Chapter Fifty-One

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***Nambitha Makhathini***

I’m so sleepy. The burial was at three in the morning before sunrise, I’m exhausted already. When we arrived at the palace yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to see Amile. She looked broken, and she even lost weight. The bags under he eyes and the darkened pigment of her skin, it’s hard to look at her. I’m traveling with my boyfriend and Amile’s mom. She doesn’t know that he’s my boyfriend, though, because I know she’s going to kill me if she finds out.
The king and Amile went to do a cleansing, and now we are going back to the palace. I want to sleep, even if it’s for two hours. We arrived, and the queen was sitting in the lounge. MaMchunu went to greet, and I followed behind her. She looks very grumpy, she’s been like this since morning.
“Ndlunkulu.” I bowed before her.
I’m scared of her. I’ve always fantasized of seeing them, now that it’s happening, I don’t know how to handle myself. All she did was greet back. Now I want to disappear.
I walked out of the room and went back to the garden, where there was tranquillity. It’s still early, the grass is wet and the sun is shining. That’s summer in December for you. It’s already sun rise at four o’ clock. Deep down, I wish I stayed in a place like this. This palace is grand, the rooms, the décor, everything about it is top tier. The view is even better. The smell of the morning dew on the grass, no air pollution, just fresh air. The sound of the birds, the chickens marking the rising of the sun. I’d kill to live and wake up here every day.
The air around me suddenly smells polluted, did I admire it too much. I know that smell all to well though. Who other than Nkululeko and his God forsaken cigarettes. He snaked his arms around my waist.
“MaMchunu is going to see us and I’ll get into trouble.” He puffed out a cloud of smoke and it took everything in my for me not to cough.
My lungs aren’t that strong.
“I thought you left your mother at home.”
“I did baby, but she’s also a mother to me, and unlike Amile, I’m not married. I’m still a child.” He puffed another cloud before the threw it on the floor and stomped on it.
“I understand mama. But I missed you.” I turned around and gave him a peck on the lips.
“I missed you too.” He hugged me tightly. So much so that he lifted me off the ground a little.
I giggled and buried my head on his shoulder. My heart is thudding against my chest.
“You want to come home with me?” He asked grabbing my bum.
He always ruins the moment with his sexual tendencies.
“Yes, but I’m not doing anything with you.” He chuckled.
I’m not joking.
“We won’t do anything MaXulu.”
“Yeah right.” He’s already hard behind me.
“Asambeni nana.” I need a nap.
I agreed to go with him. I can’t say no to his pleading face, it’s too ugly.
He went inside to get my bag while I chilled in his car like the madam I am. I can’t stop thinking about what Zimi said about Nkululeko potentially sleeping with his baby mama’s. He has two of them, Azande and Banele don’t share a mom. I don’t know both of them, but if they are anything close to what Zimkhitha is in terms of being a baby mama then I should be worried.
Nkululeko is a grown man. In the midst of all the love I feel for him, I still stand back and question what it is that he wants from me. I’m way younger than him, I have absolutely nothing to offer him either than love and a few kisses. Why is he being so patient with me? It makes me wonder if he’s getting what I can’t give him somewhere else. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I shouldn’t let Zimkhitha get into my mind.
He came back and he had my handbag. I’m glad he didn’t take my whole suitcase. He didn’t say much, he just kissed my on the cheek and started the car. I feel very appreciated by this man. Today I’m playing my music, I’m tired of being bullied by him.
He surprisingly didn’t say anything, his hand just rested on my thigh the whole way. He’s too quiet for my liking today. But we arrive faster than I was expecting at the home he said he was taking me to. It’s one of the biggest modern houses on the street. The yard is big, with freshly cut green grass. If this is where he lives, then he’s done much for himself, and that means he’s as rich as I think of him to be.
He comes to open the door for me and hold the small of my back while leading me to the front door. He unlocks it and when he opens, I’m met with a bare lounge. There is only a table in the middle of the room, there is one run down couch and a TV stand with a small TV. The inside is quite disappointing compared to the outside. At least it’s clean and spacious. I wonder why it’s not furnished.
“Must I make you something to eat?” he asked nibbling on my earlobe.
“No, I’m fine. I’m feeling sleepy.” I told him as I scanned the room.
“Must I rock you to sleep?” I frowned before I giggled catching on to what he’s saying.
“No, I’ll be fine Mr Dlamini.” I pushed him off me.
He went to the kitchen and opened the door. I could see the view from  where I was standing. The fresh breeze of the morning filled the whole house. The hills look luscious and the mist floating just above the hilltop looks beautiful next to the sun rays. I’m in love with this place. 
“Come let’s go take a nap.” He led me to the passage.
“Are you going to leave the door open?” Is he not afraid of strangers and thieves coming in?
“Uyahlonishwa umuzi wendoda sthandwa sami. Akekho ozongena.” I forget that I’m dating a bodyguard.
