Awhol ethr
eeminut
esofgunshot
sfl
ying,men
screamingandsomedroppi
ngonthefloor
,lef
thi
m
sti
lli
nhischai
r.

Bi
gz:(
cryi
ngout
)“Aaah,
fuck!
”

Ganj
a:“
Shi
t,Bi
gz,
you’
rehi
t.
”
Ronzawasli
mping,Vi
per’
sfourguysweredownon
t
hegroundandhedecidedtogogetthebagsthat
werei
nViper
’scar
.

Ghandi
a:“
Comeonguys,5minut
eslef
t.Someone
t
ellmewhatt
hef
uckisgoingon?
!”

Ronza:“Fuck,
I’
m hi
tbutI
’
m okay.Bi
gzi
sbl
eedi
ng
fr
om thepelvi
s.Ganj
aisokay.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Anywor
donSnakesandMi
sh?
”

Ronza:“
Wel
l,
thegunshot
sst
oppedi
nsi
de,
sowe’
l
l
seewhocomesout.
”

Greedi
ssomet
hingel
se.Snakeswal
kedoutwit
ha
baghungonhi
sback,car
ryi
ngMishi
nhisarms.
Ganj
a:“
Oh,
shi
t,Mi
shl
ookshi
treal
lybadl
y.”

Ghandi
a:“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Ronza:“
Snakesi
scar
ryi
nghi
m.”

Snakesgottot
hedooroft
hevananddr
oppedMi
sh
ontheseat.Hewasalsol
impi
ng.

Ronza:“
Whatt
hef
uck,
Snakes?Whathappenedi
n
t
here?”

Snakes:“I
’
llt
ellyouont
heway.Weneedtogett
o
hospi
tal.Mishseemshitr
eal
lybadl
y.”

Ghandi
a:“Guys,
youneedt
ogetoutoft
her
e.Two
minut
esleft
.”
Ganj
a:“
Onit.Justmakesur
ethatt
her
obot
sar
e
cl
ear
edforus.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Whi
chr
out
ear
eyouusi
ng?
”

Ronza:“Hi
ghway.Wedon’
thaveachoice.Mi
sh
needsthehospi
tal
.He’
sunconsci
ous.
”

Ghandi adidhi sthingandt hankgoodnesshe

managedast heal ar
m startedr i
ngingaf t
ertheyhad
l
ef tthemall.Wi thonesl oppyj obal li
ttakesisa
smal lbi
tofevi dence.Bl ood,beani es–orevena
toe.Theywer er ushingtohospi talwi t
htheother
s
bleedinginsideoft hevan.I twasashi t
tymess,
whi chtheyhadt oaccountf or.Meanwhi leat
Kumkani ’shouse, Preciouswasget ti
ngherfir
st
doseoft heaf terli
fe.

Zandi
:“Yourmotherisher
e,sopl
easebepat
ientas
I
’l
lbequietatt
imes.”
PreciouslookedatKumkaniwhohel
dherhandi
n
reassurance.

Zandi
:“Shei
sst
andi
ngr
ightnextt
oyou,
cryi
ng.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Youmeanyoucanact
ual
lyseeher
?”

Zandi
:“Yes.Seeal
lthosegoosebumpsonyou?I
t’
s
asignthatshei
shere.
”

Pr
ecious:(
tear
y)“
Ihaven’
tdr
eamtofheri
nal
ong
whi
le.”

Zandi:“
There’
sreasonforthat.Fi
rst
ly,shewould
l
iketosaysheisverysorry.Shenevermeantany
harm.She’dli
kemet otellyouyourstory;ofwher
e
youactual
lycomef r
om.”
Preciousgul
pedanxiousl
ywhileZanditoldher
everythi
ngaboutZulul
and;howLehumomet
Gatshaandwhatdr oveherway.Itwasal engt
hly
stor
yandi tt
ookimmenseener gyfrom Zandi,
but
shehadt odoit
.

Zandi:“That
’swhoyouare,
child.Yourrealnamei
s
Buhlebendal
oBahumiNcube, Pri
ncessofZulul
and
andther i
ghtf
ulhei
rtot
hethrone.”

Preci
ouswasf
il
ledwi
thsomuchanger
,rageand
confusi
on.

Zandi:“
Yourfat
herisal
sowi t
hher .Youneedto
cl
aim yourri
ghtf
ulpl
aceatthethronebefor
eit’
stoo
l
ate,mychild.TheNcubeancestorscanonly
acceptyourmothert
ojoint
hem fullyonceyougo
andfindwhereyourfat
herwasbur ied.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Wher
ewashebur
ied?
”

Zandi
:“Onl
ytheycanshowyou.Theyr
efuset
o
showme.”

Preci
ous:(cr
ying)“So,myownmot herli
edt
ome
andrefusedtogivemyf at
heraccesstome?What
ki
ndofamot heristhat
?”

Kumkani
:“Pr
eci
ous,
please–“

Preci
ous:(inter
rupti
ng)“
Yousurel
ycan’texpectme
tobehappywhi l
eshestolemywholelif
efrom me!
Sheonl ycaredabouthersel
f.Andnowmyuncl e
Hercul
esorHoseawhat everi
smissingbecauseof
her.Whogavehert heri
ghttodi
ctat
eourlives?
Whydi dn’
tshej ustst
ayandfacethemusiclikea
realwoman? !”
Zandi
:“Pr
eci
ous,
that
’snotf
air
.”

Preci
ous:“I
swhatshedi
dtomef
air
?!Thi
sis
bull
shi
t,I
’m sor
ry.
”

Zandi
:“Iunder
standt
hatyou’
reangr
y,butdangeri
s
l
ooming.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Dangerhasal
waysbeenl
oomi
ng.
”

Shewasaboutt oconti
nuewhenshef el
tasifher
wholebodyhadbeenhi tbysomet hi
ngsharp.She
fel
lontothef
loorandscreamedouti npain.
Kumkanialsofel
twhatshef el
t,si
ncehewasher
soulmate.Hefel
tpaintoo,buti
twasbear abl
efor
him.

Pr
eci
ous:(
inagony)“
Yoooh!What
’shappeni
ngt
o
me?!
”
Zandi
:“Kumkani
,pl
easepickherupandplaceher
onthecouch.Pr
ecious,
pleasebreat
he.That
’s
Meshack.Heisinsomuchpai nri
ghtnow.Hewas
shot
.”

Preci
ouswasn’thear
ingwhatZandiwassayi
ng.
Shecriedouti
npainthreemor
etimesandthen
coll
apsed.

Kumkani
:(wor
ri
ed)“
Ma!Ma!
”

Zandi
:(si
gh)“
Rel
ax,
she’
l
lbeokay.
”

Kumkani:“
Whyi
sshef
eel
ingwhat
everhe’
sfeel
ing
ri
ghtnow?”

Zandi:“That
’sbecauseshei
scarr
yinghischi
ld.Hi
s
ancestorsarenowf i
ght
ingf
ort
hechild,
andhi s
fat
her.It’
sMish’
sti
metogo,
buthi
sspi
ri
thas
unfi
nishedbusi
nessher
eonear
th.
”

Mostofusthinkthatwegothr
oughhellher
eon
eart
h,butnoonereall
yknowswhathappensinthe
aft
erli
fe.Youreapwhatyousowhit
sal otcl
osert
o
home.

John15:
13says;“
Gr eat
erlovehasnoonet
hant
his:
tol
aydownone’sl
ifeforone’sf
riends.
”

Thet r
uthwasthatMishsacri
fi
cedhimsel ffor
Snakes.Heknewhi sti
mewascomi ngast heangel
ofdeathhadvisi
tedhim af
ewt i
mesbef oret hat
botchedrobber
y.Itwasabouttogodownhi l
lfr
om
thereasother
sstuckbyfamil
yoverever ything
whilesomesaidbloodwasindeedthickerthan
water.

1John4:
20says;“
Whoevercl
aimst
oloveGodyet
hatesabr ot
herorsist
erisal
iar.Forwhoeverdoes
notlovethei
rbrotherandsi
ster,
whom theyhave
seen,cannotloveGod,whom theyhavenotseen.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
56] :Chapt
er82

“Graceisn’
tal
itt
leprayeryouchantbefor
erecei
ving
ameal .It’
sawayt oli
ve.Thelawtell
smehow
crookedIam.Gr acecomesalongandst rai
ght
ens
meout .
”–Dwi ghtLymanMoody

Whileeverythingwashangi ngi nthebal ancefor

Mish’screw, i
twasaboutt ogetwor se.Theyhadt o
rushtohospi t
al–wi t
hnochoi ce.Mi sh, was
unconsciousandhadt obeat tendedt oandheaded
i
mmedi atelytosur geryaftersustainingmul ti
ple
gunshotwounds.Bi gzal sohadt ogetsur ger
yas
hewasbl eedingf r
om t heabdomen, whi leSnakes
wasshotbyRaymondi nt hear m andleg.Hehadt o
getminorsur gery.Ronzadeci dedt ost ayatthe
hospit
alwhi l
eGanj ahadt odisappearandmake
surethatthemoneywassaf e.Ofcour se,al
lthose
gunshotwounds, andthem allful
lyclothedinbl ack
withbull
etproofvestsgavethedoct orsar easont o
i
nformt hepoli
ce.Asi ft
hatwasnotenough
probl
ems, t
heirwiveswereaboutt ogethyst eri
cal .
GhandiaandGanj ahadt obreakthenewst othe
wives,whil
ePr eci
ouswasM. I
.A.accor di
ngtot hem.
Theyallarr
ivedatthehospit
al ,
hystericaland
beyondupset .

Ronza:(
sof
tl
y)“
Debbi
e,I–“

Debbiedi dn’
tevengiveRonzaachancetofi
nishhis
sentence.Shesl appedhimimmediat
elyandhehad
nochoi cebuttolookdown.Itseemedasifcert
ain
si
tuationsbroughtoutthebeasti
nDebbieand
Rachel .

Debbi
e:(
cryi
ng)“
Whatt
hef
uckwer
eyout
hinki
ng?
!”

Rachel
:“Howcoul
dyouguysevendeci
det
odoa
j
obwi
thouti
nfor
mingus?
!”

Lerat
o:“
Legona(Evenso)
,wher
eisyour“
Boss
Lady”Pr
eci
ous?”

Ghandia:(
annoyed)“
Shouldn’
tyoubewor
ryi
ng
aboutyourhusbandri
ghtnow?”

Ganj
a:“
Andwhati
sshedoi
ngher
e?”

Byshehewasref
erri
ngt
oLeah,
whowasal
sopar
t
oft
hecrewt
hateveni
ng.

Leah:“I’
mf ami
ly.Comeon,guys.Yousurel
ydidn’
t
thi
nkI ’
djustsi
tbyandwat
chyoual lcr
yyoursel
ves
tosleep.”

Chant
el:“
Thi
sisar
ealf
uckup.Myhusbandi
sst
il
l
i
nhospital
,al
ongwi
thDaphneyandnowyouguys
wentoutagai
n!Wereyoupl
anningonget
ti
ng
ki
ll
ed?!
”

Ronza:“
No.
”

Ol
ivi
a:“
Wher
eisRaymondanyway?
”

Ronza:“Wedon’tknow.MishandSnakeswerel
eft
i
nsidethevaul
twithhim.Allweheardwas
gunshotsandnextthi
ngSnakeswalkedout
carr
yingMish.
”

Rachel
:“Ghandi
a,di
dyouevenmanaget
ori
gthe
cameras?”

Ghandi
a:(
scr
atchi
nghead)“
Ithi
nkso.
”
Rachel:(
frowning)“Youthi
nkso?!Mar
a(But)
!Who
eventaughtyout ohackanyway?You’
dbett
ernot
havelear
ntf r
om anotherbi
tch.
”

Ghandi
a:“
Relax,babybat
hing(
goodness)
.Ilear
nt
athi
ngortwofrom youwhil
eyouwereworki
ng.”

Chantel
:“I
fthecopsf
indout
,you’
rei
ndeepkak
(shi
t)
.”

Itwasasi
fshewasspeakingt
hingsi
ntoexist
ence,
becauser
ightt
her
eandthen,t
hepoli
cewalkedin.

Pol
iceman1:“
Gent
lemanandladies.Sor
ryt
o
di
sturbyou.Webeli
eveyourf
ri
endswerebrought
i
nwi t
hsomegunshotwounds.”

Someofthewomenbecameabitner
vous,
butt
he
guyswer
eratherusedt
othat
.
Ler
ato:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Areyouher
etoar
restus?
”

Pol
iceman2:“
ByusIassumeyou’rerefer
ri
ngtothe
wholecrew?Husbandsandwives?Whywoul dwe
ar
restyou?Wejustcamehereforquesti
oni
ng.”

Ronza:“
Ler
ato,
youneedt
okeepqui
et.
”

Pol
iceman1:(
chuckli
ng)“That
’si
fyouhave
somethi
ngtohide,
girl
y.”

Poli
ceman2:“
Anyway,
wher
ewer
eyouguys
toni
ght
?”

Ronza:“
Wet
ookadr
ive.
”

Pol
iceman1:“
Allsi
xofyou?
”
Poli
ceman2:“
Dressedi
nbl
ackwi
thbul
letpr
oof
vest
s?”

Ronza:“
Yes,
onecanneverbet
oosaf
e.”

Ghandi
a:“
Thi
sisMsanziaf
teral
l.
”

Poli
ceman1:(chuckli
ng)“You’r
edamnri
ghtabout
that
.Ar eyousurethat’
sallyouwer
edoi
ng?Taking
adrive?
”

Ronza:“
Yes.
”

Pol
iceman1:“
Sibi
ya,
khi
pai
video(
takeoutt
he
vi
deo).
”

Pol
iceman2tookouthi
scell
phoneandst
art
ed
pl
ayingavi
deo.Itl
ookedl
ikethevi
deoofSnakes
walki
ngoutwit
hMishonhi
sback,car
ryi
ngabagof
money,andRonza,
Ganj
aandBigzshoot
ing
Raymond’smen.

Poli
ceman1:“
Wef oundRaymondNdhl ovuinthe
bank’
ssafe.Hewaspr ett
ybut chered,butheis
al
ive–fornow.Asf ortherestofyou, you’
llhavet
o
comewithusforsomequest ioning.”

Ronza:“
Ghandi
a,cal
lKumkani
.”

Ler
ato:(
worri
ed)“
Where’
sPreci
ous?
!Sheshoul
d
betaki
ngtherapf
oral
lthi
s!”

Chantel
:“Shutt
hef
uckup!Jymaaknaar
,man,
fok
(you’
reannoyi
ngasfuck)
.”

Ghandi
astart
eddial
ingKumkanii
nhaste,
asthe
t
wopolicementookGanjaandRonzaaway.The
restoft
hewiveswer
epr et
typi
ssed,andnow,mor
e
pissedatLer
atof
orf
ail
ingtokeepittoget
her
.

Rachel
:(annoyed)“
Isomet
imesaskmysel
fwhy
Bi
gzmar ri
edadumbbi t
chli
keyou.
”

Theylef
therst
andingt
hereastheywentt
osee
DaphneyandPil
ot.BackatKumkani’
shouse,
Preci
oushadwokenup.

Zandi
:(smi
li
ng)“Goodmor ni
ng,
mydear
.Ul
ele
nj
ani(
Howdi dyousleep)
?”

Preci
ous:“I
’
m notsosur
e.If
eel
li
keIhavebeenrun
byatruck.Mywholebodyi
ssor
e.Whathappened
tome?”

Zandi
:“Doyourememberwhatwespokeabout
whenyourmothercamethr
ough?
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes.Ir
emember
.”

Zandi
:“Well
,doyour ememberget
ti
ngst
abbi
ng
pai
nsalloveryourbody?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Yes.
”

Zandi
:“Thatwasyourhusband,
Meshack.He…he
wasshotlastni
ght
.”

Preci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Oh,
no!I
shegoi
ngt
obe
okay?”

Zandi:“
Well
,Ican’
tsay.Doyouwantmet
obe
honest?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Please.
”
Zandi
:“No.He’
sal
ive–butnotf
orl
ong.
”

Zandiwasnotdoneexpl
aini
ngever
ythi
ngwhen
Preci
ousgotuphast
il
y.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihavet
ogoseehi
m.”

Zandi
:“Wai
t.I
’
m notdoneyet
.”

Preci
ous:“
Ma,
foral
lIknowhecoul
dbear
rest
ed
ri
ghtnow.”

Shetookoutherphoneandr
eal
izedi
thadsi
nce
beenonsil
ent.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shi
t!Fi
ft
eenmi
ssedcal
ls!
”
Shesawamessagef r
om Rachel.“Wher
ear eyou?
We’vebeencall
ing.Mish,SnakesandBi
gzgotshot.
They’r
einhospi
tal.RonzaandGanjagottakenin
forquest
ioni
ng.Beencall
ingKumkani.Don’tknow
whattodo.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
pani
cki
ng)“
Ma,
wher
eisKumkani
?”

Zandi
:“Hewentoutt
ogetyousomebr
eakf
ast
.”

Asshewasdonesayi
ngt
hat
,hewal
kedi
n.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
thankgoodness.Wehavet
ogo.
”

Kumkani
:(f
rowni
ng)“
What
’swr
ong?
”

Preci
ous:“
Mishandafewguysofhi
scr
ewwere
shotl
astni
ght.RonzaandGanj
aweret
akeni
nfor
quest
ioni
ng.
”

Kumkani
:“Okay.Let
’sgo.
”

Hewasdr essedi
nasimpl
ewhiteTshi
rtandj
eans,
andneverbother
edt
ochange.

Zandi
:“Okay,
we’
l
ltal
ksomeot
hert
ime.
”

Preci
ousr ushedoutl i
keamani acalongwi th
Kumkani .Theygoti ntoKumkani ’scarandt hey
droveoff.Fort hef i
rsttimesinceshegotmar ri
edto
Mish,shesai dapr ayer ,wel
l,ami ni–prayeratt hat.
Shedidn’treali
zet hatshehadst oppedr el
yingon
God.Godgaveusal lthefreedom ofchoi cewhen
hecreatedus.Hehol dsnogr udgest owar dsus, as
wear eallHischildren.Al lofusar ecapabl eof
changinginhi seyesandwe’ reallwor t
hyof
forgi
veness.Youhavet oputinthewor k,though,
asnothingcomesf orfree.Kumkani dr
oveasf ast
ashecoul
d,butPr
eci
ousf
eltl
ikehewasr
ather
sl
ow.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Can’
tyoudr
iveabi
tfast
er?
”

Kumkani
:“Thi
sist
hefast
estIcango,
Pret
tyLady.
Youdon’
twantmetogetati
cket,
doyou?”

Preciouswassil
entlyannoyed,asshef
ail
edto
real
izethatKumkanineedn’tdowhathedid,
buthe
diditbecausehelovedher.

Kumkani
:“We’
llgopastt
hepoli
cest
ati
onf
ir
stand
t
henwe’l
lgotothehospi
tal
.”

Preci
oushadaweirdfeel
ingdeepi
nhergut
.
Somethi
ngjustt
oldhershehadtogoseeMish
ri
ghtaway.
Pr
ecious:“
Canwepl easestopbythehospi
talf
ir
st?
Ij
ustfeell
ikeIhavet
ogot heref
ir
st.
”

Kumkani
:“Okay.
”

Kumkaniwasabi thur t,butheunder stoodt hatshe

wasst illmar ri
edt oMi shandwi thmar ri
agecomes
attachment .Her emi ndedhi mselfthatheneededt o
bepat ient.Hi splanst odest royMi shwer eputon
hold, asi tseemedl i
ket heUni versedidal lthework
forhi m.Hej ustdi dn’thavet hehear ttotell
Preci ousabouthercar r yingMi sh’sbaby–agai n.
Theyar ri
vedatt hehospi t
alandKumkaniwas
cour teousenought ogowi thher .Assoonast hey
arrivedatt hewar d, theyf oundGhandi a,Rachel,
Debor ah, Lerato,Chant el,OliviaalongwithLeah
sit
tingt here.Debor ahandOl i
viawer ecrying,whil
e
theyot hersr emainedsi lent.Ofcour seLer atoand
Leahj ustl ookedmi schi evous.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Hey,
guys.
”
Deborahgotupandhuggedherimmediatel
y.Aft
er
that,
shehuggedRachel
,ChantelandOl
ivi
a.Ler
ato
didn’
tseem bot
her
edbyaffect
ionandneit
herdi
d
Leah.

Ghandi
a:“We’vebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lyou.Wher
e
haveyoubeen?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
It
’sal
ongst
ory.I
’
llexpl
ainl
ater
.”

Kumkanigr
eetedthem andtheyal
lpret
tymuch
fi
gur
edoutthattheyweretoget
her
,judgi
ngbyhow
Kumkaniwasdressed.Hewasamanofsui ts.

Ler
ato:(
anger
ed)“Wait
sekeng(Youknowwhat)?
!
Myhusbandgotshotbecauseofyoubutseemsli
ke
youweretoobusytoevengiveaf
uck!
”
Chantel
:“Ler
ato,
shutt
hef
uckup.You’
rer
eal
ly
st
arti
ngtoannoyme.”

Precious:“
Excuseme?Howi sthi
smyf
aul
twhenI
don’tevenknowwhathappened?”

Lerat
o:“
I’
llt
ellyouwhathappened.Myhusband
andhisfr
iendswentonahei stal
ongwit
hViper
,
andtheygotinjur
ed.Haditnotbeenf
oryourst
upi
d
plan,
we’dallbesafe!
”

Preci
ous:(f
umi ng)“DidIforceyourhusbandt ojoi
n
thecrew?!Don’tactlikehe’sachildandbesi des,
youenjoythisl
ifestyl
eevenmor ethantherestof
us.IfIwereyouIwoul dn’
tbet al
king.You’rereall
y
pissi
ngmeof f.Ijustfoundoutnowt hatmy
husbandisinacr it
icalcondit
ionandher eyouar e
spewingshitonme.You’ dbet t
erstaythefuckout
ofmyway. ”
Lerato:(st
andi
ngup)“Orwhat
?!Youthi
nkyourtal
l
boyfriendwil
lshutmeup?Ift
hepol
icequest
ionus
I’
mt hrowingyouundert
hebus!”

PreciousgotsoangrythatshepunchedLerato
twice,soqui
ckly,t
hatnoneofthem expect
edit.
Leratofel
lontothefl
oor,
andnoneoft heother
l
adi esbot
heredtohelpherup–exceptLeah.

Lerat
o:(
bleedi
ng)“
Yout
hinkyou’
real
lthat
,don’
t
you?!
”

Preci
ous:“
Idar
eyoutokeepgoi
ngbecauseIcan
punchyouunti
lyoudi
eri
ghther
e!”

Kumkani:“
Cal
m down,
Preci
ous.Thest
affi
s
wat
ching.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
llber
ightback.Ihavet
ofi
ndMi
sh.
”
Kumkanisatt herewi ththem whi lewat chi nghi s
l
ovegoseeherhusband.Whataf uckedup
si
tuationt hatwas.Ler atowascl ear l
yupt o
somet hing, butever yonewasi ntoomuchpai nto
event hinkofever ypossi blesituat i
on.ForLuke
21:34-36t ellsus;“ Butwat chyour selvesl estyour
heartsbewei gheddownwi thdi ssipat i
onand
drunkennessandcar esoft hisl if
e, andt hatday
comeuponyousuddenl yl ikeat rap.Fori twi l
l
comeuponal lwhodwel lont hef aceoft hewhol e
earth.Butst ayawakeatal ltimes, pr ayingt hatyou
mayhavest r
engt ht oescapeal ltheset hi ngst hat
aregoi ngtot akepl ace,andt ost andbef or et heSon
ofMan. ”Preciousf oundMeshack’ swar dand
walkedi n.Hewashookedont omachi nesand
seemedbadl yhur t.Heevenhadabandagear ound
hisheadaswel l
.Shehadneverseenhi mt hatf rai
l
andhel pless.Ther e’ssomet hingaboutawoman;
nomat terhowmuchamanhur tsyou, ther e’
ll
alwaysbet hatt i
nyr oom l eftforyout ol ovehi m.
Sher eallydi dl oveMi sh,event houghshewasno
l
ongeri
nlovewit
hhi
m.Shesatnextt
ohi
m and
hel
dhishand.

Preci
ous:(
tear
y)“Oh,
Meshack.Whathaveyou
done,myhusband?Howdidweevengethere?”

Mishopenedhi
seyesal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.He
l
ookedatPreci
ousandt
ookof
fhi
sbr
eathi
ngmask.

Preci
ous:(
shocked)“Meshack,
areyoueven
supposedtobedoingthat
?”

Mish:“
Preci
ous,Sthandwasami(
Myl
ove)
.Ihave
beenwait
ingforyoutocomeseeme.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”

Mi
sh:“
Idon’
thavemucht
ime.Ihavet
ogo.I
tis
t
imef
ormet
oleavet
hisear
th.
”

Preci
ous:“
No,Mish.Yourmot
herhast
ocomesay
goodbyefi
rst
.”

Mish:“She’
llbefi
ne.Ihavet
osayt
hist
oyouorI
’
ll
nevergetthechance.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Okay.
”

Mish:“I’
m sosorry.I’
m sorryIgotyoutomar ryme.
AllIeverwantedwast oloveyouandpr ovetoyou
thatIcouldbethemanyouneededmet obe.I
fai
ledyoui nmorewayst hanoneandnow, you’r
e
abouttobewi dowedbef oreourfi
rstyear
anniversar
y.Precious,Ihavewrongedyousomany
ti
mes, butIneverstoppedlovi
ngyou.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
cryi
ng)“
Mish,
it’
sokay.
”
Mi
sh:“
No,
it’
snot
.Iknewal
lal
ong.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Knewwhat
?”

Mi sh:(si
gh)“Iknewt hatyouwer er oyalt
y.Hosea
toldmeever ythi
ng.Ideci dedtokeepi tasecr et
from youbecauseIdi dn’twanttoloseyou.Iknew
allalongthatourancest orsdidn’
twantust o
connectandt hatt heyhadsai dwe’renotmeantt o
be.Pl ease,f
orgiveme, Preci
ous.Youhaveyour
whol elif
eaheadofyou.You’ r
esobeaut i
fuland
strongandeveni fyoudeci detomoveont omorrow,
Iwon’ tholdi
tagai nstyou.”

Thatwasal ottot
akei
nforher.Shewas
consumedwi thsomuchhurtandrage,
thatshe
didn’
tevenknowhowt or
espond.

Mi
sh:“
Presh,
please,
tryt
omoveonwi
thyourl
if
e
andbethewomanIf el
linlovewit
h–t heGod
fear
ingwoman.You’renolongerthesameandI
am tobl
ame.You’reabouttogoonadar kr
oad,
especi
all
ynowthatyou’
reabouttolosemy–“

Hedidn’
tfini
shhissentenceashestar
tedget
ti
ng
f
it
s,hismachinesstart
edbeeping,
whil
ehisbody
wasshakinguncontrol
labl
y.

Preci
ous:(
scar
ed)“
Meshack!Meshack!Nur
se!
Doctor
!Somebody!Hel
p!”

Thenursesrushedinandaskedhertoleavet
he
room.Shewassot raumati
zed,shewasbesi
de
hersel
f.Ever
ythingfel
tli
keitwasheadi
ngdownhi
ll
.
Kumkaniwentr ushi
ngtowardsher.

Kumkani
:“What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Preci
ous:“Hest
art
edtel
li
ngmeever
ythi
ngandthen
hewasshaking.Oh,myGod.Myhusbandisdyi
ng,
Kumkani.”

Shestar
tedcryi
ngandhehel
dheri
nherar
ms.
Ever
ybodywasamess.Thenursescameoutaf
ter
afewminutes.

Pr
eci
ous:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Isheokay?
”

Nurse:“
I’
m sosor
ry,Mrs.Ndhl
ovu,
butyour
husbanddidn’
tmakeit
.He’sgone.
”

Preciousfel
tnumb,shedidn’tknowwhet hershe
wassupposedt ocryouthystericall
y,orber el
ieved.
Ghandi awasshocked–tooshockedt orespond.
Hesunki nhisseatoncehehear dt henewsandl et
thetearsfl
ow.Rachelwast herecr yi
nginhi sarms.
Debbi ewascryi
ngalongwithOl ivi
aandChant el.
LeratoandLeahwer esi
tt
ingt herestari
ngat
Preci
ous.Asift
hatwasnotenough,t
hedoct
or
camebywi t
hsomemor edi
stur
bingnews.

Kumkani
:“Doct
or,
isever
ythi
ngokay?
”

Doct
or:“
Areyouf
ami
lyofMr
.Si
zweNgwenya?
”

Ler
atost
oodupi
nshockevenbef
oreshehear
dthe
news.

Ler
ato:“
Yes,
that
’smyhusband.
”

Doctor:“
I’
m afraidIhavesomebadnews.The
bull
etpuncturedhisrightki
dneyandhehadsome
i
nternalbl
eedingevenbef orethesur
ger
y.Wetried
toresusci
tate,butunfort
unatel
yweweretool
ate.
I’
m verysorr
y, Mrs.Ngwenya.”
Leratothr
ewhersel
font hechairandwail
edouti
n
pai
n.Leahr ushedbyhersideassheconsoledher.
Theirwholeworl
dturnedupsidedowni na
heartbeat
.Theymadeabadchoi ceandasaresul
t,
twowomenbecamewi dowsthatday.

Lif
eisf ul
lofchoi ces;lovei
faf eeli
ng,butcanal so
beachoi ce.Youf indoutthatyou’ relovingthe
wrongper son, andyoucont inuet olovehi m;you
fi
ndoutyou’ reinvol vedwit
hanabuser ,andyou
conti
nuet ol ovehi m –t hat
’sachoi ce.Yourt oxic
familykeepsext ortingmoneyf rom youandyou
keepgivingwhi chr esult
sinyoubei ngsadhal fthe
ti
me–t hat’sachoi ce.Youchooset of ocusont he
posit
iveandl ookatl i
feasagl asshal ffull–you
chosehappi ness.Att i
meswear ebaf fl
edby
people’
sdeat hsbecausesomej usthappenedt obe
atthewr ongpl aceatt hewrongt i
me, butwhenyour
ti
mei sup–t here’snonegot iatingwi t
hGod.So, He
sparesourl ives,get susoutofdanger ousand
horri
blesituat i
onsbyHi sgrace.
Att imesyougot hr
oughsomuchi nyourlif
eand
youact uallywonderifGodi seventhere.Wel l,
Heis,
perhapsyou’ renotli
steningtoHim.Si gnsare
alwayspr esentinourlives;ourancestorsare
alwaysr elayi
ngmessagest ousandt heytendt o
useMedi ums, pr
ophets,sangomasandt heli
kesas
vessel stor el
aytheirmessages.Whenyoudon’ t
l
istent oyourpar entsasachi ld,yougetpuni shed
forit,butt hatdoesnotmeant hatt
heyl oveyouany
l
ess.I twor kssimil
arl
ywi thGod;whenyour efuse
tolist
ent oHim, Hepuni shesyou.

You’llfi
ndyour selfi nawkwar dsit
uations, butthe
batt
leiswonbyt heul ti
mat efait
handpr ayer
.Ther e
i
snost umbl ingbl ockt hatwillkeepbei ngahur dl
e
toyoui fyoukeepbel i
evingandkeeppr ayingto
yourGod.Pr ecioushadsomanywar nings, andlike
mostofuswet endt oseet hegoodi npeopl eeven
whent hegoodi sn’tthere.GodsendKumkaniher
way;thesamewayonecanf indtheirsoul mat e
whil
emar ri
edt othewr ongman.Onceyoul eave,
youseel if
einadi fferentway–t herightway.
Ephesi
ans6:10says;“Whateverhascometobe
hasalr
eadybeennamed, anditisknowntowhat
manis,andthatheisnotabletodisput
ewit
hone
str
ongerthanhe.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
57] :Chapt
er83

“
Graceisf
reesover
eignf
avourt
othei
ll
-deser
ving.
”
–Benjami
nB.War f
iel
d

Kumkaniwentt othepol icest

ati
onwithPreciousto
tryandgetbailpostedforRonzaandGanj a,but
theygotsomeunexpect ednews.Ther estofthe
ganghadgonet oMi sh’
shouset ol
etthenewssi nk
i
n.Mam’ Thokodi dn’tt
akethenewsver ywellonce
shewast ol
dovert hephone.Kumkaniwentbackt o
thecarwherePr ecioushadwai t
edforhim.

Pr
eci
ous:“
So?
”
Kumkani:(shakinghead)“ It’sbad.ThePr osecut
ing
Author
ityhast akenovert hecase.Al lt
heguysl eft
arebei
ngchar gedwithMur der,Possessionof
dangerousandi ll
egalfi
rear ms, gr
ievousbodi l
y
harm,armedr obberyandt heft.It
’snotwhatI
expect
ed, buttheyevenr efusebai l
.TheyRonza
andGanj awillspendtheweekendi njai
l.
”

Pr
ecous:“
Thi
sisbad.EvenGhandi
a?”

