Classic Love Story

CHAPTER 8

I said goodbye to my family, promising to come back a day before the birth of the twins, sis Futhy’s twins. I was driven to Eniwe where I checked in to the Ngamla Lodge. My guards then drove me to Kwa Dlangezwa. I didn’t know where Zenzo’s home was, so I called him.

“My love. Gosh I miss you so much. I swear I am coming to Ecuador next week. I can’t live like this.” he sulked and I just giggled.
“Stop being dramatic and come fetch me.”
“Baby I know I have a jet and all but let’s just wait for next week.”

“Do I have to spell it out for you? I am in the University of Zululand main entrance. Either you come to me in 10 minutes or I am leaving.”
“Holy fuck. Baby you’re really here?” I was video calling him, so I stepped out of the car and showed him the board behind me. “Ow My God! 2 minutes baby. 2 minutes.”

He hung up in a hurry and I just laughed. I noticed a few students looking at me. It was like they are recognizing me. Soon I had a crowd surrounding me and many of them wanting to take pictures with me. I agreed and we took pictures but it wasn’t long till Zenzo came to us. He didn’t say anything. He just took my hand and led me to his car.

He opened the door for me and I climbed inside the car. He then walked to the other side, climbed in and drove off. He kept stealing glances at me and shaking his head chuckling. It’s like he couldn’t believe that I was actually here.

“Have you taken a shower this morning?” he laughed so hard.
“There is a small ceremony ekhaya for my son. So we have been super busy. But I did shower in the morning.” He answered. I think I didn’t hear him well.

“Rewind bhuti. Sorry, your what now?” he chuckled and shook his head.
“You know the Zulu culture babe. My brother’s children are my children. My younger brother is doing imbeleko for his youngest son.”
“So you don’t have children?”

“If I did, you would know.” He slowed down in front of this huge gate. The guards opened it and we drove in.
“No babe. I am here to see you. Not your family. I booked into a lodge e Ngamla love. We can go there. I am sure you can’t wait to be inside me. Turn the car around.” He laughed and parked the car on the driveway.

“We are here now. Don’t be rude.” He climbed off. Gosh I didn’t think this through. I just wanted to see him not his family. What was I going to be introduced in? He always puts me on a tight spot. Luckily I was dressed in a dress, sandals and a beanie. He opened my door and extended his hand. I fixed my beanie and specs and then climbed off.

I took a minute to look around. The yard was so huge filled with beautiful modern rondavels. There was also a huge palace in the middle. From the front, you couldn’t see just how big or wide the yard was. He squeezed my hand and then led me inside the palace. People wearing uniform were walking up and down looking super busy. Two kids ran to him and almost tackled him down. He let go of my hand and picked both them up, yeah he was that strong.

“Baba you left Me.” the one who was a girl said in a cute tiny voice. She was sulking and she looked so adorable.
“I was fetching my girlfriend. She chose to surprise Me.” they turned and looked at me.
“Hello baba’s girlfriend.” The girl said and I just giggled shyly.

I waved at her. The boy also greeted me. They looked so cute. The girl reminded me of my niece Amahle and I thought I should pop by at Durban just to say hi because I missed her and I missed my brothers more. We walked to what seems is a lounge. There were 3 women who looked like in their 50s or 60s who were sitting on the couches and drinking juice. There was a fourth one who looked like she is in her forties. 

“Hey son.” The younger one stood up. Her eyes popped out when she saw me. “Princess Lisakhanya Zulu. What an honor to see you. What have we done so great to deserve your presence?” I giggled shyly and looked at Zenzo for some rescuing. He just played with his niece but I knew he could sense my eyes on him.

“I have some business with Prince Zenzo. We were actually supposed to discuss some important things, instead of going to where we were supposed to meet, he brought me here. He said something about imbeleko and I know that his presence is important as the first prince. So we will talk business tomorrow.”

