Amile The Queen

Chapter Twelve

***Amile Gumede***


I’m ready for school, Nkosi called me even before my alarm went off, waking me up. He’s so excited, it’s like he’s fetching his own school report, it’s weird. I’m not really looking forward to it, and I have a very valid reason. I don’t know how many eyes my pictures have reached, I definitely am not ready for the stares and whispers. Nambitha decided against going home last night and her parents allowed her to stay over. I still haven’t called my mother, I don’t want to ruin her holiday, I don’t think I’ll mention it, especially if Nkosi fixes it in time. I’m standing in the kitchen waiting for Nambitha to finish getting dressed. She’s always late and I know Jama will be here any minute from now.
“We don’t have to be so early you know.” She said carrying her small bag, chucking in her pen and lip gloss, my lip gloss.
“Bring it back.” I warned.
“I will.” She rolled her eyes.
I chuckled inward when I remembered what Nkosi said about eye rolling. He’s such a breath of fresh air to me, I’m afraid of him sometimes, but it’s not in a bad way. It’s that love type of fear, where I respect him so much that I fear him. He treats me like his precious cargo yes, but he’s very quick to put me in line, I find that very amusing.
The only reason why I’m rushing Nambitha is because I know how punctual Jama is, and I know he’ll be here at seven on the dot. I don’t want to be on his bad side ever, I’m not ready for that, I still fear him very much. It doesn’t help that he’s still ugly. I thought I would’ve adjusted to his ugliness by now. Nambitha doesn’t know that though, and judging from the way she spoke last night, there is a high chance that she might catch feelings.
“Let’s go.” I said grabbing my side bag and shades.
“So you are going to wear shades?” she asked as we made our way out the flat.
“Yeah, I don’t want people to look at me in the eyes. That is embarrassing.” She gave me a tight reassuring squeeze.
“It’s going to be okay, this will all settle and by the time we go back to school, it will be over.”
I hope it will. This day will be better if I don’t run into Yonela, I fact my whole holiday will be fantastic, I won’t have a reason to run into her for the next three weeks.
Nambitha slapped my hand when we walked out the lobby and saw the GLE parked right outside, waiting for us.
“Riding with royalty?” she was in disbelief, but you could see the excitement on her face. I giggled.
“Good morning ladies.” Jama flashed us a bright smile. Huh!?
“Good morning Jama.” I said. I know my man is inside the car, now all I want to do is see him.
“He’s sitting here.” He pointed to the backseat, I rushed to open the door but Nambitha grabbed my hand.
“Where must I sit?” she tried to whisper, but that was futile, Jama is right here.
“You young lady, will join me in the front.” I involuntarily snorted and opened the door as quick as I could when she shot me a death stare.
She looked nervous for someone who spent almost twenty minutes conversing with him in the kitchen.
There he is, my handsome man, he’s here with me and I actually letting go of the stress of going to face all of those people at school, he’s here. He turns his head when I climbed in and the smile that etched on his face when our eyes met sent me to the moon. He had his top lip tucked in between his teeth and his dimple was out to play. I wanted to stick my finger in them one day, I’ll do it one day.
“MaGumede.” Cue the butterflies people, the prince is speaking.
“Hi Nkosi.” I slid next to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. He frowned.
“Is that where you kiss me now?” I giggled. Says the one who couldn’t even initiate a proper kiss.
“If you wanted a kiss Ndabezitha  you would’ve taken it, but that’s all I can offer.” He shook his head and chuckled.
“Jama, awushaye imoto lapho sihambe, ngifuna abantu bajabhe.” He said looking at me. Wow.
“And what do you mean by that.” He ignored me. Jama laughed as he opened the door for Nambitha. She muttered a low greeting for the prince.
“Good morning my prince.” She looked so uncomfortable.
“Hi Nambitha, how are you?” he was casual as always, and my bestie is probably breaking a sweat.
“I’m okay Bayede…” He interrupted her by chuckling. She looked terrified, I wanted to die with laughter.
“Bayede is my brother, and all of those other names you guys use. I’m Nkosi, say it, Nkosi.” She cleared her throat. I looked at him with a smirk dancing on my face.
“I’m sorry Bayede, I can’t, you are older than me…” her voice was quivering. I so wish I could record her. Let’s not forget that this is her celebrity crush!