Kumkani
:(shaki
nghead)“Ther
e’snopr
ooft
hathe
wasther
e,sohe’sof
fthehook.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
That
’sar
eli
ef.
”

Kumkani:“
Ther
e’smor
e.Al
lyouraccount
sar
e
fr
ozen.
”
Pr
eci
ous:(
shocked)“
Youmeanal
lasi
nal
lofus?
”

Kumkani
:(noddi
ng)“
Yes.
”

Itfeltasi fPr eciouswasseei ngtotalfl

ames.That
i
snotwhatshehadi nmi ndwhenshebecamea
gangst er.Thatwasal ltheguys’ f
ault.Theywent
anddi daj obwi thoutt heappr ovalofthei
rwomen.
Now, twoguysl ostt heirlivesandal lthei
rmoney
wasf rozen.Whatmostpeopl einPrecious’shoes
don’tr ealizeist hatGodcal lsyout oHi minthemost
unconvent i
onalways.Somanypeopl ehavegone
topr isonbybei ngatt hewr ongpl aceatthewr ong
ti
meandyett heycameoutasi ftheywer ethebest
Prophet sthateverl ived.God’ smer cyandgr acear e
fulloff avour–t ot hosewhost andachanceof
redeemi ngt hemsel ves.Fort hosel i
keMi sh,who
diedwi thoutr epent ance, thatisupt oGodhi msel f
.
2Cor inthi
ans12: 9;“ Buthesai dtome, “
Mygr aceis
suf f
icientf oryou, f
ormypoweri smadeper fectin
weakness. ”Ther ef
or eIwi l
lboastallthemor e
gl
adlyofmyweaknesses,
sot
hatt
hepowerof
Chr
istmayrestuponme.”

Preci
ous:“
Okay.We’
l
lhavet
owai
tforMonday
then.
”

Kumkani
:“Ar
eyousur
eyou’r
eokay?Imean,wi
ll
youbeabl
etobeal
oneatyourhouset
oni
ght
?”

Preci
ous:“
I’
m sur
eI’
llbefi
ne.Imean,
IdoubtI
’l
l
havepeaceofmindandmuchsleepsi
nceIhaveto
pl
anmyhusband’ sf
uneral
.”

Lit
tl
edidPr eciousknowwhatawai tedher.
Kumkaniwaschi valr
ousenoughtodr opheroffat
herhouse.Hepr omisedtohavehercardel i
vered
there.I
twasar atherhect
icday,
butt heyhadtwo
funeral
stopr eparefor,
aswellasprepareforRonza
andGanj a’
sbai l
.Shedecidedtocal lGhandi
a
beforeshewentt obedandl ucki
lyheanswer ed.
Ghandia:“Shosho(Sur
esur
e),
Bossl
ady.I
s
ever
ythingokay?”

Pr
ecious:“
Yes,ever
ythi
ngisfi
ne.Li
sten,
doyou
st
il
lhavethatmoneyfrom t
hehei
st?
”

Ghandi
a:“
Yes,
Ilef
titi
nyourhouse.I
nthe
basement
.”

Precious:“
Canyoucomefetchi
t?Andusesome
forthefuneral
saswel
lastheupcomi
ngbai
l
hearing?”

Ghandi
a:“
Okay,butwhydon’
twej
ustl
eavet
he
moneyatyourhouse?
”

Precious:“
Idon’
tknow,Ij
usthaveaver
ybad
feel
ing.Ican’
tseem t
oshakeitoff
.”
Ghandi
a:“
Okay,
onmyway.
”

Ghandi
acameandf
etchedal
lthebagsofmoney.

Ghandia:“
Areyousur
eyou’
l
lbeokayal
one?Ican
getRachelandDebst
ocomekeepyoucompany.
”

Pr
ecious:“
Iappr
eci
atet
hat
,real
ly,
butI
’
drat
herbe
al
one.”

Ghandia:“
I’
mjustonephonecal
lawayi
fyou
changeyourmind.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”

Ghandi
alef
tandproceededtohishousewhi
chwas
notsof
araway,whil
ePreciouswentint
oher
s.She
l
ockedt hedoor s,andsett healarms.Shef ound
herselfgoingthroughthest udy,tr
yingt oremember
Mishinever ypossi
bleway.Hi ssmel lwasst i
lli
n
hisstudychai randonsomeofhi sclothes.She
couldhar dlybeli
evethathewasgone–f orever.
Event houghshewasnol ongerinlovewi thMi sh,
shedidn’twanthi mtodi e.Littl
edidsheevenknow
shewaspr egnanttobegi nwith.Whatayeari ttrul
y
hadbeenf orher.shetookaf ewsipsofMi sh’
s
favourit
ecognaci nhisst udyandmanagedt opass
outinhischai r.

Meanwhi l
e,Ntsi
kaandNjabulower edoi ngwhat
they’ r
eevi lGogohadaskedthem t o–t ogetr i
dof
Preci ous;permanentl
y.Theyhadt hewhol eplan
orchest r
atedverywel
l.Theyhadspentaf ewdays
sur veyinghereverymoveandwher eshest ayed.
Thef actthatMishhaddied,wast heper fectmove
fort hem.Moneyt al
ks–i never
ysi tuati
on.I tissad
thatsomepeopl earealwayswill
ingt osel ltheir
soul sf orafewthousands.Theywer eaboutt o
drivei ntothecomplex,whenNtsikat ol
dNj abulohe
hadaver
ybadf
eel
ing.

Nt
sika:(
worri
ed)“
Njabs,
imakancane,
mfo(
wai
ta
mi
nute,bro)
.”

Nj
abul
o:“
Yini(
Whati
sit
)?”

Ntsika:“
Ihaveaver
ybadfeel
ingaboutwhatwe’
re
doing.Maybeweshouldgobackhome.”

Njabulo:“
Areyoukiddingme?Gogowi llski
nus
ali
veifwecomebackwi thnonews.Besides,don’
t
youwantt obethefutureki
ngofZul
uland?Don’ t
youwantt ocl
aim yourbir
thri
ght
?”

Nt
sika:“
Ido,
but–“

Nj
abul
o:“
Thennobut
s.That
’sal
lthemot
ivat
ion
youneed.
”

There’ssomet hingaboutagutf eeli

ng;iti
shar dly
everwr ong.Nt sikawasr i
ghttofeelwhathef elt,
becauseGl endahadgonesoover boardforfortune,
thatshehadt ur nedbrother
sagainstoneanot her.
Theydr oveinandt hesecuri
tyguardletthem inas
discussed.

Nj
abulo:“
Shosho(sur
esure)
,don’
tfor
gettogett
he
al
arm di
sabl
edandthecamerasaswell
.”

Secur
it
yGuar
d:“
Sur
ethi
ng,
butt
hatwi
llcostyouan
ext
ra5k.”

Nj
abul
o:“
What
ever
.Justgeti
tdone.
”

Secur
it
yGuar
d:“
Oni
t,boss.
”
Theydr ovei
nandmanagedt ogetint
othehouse.
Thelightsweresti
llon,sotheyhadt obeabi t
careful
.ItwasasifNj abul
oknewwher etolook
around,becausehewentst raightt
othekitchen,
behindthemi cr
owaveandmanagedt ofi
ndMi sh’
s
gun.

Ntsi
ka:(
worr
ied)“
Howdi
dyouknowwher
etof
ind
t
hatgun?”

Nj
abul
o:“
I’
m al
otsmar
tert
hanyout
hink.
”

Ntsikawasabouttot
akeast epf
urtherwhenhe
receivedt
heshockofhisli
fe.Heturnedar
oundas
soonashehear dacli
ckingsunofthegun.

Ntsika:(
shocked)“
Wenzani
,mf
o(Whatar
eyou
doing,brot
her)
?”
Njabulo:(
point
ingthegunathim)“I’
m sorr
y,Baf
o
(Brot
her).Iam doingwhatIhavetodo.There
cannotbet wokingsrul
ingZul
uland,onl
yonemust
rul
e.Andonemustf all
.”

Nt
sika:(
panicki
ng)“
Njabul
o,don’
tdot
his,
brot
her
.
Wecant al
kaboutit
.”

Nj
abul
o:“
I’
m sor
ry.
”

Wi t
ht hatsaid,hepulledt hetri
gger ,shooti
ngNt si
ka
twice–oncei nt heheadandoncei nt hechest.He
stoodt hereandl ookedathi m ashewat chedhi m
takehi slastbreath.Hewal kedar oundt hehouse,
butPr eciouswassost artledbyt hegunshot s,she
gotupandwal kedaroundwi ththeot hergunshe
hadi nherhand.Shef oundNj abul ostandinginthe
passagewi thaguni nhi shand.Shei mmedi at
ely
shothi mi nthear m.Nj abulofellandscr eamedout
i
nagony.
Nj
abul
o:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Aaah!
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
scared)“
Whothef
uckar
eyouandwhy
ar
eyouinthehouse?!
”

ShesawNt si
ka’
sbodybleedi
ngoutonthefloor,
andimmediatel
ybecameevenmor eworr
ied.She
coul
dn’
tunderstandhowheevengotther
e.Wi thin
minut
es,t
heSecur i
tywal
kedinal
mostimmedi atel
y.

Secur
it
y:“
Nkosazana(
Lady)
,what
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”

Hetookonelookatthebody,thenanotherat
Nj
abuloandthenstaredatPreciouswhohadagun
i
nherhand.Thever ysameSecur it
yguardwho
waspaidof
ftolett
hem infraudulentl
y.

Secur
it
y:“
I’
m af
rai
dIhavet
ocal
lthepol
ice.
”
Preci
ous:“Youdot
hat
,Ji
mmy,
please.Idon’
tknow
thi
sintr
uder.
”

Shewasaboutt
ost
epcl
osert
ohi
m,buthest
epped
back.

Secur
it
y:“
Stepback,
ma’
am,
Ican’
tletyougetany
cl
osertome.”

Ghandiast ormedinwit
haguni nhishandandwas
beyondst art
ledtoseet
heugl yscenebef
orehi
m.
Njabul
owasst il
lscr
eaminginpainonthefl
oor
,
whilePreciouswasindisbel
ief.

Ghandia:(shocked)“
Preci
ous,
dint
shang(
what
’s
happening)?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Idon’
tknow.Idon’
tevenknowt
hese
guys.Ihear
dgunshot
sandthenextt
hingt
hisguy
wasinmyhousewithaguni
nhishand.”

Secur
it
y:“
Stayback,
sir
.Thi
sisacr
imescene.
”

Ever
ythi
ngwasashitt
ymessandnoonehadany
i
deawhatwasgoingon–exceptfort
hesecuri
ty
guar
dandNjabul
o.Wi t
hinani
nst
ant;t
hreepeopl
e
di
edinonedayanditwasaboutt
ogetrough.

Phil
ippi
ans2:3says;“Donothi
ngfrom r
ival
ryor
conceit
,butinhumil
it
ycountother
smor e
si
gnifi
cantthanyour
selves.
”

Prover
bs27:4says;“
Wratchi
scr
uel,
angeris
overwhel
ming,butwhocanst
andbefor
ejeal
ousy?
”

Njabul
oandNtsi
kawerewellraised–despit
enot
beingGat
sha’
sbiol
ogi
calchi
ldren,butGl
endagot
i
ntothei
rheadsandmadethem t
urnagai
nstone
anot
her.Well,
shemanagedtogetNj
abul
otot ur
n
agai
nsthisownbrot
her
.Whatat i
metobealive.
Proverbs18:10says;“Thenameoft heLordisa
str
ongt ower;t
her i
ght
eousr unintoitandaresaf
e.”
Itwasf i
nal
lyti
mef orPrecioust
ost artseeki
ng
guidancefrom theLor
d, butunt
ilshehadf ull
y
acceptedherflawsandt urnedt
ohi m –t hi
ngswere
notgoingtogetanyeasi er.
[
01/
27,
07:
57] :Chapt
er84

“Fakefr
iendsareli
keshadows:al
waysnearyouat
yourbri
ghtestmoments,butnowher
etobeseenat
yourdarkesthour
.Truefri
endsarel
ikest
ars,you
don’tal
waysseethem buttheyar
ealwaysthere.
”–
HabeebAkande

Itwasabouttobecomeani nter
esti
ngSunday.
Ghandi
ahadt omakesur ethatPreci
ouswasokay
–shewasacompl et
ewr eckandveryconf
used.
Jimmy,thetwofacedsecurit
yguardandNjabul
o
whowasont hef l
oor,bleedi
ngandscr eami nglikea
mani acdi
dn’tmakei tanymor ebear able.She
decidedtogrababot tl
eofwhi skeyandst art
dri
nkingwhi l
ewaiti
ngf orthepol ice.Shef eltso
al
oneandhel pl
ess;shecoul dn’tcal lMi shsincehe
wasdead, shecouldn’tcallHosea, sincewasst ill
M.I.
Aaccor dingtoherknowl edgeatt hetimeand
shecouldn’texactl
ycallMam’ Thokonoranyofher
fr
iends.ShegaveGhandi aagl asst osi pon.

Ghandi
a:“
Thanks.Who’
sthatguy?
”

Precious:“
Ihavenoideawhohei s.Iwasinthe
studyandnextthi
ngIhear dgunshot
sandhewas
i
nmypassagehol di
ngagun.Ihadt oshoot.Eit
her
thatorhewasgoingt oshootme.”

Preci
ouswassoont olear
nt hatbadnewsdoes
i
ndeedtravelf
ast.Whilet
ryi
ngt othi
nkofwhoto
call
,Kumkanicomplet
elysli
ppedhermi nd.She
sawherselft
rendi
ngonTwi tterwi
ththemost
ri
dicul
oushasthag#GangsterWi feKil
ls.Peopl e
weresayingthatshehadkil
ledherownbr otherand
woundedt heother.Shecouldn’tunder st
andhow
theyevengothol dofsuchr
idiculousnews, butthen
i
tmadesensesi nceJimmyhadbeenonhi sphone
constant
lyeversincethewholesi t
uationerupted.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatt
hef
uck?
”

Ghandi
a:“
Keng(
Whati
sit
)?”

Preci
ous:“
Didyouseet
his?Di
dyouf
ucki
ngsee
thi
s?”

ShehandedGhandiaherphoneandhewasso
i
rri
tated,
helookedatJi
mmyandbecameeven
mor eworri
ed.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Itwasyou,
wasn’
tit
?”
Ji
mmy:(shocked)“
Aowa,sust
er(No,si
ster
).Aki
tsi
obuakang(Idon’
tknowwhatyou’r
etal
king
about
).
”

Preci
ousgotsoangryandwant
edt
ochar
geathi
m,
butGhandi
astoppedher.

Preci
ous:(f
urious)“You’vebeenonyourfucki
ng
phonethi
swhol eti
me!You’ r
esupposedtobe
guardi
ngmyl ife!Insteadyou’
rebusylet
hisshit
bagIdon’tevenknowi nmyownhouse!NowI ’
m
accusedofmur der
ingmybr other
.Idon’
tevenhave
abrother
!”

Ghandi
a:“
Presh,
leavehi
m.Bef
orehestart
s
spr
eadi
ngotherl
ies.Ketl
amosort
er(
I’
llsor
thi
m
out
).
”

Wi
thi
nami
nut
e,t
hepol
icear
ri
ved–t
hesamet
wo
copswhointer
rogat
edthem andarrest
edGanj
aand
Ronza.Detect
iveSi
biyaandSargentSit
hol
e.

Det
.Si
biya:Koko(
Knock-
knock)
.”

Whil
et hedoorwassl
ight
lyopen,therewasabitof
acrowdout si
de,
wit
hcamer asfl
ashingandafew
microphones.

Journal
ist
:“Detect
ive,
canwehaveasneakpeakof
thebodyatleast?”

Det.Si
biya:“
Lat
enal
enaman(
Youguysar
e
annoyi
ng).”

Heshutt hedoorandlookedatPreciousand
Ghandiawithasmi r
konhi sface.Theybot hknew
somethingwasn’tri
ght.Theyhonestlytookthei
r
ti
metogett her
eevent houghthepolicestat
ionwas
nott
hatf
ar.

Det.Si
biya:“
Well,
well,well
.Mr s.Ndhlovu,yousur
e
havetroubl
efol
lowingyouever ywhere,hey.Sit
hol
e,
checkadaaiman( checkthatguy).
”

Sit
hol
eputhisgl
ovedf
inger
sonhi
sneckt
ocheck
forapul
se.

Si
thol
e:“
Ah,
oil
e(he’
sgone)
.”

Det
.Sibi
ya:“Ja,
ne.Cansomeoneexpl
aint
ome
whathappenedher
e?”

Ji
mmy:“ Wel
l,Iheardgunshots.ThenwhenI
walkedi
nhere,IfoundNtsi–Imeant hatguydead
onthefl
oorandthisonebleedingonthefl
oor.
”
Det.Si
biya:“
Sit
hol
e,getthemedi
cstocomei
nand
checkthatguy.Helooksli
kehe’
saboutt
obl
eed
out.
”

Si
thol
e:“
Sur
e.”

Hewal
kedout
.

Det
.Sibiya:“
Hmm, Inevert
houghtI
’
deverwal
ki nt
o
agangster’
shouse.Fancystuf
fyougoti
nhere.
I
t’
sapi t
yyouacquiredever
ythi
ngkamadiabatho
(
withpeople’
sblood).
”

Pr
ecious:(
annoyed)“
Areyougoi
ngt
otakemy
st
atementornot?Thisi
smyhouseaft
eral
l.
”

Det
.Si
biya:“
Thatwon’
tbenecessar
y.Youhavet
o
comet
ot hestat
ionwi
thme.
”
Ghandi
a:“
Onwhatgr
ounds?
”

Det.Si
biya:“Lenamagenzalaphaphawai
tse(
you
gangst
ersar esof or
war
d,youknow).Tomakeyour
stat
ementt here.
”

Ghandia:(whi
sper
ing)“
P,somethingi
sn’
tri
ght
aboutthi
swholescene.I’
llcal
lKumkani
.Youneed
alawyer.”

Det.Sibi
ya:“Yes,youmightneedone.Gape
(Because)amur derchar
geinSouthAfri
cacarr
iesa
l
ifesentence.That’saminimum of25year
sifyou
didn’
tknow.”

Precious:(
frowni
ng)“
Whyar
eyouact
ingl
ikeI
’
m
guil
ty?”

Det
.Si
biya:“
Inmyl
ineofwor
k,ever
yoneImeeti
s
gui
lt
yunt
ilpr
oveni
nnocent
.Now,
let
’smove.
”

Ghandi
a:“
I’
llcomeseeyoui
nabi
t.
”

Det
.Si
biya:“
Goodl
uckwi
tht
hat
.”

Sibiyahel dPr eciousbyt hear mfirmlyast hey

wal kedout .Thepr esswast here,takingpictur
esof
her, askingquest ions,whilesomenei ghbour swere
alr
eadyl ooki ngatherl ikeshewasgui lt
y.Debbi e,
Rachel ,
Ol i
viaandChant elwerelookingatherwi th
somuchf eari ntheireyesandsomuchpi ty.She
refusedt ocr yespeci al
lywhenshedi dn’tdo
anyt hingwr ong.Shecoul dn’tunderstandwhatwas
happeni ng.Atl ast,shesawt helightattheendof
thet unnelwhenshesawKumkaniappear ing
amongstt hecr owd.

Kumkani
:(shout
ing)“
Preci
ous!Pr
eci
ous!
”
ShestoppedeventhoughSi
biya’
sgri
pwasal
ot
ti
ght
erthanwhatitwassupposedtobe.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Kumkani
.”

Kumkani
:“I
t’
sgoingtobeokay.I’l
lmeetyouatt
he
st
ati
on.Don’tsayanyt
hingunt
ilIgett
here.
”

Shenoddedwithr
eli
efandsmi
ledathi
m.Si
biya
yankedherar
m.

Det.Sibi
ya:“
Areye,sboshwa(
let
’sgo,
cri
minal
).I
don’thaveal
lday.
”

Itwasprobablyabout4:
30am andSi bi
yapushed
herint
othevan–nextt ohi
mi nsteadoftheback,
whileSargentSi
thol
ewentwit
ht heparamedicsand
Njabulo.
Det.Si
biya:(
chuckl
ing)“Neonaganagoreot
lof
ell
a
kae(Wheredidyout hi
nkyou’
dendup)?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Aski
es(
Excuseme)
?”

Det.Sibiya:“Youandyourl i
ttl
egangt houghtyou
couldr ul
ethewor l
d, huh?Igotyounow.Your
preciouscrimi nalhusbandi sdeadal ongwi t
hone
ofhisf ri
ends.Yourgangst erfr
iendswhower ei n
hospitalareheadedt oj ai
laswespeak.I ’
m going
tonailyoual landi twillbethebi ggestthingformy
career.Ican’ twait.”

Hewasboast
ingandwassoproud,
butPr eci
ous
deci
dedt
orat
herkeepqui
etassherecal
led
Kumkani
’
swords.

Det.Sibi
ya:“
Justimagine,
thesocal
ledPri
ncessof
Zulul
andsentencedformurder.Whatati
met obe
al
ive.”
Shehadf orgot
tenthatshewasaprincess,butshe
l
ethim be.Oncet heygottot
heparkinglotofthe
poli
cestati
on,hedidsomethi
ngthatwasagai nst
prot
ocol.

Det
.Sibi
ya:“
Youknow, Icanmakeal lt
hisgoaway
i
fyoujustdoonesmallthi
ngf orme.Kgaleke
dumagonyobamosadiwal egenza,
waitse(
I’
ve
al
wayswantedtofuckagangst er
’swif
e,youknow)
.
Mfeonenyana(Gi
vemeoner oundonly).
”

Het ouchgedherthi
gh,butl
it
tl
edidheknow
Precious.Shedidn’
teventhi
nktwice,
asshe
punchedhi minthefaceandhisnosestar
ted
bl
eedi ng.

Det
.Si
biya:(scr
eami
ng)“
Ah,
fuck!Sf
ebekewena
(
youbi
tch)!”
Preci
ousgotoutofthecar,beyondf
uri
ous.Det.
Sibi
yawasabouttoslapher ,
butKumkaniwal
ked
outofhi
scarjustasfur
ious.

Kumkani:“
Idareyoutodothat,
Sibi
ya.Remember
whathappenedthelastt
imeyouassaul
ted
someoneincustody?”

Det
.Si
biya:(
fur
ious)“
Yourl
it
tl
elawyerwon’
tbe
ar
oundyou24/7.”

Kumkani
:“Ar
eyouokay?
”

Preci
ous:“
Thatf
uckt
ouchedmei
nappr
opr
iat
ely.I
punchedhim.
”

Kumkani
:“Hedoest
hat
.He’
sapi
g.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
That’
sanunderst
atement
.What
’sthi
sof
mebei
ngaccusedofmurderi
ngmyownbrother
?”

Kumkani:“
I’
llt
ellyouabouti
tlat
er.Let’
sgoi nt
othe
i
nterr
ogati
onroom beforehesparksanotherst
ory
aboutyou.Don’tworry,
Igotyourback.
”

Shefel
tahugesenseofr el
iefknowi ngthat
Kumkaniwasthere.Hemadeever yt
hingseem l
ike
i
twasgoingtobealright
.Themi nutetheywalked
i
ntothest
ati
on,everyonewasgi vinghernasty
l
ooks,whi
leSibi
yawashear drant i
ngandr avi
ngat
howPreci
ousassaultedanof f
icerondut y.

Kumkani
:“Keepst
ari
ngl
iket
hatandyou’
l
lloseyour
j
ob.”

Theyallcar
ri
edonwithwhatt
heywer edoing
befor
etheywalkedi
n.Kumkaniwalkedalongsi
de
Preci
ous,wit
hhishandonherback.Theyenter
ed
ther oom andwai t
edf orSi biya.Preci
ousrecall
sthe
smel lofthosecellsfaintl
y.Shewasdr unkandnot
i
nt her i
ghtstateofmi ndt hatdaywhenshegot
arrested.Notonl ythat,shewaspr egnant.Lit
tl
edid
sheknowt hatshewaspr egnantyetagai n.
Kumkanihadhi dt heinformat ionawayfrom heras
hef elti
twasj ustnotther ightt i
metotel
lher.Not
withever yt
hingthatwasunder way.Sibi
yafinall
y
wal kedinwithacl othonhi snoseandaver ypissed
offlookonhi sface.

Si
biya:“
Right
.Let
’sgetr
ightt
oit
.”

Kumkani
:“Pl
easedo.Don’
tkeepmycl
ientwai
ti
ng.
”

Sibi
ya:(
annoyed)“
Mrs.Ndhl
ovu,
tel
lmewhat
happened.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Onl
ynowyouf
eel
theneedt
oaskme?
”
Si
biya:“
Areyougoi
ngt
ospeakornot
?”

Kumkani
:“I
t’
sokay,
answert
hequest
ion.
”

Sibi
ya:“You’
dbet
terl
ist
ent
oyourboyf
ri
end,
Pret
ty
Lady.”

Preciousgotannoyed,
butshemanagedt
ocal
m
herselfbackdown.

Preci
ous:(sigh)“Icamehomer ightaf
terthenews
ofmyhusband’ sdeat hlastni
ght .Il
ockedthe
doors,setthealarm andwentt ohisstudy.Iended
uphavingaf ewsi psofcognacandpassedouton
thechair.Iheardgunshot s–Idi dn’
tcheckt heti
me.
Twogunshot st
obeexact .Ri
ghti nmyhouse.I
havenoi deahowt hatf
uckercamei n,butIreached
formyhusband’ sgunandwal kedoutt oseewhat
washappeni ng.ThemomentIsawhi m walking
towardsmei nthepassagewi tht heguninhi shand,
Idi
dwhatanybodywoul
dhavedone.Ishothi
m.”

Sibi
ya:(
chuckl
ing)“
Real
ly?Whatanybodywoul
d
havedone?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Obvi
ousl
y.”

Si
biya:“
Oh,
alr
ight.Howdoyouexpl
ainyourdead
br
otheront
hefloor?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
LikeIsai
d,hisbrothermusthaveshot
hi
m.Howel sedoyouexplainthetwogunshots?
Al
so,
he’snotmybrother.
”

Si
biya:“
Hmm.Badbl
oodbet
weenyouguys,
huh?
Okaythen.
”

Kumkani
:“Mycl
ientgaveyouherst
atement
,Si
biya.
Nowthatt
hat
’soutoftheway,
whenar eyou
pl
anni
ngonarrest
ingt
heculpr
itwhobrokei
ntoher
homeandmurderedsomeoneinherhouse?
”

Si
biya:“
Well,
I’
m afraidyou’
rewrong,
Mr .Mdhlet
se.
Yousee,your“cl
ient”herei
stheonewhoshotand
ki
ll
edherownbr other,andwoundedtheother
.”

Kumkani:“
Don’
tbeassumi
ngbul
lshi
ther
e,Si
biya.
I
’l
lhaveyousued.
”

Si
biya:“
Oh, well
,goahead.Becauseyou,mydear,
Mrs.Ndhlovuarebeingchargedwiththemur
derof
Nt
sikaNcube, amongstotherthi
ngs.”

Pr
eci
ouscoul
dn’
tbel
ieveherear
s.I
twasasi
fit
wasaver
yhorr
iddr
eam.

Kumkani
:“Basedonwhatgr
ounds?St
opf
ucki
ng
ar
oundanddoyourf
ucki
ngj
ob!Twomenbr
oke
i
ntoherhome!
”

Sibiya:“
Well
,accordi
ngt
otherepor
tIhavehere,
therewasabsolutel
ynoevi
denceoffoulpl
ayor
forcedentr
y.”

Kumkani
:“Theymusthavehackedt
hesyst
em.
”

Si
biya:“
Youshouldhavebeenadet ect
ive,
because
wow.Yourtheor
iesarestr
aightoutofamovie.”

Kumkani:“
Ifther
e’snot
hingel
se,
I’
dli
ket
otakemy
cl
ienthome.”

Si
biya:“Maybeyoumi
sunder
stoodme,
Mr.
Mdhletse.
”
Hest
oodup,tookouthispai
rofcuf
fsandst
art
ed
r
eadi
ngPreci
ousherright
s.

Sibi
ya:“Mr s.Preci
ousNdhlovu,youareunderarr
est
forthemur derofNtsikaNcube.Youhavet heri
ght
toremainsi l
ent.Anythingyousayordocanbe
heldagainstyoui nthecourtofl
aw.Youhavet he
ri
ghttoanat t
orney,i
fyoucannotaff
ordone,one
canbeof feredtoyou.”

Kumkani
:“You’
remaki
ngabi
gmi
stake,
Sibi
ya.I
’
m
goi
ngtosueyou!”

Sibi
ya:“I
’l
lbewaiti
ng.Saygoodbyet
oyour
boyfr
iend,Pr
incess.
”

Hetight
enedthecuff
sar
oundherar
msandshe
scr
eamedslight
ly.
Pr
eci
ous:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Aah!
”

Kumkani
:“You’
dbettert
reatherr
ightorel
seIswear
,
youwon’
theartheendofthis.
”

Si
biya:“
Wel
comet
oyournewhome,
Pri
ncess.
”

Sibi
yatookheraway,
whi
leKumkaniwasshaki
ngi
n
fr
ustrat
ion.
[
01/
27,
07:
57] :Chapt
er85

“Someonewhosmi l
estoomuchwit
hyoucan
sometimesfrowntoomuchwithyouatyourback.
”
–Mi chaelBasseyJohnson

Preci
ouswasgoingt hr
oughawhoelsurgeof
emotions.Herwholeli
fechangedint
heblinkofan
eye.Justthedaybefore,shewasawidowedwife,
thenshebecameamur dereri
nafewhours.She
wasl ockedi nthever ysamecel lshewasi ntheday
shegotar r
estedf orshoot i
ngCassandr a.Shesat
ont hatrustybench, forcinghermi ndt ot hi
nk,but
shewasj ustblank.Shehadl osthopeevenbef or
e
herownt ri
alhadst arted.Ther ewer ewomenofal l
kindsint here;prosti
tutes,crazywomeneven
womenwhol ookedjustlikeher–i nnocent.Oneof
them lookedr eall
yinterestedinher ,asshekepton
l
ooki ngatherf rom themomentshewal kedint
othe
cell
.

Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
CanIhel
pyou?
”

Woman:“
Oh,
hayi
.Idi
dn’
tmeant
ost
are.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wel
l,
youdi
dst
aresooutwi
thi
t.
”

Woman:“Ar
en’tyout
hatgangst
erwi
fe?Meshack
Mavuso’
swif
e? ”
Pr
eci
ous:“
That
’sme.
”

Woman:( exci
ted)“
Iknewitwasyou!Imeanyou
l
ooksosadandal otmorebeauti
fuli
nperson.
Beli
eveme, Idon’
tbel
ievet
hatyoudiditf
ora
second.Noways.Opi l
athat
aman( You’
rewaytoo
pret
ty)
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Tel
lthatt
othatannoyi
ngcop.
”

Woman:“ Oh,ora(youmean)Sibiya?He’sgotbeef
wit
heveryone.Hef orceshi
swayi ntoal
lwomen’s
pantsandifyourefuse,hemakessureyougo
behi
ndbar s.Someoneneedst ostophim,butt
hen,
keMzansi( Thi
sisMzansiaft
erall)
.”

Preciousj
ustkeptqui
etwhi
let
hiswomanwas
tal
kingnonstop.
Woman:“ Kenna( I’
m)Linda.Nowt hatwe’vebeen
for
mallyintr
oduced.Tel lme, whatwasitli
kebeing
marri
edt othemostnot oriousgangsteri
nthe
countr
y?Imeanwow, ever yonewantedtobeyou.
Somanygi r
lsandguyshavegonet opri
son
becauseofhi m;somef orhi m.IfIwereyou;I
’d
makesur eyoumakei toutofher e.Ifyougoto
pri
son,they’
llski
nyoual ive.”

Preciousbecameevenmor efr
ust
rat
edasshe
heardt hatwomantal
kaboutMeshackli
kethat
.A
partsheneverevenknewabout.Whil
eshewas
l
isteningtohernewcellmat
e,Kumkaniappear
ed.

Preci
ous:“
Oh,t
hankgoodness,
Kumkani
.Pl
ease,
tel
lmeyou’r
egett
ingmeoutofher
e.”

Kumkani
:(l
ooki
ngdown)“
I’
m af
rai
dnot
.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Orabj
ang(
Whatdoyou
mean)
?”

Kumkani :“Look,Idon’
tknowwhatishappening
here,butI’
llgettothebott
om oft
his.Apparentl
y
theirevi
denceshowst hatyouaretheonewho
kil
ledNtsikaandwoundedNj abulo.Idon’
tknow,
butobviousl ysomeonehasbeenbr i
bed.Ij
ustcan’
t
pinpointit,butIknowSibi
yahasahandi nthis.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
So,
I’
m st
ucki
nher
e.”

Kumkani
:“Notforlong.Onlyt
onight.Youhavea
bai
lhear
ingtomorrow,al
ongwitht hegang.I’
llget
tot
hebottom oft
his.Beli
eveme, Ipromise.
”

Pr
eci
ousf
eltsoemot
ionl
ess.

Kumkani
:“Ibr
oughtyousomef
ood.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Thanks,
butI
’
m nothungr
y.”

Kumkani
:“Takei
t.I
ncaseyoufeelhungr
y.I
’
ll
comeseeyousoon.Ipr
omise.
”

Precioustookthef oodandnodded.Shej ust

couldn’tbel
ievethatshewasact ual
lychar
gedwi t
h
mur der.Itf
eltsosur r
eal.ShesatdownandLi nda
camer ushingbyhersi de.

Li
nda:“
Areyougoi
ngt
oeatt
hat
?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
shaki
nghead)“
Hel
pyour
sel
f.
”

Li
nda:“
Danki
e.Tj
owenaonal
ebot
howai
tse(
you
ar
esokind)
.”

