Amile The Queen

Chapter One

***Amile Gumede***

“Mile, vuka. It’s your birthday, wake up!” it was hard to ignore him because he was jumping on my bed. If I was a heartless person, I would’ve picked him up and thrown him off the bed, but he’s my annoying little brother, I love him, nonetheless.
“Okay Siviwe, I’m up.” I stretched and yawned. He plopped himself next to me and beamed at me with his cute toothless smile.
“How old are you again?” I tell him my age every time I see him, I even told him yesterday before bed.
“Seventeen, and how old are you, fifty!? You forget so easily!” I tickled him and his loud laugh filled the whole room.
“I’m seven, I’m seven! I won’t forget again, please stop.” He was red with laughter, he even had tears running down his face.
I stopped tickling him and he climbed out of my bed and stood next to me.
“Mom said come get breakfast.”
“It’s my birthday, you should bring it for me.” He rolled his eyes.
“I’m not doing that, come.” He stuck his tongue out at me, see, he’s annoying.
“Amile woza la!” that was mom’s voice echoing from the kitchen. So much for special treatment on your birthday.
I followed Siviwe out the room to the kitchen where mom was. The table was decked with all sorts of goodies.
“Happy birthday my baby.” She engulfed me in a tight squeeze.
“Thank you, mama.”
“Ubaba ka Siviwe called and gave you money for your birthday.” I beamed.
“How much?”
“R2000.” I jumped up and down in joy. I love that man so much.
“Let me go and call him.” She stopped me.
“You won’t reach him, he’s on a flight to Cape Town, he told me to tell you to enjoy your day and he loves you very much.” The arrangement between mom and Siviwe’s dad is unusual. They are both single, he occasionally comes here and stays for almost a week, but they aren’t together, or at least romantically. They act like friends more than anything.
“And what about me?”-Siviwe. I laughed.
“He loves you too baby, but today is about Amile, right?” he sulked.
“Right.” I roughed up his hair before sitting down at the table.
“So, what plans have you and the girls made for later today. I have work later so I won’t be here.”
“We are going to Views. We’ll probably leave at about three so…” she frowned.
“Is that not too late?”
“We won’t stay for too long, we’ll be back before six, you know I hate crowded places and Views gets a bit too much at night.” She nodded.
“I was thinking that maybe because I’ll be working late, why don’t you and the girls check in at a hotel. I don’t want you guys’ home alone here and taking Ubers home at night is not safe. I’ll take Siviwe to Lisa’s house” Since when does mom trust me so much?
“Is this a test?” she laughed.
“No, I know you girls won’t do anything stupid.” I speak for myself when I say I won’t. I don’t know about Yonela and Nambitha.
“So, what do you want to do?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Let me speak to the girls first, but for now, I need to take a shower and go to the mall.” I said stuffing myself with the last piece of bacon.
“Hamba noSiviwe.” She said.
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Hhayi Amile, go with your brother otherwise there is no Views.” Mom can be so unreasonable sometimes. Siviwe stuck his tongue out at me. Brat.
I finished eating then I went to take a bath. As soon as I finished, I went back to my room, made the bed, and sat on it, going through the thousands of birthday messages. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to this birthday. This year hasn’t really been my year, first it was my term one marks at school, now my boyfriend of two years breaks up with me. He was that heartless that he broke up with me via text, just a week before my birthday, as if we hadn’t shared the past two years in love with each other. Boys will surprise.
I conference call my best friends and as if they were waiting on my call, they pick up.
“Sweet seventeen babes! Finally, you made it!” Yonela said loud enough for my whole block of neighbors to hear.
“Why do you always have to shout Yoni?”-Nambitha.
“Shut up, it’s not about you. Amile babes, did you tell your mom about Views?”
“She said yes. She even went as far as saying we can book into a hotel. Imagine! My mom!?”
“Tell me you’re lying.” -Nambitha
“I oath. She’s working late today, plus Siviwe’s dad gave me R2000 to spend.” Both their deafening screams filled my ear.
“OH my gosh we are going to have so much bev.”-Yonela.
“Don’t forget the hubbly.”-Nambitha.
I laughed.
“We aren’t eighteen yet, remember?” I spoke.
“Who’s going to know, it’s not like they ask for ID’s. if we do encounter a problem, we can always call Siya.” I rolled my eyes at the mention of his name.