“Then call me Zulu like your friend here.” He held my hand that was resting on my lap and he locked his eyes with mine. Finally, they released the butterflies!
“Nambitha, relax, soon enough, you also won’t be able to take him seriously.” Jama said starting the car.
We all laughed, except Nambitha who just cleared her throat once again.
“Did you guys have breakfast?” he asked me, brushing his hand on my arm.
“No, we were going to be late if we did.” I said.
“Late for what, you have until 10:30 to do this.”
“I don’t want to fight with Jama.” He laughed.
“Ngoba ngenzeni mina.” Sharp ears I see.
“You are punctual, too punctual if you ask me.” I replied.
“Yes, a real man knows the importance of time and how valuable it is, every second of the day should be spent wisely.” True, but it coming from Jama, it’s weird.
“Kuhle ngoba uyazi MaGumede, asidlaleli ngasesikhathini. If you say ten, it will be ten.” He continued.
I swear I saw Nambitha stealing a glance at him. He drove into Mac’Donald’s and parked in the parking lots.
“Stay here, we’ll be back with breakfast.” He said to me.
Isn’t he supposed to be top secret and not be in the public eye and all of that? I nodded nonetheless and let him go. As soon as we watched them both disappear into the store, Nambitha exhaled as if she was holding her breath.
“Why are you doing this to me?!” She exclaimed, turning I’m her seat to face me. I laughed.
“No, don’t laugh, you aren’t being a true friend.” She was sulking.
“Come sit with me.” Nkosi can sit in the front, its fine.
“No, so your man can kill me, no thank you, I’ll pass.” I have a feeling that she’s enjoying the front seat.
“Your man is intimidating chomie, it doesn’t help that his escort is also ugly, and now he’s making me sit in the front seat like I’m his side chick or something.” I cracked up.
“You said you liked him yesterday.” I added.
“No I didn’t. I just said his personality is better than his looks, nothing else.” She’s irritated, and it’s very amusing.
“Yeah right, he may be ugly but he’s smells amazing, dresses like a real gentleman and is rich. What more could a girl ask for?”
“Ayy, I don’t want him.”
I wonder what Jama wants though, jokes aside. Just the other day, he was not fine with Nkosi being with me because of my age. It’s him hitting on my friend that’s confusing. What does he want?
“Okay chomie, it’s fine, but come sit with me. I’m nervous.” I said. Her face straightened. I’m calling her to the back for the third time now and she has no plan of moving. She really is enjoying that front seat.
“About what, the report or Yonela?”
“All of it really, but I feel a bit lighter now that Nkosi is here. I don’t really care what anyone has to say.”
This feeling scares me though. It makes me think I’m dependent on him. What happens to me when he isn’t here and I have no one to depend on?
“And that’s a good thing chomie. I feel like maybe this thing that you two have will last forever, and I’m not only saying this because he’s richer and older, or because he’s the prince, but it’s because of the way you look at him, the way he looks at you, the way he speaks to you, the way you speak about him. Its nothing like I’ve ever seen before, even with Siyabonga. You are genuinely happy, effortlessly and that’s all I want for you, to be happy.” I am happy aren’t I? I have that royal glow.
“I am happy, and I love him so much that I’m giving him all of me. I am fully dependent on the love he gives me and I am afraid of being hurt for real. Nambitha, in just a few days I love him like I’ve known him for years, like life didn’t exist before he came. I love him so much that I was on the verge of giving up my virginity to him. I’m not leaving any room for disappointment and that’s the number one rule my mother taught me about relationships.”
“I feel like when you love someone, and you give them your all, it’s a good thing. I am definitely no where near feeling what love feels like, but I imagine it to be this beautiful airy feeling, mixed with a little bit of fear, excitement and giddiness. You see that fear, its normal, and yes you should leave room for disappointment, but that fear that’s there, that’s that room, because when something does happen, and you find yourself disappointed, that fear, it will be your room. I’m not making sense.”
“No, you are. I don’t know Nambitha, I feel like there is no need for that room of disappointment.”
