Zenande Okhethiweyo 2

Chapter 19

The entire extended family is here,I cannot wait for tomorrow so that we get over and done with this ceremony. I have been running around like a headless chicken,making traditional beer,baking,cooking and keeping those old women from fighting everytime. I'm up on my feet before the sun rises and I'm the last one to go to bed. I can't even complain because these old women always tell me that this wouldn't be happening if I didn't run away for five years.
Zano has been effortlessly busy also on his side. Baba has more energy because he even plays with the boys. Sometimes I think it's because his son is happy.
I told Nokuzotha about me being kidnapped,I showed her the video on my phone and she actually cried,I don't know maybe it's because I was shooting at those men or because Dudu can actually stoop that low. I also told her about what mkhulu said about protecting the boys and making sure that we get rid of the snake. We agreed on the fact that she has to go,we are waiting for the welcoming ceremony to pass so that we expose her. The boys know that they don't eat something unless they are given by me or Nokuzotha.
As for Dudu,I have fully shown her that I'm a big threat to her. I have shown her that I hate her,I don't speak to her not even when I'm forced to. Everybody in the house can even see that and I don't hide it,the elders have reprimanded me countless times but I don't listen,the elders ended up saying that my family should be called so that they help in resolving this matter. Zano tried reasoning with me but I didn't want to hear it. Me and Nokuzotha managed to get a sample of Themba's saliva and also Zano's they went for DNA testing. We are taking her out and I will make sure she dies if I have to. I honestly suspect that Themba is not really Zano's child and I hope those tests prove it. It's not that I'm jealous or anything but that child is too different to be related to Zanothando. And in this life one thing I have learnt is to follow my gut.

"You should go to bed tomorrow is going to be a long day" gogo says as we pack away the dishes.
"Anele will handle this,go on" she says again.
"Okay gogo please kiss the boys goodnight for me" I say.
The boys sleep with gogo and that gives me peace of mind at least.
She nods and I make my way upstairs. I bump into Buhle.
"Hello" she says.
"Hello and goodnight" I say with a smile.
Knowing her she knows that it's fake.
I get to my room and immediately get into a bath. When I'm done I change into my pyjamas and get into bed.
"First thing tomorrow morning we will be there" it's a text from Rea.
Nolu and my mom will also be coming in the morning. I lock my phone and put it on the side table. Immediately when my head connects with the pillow,sleep takes over.

I'm pulled out of dreamland by my ringing phone. I groan as I reach for it. Whoever is calling deserves death itself.
"Wakey wakey sleeping beauty" he says.
"Ugh... Ozan I so don't like you right now" I say sounding groggy.
"I just landed in Durban,you said I should let you know when I do. I'm only doing what the madam said" he says happily.
I groan. Me and my big mouth!
"Welcome to South Africa Ozan Rizza! I will send you the address in the morning then" I say.
"My very first night and you are not here" he says.
"Go to sleep Ozan" I say.
We talk for a while until he arrives at his hotel room that's when we hang up. I put my phone on silent and go back to sleep. I don't want anymore interruptions.

It's five now and I'm done getting dressed. Somebody knocks on my door. It must be the elder women,I go open it and to my surprise it's Zano.
"Zenande" he says looking exhausted.
I'm pretty sure he hasn't been sleeping properly this one.
"Come in" I say moving out of the way.
He comes in and sits on the couch. I close the door and do the same sitting next to him on the couch.
"What's going on? Are the boys okay?" I ask because this seems serious.
He lets out a deep sigh. He balances both his elbows on his knees and covers his face with both his hands. Something in me says I should touch him and try to soothe him but I push it back.
"The elders are meeting tomorrow,the Zulu elders are not happy with your recent behaviour towards Dudu" he says.
At this point I don't even care,they can dislike my behaviour all they want.
"Uhm... I thought so. I only have one request,that Dudu joins in on the meeting" I say calmly.
He sighs again.
"So that you two can start bickering in front of the elders?" He asks.
"That's my only request,I'm really not forced in any way to be abiding by whatever the elders say. I'm only here because of the boys and I'm still married to you because we are still working on an alternative" I say standing up from the couch.
"Zenande" he says.
"Look Zano this is the way things are and there is no going back. I have to get started on everything,I suggest that you get into bed and sleep because you really need it" I say putting on my head wrap.
He looks at me surprised. Yes be surprised my love,I love you even though I despise you. I tell you love makes us crazy.
"Come on baba kaLwandle" I say opening the covers for him since I had already made the bed.
He doesn't reply but takes off his shirt and shoes. He gets into bed and I tuck him in,he lets out a chuckle and I smile.
"Sorry you kinda look like them nawe. I will come wake you up when I'm done with everything" I say as I get out.

I quickly get started on the big pots,preparing food for today,the entire village will be here. Nokuzotha comes out a while later and helps me.
We cook until the sun comes out. I can't help but smile through everything,me and Zano were civilised with each other and the fact that he is sleeping in my bed makes me happy. Okay I know I'm a witch for being happy about that,I should be focusing on the fact that Ozan is coming today.
Around eight we go back inside and get ready. I take another shower to wash off the smoke.
I get dressed in my brown maxi dress with a long sleeved white t-shirt underneath. I put on my brown and white Tswana shawl and a brown doek. And then I put on my gladiator sandals. I put on mascara and lipgloss. When I'm done it's around ten thirty so I decide to wake Zano up.
"Time to get ready Mageba" I say once he sits up.
My phone rings and I immediately go out to the passage to answer. It's Ozan we speak for a while and I update him on everything I have been doing so far. Zano walks out of my room and goes to his overhearing a bit of my conversation.

I walk downstairs and everybody is ready even Cele is here. Once we are all here he burns the incense and speaks to the ancestors telling them about today's ceremony. When he is done. Everyone disperses except Baba,Zano,Siphephelo,gogo and me.
"Where is your white cloth?" Cele asks me.
"In the car" I say.
"Are you fit to touch it?" He asks.
What the hell old man? What the hell is in this dirty man's mind? I nod my head as I go and fetch the cloth from the car. Zano undresses the boys and places them on the cloth. He burns the incense again and talks to the ancestors. I feel like something in me is turning,it's a feeling I can't understand. I push it back,I get on my knees and rest my entire upper body on them. Cele tells baba to talk to them. After he says "BoMageba" I'm screaming. I'm even shaking at this point. Cele tells all of them to say the clan praises.
"We heard you and all will go well today,there will be no fights and there will be no sadness. One will follow in his grandfather's footsteps and one will follow in his mother's footsteps. A love that only happens once every two hundred years has saved this family. Eat,drink and be merry. Let the people know that this is their home" a voice I can't even recognise as my own interrupted them.
By the time it's gone I keep quiet and the thing that felt like it was inside me has left.
"Cover them in their mothers cloth and bring them to the back" Cele says with a smile and stands up.
Zano stands up and gathers the boys. He looks at me and I smile,assuring him that I'm okay. The  Zulu men follow Cele and we are left to welcome the people and the guests.