Shet
ookhert
imet
otakeacl
oserl
ookatLi
nda.
Shewasabeauti
fulgir
l,pr
ett
yyoungaswel
l.She
di
dn’
tlookl
ikecr
iminalatal
l.

Preci
ous:“
Ifyoudon’
tmi
ndmeaski
ng,
whyar
eyou
here?
”

Linda:“
Oh,
ah,
dif
raudwai
tsemos(
fraud,
you
knowhey).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh.
”

Li
nda:“ Ja, ahnekej olalemot
honyanaomongwe
so,wabona( Iwasdat i
ngsomeot herguy,yousee) .
Ant shepisasof tl
if
e( Hepromisedmeasof tl
ife),
ka
dumel a(Iagr eed)
.Kgant emothoont sentsha
j
aiveng( Tur nsouthewasget t
ingmei ntot
rouble).
Ref orgadicheque( Wewer ef
orgingcheques) ;I
hadt odr essupandseduceguysf orhi m.Rer opil
e
bathost ekend( Werobbedquiteal otofpeople).It
wasal lfunandgamesunt i
lwegotcaught ,wabona
(
yousee)
.”

Thei
rst
orywasnott
hatdi
ff
erent
.

Prei
cous:“
Isee.So,what’
sthemostyouhave
connedoutofaperson?
”

Li
nda:“Ah,werobbedthi
sRussi anguyR5mil
li
on.
Wewer ehalf
wayspendingitt
ilkebonamagatako
gat
ingyakogae( t
ilIsawthecopsatmygate).
That’
swhenIknewkemasepeng( Iwasi
nshi
t)
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.”

Linda:“
Ah,aseflopo(It’
sokay).Kemmoditsenna
(Itol
dhim).Isai
dt ohim,ifhedoesn’
tgetmeout
here,I
’m dr
aggi
nghi m downwithme.”
Pr
eci
ous:“
You’
reser
ious?
”

Linda:“Bonagirl(Look) ,
Ihavenot hingtolose.No
chil
d,andnowt hemanIt urnedmybackonmy
familyfordumpedmeassoonasIgotar rest
edfor
him.So, Isangl i
keacanar y.Now, kenoemet se
bailheari
ng( I
’
mj ustwai tingf ormybailheari
ng).I
know, Iwon’tgetbai landI ’
l
lmostlikelygetafew
years,butthen,I’
l
llive.”

Li
ndawassopositi
veandPr
eci
ousf
ail
edt
o
under
standwhy.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whyar
eyousoposi
ti
ve,
though?
”

Linda:“BecauseIknowthatinli
fei
fyoudoshi t
,
you’l
lgetcaught.Youhavet oownupt oyour
mi st
akes–nomat t
erhowpai nf
ulthepunishment
i
s.Il i
vedmybestl i
fe,
girl
,andthatti
meI ’
m onl
y24.
Kenal e(Ihavea)degree,
Ihadani cejobbutIlef
t
everyt
hingforthatstupi
df uck.Myf amilyr
aisedme
well
;kei t
seModi moi nandout(IknowGodi nand
out)
.Bi bl
eyonakedeseokar eengwet sekenna
(I
’m sogoodwi ththeBibleasifIwroteitmyself)
.
Mypar entsfor
gaveme.Sokeshap( I
’
m good) .
”

Preci
ous:“You’
renotafr
aidorwor
ri
ed?ImeanI
heardpri
sonisnotverynice.
”

Linda:“
Ihaveaf ewf ri
endsint
here,wenaono
kgopelabagoi sekoboMmamor uti(
Justaskt
obe
takentothechurchcel l
s),
andyou’l
lbegood.I’
ma
nicegir
l,t
alkat
ivetoo,butonsel
ekekahlaba(But
annoymeandI ’l
lstabyou).
”

Preciouscouldfeelthel
ightattheendoft hetunnel
getti
ngdi mmeranddi mmer .Shetri
edt osleep,but
sl
eepf eltl
ikei
twasami l
eaway.Sheevent uall
yfel
l
asleepandhadadr eam ofherparents.Gatshawas
standingnexttoLehumoasal ways, wit
htear s
streamingdownhi sface.
Lehumo:“Pr
ecious,
ngwanaka(mychi
ld)
.Kopao
ntshwar
ele(
Pleasefor
giveme)
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Mama?Papa?I
sthatyou?
”

Gat
shadi
dn’
tsayawor
d,i
nst
eadhewasj
ustcr
ying.

Lehumo:“
Idon’
that
eyouf
orwhathappenedandI
knowyoudidn’
tdoi
t.
”

Preci
ous:“
Thenhel
pmeoutoft
hissi
tuat
ion,
Mama.
Ibegyou.”

Lehumo:“Iwishitwerethateasy,mychil
d.Butyou
havetofacetheconsequencesaf t
eryouwer
e
warned.Youwer ewar nedtostayawayfr
om t
hat
boy,butyoudidn’
tli
sten.”
Preci
ous:“
So,you’
repuni
shi
ngme,Mama?!I
sn’ti
t
badenoughyoupunishedmebykeepi
ngmyfat
her
awayfrom me?!
”

Lehumo:( shakinghead)“ I
’m not,ngwanaka( my
chil
d), buttheancest orsar e.AsyoucanseeIam
notevensur roundedbyyourot herancestors.They
havebl ockedmef rom bei ngwi ththem as
punishmentf orkeepingyouawayf r
om them forso
l
ong.Youcanf ixthat,byf ol
lowingwhatIt aught
you.Getcl osertoGod, appeaseyourancest ors,my
chil
dandal lshallbewel l
.Yourdest i
nyisfar
greaterthanbei ngl ockedbehi ndbar s.Theonl y
wayyoucangetoutoft hismessi sifyoudowhatI
haveal wayst aughtyou.RememberPr overbs29:25;
“Thef earofmanl aysasnar e,butwhoevert rustsin
theLor dissaf e.”

Shestruggl
edasshetossedandt
urnedandthat
metalbeddidn’
tmakethi
ngsanyeasi
er.Bef
ore
sheknewi
t,shehear
daguar
dbangi
ngont
hecel
l.

Guard:“
Vukani(
Wakeup)
,cr
imi
nal
s.Foodwi
llbe
ser
vedinfi
veminut
es.
”

Theybr
oughtt
hem f
oodandt
ossedi
ttot
hem.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ist
hiswhatt
heyser
vei
nher
e?”

Linda:“Ja,
gasemogenomophel a(
thisi
snotyour
home) .Barebotsabj
aoal
ways(t
heyalwayssay
thattous).Bj
anongrenoj
aretl
aetsang(soweeat,
whatelsecanwedo) ?
”

Kumkaniar
ri
vedandshef
eltr
eli
evedi
mmedi
atel
y.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
Kumkani
,thankGod.
”
Kumkani
:“Hey.Howdi
dyousl
eep?
”

Pr
ecious:“
It
’snott
hemostcomf or
tabl
ebed,
but
whatcanIsay?I’m al
ive,
aren’
tI?”

Kumkani:“
Ibroughtyousomechangeofcl
othes.
Foryourhear
ing.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”

Shewasal l
owedt ogotot hetoil
etsandf r
eshenup.
Itwasawhol enewsetofcl ot
hes.Kumkaniwas
j
ustaver yniceguy.Shet ookagoodl ookathersel
f
i
nt hemirror,andshealmostdi dn’tr
ecognize
hersel
f.Shej ustdidn’
tknowwhoshewasanymor e
andhowsheact ual
lyal
lowedher sel
ftogettothe
pointshewasat .Shewalkedoutandf ound
Kumkaniwai tingforher
.
Kumkani:“
I’
llseeyouincour
t.Don’
tpani
c.
Ever
ythi
ngwi l
lbefine.
”

Shenoddedandt hankedhi m, whil

eshewascuf fed
again, alongsi deLinda.Theygoti ntothevanand
thewhol etimeshewast hinkingaboutt hedr eam
shehad.Theywer eplacedi ntheirholdingcel l
s,
untiltheywer ecalledout .Onceseat edi nthedock,
shesawRonza, Ganja,Pil
otandSnakesal ongside
her.Shedi dn’tunderstandwhatwasgoi ngon.I t
washerf i
rstt i
mei ncourt,soshef el
tthener ves.
Thecamer sf lashi
ng, t
hestaresandt henshe
spot t
edMam’ Thoko,whowascr yi
ngsi l
ently.She
fel
tsomuchpai nwithinherself.Sheknewshehad
fai
ledheri nsomanyways, butshehadnoi deat hat
Thokof eltthesameabouther self.Shesaw
Mam’ Zandi lethereandshewavedsi lentlyather.
Kumkaniwasr i
ghtbeforeher .Thej udgewal kedin
andt heywer eorderedtor i
se.

Pol
iceman:“
Allr
isei
ncour
t.
”
Theyal
lst
oodupandwer et
oldt
obeseat
edaf
ter
themagi
str
atesatdown.

Judge:“
Wel
l,
presentt
hecase,
please.
”

Onewoman, opposi t
eKumkani,
waswear i
nga
l
awyer’
srobejustlikehim.Shelookedr
atheryoung,
butsomet
hingtoldPr eci
oust
hatitwasnot
someoneonhersi de.

Prosecutor:“
MyLor d,i
nfrontofyoui
sthefi
ve
accusedf orr
obbingthebankaf ewdaysago.They
wereallpresent
,myl or
d.Ther ei
scameraevi
dence
andwehavet wowitnesses.”

Pr
eciouswaspuzzl
edt
othi
nkwhower
ethet
wo
wi
tnesses.
Judge:“
Mr.Mdhl
etse?
”

Kumkanist oodupinhisr
obe.Hiscol
ognehit
Precious’
nostri
lsandhel
ookedsosexy.Yep,she
st
illmanagedt othi
nkoft
hatwhi
leundersuch
st
ress.

Kumkani:“MyLor d,
therei
snoappar entevi
dence
thatmycli
entsdidindeedrobthatbank.Asf arasI
am concerned,
thefootagelooksdi
m andyouwi l
l
seeforyoursel
fthatiti
sallj
usther
esay.”

Judge:(
sigh)“
Fine.I
’
lll
ooki
ntoi
t.Int
hemean
ti
me,doyouopposebail
,Ms.Jel
e?”

Thatwast
hePr
osecut
or.

Ms.Jele:“
MyLor d,wecannotpossi
blyl
etthese
peopl
ewal koutofher
eonbai l
.Weneedt oseta
fi
rm exampl
eofthem sot
hatthepeopl
eofSout
h
Afri
caknowthatthi
sisaser
iouscase.Li
fei
snota
movie,myLord.
”

Kumkani:“
MyLor d,Irefusetoallowthi
scourtt
o
tai
ntt
hegoodreputat i
ont hesemenandt hi
s
womanhavebuiltforthemsel ves.Theycannot
possi
blybebl
amedf ortheirpast.
”

Jugde:“
Ihaveal
ongdayahead,
sobai
lissett
oR1
mil
li
oneach.”

Ever
yonegaspedi
nthecour
twhi
leKumkanismi
led,
buthi
ssmil
ewassoontobedimi
nished.
Ms.Jel
e:“MyLord,proposet
othecour
tthatMrs.
Ndhl
ovuremai
nbehi ndbarsassheisf
acinga
someseri
ouscharges.Shekil
ledaman,myLor d.
”

Kumkani
:(annoyed)“Thati
sbasedonhear
say,
my
Lor
d.Sheisbeingframed.”
Judge:“ Youcanar guet
hatincour
t,Mr.Mdhlet
se.
Mr s.Ndhlovushallremai
nbehindbars.Shewill
awai thertr
ialatKgosiMampuruPrison,
whileyou
fi
gur eouthowshewasf ramed,Mr
.Mdhl et
se.If
thatisall,
gooddayt oall
.”

Ms.Jelebowedinsatisf
acti
on,whileKumkani
star
edatherinannoyance.Somet hingwasreall
y
fi
shy–Pr eci
ouscouldfeeli
t,butnothi
ngprepared
herfort
hepainshewasf eel
ingdeepi nhergut.

Kumkani
:“I
’
llf
ixt
his,
Preci
ous.Ipr
omi
se.
”

Preciousr efusedt ocryeventhoughthet ear

swer e
thr
eat eningtof all
.Shelookedint hecrowdand
sawLer atorightnexttoLeah.Theywer esmili
ngin
deepsat i
sfaction.Shewashur t,butshedidn’twant
togivet hem t hat.ShewalkedoutandRonza
shoutedt oher .
Ronza:“
Hangi
nther
e,Queen!We’
l
lgetyououtof
t
here.
”

Psalm 57:
6says;“Theysetanetformysteps;my
soulwasboweddown.Theydugapi ti
nmyway,
buttheyhavefal
lenint
oitthemsel
ves.Selah.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
58] :Chapt
er86

“Theonl
ythingmoref
rustr
ati
ngthansl
ander
ersi
s
thosef
ooli
shenought
ol i
stent
othem.–“Chri
s
Jammi

Everythi
ngfeltl
ikeamovie–l it
erally.Itfel
tasif
everyonewaswor ki
ngagainstPreciousandt here
wasnot hi
ngshecoul ddoabouti t.St r
aightfr
om
courtshegott r
ansferr
edimmedi ately,al
ongwi t
h
Lindaandaf ewot herwomen.Shewascuf f
edlike
acr
iminal
,ri
ghtatt
hebackofapol
icevan.Li
nda
wasasposit
iveasever
.

Li
nda:(
exci
ted)“Tj
o,l
ewenabagot
imi
lebai
l(you
wereal
sodeniedbail
)?”

Preci
ouswasinsuchdisbeli
efandconf
used,
so
shekeptqui
et.I
tdidn’
tbotherLi
ndamuch.

Li
nda:“Skawar
a(Don’
tworr
y).Gotl
aloka,
ngwaneso(I
twil
lal
lbewel
l,
sis)
.”

Whi l
eLi ndawast ryingtobr i
efheraboutwhatt o
expecti npr i
son,
shecoul dn’
thelpbutf eel
overwhel med.Shef eltt
het earsthreateningher
eyes, butafterwatchingaf ewpr isonser i
esand
movi essuchasOr angei stheNewBl ack, shelearnt
thatcr yi
ngwasdeemedasasi gnofweaknessi n
prison.Jai landprisonar etwodi ff
erentthings.
Thef ur t
hertheydrove, t
hecl osertheygott othe
pri
son.Shesawt heover
sizedwal
lsandthehi
gh
gatesandknewthati
twasnotinhermind.The
pol
iceparkedt
hecarandopenedthedoor.

Poli
cewoman:“Phumanizi
boshwa(
Out
,cr
imi
nal
s)!
Sheshani(
Hurr
yup)!”

Theyal
lhadtowalkswif
tl
ybehi
ndoneanother.
Theywerepr
ocessedinandshefel
tsovi
olat
ed.

Guard:“Okayladies.Formostofyouwhohave
beenher ebefore,youknowthedri
ll
.Foryou
newbies,welcomet oyournewhome.Youhavet o
walkthrought hatdoorandstr
ip–takei
tallof
f.
Furt
herinstructi
onswi l
lbegi
ventoyou.
”

Shehonest
lythoughti
twasj
ustoneoft
hoset
hings
thatt
vli
edabout.
Li
nda:(whi
sper
ing)“
It
’snotsobad.Ot
lobonal
e
wena(you’
l
lsee).
”

Lindasoundedwaytooexperi
encedf
orsomeone
whowasneveri npri
sonbefor
e.Theywalkedinto
thenextroom onebyoneandweremetbyar ather
unfri
endl
yandunbotheredf
emaleguard.

Guard:“Right
.Takeyourcl
othesof
fandputt
hem
overthere.
”

Preci
ousfeltl
ikeshewasr eal
lybeingdehumani
zed.
Shewassl owlytaki
ngoffherblouse,butt
he
womanwasatwor kanddi
dn’tneedtonurse
anyone’
sfeeli
ngs.

Guard:“Fast
er,
sisi
(si
s).Idon’
thaveal
lday,
cel
ebrit
y.”
Shef igur
edeveryoneknewwhoshewas.Shewas
ratherfamousforanewbie.Shetookoffher
clothesandtheguardgaveherf
urtheri
nstr
ucti
ons.

Guar
d:“
Tur
nar
oundandbendover
.”

Shedi
dasi
nst
ruct
ed.

Guar
d:“
Cought
hreet
imes.
”

Shecoughed.

Guar
d:“
Har
der
.”

Shecoughedagai
n, butt
hattimesheheardthe
soundofacamera.Shequi cklyt
urnedar
oundand
caughtt
heguardtakingaphotoofherasshole.
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Youcan’
tdot
hat
.”

Guard:“
Ijustdi
d.You’r
enotacel
ebr
it
yinher
e,
pr
incess.I’
m goingt
omakeaquickbuckwi
thyou.
”

Shewassmi li
ngwhi l
ePr eciouswasper plexedby
howi nmat eswer ebeingt r
eated.Therewas
nothingshecoul ddo,butsheneverwentdown
withoutaf ight.Shelookedathernamet agand
saw“ Mazi buko” .Shedeci dedt omemor izeitand
moveon.Shewasgi venhernewsetofcl othes–
thefamouspr isonuniform.Whi letheywer ebeing
l
edt ot heirnewcel lsafterbeingprocessedont othe
system, inmat eswer ewhi st
lingatthem andmaki ng
remar ks.

Li
nda:“
Bannabaetsaso(theyalwaysdothi
s).
Gwaborakamo(i
t’
sratherbori
nginhere)
.”

Shef
eltl
ikeshewasondi
spl
ayf
oral
lthose
i
nmates.Theyr
eachedacel
lthathadabout28
ot
herwomeninit
.

Guar
d:“
Thi
sisyourcel
l
.Bed8upi
sSel
oane,
down
i
t’
syou,
Mazibuko.
”

Shewasatl eastpairedwithLi nda,whichmade

thingsal itt
leeasi er.Sheexpect edacellthatwould
requi r
eonl yt woi nmates,butshewasr ather
disappoi nted.Shewasl i
terall
yshovedi nt her
e
whi letheot herinmat eslookedl iketheywer e
expect ingnew, fr
eshmeat .Someoft hem looked
big, ot
her sscar y,andothersl ookedbot hbigand
scar y.Onewhol ookedli
ket he“ boss”ofthecell
wal kedupt owar dsthem.

Ki
ng:
“Ekse(
Hi)
.I’
m Ki
ng.I
’
mthebossoft
hiscel
l.
”

Li
nda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Sho(
Sur
e).
”
Pr
eci
ousr
emai
nedqui
et.

King:
“Andthen,Li
nda?Doesn’
tyourf
ri
endknow
howtogreetpeopl
einthei
rhome?”

Pr
eci
ous:“I
’m sor
ry,t
hel stt
hingIneedi
sbeingt
old
whom t
hiscel
lbelongsto.AsyoucanseeI ’
vehad
aver
ylongdayandal lIneedissomesleep.
”

Oneofthem whi
speredinKi
ng’searasshewas
aboutt
olashoutatPreci
ous.

Cel
lmate:“
Hayi(No)
,Ki
ng.That
’sPr
eci
ousNdhl
ovu.
MeshackNdhlovu’
swif
e.”

King:(
shocked)“Heh(Huh) ?Hawunaninidom
(youguysaredumb) ,man.Aningit
shel
iukut
hisine
celebr
it
ylana(youdidn’teveni
nfor
m methatwe
haveacelebri
tyhere).
”
Pr
eci
ouskeptqui
etandmadeherbed.

King:“
Ah,nofl
op.You’
reoneofus.Ifyouneed
anythi
ng,
letmeknow.Igotyourback.”

Li
nda:(smil
ing)“
You’
veal
readymadenewf
ri
ends,
Pr
ecious.
”

Preci
ous:“
Whydoesi
tseem l
iket
heyal
lknow
you?”

Linda:“
Oh,ah,
myunclei
sadr ugl
ord.Youknow,
thosebigdr
uglor
dskokasi(
inthetownshi
p).
”

Itact
uall
ymadesenseast owhyshewasn’tworri
ed
atall
.Whi l
etheywerebusysett
ingupt
hebed,
Mazibuko,therudeguar
dwalkeduptot
hecelland
bangedit.
Guard:“Ndhl
ovu,
masi
hambe(
let
’sgo)
.Youhavea
vi
sit
or.”

Cel
lmate:“
See?Itoldyoushe’
sri
ch.It’
snoteven
vi
sit
ingdaybutal
readyshehasavisi
tor
.”

Pr
eci
ouswal
kedout
.

Ki
ng:
“Seeyoul
ater
,Mf
azikaMi
sh(
Mish’
swi
fe)
.”

Preci
ouswalkedoutandMazibukofel
ttheneedt
o
befunny.SheshovedPreci
ousforwardwit
hher
batt
on.

Preci
ous:(annoyed)“
You’
renotal
lowedt
otr
eat
peopl
elikeshit
,youknow.
”
Mazibuko:(
chuckli
ng)“Oh,honey.I
nhere,Icallt
he
shot
s.You’rejustapri
soner.Who’l
ltheybel
ieve?
Meoryou? ”

Pr
eciouswalkedf
orwardandwast
akentothe
vi
sit
ati
onarea.ShesawKumkanit
hereandfel
ta
bi
tofrel
ief
.Sherushedtowar
dshi
m andhugged
hi
m.

Mazi
buko:“
Not
ouchi
ng!
”

Kumkani
:“Rel
ax,
Mazi buko.Youneverdoyourj
ob
wit
hanysenseofint
egrit
yanyway.What’syour
pr
oblem?
”

Mazibuko:(
cli
cki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.Makei
t
snappy.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Thatguar
d.Howwel
ldoyou
knowher
?”

Kumkani
:“Wellenoughtoknowshecanbeabitof
abi
tch.How’sitgoing?Hasanyonehur
tyou?
”

Preci
ous:(
chuckl
ing)“
No, Idoubtt
heyevenwi
ll
.I
cantakecareofmysel
f,youknow.”

Kumkani:“
Justbecar
eful
.Pr
isoni
snotl
iket
he
st
reet
s.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ihearyou.
”

Kumkani
:“WhydoyouaskaboutMazi
buko?Di
d
shedosomethi
ngt
oyou?”

Preci
ous:“
Shetookapict
ureofmybacksi
dewhen
theywerest
ri
psearchi
ngus.Shesai
dshe’dmake
aki
ll
ingwi
thi
t.
”

Kumkani:(anger
ed)“Shedi
dwhat ?
!Hey, wena
(you),
Mazibuko!You’dbet
terdeletethatpict
ureor
elseyou’
dbeoutofaj obfi
rstt
hingt omorrow
mor ni
ng!Areweclear?!
”

Mazi
buko:(
annoyed)“
Cryst
al.
”

Preci
ous:“
Youdon’
thavet
odot hat,Kumkani
.Now
she’l
lmakemyli
feevenmorehell
.”

Kumkani:“
She’
ssmal
lfr
y.She’
sthel
eastI
’
m
worr
iedabout
.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Kumkani
:“Wel
l,
besi
desMeshackhavi
ngputaway
afewpeopl
einher
e,yousawwhatJel
edi
dtodayi
n
cour
t.
”

Preci
ous:“
Yes,
Isawt
hat
.Imeanwhat
’sherdeal
anyway?”

Kumkani:“
Well
,thi
sisherbiggestcaseyetandshe
wantstowini
tandpr ovetoever
yonet hatshedoes
deser
vetobestateprosecut
or.It
’sjustbusiness
wit
hher–nothingelse.”

Preci
ous:“Thiscasefeel
spersonal
,Kumkani .I
didn’
tdoit.Imeanhowcomenoonei sli
steningt
o
mysideoft hestory?Andalso,whatist
hisIhearof
twowitnesseswhowi llt
est
if
yagainstus?”

Kumkani
:(si
gh)“
RaymondandLer
ato.
”

Pr
eci
ousf
eltl
ikeshehadj
usthadahugebomb
dr
oppedont
opofherchest
.

Preci
ous:“
Idon’
tunder
stand.IthoughtRaymond
wasdeadandwhatdoesLer at
ohavet odowit
hall
thi
s?”

Kumkani
:“Wel
l,shecl
aimsthatshewast
herewi
th
youandt
herestofthegangonthatni
ght
.”

Preci
ous:(
shocked)“That
’sfucki
nginsane!Imean
surel
yther
e’sevi
dencetoprovethat
,isn’
tther
e?”

Kumkani:“
Well
,there’scameraevi
denceyes.I
don’
tgetit
.Somet hingjusti
sn’
tri
ght.Itf
eel
sasif
someoneistamperingwi t
hstat
eevidenceher
e.”

Preci
ous:“Pl
ease,
looki
ntoSibiya.Idon’
ttr
usthi
m.
AndsurelyJi
mmycant est
if
yf orme,ri
ght?”
Kumkani:“Atthi
spoi
ntt
heladi
esandyourco-
accusedaretheonl
yoneswhocantest
if
yforyou.
It
’sl
ookingprett
ydi
m.”

Shecouldn’
tst
omachf
aci
nganent
ir
eli
fet
imei
n
pri
son.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Isee.
”

Kumkani
:“Iswear
.Iwil
lgetyououtofher
e–even
i
fiti
sthel
astthi
ngIdo.
”

Pr
eci
ousnoddedwi
thgl
ist
eni
ngt
ear
s.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Canyouatl
eastdomeonef
avour
?”

Kumkani
:“Anyt
hing.
”
Preci
ous:“ Pl
ease,t
ellGanjatogiveMam’Thoko
whateveramountsheneedsf orthefuner
al.Iwon’
t
bethere,buteverybitcounts.Mishwasnotsucha
badper son.Hedoesn’ tdeservet
obeburiedli
kea
pauper.”

Kumkani
:(noddi
ng)“
I’
lldot
hat
.Her
e,you’
l
lneed
t
his.
”

Hehandedheracel
l
phoneandsomemoney.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Ist
hisevenl
egal
?”

Kumkani:“I
t’
sMzansi
,Pret
tyLady.You’
llneedt
hat.
Iseeyoumadeanewf ri
end.She’smorepowerful
thanyouthi
nk.Keephercl
osetoyou.”

Mazi
buko:“
Alr
ightl
ovebi
rds,
time’
sup.
”
Kumkani
:“I
’
llcal
lyou.
”

Preciousnoddedasshewat chedKumkaniwal ked

out.Theonlyremembr anceshe’dhaveofhimf or
thenextfewweeks,maybemont hsevenishi
s
dist
inctsmell
.AssoonasKumkaniwal kedout,
Mazibukoroughlypul
ledPreciousoutofherchair
.

Mazibuko:“
Don’
tyouknowt
hatsni
tchesget
st
it
chesinhere?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Excuseme?
”

Mazibuko:“Youtoldyourl i
tt
leboyf r
iendaboutmy
mil
li
ondol l
arpic.Youj ustmadeabi gmi st
ake.
You’
llsoonlearnthatthingswon’ talwaysgoyour
wayinhere.I ’
m watchingyou, celebri
ty.
”

Pr
eci
ouswasj
ustt
ooannoyedt
oevensayanyt
hing.
Shewasr oughlythr
ownoutintohercel
lbythe
bi
tterMazibuko.Shedidn’
tevenworryaboutt
hat
,
butinst
eadstartedt
hinki
ngabouthercase.

Li
nda:“
So?Whowasi
t?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Myl
awyer
.”

Li
nda:(
exci
tedl
y)“Oh,
thathotlawyer
.Ithoughtke
j
ubayaomos( he’
syourboyfr
iend,i
sn’
the)?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Notr
eal
ly.We’
rej
ustf
ri
ends.
”

Li
nda:“
Ah,
ojabaezawena(
you’
resl
ow).I’
dhave
gi
venhimt
hiscoochi
eofmi
neagesago.
”

Pr
eciouschuckl
edalit
tl
ebit
.Lindaneverknew
whentokeepquiet
,butshewasmostdefini
tel
ya
br
eeze.
Preci
ous:“
Yeah,wel
l.Hecametotel
lmeaboutmy
caseandtogivemeafewthi
ngs.
”

Li
nda:“So?Barengkacaseyagao(
what
’s
happeni
ngwit
hyourcase)
?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
It
’snotl
ooki
ngsogood.
”

Li
nda:“
Don’tworry.Gegopalarekadocketsamma
(I
fal
lel
sefail
s,buyyourdocket
,babe)
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Lindamar
a(t
hough)
.”

Li
nda:“
Kaobot
sa(
I’
mtel
li
ngyou)
.Thi
sisMzansi
.”

Precious:“
Whateverhappenedtofacingyour
chargesandtakingthem l
ikeaGod-feari
nggi
rl?
”
Linda:(
laughi
ng)“Doyouhonestl
yseemewasting
tenyearsofmyl i
fei
nhere?Girl
,bytheti
meIget
outofhere,popel
oyakatlabeeswahli
le(mywomb
willbedri
edout).
”

Theybot
hlaughed.

Linda:“Look,whatIam sayingi
sthatifgonale
(ther
e’sa)chance,takeit
.Noneoft hesebi
tches
enjoyitinhere–nomat t
erhowmanybenef it
syou
mayhave.Att heendoft heday,
tanyaneke
tanyane( pr
isoni
spr i
son).”

WhatPreci
oushadnoideaofwasthatLi
ndawas
goi
ngtobemuchbiggerhel
pthansheeverreal
i
zed.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Speaki
ngofbenefi
ts;hegavemethi
s.
Wher
edoyouevenhidethi
sstuffi
nhere?”
Li
nda:(
chuckl
ing)“
That’
seasy.I
’
llshowyou.Don’
t
worr
y.Igotyourback.
”

Shef eltabitr
eli
evedtohavesomeonewhoknew
theropesbyhersi de.Thel astt
hingonhermi nd
wasj oini
ngagangt osurvi
ve.Theyhadtor emain
i
nt heircel
lsfortherestofthedayunti
lsupperti
me.
Mazibukobangedt hegatesonceagain.Thatwas
herthing.

Mazi
buko:(
shout
ing)“
Masi
yeni(
Let
’sgo)
,bi
tches.
Di
nnert
ime.”

Sheopenedt hegat
eandgavePr eciousaspi
ne-
chil
li
nglookasshewalkedpasther.Shethen
stoppedKingashewasabouttol eave.

Mazi
buko:“
Ineedyout
odoaj
obf
orme.
”
Ki
ng:
“YouknowIdon’
tcomecheap.
”

Mazibuko:“
Ineedyoutosli
pthisint
oherfoodor
dr
inkorsomething.Bet
teryet,
Ineedyout o
or
ganizeafewofyourpeopletoroughherup.”

Ki
ng:
(fr
owni
ng)“
Who?
”

Mazi
buko:“
Cel
ebr
it
y.”

Ki
ng:
“YoumeanPr
eci
ous?
”

Mazi
bukonodded.

King:“Hayihayi(
nono)
,Mazibuko,
man.Ili
keher
andbesides,shehasmoneyandconnect
ions.I
don’twantanybeefwit
hher.
”
Mazi
buko:“
I’
lldoubl
eyournor
malaski
ngpr
ice.
”

Ki
ngdi
dn’
tevenneedt
othi
nkt
wiceabouti
t.

Ki
ng:
“Okayshar
p.Whendoyouneedmet
odoi
t?”

Mazibuko:“
Tonight
.Af t
erdi
nner
,wheneveryone’
s
asl
eep.Makesur eyouroughheruprealni
cel
y.
Aimforthestomach.”

Ki
ng:
(fr
owni
ng)“
Why?
”

Mazi
buko:“
She’
spr
egnant
.Wet
estal
lofyouwhen
youwal
kin,r
emember
?”

Kingdi
dn’
tli
ket
hesoundofital
l.Ki
lli
nginnocent
andunbor
nchil
drenwasnotherst
yle.Shewas
morei
ntopunishi
ngandt
ort
uri
ngr
api
sts,
but
moneytal
ks.

Ki
ng:
“Okay,
shar
p.”

Mazibuko:“
You’
llgetyourcutonceIknowshei
sin
hospit
alandhasmi scar
ri
ed.”

Ki
ng:
“Shar
p.”

Preciousar ri
vedatthekitchenwher etheywer e
queuei ngupf orf
ood.Thef oodwasn’ tmuchand
nordidi tlookappeti
zing,butasLi ndatoldher;“i
t’
s
nothome, it
’spri
son.”Iti
sr atheramazinghowl i
fe
canchangei nthespurofamoment .Preci
ous’sli
fe
wasaboutt ochangeandshehadnoi dea.Sadly,it
wasn’ tabouttogetanyeasi eranyt i
mesoon.
Tought i
mesar ealwaysther e–yetpeopl eneedt o
remindt hemselvesthattheyneverl ast.Godhas
conti
nuousl yremindedusoft hat.
Proverbs16:
7says;“
Whenaman’swayspl
easethe
Lord,hemakesevenhisenemi
est
obeatpeace
withhim.”
[
01/
27,
07:
58] :Chapt
er87

“”
Aproblem i
sachancef
oryout
odoyourbest
.”–
DukeEl
ington

Whilequeuingfort
hefood,Kingcutinfr
ontof
Preci
ous,annoyi
nghertothepointwhereshe
al
mostconf r
ontedher
,butLindastoppedherj
ust
byshakingherhead.

