#TheRoyal

sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er1

Iwasbor nasThembi saNt aka, towonder fulyet

i
ncrediblystrictparent sNt ombenhl eandXol ani
Ntaka.I'm oneoft wochi l
drent heyhave.Theol dest.
Myyoungersi sterisonl y5year syoungert hanIam.
OnceI '
df i
nishedmyGr ade12, Iwasexci t
edt ogo
outintothewor l
dtost udy.Ihaddr eamsofwor king
i
nanof fi
ce.Icouldn' tdeci dewhatexact l
yIwant ed
tostudyandsoIchoseLaw.Iwasaccept edat
Mount ainPeakUni ver sityt omydi sappoi ntment ,
theinstit
uti
onwasgoodbutIr eall
ywoul d've
pref
erredt obei ntheot hersideoft hecount ry.
Begger scan'tbechooser sandsoof ft
oMPUIwent .
Mypar entswer ehappywi ththisar rangement
becausewel ivedineMt hi
nomkhul uvi l
lage, which
wouldal l
owt hem tot raveltoseemewi thoutbei ng
onther oadf orhour s.Il ovedt hisset uptoo
becauseI '
dal sobeabl et ogohomeof ten.
Xolani:"Ntombiyam.Iwantyout omakeuspr oud.
Pleasest ayawayf rom drugsandal coholandt hese
nightplaces.Wet aughtyout orespectyour sel
f.
Stayawayf r
om men. "Ishould'
velistenedtomy
dearfather.Myf ir
styearinuniversit
ywasgr eat,I
hadmadeaf ri
endwhowasor i
ginall
yf r
om abi gger
ci
tyinmypr ovincewhi chwascal l
edKi ngstown, her
namei sZi mmy.Shemademyl i
feexci t
ingwithjust
herstories.Shewoul dbet heonewhogoesoutand
comesbackt oourr oom wi t
hshocki ngfunny
si
tuati
ons.Ourf i
rstyearcamet oanend.I twas
fi
nall
yt i
mef ormet oretur
nhome.
Zi
mmy:"Friend,weneedtocel
ebr
ate.Wef
ini
shed
ourf
ir
styear!Comeon."
Me:"
Tshomiplease.YouknowIdon'tgooutt
o
cl
ubsandsuch.Ihatethosepl
aces.
"
Zimmy:"Howcanyouhat esomethingyou'venever
exper
ienced?Pleasebeser
iousbabe.Look,gi
veit
twohours.Justtwo,t
henwecomehome. "
Me:"
Fine.Nodr
in-
"
Zi
mmy:"
Twodr
inks.Justt
wo.
"
Me:"Fi
ne.Twohours.Twodr i
nks.ThenIcome
home."Shesqueal
ed,exci
ted.Zi
masaisachild
honest
ly.Wespenttheaft
ernoonchoosi
ngclot
hes
towear.
Zi
mmy:"
Oht
hiswoul
dlooksogood.
"
Me:"
Ithi
nknot.Zimmy, t
hiswon'
tevengoovermy
bum.Noshortdresses.
"
Zi
mmy:"Andt
his?
"Il
ookedatt
her
edbodyhuggi
ng
dr
ess.
Me:"
Immedi
atel
yno.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
stwopi
ece.
"
Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkso.What
'swr
ongwi
thmy
cl
othes?"
Zimmy:"Maxidresses?Thembisa,don'
tmakeme
hateyou.Jeansthen?Andacut ecroptopt
hat
carr
iesyourboobslikeJesusdoeshiscupofwi
ne.
"
Il
aughed.
Me:" Youcomef r
om helldon'tyou?"Weset
tl
edon
skinnyjeansandabl ackcropthatwasbackl
ess,
plusaver yshor
tblockheelsandal.Zimmyhadthe
short
estdeni m short
s,af loralwr aptopthatonly
ti
edupherbr east,
awhi t
ebl azerandbl ackheels.
Shehel pedmewi t
hasof tglam makeupl ook.By8
i
nt heeveni ng,wemadeourwayt otheclub.This
wasoneoft heuppercl assspot sinMount ainPeak,
bythel ooksoft hecar sout side.Wegotahi ghtable,
satdownandZi mmyor der edcockt ail
s.Ihaveto
admitIdi dn'thatelookingt hisgood.Fi nall
ydoing
somet hinggr ownandf un,notj uststudyingand
revi
sing.Ourcockt ai
lsarrived,lookingsopr ett
y.I
tookmyf i
rstsip.
Me:"
Thi
stast
esni
ce.
"
Zi
mmy:"I
tdoesne?So.
..Whatdoyout
hinkoft
he
pl
ace?
"
Me:"
It
'sgor
geous.Looksexpensi
ve.
"
Zimmy:"Ther
eisabsolut
elynoneedt oworr
yabout
that
.Ij
ustneedyoutoletloose.Yougohome
tomorr
owandIknowyou' llspendyourent
ir
e
holi
daytendi
ngtosheep.
"Il aughed.
Me:"Wedon'
thavesheep.Justaf
ewgoat
sand
chi
ckens.
"
Zimmy:"Iwishyou'
dvi
sitmei
nKi
ngst
ownatl
east
foraweek."
Me:" I
fmymom saysyest hensur e.Iwouldloveto
comet ovisi
t."Itookanothersi
pl ookingaroundthe
cl
ub.I twasst arti
ngtofil
lupwi t
hgor geousgir
ls,
dressedi nsexydr essesandheel s.Myeyesl anded
onsomeonesi tt
ingononeoft hevel vetcouches.
Hest aredr i
ghtbackatme.Ismi l
edsweet l
y.No
smile,nothing.Iswallowedandl ookedaway,
embar rassed.Iwasj usttryi
ngtobepol i
te.
Zi
mmy:"Stopchecki
ngt
het
ime.I
t'
sonl
ybeen30
minut
es.
"
Me:"
Themusi
cist
ool
oud.
"Shel
aughed.
Zimmy:" I
t'sacl
ub,peopleareheretodance."I
shookmyheadandcont i
nuedlookedaroundbut
myst upi
dgazel andedont hesameperson.Hest i
ll
star
edatmewi thadrinkinhishand.Okay,t
hisis
nowof fi
ciall
yawkwardandembar rassi
ng.
Me:"
Canwechangeseat
s?"
Zi
mmy:"
Why?
"
Me:"
Ifeell
ikeIcan'
tseepeopl
eful
lyf
rom t
his
si
de.
"Shesmi l
edandgladl
yswappedwithme.
Zimmy:"Omg,youhadt
hevi
ewoft
heVVI
Pthi
s
enti
ret
ime?"
Me:"I
sthatwhatiti
s?Lookedl
ikeaver
y
uncomfortabl
ecul
tmeeti
ngtome."Shelaughed.A
manwal kedovert
oourtabl
e.
Zi
mmy:"
HeyKhaya!You'
rest
il
lher
e?"
Khaya:"
Wher
ewoul
dIgo?
"
Zimmy:"
Homeobvi
ousl
y,youf
ini
shedwr
it
ingdays
ago.
"
Khaya:"
Ohyeah.I'
l
lpr
obabl
ymakemywayover
nearChr
ist
mas."
Zimmy:"
It
'sni
cehavi
nganof
fcampusapar
tment
ne?"
Khaya:"
Andar i
chdadwhodoesn'
tcarewhatIdo
i
nmyspar eti
measlongasIpass.Yes.
"They
l
aughed."Who'
sthi
s?"
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sisThembi
sa.Af
ri
endofmi
ne.
"
Khaya:"
From?Iknowyourf
ri
ends.
"
Zimmy:" Youdon'
tknowher
.She'smyroommate.
Doesn'tgoout,soIwant
edtoshowhertheworl
d
befor
eshegoesbackhome. "Khayal
ookedatme
smili
ng.
Khaya:"
HelloThembi
sa,
I'
m Khaya.
"Ishookhi
s
hand,smil
ing.
Me:"
Lovel
ytomeetyou.
"
Khaya:"
Areyoust
udyi
ngher
e?"
Me:"
Yes.Doi
ngmyLLB.
"
Khaya:"
That
'scr
azy.Soam I
.Thi
rdyearnextyear
."
Zi
mmy:"
Didyouevenpasst
hisyear
?"
Khaya:"
Obvi
ousl
y."Her
oll
edhi
seyes,
laughi
ng.
Zi
mmy:" Haveyoudeci
dedwher
eyou'
ddoyour
ar
ti
cles?
"
Khaya:"
Whew,
we'
rest
il
lfarf
rom t
hat
."Hel
aughed
agai
n.
Zi
mmy:"Imeanther
eorupnor
thinGoldenCrown?
Thembi
,Khaya'
sdadownst
hebiggestl
awfir
msi n
thecity.Thi sonesayshedoesn' twanttoworkwit
h
him."Gol denCr ownwasaci t
yupnor t
hinour
countr ythatspecial
izedinminingpreci
ous
miner als.Anyonewhomovesupt hereneedst
o
knowt heirstor
ybutcl ear
lyKhayadidn'
thavethat
problem.
Khaya:"Okay,whyar eyouhangi ngmyl aundry
now? "Helaughed."Look,I
'm unsureifIwantt o
pursuelaw,I'
m mor eint
erestedinotherthings.
"He
winked.Zimmyr ol
ledhereyesl aughing."Hey,l
et
megetusat abl
eatVI P.I'
llbeback."Hewal ked
away.
Me:"
Andhowdoyouknowhi
m?"
Zimmy:" Wegoouttomostlyt
hesamespaces.
Khayai sani
ceguyandr i
chashell.Heknowshow
tomakeanyt i
meagoodt ime.He'
sagr eatper
son
tohaveasaf r
iend.Whenhisdadisn'taround,
he
takesustothemansionforapart
y.It'
ssomuch
fun."Isi
ppedmycocktai
l.
Khaya:"Okay,
let
'sgol
adi
es.
"Wewentovert
othe
VIPloungeandsatdown.
Zi
mmy:"
Doyoul
ikehi
m?"
Me:"
Heseemsni
ce.
"
Zimmy:"Hmm. "Shegiggl
ed.Ismi l
ed,shaki
ngmy
head.I'
veobviouslyhadcrushesbutneverhada
boyfr
iend.Iwasn'tevenKhaya'stypebecause
suddenlyaswesatt here,
af ewgi r
lscamein,oneof
them ki
ssinghimf ul
lonthelips.Shelookedli
kea
supermodel.
Zimmy:"
Doyouwantthesamecockt
ail
?"Il
ooked
atmynearempt
ydri
nk.
Me:"
Uhm,
yeah.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Don'
twantt
otr
yanyt
hingel
se?
"
Me:"
Idon'
twantt
omakeaf
oolofmysel
f.
"
Zimmy:" I'
mr i
ghthere.Nothingwillhappentoyou.I
swear .We'l
lpourthedrinktogetherandpace
ourselves.Here'
ssomewat ertoo.Khayaorder
ed
food."Theothergirl
swer ecarryi
ngchampagne
glasses.
Me:"
Okay.Whatdoyousuggest
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Let
'shavechampagnebaby.
"Shej
umped
upanddowni nherseatl ikeachi l
d.Myf ir
stsi
pof
champagnewashor rendous.Ihat editimmedi at
ely.
Whatdi sgusti
ngover pricedelectri
cnonsensei s
thi
s?Itwoul dn'tbehardt opacemysel fbecauseit
wouldpr obablytakemeanhourt ofi
nishthisone
l
itt
leglass.Thecl ubstar t
edtof i
llup.Ididn'
tknow
mostoft hemusi cbutitwasni cedanci ngwith
Zimmyandt ot hesongsIknew, wesang.
Me:"
Wher
e'st
hebat
hroom?Ineedt
opee.
"
Zi
mmy:"Let'
sgo."Sheheldmyhandandwemade
ourwayouttot
hebathroom.Idi
dmybusinessand
washedmyhands."Sowhatdoyouthi
nk?"
Me:"
Ofwhat
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Clubscene.I
sitt
oomuch?
"
Me:"
It
'sokay.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Justokay?
"Shecameoutt
hest
all
.
Me:"
It
'sf
unandIknowwhatyou'r
eangli
ngfor
,sur
e
wecanst
aylongerbuthowwi
llwegethome?"
Zimmy:"SamewayIalwaysgethome.Don'
twor
ry,
you'
resafe.
"Shel
aughed.Wewalkedoutt
he
bathr
oom andagai n,
thesamesetofeyesf ound
mine.Thistimehewasget ti
ngup,andwal kingout
thecl
ubwi thmeni nsui
tsfoll
owinghim.Thatman
wassost rangeorwasIt heprobl
em?Whydi dIlook
athimfir
st?ButIalwayscaughthim star
ingatme
soIwasn'ttheissuehere.

We' dmadei tbackt oKhaya'sapar t

mentby3i nthe
mor ning.Whenpeopl etalkaboutst udent
apar t
ment sIalwaysexpectmyt ypeofr oom.Smal l,
dullwithasuspi ci
oussmel lthatnoamountof
cleaningget sridofsoyouoptf orroom mi stsprays.
Khaya' sapar t
menthoweverwasnott hat.Thear ea
oni t
'sownwasexpensi ve.We'dcomei nthrough
thebasementpar ki
ngsoIdon' tknowwhati tl
ooked
l
ikeout side.Thel i
ftuptohisapar tmentt hough?
Mi r
roredandspar kli
ngcleanwi thmar blefloors.He
unlockedhi sdoorandwecamei n.Zi mmy, Khaya,
hisgirlf
ri
endandIt hatis.Iwasqui tet i
redhonest l
y
butIcoul dn'thelpbutstareatt hi
spl aceinawe.
Khaya:"
Okay.Ther
e'sasecondbedr
oom,
youguys
canusethat
."
Zi
mmy:" Justl
ikethat
?It
houghtwe'
dhavesome
dr
inksandchil
l?"Khayal
aughed.
Khaya:"Ihaveahotwomani nmybedandyouwant
met ocomedr i
nkandchil
l?
"Helookedatme."
Is
thatso,Thembisa?
"Il
ookedaway,qui
te
embar r
assed.
Me:"
No,
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dgot
obed.
"
Khaya:"
Sur
e?"Il
ookedathi
m andhesmi
led.
Me:"
Yes.It
hinkI
'
mtur
ningi
ntoo.I
'
mti
red.
"
Khaya:"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.Goodnightl
adi
es.
"Hewalked
t
ohisr oom.Zi
mmyl ookedatmeandlaughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Youknowhe'
steasi
ngyou?
"
Me:"
Forwhat
?"Sheshookherhead.
Zimmy:" Come, l
et'
sgetyout obed.Lastnightwasa
blast.
"Weent eredthesecondbedr oom."Beforewe
sl
eep, wewasht hemakeupof fbabes.Come. "We
washedoutf acesandmadei tbackt obed.JustasI
settl
edin,andclosedmyeyes, Icoul
dheart he
soundsf rom Khaya'sroom.Really?She'
snotshyi s
she?Igiggledandt ri
edsleepi
ng.
Iwasawakeby6i nthemor ning.I
'vealwaysbeen
anear l
yr i
ser
.Ican'tsleeppast6.Especial
lyin
someone' shouse.It'
sincredi
blyrude.Igotoutof
bed,starti
nginthebat hroom t
henmadei ttothe
ki
tchen.Itwassount i
dyandIwant edacupof
coff
ee.Sot hefi
rstthingIdidwasobvi ouslycl
ean
upthedi shesandkitchen.Iwasdonei nanhour ,
searchingthecupboar dsforsomeSphongweni
coff
ee.
"
Wow"Il
ookedbehi
ndmet
ofi
ndKhaya.
Me:"I
,Uhm Goodmorning.
"Ilookedaway.Hewas
onl
yinhist
ightbl
ackunderwear.Icaughtagli
mpse
ofi
tandIunderst
andwhyshewasscr eaming.
Khaya:"
Goodmorning.Thekit
chenl
ooksnice.I
don'
tremembercal
l
ingthecleani
ngl
ady."
Me:"
ohI
'
m sor
ry.Icl
eanedi
t.Iwasbor
ed.
"
Khaya:"
Bor
ed?Youcl
eanwhenyou'
rebor
ed?
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Khaya:"
Whywon'
tyoul
ookatme?
"
Me:"
You'
renotf
ull
ydr
essed,
it'
srude.
"Hel
aughed.
Khaya:"
We'
refr
iends.Youshoul
dn'
tbeobj
ect
if
ying
meliket
hat
."
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Khaya:"
Whatwer
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
"
Me:"
Cof
fee.Iwant
edtomakesome."Hewalkedto
wher
eIwasstandi
ng,
stooddi
rect
lyi
nfrontofme.
Khaya:"I
t'
sri
ghthereonthecount
er.I
fyoulooked
atme,you'dseeit.
"Il
ookedupathi
m."Ther
e.See,
youdidn'
texplode.
"Il
ookedonthecount
erand
fr
owned.
Me:"
Uhm.Whati
sthi
s?"
Khaya:"
Acof
feemachi
ne.
"
Me:"Machine?AllIwant
edwasSphongweni
,you
havethatr
ight?I
t'
saverygoodcof
fee.
"Hesmiled.
Khaya:"
Idon' tdri
nkinstant
.Letmemakeyour eal
goodcof f
ee."Het ookoverandIst
oodasi de
watchi
nghi m, wellhi
sbody.Hewasabi ttal
lerthan
mewi t
hasmal lbody.Theorganonhiml ooked
qui
testrongt hough.I'
m goi
ngtohellf
orthis
thought,forsure.Thiswassupposedt obemy
fri
end.Secondl y,Iwouldn'
tevenknowwhattodo.I
hadn'tgottentothepoi ntofsexyetandmyfir
st
ti
medef initel
ywon' tbewithThatmonstr
osi
ty.
Khaya:"
Ther
e,nowwegiveitami
nut
e.Doyou
al
wayswakeupt hi
sear
ly?
"
Me:"Yes.Can'
tsleeppast6.
"Ever
ythi
ngwasjustso
awkward.Hefinall
ygavemeacupofcoffee.
Khaya:"
Doyouwantt
ogohome?
"
Me:"Uhm,whenyou'reready.I
'm noti
nahurry.
"To
behonest,
Ireal
lywantedtositonthatbal
conyand
daydream.Theviewswer espect
acular
.
Khaya:"
I'
m goi
ngbackt
osl
eepmiss.SoI
'
ll
pr
obablybereadyi
nsomehour
s."
Me:"Oh."Hour
swouldbeast retch.Whatwoul
dIsit
hereanddo?"Icancatchat axi.Itwon'
tbea
probl
em.Ishouldl
eaveaf t
erthiscup.Iwouldl
iket
o
bathandchange,I
'm supposedt oleaveat12f
or
home."
Khaya:"
It
'sSat
urday.Whydon'
tyoul
eavet
omor
row?
Iwantedusal ltogotoaMozambi canr est
aurant
forl
unchanddr i
nks,hitanothercl
ubl atertonight
andhavesomef un.Justoncebef oret heholidays.
I'
m goi
ngt obeinthi
sci t
yallalonewhenever yone
goestot heirf
amili
es."Myhear tpangedf orhim.
Whydi dn'thewanttogot ohi sfamily?
Me:"
Okay.I
'l
lcal
lmymom andl
etherknowI
'
m
comi
nglat
er.Tomor
row.
"
Khaya:"
Thankyou.Ohand,Ihavesomeclean
sweatpant
sandvestforyoutochangei
nto.Aft
er
yourbat
h.Assumingyouwanttobathnow?"
Me:"
Aft
ermycup.ThankyouKhaya.
"
Khaya:"You'rewel come."Hewal kedbackt ohis
room.Iwal kedoutont othebalconyandsatont he
hangingchai r
.Thi sviewwasbeaut ywithinit
self
.
Thecupofcof feeIwashavi nghitmysoul .Eventhe
airfel
tdi
fferenther e.Gooddif
ferent.Maybe
delayi
nghomef oraf ewmoredayswoul dn'
tbe
suchabadi dea?
[
07/
27, 05:
38] :#TheRoyalsbyTi
naKi
ng(
thi
sis
t
heteasert
hatwasposted.
)
Chapt
er2

I'
dmanagedt oconvi ncemymot herthatIhadan
assi gnmentt osubmi tonMondayt hatI '
dforgott
en
about .Ihadtosoundr eallysad.Sheboughti t
,
tryingt oencourageme.I fonlysheknewIwas
stayi nginthiscityt
oeataman' smoney.Af t
era
relaxingbat h,Isati
nt hebalconychai rjustt
hinking
aboutmyusualnonsensi calthi
ngs.Ar ound9Igot
upt omakesomebr eakfastforeveryonet owakeup
to.Zi mmywal kedintheki t
chen.
Zi
mmy:"
Heybaby.
"
Me:"
Hey.Howar
eyou?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sti
llsl
eepy.Whatar
eyouwear
ing?
"
Me:"
Khayagavet
hem t
ome.Ineededabat
h."
Zi
mmy:"
Omg?
"Shegasped."
Youandhi
m?"
Me:"
No.Hehasagirl
fr
iendwhoi
sst
il
linhi
sroom.
He'
sjustbei
ngni
ce.
"
Zimmy:"Hmm."Khayawalkedi
ntheki
tchenasI
coll
ect
edeggsfr
om thef
ri
dge.
Khaya:"Goodmor ni
ngladi
es.
"Atleasthewas
weari
ngshor tsnow.Hetookanapple,si
tt
ingont
he
barstoolnexttoZi
mmy.
Zi
mmy:"
Wher
e'syourgi
rl
?"
Khaya:"
Howdoyouaskaboutaper
sonyou'
re
l
ookingat?
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Scr
ambl
edorf
ri
edeggs?
"
Khaya:"
Scr
ambl
edpl
ease.
"
Me:"Whataboutyourgi
rl
fr
iend?I
sshest
il
l
sl
eepi
ng?"
Khaya:"
No.
"Zimmywasbesideher
sel
flaughi
ngat
somethi
ngIhavenocl
ueabout.
Me:"
Isshecomi
ngt
oeat
?"
Khaya:"
Areyouhungr
y?"
Me:"Okay,
I'
m confused.Thegir
lwhowas
scr
eamingyournameKhaya, isshecomi
ngoutt
o
j
oinusforbreakf
ast?"
Khaya:"
Whyar
eyouyel
li
ngatmemami
?"
Me:"
Ihaven'
tevenr
aisedmyvoi
ce.
"
Khaya:"
Shel
eftatabout5.
"Hebi
tint
ohi
sappl
e.
Me:"
5??Di
dyouf
ight
?"
Khaya:"Idon'
tfi
ghtbaby,Ionl
yfuck.Herj
obwas
doneandsoshel eft
."Iwassoshockedathis
bl
untness.
Me:"Isee."Scr
ambledeggsitwas.Imade
breakf
astquietl
ywhil
etheytalkedandl aughed.
Zimmymadewhatshecal l
st hebreakfastjui
cefor
champions.Champagnewi t
hor angejuice.Iser
ved
them t
heirfoodandweate.
Me:"SoI'
llbel
eavi
ngonMonday.Ical
ledmy
motherandsheaccept
ed.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yeeesss!
!ThankyouKhaya!
!"
Me:"Andwhyareyout hanki
nghim?I'mtheone
thatl
iedt
omymot hersoyoubet t
erkeepmeali
ve
unti
lIent
erherhouse.
"Theylaughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Gladl
y."
Khaya:"
Heysowhydon'twegogetyourcl
othes?
I
t'
llbeeasi
eri
fyouguysarej
usther
ehonestl
y."
Zimmy:"Thisi
str
ue.Wecangonowwhi
leIst
il
l
haveenergy.
"
Khaya:"
Alr
ight
.Letmeputonashi
rt
."Hewal
kedt
o
hi
sroom.
Zi
mmy:"
Youl
ikehi
m ne?
"
Me:"
Yeshe'
sagoodguy.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ithi
nkhel
ikesyout
oo.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?I
sthatwhyhebroughtawomanhome
andmadeherscr
eam?"Shechuckled.
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sbot
her
syou?
"
Me:"Notatal
l.Khayai
smyf
ri
endandI
'
drat
her
keephi
m asthat.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ifyousayso.
"

Khayadr
oveustoRes.Ihopehedi dn'
twantto
comeinwit
hus.Ican'trememberi
fwel ef
tamess
bef
orewelef
t.For
tunately,
hest
ayedinthecar
whilewewentupt oourroom.Wepackedour
cl
othesinZimmy'sweekendbag.Ichangedi ntoa
comf or
tabl
efl
owywhi teboobtubedress,f
eeli
ng
mor easmyself
.SinceZimmywasshower i
ng,I
cal
ledmydadasIusual l
ydidonweekendst ohave
achatwi t
hhim butIspokemostlyabouthavi
ngto
fi
nishtheassi
gnmentIwassupposedt odo.
Xolani
:"I
'
m soproudofyoumychi
ld.Ar
eyou
anywherenearf
ini
shi
ng?"
Me:"Almosttat
a.Ithi
nkI '
llbedonebytoni
ghtthen
I'
l
ltakeabreakandsl eep.TomorrowIwantto
doublecheckeveryt
hingandaddmyr ef
erences
whichisanassignmentoni t
sown."
Xolani:"Iknowyoucandoi tmychil
d.You'revery
smar t.Justkeeppr ayi
ngandmakesur ethatyou
don'tlosefocus.Ar eyoueati
ngwell
?Rest ing?
That'sasi mportanttoo.
"It
houghtofjustlastni
ght
andt hismor ni
ng.I'
vehardlysl
eptbutIdideatwell.
Me:"
Yesdad.Andar
eyouwel
l?
"
Xol
ani:"
I'
mfi
nemychi l
d.Ican'
twai
tunt
ilyouar
e
home.Letmenotkeepyou."
Me:"
Okay.Pl
easesayhel
lot
omum andNel
e."
Xol
ani
:"I
'
lldot
hat
.Goodbyeangel
."
Me:"
Byedad.Il
oveyou.
"Ihungup.
Zi
mmy:"
Done.Let
'sgo.
"
Me:"
Ihat
elyi
ngt
ohi
m.Imi
sshi
m somuch.
"
Zimmy:"Iknowsweet i
ebutyourdadwi l
lsti
llbe
ther
ewhenyougethomeonMonday. "Wemade
ourwaydownst air
s.Khayawasinhiscar,li
st ening
tomusicwi t
htheseatpull
eddown,looki
ngl ikehe
wassleeping."
Pleasesi
tinthef
rontthi
st i
me. "
Me:"
Why?
"
Zimmy:"Ialr
eadyknowhim,youtal
ktohim now."
Sheclimbedinthebackwit
hthebag.Ient
eredthe
passengerseat
.Hesmi l
ed.
Khaya:"
Wher
etonow?
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.I
t'
sst
il
lqui
teear
lyf
orl
unchand
I
'mful
l.
"
Khaya:"
Alr
ight
.We'l
ldodr
inksandmovi
esunt
ilwe
gethungr
y.Ever
yoneonboard?"
Zi
mmy:"
Happywi
tht
hissuggest
ion.
"
Khaya:"
Mrs?
"Il
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.
Me:"dri
nksandmovi esiti
s.Let
'sgo."Hestart
edat
theshopstostockuponsnacksanddr i
nks.I
twas
twobottl
esofginandcondimentssuchast onics,
cordi
al,r
osemary,mint.Wemadei tbacktohis
placeandZimmymadeussomecockt ail
s.Khaya
satnexttomepr essi
ngtheremote.
Khaya:"
Whatar
ewewat
chi
ng?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sasal
ovesr
omancemovi
es.
"
Khaya:"
Romance?Yoh,
I'
m goi
ngt
ofal
lasl
eep.
"
Me:"Aslongasi
t'
snotshoot
ingandvi
olence,
I
don'
tmind."
Zi
mmy:"
Her
eyougo.Dr
inkup.
"It
ookasi
p.
Me:"
Thati
spot
ent
."
Zimmy:" Perf
ect
."Shesatonthesinglecouchafter
drawingforwardthecurt
ainssot
hatt heroom i
s
darker.Khayapickedamoviewhichwasacomedy,
fort
unatelyweenjoyedit
.Bymysecondcockt ailI
couldfeelabitt
ipsy.SoIputmydr i
nkaside.
Khaya:"
CanIputmyheadonyourl
ap?
"
Me:"
Yeahsure.
"Hel
aydownonmyl
ap.Onl
y5
mi
nutesl
ater
,hewassnor
ing.
Zimmy:"Whyar
eyoupuni
shingyour
sel
f?Takehi
m
tobed,
you'
renoddi
ngof
ftoo."
Me:"
I'
m nott
aki
nghi
mtobed.
"
Zimmy:"Babe,gotosl
eep.Imyselfam t
aki
nganap.
Wesleptat3."Shegotup,wal
kingtotheot
her
room.
Me:"
Hey."IshookKhaya."It
hinkyou'
llbemor
e
comf
ort
ableinbed."Hegroaned,si
tt
ingup.
Khaya:"
Didn'
tevenr
eal
izeIwassl
eepi
ng.Comi
ng?
"
Me:"
Uhm,
Idon'
tthi
nkso.I
'
llbei
ntheot
herr
oom.
"
Khaya:"Idon'
tbi
teThembisa.
"Ohwhatthehell
.I
fol
lowedhimt ohi
sbedroom."Sheet
shavebeen
changed."Heannounced.
Me:"
That'
snice.Di
dn'
ttakeyouf
ort
he
domest
icat
edtype.
"
Khaya:"
Cleaner
scamewhenIt
ookyout
ogetyour
things."Hepul ledt hecrispwhi tecover sback,
takingof fhisshirt."Luckyf orthem, theki tchenwas
spot l
ess.Sot heydi dn'
thavemucht odo. "He
handedmeat -
shirt, t
hencl i
mbedi nbed.I '
venever
beeni nbedwi thaman.Thi sscar edmeshi tl
ess.
Especi all
ybecauseIknowbi g"it"was." You' l
lbe
mor ecomf ort
ablei nat -
shi r
tthanadr ess. "Itookit
of f
,fol
dingi tandpl acingi tonthet able.Hest ared
atmybar ebr easts.Ipul l
edont het-shirtand
climbedi nbed.Hecuddl edmeandi nnot i
mef ell
rightbackt osleep.Di dIlikeKhaya?It hinkso.I
reallydid.Butwewer efriends.Hedi dn' tevenseem
l
ikear elationshipt ypeofper son.

Ifel
tsof
tkissesonmyneck, ahandgentl
y
squeezi
ngmybr easts.Iwaswakingup,feel
inga
l
itt
lehot
.ThenIf elthisorganpokingatmyass,I
satupstrai
ght.Hel ookedatme.
Khaya:"
hey.
"Hel
ickedhi
sli
ps.
Me:"
Uhm.Hi
."
Khaya:"
DidImakeyouuncomf
ort
abl
e?"
Me:"
Erh.
..
"
Khaya:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
Don'tbe.I
'
m newtothi
s.Beinginbedwi
tha
manissomethingI
'
veneverdone."
Khaya:"
What,youfucki
ntheli
vingroom wher
e
you'
refr
om?"Ilookedaway,
embar r
assedonce
agai
n.
Me:"
No.
"
Khaya:"Youhave..
..
.f
uckedbeforeri
ght?Ormaybe
I'
m beingblunt
,hadsex?Madel ove?"Icoul
dn'
t
evenlookathim."Nofuckingway."Hegotupfrom
bedpul l
ingonhisshi
rt."
Thembisa,areyoua
vi
rgin?"OhLord,Iwasabouttothrowup.
Me:"
Yes.
"
Khaya:"
Oh.I
'
m sosor
ry.Uhm.
.I'
l
lbei
nthel
ounge.
"
Me:"Why?"Il
ookedathi
m.WasIdi
sgust
ing
suddenl
y.
Khaya:"
Areyour
eal
lyavi
rgi
n?St
rai
ghtt
alk.
"
Me:"
YesKhayaIam.
"Isnapped.
Khaya:"Idon'tsleepwithvirgi
nsThembi sa.Li
keat
all
.Iam sorr
y.CanIgetyouadr i
nk,
snack?I'l
lbei
n
thelounge.
"Ist aredathimindi sbel
ief
,Iwantedto
l
aughact ual
ly.Evenhi serecti
onwentdown.
Me:"
Why?
"
Khaya:" Idon'thavet hepatienceThembi sa.You'll
needsomeonegent leandl ovingtoeaseyoui nto
sexandI '
m notaper sonwhocandot hat
.Idon' t
wantt ohur tyou."Inodded.Hewal kedoutt heroom
whileIgotdr essedi nmydr ess.Thi swascr azy.
Andver yembar r
assing.Imadet hebed, walkingto
thelounge.Hewasj ustsi
ttingont hecouch,
cli
ckingonhi sphone.Ithadbeenagoodt hr eehour
napatl east.Itwasnowar ound1i nt heafternoon.
Khaya:"SoIgotusar eservat
ionatthe
Mozambi canrest
aurantIwast el
li
ngyouabout
.You
wil
llovethei
rseafood.Trustme."Ihopehemeant
fi
sh.Iwasn'tabigfanofitbutIdidn'
tmindi
t.
Me:"
Okay.
"
Khaya:"
Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingsof
arnow?
"
Me:"
Farhow?We'
rei
nthesamer
oom.
"Zi
mmy
wal
kedi
n.
Zimmy:"Heysweet
ies.
"Sheyawned,f
loppi
ngnext
toKhayaonthecouchsinceIt
ookher
s.
Khaya:"
Whenshoul
dwegof
orl
unch?
"
Zimmy:"I
'
m downf
ornoweven.I
'
m qui
tehungr
y
agai
n."
Khaya:"Mrs?Areyouhungr
y? "Ist
aredathim.Soi f
I'
m"Mr s"who'
ssupposedtosleepwi t
hmei fit
'snot
him?Khayawasaver yconfusingi
ndividual
.
Me:"Yeah.
"It
ookmydri
nkfr
om wher
eI'
dlef
tit
bef
oreweallwentt
osl
eep.
Khaya:"
Alri
ght,
letmetakeashower
."Hewentt
o
hi
sroom, Ihear
dtheshowercomeon.
Zi
mmy:"Youokay?Di
dhet
rysomet
hingonyou?
Youl
ookmad."
Me:"
No.I
'
mfi
ne.
"
Zi
mmy:" Thenwhat
'swr
ong?Wecanl
eavei
fyou
don'
tfeelsaf
e."
Me:"
It
'snotl
ikehe'
l
ldoanyt
hingt
omeZi
mmy.He
refusedt
ohavesexbecauseI'
m avir
gin.
"She
gasped."
I'
m seri
ous.ImeanIunder
standitmaybe
bigbutIwouldhandlei
t.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thembi
sa.You'
reaWHAT.
"Shehi
ssed.
Me:"
Haveyoueverseenmewi
thamanZi
masa?
"
Zimmy:"Ij
ustassumedyouhadonebackhome
thatyoudi
dthedirt
ywit
h."
Me:"Youknowhowstrictmyparent
sare.Wher
e
andhowwouldthathappen?"Isi
ghed.
Zimmy:" Andhesai
dno? "Il
ookedather
sarcast
icall
y.Shel
aughed."
I'
m sosorr
y."
Me:"
Iam soembar
rassed,
youhavenoi
dea.
"
Zimmy:"
Icanonlyi
magine.I
'm sor
ryf
ri
end.But
nawe.Al
lyear
,whatwereyoudoingwhil
ethi
nasi-
busynamadodaabant
u?"
Me:"
Mxi
m."Shel
aughedagai
n..
.

Wemadeittot
heMozambicanrest
aurant.Il
oved
t
heaest
heti
candvi
beithad.Wesatinsi
debutnear
thebalconyarea.Thelightbreezewasamazing.
Zimmyor deredchampagneasusualandIaskedf or
acocktail
.NowayIwasgoi ngtopret
endtoeven
l
ikethatbeverage.Ourdr i
nkswer ebr
oughtandI
doverighti
ntomycockt ai
l.Zimmywasinherusual
giggl
es.Honestlyifyoudidn'tknowher,
you'd
swearshe'sondr ugs.
Khaya:"
Baby.Haveyout
riedpr
awns?
"Af
termy
l
ongsip,Il
ookedatt
hefoodmenu.
Zi
mmy:"Baby.
"Ilookedather
.Shepoi
ntedat
Khayawi
thhereyes.Il
ookedathi
m.
Khaya:"
Haveyout
ri
edpr
awns?
"
Me:"
Absol
utel
ynot
.Don'
tevent
ryt
oconvi
nceme.
"
Khaya:"
Fine,
whatwi
llyouhave?
"Ist
aredatt
he
foodopt
ions.
Me:"
Ithi
nkI
'
llst
ickt
oabur
ger
."
Khaya:"
Atl
eastpr
omi
seme,
you'
l
ltast
esomeof
myfood?"
Me:"Ican'
tpromiseifIdon'
tknowwhat'sonyour
pl
ate.Whatifitcat
chesmebysur pr
ise?
"Thewaiter
camet
otakeouror
der
sthenwal
kedaway.
Khaya:"
Afewf
ri
endsofmi
newi
llbej
oini
ngus
l
ater
."
Zi
mmy:"
Ihopei
t'
snotCr
aig.
"
Khaya:"
Ididn'
ttel
lyout
osleepwit
hhim soi
t'
snot
mybusinesswhathappensbetweenyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Urgh.Iwi
shf
orj
ustonenor
malweekend?
"
Me:"
Who'
sCr
aig?
"
Zimmy:"Rememberamonthago,t
heguywho's
gir
lf
ri
endwalkedi
nonus?"Khayal
aughed."
Can
youbeli
evehethr
ewmeout?"
Khaya:"
Itol
dyoulet'
sgotomypl
aceandyouact
ed
bouj
ee.It
'swhatyouget
."
Zi
mmy:"
Mxi
m."Isi
ppedmydri
nkqui
etl
ythi
nki
ng.
Wast
her
esomethi
ngbet
weenZimmyandKhaya?
Khaya:"
Fuckssake.What
'swr
ongwi
tht
hisguy?
"
Hemumbl ed.
Zi
mmy:"
Whatguy?
"Shel
ookedar
ound."
Oh,
him.
"
Khaya:"
He'
ssopr
etent
ious.Whygot
opubl
ic
spacesi
fyou'
llbehogging15mi
ll
ionbodyguar
ds?
Surel
yyoumusthaveyourownrestaur
antbythen
sonoonebothersyou."
Zi
mmy:"
Sowehavet
oleavenow?
"
Khaya:"
Onl
yifyou'
reuncomf
ort
abl
e,ar
eyouokay
babe?"
Me:"
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Khaya:"Thatguythere.
"Il
ookedoverandIsawhi
m.
Hestaredatmej ustashedidint
heclub.
Me:"
Oh.Hewasal
soatt
hecl
ubl
astni
ght
."
Khaya:"
Youknowhi
m?"Hi
stonei
cecol
d.
Me:"
HowwouldIknowhim?I '
mjustsayi
ngI
r
ememberseei
nghim.
"Isippedmydr i
nk.
Khaya:"
Isee.Hewalksar
oundever
ywher
easi
f
he'
stheactualKi
ng.
"
Zimmy:"Youneedtokeepitl
ow.Youknowpeopl
e
aroundheredon'
twanttohearsl
anderonhi
s
name."
Khaya:"
Mxi
m."Her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Me:"
Whydoeshehavebodyguar
ds?Andwhyso
many?"
Khaya:"
Thi
nkspeoplecar
eenought
owantt
oki
ll
hi
m."Hehissed,
sippi
nghisbeer
.
Zi
mmy:"
Whydoyouhat
ehi
m somuch?
"
Khaya:"
Idon'thatehim.He'sjustpret
enti
ous.He
knowsandever yoneinthi
spr ovi
nceknowswhohe
i
s.Whydoeshewantt obeseensobadl y?Aperson
ofhi
sstatur
ei nclubs?Restaurant
s?Why? "
Me:"He'
sahumanbei
ng.Sur
elyhe'
sal
lowedt
o
enj
oyhimsel
f.
"
Khaya:"
Humanbei
ng?Sur
e."Hel
aughed.
Me:"
Youmeanhe'
snotahuman?
"
Khaya:"Ofcour seheis,butheactsasifhe'sabove
al
lofus.Myi ssueis,whythencomebear oundus
normalbeings?Ai ,
letmenotr ui
nmySat urday.I
havebeaut i
fulwomensi tti
ngwithme."Helookedat
me.Whatast rangecharacterKhayawas.Maybe
he'
sinterestedinZimmy?Whyt hendoesn'thejust
askher?If i
nishedmydr inkwhil
etheytal
kedabout
everythingundert hesun.I '
dbeont hewayhome
now.Imi ssedmydadmor ethananyt hi
ng.Hewas
mybestf ri
end.Het aughtmequi tel
iterall
y
everything.Ispental lofmyt imewithhi m.Ilovemy
mom t oobutmydadwasmyl if
e.Igotup, goingto
thebat hroom, usingthet oiletandfi
xingmydr essin
frontoft hemi rr
or .Mycor nrowswer et woweeks
old,myhai rneedingawash.Iwashedmyhands
andwal kedout .Justasil eftthebathroom, I
bumpedi ntoahar dchesti nthatshortpassage.
WhenIl ookedup, amani nabl acksuitstoodi n
frontofme, holdingagun.Ist eppedback,
hypervent il
ati
ng.Gunsscar edtheshitoutofme.As
i
fi twasj ustmyl uck, IhitanotherwallandsoI
spunar oundal mostint ears.Itwashi m.Hej ust
l
ookedatmeasheal waysdi d.Nosmi l
e,no
emot i
on.
Me:"I'
m sosorr
y.Idi
dn'tseeyou.Ididn'
tknowthi
s
areawasclosedoff
.I'
l
lbeoutofyourway. "I
squeezedmyselfar
oundt hebodyguard.Khaya
walkedtowardme.
Khaya:"
Baby?I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Me:"Yes.I'
m okay.
"Ilookedbehi
ndme.Mr
Import
antwaswal kingtohist
abl
ewithhis
bodyguards.HelookedatKhayaforabr
iefsecond
thenwentonhi sway.
Khaya:"
Didsomet
hinghappen?
"
Me:"
No.Notatal
l.Ij
ustr
eal
lyhat
eguns.
"
Khaya:"
Oh."Hehel dmyhandt oourtable.Ourf
ood
hadarri
ved.Myappet it
ehadj ustdi
sappeared.I
wasactuall
yr eal
lyscared.Weretheygoingtoshoot
me?Het akesbodyguar dstothebathroom?What
thehel
lwast hatabout?
Zimmy:"
Baby,ar
eyouokay?You'
vebeenbr
eat
hing
heavysi
nceyoucameback.
"
Me:"
I'
m okay.
"Ipokedatmyf
ri
es.
Zimmy:" I
sitKhayaagain?Don' tworr
yabouthim
babe.Yenahel ikesyou,hejustneedstogetover
hi
mself."Ilookedtowher eKhayawassupposedt o
besit
ti
ng." Heleft3minutesago."
Me:"
Oh.
"Ichuckl
edner
vousl
y.
Zi
mmy:"
Thembi
sapl
easet
alkt
ome.You'
rescar
ing
me.
"
Me:"Ibumpedint
othatguyandhisbodyguard.He
l
ookedlikehewasabouttoshootmedead."She
l
ookedathistabl
e.
Zimmy:"Areyouserious?Nothat
'snotokay
Thembisa.That'
sinti
midati
onmos,we'r
epaying
cust
omer sjustl
ikeheis.
"
Me:"Pl
easedon'
tmakeasceneZi masa.Hedi dn'
t
doanyt
hingorsayanyt
hing.I
'
mj ustoverreacti
ng.
YouknowhowIf eel
aboutguns.Ithi
nkIjustwant
togohome."
Zimmy:" Fi
ne.Let'
spackthisup."Shecall
edthe
waiteroverthencal
ledKhaya."Sthandwa?Your
Mr swantstogohome.Okaycool ."Shehungup.
"He'sonhisway."Thewaiterbroughtbackour
takeaways.Zimmyt ookoutherwal l
et.
Zimmy:"Andt
hebi
llpl
ease?It
houghtIsai
dthat
befor
e."
Wai
ter
:"Yourbi
llhasbeenset
tl
ed.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m sur
eKhayahasn'
tset
tl
edt
hebi
ll
,we
wer
en'
tpl
anni
ngonl
eavi
ngsosoon.
"
Wai
ter
:"Wel
l.
..I
thasbeent
akencar
eof
."
Zimmy:"Okaythen.Here'
sat i
p.Thankyou.
"She
handedhim R100,hethankedherandwalkedaway.
Il
ookedupatt hetabl
eoutofcuriosi
tyandhe
wasn'tl
ookingatme.Final
ly.Sothi
swasalljusta
coinci
dence.If
oll
owedhisgazeandi tl
andedon
Khayawhohadj ustwalkedin.Hebentoverme
huggingme.
Khaya:"
Wecangonow.
"Igotupf
rom myseat
.He
hel
dmyhandaswewalkedoutwi
thZi
mmy.
Me:"
Whoishe?Whyisheli
ket
hat
?"Iaskedaswe
dr
ovetoKhaya'
sapar
tment
.
Zimmy:"That
'stheHeirtot
heRoyalThr
one.That
's
whyhe'sli
kethat.Anyonewit
houthi
sbl
oodisa
peasantt
ohim."
Me:"
Oh.
"Iswal
lowed,
looki
ngoutt
hewi
ndow.
[
07/
27,
05:
38] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er3

Ihadal ovelyweekendwi t
hmyf r
iends.WhatI
neededt houghwasanext remedet ox.I'
venever
drankbef orebutt hisweekendIconsumedway
mor et hanaper sonshoul dintheirli
fet
ime.I twas
nowMondayandIhadt ogohome.Wecameback
toourf l
atyest er dayeveni ngandIsl eptinmybed.I
hadn' tbeeni nbedwi thKhayasi nceSat urday
afternoonwhenIscar edhi m wit
hmyvi rginstatus.
Wewer etaughtt hatkeepi ngourvi r
tueaswomen
wasagoodt hingandonl ygivingittosomeoneyou
seeaf uturewi th.Soi fmendon' twantvi rginshow
willIgetaboyf riend?OrmaybeKhayadi dn'tseea
futurewi thme?Dat i
ngandsexhasbecomemuch
mor ecompl icatedt hanIeveri magined.Anyway, I
packedmysui tcasest hepreviousnightandIhad
nothingel sel eftbehi nd.Oursmal lsharedr esidence
room hadappl i
ances, abed, onesheetandpi l
low
case, youhadt obr i
ngachangef oryour self,wehad
toleaveal li
temsaswef oundthem inor dernott o
getpenal ized.Wewer epr ovi
dedwi thfoodever yday
andsoneverneededanything.TheResidency
l
eaderhadcomet ocheckformeandIpassedmy
room checksoIcoul
dleave.Zimmywasl eavingon
Fri
dayandIdon'tknowwhybutshe' l
lhaveher s
donethen.Ij
ustknowI'
llr
eallymissher.Imi ghtnot
evengetherasaroommat enextyearandt hat
scaresme.
Me:"
Fri
end,
I'
mleavi
ng.
"
Zimmy:"I'
m goi
ngtomissyousomuch. "She
huggedme." Pl
easepr
omi semewewi l
lsti
llbe
fr
iendsevenifwegetotherroommat
es."
Me:"Ipr
omise.Al
sopr
omi
semeyou'
l
lbehavet
his
December.
"
Zimmy:"
Ican'
tpr
omise,
Icanonl
ytr
y."Shel
aughed.
"OhandKhayai
sdownstai
rs.
"
Me:"
Oh."Iseethey'
l
lbehavi
ngal
otoff
unt
oget
her
whenI'
m gone.
Zi
mmy:"
He'
sher
eforyou.
"Il
ookedather
.
Me:"
Why.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Canonl
yaskhi
m.Let
'sgo.
"Shehel
pedme
wi
thonesui
tcase.It
ookt
heot
her
.
Khaya:"
Heybaby.
"Hehuggedme.
Me:"
Hey.Whyar
eyouher
e?"
Khaya:"
I'
mtaki
ngyout
othebusobvi
ousl
y."
Me:"
Oh.Thankyou.
"Wel
oadedmyt
hingsi
nhi
scar
.
Zi
mmy:"
Cal
lmewhenyougethome.
"
Me:"
You'
renotcomi
ngwi
thust
othest
ati
on?
"
Zi
mmy:"
No.
"Shesmi
led.
Me:"
We'
l
ltal
kont
hephonet
hen.Takecar
e."
Zi
mmy:"Byebaby.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.Igotint
hecar
l
aughi
ng.Khayadr
ovetot
hestat
ion.
Khaya:"
Iwi
shyoudi
dn'
thavet
ogo.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Khaya:"
Ienj
oybei
ngar
oundyou.
"
Me:"
Real
lynow.
"Iwant
edt
orol
lmyeyesatt
his.
Khaya:"
Ofcour
se.That
'swhyIspental
lweekend
wit
hyou."
Me:"
Soyouf
uckal
lofyourf
ri
ends?
"
Khaya:"
Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?"
Me:"YouandIar efr
iends,Sat
urdayyouini
ti
ated
sex.Clear
lyyou'
renotint
erest
edinrel
ati
onships.
SoI'm wonderi
ngifyoubefri
endpeopleandhave
sexwiththem someti
mes."
Khaya:"
Yousoundupset
."
Me:"
Whywoul
dIbeupset
?You'
renotmyman.
"
Khaya:"
Thenwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Me:"Whydoyoupr etendtobemyboyfr
iendif
you'
regoingtobefuckingwomenwhil
eI'minsi
de
yourhouseInthespareroom?"
Khaya:"
Pretendt
obeyourboyfri
end?Comeon
Thembisa.Whycan'
twejusthaveapeacef
ulr
ide?
"
Me:"
Youcal
lmebaby,
orMr
sal
lthedamnt
ime.
"
Khaya:"
And?
"
Me:"Anditseemsl
i
keyou'
react
ingl
ikea
boyf
riend.
"
Khaya:"
You'
renotmyt
ypeThembi
sa.You'
re
too..
..
innocentforme.Maybei fIwasadi f
fer
ent
man.I nadiffer
enttime.MaybeevenwhenI '
m near
reti
rementI'dprobablylovetohaveawi feli
keyou.
ButI '
mlit
erall
y21, i
nuni ver
sit
y,I'
m notl
ookingfora
wife.Iwanttof uck,
drinkandenj oyli
fe.
"
Me:"
Ok.
"Il
ookedoutt
hewi
ndow.
Khaya:"
You'
remaki
ngthingsuncomfort
ablenow.I
t
houghtyouwerematur
eenought ounderst
and
t
his.
"
Me:"I
'
m maki ngthi
ngsuncomfortabl
e?"Fortunatel
y
hepull
edintothestat
ionandparked.Igotoutthe
car
,unloadi
ngmybel ongi
ngs."
Thanksf ortheride-
"
Khaya:"
Letmehel
pyou.
"
Me:"Nothankyou.Icant akeitf
rom here.Enj
oy
yourholi
days.Takecare.
"Idraggedmybagsandof
courseIhadtodosomet hingembarrassingli
ketr
ip
overmyselfandfal
l.Iqui
cklypull
edmysel fupand
walkedaway.

Igotof
fmybusst
op,
str
uggl
i
ngwi
thmybags.My
fat
herwaswai t
ingther
e,smili
ng.I'
dbeenupdati
ng
himthewholewaybutIknowhe' sbeenst
anding
hereforanhourifnotmore.Ihuggedhimti
ght.
Me:"
Daddy.
"
Xolani:"
Mybabygi r
l.Youlookbeauti
ful
.Uni
ver
sit
y
l
ovesyou. "Il
aughed.Wewal kedhometoget
her,
taki
ngaver yslowst rol
l,
catchi
ngupwi t
heach
other.Iwil
lobviousl
yspendal otmoreti
mewithhim
asIusual l
ydidbutwel ovedouraloneti
me.
Xolani :"Thegoatsar edoingverywell.Imanaget o
sellaf ewever ymont h."We'vehadgoat sforaslong
asIcanr emember .Mydadgr ewhi sfewand
startedsel l
ing,t
hendoi ngitoverandover .Hi
s
definitionoffewi sprobably15amont h.Hesell
s
them f oraboutR1200t oR1500, peoplecomef r
om
fartownsandvi l
lagesforhisgoats.Hemanagedt o
buildusabet terhouseandupgr adesomeofour
furniture.Nowhepaysf ormytuiti
oninschool.
Me:"
Whataboutt
hechi
ckens?
"
Xol
ani
:"Ibui
ltacoupatt
heback.Wesel
leggst
oo
now.
"
Me:"
Thi
sisamazi
ngTat
a.I
'
m sopr
oudofyou.
"
Xolani
:"I
'
m mor eproudofyou.You'
regoingtodo
bi
gt hi
ngsinthi
swor ldmychil
d.You'r
estudyi
ngto
becomeal awyer.That'
saveryser
iouscareer
."
Me:"
Thankyout
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"So?I
sther
easpeci
alboy?
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Not
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whoi
she?
"
Me:"
Tat
a,t
her
e'snoone.
"
Xol
ani
:"What
'shi
sname?
"Il
aughedagai
n.
Me:"I
'
vebeenveryf
ocusedonschoolt
ata,
Ihave
noti
meforboys.
"
Xol
ani
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Me:"Yest at
a."Weenter
edt
heyard.Mymotherwas
i
nt heloungewatchi
ngTV.Zanel
emyyounger
sist
erwaswi thher
.Whenshesawme, shej
umped
runningtohugme.
Nel
e:"
You'
rehome!
!"
Me:"
Ofcour
seIam.
"Ichuckl
ed."
Hel
lomama.
"
Ma:"
Mol
oThembi
sa.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"I
'
mfi
nema.Ij
ustmi
ssedyouguys.
"Ihugged
her
.
Ma:"Atleastyou'reher
enow.Takeyourbagst o
yourroom."Itookmybagst omybedr oom.Ithadn'
t
changedatall.IknowIwashomej usttwomont hs
ago.I
twasaver ysmallroom withasi ngl
ebed
pushedagainstthewal l
.Thecupboar dwasont he
opposit
esideoft heroom againstthewall.SoI
basi
callyhadthesmal lpassagebet weenbedand
wardrobewhichcoul donlyfi
tme.Ial soasmal l
deskbyt hewindowandanol dchai r
.Inst
eadof
unpackingIwentbackt omyf ami l
y.
Ma:"
Didyoumanaget
ofi
nishyourassi
gnment
?"
Me:"Yesmama.Ihandeditinthismor
ning.I
coul
dn'twai
ttogetoutoft
here."
Ma:"Yourfat
hermadeyousomedumpl
ingsand
chi
ckenstew."
Me:"
Andt
hewayI
'
m sohungr
y.Yoh.Thankyou
t
ata.
"Iwentt
odi
shup,
sit
ti
ngi
nthel
ounget
oeat
.
Nel
e:"
Howi
suni
ver
sit
y?"
Me:"Honest
ly?It
'shard.Youhavetoconst
ant
lybe
ontopofyourgame, soI'
m st
udyingmostoft
he
ti
meifI'
m notinclass.
"
Nel
e:"
Doyouhaveanyf
ri
ends?
"
Me:"
Yes,
myr
oommat
eismyf
ri
end.
"
Mama:" Don'
tletpeoplei
nfl
uenceyout her
e.Fr
iends
arebad.Youmustr ememberwhyyouwentt o
schoolandstoprunningaroundfr
iends."
Xolani
:"Hawust handwa.Surel
yit
'sokaytohave
oneortwof r
iends.Noteveryonei
sabadi nfl
uence.
It
'snotheal
thytowor kallt
hetimewithoutbr
eak."
Mama:" Nextthingyouknowshe'sbackher ewit
ha
babyanddi sease.Nowwemustt akecar eofher
andthechildthatdoesn'
thaveafather.Li
ke
Zoli
swa'sdaught er
.ShewassenttoGol denCrown
tostudyandshecamebackpr egnant,
wi t
ha
toddleri
ntow."
Nel
e:"
Yoh,
rememberAndi
siwet
oo?
"
Mama:"Exactl
y.Seewher
etheyar
enow?St
ucki
n
t
hisvi
ll
age."
Xolani:"Peoplemakemi stakes.I '
m surei fZol
iswa' s
daught erandAndi siwehadasuppor tsyst em they
would'vegotbackont rackchasi ngtheirdreams
buttheirparent swant edtokeeppuni shingthem t o
pleaset hecommuni ty.Youcan' trai
seyourchi l
dby
pleasingpeopl eofthest reet .Theydon' tcare.Look
now, thefamiliesaresuf feringandnoonei nthe
communi tycares.Alwayst akecar eofyourchi ldr
en
andf ami l
yfi
rstsot heycant akecareofyou.Hel p
them.Teacht hem."
Mama:" Sometimesyouar ebori
ng.Thosechi ldren
werebadchi l
dren.Theydidn'
tmakemi stakes,they
knewwhatt heywer edoi
ng.That'
swhatyouget
whenyouopenyourl egsforci
tyboys."Istruggled
fi
nishi
ngmyf oodbecausenowmom anddadwer e
havingabackandf orthaboutparent
ing.Itexted
Zimmyt el
li
ngherI '
m home.
Zi
mmy:<gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Ihopet
hef
ami
lyi
s
wel
l?
>
Me:<They'
regood.Ar
gui
ngaboutparent
ingst
yles
butt
hey'
reokay.Whatar
eyoudoing?
>
Zi
mmy:<Chi
ll
ingwi
thKandsomef
ri
ends.
>
Me:<Whoi
sK?
>
Zi
mmy:<Khayababe.
>
Me:<Ohokay.We'
l
ltal
klat
ert
hen.
>
Zi
mmy:<Okaybabe.
>

Thef ir
stweekhomewasmost lymedoi ng
housewor k.Mymot heralwaysmademespr i
ng
cleanwhenIcamehomebecause4handsi sbetter
than2.Iwokeupatmyusualt ime, dr
essingupi n
l
eggi ngsandanover sizedt-shirtandboot s.Imade
mywayt othechickenst ocollecttheeggs.My
fatherwasbusywi ththegoat s.Iwant edt obake
andsel lsomebr eadaswel ltomakeext ramoney
whi l
eI'm here.I
fIwer etovi si
tZi mmy, Ineeded
money.That '
sifmymot heragr eed.Backi nthe
house, Istart
edsortingtheeggs.Myphoner ang.
Thatwasnew.Ihar dlygotcallsbecauseZi mmy
onl
ysendsmessages.Ianswer
ed.
Me:" Hel
lo.
"Oneoftheneighbor
sboysknockedon
thedoor."Hel
lo??
"Isaytomyphoneagai n.The
neighborsboyisAphi
we,inhisteens.Hewasquit
e
tal
lforhi
sageandhadadeepvoi ce.
Aphi
we:"
Sasa,
Iwoul
dli
kehal
fadozenpl
ease.
"
Me:" Okay. "Isor t
edhi s6eggs, hangingupt he
phonebecauset heot herpersonhadj ustkeptquiet.
"R12."Aphi weaccept edt heeggsandgaveme
coinst hatmadeR12.Hewal kedout .Ilookedatmy
phoneagai n, Idon'tknowt hisnumberandIwasn' t
aboutt owast emyai rti
mewi t
haper sonwho
refusest ospeak.Imadepor ri
dgef orthef ami l
y
whi l
est i
llselli
ngt heeggs.Thecommuni ty
suppor tedusal otmost lybecauseourpr iceswer e
l
ow.It ri
edt ell
ingdadt oraiseabi tofthepr icesbut
her efused.Thepr ofitwast herebutnotasmuchas
i
tshoul dbe.Mot herwokeupcomi ngtosi tatthe
table.Imadehert ea,thendi shedt heporridgeup
forher .Fathercamei ntowashhi shandsandI
madehi m hi steawi thpor r
idge.Zanel ewoul donly
wakeupar ound11.Isatwi thmypar entshavi ngmy
por
ri
dgewi
thbut
terandsugar
.
Me:"SoIwasthi
nki
ngTat
a.Whatdoyouusual
ly
eateggswi
th?
"
Xol
ani
:"Somebr
ead.
"
Me:"
HowaboutIstar
tbaki
ngsomesconesand
br
ead?Tosel
lthi
smonth."
Xol
ani
:"Woul
dn'
tthi
sbet
oomuchwor
kmybaby?
"
Me:"Nodad.Imaket hedoughbefor
eIsl
eepand
wakeupearlytobake.Iwil
lonl
ymakeabout5
l
oavesatfi
rst.Thenpeopl
ecanorderwhent
hey
wanttobeaddedt otheor
derli
st.
"
Xol
ani
:"Cr
eat
ingdemand.That
'sver
ysmar
t.
"
Mama:"Hewet
huwhowillmai
ntai
nthi
sdemand
whenyougobackt
oschool?Youwantpeopl
eto
comedist
urbmysl
eepeverymorni
ngnow?"
Xolani
:"I
t'
saholi
dayspecial
.Theywil
lknowit
's
onl
ywhi l
eNtombiyam i
shere.You'
resobusi
ness
mindedandsmar tmychil
d,you'
rej
ustli
keyourol
d
man."Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
So,
canIdoi
t?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.We'
l
lgot
otownt
obuyi
ngr
edi
ent
s
now.
"
Mama:"Andwhowi
llt
akecar
eoft
heveget
abl
e
st
and?
"
Xol
ani
:"YoucanorZanel
e.We'
l
lonl
ybeashor
t
whi
le.
"
Mama:"I
'
m notsi
tt
ingi
nt hesunforanyr
eason.
YouknowZanel
eissti
llgrowi
ng.
"
Xolani:"It
'sf i
net hen.It'
snotliket hebusinesswill
behur tifwecl osef oroneday.Let '
sgomybaby, i
f
wegonowwecanbebackear l
y."Wegotupf rom
ourseat s.Mymot herwasobvi ouslyangryatthis
butIdi dn'tevencar eanymor e.I'
vest oppedbeing
i
nfluencedbyhernegat iveremar ks.Forthelongest
ti
meshewoul dber atemef orhavi ngideastomake
usmoneyher eathome.Accor di
ngt oherthatwas
aman' sj obandsomyf athermustbet heone
working.Whatwasourj ob?Wel l
, mine.Tocleanthe
housespot less.From ageof10Ihadt ocleanand
cook.It houghtwhenZanel egott ot hatageshe
wouldhel pbutwher e?Nel ewas14nowanddi dn'
t
l
iftaf i
ngerunlessshewaskeepingmecompany.I
didn'tmindthough.Ienj
oybei
ngbusy.Iwentt oget
dressedandmademywayout .Dadwasst art
ing
thecarout si
de,itwasanol
dNi ssanbakki
ebutit
wor kedjustf
ine.Igoti
nthepassengerseatandoff
wewent .
Xolani
:"Sowhoi
sthi
sspeci
alboyyou'
ret
ryi
ngt
o
for
get?"
Me:"
Tat
acomeon.
"
Xolani:"Youforgetyou'r
emychil
d.Imadeyou.
You'remor emet hananyoneI'
veeverknown.SoI
knowyou' rekeepingbusybecausesomethi
ngis
botheringyou."Isighed.
Me:"
He'
snoone,
tat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Whati
shi
sname?
"
Me:"
KhayaSol
inga.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whati
ssospeci
alabouthi
m?"
Me:"
He'
sreal
lysweet
,handsomeandgent
le.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thenwhat
'st
hepr
obl
em?
"
Me:"Hedoesn'twantar el
ati
onship.Hewantstobe
myfri
endbutitconfusesmeal otbecauseheacts
l
ikemyboyfr
iend."
Xol
ani
:"Whydoesn'
thewantar
elat
ionshi
p?"
Me:"Hesayshe'
sonl
y21andhewant
stoenj
oyhi
s
l
if
e."
Xol
ani
:"Haveyousl
eptwi
thhi
m?"
Me:"
NoTat
a.Ihaven'
tsl
eptwi
thanyone.
"
Xol
ani
:"Good.I
tseemst
hisboyi
sconf
usedand
st
ri
ngi
ngyoualong."
Me:"
Isuppose.
"
Xol
ani
:"Youl
ikehi
m?"
Me:"Ithinkso.Myfri
endZimmyal soseemst o
thi
nkhel ikesmebutIfeell
ikeshe'
smor ehi
stype.
She'stheonewhoi nt
roducedmet ohim,sothey'
re
moref r
iendsthanIam wit
hhi m.Theyspendalotof
ti
met ogether.
"
Xol
ani
:"Andyou'
rej
eal
ous?
"
Me:"
DoIevenhavear
ightt
obe?
"
Xol
ani:"
Yes.Butperhapsstayawayf r
om him."I
si
ghed.Thatwon'tbehard.Notoncehashe
bot
heredtocal
loreventextmesi nceIlastsawhim.
[
07/
27,
05:
38] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er4

Mymot herhadbl atantl

yr efusedt ol
etmegot o
Kingstownt ovi si
tZi mmy.Ibeggedandpl eadedbut
shewasnothavi ngi t
.Thi smademesadbutIwas
kindofexpect ingi t
.Dadhadt r
iedbuthet oo
couldn'tconvi nceher .Ittookweeksbef oreI
acceptedt his.Idon' tunder standwhymymot her
wassohar donme.Mybr eadbusi nesswasgoi ng
real
lywel l.Ihad10or dersaday, somef amil
ies
orderedt wol oavesatat i
me.Foronl yR10al oaf,i
t
wasast eal.Mor eespeci all
ybecausei twasf resh
everymor ning.Igotanor deront heweekendof
Christmasf oracer emony.I twasf ri
day.They
requestedsconesandmuf fi
ns.Imadet hree
bucketsbymysel f,
myf atherhelpedmet r
ansport
t
hebucket
stot
hehome.I
'
dmadeR300al
toget
her
.
Me:"Thankyouf
orhel
pingmeTat
a.CanIbuyyou
pet
rol?
"
Xol
ani
:"Absol
utel
ynot.Ihaveaf
ullt
ankal
ready.
Youshoul
dspoilyour
self
."
Me:"
Youknowmum wi
llneverl
etmegoanywher
e."
Xol
ani
:"Shemeanswel
l.
"
Me:"Howdoesshemeanwellt
ata?Not
hingIdoi
s
evergoodenoughf
orher
."
Xolani
:"Justfocusonschoolanddoingwel
l.Leave
yourmot herbe.Shewil
lcomear ound.
"Hedrove
mebackhome." NtombezweishavingUmgidifor
herson.Don'tyouwanttoattend?"
Me:"
Nodad.
"Isi
ghed.
Xolani:"
Eveni
fwegotoget
her
?Yourfri
endswil
lbe
there.Come,I
'
m nott
aki
ngnoforananswer.
"
Me:"
Idon'
tevenhaveanyt
hingt
owear
."
Xolani:"
Wemightaswellgotot
ownandbuya
dress.Youj
ustgotpai
d."Igi
ggl
ed.Hedr
oveust
o
t
own.

Iboughtabeaut i
fultr
adi
ti
onallongskirtthatwas
whit
ewi t
hblackbeadsandt hr
ead.I'dwearitwit
ha
fi
tt
edwhitet-
shi r
t,Ial
soaddedabl ackandwhi te
beadednecklace.Iwouldlooksopr ett
y.Mydad
hadboughtgr oceri
esandwaspacki ngt hem i
nthe
backofthebakkie.
Me:"
I'
m donet
ata.
"
Xol
ani:"
Alr
ight.Let
'sgo."Wedr ovebackhome.
Whenwear ri
ved,Ihelpeddadwi tht
hegr ocer
ies
i
ntothehouse."Gogetdr essedmychild.Weleave
i
n30mi nut
es."Iwentt omyr oom.
Mama:"
Leavi
ngf
orwher
e?"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
mtaki
ngherwi
thmet
oUmgi
di.
"
Mama:"Whyar
eyout
aki
ngher
?Si
ncewhendoyou
at
tendUmgi
di?
"
Xolani
:"Iwasi
nvi
tedandIthoughti
twouldbenice
togoout si
def
orabitandr
elax.Al
so,t
heseareour
nei
ghbor s,
weshoul
dsupportthem.
"
Mama:"
AndwhataboutZanel
e?Whyar
en'
tyou
t
aki
ngher?She'
sal
soyourchi
ld!
"
Xol
ani
:"Wher
eisZanel
e?"
Mama:"Shewentt oherfr
iendshousedownthe
vi
ll
age.Youdidn'
ttel
lherabouttaki
ngherout
,you
onl
ydot hatt
oyourfavori
techil
d!"
Xolani
:"SoZanelecangot
oherf
ri
endsbut
Thembisacan't
?"
Mama:"Thembisa'
sfr
iendsareinafarawayci
ty!
Foral
lweknowi t
'saboyfr
iendshewantstogoto
andsl
eepwith!
"
Xolani
:"Ok.
"Ifini
shedweari
ngmyski
rt
,t-
shi
rtand
beadednecklace.Iwasweari
ngmysandal
swhen
mymot hercamei nt
omyr oom.
Mama:"
Wher
edoest
hatcomef
rom?
!"
Me:"
Iboughti
tint
ownt
oda-
"
Mama:" Soyougetspeci alt
reatmentandclot
hes
whil
ether estofusgetnothing!Youseethatyou'
re
soself
ish?Whydi dn'tyourf
atherbuyyoursist
er
something?Whydi dn'tyoutel
lhimto?"
Me:"
Tat
adidn'
tbuyt
hismama.Iboughti
twi
thmy
moneyt
hatImadefr
om t
hescones.
"
Mama:"
Whycan'
tyoushar
ewi
thyoursi
ster
!!
"
Me:"Shedidn'
tevenhel
pme.Nobodydi
d.Ishoul
d
beabletospendmymoneyonmyselfmama- "
Mama:" Youar esosel f
ishThembisa.Sies!
!Your
sisteri
sachildandyouexpecthert oscrubyour
feettogetsomet hi
ng!Youandyourf at
herarever
y
evil.
"Shewalkedout .Ifi
nishedgett
ingreadybut
nowIdi dn'
twantt ogo.Iwentoutt hehouse.My
fatherwasoutside,t
hehoodoft hebakkieli
ft
edup,
heawasf iddl
ingwi t
hsomet hi
ng.
Me:"
Tat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Mybaby.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Letmewash
myhandssowecango."
Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkIshoul
d."
Xolani:"
Don'tl
ist
entoyourmot her
.Youwor ked
hard,youdeservetogetyoursel
fsomethi
ngni ce.I
f
anyonewant ssomething,t
heymustwor kforit
.
You'retheexample.Waithere.
"Hewentinsidethe
houset owashhi shands.Wel ef
ttheyard,wal
king
tothehouset hathadUmgi di.Icouldhearthe
singi
ngf rom here.Tomor
rowwasChr i
stmasday
andever yonewasi ncel
ebrationmode.I nthehome,
wegr eetedeveryone.Dadwentt othemen'ssi
de
andIhel pedthewomen, I'
dgonet oschoolwit
hone
ofthegirlsofthi
shomesoIopt edtohelpi
ngher
witheverythi
ngshewasdoi ng.

Thecer emonywasver ybeauti

fulandIhadquit
ea
bitoff
un.Ir econnectedwithsomeofmyhi gh
schoolmat es.Iwasn'tapersonthathadfri
endsin
schoolbutIknewmostpeopl eandhad
conversati
onsever ynowandagai n.Itwasdark
whenIf oundmyf ather
.Itwastimetogohomeand
sowest ar
tedwalking.
Xol
ani
:"Di
dyouenj
oyyour
sel
f?"
Me:"
Verymuchdad.Thankyouf
orconvi
nci
ngme
t
ogo."
Xolani
:"Al
waysdosomethi
ngthatwil
lmakeyou
happymntanam.Aslongasitdoesn'
thur
tot
her
s.
Yourhappi
nessshouldbeyourfi
rstpri
ori
ty
becauseotherpeopl
e'
sfir
stpr
ior
it
ies?Is
themsel
ves.Takecareofyou.
"
Me:"Thankyoudad."Ihookedmyar m onhi
s,
r
esti
ngmyheadoni t.Myphoneranginmypocket
.
"
That'sst
range.Idon'
tusual
lygetcal
ls."
Xol
ani
:"Maybei
t'
sawr
ongnumber
."Ianswer
ed.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Cal
ler
:"Hi
."
Me:"
CanIhelpyou?Youmayhavet hewrong
numberbecauseIdon'
trecogni
zeyourvoice.
"
Cal
ler:"
Whoam It
alki
ngt
o?"Excuseme?You
cal
ledme.
Me:"
I'
m Thembi
sa.
"
Cal
ler
:"Theni
t'
snotawr
ongnumber
."
Me:"
Whoar
eyou?
"
Cal
ler
:"Goodni
ghtThembi
sa.
"Hehungup.If
elta
shi
verdownmyspi ne.
Xol
ani
:"Whoi
sit
?"
Me:"
Ihavenoidea.Hesaysi
t'
snotawr
ong
numberbutwon'
ttel
lmehisname.
"
Xol
ani
:"Maybei
t'
sasecr
etadmi
rer
."Hel
aughed.
Me:"Thosethi
ngsdon'thappenTata.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Wewal kedi
ntotheyar
dandi ntot
hehouse.Mama
wasintheloungewit
hherf l
eecebl
anket.Shesti
ll
l
ookedangry.
Xolani
:"Goodeveni
ngmywife.
"Shej
ustlookedat
himthenbackattheTV."
Haveyoual
readyhad
supper?I'
m st
arvi
ng.
"
Mama:"Maybeyouatewhereyoucomef r
om or
yourpr
eci
ousfavor
it
edaughtercancookforyou.
"
Xol
ani
:"Youcan'
tbet
hispet
ty.
"
Mama:"
Whatispet
ty?Youspoi
lonechi
ldandnot
t
heot
herbutI
'
m petty?
"
Xolani
:"IboughtZanelecl othesaweekago.
Throughouttheyearsheget spocketmoneyand
cl
othes.Thembi sai
sn'thomemostoft hetimeand
soIspendt i
mewi thher .Shewor kedhardand
boughtherselfsomethingi nsteadofal
ways
expect
ingahandout
."
Mama:"Oh?Soyou'resayi
ngZanel
emustgowor k
i
nsteadoffocusi
ngonherbooksbecauseyouwon'
t
buyheranythi
ng?"
Xol
ani
:"Canyouevenhearyour
sel
f?"
Me:"I
'
llmakeyousomet
hingt
oeatt
ata.Youcan
si
t.
"
Mama:"Hm!Ofcourseyouwi ll
!"Iwenttothe
ki
tchenswit
chi
ngont hestovebutitwasn'tcomi
ng
on.Thi
swasstrangebecauset heli
ghtswereon
andthi
sstovewaslessthanfiveyearsold.
Me:"
Tat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Yesbaby.
"
Me:"Thestoveisn'tcomingon."Hecameintothe
ki
tchenandcheckedi t.Hethenpull
editf
rom t
he
wallt
ocheckbehi ndandsighed."What'
swrong?"I
l
ooked.Thewireshadbeencut .Asi
ncutwitha
sci
ssorsoraknife.Myhear tpl
ummet ed.
Xol
ani
:"Idon'
tknowanymor
e."
Me:"
Mamahowcoul
dyoudot
his?Howwi
llweeat
orbat
h?Mybusinessr
eli
esont hi
sstovet
owor
k.
Whywouldyoudosomethingl
ikethi
s?"
Mama:"
Don'tcomei
rr
it
ateme!Allyoutwoknowis
st
upi
dbusi
nessandcutt
ingusoutofyourl
ivesas
i
fwe'
redi
rt
y!"
Me:"
MAMA-
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
got
obed.
"
Me:"Tat
a,i
t'
sChr i
stmastomorrow!
!Howar
ewe
goi
ngtoeat?"Ihadtear
sr unni
ngdownmyface.
Xolani:"Gotobedmyl ove.I
'
llmakeapl an.
"Iwent
tothebedr oom,shut
tingmydoor .Iknewmy
mot herwasmeanspi rit
edbutweneverpai dmuch
att
ent i
ontoitbutthi
swasover board.Thi
scrossed
ali
ne.

Chri
stmasdaywasadarkti
meforus.Tatatri
edto
cal
lsomeonetofixt
hest
oveinthemorningbutno
onewasavail
ableonChr
ist
mas.Wehadnochoi ce
butt
omakeaf ir
e.Myfat
herandIcol
lect
edthe
woodandhetaughtmehowt omakeaf i
re.
Occasi
onal
lyt
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofus.
Me:"
Whati
fitbl
owsupi
nmyf
ace?
"
Xol
ani:"
Itwon'
tbaby.Justli
ghtitupli
ket
his.Ther
e
yougo.Thatwasn'
tsohar d,wasit?
"
Me:"Noitwasn'
t.Sohowt
hendowemakei
t
bi
gger?
"
Xolani
:"Bepati
ent
,mychild.
"Zanel
ecameoutof
thehouse,dr
essedinherChri
stmascl
othes.
Me:"
Hey!Youl
ooksopr
ett
y."
Zanel
e:"
Thanks.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Me:"
Maki
ngaf
ir
e."
Xol
ani
:"Comej
oinusbaby.
"
Zanele:"
Nothanks."Mot
hercameoutt
hehouse
dressedinherSundaybest
.
Xol
ani
:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
Mama:"Tochur ch.ThenMakhumaloinvit
edusfor
Chri
stmaslunch.Sincewehavefavori
tesint
he
house,I
'
m alsotakingmineout
.Let'
sgoZanele.
"
Xol
ani
:"Nt
ombenhl
edon'
tdot
his.
"
Mama:" Don'tdowhat?Youstar
teditbyfavor
ing
Thembisanowi t'
sbadwhenIwantt otakeout
Zanel
e?Di dyouthinkofherwhenyouwentout
yest
erday."
Xolani
:"Shewasnotevenhome.I
'm notf
avor
ing
anyone,pleaseputt
hebagdownsowecanspend
ti
measaf amily.
"
Mama:" Zanele,
let
'sgo.
"Theywal
kedoutthegat
e.I
hatewhatmymot herwasdoi
nghonest
ly.Myfat
her
wasaver ykindman.Iknowhedidn'
tshowany
favor
it
ism.
Me:"Howdowekeept
hef
ir
egoi
ngTat
a?"He
huggedme.
Xol
ani
:"Justl
eti
tgr
ow.
"..
.

Wespenthal fthedaycooki
ngoutsidewit
ht hebi
g
i
ronpot .Ourfoodwasreadyaround2inthe
aft
ernoon.Bothofusexhaustedaft
erhavingto
cl
eant hepots,weboil
edwater.Iwashedfir
stand
heaf t
erme.Idishedupourf ood, prayedoveritand
weat e.I
twasat ir
ingdaybutal otgotdoneandI
waspr oudofus.Ireceivedamessageonmyphone.
<Mer r
yChr i
stmasThembi sa.
>Wasal lthatitsai
d.
It
'sthesamenumbert hatcal
ledlastni ghtandI
wasn'tinthemoodt oaskt hi
sper sonagai n,whohe
was.Ifhewant edmet oknow, hewoul d'vetoldme.
IsentKhayaandZi mmyMer ryChr i
stmas
messagesandputmyphoneaway.
[
07/
27,
05:
39] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er5

Thenextf ewweekswer equitet

enseathome.
Fatherhadt obuyanewst oveentir
ely.If
eltt
hat
wasn'tfai
rbuthedi ditbecausemamaal ways
mademest ar
tthef i
reoutsideforfoodorwat er
.At
al
ltimes.Itwasmyl astweekhome.Ihadt ogo
backtouni ver
sity.Ionlyfeltbadforleavi
ngmydad
behind.Isowi shhewoul dcomewi t
hmeandmake
ali
vingint hecit
y.Thiswassel f
ishofmebuthe
deser
vedmor
e,sur
ely.
Xolani
:"Sasa.Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
obel
atef
or
regi
str
ation?"
Me:"We'
vegonet
hrought
hist
ata.I
topensonl
ya
weekfr
om t
oday.
"
Xolani:"
Okay.I'
m ver
ypr oudofyourresul
ts.You
gotdisti
nct
ions.Thatisverygood.Iwantyouto
keepbeingfocusedlikethatandpassthisyeart
he
same."
Mama:"Andmaybeitwillbebett
erf
oryouifyou
gotapar
tti
mejobalso.Allthemoneywehavehere
i
nthehousegoestoyourschooli
ngandthat'
snot
fai
r.Wemustbelef
twithcrumbseverymonth."
Xolani
:"That
'snott
rue.Ther
e'sal
waysenoughher
e
athome.Sasadoesn'tneedtowork.
"
Mama:"Thatuniver
sit
yisveryexpensive.Then
t
here'
stheplacesheli
vesin?NoXol ani,t
hat'
snot
f
air
.Zanel
eal soneedsthi
ngs.She'
si nhighschool
."
Xol
ani:"
Zanel
edoesn'
tneedanyt
hingatal
l.No
chi
ldofminei
sgoingtobesupport
ingt
hemselves
whi
leIst
il
lli
ve.
"
Mama:"
Shewassel
li
ngbr
eadnott
ool
ongago.
"
Xolani
:"Sot
hatshecanbuyhersel
fsomet
hingni
ce.
Thankstoyou,t
hatwascutshort
."
Mama:"Hehe!Nowyou'regoi
ngtodisr
espectmei
n
f
rontofhersothatshecanhaveanatt
it
ude."
Xol
ani:"
Nooneisdisr
espect
ingyou.You'
retheonl
y
onefi
ghti
ngandyou'r
efi
ghti
ngalone."Hegotup
andwalkedout
.
Mama:" Thisisallyourdoi ng.You' vealwaysbeena
self
ishchil
d.Youwantyourf atheral ltoyourself
becauseyou'reselfish.Whataboutyoursi ster?Me?
Everyti
meyou' r
eher e,hei gnor esusf oryou
becauseyouwantt obehi sshi ningst ar.Nxx!"She
gotup."Andwasht hosedi shes!"Shewal kedt othe
l
ounge.Igotupt ocl eant heki tchenspot l
ess.
Honestly,
Idon'tthinkI '
llbehomef orEast er
.Itwill
takeGodandami r
acl etoconvi nceme.Ineededa
verylongbreakfrom mymot herbutIknewt his
wouldhurtmyf atherbadl y.Ijustdon' tknowwhat
todo.MaybeIshoul dj ustsucki tupf orhissake.
Mydayofdepar tur
ef i
nall
yarri
ved.I'
dpackedmy
clothesdaysago.I'vebeenveryready.Itwasst i
l
l
mor ningandTat ahadsaidhewoul ddriveme.I
neededt osecur
ear oom atResandr egist
er
tomor row.Dadwoul dbetherewithmeunt ilIget
settl
edi ntoaroom.Iwentt ot
hekitchenwher emy
fatherwas.Hewasdr essedalr
eady,drinki
nghistea.
Xol
ani
:"Goodmor
ningmychi
ld.
"
Me:"
Goodmor
ningt
ataandmama.
"
Mama:"Mor
ningSasa.
"Zanel
ewasatschool
al
ready.
Xol
ani
:"We'
l
lbel
eavi
ngsoon,
areyour
eady?
"
Me:"Yest
ata.I
'
mr eady.
"Isatdownwi
thmybowlof
por
ri
dge."
I'
m goingtomissthi
s."
Xol
ani:"
Youcancomehomeonweekendsmy
chi
ld.
"Iatemypor
ri
dge.
Mama:"
Sowher
ewi
llyoul
ive?Doyougetyourol
d
r
oom?"
Me:"
Nomama.Ihavet
ogoappl
yagai
n."
Mama:"
Whati
fyoudon'
tgetone?
"
Me:"IhopeIwill
.Of
fcampusflat
sareexpensi
ve
andIpreferbei
ngonschoolpr
emises.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
twi
llwor
koutmychi
ld.Don'
twor
ry.Let
's
go.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"Iwentt
ofet
chmybags,
taki
ngt
hem t
o
t
hebakki
e.
Mama:"Somanybags?I
t'
sli
keyou'
renotcomi
ng
back.
"
Me:"Iwil
lcomebackmama.Somet i
mesIdon'
t
haveti
met owashcl
othessoIneedasmany."
Mama:"
Okayt
hen.Tr
avelsaf
ely.
"
Me:"Thankyoumama.I '
l
lcal
lwhenIarr
ive
hopeful
lyZanel
ewillbehomesoIcansayhito
her.
"Ihuggedher.Myf at
herandIgoti
nthecarand
offweleftf
orMountainPeak

Wearr
ivedinMountai
nPeaki njustover4hours.
Wehadt ol
ookforaguesthouseforthenight
.It
wasonlyst
il
lar
ound12i ntheafter
noon.Iwasso
happytobebackher eandnowwi thmydad, Ican
showhim around.Wegotgoogl edi
rect
ionst
oa
cheapguesthousetocheckin.Weplacedour
bel
ongingsinsideoutroom.Itwasastandar
dr oom
butwit
ht wosinglebedsinst
ead.
Me:"Shouldwegogetsomet hi
ngtoeattat
a?Do
youwantt ogotothebeach?Maybewecoul dgot
o
TheOceansAr ena.YouknowI '
veneverbeen?
Str
angeright?
"Hel aughed.
Xolani
:"Onet hi
ngatat i
memyangel.Fi
rst
,let
'scal
l
yourmot herandletherknowwear
ri
vedsafely."
Me:"
Okay.
"Idi
aledmum'
snumber
.
Mama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Mama, hi
.It
'smeSasa.We'
vear
ri
vedi
n
Mountai
nPeak.
"
Mama:"
That
'sgood.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngnow?
"
Me:"We'
rej
ustsi
tt
inginourr
oom doi
ngnothi
ng.
We'
llgof
indsomethi
ngtoeataf
terwerest
."
Mama:"
Hmm.Okay.
"
Me:"
IsZanel
ehomeyet
?"
Mama:"
Noshei
sn'
t.
"
Me:"Okayt
hen.I
'
llcal
lagai
nlat
erwhenshecomes
back.
"
Mama:"
Okay.Byebyet
hen.
"Ihungup.
Me:"
Nowwhatdowedo?
"
Xolani:"
I'dlovetogoseeOceansAr enawi thyou.
Let'
sgo. "Wel eftourguest house, drivi
ngst raightto
OA.Itwasqui tefulltodaybutIcoul dtellmyf ather
waspl easedt oseei t.Itookanumberofpi cturesof
him andwi thhim.West art
edatSeaWor l
d.He
purchasedt het i
cket sattheticketof fi
ceandi nwe
went.Ourdaywasspentexpl oring.Wel eftand
madeourwayt ot hebeach.Myf atherhadnever
beentoabeachbef oreinhisl i
feandsowewent
downt ot hebeach.Hi spant srol leduphi scal f
,I
l
ift
edmyski rtabovemyankl esandwewal kedt o
theshorel ett
ingthewat errunt hr oughourf eet.
Xol
ani
:"Thi
spl
acei
ssobeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
Itr
eal
lyi
s.Woul
dn'
tyouwantt
oli
veher
e?"
Xol
ani
:"Nobaby.Myl
if
eisi
nthevi
ll
agebutyou?
Thi
ssuit
syou.Lookathowbeautifulyoul
ook
st
andi
nginthebeach.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"I'
m seri
oustat
a.Maybeyouandmamacanget
ahousesomewher earoundandZanel
ecangot
o
schoolintown.
"
Xol ani
:"IdowantZanel
etost
udyher
ebutIdon't
thinkIcanlivei
nthecit
y.Wher
ewouldmygoats
be? "Helaughed."
Come,showmeyourfavor
it
e
placetoeat .
"
Me:"
Yohtata.I
t'
sexpensi
ve.Weshoul
dgetat
ake
awayoff
ishinst
ead.
"
Xolani
:"Ididn'
tcomeallt
hewaytoMountainPeak
tohaveat akeaway.We'l
lbuyi
tforwhenwego
backtother oom.Iwantt
oeatexpensi
vefood.
"
Me:"Tat
a,wecan'tbewast
ingmoneyli
ket
his.You
st
il
lhavetopayformyschoolr
egi
str
ati
on.
"
Xolani:"
Ihadsomesavi ngs.Don'tworrymychild.
Let
'sgo."Theonlyrest
aur antIknewoft obehonest
wast heMozambicanr estaurantKhayatookusto.I
don'tknowmanyplacesher ebecauseIlocked
mysel fi
nmyroom allyear.Wewal kedintothe
empt yrestaurantandhadaseat.I
mmedi atel
yasI
sat,
Isawhi m.Hewaswi t
hhisbodyguardsas
usual.Theyst oodaround,whi
lehesatanddidhis
star
ingt hi
ng.Doesheevereat ?Hestar
edatme
andIqui cklyavoidedhi
sgaze.
Xolani
:"Thi
spl
acei
sfancy.Doyoucomeher
e
oft
en?"
Me:"Absol
utel
ynottata.Thi
spl
acei
sexpensi
ve.I
onl
ycameher eonce."
Xol
ani
:"Wi
tht
hatboyyoul
ike?
"Hesmi
led.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
AndZi
mmy.
"Il
ookedt
hrought
hemenu.
Xol
ani
:"Whatdoyout
hinkIshoul
deat
?"
Me:"
Appar
ent
lyt
hei
rseaf
oodt
ast
esni
ce.
"
Xol
ani:"
Ist
hatwhatt
heboyyoul
ikesai
d?"I
l
aughed.
Me:"Youneedt
ost
opt
ata.
"Thewai
tercamet
otake
ourorder
s.
Xol
ani:"
We'llseei
fhehasgoodtasteornot
."The
wai
terwalkedawaywithouror
ders."Hemusthave
moneyifhecanaffor
dthispl
ace.
"
Me:"Iguessso.Hi
sfatherownsalawf
ir
m.He's
al
sostudyingl
aw."Il
ookedoveratmyst
ari
ng
st
rangerbuddy.
Xolani
:"That
'sgood.Thatmeansyou'
l
lhavesome
connecti
ons."Helookedtowher
eIwaslooki
ng.
"Who'sthat
?"
Me:"
Idon'
tknowt
ata.
"
Xolani
:"You'
vebeenl
ooki
ngoverathi
m si
ncewe
satdown."
Me:"He'
saPri
nce.It
hinkt
hisi
shi
sfavor
it
e
r
estaur
ant.
"
Xol
ani
:"APrince?
"Helookedagai
n."
Whoar
ethose
menstandi
ngnearhi
m. "
Me:"
Guards.I
'
m onl
yseei
nghi
m asecondtime.
"I
woul
dneveradmitt
omydadIwenttoaclub.
Xol
ani
:"Ar
etheyal
lowedt
ocar
rygunsi
nher
e?"
Me:"
Yep.
"Wer
ecei
vedourdr
inks.
Xol
ani
:"I
sitsaf
e?"
Me:"
Yes,
theyonl
yreactwhensomeoneposesa
t
hreat
."Hel
ookedagai
n."
Dad,
stopst
ari
ngathi
m."
Xol
ani
:"Doesheknowyou?
"
Me:"Notatal
l.
"Al
ie.Heobvi
ousl
yisn'
tlooki
ng
t
hroughme.Hecanseemeseehi m.Isi
ppedmy
j
uice.
Xol
ani
:"Whyi
shel
ooki
ngatyou?
"
Me:" He'snotlookingatmeTat a.Let'
sforget
everythingelseandenj oythist
imetogether.
"We
hadal i
ghtconversationwithhi
m speakingmost l
y
andIr esisti
ngtheur getolookoveratYouKnow
Who.Wer ecei
vedourf oodandhadourmeal ,
enjoyingittoo."It
hinkI'mtoofullf
orthedaytata.
"
Xol
ani:"Let
'sputthi
saway.Thenwecangor
est
."I
cal
ledthewaiter
.
Me:" Canwegett akeawayforthi
sandthebill
please."Henoddedandwal kedawaycomingback
withthetakeawaycont ai
ner
s.Idi
shedthefoodin
them."Thebillbhuti
."
Waiter
:"Yourbi
llhasbeenset
tl
ed,
miss.
"Thi
sisa
secondtimenow.
Xol
ani
:"Bywho?
"
Waiter
:"Uhm. .
.I'
m notal
lowedt osay."Myf at
her
l
ookedatmet henturnedtolookatthePrince.He
wassodi srespect
ful
,hedidn'tevenbothertolook
embarrassedorshy.Heonl yleanedbacki nthe
couchhewassi t
ti
ngin,neverremovinghiseyes
fr
om me.
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
doyouknowt
hatman?
"
Me:" Notata."Hegotup."
Tat
a!!"Hewalkedovert
o
thePr i
nce,thebodyguar
dsstoodinfr
ontofhim
blockingtheway.Iwenttopullmyfat
herawaybut
her ef
usedt omove.
Xol
ani
:"Letmespeakt
oyourPr
ince.
"
"Lethimthrough."Adeepvoicesai
d.Mybodywas
coldfrom fear
.Thebodyguardsopenedt
heway.I
staredatthePrinceandhefocusedonmyfather
.
Xolani
:"GoodDay. "Hegotnoresponse.Apartof
mewant edt omelttothefl
oori
nembar rassment
."I
havenoticedthatyou'
vebeenstari
ngatmy
daughterforthepasthourandahalf.
"
Pr
ince:"
Daught
er?
"
Xol
ani
:"Idi
dn'
tst
utt
er.
"
Pr
ince:"
Myapol
ogi
essi
r.
"
Xol
ani
:"Wel
l?I
sther
eanyt
hingyouwantt
osay?
"
Pri
nce:"
Youhaveabeaut i
fuldaught
er."Thi
sman?I
wasgladtherest
aurantwasempt ybecauseI'
d
havefai
ntedi
fanyonewast ohearthi
sexchange.
Me:"
Tat
a,l
et'
sgo.
"
Xolani
:"Thatdoesn'
tgi
veyouthefr
eedom t
omake
heruncomf or
tabl
e.Doyouunderst
andme?"
Pr
ince:"
Imakeyouuncomf or
tabl
eThembisa?"He
l
ookedatme.Myheartli
ter
all
ystopped.Heknew
myname?Myf atherl
ookedatmeandIknewt hat
l
ook.
Me:"
Tat
a,l
et'
sgopl
ease.
"
Xol
ani
:"Youknowhi
m?"
Me:"Notata.Idon'
tknowthi
sman."Whatan
arr
ogantassholethi
ssocall
edPri
ncewas.My
fat
herl
ookedathi mthenatme.Wherewasthe
shameoft hi
sguy?Whywasn' thereacti
ng?Why
can'thetellmydadhedoesn' tknowme, he'
sjust
beingwei r
d?Butthenagain.Zimmydi dsayanyone
withoutroyalbl
oodisapeasantt ohim." Tat
a,let
's
go.Thisisn'twort
hit.
"Myf at
herheldmyhand
l
eavingther est
aurant
.Tatawasnothappyatal l
whenwegott otheguesthouse.Ididn'tknowwhat
tosay.Itwasget t
ingdark,
wewer eful
landI
thoughtjustarestwoulddo.
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
whoi
sthatman?
"
Me:"Tat
aItol
dyouIdon'
tknowhi
m.Idon'
teven
knowhisname."
Xol
ani
:"Heknowsyourname.
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknowhow.Ipr
omi
seyou.
"
Xol
ani
:"Pl
easest
ayawayf
rom hi
m.That
,isaver
y
badman."
Me:"
Iwi
llt
ata.
"

It
ookashoweranddressedi
nmypajamas,maki
ng
mywaytobed.Dadtookashoweraf
termeandhe
t
oowentt
ohi
sbed.
Xolani
:"Di
dyoul
ockt
hedoor
?"Icheckedt
hedoor
again.
Me:"Yestat
a,i
t'
slocked.
"Hedialedmom'
snumber
,
shepickedupaft
erafewr i
ngs.
Mama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Xol
ani
:"Goodeveni
ngmywi
fe.Howar
eyou?
"
Mama:"
I'
m wel
l.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?"
Xol
ani
:"We'
rer
est
ingnow.Pr
epar
ingf
ort
omor
row.
"
Mama:"
Whatdi
dyoueat
?"
Xol
ani
:"Wegotat
akeaway.
"
Mama:"
Whatwasi
t?"
Xolani:"
Fishandchi
ps.Not
hingspeci
al.Howi
s
Zanele?"
Mama:"
She'
snothappy.Shewant
edt
ocomewi
th
you.
"
Xol
ani
:"Yesbutshehasschoolandthiscan'
twai
t.
Get
ti
ngar oom att
heUni
versi
tyisveryimpor
tant
,it
mustbedonequi
ckl
ytoavoi
dnotget
ti
ngspace.
"
Mama:"
Ifyousayso.
"
Xolani:"Her
e'sSasa,shewantstosaygoodnight
."
Hegavemet hephone.Ispoket
omymom and
bri
eflytoZanel ewhowasupset.Event
uall
ywe
endedt hecall.Isati
nbedwithmyearphones.
Xolani
:"Goodnightmychild.I
'
m ver
yti
rednow,
Iwi
ll
probabl
yfallasleepsoon.
"
Me:"GoodnightTata."Hegotcomf or
tabl ei nbed,
closi
nghiseyest osleep.Iswi t
chedof fthel i
ght,
becauseIdidn'tneeditwhenI '
m playingwi thmy
phone.Ili
stenedtomusi cforaboutanhourbef or
eI
recei
vedamessage.Myst erynumber .<Idi dn'
t
meant omakeyouuncomf ortable.Pleaseaccept
myapol ogy.>Istaredatthemessage, ver y
confused.Irepl
ied:<whoar eyou? >Sent .Iwai t
ed
foraresponse.Myphoner ang.Ican' tanswer
becausemyf at
herwassl eepingr i
ghther e.Hewas
evensnoringbutifIstartspeakinghemi ghtwake
up.Anothermessagecamei n:<Whyar en' tyou
answeringyourphone? >We' renotont hatl evel
.I
don'toweyouananswer .Irepl i
ed:<Can'ttalk.>I
sentit.Wast his...Him?<Canyougetawayf ora
secondsowecant alk?>Ist ar edatt hemessage.<I
don'tevenknowyou.I 'm notcomi nganywher enear
you.>Ir eplied.He' sabsol utelycr azy.<Howwi l
lyou
knowwhoIam i fyouwon' tcomenearme? >Wasi t
worthi t
?Shoul dI ?Whatdi dhewant ?Most lyI
want edt oconf irmi fitwast heact ualPri
nce
becausef orallweknow, thisissomewei rdo.Why
wouldt hePr i
ncehavemynumber ?Wher ewoul dhe
getit?Todowhatwi thi t
?Sur elyhehasbet ter
thi
ngst odowi thhi st i
me.Thenagai nhedi dsayI'm
beaut i
ful.Although, thisdoesn' tmeant het ext
eris
him.Anot hermessagecamei n:<Ar eyou
consider i
ng? >Iswal lowedandt yped:<Fine.Give
met womi nutes.>Isenti tandsl ippedoutofbed.
Mydadwasst i
llsnor ingaway.It ookmygown,
wear i
ngi t,andt ipt oeingt ot hedoor .Iquietly
openedt hedoorandst eppedout .Iwalkeddown
thepassageoft heguest houseandcal l
ed.He
answer edt hecal lbutdi dn'tsayawor d.
Me:"
Hel
lo?
"
Hi
m:"
Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"Wel
l,
Igotoutt
heroom f
orabi
tsopleasebe
qui
ck.Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwantfrom
me?"
Hi
m:"
Comeout
side.
"
Me:"You'
reobvi
ousl
yinsaneifyouthinkI
'
m
st
eppingouti
nthedarkofthenighttomeeta
st
rangemanwhowon' ttel
lmehi sname."
Him:"
I'
m notastr
angeman.Ican'
tcomeinthe
guest
house,ot
her
wiseIwoul
d.Iwon'thur
tyou.
"
Me:"
Tel
lmewhoyouar
e."
Hi
m:"
Comeout
side.
"
Me:"
I'
m notcomi
ngout
side.
"
Hi
m:"
ThenIwon'
ttel
lyouwhoIam.
"
Me:"
HowdidyouknowI
'
m her
e?Whatdoyouwant
f
rom me?
"
Him:"Comeoutsi
de.
"Hehungup.Judgi
ngf r
om his
voi
ce,Iwasconvi
ncedi
twasthePri
nce.Iknewit
hadtobe.HowdoesheknowwhereIam?Whatt he
helldoeshewant ?Onlyhehadt heanswer stomy
questionsandf uckit,I
'
m going.Iwal kedoutt he
guesthouse, IcouldseetheblackSUVpar kedouti n
theroad.Iwal kedoutthegatebutst oodcl oselyto
i
t.Thebackdooropened.Iwon' tmove.He' scr azy.
Whati fIgetinthecarandhedr i
vesof fwithme.
Whowoul dfindme?Hegotoutt hecarbutst ood
nexttoitaswel l.SoitwasthePr ince.Nowhowt he
hellam Itotalkifhe'
sont heothersi deofthest reet.
Hewasst i
lldressedinablackf i
tti
ngsui t
.What
doeshewant ?
Him:"Willyoucomecloser
?"Iwalkeduptohim and
stoodtherestari
ngupathi
m.Icoul dseehi
sfacein
thedark,sti
llnosmi
leonhisface.
Me:"
Goodeveni
ng.
"
Him:"
Goodeveni
ngThembi
sa.Youl
ookgor
geous
evenwheni
nbed."
Me:"I
'm notsur
ewhatyouwantf
rom me.Idon'
t
evenknowyourname."
Hi
m:"
Howcanyounotknowmyname?
"
Me:"
Youobvi
ousl
ydi
dn'
ttel
lme.Howwoul
dIknow?
Idon'
thaveyourst
alkerways.Wher
edi
dyouget
mynumberandname?Whatdoyouwantf rom
me?"
Him:"
I'
mi nt
erest
edi
nget
ti
ngt
oknowyou
Thembisa.
"
Me:"
Whydidn'
tyouj
ustcomeupt
omeandt
alkt
o
methen?
"
Hi
m:"
YouknowIcan'
tdot
hat
."
Me:" Si
r,whatdoyouwant?I'
m notoneofthese
girl
sthatyouthi
nkyoucancharm becauseofyour
statusandgetthem t
osleepwit
hyou.I'
m notthat
typeandwi l
lnotbe.Notevenf
oryou."
Him:"
Iknowt hat
.Idon'thaveanagenda.Ijust
wanttoknowyou.Ifindyouinterest
ing.Wecan
havedinnersometi
meandI 'l
lansweranyquesti
on
youhavef orme.
"
Me:"I
'm notr
oyalty.Whateveri
tist
hatyouwant
,
you'
renotgett
ing.Notfrom me."
Hi
m:"
Mayyoupl
easehavedi
nnerwi
thme?
"
Me:"
Ijustsnuckoutt
her
oom.I
'
m notget
ti
ngi
na
carwit
hast r
angerwhil
eI '
m wearingpaj
amas.
There'
staki
ngrisksandthere'
sleavi
nginpaj
amas
wit
hstrangers.
"
Hi
m:"
Howaboutt
omor
rowt
hen?
"
Me:"Howwi llIexpl
ainthattomyfat
her
?Andwhy
wereyousodi srespect
ful?Youcoul
dn'
tevenl
ook
shamefulforasecond?Whoonear t
hdoyouthink
youare?"
Him:"
I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
obedisr
espectf
ul.I
fI
apol
ogi
zetohim,woul
dyouhavedi
nnerwit
hme? "
Me:"
No.
"
Hi
m:"Whatwoul
ditt
akef
oryout
ojoi
nmef
or
di
nner
?"
Me:"I
'l
lthi
nkabouti
t.I
'
m goi
ngbacki
nsi
de.
Goodnight
."
Hi
m:"
Goodni
ghtThembi
sa.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
39] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er6
Regist
rati
ondaywasti
ri
ngbutImanagedto
completeit
.Igotar
oom f
inal
lyandIcoul
dmovei
n.
ItwasTuesdayanddadwasgoinghome.
Me:"
Youknowyoucanst
ayaf
ewmor
edays
r
ight
?"
Xolani:"
IwishIcoul
dmychi
l
d.Theanimalsneed
meathome.Youknowyourmot her
'spat
ienceruns
thi
n."Isighed.
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssyou.
"
Xolani
:"I
'l
lmissyout
oo.Ican'
twai
ttoseeyoui
n
theholi
days.Pl
easef
ocusonschoolSasa.I
'
m
counti
ngonyou."
Me:"
Iwi
llt
ata.Ipr
omi
se.
"
Xolani
:"Letmegetgoi
ng.I
'
llr
eachhomebef
ore
bedti
me. "
Me:"Okaythen.Dri
vesafelyt
ata.
"Ihuggedhim.He
gotinhisbakki
eanddroveoff.Iwentint
omyr oom
tostar
tunpackingmyclotheswhil
eItextedZi
mmy.
Ihaven'
ttol
dheraboutPrincecontact
ingme.Soon
mynewr
oommat
ear
ri
ved.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"Ismi
led.Shebr
oughti
nhersui
tcases.
She:"
Hi,
I'
m Amahl
e."
Me:"I
'
m Thembisa.
"Myphonebuzzedasitdid
whenrecei
vingamessageIr
ead:<Ihopeyouhada
goodday.>
Ama:"
So.
..
whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Me:"
LLB.You?
"
Ama:"BCom Account i
ng."Myphonebuzzedagai n.
<Haveyouconsideredmydi nnerpr
oposal?>Idon't
know.DidItr
usthim enoughtogohavedi nnerwit
h
him?Itypedback:<Yes.Where?>Isenti
t.Hecall
ed.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Hi
m:"
Howwasyourday?
"
Me:"
Tir
ing.Howwasyour
s?"
Hi
m:"
Whatt
imecanIpi
ckyouup?
"
Me:"
Uhm.At6Isuppose.
"
Hi
m:"
I'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
dtoseei
ngyou.
"
Me:"
Areyou?
"
Hi
m:"
Yes.I
'
lll
etyouknowwhenI
'
m onmyway.
"
Me:"
Okay.Byet
hen.
"Ihungup.
Ama:"
Boyf
ri
end?
"
Me:"Uhm,no.Justa.
..
Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
o
cal
lhim.Maybeanacquaint
ance.
"
Ama:" Hmm.".
..Shoul
dItel
lZimmy?Iknowshewi l
l
obviousl
yfr
eakout.MaybeIneededtounder
stand
whatt hi
smanwant sf
ir
stbefor
eItol
dmybest
fr
iend.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ist
oodinf
rontoft
hemir
rorwhi
let
hetai
lormade
adj
ust
mentsandwrot
edownthemeasurements.
"So.
..Di
dsheagr
eet
ogooutt
odi
nner
?"Myadvi
sor
asks.
Pri
nce:"
Yes.I
'l
lneedyout
opr
epmef
or
conver
sati
on.
"
Advi
sor
:"Ther
e'st
hat
.Wheni
sthedi
nner
?"
Pr
ince:"
Picki
ngherupat6.
"
Advi
sor:"
That'
s2hour
saway.Theci
tyi
sanhour
dr
iveaway,t
hatonl
ygi
vesmeanhour."
Pri
nce:"
Stat
ingt
heobvi
ouswi
llonl
ywast
emor
e
ti
me."
Advisor:"
Ifyouwantt hi
sgi
rlt
oacceptyou,
you
needtobeal i
tt
lesoft
erandmoreki
nd.Let'
sst
art
ther
e."Iturnedtolookathi
m.
Pr
ince:"Iam t
hefutur
eKing.Iam notsof
t,noram I
ki
nd.Invit
inghert
odinneri
saspol i
teasitget
s."
Advisor
:" I
nterestingtake.Veryinter
esti
ngbutyou
dounder standthatyoucan' tforcehertoli
keyou?
Whatar ewedoi ngher ePri
nceNkosi nhl
e?Yousai d
youwant edawi fe.Youidentif
iedoneyoucouldlike,
fi
nall
y,afteryearsofsear ching,nowyouwantt o
chaseheraway? "
Pr
ince:"
Thi
slonggamei
sexhaust
ing.
"
Advi
sor:"
Youcanonlydothi
sonce.Okay?You
needhertot
rustyouandf
alli
nlove.Notwi
thyour
royalst
atus,
You.Onceawomani si
nlovewi
thyou,
shewi l
lgi
veheral
ltoser
veyou.
"
Pri
nce:"
Okay.AndhowdoIdothat
?"Thetai
lorwas
donewit
hmyt opandnowmeasuri
ngthebottom.
Advi
sor:"
Lit
tl
esoft
er.Moreki
nd.
"Ir
oll
edmyeyes.
"Wherewil
lyourdi
nnerbe?Youdor
eali
zet
hatyou
can'
tbeinpubli
cwithher?
"
Pr
ince:"
Iknow.I
'
mtaki
nghert
oeNt
abeni
."
Advi
sor
:"Oooh.Foraf
ir
stdat
e?Luxur
ious.
"
Pr
ince:"
Iguess.
"Thet
ail
orgotup.
Tai
lor
:"Ihavef
ini
shedYourHi
ghness.
"Hebowed.
Pr
ince:"
Whenwoul
dbet
hebestt
imet
oment
ion
marri
age?"
Advi
sor:"Absolut
elynott oday.You'l
lscareher.
You'
redismissed,Nkala."Thet ail
orwalkedout.
"Whycouldn'tyoujustacknowl edgehim atleast
?
You'
reamenace. "Ilaughedt akingthedrinkhejust
pour
edhi mself.
Pri
nce:"
That
'swhyyou'
remyf
ri
endonl
yyoucan
under
standme.
"
Advisor:"
I'
m yourOnlyfriendandevenIcan'
tst
and
you."Helaughed."Ser
iouslyNkosi
,youneedtodo
bett
erwi t
hthisone.You'vebeenobsessedwit
hher
forweeks.Nowt hatyougotachance, usei
t
wisely.
"
Pr
ince:"
Prepmet
hen.
"Hesi
ghed.
Advi
sor
:"Let
'sst
artwi
thcompl
iment
ing.
"

SASAPOV_

Iwasn' tgoingt obef ancy, Ipromi sebutIsawt he

blackdr essIf orgotabout .Itwasacowlneckwi th
thinstrapsovermyshoul der,fi
tt
ingt i
ghtonmy
bodywi t
hsomemovi ngar oundr oom.Theper f
ect
dinnerdr ess.Iwor emypai rofblacksmal lbl
ock
heels.Notsur ewhyIwant edtoimpr essthisman
buther eIwas.Myhai rwascombedt oit
'safro.I
accessor isedwi thsmal lhoopear ri
ngsandacl utch.
Itwas17: 55pm whenhesentamessage.<I '
m
outside.>Myhear tst
ar t
edt orace.Her egoes
nothing.Iwal kedoutt hebui l
dingandt othegat e.
ThebigblackmattedoutRangeRoverwaspar ked
outsi
de.Iwalkedtothecar
,theguardgotoutt
he
dri
verseatandopenedthebackf orme.Icl
imbedin,
withmuchdiffi
cult
y.Embarrassi
ngthi
ngsonlyever
happentome.Thi scarwasquitehugeandsoi t
tookgreatef
fortf
orashortpersoninati
ghtdress.
Ifi
nall
ysatdown.
Me:"
Goodeveni
ng.
"Hel
ookedatme.
Pri
nce:" Hel
lo.Youlookgor
geous.
"Hewasin
anotherofhissuitsasheusual
lyi
s.Thecarst
art
ed
anddr oveaway.
Me:"
Thankyou.Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
Pri
nce:"We'
regoi
nguptoeNtabeni
.I'
m not
supposedtobeoutpubl
icwi
thpeople.
"
Me:"I
sthatwhyyou'
real
wayssi
tt
ingal
onei
n
r
estaur
ants?
"
Pr
ince:"
Ionl
ygot
ooner
est
aur
antandyes.
"
Me:"
Aren'
tyoual
lowedt
ohavef
ri
ends?
"
Pr
ince:"
No.
"
Me:"
Thatdoesn'
tseem ni
ceatal
l.
"
Pri
nce:"I
t'
speacef
ul.Haveyouhear
dabout
eNtabeni
?"
Me:"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
hati
s.I
sitar
est
aur
ant
?"
Pri
nce:"
Kindofli
keaprivat
evill
aupint he
mountai
ns."Il
ookedathim.Somethingaboutbeing
upinthemountainswi
thast r
angerdidn'tsi
tri
ght
wit
hme.
Me:"
Ithoughtyou'
renotmeantt
obei
npubl
ic.
"
Pri
nce:"I
t'
snotpubl
ic.Onl
yexcl
usi
vet
other
oyal
famil
y."
Me:"Andyoutakeallyourdi
nnerdat
est
her
e?"I
l
ookedoutthewindow.
Pr
ince:"
No.You'
ret
hef
ir
stnonr
oyalt
obei
nvi
ted.
"
Me:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Pr
ince:"
It
'sasacr
edpl
ace.
"
Me:"
Sowhyam Ii
nvi
ted?
"
Pr
ince:"
I'
mtr
yingt
oimpr
essyou.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Ial
readyknowyou'r
earoyalandthatoni
ts
ownmakesmeuncomf ort
abl
e.Biggestur
escan
onl
ymakememor
eappr
ehensi
ve.
"
Pri
nce:"
Whydoyoual
wayst
hinkbadt
hingswi
ll
happen?
"
Me:"I
ntherealworl
d?Wher eusnonr
oyal
sli
ve,
bad
t
hingshappen.Especi
all
ytous."
Pr
ince:"
Not
hingwi
llhappent
oyou.
"Myphoner
ang
i
nmyhand.
Me:"
Sor
ry.
"Ianswer
ed."
Heybabe.
"
"
heyyou.
"
Me:"
Who'
sthi
snow?Wher
e'sZi
mmy?
"
"You'
veforgot
tenaboutmeal
ready?That
's
upsett
ing.
"
Me:"
Khaya?Whyar
eyouusi
ngZi
mmy'
sphone?
"
Khaya:"
Imi
ssedyou.Il
ostmyphone.Ar
eyouin
t
own?Iwanttocomepickyouupforachi
ll
."
Me:"Uhm."Il
ookednexttome.Theprincewas
star
ingatmeintensel
y."
I'
m act
ual
lynotavai
labl
e.
I'
m goingt
odinner.
"
Khaya:"
Wher
e?"I
fIment
ionwher
e,t
hiswoul
dbe
obvi
ous.
Me:"
Justout
.Ihaven'
tdeci
dedyet
."
Khaya:"
Areyouwi
thsomeone?
"
Me:"Yes.
"Theli
newasquietf
orawhil
e."
Ihaveto
goKhaya.Goodbye.
"Ihungupqui
ckl
yandputiton
si
lent
.
Pr
ince:"
Isheyourboyf
ri
end?
"
Me:"
No.Justaf
ri
end.
"
Pr
ince:"
Seemsl
ikemor
e."
Me:" Iti
sn't.Khayaisonlyaf ri
end."Thecart ook
driveupar oadaf t
er30mi nutesget t
ingoutoft he
cit
y, youcoul dn'
treal
lyseeint hedar k.Wemadei t
upt oashor tdri
vewaycomi ngupt oamoder nl
yli
t
vil
la.Istaredatt hebuil
dingwhi chwassobeaut i
ful
oni t
sown.MydoorwasopenedandIcl imbedout
thecar .Thevi ewofthecitywasbr eathtaki
ng.We
wer eont het opofaclif
f.Istoodst il
l,st
unned,
stari
ngatt hebeaut if
ull
ightsbel ow.
Me:"Thi
svi
ewisheavenly.I
sitmeort
heai
riscr
isp
overher
e?Al
mostli
keit'
spure."
Pr i
nce:"I
'
veneverr eall
ynot i
ced."Il
ookedquiet
ly
tryi
ngt orecognizelandmar ksofthecit
ybutthey
wer eobviouslywayt oofar."Let'
sgoinsi
de."I
foll
owedhi mi ntothereceptionarea.Ontheri
ght,
therewast her est
aurant,empt yofcour
se.
Pr
ince:"
Whatwi
llyoudr
ink?
"
Me:"Justwaterfornow.
"Hepul
ledmychairandI
satdown,hesatopposit
eme.Thewai
tercamet o
takedri
nkordersandlef
t.
Pri
nce:"
Ihadthem pr
epar
efourmainmeals.You
canchoosewhichoneyou'
dli
ketohave.Fornow,
tel
lmeaboutyoursel
f.
"
Me:"Youalreadyknowsomuchaboutme.We'
re
herebecauseyoupromisedt
oanswermy
questi
ons."
Pr
ince:"
Fai
r.Askaway.
"
Me:"
What
'syourname?
"
Pr
ince:"
Youcoul
d'vegoogl
edt
his.
"
Me:"
Ichosenott
o.Iwantyout
otel
lme.
"
Pr
ince:"
Nkosi
nhl
eMehl
uliSi
khosana.
"
Me:"
That
'sabeaut
if
ulname.
"
Pr
ince:"
Soi
sThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.Sohowdi
dyougetmynumber
?"
Pri
nce:"Iaskedsomeonet olookforyou.Ifound
youthroughyourfri
end.Theonef rom Kingstown.I
hadsomeoneaskherf oryourname.Fr om ther
e,I
usedmyr esourcestofindyournumber .
"
Me:"
Whydi
dn'
tyout
hent
ellmei
t'
syou?
"
Pr
ince:"
Icoul
dn'
tbesur
eifyouwoul
dgopubl
ic
wi
thit.
"
Me:"
Iguessyoufindi
ngmeintheguesthousehas
t
odowithyourresour
ces?Wer
eyoust alki
ngme?"
Pr
ince:"
YesIusedmyr esour
cesbutIwasn'
t
st
alki
ngyou.
"Thestar
terswerebroughtt
othet
abl
e.
Me:"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"
Pri
nce:"Youint
ri
gueme.Isawyouoncei nthatcl
ub
andIcouldn'
tforgetyourface.Iwantt
oknowyou,
possi
blybuil
dar elat
ionshi
p."
Me:"
Howwi
llt
hatwor
k?You'
rebasi
cal
ly
unt
ouchabl
e.Ican'
tbei
nar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thyou.
"
Pr
ince:"
Itwi
llwor
kifwebot
hhavet
hesamegoal
."
Me:"
Andwhati
sthegoalPr
inceNkosi
nhl
e?"
Pri
nce:"Webot
hwantt
oset
tl
edownandst
arta
famil
y."
Me:"That
'swher
eyou'
rewrong.Iwanttobui
ldmy
car
eerbefor
eIevent
hinkaboutst
art
ingafamil
y."
Pr
ince:"
Whywouldn'
tyoubui
ldyourcar
eerwhi
le
st
art
ingafami
ly?
"
Me:"
Thatwoul
dn'
twor
k."
Pr
ince:"
Whynot
?"
Me:"Marri
agetendstoaskalotofsacr
if
ice.
Especi
all
yfrom t
hewife.I
'm notr
eadytomake
thosesacr
if
icesyet
."Hestaredatmequietl
y.Hi
s
gazewasver yi
nti
midati
ng.
Pr
ince:"
Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Me:"
LLB.
"
Prince:"
That'
scute.
"Hesi ppedhi
swhiskey,
bar
ely
reacti
ngtothebit
tertast
e."Soyouwanttobea
l
awyer
?"
Me:"
Yes.
"Ini
bbl
edont
hest
art
er.
Pr
ince:"
Sameasyourboyf
ri
end.
"
Me:"
He'
snotmyboyf
ri
end.
"
Pr
ince:"
Whati
sitt
hen?
"
Me:"
Whyar
eyousowor
ri
edabouthi
m?"
Pr
ince:"
Ineedtobesurether
e'snocompet
it
ion
whil
eIpursueyou.
"Ismil
ed.
Me:"
I'
m notseei
nganyone.Khayai
s..
.compl
icat
ed.
We'
renottoget
her.
"
Pr
ince:"
Youl
ikehi
m."
Me:"
Idi
d.It
hinkIdobutnowmor
easaf
ri
end.
"
Pr
ince:"
Whathappened?
"
Me:"
Hei
sn'
tint
erest
edi
nar
elat
ionshi
p."
Pr
ince:"
Andyouar
e?"
Me:"Yes.I
'm notgoi
ngt
ojustcasual
lygi
vemy
bodytosomeonewhowi l
lhave20mor ebodi
es.I
t'
s
notheal
thyorsafe."
Pr
ince:"
Rel
ati
onshi
psar
en'
tonl
yaboutsex.
"
Me:"Thatistr
uebutIthinkit
'sti
meIstarttoexpl
ore
now.Universi
tyissupposedtobeat i
mewher eI
enj
oymysel fbutIcansti
lldothatsaf
ely.
"
Pr
ince:"
Iagr
ee.
"
Me:"
Tel
lmeaboutyourf
ami
ly.
"
Pri
nce:" Idon'tknowwhatI '
dsayaboutt
hem.Ihave
thr
eesi sters,allcomeaf t
erme.Twomot hers,my
fat
herhast wowi ves.Igr
ewupintheroyalpalace
obviously,Ileftthecountrytost
udyinCali
fornia
andst ayedt heref orabit
.Ihadtor
etur
naboutf our
yearsago. "
Me:"
Tot
aket
het
hrone?
"
Pr
ince:"
Yes.
"
Me:"
Howdoyouf
eel
aboutt
hat
?"
Pri
nce:"
It
'smybir
thr
ight
.Idon'
thavet
ofeel
anywayabouti
t.
"
Me:"Doyouwantt
odoi
t?"Hel
ookedatmef
ora
whi
le.
Pr
ince:"
Yes.
"
Me:"
Wheni
syourcor
onat
ion?
"
Pr
ince:"
Fewmont
hsf
rom now.
"
Me:"I
sthatwhyyou'
ref
ishi
ngf
orawi
fe?
"He
smil
ed.
Pr
ince:"
No.
"
Me:"
Shouldn'
tyoubechoosi
ngf
rom anot
herr
oyal
f
amil
yatleast
?"
Pr
ince:"
Thatwasmyonlycondi
ti
ontoretur
n.I
marrywhoIwant.No,
Idon'
thavetochooseroyal
bl
ood."
Me:"
SowhathappenswhenyoubecomeKi
ng?
"
Pr
ince:"
Irul
e.That
'ski
ndofi
t.
"
Me:"
Soundsbor
ing.
"
Pr
ince:"
Iti
s."Hesmi
led.
Me:"Whatdoyoudof
orf
un?Isawyouint
hecl
ub
butyouobvi
ousl
ywer
en'
tenj
oyi
ngyour
sel
f.
"
Pr
ince:"
Iwas,
unt
ilsomeonemovedt
hei
rseat
."
Me:"It
ri
edtosmi
leatyouandyoudi
dn'
tbot
hert
o
smil
eback.
"
Pr
ince:"
Idon'
tsmi
lei
npubl
ic.
"
Me:"
Whyonear
thnot
?"
Pr
ince:"
Whatwoul
dIbesmi
li
ngat
?I'
dlookcr
azy.
"
Me:"
Okay,
sowhatdoyoudof
orenj
oyment
?"
Pr
ince:"
Idon'
tdoenj
oyment
."
Me:"
Idonotenvyyourl
if
e.Notevenal
it
tl
ebi
t.
"
Pr
ince:"
Youki
ndagetusedt
oit
."
Me:"I
fyouweren'
taPr
ince,
whatwoul
dyoudo?
"He
l
ookedthought
ful
.
Pri
nce:"
I'
m notsur
e.Ionlyknowhowt
obeaPr
ince,
bei
nggroomedt obeKing."
Me:"
Whatwer
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Pr
ince:"
Archi
tect
ure.
"
Me:"
Youwantt
obeanar
chi
tect
?"
Pr
ince:"
Want
ed.
"
Me:"
I'
m wor
ri
edaboutyou.Honest
ly.
"
Prince:"
Don'tbe.I
'
m doi
ngqui
tewell
.I'
mfinewit
h
however yt
hinghastur
nedout
.Thenofcourse
there'
syou."
Me:"
Whataboutme?
"
Pri
nce:"
LikeIsaidbefor
e,If
indyoui
nter
est
ing.I
hopethi
sisn'tthel
astti
meyouhaveamealwi t
h
me.I'
dreall
yliketoknowyoubett
er.
"
Me:"Iwouldli
ket
oknowyoubet t
ertoo.Maybewe
canunlocksomejoyinyourl
if
esothatyoucan
smil
emor e.
"Hesmiled.
[
07/
27,
05:
39] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er7

ThenextdayIwokeupear l
yasIusual l
ydid.Last
ni
ghtst art
edoffali
ttl
etensebutast heevening
progressed,Igotal
itt
lemor eoutofNkosinhle.He
wasgener all
yaquietman.Andqui t
ehandsomet oo.
Hebr oughtmebackt or esjustaf
ter10pm.Itwas
quit
easunnymor ning,Iti
diedupmysi deofthe
room.Myr oommat ewassl eepingsoItriedtobe
quiet.Mycl asseswer eonlyst art
ingonMonday.I
couldn'tgobackt osleepandsoIputonmybei ge
l
eggings, atshirtandsneaker s.Iwalkedoutwi t
h
myphoneandear phones,I
'dj ustsi
toutsideand
soaki nt hesunf orashortbit.OnceIreachedt he
receptionar eaIdeci dedtocal lZimmy.Maybeshe
wasst illawake.
Me:"
Babe.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Heyyou.What
'sup?
"
Me:"
Youhaven'
tsl
ept
,haveyou?
"
Zimmy:"Nope.Cometomyroom,we' r
echi
ll
ing
here.
"Shewasinthesameresbuil
dingbutali
tt
le
fur
therf
rom me.Iwentt
oherroom,sheopenedfor
me.
Me:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Zimmy:"Heyl
ove.Thi
sisPet
u,t
hat
'sFi
kil
e.Gi
rl
s,
thi
sisThembi
sa.Doyouwantsomethi
ngtodri
nk
babe?"
Me:"
Cof
feei
fyouhave.Hel
loever
yone.
"They
gr
eet
edmeback.IsatonZi
mmy'
sbedasshemade
mecoff
ee.
Pet
u:"
Areyoual
sol
ivi
ngi
nthi
sresi
dence?
"
Me:"
Yeah,
BlockA.
"
Zi
mmy:"
How'
syourr
oommat
e?"
Me:"She'
sokay.Ididn'
tgett
otalkt
ohermuch.She
ar
ri
vedwhi l
eIwasunpacking,shel
eftherst
uff
.I
wentouttodinnerwhenIcamebackshewas
sl
eeping.
"
Zimmy:"Di
nner
?WithwhobecauseKhayawaswit
h
me.OhmyGod, ist
hatwhyhewasangryaft
erhe
call
ed?
"
Me:"Angryf
orwhat?Someoneinvi
tedmetodi
nner
andIaccept
ed.Khayadoesn'
tknowwhathe
want
s."
Zi
mmy:"
Justgi
vehimti
mepl ease.Who'st
hisguy
whot
ookyouout
?"Shehandedmecof fee.
Me:"
Whosai
dit
'saguy?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Please,
whoi
sit
?"
Me:"
Ican'
tsayyet
."Igi
ggl
ed,
taki
ngasi
p.
Zi
mmy:"
Youwerei
nMthi
nomkhul
ufort
womont
hs.
Wher
ewoul
dthi
smancomefr
om? "
Me:"
Around.Tel
lmeaboutyourni
ght
."Il
aughed.
Zimmy:"Iwonderwhot hismysteryguyi s.Anyway,
wewentt othisot herchisanyamai neMoyeni .We
hadsomemeatanddr i
nksbutyouknowKhaya, he
getsuncomfor tableinthehoodsowecameback.
Wewentt oclubPhoeni xandgi i
ii
rrrr
l.
"Theyl aughed.
MyphonebeepedandIcheckedt hemessage.
<Goodmor ningThembi sa.Ihadal ovelydinnerwith
youlastni
ght .Ihavesomet hi
ngforyout oshowmy
appreci
ati
onf orgi f
ti
ngmeyourcompany.When
canIhaveitdel iver
ed?>Ismi ledtryi
ngt okeepmy
composure.
Zi
mmy:"
Andt
hen?
"
Me:"Nothing.
"Ityped:<Goodmor ning.Youknow
youdon'
thavet o,ri
ght?I'
l
lbeatr esallmorni
ng.I
tooenj
oyedmyeveni ngwithyou.>Sent.Zi
mmy
wasreadingthemessagesunt ilIcaughther.
Zi
mmy:"
Whoi
sthi
s?"Ihadsavedhi
snumberas
Inhl
ejusti
ncaseIlosemyphoneandsomeone
getsholdofi
t.If
inal
lyunderstandwhyhedidn'
t
j
usttextmehisnameandr athert
oldmefaceto
face.
Me:"
Justaf
ri
endImetyest
erday.
"
Zi
mmy:"Inhle?I
'veneverhear
dofanI
nhl
e.What
doesshestudy?
"
Me:"Hai
bo.Whythei
nvesti
gati
on?
"Newmessage:
<Deli
ver
ywil
lbemadebefore9am.I'
mlooki
ng
for
wardtoknowi
ngmoreaboutyou.>
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sisaman.Thi
sisaman!!Unl
essyou'
re
l
esbi
anmyf
ri
end.Tel
lmeaboutI
nhl
e!"
Me:"St
opr eadi
ngmymessages.
"Il
aughed.She
shookherhead,Pet
umanagedtoswi
tchthe
subj
ect.Thankgoodness.

Around8, Iwentbacktomyr oom.Myr oommate

wasstil
lfastasleep?Maybeshehadal ongni
ght
andday.Iwentt oshower,dr
essingi
nmynavymaxi.
Suddenl
yIwasqui tener
vousandjustasIwas
thi
nkingabouthim andwhatt
hisdel
iver
ywas,I
recei
vedamessage:<Ihaveyourdel
iverywai
ti
ng
outsi
de.>IwalkedtomydoorbutwhenIopened,
Zimmywasknocki ng.
Zi
mmy:"Babe,
Ineedt
ampons.Doyouhaveany?
"
Shewal
kedin.
Me:"
Uhm,
Ihavepadsi
nmybag.
."
Zi
mmy:"
Okay?
"
Me:"Zimmyyouknowwher emyt oil
etr
iesar
e
though.
"Itookthet
oil
etr
ybag,
takingoutapad,
I
gaveittoher.
Zimmy:"Ican'
tjustgothr
oughyourt
hings,
you
knowthat,we'
velivedt
ogether
.Ar
eyougoing
somewhere?"
Me:"
I'
mtaki
ngawal
k."
Zi
mmy:" Ohokay.
"Wewalkedoutofmyr oom."Let
mejustkhaphayout
othegate.I
'mtir
edbutIcan't
sl
eep.
"Ohno.Thiscan'
thappen.Shecan'twal
kme
out
.
Me:"
Youneedt
orestZi
mmy.You'
vebeenpar
tyi
ng
fordaysonend.Yourbodyi
sprobablyconf
used.
Justlayi
nbedandcloseyoureyes.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whydi
dyoust
opwal
king?
"
Me:"
Nor
eason.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whoar
eyougoi
ngt
o?"
Me:"
Noone.
"Myphoner
ang.
Zi
mmy:"
He'
sout
side,
isn'
the?
"
Me:"Fr
iendyouknowIwantt
otel
lyoubutIcan'
t.
Notyet
."
Zi
mmy:"
Why?I
shemar
ri
ed?
"
Me:"
No.
.Ihavet
ogo.
"
Zimmy:"Okay.
"Shewal
kedbacktoherr
oom andI
knowshewasupsetwithme.I
'ddealwi
tht
hatlat
er.
Iwentoutthegat
eanswer
ingt
hephone.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.It
houghtyouchangedyourmi
nd.
"
Me:"
I'
m aboutt
oreachyourcar
."
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
m nott
her
e.Ican'
tgetawayf
rom
t
hismeet
ing.Pl
easeenj
oyyourgi
ft
."
Me:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"
Ihatelyi
ngt
omyf ri
end.SheknowsI'm hi
ding
somet
hingandIcan'
tconfi
deinherbecauseof
whoyouare."
Nkosi
:"I
sther
eanyt
hingt
oconf
ideyet
?"
Me:"Notreall
y.Wejustmetandget t
ingtoknow
eachother.Maybewewon' tevendate.Iwouldn'
t
wanttheItoldyouso'
sthatcomef rom that.
"I
reachedthecar,t
hedri
vergotoutthecar .
Nkosi:"Iwon'tdisappointyouThembi sa.
Ndiyathembisa."Igiggled.Thedr i
veropenedthe
backseatandhandedmeat akeawaypaperbag.It
hadtheMozambi canrestaurantsti
ckertocl
oseit
.
ThenHegavemeabouquetofr edroses.
Me:"Whati
sthi
s.Thankyousi
r.
"Henoddedand
gotonhi
sway.
Nkosi
:"Ihopeyouhaven'
thadbreakf
ast
.I'
veseen
youtwi
ceinmyf avor
it
eplaceandsoIthoughtI
shoul
dsendyoumyf
avor
it
emealf
oryout
oenj
oy.
"
Me:"That
'ssosweetNkosi
.I'
veneverrecei
ved
f
lowersbefor
e."Iwal
kedbacktomyr oom.
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sanoteIl
efti
nther
eforyou.When
canIseeyouagain?
"
Me:"Wecanmakeaplanwhenyou'
reavai
labl
e.My
cl
assesst
artonMonday.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Enj
oyyourbr
eakf
astt
hen.We'
l
ltal
k
soon.
"
Me:"ThankyouNkosi
.Thi
swasr
eal
lysweetof
you.
"
Nkosi :"
You'rewelcome.GoodbyeThembi sa."He
hungup.Imadei ttomyr oom wit
hthisbouquet
andt akeaway.Iwant edtosharemyf oodwi thmy
fri
endobvi ouslybutdoesshewantt o?Ichecked
thenot eintheroses."Adozenr edrosesf ora
beaut i
fulwomanwhoi ntri
guesme.Youar e
perfection.-Nkosi"Iplacedmyf l
ower sonmybed
andwal kedtoZimmy.Myhear tal
mostf loating,
I
fel
tsover yconfused.Ihopeherfri
endswer egone
now, Iwasnoti nt hemoodf orcompany.Af t
er
knocki
ngf
orabi
t,sheopened.
Me:"
Areyoual
one?
"Iwhi
sper
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.Why?
"
Me:"
Openup.
"Iwal
kedi
nwi
tht
hef
ood.
Zi
mmy:"
From myst
eryman?
"Sher
oll
edhereyes.
Me:"
Zimasa.
"
Zimmy:"Thembisa,doyouknowhowdangerous
thi
sis?Ifyou'
redat
ingamyster
ypersonandgo
missing,whowil
lfi
ndyou?Howwillweknow?"
Me:"
Iwon'
tgomi
ssi
ng.Let
'seat
."
Zimmy:"Il
oveyoumyf r
iendbutyou'
revery
i
nexper
iencedwhenitcomestomen.Idon'twant
youtogetswindl
edoutofyourvi
rgi
nit
y."
Me:" Iwon'
tgetswindled.Iunderst
andyou'
re
nervousbut,wearen'tevenoffi
cial
.Maybeitwon'
t
evengettoar el
ati
onship.He'sverydi
ff
erentfr
om
me.Idoubtthiswilll
astbutthatdoesn'
tmeanI
can'tenj
oymyself.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Don'
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m.Reser
vei
tfor
someonewhowi
lll
oveyou.
"
Me:"Yesmommy.Nowl et
'seat.
"Wesatonherbed,
whi
leIopenedt
hebagtakingoutthef
ood.She
l
ookedatmewithasl
ysmi le.
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sisf
rom Amel
ia'
s.Ther
est
aur
ant
."
Me:"
Yes.
"Iopeneditt
olookatt
hefood."Hi
s
f
avor
it
efrom t
here.
"It
ookachipandtossediti
n
mymouth.
Zi
mmy:"Youneedtot
ast
ethepr
awnst
oot
hist
ime.
Noshyi
ngaway."
Me:"
Okayf
ine.I
'
llt
ryone.
"
Zimmy:"Her
eletmehelpyou.
"Sheshowedmehow
tosepar
atet
hemeatfrom t
heshell
,Iat
ethepr
awn
meatwhichhadacreamygarl
icsauce.
Me:"
Thi
sisact
ual
lyni
ce.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ever
ythi
ngel
sei
seasy.Let
'sdi
gin.
"..
.

Itwasawar
m Fri
dayandIwasgoi
ngtohavea
beachpi
cni
cwit
hZimasa,Pet
uandFi
ks.My
roommat e,Amahlewasaver yst rangecharacter.I
tri
edmaki ngconver sati
onaf ewt imesbutshewas
verydist
antbutstillpoli
teatl east.I'
vedecidedto
l
eaveherbe.Iwor emybl ackonepi eceswimmi ng
costume,awhi tekneel engthl ooseshirtontop.I
hadsungl assesandsunscr eenasi de.Zimmy
knockedonmydoor .Iknewi twasherbecause
she'st
heonl yonewhodi d.Myr oommat edidn'
t
havevisi
tors.Okay, I'
m wor r
iedabouther .Iopened
thedoorforZi mmy.
Me:"
baby.
"
Zimmy:"Heylove.Iknowyoudon'
thaveabeach
bagsoit'
seit
herweuseoneorIcangi veyout
he
secondone?"
Me:"Gi
vemet
hesecond,
thatwaywe'
l
lhavemor
e
space.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ugh,
Iwashopi
ngyou'
dwantt
ocar
rymy
one.
"
Me:"You'
reachi
ld.I
'
m donewit
hever
ythi
ng.We'
re
get
ti
ngpizzaanddri
nksonthewayri
ght?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Absol
utel
y.Yourt
owel
?"
Me:"Al
mostf
orgot
.Okayl
et'
sgo.
"Amahl
ewal
ked
i
n."Hey.
"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Areyouokay?
"Shesi
ghed.
Ama:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"Zi
mmywal
kedoutt
her
oom.
Me:"We'
rehavi
ngapi cni
catthebeach.It
oodon'
t
havemanyfri
ends,Zimmywasmyr oommatel
ast
year
.Whydon'tyoujoinus?
"
Ama:"
Whatmakesyout
hinkIdon'
thavef
ri
ends?
"
Al
ri
ghtt
hen.I
'
m out
.
Me:"
Sor
ry.
"Iwal
kedoutt
her
oom.
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
tknowwhyyoubot
her
."
Me:"
Iwast
hatper
sonj
ustl
astyear
."
Zimmy:"Yeahwell
,maybegi
vehert
ime.
"We
reachedPetuandFi
kil
e.
Pet
u:"
Thecabi
sal
mosther
e."
Me:"
Higuys.
"Ismi
led.
Pet
u:"
Heybabe.
"
Fiki
le:"
Hi."Thecararri
vedthatwouldtakeust
obuy
twoboxesofpi zza,somecancidersandsnacks.
Wemadei ttothebeach,l
ayourfleecesdownand
fi
nallyr
elaxed.Istar
tedwit
hsomepi zzasli
ces
beforedri
nking.
Zi
mmy:"
Ladi
es,
dowehavepl
ansf
ort
oni
ght
?"
Fi
kil
e:"I
'm vi
sit
ingKhaya.Hei
nvi
tedmeovert
ohi
s
pl
ace."Thatwasnew.
Zimmy:"Khayadoesn'
tstayinonFridaysbabe.I'
m
tal
kingaboutl
atei
nthenight,whatarewedoi ng?I
gotsomemoneyf rom myparents,i
twillbeenough
tobuyusabot t
leandmixers.
"
Petu:"
Yohfr
iend,
Iempti
edmypocketmoneyon
regi
str
ati
ont
hisweek.
"
Zimmy:"Idi
dn'
taskforyourmoney.IsaidI'
vegot
thedr
inks.Wecaneatbeforeweleave.Sasa?"
Me:"
Babe.YouknowhowIf
eelaboutcl
ubs.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Okayf
inet
hen.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay,wherewereyouthi
nki
ngwego?"
Zi
mmy'sfacel
itupli
keachil
dassheusual
lydi
d.
Zimmy:" I'
m notsur
e,Phoenixmaybe?"Ididn'tl
ike
this.IknowIdon'tl
ikecl
ubbingbutnowZi mmyi s
goingt osi
deli
nemef orPetu.Iwasbeingpetty,I
knowbutshewasqui tel
it
erall
ymyonlyf r
iend.I
justdidn'
tli
keclubsandIcouldn'
tcompromi seon
that.Maybeonce?
Petu:"
Absol
utel
ylovethati
dea.Pl
usIknowt
he
promotermaybetheycansmuggleusint
oVI
P."
Zi
mmy:"
Soyou'
recomi
ng?
"
Fi
kil
e:"I
'
dchoosedi
ckanydayoveracr
owded
cl
ub."
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.Sasa?
"
Me:" We'l
lsee."Icheckedmyphonef i
ndi nganew
message.<Goodmor ni
ngThembi sa.Ihopeyou
sleptwell,
I'
m sorryIdisappearedyest erday.Iwas
preparingforanimpor t
antmeet i
ng.I'm aboutt ogo
i
nr ightnow.Mayyourdaybeasbeaut ifulasyou
are.>Ismiled.I'
vebeenwai t
ingsincel astnightfor
amessagef rom him.We'veonlybeent exti
ngf ora
fewdaysbutIcoul dn'
tgoadaywi thoutsendi ng
him amessage.Idon' tknowi fIl
ikedhi m yet.I
r
epli
ed:<Hell
o.Iwishyouthebestofluckforyour
meeti
ng.I'
m havi
ngapi cni
cwit
hf r
iends.We'l
ltal
k
l
ater
.>
Zimmy:"
Okay.Nomor ephones.Gi
rlt
alkonl
y."She
tookmyphone,put
ti
ngitasi
de.
Pet
u:"
Gir
ltal
k?Aboutwhat
?"
Zi
mmy:"Idon'
tknow.Maybewecouldgi
veeach
ot
heradvi
ceonstuf
f,t
ipsandt
ri
cks.
"
Petu:"
Okay,I
'l
lstar
t.HowthehelldoIbalance
schoolandmysoci all
if
e?Isuckati
t.Ial
most
fai
ledl
astyear,
Ihaveasupp.Mydadi sbreat
hing
downmyneck. "
Me:"Ithi
nkmanagingyourtimebett
er.Give
yoursel
fhoursforf
un.Andhoursforstudyi
ng.
Obviousl
yyou'r
einuniver
sit
y,t
hereasonyou're
hereistost
udyandsost udyi
nghoursneedt obe
muchmor ethanthefunones."
Zi
mmy:"
Orj
ustdon'
tsl
eep.
"
Me:"
Thati
sver
yunheal
thyf
oryou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
mjoki
ng.Sasai
sri
ght
.Abi
t.Butal
soyou
needtounder st
andyourst udystyl
e.Ithri
veon
pressuresoIdoal lmyassi gnmentsatt helast
minutebecausei tdrivesme.However ,Idon'tst
udy
l
astmi nutebecauseIneedt ounderstandthe
i
nformat i
ontherefore,Icomet omyr oom after
cl
ass, gooverwhatI 'velear
ntmakenot esfrom my
notesthenIgodr ink.Balanced."Welaughed.
Me:"
You'
rear
obot
.Youbar
elysl
eep.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ihat
esl
eepi
ng.Fi
kil
e,whatdoyoudo?
"
Fi
kil
e:"
Ijustwi
ngi
thonest
ly.
"Herphoner
ang.
Zi
mmy:"
Isai
dnophones!
"
Fiki
le:"
it
'sKhaya.Heybaby."Sheanswered."Yeah
I'
m withZimmy, we'
rehavingapicn-Uhm she's
ki
ndabusyr ightnow.Whattimeareyoupi cki
ngme
upbaby?Ohokay.I 'm att
hebeach.Okay."She
hungup.
Zi
mmy:"
Don'
teven.
"
Fi
kil
e:"
HayiZimmy,
ifmymancal
ls,
I'
m notkeepi
ng
hi
m wait
ing.
"
Pet
u:"
Butwe'
rehavi
ngagi
rl
'sday.
"
Fiki
le:"
Nextt
ime,si
ngl
eladi
es.Bye.
"Shegr
abbed
herbagandwalkedup.
Pet
u:"
Whydon'
tyouwar
nheraboutKhaya?
"
Zimmy:"She'
sanadul
twhocanmakeherown
deci
sions.
"
Petu:"Khayawil
ltossherasi
debynextweeki fnot
today.Youknowhi m.Agirli
sonlyexci
ti
ngtohim
beforehesleepswithher
.That'
swhyhef ucksall
yourfri
ends."
Me:"
Ist
hatso?
"
Zi
mmy:"I
t'
snotli
ket
hat,
Sasa.YesKhayai
sabi
tof
awhor
ebutIknowhereall
yli
kesyou.
"
Pet
u:"I
'dstayawayfrom himifIwer eyou,Sasa.
AndI'
m notbeingbit
teroranything.Justwatch
howtheFikil
escenari
ounfolds."..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Isati
nmyof
fi
ce,
goi
ngt
hroughsomepaper
sthat
werekindofi rr
elevant,t
heybelongedi
nt he
garbage.Itsbeenahor ribl
eday.Usual
ly,att
his
ti
me, I
'dgot oAmel ia'
sandhaveonedr inkenj
oying
theseabr eeze.Howl i
kelyam Itobumpi nt
oher?
Myadvi sorwalkedi n.
Advi
sor
:"How'
sitgoi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
thwhat
?"
Advi
sor
:"Yourpur
sui
tofhappi
ness.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Mockme.I
t'
sfi
neIguess.
"
Advi
sor
:"Haveyouspokent
ohert
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Sentamessagei
nthemor
ningbef
oret
he
meeti
ng."
Advi
sor
:"And.
..Af
oll
owup?
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotgonnahappen.Can'
tIj
ustenj
oy
al
oneti
mei nmyof f
ice?
"
Advisor
:"No.Shetext
syouback,she'
sinter
est
edi
n
yourdays,t
heveryleastyoucandoisspendti
me
wit
hher .
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtr
yingt
orel
axi
nmyof
fi
ceal
one.Why
can'
tIdot
hat
?"
Advisor
:"Nkosi
nhl
e.You'
react
ingl
ikeat
yrant
.You
choseherbecauseyouli
keher
-"
Nkosi
:"Il
ikedherf
ace.
"
Advi
sor:"
Yeah,
andthepr
evi
ousonesmeltnice.
You'
renotachi
ldanymor
e.I
'
mt i
redoft
his.
"
Nkosi:"Don'
tyouthinkI'
mt i
redoft hi
s?Youthi
nkI
enjoybeingonmyphonet exti
ng?I'vegota
ki
ngdom t orun.I
'
m notat eenager.Idon'
twantt
o
wr i
tenotesandsendf l
owers.I'
vegotenoughonmy
plate,
Ishouldn'
thavetobebeggi ng."
Advisor:"
Thenaskyourfat
hertoarrangeawi f
efor
youbecauseI'm notgoi
ngthr
ought hisagai
n.No,
I'
mt i
red.You'
rethemostdi
ffi
cultpersononthis
planet.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantanar
rangedwi
fe.
"
Advisor:"
Thendot hework,Nkosi
nhle.You'
resit
ti
ng
there,
boredashel lwhent
here'
sagor geouswoman
outtherewhomaywantt odonicethingstoyou.
"I
sighedinfrust
rat
ion.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tkeepdoi
ngt
hedi
nnert
hing.
"
Advi
sor:"
Sendheramessaget
hatYouneedher
,
youhadahorri
bleday.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m notabouttot
ellheraboutmyunevent
ful
day.Shealr
eadythinksI
'
m bor i
ng."
Advisor:"Youdon' thavet o.You'reaPr ince, your
meetingsar econf i
dent i
al.Themessagei sasense
ofurgencyandaneedofcomf ort.You'l
ltakeherup
toeNtabeni .Maybeani ghtt ogethermi ghtspar ka
l
itt
lebitoff eeli
nginyou. "Itookmyphone." You
needtobecl oser.Sendt hemessagewhenyou' re
15mi nutesawayf rom her .You'l
laskt oseeherand
she'l
lagree.Onceshecomesi nt
ot hecar ,puton
yoursaddestf ace,exactlytheoneyouhaveonr i
ght
now.Whensheaskswhathappened, tellheryou
hadabadday.She' llfeelsorry,l
etherhugyou.
Thenaski fit
'sokayt ogot oeNt abenif orbitof
peaceawayf r
om theci tyandi t'
st r
oubles."
Nkosi
:"Whydoyouthi
nkmyl i
feisar
omance
movieandyoucandir
ecti
tanyhowyoul
ike?
"
Advi
sor
:"Thi
swi
llwor
k.I
'
llhavet
hem pr
epar
eyour
sui
te."Igotupfrom myseat."Iknowyouli
keher
Nkosinhle,
somehow, youfeelsomethi
ng.Youj
ust
won'tacknowledgeit
."
Nkosi
:"You'
real
soaseernow?
"Iwal
kedout
.

SASAPOV_

Afterourbeachday, wewentbackt oourrooms.I

tookashowert ogett hesandof fme,sli
ppingi nt
oa
blackfl
oorlengt
hdr essthatheldmybodyt ight.I
wenttoZimmy' sroom tochillbecauseAmahl ewas
i
nour sandsleeping,again.Ididn'
twanttodi stur
b
her.
Zi
mmy:"
Bor
rowmet
hisassf
ort
oni
ghtpl
ease?
"
Me:"Takei
t,Iwon'tbeusingitanyway.
"She
l
aughed.Il
ayonherbedwhi leshesatonthef
loor
.
Fiki
lewal
kedin.Iwasn'texpecti
ngherbackso
soon.
Zi
mmy:"
Hey,
you'
reback?
"
Fi
kil
e:"
Yeah,
Ifel
tbadaboutl
eavi
ngyouguys.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Soyou'
regoi
ngoutwi
thus?
"
Fi
kil
e:"
Yes,
Ijustneedanap.Khaya'
sdi
cki
ssucha
ri
de.
"
Zi
mmy:" Notsomet
hingIwasi
nter
est
edi
nknowi
ng
butokay.
"
Fi
kil
e:"
Atl
eastSasaknowsr
ight
?"
Me:"OhI'
veneversl
eptwi
thKhaya.Iknownot
hing
aboutt
hat.
"
Fiki
le:"
Oh,
Ithoughtyoudid.Judgi
ngf
rom t
heway
yougetsourwhenImentionhisname.
"
Me:"
Sour
?"
Fi
kil
e:"
Yes.Sour
."
Me:"Ihaveabsol
utel
ynor easont
obe.Khayai
sand
hasonlybeenmyf ri
end.
"
Zi
mmy:"Icanconf
irm.SoSasa,
areyougoi
ngt
o
gi
vei
tuptomysteryman?"Shegiggl
ed.
Me:"
Yout
oldmenott
o."
Zi
mmy:"
YeahbutIdon'
texpectyout
oli
stent
ome.
"
Me:"Idon'
tknow.He'
dprobabl
ybet
heper
fectguy
t
ogivemyvi r
gini
tyt
oo."
Zi
mmy:"
Thatqui
ck?Whatabouthi
missoper
fect
?"
Me:"Ican'
tsay.I
'
dbeokaywi
thit
.It
hink.I
fyouhad
achance,wouldyousl
eepwi
thasor
tofcelebr
it
y?"
Fiki
le:"
Acelebri
ty?Hahaha!!I
sthatwhoyou're
dati
ng?Comeon, Thembisa.You'
recutebutyou
havear ur
althi
ngaboutyou.Nocel ebr
itywants
someonel i
kethat.
"Shelaughed.
Zimmy:" I
sthatbecauseyou'
vesleptwi
thal
lthe
celebri
ti
es?Isthatwhatt
heytol
dyou?Because
you'renotdati
ngone,soIcanonlyassumethat
's
whyt heydon'twantyou?
"
Me:"
Zimmy!
"
Zimmy:" There'
shonest l
ynoneedt obenast y.If
youare, t
henIcanbet oo.Thembi saisnotcut e,
she'sfuckinggorgeous.Let'
snotbebi t
chest oeach
otherpleaseFiki
le.Sasadoesn'thaveapr oblem
withyou, she'
sneverbeenwi thKhaya,there'
sno
needtoshowani mosity.Evenifshedidfuckhi m,
whywoul dyoubenast ytoher?Youonl ymethi m
l
astweek?Pleaseman.Yoh.Ihatedramaand
meangirlbul
lshit
.We'r
enotinhi
ghschool,we'
re
adul
ts.
"Fiki
leroll
edhereyes,
gett
ingonherbed.My
phonerang.Ididn'
thesi
tat
etoanswer.
Me:"Hey.Iwaswor
ri
ed.Youhaven'
tanswer
edmy
t
ext.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm sorr
y.I'
mj usthavingareall
ybadday.I
needtoseeyouThembi sa,canIpleasecometo
you?Evenifit
'sjust5mi nutes,
Ineedsomethi
ng
posi
ti
veinmyl if
er i
ghtnow. "
Me:"
Absol
utel
y.I
'
m atr
esnow.Youcancome.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbet
her
ein10mi
nut
es.
"Hehungup.Igot
up.
Zi
mmy:"
Andt
hen?
"
Me:"
Uhm.I'
m sor
ryf
riend,
I'
m goi
ngtosee.
..
him.
He'
shavi
ngareal
lyt
oughday."Pet
uwalkedin.
Zi
mmy:"
Andwhatwi
llyoudowi
thhi
stoughday.
"
Me:"
Mxim.Youboreme."Iwalkedoutchuckl
ing.I
di
dn'
tneedtot
akeanythi
ngbecauseheonl yneeds
meforafewminut
es.Iwalkedtothegat
eand
wait
edt her
e.I
naf
ewmi nutes,theRangeparkedin
fr
ontofme.Asusual
,thedrivergotoutt
oopent he
doorformeandcl
osedit,
standingoutsi
de.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Hi
."Hedi
dn'
tlookokay.Hi
seyeswer
ea
l
it
tl
ered.
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkosi:"Meeti
ngwentbadly.TheworkthatI
'
dbeen
prepari
ngforthepastf
ewyear shaski
ndofgone
downt hedrai
n."Myheartbrokef
orhim.
Me:"
I'
m sosor
ry.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sli
fe.Tel
lmeaboutyourday.
"
Me:"
Thatfeel
sal
it
tl
einsensi
ti
venow.Iwashavi
ng
f
unallday.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'sgood.You'
resupposedt
obehavi
ng
f
un."Hesighed.
Me:"
WhatcanIdot
omakeyouf
eelbet
ter
?"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Come.
"Ihuggedhi
m."
Itwon'
ter
aseyourday
buthopef
ull
ysomeofmyhappyener
gycanpass
ontoyou."
Nkosi:"
Thankyou."Ipull
edawayf r
om hi
m,wit
h
di
ffi
cultr
estr
aintbecausehejustsmel
lssodamn
good."Doyouhavepl ansfort
henight
?"
Me:"
No.Thegi
rl
swant
edt
ogoout
.I'
m noti
nthe
mood.
"
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Me:"
I'
m notr
eall
yaclubper
son.Thatni
ghtyousaw
mewasmyf i
rstnight
."
Nkosi
:"Isee.
"
Me:"Whatar
eyourpl
ansf
ort
heni
ght
?Secr
etr
oyal
dut
ies?
"Hesmil
ed.
Nkosi
:"No.Ithi
nkI'
mj ustgoingupt
oeNt
abenif
or
t
henight.Ineedthepeace."
Me:"Okay.
"hestar
edatmewi
thhi
susual
i
nti
midati
nggaze.
Nkosi
:"Woul
dyoul
iket
ocomewi
thme?
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.
"Ibl
ushed.
Nkosi
:"Whydon'
tyouknow?
"
Me:"
Fort
hewhol
eni
ght
?Isn'
tthat
..
.notal
lowed.
?"
Nkosi
:"Agai
n,you'
dbei
nvi
ted.Woul
dyoul
iket
o
come?"
Me:"Yes.Iwoul
d."Idon'
tknowwheret
hat
confi
dencecamef r
om butIwassoner
vousabout
thi
s.
Nkosi:"
Woul
dyoul
iket
ogr
absomechangi
ng
cl
othes?"
Me:"
Yeah.
"Iopenedt
hedoor
.
Nkosi :"
Pleasedon' tchangethedr ess.Youlook
beaut i
ful.
"Inodded, cli
mbingoutt hecar.Whatdi d
thismean?WasIdat ingthePrince?Woul dIbe
sleepingwi t
hhim?Buti fI
'm bei
nghonest ,I
woul dn'tmindlett
inghi m.Notbecauseofwhohe
wasbuthewassoat t
ract
ive.Hehar dl
yspoke, and
hehadt hi
sst ar
ethatwasmaki ngmehot .Idon't
knowwhatwasgoi ngon.Zimmyopenedt hedoor
forme.
Me:"
Babe.Ineedyout
obor
rowmeyourweekend
bag.
"
Zimmy:"
Thatsoundssuspi
cious.Don'
ttel
lme
you'
resl
eepi
ngoverathi
splace?"
Me:"
iwon'
ttel
lyout
hen-
"shescr
eamed.
Zi
mmy:"
Thembi
sa!Whoi
sthi
sguy?
!"
Me:"Pleasedon'
tmakeabi
gdealoutoft
his.Ij
ust
needthebag."
Zimmy:"Onl
yifyoupromisemetotel
lmethej
uicy
detai
lswhenyou'
reback.AndImeanJUI
CYokay?"
Me:"Idoubtt
her
e'dbej
uicydet
ail
s.He'
sar
eal
ly
qui
etguy."
Zimmy:"Idon'tcare,fi
ndsomethi
ngj
uicyt
o
provokeoutofhi m."Shegavemeherweekendbag.
"Goodlucksis."Shesmi l
ed.
Me:"
You'
recr
azy.I'
m notgoi
ngtowar.
"Ilaughed
wal
kingt
omyr oom t
opackaf ewout
fi
ts.

Thedri
vetoeNtabeniwasqui
etonmyendbecause
Nkosiwasonthephone.Li
keIsai
d,hedoesn'
ttal
k
much.Justa" hm"" yes""ok"everynowandagai n.
Whenwear ri
vedateNt abeni,Icl
imbedoutt hecar.
Thedr i
vertookmybagoutoft heboot.Iwentto
standinmyspotont heedgeoft hecl
iff
,stari
ngat
theglori
ousview.Itfeltl
ikeIwasi nGod'slivi
ng
room."Ma'am."Iturnedar oundtothemal evoice.
Ourdr i
ver.
Me:"
Yes?
"
Hi
m:"ThePri
ncemaybeawhi l
e.CanIshowyou
i
nsi
detoyoursui
te?Orbr
ingyouabever
age?"
Me:"
Sure,pl
easeshowmeinsi
de.
"If
oll
owedhi
min.
"
Whatisyourname?"Hel
ookedatme.
Hi
m:"
Mongezima'
am.
"
Me:"Okay.I
'm Thembi
sa."Henodded,
focusedon
ourway.Attheendofthepassagewereacheda
door.Heopened,wal
kinginf
ir
st,pl
aci
ngmybagon
thechai
r.
Mongezi:"
There'
saphonenexttothebed,
youcan
cal
lifyouneedanyt
hing.CanIgetyouabever
age?
"
Me:"
Justaj
uicepl
ease.Mango.
"Henodded,
walkingaway.Ient eredther oom l ooki ngar oundin
awe.Subt leluxuryi swhati tl
ookedl ike.Decor ated
withwhiteandhi ntsofbl ue.Thati sthebi ggestbed
I'
veeverseen.Ther oom hadal oungear eawi t
ha
l
argeTVandwhatl ookedl iket hesof testcouchi n
thewor l
d.Iwal kedoutt hesl idingdoor ,ont othe
deck.Thei nfini
typoolgl ist
ened, ri
ghti nt hecorner
ofthedeckwasal oungebed.Thevi ewwas
spectacular.Insteadoft hecit y,thissidewast he
mount ai
nsandIcoul dseeasmal lwat erfal
l.What
i
nt heheavensi sthisplace.Ihear daknockont he
doorsoIwentbacki nsi
det oopen.Ayoungwoman
dressedinbl ackr oll
ingat raycamei n. .
She:"Goodafternoonma'
am,
Ihaveyourj
uiceand
somesnacks."Sheseemedquit
eboredorpossi
bly
annoyed.Ican'tbesur
e.
Me:"Thankyou,youcanl eavethem justinthe
l
ounge."Sheunloadedthesnacksont hetableand
walkedawaywithoutanotherwor d.Iwonderwhat
herdeali
s.Idr
inkmyj uice,si
tt
ingout si
de.
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"Hewal
kedont
othedeck.
Me:"
Hey.
"Ismi
led.Hesatont
hel
oungebed.
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf
orcomi
ng.
"
Me:"Thankyouf orinvitingme.Thi splaceis
beautif
ulbuti nordertor el
ax, youneedt otakethi
s
off
."Itookof fhi
sbl azer ."Andl i
edownonyour
back."Ipushedhi m onhi sback, taki
ngeachl eg
putt
ingi tonthebed." andt aket heseof f.
"Itookoff
hi
sshoes." Ther
e.Don' tyouf eelbet ter
?Wat chthe
mount ains.Letmeputt hesei nsi de."Itookhis
j
acketandshoesi ntot her oom, comi ngbackoutto
hi
mt ol aynexttohi m, facinghi m.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Me:"
You'
rewel
come.
"
Nkosi
:"It
hinkI'
m goi
ngt
oneedanot
herhug.Maybe
l
onger.
"Igiggl
ed.
Me:" Comegeti t.
"Hepul l
edmet ohim, huggi
ngme
butt henlif
tedhimselfuponhiselbow.Hewasnow
ont opofme, st
ari
ngintomyeyes.Hi scologne
captur edmebuthi sgazeiswhatkeptmehost age.I
couldn' tl
ookawayf r
om hisbeauti
fuleyes,andsoI
reachedi ntokisshim ontheli
ps.Hisli
pswer esoft
andcol
d,hebi
tmylowerl
ipsucki
ngoni
t.Ipul
led
awayagai
n,al
it
tl
eshy.
Nkosi
:"Di
dIhur
tyou?
"
Me:" No."Ismi led,holdinghi m cl oser .Hepl acedhi s
headonmychest .Iwant edsobadl yt oaskwhat
thismeant ,butIdi dn'twantt ol ookdesper at e.I
massagedhi shead, stari
ngatt hewat erfall
.Thi s
wasbad.I '
m star t
ingt olikehim.Atf irstIwasn' t
sur ebutnow?Somet hingi sdevel opi ng.I'd
promi sedmyf atherI'dstayawayf rom hi m.I
want edto,trul
yIdi dbutmycur iositygott hebet ter
ofme.Nowhe' scuddl i
ngont opofme, i
nhi s
privatevil
lasuitewhi leIwat cht hesunsetont opof
maj esti
cmount ains.Thi sobvi ousl ywon' tlastlong,
thatmuchi sclear.He' saPr ince.I 'm ar andom gi rl
from avill
age.I 'l
lonlyliveonceandhowmany
ti
meswi l
lIgett hechancet oremi niscemyf irst
ti
mewaswi thanact ualRoyalPr ince?Eveni fthis
endsi ntwoweeksorwheneverhe' st iredofme, I'
d
havet hememor i
es.Atl easthei ski ndandsweet .
That '
swor thremember i
ng.Il ookeddownathi m,he
l
ookedcomf ortable.Hewasf astasl eep, snor i
ng
l
ight
ly.
[
07/
27,
05:
40] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er8

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwokeupf r
om adeepsl eep.Itwasverydar k
outsideandIwasont opofawoman.I '
m nota
personwhoget sdrunknordoImakest upid
decisionssoImustknowher .Myt houghtscame
rushingbackinti
me.Thembi sa.Shehypnot i
zedme
tosleep.Igotup,shewasst illasl
eep,t
urningtoa
fetalposi
ti
onclearl
ycomf ortable.Whatdidshedo
tome?Iwal kedintotheroom, i
nmysocks, t
aki
ng
outmyphonet odialmyadvi sor.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"Ahh.Andhe'
sali
ve.I'
m dr
ivi
nginri
ght
t
hismoment .It
houghtsomethi
nghappenedto
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Andyouwai
tedunt
ili
tgotdar
k?"
Mthunzi:"
Ithoughtyougotbusy.Then3hour s
passedandIgotwor ri
ed.Wait,I
'
llbethereina
minute.
"Ihungup.Thembi sawasst i
llasl
eep.
Mthunziknockedonmydoor .Il
ethimi n.
Nkosi
:"Youwai
ted3hour
stof
indme?
"
Mt hunzi
:"You'
renotlost
.Thestaf
fsai
dyouwer
ein
yoursuite.Whatwereyoudoing?Younever
disappearfort
hatlong."
Nkosi
:"If
ellasl
eep.
"
Mthunzi
:"Asl
eep?Duri
ngtheday?I
t'
s8i
nthe
eveni
ng.You'
dneversl
eepat5."
Nkosi
:"Idon'tknow.SheundressedmeandIlayon
t
opofher .Shestart
edplayi
ngwi t
hmyhead.Next
t
hingi
t'
sdar k.Doyout hi
nksheputaspel
lonme? "
Mthunzi:"
Don'tbecr azy.Youhaven'tslepti
ndays,
you'
reti
red.Obviouslyyou'llpassoutwhenyoul ay
yourheadonboobs.I t
'snature.
"It'
snever
happenedtomebef ore."Lethertakecareofyou.
Rest
.Thisisyourti
met
ogett
oknowher
.Ior
der
ed
di
nner,
justincase.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m uncomf
ort
abl
ewi
thhowmybodyj
ust
bet
rayedme. "
Mt hunzi
:"Tomor
row,takeherhiki
ngupthe
mount ai
n.TheDlozit
rail
.Ifshecomesbackal
ive
thenshe'sagoodwoman.Youknowt heydon'
t
play."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notr
eadyt
ofi
ndt
hatoutMt
hunzi
."
Mthunzi:"
ThenIdon'tknow.Iontheot
herhand,
haveplacestobe.Remembert obesof
t,car
ing.I
f
she'
scomf or
tabl
ewi t
htouch,hol
dher.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf
ort
heunnecessar
yremi
nder
."
Mthunzi:"
Verynecessar
y.That'
swhyyouhaveme."
helookedbehindme.Ilookedatthesl
idi
ngdoor
,
Thembisawaswal ki
nginrubbinghereyes.
Thembisa:"
Nkosi?"Sheopenedhereyes.Pure
shockandfearshowedonherf ace,
shequickl
y
bowedherhead."GoodeveningYourHighness.
"I
chuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Soyoubowt
omyadvi
sorandnotme?
"
Thembisa:"
oh.Ithoughthewas.
..becausehe'
s
dressedi
n..
.r
egalatt
ir
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"i
t'
slovel
ytomeetyouMi
ss.
"
Thembi
sa:"Hel
losi
r.I'
m Thembisa.
"Sheofferedher
handr
espectf
ull
y.Mthunziki
ssedherknuckles.
Mt
hunzi
:"Pl
easecal
lmeMt
hunzi
."
Nkosi
:"Okay.It
houghtyouhadsomewher
etobe.
"
Mthunzi
:"YesMyPr ince.Yourdinneri
sreadyas
well
.Enjoyyourevening.
"Irol
ledmyeyesashe
walkedout.
Nkosi
:"Di
dwewakeyou?
"
Thembi:"No.Justfel
tabitofabr eezeandan
emptyspace. "Shehuggedherarmsar oundmy
tor
so,resti
ngherheadonmychest ."
You'rest
il
l
warm."Shewasawhol eheadshor terthanme.Her
puff
yaf r
or eachi
ngmychi n.Ienvelopedherinmy
arms.
Nkosi:"
Youtoo.Doyouwanttoeatinthe
r
estaurantorr
atherhavet
hem br
ingither
e?"
Thembisa:"
Her
e.There'
sanicet
abl
ewecansiton.
Thenwecanwat chamovie.
"Shepul
ledawayf
rom
metolookupatmyf ace.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twat
chmovi
es.
"
Thembi sa:"
Toobadbecausewe'redoi
ngit.I
sther
e
anythingbett
eryouwoul
dr at
herdo?"Pl
entyof
thi
ngs.Wat chi
ngthemountai
nsisatthetopofmy
l
istthat'
swhyIcomeher e.
Nkosi :"No."Sher eachedupt oki
ssmychi n.I
kissedherl i
ps,suckingherl owerli
pmor egently
thist i
me.Shet ast
edsweetandi twasdamnnear
drivingmycr azybecauseIj ustcoul dn'
tfi
gureout
whati twasandsoIki sseddeeper ,Iheldhert i
ghter
,
l
osi ngmysel fi
nherembr ace.Wer eachedt hebed,
climbingoni tandmeonher .Il
eanedononeel bow,
stil
lkissingherl i
ps,Iwant edtohol dherbody.Thi s
dresscl ungont ohercurves, dr
awi ngherbeaut if
ul
body.Thought sofher ,walkingtowar dsme, away
from me, holdi
ngme, andshewasnowunderme.
Mywhol ebodyshi veredinhunger .Shest opped
andIsnappedoutofmyt rance.Whatwaswr ong?
DidIbi teher ?
Nkosi
:"Toof
ast
?"
Thembi
sa:"
No.Yes.
..Uhm.
."
Nkosi:"
What'
swrong?"Isear
chedhereyes,
but
t
heywer ef
il
ledwi
thfear.Somet
hingwasdefini
tel
y
wrong.
Thembi
sa:"
Not
hing.
"
Nkosi
:"Youneedtobehonestwi
thme,
am Igoi
ng
t
oofast?DidIhur
tyou?"
Thembisa:"
Youdidn'
thurtme."Someoneknocked
onthedoor.Igotupwalki
ngtot hedoor.I
twasour
di
nner.GoodbecauseIalmostgotthatoneinmy
bedpregnant.Weneededthedistr
acti
on.

SASAPOV_

Ohhel l
.Iwassot ur
nedon, Icouldfeelmypant y
soaked.IknowIwasr eady,Iwant edhim butIwas
soscar ed.Icoul
dn'
ttellhimI '
m avirgi
nbecause
whatifhepushesmeawayt oo?Hel ookedli
kehe
wasr eadytoeatmeal ive.Whatifhewasr ough?
Whati fi
thurt?Iwasoverthi
nkingthiswayt oo
muchandnowI '
m st
ressed.Theladysetourt abl
e
nicel
ybeforeshewalkedout .Ikeptstar
ingatNkosi
whohadhi seyeonme.Hi serecti
onwasal most
teari
ngthroughhispantssoheputhi shandsinhis
pockets.
Nkosi:"Let'
shavedi nnerbaby."Hepul ledachairfor
meandIsatdown.Whywashesocal m?Heset tl
ed
oppositeme.Iuncover edmypl ate.Itwasastew
andveget ables.It
astedt hemeatf ir
st.Lamb.My
tastebudsdancedwi thjoy.Whoevercookedt his
wasamazi ng.Ihadmyveget ablesandt hen
fini
shedwi ththestew.Icouldn'tgethal f
way
throughitbecauseIwasnowf ull.Nkosihad
cleanedhispl at
e,nowdr inki
ngagl assofwat er
.
Me:"
Thatwasamazi
ng.I
'
m sof
ull
."
Nkosi:"
Thenlet'
sgetyout oliedown, wecanset t
le
onthecouchandwat chamovi e."Whydi di
tseem
l
ikehewaspul l
ingawayagai n?If ol
lowedhimt o
thel
ounge,alit
tl
edi sappoint
ed.Thecouchwasan
Lshape.Hesatr i
ghtatt hecorner,r
esti
nghislegs.I
satnexttohi
m ont heothercoucht orestmine.
Me:"
Whatdoyouwantt
owat
ch?
"
Nkosi
:"Anyt
hingyouli
ke.Iwoul
dn'
tknowwher
eto
begi
ntochoose.Idon'
twatchTV."
Me:"
You'
veneverwat
chedTV?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihave,butt
here'
salwayssomet hi
ngbet
ter
f
ormet odo.Idon'tthi
nkI'
vebeeninfrontofaTV
i
nyears.Iwatchthenewsonmyt abl
et."
Me:" Okay,I'
llchoosesomet hing. "Hepull
edme
cl
osert ohim unt ilmyheadwasonhi schest
.Imust
admi t
,thatfeltreall
ygood.If oundusadecent
moviet owat cht ogether
.Okay, itwasaromance
movie.Hal fwayt hrough,Inoticedhishandwas
caressingmybr east.He'sprobabl ybor
edoutofhi
s
mind.Il ookedupathi m.Helookeddownatme.
Me:"
Areyoubor
ed?
"
Nkosi
:"Bywhat
?"
Me:"
Themovi
e."
Nkosi
:"No.I
t'
sint
erest
ing.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?Whati
sitabout
?"
Nkosi:"
Thewomanwi t
hshorthai
risi
nlovewith
themanbutdoesn'
tknowhowt otel
lhi
m because
he'smarri
edt
oherfr
iend.
"Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi:"
Somet
hingt
ragi
cisobvi
ousl
ygoi
ngt
o
happen."
Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.
"
Nkosi
:"Oneoft
hem wi
lldi
e."
Me:"
That
'sunl
ikel
y."
Nkosi:"
Hm..
"Icar
ri
edonwat
chi
ngthemovie
comfort
abl
yandhewasri
ght
.Themandied.How
did.
..
Me:"
Haveyouwat
chedi
tbef
ore?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Movi
esar
epr
edi
ctabl
e."
Me:"
Not
hey'
renot
."
Nkosi
:"Icanpr
edi
ctqui
teal
otoft
hings.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?Pr
edi
ctsomet
hingaboutme.
"
Nkosi
:"Youar
egoi
ngt
obemywi
fe.
"Hel
ookedat
me.Il
aughed.
Me:"
That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.
"
Nkosi :"
We' l
lcircl
ebackt othisconversationina
year.You'llsee."Idon'tknowwhatgamehewas
playing.Ther eisnowayanonr oyalpersoncan
mar ryroyalty.AndIknowI '
m verynonr oyal.I
'
ve
metmypar entsfamili
esandnot hi
ngaboutt heir
historyevenhi ntsatroyalt
y.
Me:"
Doyouwantt
owat
chanot
hermovi
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Ican'
tbel
ievehest
ayedawaket
oeven
f
ini
shthefir
st.

Iwokeupi nthemor ning,inanempt ybed.Ithought

Iwasanear l
yriserbutNkosi nhlewokeupeven
earl
ier.Theti
mewasj ustaft
er5am.Igotoutofbed,
walkingtotheopensl idingdoor .I
twashotalready
outside,t
hesunpeaki ngf rom themount ai
ns.Nkosi
wasi ntheswi mmingpooldoi ngwhatIwoul d
suspectisswi mmi ng.Icouldn'tswim andIdidn'
t
event r
ytobenearwat er
.Hegotoutt hepool.
Nkosi:"Di
dIwakeyou?"Ishookmyhead, smili
ng.
Alwayssoconcernedaboutmysleep.Igavehim
thetoweltodr
yhimselfof
f.Hisbodywast onedand
sodefined.
Me:"Iwakeupar
oundthistimeever
yday.Icoul
dn'
t
evenheart
hewaterunt
ilIgotup.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dyousl
eepwel
l?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"Hest
aredatme,
looki
ngconf
used.
Nkosi
:"Youdidn'
t.
"Myhear
tslowed.Howwoul
dhe
know?DidIscream i
nmysleep?
Me:"
Justabi
tofani
ght
mar
e."
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon' tl
iet
omeeveragain.
"Inodded,
sl
ight
lyembarrassed.MaybeIstr
uggl
edwhile
sl
eepi
ng?Howel sewouldheknow?"Whatdi
dyou
dr
eam about?
"
Me:"Uhm..Iwasinthewoods.Lost .Twol i
ons
camet oat
tackmebutasnakeappear ed,sli
ther
ing
aroundme.I'
m scaredofsnakes.Andl i
ons.But
snakesmore.DidIscream i
nmysl eep?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"Hef
oldedt
hewett
owel
,pl
aci
ngi
ton
thefl
oor
."I
'
m goingonabitofahike.I
t'
sbeauti
ful
thi
sti
meoft hemorni
ngbefor
eit
'stoohot.Pl
ease
comewithme? "
Me:"
I'
veneverbeenhi
king.
"
Nkosi
:"i
t'
seasy,
youj
ustwal
k."Il
aughed.
Me:" letmechange. "Iwentt obr ushmyt eethand
washmyf ace.I nt hemor ningsbef or emyshowerI
usual l
ypul lonl eggingsandat -shi
rt.I'vepacked
them, wi
thsomesneaker s.ThewayIal wayspack
hast of i
tever ypossi bleoccasi on.Adr essf or
dinnerandshoest omat ch, adressf oraf ter
noon
becauseIl i
kewear i
ngmyMaxi 'sdur i
ngt heday
withsandal s.Jeansandawar ml ongsl eevei ncase
i
tget scold.Somet hingtor elaxinwat erand
pajamas.Not hingcancat chmeof fguar d.Iwore
mybl ackleggi ngswi that -shir
tandmysneaker s.
Myaf rowasi nf ourcornrowst hatIpl ai t
edbef oreI
slept.Iwentt ot hebedroom ar ea, Nkosiwas
dressedi nshor ts,sneaker sandavest .Heal sohad
abr aceletonhi sleftwrist.
Me:"
I'
mready.
"Heopenedt
hebarf
ri
dget
aki
ngout
t
wobot
tl
esofwat
er.
Nkosi :"
Let '
sgo. "Wewal kedoutoft heroom t omain
area.Insteadoft heent rancewecamei nonour
ri
ght ,
wet ookal eft.Thest affwasout ,cleaning,
therewaspr obabl yaboutf ourorf iveofthem.I
smi l
edatt hem, theyonl yjustst aredbackwi t
ha
strangescar edlookont hei rfaces.Whatwasgoi ng
onwi ththepeopl eher e?Wewal kedoutt hebui l
ding,
upagar denpat h.Di fferentt ypesoff l
ower swereon
eit
hersi deofme.Ist aredatt hi
smesmer i
zingblue
fl
ower ,slowi ngdown.
Nkosi
:"Don'
ttouchi
t.
"
Me:"
Whati
sit
?"
Nkosi
:"Mkhambi
.Myancest
orsf
lower
."
Me:"
Isi
tpoi
sonous?
"
Nkosi :"
Tononr oyals,yes.Let '
sgo."Iwalkedaway
withhi m.Thef lowergar dencamet oanend.We
enteredanot herpath, withtreeslemonswer ebei
ng
pickedf rom bywor kers.Ilookedatt hem and
smi l
ed.Samel ookasbef ore.Idon'
tknowanymor e.
Maybet hey'
renotal lowedt otalktome?Thi ssi
de
wasmuchbi
gger
.Ithadhuget
reest
hatbearf
rui
t.
Me:"
Appl
es!
"Ispr
int
edt
otheappl
etr
ee.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ikeappl
es?
"
Me:"Il
ikef
rui
t.
"Icouldn'tpossi
blyreachthebranch
t
hathungthedeli
ciousgr eenapplesoIjumped
t
ryi
ngtograbit
.Nkosir eachedupt otakeoneoff.
"
Thankyou.CanIeati t
? "
Nkosi
:"Yes.I
t'
sfrui
t.
"Iwashedof
ftheappl
eand
t
ookabi t
e.Glor
ious.
Me:"
Doyouwantsome?
"
Nkosi:"Not hankyou.Let 'skeepmovi ng."We
walkedf urtherintothegar den.If i
nishedmyappl e
bef
or ewer eachedt heend." Youcant hrowthecor e
i
nther e."Ithrewawayt hefi
nishedappl ei nt
hebi n.
Heopenedagat e,wewal kedt hroughcl imbi
ng
downaf li
ghtofst airs.Nowwewer ei nthewild.The
vi
ll
awasn' texact l
yatt hebottom oft hemount ain.I
t
di
dn'tseem al ongdi stancetot hetopf rom where
wewer e.
Me:"
Wil
lwepasst
hewat
erf
all
?"
Nkosi
:"Youcan'
tgot
othewat
erf
all
.You'
l
lfal
lin.
"
Me:"
Don'
thavet
otel
lmet
wice,
Ican'
tswi
m."
Nkosi
:"Whycan'
tyouswi
m?"
Me:" Icomef rom asmal lvi
ll
age.I
'vegotst ri
ct
parent sthatneverletmeneart hel ake.Ihadnoway
oflear ni
ngtoswi m whichi sgoodbecauseal otof
chi
ldr enhavedr ownedi nmyvi ll
age.Somucht hat
noonegoesneart helakeanymor e.Exceptof
coursef orthedar edevil
's.Li
keAphi we."Ilaughed.
"Hethi nkshe'sinvinci
ble."
Nkosi
:"Whoi
sAphi
we?
"
Me:" Oneoftheneighborssons.Heandmysi st
er
hateeachother.Theygot oschoolt
ogetherand
everythi
ngyettheydon'tl
ikeeachother
.Strange."
Nkosi
:"Whatmakesyout
hinkt
heydon'
tli
keeach
ot
her?
"
Me:"Mysist
ertol
dmehe'
san.
..
"Il
ookedar
ound"
a-
hol
e."Hesmil
ed.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sfi
ne,
youcanswear
.Wehaven'
treached
t
hetop."
Me:"Iwouldrathernot.Anyway,atschoolhe'sa
menacebutwhenhegoeshome, act
sl i
keanangel.
Everyonei
nthevi l
lageexcepthisparentsknowhe's
amenace.Whi chposesapr oblem ofcourse.They
alwaysdef
endhi sbehaviorifnotdownrightref
use
toacknowl
edgei t.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'sbad.He'
sgoingtoki
llt
hem. "I
st
oppedtolookathim andbur
stoutlaughing.
Me:" Youaref unny.He' sateenager.Teenageboys
areliket
hat.He' llgr
owoutofi t
.Mostoft hem do.
Mydadgotl uckywi thtwodaught er
s.Hesaysi tal
l
thetime.Idon' tknowt houghbecausesomet i
mesI
feelli
kehe'stryingtotur nmei ntohisson.He
taughtmehowt ostartaf i
rethisDecember .
"I
smi l
ed,t
hinkingaboutChr i
stmas.Whatabi t
ter
sweetday.
Nkosi
:"That
'sagoodskil
ltohave.Neverknow
whenyoumi ghtneedi
t.Whatelsedoesheteach
you?"
Me:"
CarsandAl otaboutani
mals.Wehavegoat
sat
home,It
hinkIknowmor eaboutgoat
sthanavet
woul
d.Iknowhowtofeedthem,hel
pthem give
bi
rt
h,di
agnoset
hei
ril
lness.Thi
ngsl
ikethat
."
Nkosi
:"Soyourf
atherhasaf
arm?
"
Me:"Iguessyoucouldcal
litt
hat
.Wehaveabout54
goat
scur r
entl
y,afewgavebir
thsomedaysagoso
i
t'
sprobablymore.Wealsohave400chi
ckens.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'sal
otofchi
ckens.
"
Me:"Noteven.Butt
heydowor
k.Hesel
lst
hem and
sel
lseggs.
"
Nkosi
:"Doeshegrowhisown?Idon'
tknow,howdo
youmakeachicken.
"Isatdownandlaughedl
ong
andhard.
Me:"
Chickensl
ayeggs,t
hoseeggsareeit
heredi
ble
f
orbreakf
astorhat
chchicks.
"Weconti
nued
wal
king.
Nkosi
:"Hmm.That
'si
nter
esti
ng.Doesyourf
ather
onl
yhavegoat
s?Nootheranimal
s?"
Me:"Yeah.Ithoughthewouldexpandtosheepbut
hesayshe'sfinewithgoat
s.Hisfr
iendhassheep
andtheyreferbusi
nesstoeachother.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'ssmar
tandki
nd.
"
Me:"
Myf
atheri
sver
yki
nd.
"
Nkosi:"
Youdon'
ttalkmuchaboutyourmother
.I
wouldthinkagi
rl
'sbestf
ri
endi
sfirstt
hei
rmother
."
Me:"
Notr eal
ly.Mydadi
smybestf
ri
end.Mymom
i
sabit.
..Diff
icul
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Mostmot
her
sar
e."
Me:"
Evenyour
s?"
Nkosi
:"Ihavet
wo.Soyes.
"
Me:"
Howi
sthatl
ike?Havi
ngt
womot
her
s?"
Nkosi:"
Idon'tknow.Nor
malt omeIsuppose,
Idon't
knowwhatt ocompar ei
tto.Idor
ememberhaving
onemot her
,mydadmar riedagai
nwhenIwas
about7."
Me:"
Andyou'
ret
heonl
yson?
"
Nkosi
:"Oneandonl
y."Hesi
ghed.
Me:"
Doyouhat
ethat
?Thatyou'
ret
heonl
yone?
"
Nkosi
:"Notatal
l.Myadvi
sorf
il
lst
hespaceofwhat
I
'
dhopemybr
otherwoul
dbel
ikei
fIhadone.
"
Me:"Awwthat
'ssosweet
.Soyout
ellhi
m
ever
ythi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
thaveachoi
ce.
"
Me:"
Didyout
ellhi
m aboutme?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Hemetyoul
astni
ghtr
emember
?"
Me:"
Yesbutdi
dyout
alkaboutmebef
ore?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"Hmm.Idon' tknowwhatI'm goingtotell
Zimmy.She'smybestf ri
end.Wet alkaboutalot
,
wellmostlyherbecauseshedoest heoutgoing
stuf
f.Shehasneverkeptanythingback.Ifeelli
ke
I'
m betr
ayingheralit
tl
ebutIalsodon'twanthert o
knowyet .
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkshewoul
dtel
lthepubl
ic?
"
Me:"Whydoyoucal
lpeopl
e't
hepubl
ic'
.I
t'
sso
st
range.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatshoul
dIcal
lthem?
"
Me:"
Peopl
e.Unl
essyoudon'
trecogni
zet
hem as
peopl
ebecauset
heydon'
thaveyourbl
ood.
"
Nkosi:"
Ifeveryonecouldchooset obebornr oyal
,I
canassureyout heywouldchooset ober oyal
becauseont heoutsidei
tlooksnice.Butatleast
they'
dhaveachoi ce.Ican'
tlookdownonpeopl e
j
ustbecauset heydidntgetthatchoi
ce."Ilookedat
him.
Me:"You'r
enotasbadasyoulookwhenyou'
re
si
tt
ingalonei
nar est
aur
ant
,youknow."
Nkosi
:"Il
ookbadwhenI
'
m mi
ndi
ngmybusi
ness?
"
Me:"Youlookli
keyouhatepeopl
e.Youj
ustsi
t
t
herefrowningandst
ari
ng."Hesmil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Ionl
yst
areatyou.
"
Me:"Tel
lme,doyoualwayspaymybil
latAmeli
a'
s?
Bot
ht i
mesI'
vebeenther
e,Iwastol
dit
'sset
tl
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
veputyouonmyt
ab,
yes.
"
Me:"Won'
tthatbesuspi
cious?Asint
hest
aff
l
eaki
ngtheinfor
mationt
hatI'm onat
abt
hat'
spai
d
byyou?"
Nkosi
:"Theywon'
tleakt
hei
nfor
mat
ion.Theent
ir
e
r
est
aur
antst
affi
sonNDA'
s,val
idunt
ilt
heydi
e."
Me:"
Whydoyoupayf
orme?
"
Nkosi
:"Iwantyout
oenj
oyyour
sel
f.
"
Me:"
Thankyoubuti
t'
ssuspi
ciousbecausemy
f
ri
endswil
lknowsomethi
ngi
sup. "
Nkosi
:"Andwhatwi
llt
heydoabouti
t?"Ismi
led.
Me:"Nothi
ng."Wefinal
lyreachedthet
op.Notthe
exacttopbecauset
hatwoul dbethepeakandno
onecanpr oper
lyst
andthere.Thiswascl
ose
enoughandwecoul dsit.Wesatdownont he
ground.
Me:"
Thisi
sbeauti
ful
.Ican'
tgetoverhowheavenl
y
t
heplacel
ooks.
"Thecit
ywasi nful
lvi
ew,t
hesea
t
oo.
Nkosi:"
Iliketocomeher etodestr
ess.Ithel
psme
thi
nkclearly.Andmydeci si
onsarealwaysdeci
ded
whenIr eachher e.
"Helookedatme.Ilookedathi
m
smili
ng.Ihear damovementar oundme, whenI
l
ookedi nthedi r
ecti
on,
myhear tstopped."
Don'
t
panic.
"
Me:"I
t'
sasnake.
"Whenmyheartst
art
edbeati
ng
agai
n,i
twasli
ter
all
ybangi
ngonmychestvi
olent
ly.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotgoi
ngt
ohar
m you.
"
Me:"
it
'sasnake.
"Ir
epeat
ed.
Nkosi
:"Iknow.Pl
easecal
m down.Cl
oseyoureyes.
"
Me:"There'
sonebehindme, i
sn'tthere?
"Hedidn'
t
respond."
Nkosinhl
eMehluliSikhosana.Getme
awayf r
om thesnake.Pl
ease."
Nkosi
:"Cl
oseyoureyes.I
t'
snother
etohar
m you.
"
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
opeemysel
fri
ghtnow.
"
Nkosi:"Noyouwon' t.
"Hetouchedmyhand.
Anotheroneappear edfr
om hissideandIgotdi zzy.
"Thembi sa."Icl
osedmyeyes, myearswer eri
nging.
Iwasgoi ngtodieonamount ainbi
tt
enbysnakes.
SNAKES.Het ouchedmywai standIj umped
screaming." They'
regone."Iwascryingbynow.My
bodyhadgoosebumpsal lover.WhenIopenedmy
eyes,theywer ereall
ygone.Ilookedal lar
oundme.
Me:"
Whati
ftheycomeback?
"
Nkosi
:"Theywon'
tcomebackasecondt
ime.
"
Me:"
Howwoul
dyouknow?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
vecomeher eforyear
s.Iknowtheywon't
har
m you,andtheywon'tcomebackagain.Iwon'
t
l
etanyt
hinghappentoyou."
Me:"
Okaybutwecangonow.
"
Nkosi
:"Al
ready?It
houghtwe'
dwat
cht
heci
tyf
ora
bi
t-
"
Me:"OhIthinknotsir,
Ithi
nkabsolut
elynot.
"Igot
upfrom t
hegr ound,mybodystil
lshaki
ng.Ikept
l
ookingaroundme.Hehel dmyhand, walki
ngme
backdown.Iwasst il
lshakyfr
om thesceneupin
themountain.Thiswasnotthejui
cydetai
lsIwas
hopi
ngtot el
lZimmy.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Wegotbackt othevi
ll
a.Icoul
dseeThembisawas
l
ivi
d.Thewal kwasonl
y20mi nut
esgoingupand
anothergoi
ngdownbutshealmostranback.
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantamassage?Ther
e'saspa
avai
labl
-"
Thembi sa:"Idon'twantanyonet otouchme!"From
l
aughi ngandsmi lestof ullbl
ownhost il
it
y.Idi
dnot
l
ikethatatal l.Takingherupt hemount ainwas
obviouslyabadi deabutver ynecessary.Atl
east
nowIknowt heancest orswer ehappywi t
hher.Not
asingleoneoft hem want edtoharm her.However ,
i
tmayhaver uinedmychancet obewi t
hher.How
couldIfixthis?Sheent eredt hesuit
e,goingst
raight
tothebat hr
oom.Thedoorshutcl osedandIcoul d
hearwat errunningi nthebat h.Itookmyphoneof f
thenightstandt omakeacal l
.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatwasabadi
dea.
"
Mt
hunzi
:'
Whatwas?
"
Nkosi
:"TheDl
ozit
rai
l.She'
ster
ri
fi
edofsnakes.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Butshemadei
tback.That
'sgood.
"
Nkosi
:"Andal
sonott
alki
ngt
ome.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thent
alkt
oher
."
Nkosi
:"Andsaywhat
?Sheal
mostbi
tmyheadof
f
whenIaskedi
fshewant
edt
ogot
othespa.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thenmassageheryour
sel
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
sonmyagendat
oday?
"
Mthunzi
:"Icl
ear
edyourdi
aryf
ort
heweekend.
You'
reoff
."
Nkosi
:"Whyt
hehel
lwoul
dyoudot
hat
?"
Mthunzi
:"Youneedt
orest.You'
vebarel
yhadsleep
i
ndaysandyouwer est
ressed.Nowthatthedeali
s
asi
de,youhavesometi
met oyoursel
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatam Isupposedt
odoal
lweekend?I
t'
s
Sat
urdaymorni
ng.Noteven7yet
."
Mthunzi
:"Havebreakfastandgobacktobed.You
haveadeli
catefl
owerwi thyou.I
'
m sur
eyoucan
fi
ndsomethingtoteachher."
Nkosi
:"Del
icat
efl
ower
?Whatar
eyouonabout
?"
Mthunzi
:"Apparentl
yshe'suntouched.If
oundher
boyf
ri
end,whoi sn'
treal
lyherboyfri
end.Hespi
ll
ed
al
lofhissecret
s."Soshe'savirgi
n.That'
swhyshe
wassoscar edl
astnight.
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dyoudo?
"
Mthunzi:"
Nothi
ng.Wehadaf ewdri
nksandbonded
oversomehobbies.YouknowIcanblendi
nmuch
bett
erthanyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Areyougoi
ngt
otal
korshoul
dIcutt
he
cal
l?
"
Mthunzi:"Hecouldbeyourcompeti
tion.He
expressedhowher egr
etshisdeci
siontonotbe
i
ntimatewi t
hher.Heli
kesher.Thi
scouldposea
problem f
oryou.Doyouwantmet odoanyt hi
ng
aboutit?"
Nkosi
:"No.Hisf
atherwi
lli
rr
it
atemetonoendand
he'
stheonlyoneItr
ustf
ormybusinessdeal
s.I
needtothi
nk.
"
Mt hunzi
:"Okay.Ior
deredbreakf
ast.Dif
ferentfr
om
whatyouknowbutpl easetr
ynottoactlikeaPr i
nce.
It
'swhatsheeat swhenshe'shomewi thf amil
y.I
cani magineshemustmi ssthem ever
yoncei na
whi l
e.Acknowledgethat.
"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght.Andf
ort
her
estoft
heday?Idowhat
?
St
areather?
"
Mthunzi:"Justrel
ax, MyPrince.Youmi ghtenj
oyit.
"
Hehungup.Bl oodyMt hunzi.HowcanIspendt wo
daysalonewi thawomanwho' sconvincedItr
iedto
off
erherasasacr i
ficetosnakes?Iwi shshecould
understandIwoul dneverhar m her
,orputherin
harm'sway.Ionl yneededt obesur eshewast he
ri
ghtper son.Mywi fewouldbet heclosestper
son
tomef ort her
estofmyl if
e,theonlypersoninthe
worldwhocoul dkillme.Ijustneededt obesure.
[
07/
27,
05:
40] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er9

SASAPOV_

Thebathatl
eastrelaxedme.Ifel
tqui
teabitbett
er
butmyhearthadn'
tr et
urnedtoi
t'
snormalpace.I
gotoutt
hebath,grabbingatowelt
odrybeforeI
washedthebathandl ett
hewaterout
.Iwalkedout
thebat
hroom t
othebedr oom.Nkosiwasn'
tinthe
room.It ookmybag, takingoutmyl ightbl
uedr ess.
Iloti
onedmybody, wear i
ngmyunder wear
.Ineeded
tobedr essedbef orethismanwal kedbacki nher e.
Thedr esswasbodyhuggi ngandpool edatmyf eet
.
Itheldmybr eastscomf ortably.Perfectforthis
war m weather.Iclosedmybagast hedooropened.
Nkosinhlewalkedi n,leavingt hedooropen.Al ady
pushingat rol
leywal kedi nbehi ndhi m.Shesetup
thetableagainwi thbowl s.Ther oom hadbeen
cleanedwhi l
ewewer eoutIsupposebecausewhen
we'dcomeback, thebedwasmadeandever yt
hing
elsewast idi
edaway.Thel adymadeherwayout
afterbowingtoNkosi ,hecl osedt hedoorbehi ndher.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Breakf
asti
sserved.Iwasadvi
sedthati
t
wouldbeyourfavor
it
e."Hepull
edachairf
ormet o
si
t.Isatdown.
Me:"Whati
sit
?"Il
if
tedthecover
.Por
ri
dge.Asl
ow
smil
efor
medonmyl i
ps.
Nkosi
:"Goodt
oseeyousmi
leagai
n."Hesatdown.
Me:"
Yout
ri
edt
ofeedmet
osnakes.
"
Nkosi:"
Ididnosuchthingbaby.Sohowdoyoueat
t
his.Iguessaspoonisi nvol
ved,
doyouj
ust
..
puti
t
i
nyourmout h?"Ist
aredathim.
Me:"
You'
veneverhadpor
ri
dge?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihave.It
hink.Musthave.
"
Me:"Yout
hink?Tast
eit
."Het
ast
edaspoonof
por
ri
dge.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
stast
eless.Youl
iket
his?
"
Me:"You'
resupposedtoaddsugar
,but
terand
anyt
hingelseyouli
ke.
"
Nkosi
:"Oh.Idi
dn'
tknow.
"
Me:"
Letmehel
pyou.
"Ipour
edt
wospoonsofsugar
i
nhisbowl
.
Nkosi
:"That
'sal
otofsugar
."
Me:"Rel
ax.Cl
oseyoureyes.It
'snotgoi
ngt
ohar
m
you.
"Hechuckled.Iaddedsomebutter
.
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dn'
tletanythi
nghar
m you.Youneed
t
otrustmeThembi sa.
"Isti
rr
edhi
sporri
dge.
Me:"
Tast
ei tnow.
"Hehadaspoonofporri
dge.
"
Can'
tbel
ieveyou'
veneverhadpor
ri
dge.
"
Nkosi
:"I
nmyyoungeryear
s,Imi
ghthave.Thi
sis
ni
ce.Andsweet
."
Me:"Itwi
llgetyour
eadyforbreakf
astl
ater
.
Porr
idgetendstodi
sappearfr
om yourstomachi
n
twohours."
Nkosi:"
That'
snotpossi
ble.Thi
sismai
ze,
it'
s
supposedtobefi
ll
ing.
"
Me:"
Tempor ar
il
y."Wefi
nishedt
heporr
idgeandhad
sometea."
Sowhot ol
dyouaboutthi
s?"
Nkosi
:"Myadvi
sor
.Di
dyouenj
oyi
t?"
Me:"
Ver
ymuch."Myphonerang."
That
'spr
obabl
y
mydad.
"Ianswer
ed."
Hel
loTata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lomychi
ld.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m wel
l.Howwasyourweek?
"
Me:"Qui
terel
axi
ng.Ipr
eppedf
orschoolmost
ly.My
cl
assesstar
tonMonday."
Xol
ani
:"Okay.Hopef
ull
yyougotsomer
est
."
Me:"
Idi
dTat
a.Howi
sever
ythi
ngathome?
"
Xol
ani
:"Fi
nefornow.Yourmot
hersayshel
lo,
she'
s
doi
ngl
aundry.
"
Me:"
Tel
lherIsai
dhel
lo.Wher
e'sNel
e?"
Xol
ani
:"Sl
eeping,
youknowher
.Whatwi
llyoube
doi
ngtoday?
"
Me:"
Not
hingmuch.Probablybei
nmyroom
r
eadi
ng.
"IlookedatNkosiwhowassmi
li
ngatme.
Xol
ani:"
Pleasegooutsi
de.I
t'
shot
.Wher
e'st
heboy
youl
ike?Andyourfri
ends?"
Me:"
Tat
a.Idon'
tli
kehi
m.Yout
oldmet
ost
ayaway
r
emember?"
Xolani
:"Asi
fyou'
dli
sten.Whydon'tyoul
ikehi
m
anymore?Ist
heresomeoneelse?
"
Me:"Uhm,no.I'
mjustprepari
ngforschool
.Pl
ust
he
bookI'
mreadingisi
nter
esting.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whoar
eyouwi
th?
"
Me:"
Dad.
"
Xolani:"
Ihopeyou'
resaf
emychil
d.You'r
epreci
ous,
doyouunder st
andthat
?Youneedtopreser
ve
yourself
."
Me:"
Tat
apl
ease.
"
Xolani:"
I'
mj ustsayi
ng,becar
eful.Boysinci
ti
es
tendtobever ycharmingbutt
hey'renotgood
people.Itr
ustyout omakemepr oud."
Me:"
Iwi
llt
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Good.Il
oveyou.
"
Me:"
Iloveyout
oot
ata.Bye.
"Ihungup.
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'saboyyoul
ike?
"Hef
ini
shedhi
stea.
Me:"
Khaya.Idon'
tevenl
ikehi
mli
ket
hatanymor
e."
Nkosi
:"Yout
oldyourdadabouthi
m."
Me:"
AndIalsot
ookhi
sadvi
ceaboutst
ayi
ngaway
f
rom hi
m."
Nkosi
:"Andme?
"
Me:"
Whataboutyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dhet
ellyout
ost
ayawayf
rom me?
"I
cont
empl
atedmyanswerbutIdeci
dedt
obehonest
.
Me:"Yesbuttobehonestmydadjustbel
ievesal
l
boysarebadforme.Youdidn'
thel
pyourcaseby
di
srespect
inghi
m."
Nkosi:"I
'm notsur
ehowIdi sr
espect
edhim.Befor
e
anyonegr eet
sme, theymustbow.It
'st
helaw.He
didn'
t.Ilethi
m speaktomesimplybecausehe'
s
yourfatherandIwantyou."
Me:"
Ineverbowedt
oyou.
"
Nkosi
:"You'r
emyi nter
est,I'
m pursui
ngyou.Icall
youtomeever yti
me."Itri
edtohidemysmi le.
"Come.Youneedt orest.Thebedwi l
lbemor e
comfort
able.
"Icli
mbedont hebedandhenextt o
me.Itr
ulyfeltcomfort
ablewithhim andIdon't
knowwhy.

Iwokeupsomet i
mel ater
,fi
ndingNkosinextt
ome
i
nbedst ar
ingasusual.Hi
sar m wasl
ockedaround
meprotect
ivel
y.
Me:"
Hi.
"
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Howl
onghaveyoubeenst
ari
ngatme?
"
Nkosi
:"3hour
sand4mi
nut
es.Yousnor
e."
Me:"
That
'sal
ie.Idon'
tsnor
e."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
e.Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
Me:"
Yesact
ual
ly.Youdi
dn'
tfal
lasl
eep?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Let
'sgoout
sidef
orsomebr
eakf
ast
."
Me:"
Okaybutyouhavet
omovef
ormet
ogetup.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Hedi
dn'
tmove.
Me:"
Ican'
tgetup,
ifyou'
rehol
dingmet
ight
."
Nkosi:"
Iknow."Imovedcloser
,kissi
nghisli
ps
sl
owlythenlookedathi
m.Hegotupt hen.Why
di
dn'thejustsayhewantsakiss?Igotup,star
ti
ng
i
nthebat hr
oom tofr
eshenup.Ithenmademyway
outt
hedeck.
Nkosi
:"Br
eakf
asti
soni
tsway.
"
Me:"Howdot
heyknowwhent
ocome?Younever
cal
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sabut t
onIpressthatnot
if
iest
hem
I'
mready.Themeal sarepr
eparedeverytwohour
s,
soIcaneatfresh.
"
Me:"
Soyou'
real
waysher
e?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"Isatont
heloungebedwi
thhi
m."
Do
youwanttolear
nhowtoswim?"
Me:"
Nott
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
saper
fectday.
"
Me:"
Youj
ustwantmet
obenaked.
"
Nkosi
:"IdobutIal
sowantyout
oknowhowt
o
swim.
"
Me:"Maybeaf
terbr
eakf
astt
hen,
wecangi
vei
ta
t
ry.
"
Nkosi:"
Good.
"Ineededtoask.Icouldn'
tstandby
anymoreandbeconfused.We'r
ekissing,we'r
e
sl
eepingint
hesamebedoverni ght.Whatwas
goingon?
Me:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"What'
sgoi ngonbetweenus?Idon'
twantto
assumeI'm yourwomanoryouwantt obewit
hme.
SoI'dr
atherjustknowandmanagemy
expect
ati
ons."
Nkosi:"We'
regetti
ngt oknowoneanother,
Iwantt
o
beinar el
ati
onshipwi t
hyou.Iwashopingby
spendingti
met ogether,youcoul
dsomehowfeel
thesame."
Me:"
Howwi
llyouknowwhenIf
eelt
hesame?
"
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustwi
ll
."
Me:" Well
,I'
mjustabitconcer nedbecauset his
can'tgoveryfar
.You'rer oyalty,andnotjustany
royalt
y,you'
renextont het hronewhi chisinthe
nextcoupleofmont hs.You' l
lbeki ng.Whatwi l
lthat
meanf ormet obeinar elati
onshipwi t
htheking?
I'
mj ustaconcubine?"Hesmi led.
Nkosi
:"You'
renowher
enearbei
ngmyconcubi
ne.I
don'
thavethose.
"
Me:"Ican'
tevendecl
aremyst atuswi t
hyou,soi
t'
s
obvi
ouslygoingtobeasecretrelat
ionshi
p.That
soundsveryconcubi
ne'
ish.
"
Nkosi:"
Whatmakesyout hinkthiswil
lnotl
ast?And
you'l
lbekeptasecret?DoyouknowwhyI '
m not
all
owedi npubl
icwith.
..Uhm, peoplewhoaren'
t
royal
ty?"Iwonderwhathewasgoi ngtosay
becauseitwasdefinit
elynotthat.
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Whent
heywantt
omakemer
eact
,theywi
ll
har
m youandyourf
amil
y."
Me:"
Whywoul
danyonewantyout
oreact
?"
Nkosi:"
Toweakenmyr ei
gn.IfI'
m hur
tI'
l
lmake
rashdecisi
onsthatcanbetot heki
ngdom's
detr
iment.Ican'
thavethat
."
Me:"Idon'tknowNkosi
nhle.
"Imovedawayfr
om
him,nolongersur
eifIwantedt
ostartt
his
rel
ati
onship.
Nkosi
:"Canwej ustwor
kitt
hrough?Forafew
weeksatleastandseewhereitt
akesus?
"
Me:"I
'mtheonet
hat'
sgoingtoenduphur t.And
al
one."Whydi
dIhavetolikehi
m?I fIri
ppedthe
bandageof
fnow,Imightgetoverhim byt
heendof
thesemest
er.Myf
ir
stboyfr
iendisaPr
incet
hatI
havetohi
deandmeetinsecret
?Wow.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notl
ett
ingt
hathappen.Iaskedyout
o
pl
easetr
ustme.".
..

MondayImadei tt omyf ir
stdayi nsecondyearon
ti
me.Myweekendwi thNkosi nhl ewassor elaxed.
Wespentmostoft het imewat chingt hemount ai
ns
whi l
eIspokebecausehej ustdoesn' ttalkmuch, we
kissedsomuchbutnotasi nt
ense.I tf el
tast hough
hewashol dingbackt histime.I tdidn'tgett oal most
sex, i
twasj usti ntimat eandcomf ort
abl e.Iloved
beingi nhisar mssomuchandhei ndul gedmewi th
that.Wet ookwal ksi nt hegardenpr obabl ythr ee
mor et i
mesbecausei twashugeandqui t
e
i
ncr edibl
ybeaut iful.Thr oughoutt odayI '
vebeen
staringatnot hingnessanddaydr eami ngaboutmy
man.Yes, hewasmymanevent houghwehadn' t
full
yagr eedonar elationship.Itwasf inall
yt heend
ofmyf ir
stdayandImadei tbackt or esalready
sendi nghim amessage.Il asthear df rom himi nthe
mor ningbefor emyf i
rstlecture.<Heybaby.Done
withmyf i
rstday.Howwasyourday? >Isenti t
giggli
ngtomyselfbecauseIf el
titwasstranget hat
Icallhi
m Baby.Usuall
y,IsayNkosit ohi
sf ace.This
wassoexci ti
ng.Iunl
ockedmydoor ,wal
kingi nthe
room.Apungentsmel lslappedmei nthef ace.
Whatwast hat?Amahlewaskneel edonthesi deof
herbed,shaking.
Me:" Amahl
e?"Shelookedupatme, ther
ewasno
l
ifeinhereyesbutshewasdef i
nit
elyali
ve.If
elta
shiverdownmyspinej ustbylookingather.I
droppedmybagont hefloorandrushedtoher.
Amahl
e:"
No-
"
Me:" You'resick.Youneedhel p."Hernosebl ed
throught hispr ocess,shekeptwi pi
ngitwi ththe
sleeveofhert op.Thesmel l
thatwasst rongwas
vomi t
.Al loverherbed." Don'tmove.I'l
lbeback. "I
tookt hebucketIhadandwentt opoursomewat er
andal sof i
lledabot t
lewit
hwat ertodrink,bri
nging
i
tbackt other oom.Iundr essedhert op,tossingit
onherbed.Al sot aki
ngoffherbot t
oms.Shehad
l
inescar sonherar mswhi chwaspr obabl ywhyshe
onlywor el ongsl eeves.It
ookherwashcl oth,
di
ppingitinwat
ersmear
ingsomesoap.Iwashed
offherbodywhi
leshewasstil
lshaki
ngstari
ngat
nothi
ng.Onceshewasdry,Igothercl
othesfr
om
herbagtowear.
Me:" Climbonmybedf ornow, dr inksomewat er
fi
rst .Her e."Sheaccept edt hewat er ,gulpingi tdown
bef orecur l
ingintoabal lonmybed.Iwonderwhat
happenedt oher?Atl eastt henosebl eedinghad
stopped.Ir emovedal lherbeddi ngbef ore
scrubbi ngt hemat t r
esswi thli
ttl
ewat erandsoap
thent urningi tover.God, Ihopet hatdr ies.Iopened
allthewi ndows, l
ightingupsomei ncense.The
smel lwassl owlyevapor ating.Ther ewasal aundr y
room, int hebasementoft hebui ldingbuti twas
usual lyf ull
.Imean, peopl ear en'twashi ngt heir
thingsonMondayaf ternoonont hef irstweekof
schoolr ight?Ibal ledupt hesheetandever yt hi
ng
maki ngmywaydownst airs.Ipai dt heR5, i
twas
onlyonel oadanywayandIsatdownwhi l
ewai t
ing.
Youcan' tleaveyourst uffher e,youmi ghtret urnto
i
tgoneandsoIsatt he2hour s,washi nganddr ying,
wat chi ngt heTVi nt hecor nerbecauseI '
dfor gott
en
myphonei nt heroom.Whent helaundrywasdr y,I
tookitoutthemachine,backupt otheroom.
Amahl ewasst i
lli
nthesameposi ti
onI'dleftherin.
Somet hi
ngi swronghere.Idon'
tknowwhatbuti t
's
somet hi
ng.Icheckedmyphonef i
nding4
messagesf rom Nkosiandami ssedcall.Icall
ed
him backri
ghtthenwi t
houtevenreadingt hetexts.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Wer
eyoubusy?Icoul
dn'
tgethol
dofyou.
"
Me:"Ki
ndof.Myroommat
eisvi
olent
lysi
ck.Iwas
j
usthel
pingher
."
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?"Ist
eppedoutoft
he
r
oom.
Me:" I
'
m notsure.Ifoundher,
shaking,nose
bleedi
ngandvomi ting.Ri
ghtnowshe'sasleep.Il
eft
hertodolaundrytwohour sagoandshe' sst
il
lin
thesameposi t
ion."Hekeptquiet
."It
hinkIshould
callanambulance-"
Nkosi
:"Thatwon'
tbenecessar
y.Pl
easewakeher
andaskwhat
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"
Okay.I
'
mjustr
eal
lywor
ri
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"Wakeherup.
"
Me:"
Okay.I
'
llcal
lyoubac-
"
Nkosi:"
Don'
thangup.Justwakeher.
"Iwentback
i
nside,t
ouchi
ngAmahle'
sshoulder
.
Me:"Amahle?Babe?Howar eyouf eeli
ng?Amahle?"
Shedidn'
tmove."She'snotmoving. "Hehungup.I
wasstarti
ngtopanicnow, Ican'
tbelieveIl
ether
sl
eep!WhatwasIt hinki
ng?Okay,Ineedt ofocus.
Where'sherphone?Ambul ancefi
rst.Wait,
securi
ty.
Ir
ant osecuri
tybythelobby.
Me:"
Myroommat e,she'
sunresponsive,pl
easecall
anambul
ance.
"Thel adyjumpedfirst,
runni
ngafter
mebacktot
heroom.It ri
edshakingheragain,st
ill
nomovi
ng.Shetalkedinherwalkietal
kie.
Securi
ty:"
Nkabi,bi
zaabakhayalapho.
Kuyaphuthuma."Isear
chedforherphone,Icoul
d've
swornshehasoneorwasIi magini
ngit?Shemust
haveone.Injustminut
esthesecondsecurit
y
wal
kedinwit
ht womenbehindhi
m.Theywer
en'
t
par
tofourr
esidencesecur
it
y.
Secur
it
y2:"
Ical
ledhernextofki
n.They'
resentt
o
pi
ckherup.
"
Me:"Nextofki n?Withi
n7mi nutes?There'snoway
ofthat!
!Notatal l
!Didtheyshowanyi denti
fi
cat i
on??
Youjustletpeopleintoourhomebui ldi
ngtot ake
l
earners?Iftheytouchher ,Iwil
lscream thi
s
buil
dingtothegr oundIswear !!
!Whatt hehelldo
youthinkyou'redoing!!
"Ishouted,grabbingoneof
themenwhi lehet ri
edtopi ckherup.Thesecur i
ty
pull
edmeawaywi thdif
ficult
y,thement heycar r
ied
herout.Iscreamed.
Secur
it
y:"They'
reherfamily.Theyshowed
i
denti
fi
cati
on!!Ihaveitonrecord.
"Sheshout ed.I
l
ookedather,stil
lunsureofwhatshemeans." She's
hi
ghpriori
tycare.That'
swhyIhadt ocal
lthem,they
areonstandby."Ical
meddown, f
inall
y.
Me:"
I'
mr epor
ti
ngt
histot
heResi
dentLeader
.She
mustknowaboutt
his.
"
Secur
it
y:"
Thendot
hat
."Imar
chedoutmyr
oom.A
crowdwasgat her
ingoutsi
deofit
,Imademyway
upstair
stotheLeader,
knocki
ngonthedoor
respectf
ull
y.Sheopenedthedoor
.
Me:"Goodeveni ng,si
sLinda.Myr oommat ewas
sick,
notrespondingtome.It ri
edtotellt
hesecuri
ty
andtwomen, camei ntotakeher.Thesecuri
tysays
thatshe'
shighpr i
orit
ycareandt hosemenarenext
ofkinandareonst andbyhencet heytookher.What
doyouknowaboutt hat?"Ibreat
hed.
Li
nda:"
Comei nsi
de.
"Iwal
kedinherroom.Her
s
wasastudioapar
tmentmuchbiggert
hanour
pi
geonholes."
Yourr
oommateisAmahl e?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Li
nda:"
Yesshei
sHi
ghPr
ior
it
yCar
e."
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Li
nda:"
Itmeanssheneedst
obewat
ched,
closel
y.
She'
snotwell
."
Me:"Andyoudi
dn'
tthi
nkIneededtoknowt hi
sAT
ALL?Astheper
sonwhosleepsnexttoher
ever
yday?
?Whatifshe'
sdead!
!Ilef
therfortwo
hour
s!!
!"Iscr
eamed."Howir
responsi
blei
sthatt
o
notl
etmeknowt hatshe'
ssi
ck!!
!"
Li
nda:"
I'
m sur
eshe'
sfi
n-"
Me:"
Didyounothearmesaynotr
espondi
ng!
!!
"
Li
nda:"
Thembi
sa,
Ineedyout
ocal
m down.
"
Me:"OhmyGod,
Iletherdi
e.Youmademel
ether
di
e."Icr
ied.
Li
nda:"Thisi
snotyourfaul
t.I
'm sur
eshewi
llbe
fi
ne.Don'twor
ryaboutanyt
hing.
"
Me:"WhyaretheHighPri
ori
tyCarepeopl
epl
aced
herewit
hunknowingroommates?Howmany
peopl
eareHighPrior
it
y?"
Li
nda:" Youknowt heUniversit
ydoesnot
discri
minate.I
thasapol i
cyt hatsuppor t
sment al
healthandthoset hatsuf
ferfrom it.There'
s
currentl
y30student swhoar eunderHPCi nt
he
buildi
ng.Iknowyou' reagoodgi rlThembi sa,
but
pleasedonotdi scussthi
swi ththeot herresi
dent
s."
Me:"Theyhavetheri
ghttoknow!
!Thei
rroommat
es
havetheri
ghttoknow!!
"
Li
nda:"Ifyouhadanill
nesswouldyouwantitt
obe
discl
osedtoeveryonearoundyouwit
houtyour
consent?"
Me:"No!ButSisLindat hi
sisdanger ous.Howar e
wetohelptheHi ghPriori
tyCarestudentsifwe
don'
tknowwhat 'swrong?Forexampl e,Il
eftherf
or
twohoursunattendedbecauseIt houghtshej ust
hadatummyache! !Now, t
here'
sar angeof
possi
bil
it
iest
owhatmusthavehappened! !
"
Linda:"AndIunderstandyourconcer n.However ,
you'realsoastudenther eThembi sa.It'
snotyour
responsibil
it
ytotakecar eofanot hergrownadul t.
Helpingaf r
iendwithat ummyachei sasfarasi t
goesbutt heyneedtof eel theirindependenceas
well.Theywon'thavethati fyouwantever yoneto
playmommy.Youronl yr esponsi bili
ty?Iscall
securit
y.You'vedonethat ,nowl eavei tbe."She
openedt hedoorforme, clearlydi smissingme.My
heartwassoheavywhenIwal kedout .Imadei t
backt omyr oom.Zimmywast her esit
ti
ngonmy
bed.Iplacedmyphoneont hedr esserandf lopped
nexttoher .
Zi
mmy:"Peopl
ear
esayingthatyout
riedtokil
l
Amahl
e.Shewastakenawayunconscious.
"
Me:"
Theymayber
ight
."
Zi
mmy:"
Thembi
sa!
!"
Me:" Iwalkedi nherefrom schoolandshewason
thefloor,shaki ng.Vomi tal
lovert hebed.Ihelped
herupandl ethersleepwhi l
eIt ookherlinentoget
washed.Youknowt hewashanddr ytakestwo
hoursandsobyt hetimeIcameup, andshewas
sti
llsleeping, Iwasconcer ned.Iwasont hephone
with..
.andt ell
inghim aboutt his,hetol
dmet owake
herup.SoIdi d,shejustdidn'trespond.
"
Zi
mmy:"
OhmyGod!
"
Me:"Idon'tknowi
fshe'
ssti
llali
ve.Whydidn'tIt
ry
tokeepherawake?Oreventellsomeone?Ijustlet
hersleep.
"
Zimmy:"Thembi
sathi
sisn'
tyourfaul
t.Youcoul
dn'
t
haveknown.Sowhathappenedthen?"
Me:"It
oldsecur
it
y,shecametocheckandr
adioed
herpar
tner
,inafewmi nut
eshewalkedi
nwit
h
thesetwomenwhot heysayarehernextofkin.
Isn'
tthatstr
ange?Thatthenextofki
niscontacted
andar r
iveswit
hinl
it
eralminut
es?Nomor ethan7?
Liketheywerewait
ingatthegate.
"
Zi
mmy:" Whatthefuckareyousaying?Menwalked
i
nher eminut
esaf t
eryoucal
ledforhel
ptotakea
st
udent?Whydi dn'
ttheycal
lanambulance
i
nstead?"
Me:"
Youneedt
okeept
hisasecr
etZi
mmy.Pl
ease.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwon'
ttel
lasoul
."
Me:"
LindasayswehaveHi
ghPr
ior
it
yCar
e
st
udentsamongus.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whati
sthat
?"
Me:" Apparentl
ypeoplestruggl
ingwit
hment al
heal t
h.Now, Idon'
tseethisasaproblem,my
concer nishowdowehel pifwedonotknow?I sit
fairthatImustwalkintomyr oom andfi
ndaper son
violentl
ysickorpossibl
ydying?Howi sthatokay?"
Zi
mmy:"
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
"
Me:"
Not
hing.Wecan'
tdoanyt
hingZi
masa.
"
Zimmy:" Thembi
sadoyouunder st
andthewor ds
High,Pri
orit
yandCare?Thatdoesn'
tseem li
kea
phrasetodescri
bepeoplewhocancont i
nuenormal
dail
ylivi
ngunatt
ended.I
tsoundsbad.Itsounds
verymuchemer gency.
"
Me:"Everyday,welivewi theachotherinthis
buil
dingbutoutofanor dinar
yday,comi ngback
fr
om anywher e,youmightcomebackt oasui ci
de
vi
ctimrightnexttoyourbedandt here'
snothingwe
candot opreventit
."Iwi pedmytearyeyes,
crawli
ngintobed.Shel aynexttomequi etl
y.
[
07/
27,
05:
40] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er10

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupthenextmorni
ng.Zimmyhadsleptinmy
room.Howwebot hfi
tonmyl i
tt
lebedwasa
myster
y.Ist
aredatAmahle'
semptybed.Ihadn'
t
evenhadthechancetomakei t
,herli
nensti
llsaton
topofi
t,cl
ean.Wehadf al
lenasl
eep,ZimmyandI ,
notoneofuseveneati
ngsupper .It
hinkt
hisisthe
l
ongestshe'
ssleptact
uall
y.Igotuptomake
Amahle'
sbed.God,Ihopeshe'sokay.
Zi
mmy:"
Hey.I
sitmor
ning?
"
Me:"
Yesbabe.
"Shesatup.
Zimmy:"Mybodyf
eelsst
if
f,Ishoul
dn'
thavesl
ept
thatmuchi
nonego."Sheyawned."Whatar
eyou
doing?
"
Me:"Justputt
ingbackt
hesheet
sandst
uff
."I
f
ini
shed."I'
m goi
ngtoshower
."
Zi
mmy:"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"
Me:"
Thankyouf
orkeepi
ngmecompany,
Zimmy.
"
Zimmy:"Youdon' thavet othankme.You'remy
fr
iend.Also,Ithi
nkyoushoul dn'
tsayanythi
ng
aboutthehighpr i
ori
tyst udents.I
twouldcausea
panicforeveryoneelse.Weneedt okeepitt
o
oursel
ves.Fornowatl east.
"
Me:"
True.Li
ndaal
soaskedmet
onotsay
anyt
hing.
"
Zi
mmy:"I
'
m suretheyhaveahandleonthisr
ight
?
Thi
swasjustascaryi
ncident
.That
'sal
l.
"
Me:" Right .It hi
nksot oo."Shenodded, walkingout .
Iwentt otakemyshower ,comi ngbackt odr essup.
Ididn'tfeell ikebeingi nacut edr essasIusual lydid
everydaysoIsl i
ppedi nt osomej eansanol dbaggy
t-
shirtandmysneaker s.I nourbui lding, wehada
dini
ngar eawher eyoucoul dgetf ood.Br eakf ast
start
edat6: 45andendedat7: 45.Lunchwas
providedasa2sl icedsandwi ch,aj uiceboxanda
fr
uitinazi pperpl ast i
cbagf oryout ot akewi th.
Thendi nnerwasf rom 6t o8atni ght .Ourr eswas
tr
ulyamazi ng.Get tingfoodf r om ther esidence
dini
ngwasnotanecessi ty,itwast her eforthose
whodi dn'thavef oodbuti ncl udedi nourf eest hey
say.Thel aundr yr oom onl yhadt heR5char gef or
everyload.Thi siswashanddr y.Ther ewer eshor t
coursespr ovi dedf orfree, onl yforthebui l
ding.You
canappl yanddot hecour seover3weeks,
choosi ngbet weencl eaningt hemachi nesint he
l
aundr yr oom andkeepi ngi ttidy,orwor kingi nthe
kit
chen, helpingwi thmealpr epar ationorgener al
maintenancesuchasf ixi
ngdoorl ocks,plumbi ng
andout sidemai ntenance.Onceyoucompl etethe
courseyou' reputonschedul eandyouear nal i
tt
le
pocketmoney.Al though, thiswasmost lyreserved
forstudentsonschol arship.Ifoundi tquit
e
thoughtfulandgeni usbecauseIdon' tknowhow
manyt imespeopl el ockthemsel vesouti nt he
middleoft heni ghther eordr ainsget ti
ngbl ocked.I
t
nevertakesmor et hanaf ewmi nut estoget
someonet of i
xitbecauset hey'rer ightinsidethe
buil
ding.Igott ot heki t
chenexact l
ywheni topened.
UsuallyIcameat7butIdi dn'twantt obei nmy
room alone.Igr eetedMr sWi nston.
Winston:"
You'
requit
eear l
y."Shewasnotapoli
te
personsoourconversat
ionwasshortcl
ipped
wordsandt ot
hepoint.
Me:"
I'
m al
waysear
ly.
"
Wi
nst
on:"
Didn'
tgetdi
nner
?"
Me:"
Wasn'
thungry.
"Shescof
fedandwalkedback
i
ntot
heki
tchen.Il
ookedatmyphonef
inding
dozensofmissedcal
lsf
rom myf ather,
somefr
om
mymot her
.Ihad3from Nkosi
.Idialedmyfat
her
fi
rst
.Hepickedupimmediatel
y.
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa!
!Wher
ear
eyou?
!"
Me:"
I'
m atRest
ata-
"
Xol
ani:"
I'
vebeencal
lingal
lni
ght!I'
vebeenworri
ed
si
ck!Wereyoupart
yinganddri
nkingThembisa?Tel
l
methetrut
h!?
"
Me:"
Iwasn'
tTat
a.Iwasher
e,Isl
eptear
ly.
"
Xolani
:"Whyt
henwer
en'
tyouanswer
ingyour
phone?"
Me:"
Iswitchedi
toff
.Myr
oommat
egotsi
ck.She
wastakenaway.I
..
."
Xol
ani
:"Sasa?Whathappened?
"
Me:"TataIdon'tknowi fshe'sstil
lal
ive.
"I
whisper
edwi thashakyvoi ce,freshtear
sfi
ll
ingmy
eyes."
Shewasunr esponsive,Itri
edtowakeher.I
hadtocallsecuri
ty.Shewast akenbyhernextof
ki
n."Icr
iedintomyel bowt oavoi dmakinganoise.
Xol
ani
:"Ohmnt
anam.Whatdoesyourl
eadersay?
"
Me:"Shewantsmet okeepqui
etTat
a.Ican'
ttel
l
anyonewhathappened.
"
Xol
ani:"
Letmespeakt
oyourmot
hermychi
ld.I
'
ll
cal
lyousoon.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"Ihungup,
wipi
ngmyt
ear
s.
Winston:"Breakfast
."Sheyel l
edf rom behi
ndthe
counter.Iwentupt ofetchthef oodbuti twasa
bowlinstead.Weneverat eporridge.Thiswasnota
thi
ngt hathappened.Ever .I
twasal waystoasteggs
somesausageandt omato.Theal ter
nati
vebeing
cereal
.Veget ar
ianshadt heirownmeal saswel l
but
mypoi ntis,porr
idgehasneverbeent heopti
on.I
l
ookedatMr sWi nst
on.
Wi nston:"
Ifyoudon'twantitjustsayso,andget
somet hingelse.St
opstaringatmel i
keI'm anali
en.
"
Iaddedmysugarandbut terwalki
ngt omyseatto
eat.Myphonewasr i
ngi
ngonceagai n.Mother
.I
startedshakingimmediately.
Me:"
Mama?
"
Mama:"
Mama?
?Wher
ewer
eyou!
!!
"Sheshout
ed.
Me:"
Iwassl
eepi
ngmama.
"
Mama:"
Sleepi
ngwi
thwhoThembi
sa!
!!
"
Me:"
Iwasher
eatRes,
inmyr
oom.
"
Mama:" Hey!!DoyouthinkI'
m stupid??I'
m notyour
fat
hermna!Uyandi va?UyandivaThembi sa!!Today
you'l
lknowme. "Shehungup.Ist aredatthe
porri
dgeunabletogetaspooni n.Imi ghtaswel lgo
toschoolbecauseI'm obvi
ouslynotgoingt oeat.If
youneedt oknowanyt hi
ngaboutmymot her,her
shouti
ngalwaysr ui
nsmyappet i
te.Icannever
fi
nishmyf oodwhenshest art
s.It ookabot t
leof
water,wal
kingoutthehall.
Winston:"Youungr atefulwastef ull i
tt
lechi l
d!!
!"She
screamed.Iwal kedt oschool,whi chwasnott oo
l
ongadi st
anceawayf r
om ther esbui l
ding.Ionly
tooktheshuttlewheni twasraini ngorcol d.Today
waswar m st
il
l,Ihonest l
yneededt hewal k.Itt
ook
only10mi nutest ogett her
e,Icheckedi nmaki ng
mywayt omyf i
rstclass.Iswitchedof fmyphone,
sit
ti
ngi nmydesk, goingovermynot es.Itwas
somet hi
ngIalwaysdi d,arr
iveear lyandpr eparemy
brai
nbuttodayIwasj
ustst
uck.WasAmahlest
il
l
ali
ve?Di
dt hi
smakemeakill
er?Whati
fherf
amil
y
thi
nksIki
ll
edher?
"Heystranger .
"Ijumpedup,hit
ti
ngmykneeonmy
desksopai nfullyitst
ung."
OhmyGod.Ididn'
tmean
toscareyou. "ItwasKhaya.Mykneewasshatter
ed
forsure.AllIcoulddowaswi nceinpai
n."
Letme
see."
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Khaya:"
You'
recr
ying.
"
Me:"
Itj
ustst
ings,
it'
l
lsubsi
dei
nami
nut
e."
Khaya:"Letmeatl eastgetyousomepai nkil
ler
s.
Thenur seoff
iceisnott oof ar.
"Hespr i
ntedoutof
thelect
urehall.Hell,
Imi ghtbel i
mpingforabi t
.
Whycan' tIj
usthaveanor malday?Why?Khaya
madei tback10mi nuteslaterwithabottleofpain
kil
ler
s.Washet r
yingt okil
lme?Hegavemet wo,
andIdownedi twit
habot tl
eofwat er.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m sor
ryIscar
edyou.Whyar
eyouher
eso
ear
ly?
"
Me:"
I'
m al
waysear
ly.
"
Khaya:"I
t'
s7:10int
hemor
ning.You'
resupposedt
o
behavingbreakf
ast
."
Me:"OhIski
ppedi
t.Iwasn'
thungr
y.Whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?"
Khaya:"
Imissedyou.ThoughtI
'
dcomesayhi
."He
smil
edhisboyishsmil
e.
Me:"
Oh.Wel
l.Hi
."
Khaya:"Canwet al
k?Let'
sgosomewher ef
orthe
day.You'r
einj
ured,youcan'
tfocusorgett
oyour
nextl
ectureonti
mewi thasoreknee.
"
Me:"I
'
m notbunkingschoolKhaya.I
'
llbef
ine.The
pai
nisal
readystart
ingtogoaway."
Khaya:"
Okay,wellcanIatl
eastdri
veyouhome
whenyou'r
eready?Atanytime."
Me:"
Okay.
"Hi
sphoner
ang.
Khaya:"
Fuckssake.Whydopeopl
ethinki
t'
sokay
t
ocallbefor
e9am.Wheredotheyl
ive?Hel
lo?"He
answer ed."Ohit'
syou.Whatdoyouwant ?It
's7in
themor ning."Helist
ened."
I'
m alreadyoncampus,
whydon' tyoucat chtheshutt
le?"Hepaused." Let
's
notdot hat.I'
m notabouttoinconveniencemyself
Fiki
le.Haveabl essedday."Hehungup." Howar e
you? "
Me:"SoyouandFikil
ehuh?Sheyourt
ype?Nott
oo
i
nnocent.
"IswearIdidn'
tmeant
osoundthi
sbit
ter
,
i
tjustr
oll
edoffmytongue.
Khaya:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutbaby?
"
Me:"Whyar
eyoucal
li
ngmebaby?I
'
m notyour
baby.
"
Khaya:"
ComeonSasa,
nott
hisagai
n."
Me:"
Justl
eavemeal
oneKhaya.
"
Khaya:"I
'm notgoingt of
uckingl
eaveyoual one!
Whatisitthatyouwantf rom me?Whycan' tyou
underst
andIj ustdon'twantt
ohurtyou?I'm not
gentl
e.Iwantt obe,toyou.Ican'
tjustf
li
paswi tch
andmakei thappen."
Me:"
Andi
nthemeant
imeImustj
ustwai
tandmake
youcomf ort
abl
ewhi l
eyoufuckthewor l
d?Pl
ease
Khaya.Let'
srespecteachot
her.IwishIcoul
dsayI
sti
lll
ikeyoubutIdon'tsopl
easeleave.
"
Khaya:"
Idon'
twantustobehosti
leThembi
sa,
we'r
efri
endsf
orgoodnesssake.We'
reint
hesame
ci
rcl
eofpeopl
e."
Me:"I'
m nothost
il
ebutifyou'
regoi
ngtobemy
fr
iend,youwil
lnotcal
lmeMr sandactl
ikemy
husband."
Khaya:" Ican'thel pthat.DoyouknowwhyIcal lyou
Mr s?Youl ookl ikewhatIwi shmyf uturewould.
You' r
eper fect.Youhaveal lthequali
tiesIwould
reallylove.Ijustdon' twantt ohurtyouandIknowI
wi l
l.Iknowmyl i
festyleisunstable.IknowIcan'tbe
trusted.Youdon' tneedt hatinyourlif
eThembi sa
andI 'm notgoi ngtobur denyouwi t
hi t.
"
Me:"
Andi
fImeetsomeone?Whatt
hen?
"
Khaya:"
Let
'snotbehast
y."
Me:"Youknowyou'
reasel
fi
shhumanbei
ng?
"He
smil
ed.
Khaya:"
IknowI
'
m notgoi
ngt
oli
kehi
m.That
'sf
or
sur
e."
Me:"Yeah,Ibet
."Otherst
udent
sstart
edfi
li
ngin.
Theclassonlystar
tedat8butther
ewereaf ew
ear
lybirdsl
ikemyselfaswell
.
Khaya:"
Okay,
it'
sti
meformet ogo.RememberI
'
m
t
akingyouhome."Hewalkedout
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ihel dmyst r
essbal linmyhand, squeezingitalit
tle
bitever yfewmi nutes.Ihadameet i
ngwi ththe
counci lat9.Ihadanot heronewi thmyf ather,
directlyafterthat.Ineededt omeetwi thachi efofa
near byvill
ageandt hatmi ghtt
akeawhi l
ebecauseI
knowhowmucht heyputi ntotheatri
cstoshowme
devel opment sIcar enothingabout ,
italmost
i
rritatedmeandt odaywasnotagoodday.Nei ther
wasyest erday.Iwassupposedt obeusedt ot his
butsi ncet hi
sweekend, I'
vebeenf eeli
ngquite
despondent .Theweekendwasgooddays.Ihat eto
admiti
tandnoonewilleverhearmesayi
ngitout
l
oud.Myadvisorwal
kedin,taki
ngaseatopposi
te
me.
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
vebeenqui
et.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m al
waysqui
et.
"
Mthunzi:"
Morethantheusual
.You'
vebar
elysai
da
wordsinceyoucamebackf r
om eNt
abeni
.Did
somethinghappen?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay?What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
thwhat
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"WhatmustIsaywhenIhavenot
hingt
osay?
Youwantmet oactoutl
ikeacl
own?"
Mt hunzi:"There'snoneedf ort
hatort hi
sr udeness.
It
'snotyou.Imeani ti
s,butnottome.You' r
eabout
tobur stthatstressba-"thebal
ltor
ei ntorubber
piecesinmyhand." Thatwast hestrongestoneI
hadmadef oryou.Thisisnothealt
hyNkosi .What
happened. "Iletthepiecesoftheballfallonthe
f
loor
.
Nkosi
:"Nothi
ng.Ineedt
ogetr
eadyf
ormy
meeti
ng."
Mt
hunzi
:"Haveyouspokent
oThembi
sa?
"
Nkosi
:"Cal
ledher3t
imesl
astni
ght
.Shedi
dn'
tpi
ck
up.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Tr
yheragai
n."
Nkosi
:"Ical
led3ti
mes.I
fshewantedtospeakt
o
me,shewoul dcal
lmeback.Shedi
dn'
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"Andyou'
renotgoi
ngtojustcheckonher
?
Sendamessage?She'sprobabl
ytraumati
zed.
"
Nkosi:"
Andhowdoesthissuddenl
ybecomemy
pr
oblem?Itol
dyouplaci
ngAmahl einther
ewi
thher
wil
lbeabadidea.Whatdidyousay?"
Mthunzi:"
IknowIsai
dthey'
l
lgetacquai
ntedand
we'
llhavesomeonekeepaneyeonher -
"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght.Shedi
dn'
t.I
nst
eadshet
ri
edt
o
over
dose.Again.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Amahl
eisgoi
ngt
hroughahar
dti
me.
"
Nkosi :"
Allofusar egoi
ngt hroughahar dtime
Mt hunzi.Allofuswerebor nwiththatsamebl ood
shekeepspour ingoutont hefl
oor.Allofushadt o
sacrifi
ceourl i
vesanddr eams.Sheknowsshecan' t
die.Insteadofbuckingupandget ti
ngittoget
her,
shekeepst ryi
ng.Whatkindofst upi
dshi ti
sthat?
Please,ifitwaspossible,I
'dkil
lhermysel f
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e!"
Nkosi:"
No.I'
m nottheassholehere.Don'
teventr
y
t
omakemeone. "Hesighed.Iopenedmydr awer
l
ookingforanot
herballtosqueezeinmyhandbut
I
'drunout."I
'
m goingforarun."Igotup,wal
kingout
t
heof fi
ce.

SASAPOV_

WhenIwasdonewi t
hschoolf
ortheday,
Iwal
ked
out
.Justout
sideKhayawaswait
ing.
Khaya:"
Heybaby.St
il
lsor
e?"
Me:"
Notr
eal
ly,
onl
ywhenIl
ikest
ept
oohar
d."
Khaya:"Whati
fyoubr
okesomet
hing?Weneedt
o
checkthi
sout.
"
Me:"There'
snoneedf ort
hat.Ineedtoli
edown.
"He
openedthepassengerdoor,
Iclimbedinandhe
drovet
omyr es.
Khaya:"
Howwasyourday?"Possi
blybl
ank.Idi
dn'
t
hearawordf
rom mycl
asses.
Me:"
Good.
"
Khaya:"
Minewasgoodt
oo.
"
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.I
'
mjustdi
zzy.
"
Khaya:"Don'tworryaboutit
.Let'
sgetyoui nbed.
"
Hepar ked,Igotoutthecarwithmuchdi f
fi
cult
y.He
helpedme, bylet
ti
ngmehol dhisarm.Wewal kedto
myr oom avoidi
ngt hest
ares.Thegirl
shere
probablyknowKhayaandt hatalsoannoyedmebut
whatcanIdo?
Khaya:"
Whyareyouwear
ingjeanst
oday?Ifyou
wereinadr
ess,I
'
dbeabletocheckyourknee.
"I
openedmydoor.
Me:"
Whywoul
dyouneedt
ochecki
t,you'
renota
doct
or.
"Iwal
kedi
nmyr
oom.
Khaya:"Iknowbutwhatifi
t'
sbrui
sed?Wecan'tsee
now,otherwiseI
'
dputiceonit.
"Myfatherwas
si
tt
ingonmybed, l
i
vid.Mymotherstandi
ng.
Mama:"Iknewi
t!
!YouseeXol
ani
!?Youl
iket
othi
nk
I
'm st
upi
d!"
Me:"
Hel
lomama.Idi
dn'
tknowyouguyswer
e
comi
ng.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whoi
sthi
s?Whoar
eyoumf
ana?
"
Khaya:"
Uhm.Mynamei
sKhayaSol
inga,
sir
.I'
m
Thembisa'
sfr
iend.
"
Xolani
:"Whatareyoudoi
nginherroom?Wewere
tol
dthisbui
ldi
ngisonlyf
orgir
ls!
!Whyareyou
here?"
Khaya:"I
'
m onl
yhelpi
ngheri
nsi
desir
.I'
venever
comeinherebefor
e.Shemayhavebrokenherknee
atschool
."
Xolani
:"List
entome,Idon'twantyounearmy
daughter.Doyouunderst
andme? "
Me:"
Tat
a-"
Xol
ani:"I
'
m comingt
oyouyoungl
ady!You,
leave.
"
Khayalookedatme.
Me:"
ThanksKhaya.
"
Mama:" Thanksyantoni?Getout!
!"Hewalkedout
theroom.Myf athershutthedoor."
Youhavea
boyfri
endnowThembi sa?You'
resleepi
ngout?"She
tookoffhershoe.
Me:"
Mamapl
ease.
"
Xol
ani
:"Nt
ombenhl
e,youcannotbeatt
hechi
ldher
e.
What'
swrongwi
thyou?"
Mama:"WhymustIwait?She'
sachi l
d!!Shehas
boyf
ri
ends.Whoknowshowmany? ?Imustbet he
l
aughingst
ockofthevi
ll
agebecauseshe'sloose?
Whathappenswhenshecomeshomepr egnant?!
"
Me:"
Mama,
Khayai
snotmyboyf
ri
end.
"
Mama:"Shutup!!Whatwashedoi
nghere?
!Whydi
d
younotansweryourphonet
hewholeni
ght?!
"
Me:"
Someonecould'vedi
edher
emama.My
r
oommatewassick."Icri
ed.
Mama:"
Xol
ani
,thi
schi
ldofyour
s?She'
sgoi
ngt
o
givemeastroke.Whendidyoubecomeal i
ar?!We
askedwit
hsecurit
y.Theysayt
here'
snoi nf
ormation
ofanyonebeingsickher
e!!
"Myheartst
opped.Does
thatmeanshe'sgone?Mywholebodywasshaki ng.
Me:"
MamaIswearyoucanaskanyst
udenther
e."
Mama:"Al
lyoudoi sl
ie.Maybeyou' r
enoteven
goi
ngtoschoolyou'
rejustsleepingwit
hboysher
e
whi
lewepaythesebigf ees!Givemeyourphone!
"
Me:"Myphoneisof
fmama,I
'm goi
ngt
oputi
tint
he
char
gersoIcanswi
tchi
ton.
"
Mama:" Doi tnow! "Iwenttomydesk, pr
etendi
ngto
plugmychar ger
, swit
chingont hephone.Iquickl
y
deletedallmessagesf r
om Nkosi ,
hiscall
sand
number s.Atl easthewi llcal
l.Heal waysdoes.I
handedt hephoneover .Mamawassear ching
throughi t
.Iwi shIwasi nadifferentprovi
nce.My
parentsbei ngsonearwasst artingtogettome.
NowIwassur e,Idon'twanttobehomedur ing
holidays.Ihavet oendur ethiswomanevenwhen
I'
m awayf r
om her ?
Xol
ani
:"What
'sont
hephone?Showme?
"
Mama:"I'
mlookingman!Sheprobabl
ydel
eted
t
hings,
thi
sdevilchi
ldofyour
s."
Xolani:"Don'tcallhert
hat.Shejustneedst obe
spokent oanddi scipli
ned.Namecal l
ingisnot
necessar y.Thembi sa,Idi
dn'
tteachyoutol i
et ous.
Whati sgoi ngon? "Thedooropened.Iwashavi ng
diff
icult
ybr eathi
ngandwasi nnomoodt olookwho
el
sehadcomei ntowitnessmypar entsgivingmea
hidi
ng.
Li
nda:"
What
'
sgoi
ngonher
e?"
Mama:"
Andwhoar
eyou!
"
Li
nda:"
I'
m Li
nda,thisbui
ldi
ng'
smanagerandt
he
st
udent
sResidentleader
.Youare?
"
Mama:"
Iam t
hisone'
smot
her
!"
Li
nda:"
Parentsar
enotall
owedinsidether
ooms
unl
essther
e'sanact
iveemergency."
Mama:"Uthet
haukunya!Wepayal
otofmoneyt
o
behere!
!Wehavetheri
ghtt
oseeourchi
ld
wheneverwewantto!
"
Li
nda:"
Hey.
"Shet
ouchedmyshoul
der
.
Me:"
Isshedead?
"
Linda:" Thembisaever yonei sworriedaboutyou.
Youdi dn'thavedi nner,lockedyourselfinthisroom
untilyoul eftf
orbr eakfastandyoust il
llef
tit
unat t
endedwi t
houtt akingyourlunch.Icalledthe
school .Allyourlecturessayyoul ookedoutofi t
.
ThisiswhyIdi dn'twantt otellyou.Thisiswhywe
don'tdisclosetheHi ghPriori
ti
es.Lookhowi t'
s
affecti
ngyou. "
Me:"
Pleaset
ellmeSi
sLi
nda.
"
Li
nda:" Amahl eisali
ve.Sher eceivedmedi calcare.
She'stakencar eof.Butnow, youneedt or est.
Dinnerisal ongt imef r
om nowbutI 'm wor ri
ed,you
needt oeat .I'llhavethekitchenpr epareasandwi ch
atleast,thenyousl eep.Tomor row,Ineedyout odo
betteratschool .Don'twor r
yaboutAmahl e.She's
fi
nenow. "Shehuggedme.Att hispoint,
myt ears
camef ullfor ce.Shemayhavesavedmef rom a
beatingbutIwasnott ooconvi ncedasofyet .
Anyt hi
ngi spossi bl
ewi t
hmypar ent
s.Ipul l
edaway
fr
om Li ndaandsatont hebed.Li nda:"Pleasef ol
low
met omyof fice."Shewal kedout .Mypar ents
f
oll
owedher
.

Li
ndaopenedherof
fi
ce,all
owi
ngtheparent
sinsi
de
bef
oreshecl
osedandlockedt
hedoor.
Li
nda:"
Parentsar
enotall
owedinsidethepr
emi
ses
unl
essther
e'sanact
iveemergency."
Xolani
:"Ihavether
ightt
ogoi
nthatr
oom and
checkmychi l
d."
Linda:"
AndIhavether
esponsibi
li
tyofcal
li
ngour
chil
dprotect
ionl
awyer
s."Shesatdownlookingat
them.
Mama:"
Youwi
llnoti
nti
midat
eus-
"
Linda:"
Iam noti nti
mi dat
ingyou.Iam war ningyou.
Asyoumayknow, sinceyou'
repayingf orthef ees.
Theonlyper sonwhomat t
ersint
hisinst i
tutionis
thestudent.Notyou.Youbr i
nghert oussot hatwe
careforthem, wegi vethem aneducation.I fInotice
she'sbeinginti
mi datedorabused,Iwillinvol ve
authori
ti
es."
Xol
ani
:"You'
renotgoi
ngt
otel
lmehowt
orai
semy
chi
ld.
"
Linda:"
Iwon't
.Thecourtwi
ll
."Shecli
ckedonher
computer."
Now, i
sther
eanyr easonyoucameto
seeThembisa?"
Mama:"Whywasn'
tsheher
eyest
erday?We
coul
dn'
tgethol
dofher
."
Li
nda:"
Wer
eyouher
eyest
erday?
"
Mama:"Hehe.Wehsi
si?Let
'snotdi
srespecteach
ot
her
."
Linda:"
Iam askingifyouwerehere,
perhapsyou
knowsomet hingIdon't?Thembi
sawasher e.She
camebackf rom schoolandwenttoherroom."
Xolani
:"Shesaysherr
oommat ewassi
ckbutt
he
securi
tysaynothi
ngofthesor
t."
Linda:"
Herr oommat ewassick.Shewast akenby
herfamilyyesterday.Thembisawaswor r
iedabout
her.She'sbeeni nherroom since,onl
ygoingto
schoolinthemor ningt
ocomebacknow.Wat ch.
"
Shet ur
nedherscr eentot
hem.Fr om gett
ingint
o
theroom, t
ol eavet her
oom forthelaundr
y,coming
back,bei
ngonthephoneandf
etchi
ngt
hesecur
it
y
unti
lthemorni
ng.
Linda:"Thembisaisagoodgi rl
.Shehasbeenwel l
behavedsi nceshef i
rstcamet oMount ainPeak.I'
ve
neverhadcompl ai
nts,she'salwaysi nherr oom
studying,showsever yonerespectanddoeswel l
in
herstudies.Youknowt hechildyou'ver ai
sed.This
i
sver ydisappointi
ng.I'm notgoingtoputt hison
recordonlyforhersakebutl etthispleasebet he
l
astt i
meyoudi sturbourhomebui lding."..
.

SASAPOV_

Isatinmybed,unsureofwhatwasgoingoninthat
off
ice.It
ookoutmybooksplaci
ngthem onthe
desktostar
tst
udying.MydooropenedasIsati
n
mychai r
.
Xolani:"
Sasa."Ilookedathim."Pleasecomesit
withmemychi ld."Isatonthebednexttohim."I
'
m
sorryIdidn'
tbelieveyou.Thisisaverydanger
ous
place.We'reonlytryi
ngt oprot
ectyou.I
t'
sgoodthat
t
her
e'speopl
eher
ewhol
ookaf
teryou.I
'
m sor
ry
mnt
anam."
Me:"Youweregoingtohi
tmebecauseIf
ellasl
eep
af
terastr
essfulday.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
t'
snott
hatSasa,
Imi
sunder
stood-
"
Me:"
Yousai
dI'
m al
iar
."
Xol
ani
:"Idi
dn'
tknow.Thesecur
it
ysai
dnot
hingcan
bedi
scl
osed."
Me:"
Soi
tmeansI
'
mlyi
ng?
"
Xol
ani
:"Pl
easef
orgi
veme.Iam sor
ryThembi
sa.
"
Me:"Iunder
standuMamabecauseshehat
esme
butyou?"
Xol
ani
:"Yourmot
herdoesn'
that
eyou.
"
Me:"I
sthatwhyshe'snotheretoapol
ogi
zefor
shout
ingandaccusi
ngme? "Iheardaknockonthe
doorbef
orethehandlet
urned.Zimmywalkedi
n.
Zi
mmy:"HeySasa.Iwascal
led,theyt
oldmet
o
br
ingt
hist
oyou.Hell
oTata,
I'm Zimmy"
Xol
ani
:"Hel
loZi
mmy.
"
Me:"
Thanks.
"
Zi
mmy:"I
'l
lbei
nmyr
oom whenyouneedme.
"She
wal
kedout
.
Xol
ani
:"Youdi
dn'
tint
roducemet
oyourf
ri
end.
"
Me:"
TheoneI'
m notal
lowedt
ohaveaccor
dingt
o
t
hemotherwholovesme?"
Xolani
:"Ther
e'snoneedt
obedi
srespect
ful
Thembisa."
Me:"I
'
m sorr
yTata.Ineedt
ost
udy,
todaywasnota
gooddayatschool
."
Xol
ani
:"Howi
syourr
oommat
e?"
Me:"Si
sLindasaysshe'
sf i
ne.Iwouldn'
tknowi
f
she'
stel
li
ngthetr
uthorjustprot
ect
ingme.Iguess
I'
l
lhavetofor
getabouti
tandmoveon. "
Xolani:"
Okaymntanam.Letmeleaveyoutostudy.
I'
m sorryaboutt
odayandthemisunder
standi
ng.I'
l
l
callyouwhenwer eachhome.
"
Me:"Okay.
"Hewalkedoutmydoor .Isati
nmydesk
andstar
edhelpl
essl
yatmyt extbook.MaybeifI
cal
ledNkosiIwoul
dfeelbet
ter.Iscroll
edthr
ough
myphoneandreal
izedIhadt
odel
etehi
snumber
.
Gr
eat
,justgr
eat
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Icamebackt ot hepal acejustbef oredi nner .My

visittot hevill
agewasasIexpect ed,irr
itating.
Theat ri
cs,chil
dr enbr oughtt odanceandsi ng,
womenser vi
ngmeont heirknees.I twasext r
emely
ti
ring.Whycan' tIj ustseeavi llageinit'
st ruef orm.
Howt hepeopl el i
vewhent her e'snoroyalvi si
t?The
dayt odayact ivities?Whyt heshow?Iwal kedi nt
o
thepal ace,headi ngf ormyof fice,closingt hedoor
behi ndmebef oreIsatdowni nmydesk.St il
lnocall
from Thembi saandIr efusetokeepbeggi ng.Iknow
shesawmymi ssedcal ls.Womenar edi ff
icult
creat ures.Whati ssohar dinjustsayi ngI '
m not
i
nt erest ed?Isthi sstil
laboutt hesnakes?I tcan'tbe
Amahl erel
atedbecauset hat'snotmyf aul t.Ijust
don' tgeti t
.Mt hunziwal kedin.Whenwi llIeverhave
peace?
Nkosi:"
I'
mt r
yingt
orelax.Don'
tstar
twi
thyour
nonsense.Idon'
twanttohearit
."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m wor
ri
edaboutyou.
"
Nkosi
:"I
fyoul
eftmeal
one,
youwoul
dn'
thavet
o
worr
yaboutme."
Mthunzi
:"YouknowI
'
m notal
lowedt
o.Pl
easet
alk
t
ome. "
Nkosi
:"That'
smyl
eastf
avor
it
ethi
ngt
odoandyou
knowthat.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Cal
lhert
hen.
"
Nkosi
:"DoIl
ookst
upi
dMt
hunzi
?Ist
hatwhatIl
ook
t
oyou?"
Mthunzi:"
Fine.I'
m cal
li
ngLinda."Hetookouthi
s
phone.Iopenedmydr awerfindi
nganewst ress
ballbi
ggerthantheprevi
ous.Asi ft
hatwil
lhel
p
becauseitwillbedest
royedeit
herway.
Mt
hunzi
:"HiLi
ndz.i
t'
sMt
hunzi
.Howar
eyou?
"
Li
nda:"
I'
m wel
l,
myLor
d.Howar
eyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.Iwant
edt
ocheckonThembi
sa.
I
sshewel
l?
"
Li
nda:"She'
smost
lyf
inemyLor
d.Possi
blyst
il
l
shaken.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Why?
"
Li
nda:"Well,
yest
erday'
sinci
dentmayhavescared
her.Shefeel
sdir
ectl
yresponsi
blef
orAmahle'
s
att
empt."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whywoul
dshef
eelt
hat
?"
Linda:"Il
ookedovert hefootage.Shecameback
from school
,wenti ntoherroom andshecameout
wi t
habucket,fi
lleditwit
hwat erandabot t
le
bringi
ngitbacktot heroom.Shecameoutagai n
halfanhourlater,withsheets,goingtothelaundr
y
room.Shecamebackabout2hour slat
er.Ithi
nk
shewast ryi
ngt ohelp.Shef eelsguil
tyforl
eaving
heraloneforthatlong."
Mthunzi:"
That
'sunfort
unat
e."Helookedatme.Why
thehellwashelooki
ngatme?I t
'shi
sverybad
deci
sionthatl
edtothispoi
nt.
Li
nda:"
Ver
y.Herpar
ent
swer
eher
easwel
l
.They
apparentl
ycouldn'
tgetholdofherlastni
ghtand
fr
eakedout .Scr
eamedt hebuil
dingdown."Oh,soI
wasn'ttheonlyonebeingignor
ed?Thatdoesn't
makei tbet
terbutatl
eastit'
snotjustme.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whywoul
dtheybescr
eami
ng?
"
Li
nda:"
Ithinkt
hey'
rejustl
iket
hat
.They'
ref
rom t
he
vi
ll
agesotheybeli
eveinbeati
ngasdi
sci
pli
ne.
"The
newballi
nmyhanddi ssol
vedtopi
eces.
Mt
hunzi
:"Theydi
dwhat
?"Hehi
ssed.
Li
nda:"Ohi
tdidn'
tgettothat
.Imadesuretogett
he
messageacr
oss,that
'snotgonnahappen.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Good.ThankyouLi
nda.
"
Li
nda:"
It
'smypl
easur
esi
r.Bl
essedday.
"Hehung
up.
Mt
hunzi
:"So-
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngf
orar
un.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
sdi
nnert
i-
"
Nkosi:"
Nothungr
y."Iwalkedoutt
heof fi
ceto
changeinmyroom.Af t
ergett
ingdressedfor
running,Itookof fther oyalbracelet,
placi ngiton
thedr esserandwal kedout .Myguar dsar e
supposedt of oll
owmeever ywherebutIt ooneed
alonet i
meandIcant akecar eofmysel f.Their
presencewasmer elydi st
raction.Isprintedoutthe
cour t
yardst raightfort hewoods.Myr unl ast
edall
oft wohour s.Icl i
mbedupt het r
ee,swi ngingonthe
strongestbr anchandsi tt
ingoni t.
Nkosi
:"Not
alki
ng.
"Iknowmygui
dewasal
ready
her
e.
Hi
m:"
Ihaven'
tsai
danyt
hing.
"
Nkosi
:"Keepi
tthatwaypl
ease.I
'
m noti
nthe
mood."
Him:"You'
reneveri
nthemoodwhenyoucomeher
e.
Theonlyreasonyoucomeher
eactual
ly.To
escape.
"
Nkosi
:"Soundsl
iket
het
alki
ngIt
houghtIsai
dI
don'
twant."
Hi
m:"
Whyt
hendi
dyoucomet
ome?
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sismypr
ivat
epl
ace.Youhavet
heent
ir
e
spi
ri
tualr
eal
mtof
indyourown.
"
Him:"Ionlyappearwhenyouneedme. "Igrowl
edin
fr
ustr
ation.Justonemomentofpeace.I st
hatso
di
ffi
cult
."Noi t
'snot.Butyoudoknowpeacedoesn't
meanbei ngalone?"Iclosedmyeyes,clear
ingal
lof
mythought s.You'
renotgetti
nganythi
ngoutofme.
Hi
m:"
Idon'
thavet
o."
Nkosi
:"St
opi
t!
!!
"
Him:"Pri
nceMehl ul
i.Youcandef eatanythi
ngbut
you'r
eholdi
ngback.Whyi sthat?"Ikeptmymouth
quietandmi ndcl
ear."Okay, I
'l
lletyoube."Fi
nal
l
y.
Butthisbr
anchi sgoingt obreak.Istoodup,
cl
imbinghighertoanot herthatcanhol dmyweight
.
NowIcanl istentonatureandbeatpeace.
Guide:"Thi
shasalwaysbeenyourf avori
tetr
ee.
Sinceyouwer eali
tt
leboy.You'dr unoutofthe
palace,andcomehideher e.Thi
siswher eyou
sharpenedyourabil
iti
es.Whereyouconnect ed
higherthanhumanlevel.That'
swhyyoucl i
mbit
l
ikeyoul i
veinit
,asifit
'syournaturalhabi
tat
."
Nkosi
:"Yourpoi
nt?
"
Him:" Youcoul dn'talwayscl i
mbt hathi gh.You
couldbar elycl i
mbupt othef i
rstbranchwhenyou
started.Whenyoudi dlearntocl i
mb, yousatona
branchandi tbr oke,alongwi thyourar m.Yetyou
didntgi veup, youl earnedt oclimbhi gherandf inda
strongerbr anchandyoucoul dmovewhenyouf el
t
thebr anchcr acking.Nowyoumovebef or
eiteven
budges.Youcanf eel i
t'
sr ootsandt hewei ghtitcan
suppor twithouti ttell
ingyou.Youcanevent i
me
howmuchmaxi mum wei ghtitcancar ryandf or
howl ong.Alllearntbyyour self
."
Nkosi
:"Anypersonwhospendsenought
imeon
somethi
ng,canlear
nabouti
t.
"
Hi
m:"
Thenwhywon'
tyoucal
lher
?"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hathavet
odowi
that
ree?
"
Him:"Youdon'tunderst
andher,butyouwanther.
Theonlywayyoucansucceedi skeepgoing,keep
pursui
ng,keeplear
ning.Youhavetokeepreachi
ng
out.
"
Nkosi
:"It
hinkshemadei
tcl
earwhenshedi
dn'
t
r
espond."
Him:"Idon'
tthi
nkshedid.Untilshesays,l
eaveme
al
one,Idon'
tthinkyoushould.Justcal
lher.
"I
huff
ed."AndnowIcanl eaveyout oyourpeace.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
41] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er11

SASAPOV_

Thewhol eweekpassed.It ri
edmybestnott owor ry
aboutAmahl e.Al so,Nkosihadn'
tcalledme.Thi s
kindofruinedmyweek.Ihat ednotbei ngabl eto
reachoutt ohim andIhadnowayt o.Idi dthinkof
goingtoAmel ia'stowaitforhimt here.Myonl yplan
wast oobviouslyst ar
eathim andsmi lebutI
chickenedout.Pl usIgotanassignmentt hatI
want edtostartbecauseitlookeddi f
ficult.My
Saturdaymor ningwasunevent ful.Iact uall
y
decidedtostayi nbedandr eadf oronce.Ther ewas
noneedt obebr i
ghtandear l
yallthet i
meatl east
foodwasavail
ablealldayonweekendssoifI
neededanyt
hing,I
'dgodownt othehal
l.Bymidday,
Iwasbecominguncomf or
tabl
eandsoIwentto
shower,
thengotdressed.Myphonerang,thewayI
j
umpedt ograbit
?Buti twasmydad.Great.
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lomychi
ld.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
net
hankyou,
howar
eyout
ata?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m wel
l.Howwasyourweek?
"
Me:"
Itwasf
ine.
"
Xolani
:"Okay.Di
dyouhearanyt
hingf
rom your
roommat e?"
Me:"
No.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m sur
eshewi
llbeback.
"
Me:"
Hm.
"
Xol
ani
:"Sowhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
"
Me:"I'
m st
art
inganassi
gnment.Igoti
taf
ewdays
ago.Iwanttostar
tther
esear
chnow."
Xol
ani
:"Ohthat
'sgood.That
'sver
ygood.Ithel
ps
bei
ngontopofthi
ngsandnotdoinglastminut
e."
Me:"
Yest
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Yourmot
hersayshel
lo.
"
Me:"
Tel
lherIsayhel
lot
oo.
"
Xol
ani
:"Iwil
l.Uhm, Iknowyou'
rest
il
lupsetwi
thme
myangel.Iam real
l
ysor r
y."
Me:"
It
'sf
inet
ata.Ij
ustr
eal
lyneedt
ofocusr
ight
now.
"
Xol
ani:"
Okaythen.Letmel
eaveyout
oyourwor
k.
Goodbyemylove."
Me:" GoodbyeTat a."Ihungup.Ihat edbeingupset
especi all
yatmyf atherbutIcouldn'tgetoverhow
hehandl edthatday.Thel eastIowedhi m was
respectbutf orgiveness?Iwasn'tready.Iwentt o
thedi ninghal lforlunch.Todaywaspast aday.Just
diff
erentvar iati
onsofi t
.Ichosethespaghet tiand
minceopt i
onbecauset hat'
swhatIknew.Mr s
Winst ondi dn'twor kweekendsnott hati
tmat ter
ed.
Thel adybehi ndt hecounterwaski ndMr sZeel .
Me:"
Hel
loMr
sZeel
."
Zeel
:"HiAngel
.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
m okay.Howar
eyou?
"
Zeel
:"I
'
m wel
l.Ihear
daboutt
hisweek,
sweet
iear
e
youokay?
"
Me:"
Whatdi
dyouhearMr
sZeel
?"
Zeel
:"Theysai
dyouandthenewgi r
lhadafi
ghtand
youinj
uredher
.Nowshe's.
..Notoneart
hwit
hus."
Sothat'
swhyI'
vebeengett
ingtheweir
dstar
es?
Me:"
Ididn'
tfi
ghtwit
hAmahle.Shewasn'
tfeel
ing
wel
landIcall
edthesecur
it
ytohel
p.That
'sall
."
Zeel:"
Ibeli
eveyoumysweet .Youdon'thavea
meanbonei nyourbody.Rumor salwaysflyi
n
thesehal
ls.Don'
tpaythem anyattent
ion.Keepyour
headhighanddon'tbescaredtocomeoutandeat .
Apparentl
yyou'r
enoteati
ng."
Me:"
I'
vej
ustbeenbusywi
thschool
."
Zeel
:"Youneedtoeatangel
.Her
eyougo.Takea
snackfrom t
hetabl
etoo.
"It
ookthespaghet
tif
il
led
contai
nerfr
om her.
Me:"
ThankyouMr
sZeel
,haveawonder
fulday.
"
Zeel:"Yout oo, sweetpea. "Iwentt otakeaj ui
ce
thensatdowni nat ablealone.Zi mmyhar dlyat e
heredur i
ngt heday.Shemost l
yat ethedi nnersand
sodur ingbr eakf astandweekends, Ieatal oneor
somet imesI 'mj oinedbyot hergi r
ls.Howevert oday
I'
mt heSoci alpar iah.Noonewant edtocomenear
me.Iat emyf ood, readingt hebookI '
dbr oughtand
mindedmybusi ness.Af t
erlunchIwasbacki nmy
room.I fIwentt oAmel i
a's,woul dIstil
lbeonhi stab?
Consider i
ngt hatit'sbeenaweekandhehasn' t
call
edme.Di dheal solosemynumbert ryingt o
protectmef rom hi spar ents?Thi spersonhad
movedonsur ely.Wel l
,Iguesst hat '
sthat.ButI 'm
boredandIwantt ogo.Hedoesn' tseem l i
ke
someonewhowoul dgetmet hrownout .Shoul dIgo?
Okay, I'
m goi ng.I '
llspendt wohour sandcomeback,
there'
llsti
llbet axi sf ormet ogetbackt or es.I'l
lask
i
fI'm stil
lont het ab, how?Idon' tknowbutI 'l
lfi
nda
way.Ican' tcal lZi mmyt ocomewi thme.Yes, he
obviouslywon' tcomet omedi rectlybutifshe
noti
cesmesmi l
ingathi m, shemi ghtbesuspi cious.
Soit'
sasol omission.WhatwillIdot here?Justsit
andpretendI'm notwait
ingforsomeone?Act ual
ly,I
candomyassi gnment.Let'
sdot hat.Ipackedmy
backpack.Let'
schanget hi
sdressi ntoacut ewhite
fl
oralmaxi.Myaf rowascombedandt iedup,l
it
tl
e
hoopearrings.I
'm done.

WhenIgottotherest
aur
ant,i
twasn' tasemptyasI
hopedi
twouldbe.Onlyafewt ableswereopenand
hi
soneofthem.Myhear tshr
iveledint
oaball.
Me:"Thi
sisst
upi
d."Themanagerwal
kedt
ome,
smil
ing.
Hi
m:"
Tabl
eforone?
"
Me:"
I.
..I
tlooksf
ull
,I
'l
lcomebackanot
hert
ime.
"
Hi
m:"
Ihaveat
abl
ethati
sopenf
oryou.
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow,
maybei
t'
sbestIl
eave.
"
Him:"Pl
easemiss,Iinsi
st.
"Itseemssocrasstoask
i
fI'
m onat abpai
df orbysomeone.Thisman
doesn'
tknowme.Hehasnor easont
o.He'snever
seenme.
Me:" Thati
sincr
ediblyki
ndbutIthinkIhavet ogo.
"
It
ur nedtowalkawaybutKhayawal ksinwitha
groupofguys.Isthistheonl
yrestauranti
nt own?
Thisisaverybigcity.Howishealwaysher e?
Khaya:"
Mrs.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Me:"
Icamet
odoanassi
gnmentbuti
t'
sful
l.
"
Khaya:"
Noi t
'snot
.There'
saf
ewt
abl
es.Come,
I'
ll
speaktothemanager.
"
Me:"
Khay-
"
Khaya:"You'r
enotaboutt ogol ockyour selfinthat
room.Come.Len, pleasegetherat able.Aqui et
er
one,wemi ghtberowdy. "Hel aughed.Isi ghed.
"Comeonbaby.I sitstil
laboutmom anddad?We' r
e
waypastt hat
.PersonallyIunder standt hem.I
wouldn'twantmydaught ernearaboyl ikeme
eit
her.
"Hechuckled." ButI'm notgoi ngt ohur tyou.I
promise.Come,Leni sset t
ingyourt able."Ifoll
owed
Lentoaqui et
erareaandsatdown.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Len:"
WhatcanIgetyou?
"
Me:"Fornow,j
ustsomet
ea.Rooi
bos,
wit
hlemon
andhoney."
Len:"
Sur
e."Hewal
kedaway.
Khaya:"So.Whichassi
gnmentar
eyoubusywi
th.I
canhelp."Hesatnextt
ome.
Me:"I
'
lll
etyouknowwhenI'
m stuck.Il
iketr
ying
bef
orereachi
ngoutf
orhel
p,i
t'
showIl earn.
"
Khaya:"
That
'ssweet
.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m okay.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oday.
"I
chuckl
ed.
Me:"ThankyouKhaya.WasInotbeaut
if
ul
yest
erday?
"
Khaya:"
You'
rebeaut
if
ulever
yday.
"
Me:"
Hm.How'
sFi
kil
e?"
Khaya:"
Iwoul
dn'
tknow.
"
Me:"
Whyi
sthat
?"
Khaya:"
ComeonSasa.She'
snot
hingt
ome.Nogi
rl
i
sanyt
hingt
ome.
"
Me:"
Yetyousl
eepwi
tht
hem?
"
Khaya:"
Pleasebepat
ientwi
thme.
"
Me:"No.Idon'thavet obeanythingwithyou.You
madeyourselfclearandIwasl isteni
ng.Youdon'
t
wantacommi ttedrelati
onshi
p.Youwantsex.Wi th
womenwhoar eexper i
enced.
"
Khaya:"
It
'snott
hatshal
low.
"
Me:"
Thati
sn'
tshall
ow,i
t'shonest.Atleastyou
di
dn'
tst
ri
ngmeal ongandI'm gr
atefulforthat
.Now,
wecanbegoodfri
ends,youandI."
Khaya:"
WhenI'm donewithal
lmyshi
t,under
stand
thatI
'
m comingforyou.AndwhenIdo,I'
m gi
ving
youmyal l
."
Me:"
Itmi
ghtbet
ool
atet
hen.
"
Khaya:"
Itwil
lneverbetoolatef
ortheloveofyour
l
ife.
"Hestoodup,brushi
ngmycheekbef or
ehe
walkedaway.Khayaissurelyonsomet ypeofdrug.
Whatwomanwoul dwaitforamanwhi l
ehehasf un
fucki
ngwomenatanyt i
mer i
ghti
nf r
ontofher?
Especi
allynotevenbei
ngwithhimr omanti
cal
ly.I
tookoutmybooks, penandnotepadusingmy
phoneforint
ernet
,pl
uggingmyear phonesf
ormusic.
Lenbroughtmyt eaasIgotonwi t
hmywor k.

Ididal otofr eading,maki ngnoteshereandt her

e,
wr i
tingoutmor einfor
mat i
onasIgeti t
.Ichecked
thet ime.Thr eehourshadpassedandIdi dn'teven
realize.Sohewasn' tgoingt oarri
ve?I'
donl yhad
twocupsoft ea.Iwasn'tr eall
yhungrybutmaybe
l
at erIwoul dbe, Idon'tt
hi nkIwanttoeatint he
dininghal lagaintoday.Eat ingalonei
sf i
nebut
whenpeopl eareactuall
yst ayingawayf r
om you, it
sucks.I '
lljustcoll
ectthedi nnerandhavei tinmy
room.Iwast ooshyt oor derhere.
Khaya:"
Baby.
"Hesatdown.
Me:"
Hey.It
hinkI
'
m goi
ngbackt
ores.I
'
m qui
te
t
ir
ed.
"
Khaya:"
Okay,
we'r
ealsoaboutt
oheadout
.Doyou
wanttohangoutl
ater
?"
Me:"
No.Ij
ustwantt
oreadi
nbed.
"
Khaya:"
Tomor
row?Br
eakf
asti
cecr
eam?
"
Me:"
Okay,
wecandot
hat
."
Khaya:"
Perfect
.I'
m goi
ngt
othebat
hroom,t
henI'
l
l
paythebil
lsandwecango."Hewenttot
he
bat
hroom.Themanagercamet omytabl
eagai
n.
Len:"
Ref
il
lmi
ss?
"
Me:"
Not hankyouLen.I
'
mleavi
ngnow.CanIget
t
hebil
l.
"Hesmi l
ed.
Len:"
Thebi
lli
ssett
ledmiss.Enj
oyyourdayf
urt
her
,
Il
ookfor
wardtoseeingyouagai
n."
Me:"ThankyouLen. "Iwantedtoaskhim sobadl
yif
Nkosihadcomeher erecent
lyordoeshehavea
schedulebutt
hatwoul dbesowei r
dsoIwat ched
him wal
kawayi nstead.Ipackedmyfil
esand
notepadint
omybackpack.Khayawentt othe
counter
.Igotup,takingmybagt othedoor.
Khaya:"
ButIdi
dn'
tpayt
hat
.I'
m aboutt
o."
Me:"
It
'sokayKhaya.Ial
readygotmi
ne.
"
Khaya:"
Oh.
"Hepai
dhi
sandwewal
kedout
.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Khaya:"
Forwhat?Ididn'
tevengett
opayf
oryou.I
t
houghtIsai
dI'
llhandlei
t,baby.
"
Me:"Youdon'
thavetodot
hatKhaya.Remember
you'
retaki
ngmeouttomor
row?Nowl et
'sgohome.
"
Wegoti nt
ohi
scar.
Khaya:"Ar
eyousureyoudon'twanttogoout
t
onight?Wewon'tbedoi
ngwi l
dshitIpr
omise.My
fr
iendhasasiti
nathishouse."
Me:"
Yourf
ri
end'
shavehouses?
"
Khaya:"
Heshar
esi
twi
thhi
ssi
ster
.Doyouwantt
o
come?"
Me:"
Nothankyou.Ial
readyhaveamorei
nterest
ing
pl
aninmybedandi ti
nvol
vesabook.
"Helookedat
meandsmiled.
Khaya:"
What
'
sthi
sbookabout
?"
Me:"Yourl
eastf
avor
it
etopi
c.Romance.
"He
l
aughed.
Khaya:"I
t'
snotmyl
eastf
avor
it
e.I
t'
sjustnotmy
favor
it
e."
Me:"
Youcan'
tst
andi
t.
"
Khaya:"
Yeah,
it'
ssocor
nyandbor
ing.Reall
if
eisn'
t
al
waysromanti
c."
Me:"Well
,that
'swhyIli
kewatchi
ngandreadingit
.
Atleasti
t'
shappeningsomewher
e."Heparkedin
fr
ontofthebuil
ding.
Khaya:"
Ican'
twai
ttoseeyout
omor
row.
"
Me:"
Youdon'thaveachoi
cebutt
o.Thankyouf
or
t
heli
ftKay.
"
Khaya:"
Whatt
imeshoul
dIcomegetyou?
"
Me:"Pr
obabl
yaround9.Iwakeupear
lyanywaysoI
don'
tmindanyt
ime."
Khaya:"Let
'sdo11am.9i
sver
year
lybaby.I
'
llsee
youthen."
Me:"
Okayt
hen.Enj
oyyoureveni
ng.
"
Khaya:"Thi
nkofmewhenyour eadt
hebook."I
l
aughedget t
ingoutthecarwi
thmybag.Iwentint
o
t
hebuilding,greet
ingsomegi
rlsinr
ecept
ion.
June:"
Youdoknowhe'
sonl
ysweetbef
orehef
ucks
youright
?You'r
enotspeci
al.Onceyougivei
tup,
he'
lldotoyouwhathedoest o70%ofthegir
lsher
e.
Tossyouaside.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"Iwal
kedt
omyr
oom t
orest
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

MySat
urdaydaywasnodif
fer
entt
otheweekIhad.
I
twasannoyi
ngl
ybusyandti
ri
ng.
Mt hunzi:"Thatwasagoodmeet ing."Wewer eon
ourwaybackt othepalaceaf termeet ingthechief
ofeMaf i
nivil
lage.Itwasagoodmeet ing,t
hatIcan'
t
deny.Most l
ybecauseChi efMenzidi dnotpull
dramat oimpr essme.Het reatedmeashewoul da
potentialbusinesspar t
ner.Hewaswi lli
ngtoli
sten
totheideaspr esentedtobetterhi scommuni tyand
offeredhisown.Ist ar
edoutoft hewi ndow,
wat chi
ngt her oad.
Mthunzi
:"You'
vebeenqui
etfordaysnow."I
'
dal
so
r
unoutofst r
essbal
ls,
butI
'mt hepr
oblem?I
wonderhowdi f
ferentli
fewoul dbeifIwasn' tar oyal
Heir,theonl yone, handpi ckedandcar vedbyt he
mostpower fulspiri
tualgui des.MaybeI 'dst i
llbei n
Cali
, enj oyi
ngl i
feasabachel or,pursuingmydr eam
career .I'dprobablysettl
edownl ateroni nl i
fe,have
2chi ldren,maybeapett oo.Theset hought swon' t
helpmei nanyway.Facti s,I'
m whoIam andIhave
tobewhoIam.Ican' tj
ustdel egateittot henext
availabl ecandidate.Myancest orsthoughti twoul d
bef ant asti
ct okil
lmyuncl esbef oretheyr eached
20year sofage, onlyletmyf athersurviveandhave
oneson.Heofcour se,isj ubilantatthisver yper fect
destiny.Hei sthefatheroft heDef eater.
Mthunzi
:"So,
ThembisawasatAmel
ia'
stoday.
"I
l
ookedathim."Fi
nal
ly.Whyar
eyoui
gnori
ngme? "
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notignor
ingyou,
Ijustdon'
twantt
otal
k.
It
houghtthatwascl
ear.
"
Mthunzi:"
It
'snotclearNkosi
nhl
e.Younotli
kingt
o
tal
kisnotgoodf oryou.Whycan'
tyoucall
Thembisa?"
Nkosi
:"Whycan'
tshecal
lme?
"
Mthunzi:"
Askher!HowmustIknow?NowI '
m bei
ng
punishedbecauseshedoesn'tknowt
hephone
worksbothways?No."Ilookedbackoutt
he
window.
Nkosi
:"Whatwasshedoi
ngatAmel
ia'
s?"
Mthunzi
:"Anotherquest
ionyoucanaskher."I
l
ookedathim again."
Shecameal one,
Lensaidshe
l
ookedunsureandwasr eadytoturnaroundatthe
door.
"
Nkosi
:"So?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Maybeshewasl
ooki
ngf
oryou.
"
Nkosi:"
BecauseIspendal
lmyt
imer
elaxi
ngi
na
r
estaurant
?"
Mthunzi:"
Didyouwanthert ofi
ndthepal
aceand
comeoverf ordinnerthen?You'
redif
fi
cul
t.You
knowthat?Anyway, thatSoli
ngaboyshowedup,
convi
ncedhert ostay.Shesatalonedoi
ngschool
workfor3hour s."
Nkosi
:"Goodf
orher
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Shechoset
ogot
other
est
aur
anthopi
ng
t
obumpi
ntoyou-
"
Nkosi
:"Idi
daskyouifyou'
reseernow?Whatdi
d
sheexpect
?ThatIl
ivether
e?"
Mthunzi:"Ok.I'
mtiredofyou.I'm donetr
ying.Be
miserable.Idon'
tcar eanymore.Ihaveawoman, I
don'tneedt hi
sstr
essandat ti
tude."Thecardrove
i
ntot hepalaceparking.Igotoutthecar,
wal ki
ng
i
nside.
Nkosi
:"Goodeveni
ngFat
her
."
Sikhosana:"
MyPri
nce.You'
rehomefordi
nner
.I
thoughtyouwer
eavoidi
ngthefami
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwas.
"
Sikhosana:"Enoughoft hat,
getchanged.We' ll
wait.
"Iwalkedupt hesecondst air
case, downt he
l
ongpassageatt heendofi t,enteredmyquar t
ers.I
tookoffmyj acketandcheckedmyphone.It yped
<Doyoust il
lwantt o->Idel
etedandr e-t
yped<Imi ss
tal
kingtoyou>Ipl acedmyphoneont hedr esser
withoutsending.Myshowerwasqui ck,Igot
dressedinanot herpairofpantsandshi rt
.Idel et
ed
themessageandwal keddownt odinner.Thef amil
y
wasseat
edi
nthedi
nnert
abl
e.
Sikhosana:"
Hereheis.Thankyouf
orj
oini
ngus,
son."DidIhaveachoice?
Nobantu:"
Myson,ar
eyouwell
?Youdon'tl
ook
well
."Myfir
stmot
heral
waysworr
iedaboutmy
heal
thandappear
ance.
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Heneverl
ookswel
l.
"Ist
aredatmysi
ster
.
Nobantu:"
That
'snotaver
yni
cet
hingt
osayt
othe
f
utureKing.
"
Nhlanhla:"I
sthatwhywecan'teatbef
orehesits
withus?Sazesal ambasi-
wealt
hy."Mysist
ersare
theonlypeoplethatcangetonmynervesthis
quickl
y.It'
sli
kethei
rsuperpower
.
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
nemot
her
."
Nolwazi:"
Wehaven'tseenyouf ordaysMehlul
i.
"My
secondmot heront
heot herhand,onl
ywantedmy
presence.
Nkosi
:"Wor
king,
mot
her
."
Nkwenkwezi
:"Exci
tedf
orthedayyouspeakf
ulli
n
sent
ences.I
t'
sli
keyourfami
lybor
esyou."
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Hisent
ir
eli
febor
eshi
m."Theygi
ggl
ed.
Si
khosana:"
Yout
wost
opi
t.
"
Nkosi:"Exci
tedforthedayyougetmar r
iedt
oa
mediocremanwhodoesn' tr
uleanentir
enati
onand
i
nfluencesdecisionsinplent
yot her
s.Thenyou'
l
l
knowhowmuchyoubor eme. "
Nol
wazi
:"Mehl
uli
."
Nobantu:"
Canever
yonepleasecalm down?We'
re
supposedtoenj
oydinnert
ogether
.Also,Amahl
eis
cominghome.Socanwepl easebekindtoeach
other
?"
Nkwe:"
Kind?She'
sbasicall
ydied29ti
mes,i
t'
slike
l
ivi
ngwit
haghost.Justignoreit
."Amahl
ewalkedin.
Si
khosana:"
Nkwenkwezi
!!
"Heshout
ed.
Nkwe:" Sorryfather.
"Apar tofmedidwantt o
arrangeamar ri
aget ogetthem outoft
hishouse
butI'm notlet
tingmysi stersouti
ntheworld.Yes
they'r
e23, spoiltandverymean.Thosehusbands
willbri
ngthem backi nl
esst hanaweekanyway.
Amahl
e:"
Goodeveni
ng.
"Shesatdown.Thedr
inks
wer
eser
vedandst
art
ersshor
tl
yaf
ter
.
Sikhosana:"
Mehl ul
i,
haveyouspottedamaiden,
son?Youdoknowyourcor onati
oniscomingri
ght?
Youneedawi f
e."HelookedatNkwe."Sayone
wor d.
"Shekepthermout hshutwit
hwhatever
stupidcommentshehad.
Nkosi
:"Nof
ather
."
Si
khosana:"
Ar eyoulooki
ng?"Amahl
elookedatme.
Whywasshel ookingatme?Icouldf
eelherst
are
wi
thoutevenlookingbackather
.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Si
khosana:"
Shoul
dIor
gani
zeonef
oryou?
"
Nkosi
:"Nothankyoufat
her.I
'
m morefocusedon
devel
opi
ngourland,
especi
all
ythesur
rounding
communiti
es.
"
Sikhosana:"
That'snotimport
antMehlul
i.Youare
meantt ofi
ndawoman, whocanbearyouasont o
beyourheirandt akeoverf
rom you.
"Thatsounds
l
ikeanotherjob.Idon'
tneedthat.
Nkosi
:"Ihaven'
tevenst
art
edandI
'
m al
readybei
ng
vot
edout
?"Thegi
rl
sgi
ggl
ed.
Sikhosana:"No.Yoursonneedstogrowwit
hyour
reign.Youhave30year storul
e.Heneedst
ogr ow
upseei ngandexperi
encingwhatiti
stobealeader.
Ifyoubuilditf
orhim befor
ehe'sher
ehowwillhe
valueit?"
Nobantu:"MyKing,It
hinkourPri
nceneedsa
celebr
ati
on?"Whatonear t
h?"Maybehe'
sbeenso
busyhedoesn'thavetheti
met oseet
hemaidens.A
reeddancewil
lbeadvantageous.
"Towho?
Sikhosana:"That'
sagoodi dea.That'
sset
tl
ed.
"Thi
s
i
swhyIavoi dmyf amil
y.Ican'tgetawayqui
ck
enoughbef orethepi
mpingst art
s.
Si
khosana:"
So,
howwasyourmeet
ingwi
thMenzi
?"
Nkosi
:"Fr
uit
ful
."Hel
ookedatmeandIl
ookedback
athi
m.Hesighed.
Si
khosana:"
Isee.Amahl
e,howar
eyoumychi
ld?
"
Amahl
e:"
Fine,
fat
her
."
Sikhosana:"
Good.I'
m gl
adtohearthat
.Wehave
reachedthedeci
siontol
etyouonlyconti
nuewi
th
homet
utor
ingi
nst
ead.
"
Amahle:"I
'
dratherl
ivei
nschoolFat
her
."Ist
aredat
t
hisderangedchil
d.
Si
khosana:"
You'
renotsaf
ether
e."
Amahl
e:"I
'
m saf
ert
her
ethanIam anywher
eel
se.
Nooneknowsmether
e-"
Nkosi:"Notsincethestuntyoupull
ed,Amahle!The
enti
reresidenceistal
kingaboutit
.Yourroommat e
i
sbeingaccusedofki l
li
ngyou!!Youract
ionshave
al
ienatedherf r
om everyonether
e.Nowyouwantt o
gobur denheragain!?Areyouinsane!
"
Nkwe:"
Thatsoundspassi
onat
elyper
sonal
."She
whi
spered.
Amahl
e:"
Idi
dn'
tpul
last
untbhut
-"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tevent
ryme.Don'
t.You'
renotgoi
ng
backt
here."
Amahl
e:"
Fat
herpl
ease-
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tinvol
veyourfather
.You'regoingthere
topul
lthesameshitt
ystuntandscar i
ngt heenti
re
bui
ldi
ng?Anymor escandalssurroundingyour
namewi l
lputyouatimmediateri
sk.Ift
heyfigur
e
outyouareAmahleSikhosana,aroyalpri
ncess,
thatpl
acewil
lburn.Stopbei
ngselfi
sh."
Nobantu:"
Kodwamypri
nce,surel
ytheycan
underst
and.Shet
oo,
wouldonlybetryi
ngtogetan
educati
on-
"
Nkosi:"
She'sstillgettinganeducationher eathome
Mother.Shedoesn' tneedt obei nres.Iam
prot
ecti
ngher !Itmi ghtbefineiftheyf i
ndout,at
fi
rst
,sure.Thenwhathappenswhent here'
spublic
outr
age?You' veseent hecit
izenprotestsafew
year
sback.I far oyalisintheirmidst,theywil
ltake
i
toutonhert oshakeus.Doyouwantyourchi ld
l
acedwi thabur ningt yreMother?"
Nol
wazi
:"I
t'
snotl
ikeAmahl
ecandi
e."
Nkosi :"I
ftheyfi
ndout ,t
her oyaltheybur nt odeath,
doesn' tdi
e,doyour eall
ythinkt hisnati
onwi l
lli
ve
happilyeverafter
?Ther ewoul dbei nst
antunr est.
"I
stoodup." I'
m done.Ican'tdot his."Iwalkedupt o
myr oom.Myf amilycanbesodet achedf rom real
it
y,
i
t'
ssi ckening.Howi sitokayt of l
exyourdi ff
erent
abi
li
tytonor
malhumans?Dot heythi
nkt hey'l
ljust
cl
apforus?Whywouldthey?I
'm nottr
yingt oruna
shakyki
ngdom.That
'snotgoi
ngtobemyl egacy.

SASAPOV_

Maybei twast i
met oforgetaboutPr inceNkosi nhle
MehluliSikhosana.Hisbeaut i
fulfaceandhi s
beautif
ulname.Ienj oyedmyt imewi thhi m andnow
i
twasdoneIcoul dfocusbackonmybooks.I twas
Sundaymor ni
ngandKhayapr omisedt otakeme
outforicecream.Ihaveal r
eadyshower ed,today'
s
dressedwasnotmaxi .Itwasupt omyknees, white
i
ncol ourandof ft
heshoul dersleeves.Iletmyf r
o
freeandwor emysandal s.Khayacalledat11on
thedot.
Khaya:"
Mrs.I
'
m out
side.
"
Me:"Al
ri
ghtI
'
m coming.
"Itookmysmal
lpur
seand
l
eft
,fi
ndi
nghiminthefr
ontparki
ng.
Khaya:"
Baby.
"Hewasst
andi
ngout
sidehi
scar
.
Me:"Hell
oKhaya.
"Ihuggedhi
m.Heopenedt
he
doorforme,
Icli
mbedit.
Khaya:"
So,Iknowthi
sspoteMoyeni.I
t'
sal
it
tl
e
shopthatsel
lst
hebesti
cecream I
'
veevert
asted.
You'
lll
oveit.
"Hedr
ove.
Me:"I
'
veneverbeent
oeMoyeni.I
nfact,Ihaven'
t
beenanywher
e.Myfi
rstt
imetoOceanAr enawas
wit
hmydadwhenhebr oughtmeforregist
rati
on.
"
Khaya:"Don'twor r
y.I'l
lshowyouever ythi
ng
beautif
ulinthiswor l
dbaby. "Ilookedoutt he
windowwat chingt hebeaut if
ulcit
yIl i
vedi n.HowI
wishedNkosi nhlewasn' twhohei s.Iwishedhewas
someoneIcoul dwal kupt oandt ellt
ohi sf aceI
misshim.Iwi shwecoul ddri
vetoi cecr eam parl
ors
andeati cecream.Iwi shwecoul dgot othebeach.
Maybei twasj ustallforthebest.WhatwasI
thi
nking,bei
ngat tr
act edtoar oyalPr i
nceaboutt o
beKing?NoIwascr azy.Tr ul
y.
Khaya:"
Baby?Areyoucryi
ng?What
'swrong?
"He
st
oppedthecar.Iqui
ckl
ywipedmytear
.
Me:"
Not
hing.Justt
hinki
ngaboutal
otoft
hings.
Amahl
e,mypar
ent
s.I
t'
sal
ot.
"
Khaya:"
I'm sorr
yaboutAmahle.Look,Iknowyou
di
dn'tki
llher.Don'tmi
ndwhateveryoneissayi
ng.
You'
reagoodper son.
"
Me:"
SisLi
ndasaysshe'
sfi
ne.
"
Khaya:"
Idon'tknowbabebutwhatI'
vehear
disthat
she'
sgone."Heconti
nueddri
vingt
ryi
ngtoholdmy
hand.
Me:"Bot
hhandsont
hest
eer
ingwheelKhaya.
"He
l
aughed.
Khaya:"
Okay?Thenyoudr
ive.
"
Me:"
Idon'tl
ikedr
ivi
ng.I
'
m notr
eal
lygoodati
t.
"He
dr
oveint
oeMoyeni .
Khaya:"
Whydon'
tyout
hinkyou'
regood?
"
Me:"I'
m averynervouspersonontheroad.Ialways
thi
nkI'
m makingami stakeandIgivepeoplethe
wayalot.Someti
mescausi ngtr
aff
icofatleastsi
x
cars.
"Helaughedoutloud.
Khaya:"
Thatist
hecut
estthi
ngI'veeverhear
d.I
'd
l
etyoudrivemeanyday.Pat
ientandkindpeopl
eon
theroadintr
igueme."Heparkedinfr
ontofastor
e
thatwasn't"
lit
tl
e"ashedescri
bed.I
tlookedl
ikea
chil
dhooddr eam.
Me:"Thi
si sreal
lycool.I
ftheiri
cecream t
ast
esas
goodast heylook,I
'
llbereall
yimpressed.
"We
walkedintothestor
e.Therewasst i
llonl
yafew
customers.
Khaya:"
You'
l
llovei
t.
"Hehel
dmecl
oset
ohi
m.Hi
s
ar
m aroundmywaist.
Me:"
Whati
sthat
?"
Khaya:"
That'sacandymachine.Itki
ndofmakesit
whil
eyou'r
ewai t
ing.Theguynexttoit
,hel
psyou
makeityoursel
f.
"Ismiled,
ext
remelyexcit
ed.
Me:"
Ilovet
hispl
ace.
"
Khaya:"
I'
veneverseenyousmi
li
ngsomuch.You
l
ooksohappy.Ilovethat
."
Me:"
You'
resi
ll
y.I
'm al
wayssmil
ing.We'renext
.
Whatdoyout
hinkIshoul
dtr
y?"Hel ookedatme.
Khaya:"
Ever
ythi
ngbaby.Iwil
lbehavi
ngthevani
ll
a
andcoff
eeswirl
.It
'ssi
mple,
sweetandhasthe
shockofcaf
fei
net
okeepyouf
ocused.
"
Me:"Andwhatdoyouwantt
ofocusonMr
Sol
inga?
"
Khaya:"
Myf
utur
ewi
fe.You.
"
"That
'
sambi t
ious.
"Webot htur
nedaroundtolookat
whothevoicebelongedto.OhGod.Idi
dn'tknowto
sayhell
oorkeepquiet.
Khaya:"
Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Mthunzi:"Theicecream youdescri
bediscall
ed
Ambi t
ious.It
'
sont hemenu.Usual l
yrecommended
forhangovers."Hepoi nt
edattheboardinfr
ont.
ThiswasNkosi '
sadvisor.Di
dherecognizeme?
Khaya:"
Oh.Youwor
kher
e?"
Me:"
Khaya!That
'sr
ude.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Mywi
feownst
heshop.
"Hesmi
led.
Khaya:"
Youl
ookver
yfami
li
ar.Havewemet
?"
Mthunzi:"
Ihaveacommonface.Enj
oy."Hewal
ked
upbehindthecount
erandi
ntotheof
fice.
Khaya:"
Sohe'
ski
ndacr
eepy.Whywoul
dsomeone
sneakuponcust
omer
sli
ket
hat
?"
Me:" Hewasj usttr yi
ngt ohelp.It hi
nkI'
llhavet he
strawberryswirl
."Iwasst i
lli
nshock.Thi swashi s
directperson.Icoul dgot othatof fi
cenow, knock
ont hatdoorandaskhi mtocal lNkosi.YetIcoul dn'
t
doi t
.Iwasacowar dandal so,Ir espectedthatman.
Hei sn'
tmyMessenger .Hewor kedf ort
hesecond
highestrankingroyali nthenation.I '
m notaboutt o
askf oradamnt hing.Wewer egi venouricecream,
Khayal edmet ot het abl
est osit.Myeyescoul dn't
stopst ar
ingatthatof fi
cedoor .
Khaya:"
Doyouwantt
otast
emi
ne?
"
Me:"Sure.
"It
ookatast
eofhi
s."
OhIgetitnow.
Si
mpl e,
sweetandt
hetast
eofcof
fee.Il
oveit
.Tast
e
mine.
"
Khaya:"
Not hankyoubaby.Idon'
tthi
nki
ttast
es
ni
ce."Il
aughed.
Me:"
Itact
ual
lydoes.
"
Khaya:"
Ist
hatwhyyou'
rest
il
leat
ingmi
ne?
"
Me:"
That
'snotf
air
,Il
ovecof
fee.
"
Khaya:"
Icl
earl
ytol
dyoutheingredi
entsbef
oreI
boughti
tbaby.Youcoul
d'vegot
tenyourown."
Me:" Fi
ne.Youricecream isnice."Igavehisback.
"I'
m getti
nganotherfl
avorthough.Thest rawberr
yis
nicebutit'
snottasti
ngexactlylikestrawberr
y,i
t'
sa
l
ittl
e..
.What'stheword?Concoct ed.Iwonderif
theyhaveonewi thactualstr
awber rypieces?That
woul dbeinter
esti
ng.Letmeseei fIcangetanother
fl
avor .
"
Khaya:"Okaybabe."Iwentuptot hecounter,
avoidinglooki
ngthedoor.Whycan'thejustcome
outandaskmeaquest ion?I
'm notsureiftherul
es
appliedtohimlikei
tdoesNkosi.WasIallowedt o
tal
kt oMthunziinpubl
ic?
Me:"Hel
loagain.CanImi
xmyownf
lavor
s?"The
beaut
if
ulladysmiled.
She:"Youtr
yingt
oputmeoutofbusi
ness?Sur
e."I
gi
ggled."Whi
chfl
avour
sdoyouwant?"
Me:"Il
ikedhowt
hevani
ll
atast
ed,
howi
sthesal
ted
car
amel ?"
She:"
It
'sourbestsel
ler
.Asyoucanseei
t'
shal
fway
andal
ltheot
her
sar
eful
l.If
il
ledt
heseupl
ast
ni
ght.
"
Me:"
I'
llhavethatthen.Andascoopofcooki
e
cr
umbleont heside."
She:"
Ohh.Imi
ghthavet
otr
ythi
smi
xmysel
f.
"
Me:"
NowI
'
m exci
ted.
"
She:"
Howwast
hest
rawber
ry?
"
Me:"I
ttast
edni
ce,Ijustf
eelitdi
dn'thaveal
otgoi
ng
ontobeaswirl
.Itwasshy."Shelaughed.
She:"
You'
reador
abl
e.Her
eyougo.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.Howmuchi
sit
?"
She:"
Ont
hehouse.
"Shesmi
led.
Me:"See,
nowyoureal
lyt
ryi
ngtogooutof
busi
ness?It
ri
edt
ohelpyou."Shel
aughed.
She:"
Gositdown,yousi
ll
ychi
ld.
"Il
aughedwal
king
backtomyseat.
Khaya:"
Yeahsur
e."Hehungup.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Khaya:"
Heylove.Whatwassofunny?Youguys
wereli
keol
dpalsbackther
e."
Me:"Justtal
kingaboutt
hest r
awberryswir
l.
"Itook
aspoonoft hesalt
edcaramel andImelt
ed."Oh,she
di
dn'tl
ie.Thatisgl
ori
ous."Iopenedmyeyes.He
st
aredatme, smili
ng."
What ?"
Khaya:"
Not
hing.
"
Me:"
Tast
e."Het
ookaspoonofmi
ne.
Khaya:"
Oht
hat
'sr
eal
lygood.
"
Me:"
Let
'sseehowtheytast
etoget
her
."Iscooped
t
hetwofl
avoursandtast
e."
Hmmm.Yes.Thi sisi
t.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ovei
t.
"
Me:"
Ilovet
hispl
ace.Al
ot.
"
Khaya:"
Good.Theni
tcanbeourspeci
alpl
ace.
"
Me:"Hm. "Istar
edatmyi cecr eam.Di dhereall
ynot
eventhinkaboutme?Di dhemoveon?Theof fi
ce
dooropened, Mthunziwalkedoutt ohiswifegivi
ng
herakissbef or
ehewal kedout .Hemi ghtbegoing
toNkosirightnowyetIcoul dn'tf
inditinmet orun
outtohim.Itwashar dbutmyf li
ngwithNkosionly
l
astedl
essthanaweek.Ineededtost
opmaking
hi
mt hi
simport
antt
hinginmylif
e.Hewasn'
teven
myboyfri
end.
Khaya:"
Areyouokay?
"Il
ookedathi
m.
Me:"
I'
m okay.
"
Khaya:"
Youdisappear
edt
her
eforasecond.Your
mindseemsfaraway."
Me:"Ir
eal
lyappr
eciat
ethi
sKhaya.Thankyou.
"Iat
e
anot
herscoopoficecr
eam.

Aft
erouricecream,Iwasreadytogohome.I
neededtopreparef
ormyupcomi ngschoolweek.
Khayadrovemet otheresi
dence,
parki
ngoutfront
again.
Me:"
Thankyouf
ort
oday.Ienj
oyedmysel
f.
"
Khaya:"
Met oo.Weshoul
ddothismor
eoften.You
needtoexperi
enceMount
ainPeaktoi
t'
spotent
ial
."
Me:"
You'
resweet
.I'
l
lseeyousoon.
"
Khaya:"
Byel
ove.
"Igotoutt
hecar
,wal
kingi
ntot
he
bui
ldi
ng.Thest
aresagai
n.
Me:"
What
'st
hedamnpr
obl
em?
!"Isnapped.
Pet
u:"
Tshomi
?What
'swr
ong?
"Wher
ehasshebeen?
Me:"
I'
mjustt
ir
edofbei
ngst
aredatl
ikeI
'
ma
cr
imi
nal.
"
Pet
u:"
Oh.Ar
eyoudat
ingKhaya?
"
Me:"No.Khayai
smyfri
end.Wehangout
someti
mes.Ther
eisnot
hingel
sehappeni
ng.Why
i
sthatsowrong?"
Petu:"
Good.I t
'sgoodthatyou'r
eonl yafri
end.He'
s
notagoodguyf oryoutshomi.Everynighthehasa
newper soninhisbed,it
'sdi
sgusting."Tr
ustme,I
knowthat .Anyway,howareyou? "
Me:"
I'
m okay.Howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"I'
mf i
ne.Ihaven'
tbeeninresf
orabit
.My
si
sterneededmeatherpl acet
obabysi
therki
ds.
"
Me:"
Yoursi
sterl
ivesher
einMount
ainPeak?
"
Petu:"
Yes.AtOceanvi
ew.
"Nott
hatI
'
dknowwher
e
thati
s.
Me:"Ohokay.Ineedtogoprepar
emyschoolst
uff
.
I
'l
lgotodi
ninghalli
naboutanhourorso.
"
Petu:"
We'llcatchupwhenyou' redone."Weparted
ways,Iwalkedt omyr oom.Wer ePetuniaandI
fr
iendsnow?Whatdi dthismean?Ineedt ocall
Zimmy.Ilasthear dfr
om herlastni
ght.She's
probabl
ysleepingordr i
nkingwhereversheis.I
openedmyr oom, wal
kinginandclosingitbehi
nd
me.WhenIl ookedup,theshockIhadal mostblew
meback.Itwasl i
kestari
ngataghost .
Me:"
Amahl
e?"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
You'
reokay?
"
Ama:"
Yes.I
'
m al
ive.
"
Me:" I
..I
'm glad.Mygod,Iwassowor
ri
edabout
you."Idroppedmybagandhuggedhert i
ght
.We
weren'tclose,orevenf
ri
endsbutI
'
veneverf
eltso
rel
ievedinmyl i
fe.
Ama:"SoI'
veheard.
"Shesatonherbed."
Thanks
fort
heotherday.
"Isatonmybedopposit
eher.
Me:"
Amahl
e,whathappened?
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tfeel
li
keget
ti
ngi
ntoi
tri
ghtnow.
"
Me:"
Atl
eastt
ellmei
twon'
thappenagai
n?"
Ama:"That
'snotsomethi
ngIcanhel
p."Ment
al
heal
thwasfreshhel
lhonest
ly.
Me:"
WhatcanIdot
ohel
pthen?
"
Ama:"
Not
hing.
"
Me:"Amahl
e!Youweren'
trespondi
ng,
Iwasn'
teven
sur
eifyouwereal
ive.
"
Ama:"Theresnothinganyonecandot ohelpme
Thembisa.Thankyouf ort
ryi
ngthough.That
'snew
forme.
"Shel ookedatmyphonei nmyhand." Your
phoneisri
nging."Ilookedatit
.
Me:"No, i
t'
snot
.Areyousureyou'
refine?"it
suddenlyrangwit
hanumberonscr een.Ilookedat
her.Sheopenedherbedcover
.
Ama:"You'
rewel
come."Shecl
imbedi
nbed.I
answeredt
hephone.
Me:"
Hel
lo?
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
41] :Sponsor
edPost
:

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er12

PRI
NCEPOV_

Somethi
ngsuspi
ciouswashappeni
ngi
nthi
shouse.
Il
eaveforonemorning.One.
Nkosi
:"Wher
eisshe?
"
Nobant
u:"
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
,myson?
"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e.Shel
eftdi
dn'
tshe?
"
Nobantu:"
Wecan'tkeepherfr
om makingherown
deci
sionsMehlul
i.
"Iwalkedt
omyoffice.Mthunzi
camei naf
terme.
Nkosi
:"Youknew.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdi
dIknow?
"
Nkosi
:"Amahle!!Yousentherbackt
her
e!Af
terI
speci
fi
cal
lysaidtoyounotto!"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
,I
-"
Nkosi :"
No!Youdi sobeyedmywor dMt hunzi.You
disobeyedmyi nstruct
ion."Istormedoutt heoffi
ce
tothecar .Theguar ddr ovemet othecity,the
residence.I'l
lhaveherdr aggedoutki ckingand
screami ngifIhavet o.Whatwi llThembi sasay
whensheseesher ?Iwoul dn'tknownowwoul dI?
Somet i
mesIcanr eall
yjustbeanasshol et omy
ownsel f
.Assoonaswemoved10mi nutescloseto
thecity,Idialedhernumberwi thoutasecond
thought .
Thembi
sa:"
Hel
lo?
"
Nkosi:"
Thembisa.
"Sil
encesweptovert
hephone.
I
nstantregr
etstar
tedt
oswelli
nmyhear t.
Thembi
sa:"
Hi.
"
Nkosi
:"Howar
eyou?
"
Thembi
sa:"
I'
m wel
l.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouhome?
"
Thembisa:"
Yes.
"Fuck.Chancesare,she'
sseen
Amahle.Thatr
ascal
.Whycoul dn'
tshejustsi
tst
il
l?
Nkosi:"
MayIpl
easeseeyou?
"Mor
esi
lence.I
wait
ed.
Thembi
sa:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easecomeout
side.
"
Thembisa:" Okay."Ihungup.Thedr iverparked
acrossther oad,awayf rom theentr
ance.Iwaited
oncemor e,tappingmyf ingeronthedoor
i
mpat i
ently.Whatwast akingsolong?Ittook
al
most10mi nutesbeforet hedooropened.She
cl
imbedi nnextt ome, closingthedoor.Il
ookedat
her,r
eall
ygl adtoseeherf ace.
Thembi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi:"Goodafternoon.
"Thenshekeptquiet
.What
thehellwasgoingon?Howdoyouhavea
conversati
onwi t
hsomeonewhor ef
usestotal
kto
you?Okay, Isoundlikeahypocr
it
e."Howwasyour
day?"
Thembi
:"I
twasokay.Howwasyour
s?"
Nkosi
:"Hor
ri
ble.
"
Thembi
:"Sor
ryt
oheart
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Doyouwanttotel
lmewhyyou'
rei
gnor
ing
me?"Shelookedatme,
confused.
Thembi
:"I
'
mignor
ingyou?
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatIsai
d."
Thembi
:"Iwasn'
tignor
ingyou.Youj
ustst
opped
cal
li
ngandsendi
ngmemessages. "
Nkosi:"
Ilastspoket
oyouonMonday.Itri
edcall
ing
youthatnightandyoui
gnor
edmycal l
s.Didn'
tcall
mebackt henextdayandIt
houghtyoujustdi
dn't
wanttotalktome."
Thembi:"
Whywoul
dn'
tIwantt
otal
ktoyou
Nkosi
nhle?"
Nkosi
:"Thenwhyar
en'
tyoucal
li
ng?
"
Thembi:"
Ihadtodelet
eyournumberandmessages
becausemymot herwant
edtogothroughmy
phone.I
fshefoundoutIevenhadanythi
ngt
odo
wit
hyouourwhol
evi
ll
agewoul
d'veknownby
sunset
."
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"FuckIf
eel
sost
upi
d.
Thembi
sa:"Youreal
lyt
houghtI
'
dj ustcutoff
communicati
onoutoft
hebluefornor eason?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Whati
fIdi
ed?
"
Nkosi
:"Iknewyouwer
en'
thur
t.
"
Thembisa:"
Ican'
tbeli
eveyoustoppedtal
kingt
ome
becauseyouthoughtIwasignor
ingyou."
Nkosi
:"Ishoul
dhavecal
led.I'
m sor
ry.
"Ihatet hat
Mthunziwasri
ghtwhenhet ol
dmet ocallher.I
hat
eitsomuch."Idi
dn'
thaveagoodweek. "
Thembisa:"
Nei
therdi
dI.
"Hervoi
cequi
ver
ed.What
wasthatnow?
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Alot
,okay?Ihadtofindmyroommatein
mybed,unmovi
ng.Shewast akenbymensaidto
beherf
amil
yorsomet hi
ng.Ihadtoconf
rontLi
nda,
andt hatwasn'tfunbecauset henIf oundoutmy
roommat eisactuall
yaHi ghPr i
ori
tyCar estudent
.
Somet hingIdidn'tknowexi st
edunt i
lthatmoment .
Ont opoft hat,
mypar entsarr
ivedthenextdaywhi le
Iwaswor kingthrought hei
ncidentandt heygo
ball
isti
c."Shesobbedi nherhands.Gr eat,Nowwhat
doIdo?Touch.Ihopet hathelpsbecauseIhave
nothingelseafterthat.Ipull
edhert ome, she
almostjumpedont omychest .
Thembisa:"
Imi
ssedyou."Shecr
ied."
Ithoughtyou
di
dn'twantmeanymore.
"Okay,t
hat'
sabi tdr
amati
c.
Nkosi:"
That'
snottr
ue."Iplacedheronmylapand
l
ethercrybecausethere'
snot hi
ngel
seIcan
contr
ibut
e.Sheeventuall
ycalmeddown."Howis
yourroommatenow? "
Thembi
sa:"
She'
sfi
neIguess.
"
Nkosi
:"Doesshet
ellyouwhathappened?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Shedoesn'
twantto.Shesaysi
t'
snot
somet
hingshecanhel
p."Thatf
ucki
ngbrat
.
Nkosi
:"That
'snotgood.Youcan'
tli
vewi
th
someonewhohast hepotent
ialt
ocommitsui
cide
anyday.That
'snotheal
thy.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Iwantt
ohel
pher
-"
Nkosi
:"Absol
utel
ynot.Thembi
sa,
you'
reheret
o
st
udynotlookaft
erpeoplewhoar
egrown."
Thembi
sa:"
Shejustneedshel
p.Ever
yoneneedsa
l
it
tl
ehel
p.Howevershediddosomethingst
range-
"
Nkosi:"
Already?Ithasn'tevenbeenanhour!
!"I
'm
goingtokil
lMt hunzibecauseIobviousl
ywon't
succeedwi t
hher .Amahleisonl ygoi
ngtobe
ter
rori
zingThembi sainthisplace.Whyi
sthatfi
ne?
Thembisa:"
List
en.Shel ookedatmyphoneandt ol
d
meit'
sringi
ng.Befor
ei trang.
"Ican'
tdothi
s.Idon'
t
havespaceforthi
sstress.Whywoul dsh-
Nkosi:"That
'st
rulysomethi
ngst
range.
"When
conversati
onfai
ls,j
ustr
epeatwhatshesays.That
's
whatMt hunzit
oldme.
Thembisa:"
Exact
ly.Yousmell
nicet
oday."Thi
sis
thesamepersonwhowascr yi
ngami nut
eago?
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Yousmel
lni
cetoo.
"Shesmelt
sweetandIlovedi
tsomuchIcoul
dbiteher
."I
'
m
goi
ngtoeNtabeni
.Pleasecomewi
thme,
I'
llbr
ing
youhomeintheevening.
"
Thembisa:"
Okay.
"Iknockedonthewi ndow.The
dri
vercameinanddroveoff."
I'
m notgetti
ngoff
yourl
ap."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantyout
o."Ismi
led.

SASAPOV_

Thecardroveint
oeNt abeniandpar kedinit
'susual
spot.Thedoorwasopenedf orus.Nkosicli
mbed
out,
carryi
ngmebr idalst
yleintothevil
la.If
elt
babi
edandIr eal
lywasenj oyingit
.Inoursuite,
he
l
aidmegent l
yont heoutsideloungebed.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwantt
odr
inkandeat
?"
Me:"Mangojui
ceplease.I
'
m notr eall
yhungryyet.
"
Hewalkedbackinsi
detothephone.Il ookedatthe
mountai
ns,amistwascoveringthet opofitandit
l
ookedli
keitwasslowdancing.I
tl ooked
mesmerizi
nghonestl
y.Nkosicamebackoutand
st
aredatt
hemount
ain,
smi
li
ng.
Me:"
What
?"Hegoti
nnextt
ome,
pul
li
ngmecl
ose
t
ohim.
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Me:"
Youl
ookpl
eased.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam pl
eased.Ihaveyoui
nmyar
ms.
"
Me:"
Hm.Sowhatmadeyoucal
lmet
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
tol
dmehesawyoueMoyeni
."
Me:"
Yeshedi
d.Iwentt
her
ewi
thKhayaf
or
br
eakf
asti
cecr
eam."
Nkosi
:"Adat
e."
Me:"
Itwasn'
tadat
e.Khayawasj
ustbei
ngni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Hewant
syou.
"
Me:"
IknowbutIwantsomeoneel
se.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveyout
oldyoursomeoneel
set
hatyou
wanthi
m? "
Me:"
No.Notyet
."
Nkosi
:"Tel
lhi
m."
Me:"Idon'
twantt
onow,
I'
m busyt
alki
ngt
oyou.
"He
smil
ed.
Nkosi:"
Fine.Thedri
nksar
ehere.
"Hegotupagai
n,
walki
nginside.Hecamebackwit
hthej
uiceand
somesnacks.
Me:"
Thankyou."Itookalongsi
pthenputitasi
de.
Hesatbacknexttome, l
ayi
ngontheloungebed,
st
ari
ngatthemount ai
ns.
Nkosi
:"That
'sagoodsi
gn.
"
Me:"
Themi
star
oundt
hemount
ains?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Someonefeel
sthesamewayaboutme
asIdoher."Helookedatme.
Me:"
Iwonderwhosomeonei
s."
Nkosi
:"You.Iwantt
obei
nyourl
if
eThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
You'
real
readyi
nmyl
if
eNkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt
obeyourf
ri
end.
"
Me:"
Ithi
nkI'
m adel
ighttohaveasaf
ri
end.You'
d
bemissi
ngout.
"Hesmiled.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tdoubtt
hatatal
lbutIwantmor
ethan
t
hat
.I'
m wi
ll
ingtowaithoweverl
ongi
ttakesf
oryou
t
obecomfortabl
ewit
hme. "
Me:"
Andwhataboutyour
..
.st
atus?
"
Nkosi
:"Mystat
ushasnot
hingt
odowi
thyouandI
.
I
t'
smyj ob.
"
Me:"Nkosi
,that
'snotaj
ob.That
'syourl
if
e.That
's
yourent
ir
eidenti
ty.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotal
lme.
"
Me:"
Thenshowmeal lyou.Idon'twantt
oseet he
f
utur
eKing.Iwantt
oseeNkosi nhle.
"Hesighed.
Nkosi
:"That'
sdif
fi
cul
tThembisa.
"Het
urnedont
o
hi
sback,stari
ngupatthesky.
Me:"Iknowt hatbutIcan'
tgoi
ntoarel
ati
onshi
p
wit
haper sonIdon'tknow.Bei
ngroyal
tycan'
tbe
yourpersonali
ty.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
ngsaredif
fer
entf
ormeandyou.I
under
standwhatyou'
resayi
ng.I
t'
sjust
.Idon'
t
knowhowt oshowyou."
Me:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Nkosi :"BecauseImysel fdon'tknowwhoIam.I
can'tfigureitout.Iwasbr oughtbackher ebef oreI
did.WhenIwentt oCal i
forniaIwasf r
ee.No
security,nor oyalschedule.Iwasast udent .I'
ve
neverr eall
ybeenbi gonf ri
endsbutIhadaf ew.I
metaf ewwomen.Thr ought hatwhol eexper i
enceI
heldmysel fbackbecauseIknewi twoul dendone
day.Year swentbyandIgr aduated.Myf at her
stoppedaski ngmeaboutcomi ngback.If eltfree.I
felthehadf i
nallygivenup.Ist art
edgoi ngoutmor e,
meet i
ngpeopl e,havingfun.Twoyear sintomynew
foundf reedom, Icamebackt omyhousef rom wor k.
BlackSUVsl inedt hestreet.Securi
t yeverywher e.
That '
swhenIknewi twasover .Ikindofshutdown
from thatpoi nt.
"Youcoul dn'tevenf eelpaini nhi s
voice, i
twasst raightandnumb." I'
venevert ol
dt hat
toanyone. "
Me:"I
'
m sor
ryyouhadt
ogothr
ought
hatbutnow,
howdoyouexpectmet
ogi
veupmylif
etheway
youdi
d?"
Nkosi
:"Youwon'
thaveto.Iwon'
tlett
hathappen.I
knowIhaven'
tshownyouhowmuchIwantt obe
withyou.Themount ai
nt r
ail
,notcommuni catingan
entireweek.However ,I
'
m alwaysgoingtopr otect
andt akecar eofyou.Youmaynotseei tbutt here'
s
someonel ookingafteryoueverywhereatalltimes,
givingyouyourspaceandpr i
vacybutprotecting
your egardless."It
houghtofLeni ntherestaurant.
Mt hunziandhi swifeathershop.
Me:"
DoyouknowLi
nda,
myr
esi
dentl
eader
?"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
does,
yes.Sher
epor
tst
ohi
m."
Me:"
Soyou'
rest
alki
ngme.
"
Nkosi:"I
'm not.I
'
m makingsureyou' r
ef i
ne.You
haveat endencytonoteatwhenyou' restressed
andsoIhadt hem addtheporri
dgei nthebreakf
ast
menusoyoucanhavesomecomf ort.I
'm st
il
l
getti
ngt oknowyou, soIwi
llknowmor eofyour
favori
tes.Didyoureall
ythi
nkI'djustleaveyou
alone,unatt
endedanduncar edfor?"Ismiled.
Me:"
Howi
sthi
spossi
ble?
"
Nkosi:"
Myfamil
yownst hecity,
sur
roundingar
eas,
t
heent i
repr
ovi
nce.Webui l
ttheuni
versi
tyand
r
esidenti
alf
ort
hestudents.I
twasani ni
ti
ati
veto
givebackt
oourpeopl
eandwhatbetterwayt
odo
thatt
hanoffer
ingt
opqual
it
yeducat
ion?"
Me:"
buti
t'
sexpensi
ve.
"
Nkosi
:"Noi
t'
snot
."Het
urnedonhi
ssi
det
ofaceme
agai
n.
Me:"
Myf
atherpayst
hosef
ees.They'
real
ot.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydoeshedot
hat
?"
Me:"
He'
smyf
ather
.It
hinkt
hatpar
tiscl
ear
."
Nkosi
:"No,Imeantther
e'sschol
arshi
psavai
lable
f
orthosecomingfrom t
hevill
agesinthepr
ovince.
"
Me:"
That'
sselect
ivescholar
shi
ps.They'
regi
vent
o
t
opperf
ormingstudents.
"
Nkosi :"
No.That 'sonlyone.Ther e'
st hreediffer
ent
scholarshi psThembi sa.Icreatedt hatpr oj
ect,i
t
wasmyf avorit
e.Thef i
rstistheacademi c
scholarshi pfortopperformer s,yes.Thesecondi s
foranyonewhogr ewi nthevi l
lagesinsi dethe
province,theyonl yneedt heirhighschoolr eport
untilmatric.Thet hi
rdschol arshipisf or
disadvant agedindivi
duals.Thi sonei sst il
lonthe
rol
lout.We'reworkingthefi
nerdetai
lsbutIwanted
i
ttobef ocusedont eenagemothers,youngboys
rai
sedbysi ngl
emot hersandchil
dheadedf amil
ies.
I'
m havingitfi
nali
zednextmonth,soi tcanbe
avai
lableforsecondsemester.
"Istaredathim,
absolut
elyshocked.
Me:"
I'
venever
..
.hear
doft
his.Idi
dn'
tknow.
"
Nkosi:"
Thenwe'
llhavetodoabet t
erj
obat
spreadi
ngtheword.It
hinkmyvisit
stothevi
ll
ages
needtoincl
udehighschoolvi
sit
s."
Me:"
Doyoudopubl
icspeeches?
"
Nkosi
:"Absol
utel
ynot
.Idon'tdospeaki
ngatal
l.I
haveaspeakerwhodoesthose."
Me:"
Soyouj
ustsi
tther
ewhi
l
ehe'
sspeaki
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"She.Yes.
"
Me:"
Isshepr
ett
y?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Igi
ggl
ed."
What
?"
Me:"Iexpect
edyout
oli
eandsaynooravoi
dthe
questi
on."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
e."
Me:"Butdoyouknowt hatifyouwantt omakemor e
ofani mpacttoyourpeopl e,t
hey'l
lfeelmore
i
mpor tanttoyou?Iknowyoudon' tli
ketal
king
but.
..
peopl eli
kebeingspokent o.Being
acknowl edged.That'
showt heybegi ntol
ikeyou,
thenloveyou.Thengi vetheirli
feforyou.
"Ilooked
down, avoidi
nghiseyes.
Nkosi
:"Iam notagoodspeakerbutIwi
llt
aket
his
i
ntoconsider
ati
on.
"
Me:"Howareyoursi
ster
s?"Ichangedt
het
opi
c,
openi
ngthesnackst
oeat.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.Idon'
tli
ket
hem much.
"
Me:"
Whyi
sthat
?"
Nkosi
:"They'
remeanspiri
tedpeople.Ionl
yaccept
havi
ngthem aroundbecausethey'
refamil
yand
havi
ngthem aroundmakesmypar entshappy.
"
Me:"
Howar
etheymean?
"
Nkosi
:"They'
resel
fi
sh.Al
lthr
eeofthem.Theythink
ofnooneelsebutthemsel
ves.Theyhavenegat
ive
remarksabouteverythi
ngandeveryone.Royalor
not.Nothi
ngtheysayordoaf f
ectsme.Iignore
them becauseIdon'thar
m women."
Me:"
They'
dbebestf
ri
endswi
thmymot
her
."
Nkosi
:"I
sshel
iket
hatt
oo?
"
Me:"Sometimes.Alotofthetime,yesbutother
ti
messhe'sfine.She'
sveryconfusing.You'dswear
shehatesyouatt i
mesbutt henthenextdayshe
bakesyouacakeandr ubsyourshoulders.Lat
ely
though.
..We'
veonl ybeenbutti
ngheads."
Nkosi
:"She'
sjeal
ousofyou.
"
Me:"Whyonear
thwoul
dshebe?Ican'
tbemy
dad'
swif
e."
Nkosi:"You'rehi
sfir
stgir
l.Hei
scr azyaboutyou.
Hepr obablydidn'
tnoti
cebutperhapswhenyou
werebor n,hefocusedonyouanddi deveryt
hinghe
couldforyou.Youchangedt hedynami cofthei
r
l
ives.Hisfirstpr
ior
it
ybecameyou. "
Me:"
That
'snott
rue.
"
Nkosi
:"Yourf
atherdr
oveyout
oschoolf
or
regi
strati
on.Tookyououtt oani cerest
aurant
,
protectedyoufrom themant hatwasstari
ngatyou
foranhourandahal f,
stayedunt i
lyougotyour
room.NeedIcont inue?"
Me:"
That'
sstandarddadstuf
f.Hedoesthesame
f
orNele.I
fanyt
hing,shehasmoreofhimthanIdo.
"
Nkosi
:"She'snothisfi
rstl
ove.Heknowsi tandyour
motherknowsi t
.Ihavenodoubti nmymi ndthat
yourf
atherlovesbothhischildr
enandhiswife.Al
ot.
You'
rejustdif
fer
entThembi sa.You'
rehi
speace."
NowImi ssedhim.
Me:"Ihearyou.How'
syourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thyour
dad?
"
Nkosi
:"Fai
r.
"
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Nkosi
:"Myf
atherl
ikesmebecauseIam hi
sonl
y
hei
r.
"
Me:"
Hel
ikesyoubecauseyou'
rehi
sson,
what
's
wr
ongwi
ththat?
"
Nkosi
:"No,
hel
ikesmebecauseI
'
m hi
shei
r.I
fther
e
wasanot hercandidat
e,hewouldn'
tcar
e.My
fat
her'
streasureishislastbor
n.Myyoungestsi
ster
.
She's.
..
fr
agile.
"
Me:"
Howol
disshe?
"
Nkosi
:"19t
hisyear
."
Me:"
What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?"
Nkosi
:"You'
l
lmeetherandseef
oryour
sel
f.
"
Me:"
isshel
ikeyou?Qui
et?
"If
ini
shedmyj
uice.
Nkosi
:"Yesactual
ly.I
fyouwanttoseeaperson
morequietthanIam,it
'sher
."Heclosedhi
seyes.
"
Let'
sgoi nsi
de,i
t'
sgoingtorai
n."Hegotup.
Me:"
Theski
esar
ecl
ear
."
Nkosi:"
Okaythen,Iwantyoui
nbed.Come. "He
pul
ledmeup.It ookthechi
pspacketfol
lowinghi
m
i
nside.Acrackl
eofthunderer
uptedintheskyso
l
oudIgotaf ri
ght.
Me:"
That
'sst
range.Howdi
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"It
oldyouIcanpredi
ctt
hings.
"Hecl
osed
t
hesli
dingdoor."
Idon'
tknowifyoucangohome
toni
ght
."Icl
imbedonthebed,notent
ir
elycari
ngi
fI
dogoback.Hecantakemei nthemorning.
"Thembi
sa?"
Me:"
Hm?
"
Nkosi:"Areyouokaywi
ththat
?Ther
oadswi
llbe
sl
ippery,we'r
eonacli
ff
."
Me:"Pleasecomet obedNkosi,Imissedyou.
"He
j
uststoodandst ar
edatme." YesI'
m okaywit
hit
."
Hesmi led,
taki
ngoffhisshoes.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Havi ngThembi sai

nmyar msf el
tgood.Shegot
her selfcomf or
tabl
eanddozedof f.Ispentawhi l
e
star i
ngatherbeaut ifulface.Whatagor geous
human, shealmostlookedet hereal.Herskinwas
silksmoot h,i
nthecol ourofchocol at
e.Shesmel ls
sweet , notinaninover whelmingsense, buti
na
juicyfr eshi-
need-i
t-
in-my-mout hsense.Il oved
kissingherbutever ytimeIdi d,Ilostmysel fi
nher.
Thet houghtitselfwasmaki ngmedi zzy.Iheldher
closetomybodyont hecur veofherback, tryi
ng
thebestIcant oignor ethemount ainoushump
behindher .Icannotdealwi thanot hererectionfr
om
her,ithurtsforhour s.Mybodyl i
terallycravesfor
heryeti thasn'tbeeni nsideher .Iwant edtostayin
thisbedandj uststareatherf oreverbutMt hunzi
wasout si
de.Car ef
ul l
y,Iplacedapi l
lowunderher
headandgotup.Icar ri
edmyshoesoutt hedoor,I
didn'twanttowakeher .Mt hunziwaswai ti
nginthe
restaurantbar .
Nkosi
:"Yes?
"Hesmi
ledatme."
Whati
sitnow?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoyousay?
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"ThankyouperhapsbutIseewhyt hat
wouldbediff
icul
tforyou.Anyway,
it'
srai
ning.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wel
lawar
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Yourpeopl
ear
ehappy.
"
Nkosi
:"Yest
heyar
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Andyou?Ar
eyouhappy?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.Let
'sgetonwi
tht
hemeet
ing.
"
Mt hunzi
:"Alr
ight
.Tomorrowmorning,wehavetobe
eMandul u.Regul
arvi
sit
.They'
realsoinst
all
ingt
hei
r
newwat erpumpsoi twil
lbegreattohaveyoube
there.
"
Nkosi
:"Forawat
erpump?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Don'
tst
art
."
Nkosi:"Howbigisthiswat
erpump?Willi
tbe
accessibl
etoeveryone?Wil
li
tbeenoughfor
everyone?"
Mthunzi:"Nkosi,t
here'
snotmuchIcandookay?
Thisist
heschedul ethecurr
entKing,
yourfather
,
hasappr oved.Fornow,wecan'tcomplai
n.Wecan't
haveroyalconfli
ctsosoonbeforeyou'
recrowned.
Let'
swai tthi
sout."
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.Whatel
se.
"
Mthunzi
:"Thenewr esisalmostf
ini
shed.Youdo
knowyourfatherhatesthi
sri
ght?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Heonl
yaccept
edi
tbecausei
twaspar
t
ofmyconditi
ons.
"
Mthunzi:"
Youreal
lypl
ayedt
hatwel
l.Anyway,thi
s
r
esidencewil
lhaveadaycare,
heal
thcenterand-"
Nkosi
:"St
opr
ightt
her
e.Thatwoul
dbeenough.
"He
si
ghed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Thenewr eshaspl entyofyearstobe
devel
opedMt hunzi.Stopt heprojectwit
honlythose
twoaddit
ionalameni t
ies.Meanwhi l
e,wecango
backtorenovatetheol dresidencestobringt
hem to
thest
andardoft henewone. "
Mthunzi
:"Wecan'
trenovat
eabui
ldi
ngt
hathas
peopl
eli
vingi
nitNkosi.
"
Nkosi
:"We'
l
ldoi
tdur
ingDecemberhol
idays.
"
Mthunzi
:"Fine.
"Hewrot
edownonhisbook."
Next
vi
ll
agetovisiti
sMthi
nomkhul
u."Hel
ookedatme.
Nkosi
:"When?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thur
sday.I
t'
sourfur
thestvi
ll
age.You
mi
ghthavetosl
eepther
e.I
t'
saf ourhourdri
ve.
"
Nkosi
:"Ial
soneedtodosomet
hingapartf
rom
work.
"Aslowsmilefor
medonhisface.
Mt
hunzi
:"What
?"
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
ovi
sitThembi
sa'
sfat
her
'sf
arm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Tr
yingt
obut
terhi
m up?
"
Nkosi:"No.Toapologize.Thembi
safeelsIwas
di
srespectfultowardhim whenheapproachedme
i
nther estaurant
."
Mthunzi:"
Andyoudon'
tfeel
thatyouwer
e
di
srespectf
ul?
"
Nkosi:"Ofcoursenot.Whowasr ightorwr ong
doesn'tmat t
er.Idon'
twanttobeinhi sbadbooks.
Thembi salovesherdad,i
fhedoesn' tacceptmy
pl
eatomar ryhisdaught
er,Imightjustloseher.
"
Mthunzi
:"Wai
t.
..Youcameupwi
tht
hatal
lyour
own?"
Nkosi:"
I'
m notst
upidMthunzibutIdoneedyour
hel
pi nt
alki
ngtohim.Hedoesn'tneedmoneyor
gi
fts.Hepayshisdaught
ersfeesandhousingful
ly.
Ineedawayt oconnectt
ohim personal
ly.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llpr
epar
ethat
."Hewr
otedown.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easeal
soaddaschoolvi
sit
."
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
veneverdonet
hat
."
Nkosi:"Wel
l,It
hinkitwil
lbegood.Alotoffamil
ies
str
ugglewit
hsendi ngtheirki
dstoschool.They
don'tknowthere'
soptions.I'
dli
kethespeakerto
tal
kt ocommuni t
iesmor eaboutthat
."Hestar
edat
me.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whoar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Whatareyouonabout?"Hegotup,
sti
ll
st
ari
ng."Canyoucalm down?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisnott
heNkosi
nhl
eIknow-
"
Nkosi
:"Justsi
tdownanddoasItel
lyouto.Iam
noti
nterest
edinsi
tt
ingwi
thyoual
lday.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ohther
eheis.
"Hesatdown."
Anyway,
t
hat'
syourschedulef
ort
heweek."
Nkosi
:"Ni
cel
ydone.Ihavesomef
reet
ime.Fi
nal
ly.
"
Mthunzi:"
You'
rewelcome.Oh,l
astthi
ng.Tomor r
ow
af
ternoonyou'
remeetingwit
hMpendul oSol
inga.
Hehasaf ewpapersforyoutogothrough.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.We'
redone?
"
Mthunzi:"Done.Sowhathaveyo- "Igotupand
walkedbackt omysuite.Mthunziistryi
ngt otur
n
myl i
feintohisromancestor
yandIdon' thavet i
me
f
orit.I'
l
lseehi minthemorning.Ihaveal ovel
y
womani nmybed, Iwantt
omakemywi fe.

Ican'
tseem t
otagoursponsoront
hepost
,I'l
ldo
sointhecomments,pl
easeshowhersomelove.

[
07/
27,
05:
41] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er13

SASAPOV_

Iwokeup,
stret
chi
ngmybodyal i
tt
le,
whenIopened
myeyesIfoundNkosist
ari
ngatme.
Me:"
Goodmor
ningbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Ist
ret
chedsomemor
e.Lastni
ght
,
wehadourdi nnerandwatchedamovi
ethenwent
tobed.Isleptinat-shi
rtofhi
s,i
nhi
sarms."
How
didyousleep? "
Me:"
Ver
ywel
l.
"Hesmi
led.
Nkosi:"
I'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Doyouknowwhatt
ime
i
tis?"
Me:"
Probabl
y6.
"Ipul
ledhi
m cl
oser
.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
s9am.
"Ij
umpedoutofbed.
Me:"
Whydi
dn'
tyouwakemeup?
"
Nkosi
:"Idi
d.Yousi
mpl
ycur
ledi
ntomyar
m."
Me:"Nkosi
nhl
eI'
mlat
eforschool
!Ineverbunk
school
."
Nkosi:"Icannotsummonyouawake.Thatwoul dbe
veryrude.Ther ai
nhascl ear
ed,wecantrydri
ve
downf oryout oattendyournextcl
ass.
"Irantothe
bathr
oom, st
ressed.Aquickshowerandwor emy
dressagain.WhenIwentbackt othebedroom.
Nkosiwasst il
linbed.
Me:"
Areyouser
ious?
"
Nkosi
:"Youst
il
lhavet
oeat
-"
Me:"Iam nothungr
yNkosi
.Iam l
ate.Pl
ease,
let
's
go.
"
Nkosi:"
Fine."Hegotoutofbed,pull
ingonpant s
andashi r
t.Iwassoscar edasifsomeonewas
goingtogivemeahi dingforbei
nglate.I'
m never
l
ate.Howdi dIoversleep?Nkosiwasst ar
ingatme.
Me:"
What
?"
Nkosi
:"Maybeyoushoul
dhavesomeclot
hesher
e.
I
t'
scoldoutsi
deandyouhavenot
hingt
owear.
"
Me:"I
'l
lbeokay.Let
'sgo.
"Hedidn'
tmove.Ohmy
God.Iwentovertoki
sshisl
ips.
Nkosi:"
Mor ningt oyout oo.Baby.
"Hesmi l
ed,
holdi
ngmyhand." Let'
stakeyout oschool.
"We
walkedoutt hesui t
e.Out si
dethebuildi
ng,the
groundwasst il
lwetandIwaswear ingsandals.I'
l
l
havetohopt othecarIguess.Nkosipul ledme
back,scoopingmeupi nhisarmsef f
ortl
esslyand
walkedmet ot hecar ."
Whydoyouwantt ostepon
coldwater?"Igiggled.Weent eredthecar,dri
ving
backtotheci ty.
Me:"
Whatwi
llyoubedoi
ngt
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngtoeMandul
u.ThenI
'
m meet
ing
Mpendulomylawyer
.Youwantt
ocomeseeme?"
Me:"Notduri
ngschooldays.Lookathowl
ateIam.
Thi
scan'thappenagai
n."
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantmet
osummonyouawaket
he
nextt
ime?"
Me:"Becauseyoucancr
eepi
ntomydreams?
"I
chuckl
ed.Hepull
edmeontohisl
ap.
Nkosi
:"Andwhati
fIcan?
"Iki
ssedhi
sli
ps.
Me:"
Thendoi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'tcompl
ainwhenIdo.Whenam Iseei
ng
youagain?
"
Me:"
Fri
day.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'tsur
vivethatagai
n.I
'
mfr
eetomor
row,
whenyoumi ssmet el
lmesoIcancomeandsee
you.
"Ismiled.
Me:"We'l
lsee."Hekissedmylips,
bit
ingmyl
ower
l
ip.Thecarstopped."Ihavet
ogo."
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtaki
ngyoutoschool
.Gochange.Your
shut
tl
ehasl
onglef
tandit
'sst
il
lcol
d."
Me:"Okay.Luckil
yIalreadyshowered."Igotoutthe
carrunningi
nsidetheres.Obviouslynoonewas
around.EvenAmahl ewasn'there.Herbedwas
unmadebutherschoolbagwasgone.Ichanged
i
ntojeans,sneakers,
awar mt opandjacket.
Grabbedmyschoolbagandr anbackoutt ot hecar
.
Thiswasembar rassi
ng.Thankgoodnessnoone
wasar oundtoseemyshamef ulactofarri
vingvery
l
ateint hemorni
ng.Thecardr ovetotheschool
buil
ding.
Nkosi
:"Howi
syourassi
gnmentgoi
ng?
"
Me:"Nott
oobadfornow.Imanagedtogett
hrough
themostofi
tonSatur
day.I
t'
sagoodthingyou
deci
dednott
opit
chup."Hesmiled.
Nkosi
:"Youwentt
oAmel
ia'
sforme?
"
Me:"I
t'
stheonl
ypl
aceIknowwher
etof
indyou.
"He
ki
ssedmyhand.
Nkosi
:"Thi
swon' thappenagain.I
fitdoes,
got o
Li
ndaandtellhertocallMthunzif
oryou.I'
llnever
i
gnor
eyou.I
'
llnevernotwantt
obewi
thyou.
"
Me:"Thankyou."Thecarstoppedinfrontoft
he
schoolgat
e."Okaybyenow. "Iki
ssedhim onelast
ti
meandgotof fthecar
,runningtoclass.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Isatinthecarwatchinghergoi ntot
heschool
buil
ding.Whatanamazi ngnight.Ist
hatwhatitwil
l
al
waysbel ike?Iwasquicklylosingi
nter
esti
n
sl
eepingalone.Thembisawassoeasyt obearound
andgoof yt
oo.Ont opofthat,whatapleasur
eto
l
ookat .Thedooropenedagai nandsheclimbedin.
Nkosi
:"Whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwi
thyou?
"
Amahl
e:"
Mor
ningt
oyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Ispeci
fi
cal
lysai
ddon'
tgobackt
her
eand
whatdoyoudo? "
Amahl
e:"
Youl
ookedmi
ser
abl
e."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hishavet
odowi
thmeman
Amahl
e!?
"
Amahle:"
IfIdi
dn'
tgobacktomyr esroom,where
youf
eelI'
mt hr
eateni
ngyourgi
rl
fr
iend'
speace,you
woul
dn'thavecal
ledhert
omakesur eshe'
sokay."
Nkosi
:"Youbett
erstaythefuckawayf
rom
Thembisa.Andthenextti
meyouwanttokil
l
your
sel
f,doitawayfrom her!
"
Amahl
e:"
Fine.CanIgonow?
"Il
ookedoutt
he
wi
ndow.
Nkosi
:"Iwasgoi
ngt
ocal
lher
."
Amahle:"AndonedayImi
ghtdi
e.Si
ncewet
ell
ing
eachotherli
es.
"
Nkosi
:"WhyAmahl
e?Whydoyoudot hi
s?Doyou
knowhowthi
saff
ectsourpar
ent
s?"
Amahl
e:"
Youthi
nkIcanhel
pit
?Youtr
yit
somet
imeandseewher
eyouendup.
"
Nkosi
:"Sayt
hatagai
n."Ihi
ssed.
Amahl
e:"
It
'shar
dNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Awayf
rom her
.I'
m notabovemaki
ngyour
l
if
ehel
l.
"
Amahl e:"i
talreadyis.
"Shewhi spered,
get ti
ngof f
thecar.Mydr iverdroveoff,f
ir
ststopbei ngt he
palace.Ireal
lydon'tknowwhatt odoaboutAmahl e
atthisstage.Itwasn'tfai
ronanyone, i
twoul dbe
betteri
fshewasj ustathomesohermot herscan
l
ookaf terher.Inst
eadshej ustwant st
ot raumat i
ze
peoplewhowon' tunderstandher.Knowi ng
Thembi sa,i
fthishappensagai n,shewillfallapart
.

Wer eachedthepalace,Iwalkedin.I'
venever
l
ookedmor efor
wardtot omorrow.Icheckedmy
phone, anewmessage.<Madei ttosecondclass.
Thinki
ngaboutyou. >Ismiled,t
ypingback.
<Thinkingaboutyoutoo.Ican'twaittoseeyou
again.>
Sikhosana:"MyPr
ince.
"Il
ookedupathi
m."
Are
you..
.smil
ing?"
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningf
ather
."Ist
rai
ght
enedmy
f
ace.
Si
khosana:"
Goodmor
ning?You'
venevernotonce
sai
ditwasagoodmor
ning.What
'schanged?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Si
khosana:"
It
'sawoman,
isn'
tit
?"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
-"
Sikhosana:"
I'
veneverseent
hatl
ookonyourf
ace.I
t
hastobeawoman. "
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
ogetr
eadyf
ormymeet
ing.
"
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Sikhosana:"
Youknowwhoyouar e.Youcan'
tlet
thisweaknessgeti
nthewayofyourdesti
ny.
"
Nkosi:"Iknowfather.
"Iwalkedupt omyr oom,
taki
ngashowerandget ti
ngdr essed.Ther egal
atti
rewasr equi
redforvi
llagevisi
tsandIhat edit
butIwasi nnomoodt ohaveagowi t
hfathertoday
especiall
ybecausehe'slookingforaf i
ght.Imadeit
backdownst air
s.Mthunziwaswai t
ingforme.
Mthunzi
:"MyPri
nce."Iwal
kedoutt
hehousetothe
car
,hefol
lowedaft
erme.Thecardroveof
f.For
onceMthunziwasqui
et,
notpr
obingandleavi
ngme
thehel
lal
one.Theoneti
meIactual
lywanttot
alk.
Nkosi:"Stopthecar .
"Thedriverpull
edt ot
hesi deof
thecar."Getout .
"Hehoppedout ,
closingt
hedoor
behi
ndhi m.Isi ghed."Idon'
twantt oloseher.My
famil
yisgoi ngt orui
nwhatIhavewi thher.She's
theonlypersont hattreat
smel ikeahumanbei ng.
Theonlyonet hatmakesmehappy. "
Mthunzi:"
Wecanwor kar
oundthis.Yourfat
her
al
readyaccept
edt hatyoucanmar ryanyoneyou
choose.Wedon'thavetotel
lthem whoshei s.We
j
ustplanawedding."
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkwecanpul
lthatof
f?"
Mt
hunzi
:"There'
sli
tt
let
onot
hingIwon'
tdof
oryou.
Wewil
lpulli
toff
."
Nkosi
:"What
'st
hel
i
ttl
ethatyouwoul
dn'
tdof
or
me?"
Mthunzi:"
Iwouldn'
tgeti
ntobedwi
thyou,
that
'sf
or
sur
e."Ismiled.
Nkosi
:"Mybedi
sreser
vedf
ormywomansoyou
woul
dn'
tbewel
comeanyway.
"
Mthunzi:"
Thisi
sgoodNkosi.You'refeel
ing.Idont
evenneedtoprepyouanymor e.Youjustfl
ewoutof
heretoherinanef
for
ttoprotecther.You'r
efall
ing
i
nl ove.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay,t
hat
'sjustdramati
c.Idi
dn'tfl
yout,I
wasdri
ven.Ican'
tfallinl
ove.We'r
esti
llinourear
ly
st
ages.Ionlyf
eelprotect
iveofher
."
Mthunzi
:"That
'sl
oveNkosi
.Youwoul
dn'
tpr
otect
someoneyoudon'tl
ike.
"
Nkosi
:"Woul
dn'
tI?
"
Mthunzi
:"YouknowwhatImean.Haveyout
oldher
howyoufeel?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mthunzi
:"Tel
lherthen.Weal
readyknowshef
eel
s
thesamebutitwoulddoyouawor l
dofgoodi
fshe
saidi
thersel
fbacktoyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Howwi
llIt
ellher
..
.WhatIr
eal
lyam.
"
Mthunzi:"
We'l
lfi
gur
eitoutaswego.
"Iknockedon
t
hewi ndow.Thedri
vercamebacki
nsi
de,dri
vingt
o
ourdest
inat
ion.

SASAPOV_

Icamebackf rom schooli

ntheafternoonandi t
seemedl iketherainswouldbestarti
ngagai n.I
didn'tdomuchatschool ,t
het woclassesIdi d
attendwer en'
tquit
ewhatIwasexpect i
ng.Isatin
mydesk, t
akingoutmybooks.Bef oreIbegan
studying.Itext
edNkosi:<I'
m homef rom school
baby.HowwaseMandul u?>Iputitasideanddi d
mywor k.Inanhour ,
Amahlewalkedi n.
Ama:"
Hi.
"
Me:"Hel
lo."If
ocusedonmybooksqui et
ly.Actuall
y
Iwasavoidingher
.SheknowsIsl eptoutlastnight
andwasn'tbackontimeforschoolsoIdi dn'
twant
hert
ojudgeme.
Ama:"Associ
atehasbecomeaboyf
ri
endI
assume."
Me:"
Uhm.
.Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
."
Ama:"
Whenwefir
stmet.Yousai
dyouweren'tsure
i
fhewasaboyf
ri
end,youcal
ledhi
m anassociat
e."
Me:"
oh.Yeah.
"Ichuckl
edner
vousl
y.
Ama:"
Ishet
reat
ingyouwel
l?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Ama:" Doyouthinkhelovesyou?"Il
ookedather.
Shestoodstrangelyint
hemi ddl
eoftheroom.Body
str
aight,
armsonhersi debutherheadwasslight
ly
ti
lt
ed.Verysl
ightly.
Me:"
It
'sst
il
ltooear
lyt
otel
l.
"Iswal
lowed.
Ama:"Doyourf
ri
endsknowabouthi m?
"Whywas
sheaski
ngmeallthesequest
ions?
Me:"Ihaven'
ttoldanyoneabouthi
m.Ijustwantto
keepitt
omysel ffornow.Hopeyouunderst
and."
Ama:"Good.Keepittoyoursel
f.Noonewil
lbe
happyforyou.Noteventheonesyouthi
nkyoucan
counton.Haveyouwat chedGameofKings?"
Me:"
Iuhm.
..No.Idon'
tknowwhatt
hati
s."
Ama:"
Whenyou'
redonewi
thyourwor
k,wecanuse
myl aptoptowatchit
.Ithi
nkyou' l
lenjoyit.
"Sheput
herbagdown.Okay, Amahlewasbegi nningto
creepmeout .IsowishZimmycoul dbargei nhere
andst ealme.WhyisNkosinotr espondingtomy
message?Ist ar
edatmyassi gnment ,re-
writi
ng
thi
ngsIdi dn'
tneedtobutIcouldn'tholdoffafter
anotherhourpassed.Notanylonger .
Ama:" I'
m get
ti
ngsnacks. "Shewal kedoutt
heroom.
Itookmyphonedi alingZimmy.Herphonewason
voicemail.WasIoverr eacting?Amahl ewasfi
nall
y
reachingout,t
ryingtomakeaf r
iend,whywasI
scared?It'
snotlikesheaskedt obei l
l,
maybeshe
justneedsaf r
iendwhowi l
lunderstandher
.Ther
e's
noneedt obeskept i
cal.Shecamebackwi t
hsome
snacksandcool drinks.
Ama:"
Mybedoryour
s?"Shechuckl
ed.
Me:"Yoursisfi
ne."Ismiled.Sheopenedherlapt
op,
pl
aci
ngi tatthefootofthebed.Sheclimbedonher
bedandInextt oher,l
ayingonourbelli
es."
Whatis
i
tabout?"
Ama:"
Agener
ati
onofki
ngst
hathavei
ncr
edi
ble
superpowers.Fasci
nati
nghowt
heymaket
hese
thi
ngsup,don'tyout
hink?"
Me:"Ri
ght.
"Il
aughedner
vousl
y."
Asift
her
e'ssuch
at
hing.Goodenter
tai
nmentt
hough.
"Shel
aughed.
Ama:" Ya.Goodent ertai
nment ."Wewatchedt he
fi
rstepisodequi etl
y.Theser ieswasaboutar oyal
famil
y.Aki ng, hi
squeenandt hei
rfami
ly.Thei r
chil
drenwer esti
llyoung.Twoboysand1gi r
l.The
onlyproblem wast hatthekingwasevil.Icoul dtell
thatfr
om t heveryf ir
stepisode.Towardst heendof
thefi
rstepi sode,hemar r
iedasecondwi fe.Hi sfi
rst
wasshat teredofcour sebutcoul ddonothi ngabout
i
t.
Ama:"
Pret
tysad,
right
."
Me:"
Yeah.Buti
t'
sfi
cti
on,
so.
"
Ama:"
Yeahbutal
lki
ngsusual
lyhavemor
ethan
onewi
fe.
"
Me:"
Notal
lki
ngs.Sur
ely.
"
Ama:"
Alloft
hem.
"Il
ookedather
.
Me:"
Whywoul
dyoubesosur
e?"
Ama:"
Ijustam.Secondepi
sode?
"
Me:"Yeah. "Wewat chedt womor eepi
sodesbeforeI
deci
dedt ogetdinner .Thisserieswashear t
wrenching.Thekingwasar uthlessman.Hiswives
weremor eli
kehi
ssl avest hanpar t
ner
s.Hehadno
ti
mef orhiskidsandont opofi tall
,hi
skingdom
wassuf feri
ngwhilehel ivedlavishl
y.
Me:"
Doyouwantt
ogetdi
nner
?"
Ama:"
Idon'
treal
lyl
i
kebei
ngout
side.
"
Me:"
Right
,butyouhavet
oeat
."
Ama:"
Icanj
usthavet
hem del
ivermi
ne.
"
Me:"ComeAmahl e.Youcan'
tbecoupedupi nhere
allt
heti
me.Let'
sgo."Wegotup,leavingfordi
nner
.
Shealwayshadahoodieon,nomat terhowhotit
was,andnowshehadt hehoodoverherhead.
"Todayi
sgri
ll
edchickenandveggies."
Ama:"
hm.
"
Me:"
You'
renotveget
ari
anr
ight
?"
Ama:"
I'
m vegan."Weorder
edourmeal
s.Ever
yone
i
nthedi
ninghallst
aredatus.I
twasso
uncomf
ort
abl
e."
I'
m goi
ngbackt
other
oom.
"
Me:"
They'
l
lmi
ndt
hei
rbusi
nessevent
ual
ly.
"
Ama:" I'
m notwai t
ingtillt
hen."Shegotherf ood,
grabbingawat erbot tl
eandl eftfort
her oom.Itook
myf oodandj uice,sitt
ingdownont hetable.I
checkedmyphone, therewasonemessagef rom
Nkosi.<Heybaby.Ihadal ongday.Howar eyou? >
Thenasecondone:<ar eyoubusy? >Irespondedto
him:<no, justhavingdi nner.Waswat chingaser i
es
withAmahl e.
>Sent .Myphoner angalmost
i
mmedi ately.
Me:"
Heybaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"
Me:"
Howwasyourday?
"
Nkosi
:"I
twasf
ine.Howwasyour
s?"
Me:"
Good.Just
..
.Idon'
tknow.It
hinkther
e's
somet
hingof
faboutmyroommate, Amahle.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dshedonow.
"
Me:"
Nothi
ng.She'
sjust
..
.str
ange.Thewayshe
l
ooksatmesometimes,l
ikeshe'
swatchi
ngme.If
t
hatmakessense.
"Hesi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"CanIcomeseeyou?
"
Me:"
Yes,
butIcan'
tsl
eepoutt
oni
ghtbaby.
"
Nkosi:"Iknow.Youpr obablywon' twanttoeit
her.I
'l
l
betheresoon. "Hehungup.Nowwhatwast hat
about?Washemadt hatIdi dn'
twantt ogohome
wit
hhi m?Thatwoul dbest upi dbecausewe'renot
married.Itookmyf oodt ot hebedr oom.WhenI
walkedi n,
Amahl ewasi nherbed, anothergi
rlsat
nexttoher .Idon'
tthinkI'veseenherbef ore.
Me:"
Hey.
"Theybot
hlookedatme.
Ama:"Thi
sismyroommat
e,Thembi
sa.Thembi
sa
t
hisi
sNothando.
"
Me:"
Hi.
"Ismi
led.
Notha:"Hi
."ShelookedbackatAmahl eand
conti
nuedtheirconversat
ion.Ouch,okay.Ipl
aced
myf oodonthesmal lbarfri
dge.Thenwentt ofi
x
myhai r
.
Ama:"Secondnighti
narow.Hemustbequi
te
ent
ert
aini
ng."Il
ookedather
.
Me:"
What
?"
Ama:"
You'
regoi
ngt
oyourmanagai
n?"
Me:"
Onl
yforabi
t.Iwon'
tbel
ong.
"
Ama:"
Iknow."It
hinkIcangowai
tforNkosii
n
Zi
mmy'sroom.
Me:"Okay.I
'm out
."It
ookmyphone,walki
ngout
ther
oom towardZimmy'sroom.Iqui
ckl
yknocked
onherdoor.Sheopened.
Zi
mmy:"
Sasa.
"
Me:"Hey.
"Iwal
kedi
n.Fi
kil
ewasi
nbed,
onher
phone.
Zi
mmy:"
What
'sup?
"
Me:"
Myr
oommat
eiscr
eepi
ngmeout
."
Zi
mmy:"
Whydoyousayt
hat
?"
Me:"Idon'
tknowhowt oevenexpl ai
nit
.Likejust
now.TheguyI '
m seeinghadcalledwhileIwasi n
thedi
ninghall
,hesaidhewant st oseeme.SoIgot
tomyr oom t
oputdownmyf oodandgetr eady.
SuddenlyshejustaskedifI
'm goingtomyman.
WhenItol
dheronl
yf orafewmi
nut
esshesai
d,'
I
know.
'Canyoubel
ievethat?
"
Zimmy:"
WhatIf i
ndmorehar
dtobelieveisthatshe
knowsaboutyourmanandIdon'
t.YetIthoughtI
wasyourfr
iend.
"
Me:"
Zimmy,
Itol
dyouIcan'
tsayasofyet
-"
Zimmy:" AndwhyisthatThembisa?Youcan'tbe
datingamar r
iedman,areyou?Alotofgir
lsher
esay
they'veseenyougetti
ngintoablackSUV.And
appar entl
yyoudidn'
tevensleepherelastni
ght.
What 'sthatabout
?"
Me:"
Whyar
eyouact
ingl
iket
hisnow?
"
Zimmy:"Itel
lyoueverythi
ngaboutmylif
eand
whensomet hingthisi
mportant
,li
ket
hisbei
ngyour
fi
rstboyf
ri
end, youcan'
teventel
lme.SoIdon'
t
know,Thembisa. "
Me:"
Iwil
ltel
lyouZi
masa.Just
,pl
easebepat
ient
?
We'
rest
il
lgett
ingt
oknoweachother.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ifyousayso.
"Myphoner
ang.
Me:"
Ihavet
ogo.
"Sheopenedt
hedoorf
orme.I
walkedouttheroom, outt
hebuil
ding.I
twasdark
outsi
de,wi
thonlyaf ewstudent
scomi ngi
nfrom
schoolort
helibrar
y.Icli
mbedintothecar
.
Me:"
Hey."Hehel
douthishand.Iputmi
nei
nhi
s.
Hehel
ditsosoft
lybutf
ir
mly.
Nkosi
:"CanIhol
dyouf
orabi
t?"
Me:"Yes.
"Isatontopofhi
m.Hehuggedme."
Is
ever
ythi
ngokay?"
Nkosi
:"Most
ly,
yes.I
'
m of
ftomor
row.
"
Me:"
Irememberyout
oldme.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dreal
lyl
iket
ospendsomet
imewi
th
you.
"
Me:"Andyouwi l
l.You'
refort
unatemyTuesday
cl
assesareonlytil
l1pm.ButIwi l
lhavetobri
ngmy
assi
gnment,Iwanttoproperlyfi
nishitt
hisweekso
I'
m dedi
cat
ingonehourt oitever
yday."Iki
ssedhi
s
nose.
Nkosi
:"Ihavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyou.
"
Me:"
Ihavesomet
hingIwantt
otel
lyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Youst
art
."
Me:"Iwanttobewit
hyou.Offi
cial
ly.Notjust
gett
ingtoknowyou,butbei
ngyourgirl
fr
iend.I
real
lyl
ikeyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Ireal
lyl
ikeyoutoo.I
'm gl
adyouwanttobe
mywoman.Idon' tknowwhathappensnext,
dowe
shakehandsorsomet hi
ng?"Il
aughed.
Me:"
You'
resi
ll
y.No.We'r
eonthesamepage
t
hough?We'
reinarel
ati
onshi
p?"
Nkosi
:"Def
ini
tel
yyes.
"Heki
ssedmesl
owl
y.
Me:"
Okay.Yourt
urn.
"Hesi
ghed,
looki
ngoutt
he
wi
ndow.
Nkosi
:"Ihaven'
tbeencomplet
elyopenwi
thyou.
Yourr
oommat ewasn'
tpl
acedwi t
hyouby
coi
nci
dence."
Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Nkosi
:"Amahlewant edt
obeindependent.Escape
homeli
fe.Soshechoset ogototheresi
dence."
Well
,si
ncehisfamilyownstheuniver
sit
y,Linda
obvi
ouslyt
oldhim abouther
.
Me:"
Okay?
"
Nkosi:"
Mthunzi
placedherwi
thyou,t
hinki
ngit
wouldbeagoodi deai
fsheget
sclosertoyouand
youtoher.
"
Me:"
So.
..Shei
syourspy?
"
Nkosi:"No.Shedoesn' tspyonanyt hing.The
reasonwhyshe' sthereissot hatthere'
sno
uncontroll
ableoutsidesourcesinyourspace. "Igot
offhislap,sit
ti
ngnextt ohi
m." Wedi dn'twantsome
random girlwhowoul dbesnoopi nginyourt hings
andf i
guringourrelati
onshi
pt hen..
.Selli
ngthe
i
nf or
mat i
onorsentt oharm you.Itwoul dbe
dangerousf oryou."
Me:"
SoyougotAmahl
e?Whyher
?"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
eismyf at
her
'sl
astbor
nchi
ld.She'
s
mysist
er.
"Iwentcol
d.
Me:" Youplacedyoursi
steri
nmyr oom,thendi
dn'
t
bothertotellmeanythi
ngabouti
tbutitwasn'
t
spying?"
Nkosi
:"Ihavenor
easont
ospy-
"
Me:"Youalsohavenor easont oviolatemypr i
vacy
andchoice!Youmani pulatedt hesystem tofi
tyour
agenda!It
'
sallaboutyou.Di dyouevert hi
nkabout
mewhi l
eyoupl annedt hi
s?Isn' ti
tweirdtoyouthat
Ili
vedwithyoursist
eranddi dn' tknowatal l
?She
knowswe' r
etogether
, doesn'tshe?That '
swhyshe
keepsaskingaboutmyboyf ri
endal ltheti
me.It'
s
becausesheknowsi t'
sherbr other!
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"Noyou'r
enotNkosi.I
fyouwere,youwoul
dn'
t
havedonethi
s."Igotoutt
hecarwalki
ngbackt
omy
room.
[
07/
27,
05:
41] :Sponsor
edPost
:

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er14

SASAPOV_
Igott
omyr oom,Amahlewassti
llwi
thherf
ri
end.I
tookmyschoolbag,
packi
ngthebooksonmydesk.
Amahl
e:"
Andt
hen?
"
Me:"
Andt
henwhatAmahl
e?"
Ama:"
Okay?What
'st
hatf
or?
"
Me:"What'
swhatfor
?"Il
ookedather
.Shestayed
her
e.Shestayedwit
hmehereknowingful
lywell
whosheis.
Ama:"
Not
ha,
pleasegi
veusami
nut
e."
Me:"
Shedoesn'
thaveto.I'
ml eavi
ng."It
urnedback
t
ozipmybagclosed.Nothandowal kedoutthe
r
oom.
Ama:"
Whyar
eyouangr
y?"
Me:"
Whenwoul
dyouhavet
oldmet
hatyou'
re
r
oyal
ty?
"
Ama:"WhywouldItel
lyou?
"Istaredatherf
ora
ver
ylongtime,
shockedashell
.Itookoutmy
sui
tcase."
You'
rebei
ngunnecessaryThembi
sa,
wher
ewi
llyougo?Youcan'
tleavet
her
es-
"
Me:"
Amahle.Youdon'towemeanyt
hing.Idon'
t
oweyouanythi
ng.I'
m get
ti
ngt
hehel
lawayf r
om
youi
swhatI'
m doing."
Ama:" Don'
t.I
'
llmoveoutt omorrowmorning.You
havenowher etogo.Ihavet heenti
reci
ty.
"Iwant ed
toscream i
nherfacejustforthatst
upidsentence.
Didshehavet obrag?Igrabbedmyschoolbagand
walkedouttheroom.IknockedonZi mmy' sdoor.
Zi
mmy:"
Comei
n."Iopened,
wal
kingi
n.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Zi
mmy:"
What
'st
hat
?"
Me:"Ican'
tbeint
hatr
oom wi
thher
.CanIst
ayher
e
f
orthenight?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Why?Di
dshet
hreat
enyourr
elat
ionshi
p?"
Me:"Zimmyal lIaskedforwassuppor
tand
pati
ence.Idon'tgetwhyyou'r
esoangrythatyou
don'
tknowmyboyf r
iend-
"
Zi
mmy:"WhywouldIbeangr
yThembi
sa?Ohwai
t,
i
t'
snotbecausewemadeapromi
set
obebest
f
ri
ends,norisitt
hef actthatyoubar
elyhavet
ime
f
ormeor ,orthefactthatyournewbesti
eknows
moreaboutyouthanme! "
Me:"
I'
m notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thyou.
"
Zimmy:"
Ofcourse,
that
'swhyyou'r
edoi ngitwit
h
Amahle!
"Iwal
kedoutofherroom,pissed.Petu
bumpedint
omei nthepassage,
Ididn'tevensee
her.
Pet
u:"
Hey.What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"Nothi
ng.Ij
ustneedt
ogot
oLi
nda,
Ineedan
openroom."
Petu:"
Doyouwanttocomet
omyr
oom?Idon'
t
havear oommat
e."
Me:"
Areyousur
e?I
t'
sonl
yforoneni
ght
."
Petu:"
Yeah.Let'
sgo."Wewentupt oherroom
whichwasont henexttwofloors.Sheopenedt he
doorandwewal kedin.Herroom wasidenticalto
minebutverymuchcust omized.Shehadavi sion
boardhungont hewallandsomepai nt
ings.The
secondbedwasempt y.
Petu:"
I'
vegotsomeext r
al i
nen.Ididn'
tmakeit
becauseIthoughtI'
dgetassignedsomeonemaybe
nextweekandt hey'
dobviouslybri
ngthei
rown
thi
ngs."Shetookoutpi
nkl i
nenfrom herbag.
Me:"Thankyou.
"Shemadet
hebedf
orwhi
leIsat
onthechair
.
Pet
u:"
Wer
eyougoi
ngt
oseeZi
mmy?
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Pet
u:"She'
snott
here?That'
sst
range.Icoul
d've
swornIsawhercomein."
Me:"
She'
sther
e.She'
swi
thFi
kil
e."
Pet
u:"
Thembi
sa,
didsomet
hinghappen?
"
Me:"Myr oommat eiswei
rdandshe' ssupposedt o
moveoutt omorrow.Ij
ustfoundoutsomet hi
ng
aboutherthatmademeuncomf ortable.WhenI
wenttoZi mmyshewasangr y,clai
mi ngthatI'
m
shutt
ingheroutoftheimportantpartsofmyl i
fe,
speci
fical
lynottel
li
ngheraboutmyboyf ri
end.She
doesn'tunder
standwhyshehast obepat i
ent.
"
Pet
u:"
Becausehe'
sroyal
ty?
"Myhear
tsank.
Me:"
Notyout
oo.
"
Pet
u:"
Notmewhat
?"
Me:"
Howdi
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Petu:"Isawthecardropyouof fandanot
herti
me
pickyouup.OnlyRoyal saredri
veninbul
letpr
oof
cars.ThenwhenFi ki
lesaidthi
sothert
imewhenwe
werechi l
li
ngyou'
relyingaboutdati
ngacelebr
it
y.
That'swhenIknew. "
Me:"
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellZi
mmy?
"
Petu:"
It
'snotmybusi nesstotel
l.I
fyouwanthert
o
know,you'
llt
ellheryoursel
f.
"
Me:"OhmyGoodness.Howmanypeopl
eknow
t
his?
"
Petu:"
Thatyou'
redatingaroyal?Possi
blyanyone
whoknowst hecarsar ebul
let
proof
.Don'tworr
y
though,notmanydo."Shelaughed.
Me:"
Andhowdoyouknow?
"
Petu:"
Don'
tTellanyoneaboutt
hisThembi
sa,
promiseme?"
Thembi
sa:"
Ipr
omi
se.
"
Petu:"Mydadispar toft
het
eam thatservi
cesthe
cars.NoonecanknowbecausesomehowRoyal s
arealwaysbeefi
ngandonei sal
wayst r
yingtoover
thr
owt heother
,theybuypeopl
etof aul
tthecar
sat
ti
mes, t
hreat
eni
ngt heirf
ami
li
estoo."
Me:"Butsur
elyi
fther
e'sat
eam,
they'
real
ready
known."
Pet
u:"No.Mydad'
steam i
sspeci
fi
cal
lyf
ort
he
Bi
yela'
sandSi
khosana'
s.
"
Me:"
Howmanyr
oyalf
ami
li
esar
ether
e?"
Pet
u:"Herei
ntheci
ty,
there'
sthesetwo.Theothers
ar
eallovert
henati
on,It
hinkther
e's7intot
al.So,
who'
syours?Isi
toneoftheBiyel
a's?Thembisa!
"
Me:"
Whywoul
dthatbeyourf
ir
stguess?
"
Petu:"Pl
easedon'ttakethisthewrongway, f
ri
end.
Thef ut
ureKingisunattai
nable.Noonehasever
heardhim speak.Hedoesgoouti npubl
icbuthe's
al
wayssur roundedbyatl east8bodyguards.Al
l
mili
tarytr
ained.Therei
snoget ti
ngtothatman.
Biyel
a'sar
eal
lovert
heplace.Pleasedon'
ttel
lme
you'r
edati
ngMnqobi,I
'
dlit
eral
lyevaporat
e."I
l
aughed.
Me:"For
tunat
elyf
oryou,
it'
snothi
m.Why?Doyou
l
ikehim?"
Petu:"
I'
vehadacrushonhimf oryear
s.He'
sso
sexyanddreamy.
"Sheblushed.
Me:"
Wher
edi
dyouseehi
m Pet
u?"
Pet
u:"Si
s,t
hey'r
eeverywhere.Justwit
hlessguards.
Mnqobigoestoourschooleven.He'ssorelaxed.
"
Shesmil
ed.Iwassoent er
tainedbyhercrush.
Me:"
Ineedt
oseet
hisMnqobi
."
Pet
u:"
Absol
utel
y.Letmeshowyou.
"
Me:"
Don'
ttel
lmeyout
akesneakpi
ctur
esofhi
m."
Pet
u:"Nothat
'si
ll
egalbuthedoeshaveasoci
al
media.Her
eheis.
"Ilookedatt
hepict
ure.
Me:"
Oh,
he'
shot
."
Petu:"
Exactl
y.Asl
ongasyou'
renotwi
thhi
mthenI
canrel
ax."
Me:"Soifhegoest
oschool
,thebodyguar
dswai
t
out
side?
"
Pet
u:"
Kindofout
sidet
hecl
assr
oom.
"Wel
aughed.
Me:"
Thi
sissocr
azyr
ight
?"
Pet
u:"
Ver
y."
Me:"
Haveyout
ri
edt
otal
ktohi
m?"
Pet
u:"
Hel
lno.
"
Me:"
Why?You'
renotal
lowedt
o?"
Pet
u:"
I'
mjustscar
ed.Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
m hi
stype.
"
Me:"
Whywoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
?"
Pet
u:"
He'
smor
eoft
hesl
endergi
rl
stype.
"
Me:"
Didhesayt
hat
?"
Pet
u:"
Trustme,
they'
real
waysar
oundhi
m."
Me:"
Thatmeansnot
hing.Sayhitohi
mthenext
t
imeyouseehim.
"Shelaughed.
Pet
u:"
Ist
hathowyoumetyour
s?Justsayi
nghi
?"
Me:"
Notr
eal
ly.Wef
ir
stsaweachot
heratt
hecl
ub.
"
Pet
u:"
It
'sdefini
tel
ySibonel
o.HeLOVESgoi
ngout
."
Shegi
ggled.Iwouldn'
tutt
eraword.
Me:"howdoest hiswholethi
ngwor k?Ift
her
e's
manyr oyalf
ami l
ies,
whyi st
hereonlyoneki
ng."I
neededmor einformati
onaboutthi
s.From
someonewhoi sneutral
.
Petu:"Wel
l,myf atherexplaineditli
kethis.It'
sli
kea
boardofdirectorsrunningacompany, butt here
needstobeachai rmanwhowi l
lleadthem.That '
s
whot heSi
khosanaf amilyis,thechairman.They' r
e
averyweirdbunch.I solatedandcol d.Whent he
pri
ncessesgot othemal l
,ithastobecl earedout
andclosedof funtilt
hey'r
edone.Theyactl ikegods,
i
t'
ssowei rd."
Me:"Whathappensi
ftheSi
khosanapr
incedoesn'
t
becomeking?"
Petu:"Ohhedoesn'thaveachoice.Nooneelsecan
doit.That'
swhyhe'ssoprotect
ed.Theycan'tri
sk
him dyingbecausehe'
stheonlyheir.
"I
remember edwhathetoldme.Howhewasf etched
from t
heSt at
esandheknewt hemi nutehesawthe
escor
tst
hathi
sli
fewasover
.
Me:"
Doyout
hinkhe'
l
lgetmar
ri
ed?
"
Petu:"Yeah.WhenhebecomesaKi ng,hewi l
lneed
tohaveawi fe.Iwonderhowhe' sgoi ngtotalkto
herbecauseheobvi ouslycan't
."IfIaskedanymor e
questi
onsabouthi m,shewoul dbesuspi cious.
WhathaveIgot tenmysel fi
nto?IfIcontinuedati
ng
Nkosinhle,mylif
ewillchangedr asti
call
y.WasI
readyforthat?

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ireal
lydi
dn'
twanttogotothepalace.Isuddenl
y
hatedgoi
ngtoeNtabeniwi
thoutThembisa.WhileI
j
ustsatandthought
,thedri
vercr
uisedaroundthe
ci
ty.Myphonerang.Mthunzi.
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Wher
ear
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Theci
ty.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tfeel
li
kebei
ngi
nthepal
aceandI
don'
twanttobealone.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay.Thenmeetmeupi
nthemount
ain
f
oradr i
nk."
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
thavet
obabysi
tme.
"
Mt
hunzi:"
Unfor
tunat
ely,t
hat'
smyj ob.You'
l
lfi
nd
mether
e."Hehungup."eNtabeni
."
Dr
iver
:"Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"Het
ookat
urnand
dr
ovetheway.

Mthunziwaswaiti
ngf ormeatther
est
aur
antbar
whenIarri
ved.Isatnexttohi
m.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatar
eyouhavi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"What
everyou'
redr
inki
ng.
"Hewentbehi
nd
t
hebartopourmeadr i
nk.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whathappened?
"
Nkosi
:"It
oldSasaaboutAmahl
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Shewoul
dfi
ndouteventual
ly.I
ncaseyou
for
got,
Iwanttomar
ryher
,she'dseeherbecause
she'
dhavetocometomyfamily.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'sal
lyout
oldherr
ight
?"
Nkosi
:"Fornow-
"
Mthunzi
:"No.Nkosi
,you'
l
lhavetowai
t.Youdon'
t
wanttopushThembisaaway."
Nkosi
:"SoImustwai
tunt
ilwhen?Wehaveki
ds?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
deal
lyyes.
"
Nkosi
:"NoMt
hunzi
.I'
m notal
iar
."
Mthunzi:"Noonesai
dli
e.You'
rej
ustpr
otect
ingher
unt
ilshe'sready.
"
Nkosi:"
Ourchil
dwillcomeoutofherwombwi t
h
supernatur
alabi
li
ti
es.Ineedt
oprepareher
."
Mthunzi:"I
'm sayi
ngnotnow.Notwhi leshe'sst
il
l
fal
li
nginlove.You'renotharmfulNkosi.Your
abil
it
ieshaveneverharmedot hers.You'r
ea
prot
ector.She'snotindangerwithyou,ifshewas,
I'
dsuggesttell
ingher
.Howdi
dsher
eactt
oAmahl
e
beingyoursist
er?"
Nkosi
:"Shewasl
ivi
d."
Mthunzi:"Exactl
y.Iknowyouhatethis,Iknowyou
hatenotbei ngopenandhonestbutIpr omise,
Nkosinhle,you'l
lbesohurtwhenyoul osethisgi
rl
.
Everyti
meyou' renotwit
hher,youactlikesomeone
i
stryingtoki l
lyou.
"
Nkosi:"Mxi m.
"Thiswasdisgust
inglyuncomf ort
abl
e
forme.I '
veneverfel
tthi
smuchconf lictinmyheart.
Ididn'twanttoloseherbutIwasn'twill
ingtokeep
thetruthfrom her
.Mthunzi
'sphoner ang.
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes?
"
Cal
ler
:"MyLor
d,i
t'
sLi
nda.
"
Mthunzi
:"WhatdoyouneedLi
nda.
"Hepl
acedt
he
phoneonloudspeaker
.
Li
nda:"Amahl
ewant sadi
ff
erentr
oom.Her
sonl
y."I
nodded.Mt
hunzishookhi
shead.
Mt
hunzi
:"Why?Whathappened?
"
Li
nda:"
Uhm.
..
Ithi
nkt
her
emayhavebeena
disagr
eementbet
weent
hegir
ls.Thembi
sal
eftt
he
room."Lef
tther
oom??Wher
et o?
Mt
hunzi
:"Wher
edi
dshego?
"
Li
nda:"Well
,she'
scur
rentl
yinanothergi
rl
'sr
oom.
Petuni
aSizakel
eNyanda.I
'vecheckedher
backgr
ound,she'
sfi
ne."
Mthunzi
:"Howf
ine,
isf
ine?What
'sherf
ather
's
name?"
Li
nda:"BhekokwakheNyanda.Hermotheri
s
deceased.Shehasanoldersi
sterwholi
vesi
n
Oceanview.Si
zani
.Marri
edtoamancal l
ed,
JacksonLeRoza."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sThembi
sasaf
ewi
thher
?"
Li
nda:"
Yessi
r.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.ThankyouLi
nda.
"Hehungup.
Nkosi:"
Amahl
eisaf
ucki
ngbr
at.Andi
t'
sbecause
ofyou."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whyi
sitmyf
au-
"
Nkosi
:"Yougi
vei
ntoever
ythi
ngshewant
s."
Mthunzi:"
That
'snott
rue.Shecan'
tgetasi
ngl
e
r
oom. "
Nkosi
:"Sheneedsone.Thembi
saneedsherspace.
Probl
em sol
ved.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Fi
ne.
"
Nkosi
:"Anddon'tputanyoneelsei
nthere.Iknow
youwanttoprotectherbutyouneedtocalmi t
down.Thisi
skindofwhyshe' smadatme. "
Mthunzi
:"She'
smyf ut
urequeen,
ofcour
seI
'
m
goi
ngtopr ot
ecther.Haveyoutol
dherwhyt
hese
measuresareinplace?"
Nkosi
:"ki
ndof
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Nkosi
:"Peopl
ewi
llhar
m hert
ogett
ome.
"Hest
ared
atme.
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
ref
ool
ish.Youknowt
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"I
nsul
ti
ngyourf
utur
eKi
ng?
"Hel
aughed.
Mthunzi:"
I'
mi nsul
ti
ngmyfr
iend.So,Iwasthi
nki
ng,
aboutyourvisi
ttoMthi
nomkhulu.Ispoket
othe
chieftolethim knowwe'revisi
ti
ng.Ialso,asked
himt onomi nat
et hebusi
nessesinthevi l
lage.I'
l
l
havet heli
sttomor r
ow,Ididn'
tmentionwe' l
lvisi
t
them.Iknowhowyouhat eashow. "
Nkosi
:"Iwi
llsnapifIhavet
owat
chonemor
esong
anddance.
"Hel aughed.
Mthunzi
:"Whatwi
llyoudot
henatther
eeddance?
Yourmother
sareplanni
ngi
tri
ghtnow.
"
Nkosi
:"OhI'
m notgoi
ngtobether
e.I
'
mtaki
ngthat
weekendoff
.MaybeSasaandIcangouptoGolden
Crowntorel
axinadif
fer
entci
ty.
"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
nhle.You'
renotdoingthat
.Iknow
youcan'
tstandthem butt
hiswil
lrefl
ectbadl
yon
Sasaift
heyfindout."
Nkosi:"You'
reri
ght.Thenshe'
l
lhavetoat
tend,
I
guess."Helaughed,shaki
nghishead.
Mt
hunzi
:"Youar
esomet
hingel
se.
"..
.

SASAPOV_
Thenextmor ning,Iwokeup.Pet uandIhadst ayed
up,chatt
ingaboutourchi ldhoods.Shewasani ce
girl
.Ienjoyedhercompanyal ot.Icheckedmy
phonef i
ndingamessagef rom Nkosi .<I'
m sor ry.
PleasetalktomeThembi sa.Youcan' ti
gnor eme
again.>Irepli
ed:<Goodmor ning.I '
m stil
lmadat
you.>Isenti t
,getti
ngup, quickl ymadet hebed.I
neededt ogot omyr oom.Pet uwasst il
lsleeping.It
wasj ustafter6butIdi dn'twantt owakeher .Ilef
t
herroom, goingt omi ne, car ryingmyschool bag.I
hopeAmahl eisasleepassheusual lyisatt histi
me.
Iopenedt hedoorbuti twasl ocked.For tunat elyI
hadmykeyi nmybag, af terat horoughsear chI
unlockedandwal kedi n,cl osingt hedoor .WhenI
turnedtoputmybagnextt omybed, Isawheron
thefloor.Myhear tstopped.
Me:" Amahle?"Hereyeswer estar
ingatt
heceil
ing
unblinki
ng,bloodtracedfr
om hernosedownher
cheek.Dr i
edvomi tdownherneck.Mywhol ebody
shivered."
Amahl e."IwasstuckwhereIwas
standing.Thebloodonhercheekwascr ackedand
drytoo.Whi chmeansshe'dbeenl ayi
ngther
e,
unmovi ngforawhi l
e.Ikneltnexttoher ,feeli
ngfor
apulsebutt herewasnone.Iwast ool at
e.Ist epped
back,turni
ngt owalktothedoor ,wit
ht earsr ol
li
ng
downmycheeks.Myshakyhandr eachedt hedoor
handle,openingit
.Ihearddeepgaspbehi ndme,
befor
eshecoughedoutl oud.Ispunar oundi n
shock.Shesatup, breathinginairbeforeshe
openedhereyesandl ookedatme.What .The.Fuck.
[
07/
27,
05:
42] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er15

SASAPOV_

Amahlegother
selfupf
rom t
hefloorandsatont
he
bed.Whatt
hehellwashappeni
ng?
Me:"Youwer
edead.If
eltyourpul
se.Youdi
dn'
t
haveapul
se.
"
Amahl
e:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"Herbodywasst
il
lshaki
ng.
Me:"
Fine?
?FI
NEAMAHLE!
!"
Amahl
e:"
Pleasedon'
tyel
l-
"
Me:"HowcanInot?Ifoundyoudeadont
hef
loor
andnowyou'
reali
ve.Explai
nthat
!"
Amahl e:"Ican't.I
t'
snothingyoucanunder stand,so
pleaseThembi sa,getoutofmybusi ness.I 'm
l
eavingyourr oom soyoudon' thavet owor ryabout
meanymor e.
"Shegotup, goingt othebat hroom.I
wasi nsever eshock.Ther ewasnopul se.Shewas
cold.Ifeltf
orapul seandt herewasn' tone.She
camebackwi thawetcl oth,wipingthef loort hat
hadhervomi t.Iwenttoshower ,
comi ngbackt o
dress.Byt henshewasi nbed, covered.Ifinished
getti
ngr eady.
Me:"
Amahl
e."
Ama:"
I'
llbeoutbef
oreyoucomebackThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
That
'snotwhyI
'
m cal
li
ngyou.Pl
easet
ellme
what
'swr
ong?"
Ama:"
Idon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ong.
"
Me:"
Doyouwantmet
ocal
lsomeone?
"
Ama:"Yourboyf
ri
endalreadydoesn'
twantmeher
e.
I
'l
lbeoutofyourhai
r,don'twor
ry.
"
Me:"Andwherewil
lyougo?Toaroom wher
eyou'
l
l
shockanot
herst
udentli
ket
his?Thenwhat
?"
Ama:"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"
Me:"
Justt
ellmewhat
'swr
ongsoIcanhel
pyou!
!"
Ama:"
Idon'tneedyourhel
pThembi
sa.Noonecan
hel
pme.Pleaselett
hisgo.
"
Me:"Im notl
etti
ngyougo.You'renotl
eavi
ngthi
s
room.Whatt ypeofpersoncanthrowoutsomeone
who'sclear
lygoingthr
oughar oughti
me?"Shesat
up,angri
ly.
Ama:"
Doyout
hinkIdi
dthi
sforyourpi
ty?
"
Me:"Thatwoul dbeverydramat i
cbutno, It
hink
you'r
ehidingsomet hi
ngelse.Li
kewhatyou' re
goingthrough.I'
m nopsychologistbutdamn
Amahl e,
I'm her
e,youhaveyourbr otherwhoI'm
surecaresforyou-"shel
aughed.
Ama:"Nkosidoesnotcar
eaboutme.You'
reagood
per
son,butthi
sisaboveyou.
"
Me:"
ThenIguessI
'
llj
usthavet
osi
ther
eal
lday
wi
thyou.
"
Ama:"Whatthehell
'swrongwit
hyou."Isatdown
andlookedather
."ThembisaIdon'
tknowwhatyou
expectmetosay.Idon'
tknowwhatyouwantf rom
me."
Me:"Haveyout
ri
edseei
ngapsychi
atr
ist
?"She
l
aughed.
Ama:"
I'
vebeent
o12di
ff
erentpsychi
atr
ist
s."
Me:"Maybet henthat'
snotthepr
oblem.Whatif
you'
rehavingseizures?Di
dyoudrinkanypi
ll
s?I'
ve
neverseenpill
shere."
Ama:"
Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"Amahl
e,t
hisi
sn'
tnormal.Let
'st
ry,
okay?Let
's
gotoMountai
nPeakGeneral
."
Ama:"
Hel
lno.Absol
utel
ynot
."
Me:"Thenwher
e?Ithoughti
twast
hepr
ivat
e
hospi
taloft
heci
ty?
"
Ama:"
Iti
s.Forci
ti
zens.
"
Me:"
Oh.Sowher
edoyougo?
"
Ama:" Wehavemedicalstaf
fthatcomestous.But
i
fthere'
sanemergency,thenwe'retakent
oThe
Oceansmedicalf
aci
lit
y."Shegotoutofbed.
Me:"
Whathappenedt
oyourar
ms?
"
Ama:"
Icutmyself
.Itusedt
ohelp.WhenIdidn'
t
wantt
odie.Unt
ili
tdidn'
tmatt
eranymor
e."
Me:"
Doesi
thur
t?"
Ama:" Dying?Onl yforami nute."Shesmi l
ed, si
tt
ing
nexttome." It
'sscar y.Whent hebl acklacebl i
nds
yourvisionandever yt hi
ngshut sdown.Youwonder
forasecond, aspl i
tsecond, arethepeopl eyou
l
eavebehi ndgoi ngtobehur t
?Theni tswitchesof f.
It'
sstil
l.Wel l
,atleastt hefi
rstthreetimes.Thent he
nexttimei thappens, youreali
zeyoudon' treall
y
carebecauseyourf ami l
yisjustabunchof
conceited, sel
frighteousgod- i
mi tati
ngpeopl e."I
touchedt hesl ashesonherar ms.Thet extureoft he
roughcut sagai nsthersmoot hski nwasso
contrasti
ng.
Me:"
Whenl
ast
?".
Ama:"
Ayearago.
"
Me:"
Theywer
ebl
eedi
ng.Lastweek.
"
Ama:"
Theydot
hatsomet
imes.
"
Me:"Doyout hinkifweputt i
ssueoi l
,they'l
lgetless
i
rri
tated?"Shelookedupatme." Ihavesomei nmy
toi
let
rybag."Igotupt ofet
cht hebottl
e, si
tti
ng
downnextt oheragain."Maybeyouscr atched
yourselft
hat'
swhyi tbled.
"Iappliedsomeoi lonher
arms.
Ama:"Thatdoesfeel
better
,thankyoubuti
t'
sti
me
foryout
ogot oschool.
"
Me:" Youtoo.Goshowersowecanhavebr eakf
ast.
"
Shewentt ot hebathroom.Icheckedmyphone,
seeinganewmessage:<Iknowbaby.I 'l
lmakeitup
toyou.Doyouhavepl anst hi
sweekend? >Irepl
ied:
<NoIdon' t
.Whatwer eyoupl anning?>Sent.He
respondedi mmediately:<Mypar entsaretr
yingto
sellmetot hehighestbi dderandIneedyout obid
formepl ease.Thanks. >Ilaughed.<NoIwantt o
seehowyoubehaveonauct i
on.>Isentitl
aughing.
Hecal l
ed.
Me:"
Hel
lo?
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
"
Me:"
Ihaveforgi
venyou.Ist
il
lwantt
oseeyou
modeloutonstage.
"
Nkosi
:"You'r
eaboutt
obeveryenter
tai
ned.Idoa
sexywalktomychairwheni
tstar
ts.
"Igiggl
ed."
Are
youatbreakfast
?"
Me:"No.I
'
m wait
ingf
orAmahletof
ini
shshoweri
ng
sowecango."Hekeptqui
et."
Wespoke.We'
re
fi
ne.
"
Nkosi
:"Asl
ongasshe'
snotst
art
inghernonsense.
"
Me:"
She'
snot
."
Nkosi:"
Okay,
sendmeamessagewhenyougett
o
school.
"
Me:"
Okay.Bye.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodbyebaby."Ihungup.Amahl
ecame
backwrappedinhertowel.
Me:"I
'l
lgi
veyousomepr
ivacy,
I'
m goi
ngt
obeatt
he
di
ninghal
l.
"
Ama:" Okay."Itookmyschoolbag, wal
kingoutt
he
room star
tingatPet u'
sroom.Iknockedonherdoor
.
Sheopened, smil
ing.
Pet
u:"
Hey.
"
Me:"Morni
ng.Idi
dn'
twantt
owakeyou.Thankyou
f
orlastni
ght.
"
Petu:"
Youhelpedme,Iwaski
ndoflonel
ybefor
e
youcame.Letmegr abmybag.
"Shetookherbag
andwewalkedt ot
hedini
nghal
l."
So,what'
sthe
si
tuati
onwit
hyourroommate?"
Me:"Actuall
yshe'
snotabadper son.Maybeabit
coldbutwespoke.It
hinkIcangi veheranot
her
chance.
"Wegotoutbreakfastandwentt osi
tata
tabl
etogether.
Pet
u:"That'
sgood.Sowher
eisshe?I
sshe
coming?"
Me:"
Yeah.Il
efthergett
ingdr
essed.Anyway,
what
t
imedoyouhavel unch?"
Pet
u:"
Anyt
imebet
ween1and3.
"
Me:"
Met
oo,
givemeyournumbersowecanf
ind
outwhatwe' r
edoing.
"Shedi al
edhernumberonmy
phoneandbuzzedher self.Amahl
ewalkedinthe
di
ninghall.Asusualdressedinasweaterandjeans.
Shehadt hehoodieoverherhead,wal
kingtofetch
herbreakfast
.
Winst
on:"Ican'
thearyou!
"Ist
oodupwal
kingt
othe
count
er."
Notyouagain."
Me:"Yesmeagai
nMr
sWi
nst
on.Shewant
sthe
veganopt
ion.
"
Wi
nst
on:"
Shedoesn'
thaveamout
h?"
Me:"Youdon' thaveears?
"Ever
yonegasped."
I'
m
sorr
y."Ijustwenti ntodef
ensemodether
eand
l
ashedout .Thathasneverhappenedbef
ore.Mrs
Winstont ookt heveganopti
onandgaveitt
o
Amahl e.Iwalkedt omyseat.
Ama:"
Youdi
dn'
thavet
odot
hat
."
Me:"
Iknow,Ifeelbadal
ready.
"Shechuckl
edand
at
eherfood."
ThisisPet
u.P, t
hisi
sAmahle.
"
Pet
u:"
Hel
lo.
"
Ama:"
Hi.
"Weal
lat
eourbr
eakf
astcomf
ort
abl
y.
Pet
u:"
Maybei
fwe'
rel
uckyIcanshowyouMnqobi
."
Me:"
Ohdefi
nit
ely.Butyou'
regoi
ngt
ogosayhii
f
weseehi
mright?"
Pet
u:"
Absol
utel
ynot
."Shel
aughed.
Me:"
Comeon,
why?
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m scar
edThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
What
'st
hewor
set
hatcanhappen?
"
Petu:"
Hemightignor
eme.Hemightl
augh.He
mightevent
ellhi
sbodyguar
dst
ogetmeawayf r
om
hi
m. "
Ama:"
Noneoft
hose.
"
Petu:"
Huh?"Amahlelookedupbehindme,since
shewassitti
ngopposit
eme.Ilookedback.Her
fr
iendNothandowalkedtothet
able.
Not
ha:"
Gol
denEye.
"
Ama:"
Nother
e."
Not
ha:"
Whyar
eyouher
e."
Ama:"
Havi
ngbr
eakf
ast
."
Not
ha:"
Youneversi
touther
e."Shel
ookedatme.
Ama:"Neededachangeofscenery."Sheconti
nued
eati
ng.Nothandowalkedaway.St
rangestpeopl
ein
thi
sbuil
ding.Pet
ulookedatme.
Me:"Amahl
e,whatdi
dyoumeanwhenyousai
d
noneoft
hose?"
Amahl
e:"
He'
sni
ce.
"
Pet
u:"
Youknowhi
m?"
Amahl
e:"
Yes.Pl
easedon'
tment
ionmynamet
o
hi
m."
Petu:"
That'
sifIt
alkt
ohi
m.Ist
il
lneedt
ogat
her
st
rength.
"
Me:"I
fAmahl
esayshe'sni
cethenIthi
nkhe'sver
y
ni
ce.Amahl
edoesn'
tli
kepeopl
e."Amahlechuckl
ed.
Amahle:"
Canwegotoschoolnow?
"Wegotout
l
unchesandlef
tther
esbui
ldi
ngwalki
ngt
oschool
.

PRI
NCEPOV_
Mymor ningwasof ft oat r
ickyst art.Ineeded
somet hi
ngt odo.Thi sneverusedt obeapr oblem
beforeImetThembi sa.NowIneededadi stracti
on
especiall
yafterthedr eam Ijusthad.I tl
eftaver y
hardsituati
oninmynet herregionsandi twasnot
goingaway.Ist oodi ntheshower ,f
or10mi nutes
wit
hcol dwat eronbl astbutitdi dn'thelp.Thiswas
apr obl
em.Abi gproblem.Idr essedf orar un.
Maybet hatwi l
lhelp.Downst air
s, myf amilywer e
havingbreakfast.
Si
khosana:"
MyPr
ince,
areyouj
oini
ngusf
or
br
eakfast
?"
Nkosi:"Nofather.Ij
ustneedaqui ckrun.
"Imade
mywayouti mmedi atelybefor
ehecouldr espond.I
spri
ntedtot hewoods, allt
hewaydownt ot her i
ver
str
eam.Ist oodont hebankoft heri
verwat ching
thewat er
.Muchbet ter.Ichuckl
edtomysel f.This
wascr azy.Ifel
tapresencebehi ndme,ruiningmy
moodi nstantl
y.Myf ather'
sguardwasar ound.
Hi
m:"
Mypr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwant
?"
Him:"Not
hingmypr ince,Iwasonlyi nthearea.
"I
tur
nedtolookathim.Hehadnoweaponswhi ch
wouldn'
thavematteredeveni fhedid.Hewassent
becausemyf at
herisinterest
edinknowi ngwhoI '
m
seei
ng.Iranbacktot hepalacewiththesame
speed.Myfamilywasst il
lhavingbreakfast
.
Nobant u:"Myson,pleasej
oinus.Wehardlyseeyou
forbreakfast
."Isatdownatthetable,
aserver
broughtabowlofwar m wat
er,cl
othandsoapfor
met owashmyhands.
Sikhosana:"Yourmother
sareplanni
ngthedance
forthisweekend.Maybethereyoucanf
indyoursel
f
awi fe."Hewatchedmecloselyhopi
ngf
ora
reaction.
Nkosi:"
Lookingf
orwar
dtoi
t.
"Igr
inned.Helooked
soconfused.Thi
swasmuchmoref unthanI
thoughti
twouldbe.
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Okay,
that
'snew.
"
Si
khosana:"
What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumeanf
ather
?"
Si
khosana:"
Ther
e'ssomet
hingdi
ff
erent
."
Nkosi
:"Looki
ngforwardt
obeKing,
that'
sal
l.
"Iate
mybreakfast
.Helookedatmymother,
wholooked
atme.
Nobant
u:"
Whatwi
llyoubedoi
ngt
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
vegotameetingwithMthunzi.Hehast
o
br
iefmeont heRespr
ojectandpl
anningmynext
vi
ll
agevisi
t.
"
Nobant
u:"
That
'sal
l?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes.
"Idr
ankmyj ui
ce."
Havetogo.
"Igotup,
walki
nguptomyr oom f
oranot
hershower
.

Iar
ri
vedateNtabeni
.Mt hunzidrovei
nshor
tl
yafter
me.Hewalkedintherestaurantwher
eIwassit
ti
ng.
Mt
hunzi
:"YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Ineedsomet
hingt
odo.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"It
houghtyouwant
edadayof
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Notunt
il1pm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
'shappeni
ngat1pm?
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
saf
ini
sheswi
thhercl
asses.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ahh.Isee.Okay.Don'
tyouwantt
opl
an
anoutdoorpi
cnic?"
Nkosi
:"Whenhaveyoueverseenmedoei t
her
pl
anni
ngorapi cnic?WherewouldIevenbegi
n?
Andwhydoyout hinkt
hatwoul
dinter
estme?"He
hel
dinlaught
er.
Mthunzi:"
ForThembi sa.Whenyoubringherher
e
l
ater
.Insteadofbeinginthebedr
oom, youcanbe
outi
nt hegarden,
layi
ngont hegrass.
"
Nkosi
:"Whathappensi
napi
cni
cMt
hunzi
?"He
smil
edbri
ghtl
y.
Mthunzi:"Food,snacks,wi neandki ssi
ng,alli
n
beautif
ulscenery.She'l
lloveit.Youhavet oputan
orderinthekit
chenf orfood.Gat herherfavori
te
snacks,agoodwi neyout hinkshemi ghtenjoyand
setitup."I
sMt hunzisaneasaper son?
Nkosi
:"Whydoyout hi
nkIcan'
seti
tup'
.Whatam I
set
ti
ngupMt hunzi
?Ineedyoutobeser
ious.We
havest
aff
."
Mthunzi
:"Yourhandsonef f
orti
swhatwouldmake
i
t10timesmor especi
al.Icanhelpbutyouneedt
o
beopen-
"
Nkosi
:"See,
whenyousayt
hat
,Iknowi
t'
sjustgoi
ng
t
obedownhi l
l.
"
Mthunzi:"
WhenhaveIl etyoudown?Let'sstar
twith
food.You'
llneedsomethingthati
sn'
ttoofi
ll
ingbut
enough.Thechefwi l
lhavesomeoptionsforyouto
choosefrom surel
y.Whichwinedoyousuggest ?
"
Nkosi
:"TheCunning.It
hinkshe'
l
llovei
t.I
t'
ssweet
andcr
isp.Justl
ikeher.
"
Mthunzi:"
Hmm. "Hesmi l
ed."I
'l
lhavethe
housekeeperbri
ngoutt hedisplaycushionsanda
bl
ankettolayont hegrass.Thegar denerwil
l
handpicktheroses,r
ed-"
Nkosi:"Pi
nk.Pinkrosepetal
s,maketheblanket
whit
e, spr
inkl
et hepetal
sontheblanket
.Thelast
moviewewat ched,shesai
ditwasbeautif
ul.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
veneverbeensohappy.MyPr
ince?I
s
t
hisyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Andgetever
yoneoutofher
ebyt
hen.
"
Mthunzi:"
Done.I'
llhavesecuri
tyatallper
imet
ers,
t
hewor kerswi
llbei nthei
rquart
ers.Whatdoyou
t
hinkaboutgetti
ngagi ft?
"
Nkosi :"No,thatwouldbetoomuch.Thef ocus
shouldbeonspendi ngtime.Iwanttoreservegi
ft
givingabi t.Thembisaismoreint
erest
edi nmy
attentionthanmymoney. "
Mt
hunzi
:"Howdoyouknowt
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Shecr
ieswhenshemi
ssesme.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youdon'
tneedmeanymor
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llal
waysneedyou.Forexampleyouneed
t
oprepthestaf
fandgiveoutt
heinstr
ucti
ons.
"He
l
aughed.
Mthunzi
:"Anddesser
t?Thewi
fesaysshel
oveda
f
ewf l
avoursofi
cecream."
Nkosi:"
Sheshar
esthatwithKhaya.I
twouldbe
weirdofmetotr
ytakethatawayfrom her
experi
ence.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youdoknowt
hathewant
sherr
ight
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.ButThembisar
ecogni
zeshi
m asa
f
ri
endandIt rusther
."
Mthunzi:"
Alr
ight.Theynamedyout hegoodki ngf or
areason.Iwould'veshothi m deadnearmywi fe."
Hegotupwal kingtot hekitchen.Ismi l
ed,shaki ng
myhead.Ican'thar m Khaya, he'snotathr eattome.
Nottoment i
onitwoul dber idiculousl
yunf air
becausehedoesn' thavemyst r
ength.Besides,I
wassureaboutThembi saandhowshef eelsabout
me.Howeveraf terwhat 'sgoingtohappent oday,I
don'
tknowhowshe' llfeelaboutme.

SASAPOV_

Myclassesfi
nal
lycamet
oanend.Iwal
kedoutt
he
cl
assroom,di
ali
ngonmyphone.Pet
uanswer
edher
phone.
Pet
u:"
HiSasa.
"
Me:"
Hey.Wher
ear
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m outbyt
hespor
tst
ands,
wat
chi
ngsoccer
."
Me:" OkayI '
m comi ng."Iwalkedt othespor ting
groundswhi chwer eont heothersi deofcampus.
Whi l
ewal kingIsentamessaget oNkosi .<Heybaby.
I'
mf inishedf ortheday.Howi syourdaygoi ng?>I
sentit.Her esponded:<I t
'sbeenaver ybor i
ngday
butpr oductive.Howwasyour s?>Ir epl
ied:<Great
.
Myl ecturerhelpedabi tinregardst oour
assignment .Ihaveadi f
ferentperspectiveIwantt o
l
ayi toutin.I '
m exci
ted.>Isentit,reachingt he
stands.Pet uwassi tt
ingatt hebot t
om st ands,
readingabook.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Pet
u:"
Hi.
"
Me:"
Didyoucomeoutear
ly?
"
Petu:"
No.Ihaveanot
hercl
assat2.
"Sher
oll
edher
eyes.
Me:"
Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingher
e?"
Pet
u:"Wat
chingtheboyspl
ayi
ng.
"Shegiggl
ed.I
l
ookedonthegroundsandsawtwobodyguar
ds
standi
ngonthesi
del
ines.Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
augh.
"Whichonei
she?"
Petu:"Number5. "Ilookedonthefi
eldandsawhim
runningaround,chasingaball
.IwonderifNkosi
haseverpl ayedspor t
?Itwoul
dbehi l
ari
ousseei
ng
him playi
ngsoccer .Icoul
dn'
tstoplaughi
ng.
"What ?"
Me:"
It
'sj
ustfunny,
Icannoti
magi
nemyboyf
ri
end
pl
ayi
ngsoccer.
"
Petu:"Si
boneloisabitst
uckupsoIgetyourpoi nt
."
Ilaughedharder,wit
hherjoi
ningme.Problem i
s,
I'
veneverevenmetpoorSi bonelowhoisnowmy
apparentboyfr
iend.Amahlewalkedtowardus.
"Yourfri
endisquiteodd,
isn'
tshe?"
Me:"
She'
sjustdi
ff
erent
."
Petu:"Andpol
it
e.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshewouldbebut
she'snice.
"Amahler
eachedusfi
nal
ly.
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hey.Howdi
dyouknowwher
ewear
e?"
Ama:"
Ifol
lowedyou.Doyoumi
nd?
"
Me:"Notatal
l.Si
t.We'
rewatchi
ngsoccer."Shesat
down,fi
nal
lypull
ingt
hehoodieoffherhead.
Pet
u:"
Jesus.
"
Me:"
What
?"Il
ookedather
.
Petu:"
Whydoyouweart heseheavyhoodieswi
th
beauti
fuleyesli
ket
hat
?Iwouldneverhidemyface
i
fIwereyou. "
Me:"Same.She'
sgor
geous.
"Amahl
eshookher
headlooki
ngatt
hefi
eld.
Ama:" Thanks. "Itwast r
uethathereyeswer e
beaut i
ful .Abur ntorangebrowncol ourandcat
shaped.Shehadani nt
ensegazej ustlikeher
brother .OhmyGod.ThatmustbeaSi khosana
fami l
yt hing.Al t
hough, t
hetwomember sI'vemet
arequi teni ce,maybePet uwasn'taccur at
ewhen
shesai dt heyactl ikegods.They'r
epr obabl yjust
mi sunder stood."Fuckssake."Shehi ssed.Il ooked
up, seeingj erseynumber5comi ngt owar dsus.Yes,
there'spl ent yofpeopl esit
ti
ngherebutIknewhe
wascomi ngt ous.Hi sbodyguardsf el
lbehi ndhis
stepwi t ht hesamepace.Sohi swal kbehi ndhi m?
Hest
oodi
nfr
ontofus.MnqobiBi
yel
a.
Mnqobi
:"Amahl
e."
Amahl
e:"
Mnqobi
."Hesmi
led.
Mnqobi
:"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkI
'
dseeyouher
e.Wi
thpeopl
e."
Ama:"
Peopl
egr
ow.
"
Mnqobi
:"That
'sgood.Whoar
eyourf
ri
ends?
"
Ama:"
Askt
hem.
"Igi
ggl
ed.Thi
sgi
rl
.
Mnqobi
:"Ladi
es.Goodaf
ter
noon.
"
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Petu:"Hi
."Sheblushed.Icoul
dn'
thel
psmil
ingto
preventmyselff
rom laughi
ng.Shewassocute.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m Mnqobi
.Ihaven'
tseenyouar
ound,
do
youst
udyher
e?"
Me:"
Yes.I
'
m Thembi
sa,
thi
sisPet
u."
Mnqobi:"
Lovelytomeetyouboth.Whatar eyou
st
udying?
"Hesatont hegrassfacingus.Thiswas
aPri
nce?IlookedatPetutorespondbutshewas
st
ari
ngblanklyathi
m.
Me:"
Pet
uisdoi
ngAgr
icul
tur
alSci
ence.
"
Mnqobi
:"Real
ly?That
'si
nter
est
ing.Andyou?
"
Me:"
Law.
"
Mnqobi
:"Met
oo.I
'
mint
hir
dyear
."
Me:"
Second.
"
Mnqobi
:"AndyouPet
u?Whatyearar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Pet
u:"
Uhm.
.second.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ni
ce.Howareyouf
indi
ngyourcour
se?
Ar
eyouenjoyi
ngit
?"
Pet
u:"
Ver
ymuch.
"
Mnqobi
:"That
'sgood.Whew, whatahotday.Let
megofreshenup.Itwaslovel
ymeetingyou,
Thembi
saandPet u.Whatisyourful
lname?"
Pet
u:"
Pet
uni
a."
Mnqobi
:"Beaut
if
ulFl
ower.That'
sal
ovel
yname.
Haveal
ovelydayguys.Amahle.
"
Ama:"Mnqobi
."Hegotupandwal
kedaway,
fol
lowedbyhi
sguards.
Pet
u:"
Oh.My.God.Thatdi
dn'
tjusthappen.
"
Ama:"
Tol
dyouhe'
sni
ce.
"
Pet
u:"
Areyouguyst
oget
her
?Orhavehi
stor
y?"
Ama:"
Nope.Myf
atherandhi
sar
einbusi
ness
t
oget
her.
"
Petu:"
Ohokay.Thi
shasmademyweek!
"Myphone
rang.Myboo.
Me:"
Hibaby.
"Ianswer
ed.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Good.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
."
Me:"
Doyouwantt
ofet
chme?
"
Nkosi
:"Yespl
ease.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"Okaybaby.Letmegotomyr
oom andchange.
I
'l
ltel
lyouwhenI'mready.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Ihungup.
Me:"
Ladi
es.Ihavet
ogo.
"
Ama:"Letmewalkyou.Pet
u,yourl
astcl
assi
s
cancel
led.Ar
eyoucoming?
"
Pet
u:"
Noi
t'
snot
."
Ama:"
Okay.Ar
eyousur
e?"Pet
ugi
ggl
ed.
Petu:"
OfcourseI'm sure.Iwoul
d'verecei
veda
messa-"herphonevi br
ated.Shecheckedher
messageandl ookedatAmahl e."
Okay, howdi
dyou
knowthat?"
Ama:"
Ijustdo.
"
Pet
u:"Doyouthi
nkyoucanhel
pmewi
thpower
bal
l
numbers?
"Il
aughed.
Ama:"
Onlysmallamount
s.Not
hingabove10
gr
and.
"Petugasped.
Me:"
Wai
t,ar
eyouser
ious?
"
Ama:" Yes.Exorbi
tantamount
sofmoneyhavea
patt
erntot ur
npeopl ei
ntosomethi
ngtheyar en'
t
.
Againstthosethatlovet
hem,orthosetheylove
agai
nstt hem.It
'salmostal
wayslacedwith
addict
ionorevil.
"Petuhookedherarm around
Amahl
e'
sar
m.
Petu:"Ihaveanewbestf r
iend.Let
'splayt he
Power bal
lforanewpai rofshoest hen. "Wel aughed,
walkingouttoourr es.Amahl ewasact uallyreall
y
coolbutwhatwast histhingofhersal ways
knowi ngwhat '
sgoingtohappen?I 'm yettoseet he
Power bal
lthingplayout.Maybeshe' sjustjoki
ng,I
don'tknow.Whati fshei sn't
?Whati fAmahl ehasa
gif
t?Butwhydoesshekeept ryi
ngtoescape?Was
shecommi tt
ingsuici
de?Orwassher eallydying
withoutbeingabletocont rolit
?
[
07/
27,
05:
42] :Sponsor
edpost
:

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er16

PRI
NCEPOV_
Iwaswai ti
ngforThembi satotellmet ocomepi ck
herup.Icoul dn'
twaittoseeherf ace.Mor e
especiallywhensheseest hesetupeNt abeni.I
didn'tdomuchbutIdi dlayabl anketont hegr ass
andpl acepetalsonit.Onebyone.Idi dn'twanta
mess.Mt hunzibr
oughtasmal llowt able,soIcan
placet hefoodonit.Thewi newasi nani cebucket .I
placedt hepil
lowsneatlyont hebl anket.Itwas
perfect.
Mt
hunzi
:"She'
sgoi
ngt
olovei
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihopeso.Itl
ookspr
ett
y.Thi
scushi
oni
s
skew.
"Imovedi tabit
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ever
ythi
ngi
sper
fect
,leavei
tal
one.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Nowyoucanl
eave.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e.Iwi
llbei
nmy
sui
tewhenshearri
ves.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Good.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Don'
tbener
vous.
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'tgetnervous.
"Ther
ewasanext
ra
pet
al.Ipickeditup.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
.Gof
etchher
."
Nkosi
:"Ican'tgowaitf
orheratthegat
e,she'
l
lthi
nk
I
'm cr
azy.DistractmeMthunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.Let
'
sgohaveadr
inki
nthebar
."
Nkosi
:"Andl
eavet
hissetupbyi
tsel
f?"
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
snotgoingtodisappear.Let
'sgo."I
l
ookedatthepicni
csetup.Itwasmyf i
rstcreat
ion.I
knowIdidagoodj ob.Ohfuck,t
hatpetalwasn't
ext
ra,Imi
scalcul
ated.Ipl
aceditbackinit'
sspot.
Nkosi
:"Okay,
let
'shaveadr
ink.
"If
oll
owedhi
mint
o
t
hebar.
Mt
hunzi
:"Howdoyouf
eel
?"
Nkosi
:"Li
keI
'
m goi
ngt
oexpl
ode.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youmeanexcited.
"Hehandedmeagl
ass
wi
tht
woshotsofwhiskey.
Nkosi
:"Sur
e.I
fthat
'swhatyouwantt
ocal
lit
."I
gul
peditdown.
Mt
hunzi
:"Youdi
dal
ott
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"Bar
ely.Iputabl
anketongr
ass.That
'si
t.
"
Mt hunzi
:"Anddecoratedit.Alt
houghyoucould've
fi
nishedmuchqui ckerifyoudidn'tpl
acethepetal
s
onebyone.Whyt hatmet hod?Whynotj ustt
hrow
them onthere?That'
showi t
'sdone."
Nkosi:"
Thatseemsaggr essi veMt hunzi
.Thembisa
i
sgoingt obesitti
ngont hebl anket,i
tneedstohave
asoftenergyarounditsot hatshe'scomf ort
abl
e.
Whywoul dyout hrow?"Hel ookedatme.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ngNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisnotyourbusi
ness.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
tki
ndofi
sbutI'
mt r
ust
ingthatyou'
l
l
knowwhatisgoodf
oryou.Thembisai
sgoodf or
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Shei
s.Haveyouhear
dfr
om Amahl
e?Di
d
shemoveouttheroom?"
Mthunzi
:"Act
ual
ly,
Ihaven'
thear
danyt
hing.
"My
phonerang.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Hibaby.I
'
mready.
"
Nkosi
:"OkayI
'
m comi
ng.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Seeyousoon.
"Ihungup
Nkosi
:"Keepaneyeont
hegar
den.
"
Mthunzi
:"Agai
n,i
twon'
tdi
sappear
."Iwal
kedout
goi
ngtothecar.

SASAPOV_

Iwasdr essedi nmybr ownmaxi dressthatwast he

sameast heblackoneNkosil i
ked.Ithuggedmy
bodycomf ort
ablyandpooledatmyf eetcoveri
ng
them.Ispr ayedmyl i
tt
leperfumeandcombedmy
hairout
, t
yingaf l
oralheadband,holdingmyhai r
back.Myusualsmal lhoopearri
ngsandabi tofli
p
gloss.
Me:"
Okay.I
'
llseeyouguysl
ater
."
Ama:"
Goodl
uck.
"Shesmi
led.Ichuckl
ed.
Petu:"Yeah,
he'
sgoingtohaveahear
tat
tack.Love
thatforhim.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Yout
woar
ecr
azy.
"Myphoner
ang."
Hibaby.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m out
sidebaby.
"
Me:"Okay,I'
m coming."Ihungup,
taki
ngmyschool
bag."I
'l
lbelate.Don'
tgoanywhereAmahl
e.You'
re
stayi
nginthisroom,okay?"
Ama:"
Okay.
"Iwalkedoutt
heroom t
orecept
ion.
Zi
mmywalkedinseeingme.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hi.
"
Me:"
Areyoust
il
lmadatme?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Areyoust
il
lkeepi
ngsecr
etsf
rom me?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thenyes,
I'
m st
il
lmadatyou.
"
Me:"
You'
reput
ti
ngmei
naver
ydi
ff
icul
tposi
ti
on
Zi
mmy."
Zimmy:"Iwouldn'
twanttodot hat
.Yourboyfr
iend'
s
cari
soutside.
"Iwalkedoutthebuil
dingtothecar.
Thedri
veropenedforme, Icl
imbedinside.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi:"
Hel
lo.
"Il
eanedovert
oki
sshi
m."
What
's
wrong?"
Me:"
Howdoyoual
waysknow,
somet
hingi
s
wr
ong."
Nkosi
:"Youl
ooksad.
"Hehel
dmyhand.Isi
ghed.
Me:"Zimmyhasbeenmyper sonforayear,you
know.She'salwaysbeensoopenandcar i
ngf orme.
Nowshet hinksI'
ver
eplacedherwit
hAmahl eand
nolongerhavetimeforher.
"
Nkosi
:"Whywoul
dshet
hinkt
hat
?"
Me:"Shebel i
evesAmahleknowsaboutmy
boyf
riendandshedoesn't.Sheobviousl
ywoul dn'
t
knowt hatAmahleknowsbecausei t
'sherbrot
her.
Amahl esaidsomethi
ng,shesaidnoteveryonewil
l
behappyf ormewhent heyfi
ndoutwhomy
boyf
riendis.I'
m worr
iedwhatifshemeans
Zimmy? "
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwantt
odo?
"
Me:"I
'
m notr
eadyt
odiscl
osemyrel
ati
onship.I
t
hinkbet
weenusandAmahlei
sfi
ne."Hekissedmy
hand.
Nkosi
:"Whi
chevermakesyoucomf
ort
abl
e."
Me:"Atl
eastIhavePet
u.SheknowsI'
m dat
inga
r
oyalpri
ncebutshethi
nksit
'sSi
bonel
o."
Nkosi
:"Bi
yel
a?You'
dhat
ehi
m."
Me:"
Imethi
sbr
other
."
Nkosi
:"Whi
chone?
"
Me:"
Mnqobi
.Hegoest
oourschool
."
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"
Me:"
Ididn'
tevenknowt
her
ewer
eot
herr
oyal
f
amil
ies.
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sseveni
ntot
al.
"
Me:"
Ihear
d.Pet
utol
dme.
"
Nkosi
:"HowdoesPet
uknowyou'
redat
ingar
oyal
?"
Me:"Sherecogni
zedthecar
.Apparent
lyonl
y
Royalst
raveli
nbull
etpr
oofcar
s."
Nkosi
:"Howwoul
dsheknowt
hecari
sbul
let
proof
?"
Me:"
Herf
atherser
vicest
hem.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Me:"
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Notmuch.Thi
nki
ngaboutyoumost
ly.
"He
ki
ssedmyl i
ps.Hi
sli
pstast
ingofl
iquor
.
Me:"
Anddr
inki
ng.
"
Nkosi:"
Abi
t,yes.
"Thecardr
ovei
ntoeNt
abeni
f
inal
ly.
Me:"
Wer
eyouatAmel
ia'
s?"
Nkosi
:"No.IwashereeNtabeni,wai
ti
ngf
oryou.
"
Weparked."Ihaveasur
priseforyou.
"
Me:"
Whati
sit
?"
Nkosi
:"Comesee."Thedooropened,
Icl
imbedout
t
hecar.Nkosihel
dmyhandwal kingmeinsi
de.
Me:"
Wher
e'sever
yone.
"
Nkosi
:"Gavethem t
hedayoff.Iwant
edust
obe
al
one.Onlysecur
it
yisaround."
Me:"Okay."Il
ookedathi
m,smili
ng.Wewal kedout
tothegardenarea,
thepat
hcurvedtotheleft
,onthe
grassIcouldseeasetupofapicni
c.Icouldn'
thi
de
t
hebi
gsmi
leIhad."
Ist
hisf
orme?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Wer
eachedt
hepi
cni
c.
Me:"
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ulNkosi
.Di
dyou.
..
?"
Nkosi
:"I
twasMt hunzi
'
sidea.Il
aydownabl
anket
andputpet
als.
"
Me:"Il
oveit.
"Ihuggedhi
m,ki
ssi
nghi
schi
n."
It
's
beauti
ful
."
Nkosi:"I
'm gl
adyouloveit
."Hestar
edi nt
omyeyes,
brushingmyskinwithhisfinger
s."
Iloveyou.
"I
fr
oze.ThatIdidnotexpect.
Me:"Nkosi
."Hekissedme,hol
dingmybodyagainst
hi
s.Iheldontohimt okeepf
rom f
loat
ingaway.He
pul
ledaway,looki
ngatmeagain.
Nkosi
:"Let
'ssi
t.
"Hehel
pedmedownandsatnext
t
ome." Wouldyoul
ikeadr
ink?
"
Me:"Yesplease.
"Heopenedt hebot
tl
eofwineand
pouredsomei nagl
ass.Itookasip,
savour
ingthe
tast
einmymout h."
Thisisamazing.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknewyou'
dli
kei
t.
"
Me:"
Youpr
edi
ctedi
t?"It
eased.
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Tel
lme,
canyoupr
edi
ctt
hePower
bal
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Why?Doyouneedmoney?
"
Me:"
Nobutcanyou?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Ican'
tpr
edi
ctt
hel
ott
ery.Why?
"
Me:"
CanAmahl
e?"Hel
ookeddown.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.Idon'
tthi
nkso.Ican'
tbesur
e."
Me:"
Baby?
"
Nkosi
:"Hm?
"
Me:"Doesyoursist
erhaveagift
?"Helookedatme
agai
n."I
t'
sokayifyoudon'tf
eelcomfort
ablewit
h
shar
ing.Iunder
stand.
"
Nkosi
:"No,
shedoesn'
thaveagi
ft
."
Me:"
Oh.
"
Nkosi:"
Wehave.
..di
ff
erentabi
li
ti
es.
"Hi
sst
arewas
i
ntense.
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Nkosi:"Idon'
tknowift hiswillchangeour
rel
ati
onshiporevenendi tbutIcan'tconti
nue
keepi
ngi tawayf r
om you.I fyester
daytaughtme
somet hi
ngaboutyoui t'sthatIshouldbeopenwit
h
youaboutmyl ife.Ii
ntendt odot hat.Al
ways."
Me:"
Nkosi
,whati
sdi
ff
erentabi
li
ti
es?
"
Nkosi:"
I'm..
.Icanpredictthefutur
ebecauseIcan
seepatternandmani pulat
eit.
"Iswallowed,wai
ti
ng
forhi
mt ocont i
nue.Whatdi dhemean?" Ican
whisper.AndIhavet hephysicalstr
engthofa
Siber
iantiger
."Ist
aredathi m,al
mostamused.
Me:"Everyonecanwhi sperbaby.That'
snotan
abi
li
ty."Hestaredatmequi etl
ywi t
houtanother
word.(Takeoffyourdress.)Ipul
leddownt he
shoulderstr
apsbeforeIzippeddownt hedr ess.
(St
op.Zipbackup.Smi l
e.)Izi
ppedmydr essedup
andsmi l
ed.
Nkosi
:"Li
ket
hat
."Ishookmyhead,
myhear
traci
ng.
Me:"Y-
y-youdi
dn'tsayanyt
hing.ButIheardyou.
Youwereinmyhead.Youwer econtr
oll
ingmybrain
andbody.How..
."Istar
tedshi
veri
ng.
Nkosi
:"I
tsmyabi
li
ty.
"
Me:" That'snotr
eal.Itcan'
tbe.Pl
easeNkosinhl
e,
tel
lmet hat '
snotreal.Ther
ehastobean
explanation.
"Hest aredatmequietl
y.(
Iwasbor n
l
ikethis.Mywhol ef amilywasbornwit
hdiff
erent
abil
iti
es.)Istoodup, backi
ngawayfrom hi
m.
Nkosi
:"Idi
dn'
twantt
oscar
eyouaway.
"
Me:"Areyousur
e?Becauseyou'
redoi
ngaver
y
goodjob!
!!
"
Nkosi:"Idon'tusethi
s.Ihaven' t
.Ever ymomentyou
spentwi t
hmewasyourf reewi l
l.Iwoul dnevertake
awayyourchoi ceandfreewi l
l.ThatiswhyI 'm
choosingtot el
lyounowbef orewemovef urt
herin
ourrelati
onship.Soifyoudon' twantt ocontinue,
youaren'tstuck.You'r
ef r
eet ogo. "Thiswasscar y.
Me:"
Canyouhearmyt
hought
s?"Henodded.Oh
f
uck.
Nkosi:"
I'venevervi
olat
edyourprivacy.Icanhear
yourthoughtsbutchoosenotto."Iwr appedmy
armsar oundmybody, suddenl
yf eel
ingcoldand
naked.
Me:"
Amahl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Shecan'twhisper
.Amahl
eisi
mmor
tal
."I
st
aredathim andlaughed.
Me:"Wher
earethecameras?
"Honest
ly,
Iwas
f
reaki
ngout."
Nkosi
nhl
e,nooneisi
mmor tal
."
Nkosi
:"She'scommi
tt
edsui
cidemor
ethan20t
imes.
Shedoesn'tdi
e."
Me:"That '
s,thatdoesn' tmeanshecan' t.That
doesn'tmeanshe' simmor t
al.Becauseifshe's
i
mmor talandyoucancr eepintomyt houghtsthen
I'
m goingt ofuckingfaint."Ishookmyhead." I
'm
goingtof uckingfaint.There'snoway.Nkosi ,what'
s
therealexplanation.Ineedf acts.Thisisn'
t.
..Thi
sis
notreal.Itcan'tbe."
Nkosi
:"I
tisr
eal
."
Me:"
Yourf
amil
yhasabil
it
ies?Whataboutt
he
ot
her
s?Whatdotheydo?
"
Nkosi:"
Myfather
,AmahleandIaretheonl yones
whohaveabili
ti
es.Myfathercanmanipulatet
he
weather.
"Nkosi
nhledoesn'
tli
e.Hecan't
.Butwhat
i
st hi
s?WHATTHEFUCKI STHIS!!I
fAmahleis
i
mmor t
althenshedi
ddiethi
smor ning?WhenI
foundherinourroom,shehadreall
ydiedandcame
backtolif
e?OhdearGod.Ifel
tdizzyandweak.The
l
astthingIsawwasNkosijumpingupt ocatchme.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ist
aredatThembisa,
layi
ngi
nourbed.Sleeping.
Mthunziwasinthemiddl
eoft
heroom,stari
ngat
me.Iknowhewasmadatme.Icoul dfeelhisanger.
Honestl
y,heknowsme.Whyishesurpri
sedt hatI
cameclean?
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowwhyyou'
remadatme-
"
Mt
hunzi
:"YouDON'
Tknow?
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dyouexpectmet
odo?Keepqui
et?
"
Mthunzi
:"That
'sal
lIaskedyout
odo.That
'swhat
you'
regoodat!
!"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
eisbusypl
ayi
ngt
hel
ott
eryatschool
andyouwanttobemadatme?!
"
Mthunzi
:"Youdon'tgett
ot urnthi
saround!
!No!!
Shewasnotr eady,cl
ear
ly!She'sbeenpassedout
for4minutesnow.Whatwi llhappenwhenshe
wakesup?Youbet terpr
ayt oGodshedoesn'tl
eave
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tli
e.Icoul
dn'
tconti
nue,possi
bly
t
akinghervir
tueandlocki
ngherincommi t
ment
wit
hsomet hi
ngshehasnocl ueof.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay,
MrKindness.Whatwi
llyoudo
whensheleavesyouheart
broken?
"
Nkosi:"I
'l
lmoveon. "Itwil
lhurtl
ikehellbutI '
dstil
l
feelbett
ert hatshechose.Not hingi
smor ehorri
ble
thanbeingunabl etochoose.Iknowt hisf ir
sthand.
Shemovedi nhersl eep,star
ti
ngt owakeup.My
heartbeati rr
egularly.Burdeningmewi thr egret.
Whydi dIt ellher?NowIhadt hepot entialoflosi
ng
her.Ican'tloseher .Pleasedon'tmakemel oseher.
Sheopenedhereyes, star
ingatme.I tfeltli
ketime
sloweddown, wait
ingf ortheverdi
ct.
Thembisa:"Hi
."Myhear
tbl
edwi
thi
n,t
ryi
ngt
o
composeitsel
f.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Shesatup.
Thembi
sa:"
Ifai
nted.
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Youdi
d.I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"It
oldyouaboutmyf
ami
ly.
"
Thembi
sa:"
No, Imeanwhydi
dyout el
lme?
"I
l
ookedatMthunzi,
hewassti
llpi
ssed.
Nkosi:"
Iwantyoutohavet hechoi
ceIneverhad.I
wantyout oknowtherealme.Everypartofme.
Everysi
de.Iwantedyoutochoosemebecauseyou
knewallofmeandnotj usttheshi
nypart.The
scarypart
stoo.Andifyoudidn'
twanttochooseme
thenI'
dhavetoacceptitandmoveonbutf eel
bett
erknowingyoucouldmaket hatdeci
sion
yoursel
f.
"
Thembisa:"
HowdoIknowyou'
l
lneveruseyour
abi
li
ti
esonme?"
Nkosi
:"That
,youcanneverknow.Icanonlyassur
e
youandyoucanonlytr
ustme. "Shesi
ghed.
Thembi
sa:"
Yousai
dyouhavet
hephysi
calst
rengt
h
ofawhat
?"
Nkosi
:"Si
beri
anTiger.It
'sametaphor.Thepurpose
i
stoemphasizethest r
engthrat
herthancompare
metotheanimal.Alt
hough...
Iki
ndoft ur
nint
o...
one.
Someti
mes."shestaredatmebl ankl
y.
Thembisa:"
What .ThehellNkosinhle.Youtur
nint
o
awhat?"Sheshookherhead, sighing."Thi
sis
i
nsane.Areallr
oyals,l
ikethi
s?"
Nkosi
:"No.I
t'
sonl
ymyf
ami
ly.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Thisisi
nsane,don'
tyout
hinki
t'
s
i
nsane?
"ShelookedatMthunzi
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ver
y."
Thembisa:"Ihaveneveri
nmyl ifebeensoshocked.
Amahleisaseer .That
'showsheknowst hi
ngsare
abouttohappen.MyGod, she'sabouttoplayt
he
Powerballandwin."Amahle'
smai nli
fegoali
sto
str
essme.Whyi sshedoingthis?
Mthunzi:"
Thembisa.Doyoust
il
lwantarel
ati
onship
wit
hthepr i
nce?"Whydoeshecallmet
heprince?
I
'mrighthere.
Thembisa:"Thi
smaysur pri
seyoubutyes."She
l
ookedatme." Idostil
lwantarel
ati
onshipwit
hyou.
I'
m scar
ed.Idon'tt
hinkI'
vecussedasmuchasIdi d
i
nt hi
shourinmywhol el
if
e.Idon'
tthi
nkithasful
ly
sunkin,Idoubti
teverwil
lbutIheardyourvoi
cein
myhead.OhmyGod, i
sthatwhyyousaidyoucould
summonmeawakenextt i
meIoversleep?"
Nkosi
:"Li
keIsai
dbef
ore,
Iwoul
dn'
tdoi
tbecause
i
t'
srude."
Thembisa:"Yes,thatfel
tveryintr
usiveand
confusi
ng.Ijust.
.Itrustyou,okay?Itrustthatyou
won'thurtme.Shoul dI?"Shelookedmei ntheeye,
unbli
nking,
wai t
ingforreassurance.Shewas
placi
ngherfaithinmeandIwoul dneverl ether
down.
Nkosi
:"Yes.Youcant
rustme.
"
Mthunzi
:"Nothi
ngwillcomet ohar
m you,Thembisa.
I'
veknownNkosi al
lmyl i
fe.Hewil
lonlyprot
ectyou
fr
om anythi
ngandifpushcomest oshove, f
rom
himsel
ftoo.Letmeleaveyout wotosomepr i
vacy.
"
Hewalkedouttheroom.
Thembisa:"
Comecl oser
."Icli
mbedont
hebednext
toher
."Idon'
tcareaboutyoursuper
nat
uralpower
s.
IwantyouNkosi.That'
sall.
"
Nkosi:"It
'snotsupernatur
al,
baby.Ther
e'sonl
y
naturalandunnatural.Super
natur
alist
akingi
tabi
t
toofar."Shegiggl
ed.
Thembi
sa:"
Sowhatdoyoucal
lyourpower
sthen?
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sabi
li
ti
es.I
t'
ssomethi
ngIam abl
edwi
th.I
don'
tknowhowelsetoexpl
aini
t.
"
Thembi
sa:"
So,
agi
ft
?"
Nkosi
:"Feel
smor
eli
keacur
se.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Whoel
secanwhi
sper
?"
Nkosi:"Theonlyot herper
sont hatcouldwhisper
wasmygr andfather.Heistheonewhonamedme
Nkosinhle.Hewhi speredinmyearwhenIwasbor n
andIcanst il
lhearhi svoi
ce.I
t'snotusualfor
abil
it
iestober ecycledinourfamilybutthi
sone
wasf orsomer eason.Thest r
engthisn'tr
ecycled
though,I'
mt heonlyonewho' shadi t.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Whydon'
tyourot
hersi
ster
shave
abi
li
ti
es?
"
Nkosi
:"Honestl
y,Idon'
tknow.Amahl
eandIshare
bot
hparents.It
hinkthatwoul
dbethereason.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Yourmot
heri
sal
sor
oyal
?"
Nkosi
:"Bot
hmymot
her
sar
e,yes.
"
Thembisa:"
Hm. ."shecuddl
edint
omychest
.
"Thankyoufortell
ingme.Givi
ngmet
hechancet
o
makeadecision."
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf
orchoosi
ngme.
"Iki
ssedher
l
ips.
Thembi
sa:"
Ihavequest
ions.
"
Nkosi
:"Askaway,
baby.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Whatdoyouuset
hephysi
cal
str
engt
h
for
?"
Nkosi
:"Not
hingothert
hancl
imbi
ngtr
ees,
mountai
ns.Ihaven'
thadt
ofi
ghtsomeoneor
somethi
ng.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Andt
hewhi
sper
ing?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tusei
tmuchhoweveri
tisver
yusef
ul
i
nmeet ingswhenpeoplearebeingdiffi
cultforno
reason.Al otoft
hetime,ot
herleader
smost l
y,
under minemeandmyopi nionsbecauseI'm young.
Theyhavet heold'
thi
ngshavebeenwor ki
ngf i
ne
there'
snoneedt ochangeit
' ment
ali
ty.Itr
ytousei t
l
ess, Ireall
ytry.
"
Thembi
sa:"Iknow.You'
renotabadper
sonNkosi
.
Youwantpeopletothi
nkyouare.
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tcarewhatpeopl ethi
nkaboutme.
You'
retheonlypersonimpor t
anttome.Youmake
mylif
ewor t
heverythingthatI
'veendur
edbefor
e.I
wouldchooseyoual ways,andsooner.
"
Thembisa:"
Doyour ememberwhenyoudi
dn'
tli
ke
total
k?"Il
aughed.Shest
aredatme.
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
m keepi
ngqui
et.
"
Thembi
sa:"
That
'st
hever
yfi
rstt
imeI
'
vehear
dyou
l
augh.
"

Nkosi
:"Il
aughwi
thyoual
lthet
ime.
"
Me:"
No,
youusual
lysmi
leorchuckl
e.Nevera
l
augh.I
tsoundsbeaut
if
ul.
"
Nkosi
:"Youknowwhat
'smor
ebeaut
if
ul?
"Ibl
ushed.
Me:"
What
?"
Nkosi
:"Thepi
cnicIsetupoutsi
de.Let
'sgo.
"He
pul
ledmeup.Ilaughed,get
ti
ngoutofbed.
Me:"
Ithoughtyou'
dsayme.
"
Nkosi :"You'
regor geousmyl ove."Hekissedme
slowly.Iheldont ohi sshir
t,hi
shandssl iddownmy
wai st
, t
omyhi ps,andheldonmyassf i
rmly.He
groaned, pressingmei ntohisbody.Isteppedback,
stil
lholdinghim, l
ayingdownont hebed.He
cli
mbedont opofme, mydresspul l
ingupt omy
thighs,separatingmyl egswi t
hhi sknee.Ihel
don
hishead, suckinghi sli
ps,myl egswr appedaround
hiswai st.
Me:"Baby.
"Ipant
ed.Hi
shandsnakedupmythi
gh,
hooki
nghisfi
ngersonmypant
y.Hesuddenl
y
st
opped.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
No,
don'
tst
op.
"
Nkosi
:"Wecanwai
tbaby.I
'
m noti
nar
ush.
"
Me:"
Iam.I
'
minaver
ybi
grushNkosi
nhl
e!"
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
omakei
tspeci
alf
oryou-
"
Me:"
You'
respeci
alenough.
"Iunbut
tonedhi
sshi
rt
.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa,
I'
m goi
ngt
ogetyoupr
egnant
."
Me:"
Idon'
tcar
e.Just
-"
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove,
please.
"
Me:"
What
'swr
ong?Icanseet
hati
t'
shar
d."
Nkosi:"Gi
vemeasecond.Whyar eyousost rong?
"I
l
ethim go."Weneedt oberesponsi
blebaby.Iwant
togetcarri
edaway, Idobutyou'
vealr
eady
expressedthatyoureducat
ionisi
mpor t
anttoyou.
Also..
.Idon'twantt
opissoffyourdad.Okay?Let'
s
planthis.
"
Me:"
Okay.You'
rer
ight
."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Sowecangotothepicni
cri
ght
?We'
l
l
haveanicemealandrel
ax.Whatt
imedoyouwant
togoback?"
Me:"
Gobackwher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Iuhm,thel
astt
imeyouwereher
e,you
over
sleptsoyousai
d,wewon'
t.Notonweekdays.
"
Me:"I'
l
lsetanal
arm.Let'
sgohaveapicni
c."Men
real
lyconf
useme."Maybelat
erwe'l
lgobuy
condoms.Come."Ihel
dhishand,
walki
ngout.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Wesatontheblanket,atourpi
cni
cspot
.Thembi
sa
wastast
ingthechickenAlfr
edopast
aandenj
oyi
ng
i
t.Iwasi
nt r
ouble.
Nkosi:"Baby,Ijustforgott
or emindMthunziof
somet hing.I
'l
lberightback."Igotup,
walking
swift
lyt oMthunzi'
ssui t
e.Iknockedonthedoor
urgently.Whywasn' theanswer i
ng?Final
lyhe
opened.Isl i
ppedintohisroom.
Mthunzi:"
Who'
schasi
ngyou?
"Hel
ookedouti
nthe
passage.
Nkosi:"Thi
sisgoi
ngtobemymostuncomf
ort
abl
e
conversati
onofal
lti
me.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
mli
steni
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"YouknowI'
vebeencel
ibat
esi
nceIcame
backf
rom theSt
ates.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"OhDearGod.
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Cal
lhi
m."Hel
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whati
sthepr
obl
em Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Whati
fIhur
ther
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Lethert
aket
hel
ead.
"
Nkosi
:"Howdoyour
eckont
hatwi
llhel
p?"
Mthunzi:"
Whatdoyouwantmet odoNkosi?Ican
getcondoms.Ther e'
snothingelseIcanhelpwit
h."I
pacedthelivi
ngroom, scr
atchingmyhead.Whati fI
can'
tcontrolmyself?Whatifthecondom doesn'
t
work?Whati fi
tbreaks?Whati fIhur
ther
?
Mt
hunzi
:"Hey.Hey.Cal
m down.Lookatme.
"
Nkosi:"
Inthi
sstat
e?PleaseMt
hunzi
,don'
tmake
mefightyou."Hel
aughedagai
n.Whataboutt
hisi
s
soamusi ng?
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
.You'
renotgoi
ngt
ohur
tThembi
sa.
Cal
m down.
"
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
tunderst
andhowIlosemyself
whenI'
m hol
dingher.Mybodyqui
cklybet
raysme.
"
Mthunzi:"Thenleti
t.Thembisaknowswhoyouar e.
Letyourselfgowithher.She'l
lbeabl
etocont
rol
you.Trustthat.Go.
"Ibreathed.
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Iwal
kedt
othedoor
.
Mthunzi
:"Gogetherti
ger.
"Iturnedtolookathim.
"I
'
m sorr
y,Ihadtosayit.
"Hel aughed.Iopenedthe
doorwalki
ngout.Ihadtotrustmyselfnottohurt
her.Mybodycouldli
stentoher.Ihope.
[
07/
27,
05:
42] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er17

SASAPOV_

Ourpi
cni
cwasamazi ng.Af
tereat
ing,
wedrank
somewineandr
elaxedwatchingt
hegarden.
Me:"
Sot
ellmewhat
'shappeni
ngt
hisweekend?
"
Nkosi:"Ther
e'sar
eeddance,mymother
sare
or
gani zi
ng.Appar
ent
lyIneedtof
indamaiden.
"I
gi
ggled.
Me:"
Whydon'
tyout
ellt
hem youal
readyhaveone?
"
Nkosi
:"Thent
hey'
dwantt
omeetyouandr
uinwhat
wehave."
Me:"
Whydot
hinkt
hey'
drui
nit
?"
Nkosi
:"Mypar
entshaveawayofget
ti
ngunder
someone'
sski
n."
Me:"Haveyoui
ntr
oducedawomant
othem
bef
ore?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.TwoyearsagoImetawomant hatI
wasinterest
edin.Wedatedforashortwhil
e.I
wasn'tquit
esureabouther.Mymotheraskedmet o
i
nvit
eherf ordi
nner,
Idid.I
twasamess. "
Me:"
Theydi
dn'
tli
keher
?"
Nkosi:"
No,theylovedherbutsomethi
ngmademe
real
lyuncomfortabl
e.Iwasn'
tsurewhat.Shewas
suddenlyobsessedwithbei
nga'goodwi f
e'and
takingcareofme.Thi sconfusedmebecauseI
wasn'tplanningmar ri
ageyet .I'
dbeencel i
batesince
Icamebackf rom theSt at
esandshewaspushi ng.I
wasn'treall
ycomf or table,soItookherupt hetrail
i
nt hemount ain.Wedi dn'tevenr eachthet opbef or
e
i
tst ar
ted.Shekeptf al l
ingandbr uisi
ngherknees.
Whenwekeptgoi ng, shef el
lagai nbefore
Nkanyambaappear ed.Iknewt henandt here,
I
neededt ogetherout .Sowet urnedback.Whenwe
reachedthebui ldi
ng, shecoul dn'tbreathproperly.
Thingsgotqui tebad, Mt hunzibroughtt hehealert o
wor konher.Af t
erthat ,Ibrokeupwi thher.She's
sincemovedt oanot hercity.
"
Me:"
Who'
sNkanyamba?
"
Nkosi
:"Thesnakeyouwereafrai
dof.Theonethat
wasinfrontofyou.Theyr
epr
esentmyancestors.
"
Me:"
Sot
hesnakesbi
te?Orhar
m?What
?"
Nkosi:"
Ifyou'
renotagoodper
son,
they'
dneverlet
yougettothetopwhereweweresi
tti
ng.Thati
s
thei
ralt
er.Yousatdown,t
heycametoacknowledge
youandl ef
tyoualone.
"
Me:"
Andt
hatmeanswhat
?"
Nkosi
:"Theyappr
oveofyou.
"
Me:"
Snakesscar
eme.
"
Nkosi:"
Theywoul dneverharm you.Besi
des,we
won'thavetogoupt heDlozit
railagai
n.Come
here.
"Iplacedmyempt yglassaside,movingcl
oser
tohim.Heki ssedmyli
ps.
Me:"Whydon'
tyouwantt
omakel
ovet
ome?
"He
smil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
omar
ryyouf
ir
st.
"
Me:"
Whywoul
dthatmakeadi
ff
erence?
"
Nkosi:"Isai
dIloveyou.Bylovingyou,Ineedto
respectyourfamil
y.Moreespecial
lyyourfather
.I'
m
nothisfavori
tepersontobeginwith.
"
Me:"Iunderstand.ThankyouNkosi.Igotcarri
ed
away.Youj ustsmellsoni
ce,andyouhavet his
beauti
fulgaze.Lookatyoursmil
e.Iloveseeingyou
smil
e.Iloveyout oo.
"Hesmi l
ed,shy.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Me:"
Tel
lme,
haveyoueverpl
ayedaspor
t?"
Nkosi:"
Absol
utel
ynot.Whywoul
dI?"Il
aughed
uncontr
oll
abl
y.Ohthi
swasgoingtobeperf
ect
.
Me:"
Babe.It
hinkIwantust
opl
aysoccer
-"
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
ddoanyt
hing,
absol
utel
yanyt
hingbut
t
hat.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
dlookf
ool
ish.
"
Me:"
Noyouwoul
dn'
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,Idon'
tchasethi
ngs.You'requi
te
l
it
eral
lytheonlyper
sonI'veeverchased.Notathi
ng
el
se."
Me:"
Andhowwi
llyoupl
aywi
tht
heki
ds?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
dstandonthesi
deandkickt
hebal
lfor
t
hem tochasei
tandbri
ngitback.
"
Me:"
Likeadogpl
ayingfet
ch?Nkosi
nhle,Iwoul
dbe
somadifyoudi
dthattomyson."Helaughed.
Nkosi:"
They'
dbeplaying,woul
dn'
tthey?I
'
vegotmy
workoutrout
ine,
I'
mfine."
Me:"
Youwor
kout
?"
Nkosi
:"Ir
unever
ymor
ning.Thr
eet
imesaweek,
I
doweightl
if
ti
ng.
"
Me:"Sothat'
swhyyou'
vegott
hisconcr
etewal
lon
yourchest
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sof
tasamar
shmal
low.
"
Me:"Ifitwasamarshmallowcolouredwall
,yes.I
fel
titthefi
rstti
meIbumpedintoyou, whenIwas
comingoutt hebat
hroom.Whydi dn'
tyoueventry
tosayhi ?IwassoscaredIt
houghtyou'dshoot
me."Hesmi l
ed.
Nkosi
:"Iwastr
yingtosayhi,
inst
eadyour
anaway
t
oyourboyfri
end."Il
aughed.
Me:"
Mxi
m."
Nkosi:"
Honestly.Ididn'
tneedtogotothebat
hroom.
Ij
ustfoll
owedyou.Themi nuteyousawmy
bodyguard,youspiraledandranaway.I
twas
adorabl
e."Hechuckl ed.
Me:"
Iwasscared.Whywoul
dyout
akeabodyguar
d
t
othebat
hroom? "
Nkosi
:"Theygowher
everIgounf
ort
unat
ely.
"He
si
ghed.
Me:"Butyousaidyouhavethest
rengt
hofa.
..What
wasit?Si
beri
anTiger.Whydoyouneedsomany
guar
ds?Inafullci
rcl
earoundyou.
"
Nkosi:"Theworlddoesn'tknowofourabi li
ti
esand
I'
dprefertokeepitthatway.Al so,asstr
ongasIam,
I'
m notimmor t
alli
kemysi ster.AtleastIdon'
tthi
nk
Iam.Howwoul dIknow?Idoubti tthoughandI'm
notgoingtotryandf i
gureitout .
"
Me:"
Howdi
dshef
indout
?Thatshe'
simmor
tal
?"
Nkosi:"
Shecommi tt
edsui ci
de.If oundheri
nher
room,withherwr i
stsbleeding.Ifoundherdead.
Shewascol d,sti
ffandt ur
ninggr ey.Ihel
dherinmy
armsonlyf oraf ewmi nutesbef oreshegaspeda
breat
hofai randopenedhereyes.Idi dn'
tknow
whattodo.Shedi dn'tunderstandwhatwasgoi ng
on.Herintentwast odi e.That'
sal lshewantedand
soshekeptt r
ying."
Me:"
Doyouknowwhyshekeepst
ryi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Shet
hinksmaybeonedayshe'
l
lrunoutof
l
ivesandshe'
l
lreal
lydi
e."
Me:"
Ist
hatpossi
ble?
"
Nkosi:"
Idoubtit.
"Icouldn'tt
ellNkosiaboutthi
s
morning.ThatIactual
lyfoundherdeadandsaw
herwakeup.Ihaveaf eelinghewon' tbehappy
aboutit
.Ohshi t
,hecanhearmyt houghts.Il
ooked
athi
m, helookedbackatme." What,baby?"
Me:"
Canyouhearmyt
hought
s?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notli
steningtoyourthought
sbaby,
Itol
d
youIwouldn'
tvi
olateyourpri
vacy."
Me:"
Soyoucanj
ustswi
tchi
tof
f?"
Nkosi:"I
nasense, yes.Ir
edirectmyfocuson
somet hi
ngelse.Li
kemyownt hought
s.Thenagai
n,
you'
dknowwhenI 'mi nyourhead.Apparent
lyt
he
headachethatfoll
owsi sbli
nding."
Me:"
Whot
oldyout
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
.Hewant
edmet
otr
yitonhi
m.He
hat
edit.
"
Me:"
Whoel
seknowsaboutyouandyourf
ami
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"From theout
side?Onl
yyouandMt hunzi
.
Theotherroyalfami
li
eshavesuspi
cionsbutt
hey
can'
tproveit.
"
Me:"
Areyoucl
oset
otheBi
yel
a'
s?"
Nkosi :"
Yes.They'
reveryclosetoourfamil
y.Our
fatherssharebusinessdeals.Theyarei
nvi
tedto
ourf uncti
onsandwet ooattendthei
rs.The
fri
endshipiscenturi
esdeep."
Me:"
Butyou'
renotf
ri
endswi
thSi
bonel
o."
Nkosi
:"I
'
drat
herdr
inkpai
nt.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Hecan'
tbet
hatbad.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dn'
tknowandIdon'
tcar
e."
Me:"
Whatabouthi
sbr
other
s?"
Nkosi
:"Itcoul
devenbewashingpowdermi
xedi
n
t
hatpaint,I
'm notpi
cky,
I'
ddr
inki
t.
"
Me:"
Whydon'
tyouwantf
ri
ends?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
kepeople.YouandMt hunziarefi
ne.
Whywoul dIneedmor epeopl
enearme? "Isighed.
"
I'
m happy,youbri
ghtenmyl i
fe.Idon'
tneed
anyt
hingelse."Ikissedhi m.Iwasst arti
ngt ofal
lin
l
ovewi t
hNkosi ,actuallyIwasalreadyi nlovewith
hi
m.Whi chisqui testrange.Doesn'tlovetake
monthstodevel op?Iwasat t
achedt ohim andI
don'
teverwantt ol etgo.Thatscaredmeal ot.I'
d
marryhim event omor r
ow.