“Then don’t pressure yourself into thinking that something will go wrong, otherwise you won’t enjoy your relationship and love with him. My best advice to you is live in the present and enjoy this while it’s still at its purest, because you will always face problems, that is the inevitable, and when those problems arise, you will only have memories of the good times to hold on to. Only when you never find your way back to those good times. But you two love each other, no problems will ever be bigger than your love.” She’s right, and if I love him so much now, I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like in the years to come.
“And what stopped you from giving it up to him?” I love the seriousness of this conversation.
“He stopped me and told me he doesn’t want to damage me. He said I’m not ready for it and now that I look at it, I really am not, but in that moment, I was vulnerable, so in love with him. I wanted him to feel the love I have for him, I needed to prove it to him. But he stopped me. He showed me that he doesn’t need me to prove my love for him, he just knows that I love him, he feels it.”
“And that right there is a real man.” No lies detected there.
“You know I don’t judge, and whatever decision you would’ve taken, I would’ve supported you, but I’m glad he stopped you. Now we can go to the Reed dance together.” The seriousness never lasts for long, does it.
“OH hell no, so the king can choose me. No thank you.”
“Why do you have this absurd fear, there are thousands of girls that attended that ceremony. There is a high chance that you will not even see one person from the royal family. Only the lucky few get to see them.”
“I don’t care about all of that, I bagged myself a prince, that’s all I need.” She laughed and rolled her eyes.
“You, I still need myself a royal man, tell your man to hook me up at least with Dumisani.” This one is crazy, sometimes I forget she’s obsessed with these people.
“The married one?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Haibo, we can always gudluza a problem. Even being number two is not an issue.” Ihhe.
“Problem? That’s his wife, he loves her and I don’t think he’s a polygamist. Even the King isn’t a polygamist.”
“Kuzoqala ngaye Amile, come on musa ukubhayiza.” (he will be the first one Amile, come on, don’t be dumb.) I laughed.
“Ukhona uJama, I’ll set you up with him.” She slapped my arm and rolled her eyes.
Her eyes wandered around for a few seconds before she turned to face the front. She’s pretending as if we are in a classroom.
“What’s wrong?” I asked looking around.
“They are coming. Shh, don’t talk to me. Ngiyayisaba indoda yakho.” I cracked up and she gave me a stern look through the rearview mirror. I can’t help it, she’s killed me.
The door on my left opened and I was still laughing.
“What’s so funny?” He asked handing me coffee and orange juice. I hope the juice is mine.
I can feel Nambitha’s eyes piercing through my skin as I stare at her back. Her eyes looking at me through the mirror. As soon as he climbed in the car, she dropped them quickly.
“Something Nambitha said.” He quickly took a glance her direction direction flashed a small smile, she wasn’t even looking.
He smells like an ashtray.
“Why do you smell like a chimney?” I asked sniffing around the car.
The smell of his cologne is obviously stronger, but I have very sharp nostrils, I can smell anything, and I know what cigarettes smell like, he smells like one; or many.
“I went for a smoke.” He said nonchalantly like it’s a good thing, a normal thing. Haibo.
“Don’t look at me like that.” He defended himself. “You are creeping me out.” He said looking away from my eyes. Yes, feel guilty. I won’t have a chimney for a boyfriend.
“Didn’t you think of telling me?” he frowned. I’m not angry, I just don’t know what this feeling is called though, I don’t think it has a name.
“I don’t do it all the time MaGumede, just once in a while.” I shook my head.
I removed my eyes from his face only to find that we were almost approaching the school, I didn’t even feel the car moving. Silence has graced the space.
“Smoking is not good for you.” I murmured. Jama raised his eyes. He also looked guilty.
“Siyaxolisa MaGumede.” So he can hear me. I looked at Nkosi.
“I won’t do it again MaGumede.” He said. I don’t hear Jama saying that though.
“I won’t do that again MaGumede.” Good!
I’m not angry, I just don’t like smoking and cigarettes. They killed my father, I’m not ready to lose someone again over those. Yes I don’t remember much of him, but if such a little thing killed him, then they really are dangerous.
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They remained in the car and they are waiting for us. We are just collecting the report anyway, it won’t take longer than 5 minutes if we don’t run into queues and trouble.
“What was that back there?” bafflement dressed her voice.
“You know I hate cigarette smokers. Smoke weed or vape or something, not cigarettes.” Again, I’m not angry, I wasn’t angry. I was just telling him.
