Embedded

Chapter Thirty One.

Chapter Thirty One.

"Roses are red, violets are blue. Sometimes in life you've got to look out for you."

••

I was escorted back to the palace not a moment later after the whole Zonke thing blew the internet over, all in the name of protection. The exaggeration though is what I didn't get but I knew Bangi was happier seeing me here in his space then out there.

I couldn't stop myself from scrolling through my phone taking all of this in as it came. Article after article. I tried though, believe me. But as we all know, curiosity does in fact kill the cat. No questions asked.

The third article. 'THIS JUST IN: HOT SCOOP! PRINCE ALAKHE ENGAGED TO A FRAUD AND A LIAR.' the heading in bold read and I cringed. I already knew what they'd write in it, judging from the picture taken from Mrs Utchi's television program where Alakhe was up on his feet looking ready to pounce on anything that ticked him off even more.

I was also in there. One of the pictures you never know people take of you right there in a huge red circle. I hated this. I hated how my name was also dragged into this mess and how I was also seen as a liar for living my life. Did Zonke even think this through or was she just envisioning this going smoothly with nothing to hinder her whatsoever?

'The Mine-sisters score Gold while bagging Royalty.' Oh God. This one is worse. How do I face the world after such? Do you even face the world after such is said about you? I shake my head and read the next article...and the next...and the next...and the ne...bathong!

"Bangi," I gawk at him as he takes my phone and switches it off before shoving it in his pocket. "I was busy with that."
"Stop. This is not good for you," He sits down next to me.
"So sitting here and wondering what the hell is going on out is good for me?"
"How is reading a bunch of rubbish articles going to help anyway? You want these lies to just be going through your mind and make you feel like they're true?"
"No but..."
"Sthandwa sam, please."

I heave out a heavy sigh and lay back, folding my arms in front of my chest.

"Where's your brother and Zonke?"
"They got here about a few minutes ago, avoiding the media as they should."
"Zonke marn naye!" I click my tongue. "I mean now the articles are even digging up more crap from our past. Crap like my father and how we grew up. All of the things that just makes all of this sound like it was planned you know...and now...Buhle and Khaya..." I sit up in realisation. I didn't even call to check up on them since this whole thing blew right open. "I need to call them."
"I've sent them protection Sthandwa sam, they are safe."
"I still need to check up on them..." I say but as soon as I finish saying those words there's banging on the door. I'm up on my feet, shocked and suddenly nervous by whoever is behind that door.

No one has ever banged on it like that before. Bangi is up too, standing in front of me with a questioning look on his face, obviously wondering the same thing. The door then bursts open and I wish I could've disappeared right there and then when I see the man who once adored me wearing a face of hatred.

"Baba, what is the meaning of this?" Bangi asks.
"Get out of my way." He roars still lunging to us.
"What for?"
"Bangizwe how can you be harboring a snake right under your nose?"
"A sna..."
"You! You!" He point at me but Bangi is quick to remove his pointed finger from my face. "Bangizwe! This woman has proven to be unfaithful to this family! Bringing such shame and embarrassment to my kingship. She knew that that woman is her sister and she chose to keep quiet yet you still defend her!"
"She is my wife baba an..."
"You are my son! This family should come first! Not some low life bimb..." He doesn't even that sentence as Bangi pushes him. His own father.