King:
“Sor
ry,
I’
minahur
ry.Youdon’
tmi
nd,
do
you?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Ofcour
senot
.”
Li
ndawat chedcareful
lyasKi ngsignal
ledt ooneof
herpeer
swhower edishingupf ortheprisoner
s.
Shewasver yobservantforsomeonesot alkat
ive.
Preci
ouswasst ari
ngatKi ngallalong.Indeed
Li
ndasawwhatt heydid;theyputsomet hinginher
soup.Precioustookhertrayandt henLindadidt he
same.

Ki
ng:
(shout
ing)“
Eh,
Cel
ebr
it
y.Comesi
twi
thus!
”

Li
nda:(whisper
ing)“Let
’sgositovert
her
e.
Whateveryoudo, donoteatt
hesoup.”

Preci
ousfel
tacoldshiverdownherspineasshe
heardLi
ndasaythat.Wasshebei ngpoisoned?
Shedidn’
tunder
stand.Lindatookhert
ooneoft he
bencheswheret
heol destpr
isoner
swereseated.

Li
nda:“
Maywesi
ther
e?”
Ol
dWoman:(
chuckl
ing)“
Linda,
you’
reback.
”

I
tseemedasi fLi
ndawasnot100%honestwi
th
Pr
eciousaboutnotbei
ngaregul
ari
npri
son.

Li
nda:(
chuckli
ng)“
It
’shardstayi
ngawaywi
tha
dysf
unct
ionalf
amil
ylikemine.”

OldWoman:“You’
dbett
erchangeyourwaysbef
ore
youenduphereli
keus.Oldandalone.
”

Li
nda:“
Ipr
omi
se.
”

Shel
ookedatPr
eci
ousandwhi
sper
edonceagai
n.

Li
nda:(
whisperi
ng)“
RememberwhatIsai
d.Don’
t
eatt
hegravy.Anyway,
I’
dli
ket
oint
roduceyout
o
mynewf r
iend.
”
OldWoman:“Iknowwhosheis.Whenwi
llyou
l
ist
entoyourmother
,chi
ld?
”

Preci
ouswasstunnedt
oheart
hewomanaskher
abouthermot
her.

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
I’
m sor
ry?
”

OldWoman:“
Youheardme.Shekeepspeaki
ngt
o
you,
butyouj
ustdon’
tli
sten.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“Idon’
tthi
nkyouhavet
her
ightper
son.
Mymotherisdeceased.
”

OldWoman:“ Iknow.Timeisnotonyourside.Go
andclaim what
’syour
sbeforeit
’st
oolate.No
kingdom cansurvi
vewit
houttheri
ghtheir
reigni
ng.
”
Preciousf el
tasift
hewomanwasser iouslybeside
herself.Howonear thdi dsheknowaboutZul uland?
Orper hapsshewast r
yingtomakeaqui ckbuckas
i
twasal lovert
henews?Shef eltli
keshedi dn’t
havemuchofanappet it
e.Shedi dn’
tevennot ice
thewayKi nghadkeptaneyeonhereversi ncet he
satdown.Ki ngapproachedher,mucht oLi nda’s
dismay.

King:
“Ekse(hey)
,Celebr
ity.Youdon’tf
ancypr
ison
food?Don’tworr
y,you’l
lgetthehangofit
.”

Li
nda:“Mar
a(but
)Ki
ng,
gaol
ape(
don’
tyouget
ti
red)
?”

Ki
ng:(cl
icki
ngtongue)“mxm,
wenawakhenya
wai
tse(you’
reannoying)
.”

Li
nda:“
Ket
shwanal
ewena(
I’
mjustl
ikeyou)
.I
wonderwhatmyuncl ewouldsayi
fhehear
dyou’
re
i
ntopoisoni
ngnewbiesaroundher
einst
eadof
pushi
nghisstash.
”

Kingimmedi
atelybecamedismayedbyLi
nda’
s
comment.Shef rozef
orasecondasshewas
caughtof
fguard.

Ki
ng:
(cl
icki
ngt
ongue)“mxm oit
sethata(
youknow
t
oomuch).Seeyouaroundcel
ebri
ty.
”

OldWoman:“ Nomat terwhathappens, Pr

ecious,
remembernott oeverletyourguarddown.Godi s
wait
ingforyoutoaccepthi m againwit
hopenar ms.
Onceyoudo, everyt
hingregardingyourtr
ialwil
lbe
asclearasdayli
ghttoyou.”

Supperwasover,anditwastimefort
hem toret
reat
backtothei
rcel
ls.Whilewalki
ngback,Li
ndatookit
uponhersel
ftoori
entatePr
eciousaboutPri
sonli
fe.
Li
nda:“
Youneedtobemoreobservant
,babe.Gwa
nyewakamo(it
’sr
oughi
nhere).
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whywoul
danyonewantt
opoi
sonme?
”

Linda:“Haveyoul
ookedar
ound?Pret
tymuch
everyoneinherei
smadatyou.You’
repayi
ngfor
yourhusband’ssi
ns.
”

Preciousdi
dn’tfeel
ver
ygoodaboutwhatLi
nda
said.MazibukopushedPreci
ousi
nasalwaysand
l
ockedt hegates.

Mazi
buko:“
Seeyoul
ater
,cel
ebr
it
y.”

Li
nda:“
Idon’
tli
ket
hatwomanonebi
t.Idon’
ttr
ust
her
.”
Preci
ous:“
Menei
ther
.Per
hapsIshoul
dsl
eepwi
th
oneeyeopen.
”

Shel ayinherbed, tryi

ngt othinkaboutever ythi
ng
thathappenedt hatday.Shedi dn’tevengett hatold
prisoner’sname, butsomehowdeepdown, she
knewt hatshewasmaki ngsense–al otofit.She
turnedt ohersideandcheckedherphone.She
not i
cedamessage.“ I’
m doi ngmybestt ogetyou
outoft here.Tr i
alst art
si naweek.St ayst rongand
don’tforgettopr ay.I ’
m pr ayingf oryou, Pretty
Lady. ”Thingswer en’tl
ooki ngt oogood.Hert ri
al
wasaboutt ost artinaweek, whichmeantt hat
Prosecut i
onhadal lthe“ evidence”t hattheycl aimed
theyhad.Shet riedtost ayawakeasanef f
or tto
sleepwi thoneeyeopen, butherbodybet r
ayedher
andshedozedof ftosleep.Whi l
easl eep,her
mot herappear edi nherdr eam onceagai nwi thher
fatheralongsideher .Thi st ime, Gatshaf oundt he
cour agetospeakout .
Gatsha:“
Mybaby,
youneedtopullyour
self
toget
herandst
aystr
ong.Ineedyoutopray,
Preci
ous.Getupr
ightnowandpray!Getup!”

Herf at her’
swar ninghadf al l
enondeafear s.Ithad
bar elybeenanhourwhent helightswer eshutof f
byt heguar ds,whenal lofasuddenPr eciousf el
t
someonepi nheragai nstthebed;anot herone
cover edhermout hsot hatshecoul dn’
tscr eam
whi lesomeoneel sewasbeat i
nghert oapul p;
kickingandpunchi nghersobadl y–ai mingf orher
stomachj ustasinst r
uct ed.Li ndacoul dn’tdo
anyt hingasi twasdar kandsomeonepi nnedher
agai nstt hebedaswel landcover edhermout h.
Preci oushadneverf eltsomuchpai nbef oreinher
l
ife.Shef el
therpant sbecomewet ;thef l
uidf el
ta
l
ott hi ckerthanur i
neandt hepai ninherabdomen
feltsounbear able.Ast hepunchesandki ckskept
comi ng,shef el
ther selfslipawayandshebecame
unconsci ous.
Ki
ng:
“Ekse(
Hey)
,that
’senoughnow.
”

Allofthosei
nvol
vedmovedawayandtowardsthei
r
bedsi mmedi
atel
y.Li
ndagotof
fhersandchecked
onPr eci
ous.

Li
nda:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Preci
ous!Pr
eci
ous!Tsoga(
Wake
up)
!”

Preciouswasn’
trespondi
ng,
soLindat ookher
phoneandswi t
chedonherflashl
ightandwas
overcomewithshockasshesawt hehorr
orbef
ore
her.

Li
nda:(
scr
eami
ng)“
Hel
p!Hel
p!Somebodyhel
p!”

I
nmat
e:“
War
asaj
o(You’
remaki
ngnoi
se)
!”
Shegotupandbangedont
hegat
esunt
iloneoft
he
guar
dsheardher
.

Guar
d:(annoyed)“Yesses(Goodness)
!Kengna
(
Whatisit)
?!Ont sosit
se(Youwokemeup) !
”

Li
nda:“
Hel
pher
!She’
sunconsci
ousandbl
eedi
ng!
”

Lindadi
dn’
tevenhavet
imetoexplai
nanyt hingt
o
theguar
d,shemovedherf
lashl
ighttoPrecious,
and
theguar
dbecameimmediatel
ywor r
ied.

Guard:“
Shit
!Zanel
e!Tlaot
husemo(comehelp
here)
!Andthenwena(you)
?Okerei
lekaephone
(wheredi
dyougetaphone)
?”

Li
nda:“
That’
stheleastofyourprobl
emsrightnow.
Aninmategoti
njur
edandbeat edunconscious
whi
leyou’
reondut
y.I
magi
nehowt
hatwoul
dlook.
”

Guard:(cl
icki
ngt
ongue)“
Mxm.Oi
tset
hat
a(you
knowt oomuch).
”

TheguardswalkedinandhelpedPreciousgetont
o
astr
etcher.Shewasr ushedtothepri
sonhospit
al
wit
hsomuchbl oodgushi ngoutofher.Asshewas
bei
ngwheel edi
ntothehospit
al,t
hedoctorhi
mself
gottheshockofhisli
fe.

Doct
or:(
shocked)“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”

Guar
d:“
Idon’
tknow,
justgetherawakeagai
n.”

Thedoct
orf
rant
ical
l
ycheckedher
.

Doct
or:“
Shest
il
lhasapul
se,
buti
t’
sweak.She’
s
sti
llbl
eedingout
.Shemi
ghtneedabl
ood
tr
ansfusion.
”

Guar
d:“
So?Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or?
”

Thedoctorquickl
yundr
essedherandtestedher
blood.Hemanagedt ostopt
hebleedi
ng
temporar
il
y,butther
ewasonlyoneproblem.

Doctor:“Wehaveapr obl
em.Idon’thaveherki
nd
ofbloodher e.Onlyonebagofbl
ood.Youwi l
lhave
togethert r
ansfer
redtoanot
herhospi
talassoonas
possible.
”

Guar
d:“
Shi
t.I
’
m goi
ngt
ogetal
otofheatf
ort
his.
”

Doct
or:“
Dowhatyouhavet
odoorel
seshewi
ll
di
e.”
Theguar dgotont hephoneandmanagedt oget
everythi
nginor derforPr ecious’tr
ansf ertoa
privat
ehospital.Shegotsetupt hereandgot
assist
anceimmedi ately.Ofcour se, nothingever
stayshiddenwi thsomeonewhowant st omakean
extrabuck.Bef oredawn, thenewsofPr eci
ous
beinghospit
alizedatapr ivatehospi t
alhadmade
headli
nes.Kumkaniwassof uri
ous, thathewent
thereimmediately.Thepoorgi r
lcoul dn’tcat
cha
break.Assoonashewal kedin,hesawherbr uised
faceandbecamei nst antl
ybewi ldered.Aguar d
wasr i
ghtoutsideofherr oom andherr ightarm was
chainedtothehospi talbed.

Kumkani
:(anger
ed)“
Preci
ous.Pr
eci
ouswakeup.
”

Preci
ouswassti
llunconsci
ous.Shecouldhearhi
m
fr
om adist
ance,
ofwhatf el
tli
keadream shewas
enduri
ng.

Kumkani
:(t
ear
y)“
I’
llgetyououtofher
e.Ipr
omi
se.
Ij
ustneedyout
ohangonj
ustf
oral
it
tl
ewhi
le
l
onger.
”

Att i
mest herearepeopl ewhoendur eone
hear t
acheaf tert
heot her,whil
eother ssimplyfeel
l
iket heycomeuponendl essstumbl i
ngbl ocks.
Ver yfewoft hem hardlyeverstopandask
themsel veswhyt hathappens.Of t
enenough, we
forgetaboutGodandf orgett
ohavef ai
thandpr ay;
haveasi mpleconversat i
on.Att i
mes, yougetinto
troublebecauseGodt riestosteeryoui nt
ot heri
ght
directi
on.Mostoft hetimes,ourpl ansarenotHi s
plans.HeknowswhatHewoul dlikeust odoandat
ti
meswej ustdon’tl
endhi m anear .

Ephesi
ans1:4says;“
Accordi
ngashehathchosen
usinhim bef
oret
hefoundati
onoftheworl
d,t
hat
weshouldbeholyandwithoutbl
amebefor
ehimin
l
ove.”

Godt
ell
susnoonei
sher
eonear
thwi
thouta
reasonorpurpose.Youhavebeenchosenbef
ore
Godf or
medthegal axi
es,
thewordorAdam!God
knew youthenandHeknowsyounow.
[
01/
27,
07:
58] :Chapt
er88

“Prosper
ityi
sagreatt
eacher;adver
sit
yisagreater
.
Possessionpamperst
hemi nd;pri
vati
ontr
ainsand
str
engthensit
.”

Oneweekl
ater
…

Precioushadbeeni napr i
vatehospitalforawhol e
week, muchtothedi smayofmany.Kumkanihad
topulloffafewst r
ingsandt rytogetPr eci
ouson
tr
ackwi thherupcomi ngt r
ial.Atleastshemanaged
togetaf ewnights’goodsl eep,event houghher
parentswerevisit
inghercont i
nuouslyindr eams.It
hadbecomear outinethatt hey’
dvisitherevery
night
.Shehadn’ treallybeendoi ngmuchandf ai
led
toadheretotheirwar ningsandmessages.When
onef ailst oli
stent oancestors, yougetpuni shed.It
washert ri
alday, andofcour seshehadnoi dea
whatt oexpect .Shewasi naver ybadspaceaf ter
findingoutshehadl ostMi sh’ssecondchi ld.On
topoft hat,shehadn’ tseenMam’ Thokoinages
eversi nceMi shpassedon.Shesawt hefuneralon
tv,af ewdaysl ater.Although, shedi dhearthat
Thokohadcomet ovisitherwhi l
eshewas
unconsci ousandshel eftabunchofr osesforher.
Kumkanihadbr oughtherabr andnewsetof
clothes.I thadbecomer outineever yti
meshe
attendedcour t
.Hepul ledoffsomest ri
ngsaswel l
andgotLi ndatocomeseeherj ustbeforeherf i
rst
dayoft ri
al .

Kumkani
:(knocki
ng)“
Knock-
knock.Maywecome
i
n?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
We?
”

Kumkanidi
dn’
tsayanyt
hingf
urt
herandopenedt
he
door
.Lindast
ormedi ndr
essedi
ncasualcl
othes
andshewentstr
aighti
nforahug.

Li
nda:(teary)“Yoh,
mogkotsi(
oh,myfri
end)
!I ’
m so
gl
adyou’ r
eokay!Bel i
eveme,Iwasworri
edsick
aboutyoual lweek.Icoul
dn’
teveneatorsl
eep.”

Pr
eci
ous:(chuckl
ing)“
Linda,
youar
esodr
amat
ic,
myfr
iend.
”

Linda:“Aowawena( Noman).Tabaeeser i
ous
(thi
sissueisveryseri
ous)
.Kebaker eil
edimpya
tsel
a( If
oundthedogs)whoat t
ackedyou.And
beli
eveme, eachoneofthem gotthei
rfai
rshar
eof
punishment.”

Pr
eci
ous:“I
tdoesn’
tmatt
erreal
lyr
ightnow.Ilost
mysecondchi
ldandI’
mf aci
ngseri
ouscharges.
”
Li
nda:“ Well
,I
’l
ltel
lyouanyway.Mazibukohi
red
Kingandhi sli
tt
lemeaslycrewtoatt
ackyou.
Somet hingi
snotr i
ghtwit
hyourcase,whi
chiswhy
Iam wi l
li
ngtohelpwhereverIcan.I
’l
lbesur
eto
attendeveryday.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Linda:“Well
,myboyfr
iendwasar r
estedf
or
everythi
ngandallt
hechargesagainstmehave
beendr opped.So,
I’
m offi
cial
lyafr
eewoman.”

Preciouswaselat
edf orLinda,
butshef
eltahuge
holecreepi
ngitswayi nt
oherabdomen.Shewas
offi
cial
lywi
thoutafri
endandshe’dhavetogoback
toprisonwit
houtLinda.Howonear thwasshe
goingtocope?

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m sohappyf
oryou.
”
Li
nda:“Don’tworr
y.Imanagedt ogetyousort
ed.
Youwon’teverbeint r
oubleagai
nwhenyougo
back.Got l
oloka(Allwil
lbewell
),myfr
iend.Bef
ore
weleave,canwepl easepray?
”

Li
ndawasful
lofsurpr
ises.Sheact
ual
lyl
eft
Pr
eci
ousrat
herspeechless.

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Wakgonakgant
e(Canyou
pr
ay)
?”

Li
nda:(
laughi
ng)“
Onl
yonewayt
ofi
ndout
.”

Kumkani,
LindaandPreci
oushel
dhands,
whi
le
Li
ndaledthei
rprayer
.

Linda:(prayi
ng)“DearLor
d,Ourfat
her,
wehumble
ourselvesbeforeyou,Oh,
God.FatherGod,
we
thankyouf orthi
sisthedaytheLordhasmade.We
askthatyoupr otectmydearf ri
endoverher e, oh
Lord.I fyoumanagedt ogetmeoutofpr ison,
surelyyoucandohert hatfavour.Shehasher
wholel if
eaheadofherandsher egr et
sever ysi ngl
e
choiceshehasmade.Pl easeforgiveher, myLor d.
Helphert hrought histri
alandmayshebef oundnot
guil
ty.Pr otectherandgui dehert hroughouteach
andever ydayofherl if
e.Hel pherfindherway
backt oyou, oh,Lord.Weal lmakemi stakes, hence
wear ehuman.Iknowandyouknowt hatshei sof
apur ehear t.Letallthoseagainstherper ishand
confesst heirsi
ns.Forshei soneofyourchi ldren.
Iaskt hisinJesus’ mightyname.Amen. ”

Preci
ousli
teral
lyfeltsomeshi versdownherspine
assoonasLi ndafinishedpr aying.Shecouldn’
t
beli
evet
hathert al
kat i
ve,crazyf r
audsterf
ri
end
couldut
tersuchbeaut ifulwords.

Preci
ous:(t
eary)“
Thankyou,
fri
end.Ir
eal
ly
appreci
atethat
.”
Li
onda:“
You’
l
lbeokay.
”

Kumkani
:“Okay.Pr
eci
ous,
I’
llmeetyoui
ncour
t,
okay?
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
noddi
ng)“
Thankyou.
”`

TheywalkedoutasPr
eci ouswasonceagai ncuff
ed
andhadtowalkoutofthehospitali
nchai ns.The
mediawaswaiti
ngoutsideasusual,readyt otake
snaps.Assoonasshewal kedout,t
heni ghtmare
began.

Repor ter
:“Mrs.Ndhl ovu!Howdoyouf eelbeing
chai nedonyourf i
rstdayt ocourt?Whatar eyour
feelingsregardingnotbei ngabl etoburyyour
husband?Doyout hi nkyouwillwalkawayf r
ee?Is
i
ttr uethatfavour swer emadef oryoutobei na
privatehospitalinsteadoft heprisonhospit
al?Did
your
eal
lyhaveami
scar
ri
age?
”

Preciouswal kedr i
ghtalongandf i
nal l
yent er edthe
backoft hepol i
cevan.Thecamer asflashi ngand
thosecoar sequest i
onsf rom ther epor t
err ubbed
i
ntohersoull i
keseasal t.Shef eltherselfsheddi ng
atearfort hefir
sttimesi nceshewasar rest ed.The
wor l
disacr uelplaceandevenmor ecruelwhen
theyallforgetthegoodyouhavedoneandf ocus
onlyont hebad.Theyf i
nal l
ymadei tt
ot hecour t
room.Shepul ledher selftogetherandwi pedaway
hertearsandpr eparedher selftof acethef l
ashi ng
l
ightsoft hecamer as, f
ightherwayt hrought he
crowdst hejournalistsfi
ght i
ngt oaskherquest ions.
Theywal kedi nandshewasuncuf fed.Kumkani
wasonceagai ni nfrontofherandRonza, Ganj a,
Pil
otandSnakeswer eri
ghtnextt oher .Shegave
them allabr i
efwaveandsmi l
e,whi leKumkani
winkedather .Ms.Jel e,thenewpr osecut orgave
heraconf i
dentsmi le.Sher eallythoughtshewas
goingtonai lher.Thej udgear r
ivedandi twast i
me.
Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Theyal
lstoodupandwai
tedforthej
udget
owal
kin
andheorderedt
hem t
obeseated.

Judge:“We’
rebackagai
n.Ipresumewearer
eady
tostar
tthet
rial
,Mr.Mdhl
etse?Ms.Jel
e?”

Kumkani
:“Yes,
yourhonour
.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Yes,
yourhonour
.”

Judge:“Ibel
ievethetwocaseswi
llr
unconcurrent
ly,
seeingasMr s.Ndhlovui
sthedef
endantchar
ged
forbothcases?”

Kumkani
:“Yes,
yourhonour
.”
Judge:“
Thepr
osecut
ionmaypr
oceed.
”

Ms.Jel e:“ Thankyou, yourhonour .Si ncewehave

allthedef endant sr i
ghther eincour ttoday,wemay
startwitht hebankr obberycase.I ti sbeli
evedthat
thef i
veal legedpeopl ebehi nduswer einvolvedin
thebankr obber ythatoccur redaf ewweeksago,
yourhonour .Ther eisappar entevidenceaswel l
,
thatshowst heywer eal li
nvolvedinashoot ingri
ght
outsideandi nsidet hebank, yourhonour .
Tragically,theki ngpinMr .MeshackNdhl ovudied
aftersust ainingMul ti
plebul l
edwoundsal ongwith
Mr .BonganiZungu, alsoknownasBi gz.However ,
wehaveonekeywi t
nesswhowaswi ththem during
thecour seoft herobber y,yourhonourandhehas
validinformat i
on.Hencehehasdeci dedt oturn
statewitness. ”

Thatwasnotver
ygood.Pr
eci
ouswassur
ethati
t
wasRaymond.
Ms.Jele:“
Mayt hepr
osecut
ionpresenti
tsf
ir
st
wi
tness,Mrs.RaymondNdhlovu.
”

Thecrowdwasi nshock,camer
asstart
edfl
ashi
ng
andaf ewdispl
easedsoundsweremadeas
Raymondappear edi
nthedock,wit
hbandages
wrappedaroundhishead,anar
m sli
ngandacrutch.
Judge:“Thepr
osectut
ionmaypr
oceedwi
th
quest
ioningt
hewitness.
”

Ms.Jele:“
Thankyou, yourhonour
.Mr.Ndhlovu,
thankyoufortaki
ngt heti
metocomeandgiveyour
test
imony.Iknow, you’r
efear
ingf
oryourl
if
eand
youmustbei nrealpain.”

Kumkani:(st
andi
ng)“
Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!
I
rrel
evance.”

Judge:“
Gett
oit
,Ms.Jel
e.”
Ms.Jele:“
Asyouwi sh,
myLord.Mr.Ndhl
ovu.Do
youknowt hepeopl
ewhoareaccusedf
orthese
hei
nouscrimes?”

Raymond:“
Yes,
Ido.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“Mayyout
ellt
hecour
thowyouknow
t
hem exact
ly?
”

Raymond:“Iknowthem becauseMrs.Ndhl
ovuwas
marr
iedtomyl at
ebrot
her,andthemenwereapart
ofmybrother’
screw.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Bycr
ewyoumeanwhatexact
ly?
”

Raymond:“
Mybrot
herwasagangst
er,
sot
hey
woul
ddocrimet
ogether
.”
Kumkani
:“Obj
ect
ion,
myl
ord!Specul
ati
on!
”

Judge:“
Sust
ained.
”

Ms.Jele:“
Mr.Ndhl
ovu,
mayyouexplaint
othecour
t
whereyouwereonthenightoft
hebankr
obber
y?”

Raymond:“
Well
,Iwaswi
tht
hem.Byt
hem Imean
mybrot
herandhiscr
ew.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Pleaseexpl
ainwhathappenedexact
ly.
”

Raymond:“Well
,mostpeopl
eknewthatmybr ot
her
andInevergotal
ong,sohethr
eat
enedme.He
convi
ncedmet odothejobwit
hhi
m orelse,
he
wouldki
llmyfamil
y.”
Ronzafoundhi
msel
fchuckli
ngsil
ent
lyand
murmuring,
whi
let
herestofthecr
ewwer eshaki
ng
t
heirheads.

Ronza:(
chuckl
ing)“
Bit
ch.
”

Judge:“
Mr .Mdhl
etse,
cont
rolyourcl
ient
s,pl
ease.I
wil
lnothavesuchbehavi
ourinmycour t
.”

Ithonestl
yfel
tli
ket
hej
udgewasal
readyonMs.
Jele’
sside.

Kumkani:“
Apol
ogi
es,
myLor
d.I
twon’
thappen
agai
n.”

Judge:“
Ithadbet
ternot
.Cont
inue,
Ms.Jel
e.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Andt
henwhathappened?
”
Raymond:“Well
,bei
ngthecivi
li
anthatIam,Iknew
thatIwoul
dn’
tbeablet
okillhi
m, soIwentahead
withhispl
an.Ifi
gur
edperhapsitwouldn’
tendwell
andthathe’
dgetarr
est
edsomehow. ”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
lthepol
ice?
”

Raymond:“Ever
yoneknowsthatmybr
otherhadso
manypoli
cemenonhi spayr
oll
.”

Kumkani:“
Obj
ect
ion,
myLor
d!Specul
ati
ononce
agai
n.”

Judge:“
Sust
ained.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“Andthenyouwentontheri
detothebank,
al
ongwithhiscrew.Yougoti
ntothebankandthen
whathappened?”
Raymond:“ Well
,wegotoutandheadedr i
ghtt othe
bank.Wemanagedt ogetin.Wemeani ngBi gzand
mybr other
,whil
etherestofthem wait
edout side.
Assoonaswegoti nt
ot hevault
,weputt hemoney
i
nt hecashbagsandr i
ghtbeforetheywal kedout ,
theyturnedthei
rgunsagainstmeandst ar t
ed
shooting.
”

Ronzaandhiscrewwer ealltryi
ngr eal
lyhar
dnotto
l
aughathowRaywaschangi ngthewhol estor
y.
Basi
cal
ly,
hedidt hatbecauseBi gzandMi shwere
deadandtheywer en’tabl
et otesti
fy.Itwashis
wordagai
nstther estofthem.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Andcanyouconf
ir
m whetherMr
s.
Ndhl
ovuwaswit
hyouonthenighti
nquest
ion?
”

Raymond:“
Absol
utel
y,shewasourdr
iver
.”
Kumkaniwasshakinghi
shead,
whi
lePr
eci
ousf
elt
def
eat
edalready.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Nof
urt
herquest
ions,
myLor
d.”

Judge:“
Thedef
ensemayappr
oacht
oquest
iont
he
wit
ness.
”

Kumkani:“Thankyou,myLor d.Mr.Ndhlovu,you
saythatyouandyourbr othernevergotalong.So,
howisitthatyourbrot
hergothol dofyoui fyou
nevergotalonginthefi
rstplace?”

Raymond:“
Well,Idon’
tknow.I’
m aver
ysuccessf
ul
busi
nessmanandso, hemusthavegot
tenmy
numberonl
ine.
”

Kumkani
:“Isee.Mr
.Ndhlovu,canyouconf
ir
mt hat
youhadsentafewofyourhit
mentotryandkil
lMr.
Ndhl
ovu’
scr
ewmen?
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Object
ion,
myl
ord!Thi
shasnot
hingt
o
dowit
hourcase!
”

Judge:“
Sust
ained.Mr
.Mdlet
se,
whatdoest
his
havetodowit
hourcase?
”

Kumkani
:“Bearwi
thme,
myLor
d.Iam get
ti
ng
t
here.
”

Judge:“
Alr
ightt
hen.
”

Kumkani:“
Mr.Ndhl
ovu,
doyoumi
ndanswer
ingt
he
quest
ion?”

Raymond:“
Pleaser
epeatt
hequest
ion.
”
Kumkani
:“Didyouordidyounotsendyourhit
men
onaspeci
ficni
ghttoshootatandkil
lMr.Ndhl
ovu’
s
cr
ewmen?”

Raymond:“
No,
Idon’
tknowwhatyou’
ret
alki
ng
about
.”

Kumkani :( chuckling)“ MyLor d,asyouwi l

lseein
thatfi
le,itisdoct or’sr eportsalongwi thpol i
ce
evaluati
onoft heal legedni ght,afewni ghtsbefore
thebankr obber yoccur r
ed.Youwi l
lseet hat
Snakesal ongwi thhi swi f
eDaphneywer eshotat .
Daphneysust ai
nedt wobul letwoundst oher
abdoment hatledt ot her esultofherl osingher
baby.Pi lotwasdr i
vingwi t
hi swi feChant el,and
theywer eshotat .Heal sosust ainedmul ti
plebullet
woundsandheal sowashospi talized.Ronza,
alongwi thhi swi f
eDebor ah, wereshotatt ooand
theyluckilygotaway.Ther eist hepr oofint her
e,
thattherei snowayt hatal lofthem wer et hereon
theallegedbankr obber y,asPi lotwasi nahospi tal
bed.
”

Ms.Jel
e:(
panicking)“
MyLor
d,Iknownot
hingof
t
hissocal
ledevidence.
”

Kumkani:“
Itwil
lal
soprovet oyou,myLord,t
hat
oneoft
hehi t
mensur vi
vedandgotawayandhei s
wil
li
ngtotest
ifyonbehalfofthedefense.
”

Judge:“I
’
lll
ooki
ntotheevi
dencel
ater
.Youmay
proceedwit
hquest
ioni
ng.”

Kumkaniwassmi
li
ng.Hehadsomehope.

Kumkani:“Thankyou.Mr .Ndhl
ovu,now, backto
thi
sparti
cularni
ght.Canyouorcanyounot
confi
rmthatyouandMr .Ndhl
ovuhadl engthl
y
phonecall
s?Youi nit
iat
edthecall
srightbeforet
he
shooti
ng,am Icorr
ect?”
Raymondwasst
art
ingt
ogett
onguet
ied.

Raymond:(
stutt
eri
ng)“
Uh.
.Idon’
tknowwhatyou’
re
t
alki
ngabout.
”

Kumkani :“
MyLor d,hereareallthephonerecords
wehavebet weenMr .RaymondNdhl ovuandMr .
MeshackNdhl ovu.Ther eisalsooner ecor
dingthat
wast akenafewni ghtsbefor
et heall
egedbank
robbery.Youwillalsonotethatitgoesagainst
everythi
ngMr.Raymondhassai dtothecourt.
Whichmeanst hathel iedunderoathandi sat
l
ibertytobechargedwi thperj
ury.”

Ms.Jel
ewasst
art
ingt
osweat
,al
ongwi
thRaymond.

Kumkani
:“Mr.Ndhlovu,yousaythatyouwereco-
er
cedtoplayapartintherobber
y,butyoufai
ledt
o
ment
iontothecourtwhyyouwer ewithtwoother
men,
inyourvan.Canyouexpl
aint
hat
?”

Rayond:(
sweat
y)“
I…uh…Idon’
tfeelsowel
lri
ght
now.”

Kumkani:“
Mylord,maythecourtpl
easegetsome
waterf
orthewi
tnessbefor
ehef al
lsovert
he
chamber.Wedon’twantanotherNdhl
ovudead.”

Judge:“Ms.Jele,pl
ease,getyourwitness
contai
ned.Cour ti
sadjournedforrecess.Weshal
l
resumeinfi
fteenmi nut
es.”

Kumkanil ookedatPreci
ousandsmi l
edather.He
hadgivenherabal lofhope.Perhapsther
ewas
l
ightattheendoft hetunnelf
orheraft
erall
.Ms.
Jel
ewal kedupt oherandwhispered.

Ms.Jel
e:(
whi
sper
ed)“
Thi
sisn’
toveryet
,bi
tch.I
’
ll
nai
lyou.
”

Preciousl
ookedatheri
nshock.Thatcasewas
personali
ndeed.

Isai
ah26:3–4says;“Thoseofsteadf
astmindyou
keepinpeace–becausetheytr
ustinyou.Trusti
n
theLordfor
ever,
fori
ntheLordGodyouhavean
everl
asti
ngrock.
”
[
01/
27,
07:
58] :Chapt
er89

“
Hopeisimportantbecausei
tcanmakethepr esent
momentlessdiff
icul
ttobear
.Ifwebel
ievethat
t
omorrowwillbebetter
,wecanbearahardshi
p
t
oday.
”

Duri
ngthei
rfif
teenminut
esr ecess,
Kumkani
managedtogetachancet ospeaktoRonza,
Snakes,
Ganja,Pil
ot,
GhandiaandPr eci
ousal
lin
oneroom.Theywer
eal
lhappyt
oseePr
eci
ousand
huggedher
.

Ronza:“
Howar eyouhol
dingup?Wehear
dabout
whathappened.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
mtr
yingt
ogetby.
”

Snakes:“
We’
regoi
ngt
osor
tthem out
.Don’
tyou
worry.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”

Kumkani
:“Wel
l,
whileyou’
reallher
e.Ther
e’san
ur
gentmatt
erI
’dli
ketodiscusswit
hyou.”

