Amile The Queen

Chapter Twenty

***Amile Gumede***



3 hours, that’s all the sleep I got. Trust that I’ll be falling asleep today, and I’ll most probably be grumpy. The only thing motivating me to wake up is because I had a dream about my father, for the first time since he died. I only know it’s him because mom kept a few of their pictures. I need to tell her this. I always get jealous that he visits her in her dreams all the time, but never comes to mine. Now I can finally say that he’s done the same.
“Gogo, I had a dream about my dad.” I said opening the door to her bedroom. She turned and looked at me with a smile on her face.
“Really? What did he say?” I went to sit on the bed.
“I don’t really remember, it’s all blurry, but I saw his face and I hugged him.”
“Hawu, how don’t you remember your own dream.”
“I know gogo, I always vividly remember my dreams, but this one it’s  distant, like a memory. I don’t even know what I was doing. I just remember hugging him.” She nodded.
“I’m glad he finally did visit you my grandchild, he’s a good angel, your mother always says so.”
“Go get dressed ke my baby so we can go. Im so proud of the both of you.”
I still don’t know what the plans are for today, all I know is that the reason we are up so early is because we are going to the river to for virgin checks. I’m definitely not looking forward to that. Physically I am a virgin, but things have been inside of me, tampons and all.
It’s bloody cold outside, and you can see all the other girls from the area are standing at the bottom of the road waiting for the bus to come. They are singing loudly and some are dancing. Some are happy, some are crying. I thought this was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
“Why is she crying?” I asked Buhle in a hushed tone.
“She probably has been chosen to marry one of the men and this is her last reed dance.”
“Is that allowed?”
“Yes, her family is probably struggling and the only way to save them is for her to be married off to a wealthy family who will able to look after her and the rest of the family’s needs. That or she knows she’s not a virgin and she’s fucked.” That’s tough.
“That is terrible.” I sighed feeling sorry for her. Not that I know what her problem is.
“I heard the king might be choosing a second wife this year.” One of the girls we were standing in front of spoke loud enough for us to hear. Everyone flocked around her.
“Where did you hear that?”
“Yeah, can you back that up Nozipho?” Buhle shook her head next to me. Okay, I interested now.
“Yes, I can. My aunt works in the palace remember, she’s a maid there and she overheard the queen talking to princess Balungile saying that the king finally agreed to a second wife. Oh my God, I want to be in the front line so he can pick me.” Buhle and I laughed. She turned and looked at us.
“What, you think it won’t happen?”
“The king would never marry a gossipmonger like you, just saying.” Buhle is sassy!
The gossipmonger was more than ready to start a fight.
“Asazi nje futhi wena ukuthi uyaphi emhlangeni, usekuqedile nje uSanele.” (We don't even know where you are going to the reed dance, Sanele has finished you.) Oh it’s a fight now! Everyone is chanting for it.
“Okay girls, stop it. What happened to acting like ladies.” A lady dressed in black traditional attire came and separated what was to become a heated fight. I held Buhle back.
“Okay, calm down sis. Don’t let her get to you.”
“The sad truth is that she knows no man in the village wants her and her ugly heart.” That’s is not hard to believe.
“I’ll get you Buhle, and that’s a promise.” She pointed at the both of us as she was dragged away by her friends.
Not me almost being caught up in a village bitch fight. Welcome to KwaNongoma Amile!
They gossiped about us in the bus. They made it obvious because they kept pointing at us the whole time. Especially me. I heard one of them say that I was a spoiled girl from the city and they were going to squash me like a little ant when they have a chance. I’d like to see them try, not that I know how to fight, I’ll learn on that day.
It’s fucking freezing here, and we are sitting here in the bushes waiting for the leader to come fetch the next group of girls for check-ups. I don’t think this should be legal though, this is an invasion of privacy for most part of it. First we parade our naked bodies, and as if that’s not enough, women stick their fingers in our vaginas because they feel entitled to the state of it, only because they ‘raised’ us. It’s a weird culture I tell you.
“Nina, wozani la.” She came back with the other girls, and they all had the white dot on their foreheads. So far, no one has disappointed their families.
We are in the same group as the bully, I think she did that on purpose, that’s why she’s so violent when she calls us. We are definitely in trouble.
“Nozipho, on the mat.” Great, she’s going first. She looks overly confident and that isn’t a good sign.
When Ma was done, she dipped her finger in the red powder. When he eyed say that, she wailed out loud.
“Hhayi Ma there has to be a mistake.” She’s not hearing any of it.
“Suke ecansini lami ntombazane.” (Get off my mat, girl.)How embarrassing for her.
I was next, now I’m scared.
“Wena uyingane kaGumede?” (Are you Gumede's child?) she asked as I laid on the mat.
“Yes ma.” Gumede is my dad.
She opened my legs and I started shaking. This is so uncomfortable, and I can’t wait for her to finish. I was ecstatic when she dipped her finger in the white powder. The worst is over.
“Ihlo alikho, kodwa uyintombi. Awumazi umfana.” (The hymen is not there, but you are a virgin. You’ve never been with a boy.) The crying one stops like she was being controlled by a remote. She stands up and comes to where I am.