PETUNI
APOV_

Iwasi
nAmahleandSasa' sroom i
nt heevening.
Amahl
ehadgivenmet hePowerballnumber sto
pl
ayandIwaswaiti
ngfor9pm tohit.Playi
ngwi t
h
mybanki
ngappreall
yhelped.Wouldt hi
sevenwor k?
Pet
u:"
Amy.Ar
eyoul
ikeapsychi
c?"
Ama:"
No.
"Shet
urnedapageonherbook.
Pet
u:"
Areyousur
ethi
sisgoi
ngt
owor
k?"
Ama:"
Yep.
"
Pet
u:"
You'
repl
ayi
ngwi
thmer
ight
?"
Ama:"
Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?"
Petu:"
Right
.I'
mj ustanxi
ous."Iputmyphoneasi
de.
"Let
'schat
.You'vebeenquietforabit
."
Ama:"
I'
mreadi
ng.
"
Petu:"Okay,youcandothatwhenyou'
real
one.
Wher eareyoufrom?"Shelookedupatmewit
hher
beautif
ulorangeeyes.
Ama:"
Mount
ainPeak.
"
Pet
u:"
Yougr
ewupher
e?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"Shel
ookedbackdownatherbook.
Pet
u:"
IgrewupeMoyeni .WhenIgott ohi
ghschool
,
al
lmyfri
endswant edtogotoGoldenCrown.I
di
dn'
twanttoleavethi
sbeautif
ulci
ty.Al
so,t
hisi
s
ki
ndofthebestuniver
sit
yinthenati
on."
Ama:"
Secondbest
.ThePhakami
sa'
shavet
hebest
uni
ver
sit
yinGol
denCrown.
"
Pet
u:"
Doyouhaveanyf
ri
endsher
e?"
Ama:"
Yes.Not
hando.
"
Pet
u:"
Whoi sNothando?
"Shel
ookedatt
hedoor
.
Someoneknocked.
Ama:"
That
'sher
."Thedooropenedandthegi
rlwho
camet
ousatbreakfastear
li
er,
walkedi
n.
Not
hando:"
Whatar
eyour
eadi
ng?
"
Ama:"
Am Ial
one?
"Not
handol
ookedatme.
Nothando:"Hi.
"Thenbackather."Whatar
eyou
readi
ng."Perhaps,Ishoul
dgotomyr oom.Ihad
somewor kIwant edtogooveranyway.
Pet
u:"
Uhm,I'
mleavingAmahl
e.I
'
llseeyoul
ater
.
MaybewhenSasaisback.
"
Ama:"Sasai
snotcomi
ngback.She'
l
lbebacki
nthe
mor
ning.Whyareyoul
eavi
ng?"
Petu:"
Ihavesomewor kt odoandI- "myphone
buzzed.Anotifi
cation.<Congr atulat
ions.Youhave
wonR7500i nyourPower ballti
cket.
>Il ookedat
Amahle.Shest aredbackatme." Ihavet ogo."I
walkedoutther oom, almostr unningtomyown.I
l
ockedmysel finandl ookedatt henotifi
cati
onagain.
Howwast hispossi ble?WehadanATM outbyt he
parki
ngsoIwal kedstraightthere,IwithdrewR4000,
tucki
ngiti
ntomybr al i
keI '
m aboutt odealdrugs.
Noonewasar oundmesoIdon' tknowwhyIwas
soscared.Orshocked?IthinkIwasshocked.I
wentbackinsi
dethebuildingtoAmahle'
sroom,
knocki
ngonherdoor .
Ama:"
Ent
er.
"Iopenedt
hedoor
,wal
kingi
n.
Pet
u:"
Heyagai
n."Herf
ri
endwasgone.
Ama:"
Hi.
"It
ookoutt
hemoney,
givi
ngi
ttoher
.
Petu:"Idon'
tknowwhatthehellyoudi
d,butyoudi
d
i
t.Here'syourshar
e.Thankyou."Myhandwas
shaking.
Ama:"I
'
mt helastpersonint
hispr
ovi
ncewho
needsmoney.It
'syours.
"
Petu:"
Ican'
tkeepal
loft
hisAmahl
e.Thati
snot
fai
r.
"
Ama:"It
'sver
yfai
r.Youaskedf
ori
t,Ihel
ped.That
's
al
l.I
t'
syours.
"
Petu:"
Okay.Thengetdr
essed,
let
'sgohavea
dri
nk!"
Ama:"Idon'
tgooutbuthavefun.PleasegoPetu.
Mybooki sget
ti
ngint
erest
ing.
"Ididn'tknowwhatt
o
saysoIquickl
yhuggedherandwal kedout.I
nmy
room Ichangedi ntoati
ghtwhit
eminiskirtanda
pinkcroptop.Iwor epi
nksli
ponheel sandt ookmy
bag,walkingout .I
'
dhaveadr i
nkatZoulah's,the
rest
aurantaf ewst r
eet
sdown.Apar tofmef eltvery
guil
tyforleavingAmahle.Al
thoughsheclear lytold
met oleave.
Zi
mmy:"
Hey.
"
Pet
u:"
Hi.
"
Fi
kil
e:"
You'
rescar
ce.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yougoi
ngsomewher
e?Youl
ookhot
."
Petu:"Yeah.Justal
ightdi
nnerandadr
inkat
Zoulah's.
"
Zimmy:"Alone?Noways.Joi nus.We' regoingt
o
Tempaf orabit.Here'
sourr i
de."Shehel dmyhand
tothecar.Tempawasanot herrestaurantpubplace.
We'veonlygonet hereonce.Wear rivedatthe
rest
aurant,get
ti
ngseat edatapr i
vatetable.
Zimmy:"CanIhaveabott
leofchampagneplease?
Ohandapl att
er.
"Thewai
ternodded,
walki
ngaway.
"Ihaven'
tseenyouinabi
t.
"
Pet
u:"
It
'sonl
ybeenaday.
"
Zimmy:"Hm..sawyouhangi
ngoutwi
thThembi
sa.
"
Iknewthiswascoming.
Pet
u:"
Yeah,
she'
scool
."
Zi
mmy:"
So.
..Di
dshet
ellyouwhohermanwas?
"
Pet
u:"
No.Shedi
dn'
t
."
Zi
mmy:" Shedoesn'
ttal
kabouthi
m?Hi
sname?
Anyt
hing?"
Petu:"Ij
ustt hi
nkshe'
lltel
luswhenshe' s
comf ort
ableZimmy.Idon' tt
hinkthey'vebeen
togetherforlong.Maybeshe'sgettingtoknowhim
beforeshei ntr
oducestheguyt oallherfr
iends.
"
Zimmy:"You'
rer
ight
.Shei
squi
tel
iket
hat
.I'
mjust
dyingt
oknow!"
Fiki
le:"
Maybeshehasabl esser
.Haveyouseen
thatcarthatkeepsf
etchi
ngher?
"
Zimmy:"Thembisai
swayt oor
esponsibl
e.She'
d
neverdothat
."Thechampagnear
rivedwit
hglasses.
Fi
kil
e:"
Hehe.Youdon'
tknowpeopl
ewena.I
t'
sthe
i
nnocentvi
ll
ageonest
hatshowyouf
lames-
"
Zimmy:"Let'snotdothisagainFi ki
le.Whatdoyou
haveagainstpeoplefrom thevill
age?Comeon,
stopthi
s.Thisisthelastti
meI '
m addr essi
ngthi
s
classi
stbul
lshitofyours.Thembi saisnotthe
reasonwhyKhayai sghostingyou.He'smovedon.
Ifanyt
hing,she'sghosti
nghi m."Sheopenedt he
champagne, pouri
ngintoeachgl ass.
Fiki
le:"
Khayaisn'
tghost
ingme.We'
rej
ustgi
ving
eachotherspace.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Haha.Okay.
"
Pet
u:"
Zimmy,whydoyoupushThembi
sat
oKhaya
somuch?What'
sini
tforyou?
"
Zimmy:"Khayai smybestf ri
end.I'
veknownhi mfor
overayearnow.Iknowhe' sinl
ovewi thher
,he's
j
ustscared.Hedoesn' tknowhowt ocommi t.On
topoft
hat,Khayai sthetypeofpersonwhowant s
tocal
culat
eout come.Hedoesn' tknowhowi twould
be,movi
ngf orward,beinginarelat
ionshi
p.Ijust
wishhewoul dli
stentomeanddr opthehoes.He
wouldbesohappy.Thembi saisagoodwoman. "
Shehandedmeagl
ass.
Fi
kil
e:"
I'
m ahoe?
"
Zi
mmy:"Ift
heshoef
it
sIhaveext
ral
acesIcan
bor
rowyou."
Petu:"
Zimmy.Whyar
eyoupushi
ngKhayat
o
Thembisa?
"
Zimmy:" Khayawi l
ltakecar eofher.He'syoung,
he'
sr i
ch, hehasani nfl
uent i
alfamil
y,he'
sgotavery
bri
ghtfut ur
ewi t
hhighchancesofsuccess.
Thembi saneedsaguyl ikethat.Heissogentlewit
h
her.Unliketheboysint hiscitywho'l
lbetaki
ng
advantageofher .Thembi saisshyand
i
nexperienced.Shedoesn' tdeser
vetobeswal l
owed
bysharksl i
kewhoevert hehellshe'
sseeing.Wit
h
Khaya,shewi llbesafe."
Petu:"
She'stheonlyonethatcanmakethat
decisi
on.Khayaisn'
teventryi
ngtostopwhor
ing.
Hecan'texpectThembisatowaitar
oundforthat
-"
Zi
mmy:" OhmyGod.Youjustgavemeani
dea.
You'
reabsol
utel
yri
ght
."
Pet
u:"
What?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Nevermi
nd.Anyway,
what
'snew?
"
Petu:"Not
hingmuch.I'
mjustbat
tl
ingwit
han
assignment.Thi
nkI
'l
lbestar
ti
ngittomor
row.
"
Zi
mmy:" Hmm.Youdi
dsayyouwantt
ogetont
op
ofi
tthi
syear
."
Petu:"Yeah.Lessdr inki
ng,mor estudyi
ng.
"Istar
ed
atthestil
lfullglassinmyhand.Iwonderwhat
Amahl eisdoi ng?Idon'tevenhavehernumber .I
don'twanttodi sturbSasabyaski ngher,i
t'
satni
ght
andshe'spr obabl yasl
eep."Ihavetogo."
Zi
mmy:"What
?Wej
ustgother
e,you'
vebar
elyt
aken
asi
p."
Petu:"Ij
ustr
eal
izedIneedt
oreal
lyst
artt
hat
assignment.
"It
ookoutmyphonecall
ingacab.
Zimmy:"Okay.Don'
tyouwantat
akeawayor
somet
hing?"
Petu:"No,I'
l
lbefine.Goodni
ghtguys."Igotupfrom
thetable,wal
kingtothedoor.Khayawaswal ki
ngin
withagr oupoffri
ends.Idi
dn'tl
ikehi
m andheknew
that.Ther ewasnoneedt opr et
end.Imovedt
othe
side,lett
ingthem pass.Icheckedmyphone,mycab
wasal mosthere.
"
Hel
loPet
uni
a."Il
ookedupandst
aredatMnqobi
.
OhmyGod.
Petu:"
Iuhm,
Hel
lo.YourHi
ghness.
"Ibowed.He
chuckl
ed.
Mnqobi
:"That
'sf
orSi
khosana.Iam j
ustMnqobi
."
Pet
u:"
Iknow.I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Mnqobi
:"Howar
eyou?
"Icoul
dn'
tevenbr
eat
h.
Pet
u:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Mnqobi
:"That
's.
..
nice.
"
Pet
u:"Al
soyou,howyouare?Howar eyou?I
'
m
sor
ry.
"Ohfuck.Iwasn'
tfumbl
ingbadl
y.Hesmil
ed.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m gr
eat
."
"
Mnqobi
!!
"Khayacal
ledf
rom af
ewmet
ersaway.
Mnqobi:"Hmm,i
twasniceseeingyouagain,
Pet
unia."Hewal
kedaway.Iranoutsidetothecar
.
Fi
nall
yabl et
obr
eath.MnqobiBiyel
ar emembers
me!!Heknowsmyname! !Isqueal
edinthe
backseatli
kealit
tl
ebaby.WhenIr eachedres,I
couldbarel
ywaitforthedrivert
ostopbefor
eIleft
hiscashandjumpedout .IrantoAmahle'sroom,
ri
ghtbeforeIknocked,t
hedooropened.Shewal ked
backtoherbed.
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
knowsme!
"Ibr
eat
hed.
Ama:"Ofcour
sehedoes,
hemetyoui
nthe
af
ter
noon."
Pet
u:"
No!Hecameupt
omeandcal
ledmeby
name!
!"
Ama:"
I'
m conf
used.
"
Pet
u:"
Amahl
e.Her
ecogni
zesme.ME.
"
Ama:"
Agai
n,hemetyouear
li
er.
"Il
aughed,
floppi
ng
ont
opofThembi
sa'
sbed.
Pet
u:"
Hei
ssodr
eamy.
"
Ama:"
Whydi
dyoucomeback?
"
Petu:"
Iwantedt
ochil
lwi
thyou.I
'm or
der
ingt
ake
aways.We'r
ehavingagi
rl
'sni
ghti
n.Doyouwantto
dri
nk."
Ama:"
Idon'
tdr
ink.
"
Pet
u:"
Fine,
I'
llor
derj
uicef
oryou.Veganpi
zza?
"
Ama:"
Ist
her
esuchat
hing?
"
Pet
u:"We'l
ltr
yit.
"Isi
lent
lyscr
eamed,pressi
ngon
myphone."Thishasmademyni ght
.Mr sPetuni
a
Bi
yela.I
'
m goingtohavesuchsweetdreams."I
si
ghed.Amahlegiggl
ed.
Ama:"Okay.Tel
lmewhathesai
d."Isatont
hef
loor
,
faci
ngher.
Petu:"So,Iwasleavi
ngt herestaurantri
ght
?A
groupofguyswer ewal kingin.Ilookeddownatmy
phone, checki
nghowf armycabwasandIhear d
hisvoicefirst
.HesaidHel l
oPet unia.
"Ii
mitat
edhis
voice.Shelaughedloudly.
Ama:"Thatisacreepyaccur
ateimit
ati
onofhi
s
voi
ce.Doitagain.
"Welaughedintotheni
ghtl
ike
goodoldfr
iends.
[
07/
27,
05:
43] :Sponsor
edPost
:
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er18

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ihavebeenawakef oranhournow, stari

ngatmy
beauty.Shewassl eepingpeacefull
yj udgingfrom
thesmi l
esonherf ace.Iki
ssedherl ipstryingt
o
wakeher .Sheturnedonhersi de,curli
ngi ntomy
body.Again.Ikissedheragain,suckingonherl i
p.
Thembi
sa:"
Hm.
hm,
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Wakeup.
"
Thembi
sa:"No.
"Thenshe'
sgoi
ngt
osayIdi
dn'
t
wakeherup.
Nkosi:"
Yes,it
's6.Youneedt ogot oschool.
"She
hel
dmet i
ghter.Okaymaybeanot her30mi nut
es.I
wait
ed,watchingherbeauti
fulface.Idi
dn'thave
al
ottodot odaybutIdidwanttogot othenewr es
andchecki feveryt
hingwascompl etetothe
standardsIhadpr oposed.Mthunziwashappywi th
i
t,theonlythingIneededtodowast ochangethe
name.I twould'
vebeencal l
edNewHopebutI
wasn' tt
oohappywi ththat,
mostlybecauseit
fetchesthereminderthathopewasneededt obegin
with.Ifl
eadershi
pdi dwhattheyhadt odoforthe
cit
izensoftheirnati
on,hopewouldn'tbeneeded.
We' dbestri
vingandconquer i
ng.Iwouldstr
uggle
withaname, t
hisoneneedst ohelpme.
Nkosi
:"Baby.
"Iki
ssedhernose.
Thembi
sa:"
Nkosiman.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
s8.
"Sheopenedhereyes,sit
ti
ngup
qui
ckl
y."I
'mj
oki
ng.Goodmorning."Ismil
ed.
Thembi
sa:"
Iwasenj
oyi
ngmydr
eam.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
otel
lmeabouti
t?"Ipul
ledher
i
ntomyar ms.
Thembi
sa:"
No.
"
Nkosi:"
Ouch.
"Shegi
ggl
ed."
Let
'sgetyour
eadyf
or
school.
"
Thembisa:"Okay."Shekissedme, gett
ingup."
I
didn'
tbri
ngclothesagain,oneofthesedaysI '
l
lgo
toschoolwithyourroyalsuiton.
"Ilaughed.How
canInotlovethisperson?Ihavenevermetanyone
mor ef
unny.
Nkosi
:"WhenIdropyouoff,
packafewcl
othes,
I'
ll
br
ingthem her
e.OrIcanhavest
uffor
der
edforyou
Ij
ustneedyoursi
zes."
Thembi
sa:"Mostofmyclot
hesar
eal
ter
ed.I
'
m a36
bott
om butasmallt
op.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihavenocl
uewhatt
hatmeans.I
'
llbr
ingthe
t
ail
oronFr i
daysot
heycanmakeyousomethingto
wear.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Ist
hedanceonSat
urday?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesi
tis.He'
squi
ck.He'
l
lfi
nishby6am on
Sat
urdaymorning.
"
Thembisa:"
Youwor
khi
mtot
hebone,
don'
tyou?
"I
chuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"No.He'
sonl
ymytai
lor
,soheonl
ymakes
t
hingsforme.Al
lmyout
fi
tsar
emadeweeksbef
ore
anythi
ng.Ihavesomet
hingnewt owearever
yfew
days.I
t'
sonlynowthathe'sgoingt
ohavetobuckl
e
upwhenhemakescl othesforyou.
"
Thembisa:"Idon'tneedthatmanycl ot
hesbaby.Let
meshower ."Shewentt othebathroom.Iwalkedout
thesl
idi
ngdooront ot
hedeckt owatchthesunrise
onthemount ains.Atleastnow,li
fewascomi ng
toget
her.Forthef i
rstt
ime,Ifoundmyselfhappy.

SASAPOV_

Nkosidr
oppedmeatr
es.
Me:"
Thenextt
imeyoucome,
I'
llhaveabagr
eady.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Me:"
Goodbyebaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Whenam Iseei
ngyouagai
n?"
Me:"
OnFr
iday.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
osuf
fer
."
Me:"You'
l
lbestrongl
ikeaSi
ber
iant
iger
.Goodbye
baby.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi:"You'
resi
ll
y."Ikissedhim,cl
imbi
ngoutthe
car.Iwentuptomyr oom, f
indi
ngAmahleget
ti
ng
dressed.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Ama:"Hel
lo.
"Si
nceI
'
dalr
eadyshowered,al
lIdi
d
waschangeint
oabl
ueandwhit
edress.Ifi
xedmy
hai
r.
Me:"
Haveyouhadbr
eakf
ast
?"
Ama:"
No.
"
Me:"Let
'sgothen.
"Wemadeourwayt othedining
hal
l,
passingPetu'
sroom.Weallgotourbreakfast
andsatinourtabl
e."
So..
.Di
dyouwi nthe
Powerball
?"
Pet
u:"
Yep.
"
Me:"
What
!?"
Pet
u:"
She'
sgood.
"
Me:"
Indeedshei
s."Il
ookedatAmahl
e.Shesmi
led
wi
thoutl
ooki
ngatme.
Ama:"Petubumpedi
ntoMnqobil
astni
ght
."I
gasped.
Me:"
Whatdi
dhesay?
"Pet
ubl
ushed.
Pet
u:"
Hej
ustsai
dhel
lo.
"
Ama:"Cal
ledherbynametoo.
"Shet
ookaspoonf
ul
ofhergr
anolaandfr
uit
s.
Petu:"
Forsomeonewhodoesn'ttal
kmuch,
you
havealottosayt
oday"Wegiggled.
Ama:"
Wil
lyoubepar
ti
cipat
ingi
nther
eeddance?
"
Me:"
Uhm.No.I
'
llj
ustwat
chont
hesi
de.
"
Ama:"
Why?You'
reavi
rgi
n."
Me:"Idon'tknowanythi
ngaboutit.Ican'
tjust
at
tend.PlusI'm notf
rom yourt
ri
be.Isn'
titl
ike
gr
oupsandst uf
f?"
Ama:"
No.Youcancomewi
thmeonFr
iday.Pet
u?"
Pet
u:"
I'
m notavi
rgi
n."
Ama:"
Youcanat
tendasaguestonSat
urday.
"
Pet
u:"
Whatdowewear
?"
Ama:" Tr
adit
ionalcl
othes,
Iguess.I
'venevert
ook
noticewhatguestshaveon.Wecangot o
eMakhungaf orsomeshoppinglat
ertoday.
"I
fi
nishedmypor ri
dge.
Me:"
Andme?
"
Ama:"
You'
resor
ted.
"
Petu:"Ourfi
rstshoppi
ngspree.Il
oveitalr
eady.
Thembi sasinceyouweren'
thereyest
erday,wehad
agirl
'snightin.Amahl
e,areyouupforitagai
n?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Petu:"Gr
eat
.We'l
lgetf
ood,
dri
nksanddoour
assignment
stoget
her.
"
Me:"I'
veneverhear danyt hi
ngmor eperfect."I'
ve
foundmypeopl e.Nocl ubs,
justnightsinwi thaf ew
dri
nks.Iwasn'tagai nstdri
nking,Ijustdidn'tfeel
safedoingitoutside.Zimmywal kedint hedi ni
ng
hall
.Sheneverr eall
ycomesher e.Iwat chedherget
herbreakfastandshesatwi t
husatt het able.I
thoughtshewasmadatme.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Zimmy:"Mor ning."Istaredatherunablet oaski f
shewasst i
llmad.Honest lyt
hiswaschi ldish."I
knowIsaidIwasangr yyester
daybutI '
mf ine.You
deservet
opr ivatelyenjoyyourrelat
ionshipbef ore
i
ntroduci
nghi m andgoi ngpublic.SoIwi llrespect
that.
"Amahlest aredatherwi t
hacol dl
ook.Her
eyeswerereal l
yscar ywhenshewasn' ti
mpr essed
withyou.
Me:"
ThankyouZimmy. "Af
terourbr
eakf
ast
,we
wal
kedtoschool
,al
lfourofus.

Thursdaymor ning,Iwokeup, gotreadyforschool.

Today'soutf
itwasaf l
oralski
rtthathadashor tsl
it
upmyknee, Iwor eitwithawhi t
ecr optopandmy
whitesneakers.Yesterdaywasagooddaybutwe
couldn'
tgoshoppi ngbecauset hedayhadbeen
extr
emelylongandwehadourassi gnmentdate.
Amahl ewasint heshower ,Imadeupmybed,
ti
dyingupabi t.
Me:"
Amy,
I'
m goi
ngt
oPet
uthendi
ninghal
l.You'
l
l
fi
ndust here."Shedi dn'trespond.Iwal kedintothe
bathroom."Amahl e."Si l
ence.Icouldseeher
standingintheshowerbutwhywasn' tshe
responding?"Babe? "Iknockedont heshowerdoor .
Nothing.NowwhatdoIdo?Wassheaboutt odie
again?Whati fshef allsintheshower ?Idon' tknow
muchabouti mmor talit
ybuthowdoesi tworkwhen
yourneckbr eaks?Iopenedt heshowerdoor .Her
usualorangeeyeswer enowpur ewhite,stari
ngat
nothing.Sheblinked, shakingherhead.
Ama:"
Didyoucal
lme?
"
Me:"
Yes.Iwaswor
ri
ed.
"
Ama:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Me:"
Whatwast
hat
?Youreyes?
"
Ama:"
Thisseemsli
keaver
yint
imat
econver
sat
ion
i
nanint
imateset
ti
ng."
Me:"Ri
ght.I'
l
lwaitoutintheroom."Iclosedt
he
door
,goingbacktothebedr oom.Shecameout
wear
ingat owel
."I
'm sorr
y,Iwaswor r
iedwhenyou
di
dn'
trespond,It
houghtyouwoul d..
."
Ama:"Die?Intheshower?Thatsoundspainful
."
Shelookedthroughhercl
othes."Iguessbr
other
fi
nal
lyletyouinonourfamilysecret.
"Shepull
ed
outalongsleevetop.
Me:"
Yeah.Het
oldmeyouwer
eimmor
tal
."
Ama:"Hedoesn'
tknowthatIcanal
sosee.Nobody
does.Wel
l,
exceptyounow."
Me:"
Liket
hePower
bal
lnumber
s?"
Ama:"That'
saverysmall
partofi
t.Iseet
hingst
hat
wi
llhappen.Khayal
ovesyou.
"Ist
aredather.
Me:"
Why?
"
Ama:"Idon'tknowwhy.Ij ustknowt hathedoes.
Hedoesn'tunder standit
.He'sfight
ingitbybeing
i
nvolvedwithever yone.He'sscaredhewi llt
urnint
o
hisf
ather,
mi streatyouandnegl ectyoulikehisdad
didt
ohi smot hersohe'stryingtostayawayf rom
you.
"
Me:"
Amahl
eI'
mfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thNkosi
."
Ama:"
Iknow.Andt
hatwi
llki
llhi
m.Khayat
hati
s."
Me:"
Whatmusthappennow?
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tknow.
"Shegotdr
essed.
Me:"Idon'twanthimt odie.Thatwouldhur
t.He's
myf r
iendandi fIhavetocutcontactwit
hhim,sure
I'
ddot hatbutIdon'twanthimt odi
e.Thatwouldbe
horr
ible.
"Sheshr ugged,
put t
ingonhershoes."
What
canIdoAmahl e?"
Ama:"
Ihavenocl
ue.
"Shest
oodup."
Ready.
"Iwas
nowst
ressed.
Me:"
MaybeIcouldt
ellKhayat
hatI'
m seei
ng
someone.Pr
epar
ehi
m, youknow?"Shelaughed.
Ama:"Youdati
ngdoesn'tworr
yhi
m.It'
stheperson
you'
redat
ing.I
'
m hungry,l
et'
sgo.
"Shewalkedout,
l
eavi
ngmest unned.

Inthedi ninghall,Ihadatoastandtea.Iwasn't
reall
yhungr ybutalso,t
hiswasn'tmypr obl
em.I
can'tbewor ri
edaboutKhaya.Ifhecan' tt
akecare
ofhimsel f,whymustI ?No.Thatshoul dn'
tbemy
responsi bil
it
y.Myphonebuzzedamessage:
<Mor ningmyl ove.CanIgetakissplease?I'
m
travel
ingt oMt hinomkhului
naf ewmi nutes.
>I
smil
ed,respondi
ng:<Comegetyourki
ssbaby.
>I
senti
t.
Pet
u:"
Whatt
imear
eyourcl
assesf
ini
shi
ngt
oday?
"
Ama:"3:
30.
"Ir
eadt
henewmessagehesent
:<I
'
m
out
side.
>
Pet
u:"
Sasa?
"
Ama:"
3:45.She'
sgoneatt
hisst
age.
"
Me:"
I'
llseeyouguysout
side.
"
Ama:"
Nope.Seeyouatschool
."
Me:"
Luncht
ime?
"
Pet
u:"Cal
lme."It
ookmybag,walki
ngoutt
hehal
l.I
bumpedintoZi
mmyatrecept
ion.
Zi
mmy:"
Heybabe.Iwaswai
ti
ngf
oryou.
"
Me:"Real
ly?Why?Youcoul
d'vef
oundmeatt
he
di
ninghal
l?"
Zi
mmy:"
Didn'
tthi
nkofi
t.
"
Me:"
Okay.What
'sup?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwant
edt
owal
kwi
thyout
oschool
."
Me:"
Uhm.Canyougi
veme5mi
nut
es?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Forwhat
?"
Me:"Ijustneedt
oatt
endtosomeonequickl
y."I
walkedouttothegat
e.Thecardoorwasopenedas
usual,
Iclimbedi
nthecar."
Hibaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"Iki
ssedhim.Hepul
ledmeont
opof
hi
m."Youlookgorgeous.
"
Me:" Me?Haveyouseenyour sel
f?You'
redressedin
fullregalatt
ireandher eIam si
tt
ingontopofyoui n
acr opt op.
"Hechuckl ed."Youl
ooksosexy."I
kissedhi m again,
slowly.Heheldonmyass, pull
ing
mecl osert
ohi m.
Nkosi
:"Thankyouandyou'
reget
ti
ngmeturnedon.
Thi
sisverymean.Icametosaygoodmorning.
"
Me:"
Yousai
dyou'
regoi
ngt
oMt
hinomkhul
u?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Doyouhaveanyspeci
alpl
aceyou
wantmet ovisi
t?"
Me:"
Themarketisreal
lynice.Wel
l,
ifyou'
rel
ooki
ng
f
orveggi
est
hatis."Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.Iwi
shyoudi
dn'
thaveschoolso
youcoul
dshowmeyourvi
ll
age.
"
Me:"
OnedayIwi l
l,
Pri
nceNkosi
nhleMehl
uli
Si
khosana.Il
oveyout
oo.Goodbye.
"
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
twantmet
odr
opyouatschool
?"
Me:"Yeah,
Ifeell
ikeI
'
m goingtobeaspect
acl
e
whenIgetoffthi
scar,sor
atherdr
opmenear
school
."
Nkosi:"
Iembar
rassyounow? "Heknockedonthe
window.Thedr
ivergoti
n,dr
ivingt
hecartowar
d
school.
Me:"Never
."Iki
ssedhi
m agai
n."
Okayt
hat
'senough
t
olastyoutheday."
Nkosi:"
Thankyoubaby.Haveagooddayat
school.
"
Me:"Enj
oyyourdayatmyvi l
lage.I
fyougethungr
y
BabMkhizeser
vesthebestsheephead."
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf ort
hesuggesti
onbutitwould
t
aketheentirenat
iontobegmef or70daysstrai
ght
t
oeatanything'
shead."Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Byebaby.
"Iki
ssedhi
m onel
astt
ime,
get
ti
ng
outthecar.Ifi
xedmyski r
tbefor
ewalkingt
othe
gate.Khaya'
ssmal l
Benzwaspar kedbythegat
e.
Hest oodoutsi
de,vi
sibl
ysick.Hestar
edatmeandI
athim."Hey."
Khaya:"
Hey?That
'swhatyou'
regoi
ngt
osay?
"
Me:"
Erh.
.whati
sitnow?
"
Khaya:"Whatt
hehellThembisa?HIM?He'sfucki
ng
youinthecarandyouthinkt
hat '
sokay?That
'snot
you!
!That'
snotwhatyoudeser ve!
"
Me:"
Whatt
hehel
lKhaya!
!"
Khaya:"
Thembi
sa.Whatthehel
lareyoudoingwi
th
Si
khosana?"Hehi
ssed.Myheartstopped.
Me:"Thati
snotanyofyourbusinessandifyou
val
ueyourlif
e,you'
l
lkeept
hattoyoursel
f.
"Iwalked
away,hegrabbedmyar m.
Khaya:"
Him? ?Ofallpeople?Areyouseri
ous?!You
doknowhedoesn' tgiveashitaboutanyt
hingri
ght?
Notyou,notyourvalue,nothi
ng!
!"
Me:"
Getyourhandsof
fofmeandkeepyourtongue
i
nyourmouthaboutmybusi
ness.Idon'
tanswert
o
you."Isnatchedbackmyar
m,wal
kingbr
iskl
ytomy
fi
rstclass.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwonderifthi
sboyi sgoingt
obeapr obl
em.
Thembisacanobvi ousl
yhandlehi
m butIdidn'
t
wanthertostress.Whatwashisdamnpr oblem?I
coul
dtellhewant edtocomeconfr
ontmebuthe
coul
dn'
t.
Nkosi
:"Dr
ive.
"
Driver:"YesYourHi ghness.
"Ourf
irststopwas
pickingupMt hunzifr
om thenewbuildi
ngwhereI'
d
droppedhi mt ocheckont hepai
nters.Hecli
mbedin
thecarsi tt
ingnexttome, si
ncehewant edtocome
toMt hinomkhul uwithme.
Nkosi
:"Yourf
ri
endi
shar
assi
ngThembi
sa.He
knowsshe'swit
hme.
"
Mthunzi
:"Whati
shisdealwi
thyou?You'
venever
evenspokentohi
m."
Nkosi
:"Nocl
ue.Myonl
yli
nkt
ohi
mishi
sfat
her
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoyouwantmet
odoabouthi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whati
fhegoespubl
ic?
"
Nkosi
:"Hewoul
dneverwantt
ohur
tThembi
sa.
"
Mt hunzi:"
Areyouser ious?Thatwoul dmakehim
herhero.Ifhegoespubl i
c,thepeopl ewil
ltear
Thembi saapar tandthere'
snot hingyoucando
aboutit.He'llbeherkni ght,
st andingther
elikea
fuckingidiottryingtoprovet hatyoudon'tcare
abouther .Andt hentakeyourpl aceinherlif
e."
Nkosi
:"Thembi
saknowst
hatIcar
eabouther
."
Mthunzi:"
Nkosi,wecan'
tcontrolt
his.Ascandall
ike
thi
s,dependentonhowdi r
tyhemakesi t
,couldhurt
yournamebuti twi
lldef
ini
tel
ydestroysher
s.
Somethingneedstobedone."
Nkosi
:"Don'
tharm hi
m.Just,
getaholdoft
he
mediahouses.Theymustdoubl
echeckever
ythi
ng
t
obepubl i
shed."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thepaper
sar
ethel
eastofourwor
ri
es.
Wehavet
hei
nter
net
."
Nkosi:"
Thenf laghername.Anypostthatment
ions
hername, havetheaccountsuspended.
Immediately.Justdosomethi
ngMt hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Tal
ktohi
m."
Nkosi:"
I'
m notgi
vinghimthetimeofday.We'
ve
neverspokenbef
or eandIref
usetostar
tnow
becausehe'sj
eal
oushel ostanamazingwoman.
Fuckhim."
Mt
hunzi
:"Not
hanks,
I'
m mar
ri
ed.
"Il
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ongwi
thyou?
"Hel
aughed.

Wearri
vedeMthinomkhuluin4hour s.Ihatedbeing
onther
oadforlong,i
twasuncomf ort
able.Ourfi
rst
st
opwasattheChi ef
'shome.Ourcar sdroveinto
hi
scompoundandasexpect ed,ali
neofwomen
st
oodattheent
rance,dressedidenti
cal.
Nkosi
:"I
foneoft
hem t
hrowsal
egt
ost
artadance,
I
'mleavi
ng.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Canyour
elaxandl
etpeopl
eent
ert
ain
you?
"
Nkosi
:"WhymustIbeent
ert
ainedMthunzi
?I'
m
t
ryi
ngtowork.I
fIneedt
obedi st
ract
ed,
Iwil
lask.
"
Mthunzi:"Fine.I'l
ltal
kt othem. "Heclimbedof fthe
thecarfirst
,wal kingtothechi eftogr eethim.They
shookhands, Mt hunziwhisperingi ntheChi efsear.
Alotofnoddi ngwasi nvol
ved.Mybodyguar d
openedt hedoor .Igotoutt hecarwal kingtogr eet
thechief.Everyonebowed, includingt hechi ef
.My
bodyguar dssur r
oundedmeast heyusual lydid.
Afteraformali ntroducti
on, wewer eledt ot heother
buildi
nginhi scompound, i
twasacounci lhall
.
Honest l
y,Iwasn' tint
erestedint hi
smeet i
ng
becauseIwasgoi ngt oseeThembi sa'sfatherandI
don'tknowwhathi sreacti
onwoul dbe.
Chief:"
Thisismywi fe.Nokwanda.Myt wosons
overhere,Ntsi
kelel
oandMf undiso.
"Inodded.We
walkedintothecouncilhal
lwhichwasbi ggerthanI
expected.Peoplesatinchai
rs,wait
ing.WhenI
walkedin,al
lstoodtobow.Wesati nf ront,
my
guardsstandingbehindandinallentrances.
Chief:"
Goodmor ningtoal l.Todaywehavea
specialvisitfrom ourfut ureKing.I ti
sanhonort o
haveyouvi sitourvil
lage, YourHi ghness."He
bowed.Inot i
cedt herewasanai rofhost i
li
tyinthe
hall
.Thesepeopl edidn' tli
keme.Thi swoul dhave
neverbot heredmebef or e,Isimplycoul dn'
tcare
l
essbutt hesear eThembi sa'speopl e.Herfri
ends
andf amily.Whathappenedher e?Myspeakerst ood
up,walkingt ot hepodium.Whi leshespoket othe
people,Iscannedt hr
ought hecr owd, notone
memberofThembi sa'sf amilywasher e.The
communi tywasnoti nterestedint hisspeech.Ormy
presence.It urnedtoMt hunzi,whi speri
nginhi sear
.
Nkosi
:"Askt
hem what
'swr
ong.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
?"
Nkosi
:"They'
reunhappy.Askt
hem why.
"Hest
ared
atme.
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'snotourbusi
ness.
"
Nkosi:"
Mt hunzi
,askthepeopl
etheirprobl
em."He
si
ghed,standingupfrom hi
sseattowal kt
othe
speaker
.Shest eppedasi
de,togi
vehi m achancet
o
speak.
Mt hunzi:"Goodmor ni
ngcommuni tyof
Mt hinomkhul u.Wet hankyouf orwel comi ngusi nto
yourvi ll
age.MyPr i
ncehasnot icedt hat.
..
"He
l
ookedatme.Inodded, edginghi m on.Hewant ed
tor ollhi
seyes, Iknowhi m."Hehasnot i
cedt hat,t
he
communi tyseemst obenothappy.Whet heri ti
shis
presenceort hereisaproblem.I fthereisal eader
whocanshedl i
ghttowhati stheissue, maybewe
canf indasol ution.
"Thecommuni tylookedateach
other .Chiefstoodup.
Chi
ef:"
Ithi
nkIspeakfort
hecommuni t
y,whenIsay
weareverybl
essed.Ourmembersaremost
pr
obablyonl
yinshocktorecei
vesuchanhonor.
"
Mthunzi:"
Iwouldl
iketohearsomeonef rom t
he
communi t
yspeak.Aboutanyt hing.I
stherea
probl
em wecansol ve?Sir.Pleasestand."The
gentl
emani nbl
ueover al
lsstoodup, hi
scapinhi
s
hands.Hecouldn'
tlookmei nt heeye.
Man:"
Goodmorni
ngYourHi
ghness.Weasa
communi
tyar
ehonor
edtohaveyou."Thi
sisgoi
ng
towastemytime.Idon'tneedsomeonetol
ickmy
ass,howcanIhelpifIdon'tknowwhat
'swr
ong.I
signal
edaguard.
Nkosi:"
TellMthunzit
ocalltheladywit
hanavy
headscarf
.Shelooksangryenought oinsul
tme.
"
Henodded, goi
ngtoMt hunzi.
Mthunzi
:"Ma'
am,
wouldyoul
iket
osaysomet
hing?
"
Thewomancamef or
war
d.
Woman:" Wi thal lduerespectYourHi ghness.If i
nd
i
tqui t
edi ff
icultt ounder st
andhowt hi svil
lagei s
yourleastvi sited.Thisi sthef irstt
imei n7year s
yourfami lyhascomeher e.Wehavehadt omake
danger ousmeansofel ectri
city.Allthepr omi ses
madet obuildusbet t
erroads, havef allenf l
at.There
i
st hatdanger ousl akethatourchi l
dr enhave
drownedi n.Thr eechi l
drenhaveneversur faced.
Probabl yatthebot tom oft hatlake.Ourhusbands
havet otravelf artoci t
iesliket heoneyoul i
vei nto
wor kbecauset herearenoj obs.Wear eleftal one
andvul nerablet oourchi l
drent hathavenow
becomet hugs.Honest l
y,asacommuni t
yIf eelyou
havef ail
edus.Ther earebi ll
boar dsinhi ghways
wi
thyourf
amilyoni
tpromi
singusabet
terl
if
e.Yet
,
wekeepget
ti
ngpoorer
."
Mt hunzi:"Uhm. "Hel ookedatme.NowImustspeak?
Hel lno.Thati st hemostuncomf ortablethingIcan
endur e.Absol utel ynot ."Weunder standma' am,
yourf rustrati
ons.However ,ourPri
nceonl ycame
backt ot hecount ryf ouryear sagobutt hatisn'
tan
excuseasi ti
sst illqui t
eal ongtimet onotvi sit
.No
mat t
erhowf ar.Idon' tknowwecanf ixthesebut
whatwewi l
ldoi st ry."Whatwashedoi ng?That
soundedl i
keanexcuset hatpeopledi dn'twantto
hear .Istood, wal kingt ohim.Hest aredatme,
hidinghi ssmi le.Iknowhef umbledonpur pose.He
thinkshe' sslick.
Nkosi :"Install
ingproperelect
rici
tywillnotbea
problem.I tcanbedonebyendofnextweek.Asf or
theroads, thatwil
ltakelonger.Jobcr eati
onwi l
l
takemont hsi fnotyears,somyi mmedi at
esolution
forthati ssecur i
tyforthevulnerablehouseholds.
Anot heri mmedi atesoluti
onwoul dbet helake.All
ofthis, woul dbeinmot ionbyendoft oday.Isthat
somet hi
ngt hatwouldpleaseyou? "Thewoman
bowed.
Woman:" YourHighness,asmuchasIam gr at
eful
andhonouredtohaveyouaddr essus,Iam yetto
seetheimprovement st
ocompl et
elysayweare
pleased.Wethankyou."Isatbackdowninmyseat .
Thiswasuncomf ortabl
eformeandIcouldn'twait
togetoutofhere..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
43] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er19

PRI
NCEPOV_

Themor ni
ngwentwel
lint
hecounci
lhal
l,atl
east.
Aftert
hemeeti
ngwit
hthecommunit
y,Icouldfeel
theenergywasabi
tmorecal
m.
Mthunzi
:"Sowe'
l
lbedr
ivi
ngupt
othef
ir
st
busi
ness.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'swal
k."
Mt
hunzi
:"Wal
k?Thesuni
sati
tspeak.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm notcomplai
ning.
"Istoodup,myguar
ds
sur
roundi
ngaswewal kedout."
Canyouhavethem
movebackabi t?Iwanttoseetheplace.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youknowyou'
react
ingver
yst
range.
"
Nkosi
:"St
rangebecauseIwantt
owor
k?"
Mthunzi:"
Youusuall
yworkbutfr
om adist
ance
awayfrom thepeopl
e.Youdon'
tli
kepeopl
e."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
t.ButIwantt
oseewher
emyf
utur
e
wif
egrewup."
Mthunzi
:"That
'ssweet
."Hespoketotheguards,
havi
ngthem moveback."Haveyoudecidedon
whatyou'
dsayt oherf
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ibr
oughtaf
ewgi
ft
s,j
usti
ncase.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatwon'
twor
k."
Mt
hunzi
:"Can'
tknocki
tti
llyout
ryi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
sthebusi
nessher
e?"
Mthunzi
:"Weldi
ng.Hedoesgat
es,
bur
glar
sandso
on.
"Wer eachedtheyar
d.
Nkosi
:"Wher
edoeshegethi smat
eri
als?Hi
s
equi
pment?I
tlooksoutdat
ed.I
shebeingsaf
e?
Thatl
ooksdangerous.
"
Mthunzi:"We'
llf
indout
."Theowneroftheyar
d
cameout .Thelookonhisfacewasshockand
conf
usion."GoodDay."Themanquickl
ybowed.
Hi
m:"
YourHi
ghness.
"
Mthunzi
:"We'
reher
eonar oyalvisi
t,wewoul
dli
ke
t
oknowmor eaboutyourbusiness.Canwecome
i
n?"
Him:" I'
dbehonour edYourHi ghnessandmyLor d.
Please, comei n.Iapologizefort
hemess.Iwasn' t
expect i
ngyou.Iwoul d'vecometot hecouncil
meet ingbutonl yasel ectfewwerechosen."Oh?
Thatwasnew.Idi dn'
tknowpeopl ewereselect
edto
attend.Ithoughtpeopl ewhower eavai
labl
ecame.I
wal kedar oundtheyar d,looki
ngathisequipment.
Mt
hunzi
:"Wher
edoyougetyourmat
eri
al?
"
Hi
m:"Al
otofi
tisdonat
edmyLor
d.Ibuysomef
rom
awar
ehouseouti
ntown."
Mt
hunzi
:"Howol
disyourequi
pment
?"
Him:"Almost8year
snow.Ibuyitbi
tbybi
t.We'
ve
gotoursel
vesqui
teacol
lect
ion.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sitsaf
e?"
Him:"Notentirel
y.Onlymyselfandsonusei t.The
otherworkershavet owearprotecti
vegearandonly
assist
."Probablywhyhedoesn' thavearighteye
becausehepr iori
ti
zesotherpeoplebefor
ehimself.
Mt
hunzi
:"Howi
sbusi
nessgoi
ng?
"
Him:"Fai
rl
yokay.I
'
mlooki
ngtotr
aveloutaswel
l,
I
havebeental
kingt
oMrNtakaabout
tr
ansport
ati
on.
"
Mthunzi
:"Hm Okay."Hel ookedatme.Iheldthe
weldi
nggun,inspecti
ngi ti
nmyhand.Thi swasat
l
east10yearsold.Thirdorfourthhanded.Itwoul
d
di
edowni naf ewmont hs,3atmost .Thi
sbusiness
wasbleedi
ngmoneyr atherthanmakingit.
Nkosi
:"Whati
syourot
herbusi
ness?
"Hest
art
ed
shaki
ng,
hismout
hshut
.
Mt
hunzi
:"ThePr
incei
saski
ngyouaquest
ion.
"
Hi
m:"
Mywi
fesel
lsf
oodatt
hel
ocalschool
."
Nkosi:"Whyareyoul
yingt
ome?
"Hef
ellt
ohi
s
knees,cryi
ng.
Him:"Iam sorr
yYourHi
ghness.Al
lIhavedonei
s
outofdesperat
ion.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
"
Nkosi
:"Shuti
tdown.
"Iwal
kedout
.
Mthunzi
:"Shoul
dIt
ellt
heChi
ef?
"Hef
oll
owedme
outt
heyard.
Nkosi:"Heprobablyknows.Thef ai
lur
eofthi
s
businessbroughtthatoneabout.Whatisneededis
torevivethi
sone.Wecanhavenewerequi pment
brought,andprotecti
vegear.I
fin5mont hshesti
ll
choosest oconti
nuet hei
ll
egaldeal
ings,
Hewi l
lbe
punished.Whatist henextbusi
ness?"
Mthunzi
:"MrsZondi,shemakesdr
esses,
cur
tai
ns
anyt
hingreal
ly.
"Isi
ghed.
Lateintheaf
ter
noon,
theent
ir
evi
ll
agewasout
fol
lowingus.
Nkosi
:"Howwi
llwegetr
idofal
lthesepeopl
e?"
Mthunzi
:"Youdeci
dedtowalk,YourHi
ghness.
That
'sunfort
unat
elyt
heresul
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tbr
ingt
heent
ir
ecommuni
tywi
thmet
o
Thembisa'
shome."
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llhavet
hem wai
tout
sidet
heyar
d.You'
l
l
goinwit
honeguard."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tneedaguar
d.Thembi
sa'
sfami
ly
don'
thaveareasontohar
m me."
Mt hunzi
:"Ican'
ttaket
hatri
sk.I'
llgoinwithyou
then.Herewear e.Thi
sisourlaststopfortheday.
Youmustbet ir
ed."
Nkosi
:"Idon'tgett
ir
edbutyesIwouldn'
tminda
gl
assofwat er.
"Hesmil
ed,looki
ngattheguar
d.
Mt hunzi
:"Getabot
tl
eofwaterfr
om thecar
.The
restofyoukeepthecommunityawayfrom t
hegat
e.
Thisdist
anceisenough.Nobodycomesin.Arewe
cl
ear?"Wewalkedinthegat
e.Ayounggi
rlcame
outofthehouse.Thi
smustbeNele.
Nele:"
Mama! !
!"Shescreamed.Themothercame
rushi
ngout.Thefathercamearoundt
hebackoft he
house.Thesecondhiseyeslandedonme, Iknew
hedidn'
tli
keme.
Mot
her
:"YourHi
ghness.
"Shebowed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Goodday.I
sever
yonewel
l?
"
Xol
ani
:"Goodday.
"
Mthunzi
:"We'
reher
eonar oyalvisi
t.Wewoul
dli
ke
t
oknowmor eaboutyourbusiness.Maywecome
i
n?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.
"
Mot
her:"
Pleasecomeinthisway,YourHighness.
Myhousewillbebl
essedtorecei
veyou."
Mt
hunzi:"Thatwouldbelovel
ybutwe'dr
atherst
art
wi
ththefarm,Ibel
ieve?CanyougiveusatourMr
Nt
aka?"
Xolani
:"Pl
easecomethi
sway.
"If
oll
owedhim down
tohisgoat
s.Hisyar
dwasquit
ebi
g.Ihadn'
tbeen
onaf ar
m befor
esoIdidn'tknowwhattoexpect
.
"Thi
sisafir
st.Royal
susuallyvi
sitt
hechi
ef.Nott
he
homesofthecommuni ty.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
dli
ket
oknowmor
eaboutmypeopl
e."
Xol
ani
:"Iam notyourpeopl
e."
Nkosi:"
Iunderst
andt hatImayhavebeen
disr
espect
fultowardyouonourf i
rstmeeting.For
that
,Idoapologize.Ididn'
tknowThembi sat hen.I
didnotmeant odisrespectyou.
"Hel ookedatme.
Xolani
:"I
sthatwhyyou'reher e?Seemsanawf ul
l
ongdr i
vetojustcomeapol ogize.Sowhati si
tthat
youwant?Whyar eyouper formingf ort
he
communi t
y?Didyoudiscoversomemi ner
alinour
l
and?Apr eci
ousgem youcoul dmi neandsteal
fr
om us?"Yes,yourdaughter.Iwant edtosay.
Nkosi
:"No.Mycor onati
oni
sinaf
ewmont hs.
Befor
ethen,IwanttoknowwhothepeopleIwoul
d
beservi
ngare.Iwanttodevel
opt
hevil
lagesand
i
nvestinthei
rfut
ure."
Xolani
:"Why?Youdon'
tneedvot
es.You'
real
ready
thechosenone.I
t'
snotl
ikeyouneedus.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
t.
"
Xolani
:"Then?Whatisitt
hatyouwant?Peopl
eof
yourstatur
edon'
tjustcometothepoorunl
essthey
wantsomet hi
ngfr
om them.Idon'
tbuythi
swalk
about.
"
Nkosi:"
Iunderst
andthosethatcamebefor
eme
havedisappoi
ntedyou,thi
scommunity.Myfamil
y
hasletyoudownf orgener
ati
ons.Ipl
antochange
that
."Helaughed.
Xolani
:"Theymightbuyit.Idon'
t.Iknowyouwant
somethingthatwi
llcostus.Thisismyfarmthat
youwantt osee.
"Hef ol
dedhi sarms.Il
ookedatt
he
goatsthathadawoodenf encearoundt
hem.
Nkosi
:"Thatonei
ssi
ck?
"Hel
ookedatme.
Xol
ani
:"Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveyouf
igur
edoutwhy?
"
Xolani
:"I
t'
spossibl
ethati
tingestedapl
ast
ic.I
twi
ll
pushitoutbyeveningormorning."
Nkosi
:"I
twi
llbedeadbyt
hen.I
twasf
edpoi
son.
"
Xol
ani
:"Haveyouhadgoat
s?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thenhowwoul
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustdo.Ar
etheseyouronl
yani
mal
s?"
Xolani
:"There'
sthechi
ckencoupbutthatwoul
dbe
toounti
dyf oryoudr
essedli
kethat
."
Nkosi :"Pleaseshowme. "Heledthewayf urther
down.Thi siswher eThembi sacoll
ectseggsi nt
he
mor ningt oselltoherneighbors.Icoul
dn'thelpbut
smileknowi ngt hatIcannowvi si
onherwhenshe' s
home.Iknowwhati tlooksl
ike,howitsmells.Her
storyt el
li
ngwi llmakeevenmor esensetome.I
enteredt hecoup.
Nkosi
:"Whatwoul
dmakeyourbusi
nesseseasi
er
MrNtaka?"
Xol
ani
:"Whosai
dthey'
rehar
d?"
Nkosi:"Youdon'tneedt
oexperi
encehardshi
pin
or
dert odeserveease.Whatcanmakeitmore
ef
fi
cient?"
Xol
ani:"Nothi
ng.
"Iexpectedt
hathewouldn'
taccept
anyhelp.Iwasnotsurpri
sedoroff
ended.MrNtaka
wasdoi
ngquit
ewellf
orhimsel
f.Possiblybet
ter
t
hanmostbusi
nessesinhi
svil
lage.Thiswasaman
whowasgoodinbusi
ness.
Nkosi
:"I
sthereanythi
ngthatyoufeelIcandof
or
t
hecommuni tythen?Somethingt
hatwouldhel
p
t
hem i
mpr ove?"
Xol
ani:"
Bet
terr
oads.Theoneswehaver
uinour
car
s.Theel
ectr
ici
tyi
sunsafeaswel
l.
"
Nkosi:"Fort
unatel
ythiswasbr oughtupinthe
councilmeetingearl
ier.Idopl
anonf ul
fil
li
ngthose
promises.Canyout ellmeaboutthelake?
Somet hingaboutchil
drendrowningthere?"
Xolani
:"Sevenchil
drenhavedr
ownedt
her
e.Onl
y2
bodieswererecovered.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwastol
donl
y3bodi
eswer
enot
di
scovered.
"
Xol
ani:"
It
'sf
ive.Theot
hertwoareatl
east10year
s
ol
d.Thefamili
eshavesincemovedaway.
"
Nkosi
:"Hmm.
"
Xol
ani
:"Ther
e'snowayofget
ti
ngi
ntot
hel
ake.
That'
stheonepromiseyouwon'tbeabl
etokeep.
Unlessofcour
seyou'r
ewill
ingt
odonate100
thousandtodr
aini
t.
"Thatsoundedli
keachall
enge
butitcoul
dn'
tbebecauseheknewmoneywasf ar
tooeasyforme.
Nkosi
:"Ofcour
se.Perhapsbui
ldsomethi
ngt
hat
cancr
eatejobsfort
hevill
agei
nitspl
ace.
"
Xol
ani
:"Wecanonl
yhopeandsee.
"
Nkosi:"Thankyouf orwel comingmei nyourhome
andbusi ness,MrNt aka.Myt ourofyourvill
agewas
oneoft hefir
stthatI'veactuall
yenjoyed.Ido
bel
ievet hatwewi l
lwor kdili
gentl
ytogetherin
developingit
.".
..

SASAPOV_

Ihadn'theardfrom Nkosial
ldaylongandIwas
quiteanxioustoknowhowhi svisitwasgoing.
Maybemymot herorNelespott
edhim somewhere
i
nt hevil
lage.Iknowmymot herl
ovesattendi
ng
thi
ngsorsomet imesgossi pingwithneighbors.I'
l
l
havet ocal
lthem laterbutIcan'
task,they'
llhaveto
spil
l.Other
wiseI'
lljustwaitforNkosit
ot el
lmeeven
thoughhepr obablywoul dn'
tknowmyf amily.I
walkedt ot
heschoolgat ewher eAmahl ewas
waitingonmewi thPet u.
Me:"Sor
ryI'
mlat
eguys.Doyout
hinkt
heshopi
s
st
il
lopen?"
Ama:"I
tis.Ical
ledacab."AblackBMW parkedin
fr
ontofus.Thisisdef
init
elynotacab.Amahleand
Igoti
ntothebackseat
, Pet
uinfront
.
Me:"Doyouperhapsknowwhat'shappeni
ngi
nthe
vi
ll
age?"Iwhi
spered.Shel
ookedatmeandsmiled.
Ama:"
Nobuthe'
snotcomi
ngbackt
oday.
"She
whi
sper
edback.
Me:"
Why?
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tthi
nkhe'
sdone.
"Isi
ghed.
Me:"
IguessI
'
llseehi
mtomor
row.
"
Ama:"
Sat
urday.You'
rewi
thmet
omor
row.
"
Me:"
You'
regoi
ngt
oupsethi
m."
Ama:"That'
smyj ob."Shesmi l
ed.Wear r
ivedata
smallbouti
quei
naweal t
hiersideoft
own.Amahl e
l
edthewayi nsi
deit.Petulookedconfused.The
shopassist
antfol
lowedAmahl eimmediatel
y.
Amahl
e:"Pl
easedon'
t.
"Theassi
stantwal
kedaway
qui
ckl
y."
Thisi
snice.
"Shepi
ckedoutadress.
Pet
u:"
Amahl et
hispl
acei
sexpensi
ve.
"She
whi
spered.
Amahl
e:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Petu:"Thedressyou'r
eholdi
ngcost
sover15grand.
Idon'thavethatkindofmoney.
"Amahl
esmiled,
l
ookingf orasize.
Amahle:"Whyarebiggersi
zesnotondi
spl
ay?
"She
askedtheassi
stant
.
Assi
stant
:"I
-we-di
dn'
tthi
n-"
Amahl e:"
Iwantal argef
orthi
sdress. "Shegaveher
theit
em andmovedon." Thi
sisnice."Shepickedup
askirt
.Shej ustwalksar
oundashopsayi ngthisi
s
niceandbuyi ngit
?TobeaKi ng'
sl astborn.Petu
wasvisiblyshaken.Iwouldbetooi fIdidn'
tknow
Amahl
ewasapr
incess.Thi
sshopwasi
nti
midat
ing.
Assi
stant
:"Her
eisasi
zel
arge,
pri
n-"
Amahl
e:"
Thanks.
"Shet
ookt
hedr
ess."
Let
'sf
itt
his
on,
Pet
u."
Pet
u:"
Amahl
e,Ican'
t.
"
Amahle:"
Honest
ly,it
'snotgonnabit
eyou.Putiton
andseehowitfi
ts."Petutookthedr
ess,
nervousas
hel
l,
walki
ngint
ot hefit
ti
ngr oom.
Me:"
Howl
ongwi
lli
ttakehert
ofi
gur
eoutwhoyou
ar
e?"
Amahl
e:"
Probabl
yyear
satt
hisr
ate.
"Ismi
led.
Me:"
Wil
lyout
ellher
?"
Amahle:"
Yes.Petui
saloyalf
ri
end.Besi
des,how
wi
llIexpl
ainSat
urdaywhenI'
m si
tt
ingnextt
ot he
Ki
ng?"
Me:"Right.
"Iwal
kedaroundt
heshop,
looki
ngatt
he
cl
othes."Howishe?"
Amahle:"
Mydad?Ruthl
ess.
"Il
ookedather."
I'
m not
t
hetypeofdaught
ert
hatact
sbli
ndtobull
shit
.He's
agoodfat
hert
omebutshi
ttoever
yoneel
sei
nthe
worl
d."
Me:"
Isthatwhyyouwant
edmet
owat
cht
heGame
ofKi
ngsseri
es?"
Amahle:"
NoIwantedyout owatchitsoyoucan
dumpNkosi.
"Istar
edather."What?Myf ami
lywil
l
makeyoumiserabl
ebutIseeyou'redetermi
nedand
i
nlovesoyou'
llseeforyour
self
."
Me:"Sur
elytheycan'
tbet
hatbad.
"Shepul
ledup
hersl
eeves.
Amahle:"
Really?I'
mtherichestkidinthi
scount
ry
andthi
siswhatIdo? "Ishiver
ed.Isthathowbad
theyar
e?"AtleastNkosiactual
lylovesyousoyou
mightbesafe."Pet
uwalkedoutt hefit
ti
ngroom.
Pet
u:"
Guys.
"
Me:"
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
"
Amahl
e:"
Doyoul
ikei
t?"
Petu:"I
t'
sgorgeous.Il
oveit
.OnedaywhenI'
m
successful
,I
'dlovetoownsomethi
ngli
kethi
s."She
twi
rledinfr
ontofami rr
or.
Amahl
e:"
Great
.Nowi
t'
syourt
urn.
"
Me:"
Me?Idon'
tknowAmahl
e."
Amahl e:"
Yourout
fi
tiseasier.Sinceyou'
ll
parti
cipat
e,t
hemajori
tyyou'llneedisbeads.The
skir
tcanbemadebyt hetai
lor.Thebeadsarein
thatarea.
"Iwentt
ocheckt hesect i
on.The
assist
antcametohelpme.Shewasni ceshame,I
canonl yi
magineworkingforthisfamil
y.
Me:"
Whi
chonedoyousuggest
?"
Assi
stant
:"Fort
her
eeddance?Thi
sone.
"
Me:"
Wil
lyoubeat
tendi
ng?
"
Assist
ant
:"Unfor
tunatel
ynot.Mysist
erwil
lbe."She
tookoutt
hebeads, weari
ngglovesonherhands.
You'dswearshewashol di
ngexpensi
vejewelr
y.
Me:"
Amy,
whatdoyout
hinkoft
his?
"
Amahle:"Perf
ect
.Addt
heset
hreeaswell
.Pl
ease
bageverythi
ngup.I
ncl
udi
ngt
hedress.
"
Assi
stant
:"Yes,
mypr
incess.
"Amahl
etur
nedt
ome.
Amahl
e:"
Done.Doyouwantt
ogot
odi
nner
?"
Me:"Yes.
"Pet
uwal
kedt
ous."
We'
regoi
ngt
o
di
nner.
"
Petu:"I
'
m star ving.Let'
sgo-
"theassistantt
ookthe
dresstopacki napaperbag." Whatisshedoing?
Sisi
,I'
m nott akingthat.
"Theladywor ked
mechani cal
ly,ignoringher
."Miss,hel
lo?Ican'
tpay
forthat
."
Amahl
e:"
Don'
twor
ryPet
u.Mydadwi
llpay.
"
Pet
u:"Amahl
eIcan'
texpectf
rom you.No.Ir
efusei
t.
I
t'
stoomuch."
Amahl
e:"
It'
sli
ter
all
ypeanut
s.Tr
ustme.Ibar
elyuse
myall
owance.
"
Pet
u:"
Thatdoesn'
tmat
ter
.It
'sst
il
ltoomuch.
"
Amahle:"
Sowhatar
eyougoingt
odot
henbecause
t
hedressisl
eavi
ngtheshop?
"
Me:"
Pleaseputheroutofhermi
ser
y."Ichuckl
ed.
Amahl e:"
Maybewhenwe' resit
ti
ngdown."It
ookthe
shoppingbags,wewal kedouttheshoptothecar.
Petuwasnott akingi
twel l
.Shewashonestly
feel
ingbad.TrulyIunderstoodexact
lywhatshe
wasf
eel
ing.Exceptshedi
dn'
tevenknowwhoshe
wasf
ri
endswith.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Icoul dn'
tleavet hevillageofMt hinomkhul uyet
becausei thadbeent ool ateformet ogot ot he
school .WhenIl ef
tThembi sa'shome, Ij
ustneeded
ti
meout .Theent i
revillagewaswai tingf ormeandI
didn'tknowwhatt odo.For t
unat el
y, IhadMt hunzi .
Hedi dsuggestwewal kedbackt ot heChi ef'
shome
toleadt hecr owdawayf rom theNt akahome.Att he
Chief'shome, headdr essedt hem andwel eftf or
town.Ther ewasaguest house, hehadsecur ed.I t
hadbeencl ear edfortheni ght .I'
dbel eavingint he
mor ningaf t
ert heschoolvi sit.Fi nally,wegott osit
downandhaveameal beforer etiri
ngt obed.
Mt hunziwasdonewi thme.I '
dmadehi m walk
aroundavi l
lageal lday, Iknowheneededt or est.It
was3am whenIgotoutofbedandsl ippedonmy
clothes.Iknockedonhi sdoor .Heopened, star i
ng
atmewi
thanuni
mpr
essedexpr
essi
on.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m nevercomi
ngher
eagai
n."
Nkosi
:"That
'sgoodandwel
lbutwehavet
ogo.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
s3i
nthemor
ningNkosi
.Schoolopens
at8!
"
Nkosi:"
Getdressed.I'
l
lwaitinthecar.
"Iwal
kedout
tothecar.Thedri
verwasal sowaiti
ng.Hal
fthe
guardsweresleepi
ngasI '
dor der
edandtheother
s
awaketokeepguar d.Mthunzicameoutthehouse.
Mt
hunzi
:"Idon'
tli
keyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknow.
"Wecl
imbedi
ntheback,
thedr
iver
dr
ivi
ngaway.
Mt
hunzi
:"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngNkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Thel
akeobvi
ousl
y."
Mt
hunzi
:"Todowhatt
her
e?"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sonl
yonet
hingi
nsi
det
hel
aket
hati
s
ofval
ue."
Mthunzi
:"They'
redead.Weal
readysai
dwe'ddrai
n
t
hatstupi
dlake.Theywon'
tbeanylessdeadi
n7
weekst
ime.
"
Nkosi:"
Well
,Ican'tl
eaveknowingchi
ldr
enar
e
r
otti
ngatthebottom ofalake.
"
Mt hunzi
:"Ican'tfuckingstandyou."Hehissed,
stari
ngoutt hewi ndow.Wedr oveintothevil
lage,
goingtot helake,parkingbesi
deit.Igotoutthecar.
"Sowhat ?You'regoi ngtoconjur
et hem out
?"Itook
offmycl othes."Ohf uckno.Nkosinhle!
!"
Nkosi
:"Canyour
elax?
"
Mthunzi
:"Ar
eyouinsane?!
!!Myjobi
stokeepyou
al
iveandyouwanttojumpi nt
oadeadl
ylake!
?
What'
swrongwit
hyou? !
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m agoodswimmer ,
Icanst
ayunder
wat
er
f
orabitlongert
hanmosthumans.
"
Mthunzi:"
Yesbutyou'
renotafucki
ngf i
sh!!Youcan
sti
llgetst
uckanddrown.
"Iwalkedtothewat er
.
"Nkosinhl
e!!
"Hescr
eamed.Ijumpedintothelake.
[
07/
27,
05:
43] :Sponsor
edPost
:
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er20

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thislakewashugeanddanger ousl ydeep.Thef i

rst
fourbodi est ookfourhour st ofind.Thepr oblem
wast hel astbody.Icoul dn'tfindi tanywher e.Iwent
upf orabr eat hofairbeforegoi ngbackdown.Al ot
wasdownher e.Afewcar sorr emai ndersof .Met al
,
poles, dir
t.Alotofdirt.Icouldn'tgof urtherdown
thant his.Itwasal r
eadydar kdownher eandi t
woul dqui tefuti
letokeept rying.Mt hunziwasr ight,
Imi ghtgetst uckanddr own.Iswam upbutI
sli
ppedandIcoul dn'tmove.Shi t.Myl egwasst uck
andIwassi nking,l
osingai r.Icoul dn'tpani c
becauseIwoul dgodownqui cker .It r
iedbendi ng
overt oloosenmyf oot .Whatwasdownher e?I
slowlymovedmyf eet,carefull
yt wi sti
ngi tand
pull
ingf reebutt henpl ungingmedownf urther.
NowIhadt ofight
,Icouldn'
tbecalm whil
edebrifel
l
onme.Wi thal
lmymi ghtIpushedthelar
geobject
offmeandqui ckl
yswam uptothesurfacebeforeI
di
dn'thaveenoughoxygen.Iemergedoutthewat er
andtookadeepbr eat
hthenswam totheland.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whathappened?
"
Nkosi
:"Can'
tfi
ndi
t.
"Hegavemeat
owel
.
Mthunzi:"
You'vebeendownt her
ef ort
wohour
s
l
ookingforthislastone.Youcan'tgobacki
nther
e
Nkosi.I
t'
salreadymi dmor ni
ng."
Nkosi
:"You'
reri
ght.Al
so, myskinf
eelsdisgusti
ng
andsli
my.Thelakeisextremel
ydeepandi t'
sdark
hal
fwayin.EvenifIwantedto,
Icouldn'
tgof ur
ther
."
Il
ookedatthefourbadlydecomposedbloated
bodi
es.
Mt
hunzi
:"Shoul
dIcal
ltheChi
ef?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Thecommuni
tyl
eader
."
Mthunzi
:"Okay,
sowel
eavet
hebodi
esher
eso
l
ong?"
Nkosi
:"I
fsomeoneevent
ri
est
othr
owt
hem backi
n
thewater
,I'
dbur
nthem al
ive.
"Igoti
nthecar
,hi
m
nextt
ome.
Mthunzi
:"Youdoknowpeopl
ewillbecur
ioust
o
knowwhyyoudidsomuchf ort
hisspeci
fi
cvil
lage?
"
Nkosi:"Peopl ear ecuri
ouswhenIwal kintoa
buil
ding.It'snot hi
ngnew. "WhatIneededwasa
scrub.Aqui ckonebecauseIdi dn'tf
eelli
kebeingi
n
waterforl ong.Swi mmi ngforsixhour swasenough.
Havingt ocomeupf orairacoupl eoftimesthen
goingbacki nsidewasenough.Thecarst opped
uponMt hunzi'sinstr
uctions.Hecl i
mbedout ,
walkingt othegat eofthecommuni t
yleader'
shome.
Icouldhearhi mf rom t
hecar .
Mthunzi:"Iwoul
dsuggestperhapstaki
ngt hepol
ice
wit
hyou.Wemanagedt oret
ri
evefourofthebodies
i
nthel ake.Theyareinbadcondit
ionanditwouldn'
t
beidealforthefamil
iest
oseethem li
kethat."
Leader
:"That
'si
mpossi
ble.
"
Mthunzi:"
Thebodiesar
ecurrent
lyonland.Wecan
gotocheck.Unfor
tunat
elyt
hef i
ft
honecan'tyetbe
found.Hopef
ull
ywhenthelakeisdrai
ned,we'l
l
haveabet
terchanceatf
indi
ngi
t.
"
Leader
:"I
'l
lfol
lowinmycar.Ihavetoseethi
s
myself
."Hecalledhi
snei
ghbor.Mthunzicamei
n
thecar
.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
ogetdr
essedMt
hunzi
."
Mthunzi:"That'
syourpr obl em Nkosi.Idi dn'
ttellyou
tojumpi nalake.Her ear eyourclothes. "Ist
ar edat
him."We'rejustshowingt hem thebodi esand
l
eaving.You'llbecleani nanhour ."Isighed.We
drovebackt othelakewi tht wocar sbehi ndus.The
communi tyleaderdidn'tbel i
evethisandsohe
broughtanaudi ence.Ididn' thavetimef orthis.At
thelake,Mthunziaddr essedt hem.Thebodi eswer e
coveredwi t
hsheet .
Leader
:"Howdidyoudot hi
s?"Mthunzilookedat
me,sti
lli
nthecar.I
'
m notgett
ingout.I
'vedone
enoughfortheday.
Mt hunzi:"
I'm sureyoucant akeitf
rom here.The
drainingofthel akemi ghtstarti
naf ewweeks.
Per hapsthenwecanf i
ndt helastbody.Goodday."
Hegoti nt hecar ,nexttomeandwel ef
t.
Mthunzi
:"Youmakemyl i
fedif
fi
cul
tbutthatwasa
goodthi
ngyoudidthere.Thatwasincr
edible.
"It
al
mostcostmemyl if
et oobutIwouldnevertell
hi
mt hat
.Hewouldneverl etmedoanythingever
agai
n.

SASAPOV_

Fr
idaymi dday,Iwassowor ri
ed.Ihadn'
theardfrom
Nkosinhlesi
ncehel ef
there.Whatdidtheydoto
hi
m?Nott oment i
on,whenIcall
eddadl astni
ghthe
wascol d.Hedidn'
tseem t
obei namoodt otal
k.I
di
aledNkosi'snumberagain.Thisti
mehepi ckedup.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"
Me:"
Final
ly!I
'
vebeent
ryi
ngyousi
ncel
astni
ght
."
Nkosi:"
I'
m sor
rybaby.I
t'
sbeenahecti
cdayanda
hal
f.I
'm onthewaybacknow.I'
l
lbeintheci
tyi
n
aboutthr
eehours.
"
Me:"
Okay.Pl
easecomeseeme.
"
Nkosi
:"Ofcour
sebaby.Seeyousoon.
"Ihungup,
walki
ngtothesoccerst
ands.Thi
swasourhang
spotnow.Isatnextt
oAmahle,whowasreadi
ngher
book.
Amahl
e:"
Didyouseet
henews?
"
Me:"
No.Whathappened?
"
Amahl
e:"
Checkt
henews.
"
Me:"
Idon'tevenknowwhereI'
dcheckt
henews
Amahle.Whatam Ilooki
ngf
or?"
Amahl e:"Yourvillage."Shet urnedapageonher
book.Onet hingaboutAmahl e,shewasnotof
manywor dssot hatwasal lI'
dgetoutofher .Itook
outmyphonesear chingmyvi l
lage.Headl i
nes:
Bodiesoff ourchi ldr
enhavebeendi scoveredi n
LakeMt hinomkhul u.IlookedatAmahl et henback
atmyphonet or ead." Intheear lyhoursofFr iday
morning,thecommuni tyleaderwascal l
edtot he
scenewher ethebodi esoff ourchil
drenwer el ayi
ng
onthegr oundnextt ot hel aket heyhaddr ownedi n.
Thesear ethechi ldrent hathaddr ownedi nt he
yearsandhaveneversur faced.Thi sdi scovery
comest hemor ningaf terPr i
nceNkosi nhleMehl uli
Sikhosanahasvi sit
edt hevil
lage.ThePri
ncehad
beenal ert
edoft hedangeroft helaket
owhi chhe
promi sedtoattendt oimmedi atel
y.Onlyonebody
remai nsundiscoveredandi tissaidthelakewil
lbe
drainedinthenextcomi ngweeks.Theplansforit
arestilli
nconclusive."Istar
edatAmahl e.
Me:"
Hedi
dn'
t.
"
Amahl
e:"
Heobvi
ousl
ydi
d."Shesi
ghed.
Me:"
Thatl
akei
ssodanger
ousAmahl
e."
Amahl e:"
He'saverygoodswi mmer ."Myhands
wereshaki ngasIdialedmyfather
'snumber.Didhe
hearthis?Obviousl
y.Newstravelfastint
hevil
lage.
Especiall
ynowt hatitwasi
nnat i
onalnews.
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a.Howar
eyou?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m wel
lmychi
ld,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
m okay.Ij
ustsawt
henewst
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"You'
resupposedt
obei
nschool
."
Me:"
It
'sl
uncht
imet
ata.What
'shappeni
ngt
her
e?"
Hesi
ghed.
Xol
ani
:"ThePr
incewasher
e."
Me:"
Isawt
hat
."
Xol
ani:"
I'
m notyetsurewhathewantsbutIknow
hewantssomet hi
ng.Whywouldanyonegointoa
l
akethathastakenli
ves?"
Me:"
Oht
ata.I
'
m sur
ehe'
sonl
ytr
yingt
ohel
p."
Xolani
:"Thembi sa,
nooneevertr
iestohelpthepoor.
Especiall
ypeopleli
kehim.Hehasallthemoneyi n
thewor l
dbutinsteadhesendshi
sguar dsinther
e
toretr
ievebodiesofchi
ldr
enwhodi edyearsago?
Why? "
Me:"Hedidn'
tsendhi
sguards.Tat
a,youneedto
bel
ievet
hatther
earegoodpeoplei
ntheworld.
"
Xol
ani:"OhIbeli
evethatmychild.Ij
ustknowhe
i
sn'toneofthosegoodpeople.Oneday,thisvi
ll
age
wil
llosesomethi
ngofvaluetohi m.Andwewon' t
beabletodoanythingaboutit
."
Me:"
Didyouseehi
m?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.Hewasher
e.Heapol
ogi
zedf
orbei
ng
di
srespect
ful.Iknowhedi dn'
tmeani tandsothat
meansyout oldhimt o."Ikeptquiet
."Thembi
sa,
whatisthi
smant oyou?Whyi shesuddenlyso
i
nterest
edinourvi l
lage?Inyou? "
Me:"
Tat
a."
Xolani:"It
ol dyout ost ayawayf r
om him. "Icouldn'
t
evenanswerhi m becausewhatIwant edt osay
wouldbr eakhi shear t.Ican' tstayawayf r
om Nkosi .
Idon'twantt o.Hewasn' tabadper son.Idon' tcare
whatanyonesays." NoKi ngwoul dcompr omisehis
l
ifeforfreeThembi sa.Under st
andthat .
"Hehung
up.Pet ujoinedus, sitti
ngnextt oAmahl eont he
grass.WhenAmahl etoldherl astni
ghtwhoshe
was, sheki ndofwentsi lent.Iwaswor ri
edabout
herbutAmahl ewasherusualunbot heredsel f.
Rightnow, Icouldn'tdealwi t
hanyoneel se's
problems.ThemanI '
vel ovedal lmyl i
fehat edthe
oneIwant edt ospendt her estofmyl ifewi t
h.I
knowt herewasnochangi ngmydad' smi nd.
Amahle:"
Pet
u,Doyouwanttogoforicecr
eam?"
Pet
ulookedatherbutqui
ckl
yavoi
dedhereyes.
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"
Amahle:"
Areyougoi
ngt
otr
eatmedi
ff
erent
ly
now?
"
Pet
u:"
You'
reapr
incess.
"
Amahle:"
Yes,andI'
dappreci
atetheanonymit
y.I
don'
tli
kebei
ngt r
eateddi
ff
erentl
y.We'r
efri
ends.
Canwecontinueli
kewehavet hepastfewdays?
"
Pet
u:"
Whydi
dyout
ellme?
"
Amahle:"
Apartf
rom youseei
ngmeseat ednextto
yourKi
ngt omor
row,you'
remyfr
iend.Youdeserve
toknow."
Petu:"
Thisi
st oomuchforme.I
'
m goi
ngt
ot r
ytobe
normalbuti
t'
llbehar
d.Iwasrai
sedt
oberespect
ful
ofyourfami
ly."
Amahl
e:"
Hm.Socanwego?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.Sasa?
"
Me:"
Yeah.I
'
vegott
hreehour
stospar
e."Wegotup.
Amahl
e:"
We'
l
lwai
tforyouatt
hegat
e."
Me:"
Whywoul
dyouneedt
o-"Khayawal
kedupt
o
us.Pet
uandAmahl
ewal
kedaway.
Khaya:"
Sasa.
"
Me:"
Hel
loKhaya.
"
Khaya:"LookI '
m sor
ryaboutyesterdaymorning.I
j
ust.
.."Hescr at
chedhishead."IknowI '
vebeenan
unst
ablepieceofshi tsi
nceyou'veknownmebut
Thembisayouneedt ounderst
andt hatIj
ustdidn'
t
wanttohur tyou.Themi nut
eIsawyou, IknewI
wantedyoui nmyl if
e.IknowIneededyou.Ij ust
di
dn'tknowhowt o..
.Howt ohaveyou."
Me:"
Wher
eist
hisgoi
ngKhaya?
"
Khaya:"
WhatI '
m sayi
ngi s,I
'm wil
li
ngt ogiveyouall
ofme.Iwanttot r
ythisrelat
ionshipthing.Without
anyholdbacks,nootherwomen, nolies.Justyou
andI.
"
Me:"
Khaya,
Ican'
t-"
Khaya:"
Sasaplease.I'
m beggi
ngyou.Idon'tcare
whathappenedbetweenyouandSi khosana.Ijust
needyouandmet ot r
y."
Me:"
Howdoyouknowi
t'
shi
m?"
Khaya:"
Myfatherwor
ksf
orhi
m.OfcourseIknow
hi
scars.Ial
soknowhowcol
dandunfeel
ingheis.
That'
snotwhoyouwanti
nyourl
if
e,Thembisa.
"
Me:"It
hinkt
hat
'sexact
lywhoIwanti
nmyl
if
e
Khaya.
"Hestar
edatme.
Khaya:"Thembi sa.
"Icoul
dfeeltheemotioninhis
voi
cebutt herewasn'tanyt
hingIcoulddoforhim.
Hepulledmecl osetohim,hisforeheadonmi ne.
"Pl
ease.Iwillneverdi
sappointyou.Iswear
."I
pul
ledawayf r
om him.
Me:"
I'
m sor
ryKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Thembi
sa.Youcan'
tdot
his.
"
Me:" No,youcan'tdothis.Thisisnotf ai
rKhaya.
You'vebeenenj oyi
ngyour selfforal
mostt hree
mont hs,nowt hatI
'vefoundsomeoneIl i
keyou
wantt oruinit
?No.Don' tbelikethat
.Ineversai d
anythingwhenIsl eptinyourspar eroom whi l
eyou
fuckedgirl
si nyourown.Idi dn'
tevensayanyt hi
ng
whenyour ej
ectedme.Ikeptevenmor equietwhen
youcont i
nuedt opursuepeopl einmyci rcl
e.Fiki
le
tobespeci fi
c.NowIcan' tbehappybecauseyou
don'
tli
kemyboyf
ri
end?
"
Khaya:"Boyfri
end?"Hechuckled."Doyouknow
Sikhosana?Thembi sa,doyouactuall
yknowt hat
guy?Boyf r
iend?Pleasebeserious.There'
snothi
ng
hewoul dwantf r
om you.Hecanonl ybeusi ngyou.
"
Ipull
edmyar mfrom him."Thembisa."
Me:"St
aythefuckawayfr
om me.Idonotwantt
o
seeyouagai
nKhaya."Iwal
kedaway.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Wedr
ovei
ntot
heci
tyar
ound4i
ntheaf
ter
noon.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llwai
tforyoui
ntheof
fi
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Forwhatnow?IhavemyFr
idayof
f.
"
Mt hunzi
:"Hehe.Youcan'
thavetodayof
f.Fi
rstofal
l,
yourfatheri
sseethi
ng.Secondl
y,tomor
rowisthe
reeddance."
Nkosi
:"Noneoft
hesear
emypr
obl
em.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iwi
shIcoul
dagr
eewi
thyoubutt
heKi
ng
wantstoseehissoni
nthefleshandI
'
m notgoi
ng
anywherenearhi
m wi
thoutyou."
Nkosi:"
AndthismeansIcan'tspendt
imewit
h
Thembisatoni
ght?MthunziIwokeupat3toswim
forsi
xhours,t
heveryleastIdeser
vei
sthewarmth
ofmywoman. "
Mthunzi:"Youwantyourfat
hertofol
lowyou
eNtabeni?Please,
becausei
fthat'
syourpl
an,t
ell
menowsoIcanski pt
own."
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m."Ist
aredoutthewi
ndow.Thecar
dr
oveintot
heoffi
ceparki
ng.
Mthunzi :"Seeyousoon, goldenfi
sh."Heclimbed
outthecar .Thedr i
vertookmet ores.Isent
Thembi saamessage:<Pl easecomeout sidebaby.>
Sher eadt hemessageanddi dn'
trespond.Ifeltmy
heartpai nuncomf ort
ably.Whatwaswr ongnow?I
wasonl yt womi nutesfrom hersoIhadt obe
pati
ent.Thecarpar kedinit
'susualspot.Thedr i
ver
gotout ,
wai ti
ngout si
de.Thembisacameoutt he
gate,cli
mbi ngintothebackseatnexttome.
Nkosi
:"Hibaby.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Thembisa:"Howwasyourtri
p?"Al
thoughI
appr
eciatedhernotl
yingt
omebutwhywasshe
avoi
dingmyquest i
on?
Nkosi
:"I
twasni
ce.Youhaveani
cevi
ll
age.
"
Thembisa:"
Hm.Isawthenews.
"Thi
swasn'
tthe
reasonshewasunhappy.
Nkosi
:"Idi
dn'
tknowt
hey'
dcal
lthepaper
s.That
's
notwhyIdidi
t.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Iknow.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyouupset
?"
Thembi
sa:"
Howwasever
yone?
"Ipul
ledheront
op
ofme.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easet
ellmewhat
'swr
ong?
"Shecur
led
i
ntomychest.
Thembisa:"
Mydaddoesn'tli
keyou.
"Thi
sIknew.
"Hesaysyouwantsomething.
"
Nkosi
:"He'
sri
ght
."Shel
ookedatme."
Iwantyou.
"
Thembisa:"I
'
m seri
ousNkosi
.Hei
scurr
entl
yver
y
upsetwit
hme.SomehowheknowsI '
vebeen
communi cat
ingwit
hyou.Hewant
smet ost
ay
awayfrom you."
Nkosi:"
Don'tworryaboutyourdad.He'
llcome
around.
"Mostlikel
ynot."Iunder
standwhyhe's
skepti
cal
."
Thembi
sa:"
Skept
icalNkosi
?He'
sangr
y."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
"
Thembi sa:" Nothi
ng.Themor eyoudo,themor ehe
wil
lbesuspi ciousofyou. "Andthemoreyou'llbe
suspicioust oo.Myl ovewasst art
ingt
odoubtme.
Somet hingt hatIdidn'tthinkwouldhappen.
Somet hingIdi dn'tknowhowt ohandl
e.Thewor st
partwast hatIcoul dn'tspendtimewit
hhert his
weekendasIwant edt o.Thatwouldpossibl
yhel p
butIcoul dn'tpissmyf atheroffanymorethanI
haveal ready.AsmuchasIwi shIcouldstaylike
thi
sfort her estoftheni ght,Ihadadutytodo.
Nkosi
:"Haveyouevert
houghtaboutel
opi
ng?
"
Thembi
sa:"
What
'st
hat
?"
Nkosi:"
Runni
ngawaywitht
heper
sonyoulove,get
marri
edandstar
tali
feawayfr
om ever
yoneyou'
ve
everknown.
"
Thembisa:"
No.Idon'
tthi
nkIcoul
d."Iki
ssedher
head.
Nkosi
:"Iknowmylove.Neit
hercoul
dI.Icanonly
wish.
"Wesatinsil
enceforsometime.I
twasn't
even10mi nut
esbefor
emyphoner angir
ri
tat
ingme
tonoend.
Thembi
sa:"
Answeryourphone.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt
o."
Thembisa:"
PleaseNkosi
nhl
e.Ican'
ttakemor
e
drama.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
etheybot
her
ingyouher
e?"
Thembi
sa:"
Notreal
ly.
"Myphoner
angagai
n.It
ook
i
toutt
oanswer.
Nkosi
:"Yes?
"
Mthunzi
:"Yourfat
heri
ssendi
ngthearmytocome
f
etchyou."Thembisaj
umpedtoherseat
.
Nkosi
:"I'
m coming."Ihungup."
I'
m sor
rybaby.
Mthunzii
sjoking.He'snotgoi
ngtosendthereal
-"I
l
ist
enedcarefull
y."
Ihavetogo."
Thembisa:"
I'
llbewit
hAmahle.I
'
m par
ti
cipati
ngi
n
thedance.I
'
llseeyoupr
obablyt
omorr
ow. "
Nkosi
:"I
'
mlookingforwardtoit
.Goodbyebaby."I
ki
ssedherl
ips.Shegotoutthecar
,walki
ngintothe
gat
e.Thedr
ivergotinhisseat
.
Nkosi:"Dri
ve."Justashest
art
edthecar,t
hearmy
t
ankcr eepedbehi ndt
hecar
.Whatthefuckinghel
l
i
swr ongwi thhim?Icall
edMthunzi
."Whatthehel
l!
!"
Mt
hunzi
:"It
oldyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
youknewexact
lywher
eIwas!
!"
Mt hunzi
:"YesandIt r
iedtocoverf oryoubuthe
thinkssomethingi swr ong.Hethinksyoudi edi n
thatdamnl ake.Themedi aisalloveritandhecan' t
getholdofyou.Ther ewasnot hingIcoulddo. "I
hungup.Myf atherwassomet hingelseandi twas
pissingmeof f.It
'snotl i
keIwasachi ldthatneeded
babysitt
ing.AfterpickingMthunziup, wedrovet o
thepalace.Mymoodwasi nthemudbei ngeat enby
pigsnow.Notonl
ywasmywomanupset,
Icoul
dn'
t
evenenjoyt
imewithher
.Nowt
his?Howf
ucki
ng
ri
dicul
ous.
Nkosi
:"Thear
my?Ser
iousl
y??
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iaskedyounott
ogoi
ntot
hatl
ake.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m al
ive,
am Inot
!!
"
Mthunzi
:"Whyareyouangryatme?Ididn'
ttel
lhi
m
whereyouwereandthatonit
sownwillearnmea
t
onguelashi
ng."
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m!"
Mthunzi
:"Weneedt obepati
entwi t
hhim Nkosi.
You'
rehisonlyhei
r.Anyform ofdangernearyou
st
ressesthecrapoutofhim."
Nkosi
:"Doest
hatwar
rantt
his?
?Lookbehi
ndus!
!"
Mthunzi
:"Yes,t
hatwasdramati
c.Ful
lyagree.
However,l
et'
sbehonest.Youweren'
tgoi
ngt ogo
homeifhedidn'tsendt
hem."
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m."Ist
ayedqui
ett
her
estoft
heway
home.
Wedrovei
ntothepal
ace.Igotoutthecar
,walki
ng
i
nsi
dethehouse.Myfat
herwaswai ti
nginthefoyer
.
HewassopissedIwantedtolaugh.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
-"
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"Youcal
ledmehome.
"
Sikhosana:" IDRAGGEDyouhomebecauseyou
don'thavet hedecencyt ocomeaddr essme
yourself!
!I'
vebeent r
yingt ogethol dofyoual lday
l
ong!Whatt hehel lwereyout hi
nkingj umpi ngintoa
fi
lthylaketof etchdeadbodi es?DEAD
DECOMPOSI NGBODI ES!!!Whatt hehel l
'
swr ong
withyouMehl uli
!!
!"Heshout ed."You'ret hefutur
e
King!!Thisi swaybel owyourst andar dsandeven
belowt hatofyourguar dsandadvi sor!!Whywoul d
youdosomet hingsost upid!You'renotl eavingthis
houseagai n, doyouunder st
andme?Thatt ankwi l
l
foll
owyouever ywher e.Youwantt oactl i
keachi l
d?
I'
mt reati
ngyoul ikeone.Testme. "..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
43] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er21

SASAPOV_

Aft
erhavingdinner,wewer echil
li
ngwi t
hPetuin
ourroom shepreferr
editthatwaysot hatAmahle
canbeinacomf ort
ableenvironment
.Pet uwas
superconsider
ateevenbesi desknowi
ngMahl e
wasapr i
ncess.
Amahl e:"Acarwillbeheret
of etchyouat9Petu.
Sinceyou'llbeatt
endingasar oyalguest
,youmight
besi t
ti
ngwi thpeopleyoudon'
tknowbuti na
privat
esettingwhereyoucanf ullyenj
oythe
celebrat
ion.Areyouokaywi t
ht hat?"
Pet
u:"
Aroyalguest
?You'
reki
ddi
ng!
"
Ama:"
Idonotki
d."
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowAmahl
e.Whowi
llIt
alkt
o?"
Ama:"
Youcanbr
ingyoursi
ster
."
Petu:"
Areyouser
ious?
!"Shesqueal
ed,"
letmego
fet
chmyphoneandt el
lher.
"Sheranouttoher
room.
Ama:"
Itaket
hatasayes.Wi
llyoubebackbef
ore
6?
"
Me:"Me?I
'm goi
ngwi
thyout
oday,
aren'
tI?
"She
l
ookedatme."Amahl
e?"
Ama:"Youneedt obebackbefor
e6."Myphone
beepedamessage.Ireadit
:<Onenormalni
ght
awayfrom ever
ythi
ngweknow? >
Me:"
Idon'
tknowAmahl
e."
Ama:"
Whenyouar ri
veat6,
theywi
llt
estyouand
youwi
llpar
ti
cipat
e."
Me:"
Won'
tImi
ssoutonanyt
hing?
"
Ama:"Singi
nganddanci ngmost ly.Theki
ngwi l
l
comet oaddressusandt alkabouthowpr oudheis
andthathehasason, whoi slookingforawife.
Sadl
yf orhi
m, thesonwillalr
eadybewi t
hhiswife
sohe'sbasical
lywasti
nghi stime."
Me:"
Won'
thebemadatme?
"
Ama:"Hedoesn'
tevenknowyou.Alotofgi
rl
swill
ar
ri
veonSaturdaybecauset
hey'
recomingfrom al
l
vi
ll
agesi
ntheprovi
nce."
Me:"
Okay.Soyout
hinkIshoul
dgo.
"
Ama:"Yes.Heneedsyou.
"Pet
ucamebacki
n.Her
phoneonloudspeaker
.
Pet
u:"
YesSi
za.We'
l
lbeguest
s."
Si
za:"
Who'
sguest
sPet
u?"
Pet
u:"
Igotani
nvi
tat
ionandal
lIneedi
syout
o
comewit
hme.That'
sit
.Noquesti
ons.
"
Si
za:"
Fine.Whatt
ime?
"
Pet
u:"
Wel
eaveat9.
"
Si
za:"
Okayt
hen.Seeyout
hen.
"Shehungup.
Ama:"Maybeyoushouldgotoherhouseandl
eave
fr
om t
heretomorr
ow,thecarwi
llpi
ckyouupther
e.
I
'l
lbel
eavingfort
heni
ghtsoon."
Petu:"
Okay.ThenIguessIshouldpack.I'
llseeyou
l
adiestomorrow.Goodluckokay?"Ihuggedher,
shehuggedAmahl eandwalkedout.Isighed
r
epl
yingt
othemessage:<Okaybaby.
>Senti
t.
Ama:"Don'
tbenervous.Iwoul
dn'
tletyougoi
fther
e
wassomethingbad."
Me:"
Right
.I'
mjustner
vous.
"
Ama:"Don'
tbe."Sheheldmyhand.Herhandwas
fr
eezi
ngcold,
If l
inched.
Me:"
Whyar
eyourhandssocol
d?"Sheshr
ugged.
Ama:"
Alwaysar
e."
Me:"Okaybutyou'l
lbeouti
nabushal
lni
ght
.You'
re
f
reezi
ngalready.
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tgetcol
d."
Me:"
Wil
lyoubeokay?Toni
ght
?"Shesmi
led.
Ama:"
Wit
houtyou?Yes.
"
Me:"
That
'snotwhatImean.
"
Ama:"Iknow.There'
splent
yofwoment
her
e.My
guar
dsonst andbytoo.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"
Ama:"
Tel
lhi
mtobr
ingyoueManzi
nibef
ore6.I
'
ll
haveugogowait
ingf
oryou.She'l
ltakeyoui
ntoget
test
ed,
onceyou'
redone,you'
l
ljoi
nus. "
Me:"Al
ri
ght.eManzi
niyousay."Ireadthenew
messageinmyphone:<Can'twaittoseeyou.I'
l
lbe
t
hereat9pm.>Ismil
ed.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Myf atherwast r
ulysenileifhethoughthecoul d
keepmei nsi
dethishouse.Or di
narilyIwoul dn'tgo
againsthim butforthemer efacthet reatsmel ikea
2yearol disenoughf ormet oactlikeone.Isatwi t
h
them atthedinnertable.Mymot hersdi scussing
andhappywi ththei
rplanning.Mysi sterswer ehere,
unbotheredaboutanyt hing.Iat
eonl yabi tofmy
food.Myf atherwaswat chingmecl oselyasifI '
d
disappearinfrontofhiseyes.
Sikhosana:"
Mehlul
i.
"Isighed,l
ookingathi
m." I
'm
onlytryi
ngtopr
otectyou.Idon'tknowwhyyou
beli
eveinthi
sgoodSamar i
tanpersonasomuch.
You'renotanor
dinaryhuman.Youar er
oyal
ty.The
highestoft
hem all
.Beingkindcanonlygetyouin
tr
ouble.Peopl
ewi l
ldi
srespectyou.Youwere
namedMehl ulit
odefeatallot
hersandyoudi d.Why
doyouwantt hrowthatawayi nadirt
ylake?
"
Nkosi:"
Iwasal
sonamedNkosi
nhle.I
t'
sst
range
howyoucompletel
yer
asemyfi
rstnamefrom your
vocabul
ary.
"
Si
khosana:"
Thati
snotwhoyouar
e-"
Nkosi
:"Thati
swhattheancest
orsnamedme.You
don'
tgettochoose.
"
Sikhosana:"
Iam yourfat
her.Ihavel
ivedinthi
s
wor l
dtheyhaven'
tli
vedin.Iknowwhat '
sgoodfor
you!"
Nkosi
:"Howwouldyouknowwhat
'sgoodf
orme?
Youdict
atemyenti
rel
if
e-"
Si
khosana:"
I'
m gr
oomi
ngyout
obeaKI
NG!
!"
Nkosi:"
Idon'twanttobeast upidki
ng!!
!"I
screamed."Idon'
twantthis.
"Ibreat
hed.Sikhosana:
"Youdon'thaveachoice.Thi
si swhoyouar e.I
'l
l
makesur eyousitandstickt
ot hatt
hronewhether
youli
keitornot
.Idi
daskyoutotestme.
"Nowi t
wasmyt urntobeangr
y.Mybloodwasboil
ing.I
gotup,walki
ngtomyroom.It
ookmyphone, cal
li
ng
Mthunzi
.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Removeal
lthet
racker
sfr
om t
heMer
cedes
Benz.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Allf
ouroft
hem.Iwantt
hatcar
undet
ectabl
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
,Ican'
tletyour
unaway.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notr
unni
ngaway.Ij
ustneedt
imeout
.I'
l
l
bebackbymorni
ng.
"
Mthunzi
:"Fi
ne.Takemywife'
scari
nstead.I
twillbe
i
mpossiblet
oremoveallt
racker
sontheroyalcars
i
ncludi
ngminebecauseevenIdon'
tknowwher e
t
heyare."
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.Br
ingt
hecarbef
ore8pm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatwi
llyoudowi
tht
heguar
ds?
"
Nkosi :"WhatIdobest .Whi sper ."Ihungup, sending
amessaget oThembi sa:<Onenor malni ghtaway
from ever ythingweknow? >Il ookedt hroughmy
war drobef oranynor malcl othes.Ever ythingI
ownedwassui tsandgym cl othes.Idi dn't
rememberwhati tfeltli
ket oputonapai rofdenims,
apl aint-shirt,someboot s.For tunat ely,Ihadone
pairofj eans, Ihadn' twor nt hesei nf ouryear s.I
t
wast heout fitIhadonwhenIcamebackt othis
count ry.Igotdr essedt hencheckedmyphone.I
hadanewmessagef r
om t hembi sar eadi ng:<Okay
baby. >Ther e.Justoneni ght ,l
ivingl ikeanor mal
per son.I'ddr ivedownt oLangol uhle.I twast he
mor equiethar bourt own.Themanypeopl ewho
l
ivedt her ewer emost l
yt hosewhowor kedatt he
har bourandt hei rfami l
ies.Thel i
ttlet ownusual l
y
dieddownatar ound8atni ght .Exceptf orthe
tour i
stswhoar el ookingf oraqui etpr ivateplaceto
relaxin.Toni ght ,
we'dbet het our ists.In30mi nutes,
Mt hunzical led.
Nkosi
:"Yes?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
l
lfi
ndt
hecarpar
kedi
nourspot
."
Nkosi
:"Thanks.
"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi,Pl
easecomeback?"Icouldhear
pl
eainhisvoice.I'
dneverabandonMthunzi
.
Nkosi
:"Iwi
ll
.Ipr
omi
se.
"
Mthunzi
:"Goodbecausemywifewil
lki
llmei
fshe
can'
tfi
ndhercarinthemor
ning.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"We'lltalk.
"Ihungup.Ionlyneededtowai
t
40mi nutesbef oreeveryonewenttobed.ThenI
'd
takecareoft heguards.IsentAnot
hermessageto
Thembi sa:<Can' twaitt
oseeyou.I'
llbether
eat
9pm.>Ismi led,sit
ti
ngonmybed.

50mi nuteswentbyf ast

.Iwai t
edt heext ratenjust
i
ncase.Myoccasi onalhunt i
ngandexper iments
havefinall
ycomet ogooduse.It ookt heLamba
powderbur ningaver ysmal lpi
nchofi tinthe
passageofourWestwi ng.Thiswast hewi ngmy
parentssleptin.Thepowderwoul dlastunt i
l
mor ni
ngandr esi
duewi l
ldisappearbef orethen.
Onlyapi nchcanbeused.I twasst r
ongenought o
knocktheent irewingout.Ididn'tneedt oworry
aboutmysi sters'wi ng, theywoul dn'tcomel ooking
formef oranyr eason.Oncet heywenti nt hei r
rooms, you'donl yseet hem i nt hemor ning.Iwent
downst ai
rs,si xguar dswer eint hef oyerar eaoft he
house.Whi sper ingt omor ethan2peopl ewasa
diffi
culttaskbuti thel pswe' rei nacl osespace.
(Ther eisasecur it
yt hr eati nt hebackgar densandI
needyout okeepguar doutt her e.Onceyouwal k
outt heback, youdonotcomebacki nside.)Theyal l
nodded, walkingoutqui cklytot hebackgar den.I
steppedoutt hepalacedoor s.Twoguar dsst oodat
theent rance.( Theguar dsi nsi dear eat t
endi ngt oa
threatint hebackgar den, clearoutt heonesi nthe
yardt ospr eadout .
)Theywal kedt owar dst he
patrolingguar ds,givingor der s.Whi ledi stracted, I
sli
ppedt othear myt ank.Thesol dierst oodout side
withhi sweapon.Hewast heonl yonel eft.Hi s
partnerwaspat roli
ngaswel l
.( Sleep. )Hi seyes
closedandhef ell
.Iqui cklygr abbedhi m, pul li
ng
himt ot hesi de.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"Itookoffhisj
acketandcap,
put
ti
ngitonmyself
.Itwasfinal
lycl
ear.Isnuckt
o
thesideoft het ank, watchi ngf orthepat rols.The
oneguar dt urnedar oundf aci ngaway, Isl i
ppedout
thegat e.Thej acketandcapdi dn'tgi
veany
suspicion.Iwal kednor mal l
y, awayf rom t hepalace.
Thatwaseasi ert hanIt houghti twoul dbe.Imadei t
tothepr ivatespotIshar edwi thMt hunzi.He' ssuch
ashowof f.Hehadboughthi swi fethissexyBMW
beastt hemi nutei tdropped.Iopenedt hedoor
cli
mbi ngi n.Thekeywasi nt heigniti
on.Ist arted,
test
ingt hecont rolsanddr oveof f
.Final l
y.When
wast hel astt i
meIact uall
ydr oveacar ?I tfeltso
goodf oroncet obei ncont rolofmyownl if
e.Ityped
amessage:<I 'm onmyway, myl ove.>

SASAPOV_

Befor
ePet ulef
t,shehadbr aidedmyhai ri
nvery
neatcornrows.Rightnow, Iwasleftal
one.Amahle
hadleftsomet i
meago.Idi dn'tneedanythi
ngreal
ly
butIpackedasmal lbag.Justadressand
underwear.Ial
sot ookthebeadst hatAmahle
boughtf
orme.Someoneknockedonmydoor
.It
hadtobeZi
mmy.I '
dseenAmahleandPet
ugeti
nto
carswhent
heylef
t.Iopenedt
hedoor
.
Zi
mmy:"
Hey.
"Shewal
kedi
n.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Zi
mmy:"Ar
eyougoi
ngsomewher
e?"Shel
ookedat
mybag.
Me:"
Yes.I
'
m vi
sit
ingAmahl
e."
Zi
mmy:"
Amahl
elef
thour
sago?
"
Me:"
Yeah,sheneededtodosomethi
ngfi
rstandI
wasfi
nishi
ngmyassignment.
"Shesi
ghed.
Zi
mmy:"
Ihat
ewhat
'shappeni
ngbet
weenus.
"
Me:"
MetooZi
masa.You'
remyf
ir
stuni
ver
sit
y
f
ri
end.
"
Zimmy:" Iknow.AndI '
m alsosorryforpushingyou
toKhayasomuch. "Shesatdown." I'
m nott ryi
ngto
convi
nceyou, pl
easedon'tgetmewr ong.Irespect
yourdecision.It
'sj
ustthathereall
ydoesf eel
somethingf oryou.Khayahasbeenst r
uggling,al
ot.
Foryearseven.Hegr ewupi nat oxi
cf amilysetti
ng.
Hisfatherf ocusedonbui l
dingt helawf i
rm and
neglecti
nghi smot her
.Thent urnedabusi ve.His
motherdi edacoupl eofyear sago.Khayamoved
outofhome, thesecondhecoul d.That'swhyhe
doesn'tli
kegoi ngt ohisfami l
yf orholi
days.His
fat
herhasn' treallychanged.Hehasast epmom
who'sonl yaf ewyear soldert hanhi m.I'
m sorr
yI
pushedThembi sa.He'sjustagoodguyandwhenI
sawhowhel ooksatyou, Isawt heopportuni
tyfor
himt obel oved.Foroncei nhisl if
e.Thatwasunf ai
r
ofme. "IsatonAmahl e'
sbed, opposi t
eher .
Me:"Yes.Thatwasveryunf
airofyou.Itwaseven
moreunfairt
hatyouwantedmet oendurehisbed
hoppi
ngandmul ti
plewoment henaccepthi
m wit
h
warmlovingarmswhenhe'sdone."
Zi
mmy:"
You'
rer
ight
."
Me:"Whydon'tyoudat
eKhaya?Youknowwhathe
needs.You'
real
solovi
ngandyoucar
eabouthi
m."
Shelaughed.
Zi
mmy:"He'
smor
eli
keabr
othert
ome.Idon'
tsee
hi
mthatway.
"
Me:"Perhapsashissist
eryoushoul
dsuggesthe
gototherapythen.
"Shechuckl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"Yeah.Thatwoul
dprobabl
ydohi
m good.
Anyway,
whenareyoucomingback?"
Me:"
Sunday.
"
Zimmy:" Alr
ight.Il
ikethi
sforyou.Havingfr
iends
moresui t
abletoyou.Iknowyoul i
kemeasaf r
iend
butsociall
yyouwer en'
tcomfort
ablewithmy
acti
vit
ies.Ijustdon'twantanyonetotakemypl ace
i
nyourl if
eokay? "
Me:"Noonewi
llt
akeyourpl
acei
nmyhear
t.
"I
huggedher
.Myphonerang.
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.Letmegetgoi
ng.Havef
unbaby.
"
Me:"
Bye."Shewal
kedout
.Ianswer
edmyphone.
"
Baby?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m out
side,
love.
"
Me:"
Okay.I'
m comingoutnow."Igr
abbedmybag,
wal
kingoutt
her oom andl
ocki
ngit.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notwi
ththeguar
dstoday.I
t'
sjustyou
andme."Iwal
keddownthepassage,t
othe
r
ecept
ion.
Me:"
Youdr
oveher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"
Youcandr
ive?
"Iwal
kedout
sidet
othegat
e.
Nkosi
:"Ofcour
seIcandr
ivebaby.
"
Me:"
Imean,
you'
real
lowedt
o?"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Me:"
Ican'
tseeyourcar
."
Nkosi
:"Letmeswi
tcht
helight
son.I'
m notdr
ivi
ng
mycar."Isawt
hel
ight
sfl
icker
ing.
Me:"
Okayl
ove.Iseeyou.Youcanst
opf
li
cker
ing
now.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twanttostop.Iwantyoutof
eell
ikeI
dowhent hepressf
oll
owsme. "Il
aughed.
Me:"St
opit
."Ireachedthepassengerdoor
,openi
ng
i
t."
You'r
ecrazy,youknowthat?"Igoti
nthecar,
put
ti
ngmybagi ntheback.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ookgor
geous.Hel
lobaby.
"Heki
ssed
mesof
tl
y,hol
dingmyf
ace.
Me:"
Whydoyouhaveanar
mycapon?
"
Nkosi
:"Ist
olei
ttol
eavet
hepal
ace.
"Hest
art
edt
he
cardr
ivi
ngoff.
Me:"
Wai
t.
..Nkosi
,di
dyoust
ealt
hecar
?"
Nkosi
:"No,nott
hecar
.Onl
ythecapandj
acketi
n
t
heback."
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi:"
Myf atherwantsthearmyt of
oll
owme
ever
ywher e.I
'
m notal l
owedtoleavethehouse.I
j
ustneedoneni ghtasanormalhumanbei ng.No
guar
ds, nobulletproof
,noescort
s.Justnormalcy.
"
Me:"
Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
Nkosi:"
Langol
uhle.It
'saboutanhourandahalf
away."Heheldmyhand, hi
sotherhandont
he
steer
ingwheel."
It
'squietatthi
sti
mebutwe'l
lbe
abletoenj
oyourselves."
Me:"
Won'
tsomeoner
ecogni
seyou?
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhyIhaveanar
mycapon.
"Iki
ssed
hi
shand.
Me:"
Well
,can'
thavearoadt
ri
pwithoutsomemusi
c.
Doyouhaveafavour
it
egenr
e?"Hesmi l
ed.
Nkosi
:"You'
remyf
avour
it
egenr
e."
Me:"
Stopbei
ngcut
eforasecondpl
ease.
"
Nkosi
:"I'
m bei
ngser
ious.Idon'
thaveaf
avour
it
e
anyt
hing.Showmeeverything.
"
Me:"
Okay.I
'
llputonsomel
ovesongs.Il
ovethose.
HowdoIdothis?Howdoyousear
chmusi chere?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reaski
ngthewrongper
sonmyl
ove.
Cal
lMthunziandaskhim.
"
Me:"
Ican'
tcal
lMt
hunzi
."
Nkosi
:"Ofcour
seyoucan.Myphonei
sri
ghtt
her
e."
Me:"
Whydon'
tyoucal
lhi
m?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m dr
ivi
ngandhol
dingyourhand.
"
Me:"I
'
m sur
eIcanf
igur
ethi
sout.Wai
t.
"Iwentont
o
Googl
etypi
ng'
howtoplaymusi
cinacar'
Nkosi
:"Wr
it
eBMW M6f
ormor
especi
fi
cresul
ts.
"
Me:"Butbaby,
you'
vedr
ivenbef
ore.Howcanyou
notknowhowt opl
aymusici
nthecar?"
Nkosi
:"Ineverl
ist
enedt
omusi
cwhendr
ivi
ng.Onl
y
t
heradio."
Me:"Itsaysher
eIcanconnecttoi
tbyBluet
ooth.
"I
pressedthebut
tonsonthecarandpai
redmy
phone."YoubotherMt
hunziwaytoomuch,thi
swas
easy."
Nkosi
:"Iknow.Hecan'
tst
andme,
hesays.
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"
Thi
sismyf
avour
it
esong.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyougoi
ngt
osi
ngf
orme?
"
Me:"
Doyouwantmet
o?"
Nkosi
:"Yespl
ease.
"Ipl
ayedt
hesong.
Me:"Itstar
tedouti
nspr ingti
me.Agai nstt
hegolden
skyl
ine,Youspoketomeatl ast
.Itst
ar t
edout
i
ntenselyandwithitallmysensesIknewww.I 'm
sureIknew.Theonl yreasonGodgavemeeyes
wast oseeyou.Theonl yreasonGodgavemeear s
wast ohearyourvoice.Say,Iwil
lall
ll
..
.Iwil
lal
ways
l
oveyou.Andwhenthewindget
scold.I'
llwr
apmy
ar
msaroundyou."Heki
ssedmyhand, keepi
ngi
ton
hi
sli
pswhilest
aredatt
heemptyroadahead.
Me:" Weshar edourdreams,endeavorsandmany
things,wenevercoul dtellasoulbefore.Isawyou
smi lethr
ought hetearsthatfel
ltothefloorrr
.I'
m
sur eIknew, TheonlyreasonGodgavemehands
wast oholdyou.Andhef i
nelytunedthedr umsof
myear sjusttohearyourvoice.Say,Iwi l
lall
ll
..
.I
wi l
lalwaysloveyou.Andwhent hewindget scold,
I'
llbuildafir
et owarm yourhands.I'l
lwr apmyar ms
aroundyou. "
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.
"
Me:"
Iloveyout
oo.
"
Nkosi:"
Pleasesinganot
hersong.Il
ovet
hesound
ofyourvoice.
"..
.

Wear r
ivedi
nLangol
uhle.Areall
ysmallint
imat
e
townthatwasdi
mlyli
tbutli
vely.Heparkedatt
he
beach.
Nkosi
:"Ther
ear
est
all
ssell
ingf
ooddownt
hispat
h,
doyouwanttot
ryi
tout?
"
Me:"Let'
sgo.Ihaven'teaten.
"Wewal keddownt he
pavement.Smallcontainersweresel
li
ngf oodand
bever
ages,al
ongt hebeach.Af ewtourist
swalked
bybuyingandeating."Haveyouhadahot dog
befor
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
nNewYor
kyes.
"
Me:"Okay,
let'
slookf
orsomet
hingyouhaven'
t
eat
en.AKot a?
"
Nkosi
:"Quar
terofwhat
?"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Aquar
terl
oafofbr
ead.
"
Nkosi
:"Doesmydi etmeannothi
ngtoyoubaby?
"
Hechuckled."
Finelet
'shaveaquar
tert
hen.
"
Me:"
Nobaby,
youhavet
osayKot
a."
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatIsai
d."
Me:"Yousai
dquar
ter
.Youneedt
osayi
tli
ke
K.
O.T.A.
"
Nkosi
:"AKot
ha?
"Icoul
dn'
tst
opl
aughi
ng.
Me:"
Mxi
m.Letmeor
der
.Whatwi
llyoudr
ink?
"
Nkosi
:"Abot
tl
eofwat
er?
"
Me:"Coke.I fwe' rerui
ningyourdiettonight,l
et'
sgo
al
ltheway. "Iwentt othestalltoorder
."Hi.Two
Kota'
spl ease.I ncludeeverythi
ngandal lsauces.
Plustwocokes.Youhavet heglassbottle?That'
s
perf
ect.Thanks. "Ipaid,walki
ngbackt oNkosi.He
waslooki ngar oundhi m."Doyouf eel
uncomf ortable?"
Nkosi:"
No.Ifeelfr
ee.
"Helookeddownatme,
hol
dingmecl ose."
Thankyouforl
ovingme
Thembisa.Thankyouforchoosi
ngme. "
Me:"Iwi
llalwayschooseyou.Notmatt
erwhat
.
Aboveeverythi
ngelse.
"Evenmylif
e.It
hought
.
[
07/
27,
05:
44] :Sponsor
edPost

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er22
PI
RNCEPOV_

Ihaven' tenjoyedmysel fliket hi ssinceIwasbor n

andI '
m notexagger ating.Evenasachi ldIhadt his
weightofr esponsi bili
tyonmyshoul der s.Being
groomedt obeaki ng.Idi dn' tknowcomf ort,
empat hy, andl ove.Idi dn'tknowwhati tfeltli
keunt i
l
Imett hiswoman.Ther oadaheadwi l
lbedi ff
icult
sti
llbecausemyf ami l
ywi l
lnothavei t.Myf ather
prefersmet obeunf eeli
ngandvoi dofanyemot ion.
Idoubtheevenl ovesmymot her s.I'
dhavet obe
mor ediscr eetabouthowIf eelaboutThembi saunt i
l
Imar ryher .Lastni ght, weat ewhatIf oundt obet he
mosti nterestingf ood.Aquar terofal oafofbr ead,
withpot atochi ps, cheese, pol ony,russianand
saucesofal lkinds.Iwasn' ttoosur eofi tatfi
rstbut
Ienjoyedi t.Thor oughl y.Thenofcour set heCoke.
Thembi sai sconvi ncedt hatt heonei nt heglass
bottl
et astesbet ter.Ithoughtt hat'
simpossi ble,i
t
hast obet hesamebever ageandsowewentt obuy
mor eCoke.Onei napl asticbot t
le,canandagl ass
bot
tl
e.Shewasr
ight
,ther
ewassomet
hingi
nthat
gl
assbott
le.
Nkosi:"I
'
m soinlovewit
hyou. "Iwhisper
ed.She
snuggledcl
osertomybody, holdingmet i
ght
.I
checkedtheti
me.Itwasnow4: 40am.Ineededto
gethertoherdanceprepar
ations.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"Iki
ssedherl
ips.
Thembi
sa:"
Hmm.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sti
met
owakeup.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Alr
eady?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes."Iwasahear tbeatawayfrom dr
opping
i
tallandrunningawaywi thherbutIknewIcouldn'
t.
I
twoul dbehellforever
yoneelse.Shestr
etched,
wakingup.
Thembi
sa:"
Ihadsomuchf
unwi
thyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Met
oo.Maybeweshoul
ddoi
tmor
eof
ten?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Runaway?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Onourweekendsoff
,inst
eadof
eNtabeniwecoul
dgotoothertowns.Justl
ivel
if
e
f
oraf
ewdays.
"Shesmi
led.
Thembisa:"
I'
dlovethat.
"Shekissedmylipsgett
ing
up."
I'
veneverattendedareeddance.Idon'
teven
knowthesongsorwhat '
ssupposedtohappen."
Shegotdressed.
Nkosi:"Meneit
her.Idon'
tthi
nkther
e'saf ormal
program t
hough.It
'smostlyacel
ebrati
onandof
course.Myfamily'
shiddenagendaoffindingmea
wife.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Soyou'
l
lbei
ntr
oducedt
omai
dens?
"
Nkosi
:"Sor
tof
.Mymi
ndi
smadeupt
hough.
"
Thembi
sa:"Whati
fyouseesomeoneel
seyoul
ike?
Morebeaut
if
ul?
"
Nkosi:"Whocouldpossi
blybemor ebeaut
ifult
han
theloveofmylif
e?Don'tbesi
ll
y."Shesmiled,
crawli
ngontothebedagain."
We'regoingtobe
l
ate."
Thembi
sa:"
Justwantedtogiveyouthi
s."She
ki
ssedmyli
psslowlysucki
ngont hem.Thedesire
i
nmewasspar kl
ingonceagainasifIdi
dn'tspend
al
mostanhourt r
yingt
ocal
mitdown."
Let
'sgo.
"I
gotoutofbed,
putti
ngonmypants.
Nkosi
:"Af
tert
hedance,
areyoucomi
nghomewi
th
me?"
Thembi sa:"Ican'
t.I
'
m spendingtheni
ghtwiththe
othermai densandAmahl e.Iwanttoexper
ience
festi
vit
iesoft hi
scelebr
ati
on."
Nkosi
:"CanIaskyouaquest
ion?
"Ipul
ledonmyt
-
shi
rt
.
Thembi
sa:"
Yesbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydi
dyoust
ayavi
rgi
nfort
hisl
ong?
"
Thembi sa:"Apartfrom havingstri
ctparents.Iwas
kindofscar ed.Ourvill
agedoesn' thavemany
optionsorper hapsIshoul dsayopennesswheni t
comest ocont racepti
ves.There'snoaccesst o
condomsunl essyoubuyt hem i
nt own.Also,the
nursesar eextremelymeanwhenyougof orfami l
y
planning.Thest i
gmaaboutHI Vissohor ri
dst il
l.
Sexi ssuchanuncomf or
tableconversati
onf or
teenagersinmyvi l
lagesoi t
'sbettert
ojustabst ai
n.
Mostofusdo.Thenwhenwe' r
eobvi ousl
yint he
biggerci t
ies,wel earnofmor econt r
acept ivesand
havequi ckeraccesst ocondoms, t
her e'shospi tals
thatof ferf r
eeandsaf eabor t i
onsandont opofi tall
,
youar en'ttreatedlikeal esst hanhumanf or
cont r
act inghi v.Iwishonedayt hatcoul dchangei n
thevi l
lages. "Igavet hisalotoft hought .Ther ewas
alotofl andi nhervi l
lage.Al lofi tbel ongi ngtomy
fami l
yobvi ously.Inthepl aceoft helake, Iwanted
tobui ldami nishoppi ngcent er.Thi swoul dcreat e
jobs.Thepeopl ewho'dbewor kingt her e, wouldbe
l
ivingi nt hevi l
lage,usingt heirsal ariest obuyi n
theirvillage.Al sodr i
vingmor et raffi
cf rom t ourists
passi ngby.Oncet her oadsar efixed, t
hecent eris
built
.It houghtt heendofbui ldingt henewRes
meantI '
dbebor edagai nbutnowIhavet hi snew
project .ManIneededt othankMt hunzif orpushi ng
met ot hisgirl.
Nkosi:"
Thenyoucamet
oMountai
nPeakand
st
udiedawholeyear
?St
il
lnoboyf
ri
end.
"
Thembisa:"
Sti
lldr
ivenbyfearr
eal
ly.Mydadmade
suret
oputtheFearofGodi nme.Het ol
dmeci
ty
boysareverydangerous.
"Ihel
dherhand.
Nkosi:"
Theyar
ebutthi
sonewillpr
otectyou.
"We
walkedoutt
heguest
house,get
ti
nginthecar.I
dr
oveusbacktoMountainPeak.
Nkosi:"So,I
'
mt hi
nki
ngofbui
ldi
ngashopping
cent
eri nyourvi
ll
agetocr
eat
emorejobs.Whatdo
youthink?"
Thembisa:"
Thatwoul
dbeincr
edi
blebutwhatwi
ll
happentotown?Won'
ttheyl
osebusi
ness?"
Nkosi:"
No.Iwilll
ookintoitthough.Thepr ior
it
yis
tobri
ngmor evaluetothevill
ageandi t'
speopl e.
That'
sthemainf ocus.Al
so,perhapsacommuni ty
cent
erwouldbebenef ici
al.Afewot hervil
lages
havethesealr
eady."
Thembisa:"
Whatwoul
dhappenatt
hecommuni
ty
cent
er?
"
Nkosi:"Atthecouncilmeeti
ng,theproblem with
thi
evescameup.Most l
yboysinthevill
agewi t
hout
guidancereally.I
nthiscent
er,
maybet heycanl earn
someski l
ls.Zondodoeswel di
ng,hecoul dteachthe
boysthebasi cs.Yourdadcouldteachbusiness
ski
llsbecausehe' sr
eall
ygoodatt hat
.Wecan
providet
hemat er
ial
sandever ythi
ng.Ther
ewi l
lal
so
becommuni tyevent
s,talentshows,andbecause
you'vementi
onedsexi ssue,It
hinkeducat
ional
eventswil
lal
sobenef i
tthecommuni ty.
"
Thembisa:"That'
sagreatidea.Infact,havi
ng
quali
fi
edindivi
dualscomingt ospeakt otheyouth
aboutsexandever yt
hingelsewillbeamazi ng.
Moreaccesst ocontr
aceptivesaswel l
.Maybet he
communi t
ycentercouldalsodoubl easasoup
ki
tchenintheeveningsforthefami l
iesthathave
l
ess."
Nkosi :"Ilovethat.
"Thisisthef i
rstti
me, bei
nga
kinghasact uall
ymadesense.Fr om al lthatI
've
beent aughtbymyf at
her,itneverinterestedme.I
didasIwast oldbecauset hat'
sallIknewbutnow?
Ihadt hepowert omakeadi ffer
ence.Ar eal
diff
erence.Notf orl
ove,fame, money.Justbecause
i
twasr i
ghtandIwant edt o.It
'squiteal otoffi
rst
s
forme.Wedr oveintoMount ainPeakanhourl at
er
stil
ltalkingaboutourpl ansforhervi l
lageandot her
vil
lages.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m st
art
ingt
oenj
oymyl
if
e.You'
regoi
ngt
o
makemyj
obver
yeasyMr
sSi
khosana.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Thembisa:"
I'
m notMr
sSi
khosanaunt
ilyouaskmy
fat
her
."
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkhewi
llaccepti
t?Memar
ryi
ng
you?"
Thembisa:"
I'
dliketot
hinkhelovesmeenought o
l
etmemakemyowndeci sionsbuthereall
yhas
verystr
ongnegativef
eeli
ngsaboutyou.I'
m not
sureifi
t'
sbecauseyou'r
eroyalt
yorit'
sjustbecause
you'r
eamanf rom abigcit
yandabi tol
der."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nott
hatol
d."
Thembisa:"
Noyou'r
enotbuthe'
sver
yupset.I
thoughtIwoul
davoi
dgoinghomeinthecoming
holi
daysbutIhavet
onow.Ineedtobut
terhi
m up.
"
Nkosi
:"Soyouwantt
omar
ryme?
"
Thembisa:"Notimmediatelybuteventual
ly,
yes.
"I
stoppedtheclosetotheveldopening.Anold
womanst oodt her
e,wait
ing."Thi
sisawkwar d.I
can'tki
ssyougoodbye."
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.I
'
llseeyoul
atert
oday.Pl
ease
smil
eatmewhenIl
ookatyou,
I'
llneedi
t.
"She
gi
ggled.
Thembisa:"You'
resi
ll
y."Iwatchedhergetoutt
he
car,wal
kingtothewomanwi t
hherheadbowed.
Thewomangr eet
edher,leadi
ngherint
otheveld,
I
droveoff
.

Mysecondst opwast hefor

estIlovedtogoto
wheneverIwasst r
essed.ExcepttodayIwasn'
t
str
essed.Iwalkedtomyt r
ee,cli
mbinguptoa
comfort
ablebranchandsat.
Nkosi
:"Ihaveaquest
ion.
"Mygui
deal
waysknew
whentoappear.
Gui
de:"
Yes?
"
Nkosi
:"WhywasInamedNkosi
nhl
e?"
Gui
de:"
Ithi
nkt
hat
'scl
ear
,you'
redest
inedt
obe.
"
Nkosi
:"Yesbuthowwoul
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Guide:"
Youweren'tbornbyacci
dentNkosi.You
weresent.Thepeoplearesuf
fer
ingandtheyneed
you.Youaredesti
nedtobeagoodki ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihaven'
tbeengood.Ihaven'tbeengood
anyt
hing.Myentire30yearsofli
fe,Ihavenever
beengood.Ihavejustbeen.I
'venotfelt
.I'
venot
hel
ped.I'
venotgiven.I
'vej
ustexist
ed."
Gui
de:"
ThatmaybetruebutYou'vebui
ltschoolsi
n
t
hepastyear
s.You'
vegivenopport
unit
iestothose
l
essfor
tunat
e."
Nkosi
:"Butt
hat
'smyj
ob.
"
Guide:"Yourjobwasnevert ocompromi
seyourli
fe
forothersbutinahear tbeatyoudi dandIknowyou
woulddoi tagain.Bringingthiswomaninyourpath
canonl ymakeyoubet terthanthegoodyoualr
eady
were.Youhadki ndnesswi thinyoubuti
twas
suppressedbyt yrannywhi chyouhadbeenf or
ced
i
ntobyyourf ather."
Nkosi
:"Myf
atherwi
llnotbei
mpr
essed.
"
Guide:"
Thatisnotsomethi
ngyoushoul
dwor r
y
yoursel
fabout.Ther
eissomuchgoodthisnati
on
needsfrom you.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Forher
.Fort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nmy
l
if
e,If
eelhopefulandhappy.
"
Gui
de:"
Prot
ectherNkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"ThatIwilldo.
"Igotof
fthet
ree,wal
king
backt
ot hecar.Timetofacethemusic.

SASAPOV_

Thegogoledmetotherestofthecampwher e
someofthegir
lswer
eawake, singi
ng.Af
irehad
beenbur
ningbutnowwasdyi ngdown.There
seemstohavebeenacowsl aughter
edaswell.
Gogo:" Comet hisway. "Shel edmei nt
oasmal lhut
whereoneot herol derwomanwasi n."Youcant ake
offyourclothesandl i
edown. "Thiswasabi t
uncomf ort
able.I'veneverbeent estedformy
vir
ginit
ybefor e.IknowI '
veneversl eptwithanyone
before.Nothinghaspenet rat
edmebef orebutwhat
i
f?Idi dasIwast ol d,closingmyeyesasIl aydown.
Themostuncomf ortablef ewmi nutesofmyl if
e.
Onceshewasdone, Iwasgi venaski r
t.
"Si
yakwamukel ant ombi .
"Thef ir
stGogosai d.I
woremyski rt
, I
'
dbeput tingat i
ghtunder.Iwasl ed
outtotheothergi
rl
ssingi
ng.Amahlewassi
tt
ingi
n
adistancewit
hNothando.Ij
oinedt
hem.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Amahl
e:"
Hey.Sohowwasi
t?"
Me:"
Qui
teuncomf
ort
abl
e."
Not
ha:"
Butyoupassed.That
'sal
lthatmat
ter
s."
Me:"
Howwasl
astni
ght
?"
Amahl
e:"
Notbad.Si
ngi
ng,
danci
ng.Wehadacow.
"
Me:"
Ohdamn.Whatdi
dyoueat
?"
Amahl
e:"
Wasn'
thungr
yanyway.
"
Me:"
Didt
heki
ngcomel
astni
ght
?"
Amahle:"
Yesbutnotf
orl
ong.Youdi
dn'
tmi
ss
anyt
hing.
"
Me:"Okay.
"Thegogowhohadbr
oughtmei
nasked
ever
yonetocomecloser
.
Gogo:"Sanibonanizi
ntombi.Siyanamukel
a
ebuhleniobuhl
ebobuf azi
.Nil
aphaukuzenizogubha
l
olusukuolibal
ulekekakhuluempilwenyenu.
Nizi
gcinil
enimsulwafuthingenxayal okhokufanel
e
nizi
qhenye."(Hell
ogir
ls.Welcomet othebeautyof
femini
nity.Youareheretobecel ebrated,
thi
sday
shouldbet hemostimportantonei nyourlif
e.You
havekeptyour sel
fpureandt her
eforeshouldbe
proud.)
Gogo:"Manj esiyaemf uleniukuyohl anzaf ut hi
sil
ungisel
eleumci mbi wet hu.Umndeni
wasebukhosi niuzobeugcwel efuthinj engobawazi
i
nkosanayasebukhosi niizobakhona. "( Nowwear e
goingtother i
vertocl eanseandgetr eadyf orour
ceremony.Ther oyalf ami lywi l
lbei nf ullattendance
andasyouknowt her oyalpr incewi llbepr esent .
)
Allthegir
lsgiggledexci tedly.Sot hiswast ruet hat
thekingwant sNkosi nhlet ochooseawi fe.Di dhe
wanthi mtochoose, orwoul dhechoosef orhi m?I
wassuddenl yver yner vous.Wemadeourway
downt other i
ver.Thegi rlswer esi ngingbutIdi dn't
knowt hesongs, Itr
iedwi thther epeat ingones.Al l
thewayt other i
ver,wher ewewashedour sel ves.

Thef
est
ivi
ti
eswer
est
art
ingandIhadbegun
enjoyi
ngmyself.Amahlewasnotbot her
edasshe
usuall
yisn'
t.Nothandowasstrangel
yjustl
ikeher
.
Veryshortanswersandunimpressedfaci
al
expressi
ons.SoIhadt oask.
Me:"
Soyou'
real
soar
oyal
?"
Not
ha:"
Whatdoyout
hink?
"
Me:"
I'
m aski
ngyou,
am Inot
?"Shegr
innedsl
ight
ly.
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"
Me:"
Biyel
a?"
Not
ha:"
Hel
lNo.
"
Me:"
You'
real
soaSi
khosana?
"
Not
ha:"
Nope.Phakami
sa.
"
Me:"
Oh,from Gol
denCr
own.Whydi
dyoucomet
o
Mountai
nPeak?"
Not
ha:"
Takeawi
ldguess.
"
Me:" Howwoul dIknow?Iwasn'tbor
ninr oyalt
y."
Sher ol
ledhereyesandlookedbackattheot her
girl
swhower edancing.Icont
inuedt
ost areather.
Ifshethinksshe'
llbr
ushmeof fwhenI'
m bei ngnice,
shecl
ear
lydoesn'
tknowme.
Notha:"
Ijustneededspace.Okay?Ar
eyouhappy
now?"
Me:"
No.I
'
m not
.Howdi
dyoubecomef
ri
endswi
th
Amy?"
Not
ha:"
Amy?
"
Me:"
Amahl
e."
Not
ha:"Ther
e's7r
oyalf
ami
liesi
napopulat
ionfor
70mil
li
onpeoplei
nonenat
ion.I
t'
sunl
ikel
ythatI
woul
dn'
tknowher.Webasi
call
ygrewupinacult.
"
Me:"Oh."Amahl
ewasasusual,
ver
yquietstandi
ng
wit
hus,stari
ngatt
hedanci
ng."
Youdon'twantto
dance?"
Amahl
e:"
Nowwhyonear
thwoul
dIeverwantt
odo
t
hat
?"
Me:"
It
'sf
un.Come.
"
Amahl
e:"
Absol
utel
ynot
."
Me:"
Not
hando?
"
Not
ha:"
Har
dPass.
"Iwentt
otheot
hergi
rl
sthat
weredanci
ngandj oi
nedin.Icoul
dseeAmahl e
shaki
ngherheadwher eshewasst andi
ng.WhenI
wasdone,Iranbacktothem.
Me:"
It
'sf
un.
"
Ama:"
Icansee.
"
Me:"Guyscomeon.Youhavet odosomethi
ng,
you
can'
tjustst
andhere."Anot
hergir
ljoi
nedus.
Amahlestaredatherandlookedbackatt
he
danci
ng."Hi,I
'
m Thembisa."Shesmil
ed.
She:"
Zinhl
e.Bi
yel
a,You?
"
Me:"
Ntaka.
"
Zinhl
e:"I
'veneverheardoft
hatonebefore.I
thoughtther
ewasonl y7ofus?"Shelookedat
Amahl eandNot handowhodidn'
tmoveorr espond.
Me:"
Oh,
I'
m notr
oyal
."
Zinhl
e:"
Oh."Shel
ookedmedownandupagai
n.
"Whythenareyoust
andi
ngher
e?"
Not
ha:"
Whyar
eyoust
andi
ngher
e?"
Zi
nhl
e:"
Iwasn'
ttal
kingt
oyouNot
hando.You'
re
busyst andi ngher ewi thacommoner ,areyou
serious? "Amahl el ookedather .Hereyes.Iquickly
walkedawayt ocont i
nuedanci ng.Zi
nhlewas
obvi ouslyt het ypicalr oyalPrincess.Seeingher sel
f
super iorthannonr oyals.IwonderhowAmahl e'
s
sistersar e.Theyobvi ousl ywer en'
there.Isthi
show
theybehaved?ButNkosi ,Mnqobi ,Amahlewer en't
classist.YesNot handowascol dbutshewasn' t
unnecessar il
ymean.Thi sbreedofhumanswas
quiteast rangeone.Sof ar,i
t'sonlyMnqobiwho
hasact edl i
keapr operhumanbei ng,inthe
standar dsofsoci alizi
ng.I '
m usedt oNkosibuthe' s
veryawkwar daroundpeopl e.Evenl astnight,
he
keptl ookingar oundl i
kehe' spar anoidsomeone
woul dgett oocl ose.WasNot handobei ngserious?
Thiswasbasi call
yacul tandt heycouldn'tl
et
anyonei n?
[
07/
27,
05:
44] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er23
PRI
NCEPOV_

Myf at
herwasl i
vid.WhenIwal kedintothepal ace,
i
ttookallofhim nottotackl
emei nt
oahi ding.Iwas
fi
ndingitdif
fi
cul
tt okeepast r
aightface.I
'venever
seenhimt hi
sangr ybeforeanditwasqui te
hil
ari
ous.
Si
khosana:"
Whoi
sshe?
"
Nkosi
:"Who?
"
Si
khosana:"
Youkeepsneaki
ngof
f,wher
ethehel
l
doyougo!!
"
Nkosi
:"Iwasatt
hef
orest
."
Sikhosana:"
Allni
ght
?Whythehe-
"hest
opped
hi
msel fandtookadeepbr
eat
h,l
ooki
ngatmewit
ha
fi
reinhiseyes.
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustneededamomentt omyselftothi
nk.
I
t'
sbeenast ressfulfewdays.Maybet odayImight
f
indamai denandf rom thereIcanhavesomething
t
olookforwardt o.
"Her elaxed,
noddi
ng.
Si
khosana:"
Okay,
fine.Youcangor
estnow.We
l
eavei ntwohour s."Inodded, wat chi
nghi m walk
away.If ocusedmygazeonhi m eventuall
yseeping
i
ntohi sthought s.King'sthoughts:" Ineededt oask
hi
sguar dst orepor thispastt woweekst ome.
Wher ehashebeen, whohashebeenseei ng?Hei s
obviouslyhidingsomet hi
ng. "Damni t.Ineededt o
fi
ndal lmyguar ds.Iwaitedunt i
lmyf at
herwal ked
i
ntohi squarters.Iwentt ot heguar dsroom.They
werehavi ngbr eakfast.ThesecondIwal kedin,al
l
ofthem boweddown.
Nkosi:"Canal lmyguar dsmeetmei nmyof fi
ce.We
needtodi scusst hef oll
owi ngdaysandwhoi son
duty,where.Mt hunziwi llbeunavai l
ablethis
mor ni
ng.Wal kwi thme. "Theyf oll
owedmet omy
off
ice.All10oft hem f i
tinsideit.Il
ockedt hedoor .
Theystoodi nasi ngleline,sidebysi de.(Thepast
weeksofmyact ivit
ieshavebeent hesameas
al
ways.Ther ehasbeennonewdevel opment .Ihave
notseenanyoneapar tfrom wor kcont r
actorsand
vi
sitedonlyvi l
lages.Ihavenotmetanywomenor
AnymenIdonotwor kwi t
h.Ihavenotgone
anywher eelse.)Iwal kedt ot hefir
stguar d.
Nkosi
:"WhohasthePri
ncebeenseei
nginthepast
f
ewweeks?"Iaskedusi
ngmyf at
her'
svoi
ce.
Guard:"
NoOne, myKing.ThePr
incehasonl
ymet
wit
hwor kcont
ract
ors.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ehashegoneapar
tfr
om wor
k?"
Guar d:"Hevisi t
edther estaurantonly.Not hi
ngelse,
myKi ng."Icl
osedmyeyes, penetr
atinghi s
thought s.Iseepedt hroughhi smemor i
es,sif
ti
ng
throught hem r api
dly,erasingThembi sa,herRes,
anythingr el
at i
ngtoher .Iaskedeachandever yone
ofthem si milarquesti
onsanddi dthesame.Ihat ed
doingt histot hem butIwasn' tgoingt oallowmy
fathertor ui
nt hisforme.
Nkosi :"
Ourtransittodaywillbewi ththefamil
y.You
allwillj
oinmyf ather'
sguar ds.Ineedyouonhi gh
alertasusual.Openyourmout hs."TheydidasI
said.Iplacedasmal lmacal eafoneacht ongue.
"Theleafwi l
lrel
ievetheheadacheandener gi
seyou.
It
'l
ldissolveinyourmout hinthenext3mi nut
es."I
unlockedt hedoor ."
You'redismissed."Theywal ked
outmyof fi
ce.Afterthelastonel eft
,Mthunziwal ked
i
n.
Mt
hunzi
:"Andt
hen?I
'
mfi
red?
"Hecl
osedt
hedoor
.
Nkosi
:"Hasmyf
atherspokent
oyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"No.Ihaven'
tspokent
ohi
m.Why?
"
Nkosi:"
Hewantstof
indoutf
rom myguardswho
I'
vebeenspendi
ngmytimewith.SoIwi
pedthe
piecesoft
hei
rmemoryofher
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e!"Hehi
ssed.
Nkosi
:"Whatchoi
cedi
dIhave?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"It
houghtyouhat
edwhi
sper
ing.
"
Nkosi
:"IdobutIhadt
odoi
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"Fi
ne.Butyoudoknowi fhecan'
tget
anyt
hingoutofthem t
henhe'
llcometome?Soyou
havetodothesamet ome."
Nkosi
:"DoIhavet
o?"
Mthunzi
:"Ican'
tli
etoaki
ngNkosi
nhl
e.Ican'
teven
l
ietoyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Buthewon'
tknow.Hecan'
taccessyour
t
hought
s."
Mt
hunzi
:"Hecanaccessapol
ygr
apht
est
."
Nkosi
:"Butt
henyou'
llf
orgetThembisaandhowwe
gott
othispoi
nt.HowIgottothispoi
nt.Iwould
wantmyonlyfri
endtosharethi
smemor ywithme.
"
Mthunzi:"
AndI '
m honouredNkosibutmyfi
rst
pri
ori
tyisprot
ectingyouandher.Youcantellme
abouthowyoust artedandgottothi
spoi
ntevenat
2inthemor ni
ng,Idon'tcar
eifyouwakemeupf or
i
t.Iwil
lli
sten.
"Isighed.
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"..
..

Intwohour sIwasdr essedinmyhi ghrankroyal

atti
reinthefamilycol our
s.PureBlack,RoyalPur
ple
andSi khosanaGol d.Yes,wehadourowngol d.I
t
wouldannoymet oevenbegi ntothinkabouthow
wegoti t.Mthunziwal kedint
omyr oom alsoinhi
s
regalatti
re.Hi
sbei ngPur eBlackandSGol d.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m done.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Good.Thef
ami
lyi
sal
readydownst
air
s."
Nkosi
:"Youspoket
ohi
m?"
Mthunzi
:"Yeshecal
ledmetohi
sof
fi
ce.Iwasr
ight
.
Hegotalyingdet
ect
ortest
."
Nkosi:"
Whati
shispr
oblem?Whyi
shener
vous
aboutmetal
kingt
opeople?
"
Mthunzi:"Ihavenoclue.Let
'
smove."If
ixedhi
slef
t
coll
arandwewal kedout.Myfat
herwaswaiti
ngin
thefoyer,
theguar dsar
oundhim.
Sikhosana:" Final
ly.Yourmot hersar ewaitingi nt he
car .Wegoti nourowncar ,MthunziandI ,being
drivenbyaguar d.Wecoul d'vewal kedbutmyf ather
woul dn'
tappr oveoft hat.Ourar enawasopen,
spect at
orshadar rived,havingt ravel edfar.Anyt i
me
myf amil
yhadanevent ,peoplef rom al lovert he
nat ioncamet oattend.I'dli
ket ot hinkt heyr eally
j
ustenj oyedt hefestivi
tiesbutapar tofmef eel s
they' remost l
yher etoseeus.Myf ami lyhar dl
yever
wentout sidet oci
vili
ans.Ipr obabl ydi dthemost
publ icappear ancest hanalloft hem combi nedbut
sti
ll, notanyonecoul df ull
yseemebecauseIwas
alwayssur roundedbyguar ds.Itprobabl yexpl ains
whyt heMt hinomkhuluvillagefoll
owedmear ound
allday.They' dneverseenmet hatupcl osebefore.
Nooneeverhad.Weent er edtheAr ena.Guar ds
blockingof ftheentrancesandshi el
dingus.My
fatherwal kedont hestagef ir
stsitti
nginhi sseat.I
foll
owedaf terhi
m, sit
ti
ngonhi sright.Hisfir
stwife,
onhi sleftandsecondaf terher.Mysi sterswere
after.OnlyAmahl ewoul dbesi tti
ngnextt omeon
myot herside.Thespect atorshadbeenbowi ng
untilwesatdown.Ther oyalspeakerst epped
forwar dtothemi candaddr essedever yone.
Speaker
:"Al
lhai
ltheKi
ng.
"
Ever
yone:"
Bayedei
Nkosi
."
Speaker :"Wewel comeyoual ltothiswonder f
ul
celebr at
ionofouryounggi rl
s.Ther oyalhouse
thanksyouf orgif
tingyourpresenceandat tending
thi
sspeci alevent."Izonedoutoft hi
sver ybori
ng
i
ntroduct ionandscannedt hecr owd.Itwasqui t
e
thet urnout .Sure,ourcelebr
ationsareusual l
ythe
nation'sspect aclebutthiswascr azy.Itwasonly
befor e9i nthemor ni
ng.Imaginehowi twouldbeat
midday.Il ookedatt heroyal
swhohaveat t
ended.
All6f ami l
ieshavecome.Obvi ously.Itwoul dbe
rudenott o.TheBi yela's,Phakami sa's, Mpondo' s,
Nakhamul a's,Ihat ethem mor ethanal l,Bat honga's
andt heMuf huwal o.Ihat etheNakhamul a's
becauset heyhavet ri
edt otakeoverf rom us, nowI
don'tcar eaboutt hatbutwhydoyouhavet oki l
l t
o
doit?Thef uckingner ve.Allt
hef ami l
iesgot
i
nvol vedi nt hef eudbuti twasagr eedt hatt hey're
nottobeki l
led, most l
ybecauseIwhi sper edf or
them.I ft heyt r
yonemor ethi
ngt hough.Whi cht hey
haven' tinyear sbutI '
llkeepaneye.Thespeaker
i
ntroducedadancegr oupofyoungmen.The
performedi nt hemi ddlewher eever yonecoul dsee
them.Il ookedatSi bonel owhowast extingonhi s
phone, obvi ousl ybor ed.Whywoul dThembi sawant
met obef riendswi thhi m?He' srude.Howar eyou
cli
ckingyourphoneasaguest ?Mnqobisatnextt o
him equal lybor edbutendur i
ngt heper for mance.
Theirt hirdbr other,Zwel ethusatwi ththei rfather ,
probabl ydi scussi ngbusi ness.Iwant edt o
eavesdr opbutt hat'
sj ustrude.Thenextf ami l
y,
Phakami sahadonl yt wochi l
dren.Thegi rlwas
Amahl e'sf riendorwhat everitisyoucal lpeopl e
thatsi tinsi l
enceal lday.Thesecondwasayounger
boy, possi blyst il
linhi ghschool .TheMpondo
fami l
yhadt hreegi rlsmucht ot hef ather '
s
disappoi ntment .Ilovei t.Hewast heonet hatvoted
womenoutofcounci landnowl ookatGod.Ismi led.
Hisownof fspr ingcan' tsitinmeet i
ngsbecausehe' s
stupid.Iwant edhi mt oboi lalittlelongerbef oreI
changedi t.TheNakhamul a'
shadt hreeboys.The
fi
rsttwoar etwi nsal i
ttl
eyoungert hanIandanot her
boyaboutAmahl e'sage.Idi dn'tknowmuchabout
them butIknewt heywer efoolish.Al lthreeofthem.
Nothi ngaboutt hem br eedsi ntelligencej ustli
ke
theirfat her .Aver yfool i
shman.Thet wi nswer e
fri
endswi thSi bonel oandagai n, howt hehel lcouldI
beaf riendoft hatboy?Isi ghedl ookingbackatt he
grounds.Themai denswer eappr oachi ng,singi
ng.
Immedi atelyIspot tedher .Shedoesn' tevenknow
thewor dsbutl ookathowconf identandhappyshe
i
s.
Sikhosana:"
Itakeityouseesomeoneyoul
ike
al
r eady.
"Idi
dn'treal
izet
hebigsmi
leonmyf ace,
quicklyst
rai
ghteningout
.
Nkosi
:"No.Justf
indt
hewhol
ecer
emonybeaut
if
ul.
"
Sikhosana:"
Hmm. "Shit
,Iwasterr
ibl
eathidi
ngmy
emot i
ons.Thegi
rlssanganddancedbutmyeye
wasf ocusedonjustone.Thel
oveofmyl if
e.Iwas
tr
yinghardnottosmi l
ebutIdefi
nit
elywasn't
winning.
Sikhosana:"I
t'
st i
me, son."Hest oodup, everyone
stoppedmovi ngandbowed.If ol
lowedhi m down
thestair
stothel i
neofmai denswai ti
ngt obe
addressed.Istart
edatt hebegi nning, barel
yl ooki
ng
them intheeyeorl ongert han2seconds.Iknew
wher eIwasgoi ngandwhenIr eachedher ,I
stopped.Shewasl ookingatt hegroundbutIcoul d
tel
lshewassmi li
ng.Shel ookedupatmyf aceand
smiledsweetly.Myhear tmelted.It'
syou.Ichoose
you.Overandoveragai n.Ikeptwal ki
ngunt i
lwe
reachedtheendoft heline.Wewal kedbackt oour
seats,Il
ookedbackather ,myhear thappy.

Bymidday,
thearenawaspackedtocapaci
ty.
Amahlehadtakenherpl
acenextt
ome.Myf at
her
wasspeakingt
omot
heronhi
sot
hersi
deabout
wor
kthings.
Nkosi
:"Howi
sshe?
"
Amahl
e:"
Fine.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyt
henar
eyouher
eleavi
ngheral
one?
"
Amahle:"Not
handoiswi t
hher.
"Ilookedatwhere
t
hemai denswere.Theyweresit
ti
ngunderat ent
t
ogetherwhil
eacul t
uralgr
oupperformed.My
fat
her'
sconversat
ioncamet oanend.
Sikhosana:"
Myson.We'r
ehavinglunchnow.Do
youwantt ojoi
ntheot
herPr
ince'
s?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Sikhosana:"Mehl
uliyoucan'
tsi
twit
holdmenall
yourli
fe.Thesearethepeopl
eyou'
llbecar
ryi
ngour
l
egacieswi t
h.Youneedtogettoknowthem."
Nkosi
:"It
hinkIknowenoughf
ather
."
Sikhosana:"
Iknowyoudo.Ineedt oknowthedeal
Phakami sai
swor ki
ngon.Iti
nvol
vesaroyalf
rom
anothernati
on,upnort
h."
Nkosi
:"Youwantmet
ospyf
oryou?
"
Si
khosana:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"
Amahle:"Pl
easecontrolyouranger.
"Shesaida
qui
ettone.Iwalkedtothethepri
nces,theywere
si
tti
ngatat abl
etogether
.Ihatedthi
s.Ireal
lydi
dn'
t
mindbeingalone."MindifIj
oin?
"
Sibonelo:"
We'dbehonoured,
YourHi
ghness.
"They
chuckled.Isatdown,
alr
eadybor
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Alr
eadyt
imef
oryout
ogetawi
fehuh?
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Phi
wokwakhe:"Iwouldn'
tmindchoosi
ngfrom t
his
bat
chtoo.Thi
syear'svir
ginsl
ookfi
neashell
."Thi
s
wasthesecondtwinoftheNakhamula'
s.
Si
bonel
o:"
Thengetyour
sel
fawi
febr
a."
Mandla:"Ihopeyou'r
enotl ooki
ngwher eI
'ml ooki
ng
Phiwo.Thisti
meIwi l
lactuallyki
llyou.
"Andthisis
thefi
rstborntwi
n.Iwant edtorollmyeyes.It
'sa
goodthingtheydidn'
tlookalikebecausethatwould
j
ustbet oomuch.
Phi
wo:"
She'
snotevenyourt
ype-
"
Mandl
a:"Justt
ryme.Iswear.
"Thesewer
ehuman
bei
ngstheyweref
ight
ingabout.
Sibonel
o:"
Soyou'
rejustmarr
yingsomeone
becauseyouwantt
of uckher
?"
Phi
wo:"
Yes.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Whati
fyoudon'
tli
keher
?"
Phiwo:"I'
llgetanotherone.Mostofthesevir
gins,
areonlyvi r
ginsbecauset heyhaven'
tbeen
approachedbyar oyal.Idon'
tevenneedtopromise
marriage.They'l
ldowhatIwant .
"Honestt
oGod,
myf atherwaspuni shingmesur el
y.
Sibonel
o:"
Andwena?You'
ret
hinki
ngofmar
ryi
ng
too?"
Mandla:"YeahifIcangettheoneI'
m eyeing.Ncnc
nc.
"Thel adieswereupagain,
dancingandsi ngi
ng.
Thembisar eal
lyseemedtobeenjoyingherself
.
Defi
nit
elymor ethanIam.
Si
bonel
o:"
Iseeher
.Yeahyou'
rer
ight
."
Mnqobi
:"Whoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Mandla:"
Thechocolat
eont hel
eft
.Whataperf
ect
fucki
ngbody.Lookatthosecur
vesandperf
ect
ion.
"
Istar
edathim,readyt
ost r
angl
ehimtodeat
h.
Mnqobi:"Ohh.Iknowher.She'
sinmyschool
."My
handwasshaki ng,mygazesti
llf
ocusedonMandl
a.
Iswearifhesaysonemor ethi
ng.
Si
bonel
o:"
Thi
siswhyyou'
remybr
other
-"
Mandla:"
Heyheyhey.Let'
snotfight
.Ispottedher
fi
rst
.YoucanhaveherwhenI '
m don-"If
eltstr
ong
handsonmyshoulderjustasIwasaboutt o
pounceonhi
sneckandneverl etgo.
Mt hunzi
:"YourHighness.CanIhaveamomentof
yourtime?"Igotup,walkingaway.Mthunzi
fol
lowedbehi ndme."Icouldfeelyoust
eamingf
rom
faraway.Whatwast hat
?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
ofucki
ngki
llhi
m."
Mt
hunzi
:"Mandl
a?Forwhat
?"
Nkosi
:"Youdidn'
theartheshi
thewastal
kingabout
Thembisa.IswearMthunzi
,I'
m goi
ngt
okil
lhim."
Mt
hunzi
:"Who'
sThembi
sa?
"Ohf
uck.Iwant
edt
o
scr
eam andt
hrowsomet
hingagai
nstawal
l.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngf
orar
un.
"
Mthunzi
:"No.Notri
ghtnow.Nkosi
,Ican'
thel
pifI
don'
tknowwhat '
sgoingon.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngf
uckinginsaner
ightnow!
!Idon'
t
wantt
obehereMthunzi
!!
"
Mthunzi
:"Iunder
standt
hat
.Ij
ustneedt
oknowhow
t
of i
xit
."
Nkosi
:"Tel
lAmahl
etoshowyouThembi
saand
makesurenoonecomesnearher
."
Mthunzi
:"Okay.I
'
llt
alkt
oAmahl
e.Wi
llyoubegoi
ng
backtot
hePr i
nces?"
Nkosi
:"Wi
thoutki
ll
ingt
hem?No.
"
Mthunzi:"
Okaybutwillt
hatbeagoodi dea?Thi
s
wil
lfurt
herisol
ateyoufr
om them.Maybeyoucan
l
eadt heconver
sati
onwithbusiness.
"
Nkosi
:"YouknowIcan'
tdot
hat
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Yesyoucan.You'
ret
hei
rleader
."
Nkosi
:"Ineedami
nut
e."Icoul
dn'
tcont
rolt
her
ageI
fel
t.AllIwantedtodoissmashMandl a'sfacei
n
concrete.Howdar ehelookatherli
kethat
?These
areinnocentwomenbei ngcelebr
atedandwhathe
seesisapl aythi
ng.Mywi fe!
!Il
ookedathim,
heavingwi t
hanger.Iseepedint
ohisthoughts.
Mthunzi
:"Notagoodi
dea.Hey!
!St
opi
t.Thi
sisnot
goi
ngtohelpyouatal
l.
"Heshookmysli
ght
lyoutof
mytrance.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
oknowwhathe'
spl
anni
ng.
"
Mthunzi
:"Andifhi
sthought
sareofhi
sfant
asywi
th
her
?You'l
lriphimli
mbt ol
imb.St
opit
."
Nkosi
:"Getmeoutofher
e."
Mthunzi
:"Let'
sgo."If
oll
owedhi
m outwi
tht
he
guar
dssur r
oundingus.

SASAPOV_

Thecel
ebr
ati
onwasamazi
ngal
thoughIwast
ir
ed
nowandsonomoredanci
ngf
orme.
Not
ha:"
Come.
"
Me:"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
Not
ha:"Ineedtogreetmypar
ent
s.Ihaven'
tseen
t
hem i
nmont hs."
Me:"
I'
m notal
lowedt
her
e."
Not
ha:"Ialsosai
dtoAmahl
eIwon'tl
etyououtof
mysight,
nowwhatmusthappen?Let'
sgo!"
Me:"Youcanl
eavemeher
e.I
t'
snotl
ikeI
'
llget
ki
dnapped.
"
Notha:"Pleasestopmaki ngmyl i
fedi
ffi
cult
.Iask
j
ustthatf r
om you."Isighed,getti
ngupand
fol
lowinghert otheroyals.TheSikhosana'swere
sit
ti
nghi ghont hestagebyt hemselves.They
weren'tbeati
ngt hegod-imit
atingall
egati
ons
anyti
mesoon.Theguest s,j
ustbeneaththem onthe
grounds.Nkosiwasnother e,notevenatthetable
wheret heotherprincesweresi t
ti
ng.Didheleave?
Whywoul dhe?
Not
ha:"
Standher
e.Don'
tmove.I
'
m watchi
ngyou."I
r
oll
edmyeyesandstoodther
eawkwar
dly.I
twasn't
i
nanawkwardspace.Afewothermaidenswere
cl
osebyandsomeguards.WherewasNkosinhl
e?
Maybedoi
ngsomeroyalthi
ngs,hewouldbeback
sur
ely.
"Hel
lo.
"Il
ookednexttome.Whowasthi
snow?He
wasdressedinwhatlookedl
i
kear
oyalsui
t.Navy
Blueandwhit
eincolour.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Him:"I
'
m Si
bonelo,
Biyel
a."Ofcour
se,
mypr
etend
boyf
ri
endtoPetu.
Me:"Thembi
sa.
"Ismi
ledandlookedatthestage
agai
n.Amahlewasl
ookingatmewi t
hthatscary
l
ook.
Si
bonel
o:"
Yourf
ri
end?
"Oh,
shewasn'
tlooki
ngat
me.
Me:"
Yes.
"
Sibonel
o:"
She'
sver
ypr
otect
iveofyou.Iwoul
dbe
too."
Me:"Hm."WhywasNothandotaki
ngsolong?I
l
ookedather
,shewaspanicki
ngwhil
etr
yingtoget
awayfrom herpar
ent
s.Hermotherwasholdi
ngher
hand,
tell
inghersomet
hingorkeepi
ngherhostage.
Idon'
tknow.
Sibonel
o:"
Thembi
sa,woul
dyoul
iket
oseeamovi
e
somet i
me?Orgetdi
nner
?"
Me:"
Areyoual
lowedt
otal
ktome?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Ofcour
seIam.
"
Me:"
I'
m onl
yher
ewai
ti
ngf
orNot
hando,
honest
ly.
"
Sibonelo:"Iseethat
,IthoughtI'
dcomei nt
roduce
mysel f
.Ar oyaldoesn'tusual
lyapproachl
ikethis.
It
'sjust,Ididn'
twanttopassupt hisoppor
tunityin
casesomeonebeatmet oit
."Hehadaseedyl ookin
hiseyest hatIdidn'
ttr
ust.Twoshadowsst ood
behindhi m.NkosinhleandMt hunzi.
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o."
Sibonel
o:"YourHighness.
"Hesmi
led,t
urni
ng
around"ThoughtI'
dlookmysel
fawifeatyourevent
,
Ihopeyoudon' tmind.
"
Nkosi
:"Idomi
nd.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
AhmyPr
ince.I
'
m sur
eyouhavet
he
per
fectr
oyalwi
feyouhaveaneyeon.Youcan
l
eaveussomecrumbs."
Nkosi:"Cr
umbs?"Not
handofi
nal
lycameback,
grabbingmyarm,swi
ftl
ypul
li
ngmeawaytoour
seats.
Not
ha:"
Real
ly?
"
Me:"Real
lywhat
?Yout ookmether
eandlef
tmeby
myself
,wasIsupposedtobei
nvisi
ble?
"
Notha:"
Ihopeyoucankeept
hatsmartmout
h
becausenowtheki
nghasspott
edyou."
Me:"Andhowisthismyprobl
em Nothando?Iwas
perf
ect
lyf
ineunt
ilyoudr
aggedmet othelion'
s
den.
"
Notha:"
Idi
dn'
tsaymakePri
ncesfi
ghtoveryou.Al
l
youhadtodowasstandandwaitf
orme."
Me:"
They'
renotf
ight
ing.I
twasj
ustasi
mpl
ehel
l
o."
Notha:"
Thatmadet heheiral
mostf
lytoyou?"She
l
aughed."You'
readorabl
e.Now,Ij
ustneedtokeep
youawayf r
om theking.
"
Me:"
Whati
shegoi
ngt
odo?
"
Notha:"Nothingdrast
ic.Pr
obablyjustask
questi
onsaboutyouandyourf amily.
"Wereached
oursitt
ingplace."
Don'tworry,
I'
llgethi
m
di
stracted.
"
Me:"
Howar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
hat
?"
Notha:"Someoneel semusttalktothePrinceand
gethisattenti
on."Myheartpangedatthei deaof
him beingdistr
actedbyanotherwoman.I t'
seit
her
thatorgetintervi
ewedbytheactualKing.Sowhat
wasi tgoingtobe?
Me:"
No.Ift
heKi
ngwant
stoaskmequest
ionst
hen
sobeit
."
Notha:"
Areyousur
e?He'
sver
yint
imi
dat
ing
Thembisa.
"
Me:"
I'
m notscar
edofhi
m."Shesmi
ledf
ort
hef
ir
st
t
ime.
Not
ha:"Nowonderhechoseyou.You'
rehi
sper
fect
mat
ch."Shehel
dmyhand.

PRI
NCEPOV_
ItookmyseatbetweenmyfatherandAmahl
eonce
again.Thi
sti
me,Iwasseet
hing.
Nkosi
:"Doyouseewhatyoudi
d?"
Amahle:"
No.Al
lyouhadt odowascal
m down.I
t
oldyoutocont
rolyouranger
."
Nkosi
:"HowcanIcontrolmyangerwhenthose
i
diot
saretal
kingshi
taboutwhatthey'
ddotoher!
"I
hi
ssed.
Amahle:"
Sti
ll
.She'
syours.Ther
e'snot
hingt
heycan
dobuttal
kanddream."
Nkosi
:"I
tdoesn'
tmakei
tri
ght
.She'
snotsome
pi
eceofmeat."
Amahl e:"Yourfat
herwillstartbecomingsuspici
ous
i
fyoudar eshowmor eemot i
on."Isatbackquiet
ly
star
ingatt hegrounds."
Thembi saisavery
beauti
fulgirl
.That'
swhatat t
ractedyoutoherinthe
fi
rstplace.Herbeauty.Herbody.Thatdi dn'
t
magicallydisappearwhenshebecameyour s.Other
men, willst
il
lfi
ndherattracti
ve.Mor esonowt hat
theyknowyouwanther .I
twasonl ytheprinces
bef or
eyourr udeinter
upt i
on.Nowevensomeoft he
kingsar ewatchingher."Mywhol ebodywascol d.
Whatt hehellhaveIdone?Icoul dn'thavestoodby.
WhenIsawSi bonelotalki
ngt oher,Iwantedto
punchhi mi ntheface.Icouldn'tjuststandback.
Thembi sa'sbeautyisonet hingbutherhear tand
mi ndwi l
lcaptureyoursoul.Itwouldbedi ff
icul
tfor
anyonenott owanther .She'
sat reasure.My
treasure.
Amahl
e:"
Pleasedon'
twhisper.You'
reguar
ant
eed
t
obeevenmor eangr
y."Il
ookedather.
Nkosi
:"Howdi
dyouknowIwasgoi
ngt
owhi
sper
?"
Amahle:"Justdon' t
."IknowIshoul dprobablylist
en
toherbutIneededt oknowwhatwasgoi ngon.Thi s
i
swhyIhat edt hi
sabilit
y.Youusei tonceandyou
getaddicted,evenpar anoi
d.Ineededt oletthi
ngs
go.Icouldn'tlett
hingsgo.I fIcan'
twhisper,I'
m
sit
ti
ngwi t
ht hem andhear ingwhatt heyhavetosay.
Iwenttot hePr i
ncetableandt ookmyseat .The
conversati
oncar ri
edonwi thoutapause.I twas
aboutsoccer .Iknewnot hi
ngabouti tandsohad
nothi
ngt
ocontribut
e.Ionl
ystar
edatSi
bonel
o,he
event
ual
lynot
icedmygl ar
e.
Si
bonel
o:"
MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o."
Sibonel
o:"
Ihopethi
sdoesn'tcomeoffas
di
srespect
ful
,seei
ngthatt
hisceremonyi
sforyou,
haveyouchosenawi f
ealr
eady?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Sibonel
o:"
Oh, t
hat
'sgood.Congrat
ulat
ions.Ihope
thi
smeans, t
herestofuscantoo?"
Nkosi:"
No."Hestaredatme,
shocked.Whatwashe
expecti
ng?I'
veneverbeenni
ce,
thi
sshouldn'
t
shockthem.
Si
bonel
o:"
CanIaskwhy?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Okaay.That
'sunf
ort
unat
e."
Nkosi
:"I
tis.
"Okay,Ican'
ttakeitanymor
e.Iseeped
i
ntohi
sthoughts,watchinghim si
pthewhiskeyi
n
hi
scup.Sibonel
o'sthoughts:"
Whatthefucki
nghell
i
swr ongwitht
hisguy?It
'snotlikehecanmarryal
l
thesegirl
s.Shi
t,hecan.Butwillhe?He'
sfucki
ng
i
nsane.I '
m get
ti
ngthisgi
rl.She'snotr
oyalsohe
can'tbebother
ed."
Nkosi
:(Pl
easet
ry.
)Hestar
edatme,
Ilookedbackat
hi
m.(Ibegyoutotr
y.)
Mnqobi :"Sibo? "Hel ookedathi sbr otherthenatme.
Thet abl ewasqui et,onlyheandIst aredateach
other.Iwasst illinhi shead.Whowoul dbel
ievehi m?
Heshookhi sheadandf ocusedbackont he
grounds.Si bonel o'st hought s:"Ther e'snowayhe
canr eadmyt hought s.I '
mj ustpar anoi d.Whata
creepyf uck. "I'
m notcompet i
ngwi thSi bonelo
Biyela.Ofal lfucki ngpeopl e.He' swor sethanthat
Solingaboy.IknewThembi sal ovedme.It rusted
thatshewant edmebutIdi dn'ttrustanyoneel se.I
didn'ttrustmyf ather, Ididn'ttr
ustt hesepeopl eand
accor dingt oAmahl e, Inowcoul dn'tevent r
ustt he
kingsoft heot herf ami l
ies.Iobviousl yneededmor e
secur i
tynearher .Idon' tknowwhatl engthsthey'd
allwillgoj ustt oirri
tat eme.Especi all
ymyf at
her .
Hewoul dbet oodel ightedt ocr ushmysoul .
[
07/
27,
05:
45] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er24

PRI
NCEPOV_

Intheevening,
theeventwasdr awingt
oacl ose.It
wast imeformetoleave.Iwantedtoseemybaby
forjustt
womi nut
esandgetaki ssbutIcouldn't
.I
haveaf eel
ingmyfatheriswatchingmeclosely.
Mandla:"
MyPri
nce,
wouldyouliketojoi
nusf
ora
dr
ink?
"Ihadnodesi
ret
odot hatatall
.
Nkosi:"Sure.Maybelater
,Ihavesomet hi
ngt o
quickl
yat t
endt othi
sevening.
"Hesmi l
ed, nodding
l
ikeacl own.IlookedatSibonelo,
hedidn'tseem
fi
ne.Theheadachewasst arti
ng.Ialmostfeltbad
forint
rudinginhisthoughtsbuthe'l
lbefi
ne.
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o,youdon'
tseem wel
l.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Justasl
i
ghtheadache.
"
Nkosi
:"Maybeyoushoul
dli
edown.
"
Sibonel
o:"I
'l
lbefine.
"Hiseyeswerewoozyalr
eady
fr
om thepainalone."Ij
ustneedapai
nkil
ler
.Too
muchnoi sefort
heday."
Nkosi
:"Hm."Igotupfr
om mychai
r,wal
kingaway.
Mthunzist
oodnearbywai
ti
ngforme.
Nkosi:"
Ineedextr
aguar dslooki
ngaftert
he
maidenstoni
ght.Fi
rstprior
it
ybeingThembisa.No
matterwhathappens,shegetsoutfi
rst.
"
Mthunzi:"
Done."Iwalkedoutf ol
lowingmyfamil
y
wit
hmyguar ds.Whenwer eachedthepal
ace,I
honest
lycouldn'
tsitsti
llbutIneededtobeless
suspi
cious.Wesatdownf ordinner.
Nobant
u:"
Todaywassol
ovel
y."
Nol
wazi:"
Ver
y.Di
dyouseeanyonei
nter
est
ing
Mehl
uli
?"
Nkosi
:"Yesmot
her
."Icl
eansedmyhand,
wipi
ng
t
hem dry.
Nol
wazi
:"Fr
om whi
chf
ami
ly?
"
Si
khosana:"
Isi
ttheBi
yel
agi
rl
?That
'sagood
choi
ceson.Iwoul
d'vehopedmorefort
he
Phakamisagi
rl
.Weneedabetteral
li
ancewi
tht
he
famil
y."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotBi
yel
a."
Si
khosana:"
Shei
sroyal
,ri
ght
?"
Nkosi
:"Doesi
tmat
ter
?"Thet
abl
ewasqui
et.
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Sikhosana:"
Nocommonercanhandl ebeingaroyal
.
Thathasbeenpr oventi
meandtimeagain.
Especial
lyaSikhosanaroyal
.Wedon'
tmix.I'
m
savingyoualotofti
meher e.
"
Nkosi:"Idon'
tneedtobesavedtime.YouandIhad
adeal,Imar r
ywhoIwant .Royal
ornot."Iat
emy
st
arter.Heexhaledsl
owly.
Sikhosana:"
Okay.Whenshouldweprepar
etohave
hercomet odinnersoyoucangett
oknowher.
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snoneedf
ort
hatf
ather
."
Si
khosana:"
Yest
her
eis.I
fyouwantt
omar
rya
womanIdon'tknow,itwoul
ddoheragreatdealt
o
honourmeandthisfamil
ytoadi
nner.
"Icouldhear
thei
rri
tat
ioni
nhistone.
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
llcour
therandseei
fsheaccept
s."
Helaughed.
Sikhosana:" Myson,stopbeingsomodest .You're
thefutureking.Nogi r
lwouldrejectyou.Lookat
you."Hel aughed."i
fsheaccept s.You'r
ehi lari
ous."
Thisisgoi ngtobediffi
cult
.Iknowmyf at
herwi ll
keepaneyeonmeandIcan' twhi spertomyguar ds
everyday.Thatwoul djustbecruel.Also,Idon' t
knowt hel ongter
m effect
softhatsoI '
drat hernot.
Sot hi
smeansIcan' tseeThembi saasof ten?No.
I'
m smar terthanthi
sman.We' lljusthavet of i
nda
creati
vewayt oseeeachot her
.Ilookedupathi m.
Hehadasmi rkonhisface.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
."Hesmi
led,
dri
nki
nghi
swi
ne.

SASAPOV_
Theweekendwasf i
nall
ycomingtoanend.Sunday
morning,
af t
erwecl
eansedatther
iver
,Not
hando
gotherbelongi
ngsr
eady.
Not
ha:"
Let
'sgo.
"
Me:"
Excuseme?
"
Not
ha:"
I'
mti
redoft
hispl
ace.I
'
m goi
ngbackt
ores.
Come.
"
Me:"Nothando,l
ook.We'
renotf
ri
ends.Youdon'
t
havetodragmeanywhere.Youcanleavei
fyou
want.I
'm notachil
d."
Notha:"
Okay.Howwi
llyougett
oRest
hen?
"I
st
aredather.
Me:"
Someoft
hegi
rl
swi
llcat
chat
axinear
by,
I'
llgo
wi
ththem.
"
Not
ha:"
Whati
syouri
ssueThembi
sa?
"
Me:"
Idon'thaveani
ssue.Youseem t
obet
heone
wi
thanissue."
Not
ha:"
I'
m aski
ngyou,
togohome.You'
rer
efusi
ng.
Why?
"
Me:"
Iknowmywayhome.
"
Not
ha:"
Look,
Idi
dn'
tevenwantt
obeher
e."
Me:"
Thenwhyar
eyou?
"
Not ha:"BecauseAmahl easkedmet olookaf t
eryou
butyou' resodamnst ubbor n!Whydoyouwantt o
befriendever yone?Ar eyouser ious?You'reaboutt o
beahi ghr ankroyalwife.Youcannotbef riends
witht hewhol ewor l
d!"Shehi ssed."Getittogether.
Let'sgo!"Shest ompedawayf rom camp, outt othe
openi ng.If ol
lowedherbegr udgi ngl
y,myar ms
foldedonmychest .Theguar dswer ewai ti
ngf orus,
withacar .Igotinafterher.Wewer edrivenbackt o
res.
Me:"
Ifyoudi
dn'
twantt
obeher
ethenWhy'
dyou
st
ay?
"
Notha:"Ipr
omisedAmahleI'
dkeepaneyeonyou.
Especial
lynowthatever
yonei
slooki
ngatyou.
"
Me:"
Who'
sever
yone?Whyar
etheyl
ooki
ngatme?
"
Not
ha:"
Thembi
sa.I
'
vespentt
woni
ght
sinsi
ngi
ng
andnoi se.Ijustneedsi lence.Pl ease."Isi ghed
l
ooki ngoutt hewi ndow.Ir eallymi ssedNkosinow.
Hiswor ldandpeopl ewer esoconf usingandcol d.
Yest heywer et akingcar eofmebutatt hesame
ti
meIcoul dn'ttalktoanyoft hem.If eltlonel y.Is
thishowNkosial waysf elt?Lonel y?Itwasonl ya
smal lpartofmyl i
feandIal r
eadywasn' tcopi ng.
Howdoyoucommuni catewi thpeopl ewhoj ust
didn'tli
ketalking?Orper haps, talkingtoyou?We
satinsi l
enceunt ilthecardr ovei ntoourr esi dence.
Igotoutgoi ngst raighttomyr oom.Thef irstthingI
didwaschangei ntomyl eggi ngsandt -shirt.Itook
outmyschoolbookst of inishmyassi gnmentand
startthesecondone.
Notha:"
Thembisa."Igott
heshockofmyl
if
e,
spi
nningaroundtofaceher.
Me:"
Areyouser
ious!
!Youscar
edme!
"
Not
ha:"Yourl
eftyourdoorunl
ocked.Thatbasi
cal
ly
i
nvi
tesanyonein.
"
Me:"
Whatdoyouwant?
"Shekeptqui
et,
star
ingat
me."
I'
vegotwor
ktof
ini
shNothando.
"
Notha:" There'
sext r
asecur it
ylookingoutforyou.
Don'tbeal armed.They' reonlyaroundtokeepyou
safe.
"Shewal kedout .Iletoutasighofexhaust i
on
beforeIsatdownandf inishedmyassi gnment .I
start
edt henewoneal mostimmedi atel
y,l
osing
mysel ftoitforhourswi thmusi cplayi
nginmy
earphones.Iwasal mostdonewhenmyphoner ang.
Mysi sterZanel ewasvi deocalli
ngme.Thi swas
new.Shedi dn'thaveaphonet hatsupport
edt his
purpose.Ianswer ed.
Me:"
Hiangel
."Herf
acepoppedupont
hescr
een.
Nel
e:"
Heybi
gsi
s."
Me:"
Howar
eyou?Howar
eyouvi
deocal
li
ngme?
"
Nel
e:"
Daddyboughtmeanewphone.
"She
scr
eamed.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Congr
atul
ati
onsbaby.
"
Nel
e:"
Whatar
eyouupt
o?"
Me:"
I'
mfini
shi
ngmysecondassi
gnment
."Ishowed
t
hepaper
stoher.
Nel
e:"
Doyouevernotdoschoolwor
k?"
Me:"Yeah.Iwaswi t
hmyf ri
endst hi
sweekend,we
at
tendedar eeddance.Nowi t
'sschoolwor
ktime.
Af
terthi
s,Ineedtoprepareformyschoolweek."
Mama:"
Whatdancedi
dyougot
o!?
"
Nele:"Reeddancemama.I
t'
ssomeeventf
or
vi
rgins."
Mama:"Whyar
eyougoingtosuchthi
ngs?Your
pur
posetobet
her
eisgoingtoschool
!"
Me:"
Ijustwant
edt
oexperi
encesomethi
ngoutof
mycomf or
tmama.Myroommateinvi
tedme.
"
Mama:"Nextt
hingyou'r
egoi
ngtostartdri
nki
ngand
sl
eepi
ngwithboysoutsi
deyourcomfort.
"
Nel
e:"
Wait,di
dyougot
other
eeddanceatt
he
Ki
ngsArena?"
Me:"
Howdi
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Nel
e:"
Itwasbr
oadcastonTVSasa!
!"Shescr
eamed.
"
Sohowwasi t
?Didyouseether
oyals?
"
Me:"
Yep.Theywer
eal
lther
e."
Nel
e:"
Ohmy.Howar
ethey?Doyouknowt
he
Pri
ncewashere?Hecamet oourhouseSasa!
!He
evenwentwi
thdadinthechickencoup!
"
Me:"
Ser
iousl
y?"Nowwhywoul
dhedot
hat
?
Nele:"Yes!Heevensai d,
nextt
imehewouldlovet
o
j
oinusf ordinnerbecausehecoul
dn'tst
ayl
onger.
Mamaevencookedf orhim.
"Sheshowedmemy
mot her'
spleasedface.
Mama:"
ThatPr
incewi
llmakeagoodki
ng.Justyou
wat
ch.
"
Nel
e:"Heevengotthekidswhodrownedoutoft he
l
ake.Somepeoplesayheevenwenti nthelake
hi
mself.Canyoubeli
eveit
?"Idobel
ieveitbecause
hediddothat
.
Me:"
That
'sr
eal
lyni
ceofhi
m.Wher
e'sdad?
"
Nel
e:"
Her
ehei
s.Hedoesn'
tli
kehi
m."
Xol
ani
:"Leavemynameoutofi
t.
"
Mama:"Youknowyourfatheri
shardheaded.He'
s
j
ustj
ealoust
hatheprovedhim wr
ongaboutgetti
ng
t
hechil
drenoutoft
helake."
Xol
ani
:"Mxi
m.Oneactandyou'
real
lsi
ngi
nghi
s
pr
aises?Thembi
sa,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
e?"
Me:"
Iwasf
ini
shi
ngmyassi
gnmentTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"i
sitst
il
ltheonef
rom l
astweek?
"
Me:"NoTat
a,If
ini
shedt
hatonei
nthemor
ning.
Thi
sisanot
her.
"
Xolani
:"That
'sgoodmychi
ld.Di
dyouenj
oyt
he
reeddance?"
Me:"
YesTat
a.I
twasqui
tet
heexper
ience.
"
Mama:"
Whathappenst
her
e?"
Me:" Well
, yougettestedforvir
gini
tywhenyou
arri
ve.Thenonceyoupass, you'
releti
nwi ththe
otherladies.You'
reintroducedtoeachot her,
we
singsongs, dance.Theki ngcomest otal
kt ous
abouthowpr oudhei sthenthenextmor ning,wego
tother i
vertocleansebef or
eweat tendthe
celebrat
ion."
Mama:"
Hmm.
"
Me:"
Schooli
saboutt
obehect
ict
hisweek.Ihavea
t
estonThur
sday.
"
Xol
ani
:"Youmustdoyourbest
,mychi
ld.
"
Mama:"Don'
tjustdoyourbest
,pass.Thosef
ees
ar
eexpensi
ve.
"
Me:"
I'
llmakesur
eIpassmama.
"
Mama:" Good.Yourfat
herwi
llsendyousomethi
ng
tomorrowsoyoucanbuyadr essforyour
sel
f,do
youhear?Maybeal sobuyaburgerf
oryouto
enjoy.
"
Me:"
Thankyoumama.
"
Mama:"
Okayke.Byebye.
"
Me:"
Byeguys.Il
oveyou.
"
Nel
e:"
Loveyout
oo.
"
Xolani:"
Byebyemnt anam. "Theyhungup.I
continuedwithmyassi gnmentqui etlyunt
ilI
fi
nished.Itwasmyf i
rstdraft,
I'
dneedt ocheckit
overagainandseewher eIcani mpr ove.Myphone
buzzedont hetable.Icheckedt hemessage:<Imi ss
you.>From Nkosi.Ismi l
edr eplying:<Imissyoutoo.
Pleasecomeseeme. >Isentitandpackedmy
booksawayt henst art
edpr epar i
ngf ormyweek.I
checkedmyt i
metable,
packedmybagaccor di
ngt o
thefir
stday.Icheckedtheweatherandpl
annedmy
clot
hes.Ievenchangedmybeddi ngbutIreali
zedI
hadn'trecei
vedamessageback.Thatwasst range.
Icheckedmyphone, nonewmessages.<Baby?Ar e
youbusy? >Isent.I
twasearlyeveni
ngandIwasa
bithungry.IwonderifPet
uwasback.Afterpacking
awaymyt hings,
Itookawalktoherroom,knocking
onherdoor .Sheopened,smil
ing.
Pet
u:"
Hey.You'
reback.
"
Me:"Yeah.Si
ncemorni
ng.Ij
ustneededt
odosome
work.
"Iwalkedi
nherroom.
Pet
u:"Met
oo.
"Shecl
osedherbooks."
So.
..How
wasit
?"
Me:"
Itwasr
eal
lyni
ce.Ienj
oyedmysel
f.
"
Pet
u:"
Isaw.Ial
sosawyourbooandyout
alki
ng.
"
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
MybooandI
?"
Petu:"
Igetyouwantyourr
elati
onshi
ptobeasecret
,
butyoutwolookedt
oocutetryi
ngtoactl
ikeyou
di
dn'tknoweachother.
"Idon'
trememberany
i
nteract
ionwit
hNkosiattheevent
.Apar
tfrom when
heinter
uptedSi
bonelo.
Me:"
OhyoumeanSi
bonel
o."Il
aughed.
Petu:"Ofcourse.Whoelsewoul
dIbetal
kingabout
?
Yoh,theHeirwassoi nt
ense.Whydi
dhecomeup
tohiml i
kethat?"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.Mayber
oyalst
uff
."
Pet
u:"
Probabl
y.Anyway,
shoul
dwegetsome
di
nner
?"
Me:"
Yeah.Let
'scheckwhatt
heyhave.
"
Pet
u:"
Wheni
sAmahl
ecomi
ngback?
"
Me:"Pr
obabl
ytomor
row.
"Someoneknockedonher
door
.
Petu:"
Okay?That
'snew.Inevergetvi
sit
ors.
"She
openedthedoor
."Oh.Zi
mmy? "
Zimmy:"
Heygi
rl
."Shewal
kedi
n."
Hey!You'
re
back?
"
Me:"
Yeah.Hel
lo.
"
Zimmy:"Iwasgoi
ngoutofmymi
ndwi
thbor
edom
thi
sweekend.Al
lpeopl
ewant
edt
odowaswatch
thedance.
"
Pet
u:"
Itwasr
eal
lycoolt
hough.
"
Zi
mmy:"Iguess.Haveyouguyseat
en?I
'
m hungr
y."
Pet
ulookedatme.
Me:"
Wewer
eaboutt
ogetsomedi
nner
."
Zi
mmy:"
Lif
esaver
.I'
l
lgetacab.
"
Pet
u:"
Ohwe'
rej
ustgoi
ngt
odi
ninghal
l.
"
Zimmy:"Oh."Shesul
ked."
Ihat
edi
ninghal
l.Okay
then,
let
'sgo."
Me:"
Wher
edoyouwannago?
"Herf
acel
itup.
Zimmy:"Anywher
eout
side.Justanywher
e.You
choose.
"
Me:"
Pet
udoyouhavesuggest
ions?
"
Petu:"Amel
ia'
sisani
cevi
beandt
heyhavegr
eat
food."
Zi
mmy:" Uhm..
.Thatwon'
tbeagoodidea.We'r
e
morel
ikelyt
obumpi nt
oKhayat
here.Let
'schoose
adi
ff
erentpl
ace.
"
Petu:"
ButKhayai
sallovertheci
ty.Ther
e'sno
tel
li
ngwherehecoul
dbe. "
Zi
mmy:" Heenj
oysAmel
ia'
s.Especi
all
yon
weekends.
"
Me:"Look,I
'm notgoingtospendmyl if
eavoiding
Khaya.I'
vetol
dhim Idon'twanthim.Ifhehasany
respectf
orme, hewilll
eavemeal one.Unlesshe
wantsmet oputar estr
aini
ngorderagainsthim.I
'm
goingtochange,thenwecango. "
Zi
mmy:"Thembi
saareyousur
e?Idon'
twantyout
o
beuncomf
ort
abl
e."
Me:"I'
m absol utel
ysur e.
"Igotup, walkingtomy
room,checki ngmyphoneagai n.Nothing.Idial
ed
hisnumberbuti tdidn'
tring.NowIwaswor ri
ed.
WherewasAmahl e?Ichangedi ntoanor angesemi
ti
ghtfi
tti
ngmi didress,withdrawst r
ingsont heside.
Iworemysneaker s,br
ushedmyhai rli
neandwor e
smallearrings.Istil
lhadt hecornrowsf rom Fri
day
andtheyl ookednew.Iwal kedbackt oPet u,she
wasdr essedi nblackmi nidressandsneaker s.
Zi
mmycameinwearingablackl
eat
hermi
niski
rta
whi
tet
opandheel
s.Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
OkaynowIf
eell
ikeyourchi
ld?
"Shel
aughed.
Zimmy:" Yeah,I'mt r
yingt of i
ndahotdzaddzy.The
cabi shereloves,let'
sgo. "Wewal kedoutt he
buildi
ng, f
indi
ngt hecarout si
de.Wewer edri
vento
Amel ia'
s.Icheckedmyphoneagai nbutnonew
messages.Howwast hi smankant i
?Howdoyou
mi ssmeanddi sappeari ntothinair
?Wewal kedin
toAmel ia'
sandgotat ableont hebalcony.Asusual,
Ilookedovert ohisf avouritetabl
eandi twasempt y.
Hewaspr obablyt heonl ypersonwhosatt her
e.The
wai t
ertookourdr inkor ders.Minewasj ustjui
ce.
ZimmyandPet ugotabot tleofchampagne.Idi dn'
t
wantt odrinkbecauset omor rowwasschooland
thelastthingIneededwasahangover .
Pet
u:"
Haveyouspokent
oAmahl
e?"
Me:"No.Notsinceearl
ythi
smorni
ng.
"Ili
ed.I
hadn'tseenorspokent
oAmahlesi
nceyester
day
aft
ernoonbeforeshewenttosi
twi
thherf
amily.
Pet
u:"
Hm.Doyout
hinkIshoul
dtexther
?Whati
f
she'
sbusy?
"
Me:"She'
lll
etyouknow.Texther
."Shet
ookher
phone,t
exti
ng."Where'
sFi
kil
e?"
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
tknow.She'
snott
alki
ngt
ome.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Zi
mmy:"Appar
ent
lyI
'
m at
wof
acedbi
tch.
"She
l
aughed.
Me:"
Zimasa?
"
Zimmy:" She'
smadt hatKhayahasdumpedher .
Shewant edmet obeghim butItoldherno.Idi
dn'
t
tel
lhertosleepwithhim.Howisi tsuddenl
ynow
mybusi nesstokeepthem t
ogether?SoIwentout
fordri
nksandshewentof fwhenshesawus
toget
her."
Pet
u:"
ButZi
mmy,
whatyou'
redoi
ngi
swr
ong.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whatam Idoi
ngPet
u?"
Pet
u:"
Bringingyourf
ri
endstoKhaya,
knowinghe'
l
l
sl
eepwit
ht hem andt
ossthem t
othesidewhen
he'
sdone.Whydoyoudot hat?
"
Zimmy:" Fir
stofall
, Idon'
tbri
ngf r
iendst oKhaya.I
gooutwi thfri
endswhowantt ogooutwi t
hme.Yes
Ibumpi ntoKhaya, Idon'tpl
ant obutthisismy
fri
endsimpl ybecauseweusual l
ygot ot hesame
places.I
'm notgoingt osuddenlyignorehi m when
I'
m withnewpeopl e.Het hendecidest oappr oach
thegirl
s,iti
sthegirlthatdecidestoeitherreject
him orsleepwithhim.Idonotgeti nvolved.Sowhat
exactl
yam Idoi ngwr ongplease?"
Pet
u:"
Butyoubenef
itf
rom i
t.
"
Zimmy:"Whatam Ibenef i
ti
ng?Mypar ent
ssendme
anallowancewhichIusever yhappil
ywhenIwant
togoout .I
'
veneveraskedanyonef oranything.
Especial
lyKhaya.Heofferstobuydrinks,wenake
Petuifyourfr
iendof
ferstobuyyoudr inksyou're
goingtosayno?Whatwoul dIbebenef i
tt
ingfrom
him?"
Me:"
Okay,canwenotargueplease.Let
'sj
usthave
somedi
nnerandrel
ax.There'
snoneedt ogoback
andf
ort
h."
Zi
mmy:"
ButThembi
sa,
it'
sir
ri
tat
ingt
hatIhavet
o
keepexplaini
ngmysel f.It
'snotmyf aultthatKhaya
i
sawhor e.Whyi st hatthereasonImustst opbei ng
hisfri
end?Ever ydayi nthatres,I'm vi
ll
ai nized
becauseI '
m saidtobeapi mp.I'veneverf or cedor
askedanyonet osleepwi thhim.Ever ygi rlgoest o
hisbedwi l
li
ngl ywithoutmehavi ngt osayat hing.If
hewasr apinggi r
ls,I'
dimmedi atelystopbei ng
aroundhim buthehasn' tdoneanyt hingwr ong.He
makeshi sintenti
onscl ear.Theonl ytimeI '
ve
pushedKhayawast obewi t
hThembi saandt hat,
I
knowwaswr ongbutever yoneel se?Theyl iterall
y
threwthemsel vesathi m.ButI'mt hevillain?No
man."Shel ookedoutt ot heoceanwi t
hgl ossyeyes.
Petu:"
Ididn'
tsayi
twaswrongt
obehisfri
endbuti
t
wouldhelpifyout
oldhi
mtonotcomeforyour
fr
iends.
"
Zimmy:"Pet
unia,yousawhowFi ki
let
hrewhersel
f
atKhayathefi
rstti
metheymet?NowI '
m supposed
topul
lherawayandt el
lherno?
"
Me:"I
'm onZimmy'ssideonthisone.Thefir
stti
me
ImetKhaya, gi
rl
swereli
ter
all
ythrowingt
hemsel ves
athi
m.It'snotsomet
hingZimmysai dordid.Even
whenwehungoutathi splace,Ihadtheopti
onof
notcuddli
ngwithhim butIli
kedhim andhonestly,
I
didwanthim.ItwasZimmywhosai dt omewecan
l
eaveifI'
m notcomfortablebeingwit
hhim or
feel
ingsafeandIchoset ostay.Sono,Idon'tt
hink
i
t'sf
airtol
abelherthewayshe' sbeenlabel
led."
Zi
mmy:"Ihonestl
ywoul
d'velovedforhi
mt oset
tl
e
downbutI
'm nothi
smother.Ican'
ttel
lhi
m whatto
do.
"
Pet
u:"
Wow.Speakoft
hedevi
l.
"
Zimmy:"Ididwar nyouaboutt hi
splacesodon'tput
thisonmet oo."Thewai terbroughtthebot
tl
eof
champagneandmyj uice.Heopenedt hebott
leand
pouredi
nt heirglassesbef or
ewal ki
ngaway.I
sippedmyj ui
ce.
Pet
u:"
Okay?Thi
sisnew.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Noi
t'
snot
,we'
vehadt
hisbot
tl
ebef
ore.
"
Pet
u:"
Yourf
ri
endhasn'
tcomet
osayhi
."
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sisagai
nmyf
aul
t?"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Canwepl
easej
ustmoveonf
rom t
hist
opi
c?"
Pet
u:"
Uhm.
..
Sasa.
..
"
Me:"
What
?"
Pet
u:"
Your.
..
"
Me:"Mywhat ?"Isi
ppedmyjui
ce.Shesignal
edwit
h
hereyes.Il
ookedoverwher
eshewaspoi nti
ng.
Khayawassi t
tingwit
hMnqobiandSibonel
o.My
God."Oh."
Pet
u:"Oh?
"Shesi gnal
edt
oZimmy.Thi
swasa
mess.NowIcan'tevengoout
sidet
oenj
oyameal
?
Howsmallist
hiscity?
Zi
mmy:"
What
'st
hepr
obl
em?
"
Me:"
SoKhayai
sfr
iendswi
tht
her
oyalf
ami
ly?
"
Zi
mmy:" TheBiyela'
s?Yes.Hewentt
oschoolwi
th
Mnqobiallhi
slif
e.They'
rebestf
ri
ends.
"
Pet
u:"
Yikes.
"Isi
ppedmyj
uice.
Zi
mmy:"
Yikeswhat
?What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Me:"
Thispl
att
erl
ooksdel
ici
ous.
"Il
ookedatt
he
menu.
Zi
mmy:"
Guys?
"Pet
ust
aredatmewi
deeyed.I
neededthebathroom,
soIgotupwal ki
ngt
othe
l
adies.Aft
erdoingmybusiness,Iwashedmyhands
andwalkedoutbacktothetable.Khayawas
standi
ngnexttoZimmy,chatt
ing.
Khaya:"
Whydi
dn'
tyoucal
lmet
oday?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Wenawhydi
dn'
tyoucal
lKhaya?
"
Khaya:"
Hawu,what
'swi
tht
hehost
il
it
ynow?We
usual
lyt
alkmos.
"
Zimmy:"I
'm deal
ingwi
thenoughdr amabecauseof
you.Pl
ease,gobacktoyourfr
iends."
Khaya:"
You'
remyf
ri
end,
I'
mtr
yingt
otal
ktoyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Wecant
alkanot
hert
ime.
"
Khaya:"
Mxi
m."Hel
ookedatme."
Hel
loThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Hel
loKhaya.
"Hewal
kedbackt
ohi
sseat
.
Petu:"
Okay,nowwecanfocusonus.I
t'
smy
bir
thdayint
womonths.Whatdoyouguyst
hinkI
shoulddo?"
Me:"
It
'syourday,
whatdoyouwantt
odo?
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknow.That
'swhyI
'
m aski
ngyou.
"She
gi
ggl
ed.
Me:"I
'
veneverhadanact ual
par t
ybefor
e.Imeana
f
ewgett ogether
swi t
hsomeschoolf r
iends,whol
e
t
hingorganizedbymypar ents.SoIdon'
tknow
whatparti
esoutsideofsupervi
sionl
ooklike.
"
Zimmy:"Howaboutj ustagirl
snight
?Wecanbook
ahouse,getal
coholandf ood.Theneachofuscook
somethi
ngdiff
erent
, couldbeanythi
ng.Also,
we
coul
dmakecockt ai
ls.Playgamesandl i
stento
music.
"
Me:"
Thatsoundsamazi
ng.Pet
u?"
Petu:"Il
ikethat.Wecandothat.
"Icheckedmy
phoneagai n,t
ypinganot
hermessage:<I'
m get
ti
ng
worri
ed.What 'sgoi
ngon?Pleasetel
lmeyou're
busy.>Isentit.
Zi
mmy:"
Canwemove?Tempaal
sohasni
cef
ood.
"
Me:"
Why?What
'swr
ong?
"
Zi
mmy:"
That
."
Si
bonel
o:"
Ladi
es.
"
Pet
u:"
Hel
loPr
inceSi
bonel
o."Shesmi
ledsweet
ly.I
l
ookedathi
m.
Sibonelo:"
Hel
loagain.Sasa.Ihopeyoudon'
tmind
mecal l
ingyouthat
,yourfri
endKhayatoldmethis
cutenickname.
"
Me:"Myf
riendsandboyfr
iendaret
heonl
ypeopl
e
al
lowedt
ocallmethat.
"Hesmi l
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
That
'sgoodt
oknow.Sasa.
"
Pet
u:"Zi
mmycanyoupleasehel
pmeint
he
bat
hroom?Thi
szi
pisgoingtobeapr
obl
em.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m sur
ewecanwai
t-
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m pr
essed.Pl
ease.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thembi
sa,
wil
lyoubeokay?
"
Me:" Yes.
"ShelookedatKhayaandscowl edathi
m
bef or
ewalki
ngawaywi thPetu.Asmuchasshe
thinkshemighthavesentSibonelo,
Ihaveafeeli
ng
Sibonelowasn'
tsent.I
nf act
,Khayahasretr
eated
from mebecauseofhim.
Sibonel
o:"Youhavef
riendst
hatr
eal
lyl
oveyou.Al
l
ofthem seem t
oprot
ectyou.
"
Me:"
Idot
hesamef
ort
hem.
"Hesatdown.
Sibonelo:"
That'
sgood.Ibeli
evewewere
i
nterruptedyest
erday.OurPri
ncehasatyr
anni
cal
approacht ohi
sevents.Heli
kestocont
rol
everythi
ng."
Me:"
I'
m sur
ehe'
sjustpr
otect
iveofhi
speopl
e."
Si
bonel
o:"
Sure.Maybe.Anyway,howaboutthat
di
nner
?Justyouandme.I '
mfreethi
sThursday.
"
Me:"Not hankyouPri
nceSi
bonel
o.I
'm not
i
nterest
edi nhavi
ngdi
nnerwit
hyou.
"Hel ooked
shocked.
Si
bonel
o:"
CanIaskwhy?
"
Me:"
No.
"Hechuckl
ed,
bit
inghi
sli
p.
Si
bonel
o:"
Isee.
"
Me:"That
'sgood.Tosee.Ver
yusef
ulsense.
"He
smil
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
WhatcanIdot
ochangeyourmi
nd?
"
Me:"Absol
utel
ynothi
ng.NotevenGodhi
mselfcan
changemymi nd.
"Isi
ppedmyj ui
ce.Hel
ooked
qui
tepuzzl
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Thi
sisconf
usi
ng.
"
Me:"
Whati
s?Bei
ngr
eject
ed?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Uhm,
yeah.
"
Me:" Qui
tehumbl i
ng,huh?Icanunder standwhy
that'
sdiffi
cul
tforyouPrinceSibonel
o.Li f
ei sa
tri
ckythingtonavigat
e.Somepeopl egetl osteven
whent heyownt hehighestquali
tynavigating
system."
Si
bonel
o:"
Unsur
ewhatt
hatmeans,
pleaseexpl
ain.
"
Me:"
WhatI'
m sayi
ngis,
usi
ngyourr
oyalst
atust
o
l
uregi
rl
sint
oyourbediski
ndoft
acky.
"
Sibonel
o:"
I'
m nott
ryi
ngt
olur
eyout
omybed.
"I
gasped.
Me:"
Reall
y??Thatsoundssosweet
.Toosweet
.
Li
kehoneybutIdon'
tli
kehoney,
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o."
Sibonelo:"Igetyounow.Youliketoplayhardtoget.
Il
ovet hat.Huntingismyfavouri
tesport.We'
llsee
howhumbl ingthatget
sinaweek. "Hegotup,
walkingaway.Whatanar rogantasshole.Doeshe
r
eal
lyt
hinkhecancharm me?Me?Doesheknow
myman?Ilaughedoutl
oud.

Aft
erourdi
nner,wehadsomedessert
.Zimmywas
qui
etthr
oughoutthedi
nner
.Itwasl
ateandIwant
ed
togotobednow.
Me:"
Arewer
eadyt
oleaveguys?
"
Zi
mmy:" Justneedt
hebat
hroom.
"Shewal
kedt
oto
l
adiesl
eavingmewithPet
u.
Me:"
Andt
hen?
"
Petu:"Sheaskediftheboyf
ri
endyou'vebeenhiding
i
sSi bonelo.Isai
dnobutshejustkeptquietaf
ter
that
."Isighed,cal
li
ngovert
hewaiter.Themanager
camei nstead.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Len:"
Ma'
am.
"
Me:"
Iwant
edt
oti
pthewai
ter
.Fort
heser
vice.
"
Len:"
Ohthat'
sabsolutel
yunnecessar
y.Pl
ease
enj
oytherestofyoureveni
ng.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Hewal
kedaway.
Pet
u:"
Andt
hat
?"
Me:"
Thebi
lli
sal
readypai
d.Pl
easedon'
ttel
l
Zi
mmy."
Petu:"
Areyouokay?You'vebeendi
stantabi
t.Di
d
Pri
nceBaesaysomet hi
ngtoyou?"
Me:"
No.Hesaidnothi
ng.
"Zimmycamebackf rom
t
hebathr
oom."Wecango."Shetookoutherwall
et.
"
Don'
tworry,
Ial
readygoti
t.
"Shestar
edatme.
Zimmy:" Fi
ne.Wecango. "Wewal kedoutoft
he
restaur
anttothecabout side.Theridehomewas
quietbutuncomf or
tabl
et oo.WhywasZi mmymad
atmenow?Whenwegott oRes,Iwenttomyroom,
Petuwentt ohersandZimmyt oherown.Amahle
wasi nbedreadingabook.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Thoughtyouwer
en'
tcomi
ngbackt
oday.
"
Ama:"
Iwasn'
t.Yourboyf
ri
endwant
edmet
o."
Me:"
Wher
eishe?
"
Ama:"
Athome,
havi
ngdi
nnerwi
thhi
spar
ent
s."
Me:"
Oh.
"
Ama:"Hecan' tcommuni cat
ewi t
hyoubecause
fat
heriswatchinghi m.He'l
lbeincont
act
.Don'
t
worry.
"Inodded, changi
ngintomypajamas.
"
Phone."Ipickedi tupasitrang.
Me:"
KhayaSol
inga.
"
Khaya:"
CanIpl
easet
alkt
oyouf
or5mi
nut
es.
"
Me:"
No.
"
Khaya:"
Thisisn'
taboutusThembisa.I
t'
snotabout
me,I'
minthepar ki
nglot
."Hehungup.Iworemy
gownwalkingouttotheparki
nglot
.Hewas
st
andingoutsidehi
scar.
Me:"
Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
You'
renotsaf
e."
Me:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Khaya:"
Thembisa,
youdon'tunder
standt
her
oyal
s.
They'
renotgoodpeopl
e."
Me:"
Youmeanyourbestf
ri
ends?
"
Khaya:" Mnqobii smybestf riend.You'realsomy
fr
iendandt hat'
swhyI '
m here.Si boneloisnotgoi ng
togiveup.It oldyout ostayawayf rom Sikhosana.
Anythingt hathet ouchesorevenget sclosetoi sof
highval ue.Everyroyalwi l
lwantt osnatchit.Ifhe
tr
ulylovesyou, hewi llprotectyou.ButIneedyout o
bevigilantbecauset hiswillnotendwel l.Thisis
whyIdi dn'twantyounearhi m.Nowyou' r
equi t
e
l
iter
all
yacommodi ty.Justl ookout ,okay?Tr ynot
bebyyour self
.Nomor ewal kingal onetoschoolor
back.Pl easepromi semet hi s?"
Me:"Theycan'
tki
dnapme,sur
ely.Khayat
hat
's
i
ll
egal.Whywouldyousayt
hat?"
Khaya:"It
snotki dnappi ngifit'
sorderedbyaKi ng.
You'dbet akenandnoonecandoanyt hingabouti
t.
I'
mj ustsayingbevi gilant.Anythi
ngcanhappen.I
woul dn'
twantanyt hingt ohappent oyou. "Hi
seyes
shonei nthedarkness." Letmewal kyoui n.
"He
walkedmei ntot
heResbui ldi
ng."I
fIcallyouout
again,don'tcomeout .Noteveni fZimmyasksyou
out.Don't.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Khaya:"
Justdon'
t.
"Hewal
kedbackt
ohi
scar
.
[
07/
27,
05:
45] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er25

SASAPOV_

Imadei tbackintomyroom quit

eshaken.Khaya
di
dn'tseem li
kesomeonewhowoul dj
ustscareme.
Notevenasapr ank.Pl
ushelookedscaredhi
mself
.
Me:"
Whatdot
heywantf
rom me?
"
Ama:"
Notf
rom you.Theywanti
tfr
om Nkosi
nhl
e."
Me:"
WhyAmahl
e?"
Ama:"It'
ssimple.Iftheycangett
oyou,theycan
seehowher eactstoyou.Seei
ngthatNkosif
indsit
dif
fi
cultt
ocont rolhi
semot i
onswhenitcomest o
you,i
twillbeveryeasyf ort
hem."
Me:"Ist
hiswhathemeantwhenhesai
dhecan'tbe
seenwit
hmei npubli
c?Thatpeopl
ewi
llwantt
o
hurtmetogethi
mt oreact
?"
Ama:"
Mor
eorl
ess,
yes.
"
Me:"Whatiswrongwit
hyoupeopl
e?Noof
fensebut
whatthehell
?Ispowersoi
mport
ant?
"
Ama:"Noof
fensetaken.Yesit
'si
mpor
tantbutwe
havet
okeepiti
nther i
ghthands.
"
Me:"Thi
sisal
otf
orme.
"Igoti
nbed,
cover
ing
myself
.
Ama:" I
'
m sor r
y."Icouldn'
tevensleep.Ever
yti
meI
tr
iedIfeltlikeIwasdr owning.Itwasso
uncomf ortableandannoyi ngseeingthati
t'
slate
andI'dli
ket orestaft
erabusyweekend.Event uall
y
Isli
ppedi ntoaqui etpeacefulsl
eep.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Myfatherwashost
ingt
hePhakami
safamil
y.Idid
nothavemuchofachoicebutt
oat
tendt
hisdinner
andlatermeet ingwi t
hKi ngPhakami saandmy
fat
her.Hewasbei ngsecr etiveabouthi sbusi ness
opportunity,
butIwasn' tinthemoodt of igureout
why.Ial socoul dn'
tstopt hinkingaboutThembi sa.I
knowshe' spr obablywor riedaboutmeandI
couldn'twaittogetoutoft hismeet ing.Icoul dn't
l
eavet hehousebecauseIknewmyf atherhadt he
armyasext r
asecur it
yf oll
owi ngme.Maybei f
Thembi sagoest oeNt abenif i
rst,
thenIf ollow,it
wouldbebet t
er ?Thest aff.Fuck.Okay, Icancl ear
outthest aff
.Howwi llshegett oeNtabeni ?Mt hunzi
neededt opickherup.ButMt hunziisbasi call
y
joi
nedatmyhi p,him notbei ngnearmewoul dbe
suspicious.
Sikhosana:"
Ithi
nkt
hatwoul
dbeagr
eati
dea.Don'
t
youthinksoMehlul
i?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Whatt
hehel
lwasIagr
eei
ngt
onow?
Si
khosana:"
Theni
t'
ssett
led.I'
l
laskherf
ami
lyt
o
j
oinusfordi
nnert
hisweek."
Nkosi
:"Who?
"
Si
khosana:"
Ithoughtyouwer
eli
steni
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Sor
ry,
Iwasthi
nki
ngaboutwork.
"Hest
ared
atme,notbel
ievi
ngawor
dIsai
df orsur
e.
Sikhosana:"We'r
etalki
ngabouttheBathonga
princess.Herfat
herexpressedi
nter
estinmeeting
you.She' sonl
ytwoyearsyoungerthanyou.Ithink
you'llhaveagreatdeali
ncommon. "
Nkosi
:"Becauseshe'stwoyear
syoungert
hanme
andshe'saprincess?
"
Sikhosana:"
No,
becauseshest
udi
edar
chi
tect
ure
too."
Nkosi
:"Isee.Father,Ipromi
sedthepri
ncesI
'
djoi
n
t
hem foradr i
nk.I'
ll
onl ybeashortwhi
le.
"
Si
khosana:"
Alr
ightt
hen.Gobewi
thyourpeer
s.
We'
llt
alktomor
row."
Nkosi
:"Haveal
ovel
yeveningKi
ngPhakamisa.
"I
gotupwalki
ngout
.Mthunziwasi
nmyof f
ice.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Thear
myi
sst
il
lfol
lowi
ngme.
"
Mthunzi
:"Icantalkt
oyourfat
hertomorr
ow.
"I
di
aledThembisa'snumber
,thephonerangt
o
voi
cemai
l.It
ri
edagai
nandshedi
dn'
tpi
ckup.
Nkosi
:"Fuck.What
'sAmahl
e'
snumber
?"
Mthunzi
:"Sameoneyou'
veal
wayshad.
"Idi
aledt
he
number,voi
cemai
l.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sonvoi
cemai
l.Thembi
sai
snotpi
cki
ng
up.
"
Mthunzi
:"She'
spr
obablysl
eepi
ng.Tr
yint
he
morni
ng."Myphoneranginmyhand,mel
ti
ngmy
hear
t.
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Hey.
"Sheyawned.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ryf
orwaki
ngyouup.
"
Thembi
sa:"
That
'sokay.
"
Nkosi:"
Icoul
dn'
tcont
actyou,myf
atherwas
host
ingKingPhakami
saaftert
hat
,wehada
meeti
ng."
Thembi
sa:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
oseeyou.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Thencomeseeme.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mt r
yingt
ofi
ndaway.Uhm..
myfather
wantst
omeetyou.Iwantt
ocont
rolt
hat
.Idon'
t
wanthi
mt oambushyou.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Andwhywoul
dheambushme?
"
Nkosi
:"He'
l
lpr
obabl
ytr
ytoi
nti
midat
eyout
oleave
me."
Thembi
sa:"
Whywouldhedot
hat
?Ithoughtyou
sai
dyou'
real
lowedt
omarr
ywhoeveryouwant.
"
Nkosi:"
YesIam buthe'
sbeingverysneakynow.I
don'
tknowwhathe'supto,butit
'ssomethi
ngandit
i
nvolvesyou.
"
Thembisa:"
Doyouthi
nkhe'
dhur tme?KhayasaidI
shoul
dn'twal
kal
oneorbealone.Hesai
deveryone
i
swatchingme.Ist
hattr
ue?
"Howwoul dKhaya
knowthat?
Nkosi
:"Whywoul
dKhayat
ellyout
hat
?"
Thembisa:"
Sibonel
oapproachedmet oni
ghtat
Ameli
a'
s."Mybl oodboi
ledi
nmyvei ns.Heactual
ly
wantst
ochal l
engeme,doesn'the?
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dhesay?
"
Thembisa:"Hewantst otakemeout .WhenIt
old
him no,hesai
dthathuntingi shi
sfavour
it
espor
t.
Accordi
ngt ohi
mI '
m playinghardtogetandhe'
s
goingtohumblemei naweek.Idon' tknowwhat
thatmeans."I
twast aki
ngal lofme,al
lofmymight
andpowert onotbreakthistableacr
ossther
oom.
HOW DAREHE.
Nkosi:"
I'
veputupextr
asecur
it
yaroundyou.Cl
ear
ly
Ihavetodomor e.Ar
eyoucomfor
tablewi
th
bodyguards?
"
Thembisa:"
Thatwouldbeevenmor esuspicious
Nkosi.I
'
m anordi
narygir
l.Ican'
tjustrockupwi t
h
heavi
lyarmedbodyguar
dsoutoft hebl ue.That
wouldgivei
taway."OhmyGod, Iwantt oki
llhim.
Nkosi:"
Thembisa,
Ican'
tjustl
etthisgo.Ifhei
s
ci
rcl
ingaroundyouthenhe'snottheonlyone.
"
Thembi sa:"Right
.Apparent
ly,
beingsnatchedbya
kingisn'tcall
edkidnappi
ngandit'snoti
ll
egal
.So..
.I
don'tknowanymor e.
"Okay,hedidn'
tneedtotel
lher
that,i
t'
lljustscar
eherfornoreason.
Nkosi
:"I'
l
lfi
xthi
s.Okay?We'
llf
ixi
t.Thembi
saI
'
m
notl
ett
ingyougo,ever
.Il
oveyou.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Iloveyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Gobackt
osl
eep,
myl
ove.I
'
llsor
tthi
sout
."I
hungup.
Mt
hunzi
:"We'
rei
nlovenow?
"
Nkosi
:"St
opi
t.We'
vegotapr
obl
em.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ihear
d."
Nkosi
:"I'
mtryingnott
oreactMthunzibuti
fIsee
Si
bonelo,I
'm goi
ngtobreakhi
sneck."
Mt
hunzi
:"Andt
hatwoul
dbebadbecause?
"
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
you'r
esupposedtobemyadvi
sor
.
Thi
scan'tworktheopposi
teway.
"
Mthunzi:"Fi
ne.Theri
ghtthingt odoist oobviousl
y
l
eavehi m al
one,anyf
orm ofr eacti
onwi llmakeit
obviousthatshe'
sspeci
al t
oyou.Gi vingeveryone
el
seammuni ti
ontogoafterherandt hen?Chaos.
That'swhenyou'l
lbeheavil
ydi str
actedandmost
probablymakebaddecisions, weakeningthet hr
one.
Personall
y,Idon'
tcar
e.I'
dki l
lhim onsightifhewas
cir
cli
ngmywi
febutofcour
se,
you'
reabet
terman
thanme.
"
Nkosi
:"HowcanIpr
otecther
?"
Mthunzi:"She'
sr i
ghtaboutthebodyguards.It'
s
anothergiveaway.Maybel et'
swaitthi
sout .There'
s
al
readysecur i
tyaroundher,goodthi
ngshe' s
fr
iendswithAmahl ebecauset heni
t'
llj
ustlooklike
hersecurit
yinstead.Downside?Shehast ost i
ckby
Amahl e'
ssidedayandni ght.
"
Nkosi
:"HowdoIseeher
?"
Mthunzi:"Unf
ortunat
ely,t
hatwil
lhavet
owait,my
pr
ince.Wecan' tri
skitri
ghtnow.Notwhil
eeveryone
i
swat ching.
"I'
m obvi
ouslyinhell
.

SASAPOV_

Theweekwentonaheadwi thouti
nci
dent.Icould
feelt
hesecur
it
yar oundmebutIcouldn'treal
lysee
them.Youknowt hatfeel
ingli
keyou'
rebeing
watched?Amahle,NothandoandPetuhavest uck
tomysi deal lweek.Iwashonest l
yscar ed,I'
m not
goingt oevenl ie.Ther ewasnowher eIwentwi thout
mygr oup.Wewentt oschoolt ogetherandcame
backt oget her.Idi dn'tgoanywher eel se.Ididn't
evengett hedel i
ver yoft hepi zzaatt hegat e.Khaya
wasal soar oundal ot.Hel efthiscaratschooland
walkednearusf rom adi st anceever ydayof ten
abandoni nghi sbestf ri
end, Mnqobi .Unf ort
unat el
y
I'
drunoutofl uckt oday.Icameoutofschooland
reali
zedmyf r
iendshadn' tyetcomeout .Shit,i
twas
Thursday.Icameoutear lyonThur sday.Isaw
Khayaatt hepar king, wel ockedeyesandhesl i
ghtly
shookhi shead.Whatt hef uckdi dt hatmean.I
stoppedr ightthen.Whathappensnow?Icoul dgo
backint oschoolbutwher e?Thi sisn' texactl
yt he
safestpl acei nt henat ion.Khayawasst andingwi t
h
Mnqobiwhowashavi ngaconver sationobvi ously
withhimsel f.Isawbehi ndt hem, Sibonel o
approachi ng.Hesmi l
edatme.Idi dn'thaveanexi t
.
Icouldgobacki ntoschoolbutdowhatt here?I
neededt of acet hisbul lyandpunchhi mi nthef ace
i
fneedsbe.Okay, Ican' tpunchhi m butIneededt o
facehi m.Iwal kedt othem, smi l
ing.
Me:"Hibaby."IhuggedKhaya.Hestoodthere,
stunnedtohellandback,unabl
etospeak."
Ihope
youwer en'
twaiti
ngtoolong.
"Mnqobihidhisface,
giggl
ing.
Khaya:"
Thembi
sa,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"He
whisper
ed.
Me:"
Ithoughtyou'
redr
ivi
ngmehome?
"
Khaya:"
Thembi
sa.
"Hewar
ned.Il
ookedatSi
bonel
o.
Me:"Ohhel
loPr
inceSi
bonel
o.Lovel
yseei
ngyou
agai
n."
Sibonel
o:"Ri
ght
."Hesmil
ed,lookingqui
teamused.
"Howaboutyouletmybrotherandhisfr
iendgo
playsoccerwhi
leyouandItalk.
"
Me:"
Iwouldloveto.Butmyboyfr
iendsai
dhe'
s
t
aki
ngmeonani cecream dat
eaft
ermytestt
oday.
Ri
ghtbaby?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Boyf
ri
end?
"
Me:"
Yes.I
t'
swhent
wopeopl
ear
einar
elat
ionshi
p
t
oget
her.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
That
'si
nter
est
ing.
"
Me:"
Isi
tthough?Anyway,
shoul
dwewal
kbaby?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Mnqobi
."Mnqobiwal
kedawaywi
thhi
m.
Khaya:"
Areyouser
ious!
?"
Me:"
Wher ewoul
dIr
unt
oKhaya?Ihadt
odo
somet
hing."
Khaya:"
Youdon'
tinsul
tapr
ince.Hewon'
ttaket
hat
l
yingdown.
"
Me:"
I'
m notgoi
nganywherewit
hhi
m.Ifyour
efuse
t
oprotectme,t
henwhyareyouher
e?"
Khaya:"
Prot
ecti
ngyoui sSikhosana'
sjob.Ican'
t
fi
ghtwit
haprince.Especi
allyoverawomanwhoi s
notmine.
"Ist
aredathim.
Me:"
Ok.
"Iwal
kedaway,
goi
ngt
other
esbui
ldi
ng.
Khaya:"
Comeon,
Sasa,
youcan'
tbewal
kingal
one.
"
Me:"I'
llbefi
neKhaya.What everhappens,
happens."Iwalkedallthewayt otheRes.Ididn't
haveclasstomor row,myl ecturerwoul
dn'tcomei n,
shetoldus.I'
dhaveashor tstudysessionint he
morningthenpr obabl
y, Nkosiwi l
lcomepickmeup
foraweekendt ogether.Ienteredthebuil
ding, goi
ng
tomyr oom.SinceIhadnothingt
odo,Ideci
dedto
sortoutmylaundry.Someoneknockedonmydoor,
scari
ngmeabi t
.Butthi
sisRes.Outsi
der
saren'
t
all
owedinsi
de.Iopenedt hedoor
.
Me:"
Zimmy.ThankGodi
t'
syou.
"Shewal
kedi
n.
Zi
mmy:"
Whoar
eyour
unni
ngf
rom?
"
Me:"
Noone.Howar
eyou?
"
Zimmy:"I'
mf i
ne.Despit
eyouhidi
ngthatyou'
re
dati
ngaPr i
nce.Reall
y,Thembi
sa?Ithoughtwe
werefr
iends.Whywoul dyouhi
deSibonelo?"
Me:"
I'
m nothi
dinghim.Zi
mmy,
thi
sisa
compl
icat
edsi
tuati
on."
Zi
mmy:"Isi
t?Oryout
houghtI'
dbej
eal
ousofyou?
Thembi
saYou'r
emybestfr
iend.
"
Me:"
That
'snotwhyIdi
dn'
ttel
lyou.
"
Zimmy:" I
tdoesn'tmatteranymor e,
I'
m notupset.I
f
hemakesyouhappyt henI '
m happyforyou.Heisa
l
itt
lebitshadybutImeanhe' shotso..
."Shegiggl
ed.
Ismi l
ed,upsett
hatIst i
llcan'
ttel
lherthetr
uth.
"Doingyourlaundry?
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Zi
mmy:" Okayt
hencanwehangoutt
oni
ghti
nst
ead?
Imissyou."
Me:"
Indoor
s.Yes.
"
Zimmy:"Perfect,I'
llbringwineandf ood."She
walkedout.Itookmyl aundrydownt othelaundr
y
room,putt
ingint hef ir
stload,cl
icki
ngt hemachine
andwatchingi tstart.Isighed,r
eali
singI'
dforgot
ten
myphoneagai n.
Me:"
Whatisitaboutthi
sroom t
hatIkeepforget
ti
ng
myphoneupstai
rs."Imumbled,
tur
ningaround.I
al
mostchokedinshock.
Si
bonel
o:"
Thembi
sa.
"Hesmi
led.
[
07/
27,
05:
45] :Sponsor
edPost
:

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er26
SASAPOV_

Ist
oodst
il
l,st
ari
ngathi
m.Myhear twasraci
ngbut
Iwoul
dn'
tshowhimI'm scar
ed.Hemightl
ikei
t.
Howthehel
ldidhegeti
nher e?
Me:"Iwouldthi
nkapr i
ncehashousekeeper
sthat
dothei
rlaundryfort
hem."Hesmil
ed.
Sibonel
o:"
Iwouldthi
nkyou'
resmartenought
o
knowyoucan'tgetri
dofmethateasi
ly.
"
Me:"Idi
dn'tt
rytogetri
dofyouPrinceSibonel
o.I'
m
notcapabl
eofattemptedmurder
.Please."Iwal
ked
tothecouch.Hechuckled.
Sibonel
o:"
Notonl
yareyougorgeousbutyourbrai
n
i
ssomet hi
ngel
se.Il
oveasmar tmouth.Makes
sensewhyhe'
dbesoi nt
erest
edinyou."
Me:"
Who'
she?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Sikhosana.
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknowwhot
hati
s."
Si
bonel
o:"
Ofcour
seyoudoThembi
sa.Ever
yone
knowswhoSi khosanais.Especi
all
ybecause,
he
showedint
erestinyou.I'
m sureyou'
veheardofhi
m.
Thefut
ureking."
Me:"
Okay.Ihaveafeel
ingyou'
renotheretokeep
mecompanywhi l
eIdomyl aundr
yPrince
Si
bonel
o."
Si
bonel
o:"
True.Icamet
opi
ckyouupf
orour
di
nner
."
Me:"Ivi
vidl
yremembertel
li
ngyouI'
m not
i
nter
estedinhavi
ngdinnerwit
hyou.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Andwhyi
sthatThembi
sa?
"
Me:"Idon'
tneedar
eason.Isi
mpl
yjustdon'
twant
t
o."
Sibonel
o:"Ithi
nkthat
'spret
tyunf
air,
judgi
ngmeof
thesolebasisofmyst at
us.Nodif
ferentt
othe
tackyapproachoflur
ingyoutobed,nowisit?
"I
staredathim,qui
etl
y.
Me:"
I'
m qui
tebusy.
"
Sibonel
o:"I
'
m noti
nar
ush.Maybe5pm you'
l
lbe
readyforme?"
Me:"
We'
l
lsee.
"
Sibonel
o:"We'l
lsee.
"Hewal kedoutt
helaundry
room.Iletasighofrel
iefout.Thi
swasscary.How
canpeoplejustwalkinandoutofhere?If
eltso
exposed.Whathappenswhensomeonecomesi n
hereandtakesme?Amahl ewalkedi
n,Ial
most
j
umpedi nshock.
Me:"
Hi.
"
Ama:"
Hey.
"
Me:"
Sibonel
owasher
e."
Ama:"
Inot
iced.
"
Me:"Amahle.Ineedtogetawayfr
om her
e.Idon'
t
t
hinkhe'
sthet ypet
otakenoforananswer.
"
Ama:"
Hei
sn'
t.
"
Me:"
Wel
l?
"Shel
ookedatt
hef
loor
.
Ama:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
Whyar
eyousor
ryAmahl
e?"
Ama:"Thi
syoucan'tr
unf
rom.Ifyout
rytoavoi
dor
hi
de,hewil
lper
sist
.Maki
ngli
femoredif
fi
cul
tfor
you.
"
Me:"
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"
Ama:"I'
m sayi
ng,i
tmaybeabett
erideaforyouto
havedinnerwi
thhim.Toshowhi
m you'r
enothidi
ng
anyt
hing."
Me:"
Areyouf
ucki
ngser
ious?
!"
Ama:"Sibonel
oisn'
tinter
est
edi
nyouThembi
sa,
he
want
st opushNkosit odosomet
hing.
"
Me:"
Whowoul dn'
tdosomet
hing?Whowouldstand
bywhil
ethei
rgir
lf
ri
endi
sbei
nghuntedbyanother
man?"
Ama:" Unfortunately.Thisi
showt hegamei s.You
candi ssuadeSi bonelo.Makeyour sel
funl
ikeabl
e.
Nkosihasameet ingtodayandmaybeaf t
ertoday,
Sibonelowi l
lreali
zehe' swasti
nghi st
ime."Iwas
shaking.Notoutoff earbutactualpai
n.
Me:"
Whati
sthi
smeet
ingabout
?"
Ama:"
Fatheri
sint
roducinghimtoapr
incessf
rom
t
heBathongafami
ly.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"
Ok.
"Isatdownst
ari
ngatt
heTV.
Ama:" Thembi sa,
we'redoi ngthistoprot
ectyour
i
dentit
yf ornow.Soonyou' llmeetourfat
herand
you'
llunderstandwhywe' retryi
ngtokeepyouaway
fr
om hi m.Unlessofcour seyouwantt omar ry
Nkosinhlethi
sweekend, thatwouldmakeal lour
l
iveseasierhonest l
y."Ist
ar edather.
Me:"
Doyoumi
ndgi
vingmesomespace?
"
Ama:"Sure."Shewal
kedbackout .Ist
aredatthe
tel
evi
sion.ThiswasnotwhatIsignedupfor.Thi
s
i
sn'tt
hef i
rstl
oveIwashopingfor.Notthi
s
dif
fi
cult
y.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ipacedmyof
fi
ce.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e-"
Nkosi
:"No!
!"Ibangedt
het
abl
e.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
.Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?Even
wit
hext r
asecur i
ty,Si
bonelocant
alkt
oher.The
bodyguardswillmakeeverythi
ngobvi
ous.Whatwe
needisforhimt oloseint
erest
.Heneedstoseeyou
unint
erested.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notuni
nter
est
edMthunzi.HowcanIact
somethi
ngI'
m not
?What'
sourotheropti
on?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Wet
akeheri
ntohi
ding.
"
Nkosi
:"Andwhataboutschool
?Herf
ami
ly?
"
Mthunzi:"Youowntheuni
versi
ty.Herfamil
ywil
lbe
t
hepr oblem.Maybeyoushouldconvincehert
o
marryyout hen.
"
Nkosi
:"Shesai dnotnow,event
uall
ybutnotyet
."I
si
ghed, cont
inuingwi
thmypacing."Ican'
tdoit
.I
can'
tlethim nearher
.Banhimf r
om thatr
es.Doit
now!!
"
Mthunzi
:"Ican'
tdothat
.Hehasaroyalpass.
"I
thr
ewtheglassornamentagai
nstt
hewall."
My
Pri
nce.
"
Nkosi
:"FUCK!
!!
!"Iscr
eamed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Icanst
il
ltakehi
m out
.I'
vegott
hesni
per
onst
andby.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantawar
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
snotl
ikewecanl
ose.
"
Nkosi
:"That'
snotthepointMthunzi!
!IfIki
llone,I
'd
havet
oki l
lthem al
l.
"Itri
edt
ocalm downbutt he
ragei
nmyhear twant edtor
ipSiboneloapart.
Mthunzi:"
Thi
swi
llwor
kNkosi
.Ineedyout
otr
y
yourbest.
"
Nkosi:"
Ineedt
ot al
ktoher.
"Idi
aledhernumber
,
l
eaningonmydesk.Herphoner angforawhi
le
bef
oresheeventual
lypi
ckedup.
Thembi
sa:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Hibaby.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Hi.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm sor
ryt
hisishappeni
ng.
"I'
venever
r
esentedmyl i
femorethanIdori
ghtnow.
Thembi
sa:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'l
lmakesur
ehedoesn'
thur
tyou.Iswearon
mylif
e."
Thembisa:"Howwi l
lyoudothatNkosi?Amahle
alr
eadytoldmehisplanistogetareactionoutof
you.Don'tyouthi
nkifyout
rytoint
erfere,hewil
lbe
provenri
ght?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtr
yingbaby.Ir
eal
lyam.
"
Thembisa:"
Amahlesayshewillbackof
fsoon.So
hopef
ull
y,aft
ert
odayIwon'thavetodealwi
thhim
agai
n."
Nkosi
:"Oncondi
ti
ont
hatIam noti
nter
est
ed.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Yes.Goodl
uckf
ort
oni
ght
."
Nkosi
:"What
'shappeni
ngt
oni
ght
?"
Thembisa:"
Aren'
tyoumeetingwit
htheBat
honga
pri
ncess?"Amahlethatf
uckingbr
at!
Nkosi
:"I
t'
saf
ami
lydi
nnerr
eal
ly.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Ifyousayso.
"
Nkosi
:"Myf
atherwant
edt
oint
roducemet
oher
."
Thembisa:"
Okay.Ihavetostartget
ti
ngready.
"Dear
Godpleasedon'
tlooksexy.Iknowthiswasan
i
mpossibleaskbutplease.
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.Pl
easecal
lmetoni
ght
.I'
l
lmake
aplanforus.MaybeyoucangouptoeNt
abeniand
Imeetyouthere.
"
Thembisa:"
IloveyouNkosi
nhl
e.Ineedyout
oknow
that
."
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyout
ooThembi
sa.
"Shehungup.

SASAPOV_

Iwasr eadyfordinnerandver ynervous.I

'dletl
oose
myaf rocombi ngitandholdingitbackwithabl ack
bej
ewel l
edband.Iwor eabl acksatinskir
tthatheld
mycur vesslightl
yandflowedl oosel
ydownt omy
cal
f.Thet opIchosewasabl ackmodestbodysui t
wit
hshor tsleeves.TheheelsIownedwer ethe
shortblackonesandl ucki
lyfitperf
ectl
yforthis
outf
it.
Ama:"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"Iwishyou'
dletmewearl
eggi
ngsanda
sweater
."
Ama:" I
tdoesn'tr
eall
ymat t
erwhatyouwear.Att
his
presentmoment ,Si
boneloonlyseesyouasachess
piece.
"Icheckedthetime."He'
shere.
"Ihear
da
knockont hedoor.
Me:"
Amahl
e,wi
llIbesaf
e?Hewon'
ttr
ytoki
dnap
me?"
Ama:"Si
bonel
owon'
tki
dnapyou.You'
resaf
e.For
now.
"
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Ama:"Thatmeans,
Nkosinhl
eneedst
opl
ayhi
s
par
t.
"Inoddedopeningt
hedoor.
Secur
it
y:"
Youhaveavi
sit
or.
"
Me:" Thanks.I'
l
lseeyousoon. "Isayt oAmahl e
beforeIwal kout.I
t'sthewor stt i
me, asmostgi r
ls
areeithercominginorgoi ngtodi nner.Ihope
Sibonelostaysinsidet hecarorbet teryet,onlysent
thecarf orme.Isteppedout side.Nope.Iwasoutof
l
uck.Nothi m blockingt hegatewi thhissleek
Mer cedesBenz.Hest oodout side,l
eaningont he
carwi t
ht hebackdooropen.Asi fthatwasn' t
enough, hewaspl ayingmusi c.No, hewant edto
embarrassme.Icould'
vedi
edwit
hshame.Ist
ood
i
nfrontofhim.Hethrewhisci
gar
ett
eonthefl
oor
bef
oresteppingonit
.
Me:"
Thi
sent
ir
escenei
sunnecessar
y."
Si
bonel
o:"
Whatabouti
tisunnecessar
y?"
Me:"
Canwepl
easego?
"
Sibonel
o:"
Youhaven'
tevensmi
ledatmeorsai
d
hell
o."Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Goodeveni
ngPr
inceSi
bonel
o."Hel
eanedi
n
t
hecart
aki
ngoutabunchoffl
owers.
Si
bonel
o:"
Goodeveni
ngbeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"Thankyou.
"Hecl osedthedoorholdi
ngmy
handtothepassengerseat.Heopeneditleadi
ng
mein.Icli
mbedinthecar ,
heclosedthedoorafter
me.Sohedr i
veshimself?Great
.Justgreat.
Sibonel
o:"
Wheredoyouwantt
oeat
?"Hedr
oveout
theResgate.
Me:"
Anywher
eisf
ine.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
IsAmel
ia'
sfi
ne?Maybeyou'
dli
ket
obei
n
af
ami
li
arenvi
ronment
?"
Me:"
Idon'tmi
ndanywheret
obehonestPr
ince
Si
bonel
o."Hechuckl
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Pleasecal
lmeSi
bonel
o.Orbaby.
"
Me:"
Andwhywoul
dIcal
lyoubaby?
"
Si
bonel
o:"Maybebecauseyout
oldyourf
ri
ends
we'
redat
ing.
"
Me:"
Whot
oldyout
hat
!!
"
Si
bonel
o:"Yourf
riend.
"Hesmi
led."
Soyoudol
ike
me?That'
snice.
"
Me:"
Whi
chf
ri
end?
"
Sibonelo:"I
tdoesn'tmatternow.Whatmat ter
sis,
we'respendi ngsomet i
met ogether .Whoknows,
maybewecoul dactual
lystartdatingbyt heendof
thenight."Iknowitcan'tbePet u.Shewoul dnever
approachSi boneloandshe' dprobabl ybetooshyt o
respondt ohim.Shecanbar elysayt wowor dsto
Mnqobiwhoi samuchni cerversionoft hisone.
CoulditbeZi mmy?Whywoul dZi mmyt el
lhimthat?
Oraskhi m?Hedr oveintotheAmel iaparki
nglot.
Si
bonel
o:"
Am Imaki
ngyouuncomf
ort
abl
e?"
Me:"
Ali
tt
lebi
t,yes.
"
Sibonel
o:"Thenwhydi dyoul
ietoyourf
ri
ends?
"I
can'tt
ellhi
mI '
m pr
otecti
ngNkosi.
Me:"
Itwashar
mless.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyou'
dfi
ndout
."
Sibonelo:"I'
m notmad. "Ilookedathim.Hehada
menaci nglookt hatIthi
nkwasmor ehi
sidenti
ty
thananyt hing.Hewasj ustasket chypersonas
sexyashewas." Let'
sgoi nside.
"Wegotoutt hecar
,
hegavehi skeyst ohisguardwhi chhadbeen
foll
owingi nadi f
ferentcar.Wewal kedintot
he
restaur
ant ,sett
li
ngf oratableinthemor epr
ivat
e
area.Lencamet othetable,smil
ingasusual.
Len:"
Goodeveni
ng,
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o.Ma'
am.
"
Me:"
Hi.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
I'
llhaveadoubl
eofmyusual
."
Len:"
Yessi
r.Ma'
am?
"
Me:"Justacranberr
yjui
ceplease.
"Henoddedand
walkedaway.Sibonel
olookedaround."
Doest
his
happenallt
hetime.Everywher
eyougopeopleare
st
ari
ngatyou?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
They'
renotst
ari
ngatme.They'
reusedt
o
me."
Me:"Theydon'tknowmesoIcanonl
yassume
you'
rethei
rint
erest.
"
Si
bonel
o:"OhIwishIwast
hei
nter
est
,Thembi
sa.
Wherear
eyoufrom?"
Me:"I
'mfrom Mthinomkhul
uvi
ll
age.Bor
nand
r
aisedther
e."Helaughed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Thatmakessense.
"
Me:"
Whatmakessense?
"
Sibonel
o:"
Thenewdevel
opment
sfort
hevi
ll
agear
e
quit
esudden,
don'
tyouthi
nk?
"
Me:"Noact ual
ly.They'relongoverdue.The
communi tywasver ydi
spleasedwi ththeroyal
famil
y.Theyhadn' thadavi sitforyearsandthey
werereall
ystruggling.Thatvill
agei sabandoned
andleftoutbecausei t'
stoof ar.Idon'
tthi
nkthat'
s
fai
r.Al
ltheothershavedevel opedandour sstayed
thesameasi twasi n1940? "
Si
bonel
o:"
Soyou'
rei
ntot
hosepol
it
icshuh.
"
Me:"
Yes.Ver
ymuchi
ntot
hat
."
Sibonelo:"Sowhatdoyouthinkaboutthe
development s?Ar
etheyastuntorreall
ybei
ngbuil
t
tobenef i
tthepeopl
e?"Thi
sonewast r
yingt
otr
ick
me.
Me:"Howcanthepeopl
ebenef
iti
ftheydon'
town
t
heland?"Hesmil
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Soyou'
reagai
nstt
hedevel
opment
s?"
Me:"Ican'tcommentunt i
lIseet
heendoft he
process.Howwi l
li tbenef
itt
hecommuni t
y?What
willi
ttakeawayf rom them?From t
hetownnearby?
Toomuchi srel
yingont heendproduct
."
Si
bonel
o:"
Youseem l
ikeadi
ff
icul
twomant
o
pl
ease.
"
Me:"NoI'
m notactuall
y.Ibel
ieveit
'seasytoplease
someoneyou'r
ewi ll
ingtol
ist
ento."Lenbroughtour
dri
nks.Si
bonel
ost aredatmequi et
ly."
Thankyou."
Lennodded,walki
ngaway.
Si
bonel
o:"
Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Me:"
Law.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Ever
ythi
ngaboutyouj
ustmakessense.
"
Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Sibonel
o:"Thewayyou'
readvocat
ingf
oryour
communi t
y.You'
llbet
hefi
rstl
awyeroutoft
hat
vi
llage?
"
Me:"
Anddef
ini
tel
ynott
hel
ast
."
Sibonelo:"Idon'tdoubtt
hatatal
l.Whatdoest
he
futur
eki ngthinkaboutyourvi
ews?Aboutthe
development s."
Me:"Iwoul
dn'
tknow.Themanisunt
ouchabl
e.He
doesn'
tmakei
teasytowalkuptohi
m andspeak,
nowdoeshe?"
Si
bonel
o:"
Somehow,
Ifi
ndt
hathar
dtobel
ieve.
"
Me:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Sibonel
o:"Somethi
nghappenedonSaturday.Not
surewhat.Hejustseemedverypassi
onateabout
you."
Me:"
Youmusthavebeenmi
staken,
Idon'
tthi
nkhe
knowsme.I
fhedi
d,hewoul
d'vesai
dsomet
hing.
"
Sibonel
o:"Hm...It
hinkhedi
d.Icoul
d'veswor
nI
heardhim dar
emet ocomenearyou.
"
Me:"
That
'sst
range.
"
Sibonelo:"
What'sstr
angeist
hathedidn'
tspeak.He
hadal ookinhiseyes,somet
hingdar
k."Hegulped
downhi swhiskey.
Me:"Thatsoundsscar
y."Isi
ppedmyj
uice."
Doyou
t
hinkhe'l
lsaysomethi
ngnow? "
Helookedatthedoor
.Nkosinhl
ehadjustwal
kedi
n
wit
hMt hunziandt
hei
rguards.Theysatdowni
nhis
usualcouch.
Sibonel
o:"Int
erest
ing.
"Idon'tknowwhatNkosinhle
wasdoi ngbuthewasn'tlookingatme.Hisusual
unint
erestedfaci
alexpr
essionon,star
ingatnot
hing.
Imissedhi ssmil
esomuch.
Me:"Whatisi
tabouthi
mt hati
nter
estspeopl
eso
much?"Si
bonelost
aredatmef oralongti
mebef
ore
heanswered.
Si
bonel
o:"
Somet
hingabouthi
misn'
tri
ght
.Hehas
hi
ddenwayt
oomuchofhi
msel
ftot
hewor
ld.
"
Me:"
Andt
hat
'sabadt
hing?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
We'
reyett
ofi
ndt
hatout
."
Me:"
Isee.Anyway,
tel
lmeaboutyou.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Notmucht ot
ell
.Youal r
eadyknowI'
m
Si
bonel
oBiyel
a.Ihavet
wobr other
sandasist
er.I
gr
ewupintheeastofMountainPeak."
Me:"
Howol
dar
eyou?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
29.
"
Me:"
Oh?Youdon'
tlooki
t.
"
Sibonel
o:"Yeah?Your
eckonIshoul
dkeept
he
routi
ne?"
Me:"No,
it'
sagingyouf
ast
eri
swhatI
'
mtr
yingt
o
say.
"Helaughed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Youdon'tcar
e,doyou?Youj
usti
nsul
t
measyouplease.
"
Me:"
Iwasj
oki
ng.Iapol
ogi
zef
ori
nsul
ti
ngyou.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
You'
ref
orgi
vensweet
hear
t.
"Hehel
dmy
handont
het
abl
e.
Me:"
Shoul
dweor
derf
ood?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Youdon'
twantt
owai
tabi
t?"
Me:"
No.I'
m hungr
y.Idon'
tcomet orest
aurant
sfor
ambi
ence.
"Hesmiled,cal
li
ngoverthewait
er.
Si
bonel
o:"
Whatwoul
dyoul
iket
ohave?
"
Me:"Hmm. ..Ithi
nkIwantthechi ckenburgerwi
th
thechill
icheesef ri
es,t
hebuf f
alowingscomei na
packofsi x?Addt hose.CanIalsogett heocean
plat
ter?Itlooksdelici
ous.Maybeabot t
leof
the.
..
uhm howdoyoupr onouncet hischampagne?
Thatone.I '
vebeendyi ngtotasteit.
"Ismil
edat
Sibonelo.Hel ookedatme, puzzl
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Qui
teal
otoff
ood.
"
Me:"I
sthatapr
oblem f
oryou?Stranget
hatyou
wanttogooutwit
hathickgi
rlbutGodForbi
difshe
t
ri
estoeat."
Sibonel
o:"
I'
m notwor r
ied.Aslongasyou're
enjoyi
ngyoursel
f.
"Iwasn' t
.Nkosihadn'
tlooked
overatmeonce."Pleaserefil
lme."Thewaiter
noddedandwal
kedaway.
Me:"
Didyoust
udyher
eatMount
ainPeak?
"
Sibonel
o:"
Par
tl
y.Idi
dmyundergr
adher
e,wenton
todomyhonoursinGol
denCr
own."
Me:"
Areyout
hinki
ngaboutst
udyi
ngf
urt
her
?"
Sibonelo:"Ipartl
yrunmyf at
her
'scompanieswit
h
myf atherandoccasi onal
lymyolderbr
otherZwe.I
wouldn'thavet heti
met ogobacktoschool
especiall
yf ormasters.
"
Me:"
Whatbusi
nessesdoesyourf
ami
lyown?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Tel
ecomsandAut
omot
ive.
"
Me:"
Oh.That
'si
mpr
essi
ve.Soyou'
rer
ichr
ich.
"
Sibonel
o:"Iguess.
"Helookedathi
sphoneand
frowned.Ihopemyhintsofgolddi
ggi
ngrubhi
m of
f
thewrongway.Ididn'
tknowwhatIwasdoing.
Me:"
Ever
ythi
ngokay?
"Hel
ookedatNkosiandback
atme.
Si
bonel
o:"
Yeah.
"
Me:"
Youl
ookl
ikeyougotbadnews?
"
Sibonel
o:"Notbad,
justconfusi
ng.
"Hel
ookedatme.
"Imighthavemadeami stake.
"
Me:"
Wit
hwhat
?"
Si
bonel
o:"
Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
"Hi
sdr
inkcameand
hegul
pedi
tdownqui
ck.
Me:"
That
'swor
ryi
ng.
"
Si
bonelo:"
Don'
twor
ry,
Idon'
tdr
ivewhenI
'
m
dr
inki
ng."
Me:"That'
snotthewor
ryi
ngpar
t.Youl
ookmad.
"He
l
ickedhisl
ips,
looki
ngatme.
Sibonelo:"
I'
m notmad. "Hiseyesswayedovert
o
theviewwhi lehechewedi ce.Whatt
hehellwas
goingon?Fi nally,Nkosilookedatme.Myheart
fl
utter
ed.Iqui cklylookeddownatmyj ui
ce.
Si
bonel
o:"
What
?"
Me:"
Hm?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
You'
rebl
ushi
ng.
"
Me:"I
'
m havingdinnerwi
thmycrush.Ofcour
seI'
m
bl
ushing.
"Igiggl
ed.Herol
ledhi
seyes,l
ooki
ngback
attheview.I
'
dsucceededbutIdi dwantt
oirr
it
ate
him somemor e."
Iknowi t'ssti
llear
lybut
..
.Maybe
weshoul dwaitabitbefore,youknow.Thedeed.As
youknowI '
m avirgin.Iactual
lywantedtowaitt
il
l
mar r
iagebef
ore,doingit.
"
Sibonel
o:"Whatmakesyouthi
nkIwil
lwai
tforyou
ti
llmarr
iagesweet
heart
?"Hewasnolongerl
ooking
atme.Theviewbehindmewasmuchmor e
i
nt er
est
ingandIcoul
dn'
tcarel
ess.
Me:"Well
,ear
li
eryousai
dthatwe'
reget
ti
ngtoknow
eachothersi
ncewe'r
eknowntobedati
ng."He
chuckl
ed.
Sibonel
o:"Ihatet
odisappointyouandyourf
ant
asy
butIdon'tthi
nkyou'
remyt ype."
Me:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Si
bonel
o:"
Don'
tmakemesayi
t.
"
Me:"
Pleasedo.
"
Sibonelo:"
Theonlyint
eresti
ngthingaboutyouwas
yourassociat
ionwit
hhi m."Hesignaledt
oNkosi
withhishead."Butt
hatwasuntr ue.Youwerea
mer
ediver
sionbecausehewantedt
odiscr
eet
ly
wel
cometheBathongapri
ncessashi
snewwife.
"
Me:"Whywoul
dmyassociat
ionwit
hhi
m be
i
nter
est
ing?
"Mychestwasburni
ng.
Sibonelo:"Thati
sn'
tsomethingyourcut el
itt
lesel
f
needst owor r
yabout,
Thembi sa.SticktoKhaya.
He'l
ltakegoodcar eofyou.Doyouwantat ake
away? "Thewai t
erpl
acedallthefoodI '
dorderedon
thetable.IwassodisgustedIwant edtothrowup.
Me:"
No, t
hankyou.I
'
m nothungryPr
inceSi
bonel
o."
Heshrugged,
taki
ngouthi
swallet
.
Sibonelo:"
Bringt hebi l
l.
"Thewai terrushedtof etch
thebil
l."Don'tbesosad, Sasa.Atl eastwehadt his
niceti
met oget her,
right?That'ssomet hingal otof
girl
scan'tbragabout .Youcant ellyourfri
endsI '
m
anasshol eandyoudumpedme. "Thewai ter
broughtthebi l
landhepai d.Ikeptmymout hshut ,
mymi ndst i
llreeli
ngatt hePr i
ncessbr idething."Do
youwantt obagt hi
s? "
Me:"
Not
hankyou.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Alr
ightt
hen.Towast
eitgoes.
"Hest
ood
up.Igotup,taki
ngmybagaboutt owalk.Hehel d
mywai stpull
ingmet ohim."I
'
m sorry.Forwhatit'
s
worth,you'
rebeauti
fulandsmart.Youwer ejusta
pawninar oyalgame.Whoknows, maybewemi ght
bumpi ntooneanotherinthefut
urewhenyou' ve
experi
encedmor einlif
eandwecanexpl or
e
somethingelsetogether.
"
Me:"Right.
"Isteppedaroundhim,walki
ngoutt he
door.I'
dsuccessfull
yremovedtheSibonelo
obstacl
ebutnowt her
ewast hi
sBathongapr i
ncess?
Whatdi dSi
bonelomeanwhenhesai ddiscreet
ly
welcomingtheBat hongapri
ncess?Ashisnewwi f
e?
[
07/
27,
05:
46] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er27

PRI
NCEPOV_

Myhandswereshaki
ngwhi
leIt
ri
edhardnotto
expl
ode.Si
bonel
owasst
andi
ng,hol
dingThembisa
cl
osetohim,talki
ngsoftl
yinherface.Ihatethathe
waseventouchingher.Iavoi
dedlookingatthem.
Thembisawalkedouttherest
aurant.Itookmy
gl
assgulpi
ngdownmydr i
nk.
Mthunzi
:"Al
mostdone.
"Si
bonel
ocamet
oour
sect
ion.
Si
bonel
o:"
YourHi
ghness.
"Hesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o."
Sibonel
o:"
Ijustwant
edtocomeoverandsayt hank
youforanamazingeventlastweekend.Imayhave
foundmyselfagooddist
racti
on."Helookedaf
ter
Thembisathenbackatme.
Nkosi
:"Enj
oy.
"Hi
sjawt
ight
ened.
Sibonel
o:"
Isupposecongr
atul
ati
onsar
einor
derf
or
youaswell.
"
Nkosi
:"Andwhywoul
dthatbe?
"
Sibonel
o:"Icoul
dn'
thaveexpect
edyout ohavean
i
nteresti
nt heBat
hongapri
ncess.Thatcameasa
shock."
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Sibonelo:"Wellthen.Iwi shyouthebestofluckand
al
lthenat i
on'sbl essi
ngswi t
hyournewwife.Ihave
alongni ghtaheadofme. "Hesmil
ed,l
icki
nghisl i
ps.
Il
ookedbackatmyr estaurant,
mindi
ngmy
businessbefor ehewal kedoutwi t
hhistwoguar ds.
Mt
hunzi
:"Per
fect
.Youdi
dsowel
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Fol
lowt
hem.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Wecan'
tdot
hat
-"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."Ihi
ssed.
Mt hunzi:"Nkosiit'
stoori
sky.Weal readyhave
secur i
tyfoll
owingatasaf edistance.Ifyouoryour
guar dsgonear ,hissuspicionswi l
lflareupagai
n.
We' vegottenthisfar.Let
'swai titout."Myphone
rang.Now' snott hetime."Answerhi m. "
Nkosi:"
I'
m notanswer i
ngadamnt hingunti
lI'
m
sureThembisaisinsideherroom Mthunzi
.Don't
fucki
ngpissmeof f.
"Hesur r
endered.Wesatquietl
y,
waiti
ng.Myphonekeptr i
ngi
ngandIkeptignori
ngit.
ThenMt hunzi
'
sstarted.
Mt
hunzi
:"YesYourHi
ghness?
"
Si
khosana:"
Givehi
mthephone.
"Mt
hunzihanded
methephone.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
,nowi
snott
het
i-
"
Sikhosana:"
No.Iwantyoubackint
hishousenow.
Doyouhearme? !"Ihungup,
givi
ngMthunzihi
s
phone.
Nkosi
:"Cal
lAmahl
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nko-
"
Nkosi
:"Now!
!"Hedi
aledthenumberonhi
sphone.
Shepi
ckeduponthet hi
rdri
ng.
Ama:"
What
?"
Nkosi
:"Hasshear
ri
ved?
"
Ama:"
No.
"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e.Checkout
side.
"
Ama:"
I'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
.Canyour
elax?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Thi
sisBi
yel
awe'
ret
alki
ngabout
.
Fucki
ngcheck!
"
Ama:"
No.
"Iheavedwi
thf
rust
rat
ion."
Don'
teven
thi
nkofcomi nghere.Youthinkyourf
atherisn'
t
watchingwhereyouar e?Pleasedon'
tbestupid
Nkosi.
"WhymustIbepuni shed?WhydoIhavet o
gothroughthispai
n?
Nkosi
:"Pleasecheck.
"Beggingwasbeneathmebut
Idi
dn'thavemuchofachoi ceanymore.Ihear
dthe
dooropeningonhersidesoIwaited.
Ama:"I
'
m standingoutsi
de.She'
snother
e."My
hear
tstar
tedracing.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Ama:"
Wai
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Unt
ilwhatAmahl
e."Shekeptqui
et."
Amahl
e
Si
khosana.
"
Ama:"
Ther
e.Hej
ustpar
ked.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Tel
lmewhensheget
soutt
hecar
."
Ama:"She'
soutofthecar
,wal
kingt
owar
dsme.I'l
l
havehercal
lyouwhenwe'rei
nther
oom."Shehung
up.Isi
ghedinrel
ief
.
Mthunzi:"
Let'
sgo."Ifol
lowedhi
m outt
he
r
estauranttoourcar.Weweredri
venout,
goi
ngt
o
thepal
ace."
Nkosi,whatyoufeelf
ort
hisgi
rli
squi
te
danger
ous,don'
tyouthink?
"
Nkosi:"Doyout hinkIplannedt ofeell
ikethi
s
Mthunzi?Ididn'twanttof alli
nlove.Thatwasnot
theplan.WhatIneededwasawi fethatwouldserve
asaQueenandamot hertomychi l
dren.Idi
dn't
evenknowIcoul deverfeel li
kethi
s.Thatonitsown
i
sf ucki
ngscar y.I
fIcoul d,Thembisawoul dbemy
wifebydaybr eakt omorrow. "
Mthunzi
:"Andyouthi
nkt hi
swi l
lstop?Whether
she'
syourwifeornot
,oncet heroyalsr
eali
zehow
muchyou'rewil
li
ngtogiveupf orher?I
t'
sover.
"I
promi
seIhatedthisl
if
e.Ihateditwithal
lofme.My
phoneranginmyhand.
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"Ianswer
ed.
Thembisa:"
Areyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
otheBat
honga
pri
ncess?"
Nkosi
:"No.Why?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Butshe'
sbei
ngi
ntr
oducedt
oyour
fami
lyt
oday?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sjustaf
ormaldi
nnermyl
ove.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Areyousur
eNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.I
'
dneverl
iet
oyou.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Fine.I
'
minmyr
oom now.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Iwasl
osi
ngmymi
nd.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Youl
ookedl
ikeyoudi
dn'
tcar
e."
Nkosi:"
Iwishthatwastrue.Iwi
shwedidn'
thavet
o
gothroughtheselengt
hs.Thembisa,
Iwantt
o
marryyou."
Thembi sa:"Nkosinhle,
wecan'tmarrybecause
peoplearej ealousofyou.That
'snotagoodr eason.
Iloveyou, Iwanttobewi thyoubutI'
m notreadyfor
mar r
iage.We' veonlyknowneachotheralit
tleless
thanamont h."
Nkosi
:"Iunder
stand.
"
Thembisa:"Let'
sgiveitaf
ewmont hsbefor
ewe
di
scussmar riage.Okay?I
'
m yours.I
'
m notgoi
ng
anywhere.Ionlywantyou."Isi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.I
'
llcal
lyouaf
terdi
nner
.I'
l
lsend
acart
opickyouupsowecanmeeteNtabeni
.I'
l
l
br
ingyoubackbef
oreschoolt
omor
row.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Idon'thaveschooltomorr
owsoyou
won'
thavet
obringmeback. "Ismil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Good.Thenwecanspendal
lweekend
t
ogether.Imi
ssyousomuch."
Thembi
sa:"
Whatdoyoumi
ss?
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Ever
ythi
ng.
"
Thembisa:"Tel
lme."Shegiggl
ed.Il
ookedat
Mthunzi,
hewasst aringatmewithashockedl
ook.
Whyishei nmybusi ness?
Nkosi
:"Imissyourdr
yjokes,
Idon'
tknowwhyyou
t
hinkyou'
resofunny.
"
Thembi
sa:"
YoulaughwhenIt
ellmyj
okessoI
knowI'
mfunny.Whatel
se?
"
Nkosi:"Yoursof
tski
n,youhavethesof
testski
nI'
ve
evertouched.Andyousmellsodamngood."She
giggl
ed.
Thembi
sa:"
Okayf
ine.Imi
ssyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumi
ssaboutme?
"
Thembisa:"Imi
sscuddli
ngonyourlap.Yourki
sses
andyourlaughwhenItellyoudr
yjokes.
"Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
twai
ttoseeyou.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Met
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyoubaby.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Iloveyout
oomyki
ng.
"Ismi
led.
Nkosi
:"Hangupt
hephonet
hen.
"
Thembisa:"
Ican'
thanguponyouYourHi
ghness.
"I
chuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
You'
resosi
ll
y.Byebyebaby.Mt
hunzii
s
l
ookingatmefunny.
"
Thembi
sa:"
Byel
ove.Sayhif
orme.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Shehungup."
Thembi
sasaysHi
-"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ihear
d."
Nkosi
:"Saywhat
'sonyourmi
ndwhi
leI
'
m st
il
lina
goodmood."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thesof
testski
nyou'
veevert
ouched?
Pl
ease,
whatot
herski
nsar
eyout
ouchi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Whycan'
tIenj
oymysel
fforal
loft
wo
minut
es?"
Mthunzi
:"You'
reinl
oveandit
'sver
ystr
ange.Inever
t
houghtI'
dwi t
nessi
t.
"Il
ookedoutthewindow.
Nkosi
:"Shemakesmehappy.
"
Mt hunzi:"
Andyoudeser vetobehappy."Il
ookedat
thenewmessageonmyphone, openi
ngit.I
twasa
pictureofherface.<Imissyou.
>Myhear tsoft
ened
asi tusual
lydidwhenIsawher .Icoul
dn'tst
op
staringatthi
spicture."
Aresponsewouldbenice.
"
Nkosi
:"Getoutofmybusi
nessMt
hunzi
."He
l
aughed.

Wearri
vedatthepal
ace.Iwalkedin,
int
endi
ngtogo
upst
air
sfi
rstbutmyfatheral
readywaswait
ingfor
me.
Si
khosana:"
Final
ly.Whatt
ookyousol
ong?
"
Nkosi
:"Iwasi
ntheci
ty.Wor
king.
"
Sikhosana:"
Fine.Comeoni
n,di
nneri
saboutt
obe
served.
"
Nkosi
:"Can'
tIchangef
ir
st-
"
Sikhosana:"You'
reabsolutel
yfine.Come."I
foll
owedhi mtothepalacedininghall.Weonlyused
i
tf orguests,
asaf amil
yweusedt hesmallerdi
ning
room.TheBat hongafami l
ywasseat edwithmy
ownal ready.
Sikhosana:"
Mysoni
shome.
"Hesmi
led,
sit
ti
ng
down.
Nkosi
:"GoodeveningKi
ngBat
hongaandf
ami
ly.
Mother
s."Isatnextt
omyfat
her.
Bathonga:"
I'
m gladyouwereabl
etojoinusPri
nce
Mehluli
.Yourfat
herwasn'
tsureyou'
dmakei t
.I
underst
andyoumustbever ybusythesedayswit
h
newdevelopment sandal
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.I'
m qui
tebusy.
"Iwashedmyhandsi
n
t
hebowlof fer
edbyourserver
.
Bat
honga:"
Whi
chonehasyourat
tent
ionnow?
"I
l
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi
:"Thenewr
esi
dence.
"
Bathonga:"
Howisi
tdi
ff
erentt
otot
het
hreeyou'
ve
al
readybuil
t?"
Sikhosana:"Mysonhasasoftspotf
orthepoorand
ordinar
y.Het hri
veswel
linmaki
ngli
femore
bearableforthem."Hehel
dmyhand,beaming.
Bathonga:"
That
'sagoodqual
it
yinaki
ng.You
rai
sedhim wel
l.
"
Si
khosana:"
Iknow.
"Hewasdef
ini
tel
ypr
oudof
hi
mself.
Bathonga:"
Andwhataboutt
hevill
age?Whichone
wasi t
?TheMthi
nomkhulu?Ihearther
ear
et al
ksof
thelakebei
ngdr
ainedsoon.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.They'
rest
art
ingt
hisMonday.
"
Bathonga:"Ar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
odosomet
hingwi
th
theland?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Si
khosana:"
Tel
lKi
ngBat
hongawhatyou'
re
pl
anni
ngmypr i
nce.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m buil
dingaminishoppi
ngcent
eri
nit
s
pl
ace.
"Idrankmyglassofwater.
Bathonga:"Thatisincredible.Ist
her
eanywayI
couldbeapar tofthatpr oject?Mydaughterherei
s
anar chi
tect
,I'
m awar ethatyouyourselfareone.
Perhapsourcompani escanwor kgr
eatl
ytogether
toachievethismagni fi
cence.Ami nishopping
centerinadevelopingvillage?That'
samazi ng.
"
Sikhosana:"Itworksbecausethatvil
lageisri
ghtat
thebeginningofthepr ovi
nce,connecti
ngustoyour
provincewhi chhasmul ti
plet
ouri
stattr
acti
ons.
Whenpeopl edri
veupt oMount ai
nPeak, t
hey'
llpass
there.Ican'
tnotbepr oud.He'smygr eat
est
creati
on."Hesmi ledatme.Mysi ster
scoughed.
Nobantu:"
TheKingl
ovesal
lhi
schi
ldr
en.Hej
ust
under
standshi
sson'
svisi
on.
"
Sikhosana:"
True.Pr
incessSamukel
isi
we,
wher
edi
d
yougr aduat
e?"
Samu:"MyKing,
Igr
aduat
edi
nUni
ver
sit
yof
Cambrogà.
"
Si
khosana:"
Ahh.Mehl
uliher
ewasi
nCal
if
orni
a.
I
sn'
tthatso,
son?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesf
ather
."
Sikhosana:"
Compl
etedhi
sMBAf
ouryear
sago
too."
Samu:"
That'
simpr
essi
ve.
"Shesmi
ledatme.Iat
e
mystar
ter
.
Si
khosana:"
Andwhatar
eyouwor
kingonnow?
"
Samu:"Curr
ent
ly,
ourrealest
atecompanyhasbeen
booming,myki
ng.I'
vebeenfocusedonthat
mostl
y."
Bat honga:"
Andnowi t
'sti
mef orhertogetmarr
ied.
It
'snotgoodf orapri
ncesstogrowol di
nher
father'
shouse.Especi
all
ywhent herearever
y
eli
gi bl
ebachelor
savai
labl
e."
Sikhosana:"Iagr
ee.
"Idon'
tknowwhatmyf atheri
s
planni
ngbutI '
m notal
lowi
nghimt omani
pulateme
i
nt omarryi
ngwhohewant s.IknowwhoIwantt o
spendmyl ifewit
h.Hehastwowi vest
oworryabout,
hemustl eaveminealone.
Att
heendoft
hedi
nner
,Iwasr
eadyt
oleave.
Nkosi:"Di
nnerwasl
ovel
y.Unf
ort
unat
elyIhavet
o
getgoingnow."
Si
khosana:"
Att
hist
ime?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
Nkosi:"
Ihavesomet hingstofi
nal
izewit
hMthunzi
.
Imightsleepintheci
ty,Ineedt
obet her
ever
yearl
y
i
nthemor ni
ng."
Sikhosana:"Alr
ight
.Well
,TheBathongafamily
mi ghtneedyourhelpset
tl
ingineNtabeni
.I'
veset
them upt her
efortheweekend.
"Istaredathi
m.He
hadapl easedsmi r
konhisface.
Nkosi
:"Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Si
khosana:"
They'
l
lbeeNt
abenif
ort
her
estoft
hei
r
st
ay.
"
Nkosi:"There'
spl
entyofspaceher
e,wehaveguest
chamber s.Whydotheyhavetogoallt
hewayto
eNtabeni?"
Si
khosana:"
I'
dl oveforthem toexperi
enceyour
cr
eati
on.eNtabeniisn'tseenenoughf ori
t'
sbeaut
y.
It
hinktheBathongaf amilywil
lappreciat
ethat
.Why?
Di
dyoupl
ansomet
hingeNt
abenif
ort
heweekend?
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
smypr
ivat
evi
ll
a."Ist
ated.
Sikhosana:"Andyou'vebeenspendi ngwayt oo
mucht imethere.Maybehavi ngguestswilldoyou
good.Settl
ed?Good, youcanescor tthem ther
efor
theevening.I'
mr et
ir
ingforthenight.Haveagood
eveningBathongaandf amily."Hestoodupand
walkedaway.Iwassoangr y,Icouldnotspeak.I
couldnotutterawor d.

SASAPOV_

Iwaswokenfrom mysleepbymyr i
ngi
ngphone.I
checkedt
hecall
er,
Idon'tknowt
hisnumber
.
Me:"
Hel
lo?
"
Cal
ler
:"Heybeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
Who'
sthi
s?"
Cal
ler
:"Howdoyouforgetyourboyf
ri
endso
qui
ckl
y?"Thi
sdoesn'
tsoundlikeNkosiatal
l.
Me:"
Whoi
sthi
s?"
Cal
ler
:"You'
rehur
ti
ngmyf
eel
ings,
Sasa.
"
Me:"
Sibonel
o?I
t'
smi
dni
ght
."
Si
bonel
o:"
It
's10pm.I
'
m sor
ryIwokeyouup.
"
Me:"
WhatcanIhel
pyouwi
th?
"
Sibonelo:"
Iwantedtoapologi
zefort
hiseveni
ng.
Youdi dn'
tdeser
vethat.Iact
edli
keanasshole.I
'
m
sorry.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
I'
dli
ket
omakei
tupt
oyou-
"
Me:"
Noi
t'
sfi
ne.Don'
t.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Ist
her
eanychanceIcanseeyouagai
n?"
Me:"Absolutel
yfucki
ngnot.Andst opcal
li
ngmy
phone.Nx."Ihungup.NowIwasawake.Whatt he
helli
swrongwi thhi
m?Myphoner angagain."
Thi
s
ti
meI '
m goingtoproperi
nsultyou.Idon'
tgi
vea
fuckwhoyout hinkyouare.
"Ianswer .
Nkosi
:"Uhm.
.whathaveIdone?
"
Me:"
Ohi
t'
syoubaby,
sor
ry.Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Whoar
eyoui
nsul
ti
ngatt
hist
imeoft
he
ni
ght?
"
Me:"I
t'
sSibonel
o.Hej
ustcal
l
edwant
ingt
o
apol
ogize.
"
Nkosi
:"Isee.
"
Me:"
Areyouonyourway?
"
Nkosi
:"Nobaby.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi:"
Myf at
hersetupt heBat
hongafamil
y
eNtabeniandI'
vesti
llgotthear
myfoll
owingme.
"
Me:"Areyouget
tingmar
riedNkosi
nhle?Pl
easetel
l
merightnow,ar
eyouactuall
ypl
anningtowedthis
weekend?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
dneverdothattoyoubaby.I
'
m notget
ti
ng
marri
edtoanyonebutyou.
"
Me:"
Ihavet
obesur
eNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Ihavenoreasontoli
etoyou.Whi
chi
swhyI
f
eelmaybei t
'sbestt
hatyoudomeethim.Myfat
her
thati
s.I
fhecanseeI
'
m wi
thyou,
maybehe'
l
lback
off.
"
Me:"
Okay.Whendoyout
hinkweshoul
dmeet
?"
Nkosi
:"Thi
scomingweek.Myfat
heronl
yal
lows
guest
sforonedi
nneraweek.I
'
llt
alkt
ohim.
"
Me:"
Sowhenam Iseei
ngyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihaveafeeli
ngt
hatSibonel
o,orwhoever
el
seiskeepinganeyeonthatresi
dence.Idon'
t
haveproofbutIknowsomethingi
sup.Idon'tt
hink
i
t'
sagoodi deaforyout
ocomeout ."
Me:"
Oh.Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
tcr
ybaby.
"
Me:"I'
m notcr
ying.
"Ihel
dbackmyt ear
s.Ij
ustwish
Icoul
dr ewi
ndtimebacktoourni
ghtaway.IfIknew
i
twouldbet hi
shard,Iwoul
dn'
thavegonetothat
dance.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llspeakt
oyousoon,
okay?
"
Me:"ok."Ihungup,cover
ingmyheadwithmy
bl
anket.LovingNkosiwasbecominghar
derbyt
he
day.Idi
dn'tknowifIcoul
dstop.Ir
eal
lywant
edto
beinhislife.Whati fhi
sfami lydoesn'tl
ikeme?
Amahledi dsayt heywer eruthlessandi fhissister
s
areanythingl i
keZinhleBiyelathenI '
mint rouble.
OhmyGod, they'
retheleastofmywor r
ies.What
abouttheact ualKing?Ifhedoesn' tli
kemewi llhe
l
etNkosimar ryme?Whycoul dn'tIj
usthavea
smoothf i
rstlove?Whydi di thavet obescar yand
di
ffi
cult?Isatupf rom bed.Amahl ewasr eadingher
bookonherbed.
Me:"
Hi.
"
Ama:" Hell
o."Itookmyownbookt ostartr
eading
butIcouldn'tfocus.Iendedupr eadingthesame
paget hr
eetimesbef oreIgaveup.I nst
ead, Ij
ust
l
istenedtomusi conmyear phones.Afterthefour
th
song,IsawAmahl egettingupfrom bed.Iwas
getti
ngsleepynowbutwher ewasshegoi ngatthis
ti
me.Ipul l
edoutanear phone.
Me:"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
Ama:"
Pet
u."Shewor
ehershoesandsweat
er.
Me:"
Ismymusi
ctool
oud?
"
Ama:"
No.
"Shest
oodup,
looki
ngatt
hedoor
.
Me:"Thenwhat '
sgoingon?"Isatup,looki
ngatthe
door.Aknock."Who'sthat
?Amahl e?
"DearGod, I
hopeit'
snotSibonel
o.Myhandswer etrembli
ngas
i
fI'mfreezi
ng.Imightaswellbe.Amahl eopened
thedoor.Hewalkedin.
Me:"Nkosi
."Isi
ghedinr
elief.HelookedatAmahle,
whowalkedouttheroom closingthedoorbehi
nd
her
.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"Whatar eyoudoi nghere?"Myheartwasdoing
somer sault
swi t
hjoy.Helookedaroundtheroom
beforehiseyeslandedonmeagai n.Mybeaut i
ful
orange-eyedlove.Justseei
nghisfacemeltedall
doubtawayf r
om myhear t.
Nkosi:"
Ican'
tletyoucry.Ihadtocomeseeyou. "I
gotoutofbed,hugginghimt i
ght.Hepul
ledmeup,
carr
yingmei nhisar
ms." Let
'sgetyoutosleep,
my
l
ove."Heplacedmebacki nbed,cli
mbi
nginnext
me.
Nkosi
:"Yourbedi
ssmal
l
."
Me:"
Oryou'
rebi
g.I
tfi
tsmej
ustf
ine.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easesl
eep."Heki
ssedmyhead.Icl
osed
myeyes,fal
li
ngasl
eepinhi
sarms.
[
07/
27,
05:
46] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er28

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupi nthemor ni
ng, st
retchi
ng.Mybedwas
empt y.Nkosihadleft,
notsur ewhen.Therewasa
l
ittl
enoteont hepil
low."Ilovewat chi
ngyoufall
asleepinmyar ms.Leavi ngissohar d.Il
oveyou."
Hehadt hefunni
esthandwr iti
ng.Iwokeupsmi l
ing,
takingmyphonet ocal lhim.Heanswer ed
i
mmedi atel
y.
Nkosi
:"Mysnor
ingbaby.
"
Me:"
Don'
tevenst
art
."Igi
ggl
ed."
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Howdi
dyousl
eep.
"
Me:"
Muchbet
ter
.Whendi
dyoul
eave?
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
ound4i
nthemor
ning.
"
Me:"
Howdi
dyouevencomei
n."
Nkosi
:"Di
dwhatIhatedoi
ngthemost.Whi
spered.
Buti
t'
sworthi
t.Icoul
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thouthol
ding
you.
"
Me:"Thankyouforcomi
ngbutyouneedt
obe
car
efulNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Iwi
llneverl
etyoucr
yforme,
baby.
"
Me:"
Iwasn'
tevencr
ying.
"
Nkosi
:"Youwant
edt
o."Ismi
led.
Me:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Anyt
hingtogetawayfrom myfami
ly.I
'
llbe
att
henewr esformostoftheday.Iwi
shwecoul d
gosomewheref ort
heweekend."
Me:"Idon'tthi
nkthat
'sagoodi
dea.Whatifyour
dadsendst hewholenati
ontol
ookforyou?
Absolut
elynot."
Nkosi
:"Ihat
ethei
deathatSi
bonel
oissti
llcr
eepi
ng
ar
oundyou.Heshould'
vebackedof
f.Hecan'tst
il
l
besuspect
ing.
"
Me:"Idon'
tknowbutwhatIdoknowis,Idon'
thave
t
opretendwithhi
m anymore.Youwer
er i
ght,
Idon'
t
l
ikehim.He'
sdespicabl
e."
Nkosi
:"Mostr
oyal
sar
e."
Me:"
Butyou'
renott
hathor
ri
ble.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam.Justnott
oyou.
"
Me:"
Ifi
ndt
hatr
eal
lyhar
dtobel
ieve.
"
Nkosi
:"Wel
l,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
otel
lyou.
"
Me:"
Letmegetupandhaveacof
fee.I
'
llt
extyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Okaymyl
ove.
"
Me:"
Iloveyou.
"
Nkosi:"Iloveyout oo."Ihungup, gett
ingoutofbed.
Aft
erusi ngt hebathroom, Imademysel facupof
coffee,
gotdr essedinmyusuall eggingsandt -shir
t,
mademybedandsatdownwi thmyschoolwor k.I
wasn'tint hemoodf ormyassi gnment ,
yesI '
d
fi
nishedi tbuttherewasal otofwor kinitthat
neededt obeammended.I tcan'
tbet oday.Irevised
thewor
kwel ear
ntt
hroughoutt
heweek,maki
ng
somenotes.Amahl
ewalkedinwit
hPetu.
Me:"
Mor
ning.
"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Pet
u:"
Heyl
ove.Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oschool
?"
Me:"
Nott
oday.Mycl
assesar
ecancel
ed.
"
Pet
u:"Isowi
shtobeyou.AtleastI
'
m comi
ngout
ear
ly.HowaboutyouAmy?"
Ama:"
I'
veonl
yonecl
asst
oday.CanNot
hacome
her
eSasa?
"
Me:"Idon'tknowAmy, Nothai
syourfr
iend.She
andIdon'tgel.Idon'
tthi
nksheli
kesme."
Ama:"Nothadoesn'
tli
keanyonebutsheal
so
doesn'
thavecl
asstoday.
"
Me:"Fi
ne.Wecantr
yagai
nbutsheneedst
obea
l
it
tl
emor eopen.
"
Ama:"
Unli
kel
ybutI'
llpassthemessageon.I
'
m
goi
ngtoshower
."Sheleftf
orthebat
hroom.
Pet
u:"
Whatar
ewedoi
ngl
atert
oday?
"
Me:"
Hm.
.I'
mthi
nki
ngmaybemovi
es?
"
Pet
u:"I
ndoorsorcinema?"It
houghtabouti
t
car
eful
ly.I
'
mt ooscaredt
ogoout si
de.Ionl
ytr
ust
ed
Amahleandshewoul dmakethedecisi
on.
Me:"
We'
l
laskAmahl
e.Maybeshehasadi
ff
erent
pl
an.
"
Petu:"Sure.Sooo, howwasdat eni
ghtwi thPri
nce
Bae."Shegi ggled."Ever
yonewastalki
ngabouti t
.
He'ssor omant ic,
him wait
ingout
sideforyou,the
fl
owers, openingyourdoor.Ugh,I'
ml i
ving."
Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkthere'
l
lbeanymor
edat
eni
ght
s
act
uall
y.We'renotcompati
ble.
"
Pet
u:"
Ohno,
I'
m sosor
ry.
"
Me:"
I'
m notupsetabouti
t.Don'
twor
ry.
"
Petu:"
Areyousure?Youseem toreal
lyl
ikehi
m.
Everyt
imeyoutal
kabouthim,yourfacel
ight
sup.
"
Me:"I
'
llgetoveri
t.Anyway,what
'supwi
thyou.
Haveyoueyedanyoneyet ?
"
Pet
u:"Notanyonenew.Idon'
tthi
nkIcangetover
Mnqobi.
"Shesighed,
blushi
ngatthementi
onofhis
name.Ididn'
tknowanymore.Wheni tcametothe
Royal
s,Ididn'
ttr
ustt
hem atal
l.Exceptofcour
se
Nkosi
.
Me:"
Doyouwannaappr
oachhi
m?"
Petu:"Notyet
.Everyt
imeIseehi
m,hesayshi.I
don'tknowifthat
'senoughf
ormetoapproach
hi
m. "
Me:"Tr
ue.Yeah.
"Ilookedatmyphone."
Sibonel
o
sai
dsomethingstr
angeyester
day.Somet
hing
aboutmyfri
endtel
li
nghim we'
redati
ng.
"
Pet
u:"Yourf
ri
end?WhywouldItellhi
m you'
re
dat
inghim,t
hatdoesn'
tmakesense."
Me:"
Yeah,
Idon'
tthi
nki
twasyou.
"
Petu:"
Whoelseknows?Iknowi
t'
snotAmahl
e.She
doesn'
tli
kehi
m much."
Me:"
Ithi
nki
t'
sZi
mmy.
"
Pet
u:"
What
?Whywoul
dshedot
hat
?"Ishr
ugged.
Me:"Thingshavebeenstr
angebetweenuslat
ely.I
t
hinkmaybeaf terheappr
oachedusatthe
r
estaurant,
sheaskedhim.Sincehehangsoutwith
Khaya,
maybesheknowshi
m?"
Pet
u:"OhmyGod,
doyout
hinkshe'
ssl
eepi
ngwi
th
hi
m? "
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.I
t'
snotmypr
obl
em anymor
e."
Pet
u:"
NoThembi
sa,
youl
ethert
akeyourman!
?"
Me:"
Pet
u,he'
snotmyman.
"
Pet
u:"
It
'snotr
ight
.Thatwasbi
tchybehavi
or.No.
"
Me:" Let'
sjustl
eti
tgookay?I'
veputSibonel
o
behindme. "Amahlecameback,wrappedinatowel
.
"You'llf
indusatdi
ninghal
l?"
Ama:"Yes, Iwon'
tbel ong.
"Itookmyphone,
walki
ngoutwi thPetu.Wegott odininghal
l,get
ti
ng
ourbreakfastbefor
ewesati nourt abl
e.Zi
mmy
al
sowal kedin,gett
ingherbreakfast.
Me:"
Pleaset
rynotactdi
ff
erent
."
Petu:"
Ican'
tpr
omi
seSasa.I
'
m sor
ryIcan'
teven
pret
end."
Me:"
I'
m honestl
ynotgoi
ngtobeupsetabout
Si
bonel
o,Petu.He'
snott
hati
mportant
."
Petu:"
Whathappenstot
henexti
mpor
tantonet
hen?
She'sgonnaappr
oachhi
mtoo?"
Me:"She'
sknownt hesepeopl
elongert
hanIhave.I
don'
thaveasoli
dweekwi t
hthi
sperson.Ican'
t
necessar
il
ygetupset."Zi
mmycamet othetabl
e
andsatdown.
Zi
mmy:"
Ladi
es-
"
Petu:"
You'
ref
ucki
ngunbel
ievabl
e,doyouknow
that
?!"
Me:"
Pet
u!"
Petu:"No.Itri
ed.Zi
mmy, howcanyougot o
Siboneloandaskhim aboutSasa?Whywoul dyou
dothat?Ifyouwantedhimf oryourself,whyinvol
ve
hername! ?"Iatemybreakfastquietly.Ther
e'sno
wayI '
m getti
ngheatedovert hatperson.
Zi
mmy:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Petu:"Don'tactsoi
nnocentpl
ease.Whydi
dyougo
toSibonelo?"
Zi
mmy:"
Idi
dn'
t.Hecamet
ome.
"
Pet
u:"
Ohpl
ease.Youexpectust
obel
ievet
hathe
magical
lycamet oyoutotel
lyouaboutSasa?Ifyou
knewyouwer einvol
vedwithhim,
whywoul dyoulet
yourbestf
rienddatehi
m?"Zimmyl ookedatme.I
drankmyjuiceandkepteati
ngmyf ood.
Zimmy:"Thembi
sa,Idi
dn'tappr
oachSibonel
o.He
cameupt ome.Yesther
e'shist
orybuti
twasonly
onceoff
,averyl
ongtimeago.Waybef or
eyoumet
him.
"
Me:"
Whyt
hent
alkaboutme?
"
Zimmy:"Hej ustaskedwhereyouareyester
dayand
Isaidi
twasn' tf
airofhi
mt omakeyouhidehim as
herboyfr
iend.Youdeservetobetr
eatedspecial
.
Thentol
dhi m youwenttodoyourlaundry.That
's
al
l.Idi
dn'tapproachhim."
Petu:"
Itwoul
d'vebeenf
ant
ast
ici
fyouj
ustkept
yourmouthshut."
Zimmy:"Whatwaswr ongthatIsaid?Sasa,you
havetobel
ieveme.Iwasn' tbeingmalici
ous.The
reasonIdi
dn'tt
ellyouaboutthepastisbecausei t
wasalmostayearago.Onl yaoneni ghtstand.
There'
snothi
ngtot el
laboutthat.I
tmeantnot hi
ng."
Pet
u:"
Itdoesn'
tmat
ternow,
youcanhavehi
m."
Zi
mmy:"
Canyoust
ayoutoft
hisPet
uni
a?Pl
ease.
"
Petu:"
No,Ican'
tst
ayoutofi
t.I
'
mri
ghtt
her
eint
he
middlenow."
Me:"
Canwedropthi
splease?Ij
ustwantt
ofi
nish
myfoodandgost
udy."
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m sor
ryThembi
sa.
"
Me:"It
'sokayZimmy."Isi
ghed."Forf
utur
e
i
nstances,pl
easedon'tt
ellSi
bonelowher
eIam.I
don'
twanthim nearme."
Zi
mmy:"
Pleasedon'
tbr
eakupwi
thhi
m becauseof
myst
upi
dmi st
ake.
"
Me:"I
t'
snotbecauseofyou.Ij
ustwanthi m away
fr
om me.Canwedr opthi
stopi
cpl ease?"Honest
ly,
al
lIwantedwasforhimtostayaway.Icouldn't
carel
essaboutanyt
hingel
se.Siboneloseemedlike
adangerousper
sonandIhopel astnightwasthe
l
astIhearofhi
m.

PRI
NCEPOV_
I'
dspentmostofmymor ningatt henewr es.Ihada
smal lwor kingst ation, whilethewor kersdi dthe
paintingIhadmypenci landpapersket chinga
roughdr aftofthemi nishoppi ngcent er.Wi t
ht helay
outoft hel and, t
hehol et hathadt hel akewat erinI
want edt omakei tt hemi ddleoft hecent erwith
somesor tofat t
ract i
on.Al argef ount ai
n?At ree?A
garden?Theshopswoul dhal fcircl
ear oundi t.I
neededal argesuper mar ket,maybet helocalscan
selltheveget abl
est heygr owt oit.Iknow
Thembi sa'sf amilyhast heirowngar denandaf ew
otherf ami l
iesdot oo.Thi swoul dbenef i
tthem al ot
.I
mademynot esont henot epadont het able.I
l
ookedupf r
om mywor k.TheBat hongapr i
ncess
wal kedi nwi thhert woguar ds.
Samu:" YourHighness.Goodday."Ist
aredather."
I
hopeyoudon' tmind.IthoughtI'
dpopinforahell
o.
Yourf atherencouragedmet o.Thispl
acelooks
beautiful.
"Shelookedar ound."
Whatareyou
wor ki
ngon. "Shewal kedtowardme.Myguar d
steppedf orward.Shestoppedimmediatel
y.
Samu:"
I'
m sor
ry.Am Idi
stur
bingyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Samu:"Oh.Iwaswonder
ingmaybei
fyou'
dli
ket
o
havel
unchsoon."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nothungr
y."
Samu:"Uhm.Okay."Shelookedaroundagain
befor
eshelookedatme."Iwashopi ngwe'dgett
o
knoweachother.Wehavesimilari
nterest
sand..
.I
thi
nkyou'
reaninter
esti
ngperson."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m not
."
Samu:"St
il
l.Iwouldappreci
atehavi
ngyouj
oinme
forl
unch.
"Mt hunziwal
kedin.
Mthunzi:"
MyPrince.Pr
incessSamu.
"She
cont
inuedlooki
ngatmef orananswer
.Ist
ared
backather.
Mthunzi
:"YourHighness,
wehaveameeti
ngin
about30.So.
..I
'l
lbri
ngthecarar
ound.
"Hewal
ked
out.
Samu:"
Maybedi
nnert
hen?
"
Nkosi
:"Whataboutdi
nner
?"Shesmi
led.
Samu:"
Canwehavei
ttogether
?Per
hapswher
e
you'
dbecomf
ort
abl
e.eNtabeni
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbewor
kingt
il
lver
ylat
e."
Samu:"
Youhavet
oeatevent
ual
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Notr
eal
ly,
Idon'
t.
"
Samu:"I
'mtr
yingPr i
nceMehluli
."Il
ookedback
downatmydr awing."That
'sbeauti
ful
.The
shoppi
ngcenter
?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.
"If
oldedt
hepaper.Noonecanseet
his
yet
."Ihavet
ogot omymeeti
ng."
Samu:"Alr
ightthen.Haveapr oducti
veday.
"She
walkedout.It
ookmywor kwi t
hmet othecar
waiti
ngdownstairs.Mthunzigotinaft
erme,we
droveof
fsoonaf ter.
Mthunzi
:"Whatwast
hatabout
?Icoul
dfeelt
hei
ce
i
ntheair
."
Nkosi
:"Shewant
stohaveameal
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Oh?
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nothungr
y."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
-"
Nkosi:"
No.YousaidIshareamealwit
hthewoman
I'
minterest
edi
n,andthati
sThembisa.I
'm not
shar
ingamealwi t
hanotherwoman."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whent
hehel
ldi
dIsayt
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"WhenIwassti
llpur
suingher
.That
'swhat
yousai
d.IaskedwhymustIinvit
ehert
odinnerand
yousai
dthis.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.Wecanbendt
her
ulesal
it
tl
e."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tbendanyt
hingI
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
n
br
eaki
ng.Sono. "
Mthunzi:"
Nkosi,t
hiscoul
dbet heper
fect
opport
unit
yt ogetther
oyalsandyourfat
herof
f
yourback."
Nkosi:"
IfIshowfakei
nter
esti
nSamu, myfat
her
won'twanttoevenmeetThembisa.I
'
m pl
anni
ng
t
heymeett
hiscomi
ngweek.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay, Iunderst
andthatbutalso,
your
fat
herunderstandsyouar esearchi
ngforawifeso
youwon'tnecessar i
lysett
leonthefi
rstoneyousee.
Justt
oconf usehi m ali
tt
le.
"
Nkosi:"
No.I'
m notallowingThembisatocompete
witharoyalpri
ncess.It
'sherornot
hing.I
'm not
evenwill
ingtoenter
tainthi
sanylonger.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Fi
ne.
"Hesi
ghed.

SASAPOV_

Mymor ningwithNothandowasaver yquietone.

Shesatverystil
lonAmahl e'
sbed,
readi
ngabook.I
didn'
twanttodistur
bherorevenannoyher .Iknow
shehatestal
kingsoI '
m notgoi
ngtobotherher
much.
Not
ha:"
What
."
Me:"
Hm?
"
Not
ha:"
Youkeepgl
ari
ngatme.Whati
sit
?"
Me:"
I'
m notgl
ari
ngatyou.
"
Not
ha:"
I'
vecaughtyout
wice.Whati
sthepr
obl
em?
"
Me:"
You'
rer
eal
lyl
oyalt
oAmahl
e,ar
en'
tyou?
"
Not
ha:"
And?
"
Me:"
It
'sj
ustst
range.Youdowhat
evershet
ell
syou
t
odo."
Not
ha:"
Woul
dn'
tyoudot
hesamef
orPet
u?"
Me:"
Iwoul
dn'
tbebabysi
tt
ingPet
u'sf
ri
ends.
"
Not
ha:"
Whatdoyouwantt
oask?
"
Me:"
Areyout
wodat
ing?
"Ismi
led.
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Me:"
Doyoul
ikeher
?"
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Me:"
Thenwhat
?"
Notha:"
Whymusttherebeareason?I
fyourfr
iend
asksyoutodosomethi
ng,whyaskquest
ions?"
Me:"
Iaskaf
ewquest
ions.
"
Not
ha:"
Thenyou'
renotagoodf
ri
end.
"
Me:"
I'
m aver
ygoodf
ri
end.
"
Notha:"
Yourloyal
tyi
scondi
ti
onal
."Shel
ookedback
atherbook.Didshej
usti
nsul
tme?
Me:"Ihavetoaskquest
ions,whatifsaidfr
iend
wantsmet odosomethi
ngi l
l
egal?Likedisposeofa
deadbody?Ordof r
aud?Somet hi
ngt hatwil
lland
meinjail
?"
Not
ha:"
Condi
ti
ons.
"
Me:" I
'mjustnottr
yingtor
uinmyfutur
e.Maybeit
's
diff
erentforyoubecauseyou'
rer
oyalandyoucan'
t
reall
ygot ojai
l.
"
Not
ha:"
That
'syourexcuse?
"
Me:"
It
'snotanexcuse.
"Shel
ookedupatme.
Not
ha:"
We'
ref
ri
ends.
"Shest
ated.
Me:"
Okay.Ar
eyouseei
ngsomeone?
"
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Me:"
Areyoui
nter
est
edi
nsomeone?
"
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Me:"
Whyi
sthat
?"
Not
ha:"
Ihavemor
eimpor
tantt
hingst
ofocuson.
"
Me:"
Oh.Ihearyou.
"
Notha:"
Youdon'
twantt
oheart
hei
mpor
tantt
hings
If
ocuson?"
Me:"
Doyouwantt
otel
lme?
"
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Me:"
Iexpect
edt
hat
."Shecl
osedherbook.
Notha:"Seei
ngsomeonewoul dbeawast eofmy
ti
me.I '
m al
readypromisedtoapri
nce.OnceI'
m
donewi thmydegree,Igetmarr
iedandhavehis
chil
dren.That'
sit
."
Me:"
Whi
chpr
ince?
"
Not
ha:"
MnqobiBi
yel
a."
Me:"
Oh.
"Myhear
tcr
ackedal
it
tl
eforPet
u.
Not
ha:"
What
?"
Me:"
Not
hing.
"Shesi
ghed.
Notha:"I
thasnot
hingtodowit
hli
kinghi
m orhi
m
l
iki
ngme.I t
'sabusi
nesstr
ansact
ionmoret
han
anythi
ngelse.
"
Me:"
Isee.
"If
akedasmi
le."
Atl
easthe'
sni
cert
han
Si
bonel
o."
Notha:"
Thathei
s.Buthe'
sint
erest
edi
nsomeone
el
se."
Me:"
Doest
hatbot
heryou?
"
Not
ha:"
No.Idon'
tcar
ewhathedoesi
nhi
sspar
e
t
ime.
"Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhatt
osay.
Me:"
Doyout
hinkyou'
l
lgr
owt
olovehi
m?"
Notha:"Unl
ikel
ybutIcant
oler
atehi
m."Someone
knockedont hedoor
.Shegotuptoopen.I
twast
he
securi
ty.
Secur
it
y:"
Hi,
ther
e'savi
sit
orf
orThembi
sa.
"
Not
ha:"
She'
snother
e."
Secur
it
y:"
That
'snott
rue.She'
sbeeni
nsi
deal
lday.
"
Not
ha:"
Accor
dingt
owho?
"
Secur
it
y:"
Iknowshedi
dn'
tleavet
hebui
ldi
ng.
"
Notha:"
And?"Whothehel
lwasthisvi
sit
or?Ihope
i
t'
snotSibonel
o.Whyishesoir
ri
tati
ng?Nothando
cl
osedthedoorandwentbackt
obed.
Me:"
Whodoyout
hinkt
hatmi
ghtbe?
"
Not
ha:"
Sibonel
oobvi
ousl
y."
Me:"
Whycan'
thej
ustl
eavemeal
one?
"
Notha:"Si
boneloisli
keadogwi t
habone
sometimes.He'l
lloseint
erestevent
ual
ly.
"Another
knockdist
urbedus.Sher oll
edhereyes,wal
kingto
thedooragain.Thisti
meshest eppedoutsi
de.
Not
ha:"
Sibonel
o."
Sibonel
o:"
PleaseaskThembi
sat
ost
epoutf
ora
second.
"
Not
ha:"
She'
snother
e.Li
keIsai
d."
Sibonel
o:"
Nothando,t
hishasnot
hingtodowit
h
you.Stepi
nthereandaskhertoki
ndlyat
tendt
o
me."
Not
ha:"
No.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Sibonel
o:"
Youknow.Imaynothavef iguredout
howbutIknowyou' reallhi
dingsomething.There'
s
nowayi nhellt
wor oyalpri
ncessesar
epr otect
inga
commonerj ustfort
hemer esakeofbeingher
fr
iend."
Not ha:"Maybebecauseweknowyoureasuper
vil
lainthatrui
nspeople'
sli
vesandwedon'
twant
thattohappent oourfri
end.
"
Sibonel
o:"I fThembi sawon'tcomeoutt ospeakt
o
me, I
'm goingt ohavet obedrast
ic.I'
m goi
ngtobe
thesupervi l
lainyouspeakofandI 'dhatet
hat
becauseI '
mr eal
lyt
ryingtobenice."
Notha:" Sowhatar eyougoingt odo?Pushmet o
thesi deandwal ki
nherroom?Thenwhat ?Shest il
l
won' twantt otalkt
oyou.Pleasest opembar rassi
ng
yourself.Lookatyou.Anent ir
eprincewi t
ha
bruisedegobecauseagi rli
sn'ti
mpr essedbyyour
royalty.Uset hatasyouropeningli
newhenyou
starttherapy,itwil
lsaveyoutime."Shewal kedback
i
nsidet her oom.
KHAYAPOV_

IknowIshould'
veattendedtomyt utori
ngclassbut
Iwasatapub, downingmypr obably11thshot .I
wasn'tinthemoodtohelpstudentspass.Myf at
her
hadsignedmeupt ot ut
orfi
rstyearstudents
againstmywill
.Todayinparti
cular
,Ijustcouldn'
t
anymor e.
Khaya:"Justbr
ingt
hebottl
e."Isaytothemanager.
Hegi vesmeawor r
iedl
ookthatIcarenothi
ngabout.
Hewon' tdenyme,t
hatIknow."Phil
a,givemethe
bot
tle."
Phi
la:"
Comeon,
Khaya,
you'
real
readywast
ed.
"
Khaya:"I
sthisnotabar?Whatt hefuckisit
?We' re
supposedtostareateachotherandtellourfucked
uplif
estori
esoverjui
ce?GIVEMETHEFUCKI NG
BOTTLE!!!
"Sibonel
osatdown, wit
habot tl
eof
whiskey.
Si
bonel
o:"
Bri
ngcl
eangl
asses.
"
Phi
la:"
Yesboss.
"Hehur
ri
edaway.
Sibonel
o:"Youwantt
otel
lmewhyyou'
redr
inki
ng
yoursel
ftodeat
h?"
Khaya:"No, Pri
nceSi bonelo.I'
mf i
ne."Mnqobisat
downopposi t
eme.Somet i
mesIenvi edt hem.They
wereext r
emel ycl
osedespi t
ethe7yearage
dif
ference.Theywer etruebrothers.Wher eMnqobi
was,you'dlikelyf
indSi bonelo.Thei rolderbrother
wascl osertothei
rf atherthanthem.Isomet i
mes
wonderi fIhadasi blingwouldt hel i
feIlivebeas
unbearable?Mnqobiwaski ndofl i
kemybr ot
her
though.Heknewmet hroughandt hroughandt hat
's
probablyhowt heyf oundmeher e.Hel ookedforme.
OrPhi l
atoldthem.Theyownedt hisplaceanyway.
Mnqobi
:"Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Si
bonelo:"
Alr
ightt
hen.Let
'st
alk.Yourfri
end,Sasa.
She'
sprotect
ed.Why?"Myhandwasshaki ngso
much,Ihadtoholditwi
thmyot herhand.
Khaya:"
I-
idon'
tthi
nkshe'
spr
otect
ed.She'
sjusta
goodfri
end.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
That
'sal
ie.
"Phi
lapl
acedt
hegl
asseson
t
hetable."
Whyarer
oyalpr
incessesandsecur
it
y
f
oll
owingherar
ound?"
Khaya:"
Thembi
sai
sagood,
car
ingper
so-
"
Si
bonel
o:"Idon'
tgi
veaf
uckwhatshei
s.Who.I
s.
Pr
otect
ing.Her.
"
Khaya:"
Idon'
tknow,
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o.It
rul
ydon'
t.
"
Sibonel
o:"
Isi
tSikhosana?Isthatwhyshe'splaced
withAmahle?
"Myvoi cewasst uckinmythroat.I
knewhowvaluablethisi
nformationwas.I
tcould
turnver
ybadlyf
orThembi saifIsaidaword.
Khaya:"
I'
veneverseenhernearhi
m.Idon'
tthi
nk
sheevenknowshim."Icoul
dfeelhi
sint
ensegaze
onme.
Si
bonelo:"
Fine.Let'sdrownoursor rowsIguess. "
Hepouredthewhi skeygi vingmeagl ass,oneto
Mnqobiandonef orhi mself .Idranktheshotfeeli
ng
i
tshootstr
aightupt omybr ain.If
roze,myvision
bl
urr
ingdarkwi t
ht hefaintvoi ceofMnqobical li
ng
mynamebef oreIhi tt
hef loor .
[
07/
27,
05:
46] :Sponsor
edby:Si
phoset
hu
Gont
sana

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er29

SASAPOV_

WhenAmahl ecamebackf rom schoolwi t

hPet u,we
wentt owat cht hemoviesatt hecinema.Not hando
didn'twantt ogo.Iwasbegi nni ngtounder standher
alitt
lebit,
ascl osedof
fasshewas.Unl ikeAmahl e,
shewasn' twi lli
ngtoopenup.Idon' tknowi fIcould
callhermyf r
iendsoIj uststicktoherbei ng
Amahl e'sfri
end.Wegott akeawaysandmadeour
waybackt or es.Petuhadpl annedt odomyhai r
tonight.Il
ovedhowshebr aidedme.Amahl ewould
beasusual ,readingherbook.MaybeNot hando
mi ghtjoi
nuswi t
hherbookaswel l.Wear ri
vedat
res,Petustar tedinherroom t ogetherphone
chargerandchangeint
oamor ecomfort
abl
e
tracksui
t.It
oochangedint
omybl ackleggi
ngsand
greycartoongr
aphict-
shir
tcutint
oabaggycr op
tshirt
.Amahlegoti
nhercomf ort
ablepaj
amas,
climbingint
obedwithherbook.
Me:"
Youokay?
"
Amahl
e:"
No.
"
Me:"No?What
'swr
ong?
"Idr
oppedwhatIwas
doi
ng.
Amahl
e:"
Ican'
tsee.
"
Me:"
Whatdoyoumean?Li
keyou'
rebl
ind?
"
Amahle:"
No.Ican'
tsee."Sherepeated.Iwasso
conf
usedandstart
ingtofreakout.
Me:"
Can'
tseehowAmahl
e?"
Amahle:"
Can'tseewhat'
saboutt
ohappen.Ij
ust
..
.I
don'
tknow."Sheshrugged,
openi
ngherbook.
Me:"
Ist
hatbad?
"
Amahl
e:"
No.I
thappenssomet
imes.
"
Me:"
Thatsoundsbad.Whati
fsomeonei
sbl
ocki
ng
youf
rom seei
ngsomet
hing?
"Shechuckl
ed.
Amahl
e:"
NooneknowsIcansee.Theycan'
tbl
ock
meift
heydon'
tknow.
"
Me:"
Yourf
ami
lydoesn'
tknowyoucanseei
ntot
he
f
utur
e?"
Amahl
e:"
No.
"
Me:"
Ist
her
ear
easonwhy?
"
Amahl
e:"
No.I
tjustnevercameup.
"
Me:"
Theyonl
yknowyou'
rei
mmor
tal
?"
Amahl
e:"
Yes.
"
Me:"Havet heyfiguredoutwhyyou' r
eimmor t
al?
Therehast obear easonsur el
y.Youcan'tj
ustnot
diefor
ever.Clearlyyou'relivi
ngforsomethi
ng.A
purpose.Maybeoncet hatpurposeisful
fi
ll
ed,your
ancestorswilll
etyougo. "Shestar
edatmequi etl
y
foraverylongt i
me.
Amahle:"hmm. "Pet
ucamebackintheroom.
Nothandofoll
owedbehindher
.IknowPet udr
agged
herherebecauseshedidnotl
ookimpressed.
Petu:"
Nowthatwe'
real
lher
e.Howaboutsome
soothi
ngmusic.
"
Not
ha:"
Whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?"
Petu:"
Youcan'
tjustl
ockyoursel
finyourr
oom al
l
theti
meNothando.It
'snotheal
thy.
"
Not
ha:"
Itwasheal
thyf
orThembi
saal
lofl
astyear
.
Whyisi
tdif
fer
entf
orme?"
Me:"
Youknewmel
astyear
?"
Not
ha:"
No.Wel i
veinthesamebui
ldi
ng.I'
m bound
t
oseeyousometime.Youhadaveryloud
r
oommatetoo.Alwayswonder
edhowyoucoped. "
Me:"
Zimmywasn'
tloud.
"
Notha:"
You'
ret
oopol
it
e.CanIgobackt
omyr
oom
now?"
Ama:"Phone."Il
ookedatmyphonebutitdidn'
tri
ng
t
histime.Shelookedpuzzl
edtoo."
Somethi
ngis
wrong."Weheardanurgentknockonthedoor.
Nothandoopened.Zimmybargedin.
Zi
mmy:"
Sasa.
"Shecr
ied.
Me:"
Hey,
what
'swr
ong?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Khaya.He'
s.
..He'
sinI
CU.
"
Me:"
What
?"
Zimmy:" Hecol
lapsed.He'scurrent
lyi
nICU.Ijust
thoughtyou'
dwantt oknow.I '
m goi
ngthereri
ght
now."Itookmybag, sli
ppingonmysneaker sjust
asIwasaboutt owalkout ,Ist
oppedabruptl
ythen
l
ookedatAmahl e.Shel ookedbackatme.
Me:"
WhatdoIdo?
"
Ama:"
He'
syourf
ri
end.
"
Me:"
Yesbut
..
."
Ama:"
Go.
"
Me:"
Amahl
e."
Ama:"
Go.
"
Me:"
Ican'
t.I
'
m scar
ed.
"
Petu:"
I'l
lcomewi t
hyou.Let
'sgo.
"Shepul
ledmy
hand,rushingoutaft
erZi
mmy.
Whenwear ri
vedatthehospi
tal,
Ilef
tPetubehind
asshewaspayingthecabdriver.Zi
mmyandI
rushedovert
otheICUsecti
onoft hehospi
tal
.
Zi
mmy:"Hi
.We'r
elooki
ngf
orKhayaSol
inga.
"The
nur
sel
ookedatus.
Nur
se:"
Andyouar
e?"
Zi
mmy:"
Hisf
ri
ends.
"
Nur
se:"
Onl
yfami
lyi
sal
lowedi
n."
Zi
mmy:"
Pleasesi
ster
.Justt
oseei
fhe'
sokay.
"
Nur
se:"
Onl
yfami
ly.
"Ist
eppedbackf
eel
inghel
pless.
Zimmy:"Atleasttel
lushe'sokay.I
shestabl
e?Ishe
getti
ngbett
er!"Shecarr
iedonwi t
hherwork,
i
gnor i
ngus."WHYAREYOUSUCHABI TCH!!
!"She
screamed.
Me:"Zi
mmy!
!"Ipul
ledherawayfr
om t
hedesk."I
'
m
sur
eKhayawil
lbeokay.Let
'sj
ustwai
ther
e."Pet
u
wal
kedinwi
thMnqobi.
Zi
mmy:"Mnqobi
,pl
easetal
ktot
hem.Theywon'
tlet
usseehi
m.Isheokay?
"
Mnqobi :"Holdon."Hewenttot henur
sestationand
spoketot hem.Zimmywi pedhert ear
spacingt he
fl
oor,waitingonhim.Hewal kedbackt ous."Come."
Wef ol
lowedhi mt oKhaya'
sr oom.Hewasl ayingon
abedwi t
hmachi neshookedupt ohim.Ohi twas
bad.Hewasr eall
ybad.
Me:"
Whathappenedtohi
m? "Nooneanswer ed.I
st
oodnextt
othebed,hol
dinghishand."Khaya."
Thedoct
orwal
kedin.Helookedoddlyfamil
iar.
Mnqobi:"Howishe,
Zwe?
"Thiswashi
sol
der
br
other
, Zwe?Hewasadoct
or?
Zwe:
"St
abl
e.Fornow.
"Hel
ookedatme.
Me:"
Whathappenedt
ohi
m?"
Zwe: "
Alcoholpoisoning."Hel ookedl
ikehewas
madatme.Idi dn'
tfeedhi m alcoholt
hough?Why
i
sn'thedirecti
nghisdi sappointmenttohismi nihi
m
ri
ghtnexttohim.He' sKhaya' sfri
endandal ways
wit
hhi m.I '
m sureevennowt heywer etogether.
Me:"
Wil
lhebeokay?
"
Zwe:
"Depends.
"
Me:"
Onwhat,doct
or?
"Idi
dn'
tknowwhet
hert
ocal
l
hi
m DrPr
inceorBi
yel
a.
Zwe:"Heneedst ostopdrinking.Theamountof
al
coholinhissystem isn'
tjustbecauseoft
oday.
Hi
sliverwil
lstar
tfail
inginnomor ethan6months
i
fhedoesn'tstop."
Me:"
I'
m sur
ewecanmanaget
hat
,ri
ghtMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Yeah.
"Il
ookedbackatKhaya.
Me:"Haveyoucal
ledhi
sdad?"Idi
dn'
tgetan
answer.It
aket
hatasano.Il
ookedatMnqobi.
Mnqobi
:"Hewoul
dn'
twanthi
sfat
herher
e."
Me:"
Heal
mostdi
ed.
"
Mnqobi :"Tr
ustme.Hedoesn' twanthim her
e."The
hurtIfeltwasturningint
orage.Whatki ndoffather
wouldn'tcareabouthissonl ayi
nginICU?If ocused
backonKhaya.Themachi nekeptsteady
monitoringhispulse.Hewasst il
landcold.
Remi ndingmeofAmahl e.
Me:"I
sther
eanythi
ngwarmeryoucanputonhi
s
handsandfeet
?He'scol
d."
Mnqobi :"Sur
e,I'
l
lgetwarmthings.
"Hewal kedout.I
l
ookedupagai n,Zwewasstil
lstar
ingatmeandat
thi
spoi ntIwastooannoyedtorecognizehim as
royalt
y.Istar
edr i
ghtbackunt
ilhecrackedint
oa
gri
nbef orewalki
ngout.Zimmywassi tti
nginthe
chairstari
ngatKhaya.
Me:"Youokay?"Shenodded."He'
llbefi
ne.He'
l
lbe
okay.YouneedtohelpZee.Youheardthedoct
or,
hecan'tbedri
nki
nganymor e.I
fhe'snotwit
h
Mnqobi,he'
swithyousoyouhavet olookoutf
or
hi
m. "
Zimmy:"
Iwill
."Shewhi
spered.Mnqobicameback
withwar
m socksandhandmi tt
ens.Whereoneart
h
di
dhegetthesesofast
.Iputthesocksonhisfeet
andthemit
tensonhishands.
Me:"Ther oom t
emperat
ureisokay,hej
ustneedsto
warm up.He'sgett
ingacold.
"Ifel
thisf
orehead.
That
'sstrange.
Mnqobi
:"Thoughtyou'
rest
udyi
ngl
aw.
"
Me:"Iam.Di
dyourbrot
herment
ionanyt
hingabout
hi
stemperat
ure?I
t'
sali
ttl
ehi
gh.
"Heshookhis
head,
pressi
ngt
hebuzzer
."Idi
dn'
tsaycal
lhi
m."
Mnqobi:"You'r
econcer ned.Youhavet heri
ghtto
askquestions.
"Zwewal kedintheroom agai
n.
"Thembisawant edtoaskabouthi stemperatur
e.
Shethi
nkshe' srunningacol d.
"
Me:"
That'
snotwhatIsaid.Ionlyaskedifyou
ment
ionedanythi
ngabouthistemperature.
"
Zwel
ethuwalkedovert
oKhaya, checki
nghim.
Zwe:"Hm. "Helookedatme."
I'
llmoni
torhi
m over
night
."Ican'
thelpfeel
li
keIof
fendedhim.Idon'
t
knowanyt hi
ngaboutmedici
neandhumanbodi es,
I
should'
vejustkeptmymouthshut.
Zwe:"
Khayawon'tbeawakef
oracoupl
eofhours.
Per
hapsyoushouldcomebacki
nthemorni
ng."
Me:"
Idon'
tmi
ndwai
ti
ng.
"
Zwe:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m.Youcangohome,
he'
l
lbeawakewhenyoucomeback.
"
Me:"
That
'sanoddt
hingf
oradoct
ort
osay.
"
Zwe:
"You'
ret
heonel
ooki
ngatmesuspi
ciousl
y."
Me:"
Andwhydoyout
hinkt
hati
s,Doct
orBi
yel
a?"
Hel
ookedatmef
orasecondbef
orewal
kingout
.
Mnqobi:"I
'l
ljustbeout
side,
shoul
dIdr
iveyouguys
backt
or es?"
Zimmy:"YespleaseMnqobi ."Shegotupf ol
lowi
ng
him outwithPetu.Iwasscaredofl eavi
ngKhaya
alonehere.Hewasal readyaloneintheworl
dand
nowi nahospitalwit
hnoonet ocareforhi
m.That'
s
reall
ysad.
Me:"Pleasedon'
teverdothisagai
nKhaya.There'
s
anumberofuswhoact ual
lycareaboutyou.
"I
walkedouttheroom,let
ti
ngoutasighof
exhausti
on.WhydoesGodt estme?Si bonel
ost
ood
i
nf r
ontme."Why? "
Si
bonel
o:"
Whodoyout
hinkbr
oughthi
m her
e?"
Me:"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom meSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bonel
o:"
Answerme.Who?
"
Me:"
OkaykesiyabongangomusawakhoSi
bonel
o.
CanIgonow?"Hesmi l
ed.
Si
bonel
o:"
Sweet,
sweetSasa.Youdon'
treal
ize
wher
eyouare,
doyoumyl ove?"
Me:"Ohmy.I '
veneverseenahospi t
albefore.
"I
sai
dsar casti
cally.Hekeptqui
et,st
il
lsmil
ing,
wait
ing.Ididn'tgetit.Hehadhishandsinhis
pocket,smili
ngsweet l
yli
kehewasn'tanasshole.
Wait.
..Ilookedar oundme.Threeguardsstood
behi
ndme.Il ookedathi m.
Me:"
Sibonel
o."
Sibonel
o:"Fi
nall
y.We' r
eont hesamepage.Ther e'
s
neverat i
me,Iwil
lnothaveaccesst oyou.WhenI
wanttoseeyou.Avai lyoursel
f.Ifanyt
hing,my
beingaroundyoui swhatiskeepi ngyousafe.Kings
arewatchingyouandsomeoft hem mightactuall
y
wantyoudead.It'sagoodt hingKhayagother ein
ti
me.Ilikehim.
"Hewal kedaroundme, foll
owedby
hisguards.Ashiverwentdownmyspi ne.Iact
ually
fel
tcoldtothecore.Whyi sthishappeningtome?
Whatwoul dmakei tstop?

Whenwear
ri
vedatr
es,
Amahl
ewasst
il
lawake
wai
ti
ng.
Ama:"
He'
sgoi
ngt
obeokay.
"
Me:"
Thedoct
orsayssot
oo.Doyout
rustt
hem?
"
Ama:" Iknowtheywon'tkil
lhi
m.Khayai
sli
kea
brothertothem.Hebasical
lygrewupi
nthat
palace."Isati
nmybed.Zi mmyandPetusatont
he
fl
oor.
Me:"Si
bonel
odidi
t.Hedoesn'
twantt
oleaveme
al
one.AmahlehowcanImakehimleavemealone?
Hescaresme."
Zimmy:"HaiboSasa?Whydidn'
tyousayanything?
Ididn'
tknowyouweretr
yingtogetawayfrom him.
Yousaidhewasyourboyfri
endtheotherday.Why
i
shescar i
ngyou?"
Pet
u:"
Mxi
m.Notyouagai
n."
Me:"Ij
ustwanthi
mt oleavemeal one.Pl
ease.Thi
s
i
sn'
tevenaboutanyt
hingot herthan,hescaresthe
shi
toutofme.Idon'
tknowwhathewon' tdotoget
tome.Whatifhehurt
sme?Doest hismeannowI
musthidef
orever
?Isthatfair?
"
Zimmy:"Doyout
hinkhehur
tKhayat
olur
eyout
o
thehospi
tal
?"
Me:"
Yes!
"
Zimmy:"
Shit
.Doyouthi
nkt
hepol
icewi
llhel
pifyou
fi
lear
eportf
orhar
assment
?"
Pet
u:"
From apr
ince?For
geti
t.
"
Ama:"
Speakt
oZwe.
"
Me:"
I'
m notgoi
nganywher
enearoneoft
hem.
Whati
fhesnatchesmethi
sti
me?"
Ama:"
Zwel
ethuwon'
thur
tyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whoi
sZwel
ethu?
"
Me:"Idon'
tknowAmahl
e.I
'
m notsosur
e.I
'
m
sor
ry."
Pet
u:"
Isn'
tZwet
hedoct
or?That
'swhatMnqobi
sai
dri
ght?
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Petu:"Weneedt ostr
ategi
ze.Theper
petr
atori
s
Sibonelo.Thevict
imisThembisa.Weneedto
protectThembisabykeepingherawayfr
om the
perp.Howdowedot hat?"
Zi
mmy:"
Blockaccesst
other
es.Heshoul
dn'
tbe
al
lowedi
n."
Pet
u:"He'
saroyal.Hecanaccessanywher
ehe
wantsunf
ort
unately.
"
Zimmy:" Noti
ftherei
sapetit
ion.Wecancoll
ectal
l
thegirl
stosignitandhavehi
m blockedf
rom
enter
ingthebuil
ding.
"
Ama:"Doyout
hinkt
hegir
lsher
ehat
eseei
ng
Si
bonelocomi
nginandout
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Theywi
lli
ftheyknowhei
svi
olent
."
Pet
u:"
Probl
em i
shehasn'
tbeenvi
olent
."
Zi
mmy:"Yet.Wecan'
twaitt
il
lthathappens.Whati
f
hetr
iest
orapeher?No,
wehavet odot hework
now."
Ama:" Again,doyouthi
nkt hegirlsherehat
eseei
ng
Sibonelo?He'saroyalprince.AndIhat et
oadmit
,
anattracti
veoneatthat.Financiall
yandphysi
cal
ly.
Whosesi dewoul dt
heyt akei nt
hisinst
ance?Hi
m or
theordinarygir
lhe'
sharassi ng?
"
Pet
u:"
Howmanysi
gnat
uresdoweneed?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Mor
ethanhal
ftheoccupant
soft
her
es.
"
Pet
u:"
So60si
gnat
ures.
"
Me:"
Howwi
llyougett
hosesi
gnat
uresPet
u."
Pet
u:"
We'
l
lpayt
hem.
"
Me:"
Pet
uthat
'si
ll
egal
!!
"
Petu:"Andwhathe'sdoingisn'
t?Amahle,you'
reup
fori
t?Wecanpl ayagain.Thegaini
sn'tforme,soit
can'tbecur
sedright?
"
Zi
mmy:" Howcanyoupay60peopl
einoneni
ght
?
That
'sr
idicul
ous.
"
Pet
u:"Wewillputtoget
hert
hef
unds,youcan
gat
herthepeople,
canyoudothat
?"
Zi
mmy:"Icandothatbuthowwi l
lyoupaythi
s
amountofmoney?Whatiftheyaskfor5000each?
Youknowthegi
rlsher
e."
Pet
u:"Capi
tatR500.I
fyouhavet
onegot
iat
e,don'
t
goaboveR1000.
"
Zimmy:" You'
retel
li
ngme, you'
regoingtomake
R60ki nonenight?IsweartoGodifyout hi
nkof
sell
ingyourbody,I'
l
lpunchyoui nthefucki
ngface.
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m notsel
li
nganyt
hing.Tr
ustme.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Fine.Noi
ll
egalt
hingsei
ther
."
Petu:"
Promi
se.
"Zi
mmygotupandwal
kedout
.
"Nowwewait.
"
Me:"Okay,
thenwhathappenswhenIhavet
ogot
o
school
?"
Ama:"
Youcanusemybodyguar
d."
Me:"
That
'sgoi
ngt
obesuspi
cious.
"
Ama:"Notifpeopleknowhe'
sharassi
ngyou.If
anyt
hing,he'
sgoingtobeembarr
assed.I
fhehas
anyrespectf
orhimselfandhi
sname,hewilll
eave
yoube."
Petu:"
Per
fect
."Shesi
ghed."
Socanwest
artwi
th
thePower
ballthi
ngnow?"
Ama:"
Uhm.
..Wecan'
t.
"
Petu:"Whynot?It'
snotselfenr
ichment
.It
'st
o
protectsomeone.Sur
elythatwouldbedif
fer
ent
?"
Ama:"That'
snotthepr
oblem.Mygifthast
urnedof
f
forabi
t.Ican'
t.
..pr
edi
ctanyt
hing.
"
Pet
u:"
WHAT?Thatcanhappen?
"
Ama:"Occasi
onal
lyyes.It
'sneverbot
her
edme
bef
oresoIneverpai
dat t
enti
ont oi
t.
"
Petu:"
OhmyGod.Whatarewegoingtodo?Wi
th
thepayi
ng?Doyout
hinki
tcanr
eturnbymorni
ng?"
Ama:"
No.Idohoweverhavet
he60ki
nmyaccount
.
Wecanusethat
."
Me:"
Absol
utel
ynot
."
Ama:"I
twon'
tevendentme.It'
sbasi
call
ycol
lect
ing
i
nter
estwi
thnootheruse.Let
'susei
t.
"
Me:"
Amah-
"
Ama:"
Iwil
lcal
lmybr
otherandaskhi
mfori
tthen?
Hewon'
tsayno."
Me:"
Canwej
ustwai
t?Weneedt
owai
tforabi
t.
"
Ama:"
Whyar
ewewai
ti
ng?
"
Me:"
Whati ft
hegirl
ssayno?Evenwi tht
hebr
ibe?
Al
so,I
'm notcomfort
abl
ewi t
hthatamountof
moneybeingusedonme. "Shelaughed.
Ama:"
Iwi
shIf
eltsor
ryf
oryoubutyou'
l
lgetusedt
o
i
t.
"Zi
mmycamebacki
ntot
her
oom.
Zi
mmy:"Ihave20gir
lsal
ready.I
ndi
ninghal
l.
They'
veagr
eedto800each."
Ama:"
I'
llhavetogotoanATM.I '
vegota10kli
mit
onmyapp. "Shegotoutofbed,
weari
nghershoes.
Zi
mmy:"
A10kl
imi
t?"
Ama:"
Yes.Iwon'
tbeablet
otr
ansfermoret
hant
hat
,
soI
'
dratherj
ustwi
thdr
aweveryt
hingatt
heATM.
"
Zi
mmy:"
No.That
'snotsaf
e."
Ama:"
I'
llbef
ine.Ihavesecur
it
y."Shewal
kedout
.
Zimmy:"
Pet
uni
a,st
opher!
!Shecan'
tjustgooutof
heret
ogogetabagofal
most20thousand!!
"
Pet
u:"
Eish.
"Shegotup,
fol
lowi
ngAmahl
e.
Zimmy:"Didhehurtyou?"Ishookmyhead."
Your
roommat ewasri
ght.Noneofthegirl
swantt
okeep
him outofher
e.Theyreckontheycanbaghi
mif
youdon'twanthim."
Me:"
Ithoughtyou'
dsai
dyouhad20gi
rl
s."
Zi
mmy:"
Ido.Theyagr
eedt
othemoney.Ever
yone
el
sesai
dno.Sowe' r
egonnahavet
ofor
ge40
si
gnat
ures.
"Igasped.
Me:"
Zimmy,
thati
sil
legal
!"
Zimmy:"Whatchoi cedowehaveThembi sa??That
mancamei nhereallsmi l
es,
aski
ngwher e'
shis
baby.I
fIdon'ttel
lhim, someoneelsewil
l.Ever
yone
heresawyougeti ntohi scar
,goi
ngouttoadat e.
Theyallt
hinkyou'retogether
.Nowt hatwe'r
einthi
s
predi
cament ,
theyrefusetobeli
eveyou.Wedon' t
haveanotherchoiceher e.
"
Me:"
Howwi
llwef
orget
hesi
gnat
ures?
"
Zimmy:"Ever
yti
mewecomer egist
erforr
es,we
signcont
ract
sforourstay.Ij
ustneedtofi
ndaway
i
nt oLi
nda'
soffi
ce.ThatwayIcanstealsomeof
them."
Me:"
Whathappenswhenyougetcaught
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Let
'sf
ocusonnotget
ti
ngcaught
."
Me:"
Ther
e'scamer
asal
lovert
hebui
ldi
ng.
"
Zimmy:"
IknowSindi
.She'
sinmai
ntenance.I'
llask
hert
ocutthepower,
whil
eIgoint
hereandt ake
whatIneed.
"
Me:"
Zimmy.Whywoul
dyour
iskyourf
utur
eher
e
f
orme?"
Zimmy:" You'remybestf r
iend.Whywoul dn'
tIdo
thatforyou?Besi des,I
'
mt her easonSi bonel
ohas
crossedboundar iessuddenly.Idirectedhimtothe
l
aundr y,Iaskedyout ogooutf ordi nnerwhenwe
bumpedi nt
ohi m andnowt hehospi t
altoo?What
won'thedo? "
Me:"
It
'snotreal
lyyourf
aul
tthathe'
sapsychopat
h
t
hatdoesn'
tunderst
andno.
"
Zi
mmy:"Ifwe'r
esuccessf
ul i
nkeepi
nghi
m out,
don'
tyouthi
nkweshouldspeaktotheuni
ver
sit
yto
l
etyouatt
endclassesonl
ine?"
Me:"
Unt
ilwhenZi
mmy?Whati
fheneverst
ops?
"
Zimmy:" Isti
llf
eel l
ikeweneedtor eporthi
m.To
everypersoni nauthorit
ywil
li
ngt oli
sten.I
t'
s
disgusti
ngt hatroyalscandojustaboutanythingt
o
uscivil
iansandt heycan'tbeheldaccountable.
That'snotfair.
"Amahl ecameinwi thPetu.She
droppedt hestackofmoneyont hebed.
Ama:"
Done.Nowt
hesi
gnat
ures?
"
Zimmy:"They'
llcomeher
etosi
gnthenyoucanpay
them.I
'
lllett
hem know.
"Shewal
kedout.

Foraboutt wohour s,gi

rl
scamet oourroom t osi gn
thepet i
ti
onandgett hei
rmoney.Theydi dn'tforget
toletmeknowhowst upidIwasfornotaccept ing
theadvancesofapr i
nce.Honestl
yI'
dr atherbe
stupid.EvenifIwasn'twithNkosi
,Idon'tthinkI'dbe
withSibonelo.Hewast rulyt
hebiggestasshol eI've
evercomeacr oss.
Ama:"
Ihavet
osl
eep.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.Letmegot
obedt
oo.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yeaht
oni
ghthasbeenexhaust
ing.
"
Ama:"
You'
renothangi
ngwi
thyourgi
rl
s?"
Me:"No,I'
m al
it
tl
etir
edaftertonight
."Iknewshe
washidingsomethi
ng.I'
dwat chedherquickly
att
endtoableedi
ngnoseear l
ier.Nooneel sehad
noti
ced.Maybehergif
twasr eturni
ng.
Pet
u:"
Don'
tli
stent
othosesmal
lmi
ndedgi
rl
s
Thembi .Nomat t
erhowhandsomeandr ichaman
i
s,nothingisscari
erthanbei
nghar medbyhi
m.
You'
reagoodgi r
landthat
'sprobabl
ywhyhe's
bei
ngt hisasshol
e."
Zimmy:"True.Nowt hatwe'vegot
tent
hisfar,
tomorrowwe'llpl
anther est
.Don'
tworr
y."They
walkedouttogether
.Ilockedbehi
ndthem.Myhead
washur t
ingbadly.
Ama:"
Haven'
tcheckedyourphone.
"
Me:"Yeah,
Igotsobusy."Ichangedint
opaj
amas
andgotint
obed.Nkosihadtriedcal
li
ngme.Ical
led
hi
m back.
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"
Me:"Heylove.Iwasal
it
tl
ebusy.Sor
ryImi
ssed
yourcal
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Nowor
ri
es.Ar
eyoui
nbednow?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Appar
entl
y,yourr
esisabuzzt
oni
ght.
Ther
e'sapeti
ti
ontokeeproyal
sout.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Yeah,
it'
sforSi
bonel
o."
Nkosi
:"That
'sgood.Howf
ardi
dyouget
?"
Me:"
20si
gnatur
es.I
nneedof40mor
e.Thegi
rl
s
ar
eref
usi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Iexpect
edt
hat
.You'
l
lgett
hesi
gnat
uresby
morni
ng."
Me:"We'
llseeaboutt
hat
.Anyway,
Khayai
sin
hospi
tal
."
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?
"
Me:"
Sibonel
oobvi
ousl
y."
Nkosi
:"i
sthi
sboyi
nsane?Whywoul
dhehar
m hi
s
ownfri
end?"
Me:"Tr ul
yalunati
c."Iyawned."HecorneredmeasI
wasl eavi
ng.Hesaidwhenhewant saccesstome, I
mustavai lmysel
f.That'
swhyt hepeti
ti
on.Amahle
saidIshoulduseherbodyguar d.Atl
eastnowthat
thewhol eresknowsI '
m scar
edofhim, t
heywon't
real
lypayat t
enti
ontowhyIneedabodyguar d.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodt
hinki
ng.
"
Me:"I
fshamedoesn'
tover
whel
m himt henonl
yGod
knowsatthi
spoi
nt.
"Hechuckl
ed.Iyawned.
Nkosi
:"Don'
tdot
hat
.Whyar
eyousosl
eepy?
"
Me:"
I'
vebeenupal
lday.
"
Nkosi
:"Youbunkedschoolr
emember
?Sowhat
exact
lydi
dyoudo? "Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Idi
dn'
tbunk.Mycl
asseswer
ecancel
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m pl
ayi
ngwi
thyoul
ove.Iwantt
oseeyou.
"
Me:"
Thatcan'
tbeagoodi
dea.
"
Nkosi:"
Iti
sn'
t.ButImi
ssyou.Imi
ssj
ustwaki
ngt
o
watchyousleep."
Me:"Imi
ssyoutoobaby.Maybethingswil
lget
bet
teraf
termeet
ingyourdad.Let
'shope.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihopeso.Wher
eisAmahl
e?"
Me:"
Asl
eep.
"
Nkosi:"
okay.Letmeletyousl
eepl
ove.I
'
llt
alkt
o
youinthemor ni
ng.
"
Me:"
Iloveyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyoutoomyqueen."Imelt
ed,hangi
ng
upthephone.Thi
sheadachewaspersi
sti
ngandI
didn'thavepai
nkil
ler
s.Wai
t,Khayaoncegotme
tabletsthet
imeIhurtmyknee.Iswi
tchedonthe
deskl ampandchecked
mybag.Indeedther
ewast hebottl
eofpil
ls.It
ook
one,
dri
nki
ngi twi
thwat
er.IlookedoveratAmahle.
Shewasasleep?
Me:"Babe? "Shedi dn'tmove.Maybeshe' ssl eeping.
Icli
mbedbacki nbed, l
eavingt helightonsoIcan
read.Itookmybookandst arted.Af t
ert henextt wo
pages, Il
ookedoveratheragai n.St i
llsl
eepi ng.It oo
wasget t
ingsleepysuddenl y.Theheadachewasn' t
getti
nganybet terthough.Ihat etakingpi l
ls.Maybe
thesecondpi l
lwi l
lallowmet osl eepqui ckersoI
satupagai n,r
eachi nginmybagf orthebot tle.I
tookasecondpi l
l,gulpingitdownwi thwat er.
Amahl emovedi nhersl eep.Likeshewasst ruggling
orlookedl ikeshewasbei nghel ddownorAsi fshe
washavi ngasei zure.Sheki ckedandki cked.Her
armsgl uedt othebed, vomi tpoppi ngoutofher
mout h.Shewasst rugglingtobr eath.Ijumpedt o
hergrabbi ngherbody, pulli
ngherupr i
ghttopr event
herfrom choki ng.
Me:"Amahl ewakeup.Amahl e?
"Ishookheralit
tl
e
andhuggedhert i
nybody.Shewasst i
lll
imp,not
responding.Thenshegaspedonceagai n.Her
wholebodyt rembli
ng.Shelookedatmewi thwide
eyes."Youwer ehavingaseizure.
"Myheadache
waspi er
cingrightnow.
Ama:"Iwasn'
thavi
ngasei zur
e."Il
ookedather
ar
ms.Herwoundsr eopenedandstart
edbleedi
ng."
I
wasdying.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
47] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er30

SASAPOV_

AmahleandIsati
nsi
lencef
orabit
.I'
dhel
pedher
changeherpi
ll
owandsheet
sbutnowwejustsat
.
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
oneedyout
oexplai
nitAmahle.I
waswit
hyoubasi
cal
lyt
hewhol
edayafteryou
camehomef r
om school
.Youhaven'tleftmysight
atal
l.Howisitthen,
you...
weredyi
ng?It houghtthi
s
happenedwhenyouover dosed.
"Shest aredather
handsquiet
ly."
Amahle,youaren'
tki
lli
ngyour sel
f,
areyou?"Aslowtearrol
leddownhercheek.
Ama:" Iwasscar ed.Iwoul dhavedr eamsofpeopl e
Idon' tknow, t
ell
ingmet ot el
lmyf athermessages.I
woul dt ellhim buthebr ushedmeof fallt het i
me.
Thepeopl einthedr eamsgotangr ier.Itgott oa
pointmyf athersentmet oboar dingschool .I
couldn' tsleep.I'
dhavepai nf
ulni ght mar es.It hen
start
edt ocutmysel f.Atf irstIjustwant edt of eel
somet hing.Anyt hing.Idi dn'thaveanyone.
Everyonet houghtIwast hewei rdo.Myf ami lyj ust
pushedmeasi de.Thet wi nsar eunbear able.They
aredi fferentfrom us, NkosiandI .Theydon' thave
ourabi lit
iesandf orthel ongestt i
me, wewer en' t
knownt ohaveanyei ther .Theyt orment edme,
call
ingmet healienchi ld.I tgotr eal l
ybad.Ij ust
didn'twantt obeal iveanymor e.SowhenIwent
home, dur i
nghol idays, Ididi t
.Inmyr oom.I
overdosedonpi lls.Idied.Forhour s,Ilaydeadi n
myr oom.Nkosiwaswhof oundme.Iwokeupi nhis
arms.Webot hdidn'tunder standwhyandsowe
keptitasecr et.Betweenus.Hemademepr omise
I'
dneverdoi tagain.Idi dn't.Thedr eamsst opped,
thenightmar es.Finally.But ..
.t
hisst ar
ted.Hedidn't
beli
evet hatIdidn'ttryagai n.Hedi dn'tbeli
evethatI
wasnotdoi ngittomysel f.That '
swhyour
rel
ationshipfelloff.Hedoesn' ttrustmebecausehe
thi
nksIl iedtohim andIkeept r
yingt okil
lmyself.
I'
veonl ytri
edonce.I t'
st heancest orswhokeep
punishingmef orthatoneat t
empt .You'rethefi
rst
personi t
'severhappenedi nf r
ontof .Theyusual l
y
att
ackmewhenI '
m al one."OhMyGod.
Me:"Soyourancest
orsmakeyourel
iveyourdeat
h
overandoveragai
n?Asapunishment?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Me:"Thisisshocki
ng.Iam di
zzywi
thshock.Have
youtri
edtotalktot
hem?Thi si
sastupi
dquesti
on,
I'
m sor
ry."
Ama:"
It
'snotst
upi
d.Ican'
t.Theyar
en'
tappear
ing
t
omeanymor e.
"
Me:"Isyourseei
nggif
t,rel
atedt
oyoudying?For
exampleitst
oppedtoday,thent
hishappened.Do
youthinkyouhavet
odi eforyoutoseeagain?"
Ama:"Idon'
tthi
nk,
IknowIdo.I
twi
llr
etur
nwhenI
awake.
"
Me:"
SowhatmusthappenAmahl
e?Imustj
ust
wat
chyoudi
e?"
Ama:"
Youcanmovei
nwi
thPet
u.I
'
llbeokay.
"
Me:"
I'
m notgoi
nganywher
eAmahl
e."
Ama:"Ican'
texpectyout
ogui demei
ntomydeat
h
Thembisa.That
'str
aumati
zing."
Me:"
Iwon'tgui
deyoui
ntoanyt
hing,
I'
llj
ustbeon
st
andby.Doyouwakeuponyourownor ?"
Ama:"
IwakeupwhenI
'
m done,
yes.
"
Me:"Okay.I
'
llj
ustbehere.Hel
pwi
tht
hecleanup
andgetyousomewat er
.Youmustbedehydr
ated.
"
Igaveherabott
le.
Ama:"
Thanks.
"
Me:"
So,
nowwewai
t?"
Ama:" Notlong."Shelaybackonherbed, cl
osi
ng
hereyes.Iresistedtheur
get owipehernosefr
om
theblood.Isatonmybed, unsur
ewhatt odowhil
eI
wait
edf ormyf riendtodi
e.

KHAYAPOV_

Mybodyf el
twar m,makingi
tdif
ficultf
ormet o
wanttowakeup.Iwashonest l
yenj oyi
ngthis
comfort
.BeforeIopenedmyeyesIcoul dhear
hushedtonesspeakingandpossiblyangryateach
other
.Icouldrecogni
zebothvoi
ces.ZweandSboni .
Whatwasgoi ngon?Mybodyf eltsoheavy.
Zwe:"Howcoul dyoudot hi
stoyourbr
other,
Sbonelo?Khayagr ewupwithMnqobi,
he'sbasi
cal
ly
ouryoungerbrother.Whywouldyoudothis?
"
Sibonel
o:"Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtoki
llhi
m.Iknewhe'
dget
hereinti
me.Calm down-
"
Zwe:"Iwon'
tcal
m down!Khayahasabsol
utel
y
not
hingtodowithyourf
eudwithSi
khosana.Leave
hi
mthef
uckal
one!
!Doyouunder
standme?
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Iwoul
dn'
thur
tKhaya.
"
Zwe: "
Lookathim! !Thati
sn'
thurt
inghim?Doyou
thi
nkit'
snicelayinginICUunconsci
ous?Iswear
Sibonel
o.Ifuckingswear.You'
regoingtol
eave
Khayaalone."
Sibonelo:"
I'
m sorry.Okay?I
t'
sjust.
..IknowI'
m
close.Zwe,Sikhosanaisn'
tsupposedt obeonthat
throne.Youknowt hat
."
Zwe:
"WhatIknowi
s.Si
khosanai
sther
ight
fulhei
r-
"
Sibonelo:"Thatf ami l
yhasr ul
edforcenturies!Why?
Whati ssospeci alaboutthem thatnoneofushave?
Isn'
tthatunf air?Whyar et
heyt hesuperiorroyals?
Youheart hem inr oyalcourt,
theycallt
hemsel ves
theor i
ginalroyals.TheTr ueRoyals.Whatar ethey
sayingaboutus?Wehavet hesamebl oodast hey
do,whyi si tthattheyseet hemselvesaboveusal l
?
Aren'tyousi ckofi t?"
Zwe:
"Boni
,ther
e'snot
hingwecando.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Yest
her
eis.Iknow,
he'
sinl
ovewi
tht
hat
gi
rl
.Isawiti
nhi
seyesZwe.Ihear
dhi
minmyhead.
Hesaidi
tinmyhead-
"
Zwe:"Boni
,Sikhosanai
shuman,
hecan'
tpossi
bly
tal
kinyourhead."
Si
bonel
o:"
Ihear
dhi
m!!IknowIdi
d.I
'
m notcr
azy.
"
Zwe:"Fine.Sayyou'
reri
ght
.Thatsomet hi
ngabout
them iswrong.Whyareyoudragginginnocent
people?Whynotdi r
ect
lyat
tackSikhosana?"
Si
bonel
o:"Sheismydi
rectat
tack.I
fIhaveher
,he
wi
lll
oseit
.Justwat
ch.
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o,don'
thur
tthi
sgi
rl
.I'
m war
ningyou.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
Idon'
thavet
oevenhur
ther
."
Zwe:"
Whati
fyou'
rewrong?Whati
f.
..Hedoesn'
t
wanther
?Whati
fhe'
sjustpl
ayi
ngwithyourmind.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
ThenI
'
lll
ethergo.
"
Zwe:"Ican'
tletyoudothi
s.Thatgir
lwasher eto
car
eforherfriendandyouusedthatt oyouragenda.
Khayadeservessomeonewhowi llstandbythat
bedandholdhi shand,
li
keshewasdoi ngyest
erday.
Hedeservessomeonewhocar esaboutwhet her
he'
swar m enoughorhe'swokenup.Nowshecan't
evencomeher ebecauseofyou.That
'si
ncredi
bly
self
ishandyouknowt hat.Doyouthi
nkKhaya
deservest
hat?"
Si
bonel
o:"
No.
"
Zwe: "
Thenfi
xit.Heneedshisfri
endshere.I
fyou'
re
toobusyobsessingoveryourenemies,
thevery
l
eastyoucandof orhi
misgethim someonewho
cares.
"
Si
bonel
o:"Okay,I'
l
lst
ayawayf r
om thehospit
al.
Youcancallherandt
ellhert
hatI'
m notal
lowedin.I
promi
seIwon'tcomeback."
Zwe:"OhIknowyouwon'
tcomebacki
nbecause
I
'm banni
ngyoumysel
f.
"
Si
bonel
o:"
CanIt
alkt
ohi
m?"
Zwe:"
2mi nut
esandIwantyougone.
"Hewal
ked
out
.If
eltwarmthonmyhand.
Si
bonel
o:"Khaya."Hetri
edtokillme?Allbecauseof
hi
sjeal
ousy?Yeah, wealldon'
tlikeSi
khosanabut
GoodGodIwoul dn'
ttryt
oki l
lsomeonebecauseof
him.Isti
rr
edinthebed,event
ual
lyopeningmyeyes.
"Heybugg."Thi
sissupposedtobemybi gbrot
her
.
I'
vealwaysbeenhisbug,buthet
riedtokil
lmeat
thedropofahat.
Khaya:"
hi.
"
Sibonel
o:"
I'
m sorr
y.Iknowt hat
'snotenough.I
know.Iwasn'tgoi
ngtoletyoudiebug,youknow
that.
"
Khaya:"
okay.
"
Sibonelo:"Youknow. .
."Hepulledthechai r,
sit
ting
down." Youwer e2whenyoust ar
tedtalki
ng.Your
fatherwasnegot i
atingadealbet weenKi ng
Sikhosanaandmydad.Somehow, yourdadneeded
togopi ckyouupf rom daycareandhebr oughtyou
tothepal acebecausehewasr unninglate.The
helpertookyout oMnqobi '
sroom.Youwer ebest
fri
endsf r
om thatmomentyouent eredhisroom.
Youf el
lasleepinhiscr i
b.Whenyouhadt oleave,
youwoul dscream andsoI 'dtakeyou, holdyoui n
myar msandpatyourbackl i
kehowt henanni esdid.
Thenyou' dgohomewi t
hyourdad.Yourf ir
stword
wasBobo. "Ilookeddownatmyhands." I
'm sorr
y
Khaya.Il etthissit
uationoverpowermeandmy
careforyou.Butt r
ustme, Iwouldneverletyoudi e.
Ishouldn'thavegambl edyourl i
fetobeginwi t
h.
Pleasefor givememybug. "Thingis,Iknew
Sibonelo.He' sri
ght.I'
veknownhi m si
nceIwast wo.
Hei sbrutal.Outofal ltheBiyel
abr ot
hers,heisthe
mostr uthless.Hemakest hedecisi
onsmost lyon
thosewhodoubl ecrosst hem.Andt hosepeople
neversur vive.Iknowhel ovedmebutIdi dn'ttr
ust
him.
Khaya:"
Ifor
giveyou.
"
Sibonelo:"
Good.NowI '
m goingtoleave.Hopeful
ly
yourfri
endscancomeseeyou.It hi
nkZwewi l
l
dischargeyoutomorrowthough.Somet hingabout
yourtemper at
urer
ise.I
'
llseeyousoon. "Hegotup,
walkingout.

SASAPOV_

I
twasadi
ff
icul
tweekendf
ormebutIcan'
timagi
ne
howdi ffi
cul
titwasforAmahle.She'sl
ether
sel
fbe
vulnerabl
eandIknowshehat edi
t.SoIhadtol
ock
everyoneelseout.Ourfr
iendswereworri
edbut
understoodweneededourt imealone.
Ama:"Khayaisbei
ngdi
schar
gedt
oday.Youshoul
d
goseehim."
Me:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.Si
bonel
oispr
obabl
yther
e."
Ama:"He'snot,Zwehasbannedhi mf rom t
he
hospit
al.I
'
llbefi
ne,Sasa.Pleasego.Nothaishere
too.
"Iheardtheknockont hedoor.Iopenedforher
.
NothandowalkedinwithPet uandZimmy.
Not
ha:"
Smel
lsni
cei
nher
e."
Zi
mmy:"Onethi
ngaboutSasa,shewil
lli
ght
di
ff
user
s.Shereal
lybel
ievesi
nsmell
ingnice.
"
Me:"
It
'sj
ustvani
ll
ascentedcandl
es.
"Not
hasaton
t
hebednexttoAmahle.
Zi
mmy:"
Okaygi
rl
s.I
'
llseeyouguysl
ater
."
Pet
u:"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
Zimmy:"Khayai
sbeingdi
schar
gedsoI
'
m goi
ngt
o
thehospi
talt
ohelphi
m gohome."
Me:"
I'
m comi
ngwi
thyou.
"
Zimmy:"Absol
utel
ynot
.Wecan'
tri
skSi
bonel
o
agai
n."
Me:"
I'
llbeokay.Ri
ghtAmy?
"
Ama:"
Yeah.Si
bonel
oisnowher
ear
ound.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Areyousur
e?"
Me:"
Yes.
"Ichangedi
ntomyj
eansandat
-shi
rt
.
Ama:"Youcanusemycaranddriver
.Pr
ettysur
ehe
needssomethi
ngtodo.Al
lhedoesissi
tther
e."
Me:"ThankyouAmahl e.Let
'sgo."Zi
mmy, Petuand
Il
eftthebuildi
ng.Indeed,Amahle'
sdriverseemed
deli
ghtedtohavesomet hingtodo.Petusati nthe
fr
ontoft heJeep,ZimmyandIatt heback.Wewer e
dri
vent ohospit
al.
Zi
mmy:"Fr
iend,
Idon'
twanttoseem nosyne?But
Amahl
e?Shecomesfrom awealt
hyfamilyne?
"
Me:"Yeah.
"Itwasqui
teobvi
oushonest
ly.Icoul
dn'
t
evenli
eaboutit
.
Zi
mmy:"
Damn.I
sshef
rom Gol
denCr
own?
"
Me:"
Uhm,
no.
"
Zimmy:"Yano.Forsomeonewho'ssoqui et
,you'
d
neverexpecti
t.Lookatt
hiscar
.She'
shumbl e.
That'
scute.Anyway,howareyou?Barel
ysawyou
thi
sweekend."
Me:"I'm okay.IthinkIjustneededar echarge."I
couldf eelapaininmyhear tal
ready.Everyti
me, I
wasawayf r
om Amahl ethishappened.WhenIwent
todininghalltofetchourf oodbothtimesi t
happened.Iknowsomet hinghashappened.
Somet hingiswr ong.Ithassomehowboundus
together.
Zimmy:"That'sgood.Thepet iti
onhasbeen
successful
.Allroyalmal eshavebeenbannedf r
om
thepropert
y.Appar entl
ywecan' tbanpri
ncesses.I
underst
andt hough, becausetheyhaven'
tharassed
us."
Me:"That'
sgood.Hehasn'tcall
edmesi ncetoo.
Hopeful
lythat
'sagoodsign."Wear r
ivedatt
he
hospi
tal
,gotoutthecarandwal kedi
n.
Zi
mmy:"
HewasmovedoutofI
CUyest
erday.Her
e's
hi
sward.
"Wewal
kedinthearea.DrBi
yel
awas
st
andi
ngbyt
henursesst
ati
onwi t
hacli
pboar
din
hi
shand.
Me:"
DrBi
yel
a.Goodmor
ning.
"Hel
ookedup.
Zwe:
"Goodmor
ning.
"
Zimmy:" WecameforKhaya.He'
sbeingdi
schar
ged
today,
right
?"Hel
ookedatherthenatme.
Zwe: "
Yes.Room 2.He'sready.
"Zi
mmyandPetu
walkedtotheroom."Thoughtyouwoul
dn'
tcome
back."
Me:"
Yourbr
otherwashar
assi
ngme.
"
Zwe:"Well
,youdon'
thavet
owor
ryabouthi
m.He'
s
nothere.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Zwe:"
Noreasontot
hankmefordoi
ngmyj
ob.
"He
l
ookedbackathi
scl
ipboar
d.
Me:"Imeantt
hankyouf
orhavi
nghi
m banned.
"He
l
ookedatmeagain.
Zwe:
"Idi
dn'
t.
"Il
ookedathi
m.Hebr
okei
ntoagr
in,
l
ookingbackathi
scli
pboar
d."You'
rewelcome.
"I
begantowalkaway."
Hedoesn'tmeantoharm you,
youknow."
Me:"AndwhatdoeshemeantodoDrBiyela?
"I
tur
nedtol
ookathim."
I'
m notgoi
ngtoli
veinfearof
him.I
fhecomestomeagain,Iwi
llf
ight
."Hewalked
uptome.
Zwe: "
BetweenyouandI?Iwishyoudo.Scr
atchhis
facetoosohecanstopusinghisl
ooksandstart
usinghisbrai
ns.
"Hesmiled,
walki
ngaway.Iwalked
toRoom 2wher eKhayawas.
Me:"
Hey."Helookedup,
star
ingqui
etl
yatme."
How
ar
eyoufeeli
ng?"
Khaya:"
Whyar
eyouher
e?"
Me:"
You'
remyf
ri
endKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Sasawhatdi
dIsayt
oyou?
"
Me:"
Khaya-
"
Khaya:"
NO!!
"Hefli
nched,
probabl
yhur
ti
nghi
msel
f.
"
Youcan'tbeher
e,nearme."
Me:"
He'
snotgoi
ngt
ohur
tmeagai
nKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Thembi
s-"
Me:"
Let
'sgo.We'
l
ltal
kaboutt
hisl
ater
."Zwewal
ked
i
nwit
hMnqobi.
Zwe:"
Yourtwi
nsignedforyou.Youcanleave.
Rememberwhatwet al
kedaboutKhaya?No
dr
inki
ng.I
'
m notgoingtoseeyouhereagain.
"
Khaya:"
YesBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:"Enj
oyyourSunday.Noschoolt
omor
rowand
Tuesday.
"Hewalkedout.
Mnqobi:"Let
'sgot
winny.
"Hehel
pedKhaya,
hol
ding
underhisarm.
Khaya:"
Icanwal
kMnqobi
."
Mnqobi:"I
'
m notabovecarryi
ngyoubridalstyl
e.
Let
'sgo."Wewalkedout,chuckl
ingbehindthem.

Khaya'
sapar t
mentasusualwasclean.It
ookmy
phonetexti
ngAmahl e.<Whatar
eyoudoing?
>Sent
.
Sherepli
ed:<Sleepi
ng.-Not
ha>ohokay.
Me:"
Ihopeyouguysar
ehungr
y."Iopenedt
he
f
ri
dge.
Mnqobi
:"Ther
e'snof
oodint
hishouse.Ihavet
ogo
t
otheshops.Doyouhaveamenulist
?"
Khaya:"
Doyouevenknowwher
ethegr
ocer
yst
ore
i
sMnqobi ?
"
Mnqobi:"
No.ButIhaveadr
iver
,sur
elyheshoul
d
know.
"Wel aughed.
Me:"
Doyouknowyourwayar
oundagr
ocer
yshop
f
ir
st?
"
Mnqobi:"Theymusthavesi
gns.I
'
m notcl
uel
ess
guys.Icandothi
s."
Me:"Pet
ucanhelp,
rightPet
u?Youguyscango
shoppi
ngforf
ood.I
'l
lwr i
teal
ist
."
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Whoisgonnamovei nalso?Ican't
l
iveout
sidethepal
aceunfor
tunat
ely.UnlessKhaya
comestoli
veinthepal
ace."
Khaya:"
Nothappening.Icant
akecareofmyself
.I
don'
tneedtobewat chedli
keatoddl
er.IknowI
'
m
notsupposedt
odrink,andIwon't
."
Me:"
I'
dpr
eferyouhavesomeoneher
ewi
thyou.
"
Mnqobi
:"Zi
mmy?You'
reupf
ori
t?"
Zi
mmy:"
Iuhm.
..
"
Mnqobi
:"Ther
e'saguestr
oom.Khayawon'
tbi
te
you.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Onl
yifhe'
sokaywi
thi
t.
"
Khaya:"
Yeahwhat
ever
.CanIhavef
oodpl
ease?
"
Mnqobi:"
Right.Wecandropyouatr
estogetyour
cl
othesandpickyoubackuponcewe'r
edonewith
shoppi
ng."
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.
"Theygotup,
wal
kingout
.
Me:"
Cof
fee?
"
Khaya:"Hm. "Istar
edathiscoffeemachine.Yeah,
I
obviouslycan'tuseit
.Hewalkedint heki
tchen,
pressingthemachi ne.It
ookoutthemugs.
"Thembisa.It'
snotsaf ef
oryou.IthoughtItol
dyou
thi
s."
Me:"Iknow.Honestl
yKhaya, Idon'
twanttoli
veli
ke
apri
soner.I'
l
lhavetobealertyesbutIcan'
tstop
l
ivi
ngmyl if
ebecauseSiboneloBiyel
aiscrazy.
"
Khaya:" He'snotcr azy.Comeher e."Hepul l
edmy
hand, walki
ngt ot hebal cony."Thisi stheonl yplace
Itrust.Idon'tknowwho' sbeeni nmyapar tment
whi l
eIwasi nhospi tal
.Thereisasi lentwar
happeni ngbet weent heroyalsoft hisnation.Al otof
them ar eagainstSi khosana.Most lybecauset he
familyhasbeenr ulingthenationf orcent uries.As
you'veseen, I'
m sur e,t
heyactsuper i
ortoal lother s.
Theot hersar en'thappyaboutt hatandwi lldo
anythingtodet hr onet hem.That '
swher eyoucome
i
n.I t
'snotamat terofhet hi
nks, i
t'
samat terofhe
knows.Si bonel oknowst hatSikhosanal ovesyou.
Heknowswher et opushhi m.HeknowsSasa. "
Me:"
Whatel
sedoesheknowaboutt
hem?
"
Khaya:"Idon'tknowandI 'm notgoi
ngt obe
anymor einvolved.Hesaidsomet hi
ngabout
Sikhosanaspeaki ngi
nhi shead.Idon'twanttobe
i
nvolvedi nthi
s.TheBi yel
af amil
ypracti
call
yrai
sed
me.Ididn'twantyoui nvolvedinthi
s.Ijustneedyou
tobesaf e.".
..
PRI
NCEPOV_

I'
dbeenfeel
ingofff
orabitnow.Myneckwasst i
ff
,I
coul
dhardlysl
eep.Mymor ni
ngrundidn'thel
p.I
wasnowsi t
ti
ngonthebankoftheriverstar
ingat
thewat
ers.Myguideappeared,
sit
ti
ngnextt ome.
Nkosi
:"Somet
hingi
swr
ong.
"
Gui
de:"
Not
hingi
swr
ong.
"
Nkosi
:"WhydoIf
eel
li
ket
hist
hen?
"
Gui
de:"
Maybeyouneedt
ofocusal
it
tl
ebi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean.
"Hekeptsi
lent
.
"Son."Ijumpedup, spi
nni
ngaroundtolookwhere
thevoi cecamef r
om.Thatcan'
tbe.No.Ili
stened
closely,focused.
Nkosi
:"Papa?
"
Papa:"
Your
emembermyvoi
ce,
grandson.
"
Nkosi
:"How.
..Wher
ear
eyou?Ican'
tseeyou,
Ican
onl
yhearyou."
Papa:"You'
renotsupposedtoseeme.Let
'shavea
seat
."Isatbackdown."Yourj
ourneyt
obeingKing
wil
lnotbeeasy.Ineedyoutounderst
andthatnow."
Nkosi
:"I
sitbecauseoff
ather
?"
Papa:"
Partl
y,yes.Yourf
atheri
str
yi ngonlyto
prot
ectthet
hrone.Hismethodswillhurtyou
i
mmensel ybutunderst
andthati
tist heonlywayhe
knows."
Nkosi
:"Hei
str
yingt
odi
ctat
emyl
if
e."
Papa:"AsIdi
dhim.Itisnofaultofhisownthathe
i
st hewayheis.Losi
nglovehar denedmyheart.I
washar donhim.Ibr
oughtyouher etomakethings
ri
ght.Thenat
ionneedsyou.Itneedsagoodki ng.
ThatisYouNkosinhl
e."
Nkosi:"
Iunderst
andt hatbutIcan'
tdoital
one.I
foundsomeoneIl ove.Someonewhomakesi t
bearabl
e.I
'm afr
aidhewi l
lchaseheraway."
Papa:" Havi
nghercrossyourpathwasnot
coincidence.Shei
stheonewhowaschosent ohel
p
you.It'
snotonlyyourfat
herthatwi
llmakeit
dif
ficultf
oryouboth.Youneedtobestrong
Nkosinhl
e.Herjour
neyi
stohel
pyoubecomea
bet
terperson.
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
herdoesn'
tbeli
evet
hatahumancan
handl
ebeingaSikhosana.
"
Papa:"
Agai
n,t
hatwoul
dbemydoi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"ThenwhysendmeThembi
sa?
"
Papa:" Iknowhowhar di ti
stobeinyourposi
tion.
WhatIwant edforyou,wast oatl
eastf
eelthe
greatestloveyoucouldeverhave.Ineededyout o
experiencewhatIf el
tthatmademyl i
fe
worthwhi l
e."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Papa:" Imarriedawomanl i
keyour s.Shet oowas
ordinary.Nonr oyal,noabili
ti
es.If elldeeplyinlove
withher .Unfortunatel
yforme, Iwasn' tall
owedt o
mar ryher.Ididn'twantanyoneel se.Wemar ri
edin
secret.Thenmadeyourf ather.Byt het i
memy
fami l
yfoundout ,shewasal readyt oof aralong.
Theyhadnochoi cebutt oaccepti t.Shewas
carryingthei
rf utureKing.Lit
tledidIknow, my
punishmentwascomi ng.Ourancest orsdon'tplay
t
her
e.Theymakesur
eyouf
eeli
t.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Whatwasyourpuni
shment
?"
Papa:" Shedi edaf tergi vingbi rt
h.Theonl yr eminder
Ihadofherwasourson.Thatbr okemeapar t
.My
puni shmentwast olivewi t
houtherfort herestof
myl ifeandr ai seourchi ld.Ibecamebi tt
er.Ihatedit
all
.Thet hrone, thechi ld.Iwasacr uelKingandI
raisedyourf athert obet oo.Het ri
edwi thyoubutI '
d
alreadyseenmydeat hbef oreyourbirth,the
momentIhel dyouIwhi sper edinyourear .The
remi nder.Tobeyou.Tobet hegoodki ng.Hecan' t
evert akethatf r
om you.Noonecan.Wewer e
raisedt othinknonr oyal scannotunder standor
evenpr osperi nr oyalty.Thathasbeenal ie.Infact
,
humanscanendur ejustasmuchi fnotmor ethan
wecan.Yourgr andmot herhungont oherl i
fe,so
shecoul dfeedherbabyf orthefir
sttime.Thati s
resil
ience.Andshehadnoabi li
ti
estohel pher .
"
Nkosi
:"Sowhat'
sgoingtohappen?Pl
easedon'
t
hur
tThembisa.Idon'
tthi
nkIcanli
vewit
houther
."
Papa:"
Thembi
sa.
"Icoul
dal
mostf
eelhi
m smi
li
ng.
Nkosi
:"Shecanbestubbor
nbutshe'
sababy
someti
mes.Youneverknowwithher
.Onemi nut
e
she'
sveryangr
yandscoldi
ngthenextshe'
scryi
ng
i
nmyar ms."Hechuckl
ed.
Papa:"
Shewil
lmakeyouhappy.I
t'
sal
readyevi
dent
.
Shewil
lmakeavi
ctor
iousqueen.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyoupapa.Forher
.Ididn'
tknowhow
muchIneededherunti
lIfel
linl
ove.NowIneedto
convi
ncemyf at
her
."
Papa:"
Don'tworr
ytoomuchaboutyourfather
.For
now,awarisbrewing.Par
tsofyouwil
lunr
avel,
possi
blyconf
useyou.Keepyoursist
ercl
ose."
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e?"
Papa:"Yes.Ihavetogomyson.Thiswil
lbeatough
j
ourney.Don'tgiveup.Ther
ewil
lcomeatime,
you
wil
lbreakapartbutdonotgivei
ntoit
.Remember
tohaveFaith.
".
..
[
07/
27,
05:
47] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er31
SASAPOV_

Icamebackt or esafterhel
pingKhayaset t
le.Petu
andIhadcookedf orthem tolastaf ewdays.
Zimmywoul dgot oschoolbutKhayawoul dbe
homef ort henextt wodaysandwewant edhi mt o
rest.Hepr omi sednott otouchal cohol.Zimmyhad
allhiscardst oosohecan' tgobuyanyt hingwi thout
her.Itrustedhi mt hough.Idon'tthinkhewant sto
hurthimsel f.Hel ookedmor elivelywithusar ound.
PetuandIr eturnedt ores.Shewentt oherr oom to
preparef ortheweekandIdi dtoo.Amahl ewokeup
whenIar ri
ved.Not hawasr eadingonmybed.
Me:"
Goodaf
ter
noon,
beaut
ies.
"
Ama:"
Hi.
"
Not
ha:"
Hel
lo.howi
sKhaya?
"
Me:"
He'
sfi
ne.Zi
mmywi
llbest
ayi
ngwi
thhi
m."
Ama:"
Hm. "Icheckedmyt
imet
abl
e,fi
xingmybooks
andcl
othesasIusuall
ydi
donSundays.
Not
ha:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Me:"
Ili
kehavi
ngahandleonmymorni
ngssoI'
m
pr
epari
ngmyclot
hesaccordi
ngt
otheweat
her
."
Not
ha:"
Youdot
hatever
ymor
ning?
"
Me:"No,onlySundays.Ipr
eparefort
hewholeweek.
Ineedtomakesur eIhavecleanappr
opr
iat
e
cl
othes.Don'tyou?"
Notha:"
Ihavecl
eanclothesdeli
ver
edweekl
y.I
don'
thavetoworryaboutthat
."
Me:"You'
reblessed.Amahl
e,i
t'
sti
met
oeat
.CanI
getyoufr
uit
?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Notha:"I
'
llgett
hef
ood.Doyouwantanyt
hingi
n
speci
fic?
"
Ama:"
No.Justf
rui
tandwat
er.
"
Not
ha:"
Thembi
sa?
"
Me:"
Justwat
erforme,t
hankyou.
"Shewal
kedout
.
"
Whyisshebeingni
ce?
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tknow.
"If
ini
shedwi
thmyt
hings.
Me:"
HaveyoubeeneNt
abeni
?"
Ama:"Once.I
t'
sNkosi'
spr
ivat
evi
ll
a.Hehat
es
havi
ngpeoplether
e."
Me:"
Hm.
"
Ama:"
Whydoyouask?
"
Me:" Amahle,howl ongwil
lyoubepunished?Your
ancestorsareobvi ousl
yupsetri
ght
?Butthey'
renot
appearingtotellyouwhattodo.Soobviousl
yyou
mustgot othem andf i
ndout.Youhaveto
apologize.
"
Ama:"Apol
ogi
ze?
?Fort
hesuf
fer
ingt
heygave
me?!
"
Me:"Look,
Iknowithurt
s.I
t'
sjust.
..It
hinki
t'
s
fr
ustr
ati
ngforyouandthem becauseyoudon't
underst
andandtheycan'
texplai
n.Weneedt ostar
t
over
-"
Ama:"
No!!Youdon'
tgeti
t,Thembi
sa.Theycr
eat
ed
metoonl
ysuffer
!"
Me:"
ThenwhymustIsuff
er?Theydi
dn'
tcreat
eme
Amahle!
!Whyi
sitt
hatwhenIwalkawayfr
om thi
s
room,from you, myheartbleeds?!"Shehuggedher
knees,hidingherface."I
t'
snotyourf aul
tbutwe
needtor eachouttothem.Idon' tevenknowhow. "I
satdown.Thi swashonest lyscary.Ihadafri
end,
whohadacur seofdying.NowImayhave
dist
urbedi tanditwasaf f
ecti
ngme.
Me:"WehavetogotoeNt
abeni
.Whenar
ethe
Bat
hongapeoplel
eavi
ng?
"
Ama:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
her
e."
Me:"
Really?Youwantmetocarryyouupa
mountai
n? "Shel
ookedupatme."Justgi
vei
tat
ry.
Pl
ease."
Ama:"Whati
fnot
hingchanges?Whati ft
hey
becomemoreangr
y?Youdon' tunder
standt
hose
spi
rit
sandhowpowerf
ultheyare."
Me:"
We'
l
lhavet
ori
ski
tthen.Come.
"
Ama:"
Nkosiwi
llf
reakout
."
Me:"
I'
llhandl
eNkosi
.Let
'sgo.
"Ichangedi
ntomy
f
avour
itedressandawhi
teheadscar
f.
Ama:"
Youl
ikedr
essi
ngupf
orever
ythi
ng?
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Yes.
"Not
hacamei
nwi
thf
rui
tandwat
er.
Not
ha:"
Wil
lyoubebacksoon?
"
Ama:"
Probabl
ynot
."
Notha:"
Okay.Seeyoui
nthemor
ning.
"Shewal
ked
backout.Whatanoddcat
.
Ama:"I'
mr eady.
"Wewalkedtohercarout
side.The
dr
iverdroveustoeNt
abeni."
HaveyoutoldNkosi?"
Me:"Youcanpr
edi
ctthefut
urebutdon'tknowi
fI
sni
tchedt
oyourbr
other
?"Shechuckled.
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Me:"Thi
sisourthi
ng.Hedoesn'
thavetoknow.
Yourrel
ati
onshi
pisrockyt
obegi
nwi t
h,thi
swon'
t
makeitanyeasyunti
lweknowhowt ofi
xit.
"
Ama:"We'regoi
ngint
ohisden.Hewi l
lobvi
ousl
y
fi
ndthatout.
"Isi
ghed.Nkosineededt
obecalmf or
asecond.

Wearr
ivedeNt abeni,
nocar
sint
hepar ki
ng.Iwas
mesmerizedeveryti
meIcamehere.Il
ovedstandi
ng
onthatcli
ffandj uststaredattheci t
y.I
twasmi d
aft
ernoon,sti
llsunnyandbeaut i
ful.AmahleandI
walkedinthevill
a, Igreetedt
hest affasusual
.They
hadtheirusualexpr essionson.Wewal kedoutto
thebackgarden, ontot hepath.
Ama:"
Doyouknowt
heway?
"
Me:"Ithi
nkIcanst il
lremember .
"Wemadei tt
ot he
edgeofthegar denwher ethegatewas,wecl i
mbed
downt hestai
rs,joi
ningthemount ai
nandwal ki
ng
up.I'
dwor nmysneaker s,thankgoodness.Thewal k
onitsownwaseasybutIbecameanxi ousthe
cl
oserwegot .Snakes.OhmyGod.Theancest ors
wererepresentedbysnakes.No, I
'dhavetowai tfor
herinadistance.There'
snowayi nhel
lI'
m
experi
encingthatagain.
Ama:"
You'
rescar
ed.
"
Me:"
Yes.Ther
e'squi
teal
otofsnakesher
e."
Ama:"Theydi
dn'thar
m youthefi
rstt
ime,
they
def
ini
tel
ywon'tharm younow.
"
Me:"Doesn'
tmakemel essscared.I
'mreal
ly
t
err
if
iedofsnakes.Anyway,l
et'
stalkabout
somet
hingel
se.
"
Ama:"
Okay.What
?"
Me:"
sinceNot
haispr
omi
sedt
oapr
ince,
doest
hat
meanyouaretoo?
"
Ama:"No.Nooneinmyf
ami
lyi
spr
omi
sed.That
doesn'
thappen.
"
Me:"
Oh.I sitbecauseyourf
ami
lyl
ooksdownon
ot
herroyals?"Iwhisper
ed.
Ama:"
It
'snotasecret
.Yes.Myf
atherdoesn'
twant
ust
omar r
ysimplybecausehef
eelsther
eisnoone
i
nourl
evel.
"
Me:"
ButNkosihast
omar
ry.
"
Ama:"Yest
ocont
inuet
hebloodl
ine.Sincehe's
boundt
ohaveanumberofki
ds,Idon'treal
lyneed
to.
"
Me:"
Howmanyki
dswi
llhehave?
"
Ama:"
5.Thr
eeboysandt
wogi
rl
s."Shesi
ghed.
Me:"
That
'ssweet
.He'
l
lmakeagr
eatf
ather
."
Ama:"
Thati
str
ue.
"
Me:"
Don'
tyouthi
nkoneday,
youwoul
dal
sowant
t
ogetmarr
ied?
"
Ama:"No.Idon'
tgetmarr
ied.Idon'
tevenwantt
o.
Myli
feisdif
fi
cul
tasis.
"
Me:"
Ihearyou.
"
Ama:"Haveyoual
wayswant
edt
obemar
ri
edand
haveki
ds?"
Me:" Ki
ndofyes.I'veal
waysthoughtmyl i
fewould
beschool ,
car
eerandmar ri
ageafter.Iwantto
graduateandwor k.Fi
ndmyselfintheworld.Bui
lda
namef ormyselfandGetmar r
iedoncewe' r
eboth
establi
shedandst ar
tafamil
y.Iwant3chi l
dren.
"
Ama:"I
nsteadyoufel
linl
ovewi
thaf
utur
eKi
ngofa
nat
ion.
"Ismiled.
Me:"It
hinkwe'l
lhavetogobackt ot
hechil
dren
conver
sati
on.Iam setwit
h3."shesmil
edfaint
ly."I
thi
nkIcanstophere.You'
renotfarf
rom t
healt
er .
"
Ama:"
Ican'
tgot
her
eal
one.
"
Me:"I
'
m nott
heper son,myl
ove.Thi
sisyourf
ami
ly.
Theywon'
tharm you."
Ama:"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
"
Me:"Si
tther
eandconnect
.Tal
k.Apol
ogi
ze.They'
l
l
appear
."
Ama:"
Theywon'
t.
"
Me:" PleasetryAmahle."Shesighedwal ki
ngupto
thetopoft hemount ai
n.Isatont hebigrockand
waited.Itwasqui t
ehother e,
Iforgottobri
ngsome
water .IwonderwhereNkosii s.I
'dlef
tmyphonei n
thecar ,nott
hatitwould'veworkedherebecauseI
doubtt here'
ssignal
.Iwai t
edforAmahl eunti
lwhat
fel
tlikehourspassedbuti twasonl yone.Shecame
backdown.
Ama:"
Youhavet
ocomeupher
e."
Me:"
NoAmahl
e,t
hisi
syourj
our
ney.
"
Ama:"Pl
ease."Isi
ghed, f
oll
owingherup.Ifthey
don'
tappearwithheralonethensurel
ythere'snot
muchIcando.Wer eachedthetopandIsatdown.
"Whatar
eyoudoi ng?"
Me:"Si
tt
ing.Whyareyoustanding?Di
dyoucome
her
eandj ustst
and?Li
kethat?
"Shehadherarms
f
oldedoverherchest
.Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutl
augh.
Ama:"
Whatdi
ff
erencedoesi
tmake?
"
Me:"
Pleasesi
tdown.
"Shesati
nfr
ontofme.
Ama:"
Nowwhat
?"
Me:"Fi
rstofal
l,
youneedt ocal
m downandl
etgo
ofanynegati
vefeel
ings.
"
Ama:"
Ionl
yhavenegat
ivef
eel
ings.
"
Me:"
Thenl
ett
hem go.Let
'smedi
tat
e."
Ama:"Medi
tat
eThembisa?Thi
sisawast
eoft
ime.
"
Ihel
dherhandscl
osi
ngmyeyes.
Me:" Shhh.Ifyoul i
stenclosely,youcanherthe
water f
all
.Focusont hewat er
."Shekeptquietf
ora
while."Anynegat i
vef eeli
ngsshouldf l
owoutofyou,
l
iket hewaterfalli
sdoi ng.Pouritallout
."Wesati
n
sil
encef orquitesomet i
me.Ther ewasno
movementar oundus.Notevenasi gn.
Me:"Elders,pl
easedof or
giveourpresence
di
sturbingyoursacredplace.Wehaveonl ycomet o
apol
ogize.Wear eonl
ychil
drenandknownot hi
ng
wit
hnogui dance.Weonlyaskforforgiveness.
"I
squeezedherhands.
Ama:"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.
"Shewhi
sper
ed.
Me:"Acknowl
edgethem.Callont
hem.Then
apol
ogize.
"Iwhi
speredback.
Ama:" BantuabadalabakwaSi khosana.Yi mi
uAmahl e.I
nganeyenu.Ngi yaxol i
sa.I t'
shar d."I
squeezedherhandssof tlyencour agingher ."It
'sso
hardbeingwhatyouwantmet obe.Myonl ydest iny
i
st ohelpotherswhenI '
m notal ivemysel f.Idied,
yearsago.Iam onlyl i
vingforot her s.Thathur ts.It
hurtsme."Shecr i
ed."Ihadnoonet ogui deme.No
onehadmygi ftbef
or etounder standme.Angi na
munt uoyedwanj e,t
ohel pme.I 'm allalone.Idi dn'
t
knowIcoul dn'
tdieandwhenIt ri
edIwaspuni shed.
Ngiyaxoli
sa.Icantrytol i
vewi t
hi tbutpl ease, Ican't
takethepunishment .It
'snotonl yphysi cally
draini
ngbutI'm ashell.Icannol ongerf eel.Please
restor
emesoIcanbeabet terhel p."Shel etgoof
myhands, holdingherf ace.Ipul ledhercl oset ome,
huggingher.Ihopet hiswi l
lhelp.Honest l
yIwasout
ofideasnow.Justt henIf elttheener gychange.
Me:"Amahl e."Iwhi spered.Shedi dn' trespond.Oh
no."AMAHLE. "Ishookhersl i
ght l
y.Shewasl imp,
notmovi ng.OHDEARGOD, NO.Ipl acedheront he
groundandst ar
edather .Iknowt hesnakeswer e
nearme.Ij ustknewt heywer ether e.Ican' tbeli
eve
Amahl echoset hisver ymomentt oabandonme.
Therewasnousewaki ngherup.Iwasn' tevensur e
i
fIcoul d.Wasshest il
lalive?Icoul dn'tevenmove.I
wasl i
terallyparalyzedwi thfear.Whati fImoved
andtheyat tacked.Ineededt owai tthisout .Besides,
whyt hehel lwoul dIleavemyf riendi namount ai
n
unconsci ous.Oht heLor dwant edt ot estmeandhe
waspassi ngwi thflyi
ngcol ours.Ist artedcr yi
ng
sil
entlyandi mmedi atelythethunderr oaredt hrough
thesky.
Me:"PleaseGod.Icannot .
"Therainpoured.I
wantedtoscr eam.Itookmyheadscar foffholding
i
tont opofherf ace.IknowIcan' tmoveher .Iknew
i
tbecauset herewasaheavyener gysurr
oundingus.
Theveryener gythatrefusesmet ogetupandr un.I
wishforonce, funthi
ngshappenedt ome.ButI
broughtmysel ftothi
sone, Ishould'
vejustminded
mybusi ness.Butshewassuf fering.Icouldn'tl
et
hersuffer.Ther ainsubsi dedt hencompl etely
stopped.I'dstoppedcr ying, i
twasobvi ously
useless.Itouchedherf aceagai n.Wewer ebot h
soakingwetbutIcoul datl eastmove.Nope, the
presencewasst illhere.Maybet heywer ehavinga
meet i
ngandIwasdi sturbingt hem.Isatmyass
quietl
ydownhol di ngherhand.Thewat erfal
l.Let
's
focusont hewat erfal
l.Ilistenedt othewat ersvery
faraway, yawning.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Sundayafternoon.Lunchwi t
hfamily.Iwasgladthe
Bathongafami l
ywereleavi ngtoday.Mypat i
ence
wasnol ongerwor nthi
n,itwast ornapartand
shr
iveledtodust.Icoul
dn' tevenpretendanymore.
Wehadourst ar
termeal andmai nshor t
lyaft
er.
Sikhosana:"
Tel
lmePr i
ncessSamu.Ar
eyou
enjoyi
ngyourstayateNtabeni
?"
Samu:"
Ver
ymuchmyki
ng.I
t'
ssuchabeaut
if
ul
pl
ace.Iwashopi
ngt
ost
ayaf
ewmor
edays.
"
Si
khosana:"
Absol
utel
y.Youdon'
tmi
ndt
hat
,ri
ght
Mehl
uli
?"
Nkosi
:"Idef
ini
tel
ymi
ndi
t.Imi
ndi
tal
ot.
"
Nobant
u:"
Mehl
ulit
hat
'sr
ude.
"
Nkosi
:"Andover
stayi
ngyourwel
comei
sn'
t?
"
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
!!
"
Nkosi:"
Nof ather.Thati smypr i
vatevi
ll
a.Forme.I
bui
lti
tmysel fsoIcanhavet i
met omyself.You
i
nvit
edyourf riendswi thoutmyconsentt omy
pri
vat
espace.Il etthem stayoutofrespect.But
now?Nowyou' r
epushi ngit.Absol
utel
ynot .That
's
notaholidaydest inati
on.It'
sMYhouse. "
Si
khosana:"
Thatvi
ll
abel
ongst
oourf
ami
-"
Nkosi:"
No,thi
spalacebel
ongstoourf
ami l
y.That
vil
laIbui
ltf
orme.Iwaskindenoughtoletour
famil
yaccessit.It
oodeser
vemyspacef ather
."
Bathonga:"I
'm onthePri
nce'ssideont hi
sone.We
haveinfr
ingedonhi spri
vatespace,it
'sonlyf
airt
hat
hegetsitback."Thethunderwasr oari
ngoutside
andt
her
ainsst
art
ed.
Nkosi
:"ThankyouKingBat
honga.
"Myfat
herwas
seet
hinginhi
sseat,
star
ingatme.Mt
hunziwal
ked
tous.
Mthunzi:"
GoodDay, myKi ng,Ki
ngBat
hongaand
fami
ly,mothers,pri
ncessesandmyPri
nce.I
apol
ogizefordistur
bingyourl
unch.
"
Si
khosana:"
Andwhyar
eyoudi
stur
bingourl
unch?
"
Mthunzi:"
IneedthePri
nce,
myKi
ng.Ineedt
o
speaktohim ur
gentl
y."
Si
khosana:"Surel
y,wor
kcanwai t
.It
'sSunday."I
l
ookedatMt hunzi
.Helookedver yconcerned,and
Mthunzineverl
ooksbothered.Igotup."Mehluli
!"
Nkosi
:"Iapol
ogi
zef
ather
,Iwon'
tbel
ong.
"
Sikhosana:"
Youwil
lnotdi
srespectmeanymor
e
thanyouhavetoday.
"
Mt hunzi:"
It
'sfi
ne, myPr i
nce.I
'l
lhandleit
."He
rushedoutt hepal ace.Ohno.Ijustknewthishadt
o
dowi thThembi sa.Hewoul dneverdistur
bmef or
wor k.Foranything.Somethingwaswr ong.Very
wr
ong.I
fSi
bonel
oevent
ri
edt
o-
Nkosi
:"Shi
t.
"Ir
anoutaf
terMt
hunzi
.
Sikhosana:" WhatinGod'sname! !
"Mt hunzihad
al
r eadydr ivenof fbytheti
meImadei toutside.Igot
i
nt hedr iverseatofmyownandspedaf terhim.The
drivewasnotcal mingmeatal lasIthoughti twould.
Mt hunziwasst il
lfaraheadofmeandIsuspecthe
wasf l
yingatt hisratebecausemyspeedwas
ri
di cul
ousi tself
.Idialedhi
snumber .Iknowhi s
phonei sconnect edtothecarandf ort
unatelyhe
answer ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
e?"
Mt
hunzi
:"eNt
abeni
."
Nkosi:"I
'mr i
ghtbehindyou."Ihungup, steppingon
theaccelerat
or.Whywoul dThembisabeeNt abeni
?
Howdi dshegett here?Whathappenedt hen?The
staffknowhersot heywoul dn'
tletharm comet o
her.DidSibonelofol
lowhert her
e?Ishoul dn'
thave
drove.Mymi ndwasr eel
ingandIneededt oslow
downbef oreIcausedanacci dent.Eventuall
yI
reachedthetur
noffpointintoeNtabenianddrove
careful
lyupthecl
if
f,therainwasstil
lheavyandmy
heartwashammer i
ngi nmychestnotknowi ng
whatawai t
sme.Iparked,jumpingoutthecarand
raninsi
dethebuil
ding.Mthunziwast al
kingt
ot he
staff
.
Nkosi
:"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Mthunzi
:"Wher
e'syoursecur
it
y?Di
dyoudr
ive
her
e?"
Nkosi
:"Justt
ellmewhat
'swr
ong!
!"
Mthunzi
:"Thest
affsaysThembi
sawentupt he
mountai
n.Shewentupwi t
hAmahle.Theyhaven'
t
comeback."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goingtokil
lher
!!
"Hegr
abbedmebef
ore
Ist
ormedint
ot herai
n.
Mt
hunzi
:"Wedon'
tknowwher
etheywentNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Icanf
indt
hem-
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Noti
nthi
srai
n!!
"
Nkosi
:"MthunziIcan'
tjustl
etherbei
nthe
mountai
nsthroughthi
sweat her
!!Whati
fshe'
s
st
uckt
her
e?Whati
fshesl
ipsandhur
tsher
sel
f?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ther
e'st
hreet
rai
ls.
"
Nkosi
:"They'
reunl
ikel
yont
hesaf
ert
wo.Youknow
Amahle!"
Mthunzi
:"Fi
ne.Let'
sgoupthen."Wewal kedoutthe
backthr
oughthegardenandabol tofl
ightni
ng
str
uckri
ghtbefor
eme.Mt hunzij
umpedr ighti
n
fr
ontofme.Itmissedhi
m byabeat ."
Areyouf i
ne?"
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
!!Di
dyoujustj
umpi
nfr
ontof
l
ight
ning?Areyoustupi
d!"
Mthunzi
:"Idon'tt
hinkit
'ssafetogoup."Mywhole
bodywasshaki ng.Icouldn'
thelpt
hinki
nghowshe
wasdoing.Stuckinamount ai
n.Ar
oundsnakes.
Shehatessnakes, shecouldhavefai
nted.Mt
hunzi
hel
dmebackagai n."No."
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
.Letgoofme.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"No,
Nkosi
!!Wehavet
owai
t!
!"
Nkosi:"
Iwouldrat
herdi
e.Don'
tmakemeputmy
weightonyou."
Mt
hunzi
:"Rat
herdot
hat
!!
"
Sikhosana:"
Whatt hehelli
sgoingonher e!
?"I
l
ookedback.Hest oodatt hedoor,hi
sbodyguar d
holdinganumbr el
laforhim.Ican'
tbeli
evehe
foll
owedme." Well
?Whyar eyouargui
ngi nthe
rain!
?"Mthunzipul
ledmei ntothebuil
ding.Great
,
theentir
efamilywasher e.
Nobantu:"Mehl
uli
,what
'sthemeani
ngofthis?
What'sgoingon?Yourf
atherwasworr
iedtheway
youleft
,you'
dswearthi
splacewasburni
ngdown."
Nkosi:"
Uhm.We'r
edeali
ngwit
hasensi
ti
vemat
ter
.
I
'dreall
yappr
eci
atesomepr
ivacy.
"
Sikhosana:"Your
anoutt
hehousewithoutasi
ngle
bodyguar danddr
oveal
lthewayher
eatdangerous
speedf orasensi
ti
vemat
ter?Whati
sit?"
Nkosi:"
Ican'tsay."Iwasatal ossforwor ds.
Withoutevent hi
nking,
I'dneglectedever ythingand
ranheredisregardi
ngmyownsaf ety.Myf ather
couldn'
tfi
ndout .Hehadt oleave."Iuhm. .
.Mt hunzi
andIhavet hissortedfather.I
'l
lupdat eyousoonas
I'
m home.I '
l
lbehomesoon. "Myf atherstaredatme,
notbeli
evingawor dIsai d.Everyonest oodst i
ll
.The
rai
nfi
nall
yst opped.Myhear
twasbeat
ingsl
owly
andpainful
ly.Il
ookedatt
hedoor
.Ihadto.I
'
m sorr
y.
Mthunzihel
dmyar m.
Nkosi
:"Letmego.
"Ihi
ssed.
Mthunzi:"Myprince,Icanhandlemattersfr
om t
his
point.Atl
easti
t'
snotf looded.Icanhandle
everythi
ngfrom here.
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."Idi
dn'
twi
shtovoi
cet
hepai
nin
mytonebuti
twashardtomiss.
Mthunzi
:"Ipr
omi
se.Iwi
llsortever
ythi
ngout
."I
l
ookedupatthedoor
.Oht hankGod.
Thembisa:"Onemor estep.Almostthere.
"Sheheld
Amahle,helpi
ngherwalki n.Myhear tski
pped
sever
albeatsbli
ndingmyvi sion.Iheldhert
ighti
n
myarms, fi
nall
ybreathi
ngasi ghofr el
ief
.
[
07/
27,
05:
49] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er32

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ihel
dhert
ighti
nmyarmsnotgi
vingherachance
tosl
ipf
rom meagai
n.
Sasa:"
Nkosi
."Shewhi
sper
ed.
Nkosi
:"Sorr
y,am Ihol
dingyoutooti
ght
?"Il
etgoa
l
it
tl
e,holdi
ngherfacegentl
yinst
ead.
Sasa:"
I'
mfi
ne.Uhm.I
sn'
tthatyourf
ami
lybehi
nd
you?"
Shi
t.
Nkosi
:"Yes.They'
rest
il
lther
e?"
Sasa:"
Yeah.Anychancewecoul
devaporat
eint
o
thi
nair
?Myhai rl
ooksamess.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
That
'syouronl
yconcer
n?I
'
m wetbecause
ofyou."
Sasa:"
Real
ly?You'
rewet
?"
Nkosi
:"Whywer
eyouintherai
nanyway?Doyou
knowhowdangeroust
hati
s?"
Sasa:"
Nkosipl
easetur
naroundbefor
eyourf
ather
whipsusboth.
"It
urnedar
oundtryi
ngtohol
dinthe
l
aughIhad.Whywasshel i
kethi
s?
Nkosi
:"Uhm.Fat
her
,thi
sisThembisa.We'
vebeen
dat
ingafewweeks.
"Shesteppednexttomeand
bowed.
Sasa:" GoodeveningYourMajest
y."Shekepther
headl ow,notoncelooki
ngathiseye.Myf at
her
staredatherthenbackatme.Het urnedaround
walkingbackoutt ohiscar
.Okay,notbad.The
fami l
yfoll
owedrightaft
erhi
m.Isighed.I'
l
ldealwi
th
thatlater
.
Nkosi
:"Ineedtogetyouwar
m.Lookatyou,
shi
ver
inglikealeafi
naut
umn."Ihuggedheragai
n.
Sasa:"That
'swhatyou'r
ewor
ri
edabout
?Nkosiyour
dadlooksveryangry.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
twor
ryabouthi
m.He'
l
lbef
ine.
"
Sasa:"
Wher
eisAmahl
e?"
Nkosi:"Mthunzi t
ookher ."Iheldherhandtot
he
bedroom."Sitrighthere."Shesatont hechai
r.I
kneeledonthef loor,
takingof fhermuddysneaker
s.
Thesear eobviouslyruined."I'
m goingtor
unyoua
bath.
"Shest oodup.
Sasa:"
Ineedt
oseeAmahl
e."
Nkosi :"SitThembi sa.Amahleisf i
ne."Iwentinto
thebat hroom, runningthewateri nthebath.There
wasacal mi ngsaltinthecupboar dIusual l
yusedto
relax.Af t
erpour i
ngacupofi t
,Iwat chedthewat er
fi
llthenwentbackoutt hebathroom.Thechai rwas
empt y.Ilookedt hroughthesuite,openingthe
sli
di ngdoor ,checkingthedeckandpool .Nosignof
her .Iwal kedbackoutt hesuit
edownt hepassage
tot heguestr oom ont heotherside.Iopenedt he
door ,wal kingin.Thembi sawascur ledinthebed
nextt oAmahl e.Mthunzisatont hecouchst ari
ngat
them, conf usedaswel l.
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?It
urnedar
oundt
ogor
una
bat
handshewasgone. "
Mt
hunzi
:"Shewal
kedi
nandgoti
nbedwi
thouta
word.Howdidsheevenknowwe'r
einher
e?"I
swall
owed.Shewasasleept
oo.How?Runni
nga
bat
hi s3minut
esor5atmost.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowMt
hunzi
.Whati
sthi
s?"
Mthunzi
:"Doyout
hinksomet
hinghappenedont
he
mountai
n?"
Nkosi:"Probably?Idon'tknow."Istaredatthem
both,
f astasleepcocoonedt ogether.Ihadasli
ght
hi
ntofenvyr ightaboutnow.Whatcoul dhave
possi
bl ybroughtt hem t
hisclose?Andwhy?

SASAPOV_

Iwasr
unningthroughtt
hefi
eldwi
thAmahl
e.She
wasafastrunner
,Icoul
dn'
tkeepup.
Me:"Absolut
elynot.You'
reUsainBol t
.It
houghtwe
weresoakinginthesun."Isatdownont hegrass.
Shelaughedsitt
ingnexttome.Webot hl
aydown
onourbackslookingupatt heclearbl
uesky.
Me:"
BabuNkanyamba.
"
Ama:"
Yohhe'
sheavy.
"Igiggled.Thesnake
sl
it
her
edontot
hegrass,si
tti
ngi ni
tspl
ace.
Me:"
Thi
sisni
ce.
"
Ama:"
Yeah.
"
Me:"
Dowehavet
ogoback?
"
Ama:"Yes,
unf
ort
unat
ely.If
eelbet
ter
.Ar
eyou
col
d?"
Me:"No.Let'
sgo.
"West
oodup,
wal
kingi
nthef
iel
d
onceagain.

Iwokeup,str
etchi
ngmyar msout.Isatup.Amahle
openedhereyesrubbi
ngthem t
henlookedacross
theroom.MthunziandNkosiweresi
tti
ngonthe
chai
rsstar
ingatus.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi:"
Hi.
"Icoul
dn'
ttel
lwhet
herhewasupsetor
what.Helookedi
ndi
ff
erent
.
Me:"
Howl
onghavewebeenasl
eep?
"
Nkosi
:"Twohour
s."
Me:"
Thatl
onghuh.
"
Nkosi
:"Yourf
atheri
scal
li
ngyouhomeAmah-
"
Me:"
No!
"
Ama:"
No!
"Wesai
dtoget
her
.Theyl
ookedateach
ot
her
.
Nkosi
:"No?
"
Me:"
no.
"
Mthunzi
:"Thi
sisnotsomet hi
ngwecanhel
p.The
Ki
nghasr equestedherhome.Sowehavet
ogo."I
l
ookedatAmahl e.
Me:"
You'
regonnabeokay?
"Shenodded."
I'
llsee
yout
omorrow.
"
Ama:"Okay.
"Ihuggedhert
hengotoutofbed.
Nkosiwal
kedout,If
oll
owedhi
mt ooursui
te.
Nkosi
:"Yourwat
eri
scol
dbynow.
"
Me:"
Mywat
eri
sn'
ttheonl
ythi
ngcol
d."Imumbl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Ohyoumeanme?
"Hehear
dme?
Me:"
Areyoumadatme?
"
Nkosi
:"No,I
'
m notmadatyou.I
'
mjustconf
used.
What'
sgoingon?"
Me:"Al
oti
sgoi
ngon.Youmighthavetosi
tdown.
Maybehavi
ngAmahl
eherewil
lhelp-
"
Nkosi
:"No.Amahl
eneedst
ogohome.Youcant
ell
mewhat '
sgoi
ngon."
Me:"
Okay.Let
'ssi
t.
"
Nkosi:"You'r
estil
ldamp.Youneedt owashof fthe
mudonyourf eet.Come."Het ookmei ntot he
bathroom thi
stime,probablyafrai
dI'
lldisappear
again.Ididn'
tevendisappear.IsaidI'
m goi ngto
Amahl e.Heranmeabat h,helpi
ngmei nside."Are
youhungr y?"
Me:"
Star
ving.Andver
ythi
rst
y."
Nkosi:"
Okay.I'l
lorderfood."Hewalkedt othe
bedroom.Iusedt hescrub, washi
ngof fmybody.I
ri
nsedmysel fbeforegetti
ngoutandl ett
ingthe
waterout,washingthebat h.Iwal
kedt othe
bedroom i
nat owel.Nkosiwasnoti nt hesuit
e.I
tooktheti
met omoi sturi
zeandwor ethewar m sat
in
robeinthewar dr
obe.Hewal kedi
nfollowedbyt he
l
adywithatray.Shesett het abl
easshedoesand
bowedbefor
ewal kingout .Isatont
hechair,
st
art
ingtoeat.Onmyf i
rstswal l
ow,Il
ookedto
wherehewasst anding.
Me:"
You'
renotj
oini
ngme?
"
Nkosi
:"No.I
'
llwai
tunt
ilyouf
ini
sh.
"
Me:"Ican'
teatalone."Hesighed,comingtosit
down.Wesi l
entl
yateourdi nner.Iwasnervous
aboutwhatIhadt otellhi
m.Howwoul dherecei
vei
t?
Wewentt ositonthecouchaf teraglassofred
wine.
Me:"Amahledi
edagain.
"Hest aredatmequietl
y,
cl
enchinghi
sdoor
."Iwatchedherdi e.
"Heexhal
ed,
l
ookingaway."
Shedidn'
tkil
lherself
."
Nkosi
:"Andwhatdoest
hatmean?
"
Me:" Ihadbeenwi thherallday.Shef ellasl
eep
beforeme.Iwast al
kingtoyouont hephonewhen
shef el
lasleep.Shehadn'tleftmysi ght.Ihada
ter
ribleheadache,suddenly.Onethatcoul dn'tlet
mesl eep.Isatupanddr ankapai nki l
ler.Thena
secondonebecauset hefirstdi
dn'twor k.Ilooked
overatherandshest artedconvul sing.Vomi t
ing,
shel ookedl ikeshewasbei nghel ddownbyan
i
nvisiblef orce.Igotupandsatherup, holdingher.
Thenshewokeup.Tur nsout ,whenIt ouchedher ,
shest oppeddyi ng.Hersel fhar m woundsj ust
reopenedandbl edont heirownwi thoutbei ng
touched.Nkosi .Amahl e,isn'tkill
ingher sel
f.She's
beingpuni shed.Sheonl yat tempt edonceandt hat
i
st het imeyouf oundher .Sheneverdi di tagain.It
i
st heancest orsthatpuni shedherbyhavi ngher
rel
iveherdeat h.Appar entlyithasneverhappened
i
nf rontofanyone, i
tonlyhappenswhenshe' salone.
Butt hist i
me, Iwast here.Andsot hat'swhyIspent
theweekendi nourr oom alonewi t
hher .Everyti
meI
l
eaveherbehi nd,myhear ttears.Wewentupt othe
mount ain.Ithoughtitwoul dbebet t
eri fshe
apologi zed.Wear ri
vedandspoket oamadl ozi.They
welcomedher .Itrai
nedheavi lyforjustaf ew
minut est henitstopped.Wef ellasleepupt here
becauseshe' dbecomeunconsci ousandIcoul dn'
t
l
eaveherbyher self
.Wewokeupandcamedown. "
Nkosi
:"Youf
ellasl
eepont
heal
ter
?"
Me:"
Yes.Theel
der
swer
ether
ewi
thus.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatel
der
sThembi
sa?
"
Me:"Well
..
"Il
ookedatmyfinger
s."Babu
Nkanyamba,BabuMhlaba,
TheRoyalGuards,
AboHlal
oandMkhambi .
"Hestaredatme,st
andi
ng
up.
Nkosi:"
Youcan'
tknowt
hosenames.I
'
venevert
old
youthosenames.
"
Me:"Wel
l,
that
'showt
heyi
ntr
oducedt
hemsel
vest
o
us.
"
Nkosi
:"HowdoesNkanyambal
ook?
"
Me:"Heisanoldmanwi thsil
verhai
randbear
d.He
hastwosmallwart
sont heleftofhi
sface.
"He
star
edatme,shocked.
Nkosi
:"Howist
hispossi
bleThembi
sa?Why?"I
shr
ugged."
Sowhatisbindi
ngyouwithAmahl
e."
Me:"
She'
smypr
otect
or.
"Hesatbackdown.
Nkosi
:"Soshewast
elli
ngthetr
uth.Shecoul
dn'
t
hel
pit,
shewasn'
tki
ll
inghersel
f.Shehadno
cont
rol
?"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Nkosi
:"If
eelhor
ri
ble.DoyouknowhowIber
ated
her
?Thatwascruelofme."
Me:"
Ifi
thel
ps,
she'
snotmadatyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Itdoesn'
thelpatallThembisabecauseI
should'
vebeli
evedher.Iam connectedtoherby
blood.I
ttookanotherper
sonwhodoesn' teven
haveourbloodtounderstandher.Doyouknowwhy
i
thappenedi nfr
ontofyou? "
Me:"
No.
"
Nkosi:"
Becauseyoubel ievedhertheveryf
ir
stti
me.
Youtookcar eofher,t
hef i
rstt
ime.Iknowthis
wasn'tthesecondincidentbecauseAmahleusuall
y
dieseveryweek."Hesighed."Fuck."Icr
awl
edover
tohim,sit
ti
ngonhi slap.
Me:"
Don'tbetoohardonyoursel
f.Thi
sisachance
tomakethi
ngsright
.Al
so.There'
samor eurgent
andworseprobl
em weneedtostartdeal
ingwit
h."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Nowyou'
rescar
ingme.
"
Me:"
Sibonel
o-"
Nkosi
:"Ishoul
d'veknown.Whatdi
dhedo.
"
Me:"Nkosi
.Pleasecalm down.Thiscan'
tbesolved
ort
houghtthr
oughonhi ghemot i
ons.
"Hehuff
ed
l
ookingaway.Ikisshischin."
Sibonel
oisnott
he
onl
yonewhoi saf t
eryou."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Me:"Theotherroyal
sarenothappythatyourfami
ly
hasthehi
ghestseat.Theythi
nkiti
snotfairand
theyar
elookingforwaystodethr
oneyou."He
star
edatmequi etl
y.
Nkosi
:"Howdoyouknowt
his?
"
Me:"Khayaki ndofgavethelightversi
on.
Apparentl
yhewokeupt oSiboneloandZwear gui
ng.
Sibonel
oissidingwiththeotherroyals.Hesayshe
knows,fi
rstthatyoulovemeandt hatyouspokein
hishead.Didyouwhi spert
oSi bonelo?"
Nkosi
:"Att
her
eeddance.
"
Me:"
Whatwoul
dhappeni
ftheyf
oundoutyour
f
amil
yhasabi
li
ti
es?
"
Nkosi
:"Awarwoul
dhappen.Theywoul
dmostl
i
kel
y
turnthepeopl
eagainstus.Tearthenati
onapart.
Theywoul dmakeeveryonebeli
evewe'rether
eas
dictat
orswhowanttohar mthem inst
eadofLead."
Hehel dtwofi
nger
sathi stemple,massagi
ngit.
Me:"
Sot
heycan'
tfi
ndout
."
Nkosi:"Absolutelynot
.Notonl
ydet hr
oningus,we
coul
dbechasedoutoft henat
ion.AsmuchasI
wouldl ovenothingmorethantoleaveallt
hisroyal
shi
tbehi nd.Ihavet ot
hinkf
orthepeople.Ther
e's
notasi ngl
er oyaloutt
herewhowoul dlookoutfor
youall.Notone. "
Me:"
Zweseemsni
ce.
"
Nkosi:"
Zwei snicebutheonlyli
stenstohisf ather
.
Asyoucansee, hei
sadoct or
,that'
sallhe's
dedicat
edto.Hewoul dneverruleasking.Let'snot
evenstartonSibonel
o.Mnqobii si
nfluencedby
Sibonel
o.Woulddoanyt hi
nghesays. "
Me:"ThePhakamisa'
scurrent
lyhaveNot
hando,
her
br
otheri
ssti
llyoung.She'
salsopromi
sedto
Mnqobi.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisn'
tgood.Ineedt
othi
nk.
"
Me:"Onewaytowinpeopleoveri
sbeingcloserto
t
hem.Ont hei
rsi
de.Abi
li
ti
esornot,humansar e
l
oyaltot
hosewhoshowcar eandhumi l
it
ytothem."
Nkosi
:"Notal
lhumans.
"
Me:"Sur
e,t
hat'
str
uebutal
otoft
hem.Thel
otyou
needonyoursi
de.
"
Nkosi :"Thembi sa,Idon'twantt opushbutIneed
yout ounder st
andt hemor eaggr avat edt heot her
royalsget ,themor ethey'l
ltrygett oyou.I t
'sbad.I
l
ef thomewi t
houtmyguar dsanddr oveher e,
speedi ngbecauseIt houghtsomet hi ngbadhad
happenedt oyou.Unf ort
unat ely,theBat honga
fami l
ywashavi nglunchwi t
hmyf ami l
yandt hey
sawt hat .Itcannol ongerbeasecr etthatI '
mi nlove
withyou.AsmuchasIhopet hey'dkeepi tto
themsel ves, Pri
ncessSamui smostpr obabl ybitter
withhat eatt hismomentandwi lldoanyt hingt o
disgraceyou.Ineedt oprotectyouThembi sa.Ican
dot hatpr operlyifyou'r
emywi fe."Igavei tsome
thought .Theendr esulti
sobvi ous, Iwantbehi s
wife.Whet herithappensnowori nt woyear s.So
whatwi llhappenwi thmydr eamsoff i
nishing
school
?Graduat
ing?Besi
desmaki ngmyf ather
proud,
myself?Iwantedtomakemysel fproud.I
wantedtohavesomethi
ngbesidesmyhusband.
Whatwouldbemypur pose?Justbeingawi fe?
Me:" Nkosi,
ifIagr
eetomar ryyou, doIst i
llgetto
fi
nishschool?DoIgett ograduate?Whatel se,
besidesbeingyourwife,doIgetformysel f?Beli
eve
me, Iloveyou.Il
oveyouwi t
hmyent i
resouland
heart.Idon'
twanttolosemysel finthatpr ocessof
l
ovingyoubecauseIdon' tknowi fI'dsti
llbel ovi
ng
youi fIwasn'tme.
"Hehel dmecl oser.
Nkosi:" YouknowI 'dneverlietoyou.Bei ngmywi fe,
youwon' tbeanor dinar
yper sonanymor e.
Everythingwi l
lchange.Youwon' tbeabl etolivein
res.Youwon' tbeabl et
oattendschoolphysi call
y.
Event hef ri
endsyouhave, cannol ongerbeyour
fri
ends.Yourf ami lywi l
lonl
ybeal l
owedt ovisit
once,t heycan' tfrequentthepal aceandyoucan' t
beout sideof t
en. "Hesi ghed.Myhear tbrokeinto
pieces.Soi fIchoosehi m,Ilosemywhol eli
fethat
I'
vebui ltandbegun.Igotof fhislap, sit
ti
ngnextt o
him.I'veneverf eltsoconf l
ictedinmywhol eli
fe.
Me:"
Ihavet
ogoseemyf
ami
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.Let
'sgot
obed.
"Hescoopedme
up,wal
kingtobed.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ididn'tsleepatalllastni ght .Notawi nk.Ilayi nbed

j
ustst ari
ngatnot hingandt hi
nki
ng.Iwast hinking
alot.SomuchIt ookawal kouti nthegar dent o
clearmyheadbutcamebackwi ththesame
problems.Ther ewaswayt oomuchhappeni ngat
thesamet ime.Myf irstst resswast hesi blingIhurt.
TheoneIshoul d'vepr otect edandt r
ust ed.Theone
whoal wayshasmyback.Ipushedheraway.Iwas
10whenAmahl ewasbor n.I twasqui t
et he
celebrati
on.Whi chwasqui testr
angef orme
becausemyt wosi stersbef oreher,thet wins
wer en'
tascel ebrated.Ever yonewashappy, sure
butnott hewaywi thAmahl e.EvenIdi dn'tgetthat
surely.Iwast askedwi t
hnami ngherandmont hs
beforeshewasbor n, Idr eamtofNkanyamba.He
tol
dmet onameherMehl '
amahl eSi khosana.I
namedherexact lythatandshecameoutwi theyes
i
dent i
calt omi ne.Myf atherfoundi thilari
ousand
ever yonewasconvi ncedIcur sedt hechi l
d.Theonl y
personwhohadunder stoodt henamewasoddl y,
Zwel et hu.Thatwaswhenwewer est i
llfri
ends.
Bef oremyf ather'spar anoiat hatsomeonei nt he
royal sist ryi
ngt okillme.Ishoul d'vepr otect edher
andnowIdon' tknowhowt omaket hingsr i
ght .
Mt hunzishoul dknow, heknowsever ything.Now
that'ssor t
ed, whatam Igoi ngt odowi tht her oyals.
IfIat tackBi yel a,t
hatwoul dcementourend.I t
woul dt urnintochaos.Idon' twantt opar ticipatein
awar , i
nf act,Idon' twanti ttohappenatal l.The
peopl ewhowoul dgethur tthemost ,willbeour
cit
izens.Wecanr ecover .Wehaveast r
ingofweal t
h.
Whataboutt hepeopl ewhodependont hisci tyand
thenei ghbor ingci t
iest oputbr eadont het able?
Whatwi l
lhappent ot hem ifitbur nst oashesal l
becauseoft his?Andmosti mpor tantofal l
,
Thembi sa.Ican' tlethergo.Ipr ayshedoesn' tlet
mego.I t
'ssounf airofmet oexpecthert ol eaveher
entirel ifebehi ndjustf orme.Shewoul dbe
miserabl
einthatpalace.Okay,IneedMt hunzi
.Igot
upfrom bed,qui
cklyputti
ngonmycl ot
hesand
walkedtohissuit
e.Iknockedont hedoor .I
shestil
l
asl
eep?Why?I t'
salmostsunr i
se.Iknockedagain.
Heopenedt hedoor,stari
ngatmecol dl
y.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
otal
k."
Mt
hunzi
:"At4i
nthemor
ning?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Obvi
ousl
y,t
hat
'swhyIcamenow.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llf
indyouatt
hebar
."
Nkosi:"Okay."Iwenttot hebari nt her est
aurant.I
t
seemedsosadwi t
hthel ightsof f.Inreali
ty,
allbars
l
ooksadwhent hey'
reempt y.Iswi tchedthelights
onandwentbehi ndthebarst artingthecof f
ee
machi ne.Mthunziwillneedi tifIwanthi mtobe
poli
te.Hewal kedinjustasi tfinished.
Mthunzi
:"You'r
emakingmecoffee?Youobviousl
y
wantsomet hi
ng."Hesatont
hehighchai
r,l
eaning
onthebar,yawning.
Nkosi
:"Tr
ue.Iwantt
otal
k."Igavehi
m hi
scof
fee.
Hestar
edatitf
unny.
Mthunzi
:"Whatdoyouwanttotalkabout?"He
camebehindthecount
ertopouritdownt hedr
ain
andmakeanewone.Iwasn' tof
fended,Icandoa
l
otofthi
ngs.Makingcof
feei
snoti nmyt op50of
thi
ngsIcando.
Nkosi
:"Let'
sst
artwit
htheRoyal
s.Theywantme
out
.Well,myfamil
yout.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Asi
nof
fthet
hrone?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Appar
entl
yit
'snotonl
ySi
bonel
o.Most
oft
hem thinkt
hisway.
"
Mthunzi
:"Thi
sisn'
tgoodNkosi
.Thi
sisnotgoodat
al
l.Weneedtodosomet hi
ng.
"
Nkosi:"I
'
vebeenthi
nki
ngallnight
.Whatis
somet hi
ng?Thembi
sasuggestedbeingcl
osert
o
thepeople.Tr
yandwinthem over
."
Mt hunzi
:"Butthepeoplecan'
thelp.Theydon't
decidewhor ules.Yourfat
herdoes.Ifnothi
m,the
royalcourt.
"Isighed.
Nkosi
:"Andt
hat
'soneoft
her
easonspeopl
edon'
t
l
ikeus.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Peopl
eador
eyou.
"
Nkosi:"
They'
reobl
iged.Theydon'
thaveachoice.
Andifsomeonedoesn'thaveachoicebutt
olove
you,whatmakesyout hi
nktheywi
ll
? "
Mthunzi
:"Eynawekewi thyourwisemanwor dsso
ear
lyint
hemor ning."Hedrankhiscoffee."
Fine,
we
candomor edevelopments?Inthevil
lages.
"
Nkosi:"That'salr
eadyinthecar dsbuthowabout
i
nvolvingt hepubli
c.Thesedevel opmentsshouldn'
t
onlybef orourgainasSi khosana.Theynotonl y
needtobenef i
tthepeoplenowbutbui l
dt hem bett
er
l
ivesfort hei
rfuturegenerat
ions."
Mthunzi:"
Irememberi nourlastmeeti
ngyouspoke
aboutonlyhavingl
ocalpr oduct
sandservicesinthe
shoppingcentereMthinomkhulu.So,
ast he
supermarket,t
hevil
lagerssellt
hei
rproductstous,
forustosellbacktothem? "
Nkosi:"
Notexactlyl
iket hat.Them sell
ingtothe
supermarketdoesn'
tmeant hei
rsmallbusiness
shutsdown.Theywi llconti
nuet osellt
ot heother
vi
ll
agers,rememberourt ar
getismost l
yt our
ist
s.
Thesuper mar ketwil
lonlybet her
et oprovide
vari
ety.Maybesomevi llagersdon'twantMt hunzi'
s
mil
k, maybesomear eal l
ergic,maybesomej ust
wantt otasteabr andthey'veseenont v.The
supermar ketcannotfailbecausethevi l
lage
businesseswon' tevenmakeuphal foftheproducts
onshel f
."
Mt hunzi
:"Okay.I
'
m start
ingtounder
standbut
reali
sti
call
y,wecan'tbui
ldshoppi
ngcenter
sin
everyvil
lageNkosi.
"
Nkosi:"Yes.That
'swhereI'
m sti
llst
uck.We'
llf
ind
somet hi
ng."Hethoughti
ntohiscoffeebef
ore
si
ppingi t
.
Mt hunzi
:"Whatdoyouthinkaboutinvi
ti
ngot her
royalsonvil
lagevi
sit
s?Givethem asayorhear
t
hei ri
deas.Upside,
theymayhavegoodi deas.
Downsi de,t
heypissthevil
lager
soff.
"Ichuckled.
Nkosi
:"Seehowsharpyourmi
ndi
sat4i
nthe
morni
ng."Hechuckl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Oneoft
hesedays,
I'
m notopeni
ngt
he
doorforyou.
"
Nkosi:"I
'm pl
acingmyblessi
ngsandpleawiththe
Godst hati
twillonl
ybebecauseyou'
reti
red.I
cannotloseyouanytimesoon."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thankyouf
ort
hebl
essi
ngsmyPr
ince.
"

Ihadtogohomeandf acethemusi c.Iknowitwas

l
oud.Myf atherwaspissed.Itwasdi ff
icul
tformeto
l
etAmahl e'
sbodyguardt akeThembi satoresand
schoolbutIdi dn'
thaveachoi ce.Imademywayt o
thepalacemi dmor ni
ng.Iwal kedin,heari
ngvoices
furt
herdownt hehall
s.IfIcansneakupst air
stomy
room atleasttochange.
Nol
wazi
:"Ther
eyouar
e!!
!"Damn.
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
."
Nol
wazi:"
Mot herisal
lyoucansay? !Walktothat
l
oungeandseeyourf ather.NOW!"Iwal keddown
t
otheloungewher emywhol ef
ami l
yhadgat hered.
WhyisPrincessSamukelisiwesti
llhere?Surel
yt hi
s
i
sbadmanner s.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningf
ather
."Hel
ookedupatme.
Si
khosana:"
Howcoul
dyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Howcoul
dIwhat
?"
Sikhosana:"Notonl
ydidyoufalli
nlovewit
ha
commonwi tchbutyoutookheruptooursacr
ed
mount ai
n!!
!"Hescreamed."Doyoureal
izet
he
damageyou' vedone!?
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
rstofal
l,
Thembi
sai
snotawi
tch-
"
Sikhosana:"
Ther
eisnowayinHELL,anor
dinar
y
humancangoupt hatmount
ain!
!YOUKNOW
THAT! !
"
Nkosi
:"Anor
dinar
yhumant
hati
sn'
tgood.
"
Sikhosana:"
Mehl
uli
.Donotmakemeanymor
e
angrythanIam.Ibegj
ustt
hatofyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Fat
her
,Thembi
sai
sthewomant
hatI
'
ve
chosen.
"
Sikhosana:"Overmyfuckingdeadbody!!
"Hehi ssed.
I'
veneverhear dmyfatherswearli
kethatorangry
l
ikethis."YouareNOTbr i
ngingthatt
hingint
omy
palace.IfIsomuchassmel lhernearyou,you'
ll
coll
ectherr emai
nsinhell
.Ipromiseyouthat.
"
Ther ewasnoget tingthrought omyf ather
.Notr i
ght
nowanyway.Icoul dgother outemygr andfather
tookandj ustmar ryherbehi ndhi sbackbutt hat
won' tstopthem f rom hurti
ngher .Thatwhy
grandf atherwasr uthl
ess.Theybr okehim even
afterhegavet hef amil
yanhei r
.Ican'tl
etthat
happen.Iwentupt omyof fice.Ijustneededt ofi
nd
awayt opr otectThembi sa.Fr om everyoneatt hi
s
point.Thedoorcl osedbehi ndme.Il ookedback,
fi
ndingPr i
ncessSamust andi ngthere.
Samu:"
MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Samukel
isi
we,Ihavenot
hingf
oryou.
Absol
utel
ynothi
ng."
Samu:"Iknow."Shesi
ghed."
However
,thef
acti
s,
youcan'thaveher.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatyout
hink?
"Ichuckl
ed.
Samu:"Yourfatherhasalreadyputupsancti
onsal
l
overtheci
ty.She'sbeingwatched.I
fyougo
anywherenearher ,shewil
lbedead.Idon'
tneedto
tel
lyou,whoyourf atheri
s."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwant
."
Samu:"
Icanhel
p."
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght
.Ngi
celungi
phumel
e."
Samu:"There'
sobviousl
yacatch,t
hatIwon'
tdeny
butIbel
ievethi
swillbeani
dealagreementf
orallof
us.You,themost.
"Istar
edather."
Mar r
yme."I
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tcar
eifIhavetoki
llhi
m mysel
f.I
'
m
notst
ayingawayfrom Thembi
sa."
Samu:" Thatwoul dn'tbewi se.Andnoonei ssaying
you'dhavet ost ayawayf r
om Thembi sa.Iwould
mer el
ybeyourf ir
stwi f
e.Icanmakewayf orherto
bet hesecond.Af teryourcor onati
on.Youcanhave
thisinwr i
ti
ngi fyouwi sh.Yourf at
hercan'tmake
anydeci si
onsonyourbehal f,onceyou'r
et heKing.
Ont opofal lofthis,Icanofcour sesecurealli
ance
withmyki ngdom, theMuf huwal ofamil
ybecause
myyoungersi sterispromi sedtothem andt he
Mpondof ami l
yasmyyoungestbr otherwas
promi sedoneoft heirprincesses.Thatisfour
kingdomsasyoural li
es.Anyenemy, wil
lbe
destroyedast heyst and.Youwon' thavet oli
fta
fi
nger
.You'
dbet hemostpowerfulki
nginhist
ory.
Andofcourse,t
heloveofyourl
if
e,wil
lbesafe,r
ight
besi
deyou.Alloft
his,
canbeguaranteed.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwi
llnevermar
ryawomant
hati
snot
ThembisaNtaka."
Samu:"Iunder
stand.WhatIalsounder standis.
Yourf
atherwil
lmakegoodonhi sthreat.It
'sei
ther
meandherorshe' sdead.Yourchoice."..
..
[
07/
27,
05:
49] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er33

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thisreeksofsuspi
cion.Idi
dn'tevencar
eforwhat
becausemyanswerwi l
lnotchange.
Nkosi
:"I'
m sur
eyou'r
eagoodwoman, Pr
incess
Samukeli
siwe.Themanwhowi l
lmarr
yyouoneday
wil
lbeluckybutThatmanwi
llnotbemethough.
Pl
easeopent
hedoorandseeyour
sel
fout
."
Samu:" Well
,myof f
erwillstandregar dl
ess. "She
wal kedoutmyof fi
ce.Mt hunziwasal r
eady
organizingmor esecuri
tyf orThembi sa.Andal so
herownbodyguar dthathasneverbeenhi redbymy
father.Ilef
tmyof fi
cegoingt omyr oom butI
stoppedhal fway.Amahle'sr oom wast hecl osestt
o
mine.MaybesheandIneededt ot alkabit.Shewas
theonl ypersonwhounder stoodhowIf eel.I
knockedonherdoor ,waitingforhert oletmei n.
Sheopened, st
andingatt hedoor.
Ama:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi:"
Letmein."Shestaredatme." Please.
"She
openedthedoorformetowal kin.Surel
ymy
mothergavebir
thtomet wi ce.Herroom was
small
erthanminebutdar kincolour.Sheloved
for
estgreenasacolour,
bl acktoo.
Ama:"
What
?"
Nkosi:"
Thembisatoldmeeverythi
ng."Isatonthe
couch.Sheonl
yst oodther
estari
ngatme.Whyar e
hereyessoscary.Minecan'tl
ookli
kethat,Ir
efuse
t
obel
i
evei
t."
I'
m sor
ry.ThatIdi
dn'
tbel
ieveyou.
"
Ama:"
Whyar
eyouher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Ihat
ethati
trui
nedourrel
ati
onshi
p.I
'
dli
ke
t
oknowwhatIcandot ofixi
t.
"
Ama:"
Youcan'
tfi
xit
.It
'st
hepast
."
Nkosi:"I
'dl
iketodobet t
ert
hen.Fort
hepresentand
f
uture."Shefinal
lysatdownnexttome.
Ama:"Okay."Wesati nsil
ence.Asweusual lydi
din
thepast
.Nott hatther
ewasn'tanyt
hingt osay,we
j
ustpref
errednott osayitoutl
oud.She'stheonly
oneIcanwhi spertoanditdoesn'
taffecther.Or
wassheonl ysayingittomakemef eelbettersi
nce
i
twasourbond?
Nkosi
:"Doesmywhi
sper
inghur
tyou?
"
Ama:"
No.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousayi
ngt
hatt
omakemef
eelbet
ter
?"
Ama:"Whenhasourr
elat
ionshi
peverbeenbased
onl
ies?"
Nkosi
:"Tr
ue.Ij
ustt
houghtmaybe.
..
"
Ama:"
Icanal
sosee.
"
Nkosi
:"Seewhat
?"
Ama:"Thei
mmedi atefut
ure.Nowthatwe'r
eback
fr
om themount
ain,Icanseechoicefut
ures.
"She
smil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Ama:"Inolongeronl
yseewhat'sgoi
ngtohappen,
butIseewhatwouldhappenindif
fer
entreal
it
ies.I
canseetheoutcomeforal
lofthepossi
ble
choi
ces."
Nkosi
:"That
'sgr
eat
."
Ama:"St
il
lawor
kinpr
ogr
ess.Samuwant
stomar
ry
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.
"
Ama:"
She'
sal
wayshadacr
ushonyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknow.
"
Ama:"
You'
renotevenconsi
der
ingi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Youknowmebet
tert
hanIknowmysel
f.
"
Ama:"
Well
,doyouwanttohearhowyourf
utur
e
wi
thherwi
llgoi
fyoudi
d?"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkIcar
eenough.
"
Ama:" I'
llt
ellyouanyway.Samuwi l
lali
gnyouwi t
h
thekingdomsshehaspr omi sed, that'
st r
ue.What s
alsotrueist hatyouwi llbeapower fulking.Shewi l
l
obviouslyhavet okeept heagr eementf oryout o
mar ryThembi sabecauseyouwi llrefusetotouch
heratal l
.Thembi sawillnotagr eet obeyour
secondwi fe, ultimatelybreakingupwi thyou.You
willhurtli
keyou' veneverhur tinyourl i
fe.Thiswill
breakyouapar t.Samuwi l
ltakeadvant ageoft his
pain,lureyout oher .Yougetherpr egnantandyour
l
ifewi l
lcontinueasaki ngwhor ules.That'sit
."
Nkosi
:"Whathappensi
fImar
ryThembi
sar
ight
now."
Ama:"
Shedi
es.
"
Nkosi
:"Icanpr
otecther
-"
Ama:"Bodyguardswon'
thel
p.Yourf
atheriski
ng.
Hisdeci
sionrul
esoveryour
scurr
ent
ly.They'
d
l
ist
entohim mor et
hanyou.
"
Nkosi:"
SowhatdoIdo?Seemsl
ikeIl
oseThembi
sa
ei
therway.
"
Ama:"Fornowlet'
swaiti
tout.Onceyoubecome
Ki
ng,yourfat
hercannotover
rul
eyou."
Nkosi
:"That
'smont
hsaway.Howwi
llIst
ayaway
f
rom Thembisat
hatl
ong?
"
Ama:"Longdist
ancer
elat
ionshi
pswor
kwel
lifbot
h
par
ti
esareloyalt
oeachother.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthinkyouunderst
andthatIcannot
physi
call
ybeawayf rom hert
oolong.I'
m notl
ett
ing
mywomancr yf orme."
Ama:"
We'
l
lmakeapl
anNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Whenar
eyougoi
ngbackt
oRes?
"
Ama:"
Whenyourf
atherappr
oves.
"Shesi
ghed.
"
He'
sscar
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyi
shescar
ed?
"
Ama:"
Henevermadei
ttot
heal
teroft
he
mount
ain.
"
SASAPOV_

Mymor ningwasar eal l

ywei r
done.YesInowhada
visiblebodyguar d.Iwasbr i
efedt hatIwi l
lonly
travelwi thhim andi nabul l
etpr oofcar .Idon'teat
from thecaf eteri
aanymor e,Igetf ooddel iver
edbut
i
twoul dbei nspectedt hor oughly.Ever yonewas
l
ooki ngatmest r
angel y.No, r
ephr ase.Theyl ooked
atmel i
keIwast heenemy.Di dtheyknowaboutme
andNkosial ready?Pet uhadcomet omyr oom but
thebodyguar dcoul dn'tl etheri n.Schoolwaseven
wor se.Hehadt obei nsi det helect ur
er oom.Thi s
obvi ouslyir
rit
atedever yoneel se.Ihadt oputmy
footdownevent ual
ly.Hecoul dwai toutsidesur ely.I
sentamessaget oAmahl e:<Hey, I'
mt hesoci al
pariahonceagai n.Noonecant alktome.They
l
ooki ngatmel i
keIt hreat enedt hei rmot hers.
>Isent
i
t.Sher epli
ed:<I'm sor ry.Itwi l
lgetmuchwor se
whent heyf i
ndoutwhy. >Sot hisi showt heyfeel
befor efindi
ngouti t'sforNkosi nhle?Iwentt othe
HOD.Af teraf ewknocks, hei nvitedmei n.Iwalked
i
nandsati nthechai r
.Hest aredatmybodyguar d.
Me:"MrMafani
.Goodday.I
'
m sosor
ryf
orcomi
ng
wi
thoutanappoi
ntment
."
Maf
ani
:"That
's.
..
.f
ine.You'
rer
oyal
?"
Me:"
No.
"
Maf ani
:"Youhaveabodyguardfol
lowingyouwith
Sikhosanacolour
sonhisshoulder
."That'
svisi
ble?
??
Li
kepeopl eknowwho'sbodyguardiswho's?Ohmy
l
ifeisabouttobehel
l.Il
ookedatthebodyguard.
Purple,Bl
ackandGold.Isi
ghedturni
ngtolookback
atmyHOD.
Me:"Ican't.Idon'
tfeelsaf
e.Ever
yoneisstaring.
Andthey'renothappy.Isitpossi
blet
hatIattended
mylecturesonl i
ne?"Il
ookedatmyhands, defeated.
Mafani:"Sur
e.Youcandot hatst
art
ingtomorr
ow.
You'
llofcourseneedabiggerroom,Ican'
timagi
ne
bei
ngst uckinasmall
room forweeks."
Me:"
Ther
e'sbi
ggerr
ooms?
"
Mafani
:"Yes,f
orfi
nalyearst
udentsbutwecan
makeapl anwit
hyourResidentl
eader.
"
Me:"
Idon'
tmi
ndmyr
oom.I
t'
sokay.
"
Mafani:"
Areyousure?"Inodded."
Letyourr
esident
l
eaderknowwhenyouchangeyourmi nd.Fornow,
I
'm or
deringyourl
aptopandconnecti
onsystem.
Theyshouldbedeli
veredtoyourresi
ntheearly
morning.Someonewillhel
pyousetup."
Me:"
ThankyouMrMaf
ani
.Iappr
eci
atet
his.
"
Maf ani:"
You'rewel
come.Perhaps,t
akethedayof f
today.I'm sur
eyouwillcat
chuptomorrow."Igetup,
l
eavi nghisoffi
ceaft
erthanki
nghim.Mybodyguar d
drovemebackt ores.
Me:" What
'syourname? "Hedi dn'
trespond.Eh.
Okay.We'llseehowt hatwor ksoutforyou.It ook
outmyphone, pl
ayingagame.Hepar kedinour
parkingl
ot,comingt oopent hedoor .Isatquiet
ly
focusedonmygame.Hest aredatme.I 'm not
goingtobear oundaper sonwhodoesn' tspeak.I'
m
havingadi f
fi
cultdayasi s.
Hi
m:"
Miss.
"
Me:"
Ohsoyoucanspeak?
"Icar
ri
edonmyphone.
Hi
m:"
Qhama.
"
Me:"
Wast
hatdi
ff
icul
t?"
Qhama:"
No.
"
Me:"Exactly.There'snoneedf orustopr etendwe
don'
tknoweachot her.We'r
eont hesamet eam.I
can'
tjustbar katyout odot hi
ngs.Ineedt oaddress
yourespect f
ullyandwi t
hyourname. "Igotoutt he
car,
wal ki
ngt omyr oom.Ourf i
rsthol
idayswer e
comingupi njust4weeks.IknowIdi dn'twantt ogo
homeatf ir
stbutnowIhadt o.Qhamast oodi nfront
ofme, suddenly.Whati sitnoooww.
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Qhama:"
Ther
e'sdi
ff
erentguar
dsatyourdoor
."
Me:"
Biyel
a?"
Qhama:"
No.Bat
honga.Tur
nback.
"
Me:"Bat
honga?Theydon'
tknowme.Whywoul
d
anyonef
rom Bat
hongawanttotal
ktome.
"
"Thembisa.
"Aladycal
ledoutt
ome.Istopped,
l
ookingbackather.Soshe'
sapri
ncess.Thi
swas
obvious.
Qhama:"
Let
'sgo-
"
Samu:"
Iwon'
thar
m you.Ipr
omi
se.
"
Qhama:"
NOW!
"
Samu:" Guardsstandyourweaponsdownandkick
them over.Closeyoureyesandt
urnawayfaci
ng
thewall.
"Theydi dexactl
yasshesai
d.Qhama
stoodnexttome.
Me:"WhatcanIhel
pyouwi
th,
pri
ncess?Idon'
t
bel
ievewe'
vemet."
Samu:"Adingypassagewayi
sthel
astpl
aceI
'
dli
ke
tohaveaconversat
ion.
"
Me:"Forgi
vemebutIdon'
tknowyouandIdon'
t
t
rustyou."
Samu:" Yourguardhasal lt
heweapons.Hecanai m
atmi newhoar ecur rent
lyagainstawal l
.YouandI
willbeinyourr oom tochat.Ifhehearsast r
uggle,
hehasmyper missiontoshoott hem al
l.
"Qhama
tookhi sgunoutai mingatthemenagai nstt
hewall.
Iwal kedintomyr oom withtheBat hongapri
ncess.
Me:"
Alr
ightpr
incess.WhatcanIhel
pyouwi
th?
"
Samu:"
Asyoumayknow.TheKi
ngdoesn'
twant
younearthePrince.Hehasputupsanctionsall
aroundyou,watchingyou.I
fMehlulisomuchas
comesnearyou, thekingwi
llhaveyouki
lled.That
's
whyt hebodyguard."
Me:"
Okay.
"
Samu:"Idon'tknowwhy.However,
Mehlul
iloves
youandwi l
ldoanythi
ngtobewithyou.
"
Me:"
Andyouwantt
ohel
phi
m Iguess?
"
Samu:"Iwanttohelpmyselfandhi
m.Igavehi
m an
opti
on.Ifyouwanttobewithhim,i
fyouwantt
he
kingtol
eaveyoualone.Youhavetoencour
agehi
m
toacceptit
."
Me:"
Whati
stheopt
ion?
"
Samu:" Hemar riesme.Oncehemar r
iesme, we
waitunt i
lhiscor onati
onandthenhemar ri
esyouas
asecondwi fe.OnceMehl ul
iisKingnoonecan
overrulehim.Notevenhi sf
ather,
hewon' tbeable
tohur tyou.Thi sworksbett
erforeveryone.Hesti
ll
hasyouasawi feandyoudon'thavetocompl et
ely
abandonyourl ife.Youcanli
venormal l
y,carr
yon
studying,wor k.Allwit
htheloveofyourlif
ebyyour
si
deandnott
heresponsi
bil
it
yofbei
ngaQueenof
anent
ir
enati
on.
"
Me:"
Andyou'llbequeen?Becauseyouwantt
he
r
esponsi
bil
it
yoftheentir
enati
on?"
Samu:"YesThembi sa.I'
vebeenr oyal
tyallmyli
fe,I
canhandleitmuchbet t
ert hanyouwoul d.Theonl y
thi
ngyouandIwi llshareisahusband.Andof
course,
chil
dren.Thinkabouti t
."Shewal kedoutthe
room.Qhamacamest raightin,checki
ngme.
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne,
Qhama.
"

KHAYAPOV_

It
'sbeenabor ingMonday.Ihat edbeinginthis
apartmentaloneandIwasn' tabouttoinvit
eagi r
l
herethatwouldannoyme.Al lt
hegirl
sI'vebeen
with,al
lofthem, i
rr
it
atedme.Ther e'
snotasi ngle
i
nteresti
ngperson.Ifeell
iketheyputupt his
personajustsotheycantr i
ckmei ntoar el
ati
onship.
Thatwon'thappennoworever .Mnqobiwas
pr
obabl
yatschool
.Ical
ledSi
bonel
o.
Si
bo:"
Mybug.
"
Khaya:"
Hi.Wher
ear
eyou?
"
Si
bo:"
Mybar
.Why?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m bor
ed.
"
Sibo:"
I'
m ali
tt
lebusysoIcan'
tcomei
mmediat
ely
andIdon'twantyouher
e.I'
l
lcal
lyoui
nanhour
."
Khaya:"
Icanbear
oundal
cohol
,I'
mjustnotal
lowed
t
odr i
nkitandI
'
mfinewi
tht
hat.
"
Sibo:"Fine.Come. "Ihungup.Imeansur e,li
fe
suckedbutIwoul dn'twanttodi esl
owlyand
painful
lybecauseofl i
verproblems.Anyt
hingbut
that.Itookmykeysl eavi
ngmyapar t
ment.Idrove
tothebart hatIalmostdi edinjustafewdaysago.I
walkedi n.Sibonel
owassi t
tingonthecouchwi t
h
hislaptop.
Khaya:"
Brot
her
."
Si
bo:"
Heyt
her
e."Hel
if
tedhi
shandf
ort
hemanager
.
Phi
la:"
Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
HiPhil
a.Justacokeandmaybesome
chi
psfrom t
hekit
chen."
Phil
a:"Gotyou.
"Hewalkedaway.Isatont
hecouch
nexttoSibonel
owhi
leheworked.
Khaya:"
Whatyouworkingon?
"It
ookoutmyphone
scr
oll
ingthr
oughsoci
als.
Si
bo:"Fatherwantst
oexpandt
henetworkovert
o
GoldenCrown.I'
m cr
eat
ingapr
oposalf
orKing
Phakamisa."
Khaya:"
Oht
hat
'scool
."
Si
bo:"
Yeah,
cool
.Justhopeheaccept
s."
Khaya:"
YouhaveNakhamul
aonyoursi
de,
woul
dn'
t
t
hatworkinyourf
avour
."
Si
bo:"I
t'
sactual
lyworki
ngagainstus.Nakhamul
a
i
sn'
tfri
endl
ywi t
hSikhosana.Phakamisai
s
Si
khosana'
sfavori
tepeople.
"
Khaya:"Ohdamn.It
houghtyourf
ami
lywer
ethe
favor
it
es."
Sibo:"
That
'sSikhosanaforyou.Hedeci
deswhen
he'sdonewit
hyouandt here'
snothi
ngyoucando
abouti
t.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing.
"
Khaya:"
ThemedshelpIguess.Igett
heseshi
ver
s
att
imesbutover
allf
ine.
"
Sibo:"
Hmm.Ar
eyoudr
inki
ngyourwat
erandeat
ing
healt
hy?"
Khaya:"
Nowyousoundl
ikeZwe.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Sibo:"Yeahhe'
sannoyingbutIcan'
tdenyheknows
whathe' sdoi
ng.I'
vegott
enmuchbet t
ert
aki
nghis
advicethanactual
lyavoi
dingi
t.He'
sagood
doctor."
Khaya:"Yeah."Phil
abroughtourdr
inksandsome
pot
atochipsf orme.Istar
tedmunchingonthem
i
nstantl
y.Sibonelostar
edatme.
Sibo:"That'shealthy?"Ismi l
ed.Thedoor sopened,
al
lofusl ooked.I twasmor ning,noonecameher e
atthisti
me, i
twasn' topenyet .Iknowt hi
sguy.He
wasatt hei cecream par l
ourwhenIwentwi th
Thembi sa."Ahh.Themosti mpor t
antnonr oyal
personint heland.Ohshoul dIsay, secondmost
i
mpor tantnow?Howar eyouMt hunzi?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
WhatcanIdof
oryou?
"
Mthunzi:"TheroyalPr i
ncehasi nvi
tedyouona
vi
ll
agevi sit
.Thi
si spartofhisfutureruli
ng,to
i
ncludeal lr
oyalsinthenati
onwi t
hdeci si
onsand
i
deas.Ifyouar einter
ested,pleasedor eportt
othe
pal
acebymi dday."Sibonel
olaughed.
Sibo:"Pl
ease.Includeallroyals?That'
snottr
ue.In
fact,
it'
snottruebecauseyoust oodthereand
call
edhim THEr oyalpr
ince.Asi fI
'
m not.Si
r,pl
ease.
BothyouandSi khosanahavenoshame. "Mthunzi
walkedout."Canyoubel i
evehi m?Whatdoeshe
thi
nkt hi
sis?WhenhasSi khosanaeverwantedto
i
ncludeus?Thi si sobvi
ousl ysuspi
cious.
"
Khaya:"Uhm. .Sbo,don'tyouthinkthisisagood
i
dea?I fyouattendtheni twil
lobviouslymakethe
news, t
hiscanhel pyouwi ththePhakami sa'
s.
Maybeoncet heyseehowi nvol
vedyouar ewith
Sikhosana,theywon'thesitatetogiveyouachance.
Also,perhapsbeforegoingt oGoldenCr own,of
fer
yournetwor ktothevil
lages.Thisway, youhaveful
l
cont
rolofcommuni
cat
ionatanypoi
ntyouwi
sh.
"
Si
bo:"You'
repret
tysmart,aren'
tyou?"Hetookhi
s
dr
inkandgulpeditdown."Weneedt ogetyou
dr
essed.It
'
sanhourt otheirpal
ace.Let'
sgo."
Khaya:" Me?Wher eam Igoing?I '
m notall
owed
there."I'
veneverbeentotheSi khosanapalace.
Outsidersarenotallowedthere.I'
veonlybeent o
Biyela'smostlybecauseIkindofgr ewupt her
eand
KingBi yelal
ikesme.Ican'tgot otheSikhosana
palace.Noway.
Sibo:"Asanordi
naryper
son, sure.Butyou'
remy
advisornow.Ther
efor
e,yougowher eIgo.Aroyal
princemusthaveasmar tadvisor.Come."He
smi l
ed,get
ti
ngup.OhdearGod, whathaveIdone.
[
07/
27,
05:
49] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er34
PRI
NCEPOV_

Istoodi nfrontofthemi r
roront hepedest alwhile
thet ai
lorfi
ttedmysui tonmeandal tereditabit
.I
waswai ti
ngf orMt hunzitoar r
ive.Ialsoneeded
feedbackonhowt hedr aini
ngwasgoi ngin
Mt hinomkhul uvi
ll
age.Thenewswer eal loveri
t.I
t
madeheadl inesint heearlymor ning.Mt hunzi
wal kedinthedesi gnr oom asIcal ledit.Thisi
s
wher ethet ail
orwor kedort ookmymeasur ements.
Mt
hunzi
:"Mypr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Wel
l?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"So.
..
don'
tbemad.
"I'
m al
readymad.
Nkosi
:"Whati
sit
."
Mthunzi
:"Zwewasn'tavail
abl
e.Hehasabusy
schedul
eatthehospit
al.SoIgotanot
herBi
yel
-"
Nkosi
:"Ihopei
t'
sthel
astbr
other
."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
twoul
d'vebeenbuthe'
satschool
.So.
."
Nkosi
:"SoI
'
m st
uckwi
thSi
bonel
oal
lday?
"
Mt hunzi
:"Yes.Butit'
sgoodbecauset henhewon' t
behover i
ngnearThembi sa."Isi
ghed.Iwasn' ttoo
sureofthisplan.Apar tofmewasr eli
evedthatZwe
wasbusy.Idon' tknowwhatI 'dsayt ohim.Wewer e
fr
iendsandgr ewupt oget herbeforeourf ri
endshi
p
wascutat10year sold.Ialwaysf eltguil
tyaboutit
buttherewasnot hingIcoul ddo.Whatwoul dIsay
tohim now?Dowecar ryonl i
kewedon' tknoweach
other?Idon'tknowhowt obef ri
endsanymor e.I
don'thavenoneexceptf orMthunzi.DoIevenwant
fr
iends?Absol ut
elynot.Idon'tneedanymor e
humanst ost r
essme.
Mthunzi
:"Areyoumad?Al
oti
shappeni
ngonyour
f
ace."Il
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notmad.Onedaywi
thSi
bonel
owon'
tbe
t
oobad."
Mt
hunzi
:"Youwi
shedt
oki
llhi
mlastweek.
"
Nkosi
:"Andifhepushesit
,mywi
shwi
llbegr
ant
ed.
"
Ist
eppedoffthepedest
al.
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.Onemor
ethi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"I
sitgoi
ngt
oir
ri
tat
eme?I
'
m havi
ngabad
day.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yesbuti
t'
sbett
ert
hatyouknow.Samu
wasatres.QhamasaidshespoketoThembisa."
Theangersizzl
edi
nmymuscl e,t
issueandbones.
Nkosi
:"Ok.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Anot
hert
hin-
"
Nkosi
:"MTHUNZI
."
Mthunzi
:"Lastone,
Iswear.Uhm.Yourdadi
s
wait
ingonyoudownstair
sf orl
unch.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
nseei
nghi
m."
Mt
hunzi
:"Iwoul
dunder
standbuthewi
llnotst
op.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tcar
ewhathedoes,
I'
m nott
alki
ngt
o
hi
m.Canwegetamoveon? "
Mt
hunzi
:"Wel
l,
it'
sonl
yhal
fpastel
even.
"
Nkosi:"And?Sibonelowil
lnotcomehere.Let
'sgo.
"
Iwalkedoutther oom,downthepassageandstair
s.
Whatt hehell
?
Mt
hunzi
:"Oh.He'
sear
ly.
"
Sibonelo:"
YourHighness.I
'm honor
edtor
ecei
ve
yourinvit
e."Il
ookednexttohim.Howlowcoul
d
Sibonelogo?
Mthunzi
:"Whati
shedoingher
e?Youknow
commonersarenotal
lowedi
nthepal
ace.
"
Sibonel
o:"
Commoners?
"Hechuckl
edlooki
ngatme.
"Thisi
smyadvi
sor
."Hesmil
edproudl
y.
Mt
hunzi
:"Advi
sor
?Real
ly?
"
Sibonel
o:"Yes.If
oundmysel fneedingone.Khaya
i
sper f
ect.Notonlydoeshehavemybesti nter
est
s
atheart
,buthe'salsostudyi
nglaw."Myeyesnever
l
eftKhaya.Hewasst ari
ngathisfeet.Advi
sor?He
canbarelylookatme, he'
sshakinginthatsuit
.
Si
khosana:"
Aha.It
houghtIhear
dsomevoi
ces.
"
Si
bonelo:"
KingSikhosana.
"Hebowed."Whata
pl
easuretobeinyourpalace.Thepr
incehasi
nvi
ted
metojoinhimforavill
agevisi
t.
"
Si
khosana:"
Isthatso?Ididn'tknowaboutthat
Mehlul
i.
"Iwalkedoutthepalace,get
ti
nginmycar .
HonesttoGod,hewillt
alktohimselff
oreterni
tyi
fI
canhelpi
t.Mt
hunzigoti
nnextt
ome,
thedr
iver
dri
vingof
f.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hewon'
ttaket
hatki
ndl
y."
Nkosi
:"Ki
ndnessi
sthelastt
hinghe'l
lrecei
vefrom
meforaslongasIli
ve.I
fhevalueshiskingshi
p
anddi
gnit
y,heoughttol
eavemeal one."

KHAYAPOV_

I'
vemetSi khosanabef ore.Mydadi shi slawyer .
We' veneveri nter
actedbeyondmesayi nghel l
o.I
alwayshavet ogr eethim butheneverr esponded.
Nott hatitmat ter
s, i
tseemsheneverr espondst o
anyone.NotevenSi bonel o.Andnow, notevenhi s
ownf at
her.Ihat ethatamusedme.Sohe' sjustl i
ke
thatt oeveryone?Howt hehelldi
dThembi saf alli
n
l
ovewi ththatper son?Andhi snameisMehl uli?I'
ve
neverhear ditbef oretoday.Ican'tl
ie,itsuitshim.
SiboneloandIr odebehi ndt hei
rcarinourown.For
once, heletaguar ddriveus.Siboneloenj oys
drivinghimsel fbutIfigurehe'stryi
ngt oimitate
Mehl
uli
.Ichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
What
?"
Khaya:"
Hisnamei
sMehl
uli
?"Hel
aughed.
Si
bo:"Iwasnotexpect
ingi
t.It
houghthi
snamewas
Nkosi
.That'
swhatZweusedt ocal
lhim.
"
Khaya:"
Nkosi
?Maybebecausehe'sthef
utur
e
Ki
ng?"Hetookouthi
sphone,hoppi
ngontoGoogl
e.
Si
bo:"
Probabl
y.I
nfact
,letmeGoogl
ehi
sname.
"
Khaya:"I
twoul
dmakesenset
hough,
thathe'
s
Nkosi.
"
Sibo:"
Thatwouldbeoverki
ll
."Thesear
chr
esul
ts
cameup." Wel
l,
I'
llbedamned.Hisnameis
Nkosinhl
eMehluliSi
khosana."
Khaya:"
Andyoudi
dn'
tknowt
hat
?"
Sibo:"
He'snotmyf ri
end,whywoul dIknowhis
name.Onl yZweknewi tandmaybeourpar ent
s.I
j
ustcalledhim YourHighnessbecauseheactsli
ke
acunt."
Khaya:"
Whi
chvi
ll
agear
ewevi
sit
ing?
"
Si
bo:"
Notsur
eandIdon'
tcar
e.I
'
mj usti
nter
est
ed
i
nseei
nghowheint
eract
swit
hpeople.
"
Khaya:"
Hedi
dn'
tevenr
espondtohisfat
her.Sbo,
ar
eyousurehe'
snotmute?Nodisr
espect.
"
Si
bo:"
Ohhecandef i
nit
elyt
alk.Hepref
ersnott
o.
Hehasrespondedt
omeaf ewt imes.
"
Khaya:"
And?He'
sjustcol
d?"
Sibo:"Col dishi m."That '
sj ustcrazy.Idon' t
under standwhyThembi sawoul dfallforsomeone
l
iket hatwhensheher selfisexpressivewi thher
emot ions.Shewi llletyouknowexact lywhatshe
feelsandt hi nks.Howdoest hatwor ki ftheperson
you'retalkingt oisn'twill
ingt orespond?Thevi ll
age
wasanhouraway.Whenwear ri
vedatt heChief's
homest ead.Wewat chedt hecarbef or eusparkand
Mt hunzigotoutf irst.Theseconddoorwasopened
byaguar d, Ionlycaughtagl i
mpseofhi sshoe
beforet heysur roundedhi m.Wow.Si boneloandI
gotof fourcarwi tht hefourBi yel
aguar dswalking
behindus.
Mt
hunzi
:"Chi
efMangozi
.Thankyouf
orwel
comi
ng
ust oyourvil
lage.ThePr i
ncehasinvi
tedanother
royalfamil
ytoj oi
nust oday.Thi
sisPrinceSi
bonelo
Biyelaand...
hisadvisor.
"Hesoundedbor edwith
mypr esenceandIcoul dn'tcar
e.Iwasjustas
i
mpor t
antashewasr i
ghtnow.Okaymaybeal it
tl
e
l
essi mportantbutIhadaj obtodo.
Chief
:"Wear etrul
yblessedt ohaveyouall
.Thank
youYourHi ghnessforgracingus.Weappr eci
ate
yourpresence,Pri
nceBiyela."Si
bonelost
epped
for
ward.
Sibo:"
Thepl
easureismine,
ChiefMangozi.You
haveabeaut
ifulvi
ll
age.
"Thechiefsmi
led,
bowing.
Chief:"ThankyouMyPr ince.Wecanal lheadt othe
communi t
yhal ljustafewmet ersaway. "Helooked
soexci ted,hecoul dactuall
yexpl ode.Wemadei tto
thecommuni tyhal landitwasf ull.Somepeopl e
wer eout si
de.Si khosanagoti nf i
rstandwe
foll
owedaf terhisguar ds.Thecommuni tywas
singingl oudly.Thiswascr azy.Wer entthey
supposedt obowt ohim?Hesatupont hestage,
Mt hunzinextt ohi m.Sibonel osatnextt othem.Isat
i
nt hefrontr owwi ththepeopl e.Ther oyalspeaker
gott
othepodi
um andlif
tedherhandtocal
mthem
down.Shewasgorgeous.Thecrowdset
tl
eddown.
Speaker :"
Communi t
yofVamanivill
age.Wet hank
youf orcomi nginyournumber stoseeust oday.
TheRoyalPr ince.
.."Shel
ookedbackatt hem but
quicklylookedatt hecrowd."
Princes,appreciate
yourpr esence.We- "
"ManaSesi !!Allhailtheki ngnabant ubakhe, si yaba
bongel a.Wewantt oknowwhatwi l
lbedonef orour
vil
laget oo?Mt hi
nomkhul ui shour sandhour saway.
Theygett heirchildren'sbodi esbackandt hel akeis
beingdr ained.They' reget tingnewr oads.Whatwi l
l
happenwi thourvi ll
age?We' vebeenst rugglingwi t
h
electri
citysi ncei twasi nvent ed.Wedon' thave
tower s.Di dyouknowyouneedt ower st omakea
phonecal l
?Wehavet ot r
avelt ot ownf orthat !The
schooldoesn' thavear oof .Thi sisonl yaf ewofour
problems!Weal sowantar oyalt ourinourhomes! "
Mt hunzil ookedatSi bonel o, sayingsomet hingt o
himt hatIcoul dn'thear .Sibonel ospokebackt ohi m.
IsMehl uligoingt oaddr esst hesepeopl eornot ?He
didn'tlookl ikehewoul dmove.Iknewt hough, he
onl
ydidthatmuchf orMthinomkhulubecauseof
Thembisa.Fucki
ngpretent
ious.Ishookmyhead.
Hestoodup, t
appi
ngt hespeaker'
sshoul
der.She
st
eppedaside.Nofuckingway.
Nkosi
:"Goodday.Whati
syournamesi
r?"
Him:"
MyPr i
nce,
mynamei
sZakhe.
"Hebowed
downgraci
ousl
y.
Nkosi :"Zakhe.Mypl ansar etodomuchmor eforall
thevi l
lages.Mt hi
nomkhul uwasnegl ectedandt hat
hadbeenonme.Idi dencour ageyourchi eftowr i
te
allt
hei ssuest hevi l
lageisf aci
ngandsowecanal l
beher et ogetherfindingasol uti
onfort hem t oday.I
woul dl i
ket hecommuni tytobeasi nvol vedi n
i
mpr ovingt hevi l
lagebecauset hatway, itwoul dbe
diff
icultf oryout onott hent akecareofi tinthe
comi ngf uture.AsI '
m hear i
ngyourcompl aint,
the
schoolandel ectri
cityissuewi l
ltakepr i
or i
ty.Iwould
appr eciat erespectinaddr essingeachot heraswe
movef ur theralongt oday.Thankyou. "Hesatback
down.Wow.Idon' tknowwhatIexpect edhi mt o
soundl ikebuthehadadanger ousel ementi nhis
tone.Hi svoi cecar ri
edt hrought heroom asan
obvi
ouski
ngwould.Ican'
tsayIdon'
tenvyi
t.I
wouldbel
ying.