Pi
lot
:“Don’
tkeepuswai
ti
ng.
”
Kumkani:“Wehaveabitofapr obl
em.Jel
ecansee
thatal
lherevi
denceisnotappli
cabl
e,sot
her
efor
e,
shewantstocallLer
atonexttothest
and.
”

Ghandi
a:“Shehasbeenawi
tnessal
lal
ong.That
’s
notsur
pri
sing.
”

Kumkani
:“It
’snot,
butLeahhasal
soopt
edt
ogo
ont
othestand.”

Ever
yonewasl
eftspeechl
ess.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thef
uck?
!”

Kumkani :“Iknow.JudgingbythewayLerat
ohates
you,Precious,shewil
ldoandsayanythi
ngtobri
ng
youdown.Shewi l
lpoi
ntever
ythi
nginyour
dir
ecti
on.”
Pr
eci
oussatdownandt
houghtr
eal
lyhar
d.

Preci
ous:“Okay,we’l
lseehowitgoes.What
happensiftheybothtest
if
yagainstmeandme
al
one?”

Kumkani :“
Wel l
,youcouldbechar gedwithmi nor
charges, andsinceIcanpr ovet hatyouwer en’tat
therobber yaswel lastherestofyou.Thecamer a
qualityistoolowandnoonecanr eal
lydetermi ne
whet herornotyouwer ethere,youcouldbe
acqui t
tedorgetaf ewmont hs–ayeart ops.Si nce
youhavenocr i
mi nalr
ecordandyou’ resti
lla
student ,wecanar guethatMi shwasi nchar geof
everythingandyouhadnoi deawhathedi dont he
side.Thej udgecouldhavet hecaseover thrown.
TheoneI ’m concernedabouti sthemurdercase. ”

Ronza:“
Can’
tyoubuyt
hecase?
”
Kumkani:“
NotwithJelethere.Somethi
ngisjust
notri
ghtandIcan’tshakethefeel
ing.Whi
chiswhy,
I’
l
lhavetogotoZul ul
andassoonaspossible.Also,
Njabul
oisgoi
ngt otesti
fyasawi t
ness.
”

Thingswerestarti
ngtolookupagainyetitfel
tli
ke
nothingwasgoingr i
ght
.Bef or
etheyknewit,
recesswasoverandt heyhadtogobacki ncourt
again.Preci
ouscoul df
eelthewall
sclosi
nginon
her,andshethoughtofaplan–apl anthatcould
saveeveryoneelse–excepther.

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Theyal
lst
oodupoutofr
espectf
ort
hemagi
str
ate.

Judge:“
Youmaybeseat
ed.
”

Theyal
lsatdownandasPr
eci
ouswasl
ooki
ng
around, shesawDebbie,Rachel,Chantelandeven
Daphneseat ed.Theydidn’tlookverywell,i
tmust
havebeenduet oal
lthecryingandst r
ess
throughoutthedays.Debbi elookedabitbigger
,
muchf ull
eri
nherface.Shewavedatt hem bri
efl
y
andl ookedinfr
ontofher.
Judge:“
ThePr
osecut
ionmaypr
oceed.
”

Ms.Jele:(ner
vously)“Well,
yourhonour,
mywitness
shal
lnotbeabl etocontinuewit
hfurther
quest
ioningtoday.Hei snotwell
,soperhapswe
cangethimi nagaintomor r
ow?”

Judge:( sigh)“Idon’tthinkt
hatwouldbenecessar
y,
Ms.Jel e.Besi des,Iwasgoi ngthr
oughhis
testi
monyaswel lashi sanswersandallt
he
transcri
pt softhismor ning.Theydonot
correspond.I ’m afr
aidhei snotarel
iabl
ewit
ness,
sot her
ef ore,I
’
m excl udinghimfornow.”
Kumkanismil
edashel ookedatPr
eci
ous,
leavi
ng
Ms.Jel
everydispl
eased.

Ms.Jel
e:“Ofcour
se,myLord.TheProsecuti
on
wouldl
iketocal
luponi
tsnextwi
tness,Mrs.Ler
ato
Zungu.
”

Preciousi mmedi atel

yfeltrager i
singfrom wit
hinas
Leratomadeherwayt othest and.Shedi dn’
teven
l
ookl ikeawi dow, wit
har idiculouslyoversi
zed
blackhat ,andabl ackDol ceandGabanasui t,
with
highbl ackJimmyChu’ s.Ofcour se,hernai
lswere
upt ost andardandshewaswear ingshadesaswel l
.
Talkaboutr idicul
ous.

Judge:(
sigh)“Mr
s.Zungu,ki
ndl
yr emoveyour
sungl
assesaswellasyourhat,
please.Thi
sisa
court
,notafashi
onshow.”

Peopl
eint
hecour
tchuckl
edandmur
mur
edal
it
tl
e.
Ler
ato:“
Myapol
ogi
es,
yourhonour
.”

Judge:“
Proceed,
Ms.Jel
e.”

Ms.Jele:“Thankyou, yourhonour.Ms.Jele,
tothe
court
’sunderstandingyousawwhathappenedt hat
verycruci
alnight,youweretherejustbef
oreyou
husbandgotki l
led.Am Icorrect
?”

Ler
ato:“
Yes,
ma’
am.
”

Preci
ouswasr ai
singhereyebr
owsandrefr
aini
ng
fr
om sighi
ngandchucklingasshehadneverseen
orheardLerat
obesopol it
ebefor
e.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Wher
ewer
eyout
hatni
ght
?”
Lerato:“
Well
,wewereallatMi
sh’
shouse,
prepar
ing
fortheupcominghei
st.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Byhei
st,
youmeant
hebankr
obber
y?”

Ler
ato:“
Yes.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Goon.
”

Lerato:“Wel
l,
Preci
ouswast hemaster
mindof
everythi
ng.Shehadherlit
tl
eblackbookandher
bigmapoft hewholeenti
rebank.Sheknewthe
entrancesandexit
softhebankandshewascalli
ng
theshots.Shewast el
li
ngeverymantherewhatt
o
doatwhi chspeci
fi
ctime.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Int
erest
ing.Andt
henwhathappened?
”
Lerato:“
Well,t
heyallwentout,whil
et herestofus
l
adies–exceptf orPreci
ousofcour se.Wewai ted
forthem tocomeback.Sadl y,
myhusbanddi dn’t
makei tback.Wer ecei
vedacal lf
rom Precious
stati
ngthatMish,myhusbandandSnakeswer ein
hospital
.Thenextt hi
ngIknowt heywer earrested.
Myhusbandwasagoodman. ”

Shest
art
edcr
ying.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Maysomeonepleasepr
ovi
desomewat
er
f
ormywi t
ness,
please.
”

Kumkani:“
Whil
eyou’
reati
t,mayIpr
oceedwi
th
quest
ioni
ng,myLor
d?”

Judge:“
Areyoudone,
Ms.Jel
e?”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Yes,
myLor
d,butIam af
rai
dmycl
ient
seemsal
it
tl
etoodr
ainedt
ocont
inue.
”

Judge:(
sigh)Ms.Jel
e,t
earshaveneverst
opped
anyonefr
om tel
li
ngthetr
uth.I’
dli
ketogetthi
s
caseoutofmyhairASAP.Cont i
nueMr.Mdhletse.
”

Kumkani:(
smi
li
ng)“
Thankyou,
yourhonour
.Ms.
Zungu.
”

Ler
ato:(
int
err
upt
ing)“
Mrs.
”

Kumkani :“
Myapol ogies,Ms.Zungu.I’l
lexplaint
o
thecourtwhyIcal lyouMs.Zungu–event houghit
i
scompl etel
yirr
elevanttothecourt.Tomy
knowledge,youandMr .BonganiZungualsoknown
asBigz,werenotlegal l
ymarri
ed.Hedi dn’teven
takeoutanylobolaf oryou,
am Icorrect
?”

Ler
ato:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Wel
l,
hewaspl
anni
ngt
o,but–“
Kumkani
:“Pl
easeansweryesorno.
”

Ler
ato:“
Yes.
”

Kumkani:“
Thankyou,
nowasImaypr
oceed,
Ms.
Zungu.
”

Kumkaniwaspl ayi
ngdi r
ty,
putti
ngemphasi sonMs.
Zungu.Al r
eadyLer ato’
stesti
monywasst ar
ti
ngto
bediscredi
tedbyt hejudgeasshehadl i
edabout
bei
ngBi gz’
swi fe.Everyonethoughttheywere
act
uallymar r
ied.Itturnsouthejustgavehera
weddingandpr omi sedtopaylobolaforher.He
musthaveseent herealLerat
o.

Kumkani:“Wel
l,Ms.Zungu,yousai
dyouwereatthe
housejustbef
oretheywentouttor
obthebank.
YoualsosaidthatMrs.Ndhl
ovuwaswithyou,am I
corr
ect?”
Ms.Jel
e:“Ag,
obj
ect
ionyourhonour
!Wi
llhegett
o
t
hepoint
?”

Judge:“Nooneint
err
uptedyouwhenyouwer e
quest
ioningher
,Ms.Jele.It
hinkiti
sonl
yfairthat
weseewher eMr.Mdhletsewantstogowit
ht hi
s.”

Ms.Jel
esatbackdownannoyedandkeptt
appi
ng
herf
ooti
nannoyance.

Kumkani
:“Thankyou,
yourhonour
.Ms.Zungu?
”

Lerat
o:(nervousl
y)“
Yes,
shewast
her
e.Leahcan
att
esttothat.”

Kumkani:“Oh,Iam sureLeahcanspeakforhersel
f.
Thisi
saboutyounow.Remember ,Ms.Zungu,you
areunderoath.Iwillaskyouagai
n.WasMr s.
Ndhl
ovuwi
thyouont
heni
ghti
nquest
ion?
”

Ler
atokeptqui
etforawhil
e;hereyeswere
wander
ingaroundandthenshestaredatPreci
ous.
Shecouldsmellt
hehatefr
om thestand.

Ler
ato:“
Yes,
shewast
her
e.”

Kumkani :( chuckli
ng)“ MyLor d,Ipresenttoyou
camer af ootageoft hedayi nquest ion.Mr s.
Ndhlovuwentt othemal l
,asyoucanseeont he
screen.Shewasi ndeedwi t
ht hewomen, butLer ato
andt hisLeahwomanshement ionedwasnott here.
Thet i
mewas2: 45.Af t
ert hat,shei sseendr i
ving
out,andst r
aighttoMooi kl
oofr esidence;whi chis
wher eIst ay.Shear r
ivedatmyhouseat3pm, as
youcanseeont hescr een.Thecamer a’sare
showi ngt hatshedi dn’tleavet hepl aceunt i
lthe
fol
lowi ngmor ni
ngaf tershehadhear dthather
husbandwasshotandi nacr i
ticalcondit
ion.You
wil
lthensee, yourhonour ,thatMs.Zunguoverher e
asshecal lshersel
f,i
sseenatt heHospi t
all
obby,
fi
ght i
ngwi t
hMr s.Ndhlovu,minut esbeforeshe
wentt oseehernowdeceasedhusband.I nthatfi
le
presentedtoyounow, youwillseeal lt
hecall
recordsfrom t
hedayi nquest i
ont ot hedayaft
er.
Youwi llevenseethemessagest hatwer esentto
Mr s.Ndhlovu,byRonzast at
ingt hatherhusband
hadbeenshotandt heywer elooki ngforheral
l
night.
”

Ms.Jel ewastrembli
ngfrom underneat
hherdesk,
whi l
ethecourtwasgaspinginshock.Leratowas
ratherstr
essedandfeltl
ikepi
ssinghersel
f.She
tookanothersipofwaterasherforeheadhad
beganshowi ngdri
psofsweat .

Kumkani
:“Iputi
ttoyou,
Ms.Zungut
hatyouar
ea
l
iar
!”

Ms.Zungu:“
No,
I’
m not
!Itwasal
lheri
dea!Al
lher
pl
ans!
”
Kumkani :“Youdeci dedonyourownoryouwer e
coercedt oplaythevi ctimr ol
eandt rytoframemy
cli
ent.Theevi dencecl earl
ystatesthatwhatyou
aresayingi sextremel ycont r
adict
oryt owhatyou
saidinyourswor nst atement.Youhaveanagenda
againstmycl ientandal lyourhusband’sfriends
andI ’
l
ltellyouwhy.Youwer eangryt hatBigzdi dn’
t
mar r
yyouandal lofthem someevenyoungert han
you,wer emar ri
edt ot hesemen–l egallymar r
ied.
Youwer eangr ybecauseBi gzwasst i
llinl
ovewi th
themot herofhi st wochi l
dren.Youar ebitterthat
youwon’ tgetasi nglecent!”

Ler
ato:(
cryi
ng)“
Thati
snott
rue!
”

Kumkani:“
Thenhowwoul dyouexplainl
yingin
fr
ontofthi
sver ysamecourt,whil
eunderoath?!
Whyjeapordizethesepeopl
e’sfut
urewhenyou
coul
dhavej usttoldt
hetrut
h!Thet r
uththatyou
don’
tknowanyt hingaboutwhathappenedthat
ni
ght
!”

Ms.Jel
e:“Object
ion,
yourhonour
!He’
sbadger
ing
t
hewitness!
”

Judge:(
sigh)“
That
’senough,
Mr.Mdhl
etse.
”

Kumkani :“Apol ogies,myl ord.It hinkwecangat her

here, myl ord.Thatt hesepeopl e–mycl i
entsar e
beingf r
amedf oracr imet heydi dn’tcommi t.The
onlyper sonshownont hosecamer asisoneoft he
witnesses, Mr .RaymondNdhl ovu.I fhereallywas
i
nnocent ,hewoul dn’thavet akenapl eabargain.
Theonl ypeopl ewecoul dverywel lidenti
fyareMr .
Ndhl ovuandhi sbr other .Snakes, happenedt obe
atthewr ongpl aceandatt hewr ongt ime.Itisclear
toust hatt hecamer af ootagewer etamper edwith–
therefore,wecannotsayt hatthepeopl ement i
oned
wer eindeedt hepeopl er obbingt hebankt hatver y
sameni ght.Nof ur t
herquest ions,myLor d.”
Judge:“
Youmaystepdown,
Ms.Zungu.Anyot
her
wit
nesses,
Ms.Jel
e?”

Ms.Jele:“
Yes,yourhonour
.I’
dli
ket
ocal
luponMs.
LeahLetswal
o.”

Judge:“
Butshei
snotont
hel
istofwi
tnesses,
Ms.
Jel
e.”

Ms.Jel
e:(
ner
vous)“
Yes,
myLor
d.I
twasal
ast
mi
nutethi
ng.
”

Judge:“Seemst omet hateveryt

hingaboutyoui s
l
astmi nute.Iwon’ tneedt ohearanyt hi
ngabout
thi
snextwi tness.I tseemst omet hatyoudi dn’
tdo
yourresearchpr operly.Theonl ypeoplewhocoul d
tel
luswhatexact lyhappenedar eMr .Ndhlovu,the
deceasedandt hewi tness.Nowt hatbothyour
wit
nesseshavel iedunderoat h,Ioptforthem todo
somet imebehi ndbar s.Mr .RaymondNdhl ovu’s
chargeswi llst
andandhewi l
lf acetri
all
ikether est
ofthecr i
mi nal
sint hiscountry.Asf oryourwi tness,
Ms.Jel e,shewi l
lface6mont hsi ncourtforperjury
andlyingunderoat h.Iwillnothavemycour troom
beturnedi ntoamocker yli
ket hat.Unlessyouwant
thesamef atetobef al
lyournextwi tness,feelfree
tobringheri n.
”

Ms.Jel
ewasboi
li
ng,
butshehadt
oleti
tgo.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Iret
ract
,myLor
d.Nof
urt
herwi
tnesses.
”

Judge:“Thankyou.Nowt hati
thasbeenclearthat
thi
stri
alwasawast eofmyt i
me,Ihavedecidednot
towastef ur
therti
me.Ihaveahol i
dayplannedwi th
mywi feandchi l
dren,
soIshallbegi
vingmyver dict
aft
errecess.Weshal lret
urninanhour’
stime.
Courtadjourned.
”
Everyonewaschant
ingi
ncour
t,whi
lePreci
ouswas
sighi
nginrel
ief
.Thi
ngswerel
ooki
ngreall
ygood
forheronthi
sone.

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Theyallstoodupast hejudgewal kedout.Kumkani

hadorganizedameanl unchforthecrewwhile
waiti
ngforthejudget ocomeback, alongwit
hthe
wives–exceptf orLer atoandLeah.Whi let
hey
wereeating,Debbie,Rachel,DaphneandChant el
walkedin.Theywer esoexci t
edtof i
nall
yhugthei
r
husbandsandt heirdearf r
iend.

Rachel
:“Oh,
fri
end.I
’
m sogl
adt
ofi
nal
lyseeyou.
”

Preci
ous:“
Youguysl ookl
ikecompl
eteshi
t.What
doyoudoal lday?Cr
y?”
Chant
el:(
laughi
ng)“
Youknowt
hem t
oowel
l
.”

Preci
ous:“
I’
mreal
lysor
ryIdr
aggedyouguysi
nto
thi
s.”

Debbi
e:“Noneed.Weal
lmadeourowndeci
sions.
Weallknewwhatwewereget
ti
ngour
sel
vesi
nt o.
”

Ronza:“
Well
,nowt hatwe’
real
ltoget
her,
areyou
goi
ngtotel
lthem t
hebignews,baby?”

Debbi
e:(
looki
ngdown)“
I’
m pr
egnant
.”

Everyonewasel
ated,especi
all
yPreci
ous.She
didn’
twanttot
hinkaboutherrecentt
ragedy,
but
shewasgenuinelyhappyforher.

Debbi
e:“
Oh,
hun.Ihopeyoudon’
tmi
ndmesayi
ng
t
hisaf
terwhathappenedt
oyou.Youknow.
”

Precious:“
JustbecauseI’
m goingthroughalot
doesnotmeanwedon’ thaveanyr easonto
celebrat
e.I’
m honestl
yhappyf oryou.Whichis
whyIhavecomet oadecision.I’
m gladyouareal
l
here.”

Theyal
llookedatheri
nsuspense.

Precious:“
Sinceyou’ r
eal lgoingt ogetbackthe
moneyf rom theheistthatyouputdownf orbail
,
shouldyougetacqui t
ted,I’
dlikeyout odoaf ew
favoursforme.Takei tallandt herestofthe
moneyt hatwi l
lbereleasedi nouraccount sanduse
i
ttoyourbenef it.Startnewbusi nesses–legitones.
Sellmyhouseandmycarandgi vethemoneyt o
Mam’ Thoko.Sheneedsi tmor ethanever.”

Ever
yonewassoshocked.Theydi
dn’
texpecti
t.
Rachel
:“WhataboutBi
gz’
shouse?
”

Preci
ous:“Ronzawi
llt
akecar
eofthat.He’l
lsel
lhi
s
houseandgivethemoneytothemotherofhis
chil
dren.
”

Daphne:“
AndLer
ato?
”

Chant
el:“
Whatabouther
?”

Daphne:“
Imean,shewasreal
lygoi
ngt
hroughal
ot
wit
hhim.Shereall
ystuckbyhim.
”

Preci
ous:“I
fyouwereinmypostionandshe
wantedtofuckyouoverl
ikeshedid,woul
dyougive
herever
ythi
ngandleavehiski
dswi t
hnothi
ng?”
Shekeptqui
etandt
ri
edt
opr
ocessi
tal
l.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Shedeser
vesnot
hing.
”

Rachel
:“Whataboutyou?WhydoIgett
hef
eel
ing
you’
resayi
nggoodbyetous?
”

Preci
ous:“I’
m beingreal i
sti
c.I’mtyinguploose
ends,becauseitseemsasi fthemur dert
ri
alis
goingtokeepmei nprisonf orqui
tesomet i
me.
Let’
sfaceit,
someonei soutf orbl
oodandIam t he
sacri
fi
ciall
amb.I ’m beingframedandIdon’ teven
knowbywhom orwhy.Youguysshoul dgoonwi th
yourli
vesandnotwor ryaboutmet oomuch.You
haveenoughonyourpl at
es.”

Ronza:“
No,Mishwasourbr ot
her
.Youar eoneof
usandwe’renotgoi
ngtoletyougojustl
iket
hat,
BossLady.Youmadeuswhowear eandeven
thoughwecouldn’
trobt
heReserveBank,youreal
ly
gaveusal
otofi
nsi
ght
.”

Pr
eci
ouswasreal
lyt
ouched.Theyal
lref
usedt
o
gi
veuponher
.

Preci
ous:“Thankyou,
guys.You’
remyf
ami
ly.
You’r
eallIpret
tymuchhave.
”

Theyallsmiledandhuggedherbeforetheywent
backfortheJudge’sverdi
ct.Theywalkedin
anxi
ouslyincourtandthejudgewalkedinandsat
downwi thouthesi
tat
ion.

Judge:“Afternumerousconsi derat
ion,Ihavefinal
ly
comet oaver dict
.Itisreall
yperil
oustoseehow
peopledonott akethelawoft hiscountryseri
ously.
Asmuchast heaccusedmayhavedoneaf ew
crimesintheirpast,
itgi
vesnoonet her i
ghttopina
hideouscri
meont hem wi t
houtanyr el
evant
evidence.
”
Hesai
dthatl
ooki
ngatMs.Jele,onecoul
dtel
lthat
shewasal
readynothi
sfavour
it
e.

Judge:“Wit
houtfur
therado,al
lchargesr
egar
ding
thebankrobber
yagainsttheaccusedhavebeen
dropped.Youarefreetogo.”

Thecourtwashappy.Themenwer ehappy;
Preci
ouswashappy–f orthem andt hatatleastf
or
oncesomethingwentherway.Shehadonemor e
casetosol
veandi twasnotgoingtobeeasy.Ms.
Jelewasnotevenhappyaboutt heverdict,
and
Lerat
oaswel l
.Shewasbei ngshippedal lt
heway
toPri
sonforherli
ttl
ewhi
telies.Itwasnotsucha
baddayafteral
l.

Ronza:“
I’
llmakesur
eyou’
reseti
nther
e,okay?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou.
”
Atl
eastt
hatdaywaspr
oofthatherancest
orsand
Godhadn’
tgi
venuponher.

1Peter5:
10sayd;“AndtheGodofal lgrace,who
cal
ledyoutohi
seternalgloryi
nChr i
st,
afteryou
havesuff
eredal
itt
lewhile,wil
lhimsel
frestoreyou
andmakeyoustrongandst eadfast
.”
[
01/
27,
07:
59] :Chapt
er90

“
Thegem cannotbepol
ishedwit
houtfr
ict
ion,nor
manper
fectedwit
houtt
rial
s.”–Chi
nesePr over
b

Precious’smurdertri
alhadbeenpost ponedf ora
furt
hert woweeks.I twasbadenought hatshewas
goingbackt oprisonfort
henextt woweeks, butshe
couldn’tconti
nuewithherstudiesfr
om wi thi
n
pri
son, butknowingpeoplei
nhi ghplacesr eall
y
helps.Thef oll
owingdayaftertherobberyt r
ialwas
concluded,shesawLer atowithherowneyes.Yes,
thever yLer at
owhohat edhersomucht hatshe
commi t
edper jur
yonherownaccor d.Itwasa
l
onel ytimef orherwithoutLinda, butshehad
offici
all
ybeenmovedt oanothercel l,
alongwi t
hthe
elderinmat esandt heoldwomanwhot oldher
aboutherpar ent
stheot herday.Shehadf ormeda
rathermi nimalfr
iendshipwitht hem, buttheyreal
ly
tookherl ikefamil
yf r
om thef i
rstdayshear r
ived.
Theyhadqueuedf orfoodandshewentt osi
t
alongsidet heoldwoman, Martha.

Martha:(
smil
ing)“
It’
ssonicetoseeyouset
tl
ingi
n.
Justdon’
tgettoocomfor
table.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
I’
llt
ry.
”

ShelookedaroundandsawKinglooki
ngrat
herless
cl
eanerthanusual.Shedi
dn’
thaveherusualcr
ew
wit
hheranymor eandshehadabustli
panda
swoll
enface.
Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”

Martha:“Let’
sjustsayyouhavemadesomer eal
ly
goodfriendswi t
hLinda.Shetol
dheruncleabout
whattheydi dtoyouandpunishedthem –bigtime.
Kingisnol ongerpartoft
hei
roperat
ionand
Mazibukonol ongerhasthepowersshehad.I
mustsay, youreall
yknowhowt opisspeopl
eof f
.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing.
”

Mar t
ha:( chuckl
ing)“Youmisunderst
ood.You
didn’thavet o.Yourpresenceal
onepi ssespeopl
e
off,myl ove.Youar ebeauti
ful
,i
ntell
igent,
str
ong
will
edandabor nqueen.Thati smor ethanenough
tomakepeopl eenvious.”

Shesmil
edtoher
sel
fasshehear
dMartha’
ssweet
words.Al
ongcameLer
atoandshest
oodrighti
n
f
rontofPr
eci
ous.

Ler
ato:“
Hi,
Preci
ous.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Oh,
hi.
”

Ler
ato:“
CanIsi
ther
e?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
No.
”

Lerato:“Look, I
’
mr eal
lysorryaboutwhathappened.
Buthonest ly,IthinkthatthesentenceIgotwasa
bitharsh.Peopl eli
eincour tal
ltheti
me.Imean,
can’tyout alktoyourl awyerboyfri
endforme?It’
s
theleastyoucoul ddosi nceyoudidn’tgi
vemea
centfrom myhusband’ smoney.”

Wow,
thener
veoft
hatgi
rl
.
Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Fuckof
f,bef
oreImakeyou!
”

Lerat
owalkedawayhast
il
y,l
eavi
ngasourt
ast
ein
Preci
ous’
smouth.

Martha:“
Isshet
heonewhot
ri
edt
ogetyoul
if
ein
pr
ison?”

Pr
eci
ousnodded.

Mart
ha:“Ja,
neh.Letherbe.Thi
spl
acewi
lleather
upbefor
esheevenreal
izesi
t.
”

Preciouscont
inuedeati
ngherfoodwhi l
etryi
ngto
getLeratooutofhermind.Shewasnoteven
apologeti
caboutherbehavi
our
.Iguessyoucannot
makesomeonebesor r
y.Theyt hemselveshavet
o
real
izetheymessedup.Meanwhi l
e,Kumkaniwas
tyi
ngupsomel ooseends, whil
etryi
ngt ogatheras
muchevidenceaspossibletogetPr eci
oustowi n
thecaseagai
nsther.Not hi
ngmadesense, andhe
knewtherewasobviouslysomef oulplay.First
ly,
hehadtostarti
nZululand–t hemai nsourceoft he
probl
em.Hear ri
vedattheNcubemansi on,wher e
hefoundGlendamakingher sel
ffeelathome.I t
wastimetoendthatshitonceandf orall.He
knockedafewtimes.
Gl
enda:“
Comei
n!”

Kumkaniwal
kedi
nandwasnotamusedatal
l.

Glenda:(
smi
li
ng)“
Oh,Mr.Mdl
etshe.Howl
ovel
yto
seeyou.Haveyoucomewit
hgoodnews?”

Kumkani
:“Suchas?
”

Gl
enda:“Oh,
Idon’
tknow.Maybesomethingtodo
wi
thgivi
ngmygrandsonther
eignhedeserves.
”
Kumkani :(chuckl
ing)“Glenda,youknow, mymot her
warnedmeaboutwomenl i
keyou.Shesai dthat
ther
ei salwaysoneunst abl
ewomanwhom God
sawf i
ttobeamot her
.Shesai dthatGoddoest hat
nottomakeamocker youtoft hosewhodeser ve
chil
dren,butHedoest hatsothattheunstableones
mayf indar easont ol
ive;areasontorepentand
fi
ndGodwi t
hinagain.Butinyourcase, Idoubtt
hat
wast hecase. ”

Gl
enda:(
frowni
ng)“
WhatcanIdoforyou?Youar
e
cl
ear
lywasti
ngmytime.I
’m cooki
ngafeast
.”

Kumkani
:“Hmm,cooki
ngafeasti
ntheKi
ng’
s
house?Theki
ngyoumurder
ed.”

Shecl
ammedupi
mmedi
atel
y.

Gl
enda:(
pani
cky)“
Ihavenoi
deawhatyou’
ret
alki
ng
about
.”

Kumkani:“
Tel
lmesomethi
ng,Gl
enda,howdid
Njabul
oandNtsi
kaknowwherePreci
ousli
ved?
AndwhydidNjabul
okil
lhi
sownbrother
?”

Glenda:“
Ireal
lydon’
tknowwhatyou’
ret
alki
ng
about.
”

Kumkani:“
Okay,
then.Perhapsyou’
l
lbewi
ll
ingt
o
speakt
hetrut
hincourt
.”

Gl
enda:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Idon’
thaveanyt
hingt
osay.
”

Kumkani:“
Oh,butsurel
yyouar ewi
ll
ingtosupport
yourowngrandson.Imean, sinceheisn’
taNcube
aft
eral
l.Heisastatewitness,butI’
l
lgettothe
bott
om ofever
ythi
ng.Wel l
,letmenotwast eany
moreofyourti
meandgetst r ai
ghtt
ot hepoi
nt.
”
Gl
enda:“
Whi
chi
s?”

Kumkani:“
Nowt hatIhavef oundthel
egalandsole
hei
ressofthekingdom, yourti
mehereisdone.By
youImeanal lofyou.Ofcour se,
Kumkaniwanted
Georgi
natobewel ltakencareof.Shewasonly
goodtohim,it’
sonl yfair,
butyouontheotherhand.
Yourti
meiscomi ng.”

Glenda:(worr
ied)“Youcan’
tdot
hat
.She’
sinpr
ison
andwi l
lbethereforaveryl
ongt
ime.
”

Kumkani
:“Evenso,sheissti
llt
hehei
ressoft
his
ki
ngdom.Thereisnothi
ngyoucandoabouti t
.You
have2hourstofuckoutofhere.
”

Hewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoorbehi
ndhim,
l
eavi
ngGlendaworri
edsi
cktoherstomach.Her
pl
anhadfail
ed–dismall
y.Whatshewasn’tawar
e
ofwast hatGodwaswat ching.TheNcube
ancestorswerewatchinghert hesamewayt hey
werewat chi
ngAbigailandQueenKul iyear
sago.
Theirwrathwasuponher ;t
heywer ej
ustwaiti
ngfor
therightt
imetostr
ike.

Twoweeksl
ater
…

Precioushadbeenl earningal otfr

om Mar tha;she
hadbeent r
yingtopr ayagai nandwasr eadi ngt he
Bibleagain.Shewast ryi
ngherbestt oheedt oher
parents’warningsandmessagesi nherdr eams.I t
wassl owlywor king, butthingswer esti
lllooki ng
bleakforhercase.Dayoneoft hemur dert rialhad
offi
cial
lyarri
vedl ikeat hiefinthenight.Kumkani
hadbr oughtheranewout fitt
owearonceagai n,
andshehadn’ tseenMam’ Thokoeversi nceMi sh
died.Itwasasadt hi ngforher ,
butshehadt o
focusonherownl i
featt hatmoment .Bef oreshe
walkedoutoft hepr ison,Kumkaniar ri
vedswi ft
ly.
Kumkani
:“Hi
.”

Preci
ous:“
Hey.Ar
en’
twesupposedt
oleavef
or
court
?”

Kumkani:(
wor r
ied)“
Well,t
here’sbeenaslight
changeofplans.Apparentl
yyouhaveanewj udge.
Theonewehad, i
ssuddenlysickandnotwel l
.He
i
sinhospit
alaswespeak.Foodpoi soni
ng.”

Alr
eadyPr
ecioushadabadf
eel
ingandshel
ooked
downinworr
y.

Kumkani:“
Hey,everyt
hingi
sgoi
ngt
obeokay.You
j
ustwaitandsee.”

Shenoddedandtri
edtoremainhopeful.Shegot
i
ntothevanandofcourse,
thepaparazziwere
out
sidewait
ingt
otaketheperf
ectshotofthe
Gangst erwi f
e.Assoonasshewal kedin,she
l
ookedbehi ndherandsawherGangst erfamil
y–
theguysandal ltheirwives.Shef eltali
ttl
ebett
er
knowi ngtheyhadt akent heirpreci
oust i
met ocome
andsuppor ther .Shet hensawt hr
eepeopl eshe
nevert houghtshewoul deversee;Mam’ Bongi
sit
ti
ngnextt oMam’ ThokoandHosea.Shef el
ther
warmt earsflowingdownhercheeksasshesmi l
ed
i
nabsol ut
er eli
ef.Hoseal ookedsogood, awhole
l
otbet terthanhedi dalmostt woyear sago.The
newj udgewal kedi nandt hi
st i
mei twasawoman.
Shefel tperhapsshewoul dbeabl etosympat hi
ze
withPr ecious,butshewashar dcoreand
unpredi ct
able.

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Theyst
oodupasusualpr
ocedur
e.Thej
udgesat
down.

Of
fi
cer
:“Youmaybeseat
ed.
”
Ms.Jel
ewaspr epar
edasalwaysinhershor
t
st
atur
e;beaut
if
ulhourgl
assfi
gureandhighheel
s.
Shewasreadytopounce,
butsowasKumkani .