“How, that doesn’t make any sense.”
“Hlala phansi Nozipho. I’m going to call your grandmother.” (Sit down Nozipho.) She’s back to crying.
On to the next. Both Buhle and I got our white dots and the bully got embarrassed in front of everyone. I would feel sorry for her but she was mean earlier, so no.
I saw that coming though, me not having a hymen. I wear tampons, I’ve been on a horse, and I’ve done bicycle riding too. Lots of it. I’m not going to talk about Nkosi’s long ass fingers, they don’t fit the criteria. Lol.
“We are running behind schedule. The rest of you can go and get your reeds and start the walk to the palace. It’s going to be a long one.” The lady announced and we stood up walked up to direction we came in.
There were so many other girls, I started feeling overwhelmed. I held on to Buhle.
“My anxiety is shooting up.” She rubbed my back.
“You’ll be okay. Let’s go take a reed.”
We walked in silence as if there weren’t people around us singing and having fun. This is why I avoid big crowds. I’m not walking barefoot and I’m loving the feel of the soil in between my toes.
“Oh my goodness you are so beautiful.” A bunch of girls that we standing in front of us said to me. I blushed and looked down.
“Thank you so much. You are also gorgeous.”
“Uvela kusiphi isigodi.” Another one with a beautiful neat ponytail asked me. They are absolutely beautiful too, and they have a strong Zulu accent.
“I’m from Durban. I’m visiting my family here in KwaNongoma.” They both giggled.
“You guys are so cute. Let’s walk together.” They gave us both reeds and we joined in the walking.
“How far are we going?” Buhle asked when we joined in.
“It’s not that far, it usually takes us over 20 minutes to get there by foot though, especially because of traffic. There are thousands of girls already in front.”
“That’s a lot.” I complained.
“Is it your first time here?” the ponytail asked. I don’t even know their names.
“Yes, both of us.”
“Look at us, not even asking your names…”
“She’s Amile, and I’m Buhle.” Buhle introduced.
“Are you Xhosa Amile?” I shook my head.
“No, I don’t know who decided to give me a Xhosa name. And what about your names.” Did I mention that we are half shouting because we can hardly hear ourselves over the noise of the singing.
“Sbahle.” The ponytail said.
“And I’m Ungiphile.” That is such a beautiful name.
Look at me making friends like I’ve been here for years. I’m social anxiety doesn’t let me make friends this easily, and now having had the Yonela experience, I can’t just trust anyone. They seem like lovely girls, but I’ll probably never see them again after this. So we will live in the moment.
We are getting closer to the palace, and the girls have taught us a few of the songs and the dances too. The sun is out now and its beginning to be humid. It doesn’t change that fact that I’m walking around naked, well, half naked. Gogo’s skirt barely covers my thighs, I’m not wearing underwear and my boobs are all out. The only thing covering my upper body is the beaded necklace. The only solace I have is that some girls are only wearing white beads. My skirt is much better than that I should think. I felt something slither up my leg and it was wet and slippery. I tried to shake my leg on the ground without looking down, but it just wrapped itself around my legs. I looked down and my heart stopped beating.
I don’t know how I managed to scream like that. I never knew I had so much air in my lungs. I let go of everything in my hands and I fell to the ground.
“It’s a snake! Everyone move.” One of the leaders that were near by came and moved everyone out of the way. People were now crowding around me. At this point, I couldn’t even breath from the fear.
“Its off you Amile. It’s a harmless snake.” She had it on her arms and literally everyone who was in the vicinity moved away.
I don’t think I can continue on this journey, and how the hell did she know my name?
“I want to go home.” I said wiping my tears. Buhle helped me up and picked up my reed for me.
“You can’t go Amile, we are almost there.” I shook my head and wiped the endless tears.
“I said I want to go home.”
“That snake was harmless, I might even be a good sign of the ancestors telling you that you are on a good path.” That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard.
“Come let’s go.” She pulled my hand and we continued walking and singing.
I don’t hate anyone, but you see this woman right here, I don’t know her, but I hate her with my whole heart.
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We have arrived at the palace and I can see the Royal family lined up by the shelter looking regal. I’m really not in the mop anymore, I just want to go home. I feel filty and I’m terrified of this place now. Girls are placing their reeds right by the place where the king is sitting, I’m guessing that makes it easier for him to pick his targets.
“Nathi fanele sidlule lapha?” I asked looking at them with bored eyes.
“Yes.” They all said in unison and they pushed me towards it.
I don’t see Nkosi anywhere by his family. Now I’m looking around like I’m crazy as we walk towards where the reeds are.
“Uqalazani?” Buhle asked. I faced the front quickly.
“Nothing.” I continued walking.
I put my reed down and when Sbahle put hers down, she started a song.
“Ngiyintombi mina!
Khululeka mawami
Khululeka mawam
Ngoba ngiyintombi.”
She has a beautiful voice and everyone who was behind us followed her lead. We joined in and sung and dance together. I can fully say with a mouthful that this is the only part of the day that I have enjoyed.