There’s really no running away from him. he’s my best friend’s brother.
“No, there will be no calling of jerk brothers if we can’t get alcohol, then tough. Today is about Amile.” Nambitha came to my rescue.
“Thank you, babe.” I said cockishly.
“Speak for yourself. Look, I need to finish cleaning the house. I will see you guys later.”-Yonela.
She left the call even before we could put in another word.
“Your friend is stubborn.” I said to Nambitha laughing.
“She’s your friend too. Angazi wamucoshaphi.”
We shared a laugh for a good minute.
“What are you doing now?” she asked after catching her breath.
“I’m getting ready to go to the mall, I want to do my hands and feet. Then I’m going to look for shoes.”
“You like doing things last minute.” She’s always scolding me for this.
“I work better under pressure. I’ll be done before 2 o’clock, relax.”
“You better. I’ll call you when I’m on my way there okay.”
“Orytie chomie.”
I hung up the call and cleaned up around my room.
^
^
^
When mom asked me what I’m going to do at the mall, Siviwe refused to go with me, much to my excitement. I went to Sorbet and had my nails done. I don’t have to worry about school because as a matric leaner, I have the privilege to having French tips. I also did gel on my toes and I’m looking like the girl. It’s almost two now and I had promised to get to my make-up artist, aka, Nambitha by then, so I need to get skating.
I was waiting for my uber outside and there was traffic down the road. I was at the top and I could see the cause of it. Three black SUVs with tinted windows. Anyone who’s watched enough movies knows that it’s some kind of famous person probably in there. But this is Durban, what famous celebrity could be here. But there is nothing more unnecessary than the fleet of cars they are escorted with. Now they are causing traffic for no reason, they are parked in the middle of the road.
“Are you Amile.” I almost jumped out of my skin when that car parked in front of me.
“Are you my uber?” I asked looking at the car, then the screen of my phone. It’s him.
“Yes, get in, lets go.” He doesn’t look sketchy as he does in the picture, but that’s how they all are, they take dodgy ass pictures and use them as profile pictures.
I climbed in the car, and we also got stuck in the traffic. I was going to be late and Nambitha was going to bite my head off.
“Yazi labantu basebukhosini bazibona besilawula la.” He was directly next to one of the SUV’s and he hit his honk.
Only now that he said that I saw the flags. What I fail to understand is why are they parked in the middle of the road. The cranky driver continued to honk his hooter, much to my annoyance. Yes, I’m also rushing, but that could be the King for all we know.
The front door of the other SUV opened, and a guy dressed in black walked out, charging towards the car. He was gripping onto his belt and that has never been a good sign, what if he has a gun. He knocked on the window, I felt my body going cold.
“Do we have a problem?” he was ugly, with a scar on his left cheek. I’ve seen ugly people before, but this man right here, he takes the cup.
“We have places to be, you are causing traffic, please find somewhere else to park.” His hard face is not very welcoming. The driver is also humbled.
“I am escorting the prince of Zululand. I don’t answer to you. I could park you in for two days and it wouldn’t be a problem.” Well damn.
My phone rang, startling me and dragging me out of the conversation at hand. It’s Nambitha. I answered in panic.
“Nambitha, I’m on my way. I’m stuck in traffic.” I whispered.
“I told you not to do things on the last minute, if…” I cut off the call. I don’t need this right now.
The ugly man peeked at the back window where I was sitting and looked at me before he tugged at his waist again.
“Stop what you are doing.” He said to the driver before he walked away.
Is it too dramatic of me to say I saw my life flashing before my eyes when that happened? He could’ve taken out his gun and killed us, or maybe made us pay a fine for disrespecting royalty. All because he caused traffic by Musgrave mall. What is royalty doing at Musgrave mall anyway.
The two SUVs finally moved out of the road and the other parked on the side, allowing us space to leave. A fleet of other cars followed behind us, which is proof enough that they indeed were causing traffic. Royal people are obnoxious.
My flat is not far from Musgrave, luckily, so I got there in no time. I paid him and rushed up the stairs. Waiting for the elevator was another story. When I walked in, Mom was already dressed for work and Nambitha was waiting for me in the lounge.
“You’re late.” I looked at my watch and it had just hit 14:05
“No, you’re early.” I said dropping my bag on the couch.