“Okay dear. I am his mother, MaDludla and that is his grandmother gogo Magwaza and her two sisters.”
“Sanibonani bomama.” I greeted and they greeted back.

“Come here princess.” She took the girl from Zenzo’s arms. The boy also followed. “Show the princess around Zenzo. I am sure she would love a tour. Right darling?”
“Yebo ma.” She smiled. Zenzo took my hand and led me out of the lounge. “Sell out.” I spoke through my teeth and he just laughed.

“I haven’t received my kiss njalo.” We were in a corridor. So I just stopped him and kissed him. He grabbed my butt, squeezing it and I broke the kiss. He groaned. “We can go to e Ngamla right now. I miss you so much.” I laughed.
“Don’t be rude. You brought me here for a reason. Now parade with me.” he laughed and shook his head.

We went to the backyard. There were so many people there going upside down. But I knew royal ceremonies were a big deal and sometimes they were exaggerated. We walked to a group of men who looked very much like him. I figured they were his brothers and cousins.

“Bafowethu imbali yami enhle lena yakwa Nongoma.” They all turned and looked at me.
“Nkosazana Lisakhanya. Kwakuhle ukukubona kulamagceke ekugcineni. Asithembe ukuth ngonyaka onzayo siyokubona usungena nebhokisi lakho. (It’s a pleasure to see you in this yard. Let’s hope next year we will see you entering these premises with your kist.)” One of the brothers said.

He looked older than Zenzo. I just smiled. From what I gathered, he was Zenzo’s half-brother. He came with Zenzo’s mother when she came to the Mkhwanazi homestead. After all the greetings with his brothers, uncles and fathers, we went to his sisters who were cooking using gas stove under a gazebo.

“Bodade nangu uskwiza wenu. (My sisters, here is your sister in law.)” They turned to look at me. They greeted me but two of them didn’t give me the warm welcome I expected.

“She is already looking down upon our family. You can see it in her facial expression. Just because we aren’t powerful and influential like your family, doesn’t mean we also aren’t royal.” One of his sisters said and my eyes popped out.

“Ntombezinhle that’s no way to talk to a guest, let alone my guest. You will show her some respect.” Zenzo came to my defense fast.
“Already she is out here demanding respect. You should’ve just married Balungile brother. With her, we knew she wouldn’t look down upon us or demand respect just because she is high up there.” another sister commented.

“That’s enough. This is Princess Lisakhanya Zulu of the Zulu kingdom. I don’t give a damn about what my brother is saying about him and her but you are going to show her some respect. She never for once flaunted her title ever since she stood there next to our brother. Respect her or you will have dad to deal with you.” Winile said then clicked her tongue and walked away. I was just looking down feeling defeated. Not even an hour has lapsed in the Mkhwanazi premises and I had already made enemies.

“Let’s go babe.” Zenzo said while pulling me away. We walked to the front yard and stopped at the driveway where the cars were parked. “Are you hungry?” I took off my specs and removed some lash that had been stuck in my eye. That caused a tear to roll down my cheek. “Baby please don’t cry. Don’t let what they said get to you. I will sort them out.” I chuckled.

“I am not crying. There was a lash in my eye and yes I am hungry.”
“There is a place by the Unizulu main gate which sells delicious food. It’s called KwaMokhethi. We can stop by to buy a combo and then go to the lodge.”
“But they need you here.”

“My brothers will cover for me. Come.” He opened the door for me and I slid inside the car. He also got in and drove off. We brought the combo and then drove to the lodge. As soon as we go to my room, I dished up the food and dug in. he chuckled. “That hungry?”

“You have no idea. Mom packed some steamed bread and usu for me but I prefer this.”
“And I prefer what your mom packed. Where is it?” I chuckled and pointed at the cooler bag. He took it and went out. Few minutes later he came back and the food looked hot. I looked at him with questions in my head. “Don’t worry. I am friends with the owner and the staff knows me.” I rolled my eyes and continued eating.
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