Amile The Queen

Chapter Two

***Amile Gumede***

“Namhla senz’ umlando, lolusuk’ olukhulu senz’ umlando!”  these two are embarrassing me, as if they weren’t just silent back there in the car with Siya.
It was a bad idea for him to give them a sealed bottle of gin. We haven’t even gotten to Views yet but they are already drinking. I occupied the front seat of the Uber because they wanted to make a noise properly at the back. The driver is also entertaining it by playing the music loud enough for the whole of town to hear.
“Haibo Amile liven up. It’s your birthday!” she tapped my shoulder and gave me the bottle where she dashed the gin. I don’t like alcohol. I’ve never been drunk; I certainly won’t start now.
We arrived at Views, and I suddenly felt out of place. Yes we looked pretty, just like all the other girls there, full face beat, pretty short dresses and high stilettos. The only difference between us and them is that they are old, they are either working, or are being funded for the lifestyle they are living, and we know that better, this is South Africa, we know how the Instagram influencers live. 
We got a table and as soon as we settled in, these two ordered a bottle of champagne and the hubbly. I definitely won’t tell them that Siya gave me his card and told me to go crazy. Yonela might be his younger sister, but she doesn’t mind chowing his money like he’s a blesser of some sort. I swear sometimes she forgets that they are siblings.
“Can we please have a round of Jager shots!” Yonela said pulling the waiter aside.
“Wait, what about food? We can’t have alcohol on empty stomachs, we’ll leave this place crawling.” I whispered to her.
“It’s just shots. The hubbly is coming and then we’ll order the food. Relax.” She made a list of other things to the waiter and finally let him go.
“We are splitting the bill right.” Nambitha said getting comfortable on her seat.
“Yes, we are.” Yonela gave me the stink eye. I laughed.
“What was Siyabonga saying to you?” Nambitha said brushing off her friend.
“He told me why he broke up with me and he said he regrets it and wants a second chance.” I slouched in my seat before heaving a sigh
“So are you going to forgive him?” Yonela curiously asked.
“I don’t know man. I don’t know how to feel about what he did.”
“What did he do?” Nambitha asked.
“He fucked another girl. He broke up with me because he was afraid to tell me.” she widened her eyes, both of them actually. “didn’t he tell you?” I asked looking at Yonela.
“No, he doesn’t tell me anything about your relationship. All I know is what you tell me.” awkward. They have such a close relationship.
“Well, that’s what he did.” She clapped her hands.
“Yazi boys are the same. Even the one I shared a womb with.” I rubbed my forehead.
“Okay but I kinda understand why he would do that. We don’t do anything; I’m a virgin and I don’t have any plans of giving it up anytime soon. That’s hard for him, he’s already had a taste of it, it’s hard not to go back.” They both shook their heads.
“That’s not an excuse. If he truly loved you, he would’ve been comfortable with waiting for, and wait with you. It’s not like you aren’t making compromises for him. You do all the other sexual things.”-Nambitha.
“I know, but I’m more disappointed in the fact that he didn’t tell me. I think that’s what hurts more. When we started dating, I told him I wouldn’t be able to give him sex, not until I turn twenty-one. I even made the sacrifice and told him that if he feels it’s too much for him, he must tell me. I was going to let him go seek it somewhere else, but I wanted him to tell me.”
“You don’t love that person, Amile.”-Yonela. I frowned.
“You don’t love Siya.” She emphasized.
“That’s not true Yoni. You know how much I love him. That sacrifice, telling him he can go get sex somewhere else, it’s a sign of how much I love him. I know I can’t give it to him, so the least I can do is allow him the one thing I can’t give him.” I defended.
“If you truly loved him, you wouldn’t have still kept yourself because when you love someone, you give them all of you, and it’s always worth it. You won’t feel the need to pretend that you enjoy yourself when you are with him, it will come naturally. What I’m trying to say to you Amile is when you finally find the one that you love wholeheartedly, you’ll give yourself to him on a silver platter, you won’t think twice about it. And I’m not talking just about virginity, I’m talking soul, mind and heart too.”
I don’t think I would’ve stayed with Siya for this long if I didn’t love him. I’ve never felt like this for any boy, and I believe that loving someone is about sacrifices. I sacrificed all the things I don’t like for him, only because I love him, I’d do anything for him.
“I’m hoping that the two of you fix things. I love the two of you together and something like this can be resolved by sitting down and hearing each other out.”-Nambitha tried to diffuse the situation. Yonela was getting heated.
Our shots arrived and they were ecstatic.