Judge:“
Mayt
hepr
osecut
ionr
elayt
hecase.
”

Ms.Jel e:“Ofcourse,yourhonour.Today, wear e

offi
ciallyst
art
ingwi t
ht hetr
ialofthestatevs.Mr s.
PreciousNdhl ovuont hechargeoft heMur derof
herbr other
,NtsikaNcubeandat t
empt edmur der
andgr ievousbodilyharm againstherotherbrother,
Njabul oNcube.”

Judge:“
Howdoest
hedef
endantpl
ead?
”

I
twasPrecious’
schancet
ospeakupt
heway
Kumkanicoachedhert
o.
Pr
eci
ous:(
ner
vousl
y)“
Notgui
lt
y,yourhonour
.”

Judge:“
Alr
ightt
hen.Youmayst
art
.”

Ms.Jel e:“Thankyou,yourhonour.Asweal lknow,

Mr s.Ndhlovuoverher eisthewi
dowofgangst er
kingpinMeshackNdhl ovu.Weallknowhowt hey
fl
ashmoneywheni tcomest oeveryt
hingandhow
theyavoi dfol
lowi
ngt helaw.”

Kumkani
:“Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
.Specul
ati
on.
”

Judge:“
Sust
ained,
Mr.Mdhl
etse.Moveon,
Ms.
Jel
e.”

Ms.Jele:“
Ofcourse,
yourhonour.Well,Ms.
Ndhl
ovuher ewaschargedwithrobber
yofoneof
Sout
hAf ri
ca’
sbestbanksjustafewweeksago,but
weallknowthatshedodgedthatbull
et.
”
Kumkani
:“Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!Rel
evance?
”

Judge:(si
gh)“Ms.Jel
e.Please,
getyourpoint
across.Ithi
nkwehavepassedt hepointwher
ewe
wanttopaintthedef
endantasabadper son.She
wasmar ri
edtoamur der
er,t
hat’
sreasonenough.
Moveon. ”

Preci
ousdidn’
tappr
eci
atet
hetoneofthatj
udge
andjudgingbyKumkani
’st
ight
enedj
aw, hewas
di
spleasedaswell
.

Ms.Jel e:“
Verywell,
yourhonour .Ont henightin
questi
on, i
thasbeensai dthatMr s.Ndhl ovushot
Ntsi
kaNcubeandi njuredNj abuloNcubewi tha
bull
etinhisshoulder,whichr esultedi
nadi slocat
ed
shoulder,andofcoursesur gery.Iam t el
li
ngt he
courttoday,t
hatIwillprovet hatthiswomani sa
monst er.Shedeservesnot hinglessthanl i
fe
sentence,
whichi s25year
sinprison.Thi
scount
ry
shouldnotbelenientt
opeoplel
ikeher.Theydonot
deserveanymer cynoraplacei
noursociety.
”

Ms.Jelel
ookedatherasshesatbackdown.
Pr
eciousfel
tthati
twasver
ypersonal
.

Judge:“
Thedef
encemaypr
esenti
tsopeni
ng
stat
ement.
”

Kumkanistoodupandhismagnif
icentscenthi
t
Preci
ous’nostr
il
s.Hewassoconfidentandhis
charm hadprobabl
ywonovert
hecour t
.

Kumkani:“Thankyou,yourhonour.Wel l
,Iam here
t
otellt
hecour tandthepeopleofSouthAf r
ica,that
t
hisyoungwomani sjustavicti
m ofcir
cumst ances.
Howmanyofyouhavel ovedthe“wrong”manor
woman, andyetpeopleblamedyouf orit
?How
manyofyouhadt opayf oryourl
over’
ssins?Iput
i
ttoyou, t
hatPr eciousNdhl ovui savi ctim.AndI
willt
ellyouwhy;ont heni ghti nquest ion,shewas
i
nherhouse;i nasaf eandsecur enei ghbour hoodin
Sil
verlakes.Shecamei nandsett heal arm asusual
andwentt oenj oyadr i
nkint hest udyoft heman
sheoncel oved.Shewasdevast atedt ohearoft he
deathofherhusbandandshedi dwhat evershef el
t
l
ikedoi ng–I nt hecomf ortofherownhome.Her
ownhome, mypeopl e!Lett hatsi nkin.Isayt oyou
thatsomeonet amper edwi thcamer af ootageof
thatplaceandt amper edwi t
hheral arm syst em.
Shehadnoknowl edgeofMr .Njabul oNcubeand
thedeceasedupunt ilthatni ght.So, howdot wo
peoplewhocl aimt ober el
atedt oyoubybl ood,get
i
ntoyourhouse, i
nasaf eandsecur ecompl ex,
withoutbei ngnot icedast heycl aim andwi thout
tri
ppingtheal ar m syst em?I fyouwer ei nthat
house, woul dn’tyoubescar edf oryourl i
fefindi
ng
anuni dentifi
edmanyouhadneverseenbef orein
yourhouseatoddhour soft henight ,carryi
ngagun
andoneoft hem deadont hef l
oori napoolofbl ood?
Whatwoul dyoudo?I ’l
ltellyouwhat .You’ ddef end
yourself.You’ llshoott heper sonifyouhavet o.
Intrudershavenor i
ghttoent
erourhomes.Noone
hast her i
ghttotakeali
fe–especi
all
yinvadethe
privacyofyourownhome.Iputi ttoyou,once
agai nthatPreci
ousNdhlovuisi
ndeedavicti
m and
I’
llproveit.
”

Hewentt ositbackdown.Wow, thatwasamoving

speech,Preci
ousthoughtt
oher self.Judgi
ngbythe
mur mur
sofpeopl ei
nthecourt,hehadr eal
lygot
peoplet
hinkingandactual
lygotthem toseethe
othersi
deoft hest
ory–Precious’ si
de.

Judge:“Verywel
l,
then.Thedef
encemay
conti
nue.”

Ms.Jel
e:“Thedefencecall
suponi
tsf
ir
stwi
tness,
det
ecti
veJacksonSibiya.
”

Preci
ousbecameinst
antl
yannoyedasshesawhim.
Somethi
ngabouthim wasjustnotr
ight
.Hewal
ked
upont
hatchamberandsatdownconf
ident
ly.

Ms.Jele:“Det
ecti
ve,youar
etheonewho
respondedtothecall
,al
ongwit
hyourpar
tneront
he
nighti
nquestion,
isn’
tit
?”

Si
biya:“
That
’scor
rect
.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Pleasetel
lthecourtwhatyousawwhen
youwal
kedintothedefendant
’shousethatni
ght
.”

Sibi
ya:“Well,
wegotacal lfrom t
hesecur i
tyguar d
i
nchar gethateveni
ng,JimmyChauke, andoncemy
part
nerandIwal kedin,wesawt hedeceasedont he
fl
oor.Hehadabul l
etont heheadandabul leti
nthe
chest,andwaslyinginapoolofbl ood.Thenwe
sawtheot herwit
ness,NjabuloNcube, l
yingont he
fl
oor,woundedont heshoulderandbl eeding.”
Ms.Jel
e:“
Pleaset
ellt
hecour
twhatMr
s.Ndhl
ovu
wasdoi
ng?”

Sibi
ya:“
Well,shewasver yarrogantandaggr
essi
ve,
hencewehadt ot akehertothestati
on.Imean,I
havesustai
nedabr okennosefrom heront
hevery
samedayasar esult.
”

Preci
ouswasappall
edt
hatamanwhocl aimedto
beservi
ngthepeopl
ewaslyi
ngthroughhisteet
hso
muchont hest
and.Shewasboil
ing,butther
ewas
notmuchshecoulddoabouti
t.

Ms.Jel
e:“I
nyourownanal
ysi
sofMr
s.Ndhl
ovu,
do
youthi
nkshedi
dit?
”

Sibi
ya:“Withoutadoubt,ma’am.Ibel i
evethe
defendanthasaver yvi
olentstr
eak.Tomy
understandingherbrot
hershadcomet otal
ktoher
aboutherst ancer
egardingthekingdom l
eftbyher
f
ather
,butshej
ustt
urnedont
hem andshott
hem.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Thankyou.
”

Kumkanigotr
eadyandstar
tedbashi
nghi
m wi
th
quest
ionsi
mmediat
ely.

Kumkani:“
Detect
iveSi
biya,
youar
eanhonestman,
woul
dn’tyousay?”

Si
biya:“
Yes,
Iam amanofhonour
.”

Kumkani
:“Sohonourabl
ethatyoufor
cef
emal
es
ar
rest
edbyyoutosleepwithyou?”

Si
biya:(
wor
ri
ed)“
Excuseme?
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!Ir
rel
evance!
”
Judge:“
Whatar
eyouget
ti
ngat
,Mr
.Mdl
etshe?
”

Kumkani
:“Bearwi
thme,
please,
yourhonour
.I’
m
near
lyt
here.
”

Judge:“
Alr
ightt
hen.
”

Kumkani:“Detect
ive,
yousaidt hatyougotabroken
nosefrom Mrs.Ndhlovuont hemor ni
ngyoutook
hertothestat
ion.Isn’
titbecauseyoumadesexual
advancestowardsherandsher et
ali
ated?
”

SI
biya:(
anger
ed)“
That
’sr
idi
cul
ous!
”

Kumkani:“Yourhonour,inthef
il
eI’
m handingover
toyounow, i
sal i
stofallthewomenwhoar ewill
ing
totest
if
yagainstdetect
iveSibi
yaforrapi
ngthem,
sexual
lyassault
ingthem andextor
ti
ngsexf r
om
t
hem i
nexchangeforleni
entsent
ences.Now,
that
i
syourthi
ng,
isn’
tit
,detect
ive?
”

Si
biya:(
panicki
ng)“
I…Idon’
tknowwhatyoumean.
I
t’
sallli
es!
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Yourhonour
,Idon’
t’
seet
her
elevance!
”

Kumkani :“I’
llexpl aint her el
evance,yourhonour .I
putittoyou, det ect i
veSi biya,thatyoulovetolie.
Lyingcomesnat urallytoyou.I ti
sahabi t
.You
walkedi nandsawt hewhol escene, but
i
mmedi at elyjudgedmycl i
entandyoudi dn’teven
askherwhathappened, butyouchoset oaskt he
securit
yguar di nstead.Youf ail
edtoactasan
offi
ceroft hel aw, byaski ngforherst at
ementather
houseandi nsi stedt hatshewal kwithyoutot he
stati
on–underf alsepr etences!Youaskedherf or
sex,byt ouchi nghert highandwhenshepunched
you,youdeci dedt opi nmur deronher !Notoncedi d
youbot hert ocheckt hecamer afootageorgeta
doctortoexami neherbef oreyoumadet hearr est!
Youconcl udedonyourownbef oremakingacl ear
anal
ysist hatshewasgui l
ty!Allbecauseshewas
thewifeofagangst er!Iputittoyou,Detectvie,that
youyour selfar
eabusi ve.Youdeci dedtopin
murderonherbecauseherl atehusbandr efusedt o
putyouonhi steam yearsago–whenheshotyour
brot
herdur ingaheat edargumentwhi chyourver y
ownbr otherstarted!Am Inotcor r
ect,Detecti
ve? !”

Ms.Jel
e:(
panicki
ng)“Obj
ect
ion!Object
ion,
your
honour
!He’sbadgeri
ngthewitness!
”

Detecti
ve:(
shouti
ng)“Mybr
otherdi
dn’tdeser
vet
hat
!
Mishwasahor ri
blemanandifIhadthechancet
o
ki
llhim mysel
fI’
ddoit!Hi
swifeisj
ustlikehi
m!
Theyareallani
mals!”

Judge:“
Ms.Jel
e,cont
ainyourwi
tness!
”
Detect
ive:“
Iswear
,you’l
lroti
npr
ison,
Preci
ous!
Evenifiti
sthel
astthi
ngIdo!”

Ms.Jele:“Alri
ght!Getthatmanoutofher e!Ms.
Jel
e, i
tseemst omet hatyourwit
nessisreall
y
unrel
iabl
e, unstabl
eandverycontradi
ctor
y.I’
llt
ake
myt i
meandr eviewhisini
ti
alst
atement.Untilt
hen,
courtadjourned.”

Preciouswasreli
evedthatatl
eastDet
ect
iveSibiya
panickedandlosthiscool
.Kumkanireal
lydughi s
cl
awsi ntohi
m.Ms.Jel ewasnotveryimpressed.

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Thejudgeleftandtheywalkedout.Pr eci
ousmade
herwaytot hevan,andheadedstraighttopri
son.
Thingswereindeedlooki
ngupf orthePr i
ncessof
Zulul
and.
Psalm 16:
8says;“
IhavesettheLordalwaysbefor
e
me.Becausehei satmyrighthand,Iwil
lnotbe
shaken.”
[
01/
27,
07:
59] :Chapt
er91

“Heknowsnothi
sownst r
engthwhohathnotmet
adver
sit
y.”–Wil
li
am SamuelJohnson

Assoonasshegott opr isonandchangedbacki nto

herpr i
soncl ot
hes,shewast ol
dtogot othe
vi
sitati
onr oom.Shet houghtnothi
ngmuchofi tas
Kumkaniwasusual l
yt heonetovisi
theraftercourt
.
Shewasamazedt oseeThoko, BongiandHosea.
Sher ushedt owardsHoseaandhehuggedherf or
quit
eawhi le.ThenBongihuggedherandshewas
abithesitanttohugThoko, butshethrewherselft
o
Precious.

Thoko:“
Oh,
mybaby.I
’
m sosor
ry.
”
Pr
eci
ous:“
Whatf
or,
Ma?Youdi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing
wr
ong.”

Thoko:“Iam sosorryIgotyoui nt
ot hi
smess.I
shouldhaverefusedtoletyoumar r
yMi sh.Ishoul
d
havetri
edharder.Mysonwasnott hebestman
ther
ewasonear t
h,youknow. ”

Pr
ecious:“
Ma,
hehadhisowndemons,
buthewas
agoodman.Youdidnothi
ngwr
ong.
”

Bongi
:“Howar
eyoudoi
ng,
real
ly?
”

Pr
ecious:“
Honest
ly,
Imissdoi
ngwhateveri
tisI
wanttoatmyownt i
me.Imissfr
eedom.”

Bongi
:“Al
lshal
lbewel
l.Youj
ustpr
ay.
”
Preci
ous:“I
’
mtryi
ngmybest.I
’
m morei
nter
est
edi
n
you,Hosea.Whatonear
th,
Malume(
Uncl
e)!
”

Hosea:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iam achangedman,
whatcanI
say?
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whathappened?
”

Hosea:“
Ag,it
’sal
ongst
ory,
butyourboyf
ri
end
savedme.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
He’
snotmyboyf
ri
end.
”

Hosea:(
chuckl
ing)“
Ifyousayso.
”

Pr
eci
ous:“
I’
m sogl
adyou’
reokay.
”

Hosea:“
I’
m sor
ryIwasn’
tther
eforyou.I
’
m so
sorr
yIleftyoui
nthi
smesst
odealwi
thby
yoursel
f.
”

Preci
ous:“I
t’
sreal
lyokay,
real
ly.Weal
lhaveour
ownstruggl
es.”

Bongi
:“Weonlycamet osayhiver
yqui
ckl
y.
Kumkaniaskedusnottotakeuptoomuchofyour
ti
me.Wepr omisetocomeseeyouagaintomorr
ow
aft
ercour
t.I’
m prayi
ngforyou,
mybaby.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Thankyou,
Gogo(
granny)
.”

Hosea:“
Hangi
nther
e,ki
d.”

Shesmi
ledasshehuggedt
hem goodbye.Kumkani
wal
kedi
nlooki
nghandsomeasever.
Kumkani
:“Hey.Howar
eyoucopi
ngt
oday?
”

Preci
ous:“
Well,af
terseei
ngyouonf
ir
eli
ket
hat
,I
thi
nkIam feel
ingveryposi
ti
ve.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
Sibi
yaisnot
hing.Hei
sjust
smal
lfr
y.I’m moreworri
edaboutt
omor r
ow.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Whatdoyoumean?
”

Kumkani
:“Wel
l,
ImeanI ’
m veryanxi
oustohear
whatNj
abulowi
llsay.Hewilli
ncri
minat
eyouin
ever
ywaypossi
ble.”

Preci
ous:“It
hinkIcantakeit.Yout ol
dmet obe
hopefulandkeepfait
h.I ’
m pr
ayingagain,Kumkani
.
Iam sosorryfornotall
owingmysel ft
oleanonyou
l
ikeyouhavebeenwai ting.Ipromise,I
’mtryi
ngmy
best.
”
Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
That
’sal
lIneededt
ohear
.”

Precious:“
Stopbuyi
ngmenewcl
othesf
orever
y
tr
ialdate.
”

Kumkani
:(chuckl
ing)“
It
’smydut
yasyour
boyf
ri
end.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
blushi
ng)“
You’
remyboyf
ri
endnow?
”

Kumkani
:“Ever
yonesaysso,
sowhynot
?”

Preci
ous:“I
sthatyourwayofaski
ng?Notver
y
romanti
c,hey.
”

Kumkani
:“Wai
tandsee.Youj
ustwai
tandsee.I
’
ll
seeyout
omorrow,
okay?”
Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Okay.
”

Hekissedherhandandsendamazingsignals
str
aightt
oherheartt
hist
ime.Kumkaniwassl owl
y
heali
ngherandshewasmakinganeffortto
communi cat
ewit
hherancest
ors.Whil
ewal ki
ng
back,shebumpedint
oMazibuko,wholookedeven
moreannoyedtoseeheragai
n.

Mazibuko:“
Well
,well
,wel
l,
lookwhoiti
s.Pr
incess
ofZulul
and.Ist
hereevensuchathi
ng?”

Pr
eci
ousi
gnor
edherandwal
kedon.

Mazi
buko:“Youreal
lyt
hinkyou’
rebett
erthanallof
usi
nhere,don’
tyou,wenasfebe(youbit
ch)?”

Pr
eci
ous:(
annoyed)“
Mazi
buko,
Idon’
tknowyou
andIdon’tcaretoknowyou.Youmustbeone
bit
terbi
tchsinceyouactli
keyou’
reaninmat
e
i
nsteadofaguar d.Idon’
tknowwhatyourprobl
em
i
swi thme,butI’
m sorr
yifyourmommynevergave
youlovewhenyouwer elit
tl
e.Now,leavemein
peace.”

Shewalkedon, l
eavingMazibukostunned.She
couldn’
tevendoanyt hi
ngbecauseonesmal lbrui
se
onherandshewoul dbeti
ckets.Sheignoredthe
star
esandt hewhispersasshewalkedbackt oher
cell
.Itwasopencel lti
me,sothecell
swereleft
openinsteadoflockedup.

Mar
tha:(
smil
ing)“
Theprodi
galdaught
erret
urns.
Howwasit?Imean,Isawitontv.Wealldi
d.”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
Real
ly?
”

Mar
tha:“
Yes,t
hatl
awyerofyour
sisonf
ir
e.HowI
wi
shmystupidlawyerwasl
ikethat
.PerhapsI
woul
dn’
thavebeeninheref
orthisl
ong.
”

Preci
ous:“
Speaki
ngofwhi
ch,
whyar
eyoueven
here?
”

Mar tha:(Si
gh)“Mostofusar einherebecauseof
men.YouseeBeat ri
ceovert here?Sheki lleda
womanf orherman.Dumbbi t
ch.Hehandedher
overt othepoli
ce,andr ai
sedherdaught erwi t
h
anot heroneofhissidebitches.Iont heot herhand,
Ilovedmyhusband.Iador edhi m.Hewasmy
wor l
dandhef oundmewi thmydaught er ,and
raisedherlikeshewashi sown.Oneni ght, If
ound
him ont opofher.Imaginet hat.Myownhusband
rapingmyt enyearolddaught er.Idi
dn’thesi t
ate.I
wentt othestoreroom, grabbedoneofmyspeci al
knivesandIsl i
thisthroatrightther
eandt hen.Of
cour se,I
’mtheguilt
yone.Butatl eastIsavedmy
daught erfr
om theevilmanhewas. ”
Pr
ecious:“I’
m sosorryaboutthat
.Yourdaught
er
mustber eal
lyrel
ievedthatyoudi
dthatf
orher.
”

Mart
ha:(chuckli
ng)“
Thatone?Oh,no.Shehates
me.Sti
lldoes.I’
m amurdereri
nhereyes.20year
s
l
ater
,I’
m sti
llaki
ll
eri
nhereyes.”

Thatwasrat
herpai
nful
.Kil
li
ngforyourchi
ldand
havi
ngherhateyoul
ikeyouwer
et hemonster
.

Beatr
ice:“
She’sungrat
eful
.She’
llbebackver
y
soon.Youj ustwat
chandsee.”

Mar
tha:“
Yep,
suchi
sli
fe.
”

WhilePr
eciouswasabouttocar
ryonwithherown
busi
ness,shesawoneoftheyounginmateswal
kin
toseeher.
Inmate:“
Hi,
Idon’tmeant
obot
heryou,
butcanI
getyouraut
ograph?”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Uhm,
sur
e.”

Inmate:“Pl
ease,wr
it
eanicemessageforme.Your
storygi
vesmesomuchhope.Honest l
y,Inever
thoughtyouwerebadli
ketheothergi
rl
s.Al lof
them j
ustjudgedyoubecauseyouwereli
vingthe
l
ife.
”

Ofcourse,
she’ dsaythat.Everyonewoul
dsayni ce
thi
ngstoyouj usttogetintoyourgoodbooks,r
ight
?
Shesigneditandt hegir
lthankedherandlef
t.

Martha:(
shakinghead)“You’
dbet
termakesur
eyou
getoutofherebeforeyouendupli
kethem.
Suckingguar
ds’ di
cksforamereR20.
”
Beatr
ice:“
Inmydays,you’
ddot
hatf
orR150.Tal
k
aboutcheapl
abour.
”

Shei gnor edthem andr eadherBi bl

e.Thef ai
thwas
slowlycr eepingi nonher .Thehour swentbyandi t
wasf inallynightt ime, soshedeci dedt otakeout
hercel l
phoneandwat chdayoneofhert r
ialon
Youtube.Shewassochuf fedt oseeKumkaniso
confident.Hewasonf i
re.Shecoul dseehowMs.
Jelewasver yunimpr essedonherf i
rstdayoft ri
al.
Thecomment sont hevi deower erathermi xed.
From “ She’llprobabl ygetbai l,Imeanshei sr ich
andbeaut if
ul.Bi tchesl iket hatnevergot opr i
son” ,
to“Team #Gangst erWi f
e.”Ther ewasonepar ticular
commentt hatcaughtherat tention.“ Shedi dn’tdoi t
.
Everyonecanseei t,butt oomanypeopl ear e
i
nvolvedi nt hiscase.Toomuchcor rupti
on. ”She
checkedt heper son’ spr ofi
le, butitwasspanki ng
new–notevent wodaysol d.Nopr ofil
epi ctureand
thenamewasodd“ Flaky007” .Shet ooka
screenshotandsenti ttoKumkanivi aWhat sApp
withthecapt ion“Checki nt
ot hisperson.I tmi ghtbe
ourbigbreakt
hrough.
”Shepr ayedanddozedoff.
Herparentsvi
sit
edherasusualandt hemorethey
di
d,thelessangryandlesssaddenedtheyl
ooked.

Itwasfinal
lydayt woofthetrialandshedidher
sameol drouti
ne.Mar thaandhercel l
matesprayed
forherbeforesheleft
.Kumkanisentheranew
outfi
tandoffshewast ocourt.Herusualsupport
groupwast here,andthejudgewasst il
lassouras
always.Ms.Jel ewasper sonalasalways–not hi
ng
new.

Judge:“
Thedef
encemaycont
inue.
”

Ms.Jele:“
Thedefencecal
lsupont
hei
rsecond
wi
tness,Njabul
oNcube.”

Nj
abul
owalkedupt
hestandlookingheal
thi
ert
han
most
,wit
hanarmsl
ingaroundhisri
ghtarm.
Ms.Jel
e:“
Mr .Ncube,
youar
erel
atedt
oMr
s.
Ndhl
ovu,r
ight?
”

Nj
abul
o:“
Yes.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Pleaseexpl
ainhow.
”

Nj
abul
o:“
SheandIshar
ethesamef
ather
.”

ThatalonemadePr eci
ouscr i
nge.Howwasi t
possi
blet hatshesharedthesamef at
herwit
hsuch
ananimal ?Itjustdi
dn’tevenmadesense.From
whathel ookedlikeinherdreams,t
heysurel
ydidn’
t
evenlookal i
ke–notonebi t
.

Ms.Jele:“
Andyouhadmetbef
oret
heni
ghti
n
quest
ion?”
Njabul
o:“Yes–Imeanno.Wespokeont
hephone
onceortwice.
”

Pr
eci
ouswasshakingherheadi
ndi
sbel
ief
.She
di
dn’
tknowt
hisguy.Notonebit
.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Andhowdi
dyougai
naccesst
oher
houset
hatni
ght
?”

Njabul
o:“
Shegavemetheaccesscodet oher
houseandthepi
ncodeforheral
arm syst
em.”

Wow,
justwow.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Pleaseexpl
ainwhathappenedt
hat
ni
ght.
”

Nj
abul
o:“
Wel
l,
mysi
sterknewwewer
eonourway.
So,wepunchedinthesecurit
ycodeasi nstr
ucted
andwedrovein.But,t
hemomentwewal kedinand
punchedi
nthecode.Shet urnedagainstus.She
shotmypoorbrot
hertwice,andshotmei nthearm.
I’
mluckyt
oevenbeal i
ve.She’ sunst
able.”

Preci
ousfoundher
sel
fsoaggr
evat
ed,
thatshehad
toscream.

Pr
eci
ous:(
anger
ed)“
Liar
!”

Judge:“
Mr.Mdhl
etse,
cont
ainyourcl
ient
.”

Kumkani:“Myapologi
es,
yourhonour
.Cal
m down,
pl
ease,
Pr eci
ous.
”

Hewhi
sper
edt
oherandshesatbackdown.
Ms.Jel
e:“
Didyouaskherwhyshedi
dwhatshe
di
d?”

Njabul
o:“It
ri
edto,butshethensaidshe’dshootme.
Imean,that
’swhenIwast hankful
lysavedby
Ji
mmy, thesecuri
tyguard.Ifi
twasn’tforhi
m,I’
d
pr
obablybesixfeetunderli
kemybr other.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“Thankyou.Nof
urt
herquest
ions,
your
honour
.”

Preciouswasbr
eat
hingheavi
ly,
hopi
ngandprayi
ng
thatKumkaniwoul
dbri
ngsomepeacetoheron
thatday.

Kumkani:“
Mr .Ncube,
yousai
dyouandPr eci
ous
spokeonaf ewoccasi
ons.Am Icor
rect
?”

Nj
abul
o:“
Yes.
”
Kumkani:“
Howcome?ImeanIhaveyour
cel
lphoner
ecordsaswellashersf
rom t
hepast
thr
eemonths,andnotoncedidyouspeakt
oher.
Notoncedidshecal
lyouandshenevermetyou
befor
ethenighti
nquest
ion.
”

Njabul
o:(pani
cky)“That
’sal
ie.It
’sal
lfake.uSi
si
uyangazi(mysist
erknowsme) .uGogocanconfi
rm
that
.”

Kumkani:“
ByuGogoyoumeanyourgr
andmot
her
,
Glenda?
”

Nj
abul
o:“
Yes.
”

Kumkani:“Okay.Mr.Ncube,Idonotneedtoremi
nd
youthatyou’
reunderoathhere.Yousaidyouwer
e
givent
hecodet opunchin,
right
?”
Nj
abul
o:“
Yes.
”

Kumkani :“Asyoucanseeont hecamer afootage,

weseeyouandyourbr other,
inthecarandyou
wer epunchinginthecode.Mr s.Ndhlovuswear s
shenevermetyoui nherl
ifebeforeunti
lthatnight
.
So, i
sitpossibl
ethatyoumayper hapshavebeen
giventhecodebysomeoneel se?Awor kerinthe
compl ex,per
haps?”

Nj
abul
owasbegi
nni
ngt
osweat
,andMs.Jel
esaw
i
t.

Ms.Jel
e:“
Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!Specul
ati
on!
”

Judge:“
Over
rul
ed.Answert
hequest
ion,
please,
Mr.
Ncube.”
Nj
abul
o:“
Pl.
.Pl
easer
epeatyourquest
ion,
sir
.”

Kumkani:“
Iaskedyou;i
sitpossi
blet
hatyougot
hercodefr
om someonewhowor ksinthecompl
ex?
Asecuri
tyguardper
haps?”

Nj
abul
o:(
shaki
nghead)“
Hayihayi(
nono)
.”

Kumkani:“Mr
.Ncube, yousai dyoudroveinandyou
punchedthecode,butyout oldthePoli
ceonthe
nighti
nquesti
onthatMr s.Ndhl ovuopenedupfor
youonceyouknocked.Sowhi choneisit?Didshe
openthedoorforyou?Ordi dyoupunchi nt
he
code?!
”

Njabul
ostartedpanicki
ngandactedl
ikehewasnot
okay.Het henstar
tedvomit
ing,
leavi
ngthecour
t
astoni
shed.
Judge:“
Ag, someonepleasegethim outofher
e.
Andplease,gett
hestandcleanedup.Wedon’ t
wanttopickupavirus.
”

TheyremovedNjabul
ofrom t
hest and,andthi
ngs
werelooki
ngsli
ght
lygoodforPreciouseventhough,
Njabul
odidn’
tsayanyt
ingtodiscr
edithistest
imony.

Judge:“
Nowt
hatyourwit
nessf
elli
llsuddenl
y,Ms.
Jel
e.Doyouhaveanot
herone?
”

Ms.Jele:(conf
ident
ly)“
Yes,
yourhonour.The
prosecut
ionwoul dl
iket
ocalluponDr
.Steward,
the
doctorwhoperformedapostmor t
em onNtsi
ka
Ncube’sbody.”

Shesmil
edatKumkaniwhowasf r
owning.
Somet
hingtol
dPreci
ousthathewascaught
compl
etel
yoffguar
d,buthewasn’
tworri
ed.
Dr
.Stewar
dmadehiswayt
othestand,
shewasa
whi
tedoct
orandver
yti
nyi
nstat
ure.

Ms.Jel
e:“Doct
or,youar
etheonewhoconducteda
postmort
em onthedeceased’
sbody,
cor
rect
?”

Dr
.St
ewar
d:“
Cor
rect
.”

Dr.Jele:“
Andpl
easef
il
lint
hecour
tonyour
fi
ndings.”

Dr.St
eward:“
Well
,hedi
dsuf
feragunshotwound
ontheheadandoneint
hechest
.”

Ms.Jel
e:“Judgi
ngbyyouryear
s’exper
ience,
you
canconf
ir
mt hathedi
edinst
antl
y?”

Dr
.St
ewar
d:“
Act
ual
ly,
thesecondbul
letki
ll
edhi
m.
Thepostmor tem showsclearl
ythathewas
probablygaspingforai
rforagoodt enseconds,
beforebeingshotinthechest.Theamountof
bl
oodf oundinhisairway,showshowhewasst i
ll
breat
hingbeforesuffer
ingfrom t
hesecondgunshot
wound.”

Ms.Jele:“
ThatshouldprovetothecourtthatMrs.
Ndhlovuwantedhim dead,shedidn’
tshoothim by
mistake–shewant edhim dead.Nof ur
ther
questi
ons,yourhonour
.”

Forsomeonegunningforper
manentstat
e
prosecut
orposi
ti
on,shewasrat
heroverconf
ident
.

Kumkani
:“Dr.St
ewar
d,howlonghaveyoubeen
worki
ngasadoctori
nthepostmort
em
depar
tment?
”

Dr
.St
ewar
d:“
Sjoe(
wow)
,uh,
forabout32year
s.”
Kumkani:“Andyouhavecomeacrossmenasl
arge
asNtsikaNcubebei
ngkil
ledbypeti
tewomenl
ike
theaccused?”

Dr
.St
ewar
d:“
Yes,
buti
nthi
scase,
Idi
ff
er.
”

Kumkani
:“Pl
easeexpl
ain.
”

Dr.Steward:“Well,
thedeceasedwasshotatcl ose-
range,soitisi
mpossi bleforsomeoneasshortand
peti
teasMr s.Ndhlovut oshoothimintheheadt hat
accuratel
y.Ifshedi dindeeddoit,
thenshewoul d
havehadt obest andingont opofapedasti
lhi
gh
enought ofacethegunst rai
ghttohisfor
ehead.”

Thatwassomegoodnews.Sheconf
ir
medt
hat
Preci
ouscoul
dn’
thaveki
ll
edhi
m.
Kumkani:“
Soyouagreethatt
herei
sabsolut
elyno
waythatMrs.Ndhl
ovucouldhaveshott
hatman?”

Dr
.Steward:“
Absol
utel
y.Theper sonwhodi
dit
musthavebeenatl
east,6m t
all
.”

Kumkani:“Doct
or,
judgi
ngbythebri
efre-
enactment
ofthescenebyMr.Njabul
oNcube,doyouthink
thathewasshotri
ghtaft
eropeni
ngthedoor?”

Dr.St
eward:(shakinghead)“Impossi
ble.Hemust
haveopenedthedoor ,walkedinandstoodf ora
goodfewmi nutes.Approximatel
y5mi nutesorso
befor
ebeingshot .Thefi
rstshotwasnotf atal,
however,
theposi t
ionofthesecondbulletshows
thatt
hepersonwhodi dit,wasstandi
ngoverhi m.”