SASAPOV_

SinceI'dhadadayof ffrom school,Ispentmyday

i
nmyr oom.Idi daskQhamat oletPetuinatleast
.I
can'tsurvi
veherealone.Especiall
ybecauseIdon' t
knowwhenAmahl ewillbeback.Itwasear l
y
eveningandI '
dmanagedt ofi
nishmyassi gnment
thatIkeptputti
ngoff.NowIneededt owaitformy
l
apt opsoIcant ypeitoutproperl
y.Ordinari
lyI'
duse
thecomput erlabbutthatcan'thappennowcani t
.I
tookmyphone, di
ali
ngf ormyf at
her.Heanswer ed
afterafewr i
ngs.Washebusy?Thegoat sshould
bei nbynow.
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lomychi
ld.
"
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a,howar
eyou?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m wel
landyour
sel
f?"
Me:"
I'
m okay.Ar
eyoubusy?
"
Xol
ani
:"Ij
ustwal
kedi
nthehouse.
"
Me:"
Oh,
aret
hegoat
sgi
vingyout
roubl
e?"
Xol
ani
:"No,
Iwasatt
hel
ake.
"
Me:"
Doi
ngwhatt
her
e?"
Xol
ani
:"Wewerehel
pingt
heworkersdr
aint
hel
ake.
Thewholecommuni
tywasther
e."
Me:"
Oh.Howdi
dthatgo?
"
Xolani
:"Forafi
rstday,i
twasgoodmychi l
d.They
didaverygoodjob.It'
snottoovi
siblebecauseit
'sa
verybiganddeeplakebutitwasaj obwelldonefor
thefi
rstday.
"
Me:"That
'sgood.MaybewhenIcomef
orEast
er
hol
idaysi
twillbehal
fwaydone.
"
Xol
ani
:"You'
recomi
ngdownf
orhol
idays?
"
Me:"
Yest
ata.
"
Xol
ani:"
Ohthat
'sgr
eatnews.I
'
m happyt
oheart
hat
mntanam."
Me:"
Wher
eismamaandNel
e?"
Xolani:"Yourmotherisi
ntown.I'
m notsur ewher
e
Neleis,maybeshe' swit
hherfr
iends.Tellmeabout
school."Icouldn'
ttel
lmyfat
herI'
m notat t
endi
ng
anymor eandi nst
eadonlydoi
ngonl i
nelectur
es.
He'dobvi ousl
yordermehomei fthat
'sthecase.
Me:"Schooli
sgreat
.I'
m copi
ngwel
l
,I'
vefi
nished
t
woassi gnment
sandI'm st
udyi
ngf
oratestthatI
'
m
wri
ti
ngthisWednesday."
Xolani:"That'
sgood.I 'm proudofyoumyangel .
You'reaver ysmar tandr esponsiblechil
d.You'
re
goingt omakeaf antasticlawyeroneday.Zanele
wil
llear nal
otfrom you.Thesedaysshe' sobsessed
withfriendsandt here'saboyi nvolved.Maybeyou
cominghomef orholidayswi l
lremindherthatboys
arenoti mportantinlife.Thischil
dst r
essesme."
Me:"
Whoi
stheboy?
"
Xolani:"
Thisj
uvenil
edeli
nquent
,Aphi
wef
rom next
door."Ial
mostlaughed.
Me:"
Ithoughtshehat
edhi
m."
Xolani
:"Notanymor
e.Doyouknowhestol
eapi
g
fr
om Ndumenze?Whatanaughtychi
ld.
"
Me:"
Hai
boTat
a.Whati
shegoi
ngt
odowi
thapi
g?"
Xol
ani
:"WhatheDIDiseatwi
thhi
sfr
iends.
I
magine.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Itcan'
tbet
hateasyt
ost
ealapi
gandcooki
t.
"
Xolani:"
Apparentl
y,t
heybraaiit
.Trustme, I
'
mj ust
asshocked."Hechuckled."Theytr
iedwithmy
chickenstheotherday,
Icaughtoneoft hem and
whippedhi mtocomeshor t
.Theykeepver yfar
fr
om myhousenow.I magineme, beingrobbedby
l
itt
lechil
dren.
"
Me:"
Ey,
tat
a."Ichuckl
ed.
Xol
ani
:"Anyway,
areyoust
ayi
ngawayf
rom t
hat
manwespokeabout?"
Me:"
Tat
a."
Xol
ani:"
NoThembi
sa.It
houghtImademysel
f
cl
ear.
"
Me:"
Canwet
alkabouti
twhenI
'
m home?
"
Xolani
:"Whati
st heretotal
kabout?Thembi saI
'm
notgoingtoal
lowt hatmant omanipul
ateyou.
You'vecomethisfar.You'r
einapresti
giousschool
.
Whatwouldhewantfrom you?Thatmani s
pr
obablypr
omisedtoaprincess.Thereisnof
utur
e
wi
thhim.Hewillnotmarr
yyou."Isighed.
Me:"
Okayt
ata.
"
Xolani
:"I
'm nottr
yingtobemeant oyou.Iknowyou
seeahandsomemanwhohasi tallbutt
hispathi s
notforyoumychi ld.I
'
m evenwi lli
ngtoacceptt hat
otheronewithbigears.Notapr ince.Hewillbreak
yourheartalongwithyourvi
rginityandyou'llbeleft
pregnantandalone.Areyoulisteningtome? "
Me:"
Yest
ata.
"
Xol
ani:"
Good.Yourmot
herwillcal
lyouwhenshe'
s
home.Iloveyoumychi
ld.St
aysafeandgood."
Me:" Il
oveyout ootata."Ihungupt hephone.Iwas
tryi
ngt ofor
getaboutt hissit
uati
onallday.Since
Pr i
ncessBathongahadcomet omyr oom, I
'
dbeen
overthi
nking.Iwouldneverbeasecondwi f
e.Not
event oaking.ButIlovehi m sooomuch.What
woul dli
febewithouthi m?Woul dIsurvi
venotbeing
his?Buttherewi l
lbeanot herwoman.Hi sfi
rst.Oh
fatherGod.HowIdonotwi shthisevenonmy
wor
stenemy.Qhamaknockedonmydoor
.
Me:"Comein."Heopened,
cominginwithPet
u.She
wascarryi
ngapizzaanddri
nks."
It
'sokayQhama.
Pet
ui ssaf
e."
Qhama:"
Ist
il
lhavet
ocheck.
"
Me:"We'
regoingtobeeati
ngthesamepizzaand
dri
nki
ngthesamedr i
nks.She'
sobvi
ousl
ynottryi
ng
topoi
sonhersel
f.Pl
easego!"Hewal
kedout.
Pet
u:"
Andt
hen?
"
Me:"I
'
mj ustsot
ir
edPetu.Ofal
lthi
s."She
massagedmyshoulder
s.
Pet
u:"
I'
m sor
ry.Hashet
ri
edt
ohar
m youagai
n?
USi
bonel
o?"
Me:"
No.Thet
hreati
smuchbi
ggert
hanSi
bonel
o."
Pet
u:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Isi
ghed.Shesatnextt
o
me.
Me:"Iwasn'
tdat
ingSi
bonel
o, Pet
u.I
nfact,Isaw
hi
mf ort
hefir
stt
imeatthereeddance.That'
sthe
fi
rstt
imehespoketome."
Pet
u:"
But
..
.yousai
d."
Me:"Iknow.Il
ied,
act
ual
lyavoidedtell
ingyout
he
t
rut
h.Thecarthatyouwereseeingpickingmeup
wasn'thi
s."
Petu:"
Okaaaay.Whoel
sewoulditbe?Theother
royal
saretoofart
ofr
equentMountai
nPeak.Oh..
.
I
t'sMnqobi?"
Me:"
No-
"
Pet
u:"
Zwe?OhmyGoodness.That'
ssocut
e!Zwe
i
sadorabl
e,okay?Whatahumbl
egent
."
Me:"
Pet
uni
a,Ineedyout
ocal
m down.I
t'
snotZwe.
"
Pet
u:"
You'r
ekeepingmei nsuspense,whoi
sit
?Isi
t
aki
ng?"Shegasped."I
t'
saking,i
sn'ti
t?Ohyou
di
rt
yli
tt
legi
rl.
"Igi
ggled.
Me:"You'
remaki
ngt
hissomucheasi
erf
orme.I
t'
s
Nkosinhl
e."
Pet
u:"
Who'
sthat
?"
Me:"
Ther
oyalhei
r.
"
Pet
u:"
OH.
"shehel
dhermout
hinshock.
Me:"
Icouldn'
ttel
lyouoranyonef
ort
hatmat
ter
.
Pl
easekeepthi
stoyoursel
f."
Petu:" Oh.My.God. "Ijustlookedatmyhands
quietly.Soonerrat
hert hanl at
ershe'sgoingtofind
out.Nowt hatthekingi str
yingtokillmeandIhave
abodyguar d,i
t'
sboundt ocomeout ."Thembisa,
HOW.Tel lmeever ything.OHMYGOD.You' r
e
pl
ayi ngwi t
hmear en'tyou?Ohmy, heisAmahl e's
brother !
!Didsheknow? "
Me:"
Yes,
sheknew.Fr
om t
hebegi
nni
ng.
"
Petu:"
Thembisa!
!"Shegasped."
Howdi
dthi
s
happen?DidAmahl ei
ntr
oduceyou?
"
Me:" No.Isawhi m oncei ntheclubthenagai nat
Amel i
a's.Ididn'
tknowt hen, t
hathe'
saPr i
nce.He
thenlookedf orme, gotmynumberandst art
ed
texti
ng.ThenIsawhi m at hi
rdti
meatAmel ia'
s.On
alloccasions,hedidn'tspeak.Iwaswi t
hmydad
andmydadnot i
cedhi ml ooki
ngatmesohe
confrontedhim.Itwasawhol et
hing.Laterthat
night,hecamet oapol ogizeandaskmeoutt o
dinner."
Petu:"
Noman,you'
rej
oki
ng.Hecanspeak?You'
re
l
yingThembi
sa."
Me:"
Hecan.Hej
ustdoesn'
tli
ket
o."
Petu:"Yeahli
kehislit
tl
esister
.Ohmygoodness.
So..
.youhaveawhol ebodyguar dnow, doest
hat
meanyou' r
etakingittothenextlevel
?"She
squealedexcit
edly."
Myf ri
endisgoingt obequeen?
OhmyGod! !
"Ismi l
edfaint
ly.
Me:"
Act
ual
lynot
."
Pet
u:"
What
?Whatdoyoumean?
"
Me:"ThecurrentKi
ng,hi
sfather
,doesn'
tli
keme
anddoesn'twantmenearhim.Hehassi nce
thr
eatenedmyl i
fe.
"Shegasped.
Pet
u:"
Whatt
hehel
l
!!Why?
"
Me:"Nocl
ue.Maybehewantshimtomar
rythe
Bat
hongapri
ncess.
"Isi
ghed."
Shecameher
e."
Pet
u:"
NoThembi
sa!Di
dshet
hreat
enyou?
"
Me:"No.Sheaskedmet oencouragehimt omarry
her
.Oncehemar r
iesher
,they'
l
lwaitunt
ilhis
cor
onati
onandt henhecanmar ryasecondwi f
e,
me.Thatway,
hisf
atherdoesn'
thaveasaysi
ncehe
wi
llbeki
ngandheandIcanbet ogether
."
Petu:"
Butyouwon'tbetogether
.Therewil
lbethr
ee
ofyou.Youcan'
tacceptthatThembisa.Youhaveto
fi
ghtforyourman!
"
Me:"Iwoul d,i
fIwasn'tbeingt
hreatenedwit
hdeath.
Petu,Idon'twanttodie.Il
ovehim sooomuchbutI
haveal otIsti
llneedtoli
vefor
.Idon'tknowifi
t'
s
worthriski
ngmyl i
fe.
"
Petu:"
Thembi
sa,
onl
yyourhear
tknowshowmuch
i
tloveshi
m.Whatwoul
dli
febewit
houthi
m?"
Me:"Itwoul
dbehell.Butitwoul
dhurtevenmore
knowinghehasanot herwoman."Myheartwas
hurt
ingasis.I
maginei fhewasmarr
iedtosomeone
el
se?NoI '
dhavetoobvi ousl
ydi
e.
Pet
u:"
Sowhatwi
llyoudo?
"
Me:" Idon'
tknowmyf ri
end.TrulyIdon' t
.Ei
therway,
Ilose.It
'smylif
eorhim."Ilookedatmyphone,
seeinganewmessagef rom Nkosi:<Iloveyouand
nothingwil
lgetinthewayoft hat.Ndiyakut
hembisa.
I'
m goingtoloveyouforever
.>
Petu:"You'rereall
yinlovewit
hhi m ne?
"Ilookedup
ather."Ijustknowt hat'
shim,Iseeitonyourface.
Your eall
ylovet hi
sman. "
Me:"Ir
eall
ydoPetu.It'
sscarybecausewehaven'
t
evenbeentoget
herthatlong.
"
Pet
u:"
Thatmeansnot
hing.Weneedapl
an.
"
Me:"
Apl
an?
"
Petu:"Li
tt
lepr
incessladyhasgi
venyoui
nfor
mat
ion
thatyoucanuset oyouradvant
age.
"
Me:"
Andt
hati
s?"
Petu:"Sweetheart
,oncehebecomesKing,noone
canover rul
ehisdecisi
ons.Soi
fheremains
unmar ri
eduntilt
hen,hecansti
llbeyour
sand
yoursalone.Allwehavetodo,i
sdodgebullet
sfr
om
theking."Igi
ggled.
Me:"
Youar esomet hi
ngel
se,youknowthat
?How
ar
eyoutalki
ngaboutdodgingbull
etswhenmyli
fe
i
satri
sk?"Ilaughed.
Pet
u:"
PleaseThembi
sa,we'
ret
alki
ngaboutafut
ure
ki
nghere.What
'sal
it
tl
edeathf
orlove?Romeoand
Jul
ietdi
ditt
oo.
"Icoul
dn'
tst
opl
aughi
ng.
Me:"
Wher
edi
dIf
indyou?
"
Petu:"Youneedme.Al
lofus.Takeoutapenand
paper.Weneedaschedule.Weneedaninvi
sibl
e
car.
"
Me:"
Whatt
hehel
lisani
nvi
sibl
ecar
?"
Pet
u:"
Acart hatcan'tbedet
ect
edornot
iced.
Somethi
ngthat'
st ooordi
nar
y.Weneeddisgui
ses.
Maybeevenahi deout.
"
Me:"
Ahi
deout
?"
Pet
u:"
Yesofcour
se,
howel
sear
eyout
oseeyour
man?"
Me:"
Okay.Let
'spl
ant
hisi
ndet
ail
."
Pet
u:"Amahl
ewi t
hhelpwi
ththemoreint
ri
cate
det
ail
s.Whoelseknowsaboutyouandhi
m? "I
si
ghed.
Me:"
Khaya.
"
Pet
u:"
That'
stri
cky.Hei
sloyalt
oBi yel
a.We'
llwor
k
ar
oundit
.Let'
sgettoworkMrsSikhosana.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
05:
49] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er35

*
*4weeksl
ater
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ihaven'tbeenabl etoseeThembi saforthepast

mont handIwasdamnnearl osingmymi nd.Sur e,
wehadvi deocal lsandspokeever yminuteofever y
daybuti twasn' tenough.Ineededt oholdherand
comehel lorhi ghwat ers,thatwoul dbehappeni ng
today.Icouldn'thel psmili
ngatt hethoughtof
seeingherbeaut if
ulface.Itwillbeextr aspecial
because, i
twillbei nhervillage.Shewasgoi ng
homet odayf ort heholidays.Ihadmyvi l
lagevisit
scheduledt obeMt hinomkhul ubecauseIneededt o
checkthel akeandgi veanupdat e.Aftergett
ing
dressed,Imademywayt oAmahl e'sroom.I
knockedbef
orewal
kingi
n.
Ama:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi:"
Hi.
"Icl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndme."
Areyou
comingwithme?"
Ama:"
Nott
hist
ime.Yout
woneedt
imeal
one.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyouseei
ng?
"
Ama:"
Tryver
yhardt
ocont
rolyourur
gesplease.
We'
renotr
eadyf
orababyshower.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"How'
syourhol
idaysl
ooki
ng?
"
Ama:"
I'
vebeenonholi
dayf
or4weeks.Anyi
dea
whenyourfat
herwant
stor
eleasemef
rom t
hisj
ail
t
hati
sthispalace?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nott
alki
ngt
ohi
m,r
emember
?"
Ama:"Yeah,
he'
spissedaboutt
hat.Ifyoudon'
t
wi
shtohavehimfoll
owyout oMthinomkhulu,
maybeyoushoul
dent er
tai
nhimforaf ewminutes.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"Igotup."
Alr
ightt
hen,
letmeget
goi
ng.
"
Ama:"
Sayhit
oherf
orme.
"
Nkosi:"Wil
ldo."Iwalkedout,
makingmywaytothe
di
ningr oom wheretherestofthef
amil
ywas.I
haven'tsatatt
histableforweeks.
Nobantu:"
Mehl
uli
,myson.Thankyouf
orj
oini
ng
us.
"Isatdown.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"Myf
atherst
aredatme.
Nolwazi
:"Howar
eyouMehl
uli
?Wehaven'
tseen
youinaveryl
ongti
me.
"
Nkosi
:"Busy.
"
Si
khosana:"
Itbet
ternotbewi
tht
hatgi
rl
."
Nobantu:"MyKing,I'
m surethePrincewasonlyj
ust
explor
ing.Heisamanaf t
erall
.Youneedt obea
l
itt
lemor eunder
standingtohisurges."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Thiswasuncomf ort
able.
Sikhosana:"
Ift
hat
'st
hecasethen,al
liswel
l
.What
youneedbyyoursideisarespect
abl
ewoman.Not
somel ooseuni
ver
sit
ygir
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Thoughtshewasawi
tch.
"Ibi
tint
omyt
oast
.
Si
khosana:"
Ver
ymuchso.Whywouldshebegoi
ng
upyourfami
lymount
ain?Whatwoul
dshegai
n?
Don'
twor
ryt
hough,
theheal
erhasf
ixedever
ythi
ng.
"
Nkosi:"
Didn'
tyourheal
erfi
nd'nothing'
onAmahle?
Yetyou'
vekeptherhostageforweeks.Eit
herhei
s
l
yingordoesn'tknowwhathe'sdoing."
Si
khosana:"
Mehl
uli
."Il
ookedathi
m bi
ti
ngmyt
oast
.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Sikhosana:"
Iam onl
yt r
yingtoprotectyouher
e."I
focusedonmybr eakfast
."Ihearyou'r
egoingto
Mt hi
nomkhuluforafewdays."Ilookedathim and
backatmyf ood.
Nkosi
:"Ihaveapr
ojectt
her
e."
Sikhosana:"
Well.
..Pri
ncessSamuwi llbejoi
ning
yout her
e.She'
sclosertothevil
lage.I'm sur
e
there'
splent
yyout wocant al
kabout .Especial
ly
whendoi ngyourroyalvi
sit
.Thosehavebeena
successhey?"
Nkosi
:"Thatwoul
dbeni
ce.Looki
ngf
orwar
dto
seei
ngher."
Si
khosana:"
Real
ly?
"Hi
sfacel
itup.Shame.
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Shoul
dIr
eser
vear
oom f
orheratour
guest
houseorshehasherr
eser
vat
ionsal
ready?
"
Sikhosana:"I
'
m sureyoucanr eser
vearoom f
orher
,
shecancancel herreser
vat
ions.See,
thi
siswhatI
wantf oryou.
"
Nkosi
:"Woul
dbeeasi
eri
fIwasn'
tbei
ngf
oll
owedby
anent
irear
my."
Si
khosana:"
They'
l
lremai
nbehi
ndf
ort
hist
ri
p.Make
meproudson."
Nkosi
:"Ii
ntendt
o."Ismi
led,
get
ti
ngupandwal
king
out
.
Nol
wazi:"Idon'tknow.Idon'
ttr
ustt
hatsmi
le.
Mehl
ulidoesn'tsmile.
"
Sikhosana:"He'
sfi
nall
yseenthelight
.Weneedto
givehimthisopport
unit
y.Hecan'tdoanyt
hingout
therewit
ht hewhol
epublicl
ookingathim.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Haveyouf
orgot
tenyourson'
sabi
li
ty?
"
Si
khosana:"I
tcannotwor
konhundr
edsofpeopl
e."
Hesmiled.
SASAPOV_

Todaywasmydayt ogohome.Ihonest lywant edto

getintoabusbutt hiswasn'tpossibl e.Why?Not
sure.Al so, ItoldmydadI '
dbear ri
vingt omor rowso
Icouldspendt heaf ter
noonandni ghtwi thNkosii n
secret.Thi swasf unny.Itwasl i
kelivi ngi namovi e.
Ipackedasmal lbagwi thclot
hest ol astmeaweek
andahal f.I'
dboughtanewdr essjustf orthis
occasi on.I twasashor tbabydolldr esspi nkand
whitei ncol our.Pet uhaddonemedi um br aidson
myhai rjustyest erday.Shewassoexci ted.Itiedup
mybr aidsi nabunt henwor emynewsneaker st hat
weredel ivered4weeksago.Ihadr uinedmypai r
whenI '
dgoneupt hemount ai
n,soNkosior dered
mef ivepai rs.Twooft hem beinghi kingboot s.It
wasabi texcessi vebutIappr eciatedt hegest ure.
Qhamaknockedont hedoor.
Me:"Comein.
"Heopened,Pet
ucamein.Heno
l
ongersear
chedhernow,t
hankgoodness.
Pet
u:"
FRI
END.
"
Me:"
HowdoIl
ook?
"
Pet
u:"
Absol
utel
ygor
geousbutIhavebadnews.
"
Me:"
What
?"
Petu:"
Sibonel
oisout
side.
"Igotani
mmedi
ate
headache.
Me:"
Whati
shedoi
ngher
e?"
Petu:"
Ithi
nkhe'
sexpect
ingyout
obel
eavi
ng
today.
"
Me:"
And?
"
Petu:"Ithi
nkhemi ghtknowt hatNkosiHis
Highness, wi
llbegoi
ngt othevil
lagetoday.
"I
couldn'tnotl
aughathowPet uaddressedNkosi.
Shealwayscal lshi
mt hat.NkosiHisHighness.
Me:"
Sowhatdowedo?
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknow.
"
Me:"
He'sbl
ocki
ngthegat
eagai
n,i
sn'
the?
"That
'
s
t
heonlygat
e.Eveni
fIwer
etohi
de,he'
dfi
ndme.
Pet
u:"
Yeah.
"
Me:"
Thenlet
'sgoout
.Let'
shavesomel unchata
pl
acenear
by.Whenheleastexpect
sit
,Idisappear
."
Pet
u:"
Whataboutyourbag?
"
Me:"
Someonewil
lhavetopicki
tupanddr
opi
tin
t
hecarwhi
lewe'
reintherest
aur
ant
."
Pet
u:"
GetQhamat
ogi
veyout
hekeys.
"
Me:"
Hewoul
dneverdot
hat
."
Petu:"
It
'snotl
ikeyou'
l
ldri
veaway,
he'
dbenextto
youatallt
imes.Doyouthi
nkKhayawi
llhel
p?"
Me:"
Ohh.
.Idon'
tthi
nkso.
"
Pet
u:"Wecantr
yhim.I'
llt
alkt
ohi
m.Hewants
Si
boneloawayf
rom youasmuchasweal
ldo."
Me:"Fi
ne.Thi
sisallmyluggagethatI
'
mtaki
ng."I
pl
acedthebagonmybed, t
aki
ngmysmallpurse.
WewalkedouttothecarwithQhama.
Qhama:"
Shoul
dIcal
lreenf
orcement
s?"
Me:"Ifhe'
sdif
fi
cul
t,yes.Fornowwe' r
egoingto
Zoulah'
sforali
ghtbrunchanddr i
nks.
"Wegoti n
thecar,hedr
ovetothegate.Sibonel
ostoodthere,
notmovi
ngani
nch.Isi
ghedget
ti
ngoutt
hecar
.
Me:"
Pleasemoveyourcar
."
Si
bo:"
Notevenaki
ssf
ir
st?
"
Me:"
Sibonel
o."
Sibo:"Atl
eastahello?Ihaven'
tseenyoui nweeks.
Pleasebaby?Justal i
ttl
ehell
o?"Ilookedaround,
therewasalreadyacr owdforming."Iam wil
li
ngto
forgi
veyouf orcheati
ngonme.Wecanmovepasti t.
Please.Imissyou."Istar
edathim, perpl
exed.
Me:"
Idi
dn'
tcheatonyou!I
'
m notevendat
ingyou!
"
Sibo:"
Thent
ellmewhathappened.Bet
weenyou
and-"
Me:"
Sibonelo.St
opit
.Whati
swr
ongwi
thyou?
You'
renotevenall
owedt
obeher
e."
Sibo:"
Andwhataretheygonnado?Cal
lthecops?I
darethem.Theycanusemyphoneeven."
Me:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"
Si
bo:"
AlotThembi
sa.Thet
rut
hisasmal
lpar
tofi
t.
"
Me:"
Okay.CanIatl
easthavebr
eakf
astwi
thmy
f
ri
ends.Ihaven'
tbeenout
sidei
nawhil
eandI
'
dli
ke
t
oenjoymydaybef or
edeali
ngwit
hyou.
"
Si
bo:"
WhencanIpi
ckyouupbaby?
"
Me:" St
opcalli
ngmybaby.I'
llcallyou,pl
easemove
yourcar."Hesmiled,
get
ti
ngi nt
ohi scarthen
dri
vingof f
.Thefucki
ngner
veofSi boneloBiyel
a.

Wear r
ivedatt
herestaur
ant
,gett
ingatabl
e.I
'd
askedQhamaf ort
hecarkeysandhebl at
ant
ly
ref
used.Hewasn'tevenent
ert
ainingi
t.
Me:"
Sowhatdowedo.
"
Pet
u:"
I'
vet
ext
edKhaya.He'
l
lbeher
einabi
t.
"
Me:"Ineedadr
inkf
ort
his.Si
bonel
ohasaner
ve.
"I
hi
ssed.
Petu:"
Don'tlethi
m gettoyou.
"Thewait
ertookour
dri
nksorder.Ioptedforamimosa.I
tcan'
tbeas
badasgincockt ai
lsri
ght?Khayaar
ri
vedasour
dri
nkswerebr ought.
Khaya:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hey.
"
Pet
u:"
HiKhaya.Wehaveasi
tuat
ion.
"
Khaya:"
What
?"
Me:"
Sibonel
oisf
oll
owi
ngme.Ineedt
ogohome.
"
Khaya:"
Youneedt
ogot
oSi
khosana.
"
Me:"ComeonKhaya,
nott
hisnow.Yourfr
iendi
s
l
it
eral
lyhar
assi
ngmeandthat
'swhatyoucare
about?
"
Khaya:"
Fine.Whatdoyouneedhel
pwi
th?
"
Me:"Ineedtogetoutofher
e.Ican'
tdot
hatwhil
e
he'
swat chi
ngme.Ievenlef
tmybagatresbecause
ofhi
m. "
Khaya:"
Itwi
llbedi
ff
icul
ttomakehi
m goawaybutI
dohaveaplan."
Me:"
Okay.Whatdowedo?
"Hecal
ledt
hewai
ter
.
Khaya:"
Doubl
eshotofwhi
skeypl
ease-
"
Me:"Absol
utel
ynot
!Khaya,
you'
renotal
lowedt
o
dr
ink!
"
Khaya:"
Youwantt
ogetoutoft
hisornot
?"
Me:"
Notwi
thget
ti
ngyousi
ck!
"
Khaya:"I
'm onl
yhavingonedr i
nk.I'
m notgoi ngto
besick.Ij
ustneedal i
ttl
ealcoholi
nmysyst em soI
cangettoZwe.That '
swhowi l
lcal
lSibonelo,that
wayhewon' tsuspectthathe'
sbeingt r
icked."
Me:"
Okay.Butdoyouhavet
odr
ink?
"
Khaya:"
Yeah.Whenhet estsmetheremustbe
al
cohol,hewil
lthenwanttoassi
gnmeaguar dian.
KnowingMnqobigi vesi
ntomydemands,hisnext
opt
ionisSibonelo.
"Ihel
dhishand.
Me:"Thankyou.Butonei
senough.Idon'
twantyou
backinhospi
tal
."Hesmil
ed.
Khaya:"
Anot
hert
hing.Swi
tchyourphoneof
f.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Khaya:"You'r
etryingtoescapeapersonwhoowns
atelecomscompany.He' sinchar
geoft heenti
re
network.Hecanf indyouanyminutehechooses.
Themi nuteyourlocati
onmoves,hewi l
lnot
ice.
"
Me:"
Areyouser
ious?Howwi
llIcommuni
cat
ewi
th
anyonewi
thmyphoneof
f.
"
Khaya:"Onlyunti
lyougett oyourvill
age.Once
you'r
ethere,hecan'
tdoanyt hing.Hewi l
lnevergo
nearSikhosanafornor eason."Hisdri
nkwas
broughttothetabl
e.Hest aredatitforafew
secondsanddownedt heshotqui ckl
y."That
's
str
ong."Hesqueezedmyhand." OnceI'
m at
hospit
alandhear ri
ves,ItextPetu.Don'
twast ea
second.Movei mmediat el
y.Doyouhear ?"
Me:"
Yes.ThankyouKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
You'
rewel
come.
"
Pet
u:"
Howi
sZi
mmy?
"
Khaya:"
She'
sokay.Notbadahousemat
eact
ual
l
y."
Heatethepeanut
sonthetabl
e.
Pet
u:"
Ihaven'
tseenheri
nawhi
le.
"
Khaya:"Yeahshe'
sfull
yenjoyingmyl oungeandTV.
Ibarel
ygettowatchmyshowsunl essI'minthe
bedroom.Shetri
edtotri
ckmei nt
oliki
ngsome
real
it
yTV.Ikeeptell
ingherit
'snotreali
tybutshe
won'thearnoneofit
.Weal mostfoughtthatday.
"
Wel
aughed.
Me:"
Atl
eastyoucoul
d'vewat
chedi
t?"
Khaya:"OhIdid.Itwasdef i
nit
elynotreali
ty.Howi
s
i
tthatthesepeopledail
ylivesonlyincludeouti
ngs
anddinnerparti
es?Please."
Pet
u:"
Buti
t'
sthei
rreal
it
y."
Khaya:"That'
sal i
e.Noone'sr
eal
it
yisthatperf
ect
.
Letmegetmovi ngnow,sowecangettheball
rol
li
ng.Travelsafel
y,Sasa.
"Hehuggedmet hen
Petubeforehewal kedout.
Pet
u:"
He'
snotbadshame.
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Petu:"
Anyway,
let'
stal
kaboutyourt
ravel
s.Youdo
rememberyou'
llbechangi
ngcarshal
fway?"
Me:"
YesIknow.
"
Pet
u:"Whatdoyouhavepl
annedwhenyouar
ri
ve
eMthi
nomkhulu?
"
Me:"Nothi
ngreal
ly.Wecan'
tgooutanywher
e
becauseheiswhoheis.Idon'
tcar
ethough,
the
t
imeal
onei
sal
lIneed.
"
Petu:"
That
'ssosweet
."Shebl
ushed."
Haveyou
spokentoAmahle?
"
Me:"
Yeah,
wespokei
nthemor
ning.
"
Petu:"
Imisshersomuch.Ihopeshecomesback
af
terthehol
idays.
"
Me:"
Wher
ewi
llyoubespendi
ngyour
s?"
Pet
u:"Uhm.
..It
hinkI
'
llst
ayatr
esf
orabi
t.
"She
smi
led.
Me:"
Res?Whydon'
tyouvi
sityoursi
ster
?"
Pet
u:"
Ijustneedsomet
imeal
one.
"
Me:"
Butyou'
l
lbeal
one.Iwon'
tbet
her
eorAmahl
e."
Pet
u:"Not
hawi
llbearound.Shet
oldmethi
s
morni
ngshewon'tbegoi
nganywheref
orholi
days.
"
Me:"
Hm.
..Not
handot
hough?
"
Pet
u:"
Iknowshedoesn'
tsaymuchbutIwon'
tbe
al
one.
"
Me:"
Okayt
hen.
"
KHAYAPOV_

Iarr
ivedatt
hehospit
al,
wal
kingst
rai
ghti
ntoZwe's
stat
ion.Hewasworki
ngonthecomputer
,hel
ooked
upatme.
Khaya:"
BhutZwe.
"Hest
oodup,
comi
ngst
rai
ghtt
o
me.
Zwe:
"Khaya.Haveyoubeendr
inki
ng?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m sorry.
"Truthis,Ihadbeendr i
nking.
WhenIlefttherest
aurant,Iboughtabottleata
l
iquorst
ore.Itwasnotmyi nt
enti
on,tr
uly.Ij
ust
neededtonumbmysel f
.Ididn'tf
ini
shthebot t
lebut
I'
dhadagoodamountofi t
.
Zwe:"Comehere."Hetookmet oaroom,l
ayi
ngme
onthebed.Iwatchedhim set
ti
ngupthedri
pand
i
nsertiti
nmyarm." Whathappened.
"
Khaya:"
Not
hing.
"Il
ookedaway.
Zwe:"Tal
ktomeKhaya.Somet
hingi
str
igger
ing
you.I
sitaboutThembi
sa?
"
Khaya:"
Thembi
sai
smyf
ri
end.
"
Zwe:
"Ri
ght
.Thenwhydot
hist
oyour
sel
f?"
Khaya:"
I'
mjustgoi
ngt
hroughal
ot,
okay?
"
Zwe:"Weallar
e.Iwantt
ohelpyou.Hey?Idon't
wanttoseeyouli
kethi
s.Letmehelpyou,t
ellme
what'
swrong."
Khaya:"Ineverstoodachance.Eveni fIdidsleep
wit
hher .Iwould'
vepr obabl
yt r
eatedherlikecrap
i
mmedi atel
yaf t
erwards.Shewoul d'veresentedme
l
ikeallt
heot hergir
ls.I'
dsti
llhavelosther."
Zwe:"That
'snottruebecauseitdi
dn'thappen.You
can'
tbaseyourlif
eonwhati f.I
'm sorryt
hatyou
nevergott
hechancewi thher.Perhapsitwas
meanttobeal essontoyou."Ichuckled.
Khaya:"
Myli
fehasbeenf
ullofl
essonssi
nceI
coul
dwalk.
"
Zwe: "
Maybeyoushouldbeint hepalacef
oraf ew
days.Idon'
tli
keseei
ngyoulikethi
s."Iwantedto
decli
nebutnotevenIcoul
df i
ghtit
.Ididneedthe
Biyel
a'snowmorethanever.I'
m notsurei
fI'l
l
sur
viveanot
herni
ghti
nmyapar
tment
.
Khaya:"
Okay.CanSbocomef
etchme?
"
Zwe:
"Sur
e.I
'
llcal
lhi
m whenwe'
redone.
"..
.

SASAPOV_

Aft
erbrunchanddri
nks,t
het extfi
nal
lycame.Pet
u
cal
ledfort
hebil
landpaiditquickl
y.Qhamadrove
ustotheres,
notevenparki
ng.
Pet
u:"
Fri
end,
I'
llseeyousoon.Il
oveyou.Besaf
e."
Me:" ThankyouPet u.Iloveyout oo."Sher ani nsi
de
tofetchmybagf rom myr oom, placingi
tinsi dethe
carandcl osingthedoor .Qhamadr oveoff
i
mmedi at
ely.Isighedinr eli
efbutIwaspar anoid.
Whati fSibonelogotpeopl et ofoll
owme?Whati f
theKi nghaspeopl efol
lowi ngme?Ican' teven
switchonmyphoneunt ilIar r
ive.Eventhoughhe' s
dist
ractedbyKhayacur rently,youneverknowwi th
Sibonelo.
Hal fway, we'dchangedt hecari ntoabl ackRange
Rover ,identi
caltooneofNkosi 's.Wedr oveinto
Mt hinomkhul ufinall
y.Iwasdyi ngofbor edom.
Qhamapar kedataguest housei nt hequi eterside
oft own.Thest reetlookedabandoned.Iwonder
wher ethepeopl ewer e?I twast heonl ysubur bof
Mt hinomkhul utownandi twasn'tbi ggerthant hree
street s.Thegat eopened, theguar dscameout
surr oundi ngthecar .TheycheckedQhama, hehad
tost epoutt hecar.Anot heronegoti ntheseatand
drovei nsidethepr opert
y.Thewhol eyar dwas
fl
oodedwi t
hsecur i
ty.Thegat ecl osedbehi ndus.
Mydoorwasopened.Icl imbedoutt hecarandwas
escor t
edi ntothehouse.Sur pri
singl y,thehouse
didn' thaveguar dsi nsi
de.Al lofthem wer eout side.
Mt hunzigr eet
edme.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hel
loThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Gooddaysi
r.Howar
eyou?
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'm wel
lthankyou.Thepr
incei
sint
he
r
oom justdownthehall.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Iwant
edt
orunbutmyl
egswer
e
suddenl ywobbl y.Icarefullywal keddownt he
passaget otheroom.Myhear tpoundi ngi nmy
chest .WhenIr eachedt hedoor ,Icouldhearmusi c
playingsof tl
yinside."I
'm sur eIknew, t
heonl y
reasonGodgavemehandswast ohol dyou.Andhe
fi
nelyt unedt hedrumsofmyear sj usthearyour
voice, saidIwil
lalll
..Iwillalwaysl oveyou. "I
openedt hedoor,wal ki
ngi n.Ther ehest ood.
Looki ngatme.Hesmi led,brighteningt hewhol e
room.Ir antohisar ms.Hecaughtme, pull
ingme
upi nat ightembr ace.Ican'teverl ethim go.
[
07/
27,
05:
50] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er36

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thehousewehadsecuredi
nMt hi
nomkhulut
own
belongedt
oanoldl
adywhohadopenedherhome
foruswhil
eshewentt
ovisi
thersi
ster
,she
probabl ydi dn'tknowIwast heonewho' dbestayi
ng
here.Thehousewast horoughl ycleanedand
securedyest erday.Itl ookedqui telovely.Bet
ter
thanIt houghti twoul d.Itwast wobedr ooms,two
bathroomsandabi gyar dwhi chisgr eatformy
security.Theywoul duset hel argelivingroom asa
sleepingspacei nt heeveni ng.Ipr eferredmy
securitytor estwhenIr est,that '
swhyIbr ought
extra.Hal fwi llsleepi nt heeveni ngwhi let
heothers
keepwat ch.Thenchangeshi f
tsint hemor ni
ngbut
theywi llsleepatt heguest housebecauseyoucan' t
sleepint hel oungedur i
ngt heday, t
hat '
sweird.I
wentt ot hemai nbedr oom t hatI '
llbeusi ng.I
twas
big.Ididchanget hemat t
ressandbr i
ngnew
Egypt i
ancot t
onsheet s.Ever ythi
ngwassetup
withinanhour .Ther oom hadenoughl i
ghtand
space.Mt hunziknockedont hedoor .
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
vebeenstar
ingatt
hatspotf
oraf
ew
mi
nut
esnow.What '
stheprobl
em."
Nkosi
:"Haveyouhear
dfr
om her
?Isshecomi
ng?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes,
they'
rel
esst
hant
wohour
saway.
"
Nkosi
:"Herphonei
sof
f.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
tisbutQhamasaysshe'
sfi
ne.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyi
sherphoneof
fifshe'
sfi
ne?
"
Mthunzi
:"Ther
e'scamer
asi
nthecar,
Icansee
t
hat'
sshe'sfi
ne.Youneedt
orel
ax.
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.Ineedyout
odi
str
actme.
"
Mthunzi
:"Wel
l,
thefoodhasbeendel
iver
ed.Doyou
wanttosetupanot
herpicni
c?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mthunzi
:"Shel
ovedi
tthel
astt
ime.I
t'
sagr
eati
dea,
youdidsuchagoodj
ob."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt
obeout
side.
"
Mthunzi
:"Youwhi
sper
edtotheguards.They'
l
l
pr
otectyouandher
.Nothi
ngwil
lhappen."
Nkosi
:"St
il
l.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay.Wecansetupheret
hen.Doyou
wanttohelpmepickther
oses?"
Nkosi
:"Thegar
denher
edoesn'
thaver
oses.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Wecangot
othef
lor
ist
.
Nkosi:"
Idon'
twantpeopl
etoknowI '
m hereyet
.The
townisalr
eadybuzzi
ngwithexci
tement.They'
l
l
probabl
ybreakint
oasonganddancet ournamenti
f
theyspotmepicki
ngfl
owers.WhatelsecanIdo?"
Hechuckled.
Mthunzi
:"Fi
ne,I
'
llhavet
heguar
dfet
cht
her
oses.
"
Hecheckedhisphone.
Nkosi
:"I
ssheher
e?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Notyet
.Cal
m down.
"
Nkosi
:"Checkheragai
n."
Mthunzi:"
Fine.Look,
see?She' si
nthecar.She'
s
fi
ne."Il
ookedathisscreen.Shewasst ar
ingoutthe
window.Whatabeaut ifulwoman.Eventhesideof
herfaceismesmer i
zing."Areyouhappynow? "
Nkosi
:"No.Notunt
ilshewal
ksi
n."Ipacedt
hef
loor
.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llspeakt
oaguar
dfort
hef
lower
s."
Nkosi
:"Pi
nk.Shel
ikest
hepi
nkones.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
ftheydon'
thavet
hem?
"
Nkosi
:"Redwi
llsuf
fi
ceIguess.
"Isi
ghed.
Mt hunzi:"
I'
llbebackjustnowsowecangoovera
bitofwor k.
"Hewal kedout.Workwast helastt
hing
Iwant edtodobutIdi dneedthedist
racti
on.Iwent
tothekitchen,taki
ngoutat r
ay.Ipl
acedthesnacks
carefull
yonebyone.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
please.
"
Nkosi
:"What
?"Hemassagedhi
stempl
e.
Mthunzi:"
Not hing.Carryon.
"Ifi
nishedwi t
hmy
pl
acementandt ookthetr
aytothebedr oom.Can'
t
putfoodont hebed.Butt her
e'snot abl
e.Can'
tputit
ontheflooreither.Thiswasaconundr um."Whatis
i
t?"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snot
abl
eher
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Puti
tont
hebed.
"
Nkosi
:"Can'
tputf
oodont
hebe-
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m atmypeakwi
thyou.Pl
easeputt
he
f
oodont hebed.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
t.
"
Mthunzi:"
Soyou'
regonnahol
dat
rayf
ort
wo
hours?
"
Nkosi
:"WhatmustIdo?
"
Mthunzi:"
DearGod. "Hewal kedout.Nowwhatwas
Isupposedt odo?Foodneedst obeonat able.Not
abedsidetabl e,
notadressingtabl
e,afoodt abl
e.
Whodoesn' thaveaf oodtable?Mthunziwalkedin
wit
hasmal lt ableandpl
acedi nontherug.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ther
e.At
abl
e."Ipl
acedt
het
rayoni
t.
Nkosi
:"Hmmm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"I
tlooksoutofpl
ace.
"
Mthunzi
:"You'
rer
emi
ndi
ngmewhyIhat
ecomi
ng
her
e."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotmyf
aul
t,i
tlooksoutofpl
ace.Look
ati
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"No.Don'
tlookatit
.It'
snoti
mport
ant
.
What'
simportanti
sthatyou'
llbeseei
ngThembi
sa
forthefir
stti
meinamont h.Igett
hatyou'r
e
nervousandexcitedbutstopfi
ddl
ingwithtabl
es
andf ood.Shedoesn'
tcare.Sheonlycar
esabout
seeingyou.Okay?"
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"Il
ookedatt
het
abl
e.
Mt
hunzi
:"St
opl
ooki
ngatt
het
abl
e."
Nkosi:"
It'
squit
eimpossi bl
e, i
t'slit
eral
lyrightthere.
"
Hehuf f
ed,stor
mi ngoutoft her oom.Maybei fI
movedi tbythewi ndow.Ipickedi tup,placingitby
t
hewi ndow.Mt hunziwasr i
ght ,thetabledidn't
matterbutitl
ookedmuchbet terbyt hewi ndow.
Good.NowIcanf indsomet hingel setodo.Ihat ed
wait
ing.Mthunziwasout side, smoking.
Nkosi
:"Haven'
tseenyousmokei
nyear
s.
Mt
hunzi
:"Youst
ressmeal
ot.
"
Nkosi
:"Sor
ry.
"Het
hrewt
heci
gar
ett
eont
hef
loor
.
Mthunzi
:"You'readjusti
ngtolove.I
'm her
et o
advi
seyoui nallaspectsnotjustworkbutloveas
well
.ButI
'llneedyout oli
stentome.Iunder stand
you'
rener
vousbutIpr omiseyou,Thembisai sjust
aseagertoseeyou.Theperf
ectpi
cni
csetup
doesn'
tmatter
.Whethert
hefoodisonatabl
eby
thewindoworonthebed."
Nkosi
:"Soyousawitl
ooksbett
erbythewindow?"
Hestar
edatme."I
'mjoki
ngwithyou.Thankyou.I
don'
tknowwhatI'
ddowithoutyou.
"
Mthunzi:"
Everyt
hingclear
lybecauseIknowyou'
re
i
tchingtoplacet
hef l
owersyoursel
ftheminut
ethey
arr
ive.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne,
I'
llr
elax.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Samuwi
llar
ri
vet
omor
rowmor
ning.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodf
orher
."
Mthunzi
:"Youdoknowyourf
atheri
sexpect
ingt
o
heart
hatyousawher.
"
Nkosi
:"Isuppose.She'
l
ljoi
nusf
ort
her
oyalvi
sit
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Al
ri
ght
.WhataboutThembi
sa?
"
Nkosi
:"Well
,shedi
dsayshe'
sonlyspendi
ngani
ght
.
Soshe'
llgohometomorr
owmor ni
ng."
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.Her
ear
ethef
lower
s.".
..
Itwasf i
nallytime.Iwai tedi nt hebedr oom.Ihad
therosesal loverther oom.Shewasatt hegat e,her
securit
ybei ngchecked.Iknewt hemomentshe
steppedintot hehouse.Shegr eetedMt hunziwi th
somuchr espect .Ilovehersomuchandmor eeach
moment .Themusi cwaspl ayingsof t
lyintheroom.
I'
dchosenourf avorit
esongt owel comeheri n.Now
wast hetime.Iwat chedt hedoorasi topened, she
steppedin.Myhear tglowedwi t
hj oyjustseeingher
face.Sher anupt ome, Icaughtheri nmyar ms,
pulli
ngherupandsoaki ngal lofheri n.Herscent ,
herskin,herpr esence.Idi dn'twantt oletgo.I
closedthedoorwi thherst il
li nmyar msandsaton
thebed.
Nkosi:"Hel
lobaby."Shedi dn'trespond.Ohno.My
shoulderwasgettingwet .Thiswast heonethingI
hated.Ihat
edseei nghercr y.Iwaswonder i
nghow
shewascopi ngallt heseweeks, clearl
yshewasn't
.
"I
'
m sor r
ymyl ove."Ikissedhersof t
ly,
rubbi
ngher
back.West ayedthatwayf orawhi leunti
lshe
calmeddown." Imi ssyoutoo. "Iki
ssedherl i
ps,
wi
pinghert
ear
s.
Sasa:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi :"I
'm her enow.Youhavemet hewhol eday,
nightandmor ning."Sheki ssedmyl ips,softl
y,
hol di
ngmyheadmaki ngmef ocusonnot hingbut
thismoment .Al lthest ressoft hepastf ewweeks
fellawayi nst antly.Ipul ledhercl osert omybody,
asi fIcoul dgetanycl osert hanhersi tt
ingont opof
me.Il ayherdownont hebed, kissingherasgent l
e
asIcoul dbutIcoul dn' tholdbackonhowmuchI
cravedher .Mybodyshi ver edint hirst.Itr
aced
kissesdownt oherneckandshoul der ,
softl
y
grazi ngmyt eethonherski n.Shemoaned,
awakeni ngadeepi nsat iabledesi reinme.Herl egs
wr appedar oundmywai st
, pull
ingmecl oser.My
handssl i
duphert highs, myf ingershooki ngonher
under wear .Ipul ledi tdown, getti
ngupt otakeitoff
herl egs.Iundi dhersneaker s,puttingt hem aside
thenki ssedherf oot ,allthewayupherl egandt hi
gh.
Ikissedal lar oundhercl it
.Thensuckedoni tgently,
myt onguef l
ippingupanddownoni t.Shemoaned
onceagai n, pant i
ng.Ikeptt hesamepacewi thmy
tongueasmuchasIwant edt odevourheri nall
diff
erentways, sheneededt hi
spacet or eachher
cli
max.Myt onguecont i
nuedf l
ippingrapidlyonher
nub,andIf eltherget ti
ngcl oser.Allofherwas
soakingwet ,readyf orme.Shehel dmyhead,
moani nglouder .Hernai l
sdugi ntomeasshef i
nally
reachedheror gasm, convulsingt oast i
llwhileI
suckedsof tl
y.Ipl acedaki ssoni tandshe
squirmed.Icoul dhearmyphoner ingingandI
wouldcont i
nuet oignoreit.Igotup, kissingherlips.
Anur gentknockhi tthedoor .Fuck.Amahl e.Igotup,
walkingtothedoor .
Nkosi
:"Hm?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Qui
ckwor
d,myPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ghtnow?
"
Mthunzi:"
Veryri
ghtnow."Nobodybor
esmel
ikemy
f
amily.Iwentbacktobed.
Nkosi:"
I'
llbebackmyl ove.
"Shekissedmyl i
psthen
wipedmychi n.Iwalkedoutthebedroom.Mthunzi
wasinthel ounge.Hehadanamusedl ookonhi
s
f
ace.
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisn'
tfunny.
"
Mthunzi
:"Iknow,
I'
m sosor
rybutAmahl
ewant
edt
o
ki
llmeoverthephone.
"
Nkosi
:"Andyougotsoscar
edthatyouhadto
i
nter
ruptme?She'
sfourhoursaway,whatcoul
d
shedo?"
Mt hunzi:"
Shesai dverymeanthings.Idi
dn'thavea
choice."Isighed."I
twouldn'
tbeagoodi deaMy
Prince.Gettingherpregnantwon'
twor ki
nbot hyour
favours.Itcanonlymaket heri
skmuchbi gger."
Nkosi:"
Iwasn'
ttr
yingt
ogetherpr
egnant
.Ibought
condoms."
Mt
hunzi
:"Youboughtcondoms?
"
Nkosi
:"Isentaguar
d,youknowwhatImean.
"
Mthunzi
:"Evenso.Idon'
tthi
nkthey'
l
lwork.
Amahle'
swar ni
ngissomethingi
fnotaccur
ate.
"
Nkosi:"
Bothofyouboreme.Under
standt
hat
."I
walkedbacktothebedr
oom.
SASAPOV_

Ijusthadmyfir
storgasm.I
twasquitesuddenbutit
feltsodamngood.Iwassti
llt
hrobbi
ngwhenhel ef
t
ther oom.Hewal
kedbackinandIsatup.
Me:"
What
'swr
ong?
"Hecl
imbedont
hebed.
Nkosi
:"Not
hingmyl
ove.
"
Me:"
Okay,
canwecar
ryon?
"Iki
ssedhi
m.
Nkosi
:"Iwanttowit
hmywholesoulbutyourf
ri
end
t
hinksi
t'snotagoodidea.
"
Me:"
Amahl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Hm.Shewarnedmebef oreIl
eftand
har
assedMthunziunt
ilheknockedonthedoor
."He
si
ghed.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Whyi
sthi
snotagoodi
dea.
?"
Nkosi:"
Imightjustgetyoupregnant
.Idon'
twant
youmor eatri
skthanyoual r
eadyarein.
"He
brushedmycheekst ari
ngintomyeyes.
Me:"
I'
dlovet
ohaveyourbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Tr
ustme,
I'
llbemuchhappi
ert
hanyouwi
ll
be.
"
Me:"
Youl
ikeki
ds?
"
Nkosi
:"NobutI'
lll
ikemine,
mostlybecauset
hey'
re
your
sandIthinkI'
m afunpersontoshareababy
wit
h."
Me:"
Fun?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m adel
ight
."
Me:"
Youare,
mylove.
"Iki
ssedhim,cuddl
ingi
nhi
s
ar
ms."Howhaveyoubeenthesepastf
ewweeks?
"
Nkosi
:"Taki
ngitdaybyday.Ihat
enotseeingyou.
Ourvi
deocallshadbecomethehighl
ightofmyli
fe.
"
Me:"
Met oo.
"Isi
ghed."
Sibonel
ocamet
omeagai
n.
Atr
es."
Nkosi
:"It
houghthewasbanned.
"
Me:"
Hest
oodatt
hegat
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
mti
redofbei
ngpat
ient
,I'
m goi
ngt
ohur
t
t
hisboy.
"
Me:"
Youknowt
hat
'swhathewant
s."
Nkosi
:"Sohowdi
dyoul
eave?
"
Me:"
Itol
dhim we'
dspeaklat
erandI'
m goingto
br
unch.I
'
dleftmybaginmyr oom.WecalledKhaya
whenwewereatZoul
ah's,
andhedistr
actedhim."
Nkosi
:"Hedi
str
act
edhi
m how?
"
Me:"RememberwhenKhayawasi nhospi
tal?I
twas
becauseofalcoholpoisoni
ng.Sohedrankaglass
andwentt ohospit
al,
whenhegott her
e,askedZwe
tocallSi
bonelo.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'scl
ever
."
Me:"
Howar
eyourr
oyalvi
sit
sgoi
ng?
"Ibr
ushedon
hi
sbear
dwi
thmyfi
ngers.
Nkosi :"Mostl
yokay.Ther oadshavebeenbui lther
e
i
nMt hinomkhulu.Ever yt
hingisnowt arnotgr avel.
I'
l
lfindoutaboutt hel aketomor row.Vamanivi ll
age
hadt heirschoolrooffixedbutt hat'
sonlyt empor ary,
Ifoundt hatthefoundat i
onit'sbuil
toni sn'tstable
andso, we'
llbebuildi
ngaot herschoolt here.We've
startwiththeplans.Thei rel
ect r
ici
tyhasbeenf i
xed
andSi bonelohasof feredhisf amil
ynet wor k.For
fr
ee."
Me:"
That
'ssuspi
cious.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatMt
hunzisai
d."
Me:" I
sther
eawayyoucancounterhi
snetwor
k.I
suspectheannouncedthi
soutl
oudsothewhole
vil
lageknowsandsoifyousayno,
you'
lll
ookl
ike
thea-hol
e."
Nkosi
:"Hi
titont
henai
l.Whatdoyoumeancount
er
hi
snetwork?"
Me:" Ei
therbybeingamaj orshareholderintheir
companysoyouhaveasayi nwhat everdecisions
theymakeorhavi ngasyst em t
hatpr ot
ectsuser
i
nf ormati
onfrom him.Forexampl eifheever
decidestocutthem offfr
om theinternetoryou,
there'
sabui l
tsystem t
hatcanpreventt hat.I
fthat
makessense. "
Nkosi
:"That
'sgeni
us.Wehaven'
tthoughtoft
hat
."
Me:"
Whenwil
lyouannouncet
heshoppi
ngcent
er
i
deai
nMthi
nomkhulu?"
Nkosi
:"Announceit
?Why?Wespoket
othechi
ef
andhesaidit
'sfi
ne.
"
Me:"That
'snotokayNkosi
.Yes,
youownt
hel
and
butt
hepeopleareli
vingoni
t.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtr
yingt
odevel
opi
tfort
hem.
"
Me:"Andthat'
sgood.Butyou' l
lneedt omakethem
underst
andthat.Youwantt obecl osert
othe
people,
youneedt oshowt hem Kindness.They
knowyoudon'tneedt hem soitwillmeansomuch
tothem i
fyou'
rerespectf
ul."Hesighed."Al
otof
peopledonottr
ustthatyou'regood. "
Nkosi
:"Youmeanyourdad?
"
Me:"
Him speci
fi
cal
lyandhe'
snotgoingtochange
hi
smindaboutyouinonedaybutitwil
lbeawor k
i
nprogr
ess."
Nkosi
:"Okay.We'
l
lwor
kont
hat
."
Me:"
Whatwi
llyoubedoi
ngt
omor
row?
"
Nkosi:"
I'
llbemakinganappearanceatt
helake.I
t'
s
gonnabeawhol ethi
ng.Thepressar
eprobabl
y
al
readyint own.Idon'
tknowifI'
l
lbeabl
etodo
anyt
hingmor e.
"
Me:"
Whatar
ewegonnaeat
?"
Nkosi
:"Ihadf
oodor
der
ed.Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
Me:"NoI'
mt hi
nki
ngforl
atert
oni
ght.I
'
mjust
enj
oyingbei
nginyourar
msr i
ghtnow.
"
Nkosi:"
Hm. .
"heki
ssedmyl
ips,
cli
mbi
ngont
opof
me."Imissedyou.
"
Me:"
Imissedyout
oo.
"Hel
ayhi
sheadonmy
br
east
s.
Nkosi
:"Thi
sfeel
sgood.
"
Me:"
You'
resl
eepyar
en'
tyou?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
vebeenworki
nghardbaby.Ibar
elysl
ept
l
astni
ght.Icoul
dn'
twai
ttoseeyou.
"
Me:"I
'
m notgoi
nganywheremylove.
"Ibrushedhi
s
headl
ist
eni
ngtohi
sbreathi
ngashefellasl
eep.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwokeupl at
eint heaf
ternoon.Thembi
sahadfal
len
asl
eep.Islowlygotup,coveri
ngherbodywit
hthe
fl
eecethentiptoedouttheroom.Wherethehel
lis
Mthunzi?Iwenttotheki
tchen,empty,
loungeas
well
.Iwalkedoutthehouse.Allt
heguardswer e
st
il
lhere.Ispot
tedhimint hecor
nerhavi
ngachat
wi
thtwooft hem.Hewal kedtomeimmedi at
ely.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Hi
.What
'sup?
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoubor
ed?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'sr
andom butno.Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
..
you'
rehavi
ngadr
inkwi
tht
heguar
ds.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iam.Youwer
ebusy.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
m avai
labl
enow.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
eyoujeal
oust
hatI
'
m havi
ngadr
ink
wi
tht
heguards?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Mt hunzi:"Okaymyf ri
end.Let'
shaveadrink
together."Notallofthem wer edr
inki
ngofcourse.
Theonest hatwer e,areprobabl
ygoingtobethe
oneswhosl eepintheevening.Wesatinthelounge.
Mt hunzibr oughtabot t
leofwhiskeyandsome
gl
asses,
pour
ingourdr
inks."
Didyour
estwel
l
?"
Nkosi
:"Ver
y.Thenextt
imeyoushouldbr
ingyour
wif
e.Idon'
tseewhyyoudidn'
tthi
sti
me."
Mt
hunzi:"
Youknowt
heagr
eementbet
weenmy
wi
feandI.
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah,
Idon'
tunder
standi
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"Youunder
stoodi
tver
ywel
ltwomont
hs
ago.
"
Nkosi
:"Wel
l,
Ichangedmymi
nd.Wi
llyouchange
your
s?"
Mthunzi
:"No.IloveBusiasmywi febutweli
vever
y
separ
ateli
ves.Sheknowsmyf i
rstpr
ior
it
yisyou.I
knowhersisherbusinesses.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouthi
nkIaffect
edyourmar
ri
age
Mthunzi
?Pleasebehonestwit
hme."
Mt
hunzi
:"Let
'snotdot
hisNkosi
."
Nkosi:"No,let'
sdoit
.Mywi fei
sinthebedroom,
fastasleep.I'
vehadherinmyar msforhours.I
'm
gladIdidn'tdoanywor kal
lday,al
lIdi
dwas
prepareforherarri
valandthenl
oveher.Seeingthat
you'r
ether
easonIhaveher
,Ar
eyouabl
etodot
his
foryourwi
fe?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"YouknowIdon'
thavet
o-"
Nkosi
:"Yesorno.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"No.
"
Nkosi
:"ThenIdidaffectyourmar r
iageMt hunzi.
You'
veknownmef or20year snow.You'vet aught
meeverythingIknowaboutlife.Yet,I
'
mt her eason
youdon'thavealif
eoutsideofme. "
Mt hunzi:"That
'snottrue.Nkosi
nhleIhavealife
outsideofyou.Youf orgett
hatyoutellmetogo
homei ntheearlyevening?Icomet oworkinthe
mor ningandI '
ml uckybecauseI'm worki
ngwithmy
bestf r
iend.I'
m alwayshomef ordinnerand
breakfast.Mywi fehasnevercompl ai
ned."
Nkosi
:"St
il
l.It
hinkI
'
dfeel
bet
teri
fyout
oogota
br
eak.
"
Mthunzi
:"NomanNkosi
nhle.I
sthi
saboutwhatI
sai
doutsi
de?Youdon'
tevenstr
essmethatmuch."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotbutt
hankyouf
orcl
ari
fyi
ngt
hatI
don'tst
ressyoumuch.Al so,Ij
ustwantmyf r
iendto
feelwhatIfeel.Iwantyourper
sontofeell
ovedtoo.
Byyou."Hel aughed.
Mt hunzi:"
You'
redefi
nit
elywhipped.Dri
nkyour
alcoholsowecant alkaboutothert
hings.YouandI
arefine.Mymar r
iageisfi
ne."Iknowhim, Iknowhis
mar ri
ageisfi
ne.Whatbot her
smei sthatifitcame
tochoice,he'
ddefini
tel
ychoosemeoverhi sown
wife.That'
snotokay.
Nkosi :"SoThembi sacameupwi thani deat o
count erattackSibonel
o'sfutureorpot ent i
alplans
regardinghi snetworkinthevi l
lages.Icoul deither
buymaj orsharesintheircompany, thi
swayIcan
haveasayi nwhateverdecisionst heymakeor
i
mpl ementwi tht
heirnetwork.Or ,developanot her
system t hatprot
ectsuserinformat ionfrom him.So
thatifheeverdi dtrytocontrolcommuni cati
on, I
wouldknowandbeabl etostopi t.
"
Mt hunzi:"That'
sagr eatplan.I'
l
llooki nt
obot h.Do
yout hi
nkt here'
llbeconf l
ictofi
nterestifIinvol
ved
Mpendul ointhi
sr esearch?Seeingt hathissonis
Sibonelo'sadvisor?"
Nkosi:"Hm.Event houghIdoubtKhayaand
Mpendul oaretypi
calfat
herandsonr el
ati
onshi
p
poster,
Ithi
nkyoushoul dnotinvolvehim.Justi
n
case.Iknowt hatKhayadidint
ernf orhi
m atsome
pointsoperhapstheymi ghtst
il
ltalkaboutwork
somet i
mes."
Mthunzi
:"We'
llneedtol
ooki
ntoanot
herl
awyer
soonift
hisboy'
sthingi
sser
ious.
"
Nkosi
:"Thembisawi l
lbemyl awyeronceshe' s
f
ini
sheswi t
hherstudies.Mpendul owil
lteachher
t
heropesinherfinalyear.She'
lldoherarti
clesand
t
henwor kforme.I'
lll
ethim got hen.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Oht
hat
'sevi
l.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"
WhatcanIsay?I
'
m aSi
khosana.
"We
t
oastedglasses.
[
07/
27,
05:
50] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er37

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupi ntheearlymorning,f
oronceNkosiwas
fastasleepnexttome.Seei ngthathehadabitto
drinkwithMt hunziwel
lintothenight
.Iwasgladhe
hadf un,helookedquitebuzzedwhenhecamet o
bed.Igotup, gett
ingoutofbedbef or
eastrongarm
grabbedmywai st.Igi
ggled.
Me:"
Ithoughtyouwer
esl
eepi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam butyou'
ret
ryi
ngt
orunawayf
rom me.
"
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngtopee."Il
aughed."
Thenst
arton
br
eakf
ast.Whatdoyouwanttoeat?"
Nkosi
:"You.
"Hepul
ledmebacki
ntohi
sar
ms.
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
opeeont
hebed.
"
Nkosi:"
It
'snotmybed,soIdon'
tcare.
"Il
aughed,
whil
ehepl acedki
ssesal
lovermyface.
Me:"
Nkosi
nhl
e!"
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Me:"
Letmegopee.
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"Itr
iedt
oti
ckl
ehi
sri
bs.Hest
aredatme.
"
Whatwast hat
?"
Me:"
I'
mti
ckl
ingyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Toachi
evewhat
?"
Me:"
Tomakeyoul
augh.
"
Nkosi
:"Yout
hinkscri
bbl
ingyourl
it
tl
efi
nger
sonmy
r
ibswil
lmakemel augh?
"
Me:"
Myf
inger
sar
en'
tli
tt
le!
"
Nkosi:"They'
rel
it
tl
ebaby.Li
ttl
efinger
s."Hekissed
myhand." Lit
tl
enose.
"Hekissedmynose." Lit
tl
e
mout h.
"Hekissedmymout h."Evenyourfeetare
l
itt
le.Youknowwhatelseisli
ttl
e?"Hekissedmy
l
ips.
Me:"
Youal
readydi
dmyl
ips.
"
Nkosi
:"Notthoselips.
"Heki
ssedmynippl
e,
sucki
ngonit,tr
acinghist
onguedownmyst omach
tomycookie."Theseli
ps.
"Mywholebodyfeltsof
t
andnumb.Theonl yplacethatwasal er
twi t
htouch
waswher ehislipski
ssed.Hist onguemadel oveto
myl abiaslowlymaki ngmedi zzy.Hesuckedt hem
gentlythenmassaget hem withhislips,kissi
ng
them, l
ovingthem.Hi stonguesl i
dupt omycl i
t,
sli
ckingoni tt
wi ce,
electr
ocutingme.Il etouta
moan.Hecont inuedkissi
ngmyl ips,obviously
teasingme.Justasmybodyset t
ledagai n,his
tonguesl i
ckedmycl itafewmor etime.
Me:" OhNkosi .
..
"Imoaned.Heki ssedmyt highs,
softlybiti
ngmyski n.Helovedgr azinghi st eethon
myski n,al
mostl i
kehewant edt obit
e.I tfeltli
kean
i
tchingdesi reinmewhenhedi dthat.Itfeltso
stranget hatIwant edhimtobi te.Heki ssedmycl i
t
again, suckingoni tt
henslickinghist ongueoni t
rapidly.Rightthere.Myhear tslowedasIr eached
mycl i
max, shiver
ingt ot
hebone.Heki ssedi tone
l
astt imeandIshi veredagain.Hecameupt omy
l
ips, kissi
ngme.
Nkosi
:"Nowyoucangopee.
"
Me:"
Iwasf i
vetor
eleasi
ngitont
hebed.
"Iki
ssed
hi
m back,
holdi
nghisneck.
Nkosi:"Goodthatyouhelditi
nbecausei
ttookan
awfulwhi l
etogetthi
smat t
ressher
e.Iwouldhat
e
togot hrought
hatagain.
"Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Iwantt
oret
urnt
hisf
avour
."
Nkosi
:"Uhm.No.
"
Me:"
No?
"
Nkosi:"
Hm.hm."Iki
ssedhisli
ps,r
espect
inghis
deci
sion.Maybehe'
llt
ellmelat
erwhy.Wetalked
aboutever
ythi
ngunderthesun.
Me:"
Letmemakeyoubr
eakf
ast
.Whatdoyoul
ike?
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'shavesomepor
ri
dge.Ihaven'
ttast
ed
onemadebyyou. "
Me:" Okaybaby."Igotoutt hebedwear ingagown
thengoingt othebathroom bef oremaki ngmyway
tothekitchen.Thefridgewasst ocked.Istarted
withthepor r
idgeandwhi l
ei tboil
edont hest oveI
mader egularbreakf
astf orever yone.Ihadt ocount
theguards.Theycameupt o23peopl eincluding
Mt hunzi
.Thatisinsane.Al lofthem wer eoutside
becausei twas7i nthemor ning.Elevenhadsl epti
n
theloungelastnight,theot herelevenwi l
lbe
headingoutatar ound9t otheguest housewher e
Pri
ncessSamuwoul dbe.Mt hunziwasusi ngt
he
secondbedr oom.Ideckedt hetablewiththefoodI
cooked.Thatf r
idgewi llhavet obest ocked
everydayi
fthisi sthecase.Imadet eathenpoured
porr
idgeinabowlpl acingitwi ththebut t
erand
sugarontray,takingitt oNkosi .
Nkosi
:"Thankyoubaby.Whatt
ooksol
ong?
"
Me:"
Iwasmaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
."
Nkosi
:"Por
ri
dget
akes47mi
nut
est
omake?
"
Me:"
No,
Iwasmaki
ngot
herbr
eakf
astf
orever
yone
el
se.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,
there'
scooksthatwi
llbearri
vingi
n13
minut
es.You'
retell
ingmetheydon'thaveajob?"
Me:"
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmet
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Idi
dn'texpectyoutocookfor24peopl
e!"He
l
aughed."You'r
eadorable.Whenhaveyoueverhad
t
ocookwhenwi thme? "Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Mxi
m Nkosi
.Whatar
ethecooksgoi
ngt
odo
now?
"Hecont
inuedl
aughi
ng.
Nkosi
:"You'
retheonewhof
ir
edt
hem.Al
lIdi
dwas
waitf
orporr
idge.
"
Me:"
Ifeelr
eal
lybadandyou'
rej
oki
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm sor
rybaby.I
'
llt
ellMt
hunzit
ocancel
t
hem forthemorni
ng.Theycanjustmakel
unchfor
t
heguards."
Me:"
Doitnow,bef
oret
heyarr
ive.Shamet
hey'
re
pr
obabl
yalr
eadyontheway.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtr
yingt
oeat
."
Me:"
Nkosipl
ease.
"Hesi
ghed,
get
ti
ngup.
Nkosi
:"Myt
eawi
llgetcol
d."
Me:"I
twillt
akelesst
hantwominutes.
"Hewentt
o
Mthunziandspoketohi
mt hencameback.
Nkosi:"
Sorted.
"Hesatdown."Babypl
easedon't
evercookfor24people.Iwoul
dneverexpectt
hat
fr
om you.You'reaqueen."
Me:"
I'
m notaqueen.I'
m Thembi
saandIdon'
teatif
ot
her
saren'teat
ing.Sounl
essIknowsomeoneis
comi
ngt
ocook.I
'
m gonnacook.
"
Nkosi:"
You'r
emyqueen. "Hekissedmylips.I
watchedhim putbutt
erandsugarinhisporri
dge
t
henst i
rit
.Soher emembers."
What ?
"
Me:"
Your
ememberhowt
omi
xit
."
Nkosi:"
Iremembereveryt
hing,myl
ove.
"Weat
eour
por
ridge."Il
iket
hisonebet
ter.
"
Me:"
Whi
chone?
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sone.
"
Me:"
Whatar
ewet
alki
ngaboutbaby?
"
Nkosi
:"Thepor
ri
dge.
"
Me:"
Asopposedt
owhi
chone?
"Het
ast
edmi
ne.
Nkosi
:"hmm.I
t'
sdef
ini
tel
ythi
sone.
"
Me:"
Yourone?
"
Nkosi:"
No,your
s.Youcookitbet
ter
.Idi
dn'
tli
ket
he
onetheycookedeNtabenimuch.
"
Me:"
Yousai
dyoul
ikedi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwasbei
ngni
ce.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"I
'
m goi
ngtofeedyoual
otofthingssoI
'
m
goi
ngtoneedyoutobehonesti
nsteadofni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Nocando.Mt
hunzisai
dyoumustbeni ce
whenawomanmakesyouf ood.Shecanki
llyou.
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"Mt hunziisscari
ngyoubaby.Ineedtoknowso
thatIdon'tfeedyouthingsyoudon'
tli
ke.
"Heput
histr
ayasi de,comingtokissmyli
ps.
Nkosi
:"Il
ikeever
ythi
ngyouf
eedme.
"
Me:"
I'
mtr
yingt
oeat
."Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Eatmylove.Il
oveyou, Iwantyout
ofi
nish
yourf
oodwhileit
'ssti
llhot
."Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Yourf
oodwasdefini
tel
yst
il
lhotNkosi
nhl
e.
Whatt
imeareyougoi
ngtothel
ake?"
Nkosi
:"Evenintheaft
ernoon.Theyhavet
owai
tfor
me,I'
mt hefut
ureKing.
"
Me:"Thear
rogancei
ssexybutI'm goi
ngtoneed
youtogetr
eadyby10.Thevill
agewakesupvery
ear
lyandagoodkingrespect
shispeople'
sti
me."
Nkosi
:"You'
remygoodki
ng.
"Heki
ssedme.
Me:"Thi
sbedisgoi
ngt oeatt
hispor
ri
dgei
fyou
keepdoi
ngthat
."Helaughed,
layi
ngbacki
nbed.
Nkosi
:"Imi
ssedyou.
"
Me:"
Imi
ssedyoutoobaby."If
ini
shedmypor
ri
dge,
si
ppi
ngmyteathencuddl
edbackinhisar
ms.
Nkosi
:"Theweat
herwi
llchangeatmi
dday.
"
Me:"Notpossi
ble.Ourweat
herisver
yconsistent
baby.I
t'
ssunnynow, i
twil
lbesunnyallday.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sgoi
ngt
orai
naf
termi
dday.
"
Me:"Notthi
sti
me."Ikissedhischi
n."
Ifi
tdoesr
ain,
Imightst
ayanotherdaywi t
hyouandgohome
tomorr
ow."Hesmiled.
Nkosi
:"Hmm.I
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeagr
eatdayf
orme.
"
Me:"Let'
st akeanap,sowecanwakeupat9and
getyoudr essed.Oooh,ar
eyouwearingyoursexy
l
it
tleroyalsuitt
oday?"Helaughedl
ongandhar d.
Nkosi
:"Sexyli
tt
ler
oyalsui
t?Thembi
sadoyounot
r
espectthethr
oneevenalit
tl
ebit
?"
Me:"
Buti
tissexyandI
tgr
ipsyout
ighti
nal
lthe
ri
ghtpl
aces.I
t'
sli
keli
ngerieonyou.Howmanyset
s
doyouhave?"Hekeptlaughi
ng.
Nkosi
:"Whati
swr
ongwi
thyou?
"
Me:"
Howmany?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihave12.Don'
tyoudar
elaugh.
"
Me:"I'
m notl
aughingbaby.Let
'ssl
eepthen.
"I
giggl
ed."I
syourl
ingeri
esteamedatleast
?"He
chuckled.
Nkosi
:"You'
reasill
yperson.I
'
m notenter
tai
ning
youanylonger
."Iki
ssedhischest
,rest
ingmyhead
tosl
eep.

PRI
NCEPOV_

At9I'dgot
tenupandt akenashowert hengot
dr
essed.Thembi sai
ssosi l
ly,whywouldshecall
mymosti mportantr
egali
alingeri
e?Ichuckl
ed,
l
ookingatmyselfinthemirrorful
lydr
essed.I
ki
ssedherforehead,wal
kingouttheroom.Mt hunzi
wasinthelounge.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ning.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youl
ookhappy.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam.I
'
m goingtoneedyoustaybehi
nd
t
oday.Thembisawi
llbehere,
I'
dpref
eryouhere
wit
hherthanguar
ds."
Mt
hunzi
:"Theguar
dsar
eloyalt
oyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Andthat
'swhythey'l
lbewit
hme.I'
llbef
ine.
Besi
des,Samuwi l
lbearound.Thi
swon'
ttake
l
ongerthantwohours.
"
Mthunzi :"I
tmighttakethewhol eday.Thevil
lagei
s
veryexci t
edforyourarrival
.Ihavenodoubti nmy
mindt hey'l
lbecelebrat
ingifnotfol
lowingyouback
here.AndwhataboutSamu?Shemi ghtwantto
havedi nnerwithyou."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nothavi
ngdi
nnerwi
thSamu.I
'
m her
eto
work.
"
Mthunzi
:"Real
ly?Becauseyou'
vebeengi
ggl
ingal
l
morni
ng."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tgi
ggl
e,Mt
hunzi
."Hel
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Sowhathappenedwi
thbr
eakf
ast
?"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tevenask.Canyoubel
ieveshecooked?
I
'm al
it
tleof
fended.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Canyoucook?
"
Nkosi
:"Idi
dli
veal
onei
nanot
hercount
ry.Ofcour
se
Icancook.
"
Mthunzi
:"Don'
tli
eNkosi
.Youcan'
tcook.I
'
venever
onceseenyoupickupapot.
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
,Icancook.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"ButIknowyoucan'
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknowyou'r
et r
yingt
ot r
ickmeint
ocooki
ng
t
oproveapoi ntandthatwil
lnothappen.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Becauseyoucan'
tcook.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m.I
'mleavi
ng.Thembi
sai
ssl
eepi
ng,
don'
tmakeanoi
se."
Mthunzi:"
WhatwouldIpossibl
ybedoi ngNkosi
?It
's
notli
kethere'
sadrum setwait
ingformeinthe
passage.Youcanleavetwoguardstostandwatch
atthegate.You'
l
lbefinewit
hjust9?"
Nkosi
:"Feel
sabi
tnaked,
Idon'
tknow.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
renotf
unny.I
'
m bei
ngser
ious.
"
Nkosi
:"Fourcanst
aybehi
nd.
"
Mt hunzi:"
Absolut
elyf
uckingnot.Don'
teventryi
t.I
knowyouwi t
hyourstuntsofjumpingint
olakes,
they'l
lcarr
yyouawayt hesecondyouunbut t
onthat
suit.
"Ichuckled.
Nkosi:"Fine.I
'
ml eavi
ngthen.
"Hewal kedmeout ,
addressingtheguards,st
ernl
ythr
eateningthem
aboutthei mport
anceofmysaf et
y.Mt hunzii
s
dramatichonestl
y.

Thedr i
vewasunevent f
ulbutwhenIdr oveintothe
vil
lageacr owdwaswai ti
ngal r
eady.Oh, thiswas
hell.Ihateditalr
eady.Whydi dIl eaveMt hunzi
behi nd?Ican'tdot hi
sbymysel f.Idefinitel
ycan' t
.
Ever yonelookedhappyf orsurebutt her ewasj ust
toomanyoft hem.Theyr annextt othecar s,singing
allthewayt ot helake.Ican'tgetoutoft hiscar.I
l
ookedatmyphone, Ididn'tevenseet hemessage
I'
dr eceived10mi nutesago.<I '
m sopr oudofyou
baby.Appr eciatetheloveyou' r
er eceiving.You' r
e
alreadysaf e.NowbeKi ng.
>Ismi led.Thecar s
stopped.Theguar dsusher edawayt hecr owdst oa
saf edistancet henopenedmydoor .Her egoes
not hi
ng.Ist eppedoutt hecar .Thesingingwas
mi xedwi t
hscr eami ngwasal mostdeaf ening.I
wal kedt otheedgeoft helake.Allthewat erhad
beendr ainedout ,somedebr iswasst il
lleftinsi
de
whi chwasst illbeingr emoveddaybyday.Ican' t
believeIwasi nsidet hishugehol ealmostl osi
ngmy
l
ife.I'm gladt hatdi dn'thappen, myf atherwoul d'
ve
bur ntthisent i
revi ll
aget othegr ound.Isi ghed
closingmyeyest of i
lterthroughthet hought sof
thosear oundme.Di fferentemot i
onsbutnoneof
them int endingbad.Samuwasar r
ivi
ngwi t
hher
guar ds,knowi nghershe' l
lwantt ocomedi sturbmy
thought s.Iwoul dor dinaril
yturnaroundt ogospeak
tot hepeopl ebutIneededt hemedi atot ake
pictureswi thhernextt omesot hatmyf ather
l
eavesmeal one.Shest oodnextt ome.
Samu:"
Pri
nceMehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"Samukel
isi
we.
"
Samu:"
Youl
ookgood.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam.
"
Samu:"
Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Good.
"
Samu:"
Youdon'twantt
oknowhowIam? "It
urned
tof
aceher
.Whichpoli
tewaycanonesayIdon'
t
car
e?
Nkosi:"
You'r
enoti
nhospit
al,
soIwoul
dsuspect
you'
rewell
."Shesmil
ed.
Samu:"
Hmm.Where'syourheadofsecur
it
y?He'
s
al
waysnextt
oyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Taki
ngcar
eoft
hewi
fe.
"
Samu:"
Oh.Di
dn'
tknowhewasmar
ri
ed.
"
Nkosi:"Hmm. "Iwalkedawayt ot hepodium t hat
wasbui l
tforthisday.Themi cwasonast andbut
sti
llquiteshorterthanme.Il ookedataguar d.He
camet oadjustitalit
tl
ef urt
herup.Thecr owdwas
sti
llsingingandsoIwai ted.Theysettl
eddown
fi
nallywai t
ingtohearwhatIhadt osay.Thechi ef
andhi sfami l
ywasher easwel l
.Thecommuni ty
l
eader ,everyone.IspottedThembi sa'
smot herand
si
sterinthecr
owd.Ilookedatherf
atherandhe
star
edatmeuni mpressed,hi
sarmsfoldedonhis
chest.Thi
sisgoi
ngtobet oughwit
hhim star
ingat
met ofail
.
Nkosi :"GoodDaycommuni tyofMt hinomkhul u.I
am. .
.takenabackt oseehowmanyofyouhave
comeher etowel comemesowar ml y.Thankyou. "
Anot herr oarofnoi seer uptedf rom t heircl apping
andscr eami ng.Iwait edf orsl inceonceagai n."I
can'tgetusedt ot hat,byt heway. "Iexpect ed
anothercheerandgoti t."Thankyouagai n.The
reasonwe' reheret oday, asyoual lknow, t
hisi sour
fi
rstcommuni tyupdat e.Asyoucansee, thel ake
hasbeendr ained.Wear enowi nthepr ocessof
removi ngt hedebr isthatwasi nsidei t.Ifyoul ook
closely, don'tgotoocl ose, you' l
lslip."Theyl aughed.
I'
m act uallybeingser ious." Therewer eaf ewcar sin
there.Andt henjustgener almet alandscr aps.
However ,
thereisst i
llonebodyt hathadn' tbeen
discover edt hedayIwe-t hedayt hef irstfourwer e
discover ed.Hopef ull
y, byt heendoft hepr ocesswe
willbeabl etolocatei t.Anot herupdat eIwant edto
shar eist hat ,
sinceIwasl asther eaf ewweeksago,
ther oadsyouhaveaskedf or,havebeenbui lt
.MayI
pleaseseewi thashowofhandsi fther ei sahome
thatdoesn' thaveel ectri
cityi nstalledyet ?
"Iwai ted.
"I'
l
ltaket hatasano.Theel ectricityissor t
ed.Next
ont heagendai st hej obsi ssue.Oncet hehol eher e
hasbeenf ullyextract edofal lther emai nsi nit,it
willbet ested.Myi ntentionwast opr ovideameans
ofjobsuppl y.Iunder standupongoodadvi cethat,
perhapsyourbl essi ngasacommuni tywi llmake
thisideamuchmor efruitf
ul .Iwoul dl i
ket oi nvitea
memberofeachf ami l
yt oameet i
ngoncewe' r
e
doneher e.Iwanteachf ami l
yt ohavea
represent ativeinanycommuni tymeet ingwi t
hme.
Thatway, everyone' sconcer nsandt hought sare
takeni ntoconsi deration.Ourl astandf inali t
em i s
ofcour sewher ewewi l
lbehost i
ngt hesemeet ings.
Ther eisnocommuni t
ycent er.Thi si sanameni t
y
thatallvi l
lagesi nt hispr ovinceal readyhaveand
againt hepl ant obui l
di twillaswel lbedi scussedi n
thef ol
lowi ngmeet i
ng.SoIi mpl oreever yone, t
ogo
totheirf ami li
esr i
ghtnowanddi scusswhowi l
lbe
represent ingt hehome.Thecandi dat emustbe
abovetheageof21, al
lgendersareencouraged.
Themeetingwillpartakeinthenexthour.The
mediaiswelcome, t
hatwaynooneout sideis
excl
udedfrom hearingwhati shappeni
ngi nsi
de.
"I
l
ookedatthechi ef
."Isthereaspacethatcanhold
onememberofeachf amil
yincludi
ngmysel f,
the
mediaandyou? "
Chief
:"YesYourHi
ghness.Theschoolhal
lwi
llbea
goodlocati
on.
"
Nkosi
:"Good.Theschoolhalli
tis.Thankyou
Mthi
nomkhuluvil
lage.
"Iwalkedof ft
hepodium
st
rai
ghttomycar .

SASAPOV_

Isatonthecouch,cur
ledupwithafl
eeceblanket
andacupofcof f
eewat chi
ngTV.Nkosiwastrul
y
magnifi
cent
.Thepeopleadoredhi
m.
Me:"Thatwasamazing.Hedi
dsowel
l
.Whyhashe
neverspokenbef
ore?"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosihatestalki
ng.Toanyone.I fhe
r
eall
yhast o,
onet o-t
he-pointsent
encewilldo.He
r
eall
yisgreatinfr
ontoft hosecamer asandcrowd
t
oday.Iguessthat'syourinfl
uence."
Me:"Ohno,thatwasal lhi
m.Idi
dn'tevenknowhe's
speaki
ngtoday.Ithoughthe'
dwalkt othehol
e,gi
ve
athumbstot hecamerasandleave."Helaughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Iwoul
d'vegot
tenapani
ctextal
ready.
"
Me:"
Doyout
hinkt
hey'
l
lnot
iceyou'
renott
her
e?"
Mthunzi
:"Theydef
ini
tel
ynot
icedbutwhatwi
llt
hey
do?"
Me:"Well,not
hingIguess."It'
snotl
ikethey'
llask
Nkosi.Eventhoughtheguar dswerealitt
lespread
outbutwithoutadoubt,ifsomeone'sfootsteps
sidewaysthey'
llbar
ri
cadehi mi naspl
itsecond.
"CanIaskyousomet hing?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Anyt
hing.
"
Me:"
Howi
syourwi
fedoi
ng?
"Hesmi
led.
Mthunzi
:"She'
sgreat
.Ispoketoherthismorning.
She'
salsosuspici
ouswhyI'm notnexttoher
favor
it
eperson.
"Hechuckl
ed."
Sheunderst
andsmy
workandsupportsi
t.I
'
m sur
eifsheknewyou'
dbe
here,
she'
dhavesentyouyoursal
tedcar
amel.
"
Me:"
Shet
oldyouaboutt
hat
?"
Mthunzi:"
Yesshedid.Itmadeherweekend.She
descr
ibedyouast hesweeti
epi
ewithprett
yeyes
whowasonaf i
rstdate.
"
Me:"
Iwasn'
tevenonadat
e."Igi
ggl
ed.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m onl
ysayi
ngwhatIwastold.
"Hesatup,
st
ari
ngattheTVthent
ypedonhisphone.
Me:"
Issomet
hingwr
ong?
"
Mt hunzi:"Securityisleavingspacesbet weent hem,
theyneedt of ul
lycoverhi m."IkeptquietbecauseI
didn'tknowmuchaboutt heirrouti
ne.Hespokei n
hisphone." Idon'tcarewhathesays, Iwantyou
closer.Givehi mt hephone. "Hewai ted."NoNkosi ,
myonl ycondi ti
onofnotbei ngthereisthatyouf ul
ly
l
istent otheguar ds.Idon' tcarehowsaf eyouf eel
Nkosi nhle.
"Hel istened."Idon'tcarethatyou' r
e
awayf r
om t helakenow.Youmi ghtfindot her
spacest oj umpi nto.Idon'ttrustyou."Igiggled.
"Cal
lheronyourownphoneandli
stent
oyour
guards.
"Hehungup."
He'simpossi
blet
omanage.
"
Myphoner ang.
Me:"
Hel
lobaby.
"
Nkosi:"
Hel
lomyl
ove.Di
dMt
hunziwakeyou?
"I
gi
ggled.
Me:"
No.Hedi
dn'
twakeme.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Unbel
ievabl
e."Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
mjeal
ous.Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Me:"
Youobvi
ousl
y.We'
rewat
chi
ngyouonTV.
"
Nkosi
:"Oh?Seenowyou'
regonnamakemesmi
le
att
hecamera."
Me:"They'
lll
oveyoursmi
lebaby.Youhave
beauti
fult
eeth.
"
Nkosi
:"I'
m notshowingtheworldmyteet
h
Thembisa.Nextthi
ngthey'
llwantmetosti
ckout
mytongue,there'
snostoppingwit
hhumans."I
l
aughed.
Me:"
Areyouenj
oyi
ngyour
sel
f?"
Nkosi
:"Absol
utel
ynot
.Yourdadl
ookedl
ike
murder
."
Me:"
Hewast
her
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yep.Andyourmot
herandsi
stert
oo.
"
Me:"
Oht
hat
'
sni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tis.Baby,
it'
sgoi
ngt
orai
ntoday.
"
Me:"
Whyar
eyoul
yingt
ome?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
ebaby.
"
Me:"
Justsayt
hatyouwantmet
ost
ay.
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
nethen,Iwanttocomehometomy
womanafteral
lthispar
adingar
ound.I
'
llevengr
in
oncameraforyou."
Me:"
Okaybaby.You'
l
lfi
ndmeher
e."
Nkosi
:"NowI
'
m happy.Ihavet
ogobaby.
"
Me:"
Alr
ightmyl
ove.Il
oveyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyout
oo.
"
Me:"
PleasehangupYourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt
onow.
"
Me:"
Hai
boNkosi
nhl
e,peopl
ear
ewai
ti
ngonyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Thenyouhangup.
"
Me:" Finethen,goodbye."Ihungup, wait
ingonhi s
text.I
tcamei nalmostimmedi ately:<Can'tbeli
eve
youhunguponme. >Ilaughed.Ir epli
ed:<Iloveyou
baby.Sor ryforhanginguponyou. >Sent.Her epl
ied:
<I'
llonlyacceptapologyinki ssesonmychi n.
Thanks. >Ilaughed.He'ssuchababy.<Anyt hing
youwantmyl ove.>Ismiledwat chingbackont vas
heent eredtheChi ef
'shome.Het urnedtot he
camer af aci
nghim andgr inned.
[
07/
27,
05:
50] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er38

KHAYAPOV_

I
'dwokenupear
lyf
oroncebesidesschool
.Idon'
t
wakeupear
lyonhol
idaybutIhadajobtodo.Aft
er
aquickshower ,
Iputonj eansandat -shirt
.Another
thi
ngI '
m notusedt o.IfI'
m homebound, Ipref
er
shortsandsocksonl y.BeingSi bonel
o'sadvisor,I
havet obei nasuit.He' scrazy.Jeansiswhathe' s
gett
ingt oday.Iwalkedoutofmyr oom, goi
ngdown
thestairstothekitchen.TheBi yel
apalacewas
morel i
keamansi on.It hi
nk8or9bedr oomsi ntotal
.
Igotjuicefrom thef r
idgeandwentt othelounge.
Mnqobiwaswi t
hZweandSi bonelo.
Khaya:"
Mor
ning.
"Isatont
hecouchnextt
oMnqobi
.
Si
bo:"
Hey.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Khaya:"
Bitofaheadache,
regul
arshi
ver
sbutI
'
m
fi
ne.
"
Zwe:
"Di
dyout
akeyourpi
ll
s?"
Khaya:"
Iwil
lBhutZwe,
rightaf
terIeat
.Whatar
ewe
watchi
ng?"
Sibo:"
Sikhosana'
sfavour
it
evi
ll
age.Hej
ustar
ri
ved
atthelake.
"
Zwe:
"Ohcomeon.I
t'
snothi
sfavor
it
e."
Si
bo:"
Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"I
t'
sdef
ini
tel
yhi
sfavor
it
e,br
other
."
Zwe:"
Thevi
ll
agewasunderdevel
opedf
ordecades.
Heisonl
ydoi
nghisj
ob.BackmeupKhaya."
Khaya:"
Idon'
tknowBhutZwe,heki
ndawenthar
d
fort
hisandver
yquickl
ytoo.
"
Zwe:"Andwhatabouttheot
hervi
ll
ageshe'
sdone
thi
ngsfor
?Vamanihasanewschoolr oof
,new
roadsandel
ect
rici
ty.
"
Si
bo:"Becausetheycompl
ainedusi
ng
Mthi
nomkhul uasexampl
e.He'sper
for
mat
ive.
"
Zwe:"I
t'
sagoodperf
ormancebecauseatt
heendof
theday,t
hepeopl
ewil
lbenef
itgr
eatl
y."
Si
bo:"Thepeople.
"Her ol
ledhi
seyes."Sooneror
l
aterhe'
sgoingtocrack.Thepeoplewil
lsuckhim
dr
yandhewi llnolongerbecute.Youwatch.
"
Mnqobi
:"Awww.Yout
hinkhe'
scut
e?"
Sibo:"Mxim.Angi
thiyou'
retr
eati
nghimlikeapuppy
roll
ingar
oundindirt
.Hewi l
lshowhistr
uef or
m
eventual
ly.
"
Zwe:
"I'
m al
mostsi
zzl
ingwi
thexci
tementt
oseet
he
di
sappoi
ntmentonyourf
ace.
"Hel
aughed.
Sibo:" I
'm gi vinghi m untilhiscor onation.Hewi ll
crack."Mehl ulidi
dn'tseem l ikesomeonewhocan' t
handl ehi semot i
ons.Anyandal linteractionwi th
him, hehasshownzer oi nterestoremot ion.Does
heevenhaveahear t?Idoubti t
.Pr obablyl oves
usinghi sbr ainishowcal cul
at i
ngandunbot hered
thatmani s.Ihat ethatI '
m st art
ingt oadmi rehim.
Hebet ternotdosomet hingt ofuckup.I fhecan
perform al it
tlemor e,wecoul dprobabl ybet he
ri
chestpr ovi ncei nthenat ion.Thatwoul dmean
mor ebusi nessandmor ebusi nesswi l
lneedusal l
.
Myphonebuzzedi nmypocket .Thi siswhyIbl ock
peopl e.Ilookedatt hescr een.Zi mmy.<Ar eyou
okay?Youdi dn'tcomehome. >Home? ??Si nce
wheni smyapar tmenthome?Ir epl i
ed:<Iam
home. >Sher eaditthent yped, respondi ng:<You' re
notinyourr oom, Ichecked. >Wher edoesshet hink
Iam?<I 'm att hepalacewi t
hBi yela's.Home.I 'm
fi
ne.>If ocusedbackont heTV, Mehl uliwasst i
ll
stari
ngatt hel ake,beforebei ngappr oachedby
PrincessSamu.
Sibo:"
Getti
ngveryconfi
dent
.Funfact
,thefirstt
ime
heeveraddressedpeopl
ewasinthisvi
llage.Do
youthinkhe'
llspeakt
oday?"
Zwe:
"Youhat
ehi
m.Wegeti
t.
"
Sibo:"Idon'
thatehim.Notatal l
.Ijustwanthim and
hisfamilytobehonestandf airhumanbei ngs.
"I
recei
vedanothermessage.Whatwashappeni ng?
<Okay, i
twouldbeappr eci
atedifyouknowyou' r
e
notcomi nghomet oatleastsendmeamessageso
Idon'tworryallni
ght.
>SonofMar yandJoseph.
Whatdoest hismeannow?
Khaya:"Mnqo.What
'shappeni
nghere?"Hereadthe
messagesonmyphoneandbur sti
ntol
aughter
."I
'm
ser
ious.Tel
lme."
Mnqobi
:"Myt
win.I
tmeansyouhaveawi
fe.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatwi
fe?
"Mnqobit
ossedhi
m myphone.
Khaya:"
Mnqobi ,t
hatphonei
sonl
ytwomont
hsol
d."
Si
bonelolaughed.
Si
bo:"
Whatt
hehel
l?
"
Khaya:"
Right
?Inmyapar
tment
?"Hegavemy
phonet
oZwe.
Zwe:"Idon'
tseet
hepr
oblem.Thi
sisar easonabl
e
ask.Whyareyoumeantoyourgi
rl
fr
iend?"
Khaya:"Exceptshe'snotmygi rl
fri
end.She'
smy
fr
iend,whohassi nceoverstayedherwelcomein
mypl ace.I
'mfinenow, Idon'tneedababysit
ter
anymor e.
"
Zwe:"It
hinkyoudo.Thi
sgi
rlseemst
ocar
eabout
you.
"
Khaya:"Ihaveal
lthecareIneedr
ighther
e."He
typedonmyphone." BhutZwe?Whatareyou
doing?
"
Zwe:
"Not
hing,
justchecki
ngt
het
ime.
"
Khaya:"
You'
ret
ypi
ng.
"
Zwe:"Shhh,Sikhosanai
sabouttospeak.
"Ilooked
backont heTV.Indeedhestoodonthepodi
um,
confi
dentanddar i
ngasheusuallyi
s.Thecrowd
waslovinghim.Alot.Wi
llheevenbeaudi
bleover
thi
snoise?
Af
tert
hefut
ureki
ng'
sspeech,
hel
efti
nst
ant
lyf
or
hi
scar.
Zwe:"
Sibonel
odoyouhaveanycomment
s?"He
hel
dmyphonet ohi
sbrot
her'
smouth.
Sibonel o:"Whereishi sadvisor?"Weal ll
ookedat
thescr een,Ihaven'tspottedhim once." I
sn'
the
ALWAYSnextt ohi m?Atal lti
mes.I fnotdir
ectl
y
nextt ohim, somewher enearby.Evenatt he
restauranthegoest o,Mthunziisnevert oofarfr
om
himi fthey'renotsitt
inginthesamet able.Whereis
hetoday? "Ohshit.Thiswasqui teobvi
ous.
Sibonel o:"Anyt aker s?Guesses?I 'l
ltellyouwher e
hei s.Thatgi rldisappear edf r
om Mount ainPeak
yest erday,endingupi nhervi ll
age.Theent ire
vil
lagei soutcel ebrati
ngSi khosana'sar ri
valt oday.
Shei sn'
tthere.I'm goingt ogetmysel fdrinkwhi le
thatsi nksin."Hegotup, goingtot hekitchen.I
hadn' tnoticedt hisbef or
ehebr oughtitupbutnowI
coul dn'tst
opwonder i
ng.Theonl yotheri mpor t
ant
persont oMehl ul ii
sThembi sa.Hewoul dn'tleave
herunat t
endedbutt oleaveherwi thhi sper sonal
headofal loper at i
onsandsecur i
ty?That '
si nsane.
Mt hunzi'
sprimaryjobi st
ot akecar eofhi m andhim
al
one.Iwonderwhoel sehasnot icedt his.Maybe
KingSi khosana?Wi l
lhejustbrushi tof forwhat?I
can'timaginewhatt heirr
elati
onshi pisl i
kebutI
don'tthinkMehlulicaresabouti mpressi nghim.I
l
ookedoveratMnqobiwhowasst ari
ngatapi ct
ure
onhi sphone.Sincehegavemi neaway, Ilookedat
his.
Khaya:"
Justt
exther
."
Mnqobi
:"Andsaywhat
?"
Khaya:"
Hel
lo.Askhowshe'
sdoi
ng.
"
Mnqobi
:"Nah.Maybeshe'
sbusy.
"
Khaya:"
ifshedoesn'
trespondt
henshe'
sbusybut
whenshei sn'
t,
shewil
l."
Mnqobi
:"YouknowIcan'
tKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Ist
hisaboutNot
hando?
"
Mnqobi
:"Most
ly,
yes.
"
Khaya:"
Youhaven'
tmar
ri
edheryet
.Youcanpl
ay
ar
oundinthemeanti
me.
"
Mnqobi:"
YouknowI'
vet
ri
edt
hatbutIal
waysend
upfeel
inggui
lt
y."
Khaya:"
Forhavi
ngmeani
ngl
esssexMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi:"
Yes.Iknowshedoesn'
tevencar
ebutIdo.
I
'vebeeninl
ovewi t
hhersi
nceIwas17.Youknow
t
his.
"
Khaya:"
Right
.Nowyoul
iket
hisonet
oo.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ido.Yeah.
"
Khaya:"
Justt
exther
."
Mnqobi:"Howdidwecircl
ebackt othi
s?Khaya,
I
can'
tpursuethi
sgir
l.Whatifshef al
lsforme?She
wil
lbeheartbr
okenwhenImar r
yanot herwoman
andI'
m notlet
ti
nggoofmyf i
rstlove.Iwon'
tgo
backonmypr omisetoNothando. "
Khaya:"
DoesNot
handoevenf
eelt
hesame?
"
Mnqobi
:"Nope.
"
Khaya:"
Doessheknowyoubull
iedSi
bonel
oand
yourdadtopr
omiseherhandi
nmar r
iaget
oyou?
"
Mnqobi
:"Noandsheneverwi
ll
."Ichuckl
ed.
Khaya:" It
houghtyou'
rethenicestoneoutofyour
brothersbutnope,you'
rejustastheyar
e.
Calculati
ng."
Mnqobi:"
Youstil
lhaveachancewit
hZwef orni
cest
br
otherbutdon'
tgetyourhopesupt
oohigh.Rather
pl
aceyourcoinsonSboni,l
ookathi
m.He'sa
dr
eam."
Si
bo:"
Whataboutme?
"
Khaya:"
Hmm.
"
Zwe:"Night
mar
esar
eal
socal
leddr
eams.Except
they'
rebad.
"
Si
bo:"
Bad?Al
lIdi
dwaswal
kin?
"
Zwe:
"Iwi
sht
hati
sal
lyoudo.
"Hel
aughed.
Khaya:"
Texther.Justt
osayhi
.Seewhatshesays.
That'
sal
l.I
'l
lleaveyoube.
"
Mnqobi
:"Nothappeni
ng.
"
Khaya:"
Thenyouleavemenochoice.
"Igr
abbed
hi
sphone."BhutZwe."It
ossedi
ttohi
m.
Mnqobi
:"Khaya!
!"
Khaya:"
Ial
sodon'tknowwhat'scurr
entl
y
happeni
nginmylifebecauseofyou.Icouldhave
beggedmarri
ageandbabies.Wemustal lsuf
fer.
"I
l
aughed.

PETU'
SPOV_

Iwasi nmyr oom atr

es,r
eadingabookSasahad
givenme.Iwasn'tmuchaf anofreadi
ngbooks,
I'
d
ratherwatchmoviesbutIgothookedt
othis
parti
cularst
ory.Myphonerang.Amahle.
Pet
u:"
Amy.
"Ianswer
ed.
Ama:"
Didyouuset
henumber
s?"
Pet
u:"
Whatnumber
s?"
Ama:"ThenumbersIsentyou."Lastnightshehad
sentmeabunchofnumber sandIdi dn't
under
standwhattheywereforalsoIwasal it
tl
e
ti
psysoIfel
lasl
eep.
Pet
u:"
Usethem howMahl
e?Whatdoyoumean?
"
Shesi
ghed.
Ama:"
ThatwasyourPower
bal
lfort
hismont
h."
Pet
u:"
What
?Why?
"
Ama:"
Sot
hatyoupl
ayandwi
nmoneyPet
u."
Petu:"
Babe,Idon'
tneedmoney.I
'vegotever
ythi
ng
al
ready,anddadsendsmeanal l
owance."
Ama:"Stil
l.YoucanplaythenumbersIgiveyou
eachmont h, t
ohavesomethingf
oryoursel
f.Savei
t
andinvestit.I
t'
llmakeyoucomfort
ablebytheti
me
yougraduate.It'
sli
kehavi
ngaparttimejob.
"
Pet
u:"
ExceptI
'
m notwor
kingAmahl
e."
Ama:" I'
m sendi ngyout oni
ght'sone.Usei t
.I'l
ltal
k
toyoul at
er .Bye. "Shehungup.Isi ghed.I
sther ea
wayIcanmakeherst op?Ireallydon'tneedmoney.
Mydadpaysmyf ees,andsendsmeanal l
owance
thatIusewi sely.Extramoneyi snotnecessaryand
Idon'twantt ogetusedt oit
.Myphonebeepeda
messagebuti twasnotAmahl e.I
twassoci almedi a.
Igotadi rectmessagef rom someone.Idon't
usuallycheckt hosebecausei t
'salwaysweirdmen
askingstranget hings.Icheckedi tabsent
mi ndedly
butgotst uckwhenIsawt hename.MnqobiBi yel
a.
Thiswasobvi ousl
yaf akeaccount,whywoul dhe
sendmeamessage?Iopenedi t
.<Hell
oPet uni a
Howar eyou? >Thiscan'tbehim,isit
?Iclickedon
hispr ofi
leandsawt hever i
fi
cati
onmar k.Itwashi m.
Iquicklyvideocall
edSasa.Honest lyIwasshaki ng.
Ididn'tknowwhatt osay, doItexthim back?What
i
fit'
sami stake?Idon'twanttoseem toodesper at
e
byr espondingimmedi atel
y.ButIam desper ate.I'
m
desper atetoknowwhathewant st osay.
Sasa:"
Hibaby.
"Herf
acepoppeduponscr
een.
Pet
u:"
Wehaveasi
tuat
ion.
"Shel
ookedconcer
ned.
Sasa:"
Whati
sit
?"
Petu:"Mnqobi
sentmeadirectmessage.He'
s
askinghowIam."Shesqueal
edwithexcit
ement
.
Sasa:"
So,di
dyourespond?"Iwatchedherpl
ace
thephonepr
obabl
yonat ablefaci
ngher.
Pet
u:"
Notyet
.Idon'
twantt
oseem t
ooeager
."
Sasa:"
That
'snotathi
ngPetu.Mnqobil
ikesyou.
He'
salwaysstar
ingatyou.
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowSasa.
"
Sasa:"
Pleaser
espond.Formysake.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.Iwi
ll
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Sasa:"I
'
m bakingbread.St
il
lmaki
ngt
hedough.I
t'
s
rai
ningheavi
lyhere.
"
Petu:"
Ohh,i
t'
sgoingtobear
omant
iceveni
ngf
or
you,hm?"Shelaughed.
Sasa:"
Probabl
yjustanormaleveni
ng.Iwasjust
cr
avingbakedbread.Whatar
eyoubusywi t
h?"
Pet
u:"I
'
mreadi
ngt
hebookyougaveme.I
t'
sreal
ly
ni
ce.
"
Sasa:"
Right
?Haveyouspokent
oAmy?
"
Petu:"Justnowyeah.I'
mt r
yingt
ogethert
ostop
sendingmePower ballnumbers.
"Shel
aughed.
Sasa:"Ohbabe.Justembraceit
.Amahlemeans
well
.Isuspectthi
sisherwayofexpressi
nglove,by
givi
ng.Shesawhowi tmadeyouhappyt hefir
st
ti
meandhowi twil
lbenef
ityouwelli
nthefut
ure.So,
acceptitandt
akeheradvicesonitaswell
."
Pet
u:"Okayt
hen.Whatar
eyoumaki
ngt
hebr
ead
wit
h?"
Sasa:"
It
'ssupposedtobebonessoupbutIknow
myboyfri
endandhismeat .Hewillcompl
ainifI
makehim chewbonesal onesoit
'sstewwit
hoff
thebonebeefmeat."Igi
ggled.
Petu:"
That
'scut
e.Letmel
eaveyout
oitt
hen.Bye
babe."
Sasa:"
Chatl
aterl
ove.Andt
exthi
m back,
rightnow.
"
Petu:"OkayIwi ll
."Ihungup, goingbackt ot he
message.Ther ewasal readyanot herone.<Busy? >
Whatwasgoi ngon?Ihat ethatIwasnow
suspicious.Thi si susual lyhowmenappr oachme.
'
Hi ,
ubusy? 'thenador emewi t
hwor dsandi nvit
e
meovert ohavesext henghostme.Ir eallylike
Mnqobi .Sof arheseemedl ikeani ceguybuthe
wasKhaya' sbestf ri
end.Khaya.Thatwasn' t
comf orti
ngatal l
.Ir esponded:<Hey.I 'm good.How
areyou? >Isenti t.Her epliedi nstantl
y:<I'm great.
Whatar eyoudoi ng? >Thesuspensewaski ll
ingme.
Whatdi dhewant ?<I '
mr eadi ng,you?>Ir esponded
andqui cklyr eceivedhi sr eply.<Wat chingt vwith
brothers.Ar eyoubusyt oni ght?>Ther eitis.How
disappointing.I'dpr omi sedmysel fthisyearwi llbe
diff
erentr egar dingt hemal especi es.Iwoul dn'tbe
all
owi ngt hem t ousemef ort heirf antasiesand
feti
shes.NotevenMnqobi ,
ar oyalpr incewhohad
thesexi estabsI '
veseen.Icoul dn'thel pbutwonder
woul di tber eal l
ybadt obehi smi dnightsecr eteven
i
fit'
sonce.He' ssexy, he'ski ndandsof tspoken, he
obviousl ywi lltr
eatmet oani cepl aceandnota
dingybackr oom.Andwhati fhe' sr eallygoodi nbed?
No, stopi t.Sel fwor thf ir
st.Iputmyphoneasi de
andr eadmybookbutmyt hought swer emor e
i
nt r
usive.Thi ssexymanwant edt oknowmypl ans
fortheni ghtandI '
dr atherbehi smi dnightsecr et
thansi ther eandr ead.That '
si t.Sel fwor thcanbe
gather edt omor rowagai n.Ir esponded:<No.Notat
all
.Justgonnar eadi nmyr oom. >Isentt hen
watchedhi mt ype:<St il
latr es? >Hewasn' tal
lowed
i
nher esoI '
m sur ewhyt hat'saquest ion.<Yeah.
Notgoi ngawayf orhol i
day. >Ir epl i
ed.He
responded:<Okay, woul dyoul iket ohavedi nnerat
Tempat onight ?>Hm, adi nnerf irst?Okay.Thi si s
diff
erent .<Sur e.Atwhatt i
meshoul dIbet here?>I
sent.<CanIpi ckyouupat7? >Heasked.Ir eplied:
<7isper fect .Royalpr i
ncesar en'tal lowedi nbutyou
canwai tatt hegat eforme.I '
l
lbeoutt hen.>Isent.
<I'
llletyouknowwhenI '
m out side.Seeyousoon
beaut if
ul.>Il etoutasi l
entscr eam.Iwasaboutt o
haver oyaldi ck.Per fectroyaldick.Ihadt oget
ready.Iputoutmyi temsbecauseIwasn' tsure
whi chbagI 'duse.I nti
mat ewi pes.Somecondoms,
thebestki nd.Pant yliner
.Ti nybot tl
eofmout hwash,
NEEDt ohavef reshbreathandofcour sesomemi nt
gum.Mysmal lperfume, 30ml ,i
ncaseIneedt o
refreshmyf l
or alscentdur i
ngt heni ght.Thesmal l
vani l
lascent edoi lformybi kiniline,undermy
breast sandbet weenmyt ummyr ol
ls.Thegirlyhas
tolookmoi stli
kest eamedbunsaf t
ermyshave.
NowIneedt oshave.Isi ghed.I t'sgoingt obea
goodni ght.

SASAPOV_

Ear
lyeveni
ngaft
erI'
dfinishedmakingthestew,
Morefoodhadbeendeliveredfort
heguardsbutI
di
dmakeenoughbr eadf orever
yone.Ir
eall
y
enj
oyedbaking.CookingIwasokaywit
hbutbaki
ng
wasmyf ir
stlove.Iwentt
otheloungewher
e
Mthunziwas.
Me:"
Bhut
i,ar
eyouhungr
y?Thef
oodi
srea-
"I
st
oppedi
nmyt r
acks.
Mt
hunzi
:"Br
eat
h."
Me:"
It
'sagun.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
tis.I
t'
snotgoingtoattackyou.Becalm.
"
Hehadongl oves,
cleani
ngitwithasmal lcl
oth.
"
You'r
ereall
yafrai
dofeverythi
ngar en'
tyou.
"
Me:"
Gunski
llpeopl
e."
Mthunzi
:"No.Peopl
ekil
lpeople.Theyusetheguns
j
ustastheyuseknives,
axes,pangas,r
ocks.You'
re
notscar
edofthose?"
Me:"Butgunsaremachi ner
y,theycanjustgoof
f.A
kni
feisn'tgoi
ngtofloatf
rom t
hetabletomyheart.
Unlessofcoursethere'
sawitchinthehouse.
"He
chuckled.
Mt
hunzi:"
Nogunwi l
leverjustgoof
fnearme.I'
ma
mi
li
tar
ygener
al.Speci
ali
zingingunhandli
ngand
othert
hingsI'
m notal
lowedtomentionbyl
aw.I
j
ustknowhowt ocontr
olguns.Doyouwantmeto
teachyou?It
'sausefulski
ll
."
Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkI'
m al
lowedt
ouchi
t.That
'sa
mi
li
taryweapon."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m a?
"
Me:"
Oh,
agener
al.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ri
ght.Comehol
dthi
s."Hehandmea
small
ergunthantheonehewascleani
ng.I
twas
st
il
lbigi
nmyhands.
Me:"
It
'sheavy.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
tis.Rel
axyourel
bows.
"
Me:"
I'
lldr
opi
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"Noyouwon'
t.Hol
ditf
ir
mly.Rel
axyour
el
bows,ther
e.Ai
m att
heTV."
Me:"
Ican'
t.That
'sexpensi
ve.
"
Mthunzi:"
It
'sthecheapestinthishouseandI'
m
bei
nggener ous.It
'smateri
al,
itcanbeboughtagai
n
wit
hinthehour .Youdon'twanttoaim att
hedoor
andshootataguardbymistake.ATVwon' tdi
e.
Aim.
"IaimedattheTV."Okay,good.Sohowwi l
l
youseeyourtar
getwit
hyoureyescl osed
Thembisa?
"
Me:"
Whati
fitgoesof
f?"
Mthunzi
:"Icanbetyoumyl i
fe,
itwon'
t.St
op
shaki
ng.Takeoffthesaf
ety.
"
Me:"
Wher
eist
hat
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ri
ghther
eont
op,
qui
ckswi
tch.
"
Me:"
Liket
his?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
reanat
ural
.Wher
eisyourt
arget
?"
Me:"
I'
m scar
edofshoot
ingt
heTV.
"
Mthunzi:"
Youdon'
tneedtoshoott
heTVbutifyou
everneededt
o,att
hisri
ghtmoment,you'
dbeable
to.
"
Me:"
Wai
t,whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Exact
lyt
hat
.Youcanshoot
."
Me:"
Idon'
twantt
oshootBhut
i.
"
Mt hunzi
:"You'
reshaki
ngagai
n,youdon'thaveto
shoot.I'
m sayi
ngifyouwereinaposit
ionwhere
therewasagunandyou' rei
ndanger.Thisiswhat
you'ddo.Itwouldbethi
smoment ,
wher eyou
shoot."
Me:"
Oh.Okay.
"
Mthunzi
:"Good.Thisisthecommongunf ormost
guar
dsinalltheroyalfamil
ies.Yourmanownst he
companythatmakesi t.Now, thenextgunwecan
tr
yistheupperlevelone.Usedmost l
ybyKings
guar
dsandheadofsecur i
tylikemyself.Nowwe
canputthesafetybackont omakesur e-
"
Nkosi
:"Whatthehellar
eyoudoing?"Igotafr
ight,
al
mostjumpingoutmyski n.Mthunzigr
abbedmy
handspoi
nti
ngatt heroofastheshotwentoff.
Mt hunzi
:"See?Everyoneissafe.Nogunwi l
levergo
offnearmewi t
houtmycont r
ol.Hell
oNkosi.I
thoughtitaughtyouinyourfir
stlessontonot
fri
ghtenaper soncarryi
ngagun. "Hetookt
hegun
from myhands.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouser
ious?Whyi
sshehol
dingagun
Mt
hunzi
?!
"Hehel
dmei
nhi
sar
ms.
Me:"
Hewast
eachi
ngmet
odef
endmysel
fbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Shh.Youshotagunt
hrought
her
oof
.
Mthunzi
?"
Mthunzi:"
Iwoul dneverl
etherhur
thersel
for
anyoneelse.Youknowt hat
.Sit
uati
onsarise,
maybe
sheneedst olearnhowtodefendhersel
ftooand
notrel
yonguar dsatallt
imes.Li
keyoulearntas
well
."Nkosilookeddownatme.
Nkosi
:"You'
renotscar
ed?
"
Me:"
Notanymor
e.Ishotagun.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"So,
howwasyourday?
"
Nkosi
:"Exhaust
ing.Ineedast
if
fdr
ink.STI
FF.
"
Mthunziwenttothesmallt
abl
etopourtwogl
asses.
Me:"Ialsomadef ood.Howar eyounotsoaki
ngwet
,
i
t'
srainingoutsi
de.Wai t
,wherearet
heguards?I
hopeyoudi dn'
tmaket hem st
andintherai
n,
Nkosinhle.
"Mthunzichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"They'
rei
nt hegar
ageandonthepati
o,baby.
Ihadanumbr el
la.Don'
ttel
lmeyoucookedagai
n."
Me:"OfcourseIdid.Foodwasdel iver
edf
orthe
guardsbutIdidbakelotsofbreadandmadeabeef
stew.Thebreadisprobabl
ystillwarm.Doyouwant
toeatbefor
eorafterabath?"Hehuggedme.
Nkosi
:"Ican'tevendeci
de.I
fIcanswal
lowyouand
haveyouliveinsidemybody.
"
Me:"Thatwoul dn'
tbefunforeit
heroneofusmy
l
ove.I'
lldishupthenprepareyourbath.Youand
BhutiMthunzicanthencatchupont odaysolong.
"I
ki
ssedhi schinandwenttot heki
tchen.
[
07/
27,
05:
51] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er39

PRI
NCEPOV

Iwasfull
yenj
oyingmyself,
notkiddi
ng.Aft
er
Thembisadi
shedupsomef oodandsli
cedthe
bread,
MthunziandIsatdownt oeat
.Thesli
ceof
breadwasst il
lwarm withsteam oozingoutofit
.I
tookabi t
e.Thecrustallaroundwascr unchyand
themi ddl
esoftandbut t
ery.Thisisthemostperfect
bread.Idippedsomei nthest ewandhada
mout hful
.NowIwasconf l
icted.Il
ikeditbot
hways
andwant editbothways.Whatsor cer
ywast hi
s.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Ni
ce?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
sreal
lygood.
"
Nkosi
:"Amazi
ngi
swhati
tis.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"So,
howwasyourday?
"
Nkosi
:"Notf
un.Ihadnoonet
otal
kto.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youcoul
d'vesentmeamessage.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknow.Ididn'
twantyoutofeelI'
m
micr
omanagi ngyoubecauseyou'
rewi t
h
Thembisa."
Mthunzi
:"That'
sgood.That'
sreall
ygoodt hatyou
under
stoodthatbutIwil
lneverfeelthatway.How
wasthemeet i
ngwiththecommuni ty?"
Nkosi:"
Itcouldgobot hways.Idi
daskf ortheir
bl
essingtobui l
dtheshoppingcenter.Ther
ewer e
di
ffer
entopi nions,butwemeetagai ntomorrow
wit
hfinaldecisions.Theywi l
lbedi
scussingt he
i
deawi t
ht heirfamili
esandavot ewillbedone."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
ftheysayno?
"
Nkosi
:"Thentheysaynoandst
aywit
hagapi
ng
hol
efortherestoft
ime.Notmypr
obl
em.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whataboutt
hecommuni
tycent
er?
"
Nkosi:"
Thi
sisn'
tnegoti
ableatall
,Itol
dthem t
his.
Reasonfori
tnotbeingnegotiabl
eisbecausei
t'
sa
basi
cnecessit
ythatal
lvil
lageshave."
Mt
hunzi
:"Okayt
hat
'sgood.
"
Nkosi :"
Iti
s.Whatt ookthemosttimewas
discussingtheplansofwher et
obui lditandhow.I
tri
edt odemonstratetheplanIhadcomeupwi th
andt heyseemedt ol i
keit
.Anotherthingwe
discussedwaswhatwoul dbedonei nthe
communi t
ycenter.Theyweren'
tt oohappyabout
that.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whyi
sthat
?"
Nkosi:"
Thef irstprobl
em Ihavei st hatthemaj ori
ty
ofthepeoplewhower etherewer emen.Li ke8out
of10odds.I fwomenar eout number ed,
theirvoi
ces
wil
lbepusheddownt osi l
ence.Whi chiswhat
happened.Ir aisedtheideaoft eachi ngproper
contr
aceptivesandaccesst oitforyoungadul ts
andteenager s.Theylosttheirshit.Overcondoms
andpill
s."Hechuckl ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Theydon'
twantt
hem?
"
Nkosi:"No.Apparentl
y,thi
sissomewhat
encouragingteenagerstohavesexwit
hout
consequences.What evert
hehellt
hatmeans.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatbackwar
dasst
hinki
ngi
sthat
?"
Nkosi:"
Hm.I 'm notgoodwithexplaini
ngsoIl eti
t
be.Idon'tknowwhatt osaytoconvi ncet
hem.
Thembisasai dteenagepregnancywasapr oblem
hereaswel laspropercontr
aceptiveandgood
healt
hcare.HowdoIt henconvincetheparentsto
acceptthis?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ther
e'sapr
obl
em Nkosi
.Ift
eenage
pr
egnancyisapr
obl
em,
whoi
sget
ti
ngt
heset
eens
pr
egnant?
"
Nkosi
:"HowwouldIknowMt
hunzi
?Il
ivei
n
Mountai
nPeak.
"
Mt hunzi
:"MyPr i
nce.Thi siswaydeepert hanj ust
them thi
nkingwe'ret eachingteenagerssex.
Teenagersdon'twakeuponedayandknowsex.
Someonei sal
readyt eachingthem.Itcoul dbe
betweent hemselvesbutwhati fi
talsoisn't?This
needst obelookedi nto.Inthemeanwhi le,perhaps
havet hi
sconversationwi ththecommuni tyleader.
Hei sobsessedwi thyouandhewi l
lli
sten.
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdi
dSamusay?
"
Nkosi
:"Leftmealone,
thankgoodness.Il
astspoke
t
oheratt helake.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whati
fyourf
athersenther
?"
Nkosi:"Idoubthedi
rect
lysenther,
perhaps
encouragedhertobepersist
enttowearmedown.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng.
"
Nkosi:"
Asphonesdo.I'
m wayt
oot
iredtoatt
endto
anyonetoday.
"Hetookmyphonel
ookingatthe
screen.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
sSamu.
"
Nkosi:"
Tel
lherI
'
m sl
eepi
ng.
"Heanswer
edt
he
phone.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Samu:"Mehl
uli
,howareyou?"MthunziandIl
ooked
ateachot
her
,hewantedtolaugh.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisnotMehl
uli
,you'
respeaki
ngt
o
Mt
hunzi
."
Samu:"
Oh?Ithoughtyouwereat
tendingt
oyour
wif
e-Wai
t.
..You'
rei
nMt hi
nomkhulu?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes.HowcanIhel
pyouPr
incess?
"
Samu:"
Pleasegi
veMehl
ulit
hephone.
"
Mthunzi
:"He'
snotavai
labl
efort
heeveni
ng.Hehas
r
eti
redtobed.
"
Samu:"Pleaset
ellhi
mt hi
s,becauseIknowhe'ssti
ll
awake.Iknowhe'swithThembisa,thi
sisobvi
ous.I
takei
tthat
'swhyyouwer en'
tpresenttoday.I
'm not
theonl
yonewhonot iced.I
fhewant stobedi scr
eet
,
thever
yleasthecoulddoisletmeknowsoIdon' t
sli
puptohisandmyownf amily.Ifwe'
regoingto
makethiswork,heneedstoincludemesoIcan
helphi
m."Shehungup.
Nkosi
:"WasInotcl
ear?Mthunzi
,whydoesshe
t
hinkI
'l
lmarr
yher?Ithoughtnowasno?"
Mthunzi:"
Idon'tknowNkosi
.Whatbot
her
smei s
t
hatIalsodon'tknowwhatstat
eshe'
scur
rent
lyi
n.
Whatifshecallsyourf
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"SowhatmustIdo?Ihaveahotbat
hwai
ti
ng
f
ormet hatI
'
ml ooki
ngfor
wardto.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llhandl
eit
.Don'
twor
ry.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Mthunzi
:"Yes,
gor
elax.You'
vebeenwor
kingal
l
day.
"
Nkosi:"
Thankyou.
"Igotup,
makingmywayt ot
he
bedr
oom.IcouldhearThembisai
ntheensui
te,
si
ngingwhil
ethewaterwasrunni
ng.Ist
oodatt
he
bathroom doorandwat chedher.Shewaskneeli
ng
onthef l
oor,herhandi nthewaterwavingbackand
fort
h.Sheclosedt hetapandst oodup,tur
ning
around.Shegotaf r
ightuponseeingme.I
anti
cipatedthi
s,andcaughtheri nmyar ms.
Sasa:"
Whydoyoual
wayst
ryt
oscar
eme?
"
Nkosi:"Idon'ttr
y,Isucceed.Whyareyoualways
afr
aid?"Ikissedherlips.Somethi
ngI'
vebeendying
todoallday." Thankyou.Dinnerwasamazing.
"
Sasa:"You'
rewelcome.Let'
stakeyourcl
othesoff
soyoucangeti nthebath.
"Shestaredatmyblazer,
confused.I
twasntanor malbl
azer.Ther
ewere
cl
ipsandbut t
onsallover
.Ishowedhereachone.
Nkosi
:"Thi
sist
hesecondone,
uncl
ipi
ther
e."
Sasa:"
Liket
his?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Thethi
rdi
sinsi
deher
e."Sheuncl
ipped
i
t."
Thenthisstr
ing,
unt
ieit
."
Sasa:"
Baby,
thi
sisacor
set
."Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Ishoul
d'veknownyou'
dsaysomet
hing
f
ooli
sh."
Sasa:"I
t'
snotf
ool
ish.Thi
sisgenui
nel
yhowcor
set
s
are.St
ri
ngsandbutt
ons."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sthel
asttwobut
tons.Her
e."Sheundi
d
t
hem."Thankyou.
"
Sasa:"
Thi
ssui
tsui
tsyou.Al
ot.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyou,
myl
ove.
"
Sasa:"
Soyouonl
ywearyourf
ami
lycol
our
s?
Nothi
ngel
se?"
Nkosi:"Wit
htheroyalsui
ts,yes.I
t'
sthehi
ghest
rankedsuitsoitmustonlybeinmyf amil
ycolour
s.
Myot hersuit
sareblackandnavy.Ithi
nkIhavea
greyone.Ihaven'
twor ni
tinyears.Doyouknow
you'l
lalsohavetowearthesecoloursonour
i
mpor tantvi
sit
s?"
Sasa:"
Why?I
'
m notar
oyal
."
Nkosi
:"You'
llbemar
ri
edt
oaki
ng.Me.I
t'
snotabout
bei
ngroyal.
"
Sasa:"
Arewegonnahavematchingoutfi
ts?Oooh, I
canimagi
neapurpl
epri
ncessdress.Withaslightl
y
i
nfl
atedski
rtt
hatdr
apestot
hefloor,acorsetwaist
si
nchingmyf igurei
nandpoppingmyboobsout .
Theprincessneckli
negoinguptothetipsofmy
shoul
dersintolongsleevest
hatcutoffwithlace
befor
emywr i
st.Dowewearcr owns?I'm goingto
l
ooklikeawi t
ch.Aver ypower
fulwit
ch."Ilaughed.
Nkosi:"
Alotgoesoninthi
scut
eli
tt
lehead.Thati
s
averydetai
ledgown.I
twouldl
ookbett
eringol
d
anddiamonds."Iwat
chedhert
akeoffmyshirt
.
Sasa:"Evenyourshi
rti
sroyal
.Lookatt
his.But
tons
aresupposedt obei
nthemiddleNkosi
,notonthe
breastplat
e."
Nkosi
:"Whyam Iget
ti
ngchewedforcl
othesIdi
dn'
t
desi
gnbaby?IwearwhatI
'm gi
ven.
"
Sasa:"They'
retr
yingt
ocompl i
cateyourl
if
e.We
wouldbedonebynow, butangi
thiweneedamap
totakeyourclot
hesoff
."Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Atl
eastt
hepant
sar
eonl
ytwobut
tons.
"
Sasa:"
Areyousure?Nextt
hingyouknowt
her
e'sa
hi
dden17."Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyout
aki
ngabat
hwi
thme?
"
Sasa:"
Ial
readyt
ookmybat
hbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Ialsotookabat
hinthemorni
ngbuther
e
youar
et ryingtodi
pmeinagain.
"
Sasa:"Fi
ne,I
'
llbat
hwithyoubutIneedsomef r
uit
tosnackon.Stayri
ghther
e."Shewalkedoutt
he
bathr
oom togofetchthef
ruit
.Igoti
nthebathso
l
ongt orel
ax.

PETUPOV_

Iwasbat hed,shavedandmoi st
urized.Readytoget
dressed.Ididn'
tknowwhatt owear .Istar
edatthe
twoopt i
onsont opoft hebed.Thef ir
stoutfi
twas
j
eansandawhi t
egi psycropwi thnudeheel s.The
secondout f
itwasaf or
estgr eensimpl ebodycon
dressthatheldonmycur vesallthewaydownt o
myknees.I twasbackl esswi thonlyt wo
drawstri
ngst oholdittogether.Iwoul dwearitwit
h
blackheelsandbl ackleatherjacketonmy
shoulders.I
twascl assy,itwassexybutbecause
thedresswaspl aininf r
ontI'dwearj ewell
erywith
mylook.Justapendantneckl
aceandsmallhoops
t
okeepitsimple.Ihear
daknockonmydoor .I
wonderwhot hati
s,maybeZimmy.Iopened.
Pet
u:"
Not
hando.Hey.
"
Not
ha:"
Hi.
"Shewal
kedi
n."
Goi
ngout
?"
Pet
u:"YeahIhaveadat
e."Icl
osedt
hedoor
."Whi
ch
out
fi
tdoyout hi
nkl
ookscute.
Notha:"
Thedress.Who'
syourdat
e?Idi
dn'
tknow
youwereseei
ngsomeone."
Pet
u:"I
'
m not.He'
smycr
ushact
ual
ly.
"Ismi
led,
get
ti
ngdressed.
Not
ha:"
From ourschool
?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.I
t'
sMnqobi
."
Not
ha:"
MnqobiBi
yel
a?"
Petu:"Yep.Ohyeah,youknowhi
mri
ght
?Si
nce
you'r
eapr incesst
oo."
Not
ha:"
Yes,
Iknowhi
m.He'
sni
ce.
"
Petu:"
Heis.Idohoweverthi
nk,he'
sjusti
nitt
o
scoresomerounds.
"Istr
uggledwit
hmyneckl ace.
Shehel
pedmecl
ipi
ton.
Not
ha:"
Andyou'
rest
il
lgoi
ng?
"
Petu:"
Absolut
ely.He'ssexyashel
l.I
fit
'saf
ew
rounds,oneni
ght,I'
m happywit
hit
."
Not
ha:"
Int
erest
ing.
"
Petu:"
Itwoul
dbeunreal
ist
icofmet oexpectar
oyal
pri
ncetofal
linl
ovewit
hme, Nothando.
"
Notha:"
TheactualHeirt
ot hethrone,whois
deemedunatt
ainablefel
linlovewi t
hyourbest
fr
iendwhoisnonr oyal
.Possibil
it
iesareendl
ess.
"
Petu:"
Yeah,buttheirsi
satruel
ovest
ory.I
tdoesn'
t
happeneveryday.It'
sli
keThembi
sawas
specif
ical
lymadef orhi
m."
Notha:"
Probabl
ybutwhatmakesyout
hinkMnqobi
wasn'tmadeforyou?
"
Petu:"Thi
ngsl ikethatdon'thappentomeNot ha.
I
t'
scut etodr eam about,sure,buti
t'
snotreali
sti
c.
I
'mt hecutef atgir
l,whowor kshard,hasagroupof
fr
iendsshel ovesandwi llgraduatethengethersel
f
astablejob.Amanmi ghtcomeal ong,hemightnot.
I'
m nottoobother
edbyit.Iwillhoweverhavesome
fun.
"Shestaredatmequi et
ly.WithNothando,that
's
normal.Shejustl
ooksatyou, noemotion,not
hing.
Notha:"Yousmel
lni
ce.He'
sgoi
ngt
olovet
he
scent.
"
Pet
u:"
Yout
hink?
"
Notha:"Yes.Helikesgi
rl
ysmel
lsongi
rl
s.Fl
owers,
sweets.Notsurewhataboutt
hosemakethem gi
rl
y
but
."Sheshr ugged.
Pet
u:"ThankyouNot
ha.I
'l
lbebackl
atert
oni
ght
sur
elythenwecanhangout?
"
Notha:"I'
llbefastasleep.Rat herlet
'sseeeach
otherintheafternoonf orlunch.Enjoyyourdate."
Shewal kedout .Whatast rangeper son.Ichecked
thetime.Al most7pm.Iqui ckl
ywor emyshoes,
tyi
ngmyhai rback.Ididn'tbot hermuchwi t
hmake-
up,justmascar a,eyebrows, abbcr eam and
l
ipgloss.Myphonebuzzedamessage.<I '
m
outside.
>Icheckedmypur seagain,andwalkedout.
Thecarwaswai t
ingout si
det hegate.Aguard
standingnexttoi t
.Heopenedt hedoorformeandI
cl
imbedi
n.
Petu:"Hi
."Myhear
tsuddenl
yhammeredi
nmy
chest.Wasthi
shappeni
ng?Thecardr
oveof
f.
Mnqobi
:"Hel
loPet
uni
a.Youl
ookgor
geous.
"
Pet
u:"
Thankyou.
"Ismi
led.
Mnqobi
:"Howar
eyourhol
idaysgoi
ng?
"
Pet
u:"
Great
.Get
ti
ngi
nlot
sofsl
eep.Andyour
s?"
Mnqobi:"
Notmuchchangesonmysi
de.I
fI'
m not
atschool
,I
'm wor
king,
so.
"
Pet
u:"
Wher
edoyouwor
k?"
Mnqobi
:"Att
hesecondf
ami
l
ycompany.Bi
-mot
ive.
"
Pet
u:"
Oht
hecar
s?Wow.Whatdoyoudot
her
e?"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m shadowingmydadtot
akeoverf
rom
hi
m.Generaloper
ati
onsoft
hecompanyasa
whol
e."
Pet
u:"
Thatsoundsi
nter
est
ing.
"
Mnqobi:"
Notreal
ly,
justdemandi
ng.I
'
mlear
ning
becauseIdon'
twanttorunacompanyIdonot
understandpart
sof.OnceI
'
minchar ge,
I'
ll
obviouslydel
egatet
odepar
tmentheadsandthei
r
teams."
Petu:"Ni
ce.Thatsoundsreal
lycool
.Honestl
y,j
ust
havingacarmanuf act
uri
ngcompanyisalready
cool."
Mnqobi
:"What
'scoolisthatt
hefi
rst3modelsar
e
namedaft
ermybr other
sandI.Count
ryRX,Bone
X1andtheWarri
or."
Pet
u:"
That
'ssweet
.Whataboutyoursi
ster
?"
Mnqobi:"
Shewasn'
thappywi
thhermodel
,she
want
sasupercarli
kewe'r
eli
vingi
namovie.
"I
l
aughed.
Petu:"
Icanseei
t.So,
sinceyoumakecar
s,whydo
youhaveaBenz.
"
Mnqobi :"Wedon' thaveasedanbabe.TheCount r
y
i
sf orruraldrivi
ng,it
'sa4x4.TheBonei sanSUV,
i
t'sthesi zeofanAudiQ5, Idon'tlikeit
.TheWarr
ior
i
sahat chbackcar ,i
t'
ssmall.Siboneloenjoys
drivi
ngt heCount ryRXmostoft hetime.Heuses
theBenzpr obablyonlyf
ourt i
mesamont h.Bhut
Zweonlydrivest
heBone.Hedesi gnedi
t,l
ovesitt
o
bi
ts.Il
ovetheWar r
ior
,Idesignedi
tbutI
'm not
al
lowedtodr i
vemyselfyet
."
Pet
u:"
Ithoughtyouwer
e21.
"
Mnqobi
:"Iam.Myfamil
ydoesn'tall
owyout
odr
ive
your
sel
funti
lyoupassyourhonors.
"
Pet
u:"
Ist
her
ear
eason?
"
Mnqobi:"You'reonl
yconsideredanadul
tinmy
f
amilyafteryourhonor
sdegr ee.Whet
heryoupass
i
tat23or27.Theydon' tcare.
"
Pet
u:"
Ist
hatl
ikear
oyalt
hing?
"
Mnqobi:"No.Onl
yaBiyel
athi
ng.
"Thecarpar
ked
out
sidetherest
aurant
.

Ourdinnerwasamazi ng.Theconversati
onwas
l
ightandeffort
less.Ienjoyedhi
scompany.Not
oncehashemadeasexualcomment ,
orstaredtoo
l
ongatmyboobs.Imean, hedi
d,butforaspl i
t
second.Twice.Hewast ryi
nghisbesttobe
respect
fulandIfoundt hatador
able.Ididn'
twant
anydesser
t,opt
ingf
oragl
assofwhi
tewi
nei
nst
ead.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m havi
ngagoodt
imewi
thyou.
"
Petu:"
Met oo.Tobehonest
,Iwasskept
ical
when
youtextedme."
Mnqobi
:"Why?
"
Pet
u:"
Itj
ustseemedr
andom.
"
Mnqobi:"
Itwas.Tobehonest,mybr
othert
ext
ed
you.Iwastooscaredt
otext
."Igi
ggl
ed.
Petu:"Well
,thankhi
mf orme.I
'
m havingal
ovely
evening.I
'
dbei nmyr oom,r
eadingi
ntoapacketof
chips."
Mnqobi
:"Wher
ear
eyourf
ri
ends?
"
Pet
u:"
Sasawenthome.Amahl
easwell
.Zimmyis
wit
hKhaya.Not
handoi
satr
es,pr
obabl
yreadi
ng.
"
Mnqobi
:"Not
handoPhakami
sai
syourf
ri
end?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"
Mnqobi
:"Oh.
"
Pet
u:"
She'
smor
eAmahl
e'
sfr
iendbutwehangout
of
tensoIguesswecansaywe'
ref
ri
ends.
"
Mnqobi:"
Isee.
"Hesippedhi
swine,l
ooki
ngaway.
Okay?That'
sweir
d.Hesuddenl
ylookedl
ike
Si
bonelonow.
Pet
u:"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Mnqobi
:"Not
hing.
"
Pet
u:"
Doyouhavehistor
ywithNothando?
"She
woul
d'vesai
dsomet
hing,sur
ely.
Mnqobi
:"Nohi
stor
y,no.
"
Petu:"Ohokay.Youj ustseem col
dsuddenl y.
"I
guesst hiswast heendofthenight.Ifhehad
somet hingforNothandothenIobviouslycan't
i
nterferehere.Ihatethati
thurt
.MaybeI
underest i
matedhowmuchIl i
kedhi m."Canyou
dri
vemebackt ores?Thankyouf ordinner
."He
cal
ledt hewaiter.
Mnqobi
:"Il
ikeyouPet
u.Ij
ust
-"
Petu:"
Igeti
t.Mnqobi
,doyouthi
nkIcamehere
becauseIwasexpecti
ngarel
ati
onshi
pandfl
owers?
Iknowyouwantsex."Hechokedonhiswi
ne.Are
wechi
ldr
en?
Mnqobi
:"Sorr
y.Iwasn'
texpecti
ngthat
."Hesipped
somewater."
Uhm...I
t'
snotthatIdon'
tli
keyou.Ido.
Ij
ust
,I'
m noti
napositiont
oof f
erafutur
e."
Pet
u:"
Iknowt
hat
."
Mnqobi
:"Andyou'
reokaywi
tht
hat
?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.Iam.
"
Mnqobi
:"Thisisstr
angef orme,
I'
veneverhada
womanbet hisassert
ive.
"
Petu:"
I'
m notal i
tt
lebut
ter
fl
yMnqobieventhoughI
wanttobet ouchedli
keone.Weshouldbeableto
communi catewhatwebothwant,asadul
ts.Il
ike
honestyandopenness."
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Idon'
tknowwhatt
odonow.
"
Petu:"
Well
,youcandrivemehome.Thenyoucan
thi
nkaboutitwhenyou'r
eatyourhome.Si
mpl
e."
Mnqobi
:"Idon'
twantt
otakeyouhome.
"Heli
cked
hi
sli
ps,
givingmebutt
erf
li
esinmytummy.
Pet
u:"
Howt
henam Isupposedt
ogethomePr
ince
Bi
yel
a?"
Mnqobi :"
Wecanf indot herwaystospendour
night.
"Thewai t
erplacedt hebi
llonthetable.He
tookouthiswallet
,takingouthiscardandpai dthe
bil
l.I
mmedi atel
ygetti
ngup.Hehel douthishand.
"Touchedlikeabutterf
lyyousay? "Ihel
dhishand,
getti
ngup.
Pet
u:"
Ver
ygent
ly.
"
Mnqobi
:"Myl
anguage."Hekissedmyl i
pssof
tl
y
t
henledmeouttherestaur
anttothecar.
Petu:"
Wher eareyoutaki
ngme?"Hechuckled.I
knowhel i
vedwi t
hhisfamil
yandIdon'
tthi
nkI'm
readyforsneaki
nginandoutapalace.
Mnqobi:"
Don'tworr
y,we'
renotgoingtomyf amil
y
home.WecanuseSi bonel
o'shouseorKhaya's
apart
ment.Whichonewouldmakeyoumor e
comfort
able?
"Heheldmeagai nstt
hecar.Icoul
d
tel
lhealr
eadyhadanerecti
on,hiseyesl
azywith
l
ust.Myreasoningqui
ckl
yleftme.
Pet
u:"
Thenear
est.
"Heopenedthebackdoor
,
l
eadi
ngmein.Thecardr
oveoff
.Heheldmyhand,
l
ookingatmybody.I
twasj
usthi
slook,
thatwas
get
ti
ngmewet .
Mnqobi :"Pickupyourspeed, Mar k."Ohhell.Ther e
goesmypant ies.Dr enched.Thenear estpl
acewas
agor geoust allapar tmentbuilding.Thecarbar el
y
stoppedbef or ehegotup, holdinghi shandoutt o
me.Ist eppedoutt hecarf oll
owi nghi minaidet he
hot ell
ikebui lding.Hescannedanaccesscar don
thel i
ftandwegoti n.Thedoor scl osed.Hepul led
met ohi m,smashi nghi sli
psonmi ne.Hishands
grippedt ightlyonmybodyandhegr oaned.The
door sopenedt oosoon.Hel edmeout ,marching
downt hepassaget oar oom andopenedwi thhi s
key.Heki ssedmyl i
psashecl osedt hedoor.My
jacketdr oppedont hef l
oor.
Mnqobi:"
Hol
don."Hewalkeddownt
hepassage
knocki
ngonthedoor
."Kay?"
Zi
mmy:"
He'
snother
e."
Mnqobi
:"Ohokay.
"Okaythi
swasawkwar d.Ipi
cked
upmyjacket
,st
art
ingtosoberup.Thi
swasabad
i
dea."
Baby?"Hepull
edmyhanddownt hepassage
i
ntoabedroom andclosedt
hedoor ."
Final
ly.
"He
ki
ssedmeagain, t
aki
nghisshi
rtoffshowingoffhi
s
ri
ppedt
orso.Thiswassoconfusing.
Mnqobi
:"I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Doyoust
il
lwantt
odot
his?
"
Petu:"Yes."Ist
aredathi
sbody,
thr
obbingathow
sexyhel ooks.Hetookoffmydr
ess."
Uhm, canwe
switchofftheli
ghts?"
Mnqobi
:"Nobaby,
Iwantt
oseeyou.
"
Petu:"
PleaseMnqobi
?"Hesi
ghed,
swi
tchi
ngt
hem
off
.
Mnqobi:"I
'mreal
lyeagert oseeyouPetu,Iwantto
watchhowyourbodyr espondsandcolli
deswith
mine.Iwanttoseeyourf ace.That'
swhyI'mthis
hard.I
t'
sbeenoveranhourandal lIdi
dwasst ar
eat
yourface.
"Itwashardf ormeonlybecauseI
wantedhimt obeturnedonandmaybei fhesees
myst r
etchmarks,thatwon'tbethecase.
Pet
u:"
Maybet
hebedsi
del
amp?
"
Mnqobi :"Perfect."Hishandssl i
ppedi nmyl ace
underwear ,hegr oaned."Fucki ngper f
ect."Hisfinger
sli
ppedi n,movi ngi nandout .If el
tthepl easur e
i
gniti
ngof fhisf ingerstr
aighti ntome.Ist ruggledto
breath.Hepul ledmet othebed, takingof fmy
underwear .Iwasf ull
ynaked, asIl ayont hebed.He
reachedoverf orthelampandi tdiml yli
tupt he
room.Hi smout hf oundmyni pple,suckingoni tbut
hishandscar essedmyr ol
ls,downt omyt highs.He
gotupt ot akehispant soff,hiser ectionst i
llhardas
rock.Isatont heedgeandsuckedhi min.
Massagi ngmyt ongueonhi sshaf tandpushi nghim
deepi nsi
de.
Mnqobi :"OHHHH.Fuck. "Ikeptpullingitoutand
shovingi tbackthensucking.Hisgr ipti
ghtenedon
myhai r
.Il ookedupathim whi leIsucked.Hewas
star
ingdownatme, hepulleditout."Ifyou'
re
l
ookingatmel ikethatI
'm goingtocum i ntoyour
mout h,
int woseconds."Ikissedhi stip,massaging
theshaf twithonehand,theot hergent l
yholdinghis
ball
s.Wi thoutwarning,
Islowl ysuckedhi min, st
il
l
l
ookingathi m.Hel etoutasl owqui etmoanashe
came.Ikeptgoi ng,thist i
met ouchingmysel fand
swallowinghi sload."PETUNI A."Hepulledmyhai r,
getti
nghi msel foutmymout h.Ilaybackont hebed,
withmyl egsopenmyf ingerscircl
ingmycl itwith
myj uices."Fuckinghel l,youaresosexy. "Hewent
down, li
ckingmyent rance.Hi sfingerwenti nagain,
thi
st i
mewi thhisli
pssucki ngonmycl i
tori
s.My
toescur l
edi ntheairasIf el
tthewavesofpl easure
washoverme.Iwasdi zzy,call
inghisnameunt ilI
cameonhi sf ace,shaki ngtoaspasm.Hekept
sucking,maki ngmechokeandsqui r
m untilI
pushedhi sheadaway.Hest oodup, hiserect i
on
again,hard.
Mnqobi:"l
etmecheckf orcondoms.
"Iwasquite
shynow.IknowIhadi nmybagbutI'
dtakethem
outifhecouldn'tgetsome.Heopenedthedrawer
nexttothebed, i
ndeedt her
ewasanunopenedpack.
Hetookone, rol
lingitonhisdi
ck.Hest
aredatmy
body,li
cki
nghi slips,cl
imbi
ngontopofme.Ikissed
him,openingwider .
Mnqobi
:"Mybeauti
fulbut
terf
ly,
mayyour
ecei
ve
me?"Hewhisper
edonmyl i
ps.
Petu:"Yes.
"Hesl owlyenter
edme,hi
seyes
fl
utter
ingclosed.Il
istenedtot
hesl
owrhyt
hm,
goinginandoutofmybody.Hef el
tsoamazi
ng.So
damnamazi ng.
..
[
07/
27,
05:
51] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er40

KHAYA'
SPOV_

ItwasaFr idayandIknowSbodoesn' twor kFr

iday
toSunday.Idon'tneedtobestressedtoday,Ihave
togot el
lZmmyt ogobacktores.I'
ml i
vingatthe
palacenow, sothere'
snoneedforhert obeinmy
apartment.Therestoftheday,I
'l
lprobablybeat
Sbo'shousewi t
hMnqobiandhi m.We' l
lprobably
braaisomemeat ,pl
ayafewvideogamesandt hey'
l
l
drink.Icanset tl
eonnonal coholicbeer .Basicall
y
i
t'l
lbeaboysweekend.Wehaven' thadonesi nce
Januar y.Iwentdownstairs.Zwewashavi ng
breakf astatthediningtable.Allmyl ifeI'
venever
beenabl etoeatinthebedr oom orl oungebecauseI
basi callygrewupwi throyals.Theysi tatat able,
ever yti
me.Ihavemyl azydayst houghandIal ways
regr etitbecausecouchandcar petcl eaningis
unr easonabl ypr
icey.
Khaya:"
BhutZwe.
"Isatdown,
dishi
ngupsome
br
eakfast
.
Zwe:"
Mor
ning.
"Her
eadonhisphonewhi
leeat
ing
oat
s."
Howareyouf
eel
ing?
"
Khaya:"
Great
.Ar
eyouj
oini
ngust
hisweekend?
"
Zwe:"
Maybe.Don'
tletSi
bonel
obul
lyyoui
ntoa
dr
ink.
"
Sibo:"Am It
hatbi
gavi
ll
ain?
"Hesatdownonhi
s
chairatt
hetable.
Zwe:
"Yes.
"Mnqobiwal
kedi
n,hur
ri
edl
y.
Mnqobi
:"Mor
ningbr
other
s.Let
'sgoKhaya.
"Zwe
gr
abbedmyar
m asIst
oodup.
Zwe: "
Eat
.Andfi
nishthefood.Mnqobisi
tdownand
eat.Wher
eareyourushingto?"Ist
art
edeat
ingmy
food.
Mnqobi
:"Bhut
iZwe.
"
Zwe:"
SitMnqobi .
"Hesatdown, di
shi
ngupaslice
oft
oast."Iwil
lpourt
hispor
ridgedownyourthr
oat.
Whati
st heissue?Whereareyourunningt
o?"
Mnqobi :"
I'
m notal
lowedt
osleepoutandsoIhad
toleavesomeoneatKhaya'sapar
tment.
"Ist
aredat
him.Ismyhouseacommune?
Zwe:
"Whydi
dn'
tyout
akeherhome?
"
Mnqobi
:"Sheki
ndaf
ellasl
eep.
"
Khaya:"
Inmyhouse?
"
Mnqobi
:"Khayapl
ease.
"
Khaya:"Ihopeyoudidn'
tdoitonmybedMnqobi .
I'
m sincerel
yhopi
ng.That'
sagelmemor yfoam
mattresswithant
idustmit
eandant imicrobial
properti
es.Doyouknowhowdi ff
icul
tthatisto
fi
nd?"Icouldn'
tmaskmydi sappoint
ment ,It
ried.He
chuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
That
'swei
rdl
yspeci
fi
c."
Mnqobi:"
Idi
dn'
tdoitonyourbedKhaya.Whatar e
youworri
edaboutevenifIdid,
thatbedhasseen
morethan100gir
lssinceit
'sbeenbought.
"
Khaya:"Ihavei
tdeepcleanedever
ymont hand
that
'snotthepoi
nt.DearGod,notmycouches.
Mnqobi.Thatisali
mitededit
ionGrohö.Youknow
hedied7mont hsagor i
ght?I
t'
snotli
kehecan
makemeoneagai n."
Zwe:"
YouhaveaGrohö?You'
re21,
Khaya.Whyt
he
hel
ldoyouhavea70kcouch?
"
Khaya:"Il
ikedesi
gn,BhutZwe.Don'
tlookatmel
ike
that
.Itt
akesaspecialpersont
ohaveagoodeye
andtaste.
"
Si
bo:"Yourcouchi
sugly.I
t'
saplainvani
ll
acouch.
Noreasontopaythatout
rageousamount.
"
Khaya:"I
t'
scall
edaninvest
ment
.Thati
shisl
ast
work.AndmycouchisnotuglySbo.I
t'
ssi
mpleand
excl
usive.10year
sfr
om now,i
twil
lbeanant
ique
andwor
thpossi
blyhal
fami
ll
ion.
"
Zwe:
"Igott
heear
li
erdesi
gn.Thesl
ate.
"
Si
bo:"
Thatugl
ythi
ngyouwon'
tal
lowmet
osi
ton?
"
Zwe:
"Can'
texpectyoutounder
stand,
yourt
ast
eis
asbl
andasyoursuit.
"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tspend100koncouches,
Ibuyst
ocks.
"
Khaya:"
Mnqobi
!"Hecoul
dn'
tst
opl
aughi
ng.
Mnqobi
:"I
twasn'
tonyourcouchei
ther
."
Khaya:"
Whatdoyoumean? "Myunder
standi
ngis
t
hatZimmyisintheguestbedr
oom.Theonlyone
t
hereisinmyapart
ment."Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Iwasusi
ngt
heguestr
oom.
"
Khaya:"
Ohsoshe'
sgone?That
'ssol
veshal
fmy
pr
oblemsfort
heday.
"Idr
ankmyj ui
ce.
Mnqobi
:"Shemovedint
oyourbedr
oom.
"Ichoked
onmyjui
ce.Thebrot
hersl
aughed.
Khaya:"
WhatdoyoumeanMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Imeanshewasi
nyourr
oom whenI
ar
ri
ved,
wat
chi
ngTV.
"Ibr
eat
hed.That
'si
t.She'
sout
.
Khaya:"
You'
llf
indmeinthecar
."BhutZwegrabbed
myarm agai
n."If
ini
shedmyfoodBhutZwe."
Zwe: "
Firstcal
m yourselfdown.Don'tgoi nther
e
andsayt hingsthatwil
lhurtsomeonewhoputt hei
r
l
ifeasidetotakecareofyou.Forweeks, shewasi n
thatapartment,makingyouf ood,get
ti
ngyouawake
onyourl owdays, makingsureyouhadsomeone
around.Don'thurtherbecauseyoucoul dn'theal
yourself
.Shet r
iedherbest."Heletgoofmyar m.
Khaya:"OkayBhut i."MnqobiandIwal kedout .Since
hewasn' tal
lowedt ol eavewi thoutaguar d,we
wouldbedr iven.Ilovedt his.Personall
yIhat e
dri
vingmysel fandsoIt ookf ulladvantagewhenI
waswi thhim.Ican' tevenr ememberwher eIleftmy
car.Ei
theratthehospi t
alormyapar t
ment ,Ican'tbe
surebutIknowSi bonel otookcar eofit.He'sont op
ofeverythi
ngwi thhi sbusybody.Theguar ddrove
ustomyapar tment .
Khaya:"
So,
howwasyourni
ght
?"
Mnqobi
:"I
ncr
edi
ble.
"Hebl
ushed.
Khaya:"
Okay!Okay!
"Il
aughed."
Itakei
tthi
sisn'
ta
smashandpass."
Mnqobi:"
It
'l
lbeacol
ddayinhel
landI
'
dst
il
lbe
cuddl
i
ngmyt hi
ckmami
."
Khaya:"
AndNot
hando?
"
Mnqobi
:"Pl
easel
etmehavet
hismomentKhaya?
"
Khaya:"Absolut
elynot
.Don'
tyourememberhow
youchewedmyheadoverThembi sa.Forweeks.So
tel
lme,willyoubecutt
ingt
heagreementwith
Nothando'sfamil
y?"
Mnqobi:"
She'dprobablyberel
ievedbutIcan't
.You
knowhowr oyalagreementsare.Ican'
tchangemy
mindandIdon'twantto.Nothandowi l
lbemywi fe.
"
Khaya:"
Andyou'
l
lkeepPet
uni
aasasi
dechi
ck?
"
Mnqobi:"
Yes.Sheunder
standsthat,not
hingmore
canhappen.She'
sfi
newiththearrangement.I
t'
s
j
ustsex."
Khaya:"
Youar
eonel
uckymot
her
fucker
."
Mnqobi
:"Iam.
"Hesmi
led.
Khaya:"
Sowi
llyout
ellt
hem?Abouteachot
her
?"
Mnqobi:"Idon'tknow.Ifmaybemyf lingwithPet
u
i
slongerterm, l
ike6mont hsgoing.I
'llhavet
otel
l
her.Def
init
ely.I'
m onl
ymar ryi
ngNot handoin3
yearsti
meanyway, i
t'
snotlikewe'r
ei na
rel
ati
onshiport r
yingtobe."
Khaya:"
Youreal
izethatNot
handowillf
indout
aboutPet
u?They'r
einthesamecir
cle."
Mnqobi
:"Ri
ght
.I'
l
ltal
ktoher
."
Khaya:"
Today.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay,
today.
"
Khaya:"
AndI
fNot
handowant
edt
odat
esomeone?
"
Mnqobi
:"Youwantmet
obeabadper
son.
"
Khaya:"
You'
dki
llhi
m,woul
dn'
tyou?
"
Mnqobi:"Nobutmybr ot
herwould.
"Welaughed.
"I
'
mj oki
ngbutIdon'tthi
nkNothandowi
llbe
enter
tai
ningpeopl
e."
Khaya:"
Becauseofyouidi
ot.Shehast
ost
aya
vi
rgi
n,unlessshe'
sbei
ngdonebyyou."
Mnqobi:"
Yeaht
hat'
snottheproblem I
'
m pi
cki
ngup.
It
hinkshemayjustbeasexual
."
Khaya:"
Whatt
hehel
list
hat
?"
Mnqobi:"Idon'tthinkshe'ssexuall
yattr
actedto
anyone.Idon'tthinksheeverhasbeen.She' snever
hadacr ush.Whi l
eal lt
heprincessesfr
om age12
star
tedhavinggoggl eeyest owardsus,shejust
nevershowedi nterest.I
nfact,shefounditstupi
d."
Khaya:"Amahl
eisalsoli
kethat,
itdoesn'
tmean
anythi
ng.Maybetheyhaven'
tfoundsomeone
att
ract
ive.
"
Mnqobi:"
Amahlehadacrushonyouwhenshewas
11.Sheusedt
of ol
lowyouar
ound.Remember
?"He
l
aughed.
Khaya:"Ahh.Yes.Okay.Mypointis,r
ightnow,as
adult
s, maybet
heydon'tseei
dealbachel or
s.
Honest l
yMnqobi,evenIwoul
dn'tcrushonme.
Haveyouseenmyt rackr
ecor
d?Di sgusti
ng."I
chuckled.
Mnqobi:"
Ifyousayso."Thecarpar
kedatthe
bui
ldi
ng,wewalkedin.Istar
tedatt
herecept
iont
o
orderbr eakf
ast,pr
ett
ysurethey'
restillasl
eepi
nmy
house.Wet ooktheli
ftuptomyapar tment.I
openedmyhome, fi
ndingZimmyont hecouch,
wat chingTVwi t
hagl assofredwine.Mybody
sil
ent l
yscreamed.Redwi nestai
nswer ea
nightmar etoremoveandabi ggernightmaretopay
for.Imassagedmyeyebr ows.
Khaya:"
Hi.
"Shel
ookedatme.
Zi
mmy:"Khaya.
"Theaudaci
tyt
obemadatme?I
n
myhouse?
Khaya:"
Soweneedt
otal
k."
Zi
mmy:" Hm."Shel
ookedbackatt
heTV,
taki
nga
si
p.Icouldf
eelmysel
fti
ck.
Mnqobi
:"Hel
loZi
mmy.
"Hewal
kedt
otheguest
r
oom.
Khaya:"
Sowhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"
Khaya:"Home.Wi
tht
heBi
yel
a'
s.It
oldyout
his
yest
erday."
Zi
mmy:"
Hm.
"
Khaya:"
What
'
sthepr
obl
em Zi
mmy?
"
Zi
mmy:" Not
hing.
"Shetookanot
hersip,
star
ing
bl
indl
yattheTV.Hereyeswereswol
lenandher
nosetoo.
Khaya:"
Areyousi
ck?
"
Zi
mmy:"
No.
"
Khaya:"You'
redri
nkingwineat8inthemorning.
"
Shedidn'tr
espond.Thiswasapr obl
em,howcanI
removetheglassinherhandwithoutaf
ightand
mostimpor t
antl
ywithoutaspi
ll
."Ior
der
ed
breakf
ast,i
tshouldbeupinasecond.Canyouhel p
mesetup? "
Zi
mmy:"
No.
"
Khaya:"
Okay.Soobviousl
ysomethi
ngiswr
ong.
HoweverIdon'
tfeel
responsi
blef
orit
."
Zi
mmy:"
Mypar
ent
sar
eget
ti
ngadi
vor
ce.
"
Khaya:"
Oh.
"
Zimmy:"Ya.Mysocall
edper
fectf at
herhasbeen
cheati
ngonmymot herwi
thagirlmyage.She's
pregnant
.Wit
han18mont ht
oddl eralr
eady.Sohe'
s
beensl
eepi
ngwi t
hhersi
nceshewas18. "Icoul
dn'
t
gaspoutl
oudbutWTF.Myf atheri
sinhismid40s
soIwouldsuspectZi
mmy'sinthatagegroupor
ol
der.
Khaya:" Thati
s...
I'
m sorr
y."Iwouldunderstandhow
thatfeelsbutatleastmyst epmot heri
s5year s
olderthanIam.Andsher efusestohavechi l
dren
withmyf at
her.Possibl
yonl ywit
hhi mforhis
moneyandIl ikethatabouther.Agoget t
er.Doesn'
t
evenf akebeinginlove.Shedemandsmoneyand
expensivebags.Hedeser vesit.
Zimmy:"He'ssi ncemovedoutt hehouse.My
motheristryi
ngt oactstrong.Canyoubel i
eveshe
knewaboutt hissi ncethatgirlwaspr egnantaf i
rst
ti
me?Shenevert oldme.Shej ustkeptitasecret
andfuckingprot ectedhisdigni t
y.18mont hsKhaya.
That'
ssixmont hsshyoft wof ul
lyears.Shejustsat
ther
eandpr etendedi twasf ine."Isatnexttoheron
thecouch.Iwasi tchi
ngt otaket heglassawaybut
theimportantthingwast oli
stent oher.
Khaya:"
Howl
onghaveyouknown?
"
Zi
mmy:" Aweek.Shesentmeamessage
i
ntr
oducingher sel
f,wanti
ngust omeetandendi ng
i
toffwi
tht hefactthatshe'
s3mont hspregnant
wit
hmyl it
tlesi
sterandIhavean18mont hold
br
other
."Oht hat'
sraw.I'm sor
ry.Thatsounds
i
nsensi
ti
ve.
Khaya:"Letmejust
..
"If
inal
lytookt
heglass,
placi
ng
i
tont hetabl
eandgaveherahug."Ist
hatwhyyou
di
dn'tgohomet hi
sholi
day?"
Zimmy:"Yeah.Anyway,whatdoyouwanttotalk
about
."Shepull
edback, wi
pinghert
ear
s.Therewas
aknockont hedoor.Ist
oodup.
Khaya:"
Oh, r
ight
.Yes.SoI '
m gonnaneedyoutogo
backtoyourplace.SinceI'
m stayi
ngatt
heBiyel
a'
s
ful
lti
me,ther
e'snor easonforyoutobeher
e.So."
Zimmy:"
Oh,okay.I'
l
lpackmythi
ngs.
"Shestoodup.
Ihel
dherar
m pulli
ngherint
oahug,l
aughi
ng.
Khaya:"
I'
m ki
dding.Youcanstayhereaslongas
youwant.Aslongasyou'renotl
eakingf
lui
dsonmy
bed.
"Shegiggledbutitt
urnedi
ntoasob."Ohno.
Zimmy?Iwasr eal
lyjoki
ngbabe.Idon'
twantyouto
l
eave.Theapar
tmenti
sopenandavai
labl
eforyou
f
oraslongasyouwant."
Zi
mmy:"
It
'snott
hatKhaya.
"
Khaya:"Ohri
ght,t
heot herthing.Look,yourdadis
anassholefordoi
ngt hattoyourmot her
.Blockthi
s
chi
ck.Sheshouldn'tbecont acti
ngyou.Youdon' t
wrecksomeone'sli
felikethatthenusechi l
drento
manipulat
eyourwayi n.Blockher .Theonlyperson
whoneedsyoursuppor ti
nthissituati
onisyour
mother.She'
sbeengr aciousashel lkeepi
nghis
tat
ter
eddignit
ystableaf t
erhewr eckedithimself
."
Zimmy:" ThankyouKhaya.
"Theknockont
hedoor
persi
sted.
Khaya:"Ohshit.Forgotthat.Let'
ssetthetable,I
'l
l
bri
ngt hefoodin.
"Iwentt oopent hedoorand
broughtthebreakfastinsi
de.Itwasenoughf ortwo
peopleandsomeext rabutweal readyatesoi t
wouldbeenoughf orthegirl
s."Idon'tt
hinkthese
onesar ecomingoutanyt i
mesoon.Letmesi twith
you."
Zi
mmy:"
Canwesi
tont
hecou-
"
Khaya:"
Absol
utel
ynot
.No.
"..
..

PETUPOV_

Iwokeuphear i
ngthedooropen.Mnqobi
.Ohyeah.
..
Thathappened.It
ri
edtolookaway.Hesatont
he
bed.
Mnqobi
:"Goodmor
ningmybut
ter
fl
y."Igi
ggl
ed.
Pet
u:"
Youcanst
opcal
li
ngmet
hat
."
Mnqobi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkIcan.Howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m good.Howar
eyou?
"
Mnqobi
:"Gr
eat
."Hesmi
led.
Pet
u:"Ishoul
d,uhm t
akeaqui
ckshower
."Igotup,
hol
dingthecoverar
oundmybody.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llwait
."Idon'
tknowwhatt
hatmeansbut
Ineedt
ogetdressed.
Pet
u:"
Ineedt
owearmydr
ess.
"
Mnqobi
:"Togoshower
?"
Pet
u:"Yes,Ican'
tbenakedwal
kingar
oundi
n
someone'shouse.
"
Mnqobi :"Ther
e'sat owelr i
ghtt herebaby. "Willit
evenf i
taroundmybody?I tlookedbi gsopr obably.
Peopleusual l
ybuysmal lertowel sfi
tti
ng
themselvessoIwasn' treall
yexpect ingast hinas
hewast ohaveabi gone.Thet owelwr apped
aroundmewi thsomer oom t otieit
.Iwal kedt othe
bathroom withmypur seandshower edusi ngsoap
andmyhands.Af terdryi
ngIputsomel oti
ononand
theperfumei nmypur se.Iwentbackt ot he
bedroom.Mnqobihadhi sshi rtandshoesof f,layi
ng
onthebed.Hi sdi ckprintedhar donhi sshor ts.This
wasasexmachi ne.Ipickedupmyunder wear
abouttoputt hem on.
Mnqobi
:"But
ter
fl
y?"Il
ookedathi
m.
Pet
u:"
Hm?
"
Mnqobi:"Pleasecomesitonmyface.
"Istar
edat
hi
m, shocked."Pl
ease.Li
keyou'
resi
tt
ingonachair,
wit
hyourl egsopen.Makemeyourchair.
"I
swall
owed.I t
'snotj
usthi
ssoftpl
eadi
ngvoice,
his
l
ookandhi swor dsdi dthewor k.Icl i
mbedont he
bed, crawl i
ngupt ohi sface.Hepul l
edt het owelof f
andpul l
edmet osi t.Hismout hdr ooli
ngwetsucked
onmycl i
t.Il etmybodygo, enjoyinghi slipsi n
betweenmi ne.Hehel dmyasspul li
ngmecl oser
andsqueezi ng.If elthim groanonme, Ilooked
downwor riedbuthehadhi seyescl osedenj oying
himsel f.Igotup, tryingnott ocum onhi sf ace.He
sl
idoutf rom undermeandpul ledmyl egs.Iknel t
ont hebedwi t
hmyf aceandchestf eel inghi shands
onmyass, sl i
dingdownt omywai st.Heki ssed
eachcheek, surprisingme.Twowetf i
nger st eased
myent rancebef oreonepushedi nfollowedby
anot her.Gent l
yandsl owly,theymovedi nandout .
Theot herhandwascol dwheni tt
ouchedmycl it
.I
moaned, listeni ngt obot hsensat i
ons.Her ubbed
myi nsidet ender ly, t
hef i
ngeronmycl i
twassof t
andsl ippingsl owl ywi ththej ui
cesdr i
ppi ngf rom my
hole.
Mnqobi:"
You'
resof
ucki
ngbeauti
ful
."Heki
ssedmy
cheekwhil
ebusywi
thhi
sfi
ngerssti
ll
.
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
please.
"Imoaned.
Mnqobi
:"Tel
lmet
hat
.Tel
lmemybut
ter
fl
yis
gor
geous?"
Pet
u:"
I'
mfucki
nggor
geous.
"Ipant
ed.
Mnqobi :"
Ididn'
thearyoubaby."Mywhol ebody
shiver
ed.Iwasaboutt ocum sohard."
Ican'thear
youstil
lmyl ove.
"Hewentslightlyf
ast
er.Ibal
led
thssheetsinmyf i
rst,
mysoull eavi
ngmybody.
Petu:"I
'
m yourgorgeousbutt
erfl
y."Imoaned,
comingundonei nhishol
d.Ireachedmycl i
max,
shakingandleaki
ng.Hetookouthi sfi
nger
s.I
fl
oppedonmybed, thr
obbi
ng.Heki ssedmyt hi
gh,
upmyt ummysi de,onmybackandneck.
Mnqobi:"
Andyou'
regoi
ngt
or emembert
hat
,
ever
yti
meIfuckyou.
"Heki
ssedmyear.

SASAPOV_

Itwasabeaut
if
ulmorni
ng.Iwokeupandlooked
nextt
ome.Nkosiwasasleept
oo.Heneededtoget
upandreadyf
orhiscommunit
ymeeti
ng.Ikissed
hi
schi
nthenhi
sli
ps.Heopenedhi
seyes,
waki
ng
up.
Nkosi
:"Baby.
"
Me:"
It
'st
imet
owakeupmyl
ove.
"Hest
ret
ched.
Nkosi
:"Whatt
imei
sit
?"
Me:"
it
's9.
"Het
urnedonhi
ssi
det
ucki
ngmei
nhi
s
ar
ms.
Nkosi
:"Fi
vemor
emi
nut
es.
"Thi
swasnew.
Me:"
You'
renevert
hist
ir
ed.
"
Nkosi :"Hm. "Ikissedhi
schest .Innot imehewas
snor i
ngagai n.Iwasthi
nkingofl eavingar ound11
i
nt hemor ning.Nkositookanot hernapf or30
mi nutesbef oreIwokehi m again.Hepul ledme
again, groaningi nhi
ssleep.TheSi berianTiger
refusest owakeup.Anot her15mi nuteswentby.
Finall
y, Mthunziknockedont hedoor .
Me:"
Baby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"Hesatup."
Whyar
eyouwaki
ngmeup
l
ove?"
Me:"HaiboNkosi
,youhavetogot
owork.And
Mthunziist
ryi
ngtowakeyou.He'
sout
side.
"Hegot
outofbed,openi
ngthedoor
.
Mthunzi
:"You'
rel
ateYourHi
ghness.Good
morni
ng."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llber
eadyi
n30minut
es.
"Hecl
osedt
he
door
,comingbackt
obed.
Me:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notgoingt
osl
eepnextt
oyouf
oraver
y
l
ongti
me.I'
mt r
yingtomi
lki
t.
"
Me:"You'l
lseemebaby.MaybeI'
l
lleaveher
eafew
daysbeforeschoolt
henper
hapswecanmeet
eLangol
uhleandspendsomedayst oget
her
."
Nkosi:"
Absolut
ely.I
'l
lplanitbaby."Hekissedme
thenwenttotakeabat h.Icheckedmyphone
seeingmissedcall
sfrom myf ather.Idi
aledhi
m
back.
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
HiTat
a.Howar
eyou?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m wel
l,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
neTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Ihopeyou'
reonyourway.
"
Me:"
Iam Tat
a.I
'
llbet
her
ebyaf
ter
noon.
"
Xol
ani
:"Okay.Cal
lmewhenyou'
recl
ose.
"
Me:"OkayTata.
"Hehungup.Iwenttothe
bathr
oom.Nkosihadjustgoti
nthebath."
Ijust
spoketomydad.He'sexpecti
ngme.Maybehe
mightnotbeatthemeeti
ngwithyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Hedi
dn'
tevensayanyt
hingyest
erday.Iwas
hopi
ngtogethi
svotet
odaybutthat
'sokay.
"
Me:"Youalr
eadyhavemyvot
ebaby.
"Iki
ssedhi
s
cheek."
Areyouhungry?
"
Nkosi
:"YesI
'
dl i
kesomeporr
idgepl
ease.
"Igotup
goi
ngtothekit
chen.Mt
hunziwasinthel
ounge.
Me:"
Mor
ningbhut
i.
"
Mthunzi
:"YoucancallmeMthunzi
.I'
m notany
ol
derthanNkosi.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Me:"Okay,
Mt hunzisi
r.Woul
dyoul
ikesome
cof
fee?"Helaughed.
Mthunzi
:"Nothankyou.I'
vebeenawakeawhi
le.I
gotever
ythi
ng.Breakf
astandall
."
Me:" Okay."Iwenttothekit
chenandmadethe
porridge,
whendowndi shedupandplacedonthe
tablewaiti
ngf orhi
m.Hecameoutdr essedinhi
s
blackandgol droyalsui
t.
Nkosi
:"Thankyoumyl
ove.
"Hesatdown,
eat
ing.I
satwi
thhim,eati
ngmyown.

Nkosievent uall
yl eftat10:
30.He' dprobablyar ri
ve
around11i nt hevi l
lage.I
twoul d'vebeeneasi erto
catcharidewi t
hhi m butIanti
ci patethevi
llageis
waiti
ngatt heent rance.Ibathed, gett
ingdressedi n
ablackloosemaxidr esswithspaghet t
ist
raps.I
packedmybag, tyingupmybr aidsandwor e
sandalsthenl eftther oom.Mthunziwaswai t
ingon
me.
Mthunzi:"
SoI'
lldr
opyouatt het axi
stothevil
lage
butI'
l
lfoll
owbehinditunt
ilyour eachhome.Your
bodyguardwil
lbearoundbutbl endedinthevill
age.
Idoubtanyonewouldcomeat tackyouher ebut
bet
weenyourfat
herandQhamaresi
dingaf
ew
door
saway,youshoul
dbeokay.
"
Me:" Okay,
that
'sfi
ne.
"Weleftthehouse,
him
dri
vingmet othebusstopi
nt own."
Thankyoubhut
i.
I'
l
lbef i
nehere."
Mt hunzi:"Al
right.Goodbye. "Igotoutt hecargoi ng
tothet axiacrosst her oad.Itwast akingi tssweet
ti
met of il
lup.Finallywewentonourway.I twas
after11.Isentmyf atheramessaget elli
nghi m
wher eIwas.Al r
eady, Iwasmi ssingNkosit err
ibly.
Thiswasgoi ngt obeadi f
fi
cul tconver sationwi th
mydad.Ir eallywant edt obewi thNkosi nhlebutI
neededhi sbl essing.Af teradr ainingl ongt r
ip,the
taxistoppedatt heent ranceofourvi llage.Igotof f
withmybag.Mydadwasst andi ngt herewai ti
ngas
heusual lydid.Iwal kedt ohi m.Hel ookedbehi nd
me.Il ookedatwher ehi sattention.Mt hunzidr ove
i
nt owar dsus, passingbyi ntot hevillage.Myf at her
l
ookedatme.Iswal lowed.
Me:"
Hell
oTat
a."Het
urnedar
oundwal
kingaway.
Ohno.
Myfat
herwasqui
etal
lthewayhome.Idi
dn'
teven
knowwhatt
osay.Whatwashethi
nki
ng?
Me:"
Howar
ethegoat
sTat
-"
Xolani:"Don'
ttal
ktomeaboutgoatsThembisa.So
that'
swher eyouwere.Notonlydi
dyoudisobeyme,
youful l
ydisr
espect
edandliedtome."
Me:"
Tat
aI'
m sor
r-
"
Xolani
:"Whyareyousor r
y?Why?Youliedtome.
Youcontinuedbehi
ndmybackseei ngthi
smanand
l
ied.Allt
histi
meI'mthinki
ngyou'
reatschoolbut
you'r
eshackingupwithaman.IsthiswhatItaught
you?"
Me:"
NoTata."Wewal
kedinthehouse.Mymother
wasinthel
oungewi
thherf
ri
endfrom chur
ch
uMakhumalo.
Mama:"
Herei
sThembisa,whynotaskher
?"Ask
mewhatnow?Ij
ustgother
e.
Me:"Hel
lomamanoMamK.
"Myf
atherwentt
othe
bedr
oom.
MamK:" Thembisadoll
,ar
eyounott
ir
edfrom
t
ravel
ing?"IfIsai
dyes,myfat
hermi
ghtsnap.
Me:"
Nomama.
"
MamK:" Okay.Vuyiswawassupposedt ospeakt o
thegirl
satschool.She'stheteenagegroupleader,
i
t'sjustt
hatnowwe' vediscoveredthatshe'
s
pregnant.Youknowhownewst ravel
shereinthe
vil
lagemnt anami
.Theel der
sdon' twanthertotal
k
tothegirl
sanymor e.Canyoupl easedoit?"
Me:"Idon'
tknowMamKhumal
o.Whatwoul
dIt
alk
about?"
MamK:" You'l
lbespeakingtothem abouthowi tis
totr
ansi ti
onintowomenhood.Howyou' vecarried
yourselfthisf
ar.Yourchall
engesandvi ctor
ies.Tell
them howi mpor t
antiti
stokeept hei
rvirgi
nit
y.Your
mothert ell
smeyouat t
endedar eeddanceand
part
icipatedsoyou'resti
llavi
rgin.Thatisavery
goodt hingmnt anam."
Me:"
I.
..
."
Mama:"Yes,
Iraisedaverygoodchil
d.Shewil
l
speakt
othegir
ls.RightThembi
sa?"Iwaski
ndof
avoi
dingmydadaswellnow.Iknowhewi
llbr
ing
thi
supifIst
ayi
ndoor
s.
Me:"
Okaymama.When?
"
MamK:"Now.
"Oh.That
'ssudden.Icoul
dn'
teven
pr
epar
e?
Me:"I
'l
lputdownmybagandwal
kwithyouma.
"I
tookmybagt omyroom,
onl
ycar
ryi
ngmypurse
backtotheki
tchen.
Mama:" Xol
ani,we'r
eleaving!"Wewalkedoutoft he
house,t
akingawal ktotheschool.I
twasn'tfar,j
ust
acoupleofstreetsaway.Thet woolderwomen
conti
nuedtheirgossipsessionaboutwhowast he
fat
herofVuyiswababy.Ikeptmymout hshut,
absorbi
ngthei nf
ormation.
MamK:" Haa!Nomphelosayssheoncesawher
comingbackf r
om t
hedi r
ecti
onofFanayo'shouse.
"
Fanayogothisnamebecausehewasunf ort
unatel
y
atwin.Probabl
ythefi
rstseti
nthevil
lage.Hewasa
ver
yol dman.
Mama:"ButFanayoi
smarr
ied.He'
sanoldman.I
t
can'
tbehi
m becausehi
swif
eisalwaysi
nthe
housescr
eamingl i
keamadwoman.Nowezi l
esays
shesawherwalkingwithoneoftheDubeboys.The
tal
lonwit
hshouldersl
ikeawirehanger."Ikeptmy
l
aughteri
nbutIwassocl oset
obur st
ing.
MamK:"Eh.ThenIdon'tknow.Remembert hatti
me,
Icamefrom t
ownIsawherst andi
ngby
BabMkhize'
scar
?Andyouknowhi m,hel
ikesthem
young.I
'
m gladXolanipunchedhimthedayhe
heardhewastal
kingaboutThembi saatt
he
taver
m."
Mama:" Heshould'
vedonemorethanpunchhi m.
He'sadisgust
ingman."Nowwhendi dthi
shappen?
Talkandsaywhataboutme?Wewal kedi
nt he
school.Nkosi
'
scarswereher
e.Af ewguardsstood
around,theot
herswerepr
obabl
ywi t
hhimi nthe
hall
.
MamK:"
Thi
sPr
incei
saver
ygoodman.
"
Mama:" VerygoodMamKhumal o,sayitagain.I
'
ve
neverseenaKi ngsoinvol
vedandkind.He'sdoing
afarbetterj
obt hanhi
sfat
her.
"
MamK:"
Ihopehedoesn'
tchange.Thenat
ionneeds
hi
m.Ihopehedoesn'
tfi
ndarudequeen.Oh,
that
woul
dbetheendofusall.
"
Mama:" MamKhumal odon'
tsaythingsli
ket hat
.We
canonlypraythepri
ncesshemar r
iesisjustli
ke
him."Weenteredasmallcl
assr
oom.Thet eenage
gir
lswerehere.About12or13ofthem.
MamK:" OkayThembimyl ove.Wewi l
lgi
veyou
someprivacytohaveyourtalk.Remember,
to
encour
agevirgi
nit
ymostlyandsel fl
ovet
oo."
Mama:" Yes,andpassi ngatschool.Tel
lthem how
you'
redoingwel linuniver
sit
yandhowt hatwillbe
easyforyout ogetaj obandbesuccessf ul.Tell
them t
hat."Idon'tthi
nkit'
sthateasyatallbutokay.
Me:"
Okaymama.
"
MamK:" Girls.Hell
o.ThisisThembisaNt aka.She
willbetalkingtoyouaboutaf ewthings.Shei s
current
lyst udyingatauni ver
sit
yinMount ainPeak.
Shehast estedf orvi
rgi
nit
yandshest i
lli
si nt
ombi
nto.Shehasaf ewwor dsthatshewoul dliketo
sharewi t
hyou.Pl easeli
stentoher.We' l
lnowgi ve
youyourspace. "Theyoldwomenwal kedout ,
I
guessgoingtothehallwher
eNkosiwas.Ist
oodin
thefr
ontoftheclass,
leani
ngonthedesk.Among
thegi
rlsZanel
ewasher easwell
.Shewassmi l
ing
atme.
Me:" Higuys.Uhm, Ididn'treal l
yprepar eanyt hing,
mamaki ndofki dnappedme. "Theychuckl ed." So,I
wast oldImustspeakt oyouaboutvi rginityand
howi mpor tanti tis.Myt akei s,yourbodyasa
wholeshoul dbei mpor tanttoyou, yourwor t
h
shouldn'tbepl acedonyourvagi na.Myt akeal sois,
keepingyourvi rginitycanbeachoi cet hati s
actuall
ybenef i
ci altoyourheal t
haswel l
.Asyou
know, ourvi l
lagedoesn' thavet hebestheal thcare.
You'veseenhowt hecl inicis.Get ti
nga
contraceptiveishumi l
iating.Notonl yar et he
nursesshami ngyouf orsexbutaswel l ast heot her
peoplether e,whowi l
lgohomet ogossi p.
Unfortunatelyt hati showi tis.Itwilltakeawhi leto
bandourcommuni tytoget her .Andt hati swhyI
encourageyout or atherabst ain.Ihaven' thadsex,
most l
ybecauseoft hef earoff al
li
ngpr egnantor
getti
ngsi ck.WhenIar rivedi nMount ainPeak, Ihad
endl essaccesst ocont raceptivesbutIwasal so
hesit antonbeingsexualbecauseIwaswar ned
abouthowt heboysi nt heci tyare.I ti
snotamyt h.
Theboysi ntheci t
yar ever ygoodl ookingandver y
rich."IthoughtofKhaya, smi l
ing.Thegi r
lswer e
giggl i
ng."Butevenwi tht hat,t
heyar ebad.Theydo
notval ueyouandwi llpushyout ot hesi deforthe
nextcandy.Notal lofthem ofcour sebutagood
por t
ionar enotgoodpeopl e.Andt hereisnowayof
tell
ingwhoi sgood, t
hebestwayi st ocont i
nuet o
abst ain.Thepersonwhol ovesyouwi llwaitand
respectyou.Sof ar,i
st hereanyquest ions?"Onegi r
l
putherhandup.Hernamei sEmi hle.
Me:"
YesEmi
hle?
"
Emihle:"
Whathappenswhenyouhaveacrush?A
guythatyouli
keandheli
kesyouback?Buthe'
s
alwaystryi
ngt
oputhishandi
nyourskir
t.Doyou
thi
nkyoushouldlethi
m?"
Me:"No.Thatisnotaper sonthatrespectsyou.I
f
yousaynoandhecont i
nuest odoi tever
yti
me
you'
rewit
hhim, hedoesn'trespectyouanddoes
notl
ikeyou.Thenextthinghewi lldoiswantyouto
meethimi npri
vate.There'
sal otofdangerinbeing
i
nprivatewithaboyt hatdoesnotr espectyou.He
wil
lhurtyou.Avoidhim atallcost
s."Shenodded,
di
sappointed.Anothergir
lputherhandup.
She:"
Isi
twrongt
oli
keot
herwomen?Thechur
ch
sayst
hatiti
sasi
n."
Me:" Thechur chli
essomet imes."Thegi rl
slaughed.
"Beingal esbi
anorgayi snotwr ong.Whoanot her
personchoosest oloveisnotanyone' sconcernbut
themsel ves.Wear eallhumanbei ngscr eat
edthe
samewaybuthavedi ff
erentinterests,l
ikesand
taste.Itisimport
antt ober espectfulofevery
person, nomat t
erbackgr ound,gender ,sexuali
tyor
status.Beinganevi lpersoni sasi n.Bei
ngyour sel
f
i
sabl essing.
"..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Mymeetingwasgoingquitewel
l.Thepeoplehad
vot
edfortheshoppi
ngcenter
.Thatmademegl ad.
Mostl
ybecauseI'
dalreadydr
awnupt heplansandI
wasexci t
edtoseehowi twouldt
urnout
.Thechi
ef
stoodont hest
agetal
kingtothecommunit
yabout
theplans.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thembi
sai
sher
e-"
Nkosi
:"Wher
e?"Icoul
dfeelshewasclosely
somewherebutnotcl
oseenough.Iscannedthe
hal
l.
Mthunzi
:"i
noneoftheclassr
ooms,havingat al
k."I
wantedt
oseeher.Ilookedathi
m,pleadingl
y.
Mt
hunzi
:"Go.
"
Nkosi
:"Ever
yonewi
llf
oll
ow.
"Het
ypedonhi
sphone.
Mt hunzi:"
Havi ngsomeoft heguar dsblockal l
door s.There'
snooneout sidecur rently.You'l
lt ake
fi
vewi t
hyou.Youcangonow.Don' tbetoolong. "I
stoodup, wal kingdownt heshor tst ai
rstothe
nearestdoor .Theguar dopened, closingitbehi nd
me.Ihadt hef ivewait
ingal r
eadyandwewal ked
downt hehallway.Icouldf oll
owherscent ,fi
nal ly
fi
ndingt heclassr oom shewasi n.Shewasdr essed
i
nabl ackflowi ngsummerdr esst hatreachedt he
fl
oor .Myhear tglowseveryti
meIl ookedather .She
cont
inuedt
alki
ngbutthegi
rl
slookedatme.She
l
ookedatme.Iwalkedint
heclassr
oom.
Nkosi
:"Goodaf
ter
noon.
"Shebl
ushedbowi
ngher
head.
Thembi
sa:"YourHi
ghness.
"Il
ookedathercl
assof
l
it
tl
egir
ls.
Nkosi
:"Ihear
dyouwer
ehavi
ngat
alk.
"
Sasa:"
YesYourHi
ghness,
Iwasaskedt
ospeakt
o
thegi
rl
s."
Nkosi
:"About
?Per
hapsIcanj
oin?
"
Sasa:"Uhm."Shel ookedathercl ass.Allt
hegi r
ls
werenoddingexci tedly."
Wear etal
kingaboutbei ng
awoman.How, onecant ransi
ti
onf r
om girlto
womanwi t
houtl osinghervir
tuepremat ur
ely.Iwas
tel
li
ngthegirlsabi tabouthowadvant ageous
abstai
ningfrom sexi s.Topreventpregnancy."My
eyesneverlefthers.
Nkosi:"
That'
sverytr
ue.Sexisnotimport
anti
na
r
elat
ionshi
p,butwit
ht heri
ghtper
soniti
smagi cal
.
I
tiseasier
.Soft
er.Morelovi
ngandenjoyabl
e."
Me:"That'
strueYourHighness."Zanel
epickedup
herhand."YesNele.
"IcouldfeelThembisaholdher
breat
h.
Nel
e:"
Ihaveaquest
ionf
orYourHi
ghnessi
fImay.
"
Nkosi
:"Goahead.
"Il
ookedather
.
Nel
e:"YourHighness,howdoyouknowt
hat
someonelikesyou?"
Nkosi:"Hm.That'sadiff
icul
tquest
ion.IguessI
knowf rom t
hewayshel ooksatme.Thewayshe
takescareofme.Thewayshesuppor tsmeand
respectsmebutal somakesmel aughevenonmy
darkestdays.
"IlookedatThembisa.Shewas
l
ookingatthefloor,bl
ushing.GodIwantedtohold
her.
Sasa:"Uhm,gi
rl
s.Let'
stal
kaboutcareer
snow.Our
Pri
ncehereisanarchi
tect
.YourHighness,
woul
d
youpleaseki
ndlysharewhatyourj
obis?"
Nkosi
:"Wi
thpl
easur
e.".
..

SASAPOV_
Thet al
kwitht
hegirlswassuccessful.Nkosihad
gi
venusspaceaf terhetoldusaboutarchitect
ure
andhi sj
ob.Iwal
kedbackhomewi t
hNel eandher
fr
iends.Theyweresoexcitedtheygottoseehi m
andspeakt ohi
m.Iwal kedint
omyhomewi thher
behindme.MamaandTat awer einthelounge.
Mama:"
Mygi
rl
s.Howwast
het
alk?
"
Nele:"
AMAZINGmama! !
!ThePri
ncecamet oour
tal
k!!
"Shescr
eamed.If
roze.Myfat
herst
aredatme
col
dly.
Mama:"
Real
ly?Whatdi
dhesay?
"
Nel
e:"Hmm,Sasadoyouwantt
otel
lmom whathe
sai
d?"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:"Hedidntsayanyt
hingbutansweryour
questi
on.I'
m goi
ngtocooksupper.
"Hopeful
lyshe
l
etsthisgo.
Mama:"
Whatdi
dhesaymnt
anam?
"
Nel
e:"
Hesaid,
heknowssomeoneli
keshim byt
he
wayshel
ooksathi
m andSasawaslooki
ngathi
m
l
ooki
ngli
keshe'
sont
hemoon.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.Mama
l
aughed.
Mama:"Ohmnt anam.Idon'
tbl
ameyou.
"Ikeptmy
mout
hshutandf ocusedonthepot
s.Myfat
her
st
oodintheki
tchen.
Xol
ani
:"Howlongar
eyougoi
ngt
obedi
srespect
ing
meThembisa.
"
Me:"
Tat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Br
eaki
tof
f.NOW.
"
Me:"NoTata!Whyareyoubei
ngl
iket
his!Hehasn'
t
doneanyt
hingwrong.
"
Mama:"
Hai
bo.What
'shappeni
ngnowXol
ani
?"
Xolani
:"Thi
sdisr
espect
fulchi
ldofyour
sis
cohabi
tingwit
hthatpri
nce!
"
Mama:"
HAI
BO!
!!
"
Me:"Tat
a,I'
m notcohabiti
ng.Nkosiwantstomarry
me.Wear einlove.Iknowthatyoudon'tl
ikehi
m
Tata,
andwe'rewi l
li
ngtoworkforyourblessi
ngs
butIwanttobewi thHi-
"
Xol
ani:"Thembi
sa,ar
eyouchoosingamanoverme?
Thefatherwhohasrai
sedyouandpr ovi
dedf
oryou
wit
hloveandcareALLYOURLI FE!!
"
Me:"
Whoelsewassupposedt
otat
a-"hesl
apped
meacrosst
hefacehar
d.
Xolani:"
Youwi l
lNOTspeaktomei nthatmanner
Thembi sa.Br
eakitof
f.Ri
ghtnow.It'
seit
hermeor
him.Ifyouchoosehim,you'
redeadtome.Never
setfootinthi
shouseagain.
"Hehissed.
[
07/
27,
05:
51] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er41

SASAPOV_

Mycheekst ungfr
om wheremyf atherhi
tme.My
nosebledonlyali
ttl
e.Iwenttomyr oom,taki
ngout
ati
ssue.Itwasn'
ttheslapthathur
tthemost ,
my
parent
shavegivenmehi di
ngsbefore.Hemadei t
clearthatIhadt ochoosebet weenhi m andNkosi .I
f
IchoseNkosi nhle,Il
osemyf ami l
y.IfIdon' tchoose
him, Ihadt ol etgoofmyl ove.Icoul dn'
tevencr y
becausei ft heywal kinher eseei ngmei nt earsi t
woul dearnmeahi di
ng.Ican' tlie,inthismomentI
reall
ywant edt ochooseNkosi .Itrustedt hatloves
me, thathewoul dprot
ectme.ButIwoul dn'thavea
family,ahome.Mychi l
drenwoul dnevermeetmy
father,mysi ster,mymot her.Iwoul dwal konst age
togr aduate, withoutmychi ldhoodcheer i
ngmeon.
Mydooropened.Iqui ckl
ywi pedmyt ears.My
mot hersatnextt ome.
Mama:"Thembisa,i
swhatyourfathersayi
ngtrue?"
Shewouldobviousl
ytakehissi
deont hi
s.Iwasn't
evenhopef
ulthatshewouldspeakforme.
Me:"
I'
m notcohabi
ti
ngmama.Il
ivei
nRes.
"
Mama:"
Areyoui
nar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thhi
m?"
Me:"
Yesmama.
"
Mama:"Yoh.Thembi
sa.Thatmani safut
ureki
ng.
"
Thanksf
ortheremi
nderthatever
yonekeeps
hi
ghli
ght
ing."
Sowhatisitnow?"
Me:"
Idon'
twantt
ochoosemama.I
'
minl
ovewi
th
hi
m."
Mama:" Youknowbei nginloveThembi sa?Wher e
wouldyouknowi tfrom?"Ikeptqui etlookingatthe
ti
ssueinmyhandt hathadsmal lstainsofbl ood.
"Yoh.Idon'
tknownow.Yourf at
heri sver yangry
andwi l
lnotl
isten."Shefoldedherar ms.Whatdi d
thi
smean?Il ookedather ."Don'tlookatmel ike
thatThembisa.Areyousur ethi
smanwant sto
mar r
yyou?Ar eyousl eepi
ngwi thhi m? "
Me:"I
'm sur
emama.We'
renotsl
eepi
ngt
oget
her
yet
."
Mama:"Thenwhyist
hatot
herpr
incessf
oll
owi
ng
hi
m ever
ywhere?
"
Me:"Shewantst
obehi
sfi
rstwi
fe.She'
stheonehi
s
f
atherchose.
"
Mama:"Soyouwanttobeasecondwi
fewena?At
yourt
enderageThembi
sa?
"
Me:"
Nomama.Hewon'
tmar
ryher
."
Mama:"
Howdoyouknowt
hat
?Haveyoumetki
ngs
Thembi sa?Theycandowhatt heywanti ncaseyou
don'tknow.Andt heydon'tmar r
ynonr oyalordinary
gi
rlsli
keyou.Theymar r
yot herroyal
s.I'
m sorry
mntanam. "Ilookedatmyhandsagai n.WhatI
neededwast omakeadeci sionthatIdidn'
twantt o
make.Icoul dn'
tdoit.I
'
dhavet oconti
nuelyingt o
myf atherbutwhatwoul dthatdot oourrel
ationship?
There'sactuall
ynogoingbackonourr elat
ionship
now.
Mama:" Don'
tgetpregnant,
Thembi sa.Yoh.Itwon'
t
helpyourcase.Yourchil
dwillbeabast ardtot
he
thr
oneandyouknowt heykil
lthoseright?"Myhear
t
hurtatthet
hought."YohThembi sa.You'r
e
str
essingmenow. "
Me:"
WhatdoIdomama?Can'
tyouspeakt
ohi
m?"
Mama:"Yourfat
her
?Eh.Heshushedmeasi
deand
wentout.NowImustgeti
ntot
roubl
ewhenIhaven'
t
doneanythi
ng?"
Me:"
Whydoeshehat
ehi
m somuch?
"
Mama:"
TheRoyal
sar
ecruel
Thembisa.Thel
ast
t
imeaki
ngmarri
edacommoner,
hisfamil
yki
ll
ed
herwhenshegavebi r
tht othecur r
entKi ng.They
don'twantusi nt heirpal aces.Wear enot hingt o
them.Yourf at heri sonl yt r
yingt oprotectyou. "The
ancestor sonceagai n.Whymakeourpat hscr oss?
Whyl etusf alldeepl yi nlovewi theachot heri f
destinydoesn' twantust ogether.Whywel comeme
i
nt heiralterandal l
owmet obewi t
hhi mi fI '
m not
meantt obewi thhi m?" Yoh.Shame.Poorwoman.
Yazishewasyoung.Sher anawaywi t
ht heki ng
andwhent heyf oundt hem, shewasal r
eady
pregnant .Theypr et endedt oacceptherbut ..
."She
shookherhead." Itwasver ybad.Theki ngt urned
verybitterandevi laftershedi ed.Hedest royedt he
vil
lageshewasbor ni n.Igr ewuphear i
ngst ories
abouthi m.I fyouevenl ookedupathi m, hewoul d
orderyouki l
led.Noonewasal lowedt ol ookathi s
face.Andhenevermar r
iedagai nafterhiswi f
edi ed.
Theysayheoncebur ntaf orestt othegr oundand
atthet i
meagr oupofvi rginswer eoncamp.Bur nt
them allalive.Yoh.Hewasver yver ycruelunt i
lhis
dyingdays.Ir emembert her eliefeveryonehad
whent heyhear dhehadpassed.Yoh.Heeee,
Thembi sa. "Shecl appedonce.
Me:"
Thi
swasKi
ngNgi
dumi
seSi
khosana?
"
Mama:"
That'
stheone!Evenhi
snamei
sscar
y.
I
magi
ne.Prai
seme.Yoh."
Me:"
Howmuchdoyouknowaboutt
her
oyal
s
mama?"
Mama:" Abit.Mygr andmot herandAuntNozi
wor kedatthepal aceremember ?Theytoldus
everythingthathappened.Makemet easoIcant el
l
you."Iquicklyjumpedupt ogomaket ea.Whenmy
mot herwasi nacomf ort
ingmood, Ialways
embr acedher .Thiswast hesideofhert hatIl
oved.
Yesal otofthet i
meshewasver ymeanbutIdi d
enjoythesemoment s.Evenifitwasjustaday.I
madet heteaandbr oughtitbackt omyr oom wit
h
myowncup.Wesatont hebedsi pping.
Mama:"So, Ki
ngNgi dumisewast
hef i
rstkingI
knew.HewasmadeKi ngwhenIwasonly8.It hi
nk
hewas18att hetime.BackthenKingswer e
crownedatthatagekebuthewast helastonet obe
crownedthen.Thecur r
entwascr
ownedi nhisearly
20sduetoNgi dumiseTheMajest
y'shealth.They
thoughthewoul ddi esoon.Al otofpeopl esai dit
wasbecauseoft hehear tbreak.Hedi edofabr oken
hear ttheysai d.Itwast rulysad.Anyway, before
Ngi dumi sewascr owned.Aboutayearbef ore.He
andhi sgi r
lf
r i
endr anawayt ogether.Itwasascar y
ti
mef ort her oyal s.Hispar ent sthoughthehadbeen
abduct edandsot heysear chedhi ghandl owf or
him.Onl yf i
ndi nghi m mont hsl at
er.Unf ortunatel
y,
youcan' thidet ool ongasaf utur
eki ng.Rewar dsto
fi
ndhi m wer et hebi ggestamount severment i
oned.
Whent heyf oundhi m, hewasr et
urnedbuthe
refusedt ol eavehi sgi r
lfri
endbehi nd.Shewas
heavi l
ypr egnantwi ththeirson.TheSi khosana
fami l
ywel comedt hem back.Theygotmar ri
edand
hewascr ownedi namont h, Thembi sa.Hehehe! !"
Shesi ppedhert ea.
Me:"
Thenwhathappenedmama?
"
Mama:" Thedayafterhi
scrowning.Hiswifegave
birt
ht othei
rson.Theheirtot
her oyalthr
one.The
currentKing.Nobodyheardfrom theSikhosana
familyfordays.Thentheannouncementwasmade.
Iremembermymot herandauntscryingand
screaming.Thedramaofitall
."Shesippedhert ea.
"Thenationwasmourning,pai
nfull
y.Then.The
Sikhosanafamil
ybannedthemour ning."Igasped.
Me:"
MAMA.Howdoyoubanmour
ning?
"
Mama:" AsIsai d, t
hatf ami l
yi sevi lmnt anam.No
onewasal lowedt oshedasi ngl et earmor ef orthe
deadqueen.That 'swhatt heycal lher ,
theDead
Queen.I magi ne?Yoh. "Sheshookherheadsi pping
hertea."Thef ami l
yisolatedi tselffrom t hepubl ic
eye.Ohi twasbad.I njustweeks, wewokeupt ot he
newst hatthevi llageshewasbor ninhadbeen
burnttot hegr oundwi t
hever yonet r
appedi nsi de.
Immedi atelyweknewi twashi sor derbutwhat
couldwesay?Event heot herr oyalfami lieswer e
scaredofhi m.Al lofthem combi ned.Mont hsand
mont hswentbywi t
houthear ingf rom him orseei ng
anymemberoft heSi khosanaf ami l
y.Sincehewas
young,itwassai dt hathisf atherhadencour aged
himt otakeanot herwi f
e, sot hatshecanr aiset he
babyandgi vehi m mor echi ldren.Yoh, asi fhespat
i
nhi sface.Whatdi dNgi dumi sedo?Ont heexact
mor ni
ngoft hereeddancehebur ntt hatcampt o
theground,WITHthevi
rgi
nst
here.
"Myheartbr
oke.
Innocentpeopl
ediedbyhi
shandbecausehewas
hurt.That
'shorr
ibl
e.
Me:"
That
'ssosad.
"
Mama:" SadThembi sa?Itwasi nhumane.Li keIsai
d,
i
fyousomuchasl ookinhisdi recti
on,hewoul d
haveyoukilled.Throughoutt heyear s,
t hatf amil
y
l
ockedthemsel vesi nthei
rpal ace.KingNgi dumise
passedawayonl ywhenhewas42.I magi net hat
youngage.Thenat ionwasr elievedmor ethansad.
ThecurrentKing, whohadt henbeenr ecent ly
crowned,KingSi zwengayeDumi si
leSikhosana
all
owedmour ni
ngf orsevendays. "
Me:"
Ishebet
ter
?Ki
ngSi
zwengaye?
"
Mama:" BetterthanNgi dumi se?Byf ar.Ki
ng
Sizwengayeenj oysattenti
on, hewant stobel ooked
at.Hewant speopl etopraisehi m andcelebratehim.
That'
swhyhe' ssoext r
avagantandhi smostpr i
zed
possessionishi sson."Sot hat'
swhyNkosi nhle.
Thegoodki ng.He' ssupposedt ofixthemistakesof
thepasttwogener at
ions.
Me:"
SoKi
ngNgi
dumi
seneverhadot
herchi
ldr
en?
"
Mama:" Ohhedi d.Hej ustkil
ledthem.Hedi dn't
wantt hem.LikeIsai d, don'tgetpr egnant.Noneof
hisotherchildrenlivedpast20year sol
d.Theyt ri
ed
shame.Twooft hem wer ehiddenbyt hei
rmot hers
untiltheyreached17and20.Pr obl em wi
tht he
Sikhosanaf ami l
y,i
tissai dal lt
hemal eshavet he
sameeyesandf ace.Soaper sonwhoknowscan
easilyspotthem andr eportit.Evenyoursonmi ght
havet hoseeyes, youmustbewar e."Igi
ggledatt he
thoughtofababywi thor angebr owneyesl ooking
exactlyli
keNkosi .
Mama:"
Thembi
sai
slaughi
ngwhent
hisi
sser
ious.
"
Me:"
Sor
rymama.
"
Mama:"Don'tbesor ry.Ibuil
tmyhomeandf amil
y.I
can'
ttel
lyouwhatt odowi thyourl
ifeandwhot obe
wit
hThembi sa.AllIwant edforyouwast hatyou
passandgraduat esoyoudon' tdependonanyone.
Yourfat
herisold.Hewon' tbehereforever
.You
needtobeabletot akecar eofyourselfandstar
t
yourownfami l
y."Shepi ckedthecottononher
dr
ess.
Me:"
Mama,
howdi
dyoumeetut
ata?
"
Mama:" Hehe. "Shesmi l
ed." Yourf atherwas
tr
aveli
ngt ot heBat hongaKi ngdom.Hepassedt his
vi
ll
agebuther anoutofmoneysohest ayed.He
buil
thimsel fahutt herebyt hef orest .OnedayIwas
goingtof etchwat eratt her i
verandIsawhi m
washingt her e.Iwat chedhi m untilhef i
ni shed.
Whenhet ur nedt oseeme, hegotaf right ."She
l
aughed." Iaskedwhyhewaswashi ngi nt her i
ver
andheexpl ainedt hatt hewat erisr unni ngdownt he
str
eam.What evert hatmeans.Igotmywat erwhile
hegotdr essed.Heaskedmei fhecoul dhel pme
andIaccept edhi shelp.Byt het imeIr eachedhome,
Iwasal readyt hinkingabouthi m.IknowIhadn' t
seenhimi nt hevill
ageandsohewasn' tf rom here.I
wonder edwher ehewasl i
ving.Bymor ni ng, Iwent
backtot her iverandi ndeedf oundhi mt her e.This
ti
me, I
'dbr oughtsomebr eadandsugarwat erwi t
ha
cup.Wesatdownandheat e.Thatbecameour
meetingpl aceever ymor ning.Hef inal lygothi msel f
asmal ljob.Wi ththat ,cont i
nuedl ivingi nhi shut,
savingmostofhi smoney.Myf athergaveusa
standt obuildashack.Yourf atherbuiltitallby
himsel f.BythistimeIwaspr egnantwi thyou. "She
smiledsweet l
y."Itwasabeaut i
fulti
me.Wehadour
smal lhome, itwasoner oom, nobiggert hant hi
s
room ofyour sbuti twashome.Yourf atherwas
askedbyot hersint hecommuni t
yt obuildthem
shacksaswel l
.That '
showhest art
edmaki ngsome
money.Asyear swentby, hejoi
nedt heot hermen
togot oconstructionsitesandhel pbuildint own.
Yourf atherwoul dcomehome, carryyouonhi s
backandpr acticebui l
dinginthecommuni t
y.Thisis
howhebui l
tourhome.Wi t
hthemoneyhekept
savingandmaki ng.Heboughtt hel andandmade
surei twasver ylarge.Icompl ai
nedsomuchbut
yourf atherhadavi si
on.Looknow, theyar disfil
led
withgoat sandchi cken.Lookatourhouse. "
Me:"
That
'sbeauti
fulmama.Doyouknowwher
e
dadwasbornthough?Di
dheevertel
lyou?
"
Mama:" Ohyes.Hewasbor ni
nthevi
ll
agethatwas
burntt
ot heground.Hewasonl
y11wheni t
happened,for
tunatel
yhewokeupandran.Hesays
hethoughthisfamilyhadwokenupandr ant oo.By
theti
meher eali
zedt hathewasr unningalonei nthe
road,i
twastool at
e.Thewhol evill
agewasengul fed
i
nf l
ames.Hesayssomet i
mesatni ghthecanst i
ll
hearthescr
eamscomi ngfrom t
hef i
re,hecouldn't
doanythi
ngbutcr y.Heknewi ft
heyf oundhim alive
theywouldkil
lhimt ooandsoher an,neverlooking
back."
Me:"That'
swhyhehat
esthem.It
'snotNkosit
hat
hehatesmama.HehatestheSi
khosananame
becauseKingNgi
dumi
sekill
edhi
sfamilyand
chi
ldhood.
"
Mama:"Eh.Youseewhywetookyoutothat
uni
ver
sit
y?Letmegocookchil
d.Stopcr
yingand
bl
eedi
ngoutyournose.
"Shegotupandwalkedout
.

KAYAPOV_

Itwasaft
ernoonandI'
djustfi
nishedwatchi
ngthe
endofthecommunitymeetingatMt hi
nomkhul
u.
Justt
hen,myphoner ang.
Khaya:"
Sbo?
"
Sibo:"
Ithoughtyout
wowant
edt
ocomet
omy
house?"
Khaya:"
We'
recomi
ngSbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"Hehungup.
Khaya:"Mnqobi
!"Iyel
led.He'
sbeeni
nther
efor
hours.
Zimmy:"
Hey."Shecameoutmyr
oom,
waki
ngup
fr
om anap.
Khaya:"
Hi.Howyouf
eel
ing?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Fine.
"Shesatnextt
ome.
Khaya:"
We'r
egoingtoSibonel
o'shouse,
youwanna
comealong?Justgonnadodri
nksandgames."
Zi
mmy:" Idon'
tknowKhaya.I
sn'
tthi
ssupposedt
o
beyourguysthi
ng."
Khaya:"Yeah,
butyou'
realsomyguy.You' l
lsi
tina
spotandputairpodson.Getdressed."Shewentt
o
myr oom.Canyoubeli
evesheevenmovedher
cl
othesinther
e?Unbeli
evable,
thethingswomendo.
Mnqobicameoutt her
oom,Petuwalki
ngbehi
nd
hi
mlookingshy.Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutlaugh.
Khaya:"
Ihopet
her
e'sbi
rt
hcont
roli
nvol
ved.
"
Mnqobi
:"Pl
easeshutyourmout
h?I
'
mtaki
ngPet
u
t
oRes."
Khaya:"
Sbonicall
ed,sobequi
ck.Zi
mmyi
sget
ti
ng
dr
essed,I'
mtakingherwit
hus.
"
Mnqobi
:"Baby,
doyouwantt
ospendt
heweekend
wi
thme?"
Pet
u:"
Who'
sSboni
?"
Mnqobi
:"He'
snott
hatbad,
Iswear
."
Pet
u:"
Sibonel
o??He'
shar
assi
ngmyf
ri
end.
"
Mnqobi:"
Andhe'sstopped.Ipr
omise.He'
snot
f
oll
owingorst
alkingheranymore.
"Shesighed.
Petu:"
Evenso,Ican'
t.Ipr
omisedNot
handoI
'
llhang
outwit
hhertoday.She'st
her
ealone.
"
Khaya:"
Whydon'tyouinvi
tehertoo?I
'm sur
eshe'l
l
enj
oyhangingwit
hfri
endsoutsideRes.
"Ismi l
ed.
Mnqobistar
edatmelookingli
kehewant edto
st
rangl
eme.
Petu:"
Okay.Then,
wecango.
"Shewal
kedt
othe
door.
Mnqobi:"I
'm goi
ngt okil
lyou."Hewhi speredtome
befor
ehewal kedout .Il
augheduntilIcoughed.He
needstobehonest .That'
swhathekeptt eaching
mealltheseyearsasInavi gatedt
hest reets.Zimmy
cameoutt heroom inshortsandagr aphicT- Shir
t
thatl
ookedstrangelyfamil
iar.
Khaya:"
ist
hatmyshi
rt
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.Il
ikei
t.
"
Khaya:"
Huh?
"
Zi
mmy:"Mycl
othesarei
nthewashsoIdon'
thave
atopt
owear
.Unlessyouwantmetogotopl
ess.
"
Khaya:"
Rathergotopl
essbabe.
"Shelaughed."
So,
Mnqobiistaki
nghispersont
oRes.Wewon' tal
lfi
t
i
nonecar ,
soIt hi
nkweshoulddr
ive.
"
Zimmy:"Okay.I'
mreadytogo.
"Il
ookedformykeys
fi
ndingthem i
nthei
rplace,
somycarwasobviousl
y
i
nt heparki
ng.Wewentdowntothebasement
,
get
ti
ngi
nandIdr
ove.
Khaya:"
Whatdoyouwantt
odr
ink?
"
Zimmy:" Hennessyi sfine."Il ookedather ." What?
I'
m noti nt hemoodf orchampagne. "Istar tedatt he
l
iquorst oretobuyherbot tl
eandsomenon
alcohol i
csf ormysel f.I'm notsur ewhatPet udri
nks
butIgota24packofci ders,abot tleofgi nandt wo
champagnes.OnceIgott heal coholIdr ovet o
Sibonel o's.Helivedcl osert ot heBi yelapal aceon
theeastofMount ai
nPeak.TheSt ellars,it'scal l
ed.
TheBi yel afamilywasoneoft wofami l
iesi nthe
area.Itwasonl yr eservedf ort heweal t
hi est .The
otherf ami l
ywasofawhi t
emancal ledReynar d
Smi th.TheBi yela'shadboughtal mostal lt he
proper tyexceptf orhis.I tkeptt hear eapr oper t
y
valueabovet he100mi l
li
ons.ZweandSbohadt heir
ownhouseapar tfrom t hepal ace.Mnqobiwoul dget
hisownoncehegr aduat esaswel l.Ther estwer e
rentedoutt oaffluentfami l
iesandpeopl ewho
visi
tedMount ai
nPeakof ten.Ot herr oyalf ami li
es
thatisandi nvestorsf rom ar oundt hewor ld.Idrove
i
nt othegat edcommuni ty.
Zimmy:"Neverbeent
othi
ssi
deoft
own.I
tlooks
fi
lt
hyr
ich."
Khaya:"
Iti
s.TheBi
yel
a'
sownabout95%oft
his
pl
ace."
Zi
mmy:" Iknowthey'
vegotmoneybutthi
sisj
ust
cr
azy.SoifBiyel
aisli
kethi
s,howdoyouthi
nkKi
ng
Si
khosana'sareal
ooks?"
Khaya:"TheSi khosana'sbuil
tthemselvesact
ual
heaven.Iwentt ot
heirpalacefewweeksago.I ti
s
themosti nti
mi dat
ingplaceI'
veeversteppedin.
Event heairisdiff
erent
.It'
ssecludedandincr
edibly
vast.Idon'tevenknowhowt odescribeit
."
Zimmy:"I
sn'ti
tcrazy?Howdidthi
swhol
er oyalt
y
thi
ngstar
t?Whyar ether
echosenfami
li
esf orit
?
Andwhyar etheyhoardi
ngsomuchwealth? "
Khaya:"Idon'tknowl ove."Iparkedthecar."Andwe
don'
taskt hosequest i
onsher e.Theywon'tdous
anygood.Thesear epeopl eyouwanti nyourlife
andtheyneedt olikeyou.That '
showpeopl eget
successhere.ByAssoci ati
ngwi tht
hesenames.So
wedon'taskquest ions,wesayyessi randwai tfor
opport
unit
y.Ifpushcomestoshove,st
rokeanego.
Let'
sgo."Wegotoutthecar,t
aki
ngthealcoholi
n
thehouse.Sbowasintheloungesmokingablunt,
Zweasusualonhi sphone.
Khaya:"Bi
gbr
o's.
"Theyl
ookedup."
Thi
sisZi
mmy,
myfriend.
"
Si
bo:"
Heyyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hel
loPr
inceSi
bonel
o,Pr
inceZwel
ethu.
"
Zwe:
"Hi
.Khaya,
wher
e'syourbr
other
?"Il
aughed.
Khaya:"
he'
spr
obabl
yonhi
sway.
"
Si
bo:"
What
?"
Khaya:"
Mnqobi '
snewchi
cki
sfr
iendswi
thhi
s
wif
e."Helaughed.
Zwe:
"Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
Heknew,
BhutZwe.Thi
shasnot
hingt
odo
wit
hme. "
Zwe:"
Whywoul dhedosomethi
ngthatstupi
d?At
thi
scr
it
icalt
ime?Si
bonelowhyareyoulaughi
ng
whenyouhaveabusinesspr
oposalwi
ththatfami
ly?
Dowewantt
opi
sst
hisgi
rlof
f?"
Khaya:"
Idon'tt
hinkshe'
l
lbepi
ssedof
fBhutZwe
butwe'l
lsee.
"
Zwe:"
Allyout
hreedoisstr
essme.Ont
opofmy
j
ob.Si
bonelost
oplaughi
ng."
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Khaya:"
Zim,
doyouwantmet
opouryouadr
inkso
l
ong?"
Zimmy:"Yesplease.
"Shesatontheemptycouch,
nervousl
y.Idon'
tknowwhyshe'ssonervous,
she's
beenwi t
hSibonel
oonce,sowhyissheshyaround
hi
m?Imi xedheraHennessy,
bri
nginghert
heglass.
Khaya:"
Sbo,
Iwantt
otal
ktoyou?
"
Si
bo:"
Yesbug,
what
'sup?
"Isatnextt
ohi
m.
Khaya:"
It
'saboutSi
khosana.
"
Si
bo:"
Ther
egoesmygoodbuzz.
"
Zwe:"What
'
supKhaya?
"Ri
ght
,thesoberl
ess
aggr
essi
veone.
Khaya:"
So,
Iwaswat
chi
ngt
hecommuni
tymeet
ing
t
oday.Thevi
ll
agevot
edf
ort
heshoppi
ngcent
er.
"
Zwe:
"That
'si
ncr
edi
ble.
"
Si
bo:"
AndExpect
ed.
"
Khaya:"Sikhosanahasacompanyt hatdoesthe
constructi
onofallhisbuil
dings.Whathe
outsourcesisinstal
li
ngelectri
cit
yinthem.This
specif
icpr oj
ectseemsbig, al
readyhasthepubli
c
eyeoni t.Iwaswonder i
ngi fi
twaswi sethatIpi
tch
aproposalt ooff
ertheinstall
ati
on?"
Sibo:"You'
renotanel
ect
ri
cianKhaya.Andyou
don'thaveacompanythatspeci
ali
sesin
el
ectrici
ty.
"
Khaya:"Yeah.That'
st r
ue.HoweverIwast hi
nki
ngi
n
thesenseofconsulting.Icanoutsourcethe
elect
ri
cianswhowi l
lbet eachingtheskil
lto
member softhatvil
lage,Sikhosanawillt
henpayme
topaythem.That'showIwast hi
nki
ng."
Si
bo:"
Hol
don,
thi
ssoundsl
ikeagr
eati
dea.
"
Zwe:"
Iti
s.Sowhatyou'
resayi
ngi s.You'
l
lregi
stera
companyandhi
retwoelect
ri
cians.Makethe
proposalandonceheaccept
s,yousendyourt
wot
o
thevil
lagetot
eachthei
nstal
l
ationpr
ocess.
"
Khaya:"Yes,oncethati
sdone,I'
llhaveitchecked
andtested.Attheendoftheproject,
I'
llhavepaid
thetwoandt hosethati
nter
nwi l
lhaveaski ll
,
experi
enceandofcour sebepaid.ThenI '
llkeept
he
prof
it.
"
Si
bo:"
Thi
sisgoodbug.
"
Khaya:"
Won'
titaf
fectus?Si
nceyoudon'
tli
kehi
m?"
Sibo:"Thisi sbusinessKhaya.Ithasnothingt odo
withmyper sonalvi
ews.Imyself,am inbusiness
withSikhosana.Haveyouf or
gottenourtr
ipto
Vamanivi l
lage?Ican'tbl
ockyouf r
om bei
ng
successf ul
, we'rebrot
hers.Regi
sterthi
sbusi ness
fi
rstthingMondaymor ni
ng.ZweandIwi l
llookat
thecost sandwi reyouyourstart
ingcapit
al.
"
Khaya:"
Thankyoubr
other
."
Zwe:"
Mnqobii
squit
egoodwit
hdr
aft
ingpr
oposal
s,
askhi
mtohelpyouaswel
l.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m act
ual
lyhopi
ngt
opar
tnerwi
thhi
m."
Si
bo:"
Good.
"
Zwe:"Icanguideandmentoryouwitht
he
consult
ing.Ihaveabi
tofexper
iencewi
tht
hat
."
Khaya:"
ThankyouBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Andyou,
li
tt
lel
ady?Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m st
udyi
ngBCom Economi
cs.
"
Zwe:"
Goodpath."Sheneedstomilkevery
oppor
tuni
tyl
ikeItol
dher,shecan'
tjustsitt
her
e
anddri
nkHennessy,shebett
erbeli
stening.
[
07/
27,
05:
52] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er42

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwasr
eal
lymi
ssi
ngThembi
sa.I
twaseveni
ngandI
waswi
thMt
hunzii
nthehousehavi
ngadr
ink.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m upset
."
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youwantt
oknowwhy?
"
Nkosi
:"Why?
"Isi
ghed.
Mthunzi
:"You'
renotevenpr
etendi
ngt
oenj
oymy
company."
Nkosi
:"Sor
ry.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
'sonyourmi
nd?
"
Nkosi:"Iwast hi
nkingofmydr eam.Ear lyinthe
mor ni
ng.Iwasnother e.Inapl
aceI '
veneverseen.I
wokeupt omyeyesst ar i
ngatmei nthef orm ofa
babygirl.Shewassi tt
ingonmychest .WhenIwoke
up,shesmi l
ed,t
hemostbeaut if
ulthingint heworl
d.
Itookheroutt heroom, Thembisawasouti nthe
garden,restingwit
hacupofcof f
eeandabook.I t
fel
tsor eal.Ther
ewasnoguar ds,nopr essure,noal
l
ofthisnonsense.Noti nthisworl
d.Iwasr eal
ly
happy."
Mt
hunzi
:"Nowonderyoudi
dn'
twantt
owakeup.
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Justf
eel
ingSomet
hingIdon'
tli
ke.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
?"
Nkosi
:"Myhear
thur
ts.Physi
cal
ly.Whatdoest
hat
mean?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Maybei
t'
sbecauseyou'
remi
ssi
ngher
?"
Nkosi
:"Whati
fshe'
sindangerorhur
t?"
Mthunzi
:"Cal
lher
."Idial
edhernumber
,put
ti
ngi
t
agai
nstmyearasi tr
ang.
Sasa:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Heybaby.
"
Sasa:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Sasa:"Not
hing.Howareyou?Iheardthevi
ll
age
votedfort
hecenter
.That
'samazing.Youdi
da
greatj
ob."
Nkosi:"
Thankyou.Myworkherei
sdone.CanIsee
youtomorrowBefor
eIl
eave?"
Sasa:"
Idon'
tknowbaby.Mydadi
spr
ett
yangr
y
r
ightnow.
"
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Sasa:"
Heknowsaboutus.Hewant
smet
ochoose.
"
Nkosi
:"ChoosewhatThembi
sa?
"
Sasa:"Betweenyouandhi m. "Ohfuck,mychest
ti
ghtened.Thiswouldhurt.Thembisalovesher
fat
her.It
'sherfat
her.Unl
ikemyf at
her,
herfather
wasal ovingcari
ngparentandwoul dcontinuetobe
so.Unconditi
onall
y.Ionl
yi nvit
eddangertoherli
fe.
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"
Sasa:"
Foundoutf
rom mymot
hert
her
easonwhy.
"
Nkosi
:"Thathewon'
tacceptme?
"
Sasa:"
Yeah.
"Doubti
twi
llmakeadi
ff
erence.
Nkosi
:"Whati
sit
?WhathaveIdone?
"
Sasa:"Notyou.I tt
urnsout,
thevil
lageyour
grandfatherburnttothegr
ound,wasmyf at
her
's
home.Hewast heonlyonethatsurvived.Hewas
11year soldwhenheescaped. "No...No..."
He
beli
evest hatyourfamil
yusenonr oyalsandkil
l
t
hem forsport.
"Iwastooembar rassedt oeven
r
espond.I'
veneverpaidtoomuchat tentiontomy
f
amilyhist
ory.Iknewobviouslymygr andfather
wasthecruelkingandIthoughtI'dleftallofthati
n
t
hepast.Myf atherhi
mselfiscruel,
I'dhat etoadmit
t
hatheisn'tasbadasPapabutI '
dbel ying.Hei s
j
ustasbad.
Sasa:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Yourf
atheri
sri
ght
,Thembi
sa.
"
Sasa:"
I'
llt
ryt
alkt
ohi
m."
Nkosi:"
It
'snotsomethi
ngyoucantal
khim outof
baby.Myf ami
lydidhim wr
ong,
notyou.
"
Sasa:"
Hejustwal
kedi
nthehouse,
Ihavet
ogo.
"
Shehungup.
Nkosi
:"Fuck.
"
Mthunzi
:"What
'swrong."Idi
aledAmahl
e'
snumber
andputi
tonloudspeaker.
Ama:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
oknowwhatyourpeopl
ehave
pl
annedAmahle.Thi
sneedst
obef i
xed.
"She
si
ghed."Thembisasaysherf
atheraskedhert
o
choosebetweenmeandhi m."
Mt
hunzi
:"Jesus.That
'sdr
amat
ic.
"
Nkosi:"
IsitMt hunzi?Appar ently,mygrandfather
burnthisvil
laget othegr oundaf t
erhi
swi fedied.
Remembert hat ?Wehadn' tevenbeenbor nyet .
Thembisa'sf atherwast heonl yonetosurviveit.11
yearoldboy, runningandhi dingf r
om akingwho
wantedt oobl i
terat
eanent iregroupofpeopl ejust
because.Woul dyouwantyourdaught ertomar r
y
thatperson'
sgr andson?Amahl e?Whatisthepl an
here?"
Ama:"
Idon'
tknowNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"YOUCANTNOTKNOW!
!YOUCAN'
T!!
!!
"I
scr
eamed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e-"
Nkosi:"NoMt hunzi.Maybeyout wodon'tfucking
understand.I
'm eit
herabouttolosethemost
i
mpor tantpersoninmyl i
feorshewi lll
oseher
famil
y.Ifshechoosesme, shesti
llhastofightfor
herfuckingli
fefrom myownf ather.WHATI STHE
FUCKI
NGPLAN.
"
Ama:" Nkosi ,pleasecal m do- "Ifeltmybr aint ick.
BeforeIdest r oyedeveryt hingint hishouse, Iwal ked
tothebedr oom.Iwasal ongwayf arf r
om my
sacredpl ace.Ihadnot rees, nowoodsandIwasi n
unfamiliargr ounds.Icoul dn'tgof orar un.Icoul dn't
speakt oorseeThembi sa.Iwasgoi ngt olosemy
mindher e.Whydi dithavet obel i
ket his?Why
couldn'tthisonet hi
nggor i
ght?Theonl yt hi
ngt hat
mat t
eredt ome.Isawapi nksat i
nont hebat htub.I
walkedt oi t.Thembi sa'
sni ghtrobe.Ipi ckedi tup,
putitagai nstmynoset oosmel lher .Themat erial
j
ustassmoot hasherski n.Howcoul dIf i
xt his?
Mthunziwal kedi n,givi
ngmemyphone.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
sher
."Il
ookedatmyr
ingi
ngphone.

SASAPOV_

Isati
nmyr oom,pr
etendi
ngtoreadabook.My
fat
herwal
kedin,
lookingatme.
Xol
ani
:"Haveyoumadeyourdeci
sion?
"
Me:"
Tat
apl
ease.
"
Xolani
:"Letmemaket
hiseasy.Gi
vemet
hat
phone."
Me:"Tat
aI'
m beggingyou,
please.
"Het
ookt
he
phonefr
om me,looki
ngthr
oughi t
.
Xol ani:"
I'
m goi ngtodialhi snumber .Ifyou'r
e
planni ngtostayi nthishouseandobeyme, youwi l
l
tellhimt hatit
'sover.Youwantnot hingtodowi th
him, everagai n.Hewi llleaveyoual oneandnever
cont actyou.Ifyou'repl anningonchoosi nghim,tel
l
himt ocomepi ckyouup.Asyouar e, youwillwal
k
outt hatdoorandneverr eturn.Arewecl ear?"I
sobbedi ntomyhands." IsheMyl ove?I sthathi
m? "
Thephoner ang,onl oudspeaker .
Me:"Tatapleasedon'tdothi
s."Ibegged.Myheart
hopi
ngandpr ayi
nghedoesn'tanswerbutbecause
hewillnevernotanswertome, hedid.
Nkosi
:"Mylove.
"Il
ookedatmyfat
her
.Hestar
edat
me,noddi
ngtothephone."
Baby?What
'swr
ong?"
Me:"
Nkosi
."Ist
rai
ght
enedmyvoi
ce.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
I.
..Pl
easet
akecar
eofyour
sel
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,
wai
t-
"
Me:"
It
'sover
.Ican'
tseeyouagai
n."Hehungup.
Xolani :"Goodchoi ce.Youmayhat emenowbutyou
willthankmel ater.Youcandomuchbet terthan
thatboy.I 'l
lkeept his,incasehedoesn' tgett he
message. "Hewal kedout .Mychestachedi npai n
I'
veneverf el
tbef ore.Ami xt
ureofpai nandi n
differentvolumes.Il aybacki nbed,sobbi ng
uncont r
oll
ably.Idon' thaveanypl anbutI 'dget
Nkosiback.Ihat et hatIhadt ohur thim, wher ever
hei s,Iknowhe' sbr oken.Myf atherjustneededt o
begi vent i
me.Hehadt oeventuallyunder standt hat
IlovedNkosiandhi m.Ican'tchoose.Idon' twantt o.

Thenextmorning,Iwokeupear
ly.Iknowmyfather
wasupalreadybutprobabl
yint
hebackwi t
hthe
goat
ssohewoul dn'
tseemesneakoutthegat
e.I
gotdressedi
nmyl eggings,sweat
erandboots.
Quiet
lyopeningmybedr oom door
.Isnuckout.I
heardmyf at
heroutsi
de.
Xolani
:"Gobackt owhereyoucomefrom myboy."I
rushedoutsidet
oseewhohewast alkingto.Hehad
Qhamaont heground,
holdi
ngaknobkerri
einone
hand.
Me:"
Tat
a!!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
!"
Xolani
:"You'
regoi
ngtotel
lyourki
ngtor emoveall
theimposter
shehasplacedinthi
svil
lageorwewi l
l
forcef
ull
yremoveyou.Doyouunderstandme?"A
groupofmenf r
om ourvi
ll
agecamei nholdi
ngthei
r
ownweapons.
Me:"
Tat
a,pl
easest
opt
his!
!"
Xolani
:"Doyouhearme, myboy?Youwi lll
eave
nowandr elaythi
smessage.I fyouaretoreturnor
yourpeoplearesti
llher
ebymi dday,
tel
lhim he'
ll
watchthesamemovi ethathappenedinuMcebo
vi
ll
age.Go."Qhamagotup.
Qhama:"
Rat
herki
llme.
"
Xol
ani:"
Mthat
heni.
"Iqui
cklyj
umpedandgrabbed
onQhamapulli
nghim away."
Thembi
sa!
!!
"He
pul
ledmefrom hi
m.
Me:"
Qhamal
eave!Go!"Qhamaj
umpedoutt
heyar
d,
r
unni
ng."
Howcouldyoudothi
s?"
Xol
ani:"
I'
m notthevi
ll
ainher
eThembi
sa.Getback
i
nthathouse."
Me:"IHATEYOU. "Ispatont
hegr
ound,
wal
king
backtothehouse.
Mama:"Soearl
yinthemorni
ng.Whati
sthi
s
commotion?Whyisthecommunit
yinmyyard?
Thembi
sa? "
Thembisa:"
It
'syourhusbandMama! !Notonl ydi
d
hemakemebr eakupwithhi
m, he'
stryingtokil
la
manintheyardallbecausehe'
sheret oprotect
me!"Icr
ied.
Mama:"
YohXol
animan!
!!
"Hewal
kedi
n.
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m doi
ngwhat
'sbestf
oryou!
!"
Me:"Whatdoyouknowaboutwhat
'sbestf
orme?
!
I
'mtell
ingyout
hatIl
ovehi
m!"
Xol ani:"Sodi
dNonkosi!!
!Shel ovedhi mt oo!
!She
wasj ustli
keyouThembisa.Thevi ll
age'sonlyhope!
!
Hecamet hereandtookherfrom us, onlytogoand
kil
lher !!Andthatwasnotenough, hecamet oki l
l
ever ysingleoneofusallbecausehedi dn'twantto
havet oseetheplacehemethereveragai n.
"He
cried." Myhome.Mymot her
,myf ather,mybr ot
hers
Thembi sa.Mylif
e.Hetookalloft hatfrom ME.And
nowhewant stotakeyou?Ican' t
...Ican'tl
ethim
takemybaby. "Hebrokedown.Mymot herclosed
thedoor .
Mama:" Idon'tt
hinkanyonecanspeakanyl onger.
Bot hofyouarecrying.Ijustwokeup, ndi
ngafuni
.I
thinkwemustal lrestandpi ckuplat
er.Nowthe
neighborsarehere.Please."Iwenttomyr oom,
closingthedoorbehindme.

Aweekwentby.Myf ami
lywasquitelit
erall
y
i
gnoringeachother
.Iwasn'
tspeakingtomydad
andhewasn'tspeakingt
oanyoneel seinthehouse.
Ionl
yt al
kedtomum andNeleandst ayedinmy
room mostti
mes.I'
devenneglect
edt hegoatsand
chi
ckensbutf orthatIfeltreall
ybad.Iwasduet o
gobackt oschoolt omor row, andIdidn'tknowwhat
awaitedmei nMount ainPeak.Ihadn' tbeenabl eto
speakt oNkosif oraweek.Att hispoint,heprobably
thi
nksImeanti t.Ipackedmycl othesinmybag.I t
wassmal lbutIneededsomet hi
ngt odo.Af t
er
packing,Icleanedmysmal lroom.Myf atherwalked
i
n,sitt
ingont hebed.Ist illwasn'ttal
kingt ohi
m, he
gotwhathewant edthere'snor easont okeep
botheri
ngme.
Xolani
:"Thembi
sa."Il
ookedathim."Whydon'
tyou
underst
andI'mtr
yingtoprot
ectyou?Yourl
if
e?"
Me:"
Whywon'
tyoul
etmemakemyown
mi
stakes?
"
Xolani
:"Howwi
llyoul
ear
nfr
om ami
stakei
fyou'
re
dead?Thisi
sn'
tagame."
Me:"
Tat
a,I
'm sorr
yaboutwhathappenedt
oyour
f
ri
endbutt
hishasnothi
ngtodowi t
hNkosi
nhl
e.He
i
snothi
sgrandfat
her
."
Xol
ani
:"Nonkosiwasnotmyf r
iendThembi
sa.She
wasaninnocentyounggi
rli
nourcommunitywho
hadabr i
ghtf utureaheadofher .Wel ookedupt o
her.Wehadhi ghhopes, ast hevillage.Shewasnot
justbeaut i
ful
, shewaski nd, helpfulandcar i
ng.My
olderbrotherwant edt omar r
yher ,het r
iedtocour t
herbutshewassof ocusedonherbr ightfuture.
Untilthatkingcameal ong.Whatwi l
lyoudowi th
yourlifeifyou'rewi thhim Thembi sa?Let '
sbe
ambi t
iousandsay, yougetmar ri
edandyoul ive
happilyeveraf ter.You' l
lwhat ?Abandonyourl i
fe
whilehekeepshi sjustasi s?Abandonyourdr eams
andcar eer,tonour ishandenr ichhi m?Whatwi l
l
youdof oryour self
?You' llonlybepour ingintohis
cupandhavenot hingleft."Hesi ghed."Thembi sa
mnt anam, I'
m onl yt r
yingt oprotectyou.Youcando
somuchbet t
er .
"
Me:"
Whathappenedwhenyoul
eftt
hevi
ll
age?
"
Xolani:"Irantothenear estvil
lage.Mhlabomvu.I
stayedonl yaf ewweeksbef or
et hecommuni t
y
chasedmeaway.Si nceIdi dn'
tgr owupthereand
hadnopl acet oli
ve,
theyassumedIcamet osteal.I
wast ooaf raidtotel
lthem whathadhappenedi n
caset heyr eport
edme.Iwentf rom onevil
lageto
thenext .Att i
mes, sleepingi nthest reet sofat own
formont hsonend.Idi dt hisunt i
lIf oundaf ami l
y
thatt ookmei n.Ist ayedwi tht hem f oraf ewyear s.
WhenIwas20, I'dgot tenasmal ljob, savi ngabi tso
Icoul dbui l
dmysel fashack.Thedaught eroft he
fami l
yt hattookmei n,camehomeoneday, crying.
Shehadf oundt hatshewaspr egnantandbl amedi t
onme.I 'dnevert ouchedheri nmyl ife.Theman
thatimpr egnat edherwasherschoolt eacherand
shewaspr otect inghi mf rom bei ngbeat ent odeat h,
sot heeasi estt ar gettogetr i
dofwasme.She
accusedmeoff or cingmysel fonher .Att het i
meI
wascomi ngf r
om wor k.Thecommuni tyhad
gather edinthehomeandsoonasIcamei n,Iwas
conf rontedandbeat en.Iescapedwi thmyl ife.
Agai n.Icameher et oMt hinomkhul u, Iwasmeantt o
cont i
nuet ocr ossi ntot henextpr ovi ncet o
BathongaKi ngdom.Iwashopi ngi twoul dbebet t
er
there.InsteadIr anoutofmoney, soIbui ltmysel fa
huti nthewoodsher e.ThenImetyourmot her."I
sighed.Myf atherhadqui teadi fficul tlife.Almosta
decadeofsuf fering.Al lbecauseofoneman." When
youwer ebor n, Ipr omi sedIwoul dpr ot ectyouwi t
h
everyt
hingi
nme.Godknowsi fIknewyou'
dcross
pathswitht
hatman,I
'dhaveneveral
lowedyouto
gotoMount ai
nPeak.
"
Me:"
Youhaven'
tevengi
venhi
m achance.
"
Xolani
:"Atyourl
if
e'sexpense?No.Iwoul
dratherbe
deadthanacceptit
."Hegotup,walki
ngout.

PRI
NCEPOV_

I'
dfinallyfoundi t.Thehousei nmydr eam.I 'donly
describedi tt
oMt hunzionceandhef oundi tal
most
i
nstant l
y.Wel l,
ittookt wodays.Theownerwasn' t
sell
ingandsoIhadt oofferdoublethevaluepr i
ce.I
hadt ohavet hathouse.Thankf ul
lyheaccept ed.But
nowIhadmydr eam home, wit
houtmywi fe.Ihadn't
heardf rom hersi ncelastweekFr i
day.Afterthat
call
,Itriedtocal m myselfdown.Per hapsherf ather
hadf orcedher .InsteadIgotamessagei nr esponse,
tel
li
ngmet oleaveheral one.It
'sbeenadar kweek
formeandIdi dn'twanttot hi
nkaboutt hi
sany
l
onger .Iwokeupt hisSundaymor ninginmyhouse.
Thesal eandt ransferhadbeenf inali
zedon
Wednesday, t
heownermovedoutbyFr i
day.Ionly
hadabedpl acedi nhere.BeingeNt abeniwas
painful.Ididn'tevenwantt oseemyf amily.I
couldn'tstandt hem honest l
y.LastweekSat urdayI
hadt ri
edf orThembi saagain.Qhamacameback
bleeding.Itwast henthatIreali
zed, t
herecoul dbe
noget tingthroughThembi sa'sfather.Icoveredmy
headagai n,hearingthefrontdooropen.Whywas
Mt hunziher ewi t
hcompany?Idon' twantt otal
kor
bet al
kedt o.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi:"
Pleasegett
hef
uckout
.It
oldyouIwantt
o
bealone."
Ama:"
That
'sr
ude.
"
Nkosi
:"You'r
etheveryl
astper
sonIwantnearme,
Amahle."Shesatnextt
ome.
Ama:"
Ouch.ThankyouMt
hunzi
."Hewal
kedaway.
Nkosi
:"WhatdoyouwantAmahl
e?"
Ama:"
Icamet
ocheckonyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Real
ly?Youneededtocomeal lt
hewayher
e?
It
houghtyoucouldseethepresentandfut
ure.
"
Ama:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."Isatupt
olookather
.
Nkosi
:"Youknew.Yetyoukeptqui
et.
"
Ama:" Nkosi,
Ican'tknoweveryt
hing.Itol
dyouIsee
diff
erentreal
it
ies.I
noneshechoosesyou, overher
family.I
nanother,shechoosesherfatherand
regretsi
t.WhatwasIsupposedt odo? "
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumeansher
egr
etsi
t?"
Ama:"Exact
lyt
hat
.Sher
egr
etschoosi
ngherl
if
e
wi
thoutyou.
"
Nkosi:"
butIcan'
texpecthert
oabandonher
f
amily."
Ama:"
Thenwhyar
eyouangr
yatever
yone?
"
Nkosi:"WhomustIbeangr yatAmahle?The
grandfat
herIlove,whoisnolongeral
ivebuthas
happilyl
eftatrai
lofpai
n,andtraumaformet ogo
through?"Shesighed.
Ama:"Whathappenedi
nthepastwashor
ri
blebut
wecan'tchangei
tnow.
"
Nkosi
:"Tel
lthatt
othemanwhohadt
owat
chhi
s
f
amilyburn.
"
Ama:"
Whatdoyouwantmet
odoNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,Idon'
twantt
obewi
thout
Thembisa.
"
Ama:"
Iknowt
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Pl
easet
ellme.Tel
lmeanyt
hing.
"
Ama:"
You'
regoi
ngt
ohavet
obest
rong.
"
Nkosi
:"Cl
ear
er.
"
Ama:"YouwillseeThembisa.Today.
"Myheart
movedbackt oit
splace."
Don'tdoitNkosi
nhl
e.
Don'
trepeathist
ory.Pl
ease.
"
Nkosi
:"They'
renotgi
vingmemuchofachoi
cenow,
ar
ethey?"
Ama:"They'
regivi
ngyouplent
yofchoi
ce.Just
choosether
ightone.I
twi
llbesaf
erforher
."
Nkosi
:"Andwhati
sther
ightchoi
ce.
"
Ama:"
I'
m notal
lowedtotel
lyouthat
."Shelookedat
myphoneonthedresser
."So,howisanyone
supposedt
ocontactyouifyourphoneisoff
?"It
ook
myphone,swi
tchingiton."
Please.Don'
t.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m notgoingt oelope.IheardyouAmahl e.
"
Myhandswer eshaking,asIwat chedmyphone
swit
chon.Inj ustafewmi nut
es,myphoner ecei
ved
amessage." Ineedtoseeyou. "Ididn'tknowthis
number.Nooneknewmynumberexceptf ormy
fat
her,Mthunzi,AmahleandThembi sa.The
messagewasonl yafewmi nutesold.Idial
edthe
number.
"
Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa?
"
Sasa:"
Hey.
..Uhm canIpl
easeseeyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Yesyoucan.IcansendQhama-
"
Sasa:"
No.I'
mi nMount
ainPeak.Weneedt
obe
car
efulher
e."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Amahl
ewi
llcomet
oyou.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.Seeyousoon.
"Shehungup.Idon'
t
knowwhatthismeant
.Hertonewasver
ydiff
erent
.I
l
ookedatAmahle.
Ama:"
Don'
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihear
dyout
hef
ir
stt
imeAmahl
e.Damn.
"
Ama:"
Doyouwantt
oheart
het
woopt
ions?
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
llt
heyhur
t?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi:"
Thenno.
"Shel
ookedathert
hincol
dhands,
f
iddl
ingthem.
Ama:"
Shedi
esi
nbot
h."Mybl
oodwentcol
d.
Nkosi
:"I
fshecomest oseemetoday,
itwi
llsealher
f
ate.
"Shedidn'
trespond."
Don'
tbri
ngherhere.
"
Ama:"
Butyousai
d-"
Nkosi:"Tel
lherI
'
vechangedmymi nd.AmahleIwill
neverforgi
vemyselfi
fshedi
es.I
t'
sfine.I
t'
sbetter
she'
sawayf r
om me.Tel
lher
,wecan'tbetoget
her.
"
Ama:"
Nkosi
-"
Nkosi
:"Pleaseleave.
"Myvoi
cewasshakyi
naway
I
'veneverhearditbefor
e.
Ama:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"Shegotup,
wal
kingout
.
[
07/27,05:
52] :Pl
easereadprevi
ouspostont
he
announcement
sofwhathappened.

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er43

SASAPOV_

Iunpackedmybagofcl ot hes, r
epackingdi fferent
cl
othesandot heressent i
alsasmuchasIcoul dfit
i
ntoit.Idisconnect edmysyst em andpackedi tup
al
ongwi t
hmyl aptop.Si nceIwasdoi ngonl i
ne
l
ectures,Icouldqui telit
er all
ydoi tfr
om anywher e,
hopefull
yeNt abeni.Atl easti thasinternet.Asl ong
asI'm nexttohim.Idon' tknowwhatt hef utureheld
butIknowIcoul dn'tletgoofNkosi .Myf atherwas
hurtandIunder st
andt hatbutonceheseest hat
Nkosiisdi f
fer
ent ,
hewi llgivehisblessings.I 've
packedandf i
nishedwi t
hever ythi
ng.Petucamei n.
Wehuggedeachotherasifwehadn'tseeneach
ot
heri
nyears.Si
nceIcoul
dn'tcont
actanyone,she
waspr
obabl
ywor ri
edaboutme.
Pet
u:"
Whathappenedt
oyou.
"
Me:"
Myf
atherconf
iscat
edmyphone.I
magi
ne.
"
Pet
u:"
Ohno.Why?
"
Me:"
Hedoesn'
tappr
oveofNkosi
.Hewant
smet
o
st
ayawayf
rom hi
m."
Pet
u:"What?That
'sinsane.Doeshenotunder
stand
NkosiHisHi
ghnessisthef ut
ureKing?Who
wouldn'
twantt
hatfortheirdaught
er?"
Me:"Mydad.It'
salongstor
ybabe.Tellmewhat
yougotupto.Icoul
dn'
thearaboutyourdat
e.How
didt
hatgo?
"Shequi et
lyscr
eamed.
Pet
u:"Gi
ii
ir
rl.So,hecamet opickmeupr i
ght?We
wentt
oTempabecauseIwant edtobenearRes.
Wehaddinner ,
ani ceconver
sati
onandthen,hetold
mehisbrotheractuall
ysentthemessageforhi
m. "
Me:"
Eww,
Sibonel
o?"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Pet
u:"
No.Zwe.
"
Me:"
Right
!And?
"
Petu:"ThenItoldhim Iwasskept i
calatf
ir
st.
Whet heritwashim andwhat ever
.Theconversat
ion
movedt oourexpectat
ions.Istat
edthatIwasn'
t
expectinganyrelat
ionship,Iknowexactl
ywhyhe
call
edme. "
Me:"
Don'
tkeepmei
nsuspense.
"
Pet
u:"It
oldhim,thatIwant
edt obetouchedsoft
ly,
andtheagreementwasthatitwasonlysex.
Nothi
ngmor e.Thenwewentt otheapart
ment."
Me:"
PETU!
!Yousai
dthatt
ohi
m?"
Pet
u:"WhatwasIsupposedtodoSasa,
Iwas
st
arvi
ng.Haveyouseenthatman?
"Welaughed.
Me:"
Andhowwasi
t?"
Pet
u:"Ohhhh.
"Shef el
lonthebed."
Sof
ucking
per
fect.I
'
venevercum li
kethati
nmywholeli
fe.
"I
gi
ggled.
Me:"
Fri
end.
."Isqueal
edexci
tedf
orher
.
Pet
u:"Yoh.If
orgetI
'
m speaki
ngtoaf ut
urequeen
her
e.Buthewassoamazi ngSasa.Thatmancan
workhisrod.No,he'
sver
yskil
ledthere.Butthat
's
nottheonlythi
ng.He'
ssogentleandsweet .He
whisper
skindsexywordsinmyear .Thewayhe
l
ooksatme?YohThembi sa,Ihaveaf earI'
ve
caughtfeel
ings.
"
Me:"EyPetu.It
houghtyousai
dit
'snost
ri
ngs
at
tached?
"
Petu:"
Notwhenhecal l
smehi sbeautif
ulf
lower.
Hisgorgeousbutter
fl
y.I'
m sorry,
thatseal
editf
or
me.Hej ustl
ooksatmybodyanddr ool
s,l
ikewhat
thehel
listhatabout?"Sheblushed.
Me:" I
'm happythatyou' r
eenjoyi
ngyour selfmy
fri
end."Ineededt ospeakt oNothandoASAP.She
andMnqobineedt otellPet
utheirarrangementand
theyneedt odoi tsoon.She'salr
eadycat ching
feeli
ngs,thi
scanonl ygosout h.Ican'tinvol ve
mysel fbecauseIdon' tknowifshealr eadyknows
orwhatar etheconsequencesofr evealingan
arrangementbef oreit
spubl i
cannouncement .They
needt oclari
fy.
Pet
u:"
So,
howwasyourf
ewdayswi
thKi
ngBae?
"I
smi
led,
looki
ngatmybags.
Me:"Amazi
ng.Soamazi
ng,
Ithi
nki
t'
sti
meImoved
out
."
Pet
u:"
THEMBI
SA.Tot
hepal
ace?
"
Me:"Ohhellno."Il
aughed."Tohi
svi l
la.I
'l
lbemor
e
prot
ectedt
her eanyways.I
'l
lcont
inueat t
endi
ng
schoolonl
ine.I'
l
lvideocal
lyoueveryday."
Petu:"
Myfr
iend,
thi
sisbi
g.I
'
m sohappy!
!"She
huggedme.
Me:"
Thankyoubabe.Soyou'
l
lhaveAmahl
eand
Not
handoherewi
thyou.I
sZimmyback?"
Pet
u:"Uhm.
..
no.She'
sbeenacti
ngstrangel
atel
y.
Shehaswit
hdrawnal
ot.Doesn'
tanswercal
ls.
Nothi
ng.
"
Me:"That
'sunl
ikeheratal
l.Maybeweshoul
dcal
l
her
?"
Pet
u:"
Okay,
bef
oreyougo.
"
Me:"
Didyouhangoutwi
thNot
hando?
"
Pet
u:"
Alot
,yeah.Bet
weenherandMnqobi
,Iwas
ver
ybusy.
"Oh,
thi
sisbad.
Me:"
Howisshe?Didshetal
kabouther
sel
f?Her
f
utur
epl
ans?Prospect
s?Rel
ati
onshi
p?"
Petu:"
She'sNothando.Barel
yspeaksbutthisweek
wasbetter.Shedidtellmeali
tt
leaboutherhome,
GoldenCrown.Eveni nvi
tedmetovisi
tduri
ngthe
nextholi
day."
Me:"
Petu!
!That'
shuge!You'
regoi
ngt
obel
ivi
ngi
n
apal
ace?Likeapri
ncess!
"
Petu:"I
magi
ne!Yoh.Anyway,sheal
sosaidshe'
s
engagedtoapri
nce.Iwasn'
texpecti
ngthat
.
Nothandoseems..
.di
ffer
ent
.Ididn'
tthi
nksheli
ked
people.
"
Me:"
Right
.It
'spr
obabl
yar
oyalt
hing.
"
Pet
u:"No,
theBi
yel
a'
sar
enor
mal
.They'
rever
y
chi
ll
ed.
"
Me:"
Oh?
"
Pet
u:"Yeah.SoFr
iday,weweresupposedtogoto
Si
bonelo'
shousebutIfel
tgui
lt
yleavi
ngNothando
al
oneafterwehadplannedanaft
ernoon.SoI
chil
ledwit
hheruntilshegott
iredofmeandwentt
o
sl
eepatnight.Mnqobicamet opickmeupandwe
wenttoSibonel
o'shouse.TherewasKhaya,
Sibonel
o,ZweandZi mmy."
Me:"
Oh?
"
Petu:"Iwasn'
tcomf ort
ablewithSibonel
oatfi
rst
.
I'
m sti
llnot
,actual
ly.However,hewasn'tweir
dor
saidanythi
ngoutofl i
ne.Infact,
Mnqobisayshe
hasleftyoualone.Youdon'thavet oworr
yaboutit
butIdon'ttr
ustSibonelosokeepyourguar dup
sti
ll
."
Me:" Pet
u,you'
reinvolvedwi t
hMnqobi.He'
sver
y
closetohisbrother,
you'llchi
llwi
thhi
m al
otsodon'
t
feelguil
tyaboutthat.Iknowyouhavemyback."
Petu:"
Okaybabe.Ijustwant
edyoutoknow."The
dooropened.Amahlewalkedin.Webothj
umpedup
tohugher.Ihadn'
tseenherinweeks.Weonly
spokeonthephone.
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hey!
"
Pet
u:"
OhmyGod,
Imi
ssedyou.
"
Ama:"
Imi
ssedyout
oo.
"
Me:"
Canwechi
llabi
t?Justt
ocat
chup.Wher
eis
Not
hando?
"
Ama:"Onherway.
"Sheputherbagdown.Why
coul
dn'
tshelookmeint
heeye?
Me:"
Areyouokay?Youl
ookupset
?"Shekeptqui
et.
Not
handowalkedi
n.
Not
ha:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
HiNot
ha.
"
Pet
u:"
Heybabe.
"
Not
ha:"
CanIt
alkt
oyou?
"Shel
ookedatPet
u.
Pet
u:"
Sur
e."
Notha:"
PleaseFol
lowme."Fi
nal
ly,
she'
l
lbetel
li
ng
herthet
ruth.Amahlecl
osedt
hedooraf
tert
hey
walkedout.
Me:"
What
'swr
ong?
"Shesatnextt
ome.
Ama:"
Nkosir
eal
lyl
ovesyou.Iknowt
hatbecause
hewouldr
athersacr
if
icehishappi
nessforyour
l
if
e."Whywasmyhear tbeati
ngthi
sfastnow?
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngonAmahl
e?"
Ama:"Hetol
dmet ot
ellyou,
he'
schangedhi
smind.
Henolongerwant
stoseeyou.Hedoesn'
twantt
o
bewit
hyou."
Me:"Amahleyoudon' tunderstand.Iknowhowit
mayseem, Ididn'twantt
obr eakupwi thhi
m butmy
f
atherfor
cedme.Het ookmyphoneandkeptmei n
t
hehouse, Icouldn'
tcontacthim.That'swhatI
wantedtoexplaintoday.
"
Ama:"Heknows.I
t'
sjustsaf
erforyoutonotbe
wit
hhim."Mythr
oatclosedwit
htheslowi
ngofmy
hear
tbeat
.
Me:"Amahle,I'
vepackedmybags.Togobewi t
h
him.
"Ichoked, t
hetear
sfal
li
ngdownmyf ace."
We
canbetogether,wecantr
y.Hecanprot
ectme.I
knowhecan. "Icri
ed.
Ama:"I
'm sor
ry.
"Iwasst
ruggli
ngt obreathi
ndire
needt
ohearhersayshe'
sj oki
ngbutshewasn' t
.
Nkosi
'
sphonewasnotgoi ngthrough.Itwasover.
PETUPOV_

Nothatookmetoherr
oom whichwasmuchbigger
andshedidn'
tshar
eit
.Iexpect
edt
hat,
sinceshe'
s
royal
.
Pet
u:"
Sowhat
'sup?
"Isatont
hecouch.
Not
ha:"
Howar
eyou?
"Thi
swasr
andom.
Pet
u:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Notha:"
Great
.Wascomi ngdownwithafluafew
daysago,haditcheckedsoI'
mfine.Dr
ink?"
Pet
u:"
Nothankyou.
"Shesati
nfrontofmewi
thher
gl
assofj
uice."
Youwant
edtotal
k?"
Not
ha:"
NoIdon'
t.
"
Pet
u:"
Sweet
hear
t,t
hat
'swhatyousai
d."
Not
ha:"Il
ied.Amahl
eneededtospeaktoThembi
sa
sosheaskedmet ogetyououtt
heroom."
Pet
u:"
Whydi
dn'
tyouj
ustsayt
hat
?Iwoul
d'vegi
ven
them space.Iknowthere'
salotI'
m notal
lowedt
o
knowsi nceshe'sdat
ingHisHighness.
"
Not
ha:"
Okay.
"Shesi
ppedherj
uice."
How'
s
Mnqobi
."
Pet
u:"
He'
sfi
ne.Spoket
ohi
mthi
smor
ning.
"
Not
ha:"
Youguysar
edat
ingnow?
"
Pet
u:"
No.St
ri
ctl
yjusthooki
ngup.
"
Notha:"Butyoutalkeveryday.
"Shesi
ppedherj
uice
again.Am Iinaninter
view?
Petu:"Yeah.Weshar
esomei nt
erest
s.Nothando,
haveyouandMnqobihadat hing?Thefir
stti
meI
mentionedyou'
remyf r
iend,hekindofzonedout.
Hesaidnobutsomet hi
ngi soff.
"
Not
ha:"
Wedon'
thaveat
hing.
"
Pet
u:"
Oh.MaybeI
'
mjusti
magi
ningi
t.
"
Not
ha:"
Yout
oldhi
m we'
ref
ri
ends?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.Ar
en'
twe?
"
Notha:"
Isuppose.
"Shef
ini
shedherj
uice."
Doyou
mindifIread?
"
Petu:"No,knockyour sel
fout."It
ookoutmyphone,
goingthroughsocials.Ihadacut emi rr
orselfi
et hat
Iwantedt opost.I
t'
sbeenawhi l
esinceIdid,soI
postedit,t
urni
ngof fmycomment s.Iscrol
led
thr
oughsomemor ethensawMnqobihadpost eda
newphot oaboutanhourago.Hel ookedsof ii
ine.I
obviousl
yl i
kediti
mmedi at
elythengotof fsocial
s.
Pet
u:"
Love,
doyouhaveheadphones?
"
Notha:"
Fir
stdrawer
."Shewasveryfocusedonher
book.Whatwasitabout?Sheneverputst
hatthi
ng
down."I
sthist
hesamebookyou' vebeenreadi
ng
foramonth?"
Not
ha:"
No.Thi
sist
hesi
xth.
"
Pet
u:"
Your
eadonebooki
nlesst
hanaweek?
"
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"
Pet
u:"
Jesus.That
'sf
ast
."
Notha:"I
t'
stooslow.Unfort
unatel
yIhaveschool
worktodosoIcan' tgetmoreti
met oread.Idi
d
fi
nishtwothisholi
daythough.Notfr
om thisser
ies
however,Ineededachange."
Pet
u:"
Sothisi
saser
ies?Li
kemanybooksoft
he
samestor
y?"
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"
Pet
u:"
What
'si
tabout
?Youseem sover
yint
erest
ed
i
nit
?"
Notha:"
It
'stheGameofKingsser
ies.Thebook
ver
sion,t
hey'r
emuchbett
erthantheTVseries.
"
Pet
u:"
Oh.Howmanybooksi
sit
?"
Not
ha:"
10.Thi
sist
he6t
h."
Petu:"
Wow.Sowhati
stheot
herones,
yousai
dyou
neededachange?
"
Notha:"
Moreorlesst
hesamest
oryf
rom adi
ff
erent
per
specti
ve.Li
keaspinof
f.
"
Petu:" Oh.Isee.
"Itookt heheadphonesf r
om the
drawerandr el
axedont hecouch, l
eavingherto
readherbook.Ir eceivedamessagef r
om Mnqobi :
<heybeaut iful
.MayIpl easetakeyououtt odinner
tonight?>Ismi l
ed,doingalit
tledance.Iresponded:
<I'
dl ovethat.Whattimeshoul dIbeready? >Isenti
t,
giggling.
Not
ha:"
Youokay?
"
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
askedmeoutt
odi
nner
."
Not
ha:"
Thoughti
twasj
ustsex.
"
Pet
u:"
Ithoughtsot
oo.It
hinkheli
kesmebutIdon'
t
wantt
ogettooaheadofmyself
."
Notha:"
Hedefi
nit
elyl
ikesyou.
"Shet
urnedherpage,
hereyesgl
uedonthenextpageimmediat
ely.
Pet
u:"
Whatshoul
dIwear
?"
Not
ha:"
Youlookgoodinadress.I
never
ythi
ngi
n
f
actsoIdoubti
t'
llmat
ter
."
Petu:"
Doyouthi
nki
t'
sagoodidea?ThatI
'
m
spendi
ngthi
smuchti
mewithhim?"
Not
ha:"
Whywoul
dn'
titbe?
"
Petu:"
Becauseyouknow.
..I
'
m st
art
ingt
olikehi
m
andweal readysai
dwewon'
tbedat
ing,
itwas
str
ict
lysex."
Not
ha:"
Justaskhi
m."
Pet
u:"
Ican'
tdot
hat
."
Notha:"
Ofcour
seyoucan.I
fyou'
reshowinghi
m
yourvagi
nayoucanaskhi
m anyt
hingyouwant.
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowNot
ha.
"
Not
ha:"
Wel
l,
knowi
sal
lI'
m sayi
ng.
"
Petu:"Iwastheonewhoi ni
ti
atedsexwi
thno
stri
ngs.IfIst
artaski
ngaboutdati
nghe'
l
lthi
nkI
tr
ickedhim."
Notha:"Anymanwhocanbetri
ckedbysex
absolut
elydeser
vesi
t.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Pet
u:"
Ithi
nkI
'
llj
ustenj
oyt
hisf
ornow.
"
Not
ha:"
Ifyousayso.
"..
.

KHAYAPOV_

Ienj
oyedmySundaysl azyingaboutbymysel fbut
wit
hZimmygoi ngt
hroughherthings,
Ihadt ogive
herspace.Schoolwasstart
ingagaintomorrow.I
wasgratefulf
orsomethingtodo,fi
nall
y.
Downstair
s,ZweandSi bonelowerehaving
breakf
ast
.Mnqobicamef
rom t
heki
tchenandsat
downaswell
.
Khaya:"
Mor
ningbr
other
s."
Si
bo:"
Wher
e'syourf
ri
end?
"
Khaya:"Attheapart
mentst i
llandbefor
eany
suspi
cionsarise,
she'sgoingthrougharought
ime.
Herparentsaregett
ingdivorced.Sosheneeds
somet i
meoutandal one."
Zwe:"
That
'sgoodt
hatyou'
reof
fer
ingyourspacet
o
her
."
Khaya:"
ThankyouBhutZwe.
"
Mnqobi
:"You'
regoi
ngi
nsane,
aren'
tyou?
"
Khaya:"
Becauseshe'
ssleepi
nginmybed.Wear
ing
myt-shi
rt
s.Whatdoesitmean?"
Mnqobi
:"Meansshe'
sinl
ooooove.
"
Khaya:"
Zimmy?Pl
ease.Don'
tbesi
ll
y."
Zwe:
"Isi
tbecauseofSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingwr
ong!
"
Zwe:
"Isn'
tsheoneofyour
..
.gi
rl
s."
Si
bo:"
Absol
utel
ynot
.Weonl
yhookeduponce.
"
Zwe:"Thi
sisdist
urbi
ng.That
'swhyKhayacan'
t
appr
oachher."
Khaya:"
Whywoul
dIappr
oachherBhutZwe?
"
Si
bo:"
YohZwe.Canyoul
eavemeal
one?
"
Zwe:"NoIcan't
.HowmustKhayapur
sueanyonei
f
you'
reaft
erthem?"
Sibo:"
Youcan'
tbeseri
ous.I
'
ml i
kel
ytomar r
y
someonehehasfuckedtoo,
haveyouseenhis
hist
ory?He'
sbeenwit
htheenti
repr
ovince.
"
Zwe:"That'
sobvi
ousl
ynott
rue.You'
l
lbemar
ryi
nga
vi
rgi
n,aren'
tyou?
"
Sibo:"
I'
dr at
hereatgl
ass.Canwedr opthistopi
c?
Khaya,I'
m notaft
eryourwomen.Zwe, pleasestop
fi
ll
inghismindwi t
hthatt
heorybecauseit'
snott r
ue.
However ,
ZimisnotwhoI '
m aski
ngabout .
"
Zwe:
"Sur
pri
sesur
pri
se.
"Hedr
ankhi
scof
fee.
Khaya:"
Whoar
eyouaski
ngaboutSbo?
"
Si
bo:"
Sasa.Wher
eisshe?
"
Khaya:"
Probabl
yatRes.
"
Si
bo:"
Isshest
il
lat
tendi
ngonl
inel
ear
ning?
"
Zwe:
"Whydoyouwantt
oknow?
"
Si
bo:"
Khayaanswerme.
"
Khaya:"
Ithi
nkso.
"Hesi
ghed."
What
'swr
ong?
"
Si
bo:"Nothi
ng.Al
lsancti
onsar
oundherhavebeen
l
if
ted.She'
snolongerbei
ngwatched.
"
Khaya:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Si
bo:"
Coul
dbeoneoft
wot
hingsr
eal
ly.
"
Zwe:
"Wel
l?
"
Sibo:"
It
'seit
herthet
argetisoffherback.Or
..
.
Whoeveriswatchinghergotwhatt heywant
edand
they'
reonl
ywai t
ingforoppor
tunit
y.So..
.Advi
seher
tobecareful
."
Zwe:
"Oppor
tuni
tyt
odowhat
?"
Si
bo:"
Kil
lherobvi
ousl
y."Het
ossedapor
kbanger
i
nhismouth.
Zwe:
"Thatcan'
tber
ight
.Howdoyouknowt
his?
"
Si
bo:"
Youf orgotIst
udyassassi
nat
iont
act
icsand
ki
ngorder
sf orfun?"
Khaya:"
W-whowant
stoki
llher
?"
Sibo:"That '
swhatIcan' tfi
gur eoutact ually.It'
s
beenr eallybotheringmef orawhi l
eandabi t.My
guessi saj uggl ebetweenKi ngSi khosana, King
BathongaorKi ngNakhamul a.Justt hatIdon' tget
whyKi ngSi khosanawoul dwantt okil
lher ?Thef act
she'sacommonerandl oveshi ssondoesn' tgive
muchr eason.ThewayMehl ul iisprotectingher ,I
doubthe' sevenseenher .SoIcan' tfiguret hatout .
HoweverKi ngBathongai sver ysuspi ciousbecause
hewant sMehl ulitomar ryhisdaught erSamu.Thi s
willobviousl ybenefitthem gr eatly,whywoul dn'the
ki
lltheobst acl
e?He' snumber1onmysuspectl i
st.
ThenNakhamul a'
sar ejustNakhamul ing.They' ve
tr
iedtodet hronebef orebutf ailed.Aver ydumb
bunch, I'
m gonnaj ustsayt hat ."Hechuckl ed.If el
t
chill
sgoi ngt hroughmywhol ebody.
Zwe:
"Haveyouaskedyourf
ather
?"
Sibo:"
Itri
edbuthe'
snotl
ett
ingup.Youaskhi
m."
Thembisa'sli
fewasi
ndangersti
ll
?Howlongwoul
d
thi
sgof or?
Khaya:"Ican'
tjustst
andbyandwat
chherdi
eSbo.
Ican'
t.Ihavetodosomething.
"
Si
bo:"
Maybeyouhaveanar
myIdon'
tknowabout
?"
Khaya:"Idon'
tneedanar
myt
opr
otectani
nnocent
per
son!!Please.
"
Sibo:"Khaya, Iknowjustasmuchasyoudo.
Whoevert hi
sisCLEARLYdi dn'tneedpermissi
onto-
"somet hingcl i
ckedi
nhi sbrain.Icoul
dseet heli
ght
bulbmomentonhi sface."OhmyGod.I t'
sKing
Sikhosana.He' stheonlyKingt hatdoesn'
tneed
permissionf oranassassinati
on. "Hegasped.
Zwe:
"Whyt
hehel
lwoul
dhewantt
oki
llher
?"
Sibo:"That
'stherealj
uice.WhywouldKing
Sikhosanawantt okil
laninnocentgi
rl
?"Hesatback
i
nhi schair
,thinki
ngdeeply."
Sheknows
somet hi
ng."
Khaya:"
Sur
elynot
."
Sibo:"Ohshedoes.Shefoundsomethi
ngoutabout
Sikhosana.Whyelsewouldhegetr
idofher
?Oooh,
thisi
sgood."
Zwe:
"Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
"Si
bonel
osmi
led.
Sibo:"
Icanof
ferherf
ullpr
otect
ion,
ifandonl
yif
,
shetel
lsmewhatshefoundaboutthem."
Zwe:"Whatfullprot
ectionareyouonabout ?You
thi
nkSikhosanawi l
ljustlethergobecauseshe's
gotyouonhersi de?Alsoshedoesn' tl
ikeyou.
"
Sibo:"
Nobuthecan' taffordt
ostar tawarwi t
hus.
Mnqobihashi sall
iancewi thPhakami sa.Wehave
theNakhamul a'
sonoursi deandt heMpondo' sas
wellbecauseremembert heyonlyhavepr i
ncesses,
wehavet wobachel orPrinces.Power fulones,
mightIadd.Noonewi l
lsupporthim.Al so,it
'snot
l
ikehe'l
lbargeourpal acegunsbl azing.Herl i
fein
exchangeforthei
rsecr et.Soundsl i
keaf airtradet
o
me."
Zwe:"Andwhatifsheknowsnothi
ng?Whati
fit
's
anot
hercaseofthecruelki
ng?Remembert
hestory
wewer et
aughtabouthowhiswifedi
ed?Whati
f
shewaskill
edtoneut
ral
izehim?Tomakehi m cr
uel
?
Howar eyougoi
ngtoprotectt
hisi
nnocentgi
rl
Sibonel
o?"
Sibo:"
Iknowt here'
ssomething.Ij
ustknowt hey'
re
hidi
ngsomet hingandit'
shuge.I'
dhatetothink
they'
resacr
if
icingthesewomenf orthethr
onebutI
honestl
ywoul dn'
tbesurpri
sed."Hewhispered.
Khaya:"
Sbo,
weneedsol
uti
ons!
!"Hesi
ghed.
Si
bo:"
Howmuchdoyouknowaboutukut
hwal
a?"
Zwe:
"ABSOLUTELYNOT!
!NO.
"
Sibo:"
I'
m outofsuggesti
ons.I
fanyofyouhave
anothersoluti
onforget
ti
ngherawayfr
om hi
sfir
ing
l
ine,safel
y,thenmaybespeakup."
Mnqobi:"
Maybewe'rej
umpingthegunhere.
Per
hapsthesanct
ionswereli
ft
edbecausesheno
l
ongerposesathr
eattothet
hrone?
"
Sibo:"
Wouldyourat
herbeprepar
edforbat
tl
eor
hopeyourenemiesj
ustsuddenl
yfor
getaboutyou?
"
..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
53] :*
*REPOST.
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er44

OneWeekLat
er.

SASAPOV_

Thisweekwaspr obabl yt
hehar destinmyl ife.It
wasonet hi
ngnotbei ngabletospeakt ohim whi l
eI
wasi nMthi
nomkhul ubutIhadt hehopeI '
dcome
heretoMountainPeakandmaket hingsr i
ght.Ihad
thehopethatwe'dbet ogether,
livetogetherand
j
ustshuteveryt
hingel seout.Ihaven'thadt heheart
tounpackmyt hi
ngsorat tendschool .Ineededt o
getmyselft
ogether.ItwasaSunday.Ineededa
shower,myhairwashedandsetupmyschool i
ng
system f
ortomorrow.Igotoutofbed.Amahl ewas
awakeaswel l
.
Me:"
Mor
ning.
"
Ama:" Hel l
o. "Itookmyt hingstogoshower .WhenI
l
ookedi nthemi rr
or ,myeyeswer efull
yswol l
enand
red, Iexpect edt hat.Ilookedhor r
ibl
e.Nott hatit
mat teredbecausenoonewoul dseemeanyway.I
tookmyshower ,alsowashi ngmyhai r
.Iwentt othe
bedr oom t odr essi nleggingsandacr opt op.I
changedmybeddi ng,putti
ngincleansheet sduvet
andpi l
low.Ibundl edupmyl aundryandputi taside
thenpl acedmyl apt opandschoolsyst em onmy
desk.Imadeacupofcof feeandsati nmydesk
checki ngmyemai ls.Ihadanumberoft hem
i
ncl udingt wof r
om t heHODenqui ri
ngaboutmy
attendance.I '
dmi ssedaf ullweekandnoonecoul d
gethol dofme.Idi dn'thaveanexcusebutmade
somet hingup.I 'dr eceivedmyassi gnment sandI
alsohadat estt hisweekbutIhadt oattend
unf ortunat ely.Icoul dn'twr i
tei
tonline.Itwason
Tuesday.Iwr otedownt hedate.Ihadt ost udy
startingf rom r ightnow.
Ama:"
Wouldyouli
ketogetsomet
hingt
oeat
?"I
'
d
beenl
ivi
ngononesandwi
chadayandbeen
absol
utel
yfi
ne.
Me:"
Idon'
tfeell
ikegoi
ngout
."
Ama:"
Shoul
dIor
dersomet
hing?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Ama:"
Areyour
eadyt
oseePet
uandNot
ha?
"
Me:" Sur e."Theembarrassmentofbei
ngdumped
fel
tl i
kenot hi
ngcompar edtot
heheart
break.I
neededheadachepi l
ls.Mybackpackwasundermy
desk, Ireacheddownchecki ngfort
hebottleofpai
n
kil
lers.It ooktwoandcont i
nuedtosor
tthroughmy
wor k.
Ama:"
Sasa.
"
Me:"
Amahl
e."
Ama:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
It
'sfi
neAmahle.I
'
m movi
ngon.
"Myphone
r
ang.Thecal
lerI
Dshowedmyfat
her
.Ianswer
ed.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Xol
ani
:"Hel
loThembi
sa.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
neTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Okay.You'
rest
il
lupset
?"
Me:"I
'
mtr
yingt
ost
udyIhaveat
estonTuesday
Tat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Ineverwant
edt
hist
ohappent
ous.
"
Me:"Wel li
tdi
dTat a.Ichoseyou.Unfor
tunat
ely,
thati
ssomet hingthathasreal
lyhurtmebeyond
beli
ef.Ican'
tjustbeokay.I'
m goingtoneedmy
spacenow. "
Xol
ani
:"Okay.I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
GoodbyeTat
a."Ihungup.
Ama:"
Youshoul
dn'
tbesohar
donhi
m."
Me:"Amahle,I'
mt r
ying.I'
mt ryi
ngt hebestIcant o
processt
hepainI '
mi n,Icannotf ort helif
eofme
accommodat eotherpeopl e'sfeel
ingsandt rauma.
Hehadavar iet
yofopt i
onsofhowandwhent otal
k
tomeaboutwhathewentt hroughi nstead,he
chosetohurtme.Vi ol
ently.Ican't.No. "
Ama:"
Iunderst
and."MyphonerangagainandI
wasaboutt
oswi t
chitof
fbef
orereal
isi
ngit
'sKhaya.
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Khaya:"Finall
y.I
'
vebeencal
li
ngal
lweek.Why
ar
en'tyout aki
ngmycall
s?Areyouwi
thhim?"He
whispered.
Me:"
Whyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing?NoI
'
m notwi
thhi
m."
Khaya:"
Ineedtospeakt
oyou.Youcan'
tcomeout
ofRes.Notanyt
imesoon.
"Hewhisper
ed.
Me:"
Khaya,
Icanhar
dlyhearyou.
"
Khaya:"I
'
m saying,don'
tgooutsi
de.Ican'
ttext
.I
don'
tknowhowt ospeaktoyou.Thembisa,
apparent
lythepeoplewhowerewat chi
ngyou,no
l
ongerare."
Me:"
Okay?
"That
'sagoodt
hing.Isuppose.
Khaya:"Right ,
whichmeansyourl if
emaybei n
danger.SibonelosuspectsthatKingSi khosana
mightbet ryingtokil
lyou.Justl
ike..
."Hekeptqui et
forabit."
Likehi smother.ThecruelKing'swife.He
thi
nksyouknowasecr etaboutthem whi chiswhy
he'st
ryingt okil
lyou."
Me:"
Het
hinksI
'
mindangerbecauseI
'
m notbei
ng
wat
chedanyl
onger
?"
Khaya:"
Yes.
"
Me:"Tel
lhim he'
swr ong.Thesancti
onswer
eput
downbecauseIbr okeupwi t
hNkosinhl
e.Noone
wil
lbetr
yingtohur tmeanymor e.
"
Khaya:"
Oh.
"
Me:"
Yeah.Ihavet
ogoKhaya.I
'
vegotat
onofwor
k
t
ogetthr
ough."
Khaya:"
Okay.We'
l
ltal
klat
er?
"
Me:"
Sure.AndthankyouKhaya,
forl
ooki
ngoutf
or
me.Goodbye.
"
Khaya:"
You'
rewel
come,
bye.
"Ihungup.
Ama:"
He'
sagoodf
ri
endt
ohave.
"
Me:"
Indeed.
"
Ama:"Buthe'sri
ght.Yousti
llhavet
obecar
eful
Thembisa.Thesanctionsareli
ft
edbutmyf
ather
st
il
ldoesn'twantyouhere."
Me:"I
fyoucan,pleasetel
lhi
mt oleavemeal
one.
Honestl
y,I
'
m goingthroughenoughhegotwhathe
wanted.Everyonehasgottenwhattheywanted.
Everyoneexceptme.Soplease,cantheyconti
nue
tocelebr
atewithouttor
mentingmeanyf ur
ther?
That'
sallIask."Iputonmyheadphonesand
star
tedmynewassi gnment.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Itwasmi dday,Sunday.Iwasst i
lli
nbed, pr ocessi
ng
whatThembi sahadsai d.Shebrokeupwi th
Sikhosana.Iwasr elievedfort
hemostpar tbut
probablymor ethanhappy.Shedi dn'
tsoundt oo
goodont hephonebutIdon' twantt oover whelm
heryet.FornowIcanj ustbeasupportivef ri
end.I
gotoutofbedf i
nall
y, showeri
ngandget t
ing
dressed.Goingbackt omyapar t
mentwasnotan
optionyet.Iwasenj oyingthepamper i
ngoft he
palaceandal so,Idon'tknowifIhavet hecapaci ty
todealwithZi mmy' smoods.Igetshe'sgoi ng
throughat ought i
mebutwhyi sshehost il
et ome?I
wentdownst ai
rs.Sibonelowaslayingont hecouch
wat
chingt
henews.Hewashar dlyeveri
nhi
shouse,
onl
ysl
eptther
ewhenwevi si
ted.Zwewasprobabl
y
i
nhisownhousebutIneededtospeaktohi
mt oo.
Khaya:"
Hibr
other
.Wher
e'sBhutZwe?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mfi
net
hanks,
howar
eyou?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m okay.
"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethui
sinhi
shouse.Whatdoyouneed?
"
Khaya:"
Oh.CanIgoovert
her
e?Iwantt
otal
kto
hi
m."
Si
bo:"
I'
mrighthere.
"Ist
aredathi
m.Hesmil
ed."
I
gi
vegoodadvice.Iwor
kwithmyfather
."
Khaya:"
Fine.Ical
ledThembisatoday.She'
sbr
oken
upwithMehluli
."Helookedsur
prised.
Si
bo:"
Ist
hatso?
"
Khaya:"
Hm.Mnqobisai dPet uhasbeenupset
becausesheknowssomet hingiswr ongbut
Amahlewon'tletherknowwhat .Thembisawasj
ust
i
nbedal lweek.Iguessthi
sisthereason."
Si
bo:"
Andhe'
sal
sogoneAWOL.I
nter
est
ing.And
Pet
usawThembi
sai
nherbed?
"
Khaya:"
Yes.Shesai
dsheshutever
yoneout
.
Maybethat
'swhythesanct
ionswer
eli
ft
ed?"
Sibo:"
Probabl
y.Goodf
orher
."Hel
ookedbackat
theTV.
Khaya:"
So.
..
Iwantedt
oknowwhati
sthebestwayI
coul
dsupporther
?"
Sibo:"Youwanther,don'
tyou?"Hechuckl
ed."
Thi
s
i
syourchancemyl it
tl
epri
nce.Getyourwoman
beforeSikhosanachangeshismind.
"
Khaya:"
Yesbuthow?
"
Sibo:"
HaiboKhaya.YoucanseeI
'
m assi
ngl
eas
youare,howam Isupposedt
oknow?AskZwe.
"
Khaya:"
Yout
oldmeyoucoul
dadvi
se.
"
Sibo:"
Ili
ed,I'
m bor
ed.Iwant edtoknowwhat
'sgot
yousoj i
tt
ery.I
tdoesn'
tint
erestmeonebit
,sogo
aheadandgot alkt
ohimr ather.
"
Khaya:"
Fine,
areyoucomi
ng?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m ext
remel
ybusy.
"For
tunat
elyZwewal
ked
i
n.Ohyes,
itwasSunday."
Khayahasgi
rlpr
obl
ems
agai
n."
Zwe:"
I'
vebar
elysatdown.Hel
loKhaya.
"Ki
ngBi
yel
a
andhi
swifecamedownt hest
air
s.
Queen:"
Myboys.Goodaf
ter
noon.
"Wegr
eet
ed
t
hem both.
Ki
ngBi
yel
a:"
Wher
eisMnqobi
?"
Khaya:"
Uhm.
..
"
Sibo:"
Wenttother
estaur
anttopickuptheLeads
documents.
"Ican'
tli
etoaking.Icoul
dn'
teventr
y.
Ki
ngBi
yel
a:"
Khaya,
wher
eisMnqobi
?"
Khaya:"
hewentonadat
e."
Ki
ng:
"SeeSi
bonel
o?Ver
yeasyt
obemyson.
"
Si
bo:"
Ist
hisst
il
laboutyest
erday?
"
Ki
ng:
"Obvi
ousl
yit
'saboutyest
erday.
"
Zwe:
"Whathappenedyest
erday?
"
Si
bo:"
Ther
e'snoneedf
ort
hatTat
a.Leti
tgo.
"
Ki
ng:
"If
oundyourbr
otheri
nmybed,
deepunder
t
hecover
scuddl
ingmywi
fe.
"
Si
bo:"
Shei
sMYmot
her
."
King:"
Andt
hat
'ssti
llmybed.You'
regr
own.Wher
e's
yourownwi
feSibonel
o?"
Queen:"
Pleasel
eavemysonal
one.He'
sal
lowedt
o
cometomewhenhe' shavi
ngt
roubl
es.
"
King:"
Troubl
es?He's29.Heshoul
dn'
tbeinmybed
withhi
stroubl
es.Khaya,howar
eyoudoingmy
boy?"
Khaya:"
I'
mfi
neTat
a.Thankyouf
oraski
ng.How
ar
eyou?"
Ki
ng:
"Gr
eat
."Hest
aredatSi
bonel
o.
Si
bo:"
Pleasegetoveri
tTat
a."
Ki
ng:
"ThedayIf
indyouawi
fe.
"
Sibo:"
I'
m scar
ed.Khaya,her
e'sZwe.Hecanhel
p
youwithyourgir
lpr
oblems."
Khaya:"
Sbo!I
t'
snotpr
obl
ems.Justneedi
ng
advi
ce."
Queen:"
Ohsweet
y.Don'
tbeshy.Whoi
sshe?
"
Khaya:"
She'snooneMa.I
t'
sokay.
"Whyputmeon
t
hespotlikethi
s?
King:"Obviouslyshe'ssomeoneifyouneedawhol e
Zwef oradvice.Comeonnow.Wehaveami nute.
"
Theysatdown.Si bonelowaschuckli
nghappily.He
didthisonpur pose,thr
owingmeundert hebusl i
ke
thatsotheyf orgetabouthi
m.It'
salwaysbeenl i
ke
thi
s.Whenhe' stryi
ngtogetoutofsomethinghe
shif
tstheirattenti
ontoMnqobiorme.
Khaya:"She'sjustagirlIwasint
roducedt
oandI
l
ikeher.She'sjustgoingthroughabreakupr
ight
now,so...Idon'twanttobet oomuch."
Ki
ng:"
Orarebound.Youdon'
twantt
obear
ebound.
Tr
ustme.
"
Queen:"Tr
ustyouf
rom wher
ebecauseyou'
veonl
y
everbeenwit
hme?"
Ki
ng:"
Irememberf
rom t
hemovi
e,myl
ove.
Remember?
"
Queen:"
Khaya,pl
easebether
ef ort
hisgirl
.Per
haps
whatsheneedsisasweetyoungmanl ikeyounear
her
.You'r
enotreboundmater
ialbaby.Irai
sedyou.
Come,
myKi
ng,
wehavear
eser
vat
ion.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatr
eser
vat
ion?
"
Queen:"
Yourfat
heristaki
ngmeoutt oGreenlands.
We'r
ehavingourSundaylunchther
esoyouboys
ar
eonyourownf ortheaft
ernoonandevening."
Ki
ngBiyel
a:"
Findawi
fe.
"Hehel
dhi
swi
fe'
shand
wal
kingout
.
Zwe:"Okay,
I'
m goi
ngout
.CanIt
rustyounott
o
cor
ruptKhaya?"
Si
bo:"
WhatdoIeverdor
ighti
nthi
shouse?
"
Zwe:"
Askyour
sel
fthatquest
ion.I
'
m out
."He
wal
kedoutaswel
l.
Si
bo:"
Wannasmoke?
"
Khaya:"
Hel
it
eral
lyj
ustwal
kedout
.Yes.
"

Aft
erasmokesessi onwithSibo,wewentt o
Ameli
a'sforfood.Theyservedthebestseafoodi
n
t
henationandt hi
sisn'
tanexaggerati
on.Wegota
t
ableandor der
edourfood.Isti
llwasn'
tdrinki
ngso
Iopt
edf
orj
uice.Thehi
ghwasni
cel
ycomi
ngdown.
Si
bo:"
How'
sthepr
oposalcomi
ngal
ong?
"
Khaya:"
Whatproposal
?"Hest ar
edatme." I
'm
ki
dding.
"Il
aughed."Wefi
nishedityest
erday.Ij
ust
needtogetameetingwit
hPr i
nceSikhosana."
Sibo:"Maybeyoucanaskhi sadvi
sor
."Henodded
atthedoor.Mthunzihadjustwal
kedin,goi
ng
strai
ghttothebarcount
ertospeaktothemanager
.
Khaya:"
Rightnow?
"
Sibo:"Goahead,I
'
m watchi
ngyou."Iwassuddenl
y
nervousbutIgotupandmar chedovert
oMthunzi
.I
candot hi
s.
Khaya:"
SirMt
hunzi
."Hel
ookedatme,
upanddown
t
henbackupagain.
Mt
hunzi
:"Gi
venupal
ready?
"
Khaya:"
Excuseme?
"
Mthunzi
:"Ar
en'
tyousupposedt
obet
hatone'
s
advi
sor?
"
Khaya:"
Iam.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Andwhatwil
lyouadvi
se,
insneaker
s?"
Helookedatmyshoes.
Khaya:"
Thesear
eDol
ceandGabanna.
"
Mthunzi:"
Ohthatmakesi t10ti
meswor se.Luxur
y
doesn'
tmakeupf orclass.Whatdoyouwant ?"
Whatthehelldoesthi
shavet odowithmycl ot
hes?
Justbecausehelockshimselfi
nsuit
sandar mour
doesn'
tmeanweal laspirefort
hatst
ruggle.
Khaya:"
I'
dliket
ohaveameeti
ngwithPri
nce
Si
khosana.Ihaveabusi
nesspr
oposalhewi
llbe
i
nter
estedinheari
ng.
"
Mthunzi
:"Youcanemailt
her
oyalspeakert
oadd
youontheagendafort
heboar
d."
Khaya:"
Thatwi
llt
akemont
hs.
"
Mthunzi
:"What
,di
dyouthinki
twoul
dtake20
minut
esbecauseyou'
reweari
ngDol
ceand
Gabanna?"
Khaya:"
Whati
syourpr
obl
em wi
thme?YouandI
ar
ethesam-"
Mt
hunzi
:"We'
renowher
eneart
hesame.I
'
m notan
assi
stant,
al apdogorapet
.I'
mtheri
ghthandman
toaFutureking.Youcanpl
aybusi
nessmogulwi
th
yourl
itt
lefr
iends.
"
Khaya:"
Isthatwhyyou'
refetchi
nghisf
ood?Listen
hereI
'm goi
ngtohaveameet ingwi
thhim,whether
youli
keitornot.Hewi
lll
ist
ent ome.Hewil
lhear
thi
sproposal
."
Mt hunzi:"Ohr eal
lyKhaya?Yout hi
nkyoucango
abovemeandgett ohim?Idar eyout otr
y.This
won' tevenr equir
emet oliftafinger.
"Hechuckl ed,
takingthepaperbagf rom Len."Focusonschool .
Youhaveagoodgi gcomi ngupwi thyourdad' s
companywhenyougr aduat e.Don'tfuckitup."He
wal kedout .I'
l
lbedamnedi fIhavet owor kformy
father.Sikhosanai sgoingtoseeme.I 'l
lfi
ndaway.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Istoodinmybackyar dstari
ngatthestr
etchesof
l
and, f
il
ledwitht
rees.Allofi
tbel
ongtomenow,
havingtransf
err
editfrom myfamilyt
ofullymine
andmi nealone.Myf atheroranyoneelsehadno
accesstothisareaofl and.Itwasprobablytheonly
placeonearthhewasr estri
ctedfr
om.Mt hunzi'
scar
parkedoutfront,Iheardhim getoutandwal kinthe
house.Iwalkedbacki n,meet i
nghiminside.He
heldabagf rom Amel i
a'sinhishand.Myhear t
suddenlyached.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thoughtyou'
dneedsomecomf
ortf
ood.
"
Nkosi
:"Thanks.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
neIsuppose.Justcamebackf
rom ar
un.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Doyouwantsomecompany?
"
Nkosi
:"Yespl
ease.
"
Mt hunzi:"I
'
lldi
shupf orus."Hewentt otheki t
chen.
Thehousewasst i
llbar
e.Ididn'twantanyf urni
ture
i
nher e,i
tdidn'
tmakeadi ffer
encebecausei t
'snot
l
ikeIwasl i
vinganyway.Iwentt otakeashower ,
thendr essedintr
acksuitbottoms,walki
ngbar efoot
totheki t
chen.Hegavemeagl assofwhi skey
whi chIgulpeddowni nstantl
y."Doyouwantt o
t
alk?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"CanIt
alk?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Isatonthebarstool
,myel
bows
r
esti
ngont hei
slandasIpickedonmyfood.
Mthunzi
:"Thesanct i
onswer el
if
tedaweekago.I 've
beenwatchi ngtheenvir
onmentar oundher.All
seemswel lsof ar
.She'ssti
lldoi
ngonli
nelearning,
shehasn'
tl eftherroom al
lweek.Shedoeshowever
haveatestonTuesday.I '
l
lhavesecuri
tyup,looking
aft
erherthroughoutt heday."
Nkosi
:"Yout
hinkshe'
sst
il
lindanger
?"
Mthunzi:"
I'
m notsur ebutI'
m suspici
ous.The
sancti
onsjustdisappeared.Itwassuddenandwi t
h
noexplanati
on.UntilIunderstandwhy,I
'l
lcont
inue
prot
ecti
ngher .
"
Nkosi
:"Haveyouasked?
"
Mthunzi:"
Yeah.Nobodyknowseit
her.Nobody
exceptyourf
ather
.He'sworr
iedaboutyour
absence."
Nkosi
:"I
'l
lprobablybehomet omorr
ow.Thenext
r
oyalcouncilmeetingisinafewdays.Theot
her
f
amili
eswillstar
tar r
ivi
ngfr
om tomorr
ow."
Mthunzi:"
OnlyBathongawillbeli
vingwithyour
famil
y.TheNakhamul a'
s,Phakamisa's,Mpondo's
andMuf huwalo'
shavehousesr eservedinStel
lar
wit
hTheBi yel
a's.
"
Nkosi
:"Ok.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Someonecameupt
omet
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"
Mthunzi
:"KhayaSol
inga.Hewant
sameet
ingwi
th
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Noti
nthemood.
"
Mthunzi:"
Ithi
nkyouneedt ohearhim out.Theboy
mightbeyoungbuthe' sbeenworkingforhisfat
her
forabit
.Ifhebranchesoutonhisown, itmightbe
worthl
ookinginto.Youneedmor eall
iesnearyou.
Onesthataren'
tinfl
uencedbyroyaldecisi
ons."
Nkosi
:"He'
sbasi
cal
lyaBi
yel
a."
Mt
hunzi
:"Andt
hat
'swel
landgoodbutyou'
rea
Si
khosana.Gethi
m onyoursi
de.
"
Nkosi
:"Notnow.
"
Mthunzi :"
Okay."Wesati nsi l
encewhi leIsti
rredin
myt houghts.Itookmyphonegoi ngt hroughmy
gal
leryt ol
ookf orthepicturesheoncesentme.
Whatt hehellwast hi
snow?Icl ickedont healbum,
chucklingthetear soutmyeyes.Ther eshewas, her
beauti
fulfaceal lovermyphone.Shecl ear
lystol
e
myphoneatsomepoi ntandt ookpicturesof
hersel
fandshor tvideosmaki ngfunnyf aces.The
l
umpi nmyt hroatkeptbobbi ngbackupnomat ter
howmuchIhel dmyemot ions.Iswitchedof fmy
phone.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easegi
vemesomewor
ktodo,
Mthunzi
."
..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
53] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er45
SASAPOV_

It
'sbeenaver ylongday.I'dspentallofitdoi ngmy
assignment,pouringallmyener gyintoit.Ihadabi t
toeatatleastsincePetuhadcomet ovisit
.Al lmy
fr
iendswer etryi
ngandIt oowas, tobehonestbutI
couldn'tj
ustforget.Pet
uhadj ustleftnow.Amahl e
wentwi thNothandot oherroom.I'daskedf orabit
ofspace.Iwant edt ocl
earmyspaceandpr ayt hen
sleep.Ili
tupawhi tecandle,kneel
ingbef oreit.
Me:"Spiritleadmewher emyt rustiswi t
hout
borders.Letmewal kuponthewat ers.Wherever
youwoul dcallme.Takemedeepert hanmyf eet
couldeverwander .Andmyf ai
thwoul dbemade
str
onger .Inthepr esenceofmysavi our.
"Icl
osed
myeyes, si
ngi ng.Iopenedmypal msi nareceivi
ng
motion."Spi r
itleadmewher emyt rustiswit
hout
borders.Letmewal kuponthewat ers.Wherever
youwoul dcallme. "Acrackl
ingoft hunderhitthe
sky.Myhear tfeltsoheavyatthismomentbutIhad
tokeepgoi ng." Takemedeepert hanmyf eetcould
everwander .Andmyf ait
hwoul dbemadest ronger.
Inthepr esenceofmysavi our.
"At earrolleddown
myf ace, f
alli
ngt otheground." Pleasehel phealmy
heart.Showmeanygui dance,pat h.Iknowyou' re
somewher eoutt here.Iknowyoucanhearmyhear t
bleeding.Whatam Isupposedt odo?Li ftmet o
wher ethespi ri
tsaresot heycanshowmewher eto
go."Myhandswer eshaki ngandIwasf reezing.The
candl eswitchedof f
.Iopenedmyeyesl ooking
around.Noonewasi nther oom butt hecoldwas
fri
ghtening.Igoti nmybed, undermybl anket s,
closingmyeyes.Ican' tbelieveIcan'tevenpr ay
proper l
y.Ther ainpouredout sidehushi ngmet o
sleep.

Iopenedmyeyes, wakinguptoawar mthIdidn'

t
expect
.Istretchedmybodyandt r
iedgett
ingoutof
bedbutIst r
uggled.Itwasdarkintheroom andmy
eyesstart
ingt oadj
usttothedarkness.It
ouched
mybelly.I
twashar dandswollen.
Me:"
Amahl
e."Il
ookedar
ound.Wher
ewasI
?Thi
s
wasnotmyr oom.Igotup,
looki
ngatmystomach
again."
AMAHLE!!"Whywasitbi
g?Thedooropened.
Ilookedar
oundtheroom,t
hiswasdef
ini
tel
ynotmy
room.Nkosiwal
kedin.
Nkosi
:"Love.What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"Nkosi?Whyar
eyou.
..Wher
eam I
?"Hi
sface
sof
tenedintoasmi
le.
Nkosi:"
Pregnancybrai
nhasgotyouonceagai
n."
Hekissedmyl i
psthenmybell
y."It
oldyouI
'dget
usawayf rom t
hatpl
ace.We'
refr
ee."
Me:"
I'
m pr
egnant
?Wehaven'
t.
..
"
Nkosi:"
Come, getinbed.I'
l
lwar m upsomemi l
kand
rubyourfeet.
"Igotinbedagai n.Hewalkedoutthe
room.Whatt hehellwasgoi ngon?Itouchedmy
bell
yagain.Pregnant?Howdi dt
hishappen?He
walkedbacki nwit
hmi l
k,givingitt
ome.
Me:"
WeescapedMount
ainPeak?
"
Nkosi:"Yes.Theonl
ythingi
mport
antnowisour
f
amily."Heheldmyst omach."
We'
rehavi
ngason."
Me:"
Sizwengaye.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"Thespoiltone.Icanimaginehim knowi
ng
ukuthiSizwengayevele.He'sthereason,wehadto
getoutoft her
e.Hedeser vesnormalcy.Alif
e.
What '
swr onglove?"
Me:"
Not
hingbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby?Youusual l
ycallmeBaba.Thebabyi s
i
nyourstomachNonkosi ,
I'
m grown. "Ichuckl
ed."
I
pr
omiseI'l
lprotectyouwithallIhave.Iloveyouso
much.Iam not hi
ngwithoutyouMyQueen. "He
ki
ssedmybel ly."AndofcoursemyPr i
nce.".
..

Lif
ehadbecomeeasier.Iwokeupt obreakf
ast
everymorni
ng.Footr
ubsaftereat
ingandashor t
walkwerearouti
ne.Wewalkedbackt othehouse.
Me:"
I'
m al
mostcl
oset
obi
rt
h."
Nkosi
:"Yesmyl
ove.Lesst
hanamonthaway.
Ther
e'samidwi
fewhohasagreedt
ohel
pus."
Me:"
Howl
onghavewebeenher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Fi
vemont
hsnow.
"
Me:"
Wher
ear
ewe?
"
Nkosi:"I
ntheNor t
hEastofourki
ngdom.The
for
gottenlands.Thi
sisBakhoyovi
ll
age.They'
rea
l
itt
leclosedofffr
om theworl
dsonooneher e
knowswhoIam. "
Me:"
Theywi
llNkosi
.They'
l
lfi
ndus.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tworrymylove,
theywon'
t.
"Weent ered
ourl
it
tl
ehome."Letmemakeyousomet eabefore
younap."Hebenttomyfacetoki
ssmebutIt urned
awayquickl
y.Hechuckl
ed."
Andnow?"
Thiswasembarrassing.Thankf
ull
y,hel
eftmeal
one.
Isatonthebed,ant
icipat
ingaknockdownofthe
dooratanysecond.Hewal kedi
ntheroom.
Nkosi:"
Youlookali
ttl
edown.What'swrong?"I
wasn'tsur
ewhyIwasher e.I
t'
snotli
keIcould
rever
sethepastorchangeit
.Whywasi tbei
ng
shownt omethen?Thiswasconfusing.
Me:"
I'
m notsur
e.I
syournameNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatyoucal
lme,
yes.
"
Me:"Whati
syourname?"Aloudknockhi
tthefr
ont
door
.Il
ookedi
ntohiseyes.Amixt
ureofconf
usion,
hurtandangerwasi nthem.Acol dsweptovermy
body,Ijumpedupgaspi ng.Thelightswer eon.I
wasbacki nRes, myr oom, mybed.Ist aredat
Amahl e,t
hentouchedmybel ly.Flatagain.An
overwhelmingfeeli
ngofhur thitimmedi atel
y.She
l
ookedatme.Di dIjustvisi
tthepast ?

Amahl
est
oodther
ewatchi
ngme.Idr
ankagl
assof
wat
er,
put
ti
ngonawarmergown.
Ama:"
Areyouokay?
"
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.Whatt
imei
sit
?"
Ama:"
it
's5am.
"
Me:"
That'
simpossibl
e.Ij
ustf
ellasl
eep.
"Ichecked
myphone.
"Itwasindeed5am Mondaymor ni
ng.
Ama:"
Youwer
est
ruggl
ingt
obr
eat
hinyoursl
eep.
"
Me:"
Itwasaveryst
rangedr
eam Amahl
e.Idr
eamtI
was.
..
yourgr
andmother
."
Ama:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Me:"
Iwaspr
egnant
.NkosiandIhadescaped
MountainPeaktoget
her,l
ivi
nginaremotevil
lage.I
call
edmybabySi zwengaye,Idon'
tknowwher ethat
camef r
om.Nkosicall
edmeNonkosi .Thati
syour
grandmother
'sname,isn'
tit
?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Me:" That'
swhyyourgr andfat
hernamedyour
brotherNkosi nhl
e,inhonourofhi sLatewife.He
namedhi ssonSi zwengayebecauset hat'
st he
namehi sl atewifechose.Appar ently,
he'sthe
reasontheyescaped.Togi vehim anor mallif
e."
Shest aredatmequi etl
y."Ifel
titall
.Thelif
ei nsi
de
me.Nkosi 's-KingNgi dumise'slove.Allofi
t.He
real
lylovedher ."
Ama:"
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngbef
oreyouf
ellasl
eep?
"
Me:"
Ili
tacandleandpr
ayedt
henIf
eltcol
dsoIgot
i
nbedtosleep.
"
Ama:"Thi
sisstr
ange.Ineverwoul
d'vet
hought
you'
dbeabletovisi
tthepast
."
Me:"
ButIcan'
tchangei
tAmahl
e."
Ama:"
Obvi
ousl
ynot
,no.Butt
her
e'ssomet
hingi
nit
youneedtotakenoteof.Somethingt
hati
ssti
ll
preval
entint
hepresentwe'r
ein.Somethi
ngwasn'
t
complete.
"
Me:"
Wil
lIbeabl
etodoi
tagai
n?"
Ama:"
Ihopeso.
"..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Mondaymor ning.Idi dn'twi shtoseepeopl eleastof

al
lmyf amil
ybutunf ortunatel yIdidn'
thavea
choice.Thisroyalcounci lmeet ingneededan
agendat ogot hroughandt heot herfamili
eswer e
comi ng.Theydidn' tneedt owi t
nessthistension
betweenmyf atherandI .Aft erbeingdressed,I
mademywayoutt heempt yhouse.Myguar ds
werewai ti
ngout side.Theweat herwascl eari
ngup.
Lastnight'
sstor m wasqui tebadbuti twasanew
day.Igotinthecarandwel eftforthepalace.
Mthunziwasaheadal ready.Myhousewasl ocated
ontheout erskirtsoft hecitybutnotneart heplace.
Nowher enearit.Ittookal most50mi nut
esget t
ing
toit
.Isighedasweparked,
gett
ingoutt
hecar.I
walkedinthepal
ace,myfamil
ywashaving
breakf
astinthedi
ningr
oom.Myf at
herl
ookedat
me.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"
Si
khosana:"
Son.You'
ref
inal
l
yhome.
"
Nkosi:"
Counci
lpr
eparat
ionsst
artt
omor
rowsoI
di
dn'thaveachoi
ce.
"
Sikhosana:"
Pleasehaveaseat
."Isatdown,
refusi
ngbreakfast
.
Nolwazi
:"Mehl
uli
,i
t'
snotgoodforyout
obeal
one.
Lookathowyou'r
elosi
ngweight.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.
"
Sikhosana:"
Well
,theBathonga'
swil
lbearri
ving
tonight
.CanIexpectyouheretogr
eetthem?"
Nkosi
:"Ihaveal
otofwor
ktogetdone.
"
Si
khosana:"
Thatcanwai
t.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tact
uall
ycan't.Father
,It
houghtImadeit
cl
eart
hatI'
m notint
erested.Whataboutt
hatdon'
t
youunder
stand?
"
Sikhosana:"
Ifyou'
rest
il
lthi
nki
ngaboutt
hat
commonwi t
ch-"
Nkosi:"Ohshutthef uckup.Youknowi t
'snotabout
Thembi sa!
!!Youwant edheroutofmyl i
feandnow
sheisbutdon' tt
hinkaboutf orci
ngwomendown
mythr oatbecauseIwi l
lbevi ol
ent.Yougotwhat
youwant ed.Youwantt opr otectt
hedamnt hrone,
youwantmet obeki ng?GetBat hongaawayf rom
me."Hest aredatme, stunned.
Nkwenkwezi
:"Thatwoul
d'veear
nedmeasl
ap.
"
Nkosi:"Speakagai
nandseei fi
twon't
."Igotup,
walki
ngupt omyoffi
ce.Mthunziwasinmydesk,
goi
ngt hroughpaperwork.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihat
ebei
ngher
e."
Mthunzi
:"Atl
eastyourmeet
ingissoon,t
henyou
needtobeinthecit
yfort
herestoftheday.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'si
ntheci
ty?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Mpendul
ohassomepaperwor
kforyou
r
egar
dingt
hecommuni
tycent
eri
nMt
hinomkhul
u."
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Amahl
ewasaski
ngaboutyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Ok.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"We'
real
lwor
ri
edNkosi
."
Nkosi:"
I'
mfine.Asyoucansee,
I'
m al
iveandwell
."
Hisphonerang.Isati
nmyseat,t
aki
ngast r
essbal
l
outofmydr awer.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
t'
saBi
yel
alandl
ine.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatwoul
dBi
yel
awantf
rom you?
"
Mthunzi:"
Bogglesmymi
nd.
"Heanswer
edt
hecal
l.
"
Mt hunziMwelase.
"
Call
er:"
Hit
her
e,Gener
alMwel
ase.You'
respeaki
ng
toZwe."
Mt
hunzi
:"Pr
inceBi
yel
a.WhatcanIdof
oryou?
"
Zwe:"
I'
dli
ketorequestameetingwit
hPri
nce
Si
khosanaathi
searli
estconveni
ence.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iam nothi
sassi
stant
."
Zwe:
"CanIhavehi
sassi
stant
'snumber
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youcancont
actt
her
oyalspeak-
"
Zwe:"
No.Youwor
kcl
osel
ywi
thhi
m.Justt
ellhi
mI
wantt
ospeakt
ohim.
"
Mthunzi:"
Pri
nceSikhosanai
snotavai
labl
eand
won'tbeforawhi
le."
Zwe: "
Ther oyalcouncili
scomi ngupi naf ewdays.
Asthehei r
sofourf ami l
ies,It
hinkitwouldbe
benefi
ciali
fheandIwer et ohaveourownmeet ing.
Aft
erall,asfuturekings,hewillneedmebyhi sside.
So.Ifhemaypl easeavailhimself.Thanks."He
hungup.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisobvi
ousl
yaboutt
hatSol
ingaboy.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydoyout
hinkt
hat
?"
Mthunzi
:"Zwewouldn'
tinsi
stt
hismuchonmeet i
ng
wit
hyou.Wei nvi
tedhi
m onaroyalvisi
tafew
weeksbackandhedeclinedcl
aimingtobebusy.
Suddenl
yhewant stomeetyou?"
Nkosi
:"Clearati
meforlat
ertodayt
hen.Let
'shear
t
hisproposalifi
tget
sthem offmyback.
"
Themeetingwi t
hmyfatherwasver ysour .Hewas
pi
ssedoffatmeandIdi dn'tcarer
eally.Thesecond
weadjour
ned, Iwasonmyf eetmarchingoutofhis
house.MthunziandIl
eftforthecit
y.
Mt
hunzi
:"Zweconf
ir
medf
or3pm t
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"Ok.
"Il
ookedoutt
hewi
ndowwat
chi
ngt
he
worl
dpassmeby.
Mthunzi
:"Doyouthi
nkweshoul
dshopf
orsome
f
urnit
uresometi
me?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thehouseneedsl
if
eNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sfi
neasi
s.I
'
m notexpect
ingcompany.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sther
eanyt
hingIcandof
oryou?
"
Nkosi
:"No."Isi
ghed."
Ther
e'snot
hinganyonecan
doforme."..
.

Themeeti
ngwithMpendulowasquitethor
ough.We
hadgonethr
oughal
lthelegaldocumentsoft
he
constructi
onanddevel opment.Idi
dn'twantt
obe
outsi
dei narestaur
antoranywher e.ThenewResis
theonlyplacethatsti
llhadmyof fi
cesetupso
that'
swher eI
'dmeetZwe.Mt hunziandImadeour
wayovert her
e.
Mt
hunzi
:"He'
sonhi
sway.
"Weent
eredt
hebui
ldi
ng.
Nkosi:"Ok."Ienteredt
heoffi
ce,si
tt
ingonacouch,
goingthroughmyphone.Idon' tknowhowmany
ti
mesIwentt hroughthi
salbum butIknewwhi
ch
photocameupnextever yt
ime.Iknewwhichvi
deo
shewoul dsmi l
ei nandwhichoneshewouldmake
afunnyf ace.
Mt
hunzi
:"Gotyousomewat
er.
"Hegavemeabot
tl
e.
Nkosi
:"Thanks.
"Idr
ankt
hewat
er.
Mthunzi
:"Thisi
sthel
astmeet
ing.Doyouwantt
o
gotoAmel i
a'
sforadr
inkaf
ter
?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay,shoul
dIor
dersomet
hingf
orwhen
yougethome? "
Nkosi
:"Hm.
"Henodded,
wal
kingoutt
hedoor
.Ina
fewmi nut
es,IcouldsenseZwel et
hu'
saur
acomi ng
closer
.Hisheartbeat.Hist
houghts.Hewasjustas
nervousasIwas.Wehadn' tbeenint
hesamer oom
aloneforyear
s.Idon'tevenknowwhattosay.He
walkedintheoffi
ce.
Zwe:
"YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Pr
inceBi
yel
a."Il
eanedbackont
hecouch.
Hesatontheoneopposit
eme.
Zwe:
"Hopeyou'
redoi
ngwel
l
."
Nkosi
:"Isuppose.
"
Zwe: "
Idon' twantt owast eyourt i
me.YouknowI
wouldn'tjustcomeupt oyouwi t
houtaval idreason.
Myyoungerbr other
shaveapr oposalyou'dbe
i
nterestedi n.Sinceyourmeet i
ngsi nMt hi
nomkhul u
vi
ll
age,t hey'vebeenst udyingyourpr ojectsand
haveani deathatwoul dgr eatl
ybenef i
tthevi l
lage
andofcour sebui l
dtheirprofil
ewhi l
stwor kingwith
you.
"Par tofmewasr elievedhewant edtospeak
aboutbusi nessandnotourl ostfri
endship.
Nkosi
:"Ihaveaf
ewminutest
ospar
e.I
'
dli
ket
ohear
whatt
heyhavetosay.
"..
.
KHAYA'
SPOV_

Isatoutsi
det
heoffice,ner
vousashel
l.Mthunzi
washisusualsel
f,standi
ngbythedoor,
handsin
hispocket
s.
Mthunzi :"Doyouwantagl assofwater? "Ishook
myhead.Lastt hingIneededwasaf ullbladder.I
l
ookedt hroughmywor konceagai n.Mnqobi
couldn'tattendthismeetingwi thmebecausehe
hadanot heronewi t
hhisf atheratBi-
mot i
ve.As
muchashewasmypar tner ,we'
dagreedt hatI
'
d
holdmaj ori
tysharesinthisconsulti
ngcompany
andI '
dbemor ehandson.SoIhadt odot hismyself
.
Mthunzist aredatme.Hewasmaki ngt hingsworse.
Il
ookedbackathi m.
Mthunzi
:"Ti
metogoin.Rel
ax,hedoesn'tbit
e."He
openedthedoor
.Iwal
kedintheof
fice.AtleastZwe
washere.
Khaya:"
GoodDay,YourHighness.
"AsIhad
ant
ici
pated,
hedi
dn'tr
espond.Sofar,
we'r
edoi
ng
great .Thi si showI 'dpr act iced." I'
dl iket oi ntroduce
toyoumyconsul ti
ngcompany.Seei ngt hatyou' l
lbe
buildingi nMt hi
nomkhul uvi l
lage, Iexpectyour
companywi llbedoi ngt heconst ruct i
on.I '
dl i
ket o
bei nvol vedbyi nst all
ingt heel ectrici tyint he
communi tycent erasast ar t
.Ihavet wohi ghl y
qual i
fiedel ectri
cianswhowoul dbet eachi ngt he
processt omember soft heMt hinomkhul uvi ll
age.
Dur i
ngt hatt ime, themember swi llgai nknowl edge
andexper i
encewor ki
ngonsuch, fur t
herbei ngabl e
tost artt heirownbusi nesses.Ihavespokent ot he
depar tmentofhi ghereducat ionandt raini
ng, the
depar tmentheadi scur rent lyint hepr ocessof
draftingal ear ningpl an.Oncet hati scompl ete, my
twoel ect ri
cianswi l
lgot hr ought hatt r
ainingandby
theircompet encywi l
lbeabl et ot eacht hatcour se
tothevi llage.Uponcompl eti
onoft hiscour sewhi ch
willincludet heor ylear ningaswel l aspr actical s,
theywi l
lr ecei vecer ti
ficat i
on.Iam pr esent ingt hist o
you, hopi ngt hatyouunder standt hevi sionI '
m
puttingf orwar d.Asyouwi llbesour cingel ect ric
i
nst allationf rom meandIpr oduci ngi tint hef orm
ofski llandl abour ,youwi l
lbepayi ngmei nor derf or
met opayt hem, t
helabourers.Ifyoumayr ecei
ve
thedocument sYourHighness."Ikneltonthef loor,
placingt hedocument sont hecarpetthensatback
up.Zwet aughtmet hat,I
'm notallowedt ohand
Mehl ulianythinghandtohandunl essheasksf orit
.
Het ookt hedocument s,l
ooki ngthroughthem.For
thefirsttime,Iproperl
ylookedathi m.Hel ooked
exhaust edandseemi nglylosingwei ght.Perhaps
breakingupwi thThembisawasal sotakingat ollon
him.NowIf eelbadbutthisisn'tt
het i
me.Ihavet o
focus.
Nkosi
:"Haveyoudonet hi
sbef ore?"Thi
sisthe
t
ri
ckypart.Ihaven't.Idon'thavet heexper
ienceor
t
heknowl edgeofwhatt hehellI'
m doingbut
menti
oningmyi nvolvementwi thmyf at
her'
slaw
f
ir
m willl
ookbr aggyandpr i
vil
eged.Ihadtof i
nda
wayofswayi ngpastt hat.
Khaya:"
NoYourHi ghness,Ihaven'
tdonet hi
ssort
ofworkbefor
e.Ihavelimit
edexperiencein
l
egali
sat
ionofthistypeofcompanyonl y.However,
Ihavegonethroughthe-
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tcar
eaboutwhatyou'
vegonet
hrough.
Icareaboutt hesafetyoft
heinnocentpeoplewho
willbeexposedt oelect
ri
cit
ywithoutpr
ior
experience.From someonewho' sathi
rdyearlaw
student."Helookedatme.Mybodyshi vered.His
eyeswer escaryashell
.
Khaya:"I-Theuhm, t
heel ect
ri
ciansIhaveon
standbyarehighlyquali
fiedprofessi
onalsYour
Highness.Theircompetencyhoweverwi l
lnotbe
determinedbyme, onlytheboar danddepartment
canpasst hem andgivecer t
if
icati
ontoletus
proceed.Iwil
lnotputanyone' sli
feindanger.
"
Nkosi :"
Okay."Heputt hepapersaside.Whatdi d
thatmean?Whatwasokay?" Iwanttoknowever y
step.Oncet hedepartmentfi
nal i
zedthecourse,
we'llgothroughitsoIcanunder standwhatit
entailsandifitwil
lbeenough.Iwantt oint
erview
thet woelectr
ici
ansandonceI '
m sureal
lofthisis
aboveboar dandwi thouti
nfluence,wecan
proceed."
Khaya:"
So.
..Thi
smeansyou'
re.
..
sayi
ngyes?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Iwant
edt
ofucki
ngscr
eam andhug
him butIoptedforanodandat hankyou.Thi s
woul dbethebeginning.Icannotandwi l
lnotlethim
ormysel fdown.Ont opoft hat,myf atherwillbe
pissedtoknowIdi dsomet hingsuccessf ull
y
withouthishelp.I
tmadet hisdealmuchsweet er
.
Hewoul dhavenohol dovermyl ifeagai n.However,
therewasawhol edi
fferentpr oblem now.How
woul dIpursuethewomanmybosswasi nlovewi t
h?
Ihadt omakeachoi ce.Apossi blef uturewith
Thembi sa,possi
blebeingsl i
ghtlyf aint.Ora
successfulfutur
ewithoutherasmywi febutjustas
af r
iendtorespectmyboss.Ihadt odeci de.
[
07/
27,
05:
53] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er46

PRI
NCEPOV_

Themeet
ingwithKhayaandZwewasdone.Iwas
happywi
ththi
sproposal
,most
lybecauseofi
ts
benefi
ttonotonlygrowhimselfasabusi nessman
buttoofferanessenti
alski
llt
oothers.Mthunzi'
s
assi
stantservedusabot t
leofwhiskey.
Khaya:"I
'l
lhavetokindl
ydecl
ine,t
hankyou.Idon't
dr
inkalcohol.
"Icould'
veswor
nI '
veseenhim act
ing
afoolatanightclub.
Nkosi
:"Jui
cef
ine?
"
Khaya:"
Yesplease.
"Inoddedatt
heassi
stantand
shehurr
iedout.
Nkosi:"
Whatar
ethebasicr
equirementsof
enr
oll
mentonthispr
ogram onceit
'sappr
oved
Khaya?"
Khaya:"
Iwant
edi
ttobeGr
ade10atmi
nimum.
"
Nkosi
:"Youdoreali
zethatmostpeopl
eint
he
vi
ll
ageareuneducated?"
Khaya:"YesYourHighness,Iunderstandt
hat.Inthe
samebr eathIthi
nkthebasicrequir
ementplaysa
pivotalr
oleindet
ermini
ngwhet herthesai
dperson
canunder st
andinst
ructi
onandi mplementiti
nto
wor k.
"Theassist
antbroughthisjui
ce.
Nkosi
:"Apersonwithagr ade8cannotunderstand
i
nstr
ucti
on?"Iwatchedhi m sweat
.Iunderst
ood
whathewassayingIj ustneededhimt ocometo
t
hereali
sat
ionofsomet hingelsethathecando.
Khayawassmar t
,itshouldn'tt
akehimlong.
Khaya:"Theycan.Inthepr
ospectoftheor
y.I
twill
berathersaf
ertointr
oduceapracti
caltosomeone
wit
hhi gherl
earni
ng."
Nkosi
:"Sowhatdowedoaboutt
heoneswhodon'
t
havei
t?"
Khaya:"Icanspeakt othedepar tmentheadt osee
whattheycanof f
er.Perhapsanot herprogram apart
fr
om thisprojectthatoff
erseducat i
ontot hosewho
needhigherlearning.Maybet hei
rskilli
sn'tinoffi
ce,
perhapsintradebuti nordertoachievet hat
,they
needtolearnmor ebasict heoryand
underst
anding."Thereyougo.
Nkosi
:"Good.I'
dlovetoseehowt hatpansout.
Keepmeupdat ed,Khaya.Oncethiswor ksforthe
onevi
ll
age,we'respreadi
ngitacrossthepr ovi
nce
thent
henation.Ihopeyouhavet heabilit
yand
capaci
tyt
ohandl
ethat
."
Khaya:"Ido,YourHighness."Hefini
shedhisj
uice.
"
Thankyouonceagai nforthisopport
unit
yYour
Highness.Iwon'tdi
sappointyou."
Nkosi:"
Shoul
dn'tbewor r
iedaboutme,beworr
ied
aboutthel
earnersyou'
llbehelpi
ng.Al
otoft
hem
wil
lbedecadesolderthanyou."Henodded.
Khaya:"Yessir.Ishoul
dbeonmyway, Your
Highness.Thankyouagainforyourt
ime.Thank
youBhutZwe. "Zwenoddedathim.Khayaleftt
he
offi
ce.Idrankmyshotofwhiskey.
Zwe:
"Thanks.
"
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
?"
Zwe:"Al
lowingmybrot
hertopr
esentt
oyou.Iknow
you'
reprobabl
yver
ybusy."
Nkosi
:"Wi
tht
her
oyalcounci
lcomi
ngup,
yes.
"
Zwe:
"Doyouhaveanynewbusi
nesscomi
ngup?
"
Nkosi:"
No.Al
lmybusi
nessvent
uresar
eal
ready
publ
ic."
Zwe:"I
t'
sgoodt hi
ngst
oo.Whatyoudof
ort
he
vi
ll
ages."Il
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi
:"Thanks.
"
Zwe:"
Ishouldgetgoi
ngbefor
ethehospi
talr
unst
o
tot
heground."Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
How'sthatgoi
ng?
"Zwehadalwayswanted
t
obeadoct or.Ihadnodoubthewasagreatone
t
oo.Atleastsomeofusgottheoppor
tuni
tyto
watchourdreamscomet r
ue.
Zwe:"
Ithasit
sdayswher eit'
sreal
lyr
ewardi
ngbut
al
otoftheti
me, i
t'
sdrai
ning.It
'snowher
ecloseto
whatweusedt otal
kabout."Imanagedasmallgr
in.
Nkosi
:"Goodol
ddays.
"
Zwe:"Atleastyou'
reclosert
oyourdr eamstoo.
Hereyouar edevelopi
ngthenat
iononevi ll
ageata
ti
me.Rememberyousai dyouwant edt obui
ld
school
s?You' vegotanentir
euniversit
yand
resi
dencesnow. "
Nkosi
:"Yeah.That
'st
rue.For
gotaboutt
hat
."
Zwe:
"Doyoust
il
lcl
imb?
"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Zwe:"
That
'sgood.Tr
eesmakeyouhappy.Fora
bi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Unt
ilIf
all
."
Zwe: "
Yetyoustil
lcl
imbhi gher,Nkosi.Nomatter
howhar dyoufall
,younevergi veup.Youkeep
goingup.Youkeepsur passingyourownr ecord.
That'
sagoodqual it
y.What everyou'r
egoing
thr
ough,you'
llcomeupmuchst ronger.
"Hestood
up."I
twasgoodseei ngyouagai n."
Nkosi
:"Yout
ooZwe.
"Hewal
kedout
.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Myearswer eri
ngi
ngi nexci
tement.Ican'
tbeli
eve
howsmoot hl
ythatwent.Mnqobiwaspr obablyst
il
l
i
nhismeet i
ng.Iwantedtosharemygoodnews.I
par
kedmycar ,goi
ngupst ai
rsdi
ali
ngThembi sa'
s
number.Sheanswered.
Sasa:"
Kay.
"
Khaya:"
Heyyou.Ihaveexci
ti
ngnews.
"
Sasa:"Pl
easedoshare.Icoul
ddowithsome
excit
ement.
"Itwasatthi
smomentIhesitat
ed.
Maybement i
oninghisnamewon'tbeagoodidea?I
didn'
twanttohurther
.
Sasa:"
Khaya?
"
Khaya:"Uhm..okay.Iwassti
llcont
empl ati
nginmy
headifIshouldtel
lyoubutyou'remyf r
iendandI '
m
exci
ted.ImetwithMehluli
.Ihadani deatostartoff
myconsul t
ingcompany.Heaccept ed."
Sasa:"
That
'samazi
ngKhaya.I'
m happyf
oryou.
Whatdoesyourcompanydo?"
Khaya:"Wel l,I'
m starti
ngwi thpr ovi
dingaski l
ltothe
communi tyofMt hinomkhul uvil
lage.Sincehe' llbe
buildi
ngt hecommuni t
ycent erthere,they'llneed
electr
ici
ty.I'
llhiretwoel ectri
cianstot each
member soft hevi l
lagesot heycani nstalltheirown
electr
ici
tyandwhensomet hingneedsf ixingthey
candoi tthemsel ves.I
'm sor ryI
'm speaki ngallover
theplace, I
'mj ustsoexci ted."Shegiggl ed.
Sasa:"
Thi
ssoundsr
eal
lygr
eat
.Congr
atul
ati
ons
Kay.
"
Khaya:"
Thankyou.
"Isi
ghed."
Howar
eyou?
"
Sasa:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m gr
eat
.Haveyouspokent
oZi
mmy?
"
Sasa:"
No.Ihaven'
tspokent
oanyoner
eal
ly.
"
Khaya:"
Ifyoueverneedsomeonet
otal
kto,
I'
m
her
eokay? "
Sasa:"
Real
lyKhaya?Iknowhowyouf
eelaboutme,
remember?
"
Khaya:"Ri
ght.
..Thathasn'
tchangedbutIcan'
t
cr
osst hel
inenowThembi sa.He'snotdoi
ngokay
ei
therandhe'smybossnow. "
Sasa:"
Sot
hatmeansyou'
renol
ongerpur
sui
ng
me?"
Khaya:"Yes.Maybei
t'
sgoodt
hatwer
emai
n
fr
iends.
"
Sasa:"
ThankyouKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Uhm..
"Il
ookedaroundthepassageway.
"
Thembisa,
aloti
shappeni
ngregardi
ngtheroyal
s
ri
ghtnow.Iknowyoudon' tl
ikeSiboneloand
honestl
y,youar ejusti
fi
ed.It
'sjust.
..Tal
ksare
happening.Sincethesanct i
onswer elif
ted,
he
thi
nksyoumi ghtsti
llbeindanger.Thedanger
beingt
heki ng."Iwhispered.
Sasa:"Khaya,
Itol
dyouwhyt
hesanct
ionswer
e
l
if
ted."
Khaya:"Thembisa,
Sibonelostudieswartacti
csfor
ali
ving.Heplanswars,assassinati
onsandalike.I
f
he'
sner voust
henthere'
sapr oblem."Shesighed.
Sasa:"
Unti
lther
e'smor
einf
ormat
ion,
whatcanwe
dothenKhaya?"
Khaya:"
Pleasedon'
tfr
eakout
."
Sasa:"
What
?"
Khaya:"Talksofukuthwalahavebeenhappening.
Pleasedon'tmenti
ont hi
stoanyonebutunderstand
thatit
'
snotf ormali
ciousint
ent,
it'
stokeepyousafe
andalive.
"
Sasa:"Khaya,
I'
m notwithNkosi
nhle.That
'sal
lthe
probl
em was.IfI
'm notwit
hhim,there'
snoreason
towanttogetri
dofme.Kidnappingmet oforceme
tomarrysomeoneIdon'
tevenlikeiswrong.Iwoul
d
qui
teli
ter
all
yrat
hersl
itmywr i
stsanddiethan
marrysomeoneIdon'
twant.Tellthem t
hat.
"
Khaya:"Iknow.AllI
'm sayi
ngis,t
her
e'st
alks.
Nothingelse.Not
hinghasbeenconfir
med.Zwe
shutitdownandi fheandKi ngBi
yel
asaynot heni
t
won'thappen."
Sasa:"Itbet
ternothappen.Honestl
yI'
m begi
nni
ng
toactuall
yhatethispl
ace.IfIcoul
d,Iwoul
d
defi
nitel
yrel
ocate."
Khaya:"
I'
m sor
ryal
loft
hisi
shappeni
ng.
"
Sasa:"
It
'sokayKhaya.Thankyouf
orbei
nghonest
wit
hme. "
Khaya:"
Okay.I
'
llseeyousoonokay?Pl
easebesaf
e
Thembisa.
"
Sasa:"I'
l
lbesafe.Alloft hiswil
lbeoversoon.Bye
Khaya."Ihungup, walkingt omyapartmentdoor.I
unlockeditandwalkedi n.Zimmywasont hecouch,
passedout .Whatwast hi snow?Itooktheglassof
f
thefloor
,placi
ngitont het abl
e.
Khaya:"
Zimasa.
"Ishookher
."Hey.
"
Zi
mmy:"
What
?"Shewokeup.
Khaya:"
Whatdoyoumeanwhat
?Di
dyouevengo
t
oschool?"
Zi
mmy:"
You'
rebackear
ly.
"
Khaya:"
It
'saft
er4i
ntheaft
ernoon.Iatt
endedcl
ass
andameet i
ng.Howareyouonlywakingup?"
Zi
mmy:" Khaya,canyoujustl
oweryourvoi
ce?I
don'
tneedthissnobversi
onofyou."
Khaya:"
Snobversion?
"Ibr
eat
hed."
Okay.Pl
ease
getofft
hecouch."
Zimmy:" Youwantmeoutyourhouse?Fi ne.I'
llbe
outofyourf ucki
nghouse!"Shegotof fthecouch,
l
eavingthef l
eeceoni t
,onlywear i
ngat -
shirtthat
barelycoveredherass.Itookthef l
eece, fol
dingi t
thendustingthecouchcushi ons.Itidiedupher e
andt her
e.Thecleaningcrewwi llt
hor oughlycl eanit
i
nt hemor ni
ngast heyusuallydo.Wher ewast his
girl
?Iwenttot hebedroom.Shewasont hef l
oor
nexttothebedcr yi
ng.Idon'thavet heener gyt o
dealwi
tht
his.
Khaya:"
Zimasa.
"
Zimmy:"I
'm sor
ry.I
'l
lleave.
"Shestoodup,
wipi
ng
hereyesandpackingherclothes.
Khaya:"Ihaveanumberforather
api
styoucould
use.I
'l
lpay.Justl
etmeknowwhenyou'reavai
lable
soIcanbookyoursessions.
"
Zimmy:"Doyougot
othet
her
apyyou'
re
suggest
ing?
"
Khaya:"NoIdon'tbutIalsoknowtheansweri
sn'ti
n
al
cohol.Italmostdest
royedmylif
e.Ifi
twasn'
tfor
Zwe,Iwoul dn'
tbehere.
"
Zimmy:" I
'
m happyforyouthenKhaya.It
'snice
beingrel
atedtoaroyalf
amilythatl
ovesyoul i
ke
theirown.Someofusdon'thavethatpri
vil
ege."
Khaya:"Pushingyourf
ri
endsawayi sn'tdoingyou
anygoodZi masa.Fucki
nghell.We'r
eal lgoing
thr
oughshithere.Can'
tyouseet hat
?Yout hink
you'
retheonlyonegoingthr
oughhel l?Ihadt o
watchmyf atherdri
vemymot hertohergr avet oo.
Andmi neact uall
ydi edbyt heway.Yes, t
heBi yela'
s
wer etheref orme, basical l
yr aisedmebutIknewI
wasn' tthem andcoul dn'tjustr elax.Istuckbymy
father'
ssi deandhet reatsmel ikeshit.Youknow
whyIcal ltheBi yelapal acemyhome?Because
that'
st heonl yoneIhave.Myownbi ologicalfather
hatesme.I 'mt ryi
ngt obui l
danamef ormysel f,
usingr esour cesar oundmeandIkeepsecond
guessi ngmysel fever yst epoft heway.Ikeep
askingmysel fwhyam Ievent rying?Whyam I
survivingthr ought hisshi t?Ikeepaski ngmysel f
whoI 'm doi ngitfor?ThewomanIl oveandwantt o
bewi thisi nlovewi thmybossnow.Doyout hinkli
fe
i
sf aironher ?Someonei st ryingt ofuckingki l
lher.
Mnqobii soutt heret ryi
ngnott of al
linlovewi thtwo
womenbutf ail
ingdismal lyevent houghhe' s
promi sedf ormar r
iaget oone.Wal l
owingi nselfpit
y
willnothel p.Getaf uckinggr ipandgethel p.That '
s
allI'
m sayi ng.Youhaveusasf riends,we'retrying
tohel pyou. "
Zi
mmy:"
Youdi
dn'
thavet
oyel
latme.
"
Khaya:"
Just
,geti
ttoget
herman.We'
real
ltr
ying
her
e."Shewi
pedhert
ear
s.
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Khaya:"
Youknowyou' r
ewelcomehereaslongas
youwant.Just,
geti
ttoget
her.Tr
y.Gotoschool
andstuf
f.Leaveal
coholal
oneforabit
."
Zimmy:"Okay.
"Shehuggedme."Thankyoufor
beingsopati
entwi
thme.Especi
all
ythi
spastweek.
"
Khaya:"
Whatwast
hatal
laboutanyway?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwashavi
ngaper
iod.
"
Khaya:"
Fel
tli
keadr
agonl
ivedi
nthi
shouse.
"She
chuckl
ed.
Zimmy:"
Nowyou'
rebei
ngdr
amat
ic.
"Shel
ookedup
atme.
Khaya:" Doyouwantt ogooutf ordinner?Ihave
goodnews. "Il
ookedawayf rom her
.Ther ewast hi
s
vibet hatwasstart
ingt hesedaysandIwoul dn't
ent ert
aini
t.Iknowt hatlook.I'
veseeni tfr
om every
girlthathaswantedmei nbed.Icoul dn'tt
ake
advant ageofherli
ket hat.Shewasgoi ngt hrougha
tought ime.
Zi
mmy:"
Maybel
ater
."
Khaya:"Okay,I'
l
lgrabsnacksandwecanwat
cha
moviethen."Ipull
edawayf r
om her
.
Zi
mmy:"
Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
Zimasa.
"
Zi
mmy:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Khaya:"
Not
hing.why?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iknowyouf
eelsomet
hinghappeni
ng.
"
Khaya:"
NoIdon'
t.Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Wow.
"
Khaya:"
Areyougoingtol
etgoofmyshi r
t?"She
movedcloserki
ssi
ngmylips.Ipull
edaway."Not
l
ikethi
sZimmy.You'r
emyf ri
end."
Zi
mmy:"
Iknow.Ij
ust
-Iwantyout
ohol
dme.
"
Khaya:"
It
'sgoi
ngtomakethi
ngsawkwar
dZi
mmy,
I
don'
twanttorui
nourf
ri
endship.
"
Zi
mmy:"
We'
readul
tsKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Yeah,
unt
ilIbr
inganot
herwomanhome
tomorrow.Thenpl
atesandpot
sst
artf
lyi
ng.
"She
giggl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
You'
reover
thi
nki
ngt
his.
"
Khaya:"I
'm not."Thi
swasadi ff
icul
tsit
uat
ionandI
hopedsomeonewoul dknockoraphoner ang.
Somet hi
ng.Anyt hi
ng.IhadneverseenZi mmyina
sexualmanner .Sureshe'
shotbutshe' smoreli
ke
mybr othananyt hi
ng.Ican'tj
ustgetahar donwith
her.Shewalksar oundhalfnakedal lt
heti
meandI
nevergetturnedonsi mplybecauseshe'smyf r
iend.
Whynowwasshecompl icati
ngt hi
ngs?
Zi
mmy:"
What
'st
hisaboutKhaya?
"
Khaya:"ZimmyYou' remyfri
end.Yes,you'
resexy
butIcan'tj
ustforgetthef
actthatwe'
reactuall
y
fri
ends.
"Sher ol
ledhereyes,l
etti
ngmegof inal
ly.
ThankGod." Ourfri
endshi
pmeansal ottome
Zimasa.I'
m notgoingt ol
etamomentofweakness
rui
nit.
"
Zi
mmy:"Fi
ne.You'
reri
ght
.Letmet
akeabat
hand
wecangofordi
nner?
"
Khaya:"
Youhaven'
ttakenabat
h?"
Zi
mmy:"Itookashoweri
nthemor
ning.
"She
l
aughed.
Khaya:"
Oh,thatwasver yshocki
ngf orasecond.I
t
houghtyoupr oposit
ionedmebef or
et akingabat
h.
I
'dbesodisappointed."Shecont
inuedl aughi
ng.
Zi
mmy:"
You'
reasnob.
"
Khaya:"
Youhaven'tmetsnobsZi
mmy.Gobat h,I'
l
l
waiti
nthel
ounge."Il
eftheri
ntheroom t
ogetready.

SASAPOV_

Mondayschooldaywasf i
nall
yover.Isati nmybed
l
isteningtomusi c.Myhear twasheavywi th
memor i
es.Imi ssedbeingeNtabeni,bei nginhis
arms, onhislap.IfIknewitwouldbeshor tli
ved,I'
d
havet akenfulladvantageofit
.Inthebegi nning,
I
reall
ydidn'tt
hinki twouldl
astunti
lIf ellinlovewith
him andwant edi tto.Sobadl
y.Amahl ecamei nthe
room.
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"HiAmy.
"It
ookoutmyear
phones."
Howwas
yourday?
"
Ama:"Long.Icoul
dn'
tst
opt
hinki
ngaboutyouand
yourdr
eam."
Me:"
Oh.Iwrot
edownallt
hedet
ail
sinmyj
our
nal
.I
di
dn'
twantt
oforget
."
Ama:"That'
sgood.Somethi
ngisbrewing.
Somethinghaschangedbuti
t'
ssti
llbl
urry.Idon'
t
under
standwhy."
Me:" Khayacalled.HesaysSi bonel
othinksImight
sti
llbeindanger .He'
stalki
ngaboutukut hwal
a.
Whati fhekidnapsmeandf orcesmet omar r
yhim?
Isthatthechange?Pl easeAmahl e,
Ican'tmarry
anyonel eastofallSi
bonelo.Thatwouldbreakhim."
Ama:" Thenwhycan' tIseeit
?It'
sjustabl
urof
uncertaint
y.Unlesst
heBi yel
a'susedmuthit
obli
nd
youbutwhywoul dthey?It'
snotli
keyoucandefend
yourselffr
om royal
s.Whyi sitbl
urry?
"
Me:"
Doyout
hinki
t'
sjustt
heBi
yel
a'
s?"
Ama:"
Ohhel
l.
..Al
lther
oyal
sar
ecomi
ng.St
art
ing
t
oni
ght
.They'
real
lcomi
ngt
otown.
"
Me:"Amahle,whatdoesthi
smean?Ihavean
i
mpor t
anttestt
omor r
ow.Itr
iedaski
ngMrMafani
andher ef
used,Ihavetogoint
oschoolf
ort
hetest
."
Ama:"Youstil
lhavesecur
it
y.Iknowt
hey'
l
lint
ercept
anypotent
ialat
tack.
"
Me:"
You'
rewor
ri
ed.
"
Ama:"
Ithoughtgoingt
othemount
ainmeantIwon'
t
bedyi
nganymor e.
"
Me:"
Youf
eelyou'
reaboutt
o?"
Ama:"
Nobutthebl
urr
ythi
ngi
snew.Idon'
tknow
whati
tmeans.
"
Me:"Whati
fadeci
sionwasmadet hatchangesthe
fut
ureandi
t'
sbal
ancesoit
'l
ltakeami nut
eforitt
o
showyou?"
Ama:"
Whoel
sedi
dyouspeakt
o?"
Me:"Absol
utel
ynooneexceptKhaya.Ihaven'
teven
madeanydecisiont
odaysoitcan'
tbeme.Maybe
Nkosi?
"
Ama:"Hewoul d'
vetoldme.Let'
strythecandl e
thi
ngagain.Maybeyoumi ghtdream somet hing
again,
somet hi
ngwithaclue.
"Ikneltont hefloor
,
coveri
ngmyshoul der
slikeIdi
dyest erday.Amahle
knel
tnexttome.Ilitt
hecandleandst artedsingi
ng
thesamesong, afewtimes.Maybei fIsaidthe
samepr ayer?
Me:" Please,
Showmeanygui dance,
path.Iknow
you'resomewher eoutthere.Myheartisbleeding,
pleaseLi f
tmet owherethespi r
it
saresotheycan
showmewher etogo."Iheldmyhandsouti na
receivi
ngmot ionbutnothi
nghappened.Not hunder,
nocol d,noti
re."I
t'
snotwor ki
ng."
Ama:"
Tryagai
n.Tr
yandf
eelt
hesameemot
ions.
"
Me:" That'sthethi
ngAmahl e,I
'minthesame
emot ions,I'
m noteventrying.
"Iclosedmyeyes,
si
lentlypraying.Myt ear
shi tt
hegr oundi
nspl at
ter
s
unti
lmyeyeswentdr y.Not hi
ngwashappeni ng.I
switchedof fthecandle."We'l
ltryagainl
ater
.
Maybei t
'stheti
me."
Ama:"
Yesi
t'
sthet
im.
..
"Shest
aredatherhands,
shaki
ng.
Me:"What
'swrong?"Shewi
pedherhandsonher
pant
sandlookedagain.
Ama:"
Not
hing.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
05:
54] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er47

SASAPOV_

AmahleandIhavedeci dedt ogotodi ni

nghallfor
supper.I
'vebeenl ockedi nourroom f orawhileso
gett
ingoutabi twillbegr eat.Wewal kedtothehall
.
Nothandoj oi
nedus, wegotf oodandsatdown.The
mealtodaywasanor malspaghet tiandmeat bal
ls
wit
hsauce.Ipi ckedatmyf ood,barel
yeating.Then
somethingcl i
cked.IlookedatAmahl e.Shewas
al
readyst ari
ngatme.
Me:"
Weshoul
dgot
oBakhoyo.
"
Ama:"
Idon'
tevenknowwher
eiti
s."
Me:"
Wecanf
indi
t.
"
Ama:"
It
'sal
readyl
atet
oday,
aft
eryourt
est
t
omorr
owwecango.Whatar ewelooki
ngfor
t
her
e?"
Me:"Idon'tknow.Ther
e'sar easonIdr
eamtofit
.As
her
.Bet weenthatandeNtabeni.Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
s
saf
ef ormet obeeNtabenithough."
Ama:"Yeah,myfatherhast heplaceonlockdown."I
waspumpi ngwithadrenal
ine.Icouldst
il
lvivi
dly
seethestr
eetIwaswal ki
ngi nandthehouse.
Hopeful
lynotmuchhaschangedi nthepast50
year
s.Unli
kelybutwecanonl yhope.
Me:"
Isi
tst
il
l.
..Secl
uded?
"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Not
ha:"
Andsever
elynegl
ect
ed.
"
Me:"
Ther
e'sar
easonf
ort
hat
."
Ama:"
What?"Ilookedaroundust
omakesur
eno
oneel
sewaslisteni
ng.
Me:"Amy, i
tissaidheburntdownavill
agebecause
hedidn'twanttoeverseeitagai
n.Whythen,l
eave
thevil
lagehespentthelastmonth'
sofherli
fewit
h
herinuntouched.Whyjustabandonit
?Surelyi
t
heldmor ememor i
esforhim.Whydidn'
theburn
thati
nstead?"
Not
ha:"
Let'
sgo.Youcan'
ttal
kaboutthi
sher
e."We
t
ookourcontai
ner
swit
hfoodtoourroom.
Ama:"
Your
eckonhel
eftsomet
hingt
her
e?"
Me:"Idon'
tknowbutsomet
hingismissi
ng.Whydi
d
heburnuMcebovil
laget
otheground?"
Not
ha:"Maybeweneedt
ofi
ndoutmor
eabout
uMcebovi
ll
agethen.
"
Ama:"
How?Hedest
royedal
lther
eisabouti
t.
"
Me:"
Heleftoneperson.
"Idi
aledmyfat
her
's
number
,li
steni
ngtoitri
ngi
ng.Hepi
ckedup.
Xol
ani
:"Mychi
ld.
"
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
I'
m okayTat
a.Howar
eyou?
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
mfi
ne.What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"Tat
a,pl
easebehonestwi
thmeandpat
ient
.I
j
ustneedtoknow."
Xol
ani
:"Okay.Whatdoyouwantt
oknow?
"
Me:"Apar
tfr
om Nonkosi
,whatwasuMcebovi
ll
age
knownfor
?Wasi ti
mport
antinsomeway?"He
si
ghed.
Xol
ani
:"Whyar
edoi
ngt
his?
"
Me:"
Ijustwantt
oknowTat
a."
Xolani:"Thi
swasover40yearsagoThembisa.I
don'tknowwhatitwasknownf or
.Theonl
yt hi
ng
thatcomest omindwheniti
sment i
onedi
sNonkosi
.
Ourvillagewasnormalt
ome."
Me:"
Canyout
ellmeabouti
t?"
Xolani:"
From whatIr emember,wehadqui t
eal ot
ofcrops.Wef armedourownveget ables,
frui
t.We
tr
adedf orli
vestock.Wewer ecl
osetoar i
verthough,
wemost l
yhadf ishrathert
hanmeat.Uhm...What
el
se...Oh,thereasont heki
nghadvisi
tedwasdue
t
oar umor.Sincet henamer ef
erst
ot r
easure,Ithi
nk
maybehewant edt omi nei
nourvil
lage.Turnsoutit
wasjustarumor .Wedi dn'
thaveanytreasureinour
l
and.Justri
chsoi lforf
arming.Not
hingelse."
Me:"Oh.Okay.Doyouknowhowt
heki
ngmet
Nonkosi
?"
Xol ani:"Yes.Itwasthevil
lage'sfavour i
test ory,t
hey
wr otesongsabouti t
.Apparentlyshewascomi ng
from t heriver.Themainroadandt hepat ht oand
from t heriverjoi
n.Hehadj ustarri
ved, needi ng
directionst otheChief
shome.Shedi r ectedt hem
andwentonherway.I ti
ssai dfrom there,theki ng
hadf all
eni nlovewit
hher.Itwasl oveatf i
rstsight
forhi m."
Me:"
Isee.
"Isi
ghed.
Xol
ani
:"Whyar
eyouaski
ngmet
his?
"
Me:"
I'
mjustcur
iousaboutwher
eyoucomef
rom.
"
Xol
ani:"Wel
l,t
hevi
ll
ageisdeadandgonenowmy
chi
ld.Ther
e'snobr
ingi
ngitback.
"
Me:"
True.Letmef
ini
shmywor
kTat
a.Thankyou.
"
Xol
ani
:"Goodbyemnt
anam.
"Ihungup.
Me:"Ther
e'ssomet
hingaboutt
hevi
ll
aget
hatwe
don'
tknow."
Notha:"Al
readyonit
.TriedtoGooglebutt
hey'
ve
wipeditof
fthedatabase.It
'sasi
fithasnever
exi
stedever."
Ama:"
Notevent
hebur
ningoft
hevi
ll
age?
"
Notha:"Nope.I
t'
sregardedasf
olkl
ore.Look.
Apparentl
yQueenNonkosiissai
dtohavecome
fr
om forgott
enlands.
"
Me:"
Okay.Thi
sissuspi
cious.
"
Ama:"You'r
eri
ghtThembisa.Wehavetogot
o
Bakhoyo.Somethi
ngmightcomeup."
Not
ha:"
Andwhataboutt
hel
andofMcebovi
ll
age?
"
Me:"
It
'snot
hingbutashes.
"
Ama:"Let'
sst
artatBakhoyo.Tomor
row.I
fwecan'
t
fi
ndanythi
ngthere,
thenwegot owher
eMcebo
oncewas."
Not
ha:"
Whynott
oday?I
t'
sonl
yaquar
terpast5.
"
Me:"
isi
tsaf
eAmy?
"
Amy:"We'l
lseeahead.Let '
sgo."Igotdressedi
n
j
eans,apoloneck,jacketandsneakers.Theywere
al
readydressedwar m si
ncecomi ngfr
om school.
WeleftRes,Amahle'sdri
verdroveusout .
Me:"
Michael
,doyouknowBakhoyovi
ll
age?
"
Hel
ookedatmei
nther
ear
view.
Mi
chael
:"No.
"
Ama:"
Findi
t.
"Hel
ookedbackont
her
oad.
Mi
chael
:"Yes,
mypr
incess.
"

Wedroveintothevi
ll
ageasi
tturneddark.Thesun
hadset,
leavi
nganorangehueinthedarksky.The
str
eet
swer eempty,
whichwasstrange.
Ama:"
Stopher
e."Hepar
kedont
hesi
de.
Michael
:"Mypr
incess,
Idon'
tknowi
fthi
spl
acei
s
safe.
"
Ama:"Whendangerari
ses,I
'
llgiveper
missionf
or
yout
oattack.Fornow,
stayclose."Wegotoutt
he
car.Thetwoguardswalkedbehi
ndusaswetookto
thestreet
sofBakhoyo."
Anythi
ngfami
li
ar?
"Ishook
myhead.
Me:"
No.Thi
spl
acef
eel
sli
ket
imest
oodst
il
lsi
nce
t
he60's.
"
Ama:" Yeah.
"Weent eredanotherstreetsti
llwal
king
thenanother.Attheendoft hethir
dstreet,
undera
tree,
satanol dman.Wewal kedupt ohim.The
guardsstoodi nadist ance,
holdingtheirweapons.
West oodinfrontoft heoldmanwhodi dn'
tseem to
acknowledgeourpr esence.
Me:"
Hell
o."Hel
ookedupatme,conf
used.
"
Uyaphi
laBaba?
"(Areyouwel
l,
sir
)
Him:"Whatareyoudoingher
e?You'
renot
supposedtobehere.
"
Me:"
I'
mlooki
ngf
or-
"
Him:"Thel
ateki
ng'
shouse.Iknow.You'
renot
supposedt
obehere."
Me:"
Why?
"
Hi
m:"
Ift
hewr
ongpeopl
efi
ndyouher
e.I
twoul
dbe
doom f
orourent
ir
enat
ion.
"Hedr
ewont
hesand
wit
hhisst
ick.
Me:"
Ihadadream aboutt
hispl
ace.There'
s
somet
hingher
ethatIneedtofi
nd.Idon'
tknow
what
."
Hi
m:"
It
'snother
e."
Me:"
Isi
teMcebo?
"
Him:"No.I t
'
syou.I tisnotbycoinci dencet hattwo
kingschosebl oodfrom thesamesoi l
.Itwascal l
ed
TheTr easurevill
agef orareason.Youmustl eave,
beforetheyfindyou.Noonecanknowyouhave
thatblood.Theybur ntthevil
lagetot hegr oundt o
getridofanyl astseedofyou, cl
ear lytheyf ai
led.
"
Hechuckl ed."Butdonotpr ovoket hem.Theycan' t
knowaboutyou.Ever .Iti
sbestt heybel ieveyou
don'texist
."
Ama:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Him:"Herbloodiswor t
hthatofahundredkings.
Shecanconnectt oancestor
sbeyondherown.
Nati
onswillgotowarf orherblood.Wit
cheswill
st
opatnot hingt
ot akeitf
rom her.Nowleave.
Continueyourli
feasitwas.For getaboutt
hisplace.
Go."Wet urnedaroundtoleaveimmedi at
ely.That
famili
arfeeli
ngofbeingwatchedst art
edagain.I
coveredmyheadandf acewi t
hmyhoodunt ilwe
reachedthecar.

Wear
ri
vedbackatRes,cl
osi
ngthedoort
oour
r
oom.Thet
hreeofussatqui
etl
y.
Notha:"Okay,
I'
mjustgonnasayit
.Youheardthe
creepyoldman.We'r
elett
ingt
hisgo,r
ight
?It
'snot
safe."
Me:"
Iwi
shIcoul
dNot
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Didyounothearhi
m say,
yourl
if
ewoul
dbe
i
ndanger
?"
Me:"
Aren'
tyout
hel
eastbi
tcur
iouswhy?
"
Not
ha:"
Hel
lno.
"
Me:"
Amahl
e?"
Ama:"Iam but.
..Whatcanwedo?Wedon'
thave
anyotheropt
ionnow.Maybenextt
imewewon'tbe
solucky.
"
Me:"Thenwhatisthepoi
ntofshowingmet hi
s
pl
ace?Nowt hatIknowofthet
reasurevi
ll
age,what
i
sthepoint
?"Isighed.
Ama:"Idon'tknow.Sur
ely,
it'
spur
posewi
llshow
i
tsel
fsoon."..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

ThisMondayhasf i
nal
lycomet oanend.Even
thoughmyf atherandIweren'tspeaki
ng,
Ihadtobe
i
nhi shouse.Isatinmyofficestari
ngatnot
hing.
Mt hunziwal
kedin.
Mt hunzi:"Bathongajustarri
ved."Hesatopposi t
e
me." Camewi thSamu."Iexpectedt hat .Thegi r
l
doesn' tt
akenof orananswerandi twasi rrit
ati
ng.
Ver ysoonI '
m goingtosnap." TheBi yela'sj ust
receivedNakhamul a's.Phakami sawi llarriveint he
mor ningwi t
hMuf huwalo's.Thenlat erint heday
Mpondo. "Inodded,openingmydr awerf orast ress
ball."How'sZwe? "
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
twasgoodseei
nghi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.
"
Mthunzi
:"Maybeaf
terf
ir
stcounci
lyoushoul
dinvi
te
hi
mf oradri
nk."
Nkosi
:"Not
hanks.
"
Mthunzi:"
Youneedf
ri
endsNkosi
.Youneedt
oget
yourmindoff
-"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt
ogetmymi
ndof
fher
."
Mthunzi
:"Okay.Maybethen,dur
ingt
heday,
tal
king
t
osomepeopl emighthelp?"
Nkosi
:"YouknowIdon'
tli
ket
alki
ngMt
hunzi
.Least
ofal
ltoroyal
s."
Mthunzi
:"Fi
ne.Whatdoyouthi
nkaboutKhaya'
s
pr
oposal.I
twasgood,wasn'
tit
?"
Nkosi:"
Yeahitwas."Helookedatmeinpi
ty.
"
Pleasedon'
t.Don'tfeel
sorryf
orme."
Mthunzi
:"You'
remybestf
ri
end.I
thur
tsseei
ngyou
l
ikethi
s."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbefi
neMt
hunzi
."Het
ookouthi
sphone,
st
ari
ngatit.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatt
hehel
l?
"Hest
oodup.
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Mthunzi
:"Amahl
e'
sdriverandguar
darenoti
n
Mountai
nPeak.Ij
ustgotacaraler
t.
"
Nkosi:"
Wheret
hehellar
ethey?
"Hecl
ickedont
he
phone."MTHUNZI
."
Mthunzi:"
Thi
sisi
nthemiddleofnowher
e.Thecar
i
smovi ngagai
n.Howdi
dt hi
shappen?"
Nkosi
:"I
sshei
nsi
det
hecar
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes.Wi
thThembi
saandNot
hando.
"
Nkosi:"
Mthunzi
callher
.Wherearetheygoi
ng?"He
di
aledthenumberbutitwentst
rai
ghttovoi
cemail
.
Mthunzi:"
Theyseem finebutwher
edidtheygo.
Theplacethecarstoppedinisi
nthemiddleof
nowhere.They'
recomingbacktowardMountain
Peaknow."
Nkosi
:"Ar
etheysaf
e?"
Mthunzi:"
Seemingly.I
'
llhavetorepri
mandt hei
r
guar
ds.Whydi dtheynotalertbefor
etheyleft
?
Whatifsomethi
nghadgonewr ong?Most
i
mportantl
y,wherethehelldi
dt heygo?I'
m goingt
o
meetthem now."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m comi
ngwi
thyo-
"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
,youcan't
.Youknowhowuncert
ain
thi
ngsareri
ghtnow.IpromiseI
'l
lmakesur
ethey'
re
safe.
"
Nkosi:"
Bequi
ckMt
hunzi
.Tel
lmei
mmedi
atel
ywhat
happens."
Mt hunzi
:"Iwill
."Her ushedoutmyof f
ice.Il
eaned
ont hedeskwi thmyel bows.Myf aceinmyhands.
I'
dbeenavoi dingt akingar untot hewoodsandt he
ri
verbecauseapar tofmewasqui t
eangr yatmy
grandfather
.Soundedst upidbecauset hemani s
deadbutt hatwaspr eciselywhyIwasangr y.Hel ef
t
thi
smessher ef ormet odealwithanddi dn'
teven
prepareme.I nsteadhegl amourizeditwithloveand
sprinkl
es.Couldn'tbebot heredtoremindmet hat
hebur ntpeoplealive.Ican' tbenearhisspirit
becauseIwi
llsaysomever
yugl
ywords.If
eltmy
bi
rthmother
'sauraent
ermyof
fi
ce.
Nobant
u:"
Myson.
"
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
."
Nobantu:"
I'
m nothappywi
tht
het
ensi
onbet
ween
yourf
atherandyou."
Nkosi
:"Youonl
yhavehi
mtobl
ame.
"
Nobant
u:"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'st
rueMehl
uli
."
Nkosi:"I
t'
sveryt
ruemama.Don'tyouremembert he
condit
ionsIhadtocomebackhere?Letmer emind
youofone.Igettomarr
ywhoIwant .Whatdoeshe
do?ThesecondImakemychoi ce,hethr
eatensto
ki
llher.Sotel
lme,whoi
swrongher emother?"
Nobantu:"
Yourf
atheri
sonl
ywor
ri
edaboutyour
saf
ety.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatsafety,Mother
?Thembisai
safull
human.Noabili
ti
eswhat soever.I
'
mtheonewho
appr
oachedher,ifanyt
hingshewasscaredofme.
Sowho'ssafet
ywasatr iskhere?"
Nobant
u:"
Shewentupyourancest
ral
mount
ain
Mehl
uli
.Thati
sfor
bidden.
"
Nkosi
:"It
ookherupther
efi
rst
!Iwastheonewho
t
ookheruptothealt
erandsatwi
thher.Thi
swas
t
hesecondtimeshewentandonlybecauseshe
washelpi
ngAmahle.
"Shestar
edatme.
Nobant
u:"
Whatdoyoumeant
hatwast
hesecond
t
ime?"
Nkosi
:"Exact
lyt
hat
.Sheonl
ywentupbecauseshe
waswelcomed."
Nobant
u:"
That'
simpossi
bleMehlul
i.Onl
ythehei
rs
cangoupther
e.It
'si
mpossibl
ethatacommoner
can.
"
Nkosi:"Idon'tknowwhatyouwantmet otel
lyou
butunder standthatfr
om t
hispointon,our
rel
ati
onshi pinthishousei
sstri
ctlybusinessand
thethrone.Idon'tknowafamilythatdoesn'twant
onetobehappy. "
Nobant
u:"
Nowyou'
rebei
ngchi
ldi
sh.
"
Nkosi
:"Whenwasthelastt
imefat
hert
oldyouhe
l
ovesyou?"Shel
ookedatthef
loor
."Doyoueven
knowhowi
tfeel
stobel
ovedbyhi
m?"
Nobant
u:"
Mehl
uli
-"
Nkosi:"
Doyouwantt hatforme?Youronl
yson?To
nothavelove.Toj
ustexisttor
ule.
"
Nobant
u:"
Idohavel
ove.Ihaveyou.
"
Nkosi:"Youdon' thavemeanymor emot her.AsI
sai
d, ourrelat
ionshipint
hishousewillonlybe
business.IfIcan'tbehappy,nobodyelsewi l
lbe.
"I
walkedout .

PETUPOV_

Dinnerwit
hMnqobiwasgr eatasusual.Idon't
knowwhatt hi
smeantf orusbuthe'stakenmeout
almosteveryni
ght.Iwasevenr unningoutofoutfit
s.
Nothando'swordsstuckwithmet hough.Shedi d
sayImustaskwhatt hismeantf orus.Wesati nthe
backoftherest
aurant,cl
osedof ff
rom theother
diner
s.Heheldmyt high,dr
inki
ngwi newithhis
otherhand.
Pet
u:"
Baby?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yesl
ove?
"Hepl
aceddownhi
sgl
assand
l
ookedatme.
Pet
u:"So,
it'
sbeent
woweeksr
ight
,si
ncewe'
ve
st
art
edhookingup.
"
Mnqobi
:"Yesl
ove.
"
Petu:"Weseeeachot hermostnights.SoIwasj ust
wonder i
ngwhatthatmeant .Arewest i
llonl
y
hookinguporwe'redating?Idon'twantt oassume
thatyou'
reexcl
usivel
ymi ne."Hesmiled.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m excl
usi
vel
yyour
sbaby.Nooneel
se.
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
twantt
oputyouinaspotbecauseyou
di
dsayyoucan'
tpr
omiseafutur
e."
Mnqobi:"
Yes,Ican'
tpromiseaf
utur
ebutwecan
enj
oythepresent,
right
?"
Pet
u:"WhatifIf
alli
nlovewi
thyouMnqobi
?I'
m not
apri
ncess-
"
Mnqobi:"Thatisn'
timport
antbaby.Idon'
tknowa
wayforwardrightnow,I'
mj ustki
ndawingi
ngit
.I
di
dn'
tthinkI'
df eell
iket
hisaboutyou.Nowthat
we'vegrowncloser,I
'
mf indi
ngitdiff
icultt
oletyou
go.Canwej ustfi
gurethi
ngsoutt ogether?I
promiseIwon'tl
etyoudown.Pl easet r
ustme."He
heldmyhand, hol
dingitagai
nsthislips."Whathave
youplannedforyourbirt
hday?"
Petu:"Meandt hegirl
swant edtodoagir
lsonly
party.Sasahasbeengoi ngthroughahardt
ime
l
atelysowehaven' thadtimet oplani
tpr
operl
y.I'
l
l
j
ustcheckf oravenuef ornow."
Mnqobi
:"Ihaveanopenhousei
nTheSt
ell
ars.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'suncomf
ort
abl
ycl
oset
oSi
bonel
o."
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Howaboutahot
el?Icanbookt
he
pent
housesuit
es.
"
Pet
u:"
Thatsoundsexpensi
ve.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mnqobi :"
Theyusuall
yhaveaf
ullpackage.Dri
nks,
food,andanyaddit
ionsyoumaywant .Don'
tworry
aboutthecost,
you'r
emywoman.Ther e'
snot
hing
tooexpensivef
oryou."
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowyetbaby.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Maybeyou'
l
lknowbyt
heendoft
he
weeksoIcanmakereservati
ons.
"Heki
ssedmy
hand."
Doyouhaveagiftli
st?"
Petu:"
Nobaby.Ijustwantt
oenjoymyday.
"I
snuggledcl
osert
ohi m,myheadonhi
sarm.
Mnqobi
:"Iwantyoutoenj
oyyourdayt
oobutIwant
t
ogetyousomet hi
ng.
"
Pet
u:"
Anent
ir
eli
stt
hough?
"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llchooset
hreei
temsf
rom i
t.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.Icanjusttel
lyout
hen.Il
ikehandbags,
Fl
ower
sandper f
ume. "Hesmil
ed.
Mnqobi :"
Okaymylove."Hekissedmyfor ehead.
"Royalcounci
lst
art
sonWednesdaysot het ownwi l
l
befloodedwit
hroyalsstar
ti
ngf r
om t
omor r
ow
morning.Ial
sowon'tbeabletoseeyouf orabi t
."
Petu:"
Whatisroyalcounci
l?ImeanIknowyou
guysmeetupandst uffbutforwhat?Areyou
al
lowedtotal
kabouti t
?"Hechuckled.
Mnqobi:"
No,we'
renotal
lowedtotal
kaboutitbaby.
Buti
t'
sjustr
evi
singt
helawswehavei nthenati
on
anddi
scussi
ngwaysf or
ward,newventur
es,andof
cour
set
hecor
onat
ioncomi
ngupi
naf
ewmont
hs.
"
Pet
u:"
Ohokay.Andi
ttakesl
ikeaweek?
"
Mnqobi:"Notaful
lweek.Usual
lyf
rom Wednesday
t
oFriday.ThenSatur
daythere'
sacelebr
ati
onatthe
Ki
ng'
sAr ena.Ever
yoneleavesonSunday."
Pet
u:"Okaythen.Havef
unatyourl
it
tl
econf
erence.
"
Helaughed.
Mnqobi
:"Thi
sisaveryi
mport
anteventmylove.
Come,l
et'
sgototheapar
tment
,Iwanttoholdyou.
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m onmyper
iodbaby.
"
Mnqobi
:"Whydi
dn'
tyousayso?
"
Pet
u:"
Whywoul
dIhavet
otel
lyou?
"
Mnqobi :"Iwantyout obeascomf ort
ableas
possiblePet uni
a.You'vebeent ensealleveni
ng
everyti
meIt ouchyou.Idon' twantyou
uncomf ortablewhenyou'rewi thmebaby. "Even
thoughI '
veknownhi mf orthisshortti
me, Icouldn'
t
helpbutf eelsafewithMnqobi .Hemademef eelso
comf ort
ableandl ovedandt akencareof .Hewas
attent
ivetoever ydetai
laboutme.I '
veneverbeen
handledsogent ly,spokent ososof t
lyandkindl
y.I
watchedhi m paythebi llt
henhol dmyhandwal king
outtherestaurant,hepul l
edmecl osertohim hi
s
arm aroundmywai st ,kissi
ngmyl ipswhi l
eopening
thedoor.Iwasf inallythemai ngirlwiththesexi
est
boyfri
end.Iwasspoi lt,shownof fandmost
i
mpor tantl
y,caredf or.Ther ewasnowayIwoul dl et
goofhi m.MnqobiBi yelawasmi ne.Idon' tknow
howbutIhadt omakehi m chooseme.
[
07/
27,
05:
55] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er48

KHAYA'
SPOV_

I
twaseveni
ng,
IwasonmycouchwatchingTV.
Zi
mmywaseatingpi
zza,
playi
ngwi
thherphone.
Thedooropened.MnqobiandPet
ucamei
n
car
ryi
ngaplasti
c.
Mnqobi:"
Goodeveni
ngbeauti
fulpeople.
"Beaut
if
ul
peopl
e??Peopl
ewhoareinloveirr
it
ateme.
Khaya:"
Hel
loPet
u."
Pet
u:"
Higuys.
"Theysatont
hecouch.
Mnqobi
:"Whatar
eyouguyswat
chi
ng?
"
Khaya:"
Isn'
troyalcounci
lst
art
ingt
hisweek
Mnqobi?"
Mnqobi:"
Ifi
tis,
whyareyouhereMradvi
sor
?
You'
resupposedtobewit
hSibonel
oasofnow.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m goi
nghomei
nanhour
."
Mnqobi :"
I'
llgowithyoumos.Sowhat '
sthe
problem?"Het ookoffherheel
s,pl
aci
ngherfeeton
hislapmassagi ngthem.Whatwasgoingon?"Are
youcomf ortabl
enow? "
Petu:"Yesbaby.Canyoupl
easegetmeaspoon
fi
rst?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ofcour
se.
"Hewentt
otheki
tchent
ofet
ch
oneandsatbackdowninthesamepositi
on.Heeee,
Mnqobiwasinlove.WhataboutNot
hando?"Letme
tast
e."
Petu:"I
t'
snice.
"Shef edhi
m aspoonoficecr
eam.I
shookmyhead, l
ookingbackatt
heTV.Thiswas
goingtobeamess.Iwonderi fhetol
dherabouthis
mar r
iage.I
'l
lobvi
ouslyhavetoaskhi
m whenwego
home.Pet uisnotreall
ymyfri
endbutshe'
sclose.
Shedoesn'tdeservewhat'
sabouttohappen.
Zimmy:"
I'
m goi
ngt
obed."Shegotup."
Pleaselet
meknowwhenyouleavesoIcanlockup."She
sayst
ome.
Khaya:"
You'
ret
hrowi
ngmeoutofmyownhouse?
"
Zi
mmy:"I
'm nott
hrowi
ngyouout
,I'
m aski
ngyout
o
l
etmeknowwhenyouguysgo."
Khaya:"
Youdon'
twantt
ohangoutwi
thus?
"
Zimmy:"
Iwantt
obei
nbedf
orabi
t.I
'
mfeel
ing
cold.
"
Khaya:"
Shoul
dIputt
heheat
eron?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hat
'st
oomuch.I
t'
sokayKhaya.
"She
wal
kedt
othebedr
oom.
Mnqobi
:"Real
lybr
a?"
Khaya:"
What
?"
Mnqobi
:"She'
sfeel
i
ngcol
dKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Iof
fer
edaheat
er,
shesai
dno.Youhear
d
her
."
Petu:"
Maybeshewashopi
ngf
oradi
ff
erentki
ndof
heater
."
Khaya:"
Ionlyhaveagasone.Idon'
thavea
di
ffer
entki
nd.It
'spr
ett
yeff
ecti
veonitsown.
"
Mnqobi:"
Don'
tent
ert
ainhi
m baby.Heknows
exact
lywhatwemean,he'
sjustavoi
dingi
t.
"
Pet
u:"
Khaya,
shel
ikesyou.
"
Khaya:"
Thati
snotagoodi
dea,
Pet
u.Ver
ynot
good.
"
Mnqobi
:"Comeonbr
a."
Khaya:"Idon'
tknowwhyyoupeopl eref
uset o
understandme.Idon'
twanttorui
nmyf riendship
wit
hZi mmy.Ihardl
yhavefri
ends.Idon'
thavet he
l
uxurytofuckup.I
'
m sti
llgoi
ngt
hroughshi
tandI
needpeopleonmyside.
"
Mnqobi:"ImeanIdogetyou.Ontopofthat
,you
ghostpeopleaf
teryouhitsomaybei
t'
sforthebest
youkeepyourdistance.
"
Khaya:"
Soyou'
renotshari
ngt
hei
cecr
eam yout
wo
br
oughtint
omyhouse? "
Mnqobi
:"No.Getyourown.
"
Khaya:"
Leavemyhouset
hen.
"
Mnqobi
:"MakemeKhaya.
"
Khaya:"You'
reluckyPet uishere.I'
dhavedr agged
youthehellout.
"Igotupwal ki
ngtot hebedroom.A
partofmewasf eel
ingbad.Ididn'twantZi mmyt o
l
ikemebecauseIwasn' tf
eeli
ngherl i
kethat.Idi
dn't
wanttohurther.It'
snotl i
keIwasbl owingmyown
hornbutgirl
sgetqui ckl
yat t
achedtomeandI
usuall
yfeeltheopposi t
e."Hey.
"Igoti nthebed.
Zi
mmy:" Hey.
"Shecont
inuedscr
oll
ingt
hroughher
phone.
Khaya:"
Camet
okeepyoucompany.
"
Zi
mmy:"Thoset
woar
esucki
ngf
aceagai
n?"I
l
aughed.
Khaya:"
No,
feedi
ngeachot
heri
cecr
eam.
"
Zi
mmy:"
They'
resoi
nlove,
it'
sir
ri
tat
ing.
"
Khaya:"
Ithi
nki
t'
sprett
ycut
e.Maybeyoushoul
d
fi
ndyourownpri
nce."
Zimmy:" I
'
m st
ayi
ngFarawayf r
om royal
s.Besi
des,
Sibonelowasdat
ingSasa.I
t'
snotl
ikeIcangoback
there.
"
Khaya:"
Youl
ikeSi
bonel
o?"
Zi
mmy:"
Don'
tmakei
tabi
gthi
ng.
"Il
aughed.
Khaya:"
Whydi
dn'
tyousayanyt
hing!
"
Zi
mmy:"Li
kewhat ?Idon'
tli
kehi
m anymor
e.I
twas
onl
yonceoffKhaya.Gosh.
"
Khaya:"
OhmyGod,
you'
rei
nlovewi
thhi
m."
Zi
mmy:"Don'
tbestupi
d.If
eelnot
hingf
orSi
bonel
o.
I
t'
snotabi
gdeal.
"
Khaya:"
YouknowIcanhookyouupr
ight
?"
Zi
mmy:"Pl
easedon'
tKhaya.Ir
eall
ydon'
twant
Si
bonel
o.I
t'
sgoi
ngtobeawkwar d.
"
Khaya:"
Andyout
hinkf
ucki
ngmewon'
tbe
awkward?"
Zi
mmy:"
We'
ref
ri
ends.I
twon'
tevencount
."
Khaya:"
Ofcour
sei
twi
ll
."
Zimmy:"
Look,l
et'
sjustf
orgetit
.I'
mt al
kingt
o
someoneri
ghtnow.Forgetever
ything.
"
Khaya:" Hmm.Okay. "Itookmyl aptopandchecked
myemai l
s.Theheadofdepar tmenthadr esponded
regardingt hecur ri
culum toofferalearningpr ogr
am
forpeopl ewi thouthighschooleducat i
on.Ihad
madesur etospr i
nkleinthefutureking'snamei n
myf utur event ur
ewi thhim.ItrustedMehl uli
woul dn'tgobackonhi sword.JustasIwasr eading,
Inoticedanot heremai lf
rom theroyalassi stant.It
wasacont ract.See?IknewIcoul dtrusthi m.
HoweverasmuchasIt r
ustedhim, Istil
lwent
throught hecont ractthoroughly,writ
ingmyown
notesont hesi de.Icompi l
edar esponsebackt othe
assistantwi thmynot es.Iwasabsol utelyhappy
withever yt
hing,Ijustneededt oammendaf ew
pointersandt hecont ractwi
llbeperfect
.OnceIwas
done, Iwentbackt ot heheadofdepar tmentinthe
educat i
onsect orandf ir
edupanevenbet ter
response.Iwasnowi nbusinesswi t
haki ng,thi
s
curri
culum neededt obeappr ovedassoonas
possibleandt horoughl yso.
Zi
mmy:"
Whatar
eyoubusywi
th?
"
Khaya:"Hadameeti
ngwi
thPri
nceSikhosana.He
approvedmybusi
nesspr
oposalsoI
'
m ammendi ng
ourcontract
."
Zi
mmy:"
What
!!It
houghtyouhat
edhi
m?"
Khaya:"
Idon'thatehi
m.He'
sokay.Besi
dest
hisi
s
onl
ybusiness."Ismil
ed.
Zimmy:"Thisi
sthatbusinessyouspoketo
Sibonel
oaboutthatweekend?Youalready
regi
ster
editandeveryt
hing?"
Khaya:"
Yep.Companyisregister
edalr
eady.Alli
s
aboveboard.I
'
mjustwaiti
ngf ort
hedepartmentof
hi
ghereducati
onandtrai
ningtofini
shontheirsi
de.
Ihopehisnamewillmeanurgencyforthem."
Zi
mmy:" Wow.Thi
sisamazi
ngKhaya.I'm sopr
oud
ofyou."Myphonerang.Myfat
her'
snameappear ed
onthescr een,
maki
ngmyheartrace.Bynowhe
probablyknows.
Khaya:"
Ineedtotakethi
s."Igotoutofbed,
walki
ng
tot
heloungebeforeIanswered.MnqobiandPetu
hadgonetotheguestroom.
Mpendulo:"
Whatt hef
uckiswrongwi t
hyou?!
!!I
hadtohearfrom t
hegrapevi
nethatmysonhasa
cont
ractwit
ht hef
utur
eKing.Whyt hehel
lwould
yougobehindmybackKhaya! !
"
Khaya:"
Tat
a,Iwasn'
tgoi
ngbehi
ndyourbac-
"
Mpendulo:"Yesyouwer e.Yout houghtyoucould
tr
ickyourwayi ntothebigleagues.Khaya,you'r
e
nothi
ngbutachi l
d.Awor t
hlessoneatthat!It
'l
lbe
nolongerthanaweekwhenyoucomer unningback
tomet ofi
xyourmess.You' r
efuckinguseless.Just
l
ikeyourmot her.Andifyouknowwhat '
sgoodf or,
you'l
lqui
twhi l
eyou'reahead."
Khaya:"
Mymot herwasnotusel
ess.Andneit
her
am I
.Youcannotabusemeanymor etat
a.I
'm goi
ng
tosucceedwi t
houtyou.Maybet hatscar
esyoubut
understandt hatIwi
llnotstoptryingunti
litki
ll
syou
toadmi tit
."Ihungupt hrowingmyphoneagai nst
thewall.Whydi dhehat emesomuch?I '
venever
doneanyt hingtohim.Whyt r
eatmel iket
his?Isat
onthecouch, myhandsshaki ng.Mnqobisatnext
tome, hishandonmyshoul der
.
Mnqobi
:"Hi
m agai
n?"
Khaya:"
Ya.
"
Mnqobi :"Don' tli
stentohi m Khaya.Youdon' teven
needhi m anymor e.Youdon' tneedhi svali
dati
on.
Sinceyout ur ned21, t
hisapartmenthasbecome
yours.Yourmot herlefti
ttoyouandhecan' ttake
thatfrom you.Youhaveus, youbelongwi t
hus.
You'reaBi yel a.Cutthismanof f.Evendadhas
stoppeddoi ngbusi nesswi t
hhim now.I t
'sokay.
Bloodi sthick, butourbondi sthicker.Pl
ease,my
brother.Lett hisguygo.I t'
senoughnow. "Mnqobi
wasr ight.Ther ewasnot hi
ngmor eIneededf r
om
myf ather.Itwast i
me.I thurtmedeepl ybecausehe
wast heonl yt ieIhadt omymot herbutshewas
gone.Ther ewasnot hingIcoulddo. .
.
PRI
NCEPOV_

Tuesdaymor ning.Itwaspr eparationday.Usual lyI

spentt hisdaywi t
hmyf atherbutIknowi twas
probabl ygoingt obeasourday.Hewasst il
langr y
thatIsnappedathi m yest erday.Igotoutofbed,
dressingi nmyr unninggearandl eftt
hepal ace.I
boltedt other i
veratf ullspeed.Noonecoul dout run
me.Notevenl i
ght eningi t
self.Iknewt heycoul dn't
foll
owmeandsoIwasal one.Iar ri
vedatt heforest
andsl oweddownunt ilIreachedt heriverbank.
Nkosi
:"Wher
eishe?
"
Gui
de:"
You'
reangr
y."
Nkosi
:"Oh?
?I'
m Angr
y?I
sthatasur
pri
se!
!!
"
Gui
de:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi:"
YoudoNOTgett
ocal
m medown.Wher
eis
he?"Ihi
ssed.
Gui
de:"
He'
snother
e-"
Nkosi :"CONVENI ENT.DoyouknowwhatI '
m goi ng
through?Doesheknow?Hesai dtomehewant s
met of eelt hegr eatestlovehe' severknown.THI S
ISNTLOVE.I 'M FUCKI NGSUFFERI NG! !
!!
"I
screamed." I'
mt orn.Whyi shenother e?"Isatdown,
controllingmyt ear s."Whycan' thet el
lmei tgets
better?ThatIgetherback?Igett oholdheragai n?
WhymustIsuf f
er? "Iwipedt helonet earonmyf ace.
"Please.Iwi l
ldoanyt hing.Absol utel
yanyt hing.
Justtel lmei t'
llbewor thit.TellmeIgett obewi th
heragai n.Evenhol dherf orasecond.Hearher
voicet elli
ngmeshel ovesme.Tel lmet hisisn'thow
i
tends.Pl ease. "Theai raroundwasst il
l.Asof t
breezeonl yremai ned.Nor esponse.No
reassur ance.Iwasal one.Notevenmygui de
appear ed." Thisiswhatyouwant ed.Formet obe
you."..

Imadei tt
othepalacebybreakf
asttime.Iwasn'
t
planni
ngonstayinglonghonest
ly.Befor
eIcould
evengoupstair
s,mymot herwaswai t
ingforme.
Nobant
u:"
Son,
woul
dyoul
ovet
ohavebr
eakf
ast
wi
thus?
"
Nkosi
:"NobutI '
llbethereoutofobl i
gation."Iwent
upthestai
rsthreeatt i
me, t
urningintomywi ngt o
mybedroom.It ookashower ,comingoutt odr ess.
Mynormalblacksui tandabl ackshirtinsteadwas
mychoice.I
t'
sonl yfrom tomor rowI'
llbeinr egal
at
ti
re.Aft
erdressing,Ilef
tmyr oom stoppingat
Amahle'
sdoor .Iknockedandsheopened.
Nkosi
:"Whendi
dyougether
e?"Iwal
kedi
n.
Ama:"
Wehavet
otal
k."Shecl
osedt
hedoor
.
Nkosi
:"Howi
sshe?
"
Ama:"Bad.She'
stryingtof
il
lherti
mewith
somethingel
se.
"Myhear tachedatthet
houghtof
hert
ryingtoj
ustforgetme.
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyouher
e?"
Ama:"
She'
sdr
eami
ngoft
hepast
."
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Ama:"Iwalkedintheroom andshewasst
ruggl
i
ng
t
obreath.Itouchedherandshewokeup.
Appar
ently,shewasinBakhoyo."
Nkosi
:"Whati
sthat
."
Ama:"Nkosi,
thatwast hevi
ll
agePapaescapedto
wit
huGogo.Thembi sadreamtthatshewasher.
Descr
ibedtheentir
eplacetopreci
sedet
ail
.We
wentt
hereyesterday.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoucr
azy!
?"
Ama:"Weneededanswer
s.Andwegott
hem.
"My
i
nter
estsuddenl
ypi
qued.
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?
"
Ama:"uMcebovi
ll
agewasbur
ntt
othegr
ound,
ri
ght
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Ama:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.SomethingaboutPapanot
wanti
ngtoeverseeitagai
n."
Ama:" Hecould'veavoidedi tbuthechosenotto.
Hechoset obur nitinstead.Nkosi,t
hatwasn'
tjusta
normalvil
lage.Itwast heTr easur
evill
age.He
wasn'tbur
ningi tbecausehewashur t
.Heburntit
becausehedi dn'tanyonet ofigur
eoutwhatitwas.
Unfortunately,
Thembi sa'
sf at
herescapedandhe
madeher .Shest il
lhast r
easurebloodinher.Which,
i
ssai dtobewor t
hahundr edkings.Shei
sthelast
ofherkind.Theguywemetsai dweneededt okeep
quietaboutt hi
s.Noonei ssupposedt oknowshe
exi
sts.It'
sdanger ous."Alloft
hisinfor
mati
onwas
overwhelmi ng.Ididn'
tevenknowhowt oprocessit.
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e.Idon'
tcar
eaboutal
loft
his.My
hear
tiswit
hher.HowdoInavi
gatet
hat?
"
Ama:" That'
swhatwe' r
etryingtofigureoutbr other.
There'
sar easonyourpathscr ossed.I tcan'
tbe
coi
ncidence.Fornow, she'scoll
ectingmor ef r
om
herdreams.Ourancest orsareguidinghert oyou.
She'
sgoi ngtofindtheanswer .Justbepat i
ent
Nkosi.
"Honest l
y,If
eltali
ttlebett
ert han20mi nutes
ago.Iwasn'tholdi
ngouthopebuti twassomet hi
ng.

Wewentdownt ot
hediningareaforbreakfast.I
di
dn'thavemucht
odot odaybutIdidhavea
l
uncheonwithmyfat
herandBat hongalaterinthe
day.
Nkosi
:"Whenar
eyougoi
ngbackt
ores?
"
Ama:"
Now.Ineedt
obei
ntheci
ty.
"
Nkosi
:"Cl
ass?
"Shel
ookedupatme,
hol
dingmy
hand.
Ama:" Don'tworry.
"Ofcour seIhadt oworry.We
reacheddininghall.Thefami l
ieshadsatdown,
comf or
tableandchat ti
ng.Ever yoneseemed
j
ubilantandannoyi nglyexcit
ed.Amahl eheldmy
handt i
ghter,Idi
dn'tevenintendt olethergo,Idon'
t
understandwhyshewassocl ingytoday.
Samu:"MyPr i
nce.Goodmor ning.Iwast ol
dyou
pref
erorangei nthemor ni
ng."Shehandedmea
gl
assofor angejuice.Amahletooki tf
rom myhand,
abouttodrinkitbeforeSamusl appeditouther
hand.Thegl asshitthefl
oor,
breakingoni mpact
.
Thewholepal acewentsi l
ent
.
Samu:"I
'm sor
ry.Uhm.I
..
.Lostmyt
emperf
ora
second.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dyoujustt
ryt
opoisonme?
"Al
lthe
guar
dsdrewthei
rweapons.
Sikhosana:"
STANDDOWN! !STANDDOWN! !"Not
oneoft hem complied.Theydi
dn'
tli
stenort
ake
i
nst r
ucti
onfrom anyonebutme."IAM YOUR
KING!!!
"Heshout ed.Notonebudged.
Nkosi
:"Di
dyout
ryt
opoi
sonme?
"
Samu:"
No,YourHi
ghness.IswearIwasn'
t
posi
oni
ngyou.
"Shecri
ed."Pl
ease.Iswearonmy
l
if
e."
Ama:" I
t'
snotpoi son."Shel etgoofmyhand,
bendi ngtot hefloortoscoopherf i
ngeront hej ui
ce.
Shet astedit."Lovepot ion."Shesmi led,satisf
ied.
"Youwant edhimt ofal linlovewi thyou.Whatyou
didn'taccountf or ,
isme. "Shest oodinfrontofme,
facingSamu.Amahl ewashal fmyhei ghtbuther
presencewaspal pabl e."Hei sNEVERgoi ngtolove
you.Notwhi leIst i
lll
ive.Andbel ieveyoume, I
'm
goingt olivelongert hanyoucanbegi nto
under stand.Father ,whatdowedot owi tches?"
Samu:"No.I
'
m notawit
ch!MyKing,pl
easebel
ieve
me,Iwasnottr
yingt
oharmthePri
nce.Iswear
."
Shesobbed.
Si
khosana:"
Ithi
nkweal
lneedt
ocal
m down.
"
Nkosi
:"No.Wedon'
t.Fat
her
,whatdowedot
o
wit
ches?"
Sikhosana:"
Mehl ul
i.Youneedt othi
nkthi
sthr
ough.
Samui sapr i
ncess.It'
sroyalcounci
l.Howdoyou
eventhink-
"
Nkosi
:"What
.Dowedo,
TOWI
TCHES,
Fat
her
.".
..

SASAPOV_

Bythet i
meIwokeupAmahl ewasgone.Idi dn't
knowshehadanear lyclass.Itookashowerand
gotdressedforschool.Itwasoneoft hehotdays
soIwor emywhi temaxidr essandsandal s.Iti
ed
upmybr ai
dsandwentt ohavebr eakf
ast.Isatwith
PetuandNot hando.Theset woseemedcl oser
everydaytoanextentthatPetusomet imessl ept
overatNothando'sroom.I t
'shappenedt wicebut
sti
ll
.Ineededtohaveaconver sationwit
hNot hando
todaybecauseIdidn'tknowMnqobiwel lenought o
sl
apmyt hi
ghconf r
ontinghim.Royal stakeoffense
ateveryt
hinghere.Ihatedthatthistownwi l
lbe
fi
ll
edwi t
hthem byendoft onightbutt henagain,i
t'
s
notli
keIhadanywher etogo.I'l
lfi
nishwithmyt est
andcomel ockmysel finmyr oom onceagai n.Ihad
anassignmenttof i
nishandal so,abookt oread.
Me:"
Higuys.
"Isatdownwi
thmybr
eakf
ast
.
Pet
u:"
Heyboo.
"
Not
ha:"
Hel
loSasa.
"
Me:"Wher
eisAmahl
e?Iwokeupandshewas
gone.
"
Notha:"
Wentt
othepal
ace.She'
l
lbebackby
midday.
"
Me:"
Ohokay.
"Ist
art
edeat
ingabi
t.
Pet
u:"
Howar
eyoudoi
ngl
ove?
"
Me:"
I'
m okay.You?
"
Petu:"
Youdon'thavet
oactst
rongf
orus,
we'
reyour
bestfr
iendsSasa.
"
Me:"
I'
m honest
lyt
ryi
ngnott
obr
eakdownso.
..
Maybenott alkingabouti twi llbebet t
er.Your
birt
hdayi scomi ngup.Whatdoyouhavepl anned
sof ar
?"Icoul dn'tevent ellthem aboutt he
distur
bingdr eamsI 'm havi ng.Sur e,Nothando
knowsabi tbutnooneknowshowempt yI'
m
feeli
ngr i
ghtnow.Ever yf ewmi nutesmyhand
touchesmybel l
yandapangofr eali
tyhitsthatI'
m
actuall
ynotpr egnantinr eallife.Onlyinmydr eams.
It'
sonlyinmydr eamst hatIhavet hegr eatestlove
growingi nsi
demeandal sot akingcar eofme.I t
wasdi ffi
culttosepar at
eNkosi nhlefrom Ngi dumise
becausehel ooksexact lyl i
kehi m.Thoseeyes
defeatedmej ustlastnight .Andhonest l
yI '
m
embar rassed.Mycheeksf l
aredwi t
h
embar rassment .
Petu:"
Mnqobiwantst
obookapent housesui
tef
or
us.Appar
ent
lytheyof
feraf
ullpackage.
"
Notha:"Pent
housesui
te?Hehasanestat
eofluxur
y
housesandhewant st
obookasuiteatahot
el?
Petu,harr
assthi
sman."Igi
ggl
ed.
Pet
u:"Ican'
tNothando.Besi
des,
Stel
lar
siswher
e
Si
boneloli
ves.
"
Notha:"Sowhat?I
t'
sagirl
sparty.Ourguardswil
l
bethereandalso,
Ithi
nkMnqobicankeephi s
br
otheroccupi
edfortheni
ght.Petu,useyourpower
pl
ease."
Pet
u:"
Whatpower
,Not
hando?
"
Notha:"
Theguyisfi
lt
hyri
ch.Don'
tset
tl
efor
nonsense.Gohi
gherandabove.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'snotme,
Not
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Whatdi
dyoul
ear
natwomanhoodcamp?
"
Me:"
Womanhoodcamp?
"
Pet
u:"
Whati
sthat
?"
Not
ha:"
Thecampgi
rl
sgot
owhent
heyt
urn16.
Di
dn'
tyougo?"
Me:"
I'
m pr
ett
ysur
eI'
veneverhear
doft
hat
."
Pet
u:"
Same.
"Not
handof
rowned.
Notha:"Men,aret hepr
otector
s.Theyprotectyou
fr
om harm.Whet heri
tisfamil
y,enemies,anyt
hing.
Theirj
obistopr ovideful
lsecuri
ty.Wi
thinthat
securi
tyisf
inance.Whydoyout hinkeverypri
nceis
taughtt
hei
rfamil
ybusinessbytheageof18?They
needtoknowhowt ogenerateenoughmoneyt
o
givetot
hei
rwivesandchildr
en."Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Sorr
yNothando.Whatt
hendot
hewomendo?
Whatar
etheyt
aught?"
Notha:"Tonur
tur
ehim andt
hechi
ldr
en,
tol
ovehi
m,
supporthi
m andsuch.
"
Me:"
Youdon'
tli
kei
t,doyou?
"
Notha:"Absol
utel
ynot
.It
'snonsensebutPet
u,t
ake
advantageofthi
snow."
Pet
u:"
I'
m notagol
ddi
ggerNot
hando.
"
Notha:"Pr
ett
ysuretheBi yel
a'
sdon'tevenknow
whatthatmeans.Enjoythismoment .Actli
kea
r
oyalwifewould.Besides,twoofyourfri
endsar
e
r
oyal,andwe'renotal
lowedi nhot
els.So..
."I
l
aughed.
Pet
u:"
Fine.Sasa,
areyouokaywi
thapr
ivat
ehouse
i
nStel
lar
s? "
Me:"
Yes,i
fandonl
yif,Mnqobipr
omi
sest
okeep
Si
bonel
oawayfrom me."
Petu:"
I'
llmakehi
m pr
omi
se.Don'
twor
ry.
"She
winked.Wegiggl
ed.

Mydaywasgoi ngwel l
,I'
dmadei ttoschoolwi th
mysecur i
tyandf oronce, Ididn'
tcar eaboutthe
eyesandat t
ent
ion.Iwr otemyt estwel l
.Timef or
met ogobacktor es.Iwant edtotakeanap, hoping
tohaveanotherdr eam.I tsoundedst range,Iknow
butIhonestl
yfeltsomuchcomf ortinseeinghis
faceli
ghtupandseei ngt heswel lofmyhuge
stomach.Imissedt hef eel i
ngofhol dingit.The
kicksandmovement s.Theguar ddr ovemebackt o
res.
Qhama:"
Areyouwel
l?
"
Me:"Yes.
"Ismil
ed,hol
dingmyf
latst
omach."
Ijust
needtotakeanap.IsAmahl
eback?"
Qhama:"
No.
"Hel
ookedatt
her
ear
view.
Me:"
What
?"
Qhama:"Nothi
ng.Justchecki
ngsecur
it
ymeasur
es.
Sofarever
ythi
ngseemsnor mal.
"
Me:"
Oh,
good.I
twasagooddayr
ight
?"
Qhama:"Defi
nit
ely.Si
ncet hesancti
onsareli
ft
ed
maybeyoucouldgetar oundabi t
.Can'
tbenice
bei
nglockedinar oom l
ikeyou'r
einpri
son."I
chuckl
ed.
Me:"
Trustme,
iti
sn'
t.
"
Qhama:"Thankyou, Thembisa.It
'snotusualt
obe
tr
eatedli
keahumani nthi
sjobbutsinceyou,I
promiseI'
veseenmor ehumi l
it
yinmyent ir
eli
fe.
Notonlyfrom you.
"
Me:"
Howl
onghaveyoubeenwor
kingf
orhi
m?"
Qhama:" Iworkwit
hGeneralMt
hunziactual
ly.I
haven'
twor kedf
orthet
hronespeci
fi
call
yexcept
you.It
'sbeen8yearsnow."
Me:"
That
'squi
teawhi
le.Doyouenj
oyi
t?"
Qhama:"Yes.Thepayi
samazi
ngandt
hej
obi
s
st
abl
e."
Me:"
Doyouhaveaf
ami
ly?
"
Qhama:"Yes.Mypar
entsar
esti
llali
ve.They'
re
rai
singmyson,mygir
lf
ri
endal
sol i
veswiththem.
"
Me:"
Howol
disyourchi
ld?
"
Qhama:"
Two.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
What
'shi
sname?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Qhama:" Qhamani ."Ilaughed.Hepar kedt hecar .I
gotoutt heback, takingmybagf rom theseat .I
hear dsomeonescr eami ngmyname.Il ookedup,
closingt hecardoor .Qhamacamer ushingt ome,
j
ustbef oreher eachedme, hisbodyf elltothe
ground.Mywhol ebodyf rozef orasecondbef oreI
regist eredwhatwashappeni ng.Amahl ewas
runni ngatf ul
lspeedt owardme.Andt hat '
swhenI
feltit.Acol dbulletpiercedmyl eftr
ib,numbi ngmy
ent i
rebodyt oashi veringpause.Shej umpedonme,
shieldi ngmef rom impendi ngi mpactf rom ther ain
ofbul l
et sbutmybodyhadshutdown.Icoul dn't
feelhert ouch.Icoul dn'thearat hi
ng.Nott he
deaf eni ngscr eams.Nott hebul l
etspour ingatmy
body.Nott hecr acklingofthunderi nt hesky.My
eyesshutcl osed.Feel ingNot hing.
[
07/
27,
05:
55] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er49

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thel uncheonwasi nourhomegar den.Mymot hers

hadgoneal lout.For t
unat elyforme, Iwasn' tst uck
wi t
hmyf ami lyonly.Bat honga, Biyela,Nakhamul a,
Muf huwal oandPhakami sahadj oinedus.Theonl y
fami l
yt hatwasl atewasMpondo.I twashi st hing
andt hatdi dn'tevenbot herme.Thesi t
uat i
onoft his
mor ningwasst i
llhangingi nt heai r.Myf atherhad
refusedt opuni shSamubecausei tisr oyalcounci l
week.Appar entl
ywehadt odealwi ththisaf t
er .I
'm
notlettinghi m getawaywi ththis.Canyoui magi ne
tryi
ngt oj uj
ume?Thesi cknessofi tall
.Herent ir
e
fami l
ywasembar rassedandI '
dmakesur et heyf eel
i
t.Ever yoneseemedt obehavi ngagoodt imesof ar
.
Thequeenssatt ogetherhavi ngachatatt hei rtable.
TheKi ngshadt heirownt abl e.Thepr i
ncesal sohad
theirown.Iwast heonl yonesi tti
ngbymysel f.I
didn'tbelongher e.Theonl yper sonIwoul d've
t
oler
atedi
sZweandhei sn'
ther
e.Myfat
hercall
ed
metothei
rtabl
eandIhadagoodmi ndtotellhi
mto
l
eavemealonebuteveryonewasalr
eadystari
ngat
me.Iwenttosi
tnextt
ohi m.
Sikhosana:"MyPr i
nce,theotherr
oyalsandIwer e
tal
kingaboutthecor onati
oninafewmont hs."I
l
ookedathi m,daringhimt osayit.Heswallowed."
I
can'tbel
ieveIcreatedthoseeyes.Scary,
ar en'
t
they?"Theylaughed.
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
!!
"Her anoutt
othebackyar
d.
Ever
yonestoppedtolookathi
m.Hiseyesfocused
onme.Tears.Shaki
ng.
Sikhosana:"Ar
eyoui nsane!
?Whatki
ndof
disrespecti
sthis!
?"Igotup,l
ooki
ngatMt
hunzit
o
speak.Hecoul dbarel
ybreath.
Mthunzi
:"I
'm sor
ry.
"Hewhisper
ed.Myhear
t
st
opped."Wehavet ogo.
"
Sikhosana:"You'
renottakinghi-"Ibolt
edtothecar
withMt hunzionmyt ai
l.Hegr abbedmyar m, pul
li
ng
meaway.Inot i
cedthehel i
copterfi
ri
ngupont he
pad.Wegotonandbuckl edupbef oreitl
if
tedint
o
theai
randf l
ewtowar dtheci
ty.Myhearthadgrown
i
ceandIdi dn'
tevenknowwhatwasgoi ngon.Ij ust
knew.IknewifThembi sawashurt
,Iwouldn'tbe
ablet
ostopmysel ffr
om hurt
ingmyfather.Ifel
ta
handholdi
ngmi ne,Il
ookeddown.Mthunzi.
Nkosi:"Isshe..
."Thesi lencecutmedeepl y.Bythe
ti
met hehel i
copterl andedont hehospitalroof,
I
j
umpedof f,r
unni ngt otheent r
ance.Agr oupof
guardsmetmei nsidesur roundingme.Ipushed
them away, walkingf astertoherscent.Icould
smellthespillofherbl oodt urni
ngmebl indwi t
h
rage.Final
lyreachi ngtheoper atingr
oom.Il ooked
atthesmal lwindow, Zwel ookedupandbackt ohis
work.Mt hunzipul l
edmeaway.
Mthunzi:"Lethim work.AmahleisinICU.Come. "
Hedraggedmebackupt otheICUwar d.Iwal
ked
i
ntother oom, hol
dingmysi st
er'shand.Shetri
ed.
Shetri
edt osavet wolivesandkeept hem bot
halive
al
linoneday.Ihel dheri nmyar ms,huggingher
ti
ght.
Ama:"
OuchNkosi
."Shecoughed.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouf
ine?
"
Ama:"Igot29bull
etsi
nme, af
ewinmyhead.So
no.NoI'
m notfi
ne.Hurt
sli
keabit
ch.You'
re
shaki
ng."
Nkosi:"
Onebull
ethi
ther.
"Thefami
li
arfeel
ingof
i
nstantragehi
tonceagai
n.Ist
oodup,Amahle
pul
ledmebackdown.
Ama:"
Zwei
sgood.He'
l
ldohi
sbest
."
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e."Ilookedatmyhands.Shel
ooked
atmyshaki
nghands.Theyst ar
tedt
oshapeli
ke
cl
aws.Shehel
dt hem.
Ama:"
Youhavet
otr
yNkosi
.Tr
yyourbest
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
oki
llhi
m."
Ama:"
Youcan'
tdot
hat
-"
Nkosi
:"Amahle.Iwi
llki
llhi
m."Shehuggedme.
"
Howcoul dt
heydot histome?Whywoul dt
heylet
t
hishappen?
"
Ama:"Sheisgoi
ngtobeokay.Shewi llbef
ine."The
dooropened.Mt
hunzipeepi
ngin.Ifol
lowedhi m out
,
walki
ngtotheoper
ati
ngroom again.Zwewal ked
out,takingoffhi
sgloves.Istoodinfr
ontofhim,
shaki ngwit
hat err
orI'
veneverfelti
nmyl i
fe.Itwas
takingallofmet oholditt
ogether.Mychest
ti
ght enedwitheverygrowingsecond.Hepulledme
i
n, huggingme.
Zwe: "
Stable."Hewhi spered.Mychestgavei nbut
heheldmet ight
."She'sgoi ngtobeokay.She' llbe
fi
ne.Breath."Theknoti nmychestst art
edt oloosen
asItookadeepbr eathandexhal ed." Again."He
patt
edmyback.Mysensessl owl yret urned."Ther e.
She'
sokay.Justunconsci ous.She' llbeupi naf ew
hoursbutwehavet ol ockdownt hehospi tal.All
guardshavet ogo.Ever ysingleone.Wedon' tknow
whoor deredt hi
shityetandt heycoul dstilldoi t
whil
eshe'sr ecoveri
ng. "Inodded, pulli
ngawayf rom
hi
shol d.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"It
urnedt
oMt
hunzi
."Getr
idof
t
hem.Al loft
hem."

SASAPOV_
Igotoutofbed,str
uggli
ngwit
hmyhugebell
y.Two
womendr essedinservant
scl
otheswal
kedi
n.
Me:"Goodmor ni
ng."Theybothbowed,hel
pingme
dressi
nagown.Thedooropenedonceagai n.
Nkosi/
Ngidumisewalkedin.Hewasdressedinhi
s
beauti
fulr
egalsui
t.
Nkosi
:"Loveofmyl
if
e."Heki
ssedmyl
ips."
You
ki
ckedmeoutofbed."
Me:"Youkeptsqueezi
ngmeNkosi .Howam Ito
sl
eepiftwopeoplearepull
ingmeapart
?Oneis
tr
yingtogetout,
theotherwant
sin.No,yout
wo
hateme."Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Myboywant
stoplaywithme.Pleaseal
low
hi
m mama.Come,it
'st
imeforyourbat
h."
Me:"
Thel
adi
escanhel
pme.
"
Nkosi:"
Thel adiesmustf i
ndsomethi
ngelsetodo.
Comemyl ove."Heledmet ot
hebathr
oom, r
unni
ng
waterinthetubt hentaki
ngoffmyclotheswit
hso
muchcar eandgent leness.
Me:"
Idon'
twantt
omessonyouri
mpor
tantsui
t,
baba.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
ssuiti
snotevenathreadasimpor
tant
t
hanyou."Hekissedmyshoulder,
leadi
ngmeinto
t
hebath."I
sthewaterokay?
"
Me:"
it
'sper
fect
."Isatdown.Heknel
tonthef
loor
,
t
aki
ngthesponge."Howisthefamil
y?"
Nkosi:"They'l
lbefi
ne.Everyoneisexci
tedf
ort
his
one."Hecar essedmybelly."Si
zwengayeDumi
sil
e
Sikhosana."
Me:"Iwanthi
mt obet hegoodki
ng.Li
keyou.
"He
smil
ed."I
Nkosiyam enhle.
"
Nkosi:"Yourwishi
smycommandMr sSi
khosana.
Whydi dn'tyouwantabi
gweddi
ng?Thenat
ionis
wait
ing."
Me:"
Maybeaf
terayearst
handwasam.Iwast
oo
t
ir
ed.Si
zwei
sveryheavy.
"
Nkosi:"
He'safutur
eKing,
ofcour
sehe'sheavy.
"He
kissedmylipsagai
n."I
'
m bei
ngcrownedtomorr
ow.
Itwouldbeamazingifmyli
tt
lepr
incej
oinedus
too."
Me:"Sot
hatImissthi
simportantday?Theprince
mustwait
.Iwanttocel
ebrat
emyman. "Helaughed,
f
ullandl
oudfi
ll
ingtheroom l
ikethemajest
yhei s.
Nkosi :"Iloveyousomuch.Doyouknowt hat
Nonkosi ?Iloveyouwi t
hmyent i
rehear
t,souland
spiri
t.Event hedayIleavet
hiseart
h,I
'l
lenterthe
afterlif
ei nsearchofyou.Pleasecomeandf indme
sthandwasam.Iwi l
lneverresti
fIcanneverhold
youi nmyar msagai n."
Me:"I'
l
lsear
cht
otheendsofallspi
ri
tualr
eal
msf
or
you.Il
oveyout
oomyKi ng.
"..
.

Wewal kedouttheroom,af
terIdr
essedi
nmyr egal
dress.Nkosihel
dmyhandt othedini
nghal
l.He
pull
edmychai rhel
pingmesit.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Iwhi
spered."
Goodmorningmy
Ki
ngandQueen.
"TheKinglookedatme.
Ki
ng:"
Mor
ning.
"Thequeendr
ankherj
uice,
ignor
ing
me.
Nkosi
:"Juni
ori
sget
ti
ngr
eadyt
ojoi
nussoon.
"He
r
ubbedmybi
gtummy.
Ki
ng:"Thatwouldbegood.I'
mlookingf
orwar
dto
meet
ingourf ut
ure.Haveyouchosenaname,
Ngi
dumi se?
"
Nkosi:"Yesfat
her
.Thenameforthepr
incei
s
SizwengayeDumisil
eSi
khosana.
"Hepouredme
somej uice.
Ki
ng:
"Si
zwengaye?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Si
zwengaye.
"
King:
"Okay.Si
zwengaye,
itis.I
t'
sgoodt hatyoutwo
gotmarri
edbefor
ehisarr
ivalbutthenati
onwi l
l
wantabiggerweddi
ng.Wehavet oincludethem."
Nkosi
:"Yesfat
her
.Wewi
llhaveabi
ggerweddi
ng
af
teroneyear.
"
Queen:"Ngi
dumi se,you'
reafut
ureki
ng.You
shouldn'
tbetendingtodishi
ngupplat
es.Leavet
hat
tothemaids.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'mtendi
ngtomywi
fe,
mot
her
."Hepl
aced
t
heplatei
nfrontofme.
Ki
ng:
"Yourmot
heri
sri
ght
.Yes,
it'
syourwi
febutwe
haveawayofdoi
ngt
hingsi
nthi
sfami
ly.
"
Nkosi:"
Father
,youar emyfamil
ybutI'
vechosen
Nonkositobemi netoo.Under
standt
hat,Iwillhave
awayofdoi ngthingswit
hherasmyf amily.HowI
choosetotendtoherandourchi l
dwi
llbemy
deci
sionandmi nealone.
"
Me:"
Nkosi
."Iwhispered,hol
dinghishand."
Your
f
amil
yisri
ght.You'r
eaf utur
eking.Icansti
llwor
k
myhands,
baba."
Nkosi:"I
'm af
utureki
ngtothenat
ion.I'
m ahusband
toyou."Hekissedmyhand.Icoul
df eelt
hequeen's
pier
cinggazeonme.Myonl ysinwast obeloved.I
hadn'tdoneanythi
ngwrong.
Queen:"
Today,
wehaveourqueen'
scounci
l.
Per
hapsitwoul
dbegoodforyoutojoi
nus,
Nonkosi
."
Ki
ng:
"Weal
soneedt
ogi
veheraf
ami
lyname.
"
Nkosi
:"She'
spr
egnant
."
King:
"Shewil
lst
andbesi
deyouatyourcrowni
ng
andsheneedsanamebyt hen.Wecan'
tpost
pone
agai
n."
Me:"
Icantakeit
,myKi ng.MaybewecanseehowI
canf
iti
ntobothschedules?
"
Ki
ng:"You'
l
lstar
twithme.Thenamingwil
lnotbe
l
ong.Thenaft
er,youcanat
tendqueen'
scounci
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
llyoubeokay,
myl
ove?
"
Me:"I
'
llbefi
ne.
"Ismil
ed.Wehadourbreakf
ast
qui
etl
y.Oncedone,
Igotupwit
htheKing.
Nkosi
:"Guar
ds,
you'
l
lbewi
thNonkosif
ort
heda-
"
King:"
Ngidumise!
!Youcan'
tdot
hat.Nonkosiwil
l
besafe,shehasmeandmyguar ds.Iwi
llnothar
m
her.
"
Nkosi:"Don't."Hewar ned.TheKi ngstaredathimin
shock.Thet ensioninthepalacewasbecomi ng
heavierbyt heday.Thebabyi nmybel lykickedand
str
etched.Ihadt oholditinandnotmakeasound
becausei fIdar edshoweddi scomf or
t,Nkosiwould
notletmeoutofhi ssi
ght.Heki ssedmyhead.I
fol
lowedhi sf athertothecouncilquarterswitht
he
babyst i
lldancingi nmyt ummy.
Me:"Hushmyl it
tl
ehoney."Iwhisper
ed.Weent ered
thequar
ters,t
heelderssatonthestage.Agrass
matwasl ai
dinfrontofthem onthefl
oor.IknewI
hadtositonit,
Ibowedt othekingandwentt othe
mat.Heheldmyar m.
King:"Notsofast.
"Henoddedatt hedoor .What
washappeni ng?"Melaphi
."Ashor tman,came
forwardwithbeadsalloverhisbody.Isteppedback.
"
Don' tbeafrai
d.Yousayyouar ecar r
yingthefut
ure
King.Ifyoureal
lyare,t
hereisnothingforyouto
wor r
yabout."
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
King:"
Thi smanwi l
lhel
pusunder standifyou'r
e
tel
li
ngt hetruth.
"IknowIhadnot hingtowor ry
aboutbecauseI '
donlybeenwi t
hNkosibutt his
didn'
tlooksaf e."
Kneel.
"Iwentonmyknees.
Melaphihel dabagt hatwasr at
tli
ngasheshooki t
.
Heblewi nsideitandbur pedthenl ookedatme.He
heldouthi shand.Istaredatitthenatt hekingwho
wasstandi ngoverme.Igavehi m myhand.Hi s
sharpnailslicedatmypal m cutti
ngme.Ipul l
edmy
handawayi npain.Someofmybl oodr emainedon
hi
snai
l.Hedr
oppedt
hebag,
spi
ll
ingi
tscont
ent
s.
Mel
aphi
:"Tr
easur
e."Heshook.
King:"Treasure?Whatdoesi tsay?I sshecar r
ying
myf uture?"Melaphif el
ltothegr ound,convulsi
ng.
"Whatt hehellareyou? !!
"Hebellowed.Ist ar
ted
shaking,looki
ngatt hemanont hef l
oorhavinga
seizure.Thatwasn' tmydoi ng.Pleasesurvive.
Pleasewakeup.Fi nallyhisbodyst oppedmovi ng.
Theel derssurroundedus.TheKi nggr i
ppedmyhai r
,
withaswor donmyneck.
King:
"WHAT.ARE.YOU?
"Mel
aphibr
eat
hed,
waki
ng
up.
Mel
aphi:"
Shehast
hebl
ood.
"Hewhi
sper
ed,
tryi
ng
t
ositup.
Ki
ng:
"Whatbl
ood?
"
Melaphi:"
Treasur
ebl ood.Thevil
lageismadewi t
h
soi
lthatbir
thscompani onsofthethrone.She'
s,
carr
yingthefutur
e."Hebr eat
hed.Thegriponmy
headloosened.Theswor dwasr emoved.
Ki
ng:
"Whatdoest
hist
reasur
ebl
oodmeanf
orus?
I
sitgood?
"Themanst
aredatme.
Melaphi
:"No.Shehasabl
oodst
rongert
hanyour
s.
Shecankillyou.
"
Me:"You'
relyi
ng!!
"Iscr
eamed." Iwoul
dneverki
ll
anyone!
!Leastofallmychil
d'sgrandf
ather
.St
op
l
ying!
"Ispat.TheKingwalkedaway.
King:"Sheiscarr
yingmyf
utur
e.Nameher."Hesat
onhi sthr
onestari
ngdownatmewithbr
ightorange
unkindeyes.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Isatonthechairnextt
othebed,holdi
ngherhand.
Eveninsleep,
shelookedangel
ic.Thesurger
ywas
asuccessbutshewasst i
llonl
ifesuppor
t.
Mthunzi
:"They'
realmosthere."I
'
dsentacarto
fet
chherparents,
Mt hunzihadtohir
esomeone
alr
eadyi
nMt hinomkhulutopickthem up."
Whati
s
Zwesaying?"
Zwe:
"Zwei
ssayi
nggoodaf
ter
noon.
"Hewal
kedi
n.
Nkosi:"
Whyisshenotupyet
?"Hebentovert
o
checkheragai
n.
Zwe:"She'
sokay,
doi
ngqui
tewel
levenbutshe
needstorest
."
Nkosi
:"Butshewi
llwakeupr
ight
?"
Zwe:"Yes,shedefi
nitelywill.Iwant
edustotal
k
aboutsomet hi
ngelse."Hel ookedmeintheeye.He
andMt hunziaret
heonl ypeoplewhocan.Apart
fr
om Thembi saofcour se.
Nkosi
:"what
?"Hel
ower
edhi
svoi
ce.
Zwe: "
I'veconcealedAmahl e'
smedi calrecord.I'
m
theonlyonet hatcanaccessi t.I
'vehadt hedoctor
whowashel pingmesi gnal i
feti
meNDA.Nkosi ,
Amahl edied.Shewasdeadonar r
ival.Themi nuteI
checkedher ,cal
li
ngthet i
meofdeat h, shewokeup.
Shecompl ai
nedthatherheadhur tsandsomet hing
wasdi srupti
ngherhear t
.Shehadbul letsallover
her.Nkosinhle.Whatisgoingon. "Fuck.
Nkosi
:"Zwe.
"Isi
ghed.
Zwe:
"Youcant
rustme.
"
Nkosi
:"CanI
?Idon'
tknowt
hat
."
Zwe:
"Areyouser
ious?Thefi
rstt
imeyoutur
ned,I
waswit
hyou.Whynowar eyouacti
ngbrandnew?"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght
.If
orgotaboutt
hat
."
Zwe:
"Youseem t
ofor
getal
ott
hesedays.So?
What
'st
his?
"
Nkosi
:"She'
simmor
tal
."
Zwe: "Wow.Iwasnotexpect i
ngthat.Uhm, okay.
Don'tworry,si
nceI'
vealreadyconcealedthe
records,
they'l
lneedyourstampsonoot herroyal
cansummont hem, notevenme."
Nkosi
:"It
rustyouZwe.
"
Zwe: "I'
m nottalki
ngaboutmysel fNkosi.Mediais
crawlingoutsidelikebeestopollen.ASikhosana
princesswasr iddledinbul
lets.Nooneexpect sher
tobeal ive.Whensheshowsup, t
herewillbe
questions.Quest i
onsfrom myf ather
,andallthe
otherkings.ConcealitNow. "Inodded.
Nkosi:"
I'
lldoi
t.
"Il
ookedbackatThembisa,
kissi
ng
herhandandkeepingitonmyli
ps."Pl
easewakeup
myl ove."Mt hunzigotup, walkingoutwi thZwe.
"There'ssomuchIwantt otal
kt oyouabout ,Ifeel
l
ikebur sti
ng.Imi ssyousomuchThembi sa.I '
m so
l
ostwi thyou.Youcan' tevenimagi nehowbor edI
am, pleasecomecol ourmyl i
fe.I'
m sickoft hese
rest
ricti
ons.I '
m donenow.I '
mf i
ghti
ngback.Tr ust
me, theper sonwhodi dt hiswillbegonebyendof
today."Ikissedherhand." I
tsbeenahor ri
blet wo
weeksbaby.Thi sisthepeakofmypai n.Ihat e
you'rehere, i
nthisbed, becauseofme.If eltair
behindmechange." Il
oveyou. "Iki
ssedherhead,
getti
ngupt ofacehim.
Xol
ani
:"Howdar
eyou?
"
Mama:"
Hai
boXol
ani
,youcan'
tspeakl
iket
hatt
oa
ki
ng-
"
Xol
ani
:"Idon'
tcar
ewhathei s,
het
ri
edt
omurder
mychi
ld!!
!!
"Hescreamed.Zwewal
kedi
nagai
n.
Zwe:
"What
'
sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
rysi
r-
"
Xol
ani
:"GetOut
."
Mama:"
Xol
ani
,khazi
bambe!
"
Xolani
:"Don'
tevercomenearmychi l
d.Doyouhear
me?Iwi l
lrat
hergotoj ailorbehungbutt hepet rolI
thr
owatyouwoul dsetyoual i
ghtregardless.Stay
awayf r
om mydaught er.ThisisthelasttimeIwi ll
everseeyouorhearofyounearmychi l
d.Please,
I'
m beggingyouyourhi ghness,t
ryme. "Hespat ,
withanunmi st
akabl
ehat r
edinhiseyes.
Thembisa:"can'
tki
llki
ng."Shemumbl ed.Zwe
rushedovertoherotherside.Ihel
dherhand,
moving.
Nkosi
:"Whatwast
hat
,baby?
"
Thembi
sa:"
Can'
t.
..Ki
ll
..
.A.
..Ki
ng.
"
Zwe:"Thisi
simpossibl
e.She'
snotawake.
"He
checkedherandlookedatme.Themachinebeeped
i
nast rai
ghtfl
atl
ine.
[
07/
27,
05:
55] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er50
PETUPOV

Iwalkedoutofschoolinabadmood, i
thadbeena
ver
yl ongday.Thestr
eetswerequit
ebusyandful
l.
Hel
icopter
swer ebuzzi
ngallovert
hesky.
Pet
u:"
What
'sgoingon? "Iaskedr
andom gi
rl
swho
wer
ebusyt
akingvideos.
Gi r
l:"Peoplegotshotatr es."Iimmedi atelyst
art
ed
runni ng.Nooneget sshotatf ornoreasonand
sinceThembi sahasal r
eadysai dherl if
ewasi n
danger ,Icouldn'tt
hinktwice.Byt hetimeIr eached
ther es,itwasclosedof fwithpol i
cetape.Noone
wasal l
owedi n.Everyonewasshocked, other
sin
tearsshaki ng.Itri
edlookinginside.Ionl ysaw
Thembi sa'
scar ,
alldoorsopenedwi thbloodont he
floor.Myhandswer eshakingdi al
inghernumber .
Petu:"
PleaseGod, don'tl
etitbeher
.Please.
"The
phonewentst r
aighttovoicemail
,Amahleaswell.I
fel
tahandgr abmyar m, pulli
ngmeaway.Mnqobi .
Wegoti nthecarandi tdroveoff
.Nothandowasin
thebackwithme.Si
bonel
odr
ove,
Mnqobii
nthe
passenger
.
Pet
u:"
Whathappened?
"Icr
ied.
Notha:"
Thembi
saandAmahl
egotshot
."Shewi
ped
hertear
s.
Petu:"Aretheyokay?"Sheshookherhead.My
heartbrokemor ethaniteverhas.Shehel
dmyhand
al
lthewayt othehospit
al.Si
bonelousedadi
ff
erent
entr
anceandpar kedunderground.
Sibo:"
Thepressi
sn'tal
lowedthi
sway.Come. "We
gotoutthecarwal
kinginthehospi
talbui
ldi
ng.
Immediatel
ymeeti
ngbodyguards.Theyheldthei
r
gunsup.
Sibo:"Tel
lZwel et
hu, DrBiyel
a, i
t'
shisbr others."One
guardwentawaywhi letheothersstoodi nt hesame
posit
ion."Youdoknowi t
'sil
l
egalt oaim atr oyals
ri
ght?Youwantt owi peouttheent ir
eBi yelafami l
y?
Thinkaboutt hat.
"Theguar dsl ookedateachot her.
Theot herretur
nedandt heyleveleddownt heir
weapons.Wewal kedthrought hepassaget oan
empt ywaitingroom, fi
ndingKhayai nsideal oneand
wesatdown.Nothahel
dmyhandt hr
oughout.Iwas
sogl
adforhercomfort
,Iknowshehatestal
king
andf
eeli
ngsbutshewasr eal
lyshowi
ngupt oday.
Si
bo:"
Whatthehel
lhappened?
"Khayahadbl
oodon
hi
sshi
rtandarms.
Khaya:"IcameoutofschoolandIhear dtheshot s
goingoff.That'swhenIcal l
edyout oaskifthere'sa
paradeorsomet hingbecausei tsoundedscar y.I
thoughtitwasf ir
ewor ks.I
twasj usttoomanyshot s.
Whenyousai dno, Isawpeopl erunningthat'swhen
Idrovetowar dther eswher eitsoundedl i
kei twas
comi ngfrom.AsIar ri
ved,anothercarspedpastme.
Ifocusedont hei nsideofrespar king.Everyonehad
runaway.Theyj ustlaythereont hef l
oor.Iwent
overt ot
hem, itwasThembi saandAmahl e.A
bodyguardcameovert otaket hem intoacarandI
helpedcar r
yThembi sa,wedr oveher eimmedi atel
y."
Hishandswer est i
llshaki
ng.
Sibo:"Thecart
hatdr
ovepastyou,
doyout
hink
that'
swhodi di
t?"
Khaya:"
Iknowt
hat
'swhodi
dit
.Hest
il
lhadt
hegun
onhi
m."
Si
bo:"
Woul
dyoubeabl
etor
ecogni
zehi
m?"
Khaya:"
Yes.
"
Sibo:"Fuck!
"Hepacedt hef
loor
."Khayayoudon't
tel
lthattoanyone.Doyouhearme?Don' tsaya
wordt oanyonewithoutZwebyyoursideandgiven
hisgoahead. "
Pet
u:"
Andwhyi
sthat
?Di
dyousendt
hem?
"
Sibo:"
Whatwoul dIgai
ninki
ll
ingt
wogir
ls?Don'
t
disr
espectme.Khayashutyourmout
h.Whoelse
knowst hatyousawthi
s?"
Khaya:"
Amahl
e'
sguar
d,t
heoneIhel
ped.
"
Sibo:"Hewast heonlyone?"Khayanodded.
Sibonelocheckedoutsidet
hedoorbef or
eclosingit
again."Weneedt ogetyououtofhere.King
Sikhosanawi l
lbeheresoon.Hisyoungesthasbeen
shot.Wedon' tknowwhathappenedbuti fhesent
thathit
,hewon' twantanyfucki
ngwitnesses.You
can'topenyourmout h.Weneedt oshutthatguard
up."Het ypedonhisphone.
Khaya:"
Doyour
eal
l
ythi
nkt
heki
ngt
ri
edt
oki
llhi
s
ownchil
d?"
Sibo:"
Defi
nitelynot.That'
shisfavor i
te.Shemust
havebeenint hefir
ingli
ne.Thehi twasdef i
nit
elyf
or
Thembisa.Ijustwishsomet imesyoupeopl ecould
l
istentomef oronce.Ifonlyyoufucki nglist
ened.
Youcan'tgetwi nwarsfighti
ngwi themot i
ons."He
pacedtheflooragain.Zwewal kedi n.
Zwe:
"Whydoyoukeept
ext
ingme?
"
Si
bo:"
What
'st
hewor
d?"
Zwe: "
Sibonel
onowi snottheti
me.Ij ustgotoutof
oper
at i
ng.Thembi saisf
ine,I
'veremovedt hebull
et.
She'
sst i
llonl
ifesupportbutstable.Amahleisin
ICU,she'sbet
terthanher.That'
sal lyouneedto
know.Youdon' tneedtobeher e.
"
Si
bo:"Yourbrot
hersawthehi
tman.
"Thecolour
dr
ainedfrom Zwe'
sface.Hei
mmediat
elyl
ookedat
Khaya.
Zwe:
"Whoel
seknowst
his?
"
Si
bo:"
Apar
tfr
om ever
yonei
nthi
sroom now,
Amahl
e'
sguar
d."
Zwe:"
Shit
.Ihavetotel
lNkosi
.TheKingwi
llbeher
e
anyminut
e.GetKhayaoutofhere-
"
Si
bo:"He'
snotleavi
ngmysi
ghtZwe.Youknow
what
'saboutt
ohappeninMountai
nPeak.
"
Zwe: "Thent akehimt omyof f
iceSibonelo."My
heartstartedr aci
ng.Whatwasaboutt ohappen?" I
can'tdoanyt hi
ngrightnow, Thembi sai sveryfragi
le
Ineedt obenearher .I
'm goingt oneedyout otake
careoft hings.Guar dsaren'tallowedinsidemy
hospital,sincethehi twasn'trandom, Ican'tri
sk
anotherat temptinside.Sibonel o,I
'mtrusti
ngyout o
keept hef ami l
ysafe."
Sibo:"
Done."Zwewalkedoutthewai
ti
ngroom.I
wassoscar edofaski
ngbutthankGodKhayahad
thecourage.
Khaya:"
What
'
saboutyouhappeni
nMount
ain
Peak?"
Sibo:"
NotjustMountainPeak.Theprovi
ncemight
belockeddown.ASikhosanapr i
ncesswasshot.
Evenifherfat
herdi
di twhi
chwedon' tknowyet
,he
willshuteverythi
ngdown.Asyoucansee, Zwehas
alreadyclosedoffthehospi tal.Thi sissti
llst
age
one.Sinceguar dsar en'
tall
owedi n, weneedt o
makeaddi t
ionalr
eenf orcement s.Thembi saisst i
ll
i
nsi dehere,ifwhoeverdi dthisgai nsentryintothe
hospital
,akat heking,theywi l
lkillher."Hesighed,
typingonhi sphone.
Mnqobi
:"Shoul
dwecal
lfat
her
?"
Sibo:"No.Unt i
lI'm surewherethehi tcomesf r
om,
weshutourmout hs.Doyouunder stand? "He
l
ookedatNot handoandI .Webot hnodded.He
checkeddownt hepassageagai n."Khaya, come
l
et'sgo.Takeof fthatt-
shir
t,here.
"Khayat ookoff
hist-shir
twipinghi sarms.Sibonelot ookof fhi
s
blueshi r
t,handingittohim.Hehadavest
under neathsohewasn' texactl
ynaked.Inot i
ceda
tatt
ooonhi sbicep."Let'
sgo."Theywal kedout.
Petu:"
Ithi
nkweshouldpray.Ican'
ttaket
his
uncert
aint
yandanxi
ety.I
'
m soscar ed.
"
Mnqobi
:"I
fithel
ps.
"Heknel
tinf
rontofus,
hol
ding
bot
hourhands.
Pet
u:"
Ourf
ather
,whoar
tinheaven.
..
"

KHAYA'
SPOV

Weent er
edZwe'soffi
ce,wherehisoneguardstood
watch.Isatonthecouch,scaredshi
tl
ess.NowItoo,
wasindanger ?I
twasn'tenoughthatIhadtocarr
y
someoneIl ovei
ntoahospitalwhi
leshewas
unconscious?Whatkindofsickgamear et
hese
peopleplayi
ngwithourli
ves?
Khaya:"
What
'
sgoi
ngt
ohappennow?
"
Sibo:"Khayaplease!
"Hesnapped.I fSi
bonelo
Biyelawasst r
essed,howwasIt ocope?He' s
supposedt obethecalmestofal lmybr ot
hers.Now
he'snot.Il
ookedatthest ai
nsofbl oodIsti
llhadon
myj eansandhands.Hel ookedt hr
oughacupboar d,
fi
ndingacl eant-
shir
tthatbelongedt oZwe.He
answer edhisphonewhileputti
ngiton.
Sibo:"Anyword?No?I '
m st
il
linhospi
tal
.Ican'
t
confir
m anyt
hing.Yes.Idon'
tknow,thefamil
ywil
l
makeastat
ement
.Wher
e?Shit,
okay.
"Hehungup.
"
Kingisonhi
sway.Hej
ustdecl
aredt
heci
tytobe
l
ockeddown."
Khaya:"
Why?
"
Sibo:"
He'str
yingtor
emovet hepressandt he
publi
cfrom t
hehospit
al.I
feveryoneisnotall
owed
outsi
de,hecancontr
olthenarrati
ve.Whichmeans,
somethingi
swr ong.
"
Khaya:"Shoul
dn'
tAmahl
ebei
ntheOceansmedi
cal
faci
li
ty?She'
sroyal
."
Si
bo:"
Yes,
that
.Howmanyshot
sdi
dyouhear
?"
Khaya:"
Many.Possi
blymor
ethan20.
"
Si
bo:"
Andt
heyhi
ttwopeopl
e?"
Khaya:"Andaguard.Mostoft
heshot
shi
tAmahl
eI
t
hink,shewasbleedi
ngthemost.
"
Sibo:"
Somethingisoffbutt hatdoesn'
tmat t
er.It
'sa
miracl
ethey'
rebothst i
llali
vebutwecan' tdi
sclose
thatasofyet.Ther
e'sar easonZwei skeeping
Amahlehere.AndIf eel t
hat'
swhyt heKinghas
i
mmedi atel
yannouncedt heshutdown.It hi
nk
Amahl ei sdead. "Mybodyshi veredasi fitwas
freezing.Theshockst artedt oset t
leintobones.I
hadact edoni nsti
nct.WhenIgott ores.Icoul dn'
t
seest raight ,
Ijustsawt hecarwi thdoor sopenand
peopl elayingont hegr ound.Igott othem in
l
ighteni ngspeed, seeingAmahl ewithhereyesopen
andnotbr eathingont opofThembi sa.Shewas
shieldingThembi sa.Herbodywasl i
mpwhenher
guar dpi ckedherupandIf ocusedonpi ckingup
Thembi sa.Wewer eal mostmechani calasi fwe
knewwhatt odonext .Thedr ivetothehospi t
alwas
clearandwi t
hinabl i
nkofaneye.Bot hofus,
carryingt hem i nside.I'
dmanagedt ocal lZweont he
wayandsohewaswai ting.Thest retcherstook
them bot haway, anur sel edmet othewai t
ingroom.
Itwasaver ynumbi ngexper ienceandnowmy
nerveswer ecomi ngundone.It ri
edtobr eath.
Si
bo:"
Hey.Hey.Li
stentome,t
hisi
sn'
tyourf
aul
t.
Youdi
dgreatoutt
here.Br
eat
h."
Khaya:"
Ithi
nkshemi
ghtbedead.
"
Si
bo:"
Wecan'tconf
irmthatyet
.Let'
strustZwe.
"He
l
ookedthr
oughthecupboardagai
nfindingabot
tle
ofpil
ls."Thesearef
orshock.
"Hegavemetwopill
s
andwat er.Taki
nganot
hertwoforhi
msel
f."
hegives
thoseforanxiet
yandshock.Ineedt
othi
nk.
"Idr
ank
thepil
ls.
Khaya:"
Whati
ftheyki
llThembi
sa?
"
Sibo:"Khayawhatcanwedo?Not hi
ng.LikeIsai
d,i
f
thi
si sSikhosana'sdoi
ngthere'
snothingwecando.
Stayhere, don'
topenforanyone.Ineedtoclearmy
headandhearwhat 'sgoi
ngonout si
de.Don'tmove
Khaya.Onl yaBiyelaguardi
sout si
de.Hewi l
l
protectt
hisdoorunt i
lIorZwecomei n."Inodded,
dreadingtobeal one.Hewalkedout.

Thedooropenedafterawhi l
eandIjumpedupwith
afr
ight
.Mehluliwal
kedinwi thhi
sadvisor
.Myheart
wasinmyt hr
oat.Zwewal kedinbehi
ndhim.My
si
ghofrel
iefwasagasp, asIsatdown.
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouokay?
"Het
ouchedmyf
orehead.
Khaya:"
Sbogavemeanxietypi
ll
sbutIfeart
hey
havemademypani cmuchworse.Myhearti
sn'
t
doingwhati
t'
ssupposedt
odo."Hetookoffmy
shi
rt
,usi
nghi
sst
ethoscopeonmychest
.
Zwe: "
Breat
hin.Hol
dit
."Idi
djustt
hatbutfai
led.
"Fucki
ngSibonel
o.Howmanydi dhegiveyou?"
Khaya:"
Two.
"Mywhol
ebodywasshaki
ng.
Zwe:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"Hel
ookedt
hrought
hecabi
net
.
Khaya:"Yeah,
healsotookt
wo.Ikeephavi
ng
fl
ashbacksOf...
"Il
ookedatMehl
uliwhowas
star
ingdownatme.
Zwe:"Oft
hescene?"Hegavemeonesmallpi
lland
water
.Inodded,
dri
nkingi
t."
You'
resaf
enow.Okay?
Where'
sSibonel
o?"
Khaya:"
Hel
eftabout20mi
nut
esago.
"
Zwe:"
Okay.Letmefi
ndhim."Ihel
dontohi m notto
l
eavemehere.Absol
utel
yno."He'
snotgoingto
hur
tyou,
bug.Ipromi
se."Il
etgo.Zwewalkedout .
Nkosi
:"Descr
ibetheper
sonwhodi
dthi
s."Hi
svoi
ce
wasdarkanditfi
ll
edtheroom.
Khaya:"Uhm.Hewasl i
ghti
ncomplexi
on,hada
squarefacewithremainder
sofabeard.Theski
non
hischeekslooksburntandhewaswear i
ngthe
guar
doutf
itbuti
twasal
lbl
ack,
nocol
our
s."He
l
ookedatMthunzi
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Washeal
one?
"
Khaya:"
No.It
hinkatl
eastf
ouroft
hem wer
eint
he
car
."
Mthunzi
:"WherewasAmahl e'sguar
dwhenyou
appr
oached?"Ithoughtcar
efull
y.
Khaya:"Hecameoutofnowher e.Ireachedt hem
fi
rst,AmahleandThembi sa.Amahl ewasont opof
her.Theotherguardonlyaf ewst epsaway.It hi
nk
hewant edtoshiel
dhert oobutgotshotbef orehe
reachedthem.Alldoorswer eopenedsot hey'd
probablyj
ustarri
vedf r
om school .Idon'tknow
whereAmahl e'
sguar dcamef rom.Byt hetimeIgot
tothem.Tryingtopickthem up, hegott hereand
tookherbody,Ijustfol
lowedwi ththembi sa."I
l
ookedatmyhands." Aretheyokay? "
Mt hunzi
:"Thegir
lsareali
ve.
"IknewIcouldn't
questionanythi
ngelse.Idi
dn'
twanttodisrespect
him.Ikeptlooki
ngatt hedoor
."Theguardhasbeen
takencareofKhaya.Noonewi llhur
tyou."
What
everthatmeans, itdidn'
tcal
m medown.Zwe
camebackwi t
hSi bonelo.Hegavethepri
nceaf
il
e
andatabl
et.Sibo:"Youokay?"Inodded.
Mt
hunzi
:"Needt
ocheckAmahl
e."
Nkosi
:"Pl
easebr
inghert
ome.
"Mt
hunziwal
kedout
.
Zwe:
"Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"I
fIsomuchasseehim.
"Anastygrowl
voi
cedouthi
sthr
oatmakingmejump.Si
bonelo
hel
dmyhandwi t
hhisshaki
ngt
oo.Whatthefuck
wasthat
?
Zwe: "
Youneedt ocalm down."Hehissed.Did
everyonehearthesamet hingIhear
d?Ihearda
growl,li
keati
geroral i
onwasi nsi
detheroom.I
havet obegoi
ngi nsane.Ihavetobe.Buttheeyes
wereconf i
rmi
ng.Iknowhehasscar yeyesbutri
ght
now?
Khaya:"
Bobo,
Ineedt
opee.
"Iwhi
sper
ed.
Si
bo:"
Zwe,
canIt
aket
hisonebackt
ohi
stwi
n?"
Zwe:"Yes,t
heguardhasbeent
akencareof
,soar
e
thecameras.Nooneknowshewasfir
stonscene
orwitnessedanyt
hing.TakehimtoMnqobi
.I'
l
lcal
l
youwhenIneedyou. "Sibonel
oledmeoutt
he
off
icetothebathr
oom first
.
Khaya:"
Youhear
dit
,ri
ght
?"
Si
bo:"
Idi
d.Idid,
bug.Let
'sgo.
"SoI
'
m notcr
azy.
Whatt
hehelli
sgoingonhere?

SASAPOV_

Thedayhadgonewel l.Mynamehadbeenchosen
asNobomiNonkosiSi khosana.Thequeen' scouncil
wasl esswel comi ngthanIexpect ed.Noneoft hem
seemedt olikemebutt hat'sokay.Ihadenough
ti
met ochanget heirmi nds.Byt heendoft he
evening,Imadei ttobed, ti
redashel l.Mybackwas
painingalit
tleandmyf eetswol len.Nkosiwal kedin
asIt ri
edtakingof fmydr ess.Ilookedupathi m,
smi l
ing.Hehadsl ysmi leonhi sf acet hatmademy
heartrace.God, thismanwasbeaut i
ful.Heknelti
n
fr
ontofmei nbet weenmyl egs.
Nkosi
:"How'
smybaby?
"
Me:"
Fine.He'
sbeenqui
ett
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"Hashemoved?
"
Me:"
Alit
tl
ebi
t,yes.Ther
ehegoes.Sohewant
syou?
Howrude.
"Hechuckled.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lomyboy."Heki
ssedmybel
ly."
How
wasyourdaymylove?"
Me:"Good."It
ri
edundoi
ngthestringstomydr ess.
Heheldmychi nmaki
ngmel ookathi m.Thereit
was.Thedangerousl
ookthathadmychi ldkicki
ng
wi
ldl
yinsideme.Howhecoul dfeelitwascrazy.
Nkosi
:"Whathappenedt
oday?
"Icoul
dn'
tli
eto
t
hoseeyes.
Me:" Yourfatherhadt heheal ercheckifI'm carrying
yourch-"hest oodup, mar chingtot hedoor .I
quicklygrabbedhi sarm." Love,please.Pleasecal m
down. "Myhandbur ntf r
om touchinghi sskin."Ow! "
Isteppedback.Hel ookedback, i
mmedi ately
cal
mi ngdown.Hi sabilit
ywasf i
reandwhi spers.He
couldpenet r
atethemi ndandconj uref
irewi t
hj ust
hi
sanger
.
Nkosi
:"Hehasnor i
ght
!"Hecooledof
fhi
sfiery
handsandtouchedmine."
I'
m sorr
ymylove.Ididn'
t
meantohurtyou."
Me:"Iknowyoudi dn'
tbaby,I
'
mt heonewho
touchedyou.Butyoucan'tki
llt
heking.Youcan'
t
hurtyourf
ather
.Yourson'sgrandf
ather.Pl
ease.
"
Nkosi:"
Thi
sisthelastst
rawNonkosi
,I
'm not
hol
dingbackthenextti
mehedoublecrossesme.
"
Heledmebackt obed.
Me:"
Love,
thechi
ldandIar
efi
ne.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Me:"
Yes,
he'
sdancingint
her
enow.
"Hechecked
t
heti
meandlaughed.
Nkosi
:"Myboyi
salwaysont
ime.I
t'
sti
mef
orour
danceMrsSi
khosana.
"
Me:"
OhNkosi
,I
'm sot
ir
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"Youpromisedmei nourvowsthatyouwil
l
dancewi t
hmeever yni
ghtwhil
eIsingtoyou.The
godswillbeupset
."Il
aughed.
Me:"I'
m sur
ethegodswil
lal
lowmethi
sonenight
.
Theirl
it
tl
epersoni
sver
yheavyandcur
rent
ly
act
ive.
"Hekissedmyli
ps.
Nkosi:"Liedownt hensoIcanmassageyouand
singforyou. "Ilayont hebed.Hehel pedmeoutof
mydr ess, ki
ssingmybody." Thef irstti
meImetyou,
thesunwasshi ningbr i
ghtast hegodsl edmet o
you.Ourpat hscr ossedf ort hef i
rsttime,Iwas
mesmer i
zedbyyourbeaut y, myhear tski
ps
everyti
meit urnoverandseeyou.Youaccept edmy
form asbr ut
alandt ruethent amedmet oonlybe
foryou.Mysoulbel ongst oyou. "Heki ssedher
bell
y,sti
llmassagi nghersof tlywi t
hhi swarm
hands.Shehadf allenasleep.Ngi dumi sestoodup,
l
ookingdownathi sbeautifulwi f
e.Hesnappedhi s
hands,andt heycameabl azewi t
hf ir
e.
Nkosi:"
Iwillkil
lever
ythi
nginmywayt hattr
iesto
takeyoufrom me.Youar emineNonkosi.Nowand
i
nt heaft
erlif
e."Hefli
ckeredof
fhi
sfl
ames." They'
ll
knowme. "...
[
07/
27,
05:
56] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er51

PRI
NCEPOV_

Themachi
nebeeped,
numbi
ngmywhol
ebody.
Nkosi:"Zwel
ethu."Heworkedf ast
,cli
ckingand
checkingherbutthebeepingwasn' tst
opping.Then
i
twentqui et
.Amahl ewal
kedi n.Shegoti nthebed
nexttoThembi saimmediatel
yf al
li
ngasleep.
Xol
ani
:"Andt
hen?Whati
sgoi
ngon?Who'
sthi
s?"
Zwe:"Thisi
st hegir
lthatsavedherlife.Twi
cenow,
I
guess.
"Hesi ghed."
Herwoundsst i
llhaven'
t
heal
ed."Ifi
xedtheblanketoverthem.
Xolani
:"Whyi
sshei
nherbed?Mychi
ldneedst
o
heal!
"
Zwe:"
Andshei sheal
ing.Themachinegoingof
f
wasasignthatsomethingi
swrong,she'
sokaynow.
Amahleneedstobenexttoherforabit
."
Xol
ani
:"Ihaveaskedyouonce,
togetout
."Hesai
d
tome.
Zwe:
"Unf
ort
unat
elyhecan'
t.Thi
sishi
ssi
ster
."
Mama:"
Shewasal
soshot
?"
Zwe:"Yes.Shesuff
eredmostoft
heshot
str
yingt
o
shi
eldThembisa."
Xolani
:"DoyouseeNt ombenhlewhatIsai
dabout
thi
sgod-awfulpl
ace?Whati st
his?"Myonlysavi
ng
gracewasthatmysi st
erwasher ebutt
hatmeantI
hadtokeepmyf atherout.I
twouldbehardbecause
Amahlewashi sfavori
techi
ld.
Mama:" Xol
ani,
youneedt obecal
m.Thedoctor
knowswhati sbestandyoucan'
tkeep
disr
especti
ngaking.Stopit
.Pl
ease.YourHi
ghness,
Idoapologizef
ormyhusband."
Nkosi:"
Don'tapol
ogizemama.Iunder standMr
NtakabutI'
m onlytr
yingtopr otectThembi sa.Al
lof
ushere,ar
e.Weneedt ounder standwe' r
eont he
sameside."Icoul
dst i
llf
eelresent mentf r
om
Thembisa'
sf at
herbutatleasthekepti ttohi
mself.
"Zwe,myfatherwil
lwantt oseeAmahl e.Idon't
wanthi
mint
hisr
oom.Whatdowedo?
"
Zwe:"
Ican'tr
emoveAmahleyet
.Whati
fitaf
fect
s
Thembisa?AndIcan'
tli
etoaki
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican.
"
Zwe:
"You'
rewayt
ooangr
ytospeakt
ohi
m."
Nkosi
:"Thatcanonl
ybehi
sfaul
t.
"Mt
hunziwal
ked
i
n.
Mt
hunzi
:"Mypr
inces,
theki
ngi
sher
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llsor
titout
."Iwal
kedout
.
Zwe:"Mthunziplease.
"Mthunzif
ollowedri
ght
behi
ndme.Myf atherhadhisguardssurr
oundi
ng
hi
m attheentrance.Noonewasar oundthisar
ea
besi
destheguar dsandhim.
Sikhosana:"
Mehlul
i.Where'
syoursi
ster?
"Hecame
tome.Mywhol ebodygrippedinangerasIroar
ed
athim.Hesteppedback."St
opit.
"Hehissed.
Nkosi
:"Getout
-"
Si
khosana:"
Myboy, we'
rei
npubli
c.Wecansor
tour
di
ff
erencesathome.Notli
ket
his.
"
Nkosi:"Idon'tcareaboutt hefucki
ngpubl i
c!!When
youshotather ,youdidn'
tcare!!
!"Mybodymor phed
i
nt oit
sviciousover gr
ownf or
m, r
oaring."
Youcan't
startt
ocar enow. "Igrowled.Hest eppedbackfrom
me.Mt hunzist oodinfrontofme.
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi.
"Hewasshaki ngbutkneltinf
ront
ofme."YouheardThembi sa.Youcan'tki
llaki
ng.
Youshouldn'
t.ThinkaboutThembisa.Sheneeds
you.
"Mybodysl owl yt
ransf
ormedbackt omy
humanf or
m.Iwal kedbacktotheroom.

KHAYAPOV_

Wewer ebackinthewaiti
ngroom.IsatwithMnqobi
andthegir
ls.Ri
ghtnowIwant edtogohome.Being
herefel
tsoscary.Sibowaspaci
ngthefloorcl
ean
befor
ehesatnextt ome.Hisphonerang.He
answered.
Si
bo:"
Zwe.
"
Zwe:
"Shutdownt
hepower
.Al
lofi
t.Camer
asand
al
l.Now.
"
Si
bo:"
Hai
boZwe,
whataboutt
hel
if
esupp-
"
Zwe: "NOW! !
"Hehungup.Si botookhi stabl et
.I
knewbet t
erthant oannoyhi m withquest i
onssoI
juststaredatthet abletashewor ked.Hewasdoi ng
secur i
tysett
ings.Heshutdownt hefirstblock,
movi ngont othenextsetofscr eens,shuttingdown
thesecondandt henthet hir
d.Thel astscr eenhad
again,manybl ockseachwi thadi f
ferentcamer aor
video.Hel ookedcl oselyatthescr eenget tingup.I
couldseeheenl argedt hevideobutl ookedati tby
himself.Icouldn'treadhi sfacialexpressionunt ilI
sawpur ehorroronhi sf ace.Hequi cklycli
ckedt he
screenandshuti tdown.
Mnqobi :"
What?Whatdidyousee? "Aloudroar
screechedthr
oughthewallsmakingallofusjump
toourfeet.Si
bonel
olockedthedoor,standi
ng
againstit
."Whatt
hehellwasthatSbo!!
!"
Sibo:"ShutyourMouth.
"Hehissed,swi
tchi
ngoff
theli
ghts.Iknowheknows.Hesawsomet hi
ngon
thattabl
etanditscar
edhim.Ididn'
twanttoknow
butIneededtoprepar e.Thatcoul
dn'thavebeen
Mehlul
i?Itwas,wasn'tit?Whatdoesi tmean?He
canmakeani malsoundswhenhe' sangry?Why?I f
i
t'
stoscar epeopl
et hent hat'
saveryusefulski
llbut
i
thastojustbehisvoi ce, r
ight
?There'
snowayi t
canbeanyt hi
ngelse.Whydi dZwewantSbot o
swit
chcamer asoff?
Khaya:"
No.Absol
utel
ynot
."
Si
bo:"
Khaya!
"
Khaya:"
It
'shi
m,i
sn'
tit
?"
Sibo:"Whatpar tofshutyourmout hdoyounot
understand?"Ican' tshutmymout h.Ican't.Ineed
tounder st
andwher ewewer ebecausesur el
ythis
i
sn'tthehospitalIwasbor nin,i
ntheci t
yIgrewup
i
n.I'm notstuckinapr ivat
ewaiti
ngr oom witha
vici
ousani malout side.Thisi
snotavi deogame.So
beforeIlosemymi nd,Ineedsomeonet osay
somet hi
ng.West ayedi nsil
enceaf ewmi nutes
beforeAknockdi sruptedmyt houghts.
Zwe:"Openi
t'
sme."Sibonel
oopenedt
hedoor,
swi
tchingont
hel
ights.Ohhewaspissed.Si
bonel
o
thatis."Nothi
ngcanbeconf irmedr ightnowbut
Bothgi rl
saresti
llst
abl
e.Thembi saist heonlyone
sti
lli
nacomabutshe' sbreathingandI 'm hopeful
.
Sibonelo,Youneedt ot
aket heseoneshome.The
palace.Sincethecit
yisinlockdown, youcan' t
movear oundtoomuchandt here'snor easonf or
youguyst obehere.
"Sibonelolookedathi m witha
l
ookI 'veneverseenhim gi
vehi sbr other.Hewas
notimpr essedbysomet hi
ngonl yknownt ot hem
both.
Sibo:"
Mnqobi,Khaya.Takethegir
lstothecar.
"No
needtorepeatyoursel
fsir
,I'
m gl
adtoleave.We
walkedoutthewaiti
ngroom, downthepassagein
cauti
onandusedt heexitwehadcomei n.

*
Nar
rat
ed

Si
bonelost
aredathi
sbrot
her.Ami
xtur
eof
emoti
onsrunni
ngthr
oughhim.
Si
bo:"
Howcoul
dyou?
"
Zwe:
"Sbo.
"
Si
bo:"
No.NotSbo.Howl
ong?
"
Zwe:
"Howl
ongwha-
"
Si
bo:"
Howl
onghaveyouknown!
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
oIdon'
tanswert
oyou-
"
Si
bo:"
Becauseyouanswert
oNkosi
!!
"
Zwe:
"Idon'
tanswert
oanyone.
"
Si
bo:"Real
ly?Youj
ustcasual
lykeptt
hesecrett
hat
hechangesint
oamonst erwhenheisangr
y?"
Zwe:
"He'
sNOTamonst
er!
!"
Sibo:"
Anani malt hen!Zwelethu,
wedon'tkeep
secret
s.Weknowt hingsabouteachot
hernoot her
humanbei ngknows.Whywoul dyoukeepthisfrom
me?You' vegaslitmef orYEARSwhenIkeptt ell
ing
yousomet hingisf uckingwrong!
!Nowthatit'
s
uncontrol
lable,
Imusthel p?
!"
Zwe: "
It
'snotmybusi
nesst
otel
lyouaboutmy
fr
iend'
slives-
"
Si
bo:"
YOURWHAT!
!!
!!
"Hescr
eamed.
Zwe:"
Cal
m down.Nkosihasal
waysbeenmyf
ri
end.
Youknowthi
s."
Si
bo:"
Andwhatam I
?"
Zwe:
"You'
remybr
otherSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Yet,
hereweare.Youusemetoprot
ectyour
socal
ledf
ri
end.I
sthatwhatbr
other
sdo?"
Zwe:
"I'
m sor
ry.
"
Sibo:"
You'
renotbecauseyouwantsomet
hingelse
fr
om me.Again.Youwantmetokeepyourbest
ie's
secret
?"
Zwe: "Amongot herthi
ngs."Sibonelostaredathim,
i
nanger .Therewasonl yonewayt osof t
enhi sheart
.
"Rememberwhatourpar entsalwayssay?Thatyou
foll
owedmest rai
ghtfr
om heaven, youcoul dn't
evenwai tafewyear safterIwasbor n,mama
i
mmedi atelygotpregnantwi thyou.Iknowyouwi l
l
foll
owmet otheendsofear th.Mybat t
lesar eyours.
You'remybr otherSboni.Itr
ustyou.Iknowyou.
Please."
Si
bo:"
WhatdoyouwantZwel
ethu?
"
Zwe:"TheSikhosanafami
lyisgoingt
hroughal
ot
ri
ghtnow.Theki ngandpr
incearen'
tongoodter
ms
andthelastpri
ncesswasshot.
"
Si
bo:"
Didshet
urni
ntoamer
mai
d?"
Zwe:"That
'smean,no.Someoneneedstomakea
st
atement.Someonewhohast heemoti
onal
i
ntel
li
genceandknowst hegui
deofbei
ngroyal
-"
Si
bo:"
That
'st
hei
rspeaker
'sj
ob.
"
Zwe:"
It
'snot,Sibonelo.I
t'
sar oyalsjob.Thewhole
ci
tyi
slockeddown.Theci t
izensar escaredand
cl
uel
ess.Theydon' twanttohearadi l
utedspeech
fr
om aspeaker.Theyneedar oyaltoaddressthem."
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyour
eal
lywantmet
osayoutt
her
e
Zwel
ethu?
"
Zwe:"Thattheprincessisfi
ne.Herinj
uri
esweren'
t
major
.Easet hem intoknowingthatmostoft
hose
bul
let
swer estrays."
Sibo:"
Khayaheardmorethan20shotsandyou
wantmet oconvincet
hepubli
cthatonl
yafewhit
herbutnotf
atal
ly?"
Zwe:"
Yes.
"Sibonel
osi
ghed,
shaki
nghi
shead
bef
orewal
kingout.

PETUPOV_

Sibonelodr oveust othepal ace.Iwasn'ttoo

wor r
iedbecauseI '
m suret heBiyelaparentswere
sti
llattheSi khosanapal ace.Iwasonl ynervous
becauset hisismyf i
rsttimeatMnqobi '
shome.The
cardr oveintothemassi veyar dandpar ked.Wegot
out,wal ki
ngt otheent r
ance.Not hawasst il
lhol
ding
myhandandIwasgl adf ori
t.Wewal kedin,tomy
surprise.Theki ngandqueenwer ehere.Ifr
oze.
Queen:"Ohmyangel
s."ShehuggedKhayaf
ir
st.
"WhenIheardyoust
il
lintheci
tyi
ntheti
meofthe
shoot
ing,Iwassoworr
iedKhaya!Ar
eyouokay?"
Khaya:"
I'
mf i
nemama.
"Shemovedont
oMnqobi
,
checki
nghisear
s.
Mnqobi
:"Ma.
"
Ki
ng:
"What
'
swr
ongson?
"HeaskedSi
bonel
o,who
st
il
llookeddespondenti
fnotangr
y.
Queen:"
Oh, t
hegi
rl
s.Nothando!
"Sheenvel
opedher
i
nahug." Iwassoworr
ied!Who'
sthi
s?"
Not
ha:"
Thi
sismyf
ri
endPet
u,mama.
"
Queen:"
Hel
loPet
u."
Pet
u:"
Goodaf
ter
noonmyki
ngandqueen.
"Ibowed.
Queen:"Ohdon'
tbesi
ll
y,chi
ld.I
'
m MamaBi yel
a."
ShelookedatSi
bonel
otoo."
Sweethear
t,what'
s
wrong?"
Si
bo:"
Zwewantsmetoaddresst
henat
ion.The
ki
ngandpr
incear
eunabl
eto."
Queen:"
Ohno.
"
Ki
ng:
"Why?What
'swr
ong?
"
Si
bo:"
Ican'
tsay.
"
Queen:"Si
bonel
o,we'r
eyourpar
ent
s!!What
'sgoi
ng
on?Isthepri
ncessdead?
"
Si
bo:"
For
tunat
ely,
no.
"
Ki
ng:
"Sowhyar
etheSi
khosana'
sunabl
eto
addr
esst
henat
ion?Wher
eist
hei
rspeaker
?"
Sibo:"
Tata,I
'm onlydoingwhatI
'mtold.Idon'
t
knowwher etheirspeakeri
s.Ij
ustknowZwel et
hu
hasplacedthisgiganti
cburdenonme. "
Ki
ng:
"It
'sokay,
boy.Icandoi
t.
"
Si
bo:"NoTata.Ihavet odoit
.Khaya,
Mnqobi
.Can
wemeetinmyof fice.Ineedtomakeast
atement
onthe6pm news."Hewal kedaway.
Queen:"
Come.Youtwoneedt
ea.Whatast
ressf
ul
day.
"Shepul
ledusawayfr
om t
heboys.

Wesati nthebeaut if
ulgarden.Iwassoenchant ed.
Itfel
tli
keIwasi naDi sneymovi e.Everything
l
ookedsopr i
m andpr oper .Wesatunderaver y
l
uxur i
ousgazebo, havingteaandscones.Mama
Biyel
awassobeaut i
ful.Shehadagor geouspl ump
facewithsuchlit
tlemakeuponher .Herhead
wrappedinadesi gnerscar ft
hatIthinkmayhave
beenal i
mitededition.Shewor eanavybl uedress
withwhitepearl
sonherneckl i
ne.Herhandsl ooked
sosof t
,donninglongwhi t
enai l
s.Event hewayshe
satwasr
oyal
.Il
ovedheri
mmedi
atel
y.
Queen:"
Whathappenedoutt
her
e?"
Notha:"
Idon'
tknowmama.Wewer esti
lli
nschool
.
Petucameoutfir
st.
"Thequeenl
ookedatmeto
conti
nue.
Petu:"WhenIcameoutofschool ,Isawt he
hel
icoptersandaskedaf ewgi
rl
s.Theysai d
someonewasshotatResandsoIr anther
e
becauseIwaswor r
ied.Bytheti
meIgott here,t
he
buil
dingwast apedofffrom t
hegat e.That'
swhen
Pri
nceSi bonel
oandMnqobiar r
ivedwi t
hNot hando
totakeme. "
Notha:"
Iwasworr
iedbecauseIt
houghtyouwer
e
al
readyatRes.
"
Queen:"Let
'sthankthegodst hatyou'
resafe.Allof
you.Iam sowor r
iedaboutthatpoorprincess.You
knowhowt hemedi ais.Theyexaggerateeverythi
ng.
Accordi
ngt othem,ther
e'snochanceofherbei ng
ali
vebecauseshegotshoti nt heheadaf ewtimes.
Somesour cessaytherewasmor ethan25shot s
thatwentoffandtheyhither.Whatutterrubbish.
"
Myhear
tski
ppedanuncomfort
abl
ebeatbutIhad
t
otr
ustZwe,hesai
dthey'
rebot
hstabl
e.
Not
ha:"
She'sfi
nemama.It
'sourot
herf
ri
endt
hat
we'
reworr
iedabout
.Thembi
sa."
Queen:"
Anot
hergi
rlgotshott
oo?Wasi
trel
ated?
"
Notha:"
Yest
heywer
etoget
her
.She'
scur
rent
lyi
na
coma."
Queen:"
OhsweetJesus,t
hatpoorgir
l.I
nacoma?
Woow."Shesi
ppedhertea."
Whywoul dtheki
ng
evenwantt
okil
lhisownchil
d?Whoo.BabuBi yel
a
hassomequesti
onabl
efri
ends.Letmegoandask
him.
"Shegotup,wal
kingbacktothehouse.