“Okay, we’ll drink in three! One, two, three!” we downed the shots, and this thing burned my throat. It tastes like cough mixture.
“Another round?” Yonela asked already signaling for the waiter. We’ll get kicked out of this place before we finish ordering I swear.
“I need a glass of water and food, that’s what I need.” I didn’t even get the chance to grab a fruit before we left the house. I can literally hear my intestines crying.
My eyes were wandering around looking for a waiter nearby, but my eyes landed on the ugly bodyguard man we ran into earlier with that Uber driver. He’s sitting alone at the table, and he has a glass of water in front of him. His eyes are also wandering, he still looks ugly, and scary. Our eyes meet and I quickly turn my head and look at Nambitha.
“You remember the bodyguard from earlier.” I kicked her under the table, and I had her attention.
“The royal one?” she’s already looking around.
“Stop looking around. He’s behind me.”
“Who is that?” Yonela leaned in because I was whispering.
“Amile met the royal escorts of one of the Zulu prince’s earlier and he’s sitting behind her.”-Nambitha says still looking around. I slapped her arm.
“Stop looking around.” I said hastily.
“Which one is he?” great, now Yonela is also looking around.
“The one dressed in black. Don’t look at him, he’s ugly.” These idiots I call friends looked.
“Oh my goodness, he’s standing up, what do we do.” Yonela leaned out, fear plastered on her face. I froze in my chair.
“Uphi?” I asked too afraid to turn around.
“Do we have a problem ladies?” a deep voice spoke behind me, only then was I intoxicated by the smell of strong cologne. Fuck!
“No sir.”-Yonela said looking directly at him.
“You all look beautiful, but I would appreciate it if you stopped staring and talking about me. I’m on the job and you are distracting.” I don’t even want to turn. I’m too scared to. What if he recognizes me?
“Yes sir, we are sorry.” Yonela has some balls talking to him. I’ve even stopped breathing.
“Have a lovely evening.” For an ugly man, he is very well spoken. When I was certain he was gone, I let out a shaky breath, so did the two I was sitting with.
“What the fuck was that!?” Nambitha to Yonela.
“I don’t know chomie. He’s ugly but he has an aura, a presence. He’s attractive.” She said fanning herself with the menu.
“There is no attractive lapha. He’s just scary. Haibo!” I said picking up my own and covering my face with it.
“Do you think one of the princes are here, he said he’s on the job?” because that’s all Nambitha cares about, the princes.
“I don’t know, maybe.” I said paging through the menu.
“Oh my gosh, imagine meeting Prince Mandlenkosi.” She blushed.
“I don’t care about the royal family, I want him, the ugly bodyguard. He’s so charming.” That’s Yonela for you. Aura and personality over looks is what she always says.
“How old do you think he is?”-Nambitha.
“Maybe he’s thirty. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I want him.” I took the risk and turned my head. He was now on his phone.
“Good luck.” I said and grabbed the shot glass, trying to get at least a drop of liquid down my throat. The service here is slow.
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I’m stuffed, even my belly button is poking out of my dress from being full. These girls are on their third bottle of champagne, and I lost count of the number of shots we’ve taken. Mixing Jager and Vodka, mixing it up. I’m surprised they just serve alcohol here without asking for age. It’s almost half five and I said to mom we would leave at six. I also want to leave at six because I don’t like being in a crowded place, if we want to party, I think we can do that back at the hotel.
They are on the dance floor, and people are starting to arrive. It’s a Saturday night anyway, people want to have fun. I’m sitting here, I just finished my glass of champagne and I need the toilet. I stand up scan the area to look for the toilet. I feel a little lightheaded and I know that it’s the alcohol. I wander around looking for what looks like a toilet, I’m really pressed now that I’m standing and if I don’t find this damned toilet now, I might just wake up trending as the girl that peed on herself at Views.
“Sorry bhuti do you know where the toilet is?” he looks like a bouncer.
“For this floor, no nkosazane, but I can take you to the one in the VIP.” I looked up to his face and he had slanted eyes, but they were very capturing. I cleared my throat.
“I would appreciate that thank you, I’m pressed.” I realized later that there was no need for me to say that. I wanted to kick myself.
He led me to the VIP section and there was another bouncer standing there. The bouncer bowed his head to him before opening the velvet rope for us. The lounge looked quieter than out there, there was less people and they all looked rich. There were a few girls sitting with rich looking men in suits, wearing skimpy dresses like I am. I am a thousand percent sure these are blesser blesse relationships.
“Must I wait for you here?” his voice brought me back to reality and he was standing next to me. We were in front of the ladies room.