“Go wash your face, otherwise we will be late.” Mom shook her head and laughed.
“I’ll leave you guys to it. I have to drop Siviwe off first and you know Lisa will want to sit and chat.” She said picking up her lunch bag and hooking it over her shoulder.
“Enjoy your evening girls. I booked the hotel for you guys, it’s a sharing room for three. I’ll send you the details when I get to work.” she said coming to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you, mama.” She kissed Nambitha’s cheek before screaming for Siviwe to come.
He gave both of us hugs and we escorted them down to the parking lot and bid them farewell.
“I am starving.” I said while we climbed the stairs.
“Well, you can’t eat now, you are going to ruin your appetite.” She said.
“Yeah, I know, I’ll just have a fruit or something. You will never believe what happened right now.” I know my friend is a sucker for gossip.
“We saw the royal family escorts.” She slapped my arm.
“Shut up.”
“I oath. They were blocking the road, three SUV’s. So, the Uber driver gets frustrated because they are causing traffic and starts hooting at them. One of the bodyguards violently climbs out of the car and threaten to shoot us. Imagine. The driver was shaking in his boots.” That’s how you tell stories, you spice them up.
“And what did they do, did they move. Oh my gosh did you meet them? Who were they escorting?” I chuckled. I forgot she’s obsessed with the royal family.
“I don’t know, he said they are escorting the prince. I don’t know which one though. I don’t even know them by name.”
“Maybe it was Prince Mandlenkosi, or Prince Dumisani. Ohh Prince Mandlenkosi is so handsome.” I laughed at her and opened the door to the house.
“Whoever it was, what they were doing is unnecessary. I’m late because of them.” I said rolling my eyes.
“I wonder what they are doing in Durban.”
“We need to get going, otherwise we’ll be late.”
We played some music and she started beating my face. She’s very good with make-up, she loves doing it and has been practicing on our faces from as young as seven years old. That’s how far our friendship comes from by the way. Grade one of primary school, it’s always been the three of us. Destiny’s Child as people call us. Yonela is the Beyonce, or so she thinks. She can’t sing to save her life though, I’m the only one with a singing voice.
When she was done, and I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked drop dead gorgeous. I didn’t recognize myself.
“I look like a real seventeen-year-old.” I said moving my hair back from my face.
“You do friend. You do. Now go get dressed.”
I don’t have to worry about her, she knows how to make haste. I went to the bathroom to freshen up. I had already bathed in the morning, so I didn’t need to bath again. I got my dress out of the wardrobe and went to iron it. As I was ironing, my phone rang and when I saw the caller ID, I almost fainted. Why is he calling me?
“Siyabonga Mzulwini.” I answered.
“Happy birthday shortie. I know you are looking peng wherever you are. Yoni told me you guys are going out, you want me to drive you there?” I almost puked in my mouth.
“First of all, I’m not your shortie, you broke up with me, not the other way around, secondly, I don’t need anything from you. Stop calling me Siya.” He chuckled. That made my blood boil.
“Come on Amile, I made a mistake. I miss you shortie.” Ask me again how I put up with this skrr skrr boy for two whole years. Make it make sense.
“Goodbye Siyabonga.” I dropped the call and continued ironing my dress. I have the urge to block him, but I’m not childish. I want him to see how pretty I am tonight and see what he’s missing out on.
I was to be wearing a red satin cowl neck rucked side bodycon dress that complimented my skin color. I was skeptical about this dress because I got it on Shein and people often criticized the site but I loved the dress and it looked perfect on my average curve body. If mom saw me in this dress, she would freak out. She hates me wearing short clothes.
“Oh my goodness you look stunning.” I turned and looked at her. She was standing behind me looking at me in awe.
“Thank you, friend. You also need to get dressed.” I grabbed my shoes from the floor. She had already beat her face and she looked absolutely gorgeous.
“You really need to start charging people for make-up, you are really good.” I said as I put on my shoes.
“I will. For now, I want to focus on my schoolwork. this year is no child’s play.”
“Right.” I sighed.
“Who were you on the phone with?” she asked.
“That jerk Siya. I don’t know why he’s calling me. Talking about taking us to Views. I don’t want anything that has to do with him.”
“What he did is unforgiveable. The worst part is he didn’t even give you a proper reason as to why he did what he did.”