KHAYAPOV_

Sibonelo'
soffi
cewasqui et
.Astheadvisor
,Ihadno
advice.Thi
swhol esit
uati
onwasaf i
rstinmy
knowledge.Nopr i
ncesshaseverbeenshotbefore
asfarasI '
m knowledgeabl
e.Si
bonel
or eal
lyl
ooked
outofit.
King:"Son,l
etmehel pyou.Youdon'tl
ookt oo
good."Sibosnappedoutofhisthoughts.Whatdid
heseet hathashim soshook?Whydi dIwantt o
knowbecausemysel fI
'
m notconfi
dentthatI'
dbe
okayifIknew.Ifi
tcanst r
essawholeSi bonel
o.Ya
no,I'
m good.
Sibo:"I'
mfi
neTat a.ThebriefIhavei sthatt
hel ast
princesswasshot .Onlyaf ewoft hosebullet
shi t
herandsof arshe'srecoveringwell.Therestofthe
bullet
swerestrays."Heswal lowed.Ididn'
tbeli
eve
hi
m.Whywashel yi
ng?
Mnqobi
:"WhataboutThembi
sa?
"
Ki
ng:
"Whoi
sThembi
sa?
"
Khaya:"
Thesecondgi
rlt
hatwasshot
.She'
sina
coma."
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyout
hink,
Tat
a?"
King: "
Don'tmentionher.Ri
ghtnow,weneedt he
nat i
oncalmed.Anydi st
ract
ionoraddit
ional
i
nf ormati
onmi ghtcausepanic.I
fthepubli
cthink
civil
iansarebeingshotat,t
heywillr
iot
.Theywi l
l
thinkofthecruelking.Wedon'tneedanunstable
count
ryr
ightnow.Focusont
hepr
incessandt
hat
she'
sdoi
ngwel l
."
Mnqobi:"
Tataisri
ght.Eventhenewsout l
ets
haven'
tmenti
onedherort heguardthatwasshot.
Pacebehindthem andonlyreveali
nfor
mationasi
t
causesasti
r.
"
Si
bo:"
Bug?
"
Khaya:" Asmuchast hat'
sagoodi dea,i
fwer eveal
i
nf ormationasi tari
ses,soonerr athert
hanl at
er,t
he
publ i
cwi l
lpanicandt hinksomet hingisbeing
hidden.Of f
erthem somet hingtheydon'tknownow
sot heycangai nyourt rust.Ment i
onthetwo
civil
iansthatwer eshot.Of feryoursupporttothem
tooandnotj ustSikhosana. "
Sibo:"
Won'tthatupsettheKing?I-Idon'
twantto
ruff
lehisf
eatherstoday."Somethi
ngwasmaki ng
mever yuncomfortabl
ewi thSi
bonelo'
ssil
ence.He
l
ookedr at
tl
ed.
King:
"Iwil
lspeakt
ohim.He'spossibl
ydist
ract
ed
ri
ghtnowandneedsassurancethatwe'r
eonhis
si
de.Thisi
sgood,Sibonel
o.Weneedt obebehind
t
heSi khosanaf
amily.Thiswi
llr
ebui
ldour
r
elat
ionshipwit
hthem. "
Sibo:"
Mnqobi,pleaseorgani
sethemedia.I
'
ll
addresst
henat i
onatsix."Mnqobigotonhi
sphone
i
mmedi at
ely.Mamawal kedin.
Queen:"I
severythi
ngwell
?"Shest
oodnextt
o
Si
bonelo."Youlooksi
ck.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mfi
nemama.Justast
ressf
ulday.
"
Queen:"
Ist
her
eanyt
hingIcandoBaba?
"
King:
"Yesmylove.IsuspecttheKingwi l
lwantt
o
beintheci
tyf
orabi tunt
ilhi
sprincessisoutof
hospi
tal
.Pl
easeorganisehishousef orhi
m."
Queen:"Thehouseyoubui l
tforhi
m 10year
sago
andhe'sneversteppedfooti
n?Whatmakesyou
thi
nkhe'l
luseitnow? "
Ki
ng:
"Love.
"
Queen:"
Yourfr
iendsar
everyquest
ionabl
e,
Mziwabo.Ver
yverydodgey.
"
Ki
ng:
"Youcan'
tsayt
hataboutt
heki
ngThandeka.
"
Queen:"Finethen,butatl
eastyouknow.Idoubt
he'l
levencomet ohi
sspecialhouseyoubui l
tfor
him becausewe' r
epeasantstohim.Fine.I
'l
ltake
thegirl
swi t
hme, tomakethehousepr esentablef
or
hisarri
val
.I'm suret
heyneedt obedistr
actedabit.
"
Mnqobi :"
Absol utel
ynot!Nomama.Youcan' ttake
them anywher eneartheKing.Wedon' tknowwhat '
s
goingorhowhi semot i
onsarer i
ghtnow.Wedon' t
wantanot hercaseoft hecruelki
ngwhoki ll
s
commoner sthatdarelookhisdirecti
on.Absol
utel
y
not.PetuandNot handoarenotgoi nganywhere
nearhim!"Iheldmymout ht r
yinghardnottolaugh
i
nt hi
sveryser iousmoment .
King:"
Mnqobii
sright.I
nf act
,Idon'
tthinkIwant
younearhi
m ei
ther.Perhapsjustsendthecleaner
s,
I'
l
lwelcomehimintothehousemysel f.Come."They
walkedout
.
Khaya:"
Yeswena,
husbandoft
wowi
ves.
"
Mnqobi:"
PleaseshutupKhaya.Mxim."Hestor
med
outt
heoffice,
nodoubtgoingtocheckonhiswives.
Igi
ggledthenfocusedbackonSibonel
o.Hewas
st
ari
ngathi
stabl
etqui
etl
y.
Khaya:"
Bobo?
"Hel
ookedup.
Sibo:"Ri ght.I'
m dr afti
ngnow. "Hest artedt ypi
ngon
hislapt op.Iwai t
edunt ilhefinishedhi sspeech
whichwasnomor ethan7mi nutesl ong." Please
proofr eadt hisandcheckf orgr ammar , i
nformat ion
accuracyandofcour seifit
'sinpr operf ormat .
"I
tookhi sl aptopandr eadwhi l
ehewentt othesmal l
tablethathadawhi skeyoni t
, pour i
nghi msel fa
glass.Ir eadt hewhol espeech, changi ngt hef ormat
alit
tlet osuitci vil
ianunder standi ngandempat hy.
I'
dext endedi tjustabi t.Possiblybyami nuteonl y.I
don'tthi nkhecoul dbeonTVf orlongseei nghow
he'sgoi ngi nt hatbottle.Iplacedt helapt opini t
's
place,goi ngt of et
cht hebot tl
ef rom hi m.
Khaya:"
Whatdi
dyouseeSboni
?"
Si
bo:"
Ican'
ttel
lyout
hatKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
It
'saf
fecti
ngyoubadl
y.I
sitZwe?I
sitabout
t
heroarwehear d?
"
Si
bo:"Khayastop.St
opwi
ththesequest
ions.Leave
i
talone.Let
'sf
ocusonworknow."
Khaya:"
Doyout hinkthisaddr
esswillbetheonl
y
one?Seeingthataloti
shappeningbehindthe
scenesatSikhosana."
Sibo:" Noit'
snotgoingt obet heonl y.The
Sikhosanaf amilyisalreadyfighti
ngamong
themsel ves.Wemi ghtneedt ohol dt hef or
tforabi
t
butt heotherroyalscan'tknowt his,Khaya.I '
m
alreadybeinghar assedbyt hem all.They' r
egoingto
spillovertoyouandMnqobi ,
becl uel ess.Sayyou
don' tknowadamnt hing."Avei nthrobbedi nhis
forehead.
Khaya:"Tat
awasr i
ghtthough.Thisi
sgoodforthe
famil
y.Torebui
ldtherel
ati
onshipwit
hSikhosana
andhavingthei
rbackinthist
ime."Hechuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"Thismeansnot hingt oSikhosana, Khaya.
Oncehe'sbackintopf orm, hewi l
ltakeoverAgai n
wit
houtsomuchasat hankyouorgl ance.That's
whotheyare.Wear enot hingbutt heirworkers.
Al
wayshasbeent hatwayandi talwayswi l
lbe.
Whodoyout hi
nkwasaddr essi
ngt henationwhile
Ki
ngNgi dumisewasbur ningitlef
tr i
ghtandcent r
e?
Mygrandfather
.Myf ami lyhadt ofixit.Di
dt hat
meananyt hi
ngtot hem?No.Fr ankly,
theonly
reasonIevenagr eedt othisshitisbecause
Zwel et
huaskedme.I fitwasn'tforhim, thewor
ld
woul dknowwhot heyreallyare."Hef i
nishedhi
s
drinkandsatdown." Pl
easeaskt hetail
ortogetmy
regalatti
reready.Ineedt opracticemyspeech. ".
..
[
07/
27,
05:
56] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er52

PRI
NCEPOV_

Zwegavemeacl eanchangeofclothesinhisoff
ice
asIhadrippedmyown.It oreoft
her emainderof
myshirt
,anditcaughtonfir
e.Iquickl
ythrewiton
thegr
oundandst eppedonit.
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay?Whatwast
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Myhandj
ustcaughtonf
ir
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"How?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'tknowMt
hunzi,
I'mri
ghti
nfrontof
you.
"Zwel ookedatmyhand,smel
li
ngit
.
Zwe: "
Nosi gnorsmellofi
nfl
ammables.
"Hepi
cked
upthef abr
icpiece.I
twasburnt
."Ar
eyoust
il
l
angry?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfucki
ngl
ivi
d."Hel
ookedatme.
Zwe:"Putthisshirton.Tr
yandcalm down.
"Iwor
e
theshi
rthegavemeandt hepant
s."
Youdoknow
yourgrandfatherhadtheabil
it
yoffi
reri
ght
?"
Nkosi
:"Ial
readyhavemyabi
li
ti
es.Ican'
tgr
ownew
onesasanadult.
"
Zwe:"
Thenperhapsi
twasdormantal
ltheseyear
s.
Haveyoueverbeent
hisangr
ybef
ore?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Zwe:"Whatyouneedt odonowi scalm down.You
don'
twantt oscar
eThembi sa'
sparent
s."He
checkedhisphone."
Sibonelowil
lbeaddressi
ngthe
nati
oninlessthananhour."
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
o?Ar
eyousur
eaboutt
hisZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Yes.Hemaybeunst
abl
ebuthewon'
tdef
y
me.Wecant
rusthi
m."
Nkosi
:"Zwe,t
hisi
saverysensi
tivemat
tert
ojust
handovertot
hebrot
herwhothinksIst
olehi
s
spot
li
ghtfr
om yourl
if
e."
Zwe:"
LeaveSibonel
otome.Doyouwantt otel
lme
whyyourfat
herwantstogetr
idofyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.Hej
ustl
osthi
smi
ndont
he
f
ir
stti
mehesawher .
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Shewentupt
hemount
ainwi
thAmahl
e."
Zwe:
"Dl
ozit
rai
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Cl
aimsshe'
sawi
tch.
"
Zwe:"
That'
sinsane.Youtol
dmeonl
ythosewi
tha
pur
eheartcoul
dgoupt here.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatIwastol
d.He'
sbeenaf
terher
si
nce.Eventri
edt
obribemetomarrySamu."
Zwe:"
Bathonga?She'
sal
wayshadat
hingf
oryou.
"
Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Yeah,t
hismorni
ngshegavehert
hingf
or
meinagl assofor
angejui
ce.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Nkosi
:"Sheputl
ovepot
ioni
nmyj
uice.
"
Zwe:"Nkosinhl
e!"Icoul
dfeel
theangervi
brat
ingof
f
Mthunzifr
om wher ehewassitt
ing.
Nkosi
:"Amahletooktheglassfr
om meandshe
sl
appeditoutherhand.That'
swhensheadmi t
tedi
t.
Thecrazythi
ngis,myfatherdi
dn'tevenr
eact
."
Mthunzi
:"NowIhavetogetaguar
dtot
ast
eal
lyour
f
oodbeforeyoueatNkosi
nhle?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.
"Aphoner
ang.Zwel
ookedati
t,hi
s.
Zwe:"Theotherroyal
sar
epanicki
ng.Council
shoul
dbestar t
ingtomor
rowandnowt hi
s."He
swit
chedoffhisphone.
Nkosi
:"Councilshoul
dcont
inue.Maybet
hatwi
ll
t
aketheirmindsoffus."
Zwe:"Whowilll
eadcouncil
?Yourfat
heri
sstil
lin
theci
tyandpossibl
yangryatyoubutworr
iedabout
thel
astpri
ncess.
"
Nkosi
:"ThenIdon'
tknowZwelethu.Myf ocusi
snot
outt
here.Myli
feisi
nsidet
hishospit
al.Anyoneel
se
candealwi t
hever ythingelse."Igotupwal ki
ngto
Thembi sa'sroom.Herpar entswer esit
ti
ngonher
onesi de, holdi
nghands.Ihat edf eel
ingli
keIwas
i
ntrudingbutIdi dn'treall
ycar e,Ihadther i
ghttobe
here.Theycan' tthrowmeout .Isatontheot her
si
de, herf ather'
seyesbur ntthroughme.I fIeven
daredl ookupathi m, thestarewoul dnotlast.I
brushedAmahl e'
shead.Shehat esthat,Iknow.It
mustbewor senowt hati
t'sinpain.
Zwe:"Ihavetoremovethel
asttwobul
let
sfrom her
headtonight
.Shedidn'
twantt
oearl
ier
.Saidit
hurt
s."Hestoodnexttome.
Xol
ani
:"AndThembi
sa?Howi
sshe?
"
Zwe:"
Sheonlyhadonebul l
eti
n.Itmissedherhear
t
byasmallf
ract
ion.Iremovedital
readyandI'
ve
madesur
ethatnothingelsei
sdamaged. "
Mama:"Howistheothergi
rlst
il
lal
ivebutshehas
bul
let
sinherhead?
"
Zwe:"Thebull
etsinherheadwerelodgedinsof
t
ti
ssuethatdi
dn'thar
m her,t
hankthegods.The
other
sonlyli
ghtlygr
azedher."
Mama:"
Thati
sami
racl
e.Yoh!Thegodsmustl
ove
her
."
Zwe: "Ami racleindeed.Theaddr essisaboutto
happenNkosi ,doyouwantt owat chit
?"Inodded.
Slightlyner vouswi t
hSibonelohol di
ngthef ort
.He
wasver yfooli
sh, that'
sallI'
m sureofbutZwe
trustedhi m.Ther oom wasal r
eadyequi ppedwitha
televisionandheswi tchediton.Mt hunzistoodnext
tomewi thahandonmyshoul der.Wewai tedti
ll
6pm hi tandhest eppedont hest age.Full
ydressed
i
nhi sregalat t
ire.Sof ar,good.Showsser i
ousness.
Nkosi
:"He'
sdr
unk.
"Isnapped.
Zwe:"
Heisn'
t,
Nkosi
."If
oldedmyarmsst ar
ingat
thi
sboywit
hmyheartinmyt hr
oat
.Ifheevendar
es.
Sibonelo:"Goodeveni ngtot hecit
yofMount ai
n
Peak,andt henat ionatl ar
ge.Iam Pr i
nceSibonelo
Biyel
a.I'm standingi nfrontofyout odaytoaddress
youallont heinci dentthathasbef all
enour
peacefulcity.Itisunfortunatet ohavetoannounce,
thelastprincessoft het hronehasbeenshot .We
aregratefultot hegodsandt hemedicalt
eam's
efficiencyt hatshehassur vived.Thecauseoft he
shoot i
ngr emai nsunknownandspecul ationsar e
strictlyf orbi dden.Fal senewsandt hosewho
spr eadi t,wi l
lbepuni shedsever ely.Thepr incess
suf feredonl yaf ewwoundsasmostoft hebul lets
wer est rays.Weaskt hatyougi vet her oyalf ami l
y
somepr ivacyt odealwi ththisi nternal ly.Theci tyis
cur rent l
yunderl ockdownt opr eventunnecessar y
chaosandpani ctot hehospi t
al.Weunder stand
thatyoual lar econcer nedandwoul dl ovet oshow
suppor tt ot hef ami ly, pleasedoso, int hecomf ort
andsaf et yofyourhomes.I naddi t
ion, twoot her
peopl ewer ehur t
.Al ear nerandr esidentoft he
Mount ainPeakUni ver sityr esidency, whom, for
privacyandr espectwi l
lnotbenamedasofyet .She
too, isr ecover ingi nhospi talwi thherl ovingf amily.
Iti
showever ,wi t
hr egr etthatIment i
on, theguar d
whowasar oundt her esi denceatt het ime, suffered
afat alshot .Weext endoursi ncer eapol ogi esand
condol encest ohi sf ami lyandt heci t
izenswhoar e
deepl yaf fect edbyt heset er r
iblenews. "Hepaused
l
ooki ngathi snot es.He' sbeendoi ngwel l,hecan' t
messupnow.Isatup, wat chingcl osel y.Hi shands
wer
eshaki
ng.
Sibo:"Thet hronet hanksyouf oryourunwaver i
ng
suppor t.Wet hankyouf oryourpatience.Your
prayers.Wewi llcontinuetoupdateyouf urther
whenwehavemor edet ai
ls.Royalcounci lhassince
beenpost ponedaswehel pourroyalf amilyand
suppor tthem int hesetryi
ngt i
mes.It hankyou. "He
steppedawayf rom thepodi um,walkingoutwi thhis
guards.Il ookedatZwe.
Zwe:
"Hedi
dwel
l
?"
Nkosi
:"I
ncr
edibl
y.Thankyou."Iturnedbackt
olook
atmytwogirl
s.NowallIneedisf ormywomant o
wakeupsoIcant hi
nkstr
aight.

SASAPOV_

Coronat
ionDaywasstr
essful
.Nkosiwasr
efusi
ng
towakeuptoday.Hej
ustsnoredawaywit
hout
movement.Iki
ssedhi
sface..
Me:"
Myl
ove.You'
regoi
ngt
obel
ate.
"Hecuddl
ed
f
urtherundert
heblanket
s,squeezi
ngmeagai
n.
"
KingSikhosana.Wakeup."Heopenedhi
seyes.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
scol
d."
Me:" You'
rethelastpersontosaythat
.Come.It'
s
ti
met owakeup.EvenSi zweismor er
eadythan
you."Thebabyki ckedinmybelly,t
owardhissi
de.
"See?He'saskingf oryou.Asusual
.Thischi
ld
doesn'tli
keme."Hel aughed.
Nkosi
:"Myboywi l
labsolut
elylovehi
smommy. "He
ki
ssedmyheavi l
ypregnanttummy.Hisf
inger
s
tr
acedoveri
tlovi
ngly.
Me:"
Areyouexci
tedf
ort
oday?
"
Nkosi:"
Notr
eall
y.Ihopeit'
squick.Iwantt
ospend
somet i
mewithyoualone.Pri
ncewi l
lbeher
eany
daynow.Wehaven'thadamomental onesi
ncewe
arr
ived.
"
Me:"Al
ri
ghtthenbutforyout
ospendti
mewithme,
youhavetoaddressyournat
ionasKi
ng.
"Ismil
ed.
Nkosi:"
Byt
heendoft
heni
ghtyou'
l
lbeaqueenofa
nat
ion."
Me:"Isti
llpr
eferj
ustbei
ngyourwi
fe.Idon'
tcar
e
aboutthetit
le.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknowmyl ove.That '
swhyyou'r
eper
fectf
or
me.Let'
sgetupbef orethecountr
yknocksdown
mydoor .
"Igi
ggled.Hehel pedmeoutofbed,
r
unningmybat hwat er."
Areyouinpain?"
Me:"
Ali
ttl
ebit
.Thebabyi
sadj
ust
ing.
"Hel
edme
i
ntot
hetub,washi
ngme.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llcutt
hecer
emonyshor
t-
"
Me:"No!You'
reaki
nganddeser
vet
hef
ull
cer
emony.Icanhandl
eit
."
Nkosi
:"Okaybutyou'
llbebymysi det hewhol
eday
sodon'
teventrytoactstr
ong.Anydi scomfor
t,l
et
meknow."Hekissedmyshoul der
, washingme.

Itt
ookawhi lebutwewer ebothf i
nall
ydressedin
ful
lroyalatt
ir
e.Ahairdresserhelpedwithmyhair
asNkosihadhi sbarbercuthis.Evenaswe
prepared,westayedsidebyside,him hol
dingmy
hand.Itwast i
me.Wewal keddownt hest ai
rst
othe
di
ninghal
lwher
etheki
ngandqueenwai
ted.
Ki
ng:
"Fi
nal
ly.We'
reanhourl
ate.
"
Nkosi :"Nowe' renot.I'
mt heking, Idecidewhenwe
start.Mywi feneedst of eedourchi ldinherbel ly.
"
Hel edmet othet abl
et ositandf ixedmypl ate.I
wasqui teembar r
assedathowhewassocal l
ous
towar dhi spar ents.Wewoul dhavet odi scusst hi
s
tonight ,
itcan'tcar r
yonl ikethis.Wehadour
breakf astandi mmedi at
elyleftfortheKi ngsAr ena.
Itwasf i
ll
edt ot hebrim withscr eamingandsi nging
civil
ians.Thenat ionwasover j
oyed.Thguar dsled
usont ot hest age.Nkosihel dmyhandal lt
heway
l
et t
ingmesi tdownf inal
lyandhenextt ome.Hi s
fatherandmot herwer eonhi sot herside.Ther oyal
speakerst eppedf orward, j
oyousandexci t
edwhi le
i
nt r
oduci ngt heKi ng.
Speaker:"BAYEEEEEDEi Nkosi!
!"Thecr owd
responded."uSikhosana,MusiKaMhl anga.
Mhl angaayihl
anganiihlanganamhl akwezithebe!
Somboni ,Msamkhul u.
"Thecr owdcl appedand
dancedi nresponse.IlookedatNkosi .Hestaredat
thestadium withnoemot ion.Isqueezedhishand.
Het
urnedt
olookatmeandsmi
led,
kissi
ngmyl
ips.
Me:"
You'
renotal
lowedt
odot
hat
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
dliketoseewhowi l
lcomeupandtel
lme
t
hatnonsense.Youlookheavenl
y,myl
ove.
"
Me:"Thankyoubutt r
ytosmilesothatyoutoocan
l
ookcut e.
"Hechuckled,
looki
ngbackathi speople.
"They'
rereal
lyhappyaboutyourki
ngship.Theylove
you."
Nkosi
:"Hm."Heki
ssedmyhandandset
tl
edbacki
n
hi
sfrown.
Speaker:"Itismygr eathonour ,tointr
oducethe
KingHisMaj estySikhosanaal ongsideourfutur
e,
theheir,HisHi ghnessPrinceNgi dumi se
Sikhosana."Heknel tont hefloor.Thekingstoodup
alongwi t
h, Ngidumise.Ther oyalcrownwas
presentedt otheking.Het ooki tof
ftheblack
cushion,li
fti
ngi ti
nt heair.
King:"Bythepowervest
edinme.Gr ant
edbythe
gods.Ipassmyr ei
gntotheright
fulhei
r.Ngi
dumise
Sikhosana."Ngi
dumiseknel
tinfr
ontofhisfat
her
whopl acedtheGol
d,Purpl
eandBl ackcrownonhis
head."
MyKing,
asyourise,
sodoesyourl
egacy.
Bayede.
"Ngi
dumisest
oodup,f
acingt
hecrowd.
Crowd:"
Bayede!
!!
!"Theycl
appedandcel
ebr
ated.As
theyset
tl
eddown.Thekingspokeagai
n.
King: "I
ntroduci ngmot heroft henat ion.Queen
NobomiNonkosiSi khosana.Mot heroft hefut ure
heirofourki ngdom. "Istoodup, wal
kingt othem.I
kneltinf rontoft hem, Ngidumi sehel dmyar m
helpingmedown.Heaccept edt hecr ownf rom hi s
mot herandpl acedi tonmyhead." Mot heroft he
nation, asyour ise, mayyounur t
ureandf ert
ili
zet he
greatoft hisnat ion.Bayede. "Onceagai n,thecr owd
responded.Nkosihel pedmebackupandhel dmy
hand.I twasdone.If el
tapi ercei nmyback.Iknow
i
twascomi ngf rom inside.Si zwengayewant edt o
comeout .Thef irstcont r
actionandIhel di tin,
l
ooki ngf orwar dandgr aciousasaQueenshoul d.I
practicedmybr eathi ngsli
ght lyandqui et l
y.Ireally
want edt oatl eastgr oant hepai nawaybutt he
nationwaswat chi ng.Wesatbacki nourseat s,
watchi ngt heent er
tainmentt hr oughoutt heday.
Dancer sf rom al lculturesper formed, gi
ftswer e
offer
edbyt heotherroyals.Eventuall
y,Wemadei t
downt hestair
s,intothemi ddl
eoft heparadesothe
crowdcoul dseeusbet ter
.Asl owwal karoundas
acknowledgement .Thenat i
ont ourwouldprobabl
y
beafterSizwe'sbirt
hifhecomesi nthenextfew
days.
Nkosi
:"Love.
"
Me:"
Yebobaba?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reshi
ver
ing.Ar
eyoui
npai
n?"
Me:"Justsomediscomfort
."Hestopped
i
mmedi atel
y."
Nkosi,l
et'
sfi
nisht
hispartpl
ease.I
t'
s
nott
oobad. "
Nkosi
:"Onl
ythi
spar
tandwel
eave.
"
Me:"You'
rebei
ngdramat
icmylove.Si
zwewil
ltake
anot
herfewdays.He'
spr
obabl
yannoyedbecause
i
t'
shot."
Nkosi
:"Met
oo,
myson.I
'
mjustasannoyed.
"
Me:"
Youtwoareoneperson,
honest
ly.Peopl
ewant
t
oseeyou,andyou'
rej
ustboredofi
tall
."
Nkosi
:"They'
veseenmeenoughf
oraday.What
el
secant heydo?There'
sawhol ebroadcastwith
myf aceonTV, t
heycanwatchthat.Theydosay
pi
ctureslastl
ongeranyway.
"Hest oodinfr
ontof
me."IloveyouMr sSi
khosana.Thankyouf orbei
ng
mywi fe.
"
Me:"Youcan'tt
hankmeforsomet
hingIenj
oy.
"He
smil
ed,l
ookingint
omyeyes.
Nkosi:"
You'
redef i
nit
elyinpain.I
t'
stimet ogonow."
Wewal kedt
ot hecars,leavi
ngtheAr ena.Thenext
contr
acti
onattackedmeont hewayt othepalace.I
didn'
tholdi
tinthisti
me.Nkosir ubbedmyst omach,
unsureofwhattodo." I
'm sorr
ylove.We'real
most
home."
Me:"
MyKi ng,
Pleasepr
omi
semeyou'
l
ltakecar
eof
mychil
d."
Nkosi:"We'
lldot
hattoget
hermylove.You'
llteach
me.YouknowIknownot hi
ngaboutbabiessoyou
havetohelpholdthelegwhi
leIwipeabum. "I
chuckled.
Me:"Thi
sisnott
heti
mef
orj
okes.
"Wear
ri
vedatt
he
pal
ace,wal
kingi
n.
Nkosi
:"Gett
hemidwi
vesi
mmedi
atel
y!!
"Hebar
ked
att
heservant
s.
Me:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi:"Shhh.Come."Hel
edmei nt
othebirt
hing
quarter
s.Everyt
hingwasreadyasoft
hisweek.He
helpedmeundr essandputonacomfortabl
elight
fr
ock.
Me:"
Nkosi
yam.
"
Nkosi
:"Yesl
ove.
"
Me:"Il
oveyou.RememberI
'
m your
sevenaf
tert
his
l
if
e."
Nkosi:"
Don'tt
alkli
kethi
sNonkosi.You'
renot
l
eavingmeher ewitht
hischi
ld.YouknowIcan't
handlethat
.I'
m notst
rongenoughforthat
.Pl
ease
don'
tupsetme. "
Me:"Youarest
rong,
myki
ng.Youar
ecour
ageous,
vi
ctor
ious,
andgreat
."
Nkosi:"
Nonkosi!Stopi
tri
ghtnow!Idon'twantt o
hearanotherword.We'
llt
alkonceyou'vegivenbirt
h
si
nceyou'readamantonmaki ngmef eelpainforno
reason.
"Herubbedmybel ly."
I'
m notrai
singthis
chil
dwithanyonebutyou."Anothercontr
actionhit
.
Iheldhi
shand, cr
ying.Themidwivescamei n.
Threeofthem.Onel i
tupsomei ncense,
theot her
checkedhowf arIwas.
Nkosi
:"I
smysoncomi
ng?
"
Midwi
fe:"
Inawhi
le,myking.Thei
ncenseisf
orher
pai
nsolong.
"Hekissedmycheek,br
ushingmyhai
r.
Nkosi
:"I
'm sorr
yIyel
led.Youscaremewhenyou
t
alkaboutleavi
ngNonkosi.Don'tdothatpl
ease,
I
wil
lnotbeagoodpersonwi thoutyou."
Me:"
Yesyouwi
ll
.UyiNkosiyam enhl
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nothear
inganot
herwor
dfr
om you.
"

I
ttookhours.Thel
abourwasexhaust
ingmebutI
f
eltst
rongenoughtocarr
yon.
Me:"
Wher
eismyhusband?
"
Midwi
fe:"
You'
resocloset
obi
rt
hmyqueen.The
ki
ngcannotbeinsi
de-"
Me:"Cal
lmyhusbandinsideher
e."Shewentoutt
o
cal
lhim.Nkosicamei
n,runni
ng.
Nkosi
:"You'
recl
osemyl
ove.
"Il
ookedathi
sface.
Me:"Pict
uresl
astl
ongeryousai
d.Cant
hesoult
ake
pi
ctures?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.I
t'
scal
ledmemor
ies.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Iloveyoumyki
ng.
"
Nkosi:"I
st hatwhyyoucal ledmeher eNonkosi
,you
thoughtIforgot?"Ilaughed."Iloveyoutoomy
queen."Hel ookedintomyeyesbuthi ssmile
disappeared."Pleasedon'tleaveme."
Me:"
I'
m al
wayswi
thyou.Si
zwei
sher
e."
Midwif
e:"
It
'st
ime,
myki
ng.
"Heknel
tnextt
othebed,
hol
dingmyhand.
Nkosi
:"Goahead.
"
Midwife:"
Witht
henextcontract
ionmyqueen,
push."Iwait
edandfel
titsoIpushed."Ther
e'st
he
head.Againmyqueen."Ipushedagainandonelast
ti
me.Feelinghi
mfinal
lycomeoutofme.
Nkosi
:"Youdi
dit
,mylove.
"Ismi
led.Heki
ssedmy
l
ips."
Howareyoufeel
ing.
"
Me:"I
'm okay.Justti
red.Letmeseeyouholdhim
Nkosi
."Themi dwifehandedt hebabyt
ohim.The
babystoppedcryingimmedi atel
y."
Hehasyour
eyes,
doesn'the?"
Nkosi
:"Yesofcour
se.Look.
"Hesmi
led,
bri
ngi
ng
t
hechil
dcloser.
Me:"
He'
sbeaut
if
ul.
"
Nkosi :"
Yes.Ayouwithmyeyes. "Heki ssedme
again."Thankyoumyl ove.I
t'
sti
met orestnow.
Thisonemustgomeethi sgrandfather."Iki
ssed
thebaby, gi
vinghi
m overtohisfather.Thequeen
enteredtheroom.
Queen:"
Thehei
rhasf
inal
lyar
ri
ved.Wet
hankt
he
gods.
"
Nkosi
:"Hehasmyeyes.
"
Queen:"I
ndeed,
hedoes.HeisatrueSikhosana
pr
ince.Nonkosi
,howareyoufeel
ing.
"
Me:"
Wel
lmyqueen.Justqui
tet
hir
sty.
"
Queen:"
Thatwoul
dbenor
mal
.You'
vej
ustbi
rt
heda
pr
ince.
"Shesmil
ed.
Nkosi:"I
'l
lbebackmyl ove.I'
m handi
nghim overt
o
father
."Hewal kedout.Thequeenpour edwater
from t
hejugi ntoacup, handi
ngitovertome.Ihel
d
i
ti nmyhandl ooki
ngatt hepurewaterandbackat
her.Shestaredatmewi thnoemot i
on.
Queen:"Youneedyourst rengt
hback, queen.The
babywillneedyoui naf ewhour s.
"Inodded,
l
ookingatt heglassanddr ankt hewater.They
removedt hebedding,quicklyput t
inganewonein.I
l
aidbackont hebed,tr
yingt orestabitbutmybody
star
tedshakingal i
tt
le.
Me:"CanIhaveanot herblanket?"Themidwif
e
broughtanotherandt uckedmei n.Icl
osedmyeyes,
tr
yingtocatchmybr eathandr est.Mybrai
nrefused
toshutdown.I tfoughthardtokeepmeawakebut
mybodywast ired.Nkosiwal kedin.
Nkosi:"
Love."Icouldn'
tspeak.Hepul
ledbackthe
blanket
s,seeingbloodpooli
ngonthebed.
"Nonkosi?
"Hiswar m handsholdi
ngmi ne."
What'
s
goingon?Whyi sshenotspeaki ng?!
"Heaskedt he
mi dwi
f e.Theyallbusiedontheirqueen, checki
ng
herheal th.Icl
osedmyeyest otryandr estonce
again." Isweartothegods,ifshedar edies,you'
llal
l
bescr eami ngmynamei nhellfortherestof
eterni
ty.ThatIpr omiseyou.WHAT' SWRONG! !
"
Me:"
Nkosienhl
e.Pl
easebr
ingmychi
ld.
"
Nkosi:"Bri
ngt
hechild!
!"Heshout
edoverhi
s
shoulder."
Nonkosi
,don'tdot
hist
ome.Please.
SthandwaSam, Iam onmykneesbeggingyou.
"
Me:"
Iloveyou.
"
Nkosi
:"No.Nott
hat.Justst
ayali
ve.Beher
ewi
th
me.Idon'
twanttobewi t
houtyou.
"
Me:"
Promiseme,
youcanf
orgivehi
m.Pr
omi
seme
andI
'l
lcomefi
ndyoui
nanyli
fe."
Nkosi
:"Nonkosi
.Donot
.Donotbr
eakmel
iket
his.
"
Me:"For
givehi
m Nkosiyam.Hedoesn'tknow.Your
fat
herdoesn'
tknow.Youcan'tki
llaki
ng,Nkosi.You
havetomakethispromiset
ome. "Hiseyesfi
ll
ed
wit
htears.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Me:"
SthandwaSam.
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
tleaveme.
"Themi
dwi
febr
ought
t
hebabyin."Pl
easeNonkosi
."
Me:"
Letmehol
dhi
m."
Nkosi
:"No.
"Heheldmeinhisarms."
No.Hedoesn't
gett
oholdyou.Youcan'
tdothi
stome."Ihugged
hi
m.
Me:" Okay, thenyoucanhol dhi mlikethisforme
unti
lyouj oi
nme.Nkosi ,Ican'thangon. "Hi shold
wast ighter,hisfacebur iedinmyneck." Nkosiyam
enhle.Iloveyousomuchbutf oryout ofindme
again,youcan' tki
llaking."Hel etgo,standingup.
Het ookt hebaby, handi nghimt ome, helpinghim
l
atchonmybr east.Hewat chedwi t
hcol deyesas
thebabyf ed.Hi shandsf lami ngbyhi ssides.The
babyf ini
shedandbur pedonmychest .Iclosedmy
eyes.Ngi dumi seflickeredof fhishandsandcl osed
thedoor ,lockingit.Hegr abbedt hefir
stmi dwife
snappi ngherhead, foll
owi ngwi ththerest.Theyall
droppeddeadont hefloor.Hest ar
edathi snew
bor
n, hi
shandsgrowi
nglar
gerfl
ames.Thefor
mer
ki
ngbangedont hedoorbr
eaki
ngitdown.
Ngidumisef
ocusedonthebaby.
Ki
ng: "
Ngidumi se.Stepbackf rom t
hebaby."
Ngidumiseturnedt olookathim, hi
shandsgrowing
l
argerfl
ames.Hi shear thardeningtoconcr
eteice
asheremember st helastwordsofhisnowlatewife.
Youcan'tki
llaki ng.
[
07/
27,
05:
57] :Sponsor
edPost
:GwenKni
ght
s

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er53

PRI
NCEPOV_

Myheartwasinpai
n.Icoul
dn'tbreathproper
lybutI
hi
ditwell
.Itwaswel
lint
othenight.Zwehad
br
oughtinabedforThembisa'
spar ent
s.Her
mothersl epti
nitbutherfatherr ef
usedt osleep.He
satont hesamechai rstari
ngathi sdaughter .We'
ve
beeni nthissi
lenceforhoursnow.Ist oodupand
shi
ftedAmahl e'
sbodysot hatshecanbe
comf ort
able.Icheckedherpul se.Sti
llbeat
ing.Zwe
hadpost ponedhersur ger
yf ormor ni
ng.Isatback
downandsi ghed,tr
yingtogetai ri
ntomyl ungs.
Xol
ani
:"What
'swr
ongwi
thyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hingsi
r.
"
Xol
ani
:"You'
vebeenhi
ssi
ngf
oranhournow.
"
Nkosi
:"Pr
obabl
yjustt
hisonet
orment
ingmei
nher
dr
eams."Ibr
ushedAmahle'
shead.
Xol
ani
:"Youcanf
eel
herdr
eams?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Xolani
:"That
'snew."Wesatinsil
enceonceagai
n.I
couldfeelhi
sstar
eonceagain,Iobvi
ousl
ycan't
l
ookbackot her
wiseI'l
lbet
emptedtobeinhishead.
"Whatdoyouwantf rom mydaughter
?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
minl
ovewi
thher
."
Xol
ani
:"Thatsoundsf
ami
li
ar,
wai
t,yourgr
andf
ather
sai
dthatbef
oreheki
ll
edhiswif
e."Nkosi
:"Iam
not
hingli
kemygrandf
ather
-"
Xol
ani
:"Ohreal
ly?Whyar
eweinahospitalt
hen?
Whyismychildinacomaandyou'
resi
tt
ingther
e
si
ghi
ng? "
Nkosi:"
Ididmybestt
oprot
ecther.Iwil
lcont
inueto
butbecauseofyouwehadtorest
rictt
heprot
ecti
on
Igi
veher -
"
Xolani
:"Howdoyouexpectmet otrustyouifthi
s
canhappen?Thi s,
hashappenedbeforeYour
Highness.WhymustIallowitt
ohappent omea
secondtime?Isthatf
air
?Isitf
airt
hatyourfamily
wipedmi neoutandwhenI'
verebuil
tmyl i
fe,myself
,
i
tmusthappenagai n.Whendoesitstop?Doyou
thi
nkitsfai
r?"
Nkosi
:"No,
sir
."
Xolani:"Soam Ibei
ngunr
easonabl
ewhenIsayI
don'twantyounearmydaughter?Am Ibei
ng
di
fficult
?"
Nkosi
:"Nosi
r.
"
Xolani:"
Thenwhatmusthappenf oryoutof ull
y
understandwher eI '
m comingfrom?I t'
seitheryou
j
ustdon' tcareaboutwhatkeepshappeni ngt ome
andmyf ami l
yoryouwantt ocont inueput t
ingmy
chil
dindangeral lbecauseyoul oveher .Soagai n,
I
havet osacrifi
ceforyou.Ihavet ogiveyoumy
brokensoulI '
veputt oget
heralltheseyear s.
Becauset hepr i
nceisinlove.You'renotlikeyour
grandfather?Right.You'r
eabsolutelycorrect.
You'renotlikehim.YouAr eHim. "Hegotupand
walkedout .

Themi graineIhad, gotwor se.Ineverhave

headachesandsuchbutt oday,hereIam.Amahl e
i
sbot heri
ngmei nhersl eep, Ij
ustknowi t
.It'
sbeen
awhi l
esinceThembi sa'sfatherwal kedout .Iknow
hewassaf ebecauseasoft headdr ess,noonewas
all
owedoutt hehospital.Theguar dswer eatal l
possibl
eexi t
sandMt hunziwasr i
ghtoutsidethe
room sohewaswat chinghi m.I'veneverf eltmore
guil
ty.Thismanhadever yrighttobehost i
le.Imay
notbemygr andfatherbutIsur eashel lwasmovi ng
l
ikehim.IwishIcouldwakeupAmahl ebutIdon'
t
knowwhatshewasdoi nghersleep.Per
hapsshe
washealingThembisaorgui
dingherawake.Ihat
ed
wait
ing.Zwewalkedin.
Zwe:
"Youshoul
dgetsomesl
eep.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.
"Hecheckedhervi
tal
s.
Zwe:"
Iknowyou'
ref
inebutIneedyoubet
terby
morni
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
ngsar
eal
readyt
ense.Idon'
tthi
nkIcan
sl
eep.
"
Zwe:"
Whenshewakesup, shecan'
tbeseei
ngyour
ti
redr
edeyes.Youl
ookscary.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkI
'
mli
kePapa?
"
Zwe:
"Hel
lno.Notevencl
ose.Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousayi
ngt
hatbecauseyou'
rebei
ng
ni
ce?"
Zwe:"
NoI '
m not
.You'r
enot
hingl
ikeyour
gr
andfat
herNkosinhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Lookatwhathashappened.She'
sher
e
becauseofme.Abull
etmi
ssedherhear
t,j
ust
becauseIl
oveher
."
Zwe:"Thatdoesn'
tmeanyou'r
ehim.Yes,i
tseems
si
milarbutyou'
regood.Youhaven'
tanevi
lbonei
n
yourbody.Youdon'tki
ll
-"
Nkosi:"
Yet.Idon'
tknowi
fI'
l
lhol
dbacki
fsomet
hing
happenstoher."
Zwe:"WhatIknowis,youwon' tbeburni
ngdown
i
nnocentpeople.Whathappenedi shorr
ibl
ebuti
t'
s
thepast
.Whatwedoi nt hepresentisfi
ndwaysto
prot
ectanddefendthefutur
e."
Nkosi
:"Hehat
esme.
"
Zwe: "
Lethim.Whathecan' tcontrolishowyouand
Thembi safeelabouteachother.Onlyshecanmake
thedecisiontostaywithyounowbutmaybei t
mighthelpyourcasei fyoulookbetterthanyoudo
now.I'l
lsithereandkeepwat ch.Isetupmyof fi
ce
foryouandMt hunzi
."

PETUPOV_
TheBi yelapalacewasext raordi nary.Iwasgi vena
guestr oom thatlookedl ikeanexpensi vestudi o
apartment ,
thewayi twassohugeandi thadanen
suit
e.We' dhaddi nnerear l
ierwi thoutBabuBi yela,
ashehadgonet owel comet heKi nginhi shouse.
Whenhecameback, hiswi feandhi ml eftforbed.I
toowentt other oom Iwasgi ven, Ineededt ot akea
bath.Ihadal sobeengi venani ghtgownt osl eepin.
Thebat hroom lookedl ikeahot el,Iranmybat h.
Therewer ebr andnewt oiletri
esont hecount erwi t
h
acloth.Thesewer epl acedher ebyt hehel per s
whent heysetupmyr oom.It ookmybat h,wear i
ng
thenightgownt obed.Thel otionandbodywash
smellsogood.Ihadt oputsomemor eonmyhands.
Mybedr oom dooropened.Mnqobisnucki n.My
heartracedimmedi ately.Hecan' tdot hisher e.
Mnqobi
:"Hibaby.
"Hesmi
led,
wal
kingt
othebed.
Pet
u:"NoMnqobi.We'
rei
nyourf
amil
yhome.Thi
s
i
sdisr
espect
ful
."Hecl
imbedont
hebed.
Mnqobi
:"They'
real
lsl
eepi
ngbaby.
"Heki
ssedmy
l
ips."
Yousmel
lsogood.
"
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Whatbaby?We'
llbever
yqui
et.
"Hi
shand
r
eachedbet
weenmyt hi
ghs.
Petu:"
YouknowIcan' tbe..
."Hetookoffmynight
gown,mybodyr espondedt ohi
m.Ihat ehowIcan'
t
resi
sthim.Hisf
ingerrubbedonmycl itsl
owlyand
sli
dinbetweenmyl abia,
penetrat
ingme.Igasped
i
nhi smouth.
Mnqobi :"
keepyourmout honmine."Ikissedhim,
l
ayingbackont hebed.Heclimbedont opofme,
taki
ngof fhisbelt,
zippi
ngdownhi spant s.Iwanted
himinsiderightnow.Hepul l
editout,positi
oni
ngat
myent rance.Thedooropened.Webot hf r
oze.The
doorclosedagai n.
Notha:"
Didn'
tmeant ointer
rupt.
"Mnqobicoul dn'
t
move.Isatupfrom underhim andhest oodup,
pul
li
nguphi spants.Iusedtheduvett ocoverup.It
wassoawkwar d,Iwassoembar rassed.I
magi ne
bei
ngcaughthavingsexi nsomeone' shouse.Not
j
ustahouse, apal
ace.
Mnqobi
:"Fuck.
"Hewhi
sper
ed,
unabl
etol
ookheri
n
t
heeye.
Notha:"
Idi
dn'
tsayst
op.Ij
ustcamet
ocheckon
you."
Pet
u:"
I'
m sosor
ry.
"
Notha:"
Whyareyousorry?You'
reonl
ysleepi
ng
wit
hyourman.Isthatnotso,
Mnqobi?"
Mnqobi
:"I
..
.Uhm.
"
Not
ha:"
Okay,
soIshoul
dgo?
"
Mnqobi
:"No.I'
l
lleave.
"Hewal
kedoutqui
ckl
y.That
wasver
ystrange.
Not
ha:"
Sor
ry.
"
Petu:"No,don'
twor
ryaboutit
.Letmej ust
..
."It
ook
myni ghtgownandputiton.Il
ookedupatherand
shehadagr i
nonherf
ace.Iblushed,
obviously
embar r
assedevenmore.
Not
ha:"
Yout
woar
ebr
ave.
"Shecl
imbedi
nbed.
Pet
u:"Wegotcar
ri
edaway.Mnqobii
sjust.
..
"I
si
ghed.
Not
ha:"
He'
sgoodi
nbed?
"
Pet
u:"
Yeah.
."Igi
ggl
ed.
Notha:"
Doyouthi
nkyou'
l
lst
il
lwanthi
m whenhe
get
smar ri
ed?
"
Petu:"
Probabl
ybutI'
ddef
ini
tel
yst
ayawayf r
om hi
m.
Ineedtolear
ntoresi
sthi
m orI
'mrel
ocat
ing.
"
Not
ha:"
Whati
fhewant
stocont
inueseei
ngyou?
"
Petu:"Ican'
tdisrespecthiswif
elikethat
.Most
i
mpor tantl
y,Ican'tdisr
especthi
sf amil
yname.
Mnqobii saBiyela.Aver yimport
antnameinour
nati
on.Hedoesn' tdeservet
obeinsexualscandal
s
tar
nishinghisfami lyname."
Not
ha:"Can'
tbeascandali
fhi
sfami
lyknowsyou,
ori
fyou'
rehissecondwi
fe.
"
Petu:"Idon'
twantt ochasehi
m awayNotha.We'
re
sti
llnew.Ireal
lyli
kehim buti
fIst
artl
ooki
ng
desperatehemi ghtdropme."
Not
ha:"
Ihearyou.Hey,
youl
ikewi
ner
ight
?"
Pet
u:"
Not
hando!
"Il
aughed.
Notha:"
Mamal eftmeabottl
ewecanshar e.Wai
t
here.
"Shewalkedbackouttheroom comingback
wit
habot t
leofredwineandglasses.Shegotinbed
nexttomeandpour eduseachagl ass.It
ookasip.
Pet
u:"
Thi
sisni
ce.
"
Not
ha:"
Checkthename.
"Ir
eadt
hebot
tl
e.
Not
hando'
sOrchar
d.
Pet
u:"
Thi
sisyourwi
ne?
"
Notha:"Mydadownsavi neyardwit
ht heBiyela'
s.
Thefarmi sal i
tt
leoutsideMountai
nPeak.Maybei n
afewweeks, youandIcangochecki tout.It
's
beauti
fulthere.Especial
lymidseasons,sunny
duri
ngt hedayandabi tchi
ll
yatsunsetbutGodi si
t
abeautyt olookat."Shesmi l
ed.
Petu:"
Thi
sissocool
,Not
ha.I
'
dlovet
o.Haveyou
takenAmy?"
Notha:"Once,t
onamet hewines.Butshedoesn'
t
dr
ink,so."Shesippedherwi
ne.Itookanot
hersip.
Pet
u:"
Ilovet
hisone.
"
Not
ha:"
Youhaven'
tevent
ast
edt
heot
herones.
"
Shel
eanedont
heheadboar
dwi
thhersi
de,
looki
ng
atme.
Pet
u:"
IknowwhatIl
ike.Thi
sisi
t.
"If
ini
shedmy
gl
ass.
Notha:"
Don'
tgot
ell
i
ngt
hef
ami
lyIgotyoudr
unk.
"I
gi
ggled.
Pet
u:"
YouknowIt
houghtyouwer
ecol
d?You'
re
act
ual
lyf
unny.
"
Not
ha:"
Whywoul
dyout
hinkI
'
m col
d?"
Petu:"
You'r
eneverr
eal
lyi
nthemoodt
otal
kto
anyone."
Not
ha:"
Ionl
ytal
ktopeopl
eIl
ike.
"
Pet
u:"
Soyoul
ikeme?
"
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"
Petu:"
That
'sgoodthen.SohowdidyouandAmy
becomefri
ends?Besidesobvi
ousl
ybei
ngroyal
."
Notha:"Honestlybeingroyalmadeusfr
iends.My
famil
ywoul dvisithersandthatwaywewoul dbe
puttogetheri
nar oom.Maybei fwewer
en'tr
oyal
wecould'
vest
il
lbeenfr
iendsbutthenagai
n,how
becausewedon'
ttal
ktopeople.
"
Pet
u:"
Hmm.Ri
ght
."Shepour
edmeanot
hergl
ass.
Not
ha:"
Howdi
dyoubef
ri
endThembi
sa?
"
Pet
u:"SheisfriendswithZimmy.ImetZimmyata
cl
ubbeginningoft hi
syearandwecaughtacab
hometogether.From ther
ewet ext
edregular
lyand
wentouttoget
her .Sobeforeschoolst
art
edwehad
apicni
catthebeach. "
Not
ha:"
Youl
ikepi
cni
cs?
"
Petu:"Yeah,butther
e'snoproperpl
aceatRes.
Everyonejustsit
sont hegr
assandr ui
nsit
."
Not
ha:"
Youwer
en'
tinResl
astyear
?"
Petu:"No.Ilivedwit
hmydadbuthe' salwaysbusy
withwor k.Thisyearhedecidedtoputmei nRes.I
don'tknowwhathet hinkst
hatplaceis.Ithinkhe
probablythinksit
'sli
keboardingschool,he'
squite
ol
d."Shechuckl ed."Howcomeyou' repromi sedt
oa
pri
nce? "
Not
ha:"
Busi
nessdeal
."
Petu:"
Andt
hatdoesn'
tbot
heryou?
"Shedr
ankher
wineandsmil
ed.
Not
ha:"
Notanymor
e.".
..

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Iwaswi t
hSi bonel ointheboyslounge.He' d
stoppeddrinking,thankgoodnessbuthewasnoti n
agoodmoodst il
l.Foronce,Idecidedt oshutmy
mout handpl ayedt heXbox.Ordinar i
ly,
I'
djustgoto
bedbutIcan' tleavehim hereli
ket his.Isuppose
Zwewi l
lsleepatt hehospitalbecauseof
Thembisa'scondi ti
on.Itoo,coul
dn' tfocusonthis
gamesoIj ustswi t
cheditoff.
Khaya:"
Sbo,
whatt
ypeofmovi
edoyouwantt
o
watch?"
Sibo:"
Idon'
tthi
nkI'
l
lbewatchingamovi e,
bug.I'
ve
seenenoughmoviefort
heday.Imi ghtj
usttur
nin."
Iknowhewasn'tgoingt
oshar ewhathesawbutI
knowithastodowithMehl
uli.Mnqobiwalkedin
mef
loppednextt
ome,
sighi
ng.
Khaya:"
Wivest
uckedi
n?"
Mnqobi
:"If
uckedup.
"
Khaya:"Weehhh.Whatdi
dyoudo?Ihopeyoudidn'
t
suggestathreesomeyoust
upi
dboy."Si
bonel
o
chuckl
ed.
Mnqobi
:"No.Ar
eyoucr
azy?
"
Khaya:"
Thenwhathappened?
"
Mnqobi
:"Iwentt
oPet
utocheckuponher
-"
Khaya:"
Youdidn'
t.Youwentt
her
eforasessi
on.
Tel
lthetr
uth.
"
Mnqobi
:"Who'
stel
li
ngt
hest
ory?
"
Khaya:"I
'
mt el
li
ngt
hehonestver
sion.What
happened?"
Mnqobi:"Wewerekissi
ng,i
nbed.Not
handowal
ked
i
n."Igasped.Si
bonelol
aughed.Zwei
sgonnaki
l
lal
l
ofus.
Khaya:"
And?Whathappened?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ihadt
ogetupandl
eave.If
eelsogui
lt
y."
Sibo:"
Whydoyouf eelguil
tyMnqobi?You
approachedPet u,knowingyou'r
einloveand
betrot
hedt oNothando.Youcont i
nuedt ohavesex
withherandt henalsoattempteditwhil
eshe'sin
thesamer oof.Soatwhi chpointexactl
y,doyoufeel
guil
tybecauseI '
m confused?Youdi dalloft
his
knowingly.Notoneper sonheldawhi ptobum."I
l
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshe'
dwal
kin.
"
Si
bo:"They'
rei
nthesamehouseMnqobi.Ther
e'sa
hi
ghchanceshe'l
lwal
kin.Al
ways.Whatdid
Nothandosay?
"
Mnqobi:"That
'st
hest r
angepart
.Shedidn'
tseem
aff
ectedorshocked.Justsai
dshedidn'
tsaywe
muststop.Shecamet ocheckuponPet u.
"Il
ooked
atSibonel
owhol ookedbackatme,smili
ng.
Si
bo:"
Andwhatdi
dyoudo.
"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m her
ear
en'
tI?Ihadt
oleave.
"
Khaya:"
You'
rest
upi
d.Youknowt
hat
?Mor
esour
thanal
emon.Lemonmeringue.LemonMnqobi
cakei
swhatthi
sis.
"Si
bonelochuckl
ed.
Sibo:"
Lif
eisn'
tfai
r.Ot
her
shavet
wo,
someofus
havezero."
Khaya:"
We'
l
lsur
vive,
brot
her
."
Sibo:"
You'
rer
unningfr
om awomansl eepi
ngi
n
yourownbedinyourhouse.Sodon'
tsayathi
ng.
"I
l
aughed.
Mnqobi:"
Youtwoaret
ryi
ngtogetmekill
ed.Ican'
t
event
hinkaboutt
hatt
ypeofnonsense.
"
Khaya:"
Youhaven'
t?
"
Mnqobi:"Look,
Ili
kebot
hthegir
ls.Ir
espectt
hem
enoughnottobeanasshol
e.There'
snoneed."
Si
bo:"Yano,
thegodsknowwhatt hey'
redoi
ng.
Coul
dneverbeme.I'
dratherr
iskmyl i
fe.
"
Khaya:"
Met
oo.
"Wel
aughed.
Sibo:"
Soyou'
reseei
ngaf
utur
ewi
thPet
u?Asa
secondwif
e?"
Mnqobi
:"Ir
eal
lyl
ikeherbutIdon'
twantt
orushi
nto
t
hatdeci
sion.Whati
fwegr
owapar
tinaf
ew
monthst
ime? "
Sibo:"Don'
tli
veyourlifeonwhati
fsmyyoung
prince.Li
veful
ly.It
'sbett
ert
oexperi
enceitt
han
thinkabouthowi twould'
vebeenf
ortherestofyour
l
ife."
Mnqobi
:"Al
sot
ellKhaya.He'
sref
usi
ngt
hegi
rli
nhi
s
bed.
"
Khaya:"
Don'
tst
art
."
Si
bo:"
Khayaisbeingagoodfr
iend.Noneedt
ofuck
upagoodfr
iendshipf
orj
ustsex."
Khaya:"
Exact
ly.ThankyouSbo.
"
Sibo:"Agai
n.Couldneverbeme.Ifshe'
sinmybed,
nakedandcalli
ngf orme.I'
m di
ggingri
ghtint
oher
soul.I
neverywayshebegsf or
.Angihl
anyiphel
a
mina."Mnqobilaughed.
Khaya:"
Youguysbor
eme.
"
Sibo:"
You'
ret
heboringoneKhaya, haveItaught
younothi
ng?Anyway,goodnight
.It
'salongdayf or
met omorr
ow.Ihavetoaddresstheroyal
sont he
post
ponementofcounci
l.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ther
egoesmybr
othert
hedeput
yki
ng.
"
Khaya:"
Ayeye!
"Wel
aughed.
Si
bo:"
Mxi
m."Hewal
kedaway,
chuckl
ing.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ihardl
yslept.Ir
eall
ydidtr
ybutf oundmysel f
standi
ngoutsideThembisa'
sr oom.Mt hunzihadto
comef et
chmet wice.Iwasn'tcomfort
ablewi t
h
knowingthatmyf at
herwasi nthecit
yandwant ed
tokil
lher
.Suddenf l
amesgr ewonmyhands.
Nkosi:"
Forfuckssake!!
"Islappedmyhandsont
he
fl
oor.MthunziopenedthetapandIplacedmy
handsundertherunningwat er
.
Mthunzi:"
Whatar
ewegoingtodowitht
hisproblem
ofyoursnow?Ser
iousl
yNkosi
.Areyoust
il
langry?"
Heclosedthet
ap.Idri
edmyhands.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tnotbeangr
-"
Mthunzi:"Shhh.Hol di
t.
"Spar ksonmyf i
ngers."
You
can'tbeangr y.Thi
sonespar ksimmediatel
ywhen
you'reangry.That'
sdiff
icul
ttohideNkosi.Let'
s
cal
m downt oday."Iwi
shIcoul dcal
m down.Zwe
walkedin.
Zwe:
"Mor
ning.
"
Nkosi
:"Hi
."Iputmyhandsi
nmypocket
.
Mt
hunzi
:"He'
sfl
ami
ngagai
n."
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
!"
Zwe:"Thisisnotgood.
"Helookedt
hroughhis
cupboardtaki
ngoutbandagesandgloves.
Nkosi
:"What
'st
hat
?"
Zwe: "
Givemeahand."Igavehim myhand."Anti
i
nflammat or
ybandageandgloves.Theywon'tbur
n
easil
y.You'r
eboundtobepissed.Yourfat
hermight
comet oday.
"Hewrappedmyhandsoneatat ime.
Nkosi
:"hel
ikest
otestme,
doesn'
the?
"
Zwe:"
I'
mt aki
ngAmahl
etoheroper
ationoncewe're
doneher
e.Maybemoveheri
ntoanotherroom so
hecanseeherandl
eave.
"
Nkosi:"
Okay."Il
ookedatmybandagedhands
gi
vingthem toMthunzi
.Heundi
ditabitandt
iedi
t
bet
ter.Zwelaughed.
Nkosi
:"Noof
fense.
"
Zwe:"Nonetaken.I'
m act
uallyi
ntr
iguedathowhe
knowsyousowel l.Let
'sgo."Wefoll
owedhimto
Thembisa'
sroom.Herpar entswereawake,si
tt
ing
nextt
oher.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"
Mama:"YourHi ghness.Goodday. "Shelookedat
myhandst henatherhusband." Uzukheuzibambe
kenamhlanjeTakaThembi sa.Uyabonaumf ana
ubhi
nqeamanqi ndi
."Shewhi spered.Mthunzi
st
ruggl
edkeepi nginhislaughandopt edtowalkout
.
Thi
swasani ghtmare.
Nkosi:"
Mehlamahl
e."Iheldhershoul
der
,shewasn'
t
wakingup."
ShouldIletherbeZwe?"
Zwe:"No.IneedherawakesoIcancheckhervit
als
andgiveheranaest
heti
c.Hersur
ger
ywilltakea
whil
eandIdon'twanthertowakeupwhileherhead
i
sopen."
Mama:"
Thathappens!
?"
Zwe:"Yesmama.Bef or
eIj ustputhertosl
eepbyI V,
Ineedtobesureit'
ssafe."Ilookedatmysist
er.The
onlywayIcanwakeherupnow.( Mehl
amahle,
pl
easewakeup. )Shestretched,l
ooki
ngatme
angri
lywit
hfi
erceeyes.
Ama:"
Whati
syouri
ssue?
"
Nkosi
:"Youhavesur
ger
ysoon.Wakeup.
"
Ama:"
Idon'
twanti
t.
"
Zwe: "
Itwon'
tbelongAmahle.Ineedtoremovethe
bull
etssotheydon'tmovef
urtheri
ntoyourbrai
n
ti
ssue.Wedon'tknowtheki
ndofdamaget hat
woulddo."
Ama:"
Okay.
"Shel
ookedatmyhands.
Nkosi:"Don't
."ShelookedatThembi sathengotout
ofbed.Zwebr oughtthewheelchai
rcloserandshe
sati
ni t.Shecontinuedlooki
ngatThembi sa."
I
won'tleaveherside."
Ama:"Fat
heri
scoming."Sheheldmyhand."
He
won'
tdarecomenearher.I
fit
'severat
imehefear
s
her,
it'
snow.Youcan' tshootaper son30t i
mesand
yourlastborncollectsi
tall.Theonebul l
etthathi t
s
her,
stil
lmissesherhear t
.Heknowshecan' tkillher
sohe'sstil
lmust eri
ngconf idence.Thi
swillbe
enought i
mef orhertot el
lyouwhatshe' sseen."
Shesati nthechair.Zwewheel edheraway.I
suspectThembi sa'sparentswer equit
econf used
now.
Nkosi :"
ItookThembi sat omyancest ralgr ounds
wher etheywel comedher .Thesecondt i
meshe
went ,shewashel pingAmahl eheal .That 'swhenmy
fathersawher .Hebel i
evesshei sat hreatsimpl y
becausehewasr aisedbei ngt ol
dlovei sa
weakness.Hedoesn' tbelievet hatThembi sais
good.Hi sf athertaughthi m, akingdoesn' tneed
l
ove. "Isighed.Bot hoft hem keptqui et."Ineedl ove.
IneedThembi sa.She' stheonl ypersont hatcan
colourmyl if
esobeaut ifully.Shet eachesme
everyday.Abouthumi l
it
y.Empat hy.Gent leness.
Justbei ngagoodki ng.Iam r eadyt olaymyl if
eon
thefloorf orher .I
'
mr eadyt ogiveallofi tup.Ilove
thatshe'smyweakness. "Hermot hernudgedt he
f
ather
.Il
ookedathi
m, hopingheunder
stands.He
wasstar
ingathi
sdaughterwit
htearsi
nhiseyes.
Xolani :"WhenIwasr unni ngformyl i
fe,Iwasi n
dar kness.Ir ealizedthen, Iwasr unningal oneint he
dar k.WhenIt ur nedback, allIsawwasf lames.My
earst unedbackt osound, andIsuddenl yhear d
screams.Mynoseunbl ockedsucki ngairi nandI
smel tbur ningf l
esh.I nnocentpeopl escr eamingf or
helpt ot hei rdeat h.HowIgotouti sstil
lamyst ery
ti
lltodaybecauset hosef lamesbur ntthrought hat
vil
lagei nmi nutes.ThenIsawhi m.Hegoti nhiscar ,
nevert urningback.Nor emor se.Iknewt henand
ther e, Ihadt okeepr unni ngandIdi d.Til
lthisday,
thesmel lofanyt hi
ngbur ningmakesmyhear trace.
Ascr eam br eaksmyhear tinunimagi nableways.
Theonet hingIaskedt hegodsf orasIr anf ormy
l
ife, isi thembael it
sha.Theyf ulfi
lledthepr omisea
decadel aterwhenIhel dThembi sainmyar msf or
thef ir sttime.Whatyouar easking, isformet ogi ve
youmyl i
fe."Hewi pedhi sl onet ear.Thembi sa'
s
handmovedi nhi s.Herbodyf ol
lowed, movi ng,
stret chi ngal i
tt
le.Iwat chedhereyesf i
nallyopen.
[
07/
27,
05:
57] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er54

SASAPOV_

Iopenedmyeyesi mmediat
elywant i
ngt oshut
them cl
oseagai
n.Unfor
tunatel
ytheyal lnot
icedI
'
m
awake.MyparentsandNkosi.Allofthem.Whydo
thesethi
ngshappentome?
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Xol
ani
:"Mychil
d.You'
reawake.
"Whywashecr
ying?
Myfat
hernevercr
ies.
Me:"
I'
m awake.Howl
onghaveIbeenasl
eep?
"
Xolani
:"About19hour
s.Doyour
ememberwhat
happened?"
Me:"Notqui
te.IknowIj
ustgott
oresfrom school
.I
wastal
kingt
oQhama.ThenIhear dsomeone
cal
li
ngmyname.Wher eishe?UQhama? "Iasked
Nkosi
.Hel
ookedathi
shands.
Nkosi
:"He'
snomor
e."Myhear
tachedi
napai
nful
way.
Me:"
Wher
e'sAmahl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Sur
gerynow.She'
sokay.
"Hehel
dmyhand.
Il
ookedathisnot
ici
ngthegl
ove.
Me:"
Isi
tbad?
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
s?"
Me:"
Thef
ir
e."
Nkosi:"No.Notatal
l.
"Idecidedtol
ett
his
conversati
onrestf
orabit.Therewaswaytoomuch
Ineededt osay.
Me:"
Youcan'
tbl
ameyourf
atherf
orwhathedi
-"
Nkosi
:"Het r
iedtokil
lyou!
"Ifel
ttheheatf
rom hi
s
hand,hequicklytooki
taway.Soitwasbad.He
coul
dn'tcontroli
t.
Me:"
Tata,pl
easehelpmesitup."Myfatherhel
ped
meup,fi
xingthepi
ll
owsbehindme."There'sso
muchthathashappenedTata.I
'
m sorryIkept
secr
etsf
rom you.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thepr
incet
oldmeever
ythi
ng.
"
Me:"Noteveryt
hingbecauseIhaven'
ttol
dhi
m
ever
ythi
ng."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Me:" Whenwewentt othemount ai
n, Amahl eandI,
wewer ewithyourelders.Yourgr andf atherwasn'
t
there.Hisfatherbeforehim andatl east2mor e
generationsbeforehi m.There'sbeenadi sconnect.
Yourancest orsaren'tall
owingt hem in.SinceI
cameback, I
'vebeenhavi ngthesedr eamsofyour
grandmot herandgr andfather.I
nt hedr eamsI '
m
l
ivingasher .Itst
artedfrom whent heyr anawayt o
Bakhoyovi l
lage.That '
swhyAmahl eandIwent
there."
Xol
ani
:"What
'shappeni
ngi
nthesedr
eams?
"
Me:"Ithinkitwasshowingmehowi tgottothe
pointofherdeath.Nkosi,ImeanNgidumise,hewas
verymuchi nlovewi t
hher.Shecal
ledhim Nkosi.
Specifi
call
y,Nkosiyam enhle.Hel
ookedexactl
ylike
you,Nkosi.Sincethey'
drunaway,thethrone
obviouslylookedfort hem andf oundt hem.Once
theydid,theyhadt or et
ur n.Ki
ngNgi dumi se's
familywasnotent i
relyhappybecauseshewasa
commonerbutt heyl etthatsli
de.Theonl ypr oblem
thatarosewhi chiswhatgotherki ll
ed, i
sthef act
thatshe'streasureblood.Theki ngf oundt hisout
whenhet ookhert othef amilyhealertochecki fthe
babywasi ndeedthenexthei r
.Theheal erliedto
him.Heseal edherfate."
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dtheheal
ersay?
"
Me:"Hetol
dthekingNonkosihadbl
oodstr
onger
thanhi
sandshecankillhi
m.Thisobvi
ousl
y
alar
medtheking.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whati
str
easur
ebl
oodmnt
anam?
"
Me:" ApparentlyTata,t
hevil
lageyougrewupi nhas
soilthatbir
thscompani onsforthet
hrone.Thatis
whyNgi dumisefelldeepl
yinlovewit
hNonkosi ,
she
washi ssoulmat e.Theonethatcouldtamehim.
Unf ort
unatel
y,hegr ewupevi l
,hewasraisedevi
l.
Thatwasn' terasedsuddenlyBecauseshewasi n
hislif
ebutheneverhar medasoulwhenhemether ,
untilofcour seshedi ed.Thati swhatbr okehim.He
taughtyourf atherNkosi ,thatlovemadehi m weak.
Her aisedhi mt hewayhewasr aised.Sadly,his
hear tbr eakcausedhi mt obever yevil.Ngidumise
bur ntt hatvill
agebecausehi sfathertoldhi m ofthe
treasur ebl ood.Hedi dn'twanti ttoexistbecause
whent heyt ooki tfrom him,ithur t.Hewashur t
ing.
HesawyouTat a.Hel etyour un.Youdi dn'
tjust
wakeupandr un.Idon' tknowwhyhel etyougo.
Maybehef eltgui l
ty.Ireal
lydon' tknow. "
Nkosi:"
Hewhi
sper
ed.That
'showyourf
athergotup
andran."
Me:" Probabl
y.Alli nall
,theancest orsdidn' tki
ll
Nonkosi .Thegreatgr andfatherdi d.Ngi dumi se'
s
father.Hegavet heor dertohi swi fetoki llherafter
shebi rt
hsthehei r.Thisiswher et heot herpr oblem
ari
ses.Youcan' tki l
latreasur eblood.Ther ewas
alr
eadyt hedisconnectbutt hisnowi nvitedMamu
Nonkosi '
sancest orsandt heywer epi ssed.So
Ngi dumisecannotf i
ndheri ntheaf t
erlifeandhe' s
notal l
owedwi t
hhi sfamily.Ifhissoulwasn' t
brokenenoughwhi leal
ive,hei sdamagedwher ehe
i
s.Youwoul dn'thavehadabil
it
iesNkosi.Theywere
supposedtoendwi t
hyourdadbutbef or
eyourbir
th,
yourgrandfat
herwentt ot
healterandaskedfor
for
giveness.Hepleadedforyou.Thatishowyou
endedupwi thwhispersandnowf ir
e.Theotherone
i
sabonus.Ineedt ospeaktoyourfather.
"
Nkosi
:"No.Idon'
twanthi
m nearyou-
"
Me:"Heneedst oknowhi smot herwasn'tweak.She
choset odietosavehi sl
ife.Whenshewashanded
theglassofwat erbyt heQueen, shelookedatitand
thenrealizedwheret hechi ldwas.Hewaswi thhis
grandfatherandNgi dumi sewoul dl
eavehimt her
e
comingbackt oher.Sheknew.Whatt henation
neededwasaki ng,nother .Youcan'
tkil
laking.So
shechosehi sl
if
einst ead."
Xolani
:"Whati
sthesi
gni
fi
canceofal
loft
his?Why
areyoudreami
ngabouti
t?Isther
esomet
hingyou
havetodo?"
Me:"YesTata.Ineedt
ospeaktotheking.I
t'
snot
goi
ngtobeeasy.Nkosi,youhavetocontr
olyour
angertowar
dhi m."
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tknowThembi
sa.I
fyouhavet
otal
kto
hi
m, Ihavetobether
ewi
thyou.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"Ibr
eat
hed."
Ithi
nkI
'
m hungr
y."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llgetyousomet
hing.
"
Mama:"LetmecomewithyouYourHi
ghness.
"
Theybot
hwalkedoutt
heroom.
Me:"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingTat
a?"
Xolani
:"Notanybett
er.Idon'
ttr
ustthem Thembi
sa.
Ican't
.It
'
stakingt
oomuchofme. "
Me:"
Woul
dithel
pifyouf
orgotabouti
t?"
Xol
ani:"
Ther
e'snowayIcanf
orgotabouti
tmy
chi
ld.
"
Me:"
Ift
her
ewas,
woul
dyoubeopent
oit
?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.
"
Me:"
Areyousur
eTat
a?"
Xolani
:"Mychi
ld,l
etthisgo.It
'snevergoi
ngto
happen.It
'
sfi
ne,Icanhandl eit
."Heheldmyhand.
"I
'
m goingtobetherewhenyouspeakt ot
heking.I
f
he'
sgoingtoki
llyou,I'
dratherhestart
swithme."
Me:"
Hewon'
tki
llmeTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"You'
rei
nhospi
talThembi
sa,
wit
habul
let
woundi
nyourchest
."
Me:"Theonlyr
easonthishappenedi
sbecauseof
miscommunicati
on.I'
m gl
adyou'r
eheret
hough.
"I
ki
ssedhishand."CanyouupdatemeonwhatI
missedouton?"
Xolani
:"Notmuch.Wel ef
tNeleatMamKhumal o.
ThePrincesentacarforus.I
fweknewt he
provi
ncewouldbeinlockdown, we'
dhavebrought
herwith.
"
Me:"
Lockdown?Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Xolani
:"Noonei
sall
owedoutside.Oneoft
her
oyal
s
addressedt
henat
ionyest
erday."
Me:"
Why?
"
Xolani:"
Tomini
miset
raf
fi
ctot
hehospit
al.Si
nce
everyonewi
llr
ushher
etoseewhat
'sgoi
ngon."
Me:"
Becauseapr
incesswasshot
.Thi
sisn'
tgood.
"
Xolani
:"I
twor
ked.Ther
ewer
ejour
nal
ist
sout
sideal
l
day."
Me:" IunderstandthatTatabutthecit
izenswillf
eel
bull
iediftheirli
vesmustst opsoabruptly.Many
peoplerelyondai lysalest
omakemoneyand
providefoodf orthei
rfamili
es.I
fthey'
relocked
i
nsidewi thnor esources,i
twil
lcausean
uncont r
oll
abler i
ot.
"
Xolani:"
Thisissomethi
ngonlyyourprincecanf i
x.I
don'tknowaboutthesethi
ngs,mychild."Justthen
Nkosiwal kedinwi
thmymot hersmil
ingbehi ndhim.
Iwonderwhatdi dshesaybawo.
Nkosi
:"Theki
tchenstaf
fwassenthomebut
Mthunzihadt
hisbroughti
nawhileago.
"
Me:"Thankyoubab-Nkosi
.Tatatel
lsmethecit
yis
i
nlockdown?"Ihadtoqui
cklychangethesubj
ect,
I
can'
tbeli
eveIsl
ippedup.
Nkosi
:"Yesi
tis.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi :"Zwet houghti
t'
sbestthatthere'
sno
crowdi nghappeni nghere.Thatwayinformati
on
can'tslipeasily.Al
so,weneededt omakesur e
you'resaf e.Evenguardsaren'tal
lowedin.Thenof
cour
semyfatherdeci
dedonthewhol
eci
tymainl
y
tost
opthepr
essfrom snoopi
ngi
nfor
mat
ionabout
Amahle.
"
Me:"
Thi
swasannouncedyest
erday?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes"
Me:"
Howl
ongwi
llt
hisl
ockdownbef
or?
"
Nkosi
:"Unt
ilwecanmoveAmahl
e.I
'
mthi
nki
nga
f
ewdays."
Me:"Whataboutt
hestreetvendor
sorcasual
worker
swhogetpaiddaily?Whataboutt
hosein
needofchroni
cmedicati
onorhavemedical
emergenci
es?"
Nkosi
:"If
eell
ikeyou'
reaboutt
oyel
latme.
"
Me:"I
'
veneveryell
edatyouNkosi.Ithinkasaway
tosof
tenthepeoplef
orinconveni
encingthem
somethingmustbedone.Youcan'tj
ustlockpeopl
e
i
ntheirhouseswit
houtaplan."
Nkosi
:"Okay,
whatcanIdo?
"
Me:"Il
it
eral
lyjustwokeupfr
om acoma."He
chuckl
ed.Iatemyf ood."
Aweekfoodparcelf
or
aff
ectedhouseholdsf
orst
art
.Itcancont
ain90%
mainessenti
alfoodand10%nonessenti
alli
ke
snacksorfr
uit
."
Nkosi
:"Okay.ThatIcando.Mt
hunziwi
llor
gani
se
i
t.
"
Me:" I
nsteadofusingyourpalacehel per
s,f
indan
organisati
onthatcanvolunt
eerput t
ingthese
togetheranddonatetothem asat hankyou.This
willhel
pt hem i
nthesenseoff i
ndingf ut
ure
sponsor sbecauseyournamewi llbeassociat
ed
withthem. "
Nkosi:"
Ial
readyhaveoneinmind.Thedomest
ic
vi
olenceshelt
erweopenedtwoyearsago.I
t
consist
sonlyofwomenandchildr
en."
Me:"
That'
sgood.I
sther
eahel
pli
nef
ormedi
cal
emer
genci
es?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Me:"Pleaseorgani
sethatbymi ddaytoday.We
haveelderswhogetstressedbyt hesenews
updates,i
twouldbehor r
ibl
eiftheycan'trecei
ve
medicalhelpbecauseofittoo.I
'm suretheBiyel
a'
s
canhel
pint
hoser
egar
dsofahel
pli
ne.
"
Nkosi:"Yes,Si
bonelowast heonewhodi dthe
address.He'sbeengreatsofar.He'l
lbespeaki
ngt
o
counciltodayaboutpostponement.I'
m sur
ehecan
squeezet hi
sin.
"
Me:"
That'
sgood.Soyou'
vej
ustbeensl
acki
ngof
f
si
nceyest
erday?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Hesmil
edt
henquickl
ystr
aightened
hi
sfacerememberi
ngmyparentswer
eher e.
Honest
lyI'
dfor
gott
hem t
oo.
Me:"
Ineedt
oor
gani
seQhama'
sfuner
al.
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
hast
hathandl
ed.
"Isi
ghed.
Me:"Iknow.Hej ustdeservedsomuch.Hewasso
happy,hetoldmeabouthi sfamil
y.It
'shorri
blethat
hi
ssonwi l
lgrowupwi thoutafat
herallbecausehe
wastryingtoprotectme."
Nkosi
:"Qhamachosethi
sjobknowi
ngt
her
isk.
Ever
yguardknowstheri
sk."
Me:"
Dot
heguar
dshavel
if
einsur
ance?
"
Nkosi
:"Yep.Hi
sfami
lywon'
tsuf
fer
,thati
sforsur
e."
Me:"
Thankyou.Pl
easegowor
know.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
Okay,
I'
llcheckonyousoon.Mt
hunzii
sri
ght
out
side."
Me:"Takehim wit
hyouNkosi.
"Hest oodup,not
sur
ewhet hertoki
ssmeorleavesohewavedand
wal
kedout .Icoul
dn'
thel
pgiggl
ing.He'sso
awkward.
Mama:" Hee!
"Sheclappedherhands."
Thembisa
You'
rebusymakingdecisionsf
orthenati
on?
Thembisawhereisyourshame?"Shelaughed.
Me:"I'
m notmakingdecisi
onsmama.I '
mj ust
helpi
ng.Nkosigrewupinar oyalpalace,
thehighest
ranki
ngone.Hedoesn'thaveani deaofwhat
normalcivi
li
ansorthepoorestcit
izensgot hr
ough.
Heneedshel punderst
andi
ngt hem andproviding.
"
Mama:"
Thembisawedidn'tr
aiseyoupoor
,what
ar
eyoutal
kingabout
?"Shegiggl
ed.
Xolani
:"Leavethechil
d,Ntombi
.RestSasa.You'
ve
onl
ybeenawakel essthananhourandyou'r
e
al
readywor ki
ng."
Me:"
I'
m okayTat
a.Wecant
alk.What
'shappeni
ng
i
nthevi
ll
age."
Mama:"
Letmet ellyouwhoVuyi
swa'
sbabyf
ather
i
s."Myf
atherr
olledhiseyes.
Me:"
Whomama?
"
Mama:"
Thechi
ef!
"Igasped.
Xolani:"
Thechil
djustwokeupandyou'
ret
ell
ingher
gossip?It'
snotevenconf
ir
med."
Mama:" Thefacti
t'
snotconfi
rmedisal
armi
ng
enough.Athertenderage?Thechi
efi
sinhi
s50s
takaThembisa."
Xol
ani
:"Whati
fit
'shisson?Al
lyouknowisthatyou
sawVuyi
swa'sf
ami l
ycomingfr
om thechi
ef'
shome
ear
lyi
nthemorni
ng."
Mama:"Whythenar
etheyhi
dingi
t?I
t'
sthechi
ef.
I
'mtel
li
ngyou."
Xol
ani
:"Thechi
efi
smar
ri
ed.
"
Mama:"Yesbutr
emember7year
sagowhenhehad
anaf
fai
r?"
Xol
ani
:"Thatwas7year
sago.
"
Mama:"Exact
ly.Sohismar ri
ageisnotserious.I
t'
s
notaf
actor.I
t'
shim."Icouldn'tst
opgiggl
ingquietl
y.
Mymotherwasconvi ncedandt here'
snochanging
hermi
nd.Andshemi ghtberighttoo.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV

Ihatet hatIhar dl
ysl eptl astnight .Thel i
tt
lesleepI
gotinhadni ghtmar eaf ternight mar e.Itwasal ong
day, andIcoul dn'tdwel ltoomuchonmyf ati
gue.It
mayhavebeenabadi deat owat cht hatvideoagain
befor eIslept.Ihadt o.Whatt hehel ldi
dIsee?Oh
ri
ght ,Sikhosanat ransfor mingi ntoavi ciousanimal.
Ihadt oforgetaboutt hisnonsense.Idon' tneedi t
today.Af tergetti
ngdr essedi nmynavybl uer egal
ia
suitIwentdownst air
sf orbr eakfast .Mypar ents
wer eseat edwi t
hKhayaandMnqobi .
Si
bo:"Mor
ning.Wherearet
hewi
ves?
"Mnqobi
gl
aredatmewi t
hrage.
Queen:"Thegirlsaresleepingin.Theymustbe
exhaustedfrom yesterday.Whosewi f
eisPetu?
ShouldIplanaweddi ngSibonelo?She'
sasweet
gir
l.Don'tyouthinksomyki ng?"
Ki
ng:
"Idon'
tknowhermyl
ove.
"
Queen:"Youmetheryest
erday.She'
salovel
ygi
rl
.
Sibonel
o,whenar
eyouplanningtosendustoher
famil
y?"
Sibo:"Mnqobi.
"Heneedstoanswerf
orhimsel
f.I
'm
notgetti
nginvol
ved.Thi
sti
me,hekepthismouth
shut.Khayawaschokingonhismil
ktryi
ngtomask
hislaughi
ng.
Queen:"
Sboni
?Don'
ttel
lmeyou'
repl
ayi
ngt
hisgi
rl
."
Ki
ng:"I
nmyhouse?
??"IlookedatMnqobiwho
st
uff
edhismout
havoidi
ngmyeyes.Fine.
Si
bo:"Fat
her,ar
et heot
herr
oyalsstayi
ngl
ongeror
wi
llt
heyleavesincecounci
lispost
poned?
"
Queen:"Answermef i
rst
."Iknowshewon'tl
etthi
s
goandj udgi
ngf r
om Mnqobi'
ssuddensi
lence,
he
won'tsayathing.
Sibo:"
Notyet,
mama.I'm ver
yst
ressedcur
rent
ly.I
can'tt
hinkoft
hat
."Shesi
ghed.
Queen:"Okaythen.Iwashopingforagrandchi
ld
soon.Seeingt
hatZwei sdenyingmehappinessand
nowyou. "Howdidthist
urnintoemoti
onal
blackmail
?
Sibo:"I
'm notdenyingyouhappinessmama,I'
llgi
ve
youagr andchildverysoon.Don'
tworry.
"She
smiled."Tata?
"
Ki
ng:"
Wherewillyougetachi l
dSibonelo?"Thank
Godmyphonerang, conver
sationdragsonf or
ever
i
nthi
shouse.Younevergett oworkont ime.
Si
bo:"
Zwe?
"Ianswer
ed.
Zwe:"
HeySbo.Whencanyoucomet
othe
hospi
tal
?"
Si
bo:"
Whywhat
'swr
ong?
"
Zwe:"Nothi
ngiswrong.Justaqui
ckmeet
ingwi
th
Nkosiregar
dingt
helockdown."
Si
bo:"Ohokay.Uhm.I'
m meet
ingt
her
oyal
sat12
soIcancomenow. "
Zwe:"
Perfect
.I'
m goingi
ntosur
gerynow.Imightbe
awhil
esoIwon' tj
oinyou.
"Iswall
owedthel
umpi n
mythroatbuti
tboppedbackup.
Si
bo:"
Soi
t'
sjustgoi
ngt
obemeandhi
m?"
Zwe:"No,hisadvisor
.Alsobr
ingyourbr
other
swi
th
you.We'l
ltal
klaterokay?"
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Zwe: "
Ohandthegi
rl
sareawake.Thembi
saisout
ofhercoma.Amahl
eisdoingj
ustfi
ne,pr
eppi
ngher
forsurger
ynow.
"
Si
bo:"
That
'sgr
eatnews.I
'
lll
ett
hepar
ent
sknow.
"
Zwe:
"Thanks.
"Hehungup.
Ki
ng:
"Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Si
bo:"
Uhm.
.Thembi
sai
soutofhercoma.
"
Queen:"
That
'sgoodnews.
"
Ki
ng:
"Andt
hepr
incess?
"
Sibo:"
She'sdoi
ngf
ine.She'
sbei
ngpr
eppedf
or
surger
y."
Ki
ng:
"Good.That
'sgood.
"
Sibo:" Mnqo, Bug, weneedt ogetgoi ngsoon. "Itri
ed
toeatabi tbutIcoul dn'tstomacht hef oodsoj usta
coffeewi lldo.Icol lectedmygadget s,thebr others
foll
owedmet othecar .Wi t
ht hewhol el ockdown
happeni ng, Ididn'tf eel li
kedr iving, alsoIdoubtI '
d
bef ocusedont her oad.Isati nt hef ront ,adr i
ver
camei n.Theguar dsf ollowedi nt heirowncar .
KhayaandMnqobiwer einmybackseat .Wel eftfor
thehospi t
alwhi leIcheckedmyphone, recei vingan
alertfrom mynet wor k.Iseti tupyest er day
afternoonwhenIgothome.Anyt hi ngr elat edt o
Mount ainPeak, Shoot i
ng, Thembi sa,Amahl e,
Princess, Pr i
nce,Ki ngwasonal er t.Anypostwi th
thosewor dswer ebei ngmoni t
or ed.Icheckedt he
alert,i
thadabout8l i
kessof arsi ncei twaspost ed
10mi nutesago.I twasavi deoofsur vei l
lance.I
cli
ckedoni ttowat ch.I twast hesecur itycamer ato
ther esidencepar kingl ot.Yest erdayaf ternoon.My
hear tstartedbeat ingi rregul arly.Acardr ovei n, I
sawThembi saget tingout ,smi li
ngandt alking
befor esher eachedbacki nt ot akesomet hing.
Suddenl yshestoppedandl ookedt owar dthegate.
Theguar dranar oundthecart oherbutt hefir
st
shothithim atthesamet imeast hesecondhi t
Thembi saalmosti nst
antl
yAmahl ejumpedonher
taki
ngal lt
hebul l
etsbeforef al
lingdownont he
ground.Allofthebul l
etshither .Irewinded,wit
hmy
handsshaki ng.Anuncomf ortablylargenumberof
thosewentt oherhead.
Mnqobi :"Sbo? "Mymi ndclicked.Itookthetabl
et
searchingf ort hevi
deoandf i
ndingtheaccount
,
copyingt heI Paddr esstofindoutwhopost edi
t.
Whoeveri tis,hasli
kelysavedi tandmight
dist
ributei t
.Ideactivatedtheiraccountimmediatel
y,
call
ingoneofmyI Tspecialists.
Sibo:"
Hey,I
'
m sendi
ngyouanI Paddress,Ineedt
o
knoweverydevi
ceinthatvi
cini
ty,
Ineedtoknow
whathasbeensentandtowhom.Doi tNOW. "
Him:"Yesboss."Ihungup, sendingitt
ohi m.Ihad
tonowl ogintothesecuri
tyatt heresi
dencebutI
coul
dn'tbecauseIdidn'
tinstalli
t.Iwouldhaveto
hackintoit
.Itookoutmyl aptopandst art
edmy
syst
em.Si khosanaprobablyhadadeadl ockon
secur i
tyi
nallhisresi
dencesbutIhadt otry.Thecar
eventuall
yarri
vedi nhospi
tal.Itookmyl aptopand
tabletin,
str
aightuptoZwe' soffice.OnlywhenI
enteredIreal
izedhe'sobviouslyher e.
Sibo:"YourHighness.Mthunzi
."Isatinthedesk
andcont i
nuedmywor k.MnqobiandKhayasaton
thecouch.Iwasabi tcl
oseri
ntot hei
rsecurit
y
system.Iknowi twouldbeeasiert oj
ustaskhi m
butIwasal readyenjoyi
ngmywor know.Fi nal
lyin.I
checkedt hephone.Newmessage.Thel i
stwas
here.Iwentbackt othelapt
opwi pingoutthe
securit
yfootage.Twophoneswentof f.Il
etouta
breathofair.Nkosil
ookedatMt hunzi.Thenatme.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudo?
"
Sibo:"
Someonehassurvei
ll
anceoft
hescene.I
removeditf
rom t
heser
verandtookdownthe
account.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whowoul
ddosomet
hingl
iket
hat
?"
Sibo:"
Igott
heI
P,I'
m goi
ngtoche-
"anot
heral
ert
.I
checkedmyphone."
Ohfuck.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
."
Sibo:"Thevi
deohasbeensentt
oatl
east100
contacts.
"
Nkosi
:"Shuti
tdown.Shutdownt
heent
ir
enet
wor
k."
Si
bo:"
Thi
swi
llcausepani
candchaos-
"
Nkosi:"
NOW!"Myhear
tjumped.Ti
mef
ornat
ional
shutdownIguess.
[
07/
27,
05:
57] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er55

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thenat i
onwasi ncomplet
eshutdown.I twasonly
untilthatvi
deowascompl etel
yremoved.Ipaced
thef l
oorwhileSibonel
ocli
ckedonhi scomputer
.
Myhear twaswi t
hThembisa,wonderingwhatshe'
s
doingbutIcoul dn'
tgotoheryet,sheorderedmeto
wor k.
Nkosi
:"Wel
l!
"
Sibo:"
I'
vesentavi
rust
oal
loft
hedevi
cest
hat
recei
vedit
."
Nkosi
:"Howwi
llt
hathel
p?"
Si
bo:"
Whent
heycl
ickoni
t,t
hei
rdevi
cewi
llf
ormat
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Won'
tthatgetbackt
ous?
"
Sibo:"Har
dly.I
t'
sunl i
kel
ythey'
lll
inki
ttoget
her
.
Eveniftheydo,there'
snotmucht heycansay
withouthavi
ngtheiraccountpermanentl
y
suspended,I'
dalreadyputaler
tsyester
day.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'sgoodwor
kSi
bonel
o."
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Howl
ongwi
llt
hist
ake?
"
Sibo:"
Coul
dbethewhol
edaybutI
'
m hopi
ng3
hoursatmost
."
Nkosi:Okay.Whil
ewewai tforthat,wecontinue
wit
hwor k.Thembisareckonsitwi l
lbeagoodi dea
tosetupamedi calhel
pli
neforci t
izensduri
ngt hi
s
l
ockdown.Thosewhohaveact ualemergenciescan
gethelpfr
om it
.Canyoudot hat?"
Sibo:"Yes.Icanhaveitr
unninginanhour.Mnqobi
,
callHazelwiththi
sbri
ef.
"Hisbrothermadethecal
l.
Nkosi:"
Thel ockdownisl
ikel
ytolastaf ewdaysi
f
notaweek, Sasasuggestedfoodpar celsto
ci
vil
iansasawayt omakeupf ortheirlossof
i
ncome. "Hel ookedatmebutquicklyaway.
Si
bo:"
Khaya,
whatdoyout
hinkaboutt
hat
?"
Khaya:"It
'sgood.I
twi
llal
sosof
tenthem inregar
ds
t
ot helockdown.Whataboutsmallbusi
nesses?
Aretheyincluded?
"
Nkosi
:"Howcant
heybei
ncl
uded?
"
Khaya:"
inawaythatsupport
sthei
roper
ations.
Buyi
ngfrom t
hem t
oprovideforot
herci
ti
zens."
Mnqobi
:"butt
hat
'sl
ongert
erm Kay.
"
Khaya:"
Igetthat
,butther
ear
ebusi
nessest
hatcan
gett
hisrunni
nginaf ewhour
s."
Nkosi:"Iwanttheparcelsreadyby4pm they'
llbe
del
iveredby9pm t onight
.Parcelshoul
dincl
ude
90%mai nessenti
alfoodand10%snack.Per haps
al
soaddat oil
etr
ypack.Howmuchar ewelooking
at?
"
Si
bo:"
Fort
heent
ir
eci
ty?2mi
ll
ionatmost
."Iknow
he'
str
yingt
orobme.
Nkosi:"
Mthunzi,
pleasecontactt
heaccountant.
"I
satdown."Yourbrot
hertel
lsmeyou'remeetingwit
h
royal
stodaytoupdatethem aboutcounci
l.
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.Isther
eanyt
hinginspecif
icyouwant
metotel
lthem?"Whycouldn'
thelookmei nt
heeye?
Nkosi
:"No.It
rustyou.
"

I
nthr
eehour
s,Iwasi
nf ul
lpani
c.Most
lybecauseI
want
edt
oseeThembisa.Icoul
dn'
tsi
tsti
ll
.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
o,what
'st
hel
atest
?"
Si
bo:"
Abouthal
fwayt
her
e.Khaya?
"
Khaya:"
I'
vegat
her
edthr eecompanieswil
li
ngto
suppl
ysomeessenti
als.I'
llneedt
ruckst
ocoll
ect
andalsovol
unt
eer
s."
Mthunzi:"
Thetr
ucksareavail
able,I'
l
lmakethecal
l.
Youprovidel
ocati
onforeachcollect
ion.I
'
ve
organi
zedwomenf rom ashel
tertohelpwith
putti
ngt ogethertheparcel
s.Sendl
ocat
ionfor
coll
ections.You'llbeusi
ngthenewrestosortt
he
food."Zwewal kedin.
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Heneedst
oseeher
."
Zwe: "
Beforethat.Yourfatherjustar
ri
ved.Amahl e
i
sr est
ing,she'
si nasepar ater
oom, ali
tt
lef
urther
fr
om Thembi sa,hersurger ywentwell
.TheKingi s
wit
hherr i
ghtnow. "Preciselywhymybodyi sjit
tery
i
nneedofmyl ove.
Mthunzi:"
You'l
lbefi
ne,ri
ght?"Helookedatmy
hands.Inodded,wal
kingout.Herparentswerest
il
l
i
nherr oom,Icanimaginehowt i
redtheyare.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzicanyougetacomf
ortablecouchi
n
her
e?Thosechair
scan'
tbecomfor
table.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay."Iwal
kedi
nther
oom whi
lehe
madethecall.
Nkosi
:"Goodaf
ter
noon.
"
Mama:"
YourHi
ghness.
"
Sasa:"
Hey.
"Shel
ookedl
ikeshej
ustwokeup.
Nkosi
:"Khayai
shelpi
ngwi
tht
hepar
cel
s.Si
bonel
o
hassetupahelpl
ine.
"
Sasa:"Tat
asayshi
sphoneisn'
tworki
ng,even
mom' s.I
sther
eaprobl
em wit
hnetwork?
"Isat
down.
Nkosi
:"Wehadt
oshutdownt
henet
wor
k."
Xol
ani
:"Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Uhm,avideowasl eaked.Oftheshooting.I
t
wasbeingshar
edar oundandsowehadt ostopit'
s
spr
eadbeforer
emovi ngitfr
om theinter
net.
"
Mama:"
Howwi
llyoudot
hat
?"
Nkosi:"TheBiyela'sownt hebiggesttel
ecom
companyt hathandl esthenetworkformostpar tof
ourcount r
y.SiboneloistheCEOandhei sgood
withtechnology."IlookedatThembi sa,shewas
stari
ngatmygl oves."Myf at
herjustarr
ived,so.
..
"
Sasa:"
Youdon'
twantt
oseehi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Icannotcont
rolt
heangerIf
eelwhenIsee
hi
m sono, notyet
.Areyouhungr
y?"
Sasa:"
No.
"Itwassoawkwar
dwi
thherpar
ent
s
st
ari
ngatus.Iwasn'
tqui
tesur
ewhatt
osay.
Nkosi
:"Amahle'
ssur
gerywassuccessful
.Zwesays
she'
swell
.I'
l
lseeherwhenfat
herleaves.
"
Sasa:"
Ial
sowantt
oseeher
."
Nkosi :"
I'l
lbri
ngherby.Uhm,MrNt aka, mayIsend
guardst othevill
age,t
olookaf
terNeleandt hose
aroundher ?
"Helookedatmequietly."Sincethere'
s
nosi gnalornetworkandcommuni cation,perhaps
havingsecur it
ytokeephersaf
ejusti ncasewi llbe
benef i
cial.
"
Mama:"Thatwoul
dbeveryki
nd,YourHighness.
Thankyouver
ymuch.TakaThembisa.
"Shenudged
hi
m.
Xol
ani
:"Sur
e.Thankyou.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'l
lletMt
hunziknow.
"Igotup,l
eavingt
he
r
oom forasecond.I
twassot ensei
nthere.
Mthunzi
:"Hey.Couchi
sont
heway.Youl
ook
ner
vous.
"
Nkosi
:"Howdoyoutal
kinfr
ontofyouri
nlaws?He
scar
esme."Hechuckl
ed.
Mthunzi
:"That
'shisjob.Youcan'
tbecomfort
abl
e
wit
hhisdaughter.You'ddothesameforyour
daught
er.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkIwantdaught
ers.They'
re
tr
oubl
esome.Imaginebr
ingi
ngastrangeman
home.
"Hel aughed.
Mthunzi
:"I
magi
nehehasor
angeeyesanddi
ff
erent
abi
li
ti
es.
"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght,
I'
mt hest
rangeman.Ineedyout
oget
secur
it
yforNele.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Al
readydone.Si
nceyest
erday.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Di
dyounot
icesomet
hingwi
th
Si
bonelo?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yeah.Hecan'
tlookatyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkhe'
spl
anni
ngsomet
hing?
"
Mthunzi
:"No.Hewouldbesecr
eti
ve,
he'
sbeenquite
opensofar.Al
so,
Itr
ustZwetokeephimincheck.
"
Nkosi:"Okay.Ihaven'twhisperedandIdon'
twantto.
I
'm goingtotrusthimf ornow.Af t
ert
oday'
smeeti
ng
wit
hcounci l,
Ineedt ospeakt ohim.I
twouldn'
tbe
badkeepi
nghi
minouror
bit
."
Mthunzi:"
True.Especiall
yf orr
oyalbusi
ness,
havi
ngt heBiyela'
swithyou, al
ongwithPhakami
sa,
i
twillbegoodf oryourreign."
Nkosi
:"West
il
lhavet
odealwi
tht
heBat
honga
i
ssue.
"
Mthunzi:"
Thatwillcausearuckusbutsheneedsto
bepunished.Again,Zwemayhaveadvi ceonthi
s.
Thiswil
lbegoodNkosi .Yourfamil
yhaspushed
awaytheot herr
oyalsforyear
s.Thi
scanonlywor k
toyouradvantage."
Nkosi :"
Ihope."Sincemygr andf
athervi
sitedmein
theriversomeweeksago, Ican'
tstopthinking
aboutt hewart hatwoul
dbebr ewing.I
'ml ooki
ngat
allangles,sofarIonlyhaveZwe'sfamilybymy
side.Wi l
lthatbeenough?

SI
BONELOPOV_

Wor
kingwi
thMehl
ulipaci
ngt
heof
fi
cewas
str
essfulbutIendured.Igotmostdevi
cestoformat
,
onlyasmal lf
ewwer eleft
.Zwewasi ntheof
fice,
beingupdatedbyKhayaandMnqobi .Mehl
ulihad
l
eftwithhisadvisor
Zwe:
"Sboni
.How'
sthi
ngssof
ar?
"
Sibo:"
Most l
yfi
ne.Justwai ti
ngfort
helastf
ewt o
formatandI'm putt
ingthenetworkbackup.Bug,
youguysneedt ogetgoing.Youheardt
heprince,
thoseparcel
sneedt ober eadyby4."
Khaya:"
Right
.Let
'sgoMnqo."Theywal
kedout
l
eavingZweandI.Hesatdownopposit
eme.
Sibo:"WhatisthisZwel ethu?I'
m goingtoneedyou
toexplai
nt hi
stomel i
keI '
m 5yearsold.Howi sit
possibl
et hatsomeoneget sshotmor ethan25
ti
mesandsur vives.KhayasaysAmahl ewasdead.
Whenhegott oscene, hereyeswer eopenasa
deadper sonwoul dbeandshehadcol l
ectedt
hose
bull
ets.Sowhyar eyoul yingaboutherbeingali
ve?"
Zwe:
"Sbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
"
Zwe:
"Ican'
tsay-
"
Sibo:"Isawamant ransf
ormi ntoabeast.Mybrai
n
can'tfat
hom t hat.Ikeeptel
li
ngmysel fmaybe
there'
sat ri
ckont hecamerasf orj
okesandgiggl
es.
Or,orI'm goi
ngf uckinginsane.SoI'm goi
ngtoneed
yout otel
lme, whatisgoingon.Thatfamilyi
sn'
t
human, isit?
"
Zwe:"
Theyare.Theyar
ehumanwit
habil
it
ies.Nkosi
asyousaw,canchangehi
shumanfor
mt otiger
wol
fform.
"
Si
bo:"
AndAmahl
e?"
Zwe:
"She'
simmor
tal
."Ist
aredathi
m.
Si
bo:"
Whatt
hef
uckZwe?
"
Zwe:"
Thi
sisn'
tourbusi
nesstospeakabout
.Al
lyou
needt
oknowis,t
heywon'thur
tus."
Sibo:"Areyousure?Becauseyouwatchedmecour t
thi
sman' sgi
rlf
ri
endandpokearoundherafew
weeksbackyetyouj ustsawhimr i
ghtnowunable
tositsti
llbecauseheneedstobewithher
.How
couldyoudangl emylif
eliket
hat?Hecoul
d'veki
ll
ed
me!
"
Zwe:
"Hewoul dneverhavekil
ledyou.Thi
sI
pr
omise.Nkosii
sn'taki
ll
er.
"
Si
bo:"
MygoodGodandhi
sangel
s!"
Zwe:"
ThisstaysbetweenusSboni.Please.Iknow
youdon'
tli
kehim,let'
sjusthel
pfornow."
Sibo:"I
t'
snotli
keIcantel
lanyoneZwe, t
hey'dput
mei napsychwar d.
"It
ookmyt ablet
,del
etingthe
vi
deosf rom mydevi
ces."
Thevideosnol onger
exist
."
Zwe:
"Thankyoubr
other
."
Sibo:"I
fthi
siswhati
ttakesf
ort
hem t
ost
ayont
hat
throne,t
heycankeepi
t."

Theot herroyalswer ewait

ingatt heroyalcourt
.I'
m
notsomeonet hatlikesbei
ngl atebuttodaywasa
diff
erentday.AsIwal kedi
n, Inoti
cedal lt
hemale
member softhef amili
eswereher e.Usual l
yhow
royalcouncilis.Thequeensandpr incesseshave
theirownwhi chal so,i
sadvisedbyour s.Theonl
y
f
ami
lynotpr
esenti
stheSi
khosana'
s.Obvi
ousl
y.
Si
bo:"
Goodaf
ter
noon,
kingsandpr
inces.
"
KingBiyel
a:"Si
bonel
o,whatisgoingon?The
networ
ki sdowncountrywide,
therei
scurr
entpani
c
andsheerchaosbrewing.Whatisthemeaningof
thi
s?"
Sibo:"
Wewer efi
xingatechni
cali
ssuefat
her
.The
networkwi
llbeupagainbyendofbusinesst
oday.
"
KingBi
yel
a:"
That'
snotgoodenough!Whati
sgoi
ng
on?TheRoyal
shavetheri
ghttoknowwhati
sgoi
ng
onnow.Isi
taboutt
hepri
ncess?"
Sibo:"
Yessi
r.Ican'
treveali
nfor
mat
ionont
hatas
ofyet.
"
KingNakhamula:"Thisisverycarel
essandbad
l
eadershi
p.Thiscan'tgoonf urt
her.Notonlyhave
webeen,again,si
deli
nedbutwe' rekepti
nthedark.
Wehavenowayt ocommuni cat
eandwi thno
i
nformati
on.
"Thenwhywoul dyouwantt o
communicatewi t
houtinfor
mat i
on?Wher eisyour
sense?
Sibo:"Iwasaskedtospeakaboutthe
postponementofcouncil
.Ihadameet i
ngwiththe
prince,hebel
ievesgi
venthecurr
entsi
tuat
ion,i
t
woul dbebesttowaitatl
eastt
woweeksbef ore
councilcommences."
KingNakhamula:"
Twoweeks!
!"Theyal
lgr
umbl
ed
anddisagr
eed.
Sibo:"Ki
ngNakhamul a,pl
easeunderst
andt he
familyhasalmostlostt
helastpr
incess.Itwoul
dbe
kindtogivethem t
imetosettl
eandgett othe
bottom oft
hemat t
er."
KingMpondo:"Twoweeksi sunr
easonable.Ift
hey
can'thandl
ethet
hrone,per
hapsit
'sabouttimewe
votedforanewKing."
Si
bo:"
Youcan'
tdot
hat
."
KingNakhamul a:"Yeswecan.Al lthoseinfavourto
voteforanewKi ngt hatdoesn'
tneglecthiscountry,
rai
seyourhands. "Iwatchedinhorrorashands
wentup.What '
sscar yisthatonlyadayago, I
would'ver
aisedmyhand.Somet hi
ngIwoul dn'
tdar e
donow.Thesepasthour sI'vespentinthi
ssituat
ion
highl
ight
edonealarmi
ngfactabouttheroyal
s.
Noneoft heseki
ngscansi
tonthatthrone.I
countedthehandsandmadeament alnote.
Sibo:"Youwantt
oovert
hrowaf
ami
lywhi
let
hey'
re
recoveri
ngfr
om adi
ff
icul
tti
me?
"
KingNakhamul a:"
We'redoingwhatisfai
r.
Sikhosanahassatont hatt
hronetr
eati
ngusl i
ke
peasantssincethebeginni
ngofti
me.Ifthere'
sever
atimet ogetthem of
f,i
t'
snow."Il
ookedatmy
father
,hetoolookedatme.Hehadn' tr
aisedhis
hand,thankGod.
Sibo:"Ver
ywell.MyfamilyandIwi
llnotbe
parti
cipat
ingi
nt hevot
ing.
"Moredi
sgruntl
ing.
Ki
ngNakhamula:"
Ibegyourpardon??KingBiyela,
i
swhatyoursonsayi
ngthef i
nalword?
"Myf ather
l
ookedatme,ver
yunimpressedwithme.
Ki
ngBi
yela:"
That
'st
hef
inalwor
dfr
om myf
ami
ly
Ki
ngNakhamula.
"
KingNakhamula:"Theni
twoul
ddousapl easure,
if
youweretoremoveyoursel
vesfrom t
hecourt
."
Great
,we'r
ebanished.Zwebet
terhaveafucki
ng
pl
an.I'm notaboutt
obeadi
sgr
acedPr
incef
orhi
s
fr
iendshi
pgoal s.

PETUPOV_

MamaBi yelahadinvitedust oqueen'scounci l

.I
didn'tevenknowanonr oyalcanat tendandIt ried
telli
nghert hatI'
m notar oyalbutshei nsistedi twas
fine.Sheseemedt oenj oyst yli
ngmeandget ti
ng
mer eady.Ittookalmostal lmorningwi thbot h
Not haandI .Intheaf ter
noon, wewentt owhatwas
cal l
edqueen' scouncilinabeaut if
ulvintagel ooking
bui l
ding.IcopiedNot hando' smovement sasshe
movedseeml essl
ylikear oyal.Iheldmydr esswi th
twof ingerstoclimbupt hest air
s.Inside,thehal l
wasdecor atedinaf renchhi ght eatheme.Sunset
Pi nkandgol d.
Notha:"Thi
syearwasParisinSummer.There'
sa
themeeveryyear.
"Iwasenthral
ledwi
ththeentir
e
decorandbeinginthemidstoft
hesepeople.We
madei ttoourt
ableandsatdown.TheSikhosana
twinsweren'
ther
e,Iwashopingtoseethem but
sinceAmahleisi
nhospit
alIunderst
andthey'
re
probabl
ywi t
hher.
Pet
u:"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul.
"Shesmi
led.
Notha:"
Thisdresssui
tsyou.Youf
iti
nli
ket
he
per
fectpuzzl
e."Igi
ggl
ed.
Pet
u:"I'
mtryi
ng."Thet
abl
ewasadornedwit
h
del
ici
ouslooki
ngdeli
caci
es."
Thosel
ookdel
ici
ous.
"
Not
ha:"
Trustt
heyar
e."MamaBi
yel
asatdown.
QueenBi yela:"
Ladies,thesearemysonswi ves.I
'
ll
beplanningweddi ngsnotl ongnow."Ifr
oze.What
di
dshemeansonswi ves?WasSi boneloorZwe
promisedt oNothando?Di dmamaBi yel
aknow
aboutMnqobiandI ?Iwassoembar rassed.The
otherqueensnoddedi nexcitement
.
"KnowingyouQueenB, youplanthebestweddi
ngs
i
nt henati
on.Yourdaughter
slooksobeauti
ful
.Thi
s
oneisPhakamisa,i
sitso?"
QueenPhakamisa:"
Yes,t
hat
'smydaught
er.
Hopeful
lyt
hiswil
lst
rengt
henourbondMrsBiyel
a.
Ourf
ami
li
esar
ehonour
ed.
"
Not
ha:"
Doyouwantt
osi
twi
tht
hepr
incesses?
"She
whi
sper
edi
nmyear.
Pet
u:"
Isn'
tthatr
ude?
"
Not
ha:"Myqueens,pl
easedoexcuseus, I
'dl
iket
o
i
ntr
oducePet
uniatotheotherpr
incesses.
"
QueenBi
yel
a:"Yesmychild,go.Si
bonel
oisso
l
ucky.Hmm."Shesmil
ed.Wegotupf rom t
hetabl
e
walki
ngt
otheotherpr
incesses.
Petu:"
Sowhenwereyoupl
anni
ngtot
ellmeyou'
re
promisedt
oSi
bonel
o?"Igi
ggl
ed."
Not
hando!
"
Notha:"I
'm notpr
omi sedtoSibonel
o.We'llhaveto
tal
kaboutthisanotherti
me. "Iwonderwhatshe
meant."ThesearetheMpondopr i
ncesses."The
thr
eegirl
slookedatus.Not handodidn'
tli
ket hese
ones,Icouldseeonherf ace.
Pet
u:"Hi
,I
'm Petu.Not
ha'
sfr
iend.
"Oneoft
hem
l
ookedatme, upanddown.
She:"
You'
renotr
oyal
,ar
eyou?
"
Not
ha:"
Andyouhavenobr
other
stocar
ryyour
famil
yname, don'tyou,Kele?Adyingbreed.
"I
shouldn'
tbeamusedbutIwas.Kel eturnedtol
ook
anotherway."That'
sZinhle.Yoursi
sterinl
aw."
Pet
u:"
I'
veseenher
."
Notha:"
Don'tbeaf
rai
dofpeopl
ehere.Al
ltheydoi
s
hi
ss.You'r
etheguestofani
mport
antfamily.
"
Petu:"Okay,i
t'
ski
ndofhar
dtoadjust.It
'sso
di
f f
erentfr
om myworl
d.DoyouthinkSasai sokay?
Sincewehavenowayt ocommuni cateorcheckthe
news."
Notha:"
Yes.It
hinkshe'
sokay.Mamadi
dsayZwe
saysshe'
soutofhercoma.Wehavetobehopef
ul.
"
Pet
u:"
Areyouwor
ri
edaboutAmy.
"
Notha:"Terr i
bly.Ican'tl
oseAmahl e.Ihavehopei n
Zwet hough. "Inodded, sti
llwonderingwhoshe' s
promisedt o.Itcan' tbeMnqobiot herwi sewhat
wouldIbedoi ngher e?Andwhywoul dshebeso
calm andwel comi ngofourr el
ati
onshi p?She
knowsever ythingaboutMnqobiandI .Itcan'
tbe
him.Soi thadt obeZwe.He' sagent l
eman, surel
y
he'l
ltr
eatherwel l.Zinhl
ecameupt ouswi th
anot
herpr
incess.
Zi
nhl
e:"
Not
hando,
how'
sAmahl
edoi
ng?
"
Not
ha:"
Fine.
"
Zi
nhl
e:"I
sshestil
linhospit
al?Mybrothershut
downthecount
rysot her
e'snoinf
ormat i
onright
now.
"Nothandoresist
edtheurgetorollhereyes.
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"
Zinhl
e:"Butshe'
sal
i
ve?Ther
ewer
erumour
sthat
shedied."
Notha:"
Isaidshe'
sfineonce,
Idon'
tknowwhatel
se
youwantfrom me."
Zi
nhl
e:"
Not
hando.
"Shel
ookedatme."
who'
sthi
s?"
Not
ha:"
Myf
ri
end.
"
Zinhl
e:"Your eall
yli
kecommoner shey?Doesi t
makeyouf eelgoodtobeabovet hem?Iknewyou
hadanevi lstreakwit
hyou.
"Shegi ggled.Att
his
pointI
'dratherbeatthequeen'stabl
ebutasI
l
ookedoverIsawsomeconf l
ictari
sing.
QueenBi
yel
a:"
Ther
e'snowaywecanbet
alki
ng
aboutt
hat
!Nobant
uandNol
wazineedoursuppor
t
ri
ghtnow-
"
AnotherQueen:" Whenhavet heyeverneededus?
Nobant uandNol wazidon'
tregardusasf r
iendsor
evenassociates.Whymustwesuppor tt hem when
theydidn'
tbothertosupportQueenMuf huwal o
whenshel ostherdaughter?Theydidn'tmakean
appearanceatthef uner
al.
"
QueenMuf huwalo:"
Theysentonl
yabouquetof
fl
ower s.Andr ememberhowtheMpondofami l
y'
s
businessvent ur
eshavebeenputonhol
d?They
haven'tgottenproj
ectsf
rom t
heKingf
oryears."
QueenBiyela:"
WhatI'
m notgoi
ngt
odoi
ssi
ther
e
andgossip.That'
snotwhyIcame.
"
QueenMuf huwalo:"
QueenBi
yel
a,itwoul
dbebest
tochooseaside.Andrememberthatt
heywon'
t
acknowledgeyounowandneverhave."
QueenBiyel
a:"
Girl
s,l
et'
sgo.Come.
"Not
ha,Zinhl
e
andIfol
lowedherout.Whatt
hehel
lwashappeni
ng
now?
[
07/
27,
05:
57] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er56

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Theladiesfrom t
heshel
terhaddoneagreatj
ob
wit
hthepar cel
s.Mnqobi
'sphonewentoff.He
answered.Theguardshadcomei nsi
de.Something
waswr ong.Didtheki
ngfindoutaboutme?Ohf uck
no.
Mnqobi
:"Yes.Okay.
"Hehungup."
Wehavet
ogo.
"
Khaya:"
Whataboutt
hepar
cel
s?"
Mnqobi:"Si
bonelo'
sassist
antisonhisway,he'
l
l
takeoverfr
om here.Let
'sgoKhaya."Wewalkedout
thebuil
dingsurr
oundedbyt heguar
ds.Thi
swas
makingmequi teuncomfort
able.Myphonerangas
Igotinthecar.
Khaya:"
Yes?
"
Zi
mmy:"Khaya.What '
sgoingon?Myphonewasn'
t
worki
ngforhour
s,there'
salockdown,
I'
mter
ri
fi
ed.
What'
sgoingon?"
Khaya:"
Aloti
shappening.I'
l
lspeakt oyousoon,
okay?St
ayintheapart
mentf ornow.We'l
ltalk.
"I
hungup.Ihadamor epressingissuenow."Mnqobi,
what'
sgoingon?I
stheki nglookingforme? "
Mnqobi:"
No.That
'sbeensor
tedal
ready.Sbosays
t
heotherroyal
shavebani
shedusfrom cour
t.
"
Khaya:"
What
!?Why?
"
Mnqobi:"Noclue.Andwhilewe'r
eoutside,wecan'
t
betoosafesohewant sushome.He'sthereas
well
."Justwhenyouthoughtitcoul
dn'tgetworse.
"Whower eyouspeakingto?"
Khaya:"Zi
mmy.Ithinkshemighthavetogotores
forabit
.Justsoshe'snotal
one.She'
sscar
ed."
Mnqobi:"Yeahbecauseifwebr i
nganot hergi
rlt
o
thehouse,dadisgonnawild.Idon'tt
hinkhe'sina
goodmoodcur rent
lybecauseoft hi
sban.Iwonder
whatt
hehellhappened.
"Wearri
vedathome,
seemsli
keeveryonewashome.Wewal kedi
ntothe
l
ounge.Ki
ngBiyela,ZweandSbowerewaiti
ng.
Khaya:"
Hel
loTat
a."Isatdown.
Bi
yel
a:"
Hel
loson.
"
Mnqobi
:"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"TheKi
ngl
ookedat
Si
bonel
o.
Si
bo:"
WhatwasIsupposedt
odoTat
a?Bl
ame
Zwe.
"
Zwe:
"Iwasi
nhospi
tal
.Howi
sthi
smyf
aul
t?"
Sibo:"I
'm notaboutt
obethefami
lyvi
ll
ainagai
n.
Tata,youshouldunderst
andwher
eI'm comi
ng
fr
om atleast?"
Bi
yel
a:"
Idon'
tevenknowwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o,whathappenedatcounci
l?
"
Sibo:"TheotherroyalswantSikhosanaofft
he
throne.Theyreckonnowi sthebesttimetovot
e
them out.Ispokeforthefamil
y,sayingwewon'tbe
parti
cipat
inginvoting.Theyaskedust ol
eave.
"
Biyel
a:"
Iunder
standwhereyou'
recomingf
rom.
Honestl
ythi
sishardl
ytheti
met or
emovethem
fr
om thethr
onebuttheot
herroyal
sdidmakeval
id
point
s."
Sibo:"Thisshould'vebeensomet hingthatweallsat
todiscusswi thMehl uli
.Heal r
eadyst art
edwith
i
ncludingusi nhisroyalvisi
ts.Wehavemor esay
thanwedi dlastyear.Thiscould'
vebeensol vedbut
nooo,peopl ewantwarf i
rst.
"Mehl uli
?Sincewhen
washehi sbiggestfan?Justl astweek, hewashis
nemesi s.Iwasgl adIwasntt heonl yonewar ming
tohimt hough.
Bi
yel
a:"
Sowhatdowedonow?
"
Zwe:"Nkosisaidhewantsameetingl
atert
oday
aft
ercouncilsoperhapswe'
l
ltal
kaboutitt
hen.Al
l
ofushavetobet here.
"
Biyela:"
Andwhathappensi
fhei
sexact
lyl
ikehi
s
father?Whatt
hen?"
Zwe:"Hei
sn'
t,t
ata.Tr
ustme."Thedooropened
agai
nandtheladi
escamein.Thequeenlooked
upset
.Thepr
incessesbehi
ndherlookedfi
nebut
Pet
uwasal
armed.
Queen:"
Canyoui
magi
ne!
!"
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sitnow?
"
Queen:"Thequeenswer etal
kingaboutNobant u
andNolwazi .Apparentl
y,t
heydon' tfeeltheneedto
off
ertheirsupporttothem.Theywantmet ochoose
aside.I
t'
sei thert
hem ortheSi khosana's.Imagine
gossipi
ngaboutwomenwhosedaught erisinICU.
Aretheynotembar r
assed!
? "
King:
"Seemslikeourwhol
efami
lyhasbeenki
cked
outofcounci
l.
"
Queen:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Mnqobi:"
Sbonigotusbani
shedf
rom cour
t.
"Zwe
chuckl
ed.Ihel
dinmylaugh.
Queen:"
Howdoest
hathappen!
"
King:"Youknowyoursonwi t
hhi
ssmar tmouth.We
haveameet ingwithSikhosanat
oday.Hopef
ully
there'
l
lbeasol ut
iontoallt
hismadness."
Queen:"
Youthi
nkyourf
riendwi
llgetusoutofthi
s
Mziwabo?Yoh,
we'r
egoingtosuff
er."Shesi
ghed.
"Atl
eastIhavethegir
lstokeepmecompany.We
havetogoshopping.Lookhowpret
tyt
heyarein
thei
rdresses?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ineedat
her
api
st.
"Hewhi
sper
ed.
Zwe:
"Theyl
ookbeaut
if
ulmama.
"
Queen:"Hopeful
lySi
bonel
owi
lldogoodonhis
pr
omi sesothatmydaysaref
il
ledwit
hjoy.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatpr
omi
senow?
"
Ki
ng:
"Hehe.Idi
dask.
"
Khaya:"
Youpr
omi
seduMamaagr
andchi
ld.
"
Si
bo:"
Eh?I
'
vegotwor
ktodo.Mnqobicanhel
p."
Mnqobi
:"BhutSbopl
ease.
"
Si
bo:"I
t'
sBhutSbowhenyou'r
epl
eadi
ng?
"He
l
aughed."We'
l
lsee.Whencanwel
eaveZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Youcanfol
lowmei
nanhour
.Ineedt
ocheck
onmypati
ent
s."
King:
"Zweyou'
vebeenupf
ormor
ethan24hour
s
now.Thisi
sn'
theal
thy.
"
Zwe:"Thi
siswhatIwastrai
nedtodoTatabutIwi
ll
sl
eeptoni
ght.Atl
eastbot
hgirl
sarefi
nenow.Bobo,
haveyoufoundwhoeverl
eakedthevi
deo."
Si
bo:"
Yes.Shoul
dIdealwi
thher
?"
King:"
HeavenssakeSi
bonel
o.Ther
e'swomen
here.
"Hehissed.
Queen:"
Alri
ghtgi
rl
s,t
imef
orcakeandt
ea.Lett
he
menwor k.
"
Zwe: "
Ma, cantheyalsober eadyinanhour?Iwant
totakethem toseetheirfr
iends.Sibonel
owil
lbr
ing
them homeaf t
erwef ini
shourmeet i
ng."
Queen:"
Alr
ight
."Theywal
kedoutt
hel
ounge.
Si
bo:"
Wel
l?
"
Zwe:
"Whoi
sit
?"
Sibo:"
Somegir
lwho'
sli
vingatr
es.Isuspectshe
hasaccesst
othesur
vei
ll
ance."
Khaya:"Yeah.Mehlul
i'sresi
denceshirethe
studentsthatl
ivei
nthem, tr
ainthem andhavethem
fi
xthingsinthebuil
ding.Soit'
slikel
ythati
t'
soneof
thestudents.
"
Sibo:"
Howmanypeopl
edoyour
eckonhavet
his
access?"
Khaya:"
Idon'
tthi
nkmorethantwoperyear
.Since
we'
remeetinghimthenhecanshedl
ightonthat.
"
Zwe:"
Fine.I
'l
lseeyoualli
nanhour
."Hel
eft
.
Si
bonel
ot ur
nedonhistablet
.
Ki
ng:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
"
Sibo:"Hackingt heresserver
.Ineedtheschedul eof
everywor kerinsideit
."Hehadonhi sdetermined
face.Thistaskpr obablywon'tt
akehim mor ethan
halfanhour .Sibonelocouldhackinhissleep.It
's
almostscar ythatheownsat el
ecomscompany.
King:"
Aftert
hat,t
apint
otheroyal
sphones.Iwant
tohearwhatthey'
resayi
ng.Doyousti
llhavet
he
system t
hatrecor
dsthem?"
Sibo:"Yes.Mnqobibri
ngmysecondlapt
op.Icando
both."Bewar ewhoyougi
veaccesst
o.Theycan
useittokillyou.

Nar
rat
ed*
*
MnqobiwalkeduptoSi
bonel
o'sbedr
oom,t
aki
ng
t
helapt
op.Onhiswayout,hefoundNot
hando
wai
ti
nginthepassage.
Mnqobi
:"Heyl
ove.What
'swr
ong?
"
Not
ha:"
Weneedt
otal
k."
Mnqobi
:"Am Ii
ntr
oubl
e?"
Not
ha:"Youwi
llbei
fyoudon'tgetbacki
nthat
r
oom."Theyst
eppedint
oSibonelo'
sroom,cl
osi
ng
t
hedoor.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m sor
ryNothando.Igotcar
ri
edawayl
ast
ni
ght
.Ishoul
dn'
thav-
"
Notha:"
Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hat
.Whatar
eyour
i
ntenti
onswit
hPetu?
"
Mnqobi
:"Wedon'
thavei
ntent
ions.We'
rehavi
ng
f
un."
Notha:"
fal
li
nginlovewi t
hyouisnotf
un.Whenar
e
youplanni
ngtotellheraboutus?
"
Mnqobi
:"Pet
uandIhaven'
tevenbeent
oget
hert
hat
l
ong.
"
Notha:"
So?Shemustwait3yearsandwat chme
walkdowntheai
sletoyoubef
oreyoutellher?Look
her
e,I'
m notmar
ryi
nganasshole.Tel
lPetuorI
wil
l.
"
Mnqobi
:"She'
sgoi
ngt
odumpme.
"
Not
ha:"
Youbet
terhopet
ohel
lshedoesn'
t.
"
Mnqobi
:"Whyar
eyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"
Not ha:"Thisisn'tyetathreatMnqobiBi yela.Grand
gest urethehelloutofyourbody.Iwi l
lnotbe
disgr acedwithst r
eetwhor esduri
ngourmar r
iage.
Neitherwi l
lIacceptst uckuppr i
ncesses.Makea
decisi onandmakei tnow.TellPetuandpr epareher
forourmar ri
age.Oryouar enevergoingt obewi th
anot herwomanunt i
lthedayyoudi e.NowThat 'sa
threat .
"Shewal kedout .
Mnqobi
:"Whatthehell
?"Hewal
kedoutbackt
othe
l
ounge,
handingSibonel
othel
aptop.
Ki
ng:
"YouokayMnqobi
?Youl
ookpal
e."
Mnqobi
:"I
'
mfi
net
ata.Khaya,
canIt
alkt
oyou?
"
Khaya:"
Sure.
"Hegotupf
oll
owi
ngt
hepr
incet
othe
ot
herlounge.
Mnqobi:"
HowdoIt
ellPet
u?Not
handoi
s
t
hreat
eningme.
"
Khaya:"
Thr
eat
eni
ng?Shenol
ongerwant
syout
obe
wit
hPetu?"
Mnqobi :"
That'st heconfusingpar t.Shewantsme
tobewi thPetu, andIquot e,prepareherforour
mar r
iage.OrelseI '
llneverbewi t
hanotherwoman
unti
lIdie.That's,that'
sscar y.She'sgonnacutoff
mypeni s."Khayal aughedoutl oudfall
ingt
othe
ground.Her anoutofbr eath.
Khaya:"
I'
m sosorry.
"Hecontinuedl
aughing."
It
's
beenastressf
ulfewdays,Ineededt
hat.
"He
breat
hed."Whoo.Thatwasgood.Okay."
Mnqobi
:"Khaya,
thi
sisser
ious.
"
Khaya:"Rightokay.Penisman.Tel
lPetu.Sheknows
you'
reaPr ince.Sheknowsyou'repromised.Tel
lher
gentl
ytheper sonyou'r
epr omi
sedtoishernow
bestfr
iend.Also,tel
lherhowyoufeel.
"
Mnqobi
:"She'
sgoi
ngt
oleavemeKhaya.
"
Khaya:"Wait.
..You'
reactuall
yupset ?JesusMnqo.I
wishtherewasadi ff
erentwaybr otherbutthere
i
sn't
.You'vealwaystoldmehonest ymakesyou
honourable.Andthatsayingfrom themovi ewe
bothloveandwat cheverymont h,Manner sMaketh
Man.Remember ?Youhavet ot el
lherbro.Today,
i
deall
y.Yourmot herisalr
eadyget t
ingattached."
Mnqobi
:"You'
rer
ight
."

PETUPOV_

Iwasinmyr oom, i
nt heBi
yel apalace.Sincewe
wouldvisi
tthegirlsinhospital,Ichangedmy
clot
hes.MamaBi yel
agotaf ewdr essesdel i
vered
forme.Sheownsaf ewbout iquesintheci t
y.Iwor e
mynewnavyandwhi tedr
ess.I thadthickstraps
overmyshoul der
sandast r
aightneckli
ne, holding
myboobsandt henbei nglooseatmywai sttomy
knees.Mydooropened, Mnqobiwal ki
ngi n.
Pet
u:"
Baby.
"
Mnqobi:"
Heyyou."Hewal
kedovertome,pull
ing
meclose."Youl
ookgor
geous.Il
ovethi
sdresson
you.
"
Pet
u:"
Thankyou.
"Ibl
ushed.
Mnqobi
:"Iwantt
otal
ktoyouaboutsomet
hingbut
you'
rel
ooki
ngsopret
ty.
"Heki
ssedmycheeksand
l
ips.
Pet
u:"
Baby,
wecan'tdothi
sagai
n.Whati
fyour
mum wal
ksint
hist
ime."
Mnqobi:"
She'
sbusy."Hehel
dmecl
ose,
kissi
ngmy
neck."
Yousmellsonice.
"
Pet
u:"
Thankyou.Whatdoyouwantt
otal
kabout
?"
Mnqobi
:"Us.Iwantyout
obemi
ne.
"
Pet
u:"
Iam your
sMnqobi.
"Igi
ggl
ed.Hi
ski
sseson
myneckwereti
ckl
ish.
Mnqobi
:"For
ever
?"Il
ookedathi
m.
Pet
u:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Mnqobi
:"I
tsoundssel
fi
shbutIdon'
twantyout
o
l
eaveme.Il ovebeingwithyou.Besi
desthesex.I
enj
oyourcuddl ing,
ourmoviedates.Il
oveheari
ng
youtal
k."Ikissedhisl
ips.
Petu:"I
'm yours.
"Heki ssedmeback, holdme
againstthewal l
.Slowlymybodywasgi vi
ngin.The
dresswentup.Hi shandwasi nbetweenmyt highs,
Igotweti nst
antlyfeeli
nghisfi
ngerrubonme.I
tookoffhisshirt,hol
dinghisbody.Hisdickwas
alr
eadyhar d.Hequi ckl
yundidhisbeltandzip,
pull
ingouthisor ganthenledmet othebed.
Mnqobi :"
Iwantt omakel ovet oyou. "Het ookof f
mydr essandmyunder wear ,Ilayont hebed
watchinghi mtakeof fhispant sandcl imbingont op
ofme.Heknel tinbet weenmyl egs,lookingatmy
bodyandsucki ngont hepr i
ntofhi st humb.He
placeditonmycl it
,sof t
lyrubbi ngit.Hi sotherhand
heldhisdick,massagi ngit.Iwasdr ippingwet ,and
squirminginhist ouch." l
ookatme. "Il ookeduphi m,
hiseyesdr unkwi thlust.Hecamedownt oki ssmy
l
ips,slowly.Iopenedwi der,readyt or eceivehim.
Histhumbwasst il
lteasingme, hestoppedt hen
teasedmyent r
ywi thaf inger.
Petu:"
Babyplease."Iwhisperedonhismout h.He
l
ookedatme, ki
ssingmeagai n.If
elti
tpenetrateme,
makingmedizzy.Hemoanedonmymout h.I
ki
ssedhim,holdi
nghi m close.Heworkedhisl ower
bodyonly,
inandout ."Mnqobi .
"
Mnqobi:"
Oohhh.
"Hegroaned,ki
ssingmyl i
ps.Hi
s
pacewasslowandgentl
e,mycli
tthrobbi
ngatthe
softt
ouch.
Petu:"
baby.
..
"Hemoanedi
nmyear
,squeezi
ngme
ti
ghtwhil
estroki
ng.
Mnqobi :"Il
oveyou."Hebr eat
hed."f
uckIl oveyou..
"
hisbodywasshaki ng.Iki
ssedhisli
ps, hol
dinghis
headi nmyhands.Iwassocl osetocl i
maxbutI
neededhi mt onotmakeanoi se.Hewentf ast
er,
balli
ngt hesheetinhisfi
st.Awaveofpl easure
tumblingdownmywhol ebody,t
ighteningand
throbbingvigorousl
y.
Mnqobi:"OHHHH."Hegroaned,shakingtoarel
ease
deepinsideme."
shi
t.
"Hewhi spered.Iwassti
ll
recover
ingfr
om myorgasm,sti
llt
hr obbi
ng.
Pet
u:"
Doyout
hinkt
heyhear
dus?
"
Mnqobi:"Pr
obably.It
'syourfaul
t,whywouldyou
cum onmel iket
hat?"Hekissedmyl i
ps."Ishould
probabl
ygooutf ir
standcheckthecoast.Ithink
they'
redownstai
rsthough."Theembarrassment
start
edtocreepin.
Pet
u:"
I'
m scar
edofyourpar
ent
sMnqobi
."
Mnqobi :"
HawuBaby.Notmypar ents."Hechuckl ed.
"You'
rer i
ghtthough, dadisnoti
nt hemoodt oday.
He'sscary."Hesl owlypull
edout,shaking.Igotup
goingtot hebathroom topee.Iwasn'twor r
ied
becauseIhadmyt estsandalsomycont r
aceptive.I
wipedwi ththeintimatewipesandwashedmy
handsaf terfl
ushing.Mnqobiwalkedint he
bathroom halfdressed.Hestoodbehi ndme,
l
ookingatmei nthemi r
ror
.Hishandshel dmybody,
kissi
ngmyshoul der.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m sl
eepi
ngher
etoni
ght
."
Petu:"
You'
recr
azyMnqobi
.Youwantyourmot
her
tocomedragyouout
."Hel
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Shoul
dIgetamor
ningaf
ter
?"
Pet
u:"
Noneed.Igetani
nject
ionever
ythr
ee
mont
hs.
"
Mnqobi
:"Why.
"
Petu:"
It
'st
her
esponsi
blet
hingt
odo.I
t'
sbeena
yearnow."
Mnqobi
:"Aslongasi t
'sonlymi
nenow. "Heki
ssed
myneck."Let
'sgetdressedmylove.Thefami
lyis
wai
ti
ngforussur el
y."
Pet
u:"
Stopki
ssi
ngmet
henPr
inceBi
yel
a."
Mnqobi:"
You'regonnamakemebar r
icadet
hatdoor
wit
hfurni
ture.Idon'twanttodoanythingel
sebut
hol
dyour i
ghtnow. "Hishandscaressedmybreast
andstomachwhi lehekissedmyneck.
Pet
u:"Youknowyout akeonl
yminutetogetback
upbaby.Let '
sstopnow."Hefi
nal
lypull
edaway
smil
ing.Ilookeddownathispants.Hewasalready
har
d.Att hispoi
nt,wemightnotl
eave."
NoMnqobi !
"
Helaughed."Let'
sgo.Yoh.".
..

PRI
NCEPOV_
Thecouchwasdel ivered,
I'
dgivent heNt
akaf amil
y
spacef orafewhour sanddistractedmyselfwit
h
facil
it
atingt
hedeliveryofparcels.Iwastr
ackingthe
truckstoeachlocation.
Nkosi:"
Doyout
hinkt
hef
oodpar
cel
swi
llbe
enough?"
Mt hunzi:"
Yes.They'
remostl
yfort
hoset
hatneed
them.Mount ainPeakishal
fmadeupofupper
class."
Nkosi
:"Won'
ttheypr
otest
?"
Mthunzi
:"Unl
ikel
ybutwecoul
dshowsuppor
tto
t
hem inadiff
erentway.
"
Nkosi:"
Right.Wecanf i
gur
ethatoutdur
ingthe
meetingwiththeBiyel
a'
s.TheSoli
ngaboydidbri
ng
upsomegoodi deas.Hemighthaveapl
an."Zwe
walkedin.
Zwe:"Hey.Thebrother
sareontheirway,
theywant
total
kt oyouaboutsomesomethingimport
ant.
They'
llbri
ngthegirl
stocomeseeThembi saand
Amahl e.
"Whatgirl
snow?
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Zwe:"Also,Yourf
atherwant
stospeaktoyou."Heat
sweptthroughmybodysoIt houghtofThembisa.
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"
Zwe:
"Wi
llyoubef
ine?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Wher
eishe?
"
Zwe: "
Hospitalboardroom onsecondf l
oor.Come
withme."Ifoll
owedhi m withMt hunzitothesecond
fl
oor.Icouldfeelmyhandsst ar
tingtospar kbutI
keptmyt houghtsonhersmi l
e.Shewoul dwantme
calm.Iwalkedi ntheroom alone.Het oowasal one.
Hisguardsout side.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Sikhosana:"Myson.
"Thembisa.Thembisa.That'
s
all
.He'snotworthi
t."
Thisisacri
ti
calt
imef orour
family.Hey?Weshouldn'
tbefi
ghti
ngli
ket hi
s."
Nkosi:"
Iwouldn'
tbef
ight
ingyoui
fyouhadsi
mpl
y
l
eftheralone.
"
Si
khosana:"
Howdoyouexpectmetosi
tbyand
watchyoubeweakenedbysomewoman."Ibanged
onthetabl
e,f
eel
ingheati
nmyeyes.Hej
umped
back.
Nkosi
:"Cal
lmeweakonemor
eti
me.
"
Si
khosana:"
Howi
sthatpossi
ble.
..
"
Nkosi:"Li
stentowhat'sgoingtohappennow.
You'regoingtoleaveThembisathehellal
one.I
'm
notgoingt ohavethi
sconversati
onwithyouin
verbalter
msagai n.I
t'
sonlyherchoicetowantto
speakt oyou,andyouwi l
lli
stent
henbackoff.Are
wecl ear?
"
Sikhosana:"
Fine.Iwi
llbackof
f.Canwebeokay
now? "
Nkosi
:"We'
l
lbeokaywhenIcant
rustyou.
"
Sikhosana:"
I'
mf i
newi
ththat
."Thef
lamessubsi
ded
again."Whendidyoul
ear
nanewabi li
ty?
"
Nkosi
:"Idi
dn'
tlear
nthi
s.I
tjusthappened.
"
Sikhosana:"
Yourgrandfat
herhadt heexactsame.
ForasecondIt houghtIwaslookingathim.Iwoul
d
neverint
enti
onall
yhurtyouMehl uli
.Ionl
ywantyou
tobeapower fulki
ng."
Nkosi
:"I
'veal
waysbeenapower
fulki
ngf
ather
.I
don'
tneedacrownfort
hat
."
Si
khosana:"I
ndeed.Yoursi
steri
sdoingwel
l
.Good
workbylocki
ngdownt hehospit
al.
"
Nkosi:"
That'sZwe'sdoing.TheBi
yel
a'shavedone
ever
ythingtoholdourdignit
ycurr
ent
ly.Theshut
downwast opreventavideoofAmahlegett
ingshot
fr
om goingviral
.Theyremovedandformattedit
's
exi
stence."
Si
khosana:"
Soweowet
hem?
"
Nkosi
:"Nobuti
twoul
ddousawor
ldofgoodt
o
havet
hem onoursi
de-
"
Si
khosana:"
They'
l
lhol
ditr
ansom overourheads!
"
Nkosi
:"I'
m notget
tingridofthem andnei
therar
e
you.We'l
ldealwit
ht hati
fithappens,f
ornowwe
keepthem byourside."
Si
khosana:"
Fine.
"Hef
oldedhi
sar
ms,
frust
rat
ed.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sawant
stospeakt
oyou.
"
Si
khosana:"
Forwhat
?"
Nkosi
:"She'
l
ltel
lyou.
"Hesi
ghed.
Si
khosana:"
When?
"
Nkosi
:"Tomorr
owandpleasedon'
ttr
yit
.Iwi
llnot
hol
dback."Hestar
edatme.
Sikhosana:"
Mehl ul
i,
isthi
swhatyouwant
?You
wouldr at
herki
llyourownfat
herforawomanyou
barelyknow?"
Nkosi
:"Youwouldrat
herki
llawomanIl
ovej
ustt
o
havecontr
oloverme?"
Sikhosana:"
I'
m nott
ryi
ngt
ocont
rolyou,
I'
mtr
ying
toguideyou!"
Nkosi:"Youcandot hatinbusinessandnotinmy
l
ovel i
fe.Ichooseher .That'
sit.I
fitcomesdownt o
i
t,yes.Itwoul dbebetterforyoutoacceptt
hisand
workwi thitinst
eadoff i
ghtbecauseyouwillnot
win.I'
veletyoudi ct
atemewayt oolong.
"Hestared
atmef oral ongwhile..
Si
khosana:"Fine.I
fyouwanttochooseacommon
wi
fethenit'
sbestyoumar r
yhersoonf orherown
pr
otect
ion.I
t'senoughtheotherf
amil
ieswilll
ookat
usfunnybuthey,
you'rei
nlove.Tohel
lwi
tht
he
thr
one.Nx.
"Hewal kedout
.

IwenttoThembisa'sroom.Shewasstandi
ngnext
toherbed.Thepleasuremyhear
tfel
tthatshewas
standi
ngonherownmademesmi l
e.
Nkosi
:"Goodaf
ter
noon.
"
Mama:"Goodaf
ter
noonPr
inceNkosi
nhl
e."That
wasnew.
Sasa:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Zwesaysthegir
lsar
ecomingtoseeyou.
Myfatheral
sojustl
eft
.DoyouwanttoseeAmahle?
Icanbri
ngher.
"
Sasa:"
I'
dlovetoseeher.
"Shelookedatherpar
ent
s.
"Tat
acanIpleaseseeher?"Helookedatme.I
coul
dfeelthepai
ninhiseyes.
Xolani
:"Yesyoucangomnt
anam.Youneedt
o
exerci
seyourlegsal
so.
"
Sasa:"Thankyoutata.
"Icheckedt
hecupboard,
fi
ndingawar m hospi
talgownandsli
pper
s.Sheput
t
hoseon.
Nkosi:"
Amahlei
sinr oom 8.Ther
e'ssti
llnoguar ds
oranyoneall
owedin.Ihaveanalerteveryti
memy
fat
hercomesin,soI'
llknowifhecomesbackorhi s
guards.
"Isai
dtoherf at
her.Henodded.Iwal ked
outwithThembi
sa.Shehel dmyhandout si
dei nthe
passage.
Nkosi
:"Hibaby.
"
Sasa:"
Hey.Imissedyou.
"Ist
oppedwal
kingand
ki
ssedherli
ps.
Nkosi:"Imi
ssedyoumor
e.Ievenboughtyoua
house."Shegiggl
ed.
Sasa:"HowdoyoubuymeahousewhenI
'
ve
brokenupwit
hyouNkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Sot
hatIcancour
tyouwi
thi
t.
"Ihel
dheri
n
myarms.
Sasa:"
Ipr
efermyvi
ll
a,t
hankyou.
"Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Al
lyour
sbaby.Allofmeisyours.Come,
l
et'
sgobeforeyourf
athercomesout.
"
Sasa:"
Youcan'
tpossi
blybescar
edofhi
m."
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouserious?Doyouseehowhel ooks
atme?That'
samanwhodoesn' tfearme.He'
ll
showmeGod. "Shelaughedoutloud.
Sasa:"You?That'
sadorabl
e."Wewalkeddownthe
passage,tur
ningi
ntoanother."
Canyouhandl
ethe
fi
renow? "
Nkosi
:"Nope.I
tjustt
urnsup.Ihavet
obenear
water
."
Sasa:"
Youcan'
ttur
nitof
f?"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snowayt
o."
Sasa:"Yest her
eis.Come. "Shest oppedwal ki
ng
andt ookoffmygl ove, undoi ngmybandage.Thi sis
onef earl
esswoman." Snapyourf inger
."Isnapped
i
tandt hefl
amesi gnit
ed." Ther e..
.Flexyourhands."
Ididasshesai dandt hef lamesgr ewbigger."Dr
aw
afist.
"Iheldaf i
standt heydecr easedi nsizebut
sti
llnotshutti
ngof f."
Flickyourhandof fli
kethere'
s
aflyoni t.
"Ichuckled,doi ngj ustthat.I
tswitched
off
.
Nkosi
:"That
'si
ncr
edi
ble.Howdi
dyouknowt
hat
?"
Sasa:" Yourgr andfather.Whenhewasf rustratedhe
l
ikedpl ayingwi thit
."Shegiggledpul
li
ngmet o
Amahl e'sroom.West oppedinourtr
acks.Sibonelo
stoodout sidet heroom.Shockedandconf used.I
didn'tevenr ealizehewasst andi
ngthere.Hel ooked
ont hef l
oor,wal ki
ngaway.
Sibo:"
YourHighness.
"Henodded,
wal
kingdown
thepassage.
[
07/
27,
05:
58] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er57

SI
BONELOPOV_

Wear ri
vedatthehospital
.Myfatherwentt oZwe's
offi
ceandIt ookthegir
lstoAmahle'sr
oom t hatI
wast ol
dbyZwe.Amahl ewasindeedalivewi t
ha
bandagewr appedaroundherhead.Istoodi nthe
farcornerandstaredather,
confusedashel l
.How
canahumanbei mmor tal
?That'
snotat hing,isi
t?
Wel
l,her
esheis.Talki
ngandsmili
ngwi
thher
f
ri
ends.Thoseorangeeyessuddenl
yst
aredatme.
Ama:"
Thankyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Ionl
ybroughtthem her
e,di
dn'
tevendr
ive.
Goodt
oseeyoualivethough.
"
Ama:"I
sit
?"Shecan'
tknowt
hatIknow,
sur
ely?Di
d
Zwetel
lher
?Probabl
y.
Si
bo:"Yeah.Youputt
hecount
ryt
oast
andst
il
l.
"I
smil
ed.
Ama:"
Agai
n,t
hankyou."Nope,
it'
sget
ti
ngwei
rd.
Notwi
tht
hoseeyesst
aringatme.
Si
bo:"LetmegocheckZweandgetr
eadyforour
meeti
ng.Boys,
I'
m givi
ngyou15mi
nutest
henyou
mustcomeupsot hatwestar
t.
"
Khaya:"
Okay.
"Iwal
kedoutt
her
oom,
qui
etl
ytaki
ng
outmyphone.
"Ther
e..
.Fl
exyourhands.
"Ilookedup, seei
ng
Thembisastandi
ngwit
hMehl uli
.Istaredathi
s
handthathadfir
ecomingoutifit
."Drawaf i
st.
"He
drewinafistandIwat
chedinshockast hefl
ames
gr ewsmaller
."Fl
ickyourhandof fli
kethere'
safl
y
oni t.
"Hechuckledasi ft
heywerepl ayi
ngagame
andI tswit
chedof f
.Istoodther
e, unabl
etomove.
DoIgobacki ntheroom orwhat?Thi smanhas
flamescomi ngouthishands.FIRE.Ont opof
transfor
minghisbody, hecanconj uref
ir
eandshe's
teachinghim?!Whati nGod'sheavenandear thi
s
happening.Theybot hlookedatme.Shi t
.Nowwhat?
Ihadt okeepmovi ngswi f
tl
y.
Si
bo:"YourHi
ghness.
"Iwal
kedr
ightpasti
t
pr
etendi
ngtobebli
nd.

Iwalkedi
ntoZwe'soffi
ce,cl
osingthedoor.What
.
The.Hell
.DidIj
ustsee?Isthatwhyhe'sso
att
achedtothatgir
l?Sheteacheshim howto
contr
olhispowers?SheKNOWS? ?
Zwe:"Hey?"Il
ookedathi
m.Myf
athersatont
he
couchlooki
ngatme.
Sibo:"Uhm.I'
mfeeli
ngl
it
tl
eli
ghtheaded.Per
hapsI
should,gohome."
Ki
ng:
"Absol
utel
ynot
.Thi
sisyourmeet
ing
Si
bonel
o."Hel
l.WhathaveIgot
tenmyselfi
nto?
NowthatheknowsthatIknow,whatwi
llhedoto
me?
Si
bo:"
Doyouhaveawhi
skey?
"
Zwe:"Thi
sisahospi
tal
."OhmyGod,howwoul
dI
gett
hroughthi
s."
Whatisit
?"Hehel
dmyshoul
der
.
Si
bo:"
Fir
e."
Zwe:
"Shi
t.
"Het
ri
edt
owal
kout
,Ihel
dhi
m back.
Si
bo:"
It
'sf
ine.
"Iwentt
osi
tdown.
Ki
ng:
"What
'
sgoi
ngon?
"
Zwe: "
Nothi
ngtat
a.Si
boneloisjustner
vousabout
tel
li
ngthepri
ncewhatisgoingon."
Ki
ng:"
Don'
tworryson.We'
rehere.Youchoset
odo
t
heri
ghtt
hing.Wefull
ysuppor
tyou."
Sibo:" Thankyoutat
a."Thedooropened,Mehlul
i
wal kedin.Iwalkedtotheot
hersidewheremy
fatherwasandsatnextt ohim.Hisadvisorf
oll
owed
behi ndhim wit
hKhayaandMnqobi .Iwasnot
comf ort
ablewit
hthem bei
ngthatclosetohi
m.
Zwe:"
Right.It
hinkweshouldstar
timmediately.
"
Mehl
ulisatontheothercouchopposi
teus,stari
ng
atme.Why?Whyi shel ooki
ngatme?
Mthunzi:"Fi
rstofall
,theprinceandt hethrone
wouldli
ket othankyouf oryoursuppor tduri
ngthi
s
t
ime.Thankyoust eppinginandpr ot ecti
ngus.
We'r
eext endingourunwaver ingloyal t
ytoyour
f
amily.Ihopef rom t
hispointonwar ds,wecanbuild
afut
ureandwor kt
ogetherami cably."
King:
"That'
sgoodtohear
,myLord.Iwouldl
iket
o
knowiftheKingal
sohasthesamereser
vati
ons?"
Nkosi
:"Ispoketomyf atherandheunderst
ands
t
hatyourfamilyi
snowst andi
ngwi t
husandwi t
h
t
hat,meanswewi llworktogether
.Heaccepts.
"
King:"
I'
m happytohearthatbecause,myPr i
nce,we
haveapr obl
em.Asyouknow, todaywehadt o
updatetheroyal
saboutcouncilpostponement.The
otherr
oyalswerenothappy.Sbo? "Isatup.
Sibo:"
Theotherfamil
ieswantyouoffthethr
one,
YourHighness.Theybeli
eveitwil
lbebett
ertovot
e
yououtnowt hatyou'
redist
ract
ed.Theirr
easoni
ngs
are,
t het hr
onesidel
inest
hem andIquot
e,t
reats
them likepeasants.
"Ofcour
seIhadtotel
lhim
everything.
Nkosi:"
Peasant
s?"Hechuckled.Somethi
ngabout
thatl
aughdidn'
tsoundfri
endly."
Theyhaven'
t
exper
iencedpeasant
ry.Whoar ethef
amili
es?
"
Sibo:"Nakhamul a,Mufhuwalo,Mpondo, Bat
honga.
Phakami saraisedhishandaswel lbutIbeli
evewe
canper suadehim.Iwast heonlyoneal ongwit
hmy
fatheratcounciltoday,wedidn'
traiseourhands.
Wemadei tclear,wewon'tparti
cipate.They
banishedusf rom council
."
Nkosi:"
Int
eresti
ng.
"Hel
ookedathi
sbar
ehand,
smil
ing."Mthunzi
?"
Mthunzi
:"Whydoyoubel
ieveyoucanper
suade
Phakamisa?
"
Si
bo:"
Wehavethei
rdaught
er.She'
spromi
sedt
o
Mnqobi
.She'
scur
rent
lyi
nourpalace.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
ftheycanvot
eoutKi
ngSikhosana,
the
newKingcouldvoidt
heagr
eement
."
Mnqobi :"
Shewon' tletgoofme.Shemaynotcar e
aboutthebusi nesst ransacti
onoral li
ancebutshe' s
pl
annedherl ifealignedwi thmi ne.Iftheybreakthis
agreement, she'llbesentof ftoanot herprince.Who
el
sewoul dbeel i
gibl
e?Nakhamul a?She'dvomi t
unti
lshedi es. "That'
smyboy.Ihadt ostopmysel f
fr
om laughing.Mnqobit urnedintoamef ora
minute.Ther oom wasqui etforawhi le.Mehluli
l
ookeddi ff
er entt ohisangr yself.Almostasi fhe
wasexpect ingt hesenewsandal so,whydi dhelook
happy?
Nkosi:"Nakhamuladoesn'tlearn,
doeshe?"This
washi ssecondst ri
keandIdoubtitwouldsli
de.
Thefirstt
imet heylethi
m go,itki
ndofconfusedme
butIdidn'
tmi ndit.Ever
yonedeservessecond
chances.
Ki
ng:
"Whatshoul
dwedomypr
ince.
"
Nkosi:"
Let'
swaitf
ort hem tomakeamove.Thank
youforlet
ti
ngmeknow. "Hegavehi shandt o
Mthunzi.I
mmediatelyhest ar
tedtowraphi shandi
n
thebandage.NowIknowwhatt hosebandagesare
for
."Whodoyout hinkwi l
lbechosenaski ng?"
King:"
IsuspectNakhamul
a.He'
sal
wayswant
edt
o
be."
Nkosi
:"Doesn'
thavet
hemoney.Whoel
se?
"
Zwe:
"Muf
huwal
o.Hehasdi
amonds.
"
Nkosi:"Phakamisaandyouar etheonl yonesthat
haveenoughmoneyf oratakeover .Evenift
he
otherthreecombinedallt
heirassets,theywouldn'
t
makeuphal fofi
t.
"Helookedathi snewl y
bandagedhand.
Si
bo:"
Yout
hinkt
heymi
ghtal
ign?
"
Nkosi
:"It
hinktheymightt
ryt
or opeyouintobethe
ki
ng.I
ftheofferari
ses,
whowilltakei
t?"Hest
ared
atme.
Si
bo:"
Wedon'
twantt
het
hrone.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notaski
ngi
fyouwanti
t.
"Ri
ght
,whowi
ll
t
akeit
.Ilookedatmyf
ather
.
Ki
ng:
"MyPr
ince,
we'
drat
heryouar
etheki
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Iunder
standt
hatKingBiyel
abutnowwe'
re
onthecuspofawarthatI'
mt r
yingtoavoi
d."
Zwe:"Let
'srat
herpr
eparef
orwar,
Nkosi.You'
ret
he
ri
ghtf
ulheir
.Ift
hatmeans,
theot
hersf
allaway
then.
..
"
Ki
ng:"
Let
'snotbehast
yZwe.Sbo,
whatar
eyou
pl
anni
ng?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llhavetodr
awupawarpl
an.I
twi
llt
akeme
adayortwo."
Nkosi :"Good.Now, thecitizens.Thedel i
veri
esar e
currentlyt aki
ngplace.Mt hunziraisedconcer nst hat
perhapst heupperclassmayhavepr oblems
regardingusonl yprovi
dingf orthel owerclassand
l
eavi ngt hem out.Whatcanwedot ocombatt hat?"I
wasseei ngt hi
smandi fferentl
y.Apar tf
rom the
power shepossessed.Hewasver yi nvol
vedi nthe
backgr ound.Hegavecr edittoanyonewhogave
him ani dea.Hewasnotamanwhowant edtoeat
alone.HadIj udgedhim wr ongal ltheseyears?

SASAPOV_
Iwassohappyt obewi thmyf riendsbutmyhear t
wasst i
llaching.I twasonet hingl i
vinginthepast
butIinher i
tedal lt
hoseemot ionsf rom it
.AtleastI
hadNkosiwi thmeagai n.Hopef ull
ymydadi s
openingupt othei deaofmemar ryi
ngNkosi .Ipray
totheheavensheagr ees.Butnow, theachingI
havewhenIt ouchmyf latbelly.Theconnect ionI
hadtot hatpr egnancyi sst r
ongandver yunhealt
hy.
Especiall
ybecauset hesupposedper sonismy
fat
herinl aw,whodoesn' tl
ikeme.Iwasi nthebed
wit
hAmahl e,Ilayonmyback.Shewassi t
ti
ngup
bymyl egs.
Pet
u:"Doesi
tst
il
lhur
t?"Ir
eal
izedmyhandwason
mystomachagai
n.
Me:"Ali
tt
le.Canyoubel
ieveIalmostdi
ed?Thank
you.
"IsattokissAmahl
e'scheek.
Ama:"YohIwould'
veneverheardt
heendofi
t.
Nkosiwoul
dhurtthewholenati
on.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Not
ha:"We'
regl
adyou'r
eali
veSasa.Pet
uhasal
ot
t
otel
lyou.
"Petubl
ushed.
Pet
u:"
let
'sf
ocusgi
rl
s."
Me:"No,pl
easetellme.Ineedsomehotnews.I '
m
curr
entl
yinsoupwi t
hmypar entsandNkosikeeps
comingtotheroom totalkt
ome.Amahlewhyi s
yourbr
otherl
ikethat?"Shegiggl
ed.
Ama:" Hedidn'
tleaveyoursi
deunt
ilZwedragged
him out.YouknowyourhusbandThembisa.When
i
tcomest oyou,ever
ythi
ngmustst
andstil
l.Lookat
thecountry?"
Me:"Noma'am.That'
sallyou.Theminutethey
menti
onedLastPri
ncessoftheThrone,everyone
wentwil
d."
Pet
u:"
That
'ssocut
e."Wel
aughed.
Ama:"Pet
u,t
ellusyourhotnewspl
ease.
"Not
ha
smi
lednextt
oher .
Pet
u:"
Ihavenot
hingt
otel
l.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Notha:"Ugh,f
ine.I
'l
ltal
k.Soaf tertheshoot i
ng,
MnqobiandSi bonel
ower eatt hegat ewhenIcame
out,wegotinthecardr i
vingtor esforPetu.Sibo
thentol
dmeAmahl ehadbeenshotwi thThembi sa.
Whenwegott ores,Petu'
smanwentt ofetchher
from t
hecrowd."Weal lgi
ggled.
Me:"
Thenwhathappened!
!"
Petu:"Wecamet ohospi
talandstayedher
ef ora
while.Eventuall
yZwetol
dust ogohome.Si ncethe
ci
tyi sinlockdown,weal
lhadt ogotothepalace.
"
Shebl ushed.
Me:"
You'
rel
ivi
ngi
napal
ace!
?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Iwoul
dbescreami
ngi
fthiswounddidn'
thur
t
i
maginemescr
eamingmyf
riend.Hai
bo.AndMr
man?"
Not
ha:"
Icaughtt
hem t
ryi
ngt
ohavesexyest
erday-
"
Pet
u:"
Not
hando!
"
Me:"
Pet
u!You'
rebr
ave!I
napal
ace?
"Wel
aughed.
Petu:"
OkaybutIhavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
l
youguys.
"
Not
ha:"
Wel
l?
"
Petu:"
Mnqobisai
dhelovesme."Weallkeptquiet
.I
l
ookedatAmahle.Sheplayedwi
thhersleeve,
unbother
edasusual
.Nothandowassmi l
ingsli
ghtl
y.
Me:"
Pet
u,t
hat
'shuge.
"
Pet
u:"
Andconf
usi
ng.
"
Not
ha:"
Didyousayi
tback?
"
Pet
u:"No.Ithinkitmayhavebeenami
stakeal
so.
I
'm soconfused."
Not
ha:"
Whydoyout
hinki
twasami
stake?
"
Petu:"Weweremaki
nglove.
"Shel
ookedatAmahl
e.
"YoualwaysknowAmy.Doyouthi
nkhe'sbei
ng
true?
"
Ama:"Maybe.
"Shel
ookedatNot
hando.Iknewthat
l
ook.I
twastimesheknew.OhGod,t
hiswouldhurt
.
Me:"Babe.Idon'
tknowwhat 'sgoingthrough
Mnqobi'
shead.Butallthepeopleinthisroom,l
ove
youandonlywantwhat 'sbestforyou.Okay?
Ever
ythi
ngalwayswor ksout.Always."
Notha:"
Itwil
lworkout
.Ifhesayshelovesyou,t
hen
heprobablydoes.
"Theroom dooropened.My
fat
herwalkedin.Hesmil
ed.DidhethinkIranof
f
wit
hNkosi?Thatwouldbefunny.
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a."
Xolani
:"Hel
lomychi
ld.Ionl
ycamet
ochecki
f
you'r
efi
ne."
Me:"Comemeetmyf ri
ends.Thisi
sAmahl e.You
di
dn'
tseeherproper
ly.SheisNkosi'
sli
tt
lesist
er.
She'
sstudyi
ngBCom Accounting.
"
Xol
ani:"
Thelastpri
ncessoft
het
hrone.I
t'
slovel
yto
meetyou,pr
incess.
"
Ama:"
Yout
oo,
sir
."
Me:"Thi
sisPetunia,shedoesagri
cul
turalsciences.
Shegrewupher einMountainPeak.Herfatherhas
asuccessf
ulbusinessandhersist
erismar ri
edt oa
busi
nessman."
Pet
u:"
It
'sapl
easur
etomeetyout
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Yout
oomychi
ld.
"
Me:"Thi
sisNothando.Sheisfrom Gol
denCrown.
Herfat
heri
sKingPhakami sa.She'
sstudyi
ng
f
inanci
almanagement."
Xolani:"I'
m pl
easedtomeetyoupri
ncess.My
chil
drenar egoingtobever
yeducatedyoungladi
es
aren'
tt hey?It
'ssci
ence,
moneyandl aw.That
's
beaut
if
ul.Keepi
tupgi
rl
s.I
twasl
ovel
ymeet
ingyou
al
l.
"
Ama:"
Yout
oot
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Sasa,
wher
eist
he.
..Pr
ince.
"
Me:"
He'
sinameet
ingTat
a,doyouneedanyt
hing?
"
Xol
ani
:"Iwantt
ospeaktohi
m.Whenhei
sdone,
mayhepleasecomeseeme?"
Me:"
Okayt
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Goodbyegi
rl
s."
Gir
ls:"
goodbyet
ata.
"Hewal
kedout
.Mysweet
fat
her.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwasn'tsurprisedthattheroyalswant edtotakethe
thr
one.Ihonest lycouldn'
tcarel ess.Therewas
nothi
ngt hatthisthronehasspeci fical
lydonefor
meexceptgi vemeapower fulnameandt here'
s
onlysomuchyoucandowi tht hat.Myhar dwork
gavemeal lthatIhave.St r
ipmeof fthet i
tleandI '
ll
sti
llbesuccessf ul.Thiscouldbemychancet o
fi
nal l
yli
veanor mall if
ewi ththewomant hatIl ove.I
don'tknowhowl ongI'
llwaittogetherpr egnantbut
Ithinkit
'l
lneedt obeaf ewyear sbecauseIwanther
tomysel fforawhi le.Babiesar ealot.AndI 'm notin
themoodt or aiseme.IknowI '
m di ff
icul
t.Imagi ne
mymi ni
.That 'sgonnaneedal otofpr eparati
on.
Mosti mpor t
ant ly,mywi femustat tendtomesoI
canl oveherf reelyandwi l
dlylikethebeat i
ngi nmy
hear t
.Ourhouseneedsf urni
tur et
oo.Iknowshe
l
ovest hevill
abutwhensheseest hathouse, I'
ll
stealherhear t.That '
sforsur e.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi:"
Hm? "Hestaredatme." Ri
ght.Idon'
twantto
i
nvolvemyf atherj
ustyetbecausehewi l
lact
i
rrat
ional
ly.However,i
t'
llonl
ybeamat t
erofti
mehe
f
indsout.Sobef or
eIspeakt ohim,Ineedaplan.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thatmaybeagoodi
dea.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llhaveoner
eady,
tomor
rowaft
ernoonYour
Hi
ghness.Wecanmeetbyendofbusi
ness."
Nkosi
:"I
fIdi
dn'tmenti
onbef
ore,yourall
iance
meansagreatdealt
ome.Iwillnotfor
getit.Thank
you.
"
King:
"You'
remostwelcome.Let
'sgetgoi
ng.
"They
gotup,l
eavi
ngaft
ergoodbyes.
Mthunzi
:"Whyareyoudaydreamingi
nthemiddl
e
ofaveryi
mportantmeeti
ng?
"Iknowhetoldme
bef
orebutIact
edliket
heNkosinhl
eIam.
Nkosi
:"Ineedtof
urni
sht
hehouse.
"Iwat
chedhi
m
exhal
eslowly.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thyout
oday.
"
Nkosi
:"Thehousei
sbar
e."
Mthunzi:"Youhadtwoweeks.Youchosetosul
k
thr
ought hem nowyouwanttostr
essme.
Thembisawi l
lhel
pyoufur
nishthehouse.
"Zwe
walkedbackin.
Zwe:
"Whydon'
tyouwantt
obeKi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm overi
tZwe.I'
vebeenisol
atedmyentir
e
l
if
e.Idon'
tknowwhat '
sit'
sli
ketonotbeaking.I'
m
gl
adsomeonewant sitbecausehonesttoGod,I
'
m
l
ooki
ngf
orwar
dtobei
ngnor
mal
."
Zwe:"YouhaveneverbeennormalNkosinhl
e!!You
werebornforthi
s.Thi
sisyourdest
iny.Youcan't
j
uststepasideandgoplay.Whatabouttherestof
us?
"
Nkosi:"Zwel ethu, thefir
stt i
meIdr ankacoke, Iwas
30year sol d.Ihadn' tdrivenacari nfouryear syetI
own7.Ihaven' tbeent ot hebeach, Ihaven'tbeent o
thecinemat owat chmovi es.Idon'tknowwhat '
sits
l
iketowal kintoamal landbuycl othes.Ididn'
t
understandgenr esofmusi cunt i
lImetThembi sa.I
didn'
tevenknowwhati tfeltli
ket obel ovedunt ilI
mether .Ican' tevenhaveamealwi thherina
publi
cr estaurant .Alltheset hingsmayseem
i
nsignificanttoyoubuti t'
sdi f
ferentforme.I 'm
experiencinglifef orthef i
rsttimesi nceI'vebeen
ali
ve.
"
Zwe: "
Sowhatwil
lyoudothenNkosinhl
e?Quit
?"I
couldn'
thel
pfeel
ingl
ikeI
'
ml osi
ngthisf
ri
endshi
pa
secondtime.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
oli
veZwe.
"Hewal
kedout
."Am I
bei
ngunr
easonabl
e?"
Mthunzi
:"Yes.Youcan'
tjustgi
veupthet
hronet
o
bl
oodthir
styroyal
s.Thi
swi l
ldest
royt
henati
on.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotwhoI
'
m gi
vingt
het
hronet
o."
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
,l
et'sfi
rstthinkaboutthi
s.Iknow
youwantanor malli
fe,Iunderstand.Wecangive
youthat
,wit
houtgivingupt hethrone.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
vemadeupmymi
nd.Idon'
twantt
obe
Ki
ng.".
..
[
07/27,05:58] :Sponsor
edPost
:Si
phoset
hu
Gontsana

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er58

PRI
NCEPOV_
IwalkedtoAmahle'
sroom.Ineededt
ocheckon
them.Iknockedonthedoor
,walki
ngi
n.I
twasonly
Amahl eandThembi
saintheroom.Amahl
ewas
sleepi
ng.
Sasa:"
Hil
ove.
"Shewhi
sper
ed,
get
ti
ngoutofbed.
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"
Sasa:"
Areyouokay?Youl
ookupset
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.Justadi
ff
icul
tmeet
ing.
"
Sasa:"
Doyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t?"
Nkosi
:"Notyetl
ove.Ispoketomydad.Heagreed
tomeeti
ngyouandt al
king.Tomor
row.I
sthat
okay?
"
Sasa:"
Yest
hat
'sf
ine.Mi
neal
sowant
stospeakt
o
you.
"
Nkosi
:"Al
ri
ght
,let'
sgo.Mthunziwi
llst
ayher
ewi
th
Amahle.
"Wewal kedout
.
Sasa:"
Hel
loBhutMt
hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Hel
loThembi
sa,
howar
eyou?
"
Sasa:"
I'
m wel
lthankyouandyour
sel
f?"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m good.
"
Sasa:"
Iwouldli
ket
oknowwheni sQhama'
sfuner
al?
Iwanttoat
tend.
"Il
ookedather
.
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Sasa:"
Qhamadi
edt r
yingtoprotectme.TheleastI
candoispaymyrespectsathisfuner
al.Whenis
i
t?"
Mthunzi
:"Uhm.It'
sonSatur
daybutt
her
e'salock
down,soitmightnotbeagoodi
deatoat
tend."
Sasa:"
Nkosiwil
lletthefuneralcommenceinhi
s
honour
.Hewasasol dier.Hediedforme.Hi
sli
fe
shoul
dbecelebrated.Right?
"Shelookedupatme.
Nkosi
:"Ri
ght
."IguessI
'
m goi
ngt
oaf
uner
al.
Mthunzi
:"Al
ri
ght.I
'
llmaket
hearr
angement
s."He
walkedi
ntheroom.Wewalkeddownthepassage.
Sasa:"
Iknowyoudon'twanttogotothefuneral
.
Youcangetme20bodyguar ds,
Idon'tmind.Ij
ust
havetobether
eandspeaktohisparentsandthe
motherofhi
schil
d.Qhamawasaher oandt hey
needtoknowthat
."
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.
"Ihel
dherhandaswewal
ked
sl
owlydownthepassage.
Sasa:"
Wouldyouwhi
spert
omydadi
fhewant
edt
o
for
getthepast
?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Sasa:"
Youdi
dn'
tevenhesi
tat
e.Baby,
he'
shur
ti
ng.
"
Nkosi:"NoThembi sa.I'
m nevergoingtousemy
abil
it
iesonyouoryourf amil
y,thatwouldbecruel.
Yourdadi sstarti
ngtowar m uptome, I
'm notgoi
ng
tomani pulat
ethat.Iknowyouwantwhat '
sbestfor
him myl ove,butno."
Sasa:"
Fine.WhataboutSi
bonel
o?"
Nkosi
:"Ihavet
otal
ktohi
sbr
other
.He'
ski
ndof
madatmeaswel l.
"
Sasa:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Theot
herr
oyal
swantt
het
hrone.
"
Sasa:"
So?I
t'
snott
hei
rs.Ther
e'snot
hingyoucan
do.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkmygr
andf
atherwashappy
whenhehadt
oacceptt
hecr
own?
"
Sasa:"
No.Hewashappyhehadthewomanhe
l
ovedbyhissi
de.Anyt
hingel
sedi
dn'
tmat
ter
."
Nkosi
:"Sot
hethr
onedi
dn'tmakehi
m happy?
"She
st
oppedwalki
ngandst
aredatme.
Sasa:"
Don'
ttel
lmeyoudon'
twantt
oacceptt
he
cr
own."
Nkosi
:"Babe.
"
Sasa:"
NoNkosi
.Thi
sisyourdest
iny.
"
Nkosi
:"SosaysZwe.Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nki
tis.I
sit
r
eall
ymydest i
nyt
obeKi ngort
obegood? "
Sasa:"
Haveyoubeensmoki
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tsmoke,
why?"Ilookedatmyhands
f
orsmoke.Shechuckledhol
dingmyhands.
Sasa:"
You'
remeanttobeKi
ng.Agoodone.The
thr
onebel
ongstoyou."
Nkosi
:"Thethronebel
ongstomyfami
ly.Onwhat
meri
t?Abil
it
ies?That'
snotf
air
."
Sasa:"
Whoel
sewoul
dbeabet
tercandi
dat
e
Nkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Zwel
ethuBi
yel
aorhi
sdad.
"
Sasa:"
Thatwasarhet
ori
calquest
ionNkosi
.You
can'
tgi
veawayyourbir
thri
ght.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'twantit
.IhavewhatIwant.You.
"She
l
ookedatmewi t
hsadnessi nhereyes."
You'
dlove
meeveni fIwasn'tki
ng,r
ight?
"
Sasa:"Iwoul
d.I
'
llal
waysl
oveyou.I
nthi
sli
feand
thenext.
"
Nkosi
:"Sowhat
'swr
ong?
"
Sasa:"Nothi
ngmyl ove.Let'
snotkeepuTat a
waiti
ng."Shewalkedaway.Whatwast hatnow?I
wassur emenotbei ngKingdoesn'tmattert
oherso
whatwast heproblem?Iknowt hatshelovesme.I
fol
lowedhertother oom.
Nkosi
:"Goodeveni
ng.
"
Mama:"
Hel
loagai
n,mypr
ince.Ar
eyouwel
l
?"
Nkosi:"
Yesma.I'
mf i
ne."Il
ookedatThembi
sawho
st
il
llookedver
yupset.
Xolani
:"YourHi
ghness."Il
ookedathi m."Mywife
hasexpressedt
hatshewant stor est
.SoI'l
lbe
taki
nghertotheguesthouse.Sincethere'
sa
l
ockdownwhatmodesoft ransportat
ionare
avail
abl
e?"
Nkosi:"Ohyoushoul dn'
tworryaboutthatsi
r.Ihave
acarr eadyforyou.Also,
Ithinkyou'
llbemuch
morecomf or
tablei
nmyvi ll
a.Guesthouseswon't
off
erpr i
vacy.Thevill
aisupthemount ainandno
oneisal l
owedt her
e."
Mama:"We'
llt
akeit.I
'
veneversl
eptonamount
ain
bef
ore.
"Shegiggl
ed.
Nkosi:"You'
l
lloveitma."IlookedatThembisa
agai
n, whowasst i
lli
gnoringme.Shesatonherbed,
l
ookingatherhands.Zwewal kedin.Hetoowas
upsetatme, Iknowit.
Zwe:"Goodeveningfamil
y.Ij
ustcamet ocheckon
ouryounglady."Hel
ookedatme."CanIpass
thr
ough?"Isteppedasi
deandhewal kedtohersi
de.
Sasa:"
Hel
loBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Justcal
lmeZwe.
"Hesmi
led,
checki
ngher
vi
tal
s."ThescanIdidearl
ier,
showedyoui
nper
fect
heal
th.You'
reheal
ingpret
t ywel
l.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whencanyoudi
schar
geher
?"
Zwe:
"Tomor
rowmor
ningf
orsur
e."
Nkosi:"Thepar
entswoul
dl i
ketogorest
,canyou
makeanexcept i
onfort
onightZwe?"Helookedat
me,icil
y.
Zwe:"Sure.ButI
'l
lhavet
ocomecheckonyou
tomorrowmor ni
ng.Wherewil
lyoubest
ayi
ng,
lady?
I
'm notal
lowedinsideahot
el.
"
Xol
ani
:"andwhyi
sthat
?"
Zwe:"
Royal
sar
entall
owedi
nhot
els,
sir
."I
t'
sfi
ne,
thr
owmeunderthebus.
Xol
ani
:"I
sthatso?
"
Zwe:
"Wher
ewi
llyoubest
ayi
ngsi
r?"
Xol
ani
:"Thepr
inceof
fer
edhi
svi
ll
a."
Zwe: "
Oh.Perf
ectsecur
it
ymeasur e.Noonei s
al
lowedupt hemountai
n,you'
llbesafethere.
"He
fi
nishedupwithhi
schecks."Perf
ect.You'
llbeback
i
nschoolinnoti
me."Thatst
atementsqueezedmy
hear
tuncomfort
abl
y.Idon'
tthi
nkIcanhandleher
bei
nginpubli
csosoon.
Sasa:"
ThankyouZwe.
"
Zwe:"You'rewel
come.Justremembert okeepthi
s
woundcl eananddry.I
'l
lbr
ingyourpainmedsand
anti
biot
icsshort
ly.Tr
ynottomovet oomuchf r
om
thi
spoint,Idon'
twantswell
ingi
nthisarea.
"
Sasa:"
Andbat
hing?
"
Zwe:"Keepthewounddry.I
'
llgi
veyouwat
erpr
oof
bandagestodressi
tin.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llgett
heguar dsandcarr eady.
"Iwalked
outt
heroom unabletotakethetensionanymor e.
Myneckachedf r
om stress.IneededAmahl enow.
NooneelseunderstandswhatI '
m goingthr
ough.

SASAPOV_
Thedr i
vet ot hevill
awasqui et.Iwasint hecarwi t
h
bothmypar ent s.Thestreetswer eempt y,whistl
ing
wind.Wedr oveupandpar ked.Ihopet hest af
fdon't
recognizemeorIdon' tknowhowI 'l
lexplainitt
omy
parents.Wewer eledi
nside.Iknewt hevi l
lahad
mul t
ipl
eroomsbutIdi dn'tthinktherewasaf amily
suit
e.IthadaKi ngbedandadoubl ebed.Ther e
wasal soadi ningtabl
eforf our ,
anicecouchand
TV.Thesl idingdooropenedt othedeck, thatal
so
hadaswi mmi ngpoolandl oungechai rsandabr aai
area.
Mama:"Yoh.Ifeelli
keaQUEEN.Lookatt
hispl
ace,
TakaThembisa.It
's5star
s,neSasa?
"
Me:"
Yesmama.I
t'
sa5st
arpr
ivat
evi
ll
a."
Mama:"Yoh,
ooThembisaar
eli
vingi
nheavenwhi
le
wesuff
eronear
th.Lookatt
hemountai
ns.
I
magine?"
Xol
ani
:"Sasa,
comer
estmychi
ld.
"
Me:"Don'tyouf
ir
stwantt
oeatTat
a?Ther
e'sal
soa
r
estaurant.
"
Mama:"
Yes!
!ThenIcancomebackandwat
cht
he
mount
ains.
"
Xol
ani
:"It
houghtyousai
dyouar
eti
red?
"
Mama:"I
'
llbet
ir
edinmygrave.Sasa,
pleaset
akea
pi
ctur
eofme.UseyourFat
her'
sphoneandsendit
."
Xolani
:"Ntombenhl
e,t
hechil
djustcamefr
om
hospit
al.Thi
splacewi
llst
il
lbehereint
hemorni
ng.
It
'sdarknow."
Mama:" Fi
nelet'
sgoeat .IwishIpackedbet t
er
clothes."Mymot hert
hinksshe' sonvacation.We
wal kedouttotherest
aur antarea.Nkosiwas
alreadyhere,speaki
ngonhi sphone.Thi sman
l
ooksdamnsexyevenwhenhe' sjustst
andi ngt
her
e,
talkingonthephone.Wesatdownatat able.
Mama:"
Wher
ear
etheot
herpeopl
e?"
Me:"Ther
e'snoot
herpeopl
emama.Thi
spl
acei
s
onl
yforNkosi'
sguest
sandhimsel
f.
"
Mama:"Sohedoesn'tli
vei
nthepal
ace?
"Whyput
meonthespotl
ikethis?
Me:"Hedoes.Hebui
ltt
hispl
acef
orhi
sprivacy.Hi
s
ancest
ralgr
oundsar
eupi nt
hemount
ain.
"
Xol
ani
:"Theonesyouwentt
o?"
Me:"Yest
ata.
"Isai
dinshame.Nkosif
inal
ly
f
ini
shedwithhi
scall
.
Nkosi:"Theki
tchenhasprepar
eda3cour semeal
,
sir
.I'
l
lhavesomeonecollectThembisa'
sclot
hesf
or
tomorrowmor ni
ng,t
hey'
llbeherebytheti
meshe
wakesup. "
Xolani:"
Whatabouttheclothesthatar
ealready
here?"Idrankmywater,avoidi
ngthisconversat
ion.
"She'
dobvi ousl
ybeenhereaf ewtimes.
"Hel ooked
atNkosi.
Nkosi :"
Uhm.Ihadt omovet hem aft
erwesepar at
ed,
si
r."Wher edi
dhet akemycl ot
hes?" I
'
dl i
ketowish
youal lagoodnight.I
'l
lbeseeingyoui nthe
mor ning.Pl
easefeelfr
eetouseal lt
heameni t
ieson
si
ght .Theroom servi
ceisavail
able24hour s.
Everythingel
seisfrom 7inthemor ni
ng."
Mama:"
Aren'
tyouj
oini
ngusf
ordi
nnermypr
ince?
"
Nkosi:"
I'
dlovetomamabutI '
l
lhavetopol
it
ely
decl
inethiseveni
ng.I
t'
simport
antt
hatyouhave
spacealoneasaf ami
ly.
"
Mama:"
Youar
esover
yki
nd.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveagoodeveni
ng.
"Hewal
kedout
,I
l
ookedoutaft
erhi
m.
Mama:"Thembisabequi
ck,wewanttoeat
."Igotup,
wal
kingouttoNkosi
.Hestoodout
sideont
heedge
oft
hecli
ff.
Me:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"
Me:"I
'm notmadatyou.I'mjustworriedNkosi .I
knowevenf r
om thefi
rstt
imeImetyou, Iaskedi f
youwantedt hi
sandyousaiditwasyourbi r
thr i
ght.
Iknowyou'renothappymylove.I'm onlyjust
worri
ed.Whatifyourancest
ors,don'
tt akekindlyto
thi
s?"
Nkosi:"Thatwouldbever ycruelofthem toforce
someonei ntoadest inytheydon'twant .Idon'
t
knowThembi sa.SinceIcamet othisreali
zati
on,I
havefeltfree.Anxious,str
essedbutmost lyf
ree.I
am lookingforwardt odoingstuff.Icanfocusona
career.Havingaf amilyandjustrolli
ngongr ass
havingpicnicswithmywi feandki ds.Maybeapet
dog.Idon'
tthi
nkIli
kedogs.I
'
m mor
eofacat
person.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Me:"Okay,ofcourseyou'
reacatper
son.Look,
we
candothis,l
ove.Kingshaveof
fdaystoo.
"
Nkosi :"That'
st heproblem Thembi sa.Idon' twant
anof fday.Ij ustwantanor mallife."Hesi ghed."I
havet ogo. "Inodded, walkinginsideagai n.My
mot herhasor deredjui
cef orusal l.Isatdown,
drinki ngmi ne.Thi swholesi t
uationwasgoi ngto
reflectbadl yonme.I fNkosidoesn' twantt obeKi ng
anymor e,i
twi l
lbemyf ault
.Hecan' tchooseme
overhi sdestinyandhedoesn' twantt or eason.We
hadourdi nnerwi thmymot herqui telit
erall
yf or
cing
met ot akepict uresofher.Afterdinner ,wewent
backt ot hebedr oom.Ineededt or est.I'
l
lbat hinthe
mor ning.Igoti nmybed.Mamawast akingabat h,
singi ngl oudl
yandhappi ly.
Xol
ani
:"Sasa.
"Hesatonmybed.
Me:"
Yesdad?
"
Xol
ani
:"Whyar
eyouf
ight
ingwi
tht
hepr
ince?
"
Me:"
I'
m notf
ight
ingwi
thhi
mtat
a."
Xolani
:"Thenwhatishappening?Si
nceyoucame
backfrom yourf
ri
endsyou'vebeenupset
."
Me:"Hedoesn'
twantt
obeakinganymore.He
wantssomeoneel
setotaket
hethr
one.Hewantsa
nor
mallif
e."
Xol
ani
:"That
'swhyyou'
reupset
?"
Me:"Iwanthimtohaveanor malli
feTatabutthis
Isn'
tgood.Hecan'tabandonhisdestinyli
kethat.I
tri
edtel
li
nghim hecanhaveanor malli
feasking
buthewon'thearit
.Hej ustdoesn'
twantthetit
leat
all
."
Xolani
:"I
fhe'
snotki
ngt
henwhat
'sgoi
ngt
o
happen?"
Me:" Idon'tknowt
ata.Hewantshisfr
iendtobethe
kingbutIdoubtZwewant sitei
ther
.Somaybehi s
father.Ei
therway,
whatift
hingsgowr ong.I
'l
lbe
blamed. "
Xolani
:"Noonewi
llbl
ameyouf
oranyt
hing
Thembisa.
"
Me:"
Tat
a,Nkosiwasr
eadyt
obeKi
ngbef
orehemet
me.Nowhe'
sabandoni
ngi
tal
toget
herbecause
t
here'
sme.
"
Xol
ani
:"Mychi
ld,youcan'
tfor
cehi
mtodo
somet
hinghedoesn'
twanttodo.
"
Me:"I'
mjustscar
edTata.I
'
m wor
ri
edt
hathi
s
ancestor
sprot
est.
"Isi
gh.
Xol
ani:"Thingshaveawayofwor kingout.Isaid
bef
oreIdon' tknowaboutt
hesethings.ButItrust
youwillhaveapl anbymorni
ng.Fornow, sleep.
You'
vehadabusyday. "
Me:"
okayt
ata.Goodni
ght
."
Xol
ani:"
Goodni
ghtSasa.
"Idr
ankmypi
ll
sand
cl
osedmyeyestosleep.
.

SI
BONELOPOV_

I
t'
sbeenast r
essf
uldayandIwashonestl
yatmy
wit
send.Ineededmyspacebutwit
hthewaymy
motheri
sstari
ngatme,Iknowshe'
l
lfor
cemy
t
houghtsoutofme.
Queen:"
Mzi
wabo.Whatdi
dyoudot
omychi
ld?
"
Ki
ng:
"Whi
chone?Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing.
"
Queen:"
Whyi
shest
ari
ngatnot
hingt
hen?
"
Ki
ng:
"Si
bonel
opl
easeansweryourmot
her
."
Queen:"
Im aski
ngyou,helef
ther
efi
ne.Twohour
s
wit
hyouandhe' scr
ying.
"
Si
bo:"
Hai
bo?I
'
m notcr
ying.
"
Queen:"
Thenwhat'
swrong?"See?Iknewshe
wouldtr
ickmei
ntotal
king.
Si
bo:"Ij
usthaveal
otofwor
kI'
mthi
nki
ngaboutma.
Honestl
y."Zwewal
kedi
n.
Zwe:"Goodeveni
ng.
"Heki
ssedhi
smot
heront
he
cheek.
Queen:"
Hel
lomyson.
"Tat
ahadhi
scheekoutt
oo.
Zwe:
"You'
reol
d."
Ki
ng:
"Ist
il
lneedaf
fect
ion.
"Heki
ssedhi
mtoo.
Zwe:
"Youaswel
l
?"
Si
bo:"
Pleasel
eavemeal
one.
"Ihadt
ogetoutof
her
ebef or
eI'
mtackledtot
heground.Igotup,
col
lect
ingmydevicesandchar
gers.
Queen:"
Thi
siswhyIdi
dntwantyout
ohaveyour
ownhouse.
"
King:"He'sagr
ownman.Ri
ghtSboni
?We'
l
lseeyou
atbreakfast
?"
Sibo:"
Yest
ata,
I'
llbehomef orbr
eakf
ast
."Iwal
ked
out.Zwewal
kedrightbehi
ndmet omycar.
Zwe:
"Sbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Howmanysuperpower
sdoeshehave?
"
Zwe:
"Im notsur
e.Thef
ir
eisnew-
"
Sibo:"
New? "Ichuckl
ed."Sother
e'smor e?Besides,
ti
germanandf i
rehands.Hehasot her
s?Okay.And
yousaythisisahumanbei ng?Listentoyourself
cl
earlywhenyouanswerme. "
Zwe:
"Hedi
dn'
taskt
obebor
nli
ket
hatSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"Well,
I'
llbef
uckingdamned.I fIknewthere
wasasect i
oninheavenwher eyoucoul dchoose
yourselfsomeextraarmsthenI '
ddefinit
elyhave
chosensome.You' reunbel
ievable.
"Iopenedmycar
door
,put
ti
ngmyst
uffi
nsi
de.
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
WhenIsaidt
oyou,hespokeinmyhead.Was
Itel
li
ngthet
rut
h?Pleasebehonest
.Washeinmy
head?"
Zwe:"Yes.
"Igasped,
notexpect
ingt
hatanswer
.
"Pl
easedon'tbemadatme? "
Sibo:"MAD? ?IAM FURI OUSATYOU! !!
"Igoti nmy
cardr i
vingout
, mywhol ebodywasshaki ngt rying
toremembert heshitIwast hi
nkingduringt hatr eed
dance.OhdearGod.Ical l
edhi mi nsaneand
threatenedtotakehisgirl
.That'showhewar ned
me.Fuck.NowImustapol ogize?Forwhat ?Woul d
hehol dagrudge?Pr obably.Themancant urnint o
atiger.Fucki
nghell.Iparkedint heunderground
parkinginKhaya'sbuildi
ng.Idon' twanttobei nmy
house.Iknowmybr ot
herswi l
lfollowmet here.
Sibo:"Noman.Imustbelosi
ngmymi nd.Fir
e?For
what?Whywoul dyouneedfi
rehands?"Igotout
thecarwithmythi
ngs."
That'
swhyhel ooksso
i
ntimidat
ing,
heknowshepacking.I
magine."I
cl
imbedinthel
if
t,r
idi
ngupt ot
heapart
ment.I
unl
ockedandwalkedin,
closi
ngthedoorbehi
nd.
Sibo:"Ineedaf
ucki
ngdri
nk."AsIent
ered,
Ifounda
halfnakedwomanintheki
tchen.Whothefuckis
thi
snow?
Zi
mmy:"
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o."Br
ain,
wor
k.Khaya.
Si
bo:"
You'
reKhaya'
sgi
rl
fr
iendr
ight
?"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m nothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Justaf
ri
end.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh.Aren'
tyousupposedt
obei
nres?What
ar
eyoudoinghere.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ther
e'sal
ockdownout
side.
"
Sibo:"
Right
.Ithoughtt
her
ewerewasnooneher e.
"
Iwenttothecouchandsatdown,set
ti
ngupmy
l
aptops,put
ti
ngonheadphones."
What'syourname
again?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Youdon'
tremembermyname?
"
Si
bo:"I
'
m notinthemoodf
ort
his.Pl
ease.I
t'
sbeen
adif
fi
cultday.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Mynamei
sZi
mmy.
"
Si
bo:"
Zimmy,
pleaset
rynott
omakeanoi
se.
"
Zimmy:" Okay."Iloggedint
omyoper at
ingsyst
em,
tappingi
nt oanact i
vephone.Isetupmyr ecor
derat
thesamet i
me.ItwasKi ngNakhamula'
sphone.
Zimmyputabot t
leofHennessyonthet abl
ewitha
glass.Atleastshe'suseful
.
Si
bo:"
Thankyou.
"Avoi
cecameonmyheadset
.
Nakhamul a:"Thi
stime,wehavet obest r
ategic.We
can'tkil
lhi
m.Wehavet obesmar taboutthis.The
i
nformat i
onwecompi ledisenoughf orhimt ostep
down. "Anothervoi
cethatsoundedlikeMandl a,hi
s
fi
rstborncameon.
Mandla:"
Baba,whatifheref
uses?Youknowhow
Si
khosanais.Also,
thatmanhasthebiggestar
my
i
nthenation.Whatifhedecl
areswar
?Wecannot
af
for
dt ogointowar."
Nakhamula:"
Oncewecombineourfor
ceswi t
h
Bathonga,
MpondoandMufhuwalo,we'
llbej
ustas
st
rongashim.Ifonl
ywecanpersuadeBiyel
ato
j
oinus,we'dbedamnpower
ful.
"
Mandl
a:"
Butyoubannedt
hem f
rom counci
l.
Besi
desthatf
oolSi
bonel
oal
readychose
Si
khosana.
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Sibonel
ohatesSi
khosanaasmuchas
wedo.Weonlyneedtoshowhimtherightsi
de.
"
Mandla:"Won'
titj
ustbebet
tert
oconvi
ncehi
s
f
ather
? "
Nakhamul a:"I
'l
lfocusont hefather
.I'
l
linvi
tehim
t
omor row.Yout alktoyourfri
end.Mandl a,
do
whateverittakestobutterhim up.WeneedBi yel
a'
s
money. "
Mandl
a:"
Fine.We'
l
ltal
kint
hemor
ning.
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Good."Thensil
ence.Ichangedt
o
Mufhuwal
obutheardsexsounds.
Sibo:"Okay,t
hat'sr ude."Iswit
chedtoBathonga.
Nothing.Mpondowasn' tacti
vesohisphonewas
probablyoff
.Itur nedt othesecondlaptopmaking
notesthensendi ngmyf atheramessaget oprepare
toreceiveaninvitationfrom Nakhamula.Ipoured
myselfadr i
nk,takingof ftheheadphones.Zimmy
satont hesi
nglecouch, wat
chingtvcuddli
ngamug.
Sibo:"
Aren'
tyoubor
edher
ebyyoursel
f?"Isi
pped.
"I
'
mt alki
ngtoyouZi
mmy."Shel
ookedatme.
Zi
mmy:" Oh,
sor
ry.Thoughtyouwer
ebusyonyour
l
aptop.
"
Si
bo:"
Wel
l?
"
Zi
mmy:"I
'
m enj
oyi
ngt
hespace.Myr
oommat
eisa
bi
tch.
"
Sibo:"
Hm. "Istartedwi t
hmyr etaliati
ont acti
csf or
war.Mehl ulididsayhewant edt hem t omaket he
fi
rstmove.Ist ar
tedf rom leastef fect
ivet odr astic.
Myphonebeepedamessage.WhatdoesZwel ethu
wantfrom me?I ft her ebelsmaket hefirstmove
whichIsuspectwoul dbemedi aat t
ention.Wecan
i
ssuel awsui t
s.Thi swi llmakeusl ookgui l
ty,sure
butthey'l
lbleedmoneyqui ckly.Depl oymentoft heir
combinedar my, ourr etal
iati
onwoul dbeacuti n
machinerysuppl y.Sikhosanaal r
eadyownsone
weaponr ycompany.Hecanal soi nfl
uencet heot her
companyt ohol dal l
weaponsf orhi m.Isenta
messaget oMt hunzi .Nomoney, noweapons.That
l
eavest heci t
izens.Thi sonewi l
lbedi fficult.My
phonerang.Zi
mmygotup,
andl
eftf
ort
hebedr
oom,
cl
osingthedoor.
Si
bo:"
Biyel
a."Ianswer
ed.
Zwe:
"You'
renoti
nyourhouse.Wher
ear
eyou?
"
Si
bo:"
I'mfi
newher
eIam.Ij
ustneedt
ofocus
Zwel
ethu.
"
Zwe:
"Okaybutwher
e?"
Si
bo:"
I'
m nott
ell
ingyou.Whycan'
tIhavespace?
"
Zwe: "Fi
ne.I'
l
lseeyoui nthemor ning."Ihungup.
Wi t
hnomoneyorweapons, t
hey'llmostpr obably
l
ookt oothernationsf orinvestorsforawar .I
l
aughed.Thi swillbesogood.Icompi l
edanemai l
tothreeneighboringnat i
ons.Thei ralli
ancewi t
h
Sikhosanawi l
ldest r
oythesecl ownsbutIneededt o
makei tsti
ck.IcalledMnqobi ,checki ngthepassage.
Thet vwasoni nt hebedr oom, butIst i
lll
oweredmy
voice.Youcanneverbet oosaf e.
Mnqobi
:"Br
other
."
Sibo:"
Doyousti
llhavet
hatAr
abi
cpr
incei
nyour
fr
iendcir
cle?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ther
e'st
hreeoft
hem,
yes.
"
Sibo:"
Perf
ect.Secur
eanal
li
ancewi
tht
hem by
tomorrowmidday."
Mnqobi
:"YohSboni
."
Sibo:"I
'
vetaughtyout
hisMnqobi.I
'l
lguideyou
throughit
.Iwanttocr
ushtheseidi
otsbefor
ethey
evenbreathagoodmor ni
ng.Nobodycallsmea
fool.
"
Mnqobi
:"Fi
ne.I
'
llgetoni
tri
ghtnow.
"
Si
bo:"
Good.
"
Mnqobi
:"Thatal
l?
"
Sibo:"Nobutwe'replayi
ngchess.I '
m waitingfor
thei
rmove.We' l
ltal
kinthemor ning."Ihungup.I t'
s
beenami nutesinceI'
veplannedf orawar .It
'sonly
everbeenfortwoot hernat
ionsandt heydi dn'
tlose.
Destroyi
ngcomesf artooeasyf orme.
[
07/
27,
05:
58] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er59
PETUPOV_

Aft
ermybat h, Igotintobedwi t
hmyphone.Mnqobi
hadbor r
owedmehi schargersoIcanst ayonl i
ne
andcommuni catewi t
hmyf ami l
y.Mysi sterandher
ki
dswer est i
llfine.Mydadwasokayt oo.Af terthei
r
cal
ls,Iplayedar oundonsoci al
sjustchecki ng
generalnewst hings.Peoplewer et
alki
ngabout
suspendedaccount saft
erpostingaboutt he
shooti
ng.Whydon' ttheyli
sten?Itwascl earlysaid
i
fyouspr eadlies,you'l
lbeseverelypunished.They
shouldbel uckyasuspendedaccounti sal ltheyare
gett
ing.Mybedr oom dooropened.Mnqobi .
Mnqobi:"Mybutterf
ly.Idon'tevenwantt
ogetclose
toyou,Iknowyousmel ll
ikeagoddess,I
'
llneverget
outofbed."Igi
ggled.
Pet
u:"
Thenwhyareyouher
e?"Not
handowal
kedi
n.
Shecl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndher.
Mnqobi
:"Uhm.IhavesomeworkSi
boaskedmeto
do.I
twi
lltakepr
obabl
ythewhol
eni
ght
.It'
sabout
ourcur
rentdi
ll
ema.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.
"
Mnqobi
:"SoI
'
llseeyoui
nthemor
ning.
"
Petu:"
Goodni
ghtbaby.
"Not
handowasst andi
ngat
thedoor,
wit
hherarmsfol
dedstar
ingathim.
Mnqobi
:"Uhm.
"Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
."Not
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Now.
"
Mnqobi:"
Youcannotbeseri
ous.Iam wor
kingand
heavi
lyst
ressedal
ready-
"
Not
ha:"
Soundsl
ikeaper
sonalpr
obl
em.
"
Mnqobi
:"We'
reatt
hebegi
nni
ngofawarNot
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Idon'tcar
e."Hel
ookedatme.Whatwas
goi
ngonhere?
Mnqobi:"
Okay.Tomorrowmor ni
ng.Butt
erf
ly,
can
wepleasetal
kinthemor ni
ng?Ihavesomethi
ng
i
mportantIneedtotel
lyou."
Pet
u:"
Whycan'
tyout
ellmenow?
"
Mnqobi
:"Becausei
t'
simpor
tantandIwi
llneedt
o
beabl
etoshowyouhowIf
eelaboutyou.Ri
ghtnow,
i
sabadtime.
"
Not
ha:"
ThePr i
nceI'
m pr
omisedt
o,Pet
u,i
s
Mnqobi
."Ist
aredathert
henhim.
Pet
u:"
Whi
chMnqobi
?"
Not
ha:"Bi
yela.Thi
sone.
"Il
ookedathi
m.Hel
ooked
embar
rassed.
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Iwasgoi
ngt
otel
lyo-
"
Pet
u:"
Butwhat
?Youwant
edt
ousemei
nst
ead?
"
Mnqobi
:"No.Idi
dn'
tuseyou-
"
Petu:"
Thenwhat!
?Whatdidyoudo?Iaskedyou
Mnqobionourfi
rstdat
eandyouhadachanceto
speakupbutyouli
edinst
ead!
"
Mnqobi:"
I'
m sorry.
"Myhear
tbroke.Ican'
tbel
ieve
I
'vebeensleepi
ngwi t
hmyfr
iendsboyfri
endand
f
uturehusband.
Petu:"
ThenyoukeptlyingbecauseIdi
daskyou
againaboutyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi t
hNothandobut
youlied."Thetearsrol
leddownmycheekswi t
hout
myper mi ssi
on.Thiswasnot i
metocrybutmy
heartwasshat ter
ed.Imusthaveevenl iedt
omyself
atacer tai
npointthi
nkinghewasal lmineand
for
get t
ingtheveryfactthatthi
spersonwasar oyal
pri
nce.Whot hehelldi
dIthinkIwas?Ihadtolaugh
thr
oughmyt earstocalm down.
Mnqobi:"Babypleaseunder
standIonl
ywant eda
chancetobewi t
hyou.YesIwasanasshol e,I
should'
vebeenhonestbutIwasn't
.Iwasdr i
venby
l
ustatthetime.Alloft
hathaschanged,Petuni
a
please.
"
Petu:"I
'
mi nyourf ami
lyhome.Sl
eepingwithyou
whileyourwifeisinherroom.Doyounothaveany
grai
nofr espectformeMnqobiBiyel
a?Allyousaw
wasawhor e-
"
Mnqobi:"
Don'tyoudar
esayt
hat
.You'
renott
hat
.
Youneverhavebe-"
Pet
u:"
PleasegetoutMnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Baby-
"
Pet
u:"
Yourbabyi
swai
ti
ngatt
hedoor
.Getout
."He
wal
kedout
.
Not
ha:"
I'
m sor
ry-
"
Petu:"What'
syourexcuseNothandobecauseeven
you,IspoketoyouthenightIwentonadatewith
him andyoukeptencouragi
ngme. "
Not
ha:"
Youl
ovehi
m."
Petu:"That
'snott
hepoint!Youshould'
vetol
dme
that
'syourhusband!
!"Isobbed."
Pleasegetout
.
Justleave!
!"
Not
ha:"
I'
m sor
ryPet
u-"
Petu:" OutNot hando."Shewal kedout ,shutt
ingt he
doorbehi ndher .Myhear tfeltsoheavy.Ihat ed
cryingsomuch.I '
veneverfeltsodi rt
y.Theyj ustsat
thereandl etmegi vemybodyandsoult ohim
knowi ngt hey'l
lendupt ogetheri nthefutur
el eaving
mei nabucketofmyownt ears.Whent heytalk
abouthowr uthl
essr oyal
sare, t
hey'renotjoking
becausewhatki ndofhellisthis?Shej ustsatt here
smi l
ingwhi l
eIspokeabouthi sst r
okes?Not hat '
s
witchcr af
tt oacertaindegree.Shewasmocki ngme
clearly.Bot hofthem werecr uel.Iwasonl ytheir
j
okeandnot
hingel
se.

KHAYAPOV_

Thur sdaymor ning.Iwentdownstai

rsdressedinmy
blacksui t
.Notmuchofachoi cetoday.Isatatt
he
table.Noonewasher eyetbutt
hetablewasdecked
withbr eakfast
.
Queen:"Myangel
.Goodmor ni
ng.
"Shecamef
rom
t
hekitchencar
ryi
ngatray.
Khaya:"
Mor
ningmama.Youwer
ebaki
ng?
"
Queen:"
Yes.Imadecupcakes.I
t'
sSboni
'
sfavor
it
e."
Khaya:"
Theyl
ookdel
ici
ous.
"
Queen:"Ial
sohavesomet hingforyou."Shewent
backtothekitchen.Soshewasst ressed.Iknow
whenshef usses,she'spr
obablystressed.She
camebackt ome." Openyourmout hdarli
ng.
"She
poppedachocol ateinmymout h,itmeltedin
secondswithal i
quidysweetcenter.I
ttoucheda
weakspotinmysoul .
Khaya:"
Hm.
."
Queen:"
Her
e'sanot
herone.
"Igotonemor
einmy
mouth.
Ki
ng:
"Whyareyouf
eedi
ngt
hechi
ldchocol
atei
n
t
hemorni
ng?
"
Queen:"
I'
m notf
eedi
nghi
m chocol
ate.
"
Ki
ng:"
Iwatchedyouputachocolat
etruf
fl
einhi
s
mout
h,it
'shardl
y7oclock.Khayaopenyour
mout
h."Ishookmyhead.
Queen:"Exactl
y.Ial
somadeyouyourfavor
it
e
breakf
ast."Mnqobiwal
kedi
n.Helookeddead.
"Sweetheart
?What '
swr
ong?"
Mnqobi
:"Not
hingmama.Longni
ght
."
Queen:"Iknowwhatyouneed.
"Shewentbackt
o
t
hekitchen.
Ki
ng:
"Iwonderwhatt
hepr
obl
em i
s."Hesi
ghed.
Khaya:"Si
nceQueenscounci
liscancel
led,
shemay
befeel
ingabitl
onel
ytata.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ri
ght
!If
orgott
hatt
heot
herqueensar
eher
fr
iends.Ohmylove."Hegotup,
goi
ngt
otheki
tchen.
Zwewal kedi
n,si
tt
ingdownaswell
.
Zwe:"Whyareyoueati
ngchocolat
einthemorni
ng
Khaya?"Iwi
pedthechocol
atefr
om thecor
nerof
mymout h.
Khaya:"
Mamagaveitt
ome. "Il
ookedatMnqobi
whowasstar
ingathi
splat
e.
Zwe:
"Di
dyougetanysl
eepMnqo?
"
Mnqobi :"Aboutt
wohour s.Iwaswor king."He
sighed.Nothandosatdownqui etl
ygr eeti
ngus.
Somet hinghappened.Mnqobiusual l
yhasl ovey
eyeswhenshe' saround,todayhe'
sj ustblank.Zwe
noticedtoobutkeptquiet.Theparentscameback
tositdown.MamahandedMnqobisomepancakes.
Mnqobi
:"Thankyoumama.
"
Queen:"
Hel
lobaby,
howar
eyout
hismor
ning?
"
Not
ha:"
I'
m wel
lmama,
howar
eyou?
"
Queen:"I
'
m good.
"Petucametothet
abl
ecar
ryi
ng
herbag."Nodar
li
ng.What'
sgoi
ngonnow?"
Pet
u:"
Goodmor
ningma,
tat
a.Ihopeyou'
rewel
lthi
s
mor
ning.I'
m sograt
efult
hatyouwel comedmeso
war
mlyinyourhomebutI '
vedecidedt ogobackt
o
myfat
her'shousesi
ncethere'
sthelockdown.I
r
eal
lyenjoyedbei
nghere.
"
Queen:"Nomyf lower.Youcan'tl
eave.Si
bonel
o
i
sn'tcheat
ing.ThisIpromiseyou.Iknowhim
sometimeshe'sneuroticbutheneedsspaceto
cl
earhishead.He'll
beback. "Pet
ulookedsosad.
Shewast r
yingnottocr y.Mnqobireal
lyf
uckedup
her
e.
Petu:"
It'
snotaboutPri
nceSibonel
o,mama.I
promise.I'
m onl
yjustmissi
ngmyfather
."
Queen:"
Ohokay.Wi
llyouatleastwaitf
orhimt
o
dr
iveyouhome?He'
llbehereanymi nute.
"
Pet
u:"
Noit'
sokayma.I
'
vecal
ledmyf
ather
.He'
son
hi
sway."
Queen:"Al
r i
ghtthen.Atleasthavesomebr eakf
ast."
Shesighed.Thi swasamess.Nowhal fthefamily
wasupset.Iat emybr eakfastquiet
ly.Si
bonelo
ar
ri
vedst i
lldressedinyesterday.Makingthings
worsebutitwasn' thi
sfaultshame.
Sibo:"
Famil
y."Hesatdown.Thepar
ent
skeptqui
et
onlyst
ari
ngathim.
Khaya:"
HibhutSboni
."MnqobiandZwemumbl
eda
hel
lo.
Queen:"
OhmyGod.
"Shebur
sti
ntot
ear
sandl
eft
fort
hebedr
oom.
Ki
ng:
"Youseewhatyou'
vedone?
"
Si
bo:"
AllIdi
dwaswal
kin?
"
King:"
Youmadepr omisest
oyourmotherand
rai
sedherhopesskyhighandt
henshatter
edher
dreamswhenshe'salr
eadygoi
ngthr
oughenough."
Si
bo:"
Byaski
ngforSpace?
?"Hegotupf
oll
owing
hi
smother
,Mnqobiwentaf
terhi
m.Aphonerang.
Petu:"
Myapol
ogi
es,thatwouldbemyf at
her
.Agai
n,
ThankyouKi
ngBiyel
af oropeni
ngyourhometo
me."
Ki
ng:
"You'
rewel
come.
"
Zwe:"I
'
llt
akeyoutothemai
ngat
eoft
heest
ate.
"He
gotupwalki
ngherout.
Ki
ng: "
Whatabadst artt
oanal r
eadydi
fficultday.
Nothando,
pleaselookaft
eryourmother.Youknow
Zi
nhleisprobabl
ystil
lsl
eepingandwil
lwakeup
wit
haphonest ucktoherfaceforhour
s.I t
'sa
wondershehasn'tgonebli
nd."
Not
ha:"
I'
lll
ookaf
terhert
ata.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thankyoumychi
ld.
"

Sibonelocoul dn'tleaveunt ilmamahadf al

len
asleep.Itdidn'ttakelongbutwheni tcomest oher,
he'l
ldropever yt
hing.Shewashi ssof tspot .For
about8year shewasherl astbornpr i
nceandshe
dotedonhi mt hencameMnqobiandaf terwar ds
Zinhle.Howevert hatbondneverbr oke.Hewas
obviouslylividwhenhel eftherroom.Mnqobihad
chosent hist i
met or unawaywi t
hZwe.NowI 'mleft
withthedr agon?Eh.OkayIguess.Af terget t
ing
changedt ocl eancl othes,
hegoti nhi scarandIi n
thepassenger .Thecarspedof ftowar dthehospi tal
.
Youcani r
ritateSiboneloal lyouli
kebutdon' tmake
mamacr y.Ij usthopewecansor tthisoutbef or
e
Mehluliarr
ivesbecauseIdon' twanthimt othinkwe
havepr obl
ems.Hisar ebigger,forsur
ebutwecan
onlydealwi t
honefami l
yatat i
me.Wear ri
vedatt he
hospit
al,walkingi
n,andst r
aighttoZwe'soffice.
MnqobiandZwewer ethere,hewasget t
ingyel l
ed
atuMnqobi .Ohhell
.
Zwe: "
HonestlyMnqobi!
!Whatthehel
l?It
'sone
thi
ngsleepingwithyourwi
fe'
sbestfr
iendand
anotherdoingiti
nourfamil
yhomebutt othenl
et
yourmot herbeatt
achedand-"
Si
bo:"
Myekengi
mshaye.
"Hepul
leduphi
ssl
eeves.
Zwe:
"AwumeSi
bonel
onawe!
!"
Sibo:"
Hesatthereanddidn'
tevenbothertobe
fucki
nghonest!
!Hismotherisi
ntearsandal lhe
canthinkofi
sImustkeephissecret.Ngizomshaya
mina,khul
umakewena. "
Mnqobi
:"BhutSbo-
"
Sibo:"
Don'tyoufucki
ngpissmeof fanymorethan
youhavetodayMnqobiBi yel
a."Ican'
tevensay
anythi
ng.Ididn'
twantanysmokef rom aZul
u
speaki
ngSi bonel
o.Hewil
llegi
tbeatyouup.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m sor
ryboobhuti
.Idi
dnotmeanf
ort
his
t
ogothisfar
.Pl
easefor
giveme."
Sibo:"
You'r
et el
li
ngyourmot
hert
het
rut
hTODAYdo
youunderstandme? "
Mnqobi
:"YesBhutSbo.
"
Sibo:"Nx."Het ookouthi sri
ngingphone." What!
?"
Heanswer ed."I'
mi nameet ingwithmyf amily
Mandl a.
..Idon'tknow, we'l
lsee."Hehungupand
staredatMnqobi .Hestil
lwant edtobeathim up.
"Howdoyouf uckupt wor el
ati
onshipsinoneday
Mnqobi ?Noman, st
icktomanagi ngthecompany
becauseyou' reashi tboyfri
end.Shit
.Shit.Shi
t.
Nxa. "
Zwe:
"Thi
sseemsper
sonal
."
Si
bo:"
I'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyouZwe.
"
Zwe:"
Hawu?We'r
eabouttohaveameeti
ng,
shoul
dn'
twesor
toutourdi
ff
erences?
"
Si
bo:"Notwhi
lemyemot ionsar
est i
llt
hishigh.No.
Thetwoofyouhavepissedmeof fenoughf orthe
week.
"Hesatdown,openinghislapt
op.I'm not
aboutt
opoket
hismant
oday.Nope.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Anot hernightofnosleep.I'dspentmyni ghtatthe

hospi t
alwithAmahl ebutshehadsl eptr i
ght
throught henight.Il
efti
nt hemor ningt ogetready
fortheday.Mt hunzihadgonet or est omeetLi nda
whohadpackedsomecl othesf orThembi sa.He's
probablyonhi swaynow.Iputonadi ffer
entoutfi
t
today.Mybat t
learmour.Itwasal lbl ack,secured
withbul l
etproofandswor dshi eldmat eri
al.Iwore
themi li
tarybootsandsecur edmyweapononmy
side.Mt hunziwalkedin,dressedi dentical.He
l
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Mor
ningsol
dier
."
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Hegavemet
hebag.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
it'
saper
fectf
it
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Youcanputt
heweaponasi
de.Ther
e'sno
t
hreatyet
.You'
rest
il
lgoi
ngt
oSasa,
youdon'
twant
t
oscareher.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
sthecarr
eadyeMt
hinomkhul
u?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes,
justwai
ti
ngf
oryourper
missi
on.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
lll
etyouknowassoonasIar
ri
veatt
he
vi
ll
a."
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Thembi
sawant
smet
obeKi
ng.
"
Mthunzi
:"Isee.Haveyouexpl
ainedt
oher
,whyyou
don'
twantit?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.She'
swor
ri
ed.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'sval
id.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tis.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Sowhatwi
llyoudo?
"Isi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llhavetosuckitupIguess.Ican'
tloseher
.
I
'l
lbei
nt hehospit
alsoon.Pl
easebewi t
hAmahl e.
"
Mthunzi
:"Wi
lldo.AndNkosi
,youhaveallofour
suppor
t.Weloveyou,wewil
lstandbyyou.No
mat
terwhat
.Ki
ngornot
."
Nkosi:"ThankyouMt hunzi .
"Hewal kedout .It
oo
walkedt omycarwher emyguar dswer e,theydrove
met othevi l
la.Icanimagi nethisi showmy
grandfatherfelt
.Ialsoimagi net hisisprobablyone
ofthetestsIhadcomi ng.Amahl ecanst ressme
somet i
mes.Whyi sshesl eepinghappi lyasi fIdon'
t
havepr oblems?Hopef ull
yshe' llbeawakewhenI
gettothehospi tal
.Thecardr ovei nt
ot hevill
a,
parki
ngi nit'
sspot ,myguar dscar sparki
ngbehi nd
me.Lookatt hisdrama.Al lthi
s, foroneper son.I
walkedi nt
ot hebuildi
ng.
Nkosi:"
Pleaseremai natt hedoor.I
'm withfami l
y."
Theywai t
edattheent rances.Ihadt hebagi nmy
handbutGodhi msel fwillhavetodr agmet oher
famil
yroom.Iwal kedi ntherestaurant,waiti
ng.
Heaven'ssake.If
or gotthegun.Qui ckly,Iundidthe
holst
erbelt,
let
ti
nglooset hemachine.Shewal ked
i
n,almostimmedi atelystari
ngatit.Iplaceditona
chair
.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ningmylove.
"Iki
ssedherl
ips.She
st
eppedaway.Par
ents.Wher
ewasmybr ai
ntoday?
"
Goodmor
ningMrandMr
sNt
aka.Myapol
ogi
es.
"
Mama:"
Mor
ningmyPr
ince.
"
Sasa:"
I'
veneverseenyoudressedl
iket
his?Whati
s
i
tfor?Areyougoingtocounci
l?"
Nkosi
:"No.Thi
sisabat
tl
esui
t.I
t'
smadef
orwar
."
Sasa:"
Whyar
eyouwear
ingawarsui
t?"Pani
cin
hervoi
ce.
Nkosi
:"I
thasoccur
redasofl
astni
ght
'smeet
ing,
wemayormaynotgoi nt
owar."
Xol
ani
:"Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Nkosi:"
Theot herroyalswanttoremovemyf at
her
fr
om thethrone."IlookedatThembisa."
Ihaveto
defendit
."
Sasa:"
Isn'
tawarabi
tdr
ast
ic?
"
Nkosi:"We'reonl yprepari
ngahead.Si
r,sincet
his
development ,it
'sli
kelythatt
helockdownbe
extended.Ifitisokaywi thyou,
IwantbringZanel
e
here,forsafety."
Xol
ani
:"I
fthat
'st
hecase,
wemi
ghtaswel
lal
lgo
home.
"
Nkosi:"
That'
stheproblem sir.Theymightstar
t
eMthinomkhului
ftheyat tack.I
'veal
readysent
someofmyar mytheret odefendthevil
lagebutI
'
d
rat
heryourfamil
yissaf elyhereawayf r
om the
chaos."
Xol
ani
:"Ihaveabusi
nesst
her
e.Ihavel
ivest
ock.
"
Nkosi
:"Icanpl
acesomeonet
her
efort
hatpur
pose
bymidday."
Sasa:"
Wait
..
.Nkosi
nhl
e,you'
reser
ious.Thenat
ion
mightgoi
ntoWAR?"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tmeant
oscar
eyoubuti
t'
sa50%
possi
bil
it
y.Si
r?"
Xol
ani
:"Br
ingmemychi
ld.
"
Nkosi
:"She'
llarr
iveby12.Pl easenoti
fyher
guar
dianthataroyalguar dwillbefet
chingher.She
mustonlyhandheroverwhenheshowshi sbadge.
Thecolour
sar ePurple,
BlackandGol d.Mt hunziwil
l
beonli
ne,checkingalli
nteracti
on.She'l
lbesafe."I
pi
ckedupmygun." Ihaveanot hermeetingtoday.
TheBiyel
a'
sarehel
pful,wehavethei
rall
ianceonl
y
cur
rentl
y.I
t'
spower
fulsoI'm hopi
ngthi
sdoesn't
l
eadtodrasti
cmeasures.Pl
easedon'tworry.
"
Sasa:"
Pleasebesaf
eNkosi
."Ismi
led.
Nkosi:"
I'
llbef
ine.I
'
llbebackduri
ngtheday.Please
tr
ynottowor r
y.There'
sguardsal
laroundt
he
peri
meterofthismountai
n.You'
resafeher
e."
Sasa:"Thankyou. "Icouldonlydri
nkinherbeauti
ful
facefr
om t hissafedistancebutIwasgratef
ulfori
t.
Shewasst i
llnervousabouttheimpendingwar
whichisn'tanybet t
erthanherdisappoi
ntedlook
whenIt ol
dherIdon' twantt obeaking.Shewas
worthit.I
fIdi di
tforanyone, i
twouldbeher.
..
[
07/
27,
05:
58] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er60

PRI
NCEPOV_
Iwalkedi
ntot
hehospitalst
art
inginAmahl e'
sroom.
Shewasfinal
lyawake.Mthunzisatinhischai
r
whil
eshelayonthebedunderbl anket
s.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Yousl
eptt
hrought
heni
ghtIwant
edt
otal
k
t
oyou."
Ama:"Isl
eptt
hroughtheni
ghtonpur
pose.You
don'
tneedmenow, doyou?"
Nkosi
:"Icoul
d'vej
ustgonehomet
osl
eep,
you
shoul
d'vetol
dme."
Ama:" Yourchoi
cetostaywasyour
salone.Idi
dn'
t
t
ellyounottosleep.Ar
eyoureadyforyour
meeting?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Si
bonelosayshestar
tedwitht
heplans.
He'
llbeshowingusphase1l at
ert
oday.Mthunzi
,
youspoketotheotherweaponcompanies?
"
Mthunzi
:"Yes.They'
veallcompl
iedandsigned
agr
eement s.I
'
veemailedthem t
oyou."Il
ookedat
Amahle.
Ama:"Nott
hatmeet
ing.Yourf
atheri
smeet
ingyour
wi
fe.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
vewar
nedhi
m enough.Thebal
lisi
nhi
s
cour
t.
"
Ama:"
Haveyoupl
annedwher
etheywoul
dmeet
?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Ama:"
askZwe.
"
Nkosi
:"He'
snott
alki
ngt
ome.
"
Ama:"
Askhi
m st
il
l.
"
Nkosi
:"I
m notabi
gfanofr
eject
ionAmahl
e."
Ama:"
Youdeserveitt
histi
me.
"Webot
hlookedat
t
hedoor.Zwewalkedin.
Zwe:
"Mor
ning.
"
Ama:"
Hel
loZwe.
"
Zwe:"Let
'scheckont
hesewoundsangel
."He
openedthebandageonherback."
Hmm."
Ama:"
What
?"
Zwe:
"Yourwoundshavecl
osed.They'
resel
f
heal
ing.
"
Ama:"Thatswhathappenswhenonei
simmor
tal
for
tunat
ely.
"
Zwe:
"That
'si
ncr
edi
ble.You'
rever
ybl
essed.
"
Ama:" Idon'tt
hinkso.Idi
eforalivi
ng.Ithur
ts.So
far,
gunshotdeat hisnotmyf avori
te.
"Heplaced
hisstethoscopeonherback.
Zwe:"Doyouwantt odescri
beitf
orme?Sinceof
cour
seI'veneverdi
ed."Shegiggl
ed.Whatwasthat
now?Amahl enevergi
ggles.
Ama:" Itwasdi f
ferentsensat i
onshonest l
y.Onmy
backitf eltli
kesomet hingver yhotwasbur ni
nginto
meandwheni twasi nsidest art
edshat t
eringmy
nervesandmuscl e.Everythingt eari
ngapar tatthe
seamsatt hesamet i
me.Shocki ngmei nternall
y
untilt
hepoi ntofnumbness.Theonesi nmyhead
wasasi fsomeonewashi t
ti
ngawoodenpol eover
andoveragai n.Icoul dfeeltheheatbur nt hrough
myskul landt ouchmybr aintissue.Ithi
nkIdi ed
fr
om shockact ual
ly.Veryuncomf or
tabl
e."
Zwe:
"Asadoct
or,
youj
ustdescr
ibedmyni
ght
mar
e.
Icanonl
yimagi
net
hatt
ypeofpai
n."
Ama:"Itgotnumbaft
eraminute.Eventhesound
muted,ithadtobet
hegodsthatknit
tedmetoher
unt
ilt
heend. "
Zwe:"
Wet hankthem.Andyou.Youdi
damazi
ng
andyou'
regett
ingdischar
gedt
oday.
"
Ama:"
Thankyou.
"
Zwe:
"Itwasanhonour
."If
oldedmyar
msst
ari
ngat
hi
m.
Ama:"
Nkosihassomet
hingt
oaskyou.
"Hel
ooked
atme.
Zwe:
"YesNkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoudone?
"
Zwe:"
Depends.
"Ist
aredathi
m."Ial
sohaveeyes
Nkosi
nhl
e,Icanl
ookatyoutoo.
"Mthunzichuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"Myfat
herissupposedtomeetThembisa
today.Idon'
twanthim atthevi
ll
a.Isther
eapl
ace
youcansuggestthatwillbesaf
ef orher?
"
Zwe:
"Yes.I
fyouwantt
odr
opyourat
ti
tudeyoucan
usemyhouse.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihaveanatti
tude,
Zwelet
hu?Awhol
efutur
e
Ki
nghasanat ti
tudetoyou?"Hetr
iedt
ohi
dehis
smil
e.
Zwe:"Myapologi
est
hen.Youcancomet
omy
house.Justl
etmeknowwhen."
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Zwe:
"You'
rewel
come.
"
Mthunzi
:"Letmet
aket
heangelupt
othe
mountai
n."
Nkosi
:"I
fshe'
sanangelwhatdoyoucal
lme?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thef
utur
eKi
ng.
"Theyl
aughed.

SASAPOV_

Honestlymymot herwasli
vingherbestli
fe.Aftera
heart
ybr eakf
ast,shehadamassageatt hespa.I
spentmostofmymor ni
ngtakinganapaf ter
dri
nkingmypi ll
s.Mywoundhur tspeci
fi
callyt
oday.
Myf atherst
ayednexttome, r
eadinganewspaper
.
WhenIwokeupsomehour slater
,wetookawalkin
thegarden.Mymot herwassitt
ingonabenchby
theflowers,
eati
ngfruit
.Ispr
int
edt oherwi
tha
dangerousspeed,paini
ngmywoundevenmor e.
Me:"
Mama.
"Ibr
eat
hedi
npai
n.
Mama:"
Hai
boThembi
sa!Whyar
eyour
unni
ng?
"
Me:"
Don'
ttoucht
hef
lower
s.Don'
t.
..
ow.
"Isatdown.
Xolani:"
Sasa,
youhaven'
theal
edpr
oper
ly,
you
shouldn'
tscar
eusli
kethat.
"
Me:"
Theflowerisdeadlyt
ohumansmama.The
bl
ueone.Pleasedon'
ttouchi
t.
"
Mama:" Ohmntanam youst r
etchedyour sel
fonlyto
tel
lmet hat
?I'
m aroyalguestI'm notabouttotouch
anythi
ng.Theysai
dIhaveabut lerwhomustdo
thi
ngsforme.Sithere,he'
l
lbringsomewat er.
Xolaniwhydoyouhaveasourf aceon? "
Xol
ani:"
You'
rebusyenj
oyi
ngyour
sel
f,yourchi
ldi
s
i
npain."
Mama:"
OkayXol
ani
,i
fIwasnotenj
oyi
ngmysel
f
wouldThembisanotbeinpain?Woul dmymi sery
cureherpai
ns?You'
reunreasonable.Sasahas
medicati
onandyou.Ihadmyl abourpainswithher
andendured.I
t'
syourtur
nnow, beaf at
her.Yoh.
Singaf
a."
Xol
ani
:"Doyouwantt
ogot
other
oom mychi
ld?
"
Me:"Notat
a.Let
'ssi
thereforabi
t.Ir
eall
ylovet
his
gar
den."Al
soIdi
dn'thaveenoughoxygentomake
i
tbacktothesui
te.
Xolani
:"Okay,I
'
llgetsomewat
er.
"Hewal
kedi
nto
thebui
lding.
Mama:"
Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Yesmama.
"
Mama:" Ihopeyou' r
et r
eat
ingthismanwel l.Doyou
seethegoodl ifeyou'r
eaboutt oli
ve?I
nl if
e, you
mustf i
ndyour sel
famant hathasthemeanst olove
you.Abeaut i
fulroof,agardenfil
ledwithtreest hat
bearfruit.Ser
vant s,Thembisa.Grassgreenert han
Godsf rontyard.Thati samanThembi sa.Be
respectfultohim.Makesur eyougivehim pl enty
chil
dren.Lookatt hi
splace.Itneedschildr
en. "This
i
snotaconversati
onIwasexpecti
ngfr
om my
mot
herbutIcan'tsayI
'
m sur
prised.
Me:"
Okaymama.
"
Mama:" Don'tworr
yaboutyourfather
.Focuson
yourpri
nce."Ichuckl
ed.Myfathercamebackwith
waterandsatdown." Thembi
sa,yousayhebuil
t
thi
splace?"Idranksomewater.
Me:"
Hedesi
gnedi
t.He'
sanar
chi
tect
."
Mama:"Per
sonall
yI'
m convi
ncedhepeepedin
God'
swindowandcopiedfrom t
her
e.Lookatthi
s
TakaThembisa?
"
Xol
ani
:"Howar
eyouf
eel
ingThembi
sa?
"
Mama:"Thembi saisn'
tgoi
ngtofeelanybett
erthan
shedid3mi nutesago.Answerme.Isn'
tthi
splace
heavenl
y?"Igiggl
ed.
Xol
ani
:"I
t'
sni
ce.
"
Mama:"Xol
anii
snotyournameshame.Someti
mes
youmustbesoftwhent
hingshappensot
hatyou
canenj
oythem.
"
Nel
e:"
SASA?
!!"Il
ookedatt
hedoor
.Shecame
r
unni
ngt
ome.
Xolani
:"Car
efulZanel
e."Hecaughtherj
usti
nti
me.
"Caref
ulmyangel,she'
ssti
lli
npain.
"Ismil
ed.
Me:"
Heyyou.
"Shehuggedmesof
tl
y.
Nel
e:"
OhmyGod,
thi
spl
ace!
!"
Mama:"Youseepeopl
ethatappr
eci
ateni
cet
hings
Xol
ani
?"
Xol
ani
:"Mnt
anam,
howwasyourt
ri
p?"
Nel
e:"
Yoht
ata.Iwassoexci
ted!
!"
Mama:"Howcanyoubeexci
ted,
ridi
ngwi
th
st
ranger
s?"
Nel
e:"
Haikemama.Youtol
dmet
ogowi
thhi
m
whenheshowshi
sbadge."
Xol
ani:"
Don'
tenter
tai
nyourmother
.Howwast
he
vi
ll
age?Didyouchecktheani
mals?
"
Nel e:"Yestat
a.There'
stwoguysthere,theywere
feedi ngthegoatswhenIleft
.Yoh,t
here'
st r
ucks
drivingupanddownt hestr
eetsandsoldier
snow.
Event heroadtotownhadar oadbl
ock.What '
s
happeni
ng?
"
Mama:"
Thatpr
incewasser
ious.
"
Xolani
:"Thisisver
ybad.Howi
sthecommuni
ty
responding?"
Nele:"They'
rescar
edTatabuti
tsai
dinthenews
thi
smor ningthatt
hePri
ncewil
lbespeaki
ngint
he
evening."
Xolani
:"Okay.Atleast
.Ntombenhlepl
easedon'
tgo
tel
li
ngyourfriendswhatishappeni
ngbefor
ethe
pri
nceannouncesf oreveryone.
"
Mama:" Hai
boXolani,
doIlooklikeabigmout
h?I'
m
aroyalguest
,Idon'
tgotal
kingaboutourbusi
ness
tovi
ll
agers.
"Ispatoutmywat erlaughi
ngwi
th
Zanel
e.
Xolani
:"MakaThembi
sawher
ewi
llyougoaf
teral
l
thi
shassettl
ed?"
Mama:"Thevil
lageobvi
ouslybutnowI'
m st
il
lli
ving
l
if
e.Nelewhat'
sthatthi
ngofyoursyoul
iket
osay,
whathappensatVigastaysi
nViga."
Nel
e:"
Vegasmama.I
t'
sVegas.
"Icoul
dn'
tst
op
l
aughi
ngdespi
temypai
n.
Xol
ani
:"Takei
teasyThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
I'
mreal
lyt
ryi
ngTat
a."
Mama:"Nel
e.Pleasedon'
ttoucht
hebl
uef
lower
s,
t
hey'
repoi
son."
Nele:"
Yoh.AndIl ovefl
ower
ssomuch.Lookathow
beauti
fuliti
s.I
'm notgoi
ngt
otouchany.Who's
that
?"Ilookedup.Zwecameout,wal
kingtowards.
"Ohmy. .
.god.
"
Me:"Zanel
e."Ihi
ssed.Di
dshewantourf
athert
o
spankher?
Zwe:
"Gooddayf
ami
ly.
"
Xol
ani
:"Doct
or.
"
Mama:"
hel
loDoct
or.
"
Me:"
HiZwe.
"
Zwe:
"ihopeyou'
real
lset
tl
ingwel
l
."
Mama:"
Ver
ywel
l,
doct
or.
"
Zwe:
"I'
m gl
adt
oheari
t.Icamet
ocheckuponyou
Sasa,
canwegoi
nsi
def
orasecond?
"
Me:"
Sur
e."
Nel
e:"
Letmehel
pyoumysi
s-"
Me:"Nobabygirl
.Yousitr
ightherewit
hmommy
anddaddy.
"Istoodup,chuckl
ing.Thi
schi
ld.I
fol
lowedZweinsidet
hebuildi
ngtooursui
te.
Zwe:
"Howwasyourf
ir
stni
ghtoutofhospi
tal
?"
Me:"Ali
tt
lescar
ybutIunder
standI'
m saf
ehere.
Justt
heanxiet
ysometi
mes.Thisisthepl
aceIfi
rst
methim."
Zwe:
"Ki
ngSi
khosana?
"
Me:"
Yep.
"It
ookof
fmyshi
rt
.
Zwe:
"Whyar
eyoubl
eedi
ngnow?
"
Me:"
That
'swhyi
thur
ts.Ir
anabi
t.
"
Zwe:"
IthoughtIt
oldyounomaj
ormovement
s
Thembisa.
"
Me:"
Iwastryi
ngt
owar
nmymot
hernott
otouch
uMkhambi
."
Zwe:"Sti
ll
."Hecl
eanedmywound.Ar
eyouner
vous
abouttoday?"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Zwe:
"It
'l
lgowel
l
.Nkosiwi
llbet
her
ewi
thyou.
"
Me:"
Ishecomi
ngher
e?"
Zwe:
"Who?Nkosi
?"
Me:"
No.TheKi
ng.
"
Zwe:"No.You'
l
lmeethi
m atmyhouse.He'snot
al
lowedhereandhewon'tbet
ryi
ngt
oirri
tate
Nkosi
nhleanyt
imesoon.
"
Me:"
Oh.
"
Zwe:
"Don'
twor
ry.You'
l
lbesaf
e."
Me:"Okay.
"Hedr
essedt
hewoundwi
thacl
ean
bandage.
Zwe:
"Haveyouspokent
oyourf
ri
endst
oday?
"
Me:"
No.Howi
sAmahl
e?"
Zwe:"She'
sfine.She'
l
lbest
ayi
ngher
easwel
l
.What
aboutNothandoandPetu.
"
Me:"Ihaven'
tswitchedonmyphone.Isuppose
someonecol l
ect
edmybagsaftertheshooti
ngand
tookthem t
oLindabecausemyphonewasi nthe
bagNkosibroughtwi t
hmycl
othes."
Zwe:"Youcangiveyourphonet oSibonel
o,he'
l
lrun
asecuri
tysweepforyou.Hecanf igureouti
fyour
phonewasswi t
chedon,unlockedorevenused
aft
eryourshoot
ing.
"
Me:"
Hmmm.
"
Zwe:"
Iknowyou'
renothi
sfanbuthewon'
tbe
wei
rd.Ipr
omi
se."
Me:"
Het
oldyou?
"
Zwe:
"What
?"
Me:"
Nevermi
nd.
"
Zwe:
"Tel
lme.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Not
hing.
"
Zwe: "
Finethen.You'r
egoodt ogo.Please,no
suddenmovement s.Noheavylif
ti
ng.Beaqueen
fr
om thispointfor
ward."Ichuckl
ed,f
ollowinghim
outthedoor.Nkosiwaswai ti
ngatreception.I
huggedhi
m.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.You'
rebl
eedi
ng.
"
Me:"
Howdoyouknowt
hatNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Icansmel
lyourbl
ood.
"Hest
eppedback.
Me:"You'
renotavampi
re.Sowhat
'st
hei
ssue.
"He
l
ookedatZwe.
Zwe:
"What
'
swr
ongNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tsmel
lherbl
ood,
Ishoul
dn'
t.
"
Me:"
WhyNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Iwon'
tbeabl
etocontr
olmyangernearhi
m.
I
fheevenmakesaslightmovement
,Iwi
llt
earhim
t
opieces."
Zwe:"Surel
yit'
snotthatbad.
."Nkosishookhi
s
head."Ohfuck.Okay.Thenyoucan'tgoinwit
hher
obvi
ously."
Nkosi
:"No.Nothappeni
ng.
"
Me:"
I'
llbeoka-
"heshowedmehi
shands."
Ohno.
"
Zwe:
"You'
l
lhavet
opost
ponet
hen.
"
Me:"No.Iwantt omoveonwi t
hmyl if
e.Ineedt odo
i
ttoday.Willguardshelp?"Nkosistartedpaci ngthe
fl
oor,shaki
nghi shead.Iheldhisar m wavingof fhis
fl
ames.He'snotaboutt oburnmeaddi ngtomy
i
njuri
es."Baby,please.Lookatme. "Hest oppedand
l
ookedatmewi t
hf i
reinhiseyes.Myhear tshiver
ed.
Thatisscary."Howi sAmahl e?CanIgoi nwi th
her?
"Hebl inkedandt hefl
amesdi sappear ed.
Nkosi
:"Okay.ButI
'
llber
ightout
side.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Ibr
eat
hed.

Thedr i
vetoZwe'
shousewasprobablythemost
fr
ighteni
ngri
deIevertook.Myf
atherwasnextto
mei nthecarhol
dingmyhand.Nkosiwasinthecar
behinduswithAmahle.
Xol
ani
:"Ar
eyousur
eaboutt
hisThembi
sa?
"
Me:" Yestata."Wedroveintotheest
ate.I'
venever
beent hi
ssideoft heci
ty,i
tlookedgorgeous.The
houseswer ehugeandt heyardswerespacious.I
t'
s
beensai d,t
hiscommuni tyalonewasabout100
mill
ionpossi blymoreandonl yt
wofami l
iesowned
i
t.Isn'tthatjustmad?Wear rivedatabeaut if
ul
housemoder ndoubl est
oryhouse.I tlookedso
dreamy, str
aightoutofamagazi ne.Isighedout
l
oud.Ner vousagai n.Watchinghouseshad
distract
edmeal lof3mi nutes.Wegotoutt hecar
noticingt heli
neofsecur i
tyandst ri
ngofbl acked
outSUVcar sdownt hestreet.Thispersonwas
serious.
Xol
ani
:"Al
ltheseguar
dsar
eforhi
m?"
Me:"
Ithi
nkso.
"Nkosiwal
kedupt
ouswi
thAmahl
e.
Nkosi:"
Anysi
gnofdishonest
y,suddenmovement
,
orrai
seinhi
svoi
ce.Justdropavase.He'
l
lknow
me."
Ama:" Relax.ComeThembi sa."Wewalkedi nt
othe
quiet
,pristi
nelycleanedhouse.Amahleledust ot
he
l
ounge.TheKi ngst oodbythewindow,star
ingat
thebackyar d."Father.
"
King:"Mehl'
amahle.
"Shesatdownonacouch.My
fatherst
oodnexttome, squeezi
ngmyhand.The
Kingslowlytur
nedtolookatme." Commoner
sbow
whent heyaddressme."
Me:"
Nott
heonesyout
ryt
oki
ll
."
King: "
Clearl
yI'
m bei
ngtest
ed.
"Helookedback
outside."SaywhatyoucameforsoIcansalvage
therestofmyaf ter
noontosomethi
ngIcantryto
enjoy."
Me:"
Thatsoundsl
onel
y."
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa!
"Hehi
ssed.
King:"Ihavegivenyoumypr icelesst
ime.
Somet hingyou'r
ethrowingbacki nmyface.That
boyfri
endofyour swon'tbeinher easecondaft
er
youdropdead.Don' tmakemeaskyouagai n."I
droppedmyf at
her'
shandwal kingtowardhim.
Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkanythi
ngIsaytoyouwi llget
thr
oughbutIdowantt ost
artwit
hthis.Eversince
comingbackfrom t
hemountain,
I'
vebeendr eami
ng
yourmother
.NobomiNonkosiSikhosana."
Ki
ng:
"And?
"
Me:"Justli
keI,shet
oowasacommoner .Onet hat
HisMajestyKingNgidumi
sefellinl
ovewith.I
twas
bel
ievedthatchil
dbi
rt
hkil
ledher.Thatwasalie."
King:
" Howdareyou?Howdareyoucomet ome
andLIEaboutmyf ami
ly?Aboutmylegacy?Doyou
understandt
hatpeopl
eli
keyougetbeheaded?
"
Ama:"
Fat
her
."Shewar
ned.
King:"Ohlethim comei n,Idon'
tfuckingcare!
!
Listentothisrubbi
sh!?Imustsither eandlist
ent
o
this?No,allofyoudisrespectmecl earl
y."
Me:" Youhavenor easont obel ievemeandI
under st
and.Youmayhat ewhatIt ellyoubutpl ease
l
istenandpr ocessi tinyourownt i
me.Ki ng
Bhekizizwedidn'tbelievethatNonkosiwascar ryi
ng
thehei r
.Hebel i
evedt hatshehadbewi t
chedhi sson.
Hehadhert estedathernami ngr i
tual.Theheal er
's
namewasMel aphi.Hewasashor tmant hatkept
l
ongf i
ngernailsandwor emanybeads.Hehad
bladescar sonbot hsi desofhi sface.Hecuther
palm andherbl oodt ouchedhi m.Mel aphi
confirmedr i
ghtthent hatNonkosiwasi ndeed
carryingthefutureSikhosanaki ngbutwi t
ht hat
confirmationtoldKingBheki zi
zwe, Nonkosi '
st r
ue
origi
n.Shewasf rom thevi ll
agecal ledeMcebo.I t
wascal ledthetreasur evil
lage.Itwassai dthatthe
vil
lagebirt
hedcompani onsoft hethrone.
Unf ort
unatelyMelaphialsotoldtheKi ngt hat
Nonkosihadbl oodstrongerthanhi sandshecould
kil
lhim.Thi swasabl atantli
e.Yourmot her
woul d'
veneverhur tasoul.Herbl oodi snoway
strongerbutitwaswor t
hthatofaki ng.Itwasat
thatmoment ,hedecidedtohaveherki ll
ed."
Ki
ng:
"Howdar
eyou?
"
Me:" Ri ghtaftershegavebi rth.Sheaskedf orwat er
,
whicht hequeengavet oher .Shedi dn'tdiebecause
shewasweakaf t
ercar ryi
ngyou.Shechoset o
spar eyourl i
fei nexchangef orher s.Whenshewas
givent hatwat er,youwer ewi thyourgr andfather
andwoul d'
vesuf focatedbyhi shand.Thel ast
wor dsshespokebef oreshedi ed,wasYoucan' tkil
l
aking.Yourl ifewasmor ei
mpor tanttothisnat i
on,
toher ."Hest aredatmewi t
ht hecoldnessoft hose
orangeeyesswi rl
ingar oundl ikeliquidtrappedi na
bottle.Hewasbeyondangr y." Thefir
sttimeImet
you, thesunwasshi ningbr i
ghtast hegodsl edme
toyou.Ourpat hscr ossedfort hefir
sttime, Iwas
mesmer i
zedbyyourbeaut y, myhear tskips
everyti
meit urnoverandseeyou.Youaccept edmy
form asbr ut alandt ruet hent amedmet oonl ybe
foryou.Mysoulbel ongst oyou. "Hi seyessof tened
gradually."Ever ynightheusedt osi ngt hissongat
7pm wi thoutf ail
.Hel ovedherunt i
lthedayhedi ed. "
Hel ookedatt hef l
oort henbackoutt hewi ndowbut
Iknewhewasl istening." Ifyouhavequest ions, I'
d
behappyt ohel p.Theancest orsar ecur rent l
yangr y
atthelineage.Ki ngNgi dumi se, hisf atherKi ng
Bhekizizwe, hisf atherbef orehi m andt heone
beforethathaven' tbeenaccept edi nt heancest r
al
realm.Ther e'sbeenadi sconnectandyouhavet o
mendi tbef or et hedayyoul eavet hisear thoryou
willbeint hesameposi tion.Theoner ightt hingt hat
HisMaj est y, KingNgi dumi sedi ddoeveni nhi spai n,
hewhi sper edwhenhebur ntdowneMcebo.Wi ll
ing
myf athert oescapeadeadl yfirewi thoutascr at
ch.
Whyhedi dt hati ssomet hingonl yknownbyhi m
butyouandIknowhenevermademi stakes.I tis
notbymi stake, Nkosi nhl ef ellinl ovewi thsomeone
whowasn' tsupposedt oevenexi st.Buther eIam.
Evenaf teryout ri
edt oki llme. "Iwal kedout .
[
07/
27,
05:
59] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er61

SASAPOV_

Ihadfinal
lylef
tZwe'
shouseaf t
erthemeet i
ngwith
theKing.Myheartwassti
llbeat
ingfast
,prayi
nghe
doesn'tf
oll
owmeorf i
nishmeof f.Myfatherhel
d
myhand.
Xol
ani
:"Youdi
dwel
l
."
Me:"
ThankyouTat
a."
Xolani:"
ButThembisa,youwil
lhavetostart
respecti
ngtheKing.Hemaynotbeyourf avouri
te
person,especi
all
yaft
erwhathedi dbutIrai
sedyou
tobewel lmanneredandrespect
fulofel
ders.
"
Me:"
Iwi
llTat
a.I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Xolani:"Ihopedf orasmal l minuteyou' dwakeup
from thatcomawi t
hnomemor yoft hisprinceso
thathecanl eaveyoual oneandyoucanal soleave
him.However ,Iquickl yerasedthati deai nmyhead.
Irespectyourchoi cesmychi ld,Ionlyeverwant
what '
sbestf oryou.I '
veseenhowyoureyesl i
ghtup
whenyouseehi m.Icanseet hatyoul ovehim very
much. "Ilookedatmyhandsonl ap, blushing."He
doesn'tdeser veyoubutt henagai n,noonedoes.
Butyou' reaqueenThembi sa.Youdeser vethe
worldt hathewi llgiveyou.Youdeser vehi stypeof
protectionandhi sl ove.Youdeser veaki ng.Ijust
wantyout oal waysr emembert obeyour self.As
youl ovehim, don'tf orgetyourselfaswel l
.Inthat
way, yourmar r
iagewi l
lbeequalandf ai
rtoyoubot h.
Isti
llhavemydoubt sabouthi m butt hatisforme
towor kt hr
ough. "Ihuggedhi m.
Me:"
ThankyouTat
a.Thatmeanssomucht
ome.
"
Xolani
:"Andyoumeanevenmor etome.Thembisa
I
'm notsayi
ngstartpoki
ngmetogiveint
othe
thi
ngsyouwant."Igiggl
ed,
cuddl
inginhi
schest
.
Me:"
Iwon'
tTat
a.Il
oveyou.
"
Xolani
:"Il
oveyoutoo."Wedr oveint
oeNtabeniand
walkedin.Amahlearri
vedjustaft
erme.Mamaand
Zanelewereintherest
aurantsamplingf
ood.Can
theyevendothat?"WhatisthisNtombenhl
e?"
Mama:"Thechefaskedi
fwecanhel
phi
m wi
th
somenewdishes.Sowe'
ret
asti
ng.
"
Xol
ani
:"Zanel
e?"
Nel
e:"Mamaaskedthecheftomakeussamplest
o
t
aste.
"Il
aughed.I
'
veneverevenseent
hechefof
t
hispl
ace.
Xolani
:"Nt
ombenhl
e.Pl
easest
opt
his.Whydoyou
l
iketoembarr
assme?"
Mama:"Xol
ani,howam Iembarr
assingyou?The
Pri
ncesai
dwecanuseal lthi
ngsinsi
dehere.I
'
m
al
wayscookingforyouathome,nam Iwouldl
iket
o
becookedforatl
east.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
doyouwantt
orest
?"
Me:"
YesTat
a.Letmei
ntr
oduceAmahl
efir
st.Mama,
t
hisi
smyfri
endAmahl
e.She'
sNkosi
'
ssist
er.Amy,
t
hisi
smymom andmyl
it
tl
esi
sterZanel
e."
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Mama:"
Youarethel
astpr
incessoft
het
hrone.I
t'
s
ver
yni
cetomeetyou,
pri
ncess."
Nel
e:"
Hel
lo!
"
Me:"
Amy,
Zwesai
dyou'
rest
ayi
ngher
ewi
thus.
"
Amy:"Yes.Ineedtobeclosert
ohim sohedoesn't
havetotr
aveltothepal
aceeverydaytocheckon
me."
Me:"
Shoul
dIhel
pyout
oyourr
oom?
"
Ama:"
Sur
e."
Me:"Nel
e,comelet'
shelpAmahl etoherroom.We'll
bebackTata.
"Zanelewalkedwi t
hus.Wer eached
Amahle'
ssuit
eandwal kedin.Itwasclosestt
o
Nkosi
'sandalmostidenti
calt
ohi sbuthershad
dar
kercolour
s."
Howar eyoufeeli
ng?"
Ama:"Somuchbetteractual
ly.It
hinkt
hepainhas
subsi
dedqui
teal
ot.I'
llbeokaybymor ni
ng.
"
Me:"
That
'sgr
eat
.Ihaveaquest
ion.
"Il
ayonher
bed,shelayontheot
hersideoft
hebed,
Zanel
esat
attheedgeofthebedfaci
ngus.
Ama:"
Shoot
."
Me:"
So.
..Iwasexpect
ingt
omeetyourmoms.
"
Ama:"Dadprobabl
ytol
dthem t
ostayathome.I
al
soassumet heydi
dn'
taskbecauset
heyknowI
can'
tyouknowwhatsoI '
l
lbefi
neanyway."
Me:"
Ohh.Iwasnervousaboutmeet
inghi
m
of
fi
cial
lybutal
soaboutmeet
ingt
hem."
Ama:" Mymomsar ef
inegeneral
ly.Notenti
rel
y
affect
ionat
ebutthey'
rether
e.Bir
thmom i smore
feeli
ngthough.
"
Me:"
Doyout
hinki
t'
sbecauseshe'
sbi
rt
hmom?
"
Ama:"Yesbutal
soshe'saki
ndwomani
ngener
al.
Secondmom is.
..asr
oyal
sare.
"
Me:"
Event
oherchi
ldr
en?
"
Ama:"Ohyeah.Shedoesn'
thavefavour
it
es.Nkosi
andIaret
hesamet oherasthetwinsbutIt
hink
shel
ikesNkosimore.
"
Me:"
Becausehe'
sanhei
r.
"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Nel
e:"
Howar
eyoursi
ster
s?"
Ama:"
Mean.Idon'
tli
ket
hem.
"
Nel
e:"
Ouch.Why?
"
Ama:"
They'
rej
ustl
iket
hat
."
Nele:"
Ican'tbemeantoSasa.Eventhough
sometimessheannoysme, Ican'
tnotli
keher.
Especi
all
ywhenshebl ockedmefrom myfuture
husband."Amahlechuckl
ed.
Me:"
Andwho'
syourf
utur
ehusbandZanel
e?"
Nel
e:"
Thedoct
orguy.
"Shebl
ushed.Wel
aughed.
Me:"Zanel
ethatmanist
oool
dforyou.Anent
ir
e16
year
sagediffer
ence.
"
Nel
e:"
Buthe'
ssodr
eamy.
"
Me:"
Nomyki ddo,
youmustdr
eam aboutAphi
we
who'
sthesameage."
Nel
e:"
Not
hanks.Iwantt
omar
ryi
ntor
oyal
ty.
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"We'
llf
ocusonf i
ndi
ngyouaroyalpr
incewhen
youareabove18.Fornow,
schoolworkSisi
."
Ama:"Youdonotwantt omarryaprince,
trustme.
"
Me:"Hai
boAmahl e.I'
m qui
tel
it
eral
lygett
ingready
fort
hat.
"Shechuckled.
Ama:" Your sisanexcept i
on.AndmaybeZwe.Al l
theot her sareverysket chy.Si bonel ohashi sego
problems.Mnqobii si ndecisive,hewant stobewi t
h
twowomen, yethecan' ttelleitheroneoft hem.
Don'tgetmest artedont heNakhamul aboys,
i
ntelligencei satzer o,they'
r enotgood
l
ooki ng, t
hey'renotf unny.Theonl ythingt heyhave
goingf orthem isthef actthatt hey' r
er oyal.Not
event hebestr oyals.Bottom oft hepack.Then
there'st hePhakami saPr i
nce, Not hando' sbr other.
He'scoolbuthe' sl i
kelytobel i
keSi bonelobecause
Hisf ami lyisquiteloaded, they'ret op3i nf inancial
royalscal es.Mpondodoesn' thaveboysunl ess
you'rei ntogirl
s."Zanel elaughed.
Nel
e:"
Howol
dist
hePhakami
saPr
ince?
"
Ama:"
He'
s16.
"
Me:"
Perf
ectagef
oryouZanel
e.What
'shi
sname
Amy?"
Ama:"
Lungel
o."
Nele:"Pri
nceLungel
o.Argh.Hisnamesoundsso
sexy."Ishookmyhead,giggl
ing.
Me:"Maybei t
'sbecauseyoudon'tknowSibonel
o's
ego.IfLungel
oisgoingthatdi
recti
on,tr
ustmeyou
won'twanthim nearyou.
"Amychuckl ed."
Hey,have
youspokent oPetu?"
Ama:"No.Ispoket
oNot
handot
hough.Shet
old
Pet
u."
Me:"
Howi
sshe?
"
Ama:"
Notgoodappar
ent
ly.Shewenthome.
"
Me:"HayiAmahl
e.Pl
easecal
lher,
Ican'
tusemy
phoneyet.
"Shet
ookoutherphonedi
ali
ngPet
u's
number.
Pet
u:"
Hel
lo.
"Sheanswer
ed.
Ama:"
Hey.
"Sheputt
hephoneonl
oudspeaker
.
Me:"
Howar
eyoubabe?
"Shesi
ghed.
Petu:"Canyouguesswhot hepri
ncepromisedto
myf ri
endis.
"Il
ookedatAmahl e,
unabletoanswer.
"Wait.
..Di
dyouknow?"Ican'tl
ietomyf r
iendbutI
wasn'tagoodpersonforkeepi
ngt hi
ssecret
.
Me:"
Yes,
fri
end.
"
Pet
u:"
Wow.
"
Me:"Petu,
itwasn'
tmyplacetot
ellyou.Ican'
t
speakonroyalarr
angement
sunti
lthey'
re
announcedpubli
clyal
so,
itwasnotmypl ace.
"
Petu:"You'remaki ngexcusesThembi sa.I
'm your
bestf r
iend.Thesameper sonyout oldaboutyour
rel
ationshipwi t
hHi sHi ghness,andIkepti tasecr et
foryou.Ihel pedyou.Andt hati
sbiggert hanar oyal
arrangedmar ri
age.Whywoul dn'ti
tbeyourpl ace?
Wasi tmypl acewhenIcont act
edHi sLor d,Mt hunzi
,
organisingtheswi tchofcar sandhi dingyouf rom
Sibonelo?Iwental loutandwoul d'
vedonemuch
mor eforyou. "Myhear tbroke.Shewasabsol utel
y
ri
ght.I'dfai
ledher .
Me:"
I'
m sor
ryPet
u.Imadeabadcal
l.Ishoul
d've
sai
dsomethi
ng.
"Igotupfr
om bed,wal
kingoutt
he
deckl
eavi
ngAmahlewit
hZanele.
Petu:"It
'sokay.I
thaspassednow.Maybeitwas
somet hi
ngIhadt ogothrough.I
t'
saboutt
imeI
focusedonschool .Thi
sli
feissui
tedt
oyouguys
better
."
Me:"
Pet
udon'
tsayst
uffl
iket
hat
."
Pet
u:"LikewhatThembisa?Ifool
edmyselft
hinki
ng
aguylikeMnqobiwouldfallf
orme.If
ooledmyself
i
ntothi
nkingheactual
lylovedme."
Me:"
Youdi
dn'
tfoolyour
sel
fPet
u.Het
oldyout
his.
"
Petu:"Yeahbutpeopl elieThembi sa.Allthi
stime,
I'
m goingoutwi thhi m, Nothaishelpingmewi th
outfi
ts,she'sinterestedi nourinvolvement .Ieven
tol
dherhowhei sinbedbecauseshe' smybest
fri
end.Ipour edmyhear ttoher.ShesawhowIf el
t
abouthi m butkeptqui et.Ican'
thelpbutt hinkshe'd
probablybel aughi ngbehi ndmybackwhenshe
goest oherr oom.Thest upidgir
lwhowasbei ng
usedf orsex.Andoncehe' sdone,hewi llwalkhis
dream downt hatai sl
eandl i
vehappi l
yeveraf ter
.I
can'thel
pthinkabouthowIwasactuall
yhiswhor e
forhissexualneedsandshe'
sthepureuntouched
fl
owerhewant stobeseenwi
thbyhisside."She
sobbed.Iwipedmyt ears.
Me:"
I'
m sosor
ryPet
u."
Petu:"Iwasar oyalf
oolThembi sa.Doyouknow
thereisaf oolne?Li kear egularf ool
.Anyonecan
bethat.It
'si nevitabl
e.Then, t
her e'saroyalfool.
Thattakesaspeci alt
ypeofper son.Ar oyalfoolis
onlyforent ertainment,performingandbei ng
obedienttor oyal sandwhent hey'redonel aughing
attheactions, theyturnar oundandf ocuson
themselves, leavingyout hereexhaust edand
degraded.That 'showIf eel.
"
Me:"Petu,you'r
enotaf ool.You'r
einlove.
Somet i
mes, becauseofthatlove,wedot hi
ngswe
wouldn'tor
dinaril
ydo.Youshowedhi m yourl ove,
andgavehi m allofyou.Forhim nott
oappr eciat
e
thatsaysmor eabouthimt hanitdoesaboutyou.
You'reagoodwoman. "
Pet
u:"
Itdoesn'
tfi
llt
heempt
inessi
nmyhear
tri
ght
nowbutt hankyouThembi sa."Shechuckled
throughhertears."
I'
veneverfeltsohumili
ated.Al
l
thetimeI'minthatpalace,
hispar ent
sthi
nkI'm
Sibonelo'
sgirl
fr
iend.Didhecorrectthem?No.I
reall
ywasadi rtysecr
etThembi sa.Ihavetogo.I
wantt ofor
getaboutthisri
ghtnow. "
Me:"Pet
u,I
'm sor
ryaboutthi
s.Youdonotdeserve
t
hisatal
l.I
'
m sorryaboutmysilenceaswel
l.Pl
ease
f
orgi
vememyf ri
end?"
Petu:"
Ifor
giveyou.Iknowyouwoul
dn'
t
i
ntenti
onal
lyhurtme.It'
sokay.
"
Me:"
Okay,
I'
llcheckonyoul
aterokay?
"
Petu:"
Thankyouf orcal
li
ng.Bye.
"Shehungup.My
heartf
eltsoheavy.Iwal
kedintheroom,Zanel
e
wasplayingmusiconherphone.
Nel
e:"
Howaboutt
hatone?
"
Ama:"
It
'st
oosof
t.
"
Nel
e:"Yousaidt
heotheronewastoovi
olent
."She
gi
ggled."
Soyoureal
lydon'
tli
stent
omusic?What
doyoudo? "
Ama:"
Ireadbooks.Il
over
eadi
ngsomet
imes
wat
chi
ngseries.
"
Nele:"
Okay.Okay,
we'reget
ti
ngsomewhere.What
typeofser
iesdoyoulikemaybefr
om knowi
ngt hat
wecanf i
ndamusi cgenref
oryou.
"Amahlelooked
atme.Igaveherphoneback.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Nel
e:"
Mnt
ase,
areyoucr
ying?What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"
Nothing.I'
mfine.Ij
ustneedsomeai r
."I
wal
kedoutthesuit
e, al
mostbumpi ngintoNkosiat
t
hedoor.Iclosedi
t."Heylove.Thoughtyouwerein
ameeti
ng."
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"
Me:"
Nor eason."Het
ookmyhand, l
eadi
ngmet
o
hi
ssuit
e.Hecl osedt
hedoorbehi
ndus.
Nkosi:"
Noonecr
iesf
ornor
eason.What
happened?
"Hesatmeonhi
slap,huggi
ngme.Il
ay
myheadonhisshoul
der
.
Me:"Ij
ustfeelsogui
lt
y.It
houghti
twasn'tmyplace,
butwho'splacewasi
t?Him?Sure,absol
utel
ybut
asherbestfri
endit
'salsomypl ace.Shef oughtfor
mekuZi mmyandkeptyouasecr etformet il
ltoday
sti
ll
.Ofcourseshe'
sright,i
twasmypl acetotellher
.
I'
mj ustaswrongasNot hando.
"
Nkosi
:"WhoisNothando?Idon'tunder
stand
anyt
hingyou'
vej
ustsaid,mylove."
Me:"
Pet
u,mybestf
ri
end,
hadacr
ushonMnqobi
."
Nkosi
:"Bi
yel
a?"
Me:" Yes.Shedi dn'
tsayanyt hingtohi
m.Onl y
Amahl eandIknew.Sheshowedmewhohewasat
school,andhecamet oi ntroducehimsel
f.Al lgood.
Soever yti
mehebumpedi ntohersomewher ehe
woul dsayhi .Eventuall
y, hesentheramessage,
duri
ngt hehol i
days.Theywentt ohavedinnerand
that
'showt heirt
hingst arted.Itt
henescalatedt oI
l
oveyous.NowIknewNot handowaspr omi sedt o
MnqobibutIdi dn'
ttellPet ubecauseIjustthoughtI
can'tbetalkingaboutr oyalt hi
ngsthathavenot hing
todowi thme.Anyway, li
fewenton.Not handot ol
d
Petu,Ithinkyesterdayort oday.Petui
sreall
y
upset."
Nkosi
:"Whyi
ssheupset
?"
Me:"She'si nlovewi t
hhi m.Besidesherbeingi n
l
ovewi t
hhi m, thisisherbestfri
endsf utur
e
husband.Thesamef riendshe'
sgot t
ensocloset o,
tal
kedever ythingaboutMnqobit o,evenli
vedin
Mnqobi'
shomewi t
hf orthepastf ewdays.She
feel
sli
ket heypl ayedher .Asfr
iends, wehandledit
horr
ibl
y.IfeelsobadNkosi .
"
Nkosi
:"So.
..Mnqobiwassl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
swi
fe'
s
bestf
ri
end."
Me:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Me:"Ohkodwanawest
handwasam sometimes.I
don'
tknowwhy.Mendostr
angethi
ngs.Heknew
NothandoandPet
uwer
einthesamecircl
e."
Nkosi
:"It
hinkyouj
umpedf
rom Mnqobit
omenver
y
qui
ckl
ybaby."Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Ithoughtyouhadameet
ing.
"
Nkosi
:"Ido.Ihavet
hree.Ihavetost
artwit
h
Mthunziwit
hourworkthings,af
tert
hatIgotel
lmy
f
atherwhat'
sgoi
ngont
heni
t'
stheBi
yel
a'
sfort
he
warret
ali
ati
onpl
an.
"
Me:"
Okay.Imi
ssyou.
"Iki
ssedhi
sli
ps.
Nkosi
:"Imi
ssyout
oo.
"
Me:"
Oh.Andmyfat
heri
swatchi
ngyoul
ikeahawk.
Youwer
eright
.Hei
swarmi
ngup."
Nkosi
:"It
oldyouI
'
m adel
ight
."
Me:"
Ohpl
ease.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Ihavet
ogomyl
ove.Youhat
eitwhenI
sl
ackoffwork.
"
Me:"
Ireall
ydo.We'llt
alklat
erbaby."Igotupf
rom
hi
sarms.Hewal kedmeouthol di
ngmyhand." I
l
oveyou."Hesteppedclosertome,holdmycheek.
Nkosi:"
Ili
veforyou.You' r
emyr eason.Il
oveyou
tooThembisa."Hekissedmyl i
pssl owlythenpulled
away."Goinsi
demyl ove."IwalkedinAmahl e'
s
suit
eandhewal kedawayoncet hedoorcl osed.For
thefi
rstt
ime,Ididn'
tfeel t
heimmedi at
eurget ofeel
formystomach.I nfact,Ihaven'tfel
ttheurgesince
wecamebackf rom meet i
ngtheki ng.
SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Ihadti
mebeforeournextmeeti
ngsoIobviously
tookMnqobihome.HemusthavethoughtIforgot.
Wewalkedinthehouse.Mom anddadwereint he
l
oungewatchingashow.
Queen:"
Youseethatdress?Iknewshewouldmake
amasterpi
ece,
thatgi
rli
st al
ent
edMziwabo.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'smadef
rom pl
ast
ic.
"
Queen:"
Iknowyou'
renotsi
tt
ingher
euninvest
ed.
Theassi
gnmentwasuseRecycledMat
erial
sThat'
s
whysheusedplast
ic.
"
King:
"Wouldn'
tithavemadeabet
terst
atementi
f
sheusedcardboard?Pl
ast
ici
stheharmfulmat
eri
al.
Whygl amour
izeit
?"
Queen:"
Thisi
swhyIdon'
twatchmyshowswi
th
you.Youuset
oomuchlogi
c."
King:"Butbaby,
you'
ret
heonethatarguedthe
assignmentandheruseofpl
asti
cs.Iseethedress
i
spret
ty,
butwoul
dn'
tyoumakeabi
ggeri
mpacti
f
i
t'
ssaf
e?"
Queen:"Fashi
oni
snotsaf
eMzi
wabo,
it'
sdar
ing.
You'
reruini
ngmymood."
Si
bo:"
Par
ent
s."
Queen:"
Hisweet
ies.Wher
e'sKhaya?
"
Sibo:"
Hel
pingZweatt hehospi
tal.Mnqobineedsto
speaktoyou."Helookedatmewi thcar
tooneyes.
Doeshethinkthatwil
lwork?"
Sit.
"Isatdown,hesat
nexttome.
Queen:"
What'swrong,myl i
tt
lewarri
or?
"Ihel
din
mychucklebecauseli
tt
lewar r
iorwasnotl
it
tl
ebut
hewasdefini
tel
ywarri
oring.
Mnqobi
:"Uhm.I
'
m sor
rymamaf
orever
ythi
ng.
"
Queen:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Mnqobi:"I
'm sor
ryIdecei
vedyou.Ishoul
d'vebeen
honestfr
om thestar
t.I
'm sor
ryTat
a,for
di
srespecti
ngyourhome."
Ki
ng:
"Tal
k."
Mnqobi:"Acoupl
eofweeksago.ImetPetu.We
wentoutonadateanduhm...Onethi
ngledto
anot
her."
Ki
ng:"
Whatwouldbetheonet
hingandwhati
sthe
ot
herMnqobiBi
yel
a?"
Mnqobi
:"Wehadsex,
Tat
a."
Queen:"
OhNo.
..
"
Ki
ng:
"Isn'
tthi
sgi
rl
,yourwi
fe'
sfr
iend?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yessi
r.
"
King:"
Andyou'resleepi
ngwi t
hher?You'
resl
eeping
withyourwif
e'sfr
iend?Thesamewi feyoubegged
andpleadedmet ogetforyou?Thesameoneyou
wroteanagreementsolelyf
or?Justsoshecanbe
yoursandyoursalone?"Nothandost
oodatthedoor.
Shelookeddisappoint
edtoo.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m sor
ryBaba.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whybr
inghert
omyhouse!
?"
Mnqobi
:"Thi
ngsdevel
opedBaba.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ihopet
oGodt
hatt
hingdoesn'
thavear
ms
andlegsMnqobiBi
yel
abecauseIwi
llknockyou
out
."
Mnqobi
:"NoBaba,
she'
snotpr
egnant
."
Ki
ng:
"Doyouhaveanyi
deawhatyou'
vedone!
!!
"
Mnqobi
:"YeboBaba.Ngi
yaxol
isa-
"
King:"Uxoli
sakubani?
?Am Iyourwi fe!
?We'rei
nthe
beginningofwhatlooksli
kear eadywarandyou
wanttof uckupouronlyarrangementbecauseyou
cannotkeepyourpenisinyourpant s!
!?DearGod.
"
Hegotup, wal
kingout.
Queen:"MnqobiI '
m sodi sappointedinyou,myson.
Thisisnothowwer ai
sedyou.Youseeyourf at
her ,
thevalueshei nstil
ledinyouar ethesameashi s
acti
ons.Hedoesn' tgooutt heret ocheatonme.
Neverhasi nthepast32year swe' vebeenmar r
ied.
Youhaven' tevensi gnedapaperyetyou' r
eshowi ng
thewor l
dwhatyourpeni slookslike?NoMnqobi .I
would'veunder stoodifyouwer en'tpr
omisedbut
youlit
erall
yhaveyourwi feri
ghther e.TheoneYOU
chose.Whati st hisnow?Tobr ingyourmi st
ress
home?No, thi
si sdisrespectfulmybaby.No. "
Mnqobi :"
I'
mr eall
ysorr
ymama. "Hi
svoicet
rembl
ed.
"I
twillneverhappenagain."Hestoodup,l
ooki
ngat
Nothando."I'
m sorryNothando.Idi
dn'
tmeanto
disgr
aceyou. "Ist
oodup.
Sibo:"Wehaveameet ingt ogett o.Let'
sgo. "Iheld
hisarm wal kingoutt hehouse.Hewasaboutt o
breakandasmuchashef uckedup, Ican'twat ch
thathappen.Ist art
edt hecar ,dri
vingout ."Weal l
fuckup.I t'
showwegr ow.Theonl ywayt ogr owup
i
sr eali
singyourmi stakes, acknowl edgingthem and
recti
fyingit.Whatyoudi di nthereist wost epsand
that'
sgood.Sot hatmeansnomor el i
esMnqobi .
You'redi ff
erentfrom usbecauseyouchoset obea
husband.Noonef orcedyou.Ibeggedyout o
reconsider ,
Ibr i
bedyour el
ent l
esslyunt i
lyout oldon
me.Soyouchoset hi
spat h.Nowyouhavet o
endur eit.Beagoodhusband.I fyou'refuckingup
nowbef oreyousi gnt hatmar riagecer t
ifi
cate,what
assuresever yoneyouwon' tbef uckingar oundasa
mar r
iedman?I tendsnow.Youhear ?"
Mnqobi:"
YesSbo.
"Ilookedoverathi
m wipi
nghi
s
t
ears.Don'
ttel
lmethi
sstupi
dboyf el
linl
ove.
Si
bo:"
Mnqobidoyoul
ovet
hisgi
rl
?uPet
uloyo?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yes.
"
Sibo:"
Yho.Youar esuchachaot icchi
ld.Ngenzeni
ukuzengifanelweyilokhu,Nkulunkul
u?"Idroveint
o
theparki
ngl otofthehospitalandparked."
Please
wipeyourtears."Iopenedt hearm compartment
andgavehi m atissue.Irestedonmyseatst ari
ng
atthewallahead.
Mnqobi
:"Thankyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Mawuqedil
eungazi
seukhal
elani
.Honest
ly.
"
Hechuckl
ed."
Canyouper
for
mi nt
hismeeting?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yes.
"
Sibo:"Good.Mendon' tcryduringthedayMnqobi .
You'resupposedtocryaf termidnightl
ikeawi t
ch.
Mendon' tcryfornoreasonsoTheymustr elease
thosetoxinsatstr
angehour ssothatwecan
perform bet
terduri
ngt heday.Itaughtyouthis.
"He
l
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"You'
resomet
hingel
se.
"
Si
bo:"
Asambeke.Wehaveaver
yimpor
tant
meeti
ng.I'
mt r
yingt
owi nawarbef oreithasbegun,
wenaubusyuyakhalala.Thi
siswhyIst ayaway
fr
om women'sladybit
s.Nextthi
ng, you'r
ecrying
befor
emeetingsbecauseabasakfuni."Helaughed.I
gotoutt
hecar .
Mnqobi:"
Sbopl
easest
op.
"Wewal
kedi
nthe
hospi
tal
.
Sibo:"
Imustst opnow?Wenadi dyoustopwhen
youwer efall
ingi
nlove?NiksbecauseSboisher
e,
he'l
lfi
xit.Ey,Iwonderuzot
hiniwhenI'
m nol
onger
here.
"
Mnqobi
:"You'
l
lal
waysbeher
e."
Sibo:"Mxim.WipeyoureyesMnqobi
,youknowyour
brother
.NowImustexpl ai
ntoZweandgetyel
ledat
foryourthings?
"
Mnqobi
:"Idi
dSbo.Myeyesar
edr
y."
Si
bo:"
Good.
"..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_
Isatwi
thmyfatherinhi
sSt
ell
arshome.Appar
ent
ly,
KingBi
yel
abuil
titforhi
m.
Nkosi
:"Ni
cehouse.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'sl
it
tl
e."
Nkosi
:"I
thas10bedr
ooms.
"Her
oll
edhi
seyes.
Ki
ng:
"Dr
ink?
"
Nkosi:"Yes."Hepour
edmeadoubl eandanother
forhimself.Theonl
yper
sonhepour sadr i
nkforis
me.I'veneverseenhiml
iftafi
ngerforanyoneelse.
Idrankmyshoti nonegoatthesamet imeashe.
Ki
ng:"
Wheredi
dyoufindher?"Hel
eanedbacki
n
hi
schai
randst
aredatthef
loor.
Nkosi
:"Metherinacl ub.Herfir
stti
met here.She
l
ookeddif
ferentfrom theusualclubgir
ls.
I
nter
esti
ng.Friendly.Ext
remelygorgeous."
Ki
ng:
"That
'si
t?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Ij
ustf
eltdr
awnt
oher
."
King:
"Howdoyouf eel
aboutherknowi
ngt
hings
aboutyourancest
ors?"
Nkosi
:"Theyt
rust
edherwi
tht
hoset
hings.
"
King: "
Iknewnot hingaboutmymot her.Myf ather
refusedt ospeakabouther .Foraver ylongt i
me, I
didn'tknowt herewassuchat hingasmot her'
s.My
grandmot her,thequeen, shedi edwhenIwasi n
diapers.Gr andf athermar ri
edagai nbuthi swi ves
keptdyi ngf orsomer eason.Irememberonet ime
wewenthunt i
ng.I twasMyf at
her ,hisfatherandI
withsomeguar ds.Wehunt edjustf i
ne.Hadagood
ti
meeven.Wel l
, grandfatherandI .Myf atherwas
neveri nterestedi ntalking.Hehat edit.Hehat ed
beingspokent o.Igr ewupknowi ngt hat.Inour
hunt i
ngt ri
p, awi lddogcameabout .Thebi ggestI '
ve
evenseen.Theguar dst r
iedtopr otectthef ormer
king,mygr andf ather,butmyf athersnappedt heir
neckst henst oodback.Thedog, kil
ledgr andfather
i
nst antlyandwentof f
.Youknowwhatmyf ather
said?Thef ir
stwor dshesai dtome? "
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Ki
ng:"
Hesaid,
'yourmot
herslastwor
dsbeforeshe
di
edwhil
eyouwer ei
nherarmswere,Youcan'tki
ll
aki
ng.
"Hewasdeepi nhi
sthoughtsr
eminisci
ng
thi
smemor y."Thenhesai d,'
butthatdoesn'tmean
Hecan' tbekill
ed.'thenhewal kedaway.Noone, not
asinglepersoni nthewor ldwast herebesideshim
andI .SoIknow, nooneknewherl astwords."He
pouredanot herdr i
nk."Icanexcuseever yt
hingelse
toguessesandt hei nt
ernet.ButThesong, theti
me,
thelastwords.Onl yIknowt hat
."Hedrank." What
didyoucomet ot alkabout."Andthatwasi t.
Nkosi:"TheRoyalswantyouof fthet hr
one.Seeing
thatyou'r
edist
ractedaf t
erAmahle'sshooti
ng, t
hey
fi
gureit'
sthebesttimet odethr
oneyou.They
banishedtheBiyel
a' sfr
om councilbecausethey
stoodbyus.Sibonel ohasdrawnupar etal
iat
ion
planincasetheyst artawar.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
oneedyout
ocal
m do-
"
King:"
TheywanttotakeMYt hr
onef r
om me?The
onethatwascreat
edonlyformylineage?Cl
ear
ly
I'
vebeenslacki
ngMehlul
ibecausethesepeopl
e
haveforgot
tenwhothehel
lIam. "
Nkosi
:"AndIagr
ee.However
,weneedt
odot
his
ami
cabl
y-"
King:"I'
m donewi thami cable.Itol dyout hef i
rst
ti
me, weneededt oteachNakhamul aal essonand
whatdi dyoudo?Yougavehi m asecondchance.
Thatwasaweakdeci sionMehl uli.Looknow?Had
theyfeltourwratht hefirstt
ime, theywoul dn'teven
fantasi
zeaboutdoi ngt hiseveragai n.Myson, thi
s
i
sat i
mef oryoutonowexer ciseyourpower .Show
them who'sKing.Doyouunder standme?Show
them Mehl ul
i,
I'
vegotyourback. "Myf atherwas
ri
ghtint hi
sinstance.Theonl yreasont heyfelt
comf ort
abledoingt hi
sagai nwasbecauseno
punishmentwasgi vent hefirstti
me.
Nkosi
:"Agr
eed.
"Igotup,
wal
kingout
.

Iarr
ivedatthehospi
tal
,wal
kinguptoZwe'soff
ice.
Theyallwerewait
ingforme.Isatdown,
with
Mthunzinexttome.
Nkosi
:"Am Il
ate?
"
Zwe:
"No.Let
'sbegin.Sbo?"Ist
aredatMnqobi.
Howcoul
dyousl eepwithyourwife'
sbestf
ri
end?
Doest
hatmakesense?
Sibo:"Ihavet hisrecor di
ngfrom lastnight.Thisi
sa
conversationbet weenNakhamul aandMandl a.
"He
playedther ecordingwhi letypi
ngonhi slaptop.I
l
istenedtot heconver sat
ionclearly,
qui t
e
disappointedt hatthesear ethepeopl eImustf i
ght.
Ialmostf eltbadf orthem.Howdoyoupl anto
dethroneapower fulf
ami l
y,withoutat horoughplan?
Nkosi
:"Sohi
sst
rat
egyi
sget
ti
ngyoural
lyshi
p?
That
'si
t?"
Sibo:"Stupidright
?Anyway, It
ookthelibert
yof
placingaf ewar mytanksatyourpalaceincase
theyinvadei t
.Bothyourfatherandyouar einthe
city,
whichl eavesyourgroundsopen.Idon' tputmy
fullt
rustonr oyalguar
dsbutanar myi sloyal.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodt
hinki
ng.Whataboutt
heent
rancest
o
t
hecit
y? "
Sibo:"Bl
ockedbysoldier
s,checki
ngeachvehicl
e.
Youhavet oaddressthecit
izenst
oni
ght.Update
them aboutthepri
ncess.
"
Nkosi
:"Ipl
annedondoi
ngt
hatbutwe'
dst
il
lhave
t
helockdownproblem,Idon'
twantmyciti
zensout
i
nthefi
ringl
ineandIdon'twantt
heseonestoknow
we'
reprepar
ingfort
hem."
Sibo:"
Wemightnotneedt
oexpl
ain.
"Hef
uri
ousl
y
typedonhi
slapt
op.
Nkosi
:"What
'shappeni
ng?
"
Sibo:"
Somethingiscomi
ngint
otheci
ty.I
'
m gett
ing
asignal.Mnqobi
?!
"Mnqobihel
dhisot
herlapt
op,
typi
ng.
Mnqobi
:"I
t'
sanai
rcr
aft
.Af
ew.Ican'
trecogni
se
t
hem-"
Si
bo:"
Gotem.
"Ist
oodupandl
ookedatt
her
oof
.
Mthunzi
:"Whati
sit?
"Aloudexpl
osi
onwentof
f,
f
oll
owingbyanother.
Sibo:"
Shutdown.
"Ani
ndescr
ibabl
eheatswept
overmybody.
Mnqobi
:"Shut
ti
ng.AndDone.
"Aloudcr
ash
f
oll
owedby4mor ehitt
heci
ty.
Si
bo:"They'
redown.We'
reoff
ici
all
yinwar.
"
Mthunzihandedmygun,t
alki
nginhisphone.
Mthunzi:"
Wheredidtheyatt
ack?Nowe'reint
he
east
.Okay."Helookedatme."Theyat
tackedt
he
westwingofthehospital
.Shoul
dIsendour
ai
rcr
afts?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Zwe:
"Nkosi
nhl
e!"
Nkosi
:"I
fair
craftsareshooti
ngateachot
herontop
ofaci
ty,t
hey'l
lfallont
ocit
izenshomes!
!Wait
!!
"
Mnqobi:"
Morecoming.
"Alloft
hem star
edatme.A
suddenwhipcr
ackl
edthroughthesky.
Nkosi
:"That
'l
lbutust
ime.
"
Si
bo:"
Ibegyourpar
don,
YourHi
ghnessbutr
ain?
?"
Nkosi:"No."Ilookedoutthewi ndow.Theyal l
l
ookedupi nthesky.Theaircraft'
smovedcl oserbut
awhi rl
windsweptt hr
ought hem cl i
ngingthem
upsidedowni ntheai
r.Thepilotsf l
ewoutbutgot
sweptintothesamewhi r
lwind, asitci
r cl
edinone
spotasahur ri
canewould.Itallsuddenl yst
opped.
Allair
craft
ssmashedi ntoonebal lofanexpl osi
on
andsweptof fint
othesky.
Nkosi
:"Askyfl
ood.Myf
atherwi
llmopt
hecl
ouds
wit
hthem.".
..
[
07/
27,
05:
59] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er62

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Istaredoutt hewindowi npur east onishmentatt he

greyski esturni
ngbl ack.Awhi rlwindswi r
ledallthe
aircraf
tsandt hoseappr oachingi ntoaspi nni
ngai r
wheelbef oresmashi ngt hem t oget herandwhi sking
i
tof finthesky.Askyf lood.I.HAVE.NEVER.Seen
askyf lood.Ididn'tevenknowi tcanhappen.
Suddenheavyr ainspour edint heskywi thice.The
offici
alshowwasover .I'm scaredIunder estimated
thisfami l
y'
sar r
ogancebecausei t
'sjusti
fi
ednow.I
staredatZwe.Hel ookedj ustasper pl
exed.Mnqobi
andKhayal ookedmor ti
fied.Oh, thankGodI '
m not
theonl yonebecauseIwasbegi nningtothinkI'm
cr
azy.Icoul
dn'
tevenlookatMehlul
iint
heeyel
et
al
oneask.WasIallowedtoask?
Nkosi
:"Fant
ast
ic.Nowwecangetbackt
owor
k."
WORK?Youwon' texpl
aint
hat
??
Zwe:"Uhm..okay.Wher
ewerewe?Khaya.
"He
hi
ssed.Khayahadbothhandsoverhi
smouth.He
dr
oppedthem andlookedatt
hefl
oor,
shaki
ng.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llcheckt
hedamageint
hewestwing."
Hewalkedout.Uhh??Sonoonewi
llsayanyt
hing?
Mnqobi :"
Cleanup.Weneedt ocl
eanup.Ther
e's
curr
entlyfi
vecrashedaircr
aft
sintheci
ty.Weneed
tofi
gurewher etheyar
e.Hopeful
lynoonehas
been..
.uhm.Hurt."
Sibo:"
Goodthi
nki
ng.Ist
il
lhavethem l
inkedonmy
computerf
rom t
heshutdown."
Nkosi:"Qui
ckly.I
fanyoneinsideanyofthem i
sst
il
l
al
ive,Iowet hem."Youowet hem what
?Iwantedto
askbutIdidn'tneedtoknowt heanswer.Oh,I
'
m
defi
nitel
ynotsleepingt
oday.Itookmyphone
call
ingmyf ather
.
Si
bo:"
Checki
ngont
hepar
ent
saswel
l.
"
Nkosi
:"I
sther
eat
ankwi
tht
hem?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
mypr
ince.
"Myf
atheranswer
ed.
King:
"OhthankGod.Sibonelo,i
severyoneokay?
Thehospi
talwasbombed. "Icouldhearmymot her
cr
yingint
hebackground.
Si
bo:"
Ever
yonei
sfi
neTat
a.I
smamaokay?
"
Ki
ng:
"Dar
li
ng,
they'
ref
ine.Al
ltheboysar
efi
ne.
"
Queen:"
Wher
e'sMnqobi
!!
"Igavehi
mthephone.
Mnqobi:"YesmamaI'
mf i
ne.No,weweren'
thi
t.
Onlythewestwingwashi
t.We'
realli
nZwe'sof
fi
ce.
Yes.Yesmama.Okay."HegaveZwethephone.
Anotherphoner
ang.
Nkosi:"
Love."Heanswer edcal
mly,si
tti
ngdown.
ThiswasthescariestpersonIknew."YesI'
minsi
de
thehospit
al.No,I
'
mf ine.Ever
yoneissafe.Iwoul
d
neverli
ebaby.Zwe, i
sthereanyoneinthewest
wing?"
Zwe:
"No,
thatsi
dewascl
osedsi
nceTuesday.
"
Nkosi
:"Nooneishur
t,baby.Pl
easedon'
tcr
y.Ican'
t
comehomer i
ghtnow."Hewalkedoutt
heoffi
ce.
Khayahungupmyphone, handi
ngitt
ome.
Zwe:"
Howdi dever
yonefi
ndoutsoqui
ckt
hatmy
hospi
talwasbombed?"
Sibo:"Themediawastippedoffsur
ely.Theone
whor eleasedt
hestor
yf i
rsti
smybet .Doyouthi
nk
theysawt heskyf
lood?"
Zwe:"
Idoubti
t.Ever
yonewasf
ocusedont
he
hospi
tal
."
Khaya:"W-whatwasthatBhutZwe?ThePr i
nce
knew.Heknewi twouldhappenandIcanletthatgo
buthaveyoueverheardofaskyfloodbecauseI
haven'
t!
!"Hewhisper
ed."Iwasnotexpecti
ngtosee
air
craf
tsclungint
heairbywindandtheirown
debri
!"
Zwe:
"Khayacal
m down.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m gett
ingapani
cattack."Isathi
m down
onthecouch.Zwegavehim apillandwater.
Si
bo:"
Dri
nkupbug.Cl
oseyoureyesandbr
eat
h."He
l
eanedbackont hecouchwithhiseyescl osed.I
l
ookedatZwewi thashockedpleaseexpl ai
nl ook.
Heonl yshrugged.Il
ookedatMnqobi ,hesatnextt o
histwin,el
bowsonkneesl ooki
ngatt hefloor.Ihad
tostartworki
ngquickbecauseit'
scleartheseones
weredone.Isatinf r
ontofmyscreens, hackinginto
theaircr
aft
s,theywerenotthelat
estbutf air
ly
equipped.I
nsideeachhadacamer a.Twopi lotsin
each.
Sibo:"
Ther
e'stwopi
lot
sineachai
rcr
aft
,one
cameraineach."
Zwe:
"Ar
etheydead?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.
."Icheckedal
lcamer
as."
Wai
t.
..Onei
s
movi
ng.Ai
rcraf
t2."
Nkosi
:"What
'st
hel
ocat
ion?
"Myhear
tjumped.
Whendidhewalki
n?
Sibo:"
Thi
rdhi
ghway,
U11,
about7mi
nut
esf
rom
here.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llf
etchhi
m."
Zwe:
"Whati
fhe'
sdeadbyt
het
imeyougett
her
e?"
Nkosi
:"It
'l
ldohi
m agooddealnott
obe."Buthe'
ll
bedead?Orhe'dbr
inghi
m backtoli
fe?Myinsi
des
shi
vered.No.
Zwe:"Let'sgo."Istaredatmybr ot
herinshock.
Theywal kedoutt ogether.Iconnectedmysecond
l
aptop, andtappedi ntoNakhamul a'
sphone.Hewas
usi
ngi tcurrentl
ycal l
ingBathonga.
Nakhamul
a:"
Whatt
hehel
lhappened!
!"
Bat
honga:"
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyout
hat
!!
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Hey!Youor
gani
sedt
hoseai
rcr
aft
s."
Bathonga:"
Am IaweathermanNakhamul
a??Can
youhearthest
orm out
side?"
Nakhamula:"
SomethingiswronghereBathonga.
Somethi
ng'swrong!
!Theweat herwasfi
ne.Itwas
sunny!
!Nochanceofr ai
n.Suddenlyt
here'
sastorm
whenplanescomeintothecit
y? "
Bat
honga:"
Whatar
eyousuggest
ing?They'
reusi
ng
uMuthi
?"
Nakhamul
a:"
It'
snotasuggest
ionBathongadamn
i
t!
!Areyoubl
ind?Thi
sisdarkmagic!
!"Iqui
ckl
y
pluggedmyheadsetandlist
enedalone.Theboys
didn'
tneedtoheart
his.Theywerealreadyfreaked
outasanyonewouldbe.Herearetwogr ownmen,
scaredovert
hephonet ooneanotherforexampl e.
Bat
honga:"
Thenwhatdowedo?
"
Nakhamul
a:"Webideourti
me.Thisti
me,t
hey
must'
vebeenexpect
ingus.They'
l
lthi
nkwe'
re
coweri
ngaway."
Bathonga:"Nakhamula,
areyousurewecandothi
s?
Doyouhaveapl an?Mydaughter
'sl
if
eisi
ndanger
fr
om thatfamily,
Ineedyoutobesurewecan
defeatt
hem. "
Nakhamula:"
Don'
tworry.Ihaveaplan.
"Thephone
cutof
f.Ist
ayedonhisl
ine,sti
lll
ist
eni
ngtohi
m.
Mandla:"
Whatthehel
lwast hat?
"
Nakhamul a:"
Pur
ewi t
chcr
aftiswhati
twas.
Sikhosanaishol
dingontothatt
hronewi
thwit
ch
power."
Mandla:"
Whatmakesyout
hinkyou'
l
ldef
eathi
m
Baba?
"
Nakhamula:"Iknowonlybutt
hestrongestwi
tchi
n
t
hesouthernhemi spher
e,myboy.Onethatwil
l
r
ejoi
ceinking'sblood.
"
Mandl
a:"
So,
you'
l
ltr
apSi
khosana?
"
Nakhamula:"
Alli
ngoodt
ime.Lethi
mlethi
sguar
d
down.".
..
.

Thedooropened, andZwewal kedinf i

rstlookingat
theground.Weallstaredathim.Mehl ulif
oll
owed,
carryi
ngsomeoneonhi sshoulderl
ikeasackof
babypot at
oes.Hedroppedhim ont hefloor,
squatti
ngdownt ohim andjuststar
ed.Thepi l
ot
j
oltedawake,andscrambl edaway.Zweki ckedhi m
backtowar dMehlul
i.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Mt
hunziwal
kedi
ncl
osi
ngt
hedoor
.
Pi
lot
:"YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Ohno,we'r
ewaypastthatnow.Ifyoucan
comeintomycitytodest
royi
tandkil
lmyci t
izens,
havethegut
stocallmebyname.SaySi khosana."
Hestoodup.Ineededtogetmyli
tt
lebrother
sout .
Theycan'
tseewhat
'saboutt
ohappenher
e.No.I
st
oodup.
Si
bo:"
Boys-
"
Nkosi:"Noonewal ksoutthatdoor,Mt
hunzi .
"My
heartstopped.Mthunzil
eanedont hedoor,withhis
armsf oldedonhischest."I
'
vesincedecidedifI'
m
goingtobeKi ng,Ishoul
dpr obabl
yhavemyown
council.Onethatcanadvisemeaccordingly.Li
ke
forexampl e,
whatwedot oenemiesofthethrone."
Pi
lot
:"Pl
easef
orgi
veme,
myPr
ince.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
drat
hernot.Anysuggesti
ons,f
ell
ow
pr
inces?"Il
ookedattheset
wo, warni
ngthem wit
h
myeyest oshutup.Zwemustat t
endtohisfr
iend.
Zwe:
"Whosentyou?
"
Pil
ot:"
Weonl
ygotanordert
odr
opexpl
osi
ves.My
tar
getwast
hehospi
tal
."
Zwe:"
Didyouseewhatyoudi
dtomyhar
dwor
k?My
hospi
tal
?"
Pi
lot
:"I
'
m sor
r-
"
Zwe:
"Whi
chnat
ionar
eyouf
rom?
"Nor
esponse.
Nkosi:"Pleasedon'tthat.
"Thepilot
'seyesdartingto
hisarm.Mehl uligrabbedbotharmsapar t."Mthunzi
,
Zwe."Eachhel danar m, andsteppedonal eg.
"Car
efuloft hebuttononhi ssl
eeve,ifhepressesit,
i
tsendsani nj
ectionthatkil
lshiminstant
ly.So
you'
dr atherdiethant el
lmeyournat i
on?"
Pi
lot
:"Pl
ease.
.Ican'
t.
."
Nkosi:"Nowor r
ies.
"Hest aredathim andkeptquiet.
Ohno. .
.Hewasi nhishead.Icoul dseef r
om the
pil
otsface,hewasst uckandunabl etodoat hing.
Hest ar
tedscreamingwi t
hhi slungsonhighvol ume.
KhayaandMnqobist oodbehi ndme.Itwast he
mostchi l
li
ngsoundI '
deverhear d.Thescream was
conti
nuous, bl
adingmyear sandspi ri
t.Fi
nall
yhe
suddenlystoppedandf elll
imp.Washedead?OhI
hopeso.I '
veseenaper sondiebutt hi
sisnot..
.It
j
ustisn'tr
ight.Mehlulistoodup.
Nkosi"
He'sfrom Tansanat i
on.Al i
tt
lenort
h.He
wasonlygivent heinst
ruct
ionofawarbyhi s
gener
alyesterday.There'
s11oft heair
craft
s
depl
oyedher e.We'vedestr
oyedthem allcurr
ent
ly
andwiththat,noothernati
onwillwanttocome
nearus.
"
Zwe:"Heknowsnot
hingaboutwhogavehi
s
gener
althi
scal
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Nohedoesn'
tunf
ort
unat
ely.
"
Si
bo:"I
..
Iknow.
"Helookedatmewi
tht
hose
menaci
ngcoldor
angeeyes.
Nkosi
:"Who?
"
Si
bo:"
It
'sBathonga.Heor
gani
sedt
heaircr
aft
s,he
wasoncallwit
hNakhamulaafewminut
esago."
Nkosi:"That'
sdisappoi
nti
ng. "Hel ookedatt hepil
ot
andagai n,t
hepilotmanjoltedawakeand
i
mmedi atel
ystart
edscreami ng."Shhhh.I t
'senough.
You'r
ecount edasdeadbyyournat i
on.It
'sti
met o
ret
urntoyourscene.Mt hunzi ?"Mt hunzipull
ed
himselfupandwentt ogr abt hepilot.
Mthunzi
:"I
soshal
if
elaempi
ni,
Mrpi
lot
.Let
'sgo.
"He
dr
aggedhim out
.
Nkosi:"
Whatelsedi
dNakhamulasay?"Il
ookedat
t
hefloor,whowil
lsayi
t?Notme.I
'm nott
ryi
ngto
wakeupscr eami
ng.
Sibo:"
Uhm, I'
drat
herjust
.."Idi
sconnect
edthe
headsetandplayedtherecordi
ng.Theroom was
uncomfortabl
ysil
ent
.
Nkosi:"
Dar kMagic?That
'ssuspi
cious.I'
mtheone
who'susingdarkmagicwhenSamukel i
siwet
ri
edto
f
eedmel ovepoti
ononTuesday?"
Zwe:
"Whatnow?
"
Nkosi:"
That'
sthedangerfr
om myfamil
yhe'
s
tal
kingabout
.Herpunishmentwasputonhol
d
becauseitwasbegi
nningofcounci
l.
"
Zwe:
"Yoh.
"
Nkosi
:"We'
l
ljusthavet
owai
tont
hewi
tcht
hen.
"
Zwe:
"Thi
sdoesn'
twor
ryyou?
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tworryaboutot
herpeopl
e.Ionl
ywor
ry
aboutmyself
.Wecancont i
nuewithworknow.
Sibonel
o,what'
snextontheplan?
"
Sibo:"
Uhm, wecan'
taddressthenat
iont
oday.We
canpostponethatf
ortomorrow."
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Sibo:"Thehospi t
alwher et helastpri
ncesswasi n
j
ustt hismor ni
nghasbeenbombed.Theci ti
zens
willprobablyhaveconcer nsandwi ththat,wecan
givethem anupdat ethatshewasdi scharged
beforeithappened.Lett hem know, t
heat t
ackwas
unexpect edandt husst i
llbeinginvesti
gated.I'
ve
checkedwher etheot heraircraft
sfell
.Theoneyou
foundwasonar oad, anotheri nafi
eld,oneinthe
harbour ,
andt woatt hehot el.
"
Nkosi
:"Myhot
el?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"
Alri
ght
.Let
'scal
lforcl
eanupoft
heai
rcr
aft
s
solong."
Zwe:
"Uhm.
.wher
edowe.
..
"
Nkosi:"Seeifyoucan'tusetheaircr
aftsfor
recycl
ingandpar t
s.Dropt hebodiesintheocean.
Updatemeont heroyalsactivi
ti
es,I
'm goi
ngtosee
myf ather.
"Hewalkedout .Istar
edatZwe.
Zwe:
"Mnqobi
,cal
lfort
hecr
atet
ruck.
"..
.
PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwal
kedint
omyfather'
shouse.Hesati
nthe
l
ounge,
smokingacigar
.
Nkosi
:"Eveni
ngf
ather
."
Ki
ng:
"Son.
"
Nkosi
:"Thanks.
"
Ki
ng:
"Can'
tthankmef
ordoi
ngmyj
ob,
Mehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"No, thanksfornottearingthem toshredsal
l
overt
heci ty.You'r
everycapabl eofthat.
"He
l
aughed." Ifoundonepilotsti
llali
ve.Iwhisperedt
o
hi
m.He' sf r
om Tansanat i
on.Hi sgeneralgotacall
fr
om theirking."
Ki
ng:
"Oneoft
hesei
diot
scont
act
edTansanat
ion?
"
Nkosi
:"Andtheydi
dn'
thesi
tat
e.Ver
ybol
d,f
ight
ing
awartheyknownothi
ngabout.
"
Ki
ng:
"Indeedbutwe'
l
lfocusont
hem l
ater
."
Nkosi
:"Theper
sonwhocont
act
edt
hem i
s
Bat
honga."
Ki
ng:
"Ofcour
sei
tis.Hi
swi
fei
sfr
om t
hatnat
ion.
"
Nkosi
:"He'
syourf
ri
end.
"
Ki
ng:
"Idon'
thavef
ri
ends.
"
Nkosi:"
You'
rerel
axinginaloungechair
,inahouse
buil
tspeci
fi
cal
lyforyou.Ki
ngBi yel
aisnotyour
fr
iend?"
Ki
ng:
"Whyar
eyousoobsessedwi
tht
hishouse?
"
Nkosi:"We'
rel
osi
ngf ocus.Nakhamulamenti
oned
thatwemaybeusi ngdarkmagi c.Theysawt
he
storm."Hel
aughed.
King:"DarkMagici
sforki
ds.
"Inwhichworl
d?Then
again,i
fyou'r
ebornwit
hsupernat
uralabi
li
ti
es,
that'
sallyouknow.
Nkosi:"
Notquitebutthat'
sneitherherenorthere.
He'stal
kingaboutbri
ngingi nthestr
ongestwitchin
thesouthernhemisphere.Onet hatwantski
ng's
blood.
"Hepuf f
edouthisci garsmokei nahuge
cloud.
Ki
ng:
"Wi
shhi
mthebestofl
uck.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
renotwor
ri
ed?
"
King:"Idon'
twor r
yaboutanyonebutmychi ldr
en
andmysel f.
"Ohr ight,
hetaughtmet hat ."
Theother
royalsrunni
ngar oundscaredrightaboutnow.
We' r
ethesuper i
orbloods,Si
khosana.Ther e'
s
nothingawi t
chcando.Youcanpr edictpatt
ern,
Amahl edreamsuppr obl
emst hatannoyme.I t
'l
lbe
adaycol derthanr i
ghtnowbef or
eIl etgoofour
throne."
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
lladdresst
henat
iont
omor
row.I
needt
of i
xupthecity."
Ki
ng:
"Whathappened?
"
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
ohackedi
ntot
heaircraf
tssystem
andshuti
tdownremotel
ysotheycrashedallover
."
Ki
ng:
"That
'smessy.
"
Nkosi
:"I
thel
ped.Nowweknowourenemi
es.
"
Ki
ng:
"Keepmeupdat
ed.
"Ist
oodup,
wal
kingout
.

SASAPOV_
Iwasbesi demyselfwithwor r
y.Mypar entshad
comei nt hebuil
ding,yell
ingf orusimmedi atel
yas
thestorm start
ed.Iwal kedoutt heroom andt hey
werelooki ngattheTVi nt hereceptionar ea.The
hospi
t alhadbeenbombed.That '
swher eNkosi nhle
was.Myhear twasi nmyt hroat.Iquicklyrushedto
thebedr oom totakeAmahl e'
sphone, dial
inghis
number .Mypar entshadf ollowed.Hi sphoner ang
onlyaf ewt i
mesbef oreheanswer ed.
Nkosi
:"Love.
"
Me:"
Nkosi
,ar
eyoui
nthehospi
tal
?"
Nkosi
:"
YesI
'
minsi
det
hehospi
tal
."
Me:"
Areyouhur
t?"
Nkosi
:"No,
I'
mfi
ne.Ever
yonei
ssaf
e."
Me:"
Nkosi
,pl
easedon'
tli
etome,
ther
ewasa
bombi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dneverl
iebaby.Zwe,
ist
her
eanyone
i
nthewestwing?"
Zwe:
"No,
thatsi
dewascl
osedsi
nceTuesday.
"
Nkosi
:"Noonei
shur
t,baby.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"Iwi
pedmyr
eadyt
ear
s.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
tcr
y."
Me:"
Pleasecomehome.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tcomehomer
ightnow.
"
Me:"
WhyNkosi
?They'
ret
hrowi
ngbombsatyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Love,
thet
hreati
sgone.Nooneist
hrowi
ng
anyt
hingatme.Amahlewouldhaveseeni
t.
"
Me:"
Okay.Whenwi
llyoucomehome?
"
Nkosi
:"Pr
obabl
ytomor
rowmor
ning.I
'
m st
il
lina
meeti
ng."
Me:"
Aft
erabombi
ng?Nkosi
nhl
e,don'
tupsetme.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbehomet
oni
ght
."
Me:"
Okay.Nomor
eexpl
osi
onsar
ecomi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"None.Ipromi
seyou.eNt
abenii
sbui
ltf
or
pr
otect
ion,not
hingwi
llt
ouchyou.
"
Me:"
Okay.I
'
llseeyousoon.
"
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.
"Hehungup.Ibr
eat
hedi
nrel
ief
.
Xol
ani
:"Whathappened?
"
Me:"
Ididn'
tevenaskTata,It
hinkt
heot
herr
oyal
s
mayhavebombedt hehospit
al.
"
Mama:"
HayiThembi
sa!
!"
Me:"
Everyoneisfi
ne.Noonegothur
t,ThankGod.
Thewingthatgothi
twasempty.
"
Xol
ani
:"Sot
hewarhasst
art
ed.
"
Me:"
I'
m af
rai
dso.
"
Mama:" Won'
tthesepeopl
ecomeher
e?"She
st
ressed.
Ama:"No.Thesearesacr
edSikhosanagrounds.No
ai
rcr
aftcanevenfl
yaboveit
.It
'sthesaf
estplace.
"
Mama:"Whataboutt
hePr
ince?I
shecomi
ng?I
t'
s
danger
ousoutt
here.
"
Me:" Onlylater,
mama. "Isatdownandbr eathed.
Wesatqui etl
yforawhi l
e.Thest or
m outsidewas
horrendous.Notonl ywasi tbli
ster
ingcoldbutt he
windwasi nsane.I
cerockspour eddownaswel l.
Thiswasobvi ousl
yKingSi khosana'swork.Nkosi
didment ionwhenhet oldmeabouthi sfamily,his
fat
her '
sabi l
it
yisweather.Iguessitwould
di
scour
ageanyai
rcr
aftf
rom comi
ngcl
ose.
Nel
e:"
Didanyonehearmor
ethanoneexpl
osi
on?
"
Me:"
Yes.Aft
erthebi
gone.Ithoughti
twasanecho.
Doyouthi
nkmor epl
aceswerehit
?"Idi
aledhi
s
numberagai
n.Myfatherst
oppedme.
Xol
ani
:"Lethi
m wor
k."
Me:"
Maybeweshoul
dcheckt
henews.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
cal
m downmnt
anam.
"
Me:"
Ther
e'sawarout
sideTat
a."
Xolani
:"Yesbutr
ightnow,ever
yoneissti
llsaf
e.Let
thepri
ncework.We'l
lhearanupdatelat
erwhenhe
comesback."Mamaswi tchedontheTV.
Mama:" Nel
e,comepr essthi
sthing.Showthe
news."Zanel
epr essedandfoundthenews.There
couldn'
tbealivereport
ingbecauseofthestor
m,
ther
ewasonl yonesl i
ghtl
yblur
rypictur
eofthe
damagedhospi t
al.
Ama:"
Hel
l.
"Shewhi
sper
ed.
Me:"
Zwemustbesodi
str
aught
."
Ama:"Very.Thathospi t
alishisli
fe."Thenews
repor
terkeptrepeati
ngt hatawarmaybest art
ing
regar
dingroyals,specif
ical
lyTheKi ng.Theyhada
l
otoftheoriesbutneitherwast ouchingonwhyt hi
s
musthavehappenedorwhatt hewarmaybeabout .
Me:"
Whyaret
heydanci
ngar
oundi
t?"Iasked
Amahle.
Ama:"Creat
ingpanic.Ifapri
vatehospit
alownedby
apower f
ulr
oyalcanbombed, clearl
ythecit
izens
aremoreatriskofbeingcasualt
iesshouldt
his
conti
nue.Oncethatdoubtsettl
esin,chaoswill
ensue."
Me:"Ontopofthatt
hey'vebeenlockedi nfordays.
Noaddressorupdates.They'
realreadymani ci
n
t
heirhomes,si
ckwithconcern."Istaredatthenews.
Report
er:"
Doyouthi
nktheshoot
ing,
wasawar
ning
fort
hisimpendi
ngwar?
"
Repor
ter2:"
Thenthatmeans,theroyalfamil
ysaw
t
hiscomingandinst
eadofprepari
ngt hecit
izens,
t
heylockedusinandprot
ectedthemselves."
Ama:"
Yes.Theot
herr
oyal
sar
etur
ningt
heci
ti
zens
agai
nstus.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
05:
59] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er63

SASAPOV_

Icouldn'tsitstil
lbutIhadt okeepmyeyesgl uedto
theTVandt henews.Somanycal l
swerecomingin.
Forthef i
rstt i
meever ,ci
vil
ianscouldcal
linand
speakliveonai r
,li
keradio.Thatneverhappenson
tvnews.Thei ragendawassocl earandit
'ssafet
o
say.Theci vili
answer epanickedandpissed.
Me:"
It
'sonl
yamatteroft
imetheybr
eakoutoft
hei
r
homesandprot
est
."Il
ookedatAmy.
Ama:"
Possi
bly,
adayatmost
."
Me:"
Shoul
dheaddr
esst
hem?Toni
ght
?"
Ama:"
Itwi
llmakei
twor
se.Lett
hem r
ageoutabi
t.
"
Me:"Amahl e,that'
sdangerous!
!Ifci
ti
zensbr eakout
ofthei
rhomes, t
heywillbeshotdeadbyt hear my
forcontraveni
ngt heki
ng'slaw.Theywilldi
eandno
onewi l
laccount .Ar
ewet ryi
ngtoturnthiscountr
y
i
ntoadi ctator
ship?"
Mama:"
YohooThembisa.Whatdot
hesebi
gwor
ds
mean?Whywi
llpeopl
edie?"
Ama:"Thembisa,i
fNkosiaddressesthenati
onnow,
he'
l
lbefeedingint
othenarrat
ivethesepeopleare
bui
ldi
ng.Theciti
zensar
ealreadyupset,t
here's
not
hingthatcanbedone."
Me:"
Yes,
ther
eis.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"Not ata.We'r
eatthebri
nkofNkosi'
s
coronat
ion, t
helastt
hingwewantishi
sr ei
gn
tai
ntedwi t
ht hebl
oodofhisownpeople.
"He
handedmebackt hephone.Idi
aledhi
snumber.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove,
I'
llbehomesoon.Ipr
omi
se.
"
Me:"Okay.Ij
ustneedyout
omakeapr
omi
set
o
me."
Nkosi
:"Anythi
ngforyou."Iswal
lowed,
knowi
ngI
'
m
aski
ngfortheimpossibl
e.
Me:"Pleasedon'tshoott
heci
vil
ians.Thear
my
cannotretal
iat
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notsur
ewhatyoumean,
love.Ther
e'sno
r
easonformetoshootanyone.
"
Me:" Nkosi ,themedi aisdr aggingt heentir
eroyal
empi ret hroughdi rt
,specifi
call
yyourf amil
y.
Civil
iansar efrustr
atedandupset .It'
sonlyamat ter
oftimeamemor andum goesoutandt heybreakout
ofthei rhomest or i
ot.I
fthear myshoot sthem,thi
s
willbet henai linthecof f
in.You'l
lbeknownast he
ki
ngt hatki l
lshispeoplef ornoval idreason.Thatis
notwhoyouar e.Pleasetellyourar my, t
oputtheir
weaponsdown. "Thel i
newentqui etbutIcouldhear
hi
m br eathing.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tdot
hatThembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Nkosi
-"
Nkosi
:"Mylove,l
oveofmyl i
fe.Iwoulddoanythi
ng
f
oryou.Absolut
elyanythi
ng.Ijustcan'
tdot
his.I
f
t
hecit
izensprot
estfornotgett
inginfor
mati
onfrom
mewhi l
eI'
mt ryi
ngtoprot
ectthem,theywil
lprotest
forqui
teli
ter
all
yanythi
ngtheywantbecauset hey
knowIhaveasof tspotf
orthem andI'
llgi
vein."
Me:"
Nkosi
nhl
e,youcan'
tdot
his.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry,mylove.Thisi
sthepar
tthatIhat
e
t
oo.Il
oveyou,Ihavetogo."Hehungup.
Mama:"
Whatdi
dhesay.
"Isatdown,
myhear
t
sl
owi
ng.
Me:"
Hecan'
tdoi
t.I
twi
llweakent
het
hrone.
"
Mama:"YOH.
"Wesati
nsi
lencef
orabi
tasIt
ri
edt
o
t
hink.
Me:"
I'
m notf
eel
ingt
oowel
l.Ineedt
oli
edown.
"
Xolani:"Let'
sgot obed.Fornow, we'l
lbeinour
room.Pr incess,pleaset
akeyourt hi
ngs.You'l
l
shareabedwi t
hThembi sa.Zanel
eandhermot her
willtakeours,I'
llbeonthecouch.Youcan' tbehere
alone.Come. "Het ookAmahl e'
sbag,mama
swi t
chedof ftheTVandwel eftf
oroursuite.I
twas
spotlesscleanasexpect ed.Isatonmybed, t
ryi
ng
tobr eat
h.
Me:"
What '
shappeni
ngt
ome?
"Iwhi
sper
edt
o
Amahle.
Ama:"Yourbloodpressureisr
isi
ngandmaybe
swel
li
ngyourwound.Youneedt orest
."Shegave
memypi l
ls,Idrankthem andl
aydown.
Me:"
Don'
ttel
lhi
mthi
sAmahl
e.Onl
yifIgetwor
se.
"
Ama:"
Ican'
tli
etoNkosi
,Thembi
sa.Youf
orgothi
s
t
ri
cks?
"
Me:"Idon'
twanthi
mtof
eel
I'
m mani
pul
ati
nghi
mto
getmyway."
Ama:"Iknowthat
.Heknowst
hat
.Don'
twor
ryabout
anyt
hingri
ghtnow."
Mama:"Iwastol
dt hatIcanor
derdi
nnertocomet o
ther
oom.SoIdid."Iletagi
ggl
esli
p.Shewaslivi
ng
andIwashappyforherhonestl
yandtrul
y.
Xol
ani
:"Nt
ombenhl
e."
Mama:"HayiXol
ani.Nowwemustnoteatbecause
t
here'
sawaroutside?Iwantedustobesaf eand
mostimpor
tantl
ynothungry."Mychestwas
wheezi
ngwithpainwhil
eItri
edtostoplaughi
ng.
Xolani
:"Noonei
sthi
nki
ngaboutf
ood.Thembi
sai
s
notwell
."
Mama:" Maybethat'
swhyshe' snotwell.Don'
t
worrywenamnt anam,vegetablesarecoming.
Xolani,
youcan'
tliveonmedi cati
ononlyasa
person.Youmusteatandal sothepeoplelooki
ng
aft
eryoumusteat .Howwillwel ookaft
erThembisa
i
fwe' r
ehungry?
"
Xol
ani
:"Let
'st
rynott
omaket
oomuchnoi
se.The
st
ormisenough.
"
Nel
e:"
Andi
t'
ssocol
d."
Mama:"
We'
reont
opofamount
ainZanel
e."
Ama:"There'
sther
mostatsomewhere.
"Shelooked
bythedoor."
Here.
"Shecli
ckedonthealar
m
l
ookingkeypadandaircondi
ti
oner
sopened, l
ett
ing
i
nwar m ai
r.
Mama:"
Whati
sthatnow?
"
Ama:"
It'
sanaircondit
ioner.Itcont
rol
sthe
t
emperatur
e,youcanmakei tcoldonhotdaysor
war
m oncolddaysliketoday."
Mama:"
Xol
aniweneedthatoneinourhouse.You
sai
dwecanchooseonethi
ng."Myfat
hersighed.
Xol
ani
:"Wehaveaheat
er.
"
Mama:" Wedon'
thaveacol
der
."Ichokedand
coughed,l
aughi
ng.
Xolani
:"Doyouseewhatyoudid?Iaskedf
or
si
lence.Thembi
saneedsrest
."
Mama:" Thembisaisf
ine.Wecangett hi
sthi
ngin
ourhouse.PleaseXol
ani,wi
nteri
salmosthereand
youknowt hevil
lagei
scold.Icanfeeli
tinmy
knees.
"
Xol
ani
:"OkayNt
ombenhl
e."
Mama:"Thankyou.Yoh,canyouimagi
neThembi
sa?
Mamkhumalowillbesojeal
ouswhensheseesmy
househasaheaterpl
uggedinthewall
.Wat
ch.
"
Xolani
:"Youwantai
rcondi
ti
onert
oimpr
essyour
fr
iends?"
Mama:" NoXolani
,Idon'
timpresspeopl
e.Iwant
them toenvyme.Theymustlookatmewi thsmal
l
disgustandafakesmil
ebecausetheywantto
comesi
tinmyhouse.
"
Ama:"
Iabsol
utel
yunder
standt
hat
."
Mama:"
See,
event
hepr
incessagr
ees.
"
Xol
ani:"Fi
ne.Butyoucan'
tpul
lmyar
mforanyt
hing
el
se.Aircondi
ti
onerist
heend."
Mama:"
Thankyou.
"Shel
ookedatme.
Xolani
:"Don'
teventryt
oswi ndleThembisai
nto
speaki
ngt ot
heprinceforanythi
ng,Ntombenhl
e."
Mama:" Ican'tevenl
ookatmychil
dXol ani
?"I
gi
ggled.Someoneknockedonthedoor .Dad
openedandt het r
aysoff
oodwererol
led.Exact
ly
howlongwi llthi
swarbe?

PRI
NCEPOV_

ZweandIassessedthedamageofthewestwi
ng.I
t
wasbad,
enti
relydest
royed.Hesi
ghed.
Zwe:
"I'
l
lhavet
orebui
ldt
hisent
ir
esi
de.
"
Nkosi
:"Howl
ongdoyout
hinki
twi
llt
ake?
"
Zwe:
"Pr
obabl
yamont
hort
wo.It
hink.
"
Nkosi
:"Imeantt
hewar
.Iknowhowt
obuil
dthi
ngs.
"
Helookedatmeandbr
okeint
oasmi
le.
Zwe: "Ididn'
tmissyouevenal it
tlebit.You'r
ejust
special.
"Hel aughed.GladIcanmakeyousmi lebut
I'
m ser i
ous."Withthiswit
chbusiness, Idon'
tknow.
Sincehe' sbi
dinghi sti
me,Isuspectitcouldbe
months. "
Nkosi
:"Mycor
onat
ioni
sin5mont
hs.
"
Zwe:"Yeah,soprobablybefore.Nkosi
,youknow
thi
swar r
antsapunishment ,r
ight?Nakhamulaand
them t
hreat
eningthethrone."
Nkosi:"Theonlypunishmentfort
reasoni
sa
beheading.Wehaven' tdonet
hosesincemy
grandfatherwasali
ve.Iwouldn'
tevenwantt
o
partakeinthat
."
Zwe:"Sowhatwil
lyoudo?Wecan'tkeepthe
ci
ti
zenslockedi
nforever
.Pr
obabl
ynol ongert
hana
weekeven."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m goingtoneedtothi
nkaboutt
hat.Idon'
t
knowwhatspiri
tuali
mpli
cat
ionsmayoccurifIspi
ll
anot
herroyal
sblood."
Zwe: "Hm. .
.That 'st
rue.
"Ithoughtdeeplytowhat
Thembi sahadaskedofme.Thel astthingIwanted
wasf orpeopl et odi
e.Twopeopl ediedatthe
harbourt odayf rom t
heaircr
aftcrash.I
tfel
lint
ot he
l
oadingdeckt heywer eon.Ihavet okeepreminding
mysel fitcould'vebeenmuchwor se.Theseair
craft
s
hadbombsi nt hem t
hattookoutonewi ngofan
ent
irehospi tal.Thedamaget heycould'vedoneis
horri
fying.
Nkosi
:"Let'
sgetupst ai
rs.Ineedthelastbr
ief
ingso
wecanal lgohomet oourf amil
iesfort
henight.
"We
wentbackt oZwe'soffi
ce.Everyonewasstil
lawake
andaler
t.Good."Goodeveni ng.
"Isatdown.
Si
bo:"
Eveni
ngyourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveal
ltheai
rcr
aft
sbeencl
eanedup?
"I
l
ookedatMnqobi.
Mnqobi
:"Nosi
r.Onl
ythr
eesofar.I
tgotdar
kver
y
qui
ckl
yandthestor
misn'
thel
ping.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Sohowmanyofmyci
ti
zensar
e
dead?
"
Si
bo:"
Onl
ytwosof
ar.Theonesi
nthehar
bour
."
Nkosi
:"What
'shappeni
ngont
henews.
"
Si
bo:"
It
'sashi
tshowhonest
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Myshi
tshow?
"
Sibo:"Uhm..
"heswal
lowed."
Idi
dn'
tmeanl
iket
hat
butkindof.Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf
oryourhonest
y.What
'snext
?"
Sibo:"I
'
veschedul edyourpressconferencefor11
i
nt hemor ni
ng.Khayaher e,hel
pedwi t
ht hespeech
you'l
lbegivi
ng.Her eiti
s,ifyouhaveanyquest i
ons
orconcerns."Iscannedthroughthespeech.
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sat
hinkst
heymi
ghtpr
otest
.The
ci
ti
zens."
Sibo:"
Icanunderst
andherconcer
n.That'
sli
kel
yto
happen,consi
der
ingthenewscurr
entl
y."
Nkosi
:"Whatdowedo?
"Hel
ookedatZwet
hen
backatme.
Si
bo:"Thearmywillfor
cethem backin.Noone
wantstodi
eYourHi ghness.Andift
heydo, i
t'
sa
smallf
ract
ionofpeople.I
t'
senoughtot eacha
l
esson."
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantanymor
ebl
oodspi
llonmy
l
and."
Zwe:"That'
sinevi
tabl
eNkosi .
"WhetherIlikei tor
not,
I'
ml osingmybattl
eofbei ngthegoodki ng.Am
Ianydif
ferentfr
om mygr andfat
herifIletthear my
shootatmypeopl e?Or,
wi l
lIbetheweakki ngt hat
l
etseveryonegetthei
rway?Thatcan' thappen.
Nkosi:"Movet
headdr
essfor8am, Ineedtocal
m
them.Wemeetbackhereat7:15.It
'sti
mewego
homenow.Goodnightgent
leman."Istoodupwit
h
Mt hunzi
.
Mthunzi
:"MyPrince.Ther
oadsar
efl
oodedsowe'
l
l
beherei
nt heci
ty.
"
Nkosi
:"NoI
'
m goi
ngupt
omywoman.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thatr
oadi
sundr
ivabl
eatt
hisst
age.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
etomywi
feMt
hunzi
.Sheaskedme
home,
andIagr
eed.I
'
m goi
ngupt
hatmount
ain.
"
Mthunzi:"
Nkosi
,thecar
swi
llsl
ip.Ther
e'snowayt
o
getupthere.
"
Nkosi
:"Gett
hehel
icopt
ert
hen.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ther
e'sast
orm.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sjustal
it
tl
ewi
ndandr
ain.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Andi
ce,
Nkosi
."
Sibo:"
Youcanusemycar .Ihavehighper f
ormance
mudt er
raint
yresonmyCount r
yRX.I tcandr i
veup
amudf il
ledf
loodeasi
lywit
habi tofskil
l.
"Ilooked
athim.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Sibo:"
Yes.Zwedesi gnedit
.Unf
ort
unatel
y,your
guardswillneedanotherf
ew.Mnqobi,
canyou
makeacal lforanorderof4oft
hese.Makesure
they'
retheexactsame."
Mnqobi
:"Weonlyhavetwowithmudter
rai
ntyr
es
l
eft
.Theother
sareallt
err
aint
yres.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'sf
ine,
isn'
tit
?Ifi
t'
sal
lter
rai
ntheni
t
wi
llwor
k."Idon'
treal
lycar
eaboutcar
sasl
ongasi
t
moves,
I'
mf ine.
Mnqobi :"Actuall
ynot ,YourHi ghness.Seet heall
terrai
nt yresar eformostci rcumst anceshowever
mudf loodsar en'
tusualt her eforetheyper f
orm
poor l
yi nthem.Thespacesbet weent hetyre
threadsar emuchsmal l
er, whichmakei teasiert
o
gri
ponsand, r
oad,bitumen, gravel andsomet imes
rocks.Wi t
hmudt errai
nt yres, theyhaveal arge
chunkyt hreadpat t
ern,wi derspacedl ugsthatcan
chuckoutmuddebr isast hetyr espins.Soitwon't
getst uck."Thisistheper sonwhosl eptwit
hhi s
wife'sbestf ri
end?Al lthisknowl edget odoast upid
thi
ngl iket hat.
Nkosi:"ThenI'l
ltakehal
fmyguardsupthe
mount ainfortheeveni
ng.They'
l
luset
hetwoyou
have.CanIl eavenow? "
Zwe:"
Absol
utely,l
et'
sgetmoving.Mnqobi,Khaya.
Theguar
dswilltakeyoustr
aighthome,t
ellyour
par
entswe'
reonourway. "
Khaya:"
Okay.
"
Mnqobi:"
Ifi
rstneedtost
artatBi
-mot
ive.It
hink
t
here'
snoonet here.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tgoi
nwi
thoutyourguar
ds,
Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi:"YesYourHighness."Iwal
kedoutwit
h
MthunziandSibonel
o.Wemadei ttot
heparki
nglot
.
Ist
aredatthesleek,
moder nbakkiewi
thbigbul
ky
wheels.I
twashuge, al
ri
ght.Fourseat
sandalarge
l
oadingback.
Nkosi
:"Youl
iket
hiscol
our
?"
Si
bo:"
Yes.Imadei
t.
"
Zwe: "
TheNel
logrey.
"Hecli
mbedi nthedr
iverseat
,
Sibonel
ogoti
nthepassenger.Isatwit
hMthunziin
theback."
Musicanyone?
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
t.
"Hechuckl
ed,
dri
vingout
.
Zwe:
"Howi
sitt
hatyoust
il
ldon'
tli
kemusi
c?"
Mthunzi
:"Ohhedef
ini
tel
yli
kesmusi
cbutheonl
y
l
ist
enstoitwi
thhi
swife.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
venevershownmeanymusi
c
Mthunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"OfcourseIhave.Youal
waysaskmet
o
swit
chitoffbecauseyouneedtothi
nk.
"
Nkosi
:"AndIdo.Li
keri
ghtnow.Idon'
tneedt
othi
nk
whenI'
m wit
hThembisa."
Zwe:"
Whencanwest
artwi
tht
hepr
epar
ati
ons
Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Pr
epar
ati
onstodowhat?Ithoughtwe
concl
udedal
lbusi
nessfort
heevening.
"
Zwe:"Foryourweddi
ng.
"Ismi
ledl
ooki
ngoutt
he
window.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.
"
Zwe:"
Areyousmil
ing?Sibonel
olookatNkosif
or
goodl
uck,he'
ssmi
ling.
"Hechuckled.
Si
bo:"
Hai
boZwe.
"
Zwe:
"He'
ssmi
tt
en.
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notsmi
tt
en.
"
Zwe:"
Inlovet
hen.Oneofthesedays,
we'r
egonna
haveabeersoyoucantel
lmewher eIcanfi
nda
wif
eformysel
f."
Mthunzi
:"Thatmakesyougiggl
ebefor
e8inthe
morni
ngandcooksf oryourent
ir
eguardar
my."
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
!!
"
Zwe:
"What
!?"
Si
bo:"
That
'sawi
n."
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
t'
stheendofthisconversat
ion.May
wepleasefocusontheroad.Zwelethu'
sdri
vingis
suspi
ciousenough.Howdoyout alkanddrive?
"
Zwe: "
Theonl yreasonwe'r
eont
her oadisbecause
yourwifecall
edyouhomesoobvi ouslywehavet o
discussthi
s."Theylaughed.
Nkosi:"
I'
m nottel
lingyouanyt hingeveragain.
"I
l
ookedoutt hewindow, smili
ng.Iprobablywon't
sleepnexttohertonightbutIwillatl
eastseeher
face.Maybegetaki ssifI'
ml ucky.I
'l
lprobably
sleepbett
erknowingshe' ssafeandnear .
Si
bo:"
Easy.
..Pr
essdownt
heaccel
erat
orZwe.
"
Zwe:
"YouknowIt
aughtyouhowt
odr
iver
ight
?"
Si
bo:"
Yesbutt
hisi
smycar
.Iknowhowsher
oll
s."
Nkosi
:"I
'
dprefernott
orol
l,
thi
sroadisqui
test
eep
andIdon'
tli
kemudonmycl ot
hes."
Mthunzi
:"Youaretrul
yaking.Soi
fthi
scarget
s
st
uckhere,we'
llhavetocarr
yyouup?"
Nkosi:"Obviously.Thesearemyf avoriteboots.
"
Theylaughed.Wear ri
vedupatt hepar kingonthe
cli
ff
.Ther ainswer esti
llheavy.Mthunzigotoutwi th
anumbr el
la,openingmydoor .Weal lwal kedi
nto
theentrance.Itwasqui etbutbri
ghtl
ylitasusual .
Amahl ewal kedoutthepassageandst oodi nfr
ont
ofme.
Nkosi
:"Whati
sit
?"
Ama:"She'sokay.Justi
npain.Herbl
oodpressur
e
roseabitear
li
er.She'
scurr
entlysl
eepi
ng.
"The
bloodi
nveinsturned.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
oseeher
."
Zwe:
"Goodt
hingIbr
oughtmymedi
calbag.
"
Si
bo:"I
'
llgeti
tfrom t
hecar.
"ZweandIfol
lowed
Amahletothefamil
ysuit
e.Herpar
ent
swer est
il
l
awake.
Nkosi
:"Goodeveni
ngf
ami
ly.
"
Mama:"
Goodeveni
ngmypr
ince.
"
Xolani
:"YourHighness."Iwalkedclosert
oherbed,
kneeli
ngnexttoit.Myhandr estli
ghtlyonher
wound, soIcouldfeelt
hebeat i
ngofherheart
.It
wasslow.Sibonelocamei nwi tht
hebag.
Zwe:"
YourHighness.
"Imovedoutofhisway,
and
hecheckedherusi
ngthest
ethoscope.
Nkosi
:"Whyi
sherhear
tbeat
ingsosl
ow?
"
Zwe:"
Thembisa.
"Heli
ghtl
yshookher
."Thembisa.
"
Hi
svoicemorefi
rm.Whyisshenotwakingup?Zwe
movedfast
erwit
hhisequi
pment.
Xol
ani
:"What
'shappeni
ng?
"
Zwe: "
Thembi sa?
"Hefeltherpulse,t
henchecked
herwound.I twasst
il
lfi
ne."Thisisn'
tgood.Her
hear
tisn'tpumpingenoughoxygent oherbody."
No..
.pleasenotagai
n.Amahl egotinbednexttoher
.
Xol
ani
:"Andwhatdoest
hatmean?
"
Zwe:"
I'
m guessi
ngitmaybeinf
eri
or-
wal
l
myocardi
ali
nfar
cti
on,i
t'
susual
lyasi
deef
fectaf
ter
agunshotwoundbutIcan'
tbesur
enow.Herpul
se
i
ssti
llver
yst
able.
"
Xolani
:"Ther
e'sast
orm out
side,
Canwemakei
tto
thehospit
al?
!"
Ama:"Wewon'thaveto.
"ShelookedatZwe.He
st
aredbackather
,heavi
lyconfl
ict
ed.
Zwe:
"Wewon'
thavet
o.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
00] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er64

PETUPOV_

I'
vebeenstucki
nthehouseboredalldayandnow
hear
ingthehospi
talgotbombed.Thelockdown
wasstil
lonsoIcouldn'
tgoanywhere.Iwasso
wor ri
edandt herehasn' tbeenanyr eportsonhow
badt hedamagewas.IknowThembi saandAmahl e
weredi schargedbutt hatwasi t.Howwer ethe
Biyela'sdoing?Thathospi talwasownedbyZweso
they'reprobablyaffect ed.Iwant edtocallandcheck
ont hem butIdeci dednott o.Icanwai tonthenews
j
ustl i
keever yoneel se.I'vebeenavoi di
ngMnqobi '
s
textsallday,Ididn'twantt oseem desperateby
askingabouthi sfami l
ybusi ness.
Pet
u:"Tat
a,doyout
hinkwecanvi
sitSi
zaniandt
he
ki
ds?"
Father:"
No.Doyouknowhowmucht roublewe
wouldbei n,Petunia?Ial r
eadyr i
skedi tbygoingto
fet
chyouf r
om thatplace.Nowwest ayput ,we
don'twantanyat tenti
ononus. "Isti
llfoundit
str
anget hatmyf atherwasabl etocomepi ckmeup
i
nSt el
lars.Thedistancewasqui telong.Wel ivedi
n
thenewerpar tofeMoyeni ,newlybuilthouses.
Stel
larswasi ntheeastandnoonewentt here
becauset heowner soft hatentir
eest atewerea
whitemanandar oyalfami l
ySohowdi dhe?He
alr
eadyshutmedownwhenIaskedwhi chmade
memor esuspi ciousbutt henagai n,f atherwor ks
foracompanyt hatser vicesr oyalcar ssomaybehe
gotapass.Iwassobor edher e.Myphonebuzzed
againanot hermessagef rom Mnqobi .<WhatcanI
dotomaket hingsr i
ghtPet uni a?IknowIhur tyou,
I'
m sor ry.Pl easef orgiveme. >I t
'sbeent hesame
tuneal lday.Idi dn' tbelievehi m.I ft r
ul y,hel ovedme
hewoul d'vebeenhonest .Iknewhewaspr omi sed
andsl eptwi thhi m knowi ngt hathei sn' tmi nebut
whent het imecomes, I
'l
lstepawayandhe' llmar ry
whileImoveonwi thmyl i
fe.Iknewi twoul dhur t
becauseIr eall
yl ikedhi m butnow, It
'sdi f
ferent
becausehewon' tbemar ryingsomest rangel adyI
carenot hi
ngabout .He'dbemar ryingmyf r
iend.
Who' dpr obabl yaskmet obet her eforherweddi ng
dayandpar ti
cipat e,howcanIdot hat ?HowcanI
continuet hef r
iendshi pknowi ng, I'
vebeendoi ng
stufftoherhusband?Wi thherknowl edge.She
probabl yt hinksI '
ml oose.Ican' t.No.Ir efuset obe
apar tofi t.Igotupf rom t hel ounge, goi ngt omy
bathroom.Si ncei twasonl yust woi nt hehousel ef
t,
myf atherhadhi sownbat hr oom andIt oohadmy
own.Ir anmybat hwhi l
esel ect i
ngapl aylist.Af t
er
addingst r
essr educingvani
ll
abathsaltsandafew
dropsofeucal yptusessenti
aloil
,Il
itsomecandles
asThembi sawoul d.God,Imissedhersomuch.I
neededt ocollectmyt owelt
henmaybeIcoul dtext
Amahl e,soIcancal lthem.Iwalkedoutthe
bathroom, hearingmyf at
herinhisbedroom.Maybe
hi
sgi rl
fr
iendwasher e.
Father :"
Idi dn'ttel
lanyone.Idi dn'tevenknow.Do
your eallythinkI '
dmesst hi
sup?Thi sismy
oppor tunit
yt ogetoutoft hi
st ownshi pandl eavea
l
egacyf ormychi l
dren."Istoppedandl istened
closelywi thoutmaki ngasound." Alloft heseroyal
s
aret hesame.Asor dinarycivil
ians, theonl ythi
ng
wecandoi stakeoppor tuni
tyasi tarises.We' r
e
goingaheadwi ththepl an.Theygaveoutf ood
packagest oshutusup.We' reonl yint heirdebt.
Whatweneedi nthisnat i
oni sademocr acynotone
fami l
yenr i
chi ngt hemsel vesforcent uries."What
wasmyf atherdoi ng?Whowashespeaki ngtoon
thephone?" Exactly.Weneedapl acet hatwi l
lmake
ast atement .Si ncethehospi talwasal r
eady
bombed, thatal readyhascover age.Weast he
cit
izenscanmar chtothatnewr esidence,i
fthe
armyki l
lsus,itwil
lbeont hei
rpr oj
ects.Ourbl ood
andcr i
eswillseepintothosegr oundsandt ear
them down.8am.Don' tbelat
e."Iwentbacki ntot
he
bathroom quietl
y.Myhear twashammer i
ngi nmy
chest.Whatt hehellwasmyf atherdoi ng?Ilocked
thedoorquiet l
y,pi
ckingupmyphone.

SI
BONELOPOV_

It'
sbeenal ongstressfulday.Orprobably,weekat
thispoi
nt.Isati
nt hebareNt abeniwhileZwewasi n
thefamilyroom,revivi
ngThembi sa.Itwashor r
ibl
e
whathappenedt oher .Imaginealmostdyingand
nowsl i
ppingint
oacomadaysl ater.Thatgir
lwas
strong.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hey.
"
Sibo:"Hi.
"Hepouredhimsel
fadrinkandonef orme.
"Thanks."Idownedtheshot
,qui
cklyregr
ett
ingitas
i
ttrickl
edit'
swaydownmyt hroat
."That'
sstrong.
"
Mthunzi
:"30yearol
d,Mf
ulaOmhl
ophe.Col
lect
ors
i
tem."
Sibo:"Ar
eyouseri
ous?Whywoul dyouj
ustpourme
that?That'
swor
thatleast50gr
andabottl
e."
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
hast
wocasesofi
t.Hedoesn'
t
mind.Pl
usyouneedadr
ink.
"Hepouredanot
her
one.
Si
bo:"
Ican'
t.
"
Mthunzi:"
Yes,youcan.It
'sal
readyopennow.Plus,
Zwewillmostlikel
ydri
vehome. "Hesatdown.I
st
aredattheglass,smell
ingthearomaofthe
al
cohol.Thisi
soneoft hebest.Isi
ppedabitand
pl
aceditdown.
Si
bo:"
It
'sr
ich.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yesi
tis.
"Hedr
ankhi
s."
What
'sonyour
mi
nd?"
Si
bo:"
Nothi
ng.Justworr
iedaboutmum.Wonder
ing
i
fMnqobiandKhayaaresafel
yonthei
rwayhome."
Mthunzi
:"Theyar
e.Myguar
disf
oll
owingt
hem."He
showedmyamaponhi sphonewit
htwodots
movi
ngi
nthesamedi
rect
ion.
Si
bo:"
Thankyou.
"
Mthunzi:"
You'
reNkosi
'
scounci
lnow,
Ihavet
okeep
yousafe."
Sibo:"That
'sst
il
lsur
realf
orme.NeversawNkosias
thattypeofguy.
"
Mthunzi:"
He'sver
ydi
ff
erentf
rom anyoneyou'
ve
everknown."
Sibo:"
OhIknow.Isawi
twi
thmyownt
woeyes.
"I
chuckl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Whatwasthatl
ikef
oryou?
"If
roze,
r
eali
zingI'
dleti
tsl
ip.
Si
bo:"
It
'sl
if
e,Iguess.
"
Mthunzi
:"Seeingaper
sonwit
habi
li
ti
esi
sli
fe?
"He
pouredanotheri
neachgl
ass.
Sibo:"Look,
I'
m notgoi
ngt
ogooutt
her
eandt
ell
people.Idon'
tgossi
p."
Mthunzi
:"Iknowyoudon'tbutyoust
il
lwon'
t
expr
esshowyou'refeel
ing.
"
Sibo:"Idon'tdothosetypeofthi
ngs,Mt hunzi
.I
don'tneedtot al
kaboutstuff
.I'
m absolutel
yfi
ne.So
whatifhet urnsint
oanani malsometimes.It'
s
weird,yes.Butit
'sli
fe.
"
Mt hunzi:"Somet i
mes? "Helaughed."Youdor eali
ze
thathe'smor eofat i
gerthanheishuman?Hi s
personal i
ty,hisdemeanor ,
allofhimr esonates
mor ewi t
ht het igerthantheman. "Istaredathi m,
shockedoutofmybones." Hejustchoosest obe
decentandhuman.Zweknowsmost lybecausehe
taughthi m howt obewhent heywerest il
lki
ds.
Whenhel eft,Itookover .Hespental otoftimei nthe
wild.It
'shisf avor i
teplacewherehecanbe
himself."Icoul dn'tevenspeak,Ihadnoquest ions.
Justpur eshock.
Si
bo:"
Andt
hef
ir
e?"
Mthunzi:"
It
'snew.Ast imegoes, you'l
llearnto
underst
andhi m,notfearhim butrespecthi m.He'
s
notabadper son.Heneverwant st ohur tpeopl
e.
Exceptofcourse,now,there'
sThembi sa.Hewould
ki
llf
orThembi sawithoutasecondt hought.So,
don'
tbeaf r
aidofNkosi .I
tmakeshi m
uncomfor
table,
asi fthere'
ssomet
hingwrongwi t
h
him.Ther
eisn't
.He'sj ustbor
ndi
ff
erent
."Inodded.I
canunderst
andt hat.
Sibo:"
Okay.That
'scool
.Sowi
llher
eadmy
thought
sandstuff?
"
Mthunzi:"
Notuntilhehasto,whi
chi sunl
ikel
y
becauseIfeell
ikeyou'
reheretostay."
Sibo:"
Thingsgotsodi
ff
erentsoqui
ckl
y.Inever
thoughtI
'
dbewor ki
ngforhim."
Mthunzi
:"Wi
thhim.We'
rewaypastt
hatnow.As
youhear
dhim say,
you'
rehi
snewcouncil
."
Si
bo:"
Andyou?Whati
syourj
ob?
"
Mthunzi
:"Todr
inkandtel
lhi
m whattodo."We
l
aughed."Most
lysecur
it
ymeasuresaroundhi
m,
busi
nessmanagementandadvice.
"
Sibo:"
That
'sapr
ett
ybi
gjob.
"Myphoner
ang.
"Mnqo?"
Mnqobi:"
We'rehomebr ot
her.Di
dyousendacarto
fol
lowus?There'
sablacktruckt
hat'
sbeendri
ving
behindusforaminut
e."Il
ookedatMthunzi
,
gr
inni
ng.
Sibo:"
Yes.Yourkingwant
edyouhomesafel
y.Tel
l
theparentswe'
llbehomesoon.Zwei
sdeali
ngwit
h
anemer gency.
"
Mnqobi
:"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.
"Ihungup.

SASAPOV_

Iwalkedaroundwhatl ookedl i
keavil
lage.I
na
di
stanceunderthetree, Icouldseeafewpeople
si
tt
ingthere.WherewasI ?Ilookedar
ound,seei
ng
j
ustrondavelhouses,richlandandproduce.I
walkedupt ot
hesmal lci r
cleofpeopl
e.
Me:"Goodeveni ng,bakhul
u.Ni nj
ani?"(Elders.How
areyou?)Theyal ll
ookedatmesi l
ently."
I'm quite
l
ost.NotsurehowIgother e.MayIpl easeask
whereIam? "Iwasyetagai n,greetedwi t
hsi l
ence.I
knowtheycant alkbecauset heywer etalki
ngj ust
befor
eIgottot hem.Thi swassof rustrat
ing."Okay,
I'
m sorr
yfordisturbi
ngyourmeet i
ng,myel ders.I
'l
l
beonmyway.
"Iwal
kedaway.
"Uyaphi?"(Wher eareyougoi ng?)Oneoft hem
asked.Idon' tevenknowr eall
y."Lendawookuyo
i
yingozikakhul u.Ungaseuhambef uthiungaphinde
ubuyelelaphouvel akhona.Ngi yabuzafuthi,
uyaphi?"(Thepl aceyou'r
eini sverydangerous.You
maywal kandnevergetbackt owher eyou'refrom.)
Ilookedatt hem again,movingcloser.Onedef i
ning
featur
e.Or angeeyes.Ikneltont heground, bowing
myhead." UseZizathu.
"
Me:"Iam sosorry,
Ididn'
treal
izeni
ngaboo
Si
khosana.Ngiyaxoli
samakhosiami."(
I'
m sor
rymy
ki
ngs.)
Anotherspoke:"
AsibonaoSi
khosana.Si
yimbewu
akakazeayivume.
"(Wearetheseedshehasnever
acknowledged.
)
Me:"Youar
ethel
atebrot
hersofKingSizwengaye.
ThesonsofKi
ngNgidumise,t
hathekil
led.Iam
sor
ry."
Anot
her
:"Uxol
isani
?Ubumazi
?"(
Whyar
eyousor
ry?
Di
dyouknowhi m?)
Me:"Nosi r
.I..
.Idon'tknowhowt oanswer .Imet
KingNgidumi se'sgrandson.Iwentupt hemount ai
n
andmett heel dersontheotherside.From that
,I
thenhaddr eamsasuMam Nonkosi ."Iswall
owed
nervousl
y."Whyam Iher e,
myel ders?"
Thefir
stonespoke:"
Asazinat
hisibonawena
kuphel
a."(
Wedon'tknow,you'
retheonlyonewe
see.
)
Me:"Yourbloodissostrongthatitcanconnect
beyondthelimi
tsofthediff
erentspirit
ualreal
ms.I
needtoconnectyoutoyourr i
ghtfulplace.Thisis
notwhereyoubelong."Theykeptqui et,al
lfi
veof
them st
ari
ngatmewi thorangeeyes.Iwasal most
amusedathowt hisl
ineagelookedsosi mil
ar."How
doIgoback? "
Thef
ir
st:"TheSamewayyoucame.
"..
.

Iopenedmyeyes,seei
ngZwenextt
othebedwi
th
hi
sstethoscopeonmychest
.
Me:"
Zwe.
"Hej
umped.
Zwe: "Thembisa.You'
reawake?
"IlookedatNkosi
.
Hest aredri
ghtbackatme.Nexttome, Amahlewas
fastasleep.
Me:"
Yes.Iam sothir
sty.
"Nkosiwentt
opourwat
er
i
naglass.Myfathercamecloser
.
Xol
ani
:"Howar
eyoumnt
anam?
"
Me:"
Bet
ter
."Isatup,
accept
ingt
hewat
er."
How
l
ongwasIout?"
Ama:"
Twohour
s."Zwecheckedmyhear
tagai
n.
Thenmybl
oodpressur
e.
Zwe:
"That
'sbet
ter
."Hebr
eat
hedasi
ghofr
eli
ef.
Me:"
DidIgetsi
ck?
"
Zwe:
"Youf
elli
ntoacoma.
"
Ama:"
Didyouseeanyt
hing?
"Shewokeup.
Me:"Yes.WherewasMaNonkosiburi
ed.
"My
motherfl
uffedupmypil
lowsaddi
nganot
heronef
or
comfort
."Thankyouma."
Nkosi:"
Iwoul
dthi
nkt
her
oyalgr
ounds,
shewast
he
queen."
Ama:"
Idon'
tknowNkosi
.Idon'
tthi
nkshe'
sther
e."
Me:"We'l
lfigur
ethatoneoutlater
.Iwasina
di
ff
erentplace,avi
ll
age.Ezi
zathu.Ist
hatapl
ace?
"
Ama:"
That
's.
..How?
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.
"
Ama:"Ezi
zathucanonlybet r
avel
edbyt hosewho
havepassedandontheirwayt othei
rrespect
ive
real
ms.Likeawait
ingplace,f
orthedead.It
wouldn'
tbepossi
bleforalivi
ngpersontogot her
e."
Me:"
There'
sapr
obl
em.About5ofyouruncl
esar
e
st
uckther
e."
Nkosi
:"Wedon'
thaveunc-Wow.
"
Ama:"
Whatdi
dtheysay?
"
Me:"Yourgrandf
atherneveracknowledgedt
hem.
Theyaren'
tall
owedt ocrossi
ntotheproperr
ealm
whereyourancestor
sare.They'r
estuckther
e."
Nkosi
:"Sowhatmustwedo?
"
Me:"They'
rer
oyal
ty.Weneedt
otaket
hem home.
"
..
..
PRI
NCEPOV_

Fridaymor ning,Iwasawakeandr eadyf ort

heday.
Lastni ght,
Thembi sa'
ssl eepcomascar edme.
Todaywasgoi ngt obeabaddayf orme.Idi dn't
wantt oleaveherbutherf amilywouldt akecareof
her.Zwewashappywi t
hherheal t
hwhenhel eft
l
astni ght.Ishouldn'
twor ry.Idressedinmyr egal
atti
re,thiswouldbef ortheaddr ess.Iwasn'tabi g
fanoft hisoutfi
tbutIwoul dbecomi ngbackhome
soon.I fpushcomest oshove, I'
dratherwewor ked
from hereinstead.Iwalkedoutmysui t
et ot
he
restaurantarea.Thef amilywasseat ed.Everyone
seemedwel l.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningf
ami
ly.
"
Mama:"
Goodmor
ningmypr
ince.
"
Sasa:"Hell
o."Ist
oodnexttoher,
looki
ngdownat
her."
I'
llbeokay.I'
mfeel
ingmuchbet t
erbutI
'
llst
il
l
berestingi
nbedf ormostoftheday."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbehomeear
lyt
oday.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.Doyout
hinkhe'
l
lst
opt
hest
ormt
oday?
I
t'
sreall
ybad."
Nkosi:"I
fhe'
sinagoodmood.Probabl
yanhour
fr
om nowaf t
erhi
smorni
ngcoffee.
"Hermother
chuckled.
Mama:" It
'sagoodt hingthatyou'
rer
eli
gious,
My
Prince.I
ndeed,theLor dwil
lbeinagoodmood
today.Let'
shavef ai
th."Lor
d?That'
snottheri
ght
ti
tl
e.Thembi sadisguisedalaughwit
hacough.
Maybei t'
saninsidejoke.
Nkosi:"Yesma'am.Ishoul dbeonmyway.I 'l
lbeon
thenewssoon, ifther
e'sapr oblem,Amahleplease
contactMthunziimmedi atel
y.I'
llbebacksoon."I
brushedhercheek, walki
ngout .MthunziandIgotin
thecar.Theguar dhadbr oughtupSibonelo'
scarto
takeust otheCi
tyHal l
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Howar
eyout
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
neIguess.Howar
eyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m okay.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'sonouragenda?
"
Mt hunzi:"
Abr iefmeeti
ngwi t
hyourcounci land
thent headdress.Zwehascl osedt hehospital
offici
all
y.I'
vecl osedt
hehotel,theharbour
.
Hopef ull
ythingsgowel laf
terthisannouncement.
"
Nkosi:"
Unli
kel
y.Amahl
ebel
ievesmor
eisyett
o
happen."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sSasaokay?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Shehadanotherdr
eam.Shewasin
Ezizat
hu.I
t'
saplaceunknowntoli
vinghumansso
that'
smessingwi
thmybr ai
n."
Mthunzi
:"Thembi
saisdefinit
elyal
ive.Also,
she
wasdreamingofthepast,
livi
nginit.That'
salso
i
mpossibl
ebutithappenedt oher.
"
Nkosi:"You'reri
ght.Ikeepaski
ngmysel fwhymy
ancestor sareshowingher..
.Andnotanyoneinmy
famil
yi nstead.Amahleansweredme, shebeli
eves
thespiritofNonkosi,tookt
oherwhent heywer ei
n
themount ai
n.Mygr andmotherl
ovedmyf atherso
much, shei ssti
llf
ight
ingforhi
sli
neage.That's
probablywhyThembi saaskedwhereshewas
bur
ied.I
t'
sjustt
oomuch.
"
Mthunzi:"I
tisbutit
'sdoable.We'
llf
ocusont hat
l
ater,
fornow, thecit
izens.
"Inodded,wai
tingfort
he
dri
vertostopt hecar.Iwhi
speredtohim,erasi
ng
thepastjourney.

Cit
yhal lwasunusuallyquiet.Somet
hingi
swr ong
here.Igotoutt hecar
,walkingwithmyguardsint
o
Cit
yHal l.Istar
tedatt
heof fi
ce,fi
ndi
ngmycouncil
al
readyt here.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
MnqobiandKhaya:
"Goodmor
ningYourHi
ghness.
"
Sibo:"YourHighness.Ihavesomethingforyout o
hear."Isatdown.Sibo:"Fi
rstthi
ngsfi
rst
,lastnightI
didal i
tt
lemor edi
gging.Therewerespecifictargets
totheexplosions,t
hehospitalbei
ngthefirst.The
otherswould'vebeenyournewr es,t
hehot el,and
thebeachl i
nedistr
ict
."
Nkosi
:"So,
Zwe,
meandyoui
swhot
hey'
re
at
tacki
ng.
"
Sibo:"Yes.Thisli
stwascompil
edbyNakhamul
a,
obviously.Secondly,
wehaveanot
hermore
i
mmedi ateprobl
em.Mnqobi.
"
Mnqobi
:"YourHi
ghness,Igotapani
ckedmessage
l
astni
ghtfr
om Petuni
a."
Nkosi
:"Whoi
sPet
uni
a?"
Mnqobi
:"ThegirlIwasseeing.
"Probablythewife'
s
f
ri
endbutIsti
lldon'tseewhyI'
m nowi nvolved.
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"
Mnqobi :"Sheclai
mstohaveover hearda
conversation.I
nsaidconversat
ion,ther
eisa
chancet heremaybear iotat8am today.
"Sothat
's
theenergyIwassensi ng.
Mt
hunzi
:"Howwel
ldoyout
rusther
?"
Mnqobi:"
Shewasignoringme.Theonl
ytextshe
sentwasthi
s,t
owar nmet obesaf
e.She'
snota
personwholi
es.It
rusther.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.
"Hegotonhi
sphone.
Mnqobi:"
Also,
Iknowthisi
sal
ottoaskbut
..
.t
here
wi
llbesomeoneshelovesi
nthatcr
owd.Idon'
t
want..
."
Nkosi:"Them todie?I'm sor r
yMnqobi .Thisisnot
howpr otestswork."Henodded.Icheckedmy
speech."It
'sbeenaver yl ongweekf orallofus.I
havetriedmybest ,Ihavepr ot
ectedallthosethatI
can.From thispointforwar d,ther
e'snotat hi
ng
moreIcando.Icanonl yr eacttothosethatact
againstme."
Sibo:"
I'l
lcoll
ectPetu,maybeshe' l
lbesaf eat
Khaya's.Whati fshedecidestogoaf terherf
ather
tostophi m?YesMnqobi ,Iknowit'
sherdad,she
doesn'
tlivewithanyoneel se,ther
e'snowayshe
canover heartheneighborsfrom i
nsideherhome."
Hegotup, wal
kingout.
Khaya:"Bobocanbever
ymeansometi
mes,It
hinkI
shouldgowithhi
mincasehescar
esheri
ntot
he
car.
"
Zwe:
"No.Youneedt
ostayhereandhelpNkosiwi
th
hi
sspeech,
andMnqobineedstotakeover
Sibonelo'
srol
e.Maybealit
tl
et oughtalkwi
llbe
goodf orhert
ogettosaf
ety."SoKhayaknowst hi
s
Petunialadyt
oo?Thissi
tuati
onconf usedmebutI
don'thavetheti
metoaskabouti tr
ightnow.

Itwas07:55am.Readyt
owal
koutoft
heof
fi
ceand
addressmypeople.
Mt hunzi :"Alri
ght .IstayonNkosi 'sri
ght, Zweyou' re
ont hel eft.Sibonel oyou' rebymeandt heyoung
princesar ebehi nd.WhenNkosii satt hepodi um,
youwi llremai nbehi nd, outofcamer aviewwi t
ht he
guar ds.Thi sisf orsaf etypr ecauti
onsandnott o
overwhel mt hevi ewer swi thconfusion.Iwi llbe
standi ngwi thNkosiunt ilheisdone.Ready?Let '
s
go, mypr inces."Wewal kedout .Therewassome
noicehappeni ngout sidebutt heplacewewi l
lbei n
wast hehal l.Themedi awasher ewithal lcamer as
setup.Thest orm hadf i
nall
ysubsi ded.Wer eached
thehal l,Iwentupt ot hepodi um.Mt hunzicheckmy
faceandchestt henst oodinhi splace.Ever yone
presentbowedi ngr eet i
ng.
Nkosi :"Youmayal lr ise.Goodmor ning,tot hecity
ofMount ainPeak.I 'vecomet oaddr essyoual las
theci tizensofourci ty.Asyoual lknow.Myf amily
suf feredat ragicinci dentt hisweek.Ourl ast
princesswasshotatschool ,f
ortunat el
yheri njuri
es
andt hatofherf riendwer enotser ious.Bot hladies
wer et reat edatMount ainPeakGener alHospi t
aland
areont her oadt or ecover y.Theyhavebeen
dischar gedandar et akencar eofbyf amily.The
thronet hanksyoupr of uselyforyourpat i
enceand
under standi ng.Wehadt ol ocktheci tydown, t
o
l
essent het raffi
ct ot hehospi t
alandofcour seunt i
l
wegett ot hebot tom oft hisincident .Yesterday,
unf ortunat ely,ourci tywasat t
acked.Abombwas
droppedatMount ai nPeakGener alHospi tal,
dest royinganent ir
ewi ng.Noonewashur t
.Itis
unf ortunat et hatwehavel osttwomember sduet o
thisat tackont hehar bour ,ast hatiswher eoneof
theai rcr aftsl anded.Iwoul dl i
ket oissuemyhear t
feltcondol encest oJosephRandsf ieldandGar eth
Langer 'sf ami li
es.Thi shasbeenat raumat i
ct i
me
foryouandIsympat hize.Theai rcraf t
sthathad
i
nvadedourci t
yst i
llr emai nunknown.The
connect ionbetweent hatandt heshoot i
ngi nthe
previ ousweekhasn' tbeendet erminedasofyet .
Wi tht hat,wehavedeci dedi twoul dbesaferforall
tocont inuethel ockdown.Al lowi ngonly,necessary
traveli nandar oundt heci t
y.Thear mywas
depl oyedasasour ceofpr ot ectionagainstenemi es
whot ryt ogainent r
yint heci tyandal lt
hose
attacki ngthet hrone.Wear edoi ngal lwecant o
protectyoui nt hist
ime.Wewi llkeepupdat i
ngand
ofcour setakingcar eoft hosewhoar eunableto
provi deatt hi
st ime.Pleasedocont i
nuebeingsaf e-
"
thenoi seoutsidewasget ti
ngl ouder.Singing,itwas.
Pr obabl yacr owdofmor et han100peopl e.Mthunzi
camecl osetomyear ,pulli
ngmeasi de.
Mt hunzi
:" Thecr owdout sideisgettingaggressive,
mor ehardert ocont rol.And...
other shaveinvaded
theNewResgr ounds, protesti
ngt here.The
generalsar easki ngforcommand.Whatshoul d
theydo? "Ihat ethis.Ihat ethatithascomet othis.
Whycoul dn'tpeoplej ustlist
en?
Nkosi
:"Theymustissueoutt
wowar nings,
ift
hey
r
efusetocomplyandvacate.
..Shoot
."
[
07/
27,
06:
00] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er66

SASAPOV_

Iwassti
llinshockandshekeptqui
et,
let
ti
ngme
set
tl
e.AfterIcal
meddown,Itri
edagai
n.
Me:"
GoodDaymyQueen.
"Shesmi
ledagai
n.
Nonkosi
:"Youaddressedmecor rect
lythefir
stt
ime.
Haveasipofwatermychi ld,l
estyoufaintf
rom t
he
shockanddehydrati
on."Ichuckl
ed,dri
nkinghal
f
thebot
tl
eofwater.
Me:"I
'm sor
ry.Iwasnotexpect
ingt
oseeyou.Am I
seei
ngyou?"
Nonkosi
:"I
ndeedyouar
e."
Me:"Ihave,
exper
iencedaporti
onofyourl
if
eand
honestl
ysometi
mesIf el
tli
keIwasint
rudi
ng.Iam
sorr
y."
Nonkosi:"I
tisnoworr
y,youwerenotint
rudi
ng,
you
wereinvit
edThembisa.Onl
ythechosenonesare.
"
Me:"ButIdon'
tunder
stand.Ikeepdr eamingand
nowseeingyoubutIam notaSi khosana.Whyisit
happeni
ngtome? "
Nonkosi :"
Itwouldbeeasieri
fitwasyou.The
Sikhosanal i
neagewasn'trai
sedwit
hkindnessand
patience.Thisj
ourneyneedssomeonewhoi sas
respectful
,str
ong,dedi
catedandempatheti
c."
Me:"IthinkI'
m ver ydeli
cate.Alotoft hi
ngs
overwhelm me.Forexampl et hepr egnancy.Ithurt
myhear tphysicallytotouchmybel l
yandf i
nditfl
at
whenIwokeupf rom thedreams.Apar tofmef eels
l
ikeitwassnat chedaway.I thurtsomuch.Now
withthelostprincesEzizathu, I
'm sowor riedfor
them.Iknowt hey'vebeent her esincebef oreIwas
evenbornbutnowI '
mj ustwor ri
edandscar ed.How
thenam Istrongmama, i
fthepasthur t
smeasi fi
t'
s
happeningtome? "
Nonkosi
:"You'
rest
il
lmarchi
ngfor
war d,
youhaven't
backeddown.Thatmeansyou'
restr
ong.You'
rejust
aseagert ofini
sht hi
sjourney,
nottogetitoverwith
buttorepairabr okenli
neage.Onet hati
sso
powerfulandext remelyimport
anttoyou."Isi
ghed.
Shewasr i
ght.Iwasnotaboutt obackout
especial
lysinceIspoket otheking.Idon'
tknowhi s
thoughts,Idon'
tknowi fhebelievedmebutIwas
gladthatheatl eastl
isteneduntIfi
nishedtal
king.
Nonkosi
:"Howi
she?
"Ohr
ight
.Herbaby.Ismi
led.
Me:" He'sWel l
,physi call
yt hati s.Idon' tknowabout
anythingelsebuthedi dt r
yt oki l
lme. "Ishrugged.
Shel ookedtot hef loor,sadly." Hehasapar tofyou
thatheneedst ounl ock.Bef oret hat ,hehast oshed
thelayersoft hickski nhisf athert aughthi m.Ki ng
Ngidumi sewasaver ysadmanaf teryourdeat h
mama.Idon' twantt osayhedi dn'ttrybei nga
properfathert ohim becauseIwasn' tthere.What
hedidt hough, isrectifyhismi stakeatNkosi '
sbirt
h.
Whichwasgood, becausenowwe' reher e,making
amends.Al so, ifi
t'sofanycomf ort,KingSi zwei sa
suppor t
ivefathert oNkosi .Hemayhaver ai
sedhi m
l
ikehewasr aisedbuthesuppor tshi m, hetellshim
heispr oudofhi m const antly,Ithinkher eallyli
kes
hi
ssonandhemaybehi
sonl
yfr
iend.Soi
t'
snotso
bad.
"Shesmi
led.
Nonkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Me:"
You'
rever
ywel
come.Mama,
whati
sthenext
st
epfr
om her
e."
Nonkosi:"
Sinceyouar eofmybl ood, yourancestors
andmi neresi
deinthesamespi ritualreal
m.Si nce
mydeat hwasatt hehandofaSi khosana, theytook
met omyhomer ealm.TheGodsdeci dedtogr ant
them onelastchanceforrepar
ations.Shoul dthis
chancebewast ed,theli
neagewillstopwi t
ht helast
bornsonandt husceaset oexi
st."
Me:"ThatmeansifI
'ddiedfr
om theshoot
ing,
Nkosinhl
ewouldneverhavesons?Hisenti
refami
ly
namewoul dendwit
hhim? "
Nonkosi:"Yes.Fort
unat
elyf oryou,theSikhosana
ancestorswerepleadi
ngf orthischanceand
thoughttodoeverythi
ngint heirpowertokeepyou
ali
ve.That'
swhyt heycreatedMehl 'amahle.Her
solepurposeistokeepyoual ive."
Me:"
That
'supset
ti
ng.Whataboutherownl
if
e?Her
dr
eamsandaspi
rat
ions?
"
Nonkosi:"Shest i
llhasal ifeandshehascomet o
ter
mswi thenjoyingi tbecauseofyou.The
ancestor
sal sothoughtt ot roubleNgidumi sebef ore
hedied.Hehasal waysbeenst ubbornbut
eventual
lyhegavei nandwentupt hismount ain.
Thatiswher etheyr evealedt ohimt hatheneedst o
makesur ethef ut
ur eheirthatist obebor n,isgood.
Heneededt or emi ndhimt obegood.Wi t
ht hat,
Ngidumisethoughtt owhi spertothebabyunt ilhis
ti
mecameandhedi ed."
Me:"
Ifhewhisper
edtothepri
ncetoremindhi
m of
hi
sdesti
ny,
doesn'tt
hatgai
nhim ent
ry?Shoul
dn'
t
hebewit
hhisancestor
s?"
Nonkosi:"
No.Hedi dal otofbadthi
ngsbutt he
worstofallwaskill
inghisfat
herandhischildr
en.
Youcannotf i
xthoseissuesintheroamingrealms.
There'
snowayt o.ThatiswhereyouandNkosi
comein.Thosechi ldr
enneedhelp.Ourvil
lage
needstober ebuil
t.
"
Me:"
WhataboutKi
ngBheki
zizwe?TheKi
ngt
hat
hadyoukill
ed?Hisfatherbef
orehi
m aswel
l
.How
dothei
rissuesgetf
ixed?"
Nonkosi:"Easymyyoungqueen.Onest epatati
me.
Fornow, weneedt ofi
ndthespiri
tsofthelost
pri
nces.Oncet heyhavecrossedover,
wecangot o
thenexttask."
Me:"
HowdoIf
indt
hei
rspi
ri
ts?
"
Nonkosi
:"Youwi
llneedMehl'
amahlewithyou.The
spi
ri
tsaremostl
ikel
yinthevi
ll
agestheywerekil
led
andburi
edin.
"
Me:"
Okay.
"
Nonkosi
:"Thi
sjourneyissacr
edtoyouand
Mehl'
amahle.AndofcourseNkosibecauseyou
cannotl
ietoyourking.
"
Me:"
Yesma.
"Ibl
ushed.
Nonkosi:"Hewilltr
eatyouwel l
.Hisloveisinf
init
e,
uncondit
ional,
blindi
ngandext remelyprotect
ive.
Butwhenyoucar ryhispri
nce,itwi
llbe
overwhelming.Theirbloodisverystr
ong."Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Thepr
incewi
llhavet
ogi
veusaf
ewyear
s
mama.
"Shesmi
led,
chuckl
ing.
Nonkosi
:"Bl
essedj
our
ney,
mychi
ld.
"
Me:"Thankyoumama.
"Il
ookedatmyhandsonmy
l
ap,sti
llsmi
li
ng.

PETUPOV_

I'
vetri
edcal li
ngmyf at
herfr anticall
ybuthi sphone
wasdi sconnect ed.Ithasbeenhour ssincethe
shooting.Icouldn' twatchanymor enewsbutI
neededt ofindoutwhathadhappenedt omyfather
.
InthekitchenSi zawascooki ngdi nner.Thebaby
wasdownf oranap.Hert woki ds,Mi l
eswhowas3
andMi awhowas5wer ef i
nal l
yawake.Si nce
JacksonwasaMexi canmi xedwi t
hCaucasi anman,
thei
rkidswer emi xedandsohadt hesenames.The
onlythingIlovedwast hattheyal llookedexactly
l
ikeSizaandI .Shehadasl ender ,tal
lbody.Webot h
hadourmot hersf ace,Ialsot ookherbodywher eas
Sizatookdaddy' s.Herkidswer eexact l
yl i
keus.Mia
l
ookedl ikeme, asi fshewasmychi l
dorayounger
me.Mi leslookedl i
keSiza,histhr
eeyearoldbody
l
ookedsl ightl
yt al
lert
hant hatofhispeer
s,hewasa
sli
m babyunl ikethechubbyMi mi.Hehadaf ace
exactl
yl i
keSi zatoo.Theirhairwastheonlytrai
t
theydidn'tgetfrom us.The6mont holdwasnamed
Maya.Shel ookedsocut eandshewasaqui etbaby
thatneverfussed.
Pet
u:"
So,
isi
taboyorgi
rl
?"
Si
za:"
Doesn'
tmat
ter
."
Pet
u:"
Oh.Haveyout
oldhi
m?"
Si
za:"
Nope.
"
Pet
u:"
Howf
arnow?
"
Si
za:"
9weeks.Ihopethel
ockdownisdonesoon,
I
woul
dhat
etomi ssthe12weekmark.
"
Pet
u:"Forwhat?Acheckup?Sur elyyoucango
now,i
twassai donlynecessar
ytraveli
ntheci
tyis
per
mitted.You'
llbegoi
ngtoahospi t
alandback
home.
"
Si
za:"
Notexact
lyacheckup.
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m conf
used.
"
Siza:"I
'
m notkeepi
ngi
t.
"Shewhi
sper
edsol
owI
barelyhear
d.
Pet
u:"
Siza!
"Iwhi
sper
edback.
Siza:"Ican'
tPetu.Ihavewaytoomuchonmypl
ate
andi twon'thel
pmysi tuat
ion.
"
Petu:"
Won'
tthi
saffectyou?Seei
ngt
hatt
her
e's3of
them r
unni
ngaroundalready?
"
Siza:"Ist
il
lhavemyt herapysessi
ons,soI'
l
lwork
throughitther
e."Sheseemedsodet achedfrom t
he
sit
uationsoIdidn'tknowwhatt osay.
Petu:"
Okay.Wil
lyouneedmet
ocomewi
thyou?
Forsupport
?"
Si
za:"
That
'ssweetbabysis,
butIwashopi
ngyou'
d
l
ookaft
ert
hebabiesinst
ead?It
'l
lonl
ybeoneday.
"
Pet
u:"
Whatwi
llyout
ell
..
."
Siza:"Hewon'tnot
ice.JustsayI
'
m sl
eepi
ngi
fhe
asks."Inodded.
Pet
u:"
Whenwi
llyougo?
"
Si
za:"
I'
llbookanappoi
ntmentt
oday.Hopef
ull
yI
cangetonesomet
imenextweek.
"
Pet
u:"
Mount
ainPeakGener
ali
scl
osedt
hough.
"
Siza:"Iwouldn'
tgot here.Thathospit
alwillprobably
char geme10gr and.Thef er
ti
li
tycli
niconBaker
roadi sgoodandpr ovidessafeandaf for
dable
removal s.Yes,Icheckedanddi dmyr esearch.It
's
register
edont hehealthdepar t
mentandr atedthir
d
i
nourki ngdom.Sot hey'r
egood. "
Pet
u:"Forcur
iosi
tyreasons,
howmuchi
s
af
fordabl
eexactl
y?"
Si
za:"R4700.Incl
usi
veofpr eandpostcar
e,
medicat
ion,counsel
ingsessionandari
dehome.
"
Pet
u:"
Oht
hat
'
sagoodpr
ice.
"
Si
za:"
Iti
s.Guesswhoownsi
t?"
Petu:"I'
m goingtowatchTV. "Shelaughed.Si
zani
hasal waysfoundpleasur
ei nmaki ngmesqui rm
andf eeli
cky.Itr
eal
lygetshergoi ng.Shehasnever
beenmeant omebuthert easingirri
tat
esme
somet imes.TodayI'
m onlylett
ingitsli
debecause
we'reinamess.It r
iedmyf ather'
sphoneagai n.St
il
l
voicemai l
.Iwasr eallytryingnottoreadsocial
medi abecauset hel astt hi
ngIneedwast ohearon
therethatyourf ami lyhaspassedaway.Peopl ecan
bei nsensit
iveli
ket hat .Iwoul dprobablygetacall
,
from who?Idon' tknowbuti twascut t
ingmedeeply.
Ihadt ohavehope.Somehowmaybehegotaway?
Woul dMnqobi event ellme?Whywoul dhethough?
Myphoner ang,sur prisingmeandal soscari
ngme.
Thecal lerwasAmahl e.
Pet
u:"
Heybabe.
"
Ama:"
Hel
lo.
"
Pet
u:"
Howar
eyou?Youhar
dlycal
l.
"
Ama:"
I'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m okay.
"
Ama:"
Yourf
atheri
sal
ive.
"Wai
t,what
?
Pet
u:"
How.
..
howdoyouknowt
hatAmy?
"
Ama:"Ijustdo.Di
dyoupl
ayt
hePower
bal
lnumber
s
Isentyou?"
Petu:"
NoIdi
dn'
tAmy.Iwashonest
lyt
oodi
str
act
ed
thi
sweek.
"
Ama:"
Nowor r
ies.Di
dyousavet
hemoneyf
rom t
he
pr
evi
ousones?"
Pet
u:"
YesIdi
d."
Ama:"
Investi
tinBi
-mot
ive.
"
Petu:"Noways.Notthatman'scompany. "She
chuckledt
urni
ngintofulll
augh."Youclearl
yhate
meAmahl e.YouknowMnqobii sbeinggroomedto
takeovert
hatcompanyi nafewyear s,i
t'
sbasical
ly
his.Absol
utel
yno."
Ama:" You'r
ef unny.That'snothowi nvest ment
worksPet u.It
'snotforfeelings.Ther easonIchose
Bi-
mot i
veisbecausei t'
sval uewi l
ltr
ipleandstay
verylucrat
ive.I'
m sendingyout henumberofa
brokerthatwillhelpexplainitall
,youneedt odoit
asinr i
ghtnow.I nvesttoday."Thembi sadidsayI
shouldlist
ent oAmahl e.Itrustedmyf r
iendswit
h
myl i
fe.
Pet
u:"
Okay.
"
Ama:"Youcan'ttel
lanyoneaboutt
hisPet
uni
a.Not
evenyoursi
ster.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.Iwon'
t.ThankyouAmy.
"
Ama:" You'rewel come.Bye."Shehungup.Iwas
nervousbutal sor el
ieved.Amahlewasn'tsomeone
whol i
edorspokeont hingsshewasn'tsureofsoif
shesaysmyf atheri
sal i
vethenIbel
ieveher .No
questi
onsasked.Iwashoweverskept i
cal about
i
nvestingi nthiscompanybutagai n,
I'l
ltakeher
wordf orit
.Themessagecamei nwithanumber .I
savedi tandimmedi at el
ysentamessage.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Themediawasinaf
renzy.I
twashoursandhour
s
ofbackandf
ort
honthenewr esshoot
ing.
Si
bo:"
Ithi
nkweshoul
dpr
epar
east
atement
."
Khaya:"
It
'sst
il
lal
it
tl
eraw,
Sbo.
"
Sibo:"We'l
lrel
easeittomor
roworSundaybutit
needst obepr epar
edandthoroughl
ycombed
through.Rightnow,theent
ir
ecountryi
sscreami
ng
i
npani c."
Khaya:"Okay.Mnqobi
,canyoucal
lyourpubl
ici
st
fr
iend?"
Mnqobi:"Di
dallt
hosepeopl ehavetodi
e?"He
cannotpossi
blydothisr
ightnow."Thoseare
peopl
e'sfat
her'
s,mother
's,uncl
esandaunts.They
aresonsanddaughters-
"
Si
bo:"
Mnqobi
."Iwar
ned.
Nkosi
:"Lethi
m speak.
"Ohhel
l.
Mnqobi
:"Ij
ustf
eel
thatwascal
lous.
"
Sibo:"
Mnqobiwezi
thazakwaBiyel
a!!
"Ij
umpedup,
st
andingbef
orehi
m.Zwest oodi
nbetweenus,
holdi
ngmeback.
Zwe: "
Calm down."HOW?HowcanMnqobit alkso
l
ooselyatMehl ul
i,KNOWINGwhathecando?Why
mustIl ett
hathappen?Howwi l
lIexpl
aintoour
parentsthatouryoungerbrot
herwast ossedtohi
s
deathbyanangr ykingthatheinactualfact
off
ended?
Si
bo:"
Mnqobicannotspeakl
iket
hatt
oaKi ng,
Zwel
ethu.Youbabyhi
m andheneedstoknow
t
hat
'snotokay.Hi
smout
hisl
oose.
"
Zwe:"Ibabyhi
m?Me? ?He'
sli
kethi
sbecauseof
you!Calmthehel
ldown!
"Ist
eppedback.
Nkosi:"I'
m notoff ended,byt
heway.Forthesakeof
entertai
nmentt hough, whatwouldyourat
herIdid
Mnqobi ?"Myhear thasneverfel
tthi
smuchf ear.
Theonl yreasonIwasst i
llst
andingwastojumpi n
frontofwhat everimpactcomesnext .Mehl
uli'
s
calmnessi sjustasdanger ousashisanger.Thisi
s
themant hatstaredataskyf l
oodmadebyhi s
fatherandnonchal ant
lyconti
nuedwithameet i
ng
wi t
hzeroemot i
on.
Mnqobi:"Thepeoplecould'
vebeenheard.Maybea
si
tdownl ikeyoudidinthevil
lages,
wheret
hey
expl
ainedt hei
rgr
ievancesandyousolvedthem.
"
Nkosi
:"Khaya,doyousharethesamesenti
ments.
"
Ther
e'sareasonwecallthem t
wins.Onemakesa
st
upiddecisi
onandtheothersupport
sthem.
Khaya:"
Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"Fuckssake.
Nkosi
:"That
'sunf
ort
unatebut
,ther
e'sareasonI'
m
t
heKingandyou'renot
.Thepeopledidn'
thave
grievancest hatcouldbesolved.Readingthe
pl
acar ds,theywantedademocr acybecauset hey
believet heycanelectsomeonebet t
erthanmet o
l
eadt hem, toleadthi
scountry.Someonewhocan
l
iet othem andenr i
chthemselvesl
eavingt hem t
o
starvei ntheend.Doyouknowofabet tercandi
date
Mnqobi ?Per hapssomeonewhowoul dmakea
great...President
?"
Mnqobi
:"NoYourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"That,soundssad.Ift
hepeopl ewantedto
communi cat ewit
hme, t
heywoul d'vestageda
peacefulpleaandIwoul dobli
ge.Butt hepeopl
e
didn'
twantpeaceevenaf t
erIwar nedthem twi
ce.
Now, doest hatst
il
lmakemecal lous,toyou?"
Mnqobi:"
Yes,YourHighness."Deepdown,Iwas
proudofhi
mf orst
andinghisgr ound.Notmany
peoplewoul
d.Zwewasr ight.Iturnedhi
mintoa
minime.Nkosismil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Youarerightaboutthat
.IfIhavetoki
ll
peopl
etocontinuet hevi
sionIhaveforthi
scount
ry
thenl
etitbeso.Ifthat'
swhatmakesmehear tl
ess
thenI'
llgl
adl
yacceptt hat.Wehaveal ong
rel
ati
onshipaheadofusMnqobi .Let'
snotgetlost
i
nt hepoli
ti
csofalwaysgi vi
ngin.Wel oserespect
thatway.You'
reont herightpat
hst andingyour
groundbecausethat'sexactl
ywhatIdi d.YouandI
arethesame.Now, canwecont inuewi thwork?"
Mnqobi
:"YesMyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Good.Si
bonel
o.Shouldwestartwi
ththe
st
atementsoon?I'
mlooki
ngf or
wardtofi
nishthi
s
meeti
ngsoIcanenjoytherestofmyweekend."
Zwe:
"Enj
oy?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Enj
oy.Ihaveawi
feandherf
ami
lyupi
n
mymount ainvi
ll
a."
Zwe:
"Nkosi
,we'
rei
nthemi
ddl
eofacr
isi
s."
Nkosi
:"I
'
vedonemybitZwe.Anyt
hingel
sewi
llbe
t
akencareofMonday.
"
Zwe:
"Mt
hunzi
?"
Mthunzi
:"Het
akesweekendsof
f.Ther
e'snot
hingI
cando."
Si
bo:"
Wel
l,
ther
e'snotmucht
odo.Apar
tfr
om t
he
statement,t
herepair
ingofthecit
y'si
nfr
ast
ruct
ure,
andupdat esontheotherroyal
s,wecanhandle
things.We'l
lcor
respondattheendofeachdayorat
fi
rstsignofemergency."
Mthunzi
:"Pl
easeal
soshar
eyourr
ecordi
ngswit
h
me.Iwanttoanal
yset
hem inmyspar
etime.
"
Si
bo:"
Sur
e."Isentt
hem al
ltohi
semai
l."
Done.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'sdr
aftt
hest
atement
.".
.

Thestatementtookabout3hourstoj
ustdraft
.
Khayawi l
lbeputti
ngital
ltoget
herwi
tht
hepubl i
cist
andsendingthefir
stl
ayoutbyendofbusiness
today.
Zwe:
"Thatshoul
dbeal
lfort
odaygent
lemen.
"
Nkosi:"
Thankyou.Mt
hunzi
,pl
easecal
lmy
hel
icopter
."
Zwe:"Nope.We'
redr
ivi
ngyouhome.Iwantt
osee
yourwif
e."
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Zwe:
"I'
m herdoct
or,
remember
?"
Nkosi:"
Imeantwhymustwedr ive?We'
l
lbet
her
e
f
asterifweusethehel
icopt
er.
"
Zwe:
"Andhowwi
llIgohome?
"
Nkosi
:"Youal
sohaveahel
ipadZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Noti
nmyhouse,
Idon'
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Yourpal
acehasahel
ipad.
"
Zwe:"We'r
ewast
ingt
ime.Hel
icopt
ersar
enoi
sy.
Let
'sdri
ve."
Sibo:"Uhm. .
.Ihavesomet hi
ngtoatt
endt o.Zwe,do
youwantt otakeKhayawithyou?"Hel ookedatme.
Iknowhewant edtoknowandknowi nghim, he'
l
ltr
y
tosnoopsoIhadt oremoveMnqobif r
om hisgrasp
sincehe'stheonl yonewhocandi gi
tal
lyfindme.I
regretteachi
nghi mthateveryt
ime.
Zwe:
"Somet
hingl
ikewhat
."
Si
bo:"Ijustwantt
ocheckontheclubthenpaymy
st
aff,
sincetheyhaven'
twor
kedforthewhole
week."
Nkosi
:"You'
rel
ying.
"Ar
eyouser
ious?
!Ist
aredat
hi
m.
Zwe:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
I'
m goi
ngt
omyhouse.
"
Zwe:
"Why?
"
Si
bo:"
Hai
boZwe?Whycan'
tIhavepr
ivacy?
"
Zwe:"
Wheneveryouaskforpr
ivacy,
you'
redoi
ng
somet
hingwrong.Iknowyou.
"
Sibo:"
Me?Cha, uyangisolamanj e.I'l
lseeyouat
home.Ij ustneedsomet i
met oreboot ."Iwal kedout
theoff
icequi ckly.Mehlulicansmel ll
ies??Washe
i
nmyheadj ustnow?Thi sneedst obeaddedont he
agendaatournextmeet ingbecausei twoul dbe
veryuncomf ortablewor kingwithsomeonewho' s
goingthroughyourt houghts.Idrovet omy
favour
itetakeawayspot .Itwasahomecl oserto
thebeachlinewher emycl ubwas.Thel adyt hat
l
ivedthere,cooksf ormycl ub.Iplacedmyor deran
houragosoIknowi t'sready.Ipar kedout sidethe
house,Zoecameoutwi ththepaperbag.
Zoe:"MyPrince.
"Shepl
acedt
hebagi
nmy
passengerseat.
Sibo:"HiZo.Thankyou.I
'
vesentyourpaymentand
forthemont haswell
."
Zoe:"
Thankyousi
r.
"
Sibo:" Sure."Idr oveof f,towardmyhouse.I
probabl yhadanhourbef oreZwecamel ookingf or
me.Hei st hatobsessedespeci allynowt hathe
closedt hehospi tal.IhopeMehl ulicankeephi m up
i
nt hemount ai
nf orabi tsoIcanhavebr eathing
space.I t'
snotl i
keI 'm doinganyt hingwr ong.I
par kedthecarandwal kedinthehousewi tht hebag
settingitont het able.Iopenedmyl aptop, sit
tingon
thecouchandcl ickingt hesecuritysyst em onand
checki ngt hecamer aint hebasement .Hel ooked
distraught .Thebr oadcastoft hepr otestshoot i
ng
wasswi tchedof fever ywhereexceptt hatbasement .
Ifinallyswi tchedt heTVof ffrom mycomput er.
Sur elybynow, t
hemessagei srecei ved.It ookt he
paperbagoff oodwal kingtothevaul tdoor ,openi ng
i
tandwal kingdownt hest ai
rs.
Si
bo:"GoodAft
ernoon,MrPresi
dent
."Isatont
he
st
air
sont heot
hersideoft
helockedgate.
Bheko:"
Howcoul
dyoudot
his?
!"
Sibo:"Me?No, youdi dt his.Hadyoumi ndedyour
businessandnotf il
ledhundr edsofpeopl ewi th
thesesil
lyt hought sofademocr acy,you'dpr obably
beinyourhouser ightnowenj oyi ngthegener ous
salaryyouear nfrom myf ami ly.Butnotyou,
Bhekokwakhe.You' reanoppor tunist.Youar e
greedy.Youusepeopl ef oryourbenef itsot heycan
putyoui naposi ti
ont oenr i
chyourownsel f.Not
gonnal i
et hough, that '
st hebasi sofapol it
icianso
youwoul dhavef i
tt
edper fectl
y. "Iputthepaperbag
i
nbet weent hebar s,dr oppi ngi tont henextst ep.
"That'
ssomef ood.I '
m sur eyoumustbest arving.
Besides,weal lmakebet terdeci sionswhenwe' r
e
full
.Thecabi netbehi ndyouhassuppl ies.Toi l
et
paper,saltpacket s,pl asticcut lery.Don' twor ry,i
t'
s
notsharp.Icani magi nehowseni leyoumustbe
feeli
ngafterwat chingyourf ri
endsdi ef orfour
hoursstraight .
"Istoodup." Haveyour selfabl essed
day,MrPr esi dent.Theysayal lthegoodonesneed
ali
tt
lepri
sontimetoshapethem pr
operl
y..
.Ift
hey
sur
vive.
"Iwalkedbackupandlockedthedeadbol
t
onthedoor.
..
[
07/
27,
06:
00] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er67

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwal
kedi
nthevi
ll
a,st
rai
ghtoutt
heback.Whatwas
goi
ngonher
e?
Mama:"
YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"
Hell
o."Ilookedatthet
abl
eonthegrassand
chair
saroundit.Ithadtabl
ecl
othoni
twit
ht wo
vasesofwhiteli
ly's.
Mama:"
Ideci
dedtomakeaspeci
all
unchout
side
f
ort
hefamil
y.Wil
lyouj
oinus?
"
Nkosi
:"Isuppose.
"Somethingwaswr
ongwi
tht
he
t
ablebutI'
m notsureexact
ly.
Mama:"Per
fect.Thembisai
swakingup,Nelewent
t
ofet
chher.Theki t
chenmadesomef oodforus.
Wecanenjoythissunnyday.
"That'
sit
.Thegrass
wasst
il
lwetfrom thest
orm,thet
ablewouldsinki
n
t
hesoil
.
Nkosi
:"Thet
ab-
"
Sasa:"
Hel
lo."Il
ookedather,comi
ngar
oundf
rom
behi
ndme, smell
ingheavenl
y.
Nkosi:"Hey.
"Ismi l
ed.Shewaswear ingmy
favouri
tedress.Theblackonethathugsherbody
snugthepool sonthefloorl
oosely.Asuddenurge
toholdheroverwhelmedme.
Sasa:"
Hel
loZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Hi
."Hesmi
ledl
ooki
ngatme.
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Zwe:
"Not
hing.Thembi
sacanIcheckyoupl
ease?
"
Sasa:"Sur
e.Ial
socleanedmywoundt oday,
Amahlehelped.
"Shewal kedbacktot
her oom wi
th
him.Istar
edaft
erhercont empl
ati
ngifIshoul
d
fol
low.Amahlestoodinfrontofme.
Ama:"
Canwet
alk?
"
Nkosi
:"Sur
e."
Ama:"Mama,wewil
lbebacksoon,
we'
rej
ust
wal
kingi
nthegar
den."
Mama:"
Okaysweet
ie.
"If
oll
owedAmahl
edownt
he
mai
npath.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sni
ceseei
ngyoupol
it
e."
Ama:"Don'
tgetusedtoi
t.Fat
herwantst
oseeme.
"
Nkosi
:"Obvi
ousl
y.You'
rehisf
avour
it
echil
d."
Ama:"
Hm.
.he'
sgoi
ngt
hroughsomet
hing.
"
Nkosi
:"Weal
lar
e."
Ama:"
HeneedsThembi
sa.
"
Nkosi
:"Nohedoesn'
t.
"
Ama:"
Nko-
"
Nkosi
:"No.Don'
tst
artyournonsense.
"
Ama:"
Nkosi
,youneedtoloosenyourgr
ip.Fat
her
hasal
ott
ounpack.Thembisacanhelpwit
hthat.
"
Nkosi
:"Whycan'
theunpacki
thi
msel
f?Whydon'
t
youhel
phi
m al
so?
"
Ama:"
IwouldbutI
'
mli
mit
ed.Idon'
tknowwhathe'
s
goi
ngthr
ough.
"
Nkosi
:"NoAmahl e.
"Shel
ookedatme.Il
ooked
backather
.(Icandothi
sallday.
)
Ama:"
Fine.Thembisaexpressedthatshewas
wor
ri
edaboutthefuneralt
omor r
ow. "
Nkosi
:"Whatf
uner
al?
"
Ama:"
Herguar
d'sf
uner
al.
"Shest
il
lwant
stogo?
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyout
hink?
"
Ama:"
It
'l
lmakeherfeel
bet
ter
.Besi
des,
shecango
wi
thMthunzi
.Iassumeyoudon'
twantt
ogo.
"
Nkosi:"i
fIstepforwardinthedi
rectionofthat
processi
on, t
hey'l
lstoptheent
ir
epr ogram and
focusonmypr esence.Qhamadeser vesbettert
han
that.I
t'
shisday, peopl
eshouldfocusonr espect
ing
hislif
eforthelastti
me."
Ama:"That'
ssweetbutyou'
rener
vous.
"Wewal
ked
backt
ot hetabl
e.
Nkosi
:"It
rustMt
hunzi
.He'
llpr
otecther
."Ij
ustwish
i
twasmebyhersi de,
hol
dingherhand."Howlong
ar
efuneral
s?"
Ama:"Nowhowwoul
dIknowt
hatNkosi
?I'
venever
evenbeent
ochur
ch.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm. .Thembi
sa'
smot hersaidt
hati
t'
sgood
I
'mrel
igious.I'
m not
.Shoul
dItellhert
hat
?"
Ama:"
Whatdi
ff
erencewoul
ditmake?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
kebei
ngdi
shonest
."
Ama:"
Iguessyoucant
ellher
.Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nki
t'
s
i
mport
ant.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkshe'
l
ltakemet
ochur
ch?
"
Ama:"Lookatyoureyes,
doyout hi
nkshe'l
lri
skt
he
chur
chcatchi
ngf i
re?
"Shelaughed.Ismi
led.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tlookatmyeyes.
"
Ama:"Ihopet
heyt
akeyout
ochur
ch.
"Wer
eached
t
hetable.
Mama:"
ThePr
incewant
stogot
ochur
ch?
"
Ama:"
Heexpr
essedi
nter
est
."Thembi
sawal
ked
backout,laughi
ngwithZwe.Istar
edather
beauti
fulfacewhil
eshespokewi t
hhim.Iknow
she'st
ell
inghim asil
lyst
ory.Shecanbeveryf
unny
fornoreason.
Mama:" Oht hatissol ovel
y.Ourchur chwoul dbe
blessedt ohaveaf uturekingcomei nandpr ai
se
theLor d.Maybewhenal lofthisisover,wecan
attend.You'llloveit.
"Zwel aughedatherj oke.See?
Funny.She' sver ysil
ly.Idon'tknowaper sonwho
wokeupf rom acomadaysagol ookingsor adiant
andbeaut iful.Ontopoft hatcrackingjokes.
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
omar
ryyou.
"Amahl
enudgedmy
ar
m.
Ama:"Yousai
dt hatoutloud.
"Il
ookedaroundthe
t
able.Hermotherwashol di
nginascream,Icoul
d
t
ell
.Herfat
herandsisterwerehereaswell
.Okay
t
hisisembarr
assing.Wesatdown.
Nkosi
:"Thelunchlooksnice.I
sthatacake?
"
Mthunzichuckl
ed.Inevermakemi st
akesbutt
his
womanhasmyent ir
emi ndandsoul.
Mama:"
Iti
s,YourHi
ghness.
"Shesmi
led.
Ama:"
Ithoughtyoudi
dn'
tli
kecake.
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tli
kesomet
hingIhaven'
teat
en.
"
Mama:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
vehaddesser
tbutnotcake.Idon'
t
r
emembereati
ngit.
"
Zanel
e:"I
'
m sor
ry,YourHi
ghness.Don'
tyouhave
cakeonyourbi
rt
hday?"Il
ookedatAmahlethen
backather.
Nkosi
:"No.Ihaven'
thadcakeonmybir
thday.
"
Thembisasatnextt
ome."Areyouj
oini
ngus?"
Zwe:
"Woul
dyoul
ikemet
ojoi
nyouNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Ineededhimtodistr
actmeeveryfew
minut
esbecauseallMthunzidoesisgi
ggl
e.He
t
hinksI'
m hi
sentert
ainment.Zwetookhi
sseat.
Mama:"Thembi
sawhyhaven'
tyoubakedt
hepr
ince
acake?
"
Xol
ani
:"Nt
ombenhl
e!"
Mama:"Hai
boXol
ani
,youhear
dhi
m.Hehasnever
hadacake.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thi
sisnotyourt
hingt
otel
l.
"
Sasa:"
Nkosihashadcakemama,
whatdoyou
mean?"
Nkosi
:"NoIhaven'
t
."Shest
aredatme.Imel
tedi
nto
asmil
ebutIhaven'
thadacakebefor
e.
Sasa:"
I'
llbakeyouacake.
"
Mama:"Thembisai
sver
ygoodatbaki
ng,
MyPr
ince.
Youwi
llenjoyi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
dtoi
t.
"
Sasa:"
Wheni
syourbi
rt
hday?
"
Nkosi:"
Today.
"Shegasped.Everyonest
opped
moving.Weretheyshocked?"
I'
mj oki
ng.
"Ismi
led.
Theylaughed.
Sasa:"
Thatwasn'
tfunnyNkosi
."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Nkosi
:"I
tmadeyoul
augh.Il
ovehear
ingyoul
augh.
"
Shebl
ushed.
Sasa:"
Per
hapsweshoul
deat
."
Mama:"Befor
eweeat,
maybeweshoul
dpray.The
Pr
incesayshewant
stogotochur
ch.
"Zwechoked
onhi
sjui
ce.Mt
hunziasusualhel
dinagi
ggl
e.
Sasa:"
Chur
ch?
"Shedi
shedupf
orme.
Nkosi:"It
hinkthisi
st heperf
ectti
met oannounce,
I'
m actual
lynotreli
gious.Ihaven'
tbeentochurch.I
don'tworship.Chur
chmi ghtbeconfli
cti
ngforme."
Mama:"
That
'sfi
ne.Goddoesn'
tjudge.He
wel
comesal
l-
"
Xol
ani
:"MakaThembi
sa.
"
Mama:"Yimakanci
nciXolani
.Churchcanbea
pl
aceofpeace.Whereyoucanfindjoyand
happi
ness.
"
Zanele:"Hayimama, t
hat'
snottrue.Rememberyou
andMamDuduar enotspeaki
ngbecauseshegot
thetr
easur erpositi
on?Andnotlongagoyouand
MamKhadaf i
ghtbecauseshewant edtopreach
theverseatEast er?There'
snopeacet her
e."
Thembi saandherf atherchuckl
ed.
Mama:"Hai
boZanel
e,ever
ypl
acehasaf
ew
hi
ccups.
"
Zanel
e:"
Afewmama?Past
orKukhonahas
scandalsfordays,di
dn'thetakemoneyf r
om the
churchandgambl eitinKingstown?Hedidmama.
Wewoul d'veneverknowni fNhlanhl
a'
shusband
wasn'tcheati
ngonherwi ththe23yearoldgirlf
rom
upthestreet,
ubaniigamal akheThembisa?"
Sasa:"
Babsi
e."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Zanele:"
Exactl
y.Babsietol
dust hatshesawPast or
andshowedapi ctur
eofhersel
fwi t
hhim pl
ayingin
thebackground.Unfort
unatel
yf orher,t
hepictur
e
showedushadt hehandofNhl anhla'shusband,
that
'showwef oundout.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisaver
ybusychur
ch.
"
Zanele:"
Busy,YourHi ghness?It
'sscandal
ous.
Pheli
sa'smom broughtmuf f
instheothert
ime
duri
ngawoman' slunchandt heyallgothi
gh.
"
Ever
yonebur stoutlaughing.
Mama:"
Zanel
e,bequi
et.
"
Zanel
e:"Sorr
ymamabutit
'snotpeacef
ulshame.
Thenthere'
sMamThul
iandhersuspici
ouspet.
"
Xol
ani
:"Zanel
e."Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Youcanbr
ingpet
stochur
ch?
"
Zanel
e:"
NoYourHi
ghnessbutt
hatonedoesn'
t
l
ist
en.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatpeti
sit
?"
Zanele:"I
t'
samonkey.Sometimesi
tescapest
he
houseandcomest ochur
ch.Wedon'
tknowwhybut
i
t'
sver ynaughty.I
tcl
imbsonpeopl
e'
sheadsduri
ng
ser
vice."Welaughed.
Mama:"Zanel
eisbei
ngdr
amat
ic.Themonkeyonl
y
cameonce."
Sasa:"Myquest
ioni
showdoesitknowthewayt
o
church?Andhowdoesitknowshe'
sther
e?"
Zanel
e:"Andit
hiMamThulicleansthechurchtwice
aweek?Sheusual l
ytakesitwithhert
hen.Sowhen
i
tescapesfrom t
hehouse, t
hat'swherei
tgoesto
l
ookforher.Sonomama, churchisnotpeacef
ul."
Mama:"Si
kvi
leMamuZanel
e."Sasacoul
dn'
tst
op
gi
ggl
ing.

Af
terl
unch,
west
il
lsatatt
het
abl
ehavi
ngachat
.
ZweandMt hunziwer
ehavingt heirconversati
on.
Amahl ewithZanel
e.Thembisa'spar entstoeach
other.Il
ookedatThembisa.Shesmi ledatme.I
gavehermyhandundert het able.Shepl acedher
s
i
ni tandclosedinonit
.
Nkosi
:"You'
rewear
ingmydr
ess.
"Iwhi
sper
edso
onl
yshecanhear.
Sasa:"
HaiboNkosi
,youcanf
iti
ntot
hisdr
ess?
"I
chuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
smyf avouri
te.Youworei
tthesecond
ti
meIbroughtyouhere.Ourfir
stweekendtoget
her
whenyouhypnotizedmei nt
oanapont helounge
bed.
"
Sasa:"
It
'shypnoti
zingnow?I'm neverl
ett
ingyou
rel
axeveragain.I
nf act
,youshouldbebusy
worki
ngrightnow."
Nkosi
:"Iam busywor
king.
"
Sasa:"
Whatar
eyouwor
kingonPr
inceSi
khosana?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wor
kingonbeingtheper
fecthusbandt
o
youandonl
yyou."Shegi
ggled.
Sasa:"
Whatdoest
hiswor
kconsi
stof
?"
Nkosi :"
Showi ngyouj usthowmuchIl oveyou.
Maki ngsur eyouar ealwayspr otectedandcar edfor
asthedaywest artedourrelati
onshi p,Ipromi sedI
woulddo.Al waysl i
steni
ngt oyoubecauseIl ove
hearingyourvoi ce.Respectingyou.Youhol dmy
heart.Youwantwhat '
sbestf ormeandyougui de
met obei ngabet terperson.Ther e'sneverat ime
youcompl ain.You'recarr
yingmyl ovealongwi th
myf ami l
yt r
ansgr essi
onsandhi st orywithsomuch
grace.Somuchr espect.Theveryl eastIcando, is
dedicatemywhol esoulandspi r
itt oyou.Iloveyou
Thembi sa."Ikissedherhand.Shebl ushed,tryingto
hideherf acebyl ookingdown.
Zwe:"Mthunzi
,ar
ethecowsr
eady?I
'
vegotasui
tin
thecar
."
Xolani
:"Let'
sgett
hewardonewi t
hfi
rst
."Webot
h
l
ookedathi m."Mychi
ldwi
llnotcomecheap,
Your
Highness."
Nkosi
:"If
ull
yunder
stand,
sir
.".
..
Wesatont hebenchonthefurthersi
deofthe
gardenwithoutthefami
ly.Justustwo.Thembisa
snuggledontomychest.
Nkosi
:"Youmi
ssedsi
tt
ingonmyl
ap,
didn'
tyou?
"
Sasa:"
Somuch.
"Sheki
ssedmyneck."
Imi
ssed
you.
"
Nkosi:"
Youdon'
thavet
omi ssmeanymor e.Your
dadjustgavemehisbl
essi
ng."Shesmi
led.
Sasa:"
I'
m happyf
oryou.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m happyf
ormet
oo.
"Ismi
led.
Sasa:"
Imeditatedear
li
erthismor
ning.Amahl
e
gavemeabr anchfrom atreet
oburnandIli
ta
candl
e.Itwas..
.Event
ful
."
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?
"
Sasa:"
Ihadavi
sitf
rom Mam Nonkosi
."Il
ooked
downather.
Nkosi
:"Vi
sithow?
"
Sasa:"
Asi
n,Iopenedmyeyesandshewasi
nf r
ont
ofme.Wehadaconversat
ion.
"Thi
swasashocking
becauseI'veneverhear
dofanyt hi
ngr el
atedtothi
s.
It
'sonethingdreamingofthepast,l
ivinginitas
you'
reasleepbuttobeawakeandst il
lseethose
whohavepassedandt al
kt othem?That '
sa
powerfulgif
t.Averyusefulonetoo.
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dyout
alkabout
?"
Sasa:"Al
otabouthowIfel
taboutthej
ourneyof
tr
aveli
ngtothepastandtoEzi
zathu.I
twasdiff
icul
t
atti
mes."
Nkosi
:"Thedr
eami
ng?
"
Sasa:"Yes.Ididn'twantt otellyoubecausei t'
sjust
weird.SinceIwasdr eamingasNonkosi ,Iwas
pregnantint hedream.If el
tal ltheemot ionsofthe
pregnancy.Theki cks,thecravi ngs, t
he
overwhelmi nglove.SowhenIwokeup, Iwouldfeel
sadlikesomet hingismi ssi
ng.I tgotveryintenseas
Iwoul dholdmybel l
ysomet imesandget
disappointedwhenIf i
nditflat.If eell
ikeIwas
beginningt onotbeabl etodi f
f erenti
atebetweenthe
dream andr eali
ty.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sosor
ryaboutt
hatmyl
ove.Howdoesi
t
f
eelnow?
"
Sasa:"
Bett
er.Inol
ongerf
eel
theachi
ngsi
nceI
spoketohi
m. "
Nkosi
:"I
sthatwhyyouf
orgavehi
m?"Shenodded.
"
Amahlethinkshemayneedyou.
"
Sasa:"Hecancont actmewhenhei sready.Or
maybeIwi l
l.Mam Nonkosisayst hegodsgavet he
Sikhosanalineageonel astchancewithus.That'
s
whyt heycreatedAmahl e,toshiel
dmef rom
premat ur
edeat h.I
fIdiedthenyourlineage
would'veendedwi thyou.Ourf i
rstt
askisnowt o
fi
ndt hespirit
softhelostprinces.
"
Nkosi
:"Myuncl
es?
"
Sasa:"
Yes.Apparent
lyt
heyar
eint
hevi
ll
ages
wheretheydi
ed."
Nkosi:"We'l
lfi
ndthem."Iki
ssedherhead."Thank
youmyl ove."Forasecond,It
houghtmyancest or
s
wer et
ryingtotakeherf
rom mewhensheal most
died.I
twast heopposit
e.Theyweredoing
everyt
hingtheycantokeepherhereandkeepher
forme.
Sasa:"
Howwasyourday?
"
Nkosi
:"Tr
oubl
ing.MnqobiBi
yel
acal
ledmecal
lous.
"
Sasa:"MnqobiBiyela?Heknowsbei ngcallous?Not
him.Surelynotbecausemybestf r
iendisst i
ll
cryi
ngf r
om whathedi dtoher.Ifhewant st obe
madt henhemustdoi tqui
etl
y.Angi hl
anyikakhulu.
Buthe'skindari
ghtbaby.Iknowyoudi dn'twantto
kil
lpeople,Ij
ustfeelthiscoul
d'vebeenr esolved
diff
erent
.However ,youknowwhati sbest.Youar e
theleader.
"Ichuckled.
Nkosi :"
Butbaby, t
hepr otesti
sn'tforthelackof
i
nf or
mat ion.Thi soneinpar ti
cularwasbecause
thesepeopl ewant edt ocloseourcount ryandhave
ademocr acy.Ican'tletthathappen, bel
ievemeI
wantt o.Ther easonwhyIcan' ti
sbecausei fIput
thi
st ypeofpoweri nanot herindivi
dual,t
heywi l
l
causechaos.I '
m notsayi ngnobodyel seiscapable.
AllI'
m sayingi s,Ionl
yt rustmyhol d,andt hatofmy
l
ineage."Shesi ghed.
Sasa:"
Iunder
stand.Sonow,weneedtof
indaway
toappeaset
hemasses.They'
rescar
edNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"We'
vedr
aft
edastat
ementbutIt
hink
per
haps,i
twoul
dbebet
teri
fIaddr
essedthemat
ter
ver
bal
ly.
"
Sasa:"
Whatwoul
dyousayt
hough?
"
Nkosi:"
Explai
nt othem thatthesepeoplewant edto
goagainstthethrone.Remi ndthem thatIdonot
wishtohurtthem, Ionlywanttomakel i
febetter
andeasierforthem.Myf amil
yhasn'tbeent hebest
atcommuni cati
ngandhonest l
yneit
herhaveIbut
j
ustthisonce.Nowr i
tt
enspeeches, publi
cistsand
al
l.Justme."
Sasa:"
That'
sgoodbutperhapspr
epari
ngofhow
youaretowordwhatyouwanttosay.Yourpr
inces
wil
lbeagreathel
pinthat
."
Nkosi
:"Amahl
esaysyouwantt
ogot
othef
uner
al.
"
Sasa:"Ir
eall
ydobutIunderst
andthatIcan'
t.With
thewarhappeningandal
l.Maybeweshoul dsenda
l
ettert
ohisfamilyandabasketoff
rui
t,some
fl
owers.Anythi
ng."I
fmyheartwentanysofter
,it
wouldmel tt
oli
quid.
Nkosi
:"Youcangowi
thMt
hunzi
.He'
sgoi
ng.And
hewi
llpr
otectyou.
"
Sasa:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Iki
ssedherf
orehead."
You'
reagood
per
son."
Sasa:"Itr
y.Ineedt ocheckuponPetutoday.I
reall
yfeelbadthatIletherdowneventhoughshe's
forgi
venme.Not hando, ontheot
herhand,Ican'
tbe
madather .Idon'tknowhowt of
ixt
hismess."
Nkosi:"
Youdon'thavetofi
xat hi
ng.Theonly
personyouwereaccountabl
et owasPetuandyou
spoketoher
,theissuewasr esol
ved.Anyt
hingel
se
i
snotyourbusiness."
Sasa:"
You'
rer
ight
."
Nkosi
:"Si
nceI
'
m of
fthi
sweekend,
whatshoul
dwe
do?"
Sasa:"Wecanst ar tbyputti
ngtogetheragiftf
or
Qhama'sf ami
ly.Come.Hehadat woyearol dson,a
gi
rl
fri
endandpar ents.Weneedabasket ."Shegot
up,pull
ingmet ot hevil
la.Ihaveneverputtogether
agift
,Iwouldn'tevenknowwher etobeginbutas
l
ongasI'
m wi
thher
,Idi
dn'
tcar
ewhatwewer
e
doi
ng.
[
07/
27,
06:
01] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er67

KHAYA'
SPOV

I
nst
eadofgoi ngupt ot
hevil
lawi
thZwe, hetol
d
MnqobiandIt ogohome.Mnqobiwantedt ostar
tat
myapartmentf i
rst
.Idi
dn'
tmindbecauseIneeded
morecl
othes.Theguarddroveustomybui ldi
ng.
Khaya:"
Youokay?
"
Mnqobi
:"Notr
eal
ly,
no.
"
Khaya:"
Isi
taboutwhatt
hePr
incedi
dandsai
d?"
Mnqobi :"Yes.Khaya,Pet
u'sfat
herwasi nt
hat
crowd.Shedoesn' thaveanyotherparenti
nthe
world.Ifuckeduponmysi debutthi
s?Idon'tknow,
thi
snotr epairabl
e."
Khaya:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Mnqobi:"
She'snotgoi
ngtofor
giveme.Ial
ready
hadaslim chancewi
ththeNot
handoissuebutnow,
Idon'
thaveachanceatall.
"
Khaya:"
How'
sNot
hando?
"
Mnqobi
:"Nott
alki
ngt
ome.Likeatal
l.Youhear
d
howsheicedmeoutatdi
nner.
"
Khaya:"
Doyoucar
e?"
Mnqobi :"Ofcour
seIcare.Iloveher
.Mom tol
dme
togivehersomet ime.I
nt hemeanwhil
e,I
'
m
grovel
ing.Nothandoisnotthetypetobei
mpr essed
byjewel r
y."
Khaya:"
Nowomanshoul
dbe.
"
Mnqobi:"No, t
heyshoul dbei mpressedbywhat ever
theywant.Ifjewelry,
flowers,chocolat
eorjust
sweetwor dsmakest hem feelbett
erthenthat
's
okay.Asaman, iti
smyj obtof i
ndoutwhatwoul d
appeasemywomanwhenIhavef uckedup.My
apologyneedst obesi ncer
ebutal soaccompani ed
bysomet hing.Thisisthefourthruleinpri
nce
camp.
"
Khaya:"
Wow.That
'swhatt
heyt
eachi
npr
ince
camp?"
Mnqobi :"
alongsi
demanyotherthi
ngs.I
t'
sagr eat
ti
me.Hey, youknowweshoul ddoitt
hisyearfor
ourYear l
yboysholi
day?Imeanwear eoldforthe
actualcampbutmaybewecandoourownver sion
tobrushuponwhatwel ear
nt.
"
Khaya:"
Wear
est
il
latwarMnqobi
."
Mnqobi:"Fuck.Anyway,howareyoudoi
ng?How
youfeel
ingaboutworkingfort
heguywhotookyour
gir
l?"
Khaya:"
Hedi
dn'tt
akemygi rl.Heapproacheda
si
nglewomanthatIfumbled.Iregr
etitbutI
'm gl
ad
i
t'
shim.Heseemst oreal
lyloveher.
"
Mnqobi:"
Iknow,I
'
mjustteasi
ngyou.Soar
eyou
t
hinki
ngofdati
ngsoon?
"
Khaya:"Def
ini
tel
ynot.Idon'
tthi
nkI'
mintheri
ght
spaceforarel
ati
onshiporafli
ng.I
'
m st
arti
ngmy
ther
apyonMonday. "
Mnqobi
:"That
'sgreat
.Doyouwantmet
ocomewi
th
youf
orsupport?
"
Khaya:"
It
'l
lbevi
rt
ual
,soI
'
llj
ustbei
nthebedr
oom.
"
Mnqobi:"Okay.
"Thedr iverpar
kedinthe
undergr
oundpar ki
ng,wegotoutandt ooktheli
ftup
tomyapar t
ment.Iwal kedinfi
rst
.Zimmywas
sit
ti
nginthedini
ngt ablewithherbooks,
studyi
ng.
Khaya:"
Heyl
ove.
"Ihuggedher
.
Zi
mmy:"
Heyguys.
"
Mnqobi
:"HiZi
m."Hewal
kedt
othebedr
oom.
Khaya:"
Whatar
eyouupt
o?"
Zimmy:" Doingmyassi gnments.Iwassobehi nd
withschoolwor k.I
'm al
mostcat chi
ngupnow.Di d
yougett heemai l
sfrom school?Apparentl
ywe
needt ochoosewhi chlearni
ngwewantt odo
start
ingfrom thi
sweek.Ichosevi rt
ual
.I'vebeen
doingbet t
er,j
ustbeingindoorsandalone.Whatdid
youtake? "
Khaya:"
Vir
tualaswell
.Iwor
kfort
hefut
ureki
ng
nowsoIdon'thavetheti
metogett
oschool
ever
yday.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hmm.Fancy.How'
sthatgoi
ng?
"
Khaya:"
Fant
ast
ic.I
'
m act
ual
lyenj
oyi
ngi
t.He'
snot
sobad."
Zi
mmy:"
Real
ly?Hel
ooksscar
y."
Khaya:"Ohhedefi
nit
elyi
s."I
twasn'tmypl
acetot
ell
herheisdati
ngherfri
end.OnlyThembi
sacoul
dtel
l
herthat
.Mnqobicamebackt ous.
Mnqobi
:"Wher
e'sPet
u?"
Zimmy:"
Idon'
tknow.Di
dshesayshe'
scomi
ng
here?
"
Mnqobi:"
No.Sibonel
owassupposedt
odr
opher
her
e."Hedial
edhisnumber
."Sbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Youngpr
ince.
"
Mnqobi
:"Wher
eisPet
uni
a?"
Si
bo:"
Leaveherbe.
"
Mnqobi:"
No,Sbo.Yousai
dyou'r
ebringi
nghert
o
Khaya'
sapar
tment.She'
snothere!
"
Si
bo:"
So?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ar
eyoubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
"
Sibo:"
Mnqobi ,Petudoesn'
twanttoseeyou.She
specif
ical
lyaskednottocomet her
eandwi t
hgood
reasonbecauset her
eyouarenotgivi
nghera
minutetobreath."
Mnqobi:"
OhmyGod,
didyoutakehert
oyour
house?
!Whywoul
dyoudothat?"
Sibo:"NoIdidn'
t.Whenyou'
redonet
hrowi
nga
tantr
um, comehome."
Mnqobi
:"Notunt
ilIf
indher
."
Sibo:"I
fyoucomeanywher enearmyhouse, I'
m
sendingaf l
yingsquadt
oteachyoual esson.
Mnqobi ,i
fPetuwantedt
ospeakt oyou,shewould.
Giveherspace.Leaveherbe.She'
shomewi t
hher
family.
"Hehungup.
Khaya:"
He'
sri
ght
,Mnqobi
.Leaveherbe.
"
Mnqobi
:"Fine.Ihearyou.
"Hesatdownsadly,
pl
ayi
ngwi t
hhi sphone.He'
llbef
ine.Iwasi
nthe
pl
acehe'
sin, j
ustafewweeksago.
Khaya:"
Soyou'
ref
ineher
ebyyour
sel
f?"
Zimmy:"Absolut
ely.I'
l
lpr
obablygobacktoresaf
ter
thewhol
edr amaout si
degoesdown.Ididhavean
i
deathough.Idon'tknowifi
t'
llwor
k."
Khaya:"
Whati
sit
?"Isatdownatt
het
abl
ewi
thher
.
Zimmy:" So,sincethere'
salockdown, wecan't
real
lygoout si
deunl essnecessaryright?Nowwi th
theexplosionsandst uff
,mostpeopl ewanttostay
i
ndoor s.Thet hroneisprovi
dingfoodpar cel
sand
suchbutt hisareadoesn'tquali
fyforthem.I'
m
orderi
ngf oodf r
om thekit
chenherei nthebuildi
ng.
Thatisboundt orunyourbil
lskyrocketinghigh."
Khaya:"Thatisn'
taprobl
em f
orme.Don'
twor
ry
aboutit
,orderanythi
ngyouneedorwant
."
Zimmy:"Ther
earestuf
ftheydon'thave,
Khaya.Li
ke
tamponsandsnacksandtoil
etr
ies."
Khaya:"
Ohdamn.Youneedt
hem now?
"
Zimmy:"No,butsoon.Somyi deawas,Iwantt
her
e
tobeawayt oconnectconsumertostore,
wit
hout
consumerleavi
ngthehouse."
Mnqobi
:"Li
keadel
iver
yser
vicebutf
orgr
ocer
y?"
Zi
mmy:"
Exact
lyt
hat
."
Khaya:"That
'sagoodidea.Especiall
ynow,we'
re
notsureofhowlongthelockdownwi lll
ast
.We
needtokick-
star
tthi
simmedi at
ely."
Mnqobi :"Ilovenewpr oj
ects.Ihave10scoot ers
thatwer einit
iallyusedf ordeliverybymyf ami l
y.
Sinceallpr oduct ionisdown, they'r
eavail
able.Ican
askSi bonelotocr eateanapp, welaunchitby
Mondayandof fer10peopl evoucher stostart
.We
uset hose10t omar ketandattracttherestofthe
cit
izenswi thadi scountcode.I '
m goingtomakea
phonecal ltot heCEOofFr eshFoodsmar ketsince
theyownt hebi ggestsuper mar ketsint
heci t
y.We'll
addmor east imegoes. "
Zi
mmy:"
Areyouser
ious!
?"
Mnqobi:"
I'
m alwaysseri
ousaboutbusiness.We
canst
artplanning,
it'
snotl
ikeIhaveanythi
ngbett
er
todo.
"Hesul ked.
Khaya:"
Youaresuchababy.Zimmy,putawaythe
schoolwor
k.Thi
sisyourpr
oject
,we'
reonlyher
eto
assi
st.Let
'sst
art
.".
..
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Foronce,
I'
dgottenabitoft
imeal
one.Iwasinmy
parent
shouse,
wat chi
ngTV.Mymotherwalkedi
n.
Queen:"
Buns,
wher
ear
eyourbr
other
s?"
Si
bo:"Zweiswit
hPri
nceSi
khosana.Mnqobiand
Khayaareatt
heapar
tment
."
Queen:"
Whatonear
thar
etheydoi
ngatt
he
apar
tment?
"
Si
bo:"
Boyst
uffma.
"
Queen:"
Khayai
sn'
tal
lowedt
odr
inkSi
bonel
o!"
Si
bo:"
He'
snotdr
inki
ng.They'
rer
esponsi
ble.
"
Queen:"
Okay,buttheymustcomehome.
"Shesat
down."Whatareyouupto?"
Sibo:"
Wat
chi
ngTVmama. "Iknowmytimealone
hascometoanend.Shewantssomet
hing.
Queen:"Ohthat
'sni
ce.
"Il
ookedather
."Canwe
havetea?"
Sibo:"Sure.I'
l
lmakeit.
"Igotup, goingtothe
kit
chen.Mymot herandIhadourdat estogether
regularl
ywi t
houtanyoneelse.Shewasmybest
fri
endapar tfr
om mybr ot
hers.Theonl ywomanwho
canlistentomeandpr operlyadvise.Imadet hetea,
putti
ngherf avour
it
ebiscuitsonthesi deandt ook
thetraytothegardenwher eshewai tedont he
gardent abl
eIboughther.
Queen:"
Irai
sedyousowel
l.Yourwi
fewi
llbea
l
uckywoman. "
Sibo:"
I'
m neverdri
nkingteawit
hanywomanbut
youmama.They' l
lhavetof i
ndanot
herbeverageto
forceonme."Ismiled,si
tt
ingdown.Shegiggled,
hercheeksfl
ushingred.
Queen:"
You'
resweet
.Sot
ellmewhyyou'
renot
dat
ing.
"
Sibo:"
Ihaven'tfoundsomeoneIl
ikemama."I
addedonet easpoonofsugari
nmi neandt
woin
hers.
Queen:"
Areyouevenl
ooki
ng?
"
Si
bo:"Nope.I
'
m ki
ndofwor
kingi
nthemi
ddl
eofa
war.
"
Queen:"
Iwantgr
andchi
ldr
enSi
bonel
o."Shesi
pped
hert
ea.
Sibo:"
Ther
e'sf
ivechi
ldr
eni
nthishousemamaand
youwantmet obri
ngthegr
andchi
ld?"
Queen:"YouknowZwei sbusywit
hthathospi
tal
andMnqobiandKhayaar eyoungandfooli
sh.
You'
retheonlyoneIhavefai
thin.
"
Sibo:"
Idon'tknowma.Chi
ldr
enar
en'
tinmyt
wo
yearplan.
"Isippedmyt
ea.
Queen:"
Whati
s?"
Sibo:"Idi
dn'
texpecttobeworkingwithPri
nce
Sikhosanabutnowt hatIam,I
'm sur
eitmaybea
permanentposit
ion.It
'sbeengoingwell
sof ar
."
Queen:"Thi
sissogood.I'
m gladthatmani
s
i
ncludi
ngyouall.Hisf
atheri
sn'tmuchof
a.
..
welcomingperson.
"
Si
bo:"
Ithoughtsot
oo.Foral
ongt
ime,
Ijudgedt
he
pr
incethatwaybutthispastweekhasbeena
di
ffer
entexper
ience.He'
snotsobad."
Queen:"That
'sgood.Whatdoyouthi
nkaboutthi
s
NothandoandMnqobi ?Doyouthi
nkhesti
lll
oves
her
? "
Si
bo:"
Hedoes,
mama.I
fhedi
dn'
t,
hewoul
d'vel
et
meknow.
"
Queen:"
Whati
fhe'
sscar
edt
o?"
Sibo:"
Scared?ThesameMnqobiwhowas
screamingatmejustaf
ewminutesago?
"Il
aughed.
Queen:"
Forwhatnow?
"
Si
bo:"
HethoughtIhi
dhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.I
t'
sal
ongst
ory
mama."
Queen:"
Gir
lf
ri
end?Thegi
rlt
hatwasher
e?Kant
i
uMnqobiuf
unangif
e?"
Sibo:"Shebrokeupwit
hhim andwon'tspeakt
o
hi
m.Youseet hist
eaofyour
sistur
ningmei nt
oa
gossip?"Shegiggl
ed.
Queen:"
TellmemanSibonel
o.Mnqobii
sreal
ly
ser
iousaboutt
hatgi
rl
?"
Si
bo:"Hesai
dheloveshermama.Ibel
ievehim.I
'm
j
ustwait
ingonhi
mt oadmithewant
stwowi ves.
"
Shegasped.
Queen:"
Sibonel
o,whydoyoukidshat
eme?Wher e
haveyouseenthathappeni
ng?Yourf
atherhasonl
y
beenwit
hme. "
Si
bo:"Iknowthatma.Justt
hataspeopl
ewe'r
e
di
ff
erent.Forexampl
e,Zi
nhl
edoesn'
tevenl
ike
men."Shescreamed."
Mama. "
Queen:"
Sibonel
o,whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"
Sibo:"I'
m sayi
ngweneedt obeopen.Theobj ecti
ve
i
shappi ness.Youtaughtusthatasafamil
y,one
person'shappinessi
sasimpor t
antastheother
person.Weshoul dallwor
ktogethert
oachieveit.
OnceMnqobiaccept swhathewant s,hewil
ltellus,
we'llf
indawayt osupporthi
m. "
Queen:"
Sibonelo,
hismar
ri
agetoNothandoi
sa
busi
nessarrangement
,hecan'
tbebr
eakingher
hear
tli
kethis.
"
Si
bo:"
Not
handoknewmama.SheknewaboutPet
u
si
ncet
heyst
art
eddati
ngandshedi
dn'
tmindi
t.
NowI'
m notonetot
alkaboutotherpeopl
e'
s
comf
ortbuti
tseemstomet hatsheisokaywi
thi
t.
"
Queen:"
Wehavet
odi
scusst
hisf
ir
stwi
thher
."
Si
bo:"Yes,
butonl
yonceMnqobimakesuphi
s
mind.
"
Queen:"
Sibonel
ohowcanZi
nhl
eli
keot
hergi
rl
s?"
Sibo:"
Howam Isupposedtoknowmama?Evenso,
wehaveenoughall
iance,
powerandmoney.She
canbewit
hwhoevershewant s.
"
Queen:"
I'
mjustwor
ri
edSibonel
obutyou'rer
ight
.
Wehaveenoughevenwit
houtall
iance.
"Sheshook
herheadandsi
ppedhert
ea."WhataboutZwe?"
Si
bo:"
He'
snotseei
nganyoneatt
hemoment
."
Queen:"
Wel
l?Whathappenedt
ohi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Si
bo:"ShewaspushysoIgotr
idofher
."She
smackedmyarm."Ouch.
"
Queen:"
Doesheknow?
"
Sibo:"
He'st
heonethataskedmetomama.Didyou
real
lythi
nkI
'ddot
hatwithouthi
sper
missi
on?
"
Queen:"
Sor
rymyangel
.Howdi
dyougetr
idofher
?"
Isi
ppedmytea.
Si
bo:"She'
sal
iveandunharmed,
bef
oreIget
smackedagai
n."Shesmil
ed.
Queen:"
Ist
il
lwantt
oseeyourwoman.
"
Si
bo:"WhenIf
indher
,you'
l
lmeetherma.I
pr
omise.
"Ipl
acedmyempt ycupdown."
Wher
e's
Si
enna?"
Queen:"Iaskedhert
ogoonmat
erni
tyl
eavesi
nce
t
hislockdownbusiness.
"
Sibo:"
Ishoul
d'
vemar
ri
edherwhenIst
il
lhadt
he
chance."
Queen:" Yes, youwer easfooli
shasMnqobinow
shegother selfagoodmanandshe' sexpect
ingher
fi
rstblessingt hatshould'
vebeenour sbutnooo,
Sibonelowant stobeapl ayboy."Iroll
edmyeyes.
Shesmackedmeagai nandIlaughed.Sienna
start
edwor kingforust hr
eeyear sago.Ididl
ikeher
butasmymot hersays,Iwasf ooli
shbutmost l
y
busy.Shef i
nallystoppedbeingpat i
entandfound
herselfabet terman.Hemar r
iedheral most
i
mmedi atel
yandnowt hey'r
ehavingababy.Iwas
quitehappyf orherbecauseshewasr eallyhappy.
Siennawasoneoft hosewomenwhodi dn'tcar
e
aboutt hi
ngslikemoneyandst atus.Hertruejoyis
maki ngothershappy.Shei ski
ndandl ovi
ng.Her
husbandi sjustaskindasshei sandlovesher
dearly.Myf at
herwalkedt owar
dsus.
Ki
ng:"Whenwi
llyoust
opst
eal
ingpeopl
e'
swi
ves
Si
bonelo?
"
Si
bo:"
Whenyoust
opl
eavi
ngt
hem byt
hemsel
ves.
"
Ki
ng:
"Hehe.Di
nneri
sready.
"
Queen:"
Sibonel
opl
easecal
lyourbr
other
stocome
eat
."
Si
bo:"
Zwei
sonhi
swaysur
ely.
"
Ki
ng:
"Hej
ustpar
ked.Wher
eisMnqobiandKhaya?
"
Si
bo:"
Att
heapar
tment
."
Ki
ng:"I
t'
sti
met ocomehomenow,gofet
cht
hem
pl
ease.
"Isentamessageonmyphone.
Sibo:"
They'
llf
indt
heirway.I
'
m st
arvi
ng.Mama,
shouldIbr
ingourfoodordoyouwanttoeat
i
nsi
de?
"
Ki
ng:
"Iwonderwher
eIwentwr
ongwi
thyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Youaskedthegodsf
orsomeoneyoutrul
y
l
oveandtheygaveyoume.
"Helaughed.Zwe
wal
kedin.
Zwe:
"Mypeopl
e.Di
nnerundert
hest
arst
oni
ght
?"
Ki
ng:
"Mi
ghtaswel
l.
"
Si
bo:"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"
Zwe:
"Int
hemount
ainwi
thNkosiandhi
sinl
aws.
"
Queen:"Hefoundamaiden!
?We'
rehavi
nga
wedding!
!!
"Shesqueal
ed.
Sibo:"Mama,woahthere.Pleasecont
aint
hatmuch
excit
ementformeandonl yme.Maybeabi tf
orZwe
butmost l
yme.Haibo,wajabulakanj
e?"
King:
"Yuh,we'llwaitunt
ilweturntodustbef
ore
yougetmar r
ied.Thisisgreatnews.I
sitaroyal
fr
om anothernation?"
Zwe:
"Ican'
treveal
thati
nfor
mat
ionTat
a."
Si
bo:"
HawuZwe.Thi
sisf
ami
ly.Besi
des,
wedon'
t
t
alkt
oot
herr
oyal
sanymor
e."
Zwe:"Nkosi'
sbr
idei
sn'
troyal
.She'
sasweetgir
l
fr
om eMthinomkhul
u.He'
sinloveandt
hat
'sthe
onlyt
hingimport
ant
."
Sibo:"Veryi
nlove.Ineverwoul
dhavepi ctur
edhim
i
nt hatway.TheonlytimeI'
veseenf eel
ingfr
om hi
m
i
swhenshei sment i
onedoraround.It'
ssweet
shame. "
Queen:"Toosweet
.I'
m sohappy.Si
bonel
owhy
di
dn'tyousayanyt
hing?"
Zwe:"
Hewoul dn'
tbecausehewant
edt
otakeher
fr
om Nkosi
."
Ki
ng:
"What
!!
"
Si
bo:"
Whyar
eyoubei
ngmessy?
"IaskedZwe.
Queen:"
Sibonel
o!!
"
Sibo:"
ItwaswhenIwant edtodist
racthim,whenI
wasgoi ngaf
terthethr
one.Iknewhel i
kedherand
i
fIcouldshowhi sweakness,hi
sreignwouldbe
questi
oned.I
'm nolongert
herement al
ly.
"
Queen:"
Thati
saver
ymeant
hingt
odoSi
bonel
o!"
Ki
ng:
"Ver
yver
ymeanandi
mmat
ure.
"
Sibo:"Iknow,I
'm sor
ry.IknowIwaswrongandI
hatethatImighthaveevenscaredherbutI
wouldn'tdothatagai
n."
Zwe: "
Mighthave?Youdi dscareher.Youdef
ini
tel
y
won'tdoitagainbecauseyouknowhi m now.
"Oh
tr
ustme, Ido.I
'm noteventhi
nkingabout
att
empt i
ngit.
Queen:"
Didyouapol
ogi
zeSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
Ma.
"
Queen:"
I'
m nott
alki
ngtoyouunt
ilyoudo.
"Shegot
upandwalkedtothehouse.
Si
bo:"Real
lyZwel
ethu?Icoul
dn'
tjusthaveone
ni
ghtalonewit
hmymot her?"
Zwe:"Youhaveeverynightwithher
.It'
smytur n.
"
Helaughedwalkingtot
heki t
chen.Ihatedt
his.It
wasmal i
ciousofhimtobringthi
sshitupinfrontof
ourparent
s.
Ki
ng: "
Youdon'
twantt
ospendt
imewi
thme
i
nstead?"
Si
bo:"I
twon'
tbemorethan10mi nut
esbef
oreyou
st
artj
udgi
ngthet
hingsItel
lyou.
"
King:"Fi
net hen, sitther eandsul k."Hewal kedinto
thehouse.Ican' tbelievet heywal kedupher eto
ruinmyt eat i
mewi thmymot herjustbecauseshe' s
payingattentiont ome.It ookoutmyphone,
checkingt hesecur ityf ootagei nmyhouse.
Bhekokwakhewast ryingt obr eakt hebur gl
argate
i
nt hebasement .Ilaughedoutl oud.Isowi shit
reall
ydoesbr eakbecauseIwantt oseewhathewi l
l
doatavaul tdoor .Iswi tchedont heTVagai nand
sawhi mj umpt olookati t.Iselectedt hevideo.It
wast hebr oadcastoft hepr ot
estshoot i
ng.Heshut
hiseyesandear s.Iincr easedt hevol ume.Zwewas
approachingmeagai n.Ipr essedt hebut tonto
switchtheTVandt hel ightsoff.Thebasementwent
compl et
elydar k.Iexi tedt hesecur itysystem.
Zwe:
"Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingbyyour
sel
fint
hedar
k?"
Si
bo:"
Aft
eryougotmymot
hermadatme?
"
Zwe:"Iwasj
oki
ngwi
thyou,
HawuSi
bonel
o.Now
you'
reupset
?"
Sibo:"
Inevergetbet
weenyouanddad'
spr
ivat
e
ti
met oget
her.
"
Zwe:
"I'
m sor
ry,
brot
her
."Hesatdown.
Si
bo:"
Howwast
hemount
ain?
"
Zwe:
"Fant
ast
ic.Thatpl
acel
ooksheavenl
y."
Sibo:"I
treall
ydoes.Butt
heroadupisn'
ttoogood
forhiscarshey.We'r
eapproachi
ngwint
er,ther
e'l
l
beabi tofrai
n."
Zwe:
"Youwantt
ogi
fthi
m yourCount
ryRX?
"
Sibo:"Notmi ne.Maybeabrandnewone.Thenew
stockissupposedt oarr
iveonMonday.Ihad
orderedfourmor eRXwiththemudt err
ainsf or
royalvisi
tsaboutamont horsoback.IfiguredifI
'
m
goingtobei nstal
li
ngnetworki
nvil
lagesI '
l
lhaveto
travelt
hereof t
en.Somaybehecangetone. "
Zwe:
"That
'ssuperki
ndofyou.
"
Si
bo:"
It
'sj
ustadecentt
hingt
odo.
"
Zwe:
"Hmm.Sowho'
sinyourbasement
?"Fuck.
Si
bo:"
Howdoyouknowi
t'
snotawomani
nmy
houseandnotthebasement
?Whydi
dyouj
ump
st
raightt
obasement?"
Zwe:"Becauseift
herewasawomani nyourhouse,
youwouldn'tbehere,
sit
ti
ngundert
hestar
splayi
ng
wit
hyourphone.Soi t
'sobvi
ousl
ysomeoneinyour
basement.Who? "
Si
bo:"
Pet
u'sf
ather
."
Zwe:
"Whyar
eyoukeepi
nghi
m host
age?
"
Sibo:"Hopinghecanr eali
sehismist
akeandsay
he'ssorry.I
'm dr
ivi
nghimt oaclosepoi
ntof
i
nsani t
ysot hathecansigntheagreementthathe
willneveragainconspir
eagainstt
hethrone.
"
Zwe:
"Ifhedoesn'
t?
"
Si
bo:"
Thenwe'
l
lneverhearf
rom hi
m agai
n.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
01] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er68
MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

IwokeupSat urdaymor
ning.Thebedwasempty.I
gotoutofbed,walki
ngt
ot helounge.Mywi
fewas
i
roni
ngmyshi r
ts.
Mthunzi:"
Hey."Iki
ssedhercheek,
huggi
ngher
bodyfrom behi
nd.
Busi
:"Hil
ove.Iwasf
astasleepwhenyougothome.
Whatti
medi dyouar
ri
ve?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Atabout10pm.
"
Busi
:"Hm.Howi
sNkosi
?"
Mthunzi
:"Yourf
avouri
tepersoni
sdoinggr
eat.He
hasagirl
fri
endnow."Shespunaroundtol
ookat
me.Iknowshe'l
lbemad.
Busi
:"Gi
rl
fr
iend?Whoi
sshe?
"
Mthunzi
:"Don'
tworry.She'
sgoodforhim.I'
llbe
wit
hhertoday,we'
regoingtothef
uneral.Theguar
d
t
hatdiedwashers.
"
Busi:"
ThenI'm comingwithyoubecauseIneedt
o
seethi
sgirlandmakesur eshehasgood
i
ntenti
ons.
"Ismi led,
kissi
nghernose.
Mthunzi
:"Bef
orewegetr
eadyt
hen,
canI
pr
oposit
ionyou?"
Busi
:"Nowbaby?
"
Mthunzi:"
Yesnow, togivemesomeener gyfort
he
day.
"Ikissedherli
ps,pulli
nghertot
hebedroom.
Sheuntiedherrobe,showingaverysexypai
rof
shor
tsandbar ebreaststhatt
urnedmeon
i
mmedi atel
y.
Busi:"Pleasedon' tri
pt heseof fbaby, t
hisist hel
ast
pairIhave. "Ichuckl ed, pull
ingofftheshor tsgently
andkissedherl i
ps." Imi ssedyou."Shepul ledoff
myboxer s,layingmeont hebed.Herl i
pski ssedmy
ti
p.Hert onguet easedmesl owlybef or
eshesucked
i
nt hetipagai n.Wat chinghersucki ngonmegotme
hardenoughal ready.Sheseemedt obeenj oying
hersel
f, deept hroatingunt i
lmyt i
ptouchedt heback
ofhert hroat.Ishi veredi npleasure,pull
ingherwi th
herhairt okissmymout h.Ineedtobei nsideher
ri
ghtnow.Shecli
mbedontopofme, pushingme
backonthebedbefor
eshefi
therli
tt
leholeonmy
ti
p.Isur
render
edwhensheenter
edher sel
fwit
hme.
Mthunzi:"
Hmm. .
"herhandswer eonmychestas
shepushedhersel
fupanddownmaki ngmeweak.I
l
etherrideme,herwaistbouncingsof tl
y,pushing
mei nandoutofherinaslowr hythm.Hermoans
fi
ll
edtheroom.Istar
edatherbr eastsbounci ngon
herchestandIheldt
ightonhert highs.
Busi: "
Mthunzi .
.."Shecried,goingfaster.Herclimax
wasr eachi ng.Isatup,turningheront hebed,
getti
ngont opofher .Herleghungonmyshoul der,
andIdr il
ledi nt
oher .Hernailsdugi ntomyar m and
waist.Ihel dherwai stt
ome, goingdeepi nsideher
feel
ingherwal lsconstri
ctingandt hrobbing.She
screamed, herbodyshaki ngunderme.Mybody
j
oinedher s,rel
easingintoher.Ibentdownt okiss
herlips.
Mt
hunzi
:"Youwokeupt
henei
ghbor
s."
Busi
:"Theyneedtounder
standmyhusbandis
home."Ichuckl
ed,
slowl
ypulli
ngoutofherwi
th
dif
fi
cult
yandlaynextt
oher
.Shecuddl
edonmy
chest."
Howisworkthi
sweek?Thi
ngsseem
hecti
c."
Mthunzi
:"Theyar
e.We'
reworki
ngwi
tht
heBi
yel
a'
s
t
osortthi
smesswi t
htheot
hers.
"
Busi
:"Cant
heBi
yel
a'
sbet
rust
ed?
"
Mthunzi:"
Sofar,
yesbutIam keepi
nganeyeon
Si
bonelo.Idon'
tknowwhyhe'skeepingapr
isoner
i
nhishouse."
Busi
:"I
'
m notsur
pri
sed.Sowhatwi
llyoudo?
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'l
laskhi
mfi
rst
.Ifhehi
desitordeniesi
t
t
henI'l
ltel
lNkosi
.Hef
ear
shi m.
"Shechuckled.
Busi
:"Good.
"Iki
ssedherf
orehead.
Mthunzi
:"Haveyounotchangedyourmi
ndabouta
babyyet
?"
Busi
:"Mt
hunzi
,nott
hisagai
n."
Mthunzi
:"I
'm notbei
ngpushylove.I
'm onl
yaski
ng.
Ifi
t'
saboutmywor k,wecanwor konthat.
Especi
all
ynowt hatNkosihasawoman, hedoesn'
t
needmeasmuch. "
Busi:"I
t'
snotaboutyourwor k.Baby,Ijustdon't
wantachi ld.Evenifyouwor kedhereathome, Ist
il
l
wouldn't
.It'
snott odowi t
hyou.Iknowyou' dmake
agreatdad, Ijustdon'
twantt obeamot her.Ilove
mylifeasi s.
"Iwasr eal
lyhopingaf ewyear swoul d
changehermi nd.Iwantachi l
d.Thatisn'tgoingt o
change.Ilovemywi fedearlybutshedoesn' twant
oneatal l
.Notevenbymi stakebecauseshehasan
i
mpl ant.
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.
"
Busi
:"Baby?Pl
easedon'
tbeupset
."
Mthunzi
:"I'
m not.Youmadethisdecisi
onbeforewe
marri
ed.IthoughtI'
dprobabl
ychangeyourmi nd
butt
hatwasasel f
isht
hought.Ishoul
drespectthat
youdon'twantone.Iwon'tbr
ingitupagain.
"
Busi
:"NowIf
eelbad.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Pl
easedon'
t,
myl
ove.I
'
m okay.
"
Busi
:"Maybewecanl
ookatot
heropt
ions.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m nott
aki
nganot
herwi
fe.You'
reenough
f
orme.Myj obiswayt
oodemandi
ng."
Busi
:"Notawi
feexact
ly.Amot
herofyourchi
ld.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Absol
utel
ynot
."
Busi:"Li
stenMthunzi
.Idon'
twanttotakecareof
anotherpersonbutIknowhowmucht hi
smeanst o
you.Soper hapsyoucoul
dhaveachi l
dwith
someonewhowant stobeamot herandpri
mary
caretaker.Ir
emainyourwif
e,shebecomesmot her
ofchil
d."
Mthunzi
:"Whathappenswhensheexpect
smore
f
rom me?Also,Idon'
twantt
osleepwit
hanot
her
womanBusi."
Busi
:"Wecanusemedicalt
echnol
ogy.You'
llhavea
cont
ractwit
hheronwhatsheneedstounderstand
andexpectofyou.
"
Mthunzi
:"Won'
tthi
saff
ectus?Idon'
twant
somethi
ngthatwil
lhur
tyouBusi.
"
Busi:"Youthi
nkI '
dsuggestthi
sifitwouldhurtme.
Thewomanwi llonlybeamot herofyourchil
d.
Mthunzi,Iknowhowmuchyoul oveme.Iknow
you'venevercheatedonmeoncei nallt
heyears
we'vebeenmar ried.SoIt
rustthatthi
sarrangement
wil
lwor
kforus."Il
ookedather
,feel
ingsomuch
l
overi
ghtatt
hismoment .
Mt
hunzi
:"Onl
yononecondi
ti
ont
hen.
"
Busi
:"Anyt
hing.
"
Mthunzi
:"Youchoosewhocanbet hemot
her.
You'
reagreatj
udgeofchar
acterandyou'
ref
air
.I
tr
ustyou.
"
Busi:
"That
'ssweet
."Sheki
ssedme."
Ijustwantyou
happy.Wecandothis.
"
Mthunzi
:"Sowhatwi
llt
hebabycal
lyout
hen?
"She
chuckl
ed.
Busi
:"They'
l
lcal
lmeBusi
."Ismi
led.
Mthunzi
:"You'
resi
ll
y."Iki
ssedher
,get
ti
ngont
opof
heroncemore.

Igotdressedinmymi l
it
aryregali
a.Busiwor ea
gorgeousblackdr
essandacoatonhershoul ders.I
watchedherpartherhairi
nthemi ddl
eandbr ushit
fl
atintoalowbun.Shewor ethegoldsmal lhoop
earri
ngsIgotherforouranniver
sarylastyear.They
wereherfavour
itewi
tht
hegol
dneckl
aceIbought
herforChri
stmas.
Busi
:"I
'
m almostdone.Iknowyouhat
ebei
ngl
ate
soIdi
dn'tdoaful
lfaceofmakeup.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ihaven'tsai
danythi
ng.I
'
mjustadmi
ri
ng
mybeautifulwif
e."Shepuff
edherper
fumeonher
neckandwr ist
s.
Busi:
"Done.Let
'sgomyl ove.Youlookso
handsomemyGener al
."Shekissedmyl i
psand
tookhercl
utchbag.
Mthunzi:"
Thankyou.Wehavet
ostar
tatt
heBi
yel
a
pal
ace."Wewalkedoutt
hehouse.
Busi:"
Why?"Iopenedthepassengerdoorforher
andshegotin.Icl
imbedinthedri
ver,checki
ngmy
gun.Ihadti
ghtsecur
it
yaroundthehousebutI
neededtobesureIhadmyt hi
ngscloseby.
Mt
hunzi
:"Zwewant
edt
ocomewi
thme.
"
Busi:
"Oh?Okay.Let
'sgobaby.
"Idr
oveoutmy
housetotheBi
yela'
s.Hedi
dsayhe'dbeatt
he
pal
aceandnothishouse.
Busi
:"Thehousesher
ear
egor
geous.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ver
y."Ient
eredt
heest
ate.
Busi
:"Andther
e'ssti
llsomuchl
andhey?Ar
ethey
pl
anningonbuil
dingmor e?
"
Mthunzi
:"Idon'
tknowmylove.Idoubti
tthough.
Youwantahouseher e?
"
Busi:"
Thisplacei
stooexpensi
vebaby.The
cheapesthouseisacoolR12mill
ion.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Mthunzi
:"We'
llusemyreti
rement,baby.I
t'
llbeour
ol
dagehome. "Shegi
ggled.Ipar
kedi nfr
ontofthe
Bi
yelapal
ace."Comi
ngwi t
h?"
Busi
:"Onl
ybecausei
t'
srudet
osi
tinacari
nfr
ontof
apal
ace."
Mthunzi:"
He'
spr obabl
ynotevenher e.
"Ilaughed
gett
ingoutofthecar.Wewal kedtotheentrance,
a
guardopenedforus.Zwecamedownt hestair
s
wearingasuit
.Sibonel
ocamear oundthecorri
dor
hol
dingabowl ,weari
ngsocksonhi sfeet.He
l
ookedextremelycomf or
tabl
ef orapersonwitha
pri
sonerinhi
shouse.
Si
bo:"
Hi?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Zwe:
"We'
regoi
ngt
oaf
uner
al.Hel
lo,
I'
m Zwe.
"
Busi
:"Busi
."Sheshookhi
shand."
Mthunzi
'
swi
fe.
"
Si
bo:"
Wif
e?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yep.Thi
sismyl
ady.
"
Sibo:"
Congr
atulat
ionsIguess.
"Busial
readytold
mewhenwef i
rstmetthi
swasherex.It easedher
everyt
ime.
Mthunzi
:"I
sn'
tyourpri
sonerhungry,
seei
ngthat
you'
rehavi
ngbreakf
ast?"HelookedatZwe.
Si
bo:"
Real
lyZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Whodoyout
hinkt
oldme?
"
Si
bo:"
Whyar
eyoust
alki
ngme?
"Heaskedme.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m maki
ngsur
eyou'
renotdoi
nganyt
hing
st
upid.
"
Sibo:"
We'reonthesamesideMthunzi
.Idon'
t
appreci
atebei
ngkepttabson.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Onl
ybei
ngsur
ethatt
hecounci
lmember
s
aren'tput t
ingthemselvesi nunnecessarydanger
."
Nkosi nhledoesn'ttakekindlytotr
aitor
sbutIdon't
needt or emindhi mthat."Itr
ustyouhave
everythinghandl ed.
"Iwal kedoutwithBusi,l
ooki
ng
ather ."
Baby- "
Busi
:"Don'
tst
artpl
ease.I
'
m embar
rassedenough.
"
Il
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Butbaby,
whyhi
m?"
Busi
:"Hewascharmingandhandsome.Don'
tjudge
me.Youalsohavequest
ionabl
eexes.
"
Mthunzi:"
Idon'tbaby,
noneofmyexesar
e
quest
ionable.
"
Busi:
"What
'sthegi
rlf
rom eMoyeni
agai
n?Ohyeah,
Kel
ly.
"Il
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Okayf
ine.We'
reequal
."
Busi
:"Noteven.Ionl
yhaveonequest
ionabl
eex,
howmanydoyouhave? "
Mt
hunzi
:"Okayf
ine.Yougotme.
"Ismi
led.
Busi
:"St
opteasi
ngmeabout9year
sago.OrI
'
m
gonnabri
ngupyourl
ist
."
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llneverstopt
easingyou.Il
ovet
osee
howembar r
assingthisi
sforyou.
"Zwewalkedout
tous.
Zwe:
"We'
ret
aki
ngonecar
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Sur
e."
Zwe:"
Wemightaswel
ltakeSboni
'sRXsincewe'
re
goi
ngupt
hemountai
nandi t
'
sstil
lmuddy."
Mt
hunzi
:"Okaybutyou'
redr
ivi
ng.
"
Zwe:
"Al
lyoudoi
susemef
ordr
ivi
ngyouar
ound.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
snicebei
ngdr
ivenbyapr
incef
or
once.
"Helaughed.

SASAPOV_

Igotmor eofmycl othesdeliver

edyester
day.I
neededmybl ackdr essforthefuner
al.Ial
sohada
bi
gcr eam scar
fthatIwoul dcovermyshoul der
s
wit
h.Iwor emybl ackheelsandpackedmycl ut
ch
bagwi t
haf ewitems.Ireall
ywant edmyphonebut
I
'
dprobabl
ygetitl
atertodayort
omorrowsi
nceZwe
t
ooki
tyest
erdayforSibonel
otocheckit
.
Nel
e:"
Youl
ooksopr
ett
y,mysi
s."
Me:"
Thankyoubaby.
"Icombedmyaf
rol
oose.
Nele:"
Here.Thiswouldlookbet t
er.
"Shet ookout
herpearlheadbandandputi tonme, pushingmy
hai
rback."See,li
keaqueen. "Igiggled.Mymom
andAmahl ewer etheonlyonesst il
lsleepi
ng.For
once,Nelewasawakeatt histime.Myf ather
usuall
ywakesupandt akesawal kinthegarden.
OnceIwasdoneget ti
ngdr essed,Ilef
ttheroom t
o
gofindhim.
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Goodmor
ningmychi
ld.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
ThankyouTat
a.Howar
eyou?
"
Xolani:"
I'
m wel
l.I
'
mjustwor
ri
edaboutt
he
l
ivestock.
"
Me:"
Butt
her
e'ssomeonel
ooki
ngaf
teri
t.
"
Xol
ani
:"YesbutI
'
m st
il
lwor
ri
ed.
"
Me:"
Maybet
heyshoul
dsendyouvi
deos.
"
Xol
ani
:"Cant
heydot
hat
?"
Me:"Yes.I'
l
lspeakt oMthunzi
."Ihuggedhim.
"ThankyouTata.Iknowt hi
swasn'teasyforyou
andI'm sograt
efulyouchosemyhappi nessabove
yourown."
Xolani:"
Yourhappi nessi
smyhappi nessThembisa.
Itwasn'tdif
ficul
tforme.AtleastIcanseehow
muchhel ovesyoubutI '
m notmakingiteasyf
or
him."Igiggled."
Her ei
sMt hunzi
.He'si
nt he
mili
tary?"
Me:"
He'
sagener
al.
"
Xol
ani
:"That
'snice.
"Nkosicameouthisroom as
wel
lasweappr oachedt
heentranceofthevi
ll
a.
Mt
hunzi
:"Goodmor
ningsi
r,Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
Hel
lo.
"
Xol
ani
:"Goodmor
ning.
"Nkosiwal
kedt
ous.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningsi
r.
"
Xol
ani
:"YourHi
ghness.
"
Me:"
Hi.
"
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Hesmi
led.
Mthunzi:"
Thi
sismywife,Busi
.Busi
,thi
sis
Thembisaandherf
ather.
"
Busi
:"Lovel
ytoseeyouagai
n.Ni
cet
omeetyou
si
r.
"
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hisi
s."
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
ewer
eadyt
ogo?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
llseeyouwhenyou'
rebackmychi
ld.
"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
,whatar
eyourplansfort
he
morni
ng.Youlookli
keyou'
reabouttogorunni
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbehiki
ngt
hesecondt
rai
l.Haven'
tdone
t
hatinawhile.
"
Mthunzi
:"That
'sani cetr
ail
.AreyoutakingMr
Ntakawi
thyou? "Nkosistar
edathim.Iknowt hat
l
ook,he'
snotimpr essed.Mthunziwasteasi
nghim.
Nkosi
:"Si
r,wouldyouli
ket
ocomewit
hme?I
t'
s
beaut
if
ulthi
stimeinthemorni
ng.
"
Me:"
Doesi
thavesnakes?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Nosnakesher
e."
Xol
ani:"
Alr
ight
.Wecango. "Iwasnervousatt
his.
Myboyfri
endandf at
herspendi
ngti
met oget
her
al
one.Especi
all
ybecauseNkosiwouldbeinhis
el
ementinnature.
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sahi
kingequi
pmentshedjustdown
t
hispath.Wecangetyousomeboots."
Me:" Havef
un."Iki
ssedmyf at
heronhischeekand
smiledatNkosi.Mthunzil
edusout .Zwewasbyt he
cartalki
ngonthephone.Wegoti nt hecarand
droveouttothenearbyvil
lage.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Ican'
tbeli
eveMthunziputmeont hespotli
ket
his.
MySat ur
daymorninghikeswerespeci
altome
becauseIgott
obei nnaturebymyself
.Howhe
thoughtthisanOpeni nvit
ati
onstillbogglesmy
mi nd.Iopenedt heequi
pmentshed.I tl
ookedmor e
l
ikeashopt hanashed.Thehi ki
nggearwas
groupedbysi ze.From pantst
otopsandmost
i
mpor t
antl
yshoes.Weal sohadhi kingst i
cks,some
glovesandabackpackofessent ials.Ineverneed
them becauseIneverhur tmyselfoutt herebutI
havet ocarryitnow.
Nkosi
:"Ihavesi
zesfr
om 6upwards.They'
re
comfor
tablewit
hthesocks.Thet
rai
lcanbeabi
t
ti
ri
ng.
"
Xolani:"Hm. "Hetookhi ssi
zeandsocks.Tal ki
ng
doesn'tcomeeasyt ome, exceptwhenIt al
kt o
Thembi sa.Soobvi ousl
yI '
m stuck.Heputont he
bootswhi leIcheckedt hesuppliesinthebackpack.
Fi
rstai dkit,
someener gybar s,snacks.Itookthree
bottl
esofwat erf
rom thef r
idgeandpl acedthem in.
Theweat herwon'tchangesot here'
snoneedf ora
j
acket." Ready."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Wecango."Wewal
kedout ,st
art
ingat
r
ecepti
ontor epor
twher
ewe'r
egoing.I
ncase,the
f
amilyworri
es.Wewalkeddownthegardenpath
qui
etl
y.Thembi sali
kedf
ruit
.Asshor tasshewas,
shecouldn'
treachthebr
anchest hathadfrui
t
hangi
ngont hem soherinst
inctistojumpinstead
ofaskformyhel p.I
twassocut e.
Xol
ani
:"Somet
hingf
unny?
"
Nkosi:"
Uhm.No.Thembi
sacan'tr
eachupatt
he
f
ruit
,soI'mj
ustt
hinki
ngofher
."
Xol
ani
:"Hm.
."
Nkosi
:"Woul
dyoul
ikesomef
rui
t?"
Xol
ani
:"Yout
hinkIcan'
treachupt
othef
rui
t?"
Nkosi
:"Nosi
r."Thi
siswhyIratherkeepqui
et.
Mthunzir
eal
lyreel
edmeinthistime.
Xol
ani:"
Doyouhunt
?"Idi
dn'
tknowt
her
ightanswer
soIchoset
hetr
uthasusual
.
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whatdoyoudowi
tht
heani
mal
syouhunt
?"
Nkosi
:"Il
ett
hem goaf
terIcat
cht
hem.
"
Xol
ani
:"Sot
henwhydoyouhunt
?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sgoodexer
cise."Helookedatme."Ir
un
af
tert
heanimals,
Idon'tshootatthem.I
fthat
wasn'
tclear
."
Xolani:"Idon'tknowift hatmakesi tanybet ter."I
sighed.Iwasn' twinni
ngher e.Wer eachedt hegat e
ont heedgeandIopenedf orhimt ogot hrough.I
walkedoutbehi ndhim, towardthesecondpat h.We
walkedi ntothewoodsi nsilence.Ili
stenedcar eful
ly
foranimal s.Theywer enotpl entyherebutaf ew.I
l
ookedatt het r
eewithpai ninmyhear t,Icouldn't
cli
mbi t.Thatwoul dbesuspi ci
ous.Wecont inuedt o
walk,furtherintothetrail
.
Xol
ani
:"It
hinkt
hat
'sar
abbi
t.
"Idi
dn'
thavet
olook.
Nkosi
:"I
tis.
"
Xol
ani
:"You'
renotgoi
ngt
ohuntt
her
abbi
t?"
Nkosi
:"Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngt
o."
Xolani:"
I'
dliketoseehowyouhunt ."Il
ookedathim,
thi
nkingdeeply.Fine.Itookof
fthebackpackand
wentaf t
erther abbi
t,i
ttookmelessthan2minutes
tocatchit.Ibroughtitbackt
ohim.
Xol
ani
:"That
'sf
ast
."
Nkosi
:"Ir
unf
astIsuppose.
"
Xolani
:"Ki
lli
t.
"Ist
aredathi
m."
Youeatmeat
,don'
t
you?"
Nkosi
:"IdobutIwon'
teatt
his.
"
Xol
ani:"Thatdoesn'tmat
ter
,it
'sf
ood.Youhunt
ed.
Sur
ely,you'r
eentit
ledtoeat
ingit
."
Nkosi:"
That
'snotwhyIhunt
.Idon'
tki
llf
orsport
.I
haveenoughfoodathomether
efor
e,Idon'
tneedto
ki
llt
hisone.
"
Xol
ani
:"Soi
fyoudi
dn'
thavef
oodathome?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llnevernothavef
oodathome.
"Ipl
aced
t
herabbitonthegroundandi
tranawayqui
ckl
y.
Xolani:"Hm. "Hekeptwalking.Wasthatat est?I
don'tknow.It ookthebackpackandkeptwal king
aft
erhi m."It'
sgoodt oknowyou'renotgreedyor
performative."Soitwasatest.Therestofourhi ke
wasmost l
yqui et.Wereachedtheendoft het rai
l
.It
wasbeaut iful,wi
thagardenandabench.Hesat
down.It ookoutt hebott
leofwaterandgavei tto
him.Idr ankmyownwat erandf i
nishedi t
.Thesun
wasn' tashotbuti twast here.Iwat chedovert he
ci
ty.Itwasqui etandempt y.Ireall
ydi dn'tli
kethis.I
didn'tli
kehavingtol ockpeopl eint hei
rhomes.
MaybeonMondayweneedt oreviewt helockdown.
Thebi ggestthreattociti
zenswast heotherroyals
attacking.Nowt hatIknowt hey'llbeusi ngawi tch
i
nst ead,perhapsIshoul dletthepeopl egr aduall
y
easei ntonormal l
ivi
ng.We' l
ldiscussi t.
Xolani:"
IwantThembisat ofinishhereducat
ion.No
mat t
erwhat.Shemustgr aduat e.Idon'
twant
anythingfr
om youbutthat."Ilookedathim,
surpri
sed.
Nkosi
:"Yessi
r.I
'
llmakesur
eshedoes.
"Henodded.
Xol
ani
:"Good.
"Hest
oodup."
Readyt
ogoagai
n?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Wewal
kedbackdown.
Xol
ani
:"Haveyoudonet
hiswi
thyourf
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"WhenIwasyounger
,yes.Bef
orehebr
ought
meMt hunzi
."
Xol
ani
:"It
houghtMt
hunziwasyourf
ri
end.
"
Nkosi :"Heisnow.ButMt hunzistart
edasmyguar d.
Hecamet ouswhenIwas11, hewast hesameage.
Hisf ami l
ylineisadvisor
'softheking.Hisfather
wasmyf ather'
sadvisorunfort
unatelyhisfat
her
passedawaywhenhewasabout8, hisgrandfat
her
woul d'vebeenmygr andfat
her'sadvisorbutmy
grandf atherdidn'
twantanyadvi sor.Anyway,his
familyl i
newasal waysnexttomi nebuthe'smy
brothernow.Iwi shourkidsarelikeus.Iwantmy
chil
dt ohaveaf ri
endshipli
kethis."
Xol
ani
:"That
'sni
ce.WhataboutZwe?
"Ismi
led.
Nkosi
:"Mydaughterwil
lmarryhi
sson.Hemade
mepromisewhenwewer e10sothatwe'
l
lal
ways
bebestfr
iends.
"Il
aughed.
Xol
ani
:"That
'sgood.He'
sagoodf
ri
endt
ohave.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknowmyf atherissometi
mes
unr
easonablebutIshouldunderst
andhi sf
ir
stand
onl
ypri
or i
tywastokeepmesaf e.Ithurtme,cost
meapr operl
if
eandaf r
iendbutIgetit
."
Xolani
:"Hei
sol
atedyouf
rom t
hewholeworl
dand
rai
sedyoutobeaboveal
lel
se.Ist
hatwhatyou
wantt
odot
oyourchi
ld?
"
Nkosi
:"Iwouldn'
tdoexactl
ythatbuthe'
l
lber
aised
wit
hlove,famil
yori
ent
ated,havi
nggoodmanners
andhavingfri
ends.
"
Xolani
:"Howl
ongar
epl
anni
ngt
owai
ttost
arta
famil
y."
Nkosi:"
Hopeful
lyyear
s.Ireal
lywantt
oset
tl
eint
o
myr ei
gnfi
rstandofcourseforThembi
sat
ofini
sh
school.
"
Xolani
:"Isee."Wewalkedquiet
lyunt
ilwereached
thegate."Goodwalk.Thescenerywasgreat.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m gl
adyouenj
oyedit
.It
'smySatur
day
r
it
ual.Freshai
randnat
urehel
psmethink"
Xol
ani:"
Hmm..
."Hel
ookedatmecl osel
yandsmi l
ed.
"Wel
l,
weshoul
dgettobreakf
astYourHighness.
"
Nkosi:"
Yes."Whatwasgoi ngonnow?Whatdi dhe
not
ice?Iwasnotaboutt owhi sperbutIwasreal
ly
ner
vousnow.Whydi dhelookskept i
cal?Andthen
smil
e?Li kehenoti
cedsomet hing?I'
l
lneeda
di
stract
ionfortherestoft
heday.
[
07/
27,
06:
02] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er69

SASAPOV_

Thedrivetothefuner
alwasn'tt
oolong.Qhama'
s
vi
ll
agewasj ustoutsi
dethetown.Isati
nthe
backseatwit
hMt hunzi
'swif
e.
Busi
:"Soyou'
ret
heluckylady.
"Il
ookedather
,abit
conf
used."Mt
hunzisaysyou'r
eseei
ngthefut
ure
ki
ng."
Me:"
Oh.Yes.Iam.
"
Busi:
"Hm. .Iwasnotexpect
ingyouwhenMthunzi
mentionedit.I'
dalr
eadypr
eparedmysel
ftobea
boxer.
"Igiggled.
Me:"
Why?
"
Busi
:"Ionl
ywantwhat'
sbestf
orNkosi.I
'
veal
ready
metyou.Youseem t
obeasweetperson."
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Ismi
led."
Howl
onghaveyoubeen
marr
iedt
oMthunzi
?"
Busi
:"Fi
veyear
snow.
"Shesmi
led.
Me:"
Youl
ookhappy.
"
Busi:"Ireall
yam.Al lmyl ife,Ipr ayedf orsomeone
thatwoul dunder standmeandt hegodsgaveme
him.Igr ewupi naver ycr owdedhouse.Mypar ents
l
eftmewi thmygr andpar ent s.Thehousewasf i
lled
withmycousi n'sandf osterki ds.Mygr andparent s
wouldcol lectthegr antmoneyf orallandt hen
spendi tont hemsel ves.Si ncemypar ents
abandonedme, Ihadt otakecar eofal lofthem asa
wayt opayf ormyst ay.9peopl ef r
om t heageof7
yearsold, Ihadt ocookf or .Thebabi esmycousi ns
wouldbi rt
hbecamemyown.Ri ghtupunt ilIwas18.
Ialmostdi dn'tmakei tbutgod' sgrace, Ipassedand
Iwasaccept edatuni versity, Ileftthathousewi tha
bagofcl othesandmycer tif
icat es,neverlooking
back.Inuni versit
y,Imetaguy.Hewasni ceI
supposebutheal waysr emi ndedmeoff ami l
y.
Everychancehegot ,hewoul daskaboutwhenl astI
spoket ofami lyandsoIdeci dedt ogobackhome
andvi si
tthem.Ididn'tlastaweekt here.Iwas
str
ippedof fever
ythingI '
dwor kedhardf or
.Iwas
beli
tt
led,stol
enf r
om, beatenandj ustalotofst uf
fI'
d
rat
hernotment i
oned.Donebymyownf amil
y.That
wast helastti
meIsawt hem andcutt hem of
f .So
bythet i
meImetMt hunzi ,yearsl
ater,I'
ddecided
thetypeofmanIwant edandwhatl i
feIwanted.
AndIgotj ustthat.
"
Me:"
That
'shear
tbr
eaki
ngl
ysweet
."
Busi
:"I
tisbutI
'm okaywithitnow.Therapytakes
l
ongbutitdoeshelp.Enoughaboutme.Iwantyou
tot
ellmeaboutyou.Wher eareyoufrom? "
Me:"
I'
mf rom eMthinomkhulu.Iwasr ai
sedther
eby
myparents.Ihavealit
tl
esistertoo.Iar
ri
vedherei
n
Mountai
nPeakl astyearJanuary."
Busi
:"And?Howi
sitsof
ar?
"
Me:"
Ithi
nkI
'm get
ti
ngusedtoi
t.It
'sonlynow
st
art
ingt
ooverwhel
m me."Wegiggled.
Busi:
"It
'saver
ycal
m ci
ty.Oneoft
hecal
mesti
nthe
countr
y."
Me:"
Yes,
that
'
strue.Iguessthat
'swhyt
heKi
ng'
s
f
amil
ychosetor
esidehere.
"
Busi
:"Yeah.Whatar
eyoust
udyi
ng?
"
Me:"
Law.
"
Busi
:"Oooh.Thenobl
epr
ofessi
on.Ar
eyouenj
oyi
ng
i
t?"
Me:"Iwantt
osayyesbutnotreal
ly.
"Wel
aughed."
I
doenjoyi
t,i
t'
sjustal
otofwor
k."
Busi:
"Keepatit,myl ove.I
t'
simpor tantforpeopleto
fi
ndapur pose.You'r
edest i
nedf orgreatthings,
you'
resobeaut i
fulandamazi nglysweetal so,I
for
eseeaweddi ngseei nghowt hePr i
ncepr otect
s
youandyourf amily.
"
Me:"
Ihaveaquest
ion.
"Iwhi
sper
edeventhough
t
heguyswerehavi
ngthei
rownconver
sat
ion.
Busi
:"Sur
e."
Me:"
Didyoumeett
hel
astgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Busi
:"ThePr
ince'
s?Yes.Gi
rl
,don'
tgetmest
art
ed.
"
Me:"
What
?"
Busi :"
Look,I
'm notonetosaybadthingsabout
someonebutshewaspr et
enti
ous.Shewast he
typicalgi
rlt
hatlookeddownonot hersbut
pretendedtobeasweet hearti
nfrontofNkosi.It
old
Mt hunziaft
erthesecondtimeImetupwi thherthat
Icannotbeherf ri
endorevenclose.That'
swhy
today,whenhement i
onedhehasagi rl
fri
endIhad
tocomeseeyouf ormysel
f.NowIcanr el
ax.
"I
smi l
ed.
Me:"Don'tworry,I
'l
ltakecareofhim.
"Shesmi l
ed.
Wepar kedclosebyt hecommuni t
yhall
.Afewcar s
werealreadyhere.Wegotoutoft hecarandwalked
towardtheentrance.Mthunziwasbymysi de,Busi
walkedbehinduswi thZwe."Mthunzi
,I'
m surewe'r
e
safehere.Icanwalkwi thBusi
."
Mthunzi:"
No,t
hisismyjobThembisa.Youwalk
nexttomeandwi thnooneel
se.Youarejustl
ike
Nkosi,al
waystr
yingtor
unaroundunsupervi
sed."I
gi
ggled.
Me:"Youcan'
tmakemel
aughj
ustbef
oreweent
er
afuneral
."
Mt hunzi :"Sor r
y."Wewal kedi nthehal last heywer e
singingahymn.Anusher ,ledust oourseat sr i
ght
behi ndt hef ami l
yint hef rontoft hehal l.Wesati n
thechai rsandIsangal ongwi hthechur ch.Mor e
peopl ecamei n.Thegi f
tbasketwoul dbet akent o
thehome, soIdi dn' tneedt obr i
ngi tinher e.At8,
thecasketwasbr oughti nandpl acedi nt hef ront,
west oodupt osingonceagai n.Ilookedatt hel arge
por t
raitofhi sont hepr oject orscr een.Mt hunziwent
alloutshame.Thebandpl ayedUmbhedesho
beaut ifull
yandsof tl
yt ouchi ngmyhear t.Ican' t
believet hismandi ed, tryingt osavemyl ife.The
l
astconver sationwehadwasabouthi sf ami l
y.How
proudhewasoft hem andnowhe' stakenf rom
them.Il ookedatt hel itt
lebabyonal ady' slapi nthe
frontr owandmyhear tached.Hest aredatme
becauset hat '
swhatbabi esdobutIf eltsogui lt
y.I
satdown, wi pingmyt ears.Thei ncidentr eplayedi n
mymi ndasi twashappeni ngr i
ghtt here.Theway
Qhamawassocar efulwi t
hmyl i
fe.Hedi dcheck.
Hecheckedt hemi rrorandl ookedar oundus,
always.Yet ,hislifewasst i
llsnat chedawayj ustlike
that.EvenasIgotoutoft hecar ,wewer elaughi ng
andchat ti
ngasf ri
endswoul d.Hislastmoment s,he
hadt ospendr unningtome.Notpr otecti
nghi schil
d,
hisgirl
fri
endorhi sparents.Me.Busihandedmea
ti
ssue, snappi
ngmeoutofmygui l
tthoughts.She
rubbedmybackandIt ri
edtobreat
h.Thel umpi n
myt hroatwon'tbegoi ngdownanyt imesoon.The
songcamet oanend.Someonehadgoneupon
stagetost ar
tthepr ogram.
"Thesongt hatwaspl ayedissai dtohavebeen
Qhama' sf avourit
e.Hewasr aisedinaMet hodi
st
chur chbyl ovingparents.Ont hisday,iti
ssungasa
prayertowel comehimt oheaven.Wear ehereto
celebrat
ehi sl i
fe,
andt oguidehi m wellintheaft
er
l
ife."Hef l
ippedapage." Ourfirstspeakertodaywil
l
beourpast or.PastorLibona."Thepast orwentup
tothest age.