“You can if you want to.” I said jokingly and pushed the door, rushing in.
It was like I couldn’t hold it in anymore and as soon as I sat on that toilet seat, it flowed like a tap. That was the longest pee I have ever had in a while, it felt so good to relieve myself. When I finished, I went to the sink to wash my hands. I was met with my reflection, and I still looked beautiful. My eyes were slightly turning red and that was indication enough that I have had one too many drinks for tonight. I don’t drink at all, and being this tipsy, it’s not my style.
I was surprised to find him standing outside the door waiting for me. I chuckled and pulled down my dress a little. I suddenly felt naked.
“You really waited for me?” I asked walking out.
“I just wanted to make sure that you are safe.” He said leading me out.
“Thank you.” I walked in front of him, and he was following behind me slowly.
“Nkosazane.” I turned and looked at him. Did I mention that he’s handsome? I don’t think I did.
“What is your name?” he asked stepping closer to me.
“Amile.” I said looking into his eyes. They are hypnotizing.
“Just Amile?” he smiled, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. I melted.
“Amile Gumede. And who are you?” I asked reaching out my hand for a handshake.
“Nkosi Zulu.” I chuckled.
“Nice to meet you Nkosi.” He firmly shook my hand.
“Nice to meet you too MaGumede.” I felt a whole flight of butterflies’ land in my stomach, and I felt my cheeks heating up.
“Would you like to join me for a drink?” he asked still holding on to my hand.
“Uhm, I’m with my friends, I’m sure they are worried. It’s my birthday and…” I was stuttering, something I don’t do. When I looked up to meet his eyes, he was beaming.
“Oh really, happy birthday.” He said.
“Thank you.” He would probably faint if he found out my age. He doesn’t look a day younger than 25. He’s probably in his late twenties.
“Can I take you out. Tomorrow, for breakfast maybe.” Confident much. “Just as a young birthday gift.” He backed himself up.
“You don’t have to…” he interjected.
“I want to.” His eyes are hypnotizing. I think I said that already.
I nodded and he kissed my hand. What am I doing? This is a bouncer of a club for crying out loud. I’m barely seventeen yet!
“Mind giving me your numbers, just so I can call to confirm tomorrow morning.” He said looking at my lips. I cleared my throat and he looked back at my eyes.
“083…” I called it out for him, and he quickly scrambled to take out his phone. I’m sure he only got the last four digits only. I chuckled.
“I think you can make it work with those. Right?” I said and walked away.
“Amile?” he called out.
“It was nice meeting you Nkosi.” The bouncer at the door let me out and when I went back to the table, the dancing queens were sitting and were enjoying another bottle of champagne.
“Uphumaphi.” Nambitha asked without giving me a chance to relax. She acts like my mom sometimes.
“I was at the ladies.” I said pouring a glass of champagne. I thought I was done.
“The toilet is that way. You came from that way.” Yonela pointed out and I rolled my eyes.
“I asked one of the bouncers to show me and they took me to the one in the VIP section.”
“Oh okay.” They said in unison.
“I’m tipsy, I think we should go now.” I said tipping the glass back
“No, we just got here.” Who other than Yonela?
“Yoni we’ve been here for three hours now. We need to go back to the hotel. We can continue back there.” I said standing up. A part of me want to go sleep this alcohol off so I can look fresh for my date with a bouncer tomorrow.
“Amile is right, let’s go, otherwise we’ll finish all our money here. We can always get Siya to bring us more alcohol.” Here it goes again with Siya. Didn’t she hate him just earlier.
“Okay fine. Let’s settle the bill. Nambitha call the Uber.”
Yonela signaled for a waiter, and they came with the bill. I almost fainted when I saw it.
“Fucking four grand!?” I screamed out loud unintentionally.
“You’re lying, let me see!” Yonela snatched it from me. She looked at in in shock.
“We are going to wash dished tonight I swear.” She said flipping through the book.
“Ma’am.” Someone tapped my shoulder and I looked up.
“Hello.” I said in fear. I looked at her name badge and it was written manager. What if she knows we don’t have money, or worse, we are underage?
“Are you miss Amile Gumede?” She asked and gave me a big fake smile.
“Yes, I am.” I returned a fearful one.
“Mr Nkosi at the VIP section has settled your bill. I’ll just take this, sorry for the misunderstanding.” She took the bill book and walked away. I frowned and looked at the girls.
“Who is that?” Nambitha asked.
“The bouncer I was telling you about, the one that took me to the toilet.” Yoni clapped her hands loudly.
“Hhayi ndiyaqala noyiva enje.” She stood up. I’m just as confused as she is.