“I don’t even care anymore. He was saying he misses me; I don’t want him anymore. He can go to hell for all I care.” I said.
“That’s the spirit. Life goes on. We are going to find a new boy toy for you.” I laughed.
“You just said that we need to focus on school. Matric already has us by the titties. I won’t risk it.”
“Call Yoni and ask her where she is, we need to go.” She said zipping up her dress. I made sure the windows are all closed before grabbing my phone and calling her.
“Mamazi. I’m outside.” She said before I shouted at her.
“Good, I’m coming.”
“Can I call the uber?” Nambitha asked gathering her bags.
“Yes, she’s outside. Let’s go.” I had a small bag with my changing clothes, so I carried that, and my purse and we left.
When we got to the parking lot, the hypocrite I call a friend was with her jerk brother. I almost turned and went back to the house.
“Amile, wait. He’s just going to take us to the hotel to leave our bags.” Yonela defended.
“Just to cut the costs of the uber. Please shortie.” I felt like slapping him to the nearest 100. Nambitha looked at me with that look, the one that said just give in.
“Fine, but he mustn’t talk to me.” I said sternly looking at Yonela. She nodded and looked at her brother who also nodded.
He got out of the driver’s seat and helped us put the bags in the boot. The two hypocrites got in at the back and left the front seat open for me to sit. I could fight it, but this has been my seat ever since he got the car.
He started the car and we drove in silence. On purpose, he played our song ‘The Way’ by Ariana and Mac. It was our song; he would rap Mac’s part and I would fumble on Ariana’s part. I can sing but I’m not Ariana good, but he always backed me up and made me feel like I was doing it right. I stole a glance at him, and he was staring at me. The two at the back were dead silent.
“You look beautiful shortie.” I rolled my eyes and focused on what’s on front of me.
My biggest weakness is watching him drive, lord knows how sexy he is when he uses one hand to grip on the steering wheel and the other one would usually be on my thigh. I still love him, a lot; but the way he ended things hurt me. I have never cried like that in my life, and now he’s just here, saying he wants me back when he didn’t even give me a reason as to why he broke up with me in the first place.
We arrived at the hotel after a dreadful silent drive and as we were offloading our bags, he held my hand and pulled me back.
“Can we talk.” He gave me those soft eyes of his and my insides melted. I still have that soft spot for him.
“Fine.” I gave Yonela my phone with the check-in details and they went inside while I stayed behind and prepared my ears to listen to the nonsense that was going to come out of his mouth.
“I messed up Amile, I couldn’t hold myself. Remember when you told me you were a virgin, and I told you I was willing to wait until you were ready, I meant it. I had never touched a girl other than you in the two years that we were together, I really waited.” He rubbed his palms together anxiously.
“When we went to Jali’s party, I fucked another girl. I knew it was going to catch up with me and the best decision I could make was to break up with you, to spare you the pain. I messed up big time Amile and I broke your heart, I’m sorry.” Nothing he’s saying is making sense to me right now.
“So, you broke up with me because you fucked another girl and?” I asked folding my arms across my chest.
“I was afraid to tell you, to break your heart.”
“Didn’t I specifically say to you that when you want sex you must tell me?” he sighed.
“You did, but I didn’t want to pressure you into doing something you didn’t want to do. I’ve seen how uncomfortable you get when I finger you, or when you give me head.”
“Siya, letting you go seek sex elsewhere was the only sacrifice I would’ve made in this relationship because I know I can’t give it to you. I told you that. yes, I don’t enjoy all these things, but I do it because I love you and I want to see you happy, so it’s things like this I will sacrifice for you. I’m disappointed that you didn’t come to me and be honest about what you feel and what you did.”
“I will do whatever I have to do to gain your trust back Amile, I love you. You make me happy.” I exhaled.
“I’ll think about it. For now, can you just give me space and let me enjoy my birthday.” He nodded.
“Anything for you shortie.” He pulled out his wallet from his pocket and handed me his bank card, “I want you guys to treat yourselves today, and enjoy your day to the fullest.” I looked at the card.
“Please, just take it.” He begged. I sighed.
“Thank you, Siya.” He smiled.
“Can I get a hug from the birthday girl?”
I rolled my eyes and went in for a hug. He held me tightly, and I heard him inhale my scent.
“I love you, Amile.” I didn’t respond, I’ll keep my ‘I love yous’ to myself for now.