Theservicewasbeautif
ul.Allthespeakersspoke
wonderfull
yaboutQhama.Mt hunzisai
daf ew
wordsashi sboss,
highli
ghti
nghowhedi edahero.
I
twast i
mewewentt othegr avesi
tenearby.I
walkedoutwithMthunzi,BusiandZwe.We
fol
lowedaftert
hefami
lyt
othegravesi
te.The
casketwasplacedont
hegreenbandstoholdit
beforegoi
ngdown.
Past or:"I
n1Thessal oni
ansChapt er4, Brothersand
sisters,wedonotwantyout obeuni nfor medabout
thosewhosl eepi ndeath,sot hatyoudonotgr ieve
l
iket her estofmanki nd,whohavenohope.Forwe
bel i
evethatJesusdi edandr oseagai n,andsowe
bel i
evethatGodwi llbri
ngwi thJesust hosewho
havef al
lenasl eepinhi m.Afterthat ,
wewhoar est i
ll
aliveandar eleftwillbecaughtupt oget herwith
them i nthecl oudst omeett heLor di ntheai r
.And
sowewi llbewi ththeLor dforever."hel ookedatt he
fami ly."
Mayyoubecomf ort
edi ntheknowl edge
thatQhamai swi ththeLor d,hepassedourwor l
d
doi ngwhathel ovedandswor etodot i
llhislastday.
Yourf ai
thi ntheLor d,wil
lensur eyouar e
reconnect edwi thyourlovedonei nthecomi ngl i
fe.
Cel ebrat
ehi m andcont i
nuet olovehi m.Aswe
l
owerhi sbodydowni nt
ot hi
sear th,mayt heroots
thatbearf rom him blessyourf ami l
yabundant l
y.
Amen. "Thecasketl oweredint othegr ound.Hi s
girl
fri
end,sobbedquiet
lyholdi
ngherchi l
dt i
ght.I
turnedtoBusi,whoenvelopedmei nherarms
i
mmedi at
ely.MayQhamat r
ulyrestpeaceful
ly.Aft
er
placingfl
owersinhisgrave,wemadeourwayback
tothecar.
Busi
:"Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Me:"
Real
lysad.Hedi
dn'
tdeser
vet
odi
eli
ket
hat
."
Busi
:"I
t'
sreal
lysadbuti
tiswhathesi
gnedupf
or.
"
Me:"
Iknow.Idon'
tthi
nkIcangetusedt
oit
."
Busi
:"Wi
llyoubeabl
etot
alkt
othef
ami
ly?
"
Me:"Ihaveto.Theydeser
vemyacknowledgement
."
Sherubbedmyback.Wegoti nthecarwait
ingf
or
theguys."
Whatar et
heydoing?
"
Busi
:"They'
reclosi
ngthegrave.
"Zwehadashovel
andsodidMt hunzi,
worki
ngwi t
hotherment
ofi
ll
upthehole.Igi
ggled.
Me:"Nkosiwoul
dnever.Idon'
tknowwhyhe'
ssuch
asnob."Shel
aughed.
Busi:
"Hehasever
yr i
ghtt
obe.I
magi
neawhol
e
fut
ureki
ngshovel
ing.
"
Me:"
ButZwewi
llbeaki
ngt
oo.
"
Busi
:"Forhi
sfami
lyhei
rar
chy.Notf
ort
henat
ion.
"
Me:"
AtleastNkosii
seasingi
ntost
uffnow,
whenI
methi
m?Yoh. "Shegiggl
ed.
Busi
:"Thatbad?
"
Me:"Mypoorbaby.Hedi
dn'
tknowl
if
eunt
ilhemet
me."Shesmil
ed.
Busi
:"Thi
sissosweet.
"Theguyscamet
othecar
whentheyweredone.
Zwe:
"Ar
eyoul
adi
esf
ine?
"
Me:" Yes,Zwe.
"Hest art
edthecar ,dr
ivingoutt
othe
home.Idi dn'
tli
keeatingatafuneral,theonesI'
ve
att
endedi nthevil
lage,I
'dal
waysj ustwashedmy
handsandwenthome.Thest reetwaspackedwi th
cars."Okay?What'shappening?"
Mthunzi
:"Someonementi
onedapri
nceandthe
wholevi
ll
agecall
edever
yonetocomesee.
"He
st
aredatZwe.
Zwe:
"WasIsupposedt
owearadi
sgui
seMt
hunzi
?"
Mthunzi
:"Yes.Thatwoul
d'vebeenper
fect
."We
l
aughed.
Zwe:"
You'recrazy.MaybeIcanf
indmysel
fawi
fe
her
e,f
inal
ly."
Mthunzi
:"Ataf
uner
alZwe?Haveshame.
"He
l
aughed.
Me:"
Youneedt
ost
op.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Zwe:
"Nowwher
ewi
llIpar
k?"
Mthunzi
:"Ri
ghther
einf
rontoft
hehouse.Whatwi
ll
t
heydo?"
Me:"
Okay,
whil
eyouguysfi
gur
ethatout.Busi
,l
et'
s
goi
n.Canyoupl
easehel
pmecarrythese.
"
Busi:
"Yes,
let'
sgo."Shetookthebasket,It
ookthe
fl
owers.Wegotoffthecarandwal kedtothehouse
aft
erwashingo.Iknockedont hedoorandstepped
i
n.Theparentswereintheloungewi t
hotherpeopl
e.
Me:"
GoodDay,
elder
s."
Them:"
Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Iam Thembi
sa,
I'
m her
ewi
thBusi
,Gener
al
MthunziandPrinceZwelethuBi
yela.Wearehereon
behal
fofthethrone.Wewoul dl
iketoext
endour
condol
encestot hefamil
yandonceagainwet r
uly
apol
ogizeforyourloss.
"
Mot her:"Wet hankyouf oryourpr
esence.Wealso
feelseen, andr espected.Weunder st
andthat
Qhamal ovedhi sjobandcl ear
lyt
hepeoplehe
wor kedforcar edf orhimt oevencomeandpay
t
hei rrespects."
Me:"I
t'
stheleastwecandomama.Qhamawasa
wonderf
ulpersonandver
ydedi
cat
edtohisj
ob.But
whathewasmostpr oudofwashi
sfami
ly.
"
Mot her
:"Thatiscomf or
tingtoknow.Maybehi sson
willj
ointheguardandcont i
nuehi slegacy."Noti
fI
canhel pit
,hewon't.Thischildisnotgoi ngtobea
guard.Hismot herwon'tlosethel oveofherl i
fet
hen
haveherchi l
dwor kthesamej ob.Thatwoul dbea
nightmareforher.
Me:"
MayIseet
heboyandhi
smot
her
?"
Mother:"
Yes.She'
sint
hekit
chen.
"Iwentt
othe
ki
tchen,f
indi
nghermakingt
eawit
hthebabyonher
back.
Me:"Hi
."Shel
ookedatmeandsmi
ledt
hroughher
t
ears.
She:"
Hi,
doyouneedanyt
hing?
"
Me:"
What
'syourname?
"
She:"
Khanyi
sil
e."
Me:"
I'
m Thembi
sa.Howar
eyouKhanyi
?"
Khanyi
:"I
'm okay.
"Shelookedbackt
heteacups
wit
htearsinhereyes,
getti
ngtheboi
ledwat
erfr
om
t
hekettl
e.
Me:"Letmehel pyou."It
ookitf
rom herandpoured
i
nthet eacups.Itookthetr
aytotheloungeand
wentbacktotheki t
chen.
Khanyi
:"CanIgetyousomet
hingt
oeat
?"
Me:"No.Doyouhaveapl acewher ewecant al
k?"
Sheledmeoutt hebackdoor .Withoutt
hinki
ng,I
knewMt hunziwasr i
ghtbehindme.Khanyiopened
thedoorofthebackr oom andwewal kedin.
Mthunzistayedoutside.Ther oom wasbeautif
ull
y
decorat
edwi thpict
uresofQhamaandhi sbabyand
herinf
rames.Isatonthechair
,shesatont
hebed
taki
ngthebabyoffherback.
Me:"
Khanyi
,I
'm sosor
ry.
"
Khanyi
:"I
t'
sokay.
"
Me:"Noiti
snot.You'
renotokayandt
hati
s
per
fect
lynormal.
"
Khanyi
:"Idon'
thavet
imetonotbeokay.Ihavea
sonwhoneedsme.I '
mtheonlypar
enthehasl ef
t.
"
Me:" Iunderst
and.Qhamal ovedyoubot h.Iwas
withhim beforehedi ed.Hewast ryi
ngtosavemy
l
ife.Justmoment sbef ore,wewer et al
kingabout
hisfami l
y.Hement ionedhi sson'snamei s
Qhamani .Thatmadehi m sohappy.Youmadehi m
happyKhanyi .Ijustneedyout oknowhi shear twas
al
wayswi thyou.Hisj obmayhavecomef i
rstbut,
hishearthadyoui ni t
."Shechuckl edturningintoa
sob.Iwentt ositnextt oher ,huggingher ."
Ijust
needyout oknow, what everitisyouneedatany
givenmoment .Don'teverhesi tat
et ocallme.Iwon' t
abandonyouandyourchi ld."
Khanyi
:"Youknow.Ever
ydaywesentmessagest
o
eachot her.Hedescr ibedt heladyhewor kedf oras
"notthesameast heother s"andIwaswor ri
ed
aboutwhathemeantbyt hat.Ithoughtyouwer ea
princesshonest lybecauseheneverdi sclosedwho
hewasguar ding, Ij
ustknewi twasal ady.Thank
youSi si,f
orcomi ngher e.Justseei ngsomeone
whounder standsmypai nmakesmef eelalit
tle
betterthanIdi d.
"Shewi pedherf aceandchecked
herchi l
d.Thel it
tl
eboysatont hefloorplayingwi t
h
hisshoe." Imighthavet ocomet othecityearlier
thanIpl anned.Wehadpl annedt hat,I
'
llcomenext
yearwhenManiwas3sot hatIcangetasmal ljob
andhegoest ocrèche."
Me:" Youcangotouni ver
sit
yinst
ead.Ther
e'saf
ull
scholarshi
pavai
lableandyou'l
lprobabl
ygeta
sharefrom hi
sli
feinsurancetogetyour
sel
fahouse
atleast.
"
Khanyi:"Iwon'
tgetacentThembisa.Hispar ents
didn'
treall
yli
kemewhenhewasst i
llal
ive.Hewas
theonewhost oodupforme.Ever yt
imewi thoutfai
l.
Nowt hathe'sgone?Hee.Imightnotlasthere."
Me:"
Youwer
est
il
lhi
spar
tner
,youdeser
vea
shar
e."
Khanyi
:"Wewer
en'
tmar
ri
ed.
"
Me:"
Wecanf
indawayt
ofi
ghtt
his.
"
Khanyi:"
Thembi sa,
Iknowyou'retryi
ngt ohel
pbut
I'
m honestlyj
ustnotwill
ingt
ofight.I
'
veal r
eadylost
enough,allIwanttofocusonisrebuil
dingmyl i
fe.
"I
nodded.
Me:"
Givemeyourphone.
"Shegavemet hephone.I
t
ypedmynumberandsavedi t
."Whenyougetto
Mountai
nPeak,
cal
lme.Pleasepromiseme?"
Khanyi
:"Ipr
omi
se.ThankyouThembisa.
"Ilooked
att
hebaby.Hel
ookedsocute.Ipi
ckedhim up.
Me:"
Doyouwantamomentsol
ong?
"
Khanyi
:"Yespl
ease.
"Itookt
hebabyoutwi
thme.
Mthunziwasst
il
loutsi
de.
Me:"
Sayhel
lot
oGener
alMt
hunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"Hil
it
tl
eone."Hebrushedhischeek.
Qhamanitri
edreachi
ngfort
hebadgesonhi s
shoul
der."
Someonewant st
obei nthemili
tar
y."
Me:"
Nope,
I'
m enr
oll
inghi
minl
aw.
"Hel
aughed.
"
HowisZweandBusi?"
Mt
hunzi
:"It
hinkhe'
ssi
gni
ngaut
ogr
aphs.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
UmenzaniuZwe.
"
Mthunzi:"
Hecancomest
andwi
thmebuthechose
f
amei nstead.
"
Me:"
Hedi
dn'
twantt
oleaveBusial
one.
"
Mthunzi
:"Busii
sinthekitchen,washi
ngdishes."
What?Iwalkeduptot hehouseandentered.Indeed,
shehadhersleevesroll
edup, washi
ngthedishes.
Me:"
MrsMwel
ase.
"
Busi
:"Hibabe.Who'
sthi
scut
iepi
e?"
Me:"Qhamani
.Ourf
utur
elawyer
."Ismi
led."
Doyou
wantone?"
Busi
:"Def
ini
tel
yno.He'
sador
abl
ethough.
"
Me:"
Atal
l,
atal
l?
"
Busi
:"Atal
lbabe.Aft
erthewayIgr
ewup,It
hink
I
'vehadenoughoftakingcar
eofot
her
s.I
ttooktoo
muchofmyl i
fethen.
"
Me:"
Butyou'
dshar
ether
esponsi
bil
it
ywi
thMt
hunzi
andananny.
"
Busi:"Youknow, ever yt
imeIexpr esst hatIdon't
wantachi l
d,I
'ml ookedatasavi llain.Justbecause
I'
m awoman, awi fe, I'
m expectedt owantt ohave
chil
drenandIt hinkt hat '
sincrediblyunf air
.The
reasonwhyi t
'sunf ai risthatthisismychoi cethat
tooksomucht raumaf ormet omake, yearsbeforeI
evendeci dedtobemar ried.AndwhenIdogi vein,
andhaveachi ldf ort hesakeofbei ngagoodwi fe,
I'
m goingt obevi ll
ai nizedf orbeingahor ri
ble
mot herwhenIcl earlyst atedIdon' twant .Whyi s
that?Whyi smypur poseasawoman, questi
oned
whenI 'vemadet hisdeci sionbuti fIwasaman,
whohadavasect omyandsayshedoesn' twant
chil
dren, I
'
dbeappl audedandsuppor ted?"
Me:"
I'
m sosor
ry,
Busi
.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tli
ket
hat
."
Busi:"Don'tbesorry.Nobodythinksofitl
iket
hat
unti
ltheyseemyt herapybil
l.
"Shedr i
edherhands
andwal kedout.Ifeltsobadbecauseshewas
absolutelyri
ght.WhowasIt of orcesomeonetodo
somet hingtheydon'twant?Thebabywasgummi ng
onhi
sli
tt
lef
ist
.
Me:"Wedon'
teatourhands,
angel
."Ipul
ledouthi
s
hand.
Zwe:"Heyyou."Hetookthebaby.Qhamaniwastoo
cute,
youcouldn'tr
esi
st."
Thembisawheredidyou
fi
ndat oddl
er?I'
mtakinghi
m home."Il
aughed.
Me:"
HaiboZwe.That
'ski
dnappi
ng.Thi
sis
Qhamani.
"
Zwe:
"Oh,
hei
sador
abl
e.Andhungr
y."
Me:"
Hismot
herwi
llbeher
esoon.
"Isi
ghed.
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Me:"
Yeah.I
'
mfi
ne.I
'
m gl
adwecameher
e."
Zwe:
"Ar
eyousur
eyou'
reokay?
"
Me:"
YesZwe.I'm sure.
"Idr
iedt
hedishesandput
t
hem away.Khanyicameintheki
tchen.
Khanyi
:"Goodaf
ter
noonMyPr
ince.
"
Zwe:
"Hel
lo.I
'
m Zwel
ethu.
"
Khanyi
:"I
t'
sni
cet
omeetyousi
r.MayI
?"
Zwe: "Don'tworry,Igothim.Youcanmakehi s
food."Shemadet hebabyhi sfood.Ifi
nishedt i
dying
up."Okaybi gguy.I t
'sti
metof i
llyourl
it
tletummy.
Wi l
lyoucomevi si
tme? "Thebabysmi led."Right?
I'
llwaitforyou.Byef ornow."Khanyireceivedhim
andst artedtofeedhi m.
Me:"
Pleasedocal
lmeKhanyi
."
Khanyi:"Iwil
lsi
s.Thankyouagai
nfortoday.
"Iwent
t
othel oungetosaygoodbyetothefamil
ybefor
e
weleftforthecar.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Amahlewasenj oyingherdaywit
hZaneleandher
mother,Icoul
dn'tgotomyf at
herwi
thouther
becausehewant edtoseeher.
Ama:"
Yourt
hought
sar
ewei
ghi
ngmedown.
"
Nkosi
:"Youcan'thearmyt
hought
sbecausei
fyou
di
dyou'dstopignori
ngme.
"
Ama:"
Fine.Let
'sgo.
"Igotupwal
kingt
othecar
wheretheguardwai
ted.Wegotinandwentonour
way."Areyouner
vousthatThembi
saisout
side.
"
Nkosi
:"Yesbutshe'
ssaf
e."
Ama:"
Shei
s."
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinki
t'
ssaf
e?ThewayIl
oveher
?"
Ama:"Forher,
yes.Notforanyonewhowant
stot
ry
youbydist
urbingher
."
Nkosi
:"That
'smyconcer
n."
Ama:"
Theloveyoufeel
issoul
matetied.I
t'
snormal
.
Magni
fi
edbyyourpowerbutdefi
nit
elynormal
."
Nkosi
:"Hm.
."
Ama:"
Didyouspeakt
omum?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
thi
smor
ning.
"
Ama:"
She'
slonel
y."
Nkosi
:"Thengohome.
"
Ama:"
Whywon'
tyougohome?
"
Nkosi
:"Iwi
ll
.Maybet
omor
row.
"
Ama:"
Ithi
nkI
'
llgowi
thf
athert
oday.
"Wel
ookedout
ourwindowswat
chingthesi
lentcit
ypassbyunti
l
weenteredt
heest
ate.Thecarparkedatfat
her
's
houseandwewentin.Hewasr eadinganewspaper
onthecouch.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."Hel
ookedatusandl
ookedbackat
hi
spaper.
Ki
ng:
"Hel
lo.
"
Ama:"
Hel
loFat
her
."Shesatnextt
ohi
m.
Ki
ng:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Ama:"
Absol
utel
yfi
ne.
"
Ki
ng:
"I'
m sor
rymychi
ld.Idi
dn'
tint
endt
ohur
tyou.
"
Ama:"
You'
l
lobvi
ousl
yhavet
omakei
tupt
ome.
"
Ki
ng:
"Anyt
hing,
namei
t.
"
Ama:"
Let'
sgoupt
hemount
ain.
"Hel
ookedbackat
hi
snewspaper
.
Ki
ng:
"Il
oveyoubutI
'
m notdoi
ngt
hat
."
Ama:" I'
l
levencomehome. "Helookedather
."And
staythenight
."Hecontinuedtolookatherquiet
ly.
"Severalni
ghts.St
art
ingtoday."
King:"Fi
ne.See,
ifyouholdoutl
ongenough, peopl
e
alwaysgiveyouwhatyouwant .
"Hechuckled.She
roll
edhereyes."
I'
m oldert
hanyou,
Amahl e.Much
older.
"
Ama:"
Okay.Whencanwegoupt
hemount
ain?
"
Ki
ng:"Youcanl
if
tmycaskett
her
ewhenIdi
e."He
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"I'
mjoki
ng.What
'swr
ongwi
thyout
wot
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"Todayseemsl
ikeagooddayt
ogo.
"
Ki
ng:
"I'
veal
readygotaschedul
efort
heday.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thyou.We'
regoi
ng
t
oday.
"
King:"Fine,i
fIdi
et el
lyourmothersyoukilledme
yourselves.AndIwant7daysofmour ning.Putthe
l
ockdownonhol d.Havemypeopl ecelebrateme.
Don'tservecheapwi neatmyf uneral
.Themasses
mustt astethefi
nestofwiner
ies."
Nkosi:"
Shoul
dIwr
it
ethi
sdown,
itsoundsl
ikea
wil
l.
"
King: "
Goaheadandjoke.CanIatleastfini
sh
readingmynewspaper?Iwouldn'twantt o
crossoverwi
thoutf
ini
shingthi
sar t
icl
e."Ichuckl
ed.
Whywashesosur ehewoul ddie?EvenAmahl e
wasamused.
Ama:"
CanIhaveyourRol
lswhenyoudi
e?"
Ki
ng:"Takei
tbecauseyoualr
eadytol
dyoursel
fyou
woul
dwhenyoucameher et
okillme.
"Shelaughed.
"
Givi
ngbirt
htochil
drenonl
yforthem t
oki
llyou.
"
Nkosi:"
You'r
ebeingdramat
ic.Come,I
'l
lhavet
he
ki
tchenprepareyourf
avour
itemealf
orwhenwe
comeback."
Ki
ng:"
Iwon'
teveneatbecauseI
'
llbecol
dbyt
hen.
"
Hegotupf
rom t
hecouch.
Nkosi
:"Doyouevenhavehiki
ngboots?Whyare
youweari
ngyourmostexpensiveshoeswhi
le
si
tt
ingonacouchdoingnothi
ng? "
King:"
Allmyshoesar
eexpensi
veMehl
uli
.Wereyou
expect
ingtofi
ndmebarefoot
?WhywouldIshow
youmyf eet
?"
Nkosi:"Let
'sgot hen.Ihavehi ki
ngboot sinthe
vi
ll
a."Wewal kedoutt hehouse, heinhiscarwith
Amahl e.Iwasi nmi ne.Theguar dsdroveusoutin
si
xcar s.Ididn'texpectmyf athertoacceptgoing
upthemount ain,butAmahl eplayedthatoneeasily.
Onceheget st here,Idon'tevenknowwhatt odo.I
hopetheydobecauseonemi stakeandt r
ulyhe
mightnotmakei tback.
[
07/
27,
06:
02] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er70

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Inoti
cedthesi
lencefrom thebackseatwhenwe
drovebacktoeNtabeni.Iwonderwhathappened,
theyseemedtohavebeenhi tt
ingitoff
.
Zwe:
"Gotanypl
ansf
ort
heday?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Pr
obabl
ygonnaseewhatNkosii
supt
o.
You?
"
Zwe:"Ineedtofi
ndSibonel
oandsor thim out
befor
ehedoesdamage.Somet imeshecangoa
l
it
tl
eover boar
d.Speaki
ngofwhich."Hetookouta
phone."Youcancheckthi
s,i
t'
sThembi sa'
sphone.I
watchedhim sweepthr
oughit
,it
'sclean.
"
Mthunzi:"
Oh,thankyou.
"I'
m sur
ehecoul
dalso
sensethetensi
on.Surel
yI'
m notmaki
ngt
hisup.
Zwe:
"Gr
eatser
vice.Youpul
ledi
tof
fbeaut
if
ull
y."
Mthunzi
:"Thanks.Didyouknowjustl
ikeweddi
ngs,
t
herearealsofuneralpl
anner
s?Thisshockedme.
"
Zwe:"
Itwouldmakesense.Afunerali
sanevent .
Justt
hatthemai
nguestislat
e."Ialmostchoked,
l
aughing.
Mthunzi:"Ihat
eyou.Thati
sthedarkestj
okeI'
ve
everheard,comingfr
om afuner
alZwelet
hu."
Zwe:"I
'm sor
ry.
"Hechuckled.Wedr
oveupthe
mountainandparked.Ther
ewashardl
yspace
becausetheKingwasobviousl
yher
e.
Mt
hunzi
:"TheKi
ngi
sher
e."Igotoutt
hecar
,
openi
ngBusi
'
sdoor
.
Busi:
"I'
l
lwaithere.
"ZweopenedThembi sa'
sdoor
andshegotout .Iwasworr
iedaboutmywi feand
whatwasgoi ngonbutIhadt ogoinsi
de.Icl
osed
herdoor,l
eadingThembi
sai n.Nkosimetusatthe
door.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"Hehuggedhert
ight
,ki
ssi
ngher
f
ace."
What'
swrong?
"
Sasa:"Justt
ir
ed.Ineedmypill
s,andmaybeanap."
Shekissedhisli
psandwalkedaway.Nkosist
ared
atme.
Mthunzi
:"Idon'
tknow.Thefuneralwasokay.Ihave
nocluewhathappenedaft
erwards."Hel
ooked
behi
ndme.
Zwe:
"HiNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Whyi
syourwi
fei
nthecar
?"
Mthunzi
:"She'snotdoi
ngokayei
ther
.Oneoft
he
guar
dswilltakeherhome.Theki
ngisher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.We'
regoingupthemountain.Mt
hunzi
,
yourwi
feisn'
tokay.Pleaset
akeherhome.Al
so,
t
aket
her
estoft
heweekendof
f.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Ihave17guar dsstar
ingatmer ightnow.
Theperi
met erofthi
svil
lahasactualsoldi
ers
def
endingit.I
'm saf
e.Andwithfamily.Youneedto
gohome."
Mthunzi:"
Okay.Cal
lme.Her
e."Igavehi
m
Thembisa'
sphone.
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisnotmyphone,
howcanIcal
lyou
wit
hit
?"
Mthunzi:"
YohNkosi
.That
'sThembi
sa'
sphone.Gi
ve
i
ttoher.Youmustcal
lmewi t
hyour
s."
Nkosi
:"Okay.HiZwe,
areyoust
ayi
ng?
"
Zwe:"
Nowyouseeme?Mxi
m.Let
'sgoMt
hunzi
."I
l
aughed.
Mthunzi:"
Youknowhowhi sbrainsort
sprobl
ems
fi
rstbef
oreactualmanner
s.CallmeNkosi.
"We
walkedout.Zwedrovebacktohisfamil
yhome,soI
cangetmycar .
Zwe:
"Al
ri
ghtwe'
l
ltal
klat
er.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes.Thanksf
ort
odayZwe.
"
Zwe:"Pl
easur
e.Event
houghIdi
dn'
tfi
ndmysel
fa
wif
e."
Mthunzi
:"Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngal
lthatt
ime?Busy
posi
ngforthecamer
a?"
Zwe:"Nextt
imeI'mtaki
ngNkosiwith,
sothathe
canbethesuperstar
.Ican'
tbeyourcel
ebri
ty
agai
n."Welaughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llseeyou.
"
Zwe:"Sharp.
"Idroveout
,towardmyhouse.Busi
wasstil
lsit
ti
ngquietl
ynexttomestari
ngoutthe
window.Wear r
ivedhome,Ilockedt
hedoorsand
wewenti nsi
de.Sheimmediatel
ytookherpi
ll
sand
dr
ankt wo.Anxiet
ymedicati
on.
Mt
hunzi
:"Baby.
"
Busi
:"Hey.
"Ihel
dhercl
oset
ome.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whathappened?
"
Busi
:"Not
hing.Thatwasabeauti
fulf
uner
al.It
hinkI
j
ustneedti
met ogathermysel
f.
"
Mthunzi:"Okay."Idon'tknowiftheymadeapactt o
notdiscusswhathappenedormaybenot hi
ng
happened, I
'
mj ustbei ngtoocauti
ous.Nei
therof
thewomenseemedt owanttotalk.Il
edhertothe
bedroom, cl
osingthecur tai
ns.Shegotinbedafter
undressingherself.Iswit
chedtheTVonand
select
edhercomf ortshow.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llbei
nthel
ounge,
doyouwantagl
ass
ofwine?
"
Busi:
"Notnow, l
ove.Thankyou."Iki
ssedhercheek
andwentt othel
oungewi thmylaptopandcharger
.
Ihadtofigur
eoutwhatSi bonel
ohadpl annedf
or
thepri
sonerinhishouse.Hissecuri
tywas
i
mpenet r
ablesoIcouldonlyaskhim.Isenta
message.
Mt
hunzi
:<Si
bonel
o.>
Si
bo:<Mt
hunzi
.>
Mt
hunzi
:<Whatar
eyourpl
ansf
ort
hepr
isoner
?>
Si
bo:<Notthi
sagain.Ialr
eadyt
oldZwe,
I'
m keepi
ng
hi
m unti
lheagreestosign.>
Mthunzi :<CanIseet heagreement?>Hesentit
quickly.Ireadt hr
oughtheagreement,itwasgood.
<Okay.Thi si sgood.Howwi l
lthi
saffectyour
family'srelati
onshipwit
hhim aft
erwards?Isn'
tyour
brotherseei nghisdaughter
?>
Si
bo:<Thathasnothi
ngt
odowi thme.Myact
ions
ar
esolel
ytoprotectt
het
hrone.
>
Mt hunzi:<Okay.We' l
ltal
ksoon. >Icheckedt hrough
allofourbusi nesses,Busi's,mineandNkosi 's.I
t
tookabout3hour sandIwasdone.Ihadnot hing
elsetodo.TheTVhadgonequi etinthebedr oom, I
gotupt ocheck.Busiwasf astasleep.Iwant edt o
removeherwetpi ll
owbutIcoul dn'twakeherup.
Thatwoul dbeupset ti
ng,shedoesn' tli
kebei ng
wokenup.Il eftt
her oom, decidi
ngoncooki ngf or
us.Ihaven' tcookedf orherinaf ewweeksnow.An
attemptoft hecreamypast awi t
hshr i
mpf rom
Amel i
a'swoul dbet hebest .Igottowor k,
maki ngit
andf i
nishinginjust30mi nutes.
Busi:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Shewal
kedi
nthe
ki
tchen.
Mthunzi
:"Somelunch.It
ri
edtheAmel
ia'
sreci
pe.
Doyouwantat ast
e?"Shetast
edit
.
Busi
:"Hm.
..I
t'
scl
ose.
"Shesmi
led.
Mthunzi
:"Letmegetyouagl
assofwhi
tewi
ne.Ar
e
yougonnaeatnow?"
Busi
:"Yesbaby."Shewenttositonthecouch.I
pour
edagl assofwineanddishedupapl at
e,taki
ng
i
ttoher."
Thankyou."Igotmypl at
easwel l
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Haveyoucal
ledBet
hany?
"
Busi:"No.I'
m seeingheronTuesdayf ormy
sessi
on."Bethanywashert herapi
stwhohadal so
becomeagoodf ri
end.Busialwayssepar atedtheir
rel
ati
onship.Sheneverspoket oBethanyabout
stuf
fthataffectedheroutsi
deofapai dtherapy
sessi
on.Thei rfri
endshipwaspur eandheal thy,onl
y
consisti
ngoft hehealedpartofher.Thet rauma
wasf orthedoctor."I
'l
lcal
lhertomor r
ow, she's
supposedt ohaveadat etoday."Sheat eherpast a.
Mt
hunzi
:"Oh?Wi
tht
heGer
manguy?
"
Busi
:"Not
hatonewasi
ntowei
rdt
hings,
she'
s
seei
nganot
herguy,
he'
sSout
hAf
ri
can.
"
Mthunzi
:"It
houghtshedi
dn'
tl
ikeSout
hAf
ri
can
guys.
"
Busi
:"Shedoesn'
tbutt
hisonehast
ickedal
lthe
gr
eenf l
agssowe'r
ecrossi
ngfi
nger
s."Il
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"CanIcheckhi
m out
?"
Busi
:"Nobaby.Youpr
omi sed.Ever
yti
meyoucheck
aguyout,
youf i
ndworr
yingthingsabouthi
m."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sn'
tthatgood?I
tsaveshert
ime.
"
Busi
:"Notunt
ilsheasksbaby.Let
'snotdoi
tagai
n."
Mthunzi
:"Fi
nebutwhati
fhe'
sanaxemur
der
er?
"I
l
aughed.
Busi:
"Youhaveaverydar
ksenseofhumour
.He'
s
notanaxemurder
er.He'
sanengineer
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Asi
fyoucan'
tbebot
h."
Busi
:"I
'
m notl
ett
ingyoucheckunt
ilt
hesecondr
ed
fl
ag.
"
Mthunzi
:"Second?That
'sasneezeawayf
rom
murder.
"
Busi:"
Relax.You'l
lneedt
ofindanotherwayto
occupyyourselfonyourdayoff
.LeaveBethany'
s
manal one.
"
Mthunzi
:"It
houghtitwasadat
e."Shestar
esatme.
Ichuckl
ed."
I'
mt easi
ngyoul
ove.Ireal
lyam bor
ed.
"
Busi
:"Goodl
uckt
hen.I
'
m goi
ngbackt
obed.
"
Mthunzi:"
Ist
hataninvit
ati
on?
"Shesmil
edwal ki
ng
away.Itwasgoodthatshewasbacktosmil
ing.Her
pi
ll
shelpedalotbutIreal
lywi
shedonedayshe
wouldcopewithoutt
hem.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwaswor r
iedaboutThembisa.Shewasinher
famil
yroom wit
hZaneleandherparent
s.Iwentt
o
knockonthedoor.Herfat
heropened.
Nkosi:"
Hel
losi
r.Ij
ustcametodropoffThembisa'
s
phone.Shecannowuseit.
"Ihandedoverthe
phone.
Xol
ani
:"Thankyou.
"
Nkosi
:"I
ssheokay?
"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.She'
saskedt
obei
nbedf
orawhi
le.
"
Nkosi :"
Okay.I
'llbegoingupt hemount ai
nwithmy
father.I
'l
lseeherwhenI '
m back."Henodded.I
wal kedaway,tof i
ndmyf atherintheequipment
store,myheartt ear
ingjustalit
tl
ebitfr
om not
seei ngThembisa.
King:"Theselookgood. "Hef i
tt
edont hebootsand
star
edathi mselfinthemi rr
or,healreadyhadhiki
ng
pantson.Thi swasgoi ngtobeal ongwal k.Heli
ked
cl
othesandal waysdressedhi msel
ft otheoccasi
on.
It
'sjusthiki
ng."Doyout hinkthisst
ickwi l
lmatch
myout fi
t?Ofcour seitwil
l."
Nkosi
:"Canwegonow?
"
Ki
ng:
"Yes.Wecan.Amahl
ewher
ear
eyourboot
s?"
Ama:"
I'
m wear
ingsneaker
s,t
hey'
ref
ine.Let
'sgo.
"
Wewalkedout
."Wherei
sThembisa?
"
Nkosi
:"Sl
eepi
ng.
"
Ama:"
Oh.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouknowwhatyou'
l
lsayupt
her
e?"
Ama:"
Whydoyout
hinkIwasaski
ngf
orher
?"
Ki
ng:"We'l
lfi
gureitout.
"Wewal kedoutthegarden,
t
hroughthepathandoutoft hegatethenstar
ted
t
hetrai
lupiDlozi
."So..whathaveyoutwobeenup
t
o?"
Nkosi:"
Busywit
htheaddr
essandsmoot
hingout
thel
ockdown.Nowbusywitht
hestat
ementfort
he
prot
ester
sshoot
ing.
"
King:"
Idon'tseewhyyout hi
nkyoumustexplai
n
yourdeci
sionstocivi
li
ans.You'
ret
hei
rleader
."
Nkosi
:"Agoodl
eaderi
nvol
veshi
speopl
e."
King:"
Thatsoundsli
keaweakleadert
hatneeds
vali
dat
ion.
"ThisiswhyIdon'
tli
keyou.
Nkosi:"Idon'
tneedanyval
idati
on.Ihavea
responsibi
li
tyt
omynat i
on,rememberthenat
ion
you'veabandoned?"
King:"Abandoned?I'
veappr
ovedallofyourproj
ect
s
todevelopthi
snationandal
lofthem,benefi
tthe
civi
li
ans.Notme.Thatsoundsheavil
ygenerousto
me."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sourdut
y."
King:"Ourdut yi
stomakesur epowerst aysint
he
correcthandsandt hoseidi
otsdon'tki
lleachot
her
forsport.Gi
vingthem thi
ngsiskindness."Hewas
obviouslytr
yingtoirr
it
ateme.Asusual .Wewal ked
quietl
yforaf ewminutes."Ar
eyouupsetnow? "
Nkosi
:"I
'
m annoyed!
!Ci
vil
iansar
enoti
diot
sfat
her
!"
King:"
Really?Becausetheymarchedastudent
resi
dentbuildi
ng,bui
ltFORTHEM, forFREE,and
t
heystoodt heretodie.Af
tert
wowar ni
ngs.They
wouldratherdie.
"
Ama:"
That
'st
ri
gger
ing.
"
Ki
ng:
"Yourcasei
sdif
fer
entAmahl
e,I
'
m notgoi
ng
t
oapologi
zeathi
rdt
ime.
"
Nkosi
:"St
il
l.That
'saver
ysmal
lper
cent
age.
"
King:"
Thatyou'
venowgot t
enri
dofbecauseyou
madeaki ngdeci
sion.Noonewil
lbet
hatstupi
d
again.
"
Nkosi
:"Thef
ormerr
oyalcounci
lwi
ll
."
Ki
ng:
"See?I
diot
s.They'
reanonf
act
or.Oncet
hey'
re
dead,
not
hingwi
llst
opyou.
"If
eltsomet
hingar
ound
usandst
oppedi
mmediatel
y."
Whatisit
?"
Nkosi
:"Don'tmove."Hestoodinonespot
."you
can'
tspil
lanotherr
oyalsblood.
"
Ki
ng:
"Theyst
art
edi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"St
il
l.I
t'
sfor
bidden.
"
Ki
ng:
"Towho?
"
Nkosi:"
Doyouwantt
omakei
ttot
het
opornot
?"I
keptwalki
ng.
Ki
ng:"
Fine.Iwon'
thur
tthem butIwil
ldef
end
mysel
fifi
tcomestoit
.I'
m notabouttosi
tbyand
wat
chclownsdanceonmyhead. "

Wemadei tt
othetopoft
hemount
ainwit
hdiff
icul
ty
becausewekepthavi
ngt
ost
op.Westoodther
e
quiet
ly.
Nkosi
:"Someonehast
osaysomet
hing.
"
King:"
I'
m someone?
"Isatdownontheground,ti
red
ofargui
ngwithhi
m.Amahledraggedhi
mt ositas
wel
l.
Ama:"
Fat
her
,youhavet
oacknowl
edget
heel
der
s."
Ki
ng:
"How?
"
Ama:" Firstl
etgoofanynegat ivefeel
ings.Just
medi t
ate.Focusont hewat er
fall
.Asthewat eri
s
running,mayt henegati
vepouroutofyou.Eyes
closed."Ikeptmyeyescl osed.
Ki
ng:
"Thi
sfeel
sni
ce.
"Hewhi
sper
ed.
Ama:"Mayt heSi
khosanaelderswelcomeuskindl
y
i
ntotheirsacr
edpl
a-"If
eltathudandIquickl
y
openedmyeyes.Myf atherhadcol
lapsedtot
he
fl
oor."
Oh-oh."
Nkosi
:"Whatnow?
"
Ama:" Iguesswewai t.Thisishi sjour ney."Ifel
ta
strongpresencearoundme.Thesnakeshadci rcl
ed
aroundus.Inaf ewmi nutes,theyl eft.Thunderhi t
theskyandr ainpouredimmedi ately.Gr eat.Iguess
thi
si showstuckThembi saf eltwhenshecame
herewi t
hAmahl e.I
ttookf i
vemi nutesofr ainbut
fatheronlywokeupt wohour sl ater,gaspi ng.Hesat
up.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"Henodded.
Ama:"
Thatwassurpr
isi
nglyeasy."Forus,
yesbut
myfat
herl
ookedoutofi
t.Ihelpedhim up.
King:"
Whyam Iwet
?"Hisusualmenaci
ngt
onewas
repl
acedwi
thasoft
erone.
Nkosi:"
Itr
ained."Wewal keddownt hemountai
nin
si
lence.Washenotgoi ngt ot
elluswhathappened?
Atall
?That'
sabi tself
ishbutokay.Iguessi
t'
shis
j
ourney.Atleastwe' r
emaki ngitback.

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupf rom mynapandstretchedmybodyout .

I'
dtakenoffmyf uner
aldr
essandwor eanavyblue
maxi.Myf amil
ywasn'ti
ntheroom andAmahl eas
well
.Iwalkedout,goi
ngdownt hepassage.Isaw
Nkosiwalkingi
nandIwentstraightt
ohim and
huggedhim.
Me:"
Hibaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.You'
reawake.
"
Me:"Yes.Ihadsuchaheavydream.Li
keIhad
el
ectr
ici
tycomingoutofmyarms.Wheredoyou
comef r
om?You'rewet.
"Il
ookedupathim.He
ki
ssedmyhead.
Nkosi
:"Iwasi
nthemountain."Inot
icedhi
sfat
her
besi
dehim.OhdearGod.Isteppedback.
Me:"YourMaj
est
y.Goodday,
Idi
dnotseeyou.I
apol
ogize.
"
Ki
ng:"Mynewpowermustbei
nvi
sibi
li
ty.
"Nkosi
l
ookedathi
m.
Me:"
I'
m sor
ryYourHi
ghness.
"
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
,Ineedt
ochangemycl
othes.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
King:
"Itwoul
dbeni
cetobel
edt
oapl
acewher
eI
canchangemyclot
hes?
"
Nkosi
:"Someonewi l
lleadyoutoyourroom.Hol
d
on.
"Hewal kedtotherecepti
ondesk.Ist
ood
awkwardl
y,withtheKingstari
ngmedown.
Mama:"Thembi
samnt
anam.You'
reawake.
"What
onear
thwasshewear
ing?
Me:"Mama."Itwasalongbl
ackdresswi
thl
ong
f
lar
edsleeves.Sheal
sohadjewel
ryon.
Mama:"
Hel
lo.
"Shesmi
led.Theki
ngst
aredather
.
Me:"
Mama,
thi
sist
heKi
ng.
"
Mama:" HayiThembi sa!
"Shebowedherhead,
l
ookingatthegr ound."Goodafternoon,
Your
Highness.
"Theki ngdidnotrespond.Hej ust
conti
nuedtost areather.Thi
sfami l
ydidalotof
stari
ngwiththoseorangeeyes." Thembisa,i
she
sti
lll
ooki
ngatme? "Iheldinalaugh.
Me:"Yes.MyKi ng,t
hisismymot her.
"Iint
roduced.
Nope, hej
ustkepthismouthqui et.Nowonder
Nkosiisthewayhei s.Hegotitfrom him.Wait,can
hereadmyt houghtstoo?SurelyNkosiwoul d'
ve
mentionedthi
sf act
.
Nkosi
:"Okay,
fat
heryoucanco-Why?
?"
Ki
ng:
"Whywhat
?"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,pl
easeaccompanyf
athert
ohi
s
room.Ravenwillshowyou.
"Theywalkeddownt
he
passageway."
Mama, youcanli
ftyourhead.
"
Mama:"
Oh.Idi
dn'
tknowt
heki
ngwascomi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Itwasaspuroft
hemomentdeci
sion.My
apol
ogies."
Mama:"Okay.Ineedtotel
lTakaThembi
saImett
he
ki
ng.
"Shealmostr anbacktother
est
aur
ant
.
Me:"
Yourf
amil
ylikest
ostar
ehey?Youguyst
hink
t
hoseor
angeeyesarecut
e?"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Nowwhyam Icat
chi
ngheat
?Idi
dn'
tst
are.
"
Me:"HayiNkosi,howdidwest artdati
ng?Evenyour
fat
herstares.Youreyesarescary.Idon'
tknowwho
tol
dyout heylookcute.
"Wesatdownont hecouch
atrecept
ion,Icuddl
edintohischest.
Nkosi
:"Shamebabyyou'
l
lbeseeingtheseeyesf
or
t
herestofyourl
if
eandgivi
ngbirt
htoplent
yof
t
hem.Theycan'tbor
eyoujustyet
."
Me:"Ihopemychi
ldr
endi
sappoi
ntyouandcome
outwit
hnormalbr
owneyes.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"We'
l
lseebaby.Whatwer
eyousayi
ngabout
yourdr
eam?
"
Me:"
Oh.Myarmsfeltt
ingl
yandheavyli
ketheyhad
el
ect
ri
cit
yint
hem.Ican'tr
ememberthedream."
Nkosi
:"Howdot
heyf
eel
now?
"
Me:"
They'
reokay.I
sMt
hunziar
ound?
"
Nkosi
:"No,
hewenthomewi
thhi
swi
fe.
"
Me:"
Oh.Iwantedt
oapologi
zet
oher
.Isai
d
somet
hingi
nsensi
ti
ve.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Me:"Shement ionedshedoesn' twantki
dsandI
probedintowhywoul dn'tshewantkidsanditupset
her.Ishould'
vejustkeptquiet
."
Nkosi
:"Youcanst
il
lapol
ogi
ze.
"
Me:"Yes,
Iwantt
osendhersomef
lower
sanda
not
e."
Nkosi
:"Youcandothatt
omorr
ow.Youhaven'
t
eat
entoday,maybeweshoul
dgetyouf
ood."
Me:"Yes.I
'
m star
ving.
"Wegotup."
Onelastki
ss."I
ki
ssedhisli
ps,
almostlosi
ngmysel
finhi
sembr ace.
Imissedhol
dinghimf reel
yatanymoment
.We
walkedtot
her est
aurant,wher
emyfami
lywas.
Theywerehavingtea.
Mama:"
Her
e'sThembi
sa,
she'
l
ltel
lthet
rut
h."
Me:"
Hel
loTat
a.Hiangel
."
Xol
ani
:"Goodaf
ter
noonmychi
ld,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"
Hell
osir
."Hepull
edachai
rformetosi
tand
satnexttome.Ilovehowcomf
ort
ablehewas
becomingnow.
Mama:"
Thembisa,t
ellyourfat
herthatImett
he
Ki
ngandhelookedatme. "Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
It
'st
rue.Iwast
her
e."
Mama:"
Exact
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Myfatheriscol
d,mama.Pleasedon'ttake
of
fensetohissil
ence.He'
ssoci
all
yawkwar d."I
smil
ed.Helookedatme."What?
"
Me:"
He'
sexact
lyl
ikeyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Nohe'
snot
.I'
m ver
ysoci
abl
e."
Me:"
Yout
ryandt
hat
'swhatcount
s."Hesmi
led.
Xol
ani:"Wil
lyourfat
herbej
oini
ngusf
ordi
nner
YourHighness?"
Nkosi :"
Idon'tthi
nksosi r
.Heshoul dbegoingback
tothepal acesoon."Ineededf oodinmybel l
y.I
l
ookedatt heeveningmenu, i
tchangedever yday
butIknowt odaywasmymot her'
sinf
luence.I
decidedont hebut t
ernutsoup, i
twasherrecipe
surely.I
tcanhol dmeunt ildi
nner .
Xol
ani
:"Howwast
hef
uner
alSasa?
"
Me:"Itwasbeaut i
fulTat a.Theser vicewasamazi ng,
i
tremi ndedmeofchur ch.If el
tathomei nt here.A
fewtimesIcr iedbecauseofhowcl oseIwast o
deathbutal sowasgr atefulthatImadei tthere.It
wassuchadi f
ferentexper i
ence. "Nkosilookedat
thedoor .I
naf ewseconds, hisfatherwal kedinwi t
h
Amahl e.Nowhel ookedl ikeaki ng.Thehi kinggear
madehi ml ookor dinary.I'
m surehedi dn'tli
keitat
all
.Youcanf eelhispresencehasdoubl ednow.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Thi
slookscozy.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
King:
"Joi
ningyoufordi
nner
.Mi
ghtaswel
lgett
o
knowmyi n-l
aws.
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"IknowNkosidi
dn'
twanthi
m nearme.
Me:"
Nkosi.
"Iheldhisheatinghand.I
twasn't
fl
ami
ngyet,j
usthot."Let'
smovet oabiggert
abl
e
sowecanhavedi nnertogether
."Hel
ookedatme,
hi
seyessoft
ening.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Me:"
Yes,
we'
ref
ami
ly.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
02] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er71

SASAPOV_

Di
nnerwasawkwar
d.Wehaven'
tevenbegunt
oeat
butweallsatinsi
lence.Sonoonewasgoi ngtosay
anyt
hing?Ourstarter
scamet othet
able.Evenmy
mothercouldn'
tspeak?NobutIgetit.Ial
sowasn't
abouttosayawor dinfrontoft
heKingofanation.
Sikhosana:"
Hm.
."hehadmor
eofhi
ssoup."
Thi
s
soupisnice.
"
Mama:"Tryi
twiththebreadYourHighness."He
l
ookedather.Iwasholdi
ngmybr eath.Atthi
s
momentIwishNkosinhlewouldreadmyt hought
s
andanswersomeoft hem.Helookedatme.I she
readi
ngmythoughts?
Me:"
Youbet
ternotbe.
"
Nkosi
:"What
?You'
ret
hinki
ngofme.
"Hewhi
sper
ed
i
nmyear .
Me:"
Howwoul
dyouknowt
hatNkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi:"
It
'smyname.Icanheari
tanywher
e."I
gi
ggled.
Sikhosana:"
Iti
sbetterwi
ththebr
ead.
"Hemumbl ed.
Okay,someoneneedst osaysomethi
ng.Iwoul
d,
butwhatwoul dIsay?
Me:"
Nele,howisschoolt
hisyear?Secondyeari
n
hi
ghschool.
"Shelookedatmelikehereyeswoul
d
popoutofherhead.
Nel
e:"
Fine.
"Shewhi
sper
edi
namousyt
one.
Me:"Hmm.Nkosi ,
dadwasworr
iedabouthi
s
l
ivestock,
ist
hereawayt
hathecanrecei
vevideos
oftheirpr
ogr
ess?"
Nkosi:"
Maybeasecuri
tysyst
em wil
lbebet
ter
.It
wil
lhavecamerasonthewholepr
opert
ysoyoucan
watchatanymomentwhatexactl
yishappeni
ng.
Wouldthatbef
inesi
r?"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
dappr
eci
atet
hat
."
Si
khosana:"
Sir
?"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tst
art
."Theki
ngsi
ghed.
Ama:"SoI
'
llbegoi
nghomet
ovi
sitmyf
ami
lyf
ort
he
week.
"
Me:"
That
'sgr
eat
.I'
l
lmi
ssyout
hough.
"
Ama:"
Youcancomewi
thme.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Iwoul
dbehonour
ed,
oneday.Justnott
oday.
Youneedyourpri
vateti
mewi t
hyourmothersand
si
ster
s."Il
ookedatNkosi."
Wil
lyoubevi
sit
ingyour
momst oo?"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
I'
llgoseet
hem.
"
Ki
ng:"Hm.IfIknewyoucangetmychil
drenhome
t
hisquickl
yIwould'
vesatdownwi
thyoufordi
nner
monthsago."
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
oapol
ogi
zef
orshoot
ingat
her
?"
Me:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sonl
yri
ght
."
Ki
ng:
"Fi
ne.Iapol
ogi
zef
orshoot
ingatyou.
"
Me:"
Ifor
giveyouYourHi
ghness.
"
Ki
ng:
"Idi
dn'
taskf
oryourf
orgi
veness.
"
Me:"
It
'sokayt
hen,
Idon'
tfor
giveyou,
MyKi
ng.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa.
"Nowwhyam It
hebadguy?
King:"
Wecanallmoveonfrom t
heinci
dent
,itwi
ll
nothappenagai
n."Movi
ngonwi l
lbesl
owforme
butit
'
sgoodtoknowIdon'thaveatar
getonmy
back.Ifl
exedmylefthandasi
tst
art
edst
ingi
ngat
mef ornoreason.
Nkosi
:"What'
sthematter
?"Il
ookedup.TheKing
wasalsol
ookingathi
shandt wi
sti
ngitar
ound.We
l
ockedeyes.Don'
tIhaveenoughawkward
momentsinmymemor y?
Me:"
Myhandi
sst
ingi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Shoul
dIcal
lZwe?
"
Me:"
Notyet
.Maybei
t'
spassi
ng.I
'
m okaynow.
"I
dr
anksomewater
.
Mama:"Thembisa.Younevert
oldushowyoumet
t
hePri
nce."Ist
aredatmyempt ysoupbowl
.
Me:"
Real
lymama?
"
Mama:"Yes,
wheredi
dyoutwomeet
?"Ican'
ttel
l
myparent
sIwenttoacl
ub.
Nkosi
:"Wemetatani
ght
club.
"
Me:"
Nkosi
!"
Nkosi
:"Buti
t'
strue.Youwer
ether
ewithyourfr
iend
andIwassit
tingalonewi
thmyguards.Don'
tyou
r
emember
?"
Me:"
Itwasonl
yonce.Ihaven'
tbeent
her
eagai
n."
Xol
ani
:"It
houghtwehadanagr
eementofno
cl
ubbi
ngandnightpl
aces.
"
Me:"Wedi dTata.I
'm sorr
y.I
twasonceoffthing
thatwi
llneverhappenagain.Idi
dn'
tevenenjoy
beingt
here."Nkosist
aredatme.Ilookedbackat
him.Whycan' thel
iejustali
tt
lebi
t?"Youl
eft
."
Nkosi
:"Thenwemetagai
natmyrestaur
ant.She
r
efusedtospeakt
ome."Hewassti
lll
ooki
ngatme.
Me:"Becauseyout
akeaguardtothebat
hroom l
ike
you'
regoingtowar
."Hechuckl
ed.
Xol
ani
:"I
sitt
her
est
aur
antwewentt
o?"
Mama:"
Youwentt
oar
est
aur
ant
?"OhdearGod.
Xolani
:"Yesst
handwa.Wewer
eti
redandabi
t
hungry.
"
Me:"
Yesi
t'
sthesamer
est
aur
antTat
a."
Mama:"Thenwhathappened.
"IgrabbedNkosi
'
s
handundert
hetabl
etokeephim quiet
.
Me:"Heinvi
tedmetodinnerandwecamehere.
"I
smil
ed.Thekingwasstari
ngmyhandholdi
nghis
son.Iknowhewasitchi
ngtosaysomethi
ng.
Mama:"
That
'ssosweet
.
King: "Soyouwer eal
readydati
ngwhenyou
attendedt hereeddance?Iremembert
heindi
sti
nct
chatt erbetweentheroyal
saboutt
hePri
nce'
s
i
nter est.I
twasyou? "
Me:"
Yes,
MyKi
ng,
wewer
eseei
ngeachot
her
."
King: "
Andyouspentthepreviousnightwithhi
m
becauseIr ememberclear
lyhedidn'tcomehome
untilmorningandhewast ooexcitedtoreason
with."Ichoked."
NotaMehl ul
itr
aitatall
.Mychild
doesn'tgetexcit
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Ar
ewenothavi
ngaconver
sat
ion?
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
sst
il
lpur
eift
hat
'swher
eyou'
re
goi
ng.
"
King:
"Oh?That'
sgoodtoknow."Hesmiled."
Are
youplanni
ngtowaitt
il
ltheweddi
ng?"Thiswas
uncomf
ort
abl
e.
Nkosi
:"Yeswear
e."
Ki
ng:"
Deli
ghtf
ul.Can'
tgi
veherachancet
oescape
wi
thourhei
r.
"Hechuckled.
Ama:"
Howl
onghaveyoubeenmar
ri
edf
ather
?"
Ki
ng:
"Asol
dasMehl
uli
."
Ama:"Doyouhaveanyadvi
cef
orhi
m asa
husband?
"
King:
"Iassumet
hiswi
llbeyouronl
ywif
eandyou
haveenoughmoneybutwhenyouhavethechance,
makemuchmor e.
"
Nkosi
:"Real
ly?Money?
"
King:"
Yes.Childrenareveryexpensi
vebutt heyare
damnneari mpossi bl
eift
heyarepr i
ncesses.Then
addtwowi ves.Ifyouwantt opl
easeyourwi fe,
take
careofyourchildren.
"
Ama:"That
snotbad.MrNt
aka,
doyouhaveany
advi
ce?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes.Li
stent
oyourwi
fe.Respectherf
ir
st
beforeyourespectpeopleoutsideofyourmar r
iage.
Ifyouhaveapr obl
em, youprepar eatabl
eandsi t
herdownt otal
kabouti t
.Itshouldneverbeaf i
ght.
Iti
st woofyoutackli
ngani ssueasacoupl e.The
i
ssuei stheenemynoteachot her.Feedher
,andbe
affecti
onat
e.Thembisalovesbei ngheld.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyoufat
her
s.Thatwasgoodadvi
ceon
bot
hends.Mama, doyouhaveanyadvi
ce?"
Mama:"Ijustwanttoadd,don'tnegl
ectyourf
amil
y
aft
ermarri
age.Also,Thembisa,t
akecareofyour
husbandsothathedoesn'tgoout si
de.
"Ihungmy
headinshame.WhyNOW?
Xol
ani
:"MakaThembi
sa.
"
Mama:"Xol
anii
tisjustasi
mportant
.Thembi
sa
cookf
oryourhusband.Int
heki
tchenandint
hebe-
"
Me:"Thankyoumama.Iwi l
ldefi
nit
elyr
emember
thi
sfortherestofmyl
if
e.Ipromise.
"Thiswasso
embarrassi
ng.
Mama:"Yes,
youmustr
ememberit.Awif
edoesnot
gett
ir
ed.
"Iwasgoi
ngtocol
lapsei
nutt
ershame.
Nkosi:"Zanel
e?Doyouhaveanythingtoadd?
"He
chuckled.Sheshookherhead,
holdingi
nalaugh.
Nel
e:"
Sasai
sagoodper
son.Pl
easel
oveherf
ull
y."
Nkosi
:"Iwi
ll
."Hesmil
ed."Amahl
e?"Shewas
l
aughi
ngwi t
hherfat
her.SoI'
mthejokeoft
heday?
Goodtoknow.
Ama:"Idon'
thaveanyadvice.Iknowyout
wowi l
l
l
oveeachothertotheendsoftheeart
h.Pl
ease
nameatleastonebabyaft
erme? "
Nkosi
:"I
'
llt
hinkabout.Thankyoufami
ly.
"Ourmain
cour
secamet othetabledel
iver
edbyt
hewaiter
s.

Dinnerhadgonef ai
rlywellwithmyf at
hertel
li
ng
Nkosiabouthisgoatbusi ness.AmahleandZanele
hadtheirusualconversati
on.Iwaschat t
ingt
omy
motherabouthernewdr ess,apparent
lyi
twasn't
newbutI '
veneverseeni tbefore.
Me:"Youlookgor
geous.Wi
thj
ewel
ryanda
headscar
fandall
."
Mama:"
Ihavet
olookgor
geousThembi
sa,
don'
t
youseewehaveani mportantguest
?"Shehissed.
"Nowt hatyou'
regetti
ngmarri
ed,Imustalwaysbe
l
ookingamazi ng.Ihavet
oaskyourf at
hertobuy
mehi ghheels.
"
King:"Thequeensdon' twearhi ghheel
s.Shortones
maybe, butdefi
nitel
ynothigh."Hestar
eddir
ectlyat
her.Thewhol etablewentquiet.Mymotherl
ooked
down, shy.Idon' tbl
ameher ,t
hoseeyeswere
horri
fying.
Nkosi
:"Real
lyf
ather
?"
King:
"Itwaseit
hert
hegoatconversati
onorTV
showswi t
hAmahle.I'
m noti
nter
estedinei
ther
.I
wouldobviousl
ychooseclot
hes.
"
Me:"MyKing,doyouhaveastyl
ist
?Yourcl
othes
r
eall
ylookputtoget
her
."WhatIi
maginehethi
nksis
asmilehappenedonhi
sface.
King:"
Ihaveatail
orwhomakesmycl ot
hes,Iput
them t
ogethermysel
f.Iusedtodr
essMehlul
iwhen
hewasababy.Hehat edi
t."
Nkosi
:"Youdr
essedmei
nRai
nbowcol
our
s."
King:
"Itwasonescar
f.I
tlookedgoodwi
thyour
eyes.
"
Nkosi
:"Toomanycol
our
sinonepl
acemakeme
ver
yuncomfor
tabl
e."
King:
"Hm.Alotoft hi
ngsIdomakeyou
uncomfort
able.Ishouldgetgoi
ng.Di
nnerwas
wonderf
ul.Thankyouf orhavi
ngme,Thembisa.
Andfamil
y."
Me:"
Wewerehonouredtohaveyou,
YourMaj
est
y."
Hest
oodupfr
om thetabl
e.
Ama:"
I'
llseeyousoon.
"Ihuggedher
.
Me:"Okay,
we'
l
lspeakonthephone.
"Theywalked
outwit
hNkosi
.Myfamil
yandIwenttoourroom.
Mama:"Yoh!Yoh!Yoh!Canyoubeli
evewejusthad
di
nnerwit
haKi ng?AwholeKing?
"Zanelel
aughed.
Nel
e:"
Thewhol
evi
ll
agewi
llbej
eal
ousofyou
mama."
Me:"
Wecan'
ttel
lthevi
ll
ageyet
."
Mama:"YohThembisamnt anam.Youhavet
aken
myst
atusupthere.Yoh!Heee.Whowould'
ve
thought?Myownchi l
dwouldmar r
yaf utur
eki ng?
Yes,youwoul d'
vebeensuccessf ulbuttomar ryint
o
theroyalfamil
ymnt anam?No, you'vemademet he
happiestwomanal i
ve.Wecan' ttel
lanyonebecause
theymi ghtbewi
tchus.Let'
swai tunti
ltheweddi ng.
Xolanidon'tmakethingsdi
ffi
cultforthem please.
Infact,wemustbepayi ngthem forlobola.
"I
l
aughed.
Xol
ani
:"Canyoupl
easecal
m down.
"
Mama:"Howcanyoubecal m Xolani?Ourchil
dis
aboutt
omarryaking!Ohbawo, Wazewandi bona
nam."(
OhGod,youf i
nal
lyseemet oo)Shecri
ed.
Myhandwasst i
ngingagai
n,alit
tl
enumbnow.
MaybeIshoul
dgetZwebutIdi dn'thavehisnumber
.
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
oaskNkosit
ocal
lZweTat
a.Ineed
hi
mtocheckmyhand.
"
Xol
ani
:"Okaymychil
d."Iwal
kedouttof
indNkosi
.
Hewasstil
latt
heentr
anceareawit
hhisfat
her
.
Me:"Myapologiesfordi
stur
bingmyki ng.Nkosi,I
needyout
ocal lZwe.Myhandi spersist
ing.It
hinkI
mayhavedisturbedanerveorti
ssue."Theking
st
aredatme.Whydoeshest
aresomuch?
Nkosi
:"Okay,
I'
m cal
li
ng.Doesi
thur
t?"
Me:"
It
'sget
ti
ngnumb.
"Hecal
ledZwe.
Nkosi:"
Zwel
ethu?Pl
easecometot
hevil
la?
Thembisahaspaini
nherarm,
shesai
dit'
sfal
li
ng
off
-"
Me:"
Isai
dit
'snumb.
"
Nkosi
:"Samethi
ngbaby.Areyoucomi
ng?Okay.
"
Hehungup."He'
scoming."
Me:"
Alr
ight
,I'
l
lwai
tint
her
oom.
"
Ama:"
Whendi
dyourar
m st
arthur
ti
ng?
"
Me:"
WhenIwassl
eepi
ng.
"Shel
ookedatNkosi
.
"
What?"
Ama:"Let'
sgotothesui
te."Wef ol
lowedhertowhat
Iassumei st
heKing'
ssuit
e.Itwasbeaut i
ful
."You
wereasleepwhenwewer eatthemount ai
n.Ithink
i
thassomet hi
ngtodowithfather.
"Shelookedat
him.
Ki
ng:
"Whataboutme?
"
Ama:"You'
rehavi
ngt
heexactsamepai
ninyour
ar
m andhand."
Ki
ng:
"Youdon'
tknowt
hat
."
Ama:"Wel
l,
doyou?
"Hel
ookedaway."
fat
her
pl
ease.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'snot
hing.I
twi
llgoaway.
"
Ama:"Itwon'
t.It
'snotnot
hingbecausetwo
dif
fer
entpeopleareexper
ienci
ngitatt
hesame
ti
me."
Ki
ng:
"Sowhat
?"
Ama:"
Touchherar
m."
Ki
ng:
"No.
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."Theki
ngsatdowni
nthet
hrone-
li
ke
chai
r.
King:
"Thedoct oriscomi
ng,he'
l
lexpl
ainher
condi
tion.I
'm goinghometomyhealer
.Stoptr
ying
tomakei tabigdeal."
Nkosi
:"Baby,
touchhi
shand.
"
Me:"
Ican'
tdot
hatNkosi
."
Nkosi:"Fat
her
.Pleaseworkwi
thus.Justt
hisonce.
Ifnothi
nghappens,thengr
eat
,wewon'tbotheryou
again."
Ki
ng:
"Everagai
n?"
Nkosi
:"Everagai
n."
King:"Fi
ne."Hehel douthi shand.ButIdon' twant
to.Isi
ghedandknel tinf rontofhi mt hent ookhis
handi nmine." See?Not hing.Don' tbothermeaga- "
sparksstartedt ogooffonhi shand.Ipr essedmy
thumbonhi spal m,abol toflightningsur gedof fhi
s
handshocki ngmyar mi mmedi ately.Ijumped,
screaming."Whatt hehel l?"Hest aredathi shand,
wiredwithel ectr
icvol
tsspar kli
ngabout .Myar m
wasi nexcruciatingpain.Nkosihel dmeup,
confused.
Me:"
Wehavet oswi
tchi
tof
f.
"Ist
eppedf
orwar
d,t
he
ki
ngpul
ledback.
Ki
ng:
"Thi
swi
llki
llyou.
"
Nkosi:"
Maybei tworksthesamewayasmyf l
ames.
Fli
ckthem off
."Hedidjustthatandsparksfel
lover
thefl
oor,l
ikel
iveelect
ri
cit
y."Soitdoesn'
t.
"He
l
ookedatme.
Me:"I
'
veneverseenthisone."Andbylooksofit,
not
oneofthem kneweit
her."
Presshardint
oyour
pal
m."Hehel dafi
st,
pressi
nghar danditswit
ched
off
.Hest oodupst
eppingont hespar
ksont hefl
oor
andsmiled.
Nkosi
:"Youhaveanewabi
li
ty.
"
Ki
ng:"Icanfeelital
lthr
oughmybody. "Hel
aughed.
"
Thisisgood.HowdoIswi t
chiton?"Iwasscared
t
otell
him, helookedtoohappyformycomf or
t.
Me:"Snapyourf
inger
s."Hesnappedhisfi
ngersand
spar
kseruptedi
nhishand.Helaughedlouder
.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
!"
King:
"What?"Heswit
chedi
tof
f."
Soyouknow
aboutourabi
li
ti
es?
"Heaskedme.
Me:"Yessi
r."Ilookedtot
hefl
oor
.Ifhewasn'
tscar
y
bef
ore,hedefinit
elywasnow.
Ki
ng:
"That
'sgood.Thankyou.
"
SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

IspentmostofSat urdayinmyhousewor ki
ng.
Sincemymot herwasn'tspeakingt
omeandMehlul
i
wasn'tanswer i
nghisphone, t
herewasnomoreI
couldactual
lydo.Zwewal kedinmyhouse,
I
conti
nuedonmyl aptop,ignori
nghi
m.
Zwe:
"Br
other
."I
'
m br
othernow?
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"
Zwe:
"Youcan'
tpossi
blyst
il
lbemad.
"
Si
bo:"
Real
ly?Youwantt
odi
ctat
emyemot
ions?
"
Zwe:"Mom i
snottal
kingt
oal
lofus.Sheobvi
ousl
y
missesyouj
ustdowhatshesays.Damn.
"
Sibo:"Theprincei
sn'
tansweri
nghisphoneandI
can'tcallormessagehi
swife,
thatwoul
dbe
disr
espect f
ul.
"
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.How'
stheguyi
nthebasement
?"
Sibo:"Ref
usest
oeatnow.Bar
elygoesneart
he
food."
Zwe:
"Sur
elyhe'
sreadyt
osi
gn.
"
Si
bo:"
Almost
."
Zwe:"You'
regoi
ngt
odr
ivet
hisguyi
ntoament
al
i
nsti
tuti
on.
"
Si
bo:"
That
'smypl
an,
yes.
"
Zwe:"
Onemor
edaySi
bonel
o.That
'si
t.St
opt
hese
games.
"
Sibo:"Fi
ne.
"Someoneknockedonmyfr
ontdoor.
"Enter
."Shewal
kedincar
ryi
ngthef
oodbags."
Zoe,
thankyou."
Zoe:"
You'
rewel
come,
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o.Goodday
Pri
nceZwe."
Zwe:
"Hel
lo.
"Shepl
acedt
hef
oodont
het
abl
e.
Si
bo:"
Didyour
ecei
veyourpayment
?"
Zoe:"
I'
llcheckwhenIgethomesi
r.
"
Si
bo:"Okay,
theguardwil
ltakeyoubackhome.
Thanksagai
n."Shenodded,walki
ngout
.
Zwe:
"Who'
sthat
?"
Si
bo:"
Mycook.
"
Zwe:
"Hm.
"Hesmi
led.
Si
bo:"
No.
"
Zwe:
"Nowhat
?"
Si
bo:"
Idon'tsl
eepwi
thpeopl
ethatwor
kforme
Zwel
ethu.
"
Zwe:
"Let
'snotl
iet
oeachot
her
,br
other
."
Si
bo:"Okayt
henZwe,si
nceyouknowmydi
ck
hi
stor
y.Whyareyouher
e?"
Zwe:
"Idon'
thaveanyt
hingt
odo.
"
Si
bo:"
Sodi
stur
bingmei
syourpl
an?
"
Zwe:"
Let'
sdosomet
hing.Let
'sgot
oKi
ngst
ownf
or
adri
nk.
"
Sibo:"Idon'
twanttobeonther
oadf
orhour
s.Why
can'twehaveadr i
nkhere?
"
Zwe:"We'l
ltakethehel
icopt
er.ComeonBobo.I
neverhaveoffdays.
"
Si
bo:"
Idi
dn'
tsaybui
ldahospi
tal
."
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Fii
ii
ne!
"Icl
osedmyl
apt
op.Hi
sphoner
ang.
Zwe:"Yes,
Nkosi?Alr
ightI
'
m onmyway."Hehung
up."
Okay.Ihavetogoupt ot
hemount
ainqui
ckly,
Thembisaisn'
twel
l.Doyouwantt
ocomewi t
hme? "
Sibo:"
IwouldbutIwouldn'
twanttobeinyourway.
Youmi ghtbeupthereawhil
e.I
'l
lwaitf
oryouto
comebacki nst
ead."
Zwe:
"Okay.
"Hewal
kedout
.Ical
ledMnqobi
.
Mnqobi
:"Sboni
."
Si
bo:"
Wher
ear
eyou.
"
Mnqobi
:"Home.We'
rewor
kingont
heapp.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.Haveyour
egi
ster
edt
het
rademar
k?"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llcheckwi
thZi
mmy.I
t'
shert
hing.
"
Si
bo:"
Ohi
t'
sheri
dea?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yessi
r.
"
Sibo:"
Hm.Okay.Ihaveafewminut
estospar
e.I
'l
l
speaktoher
."Ihungup,
gett
ingupfr
om mycouch.
Itookthef oodt ot hebasement .Bhekokwakhehad
beensi t
tingi nt hecor nerf orawhi lenow.Hi slunch
packwasst illunt ouchednextt ot hegat e.Iplaced
thefreshdi nnernextt oi t
." Don' thaveanappet i
te?
Happenst ot hebestofus.Whydon' tyoutryabi te
fi
rst?Foodi ssuchaval uabl er esour ce,younever
knowwheni tmi ghtr unout ."Hedi dn'tmove.I
unlockedt hegat e.Hef li
nched.Sohe' sstil
lalive.
That'sgoodt oknow.Iopenedt hegat eandwal ked
i
n.Hewaspl anni ngt oat tackt hinki ngIdonot
expectit.I'm abl ackbel t,I'
m al waysexpect ingi t
.
"Areyouf eel i
ngcol d, Bhekokwakhe? "Noanswer .I
movedevencl oserandsquatdownt ohi sl
evel .Any
secondnow.Al mosti mmedi atelyhej umpedt ost ab
mewi t
ht hepl ast i
ckni f
e.Ibl ockedhi sarm,and
grabbedhi sneck, twistinghi m ar oundandpushi ng
himt othef loor." Goodst rat egy.Wr ongopponent .
Thatear nsyouyoursecondst rike.Iguesswe' llbe
housemat esal i
ttlelongert hant omor row.AndIwi l
l
nolongerbeki nd. "Itightenedt hegr i
ponhi sneck
andhef ellunconsci ous.It ookt hepl asticknife
from hishand, he' devenshar penedi tshame.It ook
thefoodandwal kedup.We' llseehowaf ewdaysof
st
arvationdo.Ilockedthedeadboltandleftt
he
housef orKhaya'sapart
ment.Iarr
ived,walki
ngi
nto
si
lence.Zimmyappear edfrom t
hebat hroom,
wrappingat owelaroundherbody.
Zi
mmy:"Pr
inceSi
bonel
o.It
houghtyouwer
eKhaya.
Hel
lo.
"
Sibo:"
Hi.
"Shewalkedbackt ot
heroom andcl
osed
thedoorcomi
ngoutdr essedafewminutesl
ater
.
"What'
syourr
elat
ionshipwit
hKhaya?"
Zimmy:"We' regoodf r
iends."Il
ookedather
beauti
fulbreasts.Thisblacktwopieceshewore,f
it
hersoper f
ectly,showingoffherslenderf
rame.I
neededtof ocus.
Sibo:"
Hementi
onedyoucameupwi t
hanappidea.
Icreat
edonef
orthem,t
hey'r
eperf
ect
ingi
tri
ght
now.Haveyoutr
ademarkedit
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Uhm no.Idon'
tknowhowt
o."
Si
bo:"
Haveyoudr
awnupabusi
nesspl
an?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.
"
Si
bo:"
Yeswho?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes,
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
YoudoknowthatI
'
llbeowni
ngmaj
ori
tyof
yourbusi
nessr
ight
?"
Zi
mmy:"
What
?Why!
?"
Sibo:"
Imadeyouanappandyou' r
eusingmy
resour
cestost
artup.Myscooter
s,mycontacts,
my
money.I'
l
lown60%. "Shest
aredatme,def
eated.I
movedclosert
oher."Doest
hatupsetyou?
"
Zi
mm:"
NoPr
inceSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
Good.Wedon'
trunbusiness,
onemotions.
"
Shesmellssofr
eshfr
om hershower.Myhunger
wasdownbad.It'
sbeenweeksofnot hi
ngbutwork.
"i
t'
sapityyouworkf
ormenow. "
Zi
mmy:"
Whyi
sitapi
ty?
"
Si
bo:"
Ican'
tbef
ucki
ngyousensel
ess,
you'
remy
empl
oyee.
"
Zi
mmy:"It
houghtIwasyourbusi
nesspar
tner
,
si
nceweownthesamebusiness.
"
Si
bo:"You'
llbemybusi
nesspart
nerwhenyoucan
af
for
dt obuymeoutofsaidbusi
ness.
"
Zimmy:"Okay.Iwouldn'
tbesl
eepingwit
hyou
regar
dless.Youwerewithmyfri
end,soi
t'
san
automaticnoforme."
Si
bo:"
Whatf
ri
end?
"
Zimmy:"
Thembi
sa.Oryoudon'
trememberher
nameeit
her
?"
Si
bo:"
Iwasneverwi
thThembi
sa.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Irememberyouwer
e."
Sibo:"
NoIwasnot.Itookherononedate.She'
s
engagedt
otheroyalheir
.I'
veneverdat
edher.
"
Zi
mmy:"Whatroyalhei
r?"Herbreast
swereso
di
str
act
ingl
ybeauti
ful
.Ishouldgetgoingbef
oreI
l
osemymor al
.
Sibo:"I
sthereanotheroneIdon'tknowabout?
We'llst
ayincontactZimmy,I'
llsendyouaguideon
howt otrademarkbeforeyousleep.Ineedi
tdone
byMonday.Am Icl ear?"
Zi
mmy:" YesPri
nceSibonel
o."Goingf
orwardi
t
woul
dpr obabl
ybebesttoletKhayahandl
ethi
s
busi
ness.Idon'
thavethestr
engthtokeepbei
ng
professi
onalinmycur rentposition.Igoti nmycar
andt ookoutmyphone, checkingt hesecur it
y.
Bhekokwakhehadr egai nedhisconsci ousness.I
wonderwhenhewi l
lnot icethegat e.Ileftitopenon
purpose.Hel ookedaroundhi m, probablyf orhis
makeshi f
tknifethenlookedatt hegat e.Hej umped
upr unni
ngupt hestairst othevaul tdoor ,het r
ied
openingitbutitwaslocked.Hej ustdidn'tstop
tr
ying.Ipressedabut tont hatact i
vatedanel ectr
ic
shock.Itshockedhim unconsci ousf alli
ngdownt he
stai
rs.Welcomet ohell.
[
07/
27,
06:
02] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er72

PRI
NCEPOV_

I'
dmanagedtosleepproperl
y,waki
ngupearlythe
nextmorni
ng.Thembisawasbetterwhenshe'd
gonetobed.Shedidn'
tfeel
anymor epai
nshesaid.
Zwehadcheckedherar m andalsoconfirmedit
beingokaybuthewillbebacktoday.Igot
showeredanddressedinmyr unninggear.IfI
'm
goingtohaveweekendsoff,I
'
llneedclothesthat
arecasual
.Thiswasgoingtobeachal lenge.My
phonerang.
Nkosi
:"Hel
loZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Comeout
side.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Ihungup.Whywashesoearly,i
t'
s
bar
ely6.Iwalkedoutt
otheent
ranceoft
hevil
la.
Zwe:"
Thoughtasmuch.Youl
ikerunni
ngi
nthe
morni
ng.Iknewyou'
dbeawake."
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
esoear
ly?Thembi
sa
i
ssleepi
ng.
"
Zwe:"I'
m heretogetyou.NooneIknowwakesup
thi
searlyandsoIneededsomecompany.Let '
sgo.
"
Igotinhiscar,hedroveoff
.Myguardsf
oll
owed
ri
ghtbehind."Yourguardsnevermi
ssabeat
,do
they?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Zwe:
"Good.Howdi
dyousl
eep?
"
Nkosi
:"Wel
l.Fort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nawhi
le.
"
Zwe:
"That
'sgood.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveyoust
art
edr
ebui
ldi
ngyourhospi
tal
?"
Zwe:"Hai
boNkosi
nhl
e?It
houghtyou'
ddoi
t?"I
st
aredathim.
Nkosi
:"Whendi
dIgi
veyout
hati
mpr
essi
on?
"
Zwe:"
Yousaidso!
"Ichuckl
ed."
Yoursenseof
humouri
sreall
yst
range.
"
Nkosi
:"We'
l
lst
artonMonday.Tomor
row.
"
Zwe:
"Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
Zwe:
"Onadat
e."
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tgoonadat
ewi
thamanZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Whyi
sthat
?"
Nkosi
:"Ial
readyhaveawoman.I
twoul
dbe
cheat
ing.
"
Zwe:
"Ihearyou.Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingmedown
easy.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Howi
sSi
bonel
o?"
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.Why?
"
Nkosi
:"I
shescar
edofme?
"
Zwe:
"Abi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Hmm.Hesawmyf
ir
etheot
hert
ime.
"
Zwe:"That'
snotal
lhesaw.Heswit
chedofft
he
cameras,sawyouchange.Al
soknowsyoucan
whisper
."
Nkosi
:"I
sitbad?
"
Zwe:"
No.Sibonel
odoesn'
trunhismout
hsohe
won'
tbetel
li
nganyoneaboutit
."
Nkosi
:"Oh.Doyout
hinkIshoul
dtal
ktohi
m about
i
t?"
Zwe:
"Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
keworki
ngwit
hpeoplewhoar
e
scar
edofme, Zwe.I
t'
suncomfor
tabl
e."
Zwe:
"Okay.Youcant
alkt
ohi
m Monday.
"
Nkosi
:"Whataboutt
heyoungpr
inces?Dot
hey
know?"
Zwe:"Uhm,theysuspect
.Theysawtheskyflood
andthepil
otyoubroughtinbutt
heyhaven'
tasked
anyquesti
ons."
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkt
heyshoul
dknow?
"
Zwe:"No.Khayaisabitf
ragi
le,
IknowMnqobiact s
toughbuthegetsshakenver
yeasil
ytoo.It
'sbest
theydon'
tknow.They'
veprobablyf
orgot
ten
alr
eady.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Fat
herhasanewabi
li
ty.
"
Zwe:"
Didhehur
tThembi
sa?I
sthatwhyherar
m
wassore?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesbuti
twasnoti
ntent
ional
."
Zwe:
"Andyoudi
dn'
tri
phi
sfaceof
f.Thi
sisgood.
"
Nkosi
:"Notr
eall
y,Ist
il
lwant
edt
oat
tackhi
m,butI
hadtoatt
endtoThembisa.
"
Zwe:"I
twasnoti
ntent
ional
,Nkosi
.Whati
shi
snew
abi
li
ty?
"
Nkosi
:"Li
ghteni
ng.Canyoui
magi
ne?Ofal
lthi
ngs
t
ogiveaKi ng.
"
Zwe:
"Ooh,
that
'sbad.
"
Nkosi:"What'
swor seist
hatThembisataughthim.
Theyhadt hearm painsatthesametime,so
Amahl eandIaskedhert otouchhi
shand.When
shetoucheditthesparkscameon, shepressedhi
s
pal
m andt heli
ghteningshockedher.
"
Zwe:
"Jesus.I
sthatsupposedt
ohappen?
"
Nkosi
:"Seemi
ngly.Sheknewhowt
ocont
rolmyf
ir
e
of
fbeforeIdi
d."
Zwe:"Nah,thi
swomanisdef
ini
tel
yyoursoulmate.
That
'sinsane.
"Hepar
kedatt
hebeachparkinglot.
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eweatt
hebeach?
"
Zwe: "Ther
e'sal ockdown.Noonei sallowed
outsideyet.Nocamer as.Nocivil
ians.It'
syourday
off.Youcanf inall
yenjoythebeach. "Ismi l
ed,
getti
ngoutt hecar .Theseawasmassi ve.Plentyof
room toswi mi n."
Mt hunziwarnedmet hatyoulike
tojumpi nlargepool sofwaterforhour s,soIhave
towatchyou."Hewenttothebootofthecar.Itook
offmyshoesandspr i
ntedtothewater,
jumpingin.I
swam furt
herint
othesea,enjoyi
ngthewaves
comingupf orai
rtobr
eath.Iswam deeperi
nside,
seei
ngthef i
shswimmingaroundme.Thi swas
perf
ect.

Ifi
nall
yemer
gedf
rom t
hewat
er,
wal
kingt
othe
shore.
Zwe:
"Goodmor
ningAquaman.
"
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"It
ookof
fmywett
-shi
rtandwr
ungi
t
out
.
Zwe:
"Di
dyouenj
oyyour
sel
f?"
Nkosi
:"I
ncr
edi
bly.
"Isatont
het
owelnextt
ohi
m.
Zwe:"
Mthunziwasr
ight.It
urnedawayf
or1second
andyou'
drunoffwi
ththewind."
Nkosi
:"Iwasn'
tgonet
hatl
ong.
"
Zwe:"I
t'
sbeenanhourbutI'
m gladyouenjoyedi
t.
Hereyougo.I
t'
smorningbutit
'satreat
."Heopened
thecool
erboxandhandedmeaCoke.
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
"
Zwe:"You'
remyfr
iendNkosi.Lookhowhappyyou
ar
e."Iopenedt
hedrinkandgulpedi
tdown.
Nkosi
:"Tooearl
yf orthatbuti
tdoeshi
taspot
."Il
ay
backonthetowel."Thankyou."
Zwe:"You'
rewel
come.
"Wesatqui
etl
ywat
chi
ngt
he
water
.
Nkosi
:"Sot
hesand?
"
Zwe:"Ohyeah,t
hatj
ustget
sst
uckonyou.Can'
tdo
anyt
hingaboutt
hat.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sir
ri
tat
ing.
"
Zwe:
"It
'st
hebeach.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Zwe:
"Forwhatnow?
"
Nkosi
:"Cut
ti
ngyouof
fwhenwewer
eki
ds.
"
Zwe:"ComeonNkosi,youdi
dn'
tcutmeof
f.Your
fat
herdid.Yout
ri
ed,
remember?Youwoul
drun
awayfrom homeandcometomyhome."
Nkosi
:"Yeah.Thenhet
hreat
enedyourf
ami
ly.
"
Zwe: "
Don'tt
hinkaboutt
hat.I
t'
sthepast
.Iknow
we'vealwaysbeenfri
endsevenwhenwedi dn'
t
speakfortwodecades."
Nkosi:"
Ifel
tguilt
y."Heshowedmet heneckl
ace
aroundhisneck,thathadanorangegol
dstone
shapedli
keal ongt i
gert
oot
h"Thatlooksfamil
iar
."
Zwe: "
Rememberyoucamet ovisi
twithyour
parents,It
hinkAmahlehadjustbeenborn.You'
d
foundt hi
sstonebytheri
veratyourhome.When
youcameover ,
youshowedme.I tl
ookedreall
ycool
.
Youaskedmei fIl
ikedi
tandIsaidyesbutyou
wouldn'tgivei
ttome."Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"i
twasmyf
avour
it
est
one.
"
Zwe: "Yeahbutwhyaski fIli
keitthen?AhNkosi .
"
Hel aughed."Thelastti
meyouvi si
tedyou'dbrought
met hest one.Thatmeantal ott
ome.Evenaf t
erwe
stoppedpl ayi
ngtogether,andvisit
ingeachother,I
hadt his,somethi
ngthatmeantsomucht oyouand
i
tmeantal ottome.That'swhywer emained
fr
iends. "
Nkosi
:"OkaysocanIhavei
tbacknow?
"
Zwe:"
You'
rehor
ri
ble.
"Il
ookedback.Mt
hunzi
wal
kedtouscar
ryi
ngabag.
Mthunzi
:"Hil
ovebi
rds.Si
tt
ingbyt
hebeachat
sunr
ise.
"
Zwe:"Areyouj
eal
ous?Ispenthal
fthedaywi
thyou
yest
erday.
"
Mthunzi:"
Minewasn'tatsunr i
seonthebeach.You
mademewearmi li
tar
yr egal
ia."Hel
aughed."
I
broughtNkosihi
sclothesbecausehe'l
lcomplai
nall
thewaybackupt hemount ai
n."
Nkosi
:"Howdi
dyouknow?
"
Mthunzi:"
Iknowyou.Youseewaterandgocrazy.
Thenblameever yoneel
sewhenyou'
rewetand
col
d."Ismiled.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.How'
sBusi
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Gr
eat
.Justneededami
nut
etor
ecoup.
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
ssor
ryshehur
therf
eel
ings.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Shedi
dn'
ttel
lmeanyt
hing.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Shesai
dshe'
l
lsendf
lower
s."
Mthunzi
:"Thatwoul
dbesweetofher.Letmeleave
youguystoyourromant
icsunr
ise.I
'
llseeyou
tomorr
ow."
Zwe:
"ByeGener
al.
"
Nkosi
:"I'
m goi
ngt
otakeanot
herswi
mthenIcango
havebreakf
astwi
thmywife.
"
Zwe:
"Ah?Justl
iket
hat
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"You'
l
llear
n."Hewal
kedawayl
aughi
ng.

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupi nt hemor ning, takingabubbl

ebat h
makingsur enottoi r
ri
t atemywound.Isl ippi
nginto
awhi t
emaxidr essaf ter ,
Idr essedmyhairand
mademywayt obr eakf ast.Myf amil
yhasletme
sleepinthi
spastweek.Whent heywakeup,they
comet ositfortea.EvenNel ewakesupearlyhere.I
foundthem sitt
ingatat abl eandwatchi
ngTV.
Me:"
Goodmor
ningf
ami
ly.
"
Mama:"
Hel
loThembi
sa.
"
Xol
ani
:"Mor
ningmychi
ld.
"
Nel
e:"
Hisi
s.Youl
ookpr
ett
ytoday,
doyouhavea
dat
e?"
Me:"No.Ij
ustfel
tli
kedressi
ngupforonce.I
'
ve
beenapati
enttoolongnow.Iwanttocal
lMthunzi
,I
wanttoaskhiswif
e'sfavour
it
efl
owers.
"
Mama:"I
sn'
titt
ooear
lyThembi
sa?Youknowci
ty
peopl
ear
ealwayssl
eepi
ngonSunday.
"
Me:" I
tis,
ne?I'
llwai
tunt
il9then.
"Ipull
edachairto
sitwhenaguar dcamein.Theynevercamedirect
ly
tomeandt hi
swasnotNkosi'sguar
d.Ididn'
tknow
thisone.
Guard:"Mylady,thekinghasr
equest
edyour
presence"I
'm alady?Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutsmil
e.Wai
t,
thekingishere?Again?
Me:"
He'
sher
e?Hesai
dhewant
stoseeme?
"
Guar
d:"Yes.PrinceSi
khosanai
sn'
ther
e."Youdon'
t
wantt
owai tforhim?
Xol
ani
:"Doyouwantmet
ocomewi
thyou?
"
Me:" NoTat a,i
t'
sokay.Idon'tt
hinkhewillhar
m
me. "Icouldseemyf atherwasnotokaybutIhada
feel
ingt hekingwantedtoknowmor eabouthis
abil
ity."
I'l
lbeokayTata,Ipromise.
"Henodded.I
foll
owedt heguar douttotheki
ng'ssuit
e.Iwalked
i
nandbowed.
Me:"
MyKi
ng.I
t'
slovel
yseei
ngyouagai
n."
Ki
ng:
"Wher
eisMehl
uli
?"
Me:"Iam notsureYourMaj
esty.Heusual
lyrunsi
n
themorningbuthe'
salwaysbackbeforet
histi
me.
"
Hesighed,paci
ngtheroom."CanIhelpwi
th
anyt
hing?"Hestoppedandlookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"It
'snotswi
tchi
ngof
f.
"
Me:"
Evenwhenyout
ry-
"
Ki
ng:
"Idi
d.Idi
dwhatyout
oldmet
odo!
"
Me:"
Okay.Weneedtocont roli
twhi
lewet r
yto
fi
gur
eoutwhat'
swrong.I'
llbebackjustnow."Il
eft
hi
sandwenttoNkosi'
ssuite.Hehadhisbandages
andfi
regl
ovesher
e.Itookthem andwenttot he
ki
tchenoftherestaurantfi
ndingawoodenspoon.I
wenttotheequipmentshed, searchi
ngforanyki
nd
ofrubber
.Ifoundar olloff
latrubber
,meter
slongof
i
t.Iguessit
'l
ldo.Iwentbackt otheking.
Ki
ng:
"Whatt
hehel
lisal
lthi
s."
Me:" IfItouchyou,I'
l
lgetelectrocut
ed.Hopeful
ly
ther ubberswillpr
eventthat.Istr
onglyhope.
"I
caref ull
ywrappedthethinstripofrubberonmy
finger sandwor et
hefir
er esist
antglovestohol
dit.
"Let'
sseei fitworks.
"
Ki
ng:"
Thi
sisnotagame,
li
tt
legi
rl
.Thi
swi
llki
llyou.
"
Hest
eppedback.
Me:"I
twon't
,Ipromise."Hecamecloser.It
ouched
hi
shandandt hesparksdancedontheglove."
It
hasn'
tpenet
rated.SoIcanwrapthesecondhand."
Ki
ng:
"Youdoreal
izemyprobl
em isthatIneedto
st
opmyli
ght
ening.Thi
sisnotaboutyou."Isi
ghed.
Me:"Formetobandagedyoutocont
rolt
he
l
ight
ening,
Ineedprot
ect
ion.
"
Ki
ng:
"Oh.Ri
ght
."Hesatdown.Iwr
appedmy
secondhandandwor
ethegl
ove.
Me:"
Pleaseext
endyourhand.
"Hehel
ditout
.
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sthespoonf
or?
"
Me:"Wooddoesn'tconductel
ectrici
ty.Therubber
canonlypr
otectt
oacer tai
nvoltage,anyhigher
thant
hatcouldbefatal
.SoI'm usingboth."
King:"
You' requitesmart
,aren'
tyou?"Itookthe
spoon,placingt hest
artofthebandageonhi swrist
andheldi tdownwi ththespoon.Ididthefi
rstwrap
andli
ftedt hespoonandpl aceditagai
nt ohold
down.Allt hroughhishanduntilf
ull
ycovered.
Ki
ng:
"Thi
sact
ual
lywor
ked.
"
Me:"
Isi
tcomf
ort
abl
e?"Heshr
ugged.
Ki
ng:
"Itwor
ksi
swhat
'si
mpor
tant
."
Me:"No,i
t'
simport
antthati
t'
scomf ort
able.I
fit
's
toot
ighti
tmightpushupthevoltagetoyourarms
andthi
swholeexperi
encewillbefornothi
ng."
King:"
Itcoul
dbeal i
tt
lel
ooser.
"Iundiditand
star
tedagainunt
ilIf
ini
shed."
That'
sbetter.
"I
bandagedhissecondhand."Whatarethese
bandagesmadeof
?"
Me:"They'
refi
rer
esistant.Si
ncethi
siselect
ri
cit
y,
i
tsdamagei sbur
ning.Itcanholdit
.Justnotsure
f
orhowl ong."
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyoust
udyi
ngt
obeadoct
or?
"
Me:"
No,
myki
ng.I
'
m st
udyi
ngt
obeal
awyer
."
Ki
ng:
"You'
dbeabet
terdoct
or.
"
Me:"
ThankyouYourmaj
est
y."
King:"
Whatf
or?
"Thi
sfami
ly.If
ini
shedwi
thbot
h
hands.
Me:"Ithi
nkthebandagesal
onearesti
llf
inefornow
unt
ilyoufigur
eoutwhatist
heissue.
"Istoodup.He
l
ookedathi shands,
unimpr
essed.
King:
"Thankyou.
"Hest oodup.It
ookofft
hegl
oves
andrubberst
ri
ps,col
lecti
ngal
ltheit
ems.
Me:"You'
rewel
comeyourmaj est
y.Shouldthe
ki
tchenmakeyouacoff
eeorsomebr eakf
astwhi
le
youwaitf
orNkosi
?"Helookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"No.
"Inodded,
wal
kingouthi
ssui
tebef
ore
rel
easingasi ghofrel
ief.Itookthei
temst othe
shed,comi ngbackinside,Ifoundhi
m st andi
ngby
theentranceofthevil
la,stari
ngoutside.Whyme,
Lord?Iwal keduptohim andst oodnextt ohi
m.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Zwedri
vemebackt
othemountainatabout8int
he
morni
ng.Whywasmyfat
herbackhere?Thiswas
get
ti
ngbori
ng.
Zwe:
"Di
dhesl
eepher
e?"
Nkosi
:"No.Hel
eftl
astni
ght.Ihavenoideawhyhe
i
sback."Wewalkedi
ntothevil
laent
rance.
King:"Fi
nal
ly!
!Wherehaveyoubeen? !"Thembisa
stoodnexttohim.It
riedreadi
ngherexpr essi
onbut
herfacewasblank.Icouldn'
tevenfeelher
emotions.Whatthehelldi
dhedot oher?
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"
Sasa:"
Mor
ning.Yourdadhasbeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
"
Nkosi
:"Why?
"Il
ookedathi
m.
Ki
ng:"Ineedt
ospeakt
oyou.Now.
"Hemar
chedt
o
hi
sroom.
Nkosi:"Areyouokay?Didhehur
tyou?"Ipul
ledher
tome, smelli
ngforanysmokeorbr
uise.Anysli
ght
hintofblood.
Sasa:"
Notatal
l.
"Shewasclean."Goat
tendtohim
andcomehavebreakf
ast
."Shekissedmylips.
"Morni
ngZwe."
Zwe:
"Hif
utur
eMr
sS.CanIcheckonyoupl
ease.
"
Sasa:"
Absolut
ely.Come.
"Iwentt
omyf
ather
sroom,
cl
osingthedoorbehindme.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"
Ki
ng:"
Wherethehel
lwer
eyouNkosi
nhl
e?!I
'
vebeen
wai
ti
ngover30minut
es!
!"
Nkosi
:"Youcal
ledmeNkosi
nhl
e."
Ki
ng:
"Thatdoesn'
tmat
ter
.Ihaveapr
obl
em.
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
sit
."
Ki
ng:
"Itdoesn'
twantt
oswi
tchof
fwhenI
'
m
danci
ngi
nthebedr
oom.
"Heshowedmehi shand.
Itwaswr
appedi
nabandage.Mybandage.
Nkosi
:"Justst
opdanci
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Mybedi
scr
ispwi
thhol
esi
nit
."
Nkosi:"
Whyar
eyoudanci
ngi
nbed?Whatwer
eyou
expecti
ng?
"
Ki
ng:"Wher
e'syouradvi
sor
?Ineedsomeone
matur
etodealwitht
his.
"
Nkosi
:"He'
sinhishouse.Youneedsomeone
matur
ebutyou'r
edancinginbed?"
Ki
ng:"
You'r
ethesmar t
estdumbchi
ldIhave.So
smar
tyou'r
estupi
d."Howdoyouinsul
tsomeone
who'
str
yingtohel
pyou?
Nkosi
:"MaybeZwecanhel
pyou?
"
Ki
ng:
"Whatwoul
dZweknowaboutabi
li
ti
es?
"
Nkosi
:"Hehelpedwi
thmyf
ir
ethi
ngbef
ore
Thembisashowedmehowtoswi
tchi
toffand
cont
roli
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"Iam noti
nvol
vingot
herpeopl
einmy
bedr
oom af
fai
rs.
"
Nkosi
:"Thenl
etThembisahel
pyouswi
tchof
f.
"He
st
aredatme,bl
ankly.
King:
" CallZwelet
hu.
"Iwalkedoutt
hesui
te.Idon'
t
understandthisman.Trul
y,Idon'
t.
Nkosi
:"Zwe.
"
Zwe:"
Yes,mypr i
nce.
"Het
ookof
fthepr
essur
e
bandoffherar
m.
Nkosi:"Mydadneedstoseeyou.Apparent
lyhe
wasdanci ngonhisbedandnowhisli
ghteni
ng
doesn'twanttoswit
choff
."
Sasa:"OhDearGod.
"Shecover
edherf
ace.Zwe
tr
iedtostopl
aughi
ng.
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Sasa:"
Ohst
handwasam.
"
Zwe:
"Somet
imesyoumakemyday.Come,
let
'sgo.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoucomi
ngbaby?
"
Sasa:"Nosweet
hear
t,Ican'
tcomewi
thyou.I
'
llwai
t
foryouatbr
eakf
astt
hough."
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"ZweandIwal
kedt
omyf
ather
'ssui
te.
"
Here'
sZwe. "
Zwe:
"Goodmor
ning,
myki
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whatwi
llyoudo?
"
Zwe:
"Whowr
appedyourhands?
"
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sabuti
t'
sst
il
lspar
kingunder
neat
h."
Zwe: "YeahIcanseethat.
"Heunwr appedthe
bandage, get
ti
ngelect
rocutedtwice."Hmm. "My
father'
sbarehandswer esparki
ngwi thvol
tsof
electr
ici
ty.
Nkosi
:"Shebandagedyouwhi
lei
t'
sdoi
ngt
hat
?"
King:"
Idi
dn'taskhert
o,sheof
fer
ed.WasI
supposedtosayno?"
Nkosi
:"Yes!
!Thati
sli
ght
eni
ngf
ather
!!
"
Ki
ng:
"Shewor
egl
oves.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatmakesi
tbet
ter
?Ican'
tst
andyou!
"
Ki
ng:
"Si
tdownt
hen.Zwel
ethu,
fixt
his.
"
Zwe:
"Idon'
tknowi
fIcan.Whathappened?
"My
f
atherl
ookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"Ican'
tdi
scl
oset
hati
nfor
mat
ion.
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouf ucki
ngser
ious!
!Youwer
epl
ayi
ng
wit
hitweren'
tyou?"
Ki
ng:"
Iam yourf
ather
,youwi
llnotspeakt
omei
n
t
hatt
one!
!!
"
Nkosi:"
Af at
herthat'
ssnappi
ngelect
ri
cit
yinhi
s
bedroom burni
nghisbedwhiledanci
ng??That
'st
he
hi
llyouwantt odieon?"
King:"IWASHAVI NGSEX! !!
"Istar
edathim,
shockedasmysoull eftmybody.Ist
ormedoutof
thatsuit
equi ckert
hanhi sstupi
dli
ghteni
ng.Thi
s
wasof fi
cial
lyahorribleday.
[
07/
27,
06:
03] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er73
PETU'
SPOV_

It'
st het hirddayIhaven' tseemyf ather,Ihaven't
hear df rom hi m.Nooneknowswher ehei s.The
prot estor sthatwer eshothaveal lbeenaccount ed
for,theirf ami li
escont act edt ovi ewt hebodi esand
all
.Wehaven' tbeencal led.Atf irstIt hought ,t
hey
wer est il
lcount ingbutt heyannouncedt heendof
thecountyest erday.Sowher ewasmyf ather?
Clear l
yhedi dn'tgobutwher edidhedi sappeart o?
Hisphonei sof faswel l
,hasbeensi nceFr iday.I
waspr ayi ngt hatwher everhei s,he'sal i
ve.Maybe
hewashi dingf rom thet hr one.Si ncei t
'sSunday, I
thoughtI 'dcooksomel unchf ort hef ami l
yandgi ve
Sizaabr eak.Shame, shel ovescooki ngbutnow
sinceFr idayshe' sstartedt othrowup.It ookmy
bat h,dressedi napi nkmaxiski rtandacr optop.I
wentt ot heki tchentaki ngoutt hepot s.Theki ds
wer ei nt hel oungewat chi ngTV.Ist ar t
edwi t
ha
snackf ort hem t hendef rostedt hemeat .Si zadidn'
t
mi ndi fIdr anksomewi nebutIst il
lputi tinamug,
tor espectherhomeandhusband.Speaki ngof
which,didn'
tcomehomel astnight.Idon' tknow
whySi zanidoest hi
stoherselfhonestlyandIcan' t
evenforcehert oleavebecauseshe' sgoi ngtocut
meof fifIdaresayat hi
ngabouthermar riage.Thi
s
manmustbeusi ngseri
ousmut hi,there'snoway.I
start
edmaki ngsomesal adsthinkingaboutwhat 's
goingoni nthi
shouseanddr ankmywi ne.My
phoner ang.Zimmy.Ihaven'theardf rom heri na
while.
Pet
u:"
Heybabe.
"
Zi
mmy:"
HiPet
uni
a,howar
eyou?
"
Petu:"
I'
m gr
eatsi
s.Howar eyou?Ihaven'
theard
fr
om youinawhile.Lastweekwetr
iedandtri
edto
cal
lyou.Whathappened?"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwasgoi
ngt
hroughaf
ami
lyt
hing.
"
Petu:"
Oh.I'
m sorr
yaboutthat
.Haveyouspokent
o
Sasa?"Icont
inuedchoppi
ng,hol
dingmyphone
wit
hmyshoul dertomyear.
Zi
mmy:"No.Ihaven'tspokent
oher.It
ri
edcal
li
ng
l
astni
ghtbutsheignoredmycall
s."
Pet
u:"
OhZi
mmy,
whenl
astdi
dyouspeakt
oher
?"
Zimmy:" Idon'tknow.Weeks.Whenshewentt o
Mthinomkhul uforthehol
idays,sheswitchedoffher
phone.Whenschool sopened,shelockedhersel
fin
andIwasal sogoingthr
oughmyownt hi
ngs.Sowe
haven'tspoken."
Pet
u:"
Ohhel
l.Zi
mmy,
Sasagotshot
."
Zi
mmy:" Shot
?Wit
hagun?Wai t
..
.Isthatwhywe'r
e
i
nlockdown?Wasn'
titt
hepr
incessthatgotshot
?"
Petu:"Yes.Thembisawaswi t
hher
,shegotshott
oo.
Hernamewasn' tment
ionedonTVforpri
vacy
reasons.Khayadidn'
ttel
lyou?"
Zi
mmy:"
Khayadi
dn'
ttel
lmeal
otoft
hingscl
ear
ly.
Noonet
ell
smeanyt
hing.
"
Petu:"
I'
m sosorryZi
mmy.I twassuchastressf
ul
week,weallj
ustkindofshutdownandwenti nt
o
pi
lotmode.IthoughtKhayasaidsomet
hing.Yoh."
Zi
mmy:"
Issheokay?
"
Petu:"
Yeahshe'
sgood.Shewasdi scharged,
we
spokeonthephone.Ihaven'
tseenherthough."
Zi
mmy:"
IssheatRes?
"
Pet
u:"
Uhm no.Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
s."
Zi
mmy:"She'
sengagedt
other
oyalhei
r,soshe'
s
wi
thhi
m, i
sn'
tshe?
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowZi
-"
Zimmy:"Don'
tli
ePet u.Ial
readyheardaboutit
.So
allthi
sti
me,Thembisaisdatingthefut
ureKing,
l
ivingwit
hhissist
er.Andyoual lknowaboutit
."
Petu:"I
'm notgoi
ngtodi
scussourf
ri
end.I
fyou
needtospeakt oThembi
sathendot
hatbutpl
ease
don'ti
nvol
veme. "
Zimmy:" Hehe.HowcanInoti nvol
veyouPet u?I
i
nt r
oducedyout oThembi sayetI'm nowbeing
sidel
ined?Whyi sthat?WhathaveIdonewr ong
now?Ori si
tbecauseI'm notdati
ngar oyalpri
nce
l
ikethet woofyou? "
Petu:"Nowyou'rebei
ngpetty.There'
snoneedfor
that
.Again,I
'm notdi
scussingThembisa'
sli
fewit
h
you.Andunderstandthat,
itisi
ll
egalnowtoeven
mentionthati
nformati
on.Pleaseleavei
tbe.
"
Zimmy:"Fine."Shehungup.Howcoul dKhayanot
tel
lZi
mmy?Butt henagain,Khayahi msel fwast he
onewhogotThembi satohospitalandwai t
edthere
unti
lwearrived.Het oowasi nshock.I mmedi atel
y
aft
ertheshock, heandMnqobiwer ewor kingwi th
HisHighness.Thi ngsgotbusy,andweal lkindof
j
ustzonedout .I'
m notgoingtoapol ogizef orathing
becauseZimmycl osedeveryoneof fher self.The
weekbeforeal lt
hisdramahappened, wehadt ri
ed
andtri
edtocal lherandshewasn' tavailable.Yes,
shesaysshe' sgoingthroughfami lyprobl emsbut
shemustal sounder st
andsoar ewe.Hai bo.
Si
za:"
HeySi
s."
Pet
u:"
Hi.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Si
za:"
Hor
ri
ble.Can'
twai
ttogett
hisoverwi
th.
"
Pet
u:"
Doyouwantmet
omakeyousomet
hing?
"
Siza:"
Ican'tkeepanyt
hingdownbabe,don'
twast
e
yourenergy.Haveyouheardfrom dad?
"
Petu:"Notatal
l.I'
mt hi
nkingofgoingt
othepol
ice
stat
iononTuesdayi fhe'snotback.Wehaveto
reporthi
m missing."
Si
za:"
Let
'sj
ustgot
oday.
"
Pet
u:"
Butyou'
resi
ck.
"
Siza:"I
'l
lbefi
ne,
Petu.Ourpr
ior
it
yisdadri
ghtnow.I
willdealwi
thmysicknessl
ater
.I'
l
lgett
hekids
ready."
Petu:"
Letmefini
shcooki
ngatleastt
henwecango.
Sowhenwecomeback, weeatandrel
ax.
"I
conti
nuedtocook.
Siza:"Okay.ThankyouforbeingherePetu.I
'm
reall
yluckytohaveasisterl
ikeyou.Ateverypoi
nt,
youjumpt ocomehel pmeandyounever
compl ai
n."
Pet
u:"
We'
resi
ster
s.That
'swhatwedo.I
t'
sourjob.
Youal
sot
ookgoodcareofmewhenmamadi ed."
Si
za:"
Doyouevert
hinkabouther
?"
Petu:"
Alot
.Liker
ightnowwi
tht
hiswhol
edad
si
tuati
on.You?"
Siza:"
Notof
ten.Thi
nki
ngabouthermakesmef
eel
guil
ty.
"
Pet
u:"
Siza,
comeon.Youdi
dn'
tcauset
he
acci
dent
."
Siza:"
Sti
llPet
u.Anyway,
howar
eyou?Yourr
oyalex
sentanymessages?"
Petu:"
It
'sl
ikehesetsanalar
mj ustfort
hat.I
al
readyrecei
vedthefi
rstonefortheday.
"
Si
za:"
Whati
fhel
ovesyou?
"
Petu:"
Howcanhel oveme?Ifhedid,
hewould've
beenhonestandwouldn'
thavehadtobepushedt o
tel
li
ngthetr
uthbyhiswif
e.AndIdon'twantt
ot al
k
aboutthi
sanymore."
Si
za:"
YohIdon'
tknowthen.
"Shegother
sel
fa
gl
assofwat
er."
Hasshesentamessage?"
Pet
u:"
One.Daysago.Justan'
I
'm sor
ry.
'
"
Si
za:"
Ai.Anyways,
what
'supwi
thschool
?"
Petu:"
Wegotemai l
s,wel
lIdid.We'r
ebeingasked
tochoosealear
ningmethod.Vir
tualorphysi
cal
att
endance.
"
Si
za:"
Haveyouchosen?
"
Pet
u:"
Notyet
.I'
m st
il
lscar
edofgoi
ngout
side.At
t
hesameti
me,Ihatebei
ngcoupedupi
ndoor
sal
l
t
heti
me.Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo."
Siza:"Forsafetysake,juststayhomei nstead.We
don'tevenknowwher eourf atheri
s,andthepr ince
thatbroughtyouher esai dyoucouldbei ndangeri f
thepeopl ehewaswor kingwi t
hcomel ookingf or
him.Ha. a,Petuni
a,stayhome.You' l
lgot othe
gardenandswi mmingpooli nt hebackyar difyou
wantf reshair
."
Pet
u:"
You'
rer
ight
.Fornow,
Ishoul
dbei
ndoor
s."
Si
za:"
It
'sapi
tyyou'
l
lbespendi
ngyourbi
rt
hday
i
ndoor
s."
Pet
u:"Iwoul
d'vedonet
hateit
herway.Wehad
pl
annedaslumberpart
ywithmyfri
ends.
"
Si
za:"
Atl
eastyoucanst
il
ldot
hat
."
Pet
u:"
Ifwecanf
indourf
ather
."
Si
za:"
KodwaPet
uhecl
ear
lyl
eftt
hehousehi
msel
f.
"
Pet
u:"
EvensoSi
za.Wher
eishenow?Fordays?
Somet
hingi
swrong.
"
Si
za:"
Yeah.Letmehel
pyouher
esowecango.
"..
.
SASAPOV_

Idrankmyf i
rstcupofcoffeei
nalmostaweek.I
wasn'tal
lowedanycaf f
eineaf
termyshooti
ngbut
Zweapprovedmef oronecuptoday.Iwasso
happy.
Mama:"
Isever
ythi
ngokaywi
tht
heki
ng?
"
Me:"Yesmama.Nkosii swithhimri
ghtnow."I
si
ppedmycof fee.Nkosiwalkedi
n.Il
ookedathim,
not
ici
ngal ookI'
veneverseenonhisfacebefor
e.I
qui
cklyputdownmycup." What '
swrong?"
Nkosi:"Ineedt
ogetitoutofmyhead.
"Sohefi
nal
ly
real
isedortheytol
dhim.Icoul
dseethet
raumaon
hisface.
Me:"Okay.Ithi
nkweshouldgiveMthunziacalland
hecantelluswhatf
lower
shiswi f
elikes.Youcan
hel
pmemakeabouquetf orher.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Mama:"
Hai
boThembi
sa,
youcan'
tbemaki
nga
ki
ngsor
toutf
lower
s."
Me:"It
'sokaymama, heenjoysplants.We'llbein
thegarden.
"Ipul
ledhim outoftherestaurant,
towardthebackentr
anceoft hevil
laoutintothe
gardens."
Areyouokay?"
Nkosi
:"No.Ij
ustf
oundoutmyf
atheri
shavi
ngsex.
"
Me:"
Uhm,
love,
peopl
ewhoar
emar
ri
eddot
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Iknowbuti
t'
smyfat
her.Mymot
her
.It
's
uncomfort
abl
e.Whydidhet
ellme?
"
Me:"
Ifeell
ikehet
ri
ednott
o.Hesugar
coat
edi
t.
"
Nkosi
:"AsDANCING?Hecal
l
edi
tdanci
ng?Hehas
r
uinedthatwor
dforme.
"
Me:"Nkosi
.Yourpar
ent
sar
ehumanbei
ngs,
justl
ike
you-
"
Nkosi
:"IknowbutIpr ef
err
ednott
ofindthi
sout.I
wasfinenotknowing.Noweveryt
imesomeone
saysdancing,
I'
m goingtothr
owup."Igi
ggled.
Me:"
Youar
ever
ydr
amat
ic.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reokayknowi
ngyourpar
ent
sdo-
"
Me:"Shegavemeadvi
ceont
hedi
nnert
abl
e."He
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Okay,
thatwasf
unny.
"
Me:"Let
'scal
lMt
hunzi.
"Hetookouthi
sphoneand
di
aledhi
snumber.I
trungonlyt
wice.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Hi
,Sasawant
stot
alkt
oyou.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.
"
Me:"
HiMt
hunzi
.Howar
eyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m gr
eat
,howar
eyou?
"
Me:"I
'
m okay.Uhm,Iwantedt
oputtoget
hersome
f
lowersforBusi
,Iwaswonder
ingwhatareher
f
avouri
tes?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Shel
oveswhi
tel
il
ies.
"
Me:"
Ist
her
eanot
herf
lowersheador
es?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Al
soDai
sies.
"
Me:"
Alr
ight
.Thankyousomuch.Also,
pleasekeep
t
hisabi
tofasecret
?"Hechuckl
ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Okayt
hen.
"
Me:"ByeMt
hunzi
."Ihungup."
Doyouhavewhi
te
l
il
ies?
"
Nkosi:"Ihaveal lki
ndsoff l
owers.Let'
sfi
ndt hem."
Hecol l
ect edabasketbyt hedoor,avasef i
ll
edwith
freshwat er,cut
tersandgloves.Wewal kedthrough
thegarden." Fathersaysyouwr appedthebandage
onhi shandst il
lsparki
ng.That'
sver ydangerous
Thembi sa. "
Me:"
Iwast
ryi
ngt
ohel
p.Ihadpr
otect
ionon.
"
Nkosi:"
Sti
ll.Hisabil
it
yisdangerousandver yqui
ck.
Ontopoft hat,hecannotcontroli
t.Soitmakesit
evenworse.Youcan' tputyourselfi
nthefaceof
dangerli
ket hi
s.Ifsomethinggoeshorribl
ywrong,
howwi l
lIexplainthattoyourparents?
"
Me:"
Im sor
ryNkosi
,Iwasi
rr
esponsi
ble.
"Hehel
d
myhand.
Nkosi:"
It
'snotyourr esponsi
bil
it
ytofi
xus.Weneed
tostepupt oo.Idon'
twantyout ogethur
tsolet'
s
all
owmyf athert
of i
gureouthisabi
li
tywi
thoutyou
i
nt hefr
ontl i
neofdanger .
"
Me:"
Okay.Iunder
standbaby."Ihuggedhi
sar
m.
"
Wheredidyougothismorning?"
Nkosi
:"Zwet
ookmet
othebeach.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.I
twasf
un.Iswam i
ntheoceanwi
tht
he
f
ish.
"
Me:"
Fishar
equi
tef
arouti
ntheoceanNkosi
."
Nkosi:"
Notreal
ly.Imadesur
etoswi
minsaf
e
di
stance."
Me:"Theoceani
senor
mousNkosi
nhl
e,al
otof
t
hingscanhappen.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'tworr
y,l
ove.Nothi
ngwil
lhappent
o
me."Wetur nedashor
tcornerwher
etheli
li
eswer
e.
"
Here.Lil
ies."
Me:"Thesearegrowingsobeaut
if
ull
y.Idon'
teven
wanttocutthem of
f.
"
Nkosi:"For
tunately,
Icandot hi
s.Letmeteachyou.
Youwantt oleaveasmuchst em aspossi
blesothat
i
tgrowsagai n.Flowersareplant
s,theyar
elivi
ng
organisms,youshoul dn'
tki
llt
hem."Heheldthe
fl
owergent
ly."
Aswecuteachone, weneedto
placet
hem i
nthewater.AsyoucanseeI '
m
choosi
ngbudsthathaverecent
lyopenedorj
ust
aboutt
ostart
."
Me:"
Whyi
sthat
?"
Nkosi:"
Theflowerswil
lconti
nuetomatureaft
er
they'
vebeencut.Theywillbl
oom i
nherkit
chen.
Likeagif
tthatkeepsgett
ingbet
ter
.Last
inglonger
."
Me:"
That
'si
ncr
edi
ble.
"
Nkosi
:"Youcutt
henextone.Gent
ly.
"Hehandedme
t
hepruners.
Me:"
Thi
sone?
"
Nkosi
:"Nobaby,
thatwi
llki
llt
hef
lower
,check
agai
n."
Me:"
Ohyes.
.howabouther
e?"
Nkosi
:"That
'sper
fect
."Icuti
tandpl
acedi
tint
he
vase.
Me:"
Whot
aughtyoual
lthi
s?"
Nkosi
:"Mysel
f.WheneverIgotbor
ed,
Iwentt
othe
gardenandt ookawal k.St artedt onoti
cesome
fl
owersdyi ngandIt ri
edt orevi vethem.Itbecamea
hobbyf orsomest ranger eason.ThenIr eadaboutit
,
hundredsofbooksonpl antsandhowandwhy.
Somet hingaboutitfeel
sspi ritual.WhenIbuiltthi
s
place,
itwasj ustopenl and.Nowmygar denlooks
l
ikewe' r
einEdenandIpl antedever yt
hinghere."
Me:"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul,
love.
"Icutaf
ewmor
e."
These
smel
lsogood."
Nkosi
:"Notasgoodastherosel
il
y.You'
l
llovei
t.
Yourf
ragrancei
ssimi
lart
oit.
"
Me:"
I'
dli
ket
osmel
li
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Ri
ghtoverhere.
"Al i
tt
lefur
therdownt
he
pathwasabedofr oseli
li
es,pinki
ncolourwi
th
doubl
ethepetal
s.
Me:"Ohthesearesobeaut
if
ulNkosi
.You'
reri
ght
,
theysmellgood.
"Hepi
ckedone,pl
aci
ngiti
nmy
hair
.
Nkosi:"
Sobeaut
if
ul.
"Hekissedmyl
ipssl
owl
y,
hol
dingmeclosetohim.
Me:"
Weneedt
ofi
nishourt
ask.
"
Nkosi
:"YesbutIwantt
ost
areatyousomemor e.I
missspendingt
imewit
hyou,i
nbedorwatchi
ngt he
mountains.Imi
sswaki
ngupnexttoyou.
"
Me:"We'l
lgetbackt
othatsoon.Weneedtoputthi
s
wartobed.Thecountr
yneedstogobacktonormal.
Soon,oureconomyisgoi
ngtostar
tbuckl
ingand
i
t'
llaf
fectt
hepoor,t
hemost."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sourdayoffbaby,
pleasef
ocus.
"Igiggl
ed.
"
It
'saSunday.Whatdoesyourfamil
ynormal
lydoin
t
hevil
lage?"
Me:"
Whybaby?
"
Nkosi
:"They'
vebeenhereal
mostaweekandit
's
beenhospit
alorher
e.Iwant
edtodosomethi
ngthat
madethem feelmor
eathome."
Me:"Whyar eyousoper fect?"Hekissedmeagai n.
"Mamausual l
ygoest ochur ch,sometimesIgowi t
h,
mosttimesI'm wit
hdadwor kinginthefarm.ThenI
cookSundayl unch,wit
hNel e.Mom woul dusuall
y
beintheloungewat chi
ngashowwi thdad.Aft
er
eati
ng,Igotomyr oom t
or ead,Nelegoestoher
f
ri
ends.Wedon'
thaveaspeci
fi
crout
inebutSunday
l
unchisamust.
"
Nkosi:"Hmm.Eat i
ngatthedinnertabl
eistheonl
y
ti
meIspendwi t
hmyf amily.Idon'
tevenknowthei
r
hobbies.Exceptmyfatherbecausewehavehada
meetingaf ewSundays.Hel i
kestosmokeand
star
eatnot hi
ng."
Me:"
Let
'sf
ini
shherebaby.Maybewe'
l
lcomeup
wi
thapl
anaswe'reworki
ng."
Nkosi:"
Okaymyl ove.
"wewentbackt ot hevaseof
cutli
li
es."Nowweneedt ost
riptheleavesoffeach
stem,sincethiswil
lbeanarrangement .Aft
erthat
,
we'l
lremovet heanther
soffeachflower .
"
Me:"Whati
sanant
herandwhyar
ewer
emovi
ng
i
t?"
Nkosi
:"Removi ngtheant hersprevent
sanypoll
en
fr
om gett
ingont heflowerpet al
s.Poll
enstai
ns
fl
eshandf abr
ic.Also,itcaneatawayatt hedel
icat
e
fl
owerpartsandshor tenthel i
feofthebl
ooms.
Whichiswhatwedon' twant .Putthegl
oveson
baby.
"Iputonmygl oves, kneel
ingnextt
ohim and
f
oll
owi
nghi
sinst
ruct
ions.

SI
BONELOPOV_

Iwasnothavi ngagoodt imewhi leasleepanymor e.

Iwasal sonotgoi ngt oadmi ttoZwet hathi sf ri
end
givesmeni ghtmar es.Ineededt of i
ndawayt o
distr
actmybr ain.Immedi ately,myt hought sdr i
fted
toZimmy.Goodheavens, herbr easts.Igotoutof
bedi nst
ant ly,goi ngf oracol dshower .Maybeabi t
ofwor kwi llbegood.It ookmyshoweranddr essed
i
ncasualj eansandabl ackshi rtwithwhi t
e
sneakers.Iwal keddownst airstomyf amilydi ning
area.Ihardl ysl eptinmyhousebutdef ini
telynot
doingsowi thapr i
soneri nsi deit.I
f,hedoes, by
somemi racl ebr eaksf ree, Idon'twantt obef ast
asleepasi thappens.Si ncei twasSunday, noone
wasatt het able.Mypar ent susual l
ysleepi nand
thebr ot
her sar eusual l
yhungover .However ,
MnqobiandKhayanol ongerdr i
nksot heywer ein
theboysl oungeeat ingcer eal.
Si
bo:"
Boys.
"
Mnqobi
:"Fi
nal
ly.Yoh,we'
vebeenwai
ti
ng.Even
Khayawokeupbeforeyou.
"
Si
bo:"
DidIl
eavewi
thyourki
dneys?
"
Mnqobi
:"Funny.Wewer
ethinkingofgoi
ngt
oyour
housef
oraboysdayandbraai.Whatdoyouthi
nk?
"
Si
bo:"
No.
"
Mnqobi
:"No?Why?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mfumi
gat
ing.
"
Khaya:"Fumigat
ing?Wel i
veinStel
lar
s.Whatcoul
d
youpossibl
ybef umigat
ingintheri
chestsubur
bof
thenati
on?"
Sibo:"
Cockr
oaches.Theydon'
tpi
cksubur
bs.They
foll
owfood.
"
Khaya:"
What
'
sgoi
ngoni
nyourhouseBobo?
"
Sibo:"
Goseef
oryour
selft
henKhayabutdon'
t
comebackher
ecoughingandchoki
ng.
"
Mnqobi
:"Thenwhatar
ewesupposedt
odot
oday?
"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tknow.Entert
ainyour
selves.Ihave
pl
ent
yofworktogetthroughfort
hisweek."
Khaya:"
Butwhataboutus?"Whyi
sitsodi
ff
icul
tto
gett
imealonei
nthishouse?
Si
bo:"
Wher
eisZwe?
"
Mnqobi:"OnlyGodknows.Youknowhewakesup
l
ikeasoldier.Probabl
ybuildingt
hathospi
talbr
ick
f
orbri
ckr ightnow."Ichuckled.
Sibo:"Good,gohelphim."IsentZweamessage
askinghislocat
ion."
Bug, qui
ckquest
ion.What'
s
happeninginyourapartment?Whatisthisgi
rlt
o
you? "
Khaya:"Zimmy?She'
smyf r
iend.Thishasn'
t
changed."Iwon'
tbedoi
ngthisbutincaseIdo,
I
neededtobesuremybrotherwouldn'thur
t.
Si
bo:"
Soyouwon'
tmi
ndi
fIf
uckher
?"
Khaya:"
Sbonicomeon.She'
sgoi
ngt
hrougha
roughti
me."
Si
bo:"
I'
llmakei
tsmoot
h.Don'
twor
ry.
"
Khaya:"
Butyou'
regoi
ngt
odr
opher
."
Si
bo:"I'
veneverpr
omisedanyonemar r
iageKhaya.
Fi
rstrul
einmybook,Behonest;She'l
ldeci
deifshe
wantstogoahead.AndIgointopreci
sedetai
l.
"
Khaya:"
Canyoubel
i
evehepubl
ishedanact
ual
book?"
Mnqobi
:"Andyour
eadi
t17t
imes.
"
Khaya:"
Itworks.17t
imesisanexaggerati
onand
youreaditt
oo.Yetsomehow,we'r
eallsingl
e.
Somethingi
swr ongwit
hthatbook.
"
Mnqobi:"
Speakforyour
sel
ves.Mywi
femaynotbe
speaki
ngtomebutshe'ssti
lli
nmyhomeandI'
m
gett
ingPet
uniaback.
"Il
aughed.
Sibo:"
Goodl uckyoungpr i
nce.I
'mleaving.Zwei
sn't
responding,soIcanonlyassumehe' sunderatr
uck,
dead.Findhim.I'l
lbebacklater
."It
ookmybagwi t
h
bothmyl aptops,t
abletandcharger
s,leavi
ngthe
housefort heapart
ment .

Iarr
ivedinKhaya'
sbui
ldingandwentuptothe
apartment,
let
ti
ngmyselfin.Isatont
hecouch
sett
ingupmyl aptops.Therewasnor easonf orme
tobeher eothert hanwant i
ngtoseeherboobs.I t
soundsbadbutIwasqui t
edownbadmysel f
.I
checkedt hefoot ageinmybasement .Bhekokwakhe
hadr egainedconsci ousnessbutstayedawayf r
om
thedoor .Hesatont hecouch,sti
ll
,shaki ngand
cryi
ng.Good, we' realmostther
e.Iswi tchedof ft
he
heati
ng.Thebasementwasunder groundand
cement edsot hecol dthatwouldsweepi naf ew
minut esfrom nowwoul dsendanyonet otheir
knees.
Zimmy:"MorningPrinceSibonel
o."Il
ookedup.She
walkedt
ot hekit
chendr essedi
ntinypaj
amashor t
s
andamat chingtanktop.
Si
bo:"
Hi.
"Ifocusedbackonmyf
oot
age.Thecol
d
wasset
tl
ingin.
Zi
mmy:"
Woul
dyoul
ikeacupofcof
fee?
"
Sibo:"
Uhm, yeah."Shestart
edupthemachi ne.Iput
onmyheadsetandswi tchedovertocheckifther
e's
anyactivi
tyfr
om theotherroyal
s.Allst
il
lquiet
.Well,
thi
sisboring.IhadnothingtodosoIswi t
chedof f
.
Zimmybr
oughtat
ray,
wit
hacupofcof
feeand
sugar
.
Zi
mmy:"
Woul
dyoul
ikemi
lk?
"
Sibo:"
Nothanks.
"Iavoi
dedlooki
ngt hi
sti
me
becauseIwould'
vespi
ll
edhotcoffee."
Youal
ways
wakeupthisearl
y?"
Zimmy:"
No.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tsl
eep.
"Shesatonher
couchwi
thhercup.
Si
bo:"
Whyi
sthat
?"
Zimmy:"Iwasdoi
ngal otoft
hinki
ngaboutf
amil
y,
fri
ends.
"Isi
ppedmycof f
ee."
Itseemsallmy
rel
ati
onshi
pshavefal
lenapart
.Allatt
hesame
ti
me."
Si
bo:"
That
'ssad.Howdi
dthi
shappen?
"
Zimmy:"Withmyf amil
y,myf atherdeci
dedt ocheat
andleavemymot her.Sheinsistsonrespecti
nghim
andhisdecisi
on.Alsofor
cingmet odoso.Ialso
haveasibli
ngwho' sal
mosttwoandanot herone
coming.Idon'
tknowhowt ohandl eallofthatbut
mypr i
maryemot i
onisangerr i
ghtnow."
Sibo:"
Theangerst
emsfrom yourfat
herbet
rayi
ng
yourmotherandbr
eaki
ngyourf amil
y?"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.
"
Sibo:"
Usual
lypr
imaryemotionsbr
eedt he
secondar
yemotionalr
esponsewhichisusuall
y
unwantedorhar
dt oexpr
ess.Whatisyours?
"
Zimmy:" Hopelessness.Ihat ehowhopel essIfeel.I
hatet hatIcan' tdoanyt hingaboutanyoft his.I
can'tchangehi smi nd, Ican'tturnbackt i
meand
mosti mpor tant l
y, Ican'tmakemymot herdefend
herself.Herhonour .Ican'tmakehergetangr yat
him andr i
ghtfullyshamehi mf orbei ngaf ail
ure.I
can'tdoadamnt hing."Isippedmybever agesome
mor e.Psychol ogywasoneoft hethingsIdabbl ed
ontomost lytounder st
andandnavi gatemywor k.It
wasn' tenoughf ormet hatIcanaccesssomeones
phone, theirprivat enet workandent iredata.I
want edt heirdar kestsecr ets.Iwant edt heir
memor ies.Thei rsoul s.That '
swher emypsychol ogy
camei nhandy.Isi ppedmycof fee.
Si
bo:"
Thati
sn'
thel
pful
.Feel
ingl
iket
hatcanonl
y
prolongyourangerbecauseyou'
l
lbemor eand
mor efrust
rat
ed.Youneedtoaskyourselfwhatiti
s
thatcanhelpyoursit
uati
onwithyourfamil
yright
now. "
Zi
mmy:"Ican'
tevenst
andhi
m.Idon'
twantt
ofi
x
hi
snonsense.
"
Sibo:"
It
'snotaboutyoufi
xinghisnonsense,i
t'
s
aboutheali
ngyoursel
f.Bei
ngangr yf
oreverwon'tdo
youanygood."Shesighed,dri
nkinghercoff
ee.
Zi
mmy:"I
'l
lthi
nkofsomet
hing.MaybeIj
ustneedt
o
cl
earmyhead."
Sibo:"
Doyouwantt
ocomesitnextt
omesoIdon'
t
havetouseayel
lsi
gnalt
ospeaktoyou?
"She
gi
ggled.
Zimmy:"
You'
renotevenyel
li
ng.We'
rei
nthesame
room.
"
Sibo:"
Sti
ll
,Ipr
efermymorningsqui
et.
"Shegotup
fr
om hercouchandsatnexttome."NowIcan
speakinmynor malvoi
ce.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Youmeanwhi
sper
ing?
"
Sibo:"I
'm notwhisper
ing.It
'smymor ningvoi
ce.
Can'tbescr eamingbefor
e9i nthemorningunless
i
t'ssomeoneunderme. "Sheblushed,l
ookingather
cup.Ileanedbackont hecouch, r
esti
ngmyheadon
thetop,lookingather
.
Zimmy:"
Ial
readysai
dIwon'
tbedoi
ngt
hiswi
th
you.
"
Si
bo:"
Doi
ngwhat
?We'
rej
ustt
alki
ng.
"
Zi
mmy:" You'r
etryi
ngt
oseducemePr
inceSi
bonel
o.
I
'm notst
upid."
Sibo:"
Iwoul
dnevercallyoust
upidandI'
m notyet
seduci
ngyou.Doyouwantmet otel
lyouwhatI'
d
bedoingtoseduceyou?"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m notf
all
ingf
ort
hat
."Shel
aughed.
Sibo:"
That'
sbecauseyou'
renotst
upi
d.MaybeIam
tr
yingtoseduceyou.
"
Zimmy:"WhyisaPr
incel
ikeyout
ryi
ngsohar
dto
seduceagir
l?"
Si
bo:"
whati
sapr
incel
ikeme?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sexy,
richandr
esour
cef
ul.
"Ismi
led.
Sibo:"
You'
resweet
.IknowwhatIli
ke,i
t'
srightin
fr
ontofme.Mynaturali
nst
incti
stoapproach."
Zimmy:"
We'vepl
ayedt
hisgamebef
oreandyou
for
gotmyname."
Sibo:"
Thist
imemakesureIdon't
.Weweredrunk
Zimmy, t
hat
'
sforsur
e.I
twaspr obabl
ysomeyears
ago-"
Zi
mmy:"
Oneyearago.
"
Si
bo:"
OkaybutI
'
m st
il
lint
erest
ed.
"
Zimmy:"AndI '
m not
."Herpl
ayinghar
dtoget
should'
vetur
nedmeof fasi
tusual
lydi
dwit
hot her
gir
lsbutnotthi
sone.Iwantedhernow,onthi
s
couch.
Sibo:"
Ican'
tchangeyourmi
nd?"I
fonlysheknew
theamountofpowerovermesheheldontorightat
thi
smoment .
Zimmy:"Nope."Bummer .Coul
d'venegotiat
eda
bett
erpercent
ageforherbusinessowner shi
p,a
secondbusinessvent
ure,money, hel
levenababy.
Anythi
ng.
Si
bo:"
Alr
ight
.Icanunder
standandr
espectt
hat
."
Zi
mmy:"
Youwon'
ttr
ytoconvi
nceme?
"
Sibo:"
Thatwoul
dbecoer
cionandal
it
tl
erapeyi
t'
s
notmyt hi
ng.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hmm.
."Ineededaqui
ckdi
str
act
ion.
Sibo:"Whil
ewe'rest
il
lyoungandingoodspi
ri
ts
l
et'swork.Didyoumanagetolookattheemai
lI
sentlastni
ght?"
Zimmy:"Yes.Imadesomenotes,
Iwasgoingto
fi
nishitt
oday.
"Shestar
edatmeasifshewanted
met ochaseher.I
'
m amanwithpri
de,t
heonlyway
I
'dtouchherisi
fshebeggedmeto.
[
07/
27,
06:
03] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er74

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_
Iwal kedbacki ntomyhouse, comingf r
om t he
beach.WhatZwedi dforNkosiwasgr eat.The
reki
ndl eoft heirf
ri
endshi pwassomet hing
Nkosi nhl ereallyneeded.Althoughhewon' tbe
needi ngmeasmuch, hewouldbei nagoodspace.
Icheckedt hebedr oom, Busiwasstil
lsleepi ng.My
phoner ang, itcanonlybeNkosi .Ianswer ed, havi
ng
ashor tconver sati
onwi thThembisaaboutf l
owers
forBusiunt i
lshehungup.Bestt i
met ost art
breakf ast.Imadesomepancakesf rom scr atch,
puttingt hem i ntheovent okeepwar m.It idiedup
theki tchenaswel l.Icleanedtheloungear ea
quietlyt hensatdownt owatchsomeTV.Iwas
resistingt heur getocheckuponSi bonelo.Busi
walkedoutt hebedr oom aboutanhourl ater .
Busi
:"Hibaby.
"
Mthunzi
:"St
handwaSam.
"Shesatont
opofme,
ki
ssingmyface.
Busi
:"Whyar
eyouup,
sit
ti
ngal
one?
"
Mthunzi
:"Ihadtorunaqui
cker
randt
hencome
makeyoubr eakf
ast.
"
Busi
:"Hmm.AndI
'
m st
arvi
ng.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Mthunzi
:"Yourpancakesar
eintheoven.Shoul
dI
makeyousomet ea?
"Shegiggl
ed.
Busi:
"Yespleasebaby.
"Iputheront hecouchand
wenttomaket eaandplateherpancakesputt
ingit
al
lonat rayt
hengivi
ngt oher."
Thankyou.You'r
e
noteati
ng?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Notyetl
ove.Maybear
ound10.
"
Busi:"
Hm."Shenoddedwithamouthfulofpancake,
syrupdri
ppingonherchi
n.Iki
ssedi
toffher."
These
aregood."
Mthunzi
:"Icanseefr
om yourf
ace.Whatdoyou
wanttodot oday?
"
Busi
:"Youdon'
thavewor
k?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Notunt
ilt
omor
rowmor
ning.
"
Busi
:"Okay,
sincewespentalldayinbedyesterday.
Howaboutwedosomepai ntingint hebackyar
d?
Wehaven'tmadeanewpor t
raittogetheri
n
months.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youal
wayssayIr
uinyourpai
nti
ngs.
"
Busi:
"BecauseyoudobutIloveit
.Come,
weneed
tochangeourloungepai
nti
ngs."
Mt
hunzi
:"Agai
n?Ir
eal
lyl
iket
heseones.
"
Busi:"
Thisseasoni spassedbaby.They'retoo
bri
ght.
"Ilivedwi t
ht hi
swomanf oryearstoknowI
won'twin.Shel ovesdesign,pai
nting,decor
ati
ng.I
t
keptherbusyandhappy.Idon' tknowhowmany
ti
mesayearour" aest
heti
c"hast ochange.The
curr
entthemei sseasonsIsuppose.Lastyearwas
whatagain?" Babe? "
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatcol
our
swer
eyout
hinki
ng?
"
Busi:"Let'
scountt
ot hr
eeandsayt hef
ir
stcol
our
thatcomest omindwhenIsayAut umn
transi
tioni
ngtoWinter.
"Ichuckl
ed.Afi
ghti
s
brewing.
Mt
hunzi
:"okay.
"
Busi
:"1,
2,3.Whi
te.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Gr
een.
"Ismi
led.Shest
aredatme.
Busi
:"Babe.Whatpar
tofgreen,l
ooksli
kewi
nter
?
Wint
erisbare.Gr
eenisf
ullofcol
our.
"
Mthunzi:"
I'
m badatthi
sgamebutl
ove,
we'
venever
hadgreenintheli
vingr
oom."
Busi
:"Butgr
eeni
sfor
..
."
Mthunzi:"Autumn!Comeonbaby.Admi t,Igoti
t
r
ight.Greenisfullofcol
our
,whiteisbare.Greenis
t
heaut umn, whit
ei st
hewinter
."Shesighed.
Busi:
" Okay.Let'
stryit
.Butweneedt oswatch
somegr eent ones.Wedon'twantsomethingthat
wil
lclash."Shegotup, wal
kingtoheroff
ice.Itook
herdishestot hekit
chen."
Youmi ghtbeont o
somet hi
ng."Shecamebackwi t
hherpaintboxf i
ll
ed
wit
hdi ff
erentacryli
cpaint
s.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
slooksni
ce.Al
it
tl
edar
kthough.
"
Busi
:"I
t'
sper
fect
.Thewhi
tewi
llbr
ight
enever
ythi
ng
el
se.
"
Mthunzi:"Whataboutourcouch?"Shel
ookedatit
funny."Youwantedabr owncouchBusi
siwe.I
t'
s
l
esst hanayearold."Shelookedatmewit
h
beautif
ulkit
teneyes.
Busi
:"I
twon'
tmat
cht
heaest
het
ic.
"Il
aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Wecan'
thavet
wocouchesl
ove.
"
Busi:"Okay,butnowI'
mt hinkingofawhit
est ai
n
resi
stantplushcouchwithgr eencushi
onsanda
fewwi ththemili
tar
ypri
nt."Shekissedmylips.
Mt
hunzi
:"Fi
ne.Or
deri
tthen.
"
Busi
:"Il
oveyou.So,
dowedonat
ethi
soneor
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whati
fyoul
ikei
tagai
n?"
Busi
:"Unl
ikel
y."
Mt
hunzi
:"Donat
ioni
tgoes.Car
pet
?"
Busi
:"We'
rekeepi
ngi
t,buti
nst
orage.Il
ovei
t.
"
Mthunzi
:"SoIdohavet
ast
e?Goodt
oknow.
"She
gi
ggled.
Busi:"
Letmesetupout side,sowecanst art
.Please
checkforanypor t
rai
tsyou'dl i
keust otr
yout.
"I
heardacarpar kedoutside.Ilookedoutthewindow.
Aguar dcamet omysecur i
tyatthegate,hel
ethim
i
nside.ThiswasoneofNkosi 'sguards.Heknocked
onthedoor .Iopenedforhim.
Mt
hunzi
:"Mongezi
."
Mo:"MyGener
al.Iwassentbyt
hePr
incet
odel
iver
t
his.
"
Mthunzi
:"Thankyou."Hehandedmet hebouquetof
fl
owersandwal kedout."
Thi
sisforyou.
"Igave
Busit
heflowers.
Busi
:"Me?Whywoul
dthePr
incesendmef
lower
s?"
Ishr
ugged.
Mt
hunzi
:"They'
reyourf
avour
it
e.Whi
teLi
ll
ie'
s.
"
Busi
:"They'
regor
geousbutwhy?
"
Mthunzi
:"Ther
e'sanot
e."Shetookoutt
henot
eand
r
eadit.Asmilefor
medinherface.
Busi
:"Oh.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youwantt
otel
lmewhati
tsays?
"
Busi:"
It'
snotf rom him, i
t'
sfrom Thembi sa.I
treads:
'
HiBusi .Iwantt oapologizeforSaturday.WhatI
saidwasi nsensitiveandwr ong.Ididn'
tmeant o
tr
iggeryoul i
ket hat.Ihonestl
ymeantnohar m.May
youhaveabl essedSunday.LoveSasa. 'She'
sso
sweet."Shegi ggled.
Mt
hunzi
:"Shei
s."
Busi
:"Theguar
disgoi
ngbackupt
hemount
ain?
Tel
lhi
mt owait
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Icandr
iveyoubaby.
"
Busi:
"Notme, Iwantt osendhersomething.Tal
kto
theguard."Iwenttotheguardoutsi
detell
inghimto
hangbackf orabit
.Insidethehouse,Busiwentto
hercoldroom.Ihadaspeci all
ybuil
tcoldroom f
or
heri
cecr eam st
orage.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ohyou'
resendi
ngheri
cecr
eam?
"
Busi
:"Yeah.Herf
avouri
te.Rememberlastweek,
my
newpackagingar
rivedbutthenTuesdaywewent
i
ntol
ockdown."
Mthunzi
:"I
sitt
hepackagi
ngIdesi
gned?
"Ihugged
herf
rom behi
nd.
Busi
:"Youbul l
iedmei nt
oit,yes.Buti
t'
sperfect
.
Lookatit
."Itookthesmal l
tub.Itwasroyalpurpl
e
andSikhosanaGol d,
wi t
hacr owni nf
ront
.In
honouroftheupcomi ngcoronation.
Mt
hunzi
:"They'
reper
fect
."
Busi
:"Ihaveaf
ewnewf
lavour
sI'
m wor
kingont
hat
Iwantedt osampl esoI'l
lneedt hesmal l
ercups
pl
ease."Shet ookoutthei cecreamsf rom the
fr
eezer.Ihandedhert hehandsi zedcups."Thisone
i
smyper sonalfavouri
te,Iusedpur plecolour
ingin
avanil
la,thenaddedbi scuitpi
eces. "
Mthunzi:"
Ohthatlookssooogood.
"Itookanot her
spoon,scoopi
ngsomet otast
e."Hmm, per
fect.
"She
wenttohertoppingsandaddedgoldf
lakes."Inever
gotgol
df l
akes?"Shegiggl
ed.
Busi
: "
They'r
enew.Tastet
hem wit
htheicecream,
doesitmakeagoodcombo? "I
'
m afrai
d,Imaynever
l
eavethisroom.Busiwasamazingwit
hf l
avours.
Butthi
s?Isageniusfl
avour
.
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
samazi
ng.Puti
tinabi
ggert
ubas
well
."
Busi
:"Yousure?Iwasgoi
ngtoputherf
avouri
te
one,
thesalt
edcaramelwi
thcooki
ecrumble.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yousti
llrememberherf avour
it
es?Seems
l
ikeThembisaisquicklyrepl
aci
ngmeatwor kand
athomeandIdon' tli
keitanymore."Shelaughed.
Busi
:"You'
rebei
ngdr
amat
ic.Let
'sdot
wobi
gtubs,
oneofthesaltedcaramelwit
hcooki
ecrumbl
eand
thenewf l
avour.Ihaven'
tnamedi
tyet,
Doyouhave
anyideas?"
Mthunzi
:"Somet
hingt
odowit
hthecor
onat
ion.How
abouti
ncludi
ngt
hepeopl
e?Li
ke'
AKingsLove'
."
Busi:"Andbecauset hef i
rstpeopletosampl eitar
e
youandhi squeen.That 'stheperfectname.Letme
getmyl abelmakerwhi l
eyouf ini
shher e."She
walkedout .Iwasl eftinther oom,laughi ngto
mysel f
.Mywi fe'
sbr ainwor kedoverti
meandi twas
dif
ficultforhert ofinishtasksi mmedi ately.Ineeded
togetahandl eonherqui cklyandbringherbackt o
paceher selfproperlybecauseshewi llexhaust
herselftoosoon.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Aftersendingthebouquetof ft
oBusi,Thembisa
andIwashedourhandst henwenttotherest
aurant
forbreakfast
.Iwasqui t
ehungr ynow.Wewal kedin,
thefamilywasst i
llatt
het abl
e.Nowwhywasmy
f
athersi
tt
ingher
ehavi
ngeggs?
Nkosi:"Father.
"Helookedatme,readyf oran
argument .Idon'
tli
kehowhewasi nvolvi
nghimsel
f.
Thembi saledmyhand, si
tt
ingdown." Ihope
everyonei shavi
ngagoodmor ning?"
Mama:" I
ndeed,weareYourHi
ghness.
"Shesmi
led.
Ilookedatmyfather
.Whydoeshehavetomake
thingssoawkward?
Nkosi
:"Wher
edot
hosecomef
rom?
"
King:
"IaskedZwet ocheckift
heki
tchenhadwood
handl
ecutlery.Sincewooddoesn'
tconduct
el
ectr
ici
ty,Ineededt obeablet
oeat.
"Thembisaand
Zwechokedont heirj
uice.
Nkosi
:"Zwel
ethuisapr
ince.Youcan'
tbesendi
ng
hi
mt otheki
tchen.
"
Ki
ng:"
Youlef
t,whowasIsupposedt
osend?Ican'
t
j
ustgotot
hekitchenandaskf
orwood.
"
Sasa:"Pl
easeexcuseme.
"Shegotup,
quickl
y
walki
ngout.Zweheldhi
smouth.Whati
ssof unny?
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sguar
dsever
ywher
e."
Ki
ng:"Howwouldguar
dsknowwhatImeanand
whatIneedi
tfor
?Youjustwantt
ofr
ust
rat
eme."
Nkosi
:"They'
dfi
gur
eitout
."
King:"Fi
ne.I
'
llj
uststarvenextt
ime.
"Thembisa
camebackandsatdown.Wehadbr eakf
astqui
etl
y.
Everyonemindedtheirbusi
nessunt
ilweallf
ini
shed.
Nkosi:"Si
r,t
hesecuri
tysyst
em i
sbeingi
nstal
led
today,bytheendofthedayyou'
llbeabl
etosee
yourfarm andful
lyar
d."
Xol
ani
:"That
'samazi
ng.Thankyou.
"Hesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"You'
rewel
come.
"
Ki
ng:
"So,
Sir
?"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
tst
art
."
King:"I
'm aski
ng?Whysir
?You'
reafut
ureking.You
don'thavetocallot
hermenwi
thanyti
tl
e."
Nkosi
:"Ipr
efert
orespectmyf
utur
ewi
fe'
sfat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Hi
snamei
snotr
espect
ful
?"
Nkosi
:"I
tis,butmypref
erenceissi
r.OrI'
l
ljustcal
l
hi
m Tata.Ift
hat'
sokaywithyou,si
r?"Myfatherwas
seet
hingi
nhi
sseat
.
Xolani
:"Anyt
it
leormyname,
I'
mfi
newi
th,
Your
Highness.
"
Nkosi
:"Tat
aiti
s-"
Ki
ng:"I
'
m yourf
ather
."Hehi
ssed.Fi
nal
ly,
Ican
i
rr
it
atehimtoof
oronce.
Nkosi
:"YesbutonceImarry,
I'
llhavet
wofather
s."
Hestar
edatme, Ist
aredbackathim,smi
li
ng.
King:"Thembi
sa,doyoumindl
eadi
ngmeoutt
omy
car,yourki
ndnessi
shear
twarmi
ng.
"Mybody
heatedupquickl
y.
Sasa:"
Absol
utel
ymyKi
ng.I
'
dbedel
ight
ed.
"She
st
oodup.
Nkosi
:"Actual
ly,
father
,Iwashopi
ngyouandIcan
hi
keupt hemount ai
n.Let
'sgo.
"Hesmil
ed.
Ki
ng:
"Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbebacksoon,
love.
"Igotup,
wal
kingout
wit
hmyf ather
.
Ki
ng:
"Wi
llyouatl
eastwai
tformet
ochangemy
shoes?Ican'
thi
kei
ngent
lemansl
ipper
s."
Nkosi:"
Youhavetwomi nut
es.
"If
oldedmyarmson
mychest .Hewenttohi
ssuit
etochangehi
sshoes,
comingbackIstart
edwalki
ngouttost
artt
hetr
ail
.
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyouupsetagai
n?"
Nkosi:"
Whyareyoual
wayschal
lengi
ngme?I
sit
f
unf oryou?
"
Ki
ng:
"Idi
dnosucht
hing.
"
Nkosi:"
YougotmadthatIrespectmyf
atheri
nlaw
andretal
iat
edwi
tht
ryingtostealmywi
fe?That'
sso
chi
ldi
sh!!
"
Ki
ng:"
CHILDISH??Pl
ease.You'
ret
heonet
hat
st
ormedoutatthement
ionofsex.
"
Nkosi
:"St
opi
t!
!"
Ki
ng:
"St
opwhat
??Havi
ngsex?You'
rei
nsane.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt ohearaboutitfather
!!
!It
's
di
sgusti
ng.You'r
emyf atherf
orgoodnesssake! !
Havesomedi gni
ty!
!"Iscreamed.Hel augheduntil
hecoughed.Ilef
thi
mt herewalki
ngupt hetrai
l
angr
il
y.Whydoeshet hinkthi
sisfunny?Idon't
wantt oknowwhathedoesinhisbedroom.It
's
disgusti
ng.Andwhythehel
lisheusinghisabi
li
ti
es
duringit
?OhmyGod, isi
takink?Iwantedto
scream.Why!!
King:"Mehl ul
i.
"Iignoredhim."Nkosinhle.
"Idon't
wantt otalktohimf ortherestoftheday.
"Sikhosanaomncane. "Iwal kedfast
er.Hemust
l
eavemeal one.Ahuget reebranchfelli
nf r
ontof
me, blocki
ngmypat h.Ilookedathim.This
psychopat hhadundi dhisbandageandel ectr
if
ieda
branchof fthetree.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
.Whydoyoukeepcomi
ngher
e?"
King:"
Youdraggedmeher e,remember?Thi
s
mor ni
ngIcametofi
xthis.Idon'tkeepcomi
ngher
e,
Ihavemyownhouset hatIlike.
"
Nkosi
:"Andt
hedi
nner
s,br
eakf
ast
?"
Ki
ng:"
Imustnowstar
vebecauseyoudon'
twant
menearyournewf
amily?
"
Nkosi:"You'r
eaki
ng.You'
renowher
enearst
arvi
ng.
You'r
et ryi
ngtoi
rr
it
atemeandpokemearoundfora
react
ion."
King:
"Whywoul
dIdothatMehl
uli
?WhenhaveI
donethat
?Youwantmetobeavil
lai
nal
wa-
"
Nkosi
:"YouAREt
hevi
ll
ain!Yout
ri
edt
oki
llmy
wif
e!"
Ki
ng:
"GoodGod,
Isai
dIwassor
ry!
"
Nkosi:"
Andt hat
'senough?Youdon'
tthi
nki
t'
s
uncomfor t
ablef
orherfamil
yorhert
ohaveyou
here,
sit
tingandeatingli
keyoudi
dnothi
ngwrong?
"
Ki
ng:
"Soyouwantmet
ost
ayaway?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Henodded.
King:"Okay.
"Hewal kedoverthebr anchcli
mbing
upthemount ain.Ihatedthathewasnowupset .
He'ssupposedt onotcare.Heshoul d'
veshrugged
ortoldmeof f.Whyishesuddenl yemot i
onal?
That'snotwhohei s.Iwalkedupbehi ndhim unt
il
wer eachedthetopoft hemountain.Hisabil
it
yhad
switchedoff
, heundidtheotherhandandsatdown.
Nkosi:"
Whynow?Alltheseyear
syoudi
dn'
tcar
e
aboutfamil
yti
me.Youdidn'
tcaret
obei
nvol
ved.I
t'
s
sudden."
King: "Idon'tknow."Hel ookeddownatt hequiet
city."You'rediff
erent.Yousmi l
e, youlaugh.You
l
ooksohappy.Youl ookatherandt hewhol eworld
disappear s.It'
sirr
it
atingbutalsoi nt
ri
guing.Whydo
youl ookatherl ikethat?"Ismiled."See?Whati s
that?"
Nkosi :"You'reri
ghtthatthewhol ewor lddisappears.
WhenIl ookedather ,it
'sli
kemyeyesar emagnet s
andt heyneedher stolocki nplace.Myhear t
dancesatt hesoundofherhear t
beat.She'ssosof t
withme.Sheal l
owsmet obemysel f.She's
i
nter estedinlearningwhoIam soshecanl oveme
better,sher espectssomuch.Thembi saisso
speci altomeandIcan' tevenexpl ainwhy.It'
sas
thoughI '
vebeenl ooki
ngf orheral lmylif
eandnow
thatI '
vefoundher ,Ihavet herestofmyl if
et olove
andl ivewi t
hher .I
tfeelssoexci t
ing."
Ki
ng:
"Yousoundstupi
d."Il
ookedathi
m."
Ican'
t
i
magi
nethatf
eeli
ng."
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
tlovemymot
her
s?"
Ki
ng:
"Ihavear
easonf
orl
ovi
ngt
hem.Theygave
mefourbeauti
fulki
ds.Wi
thoutt
heki
ds?Idon'
t
knowMehluli
."
Nkosi
:"That
'ssad.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'sr
eal
ist
ic.You'
rel
ivi
ngi
nabubbl
e."
Nkosi
:"Il
ikemybubbl
e."Hesi
ghed.
King:
"Thenlet
'sgetthisusel
esswaroverwi
thso
youcangetmar ri
ed.I'
m meetingwi
tht
hecounci
l
tomorrow.Wil
lyoujoinme? "
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'saboutt
imet
hesef
ool
sknowwhowear
e."
..
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Sundaymi dday,
Iwasst
illonthecouchworking
withZimmy.Shehadhelpedwi t
hdesigni
ngthelast
touchesoftheappandwel aunchedi
t.
Zi
mmy:"
CanIusei
tnow?
"
Si
bo:"
Ijustupl
oadedi
tbaby,
givei
tami
nut
e."
Zi
mmy:"Ican'twai
t!Iwantt
omakemyfi
rstor
der.
Doyour
eallythi
nkyoucangetbi
gst
orestopar
tner
wi
thusonthis?"
Si
bo:"
Ngi
ngubanimi
na?Shebl
ushed.
Zi
mmy:"
Pri
nceSi
bonel
oBi
yel
a."
Sibo:"
Ther
e'l
lbemoreof
fersonthetabl
ethanwe
canuse.Ri
ghtnow,wecreatedemand."
Zi
mmy:"Andi
tdel
iver
sanywher
einMount
ain
Peak?
"
Sibo:"
Yes."Somethi
ngcl
ickedi
nmybr
ain.Thi
swi
ll
backfi
requickl
y.
Zi
mmy:"
What
'swr
ong?
"It
ookmyphone.
Si
bo:"We'
recreat
ingdemandwit
houtchecki
ngour
st
rengt
h.We'l
lneedbackup,i
ncasethi
sblowsup.
"
Zi
mmy:"Doyoureal
lyt
hinkt
hatwil
lhappen?We
onl
yhaveapopul
ati
onof1mi l
li
on.
"
Sibo:"
1,6mil
li
on.Peopl
ehavebeenlockedi
nthei
r
homesf oral
mostaweekrightbef
oremonthend.
Nowt hatt
hey'
vebeenpaid,
andt
hey'
reathome,
they'
l
lwanttouti
li
zet
his.Gi
vemeasecond."I
dial
edMnqobi'
snumber .
Mnqobi
:"BhutSbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Mnqo,
weonl
yhave10scoot
ersr
ight
?"
Mnqobi
:"Yebo.
"
Sibo:"Doyouknowofacompanyt hatrent
sout
scooters?I
'mthinki
ngi
fincasethi
sbl owsupand
weneedmor etoworkef
fi
cient
ly.
"
Mnqobi
:"Yoh.Scooter
sar edif
fi
cul
t,unl
essweask
Fr
eshFoodstobor r
owt heir
s."
Zi
mmy:"
Orl
eti
trun.Tocr
eat
ethedemand.
"
Sibo:"
Itwi
llcr
asht
hesyst
em andcr
eat
eanot
her
panic.
"
Zimmy:"Itwil
lcreateat t
enti
on.Thatwi llmarketi
t.
Leti
tcrash,ri
ghtnowpr epar eforpi
ckingitupwhen
i
tdoesandi mplementt hatinlessthananhourof
thecr
ash.Thatwi llcreatetrustbetweenconsumer
andbrand.Consumer swi l
lfeelpri
ori
ti
sednot
knowingthiswasal readyplanned.Thatwi llhypei
t
upevenf
urt
her
."Asi
fsheneededt
ogetanysexi
er.
Sibo:"
Okay,butIst
il
lneeddel
iverybackupandI
havenoscootersandIdon'
twantFr eshfoodsto
havemoreleverageonourbusinessincasetheytr
y
tocli
mbupourl eg.
"
Mnqobi
:"Icanmakeacoupl
eofcal
lsbutwest
il
l
needdr
iver
s."
Si
bo:"
Wher
e'sbug,
putmeonl
oudspeaker
."
Mnqobi:"
Youareonloudspeaker
,he'
spl
ayi
ngt
he
Xbox.Hecanhearyou.
"
Si
bo:"Yehwenakhandaeli
khul
u,ngi
yakhul
uma
ut
hulel
eni?
"Helaughed.
Khaya:"
I'
m enj
oyi
ngmydayof
f.Whatdoyou
want?"
Si
bo:"
Whati
syoursuggest
ion?
"
Khaya:"
Zimmyisri
ghtincr
eat
ingdemand,itwil
l
hel
pitgrowandatt
ractust
omoresuppli
ers.Ihave
anevencrazi
eri
dea."
Si
bo:"
Givei
ttome.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Khaya:"
You'
regoi
ngt
ohat
eitmor
ethanyoul
ove
i
t.
"
Si
bo:"
Khaya,
speak.
"
Khaya:"Seehowe- hail
ingservicesdoi t
.There'
sthe
standardcarwhichisthemostaf for
dableversi
on,
thiscouldbeourscooters.Thent here'
sthemor e
l
uxur ycarswit
hahi gherpri
ce.Howabout ,weof f
er
thatdeli
veryopti
onwi t
hthehi gherpriceofcourse?
UsingaBi -
motivecar.
"Ilaughed.
Sibo:"
Okay,sostandar
ddeliver
yisscoot
ersand
premium del
iver
ybeingourcarswit
hahigher
deli
veryf
ee.Ilovei
t.Nohate."
Khaya:"
I'
m notdone.Wecouldadverti
seitas"A
RoyalDel
iver
y"..t
hedeli
verybei
ngmadebya
pr
ince.Notal
ldeli
veri
es,
justafewluckyone-"
Si
bo:"
Andwho'sgoingtodothat?Zwel
ethu?
"
Mnqobil
aughed."
Cha,ngobauyangi
del
elamanj
e."
Khaya:"
ComeonSboni .Justt
hreedeli
veri
esnje?
Thiswil
lalsohelpgi
vingtheci
tizenssomethi
ngto
tal
kabout.It
'sbeenal
lgloom t
hepastf ewdays.A
hotsi
nglebachelorpr
incedeli
veringgr
oceri
es?The
i
nter
netwoul
dbr
eak.
"
Sibo:"
AndI '
m yourpubli
cslut?Khaya,
uyangihlonipha?Behonest.
"Theyl aughed
uncontrollablyontheot
herside.Ihungup."Mxi
m."
Zimmygi gglednexttome."
Nawe? "
Zimmy:"
I'
m sor
ry.Buti
t'
sagoodi
dea.I
twi
llcheer
ever
yoneup.
"
Si
bo:"
SoI
'
m acl
own?
"
Zimmy:" No,butyou'
redi
str
acti
ng.Gir
lswil
lbr
eak
thatwebsite.Maybeyoumightfi
ndaf ewsi
ngle
girl
s."Shelookedatmeinachallengi
ngway.Ican
playthisgame.
Sibo:"You'reri
ght.Thi
sisactual
lytheper
fect
oppor tuni
ty.
"Shef r
oze,swall
owingthel
umpinher
throat.Itookmylaptop,checki
ngtheapp
pretendingtoignoreher.
Zi
mmy:"
Uhm,
I'
m gonnagof
reshenup.
"
Sibo:"Sure."Shegotupwalki
ngaway.Youcan'tbe
upsetwi t
hsomeoneyoudon' twantbaby.That
'snot
howi twor ks.Icont
inuedwi
thmywork,checki
ngat
Bhekokwakheonce.I '
dswi t
chedont heheatagai n.
Hewascur ledupi nt hecouch.I '
llseehi m
tomor r
owmor ningt oof ferhi m hi sr elease.Hewas
begi nningt obor emenowandIwant edmyhouse
back.Iwentbackt omynot esandt ypedsome
down.Thi sideaKhayahascomewi thwasact ually
bril
liant.Mypr esencewi l
lpr omot et hedel iverye-
commer cebusi ness.ThecarIusewi llbeobvi ously
byourcompanyandgi vingi texposur e.Insteadof
thebi ggerones, I
'l
luset hesmal lonei nst ead.Iwant
tot argetent rylevel carbuyer s.TheWar r
ior,i
sa
spor tyhat chbackwi that ouchofl uxur yrivali
ngt he
biggestcarbr ands.I twoul dbef antast i
ct obuyasa
fi
rstcarf oryourwi feoryourf i
rstcarasyoust art
yournewj ob.I fI'
m seendr i
vingi t,i
twi llcreate
anot herdemand.Thi smeanst her e'
sapossi bi
lit
y
ourBi -mot ivest ockmi ghtcl i
mbal i
ttl
e.Whi l
ewe
drivet hisbusi nessandgr owi tthr oughot herpar t
s
oft henat ion,itwoul dbebenef icialifwehaveour
ownscoot ers, manuf actur edbyus.SoMnqobi
needst ost artadesi gnondel iver yscoot ers.Our
newpr oductatBi -
mot ive.It'
sl ooki ngl ikeagood
yearsof ar.
[
07/
27,
06:
04] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er75

SASAPOV_

Aft
erNkosiandhi
sfat
herl
eftf
ort
hemount
ain,
Iled
Zweouttohiscar
.
Zwe:"You'
rerecover
ingr
eal
lywel
l
.I'
m happywi
th
yourprogr
ess."
Me:"ThankyouZwe.Eventhepai
nisn'tasmuch
anymorebutIwi
llst
il
lbekeepi
ngiteasy.Al
so,i
sit
okayifIdosomeschoolwork?
"
Zwe:"
I'
dencourageit
.You'
llbeat
tendi
ngl
ect
ures
vi
rt
ual
lysoitshoul
dn'tbeaprobl
em."
Me:"Thankyou.Ir
eall
yneededsomethi
ngtodo.
"
Hisphonerang.Helookedatt
hescr
een,and
answered.
Zwe:
"Ist
hehousebur
ningt
othegr
ound?Whyar
e
youcalli
ngme?I '
m atNkosi'
svill
a,I'
m aboutt
o
l
eave.Nohe'snothere..
.No."Hel ookedatmeand
smiled."
I'
m sur
eifyougivehim anhourorso, he'l
l
respond.NoI'
m notdoingthat.GoodbyeSibonelo.
"
Hehungup." Si
bli
ngs."Hechuckled.
Me:"Can'
trel
ate.Ihavet
hesweet
estone.
"He
l
aughed.
Zwe:
"Okay,
fine.Letmegetgoi
ng.ByeSasa.
"
Me:"Bye.
"Hewal kedt
ohi
scaranddroveof
f.Iwent
i
ntothevil
la.Zanel
ewaswai
ti
ngformeonthe
couch."
Andt hen?"
Nel
e:"I
'
m waiti
ngforyou.Mamatookdadtothe
gar
denforawalk.I
'm bor
edSasa.
"Teenager
l
anguage,shewantstogosomewhere.
Me:"Iam alsobored,
love.Iwasthinki
ngofmaki
ng
moreflowerbouquetsformyf r
iends.Iwasr
eal
ly
enj
oyingitearl
ier
."
Nel
e:"
Yes!Let
'sdothat!
"ButIwant
edtodoitwi
th
myman.Ihaven'
tspentthatmuchti
mewit
hZanele
andmaybethi
swillgi
veussomethi
ngtodo.
Me:" Alr
ight
.Let'
sgo."It
ookt hebucket,
gotgloves,
cutters,
allt
hingswewi l
lneeds."Let
'sstar
twith
Petu.Iknowshel ovespassion,somayber ed
roses."
Nel
e:"
Redrosesar
eforr
omanceSasa.Not
f
ri
endshi
p."
Me:"ButsheknowsI
'
m notromanti
cal
lyi
nlovewi
th
her,
thi
swon'tbeamixedmessagesor
tofthi
ng.
Justaheyther
eI'
mthinki
ngofyou.
"
Nel
e:"I
fyousayso.
"Wewentt
otheroses."
They'
re
sobeauti
ful
.Whynott
hepi
nkones?
"
Me:"Thoser
emindmemor eofZi
mmy.Shewould
besohappyforthese.Wesharet
hecol
ourpi
nk
becausewebothloveit
."
Nel
e:"
Ihaven'
thear
dyoument
ionheri
nawhi
le.
"
Me:"
Yeah,si
ncemydr amaIhaven'
treal
lyspoken
t
oher.I
'
llcal
lherwhenwe'r
edoneher e.
"
Nel
e:"
Okay,
I'
llcutt
heseones.
"
Me:"
Becar
efuloft
het
hor
ns.
"
Nel
e:"
Okay.
"Iwat
chedherasshecutsaf
ely."
CanI
askyousomet
hing?
"
Me:"
Sur
e."
Nele:"
YouandHi sHighness,
wereyoubei
ng
honestthatyou'
venever.
..
hadsex?
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Yes.
"
Nel
e:"
Atal
l?
?"
Me:"
Atal
l.Nkosi
issor
espect
fulofmyvi
rt
ueand
f
amil
y.Hewantstomar
rymef i
rst
."
Nel
e:"
That
'sr
eal
lysweet
."
Me:"I'm goingt obehonest,i
t'sveryhard.Forbot
h
ofusbecauseIr eal
lywantt
oandhedoest oo.
We'vecomecl osetoitaswellbutstopped.Whatwe
shareemot ional l
yissomuchst rongerthanjust
physicaltouchbutI fI'
m bei
nghonest ,Icannot
wait.
"Shegi ggled.
Nel
e:"Wit
hthel
ooksoft
hings,
itcoul
dbei
naf
ew
weeks.
"
Me:"
Andyou?Doyouhaveanycr
ushbesi
dest
he
ol
dmanI'
veaskedyout
oleaveal
one.
"
Nele:"AndI '
veli
stened.Zwei sreall
yhot
,butseei
ng
him withHisHighnessi sscary.It
'sacol
dreminder
thathe'sactual
lytwicemyageandIdon' twantto
embar rassmyselfwi t
hroyals.Mamai ssohappy,
yoh.She' sbeenprayingforthewart obeoverso
theweddi ngpreparati
onscanst art.
"
Me:"
Ihear
dher
."Il
aughed.
Nel
e:"
AndIdohaveacr
ush.
"
Me:"
Who?
"
Nel
e:"
Pleasedon'
tjudge.
"
Me:"
Iwouldneverjudgeyou,
tel
lme.
"Wasit
Amahle?Sheseemedsohappytochi
llwi
thher
whenshewasar ound.
Nel
e:"
So,
it'
saguyf
rom t
hevi
ll
age.
"
Me:"
Ooh.It
houghti
twasAmahl
e."
Nel
e:"
That
'smysi
steri
nlaw.
"Shel
aughed.
Me:"
Tel
lmeaboutyourguy.
"Shebl
ushed.
Nel
e:"
He'
scut
e.Andf
unny.
"
Me:"
What
'shi
sname?
"
Nel
e:"
Mfundi
so.
"
Me:"
Who'
sMf
undi
soagai
n?"
Nel
e:"
Hei
stheChi
ef'
sson.
"Igasped.
Me:"
Isn'
thei
nhi
s20s?
"
Nel
e:"
No.That
'sNt
sikel
elo,
hisbr
other
.Mf
undi
soi
s
16.
"
Me:"
Oh.That
'sgood.Doesheknowyoul
ikehi
m?"
Nele:"
Weonlyst
art
edchatt
ingthi
syear.Idon'
t
know,somet
imesIfeel
li
kehereal
lyl
ikesme. "
Me:"Andothert
imes?
"Ipl
acedt
hel
astr
osef
ort
his
bouqueti
nthebucket
.
Nel
e:"
Ifeelwei
rd.Heasksst
ufft
hatIdon'
tknow.
"
Me:"
Suchaswhat
?"Ist
art
edont
hepi
nkr
oses.
Nel
e:"Li
ke..
.haveIbeenki
ssed.
..
downt
her
e."I
l
ookedather.
Me:"
Blockt
hatboyr
ightnow.
"
Nel
e:"
Sasa-
"
Me:"
NOW.
"
Nel
e:"I
'mtal
kingtoyoubecauseyou'
retheonly
per
sonwhowon' tj
udgeme.Please.
"Iheldbackmy
emoti
ons.
Me:"
Okay,
car
ryon.
"
Nel
e:"
Isai
dno.
"
Me:"Hmm."Icar
eful
lycutt
her
osesasNkosihad
i
nstr
uctedme.
Nel
e:"Soheinvit
edmeovert
hisothert
ime.Tohis
br
othershouse.Andt
heywerether
e,dr
inki
ngand
st
uff.Wewenttohisr
oom t
otalk.Wedidtal
k,al
ot.
Heisreal
lysweet.
"
Me:"
Andt
henwhathappened.
"
Nele:"
Wekissedandheaskedtotouchme.Isai
d
yesbecauseIwantedt
o.Hetouchedme."
Me:"
Zanel
e."
Nele:"That'
snotal
l.
"No,
shewant
edmet
ohavea
heartattack.
Me:"
Whatel
se.
"
Nel
e:"
Wel
l,
hesai
dhewant
edmet
ofeelgood.So
hewantedtoki
ssmedownthere.Isai
dno,Iwasn'
t
comfor
tabl
ewitht
hat
.Heacceptedandaskedi
f
maybehecantouchi
tagai
n.SoIlethi
m."
Me:"
And?
"
Nel
e:"
Doyouthi
nkI
'
m notavi
rgi
nanymor
e?"She
whi
spered.
Me:"
OhmyGod,
Idon'
tevenknow.
"
Nele:"
It
'sj
ustthat
,nowmamagotal lexci
tedabout
youandgetti
ngmar r
ied.Shewantst
ohavea
cer
emonywher ewebot hgett
estedandcelebr
ated
i
nthevill
ageforbei
ngvirgi
ns.
"Thiswasnewst o
me.
Me:"Wai t
,what?Youmeanourmot herwantsto
paradeust othevillageforbei
ngvi r
gins?"She
nodded."Idon'tknowZanel ebutI'm also
uncomf or
tablewithhavi ngawhol eceremonylike
thi
s.It
'snotthevillage'
sbusinesswhatIdowi t
hmy
body.It
'snotanyone' sbusiness!Nowshe' s
draggedyoui ntoittoo."Isi
ghed.
Nel
e:"
Whatdowedo?
"
Me:"Bef
oret
hat.Howdoyoufeelaboutthi
sboy
andwhatyouguysdid?Ar
eyouuncomf ort
abl
ewit
h
i
t?"
Nele:"
Idon'
tknow.Ilikehi
m butIdon'
twantt
o
havesexyet.Si
nceI'vebeenherehe'
sbeenaski
ng
met osendhim pi
cturesandvi
deos."
Me:"
Ofwhat
?"
Nel
e:"
Ofmyboobsandi
t.
"
Me:" NoNel e,t
hispersondoesn'tr espectyouand
heobvi ouslydoesn'tl
ikeyou.Hehasn' tevenshown
commi tmentt oyouandhe' saskingf ort hings?Also,
you'restil
lyoung.You'resayingityour selfthatyou
don'twantsexbuthe' spushi ngandnotcar i
ngi f
you'reuncomf ort
able.Mysi s,pl
ease, blockhi m.
Thisisnott hepersonf oryou.Nomat terhowcut e
heis.Di dyousendhi mt hesepictures? "Shel ooked
atherhands." Ohno.Zanel e!"
Nel
e:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Me:"
Exact
lywhatdi
dyousend?
"
Nel
e:"
Ever
ythi
ng.
"OhmyGod,
thi
swi
llt
urni
ntoa
night
mare.Quickly.Whati
fheblackmailsheri
nto
sexwitht
hesepi ctur
es?Whatifheleaksthem?
Whatifhealr
eadyhassentt hem around?OhBawo.
Me:" Okay.Weneedt ofindawayt ofixthisbutf or
now, Zanele, pleasedon' teverletsomeone
mani pulateyoui ntodoingsomet hingt hatmakes
youuncomf ortableanddoesn' tshowyoui ngood
l
ight .Int hi
swor ldthatwel ivein,womenwi llal
ways
beshamed, forjustaboutanyt hingandt hesetype
ofpi ctureswi l
linvit
eunwant ed,verydanger ous
attent iontoyou.Mf undi
socanr eleaset hese
pictur esatanymomentandyouwi llbet he
l
aughi ngst ock.Pl ease,sis,don'tevergi vesomeone
thismuchpoweroveryourl if
e."Shehadt earsinher
eyes.
Nel
e:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"Shesobbed.
Me:"
Zanele,you'r
eat een.You'r
eboundt omake
mi
stakes.Don'tcrybabe.Come. "Ihuggedher.
We'
reindeepshi t
."We'regoingtofixthi
s,okay?
Wi
peyourt ear
s.Let'sfi
nishupher e.
"
Nel
e:"
Whatwi
llIdoSasa?Whati
fheshowshi
s
f
ri
ends?
"
Me:"
Let
'snotwor
ryaboutt
hatnow.I
'
llaskaf
ri
end
f
oradvi
ce.
"
Nele:"
Sasa,I
'
m get
ti
ngr
eal
lyscar
ednow.Idi
dn'
t
t
hinkofthi
sbefor
e."
Me:"Agai
n,Nel
e.You'
reonl
yhuman, youwi
llmake
mist
akes.Wecandothewholelectur
eandyel
lat
youwhenasoluti
onhascome."..
.

Wefi
nishedcol
lect
ingthef
lower
sandmadeour
waybacktothevil
la.
Nkosi
:"DoIst
il
lhaveagar
denl
eft
?"Hest
oodby
t
hedoor.
Me:"No.It
hinkyouhavet
ost
artover
."Hesmi
led,
pul
li
ngmei nforaki
ss.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lomyl
ove.I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Hmm.Iwantt
oshowyousomet
hing.
"
Me:"
NowI
'
m exci
ted.Ineedt
oputt
hesedown.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydidyoucoll
ect100f
lower
s?It
hought
youhadfourf
riends?
"
Me:"I
t'
snot100baby.I
t'
s40.Iwantt
omake
bouquet
sof10."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Let
'sst
artwi
tht
hatt
hen.Zanel
e,
what'
swrong?"
Nele:"
Nothing,YourHighness,Ij
usthavea
headache.Ithi
nkI'l
lgoli
edown. "Sheplacedt
he
fl
owersont hetabl
eandl eftf
orthebedroom.
Nkosi
:"Whydi
dshel
iet
ome?Whathappened?
"
Me:"I
t'
salongst
oryt
hati
sverysensi
ti
ve.AndI
don'
tknowhowtodealwi
th.
"
Nkosi:"
Tel
lme."Hetookt
hefl
ower
sofft
hetabl
e
l
eadingmetotheloungear
eaweusedbef
ore.
Me:"Idon' tknowhowNkosi.I
tsasensi
ti
vetopic
butIcan'tf i
xit
.MaybeyoucanbutIdon'
tknow
howtot ellyouwit
houtbet
rayi
ngherconfi
dence."
Hestaredatme.
Nkosi
:"Whatwoul
dthepr
ior
it
ybe?Thehel
porme
knowi
ngthetopi
c?"
Me:"
Thehel
p."
Nkosi
:"SohowdoIhel
p?"
Me:" Idon'
tknow.Howdoyour et
rievepi
ctur
esand
videosfrom someoneel
se'
sphone?Andpossi bl
y
thepeoplethey'
vesentt
hem t
o? "
Nkosi
:"Oh.Youwantt
hem t
onothavet
hepi
ctur
es
atal
l?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snowayt
oknowwhot
heysentt
hem
t
o."
Me:"
Thi
sisbad.
"Ist
art
edt
hef
ir
stbouquetf
or
Zi
mmy.
Nkosi
:"Whywer
ethesepi
ctur
essent
?"
Me:"
It
'sst
uffpeopl
esendbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Li
keyourpi
ctur
est
hatyousendt
ome?
"
Me:"Notquitebutsomethingli
kethat.
"Iknowmy
boyfr
iendneedsf ul
ldet
ail
sandyouhavet ot
ellhi
m
speci
fical
lyother
wisehewi l
lnotunderst
andatall
.
Nkosi
:"Il
iket
hosepi
ctur
es,
whywoul
dyousend
them tomethenwantthem offmyphone.Don'
t
hurtyourf
inger
s."At
hornprickedme.
Me:"Ow."At r
ickl
eofbl
oodcameoutmyt humb,I
pl
aceditinmymout h."
Ijustneedthepict
uresgone
baby.
"Hest aredatmymout h."
Love?"He'
szoned
outnow,great.Hi
sphonerang."Nkosinhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"
Me:"
Yourphone.
"Hef
ishedi
touthi
spocket
.
Nkosi:"
It
'sSi
bonelo."Heanswered."
Hell
o."He
l
ookedatme, smili
ng."I
'
m wellt
hankyou.Howar e
you?"Mybleedinghadstopped,fi
nal
ly."
Sure,hol
d
on."Hetookthephoneoffhisear."
It
'sSibonel
o,he
wantstotal
kt oyou?"
Me:"
Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.Doyouwantt
otal
ktohi
m?"
Me:"
Sure.
"It
ookhi
sphoneandputhi
m onl
oud.
"
Hell
o."
Si
bo:"
HiThembi
sa,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"I
'
mfine.
"Ist
il
ldi
dn'
ttr
usthimforwhathewas
doi
ngweeksagoandIdi
dn'tl
ikehi
m atal
l.
Sibo:"
Okay.Idon' twanttowast eyourt i
me,Ijust
wanttoapol ogizeforharassingyou,stal
kingyou,
usingyouf ormyownagendaandmaki ngyou
uncomf or
table.Ididmeant oscareyouandIam
sorryt
hatIdi d.I'
m notgoingt ol
ieandsayIdi dn'
t
meant o.Itrulyam sorr
yt hough.Itobvi
ouslywill
noteverhappenagai n."Ididnotexpectt hat
.
Me:"
Oh.ThankyouPr
inceSi
bonel
o.Iappr
eci
ate
t
heapol
ogy."
Sibo:"Thankyouforhearingmeout.Havea
bl
essedday.Goodbye. "Hehungup.Sibonel
o
apologized?Thi
swasst rangetomebecausethe
SiboneloImetdidnotseem likeani
ceguy.Orisit
becausehesawNkosiwi ththefi
rei
nthepassage?
Me:"Nkosi.
"Hewasholdingmyhand,
watchi
ngt
he
smallpr
ickofbl
oodoozeoutofmythumb.
"St
handwaSam, pl
easefocus.
"
Nkosi
:"NotwhenIcansmell
yourbl
ood.Youknow
t
hat.
"Isighedgett
ingupt
ogofi
ndabandaid.
"
Sibonel
owi l
lknow."
Me:"
Whatwi
llheknowbaby?
"Iputt
hepl
ast
eron
myt
humb.
Nkosi
:"That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohel
p."
Me:"
Iknowlove,
it'
l
lst
opthebl
eeding,
whatwi
ll
Si
bonel
oknow?Whyi shebei
ngnice?"
Nkosi
:"Hewi
llknowhowt
oret
ri
evet
hepi
ctur
es.
"
Me:"
Oh.
..Idon'
tknow.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.He'
sgoodwi
tht
echt
hings.
"
Me:"NkosiIdon'
twantSibonel
otoseenaked
pi
cturesofmysister
."Hestar
edatme,shocked.
Cr
ap.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Final
lyIhadgottenholdofNkosiandIcoul dnow
gohomet omymot her.Iclosedmyl apt
ops.Zi
mmy
cameoutt hebedroom talki
ngonherphone.She
hadabei geti
ghtshortdresson.Itdrewherbodyin
asexyway.Cuppi ngthosebr a-
lessboobs.I
watchedhertakeoutjuiceandpourher sel
fsome.
Fi
nal
lyhangi
ngup.
Zi
mmy:"
Doyouwantj
uice?
"Iwantyouont
opof
me.
Sibo:"
Nothankyou.Ihavet
ogetgoi
ng.Youcan
usetheappnow."
Zi
mmy:"
Per
fect
.Ineedsomesnacks.
"
Si
bo:"
Why?
"
Zimmy:"
Iinvi
tedsomeoneovert
owat
chamovi
e."I
sentamessageonmyphone.
Sibo:"
Oh.That
'scool
.I'
l
lneedyout odocument
eachstageoftheor
derprocessfrom whenyou
opentheapp.Takenot
eofever yt
hing.
"
Zimmy:" DoesFreshFoodsmar kethavewine?
Sinceit
'sSunday,Iwantedarelaxedafter
noonand
eveningtounwind."KhayaneededtogethereASAP.
Iknowhedoesn' twantpeoplei
nhi shouse.I
'm not
goingtolosethebetIhavewithmysel f
.
Si
bo:"Yeahtheydo.We'l
ltal
ktomorrowwhenwe
l
aunch.EnjoyyourSundayandyourdate."It
ookmy
st
uffandwalkedout.Khayarespondedtomy
message,
hewasonhi
sway.Per
fect
.Ical
ledZoe.
Sibo:"
HiZo.Canyoudel
ivert
hepar
celatmy
house?"
Zoe:"
Yes,Pr
inceSi
bonel
o.I
'
llbet
her
ein15
minut
es.
"
Sibo:"Thanks."Ihungupdr i
vingtomypar ents
house.Wi shIcouldgetherascar forsomet hing
butallshopswer estil
lcl
osed.Nof lowers,noscarf,
nojewel r
ynotevenchocol at
e.Embar r
assing.It
doesn'tmat t
erfornowbecauseI '
l
lfindawayt o
spoilhersoon.Iparkedthecari nthedr i
vewayand
wentin."Mama! "Iwenttothel ounge."Tatawhere'
s
mymo- "Istar
edatt heki
ng.Whatt hehel lwashe
doingher e?
Sibo:"
MyKing,
GoodDay.Whatanhonourt
ohave
youvisi
tus.
"
Sikhosana:"
Hm."Ri
ght,l
ikehi
sson,hedoesn'
t
respond.Idi
dn'
tcar
e.Ineededtoseemymot her
.
Si
bo:"
Myapologiesf
ordist
urbi
ngyourmeet
ingmy
ki
ngs.
"It
urnedtowalkaway.
Biyel
a:"Actuallyson,i
t'
sgoodt hatyou'
rehere.
Pleasesit
."YOUHAVEGOTTOBEKI DDI
NGME.I
satnexttohi m."KingSikhosana,wil
lbeatt
ending
royalcounciltomorrowwi t
hthePr i
nce.
"
Sibo:"Oh.
"Tot
hinkweevengotbani
shed.Wast
his
theendofourpart
ner
shi
pwiththeSi
khosana
family?
Biyel
a:"Haveyoufoundanyt
hingoutf
rom your
resear
ch?Andt appi
ng?"
Si
bo:"
Thel
astt
imeIl
ist
enedinwasanhourago.
Uhm,t
heydi
dn'
tment
ionaroyal
counci
lmeeti
ng.
"
Sikhosana:"
I'
m cal
l
ingi
ttomor
row.
"Ohyou'
re
summoni ngthem.
Sibo:"Ohasurpri
semeet i
ng.Bat hongaissti
lli
n
communi cat
ionwithTansanat i
on.Itseemst hathe
offer
edhisdaughtertotheprincethere.Heis
removingherfrom her
esot hatiftheyfai
l,
youcan't
reachherbecauseshewoul dbel ongtoanother
country.
"
Si
khosana:"
Aret
heyst
il
lher
e?"
Sibo:"
Herf
atheris,
sheseemstohavebeensent
backhome."Helookedathi
sguar
d.
Si
khosana:"
Bri
nghert
ome.
"..
.

Ihadrunoutoftimeandmymot herwast aki

nga
bath.I
'l
lbebacklat
erfordinneranyway.Zoewoul d
beatmyhousesoonoral readythere.Idr
ove
quickl
ytomyhouseandf oundhercarpar kedbut
shewasn'ti
nsideit
.Okay?That '
sstrange.How
wouldshehavegoneintomyhouse?Iwal kedint
he
door.Zwewassitti
ngont hecouchwi t
hher,
l
aughing.
Si
bo:"
Whatt
hehel
list
his?
"
Zwe:"
Ther
eyouare.Youhar
rassmeal
lmor
ning
andyouar
en'
tevenhome?"
Si
bo:"
ThankyouZoe.
"
Zoe:"
You'
rewel
comesi
r.
"Shest
oodup
Zwe:
"So.
..Wi
llIbeget
ti
ngani
nvi
te?
"
Zoe:"
I'
m notsendi
nganyinvi
tes,
howeveryoucan
buyaticket
,Pr
inceZwe.
"
Zwe:
"I'
l
ldef
ini
tel
ydot
hat
.Wheni
sit
?"
Zoe:"
Areyouser
ious?
"
Zwe:"Ofcour
seI'
m ser
iousI
'
m eagert
olear
n."He
smil
ed.Whatthehel
lwashedoing?
Zoe:"
Wellt
hen.Thefi
rstcl
assi
stomor
row
eveni
ng.
"Shetookherbag.
Zwe:"
Looki
ngf
orwar
dtoi
t.
"Shesmi
ledandwal
ked
out
.
Si
bo:"
Andt
hen?
"
Zwe:"Justsupporti
ngasmal lbusi
ness.Shedoes
onl
inecookingclasses.ShouldIbuyyouaticket
?"
Si
bo:"
No.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
"
Zwe:"Youfor
gott
hatyoul
eftamani
nyour
basement?Icametot
akehi
m out
.Li
keweagr
eed.
"
Si
bo:"
Nott
oday.
"
Zwe:
"Let
'snotf
ight
.Pl
ease.
"
Sibo:"
Pleasel
ist
en,Ipl
annedongi
vinghi
mthe
paperstomorr
ow."
Zwe:
"Whynott
oday?
"
Sibo:"
TodayI '
mf eedi
nghim.Providi
nghim war
mth.
Takingthatawayaspuni shment.He'
stoei
ngthe
l
ine,soonI'
llhavehim pr
ogrammedt oonlydoasI
say."
Zwe:"
Sibonel
oyoualwaysgooverboar
d.Iasked
younottodothi
s!"
Sibo:"
Yesbutnowwe'
reher
eZwe.Justonemor
e
day."
Zwe:"
Heisahumanbei
ng,notyourexper
iment
.
Gett
hosepaper
sandl
ethi
m out.Now."
Si
bo:"
Zwe-
"
Zwe:"I
'm notgoi
ngtorepeatmyselfSi
bonel
o."I
wenttomyof fi
ce,t
aki
ngtheenvelopeandbri
nging
i
tback."Lethi
m out.
"Iwalkedt
othevaultdoor
l
eadingtothebasementandopenedi t
.
Sibo:"
Bhekokwakhe."Helookedupatme." Come.
"I
l
eftthedooropenandsatdowni nthelounge.Ina
fewmi nut
es,Bhekokwakhecameupt hestair
sand
stoodbythelounge.He'
sgoingtorun.He'snot
r
eady.
Zwe:
"Hel
lo.
"
Bheko:"
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
"
Zwe:"Youhaveachoi cehereBhekokwakhe.You
wanttogobackt oyourf ami l
y.Allyouneedt odoi s
signthesepaperst hatstatethatyouwi l
lnever,
conspireagai
nstt hethroneagai n.Andyou'vet aken
ti
meoutt othinkofyouract i
onst hesepastfew
daysbutneverdi sclosewher eyouwer eort akenby
whom.Basi call
y,wipet hepastweekoutofyour
memor y.Justthateasy. "Bhekokwakhegl ancedat
thedoor.Inasplitsecondhebol tedoutofthe
house.Onceagai n,I'm provenri
ght .
[
07/
27,
06:
04] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er76
SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Sibo:
"Ar
eyour
eadyt
oli
stent
omenow?
"Hel
ooked
atme.
Zwe:"
Mxim.
"Theguar
ddr aggedBhekokwakhe
backi
nsi
det
hehouse,t
hrowinghim onthefl
oor
.
Bheko:"
Whatdoyouwantfrom me!!
"Ilookedat
Zwe,wait
ingf
orhi
mt oconti
nuebecausehet ol
d
metostopandsoI'
vestopped.
Zwe:
"Bhekokwakhe,
we'
ret
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyou.
"
Bheko:"Youroyal
sneverhel
panyonebut
yoursel
ves!
!"
Zwe:"Atwhichpointhaveyouneverbeenhel ped?
Youhaveagoodj ob,youdidn'
tlackanyt
hing, you
weresavedfrom dyi
ngahor r
ibl
edeathandl eaving
yourchi
ldr
enasor phans.
"
Bheko:"Thi
sisnotafairnat
ion!Thatf
amil
ydoes
not
hingbutdict
atewhatwedo, whatweeat
,wher
e
wewor k!Al
lofourl
ives!"
Zwe:
"Andwhyi
sthatbad?Bhekokwakhe,
the
thronedeci deswhatpr oducei sbroughti ntot he
nationbecause64year sagoashi pbr oughti n
producet hatwascont ami nated.I twassol dint he
mar ketsandt hatpoisonki lledabout2000peopl e,
creatingheal thcompl icationsi nmanyot hers.The
throneputi nplaceal awt hatnoot hernat i
onbr i
ngs
i
nf oodunl essitisthor oughl yinspect edand
thereforeappr oved.Ther easont heydeci dewher e
youwor k?Thi sisobvi ousBhekokwakhe.Peopl e
arepl acedi nindustri
esandcompani estheyar e
boundt oact ual
lybecomf ortableinandpr ogressive
i
n.Youhavenof ormalt er
tiaryeducat i
on, whenyou
appliedi ntheempl oymentof fice,youwer easked
yourski ll
s,youwr oteat estandyouwer epl aced
accor dingt oyourcapabi l
iti
es.I sthatwr ong? "
Bhekokwakhest aredathi m, theinformat ionsi nking
i
n.
Bheko:"
Butyouhaven'tbeenhonesti
nthe
i
nformati
onthatyou'
reshari
ngwiththepubl
ic.You
ar
en'tt
ell
ingusthetr
uth."
Zwe:"We'veshar
edwhatisimpor
tantforyout
o
know.Iti
sinyourbesti
nter
est
.Bhekokwakhe,
Iam
notaspatientasmybr other.I
'm notgoingt ol
ock
youinasaf ewar m basementandgi veyougour met
dinner
sandexot i
cbreakfast,l
unchmeal syou've
nevereat
enadayi nyourl i
fe.Iwillpunctureyour
l
ungsandt hr
owyoui nthemi ddleoftheocean.
Yourbodywi llneverresurf
acet hi
sear t
heveragai n.
Doyouunder standmeorwoul dyoupr eferI
demonstrate?"That'
st hebrotherIknow.
Bheko:"
You'renotgoi
ngt
o-"Zwest
oodup,
wal
king
tot
hekitchen.
Si
bo:
"Youcansti
llchangeyourmind.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Zwewalkedbackincarr
yingalar
gekit
chenknif
e.
Bheko:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Zwe:"Fortunatelyf
oryou,Iknowexactl
ywheret
o
punctureandal sofi
xitint
imeforyoutoli
vea
normallif
ebutt hatwil
lbedependentonyour
cooperati
on."Thisisnolongerathr
eat.
Sibo:"
Zwel
ethu-"HegrabbedBhekokwakhe,I
j
umpedhol di
nghisarm holdi
nghim back."
Signt
he
fucki
ngpapers.
"
Zwe:
"LetmegoSi
bonel
o."Bhekokwakhet
ookt
he
envel
ope,
pul
li
ngoutt
hepaper
s.
Sibo:"Readit
,memorizei
tandsign.
"Hi
shands
wereshakingashewentt hr
oughitt
hensi
gned
eachpageunt i
lthel
ast."
Thatwasn'
tsodi
ff
icul
t
now, wasit?
"
Zwe: "Andyoubett
erkeepthetermsofthat
agreement.Shoul
dyouevent rytoutt
eraword,
I
wil
lfindyouandkeepmypr omise.Doyou
remembert hatpr
omise?"
Bheko:"
Yes.
"
Zwe:
"Yeswhat
?Am Iyourdog?
"
Bheko:"
No,
myPr
ince.
"
Zwe:"Makeyourwaybackt
ot hebasementsot
hat
wecanorganiseyousometr
ansporthome."
Bhekokwakhegotupandwalkeddowntothe
basement.
Si
bo:"
Haven'
tseenyout
hismadi
nawhi
le.
"
Zwe:
"Ihat
ebei
ngmadeani
diot
."Hesatdown.
Si
bo:"How'
dyouknowallt
hatst
uff
?Aboutwhy
Si
khosanamoni
tor
sfoodandemployment
."
Zwe: "Amongmanyot hert hi
ngs.Pr oblem i
sthat
youdon' tr
eadyourhist
or ytounder standwhy
thingshappens.Your elytoomuchondi lut
ed
history.MediaonlyfocusesonSi khosana
cont r
olingthenati
onbutf ail
tor eportwhybecause
theydon' tknow.ReadSi bonelo.Foronce, getof
f
thecomput erandreadabook. "
Sibo:"
Hai
bo?Ungi
thet
hisel
animanje?Sikhosana
cancontr
olt
henar
rati
vearoundtheirr
eignbutthey
choosenott
o."
Zwe:"Whymustthey?Thei mport
antthingi
s,there
i
sneveratimethatfami
lydidn'
tlookaftert
he
ci
ti
zensofthi
snati
on.You'vestart
edwor ki
ngwi t
h
Nkosi
,youseehowhi sf
irstpr
iori
tyisthenati
onat
al
lti
mes."
Si
bo:"
Yeah,
Iseei
t.
"
Zwe:
"Wher
ear
etheboys?
"
Si
bo:"
Khaya'
sapar
tment
."
Zwe:
"Ar
etheyr
eadyf
orwor
ktomor
row?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.They'
vehadagoodbr
eak.Al
so,
King
SikhosanaandthePri
ncehavesummonedaroyal
councilmeet
ing.Somaybewe'l
lonl
ybemeet
ing
after
wards.
"
Zwe:"Okay.Letmehandlethi
sone,
got
oyour
mother,Iknowyou'
rei
tching.
"
Si
bo:"
It
chi
ngi
sal
it
tl
edr
amat
ic.Zwe,
hesi
gned.
"
Zwe:"Ineedtobesurehi
m andIar
eont hesame
page.Go."Igotupandwal
kedout,
dri
vingtomy
mother.

Iwal
kedi
nthehouse,t
hekinghadl
eft
.Myfat
her
wasgoi
ngtotr
ytodist
ractmesoIcl
imbedupthe
st
air
squi
ckl
yavoi
dinghim.
Si
bo:"
Mama.
"
Queen:"
Comein."Fi
nal
ly.Iwal
kedi
n.Shewasi
n
bed,onhert
abl
et.
Si
bo:"
Hel
lo.
"
Queen:"
Hel
lomybun.What
'swr
ong?
"
Si
bo:"
Iapol
ogi
zedt
oThembi
saandt
hePr
ince.I
coul
dn'
tgetahol
doft
hem unt
ilanhourago.
"
Queen:"
That
'sgood.Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
Sibo:"
Yes.Ihaven'
teat
ent
oday.
"Icl
imbedi
nbed
nexttoher.
Queen:"
Youcan'
teati
nmybedBoni
."
Si
bo:"WheremustIeatt
hen?I
'
vebeenwor
kingal
l
weekend,
I'
mtir
ed."
Queen:"Yourf
atherisgoingtocomplainifyou
br
ingfoodinhere.Here,haveagrape."Shetooka
gr
apef r
om herfrui
tbowlandgavei tt
ome.
Si
bo:"
Thankyoumama.
"
Queen:"
Whatar
eyouwor
kingonnow?
"
Si
bo:"
Someappf
orgr
ocer
ydel
iver
y."
Queen:"
Oht
hat
'sl
ovel
y.Tel
lmeabouti
t.
"
Sibo:"
Well,i
t'
sanappwher eyoucanor derdir
ectly
from t
hesuper mar
ket.Fornow, weonlyhaveFr esh
Foodsmar ket.We'
relaunchingitoff
ici
all
y
tomorrow.Mypar t
nerwi l
lbemaki ngherfi
rstorder
todaysowecanchecki fitneedsany
i
mpr
ovement
."
Queen:"
Hmm.Who'
syourpar
tner
?"
Si
bo:"
Agirlcal
ledZi
mmy.Shest
udi
esatt
he
Uni
ver
sit
y.Thiswasheri
dea.
"
Queen:"
Andyoul
ikeher
."
Si
bo:"
Kindof
.Yes.
"
Queen:"
Haveyouaskedherout
?"
Si
bo:"
Appar
ent
lyayearago.ThenIf
orgot
."
Queen:"
Howdoyouf
orget
?"
Sibo:"
Itwasphysi
calmama,
I'
m busymi
na,
Ican'
t
remembereveryt
hing.
"
Queen:"
Idi
dn'
trai
seawhor
eSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Eh,buti
t'
sokaythatMnqobiandKhayamake
metheci
tywhorefort
heday?"
Queen:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnow?
"
Sibo:"Theysai
dImustmakeafewdel
iver
iest
o
driveupthehypeanddemand.Gi
vet
hepeople
somet hi
ngtotal
kabout
."
Queen:"
Whymustyoudoi
t?Whynott
hem?
"
Si
bo:"
Angazi
."It
ookanot
hergr
ape.
Queen:"
Wenadoyouwantt
odoi
t?"
Si
bo:"
Ifi
t'
llhel
p,Iguess.
"
Queen:"
Keepyourguardswit
hyouSboni.Idon'
t
wantanythi
ngtohappentoyou.Sowhenareyou
pl
anningtotel
lthi
sgi
rlyourf
eel
ings?
"
Si
bo:"Feel
ingsmama?That
'sanexagger
ati
on.I
j
ustl
ikeher."
Queen:"
Sibonel
o,pl
easebeser
ious.
"
Sibo:"Iam.Hee,Zwei
sbuyi
ngt
icket
sforanonl
ine
cookingclass.
"
Queen:"Zwe?Hewantstol
ear
nhowt
ocook?Why
didn'
theaskmetoteachhi
m?Whydoeshewantt
o
cook?"
Sibo:"
Hewantstoi
mpresst
heladywhohost
st hem.
Shedoesthecooki
ngf
ormyclub,It
hinkhel
ikes
her.
"Shel
aughed.
Queen:"
Zwel
ethui
sasweet
hear
t.Whati
shi
spl
an
apar
tfr
om buyi
ngat
icket
?"
Si
bo:"Aticket
?KnowingZwehe'
l
lbuyal
lthet
icket
s
sothatshefocusesonhi
m."
Queen:"Thatwoul
dbeextremel
yrude.Thatlady
mustbewor ki
ngveryhar
donhercr aft
,tohavejust
onepersongatekeepi
tfr
om other
sf orhissel
fi
sh
reasonsisver
ymean.Hecan'tdothat.
"
Sibo:"Idon'tknowthenbecausehe'scurr
entl
yvery
boredsi ncethehospit
alcl
osed.He'sonl
ystart
ing
thebuildingofittomorr
ow.ThePrince'
scompany
willbedoi ngit
."
Queen:"
That
'samazi
ng.Di
dyouseehowbeaut
if
ul
t
hatnewResi s?
"
Si
bo:"Yeah,
Nkosi'sdesi
gnsaretrulyoutoft
his
worl
d.Youshouldseehisvil
la.Atruemasterpi
ece.
Pr
ett
ysur ei
fthatplacewasl
isted,i
twouldbeno
l
essthan30mi l
li
on."
Queen:"
Areyouser
ious?I
sn'
tavi
ll
ali
keamedi
um
house?"
Si
bo:"
Hisi
s8bedr
ooms.Twof
ami
lysui
tes,
two
presidenti
alsuitesandfourexecut
ivesui
tes.The
gar denishugewi thvari
etyuponvari
etyofplant
s,
treeswi t
hfruit
.It'
sincr
edibl
eshame.Alsohasa
spa, rest
aurant,l
oungeandavastwi necell
arwith
thef i
nestcoll
ection.
"
Queen:"Hai
boSi
bonelo.Howdoyouknowsomuch
aboutsomeone'
shouse?"
Si
bo:"Mthunzit
oldmewhenIwasther
e.Wewere
si
tt
ingatthebarhavi
ngadr
inkandheshowedme
ar
ound."
Queen:"Wow.Thispl
acesoundsimpr
essi
ve.So
Zwe'shospi
tali
singoodhands?"
Si
bo:"
Yesmama."It
ookawat
ermel
onsl
ice,
munchi
ngoni
t.
Queen:"
So,
whati
syourpl
an?I
'
m get
ti
ngol
d
Sboni
."
Si
bo:"Youdon'
tlookadayover40.Don'
twor
ry.
"I
ki
ssedhercheek.
Ki
ngBi
yel
a:"
Ha.
a,No.Si
bonel
o."Hewal
kedi
n.
Si
bo:"
Her
ecomest
hej
eal
ousbear
."
Ki
ng:
"Getoutofmybed!
!"
Si
bo:"
Mama.
"
Queen:"
Pleasel
ethim be,
myki
ng.Comesi
twi
thus.
Whatdidyourfr
iendsay?"
Ki
ng:"
Mylove.Let
'sj
ustbegl
ad,we'
renolonger
i
nvol
vedi
ncouncil
.That'
sal
lI'
m goi
ngtosay.
"
Queen:"Ihopenooneget shurt.Ihat
eallthi
s
fi
ghti
ng.Ijustwantt hi
ngstogetbacktonormal.
Whyar epeopl ef
ighti
ngoverapositi
onthati
sbeing
handl
edwel l.Yoh,thewayIhateunnecessary
drama.Look, now."
Si
bo:"Andit'
snotthef i
rstt
ime.Idon'
tthi
nkthey'
l
l
makeitoutthi
sti
me. "Myphoner ang."
It'
sthe
pr
ince,Ineedtot
aket his.
"..
..

SASAPOV_

Nkosiwashidi
nghi
sshockwel
lbutIknowhehad
quest
ions.
Me:"
Love.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm?
"Hebl
inked.
Me:"
Doyouhaveanyquest
ions?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hey'
l
lhel
p."
Me:"
Okay.Sowhatdowedo?
"
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
owi
llknow.
"
Me:"
Can'
thetel
lmewhattodo?Maybehegi
ves
methei
nstr
ucti
onsandI
'
lldoi
t?"
Nkosi
:"Iguess.
"
Me:"Okay.Pl
easecallhi
m."Iwrappedt
hefi
rst
bouqueti
nblackwrappingpaperandari
bbon.
Nkosi:"Sibonelo?Hello."Ifi
xedt hesecondbouquet
andwr appedi taswel l."
Howdoyour emovenaked
pict
uresf rom someone' sphone?Canyougi ve
i
nstructions?Noi t'
snotmypi ct
ures.Iwouldn't
..
.I
don'tknowwhyyout hinkI'ddot hat.Okay,butcan
youwr it
et heinstr
uctions?Fi nethen,pleasecome
over.Yes."Hehungup." He'scomi ng.Hesayshe
canonl ydoi tfr
om hissyst em. "
Me:"Thankyoul
ove."Hepul
ledmyarm,sit
ti
ngme
onhislapandki
ssedme.Iheldhi
sface,
slowly
sucki
ngonhisli
ps.
Nkosi
:"Yout
ast
eamazi
ng.
"
Me:"Whatareyoutast
ing?
"Ikissedhi
schi
n.He
l
ookedatthedoor,
Igotupf r
om hisl
ap.Myfat
her
wal
kedin.Thatwasclose.
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lo.I
'
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
oryou.
"
Me:"
HiTat
a."
Xol
ani:"Justmaki
ngsur
eyou'
ref
ine.Youhavea
del
iver
y."
Me:"Oh.Idi
dn'
torderanyt
hing.
"IlookedatNkosi
.
Hestoodup,walki
ngmeoutt orecepti
on."
HiRaven,
Ihaveadeli
ver
y? "
Raven:"
Oh,yes.GuardMongezibr
oughti
tin.
ShouldIcal
lhi
m? "Nkosit
ookthel
argeboxopeni
ng
i
t.I
twasacool er
.
Me:"
No.I
t'
sokay,
thankyouRaven.
"
Nkosi:"
It
'si
cecr
eam.
"It
ookt
heenvel
opest
uckon
t
helid.
Me:"HiSasa, t
hefl
ower saresobeaut i
ful
.Il ove
them.Saturdayiswaterunderthebridge.Iwant
youtosampl emynewf l
avourandofcour se,have
yourfavouri
teasat hankyoufortheflower sand
beingsosweet .Bl
essedday.Busi."Ismiledl i
kea
crazyperson.
Nkosi
:"That
'sni
ce.
"
Me:"Iti
s."Ilookedatt
hei cecream t
ub.I
twas
dif
fer
entfrom theori
ginalpackagi
ng."Aww,l
ookat
thename! "
Nkosi
:"AKi
ngsLove.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"Thi
swillbeourdessertaft
erdi
nner.Ican'
t
wai
t!Itl
ookssogood.Raven, pl
easeaskaguardto
t
akethesetothekit
chen."
Raven:"Yesma'am.MyPrince,youal
sohavea
del
ivery.
"Nkositookt
heboxfrom her
,car
eful
ly
openingitandt
ookoutatablet
.
Nkosi
:"Oh.Thi
sisnotmi
ne.I
t'
sforTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Idi
dn'
tbuyt
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Noi
t'
sfort
hesecur
it
ysyst
em ont
hef
arm.
Me:"Oh?It
'sdone?Let'
ssee!!
"Heswi
tchedi
ton,
showingTatawheretopress.
Nkosi
:"Thi
sist
hesystem.Whenyoupr
essonit
,
youseethedi
ff
erentbl
ocks,
whi
chiswher
eeach
camerais.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whati
fitr
ains?
"
Nkosi:"
They'
rewat
err
esistant,
ther
e'salsoacover
onthem."Hehandedt
het abl
et.Myfatherpr
essed
onthecameraonthegoatsside.
Xol
ani
:"Theyl
ookhealt
hy.Thi
sonei
spr
egnant
.
HowdidInotnot
ice?
"
Nkosi
:"Youcantypeamessagehereift
here'
s
somethi
ngyouwanttoaler
tortel
lthem.I
twil
l
showont hei
rsyst
em."
Xol
ani
:"Real
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Yessir
.Typeanythi
ng."Il
eftt
hem toget
her
,
f
iguri
ngitoutt
of i
nishmybouquets.Ineededal
l
f
ourofthem sentoutinanhour.

Si
bonel
oar
ri
vedi
nanhourwi
thabi
gbag.What
exactlywasinit?Iwasal r
eadybythef oyer
.My
fat
herandNkosihaddi sappearedt
ot hegarden
tal
kingaboutplantsandgoat sagain.Myboyfriend
hadt hisnewfascinat
ionwithgoatsandever y
chancehegot ,heaskedquest i
ons.Nowt hatthere'
s
camer as,he'
sgoingtoneedmor ei
nformati
onsoI
l
ethi m be.
Me:"
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"Uhm.What
'sinthebagi
fyoudon'
tmi
ndme
aski
ng."Hesmi
led.
Si
bo:"
It
'smycomput
ers.
"
Me:"Ri
ght
.Soit
'ski
ndofapr i
vat
ethi
ng,
Iwas
hopi
ngyou'
drat
herinst
ructmeonwhattodo.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llneedi
nfor
mat
ion.
"
Me:"Yeah,t
hat'sal
lI'
m wil
li
ngt ogi
ve.
"Hesmil
ed,
t
ryi
ngnottogi ggl
e.Crap,
het houghtt
hepi
ctur
es
wer
emi ne."They'
renotmine."
Si
bo:"
Rii
ight
.Showmewher
etosetup.
"
Me:"
They'
recl
eani
ngt
hel
oungear
ea,
that
'swher
e
youwil
lsetup.Fornow,
canIgetyousomet
hingt
o
dri
nk?
"Hest ar
edatmestil
lsmi
li
ng.
Si
bo:"
Sur
e,Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndawhi
skey.
"
Me:"Ithoughtyoudon'
tdr
ivewhenyou'
vehada
dr
ink."
Si
bo:"
Your
emember
."
Me:"
Ofcour
seIdo,
youwer
eanasshol
e."
Sibo:"Again,I
'm sorr
y.Ibr
oughtaguard,he'l
ldri
ve
mehome. "Inoddedandwal kedtotherest
aurant
area.Mymot herhasbeenverybusytoday.Shewas
wearingsomet hi
ngI'
veonlyseenherwearingtoa
churchconf erence.
Me:"
Mama.
"Shet
urnedt
ome.
Mama:"
Hellomysweetangelchi
ld.
"Shehas
NEVERcal
ledmethat
.
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Mama:" I
'vedeci
dedtooffert
heki
tchenstaf
fyour
favour
it
eSundayr eci
pe.TheoneIalwaysmakefor
yourbir
thday.
"
Me:"
It
'snotmybi
rt
hdaymama.
"
Mama:"Yes,Iknowt
hat.Iwasjustsayi
ngmaybe
weshouldhavesomethi
ngniceforonce.
"
Me:"Mama, t
hesechef
sst
udi
edfoodoverseas.
They'
rerat
edwiththet
opi
ntheworl
d.Theyalways
cooknicef
ood."
Mama:"Thembi sa,fancyfoodisgoodbut
somet
hingt hatremindsusofhomei sevenbett
er.
HowdoIl ook?"Istaredatherpeachandpinkdress
wit
hpuffymeshshoul der
s.
Me:"
OhmyGod.
"
Mama:"
Exact
ly.
"
Me:"
You'
redr
essi
ngupf
ort
heki
ng.
"Ihi
ssed.
Mama:" Hai
boThembisa.I
'm notdressi
ngup,I
'
m
onl
ylookingpr
esent
able.I
twoul dberudenott
o."I
di
dn'tknowhowtodealwiththisyet.
Me:"
Mama.WhatdoesuTat
asayaboutt
his?
"
Mama:"Herefusest
owearhi
ssui
t,Thembi
sa
pl
easeconvi
ncehim."
Me:"Ineedtoprocessthi
s."Iwenttot hebart
aki
ng
thebottl
eofwhiskeyandagl assplaci
ngitonatray.
Itookittot
helounge.Theyhadf ini
shedand
Sibonelowassit
ti
ngdown, setti
nghiscomputers
up.
Si
bo:"
Wher
eisHi
sHi
ghness?
"
Me:"Somewher
ear
oundwithhisfatheri
nlaw.I
don'
tknowhowtomeasur
ethisthing.Howmuchof
i
tdoIpour?"
Si
bo:"
Noit
'sokay,
youdon'
thavet
odot
hat
Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
You'
reher
etohel
pme,
it'
sthel
eastIcando.
"
Sibo:"
You'
reaf
uturequeen,it'
senoughthatyou
fetchmesomet
hingtodrink,Ican'
tal
lowyout o
serveme.I
t'
sdi
srespect
ful.
"
Me:"Oh.
"Ikeepforget
ti
ngthi
squeenpar
t."
Takesa
bi
tofadj
usti
ng.I'
m notusedtobei
ngaqueen.
"Isat
down.Hesmiled.
Sibo:"
It
'ssweet
.I'
m sure,
yourqueenmot
her
swi
ll
teachyouthewholethi
ng."
Me:"
Ohokay.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m notgoingtol
ookatyournakedpi
ctur
es
Thembi
sa.Don'tbener
vous.
"
Me:"
Okay.Thankyou.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llneedaf
ewthi
ngsthough.Thenumberi
t
wassenttoandt
hedevi
ceusedtosend."
Me:"Okay.I
'l
lgetitnow. "Iwenttothebedr oom
whereNelewassl eeping.Shewasn' treal
lysleepi
ng,
j
ustsil
entl
ycrying."Hibuttercup.Ihaveaf r
iend
her
e,who'sgoingtohel p.Ijustneedaf ewt hi
ngs.
"
Nel
e:"
Theycanhel
p?"
Me:"Yes.IneedMf
undi
so'
snumberandyour
phone.
"Shehandedmethephone.
Nel
e:"
It
'ssavedwi
thhi
sname.
"
Me:"Okay.Don' tbenervous.Pleasegot omama,
she'
sdoi ngsomet hi
ngthat
'sboundt ogivemea
headache.Shecandi str
actyouabi t
."Shenodded.I
wentbackt othel ounge.Nkosiwasher ewithmy
fat
her.Ihidthephonei nmypocket .Ther oom was
suddenlyquiet.Whywer et
heysitti
nghere?Ohdear
God,
didNkosit
ellourf
ather
??Ist
aredathi
m.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
What
'shappeni
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Nothi
ng.Haveyougot
tensomewher
ewi
th
t
hepictur
es?"
Me:"
Uhm.Sibonel
oist eachingmetheropes.I
t
houghtyouguyswerehavi ngfuni
nthegarden.
Whydidyoucomeinside?"
Nkosi
:"It
houghtyouneededcompany.
"
Me:"
No,
notatal
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
ocheckonyourmot
her
,Sasa.
"
Me:"Pl
easeTat
a,she'
sdoi
ngsomet
hingandIdon'
t
knowwhattodoanymore.
"
Xol
ani
:"I
'
llsor
titout
."Hewal
kedout
.
Me:"
Babe!Di
dyout
ellhi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Ofcour
senot
.Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?"
Me:"
Oht
hankgoodness.
"Il
ookedf
orMf
undi
so'
s
numberandgaveSi bonel othephone.He
connect
edacabletoi tschar gi
ngportandstart
ed
cl
icki
ngonhiscomput er.Istar
edatthescreennot
evenknowingwhatI'ml ookingat.I
twasj ust
numbersandsymbol st henamapappear ed.He
zoomedinthenitdi
sappear ed,hewasnowl ooki
ng
atali
stofnumberswhi chkeptdecreasi
nganda
nameappeared,heclickedt hename.Al i
stof
i
nformati
onappeared.Hel ookedatme.
Si
bo:"
He'
s16.
"
Me:"Iknowthat
.It
oldyoui
twasn'
tme.
"Hel
ooked
backatthecomput
er.
Sibo:"
Whot heni
ssendi
ngnakedpi
ctur
est
oa16
yearoldboy?"
Me:"
A14yearol
dgi
rl
."
Sibo:"Ohhel l
."Heshookhi
shead."He'
sachief
's
son? "Inodded."Thi
sismessy.Howbigisyour
vi
llage?"Istaredathi
m,shocked.
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Si
bo:"
A16yearol
dboywhor
ecei
vesnudesi
s
obviousl
ygoingtosenditt
ohi
sfr
iendsandthose
fr
iendstotheir
s.Ineedt
oknowhowbigthe
problem i
s."
Me:"
Uhm.Wehaveapopul
ati
onofabout120t
he
l
astt
imeIchecked.
"
Si
bo:"
Sowe'
rel
ooki
ngatabout200t
o300peopl
e."
Me:"
Howdi
dwegett
o300?
"
Sibo:"Theinter
netisaf astthingandver y
accessible.Somepeopl ehaver elati
vesinot her
vil
lagesandci t
ies.Onceitget stothosepl aces,
anyonecanaccessi tbecausei tthenstopsbei ng
the'soandsosentmet his'
itbecomes' heycheck
thi
sout '
."Thiswasbad.Thi swashor ri
ble.Zanele
wassuchayounggi rl
,shedi dn'
tneedt his.
Nkosi
:"Howdowef
ixi
tSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
Ineedt
oaccesshi
sphone.
"
Me:"
Canyoudoi
t?"
Sibo:"Ofcour
se.Givemeafewmi nutes.I'
m going
touseherphonet osendhi
m ali
nk.Clickbaitt
hat
willdi
str
acthi
mf orafewminut
esi fhe'
sst upi
d.I'
l
l
needthosefewmi nut
esforthevir
usuploadonhis
phoneandI '
l
lhaveful
lcontr
olofallofhi
sdataand
ever
ythinghe'
seversent.
"Istar
edathim.Hecan
dothat?"CanIgoahead?"Inodded.
Me:"
Yes.
"Iswal
lowed.
..
[
07/
27,
06:
04] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er77

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Iwokeupear l
yMondaymor ning.I'dhadagood
restt
hisweekend.Thi sweekwasgoi ngtobea
busyone.Zi mmy' sappwoul dlaunchatmi dday.We
hadusedi tyesterdayandi twor kedperfectl
y.It
ook
myshowerandgotdr essed.Notyetusedt osui
ts
butIdidn'
thaveachoi ce.Iwor eagr eyfit
tedsuit
withawhiteshirtandbr ownshoes.Iwent
downstair
sf orbreakfast.SiboneloandZwewer e
thefi
rstonesatt hetableasusual .IknowZwe
wakesupsuperear l
y.Mnqobihat edmor nings.He
camedownst air
s,dr
essedandnoti nthemood.
Petuhadof ficial
lyblockedhiml astnight
.Shehad
postedabouquetofr edroseswi t
hani nl
oveemoj i
.
Helosthi smi nd.Thenwhenwegothome, found
outNot handoal soreceivedsomef l
owers,nowhe
wasconf usedandannoyedbecausenotoneof
them wer etell
inghim anything.Nothandosatdown
forbreakfast.
Not
hando:"Goodmorni
ng.
"Wegr
eet
edherback.
Mnqobist
aredather
.
Mnqobi :"Not
handocanIspeaktoyou?"She
i
gnor edhim.Idishedupmybreakf
ast."
Why?I '
ve
apologized,I
'
vebegged.Iknowthi
sisn'
taboutmy
rel
ationshipwit
hPetu.Whyareyouangryatme? "
Si
bo:"
Awkahl
eMnqobi
.We'
rehavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
."
Mnqobi
:"Sheref
usest
obeinaroom wi
thmeBhut
Sbo,
whereelsecanIt
alkt
oher
?"
Sibo:"
Idon'
tcarebutitwon'
tbeherewhi
leI'
m
tr
yingtoenj
oyfood."Mnqobigotupandstor
med
outthehouse."
Zwe, UyambonauMnqobiukut
hi
uyang'
del
ela?
"
Zwe:"I
'
llspeaktohim.
"Idrankmycof f
eequiet
ly
andatemyf ood.Weweren'tall
owedt ouseour
phoneswhileeati
ngsoIcouldn'tevenenter
tai
n
myself
."Howdi di
tgoyest
er dayupt hemountai
n?"
Sibo:"
Great.Tur
nsoutthedamagewasn'tt
oobad.I
managedt owipethephone.Hehadn'
tsent
anythi
ngyet."
Zwe:
"Hedi
dn'
tcopyt
ohi
scomput
er?
"
Si
bo:"
Igoti
ntoi
ttoo.
"Hesmi
ledhappi
ly.
Zwe:"That
'sgood.Onelessthingtost
ressabout.
I
'm goingt
obeatt hehospi
talformostoftheday.
You'l
lbemeetingNkosiathisoffi
cewit
hKhaya.
Mnqobiwillbewit
hZimt olaunchtheapp.
"
Si
bo:"
Coolwi
thme.
"
Zwe:
"Not
hando,
whatar
eyourpl
ansf
ort
heday?
"
Not
ha:"
I'
llbeat
tendi
ngschool
."
Zwe:
"Oh,
vir
tual
ly?
"
Not
ha:"
Idon'
thaveachoi
ce.
"
Zwe:
"It
'sf
oryoursaf
ety.
"
Not
ha:"
Iunder
standBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:"Updat
emeonhowthedaygoes,
Sboni.Enjoy
yourday.
"Hehel
dmyshoul
derandwalkedout.
Sibo:"
Eatupyoungprince.I
t'
sal
ongdaytoday.I
'm
waiti
ngonyou."If
ini
shedupmyf oodandweleft
thehouse.

Wear
ri
vedatt
henewr
esi
dence.
Khaya:"
Whydoest
hePr
incenothaveanof
fi
ce?
"
Sibo:"
Ithi
nkit'
sbecauset hemeet i
ngsheusual l
y
haswithotherroyal
sareatr oyalcourt.Heworks
fr
om anywhere.This,It
hinkishislatestproj
ect
."
Khaya:"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul.
"
Sibo:"Makesyouwantt omovei n,huh?"Ichuckl
ed
getti
ngoutt hecar.Wewalkedintothebuil
ding
goingstraighttohi
soff
icewhereIdi dmyf i
rst
presentati
onf orhi
m."
Mt hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
o."Hel
ookedatme,
allt
hewayt
o
myf
eet
.Imean,
Itr
ied.IknowIl
ookpr
ofessi
onal
.
Khaya:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Mthunzi
:"Morni
ng.
"Iwaspr
esentabl
eatl
east
.
"
Wouldyouliketobor
rowati
e?"
Khaya:"
Uhm.
.Isuppose.
"Ihat
eti
es.
Mthunzi:"Iwasjoki
ngbuttheki
ngisinsi
de,
he'
s
easi
lyoffendedbyunfi
nishedoutf
it
s.Goodl
uck.
"
Hesmi l
ed.IlookedatSi
bonelo.
Si
bo:"He'steasingyou."Wewalkedint
otheoffice.
Tr
ulytheKingwasher e.Fort
hefir
stti
me,there
werenoguar dsaroundhi m.Maybebecausethey
werealloutinthepassage.IbowedwithSibonelo.
Si
bo:"
Goodmor
ningmyKi
ng.Thi
sisKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Goodmor
ningmyKi
ng.
"Asexpect
ed,
si
lence.
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o,doyouhaveanyi
nfor
mat
ionsi
nce
l
astni
ght?"
Si
bo:"
Wel l
,ther
oyal
sarepanicked.Si
ncePri
ncess
Samudisappear
edfrom herpal
aceyester
day.
"
Ki
ng:"Pani
cked?That
'snotgoodenough,
Iwant
t
hem dead.
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
,wespokeaboutt
his.
"
Ki
ng:"
Yes,I'
vehadachangeofhear
t.Thanksf
or
t
hereminder
."
Nkosi
:"No.You'
renotki
ll
ingot
herr
oyal
s."
Ki
ng:
"I'
m def
endi
ngmysel
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Onl
ywhent
her
e'saneedt
o."
Si
bo:"
Haveyoucal
l
edt
hemeet
ingyet
,Your
Hi
ghness?
"
Nkosi:"
Aboutto."Hepr essedonhi sphonebutI
knewhewasn' ttexti
ngot herroyals.Outofcuri
osi
ty
Il
ookedupatt heKi ng.Hest aredrightbackatme.
Whywashel ookingatme?Myhear thammeredin
mychest .I
shegoi ngtoki l
lme?Theki ngbefor
e
him di
dthattocommoner swhol ookedathim.My
wholebodywasshaki ng.Sibonelolookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"Andt
hen?
"
Sibo:"
Pleaseexcuseus,
myKi ng.
"Hehel
dmyar
m
outtheoffi
ce."
What'swrongbug?"
Khaya:"
Ilookedathi
m.Hewasst
ari
ngatme.
"
Mthunzichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Hedoest
hat
,don'
twor
ry.
"
Khaya:"
Whati
fheki
ll
sme?
"
Sibo:"Thatwon'
thappen.Iwon'
tal
lowt
hatt
o
happen.Canyoust opl
aughing?
"Hesai
dto
Mt hunzi
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Iwar
nedhi
m."
Sibo:"Bug, justst
andnextt ome.Not hi
ngisgoi ng
tohappent oyou.Ipr omise.
"Inodded.Wewal ked
backi n."Myapol ogies,YourHi
ghnessand
Maj esty."Hesatdownt osetuphiscomput er.I
glancedatMehl uli
.Whywashest ari
ngatme?Ij ust
knewt heKi ngwasst ar
ingatmet oo.Isatnextto
Sibonel o,helpi
nghim wi t
hconnecti
ng.
Ki
ng:
"Whoi
sthi
s?"
Nkosi
:"I
tsKhaya.
"
Ki
ng:"
From wher
e?Hej
ustwalt
zedi
nasifIwas
wai
ti
ngonhim.WhoisKhayaandwhyi
shehere?"
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o'syoungerbr
other
.He'
sSol
inga'
s
son.
"
Ki
ng:
"Sol
inga?
"
Nkosi
:"Myl
awyer
."
King:"
Howt hendid..
.Thandekawouldnever
.No."
Hef ol
dedhi
sar ms.Idon'tknowifIshoul
dexpl
ain
butIcan'
taddressaki ngunti
lheasksmea
questi
on."
DoesBi yel
aknowabouthi m?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Hel
iveswi
tht
hem.
"
Ki
ng:
"Andhei
sfi
newi
tht
his?He'
sver
yni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Ki
ng:
"Thandekahasababywi
thyourl
awyer
."
Nkosi :"
That'
snot .
."hesi
ghed."Khayahashi
sown
mot herandf ather
.Hismotherpassedaway.He
onlyhasSol ingaasaparent.Hegrewupi nt
he
Biyelapalace."
Ki
ng:"
Oh.
"ThankGodt hatwasclearedup."
Sot
hen
hei
sn'
tSi
bonel
o'syoungerbrot
her."
Nkosi
:"Yeshei
s.Fami
lyi
sn'
tonl
ybl
ood.
"Hel
ooked
athi
sfather
.
Ki
ng:
"Ifyousayso.
"Hesi
ghed.
Si
bo:"
Ihaveact
ivi
tyf
rom Nakhamul
aand
Bat
honga.
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
ayi
t.
"Ther
ecor
dingst
art
ed.
Bat
honga:"Doyouseewhatyou' vedone
Nakhamula??You'vedr
aggedallofusinyour
mess!!Mydaughterismissi
ng!
!"
Nakhamul
a:"
Itol
dyounott
owor
ryaboutanyt
hing-
"
Bathonga:"
We' vebeensummonedtoacounci
l
meetinginanhour !
!!
!"Hescr
eamed."
Ifmychi
ldi
s
dead,I'
m ki
ll
ingoneofyours!
!"
Nakhamul
a:"
There'
snoneedf
orthreat
sBathonga.
It
oldyouNondudumosai
dyourdaughteri
sfi
ne."
Bat
honga:"
Doyout
rustt
hisgi
rl
?"
Nakhamul a:"Yes!She'str
easur
eblood.Shehasthe
str
ongestbloodt hatexist
s.Don'
twor r
yabout
anythi
ng."Nkosist oodupabruptl
yandstaredathi
s
fat
her.Wel ookedatt hem.Somethingwas
happening.Theyl ookedalar
med.
Bat
honga:"
Youbet
terbesur
eofyourst
ory
Nakhamula.Iwi
llnothesi
tat
etoshowyouwhoIam.
Notevenyourwitchgir
lwil
lsaveyou.
"Itbeeped,
si
gnali
ngacutli
ne.
King:"
Whatthefuckwasthat
."Hehissed.Ihear
d
sparksli
keali
vewirewascut
, andel
ectri
cit
ywas
sparki
ng.Si
boheldmyhand.
Sibo:"Putt
heheadsetonandmakenot esforme,
bug."Ididashesai
dbecauseIobviouslydidn'
t
wanttof i
ndoutwhatthehel
lthi
sis.I
fIlooked,i
fI
heard,Idon'
tknowwhatI'
ddo.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Aft
ertherecor
ding,
Ifel
tmybodyheat
ing
ri
dicul
ousl
y.
Nkosi
:"Si
bonel
o,pl
easegi
veust
her
oom.
"Heand
Khayawalkedout
.
King:"
Treasur
ebloodsoundsveryfami
li
arMehlul
i.
Yousaidtomet hatgir
lyouwanttomarr
yisthe
onlyoneofherkind.Ther
eisanot
heroneoutther
e
andshei
sawi
tch!
!!
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotpossi
ble.
"
Ki
ng:"
Howi si
tnot!
!Youhear
dwhatt
heysaid!
Whathaveyoubr
oughtint
omyhouseMehluli
!!
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
snotawi
tchFat
her
.Thi
s,Iknow.
YOUknow. "
King:
"Idon'
tknowadamnt hi
ngotherthan
someonewi t
ht hesamebl oodasher s,i
sawi tch
andthey'
rehere.Aftershesaidshe'sthelastone.
SheLIED!!
"Iwasj ustasconf usedbutIknow
Thembisawasn' tawitch.Iknowherf at
herdidn'
tli
e.
Hewast heonlyonet osur vi
vethatf
ire.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
oseehe-
"
Ki
ng:"Mehlul
i,don'
tfucki
ngpissmeoff!!DoNOT!
!
Wehaveapr oblem hereandyou'
renotgoingt
obe
apuppyrunningbackt oi
tsmum."
Nkosi:"
IM TRYI
NGTOGETTOTHEBOTTOM OF
THIS!!
!Ican'
tdothatstandi
ngherewi
thyou!
!It'
s
ei
theryoucomewi thmeandbehaveoryoustay
here!
"Iwalkedouttheoffi
ce.Myguar
dsfel
lin
placear
oundme.Wegotinthecar
sanddr
oveoff
tothemountai
n.Mt
hunziwasbesi
demeasusual
.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Nkosi
:"Somet
hingi
swr
ong.Ij
ustdon'
tunder
stand
how."
Mt
hunzi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Nkosi:"You'llf
indoutsoon.Ineedyout ocont
rol
thi
ssi t
uation.Myfatherisseethingandhe'
s
gunningf orThembisa.Ineedt ospeaktoherf
ather
andt oThembi sawithoutmyf atherexpl
odi
ng
l
ightening."
Mthunzi
:"Okay.
"Wedr oveupthemountainand
par
ked.Irushedint
othevil
la.Thembi
sa'sfat
her
wasinthegardenlooki
ngatthetabl
et.
Nkosi:"
Sir
,canIurgent
lyspeakt
oyoupl ease?"He
stoodupfoll
owingme.Iwenttomysuite,opening
forhi
mt ogoin."I
sThembisainyourr
oom? "
Xol
ani
:"Yes,
what
'swr
ong?
"
Nkosi
:"Ineedherher
e."Iwentt
ot hef
amilysui
te
andknocked.Thembi
saopenedt hedoor
.
Sasa:"Hibaby.
"Shesmi
led.Ipul
ledherhandout
theroom.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
ospeakt
oyoumyl
ove.
"
Sasa:"
Okay."Iwal
kedhert
omysui
teandcl
osed
thedoor
,locki
ngit
.
Sasa:"
What
'shappeni
ng?
"Shel
ookedatherf
ather
.
Nkosi
:"MrNtaka.I'
m sor
ryIhavet
obringthi
sup.
Yousaid,
youwer etheonl
yonethatescapedthe
Mcebovil
lage.
"
Xol
ani
:"Iwas.
"
Nkosi:"
Itseems,
ther
e'sanot
hert
reasur
ebl
oodt
hat
exi
sts."
Xolani
:"Whatdoyoumean? "Myfat
herbangedon
mydoor .Nor
malbangingwouldn'
tmoveitbut
mixedwi t
hli
ght
ening?Thatdoorwi
llbr
eakdownin
minutes.
Nkosi:"Ihadameet i
ngwithmycouncil
.Weheard
theotherroyal
sspeakingofagir
l.Who'
st r
easur
e
blood.Theydon'tknowaboutThembisaandthe
namet heyment i
onedwasn'ther
s.Ther
e'ssomeone
outt
her
e,whohasyourbl
ood,
andt
hey'
reawi
tch.A
ver
ypowerf
ulwi
tch.
"
Sasa:"
That
'snotpossibl
e."Thebangi
ngcr
acked
thedoor
.Xolanist
aredatthedoor.
Xol
ani
:"Whyi
sheangr
y?"
Nkosi
:"He'
sconcerned.Pl
easemovetothisside.
"
Theyst
oodbehindbyt hel
oungeawayfrom the
door
.Thedoorbrokedown.Istoodi
nfrontofhim.
Nkosi
:"St
opi
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"Wher
eisshe.
"
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'tmakemedot hisFather
,I'
m
beggi
ngyou."Ihat
edthatIhadtoturnri
ghtinfr
ont
ofThembisaandherfat
herbutIhadtopr ot
ect
them.
King:"
WHERE.IS.SHE."Igr
owledi
nwarning.
Amahlewalkedi
n.Shestoodnexttome.Myf at
her
ball
edhisf
ist
sswitchi
ngoffhi
shisli
ght
ening.
Ama:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Ki
ng:
"Askyourbr
other
."
Mama:"
Whatisgoingon?
"Shewal
kedi
n.Ist
ared
atmyf
atherandheatme.
Ama:"
Nkosi
,whathappened?
"
Nkosi
:"Tel
lyourfat
heri
fhedar
esl
if
taf
inger
,I'
m
r
ippi
nghim apart
-"
Sasa:"
HayiNkosi
!"Shecameupt
ousbutIpul
led
herbehi
ndme.
Ama:"
Ever
yoneneedst
ocalm downandsit
.
What
evert
hisi
s,wecansol
veit.Whati
sthe
pr
obl
em Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
sn'
ttheonl
ytr
easur
ebl
ood
al
ive.
"
Ama:"
Yes,
herf
atheri
sal
so.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
butt
her
e'sanot
hergi
rl
.Apar
tfr
om
t
hem."
Ama:"
Descr
ibeher
."
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tknow,wedon'
tknowwhatshel
ooks
l
ike.Tat
aisadamanthewastheonl
yonewho
escapedthevi
ll
age.
"
Ama:"Yes,that'
str
ue.Hewastheonl
yonewho
escaped.Explai
nexact
lyhowyoucameaboutt
his
gir
l.
"
Nkosi:"TheOtherRoyalsknowher,appar
ent
lyshe'
s
apower fulwit
ch.Questi
onis,
how?Howdoesshe
havetreasurebloodift
heenti
revil
lagewaswiped
out?Andhowdi dtheyfi
ndher?"
Sasa:"She'
sthewitchtheywantt
ousetodethrone
you?"Evenhervoicewaspure.Howcanmyf at
her
thi
nkshe'sawitch.Ihel
dherbehindme.She'
snot
goinganywherenearhim.
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Sasa:"
Nkosi
."Iknowshewast
ryi
ngt
ofacehi
m.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Sasa:"
Sthandwasam,yourfat
herisnotgoingt
o
hurtme.TheKingknowsIcannotharm hi
m.Letme
thr
ough."
Nkosi
:"No.
"Shewasnotgoi
ngt
owi
nthi
sone.I
'
m
notl
ett
ingi
thappen.
Sasa:"
MyKi
ng,
wehavenoi
deawhot
hisper
soni
s.
Doest
hef
ami
lyheal
erhaveanyi
dea?
"
Ki
ng:
"Whatdoesourheal
erhaveanyt
hingt
odo
wi
tht
his!
?"
Sasa:"WhenIwasst i
lldreamingoft hepast
.King
Bhekizi
zwebroughtMel aphi
,ahealer .Hei
stheone
whot ol
dhim ofmyblood.Per haps,yourcurr
ent
healercanf
igureoutwhot hi
swi tchis.Orwhere
theycomefrom."
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,doyouknowanyt
hing?
"
Ama:"No.I'
veseenaf aceinmydreamsbutt hat'
sit
.
She'
shiddenherself
.Theonlywayt hatcanhappen
i
sifshe'
susingpower fulmut
hical
ledSithaba.I
t
hi
desyourtrueface.
"
Sasa:"
Howcanwef
igur
eitout
?"
Ama:"
Youneedt
ofi
ndher
."
Nkosi
:"What
!!
"
Xolani
:"NOThappening.Thembi
saYou'r
enotgoing
nearawi t
ch!
!NowI'vesatbackenoughandlett
his
royalt
hinghappenbutIdrawtheli
neatwit
ches.
Absolutel
ynot!
!"
Ama:"
It
'st
heonl
ywayTat
a."
Nkosi
:"That
'sdanger
ousAmahl
e."
Ama:"Yes.I
tis.ButnotforThembi
sa.Shehasher
bl
ood.Shecan'thurther
."..
.

SASAPOV_

Everyonewaspanickedandirri
table.Iwasscared.
Howdi dt hi
swit
chescapethefire?Howdi dthey
survi
ve?Wher eweretheyal
lthi
st i
me?Nkosi '
s
phoner ang.
Nkosi
:"YesSibonel
o?"Heli
stenedandl
ookedatme.
"
Notyet.Imighthavetopost
pone."
Me:"
Youcan'
tpost
pone.
"
Nkosi:"
LetmecallyoubackSibonel
o."Hehungup.
"Weneedt of
igureoutwhothi
swi t
chis.Tr
easur
e
blooddoesn'
texi
stapartf
rom youandTata.Whati
f
thiswit
chisi
mitati
ng?"
Me:"
Imi
tat
ingwhat
?Bei
ngt
reasur
ebl
ood?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.CanyourememberwhatMel
aphisai
d
whenyouwer edreaming?
"
Me:"Melaphihadli
ed,l
ove.Hesai
dIhadblood
st
rongerthantheKing'
sandIcankil
lhi
m.Whi chi
s
nottr
ue."It
houghtaboutthet
imewewentt o
Bakhoyovil
lagethemanunderthetr
ee.Il
ookedat
Amahle.
Ki
ng:
"What
?"
Me:" Herbloodiswor ththatofahundr edkings.She
canconnectt oancest orsbeyondherown.Nat ions
willgotowarf orherbl ood.Witcheswillst
opat
nothingtotakeitfrom her .
"Iremember ed."
Whati f
thi
swi tchknowst here'sat r
easureblood
somewher e?She'llneedaKi ng'
sbloodt oatt
ractit
thenbr i
ngthetreasurebl oodclosetoherandt hen
usei tagai
nstthethrone. "
Ki
ng: "
Thisissimpl
e.Drawthewit
chher
esoIcan
ki
lli
t.That
'sit
.Ther
e'snoreasont
odaddl
ear
ound."
Ama:"Fat
her,howdowebr
ingt
hewi
tch?
"He
smi
led,st
ari
ngatme.
Ki
ng:
"Br
ingi
twhati
twant
s.Her
."Hemovedcl
oser
t
ome."
Getdr
essed,
you'
regoi
ngt
oRoyalcounci
l.
".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
05] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er78

PETU'
SPOV_

Mondaymor ningIwokeupear l
ytohelpSizawit
h
thekids.Theirnannywouldarri
veat8totakecare
ofthem soIcanat tendmyonlinel
ectur
esi nmy
room.Af tert
hekidswereready.Imadesome
breakfastwhileSi
zabathed.Herhusbandwalkedin
thefrontdoor.Helookedatme.
Pet
u:"
GoodMor
ning.
"
Jackson:"Hi.
"Hewalkedtohisroom.WhenI '
d
fi
nishedmybr eakf
ast,Iwentt
otakeashowerand
dressupinjustasimplegreytr
acksuit
.Awhitet-
shirtandsocks.It
idi
edupmyr oom, l
eavi
ngforthe
ki
tchen.Sizawasfeedingthebaby,t
hekidssi
tti
ng
i
nt heirseatseat i
ng.Nomat terwhatwasgoi ngon,
mysi sterwasanamazi ngmot her.Howshe
managedt oraisewel lmannered,sweetbabies
whensheher sel
flosthermot heratayoungagei s
j
ustinspi r
ing.Ast oddlersar
e, t
here'sal
wayschaos
butsheneverl osthertemperwi ththem.Always
gentleandki nd.
Siza:"Done.That
'sgoodbaby.Nowyoucanwat ch
yourBumbl ebeefri
ends.SayGoodmor ningaunty.
"
Ichuckledtaki
ngthebabyf r
om her."
Idon'tknow
wher ethei
rnannyis.She'
susuall
yherebyt hi
s
ti
me. "
Pet
u:"
It
snoteven8.Don'
twor
ry.
"
Siza:"
Yes,
it'
sal
most8Ineedt
ogetgoi
ngandyou
needtoatt
endschool
."
Petu:"
Thekidsar
equi
etSi
za.I
t'
sjustonemor
ning,
I
'l
lbefine.
"
Si
za:"
Sti
llPet
-"
Pet
u:"
Pleasego.You'
l
lbebackbyear
lyaf
ter
noon.
"
Si
za:"
Okay.
"Shewentt
ofet
chherbag.Igavet
he
babyherbot t
le,whilerockingheri nmyar ms.She
wassleepyal r
eady." Alri
ght,I
'm out.Jacksonisin
hi
soffi
ce, working.Mi a,Mil
es,pleasebequi etmy
l
it
tl
eangel s.Daddyi swor kingokay? "Theynodded.
Someoneknockedont hedoor."Thatmustbeher .
ThankGod. "Sher ushedt othedoor ."Uhm,hell
o?"A
man'svoicespokeont heotherside.
Man:"
IsPet
uni
ahome?Shehasavi
sit
or.
"
Si
za:"Whatvi
sit
or?
"Iwal
kedtothedoor
.Thi
swasa
Bi
yelaguar
d.Whatwasgoingon?
Man:"
Thepri
ncewoul
dli
ket
ospeakt
oher
."Si
za
l
ookedatme.
Siza:"
Yourmanishere.
"Yoh,Idon'
thavet
imetobe
deali
ngwithMnqobiwhenIhaveenoughstr
ess
withmyfatherwhocan'
tbefound.
Pet
u:"
He'
snotmyman.Pl
easet
ellhi
mtol
eave.
"
Si
za:"
Don'
tyouwantt
oatl
eastt
alkt
ohi
m?"
Petu:"
No.
"Shesighed,walki
ngout.Icl
osedthe
doorandwatchedfrom t
hewindow.Mnqobiwas
l
eaningonthecar,
wi t
hhishandsinhispocket
s.
Dressedinaf ullsui
t.Didhehavet olooksodamn
sexy?Sizaspoket ohimf orawhile.Icouldn'
thear
whatwasbei ngsai dbuthopeful
lyhel eavessoon.I
tookthesleepi ngbabyt ohercotthatwasi nthe
l
oungeandl aidherdown.Theki dshadt hei
r
colouri
ngbooksandcr ayons,wi
tht heTVvolume
onl ow.Si
zawal kedbacki n.
Siza:"
YohPet unia,thismanofyour ssayshe' snot
l
eavinguntilyouseehi m.Idon' thavet i
mef orthi
s.
Pleasegotalkt ohim."Shewal kedbackout .I
foll
owedherout .Shegoti nhercaranddr oveof f
.I
stoodinfr
ontofMnqobi ,myhear tf
loati
ngatt he
sightofhi
m.Imi ssedhi m somuch.I '
davoided
goingonsoci almedi aandl ookingathi sprofi
le.Or
eventhepicturesonmyphonebutr efusedtodelete.
Mnqobi:"
Mygorgeousbutt
erf
ly.
"Thosegor
geous
but
ter
fl
ieswer
einmyst omach.
Pet
u:"
WhatdoyouwantPr
inceMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Iwantyout
olovemeback.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.
"
Mnqobi
:"Baby,
I'
m sor
ry.IknowIshoul
d'vesai
d
somethi
ng.Idon'
thaveanexcuse.Iwasj
ustbei
ng
sel
fi
sh."
Petu:"Selfi
sh?Mnqobiyouwer ebei ngcruel.How
areyounotunder standi
nghowhur tfuli
tistobei n
theposi t
ionyou'
veputmei n?Youl etmef al
linlove
withyou.Knowi ngfull
ywellyoui nt
endt omar rymy
bestfri
end.Youknowwhat '
scr azy?Thesi gnswer e
there.Whenhernamei smentioned, youtensedup.
Whenshewal kedinonus,youwer eso
embar rassedyoucouldn'
tlookheri ntheeye.You
l
oveherMnqobi ."
Mnqobi
:"Idol
oveNot
hando.I
'
vel
ovedhersi
ncewe
wer
eteenager
s."
Pet
u:"SogobacktoherthenMnqobi .Goandl ove
Nothandof
reel
y.Whyareyoupr act
icingyourstroke
gameonme?Got oherandl eavemeal one.
"
Mnqobi:"Ican'
tleaveyoual
one.Youhaveno
reasontobeli
evemebutPet u,Idon'
twantt
oletyou
go.ImeantitwhenIsai dIl
oveyou."
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
whyar
eyouher
e?"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m her
etoaskf
oryoumyl
ove.
"
Pet
u:"
Am Iyourf
ool
?"
Mnqobi
:"No.You'
l
lneverbeaf
ool
."
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi.Iam beggi
ngyoufrom t
hebottom of
myheart
,pl
easeleavemealone.I
fyoutrul
ylove
measyousayyoudo?Pl easel
etmego- "
Mnqobi:"
You'
rebei
ngunf
airPet
uni
a.YouknowI
can'
tdothat
."
Pet
u:"
Becauseyoudon'
tloveme.
"Hesi
ghed.
Mnqobi:"
Atl
eastunblockme?IpromiseI'
l
lletyou
go.I
'
llj
ustbeafri
end.Iwon'
tbotheryou.
"
Petu:"Fi
ne."Hestaredatmewi t
hthosekindeyes,
givi
ngmef l
ashbacksofwhenheusedt oholdme.I
can'tbel
ievehim.Ican'tal
lowhi
mt oplaywithme.
Hesai dithi
mselfhelovesNothando."Youlookli
ke
you'regoingtowork,Ihavetogetbackinsi
de,the
ki
dsar ealone."
Mnqobi
:"Ar
eyoudoi
ngvi
rt
uall
ear
ning?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"
Mnqobi:"
Okay.I
'
lldel
iversnacksf
oryout
ost
udy
peacef
ull
y."
Pet
u:"
Youdon'
thavet
odot
hat
."
Mnqobi:"Howareyoudoi
ng?Havetheyr
eleased
yourfat
her'
sbody?Icanhel
pwit
hthefuneral
."My
heartst
opped.
Pet
u:"
What
?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Mnqobi:"Wasn'tyourfatherintheprotesters
shooti
ng?Theyf i
nishedt hecountsot hebodies
shouldberetur
ningt otheirf
ami l
ies.
"Istaredathi
m,
feel
ingsuddenl
ycol d.
Petu:"Hi
snamewasn' tl
ist
ed.Wecan' tfi
ndhi m or
hisbody.It
'sli
kehej ustvanishedand.."thetears
threat
enedmyeyes." Ifeelsogui
lt
y.Wer eport
ed
him missi
ngyest er
dayandIcoul dn'tevenbef ully
honestandt el
lthepol i
ceabouthisinvolvementand
howIf oundout."Hel ookedconfused.
Mnqobi
:"Whatdoyoumeanyoucan'
tfi
ndhi
m
Pet
u?"
Pet
u:"Exact
lyt
hat.Hei
snotont
heli
st,
heis
nowhere.Hi
sphonehasbeenof
fsi
nceFri
day.
"
Mnqobi
:"Fuck.
"
Pet
u:"
Doyouknowsomet
hing?
"Heshookhi
shead.
Mnqobi:"Givemeaday,
I'
llf
indhi
m.Don'
twor
ry
aboutanything.
"
Pet
u:"
PleaseMnqobi
."
Mnqobi:"Trustme.Okay?Letmegetgoi
ng.I
'
llsend
yoursnacksinaboutanhour.Zimmycameupwi th
abusinessideaandSibonel
omadeanapp.Thisis
whatwillbedeli
veri
ngyoursnacks.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'sgr
eat
.Thankyouba-Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Imi
ssyouPetu.We'
llt
alkl
ater
.Unbl
ock
mewhenyouwalkbackinthehouse.
"
Petu:"
GoodbyeMnqobi.
"Iwal
kedi
nthehouse.He
gotinhiscaranddr
oveoff
.

*
Nar
rat
ed.

Mnqobiwalkedi
ntheconst
ruct
ionsi
teofthe
hospi
tal
.Zwewaswithoneoftheworker
s,tal
king.
Zwe:
"Sur
e.I
'
llbeavai
labl
eatanyst
age.Just
cont
actme.
"Thewor
kerwal
kedaway.
Mnqobi
:"Bhut
i.
"
Zwe:
"YesMnqo.What
'sup.
"
Mnqobi
:"How'
sthewor
kgoi
ng.
"
Zwe:"They'r
eabouttostar
t.Nkosi
'
steam i
s
ef
fi
cient.Idon'
tevenhavetobehere.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okayt
hat
'sgood.
"
Zwe:
"What
'
swr
ongMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi:"
WhereisPetu'
sfat
her?
"Zwedidn'
teven
f
li
nch.Hisfaci
alexpr
essi
onremaini
ngemoti
onless.
Zwe:
"Nocl
ue.Wasn'
thepar
toft
hepr
otest
orst
hat
di
ed?"
Mnqobi:"
BhutZwe,It
houghtwemadeapr
omi
set
o
neverl
iet
oeachother
.Didwenot?
"
Zwe:
"Wedi
d."
Mnqobi:"Thenwhereishe?Sbonil ef
theret
hatday
togofetchPetu.Hetooklongerthanheshould'
ve.
Suddenly,he'
smissi
ng.Whatdi dhedot ohi
m? "
Zwe:"Mnqobi
.Thesear
en'
tthi
ngsyouneedt
o
worr
yabo-"
Mnqobi:"
Theykindofare.Hi
sdaughterisworr
ied
abouthi
m.She'scryi
ngforhi
m.Shedeser vesto
knowwhathappenedt oherf
atherBhutZwe."
Zwe:"
Mnqobi
.Bhekokwakhei
sfi
ne.That
'sal
lyou
needt
oknow.Hewillr
etur
nsoontohi
sfamil
y."
Mnqobi
:"Doyoupr
omi
se?
"
Zwe:"
Igiveyoumyword.Byendofbusi
nesst
oday,
he'
l
lbeinhishouse.
"
Mnqobi
:"ThankyouBhutZwe.
"
Zwe: "
Let'
stalkaboutsomet hi
ng.Wal kwithme."
Theywalkedoutt hesite."Youneedt oapol
ogizeto
Sibonel
o.Youcan' tdi
smi ssyourol derbrot
herli
ke
youdidthismor ni
ng.Thi sisexactl
ywhyIdi dn'
t
wantyoucompl i
cati
ngyourl i
fewit
ht wowomen.
Nowt hatthere'
sproblems, youwillbeoverwhelmed
andtakeitoutonot hers.Specifi
callyyourfamil
y.
Let'
snotdot hatMnqobi .
"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
m sor
rybr
other
.I'
l
lspeakt
oSbo.
"
Zwe:
"Good.Howi
sPet
uni
a?"
Mnqobi:"Nott
oookay.Hereyesar
eswol l
en.She'
s
wor
ri
edaboutherfatherandmysituat
iondidn'
t
makethingseasyf
orher."
Zwe:
"Howar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
ofi
xit
?"
Mnqobi
:"Wel
l,
yousai
dhe'
l
lbehomet
od-
"
Zwe:
"I'
mt al
kingaboutyouandher
.Yousayyou
l
oveher.
"
Mnqobi:"
Ido.Ij
ustdon'
tknowwhatt
odobecauseI
al
soloveNothando.
"
Zwe:"
DoesNot
handoknowhowyouf
eelabout
Pet
u?"
Mnqobi
:"Shedoes.
"
Zwe:
"Thenwhywon'
tshespeakt
oyou?
"
Mnqobi:"Idon'tknowbutIthinkit'
sbecauseI
wasn'
thonestwi t
hPet uandshedumpedme.I
don'
twantt othinkthatmaybeshewant smewith
Petubutit'
salittl
estrangefeel
ingIhavenow.She
oncetoldmet opr eparePet
uf orourmarri
age.
Apparentl
yshedoesn' twanttobedi sgr
acedwith
otherwomendur
ingourmar
ri
age.Shewant
edme
tokeepPet
u."
Zwe:"
Findawaytospeaktoheraboutt
hisandfind
asol
uti
onfor
ward.Fornow,i
t'
sti
met owork.Zi
mi s
wai
ti
ngonyou."
Mnqobi:"Sure.
"Hegotinhiscaranddroveoff.Zwe
l
ookedar oundandwalkedtohisowncar ,
dri
vingto
Sibonel
o'shouse.Oncehearri
ved,hegotoutthe
car,wal
kingint
othehouse.Heopenedt hevault
door,walki
ngdownt hest
air
swear i
nghismedi cal
gloves.
Zwe:
"Iseeyou'
reawake.
"
Bheko:"
Whatdi
d..
.youdot
o..
.me.
"
Zwe:"Ir
emovedanorganyest
erday.Rememberthe
funexer
ciseofmechasi
ngyouwi t
haninj
ecti
on?
Letmecheckyourst
it
ches.
"Heundi dt
hebandage.
Bheko:"
Isi
gned.Idi
dasyousai
d."
Zwe:"Notbef
oreyouir
r i
tatedmebytryi
ngtoact
smart
.Ihadtokeepinsur ancej
usti
ncase.
"He
cl
eanedaroundthesti
tchesandchangedthe
bandage.
Bheko:"
I'
m..
.sor
ry.
"
Zwe: "IknowBhekokwakhe.Iknowyou' resor ry.
That '
swhyyou' renotdeadi nt hemi ddl eoft he
oceanbei ngdevour edbyshar ks.Thegoodnewsi s,
you' r
egoi nghomet oday.I'l
lassi gnanur sethatwi l
l
helpyouhealwel l
.Youwi l
ltellyourf ami ly,youtried
tost opt hepr otest.Youhadchangedyourmi ndbut
yourcomr adest urnedonyouandst abbedyou
i
nst ead.Al mostki lli
ngyou.Youmanagedt oget
awayandf oundar oyalguardwhot ookyout oa
prince.Tel lthem Ihel pedyouheal .Anyt hing
beyondt hatandwegobackt oouror i
ginalocean
agr eement .Orbet teryet,maybeI 'llt
akeoneofyour
kidsi nstead."Hef inished."See, I'
m notabad
personBhekokwakhebuti ttakesaspeci alperson
topi ssmeof f.That'swhyIcan' tletitslide.Our
fami li
eshaveapossi bi
li
tytobej oinedi nt hefuture
andI '
dpr eferwer emai nfri
ends.I sthatokaywi t
h
you? "Bhekokwakhest ar
edathi m." I'
llgiveyou
somet i
met othinkabouti t
.Someonewi llcomef or
youi nt heaf ternoon."Hewal kedoutt hebasement .
SASAPOV_

Ididn'thaveanyt hi
ngtowearf orcounci landIknow
thisshouldbet heleastofmywor r
iesbuti twast he
verymostoft hem.Itwasatthet op.Royalcounci l
i
saver yseriousthingandonlyat t
endedi nr egal
atti
re.Apr operroyaldr
ess.I'
m goingt oar r
iveina
maxi summerdr essandsummerheel s?The
disrespect.Isatinthefami
lysuite,stari
ngat
nothing.Myhear tinmyt hr
oat.
Nel
e:"
Mnt
ase.Ar
eyouner
vous?
"Inodded.
Me:"Moret
hananyt hing."Myparentswerei
na
meeti
ngwit
hNkosi andtheKing.It
'sbeen30
mi
nutesactual
ly.Thedoorf i
nal
lyopened.My
motherwal
kedincar ryi
ngasuitbag.
Mama:"
Yoh,
hayi
.Youpeopl
est
ressme.
"
Me:"
Whati
sthi
smama?
"
Mama:"It
'sj
ustbeendeliver
ed,Amahlehador
dered
i
t.Ihopei
tfi
tsyou."Iopeneditandsawabeauti
ful
blacksatindresswit
helbowsleeves,
amockt urt
le
neck,itheldmybodycomf or
tably,wi
througe
patter
n.Itcutoffaf
termyknees.Iworemybl ack
heels.Mamagavemeherpear lneckl
ace.Iwas
ready.
Mama:"
Yohmntanam.Iam soproudofyou."Thi
s
i
snotaproudmoment
,I'
m bai
t.AndI'
mt er
ri
fied.
Me:"
Ihavet
ogomama.
"
Mama:"Gomychil
d.Youcan'
tkeepakingwai t
ing.
"
Iwal
kedout
,fi
ndi
ngNkosi,
Amahleandt hei
rfather
i
nthevi
ll
aentr
ance.Hest
aredatme,smili
ng.
King:"There'snotimeforfal
li
nginlove,
sunseteyes.
Let'
sgo. "Hewal kedout.Iwasscar
edofhi m again.
Ithoughtwe' dpassedthewholeanimositystage
butno, hestil
lhatedmeandt her
ewasnot hingI
coulddoabouti t
.Ihadtofocusontheday,this
neededmyf ullatt
enti
on.Wegotinthecarsandl eft
forthecity.Iwaswi t
hNkosiinhiscar.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ookgor
geous.
"
Me:"
Thankyoul
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouknowyou'
ret
hef
ir
stwomant
oever
at
tendcounci
l?
"
Me:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi:"
Ipromi
se.Thequeenshavethei
rown
council
.Themaincounci
lisonl
ytheKingsand
Pri
nces."
Me:"
Ist
hisal
lowed?
"
Nkosi:"
TheKinghi
mselfi
nvi
tedyou.Hemakest he
rul
es."Hehel
dmyhand."Don'twor
ry.Iwon'
tlet
anythi
nghappentoyou.
"
Me:"
Whatam Isupposedt
osayordo?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Me:"Wedon'thaveapl
an?Whati
fthi
swi
tchi
sn'
t
t
herephysi
call
y?"
Nkosi:"Shewillbe.Forherspellorwhat evershe
usest owork,sheneedst obethere."Inodded.I
don'tknowwhybutIwassuddenl yover whelmedby
nervousnessandanxi et
y.Itwasst arti
ngtosi nkin
wher eIwaswhent hecarsdroveintother oyal
courtgrounds,guardswer eal
lovert heplace, each
onecar r
yingweapons.Thecar sstopped.Nkosi
kissedmyhand.Mt hunziopenedmydoor ,asI
steppedout ,guardssurroundedmej ustastheydid
Nkosi .Hej oinedmysi de,holdingmyhandt o
wal kingin.Myhear twashammer i
nginmychest
withner ves.Wewal keddownapassaget hen
towar dslargewoodendoubl edoor swi t
hgold
handl es.Theguar dspushedt hem open.Sil
ence
carriedther oom.West oodatt hedoor,theother
royalswer esi tt
ingatalongt able.Theyallt
urnedto
l
ookatus, confused.Nkosihel dmyhandf i
rmly,
steppi ngintother oom.Allofthem stoodupand
bowed.
[
07/
27,
06:
05] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er79

SASAPOV_
Nkosipull
edachai rf
ormetosit.Hesatopposi
te
thetabl
efrom me.Thespacebetweenmeandt he
persononmyr ightwasenoughtobenoticeabl
eif
hedaredleanedover.Onmyleftwastheheadof
thetabl
e,t
heKi ngwalkedi
nandwebowed.He
stoodinhisseat.
King:"I
thascomet omyat t
enti
onthatyoulotwant
meof fmyt hrone."Theyl
ookedathim andeach
other."
DidIpar donyoutolookatme?"Theybowed
again.OnlyNkosi wassit
ti
ngcomfortablyi
nhis
seat.Thekinglookedatmeandnodded.Idi dn't
knowwhatt hatmeantbutIsatdown.
King:"I
sthereanythingyouwantt osaytomyf ace
nowt hatI'
m her
e?"Si l
ence."
Nakhamul a?"No
response."That
'sdisappoint
ingbecauseitseemed
tomeyouheadedt histakeover.Bathonga,dowe
haveapr oblem?"
Bat
honga:"
NomyKi
ng.
"
King:"
Yet
,hereweare."Thesepeopl
ewerescar
ed
ofhim.Whythendi
dt heyattemptt
his?Wer
ethey
thatdependentonthiswitch?"Whil
ewe' reaboutt
o
begin.It
hinkit
'stheproperti
met oannouncet oyou
all
,myson' sf
iancé.Ourfamilytr
easure."Theyall
l
ookedatme." Thef ut
ureofSikhosana."Theking
satdown.
King:"Beseat edsowecanbegi n."Theyal lsat
down.Mybl oodst art
edcurdli
ng, gi
vingme
goosebumps.Il ookedatNkosi.Hel ookedatme,
concerned."Iwoul dexpecttoatleastbeaddr essed
andspokent owhent hereisapr oblem.Yet ,youall
bandt ogetherbehindmybackt oplanmyt ake
downwhi l
emyl astborni
sf i
ghti
ngf orherli
fein
hospital
."Wher ewasAmahl e?Shehadr odeher e
withtheKing.Il ookedatthecloseddoor .
Nakhamul a:"MyKi ng.Wewer en'tplanni
ngat ake
down.Wedeci dedast hecouncilthatperhapsit
wouldbeabet teri
deaifwevot edf orournextKing.
Yourreignhasbeenagoodone.Webel i
eveitwould
bebetterifanotherfamil
ywasgi venthechance."
Ki
ng:
"Onwho'
sthr
one?
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Myapol
ogi
esYourMaj
est
y,butt
he
t
hronei
sforr
oyal
s."
King:"
SincewhenNakhamula?Pl
easebewareI
'
m
onlyengagi
ngyoupurel
yforent
ert
ainment
."
Nakhamul a:"Weasthekings,equalinti
tl
et oyou,
feelthatyouar enolongerfi
ttor ul
e.Youdoasyou
pleasewi thoutanybenefi
ttoanyone.Yout ake
awayandgi velessthan.Now, you'
vedisrespect
ed
ther oyalcourtbybri
ngingacommoner ,ayoung
girlnoless?!"Theothersmumbl edinagreement.
King:"Firstofal
l,wewi l
lneverbeequal
s.Iam and
willal
waysbeyourki ng.Whenmyson, takesthe
throne,youwi l
lsti
llbebelowhim.Hewi l
lbeyour
king.Ifthegodsper mitandyoulivel
ongenought o
seehi sson, het
oowi llbeyourki
ng.Thatisnot
equal,itispower.Whichi swhattheSi
khosana
namehol ds."
Nakhamul a:"Nevert
heless.Westil
lvot
easa
council
,youcannol ongerrul
e.I
twouldbe
favour
ablef oryoutorespectf
ull
ygivewaytothi
s
vote.
"KingSi khosanalaughedli
kethunderer
upt
ing
i
nt hesky.
Ki
ng:
"Orel
sewhat
?"
Nakhamula:"I
twoul
dbeupt othegodstodeci
de.I
canimagi
neyoudon'twanttogodownasaweak
ki
ng."Thi
smanwassosur eofhi
switch,
hey?He
wasconvinced.Whi
chprobabl
ymeantshewas
qui
tepowerful.
King:"Whent hisisover .AndIhaveyourheadi nmy
grasp,detachedf rom yourbody.Ihopeyouwi l
lall
real
izehowbadofani deathiswasbutthenagai n.
There'
sabi tofThomasi nallofus."Hel
ift
edhis
hand.Myhear tstopped.Hedi dn'tsnap,
therewas
noelectri
cit
yyet .Theguar dwal kedouttheroom.
Nakhamul
a:"
Sowecancont
inue,
KingSi
khosana?
"
King:"I
nami nute.
"Hesmi l
ed.Wewai t
edf oraf
ew
minutesbeforethedooropenedagai n.Theguard
carri
edinawomanwhohadabagonherhead.He
droppedheront hefl
oor."
Ahh.Deliveri
es."Hestood
up,holdi
ngthewoman' sarm hel
pingherst andup.
Het ookthebagoffherhead.Pri
ncessSamu.
"Bathonga,i
sthi
snotyourdaughter ?"King
Bathongastaredathim wi
thpaininhi seyes.
Bat
honga:"
Yesmyki
ng.
"
Ki
ng:"
Areyoust
il
lvot
ingwit
hNakhamula?"
Bat
hongal
ookedathi
sfri
endandthenhi
sdaught
er.
Bathonga:"
No,myKi
ng.
"Nakhamul
alookedathi
m
dangerousl
y.
King:"Interesting."Hesnappedhi sfingersonhi s
freehandandspar kscameal ight.Theyal ljumped
offtheirseat s,screami ng.Samucr iedtryingtopul l
awayf rom hi m." No, no.Si tbacki nyourpl aces.You
wantmeof fthet hrone, don'tyou?"Oneoft heki ngs,
wasont hefloorhol dinghi schestunabl etobr eath.
Hewashavi ngahear tat t
ack.Iwasnearpi ssing
mysel fscar ed.KingSi khosanal ookedr eadyt of ry
Samur ightnowandhewasver yhappyt odoi t.
Wast hisnott hesamepr i
ncesshewant edhi sson
tomar ry?Sot hismandi dn'tcareaboutanyone.He
reall
ydoeski llforspor t.Finally,heswi t
chedof fhis
l
ightening.
King:"Youknowwhat
'sfunny?"HesatSamudown
i
nhi sseatandst
oodbehindher."You'
vetri
edt
his
before.I
twasmyson,whopl eadedforyour
for
giveness.Youdon' tremember ?"Helookedat
Nkosi.Nkosilookedar oundt heroom.Iknewt hen,
hewasi nt hei
rheads." Hehast heabili
tytoswi f
t
thr
oughal lyourmemor ies,yourthoughtsandpl ans.
Yethedidn' t
.Heonlypl eaded, f
oryourforgiveness."
Hehel dSamu' sneck.Icl osedmyeyes, fli
nching.
Bat
honga:"Pl
ease.MyKi
ng,Iam pl
eadi
ngf
ormy
chi
ld'
sli
fe,
takeminei
nst
ead?"
Ki
ng:"Whycan'tItakebot h?"Thetear
sroll
eddown
mycheeks.Icouldn'tstopt his.Iwasaboutto
wi
tnessawomandi eatt hehandsofthefamilyI
wastomar r
yinto."Tellthem whatyoudi d
Pr
incess.
"
Samu:"
I.
.Iam sor
rymyKi
ng.
"Shecr
ied.
Ki
ng:
"Tel
lthem pl
ease.Iwi
lll
etyougo.
"
Samu:"I.
.Iusedalovepoti
on,put
ti
ngi
tinHi
s
Highness,
PrinceMehlul
i'
sjui
ce.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whydi
dyoudot
hatpr
incess?
"
Samu:"
Iwant
edt
o..
.Iwant
edhi
mtomar
ryme.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sthepuni
shmentf
ort
hosewhouse
pot
ionsonar
oyal
?"
Bat
honga:"
MyKing,pl
easefor
giveher
.Ratherki
ll
meandbanishmyfamil
y.Anythi
ng.
"King
Si
khosanal
etgoofSamu'sneck.
Ki
ng:"
Nakhamul
a,si
nceyouwantt obeki
ng.What
woul
dyoudo,i
fagir
lfeedsyoursonpoi
son?"
Nakhamul
a:"
I.
..
Idon'
t.
..
know.
"
Ki
ng:"
Ofcourseyoudo.Wherei
sthewi t
chyou
br
oughtt
otakemeoffthethr
one?"Si
lence.
King: "
Ver
ywel l.Pleaset akeyourseatssowecan
continue.
"Itwasover .ThankGod.Ibr eat
hed
openingmyeyes.Iqui cklywipedmytears.
Everyonesatdownandl ookedathi
m.Onl yone
ki
ngwasst il
lont hefloor,hewasnowst i
ll
.Iwas
afrai
dhemi ghthavedi edf r
om hisheartat
tack.
Ki
ng:"
Wher
eisyourwit
ch?"Hel
eanedont
het
opof
hi
schai
rwi
thhi
selbows.
Nakhamul
a:"
Idon'
thaveawi
tch.
"
Ki
ng:"Bat
honga,
wherei
sthewi
tch?
"Bat
honga
l
ookedatNakhamul
a.
Bat
honga:"
Tel
lhi
m!!
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Idon'
thaveawi
tch.
"Her
epeat
ed.
King:"
Verywel l
."HeheldSamu'sneck,hi
ssparks
comingalive,el
ectr
ifyi
ngher
.Herbodyseizur
ed,
fr
yingfrom theinsi
deunti
lshesti
ll
ed.Iwasnumb
andcoldallatonce.Thekingwalkedovertoa
pri
nceseat ednexttoNakhamula.ThePri
ncestood
up.
King:
"Don'
tdisrespectme.Sit
."Thesadthi
ngisno
onecouldspeakup.Bathongawascr yi
ngsil
entl
yin
hi
sseat.ThePrincewaspleading,movi
ngaway
fr
om theKing."
Iaskedyout osit
.Iwon'
taskagain.
"
Pr
ince:"Fat
herpl
easet
ellhi
m.Pleasebaba.
"He
cr
ied.Surel
yNakhamul
awoul dsavehi
ssonand
j
ustlosethi
sbatt
le.
Nakhamul a:"Idon'
thaveawi t
ch."If
eltbi
lecomi ng
upmyt hr
oat.Iwasst i
llsit
ti
ngnearSamu' s
electrocutedbody.Icoul dn'
tholdthi
sinanymor e.I
gotupandwal kedout,fi
ndingabi noutsi
deto
throwupi nviolent
ly.Mywhol ebodywasshaki ng
asi fIwerecol d.Myhear twasbeat i
ngsoslow, asif
i
twoul
dst
op.Mt
hunzicameupt
ome.
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"Icoul
dn'
tbr
eat
h.
Me:"
Ineedai
r.
"Igasped.
Mt hunzi
:"Youcan'tl
eaver
oyalcounci
lunt
ili
t'
s
concluded."I
tfel
tli
kehewaspunchingmei nthe
stomach.
Me:"Ican'
tgobacki nther
e."Iwhisper
ed."
He'
s.
..
He'
skill
ingthem onebyone."Icoveredmymouth.
Mthunzisti
ll
edinfrontofme,quickl
ycomposi
ng
hi
mself.
Mt hunzi:"Tr
yandbr eath.Deepbreaths."Iinhaled
l
ongandexhal edafewt i
mest ocl
earmyai rway
andr egulatemybr eathi
ng."You'
restrongenought o
bei nthere.You'reaQueen,Thembi sa.Thef ir
stto
everstepf ootinthatroom.Iknowyoucandot hi
s."
Ican'tdot his.Idon'
twantpeopletodi e.Idontwant
anyoft his.Mychestwast i
ghtwithfear.Imademy
waybacki ntotheroom andsatdown.Yes, nextto
Samu' sf r
iedbody.Myhear twastor napartathow
cruelthisfami l
ywas.Nkosiwasn'tevent ryingto
stophi m.Hel ookedatme.Shi t
,hecanhearhi s
namei
nmyhead.Il
ookedatmyhands,
qui
etl
y.
King:"Iwil
laskonemor et i
me,wherethewitchi
s.I
f
I'
m sti
llunanswered,I
'l
ltakethatasanoffer
ingof
allpr
inces.From eachandever yoneofyou."
Phakami
sa:"
Nakhamul
a!!
!SPEAK.
"
Nakhamul
a:"
Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
s."
Ki
ng:
"WhymustIbel
ieveyou?
"
Nakhamul a:"Ki
ngSikhosana,thewit
chi snothere
toharm anyone.Shewasmer elyt
ohelpwi ththe
vot
e.Lookatwhatyou' vedone.You'
rethreateni
ng
ourenti
relineages.That'
snothowaKi ngbehaves."
King:"Howwoul dyouknow?You' renotaKing.
"My
skinstart
edcrawli
nganditfel
titchy.Il
ooked
aroundtheroom.Somet hi
nghadhappenedher e
beforewecamei n.Ist
oodup."Mehl uli
,i
syourwif
e
goingtobeapr obl
em?Ifshe'stooweakt obein
council,
thenhavehersenthome. "Nkosil
ookedat
me.
Me:"MyKing,pl
easer
eleaset
hepr
ince.
"He
l
aughed."
Please.
"
Ki
ng:"Gi
vemeonegoodr
easonIshoul
drel
ease
hi
m andpuni
shyou.
"
Me:" Ithi
nkt
her easonKingNakhamulaisnot
affectedbyyourthreatsofki
ll
inghi
ssonis
becausehe'sexpect i
ngyouto."Ki
ngNakhamula
staredatmewi t
hdi sgust.
King:"
Pleaseexpl
ain.
"Nakhamul
awasboi
li
ngi
nhi
s
seat.
Me:"
IneedAmahl
e."
Ki
ng:
"Tal
kThembi
sa.
"
Me:" Somethingwasdone.Idon'tknowwhat .The
room hasast ench.I
thaditwhenIent ered.Eit
her
thewi t
chisher ei
nsideoraspellwasplacedand
willbeacti
vatedonceyoukillt
het ar
get.You're
holdingthetarget
."
Nakhamula:"
Youfuckingbit
ch."Nkosist
oodup,
grabbi
nghim wi
thonehandandt hr
ewhim against
thewall
.Nakhamulafellwi
ththudonthefloor
,
breaki
ngsomethi
ng.
Nkosi
:"Sayi
tagai
n."Hegr
owl
ed.
King:"Well
,well
,well
."Hel ett
hePr i
ncego,looking
attheguard."Br
ingmemydaught er.
"Theguar d
walkedouttheroom.Theot herkingsandpr i
nces
wereshiveri
ng,possiblyprayi
ng.Ther ewasa
youngpr i
nceinthei
rmi dstpossiblyjustturned18.
Hewast erri
fi
edwi t
ht ear
sonhi scheeks.
Nakhamul acri
edont hefloorinpai n.Nkosiwas
stari
nghim down,hewasdef ini
telyfli
ppi
ngt hrough
histhoughtsandmemor i
es.Amahl ewalkedin.
Ama:"
Fat
her
."
King:"
Thembisabeli
evether
e'sei
therawitchint
he
room,oraspellt
obeact i
vat
edupont hedeathof
t
hef i
rstNakhamulapri
nce.I
sthattr
ue?"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whi
chonei
sit
?"
Ama:"Both."IlookedatNakhamul a,hest oodupbut
notbefor
eAmahl est oodinfr
ontofNkosi .He
snappedhisfinger s,
ballsoff
lameser uptedfrom
hishands.Thecounci lj
umpedtotheirfeet."Ki
ll
ing
himisfuti
leNkosi .Thewi t
chisusinghisbodyasa
zombie.Onceyouki l
lhim,yousti
llwon'tfindher
becauseshe'
sonl
yinhi
sspi
ri
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ki
llhi
m."
Ama:"
Fat
her
!"
King:"Heconspiredagai nstthethrone.Hewi llnot
giveupherwher eabout s.Hei sofnouset ome.
Noneoft hesefami li
esar eofuset ome.Theyar ea
bunchoft r
ait
orsandIwantt hem todie."Hewal ked
overtome, st
andi ngbehi ndme.Nkosil ookedat
him,readytoattack."You' r
enowapar tofour
famil
y.Whatpuni shmentdot heser oyal
sdeser ve
forwhatthey'
vedone? "Heaskedsof tl
y.Mywhol e
bodywasshi vering.Thesear eheadsoff amil
ies
andtheirnextgener at
ions.Ican'thavet hem kil
led.I
alsodon'twantanypuni shmentf r
om thisking.I
wantednot hi
ngt odowi thhi m att
hispoi nt
.
Me:" AKi ngisal eader,
notonlyofhisfami lybutof
hisnation.Thecounci lexist
stoguidehi m as
l
eader sofdifferentregi
ons.Theirf
irstoffense
shouldear napuni shmentbutnotonet hat
obli
teratestheirgenerati
onandlineage.At rueroyal
doesnotconspi reagainstanot
her,t
heydonothi de
andconsul tdar kforces.Theyf aceobst acleshead
onanddi scussawayf or
war dwi theveryone
i
ncl uded.Thel eadersshoul dbest ri
ppedof fthei
r
royalst atus."Hewal kedovert ot heheadoft he
table,standi ngbehi ndhi schai rwhereSamust il
lsat
,
dead.Hel i
ftedhi shands, hiseyest urningiceblue.I
steppedback, myhear tskippingsever albeatsand
silentl
ypr ayi ng.Hesnappedhi sfingers,i
gniti
nghis
l
ight ening.Thel iveelectr
ici
tyf l
owedi nbigbal l
s
from hisel bowst ohishands.Hel aughed
hyst eri
cally.
King: "
From t hismomentgoi ngf orwar d.Bat honga,
Mpondo, Muf huwal o,Phakami sa, Nakhamul a.Your
royalstatushasbeenr evoked.Yourpal aces, and
regionrulingswi llbedest royed.Fr om t hismoment
forwardeachandever yoneofyouandbl ood
rel
at i
onisnor oyal .Iwishtohavet heoppor tunit
yto
remi ndyouoncemor ewhoIam, sot estme. "He
switchedof fhislightening."AndIwi llfi
ndt hat
witch.Herbodywi l
lhangont hehi ghestpol eIcan
mountunt ilsher otstonot hingbutbones, j
ustl i
ke
thi
sone. "Hel ookedatSamu' sbody, beforehe
t
urnedandwal
kedout
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Al lthewayt ot hemount ainThembi sawasver y

qui et.Shest aredoutoft hecarwi ndow.Idi dn't
knowt henextst epf rom her e.DoIhol dherhand,
askhowshei s?ButIknowshe' snotokay.She
cried, shet hrewup, shewasshaki ngt hroughout,
absol utelyt erri
fied.Herf earwasmost lybecause
shebel i
evesmyf atherst i
llwantstohar m her.I
wi shIcoul dcomf ortherbutr oyalcour ti
snott he
placef ort hat ,weaknesswasn' tall
owedi nsi
de.
Suddenl y,thef reef l
owi ngknowl edgeofl ovehas
flushedoutofme.Wepar kedandshedi dn'teven
wai tf orMt hunzit oopenherdoorbef oreshe
jumpedout .Shewal kedi ntothevill
a,st r
aightinto
herf ather'sar mscr ying.Fuck.Hest areddagger sat
me, asIwal kedi nsl owly.
Xol
ani
:"Whathappened?
"Apartofmewasrel
ieved.
Wewentfr
om "whatdidyoudotomydaught
er"to
"
whathappened"
.Icanbui
ldf
rom t
his.
Nkosi :"Myf at
herhadt opuni shtheot herroya-well
,
they'renol ongerroyal snow.Thef ormerr oyals.
Thembi sabeggedf ort heirl
ivesandof f
eredaban
ont heirstatusasr oyalsinstead."Itwasn'taliebutI
woul dn'tadmitthet wodeat hsunt ilI
'm asked.He
tookhi sdaught ertot hefami l
ysuite.Myhear t
achedatt hemer efactt hatshewant edtobehel d
byherdadandnotme.Notevenacknowl edgingme.
Myf at herwalkedin, goingst r
aighttohissui t
e.I
foll
owedhi m withAmahl e.
King:"
Yourpr
eciouspri
ncessrant oherdaddy?"He
pouredhi
mselfawhiskey."It
oldyouor di
nary
humanscannothandlebeingaSi khosanaroyal
."
Het hr
ewthedri
nkdownhi sthroat.
Nkosi :"
Sur
elyyou'r
enott alki
ngaboutt hesame
preciouspri
ncessthatjustsavedyourl if
e.I
fshe
hadn'tnoti
cedthestenchi nthatroom andfigur
ed
outNakhamul a,you'
dbedeadorwor se.WEAK."He
staredatmeandpour edaot herdri
nk.
Ki
ng:
"Amahl
e,doyouhaveapl
anonf
indi
ngt
his
wi
tch?
"
Ama:"Ifshewasanordinar
ywitch,I
'
dhavef ound
heral
ready.Shetr
ulyi
sat r
easurebl
ood.Ican't
tr
aceher.OnlyThembi
sacan."
King:"
Sonowwehavet owaitunti
lshestopscr
ying?
DearGod,you'
vecursedme, sur
ely.Notevena
speckofpati
enceyetthi
siswhatyougi f
tmewi t
h."
Hedrankhissecondglass.
Nkosi
:"It
hinkyoushoul
dleave.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Nkosi:"Ididn'
tstut
ter
."Hestaredatmet ryi
ngto
readmyf ace."
Youwentoutofyourwayt obreak
mywi fetoday.IfIhavetoacceptthatyou'l
lnever
recogni
zeherandherwor t
ht henyouhavet o
acceptyou' r
enotwelcomeinmyhome. "
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
,whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Agai
n.Idi
dnotst
utt
er.
"
King:"Doyounotr eal
izeIam t
ryi
ngtopr ot
ectour
throneanddignit
y?Iacceptedthi
sgirlandIinvit
ed
hertothehighestmeet i
nginsoci
ety.Shehadt he
chancetomakear ul
ing.Somethi
ngthatnoteven
youhavedone.Thatisthegroomingofastr
ong
queen.Onet
hatyoucl ear
lyneed!
"
Nkosi
:"No,youthreat
enedher.Thati
swhatyoudi d.
Youscaredherint
oacor ner
.Flexi
ngyourpower
andusinghertogetyourmessageacross.Thatis
notgr
ooming,thatisfearmongeri
ngandIwillnot
al
lowit
."Hestaredatme, wi
thicecol
deyes.
King:"Iwon'tleaveunt ilshetell
smet o.
"Hesat
down." Sowhatwi llyoudo, Sikhosana?You're
goingtot ur
nandr ipmel i
mbf orlimb?You
obviouslywon' tbecauseyou' realreadyscaredthat
you'velosther.Ki l
li
ngmewi llgiveyounochancei n
hellwithher,everagai n."Hepour edanotherdri
nk."I
tol
dyoubef ore.Lovemakesoneweak.Ri ghtnow,
you'reathermer cy.Tellhertoaskmet oleave.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
06] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er80
SI
BONELOPOV_

Thismor ningwasext r
emelystr
essful.Af
terthe
Sikhosana'slef
tsuddenly.Imonit
oredtheot her
royals.Sincewewer ebannedfrom counci
l,we
couldn'tgo.IneededtospeaktoZwesoIdi aledhi
s
number .
Zwe:
"Br
other
."
Sibo:"Zwe.Si
ncewe'
renotgoi
ngtocounci
l,
shoul
d
Ibelisteni
ngi
n?Tomakenotes?"
Zwe:"Youwon'
tbeablet
oSboni.Youknowi t
'snot
al
lowedevenasweareworkingwit
hSikhosana.
Let'
srat
hernot
.I'
l
laskMthunzit
obesure,he'
lll
et
usknow."
Sibo:"
Okay.Theyj
ustl
eft
.Somet
hingi
swr
ong.Not
surewhat.
"
Zwe:
"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Sibo:"Wel
l,wewereli
steningt
oacallbet
ween
Nakhamul aandBathonga.Theymenti
onedawitch
andt r
easurebl
oodthings.Theminut
ethatwassai
d
t
heyf
reakedout
."Hesi
ghed.
Zwe: "
Idon'tknow.Maybeit'
ssomethingtodowi
th
thei
rabil
it
ies.Sboni
,fornow,l
et'
sjustbeon
standby.
"
Sibo:"Al
ri
ght.I
'
llbedoi
ngsomewor kforBi
-connect
andt henheadi
ngovertoMnqobif
orthelaunchof
theapp."
Zwe:"Goodidea.I
'
mi nter
viewi
nganursefor
Bhekokwakhe,he'
sgoinghomet hi
saf
ternoon.We'
l
l
tal
klat
er.
"
Si
bo:"
Sur
e."Ihungup.
Khaya:"
Pri
nceSibonel
o."Heonl
ycal
lsmet
hat
whenhe'sscar
ed.
Si
bo:"
Yesbug.
"
Khaya:"What'
sgoingon?Whatwashappeni
ng?I
t
waslikeali
vewirehadbeencutandi
twas
spar
king.Whatwast hat
?"
Sibo:"Ihonestl
ydon'
tknowwhatt otel
lyoubug."I
couldn't.I
'm gl
adhedi
dn'tseei
t.Isuspect
edthat
KingSi khosanahadhi
sownsuperpowerbutIwas
notexpecti
ngl iveelectri
cit
y.Soeachandevery
memberoft hatfami l
y?Wow." Justknow,we'r
e
safe.That
'sallIcant ellyou.We'r
eont her
ightside.
Let
'snotinterfere.Somet hingsyouhavetopretend
youcan'tseeorhear .
"
Khaya:"
Okay.
"
Si
bo:"
Doyouwantt
ogot
oyourt
winf
orabi
t?"
Khaya:"
No,
I'
ll
sitwi
thyouher
e.WhatcanIhel
p
wit
h?"
Si
bo:"Okay,pl
easegothroughthi
sdocumentf
or
me."Igavehimthesecondlapt
op.

WeleftMehlul
i'
soffi
ceaft
eranhour .Iwant
edto
l
auncht heappoff
ici
all
yatmyof f
iceinBi-
Connect
sothat'
swhereweheaded.Irecei
vedamessage
fr
om Mthunzi.
Mthunzi
:<HiSibonel
o.ThePrinceandKi ngarenow
i
nroyalcour
t.Afteri
t'
sconcl
usion,I'
l
lcallyoufora
meeti
ngtodiscussit
'sevent
s.Pleasedor ecor
d,the
pr
incehasgivenagoaheadf oryourlist
enin.Only
you.
>
Sibo:<Not ed.ThanksMt hunzi.
>SoIhadt obe
onli
ne,listeni
ngi n.Notgonnal i
e,thatseemedli
ke
animpor t
antthingtodo.Iconnect edmyheadsetto
myl aptop.Wear ri
vedatt heofficeandIwalkedin
carryi
ngmyopenl aptop, weari
ngmyheadset .
MnqobiandZi mmywer ewai t
ingint heboar
droom.
Si
bo:"
Pleasekeepitl
ow,I'
m doi
ngali
steni
n.We'r
e
st
il
lafewhoursfr
om launch.Ar
ethebackupsset
Mnqobi?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yesbhut
i.
"Isatdown,
incr
easi
ngt
he
vol
umeonmyheadset .
[
Ki ng:"I
thascomet omyatt
entionthatyoulotwant
meof fmythrone."Abri
efsi
lencetookover."Di
dI
par donyoutolookatme? "
]Thiswasgoi ngtogo
downhi l
lforsure.Ever
yonehadal eveloff
earof
Sikhosana.
[
Ki ng:"
Isthereanythi
ngyouwantt osayt omyf ace
nowt hatI'
m here?"Sil
ence."
Nakhamul a?"No
response."That'
sdisappoint
ingbecauseitseemed
tomeyouheadedt hi
stakeover.Bathonga,dowe
haveapr
obl
em?
"
Bat
honga:"
NomyKi
ng.
"
King:"Yet,
her ewear e."
]Itookmynot epad,making
notes.Themeet i
ngwenton, Nakhamulabeingthe
onehavi ngabackandf orthwithKingSikhosana.
Whatadumbper son, Nakhamulawas.Thi sisthei
r
secondof fenseandi t'
snotlookinggoodforthem.I
heardthedooropeni ng, whowascomi nginorout?
Iwaitedonl yforabitbeforetheKingspokeagai n.
[
King:"
Bat
honga,
ist
hisnotyourdaught
er?
"
Bat
honga:"
Yesmyki
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyoust
il
lvot
ingwi
thNakhamul
a?"
Bat
honga:"
No,
myKi
ng.
"
King:"
Inter
est
ing.
"]Iheardtr
iggerofelect
ri
city
goingoffandsuddenmovement ,f
all
ingofchairs
andgasps.Didhej ustshowhispower s?Clearl
y.
[
King:"
No, no.Si
tbackinyourplaces.Youwantme
of
fthethrone,don'
tyou?]Iwasgratefult
othegods
myfamilywasn'there.Thi
sdidn'
tlookgood.
[
Bat
honga:"
Please.MyKi
ng,
Iam pl
eadi
ngf
ormy
chi
ld'
sli
fe,
takemi
nei
nst
ead?
"
King:
"Whycan'tIt
akeboth?
"]OhmyGod.He's
abouttoki
llher
.Mnqobil
ookedatmeconcer
ned.
Mnqobi
:"Ever
ythi
ngokay?"Hewhisper
ed.Ishook
myhead.Nothi
ngwil
leverbeokay.

Whathappenedinr
oyalcourthadgi
venmea
spl
it
ti
ngheadachethatbytheti
metheKingwal
ked
out
,Ithr
ewthoseheadsetsonthedesk.Zwe
wal
kedin.
Sibo:"
I'
vegotami
grai
ne.Doyouhaveanyt
hingon
you?"
Zwe: "
Inmycar ,come. "Ipr
essedonmyl apt
op,
l
ett
ingi tr
ecordbutlockedit.Iknowt heseones
won'ttouchanything,mybr otherswer enot
di
srespectfulbutIsti
llhadtopr otectthe
i
nformat i
on.Iwalkedoutwi thZwe.
Zwe:
"Itdi
dn'
tgowel
l?
"
Sibo:"
Samumaybedead.Andt her
e'sonl
ytwo
royalf
amil
iesl
efti
nthenat
ion.
"Hestoppedwal
king.
Zwe:
"Whatdoyoumean?
"Il
ookedar
oundt
he
empt
ypassage.
Sibo:"It
hinktheKingshockedherwithhispower.
Hest r
ippedtheotherr
oyalsofft
heirstat
us.Their
palacesandr egi
onrul
ingswil
lbedestroyed.They'
ll
becompl etel
ycutofffr
om theeconomy."
Zwe:
"Wher
edoest
hatl
eaveus?
"
Sibo:"Heonl ycall
edthefivefamili
eswhenhemade
thedeclarati
on.We' r
estil
lsafefornow.
Phakami sa'
ssavi nggraceisthathehascompani
es
apartfrom thethronecontract
s.Butwehavean
all
iancewi t
ht hem.Ourbrothersengagement
."
Zwe: "Fuck."Hestart
edwal ki
ngagain,
pulli
ngmy
arm.Wegott ohiscarandhet ookoutabot tl
eof
pil
lsfr
om hi sbag."Her
e,it
'l
lworkin3mi nutes.
Fini
sht hisbott
leofwaterbecausethepill
dehydratesyou."Hegavemeal it
reofwater,Idr
ank
thesmal lpi
llandthewholebottl
eofwater .
Si
bo:"
Whatdowedo?
"
Zwe:
"Fornow,
nothi
ng.Weneedtowaitf
ort
he
meet
ingwit
hNkosiandhi
sfat
herbef
orewe
announceanythi
ngoreventel
lourfamil
y.Sothis
staysbetweenus.We'r
e30minutesfr
om launch.
Let'
sfocusonthatfornow.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Si
bo:"I
'm good.Justneededtogetagr
ip.
Headacheissubsidi
ng,thankyou.
"
Zwe:
"Lookatme.
"
Si
bo:"
Zwe,
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Zwe:"
Lookatme,Si
bonel
o."Il
ookedathi
m."
Are
youokay?
"Ishookmyhead.
Sibo:"
I'
mf i
ndingitdif
fi
cul
ttograspthatwe'
rel
ivi
ng
i
nawor l
dwi t
hpeoplethathavethesepower
s.I
'm
tr
yingtoadjustbutit
'sdi
ffi
cul
tbecauseI'
m
wondering,
whati fonedaytheyturnonme?"
Zwe: "
That'
snevergoingt ohappen.Nkosiwil
lnever
hurtyouandwi l
lneverletanyt
hingharm you.
You'r
ewor ki
ngwi t
hhim, onhisside.Hebeli
evesin
l
oyaltyandfri
endship.Trusthi
m.Okay? "
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"Wewal
kedbacki
nsi
de.Ichecked
act
ivit
yont her oyalcourt.I
tsoundedamess.
Someonewascr yingpainfull
y,Ihadnodoubt
Bathonga.IfIremembercor rectl
y, theKingsaid
beforehewal kedoutherbodywi llbehungupt orot
soBat hongacoul dn'
tevent ouchi t.Istopped
l
ist
eningi nandj ustfocusedont hescr eeninthe
boardroom.Ever yoneelsewasl ooki ngatit
.Mnqobi
haddoneagr eatjobwi thfi
net uningt hisapp.He
canbest upidwhenhewant stobuthi sfocusand
worket hi
cisnevershaken.Icanal waysr elyonhim.
Khaya:"
Almostt
ime.
"
Si
bo:"Howlongi
sthewai
ti
ngli
ne?"Peopl
ehad
al
readyst
art
edqueuei
ngonthewebsi
te.
Mnqobi
:"374andcount
ing.Wemi
ghthi
t1000by
l
aunch.
"
Si
bo:"
Canweaccommodat
ethat
?"
Mnqobi:"
No,
waiti
ngper
iodf
oreachorderis30
minut
esandeventhen.
..
"Heshookhishead."I
managedtor
entin20morescoot
ers,
sowe' vegot
30now."
Si
bo:"
Good.
"Wewai
tedunt
ilt
hever
ymi
nut
e.
"
Launch.
"Mnqobigavet
het
abl
ett
oZi
mmy.
Mnqobi:"
Goahead.Thisi
syours."Shecl
ickedt
he
but
ton.Theor
dersrushedi
ninstantl
y.
Sibo:"Congrat
ulati
onsteam.Wedidit
."IwishI
coulddr i
nkbutbecauseofthedel
iver
yplan,I
couldn'tsi
nceI'
llbedri
vingar
ound.

PETU'
SPOV_

Themor ningwasgoi ngwel l.Theki dswer equiet,

afteranhourI 'dgivent hem snacksf rom thebasket
Mnqobisentme.Ihat ehowIwasst i
llfeel
ingabout
him.Idef ini
tel
ywoul dn'tbet
r ayNot handobutI
couldatl eaststi
llthinkabouthi m, r
ight?Maybei t
wasn' tagoodi dea.Ihadt ogetoverhi m andtodo
that,Ican'tkeepdaydr eaming.Hewasnotmaki ng
i
tanyeasybybei ngt hissweet .Everyfewhour she
sentamessagewhenhewast hinki
ngaboutme.At
midday, thenannyt ookt hekidsf ortheirnap.I'
d
fi
nishedmyl ectureandIcoul djustrelaxandgo
overmynot eslater.Iwentt ot heki t
chent owash
t
hedi
shes.Si
zawalkedinthedoor
.Shel
ookedst
il
l
i
npai
nbuthandl
ingitwell
.
Petu:"
Hey,
Ithoughtt
heywer
esupposedt
odr
ive
youhome."
Si
za:"
Afri
enddid.Si
ncet
helockdown,
ther
ewas
nocabsavai
labl
eint
hemorning.
"
Pet
u:"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Siza:"I
'
m okay.Justabi
twoozy.Thepai
nkil
ler
helps.Itwasn'
tacompli
cat
edprocedur
e."
Pet
u:"
Okay.
"
Si
za:"
Howwasschoolt
oday?
"
Pet
u:"Good.Weweren'
ttooover
whelmedwi
thwor
k.
Mnqobisentsomesnacksaswell
."
Siza:"
Soyou'
rebackt
oget
her
?Youdon'
tlookt
oo
happy."
Pet
u:"Nowe'renottogether
.Afri
endofmi ne
l
aunchedanapp, herfi
rstbusi
ness.Iwasn'
ttoo
ni
cethelastt
imewespoke. "
Si
za:"
So?Congr
atul
ateherst
il
l.Fr
iendsar
gueal
l
thetimePetunia,asi
faniaspeople,we'
rewir
ed
diff
erentl
y.Apersonmusti nt
rospectandseewher
e
theywentwr ongthenapologize.You'
reahuman
being."
Pet
u:"
You'
rer
ight
."
Si
za:"
Didyouatl
eastsuppor
therbusi
ness?
"
Petu:"Notdi
rect
ly.Mnqobisentt
hesnackswi
thi
t
though.I'
l
lpostaboutt
hepackageandtheapp
congratul
ati
ngher."
Siza:"
Good.Ineedtol
iedownf
orabi
t.Haveyou
heardfrom t
hepoli
ce?
"
Petu:"
No.Mnqobisai
dhe'
llal
sohel
p.Sincehe'
sa
royalmaybehe'
l
lgetmor
ei nf
ormat
ion.
"
Siza:"Idon'
tknowwhyyout wodon'tjustgetback
togetherbecauseit
'scl
earyouloveeachot her
.Any
othermanwoul dmi ndhisbusi
nessandf ocuson
hisotherwoman. "
Pet
u:"Excepthi
sotherwomani
smybestf
ri
end
Si
za.Ican'tdot
hattoher
."
Si
za:"
Ifyousayso.
"Shewentt
ocheckont
he
babi esandwentt obed.Af terwashi ngthedi shes, I
sentZi mmyacongr atul
ationsmessaget henwent
topostt hepi ctur et oadver t
iseherbusi ness.I twas
alreadyt rendi ng.Ther ewasaRoyalDel iverypr omo
wher eaf ewpar cel swoul dbedel iveredbyapr i
nce.
Myhear tachedatt hepossi bili
tyofMnqobir iding
aroundt ownmeet inghundr edsofwomen.Oh, i
t
saysSi bonel o.ThankGod.Ipl acedmyphonedown,
startingonsupper .Myphonebeepedagai n.
Pr obablyMnqobi .Icheckedi tandsawamessage
from myf at her.Myhear tstopped.<HiPet unia,your
fatheri srest i
ngathome. >That '
sit?Whywoul dhe
sendmet hat?Wasi treall
yhi m?Wasi tat rapf r
om
oneofhi scomr ades?Iwant edtof i
ndoutbutIcan' t
got her eal oneorwi thSizaandherhusband
def i
nitelydoesn' tcar e.Idial
edMnqobi .
Mnqobi
:"Butt
erf
ly.
"Heanswer
edal
most
i
mmediatel
y.
Pet
u:"
Hey.CanIbor
rowaguar
d?"Hechuckl
ed.
Mnqobi:"
Whydoyouwantt
obor
rowaguar
d
baby?
"
Petu:"Ij
ustgotamessagef r
om myfather
'snumber
.
Itsayshe'shomebuti
t'
slikehedidn'
tsendit.I
'
m
scaredthatsomeonei
stryingtot
rapme. "
Mnqobi:"
I'
m coming.
"Hehungup.ShouldIwake
upSiza?Butwhy?She'sjusthadapr
ocedureand
she'
sinpain.MaybeIshouldchecki
fthi
sisreal
thencomebackforherlater
.

Mnqobiar
ri
vedin30minutes.Inoti
fi
edt
henanny,
swit
chi
ngofft
hestoveandwentt ohim,
get
ti
ngin
thecar
.Hi
sguarddroveof
f.
Mnqobi:"
Let
'sseet
hismessage.
"Igavehi
m my
phone.
Petu:"
Whywouldhesendamessagel
iket
hatandi
f
nothimthenwho?
"
Mnqobi:"
Yeah,thi
sisstr
angebutdon'
twor
ry.
Not
hingwillhappentoyou.
"
Pet
u:"
Thankyou.Youdi
dn'
thavet
ocomewi
th.
"
Mnqobi
:"Iwant
edanexcuset
oseeyou.
"
Pet
u:"
Oh?That
'saf
ir
st.Youcanbehonest
?"He
si
ghed.
Mnqobi :"Petuni
a,Ineverlied.Ikeptt hi
ssecretbutI
didn'
tlie.WhenImetyou, Ididn'tthinkI'
dfeelli
ke
thisaboutyou.Ijustwant edt ohitandmoveon.
Youal sowant edthat.Itj
usthappenedt hatwegr ew
feeli
ngsf oreachother.It
'sfuckingconf usingfor
mebecauseasIsai d,IdoloveNot hando,butIlove
yout ooandIdon' twanttochoose. "
Petu:"
Yourengagementandfamil
yhaschosenfor
youalr
eadyMnqobi .I
'
m notgoi
ngtobeyourwhore.
Iref
useitnomatterhowmuchIloveyou.
"
Mnqobi:"YouknowNothandoisn'
tspeaki
ngt ome?
Shewarnedme.Sheaskedmet obehonestwi th
youandmakesur eyoudon'tl
eaveme.Nowt hat
youhave,shewantsnothi
ngtodowi t
hme. "Thisis
conf
using.
Pet
u:"
Whywoul
dshewantmet
obewi
thyou?
"
Mnqobi:"Idon'
tknow.Ineverasked.
"Thiswastoo
confusi
ngf ormetoprocessandIalreadyhad
str
essaboutmyf ather
."Atl
easttal
kt oher
.It
hink
she'
sabi tl
onely.
"
Pet
u:"
I'
llt
exthert
oni
ght
."
Mnqobi:"Thankyou."Wepar kedinfr
ontofmy
fat
her'
shouse."Theguar dwillgoinfi
rst
."Hi
sguard
gotout,
wal ki
ngtothefrontdoor.Aladyopenedthe
doorandspoket ohim,all
owinghimi n.Wewait
eda
fewminutesbeforehecamebackout .
Guar
d:"
Alli
sclearmyPr
ince.I
t'
sonl
ythenur
seand
t
heoldman."
Mnqobi:"Thanks."Wegotoutthecar."Ican'
tgoin
yourfat
her'shousefornoval
idreason.It'
s
disr
espect.It
rustmyguardtohavechecked
thor
oughlyforanysignsofdanger.Pleasecalli
f
somethingiswrong."
Pet
u:"
ThankyouMnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"I
'l
ldoanythingforyou,
butt
erf
ly.This,
I
pr
omise.
"Hegotint hecar.Iwal
kedint
ot hehouse.
Myfat
herwasont hecouch, r
est
ing.
Petu:"Dad!!
"Ir
ushedovertohi
m,gi
vinghim ahug.
Hest aredatmecoldl
y."
Whathappened?SizaandI
evenr eport
edyoumissi
ng!Tat
awewer eso
worri
ed! "
Bheko:"
Youknowexact
lywher
eIwas.
"
Pet
u:"
Haibo?Dad,
ifIknew,
Iobvi
ousl
ywoul
d've
cometoyou.
"
Bheko:"Yazi.It
houghtabouti tanditonlybecame
cleartwomi nut
esago.Itwasyou.Yout oldthose
royalsabouttheprot
est.That 'swhyhecamet o
fetchme.Now, youhavet heaudaci t
ytobr i
nghi m
tomyhouse?Youhavehi sguar drummaget hrough
MYhousef oryou?Doyouhaveanyi deawhatI '
ve
beent hr
ough?Andyousi dewi t
hthem?Yousl eep
withthem?Your eporttothem?Youhave
disappoint
edmemor ethananyt hi
ngi nmyl i
fe.
Yourmot hermustbet urningi nhergravewat ching
herchildshareabedwi tht hesamepeopl ewho
kil
ledher.Iwantyoutot akeal lofyourthingsand
l
eavemyhouse.Thi sisnol ongeryourhome.
Leave."..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er81

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupf inally.I'
dfall
enasl eepi nmyf ather's
arms.IknewI '
dhavet odeal wi t
hl if
eaf t
ermynap.
Todaywashor rifyi
ng.IfIdi
dn' tfeartheki ngbef ore?
Idef i
nitel
ydidnow.I twouldbest ressfulseei nghim
agai nandIhaveaf eel
inghe' sstil
lhere.Hi s
existenceisj usttomakemeuncomf ortable.How
thehel ldoyouki l
lsomeoneandl augh?Howdoyou
wat chanot hersuf f
erahear tat t
ackanddi ethen
carryonwi t
hyourmeet i
nglikehei sn'tlayingt here,
fuckingdead? ?Thet houghtmademyspi necol d.I
satup.
Xol
ani:"
Myangel.Howar eyoufeel
ing?
"Mamawas
si
tt
ingonthechairst
ari
ngfreshsharpdagger
sat
me.
Me:"
I'
m okayt
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Iknowyou'
renotal
lowedt
otal
kabout
counci
lbutar
eyouhur
t?"Myspi
ri
t?Yes.
Me:"
Not
ata.
"
Xolani:"
Okay.Wast hewi t
chfound?"Ishookmy
head."Alri
ght."Her ubbedmybackandhuggi ngme.
Ifel
tsosaf einhi sarms.GoodGod, whatwasI
thi
nkingfalli
ngi nlovewithapowerfulroyal
?
"Mntanam.Thi si snevergoingtobeeasy.Yousat
i
nt hehighestr oom ofthenati
on.Icanimaginet he
thedecisionsmadei nthereareext
remelydif
ficult
butforyout ober espectedandheard,youhavet o
bestrong.Iknowyoul oveNkosinhleandwillnever
l
ethim go.Soyouhavet otoughenupandbehi s
equal.
"
Me:"
I'
m scar
edofhi
sdad.He'
snotl
ikeyou.
"
Xolani
:"Andheisscar edofmebuthe' shereevery
halfhour,
knocki
ngont hatdoortocheckonyou.
I'
m notevenaking."Heki ssedmyhead." I
t'
sgoing
togeteasier
.Thegoodt hi
ngis,youhavehim and
hecares.Letmegetyousomet hi
ngtodri
nk."He
gotoutofbed,walkingoutt hesuit
e.Isi
ghed.
Mama:"
Whyunj
e?"
Me:"
Ma?
"
Mama:" Whyareyoual waysseeki ngattenti
on
Thembisa?Everyonemustat tendt oyou.Theking,
thepri
nce,yourfat
her.Forwhat ?Whymustyou
alwaysbebegged?I sitnotenought hatmanl oves
you?Whyungonel i
?"(Whyar en'tyousat i
sfi
ed?)
Me:"
MamaI
'
m notseeki
ngat
tent
ion.
"
Mama:" You'
reabouttobemar r
ied.Toaf ut
ureki
ng
Thembisa.Youweregi venanopportunit
ytobeina
veryi
mpor t
antmeetingandthefir
stthingyoudois
runtoyourfat
hercryingli
keachild?
"
Me:"Mama,
pleasedon'
tbel
iket
hisr
ightnow,
I
can'
t-
"
Mama:" HewenaThembi sa.Don'ti
rri
tat
eme.Thisis
theonechanceyouhavet ogi
vesomet hingbackto
us.Wear eimport
antpeoplehereandyouwantt o
rui
nthatforatt
enti
on!?Youwillnotruinthi
sforme,
Thembisa.Iwil
lneverforgi
veyou.Imagine?Every
30minutesthatmani satthedoorbegging?AKi ng?
Nodon'tbestupidman!!Nxa!Whatt hehelli
s
wrongwi t
hyou!?Yoh,sundonyanyisaman.Don'tdo
that.Youwi l
lneverinyourlif
efindsomeonewho
willbegandl oveyoulikethatman, dontbestupid.
"
Myf atherwalkedincar r
yingjui
ce.Iheldbackmy
tearsbecauseIdi dn'
twantanot herargument.My
heartwast ornbecauseIt houghtIwasgetting
somewher ewi thmymot herbutthi
swascl earl
yall
forher.
Me:"
Thankyout
ata.
"Ihadasi
pofmyj
uice.
Mama:" NaweXol
anist
opcoddl
ingt
hischi
ld
becauseshe'
sgoi
ngtobeaweakwife!"
Xol
ani
:"Nt
ombenhl
e,don'
tst
artyournonsense.
"
Mama:" WhatnonsenseXolani?We'vehadtosit
hereforhour
swhi l
eshesleptinyourarmsall
becauseofwhat?Whycan' tshetoughenup?What
wouldbesohor r
ibleatameetingthatshemustcry
i
nyourar ms?Willyoubehereeverydayforhert
o
cry?"
Xolani:"
She'smychil
dandshewi l
lcr
yasmuchas
shewant sinmyarms.Ifyouhaveaprobl
em wi
th
thatthengositel
sewhere.
"
Mama:"
Thecount
rymustcomet
oast
andst
il
l
becauseshe'
scryi
ng?Thi
sonewon'
tlastonthat
thr
one.Youjustwat
ch.I
nONEyear,
thatkingwil
l
marryagai
n."
Xolani:"
ThatwillnothappenwhileIsti
lll
ive.
Thembi saonlyneededsomet imetogether sel
f
together.Thecountrywon'tst
andsti
llf
orany
reason.Whycan' tshehaveamoment ?"
Mama:" Momentofwhat ,
Xol
ani?Hehe.Youj ust
watch.Uzoshiywalo."
(shewi
llbelef
t).Igotup,
goingtot hebat
hroom.Iwashedmyf aceandl etit
dry.Ichangedmydr esstoamor ecasualli
ghtblue
maxi dress.
Me:"
Ineedt
ospeakt
othepr
incet
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Okay,
shoul
dIcomewi
t-
"
Mama:" NO!Thembisaisgr
own,
shemustdealwi
th
herhusbandbyherself
."
Me:"I'
l
lbef i
netata."Iwal
kedoutthefamil
yroom
withmyhear ti
nmyknees.Iwal kedtothe
rest
aurant.Thekingwassitt
ingatatableeat
ing.
Nkosiwassi t
ti
ngf arfr
om hi
m onacouch, st
ari
ng
athim wit
hadar klook.HestoodupwhenIwal ked
i
n.
Me:"Goodaf
ter
noon,
YourMajest
y."TheKing
l
ookedatme,wipi
ngthecor
ner
sofhi smouthwi
th
anapkin.
King:"
Donecr yi
ng?Ithoughtyouwerestr
ong
enoughf orcounci
l,
clear
lyIwaswrong.You'
rej
ust
anordinaryli
tt
legi
rl.
"
Me:"Iam donecr
yingandi
twillbethelastti
me
becauseyou'r
enotgoi
ngtoki
llpeopleagain.
"He
l
aughed.
King:"
Lit
tl
egir
l,ar
ewef ri
ends?
"Hest
oodup.Nkosi
pull
edmyar m,Igrabbedi
tback.
Me:"
No.You'
remyki
ng.
"
King:"
Ithoughtasmuch.Don' tf
orgetthatplease."
HelookedatNkosi ."
Well,haveyouaskedhert ot el
l
met oleave?"Hel aughed."Nakhamul acouldhave
j
usttakent histhr
onebecausehowt hehellwillyou
runacount ryifyouhavet oaskf orpermissi
onf r
om
apersont hisweak?Pat heti
c."Hewal kedout.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Me:"
No.I
'
m sor
ryNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
,love?
"
Me:"Idon'twantyoutobeweak.Idon'
twantyour
fat
hertotalkl
ikethatt
oyou.Iwon'
tcryagai
n.I
'm
sorr
y."
Nkosi :"
Myf at
herisahor r
ibl
eperson.He'
salways
tal
kedl i
kethat.I
t'
stocausear eacti
on.I
thas
nothingtowi t
hyou.IknowI '
m notweak,Ihaveyou.
You'rethemostcour ageouspersonIknow.You
can'tnotcryagain,Thembi sa.Idon'
twantyouto
tur
ni ntomyf amil
yt hatiscoldandhasabsolutel
y
noemot i
on.
"
Me:"NoNkosi
.Ifyou'
regoi
ngt
obeKi
ng,
Ican'
trun
scar
edal
ltheti
me."
Nkosi:"
It
'syourfi
rstt
ime.You'
veneverexperi
enced
anyroyaltr
aini
ng.Idon'
texpectyoutonotbe
scar
ed.Atleastyouhelditt
ogetherunt
ilyougot
home.
Me:"
Icr
iedi
nsi
der
oyalcour
tandt
hrewupout
side.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reaki
ndl
ovi
ngper
sont
hathasnever
watchedsomeonedi e.YouwatchedTWOt hen
madeasober ,fairr
ulingri
ghtaft
er.Iwoul
d'vebeen
wor r
iedi
fyoudidn'treact.
"Hehuggedmet ight
."I
t'
s
goingtogetbetterandIpromisewhathappened
todaywon'thappenagai n.
"
Me:"Okay.Sowhat'
snext,anannouncementr
ight
?
Yousti
llhavet
oaddressthenati
onaboutthe
prot
ester
sshooti
ngfi
rst
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Whatdoyout
hinkIshoul
dsay?
"
Me:"
Let'
snotdoit.
"Heletgoofme,si
tt
ingdownon
t
hecouch.Isatontopofhim,
cuddl
inginhi
sarms.
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
twantmet
oleave?
"
Me:" No.Nott hat
.Idon' tt
hinkyoushouldaddress
thepr otestorsshooting.Itgivest
hem digni
ty,i
t
givest hem yourattentionandempat hy.Thetruthi
s,
theyconspi r
edagainstt hethroneandThatisill
egal
.
Iftodayt aughtmeanyt hing,it
'st
onotfeel
compassi onforpeopl ewhogooutoft hei
rwayt o
disrespectyou.You' vedoneyourbi t,
yougavet hem
achance, youwar nedt hem.Theydon'tdeservea
thingmor e.Thiswil
lalsosendamessaget o
anyoneel
sewhot riesthestuntagai
nthatt
heywi
ll
notbehonoured.Theywi l
lbenoaddress,t
hei
r
nameswon'tbecount ed,nocommemor ati
on,
no
remembrance.Nothing."
Nkosi
:"Love.
"
Me:"
Hm?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantyoutoturnintomyf at
her.Ifel
l
i
nlovewithyoubecauseyouwer ekindandloving.I
l
ovetheThembisathatcr
ieswhenshemi ssesme.I
hat
eseeingyoucrybutIlovethatitcanhappen.I
l
ovefeeli
ng.Don'
tmakemyf at
herchangethat,
pl
ease.
"
Me:"
Ijustwantyoutobegreat
.Idon'
tli
kehear
ing
hi
mtalkli
kethatwit
hyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Icanhandlemyfather.Not
hinghesays
t
ouchesmei nanyway."Ikissedhisli
ps."
Doyou
wantt
ohaveal it
tl
epicni
ctogetherbefor
eIleave
f
ormyl astmeeti
ng?"
Me:"Api
cni
cNkosi
?Youwantyourf
athert
o
expl
ode?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Hel
aughed."
Iknowitwillpi
sshi
m off
tonoendandIcan'
tseepasti
t.I
'
llgetthebl
anket
baby.
"
Me:" HayiNkosi.Let'
snot.Yoh,Ican'
tannoyhim
mor ethanIhavet oday.Idon'
tli
kethewayhe
speakst oyou.Let'
sfocusonyouwor ki
ng,he'
l
l
disappearsoon."
Nkosi
:"Hedoesn'
twanttol
eavebecauseheknows
youwon'tki
ckhim out
."
Me:"
Trustme,he'
llgetbored.Thi
sisahappyhouse
andt
hat'
snothisscene."Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyousomuch.Ican'
twai
ttocome
home.
"
Me:"Ial
socan'
twai
tunti
lyou'
rehome.Letmewal k
youout.
"Wegotup,wal
kingouttot
heentrance.
"Wi
llyoubehomefordi
nner?"
Nkosi
:"Yesmylove.Al
ways.
"Hest
oleaqui
ckki
ss
bef
oresomeonecameby.
Me:"
Okay.
"Theki
ngwal
kedoutt
hepassaget
ous.
Ki
ng:
"Dowehavet
heper
missi
ont
oconcl
udeour
busi
nessnow?HerRoyalMaj
est
y?Si
nceyou'
rei
n
char
ge."
Nkosi
:"Father.
"Hewarned.Theki
ngwalkedoutto
hi
scar."Don'tl
ist
ent
ohim.Iloveyou.
"Hekissed
me,walki
ngout .

PRI
NCEPOV_

Irodebacktomyoffi
cewit
hMt hunzi
.IfIhadt
obe
i
nacarwi thmyfat
herI'
dprobabl
ystrangl
ehimto
death.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
ngsseem t
ense.
"
Nkosi
:"Asusualwhenmyfat
heri
saround.Hi
s
f
avouri
teact
ivi
tyispi
ssi
ngmeoff
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdi
dhedot
hist
ime?
"
Nkosi:"
He'
st r
yingt oturnmysoft,l
ovi
ngwifeint
o
hi
m.Hei smani pulati
ngherbytalki
ngdownt ome
sothatshetoughensupanddoeswhathesays.
Thefuckedupshi tisthatThembisawon'
tthrow
hi
m outbecauseshe' stooniceandhe'spl
aying
t
hatt
ohi
sadvant
age.
"
Mthunzi:"
Thembi saiswayt
oosmarttofalli
ntohis
tr
ap.Yes,she'sscarednowbutshewil
ladjustand
fi
ndawayt ofi
tinyourworl
d.Yourf
atherwil
lget
boredeventuall
y.Youknowhim.Don'
tpayhi m any
mind."
Nkosi
:"That
'sdi
ff
icul
tbecausehemi
ghtj
ustmove
i
n.Hehasnoboundar i
es."
Mthunzi
:"Good,l
ethim.MaybethenThembisawi
ll
getsi
ckofhim andtel
lhi
mt ol
eave."Isi
ghed.
Nkosi:"
Imightkil
lhim befor
et hathappens."I
l
ookedoutt hewindow.Mymi nddr if
tedofft
o
Thembisa.Shewoul dbewai t
ingf ormet ohave
supperwit
hherandhonest l
yIcan' twait
.Nothi
ng
makesgoingt oworkmor ewor thitthanknowing
she'
llberi
ghttherewaiti
ngforme.
Mthunzi
:"Smi
lesal
ready?Whatwer
eyou
pr
omised?"Hechuckled.
Nkosi
:"ThankyouMt
hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Forwhatnow?
"
Nkosi
:"Youkeptpushi
ngmet oher.Iwoul
d've
messedeveryt
hingupifIdi
dn'
thaveyou."
Mt hunzi
:"No,youwoul d'
vekeptstari
ngather
foreverandyouwoul d'
vecaughtast alkercase."He
l
aughed.Ismi led."
Putyourf acebackon, we'r
eat
wor kNkosinhl
e."Ilaughed.Thecarpar kedandwe
wal kedi
nthebui l
ding.Myf atherwasaheadofus
withhisownguar ds.Wewal kedintotheof f
ice.
Sibonelowasher ewi thZwelethu,Khayaand
Mnqobi .
Nkosi:"
Goodaf
ter
noonroyals.
"Thegreetedback."
I
wantedustodi
scusst
oday'sevent
s.Sibonel
o,you
di
drecordasIi
nstr
uct
ed?"
Sibo:"
YesYourHi
ghness.
"Hel
ooked
uncomfort
abl
e.
Nkosi
:"Gr
eat
,wher
eisKi
ngBi
yel
a?Ineedhi
m
her
e."
Ki
ng:
"Why?
"
Nkosi:"He'
saKi ng,theonl
yonel ef
totherthanyou
andIwanthi m onmycounci l
.Pleasenotif
yhim
Zwelethu,we'
llstar
twhenhear r
ives."
Ki
ng:
"ImustWAI
T?"
Nkosi:"
Father,i
fyouwanttol
eavethengoahead.I
am buil
dingcouncilf
ormyrei
gn.WhoIwantoni t,
wil
lbeoni t.We'
regoingt
owaitforKi
ngBiyel
a."He
satdown, f
oldi
nghisarms.Heissuchababy.

Ki
ngBiyel
aarri
vedinlesst
han30minut
es.He
wal
kedintheoff
ice,
acknowledgi
ngt
heki
ng.
Bi
yel
a:"
MyPr
ince,
youcal
ledf
orme.
"
Nkosi:"YesKi ngBi yela.Fir
stIwantt ot hankyoual l
forstandingbymeandshowi nggr eatl oyal t
y.We' ve
hadadi ffi
cultweek, andwemanagedt oweave
throughittoget her.AsIsai dbef ore,youar ewhoi
choosef ormycounci l
.Ineedr eliable,trustwor thy
peoplearoundmet hathavethesamevi sionf orthis
nationasIdo.Today, wehadr oyalcounci l.Af ew
thi
ngshavet ranspi r
edandwehavet odiscuss
them today.Si bonelo,pleasepl aybackt he
recordi
ng."Wel ist
enedt other ecor ding.Ever yone
wasqui etthroughoutunt i
lthever yend.
Nkosi
:"Samukel
isi
wehasdi
ed,
aswel
lMpondo.
Royalst atushasbeenr evokedf r
om al
lroyal
s.
Exceptt heBi yelafami l
y.Allotherpal
acesand
regionr uli
ngswi llbedest r
oyed.Businesscontracts
willber edist
ributedorawar dedtopri
vate
compani esthatwi llbeselectedoncompet ence.
Aret hereanyquest i
onssof ar?"Mnqobiputuphi s
hand." Yes? "
Mnqobi:"Wehaveabusinessarr
angementwi t
hthe
Phakamisafamil
y.We'vemergedourventur
eandI
haveanengagementwi t
hthei
rdaughteronthe
premiseoft
hisvent
ure.Dowehavet ocutti
eswith
them?"
Ki
ng:
"Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouwantt
odoMnqobi
?"
Ki
ng:
"It
hinkImadet
hedeci
sionf
orhi
m."
Nkosi
:"Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi :"
Idon'
twantt
odisrespectt
hethr
one,Your
Highness.Iwil
lbr
eakt
heengagement .
"That
'sthe
l
astt hi
nghewantstodo.Icanhearthecr
ackinhis
voice.
Nkosi
:"Keepingyourwifewil
lnotbedisrespect
ing
thet
hrone.Iam notaskingyoutosendherhome.
However,herloyal
tyneedstobeevaluatedandyou
canmakeyourdeci si
onf r
om t
here.Itr
ustyou."
Mnqobi:"ThankyouYourHi ghness.Ipromi
seIwi
ll
putt
het hronefi
rsti
ndetermini
ngwhet herI
cont
inuewi tht
hemar r
iage.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Ki
ng:"
No,notthankyou.Weneedtodiscussthisin
l
engt
h.Whatisthebasisoft
hisbusi
nessBiyela?"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snoneedf
ort
hat
."
Biyel
a:"It
'sokay,YourHighness.Thebusi
nessis
thevineyardonFour t
h.I
t'scurr
entl
ythebiggesti
n
thenation.I
tisonoursoi l
,weapproachedthe
Phakami sa'
sofferi
ngthem 50%af t
erwesecured
thefarmi nexchangeforthei
rdaughter
."
Ki
ng:"Sothef
arm bel
ongst
obothofyou.Idon'
t
wantPhakami
saonmysoi l
,buyhi
m out
."
Nkosi:"
Fir
stofal
l,
thi
senti
renat
ionisoursoi
l.
Phakamisahasvari
ousbusi
nesses,
farmsand
minesinit.Ther
eisnoneedtodisabl
eproper
businessrel
ati
onsespeci
all
ybecausethi
sventur
e
i
sn'tcontr
actedbythethr
one."
Ki
ng: "
Hastoday'
sexer
cisenottaughtyouanyt
hing?
Yougiver
oyalsachancetofuckyouoverandthey
wil
l!
!"
Nkosi:"Theser oyal
shaven't
.Theywi llnotbe
punishedf orthemistakesofothers.Youyour sel
f
havebusi nesswi t
hPhakami sa,wil
lyoucutt hat
off?"Hest aredatme." Ki
ngBiyela,pl
easereview
thetermsofyouragr eementandasIment ioned
beforeeval uat
etheloyalt
yofthepar t
nership.Ido
trustyoutodowhat '
sbestforthethrone."
Biyel
a:"ThankyoumyPr i
nce.I
'
llsor
titoutbef
oreI
reti
reforbedthi
seveni
ng."
Nkosi
:"Nexti
ntheagenda?
"
Khaya:"
Thepr
otest
ersshoot
ing,
YourHi
ghness.
Youweretogi
veastatement
."
Nkosi:"
I'
vechangedmymi nd.Iwi
llnotbe
digni
fyi
ngtheprot
esters.Theywerewar nedf
air
ly
evenwhent heybr
eakingthelaw.They'r
enot
gett
inganymoreat
tenti
ononmyti
me.Infact
,have
thebodi
esbeenret
urnedtot
hef
amili
es?
"
Khaya:"
Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"
Pit
y.Burningt hem woul d'vesentacl earer
message.IdoallIcani nmypowert obetterthis
nati
onandgi veciti
zensequalandf airopportuniti
es.
Thereisnotathingt hattheydonotaskf orandIdo
notprovi
de.Asyou' veseen, there'snotasi ngle
personli
vingonthest r
eets.Thehomel esshave
shelt
ersandgetdonat edto,providedwi thskilland
l
ateremployment .I
ft heywantt ospi tinmyf ace, I
wil
lburntheir
s."
Ki
ng:
"Foronce,
Iful
lysuppor
tthat
."
Nkosi:"Yourpreciouspr incesstaughtmet hatso
youcant hankher ."Hehi ssedinf r
ustr
ation.Iwas
struggl
ingtokeepast raightface."Iwil
lneedt o
makeanannouncementat6pm.Thi s
announcementwi l
lneedt ogoi ndetai
laboutt he
royalsandther oyalstatust hathavebeenr evoked.
Iwantt oaddresswhatt hiswi l
lmeanf ortheir
kingdomsandr egions.Khaya, pleasestart
dr
aft
ing.
"
Khaya:"
Yes,
Mypr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Weal soneedtoeasethelockdown
thr
oughoutthismonth.We'l
lst
artslow.Thethreat
i
snotcompl etel
ygonebutwehaver emovedthe
powerithad.I'
m expect
ingt
hefivefamili
estoleave
bymorning."
Zwe:"What
'
sgoi
ngtohappent
othei
rar
mies,
thei
r
guar
dsandser
vant
s?"
Nkosi:"They'
llbeenteredintothesystem tofi
nd
otheremployment ,however ,
Ineedtheirnames
fl
agged.Idon' twantanyofust ohirethem inour
ownhomesandbusi nesses.Asweknow, someof
ourpeoplearever yloyalandIexpectthesamewi th
them.Wear enottohi r
et hei
remployeesanywhere
nearus.Theycanbepl acedi nemploymentin
privat
esectors."
Zwe:"Ihaveafewinter
nsthatIhadbookedforthe
hospi
tallat
ert
hisweek.Thiswasconcludedfour
monthsago.Theircont
ractshaveal
readybeen
si
gned.It'
saboutfi
veofthem."
Nkosi:"
Sincetheircontr
act
swer ealr
eadysigned
pri
orlastweek,youcandoaf inaleval
uati
onand
concl
udef r
om there."Henodded."Haveyoustar
ted,
Khaya?"
Khaya:"YesYourHighness,I
'vegotdownseveral
point
s,Ithi
nkit'
simport
antthatweletthepubli
c
knowt heotherr
o-famil
iescommi t
edtreason.
"
Mnqobi:"
Won'tt
hatbel
ikewe'
repai
nti
ngt
hem i
n
badl
ighttoj
usti
fyr
emovingt
hem?"
Khaya:"No, i
twillbethet r
uth.Per haps, Your
Highnesscanal sosendaf ormaldocumentt othem
tosignandacceptt het ermsofhavi ngt hei
rstatus
revoked.Inthatway, theywi llbeadmi tt
ingtohave
commi ttedacr i
me.Thi sal soshowst hethroneina
goodl i
ght,t
hattheyar enoti ntendi ngt oharm, t
hey
areforgivi
ngbutt hisist heofficiall
astwar ning.Any
i
llegalactagainstthet hroneaf terthis,i
sadeat h
war r
ant.Noonewi l
ltouchyouagai n."
Nkosi
:"Il
ovethat
.Si
bonel
o,youcandr
aftt
his
document?"
Si
bo:"
Easi
ly,
myPr
ince.I
twi
l
ltakeaboutt
wohour
s.
Mnqobi,
contactt
heheadmedi ahousefora6pm
sl
otfort
hisannouncement.Highli
ghtt
heur gency
andimport
anceofit.Iwanteveryonet
alki
ngabout
i
t."
Mnqobi
:"Oni
t.
"
Zwe:"
I'
llst
artthememoontheeasi
ngoft
he
l
ockdownsol ong.Mt
hunzi
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Sur
e."Theysatt
oget
her
.
Biyela:"
Seemsl i
keanef fi
cientteam.Thef ut
ureis
i
ncapabl ehandsisn'
tit
,MyKi ng? "Hechuckled.My
fatherstaredateachandever yonesilent
ly.
King:"
Itseems. "Igotup, checkingmyphoneasI
l
efttheoffi
ce.<Busi nessmi ghtbeconcludedear l
y
today,Imissyou.Canwet rytosneakofft oget
her
forafewhour saf t
erdi nner?>Isenti
t.Sher epl
ied
almostinstant
ly:<I'
dlovet hatbaby.Ican'twait
.I'
ve
neversnuckoutbef oresot hi
sisboundt obe
funny.
>Ilaughed.<Don' tl
iebaby,thefi
rstt i
mewe
spokeyousnuckoutt heguesthouse.>Isenti t
,
l
ookingupatmyf at
her .
Ki
ng:
"Soyoul
eavet
hecount
ryi
not
herpeopl
e'
s
handswhi
leyoumakel
ovef
acesatyourphone?
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
syouri
ssuewi
thl
ove?Whydoesi
t
bot
heryousomuch?"
Ki
ng:
"Iti
sdi
str
act
ingyou!
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m aboutsi
ckofyounow.Idon'twantt
o
f
ightyoufather
,buti
fcomewhatmay, youconti
nue
t
opokeatmeorThembi saIwi
llf
ightbackandyou
wil
lnotenjoyit
."
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyout
hreat
eni
ngmeMehl
uli
?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m dar
ingyout
ost
art.We'
llseewho
f
ini
shes.
"Hestar
edatme,
Ilookedbackathi
m.
Ki
ng:"
Youfor
get,
Iputyoui
nthatpowerandIcan
t
akeyouof
fit
."
Nkosi:"
Try."Hesnappedhi sfi
nger,hi
slight
eni
ng
sparki
ngup.Ist aredintohiseyes.(Swit
choff.
)I
whispered.Hishandsswi t
chedoff.Hesnapped
againandi tdi
dn'tli
ght."YoucanaskThembi sa,t
o
askmet ogi vei
tback. ".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er82

PETU'
SPOV_

Mysisterhadt
ocomefetchme.Itr
iedbeggi
ngmy
dadbuthewasadamantandt hr
eat
eningtocal
lthe
pol
ice.Si
zaparkedi
nherdri
veway.
Si
za:"
Doyouwantt
otel
lmewhathappened?
"I
wi
pedmytear
s.
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tevenknowwher
etost
art
."
Siza:"
Thebegi
nni
ngmaybe?Whydi
dhet
hrowyou
out?"
Petu:"
Dadwaspl anningtheprotest.Ioverheard
hi
m ont hephone,t
alkingaboutitthedaybef oreit
happened.Idi
dn'twanthimt ogethur t
.Idon'tknow
whatIwast hi
nki
ng.It ol
dMnqobiabouti t
."
Si
za:"
Pet
u!!Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"
Pet
u:"
Sizayousawwhathappened!Ihadt
ost
op
him.It
houghtt
heywouldj
ustwar
nthem or
somethi
ng.Ij
ustwant
eddadtobesaf
e."
Si
za:"
Sohowdi
dheendupsur
vivi
ng?
"
Petu:"It
hinktheygothim outoft herewheni t
happenedbecausehe' sinj
ured.Hesayst heycame
tofetchhim.Idon'tknow.WhenIgott hemessage
today,Ithoughtsomeonewasset ti
ngat rapsoI
askedMnqobit obor r
owmeaguar dt ocheckt he
house.Wewentt her
eandhel ookedt hroughthe
houset omakesur eit
'ssafe.Daddi dn'ttakekindl
y
toit.Hehatesthem somuch.Si za, hesayst hey
kil
ledmom, i
sthattr
ue?"
Siza:"
Noit'
snot
.YohPet
u.Whydi
dn'
tyouj
ustl
et
thisgo!Whydi
dyoumeddle?
"
Pet
u:"
Wewoul
d'vel
ostourf
ather
!!
"
Siza:"
We'
velosthi
m NOW.Hemayst
il
lbeal
ivebut
he'sdi
sownedyou!
"
Petu:"
Sizawhathappenedtomum?Iwast oo
youngwhenshedi edbutIknowyouguysare
hidi
ngwhathappenedtoher."
Siza:"Let
'sgoinsi
desoIcancheckt hechi
ldr
enand
findussomet hi
ngtodrink."Wegotoutofthecar,
takingmybagsi nsidet
ot heguestroom.Si
zawent
tocheckonherki dsandcamebackwi t
habottl
eof
vodka.Shepour edashotf orhersel
fanddr
ankit."
I
kill
edmum. "Istar
edather ,conf
used.
Pet
u:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Siza:" RememberIl eftt hehouse?Iwentt o
univer sit
yi nGol denCr own.Youwer eabout9year s
oldatt het i
me.Ist artedmyf i
rstyearandIlost
cont r ol.Istartedpar tyingandnegl ecti
ngmybooks.
Iregr etitalotbutbysomemi racleIpassedf i
rst
year .Ihat edgoi ngbackhome.Wi ththewaydad
treat edmum, Iwasj ustt i
redofi tall
.Petu,
our
fatherwasn' talwayst heper sonyouknow.Ikept
quietal ltheseyear sbecausehe' sallwehad.Our
mot hermai ntainedourhome.Shewaswor kingasa
nur se.Fat hergotpar ttimej obsher eandtherebut
nothi ngst able.Apar tfrom t hat,
hewoul dbeather .
That 'swhyIdi dn'twantt ocomehome.Iwi shI
madebet terdeci si
ons.Iwi shIwasassmar tasyou
Pet u."Shedr ankanot hershot ."
Insecondyear .I
beganf ai
lingandevent uall
yst oppedgoi ngt o
school .Theschoolsentmom al etteraboutmynon
attendanceandshel eftwor k,dr i
vingupt oGol den
Crownt of etchme. "Shechuckl ed."Youshoul d've
seenher ,shewasl ividPet u.Iwasi nast udent
commune.Ihadahangovert hatday, wehadn' t
cleaned.Shecamei nshout ingatme, grabbi ngal l
ofmycl othes.Shet ookal mostever ythingand
threatenedmet ogeti nt hecar .Wedr oveback,
comi nghome.Thewhol ewayshewasshout i
ng
andshout ing.Whenwewer eal mosther e, dad
called.Heshout edatheraboutl eavi ngwor kto
comeat tendt oausel essper son.Heber at edher
aboutl eavi ngyou, achi ldandr unni ngaf terme, an
adul t
.Mamaar guedt hatIwasst i
llherchi ldand
she'dr unaf t
ermewher everIwas. "Shest arted
crying."Thear guingwentonf orabi tbef oreshe
hungup.Shet urnedt omeandt oldmeI '
m al ways
starti
ngt roubl eandt hatIhadt ober esponsi blef or
mysel f.Icanneverf orgivemysel fforwhatIsai dt o
her."Shehel dherf ace, cryingi nherhands." Isai d
tomymot hersheshoul dber esponsi blef orme
i
nst eadshekeptmei nanabusi vehomeandIhad
nohomet raini
ngonlysur vi
val.
"Shesobbed.The
tearsIheldbackst art
edr ol
li
ngdownmyf ace."She
l
ookedatme, andthat'
swhenshel ostcontrolofthe
car.Thehandt hatwasaboutt oslapme, heldme
backast hatcarskiddedof ftheroadandr olledover.
Shepr ot
ect edmeandI '
dhurther.Ikil
ledour
mot herPetu."..
..

West ayedinbedcr yi
ngf oroveranhour .Allt
he
memor iesofmymot hercamer ushi
ngback.I
rememberSi zacomi nghomei nawheel chai r
.I
remembert hef uneral.Ir
emembermyf at hercryi
ng
everynight.Ir ememberr ealizi
nghowmuchhe
despisedSiza.I 'dhadt ohelphereverydaybecause
shecoul dbar elydoanyt hingforher
self.Eventuall
y
l
earningt owal kagai nandget t
ingbackt odoing
thi
ngsmont hsaf tertheaccident.
Si
za:"
I'
m sor
ryPet
u.I
'
m sor
ryIst
oleourmot
her
."
Petu:"Si
zayoudi
dn'tki
llourmother.I
twasan
accident
.Iknowyoudidn'twanthertobehur
t.
"
Si
za:"
Dadst
il
lhasn'
tfor
givenmer
eal
ly.
"
Pet
u:"
Ist
hatwhyyour
efusedt
ocomehome?
"
Siza:"
Par
tl
y.Rememberyouwentt
oboar
ding
schoolwhenyout
urned14?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.Youappl
iedf
orme.
"
Siza:"Yes.Andyougotabur sary.Soitwasei t
hera
publicschoolorthat.Mum'sl i
feinsurancewas
fi
nishedbecauseIf oughtthelawyert opayoffour
housebondwi t
hit.Daddidn'thaveapr operjob,I
couldn'tr
iskusbeinghomel esst oo.Youdidn't
deservethat.
"
Pet
u:"Whatdi
dyoudo?Thatbur
sar
yisdi
ff
icul
tto
get
."
Siza:"Thesobst orydidn'twork,soIsleptwit hthe
chairmanoft heschool .Istal
kedhisnightpl aces
andappr oachedhi m."Ifeltsohorri
ble,Isatup
uncomf ort
ably."Ihadt odoi t
,Iwantedt oPet u.
Pleasedon'tfeelbad.Iwasneveragoodgi r
l,let
's
notpretendIwasasai nt
.Howdoyout hinkImet
Jackson?He' s15year sol derthanme.Iknewwhat
Iwasdoi ng,Ihadt osetyouup.Iknewagood
schoolwi l
lgi
veyouhi gherchancest ogeta
scholarshi
pfortert
iary.Youhadabet terchanceof
passingandmaki ngsomet hi
ngoutofyour sel
f.
"I
knowt hatmysisterlovedme, she'
salwaysl ooked
outforme.Especiallyafterourmotherdied.She
playedtherol
easbestshecan.Shenever
compl ai
ned.
Petu:"
Allt
heseyearsSiza.Al
lthi
sti
me,Ipr
aised
ourfat
herforyourwork.Whendidhest
artatthe
company?"
Siza:"Foryoutogetthebursar
y,hehadtobe
empl oyedbyroyal
s.Sohegotent er
edint
othe
system andtheyempl oyedhi
mf ort
heservi
cingof
cars.Honestl
y,hedidwor khar
d,hedidcl
imbt he
l
adderhi mself
."
Pet
u:"
Whywon'
tyougi
veyour
sel
fcr
edi
t?"
Siza:"
ForwhatPetu?Iputusi nthatsi
tuati
on.I
fI'd
j
ustbeenagoodchi l
dandl i
stenedtomymot her,
focusedonschool
, Icoul
d'vegottenheroutofthat
sit
uati
onbutIki
ll
edheri nstead-"
Petu:"
Stopsayi
ngthat!
!Juststop.
"Itookashotof
vodkatoo.Thebi
tt
ernessburntmyt hr
oatandchest
.
"
Whydoeshesayt
heBi
yel
a'
ski
ll
edmot
her
?"
Siza:"
Thenightoftheaccident,
ther
ewasar oyal
parade.I
'
m notsurewhatwashappeni ngbutthere
wassomuchchaosandt raff
ici
ntothecity.The
ambulancedelayedbecauseoft hat
.Shedi edon
thewaytohospital.Theroyal
sdidn'
tintenti
onal
ly
dosomet hi
ng.Fatherjust
..
.hedoesn'
tlikethem-"
Petu:"No.Hehatesthem becauset heytookaway
hisslave.Hehatesthem becausetheyputar ul
ein
placethatgavehimr esponsi
bil
it
ythathedi dn't
want.Hewant edourmot hertowor kforhi
m and
takecareofhim anduswhi lehefreeloaded."
Siza:"
Petu,t
hisi
swhyIkeptal
lthi
sfrom you.I
don'twantyoutohat
ehi
m, he'
sourfather
."
Petu:"That'stheproblem Si
za.He'
sconditi
onedyou
tobelieveit'
sokayt omarryhim.Theonlydiff
erence
hereist hatJacksonactuall
yprovi
desbuthei ssti
ll
abusivet oyou.That'swhyyouwon' tl
eave.You
thi
nkyoudeser vethisassomesor tofpuni
shment .
"
Si
za:"
Pleasest
opt
his.Dr
opt
hist
opi
cri
ghtnow.
"
Pet
u:"
Asl
ongasyouhear
dme.
"..
.
SASAPOV_

Thechef'swerepreparingsupperforusasthey
usuall
ydid.Iwasn'tall
owedinthatkit
chen,
allI
coulddowasr equestacer t
ainmealorhandovera
reci
pesoIaskedf orthemealwehadonourf ir
st
date.Iwenttomyf atherint
heloungeareawhere
helookedathistablet,nodoubtwatchi
nghisgoat
s.
Me:"
Tat
a."Isatnextt
ohi
m.
Xol
ani
:"Himyangel
."Heputt
het
abl
etasi
de.
Me:"
Uhm.Idon'
twanttodisr
espectyouTata.SoI
t
houghtI
'
drat
heraskforpermissi
onfi
rst
."
Xol
ani:"
Forwhat,mychil
d?"Il
ookedatmyhands,
ner
vouslyunabl
etolooki
nhisface.
Me:"So..
.Ihaven'tspentalotofti
meal onewit
h
NkosiandIwast hinkingthatmaybe,ifitwasokay
t
ospendsomet imewi t
hhim aft
ersupper."
Xol
ani
:"Oh?"Iwoul
dprobabl
ydieof
embar
rassmentoneday.Thi
siswassoshamef
ul.I
shoul
d'vejustsnuckoutl
ikeanor
malchi
ld.What
ki
ndofdi sr
espect.
Me:"
We'llj
ustpl
ayboar
dgamesTat
a.Andwat
cha
movi
e."
Xol
ani
:"Amovi
e?"OhBawo.
Me:"
YesTat
a."
Xol
ani:"
YouknowwhenIwashi sageuNkosi,
Ihad
twochil
dren.
"Ear
th,
openpl
ease,qui
ckl
y.Sendme
tot
hebasementofhell
.
Me:"
HayiTat
a,wewon'
tdot
hat
."Iwassoashamed.
Xolani:"Iwoul
dexpectyounottodi
srespectmelike
that.Sowhenwi llyoucomebackaft
erwatchinga
movi e?"I'
dneveraskfort
hewholeni
ght,I'
m not
thatbrave.
Me:"
Idon'
tknowTat
a,maybeabi
tlat
e."
Xol
ani
:"Abi
tlat
e?"
Me:"
YesTat
a."
Xol
ani
:"Ar
eyouusi
ngcondoms-
"
Me:"
Tat
a."Iwant
edt
othr
owupi
mmedi
atel
y.Why
weremyparent
ssocomfor
tabl
ewitht
alki
ngabout
sex?Atanymoment
."We'
renotdoi
ngthatpl
ease.
"
Xolani:"
Goodbecausebef
orehim Iknowyouasa
vi
rgin.Iwaspr
omi sedamarr
iagefir
st.
"
Me:"
Yessi
r.
"
Xolani
:"Al
ri
ghtt
hen.Youcanspendsomet
imewi
th
yourpri
nceandwatchamovie.
"
Me:"
ThankyouTat
a.Ineedt
ogetr
eady.
"
Xol
ani
:"Foramovi
e?"
Me:" Tatapl ease.Ij ustneedt ofreshenup. "He
chuckl ed.Iwal kedout ,embar rassedl i
kehel l
.This
willbeanuncomf ortabl edinner,Icanjustsayt hat
now.I nourf amilyr oom, mamawaswat chingTV
andsnacki ngonpeanut s.Itookaver yqui ck
showerandchangedi ntoabr ownbackl essmaxi
dress, puff
ingt hel astbi tsofmyper fume.Icombed
myhai rout,wear ingagol dheadband.Il eftthe
room tot hegar denwher eAmahl eandNel ewer e
chill
ing.Theywer el ayi ngont hegr asslisteningto
musi c.IthoughtAmahl edi dn'
tli
kemusi c?She
l
ookedver ycomf or table.
Me:"
Heyl
oves.
"
Nel
e:"
Hey,
youl
ookgor
geous.
"
Ama:"Youal
waysdothistohim whenyou'
re
ovul
ati
ng,mypoorbr
otherThembisa.
"
Me:"Notyoutootshomiplease.I
'vehadenough
embarr
assingsextalkf
ortheweek.Iaskeddadf or
per
missiontospendsomet imewi t
hNkosiandhe
al
lbutaskedifwe'
llbehavingsex."Theyl
aughed.
Ama:"
That
'sf
unny.Whatdi
dhesay?
"
Me:"
Apparent
lyhehadt wochildr
enalr
eadywhen
hewasNkosi'
sage."Theylaughedagai
n."Thi
swi
ll
beanawkwarddinner.
"
Ama:"
Yeah,
nodoubt
.Haveyouspokent
oPet
u?"
Me:"Nottoday.Ihaven'tevencal
ledZi
mmy.Her
applaunchedearli
ertodayr i
ght
?Iwassti
lli
nhel
l
then.
"Shegiggled.
Ama:"
Yeah.
"
Me:"
I'
llcal
lthem l
ater
.Howi
sNot
hando?
"
Ama:"
Ihaven'
tspokent
ohert
oday.Shewasf
ine
yester
daywhenwespoke.
"Iwonderhowshe's
goingtot
akethenewst
hatshe'
snolongera
pri
ncess.
Me:"Petu'sbir
thdayiscomingupthisweek.Maybe
weshoul dorganisesomethi
ng.Asleepover.We
haven'
tdoneyounggi rl
shavingfunthi
ngsinweeks.
It
'sbeenadultthingsal
lthr
oughout.No,weneeda
break.
"
Ama:"Iagr
ee.Maybeouror
igi
nalpl
an.Aski
ng
Mnqobitoborr
owusahouseinStel
lar
s."
Me:"
Wi t
hhisbreakupwi
thPet
u?Idon'
tknow
Amahle.Shehastodeci
de.
"
Ama:"Idon'tknowwhyshe'
sfi
ght
ingthi
sbutfi
ne,
she'
l
ldecide.Let'
sgoi
n.DadandNkosiarehome.
"
..
.

Dinnerwasi ndeedawkwar dasIexpected.Whywas

thekinghere?Hehasn' tsai
dawor d.Idon'tknowif
he'sangr
yort hat'
sjusthisface.Nkosidi
dn'tseem
topayhim anyat t
enti
on.Justatehisfoodhappi l
y.
Nkosi
:"Thi
swasthemealwehadonourf
ir
stdat
e."
Helookedatme,
smil
ing.
Me:"Yesi ti
s.Iaskedthem t
omakei t,j
usttohave
somet hi
ngniceafteradif
fi
cultday.Iknowhowyou
placememor ytosense.Youhadagoodeveni ng
then,so.
..
Iwantedyout oremembert hat.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'ssweetofyou.Ial
sogotyou
somethi
ng."
Me:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi :"
Hmm. "Her eachedinhispocket,pul
li
ngout
apur plevel
vetl i
ttl
ebag."Rememberwhenyou
brokeupwi thme?Ihadt hishopethatmaybe, we'
d
fi
ndourwaybackt oeachot heroneday.Igotthis
toremi ndmet okeepf ai
thforthatday.Iwenttothe
newhouset odayandr emember edit
.Ihopeyoul i
ke
i
t,Ihadi tmadef oryou.It
'stheonlyonethatexist
s."
Het ookoutt hebr acel
et.I
twasbeadedi nsoft
purpleandcot t
onpi nkwithagoldchar minthe
shapeofat iger .
Me:"
It
'ssopr
ett
y!Il
ovei
t.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sgoi
ngt
okeepyousaf
e.Thebeadscome
fr
om t
hemount
ain,
anyt
hingt
hatbr
eaksi
twi
llf
allat
yourf
eet
."
Me:"
It
'sgotpi
nkbeads!
"
Nkosi
:"Iknowbaby.They'
rever
ydi
ff
icul
ttof
ind.
"
Me:"
Ilovei
tsomuch.Thankyou.They'
resopr
ett
y."
Ki
ng:
"Forheaven'
ssake.
"Hemut
ter
ed.
Nkosi
:"Whatwast
hat
,fat
her
?"
Ki
ng:
"Wegeti
t,i
t'
spi
nk.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.I
t'
sherfavour
it
ecol
ouranditl
ooks
beaut
if
ul.
"Wecontinuedeati
ngqui
etl
y.
Mama:"Veryt
ragi
cthingthathappenedtoday,
hm?
Whowould'
vethoughttherewouldbepeoplewho
wor
kagainstt
hethrone.It
'sagoodruli
ngyoudi d,
myking.
"
King:
"Final
ly,
aproperconver
sati
on.
"Hesi
ghed."
It
wasn'tt
ragi
cenoughtobehonest.Thosef
amil
ies
deser
vet obehung.
"We'reeati
ng??
Nkosi
:"Pl
easenotatdi
nner
."
Ki
ng:
"Wher
eel
secanIdi
scussmyday?
"
Nkosi:"Anywher
ebutthedi
nnert
abl
e,f
ather
.Mr
Ntaka,howisthefar
m doi
ng?"
Xolani
:"Verywell
,YourHighness.Thewor ker
sar
e
doingagoodj obandlist
entoinstr
ucti
onwel l
.We
hadablockageatt hechi
ckencoop, i
ttookawhil
e
forustofigur
eitout.
"
Ki
ng:"Whymustwetalkaboutchi
ckensifwecan't
t
alkaboutmywork?Youseehowyoudi srespect
meMehl ul
i?
"
Nkosi
:"Chi
ckensdon'thur
tanyone.Canwepl
ease
haveapeacefulconver
sat
ion?
"
Ama:"Let'
srat
herdi
scusst
hewedding.Si
ncethe
wariscomingtoanend,wehaveagoodreasonto
cel
ebrat
e."
King:"Wehaven'thadaproperroyalweddi
ngsince
thesetwo'smother.
"Hebeamed." Thecountr
ywill
shutdown.Icani magine.
"Hechuckled."
Thefir
st,
willofcoursebethenegoti
ati
ons."
Mama:"MyKi ng,
Iwasfir
stthinkingmaybea
cer
emonywher esheist
estedf orvir
gini
tyandwas
cel
ebr
ated.Thisway,
thethronewi l
lberespect
ed
f
orhavi
ngwel
comedagi
rlwi
thhonour
."
Me:"Butmamawealr
eadyhadt
hevir
gini
tyt
est
ing
att
hereeddanceaf
ewweeksago.
"
Mama:"
It
'snohar
m doi
ngi
tagai
n."
King:"
That'sagreati
dea."Hesmiled.Myhear
t
star
tedracingathowhesmi ledasifhepl
anned
something.Surel
yI'
mj usti
magini
ngi t
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Weeventuall
yleftthefamilyatther estaur
ant,for
mtsuit
e.Myf atherwasst i
lltal
kingabouthi s
weddi
ngday.Amahl e,
Sasa' smot herandZanel e,
ent
ert
ainedhim.Hedi dn'tevennot i
ceusl eaving.I
hel
dmyl oveshand, walki
ngi nt
oourr oom.
Nkosi:"
Whati
sallt
his?"Ther
ewasasetupof
snacksandgamesintheloungear
ea.Il
ookedat
her.
Sasa:"
Iwasgett
ingusr
eadyformovi
eni
ghtbaby.
"
Ipul
ledheri
ntomyarms,asuddenur
geanddesi
re
st
ir
ri
ngi
nme.
Nkosi
:"Iwantt
omakemyownmovi
e."Iki
ssedher
l
ips,
holdi
ngherbody.
Sasa:"
Love,youheardtheconver
sat
ionr
ight
?They
wanttotestmeagain.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
lltal
khi
m outofi
t.
"Il
edhert
obed,
taki
ng
of
fherdress.
Sasa:"
Babe.
"
Nkosi:"
You'
llbemywi f
eThembi
sa,youal
ready
are.
"Iwasalreadyshi
veri
ngi
nheat
,myerecti
on
begi
nningtoache.
Sasa:"
Love,l
ookatme. "Ipul
ledawaywi t
h
dif
fi
cul
ty.Herf
acemaki ngitworse,
Ijustwant
edto
dri
nkher."
What'swrong?Isitmyovulati
ng?"My
sensestar
tedti
cki
ng,sl
owl ybutsur
ely.
Nkosi
:"Fuck.
"
Sasa:"
What
?"
Nkosi
:"Di
dmyf
athert
ouchmydr
ink?
"
Sasa:"
Yes,
hepour
edyouoneandbr
oughti
ttoyou
befor
eyousatdownf ordi
nner
."That
'swhyt
he
uncontr
oll
abl
eurge.
Nkosi
:"Hedr
uggedme.
"Il
aughed.Myf
atheri
sso
chi
ldi
sh.
Sasa:"
Areyouser
ious?
"
Nkosi:"Thi
sisgonnahurt.
"Isatdowntryingt
o
thi
nk.Itwasalr
eadydarkoutside,i
twouldbe
dif
fi
culttofi
ndtherever
salforthi
s.
Sasa:"
Whywoul
dhedot
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"BecauseIt
ookawayhi
sli
ght
eni
ngear
li
er
t
oday.
"
Sasa:"
Sohedr
uggedyousoyousl
eepwi
thme?
Why?"
Nkosi:"
NoIt hinkhe'sbanki ngonthefactthati
t
won'thappensoi twi l
lbeaver yuncomfortabl
eand
painf
ulnightforme. "Ilookedatthedoor.Amahle
knockedoni t
."Enter."Shewal kedi
n,l
ookingatme
holdi
ngbackal augh.
Ama:"
I'
m sor
ry.Her
e."
Nkosi
:"Youf
atheri
ssi
ck,
youknowt
hat
?"It
ookt
he
smal
lpacketf
rom herandpour
edi
tinmymout
h.
Ama:"
Hei
s.Andhe'
sver
yfunny.
"Shel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notgi
vinghi
slight
eni
ngbackf
orexact
ly
t
his.
"Shecoul
dn'
tstoplaughi
ng.
Ama:"He'
sgoi
ngtokeeppoki
ng.Justgi
vei
tback,
youknowhehaspri
de.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notgi
vingi
tbackunt
ilheknowshowt
o
act
."
Ama:"Fine.Thisi
sjusthi
lari
ousforme.Goodnight
l
ovebirds."Shewalkedout.Il
ookedatThembisa,
shewassi tt
ingonthebed,upset
.
Nkosi
:"Love.I
'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyouor
makeyouuncomf or
tabl
e."
Sasa:"Nobaby,youdidn'
tmakemeuncomf ort
able
atall
.Let
'schooseamovi e.IwanttotellyouhowI
askeddadifIcanspendt i
mewi thyou."Shegiggl
ed,
walki
ngtothelounge.Idon'tknowift
hiswoman
thi
nksIdon'tknowherbutIknowsomet hingi
s
wrongandIcan' tr
elaxwi
thoutknowingwhati ti
s.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easet
ellmewhyyou'
reupset
."If
oll
owed
heri
ntot
hel
ounge.
Sasa:"
I'
m notupset
,love.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dIaskyouaboutl
yingt
ome?
"
Sasa:"Nkosicanwepl easefocusont
hemovi
e?
Andenj oyingeachother st
ime.Wecan'
tbe
discussingfeel
ingsalltheti
meweneedtohave
fun."
Nkosi:"
Howam Isupposedt ohavefunifIcanfeel
theheavinessofyourhear t?DoyouseewhyIdi dn'
t
wantmyf athernearyou?Nowyou' recl
osedupand
don'twantt oexpressyoursel
f.No,hehast ogo.
"I
walkedtot hedoor .Shegr
abbedmyar m and
quickl
yletgobef or emyhandscaughtflames.I
l
ookedather" Howdi dyouknowt hatwasgoingto
happen?"
Sasa:"Please,let
'sjustwatchourmovie.Ipromise
I'
m okay.Ijustwantt obeinyourarms."Myhear t
wasi nconfli
ct.Withallmymi ghtIwantedtotoss
myf atherofft
hatcl i
ffbutwit
hThembi sabegging
me,Ihavet ositwi t
hherandgi vehert
het i
meshe's
aski
ngf or.
Nkosi:"
Fine."Mayt hegodsdri
vehi
m awayand
homebef orethatsunri
sebecausei
fIhavet
osee
hi
m, Iwil
lnotbeki nd.
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er83

KHAYA'
SPOV_

AfterthePr i
nce'sf
or malTVaddr essaboutt he
formerr oyals,
mediawasabuzz.Thenewsspr ead
countrywi deandtrendedi nmer eseconds.The
formaldocumentt heyhadsi gnedseal edtheirf at
es.
Themedi aslaught
erwashor ri
fi
c.Themostt hatthe
publicwasupsetabouti sthem sendi ngwar
air
craftsintothecityfornoreasonbutt ohar m and
destroy.Itseemslikemaj ori
tyoft hepubl i
cwas
ful
lyinsuppor tofthePr i
nce.Thatwasagoodt hi
ng
andal soabi tbadforanyonewhot r
iedt oattack
him.Hi nthint,
hisownf ather.Ifeltt
het ension
betweent hem asmuchasImi ndedmybusi ness.
AllI
'm sayingis,thekingwi l
lcomeshor ti
fheever
tr
ied.Idoubthewi l
lthough.Aftertheaddress,
MnqobiandIheadedt oZimmyi nmyapar tment.I
hatethatwel eftheral onetodealwithherbusiness
butwedi dsor teverythingoutbeforeweleftand
shehasmeondi al.Idontthinkshehasmany
problems.
Khaya:"
Yougood?
"
Mnqobi
:"Justwor
ri
ed.
"
Khaya:"
Not
hando?
"
Mnqobi
:"YesandPetu.
"Yoh,Mnqobiwil
lnevergi
ve
uponhistwowivesshame.Idoadmir
ehimt hough,
hi
satt
enti
ontothem i
sstabl
e.
Khaya:"
Okay,
whataboutPet
u?"
Mnqobi:"
Itookherhome.Shehasn'
trespondedt
o
mesince.
"
Khaya:"
Maybeshe'
sspendi
ngt
imewi
thherdad?
"
Mnqobi
:"Tonotevensendashor
tmessage?
"
Khaya:"
Don'
tyout
hinkmaybePet
uisnol
onger
i
nter
est
ed?
"
Mnqobi
:"Pet
ulovesmeandI
'
m notl
ett
inghergo.
"
Khaya:"
AndNot
hando?
"
Mnqobi :"IdoubtNot handowi llstay.Iloveherbut
thi
sistheoutshe' salwayswant ed.Yes, she'
sbeen
aprincessal lherli
febutt hatwon' tchangemuch
becauseherf amil
yhasmoney.Shewi llnowbe
abletotraveloverseas,transferandst udyt her
e
wit
hnoobl igati
onstomar ryanyoneshedoesn' tl
ike.
Aka,me. "Hel ookedoutt hewi ndow.
Khaya:"
Won'
tyout
ryt
oconvi
nceher
?"
Mnqobi:"NoKhaya.Iwor kforthethroneandit
comesf i
rst.IfNothando'
sloyaltyremainswit
hher
famil
yorsheshedoesn' twantt obewi t
hmet hen
I'
m notgoingt oconvinceher.Iwon'tforcemyway
l
ikeIdidbef ore.
"
Khaya:"
Good."Loyaltytothethroneiseasy
becausetheper sonabouttorul
ewasact uall
ygood.
Heprior
it
izesthepeopleandr espectsusall
.I'
m not
evenaprinceandmyopi ni
onmat ter
stohim.Hi s
fat
herontheot herhand?Yikes.It
'suncomfort
able
bei
nginthesameroom ashim becauseallhedoes
i
sstaresorar
gue.Wearri
vedatmyapar tment,
goi
ngup.Zimmywassitti
ngont hedini
ngt abl
e
eat
ingcri
sps.
Khaya:"
Heyyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hi.
"
Khaya:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwasmoni
tor
ingt
heor
der
sandr
evi
ews.
"
Khaya:"
Okay.Howwasyourday?
"
Zi
mmy:"Fant
ast
ic.Event
houghyoul
eftmeby
mysel
f.
"
Khaya:"
Youwant
edt
omeett
heki
ng?
"Shel
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"Absol
utel
ynot.I
'
mjoki
ngwi
thyou.How
wast
hatbytheway?"
Mnqobi :"
Terri
fyi
ng.Didyouhearthe
announcement ?We'retheonl
yroyal
slef
twi
th
Sikhosana."
Zi
mmy:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Khaya:"
Itmeansal
lot
herr
oyal
shadt
hei
rst
atus
r
evoked.Onl
ytwoi
nthenat
ionl
eft
."Shegasped.
Zi
mmy:"Ihaven'
tevencheckedt
henews.That
's
cr
azy.
"
Mnqobi
:"I
ndeed.Doyouhaveanyf
eedbacksof
ar?
"
Zimmy:"Ohsur e.
"Shehandedhi m herl
aptop."Uhm,
thepromowor ked.Peoplelovedseei
ngPr i
nce
Sibonel
o."Atingeofjeal
ousywasi nhertone.Why
couldn'
tshejustadmitthatsheli
keshim?He' shar
d
nottoli
ke,noonewoul djudgeher.
Khaya:"
Yeahhewasahit.Hesai
daf
ewgi
rl
ssnuck
hi
mt hei
rnumber
s."It
eased.
Mnqobi
:"Af
ewgavehi
mli
nger
iet
oo.
"Hel
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Oh.Woul
dn'
tthatbei
ll
egal
."
Mnqobi:"Yesbutwho'scompl
aini
ng?Imi
ss
var
sit
y."Hechuckled.
Khaya:"
Sayt hatagain,
brot
her
.Atl
easthe'
l
lbeabl
e
tobl
owof fsomest eam,he'
sbeenworki
nghar
d
shame."
Mnqobi
:"Ah,
youknowhim.He'spicky.
"Ichuckl
ed,
t
aki
ngoutmyr i
ngi
ngphone.Ever
ytimethisone
getsbor
edhefindst
imetocallandinsul
tme.I
bl
ockedhisnumberi
mmediately.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngto
al
lowmyf at
hertodi
ctat
eandabusemeanymor e.
Khaya:"
Anyway,Zim.Wecametocheckifyou'
re
fi
ne.Westi
llhaveonemoremeet
ingathomesowe
havetogo.
"
Zi
mmy:" I
tmeansal
ott
omet
hatyou'
reher
eguys.
Thankyou.".
..

Wegotbacktot
hepalace, t
hefamil
yhadjust
gat
heredsoweweren'tlat
e.Wehadourdinnerfi
rst
att
hetabl
eandKingBi yel
ainvi
tedusal
ltothe
l
ounge.Bynow,
everyonehadseent heTVaddress.
Biyel
a:"I
nourf ami l
y,wetal
kthingst hrough,
toget
her.Wewant edtobeopenaboutt hisandhave
aconver sati
onwi thyouNot hando.Inr egardstothe
newl aw,you'renol ongeraprincess.This,tome
andthisf amilyisnomat ter
.Whatwear eworking
around,however ,iswhathappensnext .Ihave
revi
ewedmypar tnershi
pwithyourf atherandhave
concludedt hatthebusinessisquitebenef i
cialand
l
ucrat i
vet ousbot h,theref orewewi l
lkeepitasis.
Theagr eementofcour sei sthat,itwil
lbe
conduct edbyamut uallawyer ,
contractedbyt he
thr
one.Iwi l
lnothavedi rectdeal i
ngswi thyour
family,noneofuswi l
l.Inl i
ghtoft hi
sr ul
ing,our
i
niti
al agreement ,thatbei ngyourengagementi s
nowf ullyyourchoi ce.Youcanchoose, ifyouwant
tostaywi thust hatwoul dmeanofcour se,being
l
oyalt ousandt het hrone.Orgoi ngbackhomet o
bewi thyourf amily.Nooneher e, wi
lli
nfluenceyour
deci
si on.Youcandeci debyt omor r
ow.Doyouhave
anyquest ions?"
Not
hando:"
Just
..
.doest
hatmean,
Idon'
thavet
o
mar
ry,t
ata?
"
Biyela:"
Yes,myangel.Youwon' thavetomar
ry
Mnqobii fyougohome. "ShelookedatMnqobi
.He
st
ar edathishands,cl
enchinghisjaws.Hewasso
hurtandhi di
ngitwell
.
Not
hando:"
Thankyout
ata.Forconsi
deri
ngmy
f
eel
ingsandgi
vingmeachancet odeci
de.
"Ouch.
Bi
yel
a:"
Youar
ewel
comemychi
ld.
"
Not
ha:"
MayIpl
easebeexcused?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Yes.
"Shewal
kedawayt
oherr
oom.
Queen:"Thisisterri
ble.Bei
ngapr i
ncessi
sallshe
knows.Shewasr aisedtobeone.Tohavet hat
stri
ppedfrom her?That '
shorr
ifyi
ng.Nowshehast o
discoverhersel
fallfr
om start
."
Bi
yel
a:"
Yes,
that
'sver
yter
ri
ble.
"
Zi
nhl
e:"
Yoh,
I'
mjustgl
adt
hishasnot
hingt
odo
wi
thme."
Queen:"Howso?Al lyourfri
endswereprincesses
andnowt hey'
renot.Also,you'
renotal
lowedt o
speaktothem everagain.Soevenyou,you're
aff
ected.
"
Zi
nhl
e:"
Whyam Inotall
owedtospeaktothem?
Whowil
lIspeakt
oift
here'
snootherpr
incess?
"
Zwe:
"Ther
e'st
hreel
eft
.Youcant
ryyourl
uckt
her
e."
Sibo:"
TheSikhosanapri
ncesses?"Hechuckled.
"Goodluck.Youdoreal
izethosetwinsonl
yspeakt o
eachotherri
ght?Andthelastpri
ncessdoesn'teven
speak?Thiswil
lbehil
arious.It
oldyoubabysis,
expandyourfr
iendshi
pcir
cleandst
opcl
assi
ng
peoplebyst
atus.Nowlook?"
Zinhl
e:"AtleastI
'm sti
llr
oyalBhutSbo.Iwould
actual
lydieifIeverhadtogiveupbeingapr i
ncess.
There'
snot hi
nggr aci
ousaboutbeingacommoner ."
Biyela:"
Zinhl
eBi yel
a!!Washthatfoulmouththis
i
nst ance!There'
snothinggraci
ousaboutlooking
downonot herhumanbei ngs!Don'tl
etmeheart hat
ki
ndoft al
kfrom youeveragain.Areweclear?"
Zi
nhl
e:"
Yebobaba.
"
Khaya:"I'
l
lcheckuponNot ha."Igotup, walki
ngt o
herroom.Wewer en' treal
lyfriendsorcl osebutI
knewexact l
yhowi tfelttobeanout cast.Well,not
hereobviouslybutt hei nt
ernalconf lictcanreally
fuckwithyourmi nd.Att i
mes, Ireallydof eelli
kea
Biyel
apr i
nce.Alotoft het i
mesact ual l
y.But
somet i
mes?Ther e'st hatstupidvoi cet hatkeeps
tel
li
ngmeIdon' tbelong.ThatI 'm notoneoft hem.
ThatIneedt ofocusonbui l
dingmysel fandmy
nameapar tfrom theirempi rej ustincase, oneday,
theytel
lmet ogo.Theyobvi ousl yneverwoul dbutI
j
ustcan'
tshutt
hatstupidvoi
ceup.Iknockedonher
door
.Sheopened,l
etti
ngmei n.
Notha:"Honestl
yKhaya,Igett
hatMnqobilovesme
buthe'sreal
lysuff
ocat
ingmenow, Ineedspace.
"
Khaya:"I
'm nothereforhim.IcamebecauseI
thoughtyouneededsomeonet ot alkto.Maybenot
now, maybewheni t'
s3i nthemor ning,weeksfr
om
nowandi t'
sactual
lystarti
ngtosinki n.Youcancall
orcomet ome, I
'l
lli
sten.Iknowwe' renotfri
ends.
I'
veneverevenbeenar oyalbutI
'vespentenough
ofmyl i
fearoundittounder st
andt herough
emotionsthatsometimest akeover .
"
Not
ha:"
Why?
"
Khaya:"
WhyIam her
e?Iwi
shIhadsomeonewhoI
coul
dtalkt
osometi
meswhenIfel
tover
whel
med.
"
Notha:"Thanksfort
hatbutwhydidtheyrevokeour
royalt
y?"Shedidn'
twatchthenews?Obviouslynot
,
she'saprincessnot
hingeveraf
fect
sher.Was.
Khaya:"
Thefi
vefamil
iesconspi
redagai
nstt
he
t
hrone.Theywer
eplanningtodethr
onet
heking.
"
Notha:"
Don'tunder
standwhymydadwoul
ddot
hat
,
seei
ngthathewasf ri
endswi
tht
heki
ng.
"
Khaya:"Betweenyouandme, Idon'
tthi
nkt
heking
i
sf r
iendswithanyoneandhe'snotshytol
etpeopl
e
knowt hat
."Shesmiledf
aint
ly.
Not
ha:"
Whowoul
dyouchoose?
"
Khaya:"Thatwoul dbeunfair
.Mybr otherisinlove
wit
hyou, al
wayshasbeen.I '
dobvi ouslybegyout o
choosehi m.Atthesamet ime,ifyoudon' tfeelthe
same,I'dencourageyout ofol
lowyourhear tandgo
home, study,maybeonedayyou' llfindsomeone
youlove.Ican'tchooseforyouNot ha.Noonecan.
There'
snor i
ghtorwrongpathher e.Youwi neit
her
way."
Notha:"Idon'twinKhaya.Theonet
imeIstar
t
makingwor thyfri
ends,bui
ldi
ngapr
operl
ife,
it'
s
pull
edoutf r
om underme.TheonetimeIfeel
."I
knowt hatal
lt oowel
l.
..

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_
ZwetookMnqobitotheboysl
ounge,
Ifol
lowed
them,Khayaj
oini
ngusaswell
.
Si
bo:"
Issheokay,
bug?
"
Khaya:"Notreall
y."Therewasnotmuchwecoul d
dohere.Myphonebuzzed.Icheckedt hemessage
fr
om Zimmy:<Goodeveni ngPri
nceSibonelo,
I'
ve
sentareportregardingthef
ir
stdayofbusiness.I
alsohaveaf ewquest i
onsIneedclar
if
icat
ionon.
Thankyou.>Icheckedheremai landresponded.
Zwe:
"Mnqo,
howar
eyou?
"
Mnqobi:"I'
mf ineBhutZwe.I'
l
lbegood. "He
defi
nit
elywon' tbe.Mnqobiwoul
dpr obablycry
hi
mselft osleep.Thist
imeIcoul
dn'tfixit
.Icouldn'
t
manipulateNot hando'
schoi
cebecausei twould
aff
ectthethrone.
Zwe:"
Okay.I
'm sor
rythi
shast
ohappen.You
under
standt
hough,ri
ght?
"
Mnqobi:"
Idounderst
and,
ful
ly."Ir
ecei
vedanot
her
message.<CanIseeyou?>Finall
y.
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o?Doyouhaveanyt
hingt
osay?
"
Si
bo:"
Yeah.Toughl
uckbuddy.
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o!"
Sibo:"I
'
m ki dding.Nothandoknowshowyouf eel
Mnqobibutyoucan' tforcehert oloveyou.Atleast
,
youstil
lhavePet uni
awhoi sinlovewithyou.Now
I'
dlovetosi therewi thyouandhel pyougetdr unk
butIhaveamor eurgentsi t
uati
onIneedt otake
careof.I'
llcheckonyout omor r
owyoungpr ince."I
gotupwal kingout.IknowIpr omisedZweahang
outbutitwashi sturnt obabysit.Idrovetothe
apartment ,goingupt heel evat
orandwal kedin.She
stoodintheki tcheninaspi cyredsilkgown.Just
thatti
ngledme.
Sibo:"Ionlyhaveaf ewmi nutest ospar
e.Whatis
theissue? "Shepouredadr i
nkf orusbothand
handedmeagl ass.Suddenlynowshewasshy.I
wasget t
ingboredwiththesegames.Sheneedst o
decideifshewant stobeasser tiveorshy."
I'
vehad
aver ylongdayZi masa."Shelookedupatme.
Zi
mmy:"
Howdoyouknowmyf
ullname?
"
Sibo:"
Wehavebusi nesst
ogether,
whywoul dn'tI
?"
Shedr ankupheral
coholandsaunter
edt owards
me, st
andingi
nfrontofme."Areyoutr
yingto
seduceme? "
Zimmy:" Yes.Ther e'snor easonforyout ogetout
theresomet hingt hat'sal readyinsidethi
shouse. "
I'
m donepl aying.Ipl acedt heglassont hetable,
pickingherup.Herl egswr appedar oundmywai st
.I
pulledof fhergown, findi ngherbr eastsbareand
full
.Mymout hf oundherni pple,hardeni
ngmydi ck
i
mmedi atel
y.Itookof fmyshi r
twithonehand,
walkinghert othebedr oom.Ipl acedheront hebed,
takingof fmypant s.Hereyesr oamedovermy
whol ebodywhi l
eIr olledt hecondom on.Iki ssed
herst omachal lthewaydownt ohernub.Isucked
onhercl i
t,sli
ppingonef ingerin.Shewassowet ,
moani ngsof tly.Iplacedmysel finherentrance,
wat chingherf aceasIent ered.Hereyesr oll
edto
thebackofherhead.
Sibo:"
Fucck.
.."Herwal
lsti
ghtenedaroundmewhi l
e
Ipumpedinsideher.Herbeauti
fulbr
eastsbounci
ng
happil
ywithmypace.Herscr eamsfil
ledther
oom.I
quicklypul
ledout.She'snotabouttodisrespectme,
IknowIwoul dn'
tlastl
ongbutnotthisquick.Hell
fuckingno.Iwentdownonmyknees, sli
theri
ngmy
tongueonher ,
pushingiti
nsi
de,sl
urpingupt oher
cli
tonsucki ng.Sheshiver
ed.
Zimmy:" Agai
n, exactl
yl i
ket hat."Shemoaned.I
munchedonherl i
ps,frustratingherf i
rst.Myfinger
pushedi nside,rubbingt hei nner.Shesqui rmed,
pull
ingaway.Ipul ledherback, softlyrubbingthe
samespotunt ilherbodyst ar t
sf r
eezing,Ipull
edout,
ki
ssingandl i
ckinghercl i
t.Shewassocl oseto
comi ngandwi tht hat,Icanf i
nallyredeem myself.I
suckedonhersl owly,andst oodbackupt o
penet rat
ehergent ly.Iheldherhi psupt ome, asI
gri
ndonher ,strokingthever yspott hathadher
fr
eezi ng.
Sibo:" Youfeelsof ucki
nggood. "Igroaned,my
strokepacingf aster.Herwhol ebodyshookwhi l
e
shecame, squirt
ingandf r
eezing."ohfuckkk.
."
ti
ght enedmygr i
p,lookingdownatherbeaut i
ful
face, herbr
eastsandIspi ral
ed."Zimasa...
"Mybody
seizedasIcamehar d,
visi
onbl urr
ingintoherface,
pushi
ngdeepi nsideher
.If
eltt
het i
rewearoutmy
bodyimmediately.I
twassodiff
icul
tpull
ingoutof
herbutIdi
d,takingofft
hecondom.
Sibo:"Ar
eyouoncontr
acept
ives?
"Iwentt
othe
bathroom t
ofl
ushi
t.
Zimmy:"
No.
"Icl
imbedont
opofher
,ki
ssi
ngher
face.
Sibo:"Doyoumindbeingonthem f
orme?Iwon'tbe
abletohavethepat
ienceoff
indi
ngacondom."She
smiled.
Zi
mmy:"
Okay,
Icangetonone.
"
Si
bo:"
Thankyou.I'
llcal
lthedoct
ori
nthemor
ning.
Howareyoufeel
ing?"
Zi
mmy:" If
eelsogood.I
'
venevercum sohar
dinmy
l
if
e."Sheblushed.
Sibo:"You'
rel
yingbabybecauseI
'
vef
uckedyou
before."
Zi
mmy:"
Notl
iket
his.
"Iki
ssedherl
ips.
Si
bo:"
You'
regorgeous.If
eell
ikeIhavetoexpl
ain
whyIf
ini
shedtooquick.
"Shelaughed.
Zimmy:" Yougott hejobdone.That 'stheonl
y
i
mpor tantthing."Ismi l
ed,layingnexttoheronthe
bed.Icouldf eelthesleepcr eepingin,mybody
feeli
ngsof ree.Ipul l
edthisoneont omychestand
closedmyeyes.Herf ingertracedonmychest
wr i
ti
ngonlywhati sknownt oher ."
Areyouall
owed
tohaveat attoo? "Ichuckled.
Si
bo:"Yesbaby.Aslongasi
t'
snotvi
sibl
e.Noton
myface,neckorhands.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Howol
dist
hisone?
"
Si
bo:"
Acoupl
eofyear
s.Maybe7.
"
Zi
mmy:" Whatdoesi
tmean?"IwishIhatedthese
st
upidquest
ionsgi
rl
sal
waysaskbutIr eal
ly
missedt
hem.Thesepeopl
edon'tli
kepeace.
Si
bo:"
It
'sadr
agonl
ove,
itdoesn'
tmeananyt
hing.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Oh.Woul
dyougetanot
herone?
"
Sibo:"Probably."Iki
ssedherhead, tr
yingtogeta
nap.Hopi ngsheget sthehint.Tomor r
owshoul dn'
t
beadi ff
icultday.Ourcouncilwillonl
ymeeti nthe
eveningtodi scusstheeasi
ngofr est
rict
ions.Iwas
behi
ndonmyBi-
connectwor
kbutI
'
dcat
chupi
n
themor
ning.
Zi
mmy:"
Pri
nceSi
bonel
o-"
Si
bo:"
Hm.
hm,
whymywhol
enamenow?
"
Zi
mmy:"
That
'swhatyout
oldmet
ocal
lyou.
"
Si
bo:"Callmewhatyouwantaslongasi
t'
snot
di
srespectf
ul.Letmecatchaqui
cknapl
ove.
"She
l
ookedupatme." Yi
nimanje?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hing.
"I'
l
ldealwi
tht
hisl
ater
.

Iwokeuptofai
ntsoundsofaTVpl ayi
ng.Zimmy
wasnextt
omewat chingi
t,t
hevolumeabi tlow.
Shewasli
steni
ngtothenews.Ipull
edherclose.
Si
bo:"
Whatt
imei
sit
?"
Zi
mmy:"
it
's7am.Goodmor
ning.
"
Si
bo:"
Mor
ning?Isl
eptt
hrought
heni
ght
??"
Zimmy:"Yep.
"Fuck.Zwemustbepi
ssed.It
ri
ed
gett
ingoutofbedbutshehel
dmeback.
Si
bo:"
Babe,
mybr
othermi
ghtbar
gei
nher
e."
Zimmy:" Shhh."Shel aymebacki nbed,
disappeari
ngundert hecover
s.Sheobvi ously
doesn'tknowZwel ethu.I
fhecan'treachmeal l
night,he'
schewi ngmyheadal lmorning.Ifel
ther
hottongueonmyt ip.Hermouthkissingit,
and
suckingitin.Turningmeoni nstantl
y.Ipull
edoff
thecovers, t
owat chhermout hworkingonme.Her
handhel dmybase, gentl
ytwisti
ng.
Sibo:" Baby..
"Igroaned.Shesuckeddeeperi nt
oher
mout ht ouchingthebackofhert hr
oat ,andchoking.
Shest oppedsuckingandmassagedmydi ckslowly,
kissingmybal l
s,suckingt hem in.Ipulledherbyher
hairbackt omyt i
p.Hert ot onguetwi r
ledoni twhil
e
herhandt wisti
ng."OHYEESSS. "Shewentf ast
eron
me, Ipul l
edherupont ome, t
akingacondom f rom
theni ghtstand.Iroll
edi tovermyhar dness.Sheput
i
tatherent rance,sl
owl ysitti
ngoni t.Iheldher
thighs, absorbi
ngintohert ightness.Shesatupand
backdownagai n,overandover .Herhandshol ding
mychest ,
pantingandmoani ng.
Si
bo:"
Ridei
tbaby.Fuckme.
"Iwhi
sper
ed.Hernai
ls
dugonmyskin."Ohfuck.
"Iwat
chedherf
acemel
t
i
ntoast
ateofpleasur
eandnearcl
imax.
Zimmy:" Sibonelo.
"Shecried,throbbingt i
ghtl
yon
me.Shef i
nallycli
maxed,stari
ngi ntomyeyesi n
shame.Isatupf li
ppi
ngherover ,underneathme.I
ki
ssedherl i
ps,str
okingdeeplyint oher.Sheheldon
ti
ght.Mywai stworki
ngeasi l
y,tor eachinsideher
spot.Faster,fast
erandhermoansbecame
i
naudible,mumbl i
ngandpant ing.Ilift
edmybody
uptolookatherbet t
er,Ir
eachedf orherthroat
,
str
okingit.Sheopenedherl egswi der.
Sibo:"
Babbbby. "Igroaned.Hernailskeptdiggi
ng
i
ntomyar ms.Iwasal mostt here,
feeli
nghersof t
spottr
embl i
ngi ntoanotherorgasm.Shecr umbled
underme, cl
imaxi ngagainandchoki ng.Ipushed
deepinsideherwat chingbreastsfl
oppingupand
down.Myor gasm wavedt hroughmyf rom theti
pof
myhead, shakingmywhol ebody, t
omyt oes.I
pusheddeepi nsideherandcame." Shit
..
."She
gaspedwhenIl etgoofherneck.If l
oppednextt o
her,st
il
lshaking."Fuck..
."
Zi
mmy:"
Youal
mostki
ll
edme.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Sibo:"I'
m sosor ry.
"Sheki ssedmyl i
ps.Itookof
f
thecondom." Ineedt ogetmyphone.Zwei s
honestlygoingt okil
l-"aknockont hedoor
disr
upt edme.Iknewi t
.Iwenttofl
usht hecondom
andt ookat owel tothelounge.Iopenedthedoor.
Zwewal kedin.
Zwe:"Whati
syourissue!
?Whyar
en'
tyou
answeri
ngyourphone?"
Si
bo:"If
ellasl
eep.Di
dsomet
hinghappen?
"He
st
aredatme, andsmil
ed.
Zwe:
"Youdog.
"
Si
bo:"
Pleasel
eave.
"
Zwe:"Yourmot herisaskingforyou.Ihavea
meetingwit
hNkosi today.Theyoungonesneedt o
focusonschoolt oday.They'r
evirt
uallearni
ng,I
needthem nearyousoyoucanmoni torthatthey'
re
notplayi
ngvideogames.Cant heywor katBi-
connect,
Iassumeyou' regoi
ngtowor k?"
Sibo:"
Iam now.
"Hel
ookeddownt
hepassageand
backatme.
Zwe:"Goseeyourmotherbef
orework.YouandI
aregoingtohaveaver
ylengt
hyconversat
ion
toni
ght."
Si
bo:"Befor
ethat,Ineedoneofyourinter
nstodo
bl
oodtestsandinsertathi
ngforpreventi
on.
"Might
aswellgetal
lofitoutnow.Heinhaledandexhal
ed,
wal
kingout.Iwentbacktothebedroom.Shewas
maki
ngt hebed.Istoodbehindher
,huggingher.
Sibo:"
Ihavetogotowork.Pl
easegetready,
I'
ll
sendacari nanhourt
opickyouup.Youcanwor k
atmyof f
ice."
Zi
mmy:"
Why?I
'
mfi
ner
ighther
e."
Si
bo:"
Don'
tyouwantt
obeout
sidef
orabi
t?"
Zimmy:"NothankyouPr
inceSi
bonelo.I
'
m
absol
utel
yokayandcomfort
abl
ebeinghere.
"
Sibo:"Maybeit
'sfort
hebest ,youmightdi
str
act
me."Shechuckled."I
'l
lsendadoct orsometi
me
duringthedayforyourbloodt est
sandsuch.I'
l
l
havemi nedoneintheoffice.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.
"Shet
urnedt
olookatme."
You'
re
goi
ngt
obel
ate.
"
Sibo:"Hm. .
."Iki
ssedherandgotdr essed.I'
d
showerathomeanddr essthere.Honestl
y,Idon't
knowwher ethiswasgoi ngbutIneededabi tof
comf ortandher swasper f
ect
.Idon'tknowifIwas
readyforar elat
ionshi
pwi t
hanyone.Maybet he
conversationwithZwei sexact
lywhatIneeded.He
alwayscar ri
esaf ewofmybr aincell
sinhispockets.

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

Tuesdaymor ning,Igotoutofbed.Havi ngbeen

unabletosleepal lnight.Ibat
hedandgotdr essed
quickl
y.Myi ntentionwast ogoseemyf at
her.
Surelynow,si ncetheengagementwasof f
,Icoul d
gohomeandf ocusonf i
ndingmyself.Royaltywas
allIwastaughtandnowIhadt hechancet oexpl or
e.
Thegoodt hingwast hatmyf amilywascomf ortabl
e
andnotmuchadj ustingwouldbeneededot herthan
securit
y.Asuddenwaveofsadnesscameagai n.
Foryears,Ihadpl annedherl i
fewithwhatwas
dict
atedt omebymyf ather
.Ihadst udi
edwhathe
chose, andwoul
d'vemarri
edwhohechose.Mnqobi
wasn'tabadpersonorevenaver age.Hewas
defi
nitelygoodl
ookingasallBi
yela'
s,hewassoft
towardsmeandver yrespectf
ul.Someoneknocked
onherdoor .
Notha:"
Comein."Thedooropenedandhewal ked
i
n.Foronce,
lookinghi
sageincasualcl
othes.I
guesshewon'tbeworki
ngtoday.
Mnqobi
:"Hil
ove.
"
Not
ha:"
Hel
loConquer
or.
"Hesmi
led.
Mnqobi
:"Howar
eyou?
Not
ha:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"Henodded.
Mnqobi
:"That'
sgood."Hel
ookedatmybags."
I
guesst
hisisgoodbye?"
Notha:"
Iguess.
"Isighed."
Mnqobi,yourf
amilyhas
t
reatedmesowel l
.Ifeltmoreathomehere.You
wouldmakeagoodhusband. "
Mnqobi
:"Thanks.
"
Not
ha:"
Sogoodbye.
"
Mnqobi:"Nothando,
ifyouwantto,i
fyougethome
anddecideyoudon'twanttobethere,
pleasecome
back.There'
salwaysaspaceforyouinmyhear t
andinmyhome. "
Not
ha:"
That
'ssweetMnqobi
.Thankyou."He
wal
kedoutt
heroom.Iwentdownstai
rswheret
he
f
amil
yhadgather
edandIgreet
edtheparent
s.
Biyel
a:"Myangel,yourfatherhasn'tyetsentacar
foryouandIbel i
evethey'
rel eavi
ngthismorning.
Perhapshet hi
nksyou'l
ljoint hem i
nadayort wo,
wrappingupyourschoolt hings.Howaboutyougo
overtohim andlethi
m know?Mnqobiwi l
ldri
ve
you."
Notha:"Thankyoutata,I'
dappr eciatethat.
"I
foll
owedMnqobioutt ohisguar dandcar .He
openedmydoor aandIgoti n.Wedr oveinsil
ence
tomyf ather
'sf
ormerhouseIguess.Si ncehewas
nowl eavi
ng,hewouldn'treturnher e.TheBiyel
a's
rentedthi
shouseoutt omyf amilyeveryti
met hey
camet otown.Wepar kedi nthedr i
veway.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llwai
ther
e."Inodded,
wal
kingoutt
othe
frontdoor.I
nsteadofknocki
ng,Iwal
kedin.My
parentswer ei
nthelounge,t
hei
rguardst
akingout
theirsui
tcases.
Not
ha:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Phakami
sa:"
Not
hando.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Not
ha:"Wer
eyougoi
ngt
ojustl
eavemebehi
nd
Tat
a?"
Phakami
sa:"
Not
hando,
wher
eam It
aki
ngyou?
"
Notha:"
Home!I
'
m notl
ongerengagedt
oMnqobi
.I
cancomehomenow."
Phakami
sa:"
Whatgaveyout
hati
deaNot
hando?
"
Not
ha:"
Tat
a,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Hesi
ghed.
Phakami sa:"You'reaBi yel
abr i
deNot hando.Ican'
t
takeyouback.Youar et hereasonIown50%oft he
biggestvineyard.IfItakeyouback, Ilosethat.I
don'twantt olosethat.BesidesYou' vegotthe
chancet obear oyalwife,aBiyela,
youcan' tdo
bettert
hant hat.Icanassur eyour i
ghtnow. "
Notha:"Howcouldyousayt
hatt
ata?Am Ij
ust
businesstoyou?
"
Phakami
sa:"Not
handoI'
m onlydoi
ngthi
sbecauseI
car
eaboutyou.MnqobiBi
yelaisi
nthehi
ghranking
now.Don'
tbestupi
d."
Not
ha:"
Iam ahumanbei
ng!
"
Phakamisa:"
Thati
susel
esswi
thoutapower
ful
name!"
Notha:"
Don'tyouthinkyoushouldbegroomingme
t
orunyourbusi nessesli
ketheBiyel
a'
saredoing
wit
hallthei
rchil
dren?"Helaughed.
Phakamisa:"You'r
eagirl
.Onet hatIr
aisedasahigh
rankpr
incess.Youknownot hingaboutbusiness
andyou'l
ldefini
tel
ynevertouchanyofmi ne."
Not
ha:"
Mama.
"
Mama:" Yourfat
heri sright,mychi
ld.Youbelongt o
Biyel
a.Comingbackhomewi l
ldr
ownt helastbitof
digni
tyyouhave.Youwi l
lhaveagoodl i
fewith
them,baby.TheBi yel
a'sar egoodpeople,t
hey'l
l
takecareofyou."Ifeltsicktomystomach.
Not
ha:"
Doyounotunder st
andthati
fImarr
y
Mnqobi
,Icanneverspeaktoyouagai
n?"
Phakamisa:"
It
'sforyourowngood.Youonlyknow
howt obeaprincess,awif
e.Marr
yhim andli
vethe
l
ifeyou'
vealwaysknown.There'
snothi
ngIcangive
toyounow."..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er84

Af
ewdaysl
ater
..
.
SASAPOV_

ItwasFr i
day,
I'
dhadaver ybusyweekt hrowing
myselfintomyschoolwor k.MostlybecauseIwas
avoidi
ngmyf amily.Ihadr eal
izedsomet hingon
MondaywhenNkosi '
sfatherhaddr uggedhim.The
kingwil
ldoeverythinginhi spowert omakeme
uncomf ort
abl
e.Forpr obablyallofmyl i
fe,I'
l
lbe
fi
ght i
ngt opr ovetohi mI '
m wor thy.JustasIdi d
withmymot herandcont inuet odo.Iwasj ustso
ti
redofi tall.I'
dmadesur etocat chuponal lmy
schoolwor kandst artassignment s.Thef amilywas
probablyatt herestaurantaboutt ohavedi nner.I
sighedwal kingoutt ojointhem.Tomor rowwas
Petu'sbirthday.Shet oowasi nabadspace.
Appar entl
yherf atherhaddi sownedher ,sodi d
Not hando'spar entsdot oher .Zimmy' spar ents
wer egetti
ngadi vor ceandshehadt odealwi thher
father'
snewgi r
lfr
iend.Mypr oblemswer et iny
compar edt oeachones.Icheckedt hegr oupchat
wehadcr eat ed.Cal l
ingeachper sonindi
vi dual
ly
hadseemedt odisconnectusal l.
Zi
mmy:<Whatwedoi
ngf
orPet
u'sbday?
>
Pet
u:<Notcel
ebr
ati
ngt
hisyear
.I'
m noti
nthe
mood.>
Me:<PleasePet
u.Ineedthi
s.Iknowit'
syourday
butIneedtogetoutofher
e.>Theysentlaughi
ng
faces.
Not
ha:<Icangetahouseher
e,wewon'
tdomuch.
Justcr
yanddr
ink.
>
Zi
mmy:<perfectf
orme.>Ient
eredt
her
estaurant
.
Thefami
lywasseated.Theki
ngwasst
il
lhere.Yes
hehasof
fici
all
ymovedin.
Me:" Goodeveningfamily.
"Imumbl ed,sit
ti
ngnext
toNkosi .Hetoowasbusyt hesedaysandsor tof
avoidingme.Iknewi twasbecausehewant edto
knowwhatwasmaki ngmeupset .Ican'tbecryi
ng
tohim alltheti
me,heneedst oletthisgo, I
'
ll
processi tanddealwit
hit.Eventuall
yitwon'teven
beaf actor.Heheldmyhand.
Nkosi
:"Ihadorder
edforyou.It
houghtyouwer
e
st
il
lbusywithyourassi
gnment.
"
Me:"Igotasfarasmytargett
oday.ThoughtI
shoul
djointhefami
lyf
ordinner.Thankyou.
"I
smil
ed."WhereisAmahle?"
Nkosi
:"Shewenttothepalacet
oday.I
t'
smother
's
bi
rt
hdaytomorrow."Helookedathi
sfat
her
.
Ki
ng:
"What
?"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Ki
ng:"I
t'
sdef
ini
tel
ysomet
hing,
you'
rest
ari
ngat
me."
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustf
indi
tst
rangethatyourefusetogo
backt
oyourhouse.I
t'
syourfi
rstwif
e'sbir
thday
andyou'r
einmyhouse.
"
King:"
Isitacri
metospendti
mewi thmysonand
hisnewfamily?It
houghtweweregetti
ngt oknow
eachother.I
nfact
,It
hinkmaybetheNt akafamil
y
canjoi
nust omorr
owf ort
hecel
ebrati
on."Hesmiled.
Nkosi
:"It
hinknot
."
King:"Ohcomeon.It
'stheperf
ectt
ime.Thepalace
hasn'thadvi
sit
orsi
nawhi l
e.Yourmothers
probablywanttomeetyourfut
urewif
e."Nkosi
l
ookedatme.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyour
eady?
"
Me:"YesIam.I
twoul
dbel
ovel
ytomeetyour
mothers.
"
Ki
ng:
"Gr
eat
."
Nkosi
:"MrNt
aka,ar
eyouokaywithcomingt
othe
pal
aceasafamil
yfort
hiscel
ebr
ation?
"
Xolani
:"Yes,
sure.Wi
llyoubecancel
ingyoursl
eep
overThembisa?
"Myhear tbr
oke.
Ki
ng:
"What
'
sasl
eepovernow?
"
Me:"Yest
ata.I'
llcancel
.MyKing,asleepoveri
s
beingi
nvi
tedtoaf ri
end'
shousetohaveahangout
overni
ght
.Wewer eplanni
ngtocelebrat
emy
fr
iend'
sbi
rthday."
Ki
ng:"
Aqueendoesn'
tdot
hatt
ypeofst
uff
.That
's
j
ustdi
sgr
acef
ul.
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
sstil
lasingl
ewoman,
shecan
dowhatmakesherhappy.
"
King:"
Idon'tknowmaybei t
'smebutyoul i
ve
toget
her.Thatmakesheryourwife.She'
snot
all
owedt obeinpeople'
shouses.Sleepi
ngoveri
n
peopl
e'sbeds.That'
sloose.
"
Me:"Iagree,myKi ng.I
twillt
akesomeadjusti
ngas
Iwasn'tentir
elyi
nformedabouttheset
hings.
Maybemeet i
ngthequeenst omorr
owwillbegreat.
Theycant eachmeal labouthowtobeaqueenand
howt oact."Nkosi'
shandwaswar minmi ne.I
squeezedit,remindi
nghimt ocal
m down.Itdi
dn't
hel
p.Hewasgoi
ngt
osnap.
Ki
ng:"Somet hingishappening."Ismi l
ed,receivi
ng
myjuice.Wehadourdi nnerquietly.Idon'tknow
whyitwasst il
lsoawkwar dbutKi ngSizwecoul d
maket hingsveryuncomf ort
able.Justlikenow, he
wasstaringatNkosiwai ti
ngf orhisreacti
on.Nkosi
i
gnoredhi mflatout,
eatinghisf ood.IwishAmahl e
wasar oundtobr i
ngatopi ctothet abl
e.
King:"Areyouangr yatme? "HeaskedNkosi.No
response.IlookedatNkosi.Hewasnotgoi ngto
bother.Ij
ustdon'tknowanymor e.It
'sli
keIcan'
tdo
anythi
ngr i
ght."Nkosinhl
e?"Sil
ence."Wow."He
chuckled.
Nkosi:"Pl
easeexcuseme, f
amil
y.Ithi
nkI '
l
lret
ir
eto
bednow.Tomor rowwi llbeaverylongday."Hegot
upandwal kedout .Myhear tachedafterhim.He
stoodbythedoorf orasecondbutcont i
nued
walki
ngout .TheKi nglookedatme.Iat emy
dessertqui
etly.I
'
m notgoi ngtosayanyt hi
ng.
Xol
ani
:"Howi
sschoolsof
arThembi
sa?
"
Me:"
It
'sokayt
ata.
"
Xol
ani:"Youwer
est
ruggl
ingwi
thyourassi
gnment
ear
li
er."
Me:"Yestata,Isentanemai lt
othel
ectur
erandshe
expl
aineditbetter.Ial
sospoketoKhaya,
hegave
meaf ewpoi nters."
Xolani
:"Ohbecausehe'salsodoinglaw?That's
good.Howisyourf ri
end?"Mydadwasmybest
fr
iendandsoIobvi ousl
ytoldhi
m everythi
ng.Istol
e
aglanceattheKing,nohewasst il
lstar
ingatme.
Me:"
She'sokay.They'
real
lfi
ne.
"Ismil
ed.Timefor
metoleave."
I'
m gonnacheckonNkosi
.I'
llbei
nthe
r
oom alit
tl
elatet
ata.
"
Xolani:"
Alr
ightt
henmychi l
d."Igotup,bowingat
thekingandwalkedout.Iknockedonhi sdoorand
walkedin.Hewasdressinginhishiki
nggear .At
night
?
Me:"Love?
"Ihuggedhim,
feel
ingt
heheatofhi
s
body."
What '
swrong?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Me:"
Somet
hingi
sobvi
ousl
ywr
ongNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Oh?Youcant
ellhow?
"
Me:"Uhm,you'
reAbi
tir
ri
tat
edwi
thme.
"Hi
seyes
sof
tened.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m noti
rr
it
atedwi
thyou.
"
Me:"
Whywer
eyoui
gnor
ingyourdad?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mtal
kingt
ohi
mri
ghtnow.
"
Me:"
Uhm,
I'
m conf
used?
"Hesi
ghed.
Nkosi:"Youaccepteveryt
hinghesays.You'r
e
abandoni ngyourl
ife,
int
erest
sandfri
endsbecause
hesaysso.He' sturni
ngyouintohi
m.I nt
ome! !
Somet hingIdidn'
twanttohappenforyou!"
Me:"Hai
boNkosinhl
e.Ican'tdi
srespectyourfat
her
oryourf
ami
ly.Ihavetoabidebyt hei
rrul
es-"
Nkosi
:"Rul
est
hatar
emeantt
ooppr
essyou!
?"
Me:"Youcan'
tbeseri
ous.Yourf
atheri
sri
ght
.It
'sa
di
gnit
yconcern.Afut
urequeencan'
tbesl
eepi
ng
outwit
hfri
ends-"
Nkosi
:"Whynot
!?I
t'
snotli
keyou'
l
lbecheat
ingon
meThembisa,t
her
e'spl
ent
yofsecur
it
ytoguard
you.Whycan'
tyoubewi
thyourf
ri
ends?Whycan'
t
youli
ve?
"
Me:"
Iam l
ivi
ng,
Ihavet
hef
ami
lyandyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Sodomymot her
s.Theyhavemyf atherand
me.Wherearewer i
ghtnow?It ol
dyouwhenImet
youIdon'
teverwantyout ofeelt
henumbnessIf el
t
whenIhadtoleavemyl i
febehind.Idon'
twantyou
tobebaseyourenti
reexist
enceonme. "
Me:"
Idon'
tknowwhatyouexpectofmeNkosi
nhl
e-
"
Nkosi:"
Letmef ightf
oryouThembi sa!
!Allowmeto
putmyf ootdown.Ever yti
meyoust opmeIhavet o
l
istentoyoubecauseIr espectyousodamnmuch.I
l
oveyouwayt oomucht odisregardwhatyousay
eventhoughyourhear tissore.Doyout hi
nkit
's
nicetofeelyourhear
tachi ngandhear ingyour
mout hsayingsomethingcompl et
elydiff
erent
?"
Me:"Nkosi,
thisi
sdiff
icul
t,yesbutIhavet
obe
str
ongandr esi
li
ent
.Youcan' thaveaweaksof
t
personnexttoyouasyourqueen. "
Nkosi
:"Whynot
?Tel
lmewhymywi
fecan'
tbesof
t
andhappy?Whatweaknessi
sthat
?Bei
ngahuman
bei
ng?"
Me:"Foryourr
eignt
ober
espect
ed,
Ineedt
obe
yourequal
."
Nkosi
:"Doyouthi
nkmymotheri
smyf
ather
's
equal
?"Il
ookedatmyf
eet
.
Me:"
You'
renotyourf
ather
-"
Nkosi:"You'recontr
adictingyourself
.YouknowI '
m
notmyf ather,
yetyouwantt obel i
kehiswives.All
I'
m askingyou, ist
oal l
owmet obeyourhusband
andpr otectyou.Yes,li
fewon' tbethesamebutI
can'
tal l
owyout ol
oseal lyouknowj ustf
orthesake
ofbeingwi t
hme.Pl easewor kwithmeThembi sa.
"
Me:" Doyouhaveanyideahowmuchyourf ather
scaresmeNkosi ?Thi
sissomeonewhot r
iedtokil
l
meandever yti
mehe'sfacedwi
thanythi
ng,I'
m hi
s
fi
rstsuspect
.You'r
esayingImustdef
ythis
person?"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisexact
lywhyIhavet of
ight
.Rightnow
he'
sinyourhouse,l
ivi
nghappil
ywhil
eyou're
tr
embli
nginacorner.I'
vebeggedyoueverydayt
o
all
owmet othrowhi m outandyour ef
use.IfIstart
notlisteningtoyout hat'
sgoingtocausepr oblems
i
nourr elati
onship.Doyounotseet hisisagamet o
him? "Ican'tsayt ohimit'
snotjusthisfather.My
mot hertooi sonmyneckonbei ngagoodwi feand
respect i
ngmyi nl awsespecial
lybecauseI '
ml ucky
tobechosenbyaf ut
ureking.Thi
swast hebestI
couldget .Ever.Andsher emindsmeever yday.
Me:"Ineedabitofspace.Ihavealott
opr ocess."I
huggedhim,ki
ssinghischinbeforewalki
ngout .I
wenttothef
ami l
ysuit
e,myf atherwasalreadyhere.
Xol
ani
:"It
houghtyou'
dbeawhi
le.
"
Me:"
Yestat
a,Icametof
etchat
orch,
Iwantt
ogot
o
t
hemedit
ati
onhuts.
"
Xol
ani
:"i
nthedar
k?HayiThembi
sa.
"
Me:"Pl
easewalkwit
hmeTat a."Honestl
y?Iwas
scar
edbecauseIdon'
tknowwhatt hekingwould
do.I
fhefoundmealoneoutsideatnight
.Even
wit
houthi
slight
eni
ngthatmanwasdanger ous.
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sawhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"Mymot
her
wal
kedin.
Me:"Nothingt
ata.Ineedtodosomeprayi
ngand
medit
ationbef
oreIsleep.Schowasdi
ffi
cul
tthi
s
week."
Xol
ani
:"Okay,
let
'sgo.
"
Mama:"
Niyaphingoku?
"(Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
)
Xolani
:"I
'
mtaki
nghert
othemedi
tat
ionhut
sfor
prayer
."
Mama:" Icant akeherXolani
.I'
m hermot herafter
all
,I
'mt hepersonwhoi schurchdedi catedi nour
famil
y.OoThembi sat
hinkthey'
resmar t.Ndi yamazi
mna, uyokhalakwakhonal oanduf unaumf eket
hisa
wenanj engesqhelo.(
Iknowher ,shewant stocry
againandyouwantt ocodldl
eherasusual .
)
Xolani
:"Yint
onii
ngxakiyakho,Nt
ombenhl
e!!
"(What
i
syourpr oblem,
Nt ombenhle?
)Heshout
ed.My
fat
hernevershouts.
Me:"Tat
aplease.It'
sokay.Mamacanwalkwithme.
Masambemama. "(Let
'sgomama.)It
ookthetorch,
candl
es,matchesandwewal kedout
.Zanelecame
wit
hus.Iledtheway, t
herewasadimlyl
itpat
hway
al
readybutthetorchhelpedt
oseeahead.
Mama:" Tshi n.Yout hinkI'
m stupidni nanotatakho.
Youwantt ocomecr yher ealoneandcompl ai
n!A
personinyourposi ti
onshoul dn'tbeent ert
aining
fri
endsandsl eepover sThembi sa!You' reafut ure
queen.Wher eist her espect?Ifyoudon' thavesome
foryoursel f,atleastf oryourhusband!Si es!Didyou
seehowdi sgust edhewas?Hayi manThembi sa,
you'r
eembar rassi ng!"Iheldonmyt earsasbestI
can.Fortunat el
ywewer eint hedark.Wer eached
thehuts.Iswi tchedof fthetorch,walkingin.It ook
thesmal lbl anket ,coveringmyshoul ders.Iplaced
thecandl eoni tshol derandi tcaughtal ightwi thout
fl
ame.Shi ningbr i
ghtandbol d.Thet hunderf l
ashed
i
nsky, rainspour i
ngal mosti nstant
ly.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iranupthemountain,i
nthedarknight
.Alotof
thought
swer egoi
ngthroughmymi nd.Iwasso
confl
ict
ed.Thembisawast oogoodofapersonto
throwmyf at
heroutoratleastr
espect
ful
lyaskhi
m
toleave.Iknowshewasscar edofhi m butshekept
tell
ingmenott oaskhi mt oleave.She' stryingso
hardt obeci vi
l,toincludehi m, t
ol ovehi m andal lhe
doesi schast i
seher .Ihadt omaket hedeci siont o
goagai nstherwi shesorj ustletithappen.Iwas
fail
ingt oletithappenanyl onger .Myr esent ment
forhi m wasgr owingbyt hedayandI '
m afraidone
ofthesedays, he'l
lpushmenotr eadyf orwhat
comesnext .Igott otheal terl
ettingoutasnar lfrom
thedeeppi tsofmysoul .Mybodywasshaki ng
violentlyatthet houghtoft omor row.Itwon' tjustbe
myf atherthen, i
twi l
lbemymot hersandsi st ers.
Myhandscaughtt hei
rf l
ames, i
gnitingbrighterand
biggert hant heyeverhave.Bot hmyar mscover ed
i
nf ire.Iroaredoutofmysoul ,mybodychangi ng,
mor phi ngintomyani mal .Apackofwi ldti
ger s
crawl edoutoft hewoods, standingbel owt he
throne.Ichuf f
edi ngreet i
ng.Theysatdown, bowi ng
theirheads.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_
Iwal
kedintomyhouse.Busiwashangi
ngour
pai
nti
ngsthatwedi
d.
Mthunzi
:"Myl
ove.
"Ipl
acedmybagdown,
wal
king
overt
oher.
Busi
:"Hibaby.Look!
"Shepoi
ntedatabox.
Mthunzi
:"Whati
sthat
."Ihel
pedherof
fthel
adder
,
ki
ssingher
.
Busi:"
Ournewcouch.I
twasdel
iver
edt
oday.I
haven'
topenedi
tyet
.Maybewecandoitt
ogether
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ri
ghtnowbaby?Whataboutdi
nner
?"
Busi
:"I
'
vealr
eadycooked.Wecandoi
taf
teryouget
somerest
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Sowher
edoIsi
tint
hemeant
ime?
"
Busi
:"You'
reser
iousri
ghtnow?Ihadtomovea
ver
yheavypieceoffur
nit
uretoout
side.
"She
l
aughed.
Mthunzi
:"There'
sguar
dsout
sidebaby,
whywoul
d
youdothat?"
Busi
:"Iwasbor
ed.
"Shel
ookedatme,
ner
vousl
y.
Mt
hunzi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Busi
:"Not
hingi
swr
ong.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay,
whatdoyouwantt
otel
lme?
"
Busi:"
Ifoundawebsi
te.I
t'
sanorgani
zat
ionin
GoldenCrownbutt
heyhavebranchesal
loverthe
countr
y."
Mt
hunzi
:"Awebsi
tef
orwhatbaby?
"
Busi:
"Youaskedmetol
ookf
orsomeonet
ocar
ry
yourchi
ld,
remember
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ohyes.Di
dyouf
indher
?"
Busi:"No.It hinkitwouldbebet teri
fwel ooked
thr
ought hecandi datestoget
herbaby.I tturnsout,
thi
sisn'tunhear dof .Theorganizati
onspeci ali
zesin
connect i
ngpeopl el i
keus.Therear ewomen
i
nterestedi nhavingchi l
drenbutneedababyf ather
whor aisest hechi l
dequallywit
hher .Ther earealso
guyswhowantt obef at
hers,t
her earesamesex
famili
es, surrogates.Counsel
ingi soffer
ed
extensivelyandi scompul sor
yf orallpart
ies
i
nvolved.It hinkitwillbegood,thatwedoi t
t
oget
her
."
Mt hunzi:"Areyousureaboutthi
sBusi?Thisi
sabi
g
stepevent houghit
'
sonlythefir
st.Af
terwepi
ck
thisperson, i
t'
sdoctor
sappointmentsthen
ferti
li
zationandI'm af
ather.
"
Busi:"Mt
hunzi,Iwantyoutobehappy.That '
sall
.
I'
m sureaboutthi
sarrangementbecauseI 'm sur
e
youloveme.I'm sur
eaboutourl i
fe.Idon'twantyou
tomissoutonyourdr eam becauseitisn'
tthesame
asmi ne.
"Icoul
dn'tl
ovethiswomanmor ethanthi
s
momentbutIwashavi ngcoldfeetnow.
Mt hunzi:"
Okaymyl ove.Wecanl ookint oi
t.Let
's
notmakeadeci sionyet ."Shesmi l
edhappi l
y.I
kissedherl i
ps.Iwant edachi ld, badly.ThisIwas
stil
lverysureof.Thepr oblem is, Ididn'twantto
havei twit
hsomer andom woman.Nomat terhow
contractualourco-parent i
ngis.Iwant edmychi l
dto
bemot her
edbyt hiswomani nf rontofme.Maybei f
thebabywasal readyi nherbel ly, shewoul daccept
i
t.Justmaybe.
Mt
hunzi
:"Love,
don'
tyouneedmet
ogof
etchyour
vi
taminsthisweek?Seei
ngthatthehospit
ali
s
underconstruct
ionandmini
malmovementi s
al
lowed.Icani magi
nehowfullt
hecli
nicsand
pharmaciesare."
Busi
:"Oht
hatwouldbesosweet,mylove.I
'
llgi
ve
youmyprescr
ipt
ion.Youareamazi
ng.AndIlove
you.
"Sheki
ssedmyl ips.
Mt
hunzi
:"Il
oveyoumuchmor
e.".
..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er85

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Iwokeupfrom areal
lysati
sfyingdream.Ireached
overt
henightst
andtocheckt hetime.I
twasj ust
aft
er7am.Ilookedonmychest ,
Zimmywasf ast
asl
eepsti
ll
.IguessIcouldtakeanothernap.Itwas
Satur
dayaft
erall,
ouroffdays.Iwouldspendmy
afternoonwithmymot her,Ididn'tstayoverl
ast
nightsoIknowshe' ssuspicious.Myphonebuzzed.
Icheckedt hemessagef r
om Zwe:<Nkosii si
nvit
ing
ust othepalaceforabir
thdaycel ebrati
on.Pl
ease
behomeby10, brot
her
.>Itread.Agoodday, I
guess.TheSi khosana'
sknewhowt ohost.Except
thistime,t
here'
sonlyourtwof amili
es.Zimmy
sti
rredinhersleepeventuall
ywaki ngup.
Si
bo:"
Goodmor
ningl
ove.
"
Zi
mmy:" hey."Shest
ret
ched.Iknowshewasn'ta
morningper son.Al
wayssomoodywhenshewoke
upuntilshecl i
mbedonmydi ckthenal
lthat
at
ti
tudef li
esoutthewindow.
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyouhavepl
annedf
ort
heday?
"
Zimmy:"IneedtoseePet u.Somuchi shappening.
Todayisherbirt
hdayandwewant edt
odoasl eep
overthi
ng.NothaaskedMnqobit obor
rowusa
house.I'
minchar geoffood,snacksanddrinks.
Sasawassupposedt ododecorbutshe'ssuddenly
gonequiet,
Ican'tgetthr
ought ohersomaybeshe's
busy.I'
l
lhavetotakeoverthatandyellatherlat
er.
"
Sibo:"
Sasami ghtnotcome,
baby.She'spr
obabl
yat
thepalace,
there'
saneventt
her
et oday.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Oh?Wi
llyoual
sobegoi
ng?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
myf
ami
l
ywasi
nvi
ted.
"
Zimmy:"
Okayke."Shesi
ghed."
Shoul
dImakeyou
somebreakf
ast
?"
Si
bo:"
Yespl
easebutf
ir
st.
"Iki
ssedhersof
tli
ps.
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Zimmy:"
You'r
einsane.Mypussyi
snowswol l
en
fr
om l
astni
ght.You'
renotget
ti
nganyt
hingmore.
"
Shegotupwalki
ngtothebathr
oom.Ichuckl
ed,
pi
cki
ngupmyphone.
Sibo:"
Baby,
howmuchi
sthi
sthi
ngyou'
redoi
ng
today?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whatt
hing?
"Shewasbr
ushi
nghert
eet
h.
Si
bo:"
You'
rebuyi
ngsnacksanddecor
.Howmuch
i
sital
l?
"
Zi
mmy:" Idon'
tknowbabe.Snacksalonecan'tbe
morethan500.I'
m goi
ngtodiscusswithPetuifwe
buyfoodforcooki
ngorjustor
dertakeaways
i
nsteadbutt hatalsowon' tbemor et han1000f or
usall.Thendr i
nksformaybe2000.Idon' teven
knowhowmuchdecori s.We'llfi
gurei toutduring
theday."Sher i
nsedhermout h,wear inghergown,
walki
ngt othekitchen.Imadet hetransf erfr
om my
bankandswi t
chedont heTV.Ther ewasa
broadcastmessagesendi nghappybi rthdaytothe
queen.Iwat chedthenews.
Sibo:"Baby?
"Iyelled.Noresponse.Itwoul d
probablybeimpossi bl
eforhertohearmef rom my
kit
chen.Myhousewasal otbiggerthanthe
apartment.Wecameher elastnightbecauseKhaya
might'
vewant edhisspace.Wegotbackt hetest
resul
tstoo,wewer ebothclearandshehadherI UD
i
nserted.Shecamebackwi that ray,
aftersome
ti
me." It
ri
edcalli
ngyou. "
Zimmy:"Icouldn'thearyou,whydi
dn'
tyoucometo
theki
tchen?"Itookmyt ray."
Whatdoyouneed?
"
Sibo:"Whatdoyouthi
nkIcouldgetaqueenasa
present?
"Shebeamedi ndel
ight
,si
tt
ingonthebed.
Idrankmycof f
ee,per
fect
lymadeli
keItaughther
.
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
tknow,
whati
sal
lowedf
ir
st?
"
Sibo:"
Well
,Whatisnotal
lowedisj
ewell
ery.Queens
onlywearj
ewell
eryfr
om t
het hr
oneorherhusband.
Anythi
ngelsei
sfair
."
Zimmy:"Iwoul
d'vesuggestedacust om pur
sebut
thequeenshar
dlyleavethepalace.It'
ssohardt
o
thi
nkofsomethi
ngbecauseIdon' tknowwhatshe
l
ikes.Howaboutapi eceoffur
niture?Orper
hapsa
l
imitededi
ti
ondinnerset.
"
Sibo:"Perf
ect
.Ithi
nkIrememberseei
ngadesign
fr
om Gr ohö,i
nhisl
astproj
ect
stherewasadinner
set.ThisismoreofZweandKhaya'sthi
ngs.
"I
dial
edZwe' snumber.
Zwe:
"Sboni
."
Si
bo:"
Brot
herZwe.Sowhati
sthatwebsi
tef
or
Gr
ohöagain?Wher
edoyoubuyhisthi
ngs?"
Zwe:
"He'
sdead.
"
Si
bo:"
Iknowbuthi
sworkisst
il
lsol
d,r
ight
?How
l
ongwil
litt
aket
odeli
ver
?"
Zwe:
"Icanor
gani
zei
ther
einaweek.
"
Sibo:"Iwantedtogiftt
hequeenonbehal
foft
he
familyZwe."IrubbedZimmy'sthi
gh,
whil
eshe
munchedonmyt oast.
Zwe:
"Jesus,
thatmightbei
mpossi
ble.Whatwer
e
yout
hinki
ngofgett
ing?"
Sibo:"Remembert
hatdinnersett
hatwasgoldand
black?Theoneyousaidtook17mi l
li
onyear
sto
designandwentonandonaboutwhati nspi
redhi
m
tohandpainti
tasifIcar
ed?"
Zwe:"Itwas7years.Yes.That'
stheonl
yonei
n
exi
stence,i
tcost
shalfami l
li
onSibonel
o."
Si
bo:"I
t'
safami
lygif
tZwe,
whatcanwedo?Wena
whatwereyout
hinki
ng?
"
Zwe:"
Iwasn'
tthinki
ngofanyt
hing.Mum gother
somecust
om piecesfr
om herbouti
que.
"
Sibo:"
Thatgi
ftwil
lbefr
om t
hewomenofourf
ami
ly.
Let'
sgettheset
,Zwe."
Zwe: "Al
right.I
'
llhavet
odoabi
toffighti
ngthen.I'
l
l
contactthecompanyandseeifIcan'tsendaplane
tofetchittoday."
Si
bo:"
Alr
ight
.Sharp."Ihungup."t
hankyoul
ovebut
whyar
eyouf i
nishi
ngmyf ood?
"Iate.
Zimmy:"Youalr
eadyfini
shedyourfood.
"She
giggl
ed,
kissi
ngmycheek.Iwat chedherrol
lover
andgetherphone."
I'
llst
artgett
ingr
eadyatabout-
"
shestar
edatherphone,quiet
ly.
Si
bo:"
What
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Didyousendmesomet
hing?
"
Si
bo:"
Ohyeah,
fort
hesnacksandst
uff
."
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sist
oomuchSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"That'
snotevenan8thofwhatI'm aboutt
o
spendt oday.Zwewil
lmakemef eeli
t.Icanonlyget
him backont heKi
ng'sbi
rt
hday.
"Shesmi l
ed.
Zi
mmy:" Thankyoubaby."Ifi
nishedbreakfastand
putthet
rayaside."Si
nceAmahl eisal
sothe
pri
ncessshewon' tbecomingtooursleepoveras
well
,soitwil
lonlybePetu,
NothaandI ."
Si
bo:"
Whydon'
tyoui
nvi
teme?I
'
m ver
yfun.
"
Zi
mmy:"
It
'sgi
rl
sonl
ylove.Iknowyou'
ref
un.
"
Si
bo:"Icanbeagi
rl
,I
'l
ljustputonyourwi
g."She
l
aughed.
Zimmy:"You'resomethingel
se.Canwewatch
somethi
ngot herthanthenewstoday?
"Igaveher
ther
emot e.
Sibo:"Youcanwatchwhatyouwantbaby, I'
m not
evengoi ngt
oli
etoyoumi na.Iwanttosuckonyour
l
eftboobandat akeanap."Ipull
edherclosetome.
"Pleasewakemei nanhour."Shetookof
fhergown,
soherboobcouldbei nmyf ace.
Zimmy:"
I'
llsetanal
armforyou.
"Sheki
ssedmy
head,
let
ti
ngmesl eep.

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupi nthemor ning,

feel
ingnotabi tbett
erbut
i
twasanewdayandI '
dmaket hemostofi t.My
meditat
ioninthehutswasokaybutIdi dn'
tgetany
vi
sit
.Iwasn'treal
lyaffect
edbyt hatbecausethat
hourofpeaceactuallyfel
tgood.Igotoutofbed.
Nel
eandmamawer
echoosi
ngout
fi
tst
owear
.
Me:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Mama:"
Hel
loSi
si.Whi
chdr
essshoul
dIwear
?"
Me:"Uhm...Thel
il
aconewi
thyourmat
chi
ng
headscar
fmama. "
Mama:"
Areyousur
e?"
Me:"
Yes.Thewhi
tedr
esswon'
tbei
ngoodt
ast
e."
Mama:"
Okay.Whatwi
llyouwear
?"
Me:"
Mypi
nkdr
ess.
"
Mama:"
Whatpi
nkdr
essThembi
sa?
"
Me:" Mypinkdresswit
habeltmama.Todayis
aboutthequeen.Ihaven'
tyetbeeni
ntr
oducedasa
brideandI'
m notroyal
.Al
lIhavetol
ookis
respectabl
e,not
hingel
se.
"
Mama:" Fi
ne, gobath.We' r
edone.Yourf atheris
out
sideint hegarden."Itookabathandgotdr essed
i
nmyl ightpinkshirtdress.Itwaspeti
ti
eupperand
Ali
neski r
t,withabrownbel tonthewai st.Iwore
mysandal s,combingoutmyhai randput ti
ngon
smallgol
dear
ri
ngs.Il
eftt
hesui
te,
goingtofi
ndmy
fat
her.Hewasint
hegarden,
onhistabl
etasusual
.
Me:"
Goodmor
ningt
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Hel
lomychi
ld.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.Youl
ookgoodyour
sel
f.
"
Xolani
:"Itr
y.ComeIwantt otalkt
oyou."Wetooka
walkthrought hegar
den,
holdinghands."
Thi
sisa
beauti
fulplace."
Me:"
Itr
eal
lyi
s,t
ata.
"
Xolani
:"Nkosii
spromisingtotakegoodcar
eofyou.
Heexpressedthathewant stobegi
nthe
negoti
ati
onssoon.Iagree."
Me:"
Okayt
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Ar
eyoust
il
lhappyt
omar
ryhi
m?"
Me:"
Yest
ata.
"
Xolani:"Okay.Iwanttoremindyouthati
fyouever
changeyourmi ndatanystage.Youcancallme
andI '
llcomet akeyouhome.Youdon'thaveto
sufferoutthere,youhaveme."
Me:"Iknowtata.Iwon'
tsuf
fert
hough.Nkosiwi
ll
neverl
etthathappen.
"
Xolani:"
YesIknowbutyoual sohavetol ethim do
hisjob,l
ethim prot
ectyouasahusbandshoul d.
Youcan' tandneverwillbet
heki
ng'sfavourite.St
op
tr
ying,onlyNkosicanhandlehi
sfather.Allyou
havet odoislethim."
Me:"
Okayt
ata.
"
Xolani
:"IknowIr ai
sedyout obel ovi
ng,respectf
ul
andwel comingofal lpeople.I
nt hoseteachings,I
for
gottor emindyout ofight.IalwaysassumedI 'd
betheretofightforyouever ytime.Neverina
mil
lionyearsdidIthink,you'dmeetandmar rya
fut
ureking.IfIknewi twoul dhappen,I'
dhavesent
youelsewher etostudy.However ,
I'
m gladit'
shim.
He'sagoodyoungman. "
Me:"
Thankyout
ata.
"
Xolani:"I
'vedeci
ded,thatsi
ncether
estri
cti
onshave
beeneasedabi t
.Wecannowgohome.You' r
e
betternowanddoi ngyourschoolwork.You'
rewell
protected.I'
vespokentothepri
nce,
hedi daskI
stayanotherweekbutIdon'
tthi
nkIcan.Ineedt
o
takeyourmotherhomenow.Zanelehastogoback
toschool.Soweleavetomorr
ow."Ihat
edthathe
hadtoleave.Ihuggedhim.
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssyou.
"
Xol
ani:"Metoo.You'
regoi
ngt
ovi
sitdur
ingt
he
hol
idays?"
Me:"
Yest
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Good.Come,
let
'sgomeetyouri
nlaws.
"

Ont hewaytothepalace,
I'
dsentPet uamessage,
wishingheraveryhappybir
thday.Ialsolether
know, Iwon'
tbeabletomakeitandapol ogizedfor
i
t.Sheunderstood.IwasinthecarwithZanel e.She
heldmyhand.
Nele:"
Don'
tbener vousmnt ase.They'
regoingto
l
oveyou."Idon'
tthinktheywi l
lbutIdi
dn'tcar
e
anymorehonestl
y.Iwasgl adthatIhadAmahl eand
Nkosiint
hatfamil
y.Iftheothersdidn'
tli
kemet hen
therewasnothi
ngIcoul ddobutf ocusonmy
peopl
e.
Me:"
Thankyousi
s."
Nel
e:"
Haveyoueverbeenher
ebef
ore?
"
Me:" Nope.I t
'smyf ir
stti
me. "Wedroveintoagate,
withver yhi ghwalls.Thedr i
vewaywasagood800
met ersl ongbef or
ewear ri
vedattheentrance.A
hugest atue,inagloriousfountai
nwasi nthe
mi ddle.Thecarpar ked,ourdoorsopened.Igotout
andst aredatt hemagni f
icenceofthepalace.The
housei t
selflookedl i
keacast l
e.Anenormous
castle.Thef r
ontdoorwasupaf l
ightofstai
rs.I
stared, withmymout hwi deopen.Wewentupt hose
stairs,Nkosihel dmyhand.
Me:"
Heybaby.
"Ismi
led.
Nkosi:"
Youlooksobeauti
ful
.Hi.
"Ibl
ushed.We
walkedthr
oughthet
wol ar
geglassdoors.
Me:"
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmei
twast
hishuge.
"Iwhi
sper
ed.
Nkosi:"Yeah,
it'
senor
mous.Alsoverysuffocat
ing.
"
Inthelobbyarea,t
her
eweretwostaircasesoneach
side."
Doyouwantt oseemyroom? "Hewhi spered
i
nmyear
.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Yesbutwher
ewi
llwesaywe'
regoi
ng?
"
Nkosi:"
Myr oom, obvi
ously.
"Hechuckled.We
walkedintotheball
room hall
,itwasdecorat
ed
beauti
full
y.Thequeen,Iassumedi twasher,was
sit
ti
ngont heplushcouchr eadingabook.Very
rel
axed."Mother.
"
She:"
Mehlul
i.
"Shel
ookedatmet
henbehi
ndme.
"Who'
sthi
s?"
Nkosi:"
Thi
sisThembi sa,mygi
rl
friend.Thi
sisher
f
amily.Hermother,f
atherandl
it
tlesist
er.Fami
ly,
t
hisismymot her.QueenNobantu."
Me:"
Goodmor
ningmyQueen.
"Ibowed.
Mama:"Goodmorningmyqueen.I
tisanhonourt
o
meetyouandofcourse,
wishi
ngyouahappy
bi
rt
hday.
"
Nobant
u:"
Mehl
uli
,what
'sgoi
ngon?Wher
eisyour
f
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowwher
ehei
s."
Nobant
u:"
Howcanyounotknow?He'
sbeenwi
th
youal
lweek.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m nott
alki
ngt
ohi
m."shesi
ghed,
rol
li
ng
hereyes.
Nobantu:"
Justt
rynott
ofightt
oday.I'
m havi
nga
peacef
uldayandIdon'
tneedstress.
"
Nkosi:"
Areyougoingtosayhell
otomyf
utur
e
wif
e'sfamil
y?"Shelookedathi
m.
Nobantu:"
Goodmorning."Shesaidt
omypar ent
s.
TheKingwalkedi
n,l
ookingjoll
y.Imovedcl
oserto
Nkosi
.
Ki
ng:"
Goodmorni
ngal
l.I
t'
sal
ovel
ydayi
sn'
tit
?My
wi
fe.
"Heki
ssedher
.
Nkosi:"
Letmegi veyouatouroft hepal
acegr ounds.
MrNtaka, rememberIwast el
lingyouaboutthe
herbgardenyesterdaymorningonourwal k?Letme
showyou. "Heledusoutther oom.