“How can a bouncer settle a bill? It doesn’t make sense.” I said out loud.
“I don’t know, you tell us.” They said looking at me.
“Just be grateful we didn’t have to wash dishes because there was no way I was going to pay four grand for a mere supper and a few glasses of champagne.” Yonela grabbed her bag.
“Asambe.” She said looking at the both of us.
I gave this person my number and I don’t even know who he is. I’m going to do some research. I’ll probably find him on the internet. We walked out of the restaurant, and we stood outside waiting for our Uber. It was cold and we didn’t have our jackets.
“Where is the Uber?” I asked shivering.
“Two minutes away.” Nambitha said checking her phone.
“Fuck, it’s freezing out here.” I said looking around.
My eyes landed on the SUV from earlier. It was just parked on the side of the road. It’s the royal escort.
“There’s your man’s car.” I said to Yonela. She did a mini squeal.
“I’m going to go there.” She said fixing her dress.
“Don’t be stupid wena.” Nambitha said pulling her back when she tried to walk there.
The lights of the car turned on and it roared to life before taking off and disappearing into the darkness.
“Yabonake, that was my chance.” She said scolding Nambitha.
“You’ll meet him another day.” As she was speaking, the Uber pulled up in front of us, saving us from the misery of the cold. Thank God.
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We got to the hotel safely and the first thing I did was hit the shower, remove all the make-up, and get warm and comfy. I also had to call mom and tell her we arrived safely. I’m sitting under the blanket playing Candy Crush on my phone and the girls are finishing their bottle of gin. They called Siya and asked him to bring them more alcohol, hubbly and weed, imagine. They really want to turn up but I’m not there anymore. I can’t stop thinking about Nkosi, the handsome bouncer who paid our bill.
In the back of my mind and in the depths of my heart, I’m praying he got my whole number, because my stupid ass wishes to see him again for some reason.
“Yini wena?” Nambitha slapped my thigh. I zoned out.
“Nothing.” I said looking at her.
“You’ve been quiet since we came back. Are you okay?” she asked starting to look concerned.
“She’s daydreaming about Nkosi.” Yoni chimed in. I rolled my eyes.
“I’m just wondering how a bouncer can just settle a R4000 bill. Isn’t that their monthly salary?” I asked.
“Maybe he isn’t a bouncer. Did he tell you he was one?” Nambitha asked.
“No, he didn’t, but he was dressed like one. Black jeans, a black long-sleeved t-shirt, and loafers.”
“Did he tell you his surname?” Yonela asked.
“Yes, Zulu.” That seemed to spark Nambitha’s interest.
“Zulu? Nkosi Zulu?” she repeated.
“Yes, that’s what he said.” She slapped my thigh.
“Shut up, isn’t it Prince Mandlenkosi?” she asked looking excited.
“I don’t know what he looks like, I’ve never seen him. Come on, don’t say that.” I said feeling fearful.
“What do you mean you don’t know what he looks like?” Yonela said looking at me like I’m the dumbest chick on planet earth.
“I’ve never seen his pictures before.” I grabbed my phone.
“You won’t find his pictures anywhere, trust me, I’ve looked.” Nambitha said.
“Then how do you know how he looks like?” I raised my eyebrow.
“I saw him in the news, a glimpse of him when they were coronating King Zwelibanzi.”
I threw my phone on the other side of the couch feeling frustrated.
“It can’t be him. that man just looked common; he wasn’t even wearing a wristwatch. Rich men wear wrist watches. I would’ve known if he was the prince.” I said. They both shrugged their shoulders.
“Asazi ntombi.” I bit my nails feeling dumb.
“He asked me out to breakfast tomorrow.” They both threw me shady looks.
“And what did you say?” my ever so judgmental friends.
“I said yes and gave him my number.” They both shook their heads.
“Has he called or messaged you?”-Nambitha.
“No, not yet.” I said.
“You will go to that breakfast. We want to meet him.”-Yonela.
“That is not happening.” I mean them meeting him.
“Don’t be like that. It could be the prince for all we know.” I rolled my eyes.
“It’s not the prince. I would’ve known if he was the prince. Why would a prince speak to a commoner like me, what would he be doing a club, a public club? No, he’s not the prince.”
I think I was trying to convince myself more than them. My phone beeped.
Nkosazane, I hope you had a beautiful day, and enjoyed your special birthday. I’m happy I met you, and tonight I’ll sleep with something to look forward to. I hope to see you tomorrow. Good night.
Zulu.
It was a text from him. I felt my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach. He signed it Zulu. Could it really be the prince?