Kumkani:“So,i
fMrs.Ndhlovui
stheallegedkil
ler
,
thenshewouldhavehadt oshoothi
mf i
rstonthe
head,whichyoujustsai
disimpossi
ble,andthen
st
andoverhi mf oragood10secondsandshoot
hi
mi nthechest.Thenshewoul dhavehadt oshoot
Mr .NjabuloNcubeont heshoulder
,ofwhichseems
doubtfulbecausenoonecaneverst andandwatch
asmal l
,peti
tewomanasMr s.Ndhl
ovushoottheir
brotherandwai tfort
heirt
urn.Am Icorrect
?”

Dr.Stewar d:“Absolutel
y,sir.Theposi t
ionofMr .
NjabuloNcube’ sbul l
et,showsont hepi ctureson
thescr eenthathewasst anding.Thebul l
etnear l
y
exit
edhi sback, t
hereforeMr s.Ndhlovuwoul dhave
beenst andingandai mi ngupashei stall
ert hanher.
Thebl oodspat swef oundi nthecorridors,show
thathewasshotwhi l
est anding,
andwal kedf ora
fewseconds, befor
ecr ashingdownont hecar peti
n
thelounge. ”

Kumkani:“I
fMr .Nj
abul
oNcubewasi ndeedtal
king
t
ohi ssi
ster,
thenhewouldhavenotwalkedstr
aight
t
ot hecorr
idor,i
ncomplet
edarknesst
ospeaktoher ,
ri
ghtaft
erNtsikawasshotdead.Iconcl
udetoyou,
thatMr s.Ndhlovuisavictim ofcir
cumstances;
thesetwobr okei nt
oherhousewi t
htheaimt okil
l
herandt hen,Mr .Njabul
oNcubef r
amedmycl i
ent
afterheshothi sownbr other
,withtheaimtoclaim
thethroneallbyhi mself
.Nof ur
therquest
ions,your
honour .
”

Thejudgewasi
mpressed,
whil
eMs.Jelehad
not
hingtosayf
oronce.Shewasl
eftdumbstr
uck.
Howodd.

Judge:“That’senoughf ort
heday.Cour
tshall
resumet omor r
owmor ni
ngat8.Ms.Jel
e,Idohope
thatyourwitnesswillbeheretof
ini
shuphis
statements.Courtadjourned.
”

Preciouswasseei
ngt heli
ghtattheendofthe
tunnel.Iti
samazinghowaf ewdaysofpr ayer
couldchangeaper son’
sli
fe.Herli
fewashanging
i
nt hebalance,
butshewaspul l
ingthr
ough.
Psal
m 145:18–19;“TheLordisneart
oallwhocall
onhim,toallwhocal
lonhimintr
uth.Hefulf
il
sthe
desi
resofthosewhofearhi
m;hehearsthei
rcry
andsavesthem.”
[
01/
27,
08:
00] :Chapt
er92

“
Iwilll
ovetheli
ghtfori
tshowsmetheway,yetI
wil
lendur
et hedar
knessfori
tshowsmethestar
s.”
–OgMandi no

Thef oll
owi ngday, Precioushadbeenr eceivingal ot
ofsuppor t.Cour twaspost ponedbecauseNj abul
o
wassi ckal lofasudden.SheandKumkanif eltasif
hewasf akingi t
,ofcour se,butasthecourtal ways
says–pr oofi swhatcount s.So, unt
ilhefeltal ot
bett
er ,
whi cht heyhadnoi deawheni twouldbe–
shewasst ucki nprison.Shewaspr ayingand
meditating, andofcour selist
eningtoMar t
ha’ s
stor
iesaboutl if
eandal lthat.Ithadbeenar ather
normaldayandKumkaniwasbusyt ryi
ngtof i
nd
anyloophol
esinhercase,andt
hensuddenl
yshe
gotanunexpectedvi
sit
or.

Mazi
buko:“
S’boshwa(
cri
minal
),youhaveavi
sit
or.
”

Preci
ous:“Hmm,fr
om cel
ebr
it
ytosboshwa.What
anupgrade,Mazi
buko.
”

Mazi
buko:(
cli
cki
ngtongue)“
Mxm,don’tgetcocky
wi
thmewena( you)
,cr
iminal
.Woza(come)!”

Preci
ouswal
kedonandshewasastoni
shedtofi
nd
someonesheneverexpect
edt
oseebef
oreher.

Leah:“
Hi.
”

Leahl
ookedsouncaredfor
,sof
rai
landjustunt
idy.
What’
sworsewasthatshewaspregnant
.
Pr
eci
ous:“
Leah.WhatcanIdof
oryou?
”

Leah:“IknowI
’
mthel
astper
sonyouexpectt
osee
here.
”

Pr
ecious:“
You’
ret
hel
astper
sonIexpectt
oseeat
al
l.Whatdoyouwant
?”

Leah:“
Look,
IknowthatIhavefuckedyouoveri
n
morewaysthanone,butpl
ease–hearmeout .I
begyou.”

Pr
eci
oussatbackandf
oldedherar
ms.

Leah:“
Asyoucansee,
I’
m pr
egnant
.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wel
l,
I’
m nott
hef
ather
.”
Leah:“
Please,
don’
tmockme.
”

Pr eci
ous:(f
rowning)“Mockyou?Sesi( Girl
),thelast
ti
meIcheckedyouhat edme–youhat edusal l
i
ncl udi
ngyourownt wi
nsi ster.Youcameback
tryingtomakemyl i
fespecificall
yalivinghelland
nowyour ockupwhi l
eI’
mi npr i
sonf oracr i
meI
didn’tcommi tandyoutellmeyou’ r
epr egnant?!
Whatar ewe?Fr i
ends?Conf idant
es?Pl ease, don’t
fuckingwastemyt i
me,Leah.Nott oday. ”

Leah:“
It
’sMi
sh’
sbaby.
”

Whatabomb.Preci
ouslookedatherf
oralong
whi
leanddi
dtheunexpect
ed.Shelaughedather
.

Preci
ous:(l
aughing)“I
’
m sosor r
y,butyouexpect
met obel
ievethatyou’
recarr
yingMi sh’
sbaby?
Leah,gaotswafegozol a,
waitse(youneverget
t
ir
edofhust
li
ng,
hey)
.”

Leah:“Iknowyoudon’tbel
ieveme, butasawoman
Iexpectedyoutounderst
and.But ,
whatdidI
expectfrom abar
renbit
chlikeyou?”

Preci
ous’
smirkfadedrat
herqui
cklyfrom herface.
Shewentfrom sur
pri
sedtoseri
ouslypissed.

Pr eci
ous:( f
irmly)“ Leah,bjanongot lakamasepa,
sesi( you’r
est arti
ngal otofshi t
,si
s).Youofal l
peopl ecamet ovi sitmei nprison.Youmost
probabl ycameher etogl oat
, Idon’tknowandqui t
e
franklyIdon’ tgiveaf uck.Youcomeher elooking
l
ikeshi t,smel l
ingl i
keevenmor eshitandyou’ re
telli
ngmeI ’
m bar ren?I ’
dr atherbebar r
enandst uck
i
nher ethanhaveahear tli
keyour s.Lookatyou,
you’ r
esobr okenandbr okeont opofi tall
.You
thoughtt hatIwoul dgiveyoumoneyandt akecar e
ofyourl itt
lebast ardjustbecausei twasMi sh’s
baby?Shame.Di dn’tLeratot el
lyouIgaveal lof
Mi sh’
smoneyaway?Oh, wait
,youhonestly
thoughtt hatI’
dhavesympat hyforyoujustbecause
you’repr egnantandI’
m not?Godact uall
ydidmea
favourbyr ef
usingtol
etmecar ryingMeshack’s
children.I’dhatetoseethatkidtakeyour
disgust i
nggenes.Now, ifyou’l
lexcuseme, you’
re
i
nt err
uptingmyyar dtime.”

Leahsawthatshehadnothi
ngelseshecouldsay
toPreci
oust
oletherhel
pher,andbursti
ntotear
s.

Leah:(
beggi
ng)“
Please,
Preci
ous!I
’
m desper
ate!
”

Preci
ous:“
SowasIwhenyouwerewil
li
ngtoli
eon
thest
andforLer
ato.Haveani
cel
if
e,Leah.I
’
m
donedoingchar
it
ywork.
”

Shelefthersit
ti
nghere,cr
yingi
nherchair.Shefel
t
alotofpain,butmostl
ybecauseofLeah’swords
aboutherbeingbarr
en.Noonel ikesbei
ngtoldof
theirinabili
tyt ocar rychi ldren–nomat terwhat
kindofpeopl et heyar e.I ti sjustmeanandst rai
ght
upuncal l
edf or .Shemovedr ightal ongandt r
iedto
enjoyherday, event houghLeahhadr uinedmostof
i
t.AweekhadpassedandPr eciouswassl owly
l
osingf ai
th.Shewaspr ayi ng, butthespi ritof
procr asti
nationhadsl owl yt akenoverhersoul .She
hadn’ tbeeni ncour tinaweek, allbecauseMs.Jel e
hadbeenst alli
ngbecauseNj abul owas“ Notupf or
cour t”astheyputi t
.Thej udgehadaskedMs.Jel e
tolethi m comet ocour ttof i
nishuporhi s
testi
monywoul dn’tbeconsi der ed,soshehadno
choicebutt ol ethim got ocour t.Onceagai n,
Kumkanihadbr oughtheranewout fi
tfort heday.
Shewasnotupf oranyt hingandj usthadanuneasy
feeli
ng.Shewasnotver yopt imi sti
casal ways.
Shegoti ntot hevanandsai dal i
tt
leprayerbef ore
walki ngout.Shewasst unnedt oseeal otof
womenpr otest i
ngout sidewi thpl acardsand
post erswr i
tten#HandsOf f
Pr ecious.Assoonas
shemadeherwayout ,theywer echant i
ngand
cheer ingforher .Shef eltal it
tlecaughtof fguar d,
buthappyt oseest ranger si nsuppor tofher .She
walkedinfeeli
ngal i
ttl
emor ehopefult
hanshewas
afewsecondsbef or
e.Ms.Jel elookedalotmor
e
confi
dent–t ooconfident
,rather
.Thatjustdi
dn’
t
l
ookr i
ght.Thej udgewalkedinandt hewhole
procedur
est ar
tedagain.

Judge:“Ihopet
heprosecut
ion’switnessisupf or
courtt
odayandthatther
ewon’ tbeanyi l
lnesses,
Ms.Jele.Wecan’taf
fordtostallanylonger.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Yes,
hei
sher
e,yourhonour
.”

Judge:“
Thedef
ensemaypr
oceed.
”

Kumkani :“
Thankyou, yourhonour.Mr.Ncube,as
wewer ebusywi t
hourquest i
oningaweekago, I
askedyouaquest ion.Yousaidi nyouri
nit
ial
statementthatMrs.Ndhlovuopenedupf oryouand
yourbrother,
butincourtyousaidthatyoupunched
i
nt healarm.So,whi choneisit
?”
Njabul
o:(f
idget
y)“Iwasn’
twel
lthatday.She…she
openedthedoorforme.Forus,Imean.”

Kumkani
:“Hmm,f
airenough.Soyouwalkedi
n
al
ongwit
hyourbr
other,
andthen,
whathappened?
Wher
ewasshe?”

Nj
abul
o:“
Shewasi
nthel
ounge,
awai
ti
ngus.
”

Kumkani:“Isee.Well,
thereareafewwi tnesses
whoarewi l
li
ngt ot
esti
fy,sayi
ngthatyourcarwas
seendr
ivingintoMrs.Ndhlovu’sdr
ivewaywi ththe
l
ight
soff.Whywoul dyoudr i
veinwitht
hel i
ghtsoff
i
fyouwer egoingtoseesomeoneyoucl aim knew
youwerecomi ng?”

Nj
abulo:(
nervous)“
Wel
l
,I,
uh,
Idi
dn’
twantt
o
f
ri
ghtenher.
”
Kumkani:“Butyouthensai
dthatsheknewyou
werecoming.Yousai dsheknewaboutyouand
yourdeceasedbrot
her.So,howwouldyouf r
ight
en
her?Surelyshewasexpecti
ngyou,sother
ewoul d
benoneedf oryoutodri
veinli
keathi
efinthe
night
.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!Ir
rel
evance.
”

Judge:“
Over
rul
ed.Answert
hequest
ion,
Mr.
Ncube.”

Nj
abulo:“I
…li
keIsai
d,Idi
dn’
twantt
ofr
ight
enher
.I
wasn’
ttryi
ngtoscar
eher.
”

Kumkani:“
Okayt hen.Andthen,
yousawheri
nthe
l
ounge,seated,
expecti
ngyouandthenwhat
happened?”
Njabulo:“Uh…t
henwespokeaboutstuf
fandt
hen
nextthingshet
ookouthergunandshotmybrot
her
,
andthenshotme.”

Kumkani :“
Hmm, Mr .Ncube,asuphoenaf oryour
callr
ecordswasi ssuedtheverysamedayyouwer e
foundbleedingoutonMr s.Ndhlovu’ sfl
oor,butf
or
someoddr eason, youwerecont acti
nganunknown
numberr egister
edt oJimmyChauke;t heverysame
securi
tyguar dondut ythatnight.Youhaddel et
ed
yourWhat sAppmessages, butluckilyfor
technol
ogy, Idohaveacopyofal lyourmetadata.”

Nj
abul
owasst
art
ingt
osweat
.

Kumkani
:“MyLor
d, onthescr
eenisacopyoft
he
What
sAppconversati
onbetweenJi
mmyChauke
andMr.Ndhl
ovu.
”
Ms.Jel
e:“Object
ion,mylor
d!Thepr
osecut
ionhas
noknowledgeofthisevi
dence.
”

Judge:“Oh,
hush,Ms.Jele.Youhavebrought
for
wardmanysur pri
sesandheapsofsocalled
evi
denceandnotoncedidMr .Mdhlet
secomplain.
Overr
uled.Sitdown.
”

ShesatdowninannoyanceandgavePr
eci
ousher
evi
lst
areonceagai
n.

Kumkani :(
smili
ng)“MyLor d,asyoucansee,
Jimmy’smessageswi ththewitnesswer e
concurrent
.Thef ir
stmessager eads“ Letmeknow
whenyougether e.Iwant5kupf ront.
”Thesecond
messager eads“Done.”Thatwasf rom Mr.Ncube,
theverysameMr .Ncubewhoi sawi t
nessinthis
case.Thever ysameMr .Ncubewhocl ai
mst hathe
hadnothingtodowi ththeshoot i
ngofhi sbr
ot her
.I
putitt
oyou, myLor d,t
hatMr s.Ndhlovuhadno
knowledgeofanybr other.Infact,Mrs.Ndhlovu
foundoutnotsol ongagot hatshewasact uallythe
hei r
ess–t hesol ehei r
esst oherf ather ’
skingdom.
Mr .Ncubeandt hedeceasedMr .Ncubewer enot
biologi calchil
drenofMr .Gat shaNcube.Asyou
canseei nAddendum 24. B,youwi l
lseet hel astwi l
l
andt estamentofMr .Gat shaNcube, Kingof
Zul uland.Youwi llalsoseei nAddendum 25. Bt hatI,
ast hel awyerofMr .Gat shaNcube, instructedhi s
mot heralongwi thhisgr andmot heront hespeci fied
dat ewhatwast obedonei norderf orthem t oget
thet hrone.Youwi l
lseet hatMr .Ncube, t
heKi ng
clear l
yst atedthatshoul dhi swi feanddaught ernot
bef oundbyaspeci f
icdat e,thatthet hroneshal lbe
handedovert otheel destson, whi chwasNt sika.I t
i
sal sost atedintheletterpr ovidedwr i
ttenby
Gat shaNcube, thatheknewal lalongt hatt het wo
brot herswer enothi s–bi ol
ogi cally,buthewas
wi ll
ingt odosooutofoat handt hankst otheir
mot her.MyLor d,thetwobr othersmusthavehear d
from t heirmothert hatIhadf oundt hehei ress,
Pr i
ncessBuhl ebendal oBahumiNcube, whichi s
Pr eciousNdhl ovu’sbi rt
hname.Ofcour se,bei ng
j
eal ousandgr eedy, theywentonaquestt ofindher
andtrytoeli
minateherbefor
eallelsef ai
led.Ihave
acopyofmycal lrecor
dingswiththeirgrandmother,
Glenda,
sincethei
rmot heri
sanalcohol icandis
permanentl
ydrunk.Ishallpl
aythel atestone,j
ust
beforet
hemur derhappened.”

Ms.Jel
ewasaboutt opisshersel
f,whil
eNjabul
o’s
sweatwasdri
ppinglikeamishebehavedshower
head.Kumkaniplayedther
ecording.

Kumkani
:“Hel
lo?
”

Glenda:“
Kumkani,whatishappeni
ng,kant
i
(t
hough)?Ithoughtyou’
dbeher et
odiscusst
he
boys’fut
ure.Ntsi
kaneedstobekingandyouknow
i
t.”

Kumkani:(
sigh)“
Glenda,
Iam undersomuch
pressur
eri
ghtnowandI ’
m busy.Ther
ewon’tbe
anyneedforthat
.IhavefoundPri
ncessBuhle.
Yourgr
andsonsdonothavet
her
ightt
othet
hrone.
”

Glenda:“
Heh( huh)
? !Youcan’
tbeseri
ous!You
owemeandyouknowi t!Thoseboyswerewit
h
Gatshaeversi
ncet hatbar
renbit
chlef
thi
m!How
sureareyouthatit
’sevenhis?
!”

Kumkani:“Li
keIsaid,pr
epar
efortheboys’
depar
ture.ThePrincesshasbeenfound.
Goodbye.”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Obj
ect
ion,
myl
ord!I
rr
elevance.
”

Judge:“Over r
uled,Ms.Jele.I tseemstomet hat
youhaven’ tdoneyourr esearchverycaref
ull
y.This
newevi denceshedsal otofli
ghtont hi
smatter.I
mustsay, thisisarathercompl icat
edsit
uati
on.I
am goingt oneedt ohearthisJi mmyChauke’sside
ofthest or
yaswel lasthisGlendawoman.I fthere
arenomor ewitnesses,Ms.Jel e?”
Ms.Jel
elookeddef
eatedforami
nut
e,butshehad
anewtri
ckuphersleeve.

Ms.Jele:“Actuall
y,t
her
eis,myLord.The
Prosecut
ionwoul dli
ketocal
luponMr.AntonBat
on,
headofBal l
ist
ics.
”

Onceagai
n,Kumkaniwasbl
indsi
ght
ed.

Kumkani
:“MyLord,
Ms.Jel
eisreal
lyt
est
ingme.I
havenoknowl
edgeoft
hisper
sononthewitness
l
ist
.”

Judge:“
Yout
woappr
oacht
hebench.
”

Preci
oushadseenthati
naf
ewmovi
es.I
tdi
dn’
t
seem l
ikeagoodt
hing.
Judge:“ Ms.Jele,Igett
hefeel
ingthiscaseseemsa
l
otmor ethanjustacasetoyou.I t
’spersonalor
somet hing.Whyel sewouldyouaskf ormet obe
theresidingj
udgeandcal lmer i
ghtfrom myholi
day
withmyhusbandi nSpai
n?”

AnothershotKumkanihadnoknowledgeof
.It
seemedasi fheunder
esti
matedt
hisMs.Jele.

Ms.Jele:“
MyLor d,
Idonotknowt hedefendant
.I
am sorryf
orthesurpr
ise,andIpr
omise.Nomor e
sur
prisesfr
om nowon. ”

Judge:“Youhadbet
terbehonestot
her
wise,
Iwi
ll
recuseyou.
”

Ms.Jel
e:“
Not
ed.
”
Judge:“
Cont
inue.
”

Nj
abulost
eppeddownwhi
leMr
.Bat
onappear
edon
t
hestand.

Ms.Jel
e:(smil
ing)“
Mr.Bat
on,youhavebeenhead
ofBal
li
sti
csformorethan20year
s,am Icor
rect
?”

Mr
.Bat
on:“
Thati
scor
rect
.”

Ms.Jel
e:“Pl
easeexplai
ntothecour
twhatt
hati
sin
t
hepict
ureonthescreen.”

Thatgunl
ookedver
yfami
li
art
oPr
eci
ous.

Mr.Baton:“Thati
sapi
ctureofthegunwef oundon
thescene.Thegunthatshotboththedeceased
andthewitness.”
Ms.Jel
e:(
smi
li
ng)“
Andwhosef
inger
pri
ntswer
eon
t
hegun?”

Mr
.Bat
on:“
Wel
l,
Mrs.Ndhl
ovu’
sandt
hewi
tness’
s.”

Ms.Jel
e:(
smi
li
ng)“
Nof
urt
herquest
ions,
myLor
d.”

Preciouswasreall
yanger edbyt
hisMs.Jele
character
.Shehadnot hingtopr
oveandwentout
ofherwayt oprovethatshewasindeedthekil
ler
.

Kumkani:“Mr
.Baton,yousaidthatbothMr
s.
Ndhlovu’
sandthewitness’
sfinger
print
swereon
t
hegun.Di dyoutestanyoneforgunpowder
resi
due?”

Mr.Baton:“
No, si
r.WhenIwasaskedt
ogetonthe
case,
theevidencewasalr
eadyr
emovedfr
om the
house.
”

Kumkani
:“Andt
owhom doest
hegunbel
ongt
o?”

Mr
.Bat
on:“
Itbel
ongedt
othel
ateMr
.Ndhl
ovu.
”

Kumkani:“Hmm, sobei
ngthegunthatbel
ongedt
o
herhusband,i
tmeansthatshemighthave
occasi
onall
ytouchedit
,cor
rect
?”

Mr
.Bat
on:“
Thati
scor
rect
.”

Kumkani :“
Wel l,
Mr.Baton,i
tisei theryou’real i
ar,
or
someonef edyouwr ongi nf
ormat i
on.Myl ord,i
n
thefil
egivent oyou,
pleasecheckunderAddendum
26.B.Iwi l
lalsoputacopyont hescr eenfor
everyonetosee.Thi si
st heini
tialr eportgivento
mebyMr .Sibiyaandhispartner .Thi scopydoes
notresemblet heoneyougave, sir.Thi soneis
datedontheexactdayaf
tert
heni
ghtinquesti
on.
Thisstat
esthatt
herewasonegunfoundonthe
scene,buther
eisthecat
ch;t
hegunthatshotMr.
NtsikaNcubeisnott
hesamegunthatshotMr.
NjabuloNcube.
”

Njabul
owasseenfr
eezi
nginhi
schai
r,andMs.
Jelecl
ammingup.Mr.Bat
onwasconfused.

Mr.Bat
on:(
frowni
ng)“Idon’
tunderst
sand.Ionl
y
gott
oexamineMr.NtsikaNcube,t
hedeceased.
”

Kumkani:“Yes,becausesomeonei nt
enti
onall
y
madeyoudoi t
.Yousee, yourhonour,t
herehas
beenobviousfoulplayhere.Twoguns, butonly
onewasaddedi ntheevi
dence.So, myquestionis;
whathappenedt otheothergunandwhopul ledthe
tr
igger
?Nof urt
herquestions,
myLor d.”

Kumkaniwasabi
tst
ressed,
butheputal
otof
doubtintheJude’smindandi nthemindsoft he
peoplewhower eincourt.Hewashopef ul,and
seei
ngMs.Jel esquirm,meantthathedid
somethingri
ght.Heonl yneededJimmy’ s
test
imonyandt henitwil
lbeawi nforhi
m.I fonl
y
hecouldfindtheothergunorevidencethereof.

Judge:“
Ihavehear
dbothofyourargument st
oday.
Ishal
lawaitGl
endaandJi
mmy’ sappearanceinthe
wit
nessstand.Int
hemeantime,courtadjour
ned.”

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Thesamepr ocedurewasf oll

owedandt heywal ked
out
.Pr eci
ousheadedbackt oprison,andshewasa
l
it
tl
ehopef ul
.Al lt
heyneededt odowasf i
ndGl enda
andJimmy.Twoweekshadpassed, andtherewas
nosignofGl endanorJi mmy.Somet hi
ngdidn’t
makeanysense.I twascl earthattheywer ehiding
andrunningawayf rom something.Whatwasal so
oddisthattheper sonwhowascomment ingont he
Yout ubevi deoswassayi ngthesamet hing;
“PreciousNdhl ovui sinnocent .
”Shet ried
messagi ngtheper son,buttheyneverr esponded.
Shewasf eeli
ngweakanddr ainedandmostofal l–
hopel ess.Shewasact uall
yst arti
ngtopi ct
ureher
l
ifeasacr iminalbehindbar sf orever,singingthe
samesongever yonei ntheresi ngs;“Idi dn’
tdoit
.”
Kumkanideci dedt ovisither,sinceitwasal so
Christmas.I maginethat .Shehadspentmont hsin
pri
sonanddespi teKumkani ’sat t
empt st ogetherto
fi
nisht her estofherSecondSemest eri npr i
son,
shedi dn’tsubmi tanyofherassi gnment s.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Hawu( Goodness)
,Pr
ett
yLady.
Whydoyoulooksodul
ltoday?”

Preci
ous:“Saveit
,Kumkani.Youdon’thavetobe
sonicetomeal lt
heti
me.Igeti t
,youpit
yme.
Perhapsyoushouldspendyourtimetryi
ngtowoo
someonewhoi sactual
lyoutther
eandyouhave
accessto.
”
Kumkani
:“Pr
eci
ous,
comeon.
”

Precious:“I’
m serious.Idon’tmeant oberudeor
anything,butyouhavehel pedmeal ot.Agreat
dealinf act,
butlet’sfacei
t.Wecanneverbe
together.I’l
lprobablybestuckinheref or
everand
that’
st hat.Ihavet ogo.Mer ryChr
istmas.”

Shewalkedbackt ohercel
lwithoutevengi ving
Kumkaniachancet ospeak.Luckilyforher ,he
didn’
tgiveupsoeasil
y,sohecameupwi tha
masterplan.Ofcoursehehadt opayof fal otof
peopletodotheoneill
egalthi
nghehaddonei nhis
enti
reli
fe.Lat
erthatni
ght,Preci
ouswast ryingto
doseoff,whenoneoftheguar dscall
edf orher.

Guar
d:“
Ndhl
ovu,
let
’sgo.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
It
’sni
ghtt
ime.Wher
eam I
goi
ng?
”

Guar
d:“
Youcanaskquest
ionsl
ater
.Let
’sgo.
”

Shef el
tabitworri
edast heguardsnevercal
led
someoneatni ghtunlesstheper
sonwasgoi ngto
gettaughtalesson.Shewast akentotheguard’s
off
ice.Theguar dclosedthedoorandshewas
scared.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Please,
don’
tki
llme.Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hing
wr
ong.”

Guar
d:(l
aughing)“
Ai,
rel
axman.Her
e,getdr
essed.
Fi
veminutes.
”

Shegaveheradresscoverandwalkedout
.She
unzi
ppeditandwasshocked.Therewasal ong,
peacheveni
nggownwi t
hbeauti
fulmatchi
ng
st
il
etto’sandasmal lnoteat t
ached.“ Wearme.”
Shedi dasinstr
ucted.Shest aredint hemir
rorand
cr
iedal it
tl
ebit.Shecouldn’tevenr ememberthe
l
asttimeshehadwor nabeaut i
fuldress.She
i
magi nedwhatt herestofthewomenl i
keMartha
musthavebeenf eel
ingallthoseyear s.Theguard
walkedbacki n.

Guar
d:“Tj
o(wow),hewasn’
tki
ddi
ngwhenhesai
d
youhaveaki
ll
erbody.
”

Pr
eci
ous:(
frowni
ng)“
He?Hekemang(
whoi
she)
?”

Guar
d:“
Onl
yonewayt
ofi
ndout
.”

TheguardputPr
eci
ousi
noneoft
hepr
ivat
ecar
s
andtheydr
oveout.

Pr
eci
ous:(
anxi
ous)“
Guar
d,wher
ear
eyout
aki
ng
me?
”

Guard:“Rel
ax,you’
renotgoi
ngtodi
e.I
’dki
llfora
boyf
riendhalfasromanti
casyour
s.You’
relucky.
”

Preciouswasf r
owningtohersel
f.Boyfri
end?She
musthavehadt hewronggir
l.Minuteslater
,they
arr
ivedr i
ghtout
sideKumkani’shouse.Therehe
was, dressedi
nagor geoust
uxedowal ki
ngoutofa
l
imousi ne.Shesmiledtohersel
fasshet houghtof
theamazi nggestur
e.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
Thankssomuch,
Rosi
na.
”

Guard:“I’
m onlydoi
ngitbecauseIgett
ospenda
nightatyourfancypl
ace.Bringherbackat4am
sharp.”

Kumkani
:“Goti
t.
”
Heopenedt hedoorf orherasal ways,t
ookher
handandt heywalkedi ntothelimo.Theli
modr ove
offandshelookeddowni nembarrassment.She
couldn’
tremembert hel astti
mesheevent weased
hereyebrowsandshedi dn’
tevenhaveanylipst
ick
on.

Precious:“Kumkani…whatasurpr
ise.I
’
m sor
ryI
couldn’tdollmysel
fupf
oryou.”

Kumkani
:(smil
ing)“
Nonsense,
Pret
tyLady.Youar
e
sobeaut
if
ul,
makeuphasnot hi
ngonyou.”

Preci
ous:“
Howdidyoupul
lthi
sof
fandwher
ear
e
youtaki
ngme?”

Kumkani
:“I
’
mt aki
ngyoutoaplacethatwillf
il
lyour
hear
twit
hhopeagain.IwantyoutoseethatIlove
yousomuch,t
hatIam wil
li
ngtowaitforyou.Iam
goi
ngtoshowyout hatyouwon’tr
otinj
ail–not
whenI’
m al
ive.I
’vebeenwaiti
ngmywhol eli
fef
or
youandI’
m notwil
li
ngtoletyougo.”

Shesmi l
edandlookeddown.Shewasalwayssuch
ahardcoreandstr
aightf
orwar
dperson.I
ttookalot
tomakeherblush.Theygottoanopenpl
otwhere
theygotint
oaheli
copter
.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Canyouevenf
ly?
”

Kumkani
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Ofcour
se.Hopi
n.”

Preci
ousgotinandputonhergearasinstr
ucted.
Kumkanidrovethehel
icopt
erandshewasi n
absol
uteawe.Hewasamanofmanyhi dden
tal
ent
sindeed.Theyreachedabeaut
if
ul,bi
gpl ace
shehadneverseenbefore.
Kumkani:“
Wel
comet oZul
uland,yourbi
rt
hri
ghtand
t
heplaceyouwil
lrul
eoneday.”

Preci
ouswassost unned.Itisonethi
ngseei ng
suchabeautif
ulpl
aceont heground,butitis
somethi
ngmagni f
icentseei
ngitfrom t
hesky.He
l
andedthejetandwal kedoutwit
hher.Theywal ked
i
ntotheNcubemansi on,andshewasf loored.

Kumkani
:“This,
isyourhouse.Thehouset
hatyour
par
entswantedyoutohave.”

Pr
eci
ous:“
Wow.Thi
sissuchabeaut
.”

Kumkani :(smili
ng)“
Yes, Gatshaandyourmot her
wantedyout ohaveonl ythebest,
Pr eci
ous.You
see,Iknowt hatyouf eelli
keyoujustdon’thave
anythi
ngt oliveforr
ightnow, buttakealook.Thi s
–allthisisforyou.Thi siswhatyouwer ecreated
for
.Ar eyougoi ngtol eaveallt
hesepeopl et
of end
fort
hemselvesandt hi
ski
ngdom t
odi
ebecause
youareaf
raidtolose?”

Shel
ookeddownandsmi
led.

Precious:(
laughi
ng)“
So,youletmegetal
ldr
essed
up,brokemeoutofpr i
sonfortheni
ghtj
ustt
otel
l
met hat?”

Kumkani
:(l
aughi
ng)“
Howwel
ldoyouknowme?
”

Hewenttot
hemusicplayerandpl
ayedt
hesong–
Ver
saceonthef
loorbyBrunoMars.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
MayIhavet
hisdance?
”

Preci
oussmi
ledassheputherhandsi
nhi
sand
theysl
owdancedtoget
her
.Notoncedidt
heyst
op
l
ooki ngintoeachot her’
seyes.Hepl acedhi s
foreheadonher s, andkeptst ar ingint ohereyes.I t
wasasi fhewasl ooki ngst r
aighti ntohersoul .
Whataspl endidf eel i
ng.Shehadnever
exper i
encedthatwi thMi sh.Foronce, shesawt he
Kumkanishehaddr eamtof–t her ealKumkani ,not
theoneshewasdyi ngt ot aste.Theysl owlykissed,
passionately.Itf eltasi fami ll
ionf ir
ewor kswer e
explodinginthei rmout hs.Thei rtongueswer e
massagi ngoneanot her,inthemostsensualand
romant icpassodobl eever .Theywer einter
twined
withoneanot her , andt heirsoul swer espeaki ngt o
eachot her.Kumkanibr oket heki ss, leavi
ng
Preciousf l
ustered.