He opened the door to a big room that was fully furnished. Finally. It has built in wardrobes and a beautiful bedroom suite. This bed looks big enough to be a queen bed. It looks very comfy.
“Who lives here?” I asked sitting on the bed.
I melted on the inside when he went on his knees to untie my shoes. My baby is a little romantic
“It was my parents house.”
“Where are they now?”
“They died.” Now I feel bad for asking.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize nana, they are better of in their graves.”
I look down at him and I see the scar under his eye. I remember that he said his father put it on him. Now I’m suddenly curious about his family. When he was done undoing my shoes, I put my feet on the bed and laid back on the pillow. He went to the wardrobe to her a blanket and came back. He got in behind me and held me before he covered us with the blanket. This is the cosiest we have ever been.
“How old were you when they died?”
“I was 25 when Dlamini died and mom died when I was 19.” Not too bad. But I’m guessing his father’s death is much fresher than his mom’s.
“I’m sorry about that.” He kissed my cheek.
“It doesn’t hurt sthandwa sami don’t apologize.” He’s been saying that and it kinda bothers me.
“Did you build this house or did you parents leave it like this?”
“I rebuilt it after Dlamini almost burnt my mother to death in this house. The bastard died in a house my mother didn’t get to enjoy.” Okay, he’s annoyed now, I don’t want to annoy him.
“Was he the one who scarred you?” his breathing pattern slightly changed.
“Yes he did.” I kept quiet.
I felt like I had to let this moment of silence happen otherwise he was going to burst. His heart was thudding against my back. He tapped my arm.
“You said you are sleepy, sleep.” I obeyed very quickly. I didn’t even think twice.
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The rain is pouring outside. I don’t understand how that is possible, it was sunny not so long ago. I’m feeling so sticky, and Nkululeko is holding me tightly in his embrace. The blanket is no where in sight.
“Baby.” I tapped his cheek lightly.
He opened his eyes and they were red. He looks ugly when he wakes up, but I wouldn’t mind waking up next to him my whole life.
“Did you close the kitchen door? It’s raining.” He caressed my cheek and kissed my lips.
“I did nana.” I didn’t stop him from kissing me this time.
He’s an amazing kisser, his lips are very soft and they do things to me, to my body.
I guess he really did get up because he’s topless, he’s only left in his black pants. I don’t know why he left them on when he could’ve taken all of the clothes off. I on the other hand am still fully clothed. I’m running my hands on his chocolate skin and I’m loving the gentleness of it.
He lifts my dress and uses his hand to try arouse me down there by my pleasure spot. I opened up and let him.
“I love you nana, don’t ever leave me.” This is really not the best time to confess his love. Not when I’m so vulnerable under his touch.
“I’ll never leave you baby.” That’s what I said.
It’s not like I’m planning on leaving him anytime soon. I meant what I said when I said I loved Nkululeko.
I don’t know when he pulled his pants down, but I could feel him rubbing himself against the lace material of my underwear. I tensed up. I’m still fully clothed but he started soft bellows and they were arousing. With my eyes closed shut, I directed my hand and grabbed him and stroked him gently. I’ve never done this before, it’s so weird but the way he's tilting his head back means that he’s enjoying it.
He sneaks his finger into my underwear and he finds my pleasure button. I’m trying to squeeze my thighs together but the pleasure is not letting me do that. My hand pace slowed down and he removed his hand from my core. He instead pulled my panties down. I don’t know what he’s trying to do.
“Baby?” he kissed my neck gently leaving bite marks on it. I closed my eyes and ran my hands on his head.
His hand massaged my boob as he kissed my lips gently, in no rush. Then he separated my thighs. I tried to stop him but he’s stronger than me.
“Baby.” I warned again. I’m still calling him Baby even in such a tense situation.
He ignore me once more before his hand brushed my opening. Nothing out of the ordinary, my body became less tense. His member was resting on my thigh, I take a glance at it and I almost faint at the sight. It’s big, very big. I’ve never seen it, heck it was my first time holding it. It has the slight curve and that scares the shit out of me.
He notices that I’m staring and he chuckles before taking my hand and making me stroke it again. My breathing hitched as he got on top. He positioned his tip on my entrance and I jerked up.
I shook my head no but he grabbed my thigh and I felt him pushing himself in.
“Nkululeko stop.” My breathing pattern is changing.
Is he not hearing anything that I am saying? His grip on my thigh tightened before I felt a stabbing pain in my abdomen. Oh no, oh no what did this man do?
“Nkululeko get off me.” Instead of getting off me, he grunts and I feel him fill me up.
I can’t push him off, he’s way stronger than I could ever be. I’m in pain, all I’m doing now is crying. I can’t believe him, I can’t believe he is breaking his promise that he made to me to wait.
He starts wiping my tears and kisses my lips as droplets of his sweat fall on my boobs. I bit his lips and that only seemed to fuel him because he went faster and faster. I have never felt such an excruciating pain. This is no where close to the special that I wanted. It’s with the right person, just at the wrong time.


