Simbongile Princess Ntabeni: The Called

Chapter Sixty-Six

It was Siya not giving them an option.

He was adamant that if they didn't want to take us home then we will find our way home, with that kind of leadership, who was I not to succumb? Fred assured Schrump that he would take us home, we fetched our bags and loaded them into his car, I had the key and that's all we needed.

When we got home, the other two were fast asleep, they didn't even know we were going home. It took Fred an hour, waiting for us to settle in and then he finally left. I sat on the high chair, watching Siya cook. Besesilibele noba kukho ii grocery that we left behind, sihambe sihlukumezeka eminzini esingayaziyo.

Siya: Feels good to be home.

Me: Mh.

Siya: How are you feeling?

Me: I'm okay, my nose feels a bit dry, but I'm okay.

Siya: Mh.

He plated up, pork with steamed veg, we sat around and ate together.

Siya: I miss mom yazi, I think I'll ask Jerome ndiyombona Saturday.

Me: I don't think she wants to be seen by us, or anyone. Uyamazi umama ngongafuni ukuba vulnerable.

Siya: But surely she knows we miss her, maybe if she could see one of us she'll find the strength to fight aphume pha.

Me: I hear you, but ke...

He shrugged.

I sighed, as I finished up my plate and washed the dishes then I left him there and went to my room, I searched for my kit and set the met in the middle of the room. It already five minutes to nine, and I wanted to make sure I was ready by 9pm. Prayer watches were usually every three hours (3, 6, 9 and 12/00) and because I knew I wouldn't wake up at 00:00, unless "woken up" I figured 9pm was okay for me. When the clock striked, I started off...

"Camagu bantu abadala,"

The candles were lit, impepho, amanzi and icuba. I just didn't have alcohol, but that was never a problem for me.

"Khwalo, Mlanjana, Ncuthu, Sohobese, Ncence, Nkume, Mjingwane, Tshikila. Camagu"

(Claps twice)

"Zikhali, Mazembe, Jojo, Tiyeka, Butsolo Beentonga Mbizana, Mabombo, Ngcolosi. Camagu"

(Claps twice)

"Ngcond'oneentshaba, Ngconde ka Togu, Ubulawi. Camagu"

(Claps twice)

"Tshawe, Togu, Khawuta. Camagu"

I heard footsteps, and my door slightly opening.

I knew if ngu Siya he was going to get mad that I didn't call him to join me, but after what he said that day, I didn't want his energy around me. We had serious problems facing us. We couldn't afford to play around.

"Ndim umntwana wenu u Simbongile, ndithi kuqala mandinibulele ngokusigcina nabantakwethu kweziveki zimbalwa zidlulileyo. Okwesibini mandibulele ukuthetha kwenu, ningancami nangona besendibunikhalala. Camagu bantu abadala, camagu Ngconde, Ngconde ka Togu!"

(It is I, your child, Simbongile and I fist want to say thank you for keeping us safe these past few weeks. Secondly, I would like to say thank you for communicating with me, not giving up on me even though I had already given up on everything. Thank you.)

From the scent that my nostrils caught, the intruder wasn't Siya but Musa.

I appreciated that she walked in and sat down without disturbing me and complaining about the dark room. The only light being that of the candles.