MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 42

KUHLEKONKE ZULU

I am not puzzled by this sudden meeting dad has called me for. He always summons me just to chat and disguise our talks as a “meeting”. I get to his study office and find him sitting behind his desk with his eyes closed. He seems to be mumbling this to himself. And that’s when it dawns in. He is actually praying. My dad is not strong in religion. We are Nguni people. Our main religion is the ancestral way because we always follow their guidance and do what they tell us. That doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge God. I quietly make my way to the couch in the office and sit there, waiting for him to finish. Three minutes later he says Amen loudly and then opens his eyes. He raises his head and looks at me.

“Son, you’re here. I didn’t hear you come in.” he mumbles and I chuckle.
“You were busy so I didn’t want to disturb you.”
He nods and then comes to sit next to me. He places his arm around my shoulder and sighs. “Kuhle, you don’t know how proud I am to have you as a son. Watching you grow up and become this independent, loving and kind hearted person makes me realize I didn’t do half a bad job raising you.”

I smile. Shows of affection from dad aren’t rare, but this is giving ‘I have cancer and I’m dying soon’ vibes. “You aren’t dying, right?”
He laughs. “God no. I still have wives to service.”
“Eww, too much information, Mageba.” He continues laughing until he is wiping away tears.
“Don’t act all innocent with me here. I’m pretty sure the only time you don’t give it to Melamina is when she’s in her prayer room. Whenever she’s walking around even in a long dress, Ndabezitha stands tall, firm and ready.” Yoh, ubaba. I just wanna die right now. Give me cancer and bury me.

“Baba, I’m going to respectfully walk out now.” He snorts and shakes his head.
“Relax. You need to learn to joke as a king. Life is complicated and tough but finding time to laugh about things is very therapeutic and important. As I was saying, I’m proud of the man you have become. I love how you handled all the drama that has been thrown your way this past year. If it was someone else, they would have believed lies, caved, and ended up cheating on their wife because of crazy rumours. You stood beside Melamina and showed your strength as a married man. You did not become infatuated by virgin pussy when it was served on a silver platter. I commend you for that, Mntwana.”

“Ntombifuthi bewitched me, baba. It’s like no other woman exists except for her. Everyday I wake up and want to become a better version of the man I was yesterday just so I can be worthy of her love. I didn’t cheat or take a second wife because the fear of her leaving me. Because she was going to do that.” He chuckles.

“I feel like our ancestors would turn their backs on you if you were to hurt her.”

I nod. “I chose her 7 years ago and I made a promise that she would be the only woman I worship the ground she walks on. The only woman who would get to see me naked. The only woman who would receive pleasure from me. I vowed to love her till the day I die, and that wasn’t because I was scared of your friend, even though he is scary. Mela is such a multi-person. If there is a thing like that. She can literally keep me on my toes with childish behaviour or put me in my place with her matured side. She turned me into a fool of love and I love everything about her. I wouldn’t choose any other woman beside her. One day, she will be the queen that the Zulu Kingdom did not know they needed. She will rule beside me with bravery, integrity and loyalty.”

Dad nods. “Seems like you are putting your wife as the monarch candidate nje Kuhle? You don’t want the throne anymore?”
I laugh and shake my head. “I did not say that, wena ka Phunga no Mageba.”

“Anyways, I understand true love a lot. When I first met KaMahlaba, I was in a relationship with another woman. Not your mother. KaMahlaba didn’t know who I was. She walked right past me without even greeting and weird enough, that made me notice her. Then I did what you youngins do today, I stalked her. It took her months to agree to go on a date with me. Then she did not want to sleep with me. I thought maybe she was playing hard to get, but she was just a virgin. Found that out on our wedding night. She is the first woman whom I fell for without the ancestors’ intervention. I won’t say she was my first love, but it was true love from the get go. Her demise killed me, Kuhle. I’m tired of pretending to be strong for everyone when I feel empty without her. Many people would question how I feel lonely when I have four other wives remaining. Each and every one of my wives have a place in my heart and KaMahlaba’s space is now void. I buried myself into work so that I wouldn’t find myself sitting and dwelling in my grief, but it’s a lot, son. I need to grieve for my wife and accept that she is gone before I can be more present for everyone in my life.”