“You literally addressed two grown men like they are your kids Amile, one of them is a prince, just so you know.” I rolled my eyes.
“I know, but they listened, so it worked.” She laughed and clapped her hands once.
No, I’m not controlling, that’s not who I am, I just care about the safety of the ones that I love. I care about their wellbeing and if it is in jeopardy, I will protect it.
The classroom was filled to the brim and our teacher was standing in the front addressing them. Looks like we are late.
“Come in.” she demanded.
We pushed each other into the class and as soon as we walked in, all eyes turned to us. Their stares weren’t judgemental, but I still wanted to disappear and never be found.
“As I was saying. Majority of you did well, but the few that has not put in the effort, and is not being serious, you will definitely not make it. It’s not too late to pull up your socks. And on that note, can we give our number one in the class a round of applause, Miss Gumede, congratulations. Continue to put in the hard work.” She handed me an envelope.
I wasn’t expecting that. I’m not a typical A student, but I do well, and I normally get good marks, but to be first amongst so many smart kids, it’s overwhelming. Now this gives everyone another reason to look and talk about me. Great.
“Well done chomie.” She gave me a tight squeeze. I’m still shocked
“Amile can I see you after this.” Ayibo!?
“Yes Ma’am.” What does she want to say to me?
I sat at one of the desks and waited for them to finish collecting their reports. A few of my classmates came to congratulate me when they were done and it seemed like no one knew about the incident I was so stressed about. Everyone was quite normal in fact.
“I’ll wait for you outside.” Nambitha whispered as she walked out.
When everyone finished collecting their reports, I went to join Mrs Cullen at her desk.
“I’m impressed by your marks, so whatever study methods you are using are working, continue with them. What happened yesterday with Miss Mzulwini will be sorted out as soon as possible, she has been suspended from the school and her parents will be contacted as soon as schools open. The school will also be in touch with your mother and a disciplinary hearing will be held.” I frowned.
“And what about me? Will I also get suspended for the pictures?”
“No, you will not.” This has Nkosi written all over.
“Thank you ma’am.”
“Have a good break, and study hard.”
“You too ma’am, and I will. Thank you.” I said and slowly made my way out the classroom.
Not only is she my class teacher, she’s also my physics teacher, and an HOD. She scares me. Why is she being so kind to me? Mandlenkosi Zulu, that’s all I can see written all over this. It hasn’t even been twenty four hours and they are already talking about suspensions and hearings. Mmh, suspicious.




***Mandlenkosi Zulu***


He’s freaked out, not only has he not met that side of her, but it resembles the side of the first woman he ever loved. Resemble is not even good enough to explain it.
“Bafo what the hell was that?” Jama asked just as baffled as him.
“Awume kancane Jama.” He’s head is spinning. When he said she reminds him of his mother, she meant it to some extent, not that she must morph into her now.
“She sounded exactly like MaNdlela. I’m not crazy right.” Jama spoke.
“So I’m not crazy?” he asked, self doubt dressing his voice.
“You aren’t bafo.” Jama said.
They both shared a laugh, but this was more serious than they are making it to be. They both know that.
“You are dating your own mother.” Jama teased.
“Don’t say that, but that bafo was creepy. That look she gave me was the exact look she gave me every time I went out to play and came back late.” Jama chuckled.
“Or when she would lock us in the bedroom and whip us with the belt for stealing the neighbours oranges off the trees.” They both laughed as they reminisced.
“It was always your fault, you couldn’t get down the tree quickly and we would always get caught.” Jama teased.
“I was a fat child. And then you guys would leave me when you were running away, I was always caught and punished while you guys to away.”
“Those were the days neh. Look how far we’ve come.” The atmosphere changed.
“My childhood wasn’t the same after she died Jama.” They both sighed.
“I was forced to grow up when I didn’t want to, when I wasn’t ready.”
“MaNdlela’s death affected all of us dude. But what I saw right now, that was her right there. Whatever it may be, she is definitely living inside of MaGumede, and that is why you love her so much.”
“That’s not hard to believe.” Nkosi confessed, his thoughts crossing each other.
This us a sign for him to visit her again. Maybe even have a little appreciation ceremony for her.
“We are going to Zululand tomorrow.” He said.
“Okay.”
Why are the girls taking so long, he wants to see that report now!