Embedded

Chapter Fifty Seven.

Chapter Fifty Seven.

"No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you're the only one who knows the sound of my heart from the inside."

••

Days came and went by so slowly with no changes or even any improvements on Bangi's father. This took a massive toll on my husbands emotions and it was pretty obvious because he sometimes just wasn't present. I'd sit next to him and wonder if he's thinking good thoughts or if he's beating himself up even more about this. I now knew the frustrations he was going through when I was in my dark phase and I understood why he didn't want to give up on me until I felt better.
And just in the heat of all of this we managed to get my siblings protection until Alakhe resurfaced.
He - Alakhe- found shelter at some hotel.
Khethiwe told us this.

I didn't get why he wasn't arrested though but the royals who knew about this were keeping an eye on him. As soon as the Kingdom found out about the King being shot, it became chaos.
There were even people who were prepared to give their lives up so the King could get a liver. I thought I had seen it all until that day. The nation was in tears, sending prayers and tons of letters to the palace wishing the King a speedy recovery.
That was also what we wished for him and prayed hard for day in and day out.

I wake up to find myself all alone in this bed. Bangi is nowhere in here. I don't even hear the shower water running from the bathroom. The second I sit up I stretch my stiff body, taking a few seconds to rub my belly and bond with baby girl in here who like all the other nights was keeping me awake half of the night to pee.
I think in my heart I was ready to hold her in my arms and kiss her hopefully chubby and full cheeks. I couldn't wait to see who she looked like the most and what personality she would take on.
I smile as she kicks where my hand was on. I felt her move again. That tiny moment I got to speak and pray with her made me forget for a moment what the situation really was. There was no doubt in my mind that this will once more cloud my mind all over again for the whole day.

I make the bed and go check on Luthando who was with Nandi in her room, getting her clean.
"Morning Nandi," I walk in and remember that Thokozani was fetching her in a few minutes today. "Is she all set? Do you need help with any packing?"

I usually distanced myself from Luthando when the day came for her to leave cause I knew I'd be extra emotional on that day, but today... Not today.

"I packed her things yesterday my Princess."
"Oh," see even Nandi knew what to do already. Luthando is fighting to get out of Nandi's hold to get to me. "How about I do that?"

She asks no questions and allows me do the rest... Or rather struggle with the 2 year old energy ball. She had energy for the whole Kingdom this one.
"My Princess, may I ask?" Nandi.
"Ask about what?"
"About... About... Nevermind my Princess. I apologize for wasting your time," she says causing me to eye her.
"No, ask."

She sighs and looks down at her knotted fingers.

"Prince Alakhe, will he get arrested?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
"I overheard His Royal Highness mention it but I didn't think it would happen."
"Maybe you should ask him. You overheard it from him and not me." I shrug. I wasn't trying to be nasty or anything.

I go take a shower, feeling a light contraction. This must be one of those not so fun Braxton hicks. Sheesh. I wear a light dress since it was insanely hot outside and when I'm hot like this I don't like it.

Nandi and Luthando were gone, which could only mean that Lu's father came earlier than usual.

This is weird, he's not even in the lounge. I find my phone and try to call him but his phone sends me straight to voicemail. I don't like this, mostly because its unusual for me to not find him and also not know where he is.