PRI
NCEPOV_
Itwast akingallofme, t
oholdback.Al lof.We
walkedouti ntothecour tyar
dwher ethepar t
ywil
l
takeplace.Thewor ker
swer esett
ingupt hetabl
es
andchai rs.Ii
nvitedtheBiyel
a'sbecauseIknewI
neededpeopl et oshamemei ntobeingdecentto
myf ami l
y.
Mama:"
YOH.I
sthatabandset
ti
nguponst
age?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesma.It'
stheBal
ungabr
other
s.My
mother
'sfavour
it
e."
Nel
e:"
OMG!
"
Sasa:"
Doyouhaveanyani
mal
s?"
Nkosi:"
NoIdon't
.Amahledoeshaveacat
somewherearoundher
e,it
'susual
lyinherbed
though.
"Wewalkedthr
ought hegarden.
Sasa:"
wher
edoest
hewat
eri
nthi
spat
hwaygot
o?"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sal
akedownt
her
e."
Mama:"
aLAKE?
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
It
'snotasdanger
ousast heoneIhad
dr
ainedeMt hi
nomkhuluma.There'
salsosomeone
al
wayspat r
oll
ing.
"Wereachedtheherbgarden,
havingtakenthescenicroutetodragt i
me, walking
aroundandt hengoingbackt othecourtyard.The
sett
ingwasal mostcompl etebutmyf amilywasi n
theballroom hal
l,
havingadr i
nk,astheyusual lydid
beforeevents.Wewal kedinagain.Thisti
me, bot h
mymot herswerehere.Alongwithmyf atherand
sist
ers.
Nolwazi
:"Mehl
uli
.You'
rehome,
final
ly.Whoi
sthi
s
now?"
Nkosi:"
Mygir
lfr
iendThembisa.Thi
sisherfami
ly.
Mama, Tat
apleasetakeaseatoverher
e,someone
wil
lcometakeyourdrinkor
der."
Nol
wazi
:"Wai
t,yourwhat
?"
Nkwe:"
Hesai
dgi
rl
fr
iendmama.
"
Nhlanhla:"
Howshocki
ng.Shame,didhekidnapher
andherwhol ef
amil
y?Shelooksscared.Iwoul
dn'
t
putitpasthim.
"
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhl
a."
Nhl
a:"Bhuti
,whydidn'
tyouatl
eastbuyherapr
oper
dr
ess.Ithoughtyouhadthemostmoneyaft
er
daddy.Whati
sshewear
ing?
"
Nkwe:"At
ragedy.That
'swhat.
"Thembisagi
ggl
ed.I
don'
tknowwhyshef oundthi
sfunnybutshedi
d.
Nkosi:"
I'
mt ryi
ngher
e.Whatyou'renotgoi
ngtodo
i
sdisrespectThembisaorherfamil
y.I
'mreal
ly
real
lytr
ying.Canyoudoyourbitandbedecent,f
or
once?OrdoIhavet obedrasti
c?"
King:"
Mehluli
."IledThembisatocouch,
ignori
ng
thi
sone."You'
r esti
llangr
y?We'r
ecelebr
ating
Mehluli
,can'
tyougetoveri t
?"Amahlewalkedin
andhuggedThembi sa.
Ama:"
Hey.
"
Sasa:"Hi
."Shesmil
ed.Amahl
ewentt
ogr
eetmy
parent
sandZanele.
Nkwe:"
What
'shappeni
ng.
"
Nhl
a:"
Shecanspeak?
"
Nkwe:"
Youli
vewi
thher
."Shel
aughed.Il
ookedat
mymother
s.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyougoi
ngt
orepr
imandyourchi
ldr
enor
shoul
dI?"
Nol
wazi
:"Mehl
uli
,youcan'
tspeakt
ousl
iket
hat
."
Ki
ng:
"Atl
easthespeakst
oyou.
"
Nolwazi:"No,t
hat'
snotgoi
ngt ohappenhere.Ift
his
gir
lisgoingtomakeyoudisrespectusthenshe
i
sn'tagoodf i
tforourf
amil
y.Suchdi sr
espectso
earl
yinthemor ni
ng?"Thi
sismyl astdayhere.I'
m
notcomi ngtothi
shouseagain.
Nobantu:"
Okay!!Canweallpleasecal m down?I
wanttoenjoymyday.Iwenti nt
ogr eatdetail
pl
anningit.Wearesorti
ngthisnow, becausewhen
wewal koutofhereint
othatcourtyard,Iwant
not
hingbutsmi l
es.Myson, whatisyourpr obl
em
wit
hyourf at
her?"Il
ookedathim."Nkosinhle,
pl
ease."
Nkosi:"Fat
herisdoingwhatheal wayshasdone
butnownott ome, he'
sdoi ngitt
oThembi sa.Hei s
thereasonsheendedupi nhospitalbecausehe
sentassassinstokil
lher.Thenhehast heaudaci t
y
tocomei ntomyhomeandmakehi mself
comf or
tabl
et husmakinghi svi
ctim uncomf or
table.
Hespeaksdownt oher,het hr
eatensheratwi lland
doesallhecant oprovokemei nthepr ocess
becauseheknows, shewil
ltakehissidei nrespect
ofhim.Hei susingher,tur
ningherint
oanot her
versi
onofhi mselfasifhedidn'
tdoitenought ome,
thosetwobumbl ebeesandt oAmahle.I '
vewar ned
him mult
ipleti
mesbuther ef
usestoli
st en.Sono,
I'
m notgoingtotalktohim."
Nkwe:"
We'
ret
hebumbl
ebees?
"Shewhi
sper
ed.
Nhl
a:"
Bzzzzsi
s."Theygi
ggl
ed.
Nobant
u:"
MyKi
ng,
yout
ri
edt
oki
llher
?"
Ki
ng:"Ar
en'
tweovert
his?It
houghtI'
dapologi
zed?
MustIbegonmyknees?No,rat
hershootmedead."
Nobantu:"Oh,MyKi ng.Notli
kethi
s.Youcannot
pickonepartanddef enditaggr
essi
vely.Ther
eisa
l
otthatMehlulisaid,ar
en'
tyougoingtoatleast
acknowledgeit?"
King:"
AllIeverdo,i
sfort
hegoodofthethr
one.I
tol
dyouoncet hatlovewi
llmakeyouweak.I
've
provenitt
oyout hi
sweekaloneti
meandagai n.
Howam It hevil
lai
n?"
Nkosi:"
Ifl
ovemakesoneweak,
thenwhatdoyou
f
eelformymot her
s?"
Nhl
a:"
Yoh.Br
ingbackhi
dings,
fat
her
."
Nkwe:"
Wohl
ule.
"
Nobant u:"AllIaskedf or
, waspeace.
"Shegotup,
walkingout .Myf atherstaredatme.Iknowhewon't
respond.Ihat ethatIhur tmymot heronher
birt
hdaybecauseofhi m.He'stheonewhoshould
bedi sgraced,nother .
Nkosi:"
Pleaseexcuseme."Iwal
kedoutaft
erher,
t
hever yl
easttoapologi
ze.Iwasuncomfor
tabl
e
l
eavingThembi sawithmyfamil
ybutIhadtospeak
t
omymot her.Ifoundheri
nherroom."Mot
her.
"
Nobant
u:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
ohur
tyoui
nany
way."
Nobant
u:"
Youhaveal
otmor
etosayt
hesedays.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowwhatt
hatmeans.
"
Nobant
u:"
Youdon'
trememberthatyoubar
elyever
sai
dawordint
hishouse?Idon'
tknowyouto
expressyourselfatanystage.TheNkosi nhl
eIknow,
doesn'tsaymor ethan10wor dsaday.Youdon' t
smile,youdon'ttouchanyone.You'vebeeninthis
housel esst
hananhourandwe' veneverspoken
thi
smuch.Youst oodthereandexpr essedyour
self
i
ndet ail,
def
endingyourgirlf
ri
end,holdingonto
her.
"
Nkosi
:"I
sther
esomet
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"She
l
ookedatme.
Nobant
u:"
You'
rei
nlove.
"
Nkosi
:"YesI
'
minl
ovewi
thThembi
sa.
"
Nobant
u:"Yourf
atherwil
lnotmakeiteasyf
oryou.
Ever
.Youknowthatnoonecanst anduptohim so
you'
l
lhavetodoit.Const
antl
y."
Nkosi
:"AndIwi
ll
."Shenodded.
Nobantu:"
I'
mt aki
nganap, pleasewakemewhen
thecel
ebrat
ionstart
s."Shetookaheadachepi
lland
drankwater
.
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustwanthimtosayi
t.Toadmi
tit
.Hehas
t
ofeelsomethi
ng,Iknowhedoes.
"Shechuckl
ed.
Nobant
u:"
Focusonyourf
utur
eandf
ami
ly
Nkosi
nhl
e.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
07] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er86

SASA'
SPOV_

Wesatint
hecomfortablechai
rsonthecour
tyard.
Thebandpl
ayedalovelymelodyint
hebackground.
Me:"
Ever
ythi
ngi
ssobeaut
if
ul.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
.howar
eyouf
eel
ing?Bei
ngher
e?"
Me:"
Ner
vous.Idon'
twantt
omakeami
stake-
"
Nkosi
:"Mylove,
nobodyeverwant
stomakea
mist
ake.I
t'
snotsomethingahumanbei
ngcanhelp.
Al
lowyoursel
falit
tl
egrace.
"Heki
ssedmyhand.
Me:"
You'
resoper
fectf
orme.Il
oveyouNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyoumor
ethanl
if
eit
sel
f.Let
'st
akea
wal
k."
Me:"
Aren'
ttheyst
art
ing?
"
Nkosi:"
Notyet.I
t'
sst
il
lawarm up."Hestoodup,
holdi
ngmyhand.Wewal kedouttothegarden.Thi
s
onewasmuchbi gger
,ondif
fer
entlevel
sthat
neededstai
rsonsome.
Me:"
Wher
eisyourf
avor
it
epl
acei
nthepal
ace?
"
Nkosi
:"Out
sideofi
t.
"Il
ookedathi
m.
Me:"
Out
sidewher
e?"
Nkosi
:"Outt
hegate,ashor
trunni
ngdi
stancef
rom
her
e,i
nt hef
orest
."
Me:"
Okay,
andi
nsi
det
hepal
ace?
"
Nkosi:"Idon'tl
ikethi
splace.Igrewupi
nsi
deitbut
i
t'ssocol d.ThemostIcoul dli
keist
hegar
denbutI
can'tt
ouchi tbecauseI'
m aking.Myfat
herhadafi
t
thefir
sttimeIdi d.
"Hechuckled.
Me:"
Soyoubui
ltyour
sel
fonei
nyourownhome.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Whi
chpar
toft
hegar
dendoyoul
ike?
"
Me:"
Thepar
tthatgr
owsf
rui
t.If
indi
tso
f
asci
nat
ing.
"
Nkosi:"
Babyyougr
ewuponaf
arm.Howdoesf
rui
t
f
ascinateyou?
"
Me:"Yes,wesel
lsomebutwegeti tfr
om the
market.I
'
veneverseeni
tfal
loutofthetr
ee."
Nkosi
:"Come,they'
rer
ighthere.
"Wetookadiff
erent
pat
h."Thi
sistheorangesside.I
t'
snotmany.Ithi
nk
i
t'
sonly14trees.
"
Me:"
Wher
e'syourphone?
"
Nkosi:"
Inmypocket
,why?
"It
ooki
toutofhi
s
pocket.
Me:"
Look."It
ookapict
ureofhi
m st
andingnextt
o
t
hetr
ee."Youreyesbl
endinsoper
fect
ly.
"Hesmiled.
Nkosi:"
Ineverthoughtoft
hat.Come,yourf
avori
te
applesarethi
sside."Wewalkedanot
herdir
ecti
on
totheapples.
Me:"OhmyGod.They'
resor
ed.Ar
etheypol
ished
dai
ly?"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"It
hinkso,
yes.
"Hehuggedme,pickingme
up.Ir
eachedupthenear
estbr
anch,
pickingthe
appl
e."
Howdoesi
ttast
e?"It
ookabi
te.
Me:"
Sweet
.Tast
e."Igavehi
m abi
te.
Nkosi:"Notbad.TheBiyela'
sarehere.Let'
ssay
hell
o."Heplacedmeont heground,taki
ngtheappl
e
thenkissedme.Wet ur
nedt owalkout,hi
smother
stoodtherelooki
ngatus." Mother
."
Nobantu:"
Icametol
etyouknow,
we'
rest
art
ing.
"
Hereyeswerest
uckonme.
Nkosi:"Wewer emakingourwaydownmot her
,
thankyou."Sheturnedtowalkinfrontofus.We
madei ttothecourt
yardinsi
lence.Everyonewas
stari
ng.Ihatedit
.Anothert
hingIhavet ogetused
to.
Nkosi
:"Ki
ngBi
yel
aandf
ami
ly.Thankyouf
or
j
oini
ngus."
Biyel
a:"Thankyouforhavi
ngusYourHi ghness.
"I
wasexci t
edtoseeNothando.Shesatnextto
Amahl e.Howaretheynotj
umpi ngupanddown,
hugging?It'
sli
ket
heylivet
ogetherandsaweach
otheratbreakf
ast
.
Nkosi:"
Doyouwanttosi
twi
thyourf
ri
ends?
"He
whisper
edinmyear.
Me:"
CanI
?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Butbef or
et hat,
letmef ormal l
y
i
ntroduceyout otheBiyelafami l
y."Hewal kedmeto
thei
rarea."
KingBi yel
a,Iwantt oof f
ici
all
yintr
oduce
youtoThembi sa,myf uturewife.Thembi sa,t
hisi
s
KingBiyel
a,ThisisQueenBi yela."Icurt
sied,
holdi
ngmyski rt.
Me:" I
t'
sapl easur
etomeetyou,Ki
ngandQueen."I
couldalreadyfeelt
heburni
ngstar
eofKi
ng
Sikhosanaf r
om histhr
oneseat
.Myspi
neshiver
ed
atjustthethought.
Biyel
a:"Iti
sanhonourt
omeett
hef
utur
equeen,
hell
o."Ibowed.
QueenBiyel
a:"
Youar
esosweet,andbeaut
if
ult
oo.
I
t'
sapleasuret
omeetyou,
sisi
."
Me:"
Thankyou,
myqueen.
"
Nkosi
:"YouknowZwe, Si
bonel
oandMnqobi
.This
i
sthei
ryoungersi
ster
.WhereisKhaya?
"Heasked
Zwe.
Zwe:
"Hewentt
ohi
sfat
her
."
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Zwe:
"I'
l
lfet
chhi
m."Hewal
kedout
.
Nkosi
:"Come,
love.
"Hewal
kedmet
othegi
rl
s.
Si
khosana:"
Areweevergoi
ngt
oeat
?"
Nkwe:"Iagr
ee,fathe-
"Nkosist
aredather
.She
i
nstant
lykeptquiet.
Nhl
a:"Bhut
i,canyoualsopl
easei
ntr
oduceme?"
Hert
wingiggled.Isatwi
thAmahl
eandNothando.
Me:"
Final
ly.
"Iwhi
sper
ed.
Ama:"
Howi
sitsof
ar?
"
Me:"
Notbad.
"
Ama:"
Notbad?Mysi
stermadef
unofyourdr
ess.
"
Me:"
Ilovemydr
ess,
it'
spr
ett
y."
Not
ha:"
Itr
eal
lyi
s.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"
Good.Howar
eyou?
"Ihuggedher
,hol
dingon
t
oher.
Notha:"Good.Okaythat'
senoughThembi sa,
thank
you."Igi
ggled.Ican'
tbel
ieveImissedher.Zi
nhle
Biyel
awassi tt
ingwit
hherbr ot
herslooki
ngbored.
Me:"
Whyisyoursi
sternott
alki
ngt
oyou?
"Iasked
Not
hando.
Not
ha:"
Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoher
."
Ama:"
It
'sashameshenol
ongerhasf
ri
ends.
"
Me:"
Amahl
e-"
Ama:"
Don'teventhi
nkabouti
tThembi
sa.Wemi
ght
aswel
lsi
twiththetwins.
"
Me:"
Fine.
"
Ama:"
Stopi
t.
"
Me:"
Isai
dfi
ne.
"
Ama:"
Iknowyou'r
ethi
nkingofatri
ck."Igiggl
ed.
Thewai
terbr
oughtusdri
nksincocktail
glasses.
Me:"
Areweal
lowedt
o?"
Ama:"No.Butthey'
revi
rgi
ns.Li
keus."Shesi
ghed.
Wegiggl
ed.Ireall
ymissedmyfriends.
Me:"I'
mreal
lygladyouguysareher
e.It
hinkI
neededeventhesefewminut
es."
Ama:"Yeah,you'
vebeenadul
ti
ngathi
ghspeed.I
don'
twishtobeyoubutitget
sbet
terf
rom her
e.
HowareyouNot ha?"
Not
ha:"
Hor
ri
ble.If
eel
sol
ost
."
Ama:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Notha:"No.Youshoul
dn'
tbethesorr
yone, mydad
shouldbe.Canyoubeli
eveheactual
lysoldme?
Imagineift
heBiyel
a'
sdidn'
twantmeei t
her?"
Me:"
Iam sosor
ry,
Not
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Also,
notyourf
aul
t.
"
Me:"
TheBiyel
a'
sseem r
eal
lyni
ce.Ar
etheyt
reat
ing
youwel
l?
"
Not
ha:"
Ver
y.Theymakemef
eell
ikeI
'
m oneof
t
hem."
Ama:"
Wel
l.
..
Idi
dtel
lyouNot
hando.
"
Not
ha:"
Pleasedon'
tst
art
."
Ama:"
I'
m notst
art
inganyt
hing.
"
Notha:"
Idon'
thaveachoi
ceanymor
eanyway,
soI
wil
lmarryhi
m."
Me:"
Isn'
tther
eanyt
hingwecando?
"Iasked
Amahle.
Ama:"
No.Shemustmar
ryhi
m."
Me:"
Amy?
?"
Ama:"
Sheknowswhy.Leaveher
,she'
l
lbef
ine.
"
Notha:"Mxim.
"Iheldherhand."
Thembi
sawhati
s
yourissue?
"Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Imi
ssedyou,
youi
diot
."
Not
ha:"
Okay,
butI
'
m her
enow.Letgoofmyhand.
"
Me:"
Pet
usaysyoucr
iedf
orme.
"Shesmi
led.
Not
ha:"
Pet
uisl
ying.
"
Me:"Shesaysyout r
iedt oprayformebutyoudi dn'
t
knowthewords."Wel aughed, si
lent
ly,
tryi
ngnotto
drawatt
enti
on.Ihidmyf ace,becausethisfami
ly
mightbl
amemef orbeingadi srupti
on.Thewhole
famil
ywasfocusedont heband.TheSpeakergot
onstageasthebandphasedoutt hemelody.
Speaker :"Goodmor ni
ngr oyalf amili
es.MyKi ngHi s
RoyalMaj estySi khosana, QueenNobant u,Queen
Nolwazi ,KingBi yela,QueenBi yela.HisRoyal
HighnessPr i
nceSi khosana, princesandpr incesses,
royalguest s.Wear eher et ocel ebrateourfirst
queen.TheRoyalThr onewi shesyouabi rthdayas
peacef ulasyou.Mayt hegodsbl essandf ulfillyour
wishes. "Shebowed.Thequeensatnextt otheki ng
withoutsomuchasar eact i
on.Herf acewasvoi dof
anyemot ionasshest aredatt hespeaker.If
anythingshel ookedi ncredi blybor ed.Maybeshe
wasst illupsetfrom ear l
ier.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Ienteredmyf ather
'shouse.Hehadsummonedme
actuall
y.Itwast odowi thmymot herswi
ll
,si
nceI'd
turned21, he'dbeenrefusi
ngt oreleasemy
i
nher i
tance.Theonl ythi
ngt hatIhadaccesstowas
myapar tmentandhecoul dn'ti
nterfer
ewit
hit.All
theseyear s,Ienduredhisabusesol el
ytokeepthat
place.I'
dwai tedpat
ient
lyunti
lIwasofage.Hewas
thebestlawyeri nourprovi
nce,yethemissedthe
smal ldetail
sregar
dingthepropert
y.Ei
therthator
hecoul dn'tchangeit
.
Khaya:"
Morni
ngTata."Hi
sgi
rlf
ri
endwassi
tt
ingon
t
hecouch,pl
ayingwit
hherphone.
Sol
inga:"
Whodoyout
hinkyouar
e?"
Khaya:"
Whatdoyoumeant
ata?
"
Soli
nga:"Howdar eyouembarrassmet omy
busi
nessacquai nt
ances?Don'tyouhaveahome?
Youhavet hatbl
oodyapar t
mentbutyou'r
e
spongingofftheBiyel
a'
s!!Howdareyouembarr
ass
melikethat!
!"Heshouted.
Khaya:"
TheBi
yel
a'
saskedmet
ost
aywi
tht
hem
Tat
a."
Soli
nga:"
Askedyou?Knowi
ngwhataboutyou?You
thi
nkI'
m stupi
d,boy?
"
Khaya:"
Whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?"Het
hrewpaper
s
atme.
Sol
inga:"
Signt
hose.
"
Khaya:"
Whatarethese?
"Ilookedatt
hepaper
s.
"
Thisismyinher
it
ancefrom thetr
ust
."
Sol
inga:"
Signi
t.
"
Khaya:"No.
"It
oret
hem up."
You'
reami
ll
ionai
re.I
'
m
notgi
vingyouacent
."
Sol
inga:"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Khaya:"Isai
dI '
m notgi
vingyouacent,t
ata.You'
re
sogreedy!Iknowyoudon' tneedthi
smoney, you
j
ustwantt odisablemefinanci
all
ysoyoucan
cont
rolme. "
Soli
nga:"Khaya,whot hefuckdoyout hinkyou'
re
tal
kingt
o? ?Whodoyout hinkwastakingcareof
youwhileyourmot herwaswhor i
ngar ound!?Now
suddenl
yI '
m greedy?HeeungangideleliKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
You'
realyi
ng,usel
essfat
her,
Soli
nga-"he
sl
appedme.Istumbledback,
spit
ti
ngblood.
Soli
nga:"Youthinkshe'
sanangelbecauseshedi ed
l
ikethewhor eshewas?Letmer emindyou,si
nce
you'
restupid.Yourmotherwassl eepi
ngwit
h
anothermanwhowasmar r
ied.Shewouldleave
youi ndaycar e,runtoherl overandf or getyou
fuckingexi st.I'
velef
tmul ti
pl emeet i
ngsr unningt o
fetchyouwhenyouwer ethel astkidont heday
caredoororschoolgat e.Yoursocal ledper fect
mot hercoul dn'tevenbebot heredtospend
weekendswi thyou.Herboyf ri
endwasmor e
i
mpor tantthanyou.You' renot hing.Neverhave
beenanyt hing.Especiall
ytoher .Yout hinkBi yela
want syouar ound?Hef eelssor r
yforyoubecause
thewhol etownknewwhoyourmot herwaswhor ing
with.Thei nher i
tanceshel eftyouwasf rom her
boyfriendpayi nghert oleaveyouwi t
hmet ost ar
ta
newl ifewi t
hhi m.Youwantevi dencer ight?Whatdo
Istartwi t
h?Thesext ape?Theemai ls?What ? "My
whol ewor ldshutdown.
Khaya:"
You'
rel
ying.
"Iwhi
sper
ed.
Sol
inga:"
Ver
ywel
l.Si
t.
"Hi
sgi
rl
fr
iendst
oodup.
She:"
Hayihayi
!!
!Hai
bo.You'
renowgoingtoshow
umntanaamanyalat
oproveyourpoi
nt?"
Sol
inga:"
Stayoutoft
hiswena,
Idon'
tevenknow
whyyou'r
ehere.
"
She:"Yuh,
uzint
loni
."(
You'
reshamef
ul)Shewor
e
hershoesleavi
ngthehouse.
Soli
nga:"Youwanttheevidence,
don'tyou?"He
openedthelockedcabinett
hatnoonewasal lowed
totouch.Hecan't
..
.Hecan'thavethattypeof
evi
dence.Het ookoutaCD, i
nser
ti
ngi ti
nhislapt
op.
Khaya:"
Stopi
t!
!"
Soli
nga:"I
'
ml yi
ng??We'
l
lsee.
"Iwal
kedt
owardt
he
door,l
eavi
ng.Ibumpedi
ntoZweatt
hedoor
.
Zwe:
"Hey.Icamet
ofet
ch-whatdi
dhedo?
"
Khaya:"
Getmeoutofher
e,pl
ease.
"
Zwe:"Geti
nthecar
.I'
m comi
ng.
"Hewal
kedi
ntot
he
house.
Sol
inga:"
Pri
nceBiyel
-"apunchl
andedonhi
sface.
Zwepickedhi
m backup.
Zwe:
"Youf
eell
ikef
ight
ing?Let
'sf
ight
."
Sol
inga:"
Ican'
tfi
ghtyou,mypri
nc-"anotherpunch
di
slocat
edhisj
aw.Solingaf
ellt
othefloor.
Zwe:
"Fuckt
her
oyal
tyshi
t.We'
remen.Mendon'
t
runfr
om af i
ghtSolingaandyoudamnsur ewon' t
pickt
odaytost ar
trunning.Getup."Hef ol
dedup
hissl
eeves."No?"Heki ckedhi
mr epeatedl
y,
punchinghisfaceflatunti
lhestoppedmovi ng.He
tookthefl
eeceont hecouchandwi pedhisfist
s,
walki
ngout.

Wearri
vedatt
heSikhosanapal
acei
nsil
ence.We
f
ir
sthadtochangebefor
ewecamehere.
Khaya:"
ThankyouBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"It
houghtIt
oldyout
ost
ayawayf
rom t
hat
man.
"
Khaya:"
BhutZwehe'
smyf
ather
-"
Zwe:
"Notanymor
ehe'
snot
."
Khaya:"Thenwhatam IZwe?I t
'sal
readyhar d
enoughf orme.Iknowyout reatmelikefami l
ybut
thefacti
s, I
'm not
.Idon'
tknowwher eIbel ong.For
example, l
ookwher eweare.I'
m notall
owedi nthis
placebecauseI '
m notr
oyal.I
t'
sjustdif
ficultokay?
"
Zwe:
"Iknowi
t'
sdi
ff
icul
t.I
thasbeenf
oryear
s.
You'verunawayf r
om usaf ewt i
mest oo.Andever y
ti
meyoudo, mum anddadaskaboutyou.Wel ook
outforyou.Bug, wecanshowyoui nsomany
dif
ferentwayst hatwel oveyoubutyouneedt o
acceptt hatyou'
rewor t
hyofbeinglovedt oo.You
needt oacceptnow, thatyou'
repartofus.Ihave
neverdisappointedyouandneverwi ll
.Ther eisno
tr
ashbi ni nthi
splanetIwouldthrowyoui n.NowI
havet oputaguar donyoubecauseIknowyou' r
e
soft,you'l
lgobackt ohearhim outagain.You'renot
goingbackt hereKhaya.Doyouhearme? "Inodded.
Khaya:"
YesBhutZwe.
"Het
urnedmyf
acet
ohi
m.
Zwe:"I
t'
snotasvi sibl
eatleast.Youseenow, f
ather
wil
lbepissedoffthatIletthi
shappent oyou.Let '
s
goin.
"Wewal kedi ntothepal
ace, t
hisplacewasso
i
nti
midatingbutbeaut i
ful
.Istaredi
naweatt heart
onthehighceil
ings.Adr eam."Perfect
,isn'
tit
?"
Khaya:"
Yeah.Theyl
ovear
t?"
Zwe:
"KingSikhosanai
sacollect
or.Hiscol
lecti
on
hasi
tsownt hr
eeguards.
"Hewhi sper
ed.Ichuckled.
Ii
magineitmustbeworthhundredsofmill
ions.We
walkedi ntothecourtyar
d.Everyonewasoccupi ed
witht heperf
or manceonst agesot heydidn'
tnot i
ce
mesneaki n.IsatnexttoSboni ,
lookingaround.
Thembi sawaswi t
hAmahl eandNot hando.King
Sikhosanawasst ari
ngather ,
Ijustknowhewas
staringatherandnothi sdaught er
.Whydi dhehat e
hersomuch?Att henexttablesattheprincesses.
Oneoft hem star
edatme, myhear tjumpedwhenI
noticed.Andt hen?
Si
bo:"
Youokay?
"
Khaya:"
Yeah,
I'
m good.
"Iwhisper
edback.He
handedmeashotofwhiskey.Zwetooki
tanddr
ank
i
t.
Si
bo:"
Justone?
"
Zwe:
"St
opi
t.
"
Si
bo:"
Bor
ing.
"Thespeakercameont
hest
age.
Speaker:"
Thatwasbeaut i
ful
.Wehaveourst
arter
s
now,myr oyals.Wewi l
lcommencewithasweet
melodywhi l
eweenj oyourQueen'ssi
gnat
uremeal."
Shegotoffthest age.Conver
sati
onst
art
edagain.
Atourtable,i
twasMnqo, Sboni
,Zwe,
Mthunziand
Nkosi
.Wehadourst
art
ersdel
iver
ed.
Zwe:"So.
..Si
bonelo,
whenwi
llyoui
ntr
oduceust
o
yournewgirl
fr
iend?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Gi
rl
fr
iend?
?"
Zwe:
"Yes,
hehasn'
tbeenhomei
naweek.
"
Si
bo:"
Whyar
eyouhangi
ngmyl
aundr
yZwe?
"
Zwe:"
Tellever
yone.I
'
m notkeepi
ngyoursecr
et
anymore.
"
Si
bo:"
We'
reeat
ing.
"
Khaya:"
You'
redat
ingZi
mmy?
"
Nkosi
:"I
sn'
tthatyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Khaya:"
No,
Mypr
ince.
"
Si
bo:"
Fine.Yes,
I'
m dat
ing.Canwedr opi
tnow?
Mnqobii
sgetti
ngmarri
ed.Let'
sfocusonthat
."
Mnqo:"
Pleasedon'
tusemet
ogetoutoft
hisone.
"
Si
bo:"
Whyi
sthi
sabi
gdeal
?"
Zwe:"
Maybebecauseit'
sbeen3year
ssi
nceyou'
ve
beeni
naseri
ousrelat
ionshi
p."
Sibo:"
Hebana,
whendi
dwegett
oser
ious
rel
ati
onshi
p?Isai
ddat
ing.
"
Khaya:"
Sher
eal
lyl
i
kesyouBhutSbo.Don'
tdoher
l
ikethat
."
Sibo:"
There'
ssomeonewhoal
soreal
lyl
ikesyou
andIthinkyouneedt
oatt
endt
oit
."Hesmi l
ed.
Zwe:
"Who?
"Ist
aredatSbo.
Khaya:"
Whyar
etr
yingt
ogetmeki
ll
ed?
"Ichuckl
ed.
Mthunzi
:" Nobodywi l
lkil
lyou,comesitnexttome.
Tellme.
"Ever yonelaughed.Ilookedupagain,she
wasstil
llookingatme.Il ookedatNkosi.Hestared
ri
ghtbackatme, swir
li
nghi swhiskeyi
nhisglass.
Khaya:"
Nope.Nosi
r.I
'
m good.
"

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thecel
ebr
ati
onwasgoingreall
ywel
lsofar
.
Thembi
saseemedsohappy.Hersmil
ewas
cont
agi
ous.What
everconver
sati
onshewashavi
ng
withAmahlewasentert
aining.Ever
yfewmi
nut
es,
theybur
stinsi
lentgi
ggles.Makingmyhear
tsmil
e.I
putmyglassdown.
Mthunzi
:"Don'
tyoudar
e.Leaveheral
one.
"Zwe
l
aughed.
Zwe:
"Youcanevenant
ici
pat
ehi
snextmove?
"
Mthunzi:"
Ifhestar
esthislong,Ialwaysknowhe'
s
zoni
ngoutandr unningafterher.Youhavetowat
ch
him.Letherenj
oyherf r
iend'scompany."
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustwant
edt
osayhi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Wavet
hen.
"
Nkosi
:"Mxim.Ineedt
ospeakt
othesound
manager.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Forwhatnow?
"
Nkosi
:"Justcal
lhi
m."Hesighed,gett
ingup.He
br
oughthimt ome.Heknel
tdown." Okay,t
hat'
s
dr
amatic.Look,
canyourbandplayanymel ody?"
Him:"Mostmel
odies,
MyPr
ince,
whi
chonewoul
d
youli
keifImayask?"
Nkosi
:"TheOnl
yReason.JPCooper
."
Hi
m:"
Wit
hsi
ngi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Nosi
ngi
ng.Justt
hemel
ody.
"
Him:"
YesYourHighness.
"Hestoodup,hur
ryi
ng
overt
otheband.Il
ookedatThembisa,
wonderi
ngi
f
shewil
lnot
icei
t.
Mthunzi:"
You'
reamenace."Thegui
tarst
art
ed
pl
aying.Ismil
ed,
sat
isf
ied.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sureIknew,theonl yreasonGodgave
meeyeswast oseeyou.Theonl yreasonGodgave
meearswastohearyourvoi ce.Say,Iwil
lal
l,Iwil
l
al
waysloveyou.Andwhent hewi ndgetscold.I'
l
l
wrapmyarmsar oundyou. "Iwhispered.Shelooked
atandsmil
ed.Herheartflutt
ered,Iwantedtohold
heri
nmyar msimmediat ely.
Sasa:"Wesharedourdr eams,endeavor sandmany
thi
ngs.Wenevercouldt ellasoulbefore.Isawyou
smilethrought
hetearsthatfelltothefloor.I
'
m sur
e
Iknew, Theonl
yreasonGodgavemehandswast o
holdyou.Andhef i
nelytunedthedr umsofmyear s
j
usttohearyourvoice."Shewhi speredback,
bl
owi
ngaki
sst
ome.
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.
"
Mthunzi:"
Nkosiwi
llmakeyouwantt
ofal
linl
ove
i
mmedi atel
y."
Zwe: "
Anddeepl yfuthi.Ngicel'soul
mat enami
Nkulunkulu.Nkosi
, whatwasi nyourpr ayer
?"I
chuckled.Themusi ccutof f.Youdi dn'
thavetotel
l
mewho.Whymyf at herwasonast agewas
obvi
ous.Thi sman'st oxi
citycoul dpoisonaperson
todeathinstant
lyandwi t
houtef for
t.
King:"IthoughtIwoul dtaket hi
sexactmoment ,to
wishmyf i
rstwife,ahappybi rthday."Hestaredat
mewi t
hi ceinhiseyes." AKi ng'sbestcompani on,i
s
astrongwomanbyhi sside.Rul ingacount r
yisn't
aneasyj obanddef initel
yi sn'tforthefai
nthearted.
Onet hingmywi feknowsandunder st
ands,herrole
i
nmyl ifeisasi mpor t
antast hegoodwor kIdo.She
hashel pedmenotonl ygr owaki ngdom buta
famil
yt oo.Ihopemysoni st akinglessonsfrom his
parentssot hathelivesal ifeasl ongasf r
uit
fulas
I.
"Howdi dt hisbecomeabouthi m??Andwhatgood
work?Hewentt
ohi
sseat
,obvi
ousl
ysat
isf
iedwi
th
hi
mself.
Zwe:
"Howaboutdr
inkst
oni
ght
?Mt
hunzi
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Sur
e,whynot
."
Nkosi
:"Whyar
en'
tyouaski
ngmeal
so?
"
Zwe:
"Doyouwantt
ohavedr
inksl
ater
,Nkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Not
hankyou.I
'
llbewi
thmywi
fe.
"They
l
aughed.
Zwe:
"You'
rewor
kingonyoursenseofhumornow.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ihat
eitsomuch.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Zwe:
"Sboni
,you'
l
lal
sobewi
thyourwoman?
"
Si
bo:"Iknowyoujustwantt
odragmesoyesZwe,
I
'l
lcomehavedrinkswit
hyou.Yoh.
"
Zwe:
"Good.Mnqo?Khaya?
"
Mnqobi:"
Yeah,itwouldbegoodBhutZwe."Aguar
d
cametothetable,speaki
ngt
oMthunzi.Hegotup,
fol
lowi
nghim out.
Nkosi
:"Zwe.Ineedt
otal
ktoyou.
"
Zwe:"
Sur
e.What'
sup?"Wegotup,
wal
kingaway
fr
om t
het
ablei
ntothegar
den.
Nkosi
:"Somethi
ngi
shappeni
ngwi
thThembi
saand
Ican'
tfi
xit
."
Zwe:
"Whati
shappeni
ng?
"
Nkosi:"Well.
..It
hinksheneedstherapyforone.It'
s
somet hi
ngt hatshesaidthat
'st
uggingatme.
Yesterday,wehadadi sagreementaboutmyf ather.
SheaskedmehowIexpecthert odefyhim whenhe
tr
iedtokillherandthreat
ensheronsuspi ci
on."
Zwe:
"Het
hreat
enedheragai
n?"
Nkosi:"Yes,Monday.Youknowwi ththewi tchhunt
nonsense.Tur nsoutthiswi t
chcomesf rom the
samesoi lasThembi sa.Problem is,t
hevi ll
age
burntdown.I t'
salongst oryandbesidest hepoint,
we'llt
alkaboutitanothertime.Rightnow, my
concernist hi
sdiscomf ort
.Icanfeelhert remble
whenhel ooksather.Icanhearherhear trace.I
playedthatsongbecausehewasst aringatherand
shewast ryi
ngtoignorebutshewasst i
llshaki
ng.
She'straumat i
zed.Problem i
s,Idon'tfeelmyf at
her.
Ican'tf
eeli
lli
ntentf
rom hi
sdemeanor,i
t'
sjusthi
m
beingmeanasusual .Whatdoyouthi
nk?"
Zwe:"You'r
er i
ghtaboutherneedingtherapy.She
di
dwakeupf rom acomaandl ivewit
ht heper son
whowant edt okil
lher
.Maybeit'sPTSD, only
st
art
ingtor egist
ernow,t
rigger
edbyhi st hr
eat."I
si
ghed.
Nkosi
:"Canyoudoi
t?"
Zwe:
"Nkosi
,I
'm aneur
osur
geon.Notat
her
api
st.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sthesamet
hing.
"
Zwe:
"Def
ini
tel
ynotandneverwi
llbe,
myf
ri
end.
"
Nkosi
:"i
t'
sbot
hbr
ainwor
k."
Zwe:"
Nkosi,Thembisaneedssomeonewhoi
san
act
ualt
herapist
.Notme."
Nkosi
:"Ionl
ytr
ustyou.
"
Zwe:"
ButNkosi,eveni
fIdospeakt oher,Iwon'
tbe
abl
etotel
lyou.Ican'
tbreakherconfi
dence."
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
newi
tht
hat
."Hesi
ghed.
Zwe:
"Fi
ne,
wecant
ry.I
'
m notpr
omi
singt
ofi
xit
.IfI
don'tseepr
ogr
essorsenseanydi
scomf
ortt
henI
'
m
ref
erri
ngapsychi
atr
ist
,agoodone.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
lli
ntervi
ewthem fi
rst,
butthankyou.
"We
walkedbackt othecour
tyard."Whydoyousmell
l
ikeblood?"
Zwe:"Iforgetaboutyoursensessometi
mes.Justa
minorthingIneededtof i
xalongtimeago.
"
Nkosi:"
Didyouf
ightwi
thKhaya?Heal
sohasa
br
uise."
Zwe:
"No,
hisf
ather
."
Nkosi
:"Oh."Il
ookedoveratThembisa.Sheseemed
tobeinagoodspacest i
ll
.Ineededtospeaktoher
fat
her.Maybeafewhour sthi
sevening,
awayf r
om
thevi
ll
aandmyf amilywouldbeperfect
.Justa
str
essfreeeveni
ng.Ismil
ed.
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
,pl
easeor
gani
zemesecur
it
yfort
he
eveni
ng".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er87

KHAYA'
SPOV_

TheSikhosana'sknewhowt oentert
ain.Theband
theyhir
edwasel ectr
if
yingbutthesinger swereon
anotherl
evel.Iwasreall
yenjoyingmysel f.Afew
ti
mesI '
dlookedoveratt hepri
ncesstableandshe
sti
lll
ookedatme, thi
stimewi t
hhert winandt hat
mademeevenmor euncomf ort
able.Ididn'twant
anyproblems.
Si
bo:"
Wil
lyoubei
ntr
oduci
ngt
hegi
ftZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Whyme?Youboughti
t.
"
Si
bo:"
Fort
hef
ami
ly.Pl
easego,
you'
ret
heol
dest
."
Zwe: "
Mxim."Hegotupont hest
age,
acknowledgingt
hekingandqueens."
Idon'
twantto
standtoolong,t
heenter
tai
nmenthasbeenamazing
sof ar
.Ionl ywant edtogi vegr ati
tudet otheRoyal
Sikhosanaf ami lyf orinvitingust osucha
presti
giousevent ,celebr atingtheFi rstLady's
birt
hday.Wewi shyouahappybi rthday, myqueen.
Onbehal foft heBi yel
af ami l
y,webr oughtt hi
sgift
i
nyourhonour .Thankyou. "Thebeaut iful
lywrapped
boxcamei n,rolledonat ray.Theonl yGr ohödinner
set.Thequeenhadasl ightgr inonherf ace.Orthe
cornerofhermout hli
ftedf orasecond.She
defini
tel
yl ovesi t
.That '
ssosweet .Thisguyhast o
visi
thellformaki nghi sent ir
ef amilyli
ket hi
s.I
thoughtitwasj ustNkosibutnope, i
t'
st hewhole
clan.Tothem, it'
snor malIguess.
Khaya:"
Bobo,
wher
ecanIf
indabat
hroom.
"
Sibo:" Holdon."hecalledaguar dandi nstructed
hi
m." He'l
lshowyou, bug.Goahead. "Ifollowedt he
guar d,whopoi ntedtothenear estbathroom whi ch
wasanor malwhol enextdoort osomeoneel se.
Thispl acewashuge.Ient er
edt hebat hroom,
mar velingattheelegance.Thet apswer eobvi ously
Sikhosanagol d.Ever
ythingelse,PureBl ack.Ihada
pee, thenflushedwashi ngmyhands.Ihear dthe
doorclose.Myhear tst
opped.Pl
easebetheguard.
Please.Itur
nedaroundt ol
ookandshestoodthere,
l
ockingt hedoorbehindher
.Whatthefuckwas
goingon.
Khaya:"
PrincessSi
khosana.Uhm,Iwastol
dthi
s
wasthevisit
orsbat
hroom.Am Iinthewr
ong
pl
ace?"
Pri
ncess:"
Yes."Mybloodpressur
estar
tedtospi
ke.
Ican'
tbelockedinabathr
oom withapri
ncess.I
'
d
behung.
Khaya:"Myapol ogies.I
..
Iwil
lmakemywayout .
"I
swallowed.Shef oldedherarmssti
llbl
ockingthe
door.DoIshoutf orhelp?Whowoul dhearme?
Surelytheguardsawhercomei nhereandhe's
l
oyalt oher
,he'
lltakeherside.Iwasstuck."Pl
ease,
Idon'twanttr
oubl e."
Pr
incess:"
Thenwhyar
eyouher
e?"
Khaya:"
Ineededt
opee.
"
Pr
incess:"
Inapal
ace?That
'sbol
d."
Khaya:"
Iwasi
nvi
tedt
othepal
ace,
mypr
incess.
MayIpl
easepasst
hrou-
"
Pr
incess:"
No.
"That
'si
t,I
'
m dead.
Khaya:"
Ihaven'tdoneanythingwr
ong.Pl
easel
et
mepass.Idon'twanttrouble."
Princess:"
Youal
readyar
eintrouble,
commoner."I
tookoutmyphonet ocal
lSboni.Shegrabbedi
tout
ofmyhand.
Khaya:"
Whatdoyouwant
?"
Pr
incess:"
What
'syourname?
"
Khaya:"
I'
m Khaya.
"
Pr
incess:"
Khayawho?You'
renotaBi
yel
a."
Khaya:"
Sol
inga.
"
Princess:"
Thoughtasmuch.Acommoner."I
clenchedmyt eet
h,hopi
ngsomeone,
anyonecomes
torescueme." Ar
eyouoffended?
"
Khaya:"I
'
m notof
fended.IknowI
'
m notr
oyal,Ij
ust
don'
tknowwhyI '
ml ockedi
nabathr
oom agai
nst
mywi l
l.
"
Pr
incess:"
Wel
l,
let
'sf
igur
ethatout
,KhayaSol
inga.
"
Shest
eppedcl
osertome,cl
osi
ngthespace
bet
weenus.Il
ookedar
oundthebathr
oom."No
camer
as.Ki
ssme."
Khaya:"
Absol
utel
yno.That
'si
ll
egal
.Pl
easel
etme
go.
"
Pr
incess:"
Okay.
"Shesteppedasi
de,
givi
ngmea
waytopass.Myhearthammeredinmychest
.
Khaya:"
CanIhavemyphoneback?
"
Pr i
ncess:" No.Leave.
"Iwal kedoutbef oreanymor e
troubleensued.Icannotbel ieveIjustgotrobbedof
myphone.I napalace, sti
ll.Isatinmyseat ,shaki
ng.
Theguyswer ehavingaconver sati
on,justlaughing
anddr inking.Ifel
tsosi ck.Howwoul dItellthem
this?Whati fsheli
es?Il ookedoverathert ableas
shesatdownandscr olledt hroughmyphone.A
mi l
li
ont hought sasecondwentt hroughmymi nd.
Whati sshel ooki
ngat ?Whatwasi nmymessages?
Justwor kstuffandgirlsI'veghost ed.Aver y
disgustingnumberoft hem.Nudes.Ohf uck.
Mnqobi
:"Kay,
Yougood?
"
Khaya:"
Yeah.
"Il
ookedatNkosi
.Hest
aredatme
wit
hagazeIcouldn'
tqui
tefi
gur
eout
.I'
m aboutt
o
haveahear
tat
tack."
Bobo."
Si
bo:"
Again?Whatwer
eyoudr
inki
ngbug?Hai
bo.
"I
whi
speredinhi
sear
.
Khaya:"
Shet
ookmyphone.
"
Si
bo:"
Who?
"
Khaya:"
Thepr i
ncess.Shefol
lowedmetot
he
bat
hroom,lockedmei nandtookmyphonewhenI
wantedtocallf
orhelp.
"Heheldbackal
augh.
Si
bo:"
Doesshesaywhy?
"
Khaya:"
Wil
lIgetbackmyphone?
"
Sibo:"Probablynot.
"Isighed,i
ncr
edi blystr
essed.
Besidest hi
sbeingmyt hirdphoneinl essthanfi
ve
mont hs,I'
m scaredofwhatt hi
sgirlisdoingtomy
phone.Itwasunl ocked.Shehasf ullaccessto
everythi
ng.
Nkosi
:"I
sther
eapr
obl
em?
"
Khaya:"
Nosi
r.
"
Si
bo:"
Khaya-
"Igl
aredathi
m.
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Sibo:"
Thepr i
ncesst ookhisphone,YourHighness.
"
Nkosisighed,getti
ngupf rom hi
sseat.Hewalkedto
hertabl
eandgr abbeditoutofherhand.Shesmi l
ed.
Thepsychopat h.Nkosigavemebackmyphone
andsatdown.
Nkosi
:"Di
dshet
hreat
enyou?
"
Khaya:"No,mypr ince."Icheckedmyphone, she'
d
gonethroughmypi cturesandmessages.Whatwas
shelookingfor?Ilockedmyphoneandputi tinmy
pocket.Justthen,amessagecameonmyphone.I
l
ookedati t
,notknowi ngt henumber .<You'
renotas
prot
ectedasyout hinkyouar e.Iwil
lgetwhatI
want.>I'
m notgoingt ot hebathroom agai
n.
HonestlyI'
dratherpeemysel finthi
schair.

SASAPOV_

Iwashavi
nganamazingti
me.Itwasnowearly
eveni
ng,
we'dj
usthaddi
nner.Over
all
,i
t'
sbeena
goodday.Nkosicamet
oourt
abl
e,bendi
ngdownt
o
ki
ssmecheek.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"
Me:"
Heybaby.
"Ibl
ushed.
Nkosi:"Come,Iwanttoproperl
ykissyouwi
thout
thestares.
"Hewhispered.Heheldmyhand,helpi
ng
meup.Wewal kedint
ot hehouse,cl
imbi
ngupthe
stai
rcase.
Me:"
Babe!
"
Nkosi:"Yousai
dyouwant
edt
oseemyr
oom.
"He
chuckled.
Me:"NowNkosi?Yourf
amilywillt
hinkI'
m
di
srespect
ful
.Wemusthidethesethings.
"
Nkosi :"
I'
m nothidi
ngmywi f
e."Wer eachedt
hetop
ofthest ai
rs,heenvel
opedmei nhisarms,walki
ng
behindmewhi lehol
dingme."I
'vewantedtohold
youf orhours.Mthunziwoul
dn'tl
etme. "
Me:"Whydidyoul
ist
ent
ohi
m baby?Youmust
cometomewhenyouwantme.Mthunzii
sjel
aous.
"
Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Iwon'
tli
stent
ohi
m agai
n."
"Nkosi
nhle."West oppedwalki
ng,t
urni
ngaroundt
o
hismother.Ilookedatmyf eeti
nshame.Thiswas
embarrassing.Whydi dshealwayscat
chus?
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
."
Nobant
u:"I
fyoudon'tmi
nd,
canIspeakt
oyourwi
fe
f
orashortminut
e."
Nkosi
:"Aboutwhat
?"
Me:"
Nkosi
."Inudgedhi
m.
Nobant
u:"I
'l
lwai
tinmyl
ounge.
"Shewal
kedt
oa
door
,walki
ngin.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
"
Me:"Yes.Idi
dexpectt
ospeakt
oheratsome
poi
nt."
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
llwai
ther
e."
Me:"
Bab-
"
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
tknowwheremyroom i
s,soI
'
ll
havetowaitf
oryou.Unl
essyouwantt
oaskmy
mother?
"
Me:"Absolut
elynot.
"Hekissedme.Iwal
kedt
othe
queenslounge,i
ntothedoor.
Nobantu:"Cl
oset
hedoor
."Icl
osedthedoor
,
standi
ngwi t
hmyheadbowed."Youmaytakea
seat.
"Isatdown.
Me:"
Goodeveni
ng,
myqueen.
"
Nobant
u:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iwasconf
used.
Me:"
Iam notsur
eIf
oll
owmyqueen.
"
Nobant
u:"
Wit
hyourl
if
e,Imean.
"
Me:"
Oh.I
'
m ast
udent
.I'
m doi
ngmyLLB.
"
Nobant
u:"
Areyour
eadyt
obeaKi
ng'
swi
fe?
"
Me:"
Yesmyqueen.
"
Nobantu:"Areyoureadytocar
ryhi
schil
dren?
"I
don'
tthinkthatwouldhappensosoon.
Me:"
Uhm,
wehadanagr
eementt
owai
tmyqueen.
"
Nobant
u:"
It
'snotupt
oyou.
"
Me:"
Ithi
nki
tis.
"
Nobant
u:"
Iti
sn'
t.Nkosi
nhl
eisaSi
khosanaKi
ng.
Hisfi
rstchil
dwi l
lbeaboy, andwi l
lbeconcei
vedas
theancestor
sdesi r
e.Ifyousleepwi t
hhimtoday,
youwillbepregnantbymor ni
ng.It
'snotuptoyou
oranyoneelse."Iswallowedthelumpi nmythroat
.
"Areyoureadytocar r
yhi schi
ld?"
Me:"
No.
"
Nobant
u:"
Thenwhyar
eyouher
e?"
Me:"Il
ovehi m.Ourr
elati
onshi
pandmar ri
agewil
l
notbedependentonexpandingourfamil
y.Wewant
tobetogether,
tobui
ldtoget
her,t
oexplor
eourlove.
"
Shestaredatme,col
dly.
Nobantu:"Youdoreali
ze,
bei
nghere,makesal otof
thi
ngsnotyourchoice?Onceyoumarry,youbelong
i
nt hi
spalace.Youdoastheoccupantsofit
,do.
Yourloveandexcit
ementwon'tmatt
er."
Me:"
Yesmyqueen.
"
Nobant
u:"
Tel
lmeaboutyour
sel
f.
"Idon'
tknowwhy.
Me:"I'
mf r
om eMt hi
nomkhuluvil
lage,Iwasborn
andraisedther
ebymymot herandf at
her.I
'
mt he
fi
rstoftwochil
dren.ImovedtoMount ai
nPeaklast
year
,tost artmydegr ee.Ihaddr eamsofbecomi ng
alawyer.I'vesincemadef ri
ends.LastyearIonl
y
hadone, Zimmy, shewasmyr oommat e.Thenthis
year
,Ishar edar oom wi t
hAmy, shei
ntroducedme
toNotha.ThenZi mmyi ntroducedmet oPetu.Now
we'r
eallfriends."Iblabbed.
Nobant
u:"
Whoi
sAmy?
"
Me:"Oh,AmyisAmahl
e."Ismi
led."
Not
habeing
Not
hando,Zi
mmy'snamei sZi
masaandPetuis
Pet
unia.
"
Nobant
u:"
Whynotj
ustcal
lthem t
hat
?"
Me:"Ohit'
sthei
rnicknames.I
t'
sawayt
o
show..
.af
fect
ion.
"
Nobant
u:"
Hm.
.they'
real
sost
udyi
ngwi
thyou?
"
Me:" I
nt hesameschoolyes.Zi mmyi sdoing
Economi cs,shejustlaunchedanappt hatoff
ers
deli
veryofgr oceri
esstraightt
oyourhome.You
don'tevenhavet oleavethehouse.Sinceit'
s
l
ockdownandal l
.It
'sahit,honest
ly.
"IknowIwas
babblingbutIwassoner vousandIneededhert o
stopst aringatmel ikethat."
Petuisdoi
ng
agri
cult
uralsci
ences.She'
sreal
lysmar
t.Al
soi
t'
s
herbir
thdaytootoday.
"
Nobantu:"I
nteresti
ng.
"Shesti
llst
ared.Iwasalso
runni
ngoutoft alki
ngbundl
es."Youdor eal
izet
hat
you'l
lhavetoletgoofthem,ri
ght?"
Me:"WhydoIhavetoletgoofthem?"Afl
ickerof
conf
usi
oncrossedherface.Onl
yforasecond.
Nobant
u:"
You'r
enotal
lowedt
obef
ri
end
commoners.
"
Me:"
I'
m acommoner
."
Nobant
u:"
You'
l
lbemar
ri
edt
oaki
ng.
"
Me:"Idon'
tknow, myqueen.Howwi l
lbeingmar r
ied
aff
ectmyf r
iendshi
p?Ithinkitwil
lbehealthyinfact.
Sometimes,ateapartycanhealast r
essfulday.
Bakesomesconesandgossi paboutcelebri
ti
es.I
can'
texpectNkositodot hatwit
hme. "Notthathe'd
saynobutst i
ll
.That
'sfr
iendstuff.
Nobant
u:"
That
'swhatyoudowi
thyourf
ri
ends?
"
Me:"Notyet
.Fornow, wegatheri
nourr
oomsand
haveaglassofwine.Iimagi
neasaqueenmaybe
I'
l
lneedtobeabitmor ecl
assy,
soateapart
yor
wineandcheesetast
ingwoulddo.We'
l
lfi
gurei
t
out.
"
Nobantu:"
Hm..onemorethi
ng.Whatdoyouknow
aboutmyf ami
ly?HasNkosi
nhl
eexpl
ainedhowhe'
s
di
ffer
ent?"
Me:"
Yes.Het
oldmeaboutt
heabi
li
ti
es.
"
Nobant
u:"
Andt
hatdoesn'
tscar
eyou?
"
Me:"Atfi
rstIf
aint
ed.Scaredtot
hebonebutIgot
overi
tveryquickl
y."Shehel
dbackasmil
e.
Nobant
u:"
Hisf
atherhasi
t,andsowi
llyourchi
ld.
"
Me:"Yes,hisoneter
ri
fi
esmesti
ll
.I'
m hopingthat
youwillbeabletogui
deme.Apartf
rom beinga
Queen,alsobeingamother
.Toachil
dwi t
hmagi cal
abi
li
ti
es."
Nobantu:"
Youthi
nkit
'smagi
cal
?"Shetaunt
ed.The
dooropened,
Nkosiwalki
ngi
n.Shel
ookedathim.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoudone,
mot
her
?"Shel
ookedatme.
Nobant
u:"
Yes.
"Hehel
dmyhand,
let
ti
ngmest
and.
Me:"I
t'
sapleasur
etomeetyoumyqueen, I'
m gl
ad
wespoke.
"Shedidn'
trespond,taki
ngthebookon
herst
andandopeningitt
or ead.Iguesst
hat'
sit
.

IwalkedintoNkosi
'sroom,aft
erhim.AsIexpected,
i
twasenor mous.Hisbedhadal lblacksi
lksheet
s
andpill
ows, wi
thablackduvet.Theroom was
majori
tyblackwit
hhintsofwhi t
e.Defi
nit
elyt
he
opposit
eofwhatI '
m usedtofr
om hi m.
Me:"
Thi
sis.
..
alot
."hepi
ckedmeup,
placi
ngmeon
t
hebedandcli
mbingontop.
Nkosi
:"hi
."
Me:"
Hel
lomyl
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwaswor
ri
ed.Whatdi
dmymot
hersay?
"
Me:"Wehadaconversat
ionactual
ly.Aboutaf
ew
thi
ngs.Myfr
iends,
whatI'
m studyi
ng,whenyouand
Iarepl
anni
ngtohavechi
ldren."
Nkosi
:"Chi
ldr
en?That
sst
range.
"
Me:"
Yes,
appar
ent
ly,
onl
ytheancest
orscandeci
de
whenwehavet
hem."
Nkosi
:"Shedi
dn'
tscar
eyou?
"
Me:"
No.She'
snotscar
y.Iwasver
yner
vous
t
hough.
"Hekissedmychi
n.
Nkosi
:"Okay.CanIki
ssyounow?
"
Me:" Pl
easedo."Hisli
pssof t
lytouchedmine,Ihel
d
hisfaceletti
nghisembracet ouchmysoul.He
suckedonmyl owerli
p,Iletoutal i
tt
lemoan.A
grumblecr awlouthi
sthroat,quickeni
ngmyhear t
beat.Istoppedandlookedathi m.
Nkosi
:"Sor
ry.
"Heavoi
dedmyeyes,
wit
hashysmi
le.
Me:"
Thet
igerwant
stopl
aynow?
"Hesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowwher
ethatcomesf
rom,
I'
m
sor
ry.
"
Me:"
Doyout
hinkyouwi
ll
,change?Dur
ingt
hesex.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihopenot
.Thatwoul
dbeembar
rassi
ng.
"He
ki
ssedmyl i
psagain.
Me:"Iwantt
oseeyouchange.
"Hest
oppedand
l
ookedatme.
Nkosi
:"That
'snevergoi
ngt
ohappen.
"
Me:"
Notdur
ingsex,
justi
ngener
al.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatsoundsscary.I
'm notusual
lyki
nd
whenI'
vechanged,love.I
'm notreal
lyi
nagood
moodwheni thappens."
Me:"Buti
t'
syou.It
'swhoyouar e.Iwantt
oseeall
ofyou.Il
oveyoualreadyandIknowyou'l
lnever
hurtme.Whathappensonedaywhenyouchange
andIdon'
tknowhowt ohandl
eyou? "
Nkosi :"Okaybutwe'llpracti
cewi t
hMt hunziand
Zwe.They' r
etheonlyotherpeopl eapartfrom my
fatherthathaveseenme.Theycanhandl eittoo."I
kissedhi m again,
losingmysel fi
nhismout h.He
turnedoveront ohisback, pull
ingmeont opofhi m,
holdingmyassandsqueezi ng.Icouldfeelt he
war mt hinbetweenmyl egs,t
ingli
ngtomybel ly.He
stopped, looki
ngatme.
Me:"
Weshoul
dpr
obabl
yst
op?
"
Nkosi
:"Hmm. ."hegr
oaned,hiseyeslazyandsexy.
"
Amahlewi llcomeknockingsoon.Youknowhow
muchshehat esme."Igi
ggled."Ispoketoyour
f
ather
.I'
llspeakt ominetosetadat efort
woweeks
f
rom t
oday.Iwantt
omar
ryyou.
"
Me:"
I'
m happywi
tht
hat
."
Nkosi:"
Good.Let'
sgobeforeIgetyoupr
egnantt
oo
soon.Ialr
eadyfeell
ikel
ocki
ngthatdoor
."
Me:"
Woul
dtwoweeksevenmakeadi
ff
erence?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesitwi
llbecauseIpromisedt
orespect
yourf
ather
.Comemyl ove,Ihaveasur
pri
sefor
you.
"
Me:"
Can'
twest
ayal
it
tl
elonger
?"
Nkosi:"Wewillbaby,l
ater
.Rightnowyouneed
somet hi
ngelse."WhatcouldIpossibl
yneedbut
him?Hewal kedmeoutoft hebedroom whi
leI
sulked."
Mylove. "
Me:"
Howam Iyourlove?You'
retr
yingt
oavoidme."
Hechuckl
ed,
picki
ngmeupi nhisarms,hewal
ked
medownthestair
s.
Nkosi:"
Iloveyou.I'
m nottr
yingtoavoi
dyou.We'
l
l
betogetherbaby.Rightnow,thi
siswhatIhad
pl
annedandexact lywhatyouneed."
Me:"
Okay,
Itr
ustyou.Youal
waysgi
vet
hebest
gi
ft
s."
Nkosi:"Thisonewi l
lbeyourfavor
it
e."Hekissedme
reachi
ngt heendoft hestair
sandplacedmeont he
ground.Hel ookedupatthet opoft
hest ai
rcase
wherehi smot herst
ood,glari
ngdownatus.We
walkedoutt hepalacetothecourt
yard.Zanele
camer unningt ome,exci
ted.Shebowedt oNkosi.
Nel
e:"
YourHi
ghness.Sasa!
"
Me:"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Nel
e:"
Nothi
ng.TheKinghasaskedust
ost
ayt
he
ni
ghti
nthepal
ace."
Nkosi
:"Nx.
"Hewal
kedt
ohi
m.
Me:"
Idon'
tknowNel
e.I
t'
supt
oTat
aandNkosi
."
Nele:"
PleaseSasa?I '
llneverhavet
hechancet
o
sl
eepinapal ace.Thepr i
ncessesevensai
dIhad
beauti
fulhai
r.Imagine?"
Me:"
Whatpr
incess?
"
Nel
e:"
Oneoft
het
wins.
"
Me:"
Idon'
ttr
ustt
hem yett
oletyoubei
nthei
r
presenceNele.Iknowmyangel,thi
splacei
s
beauti
fulbutweneedt obecar
eful.
"Il
ookedatt
he
ki
ng.Whatwashet ryi
ngtodo?
Nel
e:"
Okayt
hen.CanIgot
oAmahl
e?"
Me:"Yes."Sheskippedovertoher
.Iwant
edtohear
whatmyf atherthoughtoft
his,
Iknowmymot her
wast oodeli
ghtedandobviousl
ywantedt
o.Isat
nexttohim."Tata.Howareyou?Howwasyour
day."
Xol
ani
:"Lovel
y.Ihadagoodt
ime.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"
Appar
ent
lyt
heKi
ngwant
syout
ost
ayover
."
Xol
ani:"
Yes,Ir
espectf
ull
ydecl
ined.Iam not
comfort
abl
ewithityet
."
Me:"
Hedi
dn'
tmaket
hingsdi
ff
icul
t?"
Xolani
:"No.Hecan'
tfor
cemet
osl
eepi
nhi
s
house.
"
Me:"Whatdoesmamathi
nk?
"Helookedoveratmy
mother
,shewassit
ti
ngwi
thQueenBiyel
a.
Xol
ani
:"Don'
twor
ryaboutyourmot
her
,I'
l
lhandl
e
her
.Whenareyouleavi
ng?
"
Me:"
I'
mleavi
ngwi
thyouandNel
etat
a."
Xol
ani:"Nkosisai
dhewantedtot
akeyouout
.I
agreedonthecondit
iont
hatyougowit
hyoursi
ster
.
She'l
lbeboredbyhersel
f.
"
Me:"Oh.Idon'tmindt
aki
ngherwi
thme.Thankyou
tat
a."Ihuggedhim,ki
ssi
nghi
scheek."
We'
llbeback
beforemidnight
."
Xol
ani:"
That'
snotthememorandum Iwasgi
ven.
Nkosiwil
ltel
lyouwhathehaspl
anned."
Me:"Oh.Also,Ispoket
oQueenmot
her
.She
seems..
.ni
ce."
Xolani
:"Theyspokewellabouthertoday.I'
m gl
ad
youfeelcomfort
ablewithher.Hopeful
ly,shewi
ll
teachyouaboutroyal
tykindl
y."
Me:"
YesTat
a.Ihopesot
oo.
"Nkosicamet
ous.
Nkosi
:"Ar
ewer
eadyt
ogoTat
a?"
Xol
ani
:"Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"

Wehadst
art
edatt
hevi
ll
a,appar
ent
lyIneededt
o
change.Iwasn'tgivenadr esscode, Iwastoldonly
acomf ort
abl
edr essandpaj amas.Ichangedi ntoa
str
ipedbodyfit
tingdr esswithadr awstr
ingruched
sli
tdetai
lonmyt hi
gh.Ididn'tpulli
ttoshowmy
thi
gh,myf at
herwoul dfr
eakoutsoI 'ddoiti
nt he
car.Iworewhit
esneaker sandt ookmybag.Nel e
j
ustwor eherdeni m short
s,allstar
sandacr optop.
Me:"
We'
rer
eadyt
ata.
"
Xol
ani:"Okaymychil
d.It
rustyounottodi
sappoi
nt
me.Thever yl
eastbybr
eakfast
."The
embarrassment,
myGod.
Me:"
Yest
ata.Wher
e'smum?
"
Xolani
:"Thepri
nceorgani
zedasalontocomeget
herpampered.She'
scurrent
lyenj
oyi
nghersel
f.
"
Me:"
Oht
hat
'
ssweet
.I'
l
lseeheri
nthemor
ning
t
hen.
"
Nel
e:"
Byet
ata.
"
Xol
ani
:"Pl
easebehavemnt
anam.Sasal
ookoutf
or
her
.Pl
ease.
"
Me:"
Iwi
llt
ata.
"Wewal
kedoutt
hevi
ll
a,get
ti
ngi
n
t
hecar
.Shescr
eamed,
jumpi
ngupanddown.
Nel
e:"Canyoubel
ievei
t?Hel
etusgoout
???
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"Let
'sgobef
orehechangeshi
smi
ndpl
ease.
"
Thecardroveof
f.
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er88:BONUS

PETUPOV_

Zi
mmyandIhadmetupatt heshopsear
li
er.We
boughtal
otofst
ufff
ormybi
rt
hday.
Pet
u:"
Iseeyou'
regoi
ngal
lout
.Busi
nessi
sgood?
"
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
Yesi
tis.
"
Pet
u:"
Outwi
thi
t.Whatwast
hatgi
ggl
e?"
Zi
mmy:"
Whatgi
ggl
e."Shebl
ushed.
Pet
u:"
Zimmydoyouhaveaman?
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.
"Shesmi
ledsi
ll
y.
Pet
u:"
Omg!Who?
"Hersmi
ledi
sappear
ed.
Zimmy:"
Pleasedon'
tjudge.
"Ohno.Whocoul
dthi
s
be?
Pet
u:"
I'
llt
rynott
obecauseI
'
m notanangelei
ther
."
Zi
mmy:"So,f
ort
hepastweekI
'
vebeenseei
ng
Si
bonel
o."
Pet
u:"WhichSibonel
o?Nott
hePr
incer
ight
?It
'sa
di
ff
erentone?
"
Zi
mmy:"
No,
thepr
ince.
"Ist
aredather
.
Pet
u:"
Zimasa.
"
Zi
mmy:"
ButPet
u,what
'ssowr
ongabouthi
m?"
Pet
u:"Hewasl ustingf
oryourfri
endweeksago.
Harassingherverypubl
icl
yso.Don'tyouremember
wehadt opaypeoplef
orapetit
iontokeephim
awayf r
om her?Yougoanddat ehim? ?I
'
m
def
init
elyjudgi
ngyou,fri
end.Sorr
y."
Zi
mmy:"
He'
snott
hatguy.
..
anymor
e.Heal
so
apologi
zedt
oher.Hetoldme.Yes,
Sibonel
oisabi
t
shadybutIl
ikehi
m Petu.He'
ssogentl
eandsweet
."
Petu:"Zimmy, I'
m wor ri
ed.Iwoul dunder st
andi f
maybehedi di
tonce, buthewasver yconsi stent.
What everhisagendawas, heknewhewasmaki ng
heruncomf ort
abl eandheenj oyedi t
.That'
st he
scarypar t
.Hewoul dblockt heresidencegat ejust
sothathedoesn' tleavewithoutherpr omisingt o
seeandspeakt ohi m.Hewoul dwal kinandgot o
herroom, thelaundr y.Heevenal mosthur thisown
brotheruKhayaj usttogetherr at
tl
ed.Yoh.Ij ust
don'twantyouget t
inghurtbecauset hatdoesn' t
seem likeasweetguyt ome. "Shekeptqui et,
obviouslyupset ."Tshomi,your eal
lyli
kehim? "
Zimmy:"
Itdoesn'
tmat
teranymor
ePet
uni
a.Ihear
d
you.
"
Petu:"
Zimmypl easedon'tbeli
kethat.There'snever
atime,Iwoul
df oolyou.LikeIsai
d,I'
m alsonotan
angelandIwoul dexpectyoutojudgemef ormy
scandalt
oo.Pleasedon'tbeupset,fr
iend."My
phonerang."
HiSi za.
"Ianswered.
Siza:"
Hey,
whereareyou?Igott
henannyforaf
ew
hourssoIcanspendsometimewit
hyou."
Petu:"
We'rel
eavi
ngtheshopsnow.We'r
egoingt
o
theapart
ment.We'
ll
waitfort
hegir
lst
here.
"
Si
za:"
Okay,
messagemet
hen.
"
Petu:"
Okay."Ihungup."Mysisterwi
llj
oinusf
ora
fewhours.Zimmy,pleasel
ightenup.Okayke,
I'
ll
givehi
m achance."
Zi
mmy:"
Arealchance?
"
Pet
u:"
Arealchance.Haveyout
oldSasa?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Notyet
."
Petu:"
I'
m sureshewon'thaveaproblem.Hedoes
workwithHisHighnesssomaybet hey'
vespoken."
Wegotoutt hemallentr
ance.Acarwaswai t
ing.
"Oh?"Shesmiled,
getti
ngintheback.Theguardput
ourbagsintheboot.Wedr ovet
otheapartment.

Aft
eranhourofgetti
ngr eady,wemadeourwayt o
t
hehouseNot handohador ganized.Shewassti
llat
t
heSikhosanapalace,onlywil
lbej oi
ningusar
ound
6pm.Itwasear l
yeveni ng.Mnqobihadsentafew
bir
thdaymessages, deliveri
ngabouquetoff
lower
s
veryearl
yinthemor ning.Ihadsomanywi shes
fr
om plentyofpeopleexceptmydad.AsmuchasI
washur t
,Iwasn'tgoingt oleti
trui
nmyday.Iwould
cel
ebrateitwi
ththepeopl ewholovedme.
Siza:"Wow.Thisi sbeauti
ful
."Wearri
vedatthe
housei nStel
lars.Nothandowentalloutonher
promi se.Si
nceshehadaskedMnqobi .Thi
s
sit
uationwiththem, r
eall
yconfusedme.Maybe
tonight,Not
haandIcoul dtalkaboutit
.
Petu:"I
t'
sbiggerthanIexpect
ed.Ij
ustwant
eda3
bedroom house."
Zimmy:"InStell
ars?Ber eali
sti
cPetu."Shechuckl
ed.
Wewal kedinthehouse, theloungehadf l
oat
ing
ball
oonsalloverandrosesever ywhere.Abanner
hungont hewallwrit
ten" Enj
oyYourBi rt
hday
Butt
erfl
y"Myhear tmelted."Thisissosweet!
"Why
washedoi ngthistome?
Si
za:"
Didyouseet
hechampagne?No,
Pet
uwhat
di
dyoufeedthi
sman?
"
Petu:"Itrustyout ofocusont healcohol."We
l
aughed.Ipi ckeduponeofmanychampagne
bottl
es.Thel abelwasBirt
hdayBut t
erfl
y.Okay, I
couldn'tholdbackanymor e.Itookmyphone
sendinghi m amessage.<Thankyou.Thehousei s
beautif
ul .Youar esosweet .
>Isenti t
.Her epl
ied:
<Can'twai tti
llyouseeyourgi ft
.Seeyout onight
baby.>Mycheekswer ebur ni
ngpi nk,becauseof
mysmi le.Iwonderwhatmypr esentis.Zimmywas
taki
ngavi deooft hesetupandme.
Zi
mmy:"
Iwantt
osendt
hist
oSasal
ater
."
Pet
u:"
Ireal
lywi
shshecanmakei
t.
"
Zimmy:"Metoo.Fornow,
let
'sdr
ink.Champagneor
shot
s??"Il
aughed.
Siza:"
That'
smylanguage.Ineedtobecarri
ed
home, wast
edoutmyhead.I nfact
,letmepaymy
nannyherdoubl
erateforthenight
."
Pet
u:"Doit
,sis.Youdeservet
ogetwast
edt
oday.
Let
'sdoshotsladies.
"..
.
SASAPOV_

Thedr i
vewi thNel ewentar outeI '
veneverseen.
Thenagain, Ibar el
yknowt hiscity.Wedr oveint
oa
privat
eforest-l
ikear ea.Eventuallycomingoutofan
openingwher eabr eathtaki
nglygor geoushouse
wassi t
uated.Ii nstantl
yf el
linlove,Ijumpedout
thatcarandst ar edatit.Nkosiwal kedoutt hedoor
.
Me:"
baby!
"Ir
ant
ohi
m,j
umpi
ngi
ntohi
sar
ms.
Nkosi
:"Doyoul
oveyournewhouse?
"
Me:"
Thi
sist
hehouse?
??"
Nkosi
:"Yesmyl
ove.
"
Me:"
OhNkosi
,i
t'
sst
unni
ng.
"
Nkosi:"Itoldyouyou'dlovei
t.
"Weallwal
kedin."
I
haven'tfurnishedi
tyet,
thatwil
lbeuptoyou.
"
Event
houghthehousewasbare,
Iwasst i
lli
nlove
wit
hit
.Theenergyi
nitwassopeacef
ul.Ihugged
hi
m.
Me:"
Thankyou.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
l
lthankmewhenyouseet hebackyard.
I
t'
squit
edarknowsoyou'llseei
tint
hemor ning.
Anyway,Iwantedt
otakeyousomewhereelse."
Me:"
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngusl
ove?
"
Nkosi:"It
'sasur pr
ise,
come."Heledustothe7
seaterinstead.Nelecli
mbedintheback,wesati
n
themi ddleseats.Heheldmyhand, l
ooki
ngatme.
"Areyourpar entsfi
ne?Withyoubeingout?
"
Me:"
Yes,
whatdi
dyoupr
omi
semydad?
"
Nkosi
:"Mysoul
."Igi
ggl
ed."
I'
m happy.Youmake
mehappy."
Me:"
Icansee.Lookhowyou'
real
wayssmi
li
ng
t
hesedays.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,mymot heri
sver yworri
ed."Welaughed.
Ourdri
vewasj oyful
,wehadabi tofchatti
ngallthe
wayintoagatedcommuni ty.I'
veheardalotabout
St
ell
ars.Eveninthedarktheenergygaveof f
wealt
hy.
Me:"
Whol
ivesher
e?"
Nkosi
:"TheBi
yel
a'
s.Thei
rpal
acei
sher
e.Si
bonel
o,
ZweandMnqobial sohavetheirownhouses.The
otherhousesarer
entedout.ThenalsoReynar d
Smi t
hhasahouseher e.He'
sapr opert
ybil
lionai
re,
averyveryoldman.Mostofhisf amil
yisallover
theworld.Onl
ytwoofhi sr
elat
ivesli
veherewi t
h
him."
Me:"
Younevert
houghtofbuyi
ngher
e?"
Nkosi:"
Baby, l
ookatbot hmyhouses.Onei sina
for
est,t
heot herisonamount ain.Iwoul
dn'tsur
vive
nei
ghbors."Igiggled.Thecarparkedinf
rontofone
part
icul
arhouse, ithadtwocarsparkedoutsi
deand
guardsallar
oundi t
.
Me:"Ar
ewevi
sit
ingZwe?
"Wegotoutt
hecar
.He
smil
ed.
Nkosi
:"No.Goi
nsi
de,
myl
ove.I
'
llseeyousoon.
"He
di
dn't
.
Me:"Babe!
"Helookedsosati
sfi
edwi
thhi
msel
f.I
ki
ssedhisl
ips."Il
oveyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Havef
un.
"Ipul
ledNel
e'
sar
mtot
hedoorof
t
hehouse.
Nele:"
Ithoughtyouevenfor
gotme."Il
aughed.We
walkedinthehouse.Thegir
lsl
ookedatmeandwe
scr
eamed, runni
ngtoeachother
,huggi
ngtight
.
Theysuddenlystopped.
Pet
u:"
YourHi
ghness.
"Theybowed.Il
ookedbehi
nd
me.
Nkosi
:"Youscr
eamed.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"Ohst
handwasam.I
'
m sorr
y.Iwasexci
ted.
"I
huggedhi
m."i
t'
sgi
rl
sonl
y,l
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notf
ar,
I'
llbeatZwe'
shousej
ustar
ound
t
hecorner.
"
Me:" Okaybaby."Iwhispered.Hedidn'tmove.I
kissedhim."I
'l
lcallyou.
"Hewal kedout .Il
ookedat
thegirl
s,wesquealedal otmor equiet
ly,danci
ng
around.
Zi
mmy:"
Soi
t'
str
ue?Yousneakygi
rl
!!
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
I'
m sor
ryIcoul
dn'
ttel
lyouyet
."
Zi
mmy:"Nowondert
hesecr
ecy.Yoh,
Sasayouar
e
br
ave.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
HappyBi
rt
hdaybabygi
rl
."IhuggedPet
u.
Petu:"
I'
m sogladyoucoul
dmakeit
.Meetmysi
ster
,
thi
sisSiza.Si
s,t
hisi
sThembi
sa.Ourf
utur
equeen.
"
Si
za:"YourHighness,
I'm sohonour
edt
omeetyou.
I
'm st
il
linshock.
"Wel aughed.
Me:"I
t'
sapleasur
et omeetyouSiza.Whendidyou
twogether
e?Ican'tbel
ieveyousnuckout
."Amahl
e
smil
ed.
Ama:"
Ihadt
o."
Petu:"Ladies, Iwanttomakeasmal lt oast
.Ijust
wanttosayt hankyousooomuch.Youguysbei ng
heremeansawhol elottome.Thi sweekhasbeen
alot
.I'
mr ightatt hatmomentwher eIf eelI
'm goi
ng
tocry.
"Shebr eathed."Ifi
rstwantt ot hankmysi ster
.
Myr ock.Theoneper sonwhohasmadesomany
sacri
fi
cesf ormet obewher eIam today.Il oveyou
somuchSi za.Iknow, howhar dli
fei s.Yetyoust i
ll
l
ookaf terme.Youst il
lputmei nyournestasyour
chil
d.Ther eisneverat i
meI '
vefeltlostbecause
youalwayst aughtmeyou' r
ehome.Thankyouso
muchsi s."Shehuggedhersi st
er.Ihel dZanele's
handsqueezi ngit."
Ialsowantt othankZi mmy.
You'r
easweetcar ingsoul.Canyouguysbel ieve, I
metZi mmyonani ghtout .Thisgirlalwaysmade
sureI'm good, safeandhavi ngawi l
dt i
me.Iknow
we'vef oughtanddi sagreedal otbutI'm gladyou' re
i
nmyl ifeZim."Zimmysmi l
ed."NextImetSasa.I t
wast hroughZi mmyact uall
y.Wi t
hhert oo, I
connect edimmedi atel
y.Shemademef eelsafeand
alwayswel come, shei ssoki nd.Throughher , Imet
myAmyandt henNot ha.Twooft hemostdi f
fer ent
peopleI '
veevercomeacr ossandIwoul dn'tt
rade
them forthewor l
d.Ineverwantt ol oseyougi r l
s.I
l
oveyoual lsooomuch.Justt hankyouf orbeing
amazi ngpeopl eandf ri
ends."
Zi
mmy:"
Hearhear
."Wer
aisedourgl
asses.
Me:"Mybabyneedsanonal
cohol
icchampagne
guys,
dowehave?"
Zi
mmy:"
Ithi
nkt
her
eisi
nthef
ri
dge,
letmecheck.
"..
.

PETU'
SPOV_
ThegirlsandIwer ehavingagoodt i
me.Iwasabi t
ti
psybynow.Sasawassi ngingkar aokewi thher
sist
erandZi mmy.Zanel ewaswi pingthefloorwith
them.Amahl esatont hecouchwi thherlegsfolded,
shestaredatSiza.Hadbeenf orami nut
e.Iknow
myf ri
endcanbewei r
dbutSi zar eallydi
dn'tmind.
Sheknewwhoshewas, bei
ngt hel astpri
ncessof
thethrone.Thestari
ngwasst rangef ormebecause
normallyAmydoesn' tbotherher selfwit
hpeopl e.
Notha:"
Hey."Iwasmixi
ngsomecockt
ail
sint
he
ki
tchen,makingamess.Thi
swasZimmy's
speci
alt
y.
Pet
u:"
Heyl
ove.
"
Not
ha:"
Canwet
alk?
"Inodded.
Petu:"Sure.Doyouwantadr i
nk?"Shenodded.I'
ve
neverseenherdr inkbef
oret
onightbutshewas
mor efreethanherusualcol
dself.Igavehert
he
fi
rstcocktail
,taki
ngasipofmine.
Notha:"I
'
m sorry.ThatIdi
dn'
ttel
lyouaboutMnqobi
.
Fi
rstofall
,Ihopedhewoul ddoit.Ipushedhi
m
multi
pleti
mesbecauseIt houghtitwashisj
obas
themant obehonestabouthi
smar ri
age."Shetook
alongsipofherdri
nkagain."
Ididn'
twanttomar ry
Mnqobi.Idon'
thatehi
m.Idon'tlovehi
m either
.Not
l
ikeyoudo.You'r
eborderl
inetheSasaleagues."We
burstoutl
aughi
ng.
Pet
u:"
Shame,
she'
str
ying.
"
Notha:"Tryingwhat?She'ssendi
ngsel
fi
evideos. "I
giggled,shakingmyhead."Anyway,
formyown
self
ishreasons, Ir
eall
yhopedyouwouldbeinl ove
withhiml ikeyouare.Thatwayyouwouldn'
tletgo
ofhim. "
Pet
u:"
ButNot
hando,
you'
dst
il
lhavet
omar
ryhi
m."
Not ha:"
Yes,buthe'
dhaveyouforthethi
ngsIcan'
t
give.Theaffect
ion,
thel
ovemaking,thel
ovestuf
f
thatboresthecrapoutofme.
"
Petu:"
Ist
her
esomeoneel
seyou'
rei
nlovewi
th?Or
rat
herbewit
h?"
Notha:"Notatall
.I'
veneverfeltatt
ract
edtoanyone.
Ever.IdoubtIeverwillandI
'm okaywiththat
.I
didn'
thaveachoi cewi t
hmarryingMnqobibutI
knewwi thyouaspar tofourmar r
iage,Iwoul
dbe
comf
ort
abl
eandhappy.
"
Pet
u:"
Won'
tithur
tyout
oseehi
m wi
thme?
"
Not
ha:"
Ithasn'
thur
tmeyet
,whywoul
ditst
art
?"
Pet
u:"
Whati
fyouf
alli
nlovewi
thhi
m event
ual
ly?
"
Notha:"
Thatwouldbeextr
emebutI
'
dst i
llwantyou
ar
ound."Shetookalongsi
pal
mostfini
shingher
dr
ink.
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tknowNot
ha.I
t'
swei
rd.
"
Not
ha:"Iknow.Sol
et'
spr
act
ice.Wecant
ryf
rom
t
omorrow."
Pet
u:"
Whatar
ewepr
act
ici
ng?
"
Notha:"Beingmarri
edt ohim.Fir
styouhavet
otake
him back.Thenwe'lldoalunchdateandspend
ti
met ogether.
"Idon'tknowifIwasgett
ingdr
unkor
whatbutIdi dwanttot r
yit
.
Pet
u:"
Okay.Wecanpr
act
ice.
"Shesmi
led.
Not
ha:"Perfect
.I'
m glad.
"Shewal
kedovert
o
Amahle.Icheckedmyphone.Ihadanewmessage.
<Pl
easecomeout side.>I
twasonl
y3mi nut
esol
d.I
walkedoutt
hehouse.Mnqobiwasl
eani
ngont
he
carinthedr
iveway.
Pet
u:"
Hey.
"
Mnqobi:"Mybut t
erfl
y."Ilookedupathi m,myhear t
swooningoverhisbeaut ifulf
ace.Imi ssedhim so
somuchandIdef ini
telystil
llovedhim.Tobei na
rel
ati
onshipwithhim andmybestf r
iend?Idon' t
knowhowi twouldwor kbutIwant edi tt
owor k
becauseIwantedt obewi thhim."CanIpl easehold
you?"Inodded.Hepul ledmyar msandhuggedme.
"Ar
eyouenj oyi
ngyourbi rthday? "
Pet
u:"Yes.Thankyou.
"Il
aymyheadonhi
schest
,
sni
ff
inghisamazingcol
ogne.
Mnqobi:"
ImissyouPet
u.Sobadl
y.Justhol
ding
youl
ikethi
s."
Pet
u:"
Imi
ssyout
ooMnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Pl
easef
orgi
veme?
"
Pet
u:"If
orgiveyou.IspoketoNot
handoj
ustnow.
Sheexpl
ainedeverythi
ng."
Mnqobi
:"Oh.
..What
'sever
ythi
ng?
"
Petu:"
Ther
easonwhyshewant
edmet
obewi
th
you."
Mnqobi
:"Isee.
"Il
ookedupathi
m."
Doyoust
il
l
wantt
obewi thme?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.
"Heki
ssedmyl
ips.
Mnqobi :"Youdon' tknowhowhappyyou' vemade
mer ightnow. "Igiggled.Hetookoutaremoteand
pressedoni t.Thegar agedoorslowl
yopened.
"Besides,thereasonIcameher ewasbecauseI
wantedt ogiveyouyourgi ft
.Thenyoucangoback
i
n.Whenyouwantme, youcancallmebackandwe
cancel ebrat
et ogether .
"Hekissedmeagain."
Ilove
you."
Pet
u:"
Iloveyout
oo.
"
Mnqobi
:"Happybir
thdaymygorgeousbut
ter
fl
y."I
l
ookedatthegar
ageandgasped.
Pet
u:"
Whatt
hehel
list
hat
!!
!"
Mnqobi
:"Doyoulikeit
?"Iwasgoingtocoll
apse
wi
thaheartat
tack.Thebrandnewspor t
scarwas
st
unni
nginacrispblackmattef
inish.
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
."Icr
ied.Hehuggedme.
Mnqobi
:"I
t'
saBi-
mot i
veWar r
iorRXSpor
t.Fi
rstone
ofi
t'
ski
nd.You'
rethefi
rstowner.
"
Pet
u:"
Youcan'
tdot
his.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ial
readydi
d,baby.I
t'
syour
s.".
..

SASAPOV_

Ifi
nal
lysatdown,
sot i
redfr
om danci
ngandsinging.
Zanel
ewouldgoont hewholenight
,Iknowher.
Zi
mmysatdownwi t
hme, al
socatchingherbr
eath.
Zimmy:"
howhaveyoubeenbaby?I
'
m sor
ryI
coul
dn'
tgett
oyouinhospi
tal
."
Me:"I'
m okay.Iwasn'teventherelong.I
'm sti
ll
heali
ngbutI'm okaynow.Howar eyou?"She
handedmeabot tl
eofwat er
,alsotaki
ngher s.We
drankitt
ohydr at
e.
Zi
mmy:"Idon'
tknowhonest
ly.I
'
m conf
usedabout
mydad.Andit
hihepaysf
ormyschooli
ng?Sends
anall
owanceandal l?Wel l
,sinceIswor eathimf or
bei
nguselessandevi ltomymot her,hestopped.
DoyouthinkIwashar shSasa?Idof eellikehe's
usel
esstomymot her.Het r
eatsherlikedi r
tandall
she'
severdonewasl ovehim.Howdoyoudo
somethi
nglikethattosomeonewhol ovesyou?
Howdoyoubr eaktheirspi
riteverychanceyouget ?
NoIhadtoswearathi m becauseevenmymot her
wasbeinggracioustohi m.It'
sjustIfeelguilt
y
now."
Me:"
Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?"
Zimmy:"Forone,he'saf oolthati
sr undownand
needshisegost r
okedbyawor t
hlesstr
ampwho
seesnothinginhim buthismoneyandbecause
he'
sstupid,thi
nksit
'slove."
Me:"
HayiZi
mmy.
"
Zi
mmy:"
It
'st
rue.
"
Me:"I
t'
snotyourplace.Yeshehur
tyourmot
herbut
he'
ssti
llyourf
ather
."
Zimmy:"No,Thembisa!Whenitcomestoabusers,
theyr
evelonthefactthatt
hei
rvict
im won'
tfi
ght
back.Il
ovemymot hermnaandifshedoesn'tfight
back,I
'mfighti
ngonherbehalf
.I'
m notgoingtol et
hi
m be.She'sevenaskedmet oapologi
zebecause
oftheschoolissue.I
'
m notdoi
ngthat.Nowt hatI
havemybusi ness,Ir
eal
lydon'
tneedhim anymor e
andmymot herdoesn'
tneedhi
m."Ihuggedher .
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Zimmy:"i
t'
sokaybabe.Anyway,
how'
sthi
ngson
yoursi
de.Youlooksohappy.
"
Me:"
Iam.Thi
ngsar
egr
eat
."
Zi
mmy:"Yeah?I
'
m soexci
tedSasa.Thatmani
sa
bi
gdeal
."
Me:"Anent
ir
eKingofanation.Yes.
"Igi
ggl
ed.My
hear
tachedatt
hethoughtofhisfat
her.
Zi
mmy:"
Areyousur
eyou'
reokay?
"
Me:"Yeah,yeah.Uhm,l
etmegetthi
sonet
oeat
becauseshelooksli
keshe'
shavi
ngawil
dfun
ti
me."
Zimmy:"Bef
oret
hat
,Iwant
edt
otel
lyou
somet
hing."
Me:"
Sur
e."
Zimmy:"Uhm, f
orthepastweek.I'
vebeenseeing
someone.Ireal
lyli
kehim Sasa.I
fitmakesyou
uncomfort
able,pl
easesaysobutIr eal
lyhopewe
canfi
xit.
"
Me:"
Isi
tKhaya?
"Ismi
led.
Zimmy:"Nobabe.I
t'
sSi
bonel
oBi
yel
a."Iwas
shocked.
Me:"
Oh?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iknowyoudon'
tli
kehi
m-"
Me:"NoZimmy.Idon'thaveaproblem wit
h
Sibonel
o.Hecal
ledtoapologi
ze,he'
scomeover
oncetohelpmewithsomet hi
ng.We'r
efine.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Real
ly?
"
Me:"
Yes.Ar
eyouhappywi
thhi
m?"
Zi
mmy:" Sohappy.Yohhe'
ssosweetSasa.Andhi
s
st
rokegame..
.God."Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"I
'
m goingtoneedt
ipswi
tht
hoset
hings.I
'
ll
needthem soon.
"
Zimmy:" Youhaven' t??NoThembi sa, whyar eyou
starvi
ngourKi ng?Nosi si
.Si ther e."Igiggled.She
wentt omakemor ecockt ail
s." Okay, I
'm not
teachingyouever ythingbecauseyourhusbandwi ll
dot hat.Sexisf unwhenbot hofyouexpl oreeach
other,tal
kt oeachot herandf igur eoutwhateach
onewant s.Foreplaydoesn' tst artint hebedr oom
baby, youneedt ober espectf ul,andl oving.Iknow
youwon' tdisappoi ntmei nt hisr egar d.Wel come
yourmani n,andf eedhi m.Oncehe' sfull
,givehima
massageandl ethi mr est,smal lkissesal loverhi
s
chest.Thenl i
ckhi st ip."Ihidmyf acei nshame.
Me:"
Thi
sisembar
rassi
ng,
whati
fIbi
tehi
m?"
Zimmy:"
It
'str
ialanderr
or,
youwon'
tbeper
fecton
thef
ir
stt
ry,nooneis."
Me:"
Thenwhat
?"Shet
ookapi
ll
owpl
aci
ngi
tont
he
f
loor
.
Zimmy:"
Well
,youcl
imbonhi
mli
ket
his.Takeyour
ti
metosli
dei
tinandri
de.
"
Ama:"Whyar
ewer
idi
ngapi
ll
owZi
mmy?
"She
l
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Stayoutoft
hisAmahl
e."Igi
ggl
ed.
Ama:"
NoIwantt
oknow.Whati
fI'
m mi
ssi
ng
somet
hing?
"
Me:"
Amahl
e!!
!"
Ama:"
I'
mjustsayi
ng.
"
Pet
u:"Amahl
e??
"Amahl
egi
ggl
ed."
Okay,
whoput
al
coholi
nherdr
ink?
"
Not
ha:"
Idi
d."Wel
aughed.
Si
za:"
Areyoual
ldat
ingr
oyal
s?"
Us:"
Yes.
"Wel
aughed.
Siza:"
That
'ssweet
.Pet
u,youhavet
otakeyourman
back."
Pet
u:"
Idid.
..
.Andheboughtmeacar.
"We
scr
eamed,f
oll
owinghert
othegar
age.
Zi
mmy:"
OhmyGod!
!"
Notha:"Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.Getin,l
et'
sseeyoui nsi
de!
"
Petugotinthedri
ver
,theinsi
delookedlikea
spaceshipwit
hblueandblackleatherseats.
Me:"Thisi
squi
tel
it
eral
lyt
hemostgor
geouscarI
'
ve
everseen!
"
Si
za:"
Congr
atul
ati
onsbabysi
s.Nowyoucandr
ive
mearoundi
naBi-moti
ve.
"Wegiggl
ed.
Petu:"Thankyouladies."Wewentbacki nsidethe
house.Icheckedmyphone, f
indingamessage
fr
om myman.<CanIpl easegetaki ss?>Iblushed.
<Pleasecomebaby. >Isentback.Her epli
ed:<Walk
outthehouse,tur
nr i
ght .I
'
llberightthere.
>
Me:"Ladi
es,
I'
m comi
ngback.
"IgaveAmymy
phone.
Ama:"Pleasegi
vehi
mthi
s."Shegavemeasmal
l
wal
letl
ikebag.
Me:" okay."Iwalkedoutthehouse.It
urnedri
ght
.
fourguar dswalkedbehindme.Itwasnearing
mi dnightbuttheweatherwassowar m.My
boyf r
iendstoodbyt hecorner
,hi
sguardsbehind
him.Ir anupt ohim,hecaughtmei nhisar
ms
pickingmeup.
Nkosi
:"Imi
ssedyou.Icoul
dn'twaitanyl
onger
.
Thoseonesarebor
ingme."Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Well
,myfr
iendsar
en'
tbor
ingme.We'
rehavi
ng
aj
oll
ygoodt
ime."
Nkosi:"
ThenmaybeIshouldjustj
oinyou.
"I
l
aughed."Yes,
thi
sisagoodidea."Hestar
ted
walki
ng.Icoul
dn'
tstopgi
ggli
ng.
Me:"
Nkosist
op.
"
Nkosi:"Ial
sowanttohaveajol
lygoodt
ime.
"He
chuckled,ni
bbl
ingmyneck.
Me:"
Youcan'
thavei
twi
tht
hegi
rl
s.You'
reaKi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"SoKi
ngscan'
thavef
un?
"
Me:"
Youmusthaveitwit
htheot
herki
ngs,
baby.
"
Wereachedt
hehouse.
Nkosi
:"Youevenhavel
oudmusic?I
sther
eacl
ubi
n
t
here?
"Heplacedmeont hegr
ound.
Me:"Onedance,
thenyouhavetogobaby.Come
her
e'sani
cesong."Westoodinthedr
iveway
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tdance.
"Ihel
dhi
shand,
movi
nghi
s
body.
Me:"
NowMr
,gr
abhol
dofmyhand.Andl
et'
s
pretendthefloorisours.Yousaydon' treall
ydance?
Don'tworrybouti t
,wejustone, t
wost ep,onet wo
step.Nowi fthemusi cismovingt oofast,grabmy
handal it
tl
et i
ghter,
don'tbeafrai
dt omoveal i
ttl
e
cl
oser ,
boyt here'
ssomet hi
ngaboutyout hatmakes
mewannasayohhh. "Isang.Hel aughed.
Nkosi:"
OkaybabyIt
hinkt
hatwoul
dbeenough.
"I
gi
ggled.
Me:"Bef
oreIf
orget
.Hereyougo.Fr
om Amahle.
"I
gavehimthel
it
tl
ebag.Hestar
edatitandputi
tin
hi
spocket.
Nkosi
:"Thankyoul
ove.
"
Me:"
Wil
lyoucomebackl
ater
?"
Nkosi:"
Yesmylove.Whenyouwantme,
cal
lme.
"
Hekissedme.
Me:"
Okay,
sayhit
otheguys.
"
Nkosi:"
Theymustcomesayhell
of orthemselves
soIhaveanexcusetocomeback."Ilaughed."Goin,
l
ove."Iwentbacki
nsi
dethehouse.
PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwalkedi
ntoZwe'shouse,sendi
ngamessageto
mylove.IsatnexttoZwe.Theguyswer
eplayi
ng
poolhavi
ngtheirownconversat
ion.
Zwe:
"Howar
ethey?
"
Nkosi
:"Havi
ngaj
oll
ygoodt
ime,
shesays.
"
Zwe:
"That
'sgood.
"
Nkosi:"
I'
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
edi
ntwoweeks.
"He
gasped.
Zwe:"Congrat
ulat
ionsman!Whydi
dn'
tyousay
anyt
hing?"
Nkosi
:"Ideci
dedtoday.I'
l
ltel
lmyfat
hersometi
me
t
hisweek.Willyoubeabletocomewithus?You,
Mthunziandmyf at
her.Tonegot
iat
eofcourse.
"
Zwe:"I
'
dbehonour ed.
"Hesmiled."
I'
m proudofyou.
Iknewonedayyou'dgetmarri
edbutIalways
assumeditwouldbeoutofobli
gati
on.Yether
eyou
are,
deepl
yinlove.That
'samazing.
"
Nkosi:"Forsomeonewho'
sneverexper
iencedi
t,I
'
m
quit
eshockedmysel fr
eal
lyandsometi
mes
confused."
Zwe:
"What
'
sconf
usi
ng?
"
Nkosi:"ThewayIf eelforThembisaisstar
tingto
becomeuncont roll
able.Idon'
tknowhowt oexpl
ain
i
t.Everyday,If
eel l
iketheloveIhaveforheris
growingbigger.Idon'tknowifthat
'ssafe.
"
Zwe:"I
t'
sagoodt
hingNkosi
,di
dsomet
hing
happen?"
Nkosi:"
Ear
li
er.Backint
hepal
ace.Wewerejust
l
ayingandtal
king,ki
ssi
ngt
henoutofnowhere,
I..
..
"
Zwe:
"Youwhat
?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sembar
rassi
ng.
"
Zwe:
"Tel
lme.
"
Nkosi
:"Igr
owl
ed.
"
Zwe:"Oh?"Heheldbackal
augh."
Thi
shasnever
happenedbefor
e?"
Nkosi
:"Never
.Ionl
ygr
owlwhenI
'
m aboutt
o
change.Whati
fithappenswhenwemakel
ove?
"
Zwe:
"Whatdi
dshesay?
"
Nkosi:"Shethoughti
twascut
e.Icanassur
eyou
t
hatitisn't
."
Zwe:"Nkosi,
yourwomanknowsyouandl
ovesyou.
I
'm pr
ettysureshewon'
tmi
nd."
Nkosi
:"Sheaskedt
oseei
t.
"
Zwe:
"Itbei
ngyourt
iger
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Shewant
stoseemechange.
"
Zwe:"Okay,butwe'l
lhavetofindawaytocont rol
you.Ican'
tletyouharm yourwifeNkosi
nhle.Iknow
youwouldn'tbutI
'dfeelbet
terbeingt
here.
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
that
'sagoodi
dea.
"
Zwe:
"SoIassumewe'
l
lbeuncl
esbynextyear
?"
Nkosi
:"Uncl
esofwho?
"
Zwe:"
OfyoursonNkosi
nhl
e.You'
regoi
ngt
obea
dadsoon.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowaboutt
hat
."
Zwe:
"Youdon'
twantt
obeadadyet
?"
Nkosi
:"NobutIdon'
tthi
nkIhaveachoi
ce.
"
Zwe:
"Why?DoesThembi
sawantababy?
"
Nkosi:"
No.Ithi
nktheforef
ather
swantoneandwi
ll
dojustaboutanyt
hingtohaveone.Thr
oughme,
thati
s.Amahlesaidthi
sweeksago."
Zwe:
"Ohman.Sur
elyyoucanpr
olongi
t?"
Nkosi
:"How?Wi
thcont
racept
ives?Theywon'
t
work.
"
Zwe:
"Orpul
loutmet
hod.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthinkI
'm strongenoughbutt
hankyou
f
orthesuggestion.
"Hel aughed.
Zwe:"
Mxim.LookNkosi,
sure,
babiesar
eal
otof
workbutyouhaveus.Wecanwatchhim
someti
meswhenyouneedabr eak."
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Iwantyout
oteachhi
mtobel
ike
you.
"
Zwe:
"Me?
?Whyme?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reagoodper
son.Andyou'
regoodwi
th
peopl
e."
Zwe:
"Soar
eyou.
"
Nkosi
:"No,Idon'
twantmychildtobel i
keme.If
anyt
hing,I
'
m hopingi
t'
sagirl
.Sot hatshel
ooksli
ke
Thembisaandhasherkindheartandbeauti
ful
soul
."
Zwe:"
Hmm.Maybeonyournextt
rymyfr
iend.Your
peopl
ear
ever
ystr
ictwi
tht
hei
rthr
one.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Wecanonl
ydr
eam.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Zwe:
"Ineedtogetmor
eice.Sboni
,doyouhavei
ce
i
nyourhouse?"
Si
bo:"
Nott
hatIknowof
."
Mnqobi
:"Thegi
rl
smi
ghthavesome.
"Ist
oodup,
r
eadytogo.
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.Let
'sgo.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
lldr
ive.
"
Zwe:"Her
eyougo. "Hehandedmecarkeys.Just
bef
orewer eachedthedoor
,acrackl
ingofthunder
hi
tthesky."That'
sstr
ange.
"Heavyrainspoured
i
mmedi
atel
y."
Doyout
hinki
t'
s..
?"
Nkosi:"Mydad?No.Thisisn'thisdoi
ng.Thisis
nature."Iopenedt
hedoor
, f
indingawoman
standingthere.Mybl
oodcurledatthesightofher
.
Zwepul l
edmebehindhi
m.
Zwe:"
CanIhelpyou?Howdi dyougeti nher
e? "She
wasbaref
oot,i
nat at
tereddr
esswi t
hmudpat ches
onherski
n."
Hey!!Speak!!
"Mthunzist
oodnextt o
hi
m.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whoar
eyou?
"
She:"
Nol
anga.Ineedhel
p."
Mt
hunzi
:"Howdi
dyougeti
ntot
hiscommuni
ty?
"
She:"
Ili
veher
e."
Zwe:"Guar
ds!
!"Il
ookedatthi
sgir
l,shestar
edri
ght
backatme.Icoul
dn'
tfeelanyaur
aar oundher
.
Noneatall
.
Nkosi
:"Don'
ttouchher
."
Zwe:
"She'
str
espassi
ngNkosi
nhl
e!"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
butdon'
ttouchher
.Cl
oset
hedoor
."
She:"
Pleasel
etmei
n.Pl
easehel
pme.
"
Nkosi:"
Closet
hedoorZwelethu!
!"Heshutthedoor.
Idi
aledThembisa'
snumber."Cal
lthegir
ls,
anyone
whoanswer sf
irst
!!
"Theyal
ldial
edatthesamet i
me.
Si
bo:"
Noanswer
."Het
ri
edagai
n.
Mnqobi
:"Met
oo.Khaya?
"Khayashookhi
shead.
Zwe:
"What
'
shappeni
ngNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
ogethol
dofmywi
fe.Theycan'
t
opent
hedoor .
"
Sibo:"
Don'tneedt
oopent
hedoori
ftheycan'
t.
"He
tookhist
ablet.
Zwe:
"Whataboutt
hewi
ndows?Thegar
age?
"
Sibo:"ThegarageIcanl ockbutthewindowsdon'
t
havebur gl
ars.Wel i
veinStel
lar
s.There'
snever
beenaneedt olockwindows."Zwelookedatme.
Final
ly,sheanswer ed.
Sasa:"
Hibaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
topent
hedoor
."
Sasa:"
What
?Why?
"
Nkosi
:"I
fsomeoneknocks,donotopen.Doyou
under
standme?Don'tl
etanyoneinsi
deThembisa.
Tel
leveryonet
hat
."
Sasa:"Okay.Ladies.
"Sheswitchedoffthemusic.
"Noonei sall
owedt oopenthedoor,notforany
reason.Noonei sall
owedinornot."Ibreat
heda
rel
ief."
I'
vetol
dthem, l
ove.What'swrong?"
Nkosi
:"There'
sagir
lwhoappear
edonourdoor
step.
Iknowshe'snotoneofyou.
"
Sasa:"
Agi r
l?Yeahwe'r
eallher
e.Noneofushave
goneoutsi
deandwe' r
enotwaiti
ngforanyone.
Whatgirli
sthi
s?"Iheardaknockontheotherend.
Nkosi
:"Love,
thatgi
rli
sdead.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er89

SASAPOV_
Iwashavi
ngsomedeli
ciouschi
ckenwi
ngs,
l
ist
eni
ngtoPetuandZi
mmy.
Ama:"
Sasa.
"
Me:"
Hm?
"
Ama:"
Yourphone.
"Itwasont
hecouch,
Ipi
ckedi
t
up.
Me:"
Hibaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
topent
hedoor
."Uhm okay.
Me:"
What
?Why?
"
Nkosi:"I
fsomeoneknocks, donotopen.Doyou
understandme?Don' tl
etanyoneinsi
deThembisa.
Telleveryonet hat.
"Myheartst
art
edr aci
ng.Was
thereathreatout si
de?Wherearetheguards?I
switchedof fthemusicpeepingoutthebackyar
d.
Nosi gnoft hem.
Me:"Okay.Ladies.Noonei sal
lowedtoopenthe
door,notforanyreason.Nooneisall
owedinor
out.
"Theynodded.Iwant edtocheckoutthefront
windowbutatt hesamet i
meIwasscar ed."I
'
vet ol
d
them,love.What'
swr ong?"Thegir
lswerenowqui et
.
Nkosi:"
Ther e'
sagi r
lwhoappearedonourdoor step.
Iknowshe' snotoneofyou. "Ilookedatmygi r
ls.
Wewer eallher e.Sizawasevennappi ngont he
couch.NothandoandAmahl ewerepl ayingcards.
Zanelehadbeenf iddli
ngwi
ththemusi cand
danci
ng.Pet uandZi mmywer eont hefloorchatti
ng
aboutcelebrit
ies.
Me:"Agirl
?Yeahwe'real
lher
e.Noneofushave
goneoutsi
deandwe'renotwait
ingforanyone.
Whatgir
listhi
s?"Someoneknockedont hefr
ont
door
.
Nkosi
:"Love,t
hatgir
lisdead.
"If
roze.St
ari
ngatt
he
door
.Amahl estoodup.
Pet
u:"
Whoi
sthat
?"Shewhi
sper
ed.
Nkosi
:"Baby?Don'
topen.Pl
ease.
"
Me:"
Iwon'
topen.
"
Nkosi:"Gi
veAmahl et
hephone.
"IgaveAmahl
ethe
phone,sti
llst
ari
ngatt
hedoor.
Ama:"Shestar
tedt
her
e?Noshedoesn'twant
Thembisa,
sheknowsyou'
l
lcomeoutifyourwi
fei
s
i
nherpr esence."Sheclosedthewi ndows, the
sl
idi
ngdoorhadbeencl osedalr eady."Yes.Iknow.
ThebagIgaveyou?Takeoutt heNt ambo, atall
yourentrancesputapincht here.No, we'r
esafe.I
won'tl
etheri nNkosi.
"Shehungup.
Si
za:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Shewokeup.
Pet
u:"
Someonei
sout
side.
"Theknockper
sist
ed.
Me:"
Amahl
e,whoi
sthi
s?Whatdot
heywant
?"
Ama:"Nocl ue.Ican'
tfeelheraur
a.Don'
tworry.Si
t
down."Isatdown, hol
dingZanelenearme.The
knockstart
edagai nbutthi
stimeatthesl
idi
ngdoor.
Wealljumped.Amahl esighed.
Ama:"Wemightaswel
lpl
ayt
hemusi
cbecauset
his
wi
llgoonal
lnight
."
Siza:"
Wherearet
heguar
ds?Whyar
en'
tthey
removingt
hisper
son?
"
Me:"
That
'sagreatquest
ion.WhenIl
ookedoutt
he
wi
ndowatfi
rst
,ther
ewerenoneouttheback.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ha.
aSasa,
whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.They'
rej
ustnott
her
e."
Zimmy:"Amahle,
can'
twecallthepoli
ce?Ort
he
army?Someone?You'r
ethelastpri
ncessoft
he
thr
one,youcan'
tbeindanger
."
Ama:" I'
m notindanger .IwouldcallifIwas.This
threati
sn' tf
orme.We' resafe,physicall
y.Justdon'
t
l
ookoutt hewi ndows."IwishIheardherbef oreI
l
ooked.Theki tchenwindowwascl osedbut
transparent,agirlst
oodouti nthedar kstar
ingin.I
gotsuchashockandIt r
iednottoscr eam but
everyonel ookedandnot icedthesameexactt hing.
"Nevermi nd."
Siza:"
Let
'sgoupstai
rs.Let
'st
akeever
ythi
ngwe
needandlockour
selvesint
hemasterbedroom.
"
Not
ha:"
Iagr
ee.Amy?
"
Ama:" Forthepur posesofnotgett
ingafri
ght
ever
ytimeyoul ookatt hewindow,let
'sgo."Wetook
thefoodanddr i
nksplusallourphonesand
char
ger srunningupt othebedroom.Wel ockedthe
doorbehindus.Themast erbedroom washuge.
TheKingsi zedbedwoul dfitpr
obably5ofusi fwe
l
ayst r
ategical
lybutIdoubtwe' dgetanysleep
toni
ght.Ther
ewasal soacouchonemor eperson
couldnapon.Ther ewasal soabathroom andaTV
here.Amahleclosedt hewindows,doublechecki
ng
thesli
dingdoorifi
t'slockedandthenclosingthe
curtai
ns.Myphoner anginmyhand.
Me:"
Baby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hey.Ar
eyouokay?
"
Me:"
Isawher.Sheappearedbythewindow.She
l
ooksli
keahorr
ormovie.Nkosiwhoisthat
?"I
whi
spered.
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tknowmyl
ove.Ar
ethedoor
slocked
andthewindows?"
Me:"
Yes.We'
realli
nthemasterbedr
oom.Locked
t
hedoorandwindowsandall
."
Nkosi
:"Okay,
that'
sgood.Youhavesuppl
iest
olast
unt
ilmorni
ng?"Igiggl
edatsuppl
ies.
Me:"
Yesbaby,
webr
oughtt
hef
oodanddr
inks.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyareyoulaughingatthisver
yserious
thi
ngbaby?Iknowyouwhenyou' r
ehungryyou
becomeviol
ent.Youmightjustopenthatdoorand
punchheri
nthef
ace.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"Nkosidon'
tli
eaboutmychar
act
er.I
'
venever
beenviol
ent.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sapi
tyI
'
llneverst
arveyousoyou'
l
lnever
f
indout.
"
Me:"Becausei
t'
saliest
handwasam.Areyousaf
e
t
here?Whatifshecomesbackther
e?"
Nkosi
:"YesI'
m safe.Shemightt
ryagai
nbutIdoubt
i
t.Ial
readycl
osedt hedoori
nherfacesoshe
knowsIwon'tchangemymi nd."
Me:"Andbecausewehaven'
topen,
shewi
llkeep
t
ryi
ng."
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Hesi
ghed.Iheardafai
ntsoundt hat
wasn'
tpartoft
hechat
terfr
om myf r
iends.Il
ooked
att
hem.Theyhadn'
tyetnoti
ced.Il
ookedatAmahl e.
Shedi
d."Baby?What'
sthatsound?"
Me:"
Idon'
tknow.I
tsoundsl
ikesi
ngi
ng.
"
Ama:"
It
'sacall
."Thesi
nger
,thegir
l,hadsucha
smoot
hvoiceandsunginsoprano.
Me:"
Amahl
esaysi
t'
sacal
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
tch'
scal
l.Youneedt
oignor
eit
,fi
ndaway
t
odrownit
."
Me:"
Ifwepl
ayt
het
v?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Putthevol
umeonloud."Iswi
tchedon
theTVi ncr
easi
ngthevol
ume."
I'
llkeepchecki
ngon
youlove.Nothi
ngbadisgoi
ngtohappen.I
promise."
Me:"Okay."Wehungup.Isatont hebed,
completel
ystressed.Icoul
dsti
llhearthesi
ngi
ngi
n
thebackgroundasl oudasthet
vwas.
Siza:"Canyouguyssti
llheari
t?I
t'
smakingme
reall
yuncomfort
able.I
sthishousehaunt
ed?
"
Pet
u:"
Icanhearhert
oo.
"
Ama:"
Thehousei
sn'
thaunt
ed.
"
Zimmy:"Thenwhati
shappeningAmahl
e?Whyi
s
ther
ealadysingi
ngout
side?
"
Ama:"
She'
ssentbyawi
tch.
"
Not
ha:"
Amahl
e..
"
Ama:"
Don'
tpayheranymi
nd.
"Theknocksounded
ont
hesl
idi
ngdoor
.Weal
ljumpedt
othecor
ner
.
Me:"
Whatcanwedo?Tochaseheraway?Can'
twe
pr
ay?"
Ama:"
Wor
that
rybutt
hiswi
llhappenal
lni
ght
.".
..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Mor ni
ngfel
tli
keittooketer
nit
ytoemer
ge.Idi
dn'
t
sleepobvi
ously.Checki
nguponThembisaand
keepinganeyeonusaswel l
.
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
saboutt
obesunr
ise,
wecangocheck
t
hem ri
ght?"
Nkosi
:"Onlyatexactsunr
ise.Iwantt
obesur
eshe'
s
gone.
"Idial
edhernumberagai n."
Baby?
"
Sasa:"
Heyl
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dyoumanaget
ogetsomesl
eep?
"
Sasa:"
Alit
tl
ebit.Iwokeupj
ustnow.Ever
yoneel
se
i
sstil
lsl
eeping.
"Sheyawned."
Shesangthewhol
e
ni
ght,i
magine."
Nkosi
:"Youkeptt
het
vonr
ight
?"Shekeptqui
et.
"
Thembi sa?
"
Sasa:"
Uhm.Yes.I
t'sjustt
hat.
..
it
'snowoff.I
fI
remembercor
rect
ly,we'dal
lagreedtol
eaveiton.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
e'sAmahl
e."
Sasa:"She'
ssl
eepi
ng.Ther
e'sacol
dbr
eezei
nthe
room butnoopenwindow.
"
Nkosi
:"Wakeherup.
"
Sasa:"
Amahl
e."Shewhi
sper
ed.
Ama:"
Hey.
"Sheyawned.
Sasa:"
didyouswi
tchof
ftheTV?
"
Ama:"
No.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m comi
ng.
"
Ama:"
Youhavet
owai
-"
Nkosi:"I
'm comingNOW.Idon'tcarewhoshe
thinkssheis.IfIdar
ef i
ndheri
nthathouseoreven
i
t'speri
met er,
she,Satanandal
lherancest
orswill
knowofme. "Ihungup.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
-"
Nkosi
:"No.Don'
teven.
"
Mt hunzi:"
It'
sonl yaf ewmi nutes.Justt hree.
Please."Ipacedt hefloortryingt ohurryupt ime.At
thefirstpeakoft hesun, Istormedoutt hehouse
runningatf ullspeedt oot herhouse.Iar r
ived,
l
ooki ngaroundt heyar d.Ther ewasmudont he
stepsandwi ndows.Seemedl ikether
ewasnot r
ace
ofheranymor e.Theguar dswer eonthegr ass.
Hopef ull
ythey' r
eonlysl eepingandnotdead.Zwe
gotther eri
ghtt hen.Icheckedt hei
rpulses.
Nkosi
:"I
cecol
d.Ican'
tfeel
thei
rpul
sesZwel
ethu.
"
Zwe:"Standback.
"Hedi
dhismedicalcheck.I
knockedonthedoor,
cal
li
ngherphone.
Nkosi
:"Comedownbaby,
I'
m out
side.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.
"Iwal
kedbackt
oZweandMt
hunzi
.
Nkosi
:"Anyt
hing?
"
Zwe:
"Faint
.Butthey'
rest
il
lal
ive.
"Igr
owledi
nanger
.
Howdareshe.Themi nut
eIgetmyhandsonher.
Thef
rontdooropened.Thembisahur
ri
edtome.I
wrappedmyarmsaroundher
,sni
ff
inganyscentof
f
her.Shewascl
ear
.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Sasa:"
Yes.Whathappened.
"
Nkosi
:"Notsur
eyetbutthei
rpulsesaresti
llt
her
e.
How'sever
yone?Where'sZanel
e?"Justthenthe
gi
rl
scameoutt hehouse.
Sasa:"
Heresheis.We'
real
lokay.Doyout
hinkshe
wasinthehouse?"
Nkosi
:"Let
'snotwor r
yaboutthatr
ightnow.
Si
bonelopleasecallf
orextr
asecurit
y.Amahl
e,
whendoyout hinkshelef
t?"
Ama:"
Nott
ool
ongago.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dshel
eaveanyt
hing?
"
Ama:"Otherthanhermudpr int
s,nope.Ichecked
thehouse.Nosi gnofher
."Ineededtospeaktoher
proper
ly.Idi
dn'twanttoalar
m everyoneri
ghtnow.
Nkosi:"Okay.Wewon'tmoveunti
lthesecur
it
yis
here.Fornow,caneveryonegobackinsi
dethe
house,it'
sabitcol
d."Ever
yonewentinsi
del
eaving
Mthunzi,
Zwe, Sasa,
AmahleandI."
Whati
fwecan'
t
fi
ndanythingshelef
tbehi
ndthesamewaywe
coul
dn'tf
igureherout.
"
Ama:"
She'
sdeadNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Yes,whichmeanssomeone, speci
fi
cal
lya
wit
ch,hastakenoverthebody.Thisthenal
so
bri
ngsthefactt
hatshe'l
lneedanotherbodysooni
f
notal
ready.Whatifshewasinsidethehouse?"
Sasa:"
Whati
fhet
ookoneoft
heguar
ds?
"If
roze.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
,howmanyguar
dsdi
dyoupl
ace
her
e?"
Mt
hunzi
:"15.Ther
e'st
womi
ssi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Checkt
heback.
"Mt
hunziwentt
otheback
yar
dwithAmahle.
Sasa:"Sheevenmanagedt oknockupstai
rsther
e
onthebalconydoor."Ikissedherheadholdi
ngher
i
nmyar ms,grat
efulshewassaf e."
Doessheonly
takedeadpeople'
sbodi es?"
Nkosi:"
No.I'
llhaveever
yonethor
oughl
ychecked.
I
'vecall
edforthehealer
.Heshouldbeher
ein40
mi
nut
es.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.Letmegocheckont hegi
rl
s."Iki
ssed
herl
ipsandwatchedherwal
kintothehouse.
Mthunzicamebackwit
hAmahl e.
Ama:"
Not
hing.
"
Nkosi:"Okay.We'llwai
tfortheheal
er.
"Ilooked
downatmyguar ds.Thankgoodnesst hey'
resti
ll
al
ive.They'r
eunlikelytorememberwhathappened
butatleasttheystil
lhavethei
rli
ves.

PETU'
SPOV_

Thiswassuchascaryexperi
ence.Neverdi
dIthi
nk
thi
scoul
dhappen.Wesati nthehouse.Zi
mmyand
Sasaweremakingbreakf
ast.Idon'
tknowifI
'dbe
abl
etoeatanyt
hingyet.
Si
za:"
What
'sgoi
ngt
ohappennow?
"
Petu:"
Idon'
tknowyet
.Maybewecanleaveaf
ter
breakf
ast
."Zi
mmydeckedthedi
ningt
able.
Ama:"Let'
swaitabitbeforeweeat."Hi
sHighness
walkedint
othehouse.Weal lbowedtohim.Iwil
l
nevergetusedtohispresence.Al
mostimmediatel
y,
hestoodbySasa, whi
speringtoherear
.Shecame
tousinthelounge.
Sasa:" Ladies, af
terlastni ght
'sevent s,His
Highnesshasaskedt ol etthehealeri n.Hewi lldo
someassessment sint hehouseandonus.Noneof
youar ei ntrouble.Wej ustwantt omakesur e
what everwashappeni nghasn' tattachedt ooneof
usbecausewhenIwokeupt hismor ni ng.Ifel
tan
uncomf ort
abl ebreezeandt heTVhadbeen
switchedof f.Theheal erwi l
lcheckt oseei fwe' r
eall
fi
neandspi rituall
ysaf e.We' r
eallAf r
icans, weknow
andbel ievei nspiri
tuality.Unfort
unat elyforus,
ther
ear eopposi ng,andver yevilspiri
tsoutt here.I
t
i
snotanyt hinganyofuscanhel pbecauset hese
thi
ngshappent oanyone.Doesanyonehave
quest i
ons? "
Nel
e:"
Whatwi
llt
heheal
erdo?
"
Sasa:"
Hewi
llexpl
ainashewor
ks,
myangel
."
Si
za:"Whathappensi
fwhat
evert
hatwas,
did
at
tachtous?"
Sasa:"
We'
llwor
kongettingr
idofi
t.Youwon'
tgo
homeunti
lyou'
resaf
e."
Si
za:"
Thankyou.
"
Pet
u:"
Doyout
hinki
twi
llf
oll
owus?
"
Sasa:"
No.Ibeli
evet
heheal
erwi
llensur
ethat
doesn'
thappen.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whathappenedt
otheguar
ds?
"
Sasa:" Ithinktheywer ecompl usedinasense.I
cannotbesur e."Noneofushadmor equest i
ons.
Sasawassogoodatcal mingpeopledown.I
honest lyfeltbet t
erandsaf ernow.Shewal kedback
toHi sHi ghness.Hel ookedatt hedoorwhi le
holdingher .Whatwashappeni ngnow.Mt hunzi
walkedi n,wi ththeheal erbehind.Thi
smanl ooked
i
ncr ediblyscar y.Possiblymor escarythant hegi r
l
wesaw.Hef oundaspoti nthehouse, layi
ngdown
hisclothandpr epari
nghi sthi
ngs.Hest ar
ted
chant i
ngi nal owwhi sper.Il
ookedar oundt he
house, ever yonewasl ookingathim,wai ti
ng.
Healer
:"Akezeowok'
qal
a."(Canthefi
rstonecome
forwar
d)Sasawalkedtohim,kneel
inginfrontof
him.
Heal er:"Ndlunkulu.Umamawesi zwe.I nyoni
endizel aphezul u.Lowoonegaziel iyi
gugu.I nhlizi
yo
yamakhosi .
"(Fir
stLady/ HeadOf fice.Mot heroft he
nation.Bi rdthatfli
eshigh.Shewi ththet reasure
blood.TheKi ngsheart.)Thatwassosweet ,Sasa
wast ryi
ngnott oblush.Iwasevenbl ushingf orher.
"Khot hal okhu,beseeyi khaf
ulelala."(Lickthist hen
spititouther e.
)Shedi dashesays." Ndlunkul u."
Henoddedandchant ed."Olandelayo."Sasagotup,
Amahl ewentnext .Shedi dthesame, Zaneleand
Zimmyf oll
owed, Siza,NothaandIaf ter.Hebur nta
herbwi t
hmi xedwi t
hsomet hingf rom hisbagand
allourspi t
s.Thatwasver ystrangef ormebutI
trustedt hepr ocess.
Sasa:"
ThokozaMkhulu,ngi
celaukubuzamayel ana
nenquboesi
sandakuyenza.
"(Salutat
ionsHealer,
mayIpleaseaskaboutt
hepr ocesswej ustdi
d.)
Heal
er:"
YeboNdl
unkul
u."
Sasa:"
Sizokwazikanj
aniukut
hiubaniot
hat
hiwe.
"
(Howwillweknowwhohasbeent aken.
)Thi
sbold
gir
l.
Healer
:"Oset
shenziweuzophal
aza.Nomayimuphi
umzuzumanj e.
"(Theonewho'sbeingusedwi
ll
thr
owup.Anymi nutenow.)
Sasa:"ThokozaMkhul
u."Thehealerwentthr
ough
thewholehouseburni
nghisherb.Abouttwenty
minutespassed.
Healer
:"Konkekuhambakahl emanj e.Lomuntu
akekhophakat hikwenu."(Al
liswellnow.The
personisn'tamongyou. )Hesatdownagai n,
prepar
ingabowl ."Buzaumbuzool andel
ayo,
Ndlunkulu.
"(Askyournextquestion,Fir
stLady.
)We
al
lgiggled.Sasal ookedsoembar r
asseditwascut
e.
Sasa:"ThokozaMkhulu.Bengicabanganje.
Ngicabangaukuthil
enaingeyokuvikel
a."
(Iwasonl
y
thi
nking,t
hispar
tisforprot
ection.
)Thehealer
l
ookedather .
Healer:"
Thokoza.
"Weallgott
hepr
otect
ionand
eventual
lyt
hehealerwentt
oworkoutsi
dethenl
eft
.
Thi
swast
hecr
azi
estbi
rt
hdayI
'
veeverhad.
Sasa:"Fr
iend,wehavetogohome.Theparent
sare
goinghomet oday.Sowehavet
obet her
ebefor
e
theywake."Shehuggedme.
Petu:"
Thankyousomuchforbeingher
e.Ihada
greatt
imehavi
ngyoual
lhere.Nele,
youmustcome
vi
sitsoon.
"
Nele:"
Iwi
ll
."Wesaidourgoodbyesandt heyleftt
he
housewit
hHi sHighness,AmahleandMthunzi.We
satdownatthetabletoeat.Ionl
yneededajuice
andtoast
.
Notha:"
Hm,gotar
eal
lybadheadache.
"Shehel
don
herhead.
Mnqobi :"
Youhaveahangover ,l
ove.Hangon. "He
gotup, walki
ngtot hekitchen.Hetookoutabot tl
e
ofpill
sandwat erbr i
ngingittoher."Taketwoof
these,andhavesomet hingtoeatthenIcant ake
youhomet osleep."Shenodded, drinki
ngthepill
s.
Hedi shedupsomef oodf orher,pl
acingtheeggon
thetoast,wit
hsomehotsauceont heside."
Iknow
youonl yl
ikeboiledeggsbutt hiswilldothetri
ck.
"
Not
ha:"
That
'snotenoughhotsauce.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay,
tel
lmewhent
ost
opt
hen.
"
Notha:"Letmej ustholdont othebot tl
e."He
chuckled.Idon' tknowhowt ofeelaboutt his
si
tuation.Hel ookedsocomf ortableandi ntune
withher.Heevenknewherf avorit
eeggsandhow
sheat ethem.Ofcour se,theyli
vet ogether.Idi
dn'
t
expecttof eelthispangofj eal
ousyespeci ally
becausewewer eallveryopenaboutour
i
nvolvement .Thefactis,Idon'tthi
nkIwant ed
Mnqobit ol oveanotherwoman.Di dt hatmakeme
sel
fish?
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :Sponsor
edPost
:Gr
ey

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er90

SASAPOV_
Wear ri
vedatthevi
ll
awhiletheparentswer esti
ll
sl
eeping.Thankgoodness.Ithoughtdadwoul dbe
wideawakebynow.Wet ookourshower s,gett
ing
dressedandgoingtotherestaur
anttowai t
.Ihada
hangoverandIneededtogetr i
dofitquickl
y.I
askedforsomeheadachepi l
lsandjuice.
Nel
e:"
Thatwassuperf
un.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Me:"Yeah,bef
orewi
tchl
adyar
ri
ved.Dadi
sgoi
ngt
o
f
reakout."
Nele:"Whywoul dwetellhi
m?We'resaf
eSasa.The
healerpr
otectedus.There'
snoneedtotel
lthem
andgetyelledat."
Me:"Howmanysecr
etsdoyoukeepf
rom your
par
entsZanel
e?"
Nele:"I
'
m nott heangell
ikeyousis.Ihavepl
ent
yof
secret
st oavoidjudgement.
"Welaughed."Youneed
tostoptell
ingthem ever
ythi
ng.Especial
lyuMama.
Don'tevent r
ytobevulnerabl
enearherbecause
she'l
luseitagainstyou.
"
Me:"
Doesshedot
hesamet
oyou?
"
Nel e:"Notli
keyou, no.Idon'twantt ot al
kbadabout
uMamabutIf eelli
kear eal
lybigpar tofher
compet eswithyou.She' stri
edt odost uffwit
hdad
thatyoudowhenyou' r
ehome.Li ket akingcareof
thechi ckensandcl eaningthef arm.Shej ustgets
reallyimpatientbecausedaddoesn' tpaymuch
attentiontoit.He'sj ustdoinghisj ob, she'sdoi
ngit
forhi satt
ention.Theni tcausesf ightsabouthowi f
i
twasyou, hewoul dbecl appingloudl y."Igotmy
pil
lsandj uice, dr
inkingt hem.
Me:"
Butdaddoesn'
tevencl
apf
ormeZanel
e.We
j
ustt
alkaboutt
heanimal
sandhowt
odothenext
t
ask,
wheretohelp.
"
Nel e:"Shedoesn'tgetthat.Probl
em isthat,you
havet hesamei nt
erestsasdad.You'rehal fofhim,
alotmor ehim act
uall
y.Soobvi ousl
yyou'llenjoyhi
s
thingsmor ethananything.Shedoesn'thavet hose
i
nt erests."
Me:"
Andyou?Doesi
taf
fectyout
hatIspendal
otof
t
imewit
hDad?"
Nele:"No.Dadal waysspendsti
mewi t
hme.He
takesmet oschoolever
yday.Whenhe'sonbreak
duringtheaf t
ernoon,wespendti
mecooking
together.Iknowhehast obewithyouwhenyou're
aroundbecauseyoudon' tli
veathomeanymor e.
Andnowi t'
sgoingtobeevenwor sebecauseyou'
re
mar ryi
ngaki ng."
Me:"
Pleaset
akecar
eofhi
m Zanel
e."
Nel
e:"
Iwi
ll
.Ipr
omi
se.
"

We'dhadapeacef ulbreakfastasafami l
y.Nkosi
wasn'there,Iknowhe' dgivenmet hi
stimeal one
wit
hmyf ami l
y.Thewaymymanwassot hought f
ul
washear t
war mi ng.Iwasal wayshispriori
ty.We
spentourmor ningafterbreakfasti
nthegar den.
Theygotr eadyt oleaveat1pm, wanti
ngtoar ri
ve
whil
eit'
sst i
lldayl i
ght.Iwassosad.Ir eallyenjoyed
havi
ngt hem al lhere.
Xol
ani
:"Mychi
ld.Whyar
eyousul
kingnow?
"
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssyouguys.
"
Xol
ani:"We'l
lmissyout oo.You'l
lbehomesoon,
youhaveyournegot i
ati
onsi ntwoweeks.Speaki
ng
ofwhich,you'
llbegoingbacktor es,
right
?"Wooow.
Me:"
Yest
ata.Ofcour
se.
"
Xol
ani:"
Good,becauseyoust i
llhaveyour
cer
emonybeforet hepri
ncet akesyouashiswi f
e.I
bel
ievehemadeapr omiseandI 'm hopi
nghesticks
toi
t.Amanisnot hingwithouthiswor d.
"Helooked
atNkosi
.
Nkosi
:"Yessi
r.Ii
ntendtokeepthatpromi
se.I
'
ll
haveextr
asecuri
tyint
heresidence.
"
Xolani:"That
'sgood.I
'
m hopef
ul,
sincetheKi
nghas
apologizedtherewon'
tbemorethreat
s."
Nkosi
:"Nonesi
r.Thembi
sawi
llbewel
lpr
otect
ed.
"
Xolani
:"Thankyou.Wel l
,then.Let
'sgetgoi
ng."I
huggedhim again."
Iloveyoumnt anam.I'l
lcal
l
you."
Me:"
Okayt
ata.Il
oveyoutoo.Tr
avelsaf
ely.Il
ove
youmama.
"IhuggedherandhuggedNele.
Mama:"
Pleasest
aysaf
e,Sasa.Don'
tgobef
ri
endi
ng
everyoneint
hatr
esi
dence.You'
reani
mpor
tant
person."
Me:"
Iwon'
t.I
'
llst
il
lbewi
thAmahl
e."
Mama:"
Good.ThankyousomuchYourHi
ghness,
f
orhost
ingus.
"
Nkosi:"
Mypl easur
e, ma.I'mlooki
ngf orwardto
seeingyousoon."Iwat chedthem getintothecar
.
Theyhadanext raonef orthr
eeguar dsthatwould
staywiththem i
nthevi l
lagepermanent l
y.Iwaved
them goodbye,watchingthecarsdriveoff.

SI
BONELOPOV_

Whatawei rdnightit
'sbeen.I'
veheardofwitches
andstuffbutneverthoughtI'
dbeexposedt oone.
Thenagain,Ishouldn'tbesosurpri
sed.Nkosiand
hi
sf at
herhadsuperabi li
ti
esthatnootherhuman
had.Orwait,howmanyot herpeopl
ehadt hem?
Whatiftheywer en'
ttheonlyones?Forexampl et
his
wit
ch.Whati fshealsohadherabi l
it
iesbecause
howcanyouexpl
ainadeadper
sonwal
kingand
tal
king?
Zi
mmy:"
Baby.Yourcof
feei
sget
ti
ngcol
d."
Si
bo:"Oh,thanks."Ever
yonehadfi
nishedeating
br
eakfast,
justchatti
nglivel
yandmakingjokes.
Whatifthi
swi t
chcameback?Yeswewer eall
pr
otectedbutforhowl ong?Andhowf ar
?Itrusted
NkosibutIwasr eall
ywor ri
ed.
Siza:"
Ishoul
dbegett
ingbackt
otheki
dsbef
ore
theywakeup.Pet
u,canIgetacabher
e?"
Si
bo:"
Youhaveki
ds?
?"
Si
za:"
Yes,
3,mypr
ince.
"Wi
thabodyt
hatbeaut
if
ul?
Wil
d.
Sibo:"
Oh.Alsother
e'swedon'
tusecabs.The
guardswil
ldri
veyouhome.Mnqobi?"
Mnqobi:"
Yes,Ihaveacarr
eady.But
ter
fl
y,I'
l
lhave
someonebri
ngyourcarthi
safter
noonokay?"She
nodded.
Sibo:"
Wil
lyoubeatKhaya'
sapart
mentorwi
thyour
fr
iendsbabe?
"Zi
mmyl ookedatme.
Zimmy:"I
'l
lgotoyourhouse.
"Thisi
swher ethe
probl
em st
art
sforme.Idon'twantpeoplei
nmy
housewhenI'm nott
hereandIwasn'ti
nagood
spacemental
lytoenter
tai
nanyone.
Sibo:"
Iwillbewi
thmyparentsathomeal
lday.I
don'twantyoutobeal
one."
Zi
mmy:"
ButI
'
dbeal
oneatKhaya'
sapar
tment
?"
Si
bo:"
Zimm-
"
Zimmy:" Don'tworr
yabouti t.I'l
lcatchari
dewi t
h
Petu.I'
m goingbackt or es."Ididn'tli
keargui
ngin
frontofpeopleandIavoi dedi tbyanymeans.Her
goingtoreswasobvi ousl yat antr
um becauseshe
knewIwoul dn'tbeallowedi nside.Ican'
tdealwith
thisri
ghtnowespeci all
ybecauseZwewasst ari
ng
atmesl owlybiti
nghisj am t oast.Hewant edtotel
l
mehet ol
dmeso.Badl y.
Mnqobi
:"Love?Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Not
ha:"
Dizzy.Canyoupl
easet
akemehome?
"
Mnqobi
:"Let
'sgo.But
ter
f-
"
Pet
u:"
Sizapel
asehel
pmet
aket
heset
hingst
othe
car.
"Seemsli
keI
'
m nott
heonl
yonei
nhotwat
er,
thankGod.
Mnqobi
:"Pet
uni
a."
Pet
u:"Mnqobi
."Shegotup,packi
ngherball
oons
andthi
ngs.Womenar esodramati
c.Whatisshe
goi
ngtodowithball
oons.Ichuckl
ed,
tryi
ngtodri
nk
mycoffee.
Mnqobi
:"Pet
uni
a,yi
nimanj
e?"
Pet
u:"
Yinimanj
eyaninaMnqobi
,I
'mt
ryi
ngt
ogo
home.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ut
hukuthel
efut
hiangaziukut
hikungani
."
(
You'
reangryandidontknowwhy.)
Petu:"Uyakhulumamanj eMnqobi ?Wondersnever
cease."Thiswashi l
arious.Zi mmyst ar
edatme.I
focusedondr inkingmycof fee.Mnqobistar
edat
Petu,probablytryingtocal culatewherehewent
wrong.Evenme, Iwasconf usedbecauseIthought
theywer eahappyt hrouple.Suddenlyziyaji
kai
zint
o.
Cannevert akewomenser iousl y.
Si
za:"
Uhm,
Ijustwantt
osayt
hankyoual
l,
my
pr
inces,andyouladi es.I
twasl ovelymeeti
ngyou
al
l.
"Shet oogotup, helpi
ngwi ththethi
ngs.I
nsani
ty,
It
ellyou.Zimmyst artedpackingt hedi
shesint
o
pi
lestaki
ngt hem t
ot hekitchen.
Sibo:"Ther
e'sacleaningcrewcomi ng,love.Don't
strai
nyourself.
"Shecamebackt ot hetabletaking
mor eitemsincl
udingthecupofcof feeinmyhand.
I'
m notMnqobikemi na,Idon'
tentertai
niyhlanya.
Zwechuckl edhappil
y, dr
inki
nghiscof f
ee.Khaya
coveredhismout htr
yingnott ol
augh.
Sibo:"Lesisangomasifunaabaf
azibet
hu
basizonde."Imumbled.(Thi
ssangomawant
sour
wivest ohateus.)
Zwe: "
Idon'
thavethesepr obl
emsandI 'm glad.
Let'
sgohome, bug."Theyleftthehouse.Iwat ched
thethreel
adi
espackst uffint
ot hecar
.Ihelpedwi t
h
thecaseofchampagne, placi
ngi ti
ntheboot .
Si
bo:"
Hopef
ull
yyourki
ddosdon'
tgeti
ntot
hisbox.
"
Si
zagi
ggl
ed.
Si
za:"
Ihaveasecr
etcabi
net
."
Si
bo:"
Howol
dar
ethey?Thel
astt
imeIcameby,
youwerehol
dingababy.
"Shel
ookedner
vousl
yat
Petu.
Siza:"
Uhm.A5yearol
dgirl
,3yearol
dboyandt
he
babygirli
s6mont
hsold.
"
Sibo:"
Mustbeachaot
ichouse.Twot
oddl
ersanda
baby."
Si
za:"
Notr
eal
ly.They'
rever
ywel
lbehaved.
"
Si
bo:"That'
sgood."Zimmywasst ari
ngdaggersat
me,shegotinthecarwi thoutaword."I
'
llcal
lyou
l
aterbaby.
"Shedidn'trespond.Okay?WasInot
al
lowedtohaveconver sati
ons?Thatwouldbe
st
upid.Theyal
lgotinthecar ,dr
ivi
ngoff.
Si
bo:"
Let
'sgo,
youtwo.
"MnqobiandNot
handol
eft
wi
thme,goi
ngbackhome.

Myparentswerehome, watchingashowtogether
.
KhayaandZwesatwi ththem Iwenttot
akea
showerandgotdressed,goingbackdownstai
rs.
Sibo:"
Mama, canImakeyout
ea?It
hinkIsmel
l
yourscones.
"
Queen:"
Yesmyangelchi
ld.Theseonesj
ustsat
her
eandstar
edatme."
Zwe:
"Wewer
ewai
ti
ngf
ort
hef
avor
it
echi
ld.
"
Queen:"
Don'tbesil
ly.Idon'
thavefavour
it
es.Let
's
goSboni,I
'
llhaveourgardentabl
eset."
Zwe:
"Def
ini
tef
avor
it
e."Hel
aughed.
Bi
yel
a:"I
'
m eventhinki
ngoffindi
nghi
m awi
fej
ust
sohecanleaveminealone.
"
Zwe:
"Heal
readyhasone.Tel
lthem Sbon-
"
Si
bo:"
Awukahl
eZwel
ethu.
"Isnapped.
Zwe:
"Am Il
yingke?I
sn'
tthatwhatyousai
d?"
Si
bo:"
Allt
his,
becauseyou'
rej
eal
ous?
"
Zwe:
"Yes.
"
Sibo:"Mxim."Iwenttothekitchent omaketea,
placingthewarm sconesont hesi depl
ate.My
mot herwasthebestbaker.Hersconeswer emy
favorit
e,i
fshebakedt hem everyday,I
'dgainhappy
weightveryquickl
y.Zwelethuwal kedintheki
tchen.
Zwe:
"YouknowI
'
m onl
yteasi
ngyou.
"
Sibo:"Iwasn'
treadyt
otal
kaboutZi
mmy.I
t'
snot
thereyet.
"
Zwe:
"Andwhynot
?"
Si
bo:"
We'
veonl
ybeenf
ucki
ngf
oraweek.
"
Zwe:
"Youdon'
tseeaf
utur
ewi
thher
?"
Sibo:"
Ihaven'
tevent
houghtt
hatfar
.I'
m onl
yjust
enjoyi
ngthi
stimewit
hher.Get
ti
ngtoknoweach
other"
Zwe:
"AndSi
za?
"Het
ookascone,
bit
ingi
ntoi
t.
Sibo:"Si
zai
smarri
edwi
thkids.Nowher
enearmy
type.Iwasj
ustbei
ngni
ce.
"
Zwe:"Hm..anyway,Ihadt
otakecar
eofSol
inga
yest
erday.Khayaneedsaguard.
"
Sibo:"
Didhet
hreat
enhi
m?Hecant
akeoneofmi
ne
fornow."
Zwe:"
Hedefini
tel
ywon'
tcomenearhi
m butIhave
tobesur
e."
Si
bo:"
Okay.Di
dyouspeakt
odadabouti
t?"
Zwe:
"Lat
er.Whenwe'
real
one.
"
Sibo:"Okay.We'llt
alkt
hen.
"Hetookanotherscone
walkingout.Iaddedanotherandwalkedoutt
ot he
garden.Mymot herwasalr
eadysi
tt
inginherseat.
Sibo:"
Youl
ookbeauti
ful
."Iki
ssedhercheek."
Is
thatanewdress?
"Isatdown.
Queen:"
You'
ret
ryi
ngt
odef
lectbutt
hankyou.Yes
i
t'
sanewdesign."
Sibo:"
Didthequeenl
ikeyourpi
ecest
hatyougi
ft
ed
herwith?
"
Queen:"It
hinkso.Shedi
dsendabouquetthi
s
morningwithathankyounot
e."Shesmi
led.My
hear
tsmi l
edwithher.
Si
bo:"
That
'sgood.I
twasal
ovel
yevent
."
Queen:"I
ndeeditwasandaver yextravagantgift
youbought,mychild.Thankyouf ordignif
yingour
famil
yname.Everychanceyouget ,youmakesur e
toputusingoodlightandspaces.We' restil
lin
goodgracesbecauseofyourj udgementi nstanding
bythethroneandhelpingthem throughadi ff
icul
t
ti
me.You'redoi
nggr eatwork.
"
Sibo:"I
t'
snothi
ng,
mama.Honest l
yIwasonly
i
nf l
uencedbyZwe.It
'shi
sfr
iendshi
pthatmademy
decisi
ons."
Queen:"
Sti
ll
.Youcont
inuet
oshowup.I'
m pr
oudof
you,myson.Sotel
lme,who'
sthi
sgi
rl
."
Sibo:"Zweisexaggerat
ingmama.I'm dat
ing,
yes
butit'
snotyetaseriousrel
ati
onshi
p."
Queen:"Wi
lli
tbe?Sibonel
oI'
m get
tingol
d,Ineedt
o
runaft
erchil
drenwhil
eIsti
ll
havetheenergy.
"
Sibo:"
Idon'tknowyetmama.Idon' twantt
oli
eand
giveherafalseexpectati
on.She'
snowmadatme
becauseIsaidI'm cominghomeandshecan'twai
t
formeinmyhouse. "
Queen:"
Hai
boSi
bonel
o,youbr
inggi
rl
stoyour
house?"
Sibo:"
Butmamawher emustIbr
ingt
hem?Her
eto
thepalace?
"Shel
aughed.
Queen:"
Whytheni
ssheupset
?Di
dyousay
somethi
ngunki
nd?
"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tsayunki
ndt
hingsmama.Ionl
yspeak
t
hetr
uth.Al
so,Ionl
ytol
dherthati
t'
sbestshegoes
t
oherspacebecauseI'
l
lbehere.
"
Queen:"
Youmusthavesai
dsomet
hing.
"
Sibo:"
Notme, mama.YouknowIapologizewhenI
saythi
ngsoutofli
ne.Maybeshegotjealous
becauseIspoketoPet
unia'
ssi
sterbuteventhenI
wasbeingopenandhavingaconversat
ion."
Queen:"Pet
uni
aisNot
hando'
sfr
iendwhowas
sl
eepingwit
hMnqobi?
"Isi
ppedmyt ea.
Sibo:"
Hm.Itwasherbi
rt
hdayyest
erday.Mnqobi
boughtheracar
."
Queen:"
MnqobiBi
yel
a!!
!"
Sibo:"
Mama!Seenow,
theywon'
ttel
lmet
hingsi
f
youshout
."
Queen:"
Whywoul
dhedot
hat
?"
Si
bo:"
He'
sinlovemosmama.Wewereher
eat
Zwe'
shousewhil
ethegi
rl
swer
eatMnqobi
'
s."
Queen:"
Whoar
ethesegi
rl
s?"
Si
bo:"
Not
hando,
Amahl
e,Sasat
hepr
ince'
sfut
ure
wif
e,r
ememberher ?Hersi
steraswel
l
.Al
so,
Pet
unia,
hersi
sterandZimmy."
Queen:"
SoIassumeZi
mmyi
syour
s?"
Si
bo:"
Yeboma.
"Imunchedi
ntomyscone.
Queen:"
Issheoncont
racept
ives?
"Il
aughed.
Si
bo:"
Ithoughtyouwant
edgr
andki
ds?
"
Queen:"
Witht
hewayyou'
relai
dbackSibonel
o,I
'm
af
rai
difthi
sgi
rlf
all
spr
egnantyou'
l
lleaveher
."
Sibo:"
Shei
soncontr
acept
ivesbutI
'
dnever
abandonmychi
ld.
"
Queen:"Good,
Irai
sedyoubet
tert
hanthat.Backt
o
Mnqobi.Whatisgoi
ngthr
oughhishead?"
Sibo:"
They'
vedeci
dedt
ostartdat
ingmama.Al l
threeoft
hem.Buti
t'
sst
art
ingtogettr
ickyal
ready.
"
Queen:"Thiscan'
tendwel
lSi
bonel
o.Ther
e'sbound
t
obepr oblems."
Sibo:"
Youcanonlywatchandseemama.He
knowswhathe'sdoing,
hesays.I
t'
sgoodthat
they'
redat
ingf
ir
stthentheycant
akeitt
othenext
st
epi
fthey'
resur
eort
heycanbr
eakup.
"
Queen:"
Yoh.Youchi
ldr
enst
ressmesomuch.
"
Si
bo:"I
fwedon'
tmama, whowi
ll
?Itkeepsyourski
n
gl
owing.
"Shel
aughed.
Queen:"
You'
resuchasweetchi
ld.
"..
.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Iwaswat chi ngasoccergamewi thuBabuBi yela.

HeandIf avour edt hesamet eam, Zwel ethuand
Mnqobihadt heirown.Cur r
ent l
ywewer einthelead
andnear ingt heend.Myphonebuzzedi nmypocket .
Itookitout , l
ooki ngatt hemessage.I twasher
again.I'
di gnor edheryest erdaybutIhaveaf eeling
shewon' tt akeki ndl yi
fIkeepdoi ngit.<Hey, Iwant
toseeyou. >Wast hisladycr azy?Wher ewoul dshe
seeme?She' si nt hemostpr ivat
ef amilyever .
There'sbar elypi cturesofherandhert wi nonline.
Also,Ididn' tknowwhi cht winshewas.
Khaya:<Uhm no.Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
dea.
>
She:<Shoul
dIsendacar ?
>Isshewhori
ngmeout
now?No, t
hat'
sdi
srespect
ful
.I'
m aman,shecan'
t
dothat.
Khaya:<No.I
'
m noti
nter
est
ed.
>
She:<Let
'snotmaket hi
ngsdif
fi
cultKhayaSol
inga.
Makeadeci sionorI
'l
lmakeoneforyou.>Ohmy
God.Thisprincessi
sathug,obvi
ously.
Khaya:<I'
m notcomingtothepalaceagai
n,
Pri
ncessSikhosana.I'
m acommonerr emember
?
Pl
usI'm notint
erest
edinwhateverthi
sis.
>
She:<Fi
nethen.Youaskedfort
his.
>Myheart
st
artedr
aci
ngi mmediat
ely.Whatwoul
dshedo?I
qui
cklyt
ypeback.
Khaya:<Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
>
She:<Youdecidedtoi
nvol
vemybr ot
her,soI
'
ve
deci
dedtoinvolvemyfat
her.Hel
ikestohunt
.>
Khaya:<AndI'l
linvol
vemybr ot
hers.
>Shesenta
bunchoflaughingemoji'
s.Yes,Iadmit
.Il
ooked
ri
dicul
ous,shewon.<Tellmewhatyouwantf rom
me, maybethenI '
l
ltr
ustyou.
>
She:<Shoul
dIcomet
oyoui
nst
ead?
>
Khaya:<Idon'tt
hinkyouunder
standtheamountof
t
roubleI'
llgeti
nto.Oryouj
ustdon'tcar
e?"
She:"Ijustdon'
tcare.1hour.>Thi
sgirli
scr azy.I
l
ockedmyphone, andf ocusedonthegame.I 'd
obviouslyhavetotalkt
oZweaboutt his.Andsoon.
Ican'ttal
ktoMnqobibecausehe' soccupiedright
now.Not handoissicksohekeepsgoi ngupst ai
rs
tocheckonher .Thegamef i
nal
lyendedwi t
hus
winning.
Bi
yel
a:"Fant
ast
ic.Letmegetmyboyi
cecr
eam.
Whatfl
avordoyouwantKhaya?
"
Zwe:
"Mxi
m."Il
aughed.
Khaya:"
Iwouldli
kethevani
ll
awith3ni
lof
chocol
atesyrup.
"Theyl
aughed.Ki
ngBi
yel
awal
ked
totheki
tchen.
Zwe:
"Howar
eyoudoi
ngBug?
"
Khaya:"I
'
mf i
neforthemostpart
.Just
,remember
thepri
ncesstookmyphone?Shegotmynumber
somehow, pr
obabl
ysenthersel
famessage.She'
s
beent
ext
ingme,
want
ingt
oseeme.
"
Zwe:"Ohh??You'
rei
nthegame,
boy.Awhol
e
pr
incess?"
Khaya:"
BhutZwe,
she'
sSi
khosana.Hewoul
dki
ll
me."
Zwe:
"Tr
ue.
"
Khaya:"
I'
vetol
dherI'
m noti
nter
ested.Shewon'
t
t
akenof orananswer
.Nowshe'sthreateni
ngme.
HowdoIgetr i
dofthi
sprobl
em? "
Zwe:
"I'
l
laskNkosit
ospeakt
oher
."
Khaya:"
That'
sthet
hing.Shesayssi
nceIi
nvol
ved
hi
m, she'
lli
nvol
veherfat
her.
"
Zwe:"Wow.Look,shecan'tcomeher e.She'snot
goi
ngtohurtyouordoanyt hing.She'sonlytr
ying
toscar
eyou.Justblockherandwe' l
ltellNkosi
.
She'
snotgoingtoforceyoutobei nterest
ed.Wait.
..
Areyou?"Il
ookeddowni nshame.
Khaya:"
Idon'
tknow.She'
sgor
geous.
"Hesmi
led.
Zwe:
"Myyoungpri
nce!Haha.St
il
l.Si
khosana
woul
dki
llyoui
fyoutouchedhi
sdaughter.Let
'snot
testhi
m.Letmeknowi
fshet
ri
est
ocont
actyou
again.
"
Khaya:"
Okay.
"Ibl
ockedhernumber
.
Zwe:
"Hasyourf
athercal
ledyou?
"
Khaya:"
No.Idoubthewi
ll
."
Zwe:"
Good.Idon'
twanthi
m nearyou.Yourguar
d
i
sreadyaswell
."
Khaya:"
Already?Yoh.I'
m goi
ngtoenjoybei
ng
dri
venaround."Helaughed."
Rest
aurantsar
e
openi
ngthisweekr i
ght?"
Zwe:
"Absol
utel
y."
Khaya:"Imissedtheseafoodplatt
eratAmeli
a'
s.I
'
ll
betherethesecondt heyopenthei
rdoors.
"He
l
aughed.KingBi yel
acamebackwi t
hicecr
eam
bowlsforallofus.Mnqobiwalkedin.
Mnqobi
:"Yoh,mamaisgoingtobeupset
.Why
woul
dyouf eedusi
cecream i
nthemorni
ng,
dad?
"
Biyel
a:"
Mnqobieatyouri
cecr eam andf i
nishit.
Whatisyourpr
oblem?"Ichuckled.Intheaf t
ernoon,
Ideci
dedtogoovertomypl aceandf etchsome
mor eofmythings.Iwast
hinki
ngofr
ent
ingoutthi
s
apartmentnow.Zimmyhadsaidshe'
sgoingback
tores.
Khaya:"
Tat
a, I
'
m goingt
ofetchmyt
hingsf
rom t
he
apar
tment,
I'
llbebacksoon.
"
Biyel
a:"
Okay.Nowt hatyouhaveaguar
d,Idon'
t
havetoworryaboutthosethi
ngs.
"
Mnqobi:"
Letmegowi t
hyou,feell
ikegetti
ngfresh
air
."Wewalkedoutthehouse."I'
m notreal
lygoing
toyourpl
ace.We'l
ldropyouthere,thenIgoto
Petuni
a,I
'
llpi
ckyouupi n30mi nutes."
Khaya:"
Pleasedon'
tbemor
ethan30mi
nut
es
Mnqobi.
"
Mnqobi
:"Iwon'
tbe.Nothandoissick,
Idon'
twantto
l
eaveheral
onetoolong.We'l
ltaketwoguar
ds.You
andIwil
ldri
veBut
terfl
y'
scarthenIdropyouoff.
WhenIcomeback,I'
llbebackwi t
htheguar
d."
Khaya:"
Thisisal
otoft
roubl
e.Alot
.Let'
sgo."The
guardfi
rstt
ookustohi
shouset ocoll
ectt
hecar.
Theydroveaft
erustot
heapartment."
30mi nut
es
Mnqobi."
Mnqobi:"Ipromise,brother
.Yourguar dwi l
lbe
here.
"Igotoutthecar ,taki
ngtheliftuptomy
apartment.Iunl
ockedmypl aceandwal kedi n,
cl
osingthedoorbehi ndme.TheTVwason.
PerhapsZimmywasher eafteral
l.Iwalkedin,
fr
eezingbyt hedini
ngr oom.Istaredather ,t
oo
stunnedtospeak.Shewasont hecouch, eati
ng
cri
sps.
Khaya:"
Pri
ncessSikhosana.
"Herguar
dst
oodon
t
hesideofmyl i
vingroom.
She:"
KhayaSol
inga.Hi
."
Khaya:"
Howdi
dyou.
..
.whyar
eyouher
e?"It
ookout
myphone.
She:"
Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hati
fIwer
eyou.Youmi
ghtl
ose
ahand.Comesi
twi
thmeKhaya.
"
Khaya:"
Itol
dyouIdon'
twantanyt
roubl
e."
She:"AndI'
m nother
etobet
roubl
e.Ionl
ywant
ed
togettoknowyou."
Khaya:"
Why?
"
She:"
We'
reyett
ofi
ndout
.Comesi
t.
".
..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er91

PETU'
SPOV_

SizaandIar r
ivedhome.Wet ookinourst uf
ft omy
bedr oom.Shet hankedhernannyandl etherl eave,
alsogi vingherabot tl
eofchampagnet oenj oy.
AfterIt ookabat h,Igotdressedinagr eybandage
maxi skirtandamat chingcroptop.Isl ippedon
sli
des, goi ngt otheki t
chent ostartonSundayl unch.
Itwoul dbeaf ullsevencolour smeal.Si zaat t
ended
tot hebabi es, washi ngthem andf eedingt hem.I
thinkJacksonwasn' tevenhome.Ispentsome
hour scooki ngandwhenIwasdone, wentt osi ti
n
myr oom wi thagl assofchampagne.Theki dswer e
withmesi nceanhourago, drawingint heircoloring
bookswhi letheTVpl ayedtheirGracie'scor ner.It
seemedonl ybabyMayawasent ert
ainedbyt he
songs.Shesatont hebednextt ome, clapping
exci
tedl
y.Si
zacamei
n.
Pet
u:"
Hey.
"
Siza:"
Heyguys."Shecl
osedthedoor,
layi
ngonmy
bed."Thankyouforwat
chingthem.
"
Petu:"
Youdi
dn'
tevensl
eept
hatl
ong.Ar
eyou
rest
ed?"
Si
za:"
Bet
tert
hanearl
ier
.Youal
soneedt
orest
,si
s.
I
twasahecti
cnight
."
Pet
u:"
Iwi
llmaybeal
it
tl
elat
er.
"
Siza:"
You'refr
iendswi
thveryimport
antpeoplene?
"
Igiggl
ed."Iseewhyyouwer esouncomfortabl
e
whenIspokeaboutHi sHighness.He'
sengagedto
yourfri
end."
Petu:"
Yeah.Pleasedon'
ttel
lanyoneaboutt
his.
They'r
eyettoannounceit
."
Siza:"Iknowr oyalprot
ocol,si
s.Sasai
sasweet
soul.She'sperfectforhim.Youcanjustseehow
he'ssoi nlovewithher."Shegiggl
ed.
Pet
u:"
They'
rer
eal
lycut
e,hey?
"
Si
za:"
Ver
y.IhopeI
'
minvi
tedt
otheweddi
ng.
"
Petu:"Anditmi
ghtbesoon.
"Isi
ghed,
smil
ing.I
can'tbel
ievemyfr
iendi
saboutt
obequeen.
Siza:"Babe,whyar eyouangryatyourman?Allof
youjustswi tchedupandIdidn'
tgetthememo.I
wassoner vouswhenPr i
nceSibonelost
art
ed
tal
kingtome.I t
'sobvi
oushewast r
yingt
omakehi s
girl
fr
iendjealous.Whathappened?"
Petu:"
Idon'tknowaboutPri
nceSi
boneloand
Zimmy.Mysi tuat
ionwit
hMnqobiisver
y
compli
cated.Mnqobiisengagedt
oNothando.
"
Si
za:"
Yourbestf
ri
end,
Not
hando?
"
Pet
u:"
Yep.
"
Si
za:"
Pet
u."
Pet
u:"Shesaysshe'
sokaywi
thi
t.Shewant
smet
o
bewit
hhim."
Si
za:"
Why?
"
Pet
u:"
Not
handoi
sn'
taf
fect
ionat
e.She'
snot
at
tr
act
edt
oanyone.
"
Si
za:"
Oh.Soshe'
sasexual
?"
Pet
u:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Siza:"Whenapersonhasnosexual att
racti
onor
urgesoranydesiretohavepar t
ici
pateinsexual
things.Somepeoplearejustbornli
ket hat
.They
somet imesonl
yhaveemot ionalat
tracti
on.They
most lyhaver
elat
ionshi
psthatdon'trequir
esexual
activi
ty.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'sat
hing?
"
Siza:"Yep.Ihadaf riendliket hatwhenIwasst il
lin
varsit
y.Itwasver ytraumat i
cf orherIthinkshe
evenst oppeddat ing.Ever yguyshedat ed,woul d
pressureheri ntosexandbecauseshel ikedthem
shewoul dgi veinbutdi dn'tenjoyi t
.Shewoul dcr y
allt
hewayhome.Wet houghtshewasl esbianso
wesetupadat ef orhert omeett hislovelywoman,
shecoul dn'tevenki ssher .Sai d,shefelt
uncomf or t
able.Thenwepl ayedagamewi t
hher .
Weshowedherdi ff
er entvariationsofpeopl e.All
ki
ndsofl esbians,fems, studs, butch.Noneoft hem
appealedt oher .Nor ace, nothing.Wet riedwith
heter
osexualmen, nope.Nothi
ng.Sheonl
ysawa
guyandsai doh,he'scutebutIst
il
lwoul
dn'tsl
eep
wit
hhi m.She'
sasexual .I
ttookusoverayeart
o
fi
gurethatout.
"Shechuckl ed.
Petu:"Wow.I '
l
lhavetotalktoherabouti t.Buther
sexuali
tyisn'
twhatisbother i
ngme.Mnqobir eal
l
y
l
ovesher .Headmi tt
edthis,thathe'dbeeni nlove
withhersincetheirt
eenageyear s.WhenIseehow
hetakescar eofher,howt heylivetoget
her .Ij
ust
gotjeal
ous.That'sreal
lyselfishofmei sn'tit
?"
Siza:"No,you'r
eahumanbei ng.Ofcour
seyou'll
get
j
eal ous.Theonlyimpor tantt
hingistovoi
cethis
feelingoutPetu.Don'thideitandbemeant oyour
fri
endandboyf r
iend.Ifyouguysar enowdatingall
threeofyout hentheonl ywayt hi
swon'tbetoo
compl icat
edisifit'
sspokenabout .
"
Pet
u:"
ButSi
za,Idon'
twantt
obethatgi
rlwho
al
wayscompl
ains.Whati
fheget
stir
edofthat
?"
Siza:"Thatwouldbehi
sdeal
.Ifyourmansays
you'recomplaini
ngwhenyouexpresshowyouf eel
anddoesn' tf
indasol
uti
onofappeasingyourheart
,
babyt hat
'snotyourman. "Sizaalwayshadt hebest
advicebuthowshe' sinthissituat
ionwithher
husband, boggl
esmymi nd.Myphoner ang,butnot
beforeIheardanengi neroaringangri
lyoutside."
I
thi
nkt hat
'syourcar,Jesus,canyouheart hat
engine?"Igiggl
ed,answeringmyphone.
Pet
u:"
Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi
:"Pl
easecomeout
side.
"
Petu:"Okay.
"Ihungup, gett
ingoutofbed.I
checkedmysel finthemirr
or,ever
ythi
ngwas
perfect,
Iaddedapi nchofperfumeandwalkedout.
Hest oodout si
dethecar,
leaningonitwi
thafooton
thetyre."Hi
."Ifol
dedmyar ms.
Mnqobi
:"Pl
easecomecl
oser
."
Pet
u:"
I'
mfi
ner
ighthe-
"
Mnqobi:"
Comecloser.
"Istar
edathi
m wi
thasl
ight
shockbutmovedclosetohim."
Whatist
hepr
oblem?
Whyareyouupset?"
Pet
u:"
Shoul
dn'
tyoubeat
tendi
ngt
oyourwi
fe?
"
Mnqobi
:"YesIshoul
d,t
hat
'swhyIcan'
tbewast
ing
t
imet
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eoutwhat
'supset
ti
ngyou.
"
Pet
u:"Wow.
"Il
ookedatt
hef
loor
.IfIwasn'
thur
t
bef
ore.
Mnqobi
:"I
sthatt
hepr
obl
em?ThatIwasat
tendi
ng
t
oNotha?"
Pet
u:"
Your
efert
oherasyourwi
fe.
"
Mnqobi
:"That
'sbecauseshei
sPetunia.Herl
obola
waspai
dyearsago.Theonlyt
hingthatwil
lhappen
whenshe'
sreadyistheweddi
ngceremony."
Pet
u:"
Andwhatam IMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"You'
remygi
rl
fr
iend.
"
Petu:"Idon'tt
hinkt
hisisworthmyhear tMnqobi.I
don'tknowi fIcanst
omacht his.Imean,Iknowyou
l
oveherbutIwasn' treadytoseeyoube
aff
ectionateandcari
ngt oanotherwoman, cal
li
ng
heryourwi fe.
"
Mnqobi
:"Sowhatwer
eyouagreeingt
oyest
erday?
Whenyouwantedtot
ryt
hisout?
"
Pet
u:"
Idon'
tkn-
"
Mnqobi
:"AndI
'
mtheoneatf
aul
t?Agai
n?"
Pet
u:"
Nowyou'
reangr
y?"
Mnqobi :"
I'
m notangr y,
I'
mf rustratedt hatyoucan
j
ustwakeupandswi tchupf ornor eason.
Nothandoi ssickandyouwantmet ostandhereto
argue?Insteadofact uallyunderst andingt hi
sas
partofmyr oleatbei ngyourandherman.
Tomor rowornextweek, you'llbesi ck,am Inot
supposedt othent akecar eofyou? ?Not hando
doesn'thavefami l
y.She' sinmyhomebecauseof
me.Ican'texpectZwet obef ussi ngoverherwhi le
I'
m herehavingf un.That '
sabsol utelydisrespect
ful
.
NoPet u.You'rebeingunf airnow. "
Petu:"OkayMnqobi
.I'
m sor
ry.
"Ist
eppedback.He
grabbedmyarm.
Mnqobi
:"We'
regoi
ngt
osor
tthi
soutandf
ini
sh
now.
"
Petu:"
Ther e'
snot hingtosortout.It
hinkImade
myselfclear.Ican'tdoit.I
'
m notgoingt osi
tandbe
uncomfor t
able,pretendi
ngjustforyou.Ican'
t
expectyout opriori
tizeme-"
Mnqobi:"I
'
m sit
tingona2mi l
li
onrandcarthatisi
n
yourname.Iplannedandexecutedthebest
bir
thday.I
'
vebeenf ocusi
ngonyouqui t
eli
ter
all
yall
week.WhatelsecanIpossibl
ydo? "
Petu:"
Not hing.Again,MnqobiI'
m sorr
y.Iwould
rat
herjustr espect
full
ystepback.Ihonest
lywish
youthebest .Ij
ustdon'tt
hinkIcanputmyself
thr
ought his."
Mnqobi
:"Soyou'
redumpi
ngme?Agai
n?"
Petu:"I
'm aski
ngt
obr
eakup.Whyi
sthi
sa
problem?"
Mnqobi
:"Fi
ne.
"Hehel
doutkeys.
Pet
u:"
No,
Ican'
tkeepyourcar
."
Mnqobi :"
Whot henmustkeepitbecauseit
'sinyour
name? "Heplacedthekeyonthewi per
s,walki
ngto
theothercarthatwaswaiti
ngbehind.Hestopped
andturnedback."Ismarr
iaget
hepr obl
em?"
Pet
u:"
No.
"
Mnqobi:"
Noithast
obebecausei
fIr
emember
cor
rect
lyyousai
dIref
ert
oherasmywif
e.Sot
hat
's
apr
obl
em?
"
Pet
u:"
Ial
readyt
oldyoumypr
obl
em.
"
Mnqobi:"
Yourprobl
em ar
osei
nlessthan24hours
andyoudon'tevenwantt
ofi
ndasoluti
onfori
t??I
s
thatl
ogi
cal?
"
Pet
u:"
Okay,
nowyou'
reangr
y.Sor
atherl
eavemy
home.
"
Mnqobi :" I
'm notgoi nganydamnwher ePet uni a!
YouandIar einar elati
onshipandget ti
ngtoknow
oneanot her.Idon' tknowi fitdoesn'tshowbutI '
m
i
ni tfort hel onghaul .I'
mt al
kingmar r
iage,kids.
Everythi ng.I '
mf all
ingi nlovewi t
hyouever ydayand
Il
ovet hat .Myl ovef orNot hadevel opedyear sago.
Youcannotcompar ethattowhatwe' rebuildingand
youcer tainlycannevercompar eitinthefutur e.I
willalwayspr i
orit
izeyoubot h,t
heequalway.Buti f
youar esi ck,Iwi l
lfullyfocusonyou.I fNothandoi s
si
ck, Iwi llfull
yf ocusonher .Godf orbidyoubot h
getsickatt hesamet i
mebutIwoul dputyoubot h
i
noner oom andt akecar eofyoual lthesame. "He
breathed." Whydoest hatmakemeabadper son?
WhatIshar ewi thyou, i
scompl etel
ydi ff
erentt o
Nothando.I t
'snotevent hephysi calaspect ,it'sthe
emot ionalbondyouandIhave.Di f
fer entt hings
aboutyout hathavemademef al
ldeep, thatf unny
snor tyoudoaf terl aughingacr azylongt i
me.Then
getembar rassedbyi t.Iloveyourexci tement
everytimeyouseel adybugs, Idon' tunder standi t
butsomehowyout hinkit'sgoodl ucksoIdot he
crossf i
ngert hingwi thyoubecauseIknowi tmakes
youhappy.Ther e'
sj ustsomanyt hings. "He
steppedcl oser ."I'
m nevergoi ngt olieabouthowI
feelaboutNot ha, I'
m nevergoi ngt oliet oyou.I
thoughtt hatwast hebasi sofaheal thyr elationshi p.
Honest y.Pleaset hinkaboutt hi scar efully.Idon' t
wantt ol etyougobuti fyout rulybel ieveyoucan' t
dot histhenI '
llleaveyoual one. "Hewal kedt ohi s
car.Iwal kedi ntot hehouse.Ihadal ott othink
about .IfI'
m bei ngr eallyhonest ,Ididn' twantt olet
goofMnqobibutatt hesamet ime, thiswasdi ffi
cult
.
Maybeweshoul dt ryNot ha'ssuggest ion.We
neededt ospendmor et i
met oget herandal sot al
k
aboutourr el
at i
onshi p.Myphonebuzzeda
message.Icheckedi t:<I'
m sor ryIyel ledatyou,
butterfly.Ishoul d'
vecal meddownf ir
stbutIdidn't
wantt oloset hechanceofl etti
ngyouunder stand
thatyoumeanj ustasmucht ome.Myt onewasn't
kind, I
'm sorry.Itwon' thappenagai n.
>Asi fhe
neededt obesweet er.I'
llhavet oworkonmy
i
nsecur it
iespr i
vately.Ist i
llhadsomemoneysaved
upapar tfrom thei nvest ment ,ather
apistcouldhelp
mewi thmyi nnerf eelingswhi leInavigatethi
snew
kindofr elat
ionship.Iwashonest lybeinghorri
ble,
I
haven' tevencheckedonmyf ri
end.I'
deven
forgottent hatshedi dn'thaveherf ami l
yanymor e.
Myownf eel
ingshadconsumedmesomucht hatI
didn'tthinkofherandhowal oneshemustbe
feeling.Isentamessaget oNot ha:<HeyNot ha.
Howar eyouf eelingnow?Whenyougetbet ter,
pls
l
etmeknowsowecanhangout .Iwantust ohavea
chillandchat .
>. .
.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Iwasnowget
ti
ngannoyed.Thi
sgi
rlcan'
tcome
endangermyl
if
eandbul
lymei
nmyownspace.
Khaya:"
Sikhosana.Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"
She:"
Whycan'
tyousi
tdow-
"
Khaya:"Look.I
'
m atmywitsend.Youeitherneedt
o
speakyourpeaceorgett
hef uckout
.I'
m notgoing
toentert
ainyouanyl
onger.Idon'
tgi
veaf uckwho
youthinkyouare.
"Shest
aredatme.
She:"Wereyoutryi
ngtosoundmanl y?It
'ssexybut
I'
m notscaredofyou.Khaya, youhaveawoman
sit
ti
ngonyourver yexpensivecouch.Youhave
exquisi
tet
astebytheway. "Shehadt omentionmy
favor
itepi
eceoffurni
turetryi
ngt obut
termeup.
Khaya:"
Thankyou.
"
She:"Soyour eall
ywon'tcomecl oser
?"Thel
ast
ti
meIr efusedhersheendedupi nmyhouse.What
washerdeal ?Isatonthesi ngl
ecouch.She
chuckled."You'
react
inglikeavirgi
nandweboth
knowyou' renot.Whyareyousoscar ed?"
Khaya:"
I'
m notaboutt
otouchaSi
khosana.Never
."
She:"
Youactl
ikeI
'
m adi
sease.I
'
m humant
oo
Khaya.
"
Khaya:"Real
ly??Iwould'
veswornyouar
en'
t.
"She
gi
ggled."Honestl
y,whyareyouhere?
"
She:"
Sickofbei
ngi
nthatpal
ace.Doyousmoke?
"
Khaya:"
No.
"
She:"
Mindi
fIdo?
"
Khaya:"Knockyourselfout
."Sheopenedher
designerpursepull
ingoutaperfect
lyroll
edjoint
.
Whatt hehell
?Shegavei tt
oherguar d,heli
titup
forher,handingi
tback.WHATTHEHELL.
She:"
So.
..Howcomeyou'
rest
ayi
ngatBi
yel
a?"
Khaya:"
Igrewupther
e.Myfat
herusedtodo
busi
nessforthem.
"Shepuf
fedoutabigcl
oudof
smoke.
She:"
Hm.
"Ist
aredather
,tr
yingt
ohi
demyshock.
Khaya:"
Wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?"
She:"
Igr
ewat
ree.
"
Khaya:"
Yousmokeatt
hepal
ace?
"
She:"Yes.
"Shehandeditbackt
otheguardwho
swit
cheditoffandashedinasmallcont
ainer
."I
t
hel
ps."
Khaya:"
Wit
hwhat
?"
She:"
Theor
gasm.
"Il
aughedt
henst
opped.
Khaya:"
Wai
t.
..What
?"
She:"
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
"
Khaya:"
Sikhosan-
"
She:"
Pleasest
opcal
li
ngmet
hat
."
Khaya:"
Idon'
tknowyourname.
"
She:"
Nkwenkwezi
."
Khaya:"
Right
,Nkwenkwezi
.Ist
hatwhyyou'
re
her
e?"
Nkwe:"
Yes.
"
Khaya:"
Idon'
tknowwhyyou'
dthink.
.."Isi
ghed.
"
That'
snotgonnahappen,
pri
ncess."
Nkwe:"
Thi
sisget
ti
ngbor
ing.Khaya-
"
Khaya:"
No.Thi
swi
llonl
ybebadf
orme.
"
Nkwe:"Whowi llknow?"Il
ookedatherguardl
ike
shedidn'tj
ustbringinawholehumanintomy
house."Ohdon'tmi ndhi
m.Hedoesn'tt
alk.
"
Khaya:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Nkwe:"
Hel
osthi
stongue.
..
inanacci
dent
."
Khaya:"
Hecanwr
it
-"
Nkwe:"
Il
li
ter
ate.
"
Khaya:"
Youchosehi
m speci
fi
cal
lybecauseyou
knewhecan'
tdoanyt
hingbutdef
endyou."
Nkwe:"Ifthat'
showyouwantt oputitbutIknow
youwon' thurtme.He'sonl
yherebecauseI'm not
all
owedt obei naplaceout
sidethepal
acewi t
hout
supervi
sion."Ist
art
edtolaugh,onl
youtofshock.
Thispersonwasi nsane.
Khaya:"
Nkwenkwezi
,whycoul
dn'
tyouj
ustaskme
outl
ikeanor
mal per
son?Whythi
s?"
Nkwe:"Wher
ewouldIbeaskingyououtt
o?Idon'
t
wanttogoanywher
e."OhdearGod.
Khaya:"
Onadat
e.Togett
oknowme.
"
Nkwe:"
Oh.Idon'
twantt
odateyouthough.That
woul
dbeacompl et
ewasteoft
ime.
"
Khaya:"
Haveyouhadsexbef
ore?
"
Nkwe:"
Wit
hwhoKhaya?Ber
eal
ist
ic.
"
Khaya:"
Oh,
soyouwantmedeaddead.Whatdo
youthi
nkwi
llhappenwhenyourf
ami
lyf
indst
his
out
?"
Nkwe:"
Whatwi
llt
heydo?I
t'
snotl
iket
hey'
reusi
ng
myvagina.
"
Khaya:"No,Nkwenkwezi.I
'l
lbeonthechopping
bl
ock.Liter
ally.Iwoul
dbebeheaded.I'
m nota
pr
ince,Ican'tmar r
yyouaf
terI
'vedef
loweredyou.
"
Nkwe:"
Whowi
llt
ell
them i
twasyou?
"
Khaya:"
No.
"Shesi
ghed.
Nkwe:"Okaythen.Fine.
"Shestoodup,taki
ngher
bag.Ihadtoavoidlooki
ngathercurvybodyin
thosej
eans,herwhiteshir
ttuckedononeside.
Khaya:"Nkwenkwezi.
"Shelookedatme."Don't
..
Don'tdothi
sagain.Menarediffer
entcr
eatur
es.It
's
notsafeforyouespeci
all
ybecauseofyourvalue.
You'
reagor
geouswoman.Don'
tsel
lyour
sel
fshor
t
l
iket
his.
"
She:"Whydoyout hi
nkIchoseyou?Khaya.Iknow
whatmenar e.Whyi sitsell
ingmyselfshortwhenI
am beinghonestaboutwhatIwantandwhen?
Especial
lybecauseofmyval -Whodoyout hi
nki
s
bett
ingonmer i
ghtnow?Noonei sinterest
ed
becausethey'
reallscaredofmyf ather.Whyisit
bad,asawoman, toaskforsex?Yetyoucanwal k
i
ntoabarscoopt hefir
stgir
lthatbatshercheap
l
ashesandi t'
savi ct
ory.I
'm wrongbecauseImet
you,checkedyourbackgroundandcamet oyou?"
Khaya:"
Whatbackgr
ound?
"
Nkwe:"Don'
tworry.
"Shewal
kedt
othedoor
.It
opened,Mnqobiwalki
ngi
n.
Mnqobi:"Honestl
y,Idon'
tgetwomen.Yazi -
"he
st
oppedi nhi
st r
acks."Pri
ncessSikhosana.
"She
walkedpasthim withherguard.Hewaitedunt
ilt
he
el
evatordoorsclosed."
KHAYA! !!
"
Khaya:"
Ifoundherher
e."
Mnqobi
:"Why?
?Whywoul
dshej
ustcomeher
e?"
Hegasped."
You'
redat
ingher
?Khaya,
she'
sa
Si
khosana!
!"
Khaya:"
I'
m notdati
ngher
.Wewer ej
usthavi
nga
conver
sati
on.Nothi
nghappened.
"
Mnqobi:"Sowhatdoesshewant ? "Herwordsreal
ly
st
uckwi t
hme.Di dnoonewanther ?Real
ly?That'
s
i
nsane.I'
dt hi
nkroyalsf
rom ot
hernat i
onsare
put
ti
ngi nthehighestbi
ds.Herfami l
ynamewasso
powerf
ul.Sheher sel
fwasstunning.
Khaya:"Uhm,notmuch.Justhavi
ngachat
about.
..
busi
ness."
Mnqobi:"You'r
egoi ngtomakeahor r
iblelawyer.
Getyourthings,wehavetogohome. "Ir eal
ly
neededtospeakt oZwe.Iwasnowconf used.
Somethingaboutt hisr
udeprincesst
ickledme.Zwe
wouldadvise.He'stheonlypersonwhowon' tjudge
me.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_
ItwasSundayafter
noon.Iwassitt
ingonmycouch
Busilayonmylap,wewer ewatchingamovie.We'
d
spentthemorni
ngandear lyaf
ter
noondecorati
ng
theli
vingr
oom.Shel ookedver
ysat i
sfi
edwi
thhow
i
tlookednow.
Busi:"
Babe,bef
oreIfor
get
,pl
easecomehomewit
h
thevi
taminstomorr
ow.I'
veonl
ygotli
ket
wodays
l
eft.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okaymylove.Uhm,
dot
heygi
veyout
he
sameonesal lt
het
ime?"
Busi
:"Yes,
usual
ly.I
'
veonl
ychangedt
hem once.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whyi
sthat
?"
Busi
:"Toomuchvitami
nCandir
onsuppl
ement
s
gotmesick.St
art
edaff
ect
ingmyhor
monesas
well
."
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'shor
ri
ble.
"
Busi
:"Oh,
itwas.ButIkeepacl
oseeyeoni
tnow.
"
Mthunzi
:"That
'sgood.
"Ibr
ushedherhai
rst
ari
ngat
t
hemovie.
Busi
:"It
hinkIwantt
onap.Doyouwantt
ojoi
nme?
"
Shesatup,
looki
ngmi
schi
evous.
Mthunzi
:"Iwoul
dlovet obutIneedt
ocheckon
somethi
ngreall
yquick.Iwil
lbebacksoon.
"
Busi:"Okay.I'
llwaitforyoui nbed.Don' tbet ool ong,
orelseI'l
lhavet ostartwithoutyou."Sheki ssedmy
l
ipsandwal kedtot hebedr oom.Iwassot empt ed
toleavethisfortomor rowbutIcoul dn't
.Idialed
Zwelethu.Itwasr i
skyi nvolvingmyf r
iendbutI
couldgetani nternf r
om him, will
ingtodoanyt hing
andal sokeept heconf i
dent i
ali
ty.
Zwe:
"Dar
kKni
ght
."
Mthunzi
:"Letgoofthisnamebefor
eIfi
ndyoua
ni
cknameyoudon' tl
ike.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Zwe:
"Doyourwor
st.What
'sup?
"
Mthunzi
:"Doyouhaveanyi
nter
nthatIcan
consul
t?"
Zwe:
"Youcant
alkt
ome.I
'
m avai
labl
e."
Mthunzi
:"Iknowyou'r
ebusywit
hthehospi
tal
const
ruct
ion.Idon'
tmindj
ustanint
ern.
"
Zwe:
"Don'
tbesi
ll
y.We'
ref
ri
ends.Tel
lyouwhat
,
l
et'
smeetupatSboni '
sbarbythebeachline.You
knowitri
ght?We'
llt
alkandhaveadr i
nk.Seeyouin
30."Hehungup.Thi
swoul dbedif
fi
culti
fZwei s
handli
ngit
.Myfri
endwi l
laskabil
li
onquestions.

Iar
ri
vedatthecl
ub.Itwassti
llcl
osedbutZwe'scar
wasoutsi
de.Iwal
kedupandi n.Hewassitt
ingon
oneoft
hecouches,usinghi
sphone.
Mt
hunzi
:"Pr
inceZwe.
"
Zwe:"
LordMt
hunzi
."Hesmi
led."
Howar
eyou
doi
ng?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yousawmet
hismor
ning,
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Zwe:"
Whyt hendoyouneedadoct
or?Icameal
lthe
wayhere.
"Itookabeerf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeandsatwith
hi
m
Mt
hunzi
:"It
oldyou,
youdi
dn'
thavet
o."
Zwe:
"Whydoyouneedadoct
ort
hen?
"
Mthunzi
:"Uhm.
..t
hisi
sabitofasensi
ti
vet
opi
c.
BusiandIaret
ryi
ngtohaveababy."
Zwe:
"Real
ly?That
'sgr
eatnews.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yeahwel
l,
I'
m abitwor
ried.Iwanted
somethi
ngtohelpussothati
thappensquicker.
"
Zwe:
"Li
kewhat
?Fer
ti
li
typi
ll
s?"
Mthunzi:"
No.Vi
tamins.Thatarehighinvi
tami
nC
andiron.Tur
nsoutIneedapr escr
ipt
ion.
"He
chuckled.
Zwe:
"No,
youdon'
t.Chemi
stsusual
lyhavet
hose.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yeah,t
hesearet
heonesrecommended
byherdoctor.
"Igavehi
mtheli
st.
Zwe:"Oh.Thesearedi
ffi
cul
ttof i
ndandal so,what
condi
tionsdoesshehave?Ithinkit
'sbet
terifI
checkherfi
rstandbesurethesewillbesafe."
Mthunzi
:"She'
sbeentakingthem foraf
ewmonths.
Idon'
twanttoupsether,I'
vealr
eadydel
ayedt
oo
l
onginpicki
ngtheseup."Helaughed.
Zwe: "
Husbandprobl
emsar emany.Okay,
I'
llget
theseforyoubymorning.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"ThanksZwe.
"
Zwe: "
Anyway, Ial
sowant edtotalktoyou.Nkosii s
getti
ngmar ried.Intwoweekswi llbehislobola.By
royalstandards,shewi l
lleaveherhomest eadas
hiswife.Theof fi
cialwedding,f
orthenation,will
be
possiblyamont haftert
hat.SoIwant edust odo
somet hingforhim.Notr eall
yaBachel or
'spartybut
j
ustar egularhang.Gethi m somegi f
tsashi s
fri
ends."
Mthunzi
:"That
'saf
ant
ast
ici
dea.It
hinkhe'
l
llove
t
his.
"
Zwe:"Samehangoutasl
astni
ghtorsomet
hing
di
ff
erent?
"
Mt hunzi:"Somethingdi
fferent
.Let
'sgocampi ngf
or
oneni ght.Nkosilovesbeinginnat
ure.Hewillbe
thehappi estper
sononear thi
fhecouldspendone
nightthere."Welaughed.
Zwe:
"I'
l
lor
gani
zei
t.Anyt
hingyour
ecommend.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llsendthecoordi
natesoft
hewoodshe
l
ikesandalistofpr
oductstoget.
"
Zwe:"
Perf
ect.Hey,
wouldyouandwi
feyli
ket
o
comeoverfordi
nnert
onight
?MamaBiyel
ais
maki
ngaspeci
alr
oast
."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
dlovetobutBusiwoul
dn'
twantt
osi
tat
at
abl
ewithyourbr
other
."Hechuckl
ed.
Zwe:"
Sibonel
oisamenace.Sor
ryaboutt
hat.
MaybeIshoulddoadi
nneratmyhouse,wit
hmy
ownwifesoyoucancomethen.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yoh,thatwil
lbeyearsf
rom now.You
knowwhatact uall
y?Thisi
stheperf
ectti
mef oryou
togooutondat es.Si
nceyou'r
enotworking,
let'
s
getyououtthereandseeingpeopl
e."
Zwe:
"Ohhel
lno.
"
Mthunzi:"
Zwelet
hu,youneverleavethathospit
al.
Ever
.Nowt hatit
'scl
osedforabit,youcanafforda
fewdates.Whereisthatl
adyyoul i
ke?Theone
who'scookingcl
assyouat t
ended?"
Zwe:"Zoe,
she'
saround.Somehowscar
edofme.I
havenoideawhy.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Di
dyouaskherout
?"
Zwe:
"Twi
cenow,
sher
efused.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Wow.That
'sr
ude.
"Hel
aughed.
Zwe: "
Theper fectwomanwi llcomei ntomyl if
e
whenIl eastexpectit.Idon'twantt oplanit,Iwant
tostumble,forgetwor ds,andbeashopel essas
Nkosiis.That'
st hetypeofr elat
ionshipIneed.
Someonewhowi llj
ustjumbl emybr ai
n,ngizit
hol
e
sengimnikaisibhedlelasami .
"(Findingmysel f
handingovermyhospi t
altoher.)Wel aughed.
Mt
hunzi
:"No,
Ihearyou.
"Hi
sphoner
ang.
Zwe:
"EiuSi
bonel
o.Nowhe'sreadyt
obot
herme.
Hi
smotheri
sprobabl
ybusy."
Mthunzi
:"Letmel
eaveyou,
myPr
ince.I
'
llseeyou
t
omor r
ow."
Zwe: "Surethi
ng,myf r
iend."Iwal kedoutt heclub,
drivingt owardhome.Ist oppedbyt hefl
oristand
pickedupsomef lowers.Onl yaf ewbusi nesses
wer eopen, thi
sbei ngoneoft hem.Igothome,
par kinginmyspotandget t
ingoutoft hecar .The
guar dswer epatrolli
ngt heyar dasusual .Iwentto
thef rontdoor,butitwasl ocked.Okay, t
hat '
snew.
Busineverl ockst hedoor .Ther e'
smi l
it
aryguar ds
allaroundt heyard.Iunl ockedandwal kedi nslowly,
pull
ingthegunoutmywai st
.Iplacedthefl
owerson
thetabl
eandwenttot hebedr oom.Icouldher
e
mumbl i
ngandsniff
ing.Ipulledthesafet
yoffmy
gun,openingmybedroom door .Shewasonher
knees,prayi
ngandcrying.Whatt hehel
l?
Mthunzi
:"Busi
."Shejumped,
star
ingatmethenran
uptome."What '
shappeni
ng?"Al
lwindowsand
cur
tai
nswer el
ocked.
Busi:
"Somethingi
swrongMthunzi.Somethi
ngis
verywrong.
"Shewipedhert
ears.Ilookedt
hrough
thebedroom f
oranysi
gnofdanger.
Mthunzi
:"Whatdoyoumean?Ther e'
snobodyhere.
"
Iwassti
llver
yconfused.It
houghtsomeonewas
hol
dingmywi fehost
ageorthreat
eni
ngherli
fe.
Busi
:"Aguar dwalkeduptot
hewindowandstar
ed
i
n.Righthere.Fr
om ourbedr
oom.Hestoodt
here
andstaredatme."
Mthunzi
:"Sowhyi
sthewi
ndowsanddoor
slocked,
l
ove?"
Busi
:"Heaskedmet
olethi
min.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
08] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er92

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Thiswastoofamil
iar
.Ineededt
ounder
standwhat
exact
lyhappened.
Mt
hunzi
:"Di
dyouopen?
"
Busi:
" No,Il
ockedthedoorsi nstead.It
'sthewayhe
saidi
t.Idon'tknowMt hunzi
,.Ifeltashiverdown
myspi ne.Li
kesomet hi
ngwaswr ong.That'
swhy
I'
m praying,
Idon'twhatiti
s.Maybehewant edt
o
harm me.Idon'tknow."Ihuggedher .
Mt
hunzi
:"Doyouknowwhi
chguar
ditwas?
"
Busi
:"Ihaven'
tseenhi
m bef
ore,
Ijustt
houghthe'
s
new.He'sweari
ngthesameunif
orm asNkosi'
s
guar
ds."Fuck.
Mt
hunzi
:"Baby,
I'
llsor
tthi
sout
.St
ayher
eint
he
bedroom. "Iwalkedbackoutt hehouse,scanni
ng
throughmyguar ds.Ther ewasnosi gnofhim.All
throught heyard.Noneoft heotherguardssawhim
eit
her .IknowBusii sn'tl
ying.IknowthisbecauseI
didn'teventellheraboutlastnightsoshehasno
wayofknowi ng.IdialedNkosi '
snumber .
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Mthunzi
:"HeyNkosi
.Uhm.
..It
hinkt
hewi
tchcame
t
omyhouse. "
Nkosi
:"Theheal
eri
sst
il
lher
eint
heci
ty.I
'
llbr
ing
hi
m over.
"
Mthunzi:"
Thanks.
"Hehungup.Iwentbackintothe
house.Busiwasholdi
ngherbi
ble,
alr
eadyratt
led.
Busi
:"Di
dyouf
indhi
m?"Ishookmyhead.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m sor
rymyl
ove.I
'
llgett
othebot
tom of
t
his.
"
Busi
:"Weneedtoaskapast ortocomehereand
pr
ayforourhouse.Ihaven'
tbeentochur
chin
weeks,maybeI
'm bei
ngpunished."
Me:"
You'
renotbei
ngpuni
shedbaby.I
'
llt
ellyou
ever
ythi
ngl
ater
.Nkosii
sonhi
sway.
"
Busi
:"Nooff
encebutcanhepray?"Il
aughed."
Thi
s
i
snottheti
mef orj
okesMthunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m sor
rybaby.Let
'snotwor
ryt
oomuch.
CanIgetyousomewater?"
Busi:"Yesplease.
"Igotherabott
lefr
om t hef
ri
dge.
"CanIalsogetmypi ll
s?I'
m spi
ral
ing.
"Itookher
bottl
eofpill
s,givi
nghertwo."Wesatont hecouch,
withhercuddledinmyar ms.Nkosiarr
ivedin20
minutes.Igotupt oopenforhi
m.Theheal erwal
ked
i
nbehi ndThembi sa.
Busi
:"YourHi
ghness.
"Shebowed."
Mthunziwhat
's
goi
ngon? "
Mthunzi:"
Iwanttocheckt hehousemyl ove.
There'
sawi t
ch,whohadappr oachedus.Sheused
thebodyofadeadgi r
l.Ithinkthi
sguardmaybeher
aswell.
"Shelaughed."Busi-"
Busi
:"No!
!Iaskedf
orapast
or.Not.
..
.what
evert
his
i
s."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisaheal
erandhecanhel
p
det
ermi
net
heener
gyi
nhouse.
"
Busi:"
MthunziIdon'
tbel
ievei
nthisstuf
fandit
's
makingmever yuncomfort
abl
ethatithasto
happeninmyhouse.I'm aChr
ist
ian.Ibel
ievei
n
prayer
."
Mthunzi
:"Yourpast
orwil
lnotbeabl
etocont
rola
powerf
ulwitchBusi
!!
"Shestar
edatme,conf
used.
Busi
:"Andt
hisguy,
can?
"
Mthunzi
:"Thi
sismyhouset oo.Ineedyout
obe
safeandfort
hattohappen,hehastobehereand
assessthi
shouse,gi
vingusprotect
ion.
"
Busi
:"Mt
hunzi
,thatper
sonwasi mpersonati
nga
guar
d,hei
sprobablyaseri
alki
ll
erorserialr
apist
.
Notawit
ch.Hewasahuman.Aman.St andingat
mywindow.Awi t
chwould'
vebargedin."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thenwhywer
eyoupr
ayi
ng?
?"
Busi
:"Tokeepmysel
fsaf
eunt
ilyour
etur
ned!
"
Mthunzi:"Youthoughtcryi
ngsecr
etwordst
oan
i
magi narybeingintheskywouldsaveyouf
rom a
ser
ialkil
ler?
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
!!
"
Mthunzi:"Ican'
t.Honest l
y."Iwalkedout
,taki
nga
ci
garettefrom t
hecar ,l
ightingi
tandsmoki ng.What
i
fthisthingwasf oll
owingme?Oranyoneofus?
Weal lgottheprotect
ionf r
om thehealer
.Sowhat
happened?Nkosi stoodi nfrontofme.
Nkosi
:"You'
resmoki
ng.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Youonl
ysmokewhenyou'
rest
ressed.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Il
osti
tabi
tint
her
e."
Nkosi:"Isaw.Thembi saistal
kingtoher .Idi
dn'
t
wanthert ofeell
ikeI'
m pressuringherbecauseI'
m
afutureking.Sorather,someonewhocan
understandherconcer nsandcal m herdown."
Mt
hunzi
:"Thankyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Whati
sst
ressi
ngyou?
"
Mthunzi
:"It
houghtwewerepr
otect
ed.Whati
fthi
s
spi
ri
tfol
lowedmehere?"
Nkosi
:"Youar
epr
otect
ed.Yourhouseandwi
fe
aren'
t.That'
swhyitdi
sappear
edbef
oreyougot
here.Isi
tthegi
rlst
il
l?
"
Mt hunzi:"
No.Shesaysitwasaguar
d.Shedidn'
t
recognizehim.Apparent
lyhest
oodatt
hewindow
andaskedt obel
etin.
"
Nkosi
:"It
'
sagoodt hi
ngshedidn'
t.Woul
d'vebeena
mess."Ifi
nishedmyci
gar
ett
e,thr
owingitonthe
f
loor.
Mt
hunzi
:"Let
'sgoi
n."Wewal
kedi
nthehouse.
Sasa:"I
'm sor
ryyouhadtogothroughthatBusi
.I
underst
andwhyt hisi
suncomfortabl
eforyou.Wi
ll
i
tbebet t
erthatwe'
reher
e?Nothingthati
sdonewill
causeyouhar m.Icansi
tnextt
oyouandhol dyour
hand."
Busi
:"Nocut
ti
ngandbl
oodt
hings.
"
Sasa:"Ipromise,nothi
ngofthesor t
.Thef i
rst
processisdeterminingift
hisspir
itsomehow
seepedi nandinvadedyourbodywi thoutyour
consentorknowl edge.Thehealerwillgi
veyou
somet hi
ngtolickthenyouspititout.Aft
erthat,
he
willburnaherbar oundthehouse.Thatisall.We
canhaveapr
ayeraf
ter
war
ds.
"
Busi:
"Okay.
"Thankgoodness.Thehealergotonhi
s
kneesonthecl
othhelaydownandpr eparedhis
thi
ngs.
Healer:"SondelaniNdl
unkul
u."Theybothknel ton
thefloor.Busifol
lowedthei
nstruct
ions,l
ickingand
spitt
ingintothebowl.Thehealerburntt
heher b.
After,t
henmi xedhisherbs,
theywer edi
fferentthan
theonesheusedonus.
Sasa:"
ThokozaMkhul
u."Iknowshewasaboutt
o
ask.Nkosif
oundagem here.
Healer:"Intokaziingumuntuonesi phi
wo.Ngi dinga
i
nt oeqinilenjengaye,engekeimbambezel e.
"(This
l
adyi sgif t
ed.Ineedsomet hi
ngasst rongasher ,
thatwillnotsl owherdown. )Hel ookedatBusit hen
l
ookedatme.Whatdi dhemean?Hesmear edt he
herbsonher ."Isi
zathusokuthiungalalikahl
e
yingobaucashel aabantubakini.Bayaziukuthi
ulimel
e, bafunaukusi za.
"(Thereasonyoudon' t
sleepwel lisbecauseyouar ehidingfr
om your
people.Theyknowyouar ehur t
, t
heywantt ohel p.
)
Hegotup,fi
nishedandpackinghisthi
ngs.Iknow
thi
swasheavyf ormywife,Ineededtoprepar
eher
spacesoshecanbeadj ust
edbackt ohercomfort
.I
walkedt
othebedr oom.
Heal
er:"Ungambulal
i.
"Ilookedbackathim.Hewas
st
il
ltyi
nguphi st
hings,notlooki
ngatanyone.Was
hespeakingtome?

1WEEKAND5DAYSLATER

SASA'
SPOV_

Ihavebeenhomef oracoupl eofdaysnow.I twas

thedaybef oremynegot i
ati
onsandIwasmor e
anxioust hanner vous.Iwasn' tal
lowedoutsi
det he
housesi nceIar ri
ved.Atal l
.Noteventocheckt he
chickens.Icoul dn'tevenpeepoutt hewindow.Asi f
Nkosidi dn'tput10heavi lyarmedguardsinouryar d,
apartfrom t heother3t hatguardedmypar ents.I
onlyknewwhatwashappeni ngoutsi
debecauseof
Zanele.Thevi l
lagewasachaos.Ever yonewant ed
toknowwhatwashappeni nginourhome.The
guardshadal armedever yone.Mymot herwas
enjoyi
ngthesecr etmorethananythingI'veever
seen.Herphoner angrelentl
essl
yandsher efused
toputitonsi l
entbutneveranswer ed.Everyti
mei t
ri
ngs,shel aughsandt ell
suswhoi scal l
ing.Iwas
goinginsane.Zanel ewasn'tall
owedt ogot oschool
eit
heruntilMonday.Shewashappyaboutt hi
spar t
.
Shesatwi thmei nmyr oom, r
eadi
ngt heFacebook
groupofthevi l
lage.
Nel
e:"Ever
yonei
sst
il
lconf
used,
theysayf
ather
musthavewonthel
ott
osoheneedstheguards.
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"That'
sthebestonethisfar.
"Unliket hecity,
hereinthevi
ll
agenobodyknewt heguar dscolours
repr
esentedacertai
nroyalhouse.Toever yone,a
guardisaguard.Alsomaybet heydidn'texpect
Nkosiwouldmar r
yacommoner .
Nel
e:"Thechi
efwant
stocomeover
.He'
sbeen
cal
li
ngdad."
Me:"Heonl
ywantsgossi
pforhi
swi
fe.What
happenedt
oyourboyf
ri
end?"
Nele:"
OhIdumpedhim backthenwhenthewhole
t
hingofthepi
ctur
eshappened.Ial
soblockedhi
m."
Me:"
That'
sgood.Youdeser
vemuchbet
tert
han
t
hatper
son."
Nel
e:"
Yes.Af
terl
ivi
ngwi t
hyouandyourhusband
t
obe,i
t'
shardtowantanythi
ngless.
"Shel
aughed.
Mamawalkedinmyr oom.
Mama:"
Hel
logi
rl
s."
Me:"
Hel
lomama.
"
Nel
e:"
Hel
loma.
"
Mama:" Iwantt otalktoyouThembi sa.Zanele
pleasegi veusami nute.
"Zanel ewalkedoutand
closedt hedoor ,mamasatdown." This
conversat i
onwaspassedont omebymyaunt '
s.It
i
sver yimpor t
anttor emember ."Herewegoagai n.
"Thembi sa,Idon'thavet oremindyout hatyouare
mar r
yingaf utur
eKi ng.Thismanhast obeyour
fi
rstpriorit
y.Nothi smot her,
nothi sfather.Hi
m and
onlyhim.Yout akehisside, evenwhenhei swrong.
Youcor recthimi nthebedr oom.Outinpubl i
corin
fr
ontofot her
s,youst andbyhi m.Thembi sayoudo
notshoutataman.Thesamewayhewi l
lnotshout
atyou, naweyouof ferhimt hesamegrace.Never
sl
eepangr y,Thembisa.Neversl eepinanotherroom.
Eveni nconf l
ict
,yourhusbandmustknowyour
comf ort.Tonighti
st helastnightyousleepasa
vi
rgin.Fr om tomorr
ow, yourhusbandmusteat
Themb- "
Me:"
Mama.No,
please.I
'
m beggi
ngyou.
"
Mama:"Youwi llbegmeunti
lyoucry.Youhaveto
heari
tfrom me.Whatdoyourfri
endsknowabout
sexwhent heythemsel
vesarest
il
lfi
guringout
wheretolook."
Me:"
Itdoesn'
tmat
ter
,mama.I
'
lll
ear
nal
ongt
he
way.
"
Mama:" Fine.Asl ongasyouunder st
and,your
husbandcanneverbehungr y.Notwhil
eyoustil
l
l
ive.Youcan' tbet i
red.Yourconf
li
ctshoul
dbeput
asidei
nt hebedr oom becauseyourpartsarenot
f
ight
ing.Youcanresumeconfli
ctaf
ter
."Ohbawo.
WhatdidIdotodeservet
his?
Me:"
Iunder
standmama.
"
Mama:" Good.Also,youdonotdiscussyourhome
i
ssueswi t
hyourf r
iends.Nevereverdothat
Thembi sa.Nevertalkaboutyourhusbandt ofri
ends.
Whet hergoodthingsorbad.Yourhusbandi syours
alone.Thenicethingshedoest oyouar eforyou
only.Nextthingyou'llf
indyourfr
iendfr
equenting
yourhousekant iufunaukuvalentoimnandi.Don't
dot hatThembisa."
Me:"
Iunder
standmama.
"
Mama:" Good.Tomor rowver year
lyinthemor ning
i
syourcer emony.OhThembi sandicel
anj e
ungandiphoximntanam.Ohungandenzint leki
sa.If
kukhointoenondiphoxa,i
tshongokundi ngahlekwa
zi
intshabaThembi sa.
"(OhThembi sa,pleasedon' t
embar r
assme.Pl easedon'tmakemeal aughing
stock.I
fthere'
sachanceyoucanembar rassme,
sayitnowsot hatmyenemi esdon'tl
aughatme. )
Me:"
Ipr
omi
semama.Iam st
il
lavi
rgi
n.Wehaven'
t
doneanyt
hing.
"
Mama:" Good.Yuh.Umbi li
ni uyohlaekseni.Letme
havesomet ea."(Nerveswi l
ldecreaseinthe
morning).Herphoner ang.Shel ookedatitand
gi
ggles."NankuMaduna.Doyour ememberwhen
herchil
dwasgr aduati
ng,theydidt hebiggestpar
ty
andwewer en'tinvit
ed?Haha! !
"Igi ggl
ed.This
woman.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwasi nameet i
ngwiththecounci l.I
thasbeena
goodal mostt woweeksofwor k.Thecitywasback
tonor malandacl oseeyewaskeptont heot her
royals.Thewi t
chhadgonequi ettooandwe' ve
decidedtodealwi thherafterthisweekend.Our
l
iveswon' tjustst
opbecauseofoneper sonwho
hasnot hinggoingonf orherorhi m.What everthey
i
s.Tomor rowwast hedayThembi sawoul dof f
ici
all
y
bemywi fe.Icouldn'
tevenf ocus.Theant i
cipati
on
andexci t
ementhadgr i
ppedmebyt hetoes.
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyoust
il
lher
eMehl
uli
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
I'
mli
steni
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Looksl
ikeyou'
reondr
ugs.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'sf
ocusonworkf
ather
.Ihaveanew
pr
oposalfort
hecounci
l.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Whati
sit
,MyPr
ince?
"
Nkosi:"
Foryears,t
hemai nroyalcouncilhasbeen
theheadsofroyalfamili
es.Speci
fical
lymales.Ifwe
arerunni
ngacount ry,
Ithinki
twoul dbebeneficial
toincl
udewomenf orrepresentat
ionofissueswe
asmendonothaveacl ueabou-"
King:"Wemi ghtaswellal
soasktoddl
ers!
!Mehl
uli
,
whatiswr ongwithyou??Wearetheheadsofour
famil
iesforareason!!I
fever
yonehasasay,i
twil
l
bechaos!!"
Nkosi:"I
'
m goingt
oneedyoutobreat
h,andcalm
down."Hehuffedi
nanger."
Thembisajoi
nedthe
councilmeet
ingandevenmadeajudgement,
encouragedbyyou.I
fshe'
sstr
ongenough,It
hink
addingherandafewmor ewomenintheseat
s
woul
dwor
kwel
lforourcount
ry.
"
Ki
ng:
"AREYOUI
NSANE!
!!
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'snor
easonf
ort
hatf
ather
."
Ki
ng:"
Mehl
uliwhydoyoudi
srespectmyt
hroneso
much?Whydoyouhateme?"
Nkosi:"Thi
shasnot hi
ngtodowi thyoufather
.Iam
i
ncludingyouinthedecisionbutunderst
andthat
thi
sissomet hi
ngweal lhavetovoteforandyou'r
e
notgoingtothreat
enyourway! !
"
King:"
Youj ustwantthatgi
rlnexttoyouatever
y
t
urn.That'
sallthi
sis.Youthinkmycour ti
sadamn
l
ovenest!Thiscouncilst
aysasi s!
"
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
tgett
odeci
det
hat
-"
Ki
ng:"
Ijustdi
d.Tr
yandseewhathappens.
"Hegot
upandstormedof
f.
Bi
yel
a:"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dspeakt
ohi
m."
Nkosi
:"Notyet,
KingBiyel
a.I'
l
lspeaktomyf
ather
whenhe'scalm.Hejustneedsti
me.Havewe
concl
udedallbusi
nessfortheweek?"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Nkosi:"Good.Asweal lknow, tomor rowI '
m getti
ng
mar ri
ed,soIwi llnotbeavai lablefort henextweek.
Itr
ustt hatthecount rywi l
lbei nsaf ehandswi th
youal l
.Myf atherwi l
lofcour sest il
lbeavai l
able
andIdobel i
evef orthemostpar t
,hedoeswantt he
bestforthenat ionatlarge.Thi spr oposalwi llbe
addressedagai n, onceI'
vespokent ohi m and
gottensomet hingoutofhi m atleast .Letusputi t
asidefornow.Thankyour oyalcounci l
."Wepacked
ourdocument s.Ihadaf ewmor emeet ingswi th
Mthunzit hatIneededt oconcl udebef or etheendof
theday.I '
donlybet r
avelingt oMt hinomkhul uver y
earlyinthemor ning.
Zwe: "
Nkosi.Whatt
imedoyouf
ini
shyourmeet
ings
today?"Il
ookedatMthunzi
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Pr
obabl
yar
ound6.
"
Zwe:
"Per
fect
.I'
l
lseeyout
hen.
"
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
?"
Zwe:
"Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryou.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tli
kesur
pri
ses.
"
Zwe: "
Iknowyou'lll
ovethisone."Maybehewas
taki
ngmet ot hebeachagain.Howt houghbecause
thelockdownwasl if
ted?Thestreet
shavebeen
l
iter
all
ybuzzingwi t
hactivi
ty.It
rust
edZwe.I fther
e
wassomeonewhoknewexact l
ywhatIliked,i
twas
him andMt hunzi
.
Nkosi
:"Al
ri
ght
.I'
l
lseeyout
hen.
"

Bytheendoft hedayIwasbacki nthepalace.I

'
d
beensummonedhomeaweekagosoIhadt ostay
hereunti
lofcourseIcomehomewi t
hmywi f
e.I
wentuptomyr oom andt ookashower ,t
heonl y
memoIgotf rom Mt hunziwast obei nhi
kinggear.
Perhapswe'dbei nthemount ain.Igotdressedand
walkedout.Amahl estoodinfrontofme.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Ama:" Foll
owme."Ifol
lowedheri
ntoherroom.Her
custom madePersianrughadbeenremovedand
onlyagr assmatl
ayont hefl
oor
.Onit,
wasa
burningherbandsmallbowlswit
hstuf
finit.
Nkosi
:"I
stheheal
erher
e?"
Ama:"No.Iwasinst
ruct
edinmysl
eept
hispast
week.Takeof
fyourshoes.
"It
ookof
fmyshoes.
Nkosi
:"Youwer
einst
ruct
edt
odowhat
?"
Ama:" Totieyouforextrapr
otecti
on.Theseare
herbsandpl antsthatt
hehealerdoesn'
tevenknow
of.Ihadtogoi ntothewoods,tosearchfort
hem.
Apparentlytheyareofthesamecal i
berasour
enemy. "
Nkosi
:"Thewi
tch.
"
Ama:"I'
m notsurei
fshewillappearsoonbuti
n
caseshedoes,shewon'tevenwantt ocome
anywherenearyouorthepeoplenearyou.Kneel
."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoesi
tdo?
"Iknel
tont
hemat
.
Ama:" Intensifi
esyourpower.Thosethatmeanyou
harm wi llcowerawayi nabsol
utefear
.Thegods
willsurroundyou, thei
rpoweremanatingoffof
you."Shet ookonebowl ,
taki
ngsomeof fthepaste
applyingi tonmypal ms."Rubitonyourhead."I
rubbedt hesubst anceonmyhead.Shet ookabl ade,
makingtwosmallinci
siononeachwristthen
appl
iedanot
her
.Shel i
taher bl
ett
ingitburn.The
smokecamestraighttowardme,surr
oundingmy
body.Shest
oodup.
Ama:"
Per
fect
.Icanal
readyf
eeli
t.
"Sheshi
ver
ed.
Nkosi
:"Howlongdoesitl
ast
?Idon'
twantt
oscar
e
Thembisat
omorrow."
Ama:"
Idi
dn'
task.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.Thankyou.
"
Ama:" Notevenhal fwaydone. "Iletherwor konme.
Tobehonest ,Ididf eelanintensedifference.Ever
y
senseinmehei ghtened, mybloodsi zzl
edundermy
skin,t
hemuscl esst rengthened."There.Done.
Pleasedon'tfi
ghtyourf at
her.Infact,avoidhim
alt
ogetherunti
lyougett oMt hinomkhul u.Youneed
tomar r
yThembi sa.We'vewai tedlongenough. "
Nkosi
:"Iwon'
ttouchhi
m."
Ama:"Okayt
hen.Youcancont
inuewi
thyour
eveni
ng.
"Ist
oodup.
Nkosi
:"You'
recomi
ngt
omor
row?
"
Ama:" Wouldn'
tmissitfortheworld.
"Ismil
ed,
walkingout.Iwentdownt hestai
rsandjustmyluck,
myf athercamethroughf r
om thel
ounge.Hestood
andst ar
edatmesuspi ciousl
y.
Ki
ng:
"Whathaveyoudone?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"Hesni
ff
edar
oundme.
Ki
ng:
"Haveyoubeent
otheheal
er?
"
Nkosi
:"No."Hest
aredatme,
squi
nti
nghi
seyesi
n
suspi
cion.
Ki
ng:
"Wher
ear
eyouof
fto?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m meet
ingwi
thMt
hunzi
."
Ki
ng:
"Ont
hedaybef
oreyournegot
iat
ions?
"
Nkosi
:"I
sther
ear
ulet
hatIcan'
tgoanywher
e?"
King:"
No."Heconti
nuedtostareevent
uall
ylet
ti
ng
l
oose."BeforeImakeaverylongandunnecessary
tr
ip.Haveyouorganisedt
hatthegogotest
sthisgir
l
ofyoursbeforeweleaveher
e?"
Nkosi
:"There'
snoneedfort
hat,
Ihaven'
tsl
eptwi
th
Thembisa.Iknowshe'
savir
gin.
"
King:"
Justbecauseyouhaven'
tsl
eptwi
thher
doesn'
tmeannoonehas. "
Nkosi:"You'reabitt
eroldman, youknowt hat?
Whenwi l
litend?Whet herornotThembi saisa
vi
rgin,whichshei s,I
'm sti
llgoingtomakehermy
wif
e.I '
m stil
lgoi
ngt obehappyandi nlovewi t
hher.
Shei smor eimportanttomet hanthi
sthroneyou
caresomuchaboutyeti tdoesn'tevenaffordyou
l
ove."
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyoudi
srespect
ingt
het
hrone,
myboy?
"
Nkosi:"
Whatwi
llyoudo,
fat
her
?Repl
aceme?
"I
walkedtot
heexit
.
King:"Youseem toforgetthatonceherbridepr
ice
i
spai dshewillbeaSi khosanabride,
right
?Byend
ofthedaytomor row,shewi l
lbel
ongt othe
Sikhosanafamily.
"Iturnedtolookathim.
Nkosi
:"Whatareyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
"Amahl
ecame
downthestai
rs.
King: "
I'
m nott
ryi
ngMehluli
.YouthinkIcan't
replaceyou?Unfri
endlyr
eminder,
shei str
easur
e
blood.Thisti
me,I'
llmakeaproperKing.Just
.Li
ke.
Me.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :Sponsor
edPost
:Gr
ey

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er93

PRI
NCEPOV_

Amahl
eheldmebackwi
thdi
ffi
cul
ty.Herscr
eami
ng
wasnotr
egist
eri
ngi
nmyhead.
Ama:"
Nkosi
nhl
e!!
!"Ipi
nnedhi
m agai
nstt
hewal
l.
Nkosi
:"Ifyousomuchasbreat
hnearher.I
twil
lbe
t
heendofyou.Idon'tf
ucki
ngcarewhereIendup,I
wil
lki
llyouwithmyownbarehands!
!"
Nobant
u:"
Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon?
?"
Nol
wazi
:"Mehl
uli
!!
"Il
etgoofhi
m.
Nkosi
:"Iwi
llki
llyouSi
khosana.
"Iwal
kedoutt
he
house,
mybodyimmediat
elycat
chi
ngflames.I
swit
chedt
hem of
f,Mt
hunziwaswait
ingoutbythe
car.
Mthunzi
:"Let
'sgo.
"Wegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
"
Youwantt otal
kabou-
"
Nkosi:"
OhMt hunzi
,don'tmakemet ur
nthiscar
around!
!!
"Iscreamed."Thefucki
ngnerveofthat
man?No, thegodsmustt rul
yhatemebecauseI'm
goingtofucki
ngkil
lhim!!"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whathappened.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'tt
hinkIhavet hementalstr
engtht
o
evenr
ecallhowi tstar
ted.Buttheshortend?He
thr
eat
enedt oreplacemebyr api
ngmywi fe.
"
Mthunzi
:"JesusChri
st.
"Mywholebodywas
shaki
ng,agrowlcrawl
ingf
rom t
hepit
sofmysoul
.
Nkosi
:"Idon'tknowifIcanwai
tti
llt
omorrowto
l
eave.I
fI'm closert
oher,t
hequi
ckerIcanrespond.
"
Mthunzi
:"Securi
tyaroundThembisaist
ightri
ght
now.Noneoft heguardsarepar
tofthethrone.Thi
s
i
sfull
yyoursecurit
y,onlyl
oyalt
oyou.I'
l
levenhave
theheli
copt erready.Don'tl
etyourfatherdi
sturb
yourthought s,youknowhe' sonlytryi
ngtopokeat
you."Ihissedst ar
ingoutofthewi ndow.Myvi si
on
blurr
edt othoughtsofThembi sajusttocalm myself
down.Myf atherwi l
lnotbeanywher enearher.I
trust
edt hesecur i
tyaroundher,i
tmayseem
excessivebutitwasnecessar y.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m noti
nthemoodf
orcompanyMt
hunzi
."
Mt hunzi:"Iknow, myking.Thisiswhythisis
perf ect
."Wedr oveintothewoods.Ienjoyed
wal kingaroundt hesewoods.Theyf el
tmorehome
thananyot her.Somaybet hi
smightnotbesobad.
Wepar kedt hecar,twomor ecarswerehere.Zwe
andt heotherprinces.Igotoutwalki
ngtothem.All
oft hem steppedback.
Mt
hunzi
:"Sur
pri
se.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisn'
tasur
pri
se.Iknowexact
lywher
e
weare.
"
Zwe:
"Whyi
shei
nabadmood?
"
Mthunzi
:"Longstor
y.Nkosi
,we'
llbestayi
nghereal
l
ni
ght.We'
reputti
ngatent.Maki
ngaf i
re.Also,
I
knowyoudon'tl
iket
oeattheani
malsyouchaseso
Igotmeatfr
om t
hebutcherywecancookonthe
fi
re.
"Il
ookedathim.
Nkosi
:"Al
lni
ght
?"
Mt hunzi:"Yep."Ismi l
ed."Goahead. "Ibol
tedtothe
l
eft,runningatf ullspeed.Isteppedonar ock,
fl
ippingf orwardbutt ransf
ormedi ntomyt iger
l
aunchi ngmysel fint
ot heairandlandingont he
groundt ocont inuedrunning.Iroaredloudly.Thi
s
wasi ncredible.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Zwehadi nvit
edustoNkosi'
sbachelorpar
ty.Iwas
abitskepti
calatf
ir
stbecausehedrovestr
aighti
nto
thewoods.Iwassuspiciousal
ready.
Zwe:"Al
ri
ght
,pr
inces.Pl
easegett
hest
uffoutt
he
car
."
Mnqobi
:"Whyar
eweher
eBhutZwe?
"
Zwe:
"We'
recampi
ngf
ort
heni
ght
.It
'sNkosi
'
s
bachel
orpar
ty.
"
Khaya:"
Oht
hat
'scool
.Ihaven'
tdonet
hat
."
Mnqobi:"
You'
l
lenjoyi
t.Bhut
i,wi
llwebedoi
ngi
t
pr
incecampstyl
e?"
Zwe:
"Thegr
ownver
sionofi
t,yes.
"
Si
bo:"
Ther
e'snosi
gnalher
e."
Zwe: "
YesSboni
.Yourbr
ainneedsabr
eakf
rom
technol
ogy.
"
Sibo:"
Thatcan'
twor
k,Iownatel
ecomscompany
thatneedsmetobeavail
abl
eatanyt
ime.
"
Zwe: "
Yourcompanyi singoodhands.Yourfather
won'tleti
truntothegr ound.Grababeer
."Isighed.
Anothercardrovetowar dusandparked.Nkosigot
out,
wal ki
ngtous.Ishi ver
edinmyskinatthesi ght
ofhim.Hel ookedpissedandr eadyt
orip
someone'sheadof ftheirneck.
Mt
hunzi
:"Sur
pri
se.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisn'
tasur
pri
se.Iknowexact
lywher
e
weare.
"
Zwe:
"Whyi
shei
nabadmood?
"
Mt hunzi
:"Longst or
y.Nkosi ,we'
llbest ayinghereal
l
night.We'reput ti
ngat ent.Makingaf i
re.Also,I
knowyoudon' tli
ketoeatt heanimal syouchaseso
Igotmeatf rom thebutcher ywecancookont he
fi
re."Il
ookedatZwe.Wewer esupposedt ospend
ti
mewi t
hsomeonewhowast hi
sangr yand
dangerous?I nthewoods?ALLNI GHT?I nnotime,I
heardhimt akingoff.Runni ngatfullspeed.Hewas
bli
steri
ngt hroughai rIthoughthe'dcat chonf i
re.
Thenagai n, thatwouldn'tevenhur thim becauseit'
s
hispower .
Mthunzi:"Youngprinces,pleasegrabthosepol
es.
Let
'sstartmount i
ngupt het entwhil
ewestil
lhave
somelight."Aloudroarfrightenedmysouloutmy
body.HELLLNOO!
Mnqobi
:"Whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?Ar
ether
ebear
s
her
e?"
Khaya:"
Itsoundedmoreli
keal
ionort
iger
.Bhut
Zwe,Idon'
tthinkwe'
resaf
eher
e."
Zwe:
"You'
l
lbef
ine.Ipr
omi
se.
"
Mnqobi
:"Wej
usthear
dar
oar
,BhutZwe!
"
Zwe:"Wehaveguns.We'
l
lbefineboys.Keep
worki
ng.
"Theyfol
lowedMthunzi
,hel
pinghim setup.
Ist
aredatZwe.
Si
bo:"
I'
mtaki
ngt
hem home.
"Ihi
ssed.
Zwe:
"No,
youwon'
t.Nkosiwon'
thar
m anyone-
"
Si
bo:"He'
sinahorr
ibl
emoodandIj
ustwat
ched
hi
mt r
ansfor
mintoadamnwolf
!"
Zwe:
"He'
snotawol
f.He'
sat
iger
."
Si
bo:"
Thatfuckingenormous??Zwe,st
ayi
fyou
want
.That'
syourf r
iend.I
'
m notput
ti
ngourbr
other
s
i
ndanger.You'
llfi
ndusathome."
Zwe:"
Sibonel
ocomeon,
youknewNkosi
.Youknew
hecoul
dchange.
"
Sibo:"
Thatdoesn'
tmeanIwanttobeinhist
err
it
ory
whenithappensZwel
ethu.Idon'
twantt
heboysto
seethatei
ther
!"
Zwe:
"Theydi
dn'
tseeanyt
hing-
"
Si
bo:"
Theyhear
ditandt
hey'
ret
err
if
ied!Theyt
hink
afuckingli
oni
sloosei
nthesamepl
acet
hey'
l
lbe
sl
eepingin.
"
Zwe:"
Woul
dyourathert
heysawt
hei
rki
ng
tr
ansf
ormi
ntoone?
? "
Si
bo:"
Exact
lywhyt
heyshoul
dleave.
"
Zwe: "Sibonel
opl ease.Nkosineedst hi
s.Heneeds
us.Sur ehe'sgoingt hr
oughsomet hing,buthe
woul dneverhar m anyofus.Please.Ijustwanted
allofust ohangoutandenj oythenighttoget
her.
PleaseSboni ?"Ifoldedmyar ms,notyetconvinced.
I'
vewat chedhor rormoviesbutthis?Thiswasway
wor sethananyt hingI'
veeverseen."Pleasetr
ustme
mybr ot
her."
Sibo:"Fine.
"IfIdi
dn'
ttrustanyone,
Ihadt otrustmy
brother.Iknowhewi l
lneverputmei ndanger.Ifhe
says,IshouldstaythenIsupposewe' l
lhavet ofi
nd
awayt oshiel
dthesetwof r
om morequest i
ons.
Zwe: "Thankyou.Letmegetyouabeer."Hewalked
tothecar .Ist
areddownthepat
hNkosihad
disappearedtoandshookmyheadt r
yingtofocus
ont hepresent.Il
ookedatmycurr
ent
lyuseless
phone.Zi mmywasghost i
ngme.Si ncet hatSunday,
Ihadn' tseenheragai n.I'
vetri
edcal l
ing,emai l
ing,
evengoi ngtot heresIwasn'tallowedin.She
claimedt obebusyatever ystageandIr efuset o
keepbeggi ng.Zwehandedmeabeer .Webui l
tup
thet entwe'llbein,IdoubtIwi l
lgetsleep.Iwonder
i
fNkosiwi l
lcomeback.Wef inishedthet entbefore
i
tgotdar k.Mt hunzist
artedaf i
re.Isatonal og,sti
ll
ner vous.Theboyswer etalki
ngaboutschool ,Zwe
talkedt oMt hunzi.Helookedoveratmeandcame
tosi tdown.
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
Si
bo:"
Hi.
"
Zwe:"You'
vebeensul
kingabi
tthesedays.What
's
happeni
ng?"
Si
bo:"
Not
hing.
"
Zwe:"
I'
lll
etyousmokewi
thmei
fyout
ellme.
"I
l
ookedathim.
Sibo:"
Idi
dn'
tbr
ingany."Her
eachedinhispocket
,
taki
ngoutaper
fect
lyroll
edj
oint
.Il
aughed."
Thats
unli
keyou.
"
Zwe:"
Onlythisonce.Li
ghtup."It
ookitandl
itup
thebl
untt
akingadeepi nhal
ethenhandedtohim.
Sibo:"Thi
sthingwi
thZi
masa.Ibrokear
uleandI
knewI '
dfuckedupbutIwast
hinkingwi
thmydick
then."
Zwe:
"Whathappened?
"Het
ookapuf
f.
Sibo:"Sherefusestopit
chupforameet ing.She
i
nsistsononl i
nemeet i
ngsonlyasi fshelivesina
di
f f
erentcountry.Anyt
imeIneedt odiscussour
business,shesendsanemai lrequesti
ngaf ucki
ng
Skypemeet ing."
Zwe:"Imean,she'
snotwrong.Maybeshe'
sbusy
withschoolworkandcan'
taff
ordt
ogoinandoutof
res.
"
Sibo:"She'
sdef
ini
telyavoidi
ngme.Themi nuteI
concludeourmeeting,shehangsup.I
tishighly
i
rrit
ati
ng."
Zwe:"
Isi
tir
ri
tat
ingbecauseyout
houghtshewoul
d
begyou?
"
Si
bo:"
No.
"
Zwe:
"Yes.
"
Sibo:"
She'
splayi
nghar
dtoget.Shewantsmet o
begandgoalloutongr
andgestures.I
t'
snotgoi
ng
tohappen.
"
Zwe:
"Sowhatwi
llyoudo?
"
Sibo:"
I'
m donedancingtohertune.She'
sanadult
,
i
fshedoesn' twanttophysi
cal
lyshowupf ort
he
nextmeetingI'
mt aki
nganadditi
onal20%sharei
n
ourbusiness."
Zwe:"
Absol
utelyfucki
ngnotSibonel
o!You'
renot
goi
ngtobul
lythisgir
lbecauseyouwantatt
enti
on.
No.
"
Si
bo:"
Ican'
tdobusi
nesswi
thachi
ldi
shper
son.
"
Zwe:"Oh,soyoucansleepwithachildi
shperson?
Youfuckedthi
supSibonelo.Youcan'tbepl
aying
happyhousewithsomeone'sdaughterandthen
deci
detokickherasi
dewhenyoudamnwel l pl
ease
andembar r
asshernoless.
"
Si
bo:"
ButZweIdon'
twantpeopl
einmyhouse.
"
Zwe:
"Wasshenoti
nyourhouset
hewhol
eweek?
Whydidn'tyoucommuni cat
et hatt
hen?Whytel
lher
i
nfrontofherfr
iends?
"Yoh, sometimesmy
br
other'
spsychisdesignedjusttodefendwomen.
Si
bo:"SoIwaswr ongbyaski nghertogotoher
pl
ace?"
Zwe:"Whyareyoupretendi
ngtobestupid?You
coul
dhavecommuni catedthi
sonFridayorduri
ng
theweek.Youknowyourschedule,
youknowyou
l
ovehangingoutwithyourmom onSundays.You
knewyouwouldn'tbehome.Yetyoulefti
tti
llt
he
l
astminute.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay,
sohowdoIf
ixi
tthen?
"
Zwe:
"Begher
."Il
aughed.
Sibo:"
Uyasanganakemanj
e.Me?Not
hanks.I
'
m
notbeggi
ngf orpussy.
"
Zwe:
"Andt
hat
'
sal
lyouseef
rom her
?"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu,
nowImustf
orcemysel
ftobei
n
l
ove?"
Zwe:
"Mxi
m."Hedr
ankhisbeer
.SureIr
eall
yli
ked
Zi
mmybutIwasn'
tyetl
ooki
ngforawif
e.Iwasn'
t
evensureIwantedagirl
fr
iend."
You'r
egoingt
olose
thisgi
rlandyouwil
lregr
etitj
ustli
keyoudo
Sienna."
Si
bo:"
Yoh,
Nkul
unkul
ukaSi
enna.We'
rebackt
her
e."
Zwe: "Let
'snotbedisrespect
,I'
m war
ningyou
Sibonelo.You'r
eold.You'r
esuccessfulenoughto
startyourli
fe.Yourmotherwon'tbehereforevert
o
cuddleyout osleep.
"
Si
bo:"Whatdoest
hathavetodowi
thanythi
ngnow?
You'
repushi
ngmet omarr
ysoIcanleavemy
motheral
one?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nomanguys.Youcan'
tbef
ight
ingnow.
"
Zwe:"
Leaveheral
onengani
??She'
smar
ri
edt
oyour
fat
her
!"
Mt
hunzi
:"Zwel
ethu.
"
Si
bo:"
Thi
shasnot
hingt
odowi
thuBaba-
"
Mthunzi
:"HEY!!
!"Il
ookedathi
m."Whatthehell
?
Fi
ndsomet hi
ngt odoandcalmthehel
ldown.
Manjeni
zobenishayanangezi
bhakel
a."Zwel
ethu
st
aredatme.Ilookedbackathim.Hebursti
nto
l
aught
er.Ihat
ehi
m.
Si
bo:"
Mxi
m."Ismi
led.
Zwe:
"Youwantt
ogr
owol
dinyourmot
her
'sbed?
"
Si
bo:"
Andwhat
'swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?"Isnapped.
Zwe:"
Eh.I'
llleaveyoubethen."I
t'
snotli
keIdidn't
wanttomar r
y, obvi
ousl
yIwould,oneday.Thatday
i
snotthisyearornext.Iwon'tt
iemysel
fdown." But
atl
eastapologizetoZimasa.Youknowbetter
."
Si
bo:"
Iwi
llapol
ogi
ze,
Ipr
omi
se.
"
Zwe:"
Okay.Tomorr
owwel
eaveear
ly,
you'
l
lgowi
th
oneoftheboys.
"
Si
bo:"I
'
llt
akeKhaya.Mnqobicanri
dewi
thfat
her
.
You'
l
lbewi t
htheKi
ng?"HelookedatMt
hunzi
.
Mthunzi
:"Noways,
Zwelet
hu.I
'm wit
hNkosi.Ican'
t
beinacarwit
htheKingandNkosican'
tei
ther.
"
Zwe:"
It
'sl
ikelyt
hathe'
llr
idealoneanyway.Wedon'
t
havet
owor ryaboutt
hatyet.
"
Si
bo:"
Ist
hepr
incecomi
ngbackanyt
imesoon?
"
Zwe:
"Unl
ikel
y."Theboyscamet
osi
tdownwi
thus,
havi
ngadri
nk."
Wehaven'
thadt
imet
ocat
chup.
Khaya,
what
'supwi
thyou?"
Khaya:"
Nothi
ngBhutZwe.
"Hesi
ppedhi
snon
al
coholi
cbeer
.
Zwe:
"Whataboutt
hepr
incess?
"
Khaya:"
BhutZwe.
"Hehi
ssed.
Zwe:
"Wel
l?
"
Khaya:"Wel
l,si
nceIblockedhert
hatdayshehasn'
t
reachedout
.Idon'tknowifIwasharsh.
"
Zwe:"
Yousetaboundary,
Khaya.Thatwasn'
thar
sh,
shebr
okei
ntoyourhouse."
Khaya:"
ThenwhydoIf
eelbad?
"
Zwe:"
YouseeSi
bonel
o?Youdon'
tnot
icet
his
pat
ter
n?"
Si
bo:"
Howdi
dthi
ssuddenl
ybecomemyl
ect
ure?
"
Zwe:"I
tisdefini
tel
yyourlecturebecauseyou've
doneexactl
ywhatt hi
sprincessdi d.Youinst
il
la
feari
nyourconquestsot hatthey'rescar
edofyou.
Onceyou'veinvadedthei
rspace, yousizeyoursel
f
down, t
rickingt hem i nt
hinkingyou'r enott hatbad.
They'
veal readymadet hedeci sionthatt hey'r
e
uncomf ortableandt heyvoicet hatbecauset hey
knowi t
'sar ightt hingtodo.Whatdoyoudo?You
l
etthem goandpr etendtoleavet hem alone.They
thenfeelbadt hatt heyweret hemeanone.Thenext
ti
meyouappr oach, nomatterhowwel lmeani ng,
theywillacceptyouradvancebecausenowyou' ve
shownyou' regood.Butyou' reactuallynot .I
t'san
abusi
vest rat egy.Youmaynotseei t,butthat's
exact
lywhati ti
s.Yourbr otherispr oof."
Sibo:"ButIdi
dn'tbr
eaki
ntosomeone'
shouseand
threat
enthem? "
Zwe:"Maybeyoufor
gotbutI'
llr
emi ndyou.
Thembisa.Youdi
dn'
tinvadeherresidence?You
di
dn't
-"
Sibo:"
Okay.Iapol
ogizedfort
hat
,Zwe.Whyi
sit
beingbroughtupagain?
"
Zwe:"
Becauseyou'
redoingi
tagai
n.Youmaynot
havet
hreat
enedZimmybutyouluredhertoyou.
YouwenttoworkinKhaya'
sapart
mentregul
arl
y
andpr oposi
tionedher.Whenshesai dnof i
rst,
you
ret
reatedbutnotwi thouticingheroutand
enter
taini
ngt hepossibil
it
yofbei ngwit
hot her
women.Shef ellri
ghtint
ot hetrapyouset .Am I
l
ying?Nowt hatyougotwhatyouwant , you'reicing
heragain.Whenyouwantwhatyouwantagai n,you
wil
lforceyourwayi nli
kewhatyousai dbycut ting
20%i nherincome.That '
snotabusi ve?"Okayt hi s
wasembar r
assi ng.
Si
bo:"
Whytal
kaboutt
hisher
eZwe?Youwant
edt
o
embar
rassme?"
Zwe: "
Youwoul dn'tbeembar rassedifyoudi dn'tdo
i
tbutwe' reallhumanandwemakemi stakes.I'm
notperfectmysel f.Iwantt ot
alkaboutt hishere
becauseMnqobihi mselfisabouttobemar ri
ed, I
am thi
nkingt ogetmar ri
edsomet i
mei nt hefuture.I
wantust ohavet hi sopencommuni cati
onsot hat
wecanpoi nteachot herintherightdir
ect i
on.One
dayI'l
lbet heonet of uckupandIexpectyout osi t
medownandt el
lme.AndI '
m notgoingt otalk
aboutthesei ssuesbehi ndtheyoungpr incesbacks
becauset heyneedt ohearthem from usandt hey
needt olearnfrom us.Theycan' tbeidoli
zingand
copyingourmi st
akes.Now, wehavet hi
ssi t
uation
withKhayat hathe'sr efusi
ngtospeakabout .Iknow
thathe'sscaredandIknowhef indsherat tr
active.
Ashisbr others,weneedt omakesur ethathe's
safeanddoi ngwhatheconsent st odoingbecause
i
fhewasZi nhle,allhellwouldbreakloose.Sono,
I'
m notembar rassingyou.Youngpr i
nces, you'r
e
grownnow.You' veseenourwaysandmi stakes.
Let'
stryourbest ,tonotr epeatt
hem."
Mt
hunzi
:"Iheart
hat
."
Khaya:"SowhatdoIdot henBhutZwe?HowdoI
dif
fer
entiat
ewhatIfeel
?HowcanIt el
lit
'svi
cti
m
sympathyoractual
attr
action?
"
Zwe:"
Thiswecanal
lwal
kthr
ought
oget
her
.Ri
ght
Sboni
?"
Sibo:"Absolut
ely.
"Itwasaf ewhour softalki
ngand
drinki
ngbef or
eIhear dleaves.We' dbecomeso
comf ort
able,l
aughingandt ell
ingst ori
es.The
secondIhear dacr unch,west il
led.Itwasf ul
lydark
withonlythefireburning.Wel ookedal laround,I
spottedapairoforangeeyes.Mt hunzigotup,went
tothecar.Nkosiwalkedclosertousandst ood,st
il
l
visi
blypi
ssed.Hisclothesinshreds.Myhear twas
hammer inginmychest ,t
hismanl ookedso
dangerouslyangr
y.Mt hunzihandedhim clot
heshe
changedi nt
oandhesatdown.Zwegavehi m abeer.
Zwe:"Okay,
MrGroom.I t
'sti
mef oryourl
ectur
enow.
Mthunzi,
asthehusband,thefl
oorisyours.
"We
l
aughed.Nkosigr
inned,dri
nki
nghi sbeer
.
Nkosi
:"Let
'sheari
t.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er94

SASAPOV_

Iwasawakeby4inthemorning.Mymot herdi
dn't
missabeat,
shewassingi
ngloudly.I
twas
i
mpossibl
enottowakeup.TheonlythingI'
dasked
forwasabasi
nbath.Imanagedt
owashmybody
andgotdr
essedi
naski r
t.Mymotherhel
pedme
witht
hebeadsar
oundmyneckandwr i
sts.
Me:"
Sowhatwi
llhappenf
rom her
emama?
"
Mama:" Ispoket ot hewi f
eoft hechi eflastnight.I
tol
dherwe' rehavi ngacer emonyf oryourvi r
ginity
todayandi twoul dbei deali
fshecoul dmakei t.At
fi
rstshehadanat ti
tudebutIthi nksher emember ed
thatshe'sspeakingt omeandI 'm currentl
ythe
mostf amouswomani nthevillage."Icouldn'thelp
butlaugh.Honest ly,Iwasont hef l
oor ."
Heee.
Laugh.Butt heyal lwanttobeher e.Theyknow
you'regetti
ngmar ri
ed,buttheydon' tknowt owho.
OH, THEMBI SA!!!Iam t hehappi estwomani nthe
wor l
d.IcannotWAI Tt oseethel ooksont heirfaces
whenaKi ngwal ksintomyhouse. "Sheul ul
atedand
screamed.Myf atherwal kedin.
Xol
ani
:"Whati
sthepr
obl
em now?
"
Mama:"
Iam sohappyXol
ani
!!Ican'
tevenbr
eat
h."
Xolani:"
Wel
lyou'
l
lhaveto.Wehavealongday
today.Remember,
you'
renotal
lowedt
obeinthe
l
ivi
ngr
oom whent
henegot
iat
ionshappen.
"
Mama:"Xol
ani,
pleasedon'
tsel
lourdaughtercheap.
Thi
stestwi
llpr
ovethatwerai
sedherri
ght.Thisis
ouronl
ychanceXolani
,don'
tcal
lbel
ow100cows. "
Me:"What!
!!Mama,
no!
!That
'sr
idi
cul
ousl
y
expensi
ve.
"
Mama:" Thembisayou'
reavirgin,you'
rei
nsecond
yearuniver
sit
y.Ver
ysmartgirl.Thisisaroyal
famil
y,howcanyouwantl ess? ?"
Me:"
Idon'
twantNkosi
'
smoney.Il
ovehi
m."
Mama:"Mnt
anam,that
'sbeaut
if
ul.Lovehi
m ver
y
muchbuthemustpay.
"
Xolani
:"Ntombenhle,Thembisaisnotacommodity
thatIam sel
li
ng.Thesenegot i
ati
onsismer
elya
wayofourf amil
iesgetti
ngtoknoweachother.I
won'tchargeami l
li
on.Thati
sver ygr
eedy.
"
Mama:"Xolani
,thi
sist
hefami
lyt
hati
srunni
ngour
count
ry.Theydonotcare.
"
Xolani
:"No!Thei
mport
antt
hingtoday,i
sthat
ThembisaandNkosiar
ejoi
nedinunion.Let
'sfocus
ont
hat
.Themoneyi
snoti
mpor
tant
."
Mama:"
Yuh.Okayke.
"Shesul
ked.
Xolani
:"Thembisa,ar
eyouready?Remember,once
yougoint hathut
,youcannotchangeyourmi
nd.
Tellmerightnow,i
fther
e'ssomethi
ngIshoul
d
know."
Me:"
Tat
a."Ibegged.
Xol
ani
:"I
'm onl
ymakingsur
e.Idon'
twantyou
embar
rassedinfr
ontoft
hevil
lage.
"
Me:"
Ipr
omi
set
ata.
"
Xolani:" Okaymychi ld."Hewal kedout ,mymot her
foll
owi nghi mt r
yingt ogi vehi m mor einstr
uct
ions.I
l
ookedatmyphone, I
'dj ustr eceivedamessage
from Nkosi .<Goodmor ningThembi sa.I
'm
reminisci ngofthef irsttimeIsawyou.Iwassi tting
i
nacl ub, myguar dsal lar oundme.Iwasi na
ment allydar kplace.Al lIhadgoi ngf orme, wast hat
I'
mt hemostpower fulper soni npossi bl
your
continent .Ihadabi li
tiesonl yknownt omyf amily.I
hadal i
feonl yknowt ome.Il ookedatyouand
i
mmedi atel
ymyi nterestf ocusedi n.Onceyou
l
ookedatme, Iforgott hatl
ife.Youcapt uredme
from thatmomentandyouwi l
lhavemef ortherest
ofyourconsci ence.I ndeat handt henextl i
fe.I
foundasoul mat ei nyou.Il oveyousomuch.Iwant
yout oknowIwi lll
oveyouf or ever.Oncewer each
forever,continueal otlongert hani t.Icannotwai tto
beyourhusband.Icannotwai tt owakeupnextt o
youf orther estoft hisl i
fe.
>Myhear tsoftenedt o
l
iquid.Iresponded: <Inevert houghtI '
deverf eelthi
s
connect edtoaper son.Youar et hemostper fect
humanIhaveevermet .Yout eachmesomuch
wi t
houtyouknowi ng.If eelast houghIam
discoveringl i
fewi thyouandi tisthemost
advent urous,andmostamazi ngt i
mei nmyl i
fe.I
l
ovef al
li
ngi nlovewi thyou.Icannotwai ttospend
ther estofeter ni
tywi thyou.Il oveyouwi thmy
heartandsoulNkosiyam enhl e.>Isentit.

Itwasaround7i nthemor ningwhenIheardsi

nging
outsidethegat
eIhadpr epar edal
otofthef
oodand
fini
shed.Twoladies,
stoodi ntheki
tchen
overseei
ngthatthefoodst ayedwarm.Thewomen
ofthevil
lagehadcomeal ongwi ththei
rdaughter
s.
Thiswasver yembar rassi
ngf ormebecausewhy
wouldthewhol evil
lageneedt oknowmyvagi nal
aff
airs?Couldn'
titbeapr ivatethi
ng?Nottomy
mother.Shewant edthewhol enati
ontoknow.She
walkedintomyr oom wi t
ht heChief'
swife.
Mama:" Thembi sa,t
hegogoi sher e.She'sreadyf or
you.Wehavet ocoveryourheadwhenyouwal kt o
thehut ."Sheputabl anketovermyhead, walki
ng
meout .Thesi ngingcont inuedaswel eftthehouse.
Weheadedt ot helit
tlehuti ntheback.Theanxi ety.
Outsidet hegat e,thecommuni tyhadgat hered,
singingl oudly.Thef unnyt hingi sthat,thiswasn'ta
practicet hatwascommoni nourvi ll
age.Sohow
theywer eexcitedandsi ngi ngst i
llconfusedme.I
enteredt hehut .Thegogowast her e,waiti
ng.She
i
nst r
uct edmet olaydownandIdi d.Iknewt hatI
hadn'thadsexyetsowhywasIner vous?Whywas
Isoscar edtogetadi ff
erentr esult?Onceshe
fi
nished, shegotup, goingt ot heladywhowai t
ed
outside.Icover edmysel fagai n.Whywasi tqui
et?I
didn'
thavesex.Woul dtheybel i
eveme?Suddenl y,a
ulul
ationsoundedout si
deandcheer swentof f.I
breathedasi ghofr el
ief.WhywasIsoscar ed?I
chuckled.Iwasl etoutthehut .Mymot herwas
screami ngwithjoy.Thechi ef
'swif
ewasbesi de
herselfwithhappiness.I ft
heycould,
they'dcarry
meont heirshoulders.Thevill
agewasi nhigh
spiri
ts,screamingandshout i
ng.
Iwenti
ntot
hehouseonceagai
n.
Xolani:"Mychi l
d, youhavemademesopr oud.You
havemadet hisent i
revil
lagepr oud.Youhaveset
thestandar df oral lyounggi rl
st opreserve
themsel ves.Iam sopr oudofyouThembi sa."Ist
il
l
wishf orthedayt hatt hiswasn' timpor t
ant .Our
vil
lageal r
eadyhadast atutoryrapepr oblem.We
don'tknowt her ootofi tandIf eelli
ket his
ceremonyi sspi t
tingi nthef acesofvi cti
msi nsome
way.Iam bei ngr ewar dedandcel ebratedf or
keepingabodypar ti
ntactwhenot hersdon' teven
havet hepr otectionIhad.Theydi dn'
thavea
protecti
veorpr esentf ather.
Me:"ThankyouTata.
"Thecel
ebr
ati
onwenton
out
side.I
'dgonebacktomyroom,andhadmytea
andpor r
idgef ornow.Iwassobor edhonest ly.The
l
astti
meIspoket oNkosi,wasanhouragoandhe
wasont hewayher e.Mymot herhadt hent akenmy
phone.Iwassoanxi oustospeakt ohi m andj ust
tel
lhi
m al lthat'
sonmymi nd.Yesi twasourdaybut
Iwantedt ot al
kaboutt hefutureofournat ion.Wi th
myKi ng.Thatoni tsown,mademebl ush.Thef i
rst
ti
mewesatdownt oknoweachot her ,Icouldn'tbe
surewe'dr eacht hispoint
.Ididn'tthinkwewoul d
fal
ldeeplyinl ove.Zanelefinall
ywal kedi nmyr oom.
Me:"
Gir
l.I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
orhour
s."
Nel e:"Yoh,Thembisa.Out si
deissol i
vely.Everyone
i
ssohappy, man!Allthegi r
lsinthevi l
lagear e
singinghappi l
y.They'r
esuspect ingt hatyoumaybe
mar r
yingsomeonef rom ar ichfamily.Mamaal most
faintedwi t
hjoy.Iswear .
"Ilaughed.I '
m sogl ad
peopl ewer ehappy.Thepeopl einmyvi l
lagewere,
asIknowt hem, peaceful.I'
m surether e'
llbeahint
ofjealousywhi chisnor malbutr egardless,theywil
l
bever yhappy.
Me:"That
'sf
unny.Iam sobor
edinhereNel
e.Idon'
t
knowwhattodo.Thelastt
imeIspoketoNkosi
,he
hadl
eftMountai
nPeakbutdi
dn'
tment
ionhowl
ong
hewouldbe.
"
Nele:"
Sis,pl
easebepatient.I
fonethi
ngisgoingt
o
happentoday,you'
regoinghomewi thyour
husband."Shescreamed."Iam soexci
ted.
Thembisa,you'
reabouttobequeen.That'sHUGE.
"
Me:"
Notyet
.Onl
yaf
ewmont
hsf
rom now.
"I
gi
ggl
ed.
Nele:"IfIdidn'
tsayi tbef
or e,Iwantyout oknowsi s,
I'
mr eallyproudofyou.Youar emybi ggest
i
nspi r
ationinlif
e.Iknowyou' renotper fect.I'
mj ust
gladthatyoudon' tevenpr etendt obe.You' r
ejust
yourself.IcanseewhyHi sHi ghnessi sinlovewi th
youThembi sa,Idon'tthi
nkt here'sanyot herhuman
thatishisper f
ectmat ch.Yazi ,thewhol etimewe
wer ethere.HisHighnessnevert ookhiseyesof f
you.It'
sl i
kehel i
vedt oseeyou.Ihear dmamaand
tatagossipingtheot herti
meyouwer ewi t
hhi m,
theythoughtIwassl eeping.Mamaevenquest i
oned
howpossi blet
hiscoul dbe.Thatmaybeyou
dabbledi nmut hi
.Butt at
at hent oldheraboutt he
ti
me, youandhi m hadcomet or egist
erf orschool
andyou'dbeeni nar est
aurantwher ehisHi ghness
wasandhement i
onedhowhecoul dn'tkeephi s
eyesoffyou.AllI'
m sayingThembi sais,neverever
doubtthatman.He' sverysure,andabsol utely
secur
ei nhislove.Yoh.I'
m sotiredoftalkingnext
thi
ngyou'llsayI'
m achat t
erbox.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"
Whendi
dyoubecomesosmar
t?"
Nel
e:"
Itakeaf
teryou.
"Wel
aughed.

Theupr oarwasdeaf ening.Iknewatt hatmoment

theyhadar r
ived.Ipeepedoutofmywi ndow.Ther e
wassomanycar s,Ithi
nkIl ostcountat7.Al l
belongingt otheRoyalThr one.Zwelethu, King
BiyelaandMt hunzistoodatt hegate.Ihear dthem
calloutthecl annames.Ist oppedpeepi ngand
waited,sizzli
nginmyr oom.Noonei nsidemy
housewasmovi ng.Myf atherhadinvi t
edt heChief
andt hecommuni tyleadert obeapar tofthe
negot i
ati
ons.Iwasn' tpar t
icular
lyhappyaboutt hat
partbuttheywer etheleader sofourvi l
lagebutt hey
alsorespect edmyf ather.Theykeptcal l
ingand
not hi
nginmyf ami l
ywashappeni ng.Iwasget ti
ng
soanxi ous.TheseareRoyals.Yousi mplycannot
justignorethem.Thiswasget t
ingt oabadst ar t
already.IknewtheKi ngwasher e.Ijustknewi t.My
stresswaspeaki ng.Event
uall
y,someonewal ked
outofmyhouse.Nel ewasatt hewi ndow, peeping
verydiscreetl
y.
Nel
e:"They'
retal
king.
"Il
ist
ened,
wat
chi
ngher
ner
vously."
Theyjustputmoneyont
hefl
oor
.YOH.
."
Me:"
What
?"
Nel
e:"
Thati
sal
argest
ackofmoney.
"
Me:"
For
gett
hemoney,
didt
heyl
ett
hem i
n?"
Nel
e:"
Notyet
.He'
scomi
ngback.
"
Me:"
Ohno.Ihopet
hepeopl
etat
achosear
en'
t
gr
eedy.
"
Nele:"
Theguardsar
ekeepi
ngt
hecommuni
tyback.
They'r
ecar
ryi
ngguns."
Me:"No!
!Thecommunitywon'
thur
tanyone.They'
re
j
ustexci
ted.
"Shehandedmeherphone.
Nel
e:"
Checkwhatt
hey'
resayi
ngont
hegr
oup.I
'
ll
watchthewi ndow."Ididn'twantt oseewhatt hey
weresaying.Ididn'tcare."He'sbackouttalki
ngto
them."Isatontheedgeoft hebed."He'
sopeni ng
thegate,he'
sletti
ngt hem in."Shewhispered.I
could'
vescreamed!Okay, fi
rststep."
OhMyGod. "
Me:"
What
?"
Nele:"
TheKi ngi swalkingintoo."Myhear tstopped.
Iknewi t
.Ijustknewhewasher e.Washeeven
all
owed?Iwasnearcr ying.Wecouldn' treal
lyhear
whatwashappeni ngi
nt heloungeorwhatwas
beingsaid.Allwecoul ddowaswai t.Itfeltl
ike
for
ever.Mymot herwasi nherroom, perhapswi th
theChief'
swi fe.Sosomeonewoul dal ertherto
bri
ngmet othel ounge.Shecamet oknowonmy
door.
Mama:" Thembisa,it
'sti
me.Your
ememberwhatI
tol
dyou? "Inodded."Good,
walkt
othel
ounge.
"I
walkedtothelounge,andknel
tonhematwit
h
Zanele.
Xol
ani
:"Thesear
ethef
lower
sinmyhouse.May
youpl
easepickt
heoneyouareher
efor
."
Zwe:
"MrNt
aka,
Ibel
ievei
tist
heoneont
her
ight
."
Xolani:"
Thembi sa,
doyouknowt hesegent
lemen?"
This,Iunderst
oodt obethefinalst
ageof"Areyou
sureyouwantt odot hi
s?"IfIsaidno,t
heywould
havet oleave.
Me:"
YesTat
a.Iknowt
hem.
"
Xolani
:"Ver
ywell.Pleaseretur
nt oyourroom.
"We
wentbacktomyr oom.Thi swasi t.Pl
easeGodmay
theyagreeonapr i
ce.Itdi
dn'tevenmat t
erwhati
t
was.Ijustwant
edt obewi thmyl ove.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Icoul
dn'tenterduringthenegotiati
onst age.Isatin
thecarwi t
hSibonelo.Ididn'
texpecthi m honestly
butaswehadar ri
ved, MthunziandZwewenti n.He
camet okeepmecompany.Iwasner vous.Idi
dn't
havear easontobe.Thembi sawantedt omar ryme.
Mypr oblem wasmyf ather
.Hehaddef ini
tel
ytried
tospeakt omet odayandIhadi gnoredhim.Iwas
donewi t
hhi
sgames.Hewasn'
tgoi
ngt
okeep
threateni
ngmywif
eandexpect
ingmet
obe
gracious.
Sibo:"
Thevi
ll
agei
shappyt
obei
nyourpr
esence
again.
"
Nkosi
:"Theydon'
tevenknowt
hey'
rei
nmy
pr
esence."
Sibo:"
AKingjustenteredahouse,It
hinkthey'
ve
puttwoandtwot ogether.I
t'
sagoodthingthey'
re
j
oyousaboutit.
"
Nkosi:"
Isuppose.
"Icouldn'
tevenlookoutsi
dethe
window.Myheavil
yar medguardshadl i
nedthe
carsinfr
ontandbehindmebar ri
cadingmein."
Why
areyouscaredofme? "
Si
bo:"
I'
m not
."
Nkosi
:"Icanfeelyourhear
tbeat
ingatt
ri
plei
t'
s
nor
malr at
e."
Si
bo:"
Oh.Youcanf
eel
that
?"Il
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi
:"Yousawmet
ransf
orm.
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.I
nthewoods.
"
Nkosi
:"I
twasn'
tyourf
ir
stt
ime,
sowhyar
eyou
scar
ednow?"
Sibo:"I
twasjustdif
ferent.Youwerei nyour
element.Iwat
chedyour unatli
ghteningspeed, t
hen
whenyoushoul d'
vetri
ppedandf al
leninstead
fl
ippedovershooti
ngintoahi ghjumpt urningint
oa
feroci
ousanimalandcont inuer
unni ng.That'
snot
evenmovi emateri
al.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dneverhar
m you.
"
Si
bo:"
Iknowt
hatnow.Atf
ir
st,
itwasdi
ff
icul
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodbecauseyourenergyi
sthr
owi
ngme
of
fandI '
mtryi
ngtodri
veti
me. "
Si
bo:"
Okay,
doyouwantt
otal
kaboutanyt
hing?
"
Nkosi
:"Iguess.
"
Si
bo:"
Howdi
dyoumeetThembi
sa?
"
Nkosi
:"Imetheratt
heclub.I
twasherfi
rstti
meina
ni
ghtcl
ub.Youcouldprobabl
yseei
t,shelooked
ner
vousandoutofplace.
"
Si
bo:"
Andyouappr
oachedher
?"
Nkosi:"
No.Imetheragainatmyrestaurant
,st
il
l
di
dn'tappr
oachher.Afewweekslater,Isawher
agai
n.Ihadstar
tedtomakecontactbutIwasn't
goodwithcommunicati
onthen.
"
Si
bo:"
Howdi
dyouknowshewast
heone.
"
Nkosi :"It
hinkIf
elti
tfr
om t hef i
rstmomentIsaw
her.Ijustdidn'
tknow.Al lIcouldlit
erall
ydowas
stareather .I
tonl
ystartedt oregist
ersomet i
me
l
ater .Ourfir
stweekendt ogether.Ididn'
tknowjoy
untilthatweekend.WhenIhadt or eturntowor
kon
Monday, Iwassosour."Hel aughed.
Si
bo:"
She'
saveryspecialladyandyou'
regoi
ngt
o
makeaper
fecthusband."
Nkosi
:"I'
l
ltr
y."Thesingi
ngst
art
edonceagain.
Mthunziwaswal ki
ngoutoft
hehousecomingtous.
Hegotinthecar.
Mthunzi
:"I
tisdone.Congr
atul
ati
onsMrhusband.
"I
smil
ed.
Nkosi
:"CanIcomei
n,now?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes,
you'
vebeeni
nvi
tedi
n."
Nkosi
:"CanIseeher
?"
Mthunzi:"
Reeli
tin,
lover
boy.Al
otst
il
lneedst
o
happen.Youwil
lseeher."
Nkosi
:"Myf
atherdi
dn'
tgi
veanypr
obl
ems?
"
Mthunzi
:"None.Hewasver ypl
easanti
nfact
."My
bl
oodboiled."Don'tworr
y.Hewon'tdoanyt
hing.
Youneedt oignorehim Nkosi
."
Nkosi:"Iwil
l.
"Wegotoutoft hecar.Myguar ds
surr
oundi ngme.Thecommuni t
ywaspossi blyin
thehighestofspir
it
s.Ididn'
tthi
nkthesingingcould
getlouderbutitdi
d.West oodatthegate.Sheand
herfathercameoutt hedoor.Iwasinvi
tedin,and
walkedt oher.Dr
essedinfullt
radi
ti
onalatt
ire,she
l
ookedl ikeagoddess.
Nkosi
:"Mywi
fe.
"
Sasa:"
Myhusband.
"Shebl
ushed.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ookgor
geous.
"
Sasa:"
Real
ly?Thankyoul
ove.Lookatyoudr
essed
i
nyoursexysuit
."
Nkosi
:"It
houghtI
'
dweari
tforyoubecausei
t'
syour
f
avor
it
e."
Sasa:"
Thankyou.Woul
dyoul
iket
ocomei
n?"
Nkosi
:"Yesplease.
"Sheledt
hewayi
nsi
deher
home.Everyoneinsi
debowed.
"YourHi
ghness."Wesatdownatthet
abl
e.My
fat
herandKingBiyel
awerehavi
ngaconver
sat
ion,
Zwewasl i
steni
ngin.
Sasa:"Howareyou,love?
"Shewhi sper
ed."
Your
auraisveryst
rongtoday.
"Thetablewentqui
et.
Whywer etheysuddenlyi
nter
estedinmy
conversat
ion?
Nkosi
:"I
twasaver
yexci
ti
ngdayforme.I
'
m ver
y
happyIgett
ogohomewithmyfavor
it
ehuman.
"
Zwe: "I'
m off
ended.
"Welaughed.Theconversati
on
returnedtothetabl
e.Weonlyhadthisbrunchlef
t,
thenwe' rebackinMountai
nPeak.Mymot hers
wer egetti
ngreadytowelcomeherinasadaught er
i
nl aw.Acer emonywouldbeperformedandwe
woul dbedone.Itwouldbeaverylongdaybutmy
heartwasatpeace.Iheldherhand,herpalm was
softandmoi st.
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyouner
vous?
"
Sasa:" I
'm notnervous."Shegi ggled."Okaymaybea
l
itt
lebi t
.Letmegodi shupf oryou. "Shegotupand
l
eftf ortheki t
chen.Ilookedaroundt hecozyhouse.
Itwaswar m, simpl
eandbeaut if
ul.Api ct
ureof
Thembi saandanot herofZanel east oddlershung
onthewal l.Theywassocut e.Ont hecabi neti
nthe
l
ounge, afewaccol adeswer edisplayed.Thembi sa
hadt rophies?Maybeshepl ayedspor t
s?Shenever
ment ionedt hatbefor
e.Shecamebackt othetable,
carryingat rayandbowed.
Sasa:"
MyPr
ince.
"Ir
ecei
vedmyf
ood.
Nkosi:"Thankyou."Myst
omachr umbledatthe
aromaoft hefood.Myfat
herwasservedand
everyoneelserecei
vedt
heirpl
atesaf
ter.Iwait
ed
pati
ently.
King:"Whyaren'
tyoueati
ng?"Ii
gnor
edhi
m.I
twas
chil
dishbuthestar
tedthi
s.
Mama:"
MyPr
ince,
ist
her
eanyt
hingwr
ongwi
tht
he
f
ood?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Zwe:
"Nkosi
,what
'swr
ong?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wait
ingforThembi
sat
osi
tdownsowe
caneatt
oget
her."
Mama:" Thembisa."Mywi f
ecamebackt othetabl
e
andsatdownwi t
hherplate.Iwasn'tabouttoeat
whenshewasn' teati
ng.Icouldfeelthestaremy
fathergaveme.I thadami xtureofangerand
confusioninit.Thembisatouchedherst omach,
tryi
ngtodr inkwaterbuttheglassshooki nherhand.
Ilookedather .
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Sasa:"
Stopf
ight
inghi
m."Shewhi
sper
ed."
Please.
"
..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er95

PETU'
SPOV_
Tr
iggerWar
ning:GenderBasedVi
olence

Todaywassuchwar m perfectday.Ihadadat e
plannedwi thNot ha.Thepastal mostt woweeks
we'reabi tchall
enging.Whenr estaur antsopened,
Mnqobihadbookedusat ableandwehaddi nner .
Anothertimewehadl unch.Andt henl astSat urday,
wedeci dedonanact ivit
ywecoul ddo.Pai ntingand
musi c.ThisIthoroughlyenj oyed.Todaywast he
fi
rsttimeI '
dspendal onewi thNot hando.We
thoughtitwoul dbeagr eatideasinceMnqobii sn'
t
around.Igotupf rom bedandt ookal ongbat h.I
camebackt odr essupi nhighwai stedj eans,a
blackroughcutcr optopandbl acksneaker s.I
ti
diedmyr oom thenwentt otheki tchen.Si zawas
rockingthebabyt osleep.
Pet
u:"
Hisi
s."
Siza:"Hey.
"Icoul
dheari
nhervoi
ce,
shewasl
owi
n
spiri
ts.
Petu:"
What
'swrong?
"Shel
ookedatme,
tear
sinher
eyesandsmil
ed.
Si
za:"
Nothi
ngl
ove.Youl
ookpr
ett
y,yougotadat
e
wi
thyourmanagai
n?"
Pet
u:"
No, Notha.Si
zawhat'
sgoingon?
"Ihear
d
someothervoicesi
nthehouse.
Si
za:"
Doyoumi
ndi
fwewentt
oyourr
oom?
Qui
ckl
y?"
Pet
u:"
Why?
"
Siza:"
NowPet u."Shegrabbedmyar m.Ifoll
owed
herbutwhatshewast ryingtohi decamer i
ghtout.
Jacksoncameoutt hei
rr oom withhisgir
lfr
iend.I
couldn'
tevenhidemyshock.Wewal kedintomy
room andclosedthedoor ."
Pleasedon'tsay
anythi
ng."
Pet
u:"
Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Si
za:"
I'
mfi
nePet
-"
Pet
u:"He'
sfucki
ngheri
nyourbedwhil
eyou'
re
her
e!!Wit
hhischi
ldr
eni
nthehouse!
!"
Si
za:"
Pet
uni
a,l
oweryourvoi
ce!
"
Pet
u:"No!I
'
m notl
ower
inganyt
hingSi
zani
.He'
sa
dogandhemustknowthat
!!
"
Si
za:"
Petuni
a,youwi
llnotdi
srespectmyhusband
i
nhishouse-
"
Pet
u:"He'sdi
srespect
inghi
mself!
"Thebabyst
art
ed
cr
ying."
Siza,
pleasepackyourbags.
"
Si
za:"
No!
!"
Pet
u:"Si
zani,
it'
sei
theryoupackyourbagsorI
'
m
put
ti
ngpoisoninhi
sf ood.
"
Si
za:"
Pet
uni
a,wher
ewi
llwego?Ihavenot
hingt
o
mynam-"
Petu:"
Ihavesomesavi
ngs.Wecangetafl
ati
n
townbutdearGod,
we'r
enotst
ayingher
e."
Si
za:"
Ican'
texpectt
hatf
rom you.
"
Petu:"Yes, youcanandyouwi ll!Justbecause
you'r
eol derdoesn'tmeanyoumustbet heonl yto
takecar eofus.We' r
esister
s,weshoul dbel eaning
oneachot her.We'
llfi
gureoutaway.Wewi ll
,Siza.
Butthisisnoti t
.You'renotcomf ort
able,you'
renot
happy, you'real
wayscr yi
ngandwor seofitall
, even
yourchi l
drenaren'
tcomf ort
able.They'renoteven
all
owedt omakeasl ightsoundandyout hinkthat's
okay?Noways.
"It
ookoutmysui
tcase."
Pleasego
pack.
"
Siza:"Pleaseholdher .
"Shegavemet hebaby.Iput
heronmyhi pwhi l
eIpackedmycl othes,
recklessly.
Ididn'tevencar ehonestl
yasl ongasIdi dn'tl
eavea
thingbehi nd.Onmysecondsui t
case,Ifi
nished
closingitandcheckedmysavi ngs.Itwouldbe
enought orenta1bedr oom, buyabedandsome
food.We' llfi
ndawayt omakemoneysomehow.I
don'tknowhowl ongitwil
ltakeformyi nvestment
topaydi videndsbutwewoul dmakei t
.IsentNot ha
amessagepost poningourdateandbecauseshei s
Not hando, shecall
edimmedi ately.
Notha:"
Whyar
eyoucancel
ingonme?I
'
m al
ready
dr
essed."
Pet
u:"Somethi
nghappened.Mysi
sterandIar
e
movingoutofherhouse.
"
Notha:"
Youdidn'
tknowyou'
dbemovingdays
bef
ore?"Ihear
dshouti
ngfr
om Si
za'
sroom.
Petu:"
No.Wedeci
dedr
ightnowact
ual
ly.I
'
llupdat
e
you."
Not
ha:"
Pet
uni
a,i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Pet
u:"
No.Ihavet
ogoNot
ha-
"
Notha:"Hol
don,
Ihearshout
ing.I
sther
eavi
olent
si
tuati
on?"
Pet
u:"Notha,
I'
llspeaktoyoul
ater
,Ineedtocheck
onSiza.
"Ihungup, not
ici
ngasil
ence.Iputt
hebaby
onthegroundandr anout.
Jackson:"
Itookyoufrom not
hingandyouthinkyou
canjustdoasyouplease?Wher edoyouthink
you'
retaki
ngmychi l
dren?"Hekickedheronthe
fl
oor.
Si
za:"
Jackson,
please.
"Shecr
ied.
Pet
u:"
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng!
!?"
Si
za:"
Pet
utaket
heki
dsandgo!
"
Jackson:"She'snottaki
ngmychi ldr
enanywher e,
getoutofher e!
!You'r
einmyhouse, li
vingf or
fuckingfr
eeliketheopport
uniti
styouandyour
sist
erare!!Nowyou'reboldtocomei ntomy
bedroom.Gett hefuckout!
!Ifyoudaret akemykids,
I'
llf
indyouandshootyou. "Icouldn'
tleavemy
sist
erhere.Icoul
dn'
tlethi
m hurtherbutIdidn'
t
knowwhatt odo.Iwenttofetchthechil
drenfrom
thei
rroom andtookthem t
omi neandlockedi t
.I
dial
edforthepoli
ce.Itt
ookawhi l
eforsomeonet o
answer.
Petu:"
Hi,mysist
erisbei
ngbeaten,
herl
ifei
sin
danger.
"Irat
tl
edofftheaddr
esswithashakyvoi
ce.
Off
icer:"
Whoisbeat
inghersi
si?"Whatdoest
his
questi
onhavetodowithanyt
hing?
Petu:"
Herhusband.Pl
easehur
ry,
he'
sthr
eat
eni
ng
tokil
lher
!!
"Icr
ied.
Of
fi
cer
:"Pleasecal
m down,si
si-
"mybodyt
rembl
ed
wi
thal
lkindsofemoti
ons.
Pet
u:"
PLEASECOMETOTHEADDRESS!
!IWI
LL
ANSWERALLYOURQUESTI
ONSWHENYOU'RE
HERE!
!"Iscr
eamed.
Offi
cer:"Pleaser
epeattheaddress."It
oldheragain.
Shewasn' ttaki
ngthi
sser i
ouslyenough.Therewas
nour gencyinhervoicenorempat hy.Mysister
's
cri
eshadgonequi et
."Okay,I
'vesentavant oyour
address."Ihungup.Myphoner angagain.I
answer
ed.
Mnqobi:"
But
ter
fl
y.Howareyoutoday?Wear
rived
safel
ythi
ssi
de.Youwer
esleepi
ngwhenIcal
ledin
themorni
ng.
"
Petu:"
MnqobiIneedyoutohurryupthepol
ice.My
sist
er'
shusbandisbeat
ingher
,I'
mlockedinthe
room wit
hchil
dren.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay,
I'
llcal
lyouback."Hehungup.Itook
t
hebabyinmyar ms.Wi pi
ngthetoddl
erst
ears.
Petu:"
Mommywi l
lbeokay.Ipr
omise.Okay?
"They
nodded.Jacksonbangedonthedoor.
Jackson:" MustIshootdownthisdoor?!Getmy
chil
drenoutoft hereri
ghtnow!!
"Itookthekidsto
thecornerandsatshi eldi
ngt
hem." Youclearl
ydon't
knowme. "Hebangedt hedooragainandwal ked
away.Fr om adistanceIcoul
dthesirens,hopingt
o
Godt hey'r
enottool at
e.
Pet
u:"
Babies,
let
'scountto10.Okay?Mi
adoyou
wantt
oteachMilestocount?Let
'sdoi
tbaby.
"
Mi
a:"
1..
.2.
..
3..
.4.
..
5..
.6.
..
7..
.8.
..
9..
.10.
"
Pet
u:"
Goodj
obl
ove.Mi
lesdoyouwantt
otr
y?"
Mi
les:"
Ionl
ycountt
o5.
"
Pet
u:"
That
'sf
ineangel
,l
et'
shearyougo.
"
Mi
les:"
1..
.2.
..
"
Pet
u:"
Goahead,
you'
real
mostt
her
e."
Mil
es:"
3..
.4.
..
5."t
hesirenswer
emuchlouder
,wi
th
t
yresscr
eechingout
side.Iwi
pedmytear
s.
Pet
u:"ThankGod.
"Ihear
dthefrontdoorbr
eakof
f
i
t'
shingesandmanyfootst
epsbargingi
n.
Offi
cer
:"Standrightt
here!
!Putyourhandsup.
Langa,puthim down.I'
m goi
ngthroughthehouse.
"
Jackson:"Youdoreal
izeyou'r
ebreaki
ngthelawby
tr
espassingint
omyhousewi t
houtevenasearch
warrant
?I '
l
lsuethi
senti
redepart
ment !
!"Aknock
soundedonmydoorandal ldoor
sinthehouse.
Off
icer
:"I
sther
eanyoneinher
e?It
'st
hepol
ice.
"I
gotupandopenedthedoor
,shaki
ng.
Pet
u:"
Mysi
ster
.She'
sint
hatr
oom.
"
Of
fi
cer
:"Okay.I
'
llgoi
n.Pl
easest
andher
e."He
walkedt ot
heroom.From theopendoor,Icoul
dsee
herlayi
ngont hef
loor
.Ohpl easeGoddon'tdothi
s
tome." Gett
heparamedicshere,Langa!
"He
shouted,walki
ngbacktome.
Pet
u:"
Issheokay?
"
Off
icer
:"Iwasinst
ructedtor
emoveyouf
rom her
e.
Yoursi
sterwil
lbeattendedt
o."
Pet
u:"
I'
m notl
eavi
ngunt
ilIseeher
!"
Offi
cer:"
Okay,butIcan'tl
etyouseeherlikethat.
Lettheparamedicdohiswor kfir
st.
"Inodded."Can
Igetyouaglassofwat er?"Inoddedagain.He
walkedout.
Mi
a:"
Wher
e'smommy?
"
Petu:"
Adoctori
scomi
ngtohel
pher,
baby.We'l
l
seehersoon.
"Myphoner
angagai
n."Hel
lo.
"I
answered.
Mnqobi
:"Havet
heyar
ri
ved?Ar
eyousaf
e?"
Pet
u:"
Yes.We'
rewai
ti
ngf
ort
hepar
amedi
cs.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay,I'
l
lbebacksoon.Thepal
aceguards
ar
ecoming,they'
llt
akeyouhome."Iwassoshaken
Icoul
dn'
tevenbener
vous.
Pet
u:"
Okay.
"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llseeyousoonmyl
ove.
"
Pet
u:" Okay."Wehungup.Theof fi
cergavememy
gl
assofwat erthatIgulpeddown."Thankyou."The
par
amedi csar ri
vedsomemi nut
eslater.They
workedonSi zainherbedroom.Iwaitedwi thafear
i
nmyhear t.Godcan' tdothi
stome.Si zawast he
onl
yf amilyIhadl ef
t.
Siza:"Wher
earemychil
dren?
"Ihear
dherf
aint
voice.Myhear
tjumped.
Off
icer
:"I'
l
lwatchthekids."Iwentt
oherroom.She
wasont hest
retcher
,refusingt
obesti
lleveni
nher
pai
n.
Pet
u:"
Sis.Ihavet
heki
ds.I
'
m her
eSi
za.
"
Si
za:"
OhPet
u."
Petu:"
I'
mt aki
ngthem t
osaf
ety.Hewon'
ttouch
them.Ipromise.
"
Si
za:"
I'
m sor
ryPet
u."
Petu:"It
'sokay.I
t'
sokay.I '
l
ltakecareoft
hekids."
Theyt ookheraway, l
eavingmei nthatbl
oody
scene.Iwentt othekidsroom andpackedforthem.
Leavingt hehouse,f
inal
ly.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Thecel ebrati
oninthevill
agewasi ncredibl
e.It
woul dbedi f
ficul
tforustoleave.Wej usthadour
brunch, weonl yhadaboutanhourbef oreweleft
forthecity.Wewal kedoutthehouse.Evennow, t
he
communi tywasst i
llatasafedist
ance, si
nging.The
guardskeptt hem inplace.I
'veneverbeeni na
vil
lageandmaybeonedayI 'denjoytheexper i
ence
butdefinitel
ywi t
houtthePrince.Hi
speopl eadore
him.Theywoul dfollowhim anywhere.
Mnqobi:"
Thi
nki
ngoff
indi
ngyour
sel
fawi
fe?
"He
chuckl
ed.
Khaya:"
No.Ar
eyouscout
ingf
oryourt
hir
d?"
Mnqobi
:"Absol
utel
ynot
.I'
m ver
yhappywi
thmy
two.Besides,they'
dkil
lme."Welaughed.Het ook
outhisphonedi ali
nganumber ,
andwal ki
ngar ound
tospeakonhi sphone.Withthewayhe' ssmili
ng
he'
spr obablycall
ingoneofhiswives.Ichuckl
ed,
shaki
ngmyhead.
Sibo:"
YoungPr
ince.
"Hewal
kedt
ome.Thecr
owd
becameuncont
roll
abl
e.
Khaya:"
Ithi
nkt
hat
'sf
oryou.
"
Si
bo:"I
'
m al
readyi
ntr
oubl
e,Idon'
tneedst
ress.
Pl
ease.
"Il
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Wehavet
odr
iveback.Now!
"
Si
bo:"
Why?What
'swr
ong?
"Mnqobical
ledagai
n.
Mnqobi :"
ThisisBiyel
a.Ineedareadyteam t
o
urgentl
ygettothisaddress.
"Hecall
edoutan
address."Al
ready?Hurrythefuckupthen.
"Hehung
up.
Khaya:"
What
'
sgoi
ngon?
"
Mnqobi:"Si
za'
shusbandhasbeatenher,andi
s
thr
eateni
ngtheki
dsandPetu.They'
relockedi
n
Petu'
sroom."
Sibo:"Gett
ot hecar,I'
mtell
ingZwewe'r
eleavi
ng."
Hewentbacki nthehouse.Wer anuptoourcar
,
getti
ngin.Si
bonel ofol
lowedsoonaft
erandwe
droveofftothecity.
Si
bo:"I
'
m get
ti
ngtheguardst
orushovert
her
eas
wel
l.Di
dyougetati
mef r
ame?"
Mnqobi :"
Theysaidthey'dbetherei
nlessthan5
minutes.Someonei ntheBiyel
afamilyhadalready
sentthem.MustbeNot hando.
"HedialedPetu's
numberagai n,
talki
ngtoheront hephone.Wewer e
atleast4hoursaway, t
hiswasacompl et
ely
str
essfulsit
uati
on.
Khaya:"
Haveyouf
oll
owedwi
tht
hepar
amedi
cs?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
vej
ustsentt
hem.
"
Khaya:"
Ohshi
t-Thehospi
tali
sst
il
lcl
osed.
"
Si
bo:"
They'
l
lhavet
osendhert
oOceansmedi
cal
."
Khaya:"
Theywon'
tletherinSbo.Anddependi
ngon
howbadherinj
uri
esare..
."
Sibo:"I'
l
lmaket hecall
,I
'l
lputherinmyname.She's
family.Ican'
tlethergotoapublichospi
tal
.That
uselesst hi
ngmi ghttargethert her e.Hemi ghthave
connect i
ons."Heputt hephonet ohi searcal li
ngt he
medi calfacil
ity.Myhear twasi nmyt hroat,highly
tr
igger edbyt hissit
uation.Havi ngwat chedmy
motheri nthissi t
uationf oryear s, i
tr eall
yf uckedme
up.Itwasget tinghardert okeepbackmyt ears.My
mothernevermadei tout .Iprayt oGod, Si
zadoes.
Herki dsneedhermor et hansher ealizes.Nomat ter
howl ongi t'
sbeen, itsti
llhasn' tgot tenbet terforme.
Myf atherkill
edheryear sbef oresheact uall
ydi ed,
andhest il
lli
vesonhappi ly.Thisact uallywasn' tthe
ti
me.Mnqobihel dmyhand.Iwi pedmyeyes,
l
ooki ngoutt hewi ndow.

SASAPOV_

Itwasf i
nal
lyti
meformet oleavehome.Ionl yhad
onebagandI '
dhadtofightforit.Appar
ently,
accordingtomymot herIneededwi f
eclot
hes.What
thehelliswif
eclot
hes?Imost l
yownedl ong
dresses.Doesshethinkroyalsonlyworer egal
atti
realldayeveryday?Byt heway,theydon't.I
t'
s
onlyonspeci aloccasionandactualroyal
appearances.YesI '
llhavetogetnewdr essesmade,
butalotoft heti
meI '
llbeinsi
dethepalaceorvill
a,
studyi
ng.I twouldbever yri
dicul
ousformet owear
asuitdr ess.
Mama:" I
t'
sti
mesi si.
"Shehadt earsinhereyes.
Mostl
yf r
om joyandhappi nessthattheenti
re
nat
ionenviedher."UngandiphoxiThembisa.
Kuyanyamezelwaemt shatwenimnt anam."(
Don't
di
sappointmeThembi sa.I
nmar ri
age,youhaveto
bestr
ong.)
Me:" Okaymama. "Icarriedmybagout ,Iwas
requiredtotakei ttot hegate,fr
om there,my
husbandorhi sguar dIguess,takesitintothecar.A
symbolofmel eavinghomewi l
li
ngly.Thesinging
wasunbel ievabl yloud.Icouldhearmynamef rom
thecrowd.Myf acewascover edwi thbeadsstil
lbut
thecatwasoutoft hebag.Zanel ehadt ol
dmeI
broket heint
ernet .Ther oyalengagementhadbeen
announcedasofanhouragoandt henat ionwas
rej
oicing.Suddenl yIwassoshy.ImetNkosibyt he
gat
e,het
ookt
hebagf
rom myhand.
Nkosi
:"Mywi
fe.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Myhusband.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
osaygoodbyet
oyour
peopl
e?"
Me:"No,I
'
m shy.I
'
llapol
ogi
zewhenIcomebackt
o
vi
sit
."Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"
You'r
esosill
y."Hehandedt
hebagtothe
guar
d."Yourfamil
ywi l
lbeint
hesecondcar
.I
wantedthem tobetherewhenyou'
rewel
comedint
o
myfami l
y."
Me:"Youdon'tknowhowmucht hatmeanst ome. "
Heopenedt hedoorformetogetinside.Wef i
nally
wentonourway.I twasabitt
ersweetmoment .I
wouldmissmyvi l
lageasacommoner .Theonl y
t
imeI'dvi
sitnowwoul dbeasahi ghroyal.That
wouldbesodi f
ferent
.Nkosihel
dmyhand.
Nkosi:"
Sibonel
oandt heyoungpri
nceshadtoleave
ear
ly.Apparentl
yther
e'sanemergencyinMountain
Peak.Somethingtodowi t
hyourfr
iendZwesaid."
Me:"Whatf
ri
end?Zimmy?Pet
u?OrNot
hando?Do
youknowwhathappened?
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'
thavet
hefulli
nformati
onmyl ovebut
t
heysaidtheyhaveahandleonit.She'
sinsafet
y.
I
'm notsur
ewhichfr
iendalso.
"
Me:"AndIfor
gotmyphonewit
hmymot hersoI
'
ll
onl
yknowwhenI '
minMountai
nPeak.I
'
m so
ner
vous."
Nkosi
:"Let
'sf
ocusonourday.I
fthey'
resaf
e,t
hen
wecanat t
endtoi
ttomor
row."
Me:"
Yesmyl
ove.
"Heki
ssedmyhand.
Nkosi:"
Doyouwanttotellmewhathappened
ear
li
er?Youtouchedyourbell
y,l
ooki
ngl
ikeyou'
rei
n
pai
n."Il
ookedoutofthewindow.
Me:"RememberwhenIwasdr
eami
ngaboutt
he
past
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"IwasinMam Nonkosi '
sbody.Pregnantwi
th
yourfat
her.If
eltthepai
nsgivi
ngbir
th.Ifel
tmy
wombpai nandt henfel
thi
sheart
.Idon'tknowhow
butHe'sinpainNkosi.Hehi desi
twi t
hangerand
unfort
unatel
yitwil
lbet ohisdetr
iment .Nkosi
,your
fat
hercan'tdi
epremat urel
y.Iknowt hathegetson
yournervesbutweneedt opeelthoselayersoff
him unti
lhe'
sreadytojoinhisnextlif
e.Weneedt o
bepatientwit
hhim."
Nkosi
:"Hethr
eat
ensyouever
ychanceheget
s,
Thembisa.
"
Me:"
Iknow.AndI'
mr eal
lyscar
edbutwehaveeach
ot
her
.We'l
lgett
hroughit
."..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :Sponsor
edPost
:Gr
ey

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er96

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

Af
tert
hecal
lwi
thPet
u,hear
ingt
heshout
ingi
nher
backgroundIimmedi atelycal
ledthepoli
cewi t
h
Mnqobi '
sname.Idon' tknowwhatwashappeni ng
i
nt hathousebutthey'ddoawel l
nesscheckandi t
wouldbePet uorSizawhodet erminest
hey'reokay.
Ican'tj
uststandbyanddonot hi
ng.Iwenttothe
l
oungear eawher eMamaBi yelawaswor ki
ng.She
designsherowncl othingli
neforherboutiquesand
seemedt oreall
yenjoyi t
.
Not
ha:"
Mama.
"
Queen:"
Hel
lomyangel
."
Not
ha:"
Ijustgotof
fthecal
lwi
thmyf
ri
end,
Pet
u.
Doyourememberher?"
Queen:"
Yes,
wer
en'
tyousupposedt
omeether
t
oday?"
Notha:"
Yesmama.Shecal l
edtocancel.Says
they'
removingouthersist
er'
shome.ThenIhear d
someshout i
ng.Idon'
tknowwhatwashappeni ng.
I'
vesentthepoli
ceonar oyalwel
lnesscheck,
makingittoppri
ori
ty.
"Sheputdownherpaper s.
Queen:"
Yout
hinki
t'
sthatbad?
"
Notha:"
Idon'
tknowwhattothi
nkmama.I '
vealso
spokentoMnqobi,
he'
sonhi swayback.
"Igotan
al
ertonmyphone."They'
reatt
hehousenow."
Queen:"
Whatdoest
heal
ertsay?I
sitagr
een?
"
Not
ha:"
It
'sr
ed.
"
Queen:"
Ohno.Soi
t'
sbad.
"
Not
ha:"Ihopeshe'
sokay.
"Wewait
edforjustover
10minuteswhenmyphonerangagai
n."Mnqobi?"
Mnqobi
:"Hil
ove.Ical
ledPet
uniasometimeago.
Shehadaviol
entsit
uati
onatherhome.Thepoli
ce
ar
ewithherri
ghtnow.She'
scomingtothePalace.
"
Not
ha:"
Soshe'
sokay?
"
Mnqobi
:"Shesoundsshaken.Letmeknowwhen
she'
shomeokay?I'm onmyway. "
Notha:"Okay.
"Ihungup."
Appar
ent
lyt
her
ewasa
vi
olentsit
uati
on.
"
Queen:"
Ohno.I
ssheokay?
"
Notha:"Mnqobisaysshe'
sshaken.They'
rebr
ingi
ng
herhere.
"
Queen:"
Her
etot
hepal
ace?
"
Notha:"Yesmama.Iassumeshe'
l
larr
ivei
naf
ew
minutes,t
heywer
einOceansvi
ew."
Queen:" Oh.Okay.Uhm, letmegetahel pertofixher
aroom. "Shegotupner vousl yandwal kedaway.I
thi
nksheknewaboutusbutshehadn' tyetasked.I
don'tevenknowhowwewoul dexpl ainitbutwewi ll
fi
ndaway.Iwai tedaroundt hedi ningar eanotsur e
whatt odo.Ihear dt hecarsdr ivingi nsoIwai tedby
thefoyer.Mamacamet ostandnextt ome.The
dooropenedandaguar dwal kedi nf i
rst.Petucame
i
naf terhim holdingababyandt wot oddlers
walkingnextt oher .Mymi ndwentbl ankf ora
secondt henIr emember ed, Sizahaschi ldren.Soif
Petuhadt hekids,wherewasSi za?Sur elythe
guardsdi dn'
tleavehert here?
Pet
u:"
Goodday,
myqueen.
"
Queen:"
Hel
lo.Howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"I
'm wel
lmama,howareyou?"Shewas
hol
dingbackhertear
sandhereyeswereal
ready
puf
fyfrom cr
ying.
Queen:"
I'
m okay.Ar
etheseyourbabi
es?
"
Petu:"No,
Uhm.They'
remysi
ster
's.
"Hervoi
ce
broke.Ohno.
Queen:"
Comesit
,sweet
y."Wewenti
ntot
hel
ounge
andsatdown.
Petu:"Mysister
'shusbandhasbeenabusi ngher ,I
don'tknowforhowl ong.Today, hegotangry
becauseshewasl eavinghim.Hehadawomani n
thehouse,soIaskedhert opackhert hingssowe
cangetaf l
atsomewher eintownr at
herthanlive
withamanwhodi srespectedhersomuchandhur t
her.Iwaspackingi nmyr oom whenIhear dher
screaming.Iwasont hephonewi t
hNot haatthe
ti
mesoIqui cklywentt oattendtoherandhewas
beatingher.
"Shecr i
ed.Itookthebabyf rom her,
putti
ngitonmyl ap.Notsur ewhatt odowi t
hitbut
Petuwasbr eaki
ngdownandi ncapableofholding
her.
Queen:"
Iam sosor
rysi
si.Thi
sissuchahor
ri
ble
t
hing.Di
dhehurtyou?Ortheki
ds?"
Pet
u:"
No,
hewast
hreat
eni
ngt
oshootdownt
he
doorbecauseIl
ockedusi
nourr
oom.Thepol
ice
arr
ivedbefor
ehedid.
"
Queen:"
ThankGod.Isyoursi
sterst
il
lcomi
ngi
n?"
Sheshookherhead.
Pet
u:"
Thepar
amedi
cst
ookher
."
Queen:"
Thisissohorri
ble.Youneedsome
chamomi l
eteatocal
m youdown.You' resafenow.
Lookatthesebeaut
if
ulli
ttl
eangels.Haveyoueven
hadanyfood?It'
sawfull
yearlyf
orallthi
s."Pet
u
wipedhertear
s.
Petu:"
Nomama.MayIpleasemaket
hei
rmealso
theycanbat
handnap?
"
Queen:"Ohsweet hear
tdon'tworryaboutt
hat.
"She
cal
ledinahelper.Petuinst
ruct
edheronwhatt o
makeespeciall
ywi tht
hebabygi vi
ngherthe
por
ridge.

Afewhourslater
,Mnqobi
,SiboneloandKhaya
walkedi
n.PetuandIwereinthelounge.Mama
Bi
yelahadthebaby,
feedi
ngherabot tl
e.Shel
oves
chi
ldr
enalot
.Youcouldseehereyei
ngt
hem
eager
lyt
hemi nut
etheyarr
ived.
Mnqobi
:"Goodaf
ter
noonmama.
"
Queen:"
Hel
loboys.
"
Mnqobi
:"But
ter
fl
y,howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"
I'
m okay.Goodafternoon.
"Shewhi
sper
ed,
ver
yshyl
y."Ihaven'
theardfrom Si
za.
"
Sibo:"
Ispoketoadoctor
,she'
ssti
lli
nICU.I'
m
goingoverther
eri
ghtnow.Wouldyouliket
ocome
withme?"
Petu:"Yesplease.Uhm,mama,maypl
easel
eave
thekidshereforashortbi
t?"
Queen:"
Petuni
a,don'tbesi
ll
y.Ofcour
seyoucan
l
eavethem her
e.I'
l
ltakeverygoodcar
eofthem.
"
Petu:"
Thankyoumama."Sheknel
tdowntot he
toddl
erswhohadbeenenter
tai
nedbythei
rtoyson
thefl
oor."
Mia,I
'
m goi
ngtocheckonmommy
okay?"
Mi
a:"
CanIcomewi
thyou?
"
Petu:"
Notyetmyl
ove.Youhavet
ost
ayher
eint
he
castl
e."
Mi
a:"
We'
rei
nacast
le?
"
Pet
u:"
Yes.Thi
siswher
eaKi
ngandQueenl
ive.
"
Mia:"
SoI
'
m goi
ngt
obeapr
incesswhenI
'
minsi
de
i
t?"
Petu:"Yes,whi
leyou'r
einsi
deyoucanbepr
incess
Mia."Thetoddlergi
ggled."
Doyouwantt
ogivemea
ki
sst ogivetoyourmommy? "
Mi
a:"
Tel
lheri
t'
sfr
om Pr
incessMi
a,okay?
"
Petu:"She'
lll
ovethatsomuch.
"Aft
erchecki
ngthe
babies,she,MnqobiandSi
bonel
owalkedout.
Queen:"
Khaya,
areyouokaybaby?
"
Khaya:"Yesma.Ijustneedtogetheadachepi l
ls
andliedownforanhour .It
hinkit
'st
heheat .Tat
a
andZwear ealr
eadyont hei
rwaybackbutIt hi
nk
they'
l
lgostrai
ghttotheSikhosanapalace.The
negoti
ati
onswentwel l
.ThePr i
nceisoffi
cial
ly
engaged."
Queen:"
That
'swonder
ful
.I'
l
lhavesomeonebr
ing
yousomet
hingt
oni
bbl
eonsoyoucannap.
"
Khaya:"Thankyoumama.
"Hewal
kedupt
hest
air
s
t
ohisr oom.
Not
ha:"
Icanf
indsomeonemama,
I'
llsor
titout
."
Queen:"Thankyou,angel
.Ther
e'snot
hingIcan
compl ai
naboutper
sonall
ybecauseI'
m ver
y
blessed.
"Ismil
ed.

Ever yonecamebacki nanhour .I

'
dal somadehad
theki tchenmakesomer efreshment sandal ight
l
unch.Iknowt hepr i
nceswoul dhavet ogot o
Sikhosanapal aceforthewel comi ng.Wewoul donly
attendt omor r
owasi nvi
tedr oyalguestsandt he
officialengagementwoul dbedoneatt heAr ena.
Thisi swher e,Sasa'sfacewoul dberevealed.Sof ar
,
hervi llageknewbutnopi ct
ur esofherf acewer e
all
owedonl i
neunt i
ltomorrow.Sasabar elyhad
pictur esonlineanyway.Shedi dn'
thavemuchofa
soci almedi a,Ithinksheonl yr eal
lyfoll
owedi tfor
celebr itynews.Nowshe' sthecel ebrit
y.Ichuckled.
Queen:"
ThankyousomuchNot
hando.
"
Mnqobi:"
Bef
oreweeatmama,canwepl
easet
alk
aboutsomet
hingasaf
amil
y?"
Bi
yel
a:"
Isiturgent
,son?We'
redueatt
hepal
ace.
Can'
twetalkandeat?"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llbeshor
t,Ipr
omi
se.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Ver
ywel
l.
"Wesatdown.
Mnqobi :"Ihaven' tbeenf ull
yt ransparenton
ever ythingt oyouasmypar ent sandIapol ogizefor
that.Yout aughtmebet ter
.Ther easonwhyIhadn' t
beent ranspar enti sbecauseI 'm alsostil
llear
ning.
Not handohasagr eedt omar rymeagai nandwhi le
sheandIal readyhadt hisarr angement ,Ihadmet
Petuni aandIf ellinlovewi thher .Istil
lverymuch
l
oveNot handoandwi l
lcontinuebei ngherhusband.
SheandIspokeaboutPet u, shesuppor t
sour
rel
at ionshi pf ully.Shehadsuppor teditbeforethe
ruli
ngwasmadesoi ti
snoti nfluencedbyhernot
havingachoi ce.Ir especther .Wehavebeen
toget heral lthr eeofusof f
ici
al l
yf ortwoweeksnow.
Asi tst ands, Pet ui smygi rlf
riendandIdoseea
futurewi thal lthr eeofus.Wear esti
lll
earningand
wit
hthat,
Iwoul
dappreci
atesuppor
tandadvi
ce
f
rom youasmyfamil
y."
Bi
yel
a:"
Soyou'
rei
napol
ygamousmar
ri
agewena
Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Yebobaba.
"
Bi
yel
a:"Whatmakesyout
hinkwedon'tknowthat
?"
Mnqobil
ookedatSi
bonel
o,whowasmunchi ngon
hi
sfood.Heobvi
ousl
ytol
dthem al
ready.
Mnqobi
:"Ij
ustthoughtmaybei
twoul
dbemore
r
espect
fuli
fIsaidsomethi
ngmysel
fandnotj
ustdo
i
tbehi
ndyourbacks."
Queen:"
Andyoul
adi
esar
eokaywi
tht
his?
"
Not
ha:"
Yesma"
Pet
u:"
Yesmama.
"
Queen:"
Okayt
hen.Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingusknow.
"
Biyela:"Idon'tknowanythingaboutthi
s.AsI'
ve
raisedyouMnqobi ,youhaveneverseenorheardof
anot herwoman.I ftrul
y,thi
sissomethi
ngthatyou
allwant ,andwi l
lal
lrespecteachot
her,wecanonly
suppor t.Also,whenyouhavepr obl
emswear ehere
t
ofi
ndsol
uti
onsasaf
ami
ly.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ngi
yabongababa.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Alr
ightt
hen.Let
'seatsowecanl
eave.
"..
.

SASA'
SPOV_

Thearr
ivali
nthepalacewasdramat
ic.Ther
oyal
bandstoodatthegate,
trumpet
sandall
.
Me:"Thi
shappensever
yti
meyoucomehomebaby?
Becauseyoudon'
tcomehereof
ten.
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"
No,
thi
soneisforyou.Theydon'
tcar
e
aboutmycomingsandgoings.
"
Me:"
Areyousur
e?Iwasher
ebef
oreandt
heydi
dn'
t
t
rumpetf
orme."
Nkosi:"I
twasmot
her'
sbirt
hday,t
heywouldn'
thave
tr
umpet edmyl
ove.They'
recel
ebrat
ingyou.
"He
chuckled.
Me:"
Oh.I
t'
sver
yni
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"Andembar
rassi
ng?
"
Me:"
Ver
y."Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Iknowyougetembar rassedver
yqui ckl
y.
Unfor
tunatel
yyou'l
lhavetogot hr
oughitbecause
t
omor r
owwi llbeworse.You'
l
lbeattheAr ena."
Me:"
Andt
hey'
l
lseemyf
ace.Oh.
"Isi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llber
ightbyyoursi
de.
"
Me:"Youknowi fImakeami
stake,
thewhol
e
countr
ywil
llaughright
?"
Nkosi:"I
ncl udi
ngmebecauseyou'reveryfunny.
Come, l
et'sgo."Helaughed,
gett
ingoffhissideof
thecar.Mi newasopenedbyaguar d.At i
ger'
sskin
waslaidont hefl
oorformetost
eponandanot her
aft
eritallthewayt ot
hedoor.Nkosistoodnextto
mehol di
ngmyhand.
Nkosi:"Iwastoldthattherewillbesplashingof
waterwi thher
bsoni t.Wewal kslowlyallthewayto
thedoor .Don'
treacttothewat erhi
tti
ngyourf ace,
i
t'ssafe,thehealerassuresit
."Iwould'vebeen
shockedbutdef ini
tel
ynott oreact.
Me:"
Thankyoufort
heheadsup.
"Theheal
ercame
f
orwardwi
thhi
sbucket
.
Healer:"Boo- Sikhosana,MusiKaMhl anga.Mhl anga
ayihl
anganii hlanganamhl akwezi t
hebe!
Msamkhul u, Somboni .
*Samukel aindodakaziyenu
emziniwenu.Ungumamawesi zwewakusasa.
Inyonileindizel aphezul
u.Lowoonenhl i
ziyo
yeNkosi.Si yanibongelaMakhosi ."(Clannamesunt il
*.Wewel comeyourdaught erint
oyourhome.The
futur
emot heroft henation.Thebi rdthatf l
ieshigh.
Theonewi tht heKing'shear t
.Congr atul
ationsmy
Kings.)Wer eachedt hedoor ,att
hist i
meIwas
damp.TheKi ngandQueenst oodatt heent rance.
King:"
UmndeniwakwaSi khosanauyakwamukela
ekhaya."(
TheSikhosanafamil
ywelcomesyou
home.)Ibowed.Theysteppedasideaswewal ked
i
n.Theheal erwasburni
ngtheincenseal
laround
met othebackyard.Wewentupt oanareathat
wascor donedoffi
nthegarden.Ananimalhad
beenslaughter
ed.
Healer
:"Guqal
apha,Ndl
unkul
u."Iknel
tonthegr
ass
mat.Hechangedspeaki
ngtotheancestor
sin
wor dsIdidn'tr
eall
yunder stood.Heplaceaband
aroundmyheadandat tachedt woball
-li
kewet
thi
ngs." Youcanpl acet hi
sinyourmout hand
swal l
ow."Itookthemeatont hebowlandat eit
.
Thisdidn'tt
astegoodbutIcoul dn'
tspiti
toutsoI
braveditthrough."Sesiqedi
lekemama.
Wamkel ekil
eKwaSi khosana."Igotup,Nkosi
holdingmyhandbackt othehouse.

Ourdayhadwentver ywell.Iwasn'tt
oosurpri
sed
becauseAmahl ehadl ookedpleasedIwasof f
ici
all
y
MrsSi khosanabutthenationwasdemandi nga
wedding.Okay,notdemandi ngbutveryeager
accordingtoZanele,whohadcheckedt henews.
Tomor row'scer
emonywoul dbetheoffi
cial
engagementf orthenati
onandwher eIwouldget
mynewname.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ookt
ir
ed,
myl
ove.
"
Me:"
Onl
yal
it
tl
e."
Nkosi
:"Thenl
et'
sgo.We'
vedoneourbi
t.Ther
esti
s
onl
yforthem.
"
Me:"Sowe'
l
ltel
lthem we'
regoi
ngt
obed?
"He
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyoushy?
"
Me:"Nkosi,ourpar
entsandtheguestswillknow
we'r
egoingt ohavesex.Idon'
treal
lycar
eaboutt he
pr
inces,buttheparent
sNkosi?"
Nkosi
:"You'
remywi
fe.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Me:"Yesbuti sitnotshamef ulthatwe'rerushingto
gohavesexwhi lethey'
restil
lawake? "Hewasso
amused, l
aughinghyst eri
call
y.Idon'tknowwhyhe
wasf i
ndingthissof unny.Myf i
rstti
meandmy
parent
sar efull
yawar ethatit'
shappeni ng?Isthat
notshamef ul
?Nowever yonewasst ar i
ngbecause
hecouldn'tstoplaughing."Pl
easestopl aughing."I
whispered.
Nkosi
:"Iwi
llnever.Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obet
hebest
memoryofmyl ife.
"
Me:"Outofever
ythi
ng,
thi
sist
hememor
yyou
choose?
"
Nkosi
:"Ourchi
ldr
enwi
llhearofi
t.
"
Me:"
Youwantmet
odi
eofembar
rassment
."
Nkosi
:"Okaymylove,wewil
lwait
."ButIdi
dwantt
o
l
eavenow, Iwast
ir
edofsmili
ng."
Areyou
consi
deri
ng?"Hechuckl
ed.
Me:"
Iseeyou'
rever
yhappy.
"
Nkosi
:"I'
vegoteveryt
hingIwant
,howcanInotbe?"
Hesmiled."
I'
llhel
pyouonlythi
soneti
me.Sofoll
ow
mylead."
Me:"
Thankyoubaby,
butdon'
tmakei
t
embar
rassi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
remaki
ngmel aughandi
twi
llbehar
d
t
ofocusifIam l
aughi
ng.
"
Me:"Okaybaby.Doyourthing.
"Hetri
edtost
op
smil
ing.Idr
ankmyjuicealsotryi
ngnott
ogiggl
e.
Nkosi:"
Love,
youl
ookal
it
tleti
red,
doyouwantt
o
r
est?"Hesaidmor
eaudi
bly.
Me:"
Yespl
ease.
"
Nkosi:"
Alri
ght
.Famil
y,thankyousomuchfor
celebr
ati
ngthedaywithus.We'r
eret
ir
edtobedf
or
theeveni
ngast omor
rowwi l
lbeabigday.
"
Ki
ng:
"Al
ready?
"Fat
herGod,
why!
Nkosi:"Yesfather
.It
'sbeenal
ongday."Hequi
ckl
y
stoodup, Ist
oodupwi thhi
m,f
oll
owinghim."
You'
re
ri
ght,they'
rejudgi
ngus."
Me:"SoIwasn' tmaki
ngthingsup.Oh,I
'm so
embarrassed.Howwi l
lIevenlookatt
hem inthe
morning?"Itwasn'
tevenearl
y,itwasj
ustaft
er8in
theevening.
Nkosi:"Theyal sohadt heirturnbaby,I
'm sure
they'
renotevent hinkingofi t.
"Hechuckled.We
walkedi ntohisroom, closingthedoorbehindus.I
stoodint hemi ddleoft her oom,nervous.I'
d
thoughtoft hisdayf orsuchal ongtimeandnowi t
washappeni ng.Wi ththemanIwasi nlovewithand
nowmar riedto.Myst omachwasdoi ng
somer saultsinsi
deme.It urnedtolookathim.He
wasst aringatmewi t
hhi shandsi nhispockets.My
heartskippedabeat .
Me:"
Hi.
"Hi
sfacesof
tenedi
ntoasmi
le.
Nkosi
:"Hey.
"Hewalkedcl
osert
ome,
standi
ngi
n
f
rontofme."You'
rener
vous.
"
Me:"Alit
tl
ebi t
."Iundidhisf
ir
stbut
tonofhi
sroyal
sui
t,undoingthest r
ingt
henthechainandt
he
butt
onunder neath."Her
ewegowi t
hyour
suspenders.
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa,pl
easest
opmaki
ngmel
augh.
Thi
sisnotthet
ime."
Me:" I
'm sor rybabybutyouknowIl oveyourl i
ngerie,
i
tjustneedssomuchef f
or t
."Itookof fhisj acket
andpl acingi tont hechai r
.It ookof fhi sshi rtnext.
Het ookof fmybeadsanddr essgent l
y, leavingme
exposedwi thonl ymyt hong.I '
m gl adIwor et he
prett
yr edone.If elthim hissingi nal owt one.The
bulgeinhi spant sf ullyvi
sible.Iundi dt hebut ton
andhook, pullingdownt hezi pper.Hi sbl ack
underwearl owandt i
ghtonhi sbody.Het ookof fhis
pantsl eavingi tonf ormet ot akeof f.Itspr ungout
pointi
ngatme.Ihadsomet hingIwant edt osaybut
hewoul dlaugh, andIknowhe' stryingt obeser i
ous.
Hel i
ft
edmychi nt ol ookupathi m.Al lofmy
thought sdr i
ftedawaywhenIl ookedi nt ohi s
beautifuleyes.Iki ssedhi slips, hi
m hol dingmet o
hisbody.Hel i
ftedmeup, takingmeont ot hebed.
Heki ssedmyf ace, downtomyneckgr azinghis
teethonmyski never yf
ewseconds.Hepul ledof
f
theunder wearkissingmyst omach.Hist ongue
sli
theredovermyf olds,
suckingonmycl it.Ihel
d
hishead, openi
ngwi der
.Hest oppedsuckingand
start
edl i
ckingagain.
Me:" pleasedoi tagai n."Imoaned.If elthi steeth
slowlygr azeonme.Mybodyshi ver edwi thdesi re.
Hesuckedbackont hecl it,
hi stonguer apidly
wor kingoni tbui l
dingani ntensehi gh." Nkosi i
i.
"I
moaned, feeli
ngdi zzy.Mybodyf eltwar m, tingli
ng
i
nmyt oes.Ifeltnumb, mycl itthrobbi ngt ohi s
rhythm andf inallycl i
maxed, shaki ngt oasi zzli
ng
stil
l.Ihadt ocat chmybr eath, hecameupt omy
faceki ssingmyl i
ps.Mybodyst i
llfeelingsensi t
ive
tothet ouch.Hest oppedatt heent rance, Ifelthis
ti
pt witching,andar umbl einhi sthr oat.Hesucked
onmyl i
pshungr i
ly.Ifelthim sl owl ypushi n, t
earing
throughmeandf itt
inghi msel fallin.
Nkosi
:"Ohh..
."Hemoaned,pull
ingbackoutslowly
andbackin.ThenumbnessI'dfel
tfadedquickl
y
awaywithhispenet
rat
ion.Mylegsshook,feeli
ng
theuncomf ortablepain.Hekissedmyl i
ps,chi
n
thenmyneckandl ookedatme.Hi sor angeeyes
gli
ttered,l
ookingsodanger ouslysexy.Hispace
wentf aster
, ball
ingthesheetsinhi sfi
sts.The
strokingonceagai nali
vingmybodywi thpleasur
e.
Hebur i
edhisf aceinmyneck, suckingonmyski n
thengr azedoni tonceagai n.Imoanedi npleasure,
holdingont ohi m.Hewentdeeper .
Me:" Nkosi.."Imut t
ered.Hef ocusedonj ustthat,my
visionblurred."Nkosi."Icried.Hedi dn'
tchangea
thing,consistentlyfuckinglyrubbi ngmygspot .I
feltanotherclimax, comi ngup." Yesss.
..Baby. ..
Almo. "Hegr owled.Mybodyst i
ll
inginanor gasm
andsi nginghi sname.Hepusheddeepi nside, hi
s
teethsoftlysinkingintomyshoul derasher eleased.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er97

PRI
NCEPOV_
Idon'tevenr ememberhowIf ellasleepbutIhad
themostpeacef uldream.Iopenedmyeyes, l
ooking
i
nmyar ms.Thembi sawasst il
lfastasleep.Mywi fe.
Whowoul d'
vet houghtI'dbemar ri
edt oherinless
than5mont hs.Thist i
me, theGodswer eonmysi de.
Iwatchedherbr eathsof t
lyinslumber ,herheart
ratesteady.Herski nwassosmoot h, t
astingsweet.
Nowshehadaf ewmar ksonherbodybecauseof
meunabl etocont r
olmysel f.Justthethought
arousedme.Il i
ckedt hebiteonhershoul der,
tasti
ngt hestingofdr i
edbl ood.
Nkosi:"
I'
m sor
rybaby.
"Shest
ret
chedherbody,
waking.
Sasa:"
Mor
ninglove."Myhear
tgl
eamedwi
thj
oy.
Shewasawake.Finall
y.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningMr
sSi
khosana.
"
Sasa:"Whatwer
eyoumumbli
ngwhi
leIwas
sl
eeping?Wereyout
ryi
ngt
ojuj
umeawake?"I
chuckled.
Nkosi
:"Yes,
andi
twor
ked.
"Shegi
ggl
ed."
Howdi
d
yousl
eep?
"
Sasa:"
Isl
eptgr
eat
.It
hinkIpassedoutact
ual
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"Metoo.I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
hese."It
ouchedt
he
marksonhershoul
der
sandneck.
Sasa:"Whyar
eyousor
ryf
orgi
vingmet
att
oos?
"
Shekissedmychi
n.
Nkosi
:"Don'
ttheyhur
t?"Shebl
ushed.
Sasa:"
No.
"
Nkosi
:"No?
"Shehidherf
acei
nmychest
.Whatdi
d
shemean?"Baby?
"
Sasa:"Theydon' thur
tlove,
don'
tworr
y."Iwoul
dn'
t
havebeenwor r
iedifshewaslyi
ngtomebutshe
wasn't
.Unl essmysensesdon'tworkanymore.So
natur
ally,
I'
m wor ri
ed.
Nkosi
:"Howdoesi
tfeel
then?
"
Sasa:"
Atf i
rsti thur
tjustabit
,theni tstung.Soyou
l
ickeditanditwasf i
ne.Wheni tstartedtoitch,you
l
ickeditagain.Thesecondt ime,itdidn'tevenhur t
.
Mybodywant edandexpectedi t
."That'sfascinati
ng,
I
'veneverbittenanyonebef oresot hiswasaf i
rst
f
orme.Idon'
tknowwhy.
Nkosi
:"That
'si
nter
est
ing.
"
Sasa:"
Howdi
ditf
eel
foryou?
"Ismi
led.
Nkosi
:"I
tfel
tgood.
"
Sasa:"
Ohsoyouf
eelgoodbybi
ti
ngmeNkosi
nhl
e?"
Il
aughed.
Nkosi:"
Sorr
ybaby.Itwasanuncontr
oll
ableurge.I
t
j
ustfeelsst
rangebecausei
thasneverhappened
bef
ore."
Sasa:"
Hmm.Iwi shwecoul
dstayi
nbedliket
hisal
l
daysothatIcanal
sobi
teyou.
"Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Maybeweshoul
d.I
t'
snotl
iket
hey'
l
lbr
eak
downthedoor.
"
Sasa:"
Youwanttomakeeveryoneupset
?I'
m sti
ll
embarr
assedfr
om l
astnight
.Howwi l
lIl
ookat
them?Ihopemydresscoversuptomyneck."
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tcarewhatt
heythi
nkanymor
e.I
'
m
goingtohurr
ythatcer
emonyupsowecancome
backtobed."
Sasa:"
Nkosi
nhl
epl
ease.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatbaby?"Ikissedherskin,put
ti
ngher
ni
pplei
nmymout h."
Iftheyhadawi f
easgorgeous
asmine,I
'
m surethey'
ddot hesame.Theycan' t
j
udgeme."Myphoner ang."They'
vestart
ed.
"
Sasa:"
Alr
eady?
"Ir
eachedoverf
ormyphone.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
."Ianswer
ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyKi
ng,
it'
sti
met
ogetr
eady.
"
Nkosi
:"Ineedanot
herhour
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Icanst
all
for30mi
nut
esnotanhour
."
Nkosi
:"45-
"
Mthunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e,Isai
d30mi
nut
es!
"Hehungup.
Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
isalr
eadyangr
y."Iki
ssedherneck,
upandalongherjawl
ine.
Sasa:"
Let'
swakeupbaby."Hereyessai
d
somethi
ngdiff
erent.Mywi
fewassogorgeous,
I
j
ustcouldn'
tgetoverit
.
Nkosi
:"Doyouknowhowr
eadyIam t
opi
le
furnit
ureupt hedoor?"Shegiggl
ed.Ikissedher
face,gett
ingont opofher.Wehaven'tdone
anythingbutmakel ove,andIwasn'treadytotr
y
anythingelse.Il
ovedwat chi
ngherfacewhenI
strokedintoher,Icoul
dseeinstant
lywhenIwas
hit
tingtherightspotandwhenshecl i
maxedcal l
ing
myname.Shehel dmyf ace.
Sasa:"
Whyareyoust
ari
ngatmel
iket
hat
,Mr
Si
khosana?
"
Nkosi:"Iwanttomakel ovet oyou. "Shesmi led,
pull
ingmet okissheragai n.Ikissedherl i
ps,
suckingonherbot tom.It r
acedki ssesdownher
body,allt
ohercl itwast i
ngnot imei nlicki
ngi t,
suckingonherl abia.Sheopenedwi der,hol
di ngmy
head,moani ng.Myt ongueslippedi ntoherslit,her
cri
esandt astehar deningme.Herj uicesdripped
ontomyt ongue, almostr eadytocum.Ist oppedand
ki
ssedheri nnerthighs.
Sasa:"babbyy."Shecomplai
ned,pull
ingonmy
head.Iplacedsoftki
ssesonher."Ohhh...
"Shewas
soclose.Myt onguesli
ppedinagain.Tasti
ngher
onceagain,Ineededtobeinsideherrightnow.Her
gri
pononheadwasf ir
m whileshesangmyname.I
fel
therthr
obbingonmyt ongue,herlegsshaking,
shepouredoutinmymout h.Icouldn'tholdi
tany
more,Igotri
ghtontop,dr
ivi
ngintoher .Herl
azy
eyes,l
ooki
ngdeeplyintomine.
Sasa:"
Iloveyou.
"Shemumbl
ed.Iki
ssedherl
ips.
Nkosi:"
Iloveyou."Ipacedmyselfintohersl
owly
butitwasn'tworki
ng.Iwasalreadyclose.Iwas
gett
ingdizzy.Herlegswrappedaroundmywai st,
I
hel
dherbodyt ome.Agr owlescapingoutofmy
thr
oat.
Sasa:" Baby..
."Shemoaned."Ohhh."Ihel
dhereven
ti
ghter.Herhol echoki
ngmydi ck,
throbbi
ng,warm
andl eaking.Fuck.Ir
oared,
mybodyshi veri
ngtoa
sti
llasIcamedeepi nsi
deher.Mybodyl oosened,
spazzingever yfewseconds.
Nkosi:"
Youfeelsof ucki
nggood.
"Il
ickedherneck
ki
ssingher
."Itwil
ltakeamiracl
etogetmeoutof
bed.
"Shesmi led.
Sasa:"Iwon'
tevenf
ightyoubaby.
"Il
ayontopof
her,
tryi
ngtocatchmybreath."
Don'
tfal
lasl
eep
now.
"
Nkosi
:"I
twoul
dbeimpossiblef
ormetostayawake.
Ij
ustneed10minut
esbaby."Sheki
ssedmyhead.
Sasa:"
Okay,
10mi
nut
esonl
y.".
..

SASAPOV_

Weonlymanagedt ogetupbecauseMthunzical
led
agai
n.Af
tertaki
ngabath,someoneknockedonthe
door
.Nkosiopenedit
.
Helper
:"Goodmorni
ngmyPr ince.Iam her
efort
he
Lady.Heratt
ir
eandstyl
istar
eready."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbr
ingher
."Hecl
osedt
hedoor
.
Me:" Ican'
twaittoseemydress.
"Iwassoexci
ted
foritbutIonlysawthesket
chdesign.Hest
ood
behindme, placi
ngasoftki
ssonmyneckand
holdingmei nhisarms.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantyoutoworryaboutanyt
hing
t
oday.Itwil
lbegr
eat.Iam sohappyyouaremine.
"I
heldonhisarms."Let'
sgobaby."I'
donlygotten
dressedinunder
wearandagown.Hewal kedmet o
thedressi
ngroom.Mybodywasachi ngfrom our
acti
vit
iesbutIwouldn'
tdareleti
tshow.Walking
wasapr ocessbutGodf or
bidtheyseemest umble.
Isatdownslowly.Thestyl
istbowed.Nkosikissed
myhead.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llber
ightnextdoorget
ti
ngdr
essed.I
'
llbe
her
ewhenyou'redone."
Me:"Okaybaby."Ikissedhi
sli
ps.Hewal
kedout
.I
l
ookedatmyst yli
st."Goodmorni
ng.
"
She:"
YourHi
ghness.
"
Me:"
What
'syourname?
"
She:"
I'
m Pr
eci
ous.
"
Me:"
Youhaveabeaut
if
ulname,
Preci
ous.Let
'sget
st
art
ed.
"Shesmi
led
Pr
eci
ous:"Thankyou,
YourHi
ghness.Doyouhave
ahai
rst
yleyoupref
er?
"
Me:"
No.Whatdoyousuggest
?"
Pr
eci
ous:"
Youal
readyhavesuchbeaut
if
ulhai
r,I
wouldn'twantt
oputital
ldowni nabr ai
d.Perhaps
somepl ai
tsfr
om t
hehairl
inetoquarterwayinto
youhead.Thenleavetherestoftheafrocombed
out
,I'
lladdsomegoldbeadsaswel l
."
Me:"Thatsoundsperf
ect.Let
'sdoit
."Shestar
ted
onmyhai r
,worki
ngquitefastbuti
ncredi
blyneat
ly.
Onceshewasdone, addedthefewbeadsont he
cor
nrowsinthefront
.West art
edonmymakeup.
Pr
eci
ous:"
Doyouwantaf
ullgl
am orasof
tnat
ural
l
ook,
YourHighness?
"
Me:"Softnaturalbabe.
"Shenoddedandkept
worki
ngqui etl
y.Shemanagedtocoverupt he
markswi t
ht hemakeup.Whenshef i
nished,Ilooked
l
ikeagoddess." Thankyousomuch.Thi slooks
amazing,Precious.
"
Pr
eci
ous:"
You'
rewel
come,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Me:"
Areyout
her
oyalst
yli
stort
hisi
syourf
ir
st
j
ob?"
Pr
eci
ous:"It
'smyfir
stti
meworki
ngonar
oyal
,Your
Hi
ghness.Iappl
iedafewweeksago.
"
Me:"
Yourwor
kisbeaut
if
ulandef
fi
cient
.Let
'sget
dr
essed.
"
Precious:" Thankyouver ymuch, YourHighness."I
gotof fmychai r.Ihonestlydidn'twanttobecal l
ed
YourHi ghness.Mynamei sSasaandI '
m notr oyal
.
I'
dratherj ustbecal l
edbynamebutt heexplanati
on
wouldj ustt i
remeout .Also,Idon'tknowhowt he
queenswoul dreactt ohavingpeopl ecallmeby
name.Maybet hey' dtakeoff
ense, maybet hey'
d
punisht hem i nsteadofme.I 'djusthavet osuckthis
upandl etitbe.Il ookedatmydr essandgasped.I
wantedt ojumpupanddownwi thexcitementbut
mybodywoul dn'tletme.
Me:"Whomadet hi
s?"Everyonekeptqui
et,l
ooking
around.Ayoungwomanst eppedforwar
d,fear
ing
whatwouldhappennext.Ijustwant
edtothankher.
Thiswassobeauti
ful
.
She:"
Iwor
kedwi
tht
heheadseamst
ress,
myLady.
"
Me:"I
tisbeaut
if
ul,
thankyou.
"Shesmi
led
ner
vously.
She:"
ThankyouYourHi
ghness.
"Twol
adi
eshel
ped
meintomydr ess.Theyt iedupt hecorsetbehind
me,theothercheckedmyf r
ont.Ineverknewa
bl
ackdresscouldl ooksoel egantbutIhonest l
y
l
ookedandf el
tlikeagoddess.Thecor setsnatched
upmywai stball
ooni ngmybr east
supmodest ly.
Thencamet hegol djewelry.Thefirstwasat hin
gol
dchainwi t
habl ackstonependant ,ithad
matchi
ngear r
ings.Islippedintobeaut i
fulgold
bl
ackheels.Thenai linmycof f
in.
Preci
ous:"Letmehel pyouYourHi ghness."Isaton
mychai r
.Shewor egloves,takingacr eam and
rubbi
nghergl ovedhands.Shemassagedmyf eet
gentl
y.I'
dbel yi
ngifIsaidIhat edit.Onceshewas
doneshet ookawar m dampcl ot handdabbedal l
overmyf eetthenfi
tmyheel onmyf eet.Myfeetf el
t
soamazi ng."I
t'
sanumbi ngcream, tohelpyourf eet
nothurtthroughoutt
heday.I t'
llwearof fi
nabout8
hours,sobeforebedpl easesoakyourf eetinwar m
waterwithcoursesalt.Thendr yandl oti
onwi t
h
yourprefer
redloti
on.Theywon' thurtatall
."
Me:"
Thankyou,
Precious.
"Nkosiwal
kedin
dr
essi
ngroom.Helookedgorgeousi
nhisblack
r
egalsui
tmat
chi
ngmydr
ess.Hehel
dmyhand.
Nkosi
:"Youl
ooksogor
geous.
"
Me:"Thankyoulove.Youl
ooksohandsome.Look,
we'
remat chi
ng.
"Hesmi l
ed.
Nkosi
:"Come,
Mthunzii
salr
eadyupset
."Heki
ssed
myheadwalki
ngmeout .

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Isatatthebreakfasttabl
ebymysel f,
Iwasal r
eady
dressedandreadyt oleave.Foronce,myfamily
wasl at
e.Notlatetotheevent,butl
atetobreakfast
.
West il
lhadanhourt ospare,whenweshoul dbe
eati
ng.Khayacameoutf ir
st,weari
ngasuit.
Khaya:"
BhutSbo.
"
Sibo:"Hi
."Hesatdown,di
shingupbreakf
ast
."The
tai
lorneedstomakeyousuitswitht
hefamil
y
colourssoon.Whatdoyouthink?
"
Khaya:"
Wil
lthatbenecessar
y?Ihaveanumberof
sui
ts.Mor
ethanIneedi
nfact
."
Sibo:"
Youcan'
thavetoomany.Besi
des,youneeda
fewwiththef
amil
ycoloursf
orevent
sli
ket hi
sso
theyknowyou'
rewit
ht heBi
yel
afamil
y,you'r
eone
ofus."
Khaya:"
Okay.I
'
llcont
acthi
mtomor
row.
"
Si
bo:"
Good.
"Zwecamet
othet
abl
e,f
ull
ydr
essedi
n
hi
satt
ir
e.
Zwe:
"Mor
ningpr
inces.
"
Khaya:"
Mor
ningbhutZwe.
"
Si
bo:"
Hel
lo.
"Hedi
shedupf
ood.
Khaya:"
Howi
sSi
zadoi
ng?
"
Sibo:"Better.Herdoct
orsaysshemaybecomi ng
outofI CUt omorrowbuthewant st
okeepherinthe
hospitalforaf ewmoredaystomoni t
orherhead
i
njury.Shehadanast ybl
owt othehead.
"Idrank
mycof f
ee.
Khaya:"
That
'shorr
ibl
e."Il
ookedathim,feel
ingt
he
cr
yinhisvoi
ce."Hopef
ullysherecover
ssoon."
Si
bo:"Shewil
l.Int
hemeantime,Jacksonisinjai
l.
Hi
sbailhear
ingisint
hemor ni
ng.I'
m notsureif
wordhasgottentohi
m yetbutIt
hinkitmighthave.
"
Il
ookedatKhaya.
Zwe:
"Whydoyout
hinkso?
"
Si
bo:"
Hisl
awyeri
sMpendul
o."
Khaya:"
That
'snotsur
pri
sing.Abuser
stendt
ost
and
t
ogether
."
Si
bo:"
Ifhe'
sgrant
edbai
l,
hemightski
pthecountr
y.
Knowi
ngwe'rebehi
ndSi
za,hewon'
twanttosti
ck
ar
ound."
Zwe:
"I'
l
lspeakt
othej
udge.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Zwe:"Dowehaveaplanforhi
m?"Ther
estoft
he
fami
lycamedownst
airs.
Si
bo:"
Somany.
"
Zwe:
"We'
l
ldi
scussi
tlat
ert
hen.
"
Mnqobi
:"Goodmorningf
amil
y."Wegreetedhi
m
andhi
swives.Mom camein,
carryi
ngthebaby.
We'r
egoi
ngtohaveapr obl
em here.Shewas
get
ti
ngat
tached.Ever
yoneset
tledinthei
rseat
s.
Bi
yel
a:"
Howi
sever
yonedoi
ngt
oday?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Zwe:"We'redoi
ngwel
l,
father.Howareyou?
"My
fat
herlookedatmymother,smil
ing.
Bi
yel
a:"
I'
m great
."Idr
oppedmyf
orkontheplate.I
pr
aytoGodtheydidn'
tmakemeanot
hersibl
ing.
Zwe:
"You'
reenj
oyi
ngbei
ngagr
andpa?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
No,
Ist
il
lhaveal
otofener
gyi
nme.
"
Si
bo:"
Ther
egoesmyappet
it
e."Imumbl
ed.
Bi
yel
a:"
WhySi
bonel
o?"
Sibo:"Canwegonow?I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngher
ean
hour."
Bi
yel
a:"
West
il
lhaveawhi
le.Don'
twor
ry.
"
Queen:"
Pet
u,whyar en'
tyoudressedangel?You
can'
tgotoaroyaleventdr
essedcasuall
y."
Pet
u:"
Oh,
Iam goi
ngt
ost
aybehi
ndmama.I
t'
s
okay.
"
Queen:"Don'
tbesil
ly.Youcan'tst
ayalonehereall
day.Ihavesomethi
ngf oryoutowear ,
let
'scheck
mydr essi
ngroom r
ightafterbr
eakfast
."
Pet
u:"
Whataboutt
hebabi
esmama?
"
Queen:"
They'r
ewellbehaved,
Ithi
nkwecant
ake
t
hem.Rightlove?
"
Biyela:"Yes,they'
l
lbefi
ne.You'
llt
akeahelpert
o
assist.Thear enaisver
yhotanditcanbeloudand
stressfulforchil
drensoanextr
ahandwillbe
better.
"
Pet
u:"Thankyouverymuch,
mamanoTat a.Not
onl
yforwelcomingmeint
oyourhomebutmaking
mystaycomf or
tabl
eandsaf
e.Iam gr
atef
ul.
"
Queen:"Youar ewelcome."Thekidswer everyquiet
,
almostliketheyweren'
tevenhere.Sizahadn'tli
ed.
Herkidswer everywellbehavedandpol i
tetoo.I
don'
thavemuchexper iencewit
hchildrenbutIwas
7whenMnqobiandKhayawer eborn.Theywer e
thenoisiestbabi
esI'
veeverheardof .Khaya
speci
ficall
yscreamedever yt
imehehadt ogohome.
Notthesetoddl
ers,
andthat
'sver
yworryi
ng.Wehad
ourbreakf
ast,mamataki
ngPetutoherdressi
ng
room.
Si
bo:"
Mama,
pleaseputdownt
hebaby.
"
Queen:"
Putherdownwher
e?Shedoesn'
thavea
seat
."
Zwe:"
Letmeholdher.You'
llneedt
ohel
pPet
uwi
th
thedr
esses.
"Hetookthebaby.
Queen:"I
'l
lbebackjustnow.
"Shegentl
ypi
nched
hercheeksandwalkedawaywithPetu.
Si
bo:"Mnqobi
,doyouhaveapl
anf
ort
his
si
tuat
ion?
"
Mnqobi:"
Yes.I
'
llmovePet
u,Si
zaandt
heki
dsi
nmy
house.
"
Notha:"I
'l
lcontactt
heagencyf
oranannytohelp
si
ncePet uwillbeatt
endi
nghervi
rt
ualcl
assesand
Si
zar ecover
ing."
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Zwe:"
Whatmakesyout
hinkmamawi
lll
ett
heki
ds
l
eavethi
shouse.
"
Si
bo:"
That
'swhyi
tneedst
ohappensoon.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Why?Thechi
ldr
enar
en'
tbot
her
inganyone.
"
Si
bo:"
Tata,t
hekidsar
egreatbutt
helongert
hey
st
ay,t
hemor epr
essur
eI'
l
lgetforbri
ngi
nga
gr
andchi
ld.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatwoul
dbeabadi
dea.
"
Sibo:"How?Idon' tevenhaveawi f
e,wherewi
llI
fi
ndachi ld?Not ata.Ithi
nkyoushoul
dfocuson
pressuri
ngZwe.He' stheoldest
.Whyisthi
smy
responsibil
it
y?"
Bi
yel
a:"
Zwei
sbusy.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m al
sobusyTat
a."
Biyela:"
Thekidsaren'
tgoinganywher
eunt
ilthei
r
mot hercantakepropercaref
orthem.Mywor di
s
fi
nal."Ist
aredatmyf ather
.Youknowwhat
, t
his
i
sn'tevenmybusi nesst owor
ryabout
.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_
Theeventwasal mostst arti
ng.Af t
erbreakfast,I
sortedthesecur ity,selectingspecificguardsf or
eachr oyalmember .Al soscanni ngt hor
oughly
throught heguar dst obesur ethattheimpost er
wasn'ther e.Thei ncidenti nmyhousemademe
reall
ypar anoid.Icalledt heheal ertoworkthrough
theguar dsaswel ltobef ull
ysur e.
Mt hunzi:"Alright,we' r
er eady.Thef ourofyouar e
ont heout erper i
meter ,yougoi nf i
rst.Yousixar e
forHi sHighness, yousur roundhi m asusual .You
othersixar ef orHi sLady.Yousur roundhert oo.
They' l
lbet oget heratal lti
messoyoual lwork
togetherar oundt hem. "Theynodded.Icont i
nued
fortheKi ngandqueens, t
hent hepr i
ncessesand
l
edt hem out .Thear mywasout si
deandr eady.The
fami l
ywasr eady.TheKi ngwal kedoutwi thhis
guar dsfir
st ,foll
owedbyt hequeensandt henNkosi
andThembi sa.Iwat chedt hepr i
ncessesf oll
ow
them andt henf ollowed.Wedr oveintothear ena.I
secur edmyr ifl
eonmysi dewal ki
ngt otheent rance
towat chal lguar ds.Thef amilywal kedin,getti
ngt o
theirseats.Fi rstphasecompl ete.Thear enaas
expectedwasf ull
.Thecr owdwasover j
oyed,
screamingandsi ngi
ng.Thespeakeraddr essed
them,call
ingt hepraisesandwel comingspeech.
Myphonevi bratedinmypocket .Icheckedit,
missedcal lf
rom Busi .Shewassupposedt obe
herebynow, I
'dsentacarf orher.Iwenttotheroyal
guestsseat i
ngbutshewasn' tthere.Idi
aledher
numberback.
Mthunzi:"Myl ove.
"Thephonebeeped.Whatt
he
hel
listhisnow?Ical l
edheragai
n,itr
ang
unanswer ed.Icall
edtheguar
dIhadsenttoher.
Guar
d:"
MyLor
d."
Mt
hunzi
:"Wher
eismywi
fe?
"
Guar
d:"
She'
snotanswer
ingt
hedoor
,myLor
d."
Mt
hunzi
:"Canyouseei
nsi
det
hehouse?
"
Guar
d:"
Yes.Per
missi
ont
ogoi
n,myLor
d?"
Mt hunzi
:"Yes.Goi
n."Icheckedt
heguar
dst obe
standinginthei
rpr
operplacesandt
heyallwere.
"Well?"
Guar
d:"
MyLor
d,she'
sher
e.Pl
easehol
d."Iwai
ted
f
orasecond.
Busi
:"Baby.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Hey,
areyouokay?
"
Busi
:"Yes.It
ri
edcall
ingtot
ellyouIdon'
tthi
nkI
'
ll
makeit.I
'mfeel
ingsi
ck."
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
ckwi
thwhat
,baby?
"
Busi
:"Idon'
tknow.Mybodyi
sextr
emel
yweak,
I'
m
shi
veri
ngtotheboneandbl
eedi
ngnonst
op.
"
Mthunzi
:"It
hinkit
'sbet
teryougot
othehospi
tal
,I
'l
l
meetyouthere.
"
Busi:"
It
'snotthatseriousbaby.Ipr
omise,Ithi
nkit
's
j
ustmyhor monesact i
ngup.Don'tworry,
congrat
ulateSasaandNkosif orme.I
'
llsendthem
agiftt
omor row."Businevereverwant
edt ogoto
thedoctorunlessshecouldn'tmoveorprotest
.She
hatedbeingabur den.
Mt
hunzi
:"Busi
siwe,
pleasegot
othehospi
tal
."
Busi
:"I
fIdon'
tfeelbett
erwi
thi
nthehour
,Ipr
omi
se
I
'l
lgotothehospit
al.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay,
butt
hatguar
disn'
tleavi
ngyour
pr
esence.
"
Busi
:"Okay.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ar
eyousur
eyoudon'
twantmet
ocome?
"
Busi
:"I
'
m sure,l
ove.Youhaveaveryimportantj
ob,
I'
l
lbeokay.Ihavetheguardtohel
p,I
'm saf
e.I'
ll
sendmessageupdates.I'
m sor
rytodi
sturbyou."
Mthunzi
:"You'
l
lneverdist
urbme,myl
ove.I
'
llcheck
onyouinanhour.IloveyouBusi
."
Busi
:"Il
oveyout
oobaby.
"
Mthunzi
:"Pl
easegi
vetheguar
dthephone.
"She
handedthephoneover
.
Guar
d:"
YesmyLor
d?"
Mthunzi:"Watchherclosely,makesureshe'snot
tooweakt orespond.Ifi
tget st
othat,
driveher
str
aighttohospit
al.I
'l
lbookatOceansonst andby
soyouwon' thavetowai t
.Haveherdr i
nksome
waterfornow.Am Iunder stood?"
Guar
d:"YesmyLord.
"Ihungup, di
ali
ngformy
doct
oratOceansmedicalf
aci
li
ty.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkBusi
wouldgetsicksoqui ckl
y.Thevitaminsshould'
ve
star
tedtoshowi nhersyst em weeksf r
om now.The
dosagewast oohi ghf orheri
mmunesyst em to
handleandwi t
ht hat,they'
dhavet oremoveital
l
fr
om her,i
ncludingt heimplantwhichwast heonly
obstacl
ewithget ti
ngherpr egnant.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er98

SASA'
SPOV_

Thenoi seintheAr enawasdeaf ening.Isatnextto

Nkosist i
llwi
thavei lonmyf ace.Ther oyalspeaker
praisedthefamilynamesaddr essi
ngt hecrowdand
i
ntroducingthef i
rstper f
ormance.I twasadanci ng
groupofyoungl adi es.Iwatchedi nwonder .The
pl
acewesati nhadaper f
ectviewoft heent i
re
arena.Yes, i
twasst il
linti
midatingandhi ghoffthe
ground.Yes, If
eltveryawkwar dbeingt her
ebutI
wasenjoyi
ngmysel
f.Af
terthedance,gr
oupof
youngmencametoperfor
m aswel lt
henaband
fol
lowed.
Nkosi
:"Youseem t
obeenj
oyi
ngyour
sel
f.
"He
smil
ed.
Me:"
Iam.
"Hehel
dmyhand,
andki
ssedi
t.
Nkosi
:"Good.
"
Me:"
Willwehavet
ogoi
ntot
hemi
ddl
eoft
heAr
ena
aswel
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Nott
oday,
myl
ove.I
sn'
tthi
sthi
nghot
?"
Me:"
No, don'
ttakei
tof
f.Il
ikeit
."Hepeepedunder
t
heveilandkissedmyl
ips."St
opit.
"Igi
ggled.
Nkosi
:"Imi
ssseei
ngyourf
ace.
"
King:"Mehl
uli.
"Nkosisatbackinhi schair
,sti
ll
holdi
ngmyhand.I twassuchaj oyfulevent
.The
wasnowasi ngeratthecenterofthestage.His
voicewassopower fulandthecr owdlovedhim.I
couldstandupanddancebutdef ini
tel
ywoul d
never.Iwastooshy.Whent hesongcamet oanend,
thespeakercamef orwardagain.
Speaker :"Andnow, wei ntroducetoyou, Hi
s
Majesty, KingSikhosanat heGr eatone.TheKingof
thenation.Al ongwiththemot herofthenati
on,our
graci
ousQueen. "KingSi khosanaandhi sfi
rst
queenwal kedupt othef ront.Thecrowdcheered.
Wewai tedunt i
ltheyquieteddown.
Speaker:"Ii
ntroducetoyou, HisHighness,Pr i
nce
Sikhosana.Thef utur
eKingofournat ion.TheRoyal
Heirofthethrone-"hecouldn'tevenfi
nisht he
praisesbefor
et hecrowdst art
edscreami ng.Nkosi
heldmyhand, standi
ngup.Wewal kedf or
war dto
theirful
lvi
ew.TheKi ngstoodonhi sot herside,t
he
queenonmyot hersi
de.Itwast i
me.
Nkosi:"
Int
roduci
ngtotheworld,Mr
sSi khosana.
"He
whisper
edinmyear .Ismi
led.Thecrowdset t
led
downsot hekingcoul
dspeak.
King:"Iwel
comeyoual l,t
ot hi
sver yimpor tant
ceremony.MyPr i
ncehasf oundhi msel fawi fe.The
Sikhosanafamil
yisjoyfulforthi
snewaddi ti
onto
ourhome, toourt
hrone.Theancest orswillnow
chooseanameuponherl i
feandr eign."Theheal er
camef orwardandkneltont heground, shakinghi s
bones.Everyonewai
tedi
nanti
cipat
ion.Hel
ooked
upattheking.Whatwaswrong?Hegotupand
bowedtohim.
Heal
er:"
MyKi
ng.
"
King:"Thecountr
yiswait
ing.
"Hehissed.Theheal
er
whisperedinhisear
."No.Askforanot
herone.
"The
healerwasstuck.Whatwasgoingon?
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
?"
King:
"Doit."Heorderedtheheal er
.Thehealerwent
downonhi skneesagai n,doinghischant
s.Iwish
thi
swasdonei npri
vate.Nowever yonewaswai ti
ng
andthinki
ngsomet hi
ngi swr ong.Wasthere
somethingwr ong?Theheal erl
ookedveryscared.
Heal
er:"
I'
m sor
ry,
myKi
ng.
"Myhear
tst
art
edr
aci
ng.
Nkosi
:"Whati
sthepr
obl
em f
ather
?"
King:"Nothing."Hel ookedbackatthecrowd,
speakingintot hemi c."Theancest
orshavemade
themselvescl ear.Thet hronewel
comest hefut
ure
mot herofthenat ion.NobomiThembi sa
Sikhosana."IwassoshockedIcoul df ai
nt.Why
wouldt heychooset hesamename?Icoul dn'teven
hearthecr owdr ejoicing.Allfourofuswer est i
ll
confusedandspeci fi
callymyhear tpainedatt his.
Thiswaspr obablyhur ti
ngt heki ngmor ethanhel et
onbutf orthesakeofpeace, hekeptt hecer emony
going.Nkosist oodbehi ndme.Iqui cklyremoved
thedoubtandconf usionf r
om myf ace.Her emoved
theveilfrom myf ace.Ismi l
ed, sti
lllookingt othe
ground.Hehel dmyhand, standingnextt ome.The
bandwaspl ayingandmar chingi n.Myhear twas
aching.Ilookedt omyl eft,t
heki ngbei ngont he
othersideofNkosi .Hecl enchedhi steethst ari
ng
strai
ghtahead, notevenaf l
ickerofemot i
ononhi s
facebuti twasal iebecauseIcoul df eelit
.Icoul d
feelhi
shear tbl
eedi ng.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Theengagementannouncementwasmade.The
nat
ionwasrej
oici
ng,enj
oyingtheent
ertai
nment
.
WhatIfi
ndverystr
angewast henaming.Whydi
d
theyusethedeadqueen'
sname?Wasi tbecause
shepassedawayprematurel
y?Zwewoul dbeable
toanswerthi
squesti
on,heknowsalotaboutr
oyal
hist
oryandwhycertai
ncustomsarekept.
Si
bo:"
Zwe?
"
Zwe:
"Pr
inceSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
Sohast
henami
ngal
waysbeendone
publi
cly?
"
Zwe:"Yes.Evenwi
tht
hecur
rentqueens,
itwas
publ
ic.
"
Si
bo:"
Butt
hedeadqueen'
swasn'
t.
"
Zwe:"Shewasheavi l
ypregnant.Fathersays,
becauseofthat,
everythi
ngconcerningherwas
pri
vateexceptofcoursehercrowningbecauseit
hadtohappenbef or
eshegavebi rthtoapr i
nce.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh.Sowhydi
dtheyuset
hesamename?
"
Zwe:"That
,Idon'
tknowbuttheancest
orsar
enever
wrong.Theymusthaveareason.
"
Si
bo:"Iguess.
"It
ookoutmyphonet
ocheckf
orany
messages.Nothi
ng.WasZi
mmyhonest
lygoi
ngto
makemebeg?AndwasIr eall
ygoi ngto?Iwasn' t
thatdesperate.Icheckedhersoci almedia.Ohshe
washavi ngfun.Thepastweek, she'dbeengoi ng
outtodinnersandpost i
ngflowers.Whowast aki
ng
herout?Shehadnot hingpostedt oday,herlast
updatewasl astnight.Apictureofherselflooking
sexyashel latAmel i
a's.
"Scr
eenti
me."Ali
ttl
evoicesai
d.Il
ookednexttome.
Mnqobiwascarr
yinghisnowfosterson.The3year
old,
Mil
es.Hepointedatmyphone.
Si
bo:"
What
'sscr
eent
ime,
Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"You'
reaski
ngme?
"
Sibo:"
Whoel semustIask?Miles,whatisscreen
ti
me."Seeminglyhecanspeak.AllalongIthought
hecouldn'
t.Hehasn'
tsaidawor dsincehear r
ived.
Mi
les:"
It
syourphone.Iwat
chPawPat
rol
."
Sibo:"Idon'
tthi
nkIhavepawpatrol
,whatist
hat?
"
Het ookovermyphone,swipingt
hroughthemenu
andf oundYouTube.Hepressedi
tandgaveittome.
Mi
les:"
Pawpat
rol
."It
ypedi
tont
hesear
chbut
ton
andi
tcameup.Hewasexci
tedt
hen,
jumpi
ngover
tomylapandwat
chedhi
sshow.
Si
bo:"
NowwhatmustIuse?
"
Zwe:"
Letthechi
ldenjoyhi
mself
,Si
bonelo.You
usedt
olovebabies,
whathappenedtoyou?"
Sibo:"Isti
lll
ovebabi
esbutIwasabouttowrit
ean
email.Itcanwait,
Iguess.
"Isathi
m comfor
tablyon
topofmeandwat chedtheperf
ormanceint
he
Arenawhi leheenter
tai
nedhimsel
fwithPawPat r
ol.
Zwe:
"St
il
lhaven'
thear
dfr
om yourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Si
bo:"
Nope.Pl
usshe'
sgoi
ngoutondat
esnow.
"
Zwe:
"Haveyout
akenheroutonadat
e?"
Si
bo:"
No.Wewer
einl
ockdown.
"
Zwe:
"Youkeepmaki
ngexcuses.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mreall
ynot.Aft
erthelockdown,sheiced
meandthi
swholeweekI '
vebeenbusywi t
hwor k.
Rememberwehadt otr
aveltovil
lagesaroundthe
ci
tyt
oinst
allmynetwork?Ihaveacompanyt orun."
Zwe:
"Yetyoumi
ssher
.That
'swhyyoust
ay
updat
edonherl
if
e."
Si
bo:"
Mxi
m."
Zwe:"Idon'tknowwhyyoucan'
tjustadmi
tthatyou
l
ikethi
sgirlandswall
owyourpri
de.Youwantto
stal
lunti
lsomeonetakesher
-"
Sibo:"NotagainZwelet
hu.Iheardyouthefi
rstt
ime!
DearGod. "Isnapped."
Yes,Il
ikeheral
ot.Fi
ne.I
s
thatenough? "
Zwe:
"NowI
'
m sat
isf
ied.Icanhel
pyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Final
ly.
"
Zwe:"
Del
iverherf
avor
it
efl
ower
s,andanapol
ogy
not
e."
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tknowherf
avor
it
efl
ower
s."
Zwe:"You'
ret
ell
ingmeyouhaven'
thackedher
soci
alsyet
?"
Si
bo:"
Yout
oldmenott
o."Hesmi
led.
Zwe:"
Good.Youcancheckkeywor
dsl
ikeanor
mal
per
son."
Si
bo:"
From whatI
'
vegat
her
ed,
shel
ikespi
nk
f
lower
s."
Zwe:"Or
gani
zeanarr
angementoffl
ower
s.Sendi
n
yournot
etowri
teonyourbehal
f.
"
Si
bo:"
Andi
fshedoesn'
trespond?
"
Zwe: "
Sendheragi f
teveryday.Somet hingthat
remindsyouofher .Sincetomor rowit'
sf l
ower s,
Tuesday,youcouldsendherabot t
leofper fume
andtellheryoumi sshersmel l
.Wednesdaysend
overasinginggroupt osingforher ,
tellheryou
missthesoundofhervoi ce.Thursdayeveni ng,
sendaguar dtogivehert henotet ostepout side.So
shecanwat chfir
ewor ks.Organisesomeonet oli
ght
thefi
reworks.Atthisstage,she'
smel t
ing."This
seemeddesper at
e, surel
y.I'
m goingtol ooklikean
i
diot.
Si
bo:"
I'
m goi
ngt
olookst
upi
dbutf
ine.Let
'ssee.
"
Zwe:
"Yourper
soni
sfastasl
eep.
"
Sibo:"Soqui
ckl
y?Eh."Ipausedthepawpatrolshow.
Turninghi
m onhischestsohecansleepproperly.I
checkedmyphonegoi ngtothewebsit
eIusually
useformymot herwhenI'm sendi
ngherf
lowers.I
l
ookedt hrought hef lower stheyhadavai l
able.The
Tuli
pswer ebeaut i
fulandqui t
euni que.She' dl ike
them, Ihope.Isentt heor derandnowi twast i
met o
writeanot e.Iwi shZwewoul dwr it
eitbecauseI
wasn' tgoodwi t
hwor ds.Idon' tevenr ememberwhy
Iwasdoi ngt his.DearZi mmy-Nope, toof ormal .No
needt ogr eet ,j
ustgett othepoi nt."Hey, Isawt hese
andt heyr emi ndedmeofyou.IknowIact edl i
kea
j
erk, Iam sor ry.Pl easef orgiveme.-Si bonel o."I
want edt ot hrowup.Thi swasgoi ngagai nst
everyt hingIam.Idon' tbeg.Isentt heor dert hen
checkedf oranot herstoret hatsol dpremi um
perfume.I twasar oyalstoreandi tonlyspeci ali
zed
i
ncust om scent s.Iselectedt henot est hat
resembl edher .Sof t,sweetandwi t
hahi ntofspi cy.
Twower er ecommended, Ican'tmakeachoi ce.I
order edt hef irstonebecauset hebot tlelooked
pretty.Thi swoul dbedel iveredt omyof fice,aguar d
woul ddr i
vei ttoheronTuesday.Ther e, nowIwas
doneat t
endi ngt owomenf ortheday.Icoul df ocus
ont hecel ebrat i
on.
Si
bo:"
Heee.Mnqobi
,i
sthi
sli
tt
leper
sonwear
inga
di
aper
?"
Mnqobi
:"Idon'
tknow,
why?
"
Sibo:"
Somet
hingsmell
sfunny.Unl
essoneofyou
fart
ed.
"Zwechuckl
ed."
Wasi tyouZwel
ethu?
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
odon'
tdi
srespectme.
"Hel
aughed.
Si
bo:"Mnqobi
?"Hecouldn'
tevenr
espond,
hej
ust
l
aughedsil
ent
ly."
Atyourbi
gageMnqobi?"
Mnqobi
:"I
t'
snotme.
"Hebr
eat
hed.
Si
bo:"
What
'ssof
unnyt
hen?
"
Mnqobi:"
Idon'
tknowi
fhe'
swear
ingadi
aper
,you'
l
l
havet
ocheck."
Sibo:"
ME??Mnqobiuyangi
del
ela.Zwe,
you'
ret
he
doctor
."
Zwe:"Pleasedon' ti
nvol
veme.Takecar eofyour
l
it
tl
eper son."Ilookedaroundforthenannybutshe
wasfeedi ngt hebaby.Petuhadt he5yearoldgir
l
onherl ap.Icheckedt heboy'spants.Thank
goodness, there'sadiaper.Canyouimaginethe
messifhewasn' tweari
ngone?Nowwehadt o
maskt hesmel lunti
lhewokeup.
Sibo:"
Mnqobi
,l
etthenannyknow,
whenshe'
sdone
shecancometakehimtochange.
"
Zwe:"
Lethi
m sl
eep.He'
l
lchangewhenhewakes
up.
"
Sibo:"
Soyou'
resayi
ngI'
m goi
ngtobesmel
li
ngof
poopforawhil
e?"Theyl
aughed.
Zwe:"I
t'
sbabypoop,i
tdoesn'
tcount
."Howcani
t
notcount
?Itsmel
ls.
Sibo:"
Youcanneversaynotoanythi
ngIaskfor
everagai
nZwelet
hu."Hecont
inuedlaughi
ng.Mxi
m.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Ikeptchecki
ngonBusithroughoutthemorni
ng.
Shewasr espondi
ngandtalki
ngfineonthephone
butwasn'tget
ti
ngbett
er.Iwasnowwor ri
ed.Ical
led
onceagain.
Busi
:"Baby.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Hey.It
hinkyoushoul
dgot
othehospi
tal
."
Busi
:"I
'm al
readyont
hewayther
e,I'
mfeel
ingmuch
weakernow.Theguardsai
dhe'
staki
ngmet o
Oceans.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"YesIt
oldhi
mto.
"
Busi
:"Okay.I
'
llbef
inel
ove.I
'm sur
ethedoct
orwi
ll
j
ustputmeonadr i
pandI'l
lbeokaybyeveni
ng.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay,butI'
m onmyway."Ihungup
bef
oresheprotested.Iwentupt
oNkosi.
Mthunzi
:"Hey.I
'
veappoi
ntedDumanetowat
chover
secur
it
y.Ihavetor
ushtoBusi
,she'
sonherwayt
o
hospi
tal
."
Nkosi
:"I
ssheokay?
"
Mthunzi
:"Shesaysshei
sbutIdon'
tthi
nkso.I
'
llbe
bac-
"
Nkosi:"
No.I'
l
lbefi
ne.St
aywithher.Wewon'tbe
herel
ong,we'l
lbebacki
nthepalacefort
herestof
theday.St
aywithBusi
,I
'l
lseeyoutomorrow.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Al
ri
ght
."Il
ookedar
ound,
sti
llunsur
e.
Nkosi
:"Go.Updat
emewhenyougett
her
e."
Mthunzi :"Okay."Iwentt omycar ,dr ivingt otheci ty
atfullspeed.IknowwhatIdi dwashor riblebutI
couldn'thelpit.Thiswast hewor stpar t, afterthis,
shewi llbefine.Itwasn'tidealbutIhadt o.Idi dn't
wantababywi thanyr andom womanf r om t he
i
nternet .OnceBusi f
all
spr egnant ,shewi l
lbond
wit
ht hebabyi nherbel l
y.Eveni fit'sonechi l
d, I
'l
lbe
fi
newi thi t
.Ididn'tneedahousef ull.Ij ustwant ed
one.Itwasal mostanhourwhenIpar kedatt he
hospitalandwal kedin.Thesi st
eratr ecept ion
smileduponseei ngme.
Mt
hunzi:"
Hi.I
'
m her
eforBusi
siweMwel
ase.She'
s
mywif
e."
Sist
er:"
GeneralMt
hunzi.Yourwif
eisinroom 12.
Taketheli
ftuptot
hethirdfl
oor,
turnl
eftandyou'l
l
seeitdownthepassage.Herdoctori
sDrNgayi."
Mthunzi :"Per
fect,
Iknowhi m.Thankyou. "Iwentt
o
thelif
t,andupt othir
df l
oor.Igotoffandwalked
str
aightt otheroom fi
rst.Busiwasont hebed,
asleep.Thedr i
pat t
achedt oherarm.
Mt
hunzi
:"DrNgayi
."
Doc:"
MyLor
d."
Mt
hunzi
:"Howi
sshe?
"
Doc:"
Bett
er.She'
sst
abil
izi
ng.I
fshe'dwait
edan
hourl
onger,we'
dbesayi
ngadiffer
entstor
y."
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
sthatbad?"Myheartsl
owed.Thi
swas
nott
heplan.Shecouldn'
tjustdi
e.
Doc:"Well,f
ort
unatel
yitwon' tbe.Idi
daf ewscans
andI '
vedrai
nedthetoxinsfrom herbody.
Overdosageofvit
amins.Whyt heywouldbe
prescri
bedtoherisverystrange.Rightnow,I
'm
hopefulherimmunesyst em willpi
ckup.Sofar,
she'sgood."
Mt
hunzi
:"Uhm,
shehasani
mpl
antaswel
l
."
Doc:"
Wer emovedi
t.Isawinhermedicalhi
stor
y.
Myapologiesf
orst
eppingthel
ine,MyLord,
have
youandtheMrsdecidedtonothaveababy?"
Mthunzi
:"Sheputitinsometimeago.Wantedusto
waitatf
ir
st.I
'l
lhaveatalkwit
hheraboutit
.Ifshe
wantstowaitali
ttl
elonger
,whatshoul
dshedo?
Wil
lyouputanotheroneinimmediatel
y?"
Doc:"I'
dhighlyrecommendwai t
ingatleastsix
mont hs.Iwanttomoni t
orhercl osely,l
ett
ingher
bodywor kitsel
fbett
ernat ural
ly.Fornow, shehas
plentyofotheropti
ons.I'
llhaveal istdr
awnupf or
you."Iwon'tneedthat.Asl ongast heimplantwas
outofherbody, I'
dhandleever ythi
ngelse.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thankyouver
ymuchDr
."
Doc:"
You'
rewel
come.
"
Mthunzi:"
Andyou'resur
eshe'
sfi
ne?Ifyoudon'
t
mind,I
'l
lpref
ertohavemyfri
endcheckasasecond
opi
nion.DrBiyel
a."
Doc:"I
'm sur
ebutifi
t'
scomfortabl
eforyou,then
getthesecondopini
on,myLord.Idon'tmind.Dr
Biyel
aisverygood.You'
reacaringhusband.Busii
s
l
uckyt ohaveyou.
"
Mt hunzi :"
Thankyou. "Hewal kedout.Isi
ghed.The
wor stpar twasover .Ihadsixmont hstoimpregnate
her .Itseemedal ongtimebutitwasn't.I
'vechecked
alotofi nformationonlineaboutgetti
ngof ft
he
i
mpl antandhowl ongonewai t
sbeforetheyactuall
y
fallpr egnant.Iwascr ossi
ngfinger
sitwoul dbeina
f
ewmont
hs.Isatont
hechai
r,hol
dingherhand.
Mthunzi:"
I'
m sorry,
love.Thiswil
lal
lbewor
thiti
n
theend.Ipromise.IloveyousomuchBusi.I
promiseIwillt
akecar eofyou.
"..
.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er99

SASA'
SPOV_

IwokeuponMondaymor ning.Nkosiwasf ast

asleepst il
lbuthadat i
ghtgr i
ponmybody.Wewer e
sot ir
edwhenwecamebackf rom theAr ena,we
onl ymanagedt owi shmyf ami lyasaf ejourneyand
theyl eft
.Afterthat,
weleftforbed.If eelli
kewe
shoul datleastattendbreakfastforrespect.Itri
ed
towi ggleawayf r
om hi
shol dbuthepul ledme
closer ,
growlinginmyneckbef orehel ickedmeand
fellasleepagain.
Me:"
Baby.
"
Nkosi
:"Hm.
hm.
"
Me:"
Wehaveadmi
ntodo.
"
Nkosi
:"Lat
er.
"
Me:" Baby,pl
easewakeup.Weneedt ogodownf
or
breakfast,
webasical
lyabandonedyourf
amil
y
yesterday.
"
Nkosi
:"They'
ref
ine.
"
Me:" Love,please."Heloosenedhi
sgrip.Igotup,
goingt othebat hroom.Itookapee,t
henbr ushed
myt eethafterflushing.Nkosiwal
kedin,st
anding
behindme.
Nkosi:"
Ithi
nkweshoul
dgobacktoourownhouse
now."Iri
nsedmymouthandt
oothbr
ush.
Me:"
We'
dnevergetanyt
hingdonei
fther
e'snoone
t
oshameus.
"Helaughed,huggi
ngme.
Nkosi
:"Idi
dn'tgett
hechancet
oaskyoubef
ore,
howdoyouf eelaboutt
hename?"
Me:"
Ner
vous.Scar
ed.Whywoul
dtheancest
ors
pi
ckt
hesamename?
"
Nkosi
:"Maybeyoucanaskt
hem.
"
Me:"
Iki
ndofwantedmyownname.Thenat
ioni
s
pr
obabl
yreel
ingi
nquest
ions.
"
Nkosi
:"Don'
twor
ryaboutt
henat
ion.
"
Me:"That
'snoteasyformeNkosi.Iwasn'
trai
sedto
beaQueen.ThisiskindofnewformeandsoI '
llbe
worr
iedaboutalot
."
Nkosi
:"Atl
eastt
heyl
ikeyou.
"
Me:"ThankGod.Imagi
nei
ftheyst
art
edbooi
ngand
t
hrowingtomatoes?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"You'
rebei
ngdramat
ic.Takeashowersowe
cangodownstair
s."
Me:"
Alone?
"
Nkosi:"Yes."Hekissedmyneck,holdingmy
breasts."
Everyti
meIt ouchyouIgetarousedbut
you'r
est i
llsor
e."Itur
nedtolookathim.
Me:"
Onl
ywhenyougoi
n,af
tert
hat
..
..
"Iki
ssedhi
m.
Nkosi
:"No.Let
'swai
t.
."
Me:"Okay.
"Hewasalreadyhar
d.It
ouchedi
t,
massagingitsl
owl
y.
Nkosi
:"Baby.
."
Me:"Shhh."Iknel
tonthef
loor
.Hepi
ckedmeback
up,
wal ki
ngmet othebedr
oom.
Nkosi:"You'
retooshortt
okneelwhileI'
m standing.
"
Hesatont hechairandleanedback."Conti
nue."
Howhechangedi nt
othisdominantinasecond
wassuchat ur
non.Ili
ckedtheti
p,wet t
ingit.Then
putitinmymout handsucked.Hehel dmyhai r
,
pushingitinmymout handbackout .
Nkosi:"
Ohh..
."Hi
sgripti
ghtenedonmyhai r,
bobbingmyheadal i
ttl
efaster
.Icouldbar
elyfi
thalf
ofhiminmymout h,soIwasgenui nel
ychoking.I
spatoutandbreat
hed.
Nkosi:"Keepgoi ng,youwer edoingsowel l
."His
eyesdancedar oundmyf ace,
menacingly.Iwasnot
aquitter
,ifIhadt ochokeanddi ethensobei t
.I
l
ickedf r
om hi sball
supt ohistipandsuckedoni t
thenpushedi tintot hebackofmyt hroat.Isoft
ly
grazedmyt eethonhi sskinwhenpull
ingoutand
wentbackinwit
hout .Hegr
oaned,i
nal owrumbl
e.I
wentfast
er,t
heflatofmytonguecurvi
ngtheunder
si
deofhisdick,
Isucked.
Nkosi
:"Fuuuck.
..
"Ipull
edi
toutandmassaged
agai
nwi t
hmyhand." Puti
tbacki
nThembisa.
"He
demanded.
Me:"
Makeme.
"Hegr
abbedt
hebackofmyhead.
Nkosi:"Backi
nside,baby.Don'
tmakemef uckitout
ofyou."Iwasnowdr i
ppingwet.It
ouchedmyself,
l
ookinghi mintheeye."Achall
enge?"
Me:" Makeme. "Hestoodup, picki
ngmeupand
tossedmeont hebed.Hef l
ippedmeover ,hol
ding
downmyhandsbehi ndmyback.Imoanedashe
penetratedme, sl
owly.Movingi nandoutofme,
gentlytogetusedt ohispace.Imovedwi thhi
m,
mat chi
nghispace.Hewentf aster,
growli
ng.
"Nkosi..
"heletgoofmyhandsandl ayonmyback
whilestroki
nginandoutofme, gr
oaningi
nmyear .
Hekneltbackupandpull
edout.Ast i
ngingspank
at
tackedmyass.Hekissedit,
traci
ngallthewayto
myhole."Ohbabbby.
"Icri
ed.Hisli
ckswer er
apid
andconsist
ent.Ihel
dont hemat
tress, scr
eaming
i
ntomyf i
stfeeli
ngmycl i
maxcomi ngver yqui
ckly.
Hestopped."Nobaby!"It
urnedt
ol ookathi m."
Why
di
dyoust op?"Icl
imbedonhim,heki ssedmeback
down.
Nkosi:"
Youstar
ted.
"Helaymeonmyback,
sti
ll
ki
ssingandpusheditbacki
n.
Me:"Pleasekeepgoi
ngbaby,
Iwon'
tdi
stur
byou
agai
n."Ibegged.
Nkosi :"Hmm. "Hepul l
edoutagai n,pushi ngbacki n.
Hehel dmyhandsabovemyhead, stari
ngi ntomy
eyeswhi l
ef ucking.Idr ownedi nt hoseor angeeyes,
mybodyheat ingup, Iopenedwi derf orhim.He
groanedgoi ngf ast
er ,hi sgript ightenedonmy
hands.If eltmymuscl esunt angleandmycl imax
camei nwaves, Itr
embl edlikeal eaf,leakingand
crying.Hekeptf ucking, thesamepace, mybody
stoppedandt ookof fagai nbui ldinganot heror gasm.
Ijustfel tdizzy, f
eeli
nganot herwave.Isanghi s
name, feeli
ngf oradi ffer entcr avingl i
keahunger .
Hel ayont opofme, movi ngt hesame, holdingmy
bodyandgr azedhi st eet honmyski n.Hecl imaxed
ast
heysunki
n,hi
swhol
ebodyshaki
ng.
Nkosi
:"f
uck.
"Heli
ckedthebi
te.Itr
iedcat
chi
ngmy
br
eath."
Iwantt
ostayinher
ef or
ever.
"
Me:"
Soyoucankeepbi
ti
ngme?
"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tknowwhat'swrongwi
thme.I t
's
ei
therIbit
eorroar
.Theroari
sembarrassi
ng
becausethewholehousecanheari
t.
"
Me:"
You'
rel
ying!
!"
Nkosi:"I
'm ser
ious.TheonlywayIcansuppr essit
i
sbiting.Ican'
tcontroli
tother
wise.
"Wel aughed.
Hepul l
edoutandl aynexttome."You'
reright,wi
th
noonet oshameus, we'
dnevergetanythingdone.I
real
lywantt oj
ustorderbreakf
astupandt akea
nap."
Me:"Nowyouwantyourfami
lytohateme?Unlike
you,Ist
il
lhaveachancet
obeafave.You'
realost
cause.Don'
tdragmedownwithyou.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Howareyouthi
sfunnyal
lthedamnt
ime?
WejusthadsexThembisa.
"
Me:"
Justsayyoul
ikemebecauseIhaven'
teven
pull
edoutmybestj okesf ort
heday.Come, l
et'
s
showerforrealthi
sti
me. "Igotoutofbed,mypussy
wasswol l
enr eadyt
of al
loffatthi
spoint
.Rather
thatbecausemyhusbandknewhowt olaythatpi
pe.
Whyt hehellwouldIeverstarvehi
m?

Breakfastwasrat
herqui
et.Itseemedli
kethiswas
howi tusual
lyi
s.I
tdidn'
tfeelawkward.Ther
ewere
nostaresorawkwardsil
ence.Justpuresil
ence.
Nobant
u:"
Nobomi,whati
syourplanfortheday?
"I
dr
ankmyjuice.Wai
t,I
'
m Nobomi.Ichoked.
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry,
myqueen.Ihaven'
tgot
tenusedto
t
hename.Uhm, I
'
llbeat
tendi
ngmyvir
tualcl
asses
f
rom 9to1pm."
Nobant
u:"
Ithoughtyout
ookt
heweekof
f.
"
Me:"Iwould,
myqueenbutwi
tht
helockdownand
myaccident,
wewerebehi
ndi
nschoolwork.SoI
'
d
r
athercat
chupnow."
Nol
wazi
:"Accident
?"Il
ookedatt
heKi
ng.Hest
ared
atmesoIlookedaway.
Me:"
Yes,
myqueen.Anacci
dent
."
Nobantu:"
Andwhenyou'
redonewi
thyour
cl
asses?"
Me:"I
'
lldoabitofr
evisionandnot
esthenI
'
mfr
ee
f
ortherestoft
heafternoon,
myqueen."
Nolwazi
:"Youreducat
ioni
smor
eimpor
tantt
han
yourhusband?"
Me:"Myhusbandismypr i
ori
ty,
myqueenbutI'
m
goingtokeepmypromisetomysel
fandfi
nishmy
degree.Hesuppor
tsme."
Nkosi
:"Ful
lybehi
ndyou,
myl
ove.
"Heki
ssedmy
hand.
Nobant u:"Whenyouhaveanhourt ospare,pl
ease
doletmeknow.Wehaveaf ewthingstodiscuss.
Protocol,dresscode,andall.
"If
eltl
ikeshewas
j
udgi ngmydr ess.I
tcoveredmychest,tyi
ngbehind
myneckandIwor eacutecardi
gantocoverthe
openback.Theout fi
tlookedver
ymodestand
respectful
.
Me:"
Ithi
nk3pm wi
llbebest
,myqueen.
"The
secondqueenchuckl
ed.
Nol
wazi:"
Sowe'r
egoingt
obedi
ctat
edt
oby
Mehl
uli
'
swi f
enow?"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Ay,
I'
mjustasconf
used,
mot
her
."
Nkosi
:"Whati
sconfusingr
eally?Thembi
saisnot
goi
ngtocancelhercl
assesbecauseshehasto
pl
easeyou.Prot
ocolanddressingupcanbe
di
scussedanyti
me."
Nolwazi
:"She'
sanewwi f
e.Barely24hoursinand
she'
salr
eadybackatschool.Thatdoesn'
tseem l
ike
someonewhopr i
ori
ti
zesyou,Mehluli
."
Nkosi
:"Fat
her,pleaseadvi
sewhataper
sonwho
pr
iori
ti
zesthei
rlovedoneisli
ke.
"
Nobant
u:"
Nkosi
nhl
eMehl
uliSi
khosana!
!"
Nkosi:"
Mot her,pl
easeforgetaboutmekeeping
qui
etwheni tcomestotakingjabsatmywi f
e.Iwil
l
notbelenientatall
.Iwil
lgobel owthebasementof
hel
l.Shehasherl if
eapartfrom me,asIdofrom her.
Wear ebuildingonetoget
herandwi tht
hat,wewill
communi catewhatweeachneed.Toeachot her.
Thembisasuppor t
smemor ethananyonesi
tt
ingat
thi
stable.Sheli
stenst
ome, advi
sesmeanddoes
thebestshecani nanyconditi
onshe'si
ntomake
sureI'
m okay.Soyes,thatsoundsli
keagoodwife
tome."
Nolwazi:"
MyKi
ng,areyougoi
ngtoletourson
speaktomeli
kethi
s!?"TheKi
ngst
aredathisfood
quiet
ly.
Nkwenkwezi
:"Dad?
"
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sit
?"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Areyouokay?
"
King:
"I'
mf i
ne."Hedr ankhi scof
fee.Si
lencefel
l
uponusonceagai n.Ihat edtensi
onbutIwasn' t
backi
ngdown.Iwi llnotgi vei
nbecausei fIst
art
now,itwil
lhappenf orever.NowIcouldn'teat
.Great
.
Nkosi
:"Father
,Iwast
hinki
ngt
hatitwoul
dprobabl
y
bebestifwemovedbacktoourhousebyendof
thi
sweek."
King:"Okay.
"Ilookedathim.Somet
hingwas
obviouslywrong."Ihaveameeti
ng.
"Hegotupand
wal
kedout
.
Nolwazi
:"Nevert
houghtI'
dseet
hedayyouact
ual
ly
br
okeyourfather'
shear
t.
"Shegotupandwal
ked
af
terherhusband.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Mondaymor ning.Ihadameet ingwiththecounci l.

Nkosihadt heweekof fandt hatmeans, i
t'
sonl yus
andt heKi ng.It houghtIwasscar edofNkosi ,Iwas
wrong.Hi sf atherismuchwor se.Atl eastwith
Nkosi ,It
rusthi m nottohur tus.Isatatt he
breakfastt able,checki
ngt henewswhi leIate
breakfast.Nkosi '
sgif
twasr eadyandIwast hinking
ofdeliveri
ngi tsometimet hisweek.Ideci dedit
wouldbehi sweddi nggiftfrom myf amily.Apart
fr
om t hecounci lmeeti
ng, Ihadanot hermeet i
ng
withPhakami sainregardst ot hevineyard.ThenI
havet ovisitthehospi t
albecauseZwei shavingan
openingt oday.Theywer edonebui l
ding, i
twas
suspiciousl yfastinmyopi nionbutIknownot hing
aboutconst ructi
on.Icheckedmyl atestbusiness
analytics.TheoneIhadwi t
hZimmy.I twasdoi ng
quitewel landwehadameet i
ngt omor rowwi tha
pharmaceut icalchaint hatwantedt obeapar tof
thedel iverypr ocess.IsentZi mmyanemai lwi ththe
detail
soft hemeet i
ngandt ime,maki ngsur eshe
knowsherat tendancei scompul sory.Iwasgoi ngto
beext remel ybusyt hisent i
reweek.Mi leswander ed
i
ntot hedi ninghal lsti
llinhi
spajamas, and
unsur prisinglyhi ssli
pper swereont hewr ongf eet.
Si
bo:"
Goodmor
ningMi
les.
"
Mil
es:"goodmorni
ng.Wher eismommy? "Ohyeah.
Ther
e'sthat
.Si
zawasst i
llinhospi
talandshe'
dbe
movedoutofICUtoday.PetuandMnqobiwoul dgo
seehersometi
meduringt heday.
Sibo:"Shewentt ot hedoctori
nhospi
tal
,l
itt
leone.
Haveyouhadbr eakfastyet
?"Heshookhishead.I
fel
tsobadf orhim butwhatwasIgoingtosay?I
couldn'tt
ellhimt hefullt
rut
haboutwhathappened
tohisparent s.Thatwouldbecruel
.
Mi
les:"
No.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.Whatdoyouwantt
oeat
?"
Mi
les:"
Idon'
tknow.
"
Sibo:"
Alr
ightthen,l
et'
sgol ookforIdon'
tknowin
thekit
chen."Ipi
ckedhim up, wal
kingtot
hefri
dge.
"Canyouspoti t
?"Hegiggled."WhatdoesIdon'
t
knowlooklike?Showme. "
Mi
les:"
Abanana!
"
Sibo:"
Oh!Well,
that
'si
nthef
rui
tbowl.Ri
ghtover
here.Grabone.
"Hepull
edabananaofft
hepil
e.
Mil
es:"
Pleaseopen."Ipl
acedhi
m ont
hecount
er,
andopenedthestem.
Sibo:"Pulli
tdownoverhere.Agai
n.Andagai
n.
There,nowyoucaneatyourbanana.Whatelsedo
youeatf orbreakf
ast?
"Hemunchedonhi sbanana,
swallowingbeforeopeni
nghismouth.
Mil
es:"Porr
idge."It
ookhim offthecounter
.Ther
e
wasaboxofhi sporr
idgeontheot hersi
deofthe
counter
.Onef orhim andf
orthebaby.Hi swas
wri
ttenhisage.Ireadthei
nstructi
onsandmadei t
i
nasmal lbowl .
Si
bo:"
Doyout
hinkyou'
regoi
ngt
ofi
nisht
his?
"
Mi
les:"
Yes.Whati
syourname?
"
Si
bo:"
Mynamei
sSi
bonel
o."
Mi
les:"
Bonel
s."Ichuckl
ed.
Sibo:"
UncleBobo.Tast
etest,t
ellmehowiti
s."I
gavehim aspoonofporri
dge."I
sitni
ce?
"
Mil
es:"YesUncleBobo."It
ookhi
m andhi
spor
ri
dge
backtothedi
ninghall
.Thefamil
ywasnowseat
ed.
Si
bo:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Zwe:
"Hel
lobabydaddy.
"Theyl
aughed.
Sibo:"
Mxim."Mileswasf
ini
shedwit
hhisbanana,
notreal
lybecauseheonl
ytook3bit
esandhewas
done."Doyouknowhowt oeatonyourownMiles?
"
Mi
les:"
No.
"
Sibo:"
You'r
esuchabi gboybutcan'tli
ftaspoon?
Noways.Wehavet oteachyou.Grabitli
kethi
s,l
ike
ashovel,
scoopupsomedi rt
,andtakeittot
he
constr
ucti
onsi t
e.Openup."Hetookonespooni n
hismouth,giggl
inghappil
y."
See?It'
sabigboy'sjob.
Showmeagai
n."Heat
ehi
sfoodandf
ini
shed.
Zwe:"Youseewhyyouhavetohaveonefi
rst
?I
can'
tdoalloft
hat
.You'
l
lhavetoteachme.You'
re
obvi
ousbabydaddymater
ial
."
Si
bo:"Pl
easedon'
tst
art
.Whatt
imei
syourhospi
tal
l
aunch?"
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eBobo?
"
Si
bo:"
YesMi
les.
"
Mi
les:"
CanIpl
easehavewat
er?
"
Sibo:"
Sure.
"Ipour
edwateri
nagl assforhi
m,
holdi
ngtheglassf
orhi
mt odri
nk."Zwe."
Zwe:"12pm.
"Hesmi
led."
Areyoubr
ingi
ngMi
lest
o
work?
"
Si
bo:"
No.Whywoul
dIdot
hat
?"
Zwe:
"Idon'
tthi
nkhe'
l
lletyougo.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Sibo:"
Mil
esisabigboy.He'l
lwai
tunti
lI'
m home."I
brushedhi
scurlyhai
r.Maybemyparentswereon
tosomethi
ngorwer etheyt
ri
cki
ngmet ogetwhat
theywantoutofme?Iwassuddenlyconsider
ing
havingachildbuthow?Ial r
eadytol
dZimmytobe
oncont r
acepti
ves.Wouldsheevensayyesto
carr
yingmychi l
d?Idon'tknow.Thenannycameto
fet
chhi mforhisbath.Iconti
nuedeati
ngmynow
col
dbr eakf
ast.
Zwe:"Okaypri
nces.Todayisacouncilmeeti
ng.I
t
star
tsat9.Ther
e'snotalotontheagenda,It
hink
we'l
lbedoneby11.Khaya, Mnqobiyouhaveschool
fr
om 11:30.Wherewil
lyoubewor ki
ng?"
Bi
yel
a:"
Inmyoffi
ce,
Mnqobihasanot
hermeet
ingat
1andIneedhi
m."
Zwe:"Okay,Khaya,
youhaveameetingwith
Mthunziataroundthesamet
ime.You'l
lbemeet
ing
hi
m atAmel i
a's.
"
Khaya:"
Okay.
"
Zwe:"Myhospitalhasanopeninglaunchat12.I
t'
s
notabigt
hing,justanoff
ici
almediastatementt
hat
we'r
eoper
ating.Punincl
uded."Ichuckled.
Queen:"I
'l
lbether
emyson.You'vedonesuchan
amazingjob.I
'
m surei
tlooksevenbet
tert
han
bef
ore."
Zwe:"Thankyoumot
her
.Sbo,
you'
l
lbeatBi
ConnectAllday?
"
Si
bo:"
Mor
eorl
ess.
"
Zwe:"Alr
ightthen.Allt
hegi r
lswil
lbehomeand
att
endingvir
tualclasses.Thekidshavethenanny.
Petu,
Mnqobiwi l
lpickyousomet imeduringtoday
togovisi
tyoursi st
er.She'scomingoutofICU."
Pet
u:"
ThankyouBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"We'
real
lsor
tedf
ort
heday.
"
Si
bo:"
Ibel
ieveso.Whatt
imedowel
eave?
"
Zwe:"Ihavetogorightaboutnowtothehospi
tal
j
usttooverlookt
hateverythi
ngisgoi
ngwellbefor
e
Igett
ot hecounci
lmeet i
ng."
Sibo:"Okay.I'
llst
ar tatmyclub.Seeyouguys
soon."Itookoutmyphone, walkingoutt hehouse.I
gotinthecar ,dri
vingtomycl ub.Nowt hatwewe' r
e
operati
ngf ull
y.I'
dopenedt hekitchenfrom 10am i
n
themor ning.Ihad3chef sinrotatingshift
s.My
alcoholli
censewasf rom l
unchtimet o2am.I
neededt oappl yf
ort he24houronebecausepeopl e
needt odr i
nkint hemor ni
ng.Howcanyouhave
breakfastmi mosawi thoutchampagne?I nsanity.
Wi t
hal lofmybusi nesses,Imadesur eoper ati
ons
wer efull
ylegalandnotmani pulat
ed.Event hough
mynamewasi nfluentialenough,wedi dn'tusei tfor
i
llegalthingsthatnegat i
velyimpactus.Fat her
woul dhaveaf it.Iwal kedintotheclub.Theywer e
cleaningupandki tchenst affwasunpacki ngt he
food.Icheckedt hestockwi t
hthemanager .
Sibo:"Phil
a,dogirl
sli
ket
obedeli
veredfood?Orwi
ll
i
tbel i
keyou'redict
ati
ngwhatsheshoul
deator
you'r
et r
yingtomakeherfat
.Youneverknowthese
days."Hechuckled.
Phi
la:"
Yesmypr
ince.Myfatheralwayst
ell
smei
f
youwantawomantoloveyou,feedher.
"
Si
bo:"
Andi
t'
swor
kedf
oryou?
"
Phil
a:"
Yes.Ever
yti
memygi rlismadandIdon'
t
knowwhy,Ibuyherfavor
it
ef ood.
"
Si
bo:"
Seethi
siswhyIdon'twantrel
ati
onshi
ps.
Nowyou'r
epl
ayingaguessinggamebyyoursel
f.
Nx.Pl
easeor
derthemeatplatt
eri
nthekit
chen,
haveadriveronstandby.I
'
llsendyouanaddr
esst
o
del
iveri
tbymi dday.
"
Phil
a:"YesmyPr ince."Iwalkedout ,goi
ngtot he
counci
lmeet i
ng.Thef lowerswoul dbedelivered
sometimethismor ning.Idof eell
ikeI'
m doingtoo
much.Ican'tbeg,I'
veneverhadt o.Soifshe
doesn'
trespondtot hisandt omorrow'sgesture,
thenI'
m done.I'
m notgoi ngfullweek.Angihlanyi
mina.There'
swayt oomanygor geouswomeni n
thi
scit
y.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Iwasdonewit
hmydayj ustaf
ter1i
ntheaft
ernoon.
Iwal
kedint
othepal
acelooki
ngforThembi
sa.She
wasinourr
oom,packi
ngawayherbooks.
Nkosi
:"Mywi
fe.
"
Sasa:"
Hil
ove.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wel
l,
don'
tyouneedt
odor
evi
sion?
"
Sasa:"
Noact
ual
ly,
Ihadabr
eakatar
ound11andI
wasonagroupchatwi
thsomeofmycl assmat
es.
Wemadeournotesandrevi
siont
hen.I
'
m donewit
h
ever
ythi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'sgood.Thenwecangof
rui
tpi
cki
ng
andhaveapicnic.
"
Sasa:"
I'
dlovethatbabybutyourmot
heral
ready
askedforme."
Nkosi
:"She'
sexpect
ingyouat3pm.Wehavet
wo
hour
stolayinthesun.
"Shesmiled.
Sasa:"
Okay."Iki
ssedherl
ipsandl
edusout
."Wai
t,
mycardigan-
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
shotout
sidebaby.
"
Sasa:"YesbutIhavet orespectyourhomeNkosi.I
can'tj
ustwalkaroundwi t
hnakedshoul der
s."I
l
aughed.Af t
ert
akinghercar di
ganwel eftf
orthe
garden.Wewalkedoutt hecour tyar
d.Mymot her
s
weresitt
ingint
hegar dentablehavingwine.
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
s."
Nol
wazi
:"Mehl
uli
."Shesi
ppedherdr
ink.Iknowshe
wasmadatme.
Nobant
u:"
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
Nkosi:"
We'
regoi
ngf r
uitpi
cki
ngt
henhavi
nga
pi
cniconmycourtyar
d."
Nol
wazi:"
Shehasyoupicki
ngf
rui
tli
keapeasant
?"
Shesi
ppedherwineagai
n.
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
."Iwar
ned.
Nol
wazi:"
Am Il
ying?Haveyoueverseenaki
ng
pi
ckfr
uit?
"
Nkosi:"
Maybei
fhedi
d,he'
dbeal
otmor
ehappyas
aperson."
Sasa:"
Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Come.
"Iwal
kedheri
ntot
hegar
den.
Sasa:"
Babe,youcan'
tspeakli
kethatt
oyour
mother
s.It
'sver
ydisr
espectf
ul.
"
Nkosi
:"Andi
nsul
ti
ngyoui
sn'
tdi
srespect
ful
?"
Sasa:"
Yesbutwecanr eachamor erespect
ful
sol
uti
ontoalloft
his.YourfamilyandIhaven'thad
apropersi
tdownandgett oknowoneanot her.I
onl
yspoketoyourfirstmum, notthesecond."
Nkosi:"
Iknowmyf
ami
ly,
baby.Theywi
llnot
change."
Sasa:"Idon'tl
ikeitNkosi
.Idon'tl
ikeheari
ngyou
tal
kli
ket hattootherpeople.That
'snothowIknow
you.Wehavet ofi
ndanot herwaytogetthrought
o
them."Isighed.
Nkosi:"
Thembi
sa,
whydoyoul
etpeopl
ewal
kal
l
overyou?"
Sasa:"
Idonot
!"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
youdo.
"
Sasa:"They'r
eelder
s,Nkosi
nhl
e.El
der
sar
etobe
respect
ed,itisi
ntheBibl
e!"
Nkosi:"Thatwon' tworkonme, mylove.Ibeli
evein
respectforrespect.I
fyouf eelit
'sokaytoswearat
achild,beprepar edt
obeswor nbackt obythat
chil
d.It
'ssimpl e.Youcan'tteachaper sontobe
decenttoyouwhenyou' rehor r
iblet
ot hem.That'
s
abuse."Shel ookedatthegr ound,quietl
y."
Love?"
Sasa:"
Hm?
"
Nkosi
:"I
sthatwhatyouwer
etaughtbyyour
par
ent
s?"
Sasa:"It
'sintheBibl
e, Nkosi
.We'r
et aughtaboutit
everywhere."IhopethisisnotwhatIthinkitis.Her
fat
herdoesn' tseem l
ikethemanwhowoul dhurt
her.Iwasn'ttoosureabouthermot herandIdi dn'
t
wanttoassumebutt hisiscomingfrom somewher e.
Shecan' tpossibl
yhavecomef rom that,surel
yI
would'vepickeditupwhent heywereher e.
Nkosi
:"Love,
ift
her
e'ssomet
hingt
hathur
tsyou,
youwouldtel
lmeri
ght?"
Sasa:"
Somethi
nglikewhat
?"Shesmil
ed.Icoul
d
seethepai
nbehindhersmil
e.No,
thi
scan'tbe.
Nkosi
:"Anyt
hingatal
l.Whet
heri
t'
sfami
lyorf
ri
ends.
Evenme."
Sasa:"Yeslove.I
'
dt el
lyou.Look,t
here'
sapeach
tr
ee."Shetookoffrunning.Sheli
edtome.
[
07/
27,
06:
09] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er100
SASA'
SPOV_

Thedayhasbeenokay.I '
dmetwi tht hequeensand
theyexpl ainedt omeaboutpr otocol ,dresscode,
securitychecksandever ything.Tur nsout ,she
wasn'tjudgi ngmydr essbecausei twasf ine,but
shewasdef init
elyj
udgingmyst yl
e.It hinkt hat's
muchwor se.Nkosihasbeenwi thdr awnsi nceour
picni
c.He' dgonebackt ohi squi etshel lof
occasionalsmi leandasl ightchuckl ei nsteadoff ul
l
blownl aught erthatI
'dgot tenusedt o.Iknowwhy
butIwasnotaboutt osni tchonmymot her.She's
theonl yoneIhad.Besi des, itwasn' thappeni ng
anymor e, Iwoul dn'
tbesubj ectedt ohert r
eat ment
asof t
enandyoucan' tchanget hepast .Soi t'
sbest
j
ustt oletitgo.IknowNkosi nhleisonl ysof twheni t
comest ome, nooneel sei nhi sopi niondeser ves
hisgraceandt hati
sver yscar ybecausehecando
anythingt osomeonewhohur tsme.Ican' tletthat
happen.I twasnowdi nnert imeandasusual ,the
familysatqui etl
yatthetabl e.Ihadn' tgottent osee
thetwinsmuch.Theyr eall
yneverappear edinthe
palaceasiftheydidn'
tli
vethere.Idi
dn'tknowmuch
aboutthem.Amahl ewasbusywi thschoolwork
todaytoobutwepl annedtohaveahangout
tomorrow.Beforebed,IneededtocallPet uandfi
nd
outhowSi zaisdoing.Overal
l,
it'
sbeenagoodday.
Isippedmyj ui
ce.
Nkwe:"
Howi syourfi
rstdayi
nsi
deapal
ace,
Nobomi?"Il
ookedather.
Me:"
Itwasl
ovel
y.Youhaveabeaut
if
ulhome.
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Youdi
dn'
tgetl
ost
?It
'senor
mous.
"
Me:"
Surpr
isi
ngl
y,no.I
'
vegotani
mpeccabl
e
memory.
"
Nkwe:"
Haveyoubeendownt
othedungeons?
"
Me:"
Dungeons?
"
Nhlanhl
a:"
Yes,
that
'swheregr
andpal
ockedand
st
arvedcommoners.I
t'
sli
keamuseum."She
gi
ggled.
Me:"I
nteresti
ng.No,
Ihaven'tbeent
othe
dungeons."Isi
ppedmyjuice.
Nhlanhl
a:"Maybesometi
methisweekIcoul
dshow
you.Asasisteri
nlaw.Wehaven'
tspentt
ime
toget
her.
"
Nkosi
:"Tr
yit
."
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Bhut
iI'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
ogett
oknowher
."
Me:"
I'
dloveto.
"Ismil
ed.Nkosil
ookedatme.What
woul
dshedo?Lockmei nadungeon?Thatwould
best
upidbecausenoweveryoneal
readyknows
wher
eI'
dbe."Areyoustudyi
ngNhlanhla?
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"WhywouldIdot hat
?"I
tonlycli
ckedthen,
t
hesewerepri
ncessesgroomedtomar r
yapr i
nce
whowouldgi
vethem anythi
ngtheyaskfor.Why
woul
dtheyneedtostudy?
Me:"Iwasj ustwonderi
ngi fyouhaveaschedul e
thatIwouldneedt oconsider.I
'
llj
ustcomef i
ndyou
whenI '
m done."Shestaredatmewi thasizzlein
hereyes.Ourstart
erswer ebroughttothetable.
Nol
wazi
:"Howwasyourday,
myki
ng?
"
Ki
ng:
"Fi
ne.
"Heat
ehi
sst
art
er.
Nol
wazi
:"That
'sgood.
"
Nobant
u:"
Amahl
e,di
dyouhaveagoodday?
"
Ama:"I
twasf
ine,
mot
her
."Okay,
sodi
nnerwas
awkward.
Nkosi
:"Doyouhaveanyassi
gnment
s?"
Me:"
Onlyonesof
ar.Ineedtocal
lKhayatomor
row
sohecanhel
pme.Ijusthopehe'
snotbusy.
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Whoi
sKhaya?Mot
her
,di
dn'
tyouf
orbi
d
f
ri
ends?
"
Nol
wazi:"
Ibeli
evetheki
ngdid.
"Il
ookedattheKi
ng.
Hedrankhiswine,
thenst
aredatt
heglass.
Nkosi:"Fri
endsaren'
tall
owedinsi
dethepal
ace,
yes
butfatherdidn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutcut
ti
ngofft
he
outsi
dewor ld."
Nolwazi :"
Thisisgoingtobeapr oblem.Now,our
fami l
ythingswillbediscussedwithGodknowswho.
Perhapsyoushoul dgot oyourownhouse, Mehlul
i.
Clearlywhateverthisgir
lisfeedi
ngyouiswor ki
ng.
Youhavet hrownawayal lourcustoms,youhave
disrespectedandhumi li
atedmeenough.I t
'sf
ine,
please,bymor ningyoucanl eave.Idon'
twantthis
gi
rli
nmyhouse.
"
Nkwe:"Iagree.Allshe'
sdonei sdri
veawedgei n
ourfamil
y.NowuBhut idoesn'
tevenrespectf
ather,
hespeakstohi m andourmot hersanyhowhel i
kes.
Lookatourdad, he'sheart
brokenandcanbar el
y
sayawor d.Allbecausehe'stryi
ngtokeeppeacein
ourfamil
y.Ihopeyouar ehappyNobomi .I
fyour
ai
m wast obreakapar tourfamil
y,youhave
succeeded."
Nhlanhl
a:"
Andsoqui ckl
y.Imagi
newhenshe
becomesqueen,yoh,She'
llki
ckusoutofour
home."Nkosigotup.
Nkosi
:"Let
'sgo.
"
Me:"
Nkos-
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'sgoThembi
sa.
"Igotupandf
oll
owed
hi
mt oourroom.
Me:"Baby.
"Het ookoutasuitcaseandstar
ted
packi
ngclothes.Idon'
tknowhowhet hinksthi
swill
workbecausehecoul dn'
tevenfol
dclot
hes."Love,
pl
easelookatme. "Helookedatme."Wecan't
l
eave."
Nkosi
:"Wedefi
nit
elycanandwewi
ll
."Hewentback
t
othewardrobe.
Me:"
Nkosi
nhl
e,pl
easel
ist
ent
ome.
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"Hepl
acet
hecl
othesi
nthesui
tcase.
Me:"
Thi
sisyourhome.Ineedt
ogett
oknowyour
f
amil
yandperhapswecan-"
Nkosi
:"Isai
dNo.
"
Me:"
Butyourf
atherneedshel
p.Canweatl
east
st
ayforhi
m.Youcanseehe'sinabadpl
ace.
"
Nkosi
:"Whenhewantshel
p,he'
l
lcomet
ous.
"He
t
ri
edtocloset
hesui
tcase.
Me:"
CanIatl
eastspeakt
ohi
m bef
orewego?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Me:"
HayiNkosi
!"
Nkosi:"
Don'tprot
estnow.Iwillnotal
lowanyoneto
l
ookdownonyouori nsultyou.Ididnotgofet
ch
youfrom yourpeacefull
if
etocomel etyoube
abusedinmyhome. "
Me:"
Okay,
Iunder
standmaybeyoucanbet
her
e
whenIspeakt
ohi
mthen.Pl
easeNkosi
."
Nkosi:"Mxim."Hewalkedouttheroom.Ist
artedt
he
packingalloveragai
n,doi
ngitproper
lyand
fi
nishingbeforehewalkedbackin."
He'swait
ingf
or
youint helounge.
"Il
ookedathim.
Me:" Okay."Ifol
lowedhim outtot heupst ai
rs
l
ounge.TheKi ngwasinhi schai r
,dr i
nki
nga
whiskeyst ari
ngatapai nt
ing.Ilookedatt he
painti
ng.Ididn'tknowmuchaboutar tbutIknewhe
wasacol l
ectorandhadver yexpensi vepieces
aroundt hehouse.Thisonei npar t
icular
,Ididn'
t
under st
and.Itwasabl ackandwhi tepainti
ngofI
don'treall
yknowwhat .Itwasj ustlines.
Me:" Apparentl
y,artissubjective.Differenttoeach
personthatseesi t.Expressesper sonalper specti
ve.
YetIstil
ldon'tknowhowI '
dexpl ai
nt his."Ihugged
mybody, cringing.Whati fhetellsmet of uckoff
.
Wel l
,hedidevenwor se.Hedi dn'trespondoreven
fl
inch.IknowheknowsI 'm here.Istar edatthe
painti
ng,focusingr eal
lyhard.
Me:"
Thecycl
eofl
if
e.That
'swhatIsee.Thesel
ines
represent
sroots.Rootsar ewher ewecomef r
om.It
represent
sthoset hatcomebef oreuse.Thispart
,
entangli
ng,showshar dships.Thingswehavet o
facewhi l
eli
ving.Thislastpart
,itlookspure,
almost
deli
cate.Thebeginningofanewl ife.I
sthatwhat
thepainti
ngis?"
Ki
ng:
"It
'sj
ustaneye.
"
Me:" Oh."That '
sembar rassing.IthoughtIgoti t.At
l
easther esponded." I
t'
sr eal
lybeaut i
fult
hough.
Doesi tcomei ncol our?"Hel ookedatme.Ri ght,hi
s
eyes.Ofcour setheycomei ncolour."Ah.Youreye
doescomei ncol our.Veryuni queonet oo.You
knowwhenImetNkosif orthever yfi
rsttime, t
he
fir
stthingInot icedwashi seyes.Theywer escary.
Itdidn'
thel pthathehasani ntimidati
ngl ook."I
chuckled, si
tti
ngdown.Wesati nsi l
enceonceagai n.
Hewasn' tevengoi ngt oaskwhyI '
m here?
Me:"Areyouokay?"Hejustl
ookedatmeagai nt
hen
l
ookedbackathispainti
ng."
I'
m alsoconfused
aboutwhytheydecidedonthename.Somet i
mesit
getsover
whelmingbecauseIfeelli
keI'
m crossi
ng
boundari
esbyaskingtoomanyquest i
ons.But
that
'showIlearn.MaybeI'l
lmedi
tat
e.Mam
Nonkosidi
dvisitthefi
rstt
imeIdi
dsoshemight
haveanswers."Hestaredatme.
Ki
ng:
"Vi
sithow?
"
Me:"WhenIwasi
nthemedi
tat
ionhut
s,she
appear
ed.
"
Ki
ng:
"That
'snotpossi
ble.
"
Me:"
Iti
sn'
tbuti
thappened.
"
Ki
ng:
"You'
rel
ying.
"
Me:"I
nwhatwaywoul dt
hatbenef
itme?Idon'
t
haveareasont
oli
e."
King:
"You'r
etr
yingt
otel
lme,youmedi
tat
edanda
deadpersonappear
edandt
alkedt
oyou?"
Me:"
Yes.
"Hechuckl
ed,
shaki
nghi
shead.
Ki
ng:
"Ifyousayso.
"
Me:"
Icanshowyou.
"
Ki
ng:
"Noyoucan'
t.
"
Me:"
YesIcan.I
twi
llbescar
y.Soyou'
l
lhavet
obe
sure.It
hinki
tcanonl
yhappeni
nthevi
ll
a.Ihaven'
t
tr
iedanywhereel
se.
"
King:"
Andwhathappensi
fIcat
chyououtont
his
l
ie?"
Me:"
Youcandowhatyouwant
."
King:"SoIcangetr i
dofyou?Withyour
permissi
on? "Ohheavenandhell.Whatam Isayi
ng?
Ithoughthe'djustcutmeoffbuthemeans
permanently?
Me:"
Yes.
"Hest
aredatme.
King:
"I'
m notNkosinhl
e.Idon'tbeli
evei
nf air
ytal
es
andrunningaroundthegarden,picki
ngfl
ower s,
danci
ngwi t
hf ai
ri
esandwhat evernonsensical
mythi
calthingsyoudo."
Me:"Yohtata.That'
sver
yboldtosay,consi
deri
ng
youhavelighteni
ngcomingoutyourhands.
"I
blur
ted.Hestaredatmewithcontempt."
Iam so
sorr
y."Nkosiwalkedint
helounge.
Nkosi
:"Done?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"Ij
umpedup.
MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Busiwasdoi ngexcepti
onall
ywel l
.I'
dtakenher
homet hisaft
ernoon.Shewasal readybusywit
h
workthingsbutstil
linbed.Icookedherfavor
it
e
di
nner,bringi
ngittoheronat ray.
Mt
hunzi
:"Myl
ove.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Busi:"
Muchbet teract
ual
ly.St
rangehowmy
vit
aminsj usttur
nedagainstme,right?
"She
chuckled."Trytostayhealt
hyandt heheal
thyt
ri
es
tokil
lyou."Ismi l
ed.
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m gl
adyou'
reokay.I
'
dneverl
etanyt
hing
badhappentoyou.
"
Busi
:"Howwast
heengagement
?Iwat
chedi
ttoday
onTV."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
twasgr
eat
."
Busi
:"I
'
m gl
ad.Ihavet
osendheragi
ftsoon.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Uhm,
love.Di
dthedoct
ort
ellyouhe
r
emovedt
hei
mpl
ant
?"
Busi:"
Yes.Hesaiditwouldbeabout6mont hs
befor
eIinser
titagain.Hedoesn'
trecommendt he
i
nject
ionyetei
ther.SoIhavetheoptionofpi
ll
sor
absti
nence.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Oh.SoI
'
m goi
ngt
ost
arve?
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Busi:"
I'
dneverletthathappen.Thedoctorsai
dt he
pi
llisr
eli
able.It
hinkwecant rythatandthenalso
onlyabstai
nduringmyovul ati
onperiod.
"
Mthunzi
:"Al
ri
ght.Wi
llyouneedhelpwit
hplanni
ng
yourcal
endarandsort
ingyourpi
ll
s,set
ti
ngalar
ms
andstuf
f?Idon'
tmind."
Busi:
"You'r
et hesweet
esthusbandanywoman
coul
daskf or.Iknowyouhaveaveryimpor
tantj
ob
baby,Icanhandlethi
s."
Mt hunzi
:"Myjobisf
ine.You'
remywif
eandyou're
alsoimportantt
ome.Iwi l
lal
waysbeavai
labl
eto
takecareofyou."
Busi
:"Iknow.Okay,
I'
llt
ransf
ermyapponyour
phonethenyoucansorttheti
mefort
hepi
ll
sand
setanal
arm.
"
Mthunzi
:"Seemseasy.Di
dthedoct
orgi
veyout
he
pi
ll
s?"
Busi
:"Yeshedi
d.They'
rei
nmybag.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llsor
tthem i
ntoyourpi
llcont
ainer
s
keepi
ngeachonei nyourbagsandoffi
ce.
"
Busi
:"Okay.HealsorecommendedIeatmor e
nut
ri
entssinceI
'm of
fvitamins,I
'l
lneedfoodthat
hasthem.Soalotmor egreens,
frui
tthati
scit
rus.
"
Mthunzi:"I
'
llcont
actanutri
ti
onistt
ocompi l
eusa
menu.Whatdoyout hi
nkabouthavingahelper
comeint hehouseforhalfday?She'l
lcl
eanthen
makelunchandsupper .Iknowhowanxi ousyou
areabouthavingsomeonei nyourspace.
"
Busi:"
Wecant ryitagain.I
'
m opentoit
.Iwillbe
adjust
ingtogetti
ngmyheal thbackontrackso
perhaps,someonet ohelpmewi l
lbeokayforhalfa
day.Maybel et
'str
ythreeti
mesaweekf irst
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay,
I'
llcal
ltheagency.
"
Busi
:"Thankyou.
"Sheputasi
det
het
ray."
DoIever
tellyouhowmuchIappreciat
eyou?Youmakeme
feelsolovedandsaf
e.Il
oveyouMt hunzi.I
'
mreall
y
blessedtohaveamanasl ovi
ngandcaringasyou."
Ikissedher.
Mthunzi:"
Iloveyout oobaby."IfIwant edBusit o
bondwithourbaby, Ineededhert of eelhowmuchI
l
ovedherandseet hatI'
m alwaysavai lableforher.I
nowwor kedreasonablehour sbecauseNkosihas
Thembisa.HealsohadAmahl ewhopr otectedhim
spi
rit
uall
yandant ici
patedanyat tackfrom f ar
.Also
Dumanewasdoi ngagr eatjobheadi nghi ssecurit
y
whenIwasn' tar
ound.Iobviousl ydidn'ttrust
anyonebutmysel fwithmyki ngsl i
febutIbel i
eve
wewer edoinggoodsof ar
.

SASA'
SPOV_

Ii
nsist
edoncomi ngtothevil
la.Ourotherhouse
wasstil
lawait
ingfur
nit
ure.I
'
dpi ckedoutaTVanda
couchbutitwouldbedeli
ver
edi nafewweeks.The
bedsfortheot
herroomswoul dbedeliveredt
his
week.Idi dn'tli
keonl i
neshoppi ng.Weneededa
diningt able,coffeetable,arugf orthelounge,
curt ai
nsf orthewhol ehouse.Al ltheseIwantedto
pickouti nstorebutIknowIpr obablywouldn'tbe
ablet o.Thef r
eedom ofwal kingi ntoashopwas
nowadr eam becauset henat i
onknewwhoIwas.I
haven' tbeenouti npubl i
cyetbutIhaveaf eeli
ng
ther e'
llbeabi tofdr amawhenIdogosomewher e.
ItwasTuesdaymor ningandNkosiwasn' ti
nbed.I t
wasj ustaf t
er6.Per hapshewentf orarun.Ionly
hadt wocl assest odaythenI '
dspendsomet i
me
withNkosi .Itookashoweranddr essedinmybaby
bluemaxidr essandsandal s.Ineededacof feeto
drinkwhi l
eIsati nthegar densoImademywayout
tot her estaurant.Nkosiwasher e,tomysur pri
se.
Wi thhi sfatherandabi toftension.
Me:"
Goodmor
ning.
"Ist
oodnextt
oNkosi
.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ningl
ove.
"
Me:"MyKi ng,
areyoujoini
ngusf orbr
eakf
ast
?"I
t
waswayt ooearl
yforbreakfastbutwhyel
sewas
hehere?
Ki
ng:"
No.Yousaidyouwoul
dshowmehowyou
t
alkt
othedead.Her
eIam."
Me:"
IguessIdi
d.Uhm.Youwantt
odoi
tnow?
"
Ki
ng:
"Yes.I
sther
eapr
obl
em?
"
Me:"
Erh.
..
no.notr
eal
ly.Wecango.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
Me:"Tot hemedi tati
onhut slove.Itwi llbeagood
wayt ostarttheday.I 'l
lgetthesuppl i
es. "Iquickl
y
walkedoutoft her est
aurantt ogof i
ndwhi te
candles.Iknowt herewasst i
llsomeoft hatbranch
Amahl ehadgi venme.Nowi twasal lupt othe
ancestors."PleasedearGod.Showhi m whathe
needst osee, other wiseIam act ualt oastt oday.I'
m
wearingapr ett ydr ess,Ican'taffor
dt obebur nt
."I
tookthemat chesandcandl esaswel l aswat er.
Theywer ewai t i
ngbyt hebackexi t
.Her egoes
nothi
ng.Wewal kedoutt othemedi tationhut s.
Ki
ng:
"Ihopeyouknowwhatyou'
redoi
ng.
"
Me:"
Ido.
"Idon'tknowwher
emyconf
idence
st
emmedfrom butI'
m gl
adi
twast
her
e.Youhave
tobeli
evei
nyour selfasaperson.Wereachedt
he
huts."
Okay,soI'
m notsurehowi tworks.I
t
happenedbymi stakethef
irstt
ime,andIwasalone.
Somaybe, Icantellyouwhattosa-"
King:
"No,we'
regoi
ngintogether.Youwillshow
me."Thehutwasbigenoughtof i
tallt
hreeofus
butnowIwasscared.Whatifitdoesn'
twor k?
Me:"
Okay.Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Yesl
ove?
"
Me:"Doyouwanttocomeinsi
deoryou'
l
lwai
t
her
e?"Helookedathi
sfat
her.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llwai
ther
e."Damni
t.
Me:"Alri
ght ,wet akeof fourshoesher eandwal k
i
n."Itookof fmysandal sandwenti nt
othehut .The
Kingfoll
owedi nbehi ndme.Hest ood,andlooked
around.Itookt hesmal lblanketandcoveredmy
shoulder
s, sit
ti
ngont hepill
ow."Itwil
lbebett
erif
yousitdownmyki ng."Hesatonhi spill
owand
star
edatme.Il itthecandl efirst
.
Me:"
I'
m st
art
ingaj
our
neyt
oli
ghtupt
hisspaceand
providesi ght ."Thecandl ef lameshonbr ight.Sof ar,
wewer edoi nggood.Ipi ckedt hel eavesf rom the
branch, placingt hem i nthebowlt henseti talightas
Ididt hef irstt ime.Thef l
amedi eddownbutst il
l
burntt hrought heleaves.Thesmokef il
li
ngt he
room i nstant ly."Pleasecl oseyoureyesmyki ng."
Wecl osedoureyes." Thisher bi stopurifytheai r,
welcomi ngonl ythegoodsour cesofener gy,
sourcesofl ightandal lr
ight eousness.Iam onl y
openi ngt hi sspacef orgood, forwel li
ntendi ngand
forpr otect ors.Maynonegat i
vet hought slingeror
i
nt r
udemymedi tat
ivestat e."Thef amili
arfeelingof
calm cameoverme.Mysensest i
ngli
ngandt apping
i
nt oeachner vegent l
y.Ienj oyedt hisfeeli
ngso
much.Thepoweri tgavemewasi ncr
edible.Eveni f
Mam Nonkosidi dn'tappeart hist i
me, surelythe
kingcanf eelt hissenseofpeace.Iopenedmyeyes
l
ooki ngathi m.Hest aredatt hedoor ,
incompl ete
shock.Il ookedi nthesamedi rection,myhear t
almostj umpi ngoutofmyt hroat .
Ki
ng:
"Fat
her
.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
11] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous
#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er101

SASA'
SPOV_

Outofallt
hepeople,heshowsup?Thisisnotmy
conver
sati
onorjourneysoperhapsIshoul
dhead
out.
Me:"
YourMaj
est
y,i
tisanhonourt
obei
nyour
pr
esence.
"
Ngidumi se:"
Yet,youwantt oleave."Shit,
hehadt he
abil
it
yt oreadmi ndslikeNkosi .Iswall
owedt he
sali
vainmymout h.Hedi dn'
tremovehi seyesfrom
meonce.I ft
herewasacompet i
tionofwhoIf eared
themostbet weent het wo,shutt hosethoughts
downi nstantl
y.IlookedatKi ngSi zwe.
Me:"
SeeIdi
dn'
tli
e?"Hest
aredatmesar
cast
ical
ly.
Sizwe:"
Ist
hismymot her
?"Can'
tdoanyt
hingni
ce
forhumanbeings,
Iguess.
Me:"YourMajest
y,Ki
ngNgidumise,it
houghtwe'
d
bevisi
tedbyMam Nonkosi
.Isthereamessageyou
haveforus?"
Ngidumise:"
No."Ishivered.WhydoIalwayshave
tobeinawkwar dsit
uations?IlookedatKi
ngSizwe
tosaysomet hi
ngbutal lhedidwasstareathi
s
fat
her.Idon'
tknowanymor e."Howareyouscared
ofmeandnotofyourhusband?He' smy
photocopy.
"
Me:"
He'
sabi
tdi
ff
erent
."
Ngidumise:"Good,youmean? "Inoddedmyhead,
holdi
ngmybr eat
h.Hisdemeanorwast hesame,
creepi
lyso.Hewasj ustabitolder
."Well
,heisme.
"
Fi
nallyhelookedathisson."Youlookwell,
Sizwengaye.
"
Si
zwe:"
Iam wel
l,
fat
her
."
Ngi
dumi
se:"
Doyouhaveanyt
hingyouwantt
oask
me?"
Sizwe:"Nofather.
"Istar
edathim.Ar eyouserious?
Youwon' taskhim whyhel i
edtoyouaboutyour
mot herandhidherexist
ence?You'renotgoingto
askwhyyoudon' thavebrot
hers?Notevenwhyhe
neveroncet ol
dyouhel ovesyou?Ther easonyou
werer ai
sedtobesocol dandunf or
givi
ng?Ar eyou
seri
ous? ?Kantiwhyareweher e?
Ngi
dumi
se:"
That
'samout
hful
."Ohdamni
t!
Me:"Ijustt
hinki
t'
sveryupset ti
ng, myKing.I'
m now
hi
stargetbecausehedoesn' thavei nf
ormationthat
Ibel
ieveheshould'verecei
vedinhi syouth.Withall
duerespecttoyou,YourMaj esty.Thiswasa
dangerousgamet hatalmostcostmemyl i
fe."
Ngi dumi se:"It
'snotasecretthatIwasnotagood
man.Ir aisedyout obeunf eel
ingbecauseIknew
howmuchhur tyoucoul dexperi
encewhenyour
wor lddiesi nyourar ms.Ineverwantedyout oever
feelthat.I tdi
dmakemeweakbutonl ybecauseI
l
osti t.Thet ruthisthati
twasherl ovethatmademe
strong.Whenshedi ed,Ibecamebi t
terwit
hrage.I
am sor ry,myson. "
Si
zwe:"
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"
Ngidumi se:"Iam sayingthatIwaswr onginnot
showi ngyoul ove.Iwaswr ongi nraisingyout
obe
socol d.Iregret
teditevenbef oreIleftthi
sear
th.I
didn'tthi
nkIshoul dapologizebeforemydeat h.
Instead,Ithoughthavingmyspi ri
tgrowi n
Nkosi nhl
ewoul drightmywr ongs."
Sizwe:"
Soyoudeci
dedtoputyoursouli
ntomy
chil
dagainstmywi
ll
?"
Ngi
dumise:"
Nkosi
nhl
eishi
sownsoul
.Heonl
yhas
myspi
ri
t."
Si
zwe:"
Whydi
dyoubur
ndownt
hatvi
ll
age,
fat
her
?"
Ngi
dumi
se:"
Idi
dn'
twantyout
ofi
ndi
t.
"
Sizwe:"Youdi dn'twantmet ofindmymot her
's
roots?Youdi dn'twantmet oexper i
encejustevena
grainofherl ove?"Hestoodup." Iwonderedforall
myl if
e,ifyouhat edme.Ijustreali
zed,youactual
ly
did.Your esentedmewi thallofyourbeing.You
wishI '
ddiedi nst
eadofher."
Ngi
dumi
se:"
That
'snott
rue.
"
Sizwe:" Howi si tnot?Icanassur eyout heonly
reasonIst ayedal i
vewasbecauseIwasyourf ir
st
heirtot het hrone.Not hingelse.Doyoueven
remembert hef irstwor dsyouspoket ome?I '
l
l
remi ndyou.Yousai dt ome' yourmot herslast
wor dsbef or eshedi edwhi leyouwer einherar ms
were, Youcan' tki l
laki ng.butthatdoesn' tmeanHe
can'tbeki l
led.'Doyouknowt hat'
sal lIknewabout
mymot herunt ilthischi ldcameal ong?Youcal lthat
l
ove?Nowt hatshe' ssuddenl yher e,Imustembr ace
her.WI THWHAT! !
!Whatdi dyouequi pmewi t
ht o
showhert hatIappr eciateherf orjustthissmal l
windowofwhati tfeltli
ket obecl oset oher??No,
tel
lmebecauseIonl yknowwhatyout aughtme.
Yout aughtmehowt obeKi ng.Howt orule.Howt o
shownomer cy.Noki ndness.Yout aughtmehowt o
beaman.Yett oday, I'
m bat t
li
ngwi t
hst r
ange
feeli
ngsIcannotexpl ainandallyoucansayi s
sorry? "Hewal kedoutt hehut .
Me:"
Hej
ustneedst
ime-
"
Ngi
dumise:"
Nohedoesn'
t.He'
sact
ingl
ikeachi
ld
f
orthef
irstt
imei
nhi
slif
e."Hemovedcl
osertome,
adanger
ouscoldbr
eezewhir
li
ngar
oundme."
Tel
l
mewheretofi
ndmywi f
e."
Me:"
I.
.Idon'
tknow,
YourMaj
est
y."
Ngi
dumise:"
Yes,youdoandyouwil
l.Youhaveher
bl
oodsoyouwillbri
nghert
ome.".
..

Bytheti
meIl eftthemedi
tati
onhut s,Iwasshaken.
KingNgidumise'svoi
ceal
onewi llputthefearof
Godinyoursoul .Whatmakesitwor seist
hat ,
he'
s
notevenali
ve.Nkosiwaswai t
ingformeout si
de.
Nkosi:"
Heybaby."Hepul
ledmei
nhi
sar
ms."
You
okay?You'
reshaking.
"
Me:"I
'
mf i
ne.
"Il
ookedbackatt
hehut.Hehadlong
di
sappear
edbuti
tfel
tli
kehewasst
il
lstar
ingatme.
Nkosi
:"Whathappened?
"Wewal
kedawayf
rom t
he
hut
s.
Me:"
Wher
e'syourdad?
"
Nkosi
:"hewentt
othevi
ll
a.Di
dhet
rysomet
hing?
"
Me:"
Noact
ual
ly.Hedi
dn'
t.Mam Nonkosidi
dn'
t
appear
.Ki
ngNgi
dumi
sedi
d."
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Me:"Yeah.Idon'tknowhowt hathappened.I
'
m abit
scar
edbutbef or
et hat
,yourf
atherishurt
ingand
conf
used.Idon'tknowhowt ohelphim.He'sreal
ly
angr
yathisf at
her."
Nkosi
:"Whatdi
dPapasay?
"
Me:"Helooksalotl
ikeyou.Heapol ogi
zedt
ohis
son.Thentoldhi
m, heputhisspir
itinyout
ori
ght
hiswrongs.Yourdadispissed.
"
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"Ihel
dhi
shand.
Me:"
Heal
sowant
smet
ofi
ndhi
swi
fe.
"
Nkosi
:"Who?Papa?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'si
mpossi
ble.Youcan'
tdot
hat
."
Me:"Idon'
tthi
nkIhaveachoice.Ithoughtwe'd
havesomet i
metosettl
eint
oourmar r
iagebutI
thi
nkweneedt ost
artsoon.Fi
rst,weneedt of
ind
thespi
ri
tsofthel
ostpri
nces.Perhapst hi
sweek."
Hesi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"Okay.Todayyouhavecl
asses.Youf
ini
shat
1pm.Wecant ravelt
hen.
"
Me:"We'
l
lneedAmahl
easwel
l.
"Wer
eachedt
he
vi
ll
a.
Nkosi:"I
'
llcallher
."Hepull
edmei nt
ohisar
ms.
"Thankyoumyl ove,f
orbeingher
ewi t
hmeandfor
me.Andmyf amil
y.Eventhough,
theycanbe
ungratef
ul."
Me:"Yourfat
hersaidsomethi
ngtohi s,thatisnow
st
uckwi t
hme.Idon'tthi
nkhe'l
leveropenupabout
i
tbutI'
llt
rytotal
ktohim.Hesaid, he'
sbat t
li
ngwi t
h
st
rangefeeli
ngsthathecan'
texplain.Diff
erentfr
om
whathewast aughtaboutbei
ngcol d."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouthi
nkt
hatmeans?Thathe'
s
f
eeli
ngsomethi
ng?"
Me:"Maybe.Maybef
oroncehe'
sst
art
ingt
ocar
e
aboutst
uff
."
Nkosi
:"Thatwouldbeamir
acl
e.He'
dnevertalkto
meaboutit.Maybehe'
l
lopenuptoyou.You'
rethe
onl
yper
sonhe'
sspokent
oindays.
"..
.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Howi sitpossi blethatmywi fecanseemy

grandfatherandIcan' t?Thel astt i
meIspoket ohim
wasatt her i
verandhecoul dn'tshowhi mselftome,
Icouldonl yhearhi svoi ce.Butshesawhi m?Her
bloodist r
ulyoft r
easure.Howst rongcani tbeto
evenachi evet his?It'
sincredi ble.Shewasnowi n
oursuite,attendinghervi rtualcl assesandmaki ng
notes.Ididn'twantt odisturbher .Myfatherhadlef
t.
Hedi dn'
tevenst ickaroundf orami nut
eaf t
erthe
meditati
on, hel eftimmedi ately.Iwi shI'
dhada
chancet otryandt alktohi m.Myphoner ang.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"MyKi
ng.Howar
eyout
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wel
l.Howar
eyou?
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m doi
nggreat
.Ihear
dlastni
ghtyou
movedtothevi
ll
a."
Nkosi:"Yes.Thembisainsi
sted.Unt
ilourf
urni
tur
eis
del
ivered.Howi sBusi?
"
Mthunzi
:"Get
ti
ngbet
ter
.She'
snowexer
cisi
ng
out
side.
"
Nkosi:"
That'
sgood.Ineedt
otal
ktoyouwhen
you'
refree.
"
Mthunzi
:"Okay,
Icancomeover
.I'
l
lbet
her
einan
hourorl
ess."
Nkosi :"
Okay."Ihungup, sit
ti
ngdowntowai tfor
Mt hunzi.Iwantedtogol ookatThembisabutI
didn'twanttodisturbher.It
'sonl
yafewhour sunti
l
she'sdone.Mt hunziparkedoutsi
dealitt
leunderan
hour ,walki
nginwi t
hZwe.I sn'
thesupposedtobeat
wor k?
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ning.
"
Zwe:
"Hel
loNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Whyar
en'
tyouatwor
k?"
Zwe:
"I'
m sl
acki
ngof
ffort
heday.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
readoct
or.
"
Zwe:"
They'
l
lcal
lwhent
heyneedme.Howar
eyou
Nkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Doyouwantadr
ink?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Zwe:
"Whydoyoukeepl
ooki
ngdownt
hepassage?
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
sst
udyi
ng.
"
Zwe: "
Okay.You'
llf
indusi
nthebar
."Iwal
kedtothe
suit
e.Thembisawasstari
ngatt
hecomputerscr
een,
readi
ngsomet hi
ng.
Nkosi
:"Hibaby.
"
Sasa:"
Hey.
"Shesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"I
'
mint
hebarwi
thZweandMt
hunzi
."
Sasa:"Okaylove.Canyoupl
easeor
dermeasnack
fr
om thekit
chen? "
Nkosi
:"Youdi
dn'
thavebr
eakfastar
eyousur
eyou
don'
twantsomet
hingmorefi
ll
ing?"
Sasa:"
Nol
ove,
justasnackandj
uice.
"
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.
"Iki
ssedherl
ipsandwal
kedout
.
Iputt
heorderinwhenIgott
othebarandsatdown
wit
hmyf ri
ends.
Zwe:
"Youl
ookwel
l.Mar
ri
agel
ovesyou.
"Ismi
led.
Nkosi
:"Iknow.
"Theyl
aughed,
pour
ingt
hedr
inks.
Mt
hunzi
:"So,
howi
ssheadj
ust
ingt
othef
ami
ly?
"
Nkosi:"
Notgood.Youknowmyfamily.Ihadtoget
heroutofther
e.AndyouknowThembi sa,
she'
s
ver
ysof t
.Whichisver
yconf
usi
ng."
Zwe:
"Conf
usi
nghow?
"
Nkosi:"She'
saverydeli
cat
epersonbutmy
ancestorshavedeci
dedshe'st
heperf
ectper
sont
o
burdenwi t
hourprobl
ems."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Nkosi :"
Thevil
lagePapaburntwascal l
edthe
treasurevi
ll
age.Itwassaidtobet hevi
ll
agethat
birthedcompanionsofthethrone.Heletoneyoung
boyescapet hatvil
lageandIthi
nkheknewwhy.I
thinksomehow, hisconsci
encecaughtupwi t
hhim
buti twast
ool atetobackdownandt heonlywayto
fi
xitwastoletoneper
sonescape.Thatper
sonwas
Thembisa'
sfather
."
Zwe:"ThiswasMcebovi ll
age?I'
vereadaboutit
,
qui
telongagobutt her
e'snotmuchi nf
ormati
on
aboutit
.It'
sregar
dedasf ol
klor
e."
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sverymuchtrue.Thembisai
softr
easure
bl
ood,whichsomehowhappenst obequi
testr
ong.
Herconnect
iont
othespiri
tualr
ealmissodeep.Not
onl
ytoherownancestors.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"So,
she'
sli
keaheal
er,
sangoma?
"
Nkosi:"No.Wel lIdon'
tthi
nkso.Sof ar,
she' sonly
communi catedwithmyancest orsandt heyar e
piggybackingonherl i
keyouwoul dn'
tbel i
eve.She
dreams, l
ivinginthepastandal sohasvi sitsi
nthe
present.Sof ar,
bothmygr andparentshaveshown
themselvest oher.Asinphysicall
y.Myf atherf
lew
outofher elikehewasbeingchased. "
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouser
ious?
"Isi
ghed.
Nkosi:"Idon'
tknowanymore.She'
salreadydeali
ng
wit
hal ot.Somethi
ngaboutherf
amily.Ican'
tputa
f
ingeroni tandsheref
usestoopenupabouti t
.
Nowshe'soccupyi
nghert
imewiththesespi
ri
tual
t
asks.I
sitnotenought
hatI
'vechangedherwhole
l
if
enowshemustspeakt othedead?"
Mthunzi
:"JesusChrist
.Sowhatdotheywant?Is
t
hereanendi nsightatl
east
?Li
keifyoudothisand
t
hat,i
t'
sdone? "
Nkosi
:"DoIevenknow?Ther
e'st
wotasksnowthat
needt
obedone.Whoknows, maybet
hreemore
comeup?"
Zwe: "I
tdoessoundf r
ustrati
ng.LookNkosi ,
fornow,
j
ustsuppor tThembisa.Whenyouseet hatshe's
sufferi
ng,alsogotothealterandspeakt oyour
peoplesot hatt
hey'
relenientonher .Askthem to
giveherbreaks.They'
llli
stentoyou.Yes, shewants
topleasethem butyoumustpr otectherindoingso.
Thesamewayyoupr otectherfrom yourlivi
ng
family.
"
Nkosi:"
Thent her
e'sthewi
tch.Thati
sanot
her
st
ressfulsi
tuati
on."
Mthunzi
:"I
sthewi
tchal
ivi
ngper
son?Canwet
rack
herdown?"
Nkosi
:"It
hinkshei
sbutusest
hedeadt
otr
avel
."
Mthunzi
:"Whati
fyoucant
raceherusi
ngt
hedead
bodyshesends?
"
Zwe:"
Likeat
rap?I
sthatsaf
e?Fi
rstweneedt
o
fi
gur
eoutwhatshewants.
"
Nkosi
:"Ial
readyknowwhatshewant s.Me.Ifshe
cangettome.Eitherbyspi
ll
ingmyblood,orkil
li
ng
me.Therewon'tbeanheirt
ot het
hrone.
"..
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

It
'sbeenalongdayformeandt hefi
nalmeetingI
wasinwaswi thZi
mmyandt hepharmaceutical
company.Shewasheadingthemeet i
ngherselfand
Iwasimpressedatherr
esearchandwellcurated
questi
ons.MnqobiandKhayahadpreppedherwel l
butshebroughtt
heshowherself.
Zimmy:"MrGr ayson.Weareoff
eri
ngthisr
ateasa
star
t.You'r
ethefir
stofmanyoffer
sthatwe'
re
consider
ing.From t
hispoi
ntf
orwardour
associat
ionwi
llbemuchdependentonhi
ghest
biddi
ng."
Grayson:"You'
reastar
tup,anobody.Mybrandwi l
l
buil
dyour sandassoci
ati
onwit
hmynamewi l
lbr
ing
rel
iabi
li
ty.It
hinkwecannegoti
atetherat
e."
Zimmy:" Reliabilit
yhasbeenest ablishedand
buil
dingf rom itwi l
lbeeasyseei ngthatourservi
ce
i
saf irstofitski nd.MrGr ayson, Idonotwi shto
wasteanyf urt
herofyour sormyt ime.Wecan
scheduleanot hermeet ingi fyouwantt othi
nkabout
theofferbutIdowantt okindl yremi ndyouthat
spacewi llbegi ventothef irsttosign."Perf
ect.
Don'tdragi tanyl onger
, showhi m you'r
etheCEO
andhe' swast i
ngyourt ime.Don' tbackdownbaby.
Grayson:"
Verywell
.I'
l
lhavemyoff
icecont
actyou
soon."Hepackedhi
sdocumentsandwalkedout.
Si
bo:"
Thatwasi
mpr
essi
ve.Youdi
dgr
eat
."
Zi
mmy:"
Whyi
shesost
ubbor
n?"
Sibo:"
You'
reayoungblackgi
rlwi
thnoname.He'
s
tr
yingtoshakeyoudown."
Zi
mmy:"
That
'sdi
sgust
ing.
"
Sibo:"
It'
sbusinessunfort
unatel
y.Youhavet obe
toughandst andyourground.Youofferval
ue,and
rel
iabi
li
ty.Nowit'
stimetogrowi t
.Wehavet hefir
st
protot
ypefortheBi-
mot i
vescooter.Doyouwantt o
checkitoutwithme? "
Zimmy:"Uhm..
."Shesi
ppedupherf
older
,ner
vousl
y.
"Sur
e.I
'dlovet
oseeit.
"
Sibo:"
Perf
ect.Let'
sgo."Shest
oodup, packingher
bag.Herblackdresssatsosexil
yonhersl ender
body.Shereall
ytri
edtopullof
ftheprofessional
l
ookbutallIcouldthi
nkwasbendi ngherovert hi
s
tabl
e.
Si
bo:"
Didyougett
hef
lower
syest
erday?
"
Zimmy:"
Yes.Isentyouat
hankyout
ext
remember?
"
Si
bo:"
Right
.Yeah.
"
Zimmy:"Ienj
oyedt
hemeatplatt
ert
oo.
"Shehung
herbagonhershoul
der
,smil
ing.
Si
bo:"
I'
m gl
adt
oheari
t.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Socanwego?
"
Si
bo:"
Doyouf
orgi
vemef
ir
st?
"
Zimmy:"
Doyouevenknowwhatyou'
reapol
ogi
zing
for
?"
Si
bo:"
No.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thenwhyar
eyouapol
ogi
zing?
"
Sibo:"Zi
masa,I
'mtir
edoft
hesegames.I
'
vebeen
beggingforweeks.
"
Zi
mmy:"Idon'
twantyout
obegSi
bonel
o.That
'snot
whyIwasupset.
"
Si
bo:"
Howam Isupposedt
oknowt
hen-
"
Zimmy:" Whydon' tyouaskme! ?Sibonel o,t
hisis
whyIdi dn'
twantt obei nvolvedwi t
hyoui nthefir
st
place.You'reveryar rogant.Youexpectwoment o
runafteryouandf alltotheirkneesf oryou.Iwasn' t
expectingar el
ationshipf r
om you.Butt hen,you
spentt heweekhol di
ngme, kissi
ngme, cuddli
ngme.
Youhadadoct orcomei nandt akebl oodsampl es
sowecanst opusi ngcondoms.Youspentt heweek
teachingmehowt omakeyourper fectcoffee,your
favour it
ebr eakfast.Youhadmepi cki ngoutyour
clothesever yday,andmaki ngyourspace
comf ortableandr eadyf oryouwhenyoucame
homef r
om meet i
ngs.Ihadadr i
nkr eady,the
humi dif
ieronwi t
hyourf avourit
eessent i
aloilsso
thatyouwal kinandr elaxonmybr east s.Ther e'sso
manyext rasyou'daskedf rom meandIhappi lydi d
them, stupidlythi
nki ngwe' r
ebui l
dingourwayt oan
offi
ci alrelati
onship.Butno, themi nut eyouf el
tl i
ke
i
t,yout ossedmeasi de.Embar rassi ngmei nfront
ofal lmyf ri
endsaf terIexci tedlyt oldt hem how
muchIl i
keyou.Youcoul dhavepul ledmeasi debut
becauseyou' reSibonel oBi yela,you' llsayitpubl icly
andunashamedl ythatI 'm nowdi smi ssed.Iwi sh
youdi dn'tteachmet olikeyou.Iwi shyout r
eat ed
mel ikeadi sposablef r
om t hewor dgosoIdon' t
makeaf oolofmysel f
.That 'swhati supset t
ing.You
knowwhatmademat terswor se,yout henwentout
ofyourwayt ofli
rtwi t
hanot herwomant opokeat
me.Wast herear easonf oryout obel ookingatSi za
withl ust?No.Youj ustwant edt ohur tme.I '
m not
evenmadshamebecauseIshoul d'veknownand
stayedaway.Thi sisj ustwhoyouar ePr i
nceBi yela.
Butit'
snomat ter
.Weal lli
veandl earn.Sowecan
putthisasi
deandcont i
nuewor kingamicabl
y.
Honest l
yI'
m overit
.Ijustwantt ofocusonmy
schoolworkandbusi ness.
"Whydoesshemakeme
soundl i
keanasshole?Wel l.
..IwasbutIwasn't
i
ntenti
onalinhurti
ngher .
Si
bo:"
I'
mtr
yingt
omakeamendsher
eZi
mmy.
"
Zimmy:" AndI '
m verygrat
efulforthatbutpl
ease
stop.I'
m overit.There'
snoneedt obegmeor
pretendt obesomeoneyou' renot.Wehaveal ong
partnershipaheadofusandI 'dpreferwekeepit
professional
."
Si
bo:"
Sowhywer
eyouavoi
dingme?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ineededt
ogetoveryou.
"Nayii
mihl
olo.
Si
bo:"
Andyougotovermei
njustt
woweeks?
"
Zi
mmy:"Itdoesn'
tmatterhowlong.Canwego
pl
ease?IhaveatestIneedtostudyfort
oni
ght
."
Sibo:"
Soyouwon'
tactf
unnywhenIst
artdat
ing
someoneelse?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ihonest
lywi
shyout
hebest
."Ther
ewas
notevenafl
ickerofsadnessi
nhereyes.Ir
efuset
o
bel
ievei
t.
Si
bo:"
Areyouseei
ngsomeone?
"
Zimmy:"No."Wassheserious?Shelookedvery
seri
ous.Shemusthavemast eredthepl
ayhardto
getgamebutshe'l
lsubmitonewayort heother.
"Canwego? "Imovedcl
osert oherandshestepped
away.
Si
bo:"
What'
sgoi
ngon,
Zimmy?Isai
dI'
m sor
ry,
whatmor
edoyouwant
?"
Zi
mmy:"Toseetheprot
otypesoIcangohomeand
st
udy.
"MaybeIsti
nk?Howcanshenotwantme?
Si
bo:"
So,
what
..
.We'
redone?
"
Zimmy:"
Wedidn'tevenbegi
n."Okayt
here'
sno
needf
orthi
s.Shewi l
lcomearoundsoonenough.
Sibo:"
Okay.Let'
sgo."Iwalkedouttheboardroom,
tomyof fi
ce.Iswit
chedonmyl aptop,connecti
ngi
t
totheproject
orandpressedfort
hepr otot
ype.The
videoshowedont helar
gescreen.
Zi
mmy:"
Looksr
eli
abl
e.Wi
lli
tbebr
anded?
"
Si
bo:"
It
'sal
readybr
anded.
"
Zimmy:"Yes, everyoneknowsit'
saBi -
motivebutt
o
di
fferent
iatei
tf r
om theregul
arones.Wheni t
deli
versmysnacksorgr ocer
ies,Ineedtoseethe
businesslogo."
Sibo:"That
'sunnecessary,thesescoot
ersare
al
readyspecifi
call
ydesignedt odeli
verfort
his
business.Nooneelsewi llbuythem."
Zimmy:"Brandi
ngthem wi
llst
il
lbeagoodi
dea
becausetheywil
ladver
ti
sewhenevert
hey'
reont
he
road.
"
Si
bo:"
No.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m ashar
ehol
der
,Si
bonel
o.Ihaveasay-
"
Sibo:"
I'
mthemajor
it
ysharehol
derandIsayi
t'
snot
necessar
y.I
t'
sanextr
aexpense.
"
Zi
mmy:" Wecanuset
hemoneyf
rom t
hemar
ket
ing
budget
-"
Si
bo:"
Who'
smoney?
"Shest
aredatme.
Zi
mmy:"
Myapol ogi
es.Wil
lthatbeal
lfortheday?
"I
wasr
eal
lyhopi
ngshe'dfi
ghtmebutshej ustl
etgo
j
ustl
iket
hat
?
Si
bo:"
No.I'
dli
keareportoft
hemeet
ingwi
th
Gr
aysonbefor
eyouleave.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Youwer
ether
e."
Sibo:"
Yes,andIneedyoutowri
tearepor
tsowe
candocit.Wil
lthatbeapr
obl
em? "
Zi
mmy:"
Nosi
r.MayIuset
heboar
droom?
"
Sibo:"Boar
droom i
sonl
yforbookedmeet
ings.You
canfindacubicl
eonthefi
rstf
loor.
"
Zimmy:"
Okay.
"Shewalkedout.Zwewasgoi
ngto
chewmyheadoff.ButIwasdonewit
hZimmy.
She'
smyemployeenowandshemustbet r
eated
l
ikeone.
[
07/
27,
06:
11] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er102

SASAPOV_
Iwasfi
nal
lydonewithmyclassesandreadyto
st
artwi
thourjour
ney.Amahleandthehealerwas
onherwayaswell.
Me:"
Baby.Let
'spr
ay.
"
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
?"
Me:"
Tohaveasaf
eandsmoot
hjour
ney.Come.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotnecessar
y,l
ove.
"
Me:"Iknowyoudon'tbel
ievei
npr
ayerbutIdo.I
t
hinkit'
simpor
tant
."
Nkosi:"
Fine,l
et'
spray."Iclosedmyeyesthen
peepedathim.Hest i
llstaredatme."
Ihavetocl
ose
myeyes? "Inodded.Hecl osedhi
seyes.
Me:" DearGod.Wecomet oyout hisafternoon,
gratefultobei nyourpresence.Weaskt hatyou
havet hej ourneywe' r
eaboutt oembar kon.Mayyou
pl
easer emovet heobstaclesthatcandel ayoreven
withholdusf rom reachi
ngourdest inati
onandgoal.
Weaskf ormer cy,weaskf orprotecti
onandmost
i
mpor t
ant lyguidance.Amen. "Iopenedmyeyes.
"
Babe.
"Heopenedhi
seyes.
Nkosi
:"Youhaven'
teat
en.
"
Me:"I
'
lleatsupperwhenwecomeback.I
'
m not
hungr
yr i
ghtnow."
Nkosi:"Okay."Iheardcarsparkingoutsi
det hevi
ll
a.
Amahl eisusuallyinonecarwi t
hherguar d.Nkosi
si
ghed.Wewal kedt othedoor.Amahlewal kedin
wit
hherf atherandt hefi
rstqueenaswel lasthe
healer
.Iwasshockedandconf used.Whatwas
goingon?
Me:"
MyKi
ngandQueen.
"Ibowed.Amahl
ehugged
me.
Ki
ng:
"Ihopewe'
renotl
ate.
"
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
?"
Ki
ng:"Amahletol
dmet hatyou'r
egoingtot he
vi
ll
agestocoll
ectspi
ri
ts.Soundedadventurousso
wethoughtwe'dtagal
ong."Hewasdoubt ingagai
n.
Nkosi:"
Father
,thi
sisn'
tagame.Thi
sisver
y
ser
ious."
Ki
ng:
"I'
m al
soser
ious.Unl
esswe'
renoti
nvi
ted,
Thembi
sa?
"Oh,
somyf
ir
stname?
Me:"Noit
'sokay.Maybethi
swil
lworkbet
ter
,
seei
ngthatyou'
rethei
rol
derbr
other
."
Ki
ng:
"Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Nkosi
:"Whosespi
ri
tsdoyout
hinkwe'
ref
etchi
ng?
"
Ki
ng:
"Idon'
tknow!
"
Ama:" Sasa,weneedtocoll
ectherbsfr
om t
he
garden.Ialr
eadybroughtafewfrom t
hepal
ace.
There'
st womorethatarehere.
"
Me:"Okay,l
etmecovermyheadsowecango."I
wenttofet
chmyscar fandwewentt
othegar
den.
"
Whatdi dyoutel
lyourdad?
"
Ama:"Itr
ickedhim.Ionlyt
oldhim we'
recol
lecti
ng
spi
ri
tsforar i
tualandhedi
dn'taskanyquesti
ons.
Hejumped."Wel aughedsi
lentl
y.
Me:"
You'
ret
hewor
st.Why!
"
Ama:"Heneedst ocal
lthem.He'st
heirolder
brot
her.Youhaveconnectedustothei
rspi r
itbut
youwon'tbeabletocal
lthem f
orwardbecause
you'
reyoungandnottheirbl
ood.He'stheirelder
."
Me:"
You'r
eright.Thi
swould'vebeenawasteof
ti
meother
wise."Wepickedtheherbsenoughfor
ourt
ri
p.
Ama:"
We'
l
lonl
ybeabl
etocol
lectt
wot
oday.
"
Me:"
That'
sagoodstar
t.
"Wef
ini
shedi
nthegar
den
andwentbackt
othevi
ll
a.
Ama:"
We'
rer
eady.
"
Nkosi:"Al
right
.I'
llbet
ravelingwit
hThembisaand
Amahl e,f
atheryouwillfol
lowuswi t
hmotherand
thehealer.Thefi
rstvi
llagewe'r
egoingt
ois
Emlangeni .
"
Ki
ng:"
Again,
who'sspi
ri
tar
ewecol l
ect
ing?I
t
houghtweneededtodoari
tual
."
Ama:"
Wedo.We' l
lfi
ndthespir
itthere.
"Ifiddl
ed
wit
hmyscarfunabletokeepastraightfacebut
t
ryi
ngreal
lyhar
d.Wewal kedt
ot hecar s.

Emlangeniwasn'
ttoofarfr
om thecit
y,j
ustaboutan
houraway.Aswedr ovein,t
hevil
lageal
mostwasi n
astandst
il
l.Thi
swasn'texpect
edofcourseand
theyweren'tsur
eifi
twasreall
ytheKingwhohad
arri
vedunannounced.Thecarsstoppedatt
he
cemetery.Thiswasthewrongplace.Wecouldn'
tbe
here.
Me:"
Wecan'
tbeher
e."
Nkosi
:"Why?Thi
siswher
ethef
ir
sti
sbur
ied.
"
Me:"Yesbutwehaven'tevenmadesur e.We
haven'
taskedforpermi
ssion.We'rest
eali
ng.Taki
ng
hi
sspiri
tagainsthi
swil
l.I
twillcauseprobl
ems."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyousuggest
?"
Me:"
Wehavet ost
artathi
shome.Acknowl
edgehi
s
ot
herfami
lyandhavethei
rper
missi
on.
"
Nkosi:"
Yeah,t
hatwon'
thappen.Fat
herwi
lldr
iveof
f
i
nstantl
yifyouaskt
hatofhi
m. "
Me:"
Wehavet
ofi
ndawayt
oconvi
ncehi
m Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Love,
youknowt
hisguy.
"
Ama:"
Thenyou'
l
lhavet
odoi
tNkosi
."
Nkosi:"
Absol
utel
ynot.Noways.
"Aspli
tt
ing
headachewasstart
ingtocr
ackmyskul
linhal
f.
Ama:"
We'
real
lmaki
ngsacr
if
icesher
e."
Nkosi
:"Reall
y?What
'syoursacr
if
ice?Youpi
ckeda
f
lowerfrom t
hegar
den?"
Me:"Canwest opfi
ghti
ng?I'
llspeaktothem,l
et'
s
go.Rightnow,we'
reatt
racti
ngunnecessaryspi
ri
ts
whoal lwantt
obetakenhome.Ican'tdealwit
hall
ofthatri
ghtnow,l
et'
sjustgo!"Imassagedmy
for
ehead.
Nkosi
:"Dr
ive.
"Heor
der
ed.Thecardr
oveof
f."
Love,
ar
eyouokay?"
Me:"
Weneedt
ofi
nisht
hisqui
ckl
y."
Nkosi:"Okay.Ihavetheaddr essesfort
unatel
y."We
drovetothehousei nquestion.Atthisstage,t
he
vil
lagehadpour edoutoftheirhomes.Igotoutof
thecarsurroundedbyguar ds.Nkosiheldmyhand.
Anol dwomanwal kedoutthedoorcomi ngtothe
gate.Shebowed, herwholebodyt remblinginfear
.
Woman:"
YourHi
ghness.
"
Guar
d:"
Maywebel
eti
n?"
Woman:"
Yes,
youmay.Hl
ehl
e!!Br
ingt
hechai
rs
out
."
Me:"
Noma,
maywepl
easecomei
ntot
hehouse?
"
Woman:"Insi
demyhouse?Yoh.YourHighness,
my
housei
snotinastandar
dtoevenbegracedby
yourpr
esence.
"Shebowed.
Me:" It
'snowor ri
esma.Mayweent er?"Shel edus
i
n, sayingapr ayerintears.Iwalkedint hehouse
withNkosi .Theguar dssur r
oundedt hehouse
outside." Ma, wedon'twantt owasteal otofyour
ti
me.Asyouknow, t
hisisthefutureking.Pr i
nce
Sikhosana.Wear eherebecausewehaver easonto
believethatachi l
dthatwasbor nher ewasoneof
hisuncl es."Ihadnowor ryoftel
linghert his
becauseNkosiwoul dbeabl et
ot el
lifshe'slying.
Hewasl ookingaroundt hehousecur r
ently,I
'm not
evensur ehewasl i
stening.
Woman:" Wehadsuspi ci
ons,YourHighness.I
wasn'tsurenorwasIconvinced.Ij
ustwantt obe
honest.Mysisterhadgoneoutoneni ghtt
ooneof
herplacesandnevercameback.Onceshedi d,she
spokeaboutbeingwi t
htheking.Obvi
ouslyIdidn't
believeher .Shet henshowedsi gnsofpr egnancy
andkeptt ell
ingusshe' scar ryinganhei r.Still
,I
didn'tbel i
eveit.Ithoughtshewasl ying.Iknowshe
wasagoodwomanandneverl i
edbutwi ththeway
HisMaj estywas?Idoubt edherst oryver ymuch.
Shegavebi r
tht othebabyt hatdi dn'tcry.Hewas
veryqui etbutwel l.Hiseyesasor angeasHi s
Highness.Icoul dn'tbelievei t.Thewhol evill
age
rejoiced.Wehadapr i
ncei nourmi dst.Everyone
want edt oseehi m.Wer eceivedgi f
tsfrom theChi ef
tot hepoor estfami l
y.Al lthanki ngusf ort hehonour
ofbr inginganhei rofthet hrone.Thenewsr eached
HisMaj esty.
.."Hervoicebr oke." Hewasonl ya
baby. "Shecr ied.Ididn'tevenwantt oknowwhathe
did.Myhear tcoul dn'
ttakei t.
Me:"
Didheacknowl
edget
hechi
ld?
"
Woman:"Idon'
tevenknowi ft
hat'
swhatiti
sthathe
did.Hewal
kedinhereandlookedathi
m notlonger
thanaminut
ebefore.
..
."Shewipedhert
ears.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Woman:"
Thet
hroneknowswhati
sbest
,Your
Hi
ghness.
"
Nkosi
:"Noitdoesn't.Whathappenedwascr uel
.
We'r
ehere,torecti
fythatmist
ake.Iam sor
rythat
mypresenceintoyourhomer evivedyourt
rauma."
Shekeptquiet
."Isthemotherhere?"
Woman:" No,YourHi
ghness.Shecommitt
ed
sui
cidefoll
owinghi
sdeath.
"Myt ear
sgavein.
Sil
entl
yroll
ingdownmycheeks.
Nkosi :"Iam sorr
y."Shewi pedhert ear s,fi
xingher
voice."Ther easonwhywe' rehere,ist oaskf oryour
permi ssion.Wewoul dlikehisspirittocr ossovert o
joinourancest ors,witht herestoft hekings.Hei s
ofr oyalbloodanddeser vest obewel comedi nthat
realm.Thatwayhecanal sotakecar eofyouher ein
thel andoft heli
ving.Heappear edt omywi fei nher
sleep.Wi thallt
heot herst hatwer ekill
edashewas.
Theyar ei nawai ti
ngr ealm.Theyal lawai tt
his
wel come. "
Woman:" YourHighness,
whatyouar esayi
nghas
botheredmetil
lthi
sveryday.Ihadnoonet o
expressitt
obecauseIwassoaf rai
dthesamefate
willbef
allme.Iknowhi sspiri
tisnotresti
ng.Iam
sogr at
efult
hatyouhaveacknowl edgedusthisway.
Oh, Kumkaniyesizwe.SibongauMdal ingobukho
kwakho."(Kingofthenation.Wet hankthecreat
or
foryourpresence/exi
stence.).
..

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thef amilyofNal abahadgi venust heirper mi ssi on

tocollectthespirit
.Itistruet hatthedoerf or gets
butthevi cti
m neverwi ll
.Mygr andf atherr uinedt hi
s
family'
slifeandwenthomet ohi s.Iwoul d'vel i
ved
mywhol elifeandtheirswoul dber iddl edwi thpai n
foreterni
ty.Thisent i
revillagecar ri
edongr acef ul l
y.
Nowonder ,
thefearwhenwecamei n.Theywer e
sti
llscared.Wemadei tbackt othecemet er y.
Thembi sast ayedbehindi nt hecar .Shewasn' tokay,
asmuchasshepr etendedt obest rong.Hert ears
gotthebet terofher.Theheal erbur ntt heher bs,
call
ingourcl annamesar oundt hegr ave.Myf ather
wasnotpl easedwi t
hus.Whenwet oldhimt hiswas
thespiri
tofhisbrot
her,
hewant edt oscream.It
tookThembi saandAmahl etoexplaintohim how
i
mpor tantthi
swas.Weal lhadtoganguponhi m
andbecausehei sapersonofhi ghshame, he
quickl
yagreed.OrmaybebecauseThembi saasked
him poli
tel
y.Idon'
tknow.Itwasver ystrangehow
helookedather .
King:"MandlaNal aba.Ngilaphaegamenil omndeni
wakwaSi khosana.Mi nangi yi
NkosiuSizwengaye
Sikhosana,umf owenu.Ngi celweukuthingikulet
he
ekhaya."(MandlaNal aba.iam her eonbehalfofthe
Sikhosanafami l
y.Iam KingSi zwengayeSi khosana,
yourbrother.Iwasaskedt obr ingyouhome. )The
healergavehimt hesmal lbowl .Thekingknelton
theground,lett
ingthesmokeseepi nt
othegr ave.
King:"
Siyakwamukel anjengoSikhosana.
Uyakhunjulwafuthiwaziswa.Ucel waukut hiuze
ekhaya.
"(Wewel comeyouasaSi khosana.Youare
remember edandacknowl edged.Youar easkedto
comehome. )Iwasquitesur pr
ised.Thiswasnot
thefat
herIknewbutI '
m gladforoncehest epped
upanddi dsomet hi
ngf orothers.
King:"
Alotneedstobedoneher e.Weneeda
ceremonyf oral
loft
hem.Theyneednewnames,
andtheirsurnamesasSikhosana.Then,weer
ect
tombstones.Amahle,consul
ttheelder
swhenwe
gethome. "
Ama:"
Yesf
ather
."

PETU'
SPOV_

Iwasf eelingsobebet terthatSi

zawasoutofI CU.
Shewasdoi ngsowel l.Thedoctorwashappywi th
herprogr essbutwant edtokeephert heref orafew
mor edays.It oowantedhert orest.Theki dswer e
doinggr eather einthepalace.MamaBi yelawas
obsessedwi thMi aandMaya.Shespentever y
minuteoft hedaywi ththem.She' sstart
edt obuy
them princessdr essesandhavet eaparties.Miles
wasal waysl aughingrunningafterSibonelo.The
Biyel
a'shadembr acedmewi thsuchwar m ar ms
andIdi dn'tknowhowt othankthem.Ipr ayf or
everymemberoft hisfami l
yeverysingleday.They
wer esoamazi ng.Ont opoft hat ,
Mnqobihasn' t
pr essuri
sedmej ustbecauseI 'ml i
vingathi shome.
He' sgivenmespacebutchecksonmeconst ant ly.
Tucksmei ntobedever ynight.Wakesmeupwi tha
kissandt eaint hemor ning.Hewassosweet .I
can' tbeli
evemyl if
ehadchangedsodr asticallyand
thef uturemademeal it
tl
ebi tanxious.IknowIcan' t
justl i
veher eforeverwi t
hSi za.Weneededt of i
nd
ourf eet.Iknowspeci f
icall
y, Sizaneverwant sto
relyonpeopl e.Shewasal readyembar rassedby
havi ngherchi ldrentakencar eofbysomeoneot her
thanher .Aqueen, noless.IknowMnqobiof f
er ed
hishouseandi twasper f
ect.Ij usthopesheagr ees.
Wecanst il
lstandonourown, whileli
vingther e
right?Wecanst il
lstar
tabusi nessorgetj obs.Li f
e
wasgoi ngt obeokay.
Pet
u:"
Mama,
canIt
aket
hebabi
est
obed?
"
Mama:"Petu,pl
easestopupset
ti
ngme. "Ichuckl
ed.
Sheneverlet
smet ucktheki
dsin."
Itol
dyout ostop
aski
ng.Idon'
tmind."
Pet
u:"Okaymama."Mileswasal
readyfastasl
eep
onhisfavour
it
espotontopofSi
bonelo'
schest.
Si
bonelowasonhi
sphone,
probabl
ydoi
ngsome
work.
Mama:"HowaboutyouandNot hagoandhavea
gl
assofwineandrel
ax,watchamovie.You'vebeen
worr
iedf
orabit,
Ihaven'
tseenyourel
axing.Sboni
wi
llt
akeMilest
obed."
Petu:"
Thankyoumama.Ithi
nkj
ustaj
uicewi
llbe
okaysincei
t'
smidweek.
"
Mama:"
Okaysi
si.
"Not
haandIwentupst
air
s.
Notha:"
Iwantt
otakeabat
hfi
rst
,canyougi
veme
about30minut
es?"
Petu:"Surebabe,I'
l
lbeinthebatht oo."Iwentinto
myr oom andr anmybat hwhilecheckingmessages.
We' dbeentexti
ngont hegroupchatt hroughoutthe
evening.Notaseriousconversati
onj usttheusual
celebgossip.Zimmyhadgonequi etagai nandI
knowshe' sprobablygoi
ngt hr
oughsomet hi
ng.
Whenevershewasgoi ngthroughhert hingsshe
heldbackalotandshuther sel
finacor neralone.I
decidedtocallherthi
stime.Justincaseshe
answer s.
Zi
mmy:"
Hi.
"Sheanswer
ed.ThankGod.
Pet
u:"
Heybabe.Howar
eyou?
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m goodl
ove,
howar
eyou?
"
Pet
u:"
What
'sgoi
ngon,
Zimmy?Yousounddown.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hingbabe.Justexhaust
ed.Howi
s
Si
za?
"
Pet
u:"She'
sokay.She'
soutofICUbutt
hedoct
or
wantstokeepheri
nthehospi
talf
orabit
."
Zi
mmy:"
That
'sgood.Sendhermyl
ove.
"
Pet
u:"
Zimmy,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hingPet
u.I
'
mjustt
ir
ed.
"
Pet
u:"
Tal
ktome.
"Shekeptqui
et."
Zimasa?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Uhm,
I'
m goi
ngoutf
ort
heni
ght
.Ihavet
o
go-
"
Petu:"No.Zimasa,you'r
enotgoingtodothi
sagain.
Youj ustsai
dyou'r
et i
red,nowyou'
regoi
ngout?
Pleasetalkt
omeZi mmy?IcanaskMnqobii fhe
candr i
vemet oyou."
Zimmy:"NoPetu.Youcan'tdothat.I
t'
satni
ght,you
can'
tbeunnecessari
lydr
aggingMnqobioutthe
house.Youyoursel
fcan'
tbegalli
vanti
ngout
side.
You'
reli
keaprincessnow."
Pet
u:"
Zimmy,
you'
recr
ying.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m okay,
Ipr
omi
se.I
'
llbef
ine.
"
Petu:"
Ihatewhatyou'
redoi
ng.You'
real
waysr eady
todropanythi
ngforusbutwhenyou'
regoing
thr
oughsomet hi
ngyouwanttobealoneandshut
usout."
Zi
mmy:"Ihat
ethatyouwer
eri
ghtPet
u.Ishoul
d've
j
ustl
ist
enedt
oyou."
Pet
u:"
Aboutwhatnow?
"
Zimmy:"Itwasst upi
dofmet othinkSibonelocoul
d
possibl
ylikeme.Letalonewantar el
ationshi
pwith
me."Shechuckl ed."
I'
m arealcl
ownhonest ly
becausewhatwasIexpect ingfr
om someonewho
di
dn'tevenr emembermyname? "
Pet
u:"
Whathappened?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iover
est
imat
edmyr
olePet
u.That
'swhat
happened.Igottoocaughtup.I tfel
trealbuti
t
wasn't
.Ifeelsostupi
d.HeusedmebecauseIwas
avai
labl
eandwhenhewast ired,heputmeasi de
l
ikeadoll.Ionl
yreali
seditthent hatI
'dbeenforci
ng
thi
ngs.I'
dbeenbendi ngoverbackwar dsforhim
andallhedidwasexi st
.Ishould'veexpectedi
t.I'
m
okaythough.I'
l
lbef i
ne."
Pet
u:"
Tshomi
,you'
recr
ying.I
t'
snotokay.
"
Zimmy:" Friend,I'
m notcryingf orSibonel o.I'
m
cryi
ngbecausemyl i
feisshit.IthoughtIwast his
happygi r
lthatwassoout goingandf riendswi th
everyonebutI 'm not.Myf atherhascutmeof f.My
motherisdr owningindebt .I'
vest art
edt hi s
businessanddeci deditwasagoodi deat ofuckmy
boss.NowI 'm scaredthatImayl oset hisone
opportunit
yIhavet oputmysel fthroughschooland
makeanamef ormyselfbecauseoft hat .Ifhe
deci
dest ohol dbackf unds, IwillstarvePet u,I
couldbeki ckedoutofschool .IfIdon' tsubmi tthe
l
oadsofamountofwor khegi vesmei mmedi at el
y
whenhewant sit,hemightt akeanot herpor ti
on
fr
om me.Ihavenochoi cebutt obeathi smer cy.Do
youknowhowf uckedupt hatis?DoyouknowI
readthroughthecontractjustnowandi fIsel
lmy
sharestoat hi
rdpartyhecansueme?SoI '
m
stuck.
"Shecr i
ed."PetuI'
vemadeal otofmi st
akes
i
nmyl i
febutthisonetakest hecake.Youseet hat
sayingaboutgetti
nginbedwi t
hthedevil?That'
s
whatI'mlivi
ngrightnow."
Pet
u:"Zi
mmyt hi
sisn'tr
ight.Sur
elywecant
ell
someone.Thi
scan'tbelegal-
"
Zimmy:"NoPetu.Pleasepromi
seyouwon'
ttell
anyone.Pl
ease.Ican'
taff
ordtol
osethi
sbusiness.
PleasePet
u."
Petu:"
Sowemustj
ustl
ethi
mtakeadvant
ageof
you-"
Zimmy:" He'
snott aki
ngadvantageofme.Li keI
said,Iover
esti
mat edmyr oleandnowIhavet odo
realwork.Ican'
tjustrel
axbecauset henIwas
sleepingwit
hhim andget t
ingpr i
vil
ege.Nowthat
i
sn'thappeninganymor e.Just,pl
easepromiseme
Petu?"
Pet
u:"
ZimmyIcan'
tkeepqui
etaboutt
his-
"
Zimmy:" Youdon' tunderstand, doyou?Thi sisallI
havePet unia.I'
mt elli
ngyouI '
m alreadydrowningi n
debt.HowWi lliaff
or dalawyert ofightaBiyela
Pri
nce?Eveni fIdo, Iwil
llosebecauseIsi gnedt he
contracthappi l
y.PleasePet u.Ishould'vej
ustshut
mymout h."Ifeltsobadf orher.
Pet
u:"
I'
m sor
ry.WhatcanIdot
ohel
pyou?
"
Zimmy:"Nothi
ng.I
'llneedti
metoadjust
.IfIdon't
,
I'
l
lchangemycour setopartti
me.I'
l
lbefinetshomi,
pleasedon'
tworr
yyour sel
faboutme."
Petu:"Pleasedon'
tshutmeoutokay?I fyouever
needtoj ustvent
,justcal
lme.I'
lll
isten.Youdon'
t
havetobeal one.Iknowr i
ghtnowt hingsaref
all
ing
apartbutyou'regoingtomakeit.Justholdon
Zimmy. "Mydooropened.
Zimmy:"
Thankyoumyf ri
end.Ineededtoheart
hat
.
Letmenotkeepyou.Ineedtostar
tstudyi
ng.
"
Pet
u:"
Okay.We'
l
ltal
ktomor
row.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Bye.
"Ihungupandl
ookedupatMnqobi
.
Mnqobi
:"Mybut
ter
fl
y."Unt
ilwhen,
Iwant
edt
oask.
Pet
u:"
Hey.
"
Mnqobi
:"Di
dIi
nter
ruptsomet
hing?
"
Petu:"No.Wasj ustt
alki
ngtoZimmy. "I
remember edthebathwat er
."Shi
t."Irantothe
bathroom.Thebat hwasal mostfull
.Iclosedt
hetap
andtriedtopullthepl
ugbutt hewat erwasboil
ing
hot."
Ouch! !
"Igrabbedthetowel.
Mnqobi
:"Babe!
!"Hebar
gedi
nthebat
hroom."
What
t
hehell
'
sgoingon?"
Petu:"Not
hing.Mybrai
njustf
ellasl
eep.Idi
dn'
t
real
izethewaterwashot.
"Helookedatmyhand.I
t
wasr ed.
Mnqobi
:"I
sever
ythi
ngokay?Youdon'
tseem okay.
"
Petu:"I
'
mfi
ne.It
hinkI
'mj
ustti
red.
"Hisfi
nger
touchedmychi
n,pul
li
ngmyfacetolookupathi
m.
Mnqobi
:"Il
oveyou.
"
Petu:"
Iloveyout
oo."Hekissedmylips.Asmuch
asIlovedMnqobiandIwast emptedtolethi
mtake
careofmebutIcouldn'
t.NotwithSi
zaandZi mmy'
s
si
tuati
on.IknowMnqobiwaski ndandverysweet
butIcouldn'
ttakether isk.I
twouldn'
thur tmetobe
i
ndependentbymysel f.Myr el
ati
onshipwi t
hhim
doesn'
tmeanIshoul dn'tbuil
dsomet hi
ngf ormysel
f.
Myhear tachedforZimmy.Iknowshe' s
downplayinghowshef eelsaboutSiboandact i
ng
toughaboutthesituati
onbuti twaski l
li
ngher.
Mnqobi
:"You'
rewor
ryi
ngme.
"
Petu:"
Justt
hinki
ngaboutSi
za.Hast
her
ebeen
anythi
ngsai
daboutJackson?"
Mnqobi
:"Hewasdeni
edbai
l.
"
Pet
u:"
Onl
y?"
Mnqobi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Petu:"
Nothi
ng.Nevermind.
"Iwal
kedbackt
omy
room t
otakeoutmypajamas.
Mnqobi
:"Wecan'tdoanyt
hingaboutJacksonbabe,
wehavetol
etthelawrunit
scourse.
"
Petu:"
Yeah,thelawwi llgivehim about4yearsi
n
pri
son.He'
llservelesst han2andcomebackt ohis
st
il
lsuccessfulbusinessandcar r
yonwi t
hlif
e
whenhisvicti
ml i
vesi nf earofherli
feandwitht
he
scar
shegaveher .
"Ichuckled."Abusersneverl ose
anyt
hingofthei
rli
febuttime.Nottheirli
fe,nottheir
moneyandnotevent heirl
ovedones.I '
l
lbeaf ew
minut
esbabe.Ijustwanttoscrubt hedayof fme. "I
wentbacktothebathroom forashoweri nstead.
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er103

Aweekandahal
fLATER*

SASA'
SPOV_

Ifel
taf amil
iarcoldbreezethatwokemeup
i
nstantl
y.He'sbeenvi si
tingeverynightsi
ncehe
appeared.Heneversaysanyt hi
ng,j
uststandsther
e
star
ingwi t
ht hoseorangeeyes.Ialwaysknewit
washim.Event houghIwoul dopenmyeyesand
seenothing,Iknewhewast here.Hewant edwhat
heaskedf orandwon' tletgount i
lheget sit.It'
s
beenal ongandver ydr ainingweekandahal fbut
byGod' sgr aceWehadcol lectedal loft hespi rit
sof
thel ostprincesbr i
ngingt hem t ot hepal ace.Iwoke
uppr operly,sit
tingupf r
om bed.Nkosiwasst il
l
asleep.Todaywehadt ogot othepal acef orthe
princescer emony.Amahl ehadt oldherf athert hat
theyneededt ohaveaspacei nthepal acewher e
theywoul dconsul tli
ket heydoatt hemount ain
alter.Theyneededt owel comet heancest orsi nto
thepal acepr operlyaswel l.Notmuchwasneeded
from meanymor eandIwasgl ad.Theyseemedt o
beont rackandwor kingwel ltogether .Asst ubbor n
ast heki ngwas, thisweekandf ewdayshewasj ust
reasonabl e.Igotoutofbed, goingt othebat hroom.
Af t
erapee, t
ookashower .Iwassot ired.Thespi r
it
collectionhadt akenat ollbiggert hanIt hought .I
nowhadconst antheadaches.I '
veneverhada
probl em wi thgraveyar dsorcemet eriessoHowdi d
thishappen?Whyam Ibei ngaf fectedbyot her
spirits?AndhowdoImakei tstop?Iwentbackt o
thebedr oom t ogetdr essed.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ning.
"Il
ookedathi
m st
il
lonbed.
Me:"
Hil
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngsoear
ly?
"
Me:"
Medi
tat
ionhut
."
Nkosi
:"St
il
lhavi
ngt
heheadaches?
"
Me:"
Yeah.
"
Nkosi:"
Whatel sei
sbotheri
ngyou? "Hegotoutof
bed,walki
ngt ome.Nkosinhl
ewashonest l
yjust
buil
tli
keaGr eekgod.Howdoyougetoutofbed
andwal kl
ikeakingbuttnaked?Wher eist
he
musclestret
ch?Theyawn?Youj ustsaunt
ertowar
d
mel i
keaser pentr
eadytoeat.Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Nothi
ngl
ove.It
hinkt
heKi
ngkeepsvi
sit
ingme
t
oremindmeIowehim."
Nkosi
:"Whi
chKi
ng?
"
Me:"
Yourgr
andf
ather
."
Nkosi
:"Iam sor
ry.
"
Me:"I
t'
sokay.I'
m goi
ngt
ot hehutst
opleadhi
s
casenow.Atleastt
hepr
incesaredonesoIcan
f
ocusonhi
m andhi
sask.
"
Nkosi:"
No.Nowyouf ocusonyou.Thisweekhas
takenatollonyou.You'vebar
elyeat
en,you
struggl
etosleep.Letmespeaktohim."
Me:"I'
dreall
yappr eci
atet
hatNkosi
."Ihuggedhi
m.
IfNgidumiseli
stenedtoanyone,
ithadtobehis
grandson,hi
msel fbasi
cal
ly.
Nkosi
:"Igotyou.Ri
ghtnow,let
'sgetbacki
nbed
andmassageyout osl
eep."
Me:"
Massage?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes,massage.Todayi sgoi
ngtobeal ong
day.Letmeputyout osleep.Thenwhenwecome
backhome,I'
llmakelovetoyouunt i
lyourbody
passesout.
"Iblushed.
Me:"Whycan'
tyoumakel
ovet
omenow?
"He
smil
ed.
Nkosi:"Don'
tmessupmypl ans,
lady.Cometobed.
"
Hepul l
edmet obedandt ookthemassageoil
.Il
ay
backinbed,giggl
ing.Hepouredtheoilonhi
shands,
rubbi
ngt hem t
ogetherandthenmassagedmyback
sl
owly.Hishandswer eni
celywarm,softand
sur
prisi
nglyseduct
ive.Il
etmythoughtsdr i
fti
nto
not
hingnesswhilehewor kedmybodyqui etl
y.