***Nontuthuzelo Zulu***

They came back from the cleansing, and they have been locked up in their room sleeping like logs. It’s definitely not an easy journey, it wasn’t an easy day and water can tire one very much. That is why she is grabbing this opportunity with both hands. She needs to tie up a few loose knots, starting with Celemba who gave her false muthi. She doesn’t understand why she still has a baby in her stomach while Amile’s is buried six feet underground. It doesn’t make sense. She’s driving herself. She needs answers from Celemba.
When she gets to his hut, she doesn’t even bother to leave her shoes at the door.
“Hey, hey! You are not respecting my ancestors.”
“Ancestors my foot with your dormant herbs. Are you sure you are a real nyanga?”
“Have I not proven that to you Nontuthuzelo?” she shakes her head.
“Why did you give me fake herbs? Why do I still have a child growing in my stomach and Amile’s child is dead? Why? Tell me I want answers. Throw those bones and prove to me that you aren’t fake.”
He laughs, like gives a loud cackle and frustration spreads through her body.
“I don’t control ancestors, I talk to them.”
“Okay, then talk to them, ask them why I have a child that I don’t want? Go ahead, ask them.” She’s waiting on him to throw the bones.
“What you ate doing is disrespecting me, and my ancestors. I will not sit here and do whatever you say I must do if you are still failing to respect me.”
“Fine by me. But the king doesn’t trust you. That is why while you sat here on your ass, he got up and got someone to do a cleansing that should’ve been done by you. As the royal seer. Your authenticity I’d questionable Celemba. Fix it otherwise uzofahlaka wedwa.”
She said getting up.
“Who is that?” he gets up too. Good she got his attention. 
“Ask your ancestors.” She picks up her bag and goes to the door.
“Ngitshele igama, ngizoqeda ngaye.” She stopped on her tracks and smiled to herself.
“Malandela.”
Silence prevailed. She chuckled loudly before she walked out of the hut and back to her car. She knows exactly how to push the right buttons, and now she has succeeded.

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