Hearing my dad speak like this is really breaking my heart. I did not realize that he was hurting in this manner. I also lost a wife and as much as Sthabile killed someone and nearly killed Futhy, there are moments where I miss her childishness. Especially when I see Amahle who looks every bit like her birth mother. But it’s nothing compared to what dad is feeling. I wrap my arms around him and feel him take a deep breath before sniffing. I allow him to breathe before I end the hug and hold his hand. “What do you need from me, Mageba?”

“I want you to be king, Kuhlekonke.” I frown. I am going to be king after he dies. So what is this about?
“Baba, time will come for that and I will be prepared. You don’t need to worry.”
He shakes his head. “You are not hearing me, Nkosana yam. I want you to be king, now. I am retiring.”

Say what? “Baba, this is not a presidency. You don’t just retire or quit. The title is passed on from late king to his heir.” There is no way I’m becoming king while my father is alive. People are not going to like that. Even the ancestors are not going to like one bit of that. They just had an altercation with my wife. I don’t think we are on great terms.

“Kuhle, I’m not asking you. I’m telling you that I’m retiring. This event will be the last one I will preside on as king. Your coronation will be 30 days from today. All my affairs are in order. I have spoken to the ancestors and they listened. I even went to the mountain just to converse with them better and all is clear. Everything has been revealed to me. Yes, I’m the first king to resign, but they approved that. You are going to do good, my son. With Melamina by your side, you will literally Conquer every storm or huddle you encounter. My people will be lucky to have you as rulers.”

But… “Kodwa baba…”
He shakes his head. “You were born for this. This is what you were trained for. The only difference is that it’s coming earlier that you anticipated, but good things always come early. Look at your kids. They came before their predicted time.” He teases but I can’t get myself to laugh. Me? As king? While he is still alive? It seems all too bizarre. He squeezes my thigh. “I trust you with my life, Mtwana. I know you won’t ever disappoint me. I’m glad that you are the one to take after me. I’m one of the few kings who will get to see their heir ascend the throne while I’m still alive. If I’m lucky, I will see you rule my kingdom for a few years and I will be proud. Kuhle, this is what you were born for. Don’t doubt yourself. Now go and tell your wife before I make the announcement at the event.” Maybe he’s dying. That has to be the case.

×××

I find my wife drinking tea with MaDubazane in the terrace. They seem to be having a debate about their industries.

“For me, interior designing is much more fun. All you have to do is decorate what is there. Bring in your touch and just bring the place to life. It can have a calming effect, seeing the finish product. All those colour combinations coming together to form a work of art. Priceless.” MaDubazane states and Futhy shakes her head, chuckling.

“But drawing Grey lines, finding a place covered in nothing but grass and having to build everything from scratch. Seeing progress of your work every time you pass that place or arrive. Seeing the before, during and after pictures. That gets me off every time. It’s like I’m a magician. I just took a house from a piece of paper and made it appear in front of me. Like abracadabra. Magic.” She indicates with her hands and MaDubazane laughs. Then she turns and spots me.

“Hey, son. What are you doing creeping up on us like that?” she asks and Futhy turns. She narrows her eyes at me.
“Back to your stalker ways, neh?” she asks and I laugh. When did I stalk her?

MaDubazane. “I will leave you young kids to it, then.” She stands up, comes to kiss my cheek and then heads inside the palace. I take the seat next to my wife and hold her hand.

“Why do you look like you’re about to say “you know I live you, right? But I have decided to take a second wife?” I swear I will end you now.” She threatens and I laugh. Her claws are always out and ready.

“Nothing extreme, baby. Well it is extreme but… eish. Thing is dad is retiring and we will be crowned king and queen of the Zulu Kingdom in a month.”
She frowns. “But how?”
“It’s a lot of things he mentioned. I will tell you all about it after the festival. I just needed you know that because he is going to make an announcement.”

“Wow. Okay. You know what, I will pray on it. Then I will know how to approach this situation.”
“But we are going to be okay, mkami. This will be quite a journey, but as long as we have each other, nothing will to wrong.” She nods and I Hug her. As long as I have Futhy’s support, I feel like I can accomplish anything in life.