PRI
NCEPOV_

Thembi safellasl eepinstantly.I

twasn'teven10
minutesoft hismassageandshe' spassedout .I
knewshewast i
redandIhadnochoi cebutt odrug
herbackt osleep, wit
hmyhandsofcour se.Nothing
requi
redherpr esencet oday.Iknowi fshegoest o
thepalaceshe' llwantt orunar oundl i
ketheper f
ect
l
itt
lewife.She' sal r
eadyper fect,shemustsl eep
now.It ookashowerandgotdr essed.Ilookedat
mywi fe,maki ngsur et heblanketcover sher
properl
yandki ssedhercheekbef oreIwal kedout.
Amahl ewasatt hepalacepossi blygetti
ngr eadyfor
theday.Idialedhernumber .
Ama:"
Bigbr
other
."
Nkosi
:"Tel
lme,howcanIcal
lPapai
nthe
medit
ati
onhut?
"
Ama:"
Whatdoyoumean?
"
Nkosi
:"ThewayThembisamakeshim orMam
Nonkosiappear
,howcanIdothat
?"Shechuckl
ed
Ama:"Unfor
tunately,that
'sasecr etonlyyourwi
f e
knows.Shetol
dmeandIt r
ieditbutitdidn'
twork.
Thehealert
ri
ed, t
wiceandi tdidn'twork.PlusI
knowshedidn'tli
et ous.SoIt hinkshe'stheonl
y
onewhocanbr ingt hem physicall
y."Isi
ghedin
fr
ustr
ati
on.
Nkosi:"Ineedt ospeakt ohim.He'spressuri
ngher
tofindMam NonkosiandIknowshewant sto,
we
allwanttobutThembi saisexhausted.Youknow
her,shewon' tstopuntilshedropsdead.I'
vehadt o
puthert osleep.Ineedt ospeaktohimt ogiveher
somet i
met oatleastcatchherbreath.He'shere
everynightandIcan' tevenfeelhim."
Ama:"
Idon'tknowift
hiswil
lworkfornow.I nyour
her
bgardenthere'
sawhit
eflower.Pi
ckt woofit
andbr
ingitwhenyoucomet othepalace."
Nkosi:"
WhatdoIdoabouti
tNow?
?Whati
fhe
appearsdur
ingt
heday?"
Ama:"
Thenbr
ingherher
e-"
Nkosi
:"Iwanthert
osl
eep.
"
Ama:"YohNkosi nhl
e.There'
snothi
ngel seIcando
fr
om hereandIcan'tleavethepal
acetoday.You
don'
thavetowakeherup, j
ustputherinthecarand
bri
ngherhere.I'
l
lwor kwhil
eshesleeps.Ormaybe
youcoul
dgot other i
ver.Wehavetofigure
somethi
ngout .
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'l
lgoupt
otheal
terf
ir
stt
henmake
mywayt here.
"
Ama:"Cool
."Ihungupandwentbackt othesuit
e.I
managedtodr essThembisainsomeclothesand
car
ri
edhertot hecar.Iwasverygent
lemakingsure
shedoesn'
twakeup.Isati nt
heback,withheron
mylapwhil
et hedrivert
ookustothepalace.

Ilookeddownatherbeaut i
fulf
acewhi l
esheslept
soundly.Itouchedherbr
ownski n,feel
ingthe
smoot htextur
eundermyf i
ngertips,warmingthe
veinsconnectingint
hem al
lthewayt omyhear t
.
Thecur vedsli
tofhercl
osedeyes, thecurl
ylong
l
ashessplashedi
nmanydi recti
onsl
ikeahappy
chi
ldjumpingint
heair
.Thecut ebut
tonnosewith
beadsofsweatonit
stip.Iki
ssedhersli
ghtl
yopen
l
ipsgentl
y.Aknockonthewi ndowdist
urbedme.
Amahleopenedthecardoor.
Ama:"You'vebeenparkedfor10mi nutes.
"Ifel
lina
comawat chinghersl
eep.Timedidn'tevenregist
er.
Idon'
tknowhowIcoul dexpl
aini
ttoanot herperson
howIfelt
."Nkosinhl
e."
Nkosi :"
Okay."Igotoutthecar,carr
yingmywi f
ein
myar msandwal kedupt hestair
sintothedoor
.My
fatherstar
edatme.Iwentupt hestai
rstomyroom
toplaceThembi sainbed.WhenIputherdown, she
startedtosti
r.Ibrushedherskin,soothi
ngherback
tosleep.Igotupandwal kedouttheroom,down
thest ai
rs.
Ki
ng:
"Whatdi
dyoudo?
"
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.
"
Ki
ng:
"Di
dyouki
llher
!?"Hehi
ssed.
Nkosi
:"No!She'
sjustsl
eepi
ng.
"
Ki
ng:"Oh.
"Heswallowed."
Sleepisgood.
"He
br
iskl
ywalkedaway.Whatthehelliswr
ongwit
h
hi
m?Idon'thavet
imef ort
his.It
urnedt
oAmahle.
Nkosi
:"Let
'sdot
hisandf
ini
shi
tnow.
"
Ama:" Right.
"Sheledmet oherroom, shutti
ngthe
door."Youhaveabet terchancereachinghim atthe
ri
ver.
"Sheknel tonthegroundonhergr assmatand
crushedt hewhit
eflowerIgaveherinasmal lbowl.
Nkosi
:"Whyi
sthat
?"
Ama:"He'
sr oami
ngbutt
heoneplaceyoucould
communicatewit
hhi
m wasther
e,ri
ght?"Sheadded
anot
herherb.
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Ama:"
She'
l
lbef
ine.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknow.
"Shechuckl
ed.
Ama:"Youneedt obel i
evethat
.Str
ongly.Your
powerint
ensif
iest oomuchwheni tcomest oher.
Thewayyoul oveherwi llmakeyoufeelpossessed
atti
mes.Weneedt ol
earntocontr
oli
tbeforeyour
nextabi
li
tysurfaces."
Nkosi
:"Next
?No,
that
'snotpossi
ble.
"
Ama:"You'
regoi
ngtoarguewi
thmewhenI
'
m
t
ell
ingyouwhatIwastold?
"
Nkosi
:"Whatwi
llbet
henextonet
hen?
"
Ama:"Ihaven'
tbeentol
dyetbuti
t'
sdanger
ous.I
t'
s
notf
rom thegoodside.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyar
etheygi
vingi
ttome?
"
Ama:"
Todest
royi
t.
"..
.

Ihadr unt ot heri

verasIusuallydid.Mymi ndwas
runningasf astasIwas, t
ryi
ngt of i
gurewhi ch
abil
itycouldbenext .Pr
ayingitisn'tonethatcould
hurtmywi fe.Iwouldneverbeabl etoli
vet hrough
that.Ireachedt heriver
.Amahl ehadgi venmet he
crushedher bflowertoputundermyt ongue.Thi s
wast ohel pgett hemessaget oit'
sr eci
pient.Evenif
hedi dn'tcomeher enow, hewoul dheart his.As
l
ongasIcal ledhim byname.
Nkosi
:"Ki
ngNgidumiseSi
khosana.Papa.I
tisyour
gr
andson,Nkosi
nhl
eMehluliSi
khosana.
"Thenask
forhi sat t
enti
on." I'
vecomet oyout oday,toaskyou
tohearmypl ea.Pl easel endmeyourear .Please
affordmeyourt ime. "Stateyourmessage." Ihave
broughtawomani ntoyourhome, asmywi fe.We
havei ntr
oducedherpr oper l
yandshehasbeen
wel comed.Shei snowpar tofme.Ther easonyou
canr eachher ,i
st hat.Ihumbl yaskyouPapa,
pleasebel enientonmywi fe.Shehasbeenwor king
oncr ossingovert hespi ritsoft helostpr i
nces,
whi chshehasnowdonesuccessf ull
y.Thet ask
wasdi ffi
cult
,strenuoust oherheal th.Thisi sa
womanwhowi llbecar ryingt henexthei roft he
Sikhosanal i
neagepl easegi vehert i
mePapa.She
want st ohelpyou.Shewi llhelp,Iaskf orti
meonl y.
Youwi l
lbereuni t
edsoonwi thMaNonkosi .Shet oo
year nsf oryou.Wewi l
lbr i
ngherhomePapa. "..
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

If
inal
lysatupi
nbed,unabl
etosleepproper
ly.I
'
d
st
ruggledal
lni
ghtl
ong,andmostoftheweek.I
knowIwasst ressedwi thwor k.Thenetwor kwas
growi ngbi ggerandI '
dhadt oupdatesomeofour
server s.Ont opoft hat
,there'sbeenaspi l
latthe
vineyar dbutmydadwast akingcareofthat.Bi-
mot ivewasbuckl ingatthedemandsi ncethe
l
aunchoft henewWar riorcar.MnqobiandZwe
wer et ryi
ngt ost eerthatshipaswel l
.Theonl y
busi nesst hatseemedt obesmoot hsaili
ngwas
Essen- Assi st
.Mybusi nesswi t
hZimmy.I fIdidn't
knowanybet t
erI '
dswearshewaspour ingher
ent i
relifeintoit.Iopenedt heemai lshesentaweek
ago.Abr i
efforanad.Iwaswayt oobusyt henand
thiswasunnecessar y.NowIhadanewemai lwi t
h
theact ualad.Sheshotanad.Thebusi nesswas
alreadydoi ngwel l,whywoul dweneedanad?Igot
ont hecabapp, andt ypedt headdress,confir
mi ng
ther ide.
Sibo:"Rachel
."Idi
dn'
thavet
imef
ort
his."
Pleaseget
up."Ishookher.
Rachel
:"WhatSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
Yourri
deist
wominut
esaway.
"She
gr
umbledget
ti
ngupandget
ti
ngdr
essed.Fr
om t
he
momentshear ri
vedshest ar
tedtoirri
tat
eme.She
wasmyusualcal landforthefi
rstti
me, Icouldn'
t
evencum.Iwashi ghlystr
essedandsl eepdepr i
ved
soperhapsfocusingonfixi
ngmywor kproblems
cansortthi
sblock.Iopenedadr awernexttome
andhandedhercashbef oreshewal kedout.Why
can'
tIjusthavepeace?Myphoner ang.
Si
bo:"
What
?"
Zimmy:"Goodmor ni
ngPrinceSibonel
o.Ihope
you'
rewell
.Iwaswonder i
ngifyou'dgott
ena
chancetoreadyouremail
s.I'
vemadet headandI
wasthinki
ngoflaunchi
ngittoday.
"
Si
bo:"
Wedon'
tneedanadZi
masa.
"
Zimmy:" Ourreachhasdr oppedby12%i nthepast
week.Wi theveryonegoingbacktowor k,
they'
d
rat
herbuygr oceriesontheirwayback.Weneedt o
nipthatinthebudqui ckl
ybecauseithurt
sthevery
purposeofourbusi ness.Theadhighli
ghtsthe
convenienceandhowmucht heyneedus."
Si
bo:"Thi
sisnotevenmaki
ngmeenoughmoneyt
o
st
ressabout
."
Zimmy:" I
thasthepotent
ialt
o.Pleaselookatthead.
I'
vealsodraft
edanupdat eofanewf eatur
ewe
couldlookint
o.Li
keschedulingyourgroceri
estobe
deli
veredatacertai
ntime.Wecoul dal
soexpand
i
ntomaki nghamperpack-"
Sibo:"Zi
masa.Thi sbusi
nessi
slessthantwo
mont hsold.You'
redoingtoomuch.Let'
sfocuson
growingwhatwehave.Noads.Noupdat es.Leave
i
tasi stogrowamar ket
.Youdon'
twanttoconf use
peoplesoqui ckl
y."
Zimmy:"Okay.
"Ihungup,
get
ti
ngoutofbed.Ineed
togetr
idofthi
shardon.

Iarr
ivedathome,
whenmyf
ami
lywassi
tt
ingdown
forbreakf
ast
.
Si
bo:"
San'
bonan.
"Isatdown.
Bi
yel
a:"
Whor
ockedyourboatt
oday?
"
Zwe:
"Lat
ely.He'
sbeenver
yangr
ythesedays.
"
Queen:"
Isi
twork,Sboni
?Ohsweet
ie,
youneednot
st
ressyour
sel
f,t
hesethi
ngswor
kthemsel
vesout.
Justr
eachoutforhel
p.Yourfat
herhassor
tedt
he
vi
neyardnow,hehassomef r
eetime.
"
Sibo:"I
'
m copi
ngmama,I'
mfi
ne.
"Idi
shedupf
ood,
askingthehel
pert
obr
ingmeacoff
ee.
Zwe:
"Whatar
eyouupt
otoday?Canwehangout
?"
Sibo:"
I'
vegotst
uff.
"Ihadt oavoi
dZwe.Hehada
wayofdiggingi
nformationoutofmeandIwasn'
tin
themoodforalecture.
Zwe:"
Whatstuf
f?Comeon,
It'
sSat
urday.Let
'sgo
somewher
eforadri
nk.
"
Sibo:"
Uhm..IpromisedMilesI'dtakehi
mt ot
he
park.
"Thi
swasabl at
antli
e.IlastsawMi l
eson
Wednesday,theywereinMnqobi '
shousenow.Siza
hadbeendischargedfrom hospit
al.
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouavoi
dingme?
"
Si
bo:"
Ispental
ldaywi
thyouj
ustyest
erday.
"
Zwe:
"Wewer
ewor
king.
"
Sibo:"Wecanhangoutlat
er."Hest
aredatme.I
'd
fi
ndanotherwaytoavoi
dhi m.Bri
ngi
ngtheyoung
princesmadenodif
fer
encebecauseZwestil
l
l
ect
uredyoui
nfr
ontoft
hem.
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.I
'
llgot
othehospi
talt
hen.
"
Biyela:"
I'
m avai
labl
efortheday.Wecanhavea
drink.Yourmotheri
stakingMayatoababyclass.
"I
knewt hiswouldhappen.Becauseofhowcl
ose
Mnqobi '
shousewas, mymot herwentt
her
e
everydaytocheckont hem.Andwhatisababy
cl
ass?
Mnqobi:"
Oh,soSbonihast
hekidsf
ortheday?
That
'sgood.Si
zacanthengetsomerest
."
Sibo:"
Whatdoyoumean?Si
zahasananny,
she
canalwaysr
est
."
Mnqobi:"
Yesbutit
'sSiza.She'
salwaysf ussi
ng
overt
hekids.
"Idon'tseewhynot,they'
reherkids.I
atemyfood,dr
inki
ngmycof f
ee.
Khaya:"
Bobo,di
dyouseet henewadZimmy
made?"Shebett
ernothavegoneovermyhead.
Si
bo:"
Whatad?
"
Khaya:"
AboutEssen-
Assi
st.Theconveni
enceofi
t.
She'
sreall
ygood.Shesai
dshe'dsenditt
oyoufor
appr
oval
.Whatdoyout
hink?
"
Si
bo:"
Ihaven'
tseeni
t.
"
Khaya:"
Well
,It
hinki
t'
sgr
eat
.It
'l
ldr
iveupt
he
numbersagai
n."
Sibo:"
Wedon' tneedanad,
Khaya.Thebusi
nessi
s
doingjustf
ine."
Zwe:
"Itcoul
ddoal
otbet
ter
."
Si
bo:"
Noi
tcan'
t.
"
Zwe:"
Haaa,Sibonel
o.What'
sgoingon?Thi
sisa
goodi
dea,especi
all
ytheupdat
e-"
Sibo:"
Theupdat
ewil
lconf
usethemarket
,webarel
y
haveenoughnumber
sinit
sint
roduct
oryphase.
"
Zwe:
"Thenr
unt
head.
"
Sibo:"Ifyouthi
nkyoucandot hi
sbett
erthanme,
thenyout akethebusi ness.Ihaveamultimill
ion
dollarcompanyt hatneedsmyf ul
lbr
ainattent
ion.
Lit
tlebusinessadsar en'tworthmyti
me.Pl usthis
willbeawast eofmoney. "
Queen:"
Hai
boSi
bonel
o."
Zwe:"
Wereyounott
heonepushi
ngt
oinvesti
nthi
s
company?
"
Si
bo:"
Iwasonl
yhel
ping.
"
Zwe:"
Nowwhyareyouactingli
keyouwer
efor
ced?
Shedumpedyou,
didn'
tshe?"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu!
!"Isnapped.
Zwe:
"That
'swhyyou'
react
ingl
iket
his.
"
Sibo:"We'r
ehavingbr eakf
ast,Zwel et
hu.It ol
dyou
before,t
here'
snothingseriouswi t
hZi masa.I '
m only
focusingonbusinessbutmoder atelyandnot
overl
oadingunnecessar yinf
ormat i
ont ot hepubli
c.
Whyi sthisdi
ffi
culttograsp?"Igotupandwal ked
out."Andyoucan'tdumpaper sonyou' r
enoti na
rel
ati
onshipwith!!
"Igotinmycardr i
vingof f
.

Mnqobi
'
shousewasnottoofarandsoIwasst i
ll
ki
ndofi
rri
tat
edbyt
hetimeIarr
ived.Si
zawasinthe
l
oungedoi
ngsomethi
ngIdidn'
tquit
eunder
stand.
Si
bo:"
Hi.
"
Si
za:"
Pri
nceSbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Si
za:"
I'
m get
ti
ngt
heki
dsr
eadyt
odot
hei
rhai
r.
"
Si
bo:"
Youcandohai
r?"
Si
za:"
Myki
dshai
r.
"Shechuckl
ed.
Sibo:"
Whynott akethem tothesal
on?"Shesmil
ed
andcontinuedwithhertask."Fi
ne,
letmetaket
hem.
I'
m goi
ngoutanyway.Maybewecanhavesomei ce
cream orsomething.
"
Siza:"
Uhm,t
hatwouldbeveryni
ceofyoubutno
thankyouPr
inceSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Why?
"
Siza:"
Youdon'thavetodoal loft
his.You'
vedone
enoughandt her
e'snowayIcanpayyouback. "I
didn'
twanttobepai dback.Shewasf amil
y,why
didn'
tsheunderstandthi
s?
Si
bo:"That'
snothowf amil
iesworkSizani.Wedon't
dothi
ngsf oreachothertobepaidback.Yoursister
i
sinvolvedwithmybr other
, l
ooki
ngli
ket hey'
l
lmarry.
You'
refami l
y."Shesi
ghed.
Si
za:"
Okay.I
'
llgett
heki
dsr
eady.
"Shewal
ked
downt hepassage.I fIl
etthi
sadr un,t
hey'l
lleave
meal oner ight ?Surelytheyshould.Idon'tneed
Zwelethubr eathingdownmyneck.Isenta
message:<Youcanl aunchtheadwhenr eady.>I
sentit.Sher esponded:<Thanks. >Justthanksl i
ke
I'
m adog.Iwentovert ohersocials.Nonew
pict
uressi nceThur sdaywhensheupl oadedasel fi
e
smili
nghappi l
yatt hecamer a.Icouldseeapeakof
hercleavagecover edbyhercutshi rt
.
Mil
es:"Uncl
eBobo!
"Hecamerunning.Ipi
ckedhi
m
up,
placingmyphoneont
hecounter.
Sibo:"Heyyou.
"Hishai
rwasgrowingi
nhugecur
ls
al
socover i
nghiseyessohehadtoti
eitupi
na
ponytail
.
Mi
a:"
Hel
loUncl
eBobo.
"
Sibo:"
HiSweethear
t.
"IlookedatSi
za."I
'
llbr
ing
them backi
ntheaft
ernoon.Ist
hatokay?"
Siza:"Yes.Uhm,pleasemakesuretheyusethe
gentleshampoof orthem bot
h.Mi
aonlyneedsher
spli
tendscut ,
herhairwashedandthat'
sall
.Here
areherr i
bbons.Milesneedsacut
."
Si
bo:"
Allofi
t?"
Si
za:"
Halfofi
t.We'
regoi
ngint
owi nt
ersoheneeds
j
ustabitt
okeephisheadwarm."
Si
bo:"
Alr
ightt
hen.
"Shegavemeapackedbag.
Siza:"
Adi aperforMil
es.He'spott
ytrai
ningbutI
givehim abr eaksi
ncehe'sgoingoutsi
debecause
hegetsanxi ouswhenhe'sinpublic,
sohemi ghtnot
sayanything.There'
salsochangingclot
hes."
Si
bo:"
Okay,
thi
sisget
ti
ngcompl
icat
ed.
"
Si
za:"
Ift
her
e'sapr
obl
em,
pleasecal
lme.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"
Si
za:"
How'
sZi
mmydoi
ng?
"Il
ookedatmyphone.
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tknow,
goodIguess.
"
Si
za:"
Ithoughtyouwer
edat
ing.
"
Sibo:"
No.Wewer
en'
tdat
ing.I
twasaf
li
ngt
hathas
nowended."
Si
za:"
Right
..wel
l,
haveagoodday.
"
Si
bo:"
We'
rej
ustbusi
nesspar
tner
s..
.so.
"
Siza:"
Youdon'
thavetoexplainyour
sel
f."She
chuckled."
Doyouwanttotalkabouti
t?"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tdot
hoset
hings.
"
Siza:"
Idon'tjudge."IputMilesonthegr
oundgiving
him myphoneonchi l
dlock.I'
dhadtocr
eatethi
s
featur
ejustforhiml astweeksohecanpl aywit
h
myphone.Onl yhisappswer eopentohim.Heran
offtothelounge.
Sibo:"Ili
keZimmy.Ido.Ij ust.
.don'tknowi fI'
m
ready.Myl astrel
ati
onshipalmostchewedmeout .I
don'thavet hecapaci
tytohandl ethatkindof
emot i
onaltormentagain.AndIf eelsopr essured.
Myf ami l
yisalwaysasking,beggingf orachild,
want i
ngmet omarry.AtthisstageIfeell i
keifI
grabbedal adyofthestreetandbr oughtherhome
they'
dt hrowacelebrati
on.Likethey'r
et ryi
ngt oget
ri
dofme. "Shelaughed.
Si
za:"
I'
m sur
eit
'snott
hatbad.
"
Si
bo:"Ithoughtt
hattoobuti
tisthatbad.Thenmy
br
othersaregett
ingmarri
edandf i
ndinglove.
MnqobiisthehappiestI
'
veeverseenhim, Mthunzi
i
shappilymarri
edandalwaystal
kingabouthowhe
l
oveshiswoman.Idon'tevenwanttomentiont
he
Pri
nce,he'
llmakeyouwanttoborr
owhi smanual
.I
knowifZwemeet ssomeone,i
t'
soverforme.Iwil
l
bealone.
"
Siza:"Okay,Ihearyou.From beingaroundyour
family,It
hinkthey'
rereasonableandkindpeople.
Allyouhavet odoi sbeopenandt ellt
hem.Tell
them you'r
enotr eady.You'
renotwi l
li
ngtostr
ing
someoneal ong.ButnaweSibonelo,fi
ndawayt o
healf r
om yourlastrel
ati
onship.That'
swhatis
holdingyouback.Whathappenedt here?"
Sibo:"Samethingthatal
wayshappensSi za.I
start
edwor ki
ngwhenIwas15.I '
vebuil
tBi -
connect
fr
om scr at
ch.Thatismybaby.I
twillal
waysbemy
prior
it
y.Havingthatandbei
ngaPr i
nce,itwasalot.
"
Siza:"
Andi twentt
oyourheadmaki
ngi
tbi
gger
thanital
readyis.
"Il
aughed.
Sibo:"
No.Maybe.Wel l
,i
tcostmemyf i
rstreal
rel
ati
onship.Shewasdeali
ngwit
halotoftrauma,I
i
ntroducedhertother
apybutIwasn'
tthere.Idi
dn'
t
giveherwhatIgaveBi -connect .See,ifBi
-connect
hadamal function,Irantoi t.Iattendedtoit,
Imade
sureitwasokaybef oreIsteppedbackandr elaxed.
Wi t
hher, Ipushedhert other apyeveryti
me.Her
breakdowns, heratt
empt s, Ididn'tatt
endtoit.Ijust
bookedt hef acil
it
yandpai d.Shewasver ygrat ef
ul
foritbutshenol ongerwant edt obeabur dent ome.
Soshel eft."
Siza:"
That'
ssad.Sohowi sshenow?Haveyou
seenherrecent
ly?Perhapsyou'
readi
ff
erentper
son
thanyouwer et
hen."Ichuckl
ed.
Sibo:"She'shappil
ymarriedt
omyf
ri
end.TheKi
ng'
s
advisor.Ineedalcohol
."
Siza:"Unf
ort
unatel
yther
e'snonei
nthi
shouseand
you'renott
akingmykidsanywher
ewhiledr
inki
ng.
"
Si
bo:"
Sor
ry.
"
Si
za:"
Soyoudi
dn'
tdat
eagai
naf
tert
hat
?"
Sibo:"
Idid.Idat
edabi
tbutthat
'snotr
eal
lymy
thi
ngsoIgoti nt
oarel
ati
onshi
pwithanot
her
woman, Becca."
Si
za:"
Whathappenedwi
thher
?"
Sibo:"Beccawasexact l
ylikeme. "Ilaughedatt he
memor y.Ihaven'tthoughtofheri nawhi l
e."She
wascar eerdri
venj ustli
keme.Wewor kedwell
together.Thepr oblem was, wewor kedt oowel l
.It
wasmor eli
keabusi nesst hanar elationship.
MaybeIpr efer
redi tthatwaybutshegotbor ed.She
metsomeonewhomadeherl augh, whol ist
enedto
her,someonewhomadeanef fort
.Appar entl
y
bookingoutexpensi verest aurantsi sn'tasgoodas
beingcookedf or.Soshecal ledmet oherhouse
andaskedmei fIwaswi ll
ingt oaccommodat eher
l
ove.Isai dno.Andshel eft."
Siza:" SowhatI '
m hearingfrom botht hese
relati
onshipsi sthat
,thesewomenneededyou
emot i
onall
yandment allyt
herebutyoucoul dn't
becauseyourf ir
stprior
ityi
ssomet hingthatyou've
builtevenbef orethi
nkingofr elat
ionships.Your
under standingofmar ri
ageispr ovidingstabil
it
ynot
l
ove.Haveyouevert akenabr eakfrom beingaCEO
oft hisgiantcompany?Haveyouevert houghtof
fi
ndi ngahobby?Di scoveri
ngyour selfasaper son?
You'vebui
ltyourenti
rebei
ngtobeapowerf
ul
Prince,
why?"Shef ol
dedherar
ms."Youwantedt
o
takeovert
hatthrone,huh?
"
Si
bo:"
hey-
"
Si
za:"
I'
m notj
udgi
ng.
"
Sibo:"Thatwasal ongti
meago.Iam nott hat
personanymor e.Pri
nceSikhosanaisdoingagreat
j
obandI '
mi nagoodpositi
oni nhiscounci
l.We'
re
buil
dingar eal
lygoodrel
ationshi
pandIwon' tl
et
anythingdestr
oyit."
Siza:"Sibonelo,relax.I'
m notaccusi ngyouof
anything.That '
st hereasonwhyyou' ref eelingl ost
.
Youwor kedyourwayt othispointandnowt hat
you'reher e,t
here'snot hi
ngofval uest andi ngby
yourside.That '
swhyyou' rescar edofgoi ngi nto
anotherr elat
ionship,becauseyouhavet ol earn.
Youcan' tbePr i
nceSi boneloBiyela,theCEO, even
tosomeonet hatwant stoloveyou.Justl ett hem in.
Learnt ofullylove,bet her
eandnotj ustpr ovi de.
You'reallowedt omakemi stakes."
Si
bo:"
Ican'
tjustl
eavemycompany,
we'
vej
ust
st
art
ednewpr
oject
s.Seenow,youwantmetogo
br
oke?Womenneedgif
ts,
Siza.
"Shegi
ggled.
Siza:"Justtry.Haveaweekof f.Putsomeoneel se
i
nchar geforonce.Tr yandnotbeaPr ince.Be
Sibonel oandf i
ndst uffyoul i
ke."Thiswi l
lbehar d.I
don'ttakebr eaks.Idon' thaveof fdays.Thisiswhy
everywher eIam, Ineedasi gnalorI '
m goinghome.
It
'snotupf ordebat e.Mycompanywi llbeturning
15year sinsomemont hsandt hiswi l
lbeahuge
mi l
estonebuti twasn' tasexciti
ng.I twasal lt
he
same.I 'dspenthal fmyl i
feonitandt heonl ythingI
hadt oshowf oritisabeaut if
ulbankbal ance.So
whatdi dIlove?
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er104

PETU'
SPOV_
TodaywasSat ur day,andtheweat herwasf antast
ic.
I'
dmovedwi thSi zatoMnqobi 'shousewhenshe
wasdi schar ged.Wehavedeci dedt ostay,and
acceptt hehel pf rom t
heBiyela's.Inthesame
breat h,wor kingf orourown.We' reinasaf e
neighbor hood, Jacksonwon' tgetaccessher eno
mat terhowmuchmoneyhehas, i
twoul dnever
evenbeaf r
actionoft heBiyelaf ami l
y.Hecan'tget
toSi zaanymor e.Icancont i
nuewi thschoolwi t
hout
stress, continuesavi ngandSi zawasl ookingfora
j
ob.MamaBi yelawant edhertogobackt oschool
fundedbyt hef ami l
ycompani es.It hi
nkshewas
goingt oagr ee.Shewasn' tclosingher selfoffand
shyingawayassheusual lydid.Thatmademeso
happybecauseshedeser vedt his.Shedeser veda
realchance.Af termyshower ,
Iwentdownst ai
rs.
Petu:"
Bigsis.Wassomeonehere?"Ismel
tthe
st
rongcolognesti
lll
inger
ingi
ntheair
.
Siza:"Yes,
Sibonel
ocamet
ofet
cht
heki
dsf
oraday
out."
Petu:"
Oh."Shecl
eanedt
hel
ounge."
He'
sreal
ly
goodwiththeki
ds.
"
Si
za:"
Ver
y."
Pet
u:"
Ithi
nkhel
ikesyou.
"
Si
za:"That'
sridicul
ous.
"Shechuckled."
Sibonel
ois
ali
tt
leroughar oundtheedgesbuthe'sagoodguy.
It
hinkhe'sjustbeingnice.
"
Petu:"
Real
lynow.
"Ir
oll
edmyeyes,
goi
ngt
othe
ki
tchen.
Si
za:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Petu:"
Nothing.Justbecar ef
ulwit
hhim Siza.You'
re
i
navul ner
abl espacer i
ghtnow.You'
reall
owedt o
havecomf ortbutpleaseguardyourhear
twheni t
comest oSibonelo.
"
Si
za:"
Whatdoest
hatevenmean?Whatcomf
ort
?"
Petu:"AnySiza.We'
rehuman.I
'
mj ustsaying,
whateveriti
syoudecidetodowit
hhim, guardyour
heart.
"
Si
za:"
I'
m notaboutt
osl
eepwi
thyourbr
otheri
nlaw
Pet
uni
a."
Pet
u:"
I'
m notsayi
ngyouwi
ll
-"
Siza:"No,t
hat'
swhatyou'rei
mplyi
ng.I'
m nota
whor e.I
'mtryi
ngtorebui
ldmyli
feandtheonly
thingyoucant hi
nkofmei st
hatIneedsex?"
Petu:"Ididn'
tsaythatSiza.Andevenifyoudid,
there'
snot hi
ngwrongwi thhavingsexwhil
st
rebuil
dingyourli
fe.You'renotawhoreandI'l
lnever
thi
nkt hatofyousopl easeneversaythatwor
d
again.
"
Siza:"
Idon'
tneedmenr i
ghtnowPetu.Iam i
na
verydarkpl
acebecauseofthem.I
'
m sorryI
snapped."
Pet
u:"
That'
sokay."Iwentovert
ohugher
."We'
re
goi
ngtogett
hroughthis.
"
Si
za:"
Thankyoubaby.Somet i
mesIf eelsooutof
pl
aceherebutI'
veneverseenmyki dssohappy.
Mil
esisrunni
ngaround,l
aughing.Miasings,Pet
u.
Mychil
dcansing.Ididn'
tevenknowt hat
."Ismil
ed.
Pet
u:"Andshehasabeaut i
fulvoi
ce.We'
llbefi
ne
her
e.I'
m happythatyou'r
esaf eandher
ewi t
hme.
So,whatwil
lyoudot odaysincetheki
dsaren't
her
e?"Shel
aughed.
Siza:"
Idon'
tknow.Ihaven'
thadt
imeal
onei
n
years.
"
Pet
u:"
Wri
tesomet
hing.
"
Si
za:"
Idon'
tthi
nkIcan-
"
Petu:"
Don'teven.Si zaniplease.Wri
teashor
tstory.
Infact
,I'
m askingSbot otakethekidst
othepalace
forasleepovertonight.You, ar
egoingtowri
tel
ike
youusedt owriteformei nhi ghschool
.
Remember ?"
Si
za:"
Thatwassuchal
ongt
imeagoPet
u."
Pet
u:"
I'
m beggi
ngyou.
"
Si
za:"
Okay,
fine.I
'
llneedmyl
apt
op.
"
Petu:"
Usemi nefornow.I'
llaskMnqobiwhenwe
cancoll
ectt
her estofyourstufff
rom yourhouse
butyouwon'tgot her
ebyyour sel
f,t
heBiyel
a'swil
l
neverl
etyou."Shesmi l
ed.
Si
za:"
Okaybutletmefini
shcl
eaning.
"Iwentto
makemyselfafrui
tsal
adandwentupstair
stoget
dr
essed.Ichoseawhit
eandorangestri
pedpenci
l
skirtwi t
hasl itont hesi de.Awhi tecr opwi t
hacut
acrossmycl eavagebutst il
lkeepi tcl assy.Iwor e
orangesandalheel sandf ixedmyhai rwi thjusta
l
ittl
ebi tofmakeup.Today, Ihadmydat ewi th
MnqobiandNot hando.Not haandIpl annedt his
outf i
tlastnight.Shewasr eall
yi ntocl otheseven
thoughshewassubt leabouti tIcoul dseehowshe
enjoyedput t
ingt ogethermyout fi
t.Thi ngswer e
startingtogetal it
tlestrange.Wespental otoft ime
toget herandi nthatt i
me, iwasget t
ingt oknowt he
realNot hando.Idon' tthinkanyoneknowst hissi de
ofherandIl ovedt hatitwasonl ymet hathad
access.Thepr i
ncesswasqui cklyf adi ngawayand
thisbeaut if
ullivelygirlwasemer ging.I twasa
strangef eeli
ngt oal wayswantt ocal lher
i
mmedi atel
ywhenIwokeup.WhenIwasl ivingin
thepal ace,wesl eptinthesamer oom mostdays
becausewewoul dtalkwel lintot heni ght .Ist oodin
frontoft hemi rrorandt ookapi ctureofmysel f,I
senti ttoMnqobi .Her espondedi mmedi ately:<You
l
ooksexyashel l,mybut t
er fl
y.Jesus.Thecol our
combi nati
oni scompl i
ment ingyourski n.Youar eso
gor geous.Baby, uzongi ncishast i
ll
?YohI '
m dyi ng.>
Il
aughed.He'ssostupi
d.<Yesbaby.Youhavet
o
l
earnpati
ence.>Isenti
t.Ipackedmyhandbagwi
th
myessenti
alsandputsomeper f
umeonme.Notha
cal
led.
Pet
u:"
Heyl
ove.
"
Notha:"I
'
m comingtopickyouup.We'
l
lgotothe
rest
aurantt
ogether,
Mnqobihassomet
hingt
osort
outatBi-
motivethenhe'
llj
oinusi
nabit
."
Pet
u:"
CanIdr
ivemycar
?"
Notha:"Whydoyout hi
nkI '
m comingtoyou?"We
giggled."
Ineedyoutodrivethatcar
.Theguardwi
ll
foll
owbehi ndus.
"Iwantedtoscream wi
th
excit
ement .
Petu:"Okay,
I'
mr eady.Ar
ri
vealr
eady!
"Shegi
ggl
ed
hangingup.Itookonelastl
ookatmysel
fand
walkedout.

SASAPOV_

Iwokeup,
str
etchi
ngmybodyandopeni
ngmyeyes.
Howdi dIgethere?I'
dsleptatthevil
la,Ir
emember
verywellsohowam Ii nNkosi'
sr oom att
hepalace?
Isatup.Notagain.Hesatont hechairfurt
herf
rom
thebed,star
ingatme.WasIdr eaming?WhywasI
here?
Me:"
YourMaj
est
y."Ibowedmyhead.
Nkosi
:"Love."Hest
oodupwal
kingt
ome.Isi
ghed
i
nreli
ef.SoitwasNkosi
nhl
e.Mymindwaspl
ayi
ng
t
ri
cksonme.
Me:"
Ithoughtyouwer
eKi
ngNgi
dumi
se.
"
Nkosi:"
Oh.I'm sor
ryl
ove.Ididn'
twanttowakeyou
up."Heclimbedinbed.Icuddledonhischest
."I
senthim amessageandI '
m surehewillr
ecei
veand
hearit
.Pleaseletmeknowi fheappearsagai
n."
Me:"Okay.Thankyou.Howdi
dwegett
othe
pal
ace?"
Nkosi
:"Iputyoutosl
eep,Idi
dn'
twantyout
odo
anyt
hingbutrestt
oday.
"
Me:"
Buti
t'
sani
mpor
tantday.
"
Nkosi
:"Was.I
t'
sear
lyeveni
ng.Ever
ythi
ngwasa
successandyou'
rewel
lrest
ed.I
'
m happy.
"
Me:"
Imi
ssedi
t?"
Nkosi :"
Therewasnotmuchhonest l
y.Eachpri
nce
hadanani malsl
aughter
edfort hem.Fathersai
da
fewwor dst osendthem of
fwel l.Heannounced
theirnamesandwel comedt heancest or
sint
othe
palacealter.Al
lofi
twentwel l
."Isighed.
Me:"
I'
m gladt
ohearthat.We'
vesuccessf
ull
y
compl
etedourfi
rstt
ask.Yayus.
"Hechuckled.
Nkosi
:"Yes,
yayus.CanIor
derupsomef
oodsowe
caneat
? "
Me:"
Ihaven'
tevensai
dhel
lot
othef
ami
lyNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"That
'snotnecessar
y."
Me:"Canweatleasthavedi
nnerwi
tht
hem t
hen
we'
llcomebackhere?"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantyouneart
hem.
"
Me:"Iknowl
ove,
butl
et'
str
yagai
n."Hesi
ghed,
get
ti
ngup.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m onl
yaccept
ingbecausemyf
atheri
s
convi
ncedI
'
veki
ll
edyou.
"Ist
aredathi
m.
Me:"
Whywoul
dhet
hinkt
hat
?"
Nkosi:"Hesawmebr i
ngingyouinwhil
esl
eepi
ng
andalmosthadafit
."Igotoutofbedandl
ookedat
thedressIwasweari
ng.I'm pr
ett
ysur
ehegrabbed
thefi
rstthi
nghesaw.
Me:"
Love,
whyam Iwear
ingani
ght
gown?
"
Nkosi
:"That
'snotadr
ess?
"
Me:"
Nobaby.Thi
siswhatIputont
ogot
osl
eep.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
veneverseenyouweart
hatt
obed.
"
Me:"Becauseyouwantmet
osl
eepnaked.
"He
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
scomf
ort
abl
e.Butt
hisl
ookspr
ett
y."
Me:"Iknowitl
ookspr
ett
y,butIl
ookl
ikesl
eepi
ng
beauty.
"Hepull
edmeinhisarms.
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
owearoneofmysui
ts?
"I
l
aughed.
Me:"Imusthaveadresssomewhereherebaby.
"I
l
ookedthroughthewardr
obe,
for
tunat
elyIhadthe
navybl
uemaxidr
ess.Igotdr
essedandwemade
ourwaydowntot
hedininghall
.TherewasnoTVi
n
thi
shouse,
Why?Itwassostrange."
Love?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesbaby?
"
Me:"DoyouhaveaTV?Ihaven'
tseenone.
"He
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Per
sonall
yIdon'thaveoneher
e.Ther
eis
oneint
hemedi aroom t
hough."
Me:"
Whati
sthemedi
aroom?
"
Nkosi
:"Aroom thathasallt
henewsupdat
es.
Ther
e'sascreenthatdispl
ayst
henewsanda
mediateam worki
ng."
Me:"Wait.
..You'
ret
elli
ngme,t
here'
saroom where
ther
earepeoplewatchingt
henews24/
7i nsi
dethi
s
house?
"
Nkosi:"
Theyworkinshi
ft
s,yes.Eachhasascr een
andtheysif
tthr
oughthenewst hati
sbroadcasted"
Me:"
Wow.Andt
hat
'st
heonl
yTV?
"
Nkosi:"
Ithi
nkt
hetwinshaveTV'
s.Idon'
tknow,
I'
ve
neverbeenint
hei
rlounges.
"
Me:"
Ever
yper
soni
nthepal
acehasal
ounge?
"
Nkosi
:"Yesmylove.Forrel
axi
ng.I
t'
susual
ly
desi
gnedtothei
rli
kingandhobbi
es."
Me:"
That
'sr
eal
lycool
."
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
thaveal
ounge?
"
Me:"
Athome?I
t'
sonl
yoneandeveryoneusesi
tat
t
hesameti
me.WewatchTV,wetal
kaboutstuf
f.
"
Nkosi
:"Tal
kaboutwhatst
uff
?"
Me:"Whathappeneddur
ingt
heday,
freshgossi
p,
j
ustgener
alstuf
f."
Nkosi
:"Thenwhatdoyout
alkaboutatdi
nner
?"
Me:"
Moreoft
hat
.We'
rej
ustal
wayst
alki
ng,
tel
li
ng
st
ori
es.
"
Nkosi:"
Youmeanyouhaveast
oryt
otel
l
ever
yday?"Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"Notever
yday.Butasl
ongaswegooutsi
de,
t
here'
ssomethingtocomebackandt
ell
."
Nkosi
:"Wedon'
ttal
kher
e."
Me:"
Becauseyoudon'
thaveaTVandyou'r
e
al
waysi
ndoors.Atl
eastyouhaveast
oryt
otel
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Whi
chi
swhat
?HowImetyou?
"
Me:"
WewenttoLangoluhl
eremember?Yougot
dr
essedl
ikeaci
vil
ianandnoonerecogni
sedyou.
"
Hesmil
ed.
Nkosi:"
Thatwasfun.
"Wewal kedint
othedinner
hal
l.Everyonewassi
tt
ingdown.TheKinglookedat
met henbackdownathisglass.
Me:"GoodeveningmyKi ng,queensand
pri
ncesses.
"Nooner esponded.Nkosipul
ledmy
chai
rformet ositdown.
King:"Goodeveni
ng."Hedrankhiswhiskey.I
smiled.Thatwasthefi
rstti
mehe'severgreet
ed
back.Henevergreetsback.Ever
.
Nkosi
:"CanIpouryousomewi
nel
ove?
"
Ki
ng:"I
sshenotpregnant
?Whyar eyoufeedingher
al
coholNkosi
nhl
e?"Ichokedandcoughed,l
ightl
y.
Nkwe:"
Ha?Al
ready?
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
snotpr
egnantf
ather
."
King:"
Why?"DoesheHAVEt obel
iket
his?Why
doesn'
thehavesecr
ets?OrGossi
patl
east?
Nkosi
:"Wecangoaheadandlayt
hisconver
sation
t
orest.Thanks.
"Hepour
edt
hewineinmygl ass.
Ki
ng:
"Weneedanhei
r.
"
Nkosi
:"Needisabi
tdr
amatic.We'
l
lgett
her
e,when
wegetthere.
"It
ookasipofmywine.
Nhl
anhla:"
So..
.Nobomi,youdeci
dednott
ojoi
nus
f
ortheceremonytoday?Asawi f
eofthef
amil
y?"
Nkosi
:"Shewast
ir
ed.
"
Nhlanhla:"Fr
om whatbhuti
?Weweren'tevendoi
ng
anything.Justherpr
esenceasaguestofthe
family."
Nkosi:"
Askfather
.Per
hapsi
fitcomesf
rom hi
m,
you'
llunder
stand.
"
Nhl
a:"
Fat
her
?"Theki
ngl
ookedather
.
King:
"Yes,
Nhlanhla?
"Thequest
iondisappear
edi
n
hermouthaft
erlooki
ngatherf
ather
.
Nhl
a:"
Not
hingFat
her
."Thesecondqueenst
aredat
me,wit
halookofpur
ehatr
ed.Idi
dn'
tneedt
hese
pr
oblems,
Idrankmywine.
Me:"Thi
sisar
eal
lygoodbl
end.
"Iwhi
sper
edt
o
myself
.
Nkosi
:"It
'sthesamer
angeoft
hewi
newehadon
ourfi
rstpicni
c."
Me:"
It
'samazi
ng.Sur
pri
singl
yli
ghtf
orar
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"Pi
notNoi
r,adel
icat
ekind.MaybeIshoul
d
t
akeyoutoavineyar
dtomorrowsowecansampl e
afewtocoll
ectf
orourhouse.
"
Ki
ng:"
Soundsl
ikeagoodt
ri
p,wecangot
othe
Bi
yel
afar
m."
Nkosi
:"Youdon'
thavet
ocomef
ather
.It
'sokay.
"
Ki
ng:"Ii
nsi
st.Youknownot
hingaboutwine.Next
t
hingyouknowyou'ref
eedi
ngherdrysourgrapes.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swi
ne.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ihavegoodt
ast
e,Icanhel
p."
Nobant
u:"Love,
maybeweshoul
dlett
heki
dshave
t
imealone."
Nol
wazi
:"Love?
"
Nhl
anhla:"
Thoughthi
snamewasMyKi
ng.
"She
mumbled.
Ki
ng:"
I'
m onl
yther
etohel
pthem choose,
Iwon'
tbe
i
nthei
rway."
Nkwe:"
Itwoul
dbeni
cet
ovi
sitavi
neyar
d.Wenever
goanywher
e."
Nkosi
:"Whydoesi
thavet
obedur
ingmydat
ewi
th
mywife?"
Nkwe:"I
'
llbehel
pingdad,
wewon' tbei
nyourway
bhut
i.
"Isippedmywinequiet
ly.
Ki
ng:"Set
tl
ed,we'r
egoingt
othevi
neyar
d."Our
st
art
erswereserved.
Nobant
u:"
Nobomi
,doyouandNkosihaver
egul
ar
dat
es?"
Me:"
Yesmyqueen.Ever
yweekend.
"
Nhl
a:"
Dat
es?
"
Nkwe:"
Ever
yweekend?
"
Nol
wazi
:"Nowonderhe'
sneverher
e."
Ki
ng:"Whatdoyoudoont
hesedat
es?
"Il
ookedat
Nkosi
,hewaseati
nghi
sst
art
er,
unbot
her
ed.
Me:"
Wej ustspendti
me.Together
.Weeatour
f
avour
it
ef oods,j
usthangout
."
Nol
wazi
:"That
'si
t?That
'sadat
e?"
Me:"Itvari
es,myqueen.Weenj oypi
cnicsal
ot.Il
ike
fr
uitpicki
ngandf l
owerarr
anging.Nkosit
eaches
meaboutpl antsandImakeflowerbouquetsformy
fr
iends.Wehavemovi enight
s,eachofuschoosea
genreforthenightandt
hentwomovi es.Weget
snacks,dri
nksandsomegames. "
Nkosi:"Il
ookf
orwar
dtomovi
eni
ght
snow.
"He
chuckled.
Ki
ng:
"Why?Youcanpr
edi
ctal
mostanyt
hing.
"
Nkosi:"
Somet
imesSasat
ri
cksme.I
t'
sfunny.
"We
gi
ggled.
Ki
ng:
"Idon'
tgeti
t.
"
Me:"Sincehepredi
cts.Wechooseagenre,f
or
exampleComedy.Ithengivehi
m ali
stofti
tl
es,al
l
ofthem wrong.Hechoosesoneanditt
urnsoutto
beadr
ama.I
ttakeshi
m awhi
let
ogeti
t.I
t'
sfun.
"
Nkwe:"
That
'st
hest
upi
destt
hingI
'
veeverhear
d."
Nkosi
:"That'
sbecausenoonel i
kesyou."Amahl
e
l
aughed.Ialmostchokedonmyf ood.Probl
em wi
th
Amahle'sl
aughisit
'salwaysunexpect
edand
menacing.
Nobantu:"
WhataboutNkosi
'
sint
erest
s?Al
loft
his
doesn'
tsoundl
ikehi
m."
Me:"Nkosili
kesbei
nginnat
ure.We'
vetouchedal
ot
ontheplantsandhowhecaresfort
hem.We've
hi
kedtogetherandhepromi
sedtotakemetothe
woodssomet i
me."
Ki
ng:
"Todowhati
nthewoods.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydoesi
tmat
ter
?"
King:"Ther
e'snot
hingyoucandointhewoods
unlessyouhaveasecretcaveofadvent
uresonl
y
knownt oyou."
Nkosi
:"Exact
lyt
hat
."
Nol
wazi:"
Itj
ustseemstomealloft
heseact
ivi
ties
ar
eadistr
acti
on.You'
ret
hefut
ureking,
Mehlul
i.The
onl
yone.Youneedt
obef
ocusedont
hecount
ry.
"
Nkosi:"
Ifocusont
hecount
ry,
mother
.Mondayt
o
Fr
iday,8to4.Havi
ngt
imeoffhel
psmerest
."
King:"
You'
vebeendoinganout
standi
ngj
obt
hus
farsoitmustbewor
king.
"
Nkosi:"
Thankyou.
"Ourmai
nmealscamet
othe
t
able.Thefamil
yst
art
edeat
ing.
Me:"
Maybewecoul dhaveal
unchatthevi
neyar
d?
Asafami
ly.Thatwooul
dbelovel
y."
Nkosi
:"I
'
llcal
lZweaf
terdi
nnert
ohavei
tpr
epar
ed.
"
Nobant
u:"NoNkosi
,Zwel
ethuisaPrince.Thi
sI'
m
sur
ewecansortaswomen, i
sn'tt
hatri
ght
Nobomi?"
Me:" Yes,myqueen.I '
l
lmaket hearrangements."I
di
dn' tevenknowwher etobegi n.Atl
eastIdon't
havet ocook, Ij
ustneededamenu.I 'veneverhadto
prepar ealunchforabigfamily.Ajudgementaland
hi
ghr oyalonetobespecifi
c.Thiswoul dbe
stressful.
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er105

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV

I'
dhadanof fdayt hi
sSatur
daybecauseNkosiwas
busywithacer emonyatthepal
aceandt hey
wouldn'
tbel eavi
ngunti
lSundaymor ning.Itook
Busitothehospitalt
ogetherbl
oodr esults.Zwe
hadofferedtocheckheranddidbloodt estsaweek
andahal fago.Wemadeourwayt her edur i
ngthe
aft
ernoon.
Mt hunzi
:"Howar eyoufeeli
ng?"Idrovewhi l
eshe
satinthepassengerseat,stari
ngoutoft hewi ndow.
Alotoftheti
me, Busiwasqui et
.Inourf i
rstmont hs
ofdatingthi
sscar edmebecauseIt houghtshewas
upset.Shejusthadherdaysofsi lencewher eshe
staredoutofthewi ndowdaydr eami ngorli
stening
tomusi ci
nt hedark.Sheenjoyedherpeace.
Busi
:"Good.If
eel
somuchbet
ter
.It
hought
st
oppingt
hevi t
aminswouldgivemel
essener
gy
butt
heydidn'
t.I'
m st
il
lasact
ive.
"
Mthunzi
:"Doyout
hinkyou'
l
lgobackt
ousi
ng
vi
taminsthen?
"
Busi:"
ProbablybutonlyrecommendedbyZwe.He
seemedr eall
yknowledgeablewhenhetookmy
bloodtests.I
t'
sclearmypr evi
ousdoct
ordi
dn'
t
knowwhathewasdoi ng."
Mthunzi
:"Hm.That
'sgood.Zweisagreatdoct
or.
Andthepil
l?Howisitt
reat
ingyou?Haveyoufel
t
anychanges?"
Busi
:"Notatall
.Ithi
nkI'
m getti
ngthehangofi t
now.Thankyoubabyf ororganizi
ngtheschedule
andthealar
m clocksal
laroundme.Idi dn'
teven
knowyoucoul dhaveatimeralarm onyourkey
chai
n."Shegiggl
ed.
Mthunzi
:"I
t'
sgoodtechnol
ogy.So,
doest
hatmean
wecanstopusingcondomsnow? "
Busi:
"Yeslove.DrNgayisaidt
ogi
veitaboutt
wo
weekstogetintomysystem andt
henweshouldbe
fi
ne.Butforextr
aprecaut
ions,
weshoulddoubl
e
prot
ectonmyovul
ati
onweekbyusi
ngacondom or
abst
ain.
"
Mthunzi
:"Oh,Okay.Love,
whatwoul
dyoudoi fa
mist
akehappenedandyougotpregnant
?
Acci
dental
lyofcourse.Woul
dyoukeepi
t?"She
l
aughed.
Busi:"
Don'
tworr
ybaby,
acci
dentwon'
thappen
becausewe'
rebei
ngver
ysafe.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Justi
ncase,
itdoes.Whatwoul
dyoudo?
"
Busi:"
Idon'tknow.It
'sveryuncomfort
abletothi
nk
aboutbutitisaveryti
nypossibil
it
y.Iwouldbe
horr
if
ied.Somuchso, Idon'
tthi
nkmybr ai
ncan
wraparoundwhatIwoul dact
uall
ydo."Shelooked
athershakinghands.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whyi
sthat
?"
Busi:
"Ithinkmaybei t'
sbecause,i
t'
ssomet hi
ngt hat
IknowIwoul dn'tenjoy.I
twouldbeextremely
upsett
ing.Andi twouldhurt.I
twouldhurtbecauseI
knowyouwoul dwantmet okeepitbutIwouldn'
t
knowhowt oloveit.Iwouldn'
twanttoparti
cipat
e.
Soitwouldbef orcingmet odosomet hi
ngIdon't
wantt
odo,
fort
her
estofmyl
if
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
twoul
dgetbet
tert
hough,
right
?"
Busi:"
Noitwouldn't
.Thiswasnotaneasydecision
formet omakeMt hunzi
.Whydoyout hinkI
'vebeen
i
nt her
apyforalmosttenyearsnow?I
t'snotgoing
away.Thedecisionisst
il
lthesame.
"
Mthunzi :"Ihearyoul ove."Wear r
ivedatt hehospi t
al.
Mot hersal waysf allinlovewi t
htheirchildren.I
thi
nki t'
sthemostspeci albondhavingsomeone
growi nsideofyou.I twoul dbeuncomf ortablefor
Busibutaccept i
ngi twi l
lcomegr aduall
y.Mor eso,
whensheseesmycommi tmenti
nbei ngapr esent
partnerandf ather.I'
lltakemychi ldtowor kifIhave
to,Idon'tmi nd.Al lshehast odoisgiveme9
mont hsofnur turi
ngt hem i nsi
deherandI '
llt
ake
overfrom t here.Wewal kedinthehospi t
al,Zwewas
i
nt her eceptionar ea, r
eadingaf i
le.
Mt
hunzi
:"I
sn'
tityourdayof
f?"
Zwe:"Mybrot
herdi
tchedmetogohangoutwi
thhi
s
fost
erki
ds,
Iborehi
m now."Wechuckl
ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"Howar
ethey?
"
Zwe:
"Fant
ast
ic.They'
redoi
nggr
eat
.HiBusi
."
Busi
:"Hel
loZwe,
howar
eyou?
"
Zwe:
"I'
m gr
eat
,howar
eyou?
"
Busi
:"Amazi
ng.
"
Zwe:"Ihaveyourresul
ts,
andl
ookedatthem.My
i
nternisavai
labl
etoshowyouandexplain.I
sthat
okay?"
Busi:"
Ohyouwanttohangoutwit
hmyhusband?
That'
sokaysi
nceI'm notasi
mpor
tantasyour
fr
iend.
"Welaughed.
Zwe:"Pr
iori
ti
es.Yanda?Pleasecomehere."His
i
nter
nwal kedovertous.Shewasashort,young
l
ooki
ngbeaut i
fulgi
rlwi
thadet er
minedl
ookt odo
herj
ob.
Yanda:"
YesDrBi
yel
a?"
Zwe: "
ThisisBusiMwel
ase.Igaveyouherfi
le
earl
ieron,woul
dyoumindtakinghert
hroughher
result
s?"
Yanda:"
I'
dlovet
o.Pl
easecomet
hiswayMi
ss
Mwelase-
"
Zwe:
"Mr
s.Thi
sisherhusband.
"
Yanda:"Oh,myapologiesmyLord.MrsMwel
ase.
"
Busifol
lowedhertoar oom andIst
oodwi
thZwe
tal
kingaboutourusualthi
ngs.

Nar
rat
ed*
*

Busisatont
hebed,i
nthehospi
talr
oom,wai
ti
ng
pat
ientl
yast
heyoungdoctorr
eadhernot
es.
Busi
:"Thosear
epr
ett
yshoes.
"
Yanda:"
Thankyou.Igott
hem onsal
eatThePeak.
"
Busi:"
Theylookcomfort
abl
e.Imostl
ywear
sneakerst
hroughoutt
hedaybecauseI'
m al
ways
standi
ng."
Yanda:"
Whatdoyoudo?
"
Busi:"
Busi
nessowner.Ihaveani
cecream shop,a
j
ewel r
yshopandnowmanagi ngmyhusband's
propert
ydevel
opmentcompany.Thatone'
smor e
fun.
"Yandagiggl
ed.
Yanda:"
Iwoul
dthi
nki
t'
stheot
hert
wo.
"
Busi
:"That
'swhyIopenedthem,butnowtheybor
e
me.TurnsoutIl
ikebui
ldi
ngthi
ngs."Shesmil
ed.
Yanda:"Uhm,youhaveanunusual l
yhighdosagein
yourbloodwork.Thi
swast est
ed,andit'
sfrom an
i
ronandcvi t
amin.Dot hevi
taminsgiveyoua
feel
ingofbei
ngenergized?"
Busi
:"Yes.
"
Yanda:"Andyoufeell
ikeyouneedthem t
obe
product
ive?Soyoutakethem ever
ydaytofeel
normal?
"
Busi
:"Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
"
Yanda:"You'
redevel
opingani mmuni t
ytothe
benefi
tsofthevi
tamins, di
dyoui ncreaseyour
dosageperhaps?Idon'tthinkthere'
sanydoctor
thatwouldmakethismi stake.
"
Busi
:"Idi
dn'ti
ncr
easeanyt
hing,
that
'st
hedosage
mydoctorrecommended.Myhusbandmadesure
ofi
t.
"
Yanda:"
Thi
sisn'
tri
ghtBusi
.Thi
scoul
d'vebeen
l
ethal.Yourbloodwor
kal
soshowsyou'
reonant
i
depressants-
"
Busi
:"Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay,
doct
or?
"
Yanda:"
I'
m nottryi
ngMr
sMwel
ase.I
'
m onl
yaski
ng.
I
fyou'r
estruggl
ing-"
Busi
:"I
'
m nott
ryi
ngt
oki
llmysel
f.
"Shesnapped.
Yanda:"Thenwhois?Whoisadmini
ster
ingt
hese
drugstoyou?Becausenodoct
orwould.
"
Busi
:"Ar
eyouinsi
nuat
ingt
hatmyhusbandi
s
dr
uggingme?"
Yanda:"
Eit
hert
hatoryo-
"
Busi :
"HewenaNt ombazana!
!Ungangij
wayel
i
uyezwa?Whot hefuckdoyouthinkyouaret
osay
somet hi
ngthatdisgust
ingaboutmyhusband?I'
m
tel
lingyouthat'
swhatthedoctorgaveme,whatt
he
hellareyoutryi
ngtosay?"
Yanda:"
Whatisyourdoctor
'sname?Per
hapsIcan
gi
vehim acal
landask."
Busi:"
List
enher
e,donotpi
ssmeof
f.DONOT.You
don'
tknowmenordoyouknowmyhusband.So
youei
therdoyourj
obproper
lyoryou'
l
lfuckar
ound
andfi
ndout.Nxa.
"Shegotofft
hebedandwalked
out
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Babe?
"Theywer
est
il
lst
andi
ngout
side.
Busi
:"Zwe,
youneedtotrainyourdoct
orst
odo
bet
ter
.Notthi
snonsense."
Zwe:
"Whathappened?
"
Busi:
"Thisgi
rli
ssayi
ngt
hatI'
m eithertryi
ngtoki
ll
myself,
becauseofmymentalhealth,
ormy
husbandisdruggi
ngmethr
ought hevitamins.
"
Zwe:
"WHAT?
"
Busi
:"Tellhershe'
sinsanebeforeIgi
veherthe
hot
testslaptoremindhercheeksofSatan.
Angang'j
wayeliZwe.I'
mt r
yingtobeagoodper son.
"
Zwe:
"Iam sosor
ry,
Busi
.I'
l
lsor
tthi
sout
."
Busi
:"Pl
easedo.
"Zwewal
kedovert
othei
nter
n.
Zwe:
"Whatt
hehel
lwast
hatabout
?"
Yanda:"DrBi
yel
a,Ist
udi
edherresul
tsal
lmor ning.
There'
snowayanydoctorcoul
dmaket hatcareless
mi
stake.
"
Zwe:"Andyoudeci
dedtobl
ameitonherment
al
heal
thDrRadebe!Whatt
hehel
l?Whogaveyouthat
i
nfor
mat i
on?"
Yanda:"I
..It
ypedhernameont hesyst
em tocheck
foranyunderlyi
ngcondi
ti
onsandpossibl
e
i
nformati
ont ohelpdet
erminet
heuseofexcessive
vit
amins-
"
Zwe:"
Whybri
ngherhusbandi
nit
,Radebe?Doyou
knowwhot
hatmanis?"
Yanda:"
Yessi
r.
"Sheshi
ver
ed.
Zwe:"Andyouj ustthoughttoaccusehi m of
at
tempt edmurderinsteadoftr
eatingt hepati
ent?
Thatprescri
pti
oncamef r
om adoct or.Nothim.IfI
wereyou, I
'
dheadovert hereandapol ogize
prof
uselyandbedi smissedforther estoftheday.
"
Yanda:"
I'
mreal
lysor
ry,
DrBi
yel
a.It
houghtIwas
hel
ping-
"
Zwe:"Thathel
pshouldbedir
ectedtoheali
ngand
notdetect
ivewor
k.LeaveRadebe.Sinceyouwant
tobeapoli
ceofficerinsi
demyhospital
.Iexpecta
ful
lapol
ogytoMrandMr sMwelaseandyouback
herat7am shar
pwi thyourbr
ainonthewor k.
"
Yanda:"Yessir.
"Het ookthefi
lefrom herwhi l
eshe
walkedaway, l
ookingthroughitagain.It'
snot
possibl
ethatMt hunziwouldtr
yt okil
lhiswi f
e.He
wasi nl
ovewi t
hher .Plus,
heknewhi m.Thishadt o
bethepreviousdoct or
'serr
orobviously.Doctors
aren'
tgodsaf t
erall
,theytoomakemi stakes.
Zwe:
"Iam sor
ryaboutt
hat
,myf
ri
end.
"
Mthunzi:"
Don'
tworryabouti
t.Everyonemakes
mistakesZwe.Letmetakemywi fehome.We'l
ltal
k
soon."
Zwe:
"Sur
e.".
..

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Usuall
yIhavemybar bercomet
omet oli
neupmy
hai
reveryweek.TodayIwasgoingt
ohisshop,Iam
notsurei
fhedidli
tt
legirl
'
shai
rbutwe'
dfindout
somehow.Af t
erfindi
ngpar ki
ngIwal kedincar ryi
ng
Miaandhol dingMi l
es'hand.Thesal onwasn' ttoo
farfrom t
heent r
anceoft hemall.Ididn'
thavet he
problemsofpeopl estari
ngatmel i
keI'm anal i
en,
thewayt heydidNkosi .Hisli
fewasdi ff
icul
t,his
presencemakesever yt
hingcomet oast andst i
ll
foll
owedbysi nging.Itwasalmosthi l
ari
ousi fnot
scary.Iwalkedintothesalon,becauseoft he
l
ockdown, theyseemedt obebusynow.Atl east
therewasal adywashi nghair.
Si
bo:"
James.
"
James:"MyPri
nce,
Idi
dn'
tknowwehadan
appoi
ntment
."
Si
bo:"
No,Icamefort
hemunchki
ns.Thi
soneneeds
awash,t
hisoneacut
.Canyoudothem?"
James:"Wit
hpleasur
e.I
'
llat
tendt
oyoushor
tl
y."I
satonthecouch.
Si
bo:"
Mil
es.
"
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eBobo?
"
Si
bo:"
MrJamesi
sgoi
ngt
ocutyourhai
rnow.
"
Mi
les:"
Why?
"
Si
bo:"Yourhairist
oolonganddist
ract
ingyour
vi
sion.Al
so,he'sabar
ber,t
hisi
shisjob."
Mi
les:"
What
'
syourj
ob?
"Ichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Iownaver
ybi
gcompany.
"
Mi
les:"
Whydon'
tyoucutmyhai
r?"
Sibo:"
Iwouldmessitupli
tt
lepr
ince.I
'm notver
y
goodatcutti
nghai
r.Miaareyoureadytogetyour
hairwashed?"
Mi
a:"
YesUncl
eBobo,
didyoubr
ingmyr
ibbons?
"
Sibo:"
YesIdid.
"Iopenedtheirbag,l
ookingf ort
he
ri
bbons.Someonesatont hecouchnear by."Here
theyare,
Pinkorred?It
hinkred."Shegiggled.
Mia:"
Yes,r
ed."Oneoft
heladi
escametofet
chher
forawashandshewentovertot
hesi
nk.James
cameforMiles.
Si
bo:"
I'
llwai
tforyouher
e,okay?
"
Mil
es:"
Okay.
"Hefoll
owedJamestotheseat
.I
pul
ledoutmyphone.Theadhadbeenl
aunched
anditlookedlikeitwasreceivinggoodengagement
sofar.Theconsumer swer eeatingitup,shari
ngit.
Theor derswereincreasingaswel l
.She'dbeenri
ght.
Iknewshewasbef oreIevengavet hegoahead.So
maybeIwasabi tofajerkbutIwon' tbedoi
ng
anymor ebegging.Iwouldt akeSi za'
sadviceandgo
awayf ortheweek.Idon' tknowwher etoandwi t
h
whom.Not hi
ngsaddert hangoi ngonvacat i
onby
yourself
.
"
Beauti
fulki
ds.
"Il
ookedup.Thewomanwhohad
j
ustsatdown.
Si
bo:"
Thanks.
"Idi
dn'
toweheranyexpl
anat
ion.
She:"
Areyouasingledadori
t'
syourweekend?
"
Areyouser
ious?That'
sbol
d.
Si
bo:"
Weekend.
"Isn'
tthi
spersonali
nfor
mat
ion?
Whywoul
dyouaskast r
angert
hat?
She:"
Hm.Soyou'
renotwi
tht
hemot
her
?"
Si
bo:"
No.
"
She:"
I'
m Megan.
"
Si
bo:"
Pri
nceBi
yel
a."
Megan:"
You'
reoneofther
oyal
s?Wow.I
'
venever
spokent
oonebefor
e."
Si
bo:"
You'
renotal
lowedt
ounl
essIappr
oach.
"
Megan:"
Oh.Myapol
ogi
es.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
renotf
rom ar
ound?
"
Megan:"No,Iar
ri
vedl
astweek.Tr
ansf
eredf
rom
LazyCreek.
"
Sibo:"
TheSouth.That
'scool.WhyMount
ainPeak
then?LazyCr
eekisagr eatci
ty.
"
Megan:" Igrewupt here,Igotbored.Plus,there'
s
currentl
ynost abili
ty.Theeconomyi sbuckl i
ng."
LazyCr eekdidn'thaver oyalsli
vinginitbutitwas
underMpondo' sregionsoheusedt or unit.
Unfortunatelyhe'snol ongerar oyal
,orali
ve.Sohi s
kingdom iscollapsing.Whatwonder fuli
nformation
tocomeacr ossonabeaut i
fulSatur
dayaf t
ernoon.
Si
bo:"
Ah.Sowhatdoyoudo?
"
Megan:"I
'
m aRealEstateManagi
ngBr
okerat
Reynar
dSmithproper
ties.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh,
mynei
ghbor
."Ichuckl
ed.
Megan:"
Youownahousei
nSt
ell
ars.
"
Sibo:"
Myf ami
lyownsallthehousesi
nStell
ars.Al
l
exceptReynar
d's.
"Shestaredatmeshocked.
Megan:"
That
'si
ncr
edi
ble.
"
Sibo:"Sowhatdoyout
hinkofMount
ainPeakso
far?"
Megan:"I
t'
sbeauti
fulandsocl
ean.I
thonest
lyf
eel
s
l
ikeadream."Ismi
led.
Si
bo:"
Doyouhaveanyf
ri
ends?
"
Megan:"
Notyet
.Ihaveacol
l
eaguewhoi
sshowi
ng
mearound.
"
Sibo:"Maybeyoushoul dcomet omyclubandfind
yourselfsomef r
iends.I
t'
sonthebeachline.
Beautif
ulvi ews,li
velyvi
be.You'
llhaveagoodti
me."
Thisgirlwasbeaut i
ful
.Theperf
ectmedium per
ky
breastsandacur vaceousbody.Shewouldbegood
companyt onight.
Megan:"
I'
dlovet
o."
Mi
les:"
No.Idon'
tli
kei
t!
"Igotupi
nst
ant
ly.
Si
bo:"
Whati
sit
?"
Mil
es:"He'
sput
ti
ngt
hatt
hingi
nmyhead,
itdoesn'
t
f
eelnice.
"
Si
bo:"
It
'sacl
ipper
.Ithel
pscutyourhai
r.
"
Mi
les:"
Idon'
tl
ikei
t.
"
Sibo:"
Wouldithel
pifyousatonmyl ap?Youcan
watchyourshowonmyphonet okeepyou
occupied.
"
Miles:"Okay."Isatonthechair,
putt
inghim ontop
ofme.Heusedmyphonet opl
ayagame.Thi swas
obviouslyatantrum.Hedi dn'
twantmet obetalki
ng
toal adyhedoesn' tknow.Itwasnotaboutthe
cli
pperatall.Chil
drenaresuchhaters.

Aft
erdroppingtheki dsbackhomei ntheevening,
Zwewaswai ti
ngf orme.Icouldn'tavoidhim any
l
onger.IplacedMi aont heground,sher anofftogo
fi
ndmymot her.Mnqobihadcal ledtoaskmet o
bri
ngthekidst othepalaceinstead,something
aboutSizaneedingt orest
.Mi l
eswasnothavi ng
thi
sarrangementhowever
.Hest
uckt
omyl
eg
holdi
ngmyphone.
Zwe:
"Hey.Wher
ehaveyoubeenal
lday?
"
Sibo:"Af
terthesal
on,Itookthem toeatandgeti
ce
cream.Mi l
essawanar cadeandl osti
t.Wehadto
goinsideandplayedwhatwassupposedt obea
fewgamesbutendedupbei ngallthegames.SoI
hadt onegoti
atecomi
nghome. "
Zwe:
"Mi
les,
didyouhaveagr
eatdaybuddy?
"
Miles:"
YesUncl
eZwe.Di
dyoual
sohaveagood
day?"
Zwe:
"Minewasf ant
asti
c,t
hankyouf
oraski
ng.Ar
e
your
eadyforyourbath?
"
Mi
les:"
No.
"Ihel
dbackmyl
augh.
Zwe:
"Doyouwantasnackbef
oreyout
akeabat
h?"
Mi
les:"
Idon'
twantt
otakeabat
hUncl
eZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Sbo?
"Ishr
ugged.
Sibo:"It
hinkI'
m bei
ngguardednott
oleave.
"I
hadt ospelloutt
helastwor
d.
Zwe: "Yoh.Okay, Iguesswe'l
lhanginthel ounge."I
pickedupMi leswal ki
ngtothekitchen.He'sababy,
I'
m notgoingt oar guewit
hhim aboutgoingt osleep.
Ifyougiveachi ldachoicebetweenvar i
ousopt ions,
hewon' tknowt hathecan'tsayno.Hewi llchoose.
Wel l
,mostoft het i
me.
Si
bo:"
Doyouwantf
li
ngsorf
rui
t,Mi
les?
"
Mil
es:"Iwantfl
ings.
"Thi
sisthesameper sonwho
di
dn'twantasnackjustt
womi nut
esago.Itookt
he
packetofchi
psopeningthem andhandedtohim.
Sibo:"
Whenwe' r
edoneeat
ingourchi
ps,
youcan
have10mi nut
esofscr
eentimethenwecan
prepar
eyourbath.Whi
chtoysshoul
dweaddint
o
yourbath?
"
Mi
les:"
Iwantmyt
rucks.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay,
doyouwantbubbl
est
oo?
"
Mi
les:"
Yes,
Iwantbubbl
es.
"
Sibo:"
Alr
ightthen,l
et'
sgohaveaseat
."It
ookhi
m
backtotheloungeandsatonthecouch.Hesat
nexttomewat chinghisshowonmyphoneand
eat
inghi
ssnack.
Si
bo:"
Howdi
dyourdaygo?
"
Zwe:"
FineIsuppose,Iwaswi
thdadunt
ilaf
ter
noon,
wentt
ot hehospi
talf
orashor
tbit
."
Si
bo:"
Ever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Zwe:
"CanIaskaver
yper
sonalquest
ion?
"
Si
bo:"
Yeah.
"Hel
ookeddeepi
nthought
.
Zwe:
"Nevermi
nd.I
t'
scr
ossi
ngal
ine.
"
Si
bo:"
We'
rebasi
cal
lyt
wins.Tal
ktome.
"
Zwe:"I
'
m adoct
orSboni
.Ther
e'ssomest
uffIcan'
t
say.
"
Sibo:"
Nowmyi nt
eresthaspi
qued.Fi
ndawayof
notsayingi
tthen.
"
Zwe:
"Iwon't
.Sor
ryIbr
oughti
tup.Ishoul
dn'
teven
beworr
ied.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
reki
ll
ingme.
"
Zwe:"
Okay,
letmeaskthi
s.Doyouthi
nkpeopl
e
l
ivi
ngwit
hdepressi
on,
andhaveatt
emptedbef
ore,
doyout
hinkt
hey'
ddoi
tinagr
adualpr
ocess?
"
Si
bo:"
Dowhati
nagr
adualpr
ocess?
"
Zwe:"Unali
vethemselves,
butslowl
y.Li
kedrinki
ng
j
usttherightamountdosagethatwon'
tkil
lyou
i
nstantl
ybutbr eakdownyourbodyunti
lyou
event
uall
ydi e.
"
Sibo:"Hellno.Thatsoundspai
nful.No.Ithi
nka
depressedper sonwouldwantitoverquickl
y,wi
th
nohassl eatall.
"
Zwe:"Ithoughtoft
hat.Butt
heotherpr
obabi
li
tyi
s
alsonotpossibl
e.Doyouknowofanyonewhohas
thepotenti
alormoti
vetoUnali
vethei
rwif
e?"
Sibo:"Thi
sseemsliket
hejui
ciestgul
pof
i
nf or
mat i
onyouhaveeverhi
ntedforme.Whati
s
goingonZwe? "
Zwe:
"Soyoudon'
t.
..
"
Sibo:"
No.Idon'tknowanyonewhohat esthei
rwif
e
l
ikethat.Noneofmyf r
iendsorassoci
atesatl
east.
"
Zwe:
"Metoo.You'r
eri
ght
.Ithast
obet hedoct
or.
"
Hesi
ghedinrel
ief
.Iwi
shIcouldgett
his
i
nformati
onoutofhim butIknowi twouldnever
happen.Mybrot
herhadat alentofkeepingsecrets.
Nomat t
erhowdrunkyougethi m, you'
llnevergeta
wordoutofhi
m.HekeptNkosi '
ssecretfor20year s
wit
houtevenahintormistakesli
poft hetongue.
Si
bo:"
Mil
es,
your10minut
esi
sfi
nishedl
it
tl
epr
ince.
I
t'
sti
metogobathnow.
"
Mi
les:"
CanIpl
easehavef
ivemor
emi
nut
es.
"
Sibo:"
Okay,onl
yfi
vemor
emi
nut
es.
"Hel
ooked
backatthephone.
Zwe:"
Sowhat
'st
hepl
anwi
thson'
sbi
ologi
calmal
e
par
ental
?"
Si
bo:"Hewasdeni
edhisti
cketoutt
hecage,
tri
al
st
art
samonthfrom now.
"
Zwe:
"Musthemakei
ttot
het
ri
al?
"
Si
bo:"
We'l
lsee.Uptome,
Iwanthi
m goneby
Mondaymorning.
"
Zwe:
"Butyou'
rewor
ri
edaboutt
heof
fspr
ing.
"
Si
bo:"
Hm.
"
Zwe: "
Whatgoodwi l
lhisexistencebeifhe
ter
rori
zesthemom?Acci dentshappenalltheti
me
i
nsidethecage, Sbo.Thisway, shecanmoveon,
healandmaybef i
ndabet t
ermani nthelongrun.A
fewmont hsofmour ningi sbett
erthanli
vinginfear
fortherestofyourli
fe."
Si
bo:"
That
'sr
ight
.And,t
heyst
il
lhaveus.Mi
ghtas
wel
lmakei
tpermanent
."
Zwe:"
Agreed."Il
etMi
leshavehisf
ivemore
minut
es.Aft
erhisbat
h,he'
sgoingtobed.
Sibo:"
Lit
tl
ePr
ince,i
t'
stimet
ogof
orourbat
h.Do
youwantmetocar r
yyouonmyshoul
dersoryou
canwalkbyyoursel
f?"
Mi
les:"
Pleasecar
rymeup.
"
Sibo:"Al
ri
ghtthen,
let
'sgo.
"Heclimbedonmy
shoulder
s.Iwalkedupthestai
rs,
togethi
mready
forhisbath.
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er106

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Ittookaverylongwhil
etogett
hisboyt osl
eep.He
didn'twantanyone,
notmymot her,
myf at
heror
evenMnqobiorZwe.It i
ptoedoutoftheroom he
sharedwi t
hMi aandwentdownstai
rs.
Si
bo:"
Wow.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Wel
comet
opar
ent
hood.
"
Sibo:"
You'
renotdoingagoodjobinconvi
nci
ngme
tohaveone.I
'm al
mosttooti
redtogoout.
"He
l
aughed.
Bi
yel
a:"We'
rehost
ingt
heSi
khosana'
stomor
row
af
ter
noonforl
unchatt
hevi
neyard.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh?
"
Biyel
a:"
Yes.Appar
ent
lyPr
inceSi
khosanawant
sto
chooseafewbottl
esf
orhi
shouse."
Si
bo:"
Hehasabar
.Twooft
hem.Andar
est
aur
ant
i
nhisvi
ll
a."
Bi
yel
a:"
Yesbuthewantstohavesomeofour
stoo.
I
twil
lbegoodspendi
ngthedaywit
hthem.
"
Sibo:"
Okaythen.Doesanyt
hingneedt
obedonef
or
thei
rarri
val
?"
Bi
yela:"
No,I
'
vealr
eadybriefedsecuri
ty.Your
motheri
shandl
ingever
ythingelse.Youjustneedt
o
pi
tchup."
Si
bo:"
Okay.Wher
e'sZwe?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Behi
ndyou.
"Zwewal
kedi
n.
Zwe:
"Done?
'
Sibo:" Yes.Ij
ustneedtochange.Ismelll
ikea
baby. "Iwentuptomyr oom,changingintoablack
shirtandsneakers.Ikeptmyjeansfrom the
afternoononandl eftf
ordownstair
safterputt
ingon
cologne.
Zwe:
"Dr
ivi
ng?
"
Si
bo:"
Nope,
I'
mtryi
ngtogetdr
unk."Hechuckl
ed.
Wewenttot
hecarwit
htwoguards.
Ihadmyownsect i
onattheclubwherenoone
coul
dsit.I
'
m nott
hereeverydayorever
yweekend
butmytablewasoffli
mit
s.Wehadt hehostbr
ing
thebot
tl
eandglasses.
Zwe:
"Theadi
sdoi
ngwel
l.
"Her
ewego.
Si
bo:"
Iti
s."
Zwe:"
Doest
hismeanyouwi
llbeconsi
der
ingt
he
updat
e?"
Si
bo:"
Probabl
y,yes.
"
Zwe:
"That
'sgood.
"
Si
bo:"
Iknowyouwantt
ogi
vemeal
ect
ure.
"
Zwe:
"NoIdon'
t.I
'
mjusthavi
ngadr
ink.
"
Sibo:"
Shemadei tcl
earthatshedoesn'
twantme,
I
begged,Isentf
lower
s."
Zwe:
"Iunder
stand.
"
Si
bo:"
Canyoubeonmysi
depl
ease?
"
Zwe:
"Okay,
tel
lmehowyouf
eel
."
Sibo:"
Idon'
tknowZwe.Il
ikeher
.I'
mjustnot
ready.
"
Zwe:
"Okay.Thenmoveon.
"
Si
bo:"It
ried.Ical
ledmyusualgir
lbutitj
ustdidn'
t
hi
t.I
t'
ssomet hingabouthersext
hatjustdr
ivesme
i
nsane."
Zwe:"You'
vefor
gott
enherbef
ore.Ibel
ievei
nyou,
youcandoitagain.
"
Si
bo:"
Iwasdr
unkandi
twasonceof
fthen.
"
Zwe:
"Maybeyouneedt
ogetdr
unkagai
n."
Si
bo:"
Howt henwi
llIf
indt
heper
fectsexpar
tner
Zwel
ethu?
"
Zwe:"
Keepf uckingunti
lyoudo.There'smill
ionsof
womeninthiscount r
y.You'
llgetther
e."Hedr ank
hi
srawshot, pouri
nganotherwithsomei cecubes.
Hewasdefinitel
ymad.
Si
bo:"
Okay,
Iknowyouwantt
olect
ureme.
"
Zwe:
"Noteven.I
'
m onyoursi
de.
"
Si
bo:"
HowcanIt
alkt
oyoui
fyou'
regoi
ngt
obel
ike
t
his?
"
Zwe:"Li
kewhat?Youaskedmet obeonyoursi de
andIam.Iam notgoingtobethedragonthatyell
s
andlect
uresyouever
yday.You'
reasoldasIam.
Youknowwhatyouneedi nyourli
fe.Iam notgoing
topushanymore.Iam goi
ngtodoasyouask, and
beonyourside.
"
Si
bo:"
Howam Isupposedt
omakegooddeci
sions
i
fyou'
regoi
ngt
oletmebestupi
d?"
Zwe:"Whatifyou'r
enotst upid?Whatifyou'r
e
l
earni
ngandI '
m standinginyourway?I 'veseenyou
wit
hMi l
es.Areyougoi ngtodeci denextweekt hat
youdon'twanthim cl
imbingi ntoyourbedinthe
middl
eoft henightorholdingyoubackandcr ying
whenyouhavet ol
eavehi mint hehouse?Wi l
lyou
tel
lhi
m youneedyourspaceandhe' scrowding
you?"
Si
bo:"
No!He'
sachi
ld,
forgoodnesssake.
"
Zwe:"Exact
ly.Soyouknowcommi t
ment.Youj
ust
choosewher etoimpl
ementi
tinyourl
if
e.Youdon'
t
needmet otellyouwhatt
odobecauseyouknow,
youj
ustchoosenott
o."Anot
hert
alentofhi
s.
Sibo:"Canyoujustgi
vemeadviceonhowt
oget
overthissexpart
?I'
m st
ruggl
ingZwe.
"
Zwe:"Fi
ndsomeonenewt
ofuck.Someoneyou
don'
tknoworusedto.
"
Si
bo:"
Andi
fthatf
ail
s?"
Zwe:"Keepl
ooki
ng."Hedrankagain.He'sbeginni
ng
toboreme.MaybeI'mtheproblem andIdont-I
watchedMeganwalkintheclub.Shewasdr essed
i
nasexyshortti
ghtblackdress.
Si
bo:"
Mydat
eisher
e."
Zwe:"Bestofl
uck.Mel
oisinVIPI
'
llgosayhit
ohi
m,
Ihaven'
tseenhiminaminute.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
redi
tchi
ngme?
"
Zwe:"
Yourdat
eisher
e,I
'
m supposedt
owat
chyou
suckf
ace?"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu.Whati
sthi
snow?It
houghtyou
want
edustohangout?
"
Zwe:
"Youi
nvi
tedyourdat
e."
Si
bo:"
She'
snewt othecit
y.I
t'
snotl
ikeshe'
l
lsi
t
wi
thus.Ij
ustwantedhertoseet
heclub.
"
Zwe: "Shemi ghtaswel lseei tsitt
ingwithyou.I
wantt ogosayhit oMel o."Hewal kedaway,goi ng
toMel o'stabl e.Yes, Melokuhl ewasagoodf riendof
ours.Hel ivedi nGol denCr own, CFOofagol dmi ne.
Hewasn' tr oyalbuthesur eashel lmovedl i
kei t.His
fatherhadconnect ionswi thPhakami saandf ound
awayt obuyi ntoami ne.Mel ohassi ncemadea
namef orhi msel fapartfrom t hemi nebuthel ovedit.
Hewasaf ewyear soldert hanusbutyou' dnever
tel
l.Iwant edt oobvi ouslygot ohim aswel l
,there
wassomucht ot al
kabouti ncludi
ngt hemining
i
ndust rynowt hatPhakami sai snotroyal
.Fuck.I
woul dn'thavet odoal lt
hiswor kifshecouldj ustbe
reasonabl e.Ical ledaguar d.
Sibo:"
Pleaseescor
tthatladyoverhere.
"Henodded
andwentt ofet
chMegan.Shecamet omysection
withhercoll
eaguefr
iendwhowasn' tashot
unfort
unatel
y.Somethingabouthershynesst
urned
meof f.
Megan:"
Hiagai
n."Shesatnextt
omesmi
li
ng.
Si
bo:"
Hey.
"
Megan:"Thi
sismyf r
iend,Laur
en.
"Inodded,
cal
li
ng
t
hewaitertotaket
heirorder
.
Si
bo:"
Haveyoueat
en?
"
Megan:"
Yes.
"
Si
bo:"
Youdon'
twantanyt
hingt
oni
bbl
eon?
"
Megan:"
No.Laur
en?
"Sheshookherhead.Khaya
wal
kedin.
Khaya:"
Bobo.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,bug?
"
Khaya:"Cametocheckoutthescene.Boredat
homeandMnqobii swit
hPet u.SoIdecidedt
otake
outNothaandZimmy."Iscannedthroughthecl
ub
andspottedher
.Shewasatt hebar.
Si
bo:"
Oh.
"
Khaya:"
We'
regoi
ngt
ojoi
nBhutZwe'
stabl
-"
Si
bo:"
Why?
"
Khaya:"
He'
sgotpl
ent
yspacet
her
e.I
t'
sonl
yhi
m
andhi
sfr
iend.Youl
ookbusy.
"
Si
bo:"
Getoutofher
e."Hechuckl
ed,
wal
kingout
.
Megan:"
Thatwasr
ude.Whydi
dyoucal
lhi
mthat
?"
Si
bo:"
He'
smybr
other
,that
'shi
sni
ckname.
"
Megan:"
Oh.Howmanybr
other
sdoyouhave?
"
Sibo:"Three.Fir
stonei
swear i
ngthewhi t
eshir
tat
thattabl
e.Thi soneist
hethi
rd,thesecondisat
homewi t
hhi ssecondwif
e."
Megan:"Doyouhaveawi fe?"IwatchedZimmy
wal
ktot het
abl
e,hol
dingabot tleofwater
.She
l
ookedsexyashelli
ntightleatherpant
s,awhi
tet
op
t
hatheldonl
yherbreasts.
Sibo:"
No.Pleasegi
vemeaminute,Ineedt
ogr
eeta
fr
iend.
"Igotupwalki
ngt
othatt
able.
Melo:"
Lookwho'
sher
e!!
"Hest
oodupt
oshakemy
hand.
Si
bo:"
Mel
okuhl
ethebadman.
"Il
aughed.
Mel
o:"
Igoby"
thebaddi
eman"now.
"Hel
aughed.
Si
bo:"
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Melo:"
Icoul
dbebett
er.Yourci
tyhasthef
inest
women, Imi
ghtpi
ckmyselfawifet
otakehome."I
chuckl
ed.
Sibo:"Wefi
ghtforourwomenher
eMel
okuhl
e,we
don'tal
lownonsense.
"
Mel
o:"
Joi
nus,
man.
"
Zwe: "
Hecan' t
,hi
sdateiswai
tingf
orhim athi
s
tabl
e.Isn'tt
hatsoSboni?Orwecanjustcombine
ourtables,i
fthat
'sokay?
"Ist
aredathi
m.
Mel
o:"
Per
fect
lyf
inewi
thme.
"
Zwe:"Set
tl
ed.Yoursect
ioni
sbiggersolet
'sj
oinyou.
Ladi
es,we'r
egoingupasecti
on."Hestoodup.Why
washedoingthis?

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

I'
veneverbeentoaclubbefore.Most
lybecauseI
wasapr i
ncess.NowthatIwasn't,
Iwasallowedto
gooutsi
debutofcoursewithguardsandKhaya.I
didn'
twanttobealonesoIinvit
edZimmywi thus.
Shedi dn'twanttogoatf i
rstbutIhadt odragher
out.Pet utol
dmet o.Itoohadnot i
cedZimmy's
withdrawalbutshewast al
kingi nourgroupchat
againj ustnotasoftenasbef ore.Wemovedt othe
pri
vat esecti
onwher etherewer etwoladiesal
ready
si
tting.IguessthiswasSi bonelo'sdate.Shewas
prettyIguess.Isippedmycockt ai
l,l
ookingar
ound.
Zimmywassi t
ti
ngnexttome, scrol
li
ngonher
phone.
Notha:"
SoIguessyout
woar
ereal
lyover
?"She
chuckl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
itwasn'
tthatser
iousNot
ha.
"
Not
ha:"
Sti
ll
.Isn'
tthi
swei
rd?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Kindof,yeahbuti
fIl
eavei
t'
llbel
ikeIhave
dr
amaornotoverhim.
"
Not
ha:"
Areyou?
"
Zi
mmy:"Yep.
"That'
sali
e."
Anyway,howareyou?
Howdoesitf
eell
ikebei
ngoutf
orthefi
rstt
ime?"
Not
ha:"I
'
m great.I
t'
sver
ystrangebutIf
eelsaf
e.I
'
m
onl
yusedtobeingwithPet
u."
Zi
mmy:"
Andhow'
sthatgoi
ng?
"
Notha:"
It
'sget
ti
ngbett
er.Iknowyou'recur
ioust
o
knowifit
'swei
rd.I
t'
snot.
"Wel aughed.
Zimmy:"Idi
dn'
twantt
obr
ingi
tup.Idon'
twantt
o
seem nosy.
"
Notha:"We' r
eopen.Ourr elat
ionshi
pisn'
tasecret
.It
worksr eall
ygr eathonestly.Wehavear out
ine,
Mnqobiget st hreenightswi t
hPetu,onewit
hme, I
getthreewi t
hher .Ienjoymyt i
mealonemost l
y.I
l
over eading."
Zi
mmy:"
Youdon'
tspendt
imeal
onewi
thMnqobi
?"
Notha:"Ido.Duri
ngthedaymost l
y.Wehavea
betterconnect
iontal
kingordoi
ngsomet hi
ng
togetherandIdon'tl
ikebei
ngtouched.
"
Zi
mmy:" Aslongasyouguysarehappy.I
t'
s
di
ff
erentbutheal
thyandgood.
"
Not
ha:"
Areyouseei
ngsomeone?
"
Zimmy:"
No.I'
mfocusi
ngonschoolandthe
busi
nessi
staki
ngupallmyti
me.NowI '
vehir
ed
anot
hergi
rlt
ohelpmewithadmi
nthingsatl
east
,
i
t'sasmal lf
eeIcansacr i
fice.Inowhavet imeto
squeezei natherapysessionfort hi
sweek.Iwant
tofindawayt oforgivemyf ather.I'
m notreadyto
bepar tofhi
snewl i
fewit
hhi sgirl
fri
end.My
mot her'
sstr
essismost l
yduet omecut t
inghim of
f.
IfIhavetobehonest ,hewasn' tahor r
iblefat
her
.I
wasj usthurtatwhathedidt omymot her.
"
Not
ha:"
How'
syourmot
hernow?
"
Zimmy:" She'
sokay.Shegother
sel
faj obasapre
schoolteacher
.WhenIspeaktoher,shesounds
happy.Thiskeepsherbusy.
"
Not
ha:"
That
'sgood.
"Mel
osatnextt
ous.
Melo:"Ladi
es,
hi.Ididn'
tgetachancet oproper
ly
i
ntroducemyself.I
'
m Mel okuhl
eSi bi
da.Il
ivei
n
GoldenCrown.I'
mi ntownf orafewdayson
business.
"Isi
ppedmydr inkwai t
ingforZi
mmyt o
respond.Shel
ookedatmenot ici
ngmyt ri
ck.
Zi
mmy:" Uhm,
hel
loMel
okuhl
e.I
'
m Zi
masa,
thi
sis
Nothando.
"
Mel
o:"Ar
eyouat
tendi
nguni
ver
sit
yher
eor
wor
king?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Uni
ver
sit
y."
Melo:"
Oh."Helookedather.Isti
rr
edmydr i
nkabi
t
bef
oreIsi
ppedagai n."
It
'sl
ovelymeeti
ngyou,I
wouldhoweverli
ketoknowyoubet ter
."Zi
mmy
l
ookedatme, bor
edwi t
hmyst unt.
Zi
mmy:"Youseem l
ikear
eal
lyni
ceguyMel
okuhl
e
butI
'
m noti
nter
est
ed."
Mel
o:"
MayIaskwhy?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Nosi
r,youcannot
."Hesmi
led.
Si
bo:"Melokuhle,wenzani
?"Iwast
ryi
ngwi
thal
lmy
mightnottolaugh.
Mel
o:"
I'
mtr
yingt
omakef
ri
ends-
"
Sibo:"
That'smybr
other
'swi
feMel
okuhl
e,l
et'
snot
fi
ghtplease."
Melo:"
Showmewhi chonesoIknowwher et o
di
rectmyener
gythen?"ThisMelowasbrave.No
onedaredt
ochal
lengeaPr i
nce.Ever
.Si
bonelo
l
ookedatZi
mmyandwal kedaway.Melofol
lowed
hi
m.
Zi
mmy:"
Ithi
nkIshoul
dleave.
"
Not
ha:"
No.
"
Zi
mmy:"I
'
m notgoi
ngtobecomf
ort
abl
eNot
ha.
Thi
swasabadidea.
"
Not
ha:"
Areyougoingt
oli
veyourl
if
eaf
rai
dof
Si
bonel
oBiyel
a?Comeon."
Zimmy:" That'
sthethingNotha.Unti
lyou
experi
encehowscar ythatmancanbe, youwon'
t
understand.Sibonel
ohasawayofmaki ng
everyt
hinguncomf ortabl
eandcurrentl
yI'
m athi
s
mercy."
Notha:"Sot hatmeansyoucan' ttalkt
oot hermen?
Hewoul dbeinsane.That'snotgoingtohappen.
You'r
ehi sbusinesspar t
nernothischild.
"NowI
mustsi tbymysel fbecauseSiboneloisabi g
toddl
er?" Let'
sjusthavefun?Please.It
'smyf ir
st
ti
mecl ubbing,showmewhyi t
'snice.
"Shechuckled,
shaki
ngherhead.
Zimmy:"Okay,
let
'stakesomeshots.
"Shewrote
somethi
ngonherphoneonhernot esapp.It
ooka
peepandshehidit.Doesshenotknowhowf astI
read?
Not
ha:"
Why?
"
Zi
mmy:"
It
'sasecr
et.
"
Not
ha:"
I'
m goodwi
thsecr
ets.What
'sHel
pASi
ster
?"
Zimmy:" Aft
erthet hi
ngwi t
hmymot her
,Iwas
thinkingabouthavi ngawomen' ssuppor tgroup.
Invit
ingt hewomenf rom al
lovert hecit
ywhoar ei
n
uncomf ort
ablesituat
ions.Maybef i
ndwaysof
helpingt hem i
ntoshel t
ers,Iwashopi ngonedayI
canpar tnerwi t
hapsychol ogistwhoi swi l
li
ngto
offeraf reetherapysessiontot hem.It'
sjustasmal l
thingIthoughtof ."
Not
ha:"
Icanhel
p."
Zi
mmy:"
Real
ly?
"
Not ha:"Yes.Ineededsomet hingtodoandt hi
sisa
goodcause.I 'dl ovetohel
p."Ineedsomet hingtodo
withmyt imeandmoney.Af terwhathappenedt o
Siza, howmanywomengot hroughthat?What
measur esarei npl acef
orthem sincethey'
renot
relatedtor oyals?Maybeal soinvolvi
ngpolice
presence.Somet hingneedstobedoneaboutt hei
r
apat hy.Thiswi llbeagoodcause.
SASAPOV_

IwokeupSundaymor ning,stret chi

ngsl i
ght l
y.We
camebackt othevi l
lalatelastni ght.Wef igured
we'dhavet ocomeher eanywaybecauseIneeded
cl
othes.Rat herjustwakeupher ethen.Ihadcal led
QueenBi yelayest erday.Shewashappyt ohaveus
atthevi neyardf orlunch.Shesai dshewoul d
organiset hedecorandt hechef sbutI 'dhavet o
chooset hemenu.I ttookal otoft hinkingf rom me.I
wasbeyondst ressed.Amahl esai dIshoul dn'tworry
aboutanyt hi
ngandgi vethem l eavesandsand.I
knowshewast ryingt obef unny.Al lthegi rl
swer e
busy, soIcoul dn'texact l
ygetananswer .I'
d
decidedonchi ckenl iversinper iperisauceand
caramel i
zedoni onsf orast arter.Themai nwoul dbe
creamysampandbeans.But terandci nnamon
pumpki ncookedi nsugar .Spinachi nacr eam
cheesysauce.Di cedbeet rootcubesspr i
nkledwi th
vi
negar .Potatosal adwi thboiledeggpi eces,
sprinklesofpar sleyandbaconbi t
s.Sweetcor n
boil
edandser vedwi t
hasmal lcubeofbut ter.I
madesur et omakeani mpor t
antnot ef orthem t o
considerusi ngvegansaf epr oduct sforAmahl e.
Themeatopt ionswer efriedchi cken,al ambcur r
y
andbeefst ew.I twouldbeanopt i
onforwhat ever
thepersonf eelsli
keeat i
ng.Fordesser t
, mybr ai n
wasf ri
ed.Ical l
edBusit oor deri cecream fr om her ,I
wantedt heKi ngsLovef lavour .Thechef swoul d
thenmakeachocol atebr owni et oservei twi th.
Nowaf teral lthatwassor tedout ,Ihadsl eptl ikea
baby.Itwast heday.Il ookedoveratNkosi nhl e.He
wasf astasl eepst i
ll
,hischestbar e.Thebl anket
onlycover edbel owhi swai st.Iwant edt okisshi s
tonedabs.Myhusbandwassogor geousIcoul dn't
beli
eveitatt i
mes.Iwentundert hecover s,findi ng
hisdickfullyer ect.Il
ickedi t
,sl owlyputtingi tinmy
mouth.Hegr oaned.Isuckedonhi m,strokinghi m
atthesamet i
me.Icoul df eel him wakingup, he
pull
edof fthecover slookingmewi thsleekor ange
gaze.
Nkosi
:"Comehere.
"Hepull
edmeupt ohi
m.I
st
raddl
edhim,smil
ingsweet
ly.Hi
sfi
nger
ti
ps
brushedmyt highsallthewayt omycl i
t.Hesatup
tokissmyl i
ps.Iadjusted,tofi
thiminsideasIsat .
Hisdicksl owlypenetratedint
ome, str
etchingme
out.Inumbed, hol
dingont ohishead.Hegui dedmy
waist,holdingmewi thbot hhishands,helpi
ngme
bounceonhi m.Igotdi zzyalmostimmedi ately,
he
reachest hisspotandr ubsoni t
,makingmywhol e
bodyhi s.Hegr oaned,kissi
ngonmyski n.
Me:" Nkossi ."Icri
ed.Myclitwasr epeatedlyki ssi
ng
hisski n,whileIbouncedonhi m.Iwaspour i
ngwet
readyt oclimax, heheldmest i
llandst oodup,
carryingmet othedresser
.Hepl acedmeoni tand
strokedinandout ,mylegshangi ngonhi sar ms.He
kissedmyl ipsandl ookedmei nt heeyes.My
climaxhunghi gherandhewasr eachingi t.His
pacekeptt hesame, ki
ssesonmyf ace,lookingi nto
myeyes." Ohhhh. "Imoaned, pant i
ngoutofbr eat h.
Hepul l
edoutandputbackt het i
ponl ythenst opped.
Ithrobbedf orhi m."babyplease."Ibegged,
thrustingtowar dhim.Hepushedi tinslowl y,
movi ngf astertothesamepace.
Nkosi
:"Li
ket
his.
"
Me:" Yes!!"Histhumbt ouchedonmycl it,
r ubbi ngit
i
naci r
cularmot ion.Myvi sionbl urredascl i
maxed,
mybodysei zingt oat hrobbingst i
ll
.Hedi dn' tstop,
prolongingmyor gasm unt ilIcouldn'tbreat h.He
pickedmeup, wal kingt othebed.Hef li
ppedme
over,pulli
ngmyhi psupt ohim andheent er ed.He
strokedint ome, gr owling.Hisf i
nger sgrazingmy
skinsoftly,leavingat ingli
ngsensat ionashe
pumpedi ntome.Het racedal lthewayupmyback
andhel dmyr ibs, f
uckinghar derthanbef or e.
Nkosi:"
OhhhFuck..
."Hegroaned,pushingdeep
i
nsideandcame,let
tingoutl
owgr owl.Itri
ed
catchi
ngmybreath.Mylegsshakingatt he
remnantsofmyorgasm.Hepul l
edout ,groani
ng.
Nkosi
:"NowIdon'twantt
ogoanywhere.Weshould
spendthedayinbed.Doi
ngt
his.
"Helayinbednext
tome.Igiggl
ed.
Me:"
Ithi
nkt
hatwoul
dbeagoodidea.
"Heki
ssed
myli
psandl
ookedatmyf
aceagain.
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.
"
Me:"
Iloveyout
oo.
"
Atabout11i nthemor ni
ngwegotr eady.Wi
th
dif
ficul
ty.Nkosicoul
dn'tstopki
ssingme.
Everywhere.Myneck, myhands, myback.Iwas
tr
yingtochooseanout f
itandhewasbusywi thme.
Me:"
SthandwaSam,
whatwi
llyouwear
?"
Nkosi
:"Ihaveashi
rtandj
eansr
eady.
"Hehugged
me.
Me:" OkaybutIneedtogetdressed."Heni bbledmy
ear.Ichoseanemer aldgr
eenfloralstrappysatin
cowlmi didr
esswi t
hamodestsl i
tont heside.I
wouldweari twit
hblacksingl
estrapheel s.Igot
dressed,Nkosifi
nall
yputonhiscl othes.Helooked
sohandsomei nawhiteshir
tandj eans.
Nkosi
:"Youwantt
oki
ssme,
don'
tyou?
"
Me:"
Onlyali
tt
lebitt
henwego."Hepull
edmeto
hi
m,Iki
ssedhisl
ips."Nowwego."Iwhi
sper
edon
hi
sli
ps.
Nkosi
:"Hmm.."hekissedsomemore.Ihadtopull
away.Hechuckled.Wefini
shedget
ti
ngreadyf
inal
ly.
It
ookmysmal
lpur
sewal
kingt
othedoor
.
Nkosi
:"MrsSi
khosana,
whyar
eyoul
eavi
ngme
behi
nd?"
Me:"
Becauseyou'
repl
ayi
ng,we'
regoi
ngtobel
ate.
"
Hecameupt omeandscoopedmeupi nhi
sar
ms,
wal
kingout
.Igi
ggl
ed."
Whatareyoudoing?
"
Nkosi:"
You'
remyhear
t,soI
'm car
ryi
ngyou
ever
ywhereIgo.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"Youaresocheesy.
"Hestopped,l
ookingatthe
ent
rance.Thekingwasstandi
ngther
e,ready.Thi
s
wasawkwar d.
Nkosi:"Father.
"Hepl acedmeonmyf eet
.Ki
ng
Sizwengayewasdr essedinaf ul
lemeral
dgreen
suit,t
ieandshirt.Ononeshoul der
,hungamat chi
ng
fur.Blackshinyboots,andahatwi t
htwogreen
feathers.Hestaredatme.Thi swasawkward.Why
arewei nmatchingcolours?
Ki
ng:
"We'
rel
ate.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sonly12.Whyar
eyou.
..Whyar
eyou
dr
essedli
kethat?
"
King:
"I'
m goi
ngtoalunchi
navineyar
d,whyar
e
youdressedl
ikeyouworkt
her
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotafashi
onshow,
I'
m goi
ngt
otast
e
wineandeatf
ood."
Ki
ng:
"Ifyousayso,
canwego?
"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
emymot
her
s?"
Ki
ng:"
They'
reonthei
rwaytot
hevineyar
d.Icame
t
ofet
chyou."Whatdoeshemean?
Nkosi
:"Fet
chus?Weknowt
heway."Si
zwengaye
l
ookedverybor
ed.Ahummi
ngsoundbuzzedover
t
hebuil
ding.
Ki
ng:"
There,ti
metogo."Wewal
kedoutt
hebuil
ding,
t
hehel
icopterl
andedonit
spadr
eadytogo.
..
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er107

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_
Ibarelygotanysl eepasusualandt hist i
mewas
becauseIwasi rri
tated.Act ual l
yMi ldlyangr ysoI
satouti nmypat i
osi nceear lymor ning.Lastni ght
wentl eft.Melowasdet ermi nedt opi ssmeof fand
heknewi t
.Aft
eraf ewdr i
nkshe' dgonet ointroduce
himsel ftoZimmy.Hedi dn'tstop.Hekeptt alkingt o
herever yoncei nawhi l
e.Maki ngsur eshewas
comf ortableandherdr i
nkwasf ill
ed.Shest arted
l
aughi ngathi sj okesatsomepoi nt
.Mel okuhl ei s
notfunny.He' sst upid.Il ookedatmyphone
checkinghersoci almedi aonceagai n.I'
dmade
sureKhayat akesherhome.Theguar dhadr epor t
ed
backt oo.AboMel obasj wayel aamasi mba.Her
l
atestst orypostwasl esst hananhour .Shewasi n
church?Iwentbackt owat chl astnight '
sstor ies.
Shehadvi deossi ngingwi thNot hando, afew
l
aughi ngpi ct
ur es,anot hervi deoofj ustNot hando,
nextvideoofheract ingshyt ot hecamer a.Thenext
vi
deohi ghlydisgust sme.Mel okuhl ewasi ni t,
smili
ngl i
keaf ool.Yesi twasagr oupvi deobut
goodGod.Myphoner ang.Thi sdamni diot.
Si
bo:"
Mel
okuhl
e."Ianswer
ed.
Melo:"
Sibonelo.Areyousti
llmad?Whathappened
br
a?Ididn'tapproachyourbrot
her'
swi
fe.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m notmad.
"
Melo:"Good.Zwet oldmeIcancal lyou.Theother
gi
rl
,Zimmy.She' syourbusinesspartnerIhear
,I
di
dn'tgethernumber .Doyoumi ndshar i
ng?"
Melokuhledoesn'trespectme,doeshe?
Si
bo:"
Andwhydoyout
hinkI
'
ddot
hatMel
okuhl
e?"
Mel
o:"Whatwouldbethepr
oblem Si
bonelo?I
t
houghtyouwerewit
hthecolor
edchick.
"
Si
bo:"
LeaveZi
mmyal
oneMel
okuhl
e."
Melo:"
Kungconosil
wekemnganiwami .You'
renot
givi
ngmesomet hi
ngtoworkwithhere.She'
snot
yourgi
rl
,notyourbr
other
s,phoyinii
nkinga?"
Si
bo:"
Mel
okuhl
e,you'
renotgoi
ngt
owi
nthi
sfi
ght
."
Mel
o:"
Issheyourgi
rl
?"
Sibo:"
Yes,she'
smygir
l.Leaveheral
one.
"Ihungup,
feel
ingafi
reinmychest.
Megan:"Hey.
"Shewal
kedout,dr
essedinmyshir
t
onl
y.Shewasaverysexygi
rlbutIcoul
dn'
tgetr
id
oft
hesickfeel
ingi
nmystomach.
Si
bo:"
Hi.Yourcabi
saf
ewmi
nut
esaway.
"
Megan:"
Areyouseri
ous?Ij
ustwokeup.Youwon'
t
evenof
fermebreakf
ast?
"
Si
bo:"Ihaveaf
ami
l
yeventt
ogett
o,pl
easeget
dr
essed."
Megan:"
Andwhat
'swi
tht
hef
oulmood?
"
Sibo:"
Whatf
oulmoodMegan,I
'mtel
li
ngyouIhave
somewheret
obekantiyi
nii
nki
ngayakho?
"
Megan:"Woah.
.okay.
"Shewal
kedbacki
nthe
house.
Sibo:"
Nx. "HowcouldZwedot hat ?Ithoughtwe
werebr other
sbutno,heletMel okuhleactaf ool
.
Whatwashehopi ngtoachi eve?ThesoonerIgett o
thatpalaceandgivehim api eceofmymi nd.I
bookedt hecabandwenti nsidet hehouse.Megan
wasdr essedinheroutf
itfrom lastni ght.It
ookout
somethi ngfr
om t
hedrawert ogi veher .
Megan:" I
'
m notyourwhor e, Si
bonel
o.Whenyou' r
e
donehavingat antrum, callme."Shelef ther
businesscardandwal kedout .Oncethecabdr ove
off
,Ileftmyhousedr ivingt othepalace.Iarri
vedin
l
esst han3mi nutes,parkedandst ormedi nt
othe
house.Zwelethuwasont hecouchwat chingTV.
Si
bo:"
Whydi
dyoudot
hatZwel
ethu?
"
Zwe:
"Goodmorni
ngtoyoutoo,Si
bonel
o.Youdon'
t
l
ookli
keyouhadagoodni
ght."
Si
bo:"Ihadafant
ast
icni
ghtthankyouver
ymuch!
Butwhyareyouencour
agingMelokuhl
etoZi
mmy?"
Zwe:"
They'
rebot
hsi
ngl
e.Mel
oisgr
eat
,he'
l
ltr
eat
herwel
l.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
redoi
ngt
hist
ospi
teme?
"
Zwe:"
Spiteyou?Idon'
thavetodothat
.Ihave
hobbi
es.Didyougivehi
m hernumber?Idon'
thave
i
t.
"
Sibo:"
He'snotgetti
ngadamnt hi
ngandifhe'
s
seri
ousaboutlivi
ng,he'
l
lgobackhome."Hetook
outhisphone,sendingamessage.
Zwe:
"I'
m sur
eKhayahasi
t.
"Hel
ookedatme.
Si
bo:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Zwe: "Gett
inghernumber.You'vemovedon
Sibonelo.You'r
enotgoingtocockbl ockherunl
ess
youhavesomet hi
ngtooffer?
"Istaredathim,tr
ying
myal lnottojumpforhisphone."Thoughtas
much. "Hisphonebeeped."Iwasr i
ght,Khayahas
sentit.
"Thiswasn'tevenworthit.
Si
bo:"Fi
ne.Takehertohi
m.Ifhewant
stof
uckmy
l
eft
oversthenthat
'shi
sbusi
ness.
"
Zwe: "
Bit
ter
."Hesentanot
hermessageandplaced
downhi sphone,l
ooki
ngattheTV.Iwentupthe
st
airs.WherewasMi l
es?He'susual
lyr
unni
ng
aroundatthist
ime.
Si
bo:"
Mama!"Imetwi
thourhousekeeper
."Wher
e
ar
ethechi
ldr
en?
"
She:"
Theylef
twiththei
rmother,
mypr ince.Aswell
asPri
ncessNothando,andthepri
nces."Inodded,
goi
ngtomyr oom tobathandgetreadyforlunch.
Iwalkedoutmyr oom aft
ergetti
ngdressed.Holdon,
didIevenmoisturi
ze?Mybr ai
nwasbl ank,Idon'
t
evenknowwhatI 'ddoneinthebath.Ineededtoget
overthi
s.Idoublecheckedmyselfandwal kedout
.
Downstair
s,myf atherwassit
ti
ngwithZwel et
hu.
Bi
yel
a:"
Wher
eisMnqobi
?"
Zwe:"Hewentt
ochur
chwi
thhi
swi
ves.He'
l
lbe
backsoon.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Whydi
dn'
tyougot
ochur
ch?
"
Zwe:
"GodandIhaveanunder
standi
ng.
"
Si
bo:"
Wher
e'smum?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Goodmor
ningSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Mor
ningBaba.
"
Bi
yel
a:"Yourbr
othert
ell
smeMel
okuhl
eisi
ntown.
"
Il
ookedatZwe.
Si
bo:"
Yeshei
s,wher
eismum?
"
Biyel
a:"
Yourmotherisbusyatthevineyard.Come
sitwi
thus.
"Idi
dn'twanttositwit
hthem, Iwanted
togotomymot her.Isatdown,pour
ingadr ink.
"
Whatnewpr
oject
sdoeshehavenow?
"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tknowf
ather
,Idi
dn'
tspeakt
ohi
m."
Bi
yel
a:"
Whyi
sthat
?You'
ref
ri
ends.
"
Si
bo:"
He'
sZwel
ethu'
sfr
iend.
"
Zwe:"Si
ncewhen?Al so,whydi dyouli
eto
Melokuhl
e?Hesaysyout ol
dhim Zimmyisyour
gi
rl
fri
end.Ngamtshelaukuthiunamangakemina.
Shedoesn'twantyou."I
t'
sfine.Idon'
tcar
eanymor
e.
Sibo:"
I'
llf
indyouatt
hevi
neyar
d."Iwal
kedoutt
he
house.

KHAYA'
SPOV_

Ihadn'tbeeninchurchsi ncemymot herwasalive

andIwasaki d.Ineverreall
ycaredforitbuttoday
Mnqobidr aggedmeher e.Hewasdr aggedbyPet u
andNot hando.ChurchwasSi za'
sidea.We'dpicked
upZimmyonourwayt oo.Theservicewasf i
ll
edbut
wemanagedt of i
ndanempt yrowtosi t
.Mnqobi
carr
iedMi l
es,PetuhadMi a.Zi
mmyhel dbabyMaya.
Iwat
chedt
hesmallbandpl
ayasong,
aguyst
ood
onst
agesi
ngi
ng.
"Whydowedot het hingswedo, ?Wheni thur tsyou.
I'
llneverunder standwhy.We' r
eatapl acei nour
l
ives, wher ewe' ret ir
edofal ltheliesandt hepai n
wef eelinside.Wewantt omakei tright.Ihave
not hingelset ogi veexceptmyl if
e.Pl easeaccept
thisof f
er i
ng.Ipr esentmybody, mysacr ifice.Hol y.
Yeaaah.I '
mr unni ngbackt oyou.Wi thmyhands
l
iftedhi gh.Igi veyoumyhear t,andIgi veyoumy
l
ife.Idon' tmeant obeemot ionalbutsomet imesI
cry, whenIt hinkofal lthepai nthatI '
vecausedyou
i
nsi de.Butyoust il
lloveme. "Thechur chwi thhim,
ther ewasascr eent hathadt helyricsoft hesongt o
helpt hesi ngal ong.I twoul dt aket oomuchofmet o
star tsi
nging.SoIj ustr eadt helyrics.'Sevent imes
sevent y.Youf or giveme.Andyoudot hisdai ly.I
don' teverwantt ot ake, advant ageofyourGr ace
andt hesacr ifi
ceyou' vemade.Igotmakei tright.I
havenot hingel set ogi veexceptmyl if
e.Pl ease
acceptmyof fering.Ipr esentmybody, mysacr i
fi
ce.
Hol y.Yeaaah.I 'mr unningbackt oyou.Wi thmy
handsl i
ft
edhigh.Igiveyoumyhear t
,andIgiveyou
myl if
e.Idon'
tmeant obeemot i
onalbutsomet imes
Icry,whenIthinkofallthepainthatI
'vecausedyou
i
nside.Butyoust i
lll
oveme. 't
hebandwasamazi ng.
Thedr umshitabeatt hatfel
tgoodinyoursoul .The
l
yr i
cswer eabitdr
amat icformebutt heyt
oof elt
nice.
Guy:"Comeonchur ch, l
et'
sal lj
ointhi
spar t
."The
churchsangalong."Yourl oveisunbeli
evable,your
l
ovei ssoamazing,yourlovei sunconditi
onal."Even
thoughIwasn'tsi
nging,thebeathadmemovi ngmy
head."Att
heendoft heday, helovesme."Hesang.
"Attheendoftheday, attheendoft heday, he
l
ovesme.Let'ssingituntilyoubel i
eveit,
let
'sgo."
Thechurchsangagai n:"Att heendoft heday.At
theendoftheday.Hel ovesme. "
Guy:"Doesn'
tmat
terwhodon'
tli
kei
t,you'
llst
il
llove
me!Waveyourhands!Andatt
heendoft he
daaay???!
!"
Church:"
Att
heendoft
heday.Att
heendoft
heday.
Helovesme!"
Guy:"
Eveni
fit
'sbeenabadday?
"
Church:"
Att
heendoft
heday!Att
heendoft
heday,
Helovesme!"
Guy:" AndIdon' tmeant obeemot ionalbut
somet i
mesIcr y,thi
nkofal lthepai nt hatI
've
causedyoui nside.Idon'tmeant obeemot i
onal,it
makesmecr y,butyoust il
lloveme. "Isatdown
holdingmyheadi nmyhands.I thasn' tevenbeen
30mi nutesandI '
m alreadycr yingl i
keachi ld.The
wor dswer etrue.AsmuchasIt riedt oignor ethem.
Forsomer easonIf eltGodhadf or sakenmeandl ef
t
met ofendformysel f.I'
dpushedever yoneaway
butal lal
ongIhadaf ami l
y.Ihadpeopl ewhower e
readyt oloveme.I t'
sbeendi f
ficul trecoveringf r
om
mychi l
dhoodbutIwassl owlyl ettinggo.

PETU'
SPOV_

Godrest
ores.Onet hi
ngabouthi
m, hewil
lbr
eakyou
downandr est
oreyoubackagain.Ther
ewasso
muchtobegr atef
ul f
or.Ist
il
lmi
ssedmymot her
dearly,mor esot oday.Cryingwasnotsomet hingI
waspar t
icular l
yfondof .Todaymyt earswer emuch
ofgivingt hanks.Ihadmysi ster
,shewasal i
ve.We
wer erebuildingourl i
fewi ththehelpfrom theBiyel
a
fami l
y.Ther ewasnot hingelseIneededbutmy
heartdidache.Formyf ather.Asmuchashe
disownedmeandt r
eatedourmot herhorr
ibly,I
couldn'tfindi tinmenott ohur tforhim.Coul dn'
the
atleasttryt ol oveus?Di dhenotwantt ohangont o
hisfami l
y?Hi sblood?Wow.
Singer:"Iwantyoual ltoleavet odaywi t
ht his
message.Iwantyout owakeupever ymor ningand
affir
m your selveswi t
ht hesebeaut i
fulwor ds.'The
wonder f
ulgr aceofJesus.Gr eaterthanal lmysi ns.
Howcanasongdescr ibeit?Wher eshal lmypr aise
begin?Taki ngawaymybur dens, setti
ngmyspi ri
t
free.Thewonder f
ulgraceofJesus, alwaysr eaches
me. '
"thesongst artedplaying.Ir ockedMi at osleep,
shewasdozi ngof finmyar ms." Thewonder ful
graceofJesus.Deepast her oll
ingsea.I trunst o
themostf orgotten.Itr
unst hroughet ernity.Itsays
I'
m achi ldofheaven.I tsaysI '
mf oreverf ree.The
wonderf
ulgraceofJesus.Jesus...ItsaysI'
ma
chi
ldofheaven,i
tsaysI'
mf oreverfree.The
wonderf
ulgraceofJesus.Andi t
'sbeaut i
ful
,
wonderf
ul,power
ful
.ALLt hegrace, itf
oundme.
"I
cl
osedmyeyessayi ngaclosingpr ayer.
Petu:"
Wet hankyouLor d,forl
eadingusintoyour
houseofwor shi
p.Wet hankyouf orthemercy
youvehaduponourl ives.Wet hankyouforthe
fri
endshi
pandf amil
ialbondswehavecr eat
ed.
IndeedyouramazingGr acehasr eachedus.We
thankyouFather.Amen. "

Wemadei tbackhomefrom chur

ch.Sizahad
wokenupear lytocookbef
oreweleft.Idoubtshe
gotanysleepbecauseshe'
dbeenwr iti
ngsince
yester
daymor ni
ng.Onceshestart
s,shedoesn't
stop.
Si
za:"
Thankyouguysf
orcomi
ngwi
thme.
"
Zimmy:"
Ienjoyeditsomuch.Ihaven'
tbeent
o
chur
chinyears.Thisoner
esonatedwit
hmysoul
."
Pet
u:"
Met
oo.Not
hingf
eltf
orced.Justf
ocusedon
wor
shi
pandpr
ayer
."Ihel
pedSi
zawar
m upt
hef
ood.
Si
za:"Whatdoyouguyst
hink?Wi
llyoubej
oini
ng
usagain?
"
Khaya:"
IfIdon'
thavepl
ans,
Idon'
tseewhynot
.It
's
avibe.
"
Mnqobi:"
It
'sokayt
oadmi
tyouenj
oyedi
t.
"We
l
aughed.
Khaya:"
YesIenj
oyedi
t,happy?
"
Mnqobi:"Ver
y.Whatdoyouthi
nkl
ove?You'
ve
neverbeentochur
chri
ght?
"
Not
ha:"
Ihaveahangover,
itwasthewor
stplaceto
bei
n.If
eltl
ikeIwasbei
ngpunished.
"Welaughed.
Petu:"
Howdoyouhaveahangover ?Itol
dyouto
dri
nkwat erbef
orefal
li
ngasleep,
love.Zi
mmydon't
youhaveahangover ?"It
ookoutheadachepi
ll
sand
waterfr
om thefri
dge.
Zi
mmy:"
No,
babe.
"
Notha:"Idi
ddri
nkwat er
.Zi
mmyi
sapro."Igaveher
thepil
lsandwater.Zi
mmywaschangi
ngthebaby
andMi l
es'di
aper.
Pet
u:"Baby,
aren'
tyousupposedt
ogot
othe
vi
neyard?
"
Mnqobi
:"If
orgotaboutt
hat
!"
Khaya:"Andmi naI'
m hungry.I'
m smell
ingver
yni
ce
aromas.I'l
lfi
ghtyouMnqobii fyoutr
iedtogetme
outofthishousebeforeIeat.
"Wel aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Ei
,andZwejustsentamessage.Okay
l
et'
shaveastar
terher
ethengother
efordessert
."
Siza:"
Fortunatel
y,we'
redone.Pet
u,di
shupf
or
them f
irst
."Itookthepl
atestodi
shup.
Khaya:"
We'
l
lbebackl
atermos?
"
Mnqobi
:"Yeah,
we'
l
lputupt
hegr
il
ltomakesome
br
aaimeat.
"
Not
ha:"
Ihopet
hat'
we'
isonl
yyout
wo.
"
Khaya:"
Why?
"
Notha:"
Whoel sedoyouwanttoi
nvi
teKhaya?
"
KhayalookedatZimmy,hi
dingasmi
le.
Zi
mmy:"
Yano,
I'
m goi
nghomet
hen.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng.
"
Zi
mmy:" IknowyouKhaya.I
'm noti
nthemood,
pl
ease.Lastni
ghtwasenough."
Pet
u:"
Whathappenedl
astni
ght
?"
Notha:"
Ther
e'saguyfr
om GoldenCrownthatl
ikes
Zi
mmy.Someone'sbrotherwassourabouti
t.
"
Mnqobi:"
Who'ssomeone?I'
m someone?
"Igi
ggl
ed,
gi
vinghim hi
str
ayoffood.
Si
za:"
Ohno.Sourhow?
"
Zimmy:"
Hehadmef oll
owedbacktoRes.
"If
eltmy
backhai
rsst
and.Thatseemedscar
y.
Khaya:"
Itwasaguar
dandIwast
aki
ngyouhome.
Hewast her
eforme.
"
Zi
mmy:"
YouandIbot
hknowt
hat
'snott
rue.
"
Siza:"
Youtwoneedtosithim down.Thi
sisabi
t
excessi
ve.WhathappensifZi
mmywant stomove
on?Whatifsheli
kesGoldenCr ownguy?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
t.
"
Si
za:"
Nott
hepoi
nt.
"
Mnqobi
:"Sbonii
shar
mless.Hej
ustwant
stomake
sur
eshe'
ssaf
e.That
'sal
l.
"
Siza:"Aslongasthat
'sal
liti
s.Nayehemust
communi cat
ewit
hZimmyandnotj ustcr
eepher
outlikethat.
"
Mnqobi:"I
'
llspeakt ohim."Theguysatethei
rfood
andlef
tsoonaf ter,r
ushingtothevi
neyard.We
deckedthetable,Zimmymadeuscockt ai
lsandwe
al
lsatdownt oeat .Herphonerang.
Zimmy:"Excusemeladies.
"Sheansweredher
phone."
Hello?"It
ookasipofmydr i
nk."
Uhm, wher
e
didyougetmynumber ?"Welookedather.Sheput
thephoneonloudspeaker.
Guy:"
Iaskedaf
ri
endofmine.Idon'
twanttowast
e
yourt
imeZimmy.Idi
dsayI'
dliket
ogettoknow
youbett
er.
"
Zi
mmy:"
AndIbel
ieveIsai
dIwasn'
tint
erest
ed.
"
Guy:"
IsitbecauseofSibonel
o?Iwi
llhandl
e
Si
bonelo,hewon'tbot
heryou."
Zimmy:"No,Mel
o.Idon'
twanttobeina
rel
ati
onshi
p,orf
li
ngoranyt
hing.Idon'
thavet
he
emot
ionalspacet
ost
artsomet
hingr
omant
ic.
"
Melo:"
Oh.Iunderstandthat.Wouldaf r
iendshi
p
al
sobet oomuch?Idon' twanttojustcutcontact
wit
hyou."Zimmyl ookedatus, wi
tha'whatnow'
l
ook.Weal soshr
ugged." St
il
lther
e?"
Zi
mmy:"
Icanmanagef
ri
endshi
p."
Melo:"I
'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat
.Inf
act
,I'
m danci
ngr
ight
now."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Zimmy:"Idi
dn'
tseeyoudancel
astni
ght
."he
chuckl
ed.
Mel
o:"
Iwasshy.
"Shel
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Okayt
hen.
"
Melo:"I
'l
lbei
nMountai
nPeakunti
lWednesday,
is
ther
eadayyou'l
lbeavai
labl
esowecanhavelunch
ordinner
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
tknowMel
o."
Melo:"
I'l
lmakeitgood,Ipromise.There'
sthi
ssmall
rest
auranti
neMoyeni .It
'sal
itt
lerough,butt
he
atmosphereispure.TheyservethebestAfri
can
foodandont opofit,t
heyhavear t
isthour
.Young
upcomingrapper
sandsingersshowcaset
hei
r
tal
ent
.It'
sabeauti
fulpl
ace.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.WecangoonTuesday.
"
Melo:"
Perf
ect
.I'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
dtoseei
ngyou
Zi
mmy. "
Zi
mmy:"
Enj
oyt
her
estofyourday.
"Shehungup.
Notha:"
Ili
kehi
m.He'sasboldasl
uci
fer
.Imagi
ne
f
ighti
ngawholePr
ince.No,he'
saboss.
"
Siza:"
HeseemssweetbutZi mmyyouneedt obuck
upnow.St opbeingsoscared.Hemustnotfeell
ike
hecandanceonyourhead.Thi ssweetshygirl
musthideawayi nfrontofmen,showthem t
he
l
ionessthatroar
sback.Youcan'tletSi
bonel
obreak
youdowni ntoalit
tl
egirl
.".
..

SASAPOV_

Theheli
copt
erlandedont
hepadinthevi neyar
d.It
wasalit
tl
efurt
herawayfr
om t
hebuildingbut
ever
yonecouldseeus.Wewai
teduntiltheengine
switchedoffbeforet
hedoorwasopened.Nkosi
st
eppedoutf ir
st,hol
dinghi
shandoutforme.Igot
offcaref
ulnottofall
.Theki
nggotoffaft
erme.
King:"Good,everyoneisher
e."Hewal kedi nfr
ontof
ustot hebeauti
fulVict
ori
anstyledbuilding.There
wasagr oupofpeople,aband,playi
ngt hevioli
non
thegrass.Whosett hatup?ABAND?Forl unch??
Everyonesatont helar
gepatio,star
ingatus.
Bi
yel
a:"
MyKi
ng.Goodday.
"
Si
khosana:"
Thankyouf
orhavi
ngme.Haveyou
metThembisa?
"
Bi
yela:"Yes,
myking.GooddayMr
sSi
khosana.My
Pr
ince."Ibowed.
Nkosi
:"Ki
ngBi
yel
a,howar
eyou?
"
Biyela:"
I'
m ver
ywellMyPri
nce,
thankyouf
or
asking.Letmeleadyout
oyourtabl
e."
NoSikhosana:"
Don'
tworr
yaboutthatBiyel
a.We'r
e
her
et otast
esomewines.Canyoudirectusther
e?"
Me:"I'
l
lfoll
owshort
lymyKing,I'
dli
ketogreett
he
queens."Iqui
ckl
ywalkedaway.QueenBiyel
astood.
Queen:"
Hel
loMrsSi
khosana.
"Envel
opi
ngmei
ntoa
hug.Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"
Hel
loMama.Howar
eyou?
"
Queen:"
I'
m wel
l.Howar
eyou?
"
Me:"Gr
eat
."Shesmi
led."
Myqueens,
goodday.
"I
bowed.
Nol
wazi
:"Thembi
sa.
"Shesai
dcol
dly.
Nobant
u:"
Youdon'
twantt
okeepyourf
ather
wai
ti
ngdear.
"
Me:"Ohyes. "Iwal
kedinthebuil
dingwhereKi
ng
Sikhosanalookedaroundwhil
eNkosiandKing
Biyel
ahadaconver sati
on.Helookedatme.His
eyeswer enolongercoldwhenhest ar
edatme.It
didn'
tfeelanybett
erbutitwasdif
ferent
.
Ki
ng:"
Thewiner
yisunder
ground.It
houghtyou
mi
ghtwantt
oseehowt hewineismatur
edand
made.
"
Me:"I
'dl
ovethat,myking."Hewalkedtot
hestai
rs
andIfol
lowedthenstoppedtolookatNkosi
.Why
wasnthefoll
owing?Henodded, ur
gingmetokeep
goi
ngwi
thasmi
le.Er
h,no.Hecamet
ome.
Nkosi
:"You'l
lbesaf
e,l
ove.He'
swearingabrand
newsuit.Thi
sisaverybi
gdealforhi
m."Igi
ggled.
Me:"
Wel
ookl
iket
wins.
"
Nkosi
:"Hewon'
tadmiti
tbuthel
ovesi
t.
"He
t
ouchedmycheek."
Heneedsthi
s."
Me:"
Okay.
"Hekissedmyf or
ehead.If
oll
owedthe
Ki
ng.Theunder
groundwi ner
ylookedfasci
nat
ing.
I
t'
sli
kewetimetravel
ledbacktothe60s.
Me:"
Thi
sissobeautif
ul.
"Isoft
lyt
ouchedthe
dr
umsfi
ll
edwit
hwi ne."I
t'
sli
kebei
nginthepast
.
Al
soadarkr
eal
izat
ionofhowunequalthingsar
e."
Ki
ng:"Whatdoyoumean?
"Il
ookedatt
hepai
nti
ngs
onthewall
s.
Me:" Ivi
sit
edBakhoyovi llagewit
hAmahl e.Itfel
t
exactlyl
iket hi
s,except,itwasbare,unnouri
shed
andnegl ected.Ididn'
tseel if
einitbutj
ustthisroom,
i
nt hesamet imeper i
od, hasenoughlif
einitto
nurturethatentir
evi l
lage."
Ki
ng:
"Doyoual
wayst
alkl
iket
hat
?"
Me:"
Likewhat
?"Il
ookedathi
m.
King:"
Likeyou'
rer
ecit
ingpoet
ry.
"Igi
ggl
ed,
looki
ng
atthesettabl
eofwines.
Me:"
howmanywi
nevar
iat
ionsar
ether
e?"
Ki
ng:"
Mor et
han10000, onl
yafewdozenhave
madeiti
npopulari
ty.Therearef
ivemaintypesand
wehavethem her
e."Hemovedcl osert
othet abl
e.
"
Doyouknowwhatt hefi
veare?"
Me:"Icanguess.Uhm,
redwi
ne,
whi
tewi
ne,
rose.
That
'sallIknow.
"
King:"That'sgood.There'
sal
sosparkli
ngand
fort
if
ied,alsoknownasdessertwine."Hetookt
he
smallplatef r
om thetabl
e.
Me:"
Oh.
"
King:"
Cheese,goeswellwi
thwi
ne.Cleansesyour
palat
e.Tast
e."Itookonesmal
lcubeandpoppedit
i
nmymout h.
Me:"
That'
snotacheeseIexpect
ed."Hepouredt
he
f
ir
stwine,
thenst
ooddirect
lyi
nfrontofme,l
ooki
ng
i
ntomyeyes.
King:"It
'snotcheddar .Whenwesampl ewi ne,We
don'tdoi tlikealcoholics.Ther eiseti
quetteand
order.It
'sal wayswhi t
es, beforereds.Redsar e
heavierint aste.Wedol ightbodybef orefullbody.
Youngvi ntagesbef oretheol d.Theyoungsar e
softer,l
ighter ,
easier.Sof ragrant.
"Itooktheglass
fr
om hi m." Tof ull
yexper iencethewi ne,youhavet o
seei t
."Ilookedatt hegl ass.Usi nghisfinger,l
if
ted
myhandhi ghert owardt helight.Hisorangeseyes
sparkledi nt hedimness." Swir
lit.
"
Me:"
Whati
fIspi
lli
t.
"
Ki
ng: "Don'tt
hinkaboutspil
li
ng,j
ustenjoythe
swi
r l
."Igentl
yswi r
ledthegl
ass,theli
quiddanced
i
nsidei t
."Sni
ffit
.Tellmewhatyousmel l.
"Ibrought
i
ttomynoseandt ookawhi f
f,l
ookingathim.
Me:"
Oohhh.It
sfr
uit
y."Igi
ggl
ed.Myst
upi
dit
y
somet
imes.
Ki
ng:
"Takeasi
p."Isi
ppedi
t."
Andsavour
."
Me:"
Ibegyourpar
don?
"
Ki
ng:
"Don'
ttel
lmeyouswal
lowedi
t.
"
Me:"
butyousai
dImustsi
p."Hechuckl
ed.
Ki
ng:"It
houghtIsai
d,wedon'
tsampl
ewi
nel
ike
al
coholi
cs.
"
Me:"
It
'sonl
yasi
p."
King:
"Unt
ilyoudri
nkal
lthesi
ps,
andIhavet
ocar
ry
yououtofhere.
"
Me:"
Thatwoul
dver
ydi
srespect
ful
."
King:"
Exactl
y."Hesmiled.I
'
veneverseenhim smi
le
befor
e.Itwassostrange.Isi
ghedandlookedatmy
emptyglass.
Me:"Whatacoi
nci
dencewe'
redr
essedt
hesame,
hm?"Ismil
ed.
Ki
ng:
"It
'snotacoi
nci
dence.It
oldyou.
"
Me:"
Idonotr
ecal
lthat
,myki
ng.
"
King:"
Lastni
ghtIaskedyouwhatcoloursdoyou
associ
atewit
hroyal,
eleganceandnatur
e.Whatdi
d
yousay?"
Me:"
Green.OhmyGod.
"
Ki
ng:
"Iagr
eed,
andspeci
fi
edemer
aldasi
t'
sa
preciousst
one.Muchlikeyou.
"Ihear
dfoot
steps
comi ngdown.Nkosiwalkedi
n.Hestar
edathis
father.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
."Hesi
ppedhi
swi
ne.
..
[
07/
27,
06:
12] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er108

NKOSIPOV_

Ifel
tanuncomf
ort
ableti
ghtsqueezedi
nmychest
asIspoketoKi
ngBiyel
a.Myheartwasint
hat
basement.
Biyel
a:"MyPrince,l
etmenotkeepyou.Pl ease
enjoythesampling.
"Whet heri
twascoincidence,
or
hecouldfeelI
'm panicki
ng,Iwasgrat
efultonot
havetodismisshim.
Nkosi
:"We'
l
lspeaksoonKi
ngBi
yel
a."Iwal
ked
downt hest
airsi
ntotheunder
groundwi ner
y.My
fat
herstoodinfr
ontofThembisa,hol
dingaglassof
wine.Alowgrowltri
ckl
edmysoul .Whatthehelli
s
hetryi
ngtodo?
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:"
Mehluli
."Hesippedhiswinewit
hamenacing
l
ook.Wasiimagini
ngt hi
ngs?Surel
yImustbe.
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Ki
ng:"
Sampli
ngwine.
"Iwal
kedovert
oThembi
sa
st
andi
ngbehi
ndher.
Nkosi
:"Wel
l,
let
'ssampl ethen.
"Hepour edanother
si
pforme.Iwasn'tint
erestedi
nthest upi
dwine.He
wastryi
ngt
ost ealmywi f
e.HethinksIdon'tnoti
ce
whathe'
sdoingor..
..Hejustdoesn'tcar
e.He
pour
edthesecondwi neinThembi sa'
sglass.
King:"
Thistakesitupanot ch.It
sbolderthant
he
l
ightwhitewej usthad.Doyour ememberhowI
taughtyou?"Thewayhel ookedathermademy
handsshake, t
hepr omiseoffir
eemanat i
ngoff
them.Sheheldhergl assup.
Sasa:"
Yes,
lookati
t,swi
rl
,sni
ffandsi
p."Shet
ooka
si
p.
King:"Don'
tswal
low..
."Shenodded."
Savourit
."He
pl
acedacupbyhermout h."Spi
t.
"Shespitt
he
beverage.Hedabbedthedri
psofitfr
om hermouth
usinganapkin.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."Ihi
ssed.Hi
seyessl
idovert
olook
atme.
Ki
ng:
"Doyouwantmet
oteachyout
oo?
"
Nkosi:"
Ithi
nkwecantakei
tfr
om her
e."Hel
ooked
atThembisathenwal
kedout
.
Sasa:"Heybaby."Shehuggedmesmi l
ing.My
angerdisappear
edwi t
hhert ouch.Sheobvi ousl
y
di
dn'tnoti
cemyf ather'sgame.Thembi saisusedto
aff
ecti
onf r
om herownf ather,
thiswouldn'talar
m
herbecauseshet hinksit'
sinnocent.Ididn'
tknow
howt otel
lherwithoutscar i
ngher .
Nkosi
:"Love.
"
Sasa:"
Areyouokay?Youl
ookwor
ri
ed.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
nebaby.Ar
eyouf
ine?Myf
atherwasn'
t
maki
ngyouuncomf
ort
abl
e?"
Sasa:"
No.Imadehim chuckl
ethough.Idi
dn'
tknow
Iwasn'
tsupposedt
oswal l
owit.
"Chuckle?
Nkosi
:"Okay.Whi
chonedoyoul
ikesof
ar?
"
Sasa:"Ili
kedthefi
rstone.Let'
stast
esomemor e.
"I
tooksomecheeseandpl aceiti
nhermout hbefor
e
pouri
ngheranot hersi
pofwi ne.Shetastedthe
remainingthr
ee.Seeminglytoenjoyherself
.
Nkosi
:"So.
..
"Ipul
ledheri
ntomyar
ms."
Whi
chones
ar
ewegoi ngwit
h?"
Sasa:" Il
ikethefirstthree."Shekissedmychi n.I
kissedherl i
ps,slowl yforgetti
ngwher ewewer e.
Sucki ngthetasteofwi neonherl ips.Myhandssl i
d
downherback, cur vingoutonherass.Igr owl ed,
readyt otakeher,r i
ghther e.Herdr esssli
dup,
maki ngiteasyformet opickheruphol di
ngher
againstthewal l
.Iundi dmyzi p,pulli
nghert hong
asideandst ruggledmysel fin.Shemoanedi nmy
mout h.Herscentswi r
ledallaroundme, makingme
dizzy.Shet i
ghtenedar oundmydi ckasIdr oveinto
her.Mybodyshi ver edi nhunger,pumpi ngintoher
har
der
.
Nkosi:"
Thembisa.."Igroaned.Shehel
dont ome,
moaningquietl
y."So...
wet .
"Imumbled,ki
ssingher
neck.Ii
tchedtorelease,holdi
ngherherti
ghter
,
wait
ingforhertoclimaxf i
rst.
Sasa:"Bit
eme."Shemoaned.Igr owl ed,str
uggling
toholdback.Myteethgr azi
ngonherneck.
"Nkosi.
..
"Shecri
ed.If el
therbodyt remble, her
ti
ghtenandthrobthent hewar mjuicestrickli
ngout.
Iletgomybody, r
eleasingdeepi nsideher ,
shutting
mymout hast
her oart r
iedtoescape, l
etti
ngoutl ow
growl.Mybodyshaki ng.
Nkosi
:"Fuck.Thatfel
tsogood.
"Iki
ssedherf
ace.
"
I'
m sogladImar ri
edyou.
"Sheheldmyface.
Sasa:"
I'
m al
sogladyou'
remyhusbandbutuhm.
.
wespil
tthewine.
"Il
ookedont
hefloor
Nkosi:"
Shit
."Itwasj ustafewbottles,
thank
goodness.Itwouldbeawkwar dtoexplai
nhowa
barr
elofwinef el
lover.Ipull
edoutofmyheaven,
pl
acingheront hefloorthatwasn'twet."
We'l
lstar
t
i
nthebat hr
oom, standt her
e,I
'l
lcarryyouout.
"She
gi
ggl
ed.Izi
ppedupmypant
sthenpi
ckedupmy
wi
fewalki
ngout.

Afterfresheningupint hebathroom,wewalkedout
thebuildingwher eeveryonewas.Thembisarefused
tohavemecar r
yherout ,hol
dingherhandwasnt
enoughf orme.Iwant edhertolivei
nmyarms.I
kissedherhandpul li
ngheri ntoanembracebefore
reachingt hedoor.
Sasa:"
baby.
."shesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustwantt
ohol
dyoual
lthet
ime.
"
Sasa:"
Iknowthatbutwe'
rewi
thfamil
ynow,they'
re
goi
ngtogetir
ri
tat
edwithusandkickusout
."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m count
ingoni
t.
"Shegi
ggl
edwal
king
away.
Sasa:"
I'
m hungr
yNkosi
nhle.
"Ichuckl
edwal
kedout
behi
ndher.Ever
yonel
ookedatus.
QueenBiyel
a:"
Ahh,newlyweds.Whatanamazi
ng
bondyoutwoshare.Remindsmeofmyt i
me.
"She
gi
ggled.
KingBiyela:"
Indeedmyqueen.Irememberitwas
thehappiestti
meofmyl i
fe.
"Hesmil
ed.Isi
t
possi
blethattheyknowwhatwej ustdi
d?That
wouldbeembar rassi
ng.
Queen:Nobomi
,comesi
twi
tht
heQueens,
myl
ove-
"
Ki
ng:
"She'
sal
ady,
shecansi
twi
tht
hepr
incesses.
"
Queen:"
Ofcour
semyKi
ng,
myapol
ogi
es.
"
Nkosi:"
Whycan'
tshesi
twiththeQueensfather
?"I
knowwhathewasdoing.Theavailabl
echai
ratthe
pri
ncesstabl
ewasinhi
sdirecteyeli
ne.
King: "
Ijustsaid.You'
reaPrince,ther
eforeyousi
t
withpr i
nces.Whymustshebewi ththeQueens,
unl essyouwanthert obemywi fe?"Asizzl
eof
angerf l
aredthroughme.Zwel ethuheldmyar m,t
o
si
t .Thembi sawentt othepri
ncesst ableandsat
nextt oAmahl e.Isatdownwi t
hZwe.Ever yone
cont inuedwi t
ht hei
rconver
sations.Theband
playingabeaut if
ulharmony.
Zwe:
"Andt
hen?
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sal
ongst
ory.
"
Zwe:
"Wehaveabout30mi
nut
es.
"
Nkosi
:"It
hinkmyf
atheri
sinl
ovewi
thmywi
fe.
"He
l
ookedatme.
Zwe:
"Whydoyout
hinkt
hat
?"
Nkosi:"Justt
hewayhel ooksathermakesmeso
uncomf ort
abl
e.He'sso.
..aff
ect
ionat
eandsoftwit
h
her.Lookathim dr
essedintheexactcol
ourasher.
"
Zwe: "
Idon'
tknowNkosi,
whatifmaybehe'sjust
gett
ingusedtoher
.He'sonl
yeverbeenexposedt o
You,thetwi
nsandAmahle.Thembisai
sdifferent
fr
om you,she'
sbubbl
yandsweet.Maybehe' s
i
ntri
gued."
Nkosi
:"Lookathi
m,doesheseem i
ntr
igued?
"
Zwe:"Hm..
Isee.Idon'
tknowNkosi
,haveyout
alked
tohi
m? "
Nkosi
:"Andsaywhat
?"
Zwe:
"Justaskhi
m.DoesThembi
saknow?
"
Nkosi:"No.Shej
ustthi
nkshe'
sf i
nal
lyaccept
ingher
.
Shethinksthi
sisfat
herl
y.Unbeknownsttoher,
my
fat
herisneveraff
ecti
onat
eorsoft.Nordoeshe
smi
leandchuckl
eatt
hedr
opofahat
."
Zwe:"It
hinkyouandhi
m needasi
tdown.Thi
s
doesn'
tlooksaf
eNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"IneedAmahl
e.Shecanf
ixt
his.Anyway,
whyisSibonel
oangr
y?"
Zwe:"Howdoyouknowtha-Nevermind.He'
supset
becauseIgaveZi
mmy'
snumbert oourfri
endwho
wantstodateher
."
Nkosi
:"Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"
Zwe: "
Siboneloisn'temoti
onall
yavai l
ableforZimmy.
She'sasweetgi rlandallhe'
sgoi ngtokeepdoingis
hurther.Hecanmoveonandpl aywithhisother
gi
rl
s.Mel okuhleont heotherhandi sreadyand
wil
li
ngt obeapr esentpartnertoher."
Nkosi
:"Sowhyi
sSi
bonel
oangr
y?"
Zwe: "
He'
sthrowi
ngat ant
rum becausehe'
snot
gett
ingwhathewants.ThatbeingZimmy.She
ref
usestobehistoy.
"
Nkosi
:"He'
sinl
ovewi
thher
."
Zwe:
"Nohe'
snot
,Iknowhi
m.He'
sbei
ngSi
bonel
o.
He'
llbef
ine.Gi
vehim aweek.He'
sal
readyf
ound
hi
mselfanewgirlanyway.
"
Nkosi
:"Oh.Mt
hunzi
,howi
sBusi
?"Hel
ookedupat
me.
Mthunzi
:"Gr
eatmyPrince,
recoveri
ngr
eal
lywel
l
.
Shegoesbacktoherworkful
ly,t
omorr
ow."
Nkosi:"
That'
sgood.
"Whywasmysi st
erstari
ngat
Khaya?Whatwasshetryi
ngtodo?Actuall
yIhad
enoughproblemsofmyown.Ican'
tdealwit
hthi
s.

SASAPOV_

Thet ablewassetandwecoul dnow, sitforour

l
unch.I twasindoor s,decoratedbeaut if
ully.Ihadt
o
thankQueenBi yelaf orthisstunningar rangement.
Att heheadoft het ableobvi ouslysattheKi ng.On
hisl eft
,QueenNobant uandNol wazi,thent he
princesses.Onhi sr ight,satNkosithenme.Amahl e
satnextt ome,thenMt hunzi.KingBiyelasatont he
otherend, hi
sri
ghtbei ngZwel et
hu,Sibonel oand
Khaya.Hislef
twasQueenBi yel
a,Mnqobiand
Zi
nhle.Ourstart
erswereser
ved.Ihopenooneis
al
ler
gictoperiperi
,Idi
dask.Amahlewashavinga
butt
ernutsoup.
Nol
wazi
:"Whatam Il
ooki
ngat
?"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
FecesIpr
esume.
"
Nkosi:"
That'schi
ckenl i
vers.Pl
easeber espect
ful,
we'r
ewi t
hcompany. "Iquietl
yatemychi ckenli
vers
andsoftbread,andtheywer ebanging.Theywer en'
t
toohot,whichwasgr eatbutthatl
it
tlesi
zzle.
Ki
ng:
"Int
erest
ingf
lavour
s."
Me:"Theperiper
iisn'
tover
power
ingt
heover
all
t
aste.Thechefdidagreatj
ob.
"
Nkwe:"
Ist
hissomet
hingt
hatyoueati
nyourvi
ll
age
of
tenNobomi?"
Me:"
Yes.Myfat
herownsaf ewhundredchi
ckens.
Wesuppl
ymostofourvil
lage.I
'
velear
nttocook
t
hem i
nplent
ydi
ffer
entways."
Nkosi
:"Di
dyougi
vet
hem t
hisr
eci
pe?
"
Me:"
Yes,
it'
smyf
ather
'sf
avour
it
e."
Queen:"
It
'samazi
ngsweet
hear
t.
"
Nkosi
:"Iwishyou'
dbakedt
hebr
ead.Thi
sonei
sn'
t
l
ikeyours.
"
Nobant
u:"
Nobomicanbake?
"
Nkosi:"
Yesmother
.Bestbr
eadI'
veevert
ast
ed.
Baby,yourmot
hertol
dyoutobakemeacake."I
gi
ggled.
Me:"
Iwi
llbakeyouonet
hisweek.
"
Ki
ng:
"Isi
tthebr
eadwehadatt
hevi
ll
afordi
nner
?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Whatel
secanyoubakeThembi
sa?
"
Me:"
Scones,cakes,Ihaven'
tlear
ntt
odecor
ate
t
hem butt
hey'r
epr et
tytast
y."
Queen:"
Ishoul
di nvi
teyouoveroneoft
hesedays
sowecanbaket ogetherandhavesometea.
"
Me:"
I'
dlovet
hat
,mama.
"
Biyel
a:"MamaBiyel
amakest
hebestsconesi
nli
fe,
you'l
lhaveagoodti
me.
"
Nkwe:"
Isthei
nvi
tat
ionopen?I
'
dlovet
olear
nhow
t
obake."
Ki
ng:
"Onl
yifyoubehaveNkwenkwezi
."
Nkwe:"Iwil
l,
daddy.Ipr
omi se."Shesmi led.The
wait
erscamet ot
akeouror ders,seeingthatther
e's
vari
etyofmeatandvegetables,everyonecan
choosewhattheywantandnotwast e.
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa.
"Il
ookedupathi
m.
Me:"
Yes,
MyKi
ng?
"
King:"WhatdoyourecommendIeat
?"Nkosist
ared
athim.Allofusdi
d.Iwasst
uck.Whywouldheask
met hat?
Me:"Uhm, Ihighlyrecommendt hefri
edchicken.
Thevegetablesar eallamazing,
inst
eadofther i
ce,
youcanhavet hesamp. "Il
ookedatthewaiter
."Did
thechefmakebot hcreamysampandt heone
mixedwit
hbeans. "
Wai
ter
:"YesYourHi
ghness.
"
Me:"Thecr
eamysamp,
myki
ng.
"Hel
ookedatt
he
wai
ter.
Ki
ng:
"I'
l
lhavet
hat
."Thi
swasver
yembar
rassi
ng.
Me:"Lovewhichonewi
llyouhave?
"It
ouched
Nkosi'
shothand.Hel
ookedatme.
Nkosi
:"Al
loft
hem.
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"We'l
lhavetogetawheelbar
rowt
ocar
ryyou
outofherethen.
"Helaughed.
Nolwazi
:"Whatwi
newil
lwebepairi
ngwit
ht hi
s
Nobomi?"OhGod,Iwasnotgoodwit
hpai
ringwine
wit
hfood.
Me:"
Uhm.I
'
m notsur
e,myqueen.
"
Ki
ng:"
Youcant
akeaguess,
wit
hthemeat
.Ifi
t'
sred
meat
..
."
Me:"
Itwi
llneedaf
ullbodyr
ed.
"
Ki
ng:"
Good,
I'
m havi
ngchi
cken,
soIwi
lldr
ink
what
?"
Me:"
It
'st
ri
cky.
"
Nkwe:"
It
'swhi
temeat
.It
'snott
hathar
d."
Me:"
Buti
t'
snotal
ightmeal
.Somaybeal
ightr
ed.
"
Ki
ng:
"Fastl
ear
ner
."Hesmi
led.
Nobantu:"
Seemsl
iket
hel
essonear
li
erwas
f
rui
tful
."
Ki
ng:
"Ver
y."
Nhl
a:"
Seemsl
ikef
atherhasanewf
avour
it
e."
Nkosi:"
Andi t
'ssti
llnotyou."Amahlechoked.CanI
changemyseat ?Iwantt ogosi twit
htheBiyel
a
famil
y.Theseonesar enotpeacef ul
.Ourfoodwas
broughttous,star
tingwiththeking.Af
tergett
ing
mypl at
e,Iexcusedmysel f.
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"Ihaveasurpriseforyou."Iwalkedaway,going
tothekit
chen.Ihadorderedacaseoft heset
obe
broughther
eandchi ll
ed.Itooktwooutoft hefr
idge
andwentbackt othetable,Ihandedhimt hegl
ass
bottl
e.
Zwe:
"Yoh,
you'
veki
ll
edhi
m."
Nkosi
:"Coke?
?"Hesmi
ledandki
ssedme."
Ilove
youmorethanli
fe.
"
Me:"
Butnotmor
ethancoke,
Iunder
standmyl
ove.
"
Hel
aughed.
Nolwazi
:"Ever
yday?I
t'
sjustgi
ggl
esandki
sses?Al
l
day?"
QueenBi
yel
a:"
Newl
ovei
ssosweet
."Shesmi
led.
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sthat
?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
ssoda.
"
Nol
wazi
:"I
t'
sunheal
thy.
"Nkosiopenedt
hebot
tl
e.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sbet
teri
nthebot
tl
e,dr
inki
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"It
'ssi
zzl
ing.
"
Nkosi:"
Justdr
inki
t.
"Theki
ngl
ookedatt
hebot
tl
e
andtookasip.
Ki
ng:
"Dot
heyhaveanot
herf
lavour
?Idon'
tli
kei
t.
"
Me:"
Nothere,
myking.I
'
llhavet
olookf ort
hest
ore
t
hatsel
lst
hevani
ll
aandthecherr
yflavour.
"
Nkwe:"
Ist
her
eaheal
thi
erl
essf
ri
zzyal
ter
nat
ive?
"
Me:"
TheNosugar
?Absol
utel
y."
Ki
ng:
"Amahl
ewhat
'syourf
avour
it
e?"
Ama:"
Idon'
tdr
inksodaf
ather
.Ipr
efergi
n."I
chokedl
aughi
ngwi
thever
yoneel
se.Whatast
upi
d
chi
ld.
Nobant
u:"
Nobomi,whatarewehavi
ngfordesser
t?"
Shewasonlyhal
fwaythr
oughhermeal
?
Me:"
Iaskedforbrowni
es.And,
orderedfrom a
f
ri
endofoursthatownsanicecream shop,cust
om
madeicecr
eam."
Nkwe:"Youhaveaf
ri
endt
hatownsani
cecr
eam
shop?
"
Me:"Yes.She'
sSirMthunzi
'
swife.Khayat
ookme
t
hereonce,rememberKhaya?"
Khaya:"
Myf avour
it
eplace.Theyhavet
hebesti
ce
cr
eam inthecit
yifnott
hecountry.
"
Nkwe:" Maybeyoucanshowmetoooneoft
hese
days.Isthatfi
nefat
her
?CanKhayat
akemetoan
i
cecr eam shop?"
Ki
ng:
"Yes,
hecan.
"
Nhl
a:"OhmyGod, t
here'
sagli
tch.Fat
hercanI
pl
easehaveyourRoll
sRoyce?
"
Ama:"
That
'smi
ne.
"
Nobant
u:"
Avacat
ion.
"
Nhl
a:"
Fivemi
ll
iont
hen?
"
Nkwe:"
Amal
lpl
ease.
"Wel
aughed.
King:
"CanIeat?Befor
eyoust ar
tpecki
ngmeapart
l
ikevult
ures.MaybeIcanexchangewit
hBiyel
a.
CanIhavet heboysi
nstead?
"
Biyel
a:"I
'm sorr
ymyki ngbutno.
"Ourlunchhad
start
edoffal i
tt
leshakybutwehadagoodt i
me.
Everyonewasl aughi
ng.That'
sal
lI'
l
leverwant.
[
07/
27,
06:
13] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er109

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Fi
nal
lywe'
dmadei
tbackhomei
ntheeveni
ng.The
l
unchatt hevineyardwasni ce.Ourfami l
iesseem
tobebl endingandt hatwasamazi ng.Isati nthe
l
ounge, dri
nki
ngmywhi skey, watchingtheTV.I
don'tknowwhatIwaswat chingbuti twas
distract
ingatleast.Iwast ryingtoresisttheur geof
touchingmyphonebecauseIknowI '
dwantt o
checkwhatshewasupt o.Thef actthatshe' saf ew
streetsawayhadmer eel
ing.Icoul ddriveup, or
evenwal ktoMnqobi '
shouseandseeher .Iwasn' t
goingt othough.
Bi
yela:"
So,Khaya.Youhaveadat
ewi
tha
pr
incess?"Khayal
aughed.
Khaya:"Thatwasver
yshocki
ng.Iwasnot
expect
inghertoask.
"
Zwe:
"Doyouwantt
ogo?
"
Khaya:"
Nowt
hatIhaveper
missi
on,
yes.
"
Zwe:"She'
saSi
khosana,youngpr
ince.They'
re
boundtobedi
ff
icul
ttohandle.
"
Khaya:"
Don'
tworr
yBhutZwe,
Ihaveal
lthet
rai
ning.
Ri
ghtBhutSbo?
"
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"
Hm?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Si
bo:"Not
hing.I
'
m goi
ngupst
air
s,Ineedheadache
pi
ll
s-"
Bi
yela:"
Themedici
necabineti
srighther
einthe
ki
tchen.
"Igotupandwalkedupthestair
stomy
mother'
sroom.Shewasinbed,looki
ngathertabl
et.
It
ookoffmyshoesandgoti nbed.
Queen:"
What
'swr
ongbaby?
"
Si
bo:"
Ihaveaheadache.
"
Queen:"
Andwhatel
se.
"
Sibo:"
Zwel
ethugaveawaymygi
rl
fr
iendt
ohi
s
fr
iend.
"
Queen:"
Whywoul
dhedosomet
hingl
iket
hat
?"
Si
bo:"
Heobvi
ousl
ydoesn'
tli
keme.
"
Queen:"Nowyouknowthat'
snott
rue.Zwel
ethui
s
yourbrot
her
.Whathappened?"
Sibo:"
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
tmama,
Ihavea
headache.
"
Queen:"Come.
"Shehuggedme."
tel
lmewhy
Zwelet
hudidthat
."
Sibo:"Remembert hegirlItol
dyouIl iked.Well,we
hadabi tofafight.Shet hencutof fcontactwi t
hme.
Zwet oldmet obegherandIdi dwhathesai d.I
boughtherflower s,Iwroteanot e.Shet ol
dmet hat
shedoesn'twantmybeggi ngoranyt hingelse.We
mustkeepever ythingprof essi
onal.Shedoesn' t
wantt obeinvolvedwi t
hme. "
Queen:"ButSi
bonel
oyouknowbet tert
hantosleep
wit
hpeopleyouwor kwit
h.Nomat t
erhowmuch
youli
kethem.Lookhowi rr
ati
onalyourbusiness
deci
sionmakinghasbeen?You' vebeenstr
essed
andawfultobearound.AndIknowyou' vemade
worki
ngwi t
hyouverydiff
icul
tforher."
Si
bo:"
I'
m sor
ry.
"
Queen:"Whyareyousor r
ytome?Youdi dn'
thurt
me.I'
mj ustdi
sappoint
ed.Mylove,youneedtobe
honestwithyour
self
.Howt hendi
dt hi
sgettoZwe
gi
vingheraway?
"
Sibo:"Wewentoutlastni
ghtandshewast her
e.
Mel oli
kesherandheaskedmef orhernumber,I
refused.Hethent
oldZweandZwegavei tt
ohim."
Sheki ssedmyhead.
Queen:"
Maybeit'
sforthebest.Hm?You'r
enot
readyf
orarel
ati
onshipSibonelo,
areyou?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
butwhycan'
tshewai
t?"
Queen:"Waitf
orwhat ?Nothat'
snotf ai
r.She'
sa
humanbeingt oo.Shedoesn'
tdeser vebei ngstr
ung
al
ongt onoend.There'snodefinit
ef uturewit
hyou.
Shecan'tt
rustthataf
terwait
ing,you'llchooseher.
Sowhymustshewai t?Whatareyouwi l
li
ngto
sacri
fi
cenow, toshowheryou'llbecommi tt
edto
her?
"
Si
bo:"
Ihaveaheadachemama.
"
Queen:"You'
rebeingchil
dishi swhatyou' r
edoing.
Nogirldeser
vesyouSi bonelo.Youf orgethow
handsomeyouar e,andyoucanbesweet ,
you'r
e
dri
ven,ambit
iousandaPr ince.Youhol dhighstat
us
andmosti mport
antly,
incrediblesuccess.Who
wouldn'tf
alli
nlovewi thyou?Nowyouwantt ohurt
thesegirl
sbecauset heydon'tknowwher ethey
standandyou'rereadyt odiscar
dt hem asyou
please?I'
m sorr
ymyangelbutno.Per hapswe've
pushedyoubutr atherdowhatyouwer edoing
beforeunti
lyou'
resur eyouwantt ocommi t
.Now
I'
m notaskingyout owhor eyourselfoutSi
bonelo
please.
"Ichuckled.Thebedr oom dooropened.
Bi
yel
a:"
No!Out
.Hawu?
?"
Queen:"
Pleasest
handwa.He'
sgoi
ngt
hrough
enough.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
He'
s29yearsol
d!He'
snotgoi
ngt
hroughi
t
i
nmybed.Si
bonel
o!"
Queen:"
Pleasel
eavemychi
ldal
one?
"
Biyel
a:"
Sibonel
oI'
m goi
ngt
odr
agyououtoft
hat
bed."
Si
bo:"
I'
llseeyout
omor
rowmama.
"Igotup,
put
ti
ng
onmyshoes.
Queen:"No.You'r
emychild,
you'
llst
ayi
nmy
comfortunti
lIknowyou'
refi
ne.
"
Biyel
a:"
Nohewil
lnot
!He'
sbasi
cal
lybr
east
feedi
ng
atthi
spoint
."
Sibo:"It
'sfi
nemama, Ij
ustneedtogosl
eep."I
walkedout .Idi
dn'
tevenwanttobeint
hishouse
anymor e.Igoti
nmycaranddr ovetot
heclub.
Ther e'
salwayssomeoneavail
ablet
oimpressme
there.

Iwal kedint heclub,asi twasst art

ingtobuzz.Even
onaSunday, peoplewer ereadyt odr i
nk.Isatatmy
tablewai t
ingf ormydr ink.Ilookedt hr
ought heclub,
seeingnot hingi mpressivesof ar.Phil
aplacedthe
bottl
eandgl assont het able.It ookoutmyphone
againstmybet t
erjudgement .Thiswi l
lnothelpme
atallbutIj ustcouldn'tresist.Herpagehadt wo
newpi ct
ures.Shehadanewshor twigon.Her
modestbl acksat i
ndresshuggi ngherbody, awhite
blazeronhershoul ders.I sthiswhatshewor et
o
church?Shel ookedgor geousasusual .Mnqobi
walkedi n,andsatont hecouchnextt ome.
Si
bo:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Mnqobi
:"Mom t
oldmet
ocomel
ookf
oryou.
"
Sibo:"Youcantel
lherI
'
mfi
neandent
ert
ained.She
shouldn'twor
ry.
"
Mnqobi
:"Can'
tli
etoaqueen.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Pleasel
eave,Mnqobi
.Youhavet
wowi
ves
wai
ti
ngforyouathome."
Mnqobi:"They'
refine.Mybrotherneedsme. "He
tookt
hebot tl
e,pouringadr
ink."Zwetoldmet oget
youdrunk.Hesaysyoudon' twanthi m nearyou.
"
Si
bo:"
He'
sri
ghtaboutt
hat
."
Mnqobi
:"St
il
lmadathi
m?"
Sibo:"
Yes.I'
mf ur
iousathi
m.I
maginepassi
ngher
aroundli
keshe'smeat.Noman."It
ookt
hedrinkhe
gaveme, gul
pingitdown.
Mnqobi
:"Soonerorl
atershe'
dmoveon,
Sbo.
"
Si
bo:"
Sti
ll
.It
'snotr
ightwhathedi
d."
Mnqobi:"
Sbo,youhavetobehonestt
hough.Woul
d
youhavegivenZi
mmyt herel
ati
onshi
psheneeds?
"
Si
bo:"
AndMel
okuhl
ewi
ll
?"
Mnqobi
:"He'
sgr
ea-
"
Si
bo:"I
fIhearhowamazinghei
sonemoret
ime,
I
wi
llf
uckingburnt
hispl
acetot
hegr
ound.
"
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Sor
ry.
"
Si
bo:"
SowhatdoIdot
henMnqobi
?"
Mnqobi:"Fi
ndyourreasontocommit
.Notj
usta
personbutareason.Lear
ntonotbei
ncontr
olal
l
theti
me.Justletgo.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
real
waysi
ncont
rol
,youhavet
wowi
ves.
"
Mnqobi :"Ialmostl ostthem andyouhel dmedown,
remember ?I'm notalwaysi ncontrolei
therbecause
Iletmysel ffeel.Loveisnotaboutcont r
ol.It
'sa
mut ualpartner shi
p.Somet hingtobewor kedon
everyday.It'
snotper f
ect .Stoptreati
ngi tli
kea
businessdeal .There'
snor outi
ne, t
here'
snor ul
es.
Justletitbe."Hi sphoner ang.Hel ookedatt he
screen."Yourmot herwi l
lkilleveryoneforyou, l
ucky
favourit
echi ld."Ichuckled, t
akingthecal l
.
Si
bo:"
MamaI
'
mfi
ne.
"
Queen:"
ThencomehomeSi
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Iwi
ll
,I
'm wi
thMnqobi
."
Queen:"
Okay.Il
oveyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Iloveyout
oo."Ihungup."
Sizaadvi
sedmet
o
goonvacati
onbuti
tsoundssadtogoalone.
"
Mnqobi:"
Soyouwanttotakeme?I
'
mfl
att
ered.
You'
repayingr
ight
?"Il
aughed.
Si
bo:"EhMnqobi.I
fIt
akeyou,youknowZweand
Khayawil
lcome.Nowit'
snolongeravacat
ion,
it'
s
j
ustchaos.
"
Mnqobi
:"Maybeyouneedsomechaos.I
'
llpl
ani
t.
"
Sibo:"
Finethen.Makei
tadvent
urous,not
hing
romanti
c.IfIseeonefl
owerpet
al,I
'm out
."He
l
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Okay.Don'
twor
ry.I
'
llonl
ysendt
hebi
ll
."
Si
bo:"Sendi
ttoZwel
ethu.Heowesme.
"We
l
aughed.

PETU'
SPOV_
Wehadsuchawonder fulSunday.Iswi tchedfrom
gincockt ai
ltowi ne.Zimmy'scockt ai
lswerevery
strong,Icouldn'tgopastonegl ass.Shedr ankthem
withNot hando.Thi sonedoesn' tlearn.Shealways
cri
esofhangover sinthemor ningbutt hewayshe
drinks?Igiggled,getti
ngup.Iputsomewat eri
nt he
fri
dget ochillandber eadybef oreshesl eeps.Itook
outsomeheadachet abletsaswel l
.Icheckedif
therewasenoughf oodandt her ewas.She' l
lhaveto
eatabi t
,drinkthosepi l
lsandf inishthatli
terof
wat erbefor
eshepassesout .Tomor r
owi sMonday
andshehadschool .Iwentbackt ositdownwi th
them.
Zi
mmy:"
Ladi
esIneedt
ogetgoi
ng.I
t'
slat
e."
Not
ha:"
Whydon'
tyouj
ustl
eavei
nthemor
ning?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
ha.
."
Pet
u:"
Nothai
sr i
ght,
it'
slat
e.Whatwi
llyousi
tand
dobyyour
sel
fthereatRes?"
Notha:"
Also,
howaboutwest
artpl
anni
ngyour
pr
oject?
"
Si
za:"
Ooh.Il
ovepr
oject
s,what
'si
tabout
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Guys.
"Shewassuddenl
yshy.
Not
ha:"
Comeon,
tel
lthem.
"
Zimmy:" Okay.Iwant edt ostartawomen' ssupport
facil
it
yorgr oup.Idon'tknowhowyet .Iwantedt o
rentaspacewher ewecanmeetuponceaweek
andgi vesuppor t
.Thosewhoneedcanbepr ovided
for.Iwast hi
nkingofallt hepeopleinthe
disadvantagedhomesi nneedofbasi csuppl
ies
duringthi
swi ntermont h.Ialreadycheckedand
thereareaf ewsheltersf orwomenandchi l
dren.
They'resuppliedforbyt heThr one.Butwhatabout
thewomenandchi l
drenwhocan' tyetmakei toutof
theirhomes?Thoset hatneedencour agement ?"
Siza:"Thisisamazi ngandt hought ful.Icould've
usedsomet hinglikethis.Istillwould.I '
m battli
ng
withfeelingsofgui ltofkeepi ngt hechi l
drenaway
fr
om t heirfat
her.Ihaven' thadt hehear ttoanswer
hi
scal ls.I'
m dealingwi thsomuchanxi etyforthe
upcomi ngt ri
al.Ont opofi tall,Idon'tthinkIhate
Jackson.Iknowhowi tsounds.IknowIsound
stupid.It
'sjust..
.It'
sdiffi
cult.Hewasn' talwaysso
bad.Andhe' sagr eatfather.Ij ust.
..
"
Zimmy:" You'
renotstupidSiza.Youcan'
tbe
expectedtosimplyswitchofff r
om hi
m.Youshared
alif
ewi t
hhim, chi
ldr
en.See, t
hisiswhyweneed
thi
s.Weneedt okeepmot i
vatingyouand
comf or
ti
ngyoui nthesemoment ssoyoudon'
tfeel
theneedt ogobackt ohim."
Not
ha:"
Sohowdowest
art
?"
Petu:"
Makeapost
erandhaveitshar
edonsoci
als.
Maybewecanmakeanemai lforr
vspsot
hatwe
knowhowmanypeopletoexpect.
"
Notha:"
Weal soneedtoputacaponthis.Wecan'
t
f
orgotthatwe'r
eaffi
li
atedwi
thahighroyalf
amil
y.
Whatwi l
lhappeni
ftheenti
reci
tyshowsup? "
Pet
u:"
True.Howt
hendowesi
ftt
hrought
his?
"
Siza:"
Whydon' twestartbygi vi
ngtalksi
n
communi ti
es?From there,peoplecansharethei
r
stori
es,wenoteeveryone'semai lornumberand
theninvi
tethem."
Zi
mmy:"
Thatsoundsevenbet
ter
."
Pet
u:"
Whi
chcommuni
tydowest
artwi
th?
"
Zi
mmy:"eMoyeniwhereyougr
ewup.Si
za,
wil
lyou
beabl
etogi
veat al
k?"
Si
za:"I
twi
llbedi
ff
icul
tbutyes.I
fitwi
llhel
p,Ican
doit
."
Zi
mmy:"Icancont
actt
hecommuni
tyl
eaderand
bookt
hehall
."
Si
za:"
Whydon'
twedoi
tatt
hechur
ch?
"
Petu:"
Evenbett
er.
"Wemadesomenotesonhow
thetal
kswouldgoandever
ythi
ngel
se.
Not
ha:"
Howi
syourwr
it
inggoi
ng?
"
Si
za:"
Chal
lengi
ng,
butgr
eat
."
Pet
u:"
Whati
syourst
oryabout
?"
Siza:"
It
'ssomethi
ngI'veneverwritt
enbefore.
Fantasyandmystery.Nothaofferedtor
eadt he
manuscr i
pt.
"Il
ookedatNot hando.Shegiggled.
Pet
u:"
Youdoknowshet ri
ckedyouint
owrit
ing
somet
hingsheenj
oys,
right
?"Welaughed.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_
Afterabeaut i
fuldayatthevineyar
d.Wehadl eftf
or
thepalaceafterpicki
ngupchangi ngclothesf
rom
thevil
la,Ineededt ospeaktomyf atherandAmahle.
IledThembi saintoourroom, pl
acingthebagonthe
chair.
Nkosi
:"Todaywasamazi
ng.Thankyoubaby.
"
Sasa:"
Ionl
yplannedit,
love.Pl
easeremindmet o
sendabouquettothankQueenBiyelaforhel
ping
wit
hdecorandthechefs.They'
rereal
lyamazing.
"
Nkosi:"
Tomorrow.Nowyour est
."Isatheronthe
bed,walki
ngtomybat hroom.Iranthebat h,
addi
ng
asoothingsal
tandoiltohelpherrelaxthenwent
backtothebedroom.Shewasunpacki ngthebag.
Nkosi
:"IaskedyoutorestMr
sSi
khosana.
"Il
edher
backt
obed, si
tt
ingherdown.
Sasa:"
Ionl
ywant
edt
opackmycl
othespr
oper
ly
l
ove."
Nkosi
:"Ihavearoom hel
perforthat.
"Iknel
tonthe
f
loor,
undoinghershoe'
stinybuckle.It
ookthem of
f
andr
ubbedherankl
e.
Sasa:" Oh,thatfeelsgood."Imassagedherf eet
gently,makingsur et heachesaregone.Itookoff
herdr ess,kissi
ngherski nthenpickedherup,
walkingt othebat hroom.Ihelpedherint
othebat h
tub,sitt
ingherdown.
Nkosi
:"Nowyoucansoakyour
sel
fint
hebat
h,I
'
ll
br
ingsomefrui
t.
"
Sasa:"
You'
resosweet
."Iki
ssedherl
ips.
Nkosi
:"Rest
,thi
nkaboutnothi
ng,I
'l
lgospeakt
o
AmahleandfatherbutI
'
llbebacksoon.
"
Sasa:"Okaythen."Il
eftt
hebathroom andbedroom.
Therewasaki tchenonthetopflooraswell
becausethemai nkit
chenwast oofaraway
downstair
s.Thest af
fwerebusycleaning.Ipi
cked
thefr
uitfr
om thebowl .
Nkosi
:"Please,preparet
hese."Onewashedt heir
handsandchoppedt hefr
uiteffi
cient
ly,
placi
ngi ti
n
abowl.ItookittoThembi sa,
final
lyshewas
rel
axi
ng,withhereyesclosed.Iplacedt hefr
uitnext
toher
,kissingherheadbef or
eIwal kedout.I
st
art
edatAmahl
e'
sroom,
knocki
ngonherdoor
.
Ama:"
Comei
n."Iopened,
wal
kingi
n.
Nkosi:"Hey.
"Shewasinbedwithherl
argewhi
tef
ur
cat.Ineverseei
tout
sidet
hisr
oom, f
orawhil
eI
thoughtitwasdead.
Ama:"
Hi.
"Isatont
hechai
randsi
ghed.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
otal
kaboutf
ather
."Shegi
ggl
ed."
It
's
notf
unny."
Ama:"
Itki
ndofi
s.Yougotsetup.
"
Nkosi:"
Amahl
ewhat 'sgoi
ngon?Am Ii
magi
ning
thi
ngs?Thewayf at
herisact
ingi
sver
y
uncomfort
abl
e."
Ama:"
Butt
hiswasboundt
ohappenNkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Hehashi
sown
t
wowi ves!
"
Ama:"Nkosinhle.Thembisaistr
easureblood.A
companionofaki ng.Herbloodatt
ractskings.It
's
notsomethi
ngt hatheoryoucancont rol.Ki
ng
Ngidumiseunfortunat
elydi
dn'tt
hinkthispart
thr
ough.ThisiswhyshewasnamedNobomi ,
inan
effor
ttodi
ssuadefat
her.I
tcoul
dwor kbutIdoubti
t.
Thetwobloodsarestr
ongtoget
her."OhmyGod, is
thatwhytheheal
eral
wayssays'theKingsheart
'
whenhepr ai
ses?No,HELLNO.
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,Ineedyouort
heancestor
sto
comeupwithasoluti
on.I
'
m notshar
ingMYwife!
!"
Ama:"
Youwon'
thavet
o.I
'
m sur
ehewon'
tki
llyou-
"
Nkosi:"
Areyouinsane!
?He'
salr
eadyt
hreat
enedto
r
eplaceme!!"Myentir
ebodyf
lar
edwit
hflames.
Ama:"You'
rebur
ningmyf
urni
tur
e,pl
ease
Nkosi
nhle.
"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e.Sol
uti
on.Now.
"Igr
owl
ed.
Ama:"
Pleasecal
m down.
"
Nkosi
:"WHY!
!"
Ama:"He'snotgoi ngtohurther.Justcalm down."I
swit
chedoff,pacingthecharredfloor."Nowyou've
scar
edmycatandbur ntmyf ur
nitureinlessthan
10minutes.Pleasegot obed.We' l
lfi
gur e
somethi
ngout .Iswear.Hewon' ttouchher .Oryou.
"
Nkosi
:"Hebet
ternot
,Amahl
e.I
'
m notgoi
ngt
ogi
ve
anot
herwar
ning.
"
Ama:" Ibelieveyou.Just ,atleastunder stand?
Pleaseunder st
andt hatthisisn'tsomet hi
nghe
chose.Itist hewaydest inyisset ,
accordingt oour
fami l
yhistory.Iresearchedthr oughatl east10
kingsbef orePapa, andhewast hef i
rsttof i
nda
treasurebloodi nthreegener ations.Soaboutf ive
kings,beforehi sfat
herhadt hisl ove.This
unf or
tunately,wasaner ror.We' llfi
ndawayar ound
i
tbutIcanassur eyou, t
here'snor i
sk.Also, t
rynot
makeyourbi t
esvisibl
eorbl eedi ng.Hewi llpossibly
freakout."
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e..
"
Ama:"PleaseNkosi
.Wecanf
ixthis.
"Webetterfi
xit
.
Iam notwill
ingt
oshar
emywife.Iwil
lki
llhi
mi fI
haveto.
[
07/
27,
06:
13] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er110
Fi
vedaysl
ater
.

SASA'
SPOV_

OnMonday, wehadgonebackt othevi lla.Ihada

feeli
ngNkosiwasmadaboutsomet hingbuthe
refusedt otellme.Maybehe' dhadanot herf i
ght
withhi sfather,Idon'tknowbuti tdoesn' tinvol
ve
me.SoIhaven' tbuttedmyheadi n.I'vebeen
focusedonmyassi gnmentandcl assest hiswhol e
week, Iwasget ti
ngt i
redt oo.Iwokeupt hi sFri
day
mor ningwi ththef ul
lintentofdoi ngsomet hingf or
mysel f.Anyt hi
ng.Per hapsaf ewhour sint he
garden, readingabook.Nkosihadaf ewmeet ings.
Hewasn' tinbedsoIassumed, he'dl eftal r
eady.I
gotoutofbed, walki
ngt ot hebathr oom.My
stomachf eltit
chyorhar d.Ilookedati tandl aughed.
Me:"You'vegott
obekiddingme.
"Istoodinfrontof
thefulll
engthmi
rrorst
ari
ngatt
hepainti
ngdoneon
myst omach.NowonderIwasfeel
ingfeather
sand
butt
erfli
esinmysleep,
Nkosiwaspai
ntingonme
l
ikeI '
m hiscanvas.Idi dn'tevenknowhecoul dpai nt
l
iket his.Idr apedacl othar oundmywai stand
anot hertyi
ngmyboobst hent ookmyphoneand
captur edapi ctur e.Thiswasbeaut i
ful.Ilookedl ike
art.Isentthepi cturet ohim.Her esponded:<my
beaut if
ulwi fe.>Idi dn'twantt owashi toffbutwhat
couldIdo?Ir epl ied:<Husband, howam Isupposed
towashnow? >Isenti t.Her epli
ed:<I t'
swat erpai nt
baby, youcanbat horyoucoul dwai tforme, I'
dl ove
tobat hyou. "Igi ggled.Thi sonei scrazy.<You' ll
bathmei nt heeveni ngmyl ove, enjoyyour
meet ings.Il oveyou. >Nkosi nhlewoul dleavet hat
meet ingwi tht hespeedofl i
ghti fIevenent ertained
him andIwantt obakehi m acaket odayasa
surpr i
se.Hecan' tbeher e.Itookabat handgot
dressedi nabr ownbodyf i
tti
ngsi mpl emaxidr ess
withl ongsl eeves.Icoul dat t
endt heonecl assIhad
andt hengot ot heki tchen.Af terget ti
ngdr essed, I
satdowni nmywor kdeskandsetupmysyst em,
attendingt hecl ass.Wehadn' tbegunyet ,soIwent
throughmynot es.Ourvi rtualsyst em wasgr eat.We
hadat extopt i
ont oaskquest ionsweneed
clari
ficati
onon.Dependi ngont hel esson, whi chi s
stipulatedatt hebegi nningoft hesessi on,it
'seit
her
i
nt eractiveorst ri
ctlyteaching.Ifit'
sint eract
ive,the
l
ect ureranswer sourquest i
onsast heyappear .I
f
i
t'sonl yt eaching,thequest ionsarer ecor dedand
thel ectureranswer sthem indivi
dual lyandpubl i
cly
forever yonet or eadt heinformationaf tertheendof
theday.Ourl ecturerswer equiteefficient.Our
uni versi
tywashonest lythebest ,
Ican' tlie.My
husbanddi dthat.Igiggledt omysel f.80%ofmy
classwasvi rt
ual.Theywer estarti
ngt ojoinandt he
l
essonwoul dbeginshor tly.

Aftermyclass,Icheckedmynotesandattended
thegroupdiscussiononthet
opic.Af
terabouthal
f
anhour,weadj our
ned.Iwenttother
estaurant
kit
chen.
Me:"Hel
loMel
ani
e,canIuset
heki
tchen?Iwantt
o
bake.
"
Mel
ani
e:"
YesYourHi
ghness.I
'
llpr
epar
eitf
oryou.
"
Me:"Thankyou.
"Iwentt
ogof et
chmyselfabott
le
ofwater,
thi
nki
ngofmedit
ati
ngsinceIhaven'
tdone
soinami nute.Mydr eamswer enotascl eart hese
days.Isl eptpeacef ul lybutnot hi
ngwashappeni ng.
Incase, Iwasmi ssingsomet hing,per hapsa10
minutemedi tat
ionsessi onwoul dhel p.Icol l
ect ed
myt hings, maki ngmywayt othehut .Ient er edand
coveredmyshoul ders.Af t
erlighti
ngt hecandl eand
burningt hel eaves,Isatandbr eathedt hepur i
ty.
Withoutevenut ter
ingawor d, j
ustposi t
ivet hought s,
l
ight,goodness.It houghtofal lthegoodt hingsI
neededi nmyl i
fe.Ahappyhusband, ext raener gyt o
pourintomyschoolwor k,mor eemot ionalcapaci ty
formet ocar rythenewf ami lyIhavej oined.Lovei n
theSikhosanapal ace, heal t
handpeacef ormy
familyathome.Successf ormyf ri
endsi nt heir
vari
ouspr ojectsandj oyi nt heirpersonall ives.Just
everythingt ogowel l.Aft erthepeacef ulsessi on, I
l
eftthehutandmadei ttot heki t
chenonceagai n.I
hadn'tbakedacakei nsuchal ongt i
mesoi ttook
meabi ttor emembermyst eps.Ideci dedona
chocolat eandr edvel vetcakel ayercake.Justat wo
l
ayercake.Chocol at ewasmymot her '
sper sonal
favourit
eandRedvel vetwasmysi st
er '
s.Mydad
l
ovedal loft hem.Icoul dmanagemaki ngt wo
medi um cakesbecauset her ewast wohugeovens,
onewoul dbesentt ot hepal ace.Imadet hecr eam
cheesef rosti
ngwhi let heybakedt henpl acedi tin
thefridge.Icl eanedup, whi lewaiti
ng.Myt imer
wentof fandIt ookt hecakesoutt ocoolof f.Iwas
l
ooki ngf orwar dt omybook, honestly.I
'dhavea
bowlofpopcor nandj uice, sit
ti
ngint heshade.A
perfectFr idayaf t
ernoon.Icont i
nuedwi thmycakes,
l
ayingt hef i
ll
ingont hef irstlayerthencar ef ully
placingt hesecondput ti
ngt hecream ont opandon
thesi des.Ihadsomemor eleftover,soIlookedf or
apipi ngbagandmadeaf ewswi rl
sont op.That '
s
thebestIcoul dcoul d.Oncedonewi thmyt wo
cakes, Iputt hem i nt het emper aturecont rolled
fri
dge.Washi ngmyhandsandgoi ngt ofet chmy
book.Icol l
ect edmypopcor nandjuice,goi ngt othe
gardenandr elaxedont hecouchundert het rees,
starti
ngmyst or y.Peace.

Twohour slat
er,soenchant
edbymybook,Ifel
t
someonest ar
ingatme.Nodoubtitwasapairof
orangeeyes.Nkosiwassupposedtobeatwork,I
knowhim anddodgingonFr
idays.Il
ookedupbuti
t
wasn'
tNkosi.Isatup.
Me:"
MyKi
ng,
goodday.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa.
"
Me:"
I'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tnot
iceyouar
ri
ve.
"
Ki
ng:"Whatareyoureadi
ng?
"Hewal
kedclosert
o
wher
eIwas, st
andi
ngonlyafewf
eetaway.
Me:"
Uhm.
..Justaf
ict
ionalst
ory.
"
Ki
ng:
"Fi
cti
onal
?Whati
sitabout
?"
Me:"I
t'
saromanceaboutuhm,
peopl
efr
om
di
ff
erentwor
lds.
"
Ki
ng:"Ther
e'sonl
yonewor
ld.Howcant
heybef
rom
di
ff
erentworl
ds."
Me:"Inthestory,
there'smorethanone.Ther e'
san
underworl
d.See,themai ncharacter
,comesf rom
theunderworldbutshei sonami ssi
ontol earn
moreaboutthenewwor l
d.I
nherwor ld,
it'
scalled
theRupture,
af emalespeciescall
edUpper sarein
contr
ol.Theycontrolthegover
ning,andthepeopl e.
Probl
em is,t
heytreatmenassl avesandmor eof
them, t
hemen, aredyi ng.So, t
hisladyisofhi gh
stat
usi nherwor l
d.She' soneoft hewor ldleaders,
theydecidet heyneednewsubj ectssot heywantt o
gobor r
ow, akaki dnap, malesf r
om thenewwor l
d.
Sosheget st ot henewwor l
d,knowsnot hingofi t.
Unbeknownstt oher ,t
henewwor ldisgover nedby
men.Somet hingt hatenragesheri nasense.Her
stat
us, moneyandever ythingisofnoval ueher e.
Exceptherbody, shequi cklyreal
izes.Tot hisextent,
sheneedst of indawayt oluremenusi ngherbody.
Sothat'sthest ory."Ij
ustr eali
zedIwasbabbl ing
again.NoKi ngwant stohearofsuchst upi dit
y."Can
Imakeyousomet ea?
"
King:"Yes."Igotupandl eftforthekitchen.Hewas
probablyher eforNkosiandIwasaboutt oborethe
helloutofhi m.Atleast,hecanent ert
ai nhimselfby
beingqui etanddoi ngnothing.Ofcour sehisguar d
stoodnearme, wat chi
ngmemaket het ea.You
reall
ythinkIhavet heener gyt opoisont hi
sman?
Sirplease.Idonotneedt histrouble.It ookthetray
backt othegar den,placi
ngi tont hesmal lt
abl
e,I'd
alsorefi
lledmyj uice.
Me:"
Howmanysugar
sdoyout
ake,
YourMaj
est
y?"
King:"
Two."Ipour
edtwoteaspoonsforhim and
handedthecupandsaucerbowing."Thankyou."I
satinmyspotandconti
nuedreading.Hesti
rredhis
cupoftea,t
akingasi
p."
Sowhatdi dshedo? "
Me:"
Uhm.That
'swher
eIam myKi
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Readi
ttome.
"
Me:" Okay."Ist
artedthet hirdchapterfrom the
beginning."Iwasatal oss.Howcoul dt hi
sbe?I sit
possiblethatsomehadescapedt oformt hiswor l
d?
Buthow?Wast herealeaki nourleadership.Our
subjectscannotaf f
ordthi skindofpower .Iwal ked
throughthest r
eet,deepi nmyt houghtsofhowt o
tacklemynewpr edicament .I
nr et
urnforbodily
favours,Iearnaf ewnot esofmoneyt osust ainmy
l
iving.Idonotevenl ikethisspeci es,mymat i
ngi s
only..
."Whydoembar r
assi ngthingsonlyhappent o
me?Themai ncharacterhasneverembar kedonher
sexualit
y,shehast ostar tnow?
Ki
ng:
"Sheonl
ymat
eswi
thwomen?
"
Me:"
Yes.
"Ideci
dedt
ocont
inue."
Idonotevenl
ike
thisspeci es, mymat i
ngi sonl ywi thwomenofmy
regard.Notsl aves.Onl yt hest rongestmal esare
chosenf orr epr oduct ion.Theseones, alloft hem,
wer eweak.Agr oupoft hem wal kedt owar dme,
hissingandcal l
ingoutasanani malwoul d.They
surroundedmei nanef forttot rapme." Hey! !Get
awayf rom her !
!"Ast rongdeepvoi ceshout edfrom
acrosst hest reet .Thegr oupdi sper sed, uttering
shamef ulapol ogyt ot hevoi ce.AsIsai d, weak.I
l
ookedatwher et hevoi cecamef rom." Youokay?
Youshoul dn'tbewal kingal oneatni ght.Thi spartof
theci tyisdanger ous. "Hesays.I '
mi ntriguedathow
hecommandedaut hor ity.Thisi st hest rongmal e
onewoul dmat ewi t
hi nanef f
or tt or epr oduce.
"Ma'am?Ar eyouokay? "Ihadl ear ntt hebasi coft he
l
anguageoft henewwor l
d.Ar ticul ationwast he
problem." OKAY. "Ireiterated.Hedi dn'tlook
convi nced." Letmewor kbehi ndyout oseeyou
safelyhome, goahead. "Hesays.Idon' tmove, stil
l
i
nt r
igued.Thi smal eiscommandi ngmet okeepme
safe?" Ma' am, Idonothaveal lni ght .Wal k. "Hesays
mor edomi nant ly.Istar ttowal k, shamef ully
becauseIwant edt o.Conf l
ictedbecauset hiswoul d
earnhim 10l ashesinmywor ld.Iturnedthest r
eet
andwai tedar oundt hecor ner
,het urnedbumpi ng
i
ntome.Notashi veroffearinhiseyes." Whyar en'
t
youwal king, l
ady? "Heasks.Hi stonel owand
hunter-l
ike.Istudiedhisf ace,t
akingi nhisstrong
faci
alfeat ures.Hiseyesadomi neer i
ngbr ownwi t
h
asleekhi ntofdanger ."Igohome. "Irepl
y."Asyou
should.Sowal k."Heresponds." Wi t
hyou. "Isay.
"
TheKi ngl aughed.
King:"
Thi
sisi
nterest
ing.Doesshehaveanypower
t
of i
ghtof
fthr
eats?Sheseemssosur eofhersel
f
fr
om thet
imeshewasi ntercept
edbyagroupof
men.Doesshehaveabi l
it
iesli
keme?"
Me:"No,myKi
ng.Heronlyabi
li
tyi
sconnect
ingt
o
herworl
d,i
ncasesheneedstogoback.
"
Ki
ng:"
That'
salit
tl
eusel
ess.Tel
lme,
wher
edi
dyou
l
earnt
oread?"
Me:"Fr om school,myki
ng.Andalsoinmyspar
e
ti
me, goingthroughnovel
s.Ispental
otofmyhi
gh
schoolnights,readi
ng.I
t'
sonlywhenIgotto
Universit
yIdidn'thavet
hatti
me."
King:"
Youhaveabeauti
fulvoi
ce.Ver
ycal
mingt
o
l
istent
o.Pl
easecont
inue."
Nkosi
:"Father
."Igotaf
ri
ght
,whendidhearr
iveand
whycan'tIhearthem?Hewalkedt
owardus.
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
,goodday.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Ki
ng:
"Icamet
ospendt
imewi
thThembi
sa.
"
Nkosi
:"WHY.
"
Ki
ng:"She'
sal
lal
onewhi
leyoupanderar
oundt
he
ci
ty-
"
Nkosi
:"AREYOUSERI
OUS?
!I'
M WORKI
NG!
!"Ist
ood
up.
Me:"
Nkosi
!"Hehuf
fedi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.
Nkosi
:"Youneedt
oleave.
"
Me:"
Hai
bo,
Nkosi
.Ther
e'snoneedt
obehar
sh.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,
Iam nowher
enearhar
sh,
trustme.
"
Me:"Okaybutpl
ease.Yourfat
herwaski
ndenough
t
ositwithmeandread.He'snotbot
heri
ngme."He
wasst i
llvi
bratingwi thangerthatIdidn't
understand."Doyoul ikeitwhenhethreat ensand
hurtsmei nstead?It houghtwewer ewor kingt
oget
tothispart.Spendi ngt i
measaf amily,andbeing
kindtooneanot her.NowIdon' tunderstandwhy
you'r
eact i
ngl i
ket his.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,
I'
m nott
ryi
ngt
ohur
tyou.
"
Me:"
Okay,
woul
dyoul
iket
osi
twi
thust
henand
r
ead?"
Nkosi
:"I
'dl
ovetodothatmyl
ove,butmaybelater
.I
wanttospeakt
ofat
herforal
it
tl
ebit.
"Hekissedmy
head.
Me:" Okay."Itookmybook, walki
ngbackinsi
dethe
vil
la.Whatonear t
hwashappeni ng?Whywashe
suddenl ysoangr yathi sfather?Andwhycan'twe
tal
kabouti t
?Nkosi nhlelovesspendingti
mewi t
h
mebuthe' snotaj ealousman.SoIdon' t
under stand,t
odayhehast ositmedownt oexpl
ain
whati supbecauset hisisnotnor malanymore.
Spendi ngtimewi t
ht heKi ngwasf un.Heengaged
mej ustl i
kemyf atherdoeswhenIbl ababoutmy
stupi
dthings.He'
str
ying,
per
hapsNkosij
ustwasn'
t
usedtoityet.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Thefamil
iarf
eel
ingwasback.Thesqueezei
nmy
hear
t.Ist
oodup.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihavet
ogo.
"
Mthunzi:"
We' r
einthemiddl
eofameeting.
"I
walkedout."Nkosi
nhle!
!!
"Hefol
lowedmetothecar
.
"
Whati sgoingon?"
Nkosi
:"Ihavet
o-"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iknowt
hatbutt
ellmewhy?
"
Nkosi
:"Whenmyblood,aSi
khosana,i
snear
Thembisa,
Icanf
eelit
.Myfat
herisinthatvi
ll
a."
Mthunzi
:"Howdoyouf eel
thatNkosinhl
e?"Iwas
al
readyst
rangeenoughandMt hunziwouldnever
j
udgemebutI '
dneveradmittobit
ingandmar ki
ng
mywi
fe.Never
.
Nkosi
:"Ij
ustknow.
"
Mthunzi:"
Okay.Let'
sgo.We'l
lfi
nishinthevil
la."
Thecardroveoff,t
omyvill
a.Wewer ejusthal fan
hourawayandIwasshaki ng."
He'snotgoi ngto
hurtherNkosi
.There'
sguardsthere,
they'
llprotect
her.
"
Nkosi
:"Ishoul
dn'
thavel
eftheral
one.
"
Mthunzi
:"That'
simpossi
ble.Youhavetowork,
she
hasschool.Youcan'
tcar
ryhereverywher
e."
Nkosi
:"MaybeIcanwor
kfr
om home?
"
Mthunzi
:"Tel
lmewhyyou'
rewor
ri
ed.Di
dhet
ry
somethi
ng?"
Nkosi
:"RememberIt
oldyouandZweabout
Thembisabei
ngtr
easur
eblood?
"
Mthunzi
:"Yeah.Somethi
ngabouthervi
ll
age
bi
rthi
ngcompani onsoft
hethr
one?"
Nkosi:"
Exactl
ythat
.There'
saprobl
em noonei
nmy
l
ineagehascomeacr ossandtheyt
houghti
twas
f
unnyt oexperi
mentwithme."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whati
sthatpr
obl
em?
"
Nkosi
:"Mthunzi
,tr
easur
ebl oodat
tr
actsaKi ng'
s
bl
ood.Doesn'tmatt
erwhich.AnySikhosanaKing.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ohno.
"
Nkosi:"
Myf atherexpressedhavi ngtobattl
e
str
angef eel
ings, whenheconf r
ontedhi sownfather
.
Thestrangef eeli
ngsar ehimf al
linginlovefort
he
fi
rstt
ime.Somet hingthatappar ent
ly,hecannot
contr
ol.IfeellikeI'
m goinginsane."
Mthunzi:"
Bef orewegoi nsane,howsaf eisthisfor
Thembisa?Nkosi nhl
e,I'
veseenhowof fthehinges
yougof orthiswoman.You' realwaysreadyt obur n
thi
ngstot hegr oundandt earthem apart.Your
fat
heront heot herhandhi sownhor ri
fyi
ngabi li
ti
es.
Thisisani nnocentperson, whodoesn'thavet he
abil
it
ytocont roleit
heroneofyou.Ont opoft his,he
hastri
edtohur therbeforesohowsaf ei ssheal one
wit
hhi m?"Het appedthedr i
ver'
sshoulder."Stepon
i
t."
Dr
iver
:"Yes,myLor
d."Heincreasedt
hespeed,
wit
h
ar
oyalsirenont
ocleart
her oads.
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sisbad.
"
Nkosi:"
Amahledoesn'
tseem t
othi
nkso.Shet
hinks
t
hisisfunnyandharml
ess."
Mthunzi
:"Doesshehaveasol
uti
ont
omakei
t
st
op?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Mthunzi
:"Butwehavetotrustthatshewoul
dn'
tlet
har
m comet oThembisa,
right?
"
Nkosi:"Yes.She'dneverl
etthathappenbutt hat
doesn'thelpme."Wear ri
vedatthevil
la,indeedhi s
carswer ehere.Iwalkedi
n,fol
lowingherscentt o
thegarden.Theysatont hecouches,talking.He
wasl aughing.Imarchedovertothem, r
eadyt o
explode.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."Ihi
ssed.Hel
ookedatme,
suddenl
y
bor
ed.Thenerve?
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
,goodday.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatareyoudoingher
e?"Ihadtokeep
br
eathi
ngsteadil
ytocontr
olmyanger.
Ki
ng:
"Icamet
ospendt
imewi
thThembi
sa.
"
Nkosi
:"WHY.
"
Ki
ng:"She'sallal
onewhileyoupanderar
oundt
he
ci
ty-
"everythi
ngswitchedoff.
Nkosi
:"AREYOUSERIOUS?!I
'
M WORKING!
!"
Thembisast
oodup,
touchi
ngmyarm.
Sasa:"
Nkosi
!"
Nkosi
:"Youneedt
oleave.
"
Sasa:"
Hai
bo,
Nkosi
.Ther
e'snoneedt
obehar
sh.
"
Nkosi
:"Baby,
Iam nowher
enearhar
sh,
trustme.
"
Sasa:"Okaybutpl ease.Yourf atherwaski nd
enought osi twithmeandr ead.He'snotbot hering
me."Ical med, butstil
lenraged.Shewashol dingme.
Itwasdi ff
iculttobeangr yi nhertouch." Doyoul i
ke
i
twhenhet hreatensandhur tsmei nstead?I
thoughtwewer ewor ki
ngt ogett othi
spar t.
Spendingt imeasaf ami l
y, andbeingki ndtoone
another.NowIdon' tunder standwhyyou' r
eact ing
l
ikethis."Myhear tsoft
ened.Sheobvi ouslydi dn't
understand.Tel l
inghert his,wouldbreakher .I
neededt oneut rali
zemyf ather,
nott r
aumat izeher .
Nkosi
:"Baby,
I'
m nott
ryi
ngt
ohur
tyou.
"
Sasa:"Okay,
woul
dyoul
iket
osi
twi
thust
henand
read?
"
Nkosi:"
I'
dlovet
odot hatmyl
ove,butmaybelat
er.I
wanttospeaktofat
herforal
it
tl
ebit.
"Iki
ssedher
pr
ettyhead.
Sasa:"Okay."Shetookherbook,walkingaway.I
staredatmyf at
her,wai
ti
nguntilThembi sahad
enteredthebuil
dingandnotinaudiblerange.
Nkosi
:"Thever
yleastyoucoul
ddoi
sber
espect
ful
.
Tome,andtomywi fe.
"
Ki
ng:
"Isget
ti
ngt
oknowhernotr
espect
ful
?"
Nkosi:"YouandIbot hknowi t'
snottrue.Father
,I
am tryi
ngt hebestIcantobeunder standingand
respectfulofyou.Iunder
standitcan'tbeyour
choicebutsohel pmeGod, i
fyoueverevent ri
edto
takemywi fenotevenyourancestorswillbeablet
o
stopmef rom er
asingyou.
"
Ki
ng:"Doyour
eall
ythi
nkthat
'si
nyourbest
i
nter
est?
"Hestoodup."
I'
m nott
ryi
ngtohar
m
Thembi sabutsohel pMEGod, ifyout al
ktomel ike
thatagai n?Wewi llhaveaver ydi f
ferent
conver sati
on.Also,doyour eallythinkThembisa
willcont i
nuetouncondi ti
onall
yl oveyouonceyou
kil
lme?Becausei ft hepastisanyt hingtogoby,
you'llspendyouret ernit
yinar oami ngreal
m with
herhi dingfr
om you. "Somet hi
ngi nmybr ainti
cked,
Mt hunzipulledmebackwi t
hallhisst r
engthwhil
eI
foughthi m off
,roaring.I'
m goi
ngt obreakeachand
everyoneofyourbones.TheKi ngdr oppedtohis
knees, hisbonescr ackingonebyoneashe
screamed.
[
07/
27,
06:
13] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er111

SASAPOV_

Ihear
dscr
eamingandroar
ingfr
om outside.I
j
umpedup,runni
ngtot
hegarden.Thekinglayon
thegrass,
Nkosinhl
est
andi
ngont
opofhi
m,
breat
hingangr
il
y.
Me:" NKOSI NHLE! !!
"IkneltnexttotheKi ngf eel
ing
hispulse.Itwasl ight."Whathaveyoudone? "The
Kingwasn' trespondi ng.Icouldn'tt
elli
fhewas
deadordyi ng.OhmyGod.Myhandswer eshaki ng,
mybr aintryingtot hink.Zwe.Idon'tknowhowbut
hehadt ogether easap.Ir anbackt other oom to
fetchmyphone.Idi aledZwe'snumber ,
runni ng
backt othegar den.Theguar dsj uststoodar ound
uselessashel l.Howcoul dMt hunzil
etthishappen
andwhywer etheyst uckinlimbo?
Me:"
Zwe?Pl
easecomet
othevi
ll
a.Theki
ngi
shur
t.
Badl
y."
Zwe:
"Wher
e'sNkosi
nhl
e?"Il
ookedathi
m.
Me:"
He'
sher
e."
Zwe:
"I'
m onmyway.
"
Me:"
Hispul
sei
sweakZwe,
whatdoIdo?
"
Zwe:"I'
l
lbe10mi nut
es,Sasa.I'
mt aki
ngt
he
hel
icopter
."IhungupanddialedforAmahl
e.
Ama:"
I'
m onmyway.
"Sheanswer
ed.
Me:" Okay. "Ihungup.Bl oodhadst ar
tedtoseepout
hismout handnose.Iputacushi onunderhishead,
sohedoesn' tchoke.IlookedatNkosi .Whatwashe
thinking?Whatcoul dgethi m soangry?He'snota
violentper sonsowhatwast hisabout?Honestl
yI'm
disappoint edbutobvi ousl ythi
swasn' tassmall
i
ssueasI '
dbel ieved.Thiswasnott hekindhusband
Ihadgot tenusedt o.Mthunzihel dhim backtothe
house.Il ookeddownatt heKi ng,thebonesinhis
neckvi sibleunderhi sski n.Myhandswer esti
ll
shaki ng,imagi ningthepai n.Itouchedhisneck
agai nfeelingforhi spulse.
Me:"Thewi l
lofGodsur passesallhuman
understandinganddeci si
on.Mayyounumbt he
bodyast heconsci ousnessseeksheal ing,awaiti
ng
hel
p."Iwhi spered.Asmal lsoundgr oanedf r
om him.
"Pl
easehol don. "Hegr oanedagai n."Shhh.Only
l
ist
ent othesoundofmyvoi ce.I'
mr ighthere.Help
i
scomi ng."Ithoughtofasongt osingi nhopeshe
coul
df ocusonmyvoi ceandt hef i
rstthatcamet o
mindwasoneI '
dlist
enedt oal lweek."Starr
y,starr
y
night,Pai ntyourpal ettebl ueandgr ay, Lookouton
asummer '
sday, Wi t
heyest hatknowt hedar kness
i
nmysoul .Shadowsont hehi l
ls,Sket cht het r
ees
andt hedaf fodils,Cat cht hebr eezeandwi nterchi ll
s,
Incolor sont hesnowyl inenl and.NowIunder stand,
Whatyout r
iedt osayt ome, Howyousuf feredf or
yoursani ty.Howyout ri
edt osett hem f r ee.They
woul dnotl i
sten, theydi dnotknowhow.Per haps
they'l
llistennow.St arry,star ryni ght .Flami ng
fl
ower st hatbr ight l
ybl aze.Swi r
li
ngcl oudsi nvi ol et
haze, Ref l
ecti nVi ncent '
seyesofchi nabl ue, Color s
changi nghue.Mor ningf ieldsofambergr ain,
Weat her edf acesl inedi npai n, Aresoot hedbeneat h
thear t
ist'slovinghand.Oh, nowIunder stand.What
yout ri
edt osayt ome.Howyousuf f eredf oryour
sanity,Howyout riedt osett hem f ree.Theywoul d
notlisten, theydi dnotknowhow.Per hapst hey' l
l
l
istennow. .
."Icont inuedt osi ngqui etly, feelingt he
war mthi nhi shand.
Zwe:
"Thembi
sa.
"Il
ookedup.
Me:"
Hi.
"Heknel
tonhi
sot
hersi
de.
Zwe:
"Whathappened?
"
Me:"Idon'tknow.Iwasinsi
de,Mthunzicanknow
bet
ter.Howi she?"Hefel
tforhi
spulse.Awor r
ied
l
ookcr ossedhisfaceasheswall
owedt helumpin
hi
sthroat.
Zwe: "Barel
yali
ve.
"Achi l
li
ngcoldwentdownmy
back.Heundi dhissuitj
acketandshir
t,placi
ngthe
stethoscopeonhim."Needt ogethi
mt ohospi t
al.
"
Amahl eranupt ous.Shekneltbyherfather'
shead,
holdingitwit
hbothhands.
Ama:" Thembi sa,pleasegot ot heher bgar denand
pickI gazilomf ula.It'
sor angewi t
hwhi test r
ipes.
Taket heonet hathasacl osedmout handonl ytear
i
tf rom t heroot .Run."Iranupt ot heher bgar den,
sear chingt hegar dent horoughl yuntilIspottedi tin
thecor ner.Onl yafewandal lwer eopened.One
smal lonei nthecor nerwasst i
llclosed, thankGod.I
caref ull
yext ractedf r
om i t
sroot .Itookitbackt o
Amahl e.Shesqueezedt hepl ant ,
twodr opsofl iqui
d
drippedoutandont ohismout h."There.Now, the
hospi tal.I
'm comi ngwi th."Zwecal l
edt heguar dsto
puthi m ont hest r
etcher,andt heyj oggedt ot he
helicopt er
.Amahl egoti nwi t
ht hem, innot i
met he
hel
icopterl
if
tedof
f,f
lyi
ngaway.Iwentintothevill
a.
Nkosiwassitti
ngonachairi
nt herest
aurant,
Iknelt
i
nfrontofhim.Theangersti
llemanatedoffhisski
n
butitwasn'
theatt
histi
me.
Me:"Iknowyoudidn'
tmeantodot
his.Thi
sisn'
t
you.
"Hel ookedi
ntomyeyes.
Nkosi
:"I
tisme.
"
Me:"No.Irefuset
oacceptt hat
.Iwon'
tall
owthatt
o
be.You'
rekind,Nkosi.Pleasetel
lmewhat
happened?Whatcoul dyourf at
herdothatwasso
horr
ibl
eyouwant edhi m dead?"It
ouchedhisf
ace.
"Pl
easetel
lmemyl ove?"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Helookedaway."
He'
sinl
ovewi
th
you.
"Myheartst
opped.
Me:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"
Nkosi:"Yourbloodi softreasure,hi
saking.He
cannotcontrolit
.Dest i
nyconnect sthetwo.They
didn'
texpectitwi t
ht wokingsatt hesamet i
me.It'
s
thefi
rst."Mywhol ebodyf el
tcold.Ever
ythi
ng.The
spendingtime,gettingtoknowme.Themat ching
outfi
ts,t
hewi nery,t
hef oodsuggest i
ng,him aski
ng
metoreadtohi
m,Isangforhi
mt hi
nki
nghewas
dyi
ng.God,
hemightbe.Andthi
siswhy
Me:"
Oh.
"Ist
ruggl
edt
obr
eat
h.
Nkosi:"Idi
dn'
twanttoscareyou."Toolate."I
t
houghtwecoul dneutr
ali
zet hewayhef eels.
Amahl esaidhewoul
dn'thurtyou.Iknowhe
wouldn't.
"
Me:"
How.
..Howdoyouknowt
hat
?"
Nkosi:"ThewayIf eelaboutyou..anyt
hingthat
hurtsyouIwi l
lri
ptoshr eds.Evenifi
t'
smysel f.He
mightfeelthesame. "If
eltdizzyandsickallatonce.
Istoodup,stumblingabi t.Hecaughtmei nhis
arms.
Me:"
I'
m gonnaneedami
nut
e."
Mt
hunzi
:"Tel
lher
."Nkosishookhi
shead.
Me:"
Ther
e'smor
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snot
hing-
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
."
Me:"
Tel
lmesoIcanpr
ocesst
hisal
latonce.
"
Nkosi
:"Ihaveanewabi
li
ty.I
t.
..I
tdi
dthatt
ohi
m."
Me:"
Whati
stheabi
l
ity?
"
Nkosi
:"Ionl
y..
.Ithoughtofbr
eaki
ngallt
hebonesi
n
hi
sbodyandi thappened.Idi
dn'
ttouchhi
m."I
st
eppedbackf r
om him.
Me:"Youbrokeal lthebonesinhisbodywit
hout
touchi
nghim? "IlookedatMt hunzi
.Hetoohada
disl
ocatedshoulder."Youtr
iedtoholdhi
m back?
"
Mt hunzi
:"YesbutI'
llbef ine."Iwasi nstunned
shock,beginni
ngtor eel andspi ral.Yes,my
husbandcoul dtur
ni ntoat i
ger.Hecoul digni
tef
ir
e
offhisbody.Hecoul dwhi sper,seepi nt
oyour
thoughtsandmemor ies,cont rolyourmovements.
Butnowhecoul dbr eakever ypar tofyou.Meani
ng
hecanst opyourhear t,allyouror gansshutdown,
onhi scommand.Wi thjustaspar kofanger.Thi
s
wast hemostdanger ousmanal i
ve.
Me:"Ineedto.
..
.Ami nute.Toadjust.
"Ist
epped
back,t
ryi
ngtogathermyt houghts.Putmybr ai
n
backtoget
her.I
twast oomuchi nformati
onallat
once,i
tneededtobecategorisedbyimpor t
ance.
Theki ngwasi napossi blecoma.Someoneneeded
totellZweoft hesei njur
iessot hatheknowswhat
tofix.Thef amilyneededt obeinformedj usti
ncase.
OhGod, Idon'tneedt hat.Ican't
."Amahl e.Ineedto
callAmahl e."Idial
edhernumber , putt
ingthephone
againstmyear .Shedi dn'tanswer.Isentamessage
explaininghi spossibleinj uri
essot heyknowwher e
tostart."Weneedt ogot ot hepalace.Doyouneed
helpwi thyourar m,Mt hunzi ?
"Heshookhi shead.
Mthunzi
:"Ijustneedacornerwal
ltopopi
tbacki
n."
If
orgethe'sasoldiert
rai
nedtonumbhisownpai
n.
Me:"
Okay.Ineedtogetaj
erseysowecanl
eave.
"I
wal
kedtoourroom.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Theri
det othepalacewassi l
ent.Idi
dn'texpectt
his
i
showmydaywoul dgo.Myangerhadsl ippedfr
om
myment algri
p.Thenewabi l
it
ywasasAmahl ehad
expl
ained,dangerous.HowcanIdest roythis?
Thesewer emyt houghts,
it'
snotsomet hi
ngIcould
activelycont rol.Thel ookoff earonThembi sa's
facemademyhear tshi vert oacol d.Shewasnow
scar edofme.Mor et hanshe' severbeenbef ore.
Real izi
nghowscar ythi sabi li
tycanbe, doesshe
thinkI '
deverhur ther ?Iwoul dnever, notinami ll
ion
year s.Ifeltasof t,war mt ouchhol dmyhand.I
l
ookeddownont heseat .Shewashol di
ngmyhand.
Ilookedather ,hereyescl osed,restingont hehead
rest.Eveni nhert ir
eshest illhel
dmedown, st
il
l
heldmyhand.Ihadt obet hel ucki
estmanal i
ve.We
drovei ntot hepal ace, par kingourcar s.Wegotout
oft hecar ,walkingupt hest airstotheent r
ance.I
don' tknowhowIwasf eeling.Idon' tknowi fIwas
guilty,orsadorst i
llangr y.Mymot her swereinthe
cour tyard.Bot hint heirel ement sandt houghts.
Firstmot herwasr eadi ng.Secondmot herhavinga
cupoft eawat chingt hef enci ngspor tperformedby
twopr ofessionalsshehi redonocassi onwhen
she' sbor ed.Theybot hlookedupasweent ered.
Sasa:"
GoodDaymyqueens.
"Shebowed.
Nol
wazi
:"What'
sgoi
ngon?Whydoesshel
ookl
ike
t
hat
?"Sheaskedme.Thembi
sadi
dlookwor
nout,i
f
notscar
ed.
Sasa:"
Wehavet er
ri
blenews,myqueen.TheKing
hadtoberushedtohospit
al,
hehasfal
lenil
l.
"They
bothst
oodup.
Nobant
u:"
Il
l?Wi
thwhat
?Theki
ngi
sneversi
ck.
"
Sasa:"Iuhm...
wearen'tsureyet
.Weawai
tan
updatefrom DrBi
yela.He'satt
endi
ngt
ohim.
"
Nolwazi:"
Youdidthis?Yourfat
herwouldneverj
ust
besickMehluli
,whatdidyoudo? "Honest
ly,
I
couldn'
tevenanswerher.Idon'
tknowwhatIwas
thi
nkingcominghere.
Nobant
u:"
Wel
l?Speak!
!"
Nkosi
:"Wehadadi
sagr
eement
."
Nol
wazi
:"Aboutwhat
!!
"Il
ookedatSasa.
Nkosi
:"Not
hingwecan'
tsor
tout
,Mot
her
."
Nolwazi
:"Youwanttokil
lhim, don'
tyou?Eversi
nce
thi
ss.l
utcameint
oyourl i
fe,you'vebeendeadset
onoverpoweri
ngyourfat
her!!"
Nkosi
:"Don'
tcal
lmywi
fet
hat
."Thembi
sahel
dme
back.
Sasa:"
Let
'sgo.Now.
"Shel
edmeout
.
Nolwazi
:"You'
reweakMehluli
!!
!Yourf
atherwas
ri
ghtaboutthi
sstupi
dlove!
!Youhavegiventhe
thr
onetoaw. hor
ethatwil
ldest
royusall
."She
screamed.
Sasa:" Keepyourt hought sblank.Pur e.We'r
e
wal ki
ngout .Focus.Br eath.Breath."Sheheldmy
hand, havingtodr agmeouti ntothecar .Mywhol e
bodywast r
embl i
ng." Dr
ive!!
"Theguar dstar
tedthe
carandpul l
edawayi mmedi atel
y." Lookatme..
breath."Ibreathed,lookingintohereyes.The
bli
ndingr agesubsi ding,herfacer efocused.My
wife."There..
."Shehuggedme." Weneedt oleave
thevill
a,we' r
egoingt otakewhatweneedandgot o
ourownhouse.Idon' ttrustyourfami lytonotcome
afterusandweneedt okeept hisatbay. "
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Me:"We'r
egoingt
obeokay.You'regoingt
obef i
ne,
okay?Justl
etmein.
"Inodded.Feel
ingasoftki
ss
onmycheek.Myangerquickl
ymel t
ingaway.
War
mth.Love.Ihel
dherbodyt
ightont
opofme.
Nkosi
:"Pl
easedon'
tleaveme.
"
Sasa:"
Noteveni
ndeat
h,myl
ove.
"..
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Theweat herhaddr asti

call
ybegunt ochange
outside.Todaywast hedayIwassupposedt ol eave
wit
hmybr other'sforvacation.Wecan' treali
sticall
y
getaf ullweek.I '
dpr obablygocr azy.Sowe' d
sett
ledonl eavingFr i
dayaf t
ernooncomi ngback
Mondayaf ternoon.Thi swayweonl ymi ssoneday
ofwor k.Iwaswai t
ingonZwe, hehadgonet ot he
hospitalforal astcheckup.Mnqobiwasathi s
housewi t
ht hegi rl
sandchi ldren.Idon'tknowabout
thi
sweat herhey?Maybei t
'sjustMount ainPeak?
Ourvacat ionwasonapr i
vatei sl
andthatonl yZwe
knewof .Whathedescr ibedseemedexci ti
ng, nol i
e.
Theact ivit
iesout doorswassomet hi
ngt ol ook
for
war dt o.Itri
eddi ali
nghisnumber ,itwasof f.He
mustbebusy.Iwal kedintothepal ace.
Si
bo:"
Mama.
"
Queen:"
Lounge.
"Iwalkedtothel
ounge.Shesat
t
herewit
hmyf at
her,
wat chi
ngTV."Hel
lo.
"
Si
bo:"
Goodaf
ter
noonpar
ent
s."
Ki
ng:
"Whatgotyoui
nagoodmood?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m goi
ngonvacat
ion.
"
Queen:"
Int
hisweat
herbaby?
"
Si
bo:"I
'
m surei
t'
snotseri
ousmama,
wecanmake
i
toutofher
ebeforei
tstor
ms."
King:
"Aslongasyou'
resaf
eSi
bonel
o.Wher
ear
e
youbrot
hers?"
Sibo:"Zwei
satthehospi
tal
.MnqobiandKhayaare
withtheki
ds.
"Aclapofthunderhi
tthesky."
You
cannotbeseri
ous.
"
Ki
ng:"
Perhapsyoushouldpostpone.Thisdoesn'
t
l
ookgood."Rightt
hen,
therai
nspour ed.Gr
eat.Just
gr
eat
.WillIevercat
chabreak?
Sibo:"Okay.Idon'
tmindpost
poni
ng.I
twon'trai
n
fortherestofmylif
e.Icanfi
ndsomet
hingelseto
do.
"
King:"
Let'splayagameofchess.Wehaven' tdone
thati
nawhi l
e."Icannotbel
ievemyFr i
daysare
spentplayinggameswi thmypar ent
slikeI
'ma
toddl
er.
Si
bo:"
CanIgetadr
ink?
"
Queen:" No.
"Ihaven'tbeenal lowedadrinkina
weekt oo.Li
keachi ld.SinceMnqobibroughtme
backdr unkfr
om t heclub,I'
vebeenbanned.Yes, by
myownpar ents.Iwasl ookingforwar
dt othi
s
weekend.Isatdown, myf atherbri
ngi
ngoutt he
glasschessboar d."Sweethear t
,won'
tthekidsbe
saferhere?Theser ainsarescar y.
"
Sibo:"
They'
l
lbefi
nemama,
Mnqobi
'
shousei
s
secureandwar
m."
Queen:"
Imi
sst
hem.
"
Si
bo:"Okay,
I'
llaskMnqobitobr
ingthem fort
he
ni
ght.
"Isentamessaget oMnqobi.Myphoner ang
j
ustt
hen.Zwe, probabl
yseei
ngtheweather.
Si
bo:"
Brot
her
.Iseet
hest
orm,
wecanpost
pone.
"
Zwe:
"Notj
ustt
hat
.Ar
eyouhome?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes,
what
'swr
ong?
"
Zwe: "
Ijustlandedi nOceans.TheKi ngisi
nacoma,
don'tgasp."Igasped.Mypar entslookedatme.
"Okay,ifyourpar entsar
elooki
ngatyou.Tellt
hem
hehadast roke.Iwon'tbehomeanyt i
mesoon.
Thingsar ecrit
ical.Thi
sinf
ormationdoesnotleave
thethreeofyou. "
Si
bo:"
Okay.
"Hehungup.
Ki
ng:"
What'
swrong?Whathappened?"Ist
oodup
l
ooki
ngdownthepassagest
obesur enohelper
wascomi
ngthi
sway.
Si
bo:"TheKi
ngisinacoma,
appar
ent
lyhehada
st
roke.
"Iwhi
spered.
Queen:"
OhmyGod!
"
Si
bo:"
Wehavet
okeept
hist
oour
sel
ves.Fornow.
"
Ki
ng: "
Thisi
ster
ri
ble.Nowondert
heweat
her,oh
DearGod.Thisi
showi twaswhenKi
ngNgidumise
l
eftus."
Si
bo:"
Wecan'
tthi
nkl
iket
hatBaba.Zweal
ready
saysthi
ngsarecrit
ical.Let'
shaveabi tofhope.
"My
heartwasraci
ng.Thenat i
onwasnotr eadyfort
his.
Thingswil
lfal
lapart.We'resti
llbui
ldi
ngfrom t
he
fewweeksoflockdown, anot
hershutdownwoul d
crushus.
Ki
ng:
"Whatdowedo,
int
hemeanwhi
le.
"
Sibo:"
Ihat
ehavingtoplanfortheworstbut
perhapsweshould.Agai
n,onlyamongus.Noteven
theyoungpri
ncesmustf i
ndthisoutyet
."
King:"Okay.Let '
splanast atement .Incasebyt he
evening, t
hecount r
yneedst obei nf ormed.Then
takeitfrom there.
"Inodded, fetchingmyl aptop.
HowwasNkosi doi
ngt hrought his?Fuck.I twas
mont hsf r
om hisowncor onation.Whowoul dcrown
him?Hast hathappenedbef ore?Myst r
esscame
backt enfold.Woulditbei nsensitivet ocontacthim?
Maybel etmer eachMt hunziandj ustaskif
everythi
ngi sokayori fthere'
sanyt hingIcanhel p
with.Isatbackdownwi thmyl apt opanddi aledhis
number .
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Hey,
uhm.
.isever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Mthunzi
:"Notr
eall
y.Thekingi
sinhospi
tal
.Ther
e's
noupdateonhiscondit
ionyet
."
Si
bo:"
WhatcanIdo?
"
Mthunzi
:"Fornow?Pl easeguardtheint
ernet
.We
don'
tneedal eaktoratt
lethenati
on.Surel
ybynow,
someonecoul dhavesaidsomethingorspott
edhi
m
atOceans."
Sibo:"Okay.I
'l
lputat
agonthenet
wor
ktowat
ch
throughtheinfor
mati
onbei
ngshar
ed.
"
Mthunzi
:"Thanks.Ohandifanyoneasksyouwhere
Nkosi
nhleorThembisais,
youdon'tknow.Atal
l.
"
Sibo:"Oh.Okay.
"Hehungup.Thatwouldn'
tbeali
e,
Ididn'
tknowwher etheywerebutwhywasthei
r
l
ocat i
onsuddenlyasecret?OhmyGod.Didhedo
thi
s?Di dNkosiki
llhi
sfather
?
[
07/
27,
06:
14] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er112

SI
BONELO'
SPOV

Theweat herhadgonef rom badt owor sewi thint he

hour.Thei nter
netwasabuzz.Rumor shadst ar t
ed
tospar k.I'
dalreadytakedownandper manent ly
bannedt heaccountt hatstar tedit
.AHel i
copt erand
hospitalshutdownwasat ellsignt hatar oyalwas
hurt
.I twasonl ysti
llar umort houghbecause
Oceanswasbeyondpr ivatehospi tal.Itwas
specificall
yforonlyroyal sandpeopl eweassi gn
underus.Mnqobiwal kedi nt hehouse, thekids
walkingwi thhim.Khayaf ollowedi ncar ryi
ngt he
baby, coveredinherpi nkbl anket.Hehandedher
overtomymom.Mi lesr anupt ome.
Si
bo:"
Hel
lomyl
it
tl
epr
ince.
"
Mil
es:"
Hel
loGrandpa,
hel
logr
andmama.Hel
lo
Uncl
eBobo."
Ki
ng:
"Hel
lomysweetboy.
"
Mil
es:"
Lookatmyboot
s."Heshowedmehi
sgr
een
boot
s.
Si
bo:"
Thosearet
hesnazzi
estboot
sI'
veeverseen.
Doyouthi
nkIcangetapai
r?"
Mi
les:"
Youcanbor
rowmi
ne.
"
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hey'
l
lfi
tme.
"
Miles:"
Ialsohavematchingsocks.
"Thiswasa
tr
icktotakeoffhi
sshoessohecanr unaround.
Thiskidissopredi
ctabl
eitwascute.Ihelpedtake
offhisrai
nbootsandplacedhim onmyl ap.
Si
bo:"
Didyouhaveagoodday?
"
Mi
les:"
Idi
d.Iwentt
oschool
."
Si
bo:"
Real
ly?Whatdi
dyoudoatschool
?"
Miles:"
Wedi
dcoloursinabook.Thenhadanap
thenwehadoursnacks.Thet
eachergaveme
noodles.
"
Si
bo:"
Doyoul
ikenoodl
es?
"
Mi
les:"
No.
"
Sibo:"
Whatdoyouli
kesowecant
ellyourt
eacher
toprepar
eitf
oryou?
"
Mi
les:"
Ili
kemashpot
atoes.
"
Si
bo:"
Andwhatel
se.
"
Mi
les:"
Andchi
cken.
"
Sibo:"
Okay,
I'
llwri
teyourt
eacheranot
eokay?Mi
a
howwasschool ?
"
Mi
a:"
Itwasgr
eat
.Ihadsomuchf
un.
"
Si
bo:"
Didyoumakeanyf
ri
ends?
"
Mi
a:"
Idi
d.Jessi
caandTi
mot
hy.
"
Si
bo:"
Timot
hyi
saboy?
"
Mia:"YesUncleBobo."Shezi
ppedoffherboot
s,
str
ugglingthem of
fonthefl
oor.Mnqobiwasn'
t
helpi
ngt hepoorbaby.
Si
bo:"
Tel
lhi
mI'
m wat
chi
nghi
m.Hawkeyes.
"
Ki
ng:
"Si
bonel
o!He'
sa5yearol
d.Mi
a,comeher
e
l
etmehel
pyou."
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tcar
ehowol
dhei
s.Mnqobi
,havet
hey
eat
en?
"
Mnqobi
:"Ihavenocl
ue.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatdi
dthei
rmot
hersay?
"
Mnqobi
:"Khaya?
"
Khaya:"Hm?"Aretheyhi
gh?Howdot heyleavewi
th
chil
drenandhearnoinst
ruct
ionfr
om t
heirmother
?
Itookoutmyphonecalli
ngSizani
.
Si
za:"
Pri
nceBi
yel
a."
Sibo:"
Hi.Havetheki
dseaten?MnqobiandKhaya
havenoidea."Shel
aughed.
Khaya:"
Iwasf
ocusedoncar
ryi
ngt
hebaby.
"
Si
bo:"
You'
real
iar
."Hel
aughed.
Siza:"
Thekidsatewhentheycamehomef r
om
school.Theyonl
yneedasnacknow.Pl easeguar
d
Mi l
es,
he'snotal
lowedl
iqui
dsfrom t
hishour.He'
s
pottyt
raini
ng.
"
Sibo:"
Iremember
.Al
ri
ghtSi
za.Whatar
eyouguys
doingther
e?"
Si
za:"
We'
repl
anni
ngZi
mmy'
snewpr
oject
.
Hopeful
lytomor
rowdoesn' tr
ainthi
sbadly.Peopl
e
t
endt oshyawayfrom goingoutsi
deinthis
weather
."Myint
erestpiqued.
Si
bo:"
Proj
ect
?Whati
sthepr
oject
?"
Si
za:"
Uhm.
..Ishoul
dn'
thavesai
danyt
hing.
"
Si
bo:"
Hawu,
yinimanj
e?We'
ref
ri
ends.Tel
lme.
"
Si
za:"
It
'snotmypl
aceSi
bonel
o.Ican'
tdot
hat
."
Si
bo:"
Okayf
ine.Iunder
stand.Havef
unke.
"
Siza:"Thankyou, bye."Ihungup.Whatpr ojectwas
this?I'
dst ayedawayf rom herpageal lweek
specifical l
ybecauseIf oundoutMel owast aking
hertosomedi ngyspoti nt hetownshi
pf oradat e.I
didn'twantt oknowi fshewentanddef initelydidn't
wantt oknowi fsheenj oyedi t
.IhadbannedZwe
from tellingmeanyt hingr elat
edtoMel okuhl e.I
didn'twantt ohearit.Mileswasnowi nt erestedi n
myl apt opsoIneededt ofindawayt odi stracthim
andwor k.Igotup,takinghi mtothekitchen.
Sibo:"
Dowewantbi
scui
tsf
orasnack?Orcheese
puffs?
"
Miles:"Cheesepuff
spl
ease.
"Ipickedupapacket
forhim andthetwoopt
ionsforMiatochoosegoi
ng
backt othelounge.
Mnqobi
:"Sot
her
e'st
alks,
aboutar
oyali
nhospi
tal
.
Whoisi
t?"
Si
bo:"
Coul
dbeanyoner
eal
ly-
"
Mnqobi:"No,BhutSbo.ThisisOceans.Weandthe
Si
khosana'saretheonlyroyal
s.I
sitoneofthe
pr
incesses?I
si tt
heKing?ThePr i
nce??"
Si
bo:"
We'
renotsur
eofanyt
hingyet
."
Mnqobi:"
Sbo,t
hecountr
yisal
readyi
npani
catt
he
pr
ospectofanot
hershut
down.
"
Sibo:"MnqobiIknowasmuchasyoudo. "Igavemy
phonet oMil
esonl ockandopenedhi
schi ps.Hesat
quietl
ynexttome." Mi
a,doyouwantbiscuitsor
chips?"
Mia:"CanIpl easehavebiscui
ts?"Ihandedhert he
packet,goingbacktositdown.It ookmyl aptop
onceagai n,worki
ng.Ahal fvi
brat
ionkeptgoi ngoff
nexttome.Il ookedatMiles.Hewaswat chinghis
show.Myphoner
ang.Thi
schi
ldswi
peddecl
ine.
Sibo:"HewenaMil
esmf an'omncane!
"Mnqobif
ell
overlaughi
ng.Iwasn'
tevenint
erest
edin
remember i
nghisl
astnameatt hi
smoment,why
washedecl i
ningmycalls?
Mi
les:"
It
'smyscr
eent
ime.
"
Sibo:"
Iwon'
tdi
stur
byourscr
eent
ime,
Ijustwantt
o
answermyworkcall
."
Mi
les:"
No.You'
regoi
ngt
oleave.
"
Sibo:"I
'
m notgoinganywhere,Ipr
omise.Letme
answert hephone.
"Zwewoul d'
vespi
ll
edovertomy
fatheri
fhecan'tgethol
dofme.Icheckedt he
number .Notsavedandnotsurewhoitcouldbe.I
dialedi
tback.
Si
bo:"
Sibonel
oBi
yel
a?"
Call
er:"
Heyyou.
"Mi
leswasr
ightbydecl
ini
ng.I
hungup.
Sibo:"
Keephangi
ngup, mntanam.Watchyour
show.Bayahl
anyalaba.
"(Theseonesarecr
azy.
)I
l
ookedbackonmyl aptop.Goingt
hroughmyemail
s.
Zimmyhadonl yupdat edmeonourbusi nesstwi ce
andsentherr eportinthemor ningt oday.Not hing
aboutapr oject.Iwentovert oherpage, Ijustneed
toseewhati tis.I'
m notst alkingbutIcoul dn't
i
gnor ethenewpi ctures.Shel ookedbeaut if
uland
happyi nal loft hem,smi l
ing.Itwasnol ongera
partygirlpagej ustgorgeous, happywoman.Was
shechangi ngheri magebecauseofMel o?So
quickly?Noways.If ocusedont hepost erbefor eI
startedtolosemymi ndagai n.Shewaspl anninga
women' st alk?Forwhat ?Thepost eronlyinvit
ed
woment oachur ch,offeringat alk.That'sit
.Was
thisreall
yaboutheri nterestinchur chorshewas
takingMel okuhl eseriousl y?He' sobvi ouslyapr et t
y
respectedguybutshewoul dn'tqui ckl
yf al
lforhim
i
naweek?Shebar el
yknewhi m.
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eBobo!
"Hewhi
ned.
Sibo:"Whatisit?
"Hehandedmet hephonet
ir
edof
swipingdecli
ning."
You'
redi
stur
bingmychil
d."I
answer ed.
Cal
ler
:"Thenst
opi
gnor
ingme,
maybe?
"
Si
bo:"
DoIknowyou?
"
Call
er:"
It'
sMegan.Savethenumber
.Ar
eyoubusy
toni
ght?"Whatthehel
lwasthi
snow?Ngiyal
ingwa
yini
?(am Ibei
ngtest
ed?)
Si
bo:"
Yes.St
opcal
li
ngme.
"
Megan:"
WhencanIseeyout
hen?
"
Sibo:"Megan,ngicelasingajwayelani.Asazani.
Pleasedon'ti
rri
tateme.St opcal
li
ngmyphone. "
(Pleasel
et'
snotdi srespecteachot her.Wedon't
knoweachot her.)Ihungupandst ar
edatt hephone.
Itrangagai
n.Thi sdemon.Whatwoul dIdowi ththi
s
now?Ideclinedandbl ockedthenumber ,
switching
myphonet oEmer gencymode.Onl ythreenumber s
couldreachit
.Myf ather,ZweandMt hunzi.What
psychopathdidIi nvi
teintomyl i
fe?Whatt hehell?

SASAPOV_

Oncewe'dr
eachedourhouse,It
ookNkosit
obed.
Heneededsomerest
.Ididn'
twanthi
m anymor
e
str
essedthanhewas.Iswi t
chedoffourphones
becauseonlyMt hunziknewwherewewer eandi f
wear eneededort here'
sanemergency,hewould
come.Thehousewassur r
oundedwithheavi
ly
armedguar ds.IhelpedNkosit
akeoffhiscl
othes,
l
eadinghimi ntobed.
Me:"Areyouhungr
ybaby?"Heshookhishead.I
gotinbedwit
hhim.Hecli
mbedont opofme,
rest
inghi
sheadonmyst omach."
Doyouwantt o
tal
k?"
Nkosi
:"Notr
eal
ly.
"
Me:" Okay.
"Ibrushedhi sheadwi t
hmyf i
ngersand
closedmyeyes.Ineededt obl
ockmyst r
essifI
want edhimtof ul
lyrelax.Myenergywoul dbe
heavy.SoIsang." Itstart
edoutinspringtime,
againstthegoldenskyl i
ne,youspoket omeatlast
.
Itstart
edoutintenselyandwi t
hitallmysenses
Ikneeew.I'
m sureIknew,TheonlyreasonGodgave
meeyeswast oseeyou.TheonlyreasonGodgave
meear swastohearyourvoice.Say,Iwil
lal
..
.Iwil
l
alwaysloveyou.Andwhent hewindgetscold,I
'
ll
wrapmyar msaroundyou. ..
"Heclosedhiseyes.
"Wesharedourdreams, endeavorsandmany
thi
ngs,wenevercouldtellasoulbefor
e.Isawyou
smilet
hroughthetearsthatfel
ltothefl
oor
I'
m sureIknew.Theonl yreasonGodgaveme
handswast oholdyou.Andhef i
nelyt
unedt he
drumsi nmyear sjustt
ohearyourvoice.Say, Iwi
ll
al.
..Iwil
lalwaysloveyou.Andwhent hewi ndgets
cold,I
'l
lbuil
daf i
retowarm yourhands,I'
l
lwr apmy
armsar oundyou."Hebreathedsteadi
lywitha
sli
ghtsnore.Perfect
.Icl
osedmyeyest orestmy
thoughtsaswel l
.

Iwalkeddownt hestai
rsinthepalace.Thebaby
wascr yi
ngsomewher einthelounge.Iwalkedi
n,
Ngidumisesatther
estaringatnothing.Ist
oodover
thebabycri
b,looki
ngatmybeaut i
fulbabyboy.
Me:"Mybeauti
full
it
tl
ePrince.Hello."Hest opped
cr
yingandstar
edatme."What '
st hemat terbaby?"I
br
ushedhisbeauti
fulsmoothskin, hisorangeeyes
st
aringupatme."Mommyi sri
ghther e.Iloveyou
somuch.Let '
sgetyouchangedsoIcansoot hyou
tosleep.Okay?I '
l
lber i
ghtback."Il ookedat
Ngidumi se.Sti
llunaffected.Seeingnot hi
ng.
Hearingnot hi
ng.Iwal kedovert ohi m, kneeli
ng
besidehischair ."MyKi ng,I
'm st
illherei nspir
it.
Pleasehol dourchi l
d."Freshtearsr oll
eddownhi s
face.Myhear ttor eatthesightofhi shear tbr
eak.
"Myl oveI'
m beggi ng.Pleaseholdourchi l
d.Please
Nkosiyam enhl e."Hegotup, walkingout .
Ngidumi se:"Someonechanget hatchi l
d!"He
ordered, di
sappear i
ngupt hestai r
st ohisroom.I
walkedovert omybabyandwat chedoverhi m as
thehel percamei n.Shet ookhim upt othenursery
andchangedhi sdi aper.Shedi dn'tsingf orhim.She
didn'teventrytocuddl ehim.Evenasshef edhim,
helayonhi spill
ow, nothel dinwar m ar
ms.Mysoul
wasbr eaki
ng.Whywasmysonbei ngtreatedso
horribl
y?Hewasapr ince,achildl ovedbyhi s
mot herandf ather.Whywashi sf atherdoingthisto
him?Tous?Af terbur pi
nghi m, hewaspl acedinhis
cotandamusi calboxpl ayedf orhi m beforeshe
walkedout .Iturnedi toff,bendingovermybaby' s
cr
ib.Hest
aredupatmei
nwonder
.
Me:" I'
m yourmommy, myl itt
lePr i
nce.Imaynotbe
l
ivingi nyourwor ldbutIl oveyousomuch.Iwi l
lbe
hereever yst epoft heway.You' r
enotal onebaby.
Mommyi sher e."Iki ssedhi sf orehead.Her eached
upt oholdmyf ace, smi l
ing."YouknowwhoIam,
don'tyou?You' resmi ling,baby. "Hegi ggl ed." Do
youwantmet osi ngf oryou?Okay.Let '
st hinkofa
tunet hatyouwoul dl i
ke.Whatwoul danar t
istic,
creative,l
ovingl ittleboywantt olistent o? "He
giggled."Starry, star ryni ght,Flami ngf lower st hat
brightlybl
aze.Swi r
lingcl oudsi nvi olethaze, Ref lect
i
nVi ncent '
seyesofchi nabl ue, Col orschangi nghue.
Mor ningfieldsofambergr ain, Weat heredf aces
l
inedi npai n,Ar esoot hedbeneat ht hear ti
st'sl oving
hand.Oh, nowIunder stand, Whatyout riedt osayt o
me.Howyousuf feredf oryoursani t
y.Howyout ried
tosett hem free.Theywoul dnotl isten, theydi dnot
knowhow.Per hapst hey'lll
istennow. .
."Isang.He
bitonhi sfist,l
ist eni ngi ntently."Doyouknowt his
songwaswr i
tt
enf orVi ncentVanGoghi nr efer ence
ofhis1889pai ntingcal l
edt heSt arryNi ght ?Hewas
anar t
ist.Onewho' swor kisofhi ghval uebutsad
thingi s,hediedpooranddepr essed.Heneversol d
whi lehewasal ivebuthiswor kbecamef amous
afterhedi ed.Suchani njusticet othewor l
dwel i
ve
i
n.Whi chiswhywesay, givepeopl et heirfl
owers
whi letheyst i
lll
ive.Whatyoudoi nli
fe,myson,
alwaysappr eciatethewor kofot hers.Whet her
physi callabourorsi mplythei rtime.Iseeanar t
isti
c
per soni nyou.Youar esof ullofcolour .Youare
alreadydest inedt obegr eat,inyourpat hleave
room t oappr eciatebeautyasyougo.I t
'stimeto
sleepmyl i
tt
lebaby."Heyawned, st
retchinghislit
tl
e
body.Isangsof tl
yunt i
lhef ellasleep.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Iwokeupf rom t
henapI'dsuddenlyf
all
eninto.
Thembisa'sembracewasmagi calwhenitcameto
myst r
ess.Igotupfrom her
,caref
ulnott
owakeher
up.Icoveredherbodywiththethi
ckwhitefl
eece
andwal kedoutt
heroom tothekit
chen.I
twasdar k,
soIswit
chedthel
ighti
nthekitchenon.Theki
tchen
cl
ocksaysit'
s20:
26pm.Itookmyphone, swit
ching
i
tonthendial
ingf
orMthunzi.
Mthunzi
:"MyPri
nce.
"Atl
eastIwasst
il
laPr
ince,
nott
hatitmat
ter
ed.
Nkosi
:"Hi
.Howar
eyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Blank.Idon'
tfeelanyt
hing.That'
snot
nor
mal,isit?Idon'
tfeelbadforwhatI'vedone.
"
Mthunzi:"
Hepr ovokedyou.Yes,youact
ed
i
rrat
ionall
ybutthisisanewabi l
it
yandaswi t
hall
yourabil
it
ies,
theykindofjustspri
ngupwhenyou
l
eastexpectthem andyoucan'tcontr
olthem.You
can'
tbebl amedforthat
.Howi sThembisa?"
Nkosi:"
Per
fect.She'
sheavi
lyst
ressedbutst
il
l
makingsur
eI '
mf i
ne.
"
Mthunzi
:"That'
sgood.Zwecall
edaboutanhour
ago.Yourfat
herisst
ablebutst
il
linacoma.
"
Nkosi
:"Doeshet
hinkhe'
l
lsur
vive?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Hesai
dit
'sst
il
lear
lyt
otel
lbuthe'
s
st
ayi
ngposi
ti
ve.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"
Mthunzi
:"Getsomer estNkosi.I'
l
lhandleeveryt
hing
el
se.There'
sfoodinthehouseI 'dbroughtinwhile
you'
dgonet othevil
laforyourthings,I
'l
ldel
iver
moretomorrow.Taket hi
stimetoj ustspendwith
yourwif
eanddon' tworryaboutanyt hi
ng.Okay?"
Nkosi
:"Okay.We'l
ltal
kt omorr
ow."Ihungup.
Thembisawalkedintothekit
chen."Hey.
."
Sasa:"Hibaby."Shehuggedme.Ihel dherinmy
arms,gratefult
ostillhaveher.She'sallIneedand
everwil
lneed."Youhaven' teaten.Letmecook
somethingforyou, baby."Sheletgoofme, openi
ng
thefr
idge."Ievenbakedyouacaket odaybutwe
for
gotitatthevill
a."
Nkosi
:"Real
ly?Mt
hunzimustbr
ingmemycake
t
omorrow."
Sasa:"Whatdoyouwantt oeat?There'
slamb
shanks,seafood,
aful
lchicken,
doyouhaveany
prefer
ence?"Iwasn'
thungrybutI'
dletmywoman
takecareofme.
Nkosi
:"wecanhavet
hel
ambshanks.
"
Sasa:"
Okay,
let
'scheckt
heveget
abl
es.
"
Nkosi
:"WhatcanIhel
pwi
th?
"
Sasa:"Youcanputtoget
hert
hetel
evi
sionand
connectitbaby.SowecanwatchamoviewhenI
'
m
done."
Nkosi
:"Iwoul
dn'
tevenknowwher
etobegi
n."
Sasa:"Youcanbuildf
uturi
sti
ctechnology
uni
versit
iesbutcan'
tputtoget
heraTV?Pl ease
st
handwasam, haveabitofshame."Ilaughed.
Nkosi
:"I
'
veneverhadt
obui
ldawhol
eTVbaby.
"
Sasa:"There'
saninstr
ucti
onbookleti
nthebox
l
ove."IwentovertotheloungeareawheretheTV
wasstilli
nitsbox."
Pleasedon'
tteart
heboxapart.
"
Ichuckled.Maybesheknowsmet oowell
.I
caref
ullyopenedthebox,pul
li
ngouttheTV.
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sal
readyputt
oget
her
."
Sasa:"
Noi
tisn'
tlove.I
sther
eamountont
hewal
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Sasa:"Youneedt oputitont here.I tholdstheTVon
thewall.
"Reall
y?I'veneverbeeni nterestedin
l
earningaboutdecor at
ingahouseorput ti
ngstuff
upsoInevert houghtofhowt heTVmount sonthe
wall
.Ilookedatthebackoft heTV, discoveri
ng
whereeachplacementgoesandconnect editonthe
mount ,
screwingitin.I
theldt heTV, fi
rmlywithno
thr
eattobreak.Ipluggeditin, switchingiton."Are
youdoingokayt herebaby?You' r
eabi tquiet
."
Nkosi:"
Yes.It
'
smount ed.I'
mtryi
ngtoconnectitt
o
theint
ernet
.Wait
,Idon'tknowifwehaveinter
net.
"
Thishousewasbarelylivedi
n,whywouldithave
i
nternet
?Icall
edMthunzi .
Mt
hunzi
:"Yesmypr
ince.
"Heanswer
ed.
Nkosi
:"DoIhavei
nter
net
?"
Mthunzi
:"Yes,
ther
e'sfi
bre.I
t'
sinthecorneroft
he
l
oungejustswit
chiton.I
t'sal
readybeen
connect
ed."
Nkosi:"
Oh,goti
t.
"Ihungupandswitchedi
ton.
Immediatel
yfi
ri
nguptheint
ernet
.Iwentbacktothe
kit
chen,Thembi
sawaschoppingtheveget
ables.
Nkosi
:"I
'
mfi
nished.
"
Sasa:"
Thankyoul
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"WhatcanIhel
pyouwi
th?
"
Sasa:"Okay,Iseeyou'
redet erminedtobebusywi t
h
me.Pl easeputsomewat erinamedi um si
zedpot.
"
Ilookedthroughthecupboar d,t
akingouttwopots.
Theybot hlookedmedium sizedbutwhi chonewas
mor emedium?Ther ehadt obeameasur ement.
"Anyoneoft hosetwo,love.Bothar eperf
ect.
"Iput
oneaway, fil
li
ngtheot
herwi thwat er.
Nkosi
:"Howmuchwat
er?
"
Sasa:"Halft
hepotbaby."Icl
osedthet ap,bringi
ng
thepottoher."Pl
easeplacethepotatoesinside.
"I
tooktherawchoppedpot at
oes,putt
ingthem i nt
he
water."
Youcanswi tchonthestove,putti
ngi ton
medium heatthenplacethepotonittoboi l
."I
l
ookedatt hestove.
Nkosi
:"I
tdoesn'
thavebut
tons.
"
Sasa:"
It
'sel
ect
ri
c,l
ove.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notsur
ewhatt
hatmeans.
"Shegi
ggl
ed,
wal
kingovert
othest
ove.
Sasa:"Thisistheonbut t
on, i
tjustneedsyourfi
nger
ti
p,thenpr essthekeyli
kebut t
ont ounlockt
he
stove,thenyoupr esst
hisdott oswitchontheplat
e,
thenthisplussignt oi
ncreasetheheat .
"Iwat
ched
hercli
ckont hefl
atsurf
aceandt heplat
ewarmed
up,Iplacedmypot .
Nkosi
:"Lastt
imeIusedast
ove,
ithadknobs.
"
Sasa:"Alotofmodernhouseshavebecomeel ect
ri
c.
Il
ikeitforsafet
y,buti
t'
snoteconomi c.Knob
st
ovesar enotnecessaril
ydif
fi
cultt
of i
ndbutthey
areabitunfashionabl
e."Shegiggl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'sf
ashi
oni
ntheki
tchen?
"
Sasa:"Likeyouwoul dn'
tbeli
eve.Interi
ordesignis
veryseriousbaby.Thisisamoder nkitchen,
probablydonei nthepastyearortwo. "Iwasn'ta
ki
tchenper son,I'
veneverhadtobei naki t
chen
exceptforthet i
meIwentt ofet
chf ruitfor
Thembi sa.Thelastti
meIsawt hevill
aki t
chenwas
wheni twasj ustcomplet
ed.
Nkosi
:"What
'snext
?"
Sasa:"Themeatisspi cedandgoingintheoven.I'
ll
maket hesauce.Allyouhavet odoisboilt
he
broccoliandcaul
if
lowerblend.Notfort
ool ong
becausei t
'sni
cecrunchy.Pleasegetasmal lsi
zed
pot.
"
Nkosi:"Okay."Itookoutthr
eesmal lpot
s, put
ti
ng
awayt wo.Thisoneshoul dbef i
ne.Ipouredhalf
waterinthepotandswi t
chedont hesmal lpl
ateon
thestove.Iplacedthebroccoliandcauli
flowerin
the.Placedthepotont hestove.
Sasa:"
Att
hisr
ate,
you'
l
lbecooki
ngf
ormei
nno
ti
me."
Nkosi
:"You'
reanamazi
ngt
eacher
."Ihuggedher
.

Ourdi nnerwasreadyandThembi sawasdi shi

ngup.
Shet ooksomuchcar einscoopingt hecreamy
mashedpot at
ofrom t hepot,pl
acingi tontheplate.
Shegent lyscoopedt hebroccoliandcaul i
fl
ower ,
placi
ngi taswellthenspr i
nkli
ngbl ackpepperand
saltonit.Sheplacedt helamb,thenpour edt he
mushr oom saucesl owlyandsexi l
y.Iwassuddenl y
hungr
y.Howdi
dshedot
hat
?
Sasa:"Ourf
oodisreadylove.Whatwoul
dyoul
ike
todri
nk?"Sheopenedthefri
dge.
Nkosi
:"You.
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Sasa:"I
'm ser
iouslove,
there'
sjuiceandbeer .Why
beer?I'
veneverseenyout ouchit."Inoti
cedhow
she'
davoidedt hewinecompl et
ely.Itobvi
ously
remindedherofhim.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llhaveabeer
."Shel
ookedatme.
Sasa:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Let
'sdr
inkbeer
."Shel
aughed.
Sasa:"You'r
eonyourownt heresthandwasam.I
am havingaj ui
ce.
"Shebr oughtthetwobever ages.
Itookourplatestothetableandwesatdown.Iwas
reall
yhungry,unabl
etowai tanylongersoIwol fed
downmyf ood.Everyt
hingtastedsoper f
ect.I
wasn'tsurehowt oeatitandhadabi t
eeachatt he
samet i
me.I twasonlymi nut
esthatI'dwipedmy
platecl
ean.Iwasn'tevenembar rassed.Ihadn't
eatenalldayandthistastedgood.
Sasa:"
Woul
dyoul
ikesomemor
ebaby?
"
Nkosi:"Yesplease.
"Perhapscooki
ngt hemealwith
herhadopenedupmyappet i
tebutIcan'tdenyt
his
tast
esamazi ng.Shebroughtmebackasecond
plat
e,thatIatemoreli
keapr i
nce.
Sasa:"SoIhadanot herdr eam."Thi
siswhyt he
absentthoughts.Herener gyhadbeenconf using
si
ncewewokeup, Ithoughtshewasst i
llhurtfrom
whathappenedt hisaf t
ernoon.Shehadwai tedunti
l
Ifi
nishedeati
ngt otellmet hi
s.
Nkosi
:"Aboutt
hepast
?"
Sasa:"Yes."Shetookasipofherjuice."Thi
sti
meit
wasafterMam Nonkosi'sdeath.Ithinkabout4or
somont hs.Iwasherspiri
t.Ki
ngNgi dumi sewas
ful
lyneglecti
ngthebab-yourfat
her .
KingSi zwewouldcr yunatt
endedt of orhourswhile
hisfathersatnexttohim.Noonewasal lowedt o
touchhi m unl
essorderedtochangehi m.Nonkosi ,
comf ortedthebaby.Asaspi ri
t.Thebabywoul dsee
her,shewoul dsingforhim andtellhim beauti
ful
stori
esaboutar t
ist
sandt heirart.I
'vebeen
obsessedwi ththissongf oroverweek, repeatingit
allday.Isangit,withoutt
hought ,
asi t
'sthef i
rst
songt hatcamet omi ndwhenIwast ryingt okeep
him awake.It'
sthesongsheusedt osingf orhi m as
ababy.Iknowt hesongi sreall
yold,butt hisis
so...
.st
range.
"Thi sisprobablywhymyf atherwas
soobsessedwi t
har ti
str
y.Hecol l
ectedar tandwas
sopr oudtoshowi toff
,notforget
ti
ngt opayi nfull
forit
.Theonl ypersonalcharit
yhehadapar tfrom
theThr onewasanar tgal
leryforunderpr i
vil
eged
arti
sts.Itwasincredibl
ysuccessful.
Nkosi
:"Sowhathappened?Ifhegr
ewupseeing
Mam Nonkosi
'sspi
ri
t,howisitt
hatheknowsnotof
l
ove?"
Sasa:"
Idon'tknowi
fhegrewupseeingi
t,l
ove.He
wasafourmont hol
dbabyinthi
sdream.Also,she
wasaspiri
t.Nothumanorseenbyanyother.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkIwaswr
ong?
"
Sasa:"
Wronghow?
"
Nkosi
:"Byt
hinki
ngmyfat
heri
sinlovewithyou?
Whatifhewasseei
nghi
smotheragain?
"
Sasa:" Youwer en'twrongNkosi .Yourf atheronl y
everaddr essedmeasThembi sa.Hewasn' tseeing
hismot her.Ithink,yourfatherdoesn'tknowhowt o
diff
erent i
atel ove.He'sneverknownl ovei nitspure
form.Heknowsi taseitherbloodrelation,whi chis
familialorr omant i
c,li
kewi thhiswives.Hedoesn' t
under standt hathecanl ovesomeonewhoi snotof
hisbloodwi t
houtr omance.He' sonlyeverdonet hat,
withhi swi ves.Anyoneel sehel oves,ar ehis
chil
dr en,hisbl ood.Hedoesn' tknowwher etof i
tme
i
n.Wedon' tknowwhathei sorwast hinking
thereforecannotassumebutt hisi
st hebestguessI
havesof ar .
"Sot hisiswhat '
shappeni ngi nthat
prettyhead.Sol vi
ngmyl i
feandf amilyasusual .
Nkosi
:"DoyouknowhowmuchIl
oveyou?
"
Sasa:"
Unf or
tunat
ely,
Ido."Shegi
ggled,
gett
ingup.
"Let
'sl
aydownandwat chamovie.Weneedt o
proper
lyrest
,taki
ngourmi ndof
fthi
ngs.Haveyou
heardfr
om Zwe? "
Nkosi:"
No,Mt hunziheardfr
om him.Hesayshe's
stabl
ebutstil
linacoma. "Shenodded,col
lect
ing
theplat
estaki
ngt hem totheki
tchen.
Sasa:"
Canyoupl
easef
etcht
hef
leecebaby?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m hotenoughmyl
ove.Don'
twor
ry.
"She
l
aughed.
Sasa:"Youcan'tbur
nmycouchesNkosi nhle,
please.Il
ovethem."Ichuckled,goi
ngtopickupthe
fl
eecei nt
hebedroom.Icamebackt othelounge,
settl
ingonourcouch,herlayingontopofme.

Nar
rat
ed*
*

Amahlesatont hechairnextt
oherf
ather
'sbed,
hol
dinghishand.Atleasthispai
nwasnumbedand
hewasst i
llal
ive.Zwewalkedint
heroom,standi
ng
ontheothersideofthebed.
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
Ama:"
Hi.
"
Zwe:"Hi
stestresul
tsarebackfrom t
hisaf
ter
noon,
hewasbleedingint
ernal
ly.He'
sstabl
enowbutI
don'
tknowwhatt henextfewdaysholdforhi
m."
Shepull
eduphersleeve.
Ama:"He'sgoi
ngtosurvi
veifyouusemyblood.
BetweenNkosiandI
,I'
mt heonewitht
heheali
ng
proper
ti
es."
Zwe:"
Willt
hisbesaf
eforyou?Amahl
eyouwer
e
shotj
ustafewweeksago."
Ama:"Thisi
ssafeforme.Andhim.Ther
e'snoti
me
towaste.
"Hesighed,l
eadi
nghertot
heprivat
e
sect
ion.Shesatonthechai
r.
Zwe: "
Pleaset
akeoffyourtop,
Idon'twantanythi
ng
torest
rictt
heblood.
"Shetookoffhertop,
extendi
ng
herarm.
Zwe:
"Howl
ong?
"Het
ouchedt
hescar
sonherar
m.
Ama:"
Howl
ongwhat
?"
Zwe:"
Howlonghasi
tbeensi
nceyou'
vest
opped
sel
fhar
ming?"
Ama:"Year
s.Thescar swoul dreopenthemselves
evenaft
erIstopped.Itonlyproperl
yhealedafter
Thembisatookmet ot hemount ai
n."Hecleanedher
ski
n,pr
eparingtoinserttheneedleinhervein.
Zwe:
"That
'sgood.Thatyoust
opped.You'
vesaved
l
ives.
"
Ama:"
Nott
hatmany.Onl
ythoseal
ignedwi
thmi
ne.
"
Zwe:"Anyli
fesavedisimportant
."Hesmiled,
i
nsert
ingtheneedle,l
ett
ingtheblooddrawfrom her
.
Oncetheextract
ionwasdone, heremovedit
appl
yingabandai donher.
Ama:"
That
'sawast
e."
Zwe:"Habi
t.
"Hechuckled."
Imanagedtocleanout
thepool
edbloodandstopmostofthebleedi
ng.I
don'
tknowifther
e'smoreIcando.Myonlyhopeis
i
nyourblood,Amahle.
"
Ama:"
Itwi
llwor
k,t
rustme.Doi
tnow.
"Thequeens
wal
kedint
heroom.
Nobant
u:"
Howi
smyhusband?
"
Zwe:"Goodeveni ng,myqueens.He' sstable.He
hadinternalbleedingwe' vemanagedt ostabil
ise,
thesurgeryint heaf t
ernoonwassuccessf ul.I
'm
abouttot r
ansferbl oodintohim,tohelphim heal,
he'si
nshor tagef rom theloss.Youcanwai tinthe
pri
vateroom acr osst hehall,
I'
lll
etyouknowwhen
I
'
m done.
"
Nolwazi
:"I
'
m st
andingri
ghther
e.I
'
m notgoing
anywher
e."Zwenodded."Who'
sbl
oodisthat?
"
Zwe:
"It
'sAmahl
e'
s.
"
Nol
wazi:"
That
'sdangerous.Haveyouevent
est
edi
f
i
twil
lbeapropermatch."
Nobant
u:"
She'
shi
sdaught
er!
!"
Nolwazi:"
Mehl ul
iishissonyethe' sthereasonhe'
s
l
ayinginthisbed!!TakecautionDrBi yel
a.Asa
doctor
,Iwoul dexpectyoutot estallsamplesbef
ore
usingsomet hi
ngthatmi ghtharmt hepatient
gravel
y."
Zwe: "Test
ingthesamplewoul
dwast eti
mewedo
nothavemyqueen.I twouldbeeasiert
oseei
fhe
reactstoitandhaveitr
emovedrathert
hanwai
ti
ng
untili
t'
stoolate.
"
Nol
wazi:"
Ifyouputthatbl
oodi
nhim,Iwil
lmake
sur
ethethronesuesyouandyourent
ir
efani
lyf
or
whati
t'
swor t
h."
Zwe:
"I'
m doi
ngwhati
sbestf
ort
hepat
ient
."
Nolwazi
:"Thisi
sNOTapat ient.HeisKING.Iwi
l
l
notal
lowyout oputhi
slif
ei ndangerf
oryour
exper
iments.Thi
sisir
reversi
ble!
"
Zwe:"
Inthi
scase,t
heproxyofthethr
onehast
o
makethi
sdeci
sion.Thefi
rstl
ady.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Youdarei
nsul
tme!
!Nobantu,
tel
lthi
sboy
hei
snotgoingt
oputourKi
ng'
sli
feindanger!
"
Nobant
u:"
Doi
t.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Nobant
u!!
"
Nobantu:"
Sheisofhisbl
ood.Hewi l
lheal.Wehave
noti
met oarguewit
hinoursel
ves.DrBiyel
aknows
what'
sbest."
Nolwazi:"Ifmyhusbanddi esbecauseofyour
negli
gence, Iwillmakesur eyoual lsufferforthe
restofyourl i
ves!"Zwepr eparedtheI V,inserti
ngthe
needle,l
ettingthebleedseept hrought het ube.The
machi nebeeped, hewat chedi tasi tsteadilycame
backt onor mal.Hishear tratewasf i
ne,blood
pressure,allhi
svi t
alsbackt onormal .Hewai ted,
surehisplanhadwor ked.Theki ngwasf i
ne.Stabl
e.
Hewoul dhavet obemoni t
oredcloselyt hroughout
theni
ght .Zwel ookedatAmahl e.Shest ar
edatt he
Kingquietly,
herf aceblankofanyemot ion.Di di
t
work?Shest oodqui etlywit
houtasound.Hel ooked
backatthemoni tor,
allseemedwel l
,medical l
y.The
Kingopenedhi seyes.Ever yonejumpedast epback.
Hestaredst rai
ghtatnot hi
ng.Hiseyesnol ongera
bri
ghtgol denorange, butashockingjetblack.
[
07/
27,
06:
14] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er113

PETU'
SPOV_

Todaywassupposedt obeourf i
rstwomen'stal
kat
church.I
twasSat urdaymorning.Iwassonervous
becauseofther ainbutitst
oppedsomet i
meinthe
middleoftheni ght .I
twasstil
lgloomysoIwasn' t
sureifi
t'
sdone.Il ookednexttome.Mnqobiwas
sl
eepingstil
l.He' dcomebackl at
e,probabl
ysnuck
outofthepal ace.Mydooropened, Nothando
wal
kedi
n.
Not
ha:"
Hey.
"Shewhi
sper
ed.
Pet
u:"
Mor
ningl
ove.
"
Not
ha:"
Whendi
dhegether
e?"
Pet
u:"Ar
oundmidni
ght
."Shegoti
nbedonhi
sot
her
si
de.Igi
ggl
ed.
Not
ha:"
Areyouner
vousf
ort
oday?
"
Pet
u:"
Yeah.Whati
fpeopl
edon'
tshowup?
"
Notha:"
I'
m hopingtheydon't
.I'
dbehappywit
hless
thanfi
vepeople,I
'm al
readyanxi
ous.
"Mnqobiwoke
up.
Pet
u:"
Iknowbutweneedt
ospr
eadt
hewor
d."
Mnqobi
:"But
ter
fl
y.Ukhul
umanabani
?"
Pet
u:"
Wit
hyourwi
fe.
"Hel
ookedbesi
dehi
m.
Mnqobi
:"Hil
ove.Wai
t.
..Am Ii
ntr
oubl
e?"
Not
ha:"
Askyour
sel
f,whyyou'
real
waysi
ntr
oubl
e?"
Mnqobi
:"Ihaven'
tevendoneanythi
ngwrongbaby.
Ni
njani
?Yoh,I'
m sotir
ed.It
hinkmybrai
nisfr
ied.
"
Petu:"
Why?Isitaboutt
het
rendi
ngt
opi
coft
he
royali
nOceans?"
Mnqobi:"
Yes.IknowSi bonel
oknows.Heal ways
knows.Zwedidn'tcomehomel astni
ght,andhe'
sin
Oceans.Soobviouslysomethi
ngisgoingon."
Pet
u:"
Doyouthinki
t'
sbad?Whati
fit
'sSasa?Oh
myGod,whati
f-
"
Mnqobi :"Cal
m downbaby.TheKi ngwouldn'
ttry
thatagain.Theyspentabitoft
imet oget
heron
Sunday.Hespoket ohermorethananyoneelse.
Theyseemed. ..
.cl
ose.
"
Notha:"Cl
ose??That'
ssuspi
ciousMnqobi.The
Pr
incebarelyspeaks.Whywouldhisf
ather,be
cl
oset ohi
swi f
e??"
Mnqobi
:"Al
lI'
m sayi
ngi
s,It
hinkThembi
sai
sokay.
"
Petu:"
Howlongt
il
lwef
indoutwho'
satt
he
hospit
al?
"
Mnqobi:"
Thismor ni
ngsurel
y.Beforeyougotoyour
woman'stal
k,pleasewai
tfortheannouncement.I
n
case,
ther
e'salockdownorrestr
icti
on."
Pet
u:"
Atl
eastt
het
alki
smi
daf
ter
noon.
"
Mnqobi
:"Good.We'
l
lknowbyt
hen.
"Heyawned.
Not
ha:"
Whatwi
llyoubedoi
ngt
oday?
"
Mnqobi:"
Dependi
ngonthi
sannouncement
,mylove.
Ihavetogobacktot
hepal
acebeforet
heygett
o
breakf
ast
."
Pet
u:"
Wil
lweseeyout
oday?
"
Mnqobi
:"Maybelat
ert
onightbutI'
l
lcallt
hroughout
t
heday.Goodluckonyourladychats.
"Igiggl
ed.
Not
ha:"
You'
rej
ustj
eal
ousyou'
renoti
nvi
ted.
"
Mnqobi:"
Iam j
eal
ousvel
e.Maybeyou'
l
lbe
gosspi
ngaboutmether
e."
Petu:"
Whatmakesyouthi
nkwedon'
tgossi
pabout
youhere?
"Not
halaughed.
Mnqobi
:"Hawu?Andsaywhataboutme,
baby?
"
Not
ha:"
Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.Haveagoodday.
"
Mnqobi :"
Eh?Letmegot owor kbefor
eIstart
cr
ying."Hekissedmylips,cl
i
mbi ngoutofbed,
ki
ssingNot hando'
shead.Iwatchedhim get
dressed."Okay,
I'
llcallsoon.Pl
easedon'tl
eavet
he
housewi t
houtguar ds,atanypoi
nttoday.
Ngiyanit
handa.I'
llseeyousoon."
Pet
u:"
Loveyout
oo.
"
Not
ha:"
Bye.
"Hewal
kedout
,cl
osi
ngt
hedoor
.
Pet
u:"
Whatt
imei
sit
?"
Notha:"Justafter7.Iwantt
ogetupat8."Icuddl
ed
i
ntoher, coveri
ngwi t
hthebl
anket.I
twassocold.
Winterwassl owlycreepi
ngin."
Howdoesitfeel
?"
Pet
u:"
What
?"
Not
ha:"
Breaki
ngyourvi
rgi
nit
y.Di
dithur
t?"
Petu:"I
tdidbutnotunbear
abl
eandnotforl
ong.I
t
wasj ustuncomfor
tabl
ethefi
rstt
ime.Ar
eyou
thi
nkingofdoingit
?"
Not
ha:"
Yeah.Idon'
tknowi
fI'
dli
kei
tthough.
"
Petu:"
Youshoul
dn'
tfeelpr
essured.Also,t
alkto
Mnqobiabouti
tandhisexpect
ations.Don'
tjust
assumeforhi
m."
Not
ha:"
Wil
litbot
heryou?Thatwe'
redoi
ngi
t?"
Petu:"Idon'tknow.Iwasj ealousatf ir
st.It
'sjust
diff
erentnow, we'vespental lthistimet ogether.We
havear outine.We'reallpar t
icipati
ngint he
rel
ationshipandIf eelappr eciatedalot.And
respected.Idon'tthi
nki twoul dbot hermebecause
Ihavepr epareditmighthappen. "
Not
ha:"
Okay.Whendoyout
hinkIshoul
ddoi
t?"
Pet
u:"Maybeaweekendaway.Af
teryouspeakt
o
hi
m,let
'spl
anit
."
Not
ha:"
Awhol
eweekend?
"
Petu:"
Yes.Youneedtof
eelcomfort
ableandhave
somer est
.Youdeser
vet
ofeelspeci
al.Thi
sisabig
thi
ng."
Not
ha:"
NowI
'
m mor
ener
voust
hanever
."
Petu:"
Also,youneedt
obeoncont
racept
ives.We
candot hatonMonday.
"
Notha:"Okay.
"Idon'
tknowhowIf eelaboutNot
ha
andMnqobigoi ngawaytogethert
obreakher
vi
rgini
ty.I
t'
snothurtf
ul,
it'
snotupset
ti
ng.I'
mjust.
..
I'
m goingtomissthem.Not hawashereal
otofthe
ti
me.Shepr ef
erredt osl
eepher er
atherthanthe
palace.Eventhough, notinthesamer oom withme
attimesbutst i
lli
nt hesamehouse.So, maybewe
wereal i
ttl
eattachedt oeachother.Wast hi
sweird?
Thisisn'
thowpol ygamywor ks.ThatI
'm sureof.
"Doyouhaveanyt i
ps?"Igiggl
ed.
Pet
u:"
Justki
sshi
m.He'
l
lleadyou.
"
Not
ha:"
I'
veneverki
ssedanyone.
"
Pet
u:"
You'
rej
oki
ng?
"
Not
ha:"
Nope.
"
Petu:"
Par
tyourli
psjustalit
tl
ebit.
"Iheldherface
tol
ookatme,kissi
ngherl i
ps.Shekissedmeback
fol
lowi
ngmylead."There.Easy.Howdi di
tfeel
?"
Not
ha:"
It
'sokay.
"Ismi
led.
Pet
u:"Don'
twor
ryaboutanyt
hing.He'
l
lbegent
le.
"
Shehuggedme,cl
osi
nghereyes.
Notha:"I
'
m notwor
ri
ed.If
eel
saf
ewi
thyouand
hi
m. ".
..
SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Itwasn'tasr oughani ghtatleast.Imanagedt oget

somesl eep.Bar el
y.Mi l
eswasapowerr angerinhis
sleep.Hal fthet i
mehe' shangingof fthebed.He
defini
telyneedsacr i
b, thi
sisn'tri
ght.Isatatthe
breakfastt able,pour
ingmycof fee.Khayacame
downst airs,dressedandr eady.It'
saSat urdaybut
heknowsi t'
sapossibl eworkdayandhasgear ed
up.Mnqobiwal kedinthehouse.Sohesl eepsout
now?Thi sisaZweconver sati
on,Idonothavet he
ment alcapaci ty.Hesatdown.
Si
bo:"Youdoreal
izeyourmotherwi
llnot
iceyou'
re
wear
ingyest
erday'
sclothes?
"
Mnqobi:"I
'm goi
ngupj
ustnowSboni
.Ineeda
cof
fee.I'
mt i
red.
"
Sibo:"That'
swhathappenswhenyougetyour self
twowi ves.Bazok'
reyatocomeshort.Awulal
eli
."
(Theywi l
lri
deyou)Khayagi ggl
ed."
Leavewomen
aloneMnqobiBi yel
a."Ican'
tsayIdon'
tenvyhim.I
reall
ydo.Eveni fi
t'
sjustone.HowisMnqobithis
ser
iousaboutl
if
e?Iwasabum speci
ali
stathi
sage.
Mnqobi:"That
'snotwhathappenedSboni
.Igot
t
herel
at eandfellasl
eep.Ionl
ysai
dhell
othi
s
morni
ngandl eftthem i
nbed."
Si
bo:"
Them who?Mnqobiar
eyounotscar
edof
women?UthiWher
e??
"
Mnqobi
:"They'
reonl
ytaki
nganap.I
t'
snobi
gdeal
-"
Sibo:"MNQOBIBIYELA.
"Il
ookedatKhaya."
Heleft
twowomeni nhisbedtocomesither
ewithus.I
feelhonour
edj
usttobeinhispr
esence.Mnqobi
?"
Mnqobi
:"Sboni
."Hedr
ankhi
scof
fee.
Sibo:"Fat
hershouldt
akeof
fhi
scr
ownandgi
vei
tto
you."Khayalaughed.
Mnqobi
:"You'
rebei
ngsi
ll
y."
Sibo:"
Ihavesomanyquest ionsbutoutofr espect
,
I'
l
ljustl
etitstressmef ort
her estofmyl i
fe.Yoh,
Mnqobi!Youar emyinspir
ati
on.Whatdoyouuset o
bath?Isther
easubst anceyouar en'
ttel
li
ngme
about?Mnqobi ,givemeyoursangoma' snumber."
Khayaf el
loffhischairl
aughing.
Mnqobi:"
I'
m goi
ngt
ogetdr
essed.
"Hegotup,
wal
kingaway.
Sibo:"Mnqobiwezi
thazakwaBi yel
a!MyKing."
Khayawheezedont hef l
oor
."You'r
egoingtochoke
wena, getup.
"Il
aughed,eat
ingmybr eakf
ast.My
fathercamedowntobr eakf
ast.
Ki
ng:
"Zwei
sn'
tback?
"
Sibo:"Notyet .Noupdat eseither.
"Hesi ghed,
l
ookingver yst r
essed.Idon' tknowwhybutno
updatesor tofgavemehope.Iknowmybr ot
her,
he'samagi caldoctor
.He' l
ldoever yt
hinghecan.
YohIdon' tneedt hisstr
ess.Wehavedeci dedtogo
publicandgi veoutast atementsomet i
met oday.
AfterZwe'sgoaheadatl east.Nkosisti
llhasn'
t
resurfaced.Yesi t
'sbeenonl yoneni ghtbutsti
ll
.My
phoner ang.Zwe.Fi nall
y.
Si
bo:"
Hey.
"
Zwe:
"Hi
.Uhm.
..TheKi
ngi
sokay.
"
Si
bo:"Okayhow?Okayhe'
l
lli
veorokayt
hingsar
e
st
il
lshaky?"
Zwe:
"Thef
ir
stone.
"Isi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
Sibo:"
Okay.Weneedt
orel
easeastat
ementf
ort
he
nati
on.Doweneedtol
ockdown?"
Zwe:"No.Onl
yletthem knowhesuf
fer
edami nor
st
roke,hei
sinrecoveryanddoi
ngwell
.Ther
e's
not
hingmoretosay."
Si
bo:"
Icanheari
tinyourvoi
ce,
ther
eis.
"
Zwe:"Notforthepubl
ic,
no.Butthi
s..
.Itwil
lbeabit
st
range.You'l
lsee.Wewillt
alkdur
ingtheday.
Pl
easesendaguar dt
obringmechangi ngcl
othes.
"
Si
bo:"
Icancome.
"
Zwe:"That'
snotagoodi
dea.Ther
e'sabi
tof
tensi
on."
Si
bo:"
Ofwhat
?"
Zwe:"There'
sadivideandI
'm notsur
ewhati
s
happening.I
t'
sjusteasi
ert
ostayawayforabi
t.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay.We'
l
ltal
klat
er.
"Hehungup.
Ki
ng:
"Wel
l?
Si
bo:"
He'
sal
ive.Recover
ingwel
l
."
Ki
ng:
"Oht
hankt
heheavens.
"
Sibo:"
Weneedt ot
ellthenat
ionabouthi
s
hospit
ali
sat
ionandthat'
sabouti
t.Ther
e'snoneed
tolockdown."
King:"That'
sgood.Iam sor
eli
eved.Letmet
ellyour
mot her,
shewassost r
essed.
"Hegotupwalking
backt ohisbedr
oom.
Khaya:"
Whowasi
tSbo?
"
Sibo:"TheKing.I'
m sorr
yIcouldn'
ttel
lyouyet
,bug.
Wehadt okeepitunderwr apsunt
ilmore
i
nf or
mat i
onwasavai l
able.Itwasnoneedtoworry
everyoneallatonce."
Khaya:"
That
'sokay.He'
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine?
"
Sibo:"Yes,
Apparentl
y."Mil
escamedownt hestair
s
runninguptothetable."
Mnt anam,pleasedon'trun
unlessyou'r
echasingyourf avour
it
egirl.Youcan't
bef al
li
ngfornoreason.Princesdon'tl
iveli
kethat.
"
Ipickedhim up,
placi
nghi m onmyl ap.
Mi
les:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Si
bo:"
Himyangel
.Whatdi
dyoudr
eam about
?"
Mi
les:"
Ihadadr
eam aboutdaddy.Wher
eishe?
"
Si
bo:"
Hewentonvacat
ion,
li
tt
lepr
ince.
"
Mi
les:"
Ishecomi
ngback?
"
Sibo:"
Absol
utel
y.Whatdoyouwanthi
mtobr
ingf
or
yousoIcanlethim know?
"
Mi
les:"
Adi
ne-
sor
."
Sibo:"Di
nosaur?Okay.I
'l
laskhi
mt ot
ravel
65
mill
ionyearsi
ntothepastandbri
ngyouone."I
ti
ckledhisr
ibs."Whatcol
ourdoyouwantit?
"
Mi
les:"
Greeeen.
"Hel
aughed.
Sibo:"
GreenDinosaurcomingup.Let
'sgomake
yourporr
idgesothatyoueatandhavestrengt
hto
ri
deyourdinosaurwhenit'
shere.
"Hegiggled.

Breakf
astwasdone.Mi lesr
efusedtobat h,Ihadto
bri
behim.Itwasmi dmor ni
ngandt he
announcementwouldbemadei nanhour .Ifigur
ed
I'
dbetheonemaki ngit.Aspartoftheroyalcouncil
,
Iwasthespokesperson.Khayadr af
tedtheshor t
speech.Mnqobior
ganizedthepr esstobeatBi -
connectconferencehal l.Itwasdetachedfrom the
mainbuildi
ngandcoul dbeusedf ormediabr i
efi
ngs.
Zwehadupdat edagai n,thekingwasdoingmuch
bett
erbuthehasn' tspoken.Thiswasn'tforthe
publi
ctoknow.Wewer eaboutt ol
eaveforthe
confer
encehal l.Ihadnoot hercommitmentstoday,
aft
erthi
saddr ess, I'
m comi nghome.
Si
bo:"
Arewer
eady?
"
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eBobo!
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llbebacksoon.I
'
m goi
ngt
owor
k."
Mi
les:"
You'
renotcomi
ngbacksoon.
"
Si
bo:"
Ipr
omi
se.
"
Mi
les:"
No.
"
Sibo:"
Let'
sgo,soyoucansee.ButwhenIspeakt o
thecamera,Khayaisgoingtoholdyouokay?Wi ll
youbehave?"Ihadnowor ryaboutMi l
esbecause
he'sverywel
lbehavedifyouexplaintohim what
's
goingon.Heknowswheni t
'st
imet oplay.Whenhe
hearsthewordWor k,
hekeepsqui etandbusies
himself
.
Mi
les:"
YesUncl
eBobo.
"
Sibo:"
Doyouhaveanappyon?Wedon'
thavet
ime
foracci
dent
stoday.
"
Mi
les:"
YesIhaveone.
"
Si
bo:"
Per
fect
.Wher
e'sMi
a?"
Mnqobi:" She'swi t
hmum andt hebaby.They'r
e
havingat eapar tyinthegarden."Wewal kedoutthe
pal
acedr ivingt otheconferencehal
l.Themedi a
hadarrivedal ready.Ihopewecangetovert hi
s
quickl
y,Ifor gottobringthi
sone'ssnacks.Ihanded
hi
m overt oKhayawhi l
eIwasconnect edtothemi c.
Gerry:"
We'r
elivei
nf ive,
MyPrince."Inodded,goi
ng
overmyspeechst andingatt
hepodi um.Five
minutesofprepar
ationandfi
nally,
wewentl ive.
Sibo:"Goodmor ningourbeaut i
fulnat
ion.Iam
PrinceSiboneloBi yela,Ihavecomet oaddressyou
onbehal fofthet hrone.Yest er
dayaf t
ernoon,we
hadanunf ort
unat eincident.OurKingsuf f
eredfrom
ami norstroke.Hewast akentoOceansmedi cal
facil
it
ytobeat tendedt oandIam del i
ghtedt o
expressthathei sr ecoveringwel l
.Wear eblessed
tohavehi sst rengt hf i
ghtof fthissetback.Iaskt hat
youal larepat ientwi ththet hronewi thupdat es.In
meant ime,nol ockdownhasbeeni mplement edbut
Icaut i
onyout omovesaf elyandnecessar y.The
Oceansboul evar di sofflimitsunt i
lfurt
hernot i
ce.
Thet hronet hanksyoual l
,foryoursuppor t, your
patienceandyourpr ayers.Mayyoucont inuet o
cel
ebr atehisheal thpeacef ull
y.Thankyou. "I
walkedof fthepodi um tothebackmedi ar oom.The
micandwi reswer eremovedf rom mewhi leI
checkedmyphone." YoungPr inces,let
'sgo. "Itook
Miles,andwewal kedoutt ot hecar s.Mydaywas
doneout side, Icoul dmoni tort hemedi afrom home.
Thecar sdr oveusbackhome.Ir ecei
vedanew
emai l
,openi ngi t.<Youl ooksosexyi nt hatr oyal
suit.Letmehel pyout akei toff.>Whatt hehel l?
MeganSoul ly.Whati swr ongwi ththisgirl
?

SASAPOV_

Iwokeupt
ofeat
hert
ickl
esonmybel
ly.Il
ooked
down.Nkosiwasf ocused,holdinghispai
ntbrush,
painting,goingbackt odi
pi nhispalateandgentl
y
stroket hepaintonmybody.Hewassof ocused,he
di
dn' tnoticeIwasawake.Iwat chedhimf ora
minut ebef or
ehel ookedup.Thosegor geous
orangeeyeswi llf
oreverrendermeweak.
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ningmywi
fe.
"
Me:"Goodmor
ningmyhusband.We'
redoi
ngt
his
ever
yday?"
Nkosi
:"Youwer
en'
twaki
ngup,
Iwasbor
ed.
"
Me:"
Whatt
imei
sit
?"
Nkosi
:"Al
most11.
"
Me:"
What
?!Ineversl
eepi
nthatl
ate.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
ret
ir
edbaby.I
t'
sokay.
"
Me:"
Whatar
eyoupai
nti
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Me.
"Il
aughed.
Me:"
Butyoucan'
tseeyour
sel
fbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
thavet
o.IknowwhatIl
ookl
ike.Do
youwanttosee?"
Me:" Yesplease."Wegotoutofbed.Mysheet shad
paintont hem nowbutlifei
saboutchaos.Aslong
ashe' sinahappyplace, di
rtdoesn'
tmat
ter
becausei tcanbecleaned.West oodinf
rontofthe
mirror.Hepaintedatigeronmybel l
y.
Me:"Okay,
that
'sadorabl
e."Iki
ssedhi
sli
ps."
Ilove
i
t.
"Ineedtobuyhim afewcanvasesandpaint
s.He
obvi
ouslyl
ovedpaint
ing.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"
Me:"
Haveyoueat
en?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
Imadeasandwi
ch.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?Byyour
sel
f?"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi
:"You'
resi
ll
y.Iknowhowt
omakeasandwi
ch.
CanImakeyouone? "
Me:"Yespl ease.
"Hekissedmyheadt henwal ked
out.HowcanIwashmybodywi t
houtremovingt hi
s
beauti
fulpainti
ngonmybel l
y.Itwasreall
ydet ai
led
andprecise.Hewasmadl ytalent
ed.Thisseemed
tobesomet hi
nghesharedwi thhisfat
herbecause
helovesart.Whyt hendon'ttheybondoverit?I
brushedmyteet h,washingmyf acethengott he
coverupclot
hf ormybot tom andascar fformy
boobs.Af
tergettingdressedl ikeI'm onani sl
andI
mademywayt ot helounge.Ipassedt heki t
chen
andpeepedin.Iknewt hissandwi chbusi ness
wouldbeextra.Everythinghedi dhadt ohaveorder,
andlookal
igned.Thesameper sonwhopl ayedwit
h
paintont
hebed.Hel ookedup.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
Hibaby.I
'
llbei
nthel
ounge.
"
Nkosi:"Okayl ove. "Iwentt othel ounge, switching
ontheTV.Ther ewasat extbroadcastont he
bott
om oft hescr een.Pr i
nceSi bonel ohadmadean
addressr egar dingt hekingsheal th.Appar entlyhe
wasr ecover i
ngf r
om ami norstroke.Wel l,that'
s
bett
ert hant ell
ingt hem hehadaf ightwithhi sson.
I'
m gladhe' sget tingbetter.Perhapst hiswi llbea
newl eafforbot hoft hem butNkosineedst of i
nda
wayt ocont rolhi sthought s.Thisabi l
it
ywasnott o
beplayedwi th.Andi tseems, i
t'
suncont roll
able.
Almostasi fhe'sacompl etel
ydifferentper son.
Nkosi:"
Donebaby.
"Igotaf
ri
ght
."Hey.
.what
's
wrong?"
Me:"Nothi
nglove.Justthi
nking.Heee,
Ihaven'
t
evencal
ledmydad.Hemusthaveseent headdr
ess
onTV."Iaccept
edt hetr
ayfrom him.
Nkosi
:"Ispoket
ohi
mthi
smor
ning.
"
Me:"
Hecal
ledyou?
"
Nkosi
:"No,
Ical
ledhi
m."Okay.
Me:"
Thankyoubaby.Ar
etheywel
l
?"
Nkosi:"Yes.They'
redoingwel
l.Zanel
eappar
entl
yis
thecelebri
tyatherschoolsoshehasaguardto
escorther.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"That'
sfunny.She'
spr
obabl
yhavi
ngt
het
imeof
herl
ife.
"
Nkosi:"
Indeed.Yourfather'
sgoat sar
ealsosell
ing
out.He'
snothappyaboutt hat.Peopl
ekeepcalli
ng
formorebuthesayst hey'retooyoungtosell
.So,
he'sdeci
dedt oventur
ei nt
ocows. "Howlongwas
thi
sconversation?Theyseemedt obebestf
riends.
Me:"
That
'sni
ce.Cowsar
egood.
"
Nkosi:"That'
swhatIsaid.Thecommuni t
ycenter
constructi
oni sunderway.Hesaidhe'
llsend
pict
ureslatertoday.I
'mthinki
ngofassigninghi
m
asconst r
uctionmanager.Thisisst
il
lonlythefi
rst
proj
ect.There'stheshoppingcent
ercomi ngupin
thenextfewweeks. "
Me:"He' dbedelightedbutwil
lprobabl
yneedhelp.
Myf atherdoesn'tli
ketokeepallopport
uni
tyto
hi
msel fsoi fyouwanthimt osayyes,askhimto
appointaf ewotherpeopletowor kwit
hhimin
managi ngt heproj
ects.
"
Nkosi
:"Thankyouf
ort
headvi
cebaby.
"
Me:"
How'
syourdad?
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
neIguess.
"
Me:"
Nkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Baby.
"
Me:"Iknowyoudi
dn'
tmeantodot
his.I
'
m sur
ehe
underst
andsi
twasamist
ake.
"
Nkosi
:"I
twasn'
tami
stake.I
'
dpr
obabl
ydoi
tagai
n."
Me:"
Nkosi
nhl
e!Canyounotheart
henamecomi
ng
outofmymout
h?You'
ret
hegoodki
ng.Thi
sisnot
you.
"
Nkosi:"Love.Iknowhowmuchyouador emyf amil
y
eventhought heytreatyouli
ketrash.Iknowyou
wantpeaceandl oveandbubblesandever yt
hing
happybutt hat'
snotgoingtohappen.Myf ami l
yis
cold,i
tisunwel comingandveryunki nd.Youcan't
changet hatoverni
ght,l
ove.Orinaf ewweeks.So
pleasedon'texhaustyoursel
f.
"
Me:"IknowIcan' tchangeyourfami l
ybutwe've
madepr ogressNkosi.I'
m notsayingeveryt
hingwi
ll
beamazi ngbutwe' r
etryi
ng.Mistakesareboundto
happen.I'
m notexpectinganembr aceanytime
soonorever .Ij
ustwantapeacef ulhomeanda
stabl
ethrone."
Hewasnol ongerl
ookingatmebutmybel l
yandi t
didn'
tseem li
kehecouldevenhearme.Hezoned
out.Whatam Igoingtodowi t
hhi
m?Heknel ton
thefloori
nfrontofme, hol
dingmywaistst
il
l
stari
ngathispainti
ng.Yoh,Idon'
tknownow.
"Babe?"
Nkosi
:"Okay.We'
l
ltr
y.Il
oveyou.
"
Me:"
Thankyou.Il
oveyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"i
Nkosi
yokut
hul
a."Igi
ggl
ed.(
KingofPeace)
Me:"Yes,
Nkosiyam enhl
eyokuthul
a,Ineedt
oeat
,
I
'm hungr
y."(
MygoodpeacefulKing)
.
[
07/
27,
06:
14] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er114

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

Thewoman' stal
kwasst illonandt heweat herhad
cl
ear edup.Thismademehappyaswel lasnervous.
Igrewupasapr incess,surroundedbyguar dsand
nowIwasnol ongerapr incess.Itdidn'
tfeelas
dif
ferentbecauseofmyi nvolvementwi thMnqobi
butthiswouldbeanof f
icialeventwithouthim
besideme.Iwasst r
ugglingt ofi
gureoutwhoI
actuall
ywasapar tfrom Pr i
ncessNot hando.Ihad
seensomenast ypostsonsoci alsref
erri
ngt ome
asachancerthatwoul drathercl i
ngont oroyal
ty
thanherownfamily.Itwould'vehur ti
fitwast r
ue
butitwasn'
tandIdon' tcar
ewhatt heythinkabout
me.Wewer ealldressed.I'
dst yledPetuandmysel f
.
Zimmycameoveral r
eadydr essedbutl ooking
rough.Wasshedrinkinglastni ght?ButZimmy
neverhasahangoverorl ooksr ough.Thiswasnew.
Pet
u:"Okay,ever
yoneisr
eady?Thecarandguar
ds
ar
eoutside.Iopt
edforaV-cl
asst
otakeussowe're
al
lint
hesamevehi cl
e.Zi
mmyar eyouokay?
"
Zi
mmy:" Notatal
l.Igotfoodpoi
soni
nglastni
ght
.I
at
enervouslyal
lday.I'
veneverhadsomuch
at
tent
iononmebef ore."
Petu:"
It
'snormal
.Don'
twor r
yaboutanythi
ng.I
'l
l
packsomewat er
sforyou.Atanystageyoufeel
si
ck.Justletmeknow,I
'l
ltakeover
."
Zi
mmy:"
Thankyousomuch,
fri
end.
"
Si
za:"
What'
sgotyousonervous,
babe?You'
re
al
waysinpubl
icandcl
ubbi
ng.Peopl
eloveyou.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yeahbutt
hat
'sdr
inki
ngandhangi
ngout
.
Thi
sisseri
ous.Wi
llt
heytakemeseri
ousl
y?Nottoo
l
ongagoIwasbeingaccusedofpi
mpinggir
lsout
toKhaya.
"
Siza:"
Don'tt
hinkli
kethat
,Zi
mmy.Thisisagood
i
niti
ati
veandwi l
lhelpal
otofwomen.Don'
tbe
nervous.
"
Zimmy:"Thankyou.Ineedt
het
oil
et.
"Shehur
ri
edt
o
thebat
hroom.
Not
ha:"
She'
sreal
lyner
vous,
shame.
"
Siza:"
Atl
eastshe'
l
lonlydoani
ntr
oducti
on.I'
l
ltal
k
fr
om ther
e."Zi
mmycamebackaf t
erfi
veminutes
anddranksomewat er
.Shewassweati
ng.Iwas
nowwor r
ied.
Zi
mmy:"
Okay,
I'
m good.Let
'sgo.
"
Si
za:"
Her
e.Munchont hese."Shegaveherbi
scui
ts.
Wewentt
othecar
,leavingforchurch.

PETU'
SPOV_
Wear rivedatthevenue,afewladieshadal r
eady
satdown.Thet alkwasgoingtostartinabout30
minutest i
me.Zi mmyhadhermi cputin.Shelooked
muchbet t
ernow, Iwasglad.Wewai tedwhilethe
churchhal lst
artedtof
il
lupandt hetimewasnow.
Asner vousZimmywas.Shel ookeddet er
mined.I
watchedherwal kuptothestage.
Zimmy:" Goodafternoon, l
adies.Wel comet oour
fir
steverHel pASistersuppor ti
vetalksession.My
namei sZi masa, youcancal lmeZi mmy.I '
m here
withPet unia,Si
zaniandNot hando."Shei ntr
oduced
herselfwi t
honlyhernamesot hatshedoesn' thave
tocallNot handobyherl astnamewhi chwoul d
sparkmor esocialmedi abullyi
ng.Zi mmywasa
veryattentivefr
iend, honestl
y.Mostoft heposts
wer eblockedbutNot handor efusedt ohaveher
namemut edpermanent ly.Shewant edpeopleto
wr i
tealltheywantandgeti toutoft heirsystem so
shecanbui ldherselfwithoutholdingont oaname.
Itwasheavi l
ybraveofher ,Ihavet oadmi t.
Zimmy:"Asasociety,weneedeachother
.For
suppor
t,forl
ove.Holdi
ngeachother
shands
throughsi t
uati
ons.I 'vecomet ounder standt hat
alotofthet i
me, i
tisdi f
ficulttobreakoutofacycl e
ofabuse.Dur ingt hatst ruggle,youneedapl aceof
comf ort
.Wecant alkalldayaboutl eavi
ngt he
situat
ionbutt r
ut hoft hemat teris,thatisnever
easy.Iwoul dliket ointroducet oyou, alovelyyoung
woman, whohasast orytot el
l.Shei swhatIwoul d
regardasasi st er,shei skind, l
ovingandgor geous.
Pleasewar mlywel come, Sizani.
"Wecl appedas
Sizawal kedupt othepodi um togi vehert al
k.
Siza:" Thankyou.Hil adies.Uhm, I
'm Si
za.Amot her
of3l i
ttl
eangel s.Andal soawi fe."Shecl ear
edher
thr oat."
Ineverr eall
ygett otalkaboutme.Idon' t
knowhow.Uhm. .
.Imetmyhusbandi nmyear l
y
twent ies.Hei sanol derman.Hei sinfl
uenti
aland
Ri ch.Ifellinl
ovewi thhowhet ookcar eofmenot
justf i
nanci al
lybutemot i
onallyt oo.Iwashi sangel.
Ilivedat rophyl i
fe.WhenIf ellpr egnantforthefir
st
time, hewasdel ighted.Itwasonl yayearl atert
hat
hisaf fectionstartedtodecr ease.Thi shadme
fightingforapl acei nhisschedul econstant
ly.Aft
er
oursecondchi l
d, hestartedtobeatme.Ir emember
thef irstt i
me.Ihadbeensi ckf orawhi let hebaby
wasonl ysevenmont hs.If orgotitwashi s
conf er enceanddi dn'tpr epar eforhim.Hecame
homet omesl eeping.Whenheaskedf orhist hings
anddi scover edIhadn' tdonemyj ob, ashecal ledit,
hel osti t.Hebeatmeunt i
lmychi ldst arted
screami ng,alertingthenei ghbor s.Ifor gavehi m. "
Shewi pedhert ears." Whenhecameback.He
boughtmet hemostbeaut ifulnecklaceandt ookme
onvacat ion.Youwoul dt hink, whileonvacat i
onas
anapol ogy, you'resaf e...Ittookonedi sagreement
i
nl esst han24hour sbef or ehesmashedmyhead
i
ntoawal l.Wewer einaf or ei
gnland.Ihadnoone.I
hadnochoi cebutt okeepmyheadhi ghenj oying
myvacat i
on.Justsot hathespar esmyl if
e."Zimmy
handedherat i
ssue." Idon' twantt ost andher eand
tal
kaboutal ltheyear sI 'vecover edupbr uises.I
don' twantt otalkaboutl yingt omyf ami lyand
fri
ends.Idon' twantt ot alkaboutwhyIkept
forgivinghi m andst ayed.Iwantt otel lanywoman
outt her e, Iunder stand.Andi fyouneedmet ohold
yourhand, Icandot hat .Ittookmysi ster's
persi stencet odr agmeoutoft hatsi tuationandI
sti
llalmostlostmyl i
fe.Iunderst
and.Iunderstand
thatyou'rescaredtoleavebecauseyoumi ghtdi
e.I
under st
andyou' r
escaredtostaybecauseyou
mi ghtdie.Thewor l
dissounkind.Theblamewi l
l
alwaysbeputont hewoman.Whydi dshe, why
didn'tshe.Iam sosor r
y.Iam sorr
ythatallIcando,
i
shol dyourhand. "..
.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Iwasi nmyl ounge, checki ngt heper imet erof

Nkosi '
shouseonsur veil
lance.Ther ewer etagsall
around, asfaras100met ersawayt opr eparefor
attack.Soifsomet hingpassest het ags, theguards
arei mmedi atelyal
er t
edtost andonat tackmode.
Ther ewasn' tanyani malsar oundt hear eabutI
woul dn'tbesur pri
sedi fawi ldboarorst raycame
by.Thecamer aswer earoundst r etchingeven
furtherthant hetags.Nkosi nhle'
ssaf etywasno
joket omeevent houghhewaspr obabl ytheleast
vulnerableper sononear th.Especi all
ywi thhisnew
abi
li
ty.It
ouchedmyshoul der
,st
illf
eel
ingsome
pai
nf r
om di
slocat
ingi
t.Idial
edforZwe.
Zwe:
"MyLor
d."
Mt
hunzi
:"DrPr
ince.Howar
eyou?
"
Zwe:
"I'
m wel
l,
howar
eyou?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Gr
eat
.Howi
stheKi
ngdoi
ng?
"
Zwe: "
Gr eat .Givemeasecond. "Heshuf f
ledabit,
probablyf indingapr i
vatespace."He' sdoing
amazingf orsomeonewhohadbr okenal lbonesin
hisbodyandwasbl eedinginter
nally.Amahl etol
d
met otransf erherbloodi ntohim andi tseemedt o
havewor ked.Hi sbleedingst oppedi nstantl
y,t
hex-
rayshowedl essinjuriesthanwhenhecamei n.His
vit
alsarest ableandi ngr eatheal
th."
Mthunzi
:"But?Somethi
ngiswrongi
sn'
tit
?"Icoul
d
heart
heslightpani
cinhisvoi
ce.
Zwe:
"Notwr
ongperse.Per
hapsunusual
."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m usedt
othat
.Whati
sit
?"
Zwe:"
Apar
tfr
om notsayi
ngawor d,
hiseyesare
bl
ack.
"Myheartsl
owedabitbef
oreret
urningt
o
nor
mal
.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Zwe:"
Itmeans,theorangeeyeshehadhavenow
tur
nedjetbl
ack.Notbrown,notgol
d,pur
ebl
ack.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"WHAT.
"
Zwe:"
Exact
ly.Idon'
tknowwhatthatmeans.
Thr
oughouthist
ory,
Ihaven'
treadoft
his.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Doyout
hinkmaybehel
osthi
spower
s?"
Zwe:
"Ist
hatpossi
ble?
"
Mthunzi:"
Ift
heycangivenewabi
li
tysur
elyt
hey
cantakethem away.
"
Zwe:"Yoh.Idon'
tknowMthunziandI
'
m notgoi
ng
toaskhim.Hedoesn'tl
ookt
obei nagoodmood."
He'sneveri
nagoodmood.
Mthunzi
:"Okay,
I'
lldoabi
tofr
esear
ch.I
sthef
ami
ly
st
il
lther
e?"
Zwe: "
Yes.Thesecondqueeni sangryatme.The
fi
rstqueenandAmahl ehaven'tsai
dawor del
se.Do
youthinkmaybe,Nkosishouldcome? "
Mthunzi
:"Iwanttosayno,
toprotectthekingbutI
don'
tknowZwe.Nkosiissti
llpi
ssedandi snot
cal
mingdown.Bef or
eheseeshisfather,
weneedt o
getahandleonthatnewabil
it
y."
Zwe:
"Whati
sit
?"
Mthunzi
:"Hejustswit
chesandt
hinksofwhathe
wantsandithappens.
"
Zwe:
"Fuck.
"
Mthunzi
:"Exact
ly.Thankyouf
ortheupdat
eZwe.I
'
ll
t
alktoSi
bonelot henper
hapsNkosi
."
Zwe:"Al
ri
ght
,myfri
end.We'
l
ltal
ksoon.
"Ihungup,
di
ali
ngforSi
bonel
o.
Si
bo:"
Mthunzi
."
Mthunzi:"
HiSbo.IjustspoketoZwe.TheKingis
doi
ngwel l
,heali
ngaswel l
.Thankyoufort
he
addr
essear l
iert
hismorning.I
'
vebeenfoll
owingthe
news."
Sibo:"
It'
sapleasure.Uhm Mthunzi
.Wil
lNkosibe
addressi
ngthisissue?Quest
ionshavestar
tedto
ri
seabouthisabsence."
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
mtoday.
"
Si
bo:"
Alr
ightt
hen,
nowor
ri
es.
"
Mthunzi:"
Tellme,canyournet
workrecoverhi
dden
ordel
eteddigit
alhist
oryf
rom t
hepast?"
Sibo:"
That'
sveryt
ri
ckyMthunzi
.Idon'
tknow,I
don'twantt
oli
e.Canyoutel
lmewhatyou're
l
ookingforsoIcantr
y?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thi
sdoesn'
tleaveyourmout
h."
Si
bo:"
Sur
e."
Mthunzi
:"Pl
easelookforanythi
ngrel
atedtoa
Si
khosanaroyalandpureblackeyesi
nsteadof
or
ange."Theli
newasqui et
.
Sibo:"
Sikhosana'
sdon'
thavebl
ackeyes.They'
real
l
orange.Thetwinsar
ebrownbutnoone,hasever
hadblack."
Mthunzi:"
Thatweknowofunt
ilnow.Ithast
ohave
happenedbefor
e.Canyout
ryandlook?"
Si
bo:"
I'
llt
rymybest
.Itmi
ghtt
akemeawhi
le.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Nor
ush.
..
yet
."
Sibo:"Thatsoundsl
ikear
ush.Letmegett
owor
k
then."
Mthunzi
:"Thanksmyf r
iend.Agai
n,pl
easedon'
t
menti
onthistoanyone."
Si
bo:"
Trustme.I
'
llkeepi
ttomysel
f.
"
Mthunzi:"Sharp.
"Ihungup,massagi
ngmy
shoulder.Analer
twentoffmyphone.Busi'
spi
ll
.I
gotupget ti
nghersomewat erandasnack,
walki
ng
tothebedr oom."Mylove?
"
Busi:"
Hibaby.
"Shel
ookedupf
rom here-
book
reader
.
Mthunzi:"
It'
sti
me."Itookthefer
til
it
ypil
lfr
om her
cont
ainer,handi
ngitover.Shedrankit
.
Busi
:"Thankyou.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatdoyouwantt
oeatt
oni
ght
?"
Busi
:"Myhusband.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Aft
eryoueatyourhusband,
whatwi
llyou
eatbaby?"
Busi
:"Howaboutweor
deri
n?If
eell
ikef
ri
ed
chi
cken.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay,
I'
llor
dert
hat
.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Busi:
"I'
mfeel
ingf
ine.
..
comej
oinmei
nbed.Fora
speci
alnap.
"
Mthunzi:"Inaminute,l
ove.Letmegr absome
water.
"Busiwasovul at
ingthisweek, itwouldbemy
fi
rstt
ryandIneededt omakei tcount.Itookthe
malefertil
it
ypi
ll
sI'dbeentakingoutofmybag,
swall
owi ngonewithsomewat er.I
twoul dbea
bett
erchanceifbothofuswer efert
il
e.

Nar
rat
ed*
*

TheKi nglayinbedi nhi shospi t

alroom, havi
ngnot
utter
edawor d.AfterallchecksZwehaddone, he
foundnoevi denceofhi si
njuriesaffecti
nghis
speech.Hehadcl oselymoni toredtheKi ngal
lnight
buthiscondi t
ioninstead,impr oved.Nolwaziwalked
i
nt hehospi t
alroom.Nobant uwassi t
ti
ngont he
chair,
holdingtheKi ng'
shand.
Nolwazi:"
Perhapsweshouldchangehisclot
hing.
Thi
sf abri
clooksdi
sgr
aceful
.Ibroughtchangi
ng
cl
othes.Helpmebyholdi
nghi m upNobantu."
Nobantu:"
Hisbonesar
ecrushed,
howareyou
t
hinki
ngofmovinghim ar
oundtobest
yli
sh?"
Nol
wazi
:"Hel
ooksl
i
keapeasant
.YouKNOW he
hat
est
hat!
"
Nobant
u:"
Wel
l,
untilheopenshismouthandsays
hewantst
obechangedthenitwon'
thappen.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Whati
swi
thyou?Hm?Whydoyouhat
e
hi
m?"
Nobant
u:"
You'
reaski
ngmet
hat
?"
Nolwazi :"
Isthereanyoneel seI'
mt alki
ngto?Idon' t
getyouNobant u,infact,Ithinkyou'reveryhateful.
Youl etMehl ul
idoashepl eases,f
ull
ydi sr
especting
hisfatherandyouneverr eprimandhi m.SoI '
m here
wonder ingifperhapsit'
snotyourpl antoki l
lour
husbandsoyoucanhavet hatdeli
nquentr unour
count r
y.It'
sonet hingtohat eme, buttohat eyour
chil
dren'sfather?Yourhusband?Youar ejustas
badast hepersonwhol edhi mt othi
sbed.You
obvi
ousl
ytaughthi
m."
Nobant
u:"
Okay.
"
Nolwazi
:"Okayisallyou'
regoi
ngt osaybecause
youknowI '
mright
."Amahl ewalkedoutt
her oom,
Zwewasi nthepri
vatelounge,eati
ng.
Ama:"
Hi.
"
Zwe:"
Hey."Hewi
pedthecorner
sofhi
smout
h."
Can
Ior
deryousomet
hingtoeat
?"
Ama:"
Nothanks.I
sther
eawayyoucangetmy
mot
hersoutoft
hehospit
al?
"
Zwe:"Unf
ort
unatel
yno.They'
rei
nthei
rri
ghtt
obe
her
e,Ican'
tthr
owthem out.
"
Ama:"
They'
rear
gui
ngont
opofmyf
ather
."
Zwe: "
What ?"Hegotupwal kingout.Thetwo
womenst i
llbi
ckeredi
nt her oom."MyQueens,I
apologizefordi
sturbi
ngbutIsuggestt hi
s
conversati
onbehadi namor epri
vatespaceaway
fr
om theKi ng.Heissti
llrecoveri
ng.Heshouldn'
tbe
dist
ressed."
Nol
wazi
:"I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e."
Zwe: "
IwanttomakesuretheKingisdischar
gedby
Mondayl at
est
,myqueen.Wedon' twantanythi
ng
toprol
onghisrecover
y.Ir
eal
lydowi shheisunder
l
essst r
ess.Maywepleaseconsiderhi
scomf or
tin
thi
stime."
Nol
wazi
:"Monday?
"
Zwe:"Yes.Wi
ththerecover
yhe'
sbeenshowi
ngi
n
thepast20hour
s,I'
m surewecanhavehomeby
then.
"
Nol
wazi:"Her
earehi
scomf or
tclothes,somet
hing
hecanchangeint
oifhewishes.Pl
easekeephim
warm,Sizwehat
escoldt
emper at
ure."
Zwe:"
Iwi
llpersonal
lyat
tendt
oi t
,myqueen.
"She
wal
kedout,f
ollowedbyNobantu.
Ama:"
Thankyou.
"
Zwe:
"Notawor
ry.Ar
eyoual
sol
eavi
ng?
"
Ama:"
Forabi
tyes.Hewant
stobeal
one.
"
Zwe:
"Youcanal
sor
eadt
hought
s?"
Ama:"No,butIknowmyf
ather
.I'l
lbebackinafew
hour
s.ThankyouZwe.Al
so,t
ellSibonel
otokeep
hi
sguardsonhi
m per
manent
ly.Nomat
terwher
ehe
goes.
"
Zwe:
"Uhm,
okay.I
sther
eapr
obl
em?
Ama:" Heneedshi ssecur i
ty."Shewal kedout.Zwe
wal kedtothebed, standingnextt ot heKing.Hestil
l
staredatnot hi
ng." MyKi ng.Iam pl easedt oseeyou
recoveri
ngsowel l
.Iknowyoumustbei nsome
painsoIwi l
lbeadmi nisteri
ngsomemedst ohelp.
"
Inanef forttohavehi m eit
herdi sagr eeor
acknowl edge,butt herewasnor esponse.Zwe
carriedonwi thhisj ob.Whyi shenott alki
ng?He
thoughtt ohimself .Perhapshewasst il
linpain
aroundhi sneck, themandi dbr eakever ybonein
hisbody.Oncehef i
nishedwi t
ht hepai nmeds, he
turnedar oundtol ookbackatt heki ng,hisheart
j
umpedt ohi sthroat.TheKi ngst aredbackathi m
standingonbot hhi sfeet.
[
07/
27,
06:
14] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er115
SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Thiswaswayt oointeresti
ngtonoti nvestmyf ull
brainont o.Ont heotherhand, Iwant edtoknow
howt het al
kwi ththeladieswent .Weird,Iknowbut
i
t'ssomet hingBi -
connectcouldi nvestinorbet hei
r
sponsor .Weneverknow.Oneofmycompany' s
visionsi sgivingequaloppor t
unitiestowomen.So
perhapst here'sawayIcanhel p.Okay, that'
snot
true.Iwant edherback.I t
'spoi
nt l
esst r
yingtof ight
i
t.Imi ssedbei nginmyhousewi thherwat ching
thosest upi
dshows.Al so,Igotinvested, di
dNaomi
reallydivorcehercheat i
nghusband?Idoubti t.
Sibo:"Nx.Womenar esuchbor i
ngbei ngs."I
mumbl ed,taki
ngmyphoneoutt osendamessage.
Whycan' twej ustvibeandbui l
df r
om t here?Ihada
newmessageonmyphone.<Heysexy.Iwas
thi
nkingwecoul dhaveadr ink.Yourcl ubormy
house? >Notagai n.Thiswasbecomi ngver y
uncomf ort
able.Whatdi dthi
sgi rlwantf r
om me?I
wentonmyl aptop, myhackingsyst em, searchi
ng
hername.MeganSoul ly.Nocriminalrecor d.No
charges.Herf inanci alrecor dswer eal soi ngood
healthbutwasherbr ain?Shecomesf r om ami ddl
e
classf ami ly,bor nandr aisedi nLazyCr eek.She
studiedi nt heiruni versityf orbothherdegr ees.I
checkedherassoci ation,friends,lover s, ever ything.
She'shadt wor elationshi pspubl ic.Bot hl ast eda
l
ittl
eoverayear .Sheseemsnor mal .Whyt heni s
sheobsessedwi thme?I tl eftabittertast ei nmy
mout h.Iwr oteat extback:<HiMegan, list en.I
probabl ywasn' tclearenoughbutIhonest l
yj ust
want edoneni ghtwi t
hyou.Ihavenoi nt ent ionsof
seeingyouagai n,orsl eepi ngwi t
hyouagai n.Iam
notinter estedi nyouatal l.Pleasest opcont act i
ng
me.Thanks. >Isenti t.Phew.Canyoui magi ne.I
receivedanot hermessage:<Iknowyouwantme.
You'rej ustshy.Tr ustmeIcanbedi screet .Yousai d
i
tyour sel fyouwantmei nyourl i
fewhi lemaki ng
l
ovet ome.Wecant akeitsl ow.>OhI 'mi nhel l.I
wast hinki ngof ...Fuck.Thatwasdi rect edt ot he
personIwast hinkingaboutwhi l
ef ucki ng.Zwei s
busyandIneedhi m.Heneedst omaket hi sst op.
Letmej ustdomywor kandl eavepsychopat hs
alone.Idon' tneedt his.Jacksonhadappeal edhi s
bail.Soobvi ousl yhewant st oski pt hecount ry.He
knowshe' snotsaf eher ebecauseSi zai sinour
fami l
ynow.Per hapsheshoul dbegr antedhi sbai l.
I'
m sur eMi lesandMi awoul dl ovet oseet heirfather
forthel asttime.Si nceZwewasbusy, Ihadt opl an
thisonemysel f.Af tergivingt hegoaheadt ot he
judge, Iorgani zedhi ddensecur i
tyal lar oundhi s
home.Hewon' tnoticei tunt ilit
'st ool ate.Iknowhe
wi l
lstartatt hehouseandt akewhatheneeds, t
hat
beinghi sdocument sandsomecl ot
hes, then
skippingt hecount r
y.He' llfindmewai t
ingf orhi m
i
nsi det hehouse.Oncehel eaves, noonewi llhear
from hi m again.Zwehasbeeni tchingt ogetr idof
him.Nextonmyagendaf ort hedaywasmynew
research.Whatdi dthismean?Theki ngnowhas
blackeyes?I '
m sor rybutI '
m noti nter estedi n
seeingt hat.IknewZwewashi dingsomet hi
ngi n
thissituation.Whatdoest hismean?I shebl ind?I
hoppedi ntomyser vert or ecoverar chi vesf rom as
farbackast he50' s.Ki ngNgi dumi se'st imes.I
spentoveral it
tlelesst han40mi nutesr eading
abouthi m.Peopl ewer esoscar edt oevenut tera
wor daboutt hisKi ngt hatt her ewashar dlyany
i
nformationabouthim.Gr anted,heneverwent
anywhereorspoket oanyonebutdamn.Il ookedat
hi
spictures,shi
veri
ngwi t
hcol d.Butthi
sisNkosi?
Thestare,thedi
sint
erest,thedangerinhis
demeanor ,hi
sexactface.Thiswashi m.
Sibo:"Whati nthereincarnat ion? "Ther ewasonl y
twopi cturesofhi m andhi swi fe.Shel ooked
beaut i
ful.Therewasasof tnat ur eabouthersmi l
e.
Howar et hesetwocol dmenbaggi ngt hemost
kindestofwomen?Honestt oGod.Youcant el
lhow
softspokent hi
swomani sbyl ooki ngather
pictures.Isthatwhyt heynamedSasawi ththe
samename?Not hingj ui
ciert hanSi khosana
business, Icansayt hatconf ident ly.Icli
ckedont he
nameofhi spredecessor ,KingBheki zizwe.Anot her
pairofor angeeyes.Thepi cturewasi nblackand
whi t
ebutt hedescriptionsayst hesame.Isi ghed,
readingt hroughhisadvent ur es.Hewasal it
tle
mor ebusyt hanNgi dumi se.Iwentt hroughatl east
threemor ekingsbef oreandnot hingment ioned
blackeyes.Thi swasal i
ttl
ef rust ratingbutIl oved
researchsoatl eastIwasn' tbor edr atherfascinated.
Itookadi f
ferentangl ei nmysear ch:Si khosana
BlackEyes.Twoar ticlescameupbuti twasabout
theorangeeyes.Quest ioninghowmanypeopl ein
thewor l
dhadt hatcol oureye.Thenot herstatist
ics
ofothereyecol ours.Il ookedt hrought hesear ch
resul
ts,morear t
icl
esaboutt heSikhosanar eign.
They'vebeenont hatt hronef orcent uries.Alotof
thesewer etranscribedbecauseobvi ously
technologylikethisdi dn'texist100year sago.
Peopleusednewspaper st hen.Therewasaver yold
l
ibraryintheci t
y.Atl east100year sol d, whatifthey
hadmor earchives?Isear chedf ortheirwebsi teand
i
tdidn'tment ionanyar chivesbutIcal ledthe
number .
Li
brar
ian:"
Goodday.Thisi
sMount
ainPeakLi
brar
y,
howcanIhelpyoutoday?"
Sibo:"Hi
,you'
respeaki
ngt oPr
inceSibonel
oBiyel
a,
Iam looki
ngforarchi
ves,sayf
rom 100yearsago,
asoldast hel
ibrar
y.HowcanIaccesst hem?
They'r
enotont hewebsit
e."
Li
brari
an:"
Uhm.Thear chi
veshavebeenl
ocked,
my
Pr
ince.Theyar
einaccessi
ble.
"
Si
bo:"
HowdoIunl
ockt
hem?
"
Li
brar
ian:"
It
'sal
ongl
egalpr
ocess.
"
Si
bo:"
AndI'
m averypat
ientman.Givemeal
lthe
st
epsandIwil
lmakesuretothankyouki
ndl
y."She
gi
ggl
ed.
Librarian:"Okay.Fi r
styou' l
lneedt heappl icati
on
form wher eyouf i
llinallyourdetai l
s.Itincl udes
thingsl i
keyourper sonalpr of
il
e,occupat ionandt he
reasonf oryourr equest .Youwi l
lal sohavet owrit
e
amot ivati
ngl etterandgetapol icecl ear ance.This
willbesubmi ttedt ot hejudgeoft het hrone.It hink
ther egistryreceivesi tfir
stbutthi scoul dt akea
mont hbef or
ei treachest hejudge, Icandomybest
toputyourr equestont het opoft hepilesowe' re
l
ooki ngataweekpossi bly.Onceher ecei vesthe
request ,hewi llappoi ntaboar dforani nt ervi
ewwi t
h
you.Iam unsur ewhatwi llbeaskedt her e
unf ort
unat el
y, noonehasmadei tthatf ar.Ithinki
t
i
sonl yaf t
erthei nterviewyouwi l
lbegi venayesor
no."
Si
bo:"
Yeah,
youwer
eri
ghtaboutt
hisbei
ngaver
y
l
engt
hyprocess.Let
'sbegi
n.HowdoIgett
he
f
orms?"
Librari
an:"Youdon'
thavetocomeal
lthewaytothe
l
ibrary,Icanemailt
hem t
oyou.Pl
easeprovi
deyour
assistant'
semail
?"
Sibo:"
Youdon'
twantmi
ne?Yout
hinkyou'
l
lbe
temptedt
osayhisomet
ime?
"Shegiggl
ed.
Li
brar
ian:"
NomyPr
ince,
your
sisf
ineaswel
l
."
Si
bo:"
Alr
ightt
hen,
doyouhaveapenandpaper
?"
Li
brar
ian:"
YesmyPr
ince.
"
Si
bo:"
it
'ssi
bonel
obi
yel
a@bconnect
mp.
"
Li
brar
ian:"
Gotit
.Iwil
lsendthef
ormi
nami
nut
eas
wel
lasthestepsonceagain.
"
Si
bo:"
Thankyousweet
hear
t,what
'syourname?
"
Li
brar
ian:"
Mynamei
sNomzamo.
"
Sibo:"
ThankyouNomzamof
oryourwonder
ful
servi
ce.
"
Li
brar
ian:"
You'
rewelcomemypr
ince,
haveagood
day.
"Ihungup.I
njustafewmi
nutes,
Irecei
vedher
emai l
.Al lthest epsandt hef ourpagef orm.Thi s
wasser i
ous.Cl ear ly,t
hear chiveswer einter esti
ng.I
hadt opasst hi spr ocess.It hankedNomzamoonce
again.Whatasweetgi rl.Icl ickedonheremai l
profi
le.Shel ookedpr etty,smi li
ngatt hecamer a.24
yearsol d, hol dingahi st oriandegr ee,andmanager
oftheol destl ibr aryint hecount ry.I '
vef oundZwea
wife.Zwei sobsessedwi thhi st
or y.Herbei ngthis
prett
y, helpedonl yal i
ttlebi t.Mybr otherloves
beaut i
fulwomenbuthi st ruel ovei sthebr ain.
That'swhyhe' saneur osur geon.Ihopeshe' snot
mar r
ied, boyf ri
endsar eeasyt ogetr idofatl east.
Whatam Isayi ng?Anyonei seasyt ogetr idofbut
l
etmehol dmyhor ses.Per hapsIshoul dl ethi m
havehi sl ovest orywi thouti nterfer ence.Iwasso
damnexci ted.I 'daskhi mt ohandt hef ormsi n
personal lyatt hel i
braryspeci fi
callyt oher .I twould
beupt odest inyi ftheyf indeachot herat tractivebut
I'
m crossi ngf inger sandt oes.Mybr otherneedst his.
Also,whatt hehel lisint hosear chi vest hati tneeds
thi
st ypeofpr ocessi ng?
ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Il
ookedattheKi ng,helookedbackatme.Iwas
numbwi thfear.Whatthehell
?Medi cal
ly,
he'
snot
supposedtoevenbeawake, l
etalonestandi
ngon
hisownt wofeet.Andit'
ssomethingaboutthose
blackeyesthatcreepsmeout .
Zwe: "MyKi ng.Goodt oseeyoubackonyourf eet.
"I
wal kedt othesi nkt ryinghar dnott otripandf all
.I
washedmyhands." Thequeenl eftsomecl othesfor
yout ochangei nto.It hi
nkweshoul ddoanx- rayto
doubl echeckyouri njuri
es? "Iturnedbackt olookat
him, holdingmybr eat hthathedi dn'tcomest and
behi ndmeagai n.Hewasl ookingt hroughhi sbag
takingouthi sclothes.Thi s, wasbeyondmy
under standing.Sur e,anythingispossi blewi ththe
Sikhosanaf ami l
y.Amahl eisimmor t
al,Nkosit urns
i
nt oat iger.ButIcoul dn'twr apmyheadar oundt hi
s
somehow.Af t
erget tingdr essed.Hegotbacki nbed.
Ki
ng:
"Wher
eisshe?
"
Zwe:
"Thequeenshavel
eftmyki
ng.Shoul
dIcal
l
t
hem back?
"
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa.
"Oh.
Zwe:
"I'
m notsur
ebutIt
hinkshe'
swi
thNkosi
."
Ki
ng:
"Cal
lher
."
Zwe:"YesMyKi ng.
"It
ookmyphone,di
ali
ngNkosi
'
s
number.Hisphonewasoff
.Gr
eat.Idi
aledfor
Mthunzi.
Mt
hunzi
:"HiZwe.
"
Zwe:
"MyLor
d.Uhm,
theKi
nghasaskedt
oseeNko-
"
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa.
"
Zwe:
"Thembi
sa.Hewoul
dli
ket
oseeherpl
ease.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ohhh.Thatcan'
twor
k."
Zwe:"Pl
easemakei thappenMt hunzi
.Assoonas
youpossibl
ycan."Ihungup.IknowNkosiwi l
l
neverl
eaveThembi sa'
ssidebutthisi
sthefi
rstti
me
theki
nghasspokensi ncewakingup.Perhaps,he
hasamessagef orher.God,whywasmyl i
fethi
s
dif
fi
cult
.
Zwe: "
CanIgetyouameal ,
myKi ng?"Nor esponse.
Asexpect ed.Nowor r
ies."
I'
mj ustacallaway, on
thebut t
onnextt othebed."Ibowed, walkingoutto
theprivateoffi
ceIwasusi ngwhi leher
e.Idr anka
ful
lglassofwat ertryi
ngt ocalm down.Myhear t
wasr acing.Thethoughtofl ooki
ngbehi ndmeand
fi
ndinghi mtheremademybonest r
embl e.Itook
outmyphone, call
ingmybr ot
herwalki
ngar ound
thesmal loff
ice.
Si
bo:"
Brot
herZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
Si
bo:"
What
'sup.
"
Zwe:
"So.
.t
heki
ngisful
lyrecover
ed.Hej
ustspoke.
Hi
swholefami
lyhasgonehome."
Si
bo:"
Oh?Whatdi
dhesay?
"
Zwe:"Hewant
stoseeThembi
sa.Doesn'
tsay
anyt
hingel
se.
"
Si
bo:"
That
's.
..St
range.No?Notevenhi
sson?
"
Zwe:
"Nope.Idon'tknowhowt
hiswi
llpanout
.What
ar
eyoubusywi t
ht her
e?"
Sibo:"
Research.I'
mt r
yingtoaccesst
hearchi
ves
fr
om theli
brary.St
iffmissi
onletmetel
lyou.
"
Zwe:
"Forwhat
?"
Sibo:"Mthunziaskedmet ol
ookupblackeyes.
There'
snot hi
ngpubl i
caboutt
hem.So,I'
m appl
ying
forthelockedarchives.
"
Zwe:"Okay.Al
so,pl
easekeepsecuri
tywithyouat
al
lti
mes.Amahl esai
dthi
s,sopleaseli
sten.
"
Sibo:"
Okay.Nopr obl
em.Iwon'tbel
eavi
ngthe
palaceforanyr
easont hi
sweekendanywaybutI
'
ll
havemyguar dsready."
Zwe:
"Good.Howi
sever
yoneathome?
"
Sibo:"
They'regood.Ki
dsareinthegardenwiththe
parents.Thegir
lscamebackfrom thei
rtal
k,
apparentlyi
twassuccessf
ul.I
'l
lsendyouthevideo
l
inktowat chwhenyou'ref
ree.
"
Zwe:
"Andt
heyoungpr
inces?Whatar
etheydoi
ng?
"
Sibo:"
They'
rei
nthei
rloungepl
ayi
ngt
hei
rvi
deo
games."
Zwe:
"Okay.Idon'
tknowwhenI
'
llbehome.
Pr
obabl
ytomor
row.
"
Si
bo:"
Ifhe'
srecover
ingwhyar
eyoust
il
lther
e?"
Zwe:"
Idon'
twantanyonenearhi
m butme.They
won'
tunder
standhi
m andthatmightf
rust
rat
ehi
m."
Si
bo:"
Okay.Staysaf
eZwe.Idon'
tknowaboutt
his
bl
ackeyet
hing."
Zwe:"Don'
tworr
yaboutit
.I'
l
lbesaf
e.Send
greet
ingst
othefami
ly.Rememberyourguar
ds
Sbo."
Si
bo:"
Alr
ight
."
Zwe:"Shar
p."Ihungup.It'
sgoi
ngtobealongnight
butIdoubtI
'dgetanysleep.Hi
sgazewasstuckin
mythoughts.

SASAPOV_

Itr
iedtostr
etchbutIwaslockedi
nanembrace.
Nkosinhl
ecouldn'
tsleeponhissi
deoft
hebed.I
openedmyeyesandf oundhi
m st
ari
ngatme,
hol
dingmecl
oset
ohi
sbody.
Me:"
SthandwaSam pl
ease.
"
Nkosi
:"Goodmor
ning.
"
Me:"
Whyar
eyouawakesoear
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
snotear
ly.
"
Me:" Goodmor ningbaby. "Ikissedhi sli
ps, get
ti
ng
outofbed.Af t
erMt hunzi '
scal lyester
day, mymi nd
wasr eelingabi t
.Nkosidi dn'tevenbot herto
entertainit
.Hedi dnotwantt ogot othathospital.I
wentt ot hebathroom, takingapee.Ihadanew
painti
ngonmybel ly.ClearlyIhadt ogetusedt o
thisunt i
lIbuyhissuppl ies.Nextt hingIknowI 'l
l
wakeupwi thpaintonmyf ace.Iwentbackt obed
afterflushing,washingmyhandsandf ace.He
staredathi spainti
ng, proudly.
Nkosi
:"You'
rebeaut
if
ul.
"
Me:"
Thankyoubaby.Iwantust
ohaveachat
."Isat
i
nbed.Hetr
acedhisfi
ngeronhi
spai
nti
ng.
Nkosi
:"Aboutwhat
?"
Me:"
Yourf
ather
.It
hinkweshoul
dgoseehi
m.I
knowyoudon'twantt
oandIdon'
tthi
nkyou'
re
readybutIwantt
o.Whati
fhehassomethi
ngtosay?
Anapology?"
Nkosi
:"Hedoesn'
t.
"
Me:"Love.Ineedyout owor
kwithme.Idon'
tli
ke
confl
ict
.Youdon'thavetobebestf
ri
end'
swithhim.
Ij
ustneedt hesl
atecleansowecanli
veourli
fe
aft
er.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.We'
l
lgo.
"
Me:"Doyout
hinkyou'
l
lbeabl
etocont
rolyour
abi
li
ty?
"
Nkosi
:"No.Buti
t'
stri
ggeredbyact
ionorwor
d.I
fhe
doessomethi
ng,I
'l
lreacttoi
t.
"
Me:"
Okay.Shoul
dwegetr
eady?
"
Nkosi:"Notyet
."Ialsoneededt oseeAmahl e.There
hastobeawayf orwar d.Ihaven'tdr
eamtpr operl
y
i
nt hi
shouseexceptf ort henapwet ookwhenwe
arr
ived.Heplacedsof tkissesonmyshoul der .Hi
s
fi
ngerstracedupmyt high."IhavesomethingIwant
toshowyou.Justl ayher e.Closeyoureyes."Ilay
backinbedandcl osedmyeyes.If el
thisli
ps
touchi
ngmyski n.Myi nnerthi
gh,al
lthewayupt o
mycl i
t.Heki
ssedi t
,rol
li
ngt heti
pofhistongueon
i
t.Iopenedwider,moaninghi sname.Hesl owly
i
nsertedonefi
nger ,
gentlyrubbi
ngmygspoti nside.
Me:" Nkosi .
.."Icr i
ed.Mybodymel ti
ngi npur ewar m
pleasur e.Ihel dont hesheet ,pant i
ngal readyr eady
formycl imax.Hepul l
edhi sfingeroutandki ssedit
overandover .Itri
edpul l
inghi mt ocomeup.Ineed
himi nside.Hel ayf l
atont hebed, holdingundermy
thingsandcont inuedt oki ssme, occassi onal l
y
l
ickingandagai nonmycl it
.Myvi sionblurred.
"Ohhhh. "Imoaned.Hi sf i
ngerpushedi nagai n,
rubbinggent ly.Awar ml i
qui dspur t
edout .He
growl ed,wor kingf aster.Myt oescur l
edant icipat
ing
thehi ghestcl imax." Nkosi nhle..
."Icr i
ed.Feel ingit
hitthatspot ,mywhol ebodyshookvi olentl
y,
cummi ngoverandoveragai nunt i
lIfroze.He
stopped, cl
imbi ngont opofme.Hi sgazef ocuson
mi ne.Hi sbear ddr i
ppingwet , orangeeyesl azywi th
l
ust .Hepushedhi msel fi
nsl owl y,stil
lstari
ngatme.
Ipul l
edt hebackofhi sneckt oki sshismout h.He
st
rokedsl
owl
y.Hi
sli
psonmine,t
asti
ngmysel
fon
hi
m.Hegrowl
edmovingf
ast
er.Ihungmylegsup.
Nkosi:"
Ahhhh."Hegr oaned,grabbingthesheet
t
eari
ngi tashemovedf ast
er.Iheldont ohimti
ght
f
eeli
ngmyor gasm buil
duponceagai n.Hiswai
st
movingoni t
sowni namot i
onmel tingmeweak.I
t
hrobbedawai ti
nganotherorgasm.
Nkosi
:"Hol
dont
omebaby.Icanfeelyou.
..Hol
d
on.
"Idugmynai
lsi
ntohi
m,gi
vinghim al
lofme.
Me:"
Almos.
..
."Ipant
,unabl
etomakeasound.
Nkosi
:"Thereyougo...
ri
ghthere.Oohhhfuck."I
cli
maxed,thr
obbingtoastil
l.Heroared,
teari
ng
thr
oughthesheetoncemor e,ashecame.Ist il
lhel
d
ontohim,catchi
ngmybr eath,shaki
ng.Hekissed
myneck,li
ckingi
t."Thi
sisnotwhatIhadpl anned."
Me:"
Ohr
eal
ly?
"Il
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Yesreal
ly.Let
'sgetyouawake,
fedand
dr
essed.".
..

I
ttookt
wohour
stogetupanddr
essed.Asusual
,
Nkosiwasdist
racted.Iworeawhitemaxidr
ess
tyi
ngupbehindmyneck.Icombedoutmyaf ro
holdi
ngi
tbackwi t
hawhi teheadband.Iwor
esmal
l
hoopgoldearr
ings.
Me:"
Babe."Iwal
kedouttheroom t
othel
ounge.He
wasstandi
ngwit
hMt hunzi
."Goodmorni
ngMthunzi
.
Howareyou?"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m goodSasa,
howar
eyou?
"
Me:"I'
m well
.I'
mr eadytogo. "Iwenttothekit
chen
togetsomewat erandfruitfortheroad.Ihadeaten
breakf
astbutfel
tlikeali
tt
lesnackt omunchon.
Thereweretwoboxesont hecounter.Iopened
them.Thecakes!Nkosiwal kedinthekitchen,
holdi
ngmybody, kissi
ngmyhead.
Me:"
Didyouseet
hecakesl
ove?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,I
'
llhavesomewhenwe' r
eback."I
tur
nedtolookathim."Iknowyou'
reaboutt
oaskf
or
somethi
ngIdon'twant."Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:"Idi
dbaket
wocakes,
baby.Onewasf
ort
he
pal
ace."
Nkosi:"
IwanttobeannoyedbutIki
ndofexpect
ed
i
t.They'
reunl
ikel
ytoeati
t,l
ove"
Me:"Maybeyoucanshar
eitwi
thyourdad?I
'
m sur
e
he'
dli
keasli
ce."
Nkosi
:"I
mmedi
atel
yno.Absol
utel
ynot
."
Me:"
Itwi
llbr
eakt
hei
ce.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tcoul
dbr
eakhel
lit
sel
fandIst
il
lwoul
dn'
t
doit
."
Me:" Fi
net hen.Wecango. "I'
m donemaki ngan
effort
.I'
m notevengoi ngtobot heranymor e.Ifthei
r
ancestorsbot hermeonemor et i
me,I'
m calli
ngon
myownt oo.Rathertheyfightitout.I'
venevermet
mor estubbornpeopl e.Iwalkedoutt heki t
chent o
fet
chmybagi nthebedr oom.Ihadmyal lowance
forthepastt womont hsandIwant edtogot ot he
shops."Mt hunzi,canyoupl easeor ganisesome
guardsf orme?Af t
erthehospi t
alI'dli
ketovi si
tthe
mal l
.Isthatsafe?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yesabsol
utel
y."
Me:"
Thankyou.
"Iwal
kedoutt
othecar
.Wegoti
n,
dr
ivi
ngt
othehospi
tal
.
Nkosi
:"Ar
eyoumadatme?
"
Me:"
No.
"
Nkosi :"
Youar e.
"Whatwasupset t
ingmewashi s
l
ackofef fort.Hewasn' tevent ryi
ng.Justcar r
ying
onl i
feli
keal liswel l andgood.It ookoutmyphone.
Zimmyhadsentmeal i
nkt oavi deooft heir
women' st alk.Iclickedont hevideoandwat ched.
Shel ookedsoconf identandr adi
ant.Ilistenedto
Sizaintently.Whent hevideowashal fway, wedr ove
i
nt othehospi t
al.Af t
erpar king,wegotof f.Walking
i
nt othehospi t
al,Ihel dhishand.Hei ntertwinedour
fi
nger ssqueezi ngmyhand.Zwewaswai tingforus
byt hereceivingdesk.Hel ookedr eall
yt ir
edbuthel d
onbr avely.Whyhasn' thegot tenanysl eep?
Zwe:
"MyPr
ince,
MrsSi
khosana.
"
Me:"
HiZwe.Howar
eyou?
"
Zwe:
"Hangi
ngon.Howar
eyou?
"Hesmi
led.
Me:"I
'
m okay.Thankyouforyourti
meandservi
ce,
Zwe.We'
rereall
ygrat
efulyouwereabl
etohel
pand
pr
ompt
lyso.
"Hechuckl
ed,
looki
ngatNkosi
.
Zwe:
"It
'sonl
yapl
easur
e.Howar
eyoumyf
ri
end?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m okay.Thankyouf
oraski
ng.
"
Zwe:"That'
sgoodtoknow.Sobef orewegoi n,a
l
itt
leprepar
ati
on.TheKingwokeupFr i
daynight
.
Uhm...Hiseyesarenolongerorange.So.
..Don'
tbe
shocked."Whatoneart
hdoest hatevenmean?
Me:"
Nol
ongeror
ange?Asi
nhe'
s.
..
bli
nd?
"
Zwe:"
No,hecansee.Ver
ywel
l.He'
sjust
,they'
re
bl
acknow.Don'
tbealar
med.
"Thisi
sn'tr
ealsurel
y.
Me:"
Okay.
"Wewal
kedi
ntot
her
oom af
terZwe.
Zwe:"MyKi ng.Lookwhocamet ovisi
t.
"Ilookedat
theKinginbed.Hest ar
edatme.Trulyhiseyes,a
pureblack.Idon'
tknowaboutthi
s.Ilookedbehind
mebutNkosihadn' twalkedi
n.
Me:"Goodmor
ningmyKing.
"Ikeptmydi
stancenot
sur
eifabol
tofl
ight
eni
ngwouldcomemyway.
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa.I
tisgoodt
oseeyouagai
n."
Me:"
Gladt
oseeyou'
rer
ecover
ing,
myKi
ng.You
l
ookwel
l.
"
Ki
ng:
"Ihaveaquest
ion.
"
Me:"
Yesmyki
ng?
"
Ki
ng:
"Wher
edi
dyouheart
hesong?
"
Me:"Whichson-ohyouheardme?Uhm, Idon'
t
know.Ihearditpl
ayontheradiol
astMonday.From
ther
eIsearchedfori
tandli
stenedtoi
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"Doyouknowwhati
tmeans?
"
Me:"Notreal
ly.Ij
ustli
kedthevocal
s.Uhm."I
l
ookedatZwewhost oodbesideme."Ihadadream
al
so,aboutit
.OnFr i
day,af
ter.
..
"
Ki
ng:"
Afteryourhusbandt
ri
edt
okil
lme."Sohe'
s
nol
ongerhissonbutmyhusband?Goodtoknow.
Me:"
Yes.
"
Ki
ng:"
Wouldyoumindar
ticulat
ingthedr
eam f
or
me?"Myhear
tachedatt
her eminderofi
t.
Me:"
Ican'
t.
"
Ki
ng:
"Can'
torwon'
t?
"
Me:"
Won'
t.I
twon'
thel
pinanyway.I
thur
ts.
"
King:"
I'
m usedtohur t
ing.Pleasetellme.
"Isaton
thechairbesi
det hehospitalbed.Ihatet
his.That
wassuchahor r
ibledream.Butt oreci
tei
tbackt o
him?Oh, whatfr
eshhel l.
Me:"Idon'tevenknowhowt oplacethescene.
Everyti
meIvi si
tthepast ,I'
mt hereasMam Nonkosi .
Thistime,Iwasherspi r
it
.Af t
ershe'ddied.Iwalked
downt hepalacest air
stot helounge.King
Ngidumi sewasther esitt
inginhi schai
r,star
ingat
nothing.Thebab..."Il
ookedatmyf i
ngers."Wasin
thecribnearhim, cryi
ng.Istoodovert hebab. .
"
Ki
ng:
"Justsayme.
"
Me:"Istoodoveryouandyoust oppedcr yi
ng.I
spoketoyouf orabitt
henwentt otheking,kneeli
ng
besi
dehi m.Ibeggedhimt oholdyou.Heobvi ousl
y
coul
dn'thearme, ormaybehef eltsomet hi
ngbut
ri
ghtthen,hestart
edcryi
ng.Hegotupandl eftfor
hisroom order
ingahelpertochangeyou.Shet ook
youtoyournur ser
yRoom, changi ngyou, f
edyou
andleftamusi cboxtoputyout osleep.Iswitched
i
tof f
,looki
ngoveryouonceagai n.You'
dstar
tedto
recognisemyf ace,andsmile,
giggl
e.Isangt
he
songt hen.Af
tersingingt
hissong,It
oldyouthe
storyofanarti
st."
Ki
ng:
"Vi
ncentVanGogh.
"
Me:"Yeah."Iswal
lowedthel
umpi
nmyt
hroat
.We
sati
nsilenceafewmi nut
es.
King:"
Idon' tr
ememberher .Irememberhervoice.
Thesong.Thankyou. "Hel ookedatmeonceagai n.
Ididn'
tfeelashiveroffearatall
.Yestheeyes
l
ookedst rangebutnothingaboutthem scar
edme.
Me:"You'
rewel
come,
myki
ng.
"Hel
ookeddownmy
bodyandsmil
ed.
King:
"Fi
nal
ly."Fi
nall
ywhat?Nkosiwalkedi
nthe
room.TheKingdidn'
tbot
hertoreact
.
Nkosi:"
Father.
"TheKinglookedathim wi t
hal ook
fi
ll
edwi t
hwhatIcouldn'
tpinpointexactl
y.
"Thembisathoughtyou'
denjoyasl i
ceofcake.She
bakeditonFr i
day.
"Heheldtheboxofcakei nhis
hand.Myhear twarmed,melti
ngtoliquid."
Ifher
breadisanythi
ngtogoby, t
hismustt aste
fantast
ic.
"Heplacedi
tonthetabl
e.Si
lenceswept
throughther
oom.Thekinglookedatt
heboxt hen
backatNkosinhle.
Ki
ng:"DrBi
yela.Am Ial
lowedasli
ceofcake?
"I
si
lent
lyl
etoutthebr
eathI'dbeenhol
ding.
Zwe: "YesmyKi ng.I '
l
lgetplat
esandacakecut ter
."
Hewal kedout .Myhusbandandhi sf
atherstar
edat
eachot herquietly.Wer etheythi
nkingofat opi
c?I
havepl ent ytochoosef rom.Anythingbutthe
stari
ng.However ,ifIknewonet hingaboutthis
family,theywi llstareunt i
lki
ngdom come.So
perhapst hatisthei rl
anguage.Ihavenot hi
ngelse
tocont ributeatthispoi nt.
[
07/
27,
06:
15] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er116

NKOSI
'
SPOV_
It
'sbeenaf ewdayssi ncewevi sitedmyf atheri n
hospi tal.Idi dn'tsaymucht ohi m andhet ookept
qui et.Hel istenedt oThembi sat al
kaboutherschool .
Hernewassi gnmentt hatwasf ascinatingherand
alsot hewoman' st alk.Notsur ewhatt hatwas
aboutbuthewasent ertained.Iwat chedhi m cl osely,
obser vinghi sener gy.I twasn' tmal i
cious.Fort he
fi
r sttime, Icoul df eel myf athergenui nelypleased.
Hewashappy.Al so, Thembi sacoul dtalkyourear s
offi fyougi vehert hechance.That '
sherner vous
traital ongwi thgi ggl ing.She' sf or
tunatet ohavea
sweetvoi cet hatcanputadevi ltosleep.Iwat ched
overherasshesl eptsoundl y.Herweekwasf i
lled
wi thschoolwor k.Il etherf ocusanddoherbest .
Myhear tcoul dn'tbar ebeawayf r
om herandsoI
wor kedmost l
yf rom home.Myf atherwas
dischar gedf rom hospi talear l
ierint heweek.He
wassai dt ober ecover ingi nthepal acebuthewas
fullyr ecover ed.Thi sconf usedme.Nott hatI
want edhi mt ost ayi njur edbuthow?Somet hing
wasof f.Yes, Amahl e'sbl oodwasheal ingbuteven
shedi dn' thealover night .Itshoul d'vetakenaf ew
days.Si ncehi sdi schar ge, hehasn' taskedf or
Thembi saorevenvisit
edt hevi
lla.Mthunzidoubl
e
checked.I'
m gladhe'sstayingawaybutI '
m sti
ll
bothered.Soperhapsit'
st i
met otal
kt ohi
m.Ihat e
tal
kingbutIdidn'
thavemuchofachoi cenow.
Thembi sasti
rr
edinhersl eep,f
inall
ystret
ching
awake.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"
Sasa:"
Heybaby.
"Iki
ssedherpr
ett
ynose.
Nkosi
:"Howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
oday?
"
Sasa:"
Exci
ted.Ihaven'
tseenmygir
lsi
nsolong.
Thankyoumyl ove.
"Shekissedmeagai
n.
Nkosi
:"Forwhat
?"
Sasa:"
Fort
ryingt
okeepmyl
if
enor
maland
comfort
abl
e."
Nkosi
:"Ther
eisnot
hingi
nthi
swor
ld,
Iwoul
dn'
tdo
f
oryou."
Sasa:"
Andhowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m okay.I
'
vedeci
dedIneedt
ofi
nal
lyspeak
t
omyf ather
."
Sasa:"
That
'sgoodbutwi
llyoubeabl
et o?West i
ll
haven'
tgot
tenahandl
eonyourabil
it
ies."Shegot
up.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknow.Maybe.I
'
llhavet
obr
ing
r
einf
orcementstohol
dmeback. "
Sasa:"
Doyouwantmet
obet
her
eforyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Nobaby.Yougoandbepr ett
ywit
hyour
f
ri
ends.I'
l
lhaveMt hunziandZwetohel
p.I
t'
sthei
r
t
urnnow."Shegiggled.
Sasa:"
Hey,
youknowwhatyoucoul
ddo?
"
Nkosi
:"Tel
lmebaby."Il
ayonmybackont
hebed,
wit
hmyar m abovemyhead.
Sasa:"
Areyout
ryi
ngt
oseduceme?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"Shel
aughed.
Sasa:"Let
'sbeser i
ous.Todaymustbesmoot h.So,
youknowhowyoul i
ket opai
nt?
"Ilookedather
stomachwher eI'dplacedanewpai nt
ingjustthi
s
morning."
ButIboughtyousuppl iessthandwa?
Whyam Ist i
llyourcanvas?"
Nkosi
:"I
tlooksmuchmor
eli
vel
yonyou.Youcar
ry
them sobeaut
if
ull
y."Shesmil
ed.Il
ovedpai
nti
ng
herbell
ysomuch, myheartgl
eamedwhendoingit
.
Icoul
dn'tst
opkissi
ngit.
Sasa:" You'r
ef unny.Thenyou'llhavet otakeyour
supplieswi t
hyout oday.Youl i
ket opai nt,how
abouthavi ngasetupdoneatt hepal ace,youpaint
whileyourf atherli
stenst omusicandwat chesyou.
Maybet hisi
ssomet hingyoucanbot hbondover ,
givi
ngeachot hergui del
inesandpoi nters.Itwi
ll
breakt heice."Theiceshekeepswant i
ngt obreak
i
sact uallyagl aci
erbuthercut eeffortwar medmy
heart.
Nkosi
:"Wecant
ryt
hat
."
Sasa:"Per
fect.Ineedt
opee."Sherantothe
bathr
oom leavingmeinsti
tches.Al
lthi
sti
meshe'
s
hol
dingiti
n?Ical l
edMthunzi.
Mt
hunzi
:"MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"HeyMt
hunzi
.Howar
eyou?
"
Mthunzi
:"HeyMthunzi
??Si
ncewhen?Youonl
ysay
hel
lo.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m.I'
m notgoi
ngt
ogr
eetyouagai
n.
Whenareyoucoming?"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llbetherei
nanhourorso.I
'
m goi
ngt
o
f
etchSasa'
sor der
s."
Nkosi
:"Whator
der
s?"
Mthunzi
:"Sheorderedsomethi
ngf
rom ast
oreand
t
oldmeaboutit.It
'swrapped.
"
Nkosi
:"Ohokay.Al
so,
hast
her
egi
str
ybeen
updat
ed?"
Mthunzi:"Yes.Shehasbeenadded.Yourmar r
iage
cert
ifi
cateisalsoready.Heral
lowancewi
llbe
processedsoon."
Nkosi
:"She'
sgoi
ngt
ohat
ethat
."
Mthunzi
:"Iknowbuti
t'
snotachoi
cewecanmake.
What'
syourdaylooki
ngli
ke?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
remyboss,
yout
ellme.
"
Mthunzi:"
I'
m sti
llyourboss?Becauseyoudoas
youplease.Ibar
elysawyout hisweek.
"
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
stopl
yingt
oaki
ng,
youwer
einmy
houseever
ydayoft
hisweek.
"Hel
aughed.
Mthunzi
:"Fi
nethen.I'
m gi
vingyouanoffdaybut
wehavetodiscussthedevelopment
sbeforet
he
endoftheday.Howaboutweki dnapZweandgo
havedri
nksinthefor
est?"
Nkosi:"
Iwouldlovethat
,andIneedit
.Ihavetot
alk
tomyf athert
oday.Ist
il
ldon'
thaveahandleonmy
abi
li
ty."
Mt hunzi
:"We'llgi
veitaspi
ninnatur
e.We' l
lfi
gure
somet hi
ngoutmyf ri
end.
"Iwashonestlyblessedto
havemyf r
iendsandIneededt odosomet hi
ngf or
them.Idon'tknowwhat .Thembisa'
sinfl
uencehas
swal l
owedmewhol e.She'
salwaysreadyto
recipr
ocatewhatsher ecei
vesandIhavet oadmi t
i
t'sthesweet esthumanquali
tyI'
veknown.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.Letmegolovemybeaut
if
ul
per
son.GoodbyeMt hunzi
."
Mthunzi
:"Seeyousoon.
"Hehungup.Igotoutof
bedwalki
ngtothebathr
oom.
Nkosi
:"Baby?
"
Sasa:"
Hey.
"Ihuggedherbody.
Nkosi
:"Ineedt
ofeedyou.CanImakebr
eakf
ast
?"
Sasa:"
Thi
sisst
range,
butdoyoumi
ndmaki
ngt
hat
sandwi
chyoumadeyester
day?"
Nkosi
:"Youl
ikedi
t?I
'
m get
ti
ngbet
teratmaki
ng
sandwi
ches.
"
Sasa:"
Youar e.SonowImustt
eachyouhowt
o
bakebread.
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkbaki
ngi
smyspeci
alt
y."She
l
aughed.
Sasa:"
Thatsoundsal
it
tl
elazy.Let
'sbat
hbaby.
".
..

KHAYA'
SPOV_

TodaywasaFr iday.Ihadonlyoneclasst oatt

end
andt henI'
m goingoutforagour metlunchin
Greenland.Ideservedit
.Ithasbeenabusyweek
withschool.Iwentdownst ai
rsforbreakfast
.The
brotherswerehere.
Khaya:"
Goodmor
ningf
ami
ly.
"
Si
bo:"
Hibug.
"
Zwe:
"YoungPr
ince.
"
Mnqobi
:"Br
other
."Isatdown,
dishi
ngupf
ood.
Khaya:"
Brot
herZwe.Doyout
hinki
t'
sagoodi
dea
t
orentoutmyapart
ment?"
Zwe:"Yes.It
hinkthat
'sact
uall
yagreati deaandI
knowyoul i
keyourpri
vatespacesomet imesbut
ther
e'spl
entyofhouseshereinStel
lars.Pickone
andfurni
shit.Whenyouwantt i
meal one,you'
llgo
ther
e."
Khaya:"
I'
lluseMnqobi
'
shousef
orpr
ivat
eti
meBhut
Zwe."
Zwe: "No.That
'sMnqobi'
shouse, andthegirl
sare
there.Youneedyourown."Stel
larshousesare
madl yexpensi
ve.Icoul
dn'
tjust
ifymovi nghere
l
ivinginthepalacewasenough.
Khaya:"
BhutZwe-
"
Sibo:"
Thi
sisnotupfordebat
eKhaya.Choosea
houseandcal
lVict
ori
a.Byendoftoday.
"
Khaya:"Okay.I
'
lldot
his,
oncondi
ti
ont
hatIbuyi
t.
"
Theylaughed.
Sibo:"Sur
ebug.I fthatmakesyouf eelbett
er.
What '
sourschedul ef orthedayZwe?"Myphone
buzzed.Itookitoutl ookingatthemessage.<Hi
Khaya.Haveyouf orgottentotakemeoutf ori
ce
cream.>Thiswasf rom Pr i
ncessSi
khosana.
Nkwenkwezi .
Zwe: "Theyoungpr inceshaveacl asst oday.Iwill
beinhospi talj
ustforthemor ning.Idon' thaveany
surgeriesscheduled.Thegi r
lswi l
lbeatMnqobi '
s
house, Sasaisvisit
ingthem forthedayandeveni ng
sopleaseupt hesecurit
y.Theki dshavedaycar e,
they'
llbepickedupat1pm.Si zai swr i
ti
ng.Mom i s
goingt oherboutiques,shesaidshe' swor kingon
herwi nterl
aunch.Dadwi llbeatBi -
mot ive.Ibel
ieve
youhaveyourr esearchandameet ingatBi -
connect ?"
Si
bo:"
Okay.I
'
llbei
ntheof
fi
cef
ormostoft
heday.
"
Zwe:
"OhandMnqobii
sleavi
ngi
ntheeveni
ngf
or
hi
sweekendaway.
"
Si
bo:"
Bringmetheoceanwat
eryouuset
obat
h
Mnqobi
."Welaughed.
Zwe:
"Howf
arhaveyougot
ten?
"
Si
bo:"
Igotbusyt
hisweek.
"
Zwe:
"That
'sal
ameexcuse.
"
Sibo:"
Youf orgetthatyouwor kmet othebone?
Pleaseletmebe. "Irespondedt othemessage:<Hi
Nkwenkwezi .Iwasbei ngr espectf
ulofyourfather
si
ncehewasi nhospi tal.
>Iwant edtoseeher.<Well,
howaboutnow? >Sher epli
ed.<Ihaveclassinan
hour,I
'mf r
eeaf t
erlunch.>Isenti t
,checki
ngt he
news.Aphoner ang.
Zwe:"MyLor d..
..NoI'
m noti
nthehospit
al,I
'
m on
mywayt here...
.Thi
ssoundssuspici
ous,you'
re
neveri
nter
est edinseei
ngme...
."Hel
aughed."Okay,
tr
ue..
.Seeyout hen."Hehungup.
Sibo:"
Oh,
bef
oreIfor
get
.There'
saform andsome
document
sIneedyoutohandinatt
helibrar
y."
Zwe:
"Pr
ett
ysur
eyoucanemai li
tSboni
.Thel
ibr
ary
i
swayoutofmyrout
e."Hegotup.
Si
bo:"
Noi
tneedst
obemanual
lysubmi
tt
ed.
"
Zwe:
"That
'sal
ie.
"
Si
bo:"
Whywoul
dIl
i
e?"
Zwe:"Si
bonel
o,youaret
hebluepr
intoftechnology
i
nt hi
scount
ryandyouaren'
teventryi
ngtof i
ght
sendi
nganemai li
nst
eadofmanualsubmi ssi
on? "
Si
bo:"
Zwe,
Ican'
tdi
ctat
ehowpeopl
edot
hei
rjob.
"
Zwe:"
Whyar
eyoul
yingSi
bonel
o?"MnqobiandI
l
aughed.
Si
bo:"
BhutZwe.Pl
ease?Thi
sisi
mpor
tant
."
Zwe:"Iknowit
'si
mport
antbutnawe,you'
l
lbegoi
ng
toyouroffi
cesohandi
tinonyourownway."
Si
bo:"
Ican'
t.I
'
llbel
atef
ormymeet
ing.
"
Zwe:
"Ihaveahospi
talt
orun.
"
Si
bo:"
Itwon'
ttakel
ong.
"
Zwe:"
Mxim.Givemet hi
sthi
ng.
"Si
bonel
ogavehi
m
thebr
ownenvelope.
Si
bo:"
Pleasehandi
ttoNomzamoMahl
a.Onl
yher
."
Zwe:
"Whati
fshe'
snott
her
e?"
Sibo:"
Itcan'
tbegiventoanyoneelse,
there'svery
i
mpor t
antinf
ormationther
ethatshewillprotect
andalsoescalat
equicker.
"
Zwe:
"Can'
tKhayat
akei
tther
e?Af
terhi
scl
asshe'
s
fr
eei
sn'
the?"
Khaya:"
I'
m goi
ngt
oGr
eenl
andBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Todowhatt
her
e?"
Khaya:"
I'
m havi
ngl
unch,
bhut
i.
"Hest
aredatme.
Si
bo:"
PleaseBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:"
Mxi
m."Hewal
kedout
."Youpeopl
eobvi
ousl
y
hat
eme."
Si
bo:"
Thankyoubhut
i.
"
Khaya:"
Also,
Imayhaveadat
ewi
tht
hepr
incess
BhutSbo."
Si
bo:"
Goodluckmybug, I'l
lmakeanoteofthat
.
Sendmeyourlocat
ion.Ihavetogetgoi
ng.Mnqobi
,
doyouhaveanyplansafteryourcl
ass?
"
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llbewi
thPet
uthewhol
eday.I
'
llsendyou
myl
ocat
ionaswel
l.
"
Sibo:"
Good.
"Hewalkedoutwit
hhi sguards.Iwas
l
eftwithMnqobi
.Wehaveanof f
iceinsi
det he
palaceweusetoat
tendourvi
rt
ualclasses.
Khaya:"
So.
..Ar
eyouner
vous?
"
Mnqobi
:"Abi
t,yes.Al
oti
shappeni
ngi
nmybr
ain.
"
Khaya:"
Tal
ktome.
"
Mnqobi:"
It'
sjust
..
.IknowPetusaidshe'
sokaywit
h
thi
sweekendawayt hing,
itwasheri
deabutIcan'
t
hel
pfeell
ikeshe'shi
dingifi
thur
ts.
"
Khaya:"
Soyouf
eelgui
lt
y."
Mnqobi:"
Kindof,yeah.Ihaven'
tgi
venhera
weekendaway."
Khaya:"Okay.Mnqobi,youaresureofhowyouf eel
aboutboththesegir
ls.I'
veseenyou.Al so,youguys
havesuchal ongli
fetogetherandthere'l
lbeti
me
foryoutotakePetuonherweekendawayaswel l.
You'vegonealloutfortodayandplannedaper fect
dayt ospendwithher.Askherhowshet rul
yfeels.
"
Mnqobi
:"You'
rer
ight
.Ij
ustal
sodon'
tknowhowt
o
tendtoNothando.YouknowmygirlKhaya.She
doesn'
tli
keanythi
ng.ItseemsPet
uknowshermore
thanIdo.
"
Khaya:"Thi
si sagreatwayt olearnmor eabouther
then.Surel
ythere'
sonet hingshedoesl i
ke.Also,
of
coursePetuwi l
lknowherbet ter,t
hey'r
ebest
fri
endsandl i
vetogether.Mnqobi ,
stopbeingso
hardonyour sel
f.Sincebeginningthisrel
ationshi
p,
allyouhavedonei scatertobot hwomen.Ar eyou
cateri
ngtoyourselfaswell?"
Mnqobi
:"Notr
eal
ly,
no.
"
Khaya:"Dothatsometi
mes.Thegi
rl
sloveyou.St
op
worryi
ng."Hesighed.
Mnqobi:"Thankyoubr
other
.So,
areyouexci
tedf
or
yourdate?"
Khaya:"Morener
vousthanexci
tedactual
ly.We'r
e
supposedtohaveicecr
eam butI'
m af
raidshe'
llbe
accompaniedbyanarmy."
Mnqobi
:"She'
saSikhosanapr
incess,
that
'sa
gi
ven.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Khaya:"Wil
litbethesameaswhenwe' r
ear ound
Nkosi?You'
veseent hepubli
cgocr azyoverthat
famil
yMnqobiandNkwenkwezi isn'
tusedtot hat
.
She'
slivedi
ni sol
ati
onallherl
if
e.Whatifshe
pani
cs? "
Mnqobi:"Idoubtitwil
lbet
hesameasNkosibut
j
ustincase, carr
yextr
asecuri
ty.I
'm sur
eSboniis
al
readyoni t.Youknowhim."Yeah,Sbonidoesn'
t
compromi seonoursecuri
ty.Ihopetodaygoes
smoothly.

ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Iparkedinf rontoft helibrary.Theyweren'teven

open.No, Si boneloistryingme.Isati nmycar
checkingmyemai l
s.Inabout10mi nutes,someguy
unlockedt hedoor stothel i
brary.Fi
nal
ly.Heopened
them, walkingi n.Igotoutmycarwi ththeenvelope
andwal kedi nf oll
owinghi m.Hewasst il
lundoing
thechainsi nt heseconddoor .Honestl
y?Iwas
beingtested.
Zwe: "
Goodmorni
ng,
sir
."Hel
ookedupatme,
taki
ngoffhi
shat.
Him:" Pri
nceBiyel
a.HowcanIhel pyou?"I
twasa
blessingandacur sethatever
ypersonint
hiscit
y
knewexact lywhoIwaseveni nmypl ai
nblackshir
t
andj eans.Theguardsalwaysgavemeaway.
Zwe:"I
'
mlooki
ngf
oraNomzamo.Ihavet
osubmi
t
thi
stoher
."
Him:"Oh.Nomzamoi sn'
thereyetmyPr i
nce.I
t'
s
unusualforhert
obel ate.CanItakei
tforher
i
nstead?"DamnSi bonelo.
Zwe:
"No,
I'
llwai
t.
"
Him:" Youcancomei nside,mypr i
nce."Heopened
theseconddoor .Iwal kedinwi t
hmyt woguar ds.
Thesmel lofbookswaf tedi
nt heairhypnot i
zingme.
Ilovedr eadi
ng.Iwal kedt hr
ought hefirstaisl
e.The
shelveswer espectacul arclean.Iwalkedupt he
stair
st othesecondf l
oorandl ookedt hrought he
booksofmedi calhistorytocal m myannoyance.40
whol emi nutesl
ater,Iwasgi vi
ngup.I'l
lhavet o
comebackl ater
.Theonl yreasonIstayedt hisl ong
wasonlybecauseIwasreadi
ngbutit'
sobvi
ousI'
m
j
ustwastingmyt i
mewhenIshouldbeworki
ng.A
womanhur ri
edint
othel
ibr
ary,car
ryi
ngwaytoo
manythingsatonce.
She:"
BhutiVuyani.Thankyousomuchf oropening.
Yoh.Ioversl
eptthismorning.Ifel
tli
keacar toon
spi
nningaroundt ogetmyt hi
ngst oget
her.Itdidn'
t
hel
pthatitwast hatpr
ecisemomentwhent he
powerwentof f
.Pleasedon'tjudgehowIl ook."The
manlaughed.
Vuyani
:"Don'
tworr
y,Zamo.Al
so,youhaveaguest.
He'
sbeenwai t
ingaveryl
ongt
ime.Sopleaseat
tend
t
ohim."
She:"Iam sosor r
y.DearGod.Wher eishe?Have
youof fer
edcof feeBhut iVuyani?"Iwat chedher
from t
hesecondf loorwhi l
eshebust l
edabout
tryi
ngt ofi
xher selfandherst at
ional latoncebut
fumblingeverything,fall
ingovert hefloor."
Thisis
soembar r
assing.Wher eisheBhut i?"Henoddedup
mydi rect
ion.Shel ookedupatme." Oh.MyPr ince.
"
Shebowed." Iam sosor r
ytotakeupsomuchof
yourtime.Pleasef orgiveme."Ipl acedt hebook
backi
nit
spl
aceandwal
keddownt
hest
air
s.
Zwe:"Goodmor ni
ng.AreyouNomzamoMahl a?
"I
stoodinfr
ontofher.Shenoddedquickl
y,i
fher
caramelski
nwasanyl ight
er,
hercheekswouldbe
fl
amingred.
She:"Yessi r-MyPrince.Iam Nomzamo.Ibelieve
wespokeont hephone."Igavehertheenvel
ope.
"Youdi dn'
thavet ocomeal lt
heway.Anemai l
wouldbegr eat.
"Shecouldn'tl
ookmei ntheeye,
keepingherheadbowed.SoSi bonel
oli
edtomeasI
i
niti
allythought.
Zwe:
"Youspoket
omybr
other
,notme.Hedi
dn'
t
ment
ionanemail
."
Zamo:"Oh,
I'
m sosor
ryt
owast
eyourt
imemy
Pri
nce.
"
Zwe:"Hopef
ullythedocument
swi
llr
eacht
hei
r
dest
inat
ionfaster?
"
Zamo:"
I'
llmakesur
eofi
t.I
'
llgetoni
tri
ghtaway.
"
Zwe:
"Thankyou,
Nomzamo."Shecurt
sied,
making
mechuckl
e.Noonehaseverdonet
hatforme.
Zamo:"
Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
se,
mypr
ince?
"
Zwe: "
No."Iwal
kedoutofthelibr
ary.Si
bonelo
thi
nkshe'ssosmart,
doesn'the?Ilaughed.I
'
m
goingtoplayt
hisgameofhi s.
[
07/
27,
06:
15] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er117

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Isati
nmyof fi
ceatBi-
connect
,Iwaswai
tingfor
Zimasatoarr
ivesowecouldstar
tthemeeti
ng.My
assi
stantwal
kedin.
Si
bo:"
Ari
el.I
sZi
mmyher
e?"
Ari
el:"
Notyet,
Pri
nceSibonel
o.Yourmeet
ingi
sonly
i
n30mi nut
es,
I'
m sur
eshe'sonherway.Uhm,you
dohoweverhaveanappoi
ntment
."
Si
bo:"
Who?
"
Ari
el:"Aladybookedanappoi nt
mentearl
ythi
s
week.She'sajournalistf
orPeakReads,
shesaid
youspoket oheront hephoneaboutbei
ngonnext
mont h'
sBusinessissue."
Sibo:"What?Idi
dn'
tspeaktoanyj
our
nali
st,
Ari
el.I
n
fact,
Ihaveneverbeenint
erest
edi
nbeingon
magazi ne.
"
Ar
iel
:"She'
sal
readyher
e,si
r.
"
Sibo:"Ngenzenj anikemina?Yoh.Sendherin,I
'm
notdoinganint ervi
ew.Makeherunder st
andthat
I'
m simplycall
ingheri nt
oexplai
nI'm not
i
nterested.
"(WhatmustIdo? )
Ari
el:"
Yessi r
."Shewalkedout.Icl
osedmyemails,
checki
ngmyphone.Apai rofheelswalkedi
nmy
off
icecli
nkingont hef
loor
.Ilookedup.You'
vegot
tobefuckingwi t
hme.
Si
bo:"
Whatt
hehel
l?
!"
Megan:"
Hibaby.
"Sheundi
dhercoat
,reveal
ingher
nakedbody.
Si
bo:"
Meganwhati
syourf
ucki
ngpr
obl
em!
!"
Megan:"
Idon'
thaveaprobl
em.
"Shewal
kedt
owar
d
me.Ist
oodupfrom myseat
.
Sibo:"
WhatpartofI
'
m notint
eresteddoyounot
fucki
ngunderst
and?!Mybusinesspart
neri
sabout
towalkinanyminut
e!Getout!
!"
Megan:"
Sowher
eshoul
dIwai
tthen?
"
Sibo:"
Nkulunkul
uYiniungi
zondakanj
e?Don'
twai
t
forme!!Idon'
twantyouMegan."(
God,whydoyou
hateme? )
Megan:"
Idon'
tbeli
eveyou,Si
bonel
o.I'
m goi
ngt
o
pr
ovetoyouthatyoureal
lywantme-"
Sibo:"
GUARDS! !
!"Theyquicklymarchedin."
Thi
sis
theveryl
astti
meI '
m addressingyouMegan.Get
thefuckoutofmyl i
fe.Iwon'tbegentl
ethenext
ti
me."
Megan:"Seeyousoonbaby."Theyescor
tedherout
.
Whatthehellwast
hisnonsense?Thissi
tuat
ionnot
onl
yfrustr
atedmebutitwasbeginni
ngtoangerme
becauseIdon'twishorcommitviol
enceonwomen.
Sowhatthehel lcanIdotogetheroffmyback?A
harassmentcharge?Let'
sdothat.Myphonerang.
Si
bo:"
Hel
lo?
"
Zwe:"
Brot
her.SoIgotyourdocument
sin.Imett
he
l
ibr
ari
an.
"Ismiled.
Si
bo:"
She'
scut
ene?
"
Zwe:"I
ndeed.SoIfiguredIshoul
daskherout.She
sai
dno.Turnsout,shehasacr ushonyou.Hashad
oneforyear
sinfact,shewashopingtomeetyou."
Ohfuckno.
Si
bo:"
What
?"
Zwe: "Yeah.Idecidedl
etmesetsomet hingupfor
you.She'ssuchasweetgi rl
,youdefini
tel
yneedher
i
nyourl ife.Ihopeyou'
refr
eef orl
unch.Imadea
reservati
onf oryouatAmeli
a's.She'
l
lbeexpect
ing
you."Thiscan'tbehappeni
ng.
Si
bo:"
NoZwe!!Ican'
t.I
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
nhavi
ng
l
unchwit
hher
."
Zwe:
"Iknowyou'
reshy,
brot
her
.It
hinkt
hisgi
rli
s
per
fectf
oryouthough.Maybethi
sti
meyou'
l
lfal
lin
l
oveandworktowardbeingcommitt
ed-
"
Si
bo:"
Zwe,
Idonotwantt
hisgi
rl
.Icannot
."
Zwe:
"Whynot
?"
Si
bo:"Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nki
twi
llbeagoodmat
chf
or
me."
Zwe:
"Butyou'
resi
ngl
e?"
Si
bo:"
She'
snotmyt
ype.
"
Zwe:
"That'
snonsense.She'
sapr
ett
ygi
rl
,ver
y
smar
ttoo.You'
l
lbefine.
"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
e-"
Zwe:"Don' tbelate.Youknowi t'
srudet okeepa
womanwai t
ing.Speaktoyousoon. "Hehungup.
Whatthehel l
?It r
iedcal
li
nghi m backandhedi dn'
t
answer .Ican'tgooutwi t
ht hi
sgirl
.It'
sfineifshe
didn'
twanthi m butIdidn'twanther .Whywoul d
Zwelethuj ustplanadatef ormewi thoutmy
knowledge?Di dIsayIwantt odate?Whyi she
makingmyver ybusylif
eevenmor ecompl icat
ed?
Si
bo:"
Answeryourphone!
!"Ishout
edi
nthe
voi
cemai l.ShouldIcallherandcancel
?Oht hatis
sorude.Especi al
lybecauseshe'ssweet.MaybeI
shouldgot oAmelia'
sandl etherdowngent
ly?
Zwelethui sver
ymean.Ther ewasnoneedf orthi
s
honestly.Zimmywal kedin.
Zi
mmy:" Morning, Pri
nceSi
bonelo.
"Shelooked
amazingint
ightj eanswit
hariponherthigh,baggy
whit
eplaint
-shirtandablackblazeront
opwi ththe
hi
ghestredheels.
Si
bo:"
Hey.
"
Zi
mmy:"Am Il
ate?Ari
elsaysyou'
rewait
ingf
orme.
It
houghtwewerestar
ti
ngathalfpast
."
Sibo:"No.You' r
enotl
ate.
"Shedidn'thaveawigon
today,insteadnewbrai
dstiedupt oabun.Herface
cleanofanymakeup." Newf r
agrance?"Iopenedmy
meet i
ngf olderont
hecomput er
.Ilovedherold
fragr
ance.I ttur
nedmeonl i
keat ap.
Zimmy:" Yes.ThoughtI'
dtrysomet hi
ngnew."Her
usualscentwasf l
oralandpowder y.Thi
snewscent
wasmi ntyandf r
esh.Notcompl et
elyopposit
ebut
verydi
fferentfr
om whatI'm usedtofrom her
.
Si
bo:"
It
's.
..
cri
sp.Di
ff
erent
."
Zimmy:" Exact
lywhatIwasgoi
ngfor."Shesmil
ed.
It
'sbeenweekssi nceIwassmil
edat."Bef
orewe
begin,canIpleaseasksomet
hing?
"
Si
bo:"
Sur
e."
Zi
mmy:"
Isi
tokayi
fIt
ookt
heweekendof
f?"
Si
bo:"
Youdon'
twor
kweekends.
"
Zi
mmy:" Imeani
nthesensethatIwon'
tbe
at
tendi
ngtoemail
sorpossi
blycall
simmediat
ely.
"
Sibo:"
MayIaskwhy?
"Ifr
esti
swhatsheneeded
thensure,
whynot
.
Zimmy:"Uhm Iwant
edtogot oaconcer
ttomor r
ow.
Ihaven'
tbeentoonebeforesoIwashoping..
.I
couldgo.I
twouldbeeasiert
oleavet
oni
ght ,
thebus
i
sat6. "
Si
bo:"
Wher
eist
heconcer
t?"
Zi
mmy:"
InGol
denCr
own.
"
Si
bo:"That
'sf
ivehour
saway.You'
llar
ri
vear
ound
midni
ghtinacit
yyoudon'
tknow."
Zi
mmy:"
Afr
iendwi
llbewai
ti
ngf
orme.
"
Sibo:"Melokuhl
e."Mychestf
eltt
ight
.Hewassti
lli
n
thepictur
e?What '
swrongwithhi
m?Whycan'the
disappear?
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.
"
Sibo:"Isee."Icl
ickedonmycomputer,
doi
ng
uselessthingsbecauseIdon'
tevenknowwhatI
wasl ookingfor.
Zi
mmy:"
So,
mayI
?"
Si
bo:"
Sur
e.Canwebegi
n?"
Zimmy:"ThankyouPri
nceSibonel
o.Yes,
wemay
star
t.
"Thiswasstar
ti
ngtofuckwit
hmeandIhat
eit
.
Ihatethespi
nni
nginmyhead.
Si
bo:"
You'
l
lbest
ayi
ngi
nhi
shouse?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes,
heof
fer
edt
oaccommodat
eme.
"
Si
bo:"
Hewasmar
ri
edbef
ore.
"
Zimmy:" Hetol
dmeaboutit
.Andabouthisson,
Libhongo."Howser
iouswasthi
s?Ifhe'
salr
eady
toldherabouthi
sli
feandki
d?Invi
ti
nghertostayi
n
hi
shouse?Wasipl
ayi
ngal
osi
nggameher
e?
Sibo:"
Oh.That
'sgood."Myhandswereshaki
ng.
"Haveyouupdatedyourbanki
ngdet
ail
sorthey'
re
sti
llt
hesame?"
Zi
mmy:"
Sti
llt
hesame.Why?
"
Sibo:"Yoursalarywi
llonl
ybepaidnextweeksoI
havetogi veyouanadvance.Youneedf i
nancial
securi
tyifyou'regoi
ngtoanotherpr
ovince.You
can'tj
ustbedependentont hemanthatcalledyou
there.
"
Zimmy:"
Ihavesavi
ngs."Il
oggedi
ntomyapp,
sendi
ngherwhatshe'
l
lneed.
Si
bo:"
Let
'sst
artourmeet
ing.
"
Zimmy:"ThankyouSi bonelo.Thi sisreall
y
thoughtf
ulofyou."Ineededt ogett hi
smeet ing
fi
nishedasqui ckashumanl ypossi bl
e.How?Idon' t
know.Mybr ainwasshor tcir
cui t
ing.Willshebe
fucki
nghim?Hassheal r
eadyf uckedhim?Wasi t
seri
ous?Mel okuhlewasaser iousguy, hewas
alwaysstrai
ghtforwardandi fshe'soutt her
e
visi
ti
nghishousei t'
sclearhe' sserious.Ifhewasin
f
rontofme,
I'
dpr
obabl
ypunchhi
mint
hef
ace.
Sibo:"
Haveyougott
enar
esponsef
rom GRAYSON
pharmaceut
ical
?"
Zimmy:"Icont
actedhi
sof f
iceyester
dayandhi
s
assi
stantmenti
onedthathewillgetbackt
ome."
Si
bo:"Drophim.Pleasepr
epar
eapr oposalofferf
or
WeihbrothersandCo.Iwantt
osendi toutnext
week.Well,whenyouhaveachanceIguess."
Zi
mmy:"
I'
llst
arti
twhi
leI
'
m ont
hebus.
"
Si
bo:"
WhyisMel
okuhlemakingyout
akeabus?
He'
sri
ch,
hecanaff
ordtohaveyoufl
own.
"
Zimmy:" Iact
uall
ydidn'
twanthimto.Iwanttobe
responsiblef
ormyownt ranspor
tat
ion.
"Shecleared
herthroat.Ofcour
seyoudid.Youneverletyour
self
down.
Sibo:"
Iwentthr
oughther
epor
tyousenti
ntheweek.
Yousuggestedamediapagefort
hebusi
ness.Have
youappoint
edanyonetomanageit?
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m managi
ngi
t.
"
Si
bo:"
No,
ithast
obesomeoneel
se.Youhavet
he
worktodoandyourschooli
ng.Thi
si sforsomeone
el
se.Appointamanagerandregi
sterthem sowe
canprocessthei
rcont
ract
."
Zimmy:"I'
l
ldoso."Shet ypedonherlaptop.Il
ooked
atherforaminute.I
'veneverbeensoconf l
ict
ed.IfI
dareaskherback,I'
l
llookl i
kealoser
.Imagine?
OnlywhenMel oi
smaki ngst ri
deshereIam tryi
ng
tosneakback?FuckMel okuhl
e.
Sibo:"
Areyoustil
loncontr
acepti
ves?"Shel
ooked
atme."I'
m sorr
y.Thatwasinvasi
ve.
"Thatsl
ipped
fr
om myt houghtsoutofmymout h.
Zimmy:"Ihavesenttheproj
ecti
onsf
orthenext
week.Whatdoyout hinkaboutt
hepromoideafor
newsignup's?"
Sibo:"
Gr eati
deat
oboostbusi
ness."Whydi
dn'
tshe
evenattempttoanswermyquesti
on?
Zimmy:"Lastl
y,Ihavethebr
andingdesi
gnr
eadyf
or
thescoot
ers.Didyoutakealook?"
Si
bo:"Yes.I
t'
sper
fect.
"Idon'
tevent
hinkIt
ooka
l
ook.Ihadtoomuchwor kthi
sweek,It
rust
edhert
o
makeagooddecision.
Zi
mmy:"
SoIcangoaheadwi
tht
hepr
int
ing?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Per
fect
.Thatsumsupourweek.
"
Si
bo:"
Whenwi
llyoubeback?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sundayeveni
ng.
"
Sibo:"
Okay.Tr
avelsafel
y. "Ihopei
tstor
msandt he
busbreaksdownbef or
ei tevenmoves."Packwarm.
GoldenCrowniscolderthanMount ai
nPeak."
Zimmy:"Thankyou,Pr
inceSibonel
o."Shepacked
herl
aptopandnotebookint
oherbag.
Si
bo:"
Doyoul
ikehi
m?"
Zimmy:" Melo?He'snice.Pleaseexcuseme. "She
hurriedouttheoff
ice.Okay?I twasst i
llmor ning
andMi l
eswasatdaycar esoIcoul dn'tevengo
hangoutwi thhim.Mnqobii swi thPetu, Khaya
goingonhi sdate,
maybeIcangobot herZwe.He' s
thereasonI'm goi
ngt hr
ought his.Ihadt onsof
wor ktodothough,Ijustdon'tfeelli
kedoi ngi tt
oday.
Shewal kedbackin."Sorryaboutt hat.
"Shet ookher
bag.
Si
bo:"
Areyouokay?Youl
ookf
lushed.
"
Zi
mmy:" I
'm per
fect
.Thankyoufort
hepayment,
Pr
inceSbo.Ishouldgetgoi
ng.Enj
oyyour
weekend.
"How?Howt hehel
lmustIenjoyi
twhen
Melokuhl
eisgoingtobeeati
ngmyf ood?
Si
bo:"
Sur
e."Shewal
kedoutt
heof
fi
ce.
..

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Wedr oppedThembi saoffinMnqobi'

shouse,wher e
herfri
endswer e.Shehadhersecuri
ty,whi
chwas
surroundingtheproper
ty,aswel
lasmor esecuri
t y
fr
om t heBiyel
ahousehold.Amahl
ewasal soher e.
Soshewassaf e.Thenwhywasmyhear tref
using
toleave.Istoodwithheronthedr
iveway,hol
ding
herinmyar ms.
Nkosi
:"Ial
readymi
ssyou.
"
Sasa:"
Iknowbabybutwe'l
lseeeachot
hert
oni
ght.
Pl
easestaycal
m dur
ingyourtal
kwit
htheKi
ng.I
l
oveyou."
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyout
oo.
"Ihel
dhercl
oser
.
Sasa:"
Babyyou'
resqueezi
ngme.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m hopi
ngtoabsorbyouintomybodyso
wecangoeverywher
etogether
."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Sasa:"
Isi
tbecauseyouwantt
ohangoutwi
thmy
gi
rl
s?"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
you'
real
wayshavi
ngagoodt
ime.
"
Sasa:"
Nextt
imeI
'
lli
nvi
teyou.
"Iki
ssedherl
ips.
Nkosi
:"Il
oveyou.Goi
nsi
del
oveot
her
wiseI
'
llnever
l
eave.
"Ilethergo.
Sasa:"
Iloveyout oo."Shewalkedi
nt hehouse.I
tor
emyhear taway,gett
ingi
ntothecar.Wedr ovet
o
thehospitalt
ofetchZwe.Whenwear ri
vedhewas
i
nt herecepti
onareaasheusual l
yis.Doesheever
dohisroundsoract uall
ywork?
Nkosi
:"Asusual
,sl
acki
ngof
f.Hel
loZwe.
"He
l
aughed.
Zwe:"MyPr
ince.MyLor
d.TowhatdoIowet
his
vi
sit
?"
Mthunzi
:"Si
nceyoul
ookbored,
wet
houghtt
otake
yousomewherefort
heday.
"
Zwe:"Adate?I'
m honour
edYourHi
ghness."He
batt
edhiseyel
ashes.Thecr
owdwasalready
star
ti
ngtogather.
Nkosi
:"Zwel
ethu,
stoppl
ayi
ng.
"
Zwe:"Eh,Ial
waysf or
getyourcel
ebr
ityprobl
ems.
Let
'sgo."Wef ol
lowedhimtohisoff
ice,myguards
asusual,sur
roundingusunti
lwelef
tthehospit
al.

Wegott othewoods, Mthunzitookt hecoolerbox

outoft heboot.Itookoffrunningfurtherint
othe
woods.Icl imbedupt hetree,t
osituponabr anch.
Nott hestrongestI'
m afr
aid.Iputmyabi l
it
ytothe
test.Break.Thebranchimmedi at
elybrokeoffthe
tree,If
lewt othegroundlandingsmoot hl
yonboth
feet.SoIcancont roli
t.Goodt oknow.Ir anbackto
Mt hunziandZwe.
Nkosi
:"Sot
hecont
roli
sther
e."
Zwe:
"Let
'ssee.
"Il
ookedatt
henear
estt
ree.Teari
n
hal
f,It
hought .Thet r
eecrackedf rom it'
shighest
poi
ntsplit
tingintotwo."That'sincredibl
e.Let'ssee
i
fit
'simpulsive."Mthunzitossedagl assatme.Spl i
t
i
nfivepieces,Ithought.Thegl assbr okeinlarge
pi
ecesbef orefall
ingtothefloor.Ilookedatt he
pi
eces.
Nkosi
:"Yep,
five.Li
keIt
hought
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Howl
ongcanyouhol
dthem i
ntheai
r.
"
Nkosi:"Let'
sfindout."Zwet ossedanot
hergl
ass.
Spli
tinf i
vepieces,fl
oataroundmyhead.Thegl ass
brokeintofivepiecesfloat
ingintheair
.Zwe
l
aughed.
Zwe:
"Ihavet
hecool
estbestf
ri
endi
nthewor
ld.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Canyouuset
heabi
li
ti
esal
latonce?
"
Nkosi
:"Ihaven'
ttr
ied.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ibroughtyourext
racl
othesdon'
tworr
y."
Fal
l.Theglassshredsdroppedt
ot hegr
ound.
Nkosi
:"Turnsoutt
heyst
ayunti
lIt
ellt
hem t
odrop.I
can'
twhispert
oyouguys.You'
remyfri
ends.
"
Zwe:
"Justt
urn,
conj
uref
ir
eandt
hent
his.
"
Nkosi:"
Okay."Ifi
rstscannedt hroughthe
envi
ronment.Everythingwascl ear.Saf
e.Mybody
grewinsizetear
ingt hroughmycl othesasi
t
tr
ansformedintomyt i
ger.Ir
oared.
Mthunzi:"
Icannevergetusedt
othat
.Let'sdofi
re.
"
Igrowled,
scrat
chi
ngmycl awontheground.The
fi
recaughton,bl
azingmorebol
dlyt
hanI'veseenit
befor
e.
Zwe: "
Hi sabil
iti
esareenhancedwhenused
simultaneously..
."Hereali
zed."Tearthr
oughthe
treeli
keyoudi dthef i
rstone."Il
ookedatt het
ree
growling.Tearinhalf.Thet r
eeslowlyplungeoutof
thegroundi nitsroots,vi
olentl
yspli
tt
ingapart
.Both
partshitt
ingothertreesover .
Mt
hunzi
:"Jesus!
!"
Zwe: "Okay.Let '
stakeabi tofabreak..
"Icoul
dn'
t
takeabr eak.Theadr enalinesurgedthroughmelike
elect
rici
ty.Iroaredfrom thepi t
sofmysoul .I
neededt ohunt ."Nkosi.
..Nkosi!!
"Iscrat
chedmy
pawsof fthegr oundlighti
ngupi nfl
ames.
Mt
hunzi
:"Nkosi
nhl
e!!
"It
ookof
fint
othewor
ds,
r
unni
ngatt
hehi
ghestspeed.

SASA'
SPOV_

Sizahadsetupinthebackyard.Wewer ehavinga
pooll
uncheon.Shewassuchagr eatcook.Iwas
i
mmedi at
elyhungr
yjustseeingthefood.
Me:"
Ladi
es.
"Ihuggedher
,Amahl
eandNot
ha.
Si
za:"
Hisweet
hear
t.
"Amahl
esmi
led.
Me:"
Howar
eyou?
"
Ama:"
I'
mf i
ne.Howar
eyoucopi
ng?He'
sdr
ivi
ng
youcr
azy,
isn'
the?
"
Me:"
Who?
"Il
aughed.
Ama:"
Yourhusband.
"
Me:"
Nevermyhusband.Thati
smyangel
."Igi
ggl
ed.
Ama:"I
'
m givi
ngyouamont h.Hecan'thel
pit
shame.
"Sheheldmywaist.Ihuggedheragain.
She'
sprobabl
ystar
teddr
inki
ngalready."
Ican'twai
t.
Pl
easebor
rowhi
mtomef
ort
hef
ir
styear
?"
Me:"Amahle,pleasegetyourownhusband,youhad
20yearswithmi ne.I
'
m notborr
owi ngyou
anyt
hing.
"Wel aughed.Zimmyar r
ived.
Zi
mmy:"Heyl
oves.
"Wehuggedher
."Wher
e's
Pet
u?"
Notha:"Shehasadat
ewi t
hMnqobi
.Todayyou'
re
her
ef orme.Ineedl
essons."
Zimmy:"Onwhatlove?Thefoodsmel l
sdel
ici
ous,
Sizanipl
easedon'
tjudgeme.I'
m al
ready
sali
vati
ng."Shet
ookoffherheel
s.
Si
za:"
Knockyour
sel
foutbabe.
"
Ama:"
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
"Shesmi
led.
Zi
mmy:" Ri
ght
?"Shetookaplat
e,dishi
ngup.I
j
oinedheri
mmediat
ely."
Notha,whatdoyouneed
l
essonswit
h."
Notha:"MnqobiandIaregoingawaytoday.I
t'
sthe
dayIlosemyvirgini
ty.WhatdoIdo?"
Zimmy:"
Omg?"Shechewedwhat '
sinhermouth.I
satont
hepoolsi
decouch,
nibbl
ingint
omyf ood.
Si
za:"
Areyour
eadyNot
ha?
"
Notha:"
Yes,
I'
m sur
e..
"Amahlesatnextt
ome,
gi
vingmejui
ce.Myfavor
it
ethismonth.Orange.
Me:"
You'
real
if
esaver
."Igul
pedaf
ewsi
ps.
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.Howf
arhaveyougot
tensexual
ly?
"
Not
ha:"
Ionl
yhadaki
ss.
"
Amahl
e:"
Tel
lthem wi
thwho.
"
Me:"
Mnqobi
,duh.
"
Ama:"
Not
hando?
"
Not
ha:"
Itwaswi
thPet
u."Westar
edathershocked.
Amahl
egiggl
edsi
ppi
ngherdr
ink.
Zi
mmy:"
CanIpl
easehavemor
econt
ext
?"
Si
za:"
OurPet
u?"
Me:"
Ist
her
eanot
herPet
u?"Wel
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Whatdoest
hismean?
"
Notha:"Petu,MnqobiandIar
einarel
ati
onshi
p.All
thr
eeofus.I t'
snotj
ustMnqobiandIorMnqobiand
Petu.There'sal
soPetuandI.
"
Me:"
That
'ssweet
,Not
ha.
"
Siza:"
Sothi
siswhythegiggl
esandcuddl
eswhen
we'rewat
chingmovi
es?I'
m beingbur
ntbyacandl
e
andIdon'
tevenknowit.
"Welaughed.
Zimmy:"Okay, I'
mt el
lingyouwhatIt oldSasa.Let
himleadyou, love.Icant ellyouhowt opr epare.
Takeawar m bat h,preferabl ytogether.Thi sway
you'r
ebothfeel i
ngwar m andcomf ortableseeing
eachothernaked.Taket urns, applyi
ngl oti
onont o
eachother.Hol dhisgaze, kisshi m.Kissever ypart
ofhim.Lethim knowhowmuchyout rusthim,if
youlovehim, you'rereadyt olethi min."Shehel d
backhertears."I'
m sor ryguys.I t'
sjustbeensucha
toughweek."Shesobbed.Si zar ubbedherback.
Si
za:"
Isi
tyourper
iodweek,
baby?
"
Me:"
Pleasedon'
tcry,
you'r
egoingt
omakemecr
y."
Amahlewasgiggl
ingsil
ent
ly.
Zi
mmy:" Peri
odweek?I'
m oncontr
acepti
ves.Idon'
t.
.
I
'm notsur
e.Dotheyhappen?Theystopri
ght?
Whenyou'reont
heneedle?"
Si
za:"
Somet
imes.
"
Zimmy:" Yeah.Itookani nject
ion.IthinkI'm due
soon.Ohwomen' shor mones. "Shelaughed.My
brainfroze.Contraceptives?Ihaven'tt aken
contracepti
ves.Sur elyitwouldn'thappensoqui ckl
y
ri
ght?Whenwasmyper iod?Ididhaveaper iod.
Afterwegotmar ried.Justaf ewdaysaf ter
.SoI
wassaf e?Ithink.Ican'tbepr egnant .I
'm
overthi
nkingnonsense.
Not
ha:"
Thembi
sa,
howwasyourf
ir
stt
ime?
"
Me:"Uhm. ..Uncomf ortabl
ef orthefi
rstf ewmi nut
es.
Iwasr eal
lynervousbutIl ethi mlead.So, l
et
Mnqobigui deyou. "Itr
ustedmygi r
ls,alloft hem,
butItookmymot hersadvi ceser i
ously.Al so,my
husbandwasaf utureking.I twouldbe
i
nappr opr
iatedescr i
binghowamazi nghi ssexi s.
Butformysel f,
Ihadt oadmi t
,hewasademigodi n
morewayst hanIcani magi ne.NowImi sshi m.
Siza:"
Also,havel
ube.I
tisperf
ect
lysafeandfi
ne.
Ourbodiesdon'tr
espondthesamewayt osex,
theref
oreithel
psmakesthingsmorecomfort
able.
"
Ama:"
Also,
dri
nkabi
tofal
coholt
oletyourbody
l
oosenup.
"
Me:"Andwhatdoyouknowaboutt
hist
opi
c?"She
l
aughed.
Ama:"
Idon'
thavet
oknowanyt
hing.
"
Not
ha:"
Okay.Sof
ar,
Ithi
nkI
'
m set
tl
ingi
ntobei
ng
l
essner
vous.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Areyousur
eaboutt
hisNot
ha?
"
Not
ha:"
Yes.Iwantt
otr
yitout
."
Me:"
Tryi
ngi
sgood.Iwi
shyout
hebest
."
Notha:"
Letmeshowyouguyswhatoutf
it
sIhave
pl
anned."Shewentupst
air
s.Amahl
ewenttohel
p
Si
za.Zimmysatnexttome.
Me:"
Doyouknowanypr
egnancysympt
oms?
"
Zimmy:"Yeah,Ithi
nknausea,
sensi
ti
vit
ytosmel
l,
tender
..
.breast
s."Shestar
edatnot
hingpr
obabl
y
tryi
ngtothi
nkofmor e.
Me:"
Okay,
Ithi
nkI
'
m saf
e.Ihaven'
thadanyoft
hat
."
Zi
mmy:"
Oh.
."Ibr
eat
hedasi
ghofr
eli
ef.
Me:"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hing.
"
Me:"
Youl
ookwor
ri
ed.Di
dyouf
orgetsomet
hing?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ithi
nkso.
"
Me:"What?"Myphonerang.WhywouldMt
hunzibe
cal
li
ng?"Hell
oMthunzi
."Ianswer
ed.
Mt
hunzi
:"HiSasa.Uhm,
wehaveapr
obl
em.
"
Me:"Aproblem?"OhGod,IhopeNkosiandhi
s
f
atherdi
dn'tfi
ghtagai
n.
Mthunzi
:"Yes.Uhm.Wel
ostNkosi
."Myhear
t
st
opped.
Me:"LOSTHIM?LOSTHI
M HOW!
?"Ist
oodup,
my
kneeswobbl
y.
Mthunzi:"I
nt hewoods.Wewer et
est
inghisabil
i
ties
andhet urned, l
itonfir
e,toreapar
tatreewit
hthe
newabilit
yt hen...Thenhechanged,hebecame,
seemingly,strongerand...
hetookoff
.There'
sno
tr
aceofhi m. "Myhear traced.
Me:"
Whatdoes.
..
whatdoyoumeanst
ronger
?You
seem pani
cked,
why?
"
Mt hunzi
:"Usingallabil
itiestoget her
,enhanced
them byalot.We' r
eunsur ehowt henewonewor ks
yet,wewer etryingtofigur ethatout.NowIdon't
know.Wi t
ht hewayhet ookof f.Idon'
tknowwher e
he'sendedupandI '
m af r
aid.Whet herhe'
sadanger
tohimselforot herpeopl ehemaycomeacr oss
dependingonhowf arhe'sgone. "
Me:"
Sowhatdowedo?
"
Mt hunzi
:"Ineedyoutocome.Theonl
ypersonthat
cangetthr oughtoNkosi
,wil
lbehi
smate.You.
Pleasecomef i
ndhim.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
15] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er118

SASA'
SPOV_

Amahl
ecamebackoutt
othebackyar
dasIputmy
shoeson.
Me:"Ladi
es,
Ihavet
odashoutf
orabi
t.Amahl
e,
l
et'
sgo-"
Ama:"
Youdon'tneedme.I '
llhol
dthef
orther
e."Yep,
Amahl
ewasdr inki
ng.She'
ssuchahappyper son
whenshe'
sindulgi
ngalcohol.
Si
za:"
Isever
ythi
ngokaySasa?
"
Me:"
Yes.Ever
ythingi
sfi
ne.Ij
ustneedtodo
somet
hingqui
ckly.Zi
mmy?"Shelookedup.
Zi
mmy:"
Yesbaby?
"
Me:"
Areyouokay?Youl
ookconcer
ned.
"She
gi
ggl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Me:"Okay."Acarar r
ived,wi
tht
hreeguar
ds.Ical
led
Mthunziagain."
Mt hunzi,
acarhascomeforme.
Whataretheguar dsnames?
Mthunzi:"
Tellt
hem t
oshowI D.It'
sMongezi,Ganda
andDave.They'repi
ngingnexttoyouonmysi de."I
checkedtheID'
sbeforegett
ingin.Oneofthem
drove,t
heothertwointhesecondcarfol
lowing.I
wasnervous,
notsurehowNkosijustdi
sappear
ed
andwhy.Whatifhegoestot
hecity?Hecan'tdo
that
.Wedroveint
othewoods,Igotoutthecar
walki
ngtoMthunziandZwe.
Me:"
Hel
loZwe.
"
Zwe:
"HiSasa.
"
Me:"
Itakei
the'
sst
il
lnotback?
"
Zwe:
"No.We'
vesear
chedt
hear
eat
wice.Ther
e'sno
si
gnofhi
m."
Me:"Doyouhaveakni
fe?
"Mt
hunzigavemehi
s
pocketkni
fe.
Mt
hunzi
:"Hewon'
thur
tyou.
"
Me:"Iknow.
"Iopenedthekni
fecutt
ingmyhand.
Thebloodoozedoutofthesl
ashinmyhand.
"Pl
easegeti
nt hecar
-"
Mt
hunzi
:"No.
"
Me:"
He'sgoi
ngt ofr
eakoutwhensmell
ingt
his
bl
ood.Wedon'tknowwhatstat
ehe'
sin-
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m notl
eavi
ngyoubyyour
sel
fThembi
sa.
I
fwehavet
ofi
ghthi
m,t
henwe'
l
ldot
hat
.Ri
ght
Zwe?
"
Zwe:"Heeee,
Mthunziwhataboutmypr et
tyf
ace?
"I
chuckl
ed.Thegr
oundshiveredforasecond.
Me:"He'
scoming."Ri
ghtthen,t
het i
gerappeared
j
umpingoutofnowhere.Myhear tstoppedwitha
col
dfear
.Heroared,huf
fi
ngi nfr
ontofme." Baby.
"
Moremovement.
Zwe:"
Ohno."Astr
eakofti
gerscr
awl
edoutoft
he
woods.Iwast
rembli
ngoutofmysoul
.
Me:"Sthandwasam. "Imovedcl osertothefi
rstthat
appeared.Thiswashi m.Hel i
ckedmyhand, roaring
l
oudly.Iheldhisear,brushinghisfur."
Nkosinhle...
"
Hegr owled,r
ubbinghisheadonmybel l
y.Ibrushed
myf i
ngersbehindhisear s.Slowlyhisbody
morphedbackt ohishumanf orm.Hewaskneel ing
i
nf r
ontofme, kissi
ngmyst omach.
Me:"
Hisweet
hear
t.
"Hel
ookedup.
Nkosi
:"Whohur
tyou.
"Thedangeri
nhi
seyes.
Me:"
Noone.Icutmyhandt
ocal
lyou.Doyouwant
t
ointroducemet oyourf
ri
ends?"Hestoodup,
l
ookingbehindhim.Achuffemanat
ingoutofhis
t
hroat.Theotherti
ger
sbackedaway,crawl
ingback
t
otheirsecret
swoods.
Nkosi
:"Whydi
dyoucome?Ar
eyouhur
t?"Whywas
hesoreadyt
ofight
?
Me:"Baby,
I'
m nothurt
.Yourfr
iendsarewor
ried
aboutyou.
"Helookedup,MthunziandZwelooked
athi
m.
Zwe:
"Hi
."
Nkosi
:"Youcal
ledmywi
fe?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youdi
sappear
ed.Whatdi
dyouexpect
?"
Nkosi
:"Nott
obot
hermywi
fe,
forone.
"
Mthunzi
:"Nextt
hingyour
unt
otheci
tyandIhave
t
oanswerf ori
t?"
Nkosi
:"Mxi
m."Hel
ookeddownatme."
Hey.
"
Me:"Iwasworri
edNkosi.I
fyou'r
eouther
e,you
needtoli
stent
oyourfr
iends.Theywantt
okeep
yousafe.
"
Nkosi
:"Okaybaby.
"Heki
ssedmyl
ips.
Me:"
Whydi
dn'
tyoui
ntr
oducemet
oyourt
iger
f
ri
ends?
"
Nkosi
:"They'
renotmyf
ri
ends,
they'
remyt
ri
be.
Theyal
readyknowyou.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Dot
heyknowme?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyou,
Mthunzi
."Heki
ssed
mynose.
Mt
hunzi
:"MustIgoaskt
hem?
"
Nkosi:"Iwi
llt
ieyoutothetopofthatt
ree.
"He
warned.Theylaughed."Letmeshowyou
somet hi
ng.
"Heheldmyhandwal ki
ngthrought
he
woods.
Me:"Oooh,ar
ewegoi
ngt
ocl
i
mbat
reeandki
ss?
"
Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Whyt
hat
?"
Me:"Youdon'tknowt hesong?NkosiandSasa
si
tt
inginatree,kissing.Fi r
stcomesl ur
rv,
then
comesmar r
iage,thencomesthebabyi nagolden
car
riage.
"Helaughed.
Nkosi:"Fi
net hen.Hol dont ome."Hepi ckedmeup,
wrappingmyl egsar oundhiswai st
,myar ms
holdi
ngont ohi mt ight.Heclimbedupt hetree
reachingathickbr anchandsatoni t.Isti
llclungon
tohim.Idefinitel
ydi dn'tt
rustthi
streebutIknowhe
wouldn'tl
etmef al
l."Singthesongt hen.Howdoes
i
tgo? "Igi
ggled.
Me:"
NkosiandSasa,sit
ti
ngi
nthetr
ee.K.I
.S.S.I-
"
heki
ssedmylips,f
orget
ti
ngwewereevensit
ti
ng
onatree,
mymi ndandtummyfuzzywit
hhissoft
embr
ace.
Nkosi
:"Nowthatwekissedonat ree,andwehave
l
ove,andal
somar ri
age.Ishouldprobabl
ygett
he
gol
dencarr
iageready.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"
It
'st
ooear
lyf
ort
hat
,baby.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tneedst
ober
eadywhenmyboyar
ri
ves.
"
Me:"Andyou'refor
tunatethatgol
disoneofyour
f
amilycoloursbutpleasedon'tmaket
hecarr
iage
r
ealactualgold.
"
Nkosi
:"I
sther
esuchathi
ngasfakegol
d?Pl
ease
don'
tshamemychil
dinfr
ontofanati
on,Mr
s
Si
khosana.
"Ilaughedi
ntohi
schest
."Il
oveyou.
Thankyouforcomingf
orme."
Me:"Per
sonal
lyIwoul
d'vel
etyourunaroundnaked
al
lyouwantbutMthunziwasworr
ied.
"Hel aughed.
Nkosi:"
Heneverletsmehavef un.Let
'st
akeyou
backtoyourgi
rl
s, l
ove.You'
resupposedtobe
enj
oyingyour
selfandresti
ngtoday.Haveyou
eaten?"
Me:"Idi
d.Si
zacookedt
hemostdel
ici
oushear
ty
mealandnowI'
m hungr
yagai
nsolet'
sgo.
"He
chuckl
ed.
Nkosi:"
Holdon."Hecareful
lycl
imbeddownthet
ree,
l
andingonthegr oundsafel
y.Heplacedmedown.
Wewal kedbacktotheothers.
Me:"Soyourti
gerfri
endsst
ayhereinthewoods?
They'
ref
ullt
imetigers?
"Helaughed.
Nkosi
:"Yes,
theyst
ayi
nthewoods.SoI
'
m par
t
t
ime?"
Me:"
Yesbaby,you'
rever
ypartt
ime.Thi
sist
hef
ir
st
t
imeI'
veseenyouchange."
Nkosi
:"Youwer
escar
ed.
"
Me:"
Ter
ri
fi
ed.
"Il
aughed.
Nkosi :"
Iwoul dneverhur tyou,myl ove.Theother
s
woul dn'
teither.EvenifI'
m nother e.They'
llpr
obably
standar oundyouandwai tforme, at
tacki
ng
anythingthattriesit
'sluck."Hekissedmyear .
Mt hunzihandedhi m clothestowear .
Mthunzi
:"Cl
ear
lywhenwebr
ingyouher
e,wemust
comewithyourwi
fe.
"
Nkosi:"
MaybeIshoul
dcomewithheral
one
becausesheatl
eastl
et'
smehavefun.
"Welaughed,
walki
ngtothecar
.

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

ZimmyandIpl annedmyoutfi
tsfortheweekend.
Amahl ewasn'
ttooint
ofashi
onandSi zawas
diff
erentf
rom mystyl
e.Zi
mmyt oo,butsheloved
fashionaswhole.
Zi
mmy:"
Cri
spwhi
teshi
rtwi
thst
onewashedj
eans
arealwaysaclassi
c.Youcandr essitupordown.
Yourstyl
eofchoiceisami ni
malistsoperhaps
simplesli
ponsandalsforshoesinaneutralcol
our
thatmatchesyourpurse.Whereareyourbrown
sandals?"
Notha:"Her
e.Andaccessor
ies,
gol
dsi
mpl
e
accents.
"
Zimmy:"
Perf
ect
,thi
sisyourSat
urdayf
ir
stl
ook.
Let'
sdoabackupoutf
it
."
Notha:"Thesewi delegbei
gedresspant
s?They'
re
hi
ghwai st.Pair
ingitwithawhi
tebodysui
tandthe
whitesandal.Alsothisbei
gehat.
"
Zimmy:"Youobvi
ousl
ydon'
tneedme.Thi
sis
beaut
if
ul.Wheredi
dyougett
hesepant
s?"
Not
ha:"
AtTheBaba'
s.
"
Zimmy:"Oooh,Desi
gner
.Thecutgi
vesi
taway.I
t'
s
spect
acular
."
Notha:"
Sunday,thi
sfl
owywidelegandbut
tonshi
rt
l
inentwopiece.Ideci
dedt
ostepoutoft
hecomfort
neutr
alcol
ors.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Thi
sgr
een?I
'
m obsessed.
"
Not
ha:"Buti
ncaseIchi
ckenout,
Ihavethi
sfl
owy
whi
teandpinkf
lor
alski
rt
,pl
usthiswhi
tetop.
"
Zimmy:"
Theseareper
fect
.Whyar
en'
tyoust
udyi
ng
fashi
onNot
ha?"
Notha:"
Ihavenodesir
et oactual
lymakethe
cl
othes.I'
drat
herj
uststyl
ethem."Wef ol
dedmy
cl
othesintomysmallsuit
case.
Zimmy:"
Pleaseexcuse.
"Shegotup,
runni
ngt
othe
bathr
oom.
Si
za:"
Ey.
..
"Shechuckl
ed.
Not
ha:"
What
'
sup?
"
Siza:"Areyouoncontracepti
vesNothando?Infact
,
doyouhavecondoms?Dur exhasarealfeelr
ange
thatfeel
slikeski
n."Amahlelaughedoutloud.It
ook
mydr inkbecauseshewascl earl
ygett
ingherbuzz.
Not
ha:"Yes,PetuandIwentt
ogetimpl
antson
Monday.Yes,I'
m st
il
lgoi
ngtouseacondom."
Si
za:"
Good.
"
Not
ha:"
Ababyi
sn'
tinourpl
anyet
."
Siza:"
Howwil
lyouhaveababybet
weenthet
hree
ofyouwhenyoudodecidet
ohaveone?
"
Notha:"Well,Idon'
twanttocarryababy.Petusai
d
shewant stocar r
y.Ther
efore,we'
llt
akeeggsfrom
me, f
erti
li
zeitwithMnqobi'ssperm,thenputi
t
i
nsidePet u.Thebabywillhavetwomommi esanda
daddy.Allofusshar i
ngequalparental
responsi
bili
ty."
Si
za:"
Howdoyouresol
veconf
lict
?Forexampl
eif
Pet
uandMnqobif
ight
,who'
ssideareyouon?"
Notha:" Weneverf i
ght.However,ifwedo, wehave
discussedhavi ngmedi at
orstohelpsolvethe
conf l
ictdependingonhowbi gitis.I
fit
'ssomething
wecan' tsol
veatt hetabletheneachper soncal
ls
theirrepresent
ative,andwedi scussitasaf amil
y."
Siza:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
ol i
e,I'
mjeal
ous.Amahl
e,how
aboutyou?Areyoueyeingsomeone?"
Ama:"
Yesact
ual
ly.
"Shesmi
led.Ichuckl
ed.
Not
ha:"
Youhaven'
ttol
dthem?
"
Si
za:"
Them?
"
Ama:"I
t'
stheirpronoun.Theydoesn'
tuseHeorShe.
Theyusethey.Theyarenonbinary.
"
Siza:"
Letmegett hisstr
aight,
soyouhaveacrush
onOneper son.Whowant stobeacknowl
edgedas
nonbinary?Thereforedoesn'
tusethegener
alhi
m
orherpronouns.InsteadusesTheytodescr
ibe
themselves.
"
Ama:"Correct
.Genderdoesn'
tdef
ineper
son.The
pri
vatepartapersonwasbornwit
hisnoone's
concernbutthey'
reown.
"
Siza:"
Thatisveryt
rue.AndwenaNot
ha?It
hought
youwer easexual
."
Not ha:"
Yes.Ihavenosexualdesireatal
l.Ido
howeverhaveemot i
onalbonds.Thisi
swhatI 'm
sti
lllear
ning.Am Iact
uall
yasexualordemi sexual
.
I'
l
lfigureitoutasIgo."
Si
za:"
Nowwhati
sdemi
sexual
?"
Notha:"Havi
ngsexualdesi
reonl
yfort
hepersonor
peopleyouhavecreat
edast r
ongemoti
onalbond
wi
th.
"
Siza:"Youarethetwomosti nter
est i
ngpeopl eI'
ve
evermet .I'
mlearni
ngquit
eal ot.Lifeisnotblack
andwhi te.Ther
e'sbl
ue,green,pink,purpleand
manymor e.Somanybeaut if
ulcolourst ochoose
fr
om andpeopl etoo.Hencether ainbowf lag?
That'ssosweet."
Ama:" Tryexplaini
ngittomydad, i
tfrustrat
eshim
wayt oomuch.WheneverIwantsomet hingfrom
hi
m, Iexplainthediff
erencebet weengender
pronouns, sexualori
entati
onandf lui
dit
y.Hisbrain
star
tsfryingveryquickly.Allheknowsi smanand
woman.Womanandwoman.Manandman.Per son
andwomani stoomuchf orhim."Welaughed.
Siza:"
Yourst
ori
esaboutyourdadarefunny
becauseIcan'
timagi
nehim asanyt
hingbutour
King."
Ama:"He'
sabigteddybearbutdon'
tconf
usehi
m.
Hegetsboredver
yquickl
y."Zi
mmycamebackout,
si
tt
ingdown.
Si
za:"
Areyouokaybaby?You'
vebeensi
ckovera
weeknow.
"
Zimmy:"
YohSi za.Idon'
tknowwhatt odoandI'm
pani
cki
ng.I'
m oncont r
acept
ives.Maybetheseare
si
deeff
ects?"
Siza:"
Itwoul
dn'
thur
ttocheck.Whatar
eyour
symptom-"
Ama:"
She'
spr
egnant
.Al
mostsevenweeksnow.
"
Zimmy:"
Amahl
epl
easest
oppl
ayi
ng.Thi
sisn'
ta
game.
"
Ama:"
I'
m notpl
ayi
ng.Takeat
est
."
Zi
mmy:"
Amahl
e.Pl
easest
oppl
ayi
ngl
iket
hat
."
Siza:"
Let
'sj
ustgett
het
est
.Wecandi
scussf
rom
there.
"
Zimmy:"
I'
m notpr
egnant
,Siza.Icannotbe.Iuseda
condom,t
hengotoncontr
aceptives.
"
Siza:"They'
renot100%effect
ive.Maybewhil
ethey
werest i
llki
cki
ngin,youconceived.Youwer
e
havingunpr ot
ect
edsexthedayaf t
erthe
contracepti
ve?"
Zimmy:"Youmeant ot
ellmeitdoesn'
tdothat
automat
ical
ly?
"Amahlesippedherdri
nk.Zi
mmy
wasreadytoscream.
Siza:"
Ohsweet hear
t.Letmedrivetothestor
e."I
f
Amahl esayssheis,t
henshedef i
nitel
yisbutsome
peopledowantt oseeforthemselves.
Ama:"
Sexi
sver
yser
ious.
"
Notha:"
Amahl
e."Ichokedonmydr
ink.Si
zal
eftt
he
house."
Zimmy,
dontst r
ess-
"
Zi
mmy:"
Not
hando,
please.
"
Notha:"
It
'sj
ustababy."Shest
aredatmer
eadyt
o
bi
temyheadof f
."Fet
usImean."
Zimmy:"OhGod, pl
ease.I
'
m beggi
ng.Iwoulddo
anyt
hing.Anyt
hingtonotbeinthi
ssi
tuat
ion."She
wasshakingtr
yingnottocry.
Not
ha:"
Amahl
e,doyouhaveanyadvi
ce?
"
Ama:"
No.
"
Not
ha:"
Areyougoi
ngt
okeepi
t?"
Zi
mmy:"
OhmyGod,
he'
sgoi
ngt
ohat
eme.Hei
s
goingtot
hinkItr
appedhim.Kantiwhycan'
tli
fej
ust
beonmysi deforonce?I
'
mt ryi
ngtogetmylif
e
toget
herandnowt hi
ssurpr
ise?
"
Ama:"
Soyoubel
ieveme?
"
Notha:"
I'
m sorryZim.Amahl e,
nawe."Si
zacame
backin15mi nutes.Therewasashoppingcent
er
j
ust5mi nut
esawayf rom t
heestat
ebycar.She
hel
dapl ast
icinherhand.
Si
za:"
Okay,
you'
vedoneapr
egnancyt
estr
ight
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Never.Surel
ythere'
sinst
ruct
ions?I
'
llf
igur
e
i
tout
.Pl
easecrossfi
ngers."
Am:"
That
'susel
ess,
love.
"
Not
ha:"Amahl
e."Zi
mmyt
ookt
het
hreet
est
stot
he
bat
hroom.
Si
za:"
Shame.Yoh,
Iknowthatstr
ess.Iwasherage
whenIhadt
otookmyfir
stpregnancytest
."
Notha:"
Thisisagreatremindertodoublecheck
condoms."Icheckedmyphone, receivi
ngtwo
messagesfrom Petu.Sel
fiepi
ctures.Myfavour
it
e.
<Youlookgorgeous.>Isentback.
Siza:"PoorZimmy.Yoh.Icanfeelherpani
cinmy
soul."Shecrossedherf
inger
s.
Ama:"Howisthatgoi
ngtohel
p.I
t'
sal
ready
happenedSi
za."Shel
aughed.
Si
za:"Amahlest
opplayi
ng.Thi
sisser
ious.
"She
gi
ggled.Sasawal
kedin.
Sasa:"
I'
m backladi
es.Sizahadmedaydr eami
ng
aboutt
hisbutt
erchicken."Shewentt
othefood
tabl
e.
Ama:"
SitdownSasa,
letmemakeyouapl
ate.
"
Sasa:"
TowhatdoIowet
hispl
easur
e?"She
l
aughed.
Ama:"I'
m onl
ytakingcareofmyhuman,pl
ease.
"
Sasasatdown,giggl
ing.Amahl
edishedupsome
food.
Sasa:"
Iam ver
yfl
att
ered,t
hankyou.Wher
e's
Zi
mmy? "Isi
ppedmydr i
nkquiet
ly.
Si
za:"
Shewentt
othebat
hroom.
"
Sasa:"
Ohokay.Whatdi
dImi ss?Not
ha,
yourout
fi
ts.
Tel
lmewhatyouchose,Iseeyourbagi
sal
ready
packed.
"Iexpl
ainedtheout
fit
stoheri
ndetai
l.
"Pl
easetakepi
ctures!Wher
eareyouguysgoing?
"
Not
ha:"
WechoseLangol
uhl
epr
ivat
ebeachr
esor
t.
"
Sasa:"
Ooht
hat
'sabeaut
if
ult
own!
"
Siza:"LetmecheckuponZi mmy."Shegotup
hur r
yingtothebathroom.Si zawasver ythought
ful
andat tachedtoZi
mmy.Theyhadal otincommon
andspental otoft
imej ustchatti
ng.IthinkZimmy
remi ndedherofherselfwhenshewasherage.No
mat terwhathappens,Zi m woul
dhavet hissupport
structure.Wewouldn'tletherdown.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Itwasahect i
candlongdaybutwhatinfuri
atedme
wassi t
ti
ngatAmelia'
swaiti
ngforsomeonewho
didn'
tarri
ve.Zwel
ethuisver
ymean.Icalledthe
l
ibrarytogethol
dofNomzamoandshehadno
knowledgeofmeetingme.Thepoorgirl
.Iwas
tryi
ngtogethim adateyenaheplaysar
oundwi th
hi
sonechance.Surelyhedoesn'
twanthappiness.I
wal
kedintothepal
ace.Mymot herwasinthe
gar
denwi t
hherassist
ant,
goingovert
helaunch
det
ail
s.Isati
nthelounge.
Si
bo:"
Lil
ian!
"Shequi
ckl
ycamet
othel
ounge.
Li
li
:"Yes,
mypr
ince.
"
Sibo:"
Pleasepreparemeasandwi
ch.Idon'
tthi
nkI
canwaittil
ldi
nner."
Li
li
:"Yourusualsandwi
ch,
mypr
ince?
"
Si
bo:"
Exact
lyt
hatone.
"
Lil
i:"Yesmypr ince."Shel eftf
ort hekit
chen.It ook
outmyl aptop,st ar
tingthebooki ng.Imadet het wo
nightsreser vat
ionssendi ngheranemai l
.Ichecked
thet i
me, sti
llabout4pm soshehasn' tlef
t.Idialed
hernumber .Noanswer .Ihopeshechangedher
mi nd.Isentamessage:<Hey.Madear eservation
foryouatFourSeasonsHot el
,there'
llbeacar
wai t
ingatt hest ati
onf oryousoyouhaver eli
able
andsaf et r
anspor t
.>See, nowther e'
snousef or
Mel okuhle.We'llsee.Sher eadthemessageand
thatwasi t.Okay?Maybeshe' sbusypacki ng?Why
i
sshesti
llgo-Mxi
m.Idi
aledhi
snumber
,li
steni
ng
t
oitr
ing.
Mel
o:"
Pri
nceSbo.Kunj
ani
?"(
Howar
eyou)
Sibo:"
Ngi
yaphi
la.Wenaunj
ani
?"(
I'
mfi
ne,
howar
e
you?)
Mel
o:"
Great
.Goodt
ohearf
rom you,
man.
"
Si
bo:"Yeah.Iheart
her
e'ssomeconcer
tinyourci
ty.
What'
sthatabout?"
Melo:"
Ohyes.Ravei
sint
hecount
ryf
orapr
ivat
e
concer
t.
"
Si
bo:"
Andyoudi
dn'
tinvi
teme?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Melo:"
Haha.Ithoughtyouwer
emadatme.Al
so,
I
di
dn'twantanyconfl
ict
."
Si
bo:"
Conf
li
ct?
"
Melo:"Ey,Sboni.YouknowIl i
keZimmy.Soshe's
comi ngherefortheweekend,I'
mtryi
ngtogetto
knowher .Idon'
twantpr obl
emswi t
hyoubutI'
m
notlett
inghergount i
lsheasksmet o.Rat
heryou
andIest abl
ishwherewest andri
ghtnow."
Si
bo:"There'
snoreasontopul
loutboxi
nggl
oves
Melokuhl
e.Iwasonlyaski
ng."
Mel
o:"
AndI
'
m onl
ytel
li
ng.
"
Si
bo:"
Alr
ightt
hen.Enj
oyyourconcer
t.
"
Mel o:"Ipl
ant o,myfri
end.Thoroughly.Haveagood
weekend. "Hehungup.Thepl anwast odissuade
him andi tdidn'
twork.There'
sobviouslynothingI
couldsayt omakeMel okuhleasensiblehuman
beingandl istentome.Lili
anbroughtmysandwi ch
onat r
aywi thmyj ui
ce.Istar
edatthebr ead.The
tomat owasst i
cki
ngout.
Si
bo:"
Howol
dist
hat
?"
Li
li
:"Thetomat
o?I
t'
sfr
eshf
rom t
oday'
sgr
ocer
ytr
ip,
mypr i
nce."
Si
bo:"
Thenwhydoesi
tsmel
lli
ket
hat
?"
Lil
i:"
Likewhat
,mypri
nce?It
'
stoastedcheese
tomatoandham j
ustl
ikeyouli
keit
."
Si
bo:"
Youchangedsomet
hing.
"Myf
atherwal
ked
i
n.
Bi
yel
a:"
What
'st
hepr
obl
em?
"
Si
bo:"
Not
hing.
"It
ookt
hepl
ate,
eat
ingmysandwi
ch.
Bi
yel
a:"
Wher
e'syourbr
other
?"
Si
bo:"
Don'tt
ellmeaboutZwelethu.Hewastedhal
f
mydaytodayasaprank.Idon'twanttot
alktohi
m."
Bi
yel
a:"
Whatdi
dhedo?
"
Sibo:"Isenthimt othelibrar
ytohandi nthe
document sfort hearchivesret
ri
eval,Iwantedhim
tomeett heli
br ari
anladyandwhatdoeshedo?Cal l
mebackandt ell
smeshet oldhim shehasacr ush
onmeandsoher eservedat abl
ef orusforlunch.I
wentther esoIcant ellhergentl
ythatI'
m not
i
nterested.Shedi dn'
tshowup.Overanhourwent
by.WhenIcal l
edher ,shetel
lsmemybr otherdidn'
t
ment i
onanyt hingaboutal unch."Helaughed.
Biyel
a:"Soyout
ri
ckedhi
mi ntoadat
ewit
houthi
s
knowledgeandhetur
neditbackt
oyou?Youcan'
t
bemad. "
Si
bo:"
He'
l
lneverf
indawi
featt
hisr
ate.
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Ifher
eaches35wi
thoutawif
e,I
'm payi
ng
l
obol
aonhisbehal
ftot
het
hrone.Thecountr
ywill
pi
ckawi
fef
orhi
m."
Sibo:"DoyouseewhyI '
m worki
ngoverti
me?My
poorbr ot
herwi
llbepeckedapar
t."Igotup."Ineed
tofetchmysecondlaptopatmyhouse.I '
llbeback
i
nami nute.
"
Biyela:"
Okay. "Iwalkedoutthehouse,drivi
ngtomy
housej ustnear by.Iwal
kedint hefr
ontdoor,
maki ngmywayt othebedroom.Somet hingwasoff
here.Iplacedmyphoneandkeysont hebed,
l
ooki ngthrought hehouse.Itwasempt y.Maybe
Li
lianhadcomet ocleanearli
er.Il
ookedatthevaul
t
door.Stillt
hesamei tal
waysi s.Ohwell
.Isighed
walkingbackt omyr oom,Ipickedupmyphone
di
al i
ngf orZimmyonceagai n.
Sibo:"Pleasepickup..
"Imumbl ed.Whatcouldshe
possiblybebusywi th?Itookoutmysecondl aptop
from thebottom dr
awer ,
endingthecall
.Idon'teven
rememberwhyIwascal li
ngtobehonest.Ohyes,
reservati
ons.Andalsohopi ngshechangesher
mi nd.Wait..
.Wasiintr
udinginherpersonalspace?
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu.He'
l
lknow.
"YesIwasnol
onger
madathim,Ineedhiswisewor
ds.It
ypedhi
s
numberoffbyhear
tabouttopr
essdi
al.
"Hibaby.
"Avoicesai
dbehi
ndme.It ur
nedaround,
shockengul
fi
ngmef oraspl
itsecondbef
oreablow
hitmyhead.Ever
ythi
ngwentdark.
[
07/
27,
06:
15] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er119

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Iopenedmyeyestoabri
ghtroom,tryingtomove
butIwasti
edtoachai
r.Whatthefuckwas
happeni
ng?Myvisi
onzeroedinunti
litfocused.I
l
ookedaroundandsawher.
Si
bo:"
What
..
.t
hehel
l.
"
Megan:"Heysexy.
"Shewalkedtome."Iwas
worr
iedforasecondyouwouldn'
tgetup.
"She
gi
ggled.It
ri
edbreaki
ngthechai
nsbuttheyhel
d
t
ightonmywr
ist
s.Myheadwasbl
ast
ingwi
thpai
n.
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
"
Megan:"SomuchSi
bonel
o.YouandI
?Webel
ong
t
ogetherbaby.
"
Si
bo:"
Megan,
uyahl
anyayi
n-Unt
iemer
ightnow.
"
Megan:"
Notyet
.Notunt
ilyouadmithowyoufeel
aboutme.
"Ihadtost
aycalmtogethertr
ust
.
Sibo:"
Okay.Okay.Wecangett oknoweachother
andbuildfr
om there.Iwanttobewi
thyou."My
vi
sionblur
ringforasecondbeforer
etur
ningagai
n.
Myheadi sspli
tti
nginhalf.
Megan:"Yes,
butnotsofast
."Sheknelti
nfr
ontof
me,herhandsbrushi
ngupmyt high.Myheartr
ate
qui
ckened.
Si
bo:"
Megan.
..
"
Megan:"Shhh.
..Wehavesomuchtime.Ihavea
surpr
ise.
"Shegotupandwentovert
othetable
bri
ngbackaninject
ion."
Look?
"
Sibo:"Whati
sthat?
"Myhearthammer
edi
nmy
chest.Wasshetryi
ngt
okil
lme?
Megan:"Thi
sisgoingt
ohelpuskeepthi
sone
awakeforaslongaswewish.
"Shelookedatmy
pant
s.
Sibo:"Meganpleaseunt
ieme.
"Ipul
ledont
he
restr
aint
sviol
entl
y.
Megan:" Thisi njecti
on?I ntensifi
esever yf eelingyou
have.Youwi llfeelitall
,baby.Mymout honyou, my
war mnessonyou, andwhenyoucum?Yourwor l
d
willexpl ode. "Ipul l
edont her estr
aintshar dert r
ying
togetf r
ee." Youcan' twai t,canyou? "Iwasnot
aboutt ol etthispsychopat hhaveherwaywi thme.
Nof ucki ngway.Mywr istsst ar
tedbleedi ngt he
harderIpul l
ed." ohSi bonelo. .
.JustwhenIt hought
youcoul dn' tgetanysexi er."Shesati nf rontofme,
touchi ngher self.Ilookedar oundmef orsomet hing
touse." Maybeweshoul dtaket hisoff,yes? "She
crawl edovert ome, t
ear i
ngopenmyshi rt.Ilunged
forwar dt oheadbutherbutsheducked, the
restraintspul l
ingmeback." Maybet heinj ectionwill
help.Don' twor r
y.Whet heryouwanti tornot ,your
bodywi llnotr esist
.Itwon' tbeabl etof i
ght .Itwill
onlyi ntensi fywhati t
'sfeeling."Myhear tslowedt o
acomplet
esti
ll
.Icoul
dn'
tgetoutofthi
s.Who
knowshowlongZwewi l
lnot
iceI
'm missi
ng?
Si
bo:"
Meganplease.Tel
lmewhatiti
sthatyou
want
.Iwi
llgi
veitt
oyou.Iswear
."
Megan:"
Iwantyou,
baby.
"
Si
bo:"
Okay,
youcanhaveme.Justunt
ieme.
"
Megan:"
Notyet
.Youwon'
tletmet
ouchyou.
"I
swal
lowed.
Si
bo:"
You'
l
lunt
iemei
fIl
etyout
ouchme?
"
Megan:"
Yes.
"Shesmi
led.
Si
bo:"Goaheadthen.Noinj
ect
ion.Justyou.
"She
pi
ckedupthechainthatwasonthefloor
,tyi
ngit
ar
oundmychestandneck." MEGAN.WHATARE
YOUDOING? "
Megan:"Makingsur eyoudon'ttryanythingst
upid.
"
Shet i
edt
heot herendont hebar sbehindme.IfI
pull
edontheser est
raint
sonce, Iwillbestr
angledt
o
death.Asuddenhor ri
fyi
ngreali
zationdawnedon
me.Shesatont opofme, naked,herlegsoneither
si
deofme.Iswal l
owedt helumpi nmyt hroat
.
"Whenwi llyour ealizewe' r emeantt obet ogether?It
wasn' tacoi ncidencet hatwemet .Wehavea
connect ionSi bonel o.Thewayyouhel dme, l
oved
me, spoket ome.Baby, thatwasn' tacting.Idon't
wantt ohur tyoubutyougi vemenochoi ce.Iwant
thatSi bonelo.Theonewhomadel ovetome.Can
yougi vemehi m? "Herf i
nger straceddownmy
chest." I
'm notcr azy.I '
m not .Ijustknowyou' re
mine.Youj ustneedt or eal i
zei t
."Icl osedmyeyes,
unablet omove.Kar mahadchai nsar oundmyneck.
Forcingmet odosomet hi ngt hatIdi dn'twantt odo.
Justtosavemyl ife.Howdi dshegeti ntomyhouse?
Howdi dsheaccessmyt hings?Howdi dshedr ag
mybodydownher e?Iswal lowedt hel umpi nmy
throat.Mywhol espi ri
twasf i
ghting.These
questionsdi dn'tmat ter.Evenmywat chwasof fmy
wrist,whi chwoul d'vebeeneasyt osendan
emer gencyal ert.Shegotup, fetchi ngthei nj
ection
again.
Megan:"
What
'si
tgoi
ngt
obeSi
bonel
o?"
Sibo:"
Pleaseputt
heneedledownMegan."Idon'
t
knowwhatwaswor se.Notbei
ngi
ncont
rolofyour
body, havingitint
ensi
fytheveryf
eeli
ngyou'r
e
tryi
ngt ofight.Ornotbei
ngincontr
olandgoing
throught hisshitf
ull
yaware."Doasyouplease,
just
puttheneedl eaway."
Megan:"
I'
m notconvi
nced.
"
Sibo:"Iwantyou.Nothingelse.Justyou.
"Itr
ied
swal l
owingthelumpi nmyt hroatbutt
hechainhad
gottenalit
tl
etighter
."Letitj
ustbemeandyou
baby..comesitonme. "Shelookedatme,smili
ng.
"Please.
"Zwelethu,i
fyoucan, asimpossi
bleiti
s,
j
ustf ucki
nghearme.Pl easebrot
her.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Afterwatchi
ngSasagoi nthehousef ort
hesecond
ti
me, Iwentbacktothecar.Zwelet
huwasdr ivi
ng,
Mthunziinthepassenger.Ihoppedintheback.The
guardsfoll
owedindiff
erentcarsaroundus.
Nkosi
:"I
'vedel
ayeditl
ongenough.Ineedtogot
o
t
hepalace.Zwelet
huwhyareyoubleeding?
"
Zwe:
"I'
m notbl
eedi
ng.
"Hecl
ickedonhi
sphone.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m smel
li
ngyourbl
ood.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Per
hapsst
il
lSasa.
"
Nkosi
:"Iknowmywif
e'sbl
ood.Thi
sisn'
tit
."They
bot
hlookedatme.
Mthunzi
:"Doyouthi
nkthewit
chisbackhere?
"He
j
umpedoutt hecar
,pul
li
ngouthisgun.Wegotof
f
t
hecar.Isni
ffedar
oundtheyard,t
heguar
ds.
Nkosi
:"No.Zwel
ethu,pl
easecheck.Oneofyoui
s
bl
eedi
ng.Justcheck.
"
Zwe:"It
hinkI
'
dknowifIwasbl
eedi
ngNkosi
.Idon'
t
evenhaveabrui
se.Mt
hunzi
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Notme.Let
'scheckt
hehouse.
"
Zwe:"Now,holdon.There'
snoneedtoscarethe
gi
rl
s."Acardroveontothedri
veway.Mnqobigot
outwit
hhisgirl
fr
iend.
Mnqobi:"
YourHighness.BhutMthunzi
,BhutZwe.
Hel
lo.
"Isnif
fedaroundhim."What'
sgoingon?"
Nkosi
:"Ist
il
lsmel
lit
."
Mnqobi
:"Smel
lwhat
?"
Mt hunzi:"I
'm checkingt hehouse.Guards,foll
ow.
Allperimet er
s.Firstpriori
ty,
thefuturequeenand
l
astpr incessoft het hr
one.Movei n!!
"Mnqobi
grabbedPet ubackbehi ndhim.Ifoll
owedMt hunzi
andt heguar dsin.Iwal kedoutthebackyar d,my
eyesl andingonSasa.Shewasr el
axedont he
couch.Iwentst raighttoher,hol
dingherbelly,
sniff
ingar oundher .
Sasa:"
Love?What
'swr
ong?
"
Nkosi
:"Bl
ood.
"Amahl
esatupqui
ckl
y.
Ama:"
Blood.
"
Nkosi
:"Youcansmel
lit
?Wher
eisi
t?"
Ama:"
ZWE!
!!
"hecamer
unni
ngout
.
Zwe:
"What
'
swr
ong?
"
Sasa:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Ama:"
Wher
e'sSi
bonel
o?"
Zwe:"Idon'
tknow.He'snotansweringhis-
"Iran
outt
hehouse, st
rai
ghttotheBiyel
apalacefir
st.Di
d
somet hi
nghappenatthepalace?Itooklessthan2
minutestoreachthedoor
s,Ibargedin.Hewasn' t
here.Icoul
dn'tsmel
lanyt
hinghere.KingBiyela
hurri
edoutthelounge.
Biyel
a:"
MyPr i
nce?I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"Zwelet
hu
enter
ed,f
oll
owedbyMthunziandAmahle.
Zwe:
"Fat
her
,wher
e'sSi
bonel
o?"
Biyela:"Hesai dhe'sgoi ngtohi shousebutt hatwas
anhourago.If i
guredhe' sprobabl ywor ki
ngt here.
"I
sprintedoutonceagai n.They' dfollowbycar ,Iran
fasterthani tanyway.Si bonel o'
shousewasn' ttoo
farfrom Zwe' sbutf urt
herawayf rom thepal ace
thanMnqobi 's.I
tdidn'thelpt hatthisestatewas
huge.Ir eachedt hef r
ontdoor .Sl
ammi ngmyf ul
l
weightoni t.Itbrokeof fit
'shinges, fal
li
ngt othe
fl
oor .Isearchedt hrought hehouseonl ysmel li
ng
thescentofawoman.Not hingelse.Hehadt obe
here.
Zwe:"SBONELO!
!!
"Welookedt
hrought
hewhol
e
houseendi
nginhi
sbedroom.
Mt
hunzi
:"Doesn'
tseem t
obeher
e.Wher
eel
se
coul
dhebe?
"Il
ookedatt
hef
loor
.Adr
opofbl
ood.
Nkosi
:"He'
sher
e."
Zwe: "Basement.That
'stheonlyot
herplace."He
mar cheddownt oavaultdoor.I
twaslocked.
"That'
sst r
ange.Noonehasaccesst othisroom
exceptforhim."
Ama:"
He'
sint
her
e,Open!
"
Zwe:"Ineedhi
st abl
etandMnqobi.
"Het ookouthi
s
phone,di
ali
ng.Igrabbedonthehandle,st
eppi
ngon
thewall
,andpull
ing.Thedoordi
dn'tbudge.
Mthunzi:"Breakit.
"Isteppeddown.Ilookedatthe
door.Break,offthehinges.Thescrewscame
undone.Ipul l
edhim andAmahl eoutoft heway.
Theheavymet aldoorslowlydescendedont othe
ground,knockingintoawal landcracki
ngit.I
j
umpedi nthebasement ,cli
mbingdownt hestair
s.I
heldthegate,shakingittwicebef
oreitbrokeoffit
's
hi
nges.
Sibo:"ST..
OP!La..
.ser
.Don'
t.Move."Hechoked.I
sawt helaserl
ight
son.Amahl ewalkedpastme,
i
ntot hebasement.Shetouchedthelaser
,let
ti
ngi
t
bur
nherski
n.
Megan:"
You'
renotgoi
ngtot
akehi
mfr
om me.
You'
renot
.Si
bonel
oismine!
!"
Ama:"Nkosi.
"Switchoffl
aser.I
tshutdown
i
mmedi at
ely.Zwewalkedin,f
oll
owedbyMt hunzi
andmyself.IwenttoSi
bonelo,t
ryi
ngtounti
ethe
chai
nsstrangli
nghim.
Mthunzi
:"Zwelet
hu!
!"Il
ookedup.Zwehadthegi
rl
choki
nginhishands,Mthunzit
ryi
ngtost
ophim.
Amahlehelpedmewi t
hthechains.
Mthunzi
:"Zwelet
hu,stopi
t!!
!"Hemanagedtoget
hi
m offher.Shespri
ntedthedoor
,Zwegrabbedher
hai
rpull
inghervici
ouslyt
otheground.
Zwe:"I
'm goingtofucki
ngkl
lher!
!"Hefought
Mthunzioff,
withthegri
pofherhairi
natighthol
d.
Mt
hunzi
:"Zwel
ethust
opi
t!
!"
Zwe:"
Leavemethefuckalone!
!!
"Hefi
nal
lygot
l
oose,andsmashedherheadonthest
air
s.
Ama:"
Zwel
ethu.
"Shegasped.
Zwe:
"YoudoNOTt
ouchmybl
oodandspi
lli
tthen
t
hinkI
'l
lletyouli
ve.Thati
sonegameyoudon'
twi
n.
Notwhil
eIlive-
"
Mthunzi:"
Nkosinhle,st
ophi m!"Ifi
nal
lyl
etthechai
n
l
oose.Hecoul dbarelybreath,andhadabumpon
hishead.Possibl
econcussi on.Heneededa
hospit
albeforehehasananeur ysm.Zwetookover,
checki
nghiseyesandpul se.Hepickeduphis
brot
herwalkingupt hestair
s.
Zwe:
"Leavehert
her
e."
Mthunzi:"
Areyouinsane?Thisisawoman,
Zwelet
hu.NowIgett hatyou'
reangrybutI
'm not
goi
ngtosi tbyandlett
hishappen.Nkosi
nhle,
mkhuze!"(Stophi
m.)
Nkosi
:"Zwel
ethuyoucan'
tk.
il
lawoman.
"
Zwe:"Idon'
tcarewhatsheis.Shebr
okeintoour
homeandt hreat
enedmybrothersl
if
e.Leaveher
ther
e,I'
l
lsorti
tout.
"Hewalkedout.
Mt
hunzi
:"Weneedt
ogett
hiswomanoutofher
e-"
Nkosi:"Mt
hunzi
,doyouwantt
ofi
ghtwi
th
Zwelethu?
"
Mthunzi
:"He'sangry.Igeti
tbutIknowhim,he
wouldneverk.i
llawoman.He'soursoftest
,most
l
ovingfr
iend.Wecant akecareofthi
s."
Ama:"Andwhatwil
lwedo?Lethergo?What
happenswhenshedoesi
tagai
n?Thisti
mek.i
ll
ing
hi
m."
Mthunzi
:"Ineedyout wo,
foronce,
tothinkli
ke
act
ualhumanbei ngs.Thi
s,t
hisiswrong."
Ama:" Andwhatdoyouknowaboutwr ongMt hunzi
?
Ifsomeonewast hreateni
ngyourwi
fe'sli
fe,
li
teral
ly
putti
nganoosear oundherneckwouldyoubeso
understandi
ng?Woul dyoulett
hem go?"He
steppedback.
Mthunzi
:"You'
reroyal
s.Awomandyi ngatyour
hand,nomatterwhatthecir
cumst ances,wi
llbe
detr
iment
altothereputat
ionofthethrone.Thiswi
ll
bebadforyourrei
gn,myPr ince.
"
Ama:"
Whowoul
dknow?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Amahl
e!"
Ama:"
Kil
ler
sar
eint
ent
ionalMt
hunzi
.Theydonot
stopunti
ltheirvi
cti
mi sdead."Iwasheavi l
y
confl
ict
ed.Mt hunziwasright.Wedonotk. il
l
women, wedonothur twomen.Thi s,wouldbebad
formyname.Ont heotherhand, weletherli
vethen
what?Shedoesi tagain?Amahl elookedatme.
"You'
retheking.Whatdoyout hi
nkshoul dhappen
tothewomanwhoat t
empt edtorap.eandk.il
la
royal
?"
Nkosi
:"Zwe'sdeci
sioni
sfinal
.Heget
stodeci
de.
Putherincust
ody."Iwal
kedout.