Pr
eci
ous:“
Whydi
dyoust
op?
”

Kumkani:“
BecauseIwanttohaveyouwhenthe
ti
meisri
ght.You’resti
llaNdhl
ovuandIneedt
o
haveyouwhenyouar eaMdhletse.
”
Preci
ous:“
Butwhati
fyouhavet
owai
tlongert
han
expect
ed?”

Kumkani
:“ThenI
’dr
atherwai
tunt
ilthesunshi
nes
wit
hyoulyi
ngnextt
omeasmywi fe.”

Thatwast hemostbeaut i
fulconfir
mat i
onshehad
everreceivedfrom anyman.Theconf i
rmat i
onof
l
ove, purelove.Notat tachedtoanyphysi calfeel
ing.
Sheknewt henthatshehadmadet herightchoice
totrusthim andt hatwasal lsheneededt orestor
e
herfaithagain.Li t
tl
edi dsheknowt hatjustby
steppingrighti
ntot hehouseherf at
herleftforher,
wasenoughf orKumkanit othinkclearer.Allthat
wasenoughf orherdoor stofreedom toopenup
andever ythi
ngt ofalli
ntoplace.

Romans8:
28says;“
Andweknowt hatal
lthi
ngs
workt
oget
herf
orgoodtothem t
hatl
oveGod,to
t
hem whoaret
hecall
edaccor
dingtohi
spurpose.
”
[
01/
27,
08:
01] :Chapt
er93

“Neverletyourheadhangdown.Nevergi veupand
sitdownandgr ieve.Fi
ndanot herway.Anddon’
t
praywheni trai
ns.Ifyoudon’tpraywhenthesun
shines.
”–Ler oySatchelPai
ge

Pr ecioushadawonder f
ulandsuccul entdi nner
madebyt hechefhi mself,KumkaniMdhl etse.
Af terwar ds, t
heywer ediscussingpl ansf orthe
futur e.I twast hemosti ntenselyintimate
conver sationshehadeverhadwi t
hsomeoneoft he
opposi tesex.Notoncedi dshehaveanydoubti n
hermi ndthatKumkaniwasgoi ngt owi nt hecase.
Ithadbeenaf urthertwomont hssi nceshehad
beeni ncour t
.Chr i
stmasandNewYear spassed,
andherbi rthdaywasappr oaching.Shewas
frust ratedonsomedays, butherf aithkepther
goi ng.Shehadbeenpr ayingandmedi t
at i
ngont he
wor dofGod.Herpar entswer er at
herpl easedon
theot hersi de,andshewasshockedt ohavean
extra-
ordinarydream ontheeveofherbi rt
hday.A
manshehadr ecognizedfrom picturesshownt o
herbyKumkani ,asthelateKingSf i
so,al
soher
grandfather,appearedinherdreams.Hewas
surroundedbyl otsofpeopl eshedi dn’
tknownor
recognize,butwhatwasast oni
shi ngwast hather
parentswer etogether–wi thallthesepeople.

KingSf iso:“Mychi ld, umzukuluwamiokucal a(my

veryfi
r stgrandchi l
d).Youhavenoi deahowmuchI
havebeenl ongingt ogi veyoumybl essing.You
havetur nedi ntoawonder f
ulwomanandbel i
eve
me–nei t
herofus;t heNcube’ sandt heMkhabel a’
s,
holdanyt hingagai nstyou.You’ restil
lyoungand
youhaveyourwhol el i
feaheadofyou.Tr ustinthe
Lord,andHewi llgi
veyoual lthedesi resofyour
heart
, Buhle.Weal lloveyousomuch, andwehave
seenhowyouhavebeenf i
ghtingthepastf ew
months.You’ r
et ur
ni ng21t omor row, consider
what’
scomi ngyourbi rt
hdaygi ft
.I t
’sourt i
met o
fi
ghtforyounow.Bepr eparedtowi tnesswhat
happenst opeopl ewhomesswi thoneofourown.
Yourmot herissaf ewithusnow, al
lthankst
oyou.
Shehasf inall
yj oinedourf amil
y.Bepr epar
edto
witnessmanymor eblessingstocome.Don’ tbe
afr
aidwhenyouseeuswher everyougoattimes.
Youar eoneofus;ourf utureQueenwhowi l
lbear
thenextKingi nlinetothet hr
one.HappyBi rt
hday
i
nadvance, baby.Weal ll
oveyou. ”

Immedi atelyaf t
ershewokeup, itwasexact l
y
mi dnight;her21stbi rthdayhadst ruck.Shewasi n
prisonnonet heless,butshehadj usthadt hemost
beaut i
fulvi si
tati
onanddr eam fr
om herancest ors.
Itstartedpour ingi mmedi at
elyout side.Funny
enough, italwaysr ainedonherbi rthday.Her
mot hert oldherhowi trai
nedi mmedi at
elyaftershe
wasbor nandso, rai
nhadal waysbeenpar tofher
dayofbi rtheversi ncesheexi sted.Shef eltso
muchi nternalpeaceandsmi l
edt oher sel
f.She
struggledt osl eepf r
om t hereonwar dsandt ri
edto
readt heBi ble.Shegotsur pri
sedwhenshe
receivedaWhat sAppmessagef rom Kumkani .
“HappyBi r
thday, mysoont obewi fe,MaMdhl etse-
to-be;myPr ett
yLady,uMamawenganezami (the
mot herofmyki ds),awomanofst atureand
elegance.Wor dscan’texpl
ainhowyoumakeme
feel.Youhavehadat oughyearort wo, andnow,
I’
m aboutt omakeyour21stBi r
thdayamemor abl
e
one.Il oveyou,Kumkani.”Shesmi l
edt oherselfas
shet houghtperhapshewoul dbreakheroutof
prisonagai nandgiveheramemor ablenight,but
l
ittl
edi dsheknow.Shemanagedt osleepr i
ght
afterher3am pr ayer.Shewaswokenupr i
ght
bef orebr eakf
astbytheuncannyMazi buko.

Mazibuko:(shouti
ng)“Vukanini
na(wakeup)!Wena
(you)
,Celebri
ty,
you’dbett
ergetready.Yourl
awyer
boyfr
iendishere.Lookslikewe’
reheadedtocourt
.”

ShewasshockedasKumkanidi dn’ttellher
anythi
ng.Thecasehadbeenpost ponedasf aras
sheknew.Shestartedhavi
ngmi xedf eeli
ngsand
thought
s.“Whatifi
t’sD-
day?”shet houghtto
hersel
f.Mart
halookedatherandsmi l
ed.
Mart
ha:(
smi l
ing)“
It
’syourluckyday,
sisi(
sis).
HappyBi
rthday.Wewon’ tbeseeingyouaftertoday,
sowhatbett
erwayt hantosendyouof fpr
operly?”

Preciouswasconf used.Wasshebei ngt ransf erred

toanot herpr i
son?Whatwasi tthatshedi dn’tknow?
Mar t
hagat heredalltheladiesi nthecellandst ar ted
prayi
ngf orher.Shef el
tinstantlyreli
evedandal ive.
Mar t
hahadherwaywi t
hJesusandshecoul d
revi
vej ustaboutanysoul .Shehadnoi deat hat
Mar t
haandhercr ewpl annedaspeci alsur pri
sef or
Preciousi nthediningar ea.Assoonasshewal ked
i
nt oqueuef orfood, shef oundahumbl esur pr i
se
awaitingher .Thei nmat esal lshouted“Sur prise”
andsanghappybi rthdayt oher .Thewhol edi ning
areawasdecor at
edwi t
hl ovelygoldthemed
decorations, whatwasal sosur pri
singwast hatt hey
weren’thavi ngtheusualbor ingmealf orbr eakf ast .
Therewasahugecake;pi zza;colddr i
nk;juice;
burgersandmor ejunkfoodandsnacks.Theyal so
hadsomechampagneandpunchi ntheirpr i
son
bowlstoavoi
dfi
ght
sandpeoplest
eal
ingbot
tl
esf
or
thei
rownamusement.SheknewKumkanihad
somethi
ngtodowit
hit.

Preci
ous:(t
eary)“
Thankyousomuch,
guys.Ir
eal
ly
appreci
atei
t.”

Inmate:“Yoh(goodness),
lennakebatl
aboyfri
end
l
al awyarabathi
ng(Ialsowantalawyerfora
boyfri
end,hey).
”

Theyalllaughedandhadt heirbreakf
ast.Ofcourse,
Lerat
owasst i
llangr
yashell,butPreci
ouswasnot
aboutthatli
fe.Eacht ot
heirown.Thankst o
Kumkani, br
eakfastwasextralonganditwasa
l
ovelycelebrat
ion.Onceshewasdoneeat i
ng,she
headedbackt ohercellwit
hMar tha.

Mart
ha:(smi
li
ng)“
Ireal
lyenj
oyedseei
ngyou,
Buhl
e.”
Thatwasthever
yfir
stt
imeshehadcall
edher
Buhle,
eversi
nceshewalkedi
ntot
hatpr
ison.

Pr
eci
ous:(
smi
li
ng)“
Youcal
ledmeBuhl
e.”

Mar t
ha:(
chuckl
ing)“
Iknewt hatwasyournameall
along.Youhavebigplans,
don’tforgetwher
eyou
comef r
om butmostimportantl
y,r
ememberwhere
you’r
egoing.Ihopetoseeyousoon. ”

TheyhuggedandPr ecioustookherthi
ngsas
i
nstructedbyt heguar d.Sheleftafewthi
ngs
behindasmemor ialforMar t
haandt hegi
rl
sandof
course,leftthem withsomemoney.Shegot
dressedi nabr andnewBl ackDolceandGabana
dressthatKumkaniboughtf orher.Thist
ime,he
evenorgani sedsomeonet odohermakeupand
hair.Onceshewasset ,shewalkedoutandheaded
tothevan.Papar azziwasout si
deasusual,
andthe
protesterswer emor ethanusual ;hercasehad
attr
actedal otofattentionint hepastfewmont hs.
Shewal kedinandt hecour troom wasal sofi
ll
ed
mor ethanusual .Ms.Jel el ookedoverlyconfi
dent
asusual ,
butKumkanil ookeddi f
fer
ent–hel ooked
somuchhappi erandal otmor econfi
dentthan
always.Shej ustcouldn’tpinpointit
.Assoonas
hesawherher eachedf orthebenchandwhi spered
toher.

Kumkani
:(smi
li
ng)“
HappyBi
rt
hday,
myl
ove.
”

Hewi nkedather.Sher emember edthatshehadn’ t

prayedbeforeleavi
ngtheprison,soshequickly
cl
osedhereyesandsai dherprayer.Assoonas
sheopenedhereyes, shewasel atedtohave
experi
encedwhatwasbef oreher.Allherancestors
wererighti
nt heroom;dressedintheirowncultural
att
ire,
smili
ngather .

Ki
ngSf
iso:(
smi
li
ng)“
We’
rewi
thyou,
mybaby.
Don’
tfearanyt
hingoranyone.
”

Shesmi
ledandnodded.

Of
fi
cer
:“Al
lri
se.
”

Thejudgewal
kedi
nandever
yonewasseat
edonce
agai
n.

Judge:“
Ibel
ievet
hatwefi
nal
lyhaveallt
he
evi
denceweneedtodayandt
hatthiscasei
sgoi
ng
tobeconcl
udedtoday,
Mr.Mdhl
etse?”

Kumkani
:“Yes,
yourhonour
.”

Ms.Jel
e:(
panicki
ng)“
MyLord,
Iwasunderthe
i
mpressi
onthatweweregoi
ngtohaveourcl
osing
ar
gumentsonly.
”
Judge:(si
gh)“Well
,youthoughtwrong,Ms.Jel e.
It
’sonethingtoactl
ikeyouknowi tall
,butit
’s
anotherwhenamemberoft hiscourtwhotookan
oathtoabidebythelawliesinmyf ace.Sitdown
andwat chtheshow.Youmaypr oceed,Mr.
Mdhletse.
”

Ms.Jel
ewassurpri
sedandr at
hershocked.She
wasseenf
iddl
ingwithherhandsandtappingher
foot
.Somethi
ngthattol
dPrecioust
hatMs.Jele
knewshewasindeepshit.

Kumkani:“
Thedefencewouldl
iketocal
luponMr
s.
GlendaDambuza;thegr
andmotherofNj
abulo
NcubeandthedeceasedNtsi
kaNcube.”

Everyonestar
tedmur
mur i
ng,
whileMs.Jel
est ar
ed
atthesmili
ngKumkani.Shestar
edatthejudge
whogaveheranunamusedf ace,whi
leshelooked
backtoPreciouswi thherusualhate.Onet hingshe
di
dn’tknowwast hatPr eci
oushadherwhol et eam
withheronthatpar ti
cularday.ShehadGodand
hi
swhol eentouraget osupportheronthebi ggest
dayofherlif
e,adayt hatwouldmakehi st
ory.
Glendawalkedinl ookingreal
lyscared.

Kumkani:(smil
ing)“Hel
lo,
Glenda.Wemeetagai
n.
Pl
easetellthecourtwhoyouare.”

Glenda:(shaky)“
I’
m Gl
endaDambuza, thewi
feof
theKingDambuza’ sbr
other,andalsothemotherof
thelateGatshaNcube’
swi f
e, Geor
ginaNcube.Iam
alsothegrandmotherofthelateNtsi
kaNcubeand
NjabuloNcube.”

Ever
yonewasshocked.

Kumkani
:“Pleaseexpl
ainwhyyousayMr
.Gat
sha
Ncubei
slate.”
Glenda:(shaky)“Twoyearsago,mydaughterandI
gotpeopletohel pusburyhisbodyaf
tershefound
him deadathisdesk.Hehadshothi mselfi
nthe
headaf t
erreadingalet
terfr
om hismi
ssingwife,
Lehumo. ”

Kumkani:“
Lehumo,
bei
ngPr
eci
ous’
mot
her
,
cor
rect
?”

Gl
enda:“
Yes.
”

Kumkani :“
Pleaset
ellthecour
thowitcameabout
thatNjabul
oandNt sikamadethei
rwaytoPreci
ous’
estat
e?”

Glenda:“Well,
thewil
lstat
edthatshouldLehumo
andort hei
rdaughterBuhle,
whi chisPreci
ousnot
befoundwi thi
nacer t
ainperi
od, t
henmyel dest
grandsonwoul dbetheheirofthekingdom.”
Kumkani:“
Pleaseexpl
aintothecour
ttheexact
pat
erni
tyofthetwograndsons.”

Gl
enda:“Theyar
enotGatsha’
ssons.Heknewi tal
l
al
ong.Theywerejustameregar
dener
’ssons.
”

Everyonewasshocked, whi
lePreci
ousst artedat
Glendainutterdi
sbeli
ef.Whatnooner ealizedwas
thatGlendacouldalsoseePreci
ous’ancest or
s,
stari
ngatherintotalhat
e.Shewasf reakingout
becauseshecoul dseethem.

Kumkani:“So,
youtol
dthem t
ogot
oPr
etor
ia,
to
fi
ndPreciousandt
henwhat?”

Gl
endast
art
edcr
ying.

Gl
enda:(
cryi
ng)“
Itol
dthem t
ofi
ndherandgetr
id
ofher
,per
manent
ly.
”

Kumkani
:“Byper
manent
ly,
youmeantwhat
?”

Gl
enda:“
Toki
llher
.”

Kumkani
:“Nof
urt
herquest
ions,
yourhonour
.”

Ms.Jel
ewasf
eel
ingt
heheatal
ready.

Ms.Jele:“
Obj
ect
ion,
yourhonour
!Thi
sist
otal
ly
i
rr
elevant.
”

Judge:“
Sityourassdown, Ms.Jel
e.Youwast ed
hal
fayearofmyt i
mei nthiscour
troom.Hadyou
doneyourresear
chpr oper
lywewoul dn’tevenbe
here.BegladifMrs.Ndhlovudoesn’tsueyouafter
thi
s.”
Ms.Jel
ecoul
dseethatshewasalr
eadydef
eat
ed.
Kumkanit
ookoutanot
heroneofhi
scardsf
ort
he
show.

Kumkani:“
Thedef
encewouldli
ket
ocal
luponi
ts
nextwi
tness,
JimmyChauke.
”

Pr eciouswasbesi dehersel
finshock.Shecoul dn’
t
bel i
evet hatKumkanihadmanagedt opullitoff
.He
finallyfoundJi mmy.Jimmygotont hest
and,
wi thoutanyf earandl
ookedlikehewaswi l
lingto
tellthetruth.

Kumkani:“
Befor
eIbegi
n,myLor d,Mr.Chaukehas
agreedtot
urnst
atewit
nessandt her
efor
e,he
si
gnedapleadealandnochargeswillbefi
led
againsthi
m.”

Judge:(
noddi
ng)“
Youmaypr
oceed.
”
Kumkani:“Mr.Chauke,pl
easet
ellt
hecour
twhat
yourr
elati
onshipi
swi t
htheaccused.
”

Ji
mmy:“Sheisoneofthepeopl
ewhol
ivei
nthe
compl
exIusedtoworkat.
”

Kumkani:“
Andyouwer
eondut
ythatni
ght
,
cor
rect
?”

Ji
mmy:“
Yes.
”

Kumkani:“
Pleaseenl
ight
enthecour
thowitcame
aboutf
ortheNcubebr ot
her
stocont
actyou.”

Jimmy:“Theyfoundmewal kingtowardst herobots

thatday.Iwasonmywayt ocatchat axihome.
Theytoldmethattheyhadalltheinformationthey
neededonMr s.Ndhlovu,
andsaidt hattheywer e
herbr others.Theyaskedmet ohel pt hem geti nor
else,theywoul densur et hatmymot herdi ed.My
mot herhascancerandIcoul dbar elyaf fordany
chemot reatmentforher .Publ ichospi t
alsar ea
nightmar e,sotheyof f
er edmeR5000t ogett hem
i
nt otheest ate.Theyal sosai dt hey’dgi veme
anot herR5000t ot amperwi t
ht hef ootageand
eli
mi nateallevidencethatt heymanagedt oeven
getintot hecompoundi nt hef i
rstpl ace.Idi dn’t
wantt odoi t
,ImeanGodknowsIdi dn’ t
.Iwasn’ t
raisedlikethat.Ijustcoul dn’tl
etani nnocent
womanwhohadbeensogoodt omegodownf or
somet hingshedi dn’tdo. ”

Kumkani :“I
tisunder stoodt hatyouwer e
manipulatedi nt
ot hesi t
uati
on, Mr.Chauke.Noone
j
udgesyour ightnow.MyLor d,i
nthef i
leIj ust
handedt oyoubef orethisbriefi
ng,youwi llf i
nd
concret
eevi denceoft heEFTt r
ansferthatNj abulo
Ncubemadeont hatday.Hemadet wot ransfersof
R5000eacht oMr .Chauke.Pl easeknowt hatMr.
Chaukehadnoi deat hattheNcubebr other swere
goi
ngt
okil
lorpl
antokil
lanyoneint
hehouse.You
mayst
epdown,Mr.Chauke.Thankyou.
”

HegotdownthestandandPreciousl
ookedathim
wi
thtear
sinhereyes.Shecouldseetheremorsein
hi
seyes.

Kumkani:“
Thedefencewoul
dli
ket
ocal
lupon
Det
ecti
veSibi
ya.
”

Ms.Jele:“
Object
ion,
myl
ord!Det
ect
iveSi
biyai
s
mywitness.”

Judge:“
You’
dbet
tersi
tdownbef
oreIhaveyou
thr
ownout.
”

Shesatdownanxi
ousl
y.Somethingbigwasabout
togodownandMs.Jelecoul
dfeelit
.Sadly,she
coul
dn’
tdoanyt
hingabouti
t.Det
ectiveSi
biyagot
ont
hest
and.

Kumkani
:“Det
ect
ive,
wemeetagai
n.”

Si
biya:“
Iguessso.
”

Kumkani:(
chuckl
ing)“
Mr.Sibi
ya,
ifyouremember
corr
ect
ly,you’
retheonewhotooktheini
ti
al
stat
ementthatni
ght.Youevenfi
ledarepor
tand
wrotet
hatyouonlysawonegunont hescene,
corr
ect
?”

Si
biya:(
annoyed)“
Yes.
”

Kumkani :“
MyLor d,onthescreenyouwi l
lsee
cameraf oot
ageofNj abuloNcubedrivi
ngthecarhe
wasinthatni ghtal
ongsidehisbr
other,t
he
deceasedNt sikaNcube.Iam goingtoshowyou
somepr ofoundevidencetoday.
”
Hepausedt
hevi
deoandzoomedi
tabi
tcl
oser
.

Kumkani
:“Det
ect
ive,
asyoucansee.Nj abul
o
Ncubehadagunonhi sl
ap,
isn’
titso?
”

Si
biya:(
uni
nter
est
ed)“
Yes.Obvi
ousl
y.”

Kumkani
:“Il
ikethatanswer
.Canyout
ellmewhat
ki
ndofagunt hatis?
”

Si
biya:“
That
’sa9mm pi
stol
.”

Kumkani :“Ver
ywellthen.MyLor d,i
nthefil
eyou
havet her
e,isAddendum 36B, whichistheoriginal
reportMr.Sibi
yawroteaswel last hecorr
ectone
thattheheadofBalli
stics,
Mr .Ant onButtonwr ote.I
willshowittothecourtaswel l.Letusst artoff
withtheoneYOUwr ote,Detective.Itsaysheret hat
YOUsawonl
yonegunandt hatt
hever
ysamegun
YOUsawi
sthegunthatshotbot
hthedeceased
andt
hewi
tness,
cor
rect?
”

Si
biya:(
sigh)“
Yes.
”

Kumkani:“
Butt
hen,canyoupleaser
eadt
he
sent
enceYOUwr ot
ehereforus.”

Si
biya:(annoyed)“
Theweaponusedt
oshootbot
h
Nt
sikaNcubeandNj abul
oNcubei
sGlock45
pi
stol.
”

Kumkani :“
Iputi ttot
hecourt,thatthet woweapons
arefardiff
erentfrom oneanother.Now, letmeput
thesecondst atementforthecour ttosee.Thi s
stat
ementorr eporti
fIshoul
dcal litthat,
was
writ
tenbyMr .AntonButton,t
heheadofBal l
ist
ics
whohasover20year sexperiencewi thguns.
Detecti
ve,kindlyreadthesefourhighlighted
sent
encesf
ort
hecour
t.
”

Sibi
ya:(annoyed)“ Theweaponf oundont hescene
i
saGl ock45pist ol
;ithasbot hprint
sofMr .Njabul
o
NcubeandMr s.Ndhl ovu.However ,t
hreecasesof
fi
redbul let
swer efoundont hescene.Twowhi ch
werer emovedf rom Mr .Ntsi
kaNucbeandonet hat
wasr emovedf rom Mr .NjabuloNcube.Thet wo
removedf r
om thedeceasedar efrom aGlock45,
thesameweaponf oundont hesceneand
conduct edinevidence.Thebul l
etremovedfrom
NjabuloNcube, isfrom adi f
ferentsetofcart
ridges
–aGl ock48, buthowever , i
twasnotf oundont he
scene.”

Si
biyast
aredatKumkaniwi
thoutanyamusement
.

Kumkani:“
Detect
ive,
Ithi
nkyour
eal
izewhat
happenedher
e.”
Si
biya:“
No,
Idon’
t.Amuseme.
”

Kumkani :“Wit
hgreatpleasure.Yousee, thetwo
brothersdidwalki
nwi thagun, butitwasnotf ired
norwasi tfoundonthescene.Nj abulotookthe
Glock45f rom t
heaccused’ ski
tchenandf i
redtwo
bull
etsintohisownbr other.Hethenwal kedar ound
thehousel ooki
ngfortheaccused, buttheaccused
hadanot herguninherhands–aGl ock48;whi ch
shedi dfi
reonebull
etf r
om intotheshoul derofMr .
NjabuloNcube.Butt hen, whathappenedt othe
weapon? ”

Si
biya:(
shr
uggi
ngshoul
der
s)“
Idon’
tknow.Yout
ell
me.”

Kumkani :(chuckl
ing)“
YOU,sir
,tooktheweapon
andgotr idofit.Youwentbackt othehouseafter
quest
ioningt heaccusedandchar gi
ngherwith
murderandYOUgotr i
dofbothguns.Youl eftonl
y
oneont hesceneandmadei tl
ookl i
kemycl i
ent
murderedsomeoneshehadnoi
deaof.She
murderedanint
ruder
,whi
chwasnotevent
hecase.
Am Icorr
ect?
”

Si
biya:(
unbot
hered)“
That
’sj
usther
esay.Youcan’
t
pr
oveanythi
ng.”

Kumkani:(l
aughing)“It
houghtyou’ dsaythat.My
Lord,Ipr
esenttoyou–camer afootagefrom the
accused’
shouse.Yousee, Detecti
ve,youwerenot
awarethattheaccusedhadaseal dedoffbasement
andthehousewasf ul
lofcamer as.Camer asthat
werequitei
nvisi
ble.
”

Hepl
ayedthefoot
ageandont
her
ewasSi
biyaand
l
oandbehold,
Ms.Jele.

Kumkani:“
Ishal
lpl
aythevi
deof orus,
myLord.I
t
al
sohassound,soift
hecourtcouldbesi
lent
,
pl
ease.
”
Kumkaniwasonaroll.Heplayedthevideo,whil
e
Si
biyast
art
edsweati
nginstantl
y,andMs.Jel e
l
ookedasifshewasabouttoshitherself
.Sibiya
wal
kedinandfoundthefor
ensicteam taking
pi
ctur
es.

Si
biya:“
Thankyou,
guys,
I’
llt
akei
tfr
om her
e.”

Therestoftheteam walkedout
,whileheisseen
taki
ngtheweaponandpl aci
ngi
tinanotherbag.
Ms.Jeleisseenwalkinginherexpensi
veJimmy
Choo’sasalways.

Sibiya:“Ms.Jel
e.AsyoucanseeIam doi ngal
l
yourdi r
tywork.Iexpectmyfullpaymentas
discussed.R250000upf ront
.”

Ms.Jele:“
Youmakesuret
hatyoudon’
tmessup
andI’
l
lbesuret
otransf
ert
hemoneyf i
rstt
hingi
n
themor ning.Besuret hatthatbit
chgetstopayf or
whatherhusbanddi dtome.Hemademef allf
or
him;mademecommi tfraudforhim;hemademe
getri
dofal lt
hecasesagai nsthim onl
yfort
odump
mef orher .Nowthathe’sdead, someonehast opay
forhissins.”

Sibi
ya:(l
aughi
ng)“
Hel
lhat
hnof
uryl
ikeawoman
scorned,r
ight
?”

Ms.Jel
e:“Don’
tactli
keyoudon’
thaveabonet
ofr
y
wi
ththatdeadfucker
.”

Si
biya:“
Ijustwantmymoney,
babygi
rl
.”

Ms.Jele:“
I’
llkeept
heweapon.Asi
nsur
ance,
justi
n
caseyoufuckmeoveroneday.”

Si
biya:“
What
ever
.”
Kumkanipausedt hevideo, whi
lePreci
ous’stears
werestreamingdownherf ace.Detect
iveSibiya
l
ookedl i
kehehadswal lowedal argesubstancethat
j
ustcouldn’tseem togodown, whileMs.Jele
l
ookedl i
keshehadseenaghost .Thefew
protest
erswhower ewear i
ngTshi r
tswritt
en
#HandsOf f
Precious!St
artedshouting“Iknewi t
!”
Allofasuddent hereweremur mursandgaspsof
shock.

Judge:“
Orderi
nmycour
troom!
”

Thekeptqui
et,
whi
leKumkanismi
ledather
.

Kumkani
:“Nof
urt
herquest
ions,
yourhonour
.”

KingSf
isoandt
her
estofherancest
orssmi
ledat
her.
Judge:“ Iti spr ett
yobvi oust hatnei therofyout ake
thelawser iously,Ms.Jel eandyou, detective.Af t
er
i
mmenset imewast edont hi
scase, t
hepoorwoman
wasaboutt ogot ocour tforsomeoneshedi dn’tdo.
Thismakesmet hinkhowmanypeopl eyout wo
actuallyputi ncour tandt heymi ghthavebeen
i
nnocent .Notonl ydi dyouf or gedocument sand
evidence, butyougambl edwi thayoungwoman’ s
l
ifeforyourowngr eedandpl easur e.Ihavehad
enoughoft hisci rcus.Guar ds, taket hoset woaway.
Mrs.Ndhl ovu, Ihumbl yapol ogi zeforever ythingyou
havebeent hrough.Isi ncer elyhopet hatyoudo
managet osuet hest atei fyouwi sh, Isurely
woul dn’tbl ameyou.Af tercar efulconsi derat i
on
andobvi ousevi dencebef oreme, Inowdecl aret hi
s
casedi smi ssedwi thimmedi ateef fect.Mr s.
Ndhlovu, you’ refreet ogo. ”

Ever
yonewascl appinghands,
shouti
ngandsingi
ng,
whil
ePreciouscoll
apsedontoherbenchwit
h
endl
esstearsofjoystreami
ngdownherface.It
hadt rulybeenar oughj our ney, butshef inally
managedt obef ree.Shedi dn’ trealizei t,butshe
hadt ogot hr
ought hatjour neyt osavenotonl y
her self,butalsosaveot her s.Becauseofhercase,
somanycaseswer ereviewedaf t
ert hat, casest hat
Ms.Jel eandDet ect i
veSi biyaspeci ficallywor ked
on.Tur nsoutt heywer ebot hwor kingoncases
toget her ,
oddenoughandbasedont hebackl ash
thatt hej udgeswhower ewor kingont het ri
alst hat
hadt odowi ththosecases, 260womenwer e
acqui ttedoft hei rchar gesaf ewdaysl ater–
i
ncl udi ngMar tha, whowasoneoft hepeopl ewho
wer eal soputbehi ndbar sbyMs.Jel e.Sadl y, Ms.
Jel ewasonherwayt opr isont hatday, aswel las
Sibiya, whi l
ePr eci oushadof ficial
lybeendecl areda
freewoman.Shewentont obecomet heof fi
cial
Pr i
ncessofZul uland.Thepeopl ewel comedher
wi thopenar ms.Gl endaofcour seaswel las
Nj abul ogotar rest edandchar gedwi t
hmur der ;
Glendagotchar gedwi thdef eat ingt heendsof
j
ust icef orbur yingGat sha’sbody.Shel edt hem t o
wher eshehadbur iedhi m andhegotapr operbur ial
.
Lehumo’ sbodyal sogotexhumedf rom Mamel odi,
andshegott obebur iedalongsi deherhusband.A
fewmont hsl ater,Pr eciouswasmar ri
edt oKumkani
andshewasof fi
ci allyQueenBuhl ebendal oBahumi
Ncube- Mdhl etse.Whatamout hf ul.Sheofcour se
hadt or epeatherf i
rstyear ,butsheendedup
fi
ni shingherl awdegr eeandonl ygavebi rt
ht oher
fi
rstsonwi t
hKumkanisi xyearsaf t
ermar r
iage.
Shest illremai nedgoodf ri
endswi ththegang,
alongsi deMam’ Thoko.Hoseaf inallygothi sact
toget herandmar riedBr i
dget.Theyr aisedtheir
threechi ldrent oget heri nZululandaswel l.Thi ngs
fi
nal lyf elli
nt oplace, byt heGraceandmer cyofGod.
Att imesyouf eel asi fthewhol ewor l
di sweighi ng
onyou, taket imet oseet hatyouar eact uall
ya
smal lfi
shi nabi gpond.Ther ear esomanyot hers
whoar edeal ingwi thbi ggerdemons.Att imes
troubl ekeepscomi ngyourwaybecauseyouf ailt
o
realizei tisGod’ swayofspeaki ngt oyou.Your
ancest orswi l
lalwaysshedl i
ghtt oyou, butifyou
failtol i
st en,youwi llgetpunishedsomehow.Tr ust
i
nt heLor dandHeshal lgiveyoual lthedesi resof
yourhear t–Psal m 37: 4.Isaiah41: 10sayst ous;
“Sodonotf ear ,forIam wi thyou;donotbe
di
smayed,forIam yourGod.Iwi
llstr
engthenand
hel
pyou,Iwilluphol
dyouwithmyrighteousri
ght
hand.
”

Whateveryouaregoingthr
ough,neverf
orgett
o
tr
usti
nt heLord.Thesevenstepstodel
ight
your
selfintheLor
dar e:

Catchavi
sion:“
Iam gi
vingal
lthi
sland,asfaras
youcansee,toyouandyourdescendants.
”–
Genesi
s13:15
Disconnectf
rom t
heWorl
d:“
Don’tyour
eal
izet
hat
fr
iendshipwi
ththewor
ldmakesyouanenemyof
God? ”–James4:4
3.ThrowoffUnf
orgi
veness:“
Thr
owof
fever
ythi
ng
thathi
nder
s.”–Hebrews12:1
Don’
tOver
simpli
fyLove:“
Thegr
eat
estoft
hesei
s
l
ove.
”-1Cori
nthi
ans13:13
Cr
eateaThought-
wor
dConnect
ion:“
Hewi
llhave
what
everhesays.
”–Mark11:
23
Pr
eserver
einFai
th:“
Thr
oughf
ait
handpat
ience
i
nher
itthepr
omises.
“–Hebr
ews6:
12
Devel
opaHear tofGr
atit
ude:“
Enterint
othegates
wit
hthanksgi
vingandintohi
scourtswithpr
aise.
”–
Psal
m 100:4
Theend.