***Mandlenkosi Zulu***

He’s bored at the Reed dance, all he sees are girls and boobs, he doesn’t want that. Amile’s phone is still not going through and he knows that this place has zero network so he whispered inside Jama’s ear and said he was going out to get some air. Kind of stupid of him to say, judging from the fact that they are already outside, and there is infinite amounts of air, but Nkosi is selfish and he needs more, so he will get it.
He’s driving around town, he has no idea where he’s going to start looking for her. She did mention that her home is in the township part so that’s where he is heading now. He just doesn’t know where to start so he parks his car on the side of the road and tries to call he phone. It rings for the first time since yesterday and it goes to voice-mail. Great.
He rolls down the window and stops a lady walking past him. She drops the things she is carrying on her head and bows.
“Wena wenkosi.”
“Sawbona Ma, I was wondering if you could direct me to the Mchunu household.”
“KunoMchunu abathathu endaweni, ngabe inkosana icinga muphi?” he rubs his forehead in frustration.
“Lapha kukhona khona ingane yakwaGumede.” That’s the only way he can describe it.
“Oh, kaMakhosazane. You’ll continue down the road and take a left. It’s that second house on the right.”
He was so grateful. He didn’t think it would be easy to find her. He gives her some cash and she goes on her knees and thanks him before she journeys on. He starts the car and follows the direction and finds himself parked opposite a big house painted in white. The yard is huge and probably the cleanest in the whole neighbourhood.
He doesn’t have a game plan. Calling her is not an option, she’s not answering. So he chills and waits until he sees her at least coming outside to throw something out or take down the laundry. He spends over an hour waiting, much to his frustration. Not even a chicken is walking around the yard.
He’s definitely not leaving before he sees her. He will see her come hell of high waters. He sums up the courage and climbs out the car and heads for the gate.
The streets are awfully quiet, everyone is at the palace celebrating the virgins. He’s glad that Amile didn’t go. He told MaMzobe that after everything has settled, he is bringing his girlfriend to meet them. He’s not completely ready, but it has to happen now, especially because she’s having dreams about his mother, the kings mother.
His phone rang as he was about to open the gate. It was Jama. He’s not going to answer, he specifically told him that he’s going to get some air, what is he calling him for. He slipped his phone back in his pocket and continued to fiddle with the chain until he successfully opened it and let himself in the yard. When he got to the front door, he hesitated for a while, but he eventually out his knuckles to the wood and knocked. He had to knock twice before a little cute girl appeared. She gave him a big smile.
“Hello.” She said innocently looking up at him.
Something in the pit of his stomach moved when her big eyes bore into his soul. She is so cute.
“Hello.” That’s all he could say.
She was just as flabbergasted so she blushed and ran down the passage calling her gogo in her sweet squeaky voice. He laughed to himself.
“Who is at the door Tutiza?” he heard a woman’s voice approaching. He straightened his shirt.
When the old woman saw who was standing on her doorstep, she almost fainted.
“Wena Wenkosi.” She bowed her head, panic was evident on her face.
“Sawbona ma, angazi noma ungangisiza yini. Ngihamba ngibheka kaMchunu.” He held her head.
“Asenzeni lamantombazane, asebukise ngami lapha ebukhosini. I’m sorry my prince, please come in.”
“Ma angihleli, I was looking for Amile.”
“She’s not here, she’s at the Reed dance. If the prince doesn’t mind me asking, has she done something.” His head started spinning when he heard reed dance.
“I am her tutor for science and maths back in Durban and I have notes for her.” Gogo clapped once is disbelief.
His phone is ringing again, and it’s still Jama.
“Ma, can I take this quickly.” She nodded. “Jama, what!?” he’s frustrated.
“You have to come back. Now.” He doesn’t need this now.
“Apprently Amile is there at the palace.” He whispered so the woman behind him doesn’t hear.
“I know. I’m looking at her right now.” His heart started racing.
“What is she doing?”
“She’s talking to the king. Come here right now.” He drops the call.
“Ma, thank you. I need to rush back to the palace. Please tell Amile I was looking for her.”
“Where are the notes?” she asked curiously.
“They are in my car Ma, I’ll give them to her when I see her. Thank you.” She bowed her head to him and he ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the gate.
What is this girl doing at the Reed dance when she was the one who refused to go in the first place? Why is Banzi talking to her? Lord let it not happen, not what he thinks might happen.