AfterMt hunzihadt
akenthegir
lint
ocustody,
maki ngsureshe'sdr
essedandguar ded,
wel ef
tfor
thepalace.Hewasqui ett
hroughoutthetr
ip,
stari
ng
outoft hewindow.
Nkosi :"I
fthatwomanhadgot tenaholdofme,you
woul d'vereactedthesameasZwe.Let 'snotmake
himt hevi l
lai
n.Circumst ancesdon'tcountwhenthe
personmosti mpor tanttoyoui shurt
."Hekeptquiet
,
sti
llstaringatthewor l
dpassi ngby."
Ialmostdid
thesamet omyf atherjustlastweek.Youdidn'
t
judgeme.Uncont r
ollableabil
it
iesaren'tanexcuse.
"
Stil
lsil
ence.Iwasn'tjustif
yingtheki l
li
ngofa
womanbutwhohadt heri
ghttodeci dewhat
happens?Thevi ctim.Lett hem decide.Andifthe
victi
mi sn'
tableto,theirdi
rectkin.Icouldn'
tstop
Zwef rom gett
ingangr y,Ihadtohel pSibonel
onot
die."I
'm sor
ry.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"I
'
m notmadatyouNkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Oh.Thenwhyar
eyoui
gnor
ingme?
"
Mthunzi
:"Myownthought
saref
ucki
ngwi
thme.
Thi
shasnothi
ngtodowi t
hZwe.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t?"
Mthunzi
:"Idon'
tknowifIcan.Notonl
ydidIbr
eak
t
helawbutIal mosthur
tsomeoneIlove.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dyoustop?Doyouunder
standwhatyou
al
mostdidiswr
ong?"
Mthunzi:"
Yeah.I
'
m droppingit.Ishouldn'
thave
doneitt
obeginwith.Hopefull
yit'
snott oolat
e."
Mthunziwasthemostsensi bl
eofpr obably
ever
yoneIknew.Humansmakemi st
akesandhe
wasagr eatonebecauseheknewwhent o
reprimandhimselfandrighthi
swrongs.That
'swhy
Itrustedhim wi
thmyl i
fe.Nomatt
erwhat ,
helooked
outf ort
hosehelovedfirst
.
Nkosi:"Okay.Whateveritis,Iknowyouhavei
t
handled.Dot her
ightthingl i
keyoual
waysdo.
"We
droveintothepal
ace, parking.
Mthunzi:"Yeah."Wegotoffthecar,
goinginsi
dethe
pal
ace.Iknowmymot her
sdi dnotwantmeher e
andmyf atherwasnotexpecti
ngme.Ormaybehe
was.Iwoul dn'tknowwhat'
sgoingthroughhismind.
Iwalkedi nthelounge.
Nol
wazi:"
Haveyounoshame!
!!Whyar
eyouher
e??
Tof
ini
shhim of
f!
?"
Nkosi
:"Mot
her
,pl
ease.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Pl
easewhat
!Whyar
eyouher
e!?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m her
etospeakt
ohi
m."
Nol
wazi
:"Getout
."
Nkosi
:"Mother
,doyoureal
lythi
nkIwantt
o
pur
poseful
lyhurtmyownfather
?"
Nolwazi:"
YESbecauseyoudi dMehl ul
i!
!It
'snota
thought,i
tHAPPENED!!"BeforeIlostmytemper,I
wentupstair
stomyf at
her'slounge,wal
kingin
slowly.Hesati
nhischair,
staringatapainti
ng.
Nkosi:"Father.
"Hedi dn'
trespondoracknowl edge
mypr esence.Notoncef linchingorbr eathi
ng
dif
ferent.Hewasexpect ingme." Idon'twantto
fi
ght.We' veneverbeenbestf riendsbutweal so
haveneverbeent hi
shost il
e.Pleasemeetme
half
way. "Helookedatmewi t
ht hoseinkblackeyes.
Whydi dt hathappen?Whatdi di tmean?Or ange
eyeswer eunusual ,
yesbutbl ackeyes?That '
s
worse.
Ki
ng:"
Youdoreal
izeIcanhearyourt
hought
sas
l
oudastr
umpetsright
?"
Nkosi
:"Youcan'
thearmyt
hought
s."
Ki
ng:"
Youthi
nkmyblackeyesar
ewei
rd.Wor
se
t
hanyouror
angeones.
"
Nkosi
:"Yougai
nedmyabi
li
ty?
"
Ki
ng:"No.
"Helookedbackathispaint
ing."
Igai
ned
al
ltheabi
li
ti
esknowntotheSikhosanali
neage.
From t
hefi
rstancest
ors.Blackeyesareouror
igi
n.
Theorangebeganwhenwecameacr ossthef
ir
st
tr
easurebl
ood.Theypurif
iedourblood."
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"Isatbackont
hechai
r."
Whatdoest
his
meanforyou?"
Ki
ng:
"Ial
readysai
d.I
tmeansIhaveal
labi
li
ti
es.
"
Nkosi
:"Evenmi
ne?
"Hel
ookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"What
'
sthedef
ini
ti
onofal
l?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'tunder
standwhythatwoul
dhappen.
Whywoul dtheancestors.
..
."
Ki
ng:
"Gi
vemet
hatmuchpower
?Notsur
e."
Nkosi
:"Howdoyouf
eelabouti
t?"
Ki
ng: "
Ifeelnot
hing.
"Sothefeeli
ngsforThembisa
weregone, t
hankgoodness.Ihadonelessthingt
o
worryaboutbutalsothi
swasabi tofaproblem.He
st
aredatme.
Nkosi
:"Haveyout
oldAmahl
e?"
Ki
ng:
"No.Andal
so,
no.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Ki
ng:"
She'st
heonl
ygli
mmerIcanf eel
.Idon'
twant
t
otakeyourwif
eMehl
uli
.Ineverdi
d."
Nkosi
:"I
slyi
ngoneoft
henewabi
li
ti
es?
"
King:
"I'
vestayedaway, haven'tI
?"Isi
ghed,unsur
e
ofhowIf eelaboutt
his.West ayedinsi
lencefora
bi
t.
Nkosi
:"Ibr
oughtsomesuppl
ies,
doyoumi
ndi
fIset
upheretopai
nt?"
King:"I
nmyl oungeMehlul
i?Youhavet
heentir
e
palace,yourownwi ngandyouwanttopainti
nside
myl oungewhi leI
'mtryi
ngtohaveaper
fectFri
day
after
noon? "
Nkosi
:"You'
rest
ari
ngatapai
nti
ng.
"
King:"Youdon'
tknowwhat
'shappeni
ngi
nthe
paint
ing."
Nkosi
:"Woul
dn'
titbebet
tert
ocr
eat
east
oryi
na
pai
nti
ng?"
King:"I
sthatanexcuset
ospl
ashpai
ntonmy
furni
tur
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llf
etcht
hesuppl
ies.
"Il
eftt
hel
ounge,
goingbackdownthestai
rs.Mthunzimetme
halfwaycar
ryi
ngever
ythi
ngin."Thankyoumy
fr
iend."
Mthunzi
:"I
'
llbeinyouroff
icewhenyouneedme.
"I
t
ookmyt hings,
goingbacktothel
ounge.
Ki
ng:"Youevencamepr
epar
ed.
"It
ookthepai
nti
ng
of
fthestand,r
epl
aci
ngi
twit
hmycanvas.
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
opar
ti
cipat
eorwat
chwi
th
commentary?
"
King:"
Nei t
her.
"Ipouredthecolour
sont hepalate.I
hadnoi deaofwhatt opaint
.Usuall
ywith
Thembi sa'
spainti
ngs,t
heycomenat ur
ally.Idon't
havetot hi
nk.Herbell
yguidesme.Iwishshehad
suggestedapai nt
ingwhenshesuggestedt hisi
dea.
Music.Itookoutmyphone, playi
ngtheplayli
stshe
compiledsomedaysago.Isatdown, r
olli
ngupmy
sl
eeves.
King:"Vi
ntagekit
chenwithbrowncupboards,t
he
countersadil
apidatedbl
ackpai nt
edwood.The
curtai
nisalacewi t
hsati
nf r
il
ls.Thesmal
ltabl
ein
thecenterofthesmallki
tchenisroundwit
hablack
andwhi techeckeredt ableclot
h.Twochai r
s,one
l
ookingchi pped,theot hernotmatching.There'
sa
man, awoman.Hol dingeachot her,
lovingl
y,smili
ng,
happy.Herbel lybulgi
ngout ,whil
ehehel dit
prot
ectivel
yst ari
ngintohereyes.They' r
edancing.
Happy.Canyoupai ntt hat?
"Idippedmybr ushin
waterthenmi xedaf ewcol oursforthebackground.
Nkosi:"Yes.
"Pai
nti
ngonacanvaswasdif
ferent
thanpainti
ngonThembisa.Ist
art
edwi
thpencil
outl
ines.
Ki
ng:"
Thecur
tai
ni satadbi
tlongert
hant
he
wi
ndow,al
mostreachi
ngthesink.
"
Nkosi:"
What'
sthesi
gni
fi
canceoft
hel
engt
h."Ikept
sket
ching.
King:"I
t'
sapetpeeveofher s.Bot
hersherever
yti
me
waterdrenchesitbutsheonlycomplai
nsin
fr
ustrati
on,r
efusingtoremovethecurt
ainforanew
one.Itmakeshim chuckle.
"Ismil
ed.That'
sa
beautif
uldetai
l.
Nkosi
:"I
siteveni
ng?
"
Ki
ng:
"Yes,
aft
erdi
nner
.Di
shesar
ewashedupand
onthesinkrack.Hehasacl ot
honhisshoulder
,he
washelping."Mypenci
loutl
ineswer
edone.Nowt o
addcolour.Idi
ppedmybr ushinpai
ntmakingli
ght
str
okesont hecanvas,
graduall
ybui
ldi
ngthecolour
.
Nkosi
:"Whataret
hemor
eunusualabi
li
ti
esyou'
ve
exper
iencednow?
"
Ki
ng:
"Tr
ustme,
youdon'
twantt
oknowt
hat
."
Nkosi
:"Whatcanyout
ellme.
"
Ki
ng:
"Icant
urnsomeonei
ntosomet
hingel
se.
"
Nkosi
:"Howdi
dyour
eal
izet
hat?
"
Ki
ng:"Ial
readyknew.Theknowl
edgei
sli
vingi
n
me."
Nkosi
:"Di
dyout
esti
t?"
Ki
ng:
"No.
"
Nkosi
:"Haveyout
est
edany?
"
Ki
ng:
"No.AndIdon'
tthi
nkIwantt
o."
Nkosi
:"Whyi
sthat
?"
Ki
ng:
"Itdoesn'
tfeelgood.I
tdoesn'
tfeelr
ight
.Wi
th
t
hewayI '
dst
art
edt ocometot
ermswi t
hwar
mth,
t
hiscol
disunwelcomingandl
onel
y."
Nkosi
:"Doyout
hinkyoucanmakei
tgoaway?
"
Ki
ng:"No,Ican'
t.Thehealerhasalr
eady
sl
aughter
edagoat ,begged,not
hingwil
lmakei
tgo
away.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyouthinkcausedit
?Yougot
Amahle'
sblood.She'
syourblood.
"
Ki
ng:"Except
,Amahlei
saseert
hatcansee
di
ff
erentreal
it
ies.
"
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
ogobackt
onor
mal
?"
King:"Yourbl
ackistoodark,i
tneedst
ol ookmore
chippedandaslightgray.Al
mostdull
."Imixed
somewhi t
etomakei tl
essvi
brant.
Nkosi
:"Canyougobackt
onor
mal
?"
Ki
ng:
"Pr
obabl
yyes.
"
Nkosi:"
Wil
lthi
scausepr oblemsforyouandI
regar
dingThembisa?Father,Iam notwi
ll
ingt
o
sharemywife.That,
Iblatantl
yref
use."
Ki
ng:"Nowwhywouldyouthi
nkthatofme
Nkosi
nhle?Atwhi
chst
agedidIaskforherhandi
n
marri
age?"
Nkosi
:"Ihat
ehowyoul
ookather
.It
'swei
rd.
"
King:"
Ilookatever
yoneli
kethat.Wouldyourat
herI
star
eatmyshoes?Sur e,t
hey'r
estyl
ishbutI'
m nota
downt oeart
hman.IlookatthepeopleIspeaktoin
theeye."
Nkosi
:"Thenwhycomet ot
hevi
ll
a,haveherr
eadt
o
you?What'st
hatabout
?"
King:"
Iwasinter
estedint hest
oryshewasreadi
ng.
Aren'
tyou?Iam sti
llit
chingtoknowift
helady
conqueredhermission."
Nkosi:"
Shedidn'
t,asIpredi
cted.Deci
dedtost
ayin
thenewwor l
dandhavebabi eswithhernewmate.
Buil
dingafamil
y."Irol
ledmyeyes.
King:
"That
'ssweet.Whyar
eyoubor
ed?Because
youpredi
ctedi
t?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m boredbecausetheauthordidn'
tbother
t
ofightf
orthatchar
acter
.Shejustletherdi
ssolve
fr
om ast rongworldleadert
hatt
ooknobulli
ntoa
gir
lygirlt
hatnowl i
vestoservet
hefat
herofher
chil
dren."Helaughed.
Ki
ng:
"Yourwi
fei
sagi
rl
ygi
rl
."
Nkosi:"Ifoundherl i
ket hat
.That '
swhatmademe
fal
linlovewi thher.Asmuchasshe' sadventurous
andcanst andhergr ound,sheisr atherkindi
n
doingso.She' sverysweet ,l
ovespi nk,romance,
fl
ower s,runni
ngar oundi nnature,dressingupin
prett
ydr esses,she'salsoterr
ifi
edoft igerssi
nce
toda-"
Ki
ng:
"What
?"
Nkosi
:"Shecamet
othewoods,
I'
dtur
ned-
"
Ki
ng:
"AREYOUI
NSANE!
!!
"
Nkosi:"
Wi l
lyoupl
easecal
m down?Ever
ythi
ngwas
f
ine.Ididn'
tknowshecametome."
Ki
ng:"Youcan'
tbethati
rr
esponsibl
eNkosinhl
e!!
You'
reuncont
rol
labl
ewhenyou'reangr
y!"
Nkosi
:"Notwithher
.I'
m neverangrywhenshe
hol
dsme. "Icl
eanedmybr ushinthewater
."Iwoul
d
neverhurtThembi
sa.It
'sgoodthatt
hetr
ibehas
off
ici
all
yseenher.Theywouldneverhur
ther
ei
ther.
"
King:"
She'scar
ryi
ngthefuturehei
r.Stop
endangeri
ngherli
feli
kethat.Doyouunderst
and
thewrathofyourancest
orsifyoudarehurtt
his
chil
d?Theywon'tevengettoyoubeforeIdo."I
l
ookedathi m.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"
Ki
ng:
"Can'
tyoufeel
itwhenyou'r
enearher
?"My
mi
ndranthr
oughmypr evi
ousfewweeksthendays.
Nkosi:"If
eelat
tached.Idi
dn'tthink.
.."Hesi
ghed,
shakinghishead.Thebell
y.Ikeptf eeli
ngbl
ood
curl
inginherbell
y.Thesmell ofoverwhelmingl
ove.
Feel
ingofpeace.Nkosiyokuthula.Myson.
Ki
ng:"
Canweatleastf
inishmypai
nti
ngbef
oreyou
dr
if
tof
fint
oyourfai
ryt
ales?"
Nkosi
:"Yourpai
nti
ng?I
'
mtaki
ngt
hishome.
"
Ki
ng:
"Mehl
uli
."
Nkosi
:"Okay.
..
okay.
."Idi
ppedi
nthepi
antagai
n.
"
Hehasaname.
"
Ki
ng:
"Agai
n,t
rumpet
s."Ismi
led.
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er120

KHAYA'
SPOV_

ThelunchIhadatGreenlandwasnotasamazi ng
becauseIwasnervousashel l
.Nkwenkweziwas
l
ookingforwar
dtothisdatemor et
hanIwas.We'd
sett
ledonatimeandbeforeIknewi t
,shehad
arr
ived.If
oundheratthepalacewait
ing.
Khaya:"
Pri
ncessSi
khosana.
"
Nkwe:"
Whydoyour
efuset
ocal
lmebyname?
"
Khaya:"
Sor
ry.Nkwenkwezi
,howar
eyou?
"
Nkwe:"I
'm wel
l.Howar
eyou? "Shel
ookedst
unni
ng
i
nalightbluesummerdress.
Khaya:"I
'mf
ine.Doyoumi
ndi
fIf
reshenupf
ora
minute?
"
Nkwe:"Sure.I
'l
lwaithere.
"Iwentupt hestair
sto
myr oom.I'
dalreadyshoweredinthemor ningbutI
j
umpedr ightbackin,f
ora3mi nut
er efr
esh.Af t
er
dryi
ng,Iputonsomej eansandwhi t
eshirt,brown
l
eathershoesforamor eseri
ousyetcasuall ook.I
putsomeofmybestcol ogneandmademyway
backout.
Khaya:"
Doyouwantanyt
hingt
odr
ink?
"
Nkwe:"No.Whenar
eweleavi
ng?"Wher
ewer
ethe
par
ents?Thi
swassoawkward.
Khaya:"Wecangonow."Il
eadheroutthepalace
andnot i
cedwhatIhadf
ear
ed.Shereal
lybrought
thearmy.Wow.Therewasatot
alof7guardsand3
soldi
ers.
Nkwe:"
Wecant
akemycar
."
Khaya:"No,t
hey'
llf
oll
ow.We'reri
dinginBi-
motive
today.Haveyoubeeninsi
deone? "Sboniwasusing
hisBenzsoItookhisBi-
motiveSUV.Shest ar
edat
i
tfunny.Probabl
yneverseenitbefor
ebecauset hi
s
carwasawor
kofar
t.
Nkwe:"No."Iopenedt
hedoor,l
ett
inghercl
imbin
theback.Igotontheot
hersi
de.Theguarddri
ving
usout.
Guard:"
Thesol
dieri
saski
ngf
oral
ocat
ion,
my
pr
ince."
Khaya:"
eMoyeni
.Thei
cecr
eam par
lour
."Hedr
ove
agai
n.
Nkwe:"
Sot
heguar
dscal
lyouPr
ince?
"
Khaya:"
Ya,
Zwe'
sor
der
s."
Nkwe:"
Theyr
eal
lyl
ikeyouhuh?
"
Khaya:"I
'm har
dnott
olike.
"Shegiggl
ed."
Ist
his
yourfi
rstt
imeoutbesi
desthevineyar
d?"
Nkwe:"
Notreall
y.Isomet
imescomet
othemal
lbut
i
t'
sso..
.dul
landsad."
Khaya:"
Maybebecauseyoucl
earoutt
hewhol
e
bui
ldi
ngbef
oreyouenter
?"
Nkwe:"I
t'
snott
hatser
ious.Thepal
acemakesan
appoi
ntment
."
Khaya:"
Isi
t?Ial
wayst
houghtyouj
ustar
ri
ved.
"
Nkwe:"
Fatherwouldneverl
ett
hathappen.
"She
l
ookedoutthewindow.
Khaya:"
It
'l
lbeyourfi
rstt
imei
nat
ownshi
p.What
ar
eyouexpecting?
"
Nkwe:"
Idon'
tknow.Whati
sitl
ike?
"
Khaya:"
Theopposi
teofwhatyouknow.
"
Nkwe:"
I'
veneverseent
heopposi
te.
"
Khaya:"
It
'slessgl
amorous.Morereal
.Ithasli
fe,
col
our,i
nter
est.Somanybeauti
fulthi
ngsfrom
peopl
ewhohavel ess.
"
Nkwe:"Yet
,younevercomeher
eorhaveevenl
ived
her
e."
Khaya:"Yeahbutt
hat
'snotaboutt
hepeopl
ein
gener
al.Someofthem ar
ereall
ygood.
"
Nkwe:"
Sobesi
deswor
kwi
thmybr
other
,whatel
se
doyoudo?
"
Khaya:"
Studyi
ngl
aw.Cur
rent
lyi
nmyt
hir
dyear
."
Nkwe:"
Why?Youal
readyhaveasecur
ejob.
"
Khaya:"
It
'smor eaboutgai
ningknowl
edgetodothe
j
obevenbet t
er.Idon'
twanttoberepl
aceabl
e.What
doyoudo? "Shelookedatme.
Nkwe:"
Stal
kyou.
"Shesmi
led.Ichuckl
ed.
Khaya:"
Why?
"
Nkwe:"It
hinkyou'
recut
e."Shel
ookedbackoutt
he
window.
Khaya:"
Whatar
eyouhopi
ngt
oseet
oday?
"
Nkwe:"I
'm notsur
e.Idon'
tevenknowwhatt
o
expect
."
Khaya:"Thepeopl
emightgetabitexci
tedt
osee
you.You'r
ethefi
rstpr
incesst
oevercometo
eMoyeni."
Nkwe:"
ButThembi
saal
socameher
e."
Khaya:"Befor
eshewasdat
ingNkosi
.Shewasst
il
l
anordinarygi
rl.
"
Nkwe:"
Didyoul
ikeher
?"
Khaya:"
Yes.
"
Nkwe:"
Int
erest
ing.
"
Khaya:"
Notr
eal
ly.
"
Nkwe:"
SoI
'
llbet
hef
ir
stpr
incess,
her
e?"
Khaya:"Yes.Ichecked.Nopr i
ncesshasever
steppedfoothere.
"Ireal
lydid.Iwantedtoprepar
e
foranythi
ng."I
syoursisteryouronlyfr
iend?
"
Nkwe:"
Nhl
anhl
aisn'
tmyf
ri
end.She'
sme.
"
Khaya:"
Oh,
becauseyou'
ret
wins?She'
stheonl
y
per
sonyoutal
kto?"
Nkwe:"
Soci
all
y,yes.
"
Khaya:"Whyisthat
?Imeanbefor
etheroyal
revocat
ion,
ther
ewer epl
ent
yofpri
ncesses.
"
Nkwe:"
Idi
dn'
tli
ket
hem.
"
Khaya:"
Andnow?I
sther
eanyoneyou'
rei
nter
est
ed
i
nknowing?"
Nkwe:"
Yes,
you.
"
Khaya:"
I'
m nott
hati
nter
est
ing.
"
Nkwe:"Ithi
nkthat'
salie.
"Shest
aredoutt
he
windowinhorr
or ."
Areyousuret
hisisMount
ain
Peak?"Ihel
dinmyl augh.
Khaya:"
Yes.Thi
sisat
ownshi
p."
Nkwe:"
Atown?
"
Khaya:"
Ship.Al
ocat
ionthati
sunderdevel
opedand
oft
enraci
all
ysegr
egated.Al
otofbl
ackpeoplel
ive
here-
"
Nkwe:"Li
ve??I
st hatarat
?There'ssewerage
runni
ngdownther oad!Youdon'tLI
VElikethat
!!
Thati
sdisgust
ing!"
Khaya:"Exactl
y.Sowhenweasr oyalcouncilsi
t
downonMondays, weusual l
ytalkaboutwayst o
devel
opt heseareasal lar
oundt hecount r
y.These
peoplearehumanbei ngs.Theydon' tdeservetoli
ve
l
ikethiswhileweliveinhour l
ycleanedpal aces."
Thecardr oveint
ot hemor edevel opedareaofthe
township,wheretheicecr eam placewas.
Nkwe:"
Thi
sdoesn'
tbel
ongher
e."
Khaya:"Becauseit'
sbeaut i
ful?I
t'
swhati scal l
eda
di
amondi ntherough.Justbecausei t
'sat ownship
doesn'tmeant heydon'tdeservebeauti
fulthings."
Thecar sstopped.Chi
ldrenstoppedplayingi nthe
st
reet.Peopleslowlygathered,watchi
ngt hecar s.
Nkwe:"Idon'
tknowKhaya, It
houghtyouwer
e
taki
ngmet oanestabl
ishedplacei
nasecure
envi
ronment.
"
Khaya:"Iwon'tletanythinghappent oyou.Wehave
guardsandt hepeopl ear ereall
ynice.Theyl i
ke
Nkosi,you'r
egor geoussoI '
m surethey'l
lloveyou.
"
Wegotoutoft hecar .Shehel dmyhandt ight
.The
guardssurroundedus, t
hef ir
sttwoent eri
ngt he
shop.ItwasaFr idayafternoon,itwasbusy.Thi sI
didn'
tcalculat
e.Thecount erwasi mmedi atel
y
cl
eanedofever yone.Mthunzi '
swi f
eappear edfrom
heroffi
ce.
Busi:"
Goodday,MyPr i
ncess.Hel
losi
r.WhatcanI
getyou?"Nkwenkwezil
ookedaroundtheshop.
Nkwe:"
What'st
henameoftheonewehadatt
he
vi
neyar
d?"Shel
ookedatme.
Khaya:"Idon'
tknow.Idi
dn'
task."Il
ookedatthe
owner."Uhm,Ibeli
eveyousentanordert
ot he
vi
neyardnottoolongago,madebyThembi s-The
Pri
nce'swife.
"
Nkwe:"
Yeah,
shesai
dshe'
syourf
ri
end.
"
Busi:
"Sasa?SheorderedTheKing'sLove.Uhm,
unfor
tunat
elyi
t'
snotyetlaunched.Wewoul d
l
aunchont heweddingday."
Nkwe:"
Whydi
dyousendi
tifyouhaven'
tlaunched
i
t?"
Busi:"
Icr
eatedt hefl
avourspeci f
ical
lyf
orthefutur
e
queen,mypr i
ncess.Iapol
ogi zeforthe
i
nconvenience."Nkwenkwezil ookedatmeandI
knewwhatt hatfaci
alexpressionmeant .She
wantedmet odemandi tforher .She'
sapr i
ncess
andusedt ogetti
ngwhatevershewant sbutI'
m not
herfat
herandBusii saveryni celady.
Khaya:"Per
haps,wecanasktheki
ndownert o
ordersomeforwhenyou'
rebackinthepalace.
Rightnow,she'
sunabl
etoservei
tsowe'lltr
yother
fl
avors.
"
Nkwe:"
ButIdon'
twantot
herf
lavor
s!"
Khaya:"
Well
,that
'swhatyou'reget
ti
ng.Besides,
youwantaful
lexperiencether
efor
eyouneed
somethi
ngint
eresti
ngt ot
ellNhl
anhla.You'
rethe
fi
rstt
otast
eotherfl
avourshere,wouldn'
tyouwant
t
orecommendsome?
"Ibr
ushedhercheek.
Nkwe:"
Okay.Howaboutvani
ll
a?"
Khaya:"
Somet
hingwil
derthanvani
ll
a,lookatt
he
st
rawberr
yswi
rl
.Doesn'
tthatlookt
asty?"
Busi
:"Woul
dyoul
iket
osampl
eit
?"
Nkwe:" Yes.Andthisonet oo."Isil
ent
lysighed.
Nkwenkweziwasnotdi ff
icultasaper sonbut
i
ncrediblyspoil
t.Theonlygoodt hi
ngisthatshe'
s
usedtobei ngdictat
edtobyherdad.I fIcansether
str
aightandmakeherl i
stentomenow, shewon't
speakovermei nthefut
ur e."
Thisissogood! !
"
Khaya:"
Hmm.I
tisgood.
"Ismi
led.
..

ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Ist
oodnexttothebed,Sibonel
owassl eeping.I
'
d
donehistest
s,al
lcomingbackokay.Hi sx-r
ays
weren'
ttoobad.I'
ddoanMRIi nt hemorningbutI
washappysof arwit
hhisprogress.Therewasal ot
ofbrui
singonhisarmsandneck.Hej ustneeded
somer
estnow.Amahl
ewal
kedi
n.
Ama:"
Howi
she?
"
Zwe:"Bett
er.Hehasaconcussi
on.Gett
inganMRI
tomorrow,hi
sscansar
eclearbutIwanttobef
ull
y
sure.
"
Ama:"
He'
sgoi
ngt
obeokay.
"
Zwe:"Ihopeyou'
renother
etoconvi
ncemet
olet
hergo."
Ama:"No,I'
m not.I
'
m heretotel
lyou,she'spl
aced
i
nroyalcustodyawait
ingyourverdi
ct.
"Ilookedat
her
.
Zwe:
"I'
m notgoingt
ospar
eherl
if
e.Mybrot
her
al
mostdiedifI
'
dbeeneven5minut
esl
ate"
Ama:"
Iknow.
"Il
ookedbackatSi
bonel
o.
Zwe:"Hedoesn'
tli
sten.Idon'
tunderstandwhathi
s
deali
s.It
oldhimtokeepguar dsatallti
mes.
"
Ama:"Yeahwel
l,thiswasal
itt
ledi
ffer
entZwe.That
i
shishouse,mi
nut esawayf
rom home.Noone
coul
dhaveanti
cipatedanat
tack,i
nStell
ars.
"
Zwe:
"Howdi
dshegai
nent
ry?
"
Ama:"Icheckedherinfo.Sheworksf
orReynard
Smit
h.Enteredtheestateashisempl
oyeebecause
heal
sol i
vesthere,
remember ?
"
Zwe:
"No,
shehast
ogo.
"
Ama:"
Alr
ight
.Letmegetgoi
ng.
"
Zwe:"
ThanksAmahle.Foreveryt
hingandal
so
bei
nghere.IknowNkosii
spissed-"
Ama:"Don'
tworr
yaboutNkosinhle.He'
sonyour
si
de.He'
sgivenyoufi
nalver
dict
."Shewalkedout
.
KhayaandMnqobicamei nt
heroom.
Mnqobi
:"BhutZwe.
"
Zwe:"Mnqobi,you'
resupposedt
obeonyourwayt
o
yourhol
iday.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ipost
poned,
Ican'
tl
eave.Mybr
otheri
sin
I
CU."
Zwe:"Si
boneloi
sfine.I
'm movinghi
m outofhere
now.He'soutofdanger.He'
llbedi
schargedint
he
morni
ng.I'
dtakehim homenowbutIwantt odoan
MRItomorrowjusttodoublecheckther
e'sno
hiddeninj
uri
estohishead.Onceheget shome,
I
wanthimt ofocusonbeinginsidet
hehouseand
recover
ing.Soyoucango, youngpri
nce."
Mnqobi
:"Idon'
tknowi
fIcan,
BhutZwe.
"
Si
bo:"Mnqobigett
hef
uckoutofher
e."Khaya
l
aughed.
Zwe: "
Toldyouhe'
sfi
ne.Sibonel
owhydon'tyou
l
ist
enwhenIspeak?Di dInotsaytoyouhave
guards?"
Sibo:"
Ngiyaxol
isa.Pl
easehelpmeup.We'
l
lcome
backinthemorning.Mamai spr
obabl
yworr
ied.
"
Zwe:"
You'
rel
ying,
youwantt
ocuddl
eher
."Ihel
ped
hi
m up.
Si
bo:"
Atl
eastIhaveanexcuset
hist
ime.Fuck,
my
ar
mshurt
."
Khaya:"
WhathappenedBobo?
"
Si
bo:"
Yoh,Khaya.St
ayawayf
rom women.Let
's
l
eavei
tther
e."
Khaya:"
SoImustdat
emen?
"
Si
bo:"
Pref
erabl
y."
Zwe:
"Yout
hinkyou'
readr
eam boat
,Si
bonel
o?"
Sibo:"Whyelsewoul
dIgetkidnapped?"Welaughed.
Onl ySi
bonelowoul
dmakest upi
djokesabouthis
trauma.Mnqobihel
dhim underhisarm,walki
ng
him out.Isi
gnedhi
sdischar
geformsandf oll
owed
them out.
Zwe:"
Mnqobi
,howar
ethegi
rl
s?Ihopet
hey'
renot
al
armed.
"
Mnqobi :"
Theykindofare.Withhowthehousegot
searchedandhowHi sHi ghnessbol
tedoutofther
e.
I'
l
lgot othem,andlett
hem knowever yt
hingi
s
okay."
Zwe:
"Good.
"..
.

Ourmot
herwasr
eli
evedt
oseeSi
bonel
o.
Zwe:"Heneedsabitofr
estmama,nonoi
se,
no
hi
tt
inghishead.Hehasaconcussi
on.
"
Mama:"
Okaymyl
ove.Thankyou.Whatcanhe
eat
?"
Zwe:"
Anythi
ng,asl
ongasIt'
snowi nt
heeveni
ng.
Hecanhavesupperasusual
,it
'sbr
eakf
astt
hathe
won'
thaveunti
lwe'
redone.
"
Sibo:"
I'
m notevent
hathungr
yhonest
ly,
Ijustneed
toli
edown."
Zwe:"
That'
sthemeds.Af
ewspoonsSboni
.Justt
o
bui
ldyourener
gy.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m goi
ngtot
hrowup,
pleasegett
hef
ood
awayf
rom me."
Zwe:
"Okay.
"Ir
emovedt
hepl
ate."
Howaboutf
rui
t?"
Sibo:"Icanmanagef
rui
t.I
t'
sokayZwel
ethu,
Ican
holditmyself
."
Zwe:
"Yourar
msar
ebl
uewi
thbr
uisi
ng.
"
Queen:"
Letmehel
p."
Sibo:"
Ist
her
edesser
t?Somet
hingsweet
.Acake
even."
Queen:"
Lil
imadeachocol
atemousse.
"
Si
bo:"
Thatwoul
dbeperf
ectt
henIcansleep.
"Li
li
an
br
oughtt
hetr
aywit
hthecupofchocol
atemousse.
"
Yum.
"
Zwe:"
I'
m goi
ngtocheckthehouset
henthehospi
tal
.
I
'l
lbebacktocheckonyoubefor
eIgotobed.
Okay?
"
Sibo:"
hm.
"Hemunchonhi
sdesser
t.Igotup.
"Zwe."
Zwe:
"Yes?
"
Sibo:"Thankyou. "Ididn'tdeservehisgratit
ude.I
should'vedonemyj obt hatIalwaysdi d,
butf or
got
today.Ishould'vecheckedt heguardswer e
foll
owinghi m always.Ishoul d'
vecalled,checked
hiswher eabouts.LikeIal waysdo.
Zwe: "Let'st
hankthePr i
nce.He'
stheonewho
noticed."Iwalkedoutthehouse,dri
vingtohis
house.Theguar dswerestil
lher
e."Bringmethat
gi
rl.Lett hem knowshe'sbeingr
eleased,butbri
ng
herher e."
Guard:"
Yesmypr i
nce."Theylef
t.Iwalkedi
ntothe
housedownt othebasement .Howdi dshediscover
thi
splace?She'dprobablybeeninheretoplanthe
att
ack.Orgotintohissecuri
tysystem.Thesecurit
y
system wasoneoft hebestsohowdi dSi bonelonot
noticei t
?He' sal waysont opoft hings.We' llhavet
o
l
ooki ntothat .Awomancan' tjustbr eaki ntoour
houseandwr eckhavoc.Whatt hehel list his?I
pickedupt hei nject
ion, packingever ythingaway.I
sear chedt hrought hehousef indingnot raceofany
ofherbel ongi ngs.Thesecur ityteam wi llbeher ein
themor ningt osear chmor ethoroughl y.Isati nthe
l
ounge, sear chi ngforanyi nf
ormat ionabouther
pastl if
e.Di dshej ustshowupandt argetmy
brother ?Why? Theguar dscameback, hol di
ngher
byt hear m.Herwr i
st ssti
llbound.Ist oodi nthe
l
ounge.
Zwe:"Thankyouguar
ds.
"Theydr
oppedheront
he
couchwalki
ngout."
Whoareyou?
"
Megan:"
Whati
sitt
oyou?
"
Zwe:
"I'
mtr
yingt
obepol
it
e.Whoar
eyou?
"
Megan:"Si
bonel
oknowswhoIam!He'
sinlovewi
th
me.Allyoudo,i
swantt
okeephi
mfrom me!"
Zwe:
"Okay.Howdi
dyougai
nent
ryi
ntohi
shouse?
"
Megan:"
Hel
etmei
n.CanIgonow?If
eell
ikewe'
re
doneher
e."
Zwe: "
We'renotdone, Megan.I
tsaysher e,yourex
boyfri
endwasf ounddeadi nhishouse,acoupl eof
yearsago.Youwer ethemai nsuspectbutbecause
therewasnoevi dence,youwereletgo.
"Shest ar
ed
atme, gett
ingup."I
'm nott
ryi
ngtobevi olent.
Pleasesitdown."
Megan:"
Idon'
thavet
osi
ther
eandl
ist
ent
othi
s."
Zwe:"Guards."Theydrewoutt hegunsai
mingat
herhead."Haveaseat."Shesatdown."Anotherof
yourboyfr
iend'shavedisappearedasofl
astyear.
Neverheardfrom agai
n."
Megan:"
Hect
orl
eftonhi
sownaccor
d!"
Zwe:"You'r
easer ial
kil
ler
.Whatyoudi dn't
anti
cipat
ewashowsecur eSiboneloreall
yis
becausehef it
syourexacttarget
.Power f
ulman,
who'sdeathcanr ockthenewsbutnoonewi ll
fi
gureitout.Didyoureall
ythinkyouwouldk.il
lmy
brot
herandgetawaywi thit
?Siboneloisaroyal
pri
nce.He'snotanor di
naryperson."
Megan:"
Idi
dn'
twantt
oki
llSi
bonel
o,Il
ovehi
m."
Zwe: "
OkayMegan.Let
'svi
sitSi
bonelo,
soyoucan
tel
lhim howmuchyoulovehim.I'
m surehe'
l
l
for
giveyou."
Megan:"
Real
ly?
"
Zwe: "Ohyes.He' sacoolguy.Heunder stands.
Let'
sgo. "Iwalkedoutt hehouse.Shef oll
owed
behindmehel dbyguar ds.Igotinthecar ,sheinthe
backwi thmyguar d.Idroveouttheyardt othemor e
secludedundevel opedar ea.I
twasf encedof fwit
h
hardwi r
ingtonotl etanyoneinorout .Idrovedown
tother i
verdeckpar kingthecar.Itwasdar kbynow,
nighthadset t
ledin.Igotoutt hecar,l
etti
ngher
cli
mbout .Iwalkedovert otheedgeoft hedeck.
Megan:"
Wher
ear
ewe?
"
Zwe:
"Letmet
akeof
fyourhandcuf
fs.
"
Megan:"
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
!"
Zwe:"
Megan,pleaseli
stentome.Iam nottr
yingt
o
hur
tyou.Iwanttotakeoffyourhandcuf
fs.
"
Megan:"
Whyar
eyoust
andi
ngbywat
er?
"
Zwe:
"Comet
ome,
Megan.
"
Megan:"No!
!"Shetookoffr
unni
ngnotget
ti
ngvery
farbef
oreaguardknockedherdown,
bri
ngingher
back.
Zwe:"Toensuret
hatt
hisi
ncidentneverhappens
agai
n,Iwanttosayj
ustonething.
"Iunti
edher
handcuf
fsasshewhimpered,cryi
ng.
Megan:"
Ilovehi
m!!
!"
Zwe: "Iknowangel ,Iknow.Iwantyout o
underst andonet hing,Iam thetypeofmant hat
protectst hei
rfami l
y.Therewillneverbeat i
me, you
cancomeaf t
erami ne.Memor izeitandremember
i
tforyournextl if
e."Ipushedheri nthecrocodile
i
nfestedr iver,andwat chedherswi mf r
anti
callyto
theothersi debef oreonegrabbedher ,theothers
fol
lowi ngsuit.Iwalkedbackt omycar .

Visualrepr
esentationoft hescene:ThedeckZwei s
standingonishighabovet hewat er
,at
tachedtoa
wall.Thecrocodil
escan' tcli
mbupt hewallandget
tothedeckort hecar .Thewal li
shighup.Ont he
othersideoftheriveristheriverbank,
wher eone
couldswimtoandr unint
othewoods.
Unfort
unatel
y,shedidn'
tgett
orun.Thecr
ocodi
les
grabbedandtoreherli
mbf r
om l
imb.

SASA'
SPOV_

Aft
erNkosihadspr
int
edoutofher
efol
lowedby
Zwe,Ij
umpedup.
Ama:"
Everyt
hingisokay.I
'l
lbebacksoon.We'
re
j
ustl
ooki
ngforSibonelo.
"Zimmystoodup.
Zi
mmy:"
Why?
"
Ama:"He'
sfi
ne.Pl
easebel
ieveme.Si
t."Sheranout
af
tert
hem.Iwasshockedandabitofconfused.
Si
za:"
Let
'sbel
ieveAmahl
e.Comel
adi
es.Let
'sget
i
nthehouse.
"
Pet
u:"
OhmyGod, doyouthi
nki
t'
sthewi
tchagai
n?"
Wewalkedi
nthehouse.
Sasa:"
Let
'snotthi
nkaboutt
hatyet.Fornow,let
's
cl
osethedoorsandremaini
nsi
de."Webr oughti
n
al
lofthepl
atesandanythi
ngqui
cktocar
rythen
cl
osedoursel
vesin.Mnqobiwal
kedi
nthefr
ont
door
.
Mnqobi:"Ladies,pl
easedon'tbealarmed.The
guardsarealertandal lar
ound.I
'
llupdat
eyouas
soonasIhavemor einfor
mati
onbutitseems
Sibonel
oismi ssing."
Zi
mmy:"
missi
ng!
?"
Mnqobi
:"Agai
n,don'
tbeal
armed.Love,
canwe
t
alk?
"Heheldherhandtot
hebedroom.
Me:"They'llf
indhim.I'
m surehe'sokay.Thi
sis
Sibonelo.He'sprobabl
yforgot
tentochargehis
phone."Igiggled.Tobehonest,Iwasscared.
Amahl ehadsober edupinasecond.Andbl oodwas
ment i
oned.
Siza:"Yes,he'
sapr i
nce.I'
m sur
ether
e'san
explanati
on."Isatdownwi t
hZimmywhi l
ePet
uand
Sizatookst uf
ftothekit
chenandstar
tedti
dyi
ngup.
Me:"Isever
ythi
ngokay?You'
vebeenfl
ushedsi
nce
youcamef r
om thebathr
oom."Shel
ookedcl
oseto
tear
s.
Zi
mmy:"I
'
m pregnant.It
ookthetest
,thr
eeofthem.
Al
loft
hem ar
epositi
ve.I'
m pr
egnant.
"Ihuggedher
.
Me:"
Zimmy..
.Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay.Haveyou
t
oldSi
bonel
o?"
Zimmy:"
No.Ijustf
oundoutmysel
f.Besi
des,
he'
l
l
thi
nkI
'mtrappi
nghim wi
thababy.
"
Me:"That'
snottr
ueZimmy.Bothofyouagr
eedto
havesex.Thisi
sn'
tyourf
aul
t.Al
lwecanprayand
hopeisthathei
swill
ingt
otakecar
eofhisbaby.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Takecar
e?"
Me:"
Areyout
hinki
ngoft
ermi
nat
ing?
"
Zimmy:" Idon'
tthi
nkIcanThembisa."Shesobbed.
"I
'm soscared.Whatwil
lmymot hersay?I'veonly
j
ustst ar
tedtogetmylif
etoget
her.Businessi s
workinggood,I'
m cat
chinguponschoolwor k.I
've
rui
nedmyl i
fe.
"
Me:"No,Zimmy.Youhaven' tr
uinedyourlife.We'r
e
heretohelp.We'l
lfi
ndaway.Besi des,asshadyas
Sibonel
ois,Idon'
tthinkhe'
sthetypet onottake
careofhischil
d.You'recar
ryi
ngaPr ince,l
ove."
Zimmy:"YohThembisa.I'
m sofucki
ngscared.
"She
sobbed.Ihel
dherinmyar ms,myownt ear
sunable
tokeepatbay."
IthoughtIwassafe,Imadesure.
Andithadtobetheguywhowasusi ngmef or
sex?"
Me:"Zimmydon'ttal
kliket
hat.Yourlif
eisn'
tover
.
It
'sfi
neifyouhavethebaby,we'l
ltaketurns
babysit
ti
ng.We'l
lputsomemoneyt ogether
,ri
ght
gir
ls?Thischi
ldwil
lneverf
eelunloved."
Pet
u:"
Andthei
rgrandmaisver
yat
tachedt
obabi
es.
MamaBiyel
aissoniceZi
mmy.You'r
enotal
one.
"
Zimmy:" IknowIhaveyouguysandhonest l
yI '
m
real
lygreatful
.Ij
ustwi shhewould.
..Bedi f
ferent,
youknow?Iguessi twasn'tmeanttobe.IknowI
soundsost upidbutIreall
ywantedtobui l
dagood
l
ifeandset t
lewit
hsomeonebef or
eIt houghtof
babies.Ihadjustsomesmal lhopethatmaybe, he'
ll
tryandwoome.If eelsodumbf oralwayshopi ng
l
ikethat."
Pet
u:"
I'
m sosor
ry,
fri
end
Me:"
Don'
tfeeldumb,
fri
end.I
t'
snat
ure.You'
rea
l
ovi
ngper
sonandyou'
rei
nlovewi
thhi
m."
Si
za:"
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dtel
lhi
m."
Zi
mmy:"
Ican'
tSi
za.Whati
fher
eject
sme?
"
Siza:"
Don'tgivehi
m achanceto.Siboneloi
snotas
detachedtoyouasyout hi
nk.Tryagain.Tel
lhi
m
howyouf eel.Andkeepfi
ghti
ng."
Zimmy:"I'
m sor
rySi
zabutI
'm goi
ngt
olookso
desper
ate.Theshameofi
tall
."Wegi
ggl
ed.
Si
za:"
Itwon'tgett
oshame,t
rustme.Tel
lhi
m
sweet
heart
."Zimmywipedhertear
s.
Zi
mmy:" So.
..I
'
m havingababy?Atthi
sage?Yoh.
Thethi
ngswegot hroughbecauseofsex.
"We
l
aughed.

Amahl
ewalkedbacki ntothehouse.Di
dtheyf
ind
hi
m.Shedidn'
tlookwor ri
ed.WherewasZwe?Nkosi
wal
kedinaswell.Iwalkeduptohim.
Nkosi
:"He'
sokay.Ever
yonei
sokay.
"
Me:"
Youf
oundhi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.He'
scurr
ent
lywi
thZwe.I
'
m al
sogoi
ng
t
othepalacenow."
Me:"
Okay,
myl
ove.Bestofl
uck.
"Hesmi
led.
Nkosi
:"Thankyou.
"Heki ssedmyl i
ps."
Mnqobi
,we
needt
ogot othepalace.CallKhayahome.
"
Mnqobi
:"He'
salmosther
e,YourHi
ghness.
"They
wal
kedout.Not
handosatwit
hus.
Ama:" I
'l
lbeback."Hewalkedoutafterthem.Iwas
rel
ievedthatthey'
dfoundhim andeverythi
ngwas
fi
ne.Iwentt ositbackdown.
Me:"
That
'sgoodnews.He'
ssaf
eandsound.
"
Pet
u:"Thankgoodness.ForasecondIt
houghti
t
wasthewitchagai
n."
Me:"Gi
rl
,same.I'
m gl
adwe'r
eridofthatgi
rl
."We
l
aughed.Thefr
ontdoorunl
ocked,openi
ngagain,
Khayawalkedi
n.
Khaya:"Hiangel
s."Wegreet
edhi m back,l
ooki
ngat
t
heper sonhehadwal kedi
nwi t
h."Ihavetorusht
o
t
hepalace,wouldyoubesoki ndandsi twit
h
Nkwenkwezi?Iwon'tbetoolong."
Me:"
Sur
e."
Khaya:"Thankyoumyqueen. "Heturnedtoher."I'
l
l
bebacksoon, Ij
ustwanttocheckonmybr other,
al
ri
ght?Youcant akeaseat.
"Hewal kedoutthe
house.Nkwenkwezilookedatus,hereyeslanding
onme.
Me:"
Comesi
t.Doyouwantadr
ink?
"
Nkwe:"Sure."Shel
ookedatthehouse,walkingint
o
theloungeandsitt
ingdown.HowdidKhayaendup
withthi
sone?Nott hatt
her
e'sadif
ference.The
twinsareprobabl
ythesamehumani ndi f
ferent
bodies.
Siza:"
Wehavesomechampagne,
orgi
n.Whatdo
youwantt
odrink?
"
Nkwe:"
Whati
sthechampagne?
"
Si
za:"
OhI
'
m notsur
eoft
hename,
pri
ncess.
"
Nkwe:"IguessI'
llhavethat.
"Sizagotuptofetch
theunopenedbot t
leandglass.Nkwenkwezilooked
outofplace,
lookingaroundtheloungeandjudging
thecouches.
Me:"Didyouhaveagoodt imetoday?"Shel ooked
atme.Hereyesmaynotbeor angebutt heywer ea
beauti
fulmedium br
ownandt heyhadt heexact
shocki
ngelementwhenNkosi ,orAmahl estared.
That'
sprobablytheKing'
scont r
ibut
iontot hegenes.
Ascarystare.Thetwinslookedalotli
ket hei
r
motherbuttheeyeswer edefini
tel
ySikhosana.
Nkwe:"
Great
.Wewentt
oat
ownshi
p."
Zi
mmy:"
Didyouenj
oyi
t?
Nkwe:"No.I
tgotal
it
tl
einvasi
ve.Wehadtol
eave
becauseacrowdwasformingout
sidet
hest
ore.
"
Me:"That
'swhattheydowhentheyseeNkosi.The
peoplear
ealwayshappytoseeyou.
"Sizaopened
thechampagne,pouri
ngi
tforher
.
Nkwe:"
Youl
ookt
oost
yli
sht
obeamai
d."Ohmy
God.
Siza:"
I'
m nott
hemai d.Wedon'
thavemai
dshere.
There'
sahelperwhohelpsuscleant
hehouse.
"She
gavehertheglass.
Nkwe:"
Ahel
per
?They'
renothel
ping.They'
redoi
ng
t
hei
rjob.
"
Siza:"
Itmaybetheirj
obbutitistoassi
stust
o
focusoneveryt
hingelse.Cl
eaningupaft
er
oursel
vesshoul
dcomenat ur
all
y."
Nkwe:"
No.Youhi
repeopl
efort
hat
."
Siza:"Yes,becauseyouhavethepri
vil
egeto.Not
everyonedoes.That'swhyit
'snat
uraltodoit
yourself.
"
Nkwe:"
That
'snotnat
ural
.Ever
yonehasahel
per
."
Me:"
Idi
dn'
tgr
owupwi
thahel
per
."
Zi
mmy:"Met
oo.Mymum di
dal
lthechor
esunt
ilI
st
art
edt
ohel
pher.
"
Nkwe:"
What
'sachor
e?"
Me:"Work,t
hathel
psini
mprovingyour
envi
ronment.Washi
ngdi
shes,sweeping,
changi
ng
thebedli
nen."
Nkwe:"You'r
enotallowedt odothat
.Doyoudo
that?
"Ialmostlaughed.Shesoundedsooff
ended
attheprospectofchores.Herbubbl
ewasverysof
t,
Imustsay.
Me:"Inmyhouse, yes.Mostofthechores,Il
eaveto
ourhelperbutthr
oughouttheweekIdot hecleani
ng.
Ienj
oyi t
,it
'st
herapeuti
cespeci
all
ywithsome
music."
Zi
mmy:"
OohsomeRnB.
"
Pet
u:"
Wit
hagospelher
eandt
her
e."
Me:"
Per
fectspr
ingcl
eani
ngday.
"Wegi
ggl
ed.
Nkwe:"
Whydoyoudot hattoyoursel
f.Doesn'
tit
hur
tyournai
ls?Whydoyouaspireforlabourand
gl
amouri
zeitwit
hmusic?"
Me:"Perhapsit'
showwegr ewupbutit
'ssomet
hing
real
lycalmingaboutcleani
ngupaspace.Haveitgo
from chaot
ictocleanandneat.I
tsoot
hesapartof
you."
Nkwe:"
Rii
ghht
."Shet
ookasi
pofherchampagne.
Petu:"
Ithi
nkI
'
llj
oinyouont
his.Love,
doyouwanta
ref
il
l?"
Not
ha:"
Yespl
ease.
"
Petu:"Nottoomuchthough.Ther
e'sst
il
la
possibil
it
yofyougoi
ngawayt oni
ght.Di
dyouputi
n
t
heheadachet
abl
etsi
nyoursui
tcase?
"
Not
ha:"
I'
mfi
newi
thpost
poni
ng.
"
Petu:"Stil
l,l
et'
sbepr epar
ed."Shewenttof etchan
extraglassf orher
selfandmadeacockt ailfor
Notha.Ever yoneelsewasal readydr
inki
ngandI
didn'twantZi mmyt ofeell
eftoutsoI'
dstaysober
withher .Idi
dn'tmind.Besides,wewerehavi nga
goodt imemunchi ngonsnacks.
Zimmy:"There'
sthi
srangeattheFreshFoods
super
mar ket
,theyi
mportsnacksfr
om diff
erent
count
ri
es.Howaboutwet rysomeout ?"
Me:"
Let'
sdoi
t!
"Shegi
ggl
ed,
taki
ngoutherphone
st
art
ingt
heor
der.
Nkwe:"
Howdoyoudot
hat
?"
Zimmy:"Letmeshowyou, come."Nkwenkwezi
hesi
tatedbutgotupt ositnexttomesinceZimmy
wasonmyot herside."SoIpartl
yownadel i
ver
y
company.Thr oughourapp, youcanorderanyt
hing
fr
om thesuper marketandhaveitdeli
ver
edtoyour
door
.Justlikethis.
"
Nkwe:"
Itgoesanywher
e?Li
keIor
deranyt
hingand
i
tgoestothepal
ace?"
Zimmy:" Absolut
ely.We'resti
llworkingonadealto
getaphar maceuticalcompanyonboar dbutsofar
,
I'
vemanagedt osigntwosuper mar ket
s.Soany
foodyouneedf r
om theset wostores,snacks,
alcohol.Youjustorderitanditarr
ivesin30
mi nut
es."
Nkwe:"
AndIdon'
thavet
omakeanappoi
ntmentf
or
t
hemall?"
Zi
mmy:"
Atal
l.
"
Nkwe:"
Doesi
twor
kforot
herst
uff
?Li
kecl
othes?
"
Zimmy:"Notonthi
sapp.Thisi
sonlygrocer
yfoods
fornow.Iknowoftwobouti
quest
hathaveanapp
l
ikethi
s.BothinGol
denCrownbuttheydeli
veri
n
l
ike24hours."
Nkwe:"Showme. "Igavet
hem somespace,
goi
ng
tositwi
thPetu,Si
zaandNothandowhowere
playi
ngcards.
MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Ihadt heguar dsbri

ngThembi sa, Nkwenkwezi and
Amahl ehomet othepalaceandoncet hey'darrived,
Iwentt omyhouse.Thembi saandNkosiwoul d
sl
eepatt hepal acesoIcouldgohome.Al otwas
goingt hroughmyhead.I '
dwrittenal et
ter.I'
d
practi
cedwhatI '
dsay.Iwassoner vous.Ididn't
wantt olosemywi f
ebutIcouldn' tkeepthisfrom
her.Icoul dn'tli
eanylonger.I
'
df uckedupbadl yand
Icouldonl ypr aytoGodt osavemymar ri
age.I
parkedmycar ,andwentin.Busisati nthelounge,
curledont hecouchwi t
hherbi bleopenont het abl
e.
Thesagewasbur ni
ngonasmal lbowl.Whatwas
happeni ngnow?
Mt
hunzi
:"Myl
ove.Goodeveni
ng.What
'sal
lthi
s?"
Busi
:"Heybaby.Ij
usthadast
rangedream whenI
wasnapping.
"Iputmykeysonthetabl
eandsat
down.
Mt
hunzi
:"Whathappened?
"
Busi
:"Icamehomef
rom wor
k.Oooh,
Igotavi
sit
fr
om thepr
incess!
!Oneofthetwinscametothe
stor
e.Shewaswi t
hKhaya.Aretheydati
ng?They
seemedcosy."Shegi
ggl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
NotthatIknowof.Theyhadonlyplanned
adate,t
hat'
sall.SheaskedtheKi
ngwhenwewer e
atthevi
neyard.SoIguessthiswasthei
rday.What
happened?"
Busi
:"Not
hingmuch.Theysampledsomei ce
cr
eamsandhadasi tdownbutthecrowdwas
st
art
ingtofor
m out
sidesoKhayasuggestedthey
l
eave.He'
ssosweettoher,
fir
m, butver
ysweet."
Mthunzi:"
That
'sgood.Thepri
ncessescanbe
very.
..
meantosaytheleast
.Sowhathappenedi
n
yourdream?"
Busi:"Ohyes.I tfel
tli
keIwasi nthisvil
lage.IthinkI
wasl ostbutIsawSasa.Shewashi di
ng,tryi
ngt o
getawayf rom somet hing.Ididn'twantt ogiveaway
herhidingspotsoIcheckedar oundf orwhati twas
thatsheseemedt obesoaf r
aidof .Icouldn'tseeit
butIcouldf eelthenegativeenergyandt henIwoke
up.SoIdeci dedt opray,that
'swhyt hebibleand
i
ncense.
"
Mthunzi
:"Oh.That'
ssweet.HoweverSasai
sheavil
y
guar
ded.Shehas12guar dsforheral
oneapart
fr
om NkosibutI'
l
lremi
ndt hem dai
lyt
obealer
tatall
ti
mes."
Busi
:"Real
ly?Youbel
ieveme?
"
Mt hunzi
:"IknowI'vesaidbefor
eyouhavea
creati
veimaginationthatspi
ll
sintoyourdreams
somet i
mesbutI '
venevernotbelievedyoubaby.I
al
wayswai tunt
ilyoufini
shyourpr ayerbef
oreI
wal kout
."Shesmi led.
Busi:"You' rethebesthusband. "Myheartached.I
should'vebeent hebesthusbandbutIwasn' t.
Maybet hisdi dn'twork?Andt here'
snoreasont o
hurther ?Maybet hefert
il
it
ypi l
ls,
thel
ovemaki ng,
al
lofit,di dn'tgetherpr egnant.Buti
tdoesn'tmake
i
tr i
ght.Ivi olatedherconsent .Herbody.Withouther
permissi on.Hi dingitfr
om herandcont i
nuingtonot
giveherchoi ce,ishorri
ble.
Mthunzi
:"Love,
ther
e'ssomet
hingyouandIneedt
o
t
alkabout.
"
Busi
:"Soundsser
ious.
"
Mthunzi
:"I
tis.And.
..I
'
m hopi
ngt
hat
,comi
ngcl
ean,
i
sinawaygoi ngtohelpus.
"
Busi
:"Whati
sitMt
hunzi
?You'
rescar
ingme.
"
Mthunzi:"Idi
dsomethinghorr
iblebehi
ndyourback.
Ipl
anned, anddi
dit.Onlynow,real
izi
nghowbadit
was.Violati
ngeven.
"
Busi
:"Whatdi
dyoudo?
"
Mthunzi
:"I
'
m sosor
ry,Busi
.Iam t
rul
yandutter
ly
sor
rythatt
hisi
deaevencameabout.If
uckedup."
Busi
:"Whatisi
tMthunzi
?Areyousleepi
ngwith
someoneelse?
"Suddenl
y,t
hatseemedlessevi
l.
Mthunzi:"Nobaby,
Idi
dn'
t.Soyouremember
,we
deci
dedt hatwe'
dgetasurr
ogat
etocarr
ymy
chi
ld?"
Busi
:"Oh."Herf
acesai
dital
l.Shewasal
ready
hear
tbroken.
Mthunzi
:"Ihaven'
tsleptwi
thanyoneel
se.I
t'
snot
t
hat.Busi
,Idon'twantachil
dwithsomerandom
womanIdon' tknow.Iwantmychildt
ohaveone
mother
,whi
chi
syou.Mywi f
e.Idon'
twantot
her
womeninmyli
fe.Ineverhave.I
t'
sal
waysjustbeen
you.
"
Busi
:"Thenwhathappened?
"Ist
aredatmyhands.
Mt hunzi:"Thet i
meyougotsi ck.Ii ncreasedyour
vit
ami nsdosagesot hatyourbodycanbr eakdown
i
nr eactiontoi tandyou'dbef lushedof falloft he
vit
ami nsandal sohavet heimpl antr emoved.You
didn'tgetsickbecauseyourdoct ormadeami st ake.
Itwasme.Iwant edyout or emovet heimpl antso
thatIcangetyoupr egnant.Thecont raceptivepi ll
s
I'
m givingyouever yday,areact ual l
yf ert
il
it
ypi l
ls.
I'
m alsot akingthemal ever sionoft hem.Thi sweek,
Ili
edt oyouwhenIsai dyouar en'tovul ati
ng.We' ve
beent akingf ert
il
it
ytreatmentf orthepastal most
threeweeksand, whenwemadel ove, I
was. .
.i
ntendi ngtogetyoupr egnant .Iam sor ry."
Busi
:"what
."Shewhi
sper
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Iwasdesperat
eandIknowwhatIdi
d
waswr ong.Iam sosor
ryBus-
"
Busi
:"Youvi
olat
edmybody.Youl
ied.Youal
most
kil
ledme.Allbecauseyouwantedyourwi
sh
fulf
il
ledbecauseyourchoi
ceismoreimpor
tant
thanmi ne?
"Hervoiceshook.
Mt
hunzi
:"That
'snott
ru-
"
Busi:"
Iti
sMt hunzi
.Itr
ustedyouwi t
hmyl i
fe.Igave
youmyl if
e.Youchoset odothiswit
hitbecause
youthinkyouaremyGod?Youdeci dedwhetherI
l
ikeitornotyouwillf
orc..
..
"Shebrokedowncr yi
ng.
"YouwouldratherIdi
edt hannothaveyourwish??"
Mthunzi
:"Il
oveyouBusi
.Idon'
twanttol
oseyou.I
di
dn'twantanot
heraddi
ti
onwit
houtyou.
"
Busi:"IgaveyouachoiceMt hunzi!
!!Igaveyouso
manychoi ces,onourfi
rstdate,youaskedabout
chil
drenandITOLDYOUIDONTWANTANY! !
!!
!!
!"
Shescr eamed."ITOLDYOUIDONTWANTTO
HAVEANYANDYOUCONTI NUEDTOCOURTME! !
!!
IASKEDYOUPLENTYOFTI MESANDEVENSAT
YOUDOWNBEFOREYOUPROPOSED!Doyou
remember ?Doyour ememberIsai d,Iwanttomar r
y
youbutwehavet otal
kbeforeIsayyes?Iasked
youonceagai n.Igaveyouthischoice."Shest
ood
up, shivering."Youmusthat eme.Ther e'
snoot her
expl anation.Youhat eme.Idef endedyout othat
doct orandyouknewshewasr ightbutbecauseyou
aremyhusbandandIt rustedyouIst oodbyyour
side.Howcoul dyoudot histome?Howcoul dyou
l
istent omyt r
aumaf oryear sandwat chmebr eak
downatever ymi l
estone, everybirt
hdayIcoul dn't
celebr ate,everygestureofki ndness,attending
therapyonceaweekf oryear sandt hent urnaround
anddot his?"Shehiccupedt r
yingtoregul at
eher
breat hing."Getout.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Babypl
ea-
"
Busi
:"GET.THE.FUCK.OUT.OF.MY.HOUSE.
"I
st
oodup,taki
ngmykeys.
Mthunzi
:"BusiIknowIf
uckedup.Iam sosorr
y.I
am wil
li
ngtodoanythi
ngtorect
if
ythi
s.Anythi
n-"
Busi:"Youvi ol
atedme!!!Icouldhaveyourseed
growingi nsideofmeRI GHTNOW.Yout ookaway
mychoi ce!!!ThechoiceIhavehadt olearntohave
overandoverandoveragai n,
youjustshowedme
thatIwillnevereverhavei t
.Iam nothi
ngt oyou.I
am notevenahumanbeingthatcanfucki
nghavea
choi
ce!!
!!Gett
hehel
lout
!!
!!
!"Shescreamed.
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er121

SASA'
SPOV_

Mybodywokemeupbef oremybr ainwasr eady.I

hatedi t
.Iwassot i
redandneededmor esleep,it
wasbar elysunr ise.Igotoutofbedwear i
ngmy
blackdr essandamat chinglongcar digan.Ileftthe
room aft erputtingonsomesneaker s.Nkosiwas
fastasleep, interestinghowhedi dn'tevenwake.He
toomustbeexhaust ed.Hehadal ongsessi onwi th
hisfatherandt heyst i
llar
en'tdonewi tht hei
r
painti
ng.Iwal keddownt hestair
s,intot heopen
hallway, crossingoutt othebackent r
anceont othe
cour t
yard.Iopenedt hedoorandbr eat hedthecrisp
freshair.Theguar dswer eroamingar oundholding
thebiggestguns.Ihadt oignor e.Holdi ngmydr ess,
Iwentt hrought hegar denNkosisai dIwas
welcomet ouse.I 'dnot i
cedal eaftheret hatwast he
sameast heoneIhadi nmydr eam.Int hedr eam,I
wasmaki ngmysel facupoft eat ogai nsome
energyandi thadwor ked.IhopeIcanr emember
thestepsl estIp. oisonmysel f .Igiggled, wal ki
ng
i
nt othegar den.Ther eitwas.Icar ef
ullypi ckedthe
plant,t
hel eafononeoft hem wasst artingt odry.
ThankgoodnessbecauseIneededi tt hatway.I
sniff
edi tforflavour ,i
tdidn'thaveasmel l.That'
sa
l
ittl
edisappoi ntingbutokay.
Me:"IhopeI'
m notmissingsomet
hing,
doIgri
nd
t
hisorleti
tsoak?Idon'tknow.
"Imumbledt
o
myself
.
"Whatareyoudoing?"Ial
mostj
umpedoutofmy
ski
nwi t
hfear
.Ilookedback,
qui
ckl
ystandi
ng
str
aight
.
Me:"
Oht
hankgoodness.I
t'
syou,
YourMaj
est
y."
King:"Yes.Whyar
eyoui
nthegar
dent
alki
ngt
o
yourselfi
nthedar
k?"
Me:"Oh,
ithel
psmepr ocessthi
ngs.Iwaspi
cki
ng
upsomeOnum leavesforateaIneedtomake.
"
Ki
ng:
"At
eaf
orwhat
?"
Me:"Womanl yt
hings.Youlookdressedandready
togo,YourMajesty.Il
oveyourshoes.Doyouhave
anearlyday?
"Hesmi l
ed.
Ki
ng:
"Ial
wayshaveear
lydays.
"
Me:"Met oo.Ij
ustneedt ogetoutoft
hisf
unk.I
'
ve
beenti
red,thi
steawillhelp.
"
Ki
ng:
"Howdoyouknowt
hat
?"
Me:"
Idr
eamtabouti
t,YourMaj
est
y."
King:"
Wellt
hen.
..
"Wewal kedoutthegar
denquiet
ly
backintot
hepal
ace.Idon'tknow.I
twaspret
ty
earl
y,di
dheevengotosleep?
Me:"
Woul
dyoul
ikesomet
ea?
"
Ki
ng:
"Thatwoul
dbel
ovel
y."
Me:"I
'
llmakesome. "Iwal
kedtotheki
tchen.The
st
affwasalr
eadyawake, bust
li
ngabout.Notsur
e
doi
ngwhat.Ijustneededakett
leandteabags.I
l
aidoutthet
raywi
tht
het
eacupsandsugarbowl
.
Hestoodnextt
omepeel
ingt
hel
eafIpi
ckedout.
King:
"Youhavet oremovethestemsi
fyouwanti
t
t
obeef fect
ive,
nevertouchthepet
alf
rom t
he
fl
ower."
Me:"SoIwasright
,iti
spoi sonous."Hechuckl
ed.I
groundthel
eafinabowlt henboileditont
hestove.
"DoyouknowtheteaI'm supposedt omake?Iwas
experi
menti
ngbecauseitseemedt oworkinmy
dream."
Ki
ng:
"Youbel
ievei
nyourdr
eamsal
ot?
"
Me:"
Mostl
y.Fort
hel
ongestt
imet
heywer
equi
te
st
upi
d."
Ki
ng:
"Inwhatway?
"
Me:"Li
keI'ddream thataf r
iendorsomeoneIknow
wil
ltr
ipandf al
linthestreet.Thenafewdayslateri
t
happens.Ifounditfunny.Not hi
ngtooser
ious.
"
Ki
ng:
"Andhowaboutnow?
"
Me:"Now...I
'
m dr
eamingofoldvil
lages.Pl
acesI
'd
neverbeenbutt
heyexist
.I'
mli
vinginmydr eamsin
adi
ff
erentt
ime.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whi
chvi
ll
agewer
eyoudr
eami
ngof
?"
Me:"
Bakhoyo.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thef
orgot
tenl
ands.
"
Me:"Amahl
eandIvi
sit
ed.Wegotchasedaway.
"I
l
aughed.
King:"
Chasedaway?Inyournation?Thatwil
lnever
happenagain.
"Il
ookedathim andsmiled.
Me:"It
'sokay.Ithinki
twasformyprot
ecti
on.
"The
waterboil
ed,Iplacedhist
eabagi
ntheteacup,
pouri
ngthewat er.
Ki
ng:
"Doyoual
waysseedeadpeopl
e?"
Me:"No.Iactual
lyhaven'
tseenany,apar
tfr
om t
he
Sikhosanaancestor
s.Ineedtost
artonmynew
tasksoon."
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sthi
stask?
"
Me:"Ineedmoreinformationfrom t
hesleepi
ng
beauti
es.HoweverIthinkithastodowithMcebo
andalsoHisMajesty,KingNgidumise.Wouldyou
l
ikesomebi
scui
tswi
thyourt
ea?
"
Ki
ng:
"Mcebo,
thet
reasur
evi
ll
age?Yes.
"
Me:" Yes,myKi ng.Idon'tmeant obeforward,that'
s
notmyi nt
ention, I
'm sor
ryifI'
m over
stepping.I
thi
nk, thefamilyneedst oapologizeandappease
thet r
easurebl oodancest or
sandhel prebuil
dt hat
vil
lage.Maybe, thatcanhelpmehel pKing
Ngi dumisefinallyreunit
ewi t
hhiswife.Butbefor e
thathappens, heHi msel
fneedst obeinthepr oper
realm."
King:
"That'
swaytoomuchwor
kforyou.You'
rea
baby.
"Igiggl
ed.
Me:"Idon'
tmind.I
t'
sfun.CanIcar
ryt
hisf
oryout
o
t
helounge?"
Ki
ng:
"Fi
nishmaki
ngyour
sfi
rst
."
Me:"Ohri
ght.
"Ist
rai
nedmyt eaandaddeda
t
easpoonofsugar
.Ifol
lowedhimtothemain
l
ounge.Si
tt
ingdownont hepl
ushfur
nit
ure.
King:"
Sohowwi
llyougetmyf
atheri
ntot
her
ight
real
m?"
Me:"Well
,Idon'tknow.Wehavet opleadhi
scase,a
l
ot.Theancestorsareveryaggressi
veandhardt
o
pl
ease.Remembert hesear
e..
..
mor eorl
essyou.
"
Ki
ng:
"I'
m notdi
ff
icul
ttopl
ease.Ionl
ylosei
nter
est
."
Me:"
Underst
andabl
e.Ihavet
odoal
otof
medi
tat
ion.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whot
aughtyout
hat
?"
Me:"
Noone.Ij
ustsortofpray.Whathel
psconnect
metotheot
hersi
deistheleafIbur
n.Amahlegave
i
ttome.Doyouwanttoconnect?"
Ki
ng:"Yes.Iwantt
ospeakt
omygr
andf
ather
,Ki
ng
Bheki
zizwe."
Me:"
Oht
hat
'
ssweet
.Doyoumi
sshi
m?"
King:"
No.Iwanttoknowwhyhekil
ledmymother
andifhe'
ssorr
y."Mybreat
hgotst
uckinmyt
hroat.I
wasnotexpect
ingthat.
Me:"
Iam sosor
ry.
"
Ki
ng:
"Notaworry.Al
otofmyf
ami
lywi
llshockyou.
Wearenotni
ce.
"
Me:"Butyou'
reni
ce,andsoisNkosiandAmahl e.I
t
hinkNkwenkweziisgett
ingt
here.Lastni
ghtshe
i
nter
actedwitht
hegirl
sbutther
e'ssti
llal
otofwork
t
obedone. "
Ki
ng:
" It
houghtNkwenkweziwentt
oanout
ingwi
th
t
heBiyel
aboy."
Me:"Khaya?Ohshedi d.Alothappened.So,
Sibonelowentmi ssingsomet imedur i
ngtheday,
causingapani c.Everyonewentt olookforhim.
EveryonebeingNkosi ,ZweandMt hunzi.Al
so
Amahl e.Theyfoundhi m, notsurewherebuthe's
saidtobesaf eandsound.Anyway, Khayabrought
Nkwenkweziovert osi twithuswhilehewentt o
checkifeverythi
ngi sokaybackatt hepalace."
Ki
ng:
"Andyout
rustt
hisKhaya?
"
Me:"Absol
utely.Khayaisfant
asti
c.Verypati
ent
too.
"Isi
ppedmyt ea.I
twasactuall
yverytasty,
the
fl
avourpoppedoutwheni tboil
ed?Int
eresti
ng.He
star
edatmyt eacup.
Ki
ng:"Onceamonthi
ssuffi
cientoft
hatt
ea.You
wantyourbodyt
oeasei
tsel
fintoadj
usti
ngthe
ext
ral
oad.
"
Me:"Ihopei
twor
ksasgoodasitt
ast
es.Ihave
examscomingupandIwi
llneedmywholebrai
n."
Ki
ng:"
Nkwenkweziadj
ustedt
othegi
rl
syousay?
Shewasf
inewit
hthem? "
Me:"
Kindof
.Shewasn'
tout
ri
ghtr
ude.It
hinkshe
di
dokay.
"
King:"
Mychi l
drencanbever
ymean.Especial
lyt
o
eachother.SoIdon'
ttr
ustt
hem t
oint
eractwit
h
otherpeople.
"
Me:"
Maybei
t'
llhel
pthem under
standot
herpeopl
e."
King:
"Amahl
ehasneverspokenawor dtot
het
wins.
Theyli
vei
nthesamehouse."Igasped.
Me:"
No,
thatcan'
twor
k."
Ki
ng:
"Itwor
ksf
ort
hem.
"
Me:"MyKi ng,
that'
snotokay.Iwoulddiei
fIdi
dn't
speaktoZanele.Ical
lherfiveti
mesaweek.Sure,
mydadi smybestf ri
endbutZaneleismysibl
ing
thatIshar
emysecr etint
erestswit
h."
Ki
ng:
"Yourf
atheri
syourbestf
ri
end?
"
Me:"Yes,
myking.Myf atherisaver
ygoodfri
end.
Andheknowsalotofthings.Canneverbebor
ed
nearhi
m."Hechuckl
ed.If i
nishedmytea.
Me:"I
twasni
cechat
ti
ng,
myKi
ng.Ishoul
dbe
get
ti
ngupst
air
s."
Ki
ng:
"Thankyouf
orsi
tt
ingwi
thme.
"
Me:"
You'r
everywel
come.
"Igotupandbowed,
wal
kingout.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Iopenedmyeyes,feel
ingt
hebedcol
dbesi
deme.
Thembisaundr
essedandcrawl
edint
obed.
Sasa:"Heysweet
ie.Di
dIwakeyou?
"Isni
ff
eda
di
ffer
entscentar
oundher
.
Nkosi
:"Wher
edoyoucomef
rom?
"
Sasa:"
Icouldn'
tsleepbutIwasst
il
lsotir
edsoI
wenttothegarden."Shecuddl
edme."Ipi
ckedouta
l
eaftoboi
lforsomet eaandyourdadwast
her
e.He
hel
pedwit
ht hetea,
andwedr anksomeint
he
l
ounge.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydidn'
tyouwakeme?
"Mosti
mpor
tant
ly,
whydidn'
tIwakeup?
Sasa:"You'
ret
ir
edt
oobaby.Thatwouldbemean.I
t
wasn'tli
keanemer
gency.Ij
ustneededt
ea.
"
Nkosi
:"I
tdoesn'
tmatt
erifi
t'
sanemergencyornot
,
wakemeupThembi sa.
"Shelookedatme.
Sasa:"
Tomaket
eaat5i
nthemor
ningNkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Sasa:"
No.That
'snotokay-
"
Nkosi
:"Wakeme.That
'sal
lI'
m sayi
ng.
"
Sasa:"
Fort
ea?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
ttr
ustasi
ngl
eper
sonl
ivi
ngi
nsi
det
his
pal
ace.
"
Sasa:"
Babe,
yourf
atherwon'
thur
tme-
"
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyousosof
twi
thhi
m?"
Sasa:"I
'm softwit
hever yone.Ican'tj
ustbecol dli
ke
you!
"Shehel dhermout h,si
tti
ngup." I
'
m sor r
y."I
wasn'toffended,t
hisisnotsomet hingIwas
embar r
assedabout .IknowI '
m coldandI 'm
comfortablewithi
t."Baby, I
'
m sorry.Ididn'
tmean
that
."
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyouapol
ogi
zing?
"
Sasa:"Thatwasmeanofme.Ishouldn'thavesai
d
somet hi
ngli
kethattoyou.
"Ist
aredather.What
partofthetr
uthismean?Thiswomanwast hemost
i
nteresti
ngpersonI'
veevermet.
Nkosi:"
Pleaselaybackdown."Shelai
dherheadon
mychesti nst
eadofthepil
low.Mydicktwit
chedat
hersoftt
ouch."Whatareyourplansfort
heday?"
Sasa:"Idon'thaveany.Whydon'
twegoonahi
ke?
YoulikedoingthatonSatur
days.
"
Nkosi
:"Onl
yatt
hevi
ll
a.Ir
unher
e."
Sasa:"
Thenl
et'
srun.
"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
satwohourr
un,
myl
ove.Thi
swoul
dn'
tbe
goodforyou.
"
Sasa:"
Whynot
?Icanr
unpr
ett
ywel
l.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
veneverseenyour
unadayi
nyourl
if
e."
Sasa:"
Excuseme?I
'
m aver
ygoodr
unner
."
Nkosi
:"Wi
tht
hisbi
gass?Idoubti
tbaby.
"She
l
aughed.
Sasa:"
Mxim.Youcangoonyourl
it
tl
erunal
one.I
'
ll
haveapicni
cwit
hAmahle.
"
Nkosi
:"Wi
thoutme?
"
Sasa:"
Andi
thi
myassi
stoobi
g?"
Nkosi
:"Buti
tis.
"Ichuckl
ed,ki
ssi
ngher
."Let
'st
ake
anap,t
henwecangooutf orbr
eakf
ast
."
Sasa:"
Hmm.Whatt
imedoyouhavebr
eakf
asther
e
onSaturdays?
"
Nkosi
:"We'
renothavi
ngbr
eakf
asther
e.We'
regoi
ng
out
.MaybeAmel i
a'
s?"
Sasa:"
Areyouser
iousbaby?I
npubl
ic?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes,
you'
remywi
fenow.
"
Sasa:"
Wecant
ryi
tbaby.Youal
wayshavemi
ll
ions
ofbodyguar
dssurr
oundi
ngyouwhenyou'
ret
her
e.
Thebeautyi
sinthevi
ew.
"
Nkosi
:"Thenlet
'scl
oset herest
aurantf
ortheday.I
f
i
t'
sjustus,t
herewon'tbeaneedf orguardsi
nside.
Well
,notasmanyatl east.
"
Sasa:"Okay.Let '
sdot hat.
"Ili
stenedt oherrambl e
abouteverythingundert hesunbef oreshefinal
ly
passedout,fastasleep.Car ef
ully,Iremovedher
fr
om mychestandgooutofbed.Iqui ckl
ygot
dressedandl efttheroom.Myf atherwasi nhis
pri
vatelounge, st
aringatourunf inishedpainti
ng
whenIwal kedi n.
Nkosi
:"Mor
ning.
"Hel
ookedatme.
Ki
ng:
"Whatgotyour
il
edupt
oday?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'm notr
il
edup,
I'm st
il
lfi
ndi
ngi
tdi
ff
icul
tto
t
rustyouaroundmywife."
King:"I
'
dneverhurtThembisa.Youknowt hat.You
wanttocarryonpaint
ing?"Itookmyt ools, prepping
them.IneededtospeaktoZwet oday,nott hatI
caredwhathedidtothegirlbutisshest i
llin
custody?Shecan'
tstaytherelong.Also,Mt hunziis
goingt
hroughsomet
hingandIhadt
ospeakt
ohi
m
too.
Ki
ng:
"Whydon'
tyouj
ustwhi
sper
?"
Nkosi
:"Whyar eyoui
nmyt hought
s?That
's
i
ntr
usive.Thenalsot
ell
ingmetodothesamet
omy
f
ri
end? "
Ki
ng:
"Ican'
thel
pit
."Il
ookedathi
m.
Nkosi:"
Youcan'tswit
chitoff?
"Heshookhi shead.
"Soyoucanheareverysinglethoughtofever
y
personaroundyou,al
ldaylong?"
King:"Yes.I
'
vesincediscovered,sevenoft he
mai dshavenaughtythoughtsaboutmeever ytime
theyarenearme.Yourmot herthi
nksabout
Thembi saal
ot.Yourothermot heri
sst i
llupsetwit
h
youbutwonder sifyou'
renotbewi tched.
Nkwenkwezihasdi sgusti
ngt houghts.Amahl e
staysawayf r
om meandNhl anhla?Nkosi nhl
e,
Nhlanhlaisadumbchi ld.
"
Nkosi:"Ikeptt
ell
ingyout
his.YouthoughtIwas
bei
ngmean.Weneedt of
ixthis.Doyoumind
changing?"
Ki
ng:
"Whatf
or?
"
Nkosi
:"We'r
egoi
ngtothewoods,soIcanshowyou
howtoturndowntheabi
li
ty.
"Hesighed,
get
ti
ngup
andwalki
ngout.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

I'
dhar dlyslept.Evenwi ththesleepingpillsZwe
gavemer eluct antly,Imanagedonl yafewhour s.
I'
vebeensi ttingi nt heloungeeat i
ngt hebest
chickenI '
veevert asted.Idon'tknowwhati t'
sfor
butIf ounditi ntheki tchenandwar medi tup.
Finishingaf ullchickenwasnott heplanf or7int
he
mor ningbuti thappenedandwe' r
emovi ngon.I
hadn'teatenal ldayyest erdaysoI '
m gladmy
appet i
teiscomi ngback.Ist ar
edatt heTV,
wat chingaser ies.Zwewal kedin.
Zwe:"
You'
reup.Iwaslooki
ngforyoui
nyourr
oom.
Si
bonel
o,It
oldyounottoeat.
"
Si
bo:"
Igothungr
y.WhatwasIsupposedt
odo?
"
Zwe:
"Ist
hati
cecr
eam?
"
Si
bo:"
No.Okaymaybe.Ij
ustwant
edal
it
tl
etast
e."
Zwe:
"Youbar
elyeati
nthemor
ning.
"
Si
bo:"
YesIdo.Ial
wayshavebreakf
ast
.Ar
ewe
l
eavi
ngnow?Ineedashower.
"
Zwe:
"Ar
eyouokay?
"
Si
bo:"
Yeah.
"Ist
oodupf
rom t
hecouch.
Zwe:
"Sboni
,tal
ktome.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Aboutwhat
,Zwe?Food?
"
Zwe:"
Thisi
sn'
taboutf
ood.Youdon'tsi
tinthe
l
oungethi
sear
ly.You'
reusual
lyatt
hetable,wai
ti
ng
onus.
"
Si
bo:"
IthoughtI
'
dcat
chupont
hisser
ies.
"
Zwe:
"Whatseasonar
eyouon?
"
Si
bo:"
Seasont
wo.
"
Zwe:"
Soyoudidn'tsl
eep.
"Fuckssake.Whydoeshe
al
wayshavet
ot r
ickme?
Si
bo:"
Idi
d.I
'
m goi
ngt
otakeashower
."Hehel
dmy
ar
m.
Zwe: "
Ifyouneedt
otal
kaboutwhathappened,
pleasecometome.Iknowitmusthavebeen
tr
aumat i
c.Wecangetthr
oughi
ttoget
her.
"
Sibo:"Thanksbr ot
herZwebutI 'mfine.
"Iwent
upstairst
omyr oom, l
ockingthedoor.Igotinthe
bathroom, l
ockingitandtakingashower .OnceI
wasdone, f
indi
ngsomet hingtoweari nthe
bedroom.I twasaSat urday,Ihadnothingplanned
otherthant hehospit
alwithZwet hencomi ngback
home.Af tergetti
ngdressed,Imademywayback
downst ai
rs.
Queen:" Hilove.Comehavebr eakfast
."I
fIwentany
closert ot
hoseeggs, I
'
m notsur ewhatwillhappen.
Ishoul dn'
thaveeatenaf ul
lchickenbymysel f
.
Gluttonyisoneoft hesevendeadl ysi
nsfora
reason.
Sibo:"
Nothanksmama.Ial
readyat
e.ZweandI
havetogo.
"
Zwe:
"Okaysi
tdownwhi
leIf
ini
shmyf
ood.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
llj
ustt
idyupt
hel
ounge,
wai
tforyout
her
e."
Iwal kedtothelounge.Asexpect edthespacewas
alreadycleanedsoIsatdown.Icoul dn'thave
accesst omyphoneyet ,
Zwehadhandedoveral l
mydevi cestothesecur i
tyteam towi pethrough
andcheckhowMeganhadgai nedent r
yintomy
houseandbasement .Idon'tknowwhyhehadt odo
that.Iwasnegligent.That '
sall
.Itwasnoone' sfault
butmyown.Thi swasboundt ohappenatsome
point.Somanywomenhavebeent omyhouseand
Ithoughtitwashar ml essandIcoul ddef endmysel f
.
Iletmyguar ddown.Nooneshoul dbepuni shedfor
that.
Zwe:"
Let'
sgo. "Ifol
lowedhi
m outt
hehouse, gett
ing
i
ntohiscar.Iwasgladhewasdr i
ving.Thatway
he'
dbedistractedandstopst
ari
ngatme." Jackson
wil
lberel
easedonMonday.Iseeyounegot i
ated
wit
hthejudge.Doyouwantmet otakeover?"
Si
bo:"
Huh?
"
Zwe:
"Get
ti
ngr
idofhi
m.Shoul
dIdoi
t?"
Si
bo:"
No.I'
l
lmanage.
"Ilookedoutoft
hewindow.I
di
dn'
twantabl
oodyscene.Zwesparesnochange
whenhet
alksofget
ti
ngr
idofsomeone.
Zwe:"
Iwoul d'
vestagedanacci
dent
.Thatwayno
onewil
linvest
igat
e."
Si
bo:"
That
'sagoodi
dea.
"
Zwe: "
You'l
lbegett
ingyourphonebacki
nthe
af
ternoon.I'
m sur
eyoumustbegoi ngoutofyour
mind."
Si
bo:"
Notr
eal
ly.
"
Zwe:
"You'
real
waysgl
uedt
oyourphone.
"
Sibo:"Abreakisni
ce.Canyoupl
easest
opatt
he
petrolst
ati
on,Iwantsomejui
ce.
"
Zwe:"Sur
e."Hedroveint
othest
ati
onandparked.I
gotoutofthecar
,int
otheshopandboughtt
wo
j
uices.
Cashi
er:"
Wil
lthatbeal
l,
mypr
ince?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.
"
Cashier
:"Wehaven' tseenyouhereinashortwhil
e,
i
sthereanot herst
ationkeepi
ngyoubusy? "She
gi
ggled.Itookthejuice,wal
kingouttheshop
swi
ft
ly.
Zwe:
"Youokay?
"
Si
bo:"Howwil
lyouknowIhaveabrai
ninj
ury?Wi
ll
i
ttakesomedays?Canyoufi
xit
?"
Zwe:
"Why?
"
Sibo:"
Justaski
ng.Somet
imesIj
ustf
reezeandmy
headhurtsagai
n."
Zwe:"We'
llknowinafewdays.
"Inodded.Hedrove
outt
hestationt
owardst
hehospit
al."
I'
vetakencar
e
ofMegan."
Si
bo:"
Takencar
eofherhow?
"
Zwe: "
She'
sdead.Shewon'tbebot her
ingyouever
again.
"But,
Whatifther
e'sanotherwomanl ike
Megan?Howwoul dIknow?Howmanyoft hem are
ther
ejustwait
ingonanopportunityIwil
li
nglygive
them?
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng
Chapt
er122

SASA'
SPOV_

Iwokeup,
feel
ingat
ongueonmyneck.Iknewi
t
washim.
Me:"Nkosinhl
e."Iopenedmyeyes.Butt hiswasnot
Nkosinhl
e.Thiswasacat .Alargewhitefurr
edcat.I
satup,star
ingatit
.Whatwasacatdoi nghere?
Whoel secouldtur
nintoacatinthispalace,peopl
e
ofGod?Thedooropened, Nkosiwal
kingin.
Nkosi
:"What
'swr
ong?Youcal
ledf
orme.
"
Me:"
Uhm,
who'
sthi
s?"Hest
aredatt
hecat
.
Nkosi
:"Gl
aci
vor
y."
Me:"
Who'
stha-I
'
venevermetaGl
aci
vor
y.Whyi
s
shei
nmybed?"
Nkosi
:"Baby,she'
snothuman.I
t'
sAmahl
e'
scat
."I
br
eathedinreli
ef.
Me:"It
houghtsomeonesnuckint
omybedNkosi
."
Helaughed,
cli
mbingonthebed.
Nkosi
:"Iwonderhowshegoti
nher
e,shenever
l
eavesAmahle'sroom.
"
Me:"Andshe'
shuge.
"Ibr
ushedt
hef
ur,
thecat
pur
red.
Nkosi
:"Shedef
ini
tel
yli
kesyou.
"
Me:"
Doesshel
ikeyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Notmuch,
no.
"
Me:"
Why?Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
?"
Nkosi:"
Nothi
ng.We'
reinthesamef el
inebut
di
ffer
entspeci
es.
"Icuddledthecat
,brushi
ngher
head."Mustbeni
ce.
"Igiggled.
Me:"
Comebaby,
letmebr
ushyout
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Sothatshehat
esmeevenmor
e?No
t
hanks.
"Ilaughed.
Me:"
Whathaveyoubeenupt
othi
smor
ning?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m pai
nti
ngwi
thfat
her
.Wecamebackf
rom
t
hewoodstwohoursago.
"
Me:"
Oht
hat
'
slovel
y.Ineedt
ogetupandbat
h."
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'ssomedr essesher
eforyou.
Rememberthetail
ortookyourmeasurementst
he
l
astti
mewewer eher
e."
Me:"
Theymademedr
esses?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.That
'st
hei
rjobmyl
ove.
"
Me:"
Thei
rdr
essesar
eal
wayssoel
egantbaby.
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
e'saf
ewf
orhousewear
ingsur
ely.
"
Me:"
Okay.I
'
m exci
tedthough.Letmegetup.
Pl
easet
akeGlaci
voryt
ohermommy. "
Nkosi:"
She'l
lmakeherwayt hesamewayshe
deci
dedt ocomeinhere.Letmerunyourbath.
"He
gotup,goingtot
hebathroom.Igotoutofbed,
putt
ingonmydr ess.
Me:"
Comelit
tl
eangel
."Ipickedherup,
wal ki
ngout
t
oAmahle'
sroom.Iknockedonherdoor .
Ama:"Comein.
"Iwal
kedi
n."Ther
eyouare.I
've
beenwonder
ingwhyyou'
renotar
ound,
it'
syour
feedi
ngti
me.Himommy."
Me:"
Iwokeupt
oheri
nmybed.Howdi
dsheget
i
n?"
Ama:" It
aughtherhowtopulladoorhandle.
"I
l
aughed."She'shungr
y."Shegotoutofbed,
fet
chingthecatfoodfr
om hercupboard."
HowAre
youfeeli
ng?"
Me:"
Somuchbet
ter
.Ihadt
eaear
li
er.If
eel
amazi
ng.
"
Ama:"
That
'sgood.Haveyouspokent
oZi
mmy?
"
Me:"I
'm goi
ngt
ocal
lherj
ustnow.Shemustbeso
st
ressedshame.
"
Ama:"
Wel
l,
she'
snotal
onei
nhersi
tuat
ion.
"
Me:"
Whatsit
uat
ion?
"Shesmil
ed,
pour
ingt
hef
ood
i
nhercat
'sbowl
."Amahl
e?"
Ama:"AskNkosi
."Idi
dn'
tevenwaitorask.Iwent
backt
omyr oom,Nkosii
nourbathroom.
Me:"Nkosi.Amahlei
stal
kingaboutasi
tuat
ion.DoI
haveasituati
on?
"
Nkosi:"Whatsi
tuat
ioni
sthi
s,mylove?
"He
spr
inkledthepetal
sint
hewater
.
Me:"Wefoundoutyest
erdaythatZi
mmyi s
pr
egnant.Amahl
esaysshe'snotalonei
nher
si
tuat
ionandIneedtoaskyou."
Nkosi
:"Oh.
"
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkosi
:"Love,
you'
repr
egnant
."
Me:"
I'
m notpr
egnant
."
Nkosi
:"Youar
e."
Me:"Nkosi
,Iknowmybody.I
'
vel
ivedi
nital
lmyl
if
e.
I
'm notpr
egnant.
"
Nkosi
:"Wecant
akeat
est
,myl
ove.
"Whydi
dhe
l
ooksosure?
Me:"
Atest
?"Iswal
l
owed.
Nkosi:"
Yes.Icanaskt hehel
pertobr
inga
pregnancytestf
rom themedicalr
oom.That
'si
f
theyhavethose.I
'l
lcheck-
"
Me:"No!
!Baby,Ican'
tbepregnantsosoon.We'
ve
onl
yjustst
art
edhavingsex."Iwhisper
ed.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowwhatt
otel
lyoust
handwasam.
Iwant
edi
ttobeasur
pri
se.
"
Me:"
Howcanasur pr
isegr
owinsi
deofmeNkosi
?"
Hechuckled."
SoAmahleknows?Andyou?When
di
dyoufindout?"
Nkosi
:"Fat
hert
oldmeyest
erday-
"
Me:"Yourf
atherknows??
"Ihissed."
Whoel
se
knows?Thenation?"Hel
aughed.
Nkosi:"Youfreakingoutisabsol ut
elycute.Don't
worryaboutanyt hing,baby."Heenvelopedmei n
hisarms."Iam happy.Il oveyou."Iheldont ohim,
feel
ingsafeanddef i
nitel
yloved.Andalsooutof
breath.Iwaspr egnant?IknowNkosiandAmahl e
werepr et
tyaccur at
ebutIdon' tknowifIbelieve
them.HowcanI ?Ihaven'tfel
tanydiff
erent.Am I
twodayspr egnantorsomet hing?
Me:"Idon'
tknowhowIf eelyet
.Abitsur
prised,
maybe."Helookedatme,andkissedmylips.
Nkosi:"
I'
llt
akecareofyou.Youwillachi
eveallof
yourdreams,Iwil
lmakesureofit.
"Nkosihas
shownmet i
meandagai nhowmuchhel ovesme
andmakessur emyl i
fedoesn'
tchangetoomuch.I
beli
evehe'
l
lcont
inuedoi
ngsoevenwit
hthebaby.I
f
ther
eisababy.MaybeIshoul
dtakeat
est.

Aftergetti
ngdr essed, inmynewdesi gn.I twas
elegantbutcasual .Il
ovethattwooft hem wer e
actuall
ymaxi 's.Thet ail
oranddesignerwer e
amazi ng.Elevatingmysi mpl emodestst yleint
o
royalt
y?That '
st alent.Ineededtothankt hem.Nkosi
hadsoakedi nthebat hwithme,alsonowf ull
y
dressed.Hehel dmyhandwal ki
ngout .Wewal ked
downt hestair
s.
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
osayhit
othef
ami
lybef
ore
weleave?
"
Me:"Idon'tknow.Yourmot hershaveveryst r
ong
opi
nionsofmeandIdon' twantyout oreact.We'r
e
st
il
llear
ningyourabil
it
y."Hel ookedatme, smili
ng.
Nkosi
:"Okay.Letmet
ellf
atherwe'
rel
eavi
ng.
"
King:"Whereareyougoi
ng?
"Heturnedar
oundt
he
corner,shocki
ngmeoutmybones.Howdoeshedo
that?
Nkosi
:"We'
regoi
ngout
."
Ki
ng:"
Whydon'tyouhavelunchheret
henyoucan
godoyourf
air
ydancingorwhateveri
tisyout
wo
dowhenyou'
retoget
her.
"
Nkosi
:"Youmeanadat
e?"
King:"
Yes,adate.Come,thet
abl
eisready."He
walkedahead.Wef ol
lowedhi
mtothediningtabl
e.
Thefamil
ywassi tt
ingdown.
Nol
wazi:"
You'vegott
obeki
ddi
ngme.
"Nkosipul
led
achai
routforme.
King:"I
'veaskedNkosiandThembi satoj oinusfor
l
unch.They'refamilyandshoul dbet r
eatedas
such."Icouldfeelt
hest ar
ef r
om bothmot her
s.Our
start
erwasser ved.Inthepalace,l
unchwasal ways
threecourseanddi nnerafivecourse.IfIwasn't
careful
,I'
dblossom inweightandqui cklyso.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
,ist
heabi
li
tywor
kingbet
ter
?"
Ki
ng:
"Yes,
thankyou.
"
Nkosi
:"Good.
"Wesati
nsi
lence,
eat
ing.
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sa,
areyouf
eel
inganybet
terf
rom
t
hismor
ning?
"
Me:"YesmyKing,
thankyousomuch.Thet
ea
r
eall
yhelped.
"
Ki
ng:"
Iwasonl
ythecompany.Youal
readyknew
whatt
odo.
"
Nobant
u:"
Thecompany?
"
Ki
ng:
"Yes,
wehadt
eai
nthemor
ning.
"
Nolwazi:"
Hehe.Idon'tknowanymor e.
"Thet abl
e
wassi l
entonceagain.Iwasgrat
efulforonet hi
ng
amongstmany, t
heKingneverspokerudelytohis
wives.Henevershouted,heneverdi
smi ssed.That
i
sal evelofrespect
.
King:"
Thembisa,
haveyout
houghtaboutwhatwe
spokeabout
?Doyouknowwhatweneedt odoto
appeaseonhisbehal
f?"
Me:"No,
myKing.Igavei
tsomethoughtand.
..
.
maybeyou'
l
lhavetogotothevi
ll
a."
Ki
ng:
"Tomedi
tat
e?"
Me:"
No,
myki
ng.Upt
hemount
ain-
"
Ki
ng:
"Nothappeni
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"What
'snothappeni
ng?
"
Ki
ng:
"It
oldyouwhenwewer
eint
hewoods.
"
Nkosi
:"Oh,
forPapa?She'
sri
ght
,fat
her
.Youhavet
o
goupthemountain.
"
Ki
ng:"It
hinkyou'
reoverest
imat
inghowi
nvest
edI
am i
nthi
s.Mehelpingisasmini
malaspossi
ble.
"
Me:"
MyKi
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Hm?
"
Me:"Areyouscaredoft
hesnakes?
"Amahl
eand
Nkosichoked,
laughi
ng.
King:"
Don'
tbesi
ll
y."Hechuckl
ed."
I'
m notscar
edof
anythi
ng.
"
Me:"I
t'
sokay.I
'm al
soscar
edofsnakesbutt
hey'
re
har
mlessifyoucl
oseyoureyes.
"
King:"
Ipromi
seyout
hel
astt
hingIam,
isscar
edof
snakes.
"
Me:"OkaymyKing.Iwoul
dn'tj
udgeyouthough.
Justsayi
ng.Myfi
rstt
imetherewasver
yupsetti
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Idon'
thaveapr
obl
em wi
tht
hesnakes.
"
Nkosi
:"Thenwhywon'
tyougo?
"
Ki
ng:"
I'm nott
hati
nvested.Thi
sisn'
tmybusi
ness.I
di
dn'
ttel
lhimtoali
enatehimself
.Iwasnot
i
nvol
ved."
Nkosi:"
Iwoul
dpleadyourcasei
fitwasyou.I
woulddoanyt
hingIneededtodo-
"
King:"
That '
snotgoi ngtowork.
"Ourmai nmeal s
wereserved.Nkosil ookedatme.Heal r
eadysaid
no,Ican'tforcehim.Andalso,Ican'
tgoupt he
mount ai
nagai n,t
hatwouldbedi sr
espectf
ul.That'
s
notasoci alclub,
it'
sasacredplace.They'
renotmy
fr
iends.
Me:"
Maybeyoucouldgothealt
eryoubui
lther
ein
t
hepalacegar
den.Takei
tforat
estdri
ve.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thatsoundsmuchbet
ter
."
Nkosi:"
Soi
tisaboutt
hesnakes?
"Ihel
dbacka
gi
ggle.
King:
"WhywouldIbescaredofsnakesNkosi
nhl
e,
haveyouanyi
deathethi
ngsI'veseen?
"
Nkosi:"
Clearl
ysnakesi
sn'
toneoft
hem."Amahl
e
bentoverlaughi
ng.Iat
emyfood,t
ryi
ngnott
o
choke.
King:"
You'
resi
ll
y.I
'
llgot
otheal
tert
odaywi
tht
he
healer
."
Nobant
u:"
Whati
sthi
sfor
,myki
ng?
"
King:"Iam supposedtospeaktotheancest
orson
behalfofKingNgidumise,t
obel eti
ntot
he
Sikhosanaroyalsspi
ri
tualr
ealm."
Nolwazi
:"I
'
m conf
used,whatdoest
hishavet
odo
wit
hher?"Shepoi
ntedatme.
Ki
ng:"
Thembisahighl
ightedt
hisi
ssueformeint
he
morni
ng.Ki
ngNgidumi sehasvi
sit
edherafew
t
imes.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Vi
sit
edher
?"
King:
"Yes,
shecanconnectt
oandspeakt
othe
dead.
"
Nolwazi
:"I'
m st
il
lunf
ort
unat
elyconf
used.Shecan
speaktothedead?"
Nhl
a:"
Obvi
ousl
ymot
her
,she'
sfr
iendswi
thAmahl
e.
Amahl
eistechnol
ogi
cal
lynother
e."Doesshemean
t
echni
cal
ly?
Nolwazi
:"Nhl
anhl
a,bequi
et.MyKi
ng,
whati
s
happeni
ng?"
King:"
Per haps,
it'
st i
mewet al
kaboutitasaf amily.
Thembi saisspir
ituall
ygift
ed.Shehast reasure
bl
oodt hathelpsconnectt otheancestors.That'
s
whyshecanconnectt othem.She'sreceived
messagesf r
om theSikhosanaancestorst orebui
ld
whathasbeenpr eviousl
ywr eckedthr
eat eni
ngour
demise."
Nol
wazi:"
So,thi
sgir
lconnect
stoyourancest
ors?
Youoncecal
ledherawitch.
"
Ki
ng:
"Iwaswr
ong.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Howdoyouknowyouar
en'
tnow?
"
King:"
Itrusther
.Noneofwhatshehassharedhas
comet othreat
enmeorthisf
amily,
inst
eadshe
buil
dsit,
br i
ngsli
fei
ntoi
t.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Isee.Andt
hismakeshert
ellyouwhatto
doi
nyourownhouse?Shedictat
est
het hr
one?"
Ki
ng:
"She'
sneverdi
ctat
edanyt
hing.
"
Nolwazi
:"Shegavear uli
ngi
nroyalcouncil
.Acourt
notevenyourwivesoryourfat
her'
s,andthosethat
camebeforehim haveenter
ed.Yet
,youletherdo
that
.Youlethercomei nt
oourhome, andtel
lyou
whatneedstobedone. "
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sthi
sabout
,Nol
wazi
?"
Nol wazi:"Ithinkyoudon' tvalueus, myKi ng.
Actually,Ibel i
eveyoudon' t
.Eversincet hisgi r
l
camei ntoourl i
ves, wehavebeennot hingtoyou.
Especi al
lymydaught ersandI ,becausei fwe' r
e
beinghonest , we'veneverbeenanyt hingt oyou.Al l
theseyear s, Ihavehadnosay.Mychi ldrenunl oved
anddi sregar ded.Ii denti
fygoodbusi ness
oppor t
uni t
iest of avourournat ionandyougi ve
them toNobant ut ohandl e.Igaveyout wobeaut i
ful
daught ers,butt hemi nuteyourwi fegavebi rthagai n,
yout ossedt hem asi deandwasext r
emel y
over j
oyed.Ti llthi
sdayshehasbeenyourf avourit
e.
I'
vekeptqui etandobeyedal lthisti
me, respect i
ng
youandt hist hrone.Def endingyouandl ovingyou
throught hewor st.Now, t
here'sanewaddi ti
ont o
thef ami lyandyou' veembr acedherwi thal ove
we' veneverr eceived.It'
snotj ustyoubei ngcol d
towar dsmeandt hetwinsbutyourancest or s
pushedt hem asi deaswel l.Al lofyourchi l
dr enhave
abilit
iesexceptt heonesf rom mywomb.I twoul dn't
hur tthi smuchi fyoushowedt hem j ustaquar terof
thel oveyouhavef orNkosi nhleandAmahl ebuti t'
s
okay.Iunder standnow.Whenyout ookmef rom my
fami ly, i
twasn' tbecauseyoul ovedme.Yout ook
mebecauseyoucoul dandIwasst upi denought o
believeIwoul doneday, meansomet hingt oyou.I t'
s
okay, MyKi ng.It hinkit'
spr obabl ytimet ol etusf ree.
Icannotf ort hel i
feofmef ightf oraspotanymor e.
Afterher ,it
'sgoi ngt obeherchi ldren.Whenwi l
lit
everbemychi ldren'sturn?Whenwi l
lyousi twi t
h
them andhavet ea?Whenwi llyoupai ntwi tht hem?
It'
snotf oral ackoft ryi
ng, myki ngbecauset hey
comet oyouatal ltimest ositwi thyoubutyou' re
busy.Iast hei rmot her,consol et hem wi tht he
knowl edget heirfatherisaki ngbutyou' reonl ya
kingt ot hem.You' reafathert oanyoneel se.Pl ease
releaseusmyki ng, r
evokeourr oyalst atusaswel l
.
Wewi llnotbot heryou, t
hisIpr omi seonmyl ife."
Shegotup,
walki
ngawaywi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.I
hadalumpinmythr
oat.
Nkwe:"I'
m onmother'
ssi
de.Youcanrevokeour
st
atusfather
.Li
vingascommoner swon'
tbeasbad
asli
vingli
kewedon'texi
st.Nhl
anhlal
et'
sgo.
"
Nhla:"
Haaa,
NkwenkweziIst
il
lwantt
obea
pr
incess.
"
Nkwe:"
Let
'sgo!
!"Shepul
ledhersi
steraway.

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

I'
dsleptatthevill
a,Icouldn'treal
lysleep.Busihad
cri
edherselftosleep.Shel ookedbet t
erthis
morningbutst ayedinbed.Iknowt hisbecauseof
thecamer asurveil
lancei
nt hehouse.Shepr obabl
y
eventual
lyremember edt
hatt here'
scamer as
becausesheswi t
chedallofi toff
.Admi tt
ingmy
wrongwasn' tonlytoher.I'
dbeenpr ocrastinat
ingal
l
daybutIhadt omanupnow.Idi al
edhi snumber .
Zwe:
"MyLor
d."
Mthunzi
:"HiZwel
ethu.CanIseeyousomet
ime
t
oday?"
Zwe:"
Yoh,younevercal
lmebymyf
ullname.I
'
min
tr
oubl
e,ne?"
Mt
hunzi
:"No.Wej
ustneedt
otal
k."
Zwe:
"Okay.Wher
ecanwemeet
?I'
m att
hepal
ace.
"
Mthunzi
:"I'
m atNkosi
'
svi
ll
a,shoul
dwemeetat
yourhouse?"
Zwe:
"Yes.Comeover
."
Mthunzi
:"Al
ri
ght,I
'l
lbether
ein30.
"Ihungup,going
tomycar.Idroveoutt
hevill
ast
rai
ghttohishouse.
Idi
aledanot
hernumber.Oneoftheguardsinmy
yar
d.
Guar
d:"
YesmyGener
al.
"
Mthunzi
:"Hi
.Uhm,
I'
mjustchecki
ngi
fever
ythi
ngi
s
st
il
lfi
nether
e.I
smywif
ehome? "
Guar
d:"
Yesshei
s,myl
ord.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Okay.Pl
easekeephersaf
e."
Guar
d:"
Iwi
lldoso,
myl
ord.
"Ihungup,
dri
vingi
nto
TheStell
arsin30minut
es.Ipar
kedout
sideZwe'
s
house,walki
ngin.
Zwe:
"Hey.
"
Mthunzi:"
Myf
ri
end.
"Hepour
edmeadr
ink."
How'
s
Si
bonelo?"
Zwe:"I
'm worriedabouthim.Her ef
usestospeak.
Ofcourse,answer squesti
onswhenyouaskbut
he'
snotas. .
.Sibonelois.Youknow?Idon' tknow
howtogett hroughtohi m.Idon'thavethecourage
towatchther ecover
edsur vei
ll
ancef r
om yester
day
andwhathewentt hrough."
Mt
hunzi
:"Whatar
eyouaf
rai
dof
?"
Zwe:"I
'
m afrai
dI'l
lbeangry.I'
l
lbeangr
yt hatIdi
dn'
t
keepherl
ongenought ofeelmyanger.Enough
aboutme,Iknowyou'reagainstmyacti
ons.What
doyouneedt otal
kabout?"
Mthunzi:"
I'
m notagai
nstyouract
ionsZwelet
hu.I
f
anyt
hing,youcall
edmeoutonmybul l
shi
t.
"
Zwe:
"Whathappened?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Fi
rstofal
l,
feel
theneedt
ojudgemeas
har
shasyouwi
sh.
"
Zwe:
"Thatwoul
dneverhappen.
"
Mt hunzi:" Wai tunt i
lIf i
nish.So, BusiandIhave
beenmar ri
edf oraboutf i
veyear snow.Bef orewe
gotmar ri
ed, whi leget tingtoknoweachot hershe
toldmeaboutherchi l
dhood.I twasn' tallatonce.At
fi
rstsheonl yment ionedhavi ngl ivedinanabusi ve
homeandescapi ngf r
om i t
.Gr aduallystartedl etting
mei nabouthowshegr ewup.Shewassubj ect edt o
physicalandemot i
onalabusef oroveradecadeof
herlif
e.Havi ngt otakecar eofhercousi nschi ldren,
fendf ort hem her selfandbeexpect edtopar ent
them alsonegl ectingher self.Shebar elycopedwi th
school ,bar elymadei toutbutbyami r
acleshedi d.
Shegoti ntouni versityandt hat '
swhenshemet
Sboni .Asyouknow, Sbonii sbi gonf ami l
ysohe
encour agedhert ogoback.Whi chshedi d,and
nothinghadchanged.Theyst rippedherawayof
everythingshehadonceagai n,havingt oflee.Even
thechi l
dr enshehadr aised,takencar eof,st eali
ng
from her .Shecl osedt hechapt erf orgoodbut
couldn'theal .Shehadment albr eakdowns, she
suff
ereddepressi
onandsever eanxi
ety.Evenwi
th
ther
apy,medicati
on,swappingmedicati
on,
i
ncreasi
ngdosage, l
oweringit
.Shejust,she'
s
batt
ledwit
hitforyears.
"
Zwe:
"That
'shor
ri
ble.I
'
m sosor
ryman.
"
Mt hunzi :"Oneoft heconditi
onsshehad, has, was
thatshedi dn'twantanychi l
dren.Shewascl earthat
she'dneverwantt oparentachi ld.Ifwe' r
et omar ry,
thenIhadt oacceptthat.Ididn'tmi nditthen
becauseIt houghtthi
si ssomet hingt hatgoesaway
i
nt ime.Recent lyIspoket oherabouthavi ngachi l
d
andsher efused,suggestedIgetawomant ocarry
andpar entthechildwit
h.Atf i
rst,Ithoughtabouti t
but...Ijustcoul dn'
tseeanot herwomani nmyl i
fe
thati sn'tBusi.Ican't
.Idon'twantanyoneel se.Thi s
i
swher e,myl oveturnedsomewhatevi l.The
vit
ami nsIaskedyout of i
ndandpr ovidef orme,
wer enotf rom herdoctor.Ii
ncreasedherdosage,
sot hatshecangetsi ckand...
makei ttohospi tal
,
removi ngt heimplantfr
om herbody. "
Zwe:
"MyGod.
"
Mthunzi:"Afteri
twasr emoved,Igaveherfert
il
it
y
pil
lsdail
y,takingsomemysel fand..
.messedwith
hercalendarsot hatherovul
ati
ondaysar eonly
knownbymet hatwayIcani mpregnat
eher -
"
Zwe:"Stoptal
ki ng."Hewalkedt othekitchen,
comingbackinaf ewminutes."You'r
esayi ng,
not
onlydidyoudr ugyourwi f
e,riskingherlif
e.You
knowinglyvi
olat edherbodywi thoutinfor
med
consentandont opofallofthat,asifthat'
snotbad
enough,youriskedmyl i
censef orthi
sshi t
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Iam sor
ry.
"
Zwe: "
Whatar eyousor ryfor?
?Youdi dthiswit
hout
agunt oyourhead.Nobodyf orcedyou.Howcoul d
youdosomet hingliket
his?Sure,Imaynotbe
i
mpor tantt
oyoubutgoodGod, Yourwi f
e!!Why
wouldyoudot histoher?Hasshenotbeent hr
ough
enough?Ial mostsuspendedani nter nbecauseI
thoughtshewasl yi
ng.Yourwi f
edef endedyouwi t
h
somuchconf idenceandt r
ustinyou, howcouldyou
dosomet hinglikethat?
"Letti
ngmysel fdownwasn't
ashorribl
eashear i
nghowdi sappoi ntedhewas.
Mthunzi:"
Iwishther
ewasawayIcoul dreverseor
tur
nbackt i
me.Iam sosorryZwel
ethu.Ishouldn'
t
haveevenhadt hi
sthoughtl
etal
oneinvolveyouas
myf r
iend.
"
Zwe:"Sowhatar eyougoingt odonowbecause
you'
veruinedyourmar r
iage?YohMt hunzi
.Couldn'
t
youhaveatleastcomet omesoIcanspeaksome
sensetoyou?Whatt hehellisthi
sbr a?Ihavetobe
watchi
ngabooSi bonel
oandt heyoungpr inces,but
youtoo?Seriousl
y?DoesNkosi nhleknowabout
thi
s?Ofcoursehedoesn' tbecausehewoul dnever
l
etithappen.Doyour eali
zehowl uckyyouar e?Yoh.
Mthunzi.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yeah,
I'
m pl
anni
ngt
ospeakt
ohi
mtod-
"
Zwe:
"Ar
eyoui
nsane!
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ican'
tkeept
hisasecr
etZwel
ethu.
"
Zwe:"Justst
op,st
op.Nx."Hepouredanot
hershot
i
nmygl ass."Whatyoudidwasreckl
essand
fucki
ngstupi
d.You'r
esupposedtobethesensi
ble
one,Mthunzi
.Howi sshetaki
ngi
t?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Bad.Sheswi
tchedof
fthecamer
ast
oday
soIcan'
tseehowshe'
sdoi
ng.
"
Zwe:
"Can'
tyouputont
hebackup?
"
Mthunzi
:"IcanbutIdon'
twantt
oinvadeher
pr
ivacy.
"
Zwe:"
Ohreall
y?Youwanttostartnow?Yoh,
Waze
wangi
casul
aMt hunzi
.Iam soannoyed.
"
Mthunzi:"
Idi
dn'
tmeant
oputyourcar
eeri
n
j
eopardy."
Zwe: "
I'm aBiyela,mycareerwillneverbein
jeopardybutt hi
sismypassi onMt hunzi.I
t'
smor e
thanjustar eputat
ionandmoney, Il
oveit.Yaziif
youwer en'tmyf ri
endIwould'vepunchedyout othe
floor
.Ubucabangani ?"(
Whatwer eyouthinki
ng? )
Mthunzi:"
It
'sfuckedupt
hought
.It
houghtIhad
someright.
..
"
Zwe:
"Toanotherhumanbei
ngsbodyandsoul?No,
myfr
iend.No.Nevert
hat
.Weneedtofi
xthi
s."
Mthunzi
:"Shepr
obabl
yhat
esmer
ightt
his
moment."
Zwe:
"Asshef
ucki
ngshoul
d.Sheshoul
dhat
eyou,
I'
m notevensurehowmuchIli
keyour
ightthi
s
moment .Yer
r.Asambe,
Ineedt
odragSibonel
oout
ofbed."
Mt
hunzi
:"Bed?I
t'
saSat
urdayaf
ter
noon.
"
Zwe:"
LikeIsaidbefore,
he'sact
ingver
yst
range.I
t
maybet heconcussionbutIthi
nkhe'
s
tr
aumatized.
"
Mthunzi :"Doyouwantmet ocheckthefootageon
yourbehal f?Thatwayyouwon' tbetooangryto
makeadeci si
ononhowt ohelphim getthr
oughit.
Amahl espokeofat temptedr ape,Idon'
tknowhow
horrif
yingt hatmustbeper hapshe'sfi
ndingit
dif
ficulttoexplai
nittoo.Iknowyou' r
ealsoblaming
yourself,becauseyout hi
nkyou'reresponsi
blefor
hissafety.Maybei ti
sn'tj
usthi mthatneedstotalk
throught his."
Zwe: "
Yeah.Pleasecheckt hefoot
age."Hedrankhis
shot."
Angaziukut hingizokwenzaningodaba
l
wakho.Honest ly.Let'
sgobef oreIgetupset.We'
ll
thi
nkofsomet hing."(
IdontknowwhatI '
m goingt
o
dowi t
hyourissue) .I
tfeltbett
erknowing,Ihada
support
ivefr
iendeventhoughIdidn'tdeserveit
,I
hadsomeonet oatleastshar
et hi
sloadwi t
h.Busi
neededsomeonet oo.Shecouldbeangr yatme,
surebutIneededsomeonet ocheckonherand
makesur eshe'
sokay.IcouldtextBethany.Itook
outmyphone.
Zwe:"Putdownt
hatphonebef
oreIsmacki
toutof
yourhands.
"
Mthunzi
:"Ij
ustwantedtocont
actsomeoneto
checkonher,sheneedssomeoneonherside-
"
Zwe:"Stoptreat
ingherli
keshe'sachil
d.Busisi
we
i
scapabl eofcall
ingafri
endorhertherapist
whenevershewant sto.Letherdeci
deherown
deci
sionsfrom nowon.It'
stheveryleastyoucan
doaft
ert hi
swhol esi
tuat
ion.
"
Mthunzi
:"You'
reri
ght.Okay.
"Wegoti
nthecar
,
dr
ivi
ngtotheirpal
ace.
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er123
ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Iwalkedint
othepalace,
uptoSibonel
o'sroom.I
openedthedoor,f
indi
ngitl
ocked.Okay?That'
snew.
Whywoul dhelock?
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
Zwelethu."Heunlockedthedoor
.Iwalkedin
theroom.Thewi ndowsandcurtai
nswereclosed.
Hishumidi
fierint hecor
nertur
nedonpurif
yingthe
air
.
Zwe:
"Whyi
sthedoorl
ocked?
"
Sibo:"Iwasmast
urbati
ng.
"Whydoeshet hi
nkhe
canlietomesoconfident
ly?Isi
ghedsi
tt
ingdown.
Zwe:
"Doyouwantt
ogot
oyourcl
ubf
oradr
ink-
"
Si
bo:"No."Thatwasquick."
Ithi
nkIwantt
onapf
or
abit
.It
'sbeenaverylongweek."
Zwe:
"You'
vebeensl
eepi
ngal
lday.
"
Si
bo:"
Idi
dabi
tofwor
k.Fi
gur
edi
t'
sgoodt
oresta
bi
t.
"
Zwe:"Maybewecangot omyhouse?Haveachi
ll
?
Mthunzi
'sar
ound.Si
nceMnqobihasgonetohi
s
vacat
ionwecouldgr
abKhayaandbull
yhimint
o
danci
ngforus.
"Hesmiled.
Sibo:"
YouknowKhayawoul
dnever
.Besi
des,
he'
s
goneoutwit
hhisot
herf
ri
ends.Hewasher
enott
oo
l
ongago."
Zwe: "
Okaybutatl
eastcomewit
huske.Hawu
Sibonel
o,i
fyouwanttonap,
you'
llnapi
nmyhouse.
Let'
sgo."
Sibo:"Fine."Hegotoutofbed, walkingtohiscloset.
Siboneloneverat ei nhi
sbedr oom, t
heempt yplates
andsnackwr apperswerest range.Notonl yarethey
strange,heobvi ouslyhadt oor derthem becauseI
doubtwehavet hismuchj unkf oodi nthehouse.
Thisper sonwasver yhealthconsci ous,asnackt o
hi
m meantf rui
t.I
'veneverknownhi mt ohavea
sweett ooth.Ineedt ogot hrought hoseresult
sonce
mor e.I'
m pr ett
ysure,aconcussi ondoesn' ti
nclude
di
etchangei nit
ssympt oms.Iwat chedhim wal kto
thebathroom, cl
osi
ngthedoorandt hrowingup.
That'
swhathappenswhenyoueatj unkexcessi vel
y.
Especial
lywhenyourbodyi sn'tusedtoi t
,and
unfort
unatelyforhi
mt hi
sisanot hersympt om of
concussion.Itcoul
dlastaweekort wosoi t'
s
probablybesthestaysoffalcoholinthemeanwhi l
e.
Zwe:
"Youokayt
her
e,br
other
?"
Sibo:"Ar
eyousur
ether
e'snot
hingwr
ongwit
hme
Zwe?Mybodydoesn'tf
eelri
ght.
"Hewal
kedoutt
he
bathroom.
Zwe:"Howwi l
litfeelri
ghtwhenyou'r
eeati
ngthi
s?
Ther
e'schocolate,pl
entyofit
,icecr
eam,chi
psand
somanyot herthings.Thi
sisn'
thealt
hy.
"
Sibo:"
Butmybodywant
sit
.It
hinkIhavel
ow
sugar.
"
Zwe:
"Lowsugar
?Real
ly?
"
Si
bo:"
Itwoul
dn'
thur
ttocheck.
"
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.Getdr
essed.
"
Si
bo:"
You'r
enottaki
ngthi
sseri
ousl
yenough,
Zwe.
Whati
fI'
m bleedi
ngi
nter
nal
ly?
"
Zwe:"
Ngenzenikemina?BecauseI
'
vecheckedyou
twi
cenow.You'r
enotbleedi
ng.
"
Sibo:"Whyareyouannoyed?I
fyoudon'
twantto
helpme, j
ustsaysoZwelet
hu.I
nfact
,pl
easeget
out.Inolongerwantt
ochil
lwit
hyou.Pl
easego.
"
Zwe:
"Hebana.
"
Si
bo:"
Pleasel
eave.
"Whatwasgoi
ngon?
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
Ngicelung'
phumel e.
"(Pl
easeleave.
)Hegot
backintohisbed.Iwalkedouthisroom.Idon't
knowanymor e.Hismot heri
stheonlyonethatcan
getthr
ought ohim att
hispoint
.Iwalkedint
othe
l
ounge.Mt hunziwassitti
ngwit
hmyf at
herhavi
nga
chat.
Mt
hunzi
:"He'
sst
il
lasl
eep?
"
Zwe:"No,
hetol
dmetol
eavehi
m al
one.Just
swi
tcheduponme.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"HowZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Hewasgett
ingdressedcompl
aini
ngabout
hi
sbodyandwhenIrespondhesaysI'
m annoyed
wit
hhim andnott
aki
nghi
m ser
iousl
ysoImust
l
eave.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Hawu?That
'sunl
ikeSi
bonel
o."
Zwe:"
AngisaziminaMt
hunzi
."Isatdown.(
Idon'
t
knowanymore.)
Mt
hunzi
:"Shoul
dIspeakt
ohi
m?"
Zwe:"Youcantr
y.Honest
lySiboneloi
sacti
nglikea
pr
egnantwoman, I
'
m notgoingtotakei
tpersonal
ly.
Hi
sroom isthef
ourthontheri
ght."Hegotup,
wal
kingupthestai
rs.
Ki
ng:
"Whathappenedwi
thhi
m?"
Zwe: "Whenhe' sreadyBaba,he'l
ltalk.Fornow, I
alsodon' tknow. "I
fImentionedawomanhol ding
him host age,withoutknowingful
ldet ail
smyf ather
mi ghtblamei tbackonhi m andhisbehavi ourof
havingmul ti
plewomen.Ri ghtnow, Idon'tthinkt hat
woul dhel p.Also,i
fhethenf i
ndsouti nthef uture,
he'df eelhorri
bleforberat
inghissonl ikethat.
Involvinghi m wasnotnecessary.
Ki
ng:
"He'
sact
ingver
ydi
ff
erentZwel
ethu.Al
most
l
ikehe'
sscar
edordepr
essed.Ican'
ttel
l.
"
Zwe:
"I'
l
ltr
yandgett
hrought
ohi
m Baba.
"
King:"Okay.Yourmot herisworri
ed.Shesayshe
i
nsi st
sonsl eepinginhi sownbedal one.Whichi
s
goodf ormebecauset henhestopscuddlingmy
wifebutt hat'sunlikehim.Siboneloisusuall
y
attachedt ohi smot herwhenhe'ssad.Zwel et
hu
ungang' bulalelii
nganeyami .
"(Pleasedon'tl
etmy
childdie.)
Zwe: "
Baba,I'
l
ldomybest .Ipromise.
"Myf at
her
wasr i
ghtaboutonething.Sibonelowasver y
attachedt omom whenhe' ssad.Het ell
sher
ever yt
hing.I
fhecan'
tevenspeakt oherthenit'
s
wor sethanIthought
.Let '
st r
yoneoft hebigguns.I
dialedhisnumberwal kingoutt hehouse.
Nkosi
:"Hel
loZwe.
"
Zwe:
"HiNkosi
.Unj
ani
?"(
Howar
eyou?
)
Nkosi
:"Conf
li
cted.Howar
eyou?
"
Zwe:
"Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"
Nkosi
:"Notsur
eyet
,whywer
eyoucal
li
ng?
"
Zwe: "There'
sthissit
uati
onwithSboni.Idon'tknow
howt ohelphim openup.Knowi nghim, he'
llfi
nd
somepr oj
ectatwor kandful
lyfocusoni t
,ignori
ng
hisfeeli
ngs.Iwast hinki
ngmaybeyoucoul dwipe
Friday'
smemor yfrom hi
m.Woul dyoubeabl etodo
that?"
Nkosi :"Icoul dbutIwoul dn' twantt o,Zwe.Thet hing
withwi pingamemor yist hatt hef eel
ingofithas
restedi nyourspi ri
t.Ther e'l
lbet hingsthattr
igger
thef eelingandhe' llhavenor easonwhyhe' sfeel i
ng
l
iket hatand. .
.i
twi l
l hurti fnotdr ivehim compl etel
y
crazy.Thi ngslikest andi ngi nhi sbedroom wher ehe
wasat tacked, t
hatmi ghtbr ingupaf eeli
ngofshock,
anxiet ythatsomeonei st her e, watchinghim.Bei ng
i
nt hebasementper hapsr emi ndinghi m oft
he
feeli
ngoff ear,
hopel essness.Si bonelo'spersonalit
y
i
st hatofaper fectionist,ifhecan' tfi
gureoutwhy
he'sf eelingwhat everhe' sf eel ingbecausehehas
nomemor yofi t.
..Idon' tknowZwe.Thatwoul dn't
begood.Ir efusedt hesamewi thThembi sa'
s
father."Isi ghed.
Zwe:
"Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo,
Nkosi
.Hel
ocks
himsel finhi sroom.Athome.Wher ehe' ssupposed
tofeelmostsaf e.Hecl osesthedoorwhenhegoes
i
ntot hebat hroom evenwhenI '
mthere."Iblinked
backmyt ears."Idon'twanthi mtofeelalone.Idon't
wanthi mt of eelunsafe.Iknowhebl amesmef or
notwat chingoverhi m andIwantt omakei tri
ght,
Nkosi .That '
smyl i
ttl
ebr ot
her.Hecan't
...Ican'tfai
l
him agai n."
Nkosi
:"I
'
m onmyway.
"Hehungup.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Ineededmyf at
hertodealwi
ththi
sissuewit
hmy
mother.Ihadt orusht
oZwe.Iwalkedintot
he
di
ningroom onceagain.Itwasqui
et.Thembisa
pl
ayedar oundwi t
hherfoodunabl
etoeat.Ever
yone
el
sewaseat i
ng.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Hm?
"
Nkosi
:"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
ospeakt
omot
her
?"
Ki
ng:
"Speakt
oheraboutwhat
?"
Nkosi:"
Youcannotbeser i
ous.Youheardhert ell
ing
youhowshef eel
s,t
hever yleastyoucoulddoi s
speaktoherandapologize.She'
snotwr ong,
what
shesaidisver
ymucht rue."
King:"
Nolwazii
snotgoi
nganywhereNkosi
.Si
tand
eatyourf
ood."Howishenoteven-
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
King:"I
'
mt ryi
ngt
oeat.Nolwazihasl
ivedmor
ethan
halfherli
feasaQueen,she'
snotgoi
nganywhere.
"
Nkosi:"
That
'snot
-Mxim."Iwal
kedupt hestairsto
mother'
spri
vatel
ounge.Bef
orewalki
ngin, I
knockedonthedoorali
tt
leandst
eppedi nside.She
dabbedhereyeswit
hhersil
knapki
n.
Nolwazi:"Mehl
uli
,orperhapsIshoul
dcal
lyou
Nkosinhlenow."Idon'
tevenknowwhyIwashere,
t
hiswasn' tmybusinesstofi
x.
Nkosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Whatar
eyousor
ryf
or?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
treal
lyknowbutIf
eelbad.
"
Nolwazi:"
You'
renothi
ngl i
kehim."Shelookedout
thewindow,si
tti
nginthechair."
Icanseeyou
comingoutofyourshell.You'
vealwaysbeensuch
aquiet,
withdr
awnchild.Evenwiththat
,youhad
somesof t
ness,t
hatyousl owl
yhidawayasyou
grewup.Nowi t'
stear
ingopenagain."
Nkosi
:"He'
snotgoi
ngt
omakei
teasyf
oryout
o
l
eave.
"
Nolwazi:"
Oh,Iknow.Andi t
'snotbecausehefeel
s
anythi
ngforme, hejustwantstobeincontr
ol.
"I
tookthefl
eeceofftheottoman,handi
ngittoher.
"Thankyou."Shewrappeditonhershoulders.
Nkosi:"Butmother
,thehur
tyoufeelshoul
dn'
tbe
expell
edinangertowardsThembisa.Shedi
dn'
tdo
anythi
ngt oyou.
"
Nolwazi:"I'
m notangryatThembi sa.Iam angryat
myself.Whyam Iher eMehlul
i?Whati smypur pose?
You'r
er eadytor ul
ethenati
on,Thet winsaregrown,
star
ti
ngt oseethewor l
d,Amahleishalfwaythrough
herdegr ee.Whatismypur pose?"EvenIdidn'thave
theanswert othat."DoyouknowhowImetyour
f
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Nolwazi :"Hewasvi sitingmynat ion,myf atherand
him wer etalkingaboutbusi nesst ogether .Ihad
neverseenhi m bef orebutI '
dhear dalotabouthi m.
KingSi khosana, thest ylishki ng.Peopl ewer e
alwayssoexci tedt oseehi m becauseofhowhe
wasal wayssoputt oget her.Hewal kedlikeamodel
theysai d,butt hemomentIf inall
ysawhi mI
disagreed.Hedi dn'twal kl i
keamodel ,hewal ked
l
ikeaki ng.Ther ewassomet hingaboutt hose
orangeeyest hatenchant edme.Iknewt henand
thereIhadt ost ayaway.Faraway.SoIhi d."She
chuckl ed."Hecameasecondt i
met of i
nal i
zehi s
dealandaskedmyf atherast rangequest ion.Wher e
i
syourdaught er .Myf atherhaduscal ledandIst il
l
hid,Iwassoscar edofhi m.Ther ewassomet hing
sopecul i
ar,sodanger ousabouthi m.However ,he
didn'tevenl ookatmysi sters, hesi mplyasked
again, whereisyourdaught er.Att hisstageIwas
promi sedt oanot herpr ince.Myf atherwasst uck.
Evenwhenheexpl ainedt heonl yot herdaught erhe
hasispr omi sed,yourf athersai d, bri
nghert ome.I
wantt oseef ormysel fi
fshe' spr omi sed.Iwas
call
ed.19year soldatt het ime, Iknel tinf rontof
them bowi ngmyhead, hopi ngt hiswoul dbeenough
forhimt oleavemeal one.I nstead, heaskedmet o
l
ookathi m andIdi d.Itwasf rom t hatmomentI
thi
nkal lofmysensesst oppedsi multaneousl y
becausef rom thatmomentMehl uli
,Icoul dsee
nothing,hearnoonebuthi m.IknewI '
dspendt he
restofmyl i
feservinghi m andIdi dn'twanti tany
otherway.Idi dn'tcar ethathehadanat i
oni nstead
ofal i
tt
lekingdom, thathewasKi ngi nsteadofj ust
apr i
nce.Hewast heonl yt hingt hatmat t
er ed.I twas
onlywhenhet ookmehomeashi swi f
edi dInot i
ce
hedoesn' thavef eeling.Noemot i
onatal l.Hewas
neversad, orangr y.Hewoul dlaughbutonl yfora
fewseconds.Hewoul dsmi leonl yforashor twhile.
Ast i
mewentby, Igrewaccust omedt ohim andhi s
coldness.See, Ithoughtt heKi ngcoul dn'tf eelandi t
onlyjustdawnedt omet hathecan.Hej ust
choosesnott o.Ichoset ost aybl indt oit.Ist il
ldo
notunder standwhyheper sonal lyrequest edf orme.
Idon'tknowwhyhemar riedmet henabandoned
mef ort
herestofmydays.Iunder standonething
though,
Icannotbeher eanylonger.Ther
e'snever
beenanythi
ngformeher eandt hereisnot
hingnow.
Iam onl
ygratefult
ohaveseenyougr owintothi
s
manyouar etoday.From ali
tt
le6yearoldboyt hat
wasobsessedwi thnatur
e.".
..

Whataheavyaft
ernoon.Iwal
kedoutofmy
mother
'sr
oom,downt hepassagebumpingint
o
Nkwenkwezi
.Shewasgoi ngtomother
'sroom.
Nkwe:"
Bhut
i.
"Shepassed.Howi
sthi
sourl
if
e?
Nkosi:"
Nkwenkwezi
."Iwatchedherknockonher
mother'
sdoorandwalkin,cl
osingitbehi
ndher.I
si
lencedmythoughts,
seepingint
ot hewall
softhat
l
oungewi t
hmymi nd.
Nkwe:"
Howar
eyoumot
her
?"
Nol
wazi
:"I
'
mfi
ne.Wher
e'syoursi
ster
?"
Nkwe:"
She'swatchi
ngTV.Wer
eyouser
ious?Ar
e
your
eall
yleavi
ngfather
?"
Nol
wazi
:"Whatchoi
cedowehaveNkwenkwezi
?
Honestly,
ifyouwantt ostaythendoso.Ican'
t
promiseyou'l
lrecei
velove.Ihavereachedmy
capacit
yNkwenkwezi .I'
vetri
ed."
Nkwe:"
Wherewil
lyougo?You'
renotal
lowedback
i
nyournat
ioni
fyouleaveaki
ng."
Nolwazi:"
Iwil
lhavetostar
tali
feel
sewhere.Ihave
myqual i
fi
cati
on,Idon'
thaveanypl
anfornowbut
I
'l
lobviousl
yhavet omovetoanati
onthathasno
i
nfl
uencewi t
ht hi
soneifIwantt
oli
ve.
"
Nkwe:"
Mama,
it'
sdanger
ous.
"
Nolwazi:"
Nkwenkwezi,I
'l
lbefine.I
fyoust
ay,Ihave
tot
akeyoursister
.Shewon' tbehappybutshe
won'tcopehereespeci
all
yifyougoont omarrythi
s
boyyou'regoi
ngoutwith."
Nkwe:"
Youcan'
ttakeNhl
anhl
aawayf
rom me
mama."
Nolwazi
:"Nkwenkwezi
,Ican'
texpectyout
olook
af
teryoursi
ster
."
Nkwe:"
ThenhowmustIcope?Wit
houtyouandher?
Mamacan'tyouj
ustt
ryagai
nwit
hhim?Please.We
don'thavetogoanywher e."Ist
oppedli
steni
ngand
walkeddownt hestair
s.Thembi sawasprobabl
y
uncomf or
tabl
e,knowinghershebl ameshersel
ffor
thi
s.Ireachedthedini
ngr oom.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"Yep,
shewasneart
ear
s.
Sasa:"
Hey.
"
Nkosi
:"Wehavet
ogo.Zweneedsmyhel
pwi
th
somethi
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thenwher
ear
eyout
aki
ngher
?"
Nkosi:"
Shehasanappoi nt
mentwi thMaBi yel
a."I
heldherhandwal ki
ngstrai
ghtoutofthehouse
befor
ehecoul dobject
.Thecar sdroveoff."Hey.
Comeher e.
"Iplacedheronmyl ap.Shewast rying
toholdback.Anewt hingthatIreal
lydisl
iked.
"You'
renotthereasonwhyshe' supset.Mypar ents
havehadpr obl
emsf oryears.Thishasnothingto
dowithyou."
Sasa:"Okay."Ibrushedherbackl
etti
nghercal
m
down.Shef ellasl
eepinnotime.Idon'
tknowhow
tohandlemyf at
her'
sprobl
em.Asmuchashe' s
star
tedtoopenupj ustal
it
tl
e,hebarel
yspokeof
howhef eels.Iwascer tainf oronet hingthough,
he'snotl et t
inggoofmot her .MaybeIt oo, had
unknowi nglypl ayedapar tint hi s.Ineverevent ried
tobondwi ththet wins.Iwasal wayscl osedof fand
i
nt omyownt hings, ignor ingt hem compl et ely.They
wer ef ort
unat et obebor nt oget herbecauset hey
thencoul dbebestf r i
ends.AsmuchasI 'dl iket o
believet heancest or shavet hei rr eason, Ist rongl y
believet heycanbecr uel .Ther e'snor easonf orthe
twinst obebor nwithoutabi liti
esbecauseagood
hear tisn'twhatqual ifiesyou.Si zwengaye, myown
fatherdoesn' thaveapur ehear t,Ngidumi se,
Bheki zizwet heot her sbef oret hem evenwor se.Yet ,
theyal lhadabi l
iti
es.Iknowt het winsar edef initely
Sikhosana, they'remybl ood, sot hat'snott he
probl em ei t
her.I'
dr eal lyl iket omakesenseofi t
becausewhati sther eason?Thest ranget hingi s
thatt hetwi nsar ethef irstgi rl
st obebor ni nqui tea
fewgener ati
ons.Ngi dumi seneverhadgi rlchi l
dren,
heal soneverhadsi ster sorsi bl i
ngsatal l.Ki ng
Bheki zizweneverhadanysi ster s.Iwonderhowf ar
backdoSi khosanagi rlsgo.Howeveronet hi ngi s
forcer tain,fatherdidt reatt hem unf airl
y.
Wear ri
vedatthepal
ace,IwokeThembi saup.She
sti
llcur
ledonmychest ,
sleepi
ngpeacefull
y.As
muchasIenj oyedwatchinghersl
eep,Ineededto
helpZwe.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.Wakeup.
"Iki
ssedhernose.
Sasa:"
We'
reher
eal
ready?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Doyouwantt
ovi
sitPet
uni
a?"
Sasa:"AfterIgr
eetQueenBiyel
a."Wegotoutofthe
car,walki
ngt ot
hedoor.Theywer eopenedandwe
steppedin.Zwecameupt ousf r
om thelounge.
Zwe:
"Mr
sSi
khosana.
"Ihuggedhi
m.
Sasa:"
Hel
loZwe.
"
Nkosi
:"Whydon'
tIgetahug?
Zwe:"
I'
vebeenhuggi
ngyousincewewer ebabi
es
Nkosi
nhl
e.Hell
o,myfr
iend.
"Ichuckl
ed.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.Wher
eisyourmother
,Thembisa
wantst
osayhibeforeshegoestoPet
unia.
"
Zwe:
"She'
sthi
sway.ComeSasa.Nkosi
,dadi
sin
thelounge.
"Shefol
lowedhi m outt
othegar
den.I
wenttothelounge,
Mt hunziwasherewit
hKing
Biyel
a.
Nkosi
:"Sot
hisi
swher
eyouspendyourl
eisur
eti
me?
Hel
loKingBi
yel
a."
Bi
yel
a:"
MyPr
ince.
"
Mthunzi
:"Yeahwell
,you'
veabandonedme.Sowhat
mustIdo?"Isatdownwiththem.
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
etheyoungpr
inces?
"
Bi
yel
a:"
Khayawenttoseehi
sfr
iends,
Mnqobii
s
awayonvacat
ion.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Si
bonel
oisupst
air
smadatever
yone.
"
Nkosi:"
He'
snotmadatme,
Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing
wrong."
Biyela:"
Youmayaswel lbehisfavour
it
eperson,my
prince.Ever
yonehastr
iedtospeaktohim.He'snot
havingit.
"Zwewalkedbackin.
Zwe:
"Who'
snothavi
ngi
t?"
Bi
yel
a:"
Yourbr
other
."
Zwe: "
Ey,Sibonelostressesme.Letmecal lhi
mf or
you,Nkosi.Maybehe' llt
alktoyou. "Hewent
upstai
rs.IlookedattheTVpl ayingasportchannel
.
Inthelounge.Well,IobviouslyhaveonebutIdon' t
watchthis.Howi sitfunwat chingpeoplerun
around?
Nkosi:"Ki
ngBiyel
a,whyar
ether
emenpl
ayi
ngwi
th
aballinyourTV?"
Bi
yel
a:"
It
'ssoccer
,mypr
ince.I
t'
sent
ert
aini
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"How?
"
Biyel
a:"
Well
,youchooseat
eam yousuppor
tand
youcheeronfort
hem."
Nkosi
:"Theycan'
thearyou,
KingBi
yel
a."
Biyel
a:"Yes,theycan't
.Butyourf ri
endsandfamily
can.Forexampl e,Isupportthesamet eam wit
h
Khaya.ZweandMnqobihavet hei
rownt eam.We
enjoywatchingittogetherandcheer i
ngforour
respect
iveteams, al
somaki ngf unofeachother.
"
Nkosi
:"Soi
t'
saboutspendi
ngt
imet
oget
her
."
Bi
yel
a:"
Yesmypr
ince.Whatdoyoudowi
tht
he
guys?
"
Nkosi:"
Theytakemet othewoods,
somet
imesthe
beach.Ihaven'
ttr
iedwatchi
ngasport
.Mt
hunzi
whichsportwouldIli
ke?
"
Mthunzi
:"At
hlet
ics,
Horseraci
ng,
possi
blygolf
.
Mostl
ynoncontactsport
s.Youal
sodon'tl
ike
noi
se."
Nkosi
:"Icoul
dtr
ytowat
chacont
actspor
tandsee
howitgoes."
Mthunzi
:"Thatwoul
dn'
tbefunf
oryou.You'
d
pr
edictt
hescorehal
fway.
"
Nkosi:"
It
'swor
thatr
y.Ki
ngBi
yel
awhi
cht
eam do
yourecommend?"
Biyela:"
There'
ssomanymypr i
ncebutIsuppor
tour
nationalt
eam,andi
nter
nat
ional
lyIsuppor
t
Barcelona.
"
Nkosi
:"I
nter
est
ing.
"Si
bonel
owal
kedi
ncar
ryi
nga
baby.
Si
bo:"
MyPr
ince.
"
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.Icamet
oseeyou.
"Wher
edi
dhegeta
baby?
Si
bo:"Youdi
dn'
thavet
o,YourHi
ghness.I
'
m doi
ng
wel
l.
"
Nkosi
:"Wel
l,
I'
m her
enow,
so.
..
"
Si
bo:"
CanIgetyousomet
hingt
odr
ink?
"
Nkosi
:"NoI
'
mfi
ne.
"
Zwe:"Comet hisside."Heledusintoanot
her
l
ounge,justSi boneloandIandt hebaby.Isaton
thecouch,lookingar ound.Wast hi
shispri
vate
l
ounge?I tdidn'tseem personal
ized.
Sibo:"
Uhm,thi
sisMi
les.Hei
sSi
za'
sson.Doyou
rememberher?"
Nkosi
:"Nocl
ue.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh,she'sPet
u'ssi
ster.They'
rel
ivi
ngi
n
Mnqobi
'shousecurr
entl
y."
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"Thebabystar
edatme.Iwasn'
treal
ly
goodwithbabi
es.Orper
hapsbecauseIdi
dn'
tknow
any.
Si
bo:"
Mil
es,
sayhel
l
otoPr
inceSi
khosana.He'
s
goi
ngt
obeourKi
ng.
"
Mi
les:"
LikeGr
andpa?
"
Si
bo:"
Somethi
nglikethat
,yes.Hewi
llr
ulet
he
whol
enat
ionthough."
Mi
les:"
Hel
lo.
"
Nkosi
:"Hell
oMi l
es.
"Heinstantl
ytur
nedtothe
phoneinhishandandentertai
nedhimsel
f."
You
smelll
ikevomitandmi
lk."
Sibo:"
I'
vebeenabitsi
ck,mypr
ince.The
concussi
onreal
lyknockedme.
"
Nkosi:"No,yougotsomeonepr
egnant
."He
chuckled.
Sibo:"
NomyPr i
nce,
I'
vebeenver
ycar
eful
.Idi
dn'
t
getanyonepr
egnant
."
Nkosi:"
Oh. "ButIthoughtZimmywaspr egnant?
That'
swhatSasasai d?IfSibonel
owascar ef
uland
sayshedi dn'tdoit
,whodi d?DidZimmyhave
anotherboyfriendwedidn'tknowabout?NotthatI'
d
know.I'
llhavet oaskSasa." Howareyoufeel
ing?"
Si
bo:"
Apar
tfr
om t
hesympt
oms,
I'
m okay.
"
Symptoms.I
thadt
obehi
m.Buthei
sn'
tlyi
ng?Di
d
henotknow?
Nkosi
:"Doyouwantt
otal
kaboutwhathappened?
"
Si
bo:"
There'
snot
hingtotal
kabout
,mypr
ince.I
t'
s
j
ustal
itt
lesmal
linci
dent
."
Nkosi:"I
t'
sasecur
it
ybreech.You'r
eoneofthemost
securedpeopl
eIknow.Yoursecurit
ysyst
em i
sin
mynewhousebecauseIt rustyou.Soi
t'
snota
smallinci
dent
.Whathappened?"
Sibo:"Mil
es,
pleasegoaskUncl
eZwetogetyoua
snackandsitwithhi
mf orabi
twhi
leIt
alkt
othe
prince.
"
Mil
es:"Okay."Hegotup,andwalkedout.Kidsjust
l
ist
ent oanyoneanddoast hey'
reasked?This
per
sonl ookedinsanel
ycomfort
abletojustgetup
andleave.
Sibo:"Iwascarel
esswithmyhouse, myprince.
Sure,Ilockedt
hehousebutIdon' tremember
actuall
ysecuri
ngit.I
'm al
waysinandout ,Inever
staylongenough.Ili
veinTheSt el
lars,
noone
comesi nhereunlessauthor
izedandwi ththat,
I
didn'
thavear easont obef ullysecure.Meganon
theotherhand, di
dgetaut hor i
zati
ont ocomei n
simplyandonl ybecauseshewor ksfort heonl y
otherfamilyt
hatliveshere.Smi t
h.Theygr antedher
accessbutshedi dn'tgother e.Idon'tleaveguar ds
i
nmyhousebecausel i
keIsai d,I'
mi nandout .
They'djustst
andt hereaiml esslywithoutanywor k.
There'
snot hi
ngt oguard.WhenIwentt here,I
thoughtit'
dbeinandout ,
asusual .SoIdi dn'tbri
ng
them.Thiswasnoone' sfaul tbutmyown
negli
gencehonest ly.
"Hest aredathi shands.
Nkosi
:"Iunderst
and.Soshebrokei
ntoyourhouse
wit
hthesystem offbydef
aul
tandwaitedint
here
f
oryou.Wer en'
tyourmoti
onsensor
son? "
Sibo:"Theywer e.Theywentof fonmyphonebut
again,Ididn'tcheckbecauseIwaspr eoccupiedand
assumedt hecl eanerswer ethere.
"Iwasf i
ndingit
diff
icultt
ogr aspt hissi t
uation.Asmuchasbot hof
uswer eroyalpr i
nces, Sibonelowasver ydiff
erent
fr
om me.Al loft hem wer e.Allofmyhousesneeded
guar dswhet herI '
mt hereornot .Iwasn'tal
lowed
anywher ewi thoutami nimum off i
ve,iti
sexcessive
butthat '
smyl if
e.Sibonelowasmuchdi ffer
ent
becausehel i
vedaf reeli
fe.Hecoul dbei npubl i
c
withoutpeopl erunningtohimt obowdown.He
couldent erapublicspaceandnothavepeopl e
breaki ntoasonganddance, crowdingallaround
him,scr eamingatthet opoft heirl
ungs.Hehadt he
l
uxur yoff r
eedom thatIwi shedf or
.I'm sureifIhad
apet ,eventheywoul dneedaguar d.
Nkosi:"
Thisisn'
tyourf
aultSibonelo.Awoman
breaki
ngintoyourhouseisn'tyourfaul
t.Youcan'
t
blameyourselff
orfeel
ingsafeinyourownhouse.
Theytookadvantageofthat.Howdi dyoudiscover
shewasi nsi
de?"
Sibo:"Ididn't
.Irememberwal ki
ngi nandnot i
cing
there'
ssomet hi
ngdiff
erent ,
agai nIassumedi twas
thecleanersandIi gnoredi t
.Itookoutmyphone, I
can'trememberwhoIwascal li
ngbutIhear dher
speakbehi ndme.Theni twentbl ack.Fr om t
her e,
I
wokeupi nthebasement .Atf ir
stt hinki
ngit'
saj oke
andshewasj ustl
ookingf orattention.Shethen
tookoutt hisinj
ecti
onexpl aini
ngi tassomet hing
thatwi l
lenhanceeverythingI '
mf eel i
ng,whetherI
l
ikei tornot .Shet i
edt hechai nsar oundme
becauseIwasf ighti
ngt ogetl oose.Ibeggedher
nott ouset heinjection, Ididn'tknowwhatwasi nit
butIf i
gur ed...
"Heswal lowed, bli
nkingbackhi s
tears."Ij
ustdi dn'twanti ttofeel anywor sethanit
woul dfeel .Ifi
gur edIcoul datl eastf orgetaboutthi
s,
i
fIl ethersl eepwi t
hmewhi leIwasconsci ous.At
l
east ,Icoul dgetoveri t.Ididn' tknowwhat
nightmar eswoul dhauntmei fmybodyhad
withdrawal sfrom thesubst anceshei nject
si nt
ome.
Itdoesn'tmat terthoughbecauset heyhavecaught
upwi t
hmer egardless.Pr obabl ybecauseoft hehit
tomyhead. "
Nkosi
:"You'
rehavi
ngt
roubl
esl
eepi
ng?
"
Si
bo:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dshet
ouchyou?
"Hest
aredathi
shands.
Si
bo:"
Yes.
"
Nkosi
:"Iam sor
ry.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"I
'm aman,mypr i
nce.Theset
hingsdon't
af
fectme.I'
l
lbefinesoonenough.IknowZwei s
worr
iedandit'
senough,Idon'
twanthimtoblame
hi
mself.I
'
llbef
ine.Af
tert
heconcussi
on,
I'
llbe
good.
"
Nkosi:"
Justbecauseyou'
reamandoesn'
tmean
you'
renotall
owedt ohur
t.
"
Si
bo:"
WhatwouldIbehurt
ingfor
?Ilett
hiswoman
i
ntomyhouse,
I'
vesleptwi
thherbef
ore.I
t'
snothi
-"
Nkosi:"
It
'snotnothi
ng,Sibonelo.I
tisn't
.Thisti
me
youdidn'
tletheri
n,sheforcedherselfin.That'
snot
okayandyouneedt ostophi di
ngbehi ndthe
concussionbecausethatmilksmelliscomi ngoff
str
ong.Howaboutwespeakt oadoct or?
"
Sibo:"Ican'tspeaktoZwe, Nkosi.He'sal
ready
dedicatedhi swholeli
fet
ousashi sfamily.Of
ten
neglecti
nghi sownl i
feapartfrom us.Thi
swi l
l
cementi t,
pleasemybr otherwi l
lneverwantto
mar r
y.Ican' tdothatt
ohim. "
Nkosi:"
Okay.NotZwe,anotherdoct
or.Ifhecansee
you'
retaki
ngstri
destohelpyoursel
f,hewon'tf
eel
theneedtotakecar
eofyou. "
Si
bo:"
Idon'
tknow.
."
Nkosi:"
Unfort
unat
elyforyou,youhavet
oobeyme.
I
'm yourfut
ureki
ng."Hesmi l
ed.
Si
bo:"
Okay.I
'
llbookasessi
ont
hisweek.
"
Nkosi
:"Good,
doyouwanttot
akeashower
?I'
l
lwai
t
i
nthelounge.
"Iwal
kedout
.
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er124

KHAYA'
SPOV_

I'
dhadagooddaycat chi
ngupwi thsomevar si
ty
fr
iends.IwasnowatAmel i
a'
swai t
ingf orZimmyto
j
oinmef ordinner
.Ihadn'
thear dfr
om Nkwenkwezi
si
nceear li
ertodayandIknowIshoul dn'tr
eall
ybe
worri
edbuti twaskindofwor ryi
ngbecauseshe
usuall
ytextedmeal ot.If
inal
lyswallowedmypr i
de
anddialedhernumber .
Nkwe:"
Hel
lo.
"
Khaya:"
Hi.Howar
eyou?
"
Nkwe:"
Notgood.
"
Khaya:"
Oh?What
'swr
ong?
"
Nkwe:"
Ican'
ttal
kabouti
t.
"
Khaya:"
Whyi
sthat
?MaybeIcanhel
p."
Nkwe:" Youcan't.It
'sfamil
yrelated.
"Oh,Sikhosana
business.Aver ysecreti
vefami l
ywithweird
occurrences.Wai tadamnmi nute,i
fNkosihasthat
powerheusedt ogoi ntopeople'sminds,doesthat
meanNkwenkwezial sohassomepower ?Zweand
Sboal wayskeptt hi
sasecr etandhi dwhateveri
tis
butthatskyf l
oodwasnotnat ural.I
twasmanmade.
Didtheyallhavet hesepower s?
Nkwe:"
Sti
llt
her
e?"
Khaya:"
Uhm.Yeah.YeahI'
m sti
llher
e.I
fyouever
needsomeoneyoucantrustandjustbear
ound,
cal
lme."
Nkwe:"
Real
ly?You'
dtakecar
eofme?
"
Khaya:"
Ofcour
seI'
dtakecareofyou.Iwantt
o
makesureyou'
regood.Idon'
tknowwhatthi
s
meansforusr
ightnowbutunder
standt
hatI
r
espectyoual
otandIli
keyou.
"
Nkwe:"
Ili
keyoutoo,
Khaya.Thankyouf
or
r
eassur
ingme."
Khaya:"
You'
rewel
come.Whatar
eyouupt
o?"
Nkwe:"I
'm goingtomysi
ster
'sr
oom.We'
regoi
ngt
o
watchsomet hing.
"
Khaya:"
Youal
readyhaddi
nner
?"
Nkwe:"
Notyet
.Pr
obabl
ylat
er.
"
Khaya:"
Hm.
..SowhencanIseeyou.
"
Nkwe:"
Maybet
omor
row.
"
Khaya:"
I'
ml ooki
ngf
orwardtothat.Thi
stimeIwant
toshowyouabeautif
ulrest
aurantover
looki
ngthe
sea.Haveyoubeentothebeach?"
Nkwe:"
No.
"
Khaya:"Well
,pleasewearacasualsummerdr ess
andletyourhairdown.We'l
ltakeawalkacrossthe
shorel
ine.Havethewaterr
unupt oyourprett
y
toes.
"Shegiggled.
Nkwe:"Thi
sseemsl
ikeanexcuset
oseemyt
oes
Khaya.
"Ismil
ed.
Khaya:"
Maybe.ButIwon'tbejudgement
alifthey'
re
notpret
ty.Youcan'
thaveital
lbaby.
"Shelaughed.
Nkwe:"
Wel
l,
Ido.
"
Khaya:"I'
l
lhavetoseeformyself
.Pleaser
espond
t
omyt extsnow.You'
vebeenignori
ngmeal lday.
"
Nkwe:"
Iwasn'tignor
ingyou,Ihadt
hingst
odeal
wit
h.I
'l
lrespond,bepat
ient
."
Khaya:"
Okaybaby.Letmehavemydi
nner
,we'
l
ltal
k
onthephone.
"
Nkwe:"
Okaythen,
bye.
"Ihungup.Zi
mmywal
kedi
n,
comi
ngtothetabl
e.
Zi
mmy:"
Fri
end.Hi
."Ihuggedherandshesatdown.
Khaya:"
Howar
eyou?
"Isi
gnal
edf
ort
hewai
ter
.
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m good.Howar
eyou?
"
Khaya:"Gr
eat
.Youlookf
resh.Ski
npoppi
ngandal
l.
Howcomeyou' r
enotinGoldenCr
ownforthe
concert
?Youweresoexci
ted."
Zi
mmy:"Ah.Gotsi
ckl
astmi
nut
e."Thewai
terst
ood
byourt
abl
e.
Khaya:"
Canyougetmeamangoj uiceandabot
tl
e
oft
heRegion'
sfi
nestchampagne-
"
Zimmy:"No.Iwon'
tbehavingal
cohol
.CanIjust
haveawaterwit
hasliceoflemonandice.
"The
wait
ernoddedwalki
ngaway.
Khaya:"Younevert
urndownalcohol.I
sthatwhy
youdidn'tgo?Yougotpi
ssdr
unkdi dn'
tyou?"I
chuckl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"
Iwi
sh.Let
'scat
chuponot
herst
uf-
"
Khaya:"No,whatdoyoumean?Youhavea
hangover?"
Zi
mmy:"
WhenhaveIever
?Leavet
hisal
one.
"
Khaya:"
We'
ref
ri
endsZi
mmy.Tal
ktome.
"
Zimmy:"Ican'
tKhaya,youcan'
tkeepsecr
etsfr
om
yourbr
othersandI'
m notreadyf
orthespect
acle.
"
Khaya:"
OhmyGod.You'
rewi
thMel
o?Zi
mmy!
"
Zi
mmy:"
Howdi
dyouj
umpt
oMel
o?I
'
m notwi
th
hi
m."
Khaya:"
Comeon,
tel
lme.Icankeepasecr
et.
"
Zi
mmy:" Whatsecr
etdoyouhavethatyourbrother
s
don'
tknow?"Igaveitsomet
hought."
Exactl
y."
Khaya:"Wai
t,gi
vemeaminut
etot
hink.
"Il
aughed.
"
okay,thi
swil
lbethef
ir
st.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Pleasedon'
tsayanyt
hing.
".
Khaya:"
Pinkypr
omi
se.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m pr
egnant
."Igasped.
Khaya:"
Who?How?Why?WHAT?
!"
Zimmy:"Sibonelo,
fir
stweekwehookedup,That'
s
mysituat
ionrightnow."Ourdr
inkscamet
ot he
tabl
e.
Khaya:"
You'
rejoki
ngZimmy.
"Ihel
dmymout
h,
unabl
etobel
ievethi
s.
Zimmy:"IwishIwasKhaya.Idon'
tevenunderst
and
howt hi
shappened.Weusedcondomst hefi
rst
night
,nextdayadoctorcametogi
veme
contr
acepti
veinj
ecti
on,shedi
dapregnancytest
thenanditwasnegativebecauseshehadt obe
suresinceIwasn'
tonmyper iod.Igotthei
nject
ion
andIthoughtIwassaf e.Turnsoutthere'
sawaiting
peri
od.I'
veneverf
eltsost upid.
"Ichokedonmy
j
uicelaughi
ng.
Khaya:"
Thi
sisf
ucki
nghi
lar
ious.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Isi
tKhaya?I
'
minhel
l!
"
Khaya:"
Haveyout
oldhi
m?"
Zimmy:"
Notyet
,Idon'
tknowhow.Whati
fhe
rej
ect
sme?"
Khaya:"
He'
dneverdothat.You'
recarr
yingapr
ince
Zi
mmyorapr i
ncess.Areyoukeepingit
? "
Zimmy:"Khaya,Idon'tknow.Idowantt okeepthe
baby,whatIknowi sthatthiswillbepossi
blythe
mostdiff
icul
tthingIhavet odo.Beingapar ent
whil
eyou'restudyingandbui l
dingabusiness,asa
21yearold?Yoh. "
Khaya:"
You'l
lhavehel
pandsuppor
t.Wewon'
tlet
yousuff
er.Justt
ell
him,soon.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yeah.Ineedt
ogeti
toverwi
th.Anyway,
whatwasyest
erday'
sdealabout
?Howwashe
missi
ng?
"
Khaya:"Oh,
hewasinhishouse.Not
hingmaj
or.
Youstil
lcar
eabouthi
m ne?"
Zimmy:" Doesn'
tmatteranymor e."Shefi
nishedher
watereyeingmyj ui
celongingly.Ichuckl
edcalli
ng
thewaiterandorderi
nganot herone.
Khaya:"
TellSi
bonel
ohe'
saf at
hertobe.Yoh, mama
Bi
yelawil
lbesohappy.Ihavetosay,herprayer
s
ar
estrong.Imagi
nedef
eati
ngcontracepti
ves?
Haha."
Zi
mmy:"
Mxi
m Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
Howdoyouf
eelabouti
tthough?Bei
ng
pr
egnantandal
l?
"
Zimmy:"It
'ssoconfusing.OnemomentI '
m alit
tl
e
happyandt henextI'
m soscaredandwor ried.I
'm
askingmyselfwhatwillIdo,
wor stcasescenarioI
havetotakecareofthebabyal one,I
'drat
herdrop
outofschoolaft
erbirt
handgobackwhent hebaby
getstodaycare.I'
l
lsti
llbepartofthebusiness,
hopeful
ly-"
Khaya:" Fi
rstofal
l,
st opwor
rying.Ikeeptell
ingyou
this.There'
snowor stcasescenariohere.Justtel
l-
givemeyourphone. "Igr
abbedherphoneof ft
he
table.
Zi
mmy:"
Khaya!
!Youcan'
ttel
lhi
m ont
ext
!"
Khaya:"
Tellhi
m youneedt
ospeakt
ohi
mthen.
"I
gaveherthephone.
Zimmy:"You'
rebori
ng.Iwasgoi
ngtowaitunt
il
tomorr
owatleast.
"Shesentamessage."
There,
I'
m
aski
ngtomeetup."
Khaya:"
Good.Stopworryi
ng.Thehardestparti
s
fi
ndingoutyou'
repr
egnant,t
ell
inghi
mi seasy.I
fhe
doesn'
tbeli
eveyouhe'
llj
ustdoaDNAt est
.That'
s
al
l.
"
Zimmy:"Al
ri
ght
."Sher
ecei
vedherj
uice,
dri
nki
ngi
t
happi
ly.
Khaya:"
Andal
sot
ellhi
m howyouf
eelabouthi
m."
Zimmy:"We'llseehowhetakest
hisnewsf i
rst
."I
chuckl
ed.Sibonelowon'
tbemadatt hi
s.I
fanything,
he'
llbeoverthemoon.Heloveschil
dren,
Iwoul dn'
t
besur
pri
sedi
fheof
fer
edt
orai
set
hebabyhi
msel
f.

NOTHANDO'
SPOV_

We'dar r
ivedatt hepr ivat ebeachr esortear l
y
Saturdaymor ning.Si nceMnqobiwaswor ri
edabout
Sibonel owe'dst ayedt heni ghti nMount ainPeak
andj ustleftthismor ni ng.Itwasonl yanhourdr i
ve
mor eorl ess.We' vespentt hedaybyt hepr i
vat e
beach, Ididabi tofr eadi ngandwepar ticipatedin
somewat eractivi
ti
es.Myf avour i
tewast hej etski
.
Dinnerwassetupf orusont hebeach.Thesand
decor atedwi t
hcandl esandf lowerswhi leaduet
bandper formedt hegui tarwi thabi tofsi nging.
Mnqobisatacr ossthet able, looki
ngat adbi t
nervousorst ressed.Hi sbei gel i
nenshi rt
unbut tonedont hefirstt wo, pairedwi t
hwhi telinen
pants.Thi swasobvi ousl ycopyi ngmyout fi
t.
Not
ha:"
You'vebeenr
efusi
ngwedr
inkal
ldaybut
we'
reonvacati
on.
"
Mnqobi
:"Iwantust
oful
lyr
elax,
andhavegood
memor
ies.
"
Not
ha:"
Hmm.
"
Mnqobi
:"Ar
eyouner
vous?
"
Not
ha:"
Yes.SoI
'
m or
der
ingagl
assofwi
ne.
"
Mnqobi :"Let'sorderitinther oom."Ilookedathi s
eyes,ohhewasr eady.Myner vesstartedtosett
le
i
n.Wemadeourwayt oourr oom, itwassetup
romant i
callywi t
hr edrosepet alsont hebed.None
ofthisreallymat teredtome.Iwasn' ther efort
he
aesthetics.Iwat chedhimt alkont hel andli
ne
orderi
ngawi ne,alsotexti
ngonhi sphone.Hehung
upthel andline."I'
m sorry,l
ove.I '
mj usttexti
ng
Sboni."Hef inall
yputhi sphonedown.
Notha:"
Howabout
,Ir
unabat
handyouf
ini
shyour
commi t
ment
s."
Mnqobi :"Okay."Iwenttothebathroom, runningthe
waterinthel ar
ger oundtub.Petuhadboughtme
somebat hsal t
st hatsmellsodeli
cious.Itwasway
diff
erentfrom hers,shewentt ofi
ndmyf avouri
te
scentsjusttomakememor ecomfortable.Ipour
ed
them inthebath, l
ight
ingupt hecandles.Mnqobi
wal
kedinmi
nut
esl
atercar
ryi
ngt
wogl
assesanda
bot
tl
e.
Mnqobi:"
Iwanttomakeyouf eelmor
ecomfortabl
e.
MayItakeoffyourcl
othes,
andpouryouaglassof
wi
ne?"
Not
ha:"
Icant
akeof
fmycl
othes,
it'
sokay.
"
Mnqobi :"Iknowyoucan, butIsti
llwantt
odoi t.
"I
want edtopr otestbutIl
etitgoandnodded.He
pulleddownmypantzi pper,sl
idi
ngthem offmy
body.Heundi dmybodysui t,peel
ingit
offsl
owly
from mybodyovermyhead." Youlookbeauti
ful
."I
feltthefl
uttersinmyt ummy.
Not
ha:"
Thankyou.
"
Mnqobi
:"MayIki
ssyou?
"
Notha:" Yes."Iatleastknewwhatt odot her
e.His
softcoldl i
pst ouchedmi ne,gentl
ysucki ngonmy
l
ower .Hepul l
edmecl osetohisbody, hishands
caressingmyski n.Iunbuttonedt herestofhisshir
t,
taki
ngi toff.Hepul l
edof fhispant sandunderwear
aswel l.Hest oodinf r
ontofmef ullynakedand
erected.Istil
lhadmyt hongon, shyt opulli
toffbut
t
hisi
smyhusband.Ihookedmyt humb'
sonthe
f
abri
candpulleditoff
,let
ti
ngi
tdr
oponthegr
ound.
Myeyesneverlef
this.
Mnqobi
:"Woul
dyoul
ikeagl
assofwi
ne?
"
Notha:"Yespl ease.
"Hepour edeachofusagl ass
thenledmei ntothetubcar efullyholdingmyhand.I
satdown, wat chi
nghi m bringt hetowel scl
oser
beforegett
ingi nbehindme.Hehandedmemy
glassandtookasi pofhi s.Thewat erwaswar m
andsoot hi
ng.Thesal tssmel lingsof resh.Itooka
sipofthewi neandofcour sei thadt obemy
favouri
tedrywhi te.
Mnqobi
:"Whatar
eyourexpect
ati
ons?
"
Not
ha:"
Soundsl
ikeaj
obi
nter
view.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mnqobi:"
Idon'
twanttof
uckup,ormakeyou
uncomfor
tabl
e.Soatanyst
ageyoufeeldi
scomf
ort
,
j
ustsaystop.
"
Not
ha:"Okaybutyouknowmor
ethanmeaboutsex.
WhatcanIexpect
?"
Mnqobi
:"Fr
om me?Anor
gasm,
that
'sf
orsur
e."I
l
aughed.
Notha:"
Canyoubeser
ious?"Hepul
ledmetol
ayon
hi
schestwit
hmyback.Isippedmywine.
Mnqobi :"Iwi
llki
ssyourbody, f
rom headt otoe,
maki ngmywaybackupagai nandslippingmy
tongueinbet weenyourfol
ds.You'l
lfeelt hemost
pleasurewhenIl i
ckyourcl
it.Ihope."Isippedmore
ofmywi ne.Hisonehandwasonmybr east
massagi ngit.
Not
ha:"
WhatcanIdot
oyou?
"
Mnqobi
:"Youwantt
odosomet
hingt
ome?
"
Not
ha:"
Obvi
ousl
y.Iwantal
lofi
t.
"
Mnqobi:"
Andyouwil
lgetit
.Ever
yinchofit
."He
gul
peddownhiswine,put
ti
ngawayt hegl
ass."
Let
's
st
artwit
hamassage."Bot
hhishandsgently
massagedmybreast
s.Iwasenjoyi
ngmywi neand
hi
stouch.
Notha:"
Thi
sfeel
sni
ce.
"Isippedmywi ne.Oneof
hi
shandssli
ddownunderwat eri
nbetweenmy
l
egs.Icl
osedmyeyes,
let
ti
nghi sfi
ngerrubonme
sl
owl
y.
Mnqobi:"
That'
sgood. .
"hewhi speredi
nmyear.His
pacer
emai nedthesame, rubbingupanddownon
mycli
t.If
eltdizzy,
hiskissesonmyneckandot her
handmassagingmybr east.
Not
ha:"
Mnqobi
."
Mnqobi:"
Youcan'tcum j
ustyetbaby,
wehavea
l
ongnighttoget
her.
"Hestopped.
Notha:"Mnqobi,
please.
."Ibegged.Bothhishands
massagingmyboobs.Thi smanwast urnedon
hi
msel fbuthekepthiscomposure.Iturnedt
olook
athim,kneeli
ngonthebat hfl
oor.
Mnqobi
:"You'
rer
eadyf
orme.
"
Not
ha:"
Yes.
"Isatonhi
m wi
thoutput
ti
ngi
tin.
Mnqobi:"Youlooksodamnsexy. "Heki
ssedmy
boob,l
icki
ngont henippl
e.If
eltsomepleasur
e
fr
om hi
st ouchandkisses.
Mnqobi
:"Let
'sgo.
"Wegotoutofthebath,walki
ng
t
othebedroom.Icl
imbedonthebed,l
ayingflaton
myback.Hegotontop,ki
ssi
ngmybody, allt
heway
downt omypussy.If elthi
stonguer oamingal lover
i
tuntilitt
ouchedaspott hatsensi
tisedmywhol e
body.Iletoutamoan.Heci r
culat
edt hatspotwi t
h
theti
psofhi stongue,makingmeweak.Icl osedmy
eyes,feel
ingonlyhistouch,r
apidl
yl i
ckingbackand
for
th.
Notha:"
Mnq..
..
obi..
."Mytoescur l
ed,feeli
ngintense
wave.Ihel
donthesheet,panting.Mybody
tr
embledandthrobbedtoast i
ll
.Heki ssedit
,
cominguptomyf ace.Heplacedsmal lki
sseson
myneck.Hewasatmyent rance,slowlypushingit
i
n.
Mnqobi :"
Ohhhfuck..
"Inumbedwithshockand
sli
ghtpain.Hepull
editoutandworkediti
nagai
n.
"Fucccck.
"Hebreathed,kissi
ngmyli
ps.Hepaused.
"Areyoucomf or
tabl
e,love?"
Notha:" Yes.
.keepgoing."Hekeptmovi nghi swaist
,
goingi nandoutwhilekissingmyf ace.Hepul led
outofme, gr
abbingacondom t oputi ton.Iwas
gratefulherememberedbecauseIdi dn't
.Asmuch
asIwasont heI UDandal so,wasn'tovulati
ng,I
di
dn' twanttoriski
tatleastuntilt
hewai tingperi
od
i
sdone.Hepushedi tbackin,ri
dingintomel ooking
i
ntomyeyes.Thenumbnessmel tedaway, If
elthis
mot i
onsoncemor e.Hewentf aster,groani
ngand
fi
nall
yreleasing,holdingmet i
ght.Ienjoyedhis
tongue,alot
.Thepenet r
ati
onwasn' tsomethingI
real
lyli
ked.Ididn'tknowwhatt odowhi lei
twas
happeningandi thur t
slikehel
l.
Mnqobi
:"Ar
eyouhur
t?"
Notha:"
I'
mfine.
"Ismiled."Thankyouf
ort
ryi
ngyour
besttobegentl
e."Hesmiled,ki
ssi
ngmyface.
Mnqobi
:"Thankyouf
orgi
vingmeyourbody
Not
hando."
Not
ha:"
Hmm.Youcanst
opki
ssi
ngmyf
acenow.
"
Hel
aughed.
Mnqobi:"
Youdon'
tli
kemewena.Uyang'
pret
ender
."
Hepull
edout,
lyi
ngnextt
ome.
Not
ha:"Iagr
eedt
omar
ryyouagai
n,Idon'
tthi
nk
t
hat
'str
ue."
Mnqobi
:"Baby,
Idon'
teverwantyoutofeell
ike
you'
ret
rappedwit
hme.Ifyouwanttoleave,
wecan
makeapl
an.I'
l
ltakecar
eofyourt
uit
ionupt
o
Mast
ersi
fneedsbe."
Not
ha:"
Real
ly?Af
teryou'
vebr
okenmyvi
rgi
nit
y?"
Hel
aughed.
Mnqobi
:"Mxi
m.Letmegetsomedr
inkst
ocel
ebr
ate.
Wi
neorchampagne?"
Not
ha:"
Cel
ebr
atewhatnow?
"
Mnqobi :"
YohNot
hando,I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngfort
his
daysinceIwas17.Al
lowmetobehappy.
"I
chuckled.
Notha:"
Winethen.I
thel
psmybodybeal
it
tl
e
comfort
abl
e."
Mnqobi
:"Youst
il
lwantt
o..
.?"
Notha:"
Ofcour
se,whydoyouthinkwe'rehere
Mnqobi?Idi
dn'
tfeelanor
gasm duri
ngtheactual
deedandyoumadepr omi
ses.
"Hel aughed,f
etch
thewineandgl
asses.
Mnqobi
:"I
'
llwor kharder
,myl ove.
"Hepouredthe
wi
neintheglasses,handingonetome."Idon't
wantt
ostartoffheavybutI'vebeenwonderi
ngfora
bit
.Wesaidwewoul dci
rcl
ebackinaf ewweeks.
Howar eyouadjusti
ngnotbei
ngapr incessand
mostimportantl
y,bei
ngawayfrom yourbirth
famil
y."Bi
rt
hf amil
ybecausehi
swasmynowonl y
famil
yandt heytr
eatedmebett
erthanmyf amil
y
everdi
d.
Notha:" Alotofthingsar est i
llconfusingbuti t'
snot
asbadbecauseofmymar ri
aget oyou.WhenIwas
apr i
ncess, nooner eall
ycar edorl ookedwhenI 'm
i
nt hemal lforexampl e.Now, peoplear estari
ngand
pointi
ngandIknowwhatt hey' r
esayi ng.ThatIsol d
myf ami lyoutt obecl oset oyouandt heSi khosana
family.Peopl efrom myf ather'
sf ormerkingdom
havei nsultedandot hersthreateningt hatIwoul d
neverl astherebecauseI 'm at r
aitor.Myl i
fewent
from quiett oinstantlyhatedbypeopl eIdon' teven
know. "
Mnqobi:"
Butyouref
usedtol
etmemuteyourname
andputinabanandchargef
orsomeonewho
bul
li
esyou,why?"
Not
ha:"TowhatendMnqobi?Iwanttobui
ldali
fe
out
sideofbei
ngaroyaloraf
fi
li
atedwi
th.I
fyou
havet omut emynamet henthatwouldbemut i
ng
mygr owt hbecausenoonewi l
lbeabletoseemy
progressorevenknowwhoIam whenI '
m
successful.I'
l
lalwaysbet hefor
merpr i
ncess,the
tr
aitor.Iwantthem togetitoutoft
hesyst em and
eventuall
ycomet oter
mswi thNothando.Just
Nothando. "
Mnqobi :"
Okay,Ihearwhatyou'r
esayingbutatleast
theinsult
s.You'r
emywi feNothando,I'
m notgoi
ng
toletpeoplespeakanyhowtoyou.Orhowaboutan
i
nt er
view?Wouldyoubekeent otellyoursi
deofthe
story?"
Notha:"
Itmaybet hewi
netalki
ngbutyes,
probabl
y.
Ij
ustdon'tgetwhymyfatherdi
dthisMnqobi.He
wasingoodr el
ati
onswi
ththeking.Doyouthinkt
he
wit
chmaybegott ohim?"
Mnqobi:"
NoIdon' tthinkt
hat.Thewitchwas
ment
ionedaftert hey'ddecidedtheywoulddothis.
Hecould'
vewar nedt hekingbuthedi dn'
t.Hechose
t
osti
ckbyt heot herr oyal
s."
Not
ha:"
Butt
her
ehast
obear
easonf
ort
hat
,it
doesn'
tmakesense.
"
Mnqobi :"Heobvi
ouslyhadsomet hi
ngtogain.What
i
fNakhamul awasn'ti
nterest
edi
nbeingtheactual
kingbutappointi
ngonet hathechooses?Your
father.He'st
heonlyonewhohadachancet obea
king."
Not
ha:"
Wow.
"Isi
ghed.
Mnqobi :"Love,Ihavet
otellmybrot
hersandthe
Pri
nce.I fthiswasaplan,
perhapsthei
rsi
lencei
s
anotherpl an."
Notha:" Yeah."Iwasdi sappointedathowmyf ather
woulddot hi
st ohimsel fandourf ami l
y."Hehasa
dealwi tht heoilnationupnor th,theywer estil
l
discussingdet ai
lsandhadpl annedabr i
efingf ora
fewmont hsint i
me.Idon' tknowmuchabouti tbutI
knowf atherwasver yexcited.Ithinkthi
si sthedeal
thatwi l
lroundaf ewot hernat i
onsunderhi sbel t
andal sosecur efundingenoughf orawar ."Hesat
up."Youhavet otellHisHi ghness, Mnqobi.Whati f
theywer ebi dingtimel ett
ingusbel i
evethey're
defeatedbutt hey' r
ecomi ngbackwi t
hbigger
guns?
"
Mnqobi
:"Love,
whydi
dn'
tyousayanyt
hing?
"
Notha:"Idi
dn'tt
hinkmyfatherwouldbetheone
specif
ical
lygunningf
orkingship.It
houghtitwas
j
ustabusi nessdeall
iket
hehundr edsofothershe
has."Hetookhisphone,dial
ingforZwe.
Mnqobi
:"BhutZwe.
"
Zwe:"You'
resupposedt
obeonvacat i
onMnqobi ,
Yinii
nki
ngayakho?Awufuniukuphumulayi
ni?"
(What'
syourprobl
em?Don'tyouwanttorest
?)
Mnqobi:"Wewant edtotel
lyouthi
sbeforeIforget
.
Nothandowillspeak.
"ItookthephoneandtoldZwe
whatIjustt
oldMnqobi .
Zwe:
"Ar
eyousur
eaboutt
hisNot
hando?
"
Not
ha:"
YesBhut
i.
"
Zwe:"Okay.Don'
tworr
yaboutt
his.Enj
oyyourni
ght
.
I
'l
lhandleever
ythi
ngelse.
"
Mnqobi:"
Okay.I
sSboniok-"Zwehungup.I
chuckl
ed.Mnqobiwasveryatt
achedt ohi
sbrother
s
butmostl
ySboni.Hespoketohim everyhour
.I
wonderhowmybr otherwi
llbeaffectedi nal lthi
s.I
caredabouthi m alotanditsuckst hathe' sunder18
sohecan' tmakehi sowndecisionsevent houghI
highlysuspecthe' dsi dewit
hhisf ather .Theywer e
mor ecloset hanI.Andofcour sehewassett o
i
nher i
ttheent ir
ef ami l
yfor
tune.Myf ather
technical
lyownedGol denCrown.Wer ethepeopl e
ont heinternetri
ghtaboutme?Di dIr eall
ysel lout
myownf ami ly?
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er125

SASAPOV_

Sundaymorning,IwokeupnexttoNkosi.I'
d
suggest
edwecomebackt othepalacebecauseit
wouldseem ver
ysketchythatnowthey'r
ehaving
probl
emsandwe' rer
unningaway.Ididn'
teven
knowwhattodosowe' dfetchedsomeofour
thingsf r
om ourhouseandmovedi nt ot hepalace
oncemor e.Itwassot ense.QueenNol waziand
Nkwenkwezidi dn'
tcomet odinnerlastni ght.
Nhl anhlacameal oneandsatqui et
lythr oughout.
That '
saf i
rst.Shealwayshassomet hingt osay.The
conver sati
onwasn' tent
ir
elydeadthough, t
heking
waschat t
ingtoNkosiandAmahl emost ly.Queen
Nobant u,asusual ,
veryquietandreser ved.So
maybet hat'
swher eNkosigetsthatqual ity.Shetoo
didn'tli
ketalki
ng.Isatupi nbedandst retched.
Glacivoryclimbedupt hebedcomi ngi nf oracuddle.
Me:"Mor ningsweet y."Imimed.Ihadanot hertask
todobef oreNkosiwokeup.Igotoutofbed, she
fol
lowedmet ot hebat hr
oom.I'dmanagedt oget
pregnancyt ests.Iopenedoneandr eadt he
i
nstructions.SoIpeeont hestri
ppar t.Okay,easy.I
satont het oil
etanddi di
t.Thenwaited.Ibusi ed
mysel f
,br ushingmyt eet
handwashi ngmyf ace.
Surelyitwasdonepr ocessingnow?Myhandswer e
shaking, Iwassuddenl ynervous.MaybeIshoul d
wakehi m up?Hemustchecki tandt ellme,Ifeel
l
ikeI'
m goi ngtof ai
ntifItouchthatstick.Iwalkedto
t
hebedr
oom agai
n.
Me:"Babe.
"Iwhisper
ed."Nkosi
."Heopenedhi
s
eyes,waki
ngup."Hel
lo.
"Ishenotgoingtoatl
east
str
etchandyawn?
Nkosi:"
Hilove.Whyar eyouupsoear l
y?"Asudden
desir
eforhotbutter
ysconest ickledmyt astebuds.
Ohmygod, wit
hjam.Ist hat
'swhat '
sbeen
happeningtome?Cr avings?Isn'tittooearlyfort
hat?
"Baby?What'swrong?"Hesatupf rom bed.
Me:"Nothi
ng.Ineedyout
ogot
othebat
hroom and
checkthesti
ck.
"
Nkosi
:"St
ick?
"Hewalkedt
othebat
hroom."
Ther
e's
nosti
ckherebaby.
"
Me:"
It
'ssmal
l,
nextt
othet
oil
et.
"
Nkosi
:"Ast
ick?
"
Me:"
YesNkosi
,i
t'
sri
ghtt
her
e."
Nkosi
:"Babe.Ther
e'snost
ickher
e."
Me:"Il
efti
tther
e-"Igotupandwal
kedtot
he
bat
hroom."Thereiti
s.Thewhit
eone.
"
Nkosi
:"Thi
sisn'
tast
ickmyl
ove.
"
Me:"
Whatdoesitsay?
"Hest
aredati
t,t
urni
ngi
t
ar
oundandback.
Nkosi
:"Hmm.
"Ishest
il
lsl
eepi
ng?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:"
Baby?Ar
eyouawake?
"
Nkosi:"
Iam,love.Hol
don. "Helookedatthepaper
thenthest
ickandsmi led."
You'r
ehavingmybaby. "I
star
edathimi nsurpr
ise.Hegavemet hest
ick.I
star
edatthepositi
vesi gn,
shockedoutofmy
brai
ns.
Me:"
I'
m pr
egnant
?"
Nkosi
:"It
oldyou.
"Heki
ssedmyl
ips.
Me:"Gl
aci
vor
ydi
dyouknowaboutt
hist
oo?
"We
l
aughed.
Nkosi
:"Pr
obabl
ywhyshe'
sher
e."Ihel
dmyver
yfl
at
t
ummy.
Me:"
Someonei
sgr
owi
ngi
nmybel
ly?
"
Nkosi
:"Andhe'
sthefut
ureki
ng."Hekissedme
agai
n,huggi
ngme."DoyouthinkIshouldcal
l
Tat
a?"Nkosical
ledmyfat
heruTat
a.Nocl
uewhy.
He'
sstoppedsayingsi
ral
toget
her
.
Me:"
Whati
fheget
supsett
hatwedi
dn'
tpr
event
?"
Nkosi
:"Wecan'tkeepitasecretforl
ong,myl ove.
You'
llst
artshowinginamont h.Yesyou'
llbeless
fr
equentinthepubli
ceyebutt henat
ionwillbetol
d
at20weeks.Bythenyourfatherneedstohave
beentol
dandhopef ull
ywelcomingtotheidea."
Me:"Okay.Let'swait.Fornow,Iwanti tt
obejustus.
Maybei naf ewdayswecancal lhim."Tobehonest,
Iwasscar ed.Imaybeamar ri
edl adybutIwassti
ll
myfather'
schi l
dandofcour seI'm very
embarrassedt otel
lhim we'
vebeenhavi ngsex.
Imagi
net hat?Howshamef ul
.
Nkosi
:"Hm.
..
"
Me:"
You'
rei
tchi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m,ar
en'
tyou?
"
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tli
e."
Me:"I
t'
snotevenl
ying,
you'
rej
ustkeepi
ngi
tto
your
self
."
Nkosi
:"Thatwoul
dbel
ying.
"
Me:"
Howwoul
ditevencomeupNkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"I
fwe'reonthephoneandheasks,ohhow
ar
eyouguysdoi ng?AndIsay,we'
regood,Sasai
s
pr
egnant.Li
kethat.
"
Me:"
No.Notl
iket
hat
.Youcanendi
tatwe'
regood.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatwouldbel
ying.We'r
enotjustgood,
we'
regreat.That
'st
hepregnantpar
t.I
t'
sabuildup.
"
Me:"
Thenj
ustsaywe'
regr
eat
."
Nkosi
:"Buthe'
l
laskwhyar
ewesogr
eatt
hen?
"
Me:"
Love.You'
renott
ell
ingmyf
athert
oday.Okay?
"
Nkosi
:"WhataboutZwe?
"
Me:"
Samet
imeasmyf
ather
."
Nkosi:"
Mthunzi?He'
l
lknowsomet
hingi
sup.He
canreadmel i
keabook."
Me:"Mthunziboughtt
hepregnancytestNkosi
.I
thi
nkheknowsbutyes, maybeMt hunzi
.Butonl
y
him."
Nkosi
:"Okay.Fornow,
let
'st
akeawar m bat
h.Iwant
t
otakeyououtbutourplansgotdi
srupt
ed
yest
erday.
"
Me:"Bef
oret
hat
,Idesper
atel
yneedscones.Have
youspokent
oyourmother?"
Nkosi
:"Idi
d,yest
erday.I
'
llcheckonhersomet
ime
t
oday.Fatheri
srefusi
ngtoletthem l
eave.
"
Me:"
Areyouser
ious?Why?
"
Nkosi
:"Youcan'
tdi
vor
ceaKi
ng.
"Hemumbl
ed.
Me:"
Whatwast
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Youcan'
tdi
vor
ceaKi
ng.
"
Me:"
WHAT.
"
Nkosi
:"Butwedon'
thavet
owor
ryaboutt
hat
,we'
re
i
nlove.
"
Me:"
Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Nkosi
,whatdo
youmeanyoucan'
t
?"
Nkosi
:"Yeah.
"Hescr
atchedhi
shead.
Me:"
Nkosi
?"
Nkosi
:"Butyoul
ovemebaby,
it'
snotl
ikeyou'
l
lwant
t
oleavemeatsomepoint
."
Me:"Ohwedon'
tknowt
hat
,si
r.Sowhati
sshe
goi
ngtodo?
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'
tknowyetbutshei spl
anni
ngon
l
eavingregar
dless.She'
sreal
lydonewit
hhi
m and
r
ight
f ul
lyso.
"
Me:"
Butwhynow?I
t'
sbecauseofmei
sn'
tit
?"
Nkosi
:"Par
tl
ybutnotnecessar
il
yyou.
"
Me:"
Howi
sitpar
tl
yme?
"
Nkosi:"Mot herwasmor eorl esst ryingt ogett othis
pointifI'
m put t
ingitcorrect l
y.Whenshecame
homewi t
hf ather,shetried.Shewoul dcookf orhim,
gethim drinks,trytotalkt ohi m.Butf atheri sfather.
Ithinktheonl ypersonr emot elycl oset o
understandinghi mf ul
lyi sfir
stmot her.After
Amahl ewasbor n,secondmot herst oppedt rying.
Shemost l
yj ustfocusedont het wi ns, becauseI
wasnoti nterestedinbei ngcuddl edandat tendedt o.
Amahl ehadf at
her'sful
lat tention."
Me:"OhmyGod. "Nowhe'sdeci
dedtostartdoi
ng
foranot
herpersonwhatshe'
dtri
edt
owor kforand
notbeenappreciat
edf
or.I
sthatwhythetwinsare
mean?Itwasawayofclappingbacktothecold
tr
eatmentt
hey'
vealwaysr
eceived?Ineededto
speaktoAmahleandaskhersideofthestor
yas
well
.

Aft erourbat h,Iwentt ogetdr essed.Not hing

stressedmemor et hant his.Iwasusual lyinsi mple
maxi dressesbuther e,thegamehadanewl evel.I
neededt ol ookl i
keIbel onged.Icheckedi nmynew
dressesandf oundanon- dressi tem aswel l.WasI
allowedi npant s?I twasawi del egbl ackflowypant
andmat chingt op.I tcover edmyshoul dersand
cleavage, andnoski nwasshowi ngbymybel l
y
sincet hepant swer ehighwai sted.Ithadaf l
oor
l
engt hcar diganaswel l
,Ilovedi tsomuch.Il eftfor
theki tchen, readyt omakemyscones.Ineededt o
callQueenBi yel aaswel l.Icheckedt hel oungeand
noonewast her e.Itwoul dbei mpossi bl
etocheck
wher eever yonei s.Thispal acei sdoubl ethesi zeof
thebi ggestmal lI'vebeent o.AndI 'vebeent oaver y
bigone.Iwentt ot hekitcheni nstead.Theki tchen
staf fwer esittingonabench, get ti
ngupassoonas
Ient
ered.Dot
heysither
eandwaitf
orsomeonet
o
needsomethi
ng?That'
scrazy.
Me:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Pal
ma:"Goodmor ni
ng,
YourHi
ghness.CanImake
somet
hingforyou?"
Me:"Nothankyou.Doyoumindbor
rowi
ngmet
he
ki
tchenf
orjust40minut
es?Iwantt
obake.
"
Pal
ma:"
Icanbakeanyt
hing,
YourHi
ghness.Justl
et
meknowwhatyouneed.
"
Me:"I
'dpref
erdoi
ngitmyself
,pl
easedon'
ttake
of
fense.
"Theyobviousl
ytookof
fense.
Pal
ma:"
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em,
YourHi
ghness?
"
Me:"Ohno.Nopr oblem.Ij
ustli
kebaki
ngandi
t
wouldbeupsett
ingifmyonehobbywasnot
al
lowed.
"Ichuckled.Theystar
tedt
orelax.
Pal
ma:"Oh.Ift
hat'
sthecaset
hen,
wecanhel
p."I
am goi
ngtogoinsane.HowdoImaket
hisst
op
wit
houtsoundi
ngrude?
Me:"Thatwon'
tbenecessar
y,ma.Ij
ustneedyouto
showmewher ethebaki
ngessent
ial
sare.I
'vegoti
t
handledfr
om ther
e."Bef
oremor eprotest
ingIdial
ed
forQueenBiyel
a.Isherhouseholdalsothishands
on?Igiggl
ed.
Queen:"
Hel
losweetl
ove.
"
Me:"
Himama.Howar
eyou?
"
Queen:"
Iam gr
eat
,howar
eyou?
"
Me:" I
'm doingwell
.Iwantedtoaskforsome
pointers.I
'
m abouttobake,thesconeswehad
yesterdaywer etodi
eforandifyoudon'tmi
nd,
can
youhel pmewi t
hthereci
pe?"
Queen:"
Oh,I
'dlovetosweetheart
.Let
'sdoi t
toget
her
.Whatyou'l
lneedis,plai
nfl
our,baki
ng
powder,
sal
t,butt
er,
sugar,
mi lkandeggs."
Me:"Alr
ight.
"It
urnedar
ound,fi
ndingPalmather
e
holdi
ngashoppingbasket
.Whati st
hisnow?She
l
edmei ntothepantr
ydoorthatobvi
ousl
ywasn'ta
pantr
y.Thiswasasupermarket.I
NSIDETHE
KITCHEN? ?
Me:"
Wow.
"
Queen:"
Theki
tcheni
sincr
edi
blei
sn'
tit
?"
Me:"
You'
vebeeni
nsi
de?
"
Queen:"Ohyes.Manymoonsago,Amahl
ewasst
il
l
ababy."Igi
ggled,
picki
ngoutmypr
oduct
sand
goi
ngbackt othekit
chen.
Me:"Igoteverythingmama."Shegui dedme
thr
oughstepbyst ep,al
sot
ell
ingmeabouther
bouti
que,wit
ht heirupcomi
ngl aunch.Iputt
he
sconesinthepr eheat
edoven,stil
lchatt
ingt
oher
onloudspeaker.
Queen:"I'
m goingtosendyousomepi eces.The
bouti
quecat er
salotforusasroyalsbutIdokeep
speci
fi
cpi ecesstr
ict
lyforr
oyals.Forexampl e,any
i
tem gif
tedtothequeenscanneverber epli
catedor
sol
d."
Me:"That'
sunderst
andabl
e.So,mama,doyouhave
ahomewearr ange?Mostoftheti
me,I'
m studying
especi
all
ynowwe' r
egoingint
oexam season."
Queen:"
Thatwoul
dbeanexci ti
ngchall
engef orme.
Comfort
abl
ehomeweart hatsti
lll
ooksstyl
ish.
You'
resuchadarl
ing.
"Igi
ggled.
Me:"
I'
mlooki
ngf
orwar
dtoseei
ngt
hosedesi
gns.
"
Queen:"
Letmestartmappingi
tout,
myangel
.We'
l
l
t
alksoon.Thankyoufort
hecall
."
Me:"
Thankyouf oryourhel
pQueenBiyel
a.Havea
l
ovel
yday."Wehungup.Wher ewaseveryone?All
t
hestaf
fwer ebowingdown.What'
shappeningnow?
"
Guys?Ithoughtwehadt al
ked.
"
"Goodmorni
ngNobomi."Igotaf
ri
ght
,al
most
droppi
ngmyphone.Ibowed.
Me:"
Myqueen.Goodmor
ning.
"
Nobant
u:"
Whyar
eyoui
ntheki
tchen?
"
Me:"
Uhm,
Iwasbaki
ngmyqueen.
"
Nobant
u:"
Youwer
eont
hephone.
"
Me:"Yesmyqueen.QueenBi yel
awasguidi
ngme
thr
oughtheprocess.I
'm maki
ngscones.
"Ipoi
nted
attheoven.Sheconti
nuedtostar
eatme.
Nobantu:"
Isee."Ididn'
tknowmuchaboutQueen
Nobantu.Sherarelysaidaword.Asksaf ew
questi
onsbutthat'sit
.Iwonderifshe'
dalways
beenli
kethatorshet ooadjust
edt oi
taft
er
marryi
ngKingSi khosanali
keQueenNol wazidi
d.
Myhear tachedforher.Iwoul
d'venevermar r
ied
NkosiifIwasn'tsur
ethathelovedmebutever yone
i
sdi f
ferentandthi
swasnotmybusi ness.But
beforeit'
snotmybusiness,di
dt heKingshow
aff
ectiontoNobantuthen?Thatwoul dbespicy.
Thingsar et
enseasis.
Nobant
u:"
Wouldyoucar
etoj
oinusi
nthecour
tyar
d
f
orabever
age?
"
Me:"I'
dloveto.
"Shewalkedouttheki
tchen,I
fol
lowedheroutall
thewaytothecourtyar
d.I
expect
edittobeherandAmahl ebutnopeitwas
bothqueens.
Me:"
Goodmor ningmyqueen.
"Wesatdown.She
di
dn'
trespond.
Nobant u:"
I'
vecalledthismeet i
ngbecauseaswe' r
e
allaware,Thembi saandNkosi nhle'
snat ional
weddi ngisi
nt hr
eeweeks.Weneedt ost ar
twi t
hthe
preparati
on."Threeweeks?I '
dbef i
nishingmy
examsj ustthen.Andi sn'
tthatjusttoosoonf ora
nationalwedding?Evenr egularweddi ngst ake
mont hstoplan.
Me:"Myqueen, woul
dn'
titbebetteri
fwepost poned
i
tforanother
..
.sayaweek?I'
m starti
ngmyexams
thi
sThursdayandI'dbewrit
ingupunt i
ltheagreed
date.
"
Nobantu:"Youwantthenati
ontowai tf
oryouunt il
youfi
nishwr i
ti
ngyourexams?"Idon'tt
hinkthey
havemuchofachoi ceatthi
sstage.Ineedtof ocus
onschool.Thisisj
ustawedding,yesforthenation.
Notevenforme, Iwasalr
eadymar ri
edtomyman
andhadabal l.
Me:"I
twouldbedif
ficul
tenoughf ormet
ofocuson
pr
eparati
onsandstudyi
ng,myqueen.IfIcanat
l
eastfi
nishbef
oret
heact ualevent.
"
Nobant
u:"
No.Thedatehasbeenfinal
izedand
unl
esssomeonei
sdead,itcan'
tbechanged.Do
youwantt
oweighinNolwazi?"
Nolwazi
:"Whyam Iher
e?It
houghtI
'
dmademysel
f
cl
earthatIwantnopar
toft
his.
"
Nobant
u:" Unfort
unatel
y,you'
reaqueenandyou
don'
thavet heluxur
yofchoicetonotbepartofi
t.
You'
resti
llamemberoft hi
sfamil
y."
Nol
wazi:"
Youseem tobeenj
oyi
ngthi
s,socar
ry
on.
"Shelookedoutatt
hegar
den.
Nobant u:"Thetailorhasst ar
teddesigningyour
dress, t
hesear et hef i
rstseventempl at
es.Pl
ease
pickonet hatyouwoul dlike.
"Shehandedmesome
paper s.Ilookedt hrought hem,thetensionwasso
thick.Ifatleast,Amahl ewasher e.Eventhetwi
ns
ket okeept heairlight
.
Me:"
Thi
sonel
ooksokay.
"
Nobant
u:"Ar
eyousure?"Ial
socan'
tchangemy
mindaboutt
hisl
ater
,canI?
Me:"
It
'sj
ustt
hat
,it
'st
hecl
osestt
owhatIwant
."
Nobant
u:"
Canyoudesi
gnwhatyouwant
?"
Me:"No.I
'm badatdrawi
ng.Iknowsomeonewho'
s
goodatdesi
gning,t
heycanhelp."
Nobantu:"Wehaveanin-
housetai
lorforareason.
Pleaselearnt
ousethepal
acefaci
li
ty.Thi
sincludes
thehelp."
Me:"
Isi
taboutthebaki
ng?
"Shest
aredatme.
Nol
wazichuckl
ed.
Nobant
u:"No.It
'snotaboutthebaki
ng."Wasshe
bei
ngsarcast
ic?It
sdiff
icul
ttofi
gureherout
.
Me:"
Mama-
"
Nobant
u:"
Queen.
"
Me:"Myqueen, Iapol
ogi
ze.If
indi
tqui
tedif
fi
cultt
o
si
tsti
llandwaittobeser
vedespeci
all
ybecauseI
haveaspecif
icwayofhowIl i
kemyfood."
Nobant u:"
OhIcant ell
.However ,
hereinthepal
ace,
theservantsserve,t
hechef scook,t
hecleaner
s
clean,t
het ai
lor
sdesignandmakecl ot
hingandthe
gardenerspickthefrui
t.Youwi l
lbecrownedqueen
i
naf ewmont hs,i
tisimperati
vetoactaccordi
ngly.
"
Me:"
But
,That
'snotwhoIam.
"
Nobant
u:"Andwhoareyou,NobomiSikhosana?
"
Thi
sisnothappeni
ng.Nol
wazichuckl
ed.
Nol
wazi
:"Whati
sthechi
ckensj
obagai
n?Ohyeah,
t
heycometoroost
.".
.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_
IwokeupSundaymor ni
ngwit
hknocki
ngonmy
door.Igotupt
oopen.Mil
esst
oodther
ehol
dinghi
s
teddybear.
Si
bo:"
Heybuddy.
"
Mi
les:"
Hel
loUncl
eBobo.
"
Si
bo:"
Whendi
dyougether
e?"
Mil
es:"
UncleZwef
etchedme.
"Hewal
kedi
n.I
cl
osedthedoor
.
Si
bo:"
Didyoueat
?"
Miles:"Yes.Ihadapor ri
dgeandsandwi ch."What
ti
mewasi tthen?Ipi ckedupmyphone.Mi dday.
Wow.Ihadaf ewmessagesaswel lfr
om Zimmy.
<HiPr i
nceSi bonelo.Canwemeetup?Ther e'
s
somet hingweneedt otalkabout.>Wast hefi
rst
message.<Per hapsIcoul dcomet oyourhouse?>
Wast hesecond.<IknowIaskedf ortheweekend
offandst uffbutthisisoutsideofwork.>Wast he
thi
rd.Whatwasgoi ngon?It houghtshewasi n
GoldenCr ownwi t
hMel o.Thesemessageswer e
fr
om yester
day.Isentheramessageback:<hey.I
didn'
tcheckmyphoneyest er
day.WhatcanIhelp
with?
>Isentit
.Ar epl
ycame:<Weneedt otal
k.Can
Icomeseeyou? >Aboutwhatnow?Iwr ot
eback.
Si
bo:<Youcant
ext
,it
'sf
ine.
>
Zimmy:<Thisisnotaphoneconver sat
ion.Wecan
meetatMnqobi '
s.Wejustcamebackf rom church.
>
Thesameper sonwhowasoncer efusi
ngt oseeme
andonlywantedt ocommunicatewithtechnology?
Int
oengiy'
hlut
shwayoemhl abeniKaNkul unkul
u.
(Thet
hingsIsufferinGod'
swor l
d.)
Sibo:<I
'
llbether
ein30.
>IleftMil
eswithmyphone
whohadmadehi msel
fcomfort
ablei
nmybed.I
tookashowerandcamebackt odress.Somebl
ack
fi
ttedsweatpant
s,abl
ackt-
shir
tandsneaker
s.
Sibo:"
Let'
sgol i
tt
lepri
nce.
"Icarr
iedhim outt
he
room becausehisfocuswasonhi sshownow.I
foundZwei nthelounge,
playi
ngwi t
hMia.
Zwe:
"Oht
her
ehei
s."Asi
fhedi
dn'
tsendhi
m.
Sibo:"
Hey.I
'm goi
ngdowntoMnqobi
'
shouse,
I
needtospeaktoZimmy."
Zwe:
"Okay,
let
'sgo.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m dr
ivi
ng.
"
Zwe:"
Allgoodwit
hme.
"Iwal
kedout
,pl
aci
ngMi
les
i
nthebackseat
.
Sibo:"Doyouseeyouneedababyseat ?Lookat
howsmal lyouare.
"Ifast
enedhi
sseatbelt
,ti
ckl
ing
hi
sf ace.Hegiggl
ed.Zwefast
enedMia'sandwe
droveoff.
Zwe:
"Wor
krel
ated?
"
Sibo:"Shesaysiti
sn'tsoIdon'
tknow."Ichecked
thekidsintherear
viewthenlookedbackont he
road.
Zwe:
"Maybeshe'
sfi
nal
lyt
ell
i
ngyouhowshef
eel
s."
Si
bo:"
Aboutwhat
?"
Zwe:"
Forone,
shedi
dn'
tgot
otheconcer
tshehad
pl
annedtogoto.
"
Sibo:"Thatcan'
tbemyf aul
t.Shemusthavehadher
reasons."Ipar
kedthecar.
Zwe:
"Justkeepanopenmi
ndokay?What
evershe
t
ell
syou,
tryandbeki
nd.
"
Si
bo:"
I'
m al
wayski
nd.
"
Zwe:"Youfor
getIknowyou? "Wegotoutwi
ththe
ki
ds,walki
ngintothehouse.Theywal
kedouttot
he
backyar
dasZi mmycamei n.Anicear
omaf i
ll
edt
he
ai
r,makingmei nst
antl
yhungry.
Si
bo:"
Iwasbei ngi
nvit
edf
orl
unchkant
i?Thi
sis
sweet
."Isati
nthedini
ngt
abl
e.
Zi
mmy:"
Hi.
"
Si
bo:"
Hel
lo.
"
Zi
mmy:" Doyoumindifwetal
kthatsi
de.
..
"She
poi
nteddownthepassage.
Sibo:"
Ithi
nkI'
mfinehere.What
'st
heprobl
em.
"She
l
ookednervous,f
idget
y."Whydi
dn'
tyougotoyour
concert
?"
Zimmy:"That'
s.
..Thisi
swhywe' r
ehavingthi
stalk.I
don'
tknowhowt otel
lyouthi
s.I
'mjustasconfused.
AndIneedyout oknowI '
m nott
ryi
ngtotrapyou.If
youdon'twantanypartofthi
s,i
tsokay.I
under
stand."
Si
bo:"
Zimmy,I'
mreal
lyhungr
y.I
fyoucanj
ustt
ell
mewhatthi
sisabout
."
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m pr
egnant
."
Si
bo:"Noyou'
renot
."Ist
aredather
.Thi
shadt
obe
aprank.
Zi
mmy:" Itookaf ewuri
netest
s.Theywereall
posi
ti
ve.I'
vebeensi ckf
orawhile,
vomitt
ingand
st
uff
.I'
m car r
yingyourchi
ldSi
bonelo.
"
[
07/
27,
06:
16] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er126

SASA'
SPOV_

Thetal
kwiththeQueensdi dnotgowell
.Iwasnot
happynorwoul dIcompromisemyschoolingforan
event
.That'
snott hedealt
hatImade.We'l
lfinda
wayaroundit.Iwentbacktotheki
tchentotakemy
sconesoutoftheovenbutIfoundthem al
ready
takenout.Thi
spissedmeof ft
onoend.Aft
erIhad
specif
ical
lyasked,
nicel
y,t
ohavethi
slef
tal
one.
Me:"
Why.
"Iasked.
Pal
ma:"
Theywer
edone,
YourHi
ghness.
"
Me:" Ihear dthet imergoof ffivemi nutesago.The
oveni saut omat ic, itswit
chesof f.Pleasedon' tever
dot hisagai n.Iwasspeci fic.Idonotwanthel p.My
hobbyi snotagr ouppr oject.PleasePal ma.I '
m
askingj ustthisonet hi
ng. "Shest aredatmewi t
han
atti
tudeIcoul dn'tcar etopayat tentionto.Ruining
mywhol eappet ite.Howdi dthisdaygof rom happy
newst othis??Justcont rolli
ngandcol d?Idon' t
evenwantt oshar emysconesanymor e.Ipackaged
them inacont ainerandputt hem asi dekeepingt wo
formysel f
.Wher ewasAmahl eatleast?Nkosi nhle
waswi thhisf atherpai ntingandIdi dn'twantt o
dist
ur bthem.Iam notaboutt ogosi tinthat
cour t
yard.Icoul dj ustreadabooki nmyr oom.I
boil
edsomewat erandmadear ooibosteaf or
mysel f.
Nkosi
:"Yesl
ove?
"Igotaf
ri
ght
."Youcal
led.
"
Me:"Huh? "Ohhh,ever
yti
meIthi
nkofhisnamehe
hearsit
."Iwasn'tcal
li
ngyoul
ove,Iwasonly
thi
nkingaboutyou."
Nkosi
:"Thesesmel
lni
ce.
"
Me:"
I'
m notshar
ing.
"
Nkosi:"Whynot ?Youalwaysshare."He'
sri
ght,
Ido
al
waysshar e.Pal
madoesn'tdeservemysnippy
att
it
ude.Shewasonl yt
ryingt
ohelp.Thosetwo
l
adiesi nthecourt
yardaretur
ningmei nt
o
somet hingI'
m notandIhatei
t.
Me:"Let
'sputsomeonapl ate,
putsomebut t
erand
j
am, youcanhavethem wit
hyourfather
."It
ookthe
but
terandjam fr
om thef
ri
dge.
Nkosi
:"Whymusthegetscones?
"
Me:"
Youwantt
osi
tther
eandeatsconesal
one?
"
Nkosi
:"Pr
efer
abl
y.Hedoesn'
tevenl
ikescones.
"
Me:"
Youdon'
tli
kescones.
"
Nkosi:"
Ili
keyour
s."Ispr
eadt
hebutterl
ett
ingi
t
meltandsomebitofjam onf
ourscones.
Me:"
Her
eyougo.Youcangr
abt
heset
wo.
"Igave
hi
mtwocokes.
Nkosi:"
Thankyou.Il
oveyou.
"Heki
ssedmyli
ps
walki
ngout.Isi
ghed,maki
ngmyownbutt
ered
scones.
Me:"
I'
m sorr
yPal
ma, Iknowyouwer
etr
yingt
ohel
p.
Her
e,havesomescones."
Pal
ma:"
We'
renotal
lowedt
oYourHi
ghness.
"
Me:"
Why?
"
Palma:"Wehaveourownsuppli
esi
ntheser
vant
s
quart
ers,t
hat
'swher
eweeat."
Me:"Palma,nooneelseinthishouseisgoi
ngtoeat
thesescones.Pl
easetakethem orI'
m wal
kingt
o
theservant
squarter
scarryi
ngthem onmyhead."
Shechuckled.
Pal
ma:"Thankyou.
"Itookmyt eaandsconesgoi
ng
uptoAmahle'
sroom fi
rst
.Iknockedandopened,
wal
kingi
n.Shewasr eadi
ngherbook.
Me:"
Hey,
Imadescones.
"
Ama:"
Why?
"
Me:"Iwascravi
ngt
hem.Tast
e."Shet
ookone,
bi
ti
ngintoi
t.
Ama:"
It
'sgood.
"
Me:"
Hmm.
"Isatont
hechai
r,eat
ing.
Ama:"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Me:"
Yourf
ami
ly.
"Shel
aughed.
Ama:"Ican'
tsayI
'
veneverwar
nedyou.What
happened?"
Me:"Yourmot herssummonedmet othecourtyar
d.
Thedatethat'sfi
nali
zedi
sthedayaf t
erIfi
nish
exams.I'
m alreadyswampedwi t
hschoolwor kbut
i
t'
snotallowedt obechanged.Unlessofcourse
someonedi es.Someonecouldbeme. "
Ama:"
Notyet
,mommy.Ineedmyper
son.
"
Me:"
Allt
hist
ime,
youknewI
'
m pr
egnant
?It
ooka
t
estt
hismorni
ng.
"
Ama:"
YesIknew.
"
Me:"
Whatel
sedoyouknow?
"
Ama:"
He'
sanot
herr
eincar
nat
ion.
"Ist
aredather
.
Who?Sur elyNgidumisewast hemostcruelri
ght ?
There'
snomor esurpri
sesr i
ght?Andwhydot hey
allwanttocomeback?Di dtheyenjoybeingalive?I
meansur e,beingaSikhosanar oyali
senjoyableif
youletyourself,
li
keIwill
.I'
m goingtoletmysel f
.
Hatersaregonnahat e.I
magi nenothavinghappy
ti
mesbecausepeopl edon'tknowhowt odance?
Thatwillneverbeme.
Me:"
Pleaset
ellmeyou'
rej
oki
ng.
"Shel
aughed.
Ama:"I
'm ki
dding.Nkosi
yokut
hul
aishi
sspir
it
.He'
l
l
beapeacefulKing.Ver
ylovi
ngandwarm.Li
ke
you.
"Isi
ghed.
Me:"That'
sgoodtohear
.Ifeell
ikei
thasn'tset
tl
ed
i
nyet.We'vedeci
dednottotel
lanyonefornow.
Justforafewdays.
"
Ama:"
Okay.Howi
sZi
mmy?
"
Me:"Ispoketoherear
li
er,
theywer
eont
hei
rway
backfrom chur
ch.
"
Ama:"
Woul
dyoul
iket
oat
tendchur
ch?
"
Me:"
Woul
dthatbepossi
ble?
"
Ama:"
No.
"
Me:"
Thenno.
"
Ama:"Youchoset
obequeen,
sweet
ie.
"If
ini
shed
mylastscone.
Me:"Tr
uckloadofadj
usti
ng.Hey,
Iwantedt
oask
yousomething.Whydon'
tyoutal
ktoNkwenkwezi
andNhlanhla?"
Ama:"
Andsaywhatt
othem?
"
Me:"
Justsi
stert
alk?
"
Ama:"Thatwoul
dneverwor
k.Thetwi
nsarethe
meanestpeopl
eyouknowbutmult
ipl
iedby2."
Me:"
Soyou'
veneverhadar
elat
ionshi
pwi
tht
hem?
"
Ama:"Noandi
fyouevent
ryt
omaket
hisyour
pr
oject
-"
Me:"Oh,youdonothavet owor ryaboutme.Ihave
schoolt
of ocuson.I'
m al
readythenumber1vi l
lai
n
here.Myassignmentneedst obedonebymi dnight
sothatt
omor rowIfocusonst udyi
ng."
Ama:"
Real
ly?
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Me:"I
t'
sajuicypr
oject
,Iwon'
tli
ebuthonest
lyI
'
ve
hadmyf i
ll
.MaybeI'
llt
ryi
namont h'
sti
me."She
l
aughed.
Ama:"
Itwon'
thappen.
"
Me:"
Finet
hen.I
'
llseeyoul
aterhousemat
e."
Ama:"Bye."Iwal kedoutwi thmyplateandcup,
taki
ngthem tot hekitchenonourfloor.Ipl
aced
them i
nthesinkandwal kedawaybecauset hest
aff
wasalreadylooki ngatme.I nmyroom, Isetupmy
computerandl ear ni
ngsystem,pul
lingoutmy
books.Iyawned.Maybeanhournapt henIcan
star
t.

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Wast
hisaj
oke?Sur
elyIwasbei
ngbamboozl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Zimasa.You'
renotpr
egnant
."
Zimmy:"I'
mtel
li
ngyouItookhomepr egnancytest
s
thatal
lcameoutposi
ti
veSibone-youknowwhat .I
knewyou'dbel
ikethi
s.For
getIsaidanythi
ng."
Sibo:"FORGET?Zi masa,
incaseyou'
ve
convenientl
yforgot
tenweusedcondomsandgot
yourinject
ionthi
ng.Howcanyoupossibl
ybe
pregnant?"Ihi
ssed.
Zimmy:"
Fir
stofall
,ther
e'sawai
ti
ngperi
od.Wehad
sext
heexactday.AndIhappenedtobeovul
ati
ng-
"
Si
bo:"
OVULATI
NG?
"
Zimmy:"I'
m notgoi
ngthr
ought
hiswi
thyou.Ij
ust
thoughtyou'
dli
ketoknow."
Si
bo:"
Zimasa.Zi
masa,
sayyou'
rej
oki
ng.I
t'
sokay,
I
won'
tbemad."
Zi
mmy:"
Whywoul
dIj
okeaboutTHI
Sofal
lthi
ngs?
"
Si
bo:"
Isi
tmi
ne?
"Shest
aredatme,
shockedorhur
t.
Zi
mmy:"Nevermi
nd."Shet
ookherbagwal
kingout
.
Hey?If
oll
owedherout.
Si
bo:"
Wher
edoyout
hinkyou'
regoi
ng?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Home!
"
Si
bo:"
Tel
lmet
het
rut
h,i
sthi
smychi
ld-
"
Zi
mmy:"
Whoel
se'
schi
ldcoul
dthi
sbe!
!!Youar
ethe
oneIwassl eepingwi t
h!!
!"Shescr eamed." AsIsai
d.
I'
l
ltakecareofmyown.Don' tbother .
"Shetypedon
herphone.Cabswer en'
tall
owedi nsoshe' s
obviousl
ynotgoi nganywher eespeci all
ynot
walkingi
nt hose6i nchheelsal lt
hewayt othegat
e.
Howwasshepr egnant?Thisisnotat hi
ngt hat
happensright?Yoh, Zweisgoi ngtoki l
lme.Nkosi
saidthi
syest er
dayandIdi dn'tbelievehim.
Si
bo:"
Let
'st
alki
nsi
det
hehouse.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoyou.
"
Sibo:"Unfort
unat el
yyouhavet o.Wal k."Shest ared
atme." NgiyakhulumaZi masa. "Shewal kedi nside
thehouse.Myheadwasst art
ingt ospi nsoIsat
down." Iam sohungr y."Imumbl ed.Coul dn'tshe
haveatl eastwai t
edunt i
lIf i
nishedeat ing?Shegot
upwal kingaway.Idi dn'thavet heener gyfort his
backandf or
th.Iwasst ressed.Havi ngachi ldwas
notapr oblem formebutZwewoul dlect ureforsur e.
Fordamnsur e.Noman, howdi dthishappen?
What '
sawai ti
ngper iodf or?Zwedi dn'texplaint his.
Shebr oughtat raytothet ablepl acingi tfr
ontofme.
Sibo:"
Whatdidyouputi
nthi
sfood?Youwer
e
screamingatmetwominut
esago."
Zimmy:"Mxi
m.Godishf
oryoursel
fthen.
"Shet
ri
ed
totaket
hepl
ate,
Ihel
dontoit
.
Sibo:"
Idi dn'tsaytakei t.Ijustwant edt oknowsoI
cantellthedoct orwheni tst artstowor k.
"Istarted
eati
ng.Thi swasdel ici
ous.Themut tonwas
succulent,theveget ablesper fect
lyspi cedand
crunchy.Ifinishedt hewhol epl at
eandl i
ckedmy
fi
ngers."Thankyou. "Shel ookedatme." Idon't
knowwhatt osayZi masa.Iam st i
llshockedand
defi
nitel
ywasn' texpectingt his.Areyousur e?
Nevermind.Wecanmakesur e,IguessIcan' tavoid
Zwe.Wena, howar eyouf eeling?"
Zimmy:"Hal
ftheti
mesick.ButI'
llbeokay.
"Ist
hat
what'
sbeenhappeningtome?No, t
hatwasn'
tit
.I
hadagenuinemedicali
nci
dent.There'
snowayI
cangethersymptoms,wedon'tshareabodyand
we'r
enotevenint
imateanymore.
Si
bo:"
Okay.Whati
syourpl
an?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Mypl
anwast
ogi
vebi
rt
h,dr
opoutand
focusonthebusinessandbaby.Thebusi
nesswi l
l
givemeani ncometotakecar
eofhim orher.Once
she's3,
theycanattenddaycareandI'
l
lstar
tschool
againprobabl
ypartti
me."
Si
bo:"
Whydoesyourpl
annoti
ncl
udeme?Yousai
d
I
'mthefat
her
?"
Zimmy:"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyou'dwantt
obepar tofi
t,of
us.It
houghtyou'
daccusemeoftrappingyouwi t
h
thebaby.Ir
eal
lydi
dn'
tplanthi
sSibonelo.
"
Si
bo:"Iknow."Il
ookedather
.Thegodswer
eonmy
si
dethisti
me, wer
en'tt
hey?"
Doyouknowhowfar
al
ongyouar e?"
Zi
mmy:"
Notof
fi
cial
ly,
no.If
oundoutonFr
iday.
"
Si
bo:"
Ist
hatwhyyoudi
dn'
tgot
oGol
denCr
own?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Most
ly.
"
Sibo:"
Whatel
sest
oppedyou?
"Shel
ookedather
hands.
Zi
mmy:"Justbei
ngsi
ck,
not
hingmuch.
"Iwas
hopi
ngshe'
dsayme.
Si
bo:"
We'
l
ldot
hist
oget
herZi
m.I
'
m notpar
ti
cul
arl
y
exci
ted.Ihadpl
annedtofirstgetmar r
iedbef
ore
babi
escameal ong.Anditwasn'tevenanowpl an,
I
wantedtowaitafewyearsbutt here'
snothi
ngwe
candonow.We' l
lsoldi
erthrough."
Zi
mmy:"
Real
ly?
"
Si
bo:"Yeah.We'l
ltal
kthedetai
lsthroughaswego.I
st
il
lneedtoprocessthi
swhol ething.I
'm goi
ngto
beadad."Ichuckl
ed."Haveyout oldyourparent
s?"
Zimmy:"Notyet
.Theonlypeopl
ewhoknowar et
he
gi
rls.I
'
m sorr
yyouweren'tt
hefi
rstt
oknow,t
hey
werehereandencour
agingmetodot het
est
becauseofmysymptoms. "
Si
bo:"
That
'sokay.
"
Zi
mmy:" Souhm.
..Maybeweshoul
dgoback
out
side.
"
Si
bo:"Areyoufeel
inganydi
ff
erent
,besidest
he
si
ckness.Ki
cksandstuff
?"Shesmiled.
Zi
mmy:"I
t'
swaaayt
ooear
lyf
ort
hat
.Wehavea
l
ongwaytogo.
"
Si
bo:"
Canwegot
othehospi
talt
omor
row?Iwant
t
ochecki
fever
ythi
ngi
sokay.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.Wecan.
"
Sibo:"
Good."Shel
ookedli
keshewant
edt
osay
somethingmorebuthel
dback.
Zi
mmy:" Wouldyoul
ikesomethingt
odrink?
"Okayit
wassinki
ngin.Shewascarryi
ngmychild.Mybaby.
Theexcit
ementwasstart
ingtobubbl
einmyt hr
oat
.
Sibo:"
Yespl ease.Anyjuiceisfine.Pleasetakeoff
theshoes."Shet ookthem off,walki
ngt othe
kit
chen.I
magi nest r
aini
ngmychi ldinhighheels?
Yestheylookedsexybutcomeonnow.She
broughtmebackappl ejuice.
Zimmy:"I'
m goi
ngt ogoli
edowni nthesunandifI
di
dn'tmentioni
tSibonel
o,thankyou.Iwasreal
ly
nervousandnotexpecti
ngmuch.Wor kingt
ogether
withthi
smeansalottome. "
Sibo:"I
'm upsetthatyou'dthi
nkI'
dabandonmyf i
rst
chil
dbuti t
'sokay.You'rewelcome."Shesmil
ed,
walkingoutthebackdoor .WhenwasMnqobi
comi ngbacksoIcoul dtellhi
m he'
sabouttobean
uncle.Zwewal kedin.
Zwe:
"Br
other
."
Si
bo:"
Hey.
"
Zwe:
"Howdoyoueatwi
thoutme?
"
Si
bo:"
IgaveyouawifeZweandyoudeci
dedt
o
pl
aygames.Thati
sn'
tmybusiness.
"
Zwe:
"Howdoyougopi
mpi
ngmeoutl
iket
hat
?"
Sibo:"
She'syourexacttypeZwe.She'
sperf
ectf
or
you.She'
sverysweet ,she'
sbeaut
if
uland.
..
she
l
oveshistory,
probablymorethanyoudobecause
shehasadegr eeinit
."
Zwe:
"Adegr
eeSi
bonel
o?"
Si
bo:"Ohyes.Awhol edegreei
nit.Idon'
tknow
whatelseyouwant.Allyouhadtodoi saskherout
onadat eandl
eteverythi
ngworkitsel
fout.
"
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.I
'
llaskheroutonadat
e."Hesmi
led.
Si
bo:"
Good.Whil
styou'
rest
il
lint
hatgoodmood,
Zi
mmyi spr
egnantwit
hmychild.
"
Zwe:
"Excuseme?
!"
Si
bo:"
Justf
oundout
."
Zwe:"Andyouthoughtyou'
djustsli
pthati
nthere?
You'
resneaky!Howthehelldidt
hishappen?Didn'
t
youaskforcontr
acept
ives?"
Sibo:"
Theydi dn'
twor
k.AbakwaBi
yel
aar
eti
redof
games, you'
renotmakingamove.
"
Zwe:
"Howar
eyouf
eel
ingabouti
t?"
Si
bo:"
Sti
llsur
pri
sedbutI
'
m war
mingupqui
ckl
y."
Zwe:"
Congrat
ulat
ions,br
other
.You'
regoi
ngt
o
makethebestf
ather.
"
Sibo:"
Thankyou.Wehavet
ocomef
orchecksand
test
stomorrow.
"
Zwe: "
Justpopbyanyt
ime,I
'
llbether
e.Thi
sisgood
foryou.Di
dyoutel
lheryou'
rehappy?"
Si
bo:"
Iexpr
essedt
hatI
'
m accept
ingi
t.
"Hehugged
me.
Zwe:
"I'
m pr
oudofyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Forwhat
?Taki
ngr
esponsi
bil
it
y?"
Zwe:
"No,
youi
diot
.You'
regr
owi
ngup.
"
Si
bo:"
Yeah,
you'
renowgoi
ngt
obeof
fi
cial
lyUncl
e
Zwe.
"
Zwe:"
I'
m put
ti
ngi
tonmynumberpl
ates.
"We
l
aughed.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Sundayl ateafternoon, wehadanear lydinner.I'

d
spentther estofmyaf ternoonwi t
hmyf atherwhile
Sasasl eptpeacef ul
ly.Iwant edtowakeherupso
wecandoourf airythingsbutIl etherrest.She'dbe
start
ingherexamssoonandsheneededasmuch
sl
eepaspossi ble.Weal lsatdownf ordinner,her
nexttome.Myf i
rstmot her ,aswellasthet winsand
Amahl e.Wer eceivedourst art
ersandat equietl
y.I
don'tknowwhatmyf ather'
spr obl
em wasbuthe
sti
llhadn'tapologizedt osecondmot her.
Ki
ng:
"HowwasyourdayThembi
sa?
"Il
ookedat
hi
m.
Sasa:"
Itwasgood,
myki
ng.Igotal
otofr
esti
n."
Ki
ng:
"That
'sgood.Thesconeswer
elovel
y.Thank
you.
"
Sasa:"
You'
rewel
come,
MyKi
ng.
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Idi
dn'
tgetascone.
"
Nkwe:"
Noneofusdi
d,mysi
ster
."
Sasa:"
Iwasn'
tsur
eyou'
dwantt
hem.
"
Ki
ng:
"Andwhyi
sthat
?"
Sasa:"
Ididn'tthi
nkthefamil
ywouldl
iket
hem my
ki
ng."Hest aredather
.Istar
edathi
m.Whyishe
notaddressinghisownwife?
King:
"Sother
e'sst
il
lsomel
eftIcanhavewi
thmy
eveni
ngtea?"
Sasa:"Uhm..nomyKing.Myapologi
es."Thetabl
e
wentquietonceagai
n.Usual
l
yIwouldn'tmindthe
si
lencebutIwasnotusedtoitanymore.
Nkosi:"
Icametothebedr
oom ear
li
erandyou'
d
passedout.
"Shegiggl
ed.
Sasa:"
Iwashopingtot
akeanapf
oronehour
.I
sl
eptsopeacef
ull
y."
Nkosi
:"Youmi
ssedaper
fectpi
cni
cday.
"She
gasped.
Sasa:"
Ihaveanewdat
eideaf
orus.
"
Nkosi
:"Tel
lme.
"
Sasa:"Youcant
eachmehowt
opai
nti
nthe
garden."
King:"
That'
sawonder f
uli
dea.
"Ihopehedoesn't
thi
nkthisi
ncludeshi
m agai
n,hekeepshi
jacki
ngmy
dates.
Nkosi
:"I
tis.I
'
mlooki
ngforwar
dtoi
t.Haveyou
f
ini
shedyourassi
gnment?
"
Sasa:"
No.I
'l
lfi
nishi
ttomor
row,
Ihavet
wocl
asses
onl
yinthemorning.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whendoyourexamsst
art
?"
Sasa:"
Thi
sThur
sday,
myki
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Iguesswe'
l
lbeseei
ngl
essofyou.
"
Sasa:"
I'
llcomeforameal onceaday.
"Hesmil
ed."
I
dohaveaquestion,myKing.Isi
tpossi
blet
o
changethenati
onalweddingdat
e-"
Nobant
u:"
Wespokeaboutt
hisandconcl
udedi
t
Nobomi
."
Sasa:"ButIdidn'
tagree,
myqueen.Itwouldbever
y
st
renuousf ormetofocusonbothweddi ngand
st
udyingunt i
lthedaybefor
ethewedding."
Ki
ng:
"What
'
sthi
sabout
?"
Nobantu:"Shewantstomovet heweddi ngaweek
ahead.That'
snotpossibl
e.Thedatehasbeen
announcedt ot
henati
on.Itwouldberiskymovingit
upespeciall
ybecauseofsomet hi
ngli
keaschool
test
.They'l
lthi
nkshe'
sincapableofbeingaproper
queen."
Ki
ng:"Wecanmovet
hedat
e,i
sn'
tthatr
ight
Nkosi
nhl
e?"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llmaket
hear
rangement
s,f
ather
."
Nobant
u:"
MyKi
ng-
"
King:"
Pleasesayitagai
n."Shekeptquiet."
I'
mthe
King.Ourfamil
ycomesf i
rst.Ifsheneedsaweek,
thensheget saweek.Thembi saiscar
ryi
ngmy
grandchi
ld,shecannotbestressed.
"
Nkwe:"
Yoh,
sazesal
alaphandl
e."(
We'
regoi
ngt
o
sleepout si
de.)Ineededtohaveatalkwithmy
fatherbecauset hi
swasget t
ingoutofhand.All
along,Ithoughthewaschangi ngasaper sonbut
no, heactuall
yremainedthesame.Heonl y
reservedhissof t
nessforoneperson.That'
sgoing
tocausewayt oobigapr obl
em f
orThembi sa.

Nar
rat
ed*
*

Nolwazisatinherl oungewr i
ti
nginherjournal.Her
planwast oleaveonceever yonehadgonet obed.
Nhlanhla'
sandherbagswer epacked.I
twas
diff
icul
tfi
ndingaci tywhereshewoul dbepr ivat
e
butitwouldonl ybef orashortwhil
euntilshe
l
eavest hecount r
yper manentl
y.Herdooropened,
theKingwalkingi n.Sheclosedherjour
naland
stoodup,bowi ngherhead.
Ki
ng:
"Soyoucanr
espectme.
"
Nol
wazi
:"I
'
veal
waysr
espect
edyou,
myki
ng.
"
Ki
ng:
"Thenwhynotsi
twi
tht
hef
ami
lyf
ordi
nner
?
Whypl
ant
osneakouti
ntot
heni
ghtl
ikeat
hief
?"
Nolwazi:"
I'
vealr
eadyexpl
ainedthatIdonotwantt
o
behere.Youwon'tletmel
eave,youleavemeno
choicebuttoescape."
Ki
ng:"Youdohaveachoi
ce.Toli
ve.Ort
odi
e.
You'
reli
vingi
nthi
spal
ace,ar
eyounot?"
Nol wazi:"Ithi
nkwebot hknowt hatI'
m notlivi
ng.I
thinkI'
ver eali
zedthereasonyout ookmef r
om my
kingdom.Youwant edtotauntt heOsimiriki
ngdom
upnor thbecauseIwaspr omi sedt ot
hem.I '
ve
not i
cedt hisbecauseyouandt heirKi
ngseem t obe
onopposi ngsidesandhavenevergot tenalong.I'
m
notgoingt obeyourchesspi eceanyl ongerKing
Sikhosana. "
King:"You'
renotleavi
ngthi
shouseunlessyou'
re
dead.Arewecl ear?Thi
srebel
li
oncomest oanend
today.You'
reaqueen, t
hisi
snotupfordebate-
"
Nolwazi
:"Wouldithurtyout
oatl
eastshowthatyou
careaboutourchil
dren?Doyouf
eelnothi
ngfor
yourownblood?"
Ki
ng:
"Unpackt
hosebags,
Nol
wazi
."Hewal
kedout
.
Shestayedinthatspotcont
empl
ati
ngi fshecan
out
manoeuvr eherhusbandof24years.Sheknew
hi
m bettert
hanherself
.Shehadtofi
ndawayout .
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er127

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Mondaymor ningIwasawakeandasnowmyusual
al
soHungr y.Af terashowerandget ti
ngdr essed,
I
wentdownst airst exting.<Mor ni
ngZim, l
etmeknow
whatt i
meIcansendacarmaybebef ore
aft
ernoon? >Isenti t
,sitt
ingdownatt hetable.I
haven'tyettoldmypar ents.Ineededtobesur eof
myst ory.Mum wi llbeexci t
edbutwi l
ldefi
nitel
y
wantt otakeover .Dad, I
'
m notsur eabouthim but
hehasexpr essedi nthepastt hathewon' tbehappy
i
fanyofushadchi l
drenout si
deofmar ri
age.He
sai
dt hislookingatmeandIdi dexactl
ythat.I
al
waysfi
ndwayst
odi
sappoi
nthi
m shame.Zwesat
down.
Zwe:
"Mor
ningbabydaddy-
"
Si
bo:"
Canyoubequi
et?Ihaven'
ttol
dyourpar
ent
s."
Zwe:
"Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or?
"
Si
bo:"
West
il
lhavet
hecheckup.Ineedt
ime.
"
Zwe:"
Weeeh.Thel
ongeryouwai
t,t
hemor
edi
ff
icul
t
i
twil
lbe.
"
Si
bo:"
Itwon'
tbel
ong.
"MnqobiandKhayacamet
o
si
tdown.
Mnqobi
:"Mybr
other
s."
Khaya:"
Goodmor
ning.
"
Zwe:
"I'
m goi
ngt
obeanuncl
e."
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu!
"
Zwe:
"I'
m exci
ted.
"
Mnqobi
:"Who?Sboni
?"
Si
bo:"
Don'
tbr
eat
hawor
d."
Mnqobi
:"Aww!
!Sboni
!!
!"
Sibo:"
Shutup!"Ihi
ssed.Whatiswrongwit
hthem?
Theylaughed."Thi
sdoesnotleaveyourmout
hs,do
youhearme?Tat acan'tf
indoutyet
."
Khaya:"
Hm.
..
"
Si
bo:"
Khaya.
"
Khaya:"
Ican'
tli
etoaki
ng-
"
Sibo:"
You'r
egoi ngtolearntoday,Bi yel
a.Eatyour
foodandbequi et.
"Thehel perbroughtt heeggs.
"Fuck.
"Igotupwal kingtothenear estbathroom,
throwi
ngup.Thi scan'tst
il
lbehappeni ng.Iwashed
mymout handf lushedbeforewal kingbackout .
"Whendot heseconcussionsympt omsl eave
Zwelet
huI'm abouthadenoughnow. "
Zwe:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sconcussi
onsympt
oms,
my
br
other.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Sibo:"Whatareyouonabout?You'
retheonet
hat
saidthatI
'l
lexper
iencesomevomit
ing."
Zwe:"Yeah,
butnotforthi
slong.I
t'
sbeent hewhole
weekendforyou.Comet othi
nkofit
,thewayyou've
beeneati
nggaveitallawayandyouratti
tude,
you'
vebeenver
ymoody.
"
Si
bo:"
What
'st
hathavet
odowi
thanyt
hing?
"
Zwe:"
You'reexper
ienci
ngt
hepregnancysympt
oms.
Thecr
avings,themorni
ngsi
ckness,t
hemood
swi
ngs."
Si
bo:"Don't
.Fucki
ng.Joke.
"Theyburstout
l
aughing.Thisi
snothappening."
Zwelet
hu,you'
re
l
ying.That
'snotathi
ng."
Zwe:"Youcanchecki
toutf
oryour
sel
f.
"Idon'
tcr
y.I
don'
t.Butt
his?Thi
swasbri
ngi
ngmeclose.
Sibo:"
Sibonel
o,I
'
m apubli
cfi
gure.Ican'
tbe
vomitt
ingandeati
ngst
rangethi
ngs."
Zwe:"
I'
m notSibonel
o."Evenmybr
aini
sswi
tchi
ng
of
f.Whyaretheylaughing?
Si
bo:"
Pleasemakei
tst
op.
"
Zwe:
"Idon'tt
hinkIcan.
"Whytheur
get
ocr
ythen?
What
'sthatabout?"
Comesit
."
Si
bo:"
Notwi
ththosedamneggs."Theyal
most
dr
oppedt
othefl
oor,l
aughi
ng.Zwelet
huwaslyi
ng.
Hewasobvi
ousl
yjustscar
ingme.Iwentt
othe
l
ounge,taki
ngmyl aptopt ohoponGoogl e.Imagine
l
yingaboutsomet hingt hatIcanact uall
yproveisa
l
ie?UZwelethuakanawoamahl oni
.(Zwelet
hu
doesn'
thaveshame. )Isearchedont hesearchbar:
Domenexper i
encepr egnancysympt oms?Iteven
hasaname.Sympat heti
cpr egnancy.I'minhell
.
There'
snor easonfort his.Whymustt hi
shappent o
me?Sur el
yitdoesn'thappent oeveryonesowhy
chooseme?
Ki
ng:"Sboni
,goodmor
n-"Iqui
ckl
yshutmyl
apt
op
cl
osed."Whatwast
hat
?"
Si
bo:"
Uhm,
por
n."Hest
aredatme.
Ki
ng:
"Si
bonel
o,whatar
eyouhi
ding?
"
Si
bo:"
Not
hing.
"
Ki
ng:
"Gi
vemet
hatl
apt
op.
"
Sibo:"Absol
utel
ynot.
"Igotup,
wal
kingt
othedi
ning
entrance."
Zwe,I'
mleavi
ng."
Queen:"
Sweet
hear
t,comehavesomet
hingt
oeat
."
Sibo:"
I'
m al
readyl
atemama,
I'
llhavesomet
hingat
theoff
ice.
"
Zwe:"
Mnqobi,Khaya.Schoolt
oday.Counci
l
meeti
ngisat4.Yourexamsstartt
hisweek,I
'l
lbe
headi
ngBi-
motivewithfat
her,
yourcompanyKhaya,
wil
lbeunder
takenbySboni."
Mnqobi:"
Whataboutt
hatot
hert
hingwespoke
about
?"
Zwe:"
We'
lldi
scussi
tatcounci
l.Haveagoodday.
Byemama."
Queen:"
Byemyangel
s."
Zwe: "
HAHAHA. "Whyi shel ikethi
s?Wewal kedout
thehouse."Jacksonwillbeoutat8.I '
llgett
heki ds,
taki
ngthem tothehousesot heycanseehi m one
l
asttime.We'lll
eaveandwhenhet akesoff,Ihavea
carreadyfoll
owinghim, i
t'
lldri
vehim offtheroad."
Si
bo:"
Areyousur
ethi
swi
llwor
k?"
Zwe:"Theguyisapr
ofessi
onal.Hehasa98%
mortal
it
yrat
e.Ili
ket
hatabouthim."Hesmi
led.I
chuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
I'
llcometothehospi
talwi
thZi
mmypr
obabl
y
i
nthel
at emorni
ng."
Zwe:
"Nopr
obl
em.
"..
.

ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Af
terdr
oppi
ngSibonel
oof
fatwor k,Icamebackt
o
pi
ckuptheki
dsatMnqobi
's.Iknocked.
Si
za:"
Comei
n."
Zwe:"HiSi
za.
"Iwal
kedi
nthehouse,
Mil
escame
runni
ng.
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eZwe!
"
Zwe:
"Hel
lomyl
it
tl
emi
lo.
"Ipi
ckedhi
m up.
Si
za:"
Howar
eyouZwe?
"
Zwe:
"Good.Howar
eyou?
"
Si
za:"
I'
m okay.
"Shebusi
edher
sel
fint
heki
tchen.
Zwe:"
SoJacksoni
sget
ti
ngr
eleasedonbai
lthi
s
morni
ng.
"
Si
za:"
Oh.
"Shel
ookedatme.
Zwe:
"It
houghtI
'
dtaket
heki
dst
osayHel
lot
ohi
m
andbri
ngthem back.He'
l
lcommunicat
ewi thour
l
awyersonvisi
tat
ionandsuch.Youwon'thaveto
dealwi
thhim."
Siza:"Ican'
texpectt
hatofyou,Bhut
i.Youandyour
familyhavedonesomuchal ready.
"
Zwe:"Wehaven'tdoneenough,
Sizani
.Iwon'tall
ow
Jacksontobul
lyyouandabuseyouanyl onger.Are
theyready?
"
Siza:"
Uhm, yeah.Ij
ustf
ini
sheddr
essi
ngt
hem
readyforschool.
"
Zwe:
"Andt
hebabyi
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
"
Siza:"
She'
swit
hPet
uandNot hando.Iwant
edt
o
getthebabi
est
oschoolf
ir
st.
"Ismiled.
Zwe:"Si
za,youdon'
teverhavetoexpl
ainyour
sel
f,
especi
all
ytome."Shesmiled.
Si
za:"Letme..
.gogether.
"Shewal
kedoutt
he
ki
tchengoingupstai
rs.
Zwe:
"Howar
eyoul
it
tl
epr
ince?
"
Mi
les:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Zwe:
"Haveyoueat
enyourpor
ri
dge?
"
Mi
les:"
Yesandaf
rui
t.
"
Zwe:"
Andafruit?
?That '
sbigboyt
hings,
man.Gi
ve
meahighfi
ve."Hehighf i
vedme."
Doyouknow
wher
ewe'r
egoi ngtoday?"
Mi
les:"
Toschool
."
Zwe:"Notyet
,li
tt
lepri
nce.We'
regoi
ngt
ogoseeyou
daddy.Doyoumi sshi
m? "
Mi
les:"
Yeah.
"
Zwe:"I
'm sur
ehemissesyoutoo.We'
l
lgoandsay
hibef
oreyougotoschool,
okay?"
Mil
es:"Okay.
"Iwal
kedovert
oMi
a,whowas
watchi
ngTVandsinging.
Zwe:
"HiPr
incess.
"
Mia:"
Hell
oUncleZwe.
"Shecarr
iedonsingi
ng.I
wait
edforSi
zauntshebr
oughtthebabydown,
dr
essedandready.
Si
za:"
Shoul
dIcomewi
th?
"
Zwe:
"No,
notf
ort
his.Youdon'
thavet
o.Maybe
whenyouhavetot
alkaboutcust
odyandthingsof
t
hatnat
urewit
hthelawyer
sthenyou'
llseehim."
Siza:"
Thankyouagai
n,bhut
i.
"It
ookt
hebabyf
rom
her.
Zwe:
"Doessheal
sogot
odaycar
e?"Shel
aughed.
Si
za:"
Onlythreeti
mesaweek.She'
l
lgof
ullt
ime
whenIgetajob."
Zwe:"Or,besi
deslooki
ngf orajob,youcanaccept
thebursaryfr
om Bi-
motive.Itpaysa7kbookand
essent
ialssti
pend.Theonlydownsi dei
sthatyou'
l
l
havetowor kfort
hecompanyf or3years.
"
Si
za:"Thatdoesn'
tsoundl
ikeadownsi
de.
"She
gi
ggled.
Zwe:
"Wel
l.
..Whatdoyousay?
"
Si
za:"
Okay.I
'
llappl
y."
Zwe:"I
'l
lgi
veyouthenumberforWanda,she'
sin
char
geofthatdepar
tment
,she'l
lhel
pwit
h
ever
ythi
ng.
"
Si
za:"
Okay.
"
Zwe: "I
'llseeyousoon. "Iledt heki dsoutt othecar,
fasteningt heirseatbel ts.Isati nthebackwi t
hthem
whi l
ethedr i
verdr ovet oOceanvi ew.Icheckedt he
fami l
y'
si ndividuallocat ionst henspoket osomeone
whowaswat chingt hecour thousef orJacksont o
comeout .Mpendul owasal readywai tingforhim
andIknowhe' dcomeher e.Wepar kedandIwent
i
nt othehouse.Theki dspul ledoutt heirtoysand
satont hef l
oorplayingqui etly.Isatt hebabynext
tome, swi t
chingont heTVt ol etherwat chher
show.Shel ovedGr aci e'sCor ner,I
'veseenher
clappinghappi lywhilewat chingit.It ookmyphone
outdoi ngsomeadmi nunt i
lal mostanhourl at
er,I
heardacardr ivein.Jacksonwal kedi nthehouse,
hesitantly.
Zwe:
"GoodMor
ningJackson.
"Hest
aredatme.The
ki
dsranupt
ohughim.
Jackson:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
"
Zwe: "
Yourchildr
enmissedyou.Ifiguredbef
ore
youski pthecount
ry,
youmi ghtwanttoholdthem
atleast.
"Helookedattheki
ds,pickingupeachone.
Icontinuedwithmywor konmyphone.
Jackson:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oski
pthecount
ry.
"
Zwe:"Sur
eyouwon't.
"Mpendulowalkedin.Het
oo
st
aredatmel i
keIhadgrownasecondhead.He
st
oodbyt hedoor
,nottaki
nganot
herstepin.
Mpendul
o:"
Pri
nceBi
yel
a."If
ocusedonmyemai
ls.
Zwe:"YouhaveonehourJackson.Theyneedt
oget
toschool
.".
..
.

Ittookal lofmypat i
encebutf orthesakeoft hekids,
IletJacksonhavehi sti
meandf inal
lywel eft.I
droppedt hekidsatdaycar eandwentt ot he
hospital.Ihadt oappointamanagerf ort heoverall
operationsoft hehospital
.Eachdepar t
menthada
headandt heywer erunningt hingswel l
.Theyj ust
neededsomeonet oreportt obecauseI 'llbebusy
withBi-mot i
vef orabitandal socounci l.Then
there'
sSi bonelo'sr
equestt hatItakeoutt he
l
ibrari
an.She' sgorgeous, yes.Ijustdon' tknowi f
I'
mi nthespacef orapar t
nerj ustyet.Onedi nner
though.Igotont heflor
istcompanywebsi te
orderi
nganar rangementofr oseswithanot e.
<GoodDay, Nomzamo.Iapol ogi
zef orthe
misunderstandi
ngbet weenmybr otherandI .I
fyou
canmaket i
mef orme, I
'
dl i
ketobookar estaurant,
sowecanhaveadi nnerandgett oknoweachot her
.
-Zwelethu.
>Isentt heorderandt ypedthelibrary
address.It
'
saMondayaf t
ernoonsoshewas
probablyatworkunt i
l5.They'l
lbedel i
veredbyt hen.
I'
l
lgiveheracallrightaft
ersher eceivesthem.
Sibonel
owal kedinmyof f
ice.
Si
bo:"
Brot
herZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Uncl
eZwepl
easeandt
hankyou.
"Hel
aughed.
Si
bo:"Atthi
spoint,
youwantyourf
athert
oki l
lme.
He'
salreadyst
artedchasi
ngmearound.Please
Zwe,gi
vemeasecond. "
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.I
'
m gi
vingyouaweek.Wher
eisZi
mmy?
"
Sibo:"
Inthebat
hroom.
"Sheknockedont
hedoor
,
comingin.
Zi
mmy:"
Goodmor
ningbhut
i.
"
Zwe:
"Hel
lomama.Howar
eyou?
"Shesmi
led.
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m okay,
howar
eyou.
"
Zwe: "I
'm good.Let'
shaveacheckonl i
ttl
eBons.
Foll
owme. "Iwalkedouttheoffi
cetomyconsult
ing
room justdownt hepassage.I
twasal r
eady
prepped.Iwashedmyhands." Youcanlayonthe
bed,andl i
ftupyourtop."Shegotonthebed.
Sibonelostandingbesi
deherpul l
inguphert
opand
rubbingherbelly.
Zimmy:" Thankyou. "He'sgoingtobesuchan
amazi ngfather.Thi
spr egnancyhasal r
eadystart
ed
turningthingsaround,forthefi
rsttimeindayshe
l
ooksmor ealive.He'salr
eadyagr eedtoseeinga
therapistsoIknowi tcanonlygetbet t
erfrom t
his
point.Iputonmygl oves,goi
ngovert othem.
Si
bo:"
Canyout
ellt
hegender
?Ist
her
eahear
tbeat
?"
Zwe:"Ihaven'
tevenswitchedonthemachine?"I
swi
tchedt hemachineson,preppi
ngherbel
ly.
Sibo:"
Canyout el
lhowmanyweeks? "Okay,
hewas
real
lyexci
tedandIcouldn'
tresi
stt
heurgetodel
ay
i
tevenlongertofrust
rat
ehim.
Zwe:
"Rel
ax.
"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethupl
easest
oppl
ayi
ng.
"Ipl
acedt
he
tr
ansduceronherbell
yaft
erhavi
ngappl
iedt
hegel
.
Il
ookedatthemonitor.
Zwe:"
Ther
e.Youwon'
tseemuchot
hert
hanal
it
tl
e
bean.
"
Si
bo:"
Aret
heyheal
thy?
"
Zwe:"
Everyt
hingseemsgoodsof
arbutwe'
l
ldo
bl
oodtest
stoconfir
m."
Si
bo:"Okay.Whatar
ethedevel
opment
ssof
ar?
"My
br
other,
theCEO.Ichuckl
ed.
Zwe:"
Themai npart
soft
heeyear
est
art
ingt
ofor
m,
thedi
gest
ivesyst
em aswel
l.
"
Si
bo:"
That
'samazi
ng,
alli
nthi
ssmal
lli
tt
lebean?
"
Zwe:
"Yep.Thesi
zeofabl
ueber
ry.
"Hel
aughed.
Si
bo:"Zwe,
unamangawena.Iknowyou.
"(You'
re
l
ying.
)Il
aughed
Zwe: "
Si bonel
o,readmore.I
'
m donetel
li
ngyou
thi
ngs. "Anurgentknockonthedoordi
stur
bedus.
"Yes?"IgaveSi bonelot
hewipesf
orZimmy'sbel
ly.
Myi nternpeepedi n.
Yanda:"DrBiyel
a.There'
sapatientwho'sjustcome
i
n.Hewasi nacaraccident
,currentl
yinthe
resusci
tat
ionward.Itseemsreallybad,t
hismay
needyou."
Zwe:
"Okay.I
'
m onmyway.
"Sher
ushedoutagai
n.
Si
bo:"
Itakei
t'
sdone.
"Hecar
eful
lywi
pedherbel
ly.
Zwe:"Justaf
ewminut
es.St
il
lcl
ingi
ngcl
earl
y."I
smil
edatZimmy."
Doyouhaveanyquest
ionsabout
thebaby?"
Zimmy:"I
st her
eanyf
oodIcaneatt
ohelpwit
hthe
nausea?I'
m notvomi
ti
ngasmuchbutIhat
ecert
ain
smell
s."
Zwe: "
Idon'thavemuchi nf
ormationonthisspeci
fic
part
,butIcanr eferyoutoal ady,
oneofourbest
obstet
rici
ans.She'llhavemuchbet teri
deassince
thi
sisherspeci al
ty."Mybuzzerwentof f.
Zi
mmy:"
ThankyouBhut
i.
"
Si
bo:"
Dowegetgoodi
es?
"
Zwe:
"Whatgoodi
esnow?
"
Si
bo:"
Amavi
tami
nandst
ufft
okeept
hebaby
heal
thyZwe.
"Ichuckl
edshaki
ngmyhead.
Zwe: "
Theobstetr
icianwil
lgivethem t
oyou, you'
ll
bri
ngthem t
omesoIcandoubl echeck.Her e.
"I
wroteanoteforhim." Oneoftheint
ernswillopena
fi
leandyou'
lltakeittoDrLanga.Shewi l
ltakecare
ofyou."
Sibo:"Okayt hen.I
'
llseeyoulater.
"Iwalkedoutt he
room, makingmywayt ot her
escuewar d.Iknow
myst affi
scapabl eofkeepingthepat i
ental i
ve
whoevert heymaybebutIst r
onglyf el
tthiswas
Jackson.Iwal kedintotheward,threedoct or
s
workingar oundhim.Theymovedwayt ol etmei n.I
wasr i
ght,itwasJackson.Whyi shestil
lcl i
ngingon
toli
fe?
Zwe:
"Pl
easepr
ept
heO.
R."
Doct
or:"DrBi
yela,
thisdoesn'
tlookpromi
sing.
Ther
e'snothi
ngmor ewecandof ort
hehi
m.He' s
qui
ckl
ydying."
Zwe:"Wecanhol don, j
ustabi
tlonger.Assur geons,
Iexpectyoutoonlygiveupwhenhi sheartstops.
Andevent hen,
tryagain.
"Mostl
ybecausei fhest i
ll
hasviabl
eorgans,thosewouldbef
antasticfor
donati
ontootherli
vingpat
ient
swhoar en't
deadbeatabuser
s.ThatIknowofatleast."Prept
he
o.r
.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er128

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Mymor ni
ngst ar
tedoffwithabusyiti
nerar
y.Ihada
vi
rtualmeetingwiththeconstruct
ionmanager
eMt hi
nomkhul ubuil
dingthecommuni t
ycenter
.
Theywer ealmostdone.Per hapsIcoul
ddrivedown
wit
hThembi saduri
ngt heweekendandwecansee
herparents.Thiswil
lbeamazi ng.Iwal
kedoutof
myof fi
ce,goingupstair
stoseemywi f
e.She'
s
probablydonewit
hherassignment
,andst
udying
now.Ienteredourroom,
findi
ngheri
nherdesk,
packingup.
Nkosi
:"Goodaf
ter
noonmyl
ove.
"
Sasa:"
Hibaby.
"Iki
ssedher
,huggi
nghercl
ose.
Nkosi
:"How'
syourdaybeen?
"
Sasa:"Ti
ri
ngbutatleastI
'vefi
nishedmy
assi
gnment .I
'
llst
artst
udyingat4.Howwas
yours?
"
Nkosi
:"Great
.It
'st
imef
orust
oeatnow.Mybabyi
s
hungr
y."
Sasa:"I
ndeedheis."Sheputhershoes,
andIl
edher
outtheroom hol
dingherhand.
Nkosi
:"Howdoyoufeelaboutusgoingdownt
o
Mthi
nomkhul
uforavisi
tthisweekend?"
Sasa:"
Real
ly?
"
Nkosi:"Yes.Iwanttoseetheprogr
essofthe
communi tycenterandtheroadsar
edone.Ineedto
doinspections.Theshoppi
ngcenteri
salsounder
constructi
on."
Sasa:"Zanel
esayseveryonei
sexcited.She'
sbeen
buggingmef oracl
othi
ngshop."Ichuckled.
Nkosi:"There'
llbeafew."Wewal keddownt he
stai
rs.Iheardwhatsoundedl ikecryi
ng,whichwas
verystrangebecauseThembi sawasr ightnextto
me."Iwonderwho' sthat."Wewal kedovertothe
l
ounge.Thet winswereont hecouch,Nhlanhla
cryi
ng,Nkwenkwezi tryi
ngtoconsol eher.
Nkosi
:"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Nkwe:"
Wecan'
tfi
ndMot
her
."
Nkosi
:"Can'
tfi
ndher
?How?
"
Nkwe:"
She'
snoti
nthepal
acebhut
i.
"
Nkosi:"
Maybeshewentshoppi
ng.Whyi
sshe
cr
ying?"
Nkwe:"Shedi
dn'
t.Mothert
oldherthey'
dbeleavi
ng
l
astnight
.Shenevercametofetchher.We'
ve
sear
chedthewholehouse,
twice.She'
sgone."
Nkosi:"
ThewholehouseNkwenkwezi?You?
Twice?"Shestar
edatmesarcast
ical
ly.
"Nkwenkwezidoyoureal
izehowbigthi
spal
acei
s?"
Nkwe:"
She'
snowher
eher
e."
Nkosi
:"Okay.I
'
lll
ookf
orher
."
Sasa:"I
'
llfi
ndAmahl e.Perhapssheknows."She
wentbackup.Ilookedf ormyfather
.Thishadhim
wri
ttenalloveri
t.If
oundhi minthegarden,havi
ng
atea.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Nkosi
nhl
e."
Nkosi
:"Wher
eismymot
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Upst
air
sreadi
ng,
whydoyouask?
"
Nkosi
:"Myot
hermot
her
."
Ki
ng:
"Inmyr
oom.
"Hesi
ppedhi
stea.
Nkosi
:"Doi
ngwhatt
her
e?"
Ki
ng:
"She'
smywi
fe?
"
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'swhyshe'
sther
e,f
ather
."
Ki
ng:
"Okay.
"
Nkosi
:"Fi
ne.
"Iwal
kedbacki
ntot
hepal
ace.
Ki
ng:
"Nkosi
nhl
eMehl
uliSi
khosana!
!"Iwal
kedupt
o
hiswing.Hisroom wasfurthestdownt hepassage.
Itri
edopeninghisdoor,thi
nkinghehadt hedecency
tolockitbutnope.Itwasunlocked.Ist
eppedi nhi
s
enormousspaci ousbedroom.Righttherei
nt he
middle,mymot hersatonthechair,unmoving.
Nkosi:"
Mother.
"Shedidn'tr
espond,didn'
tmoveor
fl
inch.Asi
ngletearr
oll
ingdownhercheek.Aspark
ofragebel
lowedinsi
deme.Hewal kedinbehi
ndme.
Ki
ng:
"It
oldyoushewasf
ine.
"
Nkosi
:"Whyar
eyoul
iket
his?
"
Ki
ng:
"Li
kewhat
?"
Nkosi :"
Doyounotseehowyouar e?Doyounotsee
howyou' vebr okenyourfamilybeyondrepai
r?You
woul dratherhurtthewomanwhobi rt
hedand
raisedyourki dsinsteadofshowingheryoucare.
Insteadofgr anti
ngheronewi shandl et
ti
ngherfr
ee.
Whyar eyoul i
kethis?"Hewalkedovertoher,
standingnextt othechair.
Ki
ng:
"Ther
e'snot
hingbr
okenaboutt
hisf
ami
ly.
"
Nkosi
:"You'
reonl
ycr
eat
ingpr
obl
emsf
ormywi
fe!
You'r
ehorribl
etoeveryoneelseandonlyshow
ki
ndnesst oherandtheydon'tevenknowwhy!You
sti
llr
efusetoexpl
ainit!Doyouwantthem tohat
e
her?!
"
King:
"Youcanpr eachlikeapast oral
lyouwant,
yourmotheri
sn'tleavi
ngt hispalaceandthequi
cker
sheunderst
andst hatthebet t
erbecauseIdon'
t
havethepati
encet oexplainittoheragai
n."
Nkosi
:"I
fthi
scar
ri
eson,
we'
l
lhavet
oleave.
"
Ki
ng:
"Leave?
"
Nkosi:"
Yes,l
eave.I
fyoucan'ttr
eatmymotherswell
,
I'
mt aki
ngThembisahome, t
oourhouse.I
'm not
goingtoal
lowthist
oxici
tynearmywifeandchil
d."
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"
Nkosi:"Thisisnotat
hreat,f
ather
.Simpl
yapr omise.
Youwi llonl
yhearofyourgrandchi
ldonTV."I
walkedoutt heroom,outt
hepassageofhiswi ng
towardmi ne.Heappearedri
ghtinfr
ontofme,
shockingmebackaf ewst eps.Sohecantelepor
t
too?DearGod.
Ki
ng:
"Don'
teverspeakt
omei
nthatt
one.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'snotdothi
sagain.Idon'
twantt
ofi
ght
wit
hyouagain."Hechuckl
ed.
King:"
Becauset
histi
meyou'
lll
ose.You'
renot
taki
ngherawayfrom me.
"Hehissed.Mybl
ood
grewicei
nmyvei ns.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
,don'
tfor
cemyhand.
"
Ki
ng:"
Orelsewhat.
"Hesaidbehindme.It
urned
ar
oundfi
ndinganot
herhi
m behindme.Aduplicat
e.
Nkosi
:"Cal
m down.Pl
ease.
"
Ki
ng:
"I'
m aki
ng.Noonet
ell
smewhatt
odo.
"
Nkosi:"I
'm nottel
li
ngI'
m asking.
"Thembisawalked
outofAmahl e'
sroom.Pleasedon'tl
ookthi
sway,
please.Seeingtwoofmyf atherwhensheknewhe
doesn'thaveat winwouldnotbeagoodi dea.
"Father.
"Thesecondhim disappeared.
King:
"Don'
t,everagai
n."Hewal
kedbackt
ohi
s
room.IwentovertoThembisa.
Sasa:"
Haveyouf
oundher
?"
Nkosi
:"Yesl
ove.
"Ipul
ledherhandbackt
o
Amahle'
sroom,cl
osi
ngthedoor."
Heneedst
obe
st
opped."
Ama:"
Nkosi
,l
eti
tgo.
"
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean?He'
shol
dingher
host
age!!
"
Ama:" Youdonotwanttoangerhim.Leavethis
alone.Motherwi
llbefi
ne,
she'
llbestr
ong.She
knowsshecanbe.I fyoui
nter
fere,
hewillki
llher
.
Stopitnow."
Nkosi
:"Sowej
ustsi
tbyanddonot
hing?
"
Ama:"Yes.Yousitby,
Nkosi
.Andt
hist
imel
ist
en.I
t
wi
llworkit
selfout
."
Nkosi
:"HowAmahl
e?Youal
readyseet
het
ensi
oni
n
t
hishouse!
"
Ama:" Thenlet
'seasethetensi
ontogether.Let'
s
worktogetheronlyonthat,i
ncl
udingthefami l
yand
tal
kingtothem.Butwheni tcomestof at
her?He'll
defeatSatanhimselfi
ncludi
ngallhi
sdemons,
there'
snouset ryi
ng."
Nkosi
:"Howsaf
eismywi
fei
nal
loft
hat
!!
"
Ama:" She'
sthesaf estoneofallofus.Hisblood
andsoulwon' tal
lowashr edofhurtfr
om her.
Remember ,
heisyourbl ood.Thepr ot
ect
ionyou
feelf
orSasa, al
lofit,hefeelst
hattoo.He'l
lprot
ect
hermor ethanprotectyou."

SASA'
SPOV_

Thingshaver isenintension.Ihadsomany
questions.AndIwast er
ri
f i
ed.Nkosihadcalled
togetherthefamilyandwesati nthelounge.How
hemanagedt obr i
ngQueenNol waziaswel l
,Idon'
t
know.Theonl ypeopl
ewhower en'
tpresentwere
Amahl eandt heking.
Nkosi
:"Idon'
twantt okeepyouall,
Ijustf
eelthatas
afamil
ywehaven'tr eall
yspokenbutinst
eadkept
secr
etsandof t
enlashedout.Thisi
simpor t
antand
can'
tbedelayedanyl onger
."
Nkwe:"
Wher
eisf
ather
?"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
eisent
ert
aini
nghi
m."
Nhlanhl
a:"
Isshedanci
ngf
orhi
m?"Thatwoul
dbe
hi
lari
ous.
Nkosi :"
No.She' snotdanci ng.They' resimply
havi ngachat .Mothers,youal readyknowt hat
Thembi sai satreasurebl ood,whatwedi dn't
expl ai
niswhatt hisactual l
ymeans.Ther ewasa
vil
lage,calledeMcebovi llage.Thi sisthevill
ageMa
Nonkosiwasbor nandr aisedi n.Thisiswher eKi ng
Ngi dumisemetherandt heirlovestor ybegan.
Mcebovi ll
agewasn' tj
ustanyvi ll
age.Itissaid,that
soilbirt
hscompani onsoft het hrone.Anyonebor n
oni t,i
streasurebloodandt heyar edest i
nedt o
mar ryar uli
ngKingf ortheretobebal ance.Ar e
thereanyquest ionssof ar ?"
Nobantu:"
Thenhowdoesshehavet
reasur
ebl
ood?
Thevil
lagewasl
onggonebefor
eshewaseven
bor
n."
Nkosi
:"Herf
atherwasborneMcebo.Heist
heonl
y
onewhomanagedt owakeupandescapewhil
ethe
vi
ll
agewasburning.Wehavespokenandhe
descri
beditas,i
tfel
tli
kesomeonet ol
dhi mtowake
upandr un.Hejustst
artedrunningwithouthearing
orseeing,t
henfurt
herawayst oppedandl ooked
back.Heremember sonlythen,hecoul dhearthe
screams,theburni
ngofhomesandpeopl e.He
remember sseei
ngPapaandher anaway, hi
ding.
Asourf amil
y,weknowwehaveabi l
it
ies.Papa
couldwhisper.
"
Nhl
a:"
Icanal
sowhi
sper
."
Nolwazi
:"Nhl
anhl
a.Letyourbr
otherspeak.
"I
l
ookedatNhlanhl
a.SheknowswhatImean, Iknow
sheknowssowhywoul dshesaythat?
Nkosi:"
Webel ievePapawhi speredt oThembi sa'
s
fat
herandgothi mt orun.Wear est il
lnotsur ewhy
buthemanagedt oescapeandl aterconcei ve
Thembisa.Shehasbeenconf ir
medt wice.Aswe' d
explai
ned,shehasdr eams.Themostpr evalentone
beingMam Nonkosii ntheti
meshewasal ive.Her
l
atestdream however,wasasherspi r
itaftershe
haddied.Thembi sahasgivenf athersomet hingno
onewi l
leverbeabletogivehim.Shedi dn'tchoose
i
t.Shedidn'taskforit
.Thisdoesn' tmeanshe' shere
totakeyourplaceashi
swi feorhi
sdaughter.We'r
e
onlylear
ning,
getti
ngguidancefr
om theancestor
s
thr
oughheronhowt ofi
xthisfamil
y."
Nobant
u:"
Andwhati
sshegi
vinghi
m?"
Nkosi
:"Answer
s,cl
osure.She'
sher
etowor
kwi
thus
t
ogrowt hi
sfamil
ycloser
."
Nolwazi
:"Whataboutthi
svi
ll
age?Thistr
easur
e
vi
ll
age.Yousaidi
tbirt
hscompanions?"
Nkosi:"
Yes.Itusedto.Theonlyoneweknowsof ar
i
sKi ngNgidumise'swif
e,Mam Nonkosi.We're
tr
yingtounderstandwhichotherki
nghasmar r
ied
tr
easurebloodandwhywast hereadisconnect
betweenthem andKingBhekizizwe.
"
Nol
wazi
:"So..
.Yourl
ineagei
sonl
ysupposedt
o
mar
ryher
s? "
Nkosi
:"Idon'
tknowmama, butwhatIknowis
f
atherdoescare.That
'swhyhedoesn'
twantyout
o
l
eave.Hejustdoesn'
tknowhowtoshowi -
"
Nol
wazi:"
Nohedoes!!Hedoesknowhowt oshow
car
ebecausehe'
sshowingitt
oher.Ouronl
ysini
s
t
hatwewer
en'
tbor
nwi
thherbl
ood.
"
Nkosi
:"Thati
snotasi
n,mot
her
.Itdoesn'
tmake
youanylessthan.
"
Nol
wazi
:"Sot
hismeans,
she'
sapr
incess?
"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Nolwazi
:"YesNkosi nhl
e.I
fherbloodisal
ignedto
beacompani ont oonlyki
ngs,t
hatmeansshe's
deemedroyalty.She'sapri
ncess."Hel
ookedatme,
Il
ookedathim.Icoul dseehimt r
yingt
ocalcul
ate
somethi
nginhi shead.
Nkosi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"
No.
"
Nkosi:"Thembi
sa, yourfatherhasneverst r
uggled.
Anythinghetouchesi sasuccessi nst
antly.From
escapingthevi
llagetofindingthefamilythattook
himinandhavi ngtor unawaywi thnothingtohis
name, losi
ngajob.Hegott oeMthinomkhul uand
becamesuccessf ulonceagai n.
"
Me:"
Thatdoesn'
tmeanhe'
sroyal
.He'sj
ustgood
wi
thhishandsandver
ysmarti
nbusiness.
"
Nolwazi :"Sisi
,stoptryingtohide.Thisisnotabout
histalents.TheSi khosanar oyal
shavebeenr ul
ing
forcent ur
ies.Ifthei
rr uli
ngisaccompani edbyyour
bloodcent ur i
esdeep, thatmakesyour oyal.Youare
apr i
ncessi ntheunder worl
d.Ahi ghrankoneat
that.
"Thel oungewasqui et
.Idon'tknowhowIf el
t
aboutt hatbuti tdi
dn'treall
ymat t
erinthegr and
schemeoft hi
ngs.
Nhla:"
Thembisaisapri
ncess,
soshebelongsi
n
ourfamil
y,mother?
"Shewasn'
tlooki
ngatQueen
Nolwazi,
shelookedatQueenNobant
u.
Nobant
u:"Yes.Wit
horwit
houtherbl
ood,
shei
s
yourbr
other
'swif
e.Shei
sfamil
y."
Nkosi:"Weal lneedt owor ktogether.Iunderst
and
feel
ingsofenvymayar i
se,thatisnormal.Perhaps,
i
fyoual ltookt i
meandgott oknowThembi sa
i
ndividuall
y,you'llunderstandthathernat ur
eisvery
softandcar i
ng.Al so,i
tmayhel psoftentheking.
Thisisnotat imeaweshoul dbeagai nsteachother
,
wehaveabi ggerpr oblem thatwe'vedelayedfora
bit
.Beinguni tedasaf ami lyistheonlywaywecan
defeatit
."..
.
MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

WhileIst il
lhadafreemoment , Idecidedmaybeit'
s
ti
meIvi sitedBusi.Ihaven'
thear dfrom her
,she
hasn'trespondedt oanyofmymessages.Idi dn'
t
wantt oinvadeherpr i
vacysti
llbyspyi ngonthe
camer at omakesur eshedidn'thurthersel
f.I
parkedt hecar,walki
ngtothedoorandknocked.No
answer .Iwalkedintothehouse, fi
ndingherinthe
bedroom.
Mt hunzi:"Baby."Shej umpedup, shakingvi olent
ly.
"It
sme.I '
m sorry,Ididn'tmeant oscareyou. "Her
eyeswer eswol l
en,bodyt r
embl i
ng.Shewashavi ng
anotherbr eakdown." Busi ?I'
m sosor r
ymyl ove.
"I
kneltinfrontofherhol dingherhands." Iam soso
sorry.IwishIdi dn'thur tyou.From now, please,I
willacceptanydeci si
onyoumake.I fi
thappens
thatyouar epregnant, youcandeci dewhatt odo
l
ove.I '
llacceptanyt hing.Idon'twanttol oseyou,
Busi.Iwasn' tthinki
ngabouthowmucht hiswoul d
actual
lyhurtyou.Havingachildisnotmor e
i
mpor t
antthanhavi ngyouinmyl if
e.Icanli
ve
wit
houtachi l
d, Icannotbegi
ntoevent hi
nkofli
ving
wit
houtyou.Pl easeforgi
veme, Busi.
"Shewiped
hereyes,snif
fi
ng.
Busi
:"Mt
hunzi
."
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes.
"
Busi
:"Ar
eyouseei
ngme?
"
Mthunzi
:"Yes,
Iam seei
ngyou.Iwi
lldoanyt
hingt
o
makethi
ngsr i
ght
."
Busi
:"Ican'
tseeyou.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"What
?"
Busi:"Mthunzi
,I'
m bl
ind.Icannotseeanythi
ng."I
staredather."
Iwokeupt hismor ning,
wentt
ot he
bathroom andwhenIcameback, myvisi
ondimmed
toblack.
"Howt hehelldidthathappen?
Mt
hunzi
:"Whydi
dn'
tyoucal
lme?
"
Busi
:"How?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ther
e'sguar
dsi
ntheyar
d,l
ove?
"
Busi
:"Howwoul
dIknowi
t'
sreal
lyguar
dsort
he
wit
chagai
n?"
Mthunzi
:"Shi
t.I
'
m sor
ry.Okay,
I'
m gett
ingyou
dr
essed,we'r
egoingt
othehospit
al.
"
Busi
:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatwi
llhel
p."
Mt hunzi
:"it
'sort
hatry.
"Iwenttoherwar drobe
pickingoutanavytracksuitawhitet-
shirtand
sneakers.Isentaquickmessaget oNkosi
explaini
ngwhathashappenedt henhel pedher
dress.Iheldherhandleadingheroutoft hehouse
butshewasawar eofcornersandsteps.I twasher
houseaf teral
l.Wegotinthecar,dri
vingof f
."How
haveyoubeen?Haveyouhadanydr eams? "
Busi:"
Afew.Abi tst
range.Yester
dayafternoon,I
tookanapandhadadr eam aboutahouseI 've
neverbeentoyetIknewIhadt ocallBethany.It
turnsout
,theguyshewasdat ingisarit
ualist,
I
gavehertheinst
ruct
ionsIsawi nmydr eam sot hat
sheescapeshim safel
y."
Mt
hunzi
:"Unamanga!Sohewasar
edf
lag?
"
Busi
:"I
magi
ne.She'
ssor
att
led.Ial
sodr
eamtof
anot
herwomanIdon'
tknow,j
ustt
hismor
ning.She
l
ookssimi
lart
oSasa,
doesshehaveasi
ster
?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Yes,
descr
ibeher
."
Busi
:"Shehadl
ongunkeptdreadlocks,hereyes
werethesi
mil
arfeat
uretoSasa.Shewasl i
vingi
n
thewoodssomewhere.
"That'
sdef i
nit
elynotZanele.
Mt hunzi:"
Baby,
canwegot othepal
aceinst
ead?I
thi
nkt here'
saproblem wehaven'
tfi
gur
edout.Your
dreamsmayber elatedt
owhyyoucan'tseeandthe
healercanhelp.
"
Busi
:"Mt
hunzihowdi
srespectf
ulwouldIbeto
showupatthepal
acedressedli
kethi
s?"Ichuckl
ed.
Mthunzi:"
Thatdoesn'tmat
teri
nt hi
ssituat
ion.
"I
changedmyr out
etowardt
hepalace.IknowI
wasn'toutofthedogboxyetandIdi dn'
twantto
i
rri
tat
eher .Icoul
donlybegrat
efulthatsheis
speakingtomeatl east
.

SASA'
SPOV_
IknowitwastheworsttimebutIwasr eallyhungr
y.
Thefamilywasst
il
ltalki
ngaboutroyalthingsthat
wereprobabl
yimportant
.Mybrainwasf ocusedon
food.Amahlewal
kedi nandgavemeapl ate.
Me:"
Icoul
dki
ssyou.
"
Ama:" Iknow. "Shesmiled.Iatethesandwich
happily.Iwast hemostf ort
unatepersoninthe
worldt ohaveherandNkosi .Hopeful
lysoon,t
he
famil
ywi l
lwar mjustali
ttl
e.Iwasn'thol
dingmy
breat
hbuti twouldbeamazi ngifwecoul dal
ljust
getalong.Imagi nethebrunchesoutinthe
courtyard?I'm al
readysizzl
ing.
Nkosi:"
Mthunzijustarr
ived.Apparentl
ythere'
sa
probl
em."TheKi ngwalkedin.Ihadgobbledupmy
sandwichandnowf el
tawkwar djustchewingin
si
lence.MthunziandBusiwal kedin.
Mthunzi:"
Gooddaymyki ng,queensand
pr
incesses."Busial
sogr
eetedri
ghtaft
erhi
m.
Nkosi
:"Hel
lo.
"
Me:"
HiMt
hunzi
,Busi
."
Mthunzi
:"Idon'
twantt
owasteanyti
me.Busiwoke
uptodaygoingtot
hebathr
oom,bytheti
meshe
camebackshecouldn'
tsee.Cur
rent
lyaswespeak,
sheisbl
ind."
Nkosi
:"I
'
vecal
ledt
heheal
er,
he'
l
lbeher
einaf
ew
minut
es."
Mthunzi
:"Baby,
tel
lthem ofyourdr
eam.
"She
bowedherhead.
Busi:"
Thedr eam Ihadt
hismorningwasofa
womanI 'veneverseenbefor
e.Shewasinthe
woods,looki
ngt obeintat
ter
s.Shealsohadabi
tof
resemblancetoSasainhereyes."
Nkosi
:"Whatwasshedoi
ng.
"
Busi
:"Nothi
ng.Shewassi
tt
ingatsomepoi
nt.
Si
nging.
"
Me:"
Coul
ditbeZanel
e?Mysi
sterl
ooksver
ysi
mil
ar
t
ome."
King:"That'
snotyoursi
ster
.Theper
sont
hisgi
rli
s
seeingisthewit
ch."
Nkosi
:"Howcanyoubesosur
e?"
King:"
Thesamemor ningshesawherface,she'
s
goneblind.That
'snotacoinci
dence.She'
stheonly
personthatcanpointherout,
andnowshecannot
seebecauseofthat.".
..
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :BONUS

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er129

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

Afterseei
ngmybabyi nthemonitor
,Icoul
dn'thel
p
butfeelexci
ted.Theobstetr
ici
andidasecond
check,somebl oodtest
sandgaveZi mmyvitamins
thatshemadecl earIam notall
owedtodri
nk.Ihad
toask.Wedr oveoutofthehospital
.
Si
bo:"
Whatdoyouwantt
oeat
?"
Zi
mmy:"
Atr
ipl
echeese,
smoot
hbunsmashed
patt
ieswi
thf
ri
edtomato,
cri
spyl
ett
uceandcreamy
sauce.Hmmm.Icantast
eiti
nmymouthalr
eady."
Si
bo:"
Thatsoundsreal
lygood.Ar
eyoudonewi
th
wi
thschoolf
ortheday?"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes.
"
Sibo:"
Okay,
let
'sgett
hef
ood,we'
llgobackt
othe
housesowecanhaveaproperchat.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Aboutwhat
?"
Si
bo:"
Thebaby.
"
Zimmy:" Okay."Wedr oveint
ot hedrive-through,
madet heordertimestwo,asideofchi ckenwi ngs
andal sofri
esthenwel eft
.Ididn'twantt obei nmy
house, Iwasthinkingofmovingt oanot heronei n
fact.Therewaspl entyofopenpr opertyint heest at
e
butt hehousest hatwereavai
lablewer epr oper
mansi ons.Minewasamedi um sizeddoubl est ory,
aswel lasZwe' s,MnqobiandKhaya' s.Anyot her
housewasasbi gasourpalaceandIdi dn'tneed
thatmuchspaceyet .Maybewhenwehavemor e
kids.Ididwantmor eki
ds,Iwashopi ngf ortwins
butIguesswecandot heZweandImet hodaswel l.
Iwantmychi ldrentobever ycloseinaget hatthey
l
iveli
ket wins.Mor eli
kemybr othersandI .I'
llhave
todoagoodj obi nconvinci
ngt hislady.Ilooked
nexttome, shewasmunchi ngonherf r
ies.Idr ove
i
ntotheest ate,parki
ngmycari nf r
ontofmyhouse.
Therewer ethreeguar dsaroundi tandIt r
avel ed
wit
ht hr
eemysel f.Therouti
nenow, wasf i
rst
i
nspectionbef oreIenter.
Zi
mmy:"
Whyar
en'
tweget
ti
ngoutoft
hecar
?"
Sibo:"
Wewi
llwhent
hey'
redonei
nspect
ingt
he
house."
Zi
mmy:" Event
hought
heguar
dswer
eal
ready
guar
ding?"
Sibo:"
Yes.Wedon'
twantanothersecur
it
ybreach.
Especi
all
ynowthatthi
sli
tt
leoneiscoming.That
's
whyIneedustotalk.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Alr
ight
."Theguar
dscameout
.
Guard:"
Allcl
ear,MyPr i
nce.
"Wegotoutthecar ,
walki
ngintothehouse.Ihadn'
tbeenheresince
Fri
day.I
tnol ongerf
eltl
ikemypri
vatespace.Ifel
t
nakedhere,watchedeven.Zi
mmysetupt het abl
e
wit
hthefood,pour
ingmej
uicethensatdownt
oeat.
Idover
ighti
ntomyburger
,fi
nishi
ngiti
nminut
es.
Sibo:"Perf
ect i
on."Imumbl ed,munchi ngonmy
chips.Iwaitedf orhertofi
nisheating.Lookather
tr
yingt ost
ar vemychi l
d."Whyar eyoueat i
nglikea
l
ady?Zi mmyi nganeyamii l
ambile."Shelaughed,
coveringhermout h.Imissedseeingthat.
Zimmy:"You'
regoingtomakemechoke.
"She
fi
nishedf
inal
ly,
wipinghermout
h."
So,whatdoyou
wanttochatabout?"
Sibo:"Fi
rstofal l
,securit
y.You'recarryingaPr i
nce
orPrincess.I t
'sonlyamat teroftimei tgoespublic.
Most l
ybecause, apartfr
om beingar oyal,I'
m alsoa
publi
cf i
gur ewi t
haver ybigi nf
luenceandcompany.
Tabloidsar egoingtoni t
pickyou, fol
lowyouar ound
andpossi blybullyyou.Ineedyoupr otectedatall
ti
mes.Fi rst,youhavet otellyourparents.Assoon
aspossi ble.Secondly,youcan' tl
iveatthatres.
"
Zimmy:"Tell
ingmyparent
s,yesIagree.I
'
llcal
l
them t
onight.Movi
ngoutofrest
hough?Idon't
know.Wher eam Igoi
ngtoli
veSibonel
o?"
Sibo:"Herei
nSt el
lar
s.Iwon'tbeusingthi
shouse
anymor e.Al
ltheotherhousesar eenor
moussoI
willbebuil
dinganewhousej ustdowntheroad.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sibonel
o,Ican'
tli
vewi
thyou.
"
Si
bo:"
Whynot
?"
Zimmy:"Doyounotrememberthereasonwefellof
f?
Yourefusedt
ocommuni cat
eproper
lyaboutyour
space.Youdon'
twantanyonei
nyourspace,
especi
all
ywhenyou'
renotther
e."
Sibo:"Butt
hingsar
edif
fer
entnowZi
masa,
you'
re
carryi
ngmei nsi
deyou.
"
Zimmy:"Iunderst
andyouwantt hebabypr otect
ed
andIacceptthati
tmusthappenbutIt hinkthe
l
ivi
ngarrangementshouldbedi f
ferent
.Idon'twant
myownhouseher e,asyousaid,thi
splaceisvery
over
whelming.MaybeIcanr entanapar t
menti n
oneofthesecurebuildi
ngs.OrKhaya'sapartment,I
canrentfr
om him andthenmaybeyoucanappoi nt
aguard."
Sibo:"Nochil
dofmi
newi
llbel
ivi
ngi
nan
apartment.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Sibonel
o."
Sibo:"
No, Zimmy.Thi sisnotupfordebat e.My
chil
dli
vesi nStell
ars.Whil
sttheyar egrowingin
yourbell
y,thisiswhereyoul i
ve.Ifyouwantt o
l
eaveaf t
eryougi vebirt
h,thenthat'
sfinebutmy
chil
dstaysher e.
"
Zimmy:" I
'
llneedyout oli
stentome, Si
bonel o.This
babyisbot hours.Webot hgetanequalsay.I 'm not
wil
li
ngt oli
veinyourhouse.Idon'twantt histo
seem asthoughI '
mt ryi
ngtoworm mywayi nto
yourheart.We'vealr
eadyestabli
shed,youdon' t
wantanyonei nyourhouse.Changi ngthatwi l
lhave
mequest i
oningeverymoodyou' rein.Iwillbe
att
achingittomypr esenceinyourspaceandt hat
won'tmakemecomf ort
ableatal
l.So,no."
Sibo:"
Okay, Iunderst andthatbutcanwet r
y?
Mnqobi'shousei sonl yt
hreebedroomssoyoucan' t
staywit
ht hegirls.Al so,
Idon'twantyouto.They
arehisresponsibili
ty.You'remine.Ihavetotake
careofyou.Unl ess, youwantt ol
iveinthepalace.
"
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m notyourwi
fe,
that
'snotal
lowed.Why
can'
twet
rymyi
deaf
ir
st?
"
Si
bo:"
Nope.I
'm notwi
ll
ingt
odangl
ewi
thmychi
ld'
s
l
if
eoryour
s."
Zi
mmy:"
Fine.I
'
llgi
vei
tsomet
hought
."
Sibo:"Thankyou.I'l
lbetel
li
ngmypar ent
stonight
.
Zwei salreadyexplodi
ngwithexci
tement.Canyou
beli
eveheor der
edhisnewcartoday?Hecal l
sitt
he
babycar .
"Shel aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
That
'scut
e."
Sibo:"Babe,myf ami
lyisgoingt ooverwhelm you.
You'recarryingthefi
rstgrandchild.I
t'
sgoingt oget
suffocati
ngatt imes.I
'm goingtoover st
ept oo
becauset hisismyf i
rst,soI'
llneedyout otellmeif
i
t'
st oomuch. "
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.
"
Sibo:"
Idon'
twantt ogobacktowork,
counci
lhas
beenpostponed.Iam sl
eepyandful
l.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Ihavesomewor
kIneedt
ofi
nish-
"
Sibo:"
Lat
er.Fornow,j
ustr
est.Wenayouwantmy
chil
dtocomeoutwi t
hmusclesandadegr
ee."She
l
aughed.
Zimmy:"Yoh,usi
le.Let
'sgot
othecouchkesoyou
cansleepwhil
eIwat chmyshow.Naomitookher
husbandback."
Si
bo:"
Unamanga!Iknewi
t.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hissi
dechi
cki
spr
egnant
."
Sibo:"Weeeh.Youseenowyouspoi ledi
t?Pl
ease
rewind.I
'm get
ti
ngafleece."Iwal
kedtot
hesecond
bedroom taki
ngoutafleece.

SASA'
SPOV_

Theheal erhadar ri
vedandi mmediatelystar
t ed
workingonBusi .Heevenhadhi sown
room/ consultingareai
nt hehouse.He'svery
i
mpor tanther e.He,BusiandAmahl eonlyhadgone
i
nside.Iwai tedanxiousl
ybutNkosidi str
actedmea
l
itt
lebyt akingawal kinthegarden.Itwasnowdar k
butdef i
nit
elymor ebeautifult
hananythingI'veever
seen.Ther ewer epathli
ght sal
ongthepat hwayand
alsogar denl
ights.Theyweren'tjustANYgar den
l
ights.Eachar eali
ghtref
lectedof ft
hecolourofthe
fl
ower .Iwantedtojumpupanddownwi t
h
excit
ement .I
twast heprett
iestthingI'
veeverseen.
Nkosi
:"Youcant
akeavi
deof
oryourf
ri
ends,
baby.
"
Me:"
Real
ly?I
'
m al
lowedt
odot
hat
?"
Nkosi
:"Yesmylove.They'
llnevergett
oseei
t
physi
call
ysoitwi
llbeniceforyoutobeabl
eto
showthem."Hekissedmyhead.
Me:"Thankyoubaby.I '
m goi ngt ouseyourphone
becauseittakesbett
erpi ctures.
"Helaughed.Af t
er
taki
ngavi deoandsomepi ctures,wewal kedback
downt othepalace.Wewal kedintothelounge
wherethef amil
ysatqui etl
y.QueenNobant uwas
readi
ngherbook.QueenNol wazi onhertablet
.I
watchedmyvi deos,sti
llmar veli
ngathowbeaut i
ful
thegardenwasatni ght.
Nkosi
:"Your
eal
lyl
ikei
t?"
Me:"
It
'ssobeaut
if
ul.I
magi
nest
argazi
ngi
nthe
ni
ght
?Thatwouldbeamazi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Wecouldtr
ythat
.Likeapi
cni
catni
ght
."
Amahlewalkedi
nholdi
ngBusi'
shandandt
he
heal
erfol
lowedbehi
ndthem.
Ki
ng:
"Wel
l?
"
Healer
:"MyKing.Itist
ruethatshehasseenthe
wit
ch.Unfor
tunatelyhereyesi
ghtcannotr
etur
n."
Ki
ng:
"Whatcanyout
ellmet
hati
sofuset
ome?
"
Healer
:"Shehasn'tonl
yseenthewit
chbutknows
exactl
ywher esheishi
dingaswel
l.Ont
opoft hat
,
shecanf eelher
."
Busi:
"Shekeepscomingclosermyking.Sheonly
sendsherspi
ri
tsinbodiesofthedeadtodist
ractus.
Meanwhil
esheismovi ngcloser
."
King:
"Gi
vemethosedi
rect
ionsandI
'
llbr
ingher
head.
"Hest
oodup.
Busi
:"Ther
ewon'
tbeaneedf
ort
hatmyki
ng.Shei
s
comi
ng."
Ki
ng:
"Comi
ngwher
e?Her
etomyhouse?
"
Busi
:"Yesmyki
ng.Theguar
dswon'
tbeablet
osee
her
.There'
sonl
yoneper
sonwhocan.That
'swho
she'
scomet
otake.
"Theki
ngchuckl
edl
owand
deep.
King:
"Letheri
n."myspi
nefel
tcol
dwi t
hhistone.I
hadnodoubtinmymi ndhewouldravageherthe
samewayhedi dSamu.
Nkosi
:"She'
str
easur
ebl
ood,
fat
her
."
King:"Idon'
tcar
ewhatshei
s.I
'
m pai
nti
ngt
hat
ceil
ingwithherbl
ood.
"
Nkosi:"That'
snottheconcer
nf at
her.Whati
fthe
ancestorspunishyouforhur
tingthei
rbl
ood?We
aresti
llrepai
ri
ngwhatPapadi dinthepast
."
King: "
She'sheretoharmtheonl yGoodonel eft!
!I'
d
ratherfightt
hroughallspi
ri
tualrealmstoprotect
t
hist hrone.I
ftheypunishusf orthatt
henrather
t
her ebenot hrone.
"
Ama:"
Fat
heri
sri
ght
.Heri
ntent
ioni
snotgood.
"
Nkosi:"
Bef
orewedosomethingthatcannotbe
undone,weshoul
dconsul
t.
"Helookedatme.
Me:"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatme?
"
Nkosi
:"Youcancal
lonMam Nonkosi
,baby.You
canaskher
."
Me:"
Shewon'
tappearher
eNkosi
."
Nkosi
:"Love,
shewi
ll
-"
Me:"Somethi
nghappened.Idon'
tknowwhatyet.
ButIthi
nkherspir
iti
snolongeri
nthepal
ace.I
t
coul
d'vebeenchasedout
."
Ki
ng:"She'
sright.Idon'
trememberf
eel
ingherspi
ri
t
af
terawhil
e."Hel ookedatme."
Whatdoyouthink
weshoulddo, t
ot hewit
ch?"
Nobant
u:"Woul
dn'
tbesurpr
isedi
fsheinvi
tedheri
n
f
ortea.
"Shetur
nedthepageonherbook.
Nolwazi
:"She'
dprobabl
ywanttohearthedevi
l'
s
si
deofthestoryt
oo."Thet
winsgiggl
ed.
Ama:"
Mot
her
,that
'smean.
"
Nobant
u:"
Sheneedsmean,
she'
stoosof
t.
"
King:"
Nobantu."Hewarned."
Thembisawhatdo
youwantustodo? "Wasitsuchabadt hi
ngthatI
wantedtohearthiswi
tch'
sstory?Wheredoesshe
comef r
om?Howar et
heyawi tch?Howlonghave
theybeenoutthere?Becauseifshe'
sachil
dof
anotherper
sonthatescaped,
whoisthatperson
andhowdi dtheyescape?Teawouldsol
vethese
questi
ons.Idon'
tcareift
hatmakesmesof t
.
Me:"Wecoul dl ur
ehercl oseandtr
apher.Isther
ea
wayt oblockherspel l
s?Thatwaywhenshe' s
capturedshedoesn' taff
ectoneofus.Onceshe's
caught,thenshecananswersomequest ions.How
manyoft hem exi
st?Wher earet
hey?Howdi dthey
escapethef i
re?"
Nkwe:"
Didyoubakemor
escones?Thi
nkshe'
d
appr
eci
atet
hose.
"
Me:"Makefunbutthi
sisimportant.Whatifshe's
nott
heonlyone?Thedescript
ionBusigaveusi sof
someoneshepictur
esassimil
art ome, notanolder
woman.Thevill
ageburntdownwhenmyf atherwas
onl
y11.Unlessshehasaspellorpot i
ontomake
herl
ookyoung."
Nolwazi:"Don'tfor
gettoputt hati
nyour
questi
onnai r
emydear ,Iwil
lneeditwhenI
'm 60.
"I
gi
ggled.She'st helastpersontoneedayouthspell
.
Shedidn'tlookadayover40.
Nkosi:"Mylove,youknowshecan'tst
ayf orl
ong
though.Shehasyourbl ood.Ourbl
oodfeels
protect
iveoveryoursi
nashor tbur
stofti
me. "
Me:"Yes,
Iknow.AndI'l
lneedyou.Youcanwhisper
sowhenIaskaquest i
on,shemaynotanswerbut
I'
m goi
ngtothoughtpr
ovoketheanswershe
doesn'
twanttosayandyouwi l
laccessi
t.
"
Nobantu:"
Youcant
houghtpr
ovoke?Howdoest
hat
evenhappen?
"
Me:"Youaskquest i
ons,myqueen.Asyouaskt hem
youalsogiveanswerstowhatappliestoyou.Mor e
l
ikehavingaconversati
onwi t
hyourself.Event
uall
y
thenextpersonstar
tsthi
nkingabouttheirown
answerseveniftheydon'tsayit
.They'
llthinki
t.
"
Ama:"Yeah,she'
srel
entl
ess.She'
llwor
m herway
i
ntoanythi
ng.Thembisawillt
alkf
ordays.
"
Nkosi
:"Asksal
otofquest
ionst
oo.
"
King:
"Thengi
vethest
upidestanswer
stot
hose
samequesti
ons.
"Theychuckled.
Me:"
OkayI
'
m nott
hatbad.You'
vemetZanel
e."
Nkosi
:"Yourexactr
epl
ica.Ni
yaf
ana.
"(You'
ret
he
same.
)
Ama:" Zaneleisactual
lyf
unny.Rememberthe
outsi
del unchwhenshet oldusabouthermot
her
's
church?"Wel aughed.
Ki
ng:
"Wher
ewasI
?"
Nkosi
:"Youwer
eatSt
ell
ars.I
twasbef
oreyou
j
oinedus."
Me:"Okay.Sowe'
real
lonboar
dwi
thwhatmust
happen?"
Ama:"Yes.However
,youmi ghthavet
olureher.
Busi
,doyouhaveani deaofhowshe'l
lappear?
"
Busi:"
Shedoesn'tknowshe' sbeenwaitedon.Sasa
needstobeherself.Iassumeherwayi nwouldbe
aroundthetr
ees.Treasurebloodslovenatur
eso
Sasacanbei nthegar dendoingsomethingshe
usuall
ydoes."
Nkosi
:"Fai
ryt
hings.
"Wechuckl
ed.
Me:"
Andwhensheappr
oaches?
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
llbl
ockherspel
ls.Shewon'
tbeabl
eto
harm orfl
ee.Becauseofyourgoodnat ureyou'
re
theonlyoneshecant rustbecauseofyourblood
ther
eforeyoucanl ur
eherin."Iwasnervousashell
.
I'
veneverseenar eall
ifewit
chbutItrust
edNkosi
moret hananyt
hing.He'dneverletmegethurt.
Me:"
Okay.
"
Busi:
"She'
scl
ose.I
t'
stimeforyout ogoout
.
RememberThembisa,actnatur
al.Dowhatyou
usual
lydowheninthegarden."
Nkosi:"
Doyourf air
yt hi
ngsbaby.I
'
mr i
ghthere,
she
won'tdareharm you."Inoddedandexhal
ed.Here
goesnothing.
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er130

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

I
t'
sbeenaver
yrel
axedday.Ievenf
ellasl
eep.
Zi
mmywasst
il
lwat
chi
ngTV.Iwokeup,
str
etchi
ng.
Si
bo:"
Hey.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Hey.Youf
ellasl
eep.
"
Si
bo:"
Hm.
..Iwasr
eal
lysl
eepy.I
sther
est
il
lfood?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yes,
Ilef
tyousomewi
ngsandf
ri
es.
"
Si
bo:"
Whatdi
dyoueatt
hen?
"
Zi
mmy:"Imademacar
oniandcheese.
"Mymout
h
water
ed.
Si
bo:"
Ist
her
est
il
lsomel
eft
?"Shesmi
led.
Zimmy:" Yest
hereis.
"Shegotup,walkingt
othe
kit
chen.Anotherpr
oblem Inowsuddenlyhadwas
thehardoneinmypant s.Averystr
ange
uncomf ort
abl
efeel
ingpassed.It
ookoutmyphone
checkingformessages.Zwehadtexted.I
respondedtohim:<I'
m atmyhousewi thZi
mmy.>
Zwe:
<Iknowt
hat
.Whenar
eyoucomi
nghome?
>
Si
bo:<HaiboZwe,I
'm afat
hernow.Icancomeback
wheneverIwant
.>Ichuckl
ed.
Zwe:
<I'
mtel
li
ngyourmot
her
.>
Sibo:<ZWELETHU!I'
l
lbehomeinanhour.
Goodness.>Hesentbackl
aughi
ngemoji
'
s.Thi
s
bull
y.Zimmybroughtmeatray.
Zi
mmy:"
Her
eyougo.
"
Si
bo:"
Thankyoubabe.
"
Zi
mmy:"
CanIpouryouadr
ink?
"
Si
bo:"
Justaj
uicei
sfi
ne,
wher
e'syourf
ood?
"
Zi
mmy:"I'
m br
ingi
ngitnow.Youdon'twanta
whi
skey?Youusuall
yhaveitaf
terdi
nner.
"
Si
bo:"Yeah,
thatwasbef
oret
hepr
egnancy.Just
j
uicewil
lbeokay.
"
Zimmy:"Whatdoesmypr
egnancyhavet
odowi
th
yourdr
ink?
"
Si
bo:"
It
'snotgoodf
ort
hebaby.
"
Zi
mmy:"
ButI
'
m car
ryi
ngt
hebaby?
"Shegi
ggl
ed.
Si
bo:"
YesbutI
'
m car
ryi
ngthesuppor
tangi
thi
?"She
br
oughtmemyjui
ceandherfood.
Zi
mmy:"
Thankyou.Yoursuppor
tmeansal
ott
o
me."
Sibo:"You'
rewel come."Iatemyf ood.Iappreciated
thisonepartoft hesympt oms.Foodt astedso
damngood.Byt heti
meshegi vesbi r
thI'l
lbe
carryi
ngaf oodbabyi nmyownbel ly."Ihavetogo
thepalaceforaboutanhourort wo.Pleasedon' t
takeoffense,Idon'twanttoleaveyoual oneinthis
house.It'
spar tofthereasonIwantt omove.I'd
ratheryouwai tedformeatMnqobi 's."
Zi
mmy:"
Canyout
ellmewhy?
"
Sibo:"
WhyIhavet
ogot
hepal
ace?Tot
ellmy
parent
sbabe.
"
Zimmy:"No,whyyoucan'
tleavemealoneinthis
house?"Thi
sisnotsomet
hingIfel
tli
ketal
king
about.
Si
bo:"
Doyour
ememberMegan?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Yourgi
rl
fr
iend?Yes.
"
Sibo:"Defi
nit
elynotmygi rl
fri
end.Aftert
hatni ghtat
theclub,Ibroughtherhere,yes.Idi
dn'tcallher
backaf t
erthat.Soshestartedtostalkme.
Everywhere.Andeventually,Shebrokeintothe
house.Shehel dmehost agei nthebasement .Zwe
andNkosihadt
obr
eakopent
hedoor
."Ipul
ledup
mysleeves.
Zi
mmy:"
OhmyGod.Iam sosor
ry.
"
Sibo:"
Sodoyouunder standwhyIdon'twantt o
compr omiseyoursafety?Whatift
here'shundreds
otherwomenoutt herewhof eelj
eal
ouswhent hey
hearthenewsofourpr egnancyandst artat
tacki
ng
you?Ican'tri
skthatZimmy.Somet i
mes, people
whohar m arenottoofaraway.Ican'
triskourchil
d
l
ikethat.
"
Zimmy:"
Okay.Iunder
standbuthowdi
dshegeti
n
here?Wi
llwebesafehere?
"
Sibo:"Shewor ksforReynardSmi thproperti
esand
heliveshere.Soshedi sgui
sedi tascomi ngtohi s
housef orsomewor kshitandshewasl eti
n.You'll
besaf e.Shewasar rest
ed.Zwehasameet ingwi t
h
myf atherandReynar d'
slawyerst hi
sweek.Ei t
her
webuyt hefamilyoutwhichiswhatwewantt odo
orthey'l
lhavet osi
gnacont ractthatpreventsthem
fr
om al l
owinganyoneont othepr opert
ywi t
houtour
headofsecur i
tycheckingthem. "Iwouldnevert el
l
hershe'salr
eadydead.Noonewouldeverknow
that
.She'l
lbemissing,
yes.However
,accor
dingto
theroyaldet
enti
oncenter
,shewasrel
eased.
Zi
mmy:"Thi
sissohor
ri
bleSi
bonel
o."Shet
ouched
mybr
uises.
Si
bo:"
I'
llbef
inebutar
eweont
hesamepage?
"
Zi
mmy:" Yeahabsolut
ely.I
fthiscanbedonet
oyou,
aroyalprince,
imaginewhatt hey'
ddotome.The
gi
rl
satr esgoi nsaneoveryou."
Si
bo:"
That'
sst
rangebecauseI
'
veneverevendat
ed
i
nyourres.
"
Zi
mmy:" Theyseeyouar
oundt
heci
ty.Whenyou
wereoutmostly.
"
Sibo:"YeahI'
m overthatnow.Nothingoutther
eis
worthit.Al
lIneedisrighther
e."Iheldhert
ummy.I
couldn'twai
ttoseeitgrow.
Zi
mmy:"I
sthisyourwayofaski
ngmet
ost
op
cl
ubbi
ng?
"Ilaughed.
Si
bo:"Zi
mmy,
howcanyoucl
ubwhenyoucan'
t
dr
ink?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Iwon'
tbepr
egnantf
orever
."
Si
bo:"
It
'sf
inet
hen,youcangoclubbi
ngandleave
mewit
hmychild.Idon'
tmind.
"Shegiggl
ed.
Zimmy:"I
t'
sgoodt
hatyoudon'
tmi
ndbecausei
twi
ll
happen.
"
Sibo:"Ngi
vel
engik'mithi
seafter3mont
hs
uphelelweamandla."Shelaughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Doyout
hinkI
'
dsl
eepwi
thyouagai
n?"
Si
bo:"Hai
boZi
masa,
howwi
llourchi
ldhavea
si
bli
ng?"
Zimmy:"
Thisoneisbarelyshowi
ngandwena
you'
ret
hinki
ngofsibl
ings?Doyouwantmedead?
"
Sibo:"
i-
Deadyeyani
,uzohl
utshwaubani
?"She
shookherhead,l
aughi
ng.
Zi
mmy:"
I'
m notdoi
ngt
hatwi
thyouagai
n."
Si
bo:"
Hawu?Am It
hatbad?
"
Zi
mmy:"
Nobutwe'
ref
inel
iket
his.
"
Si
bo:"
Inganei
funai
-si
bli
ngZi
mmy.He'
slonel
y."
Zimmy:"Don'tli
eaboutmychi
ld.He'sver
yhappyi
n
ther
e.I
nf act
,letmemanif
estagirl
.Iwanta
daught
ersobad. "
Sibo:"Wemi ghthavetotryafewt imes.Doyousee
howl ongittookmymom t ogetZinhle?Abakwa
Biyelawanttheirpri
ncesfi
rst.
"Iwat chedher
cacklingonthecoucht hi
nkingI'
mj oking.Iwasnot,
Idowantadaught er,maybetwobuti t'
sunlikel
ywe
getonet hefir
stti
meandshe' scarryingallofthese
babies.Idon'twantanyoneelseto."Doyout hi
nk
I'
mj okingZi
masa? "
Zi
mmy:"
Iref
uset
obel
ieveyou'
renot
."Ichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
Don'tcr
ywhenyou'
recar
ryi
ngmeever
yyear
.
Youst
art
ed."
Zimmy:"St
art
ed?Idi
dn'
tst
artanyt
hing.Thisi
sthe
l
astbabyyou'
reget
ti
ngoutofme."Ilaughedl
ong
andhard.
Si
bo:"
I'
llpr
intyouat -
shi
rtwit
hthatsl
ogan,
you'
l
l
weari
tineverylabour
."Welaughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Mxi
m.Pl
easet
akemehome.
"
Si
bo:"
Alr
eady?Youdon'
twantt
orestal
it
tl
e?"
Zimmy:"Iwasresti
ngalldaythough.Thi
swasf un
butIneedtostudyanddosomewor k.Pl
usIhave
total
ktomypar ent
stonight
."Idi
dn'twanthert
ogo
butIhadtotr
eadslowlyifIwanttowinherback.
Si
bo:"
Okay.Thi
nkaboutwhatwet
alkedabout
."
Zimmy:"Ialr
eadyhave.Iknowmypar ent
swi l
lbe
disappoi
ntedbuti
tmighthelpthatyou'r
esupporti
ve.
I'
m notsurehowthey'
llr
eacttomovingi nthough.
"
Sibo:"I
ftheyneedtotal
ktome, youcangivethem
mynumber .Nami,I
'
mt el
li
ngminet oni
ghtand
they'
llwanttodothi
ngsright
."
Zi
mmy:"
Okay.Let
'sgoke.
"..
.

ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

It
'sbeenabitofalongday.Jackson'
ssurger
ywent
wellbutIdi
dmakeabi tofi
nsurancetomakesur e
hedoesn'twakeup.Theaccidentwasbad,hedidn'
t
havemuchhopebuthehadmadei tt
ohospit
alsoI
coul dn'triski t.I'
dhavet ohavet hedonor
conver sationwi thSi zat omor row.Shehadcomet o
thehospi talt ocheckonhi m.Hewasst il
lher
husbandandf at herofherchi l
drensoi twas
expect ed.Isati nt hel oungewat chingTVwi th
Khaya.Si bonel owasathi shouse, I'
dcheckedt he
secur i
tyandhewassur r
oundedandsaf e.He
seemedt obeenj oyinghi snewj ourney.Iwas
exci ted.Thi sbabywasourf ir
st.Therewi llhavet o
beasi blingver ysoonbecauseheorshewi l
lbe
suf focatedwi thl ove.We' llprobablyfightoverwho
takescar eoft hebaby.He' l
ldefinit
elyneedasi bli
ng
toshar ewi th.Mnqobican' t
,he'sstil
lfiguringouthi s
mar ri
agear rangement ,soIhadt o?BecauseKhaya
i
snotevent hinkingofbei ngadad.Thi swoul dbea
pr oblem.Icoul dn' tevencal l
Nomzamodur ingthe
daybecauseIgotbusyatwor kandnowi twasaf ter
hour s.Icoul dgethernumberbutIdi dn' twantt odo
that.Shedi dn'tgi vei ttomesot hatwoul dbe
i
nvadi ngherpr i
vacy.I '
llhavet ogot ot hel ibrary
tomor rowmor ningandask.Ihopeshel ikedt he
flower s.Iwasn' tsur est i
llaboutact uallydat ingher .
Sheseemedr eal lysweetandherj obismyhobby.
ButIdon' tl
ikesweetwomen.Igetbor ed.Myki ndof
womanmustbedar ing,bold,lovetaki
ngr isks.I
didn'
tevencar eaboutdegr eesandbeaut y.Justbe
excit
ing.Nomzamol ookedl i
keshewoul dbr eakifI
evenhel dherarm.Shehadat hickbody,wi t
h
beautifuldarkski
n.Softprettyeyes.Nodoubther
skinwasj ustassoft.Iwasobvi ousl
yattractedto
her.Ijusthopeshewasn' tassweetasshepor t
rays.
Zwe:"Bug,
what'
sup?"He'
sbeenst
ari
ngathi
s
phoneforabi
tnow.
Khaya:"
Not
hingBhutZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Looksl
ikesomet
hing.Tal
ktome.
"
Khaya:" Nkwenkweziconf
usesme.Ithoughtshe
reall
ylikedme.Textedmeeverysecondoft heday.
Ifshewokeupat3i nthemorni
ng,she'l
ltext.Now,
she'sjustkindofst
opped.Wespoket hr
oughoutt he
mor ni
ngbutshe'ssuddenlygonequietagain.
Saturdaytoo.Shesaidshe'
shavingfamily
troubl
es."
Zwe:"
Famil
ytr
oubl
es?Perhapsthey'r
eadj
ust
ingas
afami
lyt
oThembisa.She'
sli
vingtherewi
tht
hem
andrememberthepr
incessesar
eabi
tspoi
ltso
theymaybefeel
ingj
ealous.
"
Khaya:"
Oh!
!Iunder
standnow.Maybet
hat
'st
he
pr
oblem.SowhatdoIdotohelp?
"
Zwe:"
They'
llworkitout.Don'
tworryabouti
t.Just
besuppor
ti
ve."Ourparentswalkedin.
Queen:"
Goodeveningsweethear
ts.Di
nnerwil
lbe
readyi
njust20minutes.Wherei
sSboni?"Shi
t.
Zwe:
"Uhm.
..
he'
swor
king.
"
King:"
Whati
shehidi
ng?Tel
lmeZwe.Hewas
acti
ngver
ysket
chythi
smorning.
"
Zwe:"
Hiding?Si
bonel
o?He'sthemostopenoneof
al
lofus.He'l
lcr
ackevent
ual
ly."Ichuckl
ed.
Ki
ng:"Youknowhim.Hewon'tcr
ackunt
ilhe's
pr
essured.Zwe,whatdi
dyoudotomychild?Thi
s
i
snotlikehim.
"
Zwe: "ButBaba,he'l
ltal
kwhenhe'
sready.Youknow
Ican'tsayanythingabouthi
m."Justt
hen,he
walkedi n.
Si
bo:"
Fami
ly.
"Hesatdown.
Queen:"
Hel
lobaby.Howareyou?
"Hel
ookedatme.
Il
ookedatmyphonesmil
ing.
Si
bo:"
I'
mfi
nemama,
howar
eyou?
"
Queen:"
I'
m wel
l.We'
reaboutt
ohavedi
nner
.Your
fat
herwantst
otalkt
oyou."
Si
bo:"
AboutwhatBaba?
"
Ki
ng:
"Iwantyout
ofeelf
reet
otel
lusanyt
hing.
"
Si
bo:"
Zwel
ethu.
"
King:"
It
'sokayson.Wecant
alkabouti
tasa
famil
y."
Si
bo:"
Whatar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?"
Ki
ng:
"Ar
eyougay?
"
Si
bo:"NoBaba.I
'
m notgay.Whywoul
dyout
hink
I
'm gay?
"
King:
"You'
resecreti
ve,wejustwantedtoknow
whatishappeningwithyoulatel
y.Maybeyoumet
someone.Isthatwhyyoudi dn'
twanttosett
lewi
th
al
lthewomenyou' vebeenwi t
h?"
Si
bo:"
Ithi
nkwe'
ret
oocl
oseasaf
ami
lyandt
his
mi
ghtmaket
hingswor
se.
"
Queen:"
Whatwi
ll
?"
Sibo:"
Uhm..
.Acoupl
eofweeksago,Iwasseeing
Zi
mmy.Asyouknow.Wej ustf
oundoutshe's
pregnant
.Wi
thmybaby.
"Ourmothergasped,
holdi
nghermout
h.
Ki
ng:
"Si
bonel
o,ut
hini
?"
Sibo:"I
'
m goingtobeaf ather
,baba."Mamast ar
ted
screamingandsinging.Thiswasexpected,
shewas
beggingforagrandchil
d.Ourfatherontheother
handwasn' tt
oohappy.
King:"Si
bonelo,t
hisisn'
twhatI'
daskedfor,
myson.
Itoldyoubefore,Idon'
twantyoufourt
ohave
chil
drenoutofwedl ock.Thi
swil
lmakethings
diff
icul
t.
"
Sibo:"Iknowbaba.Iwasn'tpl
anningont hi
s.Wegot
aninjecti
ontopreventbutwedidn'twai
t.Itwas
honestlyamistake.
"
Ki
ng:
"Whati
syourpl
an?
"
Si
bo:"
Ispoket
ohert
oday,
we'
repl
anni
ngon
movi
ngheri
ntheest
ate-
"
King:"NoSibonelo.You'
renotgoi
ngtocohabit.
You'vealr
eadygot t
enthi
sgirlpr
egnant,
you'
renot
abouttodisrespectherf
atherbytaki
ngherin
withoutevenhonor i
nghi
m withcows.That'
snot
howIr ai
sedyou. "
Queen:"
Kodwababa,
doest
hatmeanhemust
marryher
?"
King:"I
'
m notsayinghemust.AllI
'
m sayi
ngi
s,he'
s
notgoingtodisr
espectt
hatgir
landherfami
lyl
ike
that.
"
Sibo:"IunderstandBaba.She' st
ell
ingherf
amily
tonightaswel l
,soI'm expect
ingacallfr
om her
father.I
'l
lhearfrom him whattheyneed.Doyou
haveanyadvi ce? "
Ki
ng:"Wehavet owaitonhim,son.Ourtr
adit
ions
di
ff
er.Ifshest
artsshowingandhedoesn'tmakea
si
gnthenwewi l
lhavetoknock.She'scar
ryi
nga
Pr
ince.Hemustbewel comedinourhomeand
pr
otected.
"Hesmi l
ed."
MaBiyela,
pleasepaymemy
money."
Queen:"
Now?Youcan'
tevenl
etmeenj
oyt
his
momentBabakaZwe?"
Zwe:
"Whyam Ii
nit
?"
Si
bo:"
Whatar
ewepayi
ngf
or?
"
King:
"YourmotherandIhadabetonwho' dbethe
fi
rstt
obringhomeapr egnancy.Shesai
dZwe,Iput
mymoneyonyou.Ibel ievedi
nyou, myson.
"We
l
aughed.

SASA'
SPOV_

Iwalkedouti ntothegar den.Itwasn'tasdar k

becauseoft hel i
ghts.Ihadmyphonei nmyhand,
I'
dusei ttoactnat uralIsuppose.Il ookedatt he
fl
ower sinthegar den, glowinglikestar
s.Itlooked
soenchant i
ng, Iwal kedf urt
herdownt hepat h.I
reachedthet rees,theirlightsdi
dn'tref
lectback.
Theywer eregul arli
ght sont heground.Idon' tt
hink
thi
sladyi scomi ng.Ther ei snowayshecansneak
i
ntoapal ace.Unl essofcour seshehasabi lit
iesli
ke
theSi khosana' sbutt hat '
snotpossi ble.Awi tch
doesn' thavesupernat ur alabi l
ities, maybepot i
ons
andspel lsbutdef initelynotpower s.Iwasi nt he
saf estpl acei ntheki ngdom.Feel ingal it
tlemor e
conf ident ,Iwalkedt hr ought het reepat hhummi ng
al i
ttl
et une.Theweat herwast ransi tioningt owi nt
er
from aut umn.If orgott otakeaj er sey.Wai t,doI
evenownj ersey's?Sur elyImusthaveaf ew.Idon' t
!
Ihadt ogi veupmycl ot hesf orr oyalwi fecl othes
accor di ngt omymot her .I'
donl ycomebackt o
Mount ainPeakwi thasmal lbagofcl othest hatwas
af ewdr essesandshoes.Atl eastI 'm al l
owedt o
wearpant sevent hought heywer en' tmyf avorit
e
kindofcl ot hi
ng.Ir eal lylovedmyski rtsanddr esses.
Ar ethoseguavas?I t'saguavat ree!I '
vehadonl y
butoneguavai nmyl i
fe.Idi dn' tlikei tbutmaybei t
wasn' tripeyet ?Ifthat 'sat hi
ng.Ir emembert heday
l
ikei twasyest erday, Iwaswi thdadi ntown
shoppi ngf orthef ar m.Iwant edt ot asteaguavabut
hat edi timmedi ately.Maybet hisi sdi fferent.The
fruitst hatgr owonSi khosanasoi lar eal wayssweet
except ,Ican' treachupt het reet opi ckone.My
heightwasani nconveni enceatt imesl i
ket hese.
Jumpi ngwasn'tgoi
ngtoevenhelp.Nkosiwil
lhave
tocome.Hi sbabywantstotasteaguava.Igi
ggled,
walkingforwar
d.Plums!Well
,thatwasexpected.
Therewashar dlyafr
uitt
hatdidn'
tgrowinthi
s
garden.Itwashuge.Iwasactuall
yborednowanda
l
itt
letir
ed.Maybeevenhungry.
Me:" Okay.SoIcan' treacht hefrui
t,maybea
sandwi chwil
ldo."It urnedar oundtowalkback,
getti
ngt heshockofmyl i
fe.Who.The.Hel l
.Was.
This.Iimmediatelyst art
edshaki ng.Thi
scan'tbe
thewi t
ch.Iti
sn't
.Itobvi ouslywasn'taguard,
j
udgi ngfrom t
hecl othes."CanIhel pyou?"He
smiled.
Him:"Hello.
"Defi
nit
elynotaguard.Pani
cwas
setti
ngin.Whyisthereamanf ol
lowingmei nsi
de
Sikhosanagrounds?Ipressedt
heemer gency
buttononmyphone.
Me:"
Whoar
eyou?
"Ibackedawayf
rom hi
m.
Him:"
Af ri
end.
"Hesmil
ed.Myvisi
onblur
red,
my
bodyfeeli
ngli
mpbutIdi
dn'
treachthegr
ound.Al
l
wentblack.
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er131

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Thecatcameint
othelounge,
purr
ing.That
'snew.
Glaci
vor
yneverl
eaveshermother
'sroom.Amahle
wasalsoconf
used.
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Ther
e'ssomeonei
nthegar
den.
"
Nol
wazi
:"YesNhl
anhl
a.Thembi
sawentout
side.
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Not
her
e'ssomeoneel
se.
"
Ki
ng:"
Ther
e'sguar
dst
hroughoutt
hepal
ace
gr
oundsNhl
anhla.
"
Nhl
anhl
a:"
Fat
her
,it
'
snotaguar
d."Wel
ookedather
.
Nkosi
:"Ican'
tfeelt
hewi
tch'
sener
gyyet
.Busican
youf
eelanyt
hing?
"
Busi
:"No,
it'
sjustbl
ank.
"Theheal
erconf
ir
med.
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhlawhyar
eyousayi
ngt
her
e's
someoneinthegar
den?
"
Nhlanhla:"
Thecatsaysso."Thi
swasn'
tthet
ime
butIletoutasmallchuckl
e.
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhl
a."
Nhla:"I'
m seriousbhut i.Gocheck. "Isawt heal er
t
goof fonmyphone.Emer gency.Ididn'tevenfeel
thewi t
chher eyetsowhatwasgoi ngon?It ookoff
runningtowar dswher eshewas.I nlessthana
minuteIr eachedthedar kdi mlyli
tpathwayher
energywasi n.Shewasn' there.Fatherappear ed
withdozenofhi m sear chingthrought hetrees.Her
phonel ayont hegr ound.Thi scannotbehappeni ng.
Ipickeditup, sear
chi ngt hroughthegar den.
Nkosi
:"Thembisa!!
!"Not
hing.Si
lence.Icoul
dfeel
thei
ceinmyvei ns.Backinthepalace,Ir
anintot
he
heal
er."
Findher.NOW! !
"
Nobant
u:"
Mehl
uli
,ar
eyousayi
ngshe'
smi
ssi
ng?
"
Nkosi
:"Yes!
!Thi
swasontheground.Sheonly
managedtosendanemergencyal
ert.Nhl
anhl
a,
whodidyousayisi
ntheyard?"
Nhl
a:"Thecatsai
dsoBhut
i.
"Shewasaboutt
opi
ss
meoffwitht
his.
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhl
a."
Nol
wazi:"
Nhl
anhla,
pleasedar
li
ng.Tel
lusexact
ly
whatt
hecatsai
d.Askiteven.
"
Nhla:"Shesaidt her eissomeonei nthegar den.
There'samani nt hegar den.That '
sall
."Iwentback
outsearchingthr ought hegar denoncemor e.I
cli
mbedupt other oof,lookingdowni nthegar dens.
Therecan'tbeamani nt hegar den.Wast hewi tcha
man?Thatcan' tbe.They' veonl ybeendescr i
bedas
awoman.Di dtheysendsomeone?Di dtheyknow
we'rewait
ing?Myhear twashammer i
ngi nmy
chest.Howcoul dInotf eelt hedangerinourhome?
Howdi dtheygetpastal lofus?I twasn'tjustme.I t
wasAmahl e,andf atheraswel l.Howdi dtheydo
that
?Iclimbedbackdown, goingbackt oherl ast
spot.Amahl ewast hereaswel llooki
ngf orany
cl
ues.
Ama:"
It
'sl
ikeshej
ustvani
shedi
ntot
hinai
r.
"
Nkosi
:"Thatcan'
thappenAmahl
e.Weneedt
ofi
nd
her
."
Ama:"Let'
sgoin.
"Wewentbackt othehouse.My
chestwasburni
nginsi
de,myhandsshaking.Father
walkedbacki
n,vi
sibl
ypissed.Hest
oodinfrontof
Busi.
Ki
ng:"Takemetowher
eshei
s.Yousai
dyouknow
wher
eshei sr
ight
?Move.
"
Busi
:"MyKi
ng,I
'
veonlyseenthear
eashei
sin,
I
don'
tknowhowtogett
here.
"
King:
"Youbet
termakeapl
an,
li
tt
legi
rl
.I'
m gi
ving
youfi
veminut
es!"
Ama:"
Fat
her
."
King:
"Don'
t.
"Iwalkedbackoutt othegarden.
Maybewe'r
emi ssingsomet hi
ng.Noonecancome
i
nandoutofher eunlesstheyhaveabil
it
ies.I
combedthr
ought heentir
egardenoncemor e.
Nothi
ng.Mywifewasgone.Iwentbacki nthe
pal
ace.
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
,what
'sont
hecamer
as?
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Ionl
yseeashadow.Not
hingel
se.
"
Nkosi:"Showme."Iwatchedandcouldn'tseea
t
hing.Itwastr
ulyashadow, nothi
ngelse."Busi
,i
s
t
hereawayyoucanf i
ndt hi
splaceyouspeakof ?"
Busi:"Icantr
ythebestIcan,
YourHighness.I
t'
sin
thewoods.Icouldhearrunni
ngwatersomaybea
ri
veriscloseby.Ther
ewer emor
ebouldersthan
treesandbushes."
Mt hunzi
:"Whataboutyourotherdr
eam?Whenyou
saidyoudr eamtofherhi
ding.Doyouremember
that?"
Ki
ng:
"Whatdr
eam i
sthat
?"
Busi
:"Shewasint
hisvi
ll
age,hidi
ngf r
om
somethi
ngorsomeone.Icouldn'
treal
lyseeitbutI
coul
dfeelt
henegat
iveenergyaroundher."
Ama:"
Avi
ll
age?Di
ditl
ookabandoned?
"
Busi
:"Yes,
mypr
incess.
"
Ama:"
It
'sBakhoyovi
ll
age.Thef
orgot
tenl
ands.
"
Ki
ng:"Mthunzit
ellt
hepil
ottof
ir
eupt
hehel
icopt
er.
"
Mthunzicont
actedthepi
lot
.
Ama:"
Fat
her,t
hat'
snotagoodidea.Hel
icopt
eris
l
oudandwil
lcausepani
c.Whatift
heyhurther?
"
King:
"Idarethem t
ot r
ythat
."Myhandsst
art
ed
fl
amingjustatthethought
.
Nobantu:"I
sn'
tBakhoyovil
lageontheoutski
rt
s?
Howwoul dsheendupt her
esoqui ckl
y?Clear
ly
whoevertookherhassomeabi l
it
y,soyouneedto
becareful
."
Nol
wazi:"
Andhowsaf ei
severyoneel
seifonecan
j
ustdi
sappearli
kethis?Whataretheguar
dsjobs?
?
Whydidn'
ttheyseethishappeni
ng?"
Mt
hunzi
:"Thehel
icopt
eri
sreadymyKi
ng.
"
Nkosi:"
Everyonest
aysinsidethehousemother
,not
oneofyoumove.Amahl e,
Busi andfat
herar
e
comingwi t
hme.Mt hunziwil
lstaybehi
ndand
guar
dher e.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"Youcan'
tgoi
ntot
hef
orgot
tenl
ands
wi
thoutguar
dsNkosi
."
Nkosi:"
Mthunzi,Idon'
tcareaboutguardsri
ghtnow.
Iwantmywi fe.I
'l
ldealwithever
ythi
ngelsewit
hmy
hands.Let
'sgo."Wer ushedouttothehel
icopt
er.

Thefl
ightwasjust30minut
es.Wehoveredabove
thevi
ll
agelooki
ngattheemptyabandonedgr
ounds.
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,doyouseeanyt
hing?
"
Ama:"
Nothi
ngbrot
her
.Ican'
tevenf
eelherener
gy.
Shei
sn'
ther
e."
Nkosi
:"Lowert hehel
icopter."Theheli
copter
l
owered.Itookof fmyseat belt
s,myfatherdoingt
he
same.Iopenedt hedoor ,
jumpi ngouttherestoft
he
waytothegr oundandl andedonmyf eet.
Ama:" Nkosi
!!"shescreamed.It r
ansf or
medi nt
omy
ti
ger,r
unningt hroughthewoods, sniffi
ngaround
forherscent.Icombedt hroughever ycornerand
rockfi
ndingther iver
.Idover ighti
nswi mming
underthewat er.Theriverhadnot hinginsideit
.Igot
outafteral
mostanhour , walki
ngt hroughthe
woodsMyfat
herwassear
chi
ngi
nwi
thAmahl
e
nextt
ohi
m.
Ama:"
Not
hing.Ther
e'snotevenl
if
eint
hisar
ea.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'sgoi
ntot
hevi
ll
aget
hen.
"
Ama:"Firstofal
l,
you'
vetor
nof fyourcl
otheswhen
youturnedandyou'r
eKings.It
'snotagoodideato
wanderintoanunknownvill
age.Especi
all
ywithout
securi
ty.
"
Nkosi :"
Theyknowmyf ace, butnott het i
ger."I
turnedi nt
omyt igeroncemor e,runningi ntot he
directi
onoft hevill
age.Eveni fit
'sadr opofher
blood.That 'sallIneed.Myl ove, ifyou'r
eoutt here,
please, j
ustadr opandI 'l
lcomef indyou.Thevi l
lage
wast r
ulyabandonedbuti tdef i
nitelyfeltheavy.As
i
ft hepeopl ewer ehiding.Wel l,
anyonewoul dhi deif
at i
gerwal kedt hrought hest r eet.Butwhywer ethe
l
ightsof f?Onl yonest reetl i
ghtperst reetwason.
Whatwast hatabout ?Af tercombi ngthrought he
entirevill
ageIwentbackt ot hewoods, turningback
tohumanf orm.
Nkosi
:"Not
hing.Wehavet
obemi
ssi
ngsomet
hing
Amahl
e.Wher
eel
secoul
dshebe?
"
Ama:"Maybetheyhaven'
tar
ri
vedyet
.Wef lewher
e,
wher
easIdoubtwhoeverthi
sishadfl
ightasa
modeoftranspor
tat
ion.
"
Nkosi:"Thenhowdi dtheygetint
ot hepalace
grounds!!Howdi dtheywalkinandoutwi thmywi fe
andnobodysawt his?!
"Ibr
eathed.Mywhol ebody
wascol dwithfear,r
ageandangui sh.Socolditwas
shiver
ingdespitethefi
reemanatingof fmyskin.
"Sowhatdowedo?Wai t?Dowewai tunti
lherblood
spil
ls??"Shekneltontheground,takingherherbs
outandset t
ingthem ali
ght
.Fatherwal kedbackto
us,holdingBusi'
sarm.
King:
"Iaskedyouoncetoshowmewheretheyar
e.
Thisi
sthelastt
imeI'
m aski
ng.Wher
e.I
s.She.
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
,that
'snotf
air
.Busii
sbl
ind-
"
King:"
Shemustmakeapl anandseeNkosi
nhle!
!!
Everyminutethatpasses,
thef
urt
heraway
Thembisais!!Whoknowswhatcouldbehappening
tohernow!"
Nkosi
:"Sot
hreat
eni
ngBusiwi
llbr
ingherback?Do
yout
hinksheenj
oysnotseei
ng?
!"
King:"
Idon'
tcarewhatthehellsheenjoys.
"He
pushedtoherknees,hi
shandsspar ki
ngelect
ri
cit
y.
Igrabbedhi
m,pull
inghim away.
Nkosi:"
Stopit
!!
!Wecan'
tbefighti
ngatthismoment,
pl
ease.Wehavet ofi
ndher
,father.Pl
easest
op."He
swit
chedoff.Iwai
tedonAmahl e,
shewast r
yingthe
bestshecan.
Ki
ng:"Whati
fthey'
reeMcebo?Ar
en'
tther
ewoods
t
here?
"
Nkosi
:"Ther
eshoul
dbebuthowdowegett
her
e."
Ki
ng:
"I'
l
lfi
ndi
t.Amahl
e,l
et'
spackup.
"
Ama:"Yesfather.
"Sheswitchedofft
hefi
re.Ihel
ped
Busiup,t
akinghertotheheli
copter
.Il
ookedaround
oncemore,hoping.Butshewasn'ther
e.Wehadt o
keepmoving.Thehelicopt
erfl
ewupagain.

Myheartwasbleedi
nginpain.Thefi
rewasn't
swi
tchi
ngoffanylonger
.Ineededtofi
ndmywi f
e.
ThesecondIgetmyhandsonwhoeverdi dthi
s,I
willsparenosecondi nsnappi ngtheirneck.How
didInotf eelthishappen?Why?I '
dpr omisedto
keephersaf eandIl ethergointotheunknownby
herself.Godpl ease,don'tdothist
ome.Pl ease
bri
nghomemywi f
e.What everisoutt her
ecurrent
ly
l
isteningtot hebeatingofmyhear t,
pleasecalm
hersandbr i
ngherhomesaf e.
King:"We'r
eher e.
"Thehel
icopterlowered,Ij
umped
outagainbeforelandi
ngbutIlandedonmy
feet.
..
.ongrass.Howisthatpossible?Cangrass
growonashes?Wer eweint heri
ghtplace?Surel
y
not.Myf at
hergotoffandstoodbyme.Al so,
confused.
Nkosi
:"Ar
ewei
nther
ightpl
ace?
"
Ama:"
Yes.Thi
sisMcebo.
"
Nkosi
:"I
sn'
tthi
sthe.
..
."
Ama:"Ashes?Yes.Icanf eeltheener gyofallthe
soulsl
osther
e."Myf atherstart
edr unningtowar ds
thefor
est,
Itr
ansformedf oll
owi ngrightaft
erhim.
Myf at
herwasaf astrunner,thi
swasn' tsurpri
sing.
Itwasofcoursechall
engingr unningwi t
hat i
gerbut
Ipacedar oundhim.Wespl i
tupinthewoodst o
covermor eground.Isni f
fedtheground,finel
y
tuningmyear stol i
stentoanysound, mysoul
awai t
ingevenasi ghofherbr eat
h,myl ungsr eady
forasni f
fofblood.Iclimbedupt hetr
ee, scanning
throughtheforestfrom thetop.
Nkosi:"Baby,please.Wher ear
eyou? "Icli
mbed
downsear chingthrought hegroundsagain.My
fat
herhaddupl i
catedhimselfmor et
hant ent i
mes.
Eachoneofhi m,carefull
yscanningthetreesand
bushes.Istil
lcouldn'tgetusedtothatabili
ty.Itwas
thestrangestofthem all.Iwal
kedallthroughoutthe
vil
lagetother i
ver.
Nkosi:"Iwon'tgiveup.I
fyoucanheart hesoundof
myvoi ce.Ifyoucanhearmei nyourheart,myl ove.
I'
m comi ngforyou.Iwil
lnotstopsearchi
ngunt ilI
fi
ndyou. "Iprayshe'sst
il
lconsci
ous.Thembi sa
knowsIwi l
lcomer unni
ngifIsmellherbl
ood.Di d
thi
smean, shewasnotawake?Whatwas
happening?Iknowshe' sscared,shewouldn'thave
pressedt hatemergencybutt
onifshedidn'twant
met ocomef orher.HowcouldInotfeelmyhear t
whenshewasbei
ngt
akenf
rom me?
Ama:"Don'tjumpint
othewat
er.Thosear
etreasur
e
bloodwaters,wedon'
tknowwhatwouldhappenif
yougoin.Youmaynotcomeback. "
Nkosi:"
Howcoul dIhavemisseditAmahle?How
didthi
spersoncomei nt
othepalaceundetect
ed
andstealmylif
eaway?Guar dsaside,
howdi dInot
feelt
hisener
gy?"
Ama:" I
t'
snotjustyouNkosi.Allofusdidn'
tfeeli
t.
Whateverthi
sis,isqui
testrong.Ihaven'
tevenbeen
abletoseefurt
herfrom t
hispoint.I
'm bl
ocked.Ican
seeeverythi
ngelsebutherorwher esheis."I
droppedtomyknees, hol
dingont otheground.
Nkosi:"
Sikhosana,ngi
yancenga.Pleasehol
dher
saf
e.She'scarryi
ngyourfutur
e,please.
"Fat
her
walkedtous.
Ama:"Wehavetogo.Weneedt ofindmore
i
nfor
mation.Maybethepersonwhot ookherlef
this
ener
gyinthatar
ea,Icancoll
ectitandtr
acethat.
"
King:
"I'
m notl
eaving.Iwil
lsearcheveryi
nchoft
his
countr
yifIhaveto.I'
m notret
urninghomewit
hout
her
.Youcango.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m wi
thf
atheront
hisone.
"
Ama:" Fat
her
, Iwantherbackasmuchasyoudo
butweneedt of i
nddiff
erentwayst osear
chforher.
Thisisn'
tworking.Sheclearl
yisn'
thereandwe'r
e
wastingti
me.We' vesearchedthisenti
repl
acetwice
over.SameasBakhoyo. "
King:"Fi
ne.Butyouhaveonehour
.Ifyouhave
nothingbythen.Wecomebackoutsearchi
ng
again.".
..
.

Mor ningslowlycrepti n.Myfearwasgr owing

bigger.Therewasst illnosignofThembi saandI
wasl osingmymi nd.Thi swasthethirdforestwe'd
searchedt hr
oughsi ncegoi ngbacktot hepalace
l
astni ght.Howcant heancestorsjustsitbyanddo
nothing?Saynot hing?Iwal kedtowardmyf ather
.
Ki
ng: "
Ifshecan'
tgi
vemet
angi
blei
nfor
mat
ion,
I'
m
ki
ll
ingher."
Nkosi
:"You'
renotgoi
ngt
odot
hat
.Busihar
medno
one.Al
lshedi
dwast
ellus-
"
King: "
Ifshehadshutherf uckingmout handsai d
nothingThembi sawoul dnotbemi ssing!!
!!
"He
screamed." I'
m givi
ngherunt ilsunset.
"Iknowt hat
Busiwasi nnocent.Shedidn'tharm anyone, she
wast ryingtohelp.Evenifshe' dkeptquiet,t
his
would'vehappenedbecauseThembi satendst ogo
outsideatdawnt opickfl
ower s.Myhear tached
missingmyf air
ypar t
ner.
Nkosi:"Let'
sgot othevi l
la.Weneedt ocall
abooSikhosana.Theyhavet oshowuswher esheis,
she'scarryi
ngt hei
rhei r
."Wewal kedtothecar
getti
ngin.Theguar dsdr oveof f
,aft
erI'
dtoldhimto
got othevil
la.Wear ri
vedatt hevill
a,gett
ingofft
he
car.West art
edt hejourneywal ki
ngupt hemountain
al
lthewayt othealter.Wer eachedthetop,Isat
downwi t
hhim.
Nkosi:"
Sikhosana.Msamkhul u.MusiKaMhl anga.
Mhlangaayihlanganii
hlanganamhl akwezithebe.
Somboni.*Sicelaukuthii
ndlovukaziyet
huibuye
i
phephil
e.Weaskf oryourhelp,pl
easebringher
back.
"(Wear ebeggingt ohaveourqueenr etur
ned
saf
ely)Thundercrackl
edi
nt hesky.If
eltt
he
movementar oundus.Icl
osedmyeyes, awai
ti
ng
anysign.
Ki
ng:
"It
'sbl
urr
y."
Nkosi
:"Youcanseesomet
hing?
"
King:"Yesbutit'
snotclear.Keeppleadi
ngwi t
h
them."Ikeptspeaking,call
ingonourgui desand
ancestors,
theener gygrewst r
onger,
colder.The
presenceofeverysi ngl
ekingthatsatont he
Sikhosanathronejoined.Thiswasat hreattothei
r
l
ineageandvessel .Theyneededhert oo.
King:"Si
yabongaboSikhosana.Khanyi
saniindl
ela
yethuukuzesimletheekhayaephephil
e."(
Weare
gratef
ul,
Sikhosana.Li
ghtupourpathsowemay
bri
ngherhomesaf el
y.)Westoodup.
Nkosi
:"Di
dyougetacl
earpi
ctur
e?"
King:
"Yes.
"Wewalkeddownfrom t
healt
er."We
needherbl
ood.Wit
houti
t,wecannotent
erthe
spaceshe'
shel
din.Cal
lherf
ather
."
Nkosi
:"Won'
ttheyt
akehi
mtoo?
"
Ki
ng:
"He'
l
lbeabl
etol
eadherout
."
Nkosi
:"You'
resacr
if
ici
nghi
m?"Hest
oppedand
l
ookedatme.
King:
"Doyouwantyourfatherinlaworyourwife?
"
Thiswasn'
tevenupfordebate.I'
dchoosemywi fe
anyday.Herfat
herwouldchooset osavehert
oo.
Nkosi
:"I
'
llcal
lhi
m.Let
'sgo.
"..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
17] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er132

SASA'
SPOV_

Iwokeup,feel
ingabitdi
zzyanduncomfort
able.I
l
ookedaroundme.Iwasi nasmallspace,
looking
l
iket
heinsideofacave.Ther
ewasaf ir
eburning
j
ustafewfeetawayfrom me.Myhandswer etiedin
fr
ontofme.Wher et
hehellwasI?
Me:"
Nkosi
."Myvoi
cewashoar
se.Iwast
err
if
ied.
Wher ewasNkosi nhl
e?Wher ewasI ?ThemanIl ast
sawwal kedin.Hesatdownopposi t
eme.Iinched
awayf r
om him, mypanicincreasi
ng.Heki
dnapped
me.Ihadbeenabduct edandcur r
entl
yhel
di na
placeIdon'tknow,undergr
ound."Whatdoyouwant
fr
om me? "
Him:"Not
hing.
"Hesatcomf ort
abl
y,l
ooki
ngatme.I
neededtoescape.Idon'
tcarewher
eIwas,Ihadt
o
fi
ndawayout .
Me:"
Doyour
eal
izewhoIam?
"Hesmi
led.
Him:"Theconcei
tmenthasset t
ledi
n.Ofcour
seI
knowwhoyouwer e.ThembisaNtaka,
nowNobomi
Sikhosana.Thef
uturequeen."
Me:"Whydi
dyousaywer
e?Iam st
il
lthef
utur
e
queen.
"
Hi
m:"Noyou'
renot.
"It
ri
edget
ti
ngup."
Iwoul
dn'
tdo
t
hati
fIwereyou.
"
Me:"Dar
estopmethen!
!"Iknewmybloodwoul
d
cal
lonmyhusbandsoquickhisheadwoul
dspi
n.I
managedtogetup.
Him:"Theonesouttherearen'taski
ndasIam.The
tr
ibehadameetingonwhatt odowithyou,orr
ather
yourbodyonceyouar eofnouse.Ivolunt
eeredto
keepyou,Thembisa.
"
Me:"Keepwho?Ar eyoumad? ?!!
!"Iwal
kedt oward
whatlookedliketheentrancet
ot hecave.Walking
out,
agr oupofpeopl ewhoseemedt ohavebeen
havi
ngdi nnerlookedatme.Immedi at
elydrawing
thei
rweapons.Ist eppedback.Theycan'thurtme,
canthey?
Hi
m:"
List
ent
ome.
"
Me:"
Takemehomer
ightnow!
!!Doyouknowwho
myhusbandi
s?!
"
Him:"That'
sthereasontheywantt
okillyou.
"I
l
ookedar oundandtrul
ythetri
bewasallontheir
feet
,wit
hangr yl
ooksandpangasintheirhand.I
keptmyt ear
sback.Theywouldnotseemef ear.
Oneofthem, anolderl
ookingmansteppedforward.
Man:"Mzingel
i.Wi
llwehaveaprobl
em?Yout ol
dus
youwouldkeephertamed.Whatisthi
s?"Tamed?
I'
m notani
mal!Mycaptordi
dn'
tlookshakenbyhis
l
eader
'squest
ioni
ng.
Mzi ngel i
:"ComebackinsideThembi sa."Iam not
goingbacki nther
e.Therewasnot hingi nther
et hat
coul dhel pme.Theclosestonehel dakni f
e.Ijust
needi ttograzemyskin.Iwal kedupt ohi m,he
star edatmeconf used.Ifeltanarm gr abbingme,
pullingmeaway.Ipunchedandki ckedwi thal
lmy
mi ghtbuthehel dmet i
ghtnumbi ngmymovement s.
Hedr aggedmebacki ntot hecave." Whyar eyou
tr
yi ngt ohurtyour
self
?"
Me:"Pleaseletmegohome.Ipr omi se,
I'
lll
etyou
escape.Iwon'ttel
lthem anyt
hing.Anythingthat
youwant ,I
'
llgivei
ttoyou.Justl etmego. "
Bargai
ning,wasallIhad.Eveni fIhadtol i
e.Ihadt
o
gobackhome.
Mzingeli
:"Ial
readyhaveever
ythi
ngIwant.Pl
ease
don'
ttryanotherstunt
.Thetr
ibewil
lget
aggressi
ve."
Me:"
Wheream I
?Whoar
eyou!Whatdoyouwant
f
rom me?
!"
Mzi
ngel
i:"
You'
rei
nthef
orgot
tenl
ands.
Unfor
tunat
elyf
oryou,thesear
ethelandsthatno
onehasaccessto.Notevenyourhusbandandhis
famil
y."
Me:"
Whoar
eyou?
"
Mzi
:"Mynamei
sMzi
ngeli.I
'
mt hehunterf
ort
he
t
ri
be.
"Adummycoul
d'veguessedthat
.
Me:"
Mzi
ngel
iwhyam Iher
e?"
Mzi
:"Youar
eher
ebecauseadebti
sowed.
"
Me:"
I'
m goi
ngtoneedyoutost
opspeakingi
n
r
iddl
es.Whyam Iher
e?Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingwrong
t
oanyofyou."
Mzi:"
No,youdi
dn'
t.Thati
swhyI'
m keepi
ngyouby
myside.Thet
ri
bedoesnotwantyourexi
sti
ngat
al
l.
"
Me:"
Whati
sthi
str
ibe?
!What
'shappeni
ng!
!"
Mzi:"
I'
m sur
eyou'
vefoundoutt
hatyou'
rea
tr
easurebl
ood?Thatt
ri
be.
"Afeel
ingofcol
dswept
overme.
Me:"Wai
t.
..Treasurebl
oodsexi
sts?Alloft
hose
peopl
eoutthere,t
hey'
real
ltr
easure?
"IthoughtI
wast
heonl
yonel
eft
.
Mzi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"
That
'snotpossi
ble.
"Hesmi
led.
Mzi:"Yourhusband' sgrandf
athermi sseda
part
icularareainthevill
age.Wheret hehealerand
herfami l
yresided."That'
snotpossible.No.King
Ngidumi sewoul d'
venevermadet hatmi st
ake.
Me:"
Youcan'
tbe.Ther
e'snowayt
hati
str
ue.
"
Mzi:"
Thefamil
yhadbeenlivi
ngalit
tl
eoutofthe
vi
ll
ageint
henearbyfor
est.That
'swherethey
st
ayedunt
iltheki
ngburntdownthevil
lage.
"
Me:"
Andwhat
,youj
ustst
art
edyourownvi
ll
age?
"
Mzi
:"Dontbesi
ll
y,Iwasn'
tevenbor
nyet
."
Me:"
H-howar
ether
esomany?
"
Mzi
:"Wel
l,
peopl
egetmar
ri
edandhavechi
ldr
en.
"
Me:"
Andt
hewi
tch?I
ssheal
soher
e?"
Mzi
:"Youmeanmygr
andmot
her
?Yes.
"Igasped.
Me:"
What
'sgoi
ngt
ohappent
ome.
"
Mzi
:"I
fyoul
ear
ntol
ist
ent
ome,
not
hingwi
llhappen
t
oyou."
Me:"Mzi
ngel
i,
bhuti,
Idon'tbel
onghere.Ican'
tli
ve
her
e.Ihaveal
ife.Afami
ly.Theyneedme. "
Mzi
:"Theywon'
tneedyouanyl
onger
."
Me:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Mzi:"
ItmeansyoubelonghereThembisa."Beggi
ng
wasn'tgoingtowor
k.Ineededanescape.Ineeded
i
nformation.
Me:"Howdi
dIgethere?Doyouhavel
ikesuper
powers?
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mzi:"No.Idon'
thavesuperpowers.My
grandmotherhaswaysofdisgui
singaperson,
makingthem notvi
sibl
etoanyotherper
son.
Becauseofourblood,youcanseeusandbeher e.
"
Me:"
IfI
'
m yourbl
ood,
whydot
heywantt
oki
llme?
"
Mzi:"Becauseyoumarri
edt heenemy.Youwoul d
prot
ecthim morethanyourownbl ood."Thiswasn'
t
happening.Iwasinaninvisi
blevil
lagewithamanI
don'tknowandanar myrightoutsi
de,readytoki
ll
me.
Me:"Mzingel
i.Iwoulddoanyt
hing.Absol
utel
y
anythi
ng."Hedidn'
tevenf
li
nchorpretendtofeel
sorr
yforme.
Mzi:"AsIsai
d, Idon'
tneedanything.Ij
ustneedyou
toli
sten.
"Eveni ft
heyfel
lasleep,
Iwasscar edto
sneakout.I
fonespot sme, i
t'
sgameover .Idon'
t
knowaboutt hewitchandIdon'tevenwantt ot
hink
abouther.
Me:" Okay."Heusedastick,poki
ngatthewoodi n
thefire.Imissmyti
gersomuch.Nkosi nhl
e,please
comef orme.Idon'
tcareifyouhavetoburnthis
vil
lagedownatt hi
spoint.
Mzi
:"Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
Me:"
No.
"Iwasnotaboutt
oeatanyt
hinghegi
ves
me.
Mzi
:"Youneedt
oeat
.Ihunt
edbokear
li
er,
it'
sni
ce.
"
Me:"I
'
m good.
"Mystomachdeci
deditwasthi
s
momenttoembar
rassme.Itr
umbledoutl
oud.My
babywasnowact
ingoutandhungry.
Mzi:"I'
llgetyouapi ece."Hegotup, walkingout .I
neededt othi
nkofapl anbutwhat ?Whatwasmy
plan?St ickbyMzi ngeliorr i
skitoutwitht het
ribe?If
Isti
ckbyhi m whoknowshowl ongthatwoul dbe?
Woul dheevent uallygiveupandt akemehome?I
couldwearaper sondown.I '
l
lbegunt i
lhescr eams.
Hewal kedbacki n,squat t
inginfrontofme.Hewas
quitetallwithaleanst rongbui l
d.Hisfingernail
scut
neatlyandpai nt
edbl ack.Hehadaswor dsecur ed
onhi ssideandwasdr essedi nhunting-l
ikegear .
Me:"
I'
m nothungr
y."
Mzi:"I'
m obviousl
ynotgoingtopoisonyou
Thembi sa.Thatwouldjustbestupi
d."Hiseyes
weredar kbrownandcol d.Icoul
dn'
ttrusthi
m.I
don'tcareifIstar
ve."
Eat."
Me:"
No.
"
Mzi:"
Finethen.
"Hethr
ewthemeati
nthef
ir
eand
satbackdowninhisspot
.
Me:"
Sowhat
,we'
rej
ustgoi
ngt
ober
oommat
es
now?
"
Mzi
:"Yes.
"
Me:"
Whatdoyoudoal
lday?
"
Mzi
:"Huntforf
oodfort
het
ri
be.
"OhmyGod,
Ihope
t
heyaren'
tcanni
bal
s.
Me:"
Whatdoyouhunt
?"
Mzi
:"AnyMeat
.Bok,
pig,
goat
,rabbi
t.
"
Me:"
Whydon'
tyouj
oinci
vil
izat
ion?
"
Mzi:"
Likel
ivel
avi
shl
yinhousest
hatcanfi
tthr
ee
vi
ll
agesanddri
vearoundi
nfancycar
s?"
Me:"
Okay,
thatsoundsabi
tjeal
ous.
"Hechuckl
ed.
Mzi:"
Jealous?That'
sonet hi
ngIam notandnever
wil
lbe.Idon'tenvymateri
al,
Thembi
sa.Themost
i
mpor t
antthingsarepr
icel
ess."
Me:"
Doyouhaveki
ds?
"
Mzi
:"No.
"Damn.SoIcan'
tevenuset
hatbl
ackmai
l.
Me:"Whol i
vesherecurr
entl
y?Pl easedon' tsaythe
tr
ibe.Whoiswho?I fI
'
mt olivehereobvi ouslyI'
l
l
havetoadjust
."Iwasn'
tplanningonl i
vingher e.
Nkosinhl
ewouldfindmebymor ning.Thi sI'
m sure
of.
Mzi :"Adjustingwon' tbeeasyf oryoubecauseyou
don' tmeani t.You' dneveracceptdef eatsoqui ckly,
i
t'snoti nyourbl ood.However ,eventuall
yyou
woul dgett ot hepoi ntwhereyoudoaccepti t.My
grandmot heri sst i
llali
ve,sheist hechiefofthe
tri
be.Mymot herdi edafterIwasbor nandmyf ather
i
st hemanwhospokewhenwewer eoutside.He
hassi xbrother s,eachhaveawi feandbet ween
them al l,
eight eenchi ldr
en.Myf atherhasanot her
wife, theyhadt woofmybr ot
her s.Theyt oo,are
mar ried.That '
smyi mmedi at
efami l
y.Theot her
member sarer elati
vest ouswi thourbl ood."
Me:"
Youruncles,br
other
sandf
ather
'swi
ves,
are
t
heyalsot
reasureblood?
"
Mzi:"
No.Butthechildrenar
ebecauseoft
hei
r
f
athers.Justl
ikeyou."
Me:"
Howcomeyou'
renotmar
ri
ed?
"
Mzi
:"Ihaven'
tfoundmymat
e."
Me:"Whatisgoingtohappentome,Mzingel
i?What
i
smypur posehere?Youcan'tj
ustkeepmehere
agai
nstmywi l
l.Areyoutr
yingt
omakemeyour
mate? "Hekeptqui etandonl
yjuststar
ed.Isatback
againstthewall
, i
fmyhandswer eti
edbehindmeI
couldatleastbruisemyselfonthewallbehindme.I
scannedt hecave.Hehadabedi nthecorner,neat
ly
made.Thatwasi t
.Asmal lchi
ldcall
edoutside.
Chil
d:"
Malume.Ugogouyeza.Ucel
aukungena.
"
(Uncl
e.Gr
annyiscoming.She'
saski
ngtocomein.
)
Mzi
:"Okay.
"It
ensedi
mmedi
atel
y."
Thi
swon'
thur
t.
"
Me:"
Whatwon'
thur
t?"
Mzi:"
Don' tfightThembi sa."Myhear thammer edin
mychest .Imovedback.Thewomanwal kedi nthe
cavefol
lowedbyanot her.Thegr andmotherdidn't
l
ookasf railasI '
dexpect edanol dwitchto.Shedid
l
ookunmi stakablyscaryt hough.Mywhol ebody
tr
embledi nf ear.Iwasreadyt opi ssmyself.I
movedfur therback.Hehel dmyar m.
Mzi
:"Pl
easebecal
m."
Me:" Mzingel
i.Pl
easetakemehome.Pl ease."I
shivered.Theoldwomanst oodinfrontofme, the
secondper sonstoodbesideher
.Ilookedather .
Shedi dlooksimil
artome.Myhei ght,weightandall
.
Shecould'
vereall
ypassedoffasmysi st
erifshe
didn'
thavethosethi
ckdreads.Whywassheher e?
Theoldwomansmear edablackpast
eont heknif
e
sheheld,murmuringsomethi
ngIcouldn'
thear.I
movedf ur
therbackbutheheldmestil
l.
Mzi:"
You'
l
lbehome.Justcal
m down.Cl
oseyour
eyes.
"Hewhi
sper
ed..
..
.

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Myf atherandIwal kedintot hepalaceaf t

ercomi ng
from t hevil
la.I
'dcalledforThembi sa'sf ather.Only
tell
inghi m,wehadanemer gency.Idi dn' twanthi m
tost ressallthewayher e.Ist oodaiml essl y,not
knowi ngwhatt odoanymor e.Iwassocl oseto
screami ng.Howi st hishappeni ng?Tome?Iwal ked
i
nt ot helounge.Thef amilywasst i
llher e.Amahl e
wasi nherroom, tr
yingt osear chtheener gyshe'd
gottenout side.She'sbeenati tal
lnight .Busiwasi n
theconsul tingroom wi t
htheheal er.If eltso
useless.Nhl anhlasatup.Shehadbeensl eepingon
t
hecouch.Shel
ookedatt
hecatwhowasst
art
ing
t
opurragai
n.
Nhla:"Ther
e'ssomeonei nthegar
den-
"Ispri
nted
outinstant
ly,
myf atherpoppi
ngupatever
ycor ner
outsi
de.Isawherl ayingonthegr
oundundersome
tr
ees.
Nkosi:"
Thembisa!
!"Iranovertoher."Baby!
"My
handswereshakingasIhel dher.Ipi
ckedherup
taki
nghertothepalace.Shehadaf oulsmellt
hat
musthavecomewi t
hcontactfrom whoevershe'
d
encounter
ed.Amahleandt hehealercameoutwith
Busi.
Nkosi
:"If
oundheri
nthegar
den.
"
Ama:"Takeherintotheconsult
ingr oom wi
ththe
heal
er.I
'
m comi ng.
"Sher anout,f
ollowedby
Mthunzi
.Iwalkedintotheconsultroom,putt
ingher
down.
Nkosi:"
Mylove?"Shewokeup, openinghereyes
andgotafri
ghtbackingaway."I
t '
sokay,myl ove.
It'
sme.You'
resafe.You'
resafenow. "Shelookedat
theheal
erwasbur ni
ngincense,alsobacki
ngaway
f
rom hi
m.Whatwasgoi ngon?"
Wej
ustwantt
o
makesureyou'
reokay-
"
Sasa:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"Hervoi
cewascompl
etel
ybur
nt.
Nkosi
:"You'
renothur
t?"
Sasa:"
No.
"Amahl
ecamebacki
n.
Ama:"
Not
hing.
"
Nkosi
:"Let
'sfocusonget
ti
ngherbet
ter
."Amahl
e
st
aredather.SheatAmahle."
Whati
sit
? "
Ama:"
Idon'
tknow.
"
Nkosi:"Letmegetherinthebath.Gether
somet hingtoeat.
"Ipi
ckedupmywi fetaki
ngher
upstai
r stoourroom.Aft
ercar
efull
yplaci
ngher
down, Iwenttorunthewateri
nt het
ub,fi
ll
ingi
t.I
wentbackt opickherupbutshewasl ooki
ng
aroundheri nwonder."
Mylove.
"Hereyesdar t
edto
me."Iam sosor ry.
"
Sasa:"Okay.
"Ipickedherupwal
kingtothe
bathr
oom, hel
pinghertakeof
fhercl
othes."
No.
"she
hel
dont oherdr ess.
Nkosi
:"Di
dtheyhur
tyou?
"Fi
rebur
ntt
hroughmy
chest
.
Sasa:"
No.Iwantt
obeal
one.
"Thatbr
okemyhear
t.
Nkosi:"
Okay."Ikissedherf
orehead."I
'
llber
ight
out
side."Iwalkedoutthebathr
oom andourroom.
Goi
ngt oAmahl e.Shewasconsulting.
Ama:"
Howi
sshe?
"
Nkosi
:"Abitr
att
led.Shesayssheisn'
thur
tbut
she'
ssoscaredofme. "Shel
ookedatherbur
ning
i
ncense."
Canyouseeanyt hi
ng?"
Ama:" Nopenothi
ng.Herenergyandaurai
ssol ow
butverysad.Icanfeelherbl
oodbutIcan'
tconnect
toher.Notli
kebefore.
"
Nkosi
:"Sot
heydi
dsomet
hingt
oher
?"
Ama:"Yes.Idon'
tunder
standwhyI'
m bl
ocked.I
can'
tseeanythi
ngregar
dingher
."
Nkosi
:"She'
sherenow.We'l
lfi
gurei
tout.Between
al
lofus,wewil
lfindt
hesoluti
onandherfatheri
s
ontheway.Perhapssheneedshi
m."
Ama:"Yes.Thatwoul
dbeveryhelpf
ul.
"Iwal
ked
backout,
contemplat
ingi
fIshoul
dgointheroom
again.Butthisi smywi fe.OfcourseI '
l
lgoi n.I
walkedinther oom, sitti
ngont hefarchairwai ti
ng
forhertofinishherbat h.Ther ewasnospl ashingof
water,nomovement .Justsi l
ence.Myhear tj
umped.
Ihurri
edtot hebat hroom butshej ustsatthere,in
thebath,staringatt het apshuggi ngherknees.I
walkedbackout ,ani mmensegui l
tsweepi ngover
me.Howcoul dIf ixthis?Isatbacki nmychai r
,
waiti
ng.Ihear dt hewat er,t
her ewasmovementat
l
east.Afterawhi le,shegotout .Iwatchedt he
bathroom doorf rom mychai r.Inafewmi nut es,she
walkedoutt hebat hroom, l
ookingaround.Ist aredat
herstomach.Myhear ttear i
ngi nawayI '
dneverf el
t
before.
Sasa:"MyKi ng."Il
ookedatherface.Shehasnever
cal
ledmet his,ever.Ist
oodupwal ki
ngtoher.What
happenedt oyou?Whati sdi
ffer
ent?Amahlewas
ri
ght,herenergywasver yl
owandsad.
Nkosi
:"Tel
lmewhathappened.
"
Sasa:"
Thepl
acewasdar
k.Iwokeupandtherewas
awoman,anoldwoman.
"Shelookeddownather
body.
Nkosi
:"Whataboutt
heman?Amant
ookyou.
"
Sasa:"Idon'
tknowwherehewent.Itwasonl
ythe
womanwhenIwokeup. "Sothewit
chdidsend
anotherdeadbody.Buthow?Howdi dadeadbody
ki
dnapmywi f
e?
Nkosi:"
Yourhairi
slight
erandabi tshort
er.
"What
didtheydotoher?I'
dpromi sedmywi f
eIwould
neverwhispert
oherbutIr eall
yneededtoknow.
Thembisawast ooforgi
vingforherowngood.
"Whatdidtheol
dwomansay? "
Sasa:"
Shesaid,
theyarecomi
ng.Theywil
lavenge
themsel
vesandleaveonl
ywhentherear
eashes."
Nkosi
:"They?I
t'
snotoneper
son?
"
Sasa:"
Yes.Idon'
tknowhowmany.
"
Nkosi :"Let
'sgetyoudr essed."Ineedeveryonei
n
myf ami lytoassesst hissituati
on.Shest oodst
il
lin
fr
ontofme.Iwentt ot hewar drobetakingouta
dressf orher .Shegotdr essed.Iheldherbodyclose
tomi ne, ki
ssinghernose." IknowIl etyoudown, I
am sosor ry.Thiswil
lneverhappenagai n.That
,I
promi se.Iwon' tl
etanyonehur tyou.
"Shenodded.I
pi
ckedherupwal ki
ngouttheroom, downt he
passage,downthestai
rst
othelounge.Iwal kedi
n
andplacedheronthecouch.Fatherlookedather
,
walki
ngcloser
.
Ki
ng:
"Whathappenedt
omygr
andchi
ld?
"
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
Ki
ng:"
Thembisa.
"Hel
ookedather
.Shest
aredat
hi
m,scar
ed."
Didyoumiscar
ry?
"
Sasa:"
Yes."Hesi
ghed,wal
kingout
.Thelumpi
nmy
thr
oatkeptbobbi
ngbackupnomat t
erhowmuchI
swall
owed.
Nobant
u:"Nobomi
,whathappened?Di
dyousee
whotookyou?Wheredi
dtheytakeyouto?
"
Sasa:"
Idon'
tknow.Iwokeupi
nthewoods.
"
Nolwazi
:"Howdi
dyouescape?OrDi
dtheybr
ing
youback?"
Sasa:"
Idon'
tknow.Ij
ustwokeupher
e."
Nolwazi
:"Whati
fthey'
dtakenhert
oki
llt
hebabyi
n
herst
omach?"
Nobantu:"Somethingiswronghere,Mehlul
i.You'
l
l
havetocheck.Youhavet owhisperandfindout.
Maybeshe' sscaredoftel
li
ngusorshe'shiding
something."Il
ookedatThembisa,shelookedback
atme.
Nkosi:"I'
m sorry."Iseepedi ntohermi nd,f
li
pping
throughthelast13hour s.Ever ythi
ngwasbl ur
ry.
Evenwor sewhenIwentf urt
herbackf rom
yesterdayuntilit'
sjustblack.Thathasnever
happenedbef or e.Icouldn'tevenmakeoutaf aceor
area.Wast hisani njur
yt oherheadmaybe?But
evenso, I'
dstil
lbeabl et osee." That
'sstr
ange."
Nobant
u:"
Whati
sit
?"
Nkosi
:"I
t'
sblur
ry.Ican'
tseeanyt
hing,
Ican'
tmake
outf
aces,envi
ronment.Not
hing.
"
Nolwazi:"
Yoh.Whati fshe'
sworkingwit
hthewitch
toki
llusall
?"Ineedfathertogetoutofhi
smood
andhelphere.Iwalkedtofindhi
m.Hewasi nhi
s
l
ounge.Theglassinhi shandshaking,
ratt
li
ngthe
i
ce.
Nkosi
:"Fat
her
."
King:"Someonecamei nt
omyhome, int
omyyar d
andst ol
eourheir
."Hegulpeddownt hedri
nk.Just
that,
weighedmyhear theavy.ButIhadtofocuson
fi
xingthispr
oblem.
Nkosi
:"Notonl
ythat
.Iwhispered,l
ooki
ngthrough
hermemor i
est
ofindoutwhathashappened.It'
s
j
ustbl
urry.Whywouldthathappen?"Helookedat
me.
Ki
ng:
"Blur
ry?Howcanonest
hought
sand
memori
esbeblur
ry?
"
Nkosi:"Youhavet ochecki tyour
self
.MaybeI'm
bl
ocked, youhavet hemor eadvancedwhisper
abil
it
y."Hewal kedout ,
goingbacktot hel
ounge.He
stoodinfrontofher ,
looki
ngather .
Ki
ng:
"Icanf
eelherbl
ood,
butnotherener
gy.
"
Nkosi
:"That
'swhatIf
eelaswel
lasAmahl
e."
Ki
ng:
"You'
rer
ight
.It
'sbl
urr
y."
Nkosi
:"Whatcoul
dthatmean.
"
King:"
Oneoftwothi
ngs.Someoneoutt
her
ehasan
abil
it
ytocount
erourownorsheneedst
orecover
."
Nkosi
:"Theplaceyousaw.Whenwewer einthe
mountain,
doestheenvi
ronmentseem si
mil
ar?"
Ki
ng:"
Yesandno.There'
sonlysmallpar
tsofi
t.
Ot
herpar
tsdon'
tfeel
simil
aratal
l.
"
Nkosi:"Let
'swaitonherf athert
hen.Atleastshe'
s
home, sonosacr i
ficeneedst obemade.HoweverI
wantthosepeopl eont heirkneesanddeadbyt he
endoft heday.
"Wehadt owai taf ewhoursfor
Thembi sa'
sfat
hert oarrive.Shehadmanagedt o
eatandnapi nthet imebei ng.Ist
ar edatherwhil
e
sheslept.Myhear tachingatt helossofmyf ir
st
chi
ld.Howcoul doSi khosanal etthishappen?Asoft
knockcameont hedoor .Iwentt oopen.
Ama:"
Herf
atheri
sher
e."Inodded.
Nkosi:"We'
llbedownsoon. "Iwentbackintheroom
tothebed.Evenherskinwasn' tassmoothas
before.Whatdidtheydotomywi f
e?"Baby."I
kissedhercheek.Shejumpedup." Hey.Idi
dn't
meant ostart
leyou.Let'
sgodownst ai
rsforabit.
"
Shesatup, str
etchi
ng."Areyouhungry?Lunchis
almostready."
Sasa:"Yes.
"Ihelpedheroutofbedandwor eher
shoes.Wewal kedoutofthebedr oom.Somet hing
didn'
tfeelr
ight.Shedi
dn'ttrustmeanymor e.I
wouldunder st
andwhy.Itjustdidn'thurtl
ess.We
walkedtotheloungeinsilence,somet hi
ngt hatwe
neverdo.Mywi f
eisal
wayschat t
y.Evenwhen
she'smadshe' l
lhavesomet hingtosay.Herf ather
stoodupaswewal kedin.
Nkosi:"
Goodaf t
ernoonTata.
"Shestar
edathim,not
moving,noemot i
on.Nothi
ng.Il
ookedather
.That
i
ssost range.
Nkosi
:"Babe.
"It
ouchedherarm."
Yourf
atheri
s
her
etoseeyou."Shenodded.
Sasa:"
Hel
lof
ather
."Herf
atherl
ookedatme.
Xol
ani
:"Nkosi
,Wher
eismydaught
er?
"..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
18] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er133
NKOSI
'
SPOV_

UsuallywhenThembisaseesherdad,sherunsup
tohim andhugshim.Oft
enforget
ti
ngifshe'supset
orjustbreaksdowni
nhisarms.Notthisti
me.She
j
uststood.
Xol
ani
:"Wher
eismychi
ld?
"
Nkosi
:"Tat
a,t
hisi
sThembi
sa.
"
Xol
ani:"Shemayl ookli
keherbutthi
sisn'
ther
.My
chi
ldwoul dneverlookatmeli
kethat.Whoisthi
s
per
son? "Il
ookedatThembisa.Wasi tt
rauma?What
waswr ong?
King:"
Ani nci
denthappened.Lastnight.Thewi t
ch
seemedt ohavebeencomi ngandinanef fortt
o
tr
apher ,
weal lagreedtohaveThembi salureherin.
Sincesheisoft r
easureblood.Thewitchwoul dn'
t
harm herandwewoul dbeabletodisarm anyspell
shemayhaveandcapt ur
edher."
Xol
ani
:"You.Gave.My.Chi
ld.To.A.Wi
tch?
"
Ki
ng:
"Wedi
dn'
tgi
vehert
oawi
tchbutIdo
under
standthatwasr
eckl
essgi
vent
he
ci
rcumstances-
"
Xol
ani
:"Ci
rcumstances?Nkosi
nhl
eyoupr
omi
sed
meyouwoul dpr
otecther
!!
!"
Nkosi
:"Iknow,
sir
.Iam sor
ry.I
thappenedsof
ast
-"
Xolani
:"Whathappened?!Whatcoul
d'vepossi
bly
happenedsofastthati
tbroughtmethis!
?"
Nkosi
:"Shewast
aken,
onl
yret
urni
ngaf
ewhour
s
ago.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whathaveyoudonet
omychi
ld?
"
Ki
ng:"
Thisi
snottheti
meweshouldbeargui
ngas
afami
ly.Weneedtohel
pThembi
sathrought
he
t
raumashe'
sdeali
ngwith-
"
Xolani
:"She'
sgoingthroughtraumabecauseyou've
tr
iedtokil
lher.Notonce.Nottwicebutnowat hi
rd
ti
me!?DidInotmakemysel fclearthatshewasn'
tto
beharmed, Nkosi
?Youpr omisedme!Whati sthi
s!?
"
Nobant
u:"
Thati
snowayt
ospeakt
oki
ngs.
"
Xol
ani:"
Thembisa,
takeyourthi
ngs.We'r
eleavi
ng.
You'
l
lrecei
vebackeverycentofwhatyoupaidfor
t
hatbr
idepr
ice.Mychi
ldwi
llnotbeyourt
oy.
"
Nkosi
:"Tat
apl
ease-
"
Xol
ani
:"No!She'
snotj
ustt
raumat
ized,
She'
sa
compl
eteshel
l!
!Youbr
okemychil
d!"
King:"
Thembisabel
ongst
othi
sfami
ly.She'
snot
goinganywhere.
"
Xolani
:"We'
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.Thembi
sa,
fet
chyour
thi
ngs."
Sasa:"Idon'
twantt
oleave.
"Hest
aredather
,noti
n
surpr
isebutconf
usi
on.
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
pleasef
etchyourt
hings.
"
Sasa:"
I'
m notl
eavi
ng.
"
Xol
ani
:"Thembi
sa,
pleasef
etchyourt
hings.
"
Sasa:"
Iam notgoi
nganywher
e."Shehi
ssed.Her
fat
herl
ookedatme.
Xol
ani
:"I
sthisyourwife,Nkosi
?Doyoureall
ythink
myownchildthatyouknow, woul
dspeakli
kethat
tome?Doyour eal
lybeli
evethi
sisThembisa?"
Ki
ng:
"Thembi
sai
sbui
ldi
ngaf
ami
lyher
ewhi
chshe
i
shappywi t
h.Ofcour seshewon' twantt oleave.
Thishasnot hingtodowi t
hyou. "Iturnedhertol ook
atme.I thadt obeherbutwhywast heresomet hing
dif
ferent?Hadt heydonesomet hingt oher?Wasi t
thelossofpr egnancy?Isniff
edar oundher .
Everythingi
nmesai dit
'sher.Shewasdi f
ferent.I
don'tknowhow.Maybebecauseherener gyand
aurahadgot tensolow?I sthatevenpossi ble?
Nol
wazi
:"Idon'
tknow.Somet
hingi
sof
f.
"
Nobant
u:"
Very.IknowIhadexpressedbef
oret
hat
Thembi
saissoft.Butt
hisper
son?.
"
Nhla:"Shescar esme. "What'
sf rust
rat
ingwasthatI
hadn'tbitt
enheri nawhi l
eandhermar kshadlong
fadedsoIcoul dn'teventell
.WhatIknewf orcertai
n
though,Isthisbodywasal i
ve,therewasasoulinit,
i
thadherbl ood.Nooneoutt herehasabil
it
iesl
ike
us.Awi tchcoul dn'
thavepossessedherbody.
Nkosi
:"Busi.Canyoufeel
anything?"Iwas
hopel
ess,confusedanddesperate.Ibel
ievedt
hist
o
bemywi fe,
maybeshewasst i
llt
raumatizedfr
om
theor
deal.
Busi
:"No,YourHi
ghness.Icanonlysmel
l
somethi
nglikemut
hi.That'
sall
.Doesshehaveany
cut
s?"
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Busi
:"Pl
easecheckagai
n,YourHi
ghness.
"Il
ooked
atThembisa.
Nkosi:"
Let'
sgomyl ove.Ineedt ocheck."Wit
hout
hesi
tati
on,shenodded.I fitwastrul
ythewi t
ch,
wouldn'
tshebemor eresistantt
obeingchecked?
Wewentt ot henearestr oom whichwast hehealer
's
space.Icareful
lyundr essedher,checkingherbody.
Nomar ks,nothing.Igotherdr essedoncemor eand
weleftfort
hel ounge.
Nkosi
:"Shehasnomar
ks.
"
Busi
:"Maybeshedr
anki
t?"
Nkosi
:"Didtheygi
veyouanyt
hingt
odr
ink?
"
Thembisalookedatme.
Sasa:"
Yes.Wat
er.
"Il
ookedatherf
ather
,def
eat
ed.
Xol
ani
:"Doesshehaveherbi
rt
hmar
k?"
Nkosi
:"Yes.Isawi
tTat
a."
Xolani:"
Thembi
sa,
wher
ewer
eyou?Candescr
ibe
theplace?"
Sasa:"
Itwasdar
k."
Nkosi
:"Di
dyouseewhot
ookyou?
"Sheshookher
head.
Sasa:"
Iwasint
hegar
den,
Ifel
l.Thenever
ythi
ng
wasblack.
"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sa,youhityouremergencybut
ton
onyourphonebeforeyoudisappear
ed.Youhadto
haveseensomething,
love.
"
Sasa:"Ican'
tremember."Isi
ghedi
nfr
ust
rat
ion
befor
et ur
ningtothehealer
.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumakeofthi
s?Woulditbe
possi
blet
hatthewi
tchhast
akenherbody?"
Healer:"
No,YourHi
ghness.Icansmel
lthemut
hias
wellbutherbl
oodisst
il
lthesame."
Nkosi
:"Mt
hunzi
,pl
easecal
lZwe.
"
Nobantu:"
Whatdoest
hishavet
odowi t
han
outsi
derMehl
uli
?DoesZwespecial
izei
nwi
tchcr
aft
too?"
Nkosi:"
I'm call
ingZwet odoaheal thcheckmama.
Maybeshehi therheadandi thascausedhert o
haveaf oggymemor y.Idon'tknow.Wehavet otry
everyt
hing."Ilookedatheroncemor e,
goingint
o
herthoughts.Shest aredbackatme.( Helovesme.
Helovesme.I '
m safewithhim.I'm hi
swife.He
l
ovesme. )Shekeptt hi
nki
ngoverandoveragai n.
"OfcourseIloveyou. "Shesteppedback,shocked,
andbegant r
embl i
ng.
Ki
ng:
"Whati
sit
??Whatdi
dyoudo?
"
Nkosi
:"Iwhi
sper
ed,
respondi
ngt
ohert
hought
s-"
Xolani
:"Andwhatdoesthatmean?"Heheldherar
m
gentl
y.Sheshri
eked,pul
li
ngaway.Butsheknows
aboutmyabili
ti
es,di
dshef or
get
?Imovedclosert
o
her.
Nkosi
:"Myl
ove.
"
Sasa:"
Youcanhearmyt
hought
s."
Nkosi
:"YesIcan.
"
Xol
ani
:"Whatdoest
hatmeanNkosi
?"
Nol
wazi
:"Thef
atheroft
hebr
idedoesn'
tknow?
Yoh.
"
Nkosi
:"I'
l
lexpl
aineverythi
ngTat a.IknowI
shoul
d'vesai
dsomet hingbefor
e.Thi swil
lneedus
tosi
tdown."Il
ookedatThembi sa.Ihadtofi
nda
waytoputmywi febackt oget
her .

ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Ihadmadei ttothepal acewi t

hinanhouroft hat
phonecal lfr
om Nkosi .Int hel
ounge,Iassessed
Thembi sa,checkinghereyes, ears.Anypossible
problem.Herr eacti
ont ot heli
ghtinhereyewasf ar
from normal.Mymer epr esencescaredher.She
seemedt oonl yrespondt oNkosi .Shedidn'
twant
thetorchshoni nhereyebutf ortheseconditdid,
herpupildidconst r
ictwhi chisnormal.Herblood
pressurewasnor mal,allhervit
alswere.
Zwe:
"Sheseemsphysi
cal
lyf
ine.
"
Nkosi
:"Shedoesn'
trememberwhathappened.
"
Zwe:
"Tr
aumadoest
hatt
opeopl
esomet
imes.Gi
ve
heraf
ewdays,
per
hapsi
twi
llcomebackt
oher
."
Nkosi
:"Whatdowedoi
nthemeant
ime?
"
Zwe:"Keephersafe.Justr
eassureherthatshe'
s
secure.Sheseemstraumati
zed.Iwouldsuggesta
ther
apistbut
,oncesheismorecomf ort
able."
Nkosi
:"Andshehasnoi
njur
iesatal
l?
"
Zwe:"
None.Wecandoascanatt
hehospi
talt
obe
sur
e."
Nkosi
:"Let
'sdot
hat
."
Zwe:"
Wecango. "Icoul
dtel
lhewantedt
oaskor
tel
lmesomethi
ngbutheheldback.Maybebecause
thewhol
efamil
ywasher e.
King:
"Isthisagoodidea?Getti
ngheroutofthe
housejustafewhoursaftershe'
dbeentaken?
Whatifbeingoutsi
detri
ggersher?
"
Nkosi:"
Hopefull
yittri
ggerssomethingshecan
remember.Wecango, Tata.
"Wewal kedoutwit
h
Thembisa'
sfather.Idrovemycar ,
theyfoll
owed
withtheguar
ds.Thedr ivetothehospit
alwasquick,
Icall
edaheadtohavet hem cleart
heprivat
e
entrance.Ihadal otonmymi ndwor kwi se.I'
d
spokent oSi zaaboutt heor gandonat ion.She
want edt owai t ,hopedt hathewoul dr ecover .Iknew
hewoul dn't.Si zawast oogoodawomanf ort his,I'
d
havel ethi m di ebecausei fr oleswer er eversed, he'd
dothatt oher .Hel l
, he'
sther easont hatent i
re
sit
uat iont ranspi r
ed.Hewast heonewho' dt ri
edt o
kil
lherf ir
st.Andher esheis, hopingt osavehi s
pathet iclif
e.I 'm gladIt ookt hatdeci sionofput ting
ajusti ncasehewakes, heshoul dn't.Ther ewasno
hope.Hewasbr aindead.Wedr oveint ot hehospi tal
.
Thepr ivateent rancehadbeencl eared.It ookt hem
uptomyf l
oor .Thembi sahel dont oNkosi ,l
ooki ng
aroundasi fshe' dneverseent hisplacebef or e.I
wonderwhathappenedt ot hispoorgi rl.Icoul dn't
helpf eel i
ngsor r
yf orher.Itcoul dn'tbeeasybei ng
mar ri
edt oaSi khosanar oyal .Thenhavet odeal
withal loft hisont opofi t?Ihadf ai
thi nmyf riend
though.Het ookcar eofherandt reatedherl ikean
egg.
Zwe:
"Noonewillbeal
lowedinther
eonceshegoes
i
ntot
hescanner
.Givenhercurr
entstat
e,shemay
f
eelscar
ed.
"
Nkosi:"
Myl ove,you'
regoingtohavetoli
eonthat
bed.Thedoct orwant
st ocheckifyou'
rehur
t.I
'
ll
waitr
ighthere.Doyout r
ustme? "
Sasa:"
Yes.It
rustyou.
"Thenursegavehera
changi
nggown, shewentt
oputoni nthebat
hroom.
Herfat
herhadbeenveryquiett
hroughout
,si
nceI
gottot
hepalace.
Nkosi
:"Layont
hisbedbaby.We'l
lberi
ghtoutof
t
hatwindow,wat
chingyou.Okay?Don'
tbeafrai
d."
Sasa:"Okay.
"Shegotonthetable.Wewentt
othe
contr
olroom,watchi
ngherthroughthewi
ndow.
Zwe:"Pl
easelayonyourbackThembi sa,andtr
yto
keepsti
ll
."Shedi
dast old."
Thebedisgoingto
slowl
ymove, put
tingyouinsi
detheroundscanner
.
Itwon'
thurtatal
l.Areyouready?"
Sasa:"
Yes.
"Ipressedthebut
ton,
thebedmoved
i
ntothecyl
inderscanner
.
Zwe:
"You'
redoi
nggreatthere.
"Iwatchedont
he
moni
tor
."Howareyoufeeli
ngsof ar
?"
Sasa:"
I'
m okay.
"
Zwe:"Per
fect
.Canyouheart
hel
it
tl
ebuzzi
ng
sound?"
Sasa:"
Yes.
"
Zwe:"Good.Thatmeansthemachinei
sdoingits
j
obper f
ectl
y.Areyoust
il
lcomf
ortabl
e?"Si
lence.
"Thembisa?
"
Sasa:"
Yes.
"
Zwe: "We'r
enottoof arfr
om theend.You'r
edoing
well.
"Herimagesl ookedquitenormalsofarbutof
courseI'
llhavetotakeabet t
erlook.Af
terashort
while.Wewer edone." Al
ri
ghtThembisa,we've
fi
nished.I'
m comingi nsi
detoletyououtokay?"
Sasa:"
Wher
eismyhusband?
"
Zwe:"
He'sri
ghther
ebesi
deme. "Iwal
kedi
nthe
room,pr
essi
ngthebut
tonforthebedt
omoveout.
Shesatup."
Youcangetdressed.
"
Sasa:"Thankyou.
"Shewentoutt
othebat
hroom t
o
getdressedandcameback.
Nkosi
:"I
sever
ythi
ngokaywi
thher
?"
Zwe:"From whatIsee,yesbutIwil
lbeshowinga
col
leagueforasecondopi ni
on.Maybehespot s
somethingImissed."IknowIdidn'
tmissanythi
ng.
Shewascl ear
.Sowhydi dhelooksoworr
ied?
Nkosi
:"Al
ri
ght.ThankyouZwe,
Ishoul
dtakeher
hometorest.
"
Xol
ani
:"ThankyouDrBi
yel
a."
Zwe:
"You'
rewel
come,
sir
."Iwal
kedt
hem out
.
Nkosi
:"Mylove,pleasegot
oyourfat
her,
Iwantt
o
haveaquicktalkwithZwe.
"Shenodded,
wal
king
aheadtoMrNt aka.
Zwe:"What
'
swr
ongmyf
ri
end?Thet
ensi
oni
sso
heavy.
"
Nkosi:"
Idon'tknowZwe.Itfeel
swei
rd.Doyousee
anydiff
erence?Sinceshecameback,she'
sbeen
di
ffer
ent."
Zwe:
"Di
ff
erenthow?
"
Nkosi
:"Zwe,Idon'
tknowifsheremembersme
cl
earl
y.Idon'
tknowanythinganymor
e.Thisi
smy
wif
ebutsheisjustdi
ffer
entnow."
Zwe: "
Wel l
,atleastweknowt hi
sisact ual
lyanalive
human.I t
'sdefinit
elynotthewitch.Maybeyou' re
paranoid,myf ri
end.Thembi sadoesn'thaveat win,
herfatherwoul dknow.Eveni fshedid.There'sno
wayi nhell,
theywoul dlookthatident
ical.She'
s
probablyjusttraumatized.
"
Nkosi
:"Shewasal
sopregnantbefor
egoi
ng
missi
ng,nowshei
sn'
t.Apparent
lyshemi
scar
ri
ed.
Zwe:"
Ohno.Let
'sdomor
echecks.Somebl
ood
workt
oo.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.
"..
.

SASA'
SPOV_

Thecavewasver ydar kandcol d.Icouldonl

yseea
fargli
mmerofl i
ghtduringt hedaybutcompl ete
darknessi
nt henight.I
'dbeenawakeaf ewtimes
aftert
hegrandmot herhadvi si
ted.Eachti
me, di
zzy.
Iassumeditwasnowni ghtagain.Mzingel
iwalked
i
n.
Mzi:"Hey."Istaredathi m, notresponding.Iwi shI
couldspitinhisf acebuthest oodabi tfar,Idoubt
mydehydr atedspi twouldr eachhi m."Youhaven' t
eateninaday.It houghtI 'dbringyousomet hi
ng
youmi ghtli
ke.Duck. "Hehel dupt hecarcassofa
smallanimalIcoul dn'tpinpointexact l
y.Hepul led
outwhatIassumedt obehi schoppi ngboar dand
hechoppedi tupski ll
full
y,intoaf ewpi eces.He
broughtasmal lrackwi thsomehooksont het op
wherehehookedt hepiecesonl et
tingitdangl eon
topofthef i
re.Ist aredatt hekni f
e, qui
etl
ypl anning.
Me:"
Canyoupl
easegetmesomewat
er?
"
Mzi:"Sur e."Hegotup, walkingoutt hecave.Itook
thekni f
e, cutt
ingmypal m.Il etitdropontothe
ground.Icover edthekni fewi t
ht hi
shideousfrock
they'dgivenmet owear .Hewal kedbackin,
carryingamakeshi ftbot t
lefill
edwi thwater
.I
waitedunt i
lhebentt ome, givi
ngmet hebottl
e.I
chargedathi m withthekni fe,hegr abbedmyar m
asitsl i
cedonhi sskin.Hisgr ipweakenedmyhand
i
mmedi ately,droppingt hekni f
e.
Mzi
:"Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?"
Me:"
Iam notgoi
ngtol
etyouhol
dmehost
agef
or
t
herestofmyli
fe.
"
Mzi
:"I
'
m onl
ysavi
ngyourl
if
-"
Me:"Iwassafeunti
lyouabduct
edmefr
om my
home!!"Ispat
.WherewasNkosi
nhl
e?Hehadtof
eel
menow.Mybl oodwasdri
ppi
ngandhi
tt
ingt
he
ground.Surel
yhecoul
dsenseme.
Mzi
:"Pl
easecal
m down-
"
Me:"
Letmego.
"
Mzi:"
Thembisa.TrustmewhenIsayt
his,
youwi
ll
notsurvi
veoutther
eifyoul
eave.
"
Me:"
Letmego!
!"
Mzi :"No.Pl
easedon'tmakemeputyoubackt o
sleep."Ishutmymout hi
nstantl
y.Idon'tknowhow
buthecoul dgetmet opassout.Idon'tknowhow
thisaf f
ect
edthebabyandIcoul dn'tr
iskitanymore.
"Pleasestopfi
ghti
ngme. "Hetookmyot herhand,
l
ooki ngatthecut
.Itookmyhandbackf r
om him.
Hedi dn'tl
ookoff
ended."Hewon' tcome."
Me:"
Who?
"Ipl
ayeddumbobvi
ousl
y.
Mzi:"Youcutyourselfdeli
berat
elybecauseyou
thi
nkhecansmel lyourbloodhere.Hecanbut
you'r
ecurrent
lysleepingnexttohim.Hehasno
reasontocomel ookf oryou.
"Myhear tr
aced.
Me:"
WhatdoyoumeanI
'
m sl
eepi
ngnextt
ohi
m."
Mzi
:"Thegi
rluGogocutyouf
ori
syourdupl
icat
e-"
Me:"
Shel
ooksnot
hingl
ikeme.
"
Mzi:"Di
dn't
.She'syounow.Thekni f
ethatcutyou
drewyourbloodintoherswhenshedr ankit
.She's
alr
eadytreasur
eblood,ther
efor
eshecoul dchange
toyou.Nobodywi l
leverbeabletotel
l.
"Mybodyf elt
coldandnumb.Thi swaspur ewit
chcraft
.Thi
swas
nothi
ngbutactualdarkmagic.
Me:"You'
rej
ustscar
ingme.Thatcan'
thappen.
Someonewil
lknowsheisn'
tme.Shedoesn'tlook
l
ikeme."Hetur
nedthemeatonthefir
e.
Mzi:"Si
khosanaisnottheonlyonebr edwithabi
li
ty.
Whydoyout hi
nkthey'
reusingyouThembi sa?Why
doyounotgetabr eakfrom them, al
lyoudoissl
ave
fort
heirmist
akes?Ont opofhavi ngtodealwi
th
thei
rcoldunwelcomingnature,youhavetogrovel
fortheirancest orstoo?Onceyou' redonedoing
thei
rwor k,you'
llhavet ogivebirt
htotheirnext
generat i
onandr aisethem forthatthr
one.You'r
e
power ful.You'r
enotasl ave.Theyknowt hatyet
theykeepyouasoneandwi l
ldosount i
ltheday
youdi e.Int hei
rhands.Li keeveryothertr
easure
queenhas. "
Me:"Nkosii
sdi
ffer
ent."Hechuckled."Nkosiwoul
d
neverhur
tme.He'sprotect
edmet hisfarandwill
conti
nuetodoso.You'retr
yingtoscaremei nt
o
bel
ievi
ngyoubutthatwon'twork.Itr
ustmy
husband.
"
Mzi :"Excepthe' snol ongeryours,Thembi sa.The
Prince'swi feisr i
ghtbesidehim aswespeak. "My
hear ttorebutIdi dn'tshowit.Ikeptmyst are
emot i
onless.Ther emustbeat imet heyal lgoto
sl
eep.I '
l
lsneakout .Mayt hegodswat chovermeas
Istepouti ntothemyst er
yoftheni ght .Hetookthe
meatof fthef ir
eont oamet all
ikepl ate.He
sprinkledapi nchofsal tandablackpowder
probabl ybl ackpepperbutwi thhim, howwoul dyou
know?Het ookonepi eceandat eit."Havesome. "
Me:"
I'
m nothungry.
"Mybabywi l
lhavet
ohangon.I
woul
descapethishellandf
indourwaybackhome.
Mzi
:"Youhaven'
teat
enThembi
sa.Idon'
twantyou
t
ostarve.
"
Me:"Andwhyi
sthat
?Youl
ikeyourwoment
hick?
"I
r
oll
edmyeyes.
Mzi
:"Pl
easeeat
.Ifanyt
hing,
tobeheal
thy.
"
Me:"
No.
"
Mzi
:"Thembi
sa,
Idon'
twantyouhur
t.Under
stand
t
hat
."
Me:"I
fyoudidn'twantmehur t,youcoul d'vel
eftme
i
nmyhome. "Hel ookedatme,thencont inuedtoeat.
IwasgladIdidn'tevenhaveanappet it
e.The
minut
espassedbyt owhatseemedl ikehour s.He
satontheopposi t
eofme, put
ti
ngt ogetherapi ece
ofwood.Hummi ngasofttunetohimsel f.Hehad
analmostangeli
cvoi ce.
Me:"
Whatar
eyourabi
li
ti
es?
"
Mzi:"
Ihavenone.Oursi
snotthesameast hei
rs.
I
t'
snotdist
ri
butedli
kecheapcandy.I
tget
spassed
down,
toeachgener
ati
ononcet
hel
eaderdi
es.
"
Me:"
Howcomeyouonl
yuseyour
stohar
m?"
Mzi
:"We'
veneverhar
medanyone-
"
Me:"I
'
dliket
obegyourpar
don?
"Ishowedhi
m my
t
iedhands.
Mzi:"Youhaven'tbeenharmed.Yes, t
hethr
eatwas
to.Andonlybecauseyourl oyal
tyli
eswitht
he
enemy.Sikhosanahast akenwayt oomuchf r
om us
witheverychancethey'
vebeengi ven.I
t'
sti
mewe
takebackwhatisour s.
"
Me:"Yours?Thethr
onebel
ongstoSi
khosana,
t
reasurebloodi
sacompanion.
"
Mzi
:"Whodoyout
hinkgavet
hem t
hatt
hrone?
"..
..

Mzingel
iwasanobvi ouschancer .Heandhi swit
ch
fr
iendswerej ustli
ket heotherroyal s.Hungrytosi
t
onat hr
one.Whatel secouldthisbeabout ?His
grandmotherwasawi tchandIt hinkt hey'
dchased
heroutofthet reasurevill
agewhi chi swhyshe
l
ivedinthatforestatt heti
mei tbur ntdown.She
hadt ohavebeenj ealousofmam Nonkosi .Whati f
shewant edt obechosenbyt heki ngbuti nst eadhe
chosesomeoneel seandshet urnedbi tter?Il ooked
overatMzi ngel i
.Hewasasl eep,final l
y.Movement
outsidewasnonexi stent.Icarefullygotupand
snuckoutqui etl
y.I ndeed, everyonef astasl eepi n
theirhomes.Al lf i
resbur ntout.Theai rwascr isp
coldandi twaspur edar k.Ihadt obr avet hi sout .I
ti
ptoedawayf r
om t hecavegoi ngt owar dst he
woods.Ihel dmybr eathasIcr eptt hr ought he
forest.MayGodpl easecovermewi thpr ot ect ionas
Iwal kthrought hesedar kshadows.Pavet heway
formeaheadandkeepmesaf e.Shi eldmef rom
harm.Abr anchcr ackedundermyf oot.If linched,
holdingmybr eath.Si lence.Ikeptwal king, cr ouched
alitt
letot hegr ound.Theai rgrewcol der.Ihear d
voicest hatseemedt obei nadi stance.Iqui ckl yhid,
holdingmybr eath.Theymovedcl oser .Ihel d
everythingi n.PleaseGod.Pl easekeepmesaf e.I
hear dmovementbehi ndme.It urnedt olook,
comi ngf acet of acewi t
hanangr ymanwi thugl y
scarsacr osshi sface.Ij umpedandst artedt or un
witht hespeedofl ight.Nkosi nhlepl easehearme
Sthandwasam!Si khosanapleasesaveme!
Somet hi
nggr abbedontomyhai r
,pul
li
ngmewi tha
breaki
ngf or
cet otheground.Ifmybackdidn'tcr
ack,
thenIdon'tknow.However ,Ihadbiggerpr
oblems
toworryabout .Therewasaswor dhel
dintheair
comingformyneck.
[
07/
27,
06:
18] :Sponsor
edPost
:Anonymous

#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er134

Fourdaysl
ater
..

SI
BONELO'
SPOV_

ItwasacoolSat
urday.I
'dhadademandingwork
week.Khaya,
MnqobiandZimmyst ar
tedthei
r
exams.ZweandIhadt odi
str
ibut
ethework
betweenus.It ookoverKhayaandZi mmy' s,Zwe
helpedwi t
hKhaya' sandt ookoverBi -mot i
ve
Mnqobi '
sdut ies.Hewasal soi ntervi
ewi ngaf ew
candi dat esfort hehospi talmanagementposi ti
on.It
woul dbeaboar doff ivef oral lmaj ordeci sionsand
thenonl yoneper sonr unningt hedayt oday
activiti
es.TodaywasJackson' smemor i
al.Thi s
didn'tinterestmei nanywaybutIonl ywentt o
suppor tSizani .She' sbeent hroughal otandkepta
bravef acet hroughout .Hi sf ami lydidn'tcome.They
wer eal lthewayacr osst hewor ldandcoul dn't
makei tyeti nsi stedt hathi sbodybesentt ohi s
homecount ry.Howi nsane?I ft heywantt hebody,
they'llcomedi gf oritint hegr ound.Jacksonmay
havebeenasmar tman.Event houghhegotSi zato
signapr enup.Hi sest atef elltohi schildren, wellt
he
fi
rstt wo.Hehadn' tyetaddedt helastbor nbaby.
Ever ythingwoul dbel i
qui datedandhel dbyat r
ust,
withanappoi ntedat tor ney.Onl yreleasinga
speci fi
edmont hl ypaymentf orschooland
necessi t
ies.Thememor i
alwasbor ing.Apar tfr
om
suppor ti
ngaf riend, Iwant edanexcuset oseet he
mot herofmychi ld.Shewor eabei gest raightcut
dressthatshapedherbodyinasexyway.Herbell
y
wasn'tyetshowing.Zi
mmywasst arvi
ngmychild,
surel
y.Aftert
hememor ial
,whichwashel
dinhis
house,Iwenttothekit
chen.Thegir
lswer
esort
ing
therefr
eshments.
Zi
mmy:"
Hey.
"
Si
bo:"
Mama.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Letmeguess.You'
rehungr
y."
Si
bo:"
Star
ving,
mama.
"
Zimmy:"Okay.Thefoodi sready,
youcanf i
nda
seat.I
'
llbr
ingitt
oyou."Shehadswappedt heheel
s
forcomfort
abl
eslipon's.Isatinthedi
ningtabl
e,
j
oinedbyMnqobi .
Mnqobi
:"DaddySbo.
"
Sibo:"YoungPr i
nce.
"Zi
mmybr oughtmeat r
ay,
placingiti
nfrontofme."Pl
easesi tdown.The
catererswil
ltakecar
eofeveryoneel se.Pl
ease
fetchyourfoodandcomef eedmybaby. "She
chuckledwalkingbacktothekitchen.
Mnqobi
:"Yout
woseem t
obegr
eat
."Hepi
ckeda
pot
atof
rom mypl
ate.
Si
bo:"
Yeah.
"Iat
emyf
ood.
Mnqobi
:"Howi
sthebabydoi
ng?
"
Sibo:"
Perfect
.Ournextappoi
ntmenti
sinafew
weeks.Iwantedtogothisweektohearmybaby'
s
heartbeat
ingfort
hefir
stti
mebutZwesayswe
mustwai t
."
Mnqobi
:"Howar
ethet
alkswi
thherdadgoi
ng?
"
Sibo:"Hehasn'tcal
ledme.Shesai dshespoket o
him andhe'sverydisappoint
ed.Hermot heraswell
.
Thismakest hingsdif
fi
cultonmyend.Ineedt o
makesur eZi
mmyi sstressfreeandsafe.Ihatet
hat
she'sli
vinginthatr
esalone."
Mnqobi:"
Yougotherguardsandshe'
smovedi
nto
Not
ha'soldr
oom,I'
m sureshe'
ssafe.
"
Si
bo:"
Iknowbutt
hisi
smybabyMnqobi
.Idon'
t
wantt
hem i
nsomecommune.
"
Mnqobi :"
Hehe.You'
resuchasnob."Hel aughed.
"Anyway,what'
shappeningwithcounci
l.Haveyou
addressedthePhakamisaissue?
"
Sibo:"Yes,
wehave.I'
m doingmyr esearchonthe
businessdealandwhoitinvol
ves.Sof ar,
Iknow
thei
rnextmeetingi
sintwoweeks. "
Mnqobi
:"That
'st
ooshor
tnot
iceSboandver
yli
tt
le
i
nfor
mati
on."
Sibo:" I
ndeedbutIhavef aithwe' llpullthr
ough."I
finishedmyf ood,thenlookedf orZi mmy.Shewas
sittingwiththegirl
si nthekitchen, eati
ng.Igotup
takingmyt r
ayt othekitchen." ThankyouMamaka
Bi yelaomncane. "Shesmi led,hidi nghermout h.
"Whenyou' r
edoneeat i
ng,ngi celauphumul e.You'
ve
beenher esincemor ning,helpingt oputthings
toget her
.Inganeyamii f
unaukul alaZimasa. "
Zi
mmy:"Don'twor
ry,I'
ml eavi
ngassoonasI
'
m
doneeat
ing.
"Shegiggled.
Si
bo:"
Areyougoi
ngt
ores?
"
Zi
mmy:"Yes.Ihavet
ost
udy.I
'
m wr
it
ingon
Monday.
"
Si
bo:"
CanIhel
p?"
Zi
mmy:"
That
'ssweetbutIhaveanonl
inest
udy
gr
oup.
"
Sibo:"Hm...Anyway, thearchit
ectiscurr
entl
y
designingthenewhouse. "IwishedNkosicoulddo
i
tbutZwehadt oldmesomet hingter
ri
blehad
happenedatt hepal ace.Thembi sahadgott
en
ki
dnappedbyt hewi tchtheyassumebutshewas
broughtbackt henextmor ni
ng.Nooneel seknew
aboutthisofcour se.Anyway, Nkosiwasfocused
onget t
ingherbet ter
.Thatmusthavebeena
tr
aumat icexperience.
Zimmy:"That
'sgr
eat
.Howdi
dthenegot
iat
ionwi
th
theSmit
h'sgo?"
Sibo:"
Notgood.They'
rer
efusi
ngbot
hof
fer
sont
he
tabl
e."
Zi
mmy:"
Thatwoul
dbeexpect
ed.Sowhatwi
llyou
do?"
Si
bo:"
Iwantedtobeapri
ckandusemyr oyal
ty
ar
ounditbutZwesai
dno."Shechuckl
ed.
Zi
mmy:"Zweli
kesburst
ingyourbubbl
e."Il
aughed,
l
eani
ngonthetabl
e.
Si
bo:"
Hehat
esseei
ngmeenj
oymysel
f.
"
Zi
mmy:"
CanIgetyousomej
uice?
"
Sibo:"
Justwaterbabe."Shewenttof
etchabott
le
ofwater."
SoIhaven'tyetgot
tenacal
l.
"Itooki
t
fr
om her,dri
nki
nghalfthebott
le.
Zimmy:"
Yeah,mydadi
sgi
vingmet
hesi
lent
tr
eat
menttoo.
"
Sibo:"
Zimmy, wecan'twaitf
ortoolong.Assoonas
youstartshowing,youneedtobefull
yprotect
ed.
Notjustwithguardsbutmyf amil
yneedsthebaby
i
ntroducedtotheancestors.
"
Zimmy:"
I'
vetri
edSbo.I'
vebeenf
orci
ngand
beggi
nghim al
lweek.
"
Si
bo:"Okay.Idi
dn'
twanttot
hrowmyweightaround.
Wil
litbeokayifmyfami
lycont
act
edhi
mi nst
ead?"
Zimmy:"I
twoul
dbeokay,
maybehewi
llact
ual
ly
tal
ktoyourf
amil
y."
Si
bo:"Okay.SocanIdr
iveyoutor
estopickupyour
st
uffsoyoucancomest udyatmyhouse?"She
l
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"
Yout
hinkyou'
resmoot
hne?
"
Si
bo:"
IknowIam.
"Ismi
led.
Zi
mmy:"
WhymustIst
udyatyourhouse?
"
Sibo:"
You'l
lbemorecomfort
abl
e.I'
l
ltakecar
eof
everyt
hingyouneed.Youwon'
tevenhavetofar
t,I
'
d
openyourcheeksforyou.
"Shel
aughed.
Zi
mmy:"Youar
esocrazy.
"Iwaswinni
ng.Aver
y
sl
owst
eadypacebutIwasdef
ini
tel
ywinni
ng.
Si
bo:"
Come.Let
'sgo.
"
Zimmy:"Okay.Letmegr
abmybag.
"Mi
lescameup
tomyleg.
Mi
les:"
Uncl
eBobo.
"
Sibo:"
Hel
lomyl
it
tl
epr
ince.Wher
edoyoucome
fr
om? "
Mil
es:"
inthebedr
oom.Iwast
aki
nganap.
"He
r
ubbedhiseyes.
Sibo:"
Seemsl
ikeyoudi
dn'
tfi
nishsl
eepi
ngt
her
e
buddy."
Mi
les:"
Idi
dn'
t.
"
Sibo:"Let
'sfi
ndyourmum.
"Iscannedthr
oughthe
house.Shewasouti nt
hebackspeaki
ngtosome
l
adi eswhil
ewatchi
ngMia,
thebabyonherhip.
"Sizani
."
Si
za:"
Hell
oPri
nceSi
bonel
o.Youcamef
ort
he
memorial
?"
Sibo:"
Ofcour
seIdi
d,you'
refamil
y.Youseem t
obe
abitbusyher
e,I
'
mtakingtheseoneswit
hme.Is
thatfi
ne?
"
Si
za:"
Youdon'
thavet
odot
hat
."
Si
bo:"
Doyouseemegettingoutoft
hissi
tuat
ion?
"I
l
ookedatMi
les.Shesmi
led,aver
ysadsmile.
Siza:"Okay.I
'l
lfixt
hei
rbags."Sizaneededtogive
herselfabreakhonest
ly.Shewasagr eatmother.
Noonewoul d'
veblamedheri fsheaskedforti
me
offtoday.Jacksonwasashi tbuthewasher
husband.It'
sal ott
oprocess.Ibuckl
edt hebabies
upint hei
rseats.Zi
mmybr oughttheirbags.
Si
bo:"
Wehaveaonedayf
reet
ri
alwi
thust
oday.
Ar
eyouready?
"
Zimmy:" I
'
mt ell
ingSizayou'recal
li
ngherbabi es
fr
eet r
ial
s."Ichuckled,
start
ingthecartodrivehome.
Myphoner ang,connectedtotheBluet
oothi nthe
car.Thisnumberwasal andli
ne.Ianswered.
Si
bo:"
Sibonel
oBi
yel
a."
Call
er:"HiPri
nceSi
bonel
o.Thi
sisNomzamo,
from
thel
ibrary.
"
Si
bo:"
Oh,
hey.Howar
eyou?
"
Nomzamo:"
I'
m wel
lmypr
ince.Howar
eyou?
"
Si
bo:"
I'
mfi
ne.
"
Nomzamo:" Iwasgoi ngthrought hehist
or ybooks
i
nthelibrarymypr inceandIf oundonebookt hat
i
sn'ti
nthear chives.It'
squiteoldandIdon' tknowi f
i
thaswhatyoumaywantbuti tlookedinteresti
ng.
I
tisavail
ablebutcanonl ybeloanedoutt oroyals.I
wasthinkingmaybeyou' dli
ket oreaditinthe
meantimewe' rewai t
ingforar esponsefrom t he
r
oyaljudge."
Si
bo:"
Absol
utel
yNomzamo,
I'
dlovet
oreadi
t.
"
Nomzamo:"
Alr
ight
.I'
l
lputi
tasi
de,
youcanf
etchi
t
anyt
imeyou'
reavai
labl
e."
Si
bo:"
I'
llsendsomeonewit
hint
hehourNomzamo.
Whatt
imedoyoucl ose?
"
Nomzamo:"Today,wecloseat2butIwi
llwaitf
or
yourguardt
oarr
iveforcoll
ect
ionmypri
nce.Idon'
t
mind."Shei
ssosweet,shame.
Sibo:"
I'
llmakesur
ehe'sther
ebeforethen.Thank
yousomuchZamo, enj
oytherestofyour
weekend."
Nomzamo:"
Yout oo,Pri
nceSibonel
o."Shehungup.
Idr
ovei
ntoStel
lars,
dial
ingf
orZwe.
Zwe:
"Si
bonel
o."
Si
bo:"
Hel
loUncl
eZwe.
"
Zwe:
"Hm?
"
Si
bo:"
Ineedadaddyf
avour
."
Zwe:"
You'r
enotgoingtoblackmai
lmeintodoing
what
everyouwantbycall
ingitadaddyfavour
Si
bonel
o."Ichuckl
ed.
Si
bo:"
That
'snotwhatt
hisi
s.Igotacal
lfr
om t
he
l
ibrar
y.Ther
e'sabookthat'savai
labl
er i
ghtnow,
apparent
lyi
twasn'
tinarchivesbutitcanonlybe
l
oanedouttoroyal
s.Ican'tgopickitupbecause
I'
m withMummyandt ri
pleM. "
Zwe:
"Fi
ne.I
'
llgol
ater
."
Si
bo:"
Pleasegonow.
"
Zwe:
"You'
repushi
ngi
t.I
'
m wor
kingSi
bonel
o."
Sibo:"
PleaseUncl
eZwe.Thel
ibr
arycl
osesat2pm
today.
"
Zwe:"Fi
ne.
"Hehungup.Ipar
kedthecar
,the
guar
ds,par
kednextt
omegoinginsi
dethehouse.
Zi
mmy:"
So,
mybooks?
"
Si
bo:"
Shi
t.I
'
m sor
ryl
ove.Igotdi
str
act
ed.
"
Zi
mmy:"
Wecanr
estf
oranhourt
hengopi
ckt
hem
up.
"
Sibo:"No,l
et'
sgonowwhi leI'
m st
il
linthemoodt o
drive.Oncewe'rei
nsidet
hehousewe' l
lberesti
ng
andnotst r
essingaboutgoi
ngoutside.
"Icall
edout
theguard.
ZWELETHU'
SPOV_

Sibonelowasst r essful.Iwaswr appi

ngupi nthe
hospitalbutIhadwor kIwantedt ogoover .Iguess
I'
ddoi tathome.It ookmybag, phoneandkeys
walkingout.Idr ovetot heli
brar y,arr
ivi
ngjustf i
ve
minutesbef ore2pm.I twasst i
llopenatl eastsoI
wasn'texactlylate.Iwal kedin,Nomzamowasat
herdeskr eading.
Zwe:
"Goodaf
ter
noon.
"Shej
umped.
Nomzamo:" Pri
nceBi yel
a."Shestoodup,putt
ing
downherbook." Iassumeyou' r
ehereforcoll
ecti
on?
I'
vesetitr
ightaside."Shet ookali
ttl
ekeyfrom her
drawer,walkingaroundherdeskt othenearby
cabinet
.
Zwe:
"Howdi
dyouf
indt
hisbook?
"
Nomzamo:" Iwascl
eaningoutt
hehistor
ysect
ion,
myprince.I
'
dgottenaroundtor
eadingsomeofthe
hi
stor
ybooksovertheyearsbutnotthi
sone.I
alwaysdel ayedi
tforsomer eason.WhenIsawi t
today,Ireali
zedi
tmi ghtbeofinteresttoyouand
yourbrother.Theti
tleisgr
ipping."Sheunlockedthe
cabinet,
takingoutthebookwr appedi nnewspaper.
Zwe:"
Youseem t
oprot
ecti
tsowel
l
."Shel
ookedat
me,l
oweri
nghervoi
ce.
Nomzamo:" Pr i
nceBi yela.Thi sbooki sn'tsupposed
tobepubl i
c.I tbelongsi nthear chives.Per hapsi ti
s
notasi nfor mat iveordet ailedast heot her s, I
wouldn' tknowbutwhatIdoknowi sthati tdoesn' t
belongher e.
"Shegavei ttome.I twasi npr i
stine
condition.Ilookedatt het i
tlef ir
st.RoyalTr easur e:
ThePeaceTr eaty.Okay, shewasr i
ght ,thatdi d
soundgr i
ppi ng.It urnedt hef irstpager eadi ngt he
contentofchapt ers.1:TheFi rstKings.2:Tr easur e
Vil
lage.3:I npeace.4:ThePi eces.5:TheHandover .
6:TheRei gn.Iwassal ivatingatt hepr omi seofhow
i
nterest i
ngt hissounded.It ur nedt hepager eadi ng
thefir
stchapt er.I
'veneverhear doft hesepeopl e.It
wasf i
veoft hem.Isatdown, tor eadabouteachone.
Busa,t hef i
rst .Knownast heGodofpeace.The
l
eader .Hewasr egardedast hef i
naldeci sionmaker .
Hewasr eser vedandkeptt hecounci lofki ngsat
peace.Thebestmedi atorandhi ghl yrankedbyt he
nation.Busal i
vedamodestl if
eandenj oyedt he
peaceofnat ur e.Inallt hefiveki ngs, noneoft hem
hadchi l
dren.Thi swasnotper mi t
t ed.Theki ngship
wasappoi ntedandnotgi venasbi rt
hr i
ght .Allthe
chil
dr enint hevi l
lagewer er aisedt oaspi ref ora
positionint heKi ng'scounci l.Ever yonehadt o
compet eandonl yt hebestsel ected.Busal edthe
King'scounci lf or70year s,havi ngonl ybeen
appoi ntedatt heageof18.ThesecondKi ng,
Siqongo.TheGodofwar .Hewassecondi n
commandoft heKi ng'scounci landwasast rategic
plannerofal lwar s.Heknewhowt ostar t
,st opand
mosti mpor t
antofal l
,wi n.Thet hirdKing,
Qhawel esi
zwe.TheGodofl ight .Hewast hewar ri
or
andspental otofhi stimei nt hef rontlinesofal l
war s.Hewasagr eatl eadert ot hesol diersandal so
bloodr elatedt oBusa.Heser vedf oronl y50year s
beforehesuccumbedt ohisi njuriesaf t
erawarwi t
h
anat ionupnor t
h.Thef ourthki ng, Nobukhosi .The
Goddessofr ei gn.
Zwe: "Wai t
,what ? "Thef ourthkingwasawoman?
Nobukhosiwasawar r
ioralongsideQhaweandl ed
war swi t
hhi m.I tissaidt herewasar omant ic
i
nvol vementbet weent hem buti twasnever
conf i
rmed.Thel astKi ng, Nobomi .TheGoddessof
Life.Whyar et hegoddessesal sor egardedasKi ngs?
Shoul dn'
ttheyj ustbequeens?Wast herear eason
theywer eal lregar dedasj ustKings?Thename
Nobomihasbeenr ecycledat hirdtimenow.Wasi t
j
ustacoi ncidence?Ther ei snoment i
onof
Sikhosanaanywher einthisintro.Allofthem, each
andever ygodandgoddess, wasnotr egardedas
Sikhosana.So. .
..howdi dt heSikhosanal ineagetake
overt hethrone?I fthereisnoment ionoft hem in
thever ybegi nning, wheredi dtheycomef rom?
Nomzamo:"Ar
eyousti
llf
ine,
PrinceBi
yel
a."I
l
ookedup,
havingt
otal
lyf
orgott
enwhereIwas.
Zwe: "
Yes.I'm sorr
yforhol
dingyoubackf r
om
l
eaving.Ikindofzonedout."Icheckedthetime.
15:23pm.Ihavebeenr eadi
ngf oroveranhour
aboutthefivekingsandtheirr
especti
verolesin
council
,theirl
ivesandthei
rachievements.
Nomzamo:" Nowor r
ies.Youcantakeyourtime.I
'l
l
beatmydesk.I '
veclosedthel
ibr
ary,yourguards
areal
linsi
de."Il
ookedatmyguar ds,al
lstandi
ngin
posi
ti
on.
Zwe:"ThankyouNomzamo. "Shenoddedandwent
toherdesk.Ir
eall
ywant edtoreadalotmoreoft hi
s
book.YesIcoulddoitathomebutt hescentof
bookswafti
ngaroundmewasqui t
ehypnoti
zing.
"Whatareyoureadingthere?Hist
ory?
"Shegiggled.
Nomzamo:" No.Ist
udyitf
oral
ivi
ngsoIli
kegi
ving
myselfatr
eateveryoncei
nawhileandi
ndul
gein
f
ict
ion."
Zwe:"What
'
syourfavor
it
etypeoff
ict
ion?Letme
guess,r
omance?
"Shelaughed.
Nomzamo:"
Myst
eryt
hri
ll
er.
"
Zwe:
"Youl
ie.
"
Nomzamo:"Honesttrut
h.Ilovethesuspense,t
he
r
aci
nghear t
beat,
justwhenyout hinkyou'
vecaught
t
hem theysl
ipinyourhandst ypeofstor
y.Sodamn
t
hri
ll
ing.
"Thiswasinter
esti
ng.
Zwe:"
Andwhichsi
deareyouonNomzamo?The
goodguyort
hebadguy."
Nomzamo:"
Tri
ckquest
ion?
"
Zwe:
"Pur
elyoutofi
nter
est
,noj
udgement
."
Nomzamo:" I'
mintr
iguedbythebadguy.Howhe
thinks,
howheplans,thecar
efulst
epshetakesto
coverhistr
acksandoutrunt
heactuall
aw,every
singleti
me.That
'stal
ent.
"Il
aughed.
Zwe:
"Okay,
Idi
dn'
texpectt
hat
."
Nomzamo:"Youpr
omi
sednott
ojudge.
"She
chuckl
ed.
Zwe:
" AndI'
m notj
udging.Ipromise.Ij
ustthought
youl
ikedthehappi
lyeveraftert
ypeofstory."
Nomzamo:"Whosaysk.ill
ersaren'
thappyaf
ter
?"I
st
aredather."
Anyway,l
etmenotdi st
urbyou.
"
You'
renotgett
ingawaythateasil
y.
Zwe:
"Whati
syourbookabout
?"
Nomzamo:"
I'
m goi
ngt
ost
artf
eel
ingj
udged.
"She
gi
ggl
ed.
Zwe:
"Comeon,
tel
lme.Ipr
omi
senott
ojudge.
"
Nomzamo:"Okay.Thebookisaboutaseri
alk.i
ll
er,
sofarhi
sreasoni
ngisn'
tquit
ecl
earbutitseemshe
i
starget
ingol
dermiddleagewomen."
Zwe:"Hm. .andwhatdoyout hi
nkaboutthat?Do
youthi
nkak. i
ll
erchooseshi
svict
im basedon
appearanceanddemeanorort heyworkon
opport
unity?"
Nomzamo:" Bot h.Andal so, thebaser eason.A
serialk.i
llerrar elyleavest heirhouset ograbany
andever yper sont heycomeacr oss.Theycal culate,
theypl an, theywai tandt hen, t
heyat t
ack.
Dependentoneachk. i
ll
er, t
here'sdiff
erentst ages
thatthril
lt hem aboutt hepr ocess.Ot hersfindt he
torturemor et hril
li
ngt hant heactofdeat hit sel f.
Other sfindt hescenemor eintri
guingandsot hey
visiti
tof tent or eli
vetheirmoment .Otherspr ef er
themomentl ifeebbsoutoft heirvict
im,aspeci f
ic
met hodofk. ill
ing.Most l
yst rangulati
on.Other s,
theyjustdon' tcar e.It
'smor eofaf avourtogetr i
d
ofthevi rus, thatist heirvicti
m.Theydon' thavea
target.Theydon' tfeelper sonali
zedt othemur der.
Theyj
ustdon'
tcar
e."
Zwe:"Whydoesthi
sstuffi
nter
estyou?Ar
eyoua
ser
ialk.
il
ler
?"Shel
aughed.
Nomzamo:" Absol ut
elynot.Idon'thavethe
stomachforitbutIlovewat chingtruecr
ime.True
l
ifeDocument ar
iesbei ngmyf avourit
ebutthe
fi
cti
onisj
ustast hri
ll
ing.
"
Zwe:
"Andi
tdoesn'
tscar
eyou?
"
Nomzamo:" Itt
ri
pledmyanxi et
y.I'
m alwayson
edge,l
ookingaroundforanyshadyl ooki
ng
i
ndivi
duals,l
ockmydoor sifI'
mi nthehousealone,
andifIthi
nksomeonei sfol
lowingme, Itakealef
t
tur
nthreetimesbefor
eIspr i
nt.
"Ichuckled.
Zwe: "
Whatifhe'
snotashadyl ookingindivi
dual
then?Whathappensifhe'schar ming,si
tti
ngina
l
ibrar
y,readi
ngabook? "Shest oppedsmi li
ng
i
nstantl
yalmosthyperventi
lati
ng."I'
mj oki
ng,
Zamo."Shegiggl
edner vously.
Nomzamo:"Myheartstoppedther
eforasecond,
Pri
nceBi
yela.Don'
tdothat.I
nfact
,maybewe
shoul
dgo.Youcanr eadathome."
Zwe:"Di
dIscar
eyou?
"Shesmi
led,
packi
ngher
thi
ngs.
Nomzamo:" Likeyouwouldn'
tbeli
eve."Myphone
rang.Damnit,Sibonel
o.It
ookitout,buti
twasn'
t
him."DrBi
yela."Ianswer
ed.
Yanda:"Goodday,
Doct
or.Wi
llyoubebackt
his
aft
ernoon?"
Zwe:"That
'saver
yst
rangequest
iont
oaskyour
boss,
DrRadebe."
Yanda:"
Iapol
ogize,
doct orBi
yel
a.ThereasonI'm
aski
ngis,t
hebloodtestsyouaskedmet oanalyze
andgetbackt
oyouwi t
h."Thembisa'
sbloodtests.
Zwe:
"Yes?
"
Yanda:"
WhenIwasupl oadi
ngherbl
oodworkon
thesyst
em, hernamecameupwhichshowsshe
wasapat i
entofyour
safewweeksago."
Zwe:"
Yes,shehadagunshotwound.Spentafew
daysi
nthehospit
al.Pl
easegett
othepoint
."
Yanda:"
DoctorBiyel
a,Il
ookedatherprevi
ous
bl
oodwor kandtherecent
.Somethingveryst
range.
Herbloodt
ypei
snott
hesame.
"Mybr
ainf
rozef
ora
second.
Zwe:
"Whatdoyoumean,
Radebe.
"
Yanda:"HerbloodtypewasO-af ewweeksago.
Rightnow,theresult
sshowshe'sanAB- .Sir
,thi
s
cannotbethesameper son.Unlessofcourse,it
'sa
caseofchimer i
sm orMaybeitwasami stake
entr
y?"ButInevermakemi st
akes.Ever.
Zwe:"
Who'sthedoct
oronthefil
e?Ther
ewast wo
ofuswhentheshoot
inghappened,
Ican'
trecal
l.
"
Yanda:"I
twasyou, DrBiyel
a."DidImaket hat
mist
ake?Iwoul dnevermaket hatkindofmistake.
Howlikel
ywaschi merism?Qui t
erare."
I'
llputit
asi
deforyou,Sir.I
t'
snowor ri
es.Ijustt
houghtit
waswor t
hnoting."
Zwe:"
ThankyouYanda.Imusthavemadet
he
er
ror
."
Yanda:"Al
lwel
lDrBiyel
a.We'r
eonlyhumanaf t
eral
l.
Haveagoodday."Ihungup,tr
yingtoputitt
oget
her
i
nmyhead.Tr yi
ngtoremembert hedayofthe
shoot
ing.YesIwasatthehospit
al,Khayaar
ri
ved
withThembi sa,Amahlecar ri
edbyherguard.The
doctorworkingwi t
hmet ookThembi sato
resuscit
ati
onwhi leItr
iedt oworkonAmahl e.Once
shewokeup, thedoctorandIswapped.Iwentt o
theoperati
onr oom toremoveherbul let
.Iwas
wor r
iedaboutpossibleinternalbl
eedingandhad
herblooddrawn.I twasO- .Shewasabl oodtypeO-
.
Irememberi tclearl
y.Myphonebuzzedi nmyhand.
IlookedatthemessageI 'verecei
ved.
Nkosi
:<Weneedt otal
k.>Def
ini
tel
y.Icoul
dn'
twr
ap
myheadaroundwhatwasgoi ngon.Isenta
messageback:<Yes,I
'
m onmyway. >
[
07/
27,
06:
18] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er135

NKOSI
'
SPOV_

Ihavebeenhavi
ngadiff
icul
tti
mesleepi
ngthese
pastfewdayssi
nceThembisahasbeenback.I
smel therbl oodTuesdayni ght ,butshewasf ast
asleepnextt ome.Idon' tknowwhatt hatmeant .I
wokeupt hismor ning,lookingnextt omeandshe
wasst ari
ngatme.I twasn'tjustt hat.Somany
thingsaboutherhadchangedandi tmademe
i
nt enselyuncomf ortableeachday.Somet hingher
fatherhadment ioned.Thembi sawoul dneverlook
athi ml i
ket hat.Hewasver yr i
ght .Thembi sahad
sof tl
ovingeyes.Youcoul dseeheremot i
onsin
them.I fshewashappy, youcoul dseei tinhereyes,
sameasi fshe'ssad.Shedi dn'tevenf li
nchwhenI
askedabouthowshef eltaboutt hemi scarri
age.
Also, shehadnot hingtosayt oherf ather.Whom
shenowcal lsfatherandnotTat a.Shebar el
ysat
withhi m.Anot hert hingthatwasst rangewas, she
mi ssedherwashday.Thembi saenj oyswashi ng
herownhai ronceever yt woweeks.Thembi saloves
singingwhendoi ngbasi ctasksevenhummi nga
tune.Wor stofal l
, shehasn' ttouchedasi ngleone
ofhert extbooks.Letal oneherl apt opandshewas
supposedt owr i
teherf i
rstexam.Shebl at
antly
refused.Eachday, mydoubtwasgr owingandi t
wassof rust r
atingbecausewhati fI'
m wr ong?What
i
fthi
sismywi
feandshe'
sjusthur
t?
Sasa:"Whywon' tyoutouchme? "Ilookedather,
tr
yingtothinkofaproperanswer .Icouldn'
tbr
ing
myselftotouchher.Herskindidn'tfeelassmooth
andtouchingitmademef eelgui
lty.Ishoul
dn'
thave
l
etheroutt hatni
ght.
Nkosi :"
Iwantyout obecomfor
tabl
e,mylove.We
j
ustl ostthebaby,wecanwaitafewweeks.We
shoul dgetreadyfort
heday.Maybewecanhavea
picnicoutside?Seemsli
keabeauti
fuldayt
odoour
fair
yt hi
ngs."
Sasa:"
Whati
saf
air
y?"Isatup,
looki
ngather
.No.
..
Nkosi
:"Amyt
hicalcr
eat
ure.
"
Sasa:"Oh."Shegotoutofbed,wal
kingtot he
bathr
oom.Ineededt ospeaktoAmahl e.Igotoutof
bed,pull
ingonmyt r
ackpants."Mehlul
i.
"Mybody
fr
oze.Iturnedtol
ookather,st
unnedt ohelland
back.
Nkosi
:"Di
dyouj
ustcal
lmeMehl
uli
?"
Sasa:"
Yes.Am Inotal
lowedt
ocal
lyoubyname?
"
Nkosi
:"You'
veonl
yevercal
ledmeNkosi
."
Sasa:"Butthat'
syourt i
tle.MyKi ng.
"Myhear t
dropped.Thisisnotmywi f
e.Itcan'
tbe.Shewal ked
overtome, standingdirectl
yinf r
ontofme, her
handsonmychest .There'sonlyonethingmy
Thembi sawoulddoi nt hisposit
ion.Shereachedup
tome, placi
nghercol dlipsonmi ne.Ipull
edaway.
Thembi sawould'vekissedmychi n.
Nkosi :"
Ineedtogof oraquickrun."Itookmyt -
shir
t
walkingoutthebedr oom st
rai
ghttoAmahl e'sroom.
Ididn'tevenknock,Iwalkedstr
aightinstoppingas
soonasIent ered.Shesatonherr ug,stari
ngat
Glacivorywhowasl ayingbefor
eher ,dead.
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e."Icl
osedt
hedoor
.
Ama:"Ihaven'
tseenherindays, It
houghtshewas
j
ustdoingherusualhi
ding.She'salwaysgonea
fewdaystops.ButIFoundheri nthegardenthi
s
t
ime.Noscent.Nopr i
nts.Noblood.Nothing.I
t'
s
l
ikeshechokedonherownbr eathanddied."
Nkosi
:"Iam sor
ry.
"Shest
oodup.
Ama:"
Howi
sshe?
"
Nkosi:"That
'swhatIwantedt ot
alkabout.Idon'
t
thinkthewom-"Wel ookedatthedoor.Itwas
closedbutsomeonewasst andi
ngont heotherside.
Wel ookedateachother.Then,aknock.Int
erest
ing.
Ama:"
Comei
n."Thedooropenedandshewal
kedi
n.
Sasa:"
Amahl
e."
Ama:"
Hi.
"
Sasa:"Iwaswonder
ingifyou'
dli
ket
ojoi
nmef
ora
walkinthegar
dentoday?"
Nkosi
:"Ar
en'
tyouaf
rai
dofbei
ngi
nthegar
den?
"
Sasa:"
NotwhenAmahl
eisnexttome.
"Shesmi
led.
Il
ookedatAmahl
eandwhisper
ed.(
Sayno.
)
Ama:"Ihavesomeschoolwor
ktocat
chupon.
Maybeanothert
ime?"
Sasa:"Okay.
"Shesmiledthenlookedatthecaton
thefl
oor,andwalkedout.Youcan'tconvi
nceme
other
wise.Il
ookedatAmahl e.(
Thatisnotmywi f
e.)
Ama:(
Whydoyousayso?
)
Nkosi
:(Thembi
sacal
lsyouAmy.Al
so,
shel
ooked
atGl
aci
vor
yandwalkedout.Seei
ngt hatshe'
sdead.
Thembi
saandyourcatar
einseparable.
)
Ama:(
Ihadmydoubt
sNkosibuthowcant
hisbe?
Woul
dn'twef
eel
anyt
hing?
)
Nkosi:(
Amahl e.Thatwomani snotmywi f
e.She
call
edmeMehl uli
.WhenhasThembi saevercall
ed
met hat
? !Shethi
nksNkosiismyt i
tl
e.Amahle.
..
Thatisnotmywi f
e.)Mywholebodywasshaki ngat
thereal
izati
on.I'
vebeenli
vingwit
hast r
angerfor
almostaweek.Wher ewasmywi fe?
Ama:(
Shoul
dwet
ellf
ather
?)
Nkosi
:(No!Hewoul dkil
lherinst
antl
y!Andr
ight
now?She'stheonlypersonthatknowswheremy
wif
ecouldbe,Ijustneedtofi
gureoutawayof
pul
li
ngthati
nformationoutofher.Andshe'
ssti
ll
st
andingoutsi
det hi
sroom!)
Ama:(Nkosi
,i
fwhatyou'r
esayingistr
ue.Andt
his
womanchangedi nt
oyourwife'
sbody?Thenwhat
makesyouthinkshecan'
thearus?)
Nkosi
:(Let
'sgofi
ndherf
ather
.)Iwal
kedtothedoor,
snat
chi
ngitopen.Shest
oodinthepassagelooki
ng
atme.Myf air
ywouldhavethelookofsheer
embarrassmentri
ghtthi
smomentbutt hi
sone
l
ookedlikeshedidn'
tevendoanythi
ngwrong.I
seepedintohermind,f
li
ppi
ngthroughherthought
s.
Sasa:(Whywer etheyqui et
?Theyobvi ouslydidn'
t
speakinsi
det heroom, why?Icoul dhearthem at
fi
rstthentheystoppedt al
king?Whati shethinki
ng?
Whyi shelookingatmel i
kethat?)Seethat'
sthe
thi
ng!Sheshoul dknowbynowt hatIcanhearher
thoughtsbutthatsti
llseemedt osliphermindor
wasshef aking?
Nkosi
:"Doyouwanttot
akeabathsol
ong?Iwant
t
oplanourpicni
cwit
hthest
aff
."
Sasa:"Yes.Iwon'tbetool
ong. "Shewal kedbackto
ourroom.Amahl eandIwentdownst ai
rs, Ist
oodin
fr
ontoftheguar d,whi
speri
ng.( Mywifedoesn' t
comedownt hesestai
rsuntilIgivet
hegoahead. )
Henodded.Iwal kedouttothecour t
yard.MrNt aka,
sati
noneoft hebenchesstaringatnothing.
Nkosi:"
Tata.
"Hedidn'trespond.Si
nceIexpl
ained
ourabil
it
ies,
hehasn'tsaidawor dt
oanyofus." I
should'vel
ist
enedt oyout hef i
rsttime."Isatnextt
o
him."Thatgir
lisn'tmywi fe."Hel ookedatme." I
thoughtIwoul dbeablet ofeelit.Ithoughtshewas
onlytraumati
zedbut ..
."Ishookmyhead." Idon'
t
knowhow.Idon' tunderstandhowt hiscould
happen.Awi tchcan'tjustcloneawhol ehuman
beingbutIdon' tknowwhatt othinkanymor e.Not
eventhehealercanf eelsomet hingwr ong.Idon't
knowwhatel set odo."
Xolani:"
Nkosi
.Areyousayi
ngmychil
dissti
llout
there?
"Myhear tt
orei
nabil
li
onpi
ecesatthe
thought.
Nkosi
:" Ibel
ieveso.Theproblem i
s,Ithi
nkthi
s
i
mpost ercanl eadusinsomewayt oherbutshe
can'
tknow.I '
m af r
aidi
fshefi
guresoutweknow,
somethingmi ghthappentotherealThembisa."He
puthi
sf aceinhi shands,
hisshoulder
sshaking.
"Weneedt of i
ndwayst obesurethisisn'
ther
.One
hundr
edper centsur e.
"
Ama:"
Weneedt
her
estoft
hef
ami
lyi
nont
his.
"
Nkosi
:"NoAmahl
e.Thatwi
llsetever
yonei
npani
c."
Ama:"Itwon't
.Eachmemberofourf amil
yneedsto
askhertodosomet hingonlyt herealThembisa
wouldknow."Shewenti ntothepal ace.Myvision
wasshakywi t
hanger .Ihadtobot tleever
ybubble
ofi
tin.Themor eandmor eIt houghtaboutthis,t
he
moreitstar
tedtomakesense.Amahl ebr
oughtour
mothersandfatherouttothecour tyard.
Nkosi
:"Wemayhaveapr
obl
em.
"
Ki
ng:
"What
?"
Nkosi
:"Thembi
sai
smi
ssi
ng.
"
King:"AGAI
N??You'
rebeggi
ngmet oki
llyouatt
his
point
!!Howcoul
dyouletthi
shapp-
"
Nkosi
:"Canyoukeepi
tdown!!Shedi
dn'tgo
missi
ngagain,
she'
sbeenmissingt
hisenti
ret
ime!
"
Ihi
ssed.
Nol
wazi:"
Nkosi
nhl
e,Nkosi
nhl
eha.
a.No.Thisent
ir
e
week,
whohavewebeenhavingdi
nnerwit
h?"
Nkosi:"
Wehaver easontobelievethati
sthewit
ch.
Thispersonisanimposter
."Myf atherr
umbled,
fl
exinghisfi
rstasbol
tsofelectri
cit
ysparkedof
f
them."Fat
her
,youhavet
ocalm down.Shecan'
t
fi
ndoutweknow.Notyet.Shei
stheonlyl
inkwe
havetoThembisa'
swher
eabout
s."
Ama:"Andsheki
ll
edt
heonl
ythi
ngt
hatcoul
dsense
her
."
Nobant
u:"
Ibegyourpar
don?
!"
Nkosi:"
Amahl ef oundGl acivory,i
nt hegar den.
She'sdead."Icoul dfeel theangerr adiatingof fmy
fat
her."
Idon' tknowhowbuti fit
'strue,ifthi
st rul
y
i
sn'tThembi sat henthatmeanst hereissomeone
outther
ewi thf arbetterabilit
iesthanal lofour s
combined.Andt hatper son, i
shol di
ngmyl i
fe.We
needtofindawayt ogetherback. "
Nol
wazi
:"Iknewi
t.Iknewsomet
hingwasof
f.
"
Nobant
u:"
WhatdowedoMehl
uli
?"
Nkosi
:"Wher
ear
ethet
wins?
"
Nolwazi
:"Sl
eepi
ng.
..Ohnotmychil
dren.
"She
t
urnedtorunbacki
ntothepal
ace.Ihel
dherback.
Nkosi
:"Guards,bri
ngthet
wins.
"Fouroft
hem
marchedin."Eachofyouneedt
oaskhertodo
somethingoransweranyt hi
ngthembisawoul d
know.Forone,shecal l
smeMehl uli
.Shet hi
nks
Nkosiismyt i
tl
enotmyname.Thembi sahasnever
cal
ledmeMehl ul
i.Sheclimbedatr
eet opickaf r
uit
.
Thembisacan'tclimbtrees,
shejumpsl i
keat oddl
er
unti
lIhelpher.
"
Ki
ng:
"Andyoukeptqui
etal
lthi
sti
me?
!"
Nkosi:"
HowwasIsupposedt oknowt hatwe' r
enot
theonlyoneswi t
hsupernaturalabil
it
ies!"Isnapped.
"Don'
tyouthinkIfeelpainalr
eadythatshe' s
probabl
youtt her
eallalone!
?Orevenwor se,in
danger!
!Doyout hinkIwanttopretendt onotwant
ri
pthatgir
lsheadof fherneck?!
!"
Xol
ani
:"Nkosi
,cal
m down.
"Mychestheaved.
Nkosi
:"Ineedtofi
ndher
."Theguar
dsbr
oughtt
he
t
winsout."Areyoutwof
ine?"
Nhl
a:"
Wher
e'st
hecat
?"Ohhel
l.
Ama:"
Glaci
vor
yisdead.
"
Nhl
a:"Don'
tbur
yheri
nthegarden.
"Welookedat
her
.Shespokeasi
fsheal
readyknew.
Nkosi
:"Why?
"
Nhla:"Ij
ustknowshe' snotsupposedtobet her
e.I
don'tknowwhy. "Whyhaven'tweaskedNhl anhla
heropinion?Everyti
meI '
veoverl
ookedher.Whati f
sheknewsomet hingbutwasbeingignor
ed?
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhl
a,whatdoyouthi
nkabout
Thembisasi
nceshecameback?"
Nhl
a:"
She'
sver
yugl
y."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean?
"Shel
ookedar
ound.
Nhla:
"Shehasuglyhairanddi
rtyhands.
"Ther
e'sno
way.Isi
tpossi
blethatmysist
erisnotseei
ngthe
samepersonwear eseei
ng?How?
Ki
ng:
"Nhl
anhl
a,descr
ibeThembi
sa.
"
Nhla:"
Theol
done?"Someonewillneedtohol
dme
back.It
ookoutmyphonesendi
ngZwel et
hua
message.
Ama:"You'
reseeingadi
ffer
entThembi
saf
rom t
he
oneoftheweddingday?
"
Nhl
a:"
Yes.You'
renot
?"
Ama:"
Nkwenkwezi
?"
Nkwe:"
Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
."
Nkosi
:"I
stheThembisayou'
reseei
ngt
hesameas
t
heoneImar r
ied?
!"
Nkwe:"
Pleasedon'
tshout
,bhut
i.
"
Nkosi
:"I
'
m notshout
ing.
"Igr
owl
ed.
Nkwe:"
I.
..
Ican'
tseeher
."Thi
scannotbehappeni
ng.
Nol
wazi
:"Whydi
dn'
tyout
wosayanyt
hing!
?"
Nhla:"
Ithoughtyouguysknew.Bhutibr
oughtheri
n
thehousemos. "Myfat
herpacedupanddownt he
court
yard,t
ryi
ngtocalm down.Iwasfai
li
ng.
Dismall
y.
Nobant
u:"Nkwenkwezi
,howcanyounotseea
l
ivi
ngpersonandbequiet
?"
Nkwe:"Mother
,Nhlai
salwayst al
kingt
oherselfor
peopleonl
yshecansee.Ithoughtwewer edoing
thatmina.
"Thetwomostignoredpeoplei
nt he
houseweretheONLYoneswhocoul dseethere'
sa
probl
em?
Nolwazi
:"Yoh.Yout
wocoul
dki
llsomeone,
you
knowthat?"
Nhl
a:"
Iwoul
dnever
,mama!
"
Ama:"Nkosi
."Il
ookedather
.Iknowwhatshewas
t
hinki
ng.
Nkosi
:"No.
"
Ama:"
Yes.
"
Ki
ng:
"SPEAK!
!"Hebel
lowed.
Nkosi:"
She'daskedAmahletotakeawal kwithher
i
nt hegarden.Wethi
nkshemaybet r
yingtolureher
awayandhavehert akenaswellbecauseAmahl e
canseebeyondwhatweseeandsoonshemi ght
fi
gureherout.Soshe'sgoi
ngtotrytogetri
dofher .
"
Nobant
u:"
ButAmahl
edoesn'
thaveacl
one.
"
Nkosi:"
Thembisadi
dn'
thaveacl
oneei
ther
,mama
buthereweare."
Ama:"I
fshel
uresmetowher
eversheis,
from t
her
e
Icanfi
ndawayoutf
orusortel
epat
hical
lydr
aw
youin.
"
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e,t
hat
'snothappeni
ng!
"
Xolani
:"ThenI'
llgo.I
fther
ei sawaytogetto
Thembisa,I'
l
lfi
ndawayt oleadheroutofwher
ever
sheis.Iam goodatescaping."
Nkosi
:"Tat
a,t
hispersonisawit
chwhoi squi
te
power
fulandseeminglyhasourabi
li
ti
esaswell
."
Xolani
:"Thembi saismydaught er.I
'
llgi
vemyl if
e
forher
.Ther eisnoabilit
yinthi
swor ldorthenext
thatwi
llstandi nmyway. "Il
ookedupatt hedoorof
thecourtyard,shecameoutwal kingtous.Ididn'
t
evenknowwhatt ocallhernow.Event hewayshe
worehercl otheswasn'tthesame.Everypartofme
wantedtot earherapart.Shestoodnexttothetabl
e,
l
ookingatme.Ist ar
edrightbackather.
Nol
wazi:"
Thembisa,
haveyougi
vent
houghtt
othe
dr
essyouwanttowearfort
heweddi
ng?"She
l
ookedatmother
.
Sasa:"
Anydr
essi
sfi
ne.
"
Nolwazi:"
Youwer everypart
icul
araboutaspeci
fic
dress.Youevenhadadesi gnerreadytosket
chit
andmakei tforyou.Haveyoucont act
edthem?"
Sasa:"
Any.Dr
ess.I
sfi
ne.
"Sher
epeat
ed,
ici
ly.
Nolwazi
:"Yoh,
Noneedt
otel
lmet
wicedear
.Cr
yst
al
cl
ear.
"
Ki
ng:
"Si
ng.
"Shel
ookedathi
m.
Sasa:"
Ibegyourpar
don,
King.
..Si
khosana?
"
Ki
ng:
"Isai
d,Si
ng.You'
reusedt
osi
ngi
ngf
orme.
Si
ngmemysong. "
Sasa:"Idon'
twanttosi
ng."Amahl
ehel
df at
her
,
walki
nghi m backt
othehouse,
hewashissi
ngin
anger.
Nol wazi
:"It
hink.Meandt het
winsshoul
dvi
sitt
he
vil
la.Hm?Somegr eener
yandspatreat
ment
s.Just
fortheweek."
Nhl
a:"
Ican'
tgo,
mot
her
."Shewhi
ned.
Nol
wazi
:"Ofcour
seyoucandar
li
ng.
"
Nhl
a:"
Ican'
tbecauseIhavet
o-"
Nkosi
:"Nhlanhla.You'
regoingt
ostayherei
nthe
pal
ace.Allofyouar e.
"Shewasabouttosay
somethi
nggi vi
ngawayt hatweknow.Ihadtokeep
herqui
et.I
fthi
spersoncouldk.il
lGl
acivor
y,
tar
geti
ngAmahle,sheisobviousl
yreadytoshut
anyoneup.
Sasa:"
Wher
eisourpi
cni
c?"
Nkosi
:"Uhm,
wewer
est
il
ldi
scussi
ngt
heweddi
ng.
"
Xolani
:"Thembisacanwet akeawalkint hegarden?
Wehaven' thadti
met otalkaboutthenew
adj
ustmentofbei ngawi f
e."Shestaredathim.I
couldseehowt hatalonebrokehisheart.Therewas
noemot ioninhereyes.
Sasa:"Okay."Shewal
kedwit
hhim downt hegar
den
path.Inoddedattheguar
dsandtheyfol
lowed
i
mmedi at
ely.
Nol
wazi:"
Nkosi
nhle,ar
ewesafe?Youknow
Nhl
anhlaj
ustspeaksanyhow,
areyoursi
bli
ngssaf
e
f
rom t
hisper
son?"
Nkosi
:"I'
l
lkeepthem safemother.Nhlanhl
a,
promi
semeyouwon' tsayanythingaboutorto
Thembisaoutloud.Youcanwhi spert
ome. "
Nhl
a:"
Okay.Shecan'
thearyouwhenyouwhi
sper
."
Nkosi
:"That
'sgood.
"
Nhl
a:"
Yesbutsheknowsyoucan.
"
Nkosi
:"Sohert
hought
sarepretendi
ng?Canyou
seewhat'
shappeni
nginhermind?"
Nhla:"
Hert houghtsarenotpret
endi
ng,shej
ust
keepsforgett
ing.Ican'
tseeinhermind.Onl
ythe
catcould.
"
Nkosi
:"Di
dthecatsayanyt
hingt
hisweek?
"
Nhl
a:"
Thecatdi
edonTuesdayni
ghtbhut
i.
"
Nkosi
:"Nhl
anhla,
isther
eanyt
hingelseyouhaven'
t
t
oldusthathashappened?
"Shelookedthought
ful
.
Nhl
a:"
No.It
oldyouever
ythi
ng.
"
Nkosi
:"Nkwe?
"
Nkwe:"
I'
vejustbeenhavi
ngbaddreams.Li
keI'
m
bei
ngstr
angled.
"Thiswastur
ningi
ntoanight
mare.
Nkosi
:"Okay.From t
oday,youtwodon'tl
eave
mother
ssight.Okay?Evenwi t
hsleepi
ng,you'
llhave
toal
lbeinoner oom,Amahl ewil
ladvi
sefurt
her.
Theguardswillbepresentandsurr
oundi
ngal lof
youatal
lti
mes."Wewai
tedunt
ilZwear
ri
ved.Iwas
burni
ngandshaki
ngatt
hispoi
nt.
Zwe:"
Myf ri
end."MrNtakaandt hi
sgirlwere
comi
ngbackf rom thei
rwalk,comi
ngt owardsus.
Shel
ookedatZwe.Hel ookedather,
suspiciousof
somet
hing."Hell
o."Hesmi l
ed.
She:"
Hel
lo.
"Mt
hunziar
ri
vedaswel
l.
Nkosi:"
I'm goi
ngtobei naquickmeeti
ngwithmy
council
."Icouldhardl
ylookatherbutf
orcedmysel
f
to."
Youwi llbeokayhere,wi
thmymot hersand
sist
ers.
"
Sasa:"
Yousai
dwe'
regoi
ngt
ohaveapi
cni
c."
Nkosi
:"Al
it
tl
elat
er.Ihaveawor
kemer
gency.
"
Sasa:"
Okay.
"
Nkosi:"Tata."Wel ef
therouti
nt hecourt
yardwith
thefami l
y.Theguar dswerepresent,
butwedi dn'
t
movet oof arfrom eyevi
ewoft hecourtyar
d.We
satont hebal cony,wat
chingf
rom adistance.
Zwe:
"MrNt
aka,
doesThembi
sahaveat
win?
"
Xol
ani
:"No.Iwast
her
ethedayshewasbor
n.Her
mot
heronl
ybi
rt
hedonechi
ld.
"
Zwe:"Igotacallf
rom oneofmyinterns.They
noti
cedadi f
fer
enceinbloodt
ypestakenf r
om
Thembisawhenshegotshotandt hisweek.It'
stwo
di
ffer
entbloodtypes.
"Iknewit
.
Mthunzi:"
Sowhatyou'
resayi
ngisthatper
sonout
t
here,r
ightnow,
isnotThembisa?
"
Zwe:"
Yes."Everyt
hingwassi
lentonl
yformer
e
minut
es.Ineededtofindmywife.
Xol
ani
:"How.
"Mt
hunzidi
aledonhi
sphone.
Mt hunzi:"
Givemywi fethephone.
"Hewaitedafew
seconds." Busi.Love,yousai
dyouhadadr eam
aboutagi rlthatlooksli
keThembisa.Doyouthi
nk
thatgirlcouldactuall
ypassoffasher?"
Busi
:"Possi
bly.Yes.
"
Mt
hunzi
:"She'
stheonet
hat
'sher
e.Thembi
sai
sst
il
l
mi
ssi
ng.
"
Busi
:"Ohno.That'swhyIwassmel
li
ngmut hi
.She
coul
dhavedisguisedher
sel
fwit
hit
.Ifnotoneof
younoti
cedti
llnow."
Mthunzi
:"Rightnow,Ineedsol
uti
ons.Howdowe
f
indtherealThembisa?Shehastostil
lbeout
t
here.
"
Busi
:"I
'
llconsul
tandgetbackt
oyou.
"Shehungup.
Zwe:"
There'
ssomet
hingel
seNkosit
hatweneedt
o
tal
kabout
."
Nkosi
:"What
?"
Zwe: "
Sboni hadappl i
edf orthearchivesinthe
l
ibrar
y.Thel adywor ki
ngt herefoundahi storybook.
I'
vereadthef ir
stchapter.It'
ssomet hingthatmight
hurtorconfuseyoubutIt hinkyouneedt oreadit
."I
hadnoi nteresti
nreadingst upidbooks, whatI
wantedr i
ghtnowwast ofindThembi sa.Ineededt o
thi
nkclearlyandstrategicall
y.Shehast ost i
llbe
ali
ve.
Nkosi
:"Whati
sitabout
?"
Zwe:"Thet
hrone.Theori
ginalrul
ersofthenat
ion
wereknownasthef i
veki
ngs.Noneoft hem,being
Si
khosana.
"Mymi ndwentbl ankforafewseconds.
Nkosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
Zwe: "
Itcouldmean, bef
oretheSikhosanalineage
tookover,thecrownbelongedtootherpeopl e.Not
appointedbybi r
thri
ghtonlyoncompet ency.And
twooft hosefiveki
ngswereactuallywomen.One
ofthem, namedNobomi ."Whatinthehellis
Zwelethutell
ingme?
Nkosi
:"Asintr
igui
ngast hatsounds,possi
bly
thr
eat
ening,Ican'
tfocusonitrightnowmyf ri
end.I
havet
of i
ndThembi safi
rst.
"
Zwe: "Iknow.I'mt ell
ingyoubecause,there'sa
chapt ercall
edTr easureVil
lage.Thesecondchapt er.
Ithink,thereasonyoudi dn'tnoti
cethi
sgi r
lisn't
Thembi saatfi
rstisbecauseshemayhavet he
samebl ood.Treasureblood.Theancest orsboldly
namedThembi saaf t
erthelastofthefi
veki ngsfor
ar eason.Thiswi tch,hastobeholdingher
somewher ebecauseIdoubtshecanki llher.This
bookcoul dhel
pusf i
ndwher e."
Xol
ani:"
Pleasebri
ngthebook,DrBi
yel
a."Zwe
walkedout,
fol
lowedbyguards.Iwasnottaki
ng
anychancesonanyoneelse.Amahlewalkedi
n.
Ama:"
Wher
eisZwel
ethu?
"
Nkosi
:"Howdoyouknow-he'
sout
side.
"
Ama:"
Icansmel
lhi
m.Hecan'
tleave.
"
Nkosi
:"Okay.It
hinkIknowwhy.Hej
ustconf
ir
med,
t
hisgi
rlisn'
tThembisa.
"
Ama:"Ihavejustbeent
oconsul
t.Theancest
orsar
e
notr
esponding."Myworl
dstoodsti
ll
.
Nkosi
:"Amahl
e.Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"
Ama:"I'
m sayi
ng,wehavenoconnecti
ontoour
ancest
ors.We'vebeencutof
f.Notonehascome
for
wardtorespondtome."..
..
[
07/
27,
06:
18] :#TheRoyal
sbyTi
naKi
ng

Chapt
er136

MTHUNZI
'
SPOV_

Thepal
acewast
ense.Nkosiwaspaci
ng,
shaki
ng
andunabl etokeept hefireof fhim.Thembi sa'
s
fatherwasadj usti
ngsur pr i
singlywell
toseeing
thesevisuals.Eit
herthatorheexpect edthem.Zwe
wasr eadingthebook, gat heringsomei nf
ormation
withAmahl e.I'
daskedSi bonel otodri
veupwi th
BusiIdidn'ttr
ustanyoneel set o.Att
hispoint,
Ihad
tostandint hecour t
yardinguar dbecausetheKi ng
wasl i
vid.Hewasr eadytoki llthi
simposter.
She:"
Wher
eismyhusband.
"
Nol
wazi
:"He'
swor
king.
"
She:"
Wher
eishe?
"
Nolwazi :" Sisi.MehluliisafutureKing.Youcan'tbe
hangi ngar oundhi m alltheti
me.Youhear dthere'
s
anemer gency.Asaf ut urequeen,youneedtobe
mor ei ndependent .Whathappenedt oyour
studies? "Thi sgirlst
ar edather,withacold
expressi on." Akingneedsaneducat edwomanby
hisside, dol l.Thosebi gbumswon' thel
pyou."This
wasnott het imebutt hesecondqueenwas
fearl
essl yf unnysomet i
mes.
Nhl
a:"
Bigbums.
"Shel
aughedwi
thhert
win.The
gi
rlgotup.Thesecondqueen,
stoppedher
.
Nolwazi:"Whi l
ewe' resti
llhere,It
hinkweshould
plantheweddi ng.Pleasesi t
.Thethemeneeds
somesi zzle.Iwast ol
dyoul ovethecolourpi
nk.We
couldsli
ght l
yi ncorporat
eitwi t
hthegold.Maybe
evendar kenital it
tl
etoal ightpurpl
e,magenta.
Whatdoyout hink?"
She:"
Okay.
"Shesatdown.
Nolwazi:"Whatisyourf avour
it
ecake?"Thegi r
l
l
ookedatherconf used."Letmeguess,chocolate?
That'
sal ovelychoicedarli
ng.However,Isuggesta
vari
etyonyoursevent i
ercake.I'
m goi
ngt ocallthe
bakertocomeoveranddoacaket est
.Wouldn't
thatbeagr eatti
mef orust obond?"
She:"Yes."Thequeenwasdoi ngwel
li
nkeepingher
occupiedinconversat
ion.Myphonebuzzed.
SiboneloandBusihadar r
ived.
Mthunzi
:"Myqueens.We'llbehavi
nganemer gency
counci
lmeeti
ngforabitlonger,
therestoft
he
counci
lhasj
ustarr
ived.Pleasedoexcuseusforthe
day.
"
Nolwazi:"
YesMthunzi
,wewi
llber
ighthere.
ThembisaandIhavetopi
ckt
hesongsf orthe
wedding."
She:"
Iwantt
ospeakt
omyhusband.
"Shest
oodup
agai
n.
Nol
wazi
:"Hei
sbusy-
"
She:"
Iwantt
ospeakt
omyhusband!
"
Nolwazi:"
Mthunzi,
thef
loori
syour
s."Ican'
ttake
hertoNkosi.Heiswaytooangr
ytoreasonwi t
hat
thi
sstage.
Mt hunzi:"
TheKingsarever ybusy,Thembisa.Once
hehasamoment ,hewillcomet oy-"Shewalked
rightpastmeintothepal ace."Hey!
"Shewalkedup
thest ai
rs,
openingtherooms.Nkosiwasi nhi s
of f
icebutsheobviousl
ydi dn'tknowwherethatwas.
"Isaid,Nkosii
sbusy!"
She:"
Tel
lhi
m hi
swi
fewant
stospeakt
ohi
m."
Mthunzi
:"YeahIbetshedoes!"Isnapped.Ihar
dly
l
osemycoolbutt hi
ssit
uationwiththi
swomanwas
get
ti
ngundermyski n."
Pleasewaitunti
lwear e
donewi
thourmeet
ings.Hewi
llseet
oyousoon.
"
She:"
Iwi
llNOTwai
t.Iam hi
squeen.Icomef
ir
st!
"
Mthunzi:"Thembisa,pl
easecalm down.Ipr
omise
theprincewillcome.Okay?Wejustneedtofix
somet hi
ngelse."Argui
ngwouldn'
twork,Ihadto
calm downi nordertocal
m herdown.
She:"
Wher
eishe?
"
Mthunzi :"
I'l
lcallhi
mf oryou.Youcanwai tinthe
courtyard."Shewal keddownt hestai
rst
ot he
courtyard.Howdi dt heyli
vewiththi
sthi
ngf or
almostaweekandnotnot i
ce?Nkosicannot
possiblybet hisblind.Anypersonwhoknows
Thembi saevenaf t
eronemeet ingwit
hher,knew
howsof tspokenshewas.Sheneverr ai
sedher
voiceandcoul dneverbeangr y.Whatwast hi
s??I
walkeddownt ot hevi si
torsl
ounge.
Mt
hunzi
:"Sboni
.Hil
ove.
"
Si
bo:"
HeyMt
hunzi
.What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Mthunzi
:"Comethi
sway. "Ihel
pedBusiupandwe
wenttoNkosi'
soff
ice,
closingt
hedoorbehi
ndus.
Thef
loorwaschar
red.Fur
nit
urebr
oken.
Si
bo:"Goodafter
noonYourHi
ghnessandYour
Majest
y."Onl
yZweandAmahl er
esponded.
Mthunzi
:"Busi
,yousai
dyouhadsomet
hingt
otel
l
us?"
Busi
:"Yes,
Iconsultedaft
eryoucal
ledme.Icannot
seeanyoftheroyalancestor
s."
Ama:"
Yes,
they'
vecutusof
f.
"
Busi
:"No,t
heyhaven't
.Noneoft heancestor
sfr
om
bot
hsidesareshowingup.Theremaybei n
di
scussi
onaboutwhati shappening.Whichmeans,
i
t'
sabigandseriousproblem."
Nkosi
:"Whatdoyoumean.
"
Busi:"
Therelat
ionshipbetweenyourancestor
sand
thoseofThembi sa'
s,mypr i
nce,i
scenturi
esdeep.
Unfort
unatel
y,withallancest
ors,
ther
ei sgoodand
therei
sbad."
Nkosi:"Ineedapat hofwher et
ogoBusisi
we.We've
searchedthr oughal
lforest
sinandaroundthi
scity.
Ineedmor e.IsThembisasafewher
eversheis?"
Busi
:"Yes,
mypr
ince.Shei
s."
Nkosi
:"But
..
.?You'
rehesi
tat
ing.
"
Busi
:"Theonl
yreasonshei
ssafei
sbecausether
e
i
ssomeonewi t
hherbloodl
ooki
ngaft
erher.A
warr
ior.
"
Nkosi
:"Andt
hismeanswhat
?"Hehi
ssed.
Mthunzi:"Let'
srat
herfocusonnavigati
ngtowhere
thi
splacei s.
"Thethoughtofther
ebeinganother
mannearThembi sawilldr
iveNkosii
nsane.He
mightjustkil
lusall
.Icantellf
rom t
hefir
einhis
eyes.
Busi:"
Thatwon' tbeeasy.Youneedt obeprepar
ed.
Ialsodon'tthinkit'
sjustaf ewpeople.Thi
scouldbe
anentiretri
bewi thsupernat uralabi
li
ti
esandoneof
them beingapower fulwit
ch.They'vemanagedto
l
iveundet ect
edi nplainsightforGodknowshow
l
ong.Wecan' tjustmar chinifwewantt ocome
backalive."
Si
bo:"Howadvance